spoken of and to be considered what it is 2 Who made it to wit Solomon 3 To whom he made it to himself 4 Whereof both generally and in the particular parts as pillars bottom covering and pavement And 5 For whom with himself to wit The daughters of Jerusalem First then there is a Chariot spoken of by which is meant the preaching of the Gospell compared to a Chariot because as a man is carried whither he will in his Chariot even so is Christ's Name by the preaching of the Gospell for which cause our Saviour said to Ananias concerning Paul that he should be a chosen vessell unto â—…m to carry his Name before the Gentiles And for this cause also the same is compared to that white Horse in the Revelation whereon our Saviour is said to ride and be carried Rev. 6. 2. The word in the originall is apirion from parah to flourish to show that by the preaching of the Gospell is the Church her flourishing and enlargement the Word being that spirituall seed whereby many are begotten anew to Christ and the Church's onely diadem or glory as we see Rev. 12. 1. unlike to that of the Whore's of externall pomp Rev. 17. This Chariot therefore is a triumphall Chariot wherein he that rides and has a Crown given him as is said in the Revelation goes forth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6. 2. and therefore saies the Apostle speaking of his preaching the Gospell Now thanks be unto God which alwaies causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place 2 Cor. 2. 14. They who draw this Chariot are the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell who therefore fitly may be compared to these goodly and richly furnished Horses in Pharaoh's Chariots Cant. 1. 9. or to that white Horse whereon Christ is said to ride and to go forth upon conquering He likewise who drives this Chariot as Ezekiel showes is the Spirit of God who makes the Wheeles thereof and them whom he rules to go in their course Ezek 1. 20. and 12. 1 Straight forward or as the Apostle speaks with a streight foot in the Gospell 2 As Esay speaks with alacrity and doing God's work diligently Esa 60. 8. fleeing as clouds and doves to the windowes of the Temple And 3 as Ezekiel in the forecited place saith Without turning back or taking their hand from the plough constantly as we are taught Phil. 3. 13. c. Secondly He who made this Chariot is said to be King Solomon shewing hereby who institutes the holy Ministry or Teachers of his Church to wit King Jesus the true Solomon and Wisdome of the Father and therefore saies the Apostle That it is he that gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ Ephes 4. 11. Even as it was he that called Bezaleel and Aholiab and sitted them for the work of the Tabernacle Exod. 31. 2. Thirdly For whom made he this Chariot The Text saies sibi or to himself that is for his own glory in the riches of his grace which he has made manifest by the preaching of the Gospell to Mankind So that this should be the aim of all faithfull Pastors as our Saviour did not to seek their own glory but the glory of him who sent them in the procuring of the salvation of his people and referring all the glory of their successefull pains to him onely who gives the increase Fourthly This Chariot is said to be made of the wood of Lebanon meaning thereby the Cedars that grew there in Lebanon which was a hill neer Hermon and whereon such sort of Trees for the most part did grow which Cedars 1 were a sort of tall Trees signifying here thereby that Ministers of God's Word should mount upwards not onely in holy and heavenly meditation but likewise in affection seeking those things that are above and in a daily grouth of grace whereunto they exhort others and of a holy life who are therefore compared to Stars that are in a heavenly station and not found on the earth 2 Cedars were strongly rooted as we see Hos 14. 5. and so should Pastors be specially both in firmnesse of sound doctrin and holy confidence as builded on a Rock 3 The Cedars of Lebanon were such as afforded a good smell as we see Hos 14. 6 7. and so do faithfull Pastors both by sound and comfortable doctrin and by a holy life and example and therefore saies the Apostle For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved 2 Cor 2. 15. 4 Cedar-wood was durable and not subject as other wood to rottennesse and corruption and so are faithfull Pastors and should be neither corrupt in doctrin nor in life and conversation Next more particularly it is said that the pillars thereof were of silver by which pillars the chief Pastors in God's Church are understood such as were the Apostles and others of eminent note as we see Peter James and John called Gal. 2. 9. so called both in respect of their own stability as also of their bearing up by the word of Truth the Church and house of God wherein they are placed These pillars also are said to be of silver which is a costly and precious shining mettall showing thereby how precious faithfull Pastors are in God's sight and as they are profitable like pillars how precious also such should be in the eyes of Gods people before whom they shine both in life and doctrin and especially of what price and estimation the Word which they preach should be unto them as we see David professes and as his son Solomon declares saying The tongue of the righteous is as choise silver Psal 119. 72. The second part whereof he speaks in particular is the foundation or bottom which he saies is of gold and by which bottom the foundation of the Apostles their doctrine is meant as we see Rev. 21. 14. and Ephes 2. 20. said to be of gold the most precious and durable metall of any to shew the most precious worth of the Word of God registred in Scripture and the perpetuall indurance of the same against which neither the rust of corruption time which weareth all things nor the malice of the devill and the gates of hell shall ever prevail The covering of which Chariot is said to be of purple which is nothing else but Christ's bloodshed death and passion and the vertue and merit thereof preached which covers and cleanses our souls and saves them from the wrath of God and eternall destruction as the blood of the Paschall Lamb an aspersion thereof upon the Israelites door-cheeks and lintells saved them from the destroying Angell And therefore this being the clefts of the Rock which is spoken of Cant. 2. 14. whereunto as a cover or shelter the simple dove has her
not known almost what way to turne them till in the end they have had here with the spouse their refuge to Christ to be taught and resolved by him The next part of his speech to her is directory directing her where to go to wit by the steps of the flock But seeing it is the church which makes this request that He would show her where He feeds what flock does he feed beside His Church Is not she His only flock What other flock is this then whose steps she must trace to find Him and where he feeds Indeed the Church is but one in respect of the unity of faith and charity and Christ feeds no other flock beside Her But in respect of the diversity of times and places she may be diversly considered and may be said to be divers flocks and therefore we must observe here that this is the prayer of the Church ever on earth militant and there be who were upon earth in former time that are now in Heaven triumphant whose steps notwithstanding in sacred History yet may be seene and what truth they profest and how they worshipped God It is this flock then that He meanes of true and faithfull worshippers and whose steps he willes Her to follow as the Apostle yet calls to all saying Follow me as I follow Christ Also it is to be noted that He bids her go forth Leaving nature the practice of sinne the society of seducers the suggestion of flesh and blood And Next he bids her feed her kids by the shepherds Tents where we have 1. What is meant by Her kids 2. What by the shepherds and their Tents First then by kids are meant young and tender Christians for the goats whose young ones kids are being indeed sometime opposed to sheep signifie the wicked yet usually also they figured in the Law the godly offered up by mortification as sacrifices to God Rom. 12. 1. And Christ Himself was signified by goats and kids by the Apostles exposition Heb. 9. 12. Kids likewise they are called or young goats to show what they are by nature when they are at first brought to Christ and to feed on the greene pasture of His word to wit goatish and petulant till the change by grace and the meanes thereof be wrought upon them from goats to be Christs sheep appointed for his right Hand kids also for tender age denoting that even from our younger years we should be a ccustomed according to Timotheus's commondation with the pasture of Gods word to be fed thereby Next by these shepherds spoken of who fed and guided these anicent flocks are meant the Holy Prophets and Apostles to whom as Christ said to Peter passce oves meas Christ committed his sheep to feed and upon whose doctrine as the only true foundation St. Paul declares the whole house of God which is his Church to be built and by their Tents is meant their writings or the displayed and firme doctrine of the truth which they fully and faithfully preached and left unto all posterity registrate in Scripture Observations 1. We see How readily he answers her petition From which we observe the Lords promptitude in answering the petitions of his own specially craving spirituall things as He showes us Luk. 11. 11. 2. Out of the style he gives her of being fairest among women we see the difference between the judgment of the blind world and Christ's who not seeing the spirituall beauty of Christs church Rev. 12. 1. but looking on Her outward base and afflicted condition vilifies her while as her members are the Lords Jewels and she is most beautifull being justified and sanctified in him to her Heavenly husband 3. We see here also a great comfort to every godly soul in temptation when Satan upbraides unto them their filthiness and pollution by sinne and therefore how can so pure and Holy a God delight in them or count them fair or beautifull To whom such may reply that though they be so by sinne yet being washed and sanctified they are beautifull in His eyes who sees no Iniquity in Jacob but whose blood has clensed them his spirit renewed them and whose love has covered the multitude of their infirmities 4. As we see the difference betweene the judgment of the blind world and Christ's concerning his Church so also between Her owne Judgment of her self and Christ's she sayed of her self before I am black and He sayes here that she is most beautifull to reach us to be vile in our own eyes and humble like the publican and then the Lord will the more highly esteeme of us and exalt us 5. Whereas in such a meek manner without rebuking her for her ignorance He tells her what to do to wit to go forth by the foot-steps of the flock and besides the Tents of the shepherds we see a true and sure directory in his words in the matter of Religion to wit to insist in the steps of the profession and practise of Gods true people who have gone before us as we find them cleerly set before our eyes in the writings of the faithfull shepherds of his Church to wit the Prophets and Holy Apostles 6. We see how the godly they not only do good in their life time but also by their good example registrate in Holy Scripture which they left behind them being dead they do good in like manner therefore Heb. 11. 4. by that oblation of Abel's and his faith manifested therein being dead he is said yet to speak and instruct others how to worship good in like faith and sincerity 7. Lastly we see 1. How will these agree to wit the flock's foot-steps with the shepherds Tents a holy practice in people with sound doctrine of pastors and 2. That hereby Christs flock may be knowne to be his true flock to wit by insisting in the profession of propheticall and apostlicall truth which is the Tents of these here spoken of Verse 9. and 10. I have compared thee O my Love to a company of Horses in Pharoah's charets thy cheeks are comely with rowes of Jewels thy neck with chaines of Gold After our Saviours direction of his Church according to her petition followes to the end of the Chapter the mutuall commendation one of another and 1. His of her wherein we have 1. How he styles her 2. Whereto he compares her First then he styles her his love in the originall My fellow friend 1. Who delights in my company 2. Eats and drinks with me and. 3. Who is ready to participate in weal and woe This love of his is she whom he loves not vvith a generall love as he does all his creatures as they are his workmanship and as he saw them good at the beginning but vvith a speciall love which is twofold benevolentiae vvhereby he elected his Church and complacentiae vvhereby he dedelights in her and in her obedience or beauty of holiness This speciall love vvhich he has to his Church has these properties
16. 3. Even so the Lord of his free grace out of the corrupted and accursed masse of mankind has separate and chosen a select number to be his Church to dwell in the midst of them by a peculiar and constant presence of grace here and to advance them at last to dwell with him in eternall glory hereafter 3. In respect of Situation firmly founded upon a Mount that cannot be removed as we see Psalm 125. 1. but abideth for ever even so is the Church of God built upon a sure foundation the Rock Christ Jesus against which the gates of Hell shall no-wise prevail 4. In respect of defence and fortification with Mountains round about Walls and Watch-Tovvers as vve see Psalm 125. 2. Isai 62 6. Ezekiel 33 3. Even so as the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people sayes the Psalmist from hence forth even for ever Psalm 125. 2. 84. 11. 5. In respect of compact structure for commodious habitation as we see Psalm 122. 3. Even so is Christ's Church conpactly built Eph. 2. 21. and firmly joyned together by a three fold conjunction 1. Of unity in faith 2. Of externall profession in the truth and 3. Of love and affection 6. In respect of Gods true worship and adoration which was there established and therefore there was the Temple the Lords Priests and sacrifices even so in Christs Church there is the true worship of God in like manner established for which cause it is called 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Pillar and stable place of truth and no where but there is the voyce of the great Shepherd Christ Jesus to be heard nor doth he walk but in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks 7. In respect of her many priviledges and peculiar donations as to be called the Citty of the great King the Lords dwelling place and glory of the Earth and in respect whereof Psalm 87. 3. it is said Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Even so great and many are the Prerogatives of the Church of Christ as to be the spouse of the King of Kings cloathed with the Sun crowned with stars trampling on the Moon attended on by Angels having heaven her inheritance and all things to be hers Rev. 12. 1. This Jerusalem here is said to have daughters therfore as we see Gal. 4. 26. She is a mother yea such a mother to her Children as the mother of her head and Husband was to Christ to wit a virgin-mother in whose womb the godly are conceived through the operation of the holy Ghost by the immortall seed of the Word 1 Pet. 1. 23. And borne againe by that new birth whereof our Saviour speaks to Nicodemus John 3. 3. And upon whose breasts they are fed and nourished by that sincere milk of the Word wherof Peter speaks 1 Pet. 2. 2. Having then spoken of those to whom she speaks follows next what it is that she speaks to wit I am black sayes she but comely which speech of hers is by way of concession granting that which they might object unto her concerning her blacknesse but withall showing them that she was comly which blacknesse or rather blackishness howsoever it may be said to befall her because of the infirmities whereunto she is subject in this life so long as flesh and spirit are in her like Rebecca's twins wrastling yet specially this blackness is said to befall her as she shows in the next verse because of persecution and much affliction whereunto she is subject and all such who will live godly in this present World which persecution in the next Verse she calls the Suns looking upon her and which our Saviour Mat. 13. 6. expounds to be such and wherewith the Lord wisely suffers his Church to be exercised for these reasons following 1. To purge her as in a furnace from her drosse and so to further her mortification therfore called a Fiery tryall which the Godly should not think strange to be amongst them 2. To Weane her affection from this World that it may be the more setled on him and that life to come and to make death and her entry into her rest the more welcome when it comes 3. For exercise of her holy gifts and graces as her patience humility love constancy and courage c. 4. For detecting of Hypocrits and Temporizers who in the hour of temptation like chaffe will not abide with the solid graine 5. For manifesting his mighty power to the disappoyntment of Satan and comfort of his own in preserving his Church in the midst of hottest persecution as the bush was where Moses saw the fire or the three Children in the fiery furnace see also Cant. 2 2. 6. Making this also a mean of propagating the Gospell which Satan and his Instruments thereby would impede as a Vine by cutting the same becomes more frâ—itfull hence Sanguis martyrum semen ecclesiae and by the dispersion of the Disciples the preaching of the Gospell was the farder spread 7. Hereby likewise the body is conformed to the Head by bearing the Crosse here that she may come to the Crown hereafter for all which former respects the godly have rejoyced in their sufferings and as Philip. 1. 29. counted it a gift or benefit and an honour given them that they were found worthie to suffer with Christ Thus we see the difference between the troubles of the godly especially for righteousnesse and these of the wicked 1. In their nature 2. In the ground wherefrom they come even the Lords great love 3. In their fruit to wit of righteousnesse And 4. In their end The next thing whereof he speaks by way of Apology is that she is comly where we have to consider 1. What this comelinesse is and wherein it consists 2. From whom she hath it And 3. Before whom or in whose sight and estimation she is so But first this would seem to be contrary to a Virgins modesty chiefly to praise her self and say that she was comely and to that humility whereof Salomon speaks saying Let anotherman praise thee and not thine own mouth a stranger and not thine own lips Prov. 27. 2. But hereunto it may be answered that without violation of that precept of Solomons this may be done in two cases Vel quando ad imitationem requirit hoc utilitas audientis vel ad justam defensionem necessitas loquentis both which we may see in Paul The first Acts. 20. 18. 35. and againe 1 Cor. 11. 1. The second in two whole Chapters 2 Cor. 11. 12 To come then to the first poynt to be handled of her comliness to wit what it is and wherein it consists It is nothing else but that spirituall and inward beauty of Holiness so called Psal 29. 2. and 110. 3. which as is said Ezek. 16. 14. is that comliness which the Lord put upon Her and whereby as the Psalmist Speakes Psal 45. 13. The kings daughter is all glorious
catholick Church as well as she of one Mother and under one common Ensigne of the true worship or religion and therefore these her Persecutors were not open and avowed enemies to the Church nor infidells and disclaimers of the profession of the true Religion But as the Jewes in the most corrupt times claimed and cryed The Temple of the Lord so they that they were the Children of the true Church even when they were with hot and fiery persecution afflicting them who were the true Church In a word then these sonnes were as the Apostle calles them falsebrethren Act. 20. 30. Where we have here to advert that she calles them not her father's children because as our faviour said to the Jewes howsoever they called Abraham their father yet he was not but the divell whose works they did even so howsoever they pretended and claimed to the true catholick Church to be their mother yet they were not that truely but by usurpation of that name because they who have her truly to be their Mother have God to be their Father and his children they were not because they did not his words but rather the divells in persecuting her who was the true church But seeing the true Church speaketh here who is her self the mother how speaks she of her self as a person distinct from her Mother or rather as a daughter to this mother and of these her persecutors as her Mothers children I answer It is the manner of the Hebrew Tongue to call the whole the Mother and the parts of the whole catholick Church daughters and sisters and children Then remark this that although there be but one universall Church yet because the same is never whole in the world at one time therefore the true Church of the present time may be called a daughter to the true Church that preceded her in former times and these her persecutors pretended children of that Mother as she may be called a Mother to the true Church that succeedeth her in future or after times and of the sincere individuall worshippers in the present time Thirdly she seâ—ts downe what was their disposition towards her and this is they were angry with her where she uses this similitude As if a beautifull Virgin dwelling in her Mothers house had churlish and untoward brethron who dealt roughly with her thrust her out of dores to keep their vines whereby she is compelled to be in the sunne or Sunne-burnt and to neglect her owne proper task which her mother injoyned her This anger of theirs was like that of Josephs brethren an unjust anger or like Cain's against Abel or the dragons against the woman in the Revelation whom he persecuted and made to â—lee of whom it is said that he was wroth with her and made warre with the remnant of her seed Rev. 12. 17. So that she might justly say of them as David sayes of his onemies they hated him without a cause Lastly the progresse of their anger and rage against her is set down or the effect thereof which is thus farre that they made her the keeper of their Vines with the neglect of her own which words of their Vines and her Vine are set down by way of opposition their 's being Vines of another quality then her's For there are divers sorts of Vines spoken of in the Scripture to wit a Vine which is called the Vine of Sodom whose grapes are grapes of Gall and their Clusters bitter Deut 32 32. Also there is a Vine which is called an empty Vine Hos 10. 1. Also a Vine which is called a Noble Vine and a right seed Jer. 2. 21. also a goodly Vine Ezek. 17. 8. and a fruitfull Psalm 80. 9. Ezek. 19 10. and this is the vine which is called her Vine in like manner there is another whereof Jeremy speaks Jer. 2. 21. and the Lord calls a degenerate plant of a strange Vine to him even as it is said Isai 1. that the faithfull City was become a Harlot and this is the sort of these Vines which are called their Vines who were themselves degenerate and bastard-children of the Church and such only who usurped the name of true professor's but had degenerate from the truth of God to humane traditions like the Pharisees in Christs time and to grosse corruption in Religion These Sonnes then of her mother or false brethren they seek to draw her to this corruption in religion with themselves and to observe humane traditions which is the keeping of their Vines forsaking the purity and sincerity of the true worship of God the keeping of her own Vine or else to undergo their wrath and cruell persecution wherein through the force of their persecution on the one hand and her own weaknesse and frailty on the other she is made for the most part to swerve from her former sincerity and like the servants that slept while the tares were sown to neglect the performance of the Charge and duty that was committed unto her I say for the most part lest this defectiion should be thought totall as to the eyes of the very Prophet Elias it seemed to be in the dayes of Achab and persecuting Jesabel but yet it was not the Lord having his prophets hid in Caves by fifties and good Obediah and 7000. that had not kissed nor bovved their knees to Baâ—â— Observations 1. This place sorveth to direct us in our judging and estimation of Christs Church aright and not to despise her or take offence and forsake her as many have done because of her blacknesse that is want of externall beauty and worldly lustre or glory for so was her Head on earth and that she is under much and many sufferings for so it behoves her with her Saviour by the Crosse to come to the Crown but we should look to her inward beauty by a spirituall discerning eye and to that perfection of glorious beauty to which she shall come when it shall be said unto her Thouart all fair my love and there is no spot nor wrinkle in thee and when she shall be rid of all her Enemies and no Canaanite shall be in the Land The erring in which poynt of right judgement has bin the cause of the ruine of many who both for the base condition of her Head when He was on Earth despised Him and who likewise for the like condition of his true Church like the two witnesses Revel 11. cloathed in sackcloath and under much suffering did forsake the same and in respect of the outward pompous and worldly lustre of the Antichristian Church on the contrary followed the Beast 2. Seeing the Lot of Christs Church here on earth is to be subject to persecution and trouble which is compared to the scorching of the Sun therefore in time thereof let us do as those who are so scorched in hot Countries that is as Jonas had his recourse to his gourd so let us have our recourse chiefly to the coverture and shadow of
the Lords protection by a holy confidence and to the refreshing cooling and comfort of the promises of his word and the witnessing within us with Job of a good conscience submitting our selves to his good will and pleasure who gives us that cup to drink of as our Saviour by his example taught us in his agonie and labour to be well rooted and established by grace that having the moysture thereof in our souls like the Oyl of the wise Virgins which they had in their Lamps we be not like that seed spoken of Math. 13. 5 6. 3. We see that the Church has not only open and avowed Enemies but domestick and intestine like these false brethren here mentioned who claimed to be Children of the same Mother as well as she of which sort the Apostle forewarnes the Church Act. 20. 30. And the beloved disciple Rev. 13. 11. 4. These were angry at their Virgin-sister which showes us the wicked disposition of such false brethren who though they be under one name and common ensigne with true professors and lay claime to the true Church as much as any yet as Cain waxed wroth against Abel unjustly and Esau in like manner against his brother Jacob so do they for the truths sake against the true worshippers as the Dragon was wrath with the Woman Rev. 12. 17. and went to make Warre with the remnant of her seed 5. Where she saies that they made her the keeper of their Vineyards but her own she did not keep we see 1. the weaknesse of many true professors and dearest of Gods Saints that through fear and force of persecution they have been sometimes drawn as Peter denied his Master to do that which thereafter with many teares and humble confession they have with the Church here to Gods glory and their own shame acknowledged And therefore this teacheth us ever to suspect our own strength and to beg courage and constancy from God that so he who stands may take heed lest he fall et ut majoris ruina sit minoris cautela 6. Next in her humble confession and acknowledgement of her infirmitie fault and negligence we see the laudable disposition of the godly in the humble acknowledgement of their sinnes that God might get glory and others by their example may be aware as we may see in Moses David Jonas Paul and many others far contrary to the contrary disposition of the wicked who seek to deny exteâ—…ate or cloak and cover their sinnes as our first Parents did their fall or as Achan hid the accursed thing Verse 7. Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest Where thou makest thy Flock to rest at Noone for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy Companions Having before acknowledged how in her weaker members throw infirmitie and force of persecution she was driven and drawn to the observation of humane ordinances and neglect of her own calling in the duties thereof are committed unto her In these words she turneth her speech againe to her wellbeloved praying him most earnestly for his direction of her in time-comming that she may more constantly adhere to his truth and feed only on that green pasture spoken of Psal 23. As also for his grace and protection that she fail not nor fall away because of persecution which is compared to the scorching heat of the Sunne at Noon day And this she does in Allegoricall tearmes borrowed from a shepheard and his flock and therefore she desires her beloved as the Shepheard of his Sheep that for direction he will show her where he feeds and for refreshing cooling and protection where he causeth his Flock to lye down at Noon day that so she turne not aside being otherwise destitute of these from him and his Flock to the Flocks of others who are seducers and are here called his Companions These words then divide themselves into a petition and a reason the one set down by a pathetick expression the other by a pithy interrogation In the petition againe we have 1. How she styles him to whom she puts up her petition 2. Whereunto she assimilates or compares him and 3. what are the two things that she petitions from him to wit 1. Where he feeds and 2. Where he makes his Flook to rest at Noon day First then she styles him thus Oh thou whom my soul loves showing thereby the nature of the love which she carries to her Well-beloved to wit that it is not a carnall love but a more supernaturall and spirituall love even that which the spirituall part of man or the soul carries to him who will be worshipped in spirit and truth And blessed is that Soul which is inflamed therewith Secondly she assimilats him to a shepheard as he is frequently so called in Scripture Psalm 23. 1. 80. 1 Ezek. 34. 23. and Matth. 18. 12. with these adjections that good Shepherd Joh 10 11. and the great Shepherd Heb. 13. 20. and by Peter the chiefe Shepherd of our Souls 1 Pet. 5. 4. Who only can call all the sheep his Sheep and is onely and truly Universall The Reasons of this assimilation are these 1. As a Shepherd knows his Sheep Joh. 10. 14. so doth Christ Jesus his Elect not onely by a generall knowledge as he is omniscient but by a speciall knowledge of particular inspection and gracious approbation 2. As a Shepherd puts a marke upon his Sheep whereby they are known to be his even so the Lord Jesus markes those that are his Elect as we see Ezek. 9. Rev. 7. Which mark is specially his owne image that as Caesars Coin was known by his Image and superscription so hereby they may be in like manner known to be his 3. As a Shepherd feeds his sheep as we see in this verse and Ps 23. 3. even so doth Christ Jesus feed his sheep in the ordinary exercise of the ministry as he said to Peter Feed my sheep by the green pasture of the wholsome food of his word Ezek. 34. 2. 4. As a Shepherd leads out his sheep going before himselfe Joh. 10. 4. and they follow him even so the Lord Jesus he leads his sheep by the conduct of his counsell till he bring them to glory and goes before them in that holy example of life which he shewed on Earth and left registrate in his Word for our imitation that we should learn of him to be humble and meek 5. As the shepherd guids his Sheep so he guards and defends them from their ravenous enemies as we see David did from the Lyon and Beare even so does our Saviour Christ Jesus guard and defend his own elect from all their spirituall and ravening enemies that they prevaile not over them therefore Ps 84. 11. He is said to be both a Sun a shield unto them so that as David professes Psalm 33. 4. though they should walke through the valley of the shadow of death they need not fear any evill
ruminate and doe chew their cud even so when Christs sheep has read or heard His word which is that pasture spoken of Psal 23. 2. With David Psal 1. and 119. they meditate thereon apply the same and lay it up in their heart that they sinne not against God Psal 119. 11. Lastly As great is the care that the good and faithfull shepherd has of his sheep in feeding guiding and guarding them reducing the strayers curing the diseased caring for the weak and watching over all as we see in the examples of Jacob David and the shepherds of Bethleem Luk. 2. 8. Even so great is the care that Christ Jesus has of his own elect in doing the like offices towards them for his glory and their good and comfort And albeit the silly sheep whose safety stands only in the care of the shepherd has many enemies as Dogs Foxes Woolvs Beares and Lyons and are killed daily also for the use of man yet mightily beyond any other increase even so although the godly may say as we have it Rom. 8. 36. We are killed all the day long and are counted as sheep for the slaughter yet maugre all their enemies the Lord makes his flock multiply as Israel did under Pharoah's heaviest pressure and the blood of Martyrs to be the seed of his Church Fourthly the actions attributed to this shepherd in this text are two 1. feeding as we see it attributed to him Ezek. 34. 23. which he doth partly externally meditately and ministerially by the preaching of the word as he said to Peter Feed my sheep and partly internally immediately and as the principall agent without whose concurrence and co-operation Pauls planting nor Apollos watering will produce no increase The next action is cooling refreshing making his Flock to rest at Noon in some reposing and shadowish resting place alluding so to the manner of Shepherds in hot Countryes who in the heare of the day which is most at Noontide lead their Sheep to some cooling resting place where they might repose and refresh themselves and chew their cud and being saved from the vehemencie of the scorching Sunne might with the greater alacrity thereafter returne to their pasture Even so in the very greatest heat of persecution our Saviour Christ makes his own to find comfortable refreshment shelter of preservation and such inward rest of peace of conscience and joy in the holy ghost that they may say with David in greatest commotions My heart is fixed and cry out with the Apostle Rom. 8. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ For why should I be Followes the reason of her petition wherein we have 1. The manner of the proponing it to wit by way of interrogation 2 What is meant by these whom she calls his companions 3. What is meant by her turning aside to the flocks of these the substance of all which is the incommodity that will fall out if he tell her not where he feeds to wit that by her frailty and force of temptation she may be made to decline aside from the way of truth and joyne to false worshippes which will be neither to his honour nor her good First then the manner of the proponing this Reason by way of interrogation is to shew 1. her earnest detestation of any declyning though never so little from the truth of Christ in time-comming as Hos 14. 8. Ephraim is brought in saying What have I to do any more with Idols who before c. 14. v. 17. ere she was converted is said to have been joyned or married with such and which holy indignation is in every one that is truly converted against that sinne they were formerly given to no lesse then Amnom detested Tamar 2. This implyes a firme resolution not to turne afide as that interrogation Nehem. 6. 11. Should such a man as I flee 2. These whom she calls companions she styles so not thereby to ascribe to them any such dignity in truth which were blasphemy but to shew what bold usurpers hereticks are and especially that grand Antichrist who ascribes to himselfe infallibility that he may be the only great Master and teacher of Christs Catholick Church on earth and therefore equalls his doctrines and decretalls in authority with Canonick Scripture while as Christ is the only great shepherd and teacher of his Church and who only has no Companion nor Vicar one earth 3. By turning side to the flocks of these is meant the swarving from the truth and purity thereof to the society of false worshippers and suffering her self to be seduced by such as S. Paul speaks of who were deceivers and should enter in after his departure and draw disciples after them as Absolom made many to follow him in his rebellious course who did so in the simplicity of their hearts or as the whole world is said to have been by deceit drawn out of the right way of truth to follow the beast Observations 1. The Church here in her weaker members being sensible of her former errors and having acknowledged the same she now desires to be so directed and established by her beloved that she never deflect nor swerve any more from the purity of his worship and for this her direction goes only to him who is the way and the truth so that we see though the godly fall yet they are not like the wicked who lye and live in sin but they rise againe by humble acknowledgement prayer detestation of sinne and resolution to eschew the same in all time-comming all which we see in this her practice 2. Out of her compellation of him we see though through weaknesse and force of temptation she fell yet his love never went out of her heart as we may see in Peter who though he fell foulely yet he could say to Christ when he asked him Lovest thou me Lord thou knowest that I love thee so that although Satan Fidem concussit amorem tamen non excussit cujus actum et si intermisit habitum tamen non amisit which also we may see in Davids fall and others of Gods Saints whom he has permitted to fall but never suffered to fall away because of that seed of his love that still notwithstanding remained in their heart to him and flowes from this that his love to us is immutable and ours to him is an effect of his love to us O then labour to keep Gods love evermore 3. This compellation she uses now when she goos about prayer to him or invocation as being a great motive to him to hear and ground of confidence to her that he would do so Let us try then if we find the love of God in our hearts and then we may be assured to have the like confidence 4. Whereas she sayes tell me c. desiring to be instructed aright and that by his word only which is now registrate in Scripture we see 1. Her humble acknowledgement of her naturall ignorance needing information And O happy soul
who comes to this sight and acknowledgement of their own wants and is not like Laodicea Rev. 3. and 2. for right direction either in faith or manners Let us go to Christ's mouth opened in holy Scripture and there say to him Tell me and give me resolution 5. The two things whereof she desires to be instructed are where he feeds and makes his Flock to rest at Noon-day where we observe that the Church depends not only upon Christ for food or wholesome green pasture rejecting all humane traditions or doctrines of men but in the midst of hottest persecutions When the Sunne scorches sorest as at Noon-day to be refreshed by him as the Church and her true members has found when tyrants have most raged against her which has made them to find shelter from the bosome of their enemies as Moses from Pharaoh's daughter and the true prophet from Ahabs Court and to have such inward rejoycing and couragious resolution in the very midst of their sufferings as the Apostles and Martyrs have kythed that the World have admired the same and themselves have found their estate to be as is said here like Sheep after feeding resting at Noon-day 6. Christs people are here called his Flock and compared to Sheep as Joh. 10. and elsewhere Then if we would know if we belong to this Flock try if we have the properties of the Sheep formerly set down and then we may be well assured of all the comforts and care that can arise from a faithfull and loving Shepherd 7. In the manner of setting down the reason subjoyned which as is said shows her detestation of turning aside from Christ and his Flock to any other we are taught That this is a property of the true members of Christs Church to hate and detest sinne and theâ—r the more easily we shall eschew the practice thereof and more hardly be tempted therewith and that it is a mark of a true penitent especially to detest that sinne most in time-comming wherein they have fallen in times by-gone 8. Where she speaks of one flock which is Christs in respect of the unity of faith but of many flocks of his companions in respect of the diversity of profession one from another unto which flocks she sayes she will not turne aside We see 1. that there is but one true Church and which Christ calls but a little flock but there are many false Churches and sects of heresies mans nature besides Satans sedulity having more power to follow lyes then truth Therefore such should teach us to beware of seduction and 2. That we should not follow the multitude in sinning or turning aside and swerving never so little from verity and piety Neither is the multitude a note of the true Church 9. Where she craves his instruction and aid implying this to be the danger if the same be not granted her that she will otherwise be easily drawn to turne aside from Christ and his truth to error and defection we learne If the Lord leave us never so little and assist us not by his direction and grace how soon and foully we may fall so that when Satan seeks to sift us it is Christ's mediation for us that our Faith fail not and his Grace which is sufficient for us as he said to Paul that makes us to stand 10. Lastly where false teachers are called Christs Companions we see not only their proud usurpation and arrogancy as has been formerly said in broaching doctrines of their own and obtruding on Gods Church tanquam socii non servi or fellow Masters and not faithfull Ministers but also this shews us their dissimulation and hypocrisie giving out themselves to be socii for and with Christ companion being a terme of friendship and familiarity while as they are indeed foes and against Christ imitating herein Satan whose emissaries they are who when he would bring in greatest darknesse transforms himselfe into an Angel of lighr or that beast and Antichrist spoken of in the Revelations and whose supposts they are who is said to be horned like the Lamb but speaks like the Dragon Verse 8. If thou know not O thou fairest among women go thy way forth by the foot-steps of the flock and feed thy kids beside the shepherds Tents The speeches of the Bride seeking after her Beloved are past in the former part of this Chapter now followes what he sayes to her in the next Verse and then How each one commends another by course to the end Her last request was that he would show her Where he fed c. And unto this he answers in a sweet and loving manner thus If thou knowest not c. In which answer we have 1. How he styles her 2. What he sayes to her the first part of which is Hypothetick and the second directory In this style which he gives her we have 1. Wherefore he praises her to wit for fairness or beauty 2. In what degree to wit the superlative 3. Among whom to wit women First then it is from beauty or fairness that he praises and styles Her whereof we have already spoken v. 5. Only here let us pray with the Psalmist Let this thy beauty be upon us O Lord Ps 90. 17. Not but that the Church and members thereof has many spots and blemishes but he beholds the beauty of his spouse so far as she is regenerat and beautified with Heavenly graces which are his beauty that He has put upon her as he speaks in Ezekiel and his love covers all her other infirmities as it is said he sees no iniquity in Jacob nor beholds any perversness in Israel Num. 23. 21. she is so then in his eyes by acceptation being justified and sanctified 2. She is called not only faire but fairest or most fair to show that the beauty of grace surpasses all other beauty as it is said of the vertuous woman Many has done vertuously but thou surmounts them all therefore the Church is so described Ps 45. and Rev. 12. and this her beauty sickness age nor nothing can deface 3. She is said to be fairest amongst women 1. Because their beauty is greatest and her's is greater then their's of that Sex 2. To show the Churches excellency beyond all other societies and therefore compared to a Lilly amongst thornes Next to her Compellation to come to his Speech and first to the Hypothetick part thereof If thou knowest not c. Which form of speech would seem to import that it is a strange thing that His church should not know where he feeds his flock for from the beginning he has ever fed his flock so as his Church has known how where and whereby but yet false Teachers have oftentimes so farre prevailed and so confidently challenged to themselves the name and Title of the true Church and the knowledge of Gods pure worship like the Sunne and air in the Revelation has been oft-times so obfuscat and darkned that the simple and poore sheep of Christ have
of the Word strongly confuting their Heresies and by Excommunication casting them forth of the Church and the other if they yet continue obstinate and infest the vines by civill and corporall punishment catching and destroying them lest they destroy the vines that have but tender grapes that is seduce simple soules while they are as yet but only young and weake But why saith Christ Take us the foxes and not simply â—ake the foxes or particularly take me the foxes but in common take us the foxes I answer 1. This is to show that the taking of these foxes redounds both to Gods glory and his Churches good and therefore whosoever is negligent in doing of his duty Minister or Magistrate he neither tenders Gods glory nor his Churches good 2. This is likewise to show for the Churches great comfort that Christ and she have common friends and foes Last of all the reason of the taking these foxes is their spoiling of the vines by which are understand the members of Christ's church against whom these foxes do set themselves for hurt compared here unto vines Isay 5. Psal 80. as else where frequently in Scripture Matth. 20. c. For the reasons following 1. The vine is called noble Jer. 2. 21. So are the godly and Gods Church beyond all other societies Psal 16. 2. 2. It has not outward beauty but is full of inward sap so neither has the Church like that whore Rev. 17. But is beautifull within through the aboundant sap of grace 3. It is weake and therefore needs under-propping and so is the Church of her self but is under-propped by Christ Cant. 8. 5. 4. It must be also hedged about for defence Isai 5. 5. Psal â—0 12. and so must the Church also chiefly by divine protection 5. It spreads farre in the boughs thereof Ps 80. 11. And so does the Church in her members to the utmost ends of the earth Psal 2. 6. It is the most fruitfull of any tree and so is the Church and her true members â—oh 15. 7. If it be otherwise it is most unprofitable of any tree and fit only for the fire and so are the members of the visible church Ezek. 15. 3. Joh. 15. 6. and like unsavory salt Matth. 5. 13. 8. That it may be so great pains is taken about it Isay 5. And so is about the Church by the Lords vine-dressers Luk. 13. 7. 9. It must be pruned specially and is much better thereby so must the Church by the crosse and affliction and with David She finds that it is good that she is so 10. The Vine with the grapes thereof send forth a good smell Cant. 2. 13. Hosea 14. 7. and so do Christians by their fruitfulness in holiness both upward towards God in Christ and to all such who see their godly example 11. The vines as we see here and Psal 80. 13. have many enemies and so has Christ's church both open and secret subtile and mighty 12. The Husbandman plants them Psal 80. 8. and has a care of their prospering purging and preservation and so doth the Lord of his Church who therefore is so called Joh. 15. 1. and to whom his Vine-yard is more deare then Naboths was to him and none can take the same from him or pluck any of his sheep out of his hand 13. There are many sorts of vines whereof we have already spoken on the 6. verse of the 1. Chapter as there are many sorts of grounds spoken of in the parable of the sower Matth. 17. And so are there many sorts of Christians but one sort only which are the noble and goodly vine spoken of here and whereof the Lords has such a care called else where by Jeremy the right seed Jer. 2. 21. and these are such who as Ps 1. 3. and Isai 5. disappoints not the expectation of the Husbandman but brings forth sweet grapes and good fruit in due season Now the spoiling of these vines is nothing else but the perverting and drawing them from the truth by poisonable Doctrine and deceiving as our Saviour sayes if it were possible the very elect or as the Lord speaks by his Prophet when under pretence of leading Gods people such mis-lead them and cause them to erre wherein these crafty foxes in the time of ignorance did so prevaile before the over-clouded eternall Gospell as we see Rev. 9. 2. beganne againe cleerly to shine that as we see Rev. 13. the whole world in a manner followed the beast Observations 1. In this charge which we see Christ gives both to Ministers and Magistrates concerning his Church we see the care that he has thereof and of every true member that is therein whereof for our comfort let us never doubt in whatsoever estate she or we be in both for protection and providence although it were our case as Israels in Egypt or at the red-sea or like that boat wherein he and his Disciples were Matth. 8. 24. 2. Here also we may behold the estate of Gods Church that it shall never want enemies both subtile foxes that will creep in among the vines to spoile them and cruell boares out of the wilderness to waste and destroy them Psal 80. 12. And therefore she should arme her self against both and not think it uncouth although she be infested by both being herein conforme to her head who had both cruel enemies who cryed crucifie crucifie and a crafty bosome Judas who did betray his Master 3. Their end and aime is to spoile the vines where we may see the Malice of Satan in his instruments is next to the head now against the members of Christs body that he may have no Church which therefore they seek to spoile by poisonable Doctrine craftily or else to cut off by persecution cruelly and yet herein thorow Christs care and preservation shal be disappointed who by his spirit of truth shall lead his elect into all truth so that it shal be impossible that they can be deceived and shall so preserve his Lilly amongst the midst of thorns that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her 4. Seeing it is the duty both of Magistrates and Ministers each one in their own places to take order with the enemies of Christs church they ought carefully to take heed thereto as once they must give an account and we ought all of us pray to God earnestly that he would thrust out many faithfull pastors more and more and many zealous Magistrates into his Church who may diligently do Gods work here injoyned and hunt these hurtfull and subtle foxes that spoil the Lords vines which if they who should hunt and take them neglect or that they be too strong the Lord will not fail to do it himself as he did to Pharaoh and that fox Herod and others 5. If Ministers and Magistrates should be the takers of these foxes who spoil the vines then it is a shame to see either of them prove foxes themselves and wasters of the Lord's Vine-yard
expect acceptation but will be as a stinking or corrupt carcase and our best exercises of devotion but abomination before him and therefore most earnestly should we seek the graces and gifts of Gods holy spirit that so we may be as pillars of smoak perfumed ascending like Abels sacrifice and finding acceptation 5. The churches manner of ascending being thus persumed is like pillars of smoak which showes unto us that our spirituall ascending and heavenly disposition must not be by fitts but steddy resolute and constant without wavering notwithstanding of any wind of temptation as was Joshuas resolution to serve the Lord Jobs practice of cleaving to him and of all others that have attained to the end of their faith which is the salvation of their soules Vers 7. Behold his bed which is Solomons threescore valiant men are about it of the valiant of I srae 8. They all hold swords being export in warre every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of feare in the night From this verse to the end of the Chapter the church sets forth the glory of Christ whom after seeking at last she had found by the glory of Solomon whereof our Saviour speaketh Matth. 6. 29. By particularizing it in these three Solomons bed his Chariot and his Crown his bed strongly guarded his Chariot richly furnished and his Crown gloriously adorned First then our Saviour is compared here to Solomon and next his glory in these three forenamed unto the glory of Solomon Himself then is compared to Solomon for these respects 1. Solomon was the sonne of David and so was Christ according to the flesh and therefore so called in like manner 2. Solomon according to the signification of his name was a peaceable Prince and so is Christ that Prince of peace as Isay calles him who has made peace between God and us Isai 9. 6. And is the author of all peace externall internall and eternall 3. Solomon was greatly beloved of God 2 Sam. 12. 24. and so was Christ proclaimed to be the welbeloved of the Father in whom he was well pleased 4. Solomon excelled and exceeded all others in wisdome riches and glory and so doth Christ who is the wisdome of the Father the full treasure of grace and the king of glory 1 King 10. 23. Col. 2. 3. 5. The fame of all these in Solomon spread a farre off and allured many to come and hear his wisdom And so has the fame of Christs wisdome grace and glory which he gives to the utmost ends of the earth allured many to come to him and hear his wisdome revealed in the Ministry of his word 6. Solomon took to wife an alien the daughter of Pharaoh an Egyptian and made Her a glorious Queen unto himself as we see Psal 45. and so has Christ taken those who were aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel of a wicked proprogeny as we see Ezek. 16. even idolatrous Gentiles and make them a glorious Spouse unto himself in like manner 7. He built that glorious Temple which was called Solomon's Temple and so has Christ built his Church of lively stones gloriously adorned by Grace here which is called likewise his Church and mysticall body and which he shall make more glorious to himself in the heavens hereafter Secondly By Solomon's bed where he lies in the night-time of this life and as the Apostle saies where he dwells by faith and there rests as it were and reposes himself is meant the hearts of his Elect Ephes 3. 17. as we see Cant. 1. 13. whose hearts and souls like Solomon's bed which was so strongly guarded 1 are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation as saies the Apostle 1 Pet. 1. 5. and as the Psalmist shews Psal 125. 2. 2 They are guarded by his holy Angells called the Lord's heavenly Hostes and who are ministring spirits sent out for the good of the Elect Iuk 2. 13. And 3 faithfull Pastors and able for the calling furnished with the sword of the spirit Ephes 6. 17. which is the Word of God and skilfull as the Apostle speaks in the word of righteousnesse Heb. 5. 13 14. who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evill and to divide the Word aright and convince gainsayers They also are a guard to Christ's Church Rev. 2. 16. to guard their hearts from errour and seduction having the Word for that end in readinesse Jer. 9. 3. and valiant for the truth like the sword of a valiant man girt to his thigh Psal 45. 4. As also to protect them from terrour or any invasion of Satan's temptations which may affright their render consciences and disturb their peace Or from other subtle snares and practises of their enemies which usually are accustomed to be practised and put in execution in the time of the night Observations 1. We see here the honour that Christ bestowes upon an Elect soul that seeks him to wit that of a cage of unclean spirits by nature he makes the same a bed as it were or bed-chamber for himselfe to dwell in 2. The safety of that person in whose soul Christ dwells to wit that Solomon's bed or any other King 's was never so surely guarded nor may they lye down with such assurance of safety as we see Psal 4. 8. and Prov. 3. 24 26. 3. In Pastors that are like wise a guard to Christ's Church and as it was saâ—… of Elisha who are like the horsemen and chariots of Israel we see by these words what are required to wit 1 Fidelity as in a King's Guard to whom he committeth his person and life 2 Vigilancy being like a Guard for fear in the night 3 Valour or courage as Ieremy speaks To be valiant for the truth Ier. 9. 4. 4 Expertnesse in war for convincing the adversary and repelling the darts of the devill 5 Furniture with the fit weapon of the sword of the Spirit 6 Readinesse to use and wield the same like a sword not to seek but at all occasions ready in the hand or girt to the thigh 7 Unity and order standing each one in their own station and all about the bed And 8 Not aliens themselves but of the same true Israel of God over whom they watch and therefore called so here of the valiant men of Israel Vers 9. King Solomon made himself a Chariot of the wood of Lebanon 10. He made the pillars thereof of silver the bottom thereof of gold the covering of it of purple the midst thereof being paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem Next to the Bed of repose whereof we have spoken followes the Spouse her speech how by the preaching of the Word as in a Chariot the true Solomon Christ Jesus is conveyed to the soul and carried whither he will as the Ark was carried by the Levites the excellency of which benefit is compared to all most precious mettalls and finest wood whatsoever In these words then we have 1 A Chariot
His belly likewise or whole inwards and bowells of compassion specially is said to be as bright Ivory over-laid with Saphires that is pure and cleer without any spot and most comfortable to the soul as white and blew colours are pleasant to the eye Vers 15. His legs are as pillars of Marble set upon sockets of fine gold his countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars His legs whereby is understood all his wayes specially of mercy and love towards his Elect are said to be as pillars of Marble set on sockets of fine gold denotating thereby that they are alwaies stable holy pure and glorious His countenance also or loving favour to them on whom he makes the same to shine is said to be as Lebanon excellent as the cedars that is to say goodly most pleasant and delectable as we see David found and therefore so much desired the same Psal 4. 6. Vers 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem His mouth to wit opened in holy scripture and promises of salvation therein contained is most sweet and comfortable specially to a weary and fainting soul as Jonathans honey was to him yea he is altogether lovely even all Christ and all in Christ to a soul that loves him This is her beloved she sayes and this is her friend of whom the daughters of Jerusalem asked what was he more then another beloved a beloved of matchles beauty as he has been described and a friend of matchlesse friendship kinder then Jonathan was to David whose love exceeded the love of women who died for his enemies that painefull accursed and ignominious death of the crosse that he might make friendship between God and us and befriend our wretched soules in delivering them from death and purchasing unto them life everlasting Observations 1. We see out of her description of Christ to the daughters of Jerusalem that it is the Churches part and office to publish and paint out before the eyes of the faithfull as the Apostle speaks by the preaching of the word Christ Jesus Crucified for which cause she is called the staple-place and pillar of truth which thing is a mark of the true Church and whosoever does it not but withholds from Gods people the sound doctrine of the Word and would by dumb images and idolls the teachers of lies paint out Christ crucified otherwise they are not the true Church of Christ 2. By such a description of the excellency and beauty of her Beloved we see what a rich Jewell they find who find Christ and to how rare and excellent a matchless husband they espouse their souls who by a lively faith espouse themselves to him divorcing from Satan sin and the world also how much worth the seeking so glorious a Lord is and what happinesse and great dignity his Church has by the fruition of him here but far greater by enjoying of him hereafter 3. Christ's love is so firmly rooted in her heart and it so plentifully filled therewith that even when he has withdrawn himself from her to her feeling and seemes so unkind to her as Joseph seemed rough and strange to his brethren that when she called he would not answer her yet she expresses the vehemency of her love towards him so that she ceases not to charge the daughters of Jerusalem to tell him that she is sick of love and so highly to praise and commend him as the strain of her best expressions can any way reach unto showing thereby that true saving grace and the love of Christ is so permanent and durable in the souls of the Elect that there is nothing that can befall them or whereby it pleases the Lord to exercise them that can cool their love but rather kindle the same to him and therefore even then as Ruth did to Naomi they cleave the faster to him with Jacob they wrestle and will not let him go and with Job they dare tell him that albeit he should kill them yet never will he depart from him nor shall ever his love go out of their heart or his praise out of their mouth For as the Apostle saies who shall seperate them from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Nay in all these things they are more than conquerours through him that has loved them Rom. 8. 35. 4. From the description of his head vers 11. which is as most fine gold not subject as other baser mettalls to rust and corruption Seeing a conformity should be between the head and members his mysticall body not being like Nebuchadnezar's Image therefore we should all strive to holinesse and not to be subject to corruption or wickednesse 5. Likewise from the description of his eyes vers 12. compared to Doves eyes the eyes of his Church being in like manner chap. 4. 1. so called and compared delighting in purity holinesse and innocency we see as has been said what a conformity not onely should be but is between Christ and his Church in holinesse their eyes ears tongue heart and hand all being sanctified and made holy as he is holy by his Spirit who renewes them 6. From the description of his cheeks and lips vers 13. affording such sweetnesse we see how sweet leight and easie is Christ's yoke of submission unto all the faithfull through love's facilitation which is not so to others and how sweet also his word is to such which exacts that homage and subjection not onely in the promises but precepts thereof howsoever it be like Marah even bitter to the relish of others tormenting them before their time because of their distempered palat and corruption which it launces therefore Foelix could not abide it no more than a sore eye can endure the bright light which is delightfull to others 7. In the 14 vers we see a conformity between his actions and inwards both holy and void of corruption or spot Teaching us that the like conformity should be between our inwards and outwards not to have fair outwards and foul inwards like painted tombs nor to pretend fair inwards but to have foul outwards our actions being contrary to our profession and having the voice of Jacob but the hands of Esau 8. His legs or waies which are all holy are said to be stable like pillars of marble vers 15 teaching us in like manner that so should all our waies of holinesse be without wavering or inconstancy and backsliding remembring Lot's wife and the punishment of Korah and others who would have returned to Egypt We must be then like Joshua and Caleb and not like those Galatians that began in the spirit but would end in the flesh Gal. 3. 3. For unto stable standers as David professes of himself Psal 26. 12. and constant perseverers is the promise made of eternall life Revel 2. 10. 9. She saies vers 16. This is my Beloved after
to another for their mutuall help strength or establishment most willingly and readily they ought to performe 5. Whereas she sayes What shall we do we see that it is not enough onely to wish good to the faithfull or as James sayes to show our charity onely by words Jam. 2. 16. but as the Psalmist sayes to the Lord Do good unto Sion Psal 51. 18. even so we should do good to the faithfull and both our faith and charity should be seene by works for as the body sayes the Apostle without the spirit is dead even so is faith which is without works 6. She sayes What shall we do for her in the day that she shal be wooed or spoken for whereby we see what the preaching of the Gospell is to wit even like Abrahams message by the steward of his house concerning a wife to his sonne Isaac even a wooing of a spouse and preparing her for Christ And therefore 1. When ever we heare Gods word we should consider what is intended therein and accordingly attend thereto and count it our greatest happiness if it produce this effect upon us as to woe and winne us to Christ And. 2. This should be the scope of all faithfull pastors not to woe people or wed them to themselves by gaining their applause or seeking their own estimation but to woe and wed them to Christ as was the Apostles practice and of all true pastors 2 Cor. 11. 2. Qui non quae sua sed quae Christi quaerebant aliis que planctum non sibi plausum movebant 7. It is said in like manner In the day that she shal be spoken for to show us thereby that there is a day that the Lord has appointed for the conversion of such as belong to him as we see in the parable of those who were called to the vineyard at severall houres Matth. 20. And in the conversion of the thief upon the crosse and of Paul when he was a persecutor wherefore we should neither despair of the conversion of any though a most wicked Manasseth or an Idolatrous heathen see Ezek. 16. as all the Gentiles were yea Abraham himself before his calling out of Vr of the Chaldeans for we know not the day when they may be woed and wonne unto Christ Neither should we our selves let such a precious and happy day passe when it comes unmade use of the same lest if we do so as we see Pro. 1. 28. and in the example of the foolish virgins a day of distresse and destruction come upon us wherein though we call and knock he heare us not nor make us no answer 8. Last of all seeing the Church of the Jewes had this care and love to her little sister the Church of the Gentiles and that by the Ministry of the holy Apostles who were Jewes by nation the Gospell of grace was convoyed to her It is our part now to be as loving and carefull for our elder sister and as earnest with the Lord in her behalf for her conversion and inbringing who was the naturall olive and cut off by her unbelief onely for our behoof as she was for us when vve vvere vvithout and aliens to the Common-wealth of Israel Vers 9. If she be a wall we will build upon her a palace of silver and if she be a dore we will inclose her with boords of Cedar Followes here Christs answer and resolution to the former question saying If she be a wall that is vvell grounded on that foundation mentioned Ephes 2. 20. of the prophets and Apostles and described also Rev. 21. 14. And be built up or edified in the truth of salvation as we see Eph. 4. 12. we that is Christ inwardly and effectually by his grace and her sister Church of the Jewes outwardly and Ministerially by the vvord will build upon her a palace of silver that is we vvill further and promove in knowledge and grace and in the grouth thereof that so she may be a fit and glorious habitation to God through the spirit as we find mentioned Ephes 2. 22. Silver noting here the excellency purlty and durableness of this palace not being of combustible matter and richly decked and adorned with the graces of Gods spirit And if she be a dore or gate that as is said Psal 24. 7. the king of Glory may come in thereat or cast open for calling and admitting others as is said Isay 60. 11. Therefore thy gates shal be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that men may bring to thee the forces of the nations and that their kings may be brought And againe Isay 26. 2. Open yee the gates that the righteous nation that keeps the truth may enter in then sayes he vve vvill inclose her about vvith boords of Cedar vvhich vvas a sort of wood that vvas used in the fabrick both of the ark as the most precious and durable wood as also in the building of the Temple of Solomon and therefore fitly here applyed to the Christian Church she being the habitation of the Lord by his spirit and the Temple of the true Solomon and of the Holy Ghost to denotate thereby the precious and durable endowments of the gifts of Gods spirit vvhereby he was to adorne and fortifie her and vvhich by the Ministry of his servants he was to bestow upon her Observations 1. We see that the Church of Christ and every true member thereof should be like a wall not wavering but stable in the truth and therefore should not be carried about with every wind of doctrine but be rooted in the faith as they are exhorted Coloss 2. 7. that so like the house by the wiseman built upon the rock Matth. 7. 25. they may stand against all assaults and as is said Colos 1. 11. they may be strengthned with all might and for that cause they should labour for the love of the truth vvhich because some received not sayes the Apostle that they might be saved for this cause God sent them strong delusion to believe a lie 2 Thess 2. 10. 2. We see the straightness of the communion of the Saints amongst themselves that as the Psalmist calleth Jerusalem a City that is compact together Psal 122. 3. so here they are compared to lively stones compacted or as the Apostle sayes fitly framed Eph. 2. 21. And firmly builded into one wall by the unity of one faith and the cementing of the bond of love and of one spirit vvhich they should keep fast vvithout schism or rupture that peace may be within the Church her vvalls and prosperity within her palaces Psal 122. 7. Which how good and pleasant a thing it is the Psalmist declares Psal 133. 1. 3. We see as in the parable of the gainers by their talents that to them who have solid and true grace more shall be given and therefore sayes our Saviour here If she be a wall already vve will build a silver palace upon her Wherefore this should teach