nothing in us that moved Goâ—â— to bestow his Sonne upon us to be crucisied fâ—â— us but it was his free love Herein is love 〈◊〉 that we loved God but that he loved us and seâ—â— his Son to be the propitiatin for our sins 1 Johâ— 4.10 Hereby perceive we the love of God becaâ—â— he laid downe his life for us 1 John 3.16 Aâ—â—â— while we were yet sinners Christ died for us eâ— when we were dead in sins Ephes 2.5 For so loved the world that hee gave his only begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved John 3.16 17. For I came not to judge the world but to save the world John 12.47 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay downe his life for his friend John 15.13 That is the greatest love that friends can shew one to another but Christ hath loved us with a greater love for while wee were his enemies he dyed for us to reconcile us to God and to make us his friend hee takes occasion by our sins to shew us merie The Lord complains of the spirituall Idolatry of his people in Hosea 2. which of all sins that is partly the greatest to forsake God and cleave to Idols and to give that to them that belongs only to God for they made their Idols their God gave honour and glory to them but the Lord saith I will not give my honour to another nor my glory to graven Images Hos 2.13 14. Shee decked her selfe with her ear-rings and her jewels and she followed her Lovers and forgate me saith the Lord. Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wildernesse aad speake comfortably to her Hos 11.7 My people are bent to rebellion against me though they called them to the most High yet none at all would exalt him Yet this did not turne the love of the Lord from them for in the 8. and 9. verses he saith How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I delive thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah how shall I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are rouled together I will not execute the fiercenesse of my wrath I will not return to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not man the holy One in the midst of thee Ezek 20.44 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have respect unto you for my Names sake and not after your wicked wayes nor according to your corrupt workes O ye house of Israel saith thâ—â— Lord Isa 43.25 I even I am hee that putteth away thine iniquities for mine owne sake and wilâ— not remember thy sins Isa 44.22 I have put away thy transgressions like a cloud and thy sinner as a mist turn unto me for I have redeemed thee Jer. 33.8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me I will pardon all their iniquities wherby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Jer. 50.20 And in those dayes and at that time saith the Lord the iniquitieâ— of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and for the sinnes of Judah and they shall not be found for I will be mercifull unto them Here is the free mercie of God and riches of his love belonging to all man-kinde that ever was is or shall be there is not any one excluded from his love for there is nothing can keep us from God but our sins and that Christ hath dyed for and hath made full satisfaction to his Father and hath obtained of his Father a full pardon for all the sinne of all man-kinde although they be never so great 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe He was a persecuter and a blasphemer and an injurious person yee saith he I obtained mercy The Lord is no respecter of persons He shed his dearest heart-blood for all sinners as well for the chiefe of sinners as any other for without blood-shedding there can be no remission of any one sinne though never so small in our apprehension but by the blood of Christ being shed for us the greatest sins are pardoned as well as any For the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all unrighteousnesse And this gift of God in giving his Sonne is a free gift of God given to all to redeeme all from sinne hell and the Devill Hes 13.9 O Israel one hath destroyed thee but in me is thy helpe The Devill having overcome man by his tempting the woman and they yielding to him wee were all destroyed by the Devill but in Christ is our helpe against him Jer. 31.11 The Lorâ— hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he All man-kinde fell by and in the fall of Adam from that glorious condition that thâ—â— were in before they sinned So we all fell froâ— that glorious condition with him into a staâ—â— of condemnation sin and the wrath of Goâ— both spirituall and temporall and hell anâ— damnation and as we all fell in Adam so we are all raised by and in Christ not to thaâ— condition that Adam fell from but from thaâ— condition that he fell into and as we all dyeâ— in Adam so wee are all made alive in Chriâ—â— Adam was a publique person for man-kind so was Christ therefore he is called the seconâ— Adam Therefore as by the offences of one which was Adam judgement came upon all men to câ—â— demnation even so by the righteousnesse of ouâ— which is Christ the free gift came upon all mâ—â— unto justification of life For as by one mans disâ—â— bedience many were made sinners so by the obeâ—â—ence of one shall many be made righteous Rom. â—â— 18 19. All were made sinnners in Adam so all aâ—â— made righteous by Christ Quest How are all made righteous 〈◊〉 Christ Answ He being made a publique person so all man-kinde he undertook to make full satisfaction for our sins which he did comit so he redeemed us from that condemnation that came upon all the world by the fall of Adam so that for those sinnes wee shall never be condemned Hee hath redeemed the whole world from the Devill and sin to himselfe that we should serve him in all love so the Devill and sinne cannot keepe the world out of heaven they can doe us no harme yea those that are very great sinnes cannot nothing but unbeliefe can keepe us out There was nothing that kept the children of Israel out of the Land of Canaan but unbeliefe We see they could not enter in because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 They had committed many sins and those that were very great ones and God complained of their sins in
wee shall see our selves live in his life and dead to that life that wee did live to our selves Thus the Lord will strip us of all our excellent things bringing us into the wildernesse and shewing us that all our works are burnt up so far as they are of us but that which is of God in us is not burnt up but is purged from our drosse and will appeare very glorious and will make us silent for we shall have nothing to boast of but confesse that it is Christ in us which is that glory then we shal â—e that he is no respecter of persons for whatsoever he be whether he be a strict Jew as the Jewes were very strict as ye may see by Paul before his conversion Or a Gentile one that makes no shew of godliness but lives very loosâ—y as those Gentiles did which are spoken of â—n Rom. 1. yet when Christ reveales himself to them they shall finde that his love is the same to them as to them that have been most strictest When the Lord of the Vine-yard sent labourers into his Vine-yard he sent some at the first hour and some at the third hour and some at the sixth hour some at the eleventh hour and when hee came to pay them hee began with him that went in last and he had as much given him as he that went in first Mat. 20. Those that are but young Saints that have been but lately brought into Christ the Lord doth many times reveal himselfe in a very glorious manner to them before he doth to them that have laboured in the Lords Vineyard a great while and have had the seede of God appearing in them a great while Mat. 29.30 But many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first That we may know that God is no respecter of persons for wee are all one body and his love is as great to one member as to another Ephes 4.4 5 6. There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling One Lord one faith one Baptisme One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Col. 3.11 Christ is all and in all the Saints CHAP. XVIII How glorious the glory of Christ will appeare in his Church when he bringeth them out of the Wildernesse VVHen Christ hath stripped his Church off of all her goodly things then she hath nothing to trust too but on Christ Isa 2. Then the lofty lookes of man shall be humbled and the baughtinesse of men shall be bowed downe and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day For the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and hee shall bee brought low and the Idols hee shall utterly abolish And they shall goe into the holes of the rockes and into the â—aves of the Earth for feare of the Lord and for the glory of his Majestie when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth In that a man shall cast his Idols of silver and his Idols of god which they made every one for himselfe to worship to the Moles and to the Bats Hosea 14.8 Ephraim â—â—all say what have I to doe any more with Idols Isa 31.7 For in that day every man shall â—ast away his Idols of silver and his Idols of gold which your owne hands have made for a sinne When this day of the Lord is come to us then wee shall be willing to cast them away because the Lord shewes us the odiousnesse of them by the glory of himselfe revealed in us but before this day is come to us we had rather part from any thing than part from them But when he comes to give a full possession of himself then wee are willing to part from all thinge that are not of himselfe but hee doth not reveale all his glory to us at once but revealeth himselfe to us by degrees as wee are able to beare and containe him And as hee shewes himselfe to us so hee shewes us Antichrist and his destruction for the more incomes wee have of Christ the more of selfe and Satan doth appeare to us and is destroyed more and more by this fire of Christ For hee doth baptize us with the holy Ghost and fire Mat. 5. Acts 2. Who among us shall dwell with devouring fire who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings Isa 33.14 This fire of the Spirit of God never goes out but is always burning up that in us that is contrary to it selfe that there may be all the drosse burnt up And this fire is in Sion and his fornace in Jerusalem Isa 31.9 which is the Church of God Who is this that commeth up from the wildernesse leaning upon her Beloved Cant. 8.5 The Spouse of Christ seeâ— all other things faile her and she leaneth now wholly upon her Beloved shee is of her selfe like a barren wildernesse but now hee will cause the fuiâ—ts of his Spirit to appeare to grow and flourish in her The Wildernesse and the solitary place shall bee glad for them and the desart shall rejoyce and blossome as a rose It shall blossome abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon they shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God Isa 35.12 The Spirit shall be powred upon us from on high and the Wildernesse be a fruitfull field and the fruitfull field bee counted for a Forrest Then judgment shall dwell in the wildernesse and righteousnesse remaine in the fruitfull field And the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and the effect of righteousnesse quietnesse and assurance for ever And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places and none shall make her affraid Isa 32.15 16 17 18. Now is the time come for us to see that the marriage day is come when he doth come and manifest himselfe in us in a glorious way to tell us what he is to us and in us and what wee are in him and to him when hee thus comes to us that day is the marriage day to us Rev. 19.7 8 9. Let us be glad rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her selfe ready And to her was granted that shee should be arraied in fine linnen cleane and white for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints And he said unto me write blessed are they that are called to the marrioge supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me These are the true sayings of God Rev. 20.9 10 11. And there came unto mee one of the seven Angels and talked with me and said unto me Come hither and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambes Wife And hee carried mee away in the Spirit to a great and
hath heard as the Eunuch â—â—d he read in the Prophet Isaiah and Philip â—â—ent to him and heard him read and he said â—â—to him Vnderstandest thou what thou readest 〈◊〉 he said how can I except some man guide me 〈◊〉 8.30 31. The heart of man is darkned that 〈◊〉 cannot understand the things of God Rom. 1. â—1 And that which is darknesse cannot comâ—â—hend light therefore the Eunuch said how 〈◊〉 I understand Can flesh understand the spiâ—â—t for they are contrary one to the other For we have need of one to teach us and it is oâ—â— the Spirit of God that doth know and theâ—â—â—fore it is hee alone that can teach us for 〈◊〉 doth know all things of God for hee is 〈◊〉 with him and is the very God therefore 〈◊〉 knows all things For he searcheth all things 〈◊〉 the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 As mâ— hath an eye to see and an eare to heare and heart to understand and other members suâ—â—ble for man to see and heare and understanâ— and perceive the things of man So for 〈◊〉 weake capacity God is set forth to us in 〈◊〉 Scripture by those things as an eye to see bâ—â—cause hee sees all things Neither is there 〈◊〉 creature that is not manifest in his sight 〈◊〉 all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of 〈◊〉 with whom we have to doe Heb. 4.13 And he is said to have an eye to see all our actioâ— and hee also seeth all the things of God in 〈◊〉 truth of them as the truth is in Jesus Aâ— therefore he is said to have an eye because 〈◊〉 the eye we see and so an eare to heare Wâ—â— you are in trouble call upon me and I will heâ—â— The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous â— eares are open to their crye Psal 30.15 He hâ—â—reth all things both the things of God whâ—â— are spiritual and all things else so he is saiâ— have an eare because by the eare we heare for our weake capacity God is said to havâ— eare because he heareth all things And so he is said to have a heart for with the heart wee come to understand thinke know and believe the things of man I know the thought that I have to you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and love and good will Isa 55.8 My thoughts are not as your thoughts Psal 139.17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto mee O God how great is the summe of them So the Lord hath thoughts towards us but we as wee are men know them not and he understands all the wayes of man and knows them for he is the maker of man therefore he must needs know all the wayes of man and he also knows all the things of himselfe and none can know the things of God but that which is one with God and that is alone the Spirit of God and he doth understand and â—hinke and know and believe the things of God For the first he doth understand the things of God Hee it is that doth understand the â—ruth of those things that he doth see heare There is a secret mysterie in all the things of God and it is all hidden from man as man â—e doth not nor cannot know any of them â—or understand any thing of them but the Spirit of God doth understand them all even â—he most secret things of all and all those excellent things that the Spirit of God doth seâ— and heare and understand what the truth of it is they are all purchased by Christ for thâ— children of God and is all kept in store is Christ for us to be revealed by this Spirit iâ— us and to us at the time appointed of the Father So the Spirit of God being given to 〈◊〉 makes us Saints so as we are men we understand not any thing of God yet as wee anâ— Saints and have the Spirit of God this spiriâ— in us understands all the things of God anâ— so by degrees reveales it in us and to us thâ—â— as we are Saints wee understand the minde 〈◊〉 God and those things that are laid up in stoâ—â— for us and this Spirit of God doth thinke the thoughts of God it thinkes all the excelleâ— thoughts that God thinkes for it knowes alone the thoughts of God what he hath to hiâ— children in the purity of them So though 〈◊〉 we are men wee cannot thinke the thought of God nor any thing aright of God yeâ— this spirit of God in us knows al the thought of God to us and it thinkes those thoughts oâ— God that God would have It thinks and sâ— by degrees reveales in us as we are Saints whaâ— the thoughts of God to us are this Spirit 〈◊〉 God knows all the things of God he doth nâ—only understand what the meaning of thâ—â—â— things are that hee sees and heares but hâ—â— knowes them to be very truth because hee is one and the same in it therefore man cannot know any thing of God For as he is man he is not one with God and to know is to be certaine that it is so and how can man be certaine that that is truth that hee can neither see nor hear nor understand it to be so But the Spirit of God is one with God therefore hee knowes it to be truth for hee searcheth all things and knows them all yea the deepe and most secret things of God all is for the Saints So the spirit in us knows all the things of God though man as man is quite ignorant and knowes not any thing of the ways of God so this Spirit brings us as we are Saints to know the things of God in his time Prov. 2.5 6 7. Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God For the Lord giveth wisedome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and understanding Hee layeth up sound wisdome for the righteous This Spirit doth bring us to know God for wee must first know God before wee can know the things of God so the Spirit leadeth us in that way that brings us to know God and that way is Christ Jesus for through him wee know God and hee brings us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ which to know him is to know the fulnesse of our happinesse for out of him God is an enemie to us but in him God is as well pleased with us as he is with Christ for through him wee have free passage to goe to God and Paul prizes the knowledge of Christ above all things in the world Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I might winne Christ and be found in him For to know Iesus Christ is to know al things for we cannot know him as he is but we shal know what we are in him Ephes 1.17 18. That the God
of him that sate upon the Throne This booke is the minde of God as in a booke a man may write his mind at large being of a great volume so for our weake capacity the minde of God is as it were writ in a booke being written within but on the backside sealed with seven seales that wee cannot what is written in it The vision is become unto you as the words of a booke that is sealed up which they deliver to one that cannot read saying Reade this I pray thee and he saith I â—â—nnot for it is sealed And the booke is given to him that cannot read saying Reade this I pray thee and he shall say I cannot read Isa 29.11 12. And the same booke was sent to Ezekiel Ezek. 2.9 10. Behold a hand was sent to me loe a roule of a booke was therein And he spread iâ— before me and there was written therein lamentations mourning and woe Isa 8.16 Bind up the testimonie seale up the law among my Disciples A testimonie is when a man dyeth he writeth down to whom he would have his estate dispos'd when and how so in this booke oâ— God is written the whole mind of God what he hath given us and when it shall be revealed to us and how yet it is bound up and sealed and none is found worthy to open the booke and loose the seale He that sate upon the Throne is God the Father and the book that was in his hand was the whole love and minde of God to all man-kinde in Christ Jesus And the seven seales doth set forth to us that the whole mind and love of God is alone known to himselfe and quite shut up and as it were sealed fast from us that as wee are men and women we cannot know any thing that is written therein In this booke there is written all things what Christ hath done for all and what for his Church in particular what he hath obtained for us and what wee are in him what hee hath made us to the Father in him and what he is in us And it is Christ alone that hath obtained of his Father â—o open this booke and to loose the seals for â—e was the Lambe that was slaine for all and â—y his death hee hath obtained power of his â—ather to open the booke and make knowne â—o us his whole mind There are seven seales â—o be broke open and hee doth not breake oâ—en all the seales at once but by degrees and as he breakes open a seale he saith Come and â—â—e Rev. 6.1 That is wee must see our selves in Christ before we can see any thing of the mind of God made known to us and he it is that doth make knowne to us that wee are in him and the first seale that he breaks open to us are some manifestations of his love to us and by degrees he breaks open the seales to us hee doth make knowne his love and minde to us more and more in a more fuller clearer and glorious manner every seale breaking open are new manifestations every seale more glorious clearer fuller than the other that was broke open before And in this booke is written lamentation mourning and woe to Antichrist for her destruction and ruine is come more and more As Christ breakes open the seales and reveales himselfe to us hee gives us that hearing eare his Spirit that we may hear those things which he hath unsealed to us The Lord God hath opened mine eare and I was not rebellious neither turned away backe He wakeneth mine eare to heare as the learned Isa 50.4 5. Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voyce cause mee to heare it Cant. 8.13 And when wee come to heare the love of God to us then we shall see this messenger of the Spirit of God casting the stumbling blockes out of the way and making known to us in some measure the great love of the Lord to us and so making way for a further manifestation of himselfe to us in a fuller higher and more glorious manner for as the seales are broke open so is Anti christ more and more discovered and destroyed by the bright comming of Jesus Christ for there is a seven-fold purifying of this seede of God in us from the seede of the Devill before it can appeare to us in the purity of it and that is as the seales are broke open to us and hee appeares very glorious at the breaking open of any of the seales much more glorious will he appear to us when all the seales are broke open when we shall perfectly fully and clearly see and know Christ as hee is to us for when they are all broke open then there the perfection of Christ is made known to us for seven is perfection CHAP. XV. How the LORD leades his people by faith THe Lord doth shew his people that which yet they have not the enjoyment of and 〈◊〉 is in a high and glorious manner and they â—â—e not able to expresse what it is but by faith 〈◊〉 some measure they see what it is that they â—â—all enjoy and in the meane while they walke 〈◊〉 faith and not by fight Heb. 11.1 Now faith 〈◊〉 the substance of things hoped for the evidence of â—â—ings not seene And so by faith we must wait â—atiently for a further manifestation of himself â—n us in a more glorious and clearer manner â—or if we hope for that we see not then do we with â—â—tience waite for it Rom. 8.15 We must not â—e like Thomas believe no more than we see or â—njoy but Christ said Blessed are they that â—ive not seene and yet believe John 20.29 Aâ—raham desired to see my day and he saw it and â—as glad He saw by faith the glorious days of Christ the mysteries of the kingdome of God â—ath beene hidden from us but now hee will â—ake them manifest to his Saints to whom God would make knowne what is the riches of this mysterie among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1.26 27. Christ manifested in the flesh is a great mysterie his first comming was in flesh visible to all that all might see him Then hee went away as concerning his flesh and came in Spirit to us I will not leave you comfortlesse but I will come unto you John 14.18 And he saith I send my Spirit unto you John 16.7 If any man love me he will keepe my word and my Father will love him and wee will come unto him and make our abode with him John 14.23 So Christ will not only come unto us but hee is in us already and he will make it manifest that he is come in our flesh by his Spirit for hee and his Spirit are all one and where Christ is there is the Father Know ye not that the Father is in the Sonne and the Sonne in the Father And at that time ye shall know that I am in my Father
Crooked PATHES Made STRAIGHT OR The wayes of God made knowne to lost Sinners or bewildered SAINTS Wherein is represented the severall conditions of a Christian in the Spirit as hee growes up out of weaknesse into strength through death into life eternall By ANNE YEMANS Isa 40.3 The voyce of him that cryeth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desart a high way for our God LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the black-spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1648. To the READER Gentle Reader I Have done mine endeavour to set forth unto you in some measure the bondage that we have been in by sin the Devill and false Teachers what wounds wee have received by them and all hath been because we have not been able to discerne the difference between the wayes of God and Anti-christ And the more wee strive struggle in our own strength the more we are wounded while Jesus Christ doth appeare to us to reveal some light of himselfe to us and hee is that Son of righteousnesse that will appeare to us with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 He will reveal his love to us and heale up all our wounds and lead us in the way that we should walke taking us by the hand and leading us gently as we are able to goe and drawing us with the cords of love Most of the children of God have been in this spiritual bondage and those that have been in it and are brought out of it doth know in some measure how to comfort them that are in it and the Lord doth make us many times instrumentall under himselfe for th comfort and edifying one of another but it is Gol that doth make known all things to us whether it be by meanes or without and we ought to give him all the honour it is very dangerous to idolize the meanes neither ought we to slight it thougo it be by never so mean a person For out of the mouth of babes will hee be praised And let not us undervalue any thing that is of God whosoever it be spoken by for God is no respecter of persons I beseech you beloved let not this my labour seeme odious to you nor causâ— you to slight iâ— because it is written by a weak woman nor for you to harbour any strange thoughts of me for the writing of it for I have my self gonâ— through much spirituall bondage in severall wayes and finding many severall turnes and windings of Satan how cunning hee is in all his wayes anâ— transforming himselfe to an Angel of light labours our destruction in all things And the Lord having brought mee out of that bondage into thaâ— spirituall freedome which is in Christ for all thâ— Saints and I seeing many that are yet in spiritâ—â— all bondage and knows not what freedome there 〈◊〉 in Christ for them it doth cause my bowels of affection to yern to them Yet I should not presume 〈◊〉 set forth this in writing but that I have beene exceedingly moved by the Spirit of God to doe iâ— that I could not be quiet till I had begun it I haâ—â— done what I could before I did begin to doe it to pâ—â— those thoughts out of my mind bringing as many objections against it as I could but still the Spirit of God moved me more and more with motives to stirre mee up to doe it and many promises for the enabling of me to doe it knocking all the objections in pieces that came against it and this was one thing that was laid before me When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren And if thou lovest me feed my Lambs Ioh. 21.15 And another was I am no respecter of persons And also if we are the children of God we must be led by the Spirit of God to doe what hee would have us but after I saw it was of God I durst not refuse to doe it for obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Sam. 15.22 For I plainly see how dearly God loveth all man-kind but especially his children and those that are babes in Christ how great his love to them is yea even those that Christ is but newly conceived in If there be but a desiring really after God though there be yet no enjoyment of God hee will not quench smoaking flâ—xe and his love is as great to those that are the lowest and weakest Saints as to those that are the highest and strongest onely hee makes his love knowne more to them than to those that are yet weake and his making his love known to us causeth us to grow strong in him We all were weake at the first but be strengthens us by degrees as he revealeth himselfe to us more and more and so be will doe to you and when hee doth reveale any thing to any it is not only for them bit that they should declare iâ— unto others that tâ—ey may know what love Goâ— hath toward them that our weake brethren maâ— he strengthned and the lambs of God whicâ— are the young children of God may be fed 〈◊〉 and the doing of this aright is exceeding pleasinâ— to God Here is one signe of our love to God anâ— after wee have found our Beloved all our desire should be that we should be led wholly by the Spirit of God to glorifie him and setting forth hiâ— praise and not to fear the scandals reproaches oâ— the world which are like thornes springing uâ— by the Devill labouring to choake the purâ— truth of Christ but I passe not what scandals oâ— reproaches I meete with all by this booke settinâ— forth for truth doth always finde some great enemies and the more because it is written by a woman for there are some always that doe respect thâ— persons of people having mens persons in admiration Jude 16. My brethren have not thâ— faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glâ—ry with respect of persons Ja. 2.1 And 〈◊〉 shall come to pass in the last days saith Godâ— I will pour of my spirit upon all fish you sons your daughters shal prophesie you young men shall see visiions and your old me shall dream dreams and on my servant an on my hand-maidens I will pour out in thoâ— days of my spirit they shall prophesie Joel 2.28 Act. 2.17 18. When the children of Israel murmured for flesh to eate and Moses was not able to bear it the Lord bid him gather seventy men of the Elders of the people and the Lord toook off â—he spirit that was upon Moses and put upon them and when the spirit rested upon them then they prophesied and did not cease and there was two â—f that seventy that went not out of the Host and they also prophesied Then there ran a young man and told Moses and said Eldad and Medad doe prophesie in the host And there was one answered and said My Lord Moses forbid them but Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake Yea would
righteousnesse too narrow to cover her sewithal her filthy nakednesse wil appear for that But that no man is justified by the woâ—â—â— of the Law in the fight of God is evident Gâ—â— 3.11 Behold all ye that kindle a fire that conâ—â—â—â— passe your selves about with sparkes walke in light of your fire and in the sparkes which ye haâ—â— kindled This shall have ye of mine hand ye shâ—â—â— lye downe in sorrow Isa 50.11 This fire that we kindle is our righteornesse these sparks are one and the same wiâ—â— the fire This shall ye have at my hand ye shall downe in sorrow The children of God that have and doe walke in this darke condition going on in a egall and pharisaicall way thinking to be jutified by their owne righteousnesse for they know no other way for if they did they would willingly embrace it They lye downe â—n aboundance of sorrow they have little comfort and joy and when they have 't is quickly gone and the more they struggle the more they are entangled like a bird in a net and cannot tell which way to getout but thou wilt say though my righteousnesse will not â—ustifie me before God yet I must performe duties to him because he commands me for â—f there be a willing minde it is accepted for â—hat a man hath and not for that he hath not For where much is given much is required but where little is given there is little required So if I doe my good will God will accept it for that which I cannot doe Christ will doe for me I answer That either thou must be justified wholly by thy owne righteousnesse or wholâ—y by Christs righteousnesse for thou must not put them together it is forbid to put linnen and woollen together It is Christ that doth all and he will have all the glory before the Sonne of righteousnesse is risen to thee through the cleer truths of himselfe thou canst not know it for in thy sight we see ligh And while then we make broken Cesterns our selves that will hold no water and foâ—sake the fountaine of living water as tâ—â— Scribes and Pharisees did which Christ uâ—braided them for John 3.19 This is codemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather than light in tâ—â— time of their ignorance God winked at it bâ— when hee came himselfe to teach them in tâ—â— true way they despised him and persecutâ— him and said he was a seducer of the peoplâ— John 7.12 Thou art a Samaritan and hast Devill John 8.48 And he is mad why be ye him and said he was a blasphemer And mâ—ny other reproachfull words against him aâ—â— his Doctrine and his Disciples for whiâ—â— things they were condemned So when thâ— light doth appeare to thee take heed thâ— dost not persecute it as they did and noâ— can by their striving and strugling make thâ— Sonne to rise and expell this darknesse anâ— give us the true light till he please to doe himselfe Thus I have shewed thee that yet thou haâ— not seene the salvation of the Lord Now shall shew you how you shall stand still and 〈◊〉 the salvation of the Lord. Thou hast tryed aâ— the wayes that thou knowest and hast labored exceedingly to find out the wayes of God out cannot find it out We have toiled all the â—ight and taken nothing Luke 5.5 Before Christ came in appearance to them â—heir labour was in vaine they could find noâ—hing But when Christ came to them he bid them let downe their nets into the Sea for a draught When they had thus done they enclosed a great multitude of fishes And so it hath been with thee thou hast toyled all the night and hast taken nothing But when Christ manifests himselfe to thee to teach thee what to doe which hee will doe by his Spirit in his time then thou shalt receive multitudes of mercies and exceeding riches of his â—ove and goodnesse and the joy of it and a countenance of it in the meane time Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voyce of his servant that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 49.23 And thou shalt know that I am the Lord for they shall not be ashamed that waite for mee Habak 2.1 2 3. I will stand upon my watch and set mee upon the tower and will watch to see what the Lord will say unto me and what I shall answer when I am reproved And the Lord answered and said write the vision and make it plaine upon Tables that he may run that readeth it For the vision is yet for an appointe time but in the end it shall speake and not lye Though it tarry wait for it because it will sure come it will not tarry Isa 30.18 Blessed anâ— all they that waite for him Prov. 20.22 Waâ—â— on the Lord and he will save thee Psal 56.3 What time I am affraid I will trust in thee And they that doe waâ—te upon the Lord shall finâ— that they have not lost their labour but he will abundantly fulfill their desires The Lorâ— wil fight for you and ye shall hold your peace for your strength is to sit still Isa 30.7 Thou hast laboured a great while in vain in thy own strength couldst not find God now sit still a while Heb. 10.37 For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Thou must not be discontented because thou hast not thy desires granted when thou wouldst John 7.6 My time is not yet come but your time is alwayes ready Cant. 2.7 I charge you O ye daughters of Jerusalem that yee stirre not up nor awake my Love till he please The Lords time is the best time In the mean time let your conversation be without covetousnesse and be content with such things as you have For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 It is not only meant in coveting temporall things but also spirituall but thou wilt be ready to say if I had such and such things as I want and I were thus and thus as such and such is then I should be contented but thou must be contented with such things as thou hast for the Lord knowes what is better for thee than thou dost 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him doe what seemeth him good And I will not leave thee nor forsake thee It is for thy good whatsoever he doth if it had been most to his glory and thy good he would have shewed thee his loving kindnesse at the first and not have wounded thee thus and have led thee by his Spirit in a plaine ready way and have tooke away all things that hath hindered thee But when hee doth shew thee his love thou wilt know how to prize it the better thy happinesse consists not in the actings of Christ in the which it is but the streames
it up againe this Commandement have I received of my Father So now the time of his suffering being come hee was willing to lay downe his life for poore miserable fallen man-kinde he being nail'd upon the Crosse hee endured sore paines in his body and much more in his minde for the whole wrath of God lay upon him for all our sins for he was wounded for our transgressions both spirituall and temporall A man may bear the infirmities of his body but a wounded spirit who can beare They that hâ—â—â— beene wounded in spirit can tell that it i◠〈◊〉 very sore thing and heavy to be borne Hâ—â— much more sorer and heavier was it upâ—â— Christ when he was wounded for all the fâ—â— of all man-kinde it made him to cry out 〈◊〉 God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mar. 1â— 34. Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by 〈◊〉 hold and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrâ—â— which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hâ—â— afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger Lam. 〈◊〉 12. There was never affliction like this thâ—â— was done unto Christ his love was so grâ—â— to man-kind that there was not any thing tâ—â— deare to him but he was willing to for-go◠〈◊〉 for their sakes he shedde his heart-blood fâ—â— their sakes our sins could not be pardoneâ—â— without his blood being shed for withoâ—â— blood-shedding there is no remission Heb. 〈◊〉 12. And it is not possible that the blood â—â—buls and goats should take away sins wheâ—â—fore when hee commeth into the world hâ— saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offâ—rings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleâ—sure Then said I loe I come to doe thy will 〈◊〉 God By the which will wee are sanctifâ—â—â— through the offering of the body of Christ Jesâ—â— once for all Heb. 10.4 5 6 7. It was not tâ—â— sacrifice of beasts that could take away sin or make satisfaction to God therefore he prepaâ—ed Christ a bodie and he was the only saâ—rifice that could and did make full satisfactiâ—n to God for the sins of the whole world 1 â—et 2.24 Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in â—is owne bodie on the tree that we being dead to â—â—nne should live unto righteousnesse by whose â—â—ipeâ— ye were healed Titus 2.14 Who gave himâ—â—lfe for us that he might redeeme us from all iniâ—â—ity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people â—â—â—alous of good workes Col. 1.14 In whom wee â—ave redemption through his blood even the forâ—â—venesse of sins Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed â—â—s from the curse of the Law being made a curse â—or us For it is written cursed is every one that â—angeth on a tree So Christ was made perfect â—or us through suffering John 19.28 After â—â—is Jesus knowing that all things were now acâ—omplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled â—nd vers 30. He said it is finished and he howâ—â— his head and gave up the ghost I have now shewed you that the Father hath â—â—id all our sinnes upon Christ and hee hath â—ade full satisfaction to the Father for them All our sins being laid upon Christ they are â—ecome his they are not ours but his For â—e hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin â—hat we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 And Christ redeemed us frâ—â— the curse of the law being made a curse for 〈◊〉 How was Christ made sin and a curse for 〈◊〉 If a man be bound to pay another mans deâ—â—â—â— he is become the debter and if the Creditoâ—â— follows the Law of him he must pay the debâ—â—â—â— and he paying the debt the other that owâ— the debt is freed there is nothing to be doâ—â—â— against him because the other hath satisfiâ—â— the Creditour So our sinnes being laid upon Christ anâ— he undertaking to pay a full satisfaction to 〈◊〉 Father for them he is become the debter oâ— sins are his and his Father lookes upon hâ—â— as the sinner not that himself had sinned 〈◊〉 bearing our sinnes and as he became the siâ—ner for us so hee became a curse for us Fâ—â— the Law saith Cursed is every one that continâ—eth not in all things which are written in the bâ—â—â— of the Law to doe them Gal. 3.10 So God hath required this debt of Christ 〈◊〉 be paid by him to the utmost farthing and 〈◊〉 hath done it for us there is nothing to bâ— done for the salvation of our soules but all 〈◊〉 done already for us by the sufferings of Chriâ—â— and God is fully satisfied and well pleasâ—â— This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleâ—sed Mat. 3.17 And he is as well pleased wiâ—â— us in his Sonne as he is with his Sonne aâ—â— he hath no more to say against us for our sins than hee hath against his Son And God doth â—ove us with the same love that he hath loved Christ withall John 17.23 CHAP. V. Now Christ is offered freely to all man-kind without any price or worthinesse of their owne GOd was pleased to make Christ a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world to reconcile â—he world unto himselfe not imputing their sinnes â—â—to them 2 Cor. 5.19 And God would have â—â—e world to know what Christ hath done for â—â—em he would not have his love and mercy â—nd great goodnesse to be hid from them but 〈◊〉 be made known to them that poore souls â—â—at are wounded with sinne may looke upon â—hrist that was crucified for their sinnes and 〈◊〉 him see God as well pleased with them as 〈◊〉 is with Christ There is nothing now to â—nder Gods love to us he loves us freely I â—ll heale their rebellions I will love them freely 〈◊〉 my anger is turned away from them Hos 14. 〈◊〉 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I â—ll make a new covenant with the house of Israel 〈◊〉 with the house of Judah Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers wherâ— I tooke them by the hand to bring them out of thâ— land of AEgypt the which my Covenant they brake although I was an Husband unto them saith thâ— Lord. But this shall be the Covenant that I wiâ—â— make with the house of Israel After those dayâ— saith the Lord I will put my Law in their iâ— ward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Fâ—â— I will forgive their iniquity and will remembâ—â— their sins no more Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. That old covenant that he made with theâ— was a covenant of workes and that covenanâ— they broke they were not able to keepe it bâ— now God hath made a new covenant with 〈◊〉 in Christ a better covenant than the other for God hath given Christ to us for a coâ—nant for him to undertake to make full satisfaction for our sinnes and to be a Mediâ—tor betwixt God and us There was
for all this â—â—â—ing but now Christ hath cloathed us â—â—th his righteousnesse Mat. 6.32 And this â—â—ghteousnesse is perfect and it doth exceede â—â—e righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees â—â—d that white raiment that thou maist be cloâ—â—ed and that the shame of thy nakednesse doe not â—â—peare Revel 3.18 And to her was granted â—â—t she should be arraied in fine linnen cleane and â—â—ite For the fine linnen is the righteousnesse 〈◊〉 the Saints Rev. 19.8 And white robes were â—en to every one of them Rv. 6.11 And being â—â—athed with this robe we have no cause to â—â—e affraid wee have free accesse to goe to God 〈◊〉 Christ all our sins that wee have commitâ—â—d hath been against God and Christ hath â—â—tisfied his Father for them all and therefore â—â—e justifieth us and hath nothing to say aâ—â—inst us Who shall lay any thing to the charge 〈◊〉 Gods elect It is God that justifieth Who is he â—â—at condemneth us It is Christ that dyed yea â—â—ther that is risen again who is at the right hand â—f God who also maketh intercession for us Who â—â—all separate us from the love of Christ shall triâ—â—lation or distresse or persecution or nakednesse 〈◊〉 famine or perill or sword Nay in all these â—hings wee are more than Conquerours through â—â—im that loved us For I am perswaded that neiâ—â—er death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to comâ—â— Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of Gâ—â— which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8.33 34 35 37 38 39. There is not any that can separate us froâ— God in Christ our sins cannot doe it I eveâ—â— I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions for 〈◊〉 owne sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 43.25 Thou art my servant O Israel thou shalt 〈◊〉 be forgotten of me I have blotted out as a thicâ—â— cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sinnes returne unto me for I have redeemed thee Isa 44.21 22. Feare not For I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters I will beâ— with thee and through riveâ—â— they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thâ—â— shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindlâ— upon thee For I am the Lord thy God the holy One of Israel thy Saviour Since thou hast beenâ— precious in my sight thou hast been honourable I have loved thee Feare not for I am with thee Isa 43.1 2 3 4 5. I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed for the Lord dwelleth iâ— Sion Joel 3.21 Fear not rejoyce and be glad for the Lord will doe great things Joel 2.21 Behold I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and will reveale unto them abundance 〈◊〉 peace and truth Jerem. 33.6 I have seene his â—â—es and will heale him I will leade him also â—â—d restore comforts unto him Isa 57.18 And 〈◊〉 will sow her unto mee in the earth and I will â—â—e mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy 〈◊〉 I will say to them which were not my people 〈◊〉 art my people and they shall say thou art my 〈◊〉 Hos 2.23 It is the Lord that hath done all things for 〈◊〉 and in his time he doth make it known to 〈◊〉 that we may know his love to us and so to â—ake us love him and the Devill doth what â—e can to accuse God to us and tells us God 〈◊〉 angry with us to keepe us from him For if 〈◊〉 can but perswade us to keep from God he â—â—es not and he thinks that is the way for â—â—e knowes that if Christ comes to reigne in us â—â—ce his kingdome in us shall not stand So 〈◊〉 doth what he can to deceive us by his false â—â—les for this is the Tale-bearer that doth â—hat he can to part that friend-ship that is beâ—â—een God and us He is the false witnesse that â—eaketh lies and him that soweth discord aâ—â—ng brethren Prov. 6.19 Lay not waite O â—â—ked man against the dwelling of the righteâ—â— spoile not his resting place Prov. 24.15 God 〈◊〉 that resting place Heb. 3.18 There remaineth therefore a resting place 〈◊〉 the people of God For he that is entered into his rest he also hath ceased from his own-wakeâ— Heb. 4.9 10. And so farre as God doth mâ—nifest himselfe in us wee dwell in this restiâ—â— place and the Devill doth what hee can 〈◊〉 hinder us of it by telling us false tales but liâ—â—en not to him for he is a deceiver and a lyâ—â— from the beginning When he speaketh a lye 〈◊〉 speaketh of his owne for he is a lyar and the Fâ—ther of it John 8.44 And if he doth tell thâ— that God is angry and thou must do thus aâ—â— thus to pacifie him through thy obedience though he brings Scripture for what hee saitâ— as he did to Christ Matth. 4. yet believe hiâ— not Yea if any one deliver any other dâ—ctrine to us than that doctrine of Christ whicâ— is the setting forth of the love of God to us 〈◊〉 farre as it is not of God it is of the Devilâ— and hee is accursed And the Lord doth coâ—â— with power to destroy the workes of the Devilâ— 1 John 3.8 Thou art not onely set upon his heart foâ— him to love thee but upon his arme to defenâ— thee against thy spirituall enemies the Deviâ—â— and his Armie which is sinne and wickedness and our owne righteousnesse which doth peâ—secute this seede of God in us and hath doâ— the uttermost of his power to destroy it quite and this kingdome of heaven hath suffered violence by the Devill and this seede of God i◠〈◊〉 hath been kept under and as it were impriâ—â—d by the Devill and himselfe hath reigned 〈◊〉 with tyranny and cruelty that maketh â—o put up many prayers and teares and 〈◊〉 and groans to God for him to deliver us 〈◊〉 these prayers sighes and groanes of these â—â—soners hath entered into the eares of the â—â—d Exod. 3.7 8. Then the Lord said I have â—â—ly seen the trouble of my people which are in Aeâ—â— and have heard their crye because of their â—â—ke-masters for I know their sorrowes Thereâ—â— I am come downe to deliver them And our â—â—ow is greater than theirs for theirs was a â—â—poral bondage but ours is spiritual Behold 〈◊〉 Lord God will come with strong hand and his 〈◊〉 shall rule for him Behold his reward is with 〈◊〉 and his worke before him Isa 40.10 But 〈◊〉 Israel art my servant Jacob whom I have 〈◊〉 the seede of Abraham my friend Thou â—â—m I have taken from the ends of the earth â—â—ed thee from the chiefe men thereof and said 〈◊〉 thee Thou art my servant I have chosen thee 〈◊〉 not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am 〈◊〉 thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I 〈◊〉 strengthen thee
and being overcome and wholly swallowed up in it we are what the Spirit would have us to be and thinke speak and doe what it would have us We are no longer our owne but Gods and his will is become ours and our will is to doâ— his will and is become his so wee are now no longer twaine but one and all our delighâ— is wholly in him and all his delight is wholly in us for it is the manifestation of his love to us that causeth us to love him and the more we see him the more we shall love him and we cannot see him but we shall be like him for we shall see our selves the same in him for as he is so shall we be in this world as wee are Saints the seeing of him by his Spirit doth cleanse us in our conversations So farre as we have seene him wee shall be like him in our conversations for we shall hate all sinne and so farre as we live in God wee shall have neither will nor power to doe any thing that is contrary to him so farre as he revealeth himselfe in us and that is by degrees enlarging our vessels and filling us with himselfe as wee are able to beare him and when he reignes in us we also reigne with him over all things in us that is contrary to himselfe and this is the time of Satans being bound Rev. 20. For Babylon in us being fallen whereby Satan hath overcome us and Christ himselfe having taken possession in us he binds Satan that he cannot â—o what he would against us yet many times God doth let out the linke of Satans chaine â—nd so far as he hath power given him to goe â—e doth wind every way into us will by his â—cting in us ecclips the glory of God but hee â—â—all not overcome us this shall be for the gloâ—y of God and for an humbling to us and â—â—aking us to see that all things that are good â—re of God and how weake we are and reaâ—y to fall if hee with-drawes himselfe but hee â—ill draw backe this chaine of Satan and his â—lory shall appeare more glorious in us and â—his perfection of Christ shall be revealed more â—nd more in us and wee shall see our selves â—ore and more like him 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all â—ith open face beholding aâ— in a glasse the glory of â—he Lord are changed into the same image from â—lory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And this Church of God is called a garden â—here all manner of choise fruit grow which 〈◊〉 the fruit of his Spirit in us and he doth water â—t and make it fruitfull and keeps it night and â—ay and is as a wall and bul-worke about it â—o keepe out all our enemies and the greatest â—annon-shot as can be shot by the Devill aâ—ainst us this bul-work will defend us against 〈◊〉 for it cannot pierce it nor do us any harm CHAP. XIX Christ being come into his garden doth feast his Spouse and his Spouse is feasted with him THe Spouse of Christ hath beene as a garden enclosed a spring shut up and fountaine sealed up that shee hath not appeared what shee is but shee hath beene hidden in Christ And now he saith I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse Cant. 5.1 Hee was ever in his Garden feasting himselfe though wee saw it not but now hee makes it knowne to us that hee is come in his glory to marry us to himselfe and to sit downe together at this heavenly Table and eate of those spirituall dainties that hee hath prepared for us and to rejoyce together and to remaine alwayes together and the first thing that hee doth when hee is come into us that are his Saints for that is his Garden he calls unto us Cant. 2. My beloved spake and said unto me Rise up my Love my faire one and come away For loe the winter is past the raine is over and gone the flowers appeare on the earth â—he time of the singing of birds is come and the â—oyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land The figâ—ee putteth forth her greene figges and the vines â—ith the tender grape give a good smell Arise my â—â—ve my faire one and come away O my dove â—hou art in the cleft of the rocke in the secret plaâ—es of the stairs let mee see thy countenance let â—â—e heare thy voyce for sweet is thy voyce and thy â—â—untenance is comely She lay in the clefts of that rocke Christ Jeâ—us and when she was in the clefts she could â—ot see the full glory of that rock wherein shee â—ay But there she was hid while the stormes of â—he winter were past that is Before Jesus Christ hath manifested his love and goodnesse â—o us and when this sunne appeareth but low 〈◊〉 us then there is much darknesse and glooâ—inesse in us and much coldnesse and then â—e storms of Satan ariseth against us but now â—ee is risen in his glory with a burning heate â—â—d laid the stormes of Satan and hath burnt â—â—p all that hath hindered us from seeing him â—â—d now he bids us come away for hee tels us â—â—e winter is past that which hindered us is â—one now the spring Christ Jesus is come â—â—d his voyce which is that pure Turtle is â—eard in our Land that is in us and he cauâ—th all that is of himselfe in us to appeare and grow fruitfull and flourish though they bee but young and tender at the spring at the first appearing of Christs manifesting himselfe in us yet they give a good smell and our beloved takes a great delight in them and he cals twice to her to come away that he might behold her for she is very comely and beautifull and glorious for shee is one with him she is attired in the glorious robes of Christ and all his rich ornaments are upon her and his crowne of glory And when he lookes upon her he is ravished with her that is hee is overcome with the sight of her all his love runneth forth to her There is not any two lovers upon earth that their love can be so great as the love of Christ and his Spouse is one to the other and she is called forth to behold him Cant. 3.11 Goe forth O ye daughters of Sion and behold King Solomon with the Crowne where-with his mother crowned him in the day of his spousall and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart Christ is compared to King Solomon because hee had the most glory of any King upon the earth and in the day of Christs Espousall doth his glory appeare to us and the gladnesse of his heart and all is for joy of his marriage to us and it is his joy for us to behold it and she beholding her beloved in his glory and seeing his love to her she is also ravished and wholly overcome and swallowed up in him in seeing him to be her beloved My beloved is
mine and I am his he feedeth among the lilies Cant. 3.16 Christ compareth his Spouse to lilies As the lilly among thorns so is my love among the daughters Cant. 2.2 The lilly is counted the most glorious thing that growes in the field Mat. 6.28 29. Consider the lillies of the field how they grow they toyle not neither doe they spin and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these This field is all the world and the Saints are these lillies and the other are but thornes Both those that are of the world which is not of Jesus Christ and also that which is in us which is not of Christ are like thorns to keep these lilies from growing and doe what they can to choak this seede of God in us which are these lilies Mat. 13.7 And she compareth her Beloved to an apple-tree As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons I sate under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast Cant. 2.3 He is a tree of life which beareth twelve manner of fruits and yieldeth her fruit every moneth Revel 22.2 And here is all pleasant fruit upon it and is never barren and the fruit of this apple-tree wee feede upon and whosoever hath tasted of this fruit doth know that it is very pleasant and after we have tasted of it nothing else wil content us to feed upon but that and this tree is a shadow and refuge against all storms and tempests and here we fit quietly feeding upon him but hee brings us further and leads us into his banqueting-house that he might feed us with all his dainties for they are all prepared for us Cant. 2.4 5 6. He brought me to the banqueting-house and his banner over me was love Stay me with flagons and comfort me with apples for I am sick of love His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me When he doth feed us with his heavenly dainties and embraceth us with the arme of his love we are not able to containe our selves we are so ravished with him that we are even sicke with love but hee stais us even when wee are sicke for the enjoyment of him before he doth appeare so glorious in us then he stayes us with the flagons of the wine of his Spirit and of those apples some manifestations of himselfe in us to stay and up-hold us And when he is come in that glorious manner in us which wee have so longed for to give us a a possession of himself and to remain in us for ever He doth appear in us so sweets precious and glorious that we are not able to containe it the enjoyment of him fils us so with joy that it makes us sick being we cannot contain it but he doth up-hold us while he doth embrace us enlarging our vessell and so filling us I am my beloveds and his desire is to me Come my beloved let us goe forth into the field let us lodge in the villages Let us get up early to the vine-yard let us see if the vine flourish whether the tender grapes appeare and the pomegranates bud forth there will I give thee my loves The man drakes give a smell and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits new and old which I have laid up for thee O my beloved Cant. 7.10 11 12 13. All his desire is to us and to goe with him to see how the fruits of the Spirit of God doth flourish in us which are his vine-yard or garden He is not contented to feast himself in us but for us to go with him and he to feast us for his whole delight is â—n us Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may bebold my glory John 17.24 For all those excellent things that is in him is for us his beloved whether old or new manifestations of his glory in us and all that is in us is for him like the rivers that comes from the Sea and runs to the Sea againe so Christ doth fill us with himselfe and all these streams of himself in us doth wholly flow forth to him We are willing for him to have all the honour glory and praise we are so deeply in love with him that we thinke nothing too deare for him All that is ours is for him yea our lives if he call for them we are sorry that we cannot express our love to him as we would for our bodies are a prison to us but all our love is wholly runne forth to him and his love is the like to us Here is perfect love that casteth out feare 1 John 4.18 This is the love that is as strong as death and it is like fire which hath a most vehement flame Many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drowne it If a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would be utterly condemned Cant. 8.6 7. And our love is made known in a great high measure one to the other Our beloved is altogether lovely more to be desired than all the things in the world His mouth is most sweet and let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth for his love is better than wine Out of the mouth commeth the full expression of that love of Christ that is in his heart to us and by his kissing us which is a very high expression of his love to us My beloved it gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices â—o feed in the garden and to gather lillies I am my â—eloveds and my beloved is mine be feedeth among â—he lillies Cant. 6.2 3. I am come into my garden my sister my Spouse I have gathered my myrrhe with my spice I have eaten my honey-comb with my â—oney I have drunke my wine with my milke Eate O friends drinke ye drinke abundantly O beloâ—ed Here hee doth feast himselfe with the â—weet fruits of his Spirit in us that is compaâ—ed to all precious fruits which grow upon â—his tree of life Christ in us He saith I will â—oe up to the palm-tree I will take hold of the â—oughes thereof now also thy breasts shall be as cluâ—ters of the vine and the smel of thy nose like apples And the roofe of thy mouth like the best wine for â—y beloved that goeth downe sweetly causing the â—ips of those that are asleep to speake Cant. 7.8 â— Here doth Christ set forth what excellent â—ruits here is in this garden which he doth gaâ—her and feeds upon it Her breasts shall be as â—he clusters of the vine and that vine is Christ â—ohn 15. and that is the breast that she is nouâ—ished by And the roofe of thy mouth is like the â—est wine Out of our mouths is uttered â—orth the praise glory and excellency of our â—eloved and this wine is for our beloved