The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Summary of doctrine
A TABLE OR Summary of the Chief Heads of Doctrine propounded in this EXPOSITION.
In the Introduction.
FOƲR Conſiderations touching Allegories, and the Allegoricall ſenſe of Scripture.
In what caſes Allegories are to be admitted.
From the Title or Inſcription.
Four Reaſons why we ſhould diligently ſtudy this Marriage Song.
Three uſefull Inſtructions drawn from the Inſcription.
From Verſe 1.
1 Obſerv. That the conjugall love of Chriſt to his Spouſe is a good matter.
2 Obſerv. That a ſpirituall Chriſtian cannot fully expreſſe what is within his heart.
3 Obſerv. That a gracious ſoule eſpecially eyes Chriſts perſon in Thankſgiving.
4 Obſerv. That ſuch a ſoule having experience of Chriſts power, will ſpeak of him, and for him.
From Verſe 2.
1 Obſerv. That Chriſt is incomparably faire and full of beauty.
1 In his Natures.
2 Offices.
3 Relations.
4 Word and Ordinances.
5 Providences.
6 Members.
2 Obſerv. That Chriſt doth effectually give Grace by the Miniſtry of the Goſpel.
This Doctrine is confirmed by foure Arguments, and an Objection anſwered.
3 Obſerv. That Chriſt is furniſhed with power and ſpirituall gifts to doe poor ſinners good.
From Verſe 3.
1 Obſerv. That none are able to withſtand the ſharp ſword of Chriſt.
2 Obſerv. That Chriſt is the mighty one who can perform whatſoever he promiſeth or threatneth.
Four Reaſons why it was neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould be the Mighty One.
3 Obſerv. That the true believer ſpiritually eyes the Divinity in the humanity of Chriſt, for his ſalvation.
Five Inferences drawne from this Doctrine.
From Verſe 4.
1 Obſerv. That Chriſt rideth in Majeſty, truth, meekneſſe, and righteouſneſſe.
2 Obſerv. That he proſpers in his journey and undertakings.
3 Obſerv. That though the Lord can immediately bring about his glorious deſignes, yet he will have his people pray to him.
Three Motives hereunto.
4 Obſerv. That the Lord Jeſus in advancing his Kingdome, will doe terrible things in righteouſneſſe.
From Verſe 5.
1 Obſerv. That Chriſt and his people will meet with much oppoſition in a good work.
Chriſt bath two ſorts of Enemies. 1 Open. 2 Secret.
2 Obſerv. That it is a great evill and provocation to oppoſe the Lord Jeſus in his Kingly Office.
3 Obſerv. That Chriſt is an excellent Archer, and hits the mark whenſoever he ſhooteth.
4 Obſerv. That the Lord ſhoots the keen Arrowes of his wrath into the hearts and conſciences of men.
This King is the King of hearts, and hath to doe chiefly with the heart and ſpirit. For
1 He chiefly requireth ſpirit worſhip.
2 He beſtoweth ſpirituall bleſſings.
3 He furniſheth his people with ſpirituall weapons.
4 He abhorreth ſpirit deſtlements.
5 He gives up obſtinate ſinners to ſpirit deluſions.
From Verſe 6.
1 Obſerv. That the Eternall Godhead of Chriſt was revealed to the Lords people under the Old Teſtament.
The Father, Son, and Spirit, doe all witneſſe to this great truth.
Three Inferences drawn from this Doctrine.
The Eternall Godhead of Chriſt is further evinced by five Demonſtrations.
1 From his Divine Names and Titles.
2 From his Divine Properties.
3 From his glorious Works.
4 From that Religious worſhip which is aſcribed to him.
5 From his Oneneſſe with the Father.
An Anſwer to that Objection (viz) That the Title Jehovah, and other Tules of God, are communicated to Creatures.
It was requiſite that Chriſt the ſecond perſon ſhould be God.
1 In reſpect of God himſelf.
2 In reſpect of man.
Eight of the moſt materiall Objections againſt the Godhead of Chriſt, anſwered.
What we are to think of the words [Conſubſtantiall, Perſons, Trinity.]
Six ſpeciall Rules or Conſiderations propounded for the better underſtanding of thoſe Scriptures that refer to the myſtery of the Son of God.
2 Obſerv. That Chriſts Kingdome is an everlaſting Kingdome.
A twofold ſtate of Chriſts Kingdome here on earth.
That Chriſt hath a twofold Throne.
1 One as he is the Lord of glory.
2 Another as he is a glorified man.
3 Obſerv. That Chriſts Government is a righteous and equitable Government.
1 He is a Righteous King.
2 A Righteous Judge.
3 A Righteous Lord.
4 A Righteous Husband.
5 A Righteous Advocate.
The Righteouſneſſe and equity of Chriſts Kingdome is further demonſtrated in ſeverall particulars.
From Verſe 7.
1 Obſerv. That 'tis naturall and effentiall to Chriſt to love righteouſneſſe, and hate iniquity.
Chriſt is a juſt perſon, according to a fourfold definition of Juſtice.
Quaer. 1 Wherein Chriſts love of righteouſneſſe appeareth.
2 Wherein his hatred of iniquity appeareth.
Four Duties mentioned, which we are to learn from this Doctrine.
2 Obſerv. That God was the God of Chriſt in the work of our Redemption.
Of Gods graoious Ends therein towards us.
An Anſwer to that Objection (viz.) Chriſt is not God, becauſe he was anointed by God.
In ſix particulars the holy Ghoſt reſembleth Oyle.
3 Obſerv. That Chriſt as man received the Ʋnction of the Spirit.
Two Reaſons or Grounds hereof.
Quae. If Chriſt be ſo full of the Spirit for us, why are we ſo empty, anſwered in five things.
4 Obſerv. That all true believers are Chriſts fellowes.
Here it is ſhewed, that the Saints now have a higher righteouſneſſe and union then Adam had, the Spirit himſelf dwelling in them.
In eight particulars it is evineed, that not onelyonly the gifts of the Spirit, but the perſon of the Spirit, or the Spirit himſelf dwelleth in the Saints.
Six Cautions touching the in being and indwelling of the Spirit himſelf in the Saints, to prevent miſtakes.
By four Arguments 'tis proved that there are created gifts or babits in believe's.
An Explication of John 17.21, 22. Which Text is alledged (by ſome) to prove that the very ſame union and fullneſſe that is in Chriſt, is alſo in the Saints.
It is ſhewed what is meant by thoſe words (viz.) That they may be one in us, as thou father art in me, and I in thee, &c.
From Verſe 8.
1 Obſerv. That the holy Ghoſt condiſcends to us in illuſtrating ſpirituall things by temporall.
2 Obſerv. The ſpirituall preſence and influence of Chriſt is incomparably ſweeter then the ſweeteſt of Creatures.
3 Obſerv. That ſuch as are neareſt Chriſt, are moſt refreſhed with his ſpirituall Oyntments.
4 Obſerv. That Chriſt manifeſts himſelf graciouſly in the Aſſemblies of his people, as out of Iv…ry Pa. lace.
Four Reaſons of this Doctrine.
5 Obſerv. That the Garments of Chriſt the Bridegroom ſmell ſweeter then the friends of the Bridegroom.
6 Obſerv. That it greatly rejoyceth Chriſt when his people are comforted.
From Verſe 9.
1 Obſerv. That particular Churches of viſible Saints are the Kings Daughters.
2 Obſerv. That the Saints and worſhip of Chriſt are exceeding precious and honourable.
Four Reaſons why the Saints are precious and honourable.
3 Obſerv. Though perticular Churches be precious, yet the univerſall Church is the Queen that hath the greateſt dignity.
Great priviledges belong to the univerſall Church.
Four Propoſitions concerning the ſamc.
4 Obſerv. The ſpirituall Church is as the fineſt Gold before God.
From Verſe 10.
1 Obſerv. That Chriſtians ſhould diligently conſider the word and meſſage of the Lord.
Six Reaſons of this Doctrine.
There is a twofold conſideration of things.
1 One Naturall.
2 Another Spirituall.
2 Obſerv. That the Church ſhould willingly forſake all her naturall Relations, for Chriſt her ſpiritual husband and Bridegroom.
From Verſe 11.
1 Obſerv. Holineſſe in the Church is amiable to the Lord.
This is farther inlarged in four particulars.
2 Obſerv. That Believers ſhould deny their owne righteouſneſſe, will, wiſedome, in love to Chriſt, and for him.
Three things mentioned, wherein Chriſt goes beyond all other husbands.
3 Obſerv. That Chriſtians ſhould eye and obey Chriſt as their Lord.
The Lordſhip of Chriſt conſidered two wayes.
1 His providentiall univerſall Lordſhip.
2 His ſpeciall gracious Lordſhip.
We are to obey this Lord becauſe we belong to him every way. As
1 By Creation.
2 By Eternall Donation.
3 By purchaſe and impetration.
4 By union and implantation.
5 By Covenant and ſtipulation.
6 By Conqueſt.
From Verſe 12.
1 Obſerv. Chriſt will put honour upon his ſincere worſhippers.
2 Obſerv. The Rich and Noble ones ſhall highly eſteem the Church.
Of the Prophetick Scriptures concerning the advancement and flouriſhing ſtate of Chriſts Kingdome in this world.
Dan. 2.31, &c. Opened in ſeverall Quaeries.
1 Quae. What is meant by the Legs and Toes of Iron, &c.
1 Anſ. Neg. Not Alexanders Succeſſors in the Graecian Empire.
2 Anſ. Affir. The Roman Monarchy is thereby repreſented. Proved by divers Reaſons.
2 Quae. What is meant by the ſtone that ſmote the Image on his feet, &c.
This is alſo anſwered neg. and affir.
3 Quae. Whether the Kingdome of the ſtone may be conſidered as a ſpirituall Kingdome.
Anſ. In three reſpects it may be ſaid to be a ſpirituall Kingdome.
In five reſpects it is a temporall Monarchy.
4 Quae. What are the priviledges that relate to the
Kingdome of the ſtone?
Anſ. Seven things are mentioned.
1 A new Heaven and a new Earth.
2 A glorious accompliſhment of Prophecies.
3 An abundant affuſion of the Spirit of glory.
4 Purity in Ordinances and worſhip.
5 Ʋnion among the Saints.
6 Peaceable and righteous Adminiſtrations.
7 Rich and wonderfull returns of prayer.
5 Quae. How to judge of the Diſputes of this preſent Age, touching the fifth Monarchy.
Anſ. Here three things are humbly offered.
From Verſe 13.
1 Obſerv. That the ſpirituall excellency of the Saints (being internall) is not diſcerned by the naturall man.
2 Obſerv. That the outward pomp and glory of this world is but a meer ſhadow.
This is demonſtrated in three partioulars.
3 Obſerv. That the Saints (notwithſtanding inherent graces) need the clothing of wrought gold (namely) the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt to cover their nakedneſſe.
Two Reaſons of this point.
The excellency of this Clothing demonſtrated
1 It is a Garment of Gods weaving and contrivance.
2 Our faith, love, ſpirituall actings, are no part of it.
3 The Lord himſelf cloaths us with it.
4 It is ſo perfect that he cannot find the leaſt fault with it.
5 In the aſſurance thereof we have peace and joy unſpeakable and glorious.
Quae. Whether Chriſts active righteouſneſſe be this clothing of wrought gold, and imputed to us for our juſtification?
Anſ. In five Concluſions it is evinced, that the ſinner is juſtified by Chriſts active obedience.
Some Objections to the contrary, anſwered.
From Verſe 14.
Man is like a piece of Embrodery, or curious wrought Garment, and that in five eſpects (viz.)
1 In reſpect of the lineamonts and parts of his body, Pſal. 139.13, 14, 15, 16.
2 The faculties of his rationall immortall ſoule.
3 His free juſtification by the beautifull Garment of Chriſts righteouſneſſe.
4 His ſpirituall union and renovation.
5 His glorification, when he ſhall be clothed upon with glory.
1 Obſerv. That the Marriage between Chriſt and his Spouſe is not ſo gloriouſly ſolemnized and conſummated as it ſhall be.
1 Here our knowledge of God is imperfect, low, and dark to what it ſhall be. For
1 It is rather negative then poſitive.
2 'Tis by way of Eminency.
3 By way of cauſality, If there be ſo much good in the effect, there is much more in the cauſe.
2 As our knowledge, ſo our enjoyment of God here is imperfect.
2 Obſerv. The Saints (that now groan under the body of ſin) ſhall be perfectly clothed upon with Garments of glory.
This excellent glory is briefly, ſpoken of in five things.
1 The Saints ſhall perfectly ſee the Eſſence of God.
2 They ſhall behold the glorious perſon of Chriſt, and the myſtery of the Hypoſtaticall union.
3 The will ſhall fully enjoy God as the chiefeſt good.
4 There will be a moſt raviſhing communion with the bleſſed Angels and Saints.
5 The bodies of the Saints ſhall be made like the glorious body of Chriſt.
An Anſwer to that Object. (viz.) That no ſeparated ſoules return to tell us of this glory.
This is anſwered in five things.
3 Obſerv. That every true Saint attends on the Church univerſall, as the daughter on her mother.
4 Obſerv. That ſuch as are the Churches true companions here, ſhall be companions with her in glory.
Two Cautions concerning degrees of glory.
5 Obſerv. That true Chriſtians are chaſt virgins.
1 They have a ſingle heart.
2 They are chaſt in their affections.
3 In their Principles.
4 In their practices.
5 In their ends.
From Verſe 15.
1 Obſerv. That there will be unſpeakable joy on all hands when the Saints are received into the Kings Pallace.
1 God will be glad of their company.
2 Chriſt will rejoyce over them.
3 The Angels will exceedingly rejoyce in their ſociety.
4 The Saints themſelves will rejoyce with unſpeakable joy.
2 Obſerv. That God hath erected a glorious Pallace for his people.
1 It is prepared by God himſelf.
2 Bought with Gods money, and purchaſed with his blood.
3 Chriſt hath poſſeſſed it for us.
4 Given us the earneſt of it.
5 The Lord will ſhortly put us in poſſeſſion of it.
6 The glorious preſence of God himſelf is the beauty of this Pallace.
The excellency of this Royall Pallace is further demonſtrated in three things.
This precious Doctrine is ſhut up with a twofold Medita.
1 Concerning the true Reſt and repoſe of the wearied ſoule.
2 Of the Beatificall Viſion of the Lord of Glory.
From Verſe 16.
If we apply this Text to the Church, or Bride, then
1 Obſerv. That the Church hath no cauſe to boaſt of her naturall progenitors, but rather of her ſpirituall Children.
Quae. Whether the Children of Believers are priviledged more then others?
Anſ. They are not by naturall Generation, but by Gods free gracious Covenant they are.
2 Obſerv. That Chriſt doth abundantly ſupply the loſſe of naturall Allies, by affording the Church ſpirituall relations.
3 Obſerv. That believers are Princes.
If we apply this Text (as it may be more fitly applyed) to Chriſt himſelf, then
4 Obſerv. That though Chriſt was obſcure in reſpect of his naturall kindred, yet he is glorious in his ſpirituall Allies.
5 Obſerv. That the Saints are made Princes by and from Chriſt, and not from themſelves.
The Saints are Princes.
1 By their Redemption.
2 By their ſpirituall birth.
3 They are endowed with a Princely ſpirit.
4 They are conformable to a Royall Law.
5 Clothed with Royall Apparell.
6 Fed with Princely dainties.
7 They have Princely company.
8 They belong to a Princely City.
9 They are entitled to Princely victories.
10 A Royall Crown is laid up for them.
The Saints ſhould manifeſt the Princelineſſe of their ſpirits ſpecially in five things.
From Verſe 17.
Obſerv. That the Holy Ghoſt (who endited this Pſalm) will cauſe the name of Chriſt to be remembred from age to age.
Three Quaeries are here propounded.
Quae. What is meant by the name of Chriſt, and what vertue is in this name.
Anſ. 'Tis ſhewed in two things that Chriſts name is excellent.
2 Quae. What it is to remember Chriſts name.
Anſ. There is a twofold remembrance.
1 A ſpeculative or notionall.
2 A ſanctified practicall remembrance of Chriſts name.
Quae. How the Spirit cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred.
Anſ 1. Neg. Not ordinarily by immediate ſuggeſtion.
Yet there is an immediate teſtimony of the Spirit.
Four Cautions concerning this.
Anſ. 2. Affir. The Spirit ordinarily maketh Chriſts name to be remembred in the uſe of means.
In reference hereunto, eight things are propounded.
Laſtly, It is ſhewed that Satan ſometimes puts man upon Religious exerciſes, and ſuggeſteth the name and word of Chriſt to them.
Five diſtinguiſhing Notes between Satans ſuggeſtions, and the motions of the Spirit of God.
Four Corrolaries drawn from this Doctrine.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Troughton, The Mystery of the Marriage Song (1656)