The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Verse 4
Verſ 4. And in thy majeſtie ride proſperouſly, becauſe of truth, and meekneſs, and righteouſneſs; and thy right hand ſhall teach thee terrible things.
The Allegory is here further carried on; the Spirit of … alluding to a Prince riding triumphantly in his Cha…, as it was the manner of the Romans and other Na…s: by which the Scripture illuſtrates the Victories … Triumphs of Chriſt, who led Captivity captive, Pſal. …18. Eph. 4.8.
1. Chriſt is the Prince that rideth in this Chariot.
2. The Spirit and Word of God, are the guides to … Chariot.
3. The horſes are four: 1. Majeſtie, 2. Truth, 3. Meekneſs, 4. Righteouſneſs.
Chriſt riding in his triumphant chariot, is not attended …h worldly vain pomp and gallantry; but with Truth, …ekneſs, and Righteouſneſs.
[In thy Majeſtie ride proſperouſly] Or, Proſper thou be…ſe of truth. Ainſworth reads it, In thy comely honor …ſper, ride on, Word of truth.
The Goſpel, or Word of truth, as 'tis called, Eph. 1.13. …. 1.4. Joh. 17.17. is the white horſe, on which Chriſt … proſperouſly and ſucceſsfully, Rev. 6.2. Rev. 19.11.I Obſerv. Chriſt rides in Majesty, truth, meekneſs, and Righteouſneſs.
Hence obſerve,
That the wheels of Chriſts chariot, in which he rides when … goes forth to conquer his enemies, are majeſtie, truth, meek…s, and righteouſneſs. Theſe are diſplayed in the …eaching of the Goſpel, as the attendants of our victo…us Champion.
Firſt, Majeſtie attends him. The Lord reigneth, 1 Majeſty.and … clothed with majeſtie, Pſal. 93.1. When the beauty and …ory of the perſon and offices of Chriſt are held forth … the language of the holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 2.13. Oh what majeſtie is there in ſuch a Miniſtery! Honour and Ma…ſtie are laid on Chriſt, whoſe type King David was, Pſal. ….5. The voice of the Lord in his word and works, is …werful, and full of Majestie, Pſal. 29.4. and he maketh known to the ſons of men the glorious majestie of his Kingdom, Pſal. 145.10, 11, 12, 13.
Secondly, 2 Truth.Truth waits on him. The Lord is true … his ſayings, and in all his works. There is 1. The … of his Eſſence. 2. The truth of his Word. 3. The … of his Operations. He is Truth it ſelf, the knowl… whereof makes us free, Joh. 8.32. His Goſpel is emphatically the word of Truth, Col. 1.5. 1 Tim. 1.15. His … rit is the Spirit of Truth, Joh. 14.17. And all the preſes are true, yea and amen in him, 2 Cor. 1.20.
Thirdly, 3 MeekneſsMeckneſs accompanies him. Though … King be full of majeſtie, being the Lion of the Tribe Judah, Rev. 5.5. yet withal, he is full of Meekneſs, meek as a Lamb: Iſa. 53.7. Behold, thy King comen… thee meek, riding on an aſs, Matth. 21.5. His Word … be taught with meckneſs, 2 Tim. 2.25. and to be recei… with meekneſs, Jam. 3.21. And we are to learn of … who is meek and lowly, Matth. 11.31. His meekneſs gentleneſs appeareth, in his offering mercy, pardon … peace to the greateſt rebels, who have ſtood it out … againſt him. You will ſay, He is a meek and ge… Prince indeed, who inviteth and receiveth to mercy … moſt deſperate rebelt. Such a Prince is Chriſt.
Fourthly, 4 Justice.Chriſt rideth in Juſtice, or in meekneſs Juſtice; Juſtice being meekly adminiſtred in his kingdom which conſiſts in righteouſneſs, &c. Rom. 14.17. & whe… Juſtice and mercy meet, and kiſs each other, Pſal. 85.… Chriſt is King of Juſtice, and King of peace, Heb. 7.… And in his Goſpel, the juſtice of God without the La… revealed through a Mediator, for the pardon and juſtification of ſinners, Rom. 3.21. So that here is meekneſs juſtice, or juſtice tempered with mercy.
Ʋſe. Let us therefore chearfully meet our King (who is … our Saviour) riding in his chariot, attended with truth and meekneſs of juſtice, for our peace and ſalvation. Prince that comes riding in his chariot meekly, and graciouſly, to viſit his poor ſubjects, how doth it engage th… hearts to him? Oh what will not they do for ſuch Prince? If Chriſt finde not entertainment in this equipage with you, he will come to you in unſpeakable … rour; as it followeth: Thy right hand ſhall teach … …ble things. Now he comes in majeſtie and juſtice, ac… panied with meekneſs: but he will ſhortly appear in …eſtie and juſtice, accompanied with wrath and vengeance: Matth. 3.7. Rom. 2.5. 2 Theſſ. 1.8. Jude 7. when …y will ſay to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and … us from the face of him that ſitteth on the throne, … from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of … wrath is come, and who ſhall be able to ſtand? Rev. 6.… 17.
Uſe. 2 Secondly, 'Tis for our comfort and ſupport, that however the Rulers of the world are or may be falſe, unjuſt, …el, tyrannical towards their ſubjects; yet Chriſt, who King of Nations and Saints, rideth in his chariot, attended with meekneſs, truth, and juſtice. Let us look …his King more: as for men, they are but a lye and va…, Pſal. 62.9. He that is now attended with meekneſs … juſtice, will put forth his Majeſtie in the nations of … world, and daſh the wicked powers thereof in pieces, … will advance his own Kingdom, whereof there ſhall no end, Dan. 2.44. The people of God may well ex… a more righteous Government then is in the …ld.
Ʋſe. 3 Thirdly, It may inform us, that the happineſs and prosperity of a Nation conſiſts not in a multitude of horſes, …s, &c. Pſal. 33.16, 17. Nor doth outward pomp and … at Titles put a true majeſtie upon Governours; but …ir ruling in the fear of the Lord, 2 Sam. 23.3. and governing the people with truth, meekneſs, and juſtice, (as …riſt doth:) this is that which will render their Government truly majeſtical and glorious. They that ride meekneſs, truth and juſtice, ride proſperouſly: but as others, that ride in cruelty, rigour, and injuſtice, they …ll not proſper.
[In thy majeſtie ride proſperouſly:] Or, as it is varyed … in the margin, Ride thou, prosper thou.
Hence note,
That whenſoever Chriſt rideth, II Obſerv. Chriſt proſpers in his undertakings.he rideth a proſperous jour…. He doth not beat the air, or labour in vain; but …h fully execute and perform the work for which he …ne, and which the Father gave him to do, Joh. 17.4. … that the Father gave him, ſhall come to him, Job. 6.37. We often take journeys and do works to little … poſe: but 'tis not ſo with Chriſt, who ordereth hi… fairs in wiſdom, and manageth them with power; w… wonderful in counſel, and excellent in working, Iſa. 2…. His word ſhall proſper in the thing whereto the ſend… Iſa. 55.11. In that Dialogue between the Father and Son, Iſai. 49.4. Chriſt ſaith he hath laboured in vain, ſpent his ſtrength for nought: yet the Father tells that he ſhall be for a light to the Gentiles, and for … vation unto the ends of the earth, verſ. 6. He ſhall his ſeed, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in hand. He ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall ſatisfied. Iſa. 53.10, 11.
Hence there will ariſe two Corollaries:
Corol. 1 Firſt, That Chriſts work, both in the Church, and the world, ſhall go on, be the Inſtruments never ſo … or inconſiderable. Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, (ſaith the Lord of hoſts) Zech. 4.6. If th… be but twelve poor diſciples, fiſher-men and mechanic (as they are called) yet if Chriſt go along with th… they ſhall conquer nations, and do great things, Rev… Therefore let us not deſpiſe the day of ſmall things, thoſe weak ones whom the Lord employs in his w… Weak things ſhall confound the ſtrong; things that not, ſhall confound things that are, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. W… ever they be that Chriſt employeth in his Army, whe… Rational, Senſitive, or Inanimate creatures; yet … be their Captain and Leader, they ſhall prevail.
Corol. 2 Secondly, There is no counſel againſt the Lord, P… 21.30. If men and devils aſſociate, they ſhall be bro… in pieces, Iſai. 8.9, 10. The counſel of the Lord … ſtand, Acts 5.39. No weapon formed againſt him and Church ſhall proſper, Iſa. 54.17. Chriſt rideth proſper… and therefore they that ride and act againſt him, … needs miſcarry; or if they ſeem to proſper for a whi… a wicked courſe, as ſometimes they do, Jer. 12.1. Jer. 5.…. Eccl. 8.14. Eccl. 9.3. yet it is in greater judgement to th… and their end (if they perſiſt) will be deſtruction.
We may further obſerve,
That though Chriſt can bring about his deſignes, II. Obſerv. Though Chriſt can immediatly bring about his deſigne, yet he will have his people pray.without our deavours; yet he will have his people pray to him.
The words are ſet down prayer-wiſe; Ride thou, pro…er thou: Let thy kingdom come, &c. 'Tis true, God …ll do great things for his people in the laſt days; but …t he will be ſought unto by them, Ezck. 36.37. This is …t their burthen, but their priviledge.
To induce us hereunto, let us improve theſe three Motives:
Motive. 1 First, This hath been uſually God's way and method … diſpenſing his mercy; and accordingly, the Saints …th in the Old and New Teſtament have ſought unto …m. When Daniel underſtood that the time of the churches deliverance drew near, it was ſo far from taking …m off, that it engaged his heart to be more earneſt with …od in prayer, Dan. 9.2. As God had decreed their deliverance, ſo he had decreed that they ſhould pray to …m. Other Inſtances might be given.
Motive. 2 Secondly, 'Tis a ſymptome of approaching glory to the church, when God raiſeth up in his people a mighty ſpi… of faith and prayer; when they will not let him alone, … he ſpeaketh to Moſes, Exod. 32.10. but by faith command him, (a word which he himſelf is pleaſed to uſe) Iſai. 45.11. hanging continually on their Fathers boſome, … that they will take no denial from him, Luke 18.5. … woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee as thou …lt, Matth. 15.28.
Motive. 3 Thirdly, The more importunate we have been for mer…s, the more love we ſhall ſee, and the more ſweetneſs … ſhall taſte in them, or rather, in the God and Foun…n of them, when they come to us. We prize thoſe …ings moſt, which we have long prayed and waited for; …d in the ſenſe thereof, our hearts are enlarged towards …d in thankfulneſs. I love the Lord, becauſe he hath …ard my prayer, Pſal. 116.1, 2. Call on me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou ſhalt glorifie me, Pſal. ….16.
Ʋſe. 1 It reproveth our ſluggiſhneſs and backwardneſs, and the …mality and coldneſs of our prayers. We ſhould be earneſt, fervent, and importunate with the Lord at th… throne of grace, that his Kingdom may come in majeſtie and glory; That the remainder of the Vials of his wrath may be poured out: That he would ſubdue inward a… outward enemies: That he would put down all power and authority which is contrary to him, 1 Cor. 15.24, … and take the ſole dominion both external and internal to himſelf. We ſhould never hold our peace day no… night, nor ſhould we give him reſt, till he eſtabliſh and make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 62.6, 7. Pra… for the peace of Jeruſalem, all ye that love her, Pſal. 122.6. and obſerve Gods anſwers to your prayers.
Ʋſe. 2 Secondly, By way of caution; let us not think that … can change God, or draw him down to us by our prayers: no, no; the change is in the creature, not in God our hearts are drawn up to him, but his heart is no… drawn or engaged to us, by any temporary acts or performances of ours. The ſhore is not brought to the Bo… but the Boat to the Shore: God wills a change in us but there is no change in his will.
Again, [And thy right hand ſhall teach thee; or, let … teach thee, terrible things.
Hence obſerve,
That Chriſt, III. Obſer. That the Lord will do terrible things in advancing his kingdomwhen he rideth triumphantly in advancing his Kingdom upon the ſtage of this world, will do terrible things by the power of his Godhead, (the right hand being the embleme of ſtrength and authority, Pſal. 110.1. 2 Kings 2.19 Exod. 15.6.) ſuch things as will make his enemies tremble and his friends admire and adore him.
The day of the Lord ſhall be upon every one that … proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up and he ſhall be brought lowe: and the wicked ſhall hid… themſelves in holes and caves, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majeſtie, when he ariſeth to ſha… terribly the earth: Iſai. 2.11, 12, 19. The right hand o… the Lord doth valiantly, and will be exalted, Pſal. 118.15, 16.
Reaſ. 1 The firſt Reaſon is, becauſe the judgements or plague of God upon the ſecond Beast, or man of ſin, with his adherents, who by ſpecious pretences do what they can to rob Chriſt of his kingdom and glory, will be the ſharpeſt and moſt dreadful of any that have yet been. …he Lord did terribly ſhake the earth, when he judged …e firſt Beast, and ſhattered the Romane Empire to pie…s; but in judging the ſecond Beast, and breaking in …ces the Papal Empire, he will be more terrible: and …oſe Vials which yet remain to be poured out, will have …oſt of the wrath of God in them. Behold, the terrible day of God cometh, which ſhall burn as an oven; …d all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, ſhall be … ſtubble before him, Mal. 4.1. When God avengeth …e blood of his Saints and Martyrs, (the voice of whoſe …od and prayers cries mightily to him, Rev. 5.8. Rev. 6.10. Rev. 8.4, 5, 6.) and when the vengeance of the …mple is declared in Sion, Jer. 50.15, 28. then will the …rd ſtrike thorow the ſides of Princes, Pſal. 110.5. and …ak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his ſore diſ…aſure, Pſal. 2.5. The providences of God have been …pendious and terrible in our days: but they will yet … more terrible, as the Lord goes on to deſtroy the kingdom of the Beaſt.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, Chriſt will do terrible things, in ſhaking and …aking the Kingdoms of this world, that he may bring … and ſettle his own Kingdom, which cannot be ſhaken. … will ſhake heaven and earth, and the nations thereof, …at he may be the deſire of the nations, Hag. 2.6. Heb. ….26, 27. and acknowledged their governour, Pſal. 22.…. There is ſo much droſs and corruption both in Ci… and Religious adminiſtrations, Iſa. 1.25. that in …king out this corruption, and introducing pure and …hteous adminiſtrations, the Lord will do terrible …ngs. Thus he doth alſo, when he ſhakes and converts … heart of a particular ſinner.
Ʋſe. Let not Christians ſtumble or be offended with the diſpenſations of the Lord, though they be terrible and …adful to the world, and to fleſh and blood. Bleſſed … they (ſaith Chriſt) that are not offended with me, …tth. 7.6. Neither with my word, nor with my works. …s his right hand that teacheth theſe terrible things; … therefore they muſt needs be juſt and righteous, …wever mans Reaſon judge of them) for his right …d is full of righteouſneſs, Pſal. 48.10. Would you not have the works and adminiſtrations of Chriſt terrible to you? Oh then, ſubmit meekly to his Scepter: conform your wills to his, and ſeparate from the Whore a… all her pollutions, leſt you partake with her of her plag… Rev. 18.4. Oh that we may be found doing the will the Lord when he appeareth! Bleſſed is that faithful ſevant which ſhall be found ſo doing, Matth. 25.46.