of thy nose like Apples The fruite of Christs presence with vs and of his taking vs in hand is excellent it maketh vs sweete before him fragrant acceptable and comfortable vnto other Thy pallat as wine making to speake the lippes of those which sleepe The preaching of the Gospell is that which raiseth men out of the sleepe of sinne and maketh them to speake with newe tongues to the prayse of the glorie of God CHAP. VII VERSE 1. I am my Welbeloueds since his desire is towards me THe mercies of God in pardoning and forgiuing our sinnes and taking vs to his fauour are so farre from opening a window of libertie vnto vs that contrariwise it ioyneth and knitteth our soules more neere vnto him maketh vs more entirely to loue him and rowzeth vs vp from drowsinesse and negligence to a greater watchfulnesse ouer our waies and a care to please him That is true repentance which groweth from a consideration of Gods mercies and of his loue not that so much which the feare of wrath and of his iudgements doth wring from vs. Let vs goe forth c. True repentance is seene by walking in a quite contrarie course to that wee walked in before therfore it is called a turning as if a man whose face is bent Westward should wholly turne himselfe and set it vnto the East Let vs lodge by the Cypres let vs rise in the morning c. It is the certaine note of the childe of God to waite with all watchfulnesse and obseruation for the glorious comming of Iesus Christ The day of whose comming is that happie time of our spirituall mariage and most straight and neere coniunction with Christ for then shall wee enioy him fully and perfectly and see him as he is These louely flowers c. To him we must consecrate our selues and all we haue for whatsoeuer he hath giuen vs all the graces of his Spirit all the good things we doe enioy are not too good to be bestowed vpon him to entertaine Christ the better that is the true vse of the blessings of God O that thou wert as a brother vnto mee c. A Christian man is impatient for the desire of Christ and longeth that euen this day before too-morrow were the time of our perfect enioying of him Finding thee without I would kisse thee Our loue to Christ where it is sincere and sound will manifest it selfe to all and by all meanes I should not bee despised The perpetuall state of Gods children is to be vexed scorned and despised of the world But against this we must comfort our selues with the remembrance of that time when all teares shall be wiped from our eyes I Would bring thee into the house of my Mother which teacheth mee In the Church the word of God is to sound and there it is that men are to bee taught and enformed in his waies I would giue thee to drinke of spiced wine c. There is nothing we haue or can come by that is too costly or sumptuous to bee bestowed vpon Christ Wherefore the woman in the Gospell hath her iust commendation for powring the Alablaster boxe of Spicknard most costly ointment vpon the head of our Sauiour Christ though Iudas the traytour repined at it His left hand vnder c. I adiure you c. Our former offenses and the fearefull effects comming from them must teach vs when we haue Christ againe to make more of him and to take heed that by our loosenesse and negligence he withdraw not the comfort of his presence Who is shee that commeth out of the wildernesse readie to ioyne her selfe to her welbeloued There is no sound pleasure to be found but in true pietie all the delights of the world without that are but as the wildernesse in comparison of pleasant and fertile soyle A Christian must denie himselfe and forsake this wicked world it is a hard peece of worke and a matter of no small difficulty thus to doe and such as none hath any hart or stomack to perform saue but those that are borne anew yet euery one must enforce himselfe vnto it and so doing wee haue the same as a sure argument of hearty and sound repentance True valour in despising dangers is onely to be found in the childe of God whose faith ouercommeth all difficulties and the tediousnesse of this world vnder the very apple-tree I awaken thee For faith as it hath winges to flie vp to heauen to the very seate of glory and there to apprehend Christ sitting at the right hand of his father so in his humility here it beholdeth that excellency which the world is not able to conceiue Where thy mother was in labour of thee Christ vouchsafeth to account himselfe as one of vs a childe of our mother that is to say one of the Church being the head of it and wee his members O set me The faith zeale and repentance of Gods children though it merit nothing at the hands of God yet giueth vs assurance of obtaining good things and maketh vs with boldnesse to craue fauour and a blessing againe To loue vs as wee loue him So our Sauiour hath taught vs to pray Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue c. True repentance maketh vs more zealous and more to loue Christ then we did before A Christian aboue all things in the world desireth to be ioyned to Christ as neerely and by as straight a bond and coniunction as may bee as a seale on thine heart God hath vs alwaies as a seale vpon his heart and in his minde how is it possible he should forget vs as a seale on thine arme Hee hath vs alwaies as a seale vpon his arme Who can pull vs from him Being vpon his arme wee are continually in his sight his eies are vpon vs alwaies and his prouidence watcheth ouer vs wheresoeuer wee â—oe become what euill can betide vs Loue zeale c. Zeale is the proper vertue of a Christian wherein hee can neuer satisfie his owne soule strong as death c. True zeale breaketh through all difficulties as death and as the graue that subdue all and cannot themselues bee ouercome a fire of the flame of Iah It is kindled in vs by the Spirit of God and is the peculiar worke of his grace Much waters cannot quench c. A Christian is endued of God with the gift of constancy and perseuerance Many temptations assault a christian man to shak his faith pleasures afflictions promises hopes rewards but hee remaineth vnmoued in them all If a man would giue all the substance of his house Wicked men spare no cost to drawe men from Christ how much lesse should wee be sparing or thinke any thing too deare to stire vp men to loue him Wee are to take most heede of those that come with fairest shewes and pretences to vs for vnder the sweetest flowers lie commonly hidde the most venemous serpents it should vtterly bee contemned A man must learn to despise
him forth but Christ hath many Crownes and diadems vpon his head Solomon in his excellency and the crowne of his glory was a spectacle worthy to bee looked vpon and admired but Christ to be worshipped honoured and adored not of the maidens of Ierusalem onely but of the whole hoast of heauen Solomons heart leapt for ioy the day thht he was contracted but Christ is anointed with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellows with a heape and variety of gifts and graces more then all men or Angels So farre is he to be preferred CHAP. IIII. CHRIST VERS 1. Behold thou art faire my fellow friend behold thou art faire thine eies are doues eies from betweene thy locks thy haire is like a flocke of Goates which sheare vpon mount Gilead CHRIST here comforteth the Church against that anxiety of minde which appeared in the former Chapt. shewing how gracious she is vnto him how beautifull in his eies not for any bodily but for her spirituall bewty Whether you consider her wholy and entirely being all faire or her members and lineaments one by one eies haire and locks teeth lippes temples her neck and both her breasts all in that comlinesse and proportion as is fit both for the discharge of the great duty of the ministery and the common duty of christianity Her eies first how chast they are how simple how douclike if you consider eyther the faithfull Minister the eies and lights of the Church whose care is to present vs chast and pure virgins vnto Christ or the eie of iudgement in euery Christian which maketh the whole body lightsome and keepeth them single and sincere in all things Againe how comely they are within her locks seemelily turned vp for such is both the Churches decency reiecting all toyish ceremonies and the graue and sober cariage of euery Christian And this haire so goodly shining smooth as of fat Goates that feede in fruitfull pastures these ceremonies this carriage orderly sober decent bring that reuerence to a Christian that comlinesse to a Church as make them both gracious VERS 2. Thy teeth are like a flock of euen shorn sheep that come vp from the washing which all of them doe bring forth twinnes and there is not a miscarrying one among them VERS 3. The lips are like a threed of skarlet and thy talke is comely thy temples within thy locks are as a peece of pomegranet VERS 4. Thy neck is as the towre of Dauid built for armories a thousand targets hang therein all shields of mighty men VERS 5 Thy two brests are as two young hindes the twins of a roe which feede among lillies Goe vnto her teeth they are equall shining dowblerewed whereby she cheweth the meate of heauenly doctrine both for her selfe and others The Law of grace is in her skarlet lippes speaking things comely and for edification Temples like a rose to see to of the hew of a Pomegranet bending beyond the haire So naturall is her bewty and her face her owne for what needeth shee the dyings or colourings of worldly glory to set forth her spirituall bewty or of humane wisdome to adorne the simplicity of the Gospell Is her face onely and the parts thereof worthy to bee commended doe not the rest as well excell her neck of holy discipline and gouerment to assist the ministery of the Word and that compleat armour of proofe which euery christian fighteth with holdeth her vp and keepeth her steddy more strong then all the weapons of any tower or armourrie can doe Lastly her pappes plumpe round faire are â—full of all good nourishment of the sincere milke of the word of God that flowes as from a streame out of both her brests of that olde and the new Testament VERS 6. Till that day breath and these shadows flie away I will get mee vnto the Mountaine of Mirrh and to the hill of frankinsense This description done and made an end of now to satisfie her request he promiseth that notwithstanding till the mariage daie doe come when the mistes of sinne ignorance and afliction that are cast in this world before the eies of the Church shall fleete away he must keepe his residence and aboade in Ierusalem that is aboue where are his friends who performe vnto him duties sweeter then mirrh and frankinsence VERSE 7 Thou all faire my fellow friend and not a spot in thee VERS 8. With me from Lebanon my spouse with mee from Lebanon shalt thou come thou shalt looke down from the top of Amana from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the dennes of Lyons from the mountaines of Leopards Yet he will euer be present with his Church by his Word and the power of his spirit sanctifying and cleansing the same vntill being all faire without any spot or wrinckle in her and so fitted and made ready for the wedding day he do receiue her as his spouse that is to say a wife ioyned and married to her husband for so he is bould now to call her in regard of that prefixed time into euerlasting life and crowne her with glory and immortality At what time he saith he will redeeme her wholy and euery part so as not one whom the Father hath giuen vnto Christ shall perish from the most remote places and borders of the Land and out of the clawes of Lyons and Leopards her most cruell fierce barbarous and sauage enemies VERS 9. Thou hast rauished my heart my Sister Spouse Thou hast rauished my heart with one of thine eyes with one chaine of thy necke The remembrance of this day and of the perfection she now hath in his iudgement estimation of her and then shal actually haue by his benefit bestowed vpon her maketh him to cry out in the passion and vehemency of his loue calling her Sister as being of one nature also his married spouse professing shee hath rauished his heart with the bewty of her lookes with the ornaments of her graces that are as chaines about her neck yea with one looke of faith with that one grace of his sanctifying spirit in her VERS 10. How faire are thy loues my sister spouse how good are thy loues better then wine and the smell of thine ointements better then all spices Amplifying with exclamations the excellency of her loue better then wine and the sweete sauour of her ointements the annointing of his spirit sealing her vp to the day of redemption better in sense and feeling then all spices VERS 11. Thy lips my spouse drop the hony-combe Hony and milke are vnder thy tongue and the smell of thy garments is as the smell of Lebanon Thus hauing declared the feruency of his loue vnto her hee doth by many figures and formes of speech expresse the sweetenesse and the ornaments of her faith and of the fruits that proceed from it Thy lippes saith hee both of them that is in the publique ministery in priuate speech droppe the hony and the hony-combe sweete and heauenly lessons and
any mislike or indignation conceiued against thee The trueth is I had a longing to see how neer the time approached of our ioyfull and happy marriage and therefore betooke me to my place of glory VERS 9. When I discerned it not my minde set mee vpon the chariots of my free-hearted people to say But percâ—iuing that day was not yet at hand I came back with speed vnto thee together with all my people and retinue by the ministerie of those my free-willing seruants with all speede and earnestnesse to giue thee comfort And now mark and lay vp in thy heart what I shall say VERS 10. Returne returne O Shullamite returne returne that wee may behold thee What behold you in that Shullamite as the daunse of the Machanaijmites Thou hast indeed gone astray that had almost marred thee but in mee is thy health and safety Returne returne vnto me that I and mine all the Angels of God may haue ioy in heauen to see the fruits of thy faith spring anew For notwithstanding thy slippes and fales I esteeme thee most perfect in mine eternall counsell and decree and putting all the robes of mine innocencie righteousnes vpon thee doe now so make thee by the power of my Word and spirit my friends here and fellows being iudges Looke vpon her tell me how you finde her Is shee not most braue glorious and gallantly attended Verely when I doe behold her and all her troupes comming forth to meete mee me thinkes I am in the middest of the Tribes of Israel and of all those worthies that skipping and lepping with songs and daunses and all kinde of holy meriments came to receiue Dauid at Machanaim when God brought him back into his kingdome VERS 11 How bewtifull are thy feete with these shooes O daughter of a Prince The compasse of thy thighs are like browches the worke of the hand of a cunning workeman And yet the neerer I come vnto thee the more I admire thy bewty from the toppe vnto the toe from one end vnto an other To beginne at the lowest and so to ascend Thy feete shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace Thou daughter of a Prince O thou of noble birth borne not according to the flesh but by the faith of the promise The girdle of pure truth aboue thy hippes framed by the most cunning workeman the Spirit of God himselfe VERS 12. Thy nauell like a round bowle Let not the Liquor of it faile But let thy belly bee as a heape of wheate hedged about with Lillies Thy nauell round as a bowle a token of thy fruitfulnesse O let it neuer be drawne drie but as a full cuppe wanting not any liquor let thy wombe be alwaies fruitfull and thy fruit precious and fragrant as a heape of wheate hedged about with Lillies So great a desire I haue of thine increase VERS 13. Thy two breasts are like two young roes the twinnes of a hinde VERS 14. Thy neck like to a tower of Iuorie thine eies to the fish-pooles made with art at the populous gate thy nose like to the tower of Lebanon that looketh towarde Damascus Thy two brests as two hindes fit to nourish and giue suck Thy neck the neck of discipline straight and steddie like vnto a tower to beare vp the ministerie as it were the face of the Church and white and bewtifull as a tower of iuory for the order and grauity thereof Thine eies bright and cleere as the fish-pooles made with great art at Ierusalem in the broade gate of the flocks for such is the ministery of the Church placed where the godlie doe flock into the Lords assemblies which shine as the cleere waters in the pond for iudgement and knowledge for deliuery of doctrine are as the flowing of those waters for wisdome in searching and waighing preparing and fitting of it may be compared vnto the workemen by whom those pondes were artificiallie made and to their cunning workemanshippe Thy nose straight and comely as quick a iudgement in discerning doctrines as the nose hath in discerning smelles VERS 15. That which on thy head is put vpon thee is like to crimson and the fillet of thy head is like to purple a King might bee tyed to these walkes The ceremonies as it were the ornaments of thy head both the haire-lace the borders all thy whole attire are for comlines good order of speciall account and a great grace vnto thee no lesse then skarlet and purple There is no King in the world but might finde in his hart to be tied to these walkes and to be held prisoner in the sight of thee and of the bewty of thy assemblies So great is thy glory in comparison of all the vaine pompe of this present world VERS 16. How faire thou art and how delectable O Loue with these pleasures I cannot hold but I must cry out with an admiraon of thy bewty that thou art exceeding faire and amiable not thy selfe onely but all that is about thee O loue onely to bee beloued VERS 17. This thy stature is like a palme tree and thy brests like clusters of grapes Thy whole body straight strong and of a comely stature Thy Teates as berries VERS 18. I say I will get vp vpon the palme-tree I will take hold of her branches and thy brests shall now be like the clusters of the vine and the smell of thy nose like apples But I will not leaue thee so I giue thee my word for it and that I promise be sure I will performe I will prune and purge thee that thou shalt bee all fruitfull redolent and fragrant Thy teates as the clusters of grapes full of the sweete iuce of the milke of the Word of God Thy nose shall both giue and receiue a smell of apples that thou maist be as wel meate as drink vnto the soule VERS 19. And thy pallat as wine of the best smell frisking liuely vpright making the lips of those that are asleepe to speake Yea thy tongue the preaching of the Gospell shall bee as pure strong and pleasant wine of the best smell and sauour sprinckling and leaping louely frisking in the cuppe whereby euen those that sleepe and are dead in their sinnes and trespasses shall be awakned and with new lippes and words sound forth thy praise CHAP. VII CHVRCH VERS 1. I am my well-beloueds since his desire is towards me THis comfortable speech of Christ vnto his Church doth so refresh her that first she breketh forth into thankfulnesse for his mercy In regard whereof shee professeth shee is wholy his whose affection she findeth to be so wonderfull towards her that he loued her when she cared not for him followed her when she refused him called her back when she ranne away from him pardoned her when she offended him gaue himselfe anew vnto her when she had forsaken him seated her in Heauen when shee was in the lowest hell VERS 2 Goe to my well-beloued let vs goe forth into
doth manie times when there is least hope and when all meanes haue beene vsed and doe not preuaile for euen the seed of the word bringeth not forth fruit by and by but lurketh and is buried vnder the cloddes of the earth till the time appointed for it to shoote vp and to shew it selfe whom my soule loueth He is then sweetest to vs when he hath seemed for a while to absent himself and to haue no minde of vs. And that maketh him so oft to withdrawe the comfortable beames of his glorious presence that so he might whet our affections and set an edge vpon them I tooke hold on him For thus when he sheweth himselfe againe vnto vs wee beginne to haue our faith reuiued wee lay faster holde vpon him and with all the powers of our soule cleaue as neere vnto him as euer we did before So we come to be possessed of spirituall ioy and gladnesse then we are brought abedde as it were in a sweete sleepe of the peace of conscience and then our heart is lifted vp to heauen with holie praiers and meditations not to let him goe till c. The faithfull man with purpose of heart cleaueth to the Lord as Barnabas did exhort Act 11. 23. and hath a holy purpose and Christian resolution neuer to part from him vnto the end I adiure you c. When a Christian commeth to haue a feeling and apprehension of Christ especially after hee hath once found what it is to lacke him he is carefull to auoide all occasions that may giue Christ cause to depart Come vp The thing that aboue all other affecteth a Christian mans heart is the loue and meditation of the heauenly glorie Out of the wildernesse In comparison whereof he esteemeth this world as a wildernes in regard of fruitfull and pleasant fields And longeth to come out of these rough and desert places into the Lords champions Who is she It is indeed a hard piece of worke to leaue the world to denie vngodlinesse and worldly vanities and to lift a mans heart and affection vp to heauen Becensed with Mirrh c. None can attaine vnto it but those whose eies God shall cleer to see and behold the excellency of that place For the heauenly glorie dooth incomparably excell there is all safety to the person All sweetnesse to the senses All pretious things and riches all pleasures and delights The glorie of all the earth Solomon himselfe in his greatest brauerie is not to bee compared to it The glorie the pleasures and delights which God giueth heere to the sonnes of men for their comfort and reioycing must affect our hearts with a holie meditation to thinke how farre more excellent those things bee that are aboue and make vs thereby the more earnestly to seeke after them This is the holie vse wee are to make of the lawefull pleasures of this life Comeforth and looke ye daughters of Tsijon It is the duetie of a Christian man to stir vp other to this heauenly meditation as Christ by his Spirit hath stirred him CHAP. IIII. VERS 1. Behold thou art c. CHrist much delighteth to see a Christian so affected as is set forth in the former Chapter and rendreth therefore due commendations praysing him for the graces that himselfe hath bestowed vpon him and so crowning his own gifts in him with all making him to see what is his blessed estate both in this life and in the life to come Faire The true belieuer thorough faith in Christ is most perfectly holy and righteous both wholly and in euerie part as hauing in him obtained by imputation the whole righteousnesse of the lawe The vertues which a Christian is most to labour for and which beseeme him best are thine eyes are Doues eyes First Iudgement and singlenesse in all his actions to haue his eyes in his head as Solomon speaketh Ecclesiast 2. 14. Thy heart is like c. Secondly sobrietie and a comely cariage Thy teeth c. Thirdly holding fast the truth of God by meditation and chewing of it Thy lippes c. Fourthly Gracious speech that our words be powdred with falt for the profit and edification of the hearers Thy temples Fiftly to affect more spirituall graces then worldly things Thy necke is as a Tower c. Sixtly Constancie in the waics of godlinesse A thousand Targets hang c. And to haue alwaies in a readinesse the compleat armour of Christian Souldiers Thy two breasts c. Seauently To long after the sincere milke of the word of God that we may growe vp by it 1. Pet. 2. 2. I will get me c. Christ is alwaies present and at hand to euery true beleeuer euen now whilest hee is in the pilgrimage of this world to comfort him in all his necessities These shadowes The holinesse and sanctification which we haue wrought within vs in this life is weake and imperfect subiect to much ignorance and manie shadowes so as wee are neuer here to dreame of purity or perfection Flie awaie But the time shall certainly come when we shall put off these râ—gges and be cloathed with immortalitie Thou art all saire c. Our holinesse now imperfect and mingled with so much corruption shall be made perfect that no spot or wemme shall be left in vs. With â—e shalt thou come None shall perish of those whom God hath giuen vnto Christ From Lebanon from the top of Amana from the top of Sheuir and Hermon The furthest and most remote places cannot keepe them the craggedest and roughest thickets cannot detaine them the height nor depth cannot conceale them From the dennes of Lions From the mountaines of Leopards The cruellest and most sauage enemies of the Church shall not be able to hurt them nor hell gates to preuaile against them Heere is the comfort of Gods people But this we must arme our selues for that whilest we continue here wee are to liue amongst Lions and Leopards barbarous and fierce enemies Tyrants and oppressours we must looke for banishments and imprisonments to wander in the mountaines to be throwen in holes and dennes to be afflicted persecuted diftressed as you haue examples of it Heb. 11. This is the perpetuall condition of the Church of God By how much the more wee are to waite for that happy time when as in the yeere of Iubile we shall all returne vnto our possessions againe when wee shall heare no more the voice of the exactor and when the seruant shall bee free from his Maister Thou shalt looke downe from c. This shall heape vp ioy vpon ioy to vs that wee shall then looke ouer these men that is triumph ouer them that now so dominier ouer vs when not only out selues shall be in heauen in the place of all happinesse but haue before vs and in our eies the sight of their misery Thou hast rauished c. God is not onely delighted but in a manner rauished with a loue of his graces in vs. my sister For
he doth behold vs as the bretheren of Christ brethren both by vnity of the same nature and communion with one heauenly Father Spouse Yea neerer then brethren being euen heere espoused and betrothed to him How faire c. And kept by the annointing of the spirit that wee cannot fall away but abide and continue his for euer Which giueth vs more contentment and hearts-ease then all pleasures that are earthly Thy lips drop the hony combe c The tongue of euery Christian not only of a minister in the pulpit though that especially and the dropping of his lippes euen in his priuate and familiar discourses is sweeter then the hony or the hony-combe as that which giueth grace to the hearers the sauour of thy garments is as the sauour of Lebanon Such an one is most pleasing to God of as fragrant a smell as the smell of Libanus My sister spouse is The Church of God hath two singular prerogatiues aboue all other companies and societies of men as a gardaine c. First it is the pillar and ground of truth for there onely are the plants of the Lords owne setting there is the well head and there onely flow the sweete streames of pure doctrine It is variâ—ty errour superstition and deceit whatsoeuer commeth not from hence shut sealed vp Secondly it is holy no polluted or vncleane thing can enter or haue aboade in it spring fountaine The preaching of the Word is as a spring that warereth and maketh to encrease all the beds and plants of the Church of God A Christian man knowing his fruits to he most sweete vnto God Is desirous to bring forth plenty and acknowledging al to com from God continually prayeth to be inspired and breathed vpon by his good spirit to performe it fountaine of the gardaines Christ is the onely fountain that watreth al the parts of the Church his gardaine the ministers are onely his instruments and can doe nothing but water and plant all the encrease commeth from Christ O well of liuing waters c. The graces hee bestoweth vpon his Church are abundant and infinite as liuing waters that continually spring and flow abroade O North O South c. Let those waters ouerslow the spices of it Hee neuer denyeth his spirit to those that aske it with a true faith but is ready to graunt the desire of his seruants to make them fruitfull and aboundant in euery good grace Let my wellbeloued come c. And the thing which a Christian man aboue all the world desires is the presence of Christ I am come into my gardaine c. Yet there being somewhat alwaies corrupt in our desires it is many times good for Gods faithful children to goe without the things euen the spirituall and heauenly things which they most long after â—â—te my fellow friends c. The Spirits of the righteous deceased doe now enioy in heauen euerlasting happinesse This is our comfort against death that thereby we change the miseries of this life with vnspeakable and endlesse pleasures CHAP. V. VERS 1. I being asleepe A Christian man euen the best is many times ouertaken with earn all security falleth into a traunce or slumber forgetteth himselfe and his heauenly calling and is lulled a sleepe with the pleasures and delights of this present wicked world Not keeping that watch ouer his owne soule which hee ought Mathew 25. They all slept the wise virgins as well as the foolish but my heart awake Yet his faith for all that gooth not quite out but lyeth hid and couered vnder the ashes it is smothered but not extinct as may bee seene in Peter of whom our Sauiour beareth witnesse I haue prayed for thee that in the middest of that most dangerous fal thy faith should not faile Heere is one maine difference betweene the children of God and others One sinne of infirmity the other wilfully all sleepe indeede but the godly doe but slumber or winke when the wicked sleepe soundly sleepe heart and all they sleepe that they snort againe the wicked commit sinne with all their heart from the very soule as the Prophet 〈…〉 children haue a resistance within and striue and sight against it in som sort euen then when they are most ouertaken with the 〈◊〉 of the flesh their heart is sound with God sinne dwelleth but raigneth not in them they groanâ— vnder the burden of it mislike it as touching the inner man there is a strife within them in their very bowells as beetweene Rebeccaes twinnes a type of the Church and of euery faithfull man To conclude in the godly there is a striffe betweene their heart and their heart but in the wicked onely between their heart and their conscience I being The Christian delighteth to make consession of his sinnes to acknowledge his owne wretchednesse and vnworthinesse that God may haue the greater glory Hee sticketh not himselfe to haue blushing checkes so honour praise may come to God and is not ashamed to be the trumpeâ—or of his owne reproach This is true repentance asleepe c. One marke there of is a holy anger and 〈…〉 against ourselues amplifying and enlarging all the circumstances of our 〈◊〉 to make it more odious and to bring vs vnto a greater loathing of it but my heart awakel But the Christian though before God and men hee make confession of his â—ault and it be the property of true repentance for a man to aggrauate not to lessen his offence as not satisfying his owne soule with a detestation of his wicked waies yet hee vseth also a holy excuse and defence that Sathan by his ouercharging of himselfe to vse the Apostles phrase 2. Cor. 2. 5. take not aduantage to cast him downe further then is meete and to driue him into despaire Hee therefore wrestleth with his owne soule to gather all arguments that may bee to his conscience that these his offences were done of frailety and through infirmity of the flesh that his heart is sincere vpright to God that his faith though sore shaken was not quite battered and ouercome c. This is the wisdome of a sound Christian And heere is a noble example of that other marke of repentance which the Apostle 2. Cor. 7. 11. calleth an Apologie or cleering of ones selfe the voice of my well-beloued True repentance commeth not from our selues it commeth by the preuenting grace of Christ not onely that repentance which is our first conuersion to God but the raising of vs vp when being conuerted wee fall into any sinne The principal cause of this our conuersion is the Spirit of Christ knocking at the doore of our heart The meanes is his voice speaking to our outward ears specially by the ministery of the Word and sacraments as principal but further also in a secondarie degree by chastisements and corrections Bounsing Wee haue neede that God should call vpon vs earnestly vehemently and in most effectuall manner So carnall are we of our selues and so vntoward to hearken to
assemblies is very profitable for the quickning raising vp of our soules but I could not finde him but hee answered me not Christ to trie the faith of his children seemeth many times to deale very hardly and vnkindely with them the fountaine of mercy to haue no drop of mercy in him So hee dealt with the woman of Canaan Mat. 15. 22. c. First when shee cryed vpon him hee made himselfe deafe hee would not answere one word but turned himselfe away and when his disciples besought him to speake how vntowardly and techely as a man with reuereâ—ce may say doth hee seeme to answere her ' I was not sent but to the lost sheepe of the house of Israell Shee for all that humbling her selfe yet more and falling at his feete in what reproachfull manner doth hee vse her calling her a dogge or rather for more disgrace a whelpe How must not this wound her very soule He that biddeth all men learne of him because he is meeke and lowly in heart to bee so rough to a poore sillie weoman so deiecting herselfe before him but wherefore did he so to discourage or driue her from him No but that her faith being tryed in the furnace might come forth purer then the gold and after many a pluck and wrestle like a true Israelite supported by his Spirit shee might preuaile with God and so at the length he suffereth himselfe to be ouercom by the greatnesse of her faith The watchmen that goe about the Citie found mee A Christian truely repenting will not thinke much to throw himselfe into neuer so great perills and hazards for the recouery of Christ And so is expressed the sixt marke of repentance consisting in a reuenge or taking the peny-worths of our selues for our former transgressions not shrinking now for any danger but running thorough thick and thinne as wee say in the night among the watch to come vnto him All this sheweth the feare that a Christian man hath least hee should bee ouertaken with drowsinesse as he was before which is an other and the last of those seauen notes of true repentance mencioned 2. Cor. 7. 11. And so haue you in this Chapter besides the falles and infirmities of Gods children and how and wherein they differ from other men a worthy example of the cause the means the parts the steppes and degrees and lastly of the notes and markes of their repentance they smote me they wounded me An other punishment of our sinnes is affliction outward trouble and persecution which God is wont to send vpon vs to chastise and correct vs and to make vs come to him the keepers of the walles tooke Those that should bee the greatest friends vnto vs for the truths sake proue many times our greatest enemies such as carrie the name of watchmen in Gods Church whose office it is to encourage and protect vs in well doing none more then they do oppose themselues and discourage vs in the waies of godlinesse my vaile from me This is a great offence and stumbling block to Gods children who by reason heereof lose their vaile that is the hold of their purity and integrity and begin a little to decline and to waxe fainter in the seruing of God I adiure you Till by the company of Gods children in the communion of Saints they begin to take heart againe and to recouer their spirits and so afresh follow after Christ ye daughtâ—rs of Ierusalem The society of the godly is an excellent meanes to stirre men vp and to kindle in them the holy fire of the loue of Christ for with them wee may boldly conferre of such things as the world sauoureth not nor hath any relish in if ye finde c. Yea though they be not come so far as we in comprehending the length breadth and depth of the excellency of the loue of Christ What is there in thy well-beloued c. If to those that dwell in the Church it be strange to see the passions that many of the godly are exercised with in their longing thirsting after Christ what shall we thinke of other men White ruddie fit to heare the banner aboue 10000 his head c. The things which wee are specially to consider in Christ are First his spirituall glory and power shining euen in his humanity His eyes as doues eyes c Secondly The eies of his prouidence or the perfection of the graces of the Spirit dwelling in him whereby hee pearceth euery where and entreth into mens harts seeing the things that are most secret his lippes his pallat c. Thirdly his doctorshippe or Propheticall office Vpon his hands c. his lagges are pillars of marble c. Fourthly his gouernment and administration of the world in glory maiestly and power chrushing to peeces the wicked and vngodly and whatsoeuer doth set and oppose it selfe against him in his bowels is a shining as of iuory couered with Suphires his looke as of Lebanon c. Fiftly The glorifying of his humane nature which he hath purchased by his death and sufferings that me â—ay seeke him c. The fruit of a Christian mans temptations is that other by our vehemency are stirred vp to seeke Christ My well-beloued in gon downe c. I am my well-beloueds c. Christ in the end is found of those that seek him though he absent himselfe for a time as he was of the woman of Canaan Mat. 15. 28. And this is our comfort that God is faithfull who will not suffer vs to bee tempted aboue our strength but in euery temptation how great soeuer will giue vs a meanes how to come out of it 1 Cor. 10. 13. By mutuall conference and communication of of our faith we haue the same strengthened and nourishe and kindle in our selues a holy longing after Christ CHAP. VI. VERS 1. Thou art faire c. TRue repentance washeth off all the spots and deformities that our sinnes bring vpon vs. terrible as an armie with banners The life of Christian is a warrefare vpon earth For the enabling of him to fight the Lordes battailes God infuseth into his heart an heroicall and noble courage for though hee fall yet he riseth vp againe though hee bee ouertaken yet hee getteth out and recouereth his strength Which maketh Sathan to feare the faith of a Christian because hee knoweth it is built vpon that rocke which the gates of hell cannot preuaile against O turne thine eyes ouer-against me Our slippes and falles must not discourage vs but wee must looke vp to Christ with a liuely faith and bee of good comfort that they may lift me vp For Christ glorieth and taketh pleasure in the faith of his people it reioyceth his heart and he thinketh himselfe the better for it being affected with their miseries and is glad when they are comforted Thy haire is c. The holinesse and righteousnesse of a Christian is not lost by the manifold infirmities hee falleth into But it remaineth firme and
constant in euery part because it wholly resteth in the power and grace of God Let there be 60. Queenes c. All the glory excellency in the world the courts of Princes and their pompous traine are not to bee compared to the happinesse of a Christian That one c. There is but one company society in the world wher saluation is to be had that is the Church of God which is one because there is no more but she one because she is only entirely beloued of God my done One because she is elect out of all the world mine vndefiled one One because shee keepeth her selfe one and the same vnto her spouse pure chast and vndefiled that one with her mother To this Church euery Christian man ioyneth himselfe and professeth to be a member thereof neuer making rent schisme nor diuision from it those that goe out from it it is a token they were in truth neuer of it assoone as they see c. God in his Church vtereth all his glorie Psal 29. That is hee graceth his people with such blessings of his spirit as makes them an admiration to the world This is the priuiledge of those that dwell in the Church of God the maydens shall account her blessed the Queenes and Concubines shall praise her The profane worldlings are forced to preferre the state of Gods children before their owne and to wish they vvere like vnto them As Saul Pharaoh Balaam and other did Goodly as the morning faire as the moone pure as the Sunne The way of a righteous man is like the Sunne shining that shineth still more and more vnto the steddie day Prou. 4. 18. Or as Paul saith Rom. 1. 17. we goe from faith to faith our faith continually growing as the morning doth and from one degree of perfection to an other from the beauty of the moone to the cleerenesse of the Sunne To the pruined gardaines The kingdome of God the glorie of the heauenly Ierusalem is that which we ought alwaies to meditate of and to haue the eyes of our soules fixed and bent vpon beeing like the gardaines that are kept dressed most pleasant and goodly to the eye and that yeeld all sweet and delectable fruit I went downe Christ himselfe by his example inuiteth vs to take pains to watch and obserue the time of his comming whereunto he doth exhort Math. 24. 42. To see the greene plants of the valley to see if the Vine flourished if the Pomegranets budded By earthly things wee must learne to meditate on heauenly and if wee be able to discerne of the times and seasons of the yeere that when wee see the trees to put forth leaues wee know Summer is neere is it not a shame to haue a lesse insight into those things that are the signes and forerunners of the comming of the Sonne of God to iudgement This wisedome our Sauiour teacheth vs. Matth. 24. 32. 33. There be manie signes of this glorious comming of Iesus Christ for which see that whole chapter Mathew 24. When I discerned it not my minde set me Christ loueth not to be longer absent from vs then needs he must vpon my free hearted Christian men are free-hearted people and of a willing minde seruing Christ cheerfully ioifully readily Psalm 110. not of necessity or constraint peoples chariots In such doth Christ delight to dwell to be borne vp by them to haue them for his chariots 2. Corinth 9. 7. God loueth a cheerefull giuer Returne The voice and calling of Christ is the meanes of our conuersion Returne ô Shull c. returne returne Who calleth vs earnestly continually to come vnto him and not to delay nor put it off for that doth the doubling and trebling and fowre times repeating of the word returne import O Shulamite Yea he vseth all manner of kind and louing speeches to perswade as O my Shullamite or my perfect one for all which see before Chapter 5. 1. A Christian man is perfect by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse perfect also with an Euangelicall not a legall perfection that is to say of a sound and vpright heart longing for perfection euen in regard of their renued holinesse or sanctification that we may behold thee Sinne obscureth Gods graces in vs and maketh that Christ hath no delight to looke vpon vs but faith and repentance restoreth vs to his fauour What behold you in that Shulamite as the daunse of the Machanaijmites Christ comforteth his soule by the beholding of our holinesse and righteousnesse How bewtifull c. Yea he boasteth and reioyceth of it so is there ioy in heauen for sinners that repent Luke 15. 7. O daughter of a Prince The excellencie of a christian standeth in this that hee is born again and by faith become the sonne of the great king that life of the spirit incompatably more excelling the life of a naturall man take the godliest and the gallantest then that excelleth the life of a bruite beast Let not c. There is not anie thing more pleasing to him then the spread of the Church of God and a continuall encrease of the fruites of it which are as glorious in his sight as a heape of wheate hedged about with Iâ—illies Let not the liquor faile But let thy belly be c. The duties required of him are First Faith continually fructifying Thy two breasts c. Secondly A teachablenes to sucke the milke of the word of God Thy necke c Thirdly Constancie to hold vp the truth of God Thine eyes c. thy nose c. Fourthly Iudgement to weigh and discerne of doctrines That on thy head is like skarlet c. Fiftly Grauitie and a wise cariage in all our actions A King might be tyed c. Which good graces being in vs and abounding not onely knit mens hearts vnto vs How faire c. But make God himselfe to loue and to admire vs. I say c The word of Christ ought to be an assurance to vs that wee shall be sanctified more and more howsoeuer when we looke on the one side to the resistances that are against vs and on the other side to our owne weaknes and corruptions wee haue iust cause to despaire But hee that sayd the Word is able for to doe it as casie it is for him to make vs all whole as it was to say take vp thy bedde and walke Ioh. 5. 8. I will get vp vpon the Palme-tree take hold of her branches c. The best man that is hath need of much hand to be continually pruined and lopped and to haue his superfluous branches shred from him to make him fruitfull I will c. This must be the worke of Christ himselfe Who as else where he is compared to a Vine so heere compareth himselfe to the Husbandman that taketh vs in hand to trimme and looke vnto vs Without him wee can doe nothing Ioh. 15. 5. Thy teates shall now be like the clusters of the Vine and the sauour