his law written in the tables thereof 5. It was used in purification and preparing of Virgins for their Husbands Esther 2. 12 Even so by grace is the soul purified and prepared as a chast Virgin for Christ her heavenly Husband Rev. 21. 2. 6. Likewise it was used for consecration of kings and Priests especially as we see 1 Sam. 9. 16. Exod. 28. 41. and as Levit. 8. 12. it is said for sanctifying them even so is saving grace that unction of the spirit wherefore truly we are called Christians and are consecrate to the Lord as a royall priesthood Rev. 1. 6. 7. Oyntments were for preservation from rotting or putrifaction Math. 26. 12. Mark 16. 1. and Luke 23. 56. and therefore as we see in these places the same was used for annoynting dead bodies unto burials even so it is saving grace that is the best preservative to the soul against the corruption of sinne and for mortifying that naturall corruption that is in every one of us Secondly these Oyntments are called his Oyntments 1. Because He is the full fountain where from they flow therefore said the Baptist of him And of his fulnesse we have all received grace for grace Joh. 1. 16. as likewise sayes he to the Church of Laodicea I counsell thee that thou buy of me Gold tryed in the fire that thou mayst be rich Rev. 3. 18. 2 They are called his because as they are from him so they should be for him that is for his glory and his Churches good in their imployment as of the Talents whereby the faithfull servants gained to their Master Thirdly they are called good 1. in respect of themselves and their Fountaine where from they spring who is not only good but goodnesse it self and from whom every good gift commeth as from the Father of lights 2. In respect of their operation and effect which is that the riches of grace makes all those who have them to be good whereas other riches oftentimes produce the contrary effect Next they are said to be savory 1. to the sensible soul to which nothing is so savory and odoriferous as saving grace and therefore they have not only such an eager desire after the same and sweet contentment therein but likewise such a delight in the very meanes thereof that the same as David testifies is sweeter to them than the Hony and the hony Comb Psalm 19. and 119. and the savour of the knowledge of Christ as the Apostle speaks 2 Cor. 2. 14. when it is made manifest inlarges their hearts and mouths with joy to give praise to the Lord 2. These saving graces are savory and like Noah's Sacrifice which he offered are sweet smelling to God to whom nothing can make our selves or our actions so pleasing and acceptable like Abel's Sacrifice and himself as true grace whereby the soul is like Ester purified and perfumed to make her lovely to her heavenly King So that of grace it may be said as it is Psalm 133. 1. of brotherly unity How good and how pleasant a thing is grace Fourthly followes the fruit or effect of the fragrancie of these good Oyntments and 1. that the same is so delectable and sweet that the very meanes whereby they are gotten and procured are so sweet and pleasant that they are like Oyntment powred out that gives a fragrant smell and fills the house therewith and this is signified by these words Thy Name is as Oyntment powred out Where we have to consider 1. what is meant by his name 2. What is meant by the powring out of the same First then omitting the diverse acceptions of this word name by his name is here understood the gospell or word of God whereunto is annexed the administration of the holy Sacraments as the same is taken Acts. 9. 15. whereby as a man is made known by his name so is our Saviour and what he has done for us by his word that so thereby knowing him we may love him loving him we may seek after him seeking after him we may find him and finding him we may enjoy him and all good things by him even eternall life and therefore this knowledge is called so because it is the meanes that leads thereunto Next this name of Christ is said to be like Oyntment powred out by which powring out is meant the preaching of the Gospell or as the Apostle calls it 2 Cor. 2. 14. the manifestation of the savour of the knowledge of Christ and work of mans redemption by his death and passion which before time was kept up as it were in the unclosed Vessell of Gods secret and hid Decree but there after revealed more and more cleerly by mysticall promises typicall ordinances and propheticall predictions till at last it was fully manifested under the cleer light of the Gospell that light and pouring out of this ointment which was before and under the Law being but dimme and by drops as it were but this under the Gospell being both plaine and plentifull The other fruit or effect of the savor of his sweet ointments is the love of the virgins spoken of here Where we have 1. who they are and why so called 2. what is this love of theirs and the object thereof First then these virgins are all the chaste worshippers of God who worship him in spirit and truth and keep themselves from the pollutions of this present world the collective number of which is that chaste spouse of Christ who in the singular number is called a chaste virgin as the Apostle speakes 2. Cor. 11. 2. This title the true members of Christs mysticall body receive both in the Historicall doctrinall and propheticall parts of the New testament In the Historicall where they are likned and compared to wise virgins Matth. 25. 1. In the doctrinall part where they are called a chaste virgin 2. Cor. 11. 2. And in the propheticall part Revel 14. 4. where they are called undefiled virgins who follow the Lamb. The reason why they are so called is there are two things whereby one is polluted the one is error in opinion or the mind in matters intellectuall which are conversant about Verum et falsum or truth and falshood the other is error in action or life and conversation in things morall which are conversant about bonum et malum good and evill from both these sorts of pollution they labour to keep themselves pure and free 1. worshipping the Lord according to the truth revealed in his word without being seduced by hereticall pravity or drawne to Idolatry which is spirituall whoredome and 2. Living holily and not being wedded to any sinne worldly Mammon or carnall concupiscence Secondly the love of these virgins here spoken of towards their welbeloved is not a naturall or carnall love which comes of flesh and blood for as our Saviour said of Peters confession Flesh and blood reveales no such love but it is a holy heavenly and spirituall Love comming from above and is an effect
here O how comely and beautifull will it be when it is free from any spot or least wrinkle hereafter Vers 15. Take us the Foxes the little foxes that spoile the Vines for our Vines have tender Grapes Here is a charge given and the reason thereof rendred in which charge we have 1 who gives it 2 to whom and 3 what is the charge it self First then it is Christ the Master of the Vineyard who gives the charge as he calls Himself the Master and owner thereof Esa 5. and is declared to be Psal 80. and Matth. 20. 1. Secondly those to whom the charge is given are Pastors and Princes or Ministers and Magistrates the one armed with the spirituall the other with the civill Authority both being from the Lord and both here to be imployed for the Lord against the enemies of his Church the one to act his part praedicando the other his part as Deut. 13. 5. puniendo the Minister drawing his sword Ephes 6. by convincing the heresie the Magistrate his sword Rom. 13. by coercing the heretick and as the Minister of God taking vengeance on evill doers Thirdly the charge it self is to take the foxes even the little foxes where we have to consider 1 who are these foxes and why so called 2 who are these little foxes and 3 how they should be taken First then by these foxes false Teachers are understood the worst sort of enemies that the Church has and therefore onely here mentioned this we may see to be clear Ezek. 13. 4. where the Lord speaking of false Prophets that followed their own spirit of errour saies O Israel thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts and who therefore are thus compared 1. In comparison of their subtlety and craft by making a shew of truth and piety as Herod did of worshipping Christ Matth. 7. 15. when they go about to advance the mystery of errour and iniquity and as our Saviour saies comming in sheeps cloathing but inwardly being nothing but devouring woolvs which subtlety they have from that great Fox the Devill who winded himself craftily in credit with our first parents as their friend when he proved their greatest foe and who can transform himself into an Angell of light And therefore no marvell that his ministers imitate him as the Apostle shewes 2 Cor. 11. 15. Amongst which foxes the great Romish Fox is the principal and therefore figured out to us by that Beast in the Revelation that was horned like the Lamb but spake like the Dragon and whose emissaries likewise the Locusts of that bottomlesse pit have mens faces and womens hair declaring thereby their fair and alluring pretences but they have Lions teeth and Scorpions rails under these destroying simple soules 2. The fox is not onely crafty but cruell and blood-thirsty of the blood of the flock therefore Herod is called a fox Luk. 13. 32. also Pharaoh Exod. 1. 10. And so is that Roman fox cruell and ever has been against the Saints of God and therefore is called that scarlet whore that is drunk with the blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17. 6. And so likewise are all the foxes his emissaries witnesse the many partly performed and partly intended massacres of the professors of the truth their bloody Inquisition and league at the Councill of Trent 3. The fox goes never straight forward but tortuosis incedit amfractibus or by crooked windings in cavernosis latitat amfractibus and he lurketh in such places Even so these forenamed foxes walk not with a streight foot in the Gospell nor followes the streight rule thereof but in crooked windings and by-waies of errour and human traditions not leading to God by Christ but by Saints and Angells their mediation nor to his merits onely and satisfaction but to others or their own in purgatory c. and using all deceitfulness of error to compasse their ends and advance their power and pride 4. The time when they specially invade is the night when all are asleep both shepherd and sheep even as in like manner we see that while the servants were asleep the envyous man sowed his tares amongst the good seed even so there do these foxes specially invade Christs flock to catch them as their prey and by their divelish doctrine to destroy their soules when either they find a flock without a pastor at all or when they find a sleepy idol and slouthfull shepheard and an ignorant flock but on the contrary where a well instructed people are who know Christs voice and can discerne it from a stranger as we have it Joh. 10. and Cant. 5. And where such a pastor is as Jacob or David or those to whom the Angel appeared and annunced Christ's birth who were watching carefully their flocks in the night there these foxes dare not come nor cannot prevaile 5. The Fox especially in his hole is a vile stinking beast and so what has been the vile stink of these Romish foxes from their great one to the least in their lives and conversations and in their cloisters Nunneries and other places let their Popes lives and others of their owne Registers testifie Secondly by these little Foxes are understood false teachers who subtilly and by degrees bring in errors in the Church and therefore even in their beginnings and first bud when they seeme to be but little hurtfull or dangerous are to be adverted and taken heed unto as hurtfull enemies to the Lords vines These are they who privily sayes Peter were to bring in damnable Heresies 2 Pet. 2. 1. and who were doing so even in the very Apostles times who were most watchfull for even then the mystery of iniquity was working as the Apostle tells us 2 Thess 2. 7. setting downe the particulars Coloss 2. 18. and 1 Tim. 4. 3. The reason why such little foxes should be in their very beginnings curbed and taken the Apostle Paul gives saying For they will increase unto more ungodlyness 2 Tim. 2. 16 17. and their word will eare as doth a canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus little foxes even in Pauls dayes The proofe whereof likewise Christ's church too truly found in the Method of introduction of Idololatreia by bringing in first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adoration of Images by making of such and placing them in Churches worshipping and invocation of Saints by set dayes at first only for commemoration of their piety and constancy in suffering c. And the like in rising to the heighth of Papal dignity in the Ecclesiastick government Whence the Apostle very well calles the wiles of the dive◠that arch and old fox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thirdly these foxes are to be taken as the Apostle Peter in like manner tells us saying But these as naturall brute beasts are made to be taken and destroyed 2 Pet. 2. 12. But how and by whom doubtlesse as has been already said both by faithfull Ministers and zealous Magistrates the one by the sword
an antipathy unto his Nature of holinesse and this is when we sin specially in such clear light and against light customably and presumptuously stubbornly and impenitently Observations 1. In respect that the Church here chargeth so her true members we see her authority that she she has from God and for God for which therefore we should reverence her and obey her which if any stubborn child of hers will not do by our Saviours commandment he is to be held as a heathen and a publican 2. Seeing her true members have their denomination from love and peace therefore they should bend all their endeavours to maintain these holy vertues among themselves eschewing the contrary seeing God their Father is the God of peace Christ their Redeemer is the Prince of peace the work of the holy Ghost is grace and peace the Church is Ierusalem a vision of peace and they daughters of that mother and therefore should be children of peace 3. Seeing this is her charge and chief care in retribution as it were of all the love and kindnesse that she has found of him not onely not to stir up her beloved her self but also to exhort and charge others not to do the same this teaches us in like manner in retribution of all his love and favours that he has bestowed on us either in re or spe what like care we should have not onely not to offend and stir him up to wrath by our own sinfull life and conversation but likewise as we are exhorted Ephes 5. 11. to reprove sin in others and to exhort them seriously to forbear the practise thereof 4. In that she charges them not to stir up her Beloved we see the pronesse of the best by nature to stir up the Lord to anger by sin and therefore we should the more warily look to our waies and watch and pray that we enter not into temptation Vers 8. The voice of my Beloved Behold he comes leaping upon the mountains skipping upon the hills As between two betrothed Lovers when the spring comes the man calls and invites his future Spouse to come forth out of the house wherein she has remained in the winter season that they may walk together abroad and take delight and solace themselves now with the flowers and those pleasant things which the spring doth afford Even so the Church in the rest of this Chapter is by her Beloved invited and called upon to arise from all carnall security and forsake the love of this world to follow him in the faith and love of the Gospell and to view and delight her self with the variety of these heavenly comforts and spirituall graces which like a pleasant spring the same doth afford First then in these words we have 1 Whereby he calls or invites her to this participation of his graces and spirituall delight thereof to wit by his voice which she discerneth to be his 2 After what manner he comes unto her to wit readily and speedily overcomming all impediments leaping over the mountains and skipping over the hills First then the Lord Jesus doth call his chosen by his Word externally which is his Voice as he sales Joh. 10. 3 and by the work of his Spirit internally and effectually whereby they not onely hear his voice but discern the same to be his and thereafter follow him as he shewes Joh. 10. 4. having gotten a spirituall ear whereof the Spirit speaks Rev. 2. 3. which hears that which the world cannot hear as it is said of Paul's conversion Act. 22. 7. 9. that he heard a voice vers 7. which they who were with him heard not as is said vers 9. and who not onely have a spirituall ear or hearing â—ut also a spirituall gift of discerning Christ's voice from the voice of a stranger truth from errour and the voice of the Lamb from that of the Beast's horned like the Lamb but speaking like the Dragon For 1 They have not onely the knowledge of the truth in their mind but the love of the truth in their heart which because some has not had therefore as 2 Thess 2. 11. they have been given over to the delusion of errour 2 They have the spirit of truth and therefore they can try the Spirits whether they be of God or noâ— Secondly prefixing an Ecce whereof cap. 1. 15. She speaks of His comming to her and manner thereof according as he saies Joh. 14. 23. that he who hears his voice and keeps his word his Father will love him and we saies he will come unto him and make our abode with him This comming then is a spirituall comming to the soul by the Word as the ordinary mean so that they who contemn the Word contemn his comming to them by the same and they who reverence and receive the Word they receive him who comes thereby for our Saviour is said to come three manner of waies to his Church 1 He came visibly and corporally in his Incarnation 2 He comes as here invisibly and spiritually by sanctification And 3 He is to come gloriously for her remuneration To whom therefore by his Word he comes spiritually to sanctifie them here he shall come to them comfortably to glorifie them hereafter Then touching the manner of his comming she showes it was both cheerfully and speedily like one leaping and skipping as also upon the mountains and hills that is openly and apparently to the eye of faith as Nahum 1. 15. their feet are said to be that bring good tidings and publish peace or else passing over all lets as our sins how great soever like Manasses's Mary Magdalen's and others which hindered not his free grace â—or the naturall opposition of a carnall heart as Esa 40. 4. Observations 1. We see how all the godly esteeme of Gods word which they heare preached unto them to wit as the voice of Christ himself which therefore they heare reverently lay it up in their hearts with David carefully meditate thereon fruitfully and obey it diligently Ps 119. 11. 2. We see that as is showne us Joh. 10. 4. Christs sheep have a discerning faculty between the voice of their own shepherd and a strangers and by the rule of holy Scripture as we have Isay 8. 20. the Bereans example and Pauls direction Gal. 1. 8. can discerne error from truth and the doctrine of Christ from the doctrines of Antichrist 3. Whereas it is said not only that it is the voice of her welbeloved but that he comes skipping over the hils c. we see 1. how Christ comes ordinarily to the soul to wit by the means of grace and preaching of the word which whosoever despises they despise the coming of Christ Jesus to their soules for their salvation here and shall never heare that joyfull sentence spoken to them hereafter Come yee blessed of my Father c. 2. That although the voice of the beloved be heard yet if he come not himself by the power of his spirit and inward efficacy
are compared to these fish-pooles for their cleerness like water in the knowledge of Christ and his truth and seeing her self and her own wayes or else for her mournfull disposition in shedding teares for her owne sinnes and the sinnes of the times as we see Ezek. 9. 4. and Psal 119. 136. Lastly he speaks of her nose or spirituall sense of smelling what sweetness is in Christ and in the graces of his spirit as also whereby she discernes between truth and errour the noysome smell of sinne and fragrant smell of godliness and which nose of hers for beauty and comeliness he compares to the towre of Lebanon which Solomon built as we reade 1 King 7. Observations 1. Where her faith signified by her neck is compared to a towre built of white Ivory which denotates purity and holiness we see then where holiness without which no man shall see God Heb. 12. 14. is not joyned with faith that faith is not true nor saving Jam. 2. 14. 2. Seeing the Churches eyes for the reasons before named are compared to fish-pooles we see then that ignorance and impenitâ—ncy are not suteable to true Christianity 3. The church has a spirituall nose or smelling and such-like other senses Let us try then if we be true members thereof by this that we have the like and thereby discerne as is aforesaid else if we have but coporall and naturall senses like unto beasts we are not to be accounted better yea our condition shal be worse then theirs Vers 5. Thine head upon thee is like Carmell and the haire of thy head like purple the king is held in the Galleries Her head whereby is understood her soul because as the head is the chiefest part of mans body so is the soul the chiefest part of mans whole frame and composition the same I say is compared to Carmell and the hair of her head like unto purple which Carmell was a fertill plot of ground whereof we read Nahum 1. 4. And therein a pleasant City so called which was situate in the hilly part thereof and belonged to the tribe of Judah as we see Joshuah 15. 55. From which the inhabitants were called Carmelites as we have it 1 Chron. 11. 37. Whereby is signified that as a fertill field is plentifull in good graine or pasture or a City is full of rich things and inhabitants even so her soul is stored with the knowledge of God Phil. 1. 11. and fruitfull in the graces of his spirit Eph 3. 19. Rom. 15. 14. Whereunto is subjoyned that the king is held in the Galleries to show that as kings who have their Galleries of pleasure to walk in when they would sted fastly behold any object wherein they delight they stand and are taken or held with that whereon they look and take such pleasure in Even so this blessed bridegroom of hers who is King of kings and Lord of lords when he looks on his Church and his own graces in her whereby he made her so beautifull in his sight he stands as it were and is taken more and more with the love of her even as he said before Chap. 4. 9. Thou hast ravish't my heart with one of thine eyes and a chain of thy neck Observations 1. Seeing the soul which is called here the head is compared in a true Christian to a fertill and well replenished field or populous City like Carmell how unfit are they to be called or accounted true Christians whose soules are altogether empty of the saving graces of Gods holy spirit like that house which was the receptacle of seven unclean spirits which were worse then the first that had gone out of the same Luk 17. 26. 2. Where it is said that the king is held in the Galleries we may see the admirable excellency and beauty of grace that it ravishes as it were with the delight thereof God himself who is the author of the same so that he takes more pleasure in beholding one beautified soul therewith though a poor Lazarus then in all the kingdomes of the world and the glory thereof wherewith Satan would have tempted our Saviour which should make us the more carefull to attaine to grace and count that soul happy which is beautified therewith this spirituall glory which is had here being the onely sure pledge of that heavenly glory which is to be had hereafter Vers 6. How faire and how pleasant art thou O love for delights The Bridegroom having thus praised his beloved her beauty and comeliness severally and in parts from the very feet upwards to her head now with admiration as it were he praises her beauty in the whole as being beautifull and comely throughout both by the perfection of parts here as also beholding her according to his acceptation of her as such not seeing any iniquity in Jacob Numb 23. 21. and as he will make her to be to himself hereafter by the perfection of degrees to wit a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle Neither here does he onely call her his love but his love for delights which is a very Emphatick speech and forcible declaring thereby both his surpassing love towards her and his delight in her for we may love many persons and not as he does here place our whole and constant delight in them so that as his Father spoke of him from Heaven This is my onely beloved sonne in whom I delight so does he of her This is my welbeloved spouse in whom I delight Eph. 5. 27. Observation Whence we should learn that if the Lord his delight be so much in us as to call us his love for delights being onely as Abraham said of himself but base Dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. or as David professed wormes and sinnefull wretches unworthy to be beloved Psal 22. 6. Job 25. 6. O how much then should we love so good a God and make him our love of delights whose excellency farre surpasses all things or persones wherein the sonnes of men can any way delight the excellency or beauty of any creature being but small rayes of that infinite excellency and beauty that is in himself who is the creator Psal 51. 5. Ezek. 16. Vers 7. This thy stature is like to a palme tree and thy breasts to clusters of grapes As Jacob in blessing his sonnes after he had blessed seven of them he falles out into these words I have waited O Lord for thy salvation Gen. 49. 18. and then proceeds after to the blessing of the other five even so after our Saviour had praised his Church in many particulars and had subjoyned in the generall how fair and pleasant she was as his love for delights he proceeds thereafter to her praise in more particulars as yet and here in this verse to the praise of her stature and breasts first then he compares her stature to a Palm-tree which tree is commended 1. For talness and height 2. For being eaven and straight 3. For perpetuall greenness 4. For thriving though
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
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
her number then which were but a few proselyts or else 2. In respect of time because the time was not yet come that the Gentiles should be called and by faith espoused to Christ in respect whereof being of nonage she was as yet little or as a young damsell not ripe to be betrothed 3. In respect of her condition at her first conversion at that time not being yet so numerous and 4. She might be called little not onely in respect of number then as is said but also of strength stature and knowledge in all which after her first conversion being conformed she was daily onely to grow 2. It is said in the plurall we have a little sister though at that time there was no other Church but that one of the Jewes therefore including Christ in this speech with her self she sayes in the plurall We have a little sister thereby to show that the Church of the Gentiles is not onely a sister to the Church of the Jewes but also to Christ Rom. 8. 29. He being the first begotten amongst many brethren who are all as the Apostle sayes flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones Eph. 5. As also to show that he loves her as dearly will care for her and protect her as ever he did the Church of the Jewes 3. She sayes in the present time we have a little sister although the Church of the Gentiles many hundreth years thereafter was not to be called 1. In respect of predestination and Gods eternall decree unto whom all future things are as present in his sight 2 In respect of prediction and promises made thereanent which in all times are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1. 20. 3 For the certainty of accomplishment in respect whereof to the eye of faith which gives a sort of being to things that are not yet things to come are present as also for the same respect the Scripture usually speaks as here of things to come as if they were present or praeterit as we see Isay 53. 3 4 5. and else where For all these respects she sayes in the present we have a little sister 4. This little sister is said to have no breasts that is a setled Ministry affording the sincere milk of sound doctrine out of the old and new Testament because as yet she was like Abraham before he was called out of Vr of the Chaldees Jos 24. 2. sitting as yet in darkness and in the shaddow of death under grosse ignorance and damnable Idolatry till that light arose to her who is the Sunne of righteousness and she was called to be his people who was Lo-ammi no people at all which was by the preaching of the Gospell Hos 1. 9 10. Yea which estate of the Church of the Gentiles her not having a setled Ministry after the Gospell was preached and after Christ's ascension we may see in many place as Act. 14. 21 22. and Tiâ— 1. 5. does testifie 5. Touching the care that she has for this her little sister it is in these words What shall we do for our sister in the day that she shal be spoken for that is what furtherance shall we yield to her for her conversion increase and establishment in the truth when she becomes as a woo'd bride to Christ by the Ministry of the Gospell as Rebecca was to Isaac by the steward of Abrahams house In the which work of conversion increase and establishment she acknowledges two agents one chief or principall and another Ministeriall or â—nstrumentall and therfore she speaks in the plurall number saying What shall we do the principall and fountaine-agent of all grace enlightning and establishment being Christ who is the Author of all blessings upon his Church and the ancient Church of the Jewes being the instrumentall agent when by the Ministry of the holy Apostles and Evangelists who were of the Jewish nation the Gospell was preached and as the Lord said to Ananias concerning Paul they were made chosen vessells to carry his name before the Gentiles Act. 9. 15. This therefore they did for their little sister in the day that she was spoken for and thereby 1. Did let her see her base condition by nature before like poor captive Esther the King of kings set his love upon her 2. The glorious and happy estate whereunto she was called Ezek. 16. as we see the same typified Psal 45. And yet a farre more glorious estate whereunto she should be advanced in the kingdome of Glory described unto us Rev. 21. And 3. they did deal between her wooer and her with him by prayer and vvith her by preaching as Laban said concerning Rebecca to get her consent Gen. 24. 57. 4 As Abraham servant gave unto Rebecca jewells of silver and Jewells of Gold and raiment v. 53. to adorne and prepare her for his Master even so as instruments of the grace of Gods spirit by their Ministry they did prepare and adorne her likevvise as a bride to present her to Christ And 5. As the Apostle did the Galatians and others they vvatched over her and vvarned her that she should not be tempted by other base and allureing wooers and dore in her affection or like Dinah gad by inconstancy and go a whoring after any such but keep her self as a chaste virgin to her heavenly bridegroom till the day of the solemnization of the marriage with her in the highest Heavens when Christ shall say Even so I take her before my Father and before his Angells Observations 1. We see by the style which the Church of the Gentiles gets that all particular and nationall Churches are but sister-Churches and none such may claime to be a Mother universall Church and Mistresse over all as falsly and ridiculously the Roman Church now does and her proud Papall Bishop to be the universall Monarch of the Church and Head over all 2. Where in the plurall number it is said we have a little sister and so that the Church of the Gentiles is a sister to Christ as well as that of the beleeving Jewes We see as has been noted before our dignity who are true believers with the sweet comforts that result therefrom Chap. 5. 2. 3. In respect of Gods decree prediction and promises concerning the calling of the Gentiles that she sayes in the present time we have a little sister we do observe that the decree and promises of God for things to come are so certaine and infallible that faith doth justly apprehend them and speak of them before they be as if they were already which showes the nature of faith to be as the Apostle describes it Heb. 11. 1. as also serves much to establish to us the comfort of Gods promises in greatest extremities to our great joy 4. Concerning the care that she has of her little sister saying what shall we do for her c. We see that the loving duties arising from zeal and charity and as members of one body that one sister Church can do