All this shews how precious and how deare the Spouse was to Christ that he keepeth it himselfe and how faithfull the Spouse is to him that doth bring forth her fruits to none but him Christ having thus declared the care he had over his Church he now layeth a charge on her in the Verse following VERS 13. O thou that dwellest in the Gardens the companions bearken to thy voyce cause me to heare it AFter that Christ had extolled the excellency of this Vine that is of his Church he turneth his speech unto her giving her thereby as it were to understand that he had done all this not onely for her comfort but also for her instruction for her comfort in that she was so highly yet truly commended for her instruction that she might learne thereby to extoll him in deed and in truth that had been so liberall in her commendation O thou that dwellest in the Gardens Christ giveth a solemne charge and prescribeth a duty to be performed which is described first by the place of her abode Among the Gardens c. The Participle being of the Feminine Gender sheweth that it is the Church not Christ that is here spoken to we may render it O inhabitresse Christ speaks to his Spouse dwelling in the Gardens that is in the Churches in which the universall Church is after a sort resident and a continuall dweller Christ yet notwithstanding having care both over the whole and over every particular one pruning and dressing them as appears by the particular Churches mentioned Revel 1 2 3. Now in that the Churches are called the Gardens Observe That the Churches of Christ are the severall Gardens of the Lord. The whole Church is called a Garden full of all sweet plants as we had before in this Song The particular Churches which are parts of the whole be called Gardens now in that the universall Church even the Spouse of Christ is spread over all she is said to dwell in Gardens that is in all the particular assemblies which know and worship Christ aright throughout the world Her care is over all they be all her Children and her plants and so she is said to dwell in the Gardens she dwelleth in her judgement heart and affections in all the Churches The companions hearken to thy voyce cause me to heare The Spouse is enjoyned to publish adn preach the Gospel of Christ and the persons to whom shemust preach are her Companions By Companions he seemeth to meane her fellow-Christians partakers of the same faith and Spirit and grace 2 Pet. 1. 1. These Companions or Fellows doe attend to the voyce of Christ published by the Spouse Now in that it is added Make me to heare it our English Translation hath the particle It added which is not in the Hebrew Text the words are no more then make me to heare and it doth signifie to Preach because they that preach make those to heare whom they preach unto so that we may understand the words thus Preach me c. for that is the great office of the Church to preach and publish Christ as if Christ had said Preach me to thy Companions and fellow-Christians that attend to thy voyce let thy doctrines be my Gospell not mens traditions Hence Observe First That it is the Office of the Church and Saints to preach and publish Christ This the Apostle exhorteth unto when he saith Let the word of God dwell in you plentifully in all wisdome teaching and admonishing your selves in Psalms and Hymmes and spirituall Songs singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord Col. 3. 16. This preaching of Christ is a special argument of the love of the Spouse unto her members as appears by the words of Christ when he saith Peter lovest thou me feed my Lambs John 21. 15. As if he should say this is a great fruit of thy love which I require preach me to my people So the Spouse professing that great abundance of her love to Christ a little before in this Chapter Christ requireth that she will manifest it in preaching him before the Saints As if Christ should say manifest thy love unto me by preaching and publishing me laying open the treasures of life and salvation that are in me unto those that hearken Herein then lieth the performance of a great duty of the Spouse a singular declaration of her love to Christ that she preach him that she publish and lay open all the treasures of life and glory that be in him Secondly Observe That such as preach the Gospell to the Saints must preach to them as to fellow Christians This implieth that those that preach to the people must not Lord it over them not as to be Lords over their faith as the Apostle saith but to be helpers of their joy Paul thoughan Apostle yet he was a Servant of Jesus Christ as in Rom. 1. 1. The Angell said to John which would have fallen downe before him See thou doe it not for I am thy fellow-servant Rev. 21. 9. Those that preach the Gospell must preach as to fellow-members of the same body companions in the faith and Spirit of Christ they should communicate unto them the things they have received from Christ as unto brethren and fellow-members of the same body Thirdly Observe That the most precious treasures of the Gospell should be especially discovered and preached to the Saints So here the companions are said to be such as heare and unto them the Spouse is enjoyned to Preach Christ It is most true that the Gospell is to be Preached to every creature under Heaven yet Christ saith Give not holy things to dogs neither cast Pearls before Swine The precious treasure of the Gospell is to be communicated especially to the Saints and such as have a high esteem thereof to those that have their ears boared of God and made to heare and receive those precious things The Apostle saith We preach Christ crucified even to the Jews a stumbling blocke and to the Gentiles foolishnesse but unto them which are called both of Jews and Grecians we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdome of God 1. Cor. 1. 23. And againe the Apostle saith I am not assamed of the Gospell for it is the power of God unto salvation unto them that believe to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 1. 16. The Gospell is most effectuall to the Saint they are the companions that hearken to the doctrine of Christ Lastly Observe That the Spouse is to preach Christ onely without mixture of mens traditions Cause me to heare cause me and none besides me to be heard Preach not the doctrines and traditions of men but preach onely the doctrines of my Gospell Christ condemned the Pharisees for that they preached for doctrines the traditions of men and so neglected the doctrine and word of God And now followeth the last verse VERS 14. Make hast my beloved and be thou like a Roe or young Hart
upon us The Saints ought therefore to goe forth from all superstitious orders whatsoever with all speed and hast even as Lot departed out of Sodome and as the Israelites departed out of Aegypt and with all zeal and earnestnesse of Spirit even as Gods people came out of Babylon with their faces towards Zion Wee must not be partakers of Babylons sins unlesse we be made also partakers of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. By the foote-steps of the Flock Goe forth by the foot-steps of the faithfull in former ages Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. Hence observe That the holy paths and wayes of the faithfull in former ages are as so many holy examples left for the direction of their Successors which shall live in after ages The faithfull are said to be such as walk in the steps of the faith of their father Abraham Rom. 4. 12. All the godly as I hinted before of former ages are called a cloud of witnesses Heb. 12. 1. That is as the cloud of fire led and guided the people of Israel in the Wildernesse so the former examples of holinesse in the Saints are as guides and directions to us in the wayes of Christ To this direction the Apostle exhorts the Saints Be yee followers of me even as I am of Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. He doth also give them a limitation for saith he be yee imitators of me but how not in evill but as I imitate and follow Christ neither Prophets nor Apostles nor the most holiest Saints upon earth are to be imitated by us but as they imitate Christ and so they are leading examples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imitator unto us The Greek word used by the Apostle signifies to imitate in gesture and action so that they were to shape and fashion themselves to him as hee did unto Christ And again the Apostle saith in Heb. 13. 7. Remember yee the guides who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith imitate ye considering the end of their conversation The Apostle would have them imitate those that are godly in their faith but in nothing else So we should be imitators of the Flock of Christ according to the Apostle in 1 Thess 2. 14. Ye Brethren become imitators of the Churches of God And againe saith the Apostle We desire c. that yee be not sloathfull but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promisses Heb. 6. 11 12. So many examples as we have in Scripture of those holy men of God who lived in former ages so many guides and leaders we must reckon our selves to have before us Now when we look upon the steps of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and other holy men of God but chiefly upon the Apostles and Ministers of the New Testament we look upon the Faith and Doctrine of these Worthies we look how they worshipped and how they lived as holy Writ doth set out unto us for if the word did not testifie of them how should we know their steps Also we see in former tâ—mes the Prophets and Apostles were Christ's Shepheards and fed his Flock we should therefore looke unto their Tents and there seeke for good and wholsome pasture But this is now a great question in the World where wee shall finde the Tents of these Shepheards or to whom we may joyne our selves for all say theirs is the way and how shall we know Indeed Christ fore-saw these streights of the latter dayes and hath told us that many shall come and say Loe here is Christ and loe there is Christ. For there shall be saith he false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they would deceive the very Elect Mat. 24. 23 24. But what is now to be done see the advice and counsell of the Lord himself by the Prophet saying Thus saith the Lord stand yee in the way and see alluding to a passenger who having set forward in his journey doth come to sundry ways and not knowing which way to take hee standeth there doubting considering and enquiring but he doth not only say stand in the way but see that is see and consider seriously the severall courses that holy men have taken in times past and that upon good grounds and due examination having discovered the right way which all the people of God have walked in from time to time and walke in it and what will be the fruit of this aske for the old way which is the good way and walke therein and yee shall finde rest unto your soules that is you shall no more be tossed too and fro or be disquieted or be to seek for the way of God but you shal find satisfactian and rest to your soules Jer. 6. 16. But of whom shall we now enquire for some will tell us one thing and some another And the foolish will believe every thing but the prudent will consider his steps Prov. 14. 1â— But unto whom then shall wee goe to enquire the way of Christ for 1. If we goe to the Papists they will not direct us to the Prophets or to the Apostles other holy men of whom the word of God beareth witnesse they will not allow that the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles shall be the Tents of these Shepheards here spoken of and that in them only we may find wholsome pasture but they will send us to the steps of certaine Popes Cardinalls Monks and Fryers they will send us to the decrees of Popes and popish Prelates and to their own constitutions there is to be found wholsome food say they Now what a madnesse were it to follow such strange Doctrines which are contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets and when they can prove their Doctrine and worship by nothing but by their own authority such a Pope and so many Cardinals and Bishops did decree this thing and that these cannot erre say they and therefore we must believe them Now no wise man can follow after such wicked companions as these are 2. If we goe to ancient Fathers they have erred and therefore wee cannot rely upon them Wee may not then enquire of Tertullian Cyprian Ambrose Augustine Hierome Bernard c. For all these have had their failings and have erred in many things and though they saw much in respect of the ignorance of their times yet their light was very dim their light in comparison to that of the Apostles was but as it were the light of a candle compared to the light of the Sun And as for those that are of later yeares that were the first restorers of the Gospel since the generall Apostacy as Wickliffe Luther Zwinglius c. These performed many great things having received singular gifts from God but these had their failings and errours also 3. Wee may not goe to Councels and Synods for these have and may erre likewise even the best Counsels may erre for so did the Councell of
above all other societies whatsoever because unto her Members are committed the Oracles of God as the Apostle speakes of the Church of the Jewes Rom. 3. 2. unto whom also pertained the Adoption and the glorie and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Rom. 9. 4. Secondly Jerusalem was eminenter then other places for it is said they went to Jerusalem and down to Aegypt and other places so the Church is from above Gal. 4. 26. because it hath its originall from above and steeres its course towards heaven above Thirdly Jerusalem was a Cittie compact in it selfe Psal 122. 3. So is the Church the body of Christ compact and knit together by joynts and legiaments as it is in the naturall body for so the Apostle telleth us that The whole body of the Church is fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth c. Ephes 4. 16. Fourthly Jerusalem is a free Cittie and had many Citie-priviledges and immunities so is the Church Gaâ— 4. 26. Jerusalem or the Church which is above is free The Law was delivered in a most terrible manner on Mount Sinai and the effects thereof was nothing but bondage but after it was sent out of Zion and out of Jerusalem with the Spirit of grace and adoption and brings with it cheerefulnesse and libertie so though Agar geâ—dereth to bondage yet Jerusalem which is above is free Fifthly Jerusalem was the seat of God chosen from all places of the world as appeares Psal 132. 13 14. For the Lord hath chosen Zion â—he hath desired it for his habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it So the Church of Christ is his seate where he dwels and holds forth the word of life and distributes the rich treasures of grace and glory and doth beutifie it with all heavenly excellencies and priviledges of salvation Sixthly Jerusalem was the joy of the whole earth Psal 48. 2. So is the Church the joy and comfort of the word what are all the men in the world besides the Church is the seate of saving truth and is built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles so that the Church is the depository of the truth that orbe out of which this glorious light shines forth and unto the Church pertains the Covenant and the promises as you heard before So much for the Parties charged Now wee proceed to the manner of the charge By the Roes and by the Hindes of the Field Some render these words thus Tarry ye abroad with the Roes or with the Hinde of the field Wee may understand it thus Yee that are by the Roes that is yee that feed your flocks abroad in the Feilds where the Roes and Hindes runne The meaning may be this get you abroad for a while take your pleasure and doe what you will only disquiet not neither vexe my beloued This is spoken by the Church after the manner of men and their wives who when they would talke off secret matters or take their rest and be quiet will bid their Children and servants get them abroad and recreate themselves where they will for a while Indeed some take the words as if the Oath were by the Roes and by the Hindes which cannot be but improper and onely figurative because Oathes and Adjurations are by the name of God onely Deut. 6. 13. We may read it among the Roes so doth Arius Montanus rather then by the Roes because the Letter Beth is here prefixed which signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In capreis in Or among more properly then by The Church doth in her charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem take these creatures to wit the Roes and Hinds as witnesses against them if they neglect their charge an example we have in Deut. 30. 19. I call Heaven and Earth saith Moses to record this day against you c. This obtestation of Heaven and Earth is meant the creatures in Heaven and Earth We have the like expression in Josh 24. 27. This stone shall be a witnesse saith Joshua unto us for it hath heard all the words of the Lord. This figurative Speech is as much as if Joshuah had said to the people thus this stone shall as truely witnesse against you if you shall falsifie your promise and Covenant as if it had heard the words that were spoken Hence Observe That unreasonable creatures are called to testifie against men that deale falsly with Christ Suitable to this is that in the Prophet Jer. 2. 12. Be astonished O yee Heavens at this and be yee horribly afraid be yee very desolate saith the Lord. Implying that the very senselesse creatures were they apprehensive of such evills would abhor such dealings and tremble to thinke what the issue of them would be or that such courses were such as might justly fill Heaven and Earth with astonishment And so in Isa 1. 2. Give eare O Heavens and heare O Earth c. Because men are obstinate and senselesse the dumb creatures are called upon as more ready to heare and obey Gods word then they and are therefore witnesses for God against them And in Psal 50. 4. He will call to the Heavens to judge his people that Heaven Earth may beare record And in Job 20. 27. The Heavens shall reveale his iniquity and the Earth shall rise up against him Let us consider the nature and condition of these Roes and Hinds and then we shall see how fitly they are here brought in in this obtestation or adjuration 1. The Roes and Hinds are wild Beasts of the Field 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Militia congregatio populi axercitus and have their names of Armies and Powers and by wild Beasts the people of the world who are not of God are named so that his people are admonished not to provoke Jesus Christ least these wild Beasts among whom they live should be made instrumentall to afflict them 2. These Roes and Hinds are set forth in Scripture for their swiftnesse of foot as in 2 Sam. 2. 18. which being referred to Gods judgements may signifie the swiftnesse of Gods judgement on them that shal break this adjuration 3. These creatures are also commended for their mutuall love one to another by them is the love betweene man and wife set forth as in Prov. 5. 19. Let her be as the loving Hind and as the pleasant Roe c. That as the Males and Females of these Beasts doe dearly love one another so is the unfeighned love betweene man and wife and also betweene Christ and his Church for Christ himselfe is likened to a Roe or young Hart in Vers 9. 4. These Beasts are very much desirous of the highest places this is a property given by the Prophet Habakkuk to the Hinds when he saith The Lord will make my feet like the Hinds and he will make me walk upon mine high places Habak 3. 19. So should the
fire in the bosome then to conceale spirituall comfort We cannot saith the Apostle but speake the things which we have seene and heard Acts 4. 20. As it doth much lessen our comfort to conceale the thing we know so it doth much increase and inlarge our comfort to make known our injoyments to others From the second Interpretation towit that the Spouse entertaineth him to dwell in her heart Observe That it doth not content the Saints to have some slight apprehension of Christ but they desire to lead him into the inner Chambers of their minds that he may dwell in their hearts So the Spouse here had apprehended her beloved and shee doth not satisfie her selfe untill shee hath led him downe into the inmost corner of her heart Then it is that the Spouse liveth or Christ liveth in her Gal. 2. 20. the Church is called upon by the holy Ghost to open the Gates and everlasting doors that is the doors of their hearts And Christ the King of glory shall come in Psal 24. Shee doth open the gates and the doors and leadeth him in What good thing can be wanting where the King of glory shall enter in to dwell He is the Lord of Hosts who is strong and mighty in Battaile who will subdue sin and put the Prince of darknesse to flight yea he will chase away all evill where he dwelleth No marvaile then that the Church will not let him goe but leadeth him into the Chambers of her that conceived her Lastly in that the Church is called the Mother of the Church Hence Observe That the Church doth nourish her owne Members Saints are nourished and cherished among Saints Hence they are bid to rejoyce with Jerusalem c. That they may suck and be satisfied with the Breasts of her consolation that they may milke out and be delighted with the brightnesse of her glory Isa 66. 11. And to the Church of beleivers pertaineth all the glorious priviledges which did of old pertaine to Israel as the Apostle telleth us in Rom. 9. 4 5. To whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises of whom are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen It followeth VERS 5. I charge you O yee daughters of Jerusalem by the Roes and Hinds of the field that yee stir not up nor awake my love till he please THe Spouse having long sought her beloved and now having found him and brought him home unto her Mothers house and resolved to retaine him there reneweth her contestation and charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem not to awake or disquiet her beloved These words being the same with the words in Chap. 2. 7. I shall not stand upon repetitions but onely mind you of the occasion of the repetition of them 1. Consider the Church having found her beloved and is very willing to keep him and to injoy sweet fellowship with him shee giveth this straight charge to the Daughters that they doe not provoke him by sin and so grieve his holy Spirit and thereby cause him to depart from his Church againe For as Moses said unto Israel If yee turne away from after him he will yet againe leave them in the Wildernesse and yee shall destroy all this people Numb 32. 15. And the like place we have in Exod. 23. 20 21. Behold saith the Lord I send an Angell before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared beware of him and obey his voyce provoke him not for he will not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him The Angell here spoken of is Christ as appears by this that he hath power to pardon sin and Gods name is in him for Gods name and attributes are his very essence Thus the Apostle willeth us not to provoke Christ when he saith Grieve not the holy Spirit and withall addeth this reason Because saith he by it ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Ephes 4. 30. So on the other hand we must please the Spirit by being acted by it least we turne away the seale or assurance of our salvation Or 2. We may take it thus the Daughters were charged to wait patiently for Christs comming in the flesh and to be contented with their present enjoyment of Christ that they should not stir him up or provoke him by murmuring or otherwise through feare or unbeliefe neither was shee to be discontent to suffer affliction as being under the Law being shut up unto the faith that should be revealed which Law was a School master unto Christ Gal. 3. 23. for the Saints were under Governours untill the appointed time of the Father Gal. 4. 1 2. So much for the Charge VERS 6 7 8 9 10 11. Who is this that commeth out of the Wildernesse like pillars of smoake perfumed with Myrrhe and Frankincense with all powders of the Merchant Behold his Bed which is Solomons threescore valiant men are about it of the valiant of Israel They all hold Swords being expert in war every man hath his Sword upon his Thigh because of feare in the night King Solomon made himselfe a Charriot of the wood of Lebanon He made the pillars thereof of Silver the bottome thereof of gold the covering of it of purple the middest thereof being paved with love for the Daughters of Ierusalem Goe forth O yee daughters of Zion and behold King Solomon with the Crowne wherewith his mother Crowned him in the day of his Espousalls and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart IN the former part of the Chapter the Church sought Christ and never gave over seeking untill shee had found him and brought him home into her Mothers house and into the Chambers of her that conceived her Christ discovereth himselfe sweetly unto his Spouse but not that his Spouse should be content with her present apprehension of him but that shee should ascend higher and higher even unto the Chambers of his heavenly Palace for to that end and purpose doth he come downe unto her Here therefore is shewed the effect of this her finding and laying hold of him namely that he hath perfumed her with his sweet graces and made her fit and meet to ascend up with him unto his royall place which is here described in the sequell of the Chapter Christ himselfe is here introduced as admiring and wondring at his Churches appearance and comming out of the Wildernesse Hereupon his Spouse taketh occasion to speake of his excellency by way of praise and wonderment For the 6. ver it utters a description of the Church 1. In respect of her low condition 2. In respect of her heavenly qualification Her despised and low condition is laid downe in these words Who is shee that commeth out of the Wildernesse Her qualification in the other part of the verse First In respect of
is all glorious and excellent Hence Observe That as Christ is lovely in all parts so he is lovely in his whole selfe There is not any thing in Christ but its lovely he is lovely in particular and he is lovely in generall he is lovely in all parts and altogether yea he is altogther lovely as if the Spouse should say what shall I say more of my beloved he is all over and altogether lovely Christ is lovely to God to Angels to Saints he is lovely as God and as Mediator being Prophet Priest and King in all offices and graces in all the operations of his Spirit he is the brightnesse of Gods glory the shining of Gods face he must needs then be most excellent most glorious Therefore if wee doe but take a view of all the high perfections and supereminent excellencies of Christ if wee doe anatomise him in every particular and particularise him in every excellency wee shall find him to be lovely in all parts to be altogether lovely to be wholly delectable Now the Spouse having thus described her beloved both in generall and particluar she concludeth with an exclamation This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem This being the close of her commendations of her beloved I shall not stand on it because wee had occasion to speake of the same termes before She saith This is my beloved viz. that I have described unto you O yee daughters of Jerusalem and this is my friend as if she should say he is such a one as I have painted out unto you in this excellent shew and beauty that yee may easily know him in and among others And this doubling of the words that are here used was not only profitable to expresse her earnest affection towards him but also to move them with whom she talked both to the loving and liking of him And by calling him her beloved and friend she meaneth that as Christ had discovered his affection to her so she retu 〈…〉 love for his love making him as it were her 〈◊〉 ling and best beloved on whom she could 〈…〉 heart and bestow all her affections and her 〈…〉 selfe upon Now in the Spouses thus ending 〈…〉 phatically with such an exclamation This is 〈…〉 c. she giveth us to understand that not being able by any figures phrases metaphors similitudes words or speech to describe him to the full she would in a word as it were shut up all that he himselfe within and without both generally and every part of him was altogether amiable and exceeding worthy to be affected both of her selfe and also of all those that either should heare of him or see him The Spouse having such a lover as this whom she hath described hath she not good cause to seeke after him yea to be sick of love for him This is my beloved c. Hence Observe That the Spouse is exceeding large in her affections in setting forth the high praises of her beloved The Spouse being entred in a commendation knows not how to make an end she begins in generall and from thence descends downe to particular parts and thinking not that enough she also concludeth with a generall commendation and at last shuts up all with a repetition of all againe saying This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem The Spouse is now setting forth the excellencies of her beloved and her tongue is as the pen of a ready writer her heart and affections are enlarged she is now dilating upon a copious Theam and therefore she cannot tell where to breake off or make an end The Spouse is willing to shew that there was some cause of her seeking and searching after her beloved and why she was sick of love it was for one that was most worthy most excellent This is my beloved and this is my friend c. But when wee shall see the successe of this excellent commendations of the Spouse concerning Christ it will appeare it 's not all in vaine for hereby she doth abundantly draw out the affections of the daughters of Jerusalem and therefore to whet their affections the more she shews what an excellent person Christ was in his Government counsells purity sweetnesse inward affections in all his wayes actions and administrations he was holy just and righteous c. This is my beloved and this is my friend O Daughters of Jerusalem The successe of this excellent discourse followeth in the next Verse VERS 16. Whither is thy beloved gone O thou fairest among women Whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seeke him with thee THese Daughters hearing of such a high commendation of Christ from the Spouse of her beloved hearing of his riches and glory of his beauty excellency they are enflamed with desire to seek Christ also and this is the effect which her speech in commendations of Christ wrought The first question propounded by the Daughters of Jerusalem was before when they demanded What is thy beloved c. whereupon the Spouse describes him to be very excellent closing up her discourse with this exclamation This is my beloved and this is my friend c. Now here is a second question put by the Daughters of Jerusalem saying Whither is thy beloved gone At first they were ignorant what Christ is and here they enquire where Christ is and truely if people did know the worth and excellency of Christ they could not sit downe in quiet without him but would say Whither is he gone where might we seek him where might we find him Hence Observe That it is the knowledge of Christ makes men seeke and search after him See here after the Spouse had painted out her beloved to the Daughters of Jerusalem and had described his complexion members speech and other excellent vertues qualities and graces in him that if they had but either seene him or heard him speake they might have knowne him the effect whereof is here seene in their hearts namely it so enflamed them with an earnest love towards him that presently they will be companions with her in seeking of him Now then what a worthy thing is it to open the riches and spread the glory of Christ before men for hereby they may draw men to know and to seeke Christ Here the Ministers of the Gospell may learne what their chiefe duty is and what is their work but chiefly to draw men to love and seek after Christ O then display all the riches and treasures of Christs grace and that splendent shining glory of his that men may be allured and drawne to Christ Who will seek after that which he knows not off and who will not seek after a precious Jewell Then tell where this Jewell this Pearle this treasure is that so men may seeke and search and become Merchants for to adventure all for Jesus Christ Whither is thy beloved gone c. The Daughters doe not now enquire what he is for by