Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	bring_v	child_n	good_a	1,431	5	3.9500	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85763	Loves entercours between the Lamb & his bride, Christ and his Church. Or, A clear explication and application of the Song of Solomon. By William Guild, D.D. and preacher of God's Word.	Guild, William, 1586-1657.	1657 (1657)	Wing G2206; Thomason E1583_3	233,317	296

daughters of Sion who have received the eye-salve of the spirit to discern spirituall things and are like Ezekiels wheels full of eyes Ezek. 1. 18. They are called upon only to behold this spirituall sight and to these only the promise is made for Blessed are the pure in heart sayes our saviour for they shall see God 3. The daughters of Sion are called forth to behold Christ the true Solomon as a king crowned with the Crown wherewith his mother crowned him where we have first to consider who is meant here by his Mother and 2. What is this crown and how he is crowned so by her First then we must understand that Christ has a naturall Mother to wit the Virgin Mary who was his mother according to the flesh as also he has a mysticall mother which is his Church who in a divers respect is his sister as he calles her Cant. 5. 2. His spouse and his Mother here 1. In estimation and affection because he so esteems and loves his Church and those who do the will of his Father as his very Mother as he showes and calles such Matth. 12. 50. And 2. Because by the Doctrine of faith the pastors of his Church as by an Immortall seed they conceive and bring forth Christ in a manner in the hearts of his elect Gal. 4. 19. As the Apostle testifies saying My little Children of whom I travell in birth againe untill Christ be formed in you for which cause also the Church who is described by that woman in the Revelation who was great with child is said travelling in birth to have brought forth a man child who was to rule all nations with a Rod of iron who was caught up to God and to his throne which is competent onely to Christ This mother then is said to set a crown on Christs head which is a signe of dominion and victory as we see Rev. 19. 11. When her true and faithfull members acknowledge his sole and only Soveragnity over them and submitts themselves to be ruled and governed by him alone and no other but their king and Lord Jesus to lord over them or have place in their hearts whereas on the contrary those who give place to Satan sinne or their own corruption their servants and subjects they are whom they obey these take the crown as it were from off Christs head and say he shall not raigne over us Psal 2. and puts it upon Satans head and puts only in Christ's hand by way of derision as it were with the Roman souldiers an empty reed for a scepter and crown him with a crown of thorns and while they say in word Let thy kingdome come they show in deed that they desire that it depart from them and therefore they shall hear a sentence of a dreadfull departure from him when they who crown him here as the true members and subjects of his kingdome of grace shal be crowned hereafter with the crown of glory And indeed great reason is it that his Church and all godly soules should thus crown Christ Jesus as their king and only Lord here for 1. In our creation as is shown Heb. 2. 6 He crowned man whom he made little inferior to Angels with glory and honour and set him over the works of his hands 2. In the work of our Redemption he crowned our nature by assumption thereof to his divine nature advancing the same highly above angells in that Hypostaticall Union on earth and now much more in glory and at the right hand of the Father in the heavens 3. As he showes by his Prophet and Psalmist Psal 103. 4. in the work of justification and remission of sinne and delivery from destruction he crownes us with loving kindness and tender mercies 4. In the work of Sanctification as he speaks by Ezekiel of his church Ezek. 16. 12. He put a beautifull crown upon her head even that beauty of holiness whereof he speaks Psal 110. 3. 5 For our use and comfort of this naturall life on earth as David sayes he crownes the yeer with his goodness and his paths drop fatness Psal 65. 11. And 6 In the work of glorification he hath laid up for all his own elect a crown of Righteousness glory and life everlasting 2 Tim. 4. 8. 1 Pet. 5. 4. Rev 2. 10. 4. The time when he is said to be crowned is the day of his espousal's and of the gladness of his heart so that when a faithfull soul acknowledges Christs sole and supreame soveraignity over the same and wholly submits it self to his ruleing and government then and thereby is it espoused as a chast Virgin unto Christ Jesus as the Apostle shewes 2 Cor. 11. 2. And so at one time as it were it crownes Christ and is espoused to him and as this is the joy of the Angels so is it the joy and gladness of his heart who is Lord both of men and Angels proceeding from that love that he has to mans salvation and whom nothing at any time did so contristate when he was on earth as the stubborness of wicked sinners who would not be reclaimed as he shewd when he wept over Jerusalem and so grievously complained Observations 1. We see that the daughters of Sion are called upon to go forth to behold king Solomon and his glory The cause then that so few see Christ the true Solomon in his spirituall glory beauty and Majesty and be inamoured with him to seek after him and delight in him is this they have never learned to go forth out of themselves renouncing their own righteousness will and corruption 2. The eye whereby Christ in his spirituall glory is only seene seeing it is faith and if we look upon him in his ordinances with a carnall eye we will as Herod did set him at nought Therefore if we would see him either here to our comfort or hereafter in glory let us seek after faith and the eye-salve of the spirit by servent prayer and frequent use of the meanes whereby it is obtained 3. Seing Christ is a king and our king ruling and protecting us let us do the duties of loyall and obedient subjects to him and seeing we should crown him here by acknowledging his soveragnity over us and submitting our selves to his rule and government let us not defraud him of his crown-right here as we would not justly be defrauded of that crown of glory which he has at the Fathers right hand Heb. ●…9 and is to give to all those who love and obey him hereafter 4. Seeing faith and obedience make such a spirituall sibness to Christ that his church and her true members are counted his Mother and Spouse therefore hereby being so highly honoured let us all strive to have faith in a good conscience as Manna was laid up in a golden pot that so we may attain to this high advancement and all these comforts that results there-from 5. As the submission of the soul and espousals by

perplexity need resolution binding up so what is broken and strengthning that which is sick and like a bruised reed or smoaking flax Thirdly her question to them If they saw her well-beloved because it was fittest that they should know Christ or see him who were as the light of the world to give knowledge of him and show or like the Baptist point him forth to others this being it which is said by Malachi That the Priest's lips should preserve knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth Mal. 2. 7. for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts And therefore they are compared to that star that led the Wise-men to the place where Christ was Wherefore suitably she enquires at them for Him whom her foul loves But unto this question we see not here any answer made mention of which behoved to be either because they made none at all which is not like to be the true cause or else because upon their answer at that present she found not the good thereof which is that comfortable resolution and finding of him whom her soul loved as she found within short space thereafter The seed of God's Word like other seed having its own time to brier and bring forth its fruit which the husbandman is bidden to wait for in patience And God's Spirit having his own time of efficacious working with the Word and of the comfortable application to the soul of that which it hath been ruminating upon that so all comfort may be known to come from him onely who is the promised Comforter in and by the means of the Word and all glory may be given to him therefore Observations 1. By the Church's constant inquiry and indefatigable pains notwithstanding all discouragements of seeking and not finding as before we see a most worthy and imitable example to follow of constant cleaving to Christ as Job firmly resolved and as Ruth did to Naomi and that we should never desist to seek till we find to ask till we get and to knock till it be opened unto us 2. In respect that Pastors are called watchmen and especially as Ezek. 34. 10. at whose hands the Lord will require the blood of such as perish through their default 1 They ought to consider the weightinesse of their charge and beg earnestly strength and abilities from God to discharge the same And 2 People for their encouragement should obey that exhortation of the Apostle Heb. 13. 17. Vers 4. It was but a little that I passed from them but I found him whom my soul loved I held him and would not let him go untill I brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me The Church getting no resolution that can satisfie her soul she yet continues seeking and by constant seeking as Joshua and Caleb followed the Lord when means fail she finds him to her comfort for neither can the most comfortable speeches of brethren who can tell with David what the Lord hath done for their souls nor the resolution of Pastours raise up a cast-down soul cure a wounded spirit and comfort an afflicted conscience till Christ himself come and show himself to the soul as there was no cure by the waters of Bethesda till the Angell came down and moved the same nor no calm of the storm till Christ awaked and spake to the sea Matth. 8. Next when she has found him as Jacob did the Angell that wrestled with him she held him and would not let him go and so she practises that Precept of Solomon Take fast hold of instruction let her not go but keep her sure for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. Which holding of him whom her soul loveth is by the hand of Faith gripping fast to the promises of his Word and to him in them Neither is this rudenesse as it would seem in her that she should lay hold on so glorious a King and not let him go 1 In respect of that mysticall matrimonial union between them And 2 in respect that such sort of dealing is most acceptable to Christ who delights in such a holy violence whereby the godly take the heavens by force And as we see in Jacob's example which has such power with God and in the end never wants the blessing Wherein the marvellous kindnesse of the Lord is seen that he yields himself as it were to be so held and detained by us yea who furnishes ' to us both the hand and strength whereby he is held see Col. 2. 18. Neither thinks he it any rudenesse or unmannerlinesse in us so to do although Papists and enemies to the truth would suggest that it is too much sawcinesse for sinfull men to come directly to Christ and lay hold on him and not rather in a more humble manner to seek unto some Saint or Angell to intercede for them But his true Church here doth not so but seeks onely to him and by a holy confidence layeth hold on him alone who crieth out to all Come to me all ye that are weary and loaden and I will refresh you Neither is she content onely to lay hold on him and not to let him go but she brought him to her Mother's house and into the chamber of her that conceived her that there He might abide and dwell with her by which house or chamber is meant the heart as it is said Ephes 3. 17. That Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith and as the Apostle declares Rom. 8. 9. by his Spirit which if a man have not dwelling in him he is none of his Which is called the house of her Mother or chamber of her that conceived her because in the heart the seed of the Word is received as in the womb of the Mother and faith thereby is begotten as it were and the new birth or inner man is conceived The marks of which finding and bringing home of Christ to the soul or heart are these 1 There is light or illumination which must be 1 a humbling light 2 a warming light 3 a changing or renewing light making the heart a new heart new words new actions 2 There is a life known by the motions thereof and care of its self preservation c. and with it a death of and to sin 3 There is peace joyned with righteousnesse and care not to return again unto folly 4 There is joy such as Psal 51. 12. and 4. 6 or like that of Simeon's And 5 There is liberty from sin's slavery and spirituall bondage as Esay showes That they may be trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord and that they may be glorified Esa 61. 1 3. Observations 1. This example that the Church found her well-beloved at last serveth both for comfort and encouragement to all those who with a hearty affection diligently and constantly seek after Christ for howsoever he come not so soon as they would yet let them not faint nor give over but be assured at last

under the pressure of weights hanging on it and yet neither bowing it to make it grow crooked nor bearing it down And 5. We read that the branches of these tree were caried as signes of victory and rejoysing Revel 7. 9. Al 's these resembling in the godly 1. Their growing up in grace and raising their desires to things that are above 2. Their uprightness and sincerity in their walking both with God and man 3. Their perpetuall vigour and constancy in grace and weldoing 4. Their spirituall thriving under the pressure of heaviest crosses which neither makes them bow to any wicked or crooked course nor beares them down by despair in greatest extremity and 5. That their estate after crosses here shal be victorious and Triumphant in joy for ever hereafter And therefore we see the godly mans estate compared to the florishing of the Palme-tree Psal 92. 12. and that figures of Palme-tree with Cherubims were carved within and without upon the walls of Solomons temple 1 King 6. 29. To denotate that of the godly on whom the Angells do waite as Ministring spirits the spirituall or mysticall Temple of Gods Church consists Likewise her breasts here are compared to clusters of grapes as not only having nourishing milk for Babes but likewise the cheering liquor of wine for those of riper age and in a word variety of wholsome and comfortable food for every hungry or thirsty soul therefore does the Lord proclaime by Isay Ho every one that thirsts come to the waters buy wine and milk without price or money Isay 55. 1. Observations 1. Seeing the stature of Christ's Church and the godly therein is like a Palme-tree of a tall and goodly grouth this should warne all those who are true members thereof to strive to grow in godliness daily and heavenliness of affection that they prove not dwarfs in Christianity standing ever as it were at one stay and deceiving themselves as if they had true grace which they have not who are so because true grace where ever it is is still growing and the godly walk still from strength to strength till they see God in Sion Psal 84. 7. 2. Against Sectaries and separatists we observe that although the Scriptures of the two Testaments be Gods word here they are called the Churches two breasts because by the Ministry of the Church and from her hands Gods children must be fed and therefore pastors are called the Lords stewards and dispensers of this spirituall food which as Pharaoh's garners were under Joseph's is under their hand wherefore whosoever would have the benefit and comfort of the word they ought not to despise the breasts of this Mother or contemne the ordinary Ministry of a constitute Church and separate therefrom by which ordinarily faith comes as the Apostle showes and consequently salvation Rom. 10. 14. 3. Seeing her breasts are not dry breasts but full like clusters of grapes this should teach all pastors to be stored in knowledge with old store and new out of the holy Scriptures and as the men of God to be perfect unto every good work of their holy calling Matth. 13. 12. 4. The clusters of grapes draw their liquor which they containe and suck it from the vine even so should faithfull pastors draw the doctrine which they store up and dispense to people from the true vine Christ Jesus allaverly that they may say with the Apostle That which I received from the Lord that I deliver to you 1 Cor. 11. 23. as the Moon borrowes her light from the Sunne or the Pipe convayes the water which it hath from the full fountaine Vers 8. I said I will go up to the Palme-tree I will take hold of the boughes thereof now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the Vine and the smell of thy nose like Apples 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved that goeth down sweetly causing the lippes of those that are asleep to speak Followes here this resolution what he will do to this his Palm-tree to wit he w●ll dresse the same whereunto is subjoyned a declaration of the fruitfulness that will arise there-from first then the Palm-tree being tall for dressing of it he speakes after the manner of the custome of Husbandmen used by them in dressing or snedding such trees which was they did first climb up into them and so laying hold on every branch they purged or dressed the same Even so the Lord like a painfull and diligent Husbandman he not onely plants and waters his trees and looks to their grouth but likewise as we see also Joh. 15. He has a care to purge and dresse them and every bough or branch which he doth not onely by his word by which faith is begotten that purgeth the heart but sometimes by rough and sharp afflictions like the snedding knife which curs away what is superfluous and luxuriating and which the for the present as the Apostle sayes it be grievous to flesh and blood Heb. 12. 11. nevertheless afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to such who are exercised thereby Therefore he subjoynes how fruitfull she shall become by this his carefull dressing to wit that her breasts shal be as clusters of the vine that is full of sweet and most pleasant fruits as also the smell of her nose should be like apples declaring thereby as men usually breathe at their nose so that she should breathe out nothing but sweetness as is the smell of apples Last of all he sayes that the roof of her mouth should be like the best wine that is her heavenly doctrine and all other her godly speeches which she should utter by opening her mouth should be full of wholsome instruction comfort and edification like the best wine producing these effects to wit spirituall delight the warming of the soul with heavenly love the inflameing of it with holy zeal and comforting thereof when it is dejected which goes down sayes he sweetly to wit when the same is heard with joy and delight and amongst many other effects produceth also this that it causes the lipps of these that are asleep to speake that is it wakeneth and rouseth up the spirits of those who are asleep in sinne and security and causes their lips to speak by humble confession and other holy speeches to Gods glory and the good of others to the like whereof they were not before accustomed Observations 1. We see that Christ's Church and her true members albeit well grown in grace like a Palm-tree for stature yet has need to be dressed and purged in the branches thereof because of their oft Luxuriating in peace and prosperity as we see in David Psal 30. 6. And because of daily attracting of great pollution and guiltiness and therefore when he comes with the snedding knife of affliction or rough hand of purging let us not think uncouth thereof as the Apostle exhorts concerning the fiery tryall but reverence his care and wisedome submitting