Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n church_n holy_a read_v 3,400 5 6.3225 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A69777 The intercourses of divine love betwixt Christ and his Church, or, The particular believing soul metaphorically expressed by Solomon in the first chapter of the Canticles, or song of songs : opened and applied in several sermons, upon that whole chapter : in which the excellencies of Christ, the yernings of his gospels towards believers, under various circumstances, the workings of their hearts towards, and in, communion with him, with many other gospel propositions of great import to souls, are handles / by John Collinges ... Collinges, John, 1623-1690. 1683 (1683) Wing C5324; ESTC R16693 839,627 984

There are 18 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

duty_n to_o be_v press_v after_o it_o i_o shall_v but_o mind_v you_o of_o three_o thing_n which_o if_o they_o will_v not_o prevail_v with_o you_o i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o add_v 1._o the_o concern_v in_o it_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o obedience_n of_o his_o will_n for_o it_o be_v what_o he_o have_v as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o command_v the_o win_n of_o soul_n which_o may_v be_v more_o estrange_v and_o alienate_v from_o god_n by_o a_o undue_a behaviour_n and_o much_o reduce_v by_o a_o just_a and_o christian_a behaviour_n and_o the_o uphold_v the_o credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o religion_n and_o godliness_n 2._o second_o the_o concern_v of_o your_o brother_n good_a be_v not_o little_a by_o this_o thou_o shall_v show_v that_o brotherly_a love_n which_o be_v so_o commend_v in_o the_o gospel_n how_o can_v thou_o say_v thou_o love_v thy_o brother_n while_o thou_o watch_v for_o his_o halt_n and_o be_v glad_a and_o rejoic_a when_o thou_o see●●_n he_o fall_v that_o scorn_v and_o despise_v he_o because_o he_o be_v low_a and_o mean_v and_o afflict_a or_o because_o thou_o observe_v his_o foot_n to_o have_v slip_v where_o be_v thy_o pity_n where_o be_v thy_o compassion_n in_o the_o case_n 3._o final_o thy_o own_o concern_n be_v not_o small_a in_o the_o case_n upon_o this_o argument_n the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n persuade_v a_o remember_v of_o such_o as_o be_v in_o bond_n and_o adversity_n heb._n 13._o 3_o consider_v that_o we_o also_o be_v in_o the_o body_n and_o upon_o this_o argument_n he_o also_o persuade_v tenderness_n to_o person_n black_a through_o fault_n gal._n 6._o 2._o consider_v thyself_o lest_o thou_o also_o be_v tempt_v what_o man_n be_v there_o that_o may_v not_o be_v afflict_v and_o toss_v with_o tempest_n as_o much_o as_o any_o other_o be_v what_o man_n be_v there_o that_o may_v not_o be_v overpower_v at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o by_o his_o corruption_n or_o satan_n temptation_n now_o observe_v that_o of_o our_o saviour_n luke_n 6._o 37_o 38._o judge_v not_o and_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v judge_v condemn_v not_o and_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v condemn_v for_o with_o the_o same_o measure_n that_o you_o meet_v withal_o it_o shall_v be_v measure_v to_o you_o again_o in_o these_o case_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n hold_v which_o christ_n have_v also_o ganonize_v in_o his_o gospel_n whatsoever_o you_o will_v that_o other_o shall_v do_v to_o you_o do_v you_o the_o same_o to_o they_o sermon_n xxxvii_o canticle_n 1._o 6._o because_o the_o sun_n have_v look_v upon_o i_o i_o be_o come_v now_o to_o the_o six_o proposition_n i_o observe_v from_o these_o word_n which_o the_o spouse_n give_v as_o one_o reason_n of_o her_o blackness_n by_o the_o sun_n i_o tell_v you_o i_o understand_v the_o scorching_n of_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n hence_o observe_v prop._n that_o in_o this_o life_n the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n whether_o we_o by_o it_o understand_v the_o true_a church_n or_o the_o particular_a believe_a soul_n be_v expose_v to_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n which_o make_v she_o black_a the_o proposition_n assert_v the_o lot_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o this_o world_n that_o be_v to_o be_v afflict_v and_o persecute_v to_o have_v the_o sun_n look_v upon_o they_o this_o sense_n i_o put_v upon_o this_o metaphor_n have_v our_o saviour_n my_o guide_n mat._n 13._o 6._o 21._o 2._o it_o show_v the_o ill_a effect_n or_o influence_n which_o these_o persecution_n have_v upon_o the_o people_n of_o god_n sometime_o that_o be_v to_o make_v her_o black_a or_o at_o least_o to_o appear_v so_o to_o humane_a eye_n in_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o proposition_n i_o shall_v 1._o show_v you_o that_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n be_v usual_o the_o lot_n of_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n while_o she_o be_v in_o this_o world_n 2._o whence_o it_o be_v that_o this_o be_v its_o hard_a fate_n to_o have_v the_o sun_n to_o look_v upon_o she_o 3._o what_o colly_v or_o blacken_a quality_n there_o be_v in_o affliction_n which_o affect_v the_o spouse_n 4._o whence_o it_o be_v that_o because_o of_o these_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n be_v judge_v sometime_o black_a when_o indeed_o she_o be_v not_o so_o then_o i_o shall_v apply_v the_o whole_a discourse_n concern_v affliction_n in_o general_a i_o shall_v speak_v little_a they_o be_v the_o common_a lot_n of_o mankind_n nor_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n more_o exempt_v from_o they_o then_o another_o i_o shall_v therefore_o rather_o bend_v my_o discourse_n to_o such_o kind_n of_o affliction_n as_o be_v the_o more_o peculiar_a affliction_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o affect_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n and_o these_o be_v those_o which_o we_o call_v persecution_n of_o these_o our_o saviour_n interprete_v the_o sun_n be_v up_o mat._n 13._o 6._o v_o 21._o these_o be_v such_o injury_n as_o be_v do_v to_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n sor_n the_o word_n sake_n for_o righteousness_n sake_n for_o christ_n sake_n which_o be_v the_o several_a phrase_n by_o which_o these_o kind_n of_o affliction_n be_v express_v mat._n 13._o 21._o mat._n 5._o v._n 10._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 14._o any_o suffering_n undergo_v of_o choice_n rather_o than_o we_o will_v defile_v our_o conscience_n with_o sin_n it_o be_v true_a the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n will_v not_o give_v we_o this_o sense_n of_o it_o but_o verba_fw-la valent_fw-la secundum_fw-la usum_fw-la it_o be_v the_o usage_n of_o word_n that_o must_v give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o and_o this_o you_o will_v find_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o term_n both_o in_o holy_a writ_n and_o all_o ecclesiastical_a usage_n nor_o do_v it_o alter_v the_o case_n if_o man_n be_v make_v sufferer_n true_o upon_o this_o account_n whether_o they_o suffer_v according_a to_o a_o humane_a law_n or_o not_o for_o if_o a_o human_a law_n will_v have_v purge_v such_o act_n from_o unrighteousness_n and_o cleanse_v they_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o persecution_n the_o jew_n have_v be_v clear_v who_o say_v upon_o their_o crucify_a of_o christ_n we_o have_v a_o law_n and_o by_o that_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o die_v and_o all_o the_o martyr_n who_o have_v suffer_v since_o his_o time_n for_o his_o name_n sake_n except_v such_o as_o have_v die_v in_o massacre_n and_o by_o assassination_n have_v die_v as_o fool_n die_v for_o they_o general_o die_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o some_o law_n first_o make_v by_o such_o as_o thirst_v after_o their_o blood_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v limit_v only_o to_o capital_a punishment_n among_o the_o noble_a army_n of_o martyr_n reckon_v up_o heb._n 11._o 36._o some_o have_v trial_n of_o cruel_a mo●kings_n of_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n some_o wander_v about_o in_o sheepskin_n and_o goat_n skin_n in_o desert_n and_o mountain_n and_o in_o den_n and_o cave_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o paul_n call_v ishmaels_n mock_v of_o isaac_n a_o persecution_n gal._n 4._o 29._o and_o as_o then_o say_v the_o apostle_n he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n even_o so_o it_o be_v now_o now_o that_o this_o have_v be_v the_o lot_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n be_v so_o evident_a both_o from_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o scripture_n and_o all_o ecclesiastical_a history_n that_o i_o need_v not_o be_v large_a in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o he_o that_o cast_v his_o eye_n upon_o adam_n family_n when_o that_o contain_v all_o the_o church_n god_n have_v in_o the_o world_n will_v find_v there_o a_o cain_n rise_v up_o against_o abel_n and_o slay_v he_o because_o he_o offer_v up_o a_o more_o excellent_a sacrifice_n in_o abraham_n family_n he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n esau_n persecute_v jacob_n the_o egyptian_n oppress_v the_o israelite_n there_o be_v a_o continual_a feud_n betwixt_o judah_n where_o the_o true_a church_n be_v and_o israel_n after_o they_o have_v apostatise_v david_n in_o many_o psalm_n tell_v you_o how_o he_o be_v continual_o oppose_v and_o malign_v what_o the_o holy_a prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n suffer_v for_o declare_v the_o truth_n you_o may_v read_v at_o large_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n and_o chronicle_n what_o jeremiah_n daniel_n amos_n the_o three_o child_n suffer_v you_o may_v read_v at_o large_a in_o the_o prophet_n if_o you_o come_v to_o the_o new_a testament_n you_o find_v john_n baptist_n behead_v christ_n crucify_a stephen_n stone_v james_n kill_v with_o the_o sword_n paul_n various_o suffer_v and_o all_o for_o righteousness_n sake_n 2._o it_o may_v be_v more_o worth_a our_o inquiry_n whence_o these_o storm_n arise_v which_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v and_o be_v begin_v with_o he_o but_o grow_v great_a
first_o discover_v to_o james_n the_o apostle_n afterward_o to_o the_o aforementioned_a bishop_n of_o granada_n who_o seek_v for_o they_o patriarch_n and_o find_v they_o say_v pineda_n per_fw-la altos_fw-la granatensis_n montis_fw-la cuniculos_fw-la &_o latebras_fw-la in_o which_o leaden_a plate_n there_o shall_v be_v engrave_v in_o arabic_a so_o much_o concern_v solomon_n as_o in_o english_a sound_n thus_o and_o he_o bewail_v his_o sin_n with_o a_o great_a lamentation_n and_o it_o be_v forgive_v he_o and_o he_o die_v faithful_a and_o in_o peace_n i_o say_v there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o these_o apocryphal_a help_n we_o have_v a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o strong_a scripture_n argument_n engage_v we_o to_o conclude_v solomon_n repentance_n and_o salvation_n against_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n speak_v doubtful_o and_o the_o more_o modern_a papist_n speak_v both_o peremptory_o and_o impudent_o in_o the_o case_n and_o must_v conclude_v that_o emanuel_n thesaurus_fw-la speak_v like_o a_o profane_a poet_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o concern_v solomon_n primu_n è_fw-la christi_fw-la proavis_fw-la stygem_fw-la coluit_fw-la et_fw-la primus_fw-la intravit_fw-la indubio_n argumento_fw-la nam_fw-la idola_fw-la posuit_fw-la non_fw-la sustulit_fw-la et_fw-la flenda_fw-la leguntur_fw-la non_fw-la fletus_fw-la cantica_fw-la have_v thus_o far_o give_v you_o a_o character_n of_o this_o great_a person_n who_o write_v this_o sacred_a book_n and_o by_o this_o digression_n serve_v my_o design_n a_o little_a in_o show_v you_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n from_o his_o miscarriage_n to_o conclude_v against_o his_o be_v the_o penman_n either_o of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o piece_n of_o sacred_a writ_n to_o which_o the_o hebrew_n text_n entitle_v he_o and_o which_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jury_n in_o all_o age_n have_v find_v he_o the_o next_o thing_n we_o have_v to_o inquire_v be_v the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o his_o write_n it_o concern_v which_o the_o scripture_n silence_n have_v give_v writer_n the_o great_a liberty_n to_o abound_v in_o their_o several_a sense_n i_o see_v no_o great_a cantica_fw-la prejudice_n either_o to_o solomon_n himself_o or_o to_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o sacred_a book_n from_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o think_v that_o solomon_n write_v this_o song_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n when_o he_o first_o marry_v pharaoh_n daughter_n first_o proselyte_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v say_v 1_o king_n 3._o 3._o solomon_n love_v the_o lord_n walk_v in_o the_o statute_n of_o david_n his_o father_n and_o that_o his_o marriage_n with_o pharaoh_n daughter_n give_v he_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o heavenly_a meditation_n for_o which_o the_o great_a ground_n they_o have_v be_v that_o passage_n ch_n 1._o v._n 9_o i_o have_v compare_v thou_o to_o a_o company_n of_o horse_n in_o pharaoh_n chariot_n nor_o yet_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o think_v that_o he_o write_v it_o in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o life_n after_o his_o return_n to_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n if_o therefore_o any_o shall_v contend_v that_o he_o write_v the_o book_n cantica_fw-la of_o proverb_n first_o this_o book_n next_o and_o ecclesiaste_v last_o of_o all_o ground_v their_o conjecture_n upon_o 1_o king_n 4._o 32._o where_o i●_n be_v say_v that_o he_o write_v 3000_o proverb_n and_o his_o song_n be_v 1005._o or_o if_o other_o think_v that_o he_o first_o write_v this_o book_n of_o canticle_n which_o be_v poetry_n they_o think_v best_a suit_v his_o young_a year_n than_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n and_o last_o of_o all_o that_o of_o ecclesiastes_n the_o matter_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o mature_a issue_n of_o year_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o ecclesiastes_n speak_v a_o contempt_n of_o worldly_a vanity_n like_o that_o which_o be_v find_v with_o gray_a hair_n that_o have_v learned_a righteousness_n i_o shall_v not_o contend_v with_o either_o there_o be_v some_o who_o make_v a_o observation_n upon_o solomon_n calling_n himself_o in_o ecclesiastes_n king_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o book_n of_o proverb_n king_n of_o israel_n in_o this_o book_n only_o solomon_n whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o he_o write_v this_o book_n in_o the_o first_o of_o his_o year_n before_o he_o be_v come_v to_o the_o kingdom_n the_o book_n of_o proverb_n next_o before_o he_o come_v to_o dwell_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o of_o ecclesiastes_n last_o in_o his_o more_o perfect_a state_n but_o possible_o their_o conjecture_n be_v better_a who_o think_v that_o solomon_n spiritual_a contemplation_n of_o christ_n with_o which_o his_o heart_n seem_v in_o this_o book_n to_o be_v ravish_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o forget_v his_o title_n of_o honour_n he_o call_v himself_o by_o no_o other_o name_n than_o that_o of_o solomon_n and_o as_o through_o all_o the_o book_n he_o speak_v to_o and_o of_o christ_n under_o no_o other_o notion_n than_o that_o of_o a_o belove_a and_o a_o friend_n so_o he_o mention_n not_o himself_o under_o any_o high_a notion_n than_o solomon_n and_o a_o love_n a_o spouse_n etc._n etc._n 1._o glory_v more_o in_o be_v the_o spouse_n and_o friend_n of_o christ_n than_o a_o great_a king_n in_o jerusalem_n or_o final_o if_o any_o will_v assert_v that_o he_o write_v this_o book_n last_o of_o all_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o bernard_n delrio_n hierome_n bachiarius_n cyrill_n etc._n etc._n i_o be_o indifferent_a to_o close_v with_o either_o party_n only_o abhor_v the_o opinion_n which_o be_v ancient_o condemn_v in_o theodorus_n mopsuesta_n by_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n say_v delrio_n and_o which_o philastrius_n mention_n among_o the_o heresy_n who_o author_n he_o know_v not_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o lovesong_n make_v 9_o by_o solomon_n have_v relation_n to_o pharaoh_n daughter_n or_o the_o shulamite_n to_o which_o opinion_n also_o castalio_n and_o grotius_n seem_v to_o incline_v and_o the_o anabaptist_n in_o germany_n be_v charge_v with_o it_o by_o sixtus_n senensis_n which_o opinion_n indeed_o be_v deserve_o reject_v and_o just_o to_o be_v abhor_v of_o all_o sober_a christian_n and_o there_o need_v no_o other_o witness_n in_o the_o case_n against_o it_o than_o the_o great_a reverence_n of_o this_o book_n which_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v to_o who_o say_v the_o apostle_n be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n and_o who_o be_v sufficient_o cautelous_a what_o they_o stamp_v with_o that_o sacred_a stamp_n of_o scripture_n canon_n who_o do_v not_o only_o constant_o own_o this_o book_n as_o much_o as_o any_o other_o make_v it_o a_o dialogue_n between_o god_n and_o their_o church_n or_o betwixt_o their_o church_n and_o some_o of_o their_o patriarch_n but_o also_o bar_v any_o from_o read_v of_o it_o until_o they_o arrive_v at_o their_o sacerdotal_a year_n whether_o for_o fear_n of_o a_o vain_a interpretation_n of_o it_o or_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o difficulty_n they_o just_o conceive_v as_o to_o the_o expound_v the_o metaphor_n with_o which_o as_o with_o so_o many_o star_n it_o be_v adorn_v or_o fathom_v the_o mystery_n which_o they_o conceive_v lie_v couch_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o in_o this_o place_n determine_v sure_o i_o be_o as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o aforementioned_a gross_a and_o unhandsome_a conception_n have_v nothing_o to_o give_v countenance_n to_o their_o wanton_a fancy_n beside_o the_o comparison_n of_o the_o love_n here_o mention_v to_o a_o company_n of_o horse_n in_o pharaoh_n chariot_n and_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o shulamite_n caat_n 6._o 13._o with_o another_o or_o two_o expression_n of_o that_o nature_n upon_o which_o expression_n the_o vanity_n of_o their_o heart_n only_o have_v hinder_v they_o from_o put_v a_o spiritual_a interpretation_n so_o even_o some_o of_o these_o expression_n with_o divers_a other_o in_o this_o sacred_a song_n make_v their_o impure_a conception_n high_o improbable_a for_o if_o the_o dialect_n of_o time_n be_v not_o strange_o alter_v it_o be_v certain_o a_o strange_a commendation_n for_o so_o learned_a and_o wise_a a_o man_n as_o solomon_n to_o give_v of_o a_o woman_n who_o he_o love_v to_o compare_v she_o to_o a_o company_n of_o horse_n her_o head_n to_o mount_n carmel_n and_o her_o eye_n to_o fish_n pool_n her_o nose_n to_o a_o tower_n her_o tooth_n to_o a_o flock_n of_o sheep_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o with_o divers_a such_o seem_o uncouth_a expression_n we_o have_v in_o this_o song_n after_o all_o this_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o determine_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o book_n the_o apostle_n say_v that_o holy_a man_n write_v the_o scripture_n as_o inspire_v by_o god_n we_o have_v evince_v that_o the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n be_v a_o holy_a man_n both_o in_o the_o former_a and_o latter_a part_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o write_v this_o book_n be_v
who_o a_o sermon_n fly_v and_o turn_v delight_n into_o a_o sacrifice_n whether_o solomon_n consideration_n of_o these_o or_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n may_v rather_o incline_v he_o to_o write_v in_o this_o than_o in_o any_o other_o form_n i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v to_o determine_v 1._o second_o it_o be_v a_o song_n of_o love_n i_o note_v to_o you_o before_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o sing_v song_n at_o marriage_n in_o praise_n of_o the_o party_n so_o join_v together_o these_o song_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o the_o argument_n of_o they_o usual_o be_v the_o suppose_v mutual_a desire_n of_o the_o bridegroom_n and_o bride_n and_o they_o be_v also_o fill_v with_o the_o respective_a praise_n of_o each_o of_o they_o with_o the_o praise_n of_o their_o garment_n bed_n etc._n etc._n solomon_n guide_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n who_o often_o resemble_v the_o spiritual_a and_o mystical_a union_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o believe_a soul_n and_o christ_n so_o of_o a_o marriage_n make_v choice_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o song_n in_o this_o book_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v the_o 45th_o psal_n and_o that_o song_n isaiah_n 51_o 2_o 3._o though_o the_o argument_n of_o that_o differ_v ●_o three_o it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a song_n the_o love_n which_o be_v here_o sing_v be_v no_o carnal_a love_n but_o spiritual_a it_o be_v not_o as_o some_o profane_o fancy_n a_o discourse_n of_o love_n betwixt_o solomon_n and_o pharaoh_n daughter_n or_o solomon_n and_o the_o shulamite_n i_o have_v heretofore_o show_v you_o the_o vanity_n of_o that_o conceit_n it_o be_v sponsa_fw-la mystica_fw-la a_o mystical_a spouse_n that_o be_v here_o represent_v to_o we_o under_o that_o notion_n i_o have_v say_v enough_o before_o to_o prove_v this_o 4._o four_o it_o be_v dramatical_a or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o song_n of_o part_n compose_v after_o the_o form_n of_o a_o dialogue_n which_o be_v very_o usual_a in_o their_o song_n of_o love_n here_o be_v in_o this_o song_n 3_o sort_n of_o person_n which_o have_v their_o part_n 1._o one_o who_o be_v represent_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o belove_a 2._o another_o who_o be_v represent_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o spouse_n a_o love_n a_o sister_n etc._n etc._n 3._o the_o three_o sort_n be_v the_o friend_n of_o the_o bride-chamber_n ordinary_o in_o this_o song_n represent_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o they_o be_v represent_v under_o these_o disguise_n be_v matter_n of_o our_o further_a enquiry_n 1._o abate_v those_o who_o profane_a fancy_n we_o have_v already_o reject_v who_o think_v that_o solomon_n be_v the_o belove_a here_o mention_v make_v the_o whole_a book_n but_o a_o wanton_a lovesong_n i_o think_v the_o generality_n of_o interpreter_n be_v reasonable_o well_o agree_v that_o god_n himself_o or_o more_o particular_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o second_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n consider_v as_o mediator_n be_v he_o who_o be_v in_o this_o song_n set_v out_o to_o we_o under_o this_o notion_n of_o the_o belove_a 2._o it_o be_v almost_o as_o universal_o agree_v that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o general_n and_o the_o particular_a servant_n of_o god_n member_n of_o that_o church_n be_v those_o here_o represent_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o spouse_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n consider_v distinct_o from_o the_o gospel_n church_n or_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n distinct_a from_o the_o jewish_a church_n or_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n concern_v this_o there_o be_v several_a opinion_n according_a to_o the_o particular_a fancy_n and_o affection_n of_o interpreter_n or_o according_a to_o their_o different_a notion_n and_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o this_o book_n which_o some_o will_v have_v to_o be_v historical_a and_o make_v it_o little_o more_o than_o a_o narrative_a of_o what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o mind_n be_v the_o calder_n paraphra_v and_o the_o most_o of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n other_o will_v have_v it_o prophetical_a among_o who_o be_v luther_n alsted_n brightman_n aquinas_n and_o mr._n cotton_n etc._n etc._n other_o again_o doctrinal_a instruct_v we_o in_o that_o near_a communion_n and_o fellowship_n betwixt_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o church_n and_o every_o particular_a believe_a soul_n and_o set_v out_o that_o nearness_n of_o relation_n and_o affection_n which_o be_v betwixt_o they_o together_o with_o their_o mutual_a apprehension_n each_o of_o other_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o there_o be_v some_o particular_a passage_n in_o it_o prophetical_a and_o more_o special_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n long_o after_o solomon_n time_n by_o the_o friend_n of_o the_o bride-chamber_n call_v the_o watchmen_z the_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o song_n be_v undoubted_o to_o be_v understand_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n in_o respective_a age_n with_o the_o chorus_n fidelium_fw-la the_o whole_a company_n of_o believer_n etc._n etc._n 5._o the_o last_o thing_n which_o be_v observable_a as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o this_o song_n be_v the_o figurative_a dialect_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v beside_o the_o continue_a allegory_n of_o two_o lover_n run_v quite_o through_o the_o song_n the_o spiritual_a mystery_n of_o it_o be_v express_v with_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o metaphor_n than_o be_v find_v together_o in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o holy_a writ_n which_o make_v it_o more_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o which_o possible_o may_v be_v one_o reason_n why_o the_o read_n of_o it_o be_v restrain_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n this_o make_v that_o devout_a man_n long_o since_o cry_v out_o hic_fw-la cantica_fw-la panis_fw-la colestis_fw-la quis_fw-la vero_fw-la frangit_fw-la non_fw-it equidem_fw-la mihi_fw-la istud_fw-la temere_fw-la arrogandum_fw-la sic_fw-la expectetis_fw-la a_o i_o ut_fw-la non_fw-la expectetis_fw-la nam_fw-la &_o ego_fw-la unus_fw-la sum_fw-la de_fw-la expectantibus_fw-la here_o be_v heavenly_a bread_n but_o who_o can_v break_v it_o i_o can_v rash_o arrogate_v such_o a_o faculty_n to_o myself_o expect_v it_o from_o i_o as_o not_o expect_v for_o i_o myself_o be_o expect_v the_o revelation_n of_o it_o and_o thus_o much_o shall_v serve_v for_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o three_o follow_v 3._o prop._n it_o be_v the_o song_n of_o song_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o the_o song_n of_o song_n as_o some_o think_v because_o it_o consist_v of_o several_a song_n relate_v to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o subject_a compact_v togegether_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o book_n 2._o or_o as_o other_o because_o it_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a song_n the_o hebrew_n haveseveral_a way_n by_o which_o they_o express_v the_o superlative_a degree_n one_o be_v by_o apposition_n of_o substantive_n as_o here_o the_o song_n of_o song_n loc_n put_v the_o latter_a substantive_n in_o the_o genitive_a case_n plural_a so_o that_o by_o the_o song_n of_o song_n be_v mean_v the_o most_o excellent_a song_n now_o this_o be_v so_o call_v 1._o 1_o either_o relate_n to_o the_o other_o song_n which_o solomon_n make_v for_o 1_o king_n 4._o 32._o he_o make_v a_o thousand_o and_o five_o of_o all_o his_o song_n 2._o this_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a or_o else_o 2._o relate_v to_o the_o other_o spiritual_a song_n in_o scripture_n you_o read_v of_o the_o song_n of_o moses_n of_o the_o song_n of_o miriam_n and_o deborah_n of_o the_o song_n of_o david_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o song_n like_o this_o this_o be_v the_o song_n of_o song_n of_o all_o the_o other_o song_n solomon_n make_v in_o holy_a writ_n this_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a not_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o as_o some_o have_v fancy_v for_o doubtless_o the_o song_n of_o moses_n aaron_n and_o miriam_n be_v far_o more_o ancient_a nor_o yet_o because_o of_o the_o noble_a author_n of_o it_o who_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n upon_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o spiritual_a matter_n of_o it_o look_v say_v bernard_n upon_o all_o the_o other_o author_n of_o song_n in_o scripture_n and_o their_o respective_a song_n sane_n omnes_fw-la ni_fw-fr fallar_fw-la cecinisse_fw-la reperies_fw-la pro_fw-la percepto_fw-la svo_fw-la vel_fw-la suorum_fw-la commodo_fw-la hic_fw-la verò_fw-la divinitus_fw-la inspiratus_fw-la christi_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la laudes_fw-la &_o sacri_fw-la amoris_fw-la gratiam_fw-la &_o aeterni_fw-la connubii_fw-la cecinit_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la other_o composer_n of_o song_n you_o will_v find_v sing_v they_o upon_o receipt_n of_o some_o outward_a mercy_n confer_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o but_o solomon_n here_o inspire_v by_o god_n sing_v the_o praise_n of_o the_o church_n and_o christ_n he_o sing_v concern_v the_o seal_n of_o sacred_a love_n and_o the_o eternal_a
the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o teach_n have_v such_o a_o constant_a presence_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n with_o they_o that_o if_o a_o man_n will_v he_o may_v with_o those_o aid_n and_o assistance_n do_v what_o god_n require_v of_o he_o in_o order_n to_o his_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o avoid_v what_o god_n will_v have_v he_o to_o avoid_v we_o affirm_v they_o be_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o power_n in_o the_o will_n of_o man_n in_o the_o use_n of_o those_o common_a aid_n and_o assistance_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o teach_v of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n far_o beyond_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o word_n the_o object_n of_o this_o teach_v we_o make_v to_o be_v the_o elect_a of_o god_n reprobate_n as_o well_o as_o choose_a vessel_n may_v be_v teach_v by_o the_o ministerial_a teach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o have_v that_o external_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n which_o i_o before_o mention_v but_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n and_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v eternal_o save_v only_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o these_o teach_n and_o to_o such_o be_v restrict_v throughout_o all_o scripture_n in_o such_o place_n as_o make_v any_o mention_n of_o they_o the_o more_o immediate_a object_n be_v the_o understanding_n will_n and_o affection_n the_o ministerial_a teach_v reach_v the_o eye_n and_o ear_n and_o exterior_a sense_n and_o thence_o come_v into_o the_o thought_n and_o into_o the_o understanding_n more_o confuse_o and_o imperfect_o it_o reach_v not_o the_o more_o inward_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n 2._o 10_o 12._o be_v reveal_v to_o those_o who_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n v._n 14._o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n nor_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v i_o therefore_o call_v it_o a_o internal_a spiritual_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n but_o yet_o for_o the_o full_a understanding_n of_o this_o it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o how_o the_o spirit_n teach_v the_o elect_a soul_n in_o and_o by_o the_o ordinance_n that_o you_o may_v see_v and_o understand_v what_o there_o be_v more_o in_o this_o spiritual_a teach_v in_o this_o internal_a communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n and_o ordinance_n than_o in_o the_o mere_a teach_v of_o the_o letter_n mere_a ministerial_a teach_v separate_v from_o this_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o these_o teach_n be_v not_o by_o immediate_a enthusiasm_n impression_n or_o revelation_n of_o new_a thing_n for_o i_o pray_v observe_v there_o be_v a_o twofold_a revelation_n the_o one_o i_o may_v call_v a_o simple_a immediate_a first_o revelation_n thus_o god_n of_o old_a teach_v the_o patriarch_n and_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o apostle_n all_o scripture_n be_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n and_o holy_a man_n speak_v as_o they_o be_v inspire_v by_o god_n thus_o god_n be_v please_v to_o teach_v the_o guide_n of_o his_o church_n before_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v at_o least_o full_o write_v and_o a_o curse_v annex_v as_o a_o seal_n to_o that_o book_n to_o they_o that_o shall_v add_v any_o thing_n to_o it_o this_o be_v a_o teach_v some_o will_v be_v at_o but_o what_o need_v of_o it_o if_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n wise_a to_o salvation_n furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work_n second_o there_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o revelation_n which_o we_o may_v for_o distinction_n sake_n call_v a_o compound_v mediate_a revelation_n it_o be_v the_o further_a revelation_n of_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n but_o we_o want_v a_o proper_a medium_n to_o see_v it_o in_o we_o be_v blind_a and_o dark_a and_o our_o eye_n stick_v in_o the_o bark_n and_o surface_n of_o scripture_n thus_o it_o be_v yet_o true_a 1_o cor._n 2._o 10._o that_o god_n reveal_v to_o his_o people_n by_o his_o spirit_n the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n the_o thing_n which_o eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o have_v ear_n hear_v nor_o can_v it_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v more_o by_o and_o by_o that_o i_o may_v therefore_o give_v you_o at_o least_o my_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o due_a notion_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v teach_v so_o as_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v confound_v with_o bare_a ministerial_a teach_n which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o great_a debase_v of_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n nor_o be_v make_v opposite_a to_o ministerial_a teach_v and_o that_o make_v useless_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o shall_v show_v you_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o a_o soul_n there_o be_v a_o teach_v of_o the_o spirit_n necessary_a add_v to_o or_o over_o and_o above_o ministerial_a teach_n i_o shall_v open_v it_o in_o four_o or_o five_o particular_n 1_o 1._o the_o spirit_n teach_v by_o special_a illumination_n there_o be_v a_o common_a illumination_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o spirit_n also_o but_o of_o the_o spirit_n work_v in_o a_o way_n of_o common_a grace_n by_o which_o man_n receive_v the_o common_a notion_n of_o religious_a truth_n there_o be_v two_o disease_n or_o fault_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o christian_a which_o hinder_v its_o learning_n spiritual_a thing_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v a_o listlesness_n or_o indisposition_n to_o learn_v or_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n you_o may_v see_v this_o in_o man_n slight_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n till_o god_n have_v wrought_v some_o save_a work_n in_o their_o heart_n they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o yet_o to_o hear_v they_o faithful_o open_v and_o apply_v and_o can_v you_o but_o enter_v into_o people_n heart_n which_o yet_o you_o may_v know_v by_o what_o be_v the_o temper_n of_o your_o own_o heart_n before_o god_n wrought_v a_o change_n on_o they_o you_o will_v see_v this_o yet_o further_o confirm_v unto_o you_o this_o god_n in_o conversion_n remove_v but_o this_o be_v not_o that_o which_o i_o have_v here_o to_o do_v with_o 2._o there_o be_v beside_o this_o a_o natural_a blindness_n and_o deafness_n that_o a_o poor_a creature_n can_v see_v nor_o hear_v in_o jer._n 5._o 21._o you_o find_v these_o word_n hear_v now_o this_o o_o you_o foolish_a people_n and_o void_a of_o understanding_n who_o have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o ear_n and_o hear_v not_o every_o natural_a man_n be_v one_o of_o these_o who_o have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o ear_n and_o hear_v not_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v foolishness_n to_o the_o natural_a soul_n what_o a_o notion_n of_o regeneration_n have_v nicodemus_n joh._n 3._o what_o notion_n of_o justification_n union_n with_o christ_n the_o indwel_n of_o the_o spirit_n faith_n etc._n etc._n have_v some_o other_o discover_v natural_a man_n have_v rational_a soul_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o by_o the_o work_n of_o they_o understand_v many_o proposition_n in_o religion_n which_o shine_v in_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n but_o there_o be_v mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n doctrine_n that_o shine_v only_o in_o the_o light_n of_o scripture_n of_o these_o they_o understand_v little_a or_o nothing_o nay_o for_o the_o more_o common_a notion_n of_o religion_n concern_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o nature_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n repentance_n good_a work_n when_o once_o the_o heart_n be_v change_v the_o soul_n see_v they_o in_o quite_o another_o light_n and_o have_v quite_o another_o notion_n of_o they_o than_o it_o have_v before_o while_o it_o be_v only_o under_o the_o instruction_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o ministerial_a instruction_n of_o men._n paul_n pray_v for_o the_o ephesian_n ephes_n 1._o 17_o 18._o that_o the_o god_n of_o glory_n will_v give_v they_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o revelation_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o understanding_n be_v enlighten_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n and_o enable_v it_o to_o a_o full_a and_o further_a comprehension_n of_o and_o insight_n into_o the_o spiritual_a mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n when_o the_o disciple_n come_v to_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 13._o 10._o and_o ask_v he_o why_o he_o speak_v to_o the_o multitude_n in_o parable_n he_o tell_v they_o v_o 11._o because_o it_o be_v give_v to_o his_o disciple_n to_o know_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n but_o to_o the_o multitude_n it_o be_v not_o give_v from_o hence_o have_v proceed_v the_o vain_a speculation_n and_o
man_n be_v but_o a_o shadow_n and_o a_o picture_n be_v that_o shadow_n shadow_n yet_o dont_fw-fr judge_n amiss_o though_o here_o you_o only_o on_o the_o shadow_n look_v what_o follow_v read_v the_o substance_n be_v in_o the_o book_n the_o intercourse_n of_o divine_a love_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n or_o the_o particular_a believe_a soul_n metaphorical_o express_v by_o solomon_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o canticle_n or_o song_n of_o song_n open_v and_o apply_v in_o several_a sermon_n upon_o that_o whole_a chapter_n in_o which_o the_o excellency_n of_o christ_n the_o yerning_n of_o his_o bowel_n towards_o believer_n under_o various_a circumstance_n the_o work_n of_o their_o heart_n towards_o and_o in_o communion_n with_o he_o with_o many_o other_o gospel_n proposition_n of_o great_a import_n to_o soul_n be_v handle_v by_o john_n collinges_n d._n d._n solomon_n divinitus_fw-la inspiratus_fw-la christi_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la laudes_fw-la &_o aeterni_fw-la connubii_fw-la cecinit_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la simulque_fw-la expressit_fw-la sanctae_fw-la desiderium_fw-la animae_fw-la &_o epithalamii_n carmen_fw-la exultans_fw-la in_o spiritu_fw-la jucundo_fw-la composuit_fw-la elogio_fw-la figurato_fw-la tamen_fw-la nimirum_fw-la velabat_fw-la &_o ipse_fw-la instar_fw-la moysis_n faciem_fw-la svam_fw-la non_fw-la minus_fw-la forsitan_fw-la in_o hâc_fw-la parte_fw-la fulgentem_fw-la to_o quod_fw-la illo_fw-la adhuc_fw-la in_o tempore_fw-la nemo_fw-la aut_fw-la rarus_fw-la erat_fw-la qui_fw-la revelatà_fw-la fancy_n gloriam_fw-la illam_fw-la speculari_fw-la sufficeret_fw-la bernardus_n 1_o serm._n in_o cantica_fw-la london_n print_v by_o t._n snowden_n for_o edward_n giles_n bookseller_n in_o norwich_n near_o the_o marketplace_n 1683._o to_o the_o lady_n ann_n knightley_n madam_n among_o the_o many_o spiritual_a mercy_n by_o which_o within_o these_o fifty_o year_n last_o pass_v england_n have_v be_v exalt_v to_o heaven_n as_o our_o saviour_n say_v of_o capernaum_n the_o plenty_n of_o good_a book_n have_v not_o be_v the_o least_o so_o as_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o point_n in_o divinity_n which_o have_v not_o be_v judicious_o handle_v both_o dogmatical_o polemical_o and_o practical_o and_o discourse_n upon_o it_o publish_v in_o our_o own_o tongue_n the_o thing_n hide_v in_o time_n of_o popery_n yea_o and_o for_o many_o year_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o our_o reformation_n have_v be_v make_v know_v the_o thing_n cover_v have_v be_v reveal_v what_o be_v at_o first_o speak_v in_o darkness_n have_v be_v tell_v in_o the_o light_n preach_v upon_o the_o house_n top_n and_o so_o publish_v that_o all_o those_o who_o will_v may_v read_v and_o understand_v certain_o no_o nation_n under_o heaven_n of_o which_o we_o have_v any_o record_n be_v ever_o bless_v with_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n to_o that_o degree_n none_o ever_o have_v more_o judicious_a interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o more_o serious_a and_o faithful_a application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n so_o as_o if_o either_o the_o doctrine_n or_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v yet_o hide_v to_o any_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o it_o be_v to_o such_o only_a who_o shall_v perish_v but_o of_o all_o good_a book_n we_o have_v be_v exalt_v in_o none_o more_o than_o those_o which_o have_v be_v write_v on_o practical_a subject_n book_n of_o all_o other_o to_o be_v most_o high_o value_v as_o more_o immediate_o serve_v the_o great_a end_n of_o man_n in_o show_v he_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n direct_v his_o come_n to_o christ_n and_o walk_v with_o he_o of_o which_o we_o have_v have_v such_o plenty_n as_o indeed_o there_o will_v be_v no_o more_o need_n of_o write_v on_o such_o subject_n if_o the_o vanity_n of_o our_o nature_n do_v not_o more_o incline_v we_o to_o a_o discourse_n upon_o the_o same_o argument_n new_o write_v than_o to_o what_o have_v be_v write_v as_o well_o some_o year_n since_o by_o which_o mean_n the_o multiply_a of_o good_a book_n do_v not_o a_o little_a contribute_v to_o the_o much_o read_n of_o good_a book_n and_o that_o i_o be_o sure_a contribute_v much_o both_o to_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n the_o two_o great_a end_n that_o every_o preacher_n ought_v to_o aim_v at_o so_o as_o i_o can_v be_v of_o their_o mind_n who_o will_v have_v no_o more_o write_v of_o this_o nature_n because_o so_o much_o have_v be_v already_o write_v any_o more_o than_o i_o can_v be_v of_o they_o who_o think_v there_o be_v now_o no_o such_o need_n of_o preach_v because_o former_o there_o have_v be_v so_o much_o so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v any_o soul_n in_o the_o world_n who_o know_v not_o christ_n and_o live_v not_o up_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o gospel_n there_o will_v be_v need_n both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o nay_o be_v there_o none_o such_o there_o will_v be_v need_n of_o it_o to_o keep_v up_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o man_n in_o its_o warm_a exercise_n nor_o i_o think_v shall_v there_o be_v one_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o shall_v not_o publish_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o it_o and_o leave_v some_o record_n to_o the_o age_n to_o come_v of_o his_o faithfulness_n in_o that_o work_n the_o riches_n of_o divine_a grace_n can_v never_o be_v too_o much_o publish_v we_o can_v never_o enough_o declare_v his_o love_n who_o for_o our_o sake_n become_v poor_a that_o we_o through_o his_o poverty_n may_v be_v make_v rich_a such_o like_a thought_n as_o these_o madam_n have_v bring_v these_o discourse_n into_o a_o more_o public_a light_n they_o be_v compose_v many_o year_n since_o soon_o after_o my_o entrance_n into_o the_o public_a ministry_n i_o be_o willing_a they_o shall_v be_v a_o testimony_n to_o the_o world_n what_o doctrine_n i_o then_o preach_v and_o see_v no_o cause_n yet_o to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o and_o what_o scope_n or_o design_n i_o have_v always_o propound_v to_o myself_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n christ_n the_o faithsul_n say_v worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n that_o christ_n jes●●_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n 1._o tim._n 1._o 15._o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n act_n 4._o 12._o that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n in_o any_o other_o then_o in_o christ_n for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o name_n under_o heaven_n give_v among_o man_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v save_v be_v the_o great_a thing_n i_o take_v myself_o concern_v as_o a_o preacher_n to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n together_o with_o what_o our_o saviour_n have_v teach_v we_o that_o he_o who_o believe_v he_o i_o not_o condemn_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o be_v condemn_v already_o shall_v not_o see_v life_n but_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n abide_v on_o he_o joh._n 3._o 18._o 36_o and_o that_o faith_n without_o work_n be_v dead_a these_o be_v the_o grea●_n thing_n i_o have_v in_o my_o eye_n to_o open_v explain_v and_o apply_v to_o people_n my_o apprehension_n that_o i_o see_v much_o of_o these_o thing_n reveal_v in_o the_o song_n of_o solomon_n though_o cloud_v under_o metaphorical_a expression_n be_v that_o which_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o study_n of_o that_o difficult_a portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n than_o which_o undoubted_o there_o be_v no_o portion_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n more_o evangelical_n according_a to_o the_o common_a hypothesis_n agree_v by_o the_o most_o valuable_a divine_n in_o all_o age_n viz._n that_o it_o contain_v a_o dialogue_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n or_o particular_a believe_a soul_n in_o it_o if_o any_o think_v i_o may_v have_v choose_v plain_a text_n from_o which_o to_o discourse_v these_o thing_n i_o free_o yield_v it_o as_o to_o many_o of_o they_o but_o shall_v this_o excellent_a book_n always_o acknowledge_v a_o sacred_a portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n by_o the_o wise_a man_n upon_o earth_n style_v the_o song_n os_fw-la song_n that_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a song_n lie_v by_o we_o as_o the_o vision_n of_o a_o book_n that_o be_v seal_v or_o be_v bind_v up_o in_o our_o bibles_n for_o nothing_o or_o can_v there_o be_v any_o work_n more_o worthy_a of_o a_o divine_a than_o to_o attempt_v the_o clear_n of_o so_o incomparable_a a_o piece_n of_o divine_a revelation_n from_o that_o darkness_n which_o it_o please_v god_n to_o clothe_v it_o with_o in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o most_o which_o he_o speak_v concern_v christ_n be_v in_o type_n 〈◊〉_d prophecy_n or_o metaphor_n time_n together_o with_o the_o sermon_n of_o ●hrist_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v expound_v the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n be_v it_o not_o a_o work_n worthy_a of_o we_o to_o explain_v the_o metaphor_n that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o christ_n whole_o unveil_v there_o be_v no_o great_a fear_n of_o any_o dangerous_a err_a in_o the_o case_n if_o he_o that_o explain_v take_v care_n that_o his_o explication_n agree_v with_o plain_a revelation_n madam_n i_o think_v i_o may_v
protection_n i_o from_o they_o expect_v my_o enemy_n be_v afraid_a as_o soon_o as_o they_o see_v over_o i_o thy_o banner_n be_v display_v you_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n my_o heart_n be_v sick_a for_o love_n i_o can_v live_v without_o your_o help_n o_o to_o my_o poor_a soul_n move_v love_n xiii_o my_o dear_a lord_n have_v leave_v with_o you_o flagon_n and_o apple_n too_o o_o reach_v i_o something_o leave_v i_o die_v unto_o the_o scripture_n go_v out_o of_o those_o fat_n be_v draw_v out_o some_o wine_n and_o quick_o bring_v it_o i_o bring_v i_o his_o apple_n why_o shall_v you_o your_o lord_n spouse_n die_a see_v fourteen_o i_o shall_v not_o die_v but_o live_v for_o he_o i_o have_v put_v under_o my_o head_n his_o left_a hand_n or_o his_o right_a hand_n shall_v embrace_v i_o in_o my_o bed_n it_o be_v he_o alone_o my_o ache_a head_n can_v hold_v and_o give_v relief_n they_o be_v his_o embrace_n only_o can_v assuage_v my_o poor_a soul_n grief_n xv._n how_o ready_a be_v he_o i_o to_o help_v i_o do_v but_o cry_v he_o hear_v his_o left_a hand_n have_v secure_v i_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n i_o fear_v his_o right_a hand_n soon_o shall_v follow_v it_o and_o whole_o i_o release_v his_o right_n and_o leave_v hand_n both_o shall_v join_v my_o love_n sick_a soul_n to_o ease_v please_v xvi_o o_o daughter_n of_o jerusalem_n i_o charge_v you_o by_o the_o roe_n and_o by_o the_o hind_n the_o friendly_a hind_n which_o so_o much_o love_n disclose_v one_o to_o another_o do_v provoke_v my_o love_n till_o he_o withdraw_v by_o my_o example_n wisdom_n learn_v sin_n not_o but_o stand_v in_o awe_n xvii_o you_o live_v among_o the_o roe_n and_o hind_n learn_v not_o their_o wantonness_n you_o will_v want_v the_o hand_n of_o my_o dear_a lord_n when_o you_o be_v in_o distress_n judgement_n for_o sin_n will_v come_v as_o fast_o as_o if_o the_o roe_n it_o bring_v do_v not_o stir_v up_o your_o lord_n at_o rest_n by_o one_o rebellious_a thought_n hill_n xviii_o hark_o it_o be_v my_o belove_n voice_n he_o come_v he_o come_v to_o i_o leap_v upon_o the_o mountain_n he_o skip_a upon_o the_o hill_n i_o see_v he_o be_v my_o belove_a though_o not_o here_o i_o know_v his_o pleasant_a voice_n and_o though_o i_o see_v he_o not_o his_o find_z make_v my_o heart_n to_o rejoice_v xix_o he_o come_v the_o mountain_n of_o my_o sin_n i_o see_v lie_n in_o his_o way_n he_o leap_v over_o that_o mountain_n and_o it_o cause_v no_o delay_n he_o skip_v over_o the_o little_a hill_n of_o creature_n opposition_n that_o he_o may_v come_v to_o my_o relief_n in_o my_o distress_a condition_n xx._n i_o see_v he_o come_v o_o let_v i_o the_o glorious_a sight_n behold_v with_o the_o eye_n of_o hope_n behold_v he_o and_o attess_n with_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n more_o bold_a he_o come_v like_o a_o young_a hart_n or_o roe_n nimble_o and_o pleasant_o behind_o the_o wall_n he_o stand_v when_o in_o my_o distress_n i_o cry_v xxi_o in_o at_o the_o window_n see_v he_o look_v and_o through_o the_o lattess_n see_v both_o my_o behaviour_n and_o withal_o my_o sad_a calamity_n the_o lattess_n lord_n do_v give_v to_o i_o but_o a_o imperfect_a sight_n o_o break_v it_o down_o appear_v to_o i_o in_o a_o more_o glorious_a light_n away_o xxii_o i_o hear_v he_o say_v rise_v up_o my_o love_n my_o fair_a one_o arise_v and_o come_v away_o for_o i_o have_v now_o put_v off_o my_o dark_a disguise_n go_v the_o winter_n and_o the_o rain_n be_v go_v the_o pleasant_a flower_n appear_v upon_o the_o earth_n the_o sing_a bird_n do_v greet_v the_o spring_a year_n land_n xxiii_o the_o harmless_a turtle_n please_v voice_n be_v hear_v on_o every_o tree_n the_o figtree_n put_v forth_o her_o green_a fig_n the_o vine_n smell_v pleasant_o arise_v my_o love_n thou_o fair_o one_o make_v haste_n make_v no_o delay_n it_o be_v a_o fit_a season_n of_o the_o year_n arise_v and_o come_v away_o xxiv_o black_a storm_n of_o perfecution_n have_v keep_v thou_o much_o at_o home_n the_o storm_n be_v over_o nothing_o now_o hinder_v but_o thou_o may_v come_v the_o gospel_n turtle_n which_o lay_v hide_v in_o corner_n now_o come_v forth_o all_o have_v a_o gospel_n liberty_n to_o sing_v their_o saviour_n worth_n away_o xxv_o see_v how_o the_o saint_n bud_v out_o in_o grace_n how_o gracious_a fruit_n abound_v upon_o this_o liberty_n for_o all_o to_o hear_v the_o joyful_a sound_n arise_v you_o who_o yet_o sleep_n in_o sin_n make_v haste_n to_o come_v and_o live_v o_o go_v not_o on_o presumptuous_o my_o spirit_n yet_o to_o grieve_v xxvi_o the_o summer_n will_v not_o always_o last_o your_o day_n of_o grace_n will_v end_v come_v to_o i_o while_o i_o call_v and_o be_o ready_a to_o be_v your_o friend_n discourage_v soul_n arise_v and_o thick_a to_o my_o assembly_n come_v the_o weather_n be_v good_a door_n open_v you_o have_v no_o plea_n to_o stay_v at_o home_n comely_a xxvii_o my_o love_n who_o to_o the_o rock_n dark_a cleft_n of_o late_o do_v tremble_v fly_v and_o under_o stair_n secret_a place_n choose_v for_o thy_o covert_a lie_n pursue_v by_o vulture_n now_o come_v forth_o thy_o countenance_n let_v i_o see_v for_o it_o be_v comely_a and_o thy_o voice_n be_v pleasant_a unto_o i_o grape_n xxviii_o the_o fox_n which_o have_v spoil_v the_o vine_n the_o vine_n with_o tender_a grape_n come_v forth_o and_o take_v they_o now_o for_o i_o let_v not_o a_o young_a cubb_n escape_v they_o shall_v no_o long_o spoil_v my_o vine_n chase_v they_o into_o their_o den_n i_o will_v be_v revenge_v on_o thy_o lust_n and_o on_o malicious_a man_n lily_n xxix_o i_o know_v that_o my_o belove_n i_o i_o know_v that_o i_o be_o he_o this_o be_v my_o triumph_n this_o my_o joy_n my_o chief_a happiness_n have_v not_o he_o make_v himself_o first_o mine_n his_o i_o have_v never_o be_v he_o first_o remove_v my_o guilt_n and_o then_o purge_v my_o soul_n from_o sin_n xxx_o '_o midst_n white_a and_o fruitful_a lily_n he_o love_v to_o converse_v and_o feed_v o_o let_v my_o soul_n a_o lily_n be_v bether_o no_o more_o a_o barren_a weed_n until_o the_o glorious_a morn_n shall_v break_v and_o shadow_n flee_v away_o o_o let_v my_o glorious_a lord_n be_v i_o and_o i_o never_o from_o he_o stray_v xxxi_o turn_v my_o beloved_n to_o my_o soul_n be_v like_o a_o pleasant_a roe_n or_o like_o the_o nimble_a heart_n which_o do_v on_o bethers_n mountain_n go_v in_o my_o distress_a state_n o_o lord_n let_v i_o not_o be_v forget_v make_v haste_n and_o turn_v and_o let_v i_o feel_v thou_o while_o i_o see_v thou_o not_o a_o prefatory_a discourse_n upon_o the_o song_n of_o solomon_n canticle_n 1._o v_o 1._o the_o song_n of_o song_n which_o be_v solomon_n have_v undertake_v this_o excellent_a portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n for_o the_o subject_a of_o these_o exercise_n it_o be_v reasonable_a i_o shall_v according_a to_o the_o usual_a and_o commendable_a order_n of_o interpreter_n discourse_v a_o little_a concern_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o it_o concern_v the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o the_o penman_n the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o concern_v the_o form_n especial_o consider_v that_o as_o to_o some_o or_o all_o of_o these_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n to_o be_v assoil_v more_o than_o concern_v other_o portion_n of_o scripture_n and_o concern_v some_o of_o they_o some_o thing_n more_o peculiar_a to_o this_o than_o any_o other_o book_n the_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o song_n which_o i_o have_v now_o read_v to_o you_o give_v i_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o the_o most_o of_o my_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o in_o any_o part_n of_o it_o i_o swerve_v from_o my_o text_n i_o shall_v yet_o keep_v to_o my_o business_n which_o be_v by_o these_o previous_a exercise_n to_o prepare_v you_o for_o clear_a understanding_n of_o the_o sacred_a content_n of_o this_o spiritual_a song_n the_o text_n afford_v we_o these_o three_o proposition_n 1_o prop._n that_o this_o book_n be_v solomon_n 2_o prop._n that_o it_o be_v a_o song_n 3._o prop._n that_o it_o be_v a_o song_n of_o song_n 1._o the_o first_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o a_o discourse_n of_o the_o penman_n and_o that_o to_o a_o modest_a enquiry_n after_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o his_o write_n it_o and_o that_o well_o know_v we_o shall_v easy_o determine_v the_o author_n and_o both_o from_o that_o advantage_n and_o the_o auxiliary_a help_n of_o other_o argument_n conclude_v concern_v its_o divine_a authority_n against_o all_o opposer_n 2._o the_o second_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o form_n of_o the_o writing_n be_v metrical_a and_o dramatical_a what_o else_o occur_v concern_v that_o shall_v be_v there_o add_v 3._o the_o three_o will_v lead_v i_o to_o
universal_o agree_v and_o that_o he_o write_v it_o by_o a_o divine_a inspiration_n can_v be_v as_o little_o question_v by_o he_o who_o understand_v aright_o the_o jewish_a reverence_n of_o it_o and_o rank_v it_o equal_o with_o other_o book_n of_o the_o canon_n beside_o that_o the_o church_n constant_a possession_n of_o it_o require_v some_o force_n of_o argument_n before_o it_o can_v be_v reject_v and_o this_o have_v not_o yet_o appear_v several_a witness_n indeed_o have_v come_v against_o it_o but_o either_o they_o have_v not_o be_v agree_v or_o they_o have_v speak_v nothing_o cogent_n in_o the_o cause_n 1._o whereas_o some_o object_n the_o many_o amatorious_a expression_n throughout_o the_o song_n it_o signify_v little_a to_o those_o who_o have_v so_o far_o observe_v the_o scripture_n as_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n make_v use_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o marriage_n to_o represent_v the_o mystical_a union_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n eph._n 5._o 32._o so_o christ_n be_v express_o call_v a_o bridegroom_n his_o church_n and_o the_o believe_a soul_n in_o particular_a the_o bride_n joh_n 3._o 29._o and_o that_o his_o prepare_v the_o soul_n for_o and_o unite_n the_o soul_n to_o himself_o be_v call_v a_o betrthe_v hos_fw-la 2._o 14_o 15._o and_o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o lamb_n wife_n rev._n 22._o and_o a_o pure_a virgin_n 2_o cor._n 11._o yea_o so_o far_o be_v this_o from_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o this_o sacred_a book_n that_o the_o uncouthness_n of_o the_o same_o expression_n be_v a_o argument_n that_o it_o be_v no_o mere_a woman_n here_o intend_v for_o beside_o that_o which_o mercer_n note_v out_o of_o aben-ezra_n that_o modesty_n will_v not_o have_v allow_v solomon_n to_o have_v leave_v such_o expression_n have_v they_o be_v to_o have_v be_v carnal_o interpret_v upon_o public_a record_n to_o posterity_n nor_o be_v it_o lawful_a to_o the_o jew_n to_o make_v their_o sister_n their_o spouse_n yet_o be_v it_o a_o phrase_n often_o use_v in_o this_o song_n my_o sister_n my_o spouse_n beside_o what_o i_o note_v before_o of_o the_o strange_a comparison_n use_v if_o they_o be_v carnal_o to_o be_v interpret_v 2._o whereas_o it_o be_v object_v by_o other_o that_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v not_o once_o mention_v throughout_o the_o book_n they_o may_v as_o well_o upon_o this_o account_n quarrel_n at_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiaste_n out_o of_o the_o canon_n or_o if_o not_o that_o yet_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n which_o be_v both_o subject_n to_o the_o same_o charge_n if_o any_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o though_o the_o name_n jehovah_n be_v not_o find_v in_o ecclesiaste_n yet_o other_o name_n of_o god_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n beside_o that_o neither_o those_o name_n be_v peculiar_a to_o god_n nor_o yet_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o esther_n we_o also_o say_v with_o mercer_n that_o there_o be_v hardly_o a_o verse_n in_o this_o song_n wherein_o mention_n be_v not_o make_v of_o god_n and_o christ_n according_a to_o that_o metaphorical_a way_n of_o expression_n in_o which_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o dictate_v this_o sacred_a song_n to_o solomon_n nor_o bernard_n be_v their_o need_n of_o any_o further_o mention_v of_o god_n in_o a_o discourse_n compose_v in_o this_o form_n than_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o belove_a etc._n etc._n in_o which_o notion_n he_o be_v frequent_o mention_v and_o certain_o have_v this_o objection_n be_v of_o any_o value_n the_o superstitious_a reverence_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v of_o the_o name_n jehovah_n will_v have_v engage_v they_o first_o to_o have_v pick_v this_o quarrel_n which_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o but_o bernard_n give_v another_o reason_n and_o with_o he_o i_o find_v sixtus_n senensis_n delrio_n and_o other_o agree_v which_o i_o confess_v please_v i_o amor_fw-la loquor_fw-la qui_fw-la dominum_fw-la nescit_fw-la etc._n etc._n god_n be_v not_o indeed_o make_v know_v to_o we_o in_o this_o song_n under_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o which_o speak_v power_n lordship_n sovereignty_n sufficiency_n etc._n etc._n cantica_fw-la it_o be_v love_n here_o speak_v quando_fw-la vult_fw-la timeri_fw-la dominum_fw-la quando_fw-la vult_fw-la honorari_fw-la patrem_fw-la quando_fw-la amari_fw-la sponsum_fw-la se_fw-la nominat_fw-la dominus_fw-la solomon_n design_n in_o this_o book_n be_v to_o set_v out_o god_n in_o christ_n reconcile_v to_o his_o church_n and_o to_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o people_n embrace_v they_o in_o the_o arm_n of_o love_a kindness_n those_o other_o name_n of_o god_n jehovah_n elohim_n etc._n etc._n speak_v the_o power_n and_o greatness_n of_o god_n which_o well_o suit_v the_o first_o dispensation_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v more_o hard_a and_o rigorous_a than_o the_o latter_a dispensation_n of_o it_o so_o that_o cantica_fw-la the_o not_o name_v of_o god_n under_o those_o forementioned_a notion_n through_o out_o this_o book_n only_o speak_v it_o a_o more_o evangelical_a portion_n of_o scripture_n than_o some_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a writ_n be_v solomon_n design_n in_o this_o book_n be_v to_o set_v out_o god_n in_o christ_n reconcile_v to_o the_o soul_n embrace_v it_o in_o the_o sweet_a arm_n of_o love_a kindness_n and_o tender_a mercy_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n therefore_o direct_v solomon_n to_o speak_v in_o a_o dialect_n proper_a to_o the_o matter_n he_o write_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o usual_a in_o scripture_n than_o for_o god_n people_n go_v to_o he_o for_o mercy_n to_o give_v he_o name_n expressive_a of_o that_o sufficiency_n which_o be_v in_o he_o and_o of_o that_o suitableness_n in_o he_o to_o the_o necessitous_a state_n of_o his_o people_n and_o readiness_n to_o help_v he_o david_n pray_v for_o divine_a protection_n call_v god_n his_o rock_n his_o shield_n his_o buckler_n his_o strong_a tower_n and_o christ_n have_v teach_v god_n child_n to_o say_v unto_o he_o our_o father_n nor_o three_o be_v their_o quarrel_n against_o this_o sacred_a book_n considerable_a who_o have_v this_o to_o object_n against_o it_o that_o no_o place_n of_o it_o be_v quote_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o beside_o that_o by_o the_o same_o allegation_n they_o may_v blot_v out_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n ruth_n 2_o sam._n 2_o chron._n ecclesiastes_n and_o divers_a of_o the_o small_a prophet_n out_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n i_o say_v beside_o this_o there_o be_v some_o phrase_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o beza_n and_o other_o seem_v to_o be_v borrow_v out_o of_o this_o sacred_a song_n such_o as_o those_o joh._n 6._o 44_o no_o man_n come_v to_o the_o son_n but_o he_o who_o the_o father_n draw_v compare_v with_o can._n 1._o 4._o saint_n paul_n tell_v his_o corinthian_n that_o his_o desire_n be_v to_o present_v they_o to_o christ_n as_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n which_o correspond_v with_o chap._n 5._o v._n 2._o of_o this_o song_n where_o christ_n call_v his_o spouse_n undefiled_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v appear_v that_o although_o the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n be_v solomon_n yet_o a_o great_a than_o solomon_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o solomon_n a_o holy_a man_n speak_v in_o it_o as_o he_o be_v inspire_v by_o god_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o 2d_o proposition_n 2._o prop._n that_o this_o book_n be_v a_o song_n 1._o this_o argue_v it_o a_o piece_n of_o hebrew_n poetry_n write_v original_o in_o meet_a upon_o which_o account_n it_o differ_v from_o most_o of_o the_o other_o book_n of_o holy_a writ_n but_o more_o particular_o i_o shall_v open_v this_o in_o 4_o or_o 5_o particular_n 1._o it_o be_v i_o say_v a_o song_n one_o of_o those_o which_o the_o apostle_n eph._n 5._o call_v spiritual_a song_n it_o may_v be_v too_o hard_a a_o task_n for_o i_o to_o determine_v why_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a penman_n of_o this_o scripture_n to_o write_v it_o in_o this_o rather_o than_o in_o any_o other_o form_n i_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o show_v you_o that_o it_o be_v a_o song_n of_o love_n and_o possible_o the_o holy_a penman_v design_n be_v to_o discourse_v the_o soul_n communion_n with_o christ_n here_o under_o that_o metaphor_n may_v be_v one_o cause_n marriage-song_n be_v very_o ancient_a 2._o to_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v the_o observation_n which_o some_o have_v make_v of_o that_o singular_a virtue_n which_o the_o compose_n and_o sing_v of_o song_n have_v have_v to_o excite_v and_o inflame_v the_o affection_n i_o remember_v our_o divine_a poet_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v most_o with_o god_n while_o he_o be_v exercise_v in_o his_o divine_a poetry_n beside_o the_o suitableness_n that_o a_o song_n have_v unto_o the_o nature_n of_o other_o the_o same_o author_n observe_v that_o a_o verse_n may_v hit_v he_o
say_v some_o interpreter_n desire_v his_o manifestation_n in_o the_o flesh_n &_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n together_o with_o the_o comfortable_a application_n of_o those_o doctrine_n to_o her_o conscience_n i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v a_o truth_n in_o that_o let_v i_o therefore_o a_o little_a make_v use_v of_o their_o notion_n take_v this_o for_o the_o proposition_n prop._n it_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o believe_a soul_n to_o thirst_n after_o a_o communion_n with_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n his_o gospel_n especial_o and_o the_o teach_n of_o his_o spirit_n in_o and_o by_o that_o i_o here_o join_v two_o of_o those_o proposition_n together_o which_o i_o distinguish_v upon_o the_o open_n of_o the_o word_n she_o desire_v the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n 2._o that_o he_o shall_v kiss_v she_o with_o the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n this_o proposition_n will_v offer_v i_o a_o opportunity_n to_o discourse_n to_o you_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o believe_a soul_n to_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n both_o in_o the_o more_o external_a and_o more_o spiritual_a and_o internal_a teach_n and_o ministration_n of_o it_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n whether_o they_o be_v apply_v and_o set_v home_o to_o the_o particular_a conscience_n yea_o or_o no._n the_o ministration_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o itself_o exceed_v glorious_a therein_o say_v the_o apostle_n be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n reveal_v from_o faith_n to_o faith_n rom._n 1._o 17._o therein_o in_o god_n way_n of_o salvation_n reveal_v to_o lose_a sinner_n and_o by_o it_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v bring_v to_o light_n now_o this_o word_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v 1._o as_o write_v for_o our_o instruction_n for_o say_v the_o apostle_n rom._n 15._o 4._o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v write_v before_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n that_o we_o through_o patience_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v have_v hope_n 2._o as_o preach_v so_o it_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n for_o our_o faith_n and_o therefore_o call_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n sanctification_n consolation_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n for_o indeed_o the_o supply_n of_o all_o the_o spiritual_a want_n and_o necessity_n of_o our_o soul_n hence_o there_o be_v three_o way_n by_o which_o our_o soul_n have_v a_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n reading_n hear_v and_o meditation_n 1._o read_v be_v one_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n the_o king_n of_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n law_n all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o may_v learn_v to_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o his_o god_n and_o there_o be_v a_o blessing_n pronounce_v to_o he_o that_o read_v indeed_o he_o that_o read_v the_o word_n as_o it_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o our_o bibles_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o he_o be_v sure_o what_o be_v there_o plain_a to_o his_o understanding_n be_v the_o undoubted_a pure_a word_n of_o god_n and_o while_o a_o man_n read_v the_o scripture_n he_o be_v but_o repeat_v of_o god_n word_n to_o his_o own_o soul_n or_o hear_v god_n immediate_o speak_v to_o he_o 2._o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v be_v another_o mean_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n this_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o he_o honour_v with_o be_v the_o great_a mean_n of_o call_v and_o save_v such_o as_o he_o have_v ordain_v to_o life_n so_o as_o in_o that_o ordinance_n a_o soul_n have_v a_o opportunity_n to_o meet_v god_n to_o draw_v nigh_o unto_o he_o to_o hear_v he_o speak_v unto_o it_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n that_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o all_o which_o we_o hear_v out_o of_o pulpit_n be_v speak_v by_o god_n god_n no_o further_o speak_v by_o the_o minister_n than_o the_o minister_n keep_v unto_o his_o text_n &_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o scripture_n either_o by_o way_n of_o interpretation_n or_o application_n and_o therefore_o every_o good_a christian_a be_v to_o search_v the_o scripture_n whether_o what_o their_o preacher_n deliver_v be_v consonant_n to_o they_o those_o noble_a berean_o mention_v acts._n 17._o do_v so_o when_o st._n paul_n be_v the_o preacher_n and_o be_v commend_v for_o it_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o no_o other_o rule_n but_o sermon_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o man_n have_v communion_n with_o god_n by_o hear_v further_o than_o so_o far_o as_o that_o be_v consonant_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o he_o hear_v but_o admit_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n answer_v his_o name_n and_o office_n and_o faithful_o reveal_v and_o apply_v the_o will_n of_o god_n while_o we_o hear_v we_o have_v communion_n with_o god_n god_n communicate_v his_o holy_a will_n unto_o we_o and_o we_o communicate_v with_o he_o by_o a_o obedient_a ear_n who_o have_v command_v we_o to_o hear_v that_o our_o soul_n may_v live_v 5._o a_o three_o way_n be_v by_o meditation_n this_o be_v a_o act_n of_o our_o inward_a man_n stand_v upon_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v read_v or_o hear_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o soul_n spiritual_a nourishment_n as_o digestion_n be_v to_o the_o nourishment_n of_o our_o body_n by_o what_o be_v their_o proper_a food_n a_o duty_n much_o practise_v by_o david_n psal_n 119._o 97_o 99_o and_o a_o good_a man_n be_v describe_v by_o it_o psal_n 1._o 3._o he_o meditate_v in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n night_n and_o day_n by_o this_o the_o soul_n do_v not_o only_o fasten_v the_o word_n of_o god_n upon_o itself_o but_o it_o also_o dive_v deep_a into_o the_o depth_n of_o it_o i_o say_v this_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n be_v very_o desirable_a to_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n i_o add_v his_o gospel_n especial_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a part_n 1._o there_o be_v in_o it_o sacred_a history_n no_o unuseful_a part_n of_o holy_a writ_n it_o be_v that_o which_o more_o than_o any_o other_o acquaint_v we_o with_o god_n way_n of_o of_o providence_n with_o his_o people_n of_o old_a 2_o you_o have_v in_o it_o many_o moral_a instruction_n and_o precept_n of_o christianity_n and_o godliness_n a_o admirable_a part_n of_o scripture_n that_o which_o make_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v what_o no_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o light_n to_o our_o foot_n and_o lantern_n to_o our_o path_n show_v we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o do_v what_o to_o decline_v and_o avoid_v but_o yet_o these_o be_v not_o proper_o call_v gospel_n doctrine_n 3._o you_o have_v in_o it_o many_o prophecy_n or_o prediction_n of_o what_o god_n intend_v to_o do_v in_o the_o world_n most_o of_o which_o be_v fulfil_v some_o we_o yet_o live_v in_o the_o expectation_n of_o 4._o you_o have_v also_o in_o it_o many_o terrible_a threat_n and_o curse_n and_o many_o woe_n denounce_v against_o the_o violater_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n these_o be_v excellent_a portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n to_o keep_v your_o soul_n in_o awe_n and_o make_v we_o afraid_a of_o sin_v against_o god_n but_o these_o be_v not_o proper_o gospel_n doctrine_n but_o proper_o belong_v to_o the_o law_n which_o declare_v and_o work_v wrath_n 5._o you_o have_v also_o in_o those_o sacred_a book_n many_o declaration_n of_o the_o good_a will_n and_o love_n of_o god_n to_o poor_a lose_a sinner_n declare_v in_o and_o through_o jesus_n christ_n you_o have_v a_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o gospel_n declare_v what_o christ_n have_v do_v and_o suffer_v for_o we_o a_o declarative_a and_o promissory_a part_n proclaim_v salvation_n to_o poor_a lose_a creature_n and_o promise_a life_n and_o salvation_n and_o all_o grace_n to_o some_o poor_a undo_v sinner_n promise_n for_o the_o confer_v and_o increase_v of_o grace_n these_o and_o such_o like_a i_o principal_o understand_v by_o gospel_n doctrine_n the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n free_a grace_n in_o the_o pardon_v of_o sin_n and_o the_o imputation_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n to_o the_o soul_n doctrine_n that_o reveal_v christ_n and_o tend_v to_o bring_v the_o soul_n to_o christ_n or_o direct_v the_o soul_n in_o walk_v with_o he_o now_o i_o say_v though_o the_o believe_a soul_n value_v every_o line_n of_o holy_a writ_n and_o have_v a_o reverence_n for_o the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n and_o desire_v a_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o read_v and_o hear_v and_o meditate_v in_o every_o part_n of_o his_o reveal_v will_n yet_o it_o have_v a_o special_a thirst_n after_o those_o portion_n of_o it_o which_o contain_v these_o revelation_n other_o part_n be_v
sweet_a but_o these_o be_v sweet_a than_o the_o honey_n and_o the_o hony-comb_n no_o portion_n of_o scripture_n be_v like_o these_o to_o the_o believer_n every_o verse_n in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n be_v a_o star_n but_o as_o star_n differ_v one_o from_o another_o in_o glory_n so_o do_v the_o revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o our_o apprehensionsa_fw-la s_o more_o suit_v to_o our_o necessity_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o proposition_n there_o be_v so_o much_o reason_n for_o it_o that_o be_v it_o not_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a your_o faith_n for_o the_o help_n of_o which_o the_o ministry_n be_v ordain_v shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n i_o may_v for_o bear_v the_o use_n of_o any_o scripture_n text_n in_o the_o case_n the_o world_n be_v many_o hundred_o year_n old_a before_o there_o be_v any_o write_a word_n of_o god_n of_o which_o we_o have_v any_o record_n the_o first_o that_o we_o read_v of_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n which_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o have_v always_o before_o he_o and_o to_o read_v therein_o all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n saul_n be_v the_o first_o king_n of_o israel_n he_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n and_o regard_v not_o the_o divine_a law_n the_o next_o be_v david_n the_o man_n according_a to_o god_n own_o heart_n see_v his_o affection_n to_o the_o word_n superlative_o express_v psal_n 19_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10._o 11._o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v perfect_a convert_v the_o soul_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v sure_o make_v wise_a the_o simple_a the_o statute_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v right_o rejoice_v the_o heart_n the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v pure_a enlighten_v the_o eye_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v true_a and_o righteous_a altogether_o more_o to_o be_v desire_v be_v they_o than_o gold_n yea_o than_o much_o fine_a gold_n sweet_a also_o than_o the_o honey_n and_o the_o hony-comb_n psal_n 119._o 14_o 15_o 16._o i_o have_v rejoice_v in_o the_o way_n of_o thy_o testimony_n as_o much_o as_o in_o all_o riches_n i_o will_v meditate_v in_o thy_o precept_n and_o have_v respect_n unto_o thy_o way_n i_o will_v delight_v myself_o in_o thy_o statute_n v_o 97._o oh_o how_o i_o love_v thy_o law_n it_o be_v my_o meditation_n night_n and_o day_n read_v over_o that_o excellent_a psalm_n at_o your_o leisure_n you_o will_v find_v in_o it_o a_o strange_a variety_n of_o expression_n set_v out_o david_n value_n of_o and_o thirst_n after_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o have_v say_v he_o in_o one_o passage_n perish_v in_o my_o affliction_n if_o thy_o word_n have_v not_o be_v my_o delight_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o deliver_v by_o minister_n you_o shall_v all_o along_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture_n observe_v you_o read_v not_o of_o one_o good_a king_n of_o judah_n and_o israel_n but_o they_o be_v very_o desircus_fw-la in_o all_o case_n of_o consult_v with_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o no_o doubt_n but_o the_o read_v the_o law_n and_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sanctuary_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o david_n psal_n 42._o psal_n 63._o and_o psal_n 84_o so_o passionate_o bewail_v his_o be_v banish_v from_o it_o in_o short_a look_v through_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n you_o shall_v find_v no_o company_n of_o believer_n but_o by_o some_o expression_n or_o other_o declare_v their_o zeal_n for_o and_o fondness_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o same_o spirit_n continue_v in_o gracious_a soul_n after_o the_o time_n that_o the_o scripture_n make_v mention_n of_o i_o remember_v hierom_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o good_a woman_n who_o he_o say_v he_o can_v never_o find_v without_o a_o bible_n in_o her_o hand_n and_o mr._n fox_n in_o his_o martyrology_n tell_v we_o a_o story_n of_o three_o maid_n in_o lincolnshire_n if_o i_o remember_v right_a who_o sell_v their_o estate_n in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n to_o buy_v a_o few_o leave_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v infinite_a to_o tell_v you_o the_o instance_n we_o have_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n of_o the_o great_a thirst_n after_o and_o delight_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o good_a people_n have_v express_v what_o need_v we_o any_o further_a instance_n than_o what_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o own_o age_n do●h_v afford_v how_o natural_o do_v soul_n bear_v again_o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v true_a some_o hypocrite_n especial_o in_o time_n when_o religion_n be_v in_o credit_n and_o reputation_n may_v lay_v hold_n of_o the_o skirt_n of_o a_o jew_n and_o say_v we_o will_v go_v with_o you_o i_o mean_v may_v show_v some_o fondness_n of_o hear_v and_o read_v the_o word_n but_o no_o child_n of_o god_n no_o regenerate_a man_n but_o be_v indeed_o thirsty_a of_o it_o so_o that_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o paul_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v convert_v behold_v he_o pray_v so_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o every_o man_n and_o woman_n let_v they_o before_o have_v be_v never_o so_o loose_a and_o vain_a and_o careless_a as_o to_o read_n and_o hear_v the_o word_n behold_v he_o read_v or_o behold_v he_o hear_v nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o possible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o 1._o if_o we_o consider_v first_o that_o this_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n concern_v every_o soul_n the_o soul_n be_v unchanged_a till_o it_o be_v in_o some_o degree_n willing_a and_o obed_a ent_a so_o as_o what_o st._n paul_n speak_v more_o open_o he_o say_v to_o god_n though_o more_o private_o lord_n what_o will_v thou_o have_v i_o to_o do_v now_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o god_n call_v such_o a_o soul_n to_o do_v hear_v say_v god_n and_o your_o soul_n shall_v live_v as_o god_n say_v to_o paul_n go_v into_o the_o city_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v tell_v thou_o what_o thou_o shall_v do_v so_o god_n say_v unto_o the_o change_a soul_n go_v to_o church_n and_o hear_v my_o word_n and_o go_v and_o read_v in_o my_o word_n and_o there_o it_o shall_v be_v tell_v thou_o what_o thou_o shall_v do_v augustin_n tell_v we_o a_o story_n that_o be_v in_o a_o great_a agony_n of_o spirit_n and_o not_o know_v what_o to_o do_v he_o hear_v a_o voice_n as_o out_o of_o a_o inward_a room_n say_v tolle_n &_o lege_fw-la take_v up_o and_o read_v the_o soul_n in_o this_o do_v but_o conform_v himself_o to_o a_o impression_n that_o be_v make_v by_o the_o spirit_n upon_o his_o heart_n and_o be_v coevous_a to_o the_o hour_n of_o his_o new_a birth_n and_o this_o you_o shall_v see_v exemplify_v not_o in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a soul_n but_o in_o every_o soul_n bear_v of_o god_n the_o infant_n be_v not_o more_o natural_o dispose_v to_o suck_v the_o breast_n of_o the_o mother_n or_o nurse_n than_o such_o a_o soul_n be_v dispose_v to_o read_v and_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n from_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n upon_o it_o in_o the_o first_o hour_n of_o its_o conversion_n 4._o nor_o be_v any_o thing_n more_o reasonable_a than_o such_o a_o impression_n if_o we_o consider_v god_n ordination_n of_o his_o word_n as_o the_o pabulum_fw-la animae_fw-la the_o food_n and_o nourishment_n of_o the_o new_a bear_v soul_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 2._o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o you_o may_v grow_v thereby_o and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n this_o thirst_n after_o and_o delight_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n never_o go_v out_o of_o a_o sanctify_a heart_n for_o the_o word_n be_v the_o proper_a nourishment_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o all_o state_n it_o be_v not_o only_a milk_n for_o babe_n but_o meat_n for_o strong_a one_o by_o these_o thing_n man_n live_v say_v hezekiah_n the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o faith_n say_v the_o prophet_n the_o word_n be_v the_o object_n of_o this_o faith_n you_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n have_v plant_v in_o most_o sensitive_a creature_n a_o knowledge_n of_o their_o proper_a food_n and_o a_o appetite_n or_o desire_n to_o it_o the_o god_n of_o grace_n have_v give_v the_o renew_a soul_n a_o knowledge_n of_o its_o proper_a food_n too_o and_o create_v in_o it_o a_o appetite_n to_o it_o so_o as_o no_o soul_n be_v bear_v again_o without_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o word_n as_o that_o by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o live_v or_o a_o appetite_n to_o it_o nay_o it_o be_v not_o only_o necessary_a to_o uphold_v the_o spiritual_a be_v of_o the_o the_o soul_n but_o to_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o its_o well-being_n such_o a_o soul_n find_v the_o word_n a_o inexhaustible_a fountain_n a_o large_a
storehouse_n a_o shop_n that_o have_v a_o salve_n for_o every_o sore_a a_o medicine_n for_o every_o distemper_n hence_o indeed_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o a_o regenerate_a soul_n shall_v not_o value_v the_o kiss_n of_o christ_n mouth_n the_o breath_n of_o christ_n be_v comfort_v to_o those_o that_o be_v sad_a strengthen_v to_o those_o that_o be_v weak_a quicken_n to_o those_o that_o be_v dull_a a_o heal_n to_o all_o the_o soul_n disease_n and_o there_o be_v infinite_a record_n of_o the_o cure_v do_v by_o it_o both_o in_o scripture_n and_o in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a story_n and_o in_o all_o experience_n a_o christian_a convert_v can_v meet_v with_o another_o but_o he_o or_o she_o have_v some_o story_n to_o tell_v they_o of_o some_o cure_n wrought_v in_o they_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o have_v perish_v say_v one_o in_o such_o a_o affliction_n if_o the_o word_n have_v not_o be_v my_o delight_n i_o have_v perish_v say_v another_o under_o such_o a_o temptation_n if_o such_o a_o promise_n have_v not_o support_v i_o o_o the_o infinite_a cure_n which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n read_v and_o preach_v have_v do_v upon_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o soul_n look_v almost_o into_o any_o church_n of_o god_n there_o be_v many_o soul_n that_o be_v dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n and_o by_o the_o word_n be_v bring_v to_o life_n many_o soul_n that_o be_v drop_v into_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n who_o the_o word_n lay_v hold_v upon_o and_o save_v from_o it_o here_o be_v a_o break_a heart_n that_o be_v bind_v up_o by_o some_o line_n of_o holy_a writ_n there_o be_v a_o tempt_a soul_n fetch_v out_o of_o the_o depth_n of_o satan_n by_o a_o promise_n in_o the_o word_n there_o hang_v a_o poor_a fearful_a doubt_a soul_n resolve_v by_o it_o and_o bring_v to_o a_o settle_a state_n the_o regenerate_v soul_n meet_v with_o these_o story_n in_o all_o its_o new_a company_n and_o 3._o three_o it_o have_v a_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o because_o it_o have_v have_v itself_o a_o great_a experience_n of_o the_o virtue_n of_o it_o the_o word_n say_v such_o a_o soul_n it_o be_v that_o which_o have_v save_v my_o soul_n from_o hell_n my_o soul_n my_o poor_a soul_n be_v in_o a_o full_a career_n to_o the_o devil_n the_o word_n in_o such_o a_o sermon_n in_o such_o a_o scripture_n meet_v i_o and_o turn_v my_o face_n heaven-ward_n other_o my_o companion_n in_o sin_n drop_v into_o the_o pit_n my_o foot_n be_v upon_o the_o brink_n of_o perdition_n it_o be_v god_n mercy_n i_o be_v not_o ingulph_v in_o eternal_a misery_n god_n show_v i_o this_o mercy_n by_o his_o word_n shall_v that_o word_n be_v ever_o out_o of_o the_o taste_n of_o my_o soul_n shall_v not_o i_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o the_o read_n and_o hear_v of_o it_o as_o long_o as_o i_o live_v have_v christ_n convey_v his_o breath_n his_o life_n into_o my_o soul_n by_o the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o shall_v he_o not_o by_o it_o convey_v all_o thing_n that_o my_o immortal_a soul_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o let_v other_o that_o never_o taste_v the_o good_a word_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o who_o soul_n the_o lord_n never_o create_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n peace_n peace_n undervalue_n and_o despise_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n let_v they_o undervalue_v scripture_n and_o despise_v prophecying_n and_o count_v vain_a idle_a book_n better_a to_o read_v in_o than_o the_o book_n of_o god_n vain_a idle_a discourse_n better_a than_o lively_a soulsaving_a sermon_n i_o have_v taste_v better_a thing_n i_o know_v otherwise_o 4._o once_o more_o there_o appear_v to_o the_o renew_a soul_n a_o beauty_n and_o excellency_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n surpass_v all_o other_o write_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o you_o shall_v observe_v in_o the_o world_n two_o or_o three_o sort_n of_o people_n 1._o some_o there_o be_v who_o indeed_o hardly_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o rational_a creature_n they_o delight_v in_o no_o fort_n of_o knowledge_n in_o nothing_o of_o any_o tendency_n to_o ennoble_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n but_o only_o in_o sensual_a thing_n hence_o they_o almost_o hate_v a_o book_n or_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v have_v any_o tendency_n to_o adorn_v and_o any_o way_n ennoble_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n 2._o other_o have_v some_o delight_n in_o knowledge_n but_o it_o be_v a_o airy_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v superfluous_a and_o signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o the_o use_n of_o man_n life_n a_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n only_o which_o please_v the_o fancy_n tickle_v the_o sense_n furnish_v the_o tongue_n with_o discourse_n for_o all_o humour_n and_o company_n romance_n and_o play_n book_n any_o book_n of_o idle_a discourse_n and_o foolish_a story_n please_v they_o but_o for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o shall_v ennoble_v their_o mind_n they_o have_v no_o fancy_n for_o it_o nor_o any_o book_n or_o discourse_n that_o have_v any_o tendency_n to_o such_o a_o end_n these_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o titular_a christian_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o come_v up_o to_o the_o high_a form_n of_o heathen_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n of_o more_o noble_a soul_n that_o love_v knowledge_n and_o despise_v vain_a and_o airy_a knowledge_n that_o islu_v in_o no_o good_a and_o worthy_a end_n as_o to_o man_n life_n but_o seek_v such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o may_v make_v they_o wife_n to_o the_o rational_a end_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n you_o shall_v now_o never_o find_v these_o man_n much_o employ_v themselves_o with_o read_v or_o hear_v of_o play_n or_o read_v romance_n they_o abhor_v the_o feed_n of_o their_o soul_n with_o coal_n and_o dirt_n and_o cheat_v themselves_o with_o lie_n and_o falsehood_n nor_o debauch_v their_o mind_n with_o sordid_a and_o silthy_a book_n and_o discourse_n they_o will_v be_v read_v book_n of_o h_n story_n and_o philosophy_n which_o may_v serve_v their_o soul_n as_o to_o the_o most_o noble_a end_n or_o life_n and_o indeed_o such_o as_o be_v come_v thus_o far_o be_v yet_o but_o come_v on_o to_o the_o high_a form_n of_o good_a pagan_n but_o the_o good_a christian_n be_v get_v beyond_o these_o he_o have_v discern_v that_o god_n be_v the_o great_a good_a and_o the_o fruition_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n be_v the_o fruition_n of_o the_o great_a good_a and_o that_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n a_o acquaintance_n fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o he_o be_v more_o to_o be_v desire_v than_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o whatsoever_o book_n or_o discourse_n therefore_o have_v either_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o by_o any_o ordination_n of_o god_n a_o tendency_n to_o bring_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o a_o knowledge_n of_o god_n to_o a_o acquaintance_n or_o communion_n with_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o the_o best_a book_n the_o best_a discourse_n in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o he_o do_v by_o as_o rational_a a_o operation_n of_o his_o soul_n as_o a_o sober_a man_n count_v a_o true_a history_n better_o than_o a_o romance_n or_o a_o lecture_n of_o moral_a or_o natural_a philosophy_n better_o than_o a_o play_n or_o a_o ●dle_a sight_n all_o flow_v from_o his_o right_a notion_n of_o his_o chief_a end_n for_o that_o be_v once_o true_o fix_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n he_o measure_v other_o thing_n by_o their_o tendency_n or_o no_o tendency_n as_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n it_o be_v because_o the_o sensual_a man_n make_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o sense_n the_o ●nd_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o thirst_v after_o merry_a meeting_n ball_n and_o dance_n and_o revel_v and_o chambering_n and_o wantonness_n and_o book_n of_o fine_a word_n and_o full_a of_o filthy_a or_o at_o best_a witty_a discourse_n as_o the_o best_a book_n to_o spend_v his_o time_n in_o and_o discourse_n to_o spend_v his_o time_n upon_o it_o be_v because_o the_o moral_a man_n have_v fix_v upon_o the_o ennoble_a his_o mind_n with_o human_a knowledge_n and_o habit_n of_o moral_a virtue_n that_o he_o despise_v those_o thing_n beforementioned_a as_o contrary_a to_o his_o design_n and_o the_o main_a end_n of_o his_o life_n and_o choose_v rather_o the_o moral_a write_n of_o seneca_n aristotle_n plato_n etc._n etc._n than_o any_o other_o idle_a book_n to_o spend_v his_o thought_n upon_o and_o it_o be_v because_o the_o true_a christian_a have_v fix_v upon_o the_o glorify_v of_o god_n and_o the_o save_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n as_o the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o thirst_v after_o and_o have_v such_o a_o delight_n in_o the_o world_n of_o god_n and_o the_o interpretation_n and_o application_n of_o that_o which_o be_v that_o which_o we_o call_v preach_v 2._o beside_o the_o philosopher_n observe_v that_o like_a delight_v in_o its_o like_a look_v what_o complexion_n the_o soul_n be_v
of_o such_o thing_n it_o desire_v thirst_v after_o and_o delight_v in_o hence_o the_o dirty_a filthy_a soul_n where_o sense_n and_o passion_n and_o corrupt_v and_o debauch_a affection_n predominate_v covet_v filthy_a book_n and_o filthy_a discourse_n which_o be_v but_o the_o issue_n of_o soul_n of_o the_o same_o complexion_n with_o itself_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v something_o clean_a and_o have_v get_v its_o passion_n something_o more_o subjugate_v unto_o its_o reason_n delight_v in_o and_o desire_v book_n and_o discourse_n of_o its_o own_o complexion_n and_o which_o be_v the_o issue_n of_o soul_n like_v unto_o itself_o the_o spiritual_a man_n be_v refine_v to_o a_o further_a degree_n and_o pirch_n mind_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o spiritual_a thing_n have_v a_o thirst_n after_o the_o word_n and_o sermon_n which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o faithful_a interpretation_n &_o application_n of_o that_o word_n as_o be_v more_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a and_o so_o more_o like_a to_o it_o in_o its_o renew_a state_n wherein_o we_o be_v transform_v into_o the_o likeness_n of_o the_o word_n thy_o word_n be_v pure_a say_v david_n therefore_o do_v thy_o servant_n love_v it_o psal_n 119_o 140._o it_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o the_o renew_a soul_n to_o thirst_v after_o the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n and_o spiritual_a discourse_n from_o and_o upon_o it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o a_o impure_a unrenewed_a soul_n to_o thirst_n after_o filthy_a book_n obscene_a discourse_n or_o for_o the_o philosopher_n or_o moral_a rational_a man_n to_o desire_v after_o or_o to_o delight_v in_o book_n or_o discourse_n of_o its_o own_o complexion_n especial_o also_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o as_o sober_a moral_a discourse_n tend_v both_o to_o confirm_v and_o promove_v habit_n of_o morality_n so_o the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o spiritual_a discourse_n upon_o and_o according_a to_o it_o tend_v to_o confirm_v and_o to_o promove_v spiritual_a habit_n in_o the_o soul_n 5._o last_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n must_v needs_o more_o especial_o desire_n and_o delight_n in_o those_o which_o be_v more_o strict_o call_v gospel-doctrine_n and_o discourse_n relate_v to_o they_o because_o those_o be_v they_o which_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o great_a and_o most_o press_a want_n of_o the_o soul_n those_o be_v the_o doctrine_n wherein_o the_o lord_n speak_v peace_n and_o pardon_n that_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n i_o create_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n peace_n peace_n say_v god_n by_o his_o prophet_n isaiah_n in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o scripture_n god_n speak_v instruction_n in_o wisdom_n to_o his_o people_n and_o tell_v they_o the_o course_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o government_n of_o it_o both_o with_o reference_n to_o his_o people_n and_o to_o their_o enemy_n in_o the_o law_n and_o preceptive_a part_n of_o holy_a writ_n and_o the_o threaten_n of_o holy_a scripture_n he_o tell_v they_o their_o duty_n what_o be_v his_o will_n they_o shall_v do_v and_o avoid_v and_o what_o he_o will_v do_v unto_o they_o in_o case_n they_o be_v disobedient_a to_o his_o commandment_n and_o do_v not_o walk_v in_o his_o statute_n and_o keep_v his_o judgement_n in_o the_o prophetical_a part_n of_o it_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v but_o a_o history_n of_o what_o god_n have_v say_v and_o do_v he_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o apprehension_n and_o faith_n of_o god_n knowledge_n of_o future_a contingency_n and_o also_o concern_v his_o faithfulness_n but_o it_o be_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n alone_o that_o he_o declare_v his_o love_n to_o poor_a soul_n in_o and_o through_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n what_o christ_n have_v do_v and_o suffer_v for_o the_o redemption_n and_o salvation_n of_o man_n what_o he_o be_v yet_o ready_a to_o do_v for_o all_o such_o as_o true_o repent_v and_o believe_v and_o accept_v of_o the_o mediator_n it_o be_v in_o that_o alone_a that_o he_o offer_v heal_v to_o the_o nation_n now_o every_o gracious_a soul_n be_v one_o who_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v feel_v something_o of_o the_o burden_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n due_a to_o man_n for_o sin_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o the_o special_a thirst_n of_o such_o a_o soul_n be_v after_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o be_v most_o suit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o a_o soul_n that_o be_v weary_a and_o heavy_a lade_v and_o seek_v for_o rest_n and_o be_v weary_v in_o its_o own_o endeavour_n and_o find_v none_o no_o wonder_n if_o such_o sermon_n such_o preach_a be_v most_o sweet_a and_o acceptable_a unto_o it_o if_o such_o portion_n of_o scripture_n such_o discourse_n from_o scripture_n be_v most_o acceptable_a and_o grateful_a to_o its_o thought_n and_o most_o sweet_a to_o its_o meditation_n as_o be_v such_o which_o must_v deliver_v it_o from_o the_o trouble_n and_o uneasiness_n which_o the_o law_n which_o work_v wrath_n have_v give_v to_o it_o find_v itself_o a_o great_a transgressor_n of_o it_o thus_o i_o have_v doctrinal_o discourse_v the_o hunger_n of_o the_o soul_n after_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o a_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o it_o by_o read_v hear_v or_o meditation_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o appetite_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o it_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o more_o excellent_a internal_a communion_n of_o the_o soul_n communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n which_o infinite_o excel_v this_o and_o consequent_o be_v the_o more_o special_a object_n of_o the_o renew_a soul_n spiritual_a hunger_n and_o thirst_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v but_o i_o shall_v first_o make_v application_n of_o this_o discourse_n use_v 1_o this_o notion_n may_v help_v we_o to_o take_v some_o measure_n of_o our_o spiritual_a state_n whether_o we_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n yea_o or_o no_o the_o soul_n desire_n or_o no_o desire_n after_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o his_o word_n its_o delight_n or_o no_o delight_n in_o that_o piece_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n to_o determine_v our_o spiritual_a state_n and_o how_o it_o shall_v fare_v with_o we_o in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n i_o be_o sure_a negative_o it_o be_v a_o good_a note_n he_o that_o have_v no_o desire_n after_o no_o delight_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v nothing_o of_o god_n or_o christ_n in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o all_o scripture_n experience_n and_o reason_n also_o david_n experience_n be_v instead_o of_o all_o though_o many_o more_o example_n may_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o holy_a writ_n there_o be_v never_o any_o good_a king_n of_o israel_n or_o judah_n but_o call_v for_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o much_o desire_v and_o delight_v in_o the_o lord_n prophet_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o word_n shall_v have_v do_v any_o soul_n good_a and_o the_o savour_n of_o it_o not_o be_v leave_v upon_o it_o engage_v it_o to_o prize_n and_o value_v it_o so_o long_o as_o it_o live_v i_o only_o except_o a_o extraordinary_a hour_n of_o temptation_n in_o which_o i_o have_v know_v good_a soul_n afraid_a to_o read_v and_o hear_v but_o alas_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n not_o themselves_o and_o act_v not_o from_o a_o free_a use_n of_o their_o reason_n this_o reflect_v sad_o 1._o upon_o such_o as_o neglect_v read_v the_o word_n some_o indeed_o can_v read_v i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o excuse_v these_o in_o time_n and_o place_n where_o they_o have_v such_o plenty_n of_o mean_n to_o learn_v as_o i_o think_v those_o parent_n will_v be_v inexcusable_a before_o god_n another_o day_n that_o take_v not_o care_n to_o have_v their_o child_n when_o young_a learned_a to_o read_v so_o i_o think_v those_o grow_v personswhom_n their_o parent_n have_v neglect_v inexcusable_a who_o have_v not_o use_v such_o mean_n as_o the_o age_n afford_v in_o great_a plenty_n to_o learn_v to_o read_v and_o can_v hardly_o believe_v that_o soul_n to_o have_v any_o fear_n of_o god_n or_o love_n to_o god_n in_o it_o that_o do_v not_o apply_v itself_o to_o this_o piece_n of_o knowledge_n but_o alas_o how_o many_o can_v read_v that_o hardly_o take_v the_o bible_n in_o their_o hand_n from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o week_n to_o the_o other_o sure_o we_o may_v conclude_v the_o bible_n never_o do_v their_o soul_n good_a they_o can_v but_o have_v hear_v that_o the_o lord_n command_v the_o king_n of_o his_o people_n to_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n and_o by_o god_n order_n be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath_n day_n and_o can_v any_o think_v himself_o excuse_v from_o read_v the_o word_n we_o can_v be_v always_o hear_v nor_o do_v so_o much_o knowledge_n come_v into_o our_o soul_n by_o hear_v as_o may_v by_o read_v be_o i_o
particular_a be_v in_o let_v we_o know_v 1._o that_o that_o faith_n which_o will_v do_v the_o soul_n any_o good_a as_o to_o eternal_a salvation_n must_v be_v as_o the_o apostle_n style_v it_o col._n 2._o 12._o a_o faith_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o god_n the_o work_n of_o faith_n with_o power_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v 2_o thessaly_n 1._o v._n 11._o it_o be_v call_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n eph._n 2._o 8._o not_o of_o ourselves_o it_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n eph._n 2._o 8._o the_o work_n of_o god_n joh._n 6._o 29._o this_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n that_o you_o believe_v on_o he_o who_o he_o have_v send_v it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n 1_o joh._n 3._o 23._o and_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n but_o the_o work_n the_o operation_n of_o god_n a_o work_n with_o power_n such_o a_o faith_n as_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o father_n draw_v this_o if_o due_o observe_v will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n to_o guide_v we_o in_o this_o inquiry_n it_o will_v let_v we_o see●_n that_o that_o believe_v which_o be_v the_o mere_a product_n of_o natural_a power_n be_v not_o that_o come_n to_o christ_n to_o which_o the_o promise_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n be_v annex_v two_o thing_n man_n ordinary_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o as_o to_o this_o business_n of_o faith_n 1._o judge_v any_o kind_n of_o blind_a and_o languid_a assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v that_o believe_a to_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o scripture_n annex_v the_o promise_n of_o salvation_n a_o great_a many_o know_v no_o more_o by_o believe_v but_o their_o agreement_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v make_v man_n and_o die_v for_o we_o all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o the_o devil_n believe_v and_o yet_o tremble_v i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o assent_n what_o it_o will_v be_v that_o faith_n which_o justify_v it_o be_v not_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n that_o be_v the_o object_n of_o that_o faith_n some_o indeed_o tell_v we_o that_o faith_n be_v a_o operative_a assent_n and_o by_o that_o they_o have_v mend_v the_o matter_n but_o if_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n not_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o word_n be_v the_o formal_a and_o proper_a object_n of_o true_a faith_n no_o assent_n can_v be_v the_o justify_v act_n of_o faith_n for_o the_o proposition_n must_v be_v the_o object_n of_o that_o there_o be_v several_a kind_n of_o assent_n according_a to_o the_o light_n in_o which_o we_o see_v a_o proposition_n we_o assent_n to_o thing_n ofttimes_o mere_o upon_o report_n and_o hear-say_n so_o as_o the_o assent_n be_v a_o mere_a humane_a faith_n thus_o most_o englishman_n assent_v to_o this_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o william_n the_o conqueror_n a_o thing_n they_o can_v see_v in_o no_o other_o light_n than_o that_o of_o humane_a report_n in_o history_n of_o all_o other_o assent_v this_o be_v the_o weak_a and_o most_o invaluable_a and_o before_o we_o give_v it_o there_o must_v appear_v to_o we_o a_o probability_n in_o the_o thing_n upon_o this_o account_n none_o but_o those_o who_o judge_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o the_o church_n say_v and_o that_o those_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n believe_v or_o assent_v to_o the_o strange_a story_n in_o the_o popish_a legend_n because_o their_o reason_n tell_v they_o the_o thing_n be_v improbable_a yea_o impossible_a without_o a_o miraculous_a operation_n which_o they_o see_v no_o reason_n god_n shall_v work_v in_o such_o a_o case_n nor_o will_v man_n give_v their_o assent_n in_o such_o case_n but_o where_o they_o be_v not_o much_o concern_v whether_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o false_a so_o as_o it_o be_v equal_a to_o they_o to_o agree_v the_o thing_n or_o to_o deny_v it_o 2._o man_n assent_v to_o thing_n upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o ratiocination_n they_o form_n conclusion_n from_o principle_n and_o then_o assent_v to_o they_o now_o in_o regard_n our_o reason_n be_v not_o infallible_a this_o assent_n likewise_o though_o more_o strong_a than_o the_o other_o yet_o be_v but_o saint_n and_o incertain_a and_o alter_v as_o we_o see_v better_a reason_n for_o the_o contrary_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o assent_n which_o be_v give_v to_o a_o proposition_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n now_o this_o assent_n be_v strong_a or_o weak_a as_o the_o revelation_n be_v more_o full_o or_o imperfect_o &_o incertain_o agree_v a_o man_n by_o a_o natural_a power_n may_v assent_v to_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o deliver_v to_o he_o by_o man_n he_o that_o thus_o assent_v do_v no_o more_o assent_n to_o what_o the_o gospel_n say_v of_o christ_n than_o to_o what_o history_n tell_v he_o of_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o saxon_a or_o norman_a king_n many_o hundred_o year_n ago_o reason_n work_v upon_o its_o own_o principle_n show_v we_o nothing_o of_o christ_n the_o scripture_n be_v by_o all_o christian_n general_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o no_o man_n have_v any_o certain_a and_o firm_a persuasion_n that_o they_o be_v so_o but_o he_o who_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n all_o argument_n from_o tradition_n and_o reason_n have_v their_o incertainty_n and_o though_o they_o be_v useful_a to_o make_v it_o probable_a to_o other_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o produce_v a_o certainty_n of_o persuasion_n in_o our_o own_o soul_n hence_o the_o assent_n to_o such_o proposition_n as_o be_v only_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n must_v also_o be_v faint_a and_o incertain_a and_o consequent_o not_o operative_a or_o very_o incertain_o operative_a so_o that_o although_o it_o may_v produce_v something_o of_o practice_n while_o the_o fit_a of_o assent_n be_v upon_o the_o soul_n yet_o it_o produce_v no_o steady_a certain_a constant_a practice_n so_o as_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o a_o practical_a assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a justify_v faith_n to_o which_o be_v annex_v the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n yet_o if_o by_o it_o we_o mean_v such_o a_o agreement_n of_o our_o mind_n to_o the_o truth_n as_o produce_v a_o certain_a steady_a constant_a or_o ordinary_a practice_n and_o course_n of_o life_n conformable_a to_o the_o proposition_n of_o truth_n which_o we_o agree_v as_o this_o will_v imply_v trust_v and_o rely_v on_o christ_n for_o life_n and_o salvation_n so_o it_o be_v such_o as_o be_v the_o operation_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o not_o in_o a_o way_n of_o common_a providence_n as_o our_o ability_n to_o speak_v or_o move_v be_v but_o in_o a_o way_n of_o special_a favour_n and_o work_a for_o man_n agree_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n firm_o and_o steady_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o he_o agree_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o it_o alone_o and_o that_o be_v the_o special_a work_n of_o god_n in_o soul_n that_o shall_v be_v save_v of_o necessity_n such_o also_o must_v be_v the_o assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n that_o be_v reveal_v in_o it_o and_o which_o can_v be_v see_v by_o the_o soul_n in_o no_o other_o light_n so_o as_o indeed_o i_o do_v not_o think_v there_o be_v much_o in_o it_o more_o than_o a_o strife_n about_o word_n or_o at_o least_o a_o very_a great_a nicety_n whether_o true_a justify_v faith_n be_v a_o practical_a assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o a_o reliance_n on_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n or_o rather_o both_o for_o a_o practical_a assent_n do_v necessary_o infer_v a_o reliance_n on_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n admit_v that_o this_o be_v one_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n act_v 4._o 12._o that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n in_o any_o other_o for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o name_n give_v under_o heaven_n among_o man_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v save_v and_o that_o the_o soul_n in_o its_o practice_n of_o holiness_n have_v any_o eye_n to_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o practical_a assent_n to_o use_v the_o term_n of_o some_o that_o be_v any_o assent_n to_o the_o proposition_n that_o shall_v produce_v any_o truth_n or_o constancy_n of_o practice_n without_o a_o reliance_n upon_o and_o trust_v to_o the_o person_n of_o the_o mediator_n and_o this_o must_v be_v the_o special_a work_n and_o powerful_a operation_n of_o god_n in_o and_o upon_o the_o soul_n but_o now_o if_o man_n make_v any_o kind_n of_o languid_a weak_a and_o incertain_a assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n faith_n and_o think_v that_o they_o have_v true_a faith_n
not_o only_o no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o public_a confession_n but_o it_o may_v be_v of_o a_o great_a mischief_n and_o ill_a consequence_n then_o good_a by_o reason_n of_o a_o wicked_a world_n which_o watch_v for_o god_n people_n halting_n to_o reproach_v profession_n and_o the_o holy_a name_n of_o god_n though_o therefore_o in_o such_o case_n private_a confession_n even_o of_o more_o private_a sin_n may_v be_v necessary_a and_o expedient_a yet_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v manage_v with_o prudence_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n that_o be_v in_o the_o best_a consistency_n with_o the_o end_n to_o which_o it_o be_v direct_v and_o for_o the_o avoid_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n and_o disadvantage_n of_o the_o more_o public_a interest_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o much_o wisdom_n be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o friend_n in_o this_o case_n for_o though_o solomon_n have_v advise_v we_o pro._n 25._o 9_o to_o debate_v our_o case_n with_o our_o neighbour_n yet_o in_o the_o next_o word_n he_o have_v add_v discover_v not_o thy_o secret_n to_o another_o thereby_o inform_v we_o that_o neighbour_n in_o that_o text_n be_v not_o to_o be_v expound_v in_o that_o latitude_n as_o in_o the_o parable_n concern_v he_o who_o fall_v among_o thief_n every_o one_o no_o not_o every_o good_a man_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o secret_n of_o soul_n consider_v the_o end_n of_o this_o action_n and_o the_o great_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v avoid_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o three_o thing_n seem_v requisite_a in_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o private_a christian_a to_o who_o a_o prudent_a christian_a may_v thus_o unbosom_v himself_o 1._o silence_n and_o secrecy_n 2._o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n 3._o one_o of_o who_o we_o may_v presume_v that_o he_o have_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a interest_n in_o god_n 1._o i_o say_v first_o silence_z and_o secrecy_n your_o ordinary_a experience_n tell_v you_o that_o even_o among_o good_a man_n some_o have_v a_o much_o better_a command_n and_o government_n of_o their_o tongue_n then_o other_o and_o as_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o such_o fall_n into_o more_o error_n themselves_o than_o other_o for_o in_o a_o multitude_n of_o word_n there_o want_v not_o sin_n so_o such_o person_n be_v least_o to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o secret_n of_o soul_n 2._o second_o he_o that_o confess_v his_o fault_n to_o another_o do_v it_o in_o order_n to_o his_o advice_n and_o counsel_n this_o make_v knowledge_n and_o spiritual_a wisdom_n requisite_a in_o the_o person_n who_o we_o choose_v to_o unbosom_v ourselves_o in_o this_o manner_n unto_o every_o man_n who_o have_v knowledge_n enough_o to_o guide_v his_o own_o soul_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n yet_o have_v not_o knowledge_n judgement_n or_o experience_n enough_o to_o give_v spiritual_a advice_n and_o counsel_n to_o his_o brother_n 3._o if_o this_o confession_n be_v make_v in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o benefit_n of_o prayer_n the_o same_o wisdom_n will_v direct_v we_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o judge_v to_o be_v person_n likely_a to_o prevail_v with_o god_n in_o prayer_n there_o be_v some_o that_o be_v more_o mighty_a in_o the_o scripture_n more_o exercise_v in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n than_o other_o these_o be_v most_o fit_a for_o advice_n and_o counsel_n there_o be_v some_o that_o be_v more_o exercise_v in_o prayer_n than_o other_o and_o more_o prevail_v with_o god_n these_o be_v fit_a to_o hear_v our_o confession_n in_o order_n to_o our_o advantage_n by_o their_o prayer_n and_o these_o general_o be_v such_o as_o walk_v most_o upright_o and_o close_o with_o god_n the_o lord_n hear_v not_o sinner_n but_o if_o any_o man_n be_v a_o worshipper_n of_o god_n and_o do_v his_o will_n he_o he_o hear_v john_n 9_o 31._o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o upright_a say_v solomon_n be_v his_o delight_n 2._o second_o as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o prudence_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o person_n to_o who_o we_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v our_o blackness_n so_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o piety_n and_o charity_n to_o be_v show_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o do_v of_o it_o that_o which_o of_o charity_n be_v to_o be_v show_v in_o it_o be_v to_o do_v it_o where_o the_o soul_n of_o our_o brother_n may_v be_v advantage_v by_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o that_o of_o piety_n which_o be_v to_o be_v show_v in_o its_o eye_n 1._o in_o a_o right_n fix_v of_o our_o end_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o general_a end_n of_o all_o our_o action_n when_o joshua_n exhort_v achan_n to_o confess_v his_o sin_n my_o son_n say_v he_o confess_v and_o give_v glory_n unto_o god_n you_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o a_o confession_n of_o the_o lord_n name_n a_o confession_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o confession_n of_o sin_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o that_o be_v the_o praedication_n of_o his_o glory_n for_o that_o be_v all_o the_o way_n we_o have_v to_o glorify_v god_n a_o man_n by_o confession_n of_o his_o sin_n either_o unto_o god_n or_o man_n may_v give_v glory_n to_o god_n for_o in_o confeff_v himself_o a_o sinner_n he_o own_v the_o lord_n power_n and_o sovereignty_n over_o he_o the_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n of_o his_o law_n and_o his_o patience_n long-suffering_a and_o goodness_n that_o he_o be_v not_o cut_v off_o and_o throw_v into_o hell_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o confession_n of_o sin_n our_o duty_n where_o this_o end_n can_v be_v attain_v some_o way_n or_o other_o god_n do_v not_o delight_n in_o the_o shame_n and_o confusion_n of_o our_o face_n but_o he_o do_v delight_n in_o the_o exalt_v of_o his_o own_o name_n and_o in_o the_o praedication_n of_o his_o own_o praise_n and_o glory_n 2._o second_o piety_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o action_n so_o it_o must_v be_v doá¹…e_n with_o tenderness_n of_o heart_n brokenness_n and_o contrition_n of_o spirit_n indeed_o without_o this_o the_o enumeration_n and_o recital_n of_o our_o sin_n be_v but_o either_o a_o glory_v in_o sin_n or_o at_o best_o but_o a_o formaltty_a and_o shell_n of_o duty_n a_o glory_v in_o sin_n be_v but_o a_o glory_v in_o our_o shame_n and_o what_o will_v be_v far_o from_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o child_n of_o god_n a_o formality_n of_o duty_n be_v but_o hypocrisy_n it_o be_v a_o great_a vanity_n for_o any_o soul_n to_o think_v that_o god_n shall_v be_v please_v with_o a_o mere_a empty_a noise_n of_o word_n which_o be_v not_o expressive_a of_o any_o inward_a disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n in_o which_o he_o have_v declare_v himself_o please_v word_n in_o prayer_n and_o confession_n of_o sin_n be_v our_o duty_n but_o they_o must_v be_v such_o word_n as_o be_v thrust_v out_o of_o our_o lip_n by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o inward_a affection_n of_o our_o heart_n if_o a_o man_n confess_v his_o sin_n unto_o god_n either_o public_o or_o private_o this_o be_v requisite_a therefore_o you_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o god_n require_v be_v our_o humble_v ourselves_o that_o signify_v the_o affection_n of_o the_o heart_n a_o man_n can_v humble_v himself_o by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o lip_n without_o the_o inward_a shame_n and_o brokenness_n of_o his_o soul_n the_o same_o thing_n be_v necessary_a in_o our_o confession_n unto_o man_n under_o the_o old_a law_n there_o be_v oil_n and_o frankincense_n to_o be_v pour_v upon_o the_o meat_n offer_v leu._n 2._o 2._o and_o several_a other_o offering_n as_o you_o will_v read_v in_o that_o book_n but_o upon_o the_o sin_n offer_v there_o be_v no_o oil_n nor_o frankincense_n to_o be_v put_v leu._n 5._o 11._o oil_n signify_v gladness_n hence_o you_o read_v that_o they_o use_v it_o when_o they_o will_v make_v their_o face_n to_o shine_v and_o you_o read_v of_o the_o oil_n of_o gladness_n the_o confession_n of_o sin_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o sin_n offer_v to_o god_n and_o must_v not_o be_v offer_v without_o a_o suitable_a sense_n and_o sorrow_n of_o heart_n this_o be_v a_o requisite_a in_o all_o confession_n of_o sin_n last_o we_o ought_v with_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o our_o blackness_n whether_o to_o god_n or_o man_n to_o join_v also_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o our_o comeliness_n so_o far_o as_o god_n have_v make_v any_o discovery_n of_o it_o to_o our_o soul_n we_o ought_v not_o indeed_o to_o glory_n beyond_o our_o line_n and_o measure_n but_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o conceal_v what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o our_o soul_n in_o this_o both_o the_o glory_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a and_o encouragement_n of_o our_o deject_a and_o disconsolate_a brethren_n be_v both_o concern_v nor_o
good_a and_o virtuous_a habit_n so_o as_o to_o the_o church_n that_o church_n do_v not_o keep_v its_o own_o vineyard_n that_o do_v not_o beside_o purge_v itself_o of_o error_n and_o scandal_n take_v care_n also_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n be_v due_o preach_v and_o publish_v and_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n pure_o administer_v this_o be_v now_o for_o the_o spouse_n to_o keep_v or_o not_o to_o keep_v she_o own_o vineyard_n now_o i_o say_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n whether_o the_o individual_a spouse_n which_o be_v every_o true_o gracious_a soul_n or_o the_o collective_a spouse_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v very_o prone_a to_o neglect_v the_o keep_n of_o its_o own_o vineyard_n 3._o this_o need_v no_o other_o evidence_n than_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o all_o church_n and_o that_o in_o all_o age_n 1._o i_o say_v first_o the_o experience_n of_o particular_a christian_n for_o who_o live_v and_o sin_v not_o against_o god_n the_o righteous_a fall_v 7_o time_n in_o a_o day_n now_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o many_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o god_n people_n be_v sin_n of_o pure_a infirmity_n either_o through_o ignorance_n or_o impotency_n to_o resist_v the_o temptation_n yet_o both_o this_o ignorance_n and_o impotency_n be_v often_o occasion_v through_o a_o neglect_n or_o not_o improvement_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n and_o better_a information_n and_o through_o our_o not_o prepare_v ourselves_o to_o the_o spiritual_a fight_n put_v on_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v avoid_v occasion_n to_o sin_n abstain_v from_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a and_o give_v no_o advantage_n to_o the_o adversary_n all_o which_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o enjoin_v we_o by_o the_o apostle_n 2._o nor_o second_o either_o be_v there_o or_o ever_o be_v any_o church_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o earth_n that_o keep_v its_o own_o vineyard_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o only_a church_n god_n have_v upon_o the_o earth_n until_o the_o time_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n whosoever_o read_v their_o story_n in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o book_n of_o king_n and_o chronicle_n or_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n will_v find_v that_o they_o do_v not_o keep_v their_o own_o vineyard_n never_o have_v any_o church_n a_o trust_n more_o clear_o commit_v to_o they_o they_o can_v have_v no_o long_a dispute_n about_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n if_o any_o question_n do_v arise_v they_o have_v a_o infallible_a rule_n deut._n 17._o for_o the_o determination_n of_o it_o yet_o as_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o as_o the_o ten_o tribe_n make_v a_o total_a defection_n after_o the_o reign_v of_o david_n and_o solomon_n both_o who_o reign_v make_v up_o but_o 80_o year_n in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o which_o in_o solomon_n time_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o reign_n they_o also_o admit_v very_o great_a corruption_n so_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o judah_n they_o lose_v what_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o trust_n many_o time_n and_o seldom_o keep_v it_o 60_o year_n together_o in_o any_o degree_n of_o purity_n so_o that_o in_o josiahs_n time_n the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v throw_v about_o and_o hide_v in_o the_o rubbish_n and_o find_v by_o the_o repairer_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o you_o find_v in_o the_o story_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o king_n now_o that_o this_o be_v their_o most_o wilful_a neglect_n appear_v by_o their_o frequent_a reduction_n though_o not_o perfect_a to_o the_o divine_a rule_n when_o asa_n jehosaphat_n hezekiah_n joash_n josiah_n attempt_v it_o and_o the_o plain_a revelation_n which_o they_o have_v of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n both_o from_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n their_o way_n for_o decision_n of_o doubt_n about_o it_o and_o the_o prophet_n which_o god_n favour_v they_o with_o all_o the_o while_n that_o kingdom_n remain_v after_o that_o church_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o christian_a church_n set_v up_o all_o the_o apostolical_a epistle_n give_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o proneness_n of_o church_n to_o neglect_v the_o keep_n of_o their_o own_o vineyard_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n watchman_n to_o sleep_v while_o the_o enemy_n sow_v tare_n the_o same_o be_v also_o evidence_v by_o all_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o from_o the_o history_n of_o all_o modern_a church_n their_o deviation_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n &_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n testify_v it_o 4._o nor_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o aptness_n in_o we_o to_o neglect_v the_o keep_n of_o our_o own_o vineyard_n hard_o to_o be_v assign_v 1._o the_o first_o be_v the_o laboriousness_n of_o the_o work_n and_o the_o crossness_n of_o it_o to_o the_o genius_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o keep_v his_o heart_n with_o all_o diligence_n be_v no_o easy_a work_n it_o lie_v much_o in_o a_o christian_n denial_n of_o himself_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n mortify_v his_o member_n as_o to_o which_o our_o flesh_n incessant_o cry_v in_o the_o language_n of_o peter_n master_n spare_v thyself_o so_o that_o he_o who_o do_v it_o row_n as_o we_o say_v both_o against_o wind_n and_o tide_n it_o require_v much_o knowledge_n and_o judgement_n to_o keep_v a_o man_n self_n unspotted_a from_o error_n but_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o self_n denial_n for_o any_o man_n to_o keep_v himself_o unspotted_a from_o the_o pollution_n of_o the_o world_n through_o lust_n upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n compare_v the_o way_n ●o_o heaven_n to_o a_o narrow_a way_n a_o strait_a gate_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o a_o camel_n to_o go_v through_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o needle_n as_o for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n our_o work_n be_v compare_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o a_o cut_n off_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o pluck_v out_o of_o a_o right_a eye_n in_o work_n of_o great_a labour_n and_o difficnlty_n we_o be_v very_o prone_a you_o know_v to_o be_v remiss_a and_o negligent_a 2._o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o native_a corruption_n and_o inclination_n in_o man_n heart_n to_o deviate_v from_o the_o holy_a and_o right_a way_n of_o god_n be_v a_o great_a cause_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o as_o to_o the_o church_n keep_v its_o vineyard_n i_o can_v apprehend_v such_o a_o difficulty_n in_o it_o as_o to_o truth_n a_o man_n indeed_o can_v believe_v what_o he_o list_v but_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o this_o may_v keep_v the_o doctrine_n of_o say_v if_o particular_a person_n that_o be_v otherwise_o persuade_v in_o some_o point_n then_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n be_v will_v but_o learn_v what_o the_o apostle_n direct_v in_o that_o case_n have_v thou_o say_v have_v it_o to_o thyself_o rom._n 14._o and_o not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o publish_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o a_o church_n what_o be_v their_o own_o particular_a opinion_n as_o to_o ordinance_n relate_v to_o worship_n and_o government_n what_o difficulty_n can_v there_o be_v in_o keep_v strict_o to_o the_o divine_a rule_n and_o do_v that_o alone_a which_o god_n word_n require_v the_o question_n concern_v that_o will_v be_v very_o few_o if_o man_n do_v not_o lay_v hold_n upon_o some_o general_a passage_n and_o apply_v they_o to_o their_o own_o fancy_n be_v man_n but_o fix_v in_o this_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o divine_a rule_n without_o diminish_v it_o or_o without_o add_v to_o it_o unless_o in_o case_n where_o such_o addition_n be_v apparent_o necessary_a certain_o this_o be_v all_o to_o be_v require_v in_o order_n to_o the_o church_n keep_v its_o own_o vineyard_n as_o to_o the_o ordinance_n commit_v to_o it_o but_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n heart_n incline_v he_o to_o interpret_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o a_o consistency_n to_o his_o own_o reason_n make_v all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o church_n keep_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o wild_a humour_n that_o have_v always_o possess_v man_n to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o to_o create_v decency_n and_o matter_n of_o order_n according_a to_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o to_o conform_v their_o altar_n to_o that_o of_o damascus_n have_v be_v all_o along_o in_o the_o story_n of_o the_o church_n the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n neglect_v to_o keep_v its_o proper_a vineyard_n 3._o three_o it_o be_v much_o cause_v from_o the_o mixture_n of_o the_o world_n in_o our_o conversation_n this_o be_v true_a both_o as_o to_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o particular_a christian_a &_o as_o to_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o church_n also_o as_o to_o the_o particular_a christian_a we_o be_v but_o flesh_n and_o have_v sense_n to_o be_v gratify_v with_o pleasure_n
put_v on_o thy_o shoe_n upon_o thy_o foot_n and_o cover_v not_o thy_o lip_n it_o be_v also_o a_o token_n of_o shame_n harlot_n be_v wont_a to_o cover_v themselves_o gen._n 38._o 14._o it_o be_v also_o do_v as_o a_o token_n or_o signification_n of_o modesty_n so_o you_o read_v of_o rebeccah_n gen._n 24._o 65._o when_o she_o hear_v of_o isaac_n his_o come_n towards_o she_o she_o haste_v and_o take_v a_o vail_n and_o cover_v herself_o this_o custom_n of_o virgin_n cover_v themselves_o be_v of_o long_a use_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o tertullian_n who_o live_v 2_o or_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n have_v a_o particular_a book_n to_o persuade_v the_o uphold_v of_o that_o custom_n which_o it_o shall_v seem_v then_o begin_v to_o be_v disuse_v our_o translator_n interpret_v the_o word_n turn_v aside_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o difference_n lie_v in_o the_o doubtfulness_n whether_o the_o hebrew_n root_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o signify_v to_o turn_v aside_o the_o second_o to_o cover_v hence_o also_o arise_v the_o difference_n of_o interpreter_n about_o the_o next_o term_n by_o the_o flock_n of_o thy_o companion_n those_o who_o interpret_v the_o former_a word_n turn_v aside_o understand_v by_o companion_n idolater_n and_o superstitious_a person_n who_o indeed_o make_v themselves_o the_o companion_n of_o christ_n or_o rather_o make_v their_o idol_n his_o companion_n some_o interpret_v it_o of_o heretic_n idolater_n make_v their_o idol_n christ_n companion_n by_o give_v that_o homage_n to_o they_o which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o alone_o thus_o the_o papist_n do_v to_o their_o image_n and_o crucifix_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n heretic_n make_v their_o leader_n christ_n companion_n make_v they_o the_o guide_v of_o their_o faith_n and_o practice_n which_o be_v a_o homage_n due_a unto_o christ_n alone_o indeed_o christ_n have_v proper_o no_o companion_n consider_v he_o as_o to_o his_o divine_a nature_n he_o be_v and_o there_o be_v none_o beside_o he_o nor_o have_v he_o any_o companion_n as_o our_o mediator_n and_o intercessor_n he_o tread_v the_o wine-press_n alone_o neither_o be_v any_o of_o the_o people_n with_o he_o he_o have_v no_o companion_n either_o in_o his_o kingly_a prophetical_a or_o priestly_n office_n but_o he_o have_v some_o who_o call_v themselves_o his_o companion_n and_o arrogate_v to_o themselves_o that_o title_n nay_o which_o other_o sinful_o make_v his_o companion_n beza_n think_v these_o be_v here_o mean_v 2._o but_o second_o christ_n have_v some_o who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o strict_o his_o companion_n yet_o he_o gracious_o so_o call_v they_o be_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v not_o ashamed_a to_o call_v they_o brethren_n of_o these_o i_o shall_v choose_v to_o understand_v the_o text_n and_o though_o i_o be_o very_o tender_a of_o differ_v from_o the_o receive_a translation_n of_o a_o church_n in_o any_o matter_n of_o moment_n shall_v be_v more_o incline_v as_o i_o say_v before_o to_o translate_v the_o former_a term_n one_o cover_v so_o the_o sense_n be_v for_o why_o shall_v i_o be_v among_o thy_o people_n as_o a_o mourner_n or_o as_o one_o that_o be_v a_o harlot_n with_o who_o thou_o will_v have_v no_o communion_n or_o fellowship_n why_o shall_v i_o walk_v as_o one_o cover_v either_o as_o a_o mourner_n or_o as_o a_o strumpet_n among_o thy_o people_n who_o thou_o have_v so_o far_o own_v as_o to_o declare_v thyself_o not_o ashamed_a to_o call_v they_o brethren_n or_o companion_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o petition_n o_o thou_o who_o my_o soul_n love_v above_o all_o other_o object_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v my_o shepherd_n let_v i_o know_v where_o and_o how_o i_o may_v enjoy_v communion_n with_o thou_o how_o i_o may_v have_v fellowship_n with_o thou_o in_o a_o time_n of_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n and_o when_o i_o may_v have_v the_o near_a full_a and_o most_o uninterrupted_a communion_n with_o thou_o for_o why_o shall_v i_o for_o want_v of_o thy_o presence_n be_v under_o a_o constant_a temptation_n to_o turn_v aside_o from_o a_o true_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o thou_o to_o the_o synagogue_n and_o assembly_n of_o idolater_n or_o why_o shall_v i_o walk_v among_o thy_o people_n either_o as_o a_o mourner_n or_o as_o a_o harlot_n who_o thou_o have_v cast_v off_o or_o divorce_v to_o this_o now_o her_o beloved_n answer_v o_o thau_fw-fr fair_a among_o woman_n it_o be_v a_o hebraeisme_n a_o way_n they_o have_v to_o express_v the_o superlative_a degree_n so_o luk._n 1._o 28._o 42_o thou_o be_v bless_v among_o woman_n that_o be_v very_o much_o very_o high_o bless_v so_o the_o lion_n be_v say_v to_o be_v strong_a among_o beast_n prov_n 30._o 30._o that_o be_v the_o strong_a beast_n it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o in_o our_o dialect_n o_o thou_o that_o be_v fair_a to_o who_o beauty_n in_o my_o eye_n no_o other_o beauty_n be_v to_o be_v compare_v if_o thou_o know_v not_o the_o hebrew_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o septuagint_n translate_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o thou_o do_v not_o know_v thyself_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a aethiopick_n syriack_n and_o arabic_a translator_n and_o indeed_o most_o ancient_a interpreter_n that_o i_o meet_v with_o follow_v the_o septuagint_n and_o translate_v it_o if_o thou_o know_v not_o thyself_o hence_o bernard_n upon_o the_o place_n run_v into_o a_o large_a discourse_n concern_v christian_n ignorance_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o profitableness_n of_o our_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a precept_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n among_o the_o heathen_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o undoubted_o though_o this_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n yet_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o text_n where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o pleonasme_n as_o both_o tremellius_n mercer_n and_o mariana_n three_o interpreter_n very_o learned_a and_o critical_a in_o the_o hebrew_n dialect_n do_v all_o agree_v so_o as_o we_o translate_v it_o true_o according_a to_o our_o idiom_n if_o thou_o know_v though_o in_o the_o hebrew_n it_o be_v if_o thou_o know_v to_o or_o for_o thyself_o it_o follow_v go_v thy_o way_n by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o feed_v thy_o flock_n by_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n these_o word_n now_o contain_v she_o belove_n direction_n if_o she_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n what_o to_o do_v in_o a_o time_n of_o straits_n or_o how_o to_o enjoy_v the_o most_o full_a and_o free_a communion_n with_o he_o she_o must_v go_v her_o way_n by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n interpreter_n vary_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n according_a to_o their_o different_a notion_n of_o the_o former_a if_o thou_o know_v not_o those_o that_o will_v not_o allow_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v paragogical_a or_o pleonastical_a but_o will_v interpret_v they_o if_o thou_o know_v not_o thyself_o and_o so_o make_v the_o whole_a to_o be_v a_o rebuke_n or_o chide_v of_o the_o spouse_n for_o her_o ignorance_n or_o pride_n will_v have_v the_o flock_n here_o to_o be_v the_o flock_n of_o idolater_n and_o heretic_n and_o by_o the_o kid_n here_o understand_v she_o own_o vain_a imagination_n and_o make_v this_o speech_n to_o be_v the_o language_n of_o a_o angry_a god_n give_v up_o a_o people_n in_o wrath_n according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n to_o strong_a delusion_n to_o believe_v a_o lie_n for_o their_o wilful_a ignorance_n and_o non-improvement_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n put_v upon_o the_o word_n by_o hierome_n gregory_n bernard_n aquinas_n lyra_n and_o other_o and_o there_o be_v a_o truth_n in_o this_o when_o a_o people_n continue_v in_o the_o bosom_n of_o a_o church_n under_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n ignorant_a proud_a and_o unprofitable_a god_n often_o in_o wrath_n give_v they_o over_o to_o seducer_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o vanity_n and_o delusion_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n a_o judgement_n of_o all_o other_o most_o formidable_a but_o certain_o this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n delrio_n though_o a_o papist_n differ_v from_o they_o and_o give_v we_o a_o good_a reason_n tell_v we_o if_o that_o have_v be_v our_o lord_n meaning_n he_o will_v never_o in_o the_o same_o breath_n have_v call_v she_o the_o fair_a among_o woman_n therefore_o tremellius_n both_o the_o english_a and_o dutch_a annotator_n deodate_v piscator_fw-la mariana_n and_o other_o understand_v here_o by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o by_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n the_o precept_n and_o example_n of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o pure_a church_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o kid_n mention_v they_o understand_v particular_a soul_n so_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n
forth_o by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n who_o feed_v not_o their_o soul_n by_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n under_o this_o condemnation_n fall_v 1._o all_o such_o who_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o word_n as_o their_o rule_n walk_v according_a to_o the_o imagination_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n which_o you_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v the_o constant_a character_n of_o wicked_a man_n in_o scripture_n 2._o such_o as_o follow_v the_o incertain_a example_n and_o tradition_n of_o man_n 3._o last_o such_o as_o cast_v off_o ordinance_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o a_o more_o immediate_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n there_o be_v a_o middle_a way_n betwixt_o rest_v in_o and_o take_v up_o with_o mere_a external_a performance_n and_o cast_v they_o off_o it_o be_v true_a a_o soul_n may_v wait_v upon_o god_n in_o ordinance_n and_o have_v no_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o they_o communion_n with_o god_n lie_v in_o more_o than_o mere_a lend_v a_o ear_n to_o god_n and_o allow_v he_o our_o bodily_a presence_n in_o more_o than_o a_o communication_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o our_o external_a sense_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v have_v by_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n in_o place_n where_o god_n have_v record_v his_o name_n to_o dwell_v and_o the_o performance_n of_o such_o external_a act_n as_o god_n have_v require_v and_o make_v his_o promise_n of_o that_o nature_n unto_o to_o look_v for_o a_o presence_n of_o god_n with_o we_o in_o a_o neglect_n or_o contempt_n of_o these_o institution_n be_v to_o look_v for_o what_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v to_o find_v 2._o let_v i_o only_o further_o persuade_v you_o that_o hear_v i_o this_o day_n to_o follow_v the_o counsel_n give_v you_o in_o the_o text._n to_o go_v your_o way_n by_o the_o footstep_n of_o christ_n flock_n to_o feed_v your_o soul_n by_o his_o shepherd_n tent_n 1._o in_o all_o your_o action_n go_v forth_o by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n do_v what_o you_o have_v find_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n have_v do_v who_o name_n and_o practise_v you_o have_v upon_o a_o sure_a record_n in_o holy_a writ_n as_o it_o be_v prophesy_v of_o old_a that_o there_o shall_v come_v time_n when_o many_o shall_v say_v lo_o here_o be_v christ_n or_o lo_o there_o be_v christ_n to_o amuse_v soul_n and_o make_v their_o way_n incertain_a to_o they_o so_o the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o many_o say_v lo_o here_o be_v the_o church_n other_o say_v lo_o it_o be_v there_o the_o papist_n say_v it_o be_v with_o they_o and_o other_o party_n say_v it_o be_v with_o they_o in_o this_o incertain_a cry_n we_o have_v a_o certain_a rule_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o have_v a_o certain_a record_n of_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n we_o have_v certain_a print_n of_o their_o foot_n peace_n shall_v be_v upon_o those_o who_o walk_v according_a to_o that_o rule_n you_o may_v be_v deceive_v as_o to_o other_o scock_n as_o to_o that_o you_o can_v be_v deceive_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n not_o record_v in_o holy_a writ_n the_o pretend_a tradition_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n of_o which_o the_o scripture_n make_v no_o mention_n be_v very_o incertain_a thing_n the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v a_o sure_a rule_n let_v none_o leave_v that_o which_o be_v certain_a for_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v incertain_a if_o you_o can_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n a_o sufficiency_n to_o make_v you_o wise_a to_o salvation_n both_o as_o to_o what_o you_o be_v to_o do_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o whole_a of_o your_o conversation_n than_o there_o may_v be_v some_o reason_n for_o you_o to_o hear_v what_o other_o say_v and_o to_o listen_v to_o your_o own_o reason_n but_o there_o be_v a_o sufficieney_n there_o obj._n some_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o who_o shall_v interpret_v it_o to_o we_o but_o the_o church_n sol._n if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o scripture_n necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o be_v obscure_a i_o be_o sure_a the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v much_o more_o obscure_a who_o shall_v vouch_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o one_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o such_o account_n there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o fault_n find_v with_o that_o principle_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o we_o have_v a_o warrant_n for_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v right_o understand_v i_o know_v no_o fault_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v with_o it_o not_o that_o we_o must_v have_v a_o particular_a warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o every_o action_n that_o we_o do_v none_o ever_o assert_v any_o such_o thing_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v nothing_o for_o which_o we_o have_v not_o a_o particular_a or_o general_a warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o foam_n action_n those_o especial_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v a_o particular_a rule_n in_o all_o thing_n no_o act_n of_o worship_n no_o mean_a of_o worship_n be_v to_o be_v use_v but_o what_o we_o have_v a_o particular_a warrant_n in_o god_n word_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n god_n shall_v prescribe_v his_o own_o homage_n and_o because_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n he_o that_o worship_v god_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n neither_o add_v thereto_o nor_o diminish_v therefrom_o shall_v worship_n god_n acceptable_o as_o to_o particular_a natural_a and_o civil_a action_n the_o word_n be_v not_o a_o particular_a sufficient_a rule_n but_o it_o be_v a_o general_a rule_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v particular_o direct_v all_o the_o civil_a action_n of_o a_o man_n life_n it_o have_v leave_v a_o thousand_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n to_o our_o own_o liberty_n and_o wisdom_n only_o have_v give_v we_o some_o general_a rule_n which_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v in_o they_o in_o these_o thing_n a_o christian_n have_v not_o such_o a_o liberty_n but_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o obey_v the_o ordinance_n and_o law_n of_o man_n so_o far_o as_o they_o respect_v the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n and_o that_o out_o of_o conscience_n to_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n require_v such_o obedience_n to_o man_n in_o their_o sphere_n and_o the_o capacity_n which_o god_n have_v set_v they_o in_o second_o feed_v your_o kid_n by_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n keep_v to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o institution_n of_o christ_n administer_v by_o those_o who_o he_o have_v set_v over_o his_o flock_n as_o shepherd_n that_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o direction_n and_o by_o the_o way_n this_o show_v we_o a_o necessity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o a_o gospel_n ministry_n it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o jesuit_n and_o romish_a priest_n to_o take_v you_o off_o from_o your_o minister_n the_o socinian_n complain_v that_o the_o world_n have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n trouble_v with_o a_o idle_a sort_n of_o person_n call_v minister_n quaker_n and_o other_o enthusiast_n all_o sing_v the_o same_o song_n yet_o there_o be_v none_o of_o these_o but_o have_v their_o head_n their_o guide_n and_o teacher_n only_o possible_o some_o of_o they_o will_v have_v none_o who_o shall_v whole_o set_v themselves_o apart_o and_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o this_o work_n other_o will_v only_o bring_v you_o off_o the_o true_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o put_v you_o under_o idol_n shepherd_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o shepherd_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n be_v such_o as_o be_v send_v by_o the_o great_a shepherd_n and_o can_v true_o derive_v from_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n here_o be_v the_o question_n how_o shall_v we_o know_v which_o be_v the_o shepherd_n tent_n our_o reason_n will_v direct_v we_o not_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o those_o who_o only_o bear_v witness_n of_o themselves_o christ_n say_v john_n 5._o 31._o if_o i_o bear_v witness_n of_o myself_o my_o witness_n be_v not_o true_a that_o be_v if_o i_o alone_o bear_v witness_n of_o myself_o such_o a_o testimony_n be_v also_o more_o to_o be_v suspect_v when_o it_o be_v arrogant_a when_o man_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o to_o be_v alone_o the_o true_a shepherd_n but_o for_o your_o direction_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o a_o few_o conclusion_n 1._o it_o be_v both_o impossible_a for_o any_o to_o know_v they_o by_o their_o lineal_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o first_o depute_v by_o christ_n to_o feed_v his_o flock_n and_o needless_a to_o make_v such_o a_o inquiry_n for_o they_o the_o former_a assertion_n prove_v the_o latter_a for_o it_o be_v doubtless_o needless_a to_o look_v for_o what_o be_v
incision_n into_o the_o tree_n 2._o they_o set_v something_o to_o receive_v it_o the_o incision_n be_v make_v already_o the_o soldier_n make_v that_o when_o they_o pierce_v thy_o saviour_n side_n there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v for_o thou_o to_o do_v but_o to_o open_v thy_o heart_n to_o receive_v those_o influence_n of_o grace_n which_o free_o drop_v from_o a_o crucify_a christ_n yea_o god_n must_v do_v that_o too_o the_o truth_n be_v thou_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v more_o then_o to_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o myrrh_n to_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o his_o ordinance_n to_o sit_v under_o gospel_n dispensation_n and_o to_o look_v up_o to_o heaven_n for_o further_a grace_n only_o remember_v the_o full_a soul_n loathe_v the_o hony-comb_n the_o full_a dish_n receive_v not_o the_o most_o precious_a liquor_n and_o while_o thy_o soul_n be_v full_a of_o the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n and_o love_n of_o lust_n it_o receive_v no_o myrrh_n while_o it_o be_v full_a of_o the_o love_n of_o pleasure_n wantonness_n froth_n and_o idleness_n it_o be_v like_o the_o rive_a dish_n that_o hold_v nothing_o but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n 3_o be_v christ_n to_o the_o believer_n as_o a_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n then_o hear_v i_o o_o you_o child_n of_o the_o most_o high_a i_o will_v urge_v but_o two_o thing_n upon_o you_o as_o a_o improvement_n of_o this_o notion_n 1._o use_v he_o as_o a_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n i_o will_v press_v this_o in_o three_o thing_n 1._o be_v often_o take_v the_o savour_n of_o he_o the_o woman_n that_o have_v a_o rare_a smell_a flower_n or_o perfume_n wear_v it_o in_o her_o bosom_n she_o suffer_v not_o the_o first_o to_o die_v in_o her_o garden_n nor_o the_o latter_a to_o evaporate_v in_o her_o cabinet_n but_o she_o be_v often_o smell_v of_o it_o oh_o that_o the_o child_n of_o god_n will_v make_v as_o much_o use_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o will_v not_o let_v his_o sweetness_n in_o a_o gospel_n ordinance_n evaporate_v into_o the_o air_n nor_o the_o sweetness_n of_o his_o mediatory_a action_n reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n die_v in_o sheet_n of_o paper_n but_o that_o they_o will_v study_v the_o scripture_n meditate_v on_o the_o word_n think_v over_o gospel_n sermon_n when_o they_o have_v hear_v they_o oh_o that_o they_o will_v wear_v the_o remembrance_n of_o christ_n action_n upon_o their_o heart_n every_o day_n how_o sweet_a will_v it_o be_v to_o their_o soul_n how_o pleasant_a to_o their_o thought_n the_o lazy_a student_n lose_v the_o sweetness_n of_o those_o thousand_o notion_n that_o be_v in_o his_o book_n because_o he_o never_o read_v his_o book_n nor_o spend_v time_n in_o study_v they_o the_o negligent_a christian_a lose_v much_o of_o that_o infinite_a sweetness_n that_o his_o soul_n may_v have_v by_o reflect_v upon_o the_o gospel_n story_n and_o gospel_n truth_n for_o want_v of_o meditate_v upon_o they_o 2._o be_v exceed_v careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o influence_n of_o christ_n upon_o your_o soul_n and_o your_o experience_n of_o his_o love_n shall_v the_o woman_n bind_v up_o her_o sweet_a flower_n in_o a_o posy_n and_o the_o lady_n careful_o tie_v up_o her_o perfume_n in_o bag_n and_o glass_n that_o they_o may_v not_o lose_v their_o scent_n and_o she_o the_o sweetness_n of_o they_o and_o shall_v a_o christian_a possess_v of_o the_o sweet_a influence_n of_o grace_n possess_v of_o the_o presence_n of_o jesus_n christ_n do_v nothing_o to_o preserve_v it_o say_v with_o the_o spouse_n here_o he_o shall_v lodge_v all_o night_n betwixt_o my_o breast_n do_v as_o the_o spouse_n cant._n 3._o when_o she_o have_v find_v he_o who_o her_o soul_n love_v she_o hold_v he_o she_o will_v not_o let_v he_o go_v till_o she_o have_v carry_v he_o to_o her_o mother_n house_n to_o the_o house_n of_o she_o that_o conceive_v she_o bind_v up_o your_o experience_n of_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n in_o so_o many_o bundle_n and_o do_v what_o in_o you_o lie_v to_o preserve_v his_o influence_n in_o the_o vigour_n of_o they_o will_v you_o know_v how_o you_o may_v preserve_v they_o there_o be_v no_o better_a way_n than_o for_o you_o to_o keep_v up_o in_o your_o soul_n a_o high_a value_n and_o esteem_v of_o they_o it_o be_v ordinary_o for_o want_v of_o love_n that_o the_o belove_a withdraw_v himself_o 3._o you_o be_v communicative_a of_o your_o sweet_a perfume_n the_o lady_n can_v wear_v her_o strong_a perfume_n but_o other_o who_o she_o come_v near_o will_v partake_v of_o her_o sweetness_n it_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o perfume_n to_o season_v the_o whole_a air._n she_o will_v hardly_o have_v a_o perfume_n bat_n out_o of_o a_o desire_n to_o have_v it_o take_v notice_n of_o she_o will_v be_v hold_v it_o to_o the_o nostril_n of_o other_o oh_o that_o you_o who_o be_v possess_v of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n this_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n will_v be_v as_o communicative_a of_o that_o also_o that_o you_o will_v be_v commend_v christ_n as_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n do_v john_n 4._o to_o your_o neighbour_n kindred_n child_n friend_n acquaintance_n that_o they_o also_o may_v follow_v after_o he_o in_o the_o savour_n of_o his_o precious_a ointment_n this_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o christian_n duty_n when_o thou_o be_v convert_v say_v our_o saviour_n to_o peter_n strengthen_v thy_o brethren_n thus_o to_o do_v good_a and_o to_o distribute_v forget_v not_o for_o with_o such_o service_n god_n be_v well_o please_v but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n 2._o be_v christ_n to_o the_o believer_n a_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n let_v not_o they_o be_v as_o bundle_n of_o nettle_n to_o he_o the_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n give_v a_o pleasant_a smell_n cheer_v the_o sense_n the_o bundle_n of_o nettles_n prick_v and_o offend_v and_o grieve_v the_o nostril_n it_o be_v the_o apostle_n exhortation_n eph._n 4._o 30._o grieve_v not_o the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o which_o you_o be_v seal_v to_o the_o day_n of_o redemption_n the_o exhortation_n be_v to_o holiness_n of_o conversation_n the_o argument_n be_v from_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n to_o you_o the_o love_n of_o god_n constrain_v say_v the_o apostle_n there_o be_v many_o argument_n to_o press_v holiness_n from_o none_o so_o ingenuous_a none_o so_o constrain_a to_o a_o ingenuous_a soul_n as_o the_o sweetness_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o it_o it_o break_v the_o heart_n of_o a_o ingenuous_a child_n to_o remember_v its_o frowardness_n to_o a_o indulgent_a father_n and_o a_o tender_a mother_n love_n work_v much_o upon_o a_o good_a nature_n study_v this_o argument_n and_o the_o force_n of_o it_o upon_o your_o soul_n to_o make_v you_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o lord_n fear_v sermon_n lv._o cant._n 1._o 13._o he_o shall_v lie_v all_o night_n betwixt_o my_o breast_n i_o have_v unite_v the_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n in_o my_o text_n that_o i_o may_v give_v you_o the_o full_a smell_n thereof_o christ_n be_v the_o posy_n of_o his_o saint_n we_o must_v now_o find_v he_o a_o convenient_a place_n the_o text_n assign_v he_o a_o posy_n place_n about_z or_o betwixt_o the_o breast_n not_o upon_o her_o shoulder_n as_o if_o he_o be_v her_o burden_n nor_o behind_o her_o back_n where_o she_o can_v not_o view_v he_o but_o in_o her_o breast_n where_o she_o may_v be_v always_o please_v her_o sense_n with_o he_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n 16._o 8._o say_v i_o have_v set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o i_o he_o be_v at_o my_o right_a hand_n therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v move_v de_fw-fr ponte_n note_n that_o the_o believe_a soul_n in_o the_o time_n of_o spiritual_a combat_n set_v christ_n at_o her_o right_a hand_n but_o in_o the_o time_n of_o peace_n she_o lodge_v he_o betwixt_o her_o breast_n it_o be_v a_o old_a usage_n say_v atheneus_n to_o anoint_v the_o breast_n with_o myrrh_n because_o of_o its_o virtue_n to_o strengthen_v the_o heart_n here_o our_o spouse_n place_v her_o bundle_n of_o myrrh_n not_o to_o trouble_v you_o with_o the_o strain_a fancy_n of_o interpreter_n concern_v the_o spouse_n breast_n in_o mammis_fw-la signum_fw-la amoris_fw-la the_o place_n betwixt_o the_o breast_n be_v near_o to_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o belove_a object_n it_o be_v the_o belove_a husband_n and_o the_o belove_a babe_n that_o be_v allow_v to_o lodge_v betwixt_o the_o breast_n she_o may_v have_v say_v he_o shall_v lodge_v near_o my_o heart_n but_o she_o rather_o choose_v to_o say_v betwixt_o my_o breast_n which_o be_v a_o outward_a part_n nigh_o to_o the_o heart_n intimate_v that_o she_o will_v not_o only_o bear_v christ_n upon_o her_o heart_n but_o express_v her_o love_n by_o live_v to_o christ_n in_o her_o outward_a conversation_n but_o not_o to_o overstrain_v the_o metaphor_n she_o do_v not_o say_v he_o shall_v come_v but_o he_o shall_v lodge_v or_o lodge_v all_o
marriage_n those_o be_v the_o excellent_a song_n which_o set_v cut_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n this_o book_n be_v whole_o evangelical_n whole_o spiritual_a but_o i_o have_v speak_v enough_o also_o to_o this_o three_o proposition_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o make_v some_o application_n of_o this_o discourse_n 1_o in_o the_o first_o place_n let_v i_o speak_v to_o all_o of_o you_o who_o shall_v hear_v my_o further_a discourse_n concern_v any_o part_n of_o this_o book_n as_o once_o god_n speak_v to_o moses_n at_o the_o burn_a bush_n put_v off_o thy_o shoe_n from_o off_o thy_o foot_n for_o the_o place_n whereon_o thou_o stand_v be_v holy_a ground_n while_o i_o shall_v be_v open_v those_o figurative_a expression_n by_o which_o it_o please_v the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o solomon_n to_o discourse_v these_o spiritual_a love_n procul_fw-la o_fw-la procul_fw-la este_fw-la profani_fw-la saint_n paul_n to_o titus_n say_v unto_o the_o pure_a all_o thing_n be_v pure_a but_o unto_o they_o that_o be_v defile_v and_o unbelieving_a there_o be_v nothing_o pure_a but_o even_o their_o mind_n and_o conscience_n be_v defile_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o may_v be_v say_v so_o of_o every_o line_n of_o holy_a writ_n to_o the_o pure_a heart_n every_o line_n there_o be_v pure_a not_o so_o to_o the_o impure_a the_o reason_n be_v because_o their_o own_o mind_n and_o conscience_n be_v filthy_a and_o impure_a here_o be_v no_o wantonness_n in_o these_o sacred_a line_n they_o contain_v indeed_o discourse_n of_o love_n but_o altogether_o divine_a and_o spiritual_a though_o under_o carnal_a disguise_n oh_o let_v not_o your_o wanton_a heart_n bring_v hither_o any_o unclean_a thought_n 2._o second_o methinks_v much_o of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v may_v engage_v your_o mind_n to_o attention_n to_o i_o while_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o unfold_v the_o spiritual_a mystery_n in_o this_o book_n 1._o the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n be_v solomon_n the_o name_n of_o a_o king_n among_o man_n carry_v with_o it_o a_o great_a reverence_n and_o authority_n but_o solomon_n be_v no_o ordinary_a king_n the_o lord_n give_v he_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o wisdom_n that_o none_o before_o or_o after_o he_o be_v ever_o like_a unto_o he_o 2_o chron._n 1._o 12._o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n think_v it_o worth_a her_o travel_n to_o come_v from_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v his_o auditor_n and_o go_v away_o admire_v his_o wisdom_n nay_o more_o he_o be_v one_o who_o the_o lord_n love_v thence_o he_o have_v his_o name_n jedidiah_n 2_o sam._n 12._o 24_o 25._o we_o may_v therefore_o expect_v to_o hear_v the_o secret_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o his_o mouth_n rather_o than_o from_o another_o man_n when_o the_o disciple_n joh._n 13._o 23._o be_v at_o loss_n for_o a_o interpretation_n of_o what_o christ_n say_v they_o beckon_v to_o the_o disciple_n who_o he_o love_v to_o inquire_v his_o meaning_n and_o be_v present_o satisfy_v further_a yet_o he_o be_v a_o eminent_a type_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v solomon_n that_o speak_v but_o he_o speak_v as_o the_o organ_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v greg._n nyssen_n christ_n use_v solomon_n as_o his_o instrument_n and_o by_o he_o speak_v to_o we_o but_o this_o bring_v i_o to_o a_o second_o consideration_n as_o much_o engage_v you_o to_o attention_n and_o far_o more_o than_o the_o former_a 2._o a_o great_a than_o solomon_n be_v here_o solomon_n speak_v in_o this_o song_n in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o christ_n by_o he_o here_o speak_v unto_o you_o solomon_n hand_n hold_v the_o pen_n but_o christ_n guide_v his_o hand_n to_o every_o letter_n in_o this_o sacred_a song_n 3._o nor_o be_v this_o holy_a song_n as_o you_o have_v hear_v compose_v in_o solomon_n time_n of_o deviation_n from_o god_n that_o indeed_o will_v have_v weaken_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o but_o either_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o life_n before_o he_o go_v astray_o from_o god_n or_o in_o the_o latter_a part_n when_o he_o be_v again_o return_v unto_o he_o be_v it_o which_o it_o will_v we_o be_v by_o it_o strong_o engage_v to_o the_o study_n and_o understanding_n of_o it_o as_o it_o from_o a_o great_a experience_n inform_v a_o gracious_a soul_n to_o what_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n it_o may_v arrive_v and_o what_o sweet_a intercourse_n even_o in_o this_o life_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o a_o believe_a soul_n be_v attainable_a by_o that_o soul_n that_o follow_v after_o they_o whether_o in_o its_o virgin_n state_n before_o it_o have_v more_o notorious_o estrange_v itself_o from_o god_n or_o upon_o a_o true_a repentance_n after_o eminent_a backslide_n 4._o the_o exceed_a sweetness_n and_o spirituality_n of_o the_o matter_n high_o commend_v it_o to_o every_o spiritual_a heart_n there_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o be_v exceed_o sweet_a and_o precious_a the_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o be_v so_o for_o if_o it_o be_v pleasant_a to_o read_v the_o history_n of_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n etc._n etc._n how_o much_o more_o sweet_a shall_v it_o be_v to_o every_o gracious_a soul_n to_o read_v and_o understand_v the_o series_n of_o divine_a providence_n towards_o that_o people_n who_o above_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n he_o set_v apart_o for_o himself_o who_o he_o miraculous_o conduct_v and_o for_o they_o make_v his_o holy_a arm_n so_o eminent_o bare_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o we_o call_v the_o law_n be_v also_o exceed_v precious_a to_o a_o gracious_a soul_n it_o be_v so_o to_o david_n sweet_a than_o the_o honey_n or_o hony-comb_n etc._n etc._n and_o st._n paul_n as_o to_o his_o inward_a man_n delight_v in_o it_o but_o of_o all_o the_o portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n the_o gospel_n part_n be_v most_o sweet_a that_o which_o reveal_v a_o god_n in_o christ_n reconcile_n the_o world_n to_o himself_o which_o tell_v you_o what_o christ_n be_v in_o himself_o consider_v as_o mediator_n god-man_n etc._n etc._n which_o discover_v the_o excellency_n and_o desirableness_n of_o he_o who_o be_v totus_fw-la desideria_fw-la altogether_o desire_n those_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o let_v we_o know_v what_o christ_n be_v to_o his_o poor_a people_n how_o tender_a of_o they_o how_o jealous_a for_o they_o how_o condescend_v and_o kind_a to_o they_o and_o how_o dear_a and_o precious_a they_o be_v to_o he_o of_o all_o the_o portion_n of_o holy_a write_v experience_n speak_v those_o most_o exceed_o sweet_a to_o we_o where_o christ_n be_v set_v out_o in_o the_o pant_n of_o his_o heart_n and_o yerning_n of_o his_o bowel_n towards_o his_o poor_a child_n such_o be_v this_o portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n when_o we_o shall_v have_v take_v off_o the_o veil_n of_o metaphor_n with_o which_o this_o sacred_a portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n be_v cover_v we_o shall_v find_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o portion_n of_o holy_a writ_n wherein_o those_o sweet_a and_o spiritual_a mystery_n of_o the_o soul_n union_n and_o communion_n with_o jesus_n christ_n be_v more_o full_o and_o affectionate_o describe_v 5._o the_o more_o special_a form_n of_o it_o as_o a_o song_n do_v likewise_o commend_v it_o to_o our_o attention_n there_o be_v a_o secret_a virtue_n in_o poetry_n engagine_v people_n heart_n and_o affection_n to_o attention_n if_o a_o wanton_a lovesong_n which_o discourse_v the_o virtue_n and_o beauty_n of_o creature_n can_v lay_v such_o a_o hold_n upon_o our_o ear_n and_o heart_n what_o shall_v this_o song_n do_v which_o discourse_v the_o excellency_n of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o fair_a among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o chief_a of_o ten_o thousand_o altogether_o desire_v and_o his_o particular_a endearment_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o creature_n which_o have_v no_o comeliness_n but_o what_o he_o put_v upon_o they_o certain_o the_o hear_n of_o these_o discourse_n must_v ravish_v every_o spiritual_a heart_n this_o be_v the_o song_n of_o song_n 6._o final_o the_o metaphor_n with_o which_o this_o excellent_a song_n be_v clothe_v must_v needs_o give_v it_o a_o great_a advantage_n with_o every_o ingenuous_a soul_n which_o natural_o desire_v the_o understanding_n of_o what_o be_v hide_v from_o it_o we_o may_v suppose_v god_n therefore_o to_o have_v thus_o phrased_a this_o spiritual_a song_n that_o we_o may_v have_v great_a desire_n kindle_v in_o we_o to_o understand_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o it_o the_o hard_a the_o shell_n be_v the_o sweet_a the_o nut_n will_v be_v find_v when_o once_o the_o shell_n be_v crack_v 3_o last_o what_o you_o have_v hear_v may_v serve_v you_o as_o a_o key_n for_o the_o unlock_v this_o whole_a portion_n of_o scripture_n and_o guide_v you_o in_o the_o understanding_n of_o my_o future_a discourse_n