and are so many foule spots in her faire face making her blackish though not cole black Secondly afflictions as it were the schorching of the Sun Lastly her infirmitie that thorough the peeuishnesse of some which beare the face of bretheren not able to endure wholsome doctrine and the sweete yoke of IESVS CHRISTS but making stirres and discords in the Church and teaching insteed of Christs lores their owne fantasies and pleasures shee hath in weaknesse been driuen to yeeld in many things contrary to the duty and place which God hath set her in VERS 7. Shewe mee O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest where thou makest flock to lie downe at noone for why should I bee as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocks of thy companions Wherefore she saith she will goe to the Archbishoppe and chiefe sheppard of her soule of him to learne how to carry her selfe in the Church which is the house of the liuing God to be ordered by those Lawes onely that hee himselfe the most wise house-holder hath prescribed Heereupon she turneth her speech to Christ telling him hee onely is her delght All his ordinances she accounteth right in all things and that shee hateth euerie lying path And therefore prayeth him to teach her where hee feedeth with his Word and Sacraments where at noone day hee maketh his sheepe to rest for both feeding and resting wholy and in all things her desire is to be at his direction And euen then when others repast themselues and take their meales shee can not be in quiet vnlesse shee bee with him That so ranging her selfe among his other sheepe she may bee kept from hauing any thing to doe with strange shepheards that in name participate with CHRIST but in truth are none of his CHRIST VERS 8. If thou know not O thou fairest among women get thee out from going in the steppes of yonder flock and feed thy kiddes aboue the tabernacles of those shepheards To this Christ maketh answere first satisfying her demaund in that wherein she was not fully before enformed Bidding her by any meanes to take heed of the worldly prophane and hereticall teachers and such as are corrupted by them that shee tread not in their steps but to feâ—de her little ones the faithful flocke with the foode of heauenly doctrine in all sincerity and truth lifting them vp out and from aboue the world VERS 9. Vnto the troope of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh doe I liken thee my fellow friend By this occasion they fall to congratulate one vnto an other the good things that are in them CHRIST hee praiseth his owne gifts bestowed vpon the Church in regard of the dignity of her person by his word affirming and by the power of his spirit making her like to the horse of Pharaohs Chariot braue stately and couragious excellent for all good seruices VERS 10. Thy cheekes are comlie as with rewes of small stones thy neck as with collars And in regard of the ornaments of the spirit wherby her cheeks and neck the principall seates of beauty are set forth with rewes of precious stones gemmes collars and gorgious things as horses of those countries were wont to be VERS 11. Borders of Gold wee will make vnto thee with specks of neate siluer And not content therewith promiseth that the Father Sonne and the holy Ghost the blessed and glorious Trinity will further bewtifie and let her out with all rich graces and ornaments of the spirit with a continuall grouth of sanctification as it were pure gold bewtified with the siluer specks of a new encrease of holinesse being made more and more glorious by the reflection of his glory CHVRCH VERS 12. Whilest the King is in his circute my spicknard doth giue foorth his smell The Church resoundeth the praises of her CHRIST for the sweet and fragrant odours that from him come downe vpon her by his Word and the power of his spirit those holy things that make her so sweete her selfe and to spreade her sweetnesse farre and neere to other And that euen now whilest this Lord and King sitteth in the round globe of the highest and most glorious heauens absent in the flesh how much more when CHRIST which is her life shall appeare and reueale himselfe in glory VERS 13. My beloued is as a bundle of mirrh vnto me that lodgeth betweene my brests The cause of all is Christs dwelling in her heart by faith which maketh her both gracious and sweete as a nosegay of mirrh in a weomans bosome VERS 14. My well-bel oued is vnto mee as a cluster of Cypres in the vine-yards of Hengedie And as a cluster of Cypres full of berries within his white flower when the same is planted in fruitfull gardens such as Hengedie was CHRIST VERS 15. Behold thou art faire my fellow friend behold thou art faire thine eies are doues eies This mutuall gratulation Christ shutteth vp with exclamations setting forth her bewty the bewty she hath in him without spot and glorious also her charity and doue-like simplicity that will not cast one eie vpon any superstitions CHVRCH VERS 16. Behold thou art faire my well-beloued also delectable also our bed is greene The Church shutteth vp with commendations of the bewty and amiablenesse of her loue and the fruitfulnesse of their bed begetting many children vnto God CHRIST and CHVRCH both VERS 17. The beames of our houses are of Cedars our walkes of brute trees They both conclude with commendations of the preciousnesse of their houses and of the walkes wherein they visite one onother that is of Christs habitation in her by the communion and fellowshippe of the spirit CHAP. II. CHRIST VERS 1. I am the rose of Sharon the Lillie of the valleys THe Church and her spouse not satisfied with their former praises and the mutuâ—ll commending one of an other fall afresh vnto it Hee commendeth his owne sweete vertue which hee hath not for himselfe alone but by his spirit doth communicate to his Church VERS 2. As a Lillie among thornes so is my fellowe friend among the daughters Whereby the same as farre excelleth all other companies and assemblies through the righteousnesse and glory she receiueth from him as the Lillie doth the thornes for all are no better then thornes take them as they are but specially if they be compared with her CHVRCH VERS 3. As an aple-tree among the trees of the forrest so is my wel-beloued among the Sonnes vnder his shadow I desire that I may sit for sweet is his fruit vnto my pallat The Church againe praiseth him for his fruitfulnesse and the sweetnesse both of his shade and fruits Such and so great as she desireth no onely to rest vnder the shadowe of his grace and righteousnes thereby to be kept from the scorching heat of the wrath of God the curse of the Lawe death and condemnation being reconciled by him to his Father but to taste of the dainty fruits the fulnesse of ioyes
the Countrey let vs lodge by the Cypres Then she rouseth vp her dul hâ—auy spirits praying him not alone and by himselfe apart to spend his howers in obseruing of the time of their spirituall marriage as hee said before he did since shee also had a care and longing to haue the same consummate as well as he VERS 3 Let vs get vp early to the vine-yards let vs see if the vine budde the first grape open the pomgranets sprout there will I giue my Loues to thee Promising withall not to be found henceforth vnready not to be any more so drousie so sluggish so wretchlesse as shee was but hereafter night and day to watch and attend that hower and to enquire and learne after all the signes tokens when shee may come to be perfectly knit to Christ VERS 4 These louely flowers that giue a smel about our gates all precious things new and also old my well-beloued I keepe in store for thee In the third place shee consecrateth all shee hath vnto him and vndertaketh in the meane time against the solemnization of that marriage to prouide all manner of presents flowers garlands and the like which men at such times are wont to straw at the thresholds and in the entries That is to furnish her selfe with spirituall graces and to lay vp in store plenty and variety of heauenly treasure things both new and old VERS 5. O that thou wert as a brother vnto me sucking the brests of my mother finding thee without I would kisse thee also I should not be despised But because there rest two great workes to bee accomplished before that time can come the manifesting of God in the flesh and the calling of the Gentiles in them both shee sheweth her ardent affection and therein the aboundance of her loue and zeale to Christ Fourthly therefore you haue her desire which was the desire of all the prophets and holy men to see the day of Christ the day of his comming in the flesh that hee might be her brother and suck the brests of her mother naturally of the virgin spiritually of the Church vniuersall where Christ is borne in the hearts of the faithfull by his Word and Spirit for so comming among his owne she his owne and his onely owne would kisse him and receiue him both by faith and sense when shee should see with her eies that Word of life and behold him and her hands should feele and handle him So shold she be free from the scorns of wicked men their contumelies and despites that reproach the steppes of Gods Messias and vexe and molest the Church whilest shee is in the expectation of that happie day VERS 6. I would leade thee I would bring thee into the house of my mother which teacheth me I would giue thee to drinke of spiced wine of the iuice of the pomegranets Then saith shee there should be no delay this this should be the marriage day I would euen now without more adoe bring you into my mothers house which teacheth instructeth me in all piety and good offices to you-wards into the Catholick Church of God that all growing vp into one bodie whereof my spouse is the head I might at the last be presented as a chaste and pure virgin glorious to the Lord. Then would I giue him pleasures and delights for a King and entertaine him with a most royall banquet of the graces of Gods spirit VERS 7. His left hand vnder my head and his right hand embracing me VERS 8. I adiure you yee daughters of Ierusalem why should you stirre vp or why should you waken this loue vntill he please I haue sweete fellowshippe and rest with him neyther whilest thus I were in his armes and vnder his embracings should any the least offence be giuen to him I would be carefull to shunne all occasions of any more displeasing my loue or of causing him to retire from me VERS 9. Who is she that commeth vp out of the wildernesse ready to ioyne her selfe to her welbeloâ—ed vnder the very Appletree I waken thee where thy mother was in labour of thee where she was in labour that bare thee Hauing thus set forth her desire of Christs incarnation now shee bestoweth many sweete and gracious words to expresse and amplifie the vehemencie of this loue First by the duties shee will performe vnto him great in themselues but greater if you compare these duties of hers with those that are to be looked for from other women Was there euer saith shee any woman in the world that would endure those labours and take vpon her such perills as I doe to ioyne herselfe to her beloued But I by faith ouercome all difficulties to come to thee It is a small thing in myne eies which to others seemes so hard to put off the old man to renounce this present wicked world wherin is no pleasure nor sound delight but a very wildernesse and a desert that I may finde thee out and present my duties to thee euen in that sweete and blessed place where thy mother after the manner of other women sinne excepted fell in trauaile of thee Let me for the certeinety and secret of this wonderful hidden mystery once againe speake it where shee fell in trauaile that did beare thee This labour this toyle may bee an argument what and how great my loue is vnto thee VERS 10. O set me as a seale on thy heart as a seale on thine arme for loue is strong as death zeale hard as the graue The Coales thereof are Coales nay a fire of the flame of Iah O doe thou loue me again for this loue should be mutuall Haue me in thy minde with an earnest and continuall remembrance of me set me before thine eies imprint me vpon thine hand as an inseperable ornament of thy glory so as the wife is to her husband The second amplification of her loue is by the properties adioyned to it set forth by many elegant and apt similitudes It is most vehement most ardent most constant like to death which deuoureth all or as the dominion of death which ouercommeth all God himselfe the mighty IAH hath kindled it in our hearts by the powerfull light of his holy spirit neuer to goe out VERS 11 Much waters cannot quench this loue nor the flouds drown it If a man would giue all the substance of his house for this loue it should vtterly be contemned It is firme inuincible that neither force â—raud nor promises troubles and persecutions pleasures or commodities no height or depth things present or things to come are able to preuaile against it CHAP. VIII CHVRCH VERSE 1 We haue a sister a little one and she hath no brests what shall we doe for our sister in the day that she shall be talked of FIfthly the Church of Solomons time as maimed and imperfect till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should com in which then were a fewe and rarely called and without any ministery
wooe her loue and crying out in a passion desireth his embracings That he would be present with her ioine himselfe vnto her and remaine hers for euer This vehement desire this ardency of affection she sheweth to be most iust reasonable and fortifieth the equity the honesty the necessity the fruite and commodity thereof diuersly and many waies First the excellency of this loue is wonderfull aboue all the pleasures and delights of the world especially if it come not single but accompanied with a large nesse and a bounty from him that it may be called Loues in the plurall What wine so pleasant to the taste VERR 3. Because of the smell of thy good ointmens thy name is as an ointment powred foorth Therefore the Virgins loue thee What ointment so fragrant to the smell Was that which shead vpon Aarons head trickled downe his beard and wet the hemmes of his garment or the costly ointment that Alablaster boxe of pure Nard the Spickenard which shee powred vpon our Sauiour Christ that filled all the house with the sweetnesse of the smell Take which you will and the best ointments els they are not worthy to be named when thine ointments the ioy of gladnesse wherewith God hath annointed thee aboue thy fellowes and which thou powrest forth to the comfort of the world the refreshing of thy Saints that haue any sence and spirituall smell are talked of I speake not of my loue as present with me when I enioy his sweet selfe and haue him in mine armes No. Eye hath neuer seen eare hath neuer heard heart cannot conceiue the sweetnes of those delights But I speake of the verie remembrance of him absent and away Thwit me not here with any carnall loue or loue to steale my heart from God farre be that from my thoughts I meane nothing but that which is holy chast pure maidenly and virgin-like free as well from bodily pollution and vncleannesse as from spirituall fornication against my spouse VERS 4. Draw me after thee will we runne Let the King bring mee into his priuâ—e chambers We will reioice and be glad in thee We will record thy loues better then wine They shall record them who in all rightnes do loue thee They that will follow vaine vanities and forsake their owne mercy let them doe it But I will eleaue to thee This comming and eleauing vnto Christ is I confesse a diuine worke the worke of God himself steps beyond the reach of man which no humane foote can tread no wit can climbe vnto or comprehend vnlesse it be framed and fashioned from aboue A worke which of all others vvee are most vntoward to of such difficulty that wee must be drawen and haled and violently pulled out of our selues before wee can once settle about it hauing neither power nor so much as will vnto it for what finde I in my selfe to egge and prouoke me thereunto Whatsoeuer I haue within me or without me from the top vnto the toe from the head vnto the heeles is an vtter enemy and doth oppose and set it selfe against it yet I desire thorough the working of his holy spirit for euen the desire and first thought doth come from him not onely to walke in the pathes which notwithstanding O happy men that so doe and how few there bee that find the same but to runne in them with all my might and maine with faith hope patience and obedience to folloâ— thee O let my feete be shod and made nimble for to doe it But who thinke you is the person whom thus I loue and am so enamoured with Verely the King himselfe our Soueraigne Lord CHRIST the God of glory worthy to be loued of all able to draw aâ—l vnto his loue and to make all the gates and doores of our heart to be set open to him What may be the place whether we runne so fast and would so faine hie our selues vnto It is his owne priuie chambers his Church and house heere and after this his heauenly tabernacles where better it is to be one hower then in the Palaces of all other Kings a thousand yeeres beside The fruites and effects that come from it are admirable and diuine ioy in the holy Ghost spirituall mirth and gladnesse For the hauing whereof where or who is he shew me the man if he be a man and not a very beast that would not bid al the Iolity of the world adew It is a ioy cannot well bee hidden it will shew it selfe and fill our mouthes with the praises of his name with Psalmes hymnes and spirituall songs all too little too too litttle for him Neither will I my selfe alone take pleasure in this duty I and mine all my friends and followers whosoeuer they be that loue thee will vncessantly performe the same you prophane get you farie away The praises of God beseeme not your mouthes These pretious Iewels such pearles are not for swines sâ—outes So holy a worke belongeth to holy men It is for them whose hearts are cleane pure sanctified which waike in all integrity and in the righteousnesse of their waies These our God doth call their tongues he fines and fiâ—es to be the trumpetters of his glory Thus and by those arguments twelue in number the Church setteth forh amplifieth and enlargeth the summe of her most holy desires VERSE 5 I am black but comly O daughters of Ierusalem Like to the Kedarenes that dwell in tents but I am also like to those that dwell in the curtaines of Solomon Now because it is the property of true loue to be desirous that others also may haue a liking of the thing beloued shee remoueth the lets and hindrances that may keepe her friend and fellows in Gods election members of the Church from comming vnto CHRIST confessing there is nothing outwardly in her to bee seene that can giue concontent or make her bee liked but inwardly in the hidden man shee is amiable and full of beauty for this daughter of the King is all glorious within foule in her selfe and black euen cole black as black as any black-more or if any thing bee more black then it through sinne both originall and actuall that maketh her to com short of the glory of God and to be subiect to death and condemnation but through CHRIST and the righteousnesse shee hath in him she is goodly and glorious as Solomons courtly traine VERS 6. Looke not vpon mee because I am blackish because the Sunne hath cast his beames vpon me because the sonnes of my mother incensed against me haue made mee a keeper of other vine-yards mine owne vine-yard I haue not kept Three things indeed there bee which lay her open though washed though iustified though sanctified through CHRIST to ignomie and reproach All which notwithstanding shee is not to be despised since none of them nor they all are able to obscure the brightnes of Gods glory in her first the remnants of sinne that still cleaue vnto her
instructions comforts and consolations Out of thy tongue that milke of the Word is ready to come forth thy smell is odoriferous thine outward carriage and behauiour sweete amiable and full of grace VERS 12. A gardaine enclosed my sister spouse a spring shut a fountaine sealed vp Thou keepest thy selfe most chast vnto me ' and thy fruits sound and entire as a gardaiâ—e closed as a spring shut vp as a fountaine sealed for in thee is the cestern of that wholsom and fauing doctrine whereby the parts of the field or gardaine of my Church the beddes and plantes particular congregations are all watred and which no stranger can haue accesse vnto for none entreth thither but in and thorough me VERS 13. Thy plants are as of an orchard of pomegranets with fruit of precious things as Cypres with Spicknard VERS 14. Spicknard and Safron sweete Canes and Cinamon with all trees of Frankinsence mirrh and Santales with all the chiefe spices To conclude thy plants meaning the fruits of faith are most precious as an orchard stored with all precious and delicate fruits CHVRCH VERS 15. O fountaine of the gardains O Well of liuing waters and flowing more then the waters of Lebanon The Church ioying in her spouses thus gracious accepting of her doth first modestly attribute all she hath to him Doest thou call me a spring and fountaine giuest thou me the name of a gardaine Vouchsafest thou mee such honour that my fruits should bee esteemed as sweete spices O but how soeuer I may in some sort disperse vnto mine the waters of life yet thou in truth art the onely fountaine from whose fulnesse we all receiue I water but from thee thou art the onely well of liuing water out of the which I doe drawe thou art the wind and comfortable ayre that purgest thy gardaine makest seasonable times raine and faire weather as is most commodious and best for the manurance of it I whatsoeuer I haue meate drinke or any thing else it is all of the gift of thy hand my life and sauing health I haue and hold from thee VERS 16 Awake O North and com O South breath vpon my gardaine Let those waters ouerflow the spices of it Let my well-beloued come vnto his gardaine and eate his dainty fruits Wherefore saith she deny not these two things vnto me blesse me yet more with all spirituall blessings Let thy windes blow vpon my gardaine and those liuing waters ouer flow my beddes and spices Secondly come and dwell with me feast and make merry in the middest of my soule and conscience for euen heere also as well as in Heauen thou hast as thou sayest a gardaine CHRIST VERS 17. I am com into my gardain my sister spouse I gather my mirrh with my spice I eate my hony-combe with my hony I drinke 〈◊〉 wine with my milk Eate fellow friends drinke and bee dronke O yee my well-beloued O no saith hee you know not what you aske that were nothing good for you and hurtfull to many other for yet til the marriage day doe com my place is to be in heauen with the infinite thousands of holy Angels and spirits of the righteous that are deceased where I in them and they in me take incomparable pleasure delight and where I welcome and entertaine most louingly with all dainties and delightfulnesse the faithfull soules whom I dayly take out of this transitory world into euerlasting glory CHAP. V CHVRCH VERS 1. I being asleepe but my heart awake heard the voice of my wellbeloued bounsinâ— open to mee my sister my fellow friend my doue my vndefiled one for my head is filled with deâ—â—e my locks with the droppes of the night WE come now to the second part of this booke which is the falling out between Christ his Church The fault whereof is first of al laid where it was in the Churches vnkindnes to him which she her selfe sticâ—eth not to acknowledge that it grew from her owne drowsinesse and carnall security Although thus farre to bee excused that it was thorough weakenesse and humane frailety against her owne heart and liking not with that full swing of sinne that the wicked giue themselues scope to runne into nor with all her heart and soule The spirit being alwaies ready to doe his part though the fleshe were weake Her faith was smothered it was not put out yet this one sinne as the nature of such things is went not alone it was accompanied with a multitude of other sinnes reiecting him so scornefully who with his owne lacred vâ—ice spake vnto her to arise from the sleepe of sinne and to awake vnto righteousnesse and yet could not preuaile What might be done that hee did not to reclaime and bring her home For the manner of his comming it was not only knocking but bounsing at the dore of her heart by the ministery of his Word vehemently ernestly more then once The thing he did desire small in it self so easie for her to graunt as nothing could bee more onely to open and to let him in He spake so kindâ—ly so louingly in such a gentle and so earnest a manner as might haue moued a heart of flint gaue her such and so many so sweete and so honourable titles all with one breath my sister my friend my doue mine vndefiled one bestowed such care and diligence to compasse his desires as if it were his own good that he sought and not hers Hee bearing all the infirmities of our nature and the inconueniences of this life compared to the night in regard of the life to come refused to vndergoe no perill nor wearisomenesse or incommodity of weather no toile or trouble for her sake to goe by day or by night early in the morning or late in the euening in faire of foule weather in the dewe and in the raine his head and his haire his skull and his locks all beesprinckled and wet that what heart not made of stone could be so vnkinde to let him stand without in the raine and in the dangers and hazards of the night VERS 2 To whom I answered I haue put off my coate how should I put it on I haue washed my feete how should I foule them Yet for all that euery vaine pretence euery fond and friuolous excuse was enough to keep her from admitting Christ and from opening the dore vnto him that dore of her heart whereby through a true and liuely faith Christ doth make an entrance and is receiued and more and more fruitfully applied vnto vs. A manifest argument what small account shâ—e made of him and how little shee set by the inestimable good that he came to bring vnto her preferring a little ease and daintines before the pleasures that are in him Shee thought it for sooth a matter of no small adoe to put on her coate againe and rise when once she was abed for feare of catching cold she was loath to touch the ground with her feet now they wer
loue is all fierie and kindleth and enflameth the very bowels of the heart Let him â—â—sse c. Secondly a desire to bee knit vnto him as neere as is possible to enioy his sweete and blessed coniunction For thy loues are excellent better then wine Thirdly a preferring of the loue of Christ before all worldly things and aboue all the pleasures and delights of this present life Because c. Fourthly a magnifying and extolling of Christ whose very name and the only remembrance of him is most sweet fragrant which draweth the Christian heart vnto a loue and in loue to an admiration of him The virgins This loue if you consider the quality thereof is chast holy pure and they only loue Christ who keepe themselues vndefiled from worldly pollution and vncleanesse Draw mee The efficient cause is not in our selues it commeth from Christ alone who speaking to our heart by the ministery of the Word and the sweet allurements of his spirit pulleth vs out of this present euill world and draweth vs after him Then will wee runne Heereby strength is put into vs which maketh our feete nimble and shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace to runne after Christ and with might and maine to performe all holie duties to him Let the King Whereunto wee are enabled by the corroborating spirit of Christ into whose hands God the Father hath committed all things and giuen him all power in Heauen and vpon the earth making him both Lord and Christ the King and ruler of his Church Bring me into his primie chambers Who in his fauour and princely bounty communicateth vnto vs more and more the rich graces and treasures of his Spirit maketh vs more inward with him and and leadeth vs as it were by the hand into his priuy chambers those goodly roomes and parlours where are all the Iewells and precious things laid vp for his people Wee will reioyce c. This draweth from vs ioy in the holy Ghost glorious and vnspeakeable Wee will record c. It maketh vs neuer to satisfie our selues in setting forth and publishing vnto other the sweete comforts wee haue in him They shall c. Whom also wee desire to bee made pertakers hereof and to loue Christ as well as wee Who in all rightnesse doe loue thee For such men onely the holy and righteous are the siluer trumpets fit to sound forth Gods praises in his sanctuariâ— O if we euer felt how sweet a thing it is to haue his praises in our mouth let vs not commit by word and deed that through our owne folly and loosenesse so great a comfort should be taken from vs. I Lastly wee are carefully to remooue all lets and impediments that may hinder their approach to Christ 〈◊〉 Conflicts we haue great and grieuous with our owne soules many a pluck and wrestle but by faith wee ouercome them all black Wee confesse our owne wretchednesse of ourselues more black then any blackamore and therefore vnworthy to be matched with so great a King for wee are borne in sinne and conceiued in iniquity and are by nature the children of wrath euen wee that liue in the Church and are borne within the outward couenaunt aswell as other men Eph. 2. Gal. 2. but comlie But being purged and washed by the lauer of the new birth wee are gracious and pleasing vnto Christ more amiable and bewtifull in his eies then Solomon with all his brauery could bee to the eie of any mortall creature Looke not vpon mee True it is the world seeth not this honour which Gods children haue because it is spiritually discerned it acknowledgeth not vs because it knoweth not him Yet the Christian man comfortâ—th himselfe himselfe in the testimony of his owne conscience and and in Gods iudgement and estimation of him because I am blackish Though hee carrie about many remnants of sinne the reliques of his old Adam and is manifoldly assaulted with the pricks temptations of the fleâ—â— For sinne is in vs as the spots are in the Leopard not by accident but by nature which no art can cure no water wash off because they are not in the skinne but in the fleshe bones in the sinowes in the most inner parts By this meanes it commeth to passe that euen a regenerate man falleth many times and falleth grieuously and fearefully lofeth of his hold and of the bewty that God hath giuen him Howbeit the seede of God abiding in him maketh that he cannot sinne finally and totally for the oyle of Gods spirit where with hee is annointed setteth the colours which are of his owne tempering so sure on and maketh them cleaue so fast together that it is impossible hee should euer returne to his old hew to be black all black coale-black as he was before The holinesse therefore of a Christian is alwaies mingled with sinne his siluer with much drosse not as chaffe is mingled with corne but as wine is mingled with water or as when two colours black and white are mingled together that there is no part white but it is blackish also Because the Sunne hath cast his beames vpon mee Hence it is that a Christian is subiect to much affliction anguish and distresse as it were to the scorching of the Sunne which turne all his moisture into the drought of Somer Because the sonnes of my mother incensed against me Especially his sinnes and infirmities expose him to the taunts and reproaches of the wicked open mens mouthes against him and against the holy trueth of God for his sake who vpon euery slip are ready to take aduantage to scandalize the Gospell Hereby a christian is exceedingly humbled and cast downe and driuen to renounce and for sake armes Neyther can he euer satisfie his own soule but dâ—â—reth alwaies to rest there without any the least interruption It is the voice The cause of all comfort to the Church is the voice of Christ speaking to her heart and mouing and perswading her by his Spirit His dealings are by degrees and he vseth not ordinaryly to vtter all his fauours at once of my well-beloued First is his power supporting vs that in our spirituall sicknesse the spirit bee not quenched Behold him Then hee speaketh a farre of whispering as it were in our heart hee commeth After hee commeth neeror at the length hee is himselfe present Lepping skipping When he commeth his comming hath foure excellent properties First it is hastely and with speede Vpon these hilles vpon these hillocks Secondly no sinnes of ours no vnworthinesse can hinder his approach all things high or lowe great or small offences are too little for to stay him Standeth behind c. Thirdly he doth not com so to our senses as wee desire hee communicateth not his whole presence with vs but standeth as it were behind the wall so as there is a space betweene him and vs to keepe him from vs Hee looketh but out of a casement or as it were thorough a
owne soule God maketh vs in the end of feele more liuely our fellowship with Christ Is mine and I am his The roote and fountaine of all our happinesse is our coniunction and communion with him Who feedeth in Lillies The fruites comming from it excellent for CHRIST our Shepheard feedeth his flocke in most sweete and delicate pastures Till that daie breath The two principall things which a Christian is to wish for and desire after are perfection in heauen by the comming of Iesus Christ and constancie and perseuerance vnto that day And these mistes flie awaie In this life manie mistes and shadowes are cast before our eyes much ignorance of God and of holy duties which that bright and glorious comming of our Lord and Sauiour as the rising of the Sunne will scatter all awaie CHAP. III. VERS 1. 2. In my bed anightes c. THe childe of God hath manie times great vnquietnesse of mind for lack of the feeling of Christ Being so affected as a man desolate and without comfort he seekes after him in al places at all times in the night and by day a bedde and when he is vp at home and without doores in the Citie by the streetes and the lanes and abroad in the fields by prinate prayer and meditation with his owne soule by vsing the helpe counsell and aduise of godly brethren by seeking for comfort at the hands of the Ministers of the word Such is his desire and vnwearâ—ed trauaile for the finding of Christ Here is the vse wee should make of being priuate and this is a holy spending of our time when we employ it in stirring vp our soules to be assured of the mercies of God in Christ not as the world for the most part doth in studying how to wreake our malice or to compasse other wicked desires neither yet in idle and fruitlesse pastimes himselfe to goe out of himselfe and to be no bodie in his owne eâ—es But yet hee looketh vnto Christ whose garments of righteousnesse are broade and large and wide enough to couer all imperfections and who of his free grace is pleased to accept him and to bestow vpon him the ornaments of his Spirit whereby howsoeuer in much weakenesse and in the middest of manie fraileties yet in the truth and soundnesse of his heart being sincere and vpright before him albeit the least of these things were enough to discourage him from euer comming vnto Christ or hauing any more to doe with him yet neither for other mens reproaches nor for all the conscience of his owne infirmities hee leaueth to seeke vnto him to call and crie vpon him for whither else should he goe but to things that cannot profit haue made me a keeper of other vines c. There commeth yet a further mischiefe home-enemies borne and bredde in the bosome of the Church which as vipers eat out the bowels of their mother and make naturall rents and breaches among their owne brethren For God euermore leaueth in his Church some vnquiet spirits to gall them for the tryall of the faith of his children that the approued among them may be knowne And let men pretend what they lift set what face they will vpon it it is the hatred of the truth and of the professors of the truth that maketh them so to stirre because worldly minded men cannot abide the sincerity of the Gospell that fighteth against their pompe pride and ambitious designes And howsoeuer they lay the fault from themselues and cast it vpon Gods children that stick close to the ordinances of God as wayward and conceited persons yet in truth they are the factious and those that make diffention in the Church Howbeit the best men that are the holiest Churches and most reformed assemblies are often times turned out of the right waie partly mislead and seduced through a vaine alâ—urement of humane wisdome partly carried away by the violence of the stormes and tempests that these men raise against them Yet we must not please our selues in the deformities of the Church our care must bee to haue al according to the paterne that was shewed in the mount Shew me where thou feedest c. To this purpose we are wholy and throughout to submit our selues to be ordered by the chiefe shepheard and Bishop of our soules for hee onely must direct all necessarie things in his Church by the wisedome of his Word from him wee receiue the foode of sweete and heauenly doctrine hee it is that ordeâ—eth our labour and our rest euen at noone day the whole gouernment and guidance of his house O thou whom my soule loueth The sins of Gods elect through his wonderfull wisdome that bringeth light out of darkenesse and good out of euill turne vnto their comfort make them more to call and crie vpon Christ to loue him more with all their soule to desire more earnestly to bee ioyned vnto him and to vse all holy meanes of attaining thereunto Atnoone And that with such affection that when other are resting or taking their repasts the christian man can haue no comfort nor eate his meaâ—e vnlesse he be with Christ Thou feedest thou makest thy flocke to lâ—e c. This meanes of comming vnto Christ is the ministry of the word in the Church and Congregation of Saints which are as it were one fould vnder one Shepheard feeding with the food of life For why should I be as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocke of thy companions Herein great care and circumspection is to be had that we ioine not our selues to false teachers which com vnder the name of Christs shepheards but inwardly are rauening wolues If thou know not In which behalfe the faithfull man though he be in Christ and shine in the graces of the Spirit yet laboureth of much ignorance and is many times ouertaken and therefore had neede to be instructed and set into the way Get thee out c. Which is to trie the Spirits whe 〈◊〉 they be from God for the touchstone of all doctrine is by the word if it bee heauenly and celestiall not sauoring of the world Vnto the troope c And being so as many as walke according to this rule the bâ—dge of the Israel of God peace is vpon them and mercie such a mans person is accepted to God the graces and ornaments of the Spirit in him are sweet and pleasing Borders of gold we will make Yea God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost the most blessed and glorious Trinity will dock and set him forth more and more and bestowe more good things vpon him and more enrich him with all heauenly blessings transforming him from glory vnto glorie My Spicknard giueth forth his smell These promises comfort the Christian soule and bring a sweet refreshing to the senses My Welbe loued is as a bundle of myrâ—h Acknowledging all to come from Christ and from the vertue of his power Whose excellency we must consider not simply as it resteth in himselfe but
as by the sweete influence of his graces he maketh vs pertakers of it And since he voucâ—aâ—eth to bestow these sweete things vpon vs â—uâ—n now whilest wee are strangers from him and walke hâ—â—â—eby faith and not by sight what and how great things must those needs be which then wee shall enioy when Christ which is our life shall reneale himselfâ— from heaâ—en Behold thâ—â— art faire â— In the ioyfull expectation of which happy and blessed time that wee faint not nor be discouraged Christ doth still confirme his loue vnto vs and by his Word and the comfort of his spirit assureth vs how pleasing wee are in his sight both thorough our imputed righteousnesse which maketh vs faire all faire before him and for the fruits of holinesse and sanctification in a doue-like chastity and simplicity without any guile Behold thou art c. Wee againe returne the praise of all this vnto him who is our only righteousnesse and through whom alone it is that we bring forth fruit alwaies fresh and flourishing and acceptable vnto God through the communion we haue with Christ dwelling and walking in the middest of vs as in his house and temples The bewty of our houses c. The excellency of Christs glory is to be seen in the publick assemblies we must not look for it in ciuil Courts meetings at faires at markets in pastimes sports in banquâ—ting feastings though all these in their time and place be lawfull But if we will see Christ in his bewty we must goe to the Church and congregation of his Saints where the same shineth and shewâ—th it selfe in the ministery of the Word and Sacraments CHAP. II. VERS 1. I am the Rose c. Al the good wee haue commeth from Christ who is most sweete himselfe and the author of sweetnesse vnto others As a Lillie The Christian thus formed and fashioned by the mighty operation of his spirit excelleth all the world beside for in them onely are all sound vertues to be found Piety Iustice chastity temperance prudence for titude magnanimity which eyther are not at all in the wicked or at the least they haue but a shadowe of them dead and drie stalkes onely the flower and blossomes are in the godlie among thâ—rnes All men beefore they bee in Christ are but thornes not only vnprofitable and void of good but noxious and hurtful replenished with all euill As the Apletree c. so is my well-beloued The Christian man neuer satisfieth himselfe with the magnifying of Christ vnder his shadow c. The shade of whose bowghs doth so refresh his soule that he delighteth to dwell and haue his aboade vnder it for euer for hee onely it is that with his sweet shadow fenceth vs from the burning wrath of God For sweete is his fruit c. Being renewed by the holy Ghost hee conceiueth an incomparable delight in those good things that are so wrought within him In comparison whereof he despiseth all the gew-gawes that the world so admireth and doateth after He brought me into his banqueting house The author of our vocation regeneration iustification sanctification and saluation is Christ whose owne most sacred hands leade vs to this sweete and delightfull feast haâ—ing loue The cause hereof is not in vs but from himselfe first louing vs and by his loue as by a banner set before vs drawing vs to loue him againe and to range our selues vnder his colours Yea keeping vs so neere about him and so fast vnto him by the power of his Spirit that it is impossible any should pull vs out of his hands or that so much as one of those should perish whom God the Father hath giuen vnto Christ Stay me hold me vp The instrumentall cause he vseth is the preaching of the Word by his ministers and seruants with these flagons with these apples The Word I say of reconciliation which is the ioyful and glad tidings of our peace made with God sweeter then the hony and the hony combe and therefore compared here to wine and apples not the doctrine of the Lawe which is the ministery of death and condemnation The assemblies of the Church where this heaueâ—ly Gospell soundeth are excellent helpes to quicken our dulnesse and to make vs feele a greater measure of the loue of Christ For I am sick of loue For the heart of a faithfull man euen when it is best affected is subiect to many qualmes to much vexation and disquietnesse of minde to bee euen sick as it were for the loue of Christ because he cannot enioy him as hee would And then is the word preached most sweete vnto his soule His left c The whole vertue and power of the ministery commeth from Christ they water and plant but he only giueth the encrease they doe their worthy endeauour to stay and vnderprop our faith but that notwithstanding we shall shall soone fall to the ground if Christ put not to his hand to keepe vs vp Left hand right hand Yea such is our vntow ardnesse the naturall corruption that is in vs so great the worke of our new birth so marueilous so hard to bee brought about and to goe through with that wee had neede of both the hands of Christ to bee about vs to claspe and hold vs fast least we fall away I adiure c. The beleeuer is wrapt with an exceeding ioy and comfort when once hee feeleth himselfe to haue Christ and to lie as it were in his I sought The conferences of Gods children their confession of sinnes one vnto another and mutuall praiers for each other whet one an other as iron whetteth iron and it is a sweete thing to conuerse with such by whom wee may this way receiue comfort The Wath-men c. Especially the holy Ministerie shineth most and is the sanctified meanes to bring vs to Christ Yet God delayeth his comforts manie times euen to those that with vpright hearts and consciences from the bottome of their soule seeke after him That wee may learne nor to depend vpon the meanes but vpon God and to attribute all to his grace and vertue Christ therefore is not alwaies to bee found to our minde nor in our sense and feeling though we vse all good and holy meanes for it Howbeit for all that he is indeed alwaies present with his people did ye see him whom my soule loueth The loue of Christ cannot bee concealed a man may sooner keepe in the winde with his fiste or stay the oyntment of his right hand from bewraying it selfe as it is Prou. 27. 16 then not to vtter his loue to Christ whomsoeuer he meet fitly withall I spake of thy Lawe before Princes sayth Dauid and was not ashamed I found him c. Christ being sought carefully and diligently will at the length bee found according to his promise Seeke and ye shall 〈◊〉 c. he neuer returneth the desires of his seruants emptie When I had past but a little from them This he
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
him Yea we had need againe and againe to be beaten vpon and all little enough So you haue the truth of that which Elehu telleth Ioh God speaketh once and twice and a man doth not discerne it Iob. 33. 14. Wee are speedily to turne to God and not to put off our repentance for So much also doth the word bounsing import Signifying all three that is to say earnest and often knocking and a desire speedily to be let in Open Of our selues and by nature we are held prisoners and captiues of Sathan as it were vnder lock and key till Christ open the dore and let vs loose by his word and the power of his Spirit God ceaseth not to vse all good meanes that possibly may be deuised to drawe vs home vnto him What how many and how gracious arguments dooth hee bring in this place Taken first from the easinesse of the thing it is but to open the doore Tome Secondly from his owne person open to me not your enemy but your friend your louer one that seekes your good My sister c. Thirdly from our person that should not sticke to doe a greater matter then that My fellow-friend my Doue my vndefiled one Fourthly by the manner of his speaking with all the sweet and kinde words that can be imagined speaking to our heart as he sayth hee will Hos 2. 14. and beseeching as it were when he may commaund As if Christ besought you by vs sayth the Apostle 2. Cor. 5. 20. For my head is filled with dewe my lockes with the droppes of the night Fiftly by comparing his owne cares labours and trauailes taken for vs whom wee may be ashamed so vnthankfully to requite that wee will doe nothing for him againe Thus he leaueth no meanes vnattempted no arguments no perswasions to call vs backe when we goe astraie The loue of Christ wherewith hee hath loued vs ought to be a speciall motiue for vs to loue him againe So Paul teacheth 2. Cor. 5. 14. 15. For the loue of Christ constraineth vs iudging this that if one died for all then were all dead And he died for all that they which liue might no more liue vnto themselues but vnto him which died for them c. To whom I answered Sinne goeth not singly and alone one and no more but the nature of it is for one sinne to drawe manie other after it How should I c. Sinne for the most part is ioined with hardnesse of heart and where sinne hath once seized without a great mercie of God it stoppeth all the passages from admitting of the voice of Christ I haue put off my coatâ— c. I haue washed my feete c. how should I c. Where sin possesseth the soule Sathan is strong and forcible to cast mistes before vs to make euery babble not worth the naming to seeme a great matter in our eyes and sufficient to hold our Christ Put it on foule them A little case carnal pleasure with those that haue not their hearts effectually touched preuaileth more then all the ioies and delights that are to be found in Christ My welbeloued let downe c Wee must receiue Christ when hee offereth himselfe vnto vs for it we refuse him hee will not alwaies continue knocking Seeke the Lord vvhilest hee may be found Esay 55. 6. But the ease pleasure and commodities of this life are great impediments to hold vs back and to make vs seeke all manner of delaies The Word and all other outward meanes profit little vnlesse it please God by his spirit to make the same effectuall Therefore in Hoshea 2. 14. with the Word and with afflictions is ioyned his owne perswading of vs by the inward working of his Spirit without which the other auaileth nothing The ministery of the Word bringeth not forth fruit alwaies at the instant but many times the sweete impression that it leaueth behind euen then when it seemeth to fall by the waie side is at the length in his time effectuall to drawe men vnto God My bowels earning within mee God suffereth not his to lie still in security as hee doth the wicked which is an other difference between these two but one time or other awakneeth them out of the sleepe of sinne how long soeuer they continue in it The two degrees of repentance are heere to bee obserued First an earning of the heart compunction of soule and spirit comming from a sight of our sinnes and preaching of the Lawe So it is said Dauids heart smote him when hee cut off the lap of Sauls garment to thinke hee had so dallied with that monster of sinne And Ier. 31. 19. bringeth in Ephraim saying After I shall be made to know my sinne I will clap on my thigh in token of mourning As contrariwise of the wicked the same Prophet saith Ier. 8. 6. There is none that saith What haue I don I arose to open to my wel-beloued The second is a conceiuing of comfort a raising vp of our selues by the sweet promises of the Gospell for both see Acts 2. 37 38 39. My hands dropped mirrh and my fingers soft mirrh in the handles of the lock The very sweetnesse that Christ leaueth behinde him when to our feeling hee departeth from vs and as it were the shadow of his presence doth marueilously rauish a Christian man This appeareth by the ioy and comfort that the people of God tooke in the Arke the Temple and other symboles which Phineas wife shewed when she so bewailed the taking of the Arke that she called her sonnes name I chabod The glory is departed 2. Sam. 4. 21. How much more sweete then must it bee to receiue Christ himselfe to enioy his owne presence which bringeth all good things with it I arose to open c. A third note of repentance which the Apostle speaketh of 2. Cor. 7. 11. is heere also to be seene studie or care and diligence that is to say a framing of our heart and disposition to awake from sleepe and to seeke after Christ I opened c. And a putting of the same in execution my well-beloued withdrew himselfe he passed awey Christ for our incredulity and hardnes of heart doth somtimes after a sort leaue vs for a while withdrawing all comfortable sense and feeling of his grace This is that spirituall desertion that Gods children may fall into and is one of those heauy iudgements that God punisheth their sinne withall I fell into a swoune A fourth note of repentance is zeale to faint for the absence of Christ and to be sick of loue for him I sought him I cryed on him A fift also to seeke him to call and crie vpon him to wander vp and downe after him finally to leaue nothing vndon till wee finde him which the Apostle calleth a longing or desire after him because of his speech The meditation and calling to minde of the word of God of that which wee haue heard in the publick congregations and