The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Verse 14, 15
VERS. 14. She ſhall be brought unto the King in rayment of needle-work: The Virgins her companions that follow her ſhal be brought unto thee.
VERS. 15. With gladneſs and rejoycing ſhall they be brought: they ſhal enter into the Kings Palace.
IN the fore-going Verſe the ſtate of the Church in this life was repreſented both as to Juſtification and Sanctification: Chriſt comes both by water and by blood. 1 John 5.6. And now in theſe Verſe we have a deſcription of the ſtate of the Church triumphant in glory.
She ſhall be brought to the King in raiment of needle…k,] or in embroyderies, namely, with embroydered or …dle-wrought garments; ſuch garments being uſual… worn in thoſe Eaſtern Countries by Princes and …ble perſons, Ezek. 26.16.24. Some underſtand …eby the embroydery of the Spirit of God, and the …ty of his gifts, according to Ezek. 16.10. 1 Cor: ….4. But the indwelling and work of Gods Spirit …g aimed at in the former part of Verſe 13. I hum… conceive that this with the following Verſe …ld be interpreted of the ſtate of glory, and that …ment of perfect bliſs and happineſs which Chriſt … glorious Bridegroom wil put upon his Bride who … be glorified with him, Col. 3.4. Rom 8.17, 18. …n 3.2.
The Lord hath put a great excellency upon Man, …ſo that we may well ſay with the Pſa miſt, Lord … what is man that thou art mindful of him, Pſalm ….4.
Man by the wiſe contrivance of God is a little world, Man is like a curious piece of embroydery. 1 In reſpect of his body,…rious piece of embroydery, an excellent piece of workmanſhip. and that in ſeveral reſpects.
Firſt, in reſpect of the frame and conſtitution of his …, and the parts and members thereof, which are …ſly wrought and put together by God; the form… and compoſing the body of man of ſo many …es, veins, arteries, ſinews, is a curious piece of …kmanſhip. We might the Pſalmiſt admire, and … out, I am fearfully and wonderfully made; my ſub…ce was not hid from thee (O Lord) when I was made in …et, and curiouſly wrought (i. e. like a piece of embroydery) in the loweſt parts of the earth, Pſalm 139.13, … 15 16.
Secondly, In regard of his rational immortal ſoul,2 His rational ſoul. …hoſe two noble faculties, the Underſtanding, and … Wil, wherein man far excels all the ſenſitive crea…s. The ſoul is the better part of man, more worth … all the world beſides, Mark 8.36, 37. The body …hout the ſoul is but a dead Trunk, an empty caſe; … ſoul is the Jewel; the Creation, Infuſion, and opera… whereof are like a curious piece of embroydery, … excellent wrought garment wel-becoming the author and creator thereof, who is a ſimple, immaterial, Immortal Spirit, and the God and Father of Spirits, Numb. 16.22. the Lord breathed into man th… breath of life, and man became a living ſoul, Geneſ… 2.7.
Thirdly,3 In reſpect of his juſtification. In reſpect of his free Juſtification by Chriſt and thoſe glorious Robes of Righteouſneſs wherewith the iuſtified perſon is inveſted, being clothed with th… Sun, and having the Moon under his feet, Rev. 12, … This was largely ſpoken of from Verſ. 13. As there … much variety in a garment of needle-work, ſo in th… great work of mans Redemption and Juſtification b… Chriſt there is much excellent ſpiritual variety, multifarious wiſdom, Eph: 3.10 herein the Lord abounde… both in mercy, and Juſtice, and prudence, Pſalm 8 … 10. Eph: 1.8.
Fourthly, 4 In reſpect of his ſpiritual union with Chriſt.By reaſon of his union with God through Chriſt, and the new or ſpiritual Creation, or Divi… nature, 2 Pet: 1.4. which a godly man partakes o… Chriſt being in him the hope of Glory, Col: 1.27. M… by the fal is become brutiſh, Pſalm 92.6. having lo… the Image of God through his own default; but being born again of the Spirit, John 1.13. John 3.5, … Chriſt being formed in him, Ga. 4.19. and he tranſformed into the Image of Chriſt from glory to glor… 2 Cor. 3 18. Rom: 12.2. Hence it comes to paſs, th… he is like a piece of embroydery, or curiouſly wrought garment; Ezek. 16.13. bearing the Portraiture, Imag… and ſuperſcription of the Lord from Heaven, 1 C… 15.47, 48.
Fifthly, 5 His glorification.Man wil be a curious excellent piece … deed when he is perfectly glorified. The Body of ma… the rational ſoul, the renewed ſanctified ſoul beari… the Image of Chriſt, our free Juſtification by the righteouſneſs of Chriſt; all and every one of theſe are li… a piece of curious embroydery. And if ſo how then w… it be with thee (O my ſoul) when thou art perfect clothed upon with garments of glory, 2 Cor. 5 2, … Then ſhal the Spouſe be brought into the Kings preſence in raiment of needle work; then ſhal the glorio… beauty of the Spouſe which now lies hid fully … …, Col. 3.3. 1 John 3.2. Princes uſed to be clothed with long white garments at their Feſtivals and Triumphs; The Saints ſhal have a feſtival day, a day of Triumph, in the view of Men and Angels, on which …hey ſhal be clothed with long white Robes, and have …alms in their hands, Rev. 7.9. Though there be …uch Beauty and excellency upon her in regard of …er Juſtification, and ſpiritual renovation, yet this excellency of hers is as yet vailed; ſhe ſeems black …hough ſhe be comely; but her comelineſs and glory …al be made manifeſt. This is that which is promiſed … the Text. Then ſhall ſhe be brought to the King in rai…ent of needle-work.
Hence Obſerve,
Obſ. 1 That though there be a Marriage-Relation and mu…l embraces between Chriſt and his Spouſe, and the …ouſe now and then admitted unto intimate converſe and …miliarity with him. The marriage between Chriſt and his Spouſe is not ſo fully and gloriouſly ſolemnized as it ſhall be.John 14, 21. Re… 3.20 yet the Marriage is not ſo compleatly and gloriouſly ſolemnized as … ſhall be.
Beleevers now are perfectly glorious in the perſon … Chriſt their Head, being riſen and aſcended in him …ed ſitting together with him in heavenly places, Eph. … 6. But they have not as yet a conſtant un-interrupted communion with him, they are not yet ſo glorious in their own perſons at they ſhal be; for they muſt …rſt be unclothed that they may be clothed upon, 2 …or: 5.2. This fulneſs of glory as it relates to the per…on of a Beleever is reſerved for the general day of Reſurrection, and re-union of ſoul and body.
The Soul indeed when ſeperated from the body … brought into the glorious preſence of the King, and …oth behold his face; yea the Lambs followers in …his life (when the remainder of the Vials ſhall … poured out, the Jews converted, Antichriſt …eſtroyed, the Spirit of God more abundantly …ommunicated, and Chriſt ſhall take poſſeſſion … the Kingdoms of this world;) ſhall be …ked with far more ſpirituall glory then at preſent they have attained, as appeareth from Rev… 17.7, 8, 9. Rev: 21.22. yet the ful and perfect manifeſtation of the Sons of God ſhal not be til the ſo… and body be reunited in glory, then ſhal ſhe be brought to the King in raiment of Needle-work.
Our preſent knowledg and enjoyments of God are nothing to what they ſhal be.The imperfection of our preſent knowledg, 1 We ſee but darkly in a glaſs.
And firſt touching our knowledg of God, it is exceeding dark, low, and imperfect. We ſee him bu… darkly as in a glaſs, riddle, or allegory, 1 Cor. 13.12. an… there is a vaſt difference between ſeeing an object directly immediatly, and in its proper colours, and b… holding it through a mirror or glaſs: For
1 The ſight of an object through a glaſs is but wea… rather the ſhape and reſemblance of the thing … ſeen by us then the thing it ſelf.
2 As it is weak and imperfect, ſo it is vaniſhing an… tranſient, it ſoon paſſeth away, and is not durab… and permanent.
3 Its a remote and far-fetched way of knowledg, … light ſpringing into the underſtanding but through… the window of the ſenſes, which firſt take in th… ſpecies; one direct view of the Lord of glory will i… finitely tranſcend this low way of Knowledg.
Secondly, 2 Our knowledg of God now is rather negative then poſitive.Our knowledg of God now is rather Negative then poſitive; we know not ſo wel what Go… is, as what he is not, by removing imperfection from him; thus we ſay, God is not a man, that he ſhould li… with him is no ſhaddow of change; he is without beginning and end of dayes, &c. This is negative, a… it is obſerved*Ex puris negativis nihil concluditur. that from pure negatives there … be no certain concluſion made.
Thirdly, We know God here but by way of eminency; as namely,3 By way of eminency. thoſe perfections which are ſcatter… among the creatures do eminently and tranſcenden… center and meet in God.
Fourthly, 4 By way of Cauſality.By way of cauſality, as God is the founta… and ſupreme cauſe of all beings with their motio… and operations; In him we live, move, and have our … ing. (1) By the motions of the Creatures we gath… that there muſt be a primum mobile or firſt mov… (2.) From the degrees of entity, truth, goodneſs, love, juſtice, which are in the Creatures, we infer that there muſt be one chief being, Truth, good, &c. Thus reaſoning from the leſſer to the greater, if there be ſo much ſweetneſs and comfort in the ſtreams that flow from God, and in his communications to us in his Creatures and Ordinances, there is much more in the perfect enjoyment of God himſelf.
Now this way of knowledge (though we are to bleſs God for it, yet it) is but low and imperfect if it be compared with that which is to come.
Again Secondly, as our knowledg of God,Our enjoyment of God imperfect. ſo our love to God, delight in him, communion with and enjoyment of him, are weak and imperfect: for how ſhould we perfectly love and delight in that object which we do but imperfectly know according to the meaſure of our knowledg if it be experimental) ſo is the meaſure of our love: ſtil there remains much darkneſs in our mindes, enmity in our wils, carnality in our affections to be purged out: having ſuch pretious promiſes, and hopes of glory and immortality, we ſhould cleanſe our ſelves from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 1 Cor. 7.1. 1 John 3.3.
Uſe. Let none of us therefore ſecretly or openly boaſt of our ſpiritual gifts, knowledg, attainments, and enjoyments If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, 1 Cor: 8.2. and again, if a man think himſelf to be ſomething when he is nothing, he deceiveth himſelf, Gal: 6.3. alas, the moſt ſpiritual quick-ſighted Chriſtians that live on the face of the earth know and enjoy but little or nothing to what they ſhall know and enjoy in Heaven, nay, to what they may know and enjoy here; which when it comes they will be aſhamed of the imperfections of their preſent knowledg and enjoyments; We are but yet in the withdrawing-room; the time is coming that we ſhal be brought into the preſence-Chamber of the King of glory.
Again, the Glory of the Spouſe in the Beatifical Viſion and fruition of God is here illuſtrated by a ſimilitude taken from an artificial excellent wrought garment, wherein there is alſo an alluſion to the Queens being brought into the Kings preſence in her moſt gliſtering and glorious attire upon the day of Nuptials, having a Canopie of ſtate carried over her head, as the Jewiſh cuſtome was.
Obſ. 2 Hence Obſerve, That the Saints who groan under a body of ſin, The Saints who groan under a body of ſin ſhall be perfectly clothed upon with glory.Rom: 7.24. ſhal be perfectly clothed upon with the Garments of Glory prepared wrought and contrived for them by God himſelf. We cannot fully deſcribe what the Saints ſhall ſee and enjoy; and to ſpeak of the ſtate of Glory ſo fully as the ſame may be repreſented out of the Scriptures would require a long diſe courſe.
I ſhal briefly hint 4 or 5 particulars in reference thereunto,
Firſt, 1 The Saints ſhall perfectly ſee God,The Saints ſhal perfectly and intuitively ſee God himſelf as the chiefeſt and higheſt Truth, the ſountain of all Truth, the Cauſe of Cauſes: They ſhall ſee him as he is; they ſhall ſee him as they are ſeen, and know as they are known of him, 1 Cor. 13.12. 1 John 3.2. Rev. 22.4. and what that knowledg or ſight is truly I know not; but this I know, that the Ʋnderſtanding of a man will not fully acquieſce til it perfectly know and ſee him who is the higheſt and chiefeſt Truth. This Viſion of God ſhal be clear and perfect, ſo far as a creature or fin ite being is capable,*Viſio clara…non comprehenſiva. though it ſhal not be fully comprehenſive; for that which is finite cannot fully comprehend that which is infinite; but we ſhall ſee him as he is; we ſhal ſee him ſo as to be made like him, ſo as to be ſatisfied and bleſſed in him and with him for evermore.
2 The Saints ſhal have a perfect transforming ſight of the glorious perſon of Chriſt,2 They ſhall ſee the perſon of Chriſt. and the myſtery of the perſonal union, Rev. 22.4. John 17.24. It is defirable to ſee Chriſt in the fleſh: *So Auguſtine,Sir, we deſire to ſee Jeſus, John 12.21. and again to ſee him ſpiritually in his Ordinances, walking in his Garden, and in the midſt of his golden Candleſticks, Cant. 5.1. Rev. 1.13, 20. is exceeding aimiable. But O what wil it be to ſee the Lord of glory in the fulneſs of his glory; to behold the Father in the Son by the light of the Spirit perfectly immediatly & uninterruptedly to all eternity. In this Beatifica Viſion the Saints (who are illiterate, and weak its their knowledg now) ſhal perfectly know & ſee all myſteries of nature, Grace, and Glory, which are wrapt up in the Scriptures, or in any humane Creature or Science. Here we ſee God in the creature, the fountain in the ſtreams, the Cauſe in the effects; but then we ſhal ſee all effects, products, ſtreams in the original firſt cauſe and fountain of them; and this ſhal be immediatly upon the ſouls departure out of the body, Eccleſ: 12.7. Luke 23.43, 46. Acts 7.59. Phil: 1.23. Rev: 7.14, 15.
3 As there wil be a glorious Viſion of God as the chiefeſt Truth, which will perfect the Ʋnderſtanding, 3 The Wil ſha enjoy God as the chiefeſt good.ſo likewiſe there ſhall be a perfect conſtant fruition of him as the chiefeſt good, which will perfect the Will: and now both the Ʋnderſtanding and the Will being elevated to the higheſt and moſt inlarged capacity (to take in the glorious Viſion and fruition of God) that a created being can be raiſed up unto, we ſhall need no more, we ſhal crave no more; this will be true happineſs and glory indeed; and til we arrive at this we are not perfectly happy, our reſt is not glorious.
4 We ſhal have a perfect raviſhing knowledg of and communion with the bleſſed Angels, 4 We ſhall have a glorious commun…on with A…ge…s & Saints.and with all the Saints in the Church Triumphant: whereas now we know but a little (whatſoever ſome pretend) of the nature, offices, operations, influences of thoſe pure Angelical Spirits being far above us, and very myſterious, we ſhall then know them perfectly and fully. And for our communion with the Saints at preſent, alas, much of it is ſelfiſh, dull, low, and carnal; we know them much after the fleſh, and but little after the Spirit; we converſe rather with mens gifts and private opinions, admiring ſome perſons, and contemning others, then with God and Chriſt in them; Beſides, there are ſuch ſad and lamentable jealouſies, diviſions, evil ſurmizings, ſelf-exaltings, ſtrife and contention among the Saints at this day (ariſing from the remainders of pride, unbelief, and corruption) that their communi…n one with another is rendred very uncomfortable. But all theſe evils ſhal be done away and ſwallowed up in glory, where the joy and excellency of one Saint ſhal be the joy and excellency of another.
5. Then laſtly, for the body (which is now ſubject to many weakneſſes,5 Glory ſhall be put upon the body. pains, and diſtempers, and ſo a clogg and hindrance to the ſpiritual actings of the ſoul,) it ſhal be at the Reſurrection impaſſible, ful of ſtrength, activity, light, and glory; It ſhal riſe a ſpiritual immortal body, 1 Cor. 15.42, 43. In a word, it ſhall be like to the Glorious Body of Chriſt, Phil. 3.21. Heaven wil cure us of all our diſtempers.
Uſe. 1 This then ſhould incourage poor ſinners to come in to Chriſt the Lord of Glory. many gape after the dignities of this world, and delight to be brought into the preſence of earthly Princes; but here is a heavenly King ready to entertain you, and to beſtow a heavenly inheritance freely upon you: Remember what you iooſe if you gain not Chriſt; ye loſe a Kingdom, a Crown of glory, the everlaſting Viſion of the God of Glory; you loſe your own immortal ſoul, a loſe which no other gain can countervail, Mark 8.36, 37. Come in therefore and accept of the Grace and pardon of the Prince (as a poor condemned Rebel) and he will receive thee into his Glorious palace.
Objection.
But I cannot imagine that there ſhould be ſuch … Glory prepared for me who am a vile wretch Tis too good news to be true; and beſide we ſee none return from the dead to tell us of it.
Anſw: 1 Anſ: It is prepared for Chriſts flock, Luke 12.32. for all that ſhall beleeve on him; Beleeve and it is thine; nay the redeemed ones of the Lord have a right to it by vertue of his death before they beleeve, Rom 5.10 2 Cor: 5 19. Gal. 4.6. but they cannot know & rightly improve it til they beleeve.
Anſw: 2 Though theſe things be too great and glorious for thee to receive, (conſidering thine own demerit) yet they are not too great for the glorious God to give; as Alexander ſaid to one of his favorites, It becomes me who am a great King to beſtew on thee this rich gift, though thou thinkeſt thy ſelf unworthy of it. Great perſons delight to communicate great Gifts.
Obj. Again, Whereas ye ſay that none return from the dead to acquaint you with this glory, I Anſwer, An Anſwer to that Obj. that none return from the dead. Object: Anſw:I If you wil not beleeve Moſes and the Prophet (nay I may add, Chriſt and his Apoſtles) neither would ye be perſwaded if one ſhould come from the dead, Luke 16.30, 31.
2 We muſt in this caſe live by Faith, and not by ſenſe, 2 Cor: 5 7.
3 Some ſouls have returned again to their bodies, as Lazarus, John 1 44. Jairus daughter, Luke 8.55. and thoſe Saints that appeared to many in the holy City, at Chriſts Reſurrection, Mat. 27, 52, 53. But as concerning any relation they made of their enjoyments when their ſouls were ſeperated from their bodies the Scripture is ſilent, that we might not make any curiou Inquiry, (to which mans nature is prone and inclinable:) ſecret things belong to God, revealed things to us, and to our children, Deut: 29.29.
Chriſt himſelf came down from Heaven, Prov. 8.30, 3…. John 1.42. Eph. 4.10. and he rels us ſomething in his Sermons of this glorious Inheritance, and ſo doth Paul who was wrapt up into the third Heaven; though he tels us not all, for he ſaw and heard things that were unutterable, 2 Cor: 12.4.
5 The ſeperated glorified Spirits have other work to do then to come down again into this priſon: they are ſo happy, ſo taken up and raviſhed with the Viſion and fruition of God that they are exalted far above the perſons and things of this lower viſible world. That man who is delivered out of priſon and brought into a glorious Palace wil not willingly go to that dungeon where he was formerly in captivity. The Devils and wicked ſpirits may (by Gods permiſſion) frequently aſſume bodies, and walk and converſe here below (as perhaps they do at this day.) But for the bleſſed departed Spirits they are in a better and higher capacity, and have other work to do then to come again into this priſon.
This Doctrine may be further applyed.
Uſe. 2 Secondly, Is there ſuch a Heavenly glorious garment prepared by God for us; Then let the people of God be hence exhorted to a holy Heavenly becoming converſation, ſeeing we ſhal be brought before the King in raiment of Needle work. O what manner of perſons ought we to be, 2 Pet: 3.11. how ſhould we endeavour that we may be found meet for the glorious inheritance of the Saints in light? Co: 1.12. The more holy men are the fitter they are for Heaven which is a holy habitation, into which no unclean thing ſhal enter, Rev. 21 27. Let us therefore ſhake off all worldlineſs, droſſineſs, bitterneſs of ſpirit, and ſeeking the great things of the world for our ſelves, and learn (in good earneſt) to be heavenly minded, and to ſet our affections on heavenly things, Col. 3.1, 2.
Uſe. 3 Thirdly, This ſhould teach us to admire the love of God who hath provided ſuch a garment of glory, and given his Son to purchaſe it for us, John 3.16. Eph. 1.13. And in the ſenſe hereof we ſhould not a little prize the Lord Jeſus & his merits, by vertue of which we are made Heirs of this glory, Rom. 8.17. It muſt needs be a very pretious blood, the ſhedding whereof produceth ſuch a glorious effect. If we do but conſider what a vaſt diſproportion there is between the glory of Heaven and our imperfect obedience, we ſhal renounce our own righteouſneſs as a poor Low empty thing, and never expect this glory as a reward of our works, but accept the ſame as the free gift of God, Rom: 6.23. and the reward of Chriſts obedience. When the ſervant comes home from his labour, the Maſter ſaith not to him by and by, come and ſit down to meat; much leſs doth he bid him go and poſſeſs his beſt houſe, moveables, and Jewels as a reward of his dares labour. When we have done all that we can we are unprofitable ſervants, and fal ſhort of our duty, much more of obtaining this glory as a reward of our obedieace, Luke 17.7, 8, &c. neither our doings nor ſufferings are worthy to be compared with the glory that ſhal be revealed in the Saints.
Uſe. 4 Laſtly, the thoughts of this excellent glorious Garment which ſhal be put upon the Saints ſhould fortifie them againſt the fear of death; who would not be contented to go through a ſtreit and narrow gate to the preſence-chamber to converſe with the King and be his favorite? who would not indure a little ſtrugling with a ſpoiled enemy, being in the direct way to enjoy a Crown? Though the Saints may meet with a ſharp breakfaſt, yet they ſhal have a joyful dinner; though a ſharp ſtorm riſe upon them whiſeſt yet they are at ſea, yet they ſhal ſhortly be in the harbour of reſt out of the reach of all their enemies. Let us be willing and ready to looſe anchor, and to be diſſolved, that we may ever be with Chriſt, which is beſt of all, Phil. 1.23. and in the mean time patiently wait for the Lords appearance: It wil not be long before our General come and ſet us at liberty, and carry us along with him. There is but a paper-wal between us and the Kings Palace: though it will be ſome trouble to the fleſh to have this rotten wall knockt dovvn, yet the very next room that vve ſhal aftervvard enter into wil be the Palace-Royal, vvhere vve ſhal ever be with the Lord, 1 Theſ 4.17. and vvith his Angels, and ſhall ſit dovvn vvith Abraham, Iſaak, Jacob, David, Peter and Paul, and the general Aſſembly of the Saints, to our unſpeakable joy and comfort.
Thus much of the former part of Verſ. 14.
The latter part remaineth to be ſpoken of.
[The Virgi is her Companions that follow her ſhall be brought unto thee:]
In theſe words there is an amplification of the Fathers promiſe to Chriſt; the former part of the Verſe relating to the whole Church or myſtical Body of Chriſt to general, and this latter part to each true Saint and Member of Chriſt in particular. The Virgins that follow the Queen ſhal be brought to the King in raiment of Neede work.
Hence we may learn two or three Leſſons.
Obſ: 3 Firſt, Each true Saint at tends on the Church Ʋniverſal.That each true Chriſtian attends on the Church-Ʋniverſal as the Hand maid attends on her Miſtriſs, and the daughter on her Mother, Ga. 4.26, 27.
The true Beleeve or ſpiritual ſouldier follows the great Army or general Aſſembly of the Saints, Heb. 12.23. having ſpiritual inviſible communion with the whole Family, Eph, 3.15. whether triumphant in Heaven, or militant on earth; (imitating their faith, love, patience, and other chriſtian-vertue) even from Adam to faithful Abraham, and from Abraham to the Saints that laſt departed, or that live on the earth at this day, Rom: 4.16, 23, 14 Heb. 11. Heb. 13.7.
From this we may draw one or two Corrol aries.
Corrol: 1 Firſt, That the ſincere Beleever, though he be weak, and but as a little toe or ſinger, doth yet contribute to the advantage and compleating of the whole body, ſo that he cannot wel be wanting, 1 Cor. 12.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22. The higheſt and moſt excellent Chriſtian, cannot ſay I have no need of thee: The Queen wil not be without any of her true companions: As it is in the body natural, ſo it is in the Church of Chriſt, or body myſtical; all the members being fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt ſupplieth according to the effectual working in the meaſure of every part, maketh increaſe of the body to the edifying of it ſelf in love, Eph. 4, 16. Col. 2.19.
Corrol: 2 Secondly, That Virgin Chriſtians whether they be members of this or that particular Church, or not, joyned to any particular Church, ſhould ſeriouſly remember and improve their relation to the great and general Society of the people of God, no particular relation whatſoever ſhould hinder the Virgin… from waiting upon the Queen, and performing their duty to her. But this was formerly urged from Verſ. 9. and therefore I paſs it over.
Again we may further Obſerve,
Obſ. 3 That ſuch as are true companions with the Church here, Such as are real companions with the Church here, ſhal be companions with her in glory.and follow here in her faith, patience, &c. ſhall be alſo companions with her in Glory.
The Virgins her companions that follow her ſhall alſo be brought to the King.
Not every member that holds viſible communion with the Church in Ordinances, and partakes of ſome ſpiritual ſapp and influence, whereby he is enabled to perform duties for the edifying of the body (which a Hypocrite or Temporary may do, John 15.2. Mat. 13.20, 21. Heb: 6: 4, 5, 6.) But they that have real communion by grace with Chriſt and his members, and are ſpiritually ingrafted into Chriſt as their root, though they be but weak, and follow the Lamb ſlowly, yet being in the number of the wiſe Virgins they ſhal be brought to the King in raiment of needle-work.
Whether there ſhal be degrees of glory in Heaven is a diſpute amongſt many; but it matters not much.Of degrees of glory. Dan. 12.3. with other Scriptures are alledged for it, but Mat: 13.43. with other Texts are alledged againſt it; howbeit if we grant that there ſhall be degrees of glory, yet let us take theſe two cautions along with us.
Caution. 1 Firſt, Two Cautions.That the degrees of glory are not grounded upon the good works (as the degrees of hel-torments are upon the evil works) of men, but only upon Gods meer Grace and good pleaſure, who as he is pleaſed to give more faith and love, ſo he may as freely impart more glory to one Saint then to another.
Caution, 2 Secondly, The glory of one will be the Glory of another; ſo that there ſhall be no cauſe of complaint, envy or ſtrife among them; every veſſel ſhal be as full as it can hold.
Again, the Churches companions are here deſcribed to be Virgins, and this Song is called the Song of the well-beloved Virgins; alluding to thoſe Virgins that uſed to attend on, and ſing to the Bridegroom & Bride.
Hence Note,
Obſ. 5 That all true Chriſtians (who wait on the ſpiritual Bridegroom and Bride) are Virgins for their ſpiritual chaſtity. True Chriſtians are chaſte Virgins,Virgins without number wait upon them, Cant: 8.6. every one hath a Virgin-like diſpoſition.
Indeed we finde in the parable, Mat. 25. that there are two ſorts of Virgins in the viſible Church, the wiſe ones and the fooliſh; theſe as wel as the other have Lamps, (i: e.) Goſpel-light in their Underſtandings, and are purged from groſs defilements, waiting alſo for the coming of the Bridegroom; ſo that there ſeems to be no difference between them til the Bridegroom come, no more then between the gueſts at the feaſt, Mat. 22.11, 12. But the appearance of the Lord and Maſter wil diſcover and uncaſe the moſt ſubtil refined Hypocrite that is, Mat: 3.2.
Quae: Quae:How and wherein doth it appear that the Churches true Companions are chaſte Virgins?
Anſw. Anſ: 1 They are ſuch as are ſingle-hearted, not having a heart and a heart,1 They have a ſingle heart. not parting ſtakes between Chriſt and the world, Chriſt and a luſt.
2 They are chaſte in their deſires after and affections to Chriſt the ſpiritual Bridegroom, John 3.28, 29, 30.2 They are chaſt in their affections. whoſe name is as Ointment poured forth, therefore do the Virgins love him, Cant: 1.3. they deſire none, they love none in compariſon of him.
3 They are chaſte in their Principles and judgements;3 Chaſte in their principles. having the ſpirit of a ſound minde and judgement as wel as love, 2 Tim: 1.7. Phil. 1.9. They keep cloſe to the ſimplicity of the Goſpel of Chriſt (which is adulterated by others, 2 Cor: 11.2.) both in Juſtification and ſanctification; ſo that they wil not ſuffer any creature to lodge with Chriſt as his Corrival.
4 They are chaſte and Virgin-like in their practiſe and converſation; 4 In their practiſes.thoſe that ſtand with the Lamb on Mount Sion and follow him do not defile themſelves with Women (i: e.) with corrupt worldly antichriſtian Doctrines, practiſes, Intereſts, for they are Virgins, Rev. 14.4.
Laſtly, Chſte in their ends and aims,5 In their ends. therefore the Spouſe is deſcribed as having Doves eyes, Cant. 1.15. and 1.4. and 4.1. (to wit) a ſingle eye and reſpect to the glory of Chriſt; the fooliſh Virgins though they have ſome ſpiritual gifts and aſſiſtance from Chriſt, yet their ends riſe no higher then ſelf in their moſt glorious performances, Iſrael is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit to himſelf, Hoſ: 10.1. When you faſted and mourned, did you at all faſt and mourn unto me, even unto me (ſaith the Lord) Zach: 7.5, 6? but the chaſte wiſe Virgins as they bring forth fruit by and from Chriſt as their ſpiritual Husband, root, and principle, ſo for him and to him as their end, ſee John 15.2, 4, 5. Phil: 1.11. Rom. 7.4. Gal. 2.20, 1 Cor: 15.10. 2 Cor. 12.2. Phil. 4.13. Col. 3.17.
To apply this,
Uſe. 1 Firſt then, let us ſeriouſly look to it that we (who profeſs our ſelves to be the Churches companions) be found wiſe and chaſte Virgins, having not only Lamps (i: e.) ſpiritual light, knowledg, …gifts and parts, but oyl in our Lamps, oyl enough, veſſel oyl, fountain oyl, true faith working by love to Chriſt and his Saints, Gal. 5:6. The King or Bridegroom is coming, be wil ſhortly lay the Ax to the root of the Tree, and diſcover them that ſay they are Chriſtians and are not, Rev: 2.9: he wil try us to purpoſe whether we be Virgins in deed and in truth, or only in word and pretence; and O what a dreadful terrible cry will there be at midnight among the fooliſh Virgins, Mat: 25.6.
Uſe. 2 Secondly, Watch, watch, (ye that are the people of the Lord,) I ſay again watch and pray; there is an hour of blackneſs and darkneſs and Temptation come upon this Generation; The Devil is at work, and rageth exceedingly (though we ſee him not) becauſe his time is but ſhort. Rev 12.12 and his great deſign is to deſ…ur the Virgins, to draw their hearts from Chriſt, and his deſpiſed Truth, Cauſe, and Intereſt, and to make them commit folly (even at midda when the ſun ſhineth) with the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of God put of the world, 1 John 2.16. Therefore we had all need watch and pray that we may not fall into Temptation; many who ſeemed ſtronger then we have committed ſpiritua Whoredom, and are enſnared with the evils of the times. O (my dear Brethren) let us endeavour to keep our Virgin garments pure and unſpotted til the coming of the Bridegroom, who will haſten his appearance