Resurrection being very sweet and saving as the Tree of Liâ—e Rev. 22.2 Christ giving the savour thereof in the sweetness of Gods Divine love and mercy to her thereby verse 4. He brought me into the house of Wine 1. That is the society of men in Christ where the Lords Supper was to be administred at which the whole Church met partly celebrated by Wine in which the Churches estate was fully constituted 1 Cor. 11.20 2. Called the House of Wine because the wine of Gospel joy and peace is there to that society most Divinely published and applyed 3. Love was his Banner over me 1. The Banner signifies Christ held out in the Gospel 2. This Banner was his love 3. This love as A Banner conserved her and was spread over her wrapping her as it were up therein as in a garment of love Verse 5. The Church being in this flourishing estate once again declines but it is after a long time of prosperity predicted Rev. 20.7 Satan is again let loose verse 8. He again by false Doctrine deceives the world few are freed from his delusions when there will again open and secret Anti-christian enemies arise and bring a very great persecution of the Saints but not so overcome them as before v. 5. the Anti-christian Ministry said to be dead at the binding of Satan or said again to live after the 1000 years and the Devil got his liberty when the Church cryeth stay or support me with Flaggons or Vessels in which the Wine or Gospel-grace was laid up in which shewes she was much burthened and oppressed and cryes for support and help from the World in which it seems she had few left to comfort her Comfort me with Apples Christ is compared to the Apple tree and the works of Christ for the Church in his Mediatourship are those Apples with which she would be comforted I am sick saith she of love That is she loved Christ dearly but the Priests were false to her and would not satisfie her they kept both Flagons and Apples from her also leaving her to her fainting estate Verse 6. Christ supplies their lack and he puts one hand under her head that hangs down and is very heavy and the other embraceth her that is holds her up that she sink or faint not which ends in sleeps and drowsiness Verse 7. Are the words of Christ as {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Femenine clears sufficiently again he speaks them to the Daughters of Jerusalem that they wake not his love that is the Gentiles Church until she be made willing thereunto Now in this verse Christ concludes the first period of the Gentiles Church having in it its rise its fall its restauration and decay after that again That in this Part is meant undeniably the Gentile Church 1. She had never received a kiss from Christ that is Christ never owned her as yet 2. She is shaddowâ—d out by Pharaoh's daughter a Gentile 3. She is made keeper of the Vinyards the Iews being broken off 4. She keeps not her own Vinyard but turns Antichristian 5. The Saints are employed in Pharaohâ—s Chariots or Wars in Reformations 6 The fellowship intimated in the bed Cap. 1. verse 16. which she had with Christ now was new and of no long contiuance before the Gospel estate she being without God and Christ in the world Eph. 2.12 7. These things are so spoken of the Gentiles that they cannot be rightly applyed to the Iews Church or State The Jewish Church begins Cap. 2. Verse 8. 1. The Voyce of my Beloved The Baptist was that Voyce in the Wilderness that prepared the way of Christ or gave notice of his coming 2. John he came leaping upon the Mountains as it were to beat them into a Plain This coming sets out the end of his Ministry and what he was to do upon the Hills also Luke 3.5 Verse 9. My Beloved that is Christ is like the Roe or rather the Church apprehends in Christ the likeness of glory or appearance of glory in his Divine Nature and says my Beloved is to be assimulated to glory or the yong of Rams in his Humane Nature being the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World Behold he standeth behind our Wall the Humane Nature was as a Wall behind which Christ stood being among the Iews his Humanity and the meanness of his Estate was as a Wall which hindred them from the sight of him it may be applyed to the Ceremonial Law he looketh through the Windows that is the Divine Nature did manifest it self through those out-lets as by the Windows of the Humane Nature whereat he gives out the knowledge of his God-head as by the hand when he did any wonders God came to manifest himself to those that saw them so when he taught he manifested himself by that Teaching to men God as it were looking out at the Windows in his forgiving sins c. Thus Paul to Timothy God was seen of men shewing himself through the Lettice by the many ways God had to discover himself by Christs Humane Nature to man 1 Tim. 3.16 manifested in Flesh Verse 10. The Church speaks of Christ as her Love he answers her love and speaks in love to her again it was both answer and speech also to the Churches he now teacheth and the Church knows his voice from any other He saith to her Arise that is from thy earthly estate to a heavenly from a servant to a Queen from beggarly Rudiments to Royal Ornaments Again he calls her to come away the first shews how hardly the Iews were brought from their Ceremonies or that they were first brought in part from that way of worship by Christ and then fully afterward by his Apostles The words in the Original signifie come from thy self first as natural and secondly as a member of the Iews Church here Prophetically is hinted at Christ calling the Apostles call the seventy's call at several seasons Verse 11. He useth reasons to perswade her hereunto that she may not doubt to Arise and come away upon his call which shews men should not do any more then they have warrant for in the Word from God to do but sit still until they have his Word to walk by as Mat. 14.28 Peter did 1. The winter is past a time that is bad to travel in for a woman in which the Lord compares the law estate to winter the Gospel to summer in the winter the days are short and nights long the Sun shaddowed not shining with so strong a heat all things dead and cold so were the Ceremonies and Service of that time if compared with the staâ—e of the Gospel 2. The Reigne or Ministry is now changed from Law to Gospel Heb. 7.12 3. It is now come to me I am now thy Priest and no more Aaron 26.28 Verse 12. The flowers appear on earth who are the Apostles the first fruits and the voyce of the Turtle which is Christ
proaching and preached Evangelically in our land which is applyed in especial to the land of Judea in which the Lord onely taught himself and was first taught by such others as he sent forth The time of singing of birds is come the seventy read it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and indeed {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I rather read according to the mysterie the time amputationis arboris of the cutting tree or vine then singing of Birds because then unbelievers were cut off from believers then Ismael was cast out of the house and not suffered to inherit with Isaac Gal. 4. from verse 21 to 31. before which the Gospel was not cleerly and fully to be applyed until believers were by themselves seperated from the world into Societies or Churches Verse 13. The Fig-tree that is the Iewish first Church appeared in the world and began with the beginning of the summer Matth. 24.32 whose fruit quickly falls The Vine which is the Gentile Church had sent forth their Grapes and therewith a favor as the Church of Rome whose praise was spread far abroad and that of Macedonia Again he calls his Spouse to come away shewing that the Iews did retain many ceremonies after they were a Church which Christ would not have them do and shews Christ would not allow of any Verse 14. My Dove that is the Church now the Spouse of Christ Thou art in the Castles of the Rock that is the Saints were in their several Societies under their threefold Ministry as in their Castles or strengths of safety which is significantly called the holes of the Rock Christ they being instituted by him They are called the hid places because none but the saints come there And then hid places of her measure every one being measured by his state in Christ that cometh into any of those holes Eph. 4.16 Antichrists Church is the strong hold of the false Religion as this is of the true Rev. 18.2 Let me see thy countenance or make me behold thy appearance make me hear thy voice in which he stirs up the Church to prayer and to an apprehension of the happy estate she was in though afflicted and miserable in appearance to the world though dark shaddowy and corrupt in her own eyes yet in this there papears a desireableness in the one and a sweetness {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the other through the variety of gifts she had bestowed upon her and vertues that were in her Verse 15. Take us the Foxes which are false Teachers who crept in wilily into the Churches society to spy out their liberty among which some are more wily then others but all are to be taken and the words are 1. As it were spoken of Christ and the Church to the Ministry to whom the rule of the Church and its oversight was committed Acts 20.28 2. The Vines are Gospel Churches only the National Church Rule of Moses being fallen 3. These Foxes did destroy them as in Galatia Coloss Corinth 4. Our Vines that is Churches have tender grapes that is Believers weak in faith Infants in knowledge and easily deceived by seducers Gal 16. Eph. 4.14 Gal. 2.4 Acts 15.1 if things were thus in the times of the Apostles how were they after Verse 16. My Beloved is mine and I am his that is as a man bestows himself in marriage on the wife he marries and the woman her self on the man by covenant tying themselves each to other So the Church had done to the Lord Iesus and he to her so that none else could say so but her self of Christ nor would Christ say so of any but her 2. It shews the Church was not yet whorish but kept her faith to her Lord with much loyalty and love 3. As a strange woman hath nothing to do with another womans husband so hath no false Church to do with Christ the true church's spouse nor Christ with them 4. He feedeth among the Lillies the Lillies are the Saints or Believers or rather he feedeth in them Rev. 3.20 I will come into him and sup with him Verse 17. Shews the Apostacy of the Iews Church and State they came unto in their first defection 1. A night comes on her she is again troubled with Iewish ceremonies which yet she expect should be driven away by the glorious light should arise again unto her in the now restoration is to be 2. Until when she desires her love to appear himself as divine glory in his glorious nature and as the young of Rams being the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world 3. This she would have him be on the mountains of Bether that is of division which the Antichristian estate that destroyed the way of the Gospel is eminently to be called being Babel and to be understood Rev. 6.14 and 16.20 whose mountains are removed and removing 4. Though here the young of Rams be set down to note the Humane nature yet you know Rev. 6. ult. that the wrath of God that sate on the Throne and the Lamb was that tormented the Popish world which {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} sets out the one and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the other Cap. 3. Verse 1. By night on my bed I sought him 1. This as before sets out the grand defection the Iews made and darkness on her while she was shut up in that estate 2. Her state then was that she was asleep insensible of this desolation and rested in her erroneous way as on a bed called her bed but none of Christ's 3. In it she sought the Lord Iesus whom her soul loved {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifies her diligent seeking Christ in her erroneous way or time of night 4. He was not in her bed to be found yea she sought him again and again in her corrupt Iudaizing way of worship but found him not Verse 2. I will arise now from my quondam bed I will go about the City that is she will examine Antichrist's way having the visible shew of a Church left but seeing the Idolatry and profaness of her in general she will go into the streets that is the meeting places of the Romish church where things were bought and sold and in the broad waies of that city which is the service of people that lead to or from Rome though separated from her she seeks the Lord in these but finds him not she loseth her labour and fails of her expectation Note A Prophesie shewing that the Romish church would never be the means of the conversion of the Jews because they saw not Christ in her 2. They sought after the Lord above all things else a time of their desiring Christ is coming Verse 3. The city here is Babel the Antichristian state the watchmen the Ministers who walk about that city to preserve it in safety and find out such as would perturb the peace of it and wrong the
the inward excellency that appears to the creature to be in him Ver. 3 Because of the savour of thy good Oyntments Here by Oyntments is meant the gifts of God the human nature of Christ was indowed withall who was anoynted with the Oyl of Gladnesse above his fellows 2. These did breath forth a sweet savour from Christ as from a Rose with which the Church is greatly delighted to smell unto for refreshment 3. The Excellency of Christ preached and revealed like precious balm powred out perfumed the persons hearts that heard it as with divine odors 4. Therefore because of the smell and savour of his Name and Gifts the Virgins that is such as are not yet united to Christ in the Gospell way of marriage both love and desire him as a husband to be injoyed by them The Catechumenâ— Ver. 4. Draw me we will run after thee 1. In the words she finds in her self a backwardnesse a slownesse toward Christ as the Lord reproved the Disciples for being slow of heart to believe so the Spirit manifests hers to her self within her and reproves her 2. That it is the work of Christ to draw her violently to himself from all and against all difficulties and allurements of the world by his heavenly call 3. This was not in some but the whole Church 4. Christ easily frees from delaies the delaying souls and makes them find their feet to run after him who by their delaies seem to fail them The King brought me into his Chambers 1. Christs word is now of command with her who is now made subject to him and admitted by him ino the house of God 2. He brings her into his Chambers which are the distinct administrations of the Gospell under which before she never was distinct from that Cap. 8. ver. 2. 3. On this say the Infants we wil be glad in thee not in our selves or any thing else besides thee 4. We say the young men will rejoyce having an addition of joy in this second administration added unto us of what we had when in the first 5. We Fathers will remember thy love to us before and after calling when Infants and when in their youth which thought on and remembred is better then wine as naturall men solace their souls with wine so do we with the thoughts of that love that is in thee to us and hath been shewed us The righteous that is all Believers love thee from the Child to the Man grown up in thee Ver. 5. I am black but comely O Daughters of Jerusalem 1. By Jerusalem is meant the Gospell Church and not the state of the Jews before Christ as Brightman 2. Nor is it meant the Jews Church under that state but the Gentiles who thus speaks of her self to the Jews 3. She not only speaks to Jerusalem the Mother but the Daughter Churches of the Jews which the first state of the Jews Church did not produce the Church of that Nation then being one Church only at Jerusalem untill others after were constituted 4. She was black in her self that is in her own corruptions but pure in Jesus Christ 5. In her self as the Tents of Kedar or darknesse in Christ as the Curtains of Solomon in which Solomons glory was described or set forth as Christs is in the Justification of sinners with which as with a Vail he hid the sins of the Elect from the sight of God Ver. 6. Look not on me because I am black for the Sun hath shined on me 1. The Jews at the conversion of the Gentiles questioned Peter for baptizing them others forbid the Apostles to teach to the Gentiles Acts 11.3 1 Thes. 2.16 2. She warns the Jews not to judge her because long in sin and darknesse to be uncapable of grace and favour from Christ now under the Gospell state The Sun that is Christ had now looked in mercy on her and had passed by the blacknesse in her therefore they much more ought so to do others understand the Sun here set down as the cause of her blacknesse 1. The children of my mother Paul and Barnabas the Apostles and the children of the Church of Jerusalem made the Gentile Church-keeper of the Vineyards the Jews Church being broken off 2. They were angry with Galatian Churches with burning zeal and moved against the Corinthians for Apostacy and corruption Gal. 3.1 1 Cor. 4.21 3. They made her keeper of the Vineyards when they left the Jews and turned to the Gentiles committing Law Estate and Gospell to the Gentiles 4. She kept not her own Vineyard but became Apostate after the way of Antichrist in which was the fall of the Church about four hundred years the new Covenant which was that of the Church was her now Vineyard Ver. 7. Make me know O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest 1. Now it was not known where Christ was taught or had call'd men to teach if any had known it had been the Church who knows not but is to seek 2. She desires to know of Christ and be directed by him where the truth was indeed taught there was to be so much and so much glosing error taught and cryed up for truth among men in this time 3. Where thou makest them lie down giving rest to the Church in the scorching time of Antichristian persecution Tyranny and delusion she being in want of satisfactory knowledge of her Lord and his mind 4. The reasons 1. There are at this time many Flocks besides Christs 2. Who are the flocks of Christs companions such as use Christs Name Authority and truth as their own 3. And make the flocks theirs and not Christ Lutherans and Calvinists Brownists Socinians Papists Pelagians Arians Independents Anabaptists Presbyters 4. Without Christ shews her yea makes her know where he now feeds she is in danger to turn from Christ to any of these of which Christ Matthew 24.24.26 hath admonished us that we be not turned to lies Ver. 8. Contains Christ Resp. or directions to this dubious case and Question 1. If thou know not O thou fairest among women notes to us that the souls that do not know where Christ feeds and desire to know are the true Believers of this time and shews a mighty darknesse and losse of truth among them 2. Go forth by the footsteps of the Flock Mark not of the Flocks of Christs companions but the true Church Primitive as of one 3. The Flock was past away but left it 's steps in the way that is it's practise for us to walk by in the Word 4. Feed thy Kids by the tents of the Shepheard or Apostles under Evangelists Pastors Teachers the Tents set up by the Apostles which untill the Church restoration the Saints were to be fed by not in these Tents Ver. 9. To the Troops in the Chariots of Pharoah have I likened thee my Beloved 1. The Saints as yet are in captivity under Antichristian power and authority 2. They are in his Chariots by which he
Salomon speaks of another whilst he names himself he made himself or for himself a Throne What is a King without a Throne Christ as yet is without the Throne but now he is about to make one for himself which Throne shall be of the Wood of Lebanon That is the rule of Christ shall be that in the world was in the time of the Temples estate it is of the Wood of Lebanon and not a new Law to rule by 1. The Pillars of it are silver The Law was divided into two Tables which as Pillars hold up the Throne of Christ for it is said The Throne is established by Justice and then said to be silver because as Silver is to Gold so is the Law to the Gospel 2. Supporters That is those on which the Pillars stood were of Gold it being founded on the Will and upheld by the Power of this Almightiness of God and his Iustice 3. The seat thereof was Purple Purple being a rich and Kingly colour did set out the Authority Christ had received from God to rule by and that others had to rule under him 4. The middest of it was a Coal of Love To shew that that which was comprehended within the Pillars of the Law was Love a Love like that of Fire much water could not quench it and that Gods Throne of Justice was full of Love to the Daughters of Jerusalem or that God ruled in a way of Love over Men commanding love of men to himself and others 1. The Law being holy just and good not Tyrannous 2. Commanding Love condemning Envy Oppression Hate c. 3. In this it shews what manner of men they ought to be that ascend into this Throne to judge and what the judgement ought to be and how to proceed and whose it ought to be It is very noteable that God sets down the Daughters of Jerusalem that is those of the Gospel estate who indeed have the coal of love in them which kindled by Christ in them But now in this verse It is very noteable that God sets down the daughters of Jerusalem that is the Gospell estate who indeed have the coal of love in them kindled by Christ to God and man But now in this verse Ver. 11. He calls on the Daughters of Sion which I take to be those that shall injoy the Rule of the Law as the Jews once had and Gospell also or it may be the Jewish believers are meant in this place 1. The Spirit calls on them to go forth from their captivity of darknesse 2. And to see king Solomon that they may approve of his rule for all authority is now given the Son and shews that though when Christ came in the flesh they saw nothing in him now that he comes to raigne they shall behold another glory in him then before 3. It may be applied to the people and present state of the Jews that they on the giving up of the Kingdome by the Gentiles to Christ are called forth from their Dens of darknesse to see and behold what honor was now done to Christ to whom Solomon their most Royall King could no waies compare 4. Christ the true King of peace was now crowned with that crown that Solomon his Vicegerent was crowned by the Jews and so proved to be the Christ of which sales God against all the worlds great opposition yet have I set my King on my holy hill of Zion in which it appears that Zion was the place or Representative of Monarchy and the Rule of Christ to be as King in the world 5. It was the crown of his Metropolis for so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifies a Metropolis which is some eminent place and people are to do for Christ Rev. 6.2 a thing not yet done and that people do it shall be as the Metropolis of the great King or his Mother 6. This is done in the day of his Espousalls that is in that day Christ is espoused as Lord to the people the people as servants to the Lord in that day Christ contracts affinity with a people that they which before were not a people do become the people of the living Lord and those under other rule and law are beasts 7. It was the day of the joy of his heart 1. Christs heart longs for this day it is the travail of his soul 2. We are not more glad of Christ then he is of us for his delight are with the sons of men John 1.7.23.27 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them Christ would have God love them as himself and that the sense of Gods loving him may be shed abroad in their hearts as loving them with the same love he loved him CAP. IV. Ver 1. BEhold thou art fair my Love behold thou art fair The Gentiles having set up the Mosaicall Rule and made Christ their King the Lord he commends her beauty under that administration 2. With her beauty she had simplicity in her Doves eyes not desiring any other Lord or Law but his 3. These eyes are said to be within her Lock Note She is not said to have any Head for Christ is the Head of the Church Estate not the worlds and therefore this here is spoke of the world 4. Her Hayre that is those of her constitution were Goats a Flock o Goats such as indeed the men of the world are from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which signifies fear they being held thereunder as yet Heb. 2.18 5. These are as those appear from Mount Gilead Mount Gilead was the place where Jacob and Laban made their Covenant and feasted and rolled a heap of stones See here by this the Nation as Goats first appear in making Covenant with God in which is known who the people are God hath chosen Gen. 21.48 Ver. 2. Thy teeth that is the Teachers of the Law were as a Flock Our translation adds of Sheep which is not in the Originall and omitted because not of the Church or Gospell fold as yet it being not set up among men 1. Again these Teachers seem to differ from the goats in the hair and are said to be shorn being such as had in some measure put off their old conversation and were come up from the washing of repentance and regeneration 2. Every one bears twins and none is barren among them they addicting themselves to fruitfullnesse in good works commanded by the Law and Gospell Ver. 3. As a thred are thy two lips The Law is fitly here compared to a line or thred and the two tables to the two lips who were to be spoke by as by a line thy speech is comly shewing that the Law taught now should be a comely a usefull thing to the people that were under the same to rule and govern them As a divided Pomgranat or a Pomgranat broken one half set on one side of the face and the other on the other so are thy temples The
Not I but Christ liveth in me 2. I have eaten my honey comb with my honey By the comb the sorrows by the honey the joyes of Christ Or The Body or humane Nature of Christ was the comb and the Divine Nature the honey in that comb of which Christ saith He hath eaten that is he is satisfied in his sufferings for the Saints with great content in beholding the effects thereof both with God and men Ephes. 2.16 3. I have drunk my Wine Mark by Wine I understand the Gospell and shews Christ had his part in the Gospell comforts from the Father as we have ours I delight to do thy will O God 4. He had his milk to eat as his honey comb to eat with his wine and honey 5. Christ having eaten and drunk his part first he distributes the rest to the Saints saying Eat ye of the Comb and honey that remains The crosse comforts of Christ 6. Drink ye of the Milk and drink ye of the Wine drink abundantly of them both he having sanctified himself and the truth for them Joh. 17.17.19 7. Drink as my friends invited and heartily entertained to be refreshed therewith as in the supper of the Lord in which as here God and man feast eat and drink together with sweet content and comfort John 15.11 Matth. 26.27 8. But it is to be observed though Christ bids the Saints to eat and drink he bids them not to gather of Myrrhe or Balsome that being to be his only the rest are ours he having by his first taking them to himself in our nature sanctified them to our use and comfort who would they should have their fill of comfort Note that these three generall parts concerne the Restoration of the Gentiles after the grand Apostacy of Antichrist as appears in these following considerations 1. It begins with the Restoration of the Nationall Rule taken away from the Jews by the Romans and foretold of God to be bestowed on the Gentiles Deut. 32.31 Matth 21.43 Rom. 10.19.20 2. Cap. 3. Ver. The Gentiles invite the Jews to go forth and see Christ and the Kingdome restored to him which occasioned that jealousie of heirs the Scriptures do foretell they in this apprehending themselves rejected and another people given in marriage to their Lord in their stead Deut. 32.21 3. Cap. 3. ver. 8. All these are to be done chiefly by sixty men in Authority and Power who subdue by the sword all such as gainsay the same or do oppose it 4. Cap. 4. ver. 8. By these men and their means the Saints are freed from the mountains or powers of the world called the Dens of Lions and mountains of Leopards which are set out by three parts or distinct members Amana Sheuir Hermon the three parts of the city Reu. 16.19 3. The time is noted and the call thereof Rev. 18.4 6. When the ministery is restored and the Covenant cap 4. ver. 9. 7. When the Church Evangelically is separated from the world ver. 12. 8. When the Saints are disposed of under the differing Ministery and administrations in the way of the Gospell ver. 13.14 All which things are first to be accomplished in us of the Gentiles before in the Jews and is by the Apostle called the fullnesse of the Gentiles the graces blessings of God being the fulness of a people untill all which be done on us blindnesse continueth on Israel or the Iew Rom. 11.25 and that Genesis 9.27 where it is said Japhet shall dwell in the Tents of Shem is a Scripture is not fulfilled to this day the Gentiles having yet been under only the dispensations of Christ or the Gospell which is but one Tabernacle the other is that of Moises which as yet we Gentiles have not submitted to but must the Rule of Government therof in the judiciall according to form or this Scripture is never to be fullfilled 9. As he began in Chap. 1. with the Gentile Church so it is orderly to begin with its restoration also 10. God having decreed first to restore the Gentiles the Spirit accordingly by Prophecy begins first with them and their restoration 11. God hath purposed to make use of the Gentiles restoration to restore the Iews thereby that they may not be perfect without us PART IV. Contains a description of the restoration of the Gentile Church beginning with CAP. V. VER. II. Ver. 2. I Sleep but my heart waketh there was nothing awake but the Heart in the time of the Churches sleep 2. Her sleep shews the neglect and carelessenesse she had of Antichrists operations as the man slept whilest the enemy sowed tares so the Church slept whilest Antichrist did delude and deceive her Matth. 13.25 3. The sleep was of the generality of men in the externall means of worship but the heart the sincere man was awake Believers being still kept to adhere to Christ for Salvation in that time of defection who were as the then Churches heart which is primum vivens and ultimum moriens viro 4. In this sleep of the Church she had shut her self with Antichrist up from the Lord Christ Antichrist had more love and entertainment then Christ from her 5. Christ would before the extremity of Apostacy have her open unto him as in the admonition to the seven Churche Rev. Cap. 2 3. The last whereof which was the time of this knocking and was the Church estate of Leodicea Rev. 3. 1. When the sleep was eminently set forth in her saying as men in a dream that she was rich full and wanted nothing when she knew not that she was naked poor and wanted all things 3. When the Churches Apostacy was foretold in that God said he would spew her out of his mouth signifying the lothsomnesse of the false church estate to God Christ would have awakned her and have come in to her and feasted with her and have reformed the corruptions come in upon her 4. He yet calls her his Sister his Spouse his Dove his undefiled one there being not yet Idolatry or confusion of world and Church admitted though that that made way for it was already laid 5. She yet knew his voice which yet had his knock or call Note The reason my head is filled with deaw 1. My head which is God is full of the deaw of the night to shew the indignity God suffered on the rejecting of Christ by her for they that despise Christ despise him that sent him 2. His locks which were those believed on him in that corrupt age were troubled with the drops of the night which the then Doctrine was but as the drops of a cold Winter night to a mans head Spouse Ver. 3. I have put off my coat how shall I put it on Note her coat 1. This coat she had put on by Christ 2. She her self puts it off without leave of Christ and without much inforcement of persecution 3. When she had put it off she knew not how to put it on again
the Gospel Ver. 3. Concludes with a now full possession of Christ saying I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine that is she was now possessed of Christ and Christ possessed of her 2. He feedeth amongst the Lillies the Saints and he feed together as it is in Cap. 5. Ver. 1. in which the Spirit concludes as in the full happinesse of the Saints on earth it consisting in the fellowship of God and Christ so ends this part as he did the former in Cap. 5. Ver. 1. How eminently and evidently this sets out the invisible church estate under Antichrist appears 1. Her heart onely wakes that is the Saints had fellowship with Christ invisibly though the way of the Gospell externally in Ministery Baptism c. were destroyed she was in the night deprived of light and cast asleep with the rest of the Antichristian estate only her heart was awake that is some were stirred up to believe and love and own Christ internally by the spirit in that time of night was come upon her 2. The Gentiles they by the advice of the Ministery and councells of the Bishops of the first true church who were lead away by the actings of Antichrist and their own evill ends and hearts to fullfill the mind of God and make way for the man of sin by their Apostacy in the first putting off of her coat though inwardly were checked by their consciences for what they had done against the truth yet cry how shall I put it on when they never were troubled at the putting of it off at all 3. Some remaining knowledge there was of Christ all the 1â—60 daies desolation of the church among the believers by which he stirs and rowseth up the believers from the false and ertonious practises in the Lords worship practised among men 4. On the first opening to Christ she finds at first as it were but a withdrawing of Christ but after Christ being at a greater distance from her there is a calling for him 5. In this departure of Christ the Saints are in the city Babel called the Wildernesse baptized by Antichrist which the Jews were not they refusing to be baptized 6. There they are discerned by the Priests who by the help of the Pope deprive the church of all her ornaments and priviledges which was done long after the fall of the Jews and their church estate About Luthers time a diligent and open inquiry is made for Christ the Gentiles who retained the profession and knowledge of Christ come to set forth to the Iew the description of him untill which time Christ is hid to the Iew which occasions the Iew to turn seeker with the Gentile after him 5. Generall part concernes the Iewish Nation Begins Cap. 6. Verse 4. with the Nationall Rule as before with the Gentiles Thou art beautifull O my Love as Tirzah That this concernes the Iewish estate eminently appears in the following description made of the Nationall church estate this here being the same with Cap. 4.1.2.3.4 the one pertained to the Gentile State the other the Iewish as in many other things after will appeare 1 Tirzah was a very beautifull city built by Solomon but after proved rebellious which sets out the former state of the Iews first to have been a very delightfull people to God who after turned Rebells and now again at their restoration to their first estate of being Gods people they should be as beautifull as ever they had been in the eyes of their God 2. Comely as Ierusalem in this he alludes to the church estate and proves that herein God intends the restoration of both and both are intended in this Scripture 3. Terrible as an army with banners ready fitted to fight with their enemies which shews that the Church and state of the Jews will be restoâ—ed by a war in which they will become very terrible to their enemies V. 5. Turn away thine eys from me by eys here are meant those first that call the Jews who are as their eys and who usually called their Prophets Seersturning them to God 2. They have overcome me as Jacob prevail'd with God so will the Iews now also an eminent sign of their conquering all things else having prevail'd with God Gen. 32. ver. 26.28 3. Turn away thine eyes is no more then that of God to Moses when he was in most earnest wise seeking Gods face for the people who said to him let me alone that I may destroy them Exod. 32.10 11 12. and Exod. 14.15 Why cryest thou to me speak to the children of Israel that they go forward 4 The words after in this and the next verse are the same with Cap. 4. as above only for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in cap. 4. ver. 2. here in v. 6. is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which is indeed a flock of sheep when the other word comprehends other cattell as well as sheep which shews that the Gospell estate among the Gentiles should be restored before the call of the Jews so those that teach them the Law shall be sheep men of the true Church as the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ought to be by the Rule of the Gospell 5. That that is contained in cap. 4. ver. 4. of the Tower of David and the Neck with the Shields is not set down here but in the former signifying that the Gentiles should he called first and that consequently the Word and Ministery should now go forth thence as from the mother Church as before it had done from the Iews that they without us might not be perfect 6. This is an Argument if that God restore the Gentile Church first that then what was set down before was of the Gentiles this of the Iew in which is fullfilled that Gospell truth the first shall be last tho last first Matthew 20.16 Ver. 8. There are sixty Queens that is Churches rightly constituted according to the pattern of the Gospell 2. Eighty Concubines which are such as Hagar was and signified the societies under the Catechist who yet have not been united to Christ by covenant nor are not made free by the Gospell 3. Virgins without number which are believers willing and ready fitted to be married to Christ in the way of the Gospell 4 In this ye may see the spirit respects not only the Church but those that are friends of the Bridegroom as John the Baptist said of himself and his society Mr. Brightman would understand by the Queens the purest Churches and the concubines dignantur thoro Injoy the bed but have not the right or splendor of the wifes nor are they possessed of Dowry nor are their children to inherit the right of the estate being Hagars or the Law Sons the Virgins are in the last place who have food in the house c. when indeed nor Virgins nor concubines since the Gospell estate have not been in nor of the house but are cast out under the
small in compare of the Gentiles 3. Hence I suppose that by the little sister is meant part of the Iewish Nation which being dispersed in the most remote parts of the earth some after the call of the body of the Nation are not called nor have no means thereunto implyed in this she hath no breasts 4. Christ here with the Iews calls them his sister with the Gentiles Churches 5. What shal we do for our sister she willingly would be doing for and not talking of her only and is the same in effect as is expressed Cap. 7.11 12. 6. She hath no breasts or true and lawfull Ministry which cannot be the Iews speaking of the Gentiles who had Ministry before them nor do I think it to be the Gentiles speaking of the Iews but the Iews speaking of some of their own Tribes It may be Dan not mentioned at the first sealing Rev. 7. but after to be called last of all 7. In the day the word shall be made to be spoken to her and doth signify the effectualness of the word at the time God hath appointed for her call though before she opposed the word and did not obey the call as the rest had done Verse 9.1 If she be a wall let us build on her a silver Tower the words are the words of Christ in answer to the Churches question before 2. If she be a door we will inclose her with boards of Cedar Ver. 10. I am a wall the holy City or new Jerusalem is set out by its walls and gates of which here the Jews church saith that she is a wall the word coms from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} â—ocer she and the Gentiles joyned by the corner stone Christ now into one frame of building 2. Her brests are as Towers being abundant in knowledge and in the wisdome of the Gospell in which she was exalted very high 3. Then saith she was I in his eyes that is Christs as one that found favour being beloved and esteemed of him Part 10. Cap. 8. Ver. 11. 1. There was a Vineyard to Solomon with the Lord of the multitudes that is the Nationall Church under the Rule of Moses was Nationall with that of the world called Satans the Lord of the multitude 2 He let forth this Vineyard to keepers that is to the Judges of the Cities 3. Every man brought with his fruit that is his own obedience of the Law a thousand silverlings that is the grace of the Gospell which is in Christ to be justified or he could not be accepted in himself Ver. 12. The Vineyard that are to me saith Christ are mine which is the Church estate under the Gospell 2. They are said to be before Christ in Christs presence he himself watcheth them he walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks Rev. 1.13 and is alway vvith them and among them and in them being another way provided for then that of Solomons and receives all the fruit of it himself 3. He shews Solomons Vineyard was divided in the fruit of it 1000. Solomon had and 200. the keepers for keeping the fruit Note This is a key to this book and shews that the Vineyard sometimes is to be understood by the Nationall sometime by the Gospell Church Ver. 13. Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken unto thy voice This friends is a wonder in which the fall and cestation of the false Ministers and Ministery is foretold 1. The companions are such as by their own authority set up Churches and use the authority power and word of Christ without his leave 2. These a long time oppose the truth and true way of Christ and at last are by the grace of God perswaded to obedience deny their way see their folly and evill committed against the Gospell 3. The Church which had heard it cries cause me to hear it which shews none can hear it but those are made to hear Conclusion Ver. 14. 1. Fly O my beloved or hasten O my beloved the fullfilling of these things in us the Jews and Gentiles make us one in thee and in thy faith according to thy word 2. Assimilate thy self to the Tzebi O take on thee the nature of poor man as thou hast said O thou that art the glory of the Father as God and of man as man 3. Or be thou in thy celerity as the young hart hunted on the mountains so haste in thy coming unto us in which she ingeminates her desires to Christ 4. Come unto us upon the mountains of spices 1. He came filled with the Godhead anoynted with the spirit possessed with all authority of the Father for to be King Priest and Prophet to his people 2. He had all power in heaven and earth to do what he would give what and take what he would of life for man 3. As man he was in all things tempted like unto us and therefore knew how to pity those that came to God by him Note On these and the other Mountains of God and grace did he come as the church desired him to come that coming they might not find any emptinesse in him for whom their souls longed and in vvhom all fullnesse is to dvvell Who came from the Mountains of Spices that are in God into the gardens of Spices that are in the church or Saints of Gods election The things that are predicted in this propheticall Song I verily believe vvill most certainly in their appointed time be accomplished of vvhich vvith the Prophet David and the Apostle Paul in their time I cannot but to the Generation present speak these things for I believe and therefore speak that the praise of God this glory and vvisdome of Jesus Christ may be seen and admired of us and that vve occasion not our ruine by crossing his purposes but use the means and vvalk in the vvay appointed for the hastning our happinesse not come to be broken to povvder by falling on the Stone in Zion or the stones falling on us vvhich I advise all the men on earth this day to bevvare in this great day of the visitations of the Lord God Almighty vvhose fire is novv in Zion and his furnace in Jerusalem and he about to accomplish his vvork his strange vvork among the sons of men and vvho shall hinder the Almighty who vvill both root up and plant the Nations of the earth again and make Zion his 〈◊〉 the praise of all the earth for evermore Amen FINIS There are sundry errors on this Treatise the Author being not present at the printing of most of it which he desires thee to passe by and especially to supply what is wanting in p. 18. l. ult. cap. 6. by reading I have another baptism to be baptized vvith and hovv c. In the Introduction to the Exposition l. 11. for the Mosaicall Rule read the Leveticall Ministery set up by Moses THere are three books which have in them Braine for Brayne which concerne my self 1. A Treatise written against Mr. John Duryes Notes in defence 〈◊〉 the present Ministery 2. A Treatise concerning the call of the now Ministery dedicated 〈◊〉 the Honerable the Parliament of England 3. A Letter written by Dr. Chamberlaine to me in the defence of the authority of such as now baptize believers