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
that thou hast anâ— be as well contented with that thou hast received of God as if thou hadst more still waiting patiently for a further manifestation 〈◊〉 himselfe to thee for he will doe it by degree by his Spirit in his time in us and ye shall sâ— in some measure that hee prepares the way 〈◊〉 the Lord for us for the way of the Lord is toâ—â— hard for man to finde out but he findeth oâ— the way for us Ier. 10.23 I know that the wâ— of man is not in himselfe it is not in man thâ— walketh to direct his steps It is only the Spiâ—â— of God that can doe it for there are maâ—â— stumbling blockes to be taken out of the way which is only the worke of the Spirit to doe â—hen there will be a pleasant way to walke in CHAP. XI â—f the two seedes Of the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent THe two seedes are a great stumbling-block in our way to hinder us while we come 〈◊〉 some measure to discerne the difference aâ—ight betwixt them which is the work of the â—pirit to doe it Our God revealing himself to 〈◊〉 is Children and shewing them the mystery â—f his wayes in the truth of it in some measure â—e makes them instrumentall many times by â—is Spirit to bring others to know the things â—f God and therefore he reveales himselfe to â—ome in a greater measure and in a more highâ—â— and glorious manner and enables them to â—peake to us those things that God hath made â—nowne to them that others might know the â—â—ings of God it is not because God loves â—â—em better than hee doth them that hee hath â—ot revealed himself too for he is no respecter 〈◊〉 persons for he loves all his children alike â—ith the same love that he loves Christ withal but he makes them instrumentall for the goâ—â— of others When Christ was to suffer he prayed to 〈◊〉 Father Iohn 12.28 29 30. Father glorifie thâ— Name Then came there a voyce from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie 〈◊〉 againe Then the people that stood by and heaâ—â— it said that was a thunder others said an Aâ—gel spake to him Iesus answared and said Tâ—â—â— voyce came not because of mee but for your sakâ—â— So the manifestations of the love of Gâ—â— and the things of God made knowne to anâ— it is not only for their sakeâ— but also foâ—â—therâ— so if the Spirit of God workâ— by thâ—â—â—strument in them that heares they have 〈◊〉 benefiâ— of it But if the Spirit doth not wiâ—â—â— is us those things that are spoken to us thâ— those things are truth and belongs to us thâ— instrument cannot worke upon us so let 〈◊〉 heare the instruments speake but it is the Spirit alone that can witnesse I shall in soâ—â— measure shew you the difference of the tâ—â— seedes and leave the successe to God Gen. â— 15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and tâ—â— woman and betweene thy seede and her seede 〈◊〉 shall breake thy head and thou shalt bruise 〈◊〉 heele The seed of the woman was Christ Gal â— 16. and the seede of the Serpent was thâ—â—â—vill And seede is to be sowne and the nature of seed is to bring forth that which is one and the same with it There is the seede of God which is one and the same with God which is Christ not as hee was man but as hee is God This is the good seed that is sown in all and this seede which is spirituall being sowne in us which is the Spirit of God in us is the seede of God and it is one with God Now as a seed is but a small matter to the whole bulke so the seede of God in us is but in a small measure to that fulnesse which is in God yet it is one with him Mat. 13.30 31. The Kingdome of heaven is like a graine of mustardsâ—â—de which a man taketh and soweth in his field Which indeed is the least of all feeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and it 〈◊〉 a tree so that the birds of heaven come and build in the branches thereof This parable Christ spake concerning thâ— seed of God sown in his children that though they have this seede in a small measure and that which they have may lye hidde a great while in them that they cannot perceiv it nor doe not know whether they have it or no â—et then God is making a way for a cleare manifestation to us that it doth begin to spring â—â—rth in us and he waters it daily with the â—â—reames of his owne selfe which is only that which doth make it grow and the Sonne of righteousnesse shining upon it makes it spring forth and grow by degrees and flourish in 〈◊〉 that it will appeare very glorious for it is the seed of God and it is like God and it is God And this seede being sowne in the children 〈◊〉 God hee makes it fruitfull there will bâ— fruits sutable in some measure to the seed in 〈◊〉 and more and more as this seed grows up in 〈◊〉 it will appeare more glorious and will bring forth fruits sutable to God and over-powâ—â— us and bring our wills into subjection 〈◊〉 himselfe that wee shall be willing for him 〈◊〉 reigne over us and so farre as he revealeâ— himselfe to us with his power to over-power 〈◊〉 wee are willing to be what hee would have 〈◊〉 and doe what hee would have us doe so God accepts of it and will reward us for it so also there is the seede of the Serpent that 〈◊〉 sown in all man-kind by his overcomming Adam and so getting an interest in him and for him in all man-kinde And the seed of the Serpent which is the Devill for it was hee iâ— the Serpent that overcame Adam is one anâ— the same with the Devill and he is also a Spirit and this seed of the Devill is sown by hâ—â— in all Mat. 13.24 25. The kingdome of God 〈◊〉 like a man which sowed good seed in his field Bâ— while men slept there came his enemie and soâ—â— tares among the Wheat and went his way God did sowe nothing in Adam but that good seede of himselfe there was no evill in him hee was made after the Image of God for spirituall things but the Devill being the enemie of God he envied mans happy condition hee came and sowed that evill seed of himselfe in Adam and in all man-kinde and his seede in us is the same as he is though it be small in it selfe yet it being sowne in us it quickly takes roote in us and appeares for this comes naturally and there is nothing to let and hinder it from growing in us except the Lord doth blast it by a new work wrought in us which comes not by nature and the Devill doth water this seede of himselfe in us with the streames of his temptations and causeth it to flourish and grow
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
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
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
but in Christ which is the fountaine and these streames ebbe and flow according to the wisdome of God And so long as thou dost live upon these streames thy comforts ebbe and flow with the streames but the Lord did not send these streames of his love to thee that thou shouldst live upon them and build thy comforts upon them but he lets these streames of his love sometimes flow forth in thee to keepe thee from despairing and at other times with-draws the sense and feeling of it that thou shouldst not Idolize them but looke up higher and see Chrisâ— who is thy full happinesse and he unchangeâ—ble I am God I change not therefore ye Sonnâ— of Jacob are not consumed We have thought God to be changeable liâ—â— our selves when we performed duties he wâ—â— well pleased with us and when we fell into fâ—â— hee was angry with us and when wee haâ—â— thought God angry with us wee have kepâ— from him and durst not goe to him Isa 5â— 7 8 9. Let The wicked forsake his way and 〈◊〉 unrighteous man his thoughts and let him râ—turne unto the Lord and he will have mercy upâ—â— him and to our God for he will abundantly paâ—don For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your wayes my wayes saith the Lord. Fâ—â— as the heavens are higher than the earth so are â—â—wayes higher than your wayes and my thoughâ— than your thoughts You must forsake your owne thoughts 〈◊〉 God you have thought him to be changeabâ—â— like your selfe and his wayes like yours bâ—â— you must doe so no more For his thoughâ— are thoughts of peace and love and good wiâ—â— Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlastiâ— love His love is unchangeable love for whâ— he loves he loves to the end Is God unchangeâ—ble this is exceeding comfortable to the châ—â—dren of God this will encourage them not 〈◊〉 be troubled though they cannot performe duties alwayes alike sometimes wee cannot pray we want words to speak to God But the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought But the Spirit it selse maketh intercessian for us with groanes which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. What little cause haft thou to be troubled though thou carest not pray when the Spirit of God prays for thee to the Father and Christ hee hath prayed for thee John 17. And he makes intercession for thee 1 John 2.1 And it is impossible but that the prayers of Christ and the Spirit will be granted for the Father will not denie Christ anything And in Christ thou art very neare and deare to him and he is very tender and carefull over thee and will do any thing for thee which is for thy good Hee will not keep backe anything from thee which he sees is for his glory thy good in his time but thou must waite his time and a waiting condition is a happy condition And it is hee that makes thee to waite Isa 40.29 30 31. Hee giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall But they that waite upon thâ— Lord shall renew their strength they shall mounâ— up with wings as Eagles they shall runne and noâ— be weary and they shall walke and not faint Thus I have shewed you what it is to stanâ—â— still CHAP. IV. How Christ makes a way through the Red Sea oâ— his owne blood which he hath shed for thy sinnes for thee to passe out of the spirituall Land of Aegypt into the spirituall Land of Canaan GOd made man in his owne Image Gen. 1 27. He being without sin and in a glorious condition and he knew God and there was nothing to hinder his communion with God He saw God as he was and he had a clear enjoyment of him for he saw God with a spirituall eye and he was what God would have him to be and willing to be at the disposing of God then was no complaints made oâ— him and God planted a garden Gen. 2.8 9. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for foode the tree of life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evill The Lord placed Adam there in the glorious place that was upon the earth suitable to his condition there was all things that his heart could wish or desire Vers 16 17. And the Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the Garden thou maist freely eate but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill thou shalt not eate of it for in the day thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die The man and the woman were in a glorious condition so long as they continued thus both in spirituall and temporall things So their happinesse was upon condition for so long as they forbore eating of the tree of knowledg of good and evill they continued in this happinesse but if they eate of it thou should surely dye And the Devill envied mans happy condition and he enters into the Serpent and came to the woman and said Yea hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden And the Woman said unto the Serpent we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said ye shall not eate of it neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the Serpent said unto the woman ye shall not surely die For God doth know that in the day ye eate thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evill And when the woman saw that the tree was good for foode and that it was pleâ—sant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to maâ—â— one wise shee tooke of the fruit thereof and diâ— eate and gave also to her husband with her anâ— he did eate Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Here the Devill came and accused God tâ— the Woman hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden For God doth knowâ— that in the day that yee eate thereof then your eye shall be opened and you shall be as Gods knowinâ— good and evill As if he should say if God diâ— love you he would not have barr'd you froâ— eating of the fruis of that tree whereby yoâ—â— should become as Gods to know good and evill He had better have barr'd thee from all the otheâ— things in the garden then from this therefore his barring of thee from this thing whicâ— is so good for thee may make thee questioâ— his love to thee in all other things Anâ— though he said ye shall dye it ye
many places of Scripture yet none of them kept them out of the Land of Canaan which was a type of heaven but only unbelief And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkenesse rather then light John 3.19 Christ hath obtained of his Father a full pardon for all the sins of the world and a perfect righteousnesse and heaven and spirituall and temporall things and it is kept in store for us in Christ all the spirituall things are till wee doe really believe what Jesus Chriâ—â— hath done for us in particular and he woulâ— have his love made knowne to the world thaâ— they might believe and then hee will makâ— known to them that their sins are pardoned and how great his love is to them and whâ—â— hee hath purchased for them and what theâ— are in him And although there remaines sâ—â— in the conversation yet sin in the conscienâ—â— is done away The blood of Christ which througâ— the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spoâ—â— purge your consciences from dead workes to serâ—â— the living God Heb. 9.14 And he speaking iâ— the 9th verse of this chapter and verse 2. of thâ— 10th chapter of the sacrifices in the time of thâ— Law there was offered gifts and sacrifices thaâ— could not make holy concerning the conscience of him that did the service for if it could would they not then have ceased to have beeâ— offered because that that the offerers oncâ— purged should have had no more sine in theiâ— conscience but those sacrifices could not take away sin in the conscience Heb. 9.24 25 26. For Christ is not entered into the holy places maâ—â— with hands which are the figures of the true buâ— into heaven itselfe now to appeare in the preseâ—â— of God for us Nor yet that he should offer himselfâ— often as the high Priest entereth into the holy plâ—â—â— every yeare with blood of others For then must often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath be appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe And it is he alone that can and will sanctifie us in our conversation Let us draw neer with a true heart in assurance of faith sprinkled in our hearts from an evill conscience and washed in our bodies with pure water Heb. 10.22 Christ shed both water and blood John 19. â—4 His blood for to sprinkle our conscience from evill works that so they shall not damn us and water to purge and sanctifie us in our conversation that sin shall be mortified in us and we shall walke in obedience to God And this Christ hath done for all and would have all know it that they all might come to Christ and be saved For be tasted death for-every man Heb. 2.9 And be dyed for all that they that live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Gor. 5.15 Christ not only dyed and was buried but hee also rose from the dead which doth declare unto us that hee hath gotten the victory over the spirituall death for us he triumphed over it for us Death is swallowed up in victory O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Chrisâ— 2 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. So Christ hath done all things for thee anâ— hath made way for to goe to God by him Jâ—sus said I am the way the truth and the life â—man commeth to the Father but by me John 1â— 6. And now he makes a generall proclamatâ—on for all to come unto him and he will giâ—â— them life for their life is hid in him and they doe not come unto him they shall dyeâ— their sins and the Lord saith As I live I wiâ—â— not the death of a sinner Isa 55.1 2 3. Ho evâ—â—â— one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and 〈◊〉 that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea comâ— buy wine and milke without money and withâ—â—â— price Wherefore doe ye spend money for that whiâ—â— is not bread and your labour for that which satiâ—fieth not hearken diligently unto me and eaâ—â— ye that which is good and let your soule delight selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come unâ—me heare and your soule shall live and I wiâ—â— make aneverlasting Covenant with you even tâ—â— sure mercies of David The waters that we are invited to come 〈◊〉 to is Christ he is the water of life John 4 1â— And he calls all to come without any worth nesse of their owne though they are never 〈◊〉 great sinners let them come let them not keâ—â— back because they are great sinners but therâ—fore let them come for he dyed for their sins â—nd if they come unto him he will give them a â—ardon for their sins their sinnes cannot be too great for him to pardon and doe not stay for â—ualification to come to Christ for there is â—o qualification out of Christ but come unto him and he will qualifie thee there is no vessel so unclean but the blood of Christ wil cleanse â—t And saith Christ Those that come to me I will â—â—n no wise cast away and that wine and milk is Christ John 15.1 I am the Vine that brought forth those grapes that this wine came of and he was pressed in the wine-pres of the wrath of God for us to drinke of the fruit of it And as it is the nature of wine to comfort strengthen and refresh those that are ready to faint So it is with this spirituall wine Christ whosoever hath tasted of him it comforts him exceedingly and when they are ready to faint through the sence of their sins this wine refreshes them and strengthens them against the Devils temptations and their owne sins and this milke is to feede those that are babes in Christ I have fed you with milke and not with meate for bitherto ye were not able to beare it 1 Cor. 3.2 For every one that useth milke is unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe Heb. 5.13 So Christ is this milke that feeds those that are babes in him he is their nourishment and hee revealeth his love to them by degrees and 〈◊〉 are babes at the first and grow by degrees be men in Christ and hee leades them accoâ—ding Wherefore doe ye spend money for that whiâ—â— is not bread you spend a great deale of cost paines to get a righteousnesse of your own aâ—â— so feede upon that but that is not bread thâ—â— is but ashes that will not nourish thee bâ—â— wildo thee more harm than good Christ saitâ— He is the bread of life John 6.48 This is 〈◊〉 bread which came downe from heaven that a mâ—â— may eate of it and not dye I am the living breâ—â— which came downe from heaven if any man
and we come to beleeve this 〈◊〉 the faith of Christ this faith is the eye to 〈◊〉 what Christ hath done for us so through thâ— faith we are justified by Christ and this is thâ— free gift of God and is not any thing of oâ—â— selves our faith is imperfect and therefore 〈◊〉 cannot justifie us I beleeve Lord help my unâ—â—liefe So that our faith cannot justifie us bâ—cause there is unbeliefe in it Lord help my 〈◊〉 beliefe but the faith of Christ is perfect aâ— that alone doth justifie every one that hathâ— and without this faith it is impossible to pleâ—â— God Heb. 11.6 and every thing which is 〈◊〉 of this faith is sinne and Christ is the authoâ—â— and finisher of this faith Heb. 12.2 And all long the 11. chapter of the Hebrewes the speakes what great things were done by tâ—â— faith and the Lord calls and invites all men come to him and eat freely of this spiritoâ— feast that he hath prepared for them he 〈◊〉 vites them by the outward preaching of 〈◊〉 word and inward movings of his Spirit Pâ—â— 1.20 21 22 23. Wisdome crieth without uttereth her voyce in the streets she crieth the chiefe place of concourse in the openiâ— of the gates in the citie she uttereth her words saying How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fooles hate knowledge turne you at my reproofe behold I will poure our my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you Here is the outward call and in Genesis 6.3 there is the inward And the Lord said My Spirit shall not always strive with man So it doth appeare that his Spirit doth strive with man to bring him to himself Iohn 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me Hosea 11.4 I drew them with cords of a man with bands of love and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jawes and I laid meat unto them Thus â—hrist drawes all both inward and outward with the bonds of love that he might take off that heavy yoke off their sinnes off them and see them laid upon Christ and see this spirituall meat which is laid before them and they to feed on it and doe appeale to every ones conscience whether they doe not find at one time or other an inward moving by the Spirit of God for to goe unto God and the Lord will receive them and they have some glimpse of the love of God to them to invite them to goe and there is nothing can move us to go to God but the Spirit of God therefore it is the Spirit of God that doth draw all CHAP. VII None can truly repent till they goe unto God anâ— when they do goe he will give them a true repentance THere is not any that can truly repent 〈◊〉 their sinnes till they doe see in some measure the love of God to them they may repent because their sinnes provoke Gods angeâ— against them and for feare of hell and the judgements of God and because they keep them out of heaven but this is not a true repentance a true repentance is such a repentance that they need not repent them of buâ— there requireth a repentance to repent of this repentance but it is the love of God made known to them that makes them to be humbled for their sinnes because they offend so loving a God and they were the cause that Christ was crucified and therefore they hate their sinnes because they are an enemy to God and keeps them from the communion of God O the love of God to thee constrains thee to love him againe and thou art ashamed of thy sinnes and hatest them because God hates them so it is the love of God to them that causeth true repentance When Christ looked upon Peter then he went out and wept bitterly Luk. 22.61 62. Ephraim shall say What have I to do any more w th Idols Hos 14.9 Ephraim was a great sinner he worshipped Idols yet when he saw the love of God to him it so overcame him that he cries out Whot have I to doe any more with Idols though I have had to doe with them yet now I hate them because God hates them Ierem. 31.18 19. I have heard Ephraim lamenting thus Thou hast corrected me and I was chastised as an untamed Colt convert thou me and I shall be converted for thou art the Lord my God Surely after that I converted I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth Ezek. 16.62 63. And I will establish my covenant with thee and thou shalt know that I am the Lord that thou mayst remember and be ashamed and never open thy mouth any mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Thus the love of God drawes all to repentance and it prevailes more with them to bring them to repentance than to heare of the wrath of God and judgements and this repentance is a true â—â—pentance to hate sinne and to be huâ—bled for it because it offends so loving a Goâ— and therefore to forsake them though neâ—â— so neer and deare to us and be affraid of coâ—mitting sinne for feare of offending God 〈◊〉 Joseph said How can I doe this and sinne agaiâ—â— God Gen. 39.9 Object If it be so that God doth draw 〈◊〉 men thus to himselfe what is the reason thâ— all doe not come unto him for wee see thâ— most keep from him and live in sin and wiâ—â—ednesse Answ The fault is in man O man thyâ—â—struction is of thy selfe For what coâ—â— I have done to my Vineyard that I have 〈◊〉 done it Isa 5.4 And though they goe aâ—â— from Christ yet hee will not leave themsâ—â—â— hee followes them 1 Cor. 10.4 They did 〈◊〉 drinke the same spirituall drinke for thâ— dranke of that spirituall rocke that followâ—â— them and that roche was Christ Hee followes them with his mercie and â—â—ving kindnesse to draw them to him but thâ— would not Ye would not come unto me thâ—â— might have life And if ye believe not that Iâ— he ye shall dye in your sinnes John 8.24 There is nothing that condemnes the woâ—â— but the rejecting and undervaluing of Jeâ—â— Christ and continue so doing and live and dye so He that believeth not is condemned already because hee hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather than light John 3.18 19. Christ is the light to lighten every one that comes into the world and hee invites all to come unto him and he will give them of his light that they might see to walke in his way and he would direct them what to doe and lead them in the
idolize it but the excellence of man is but flesh even the best of it as all outward gifts without the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 13.1 2 3. Though I speake with the tongues of men and Angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brasse or a tinckling cymbal And though I had the gift of prophesie and knew all secrets and all knowledge yea and if I had all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not love I were nothing And though I feed the poore with all my goods and though I give my bodye that I be burned and hoâ—â— not love it profiteth me nothing All this without love which is the Spirit For God and thâ— Spirit is one 1 John 5.7 God is love 1 Joh â— 8 All these excellent things without the Spiriâ— profieth me nothing Why because our happinesse consists alone in God and not in excellent cutward gifts without him Paul haâ— a great many before his conversion yet hâ— looked upon them as the workes of the flesh for he had not then the Spirit of God Foâ— we are the Circumcision which worship Goâ— in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus anâ— have no confidence in the flesh Though I alâ— might have confidence in the flesh If any maâ— thinketh that hee hath whereof he might tâ—â— in the flesh much more I Circumcised thâ— eighth day of the kindred of Israel of the trâ—â— of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews by thâ— Law a Pharisee Concerning zeal I perseâ—ted the Church touching the righteousnâ—â—â— which is in the Law I was unrebukeable Bâ— things that were vantage to me the samâ— counted losse for Christs sake Yea doubtleâ— I think all but losse for the excellent knowledâ— sake of Christ Jesus my Lord. For whâ—â— I have counted all things losse and dee 〈◊〉 them to be dung that I might winne Christ and might be found in him that is not having mine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ even the righteousnesse which is of God through faith Phil. 3.3 to the 9. All flesh is as grasse and all the glory of man is as the flowr of grasse The grasse withereth and the flowre falleth away but the word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet 1.24 25. This glory of the flesh which is compared to the flower of the grasse is the righteousnesse of man the most excellent of man without the Spirit of God as Paul had Yet this must all fall away it cannot stand before the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ but the word of God endureth for ever This word is Christ and he and his righteousnesse endureth for ever and when he and his righteousness appeareth in us and to us It will appeare so glorious and shine with such a burning heat that it will wither the flowre of our righteousnesse and cause it to fall away and be brought to nothing It will appeare so odious and filthy in our fight that we shall be ashamed of it as Paul was and count it as dung and drosse the filchiest things as is and so we shall be desirous to have this righteousnesse of ours destroyed by the glorious comming of Jesus Christ by g DESC = missing EXTENT = 1 span Spirit into us So none of the best of the excellencies of man can bring us to know any thiâ— of God in the mystery it is alone the work 〈◊〉 the Spirit of God without any thing of us Tâ—â— things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit 〈◊〉 God 1 Cor. 2.11 And this Spirit searcheth 〈◊〉 things yea the deepe things of God vers 10. 1. It is the Spirit alone that sees the thing of God 2. It is the Spirit that heares the things 〈◊〉 God 3. It is the Spirit alone that understandâ— the things of God 4. It is the Spirit alone that can doe thâ— works of God 5. It is the Spirit alone that makes us accepted with God For the first It is the Spirit of God aloâ—â— that seeth the things of God Mat. 6.22 Thâ— light of the body is the eye If therefore thine eye 〈◊〉 single thy whole body shal be ful of light Lu. 11 3â—â— This single eye is the Spirit of God and it seâ—â— the things of God for it cannot be the eye 〈◊〉 man Matth. 6.23 But if thy eye be evill thâ— whole body shall be full of darknesse If therefoâ—â— the light that is in thee be darkenesse how great 〈◊〉 that darknesse The eye is that whereby we see the eye 〈◊〉 man cannot see any thing but that which iâ—â— man and all the things of man even the best of them are but evill and the eye of man that seeth the things of man is one and the same with man And therefore it must needs follow that the eye of man is evill for it sees nothing done but that which is evill And if thy eye be evill thy whole bodie shall be full of darkenesse What is darkenesse but want of light and the light is Jesus Christ This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkenesse rather than light John 3.19 And the light shined in darkenesse and the darkenesse comprehended it not John 1.5 And that was the true light which lighteth every man that commeth into the world Hee was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not John 1.9 10. So as wee are men wee cannot know God nor any thing of God For if that light that is in us be darkenesse how great is that darknesse If those most excellent performances of man as man without the Spirit of God as Paul did performe before his conversion which is most likest light be darknesse how great is that darkenesse that man is in Man as man cannot comprehend the light of Jesus Christ none can doe it but that which is one and the same with him which is the Spirit of God and he â—s that single eye that sees all the things of God and Christ for they are one and Christ 〈◊〉 promised to send his Spirit unto us But Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the they will send in my Name he shall teach yâ—â— things and bring all things to your remember whatsoever I have said unto you John 14. â— When the Comforter is come whom I will send 〈◊〉 you from the father even the spirit of truth oâ— proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie oâ— Joh 15.26 The spirit of truth whom the world 〈◊〉 not receive because is seeth him not neither knoâ—â— him but ye know him for he dwelleth with and shall be in you and he shall abide with for ever John 14.16 17. These words Christ spake to his Disciâ—â— when he was present with them in the shaâ— man when he was to depart from theâ— that bodily shape they were unwilling 〈◊〉 he should goe away but he tels them that expedient that he should goe away For if 〈◊〉
not away the Comforter will not come but depart I will send him unto you John 16. â— So when hee departed from them in the â—â—dy hee did send his Spirit to them and only to them but to all his children to and of the world He shall abide with you â—â—ver I will not leave you comfortlesse I will to you John 14.18 So he departed from them in flesh and 〈◊〉 â—nto them in Spirit and remaineth with his Church for ever and is a greater Comforter â—o his Church in Spirit than hee was to his Disciples in his flesh when he was with them â—o Christ hath given us his spirit freely that we â—ay see the things that are freely given to us â—f God So in thy light saith David we see light Though wee as wee are men cannot see the â—hings of God but as we are Saints and have â—he Spirit of God so we come to see the things of God for the Spirit of God in us seeth the â—hings of God and so far as hee revealeth the â—hings of God to us so far wee see them with his s pirituall eye of himselfe The Lord is my â—ight Psalm 27.1 So in this light we see God who is light For ye were sometime darkenesse â—ut now are yee light in the Lord Ephes 5.8 For thou art my lamp O Lord and the Lord will â—ighten my darknesse 2 Sam. 22.29 So farre as God hath revealed himselfe to â—n so farre we have seen him with the light of himselfe And so farre as we have not seene him with the light of himselfe so farre we are â—n darknesse still and so farre as hee hath revealed himselfe to us hee teacheth us all things and brings all things to our remembrance For therefore hee was sent unto us to teach us to know what Christ hath done for us and to know the things that are freely given to us of God and to be our Comforter There is 〈◊〉 Comforter like this for he is alwayes in 〈◊〉 and knows our trouble there is not any thiâ— hid from him for we have not an high Prâ—â—â— which cannot be touched with the failing 〈◊〉 our infirmities but was in all points tempâ—â— like as we and yet without sin Heb. 4 1â— For in that he himselfe hath suffered being templâ— he is able to succour them that are tempted Hâ—â— 2.18 Christ hath suffered in all manner of afflicâ—â—â—ons both spirituall and temporall thereforâ— his Spirit is a sufficient Comforter to comfoâ—â— us in all our troubles with the love of himselâ— and in upholding us in it and to bring us 〈◊〉 of them when he sees it is for his glory and 〈◊〉 good Thus the Spirit seeth the things 〈◊〉 God For the 2d. It is the Spirit alone that hearâ— the things of God He that hath an eare to heaâ— let him beare Mat. 13.9 Mâ—r. 4.9 He that haâ—â— an ear let him beare what the Spirit saith unto tâ—â— Churches Rev. 2.7 It must be such an eare as can heare what thâ— Spirit faith It is only the Spirit that can heâ—â— the Spirit speak that knows the languageâ— the Spirit and none else man may or can hâ—â— what man speaketh and of the minde of Goâ— as it is writ in Scripture and to heare it in thâ— letter as it is in the letter but to hear it so as to understand know what it is in the truth of it as the truth is in Jesus none knowes it but the Spirit of God for it is spirituall The word that I spake unto you is Spirit and life and this word is Christ And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory 〈◊〉 of the only begotten of the Father ful of grace truth Joh. 1.14 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God John 1.1 So this word is spirituall for God is a Spirit John 4.24 And none can hear this word but that which is one and the same with it and therefore it is onely the Spirit of God which is one and the same with God which hath that hearing eare to hear what the Spirit saith and this Spirit of God heares all the mind of God yea all the secrets of God He doth heare what things they are that God hath prepared for them that love him and those things the eare of man as man cannot heare what they be for they are spirituall and heavenly glorious things and man is carnall and cannot heare them so as to understand it It is a strange language to him hee doth not know the meaning of it therefore he hath declared all things to his Spirit and hath given us his Spirit and so this Spirit of God in us doth heare the Spirit speake it speakes nothing but peace and love and mercy and goâ—â— will to us and what he hath done for us 〈◊〉 what he is in us and to us and what we are 〈◊〉 him and to him as we are Saints and 〈◊〉 Spirit will declare it to us by degrees that 〈◊〉 we are Saints wee shall know them for theâ—â—fore the Spirit was sent to us that throâ—â— him we may hear what God hath done for 〈◊〉 Thus have I shewed you in some measâ—â— that it is alone the Spirit of God that hearâ—â— the things of God for us For the 3d. It is the Spirit of God aloâ—â— that understands the things of God for mâ—â—â— as man cannot understand the things of Goâ— because they are spiritually discerned 1 Gâ—â— 2.24 And man is altogether earnall Mat. 1â— 13 They seeing see not and hearing bear nâ—â— neither doe they understand Isa 6.9 Mark 4 1â— John 12.40 Acts 28.26 How can they uâ—â—derstand that which they can neither see nâ—â— heare When Christ told his Apostles that he mâ—â— goe to Jerusalem and all things that are writâ— by the Prophets concerning the Sonne of Mâ—n fâ—â— be accomplished For he shall be delivered unto 〈◊〉 Gentiles and shall be mocked and spightfully 〈◊〉 treated and spit on And they shall scourge 〈◊〉 and put him to death and the third day hee shâ—â— rise againe And they understood none of thing and this saying was hid from them neither â—new they these things that were spoken Luke 18. â—1 32 33 34. They were the Apostles of Jesus Christ and â—â—e chose them among his Disciples to goe and â—â—reach the Gospel to all the world yet they 〈◊〉 they were men they understood not those â—â—ings in the mysterie what should be brought 〈◊〉 passe by those things They could not chuse 〈◊〉 know what those things meant outwardâ—y when he told them so plainly what things â—e must suffer for they could do no other but â—now those things outwardly but those sayâ—â—gs spirituall were kept from them that they â—â—derstood them not For man as man canâ—ot understand any thing but that which is of â—â—n For the things of God knowes no man Hee â—ay hear much with the eare and speak much 〈◊〉 that which hee
saith not to the seedes as speaking of many 〈◊〉 but unto thy seede as of one which is Christ Abraham was a type of God and Isaa◠〈◊〉 type of Christ and the promises are promised to this seed Gen 17.7 8. I will establish my Covenant betweene me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be God unto thee and to thy seed after thee And I will give thee and thy seede afâ—â—â— thee the Land wherein thou art a stranger evâ—â— all the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God And vers 21. of this Chapter he saith My Covenant will I estâ—blish with Isaac And vers 19. And I will establish my Covenant with him an everlasting Covenant â—and with his seed after him All the promises are to Christ and his seâ—â— which is sowne in the Saints for that i◠〈◊〉 with Christ and all the land of Canaan 〈◊〉 promised to him and his seed The land of Câ—naan waâ— a type of heaven so heaven iâ— pâ—â—mised to the seed of Christ with Christ Christ obtained it of his Father for us by his suffering Heb 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 8.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified All that Christ did doe or suffer was for man he was made perfect for them and the children of God hath the whole benefit of it so they are made perfect in Christ Hee is the author of eternall salvation unto all them for they are the seede of Christ not as they are men but as they are Saints CHAP. XII How the seede of Christ is the Church of Christ or the Spouse of Christ CHrist hath purchased of his Father a chosen people to himselfe in his Father he is a common salvation to all but a speciall salvation to them and them he will make known hiâ— love and mind unto by degrees This seed of himselfe in them is the Church of Christ and the Church of Christ is the body of Christ Ephes 1.23 Not as he was man but 〈◊〉 he is God he iâ— a Spirit and the Church which is his body must be spirituall too and sutable to Christ for hee is the head of the Church Ephes 5.23 So the seede of himselfe being sown in all the Saints is the body Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the bodie vers 25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that bee might present is to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and wiihout blemish That seede of Christ in us is perfect and Christ came not to purge sanctifie and wash it but to wash us as we are men and women to purge away our sinnes by his blood and to sanctâ—fie and wash us in our conversation by his Spirit in us We have a neare relation to Christ as he was man for we are members of his bodie of his flâ—sh and of his bones Ephes 5.30 He tooke our nature upon him that he might obtaine all things for us as wee are men and he is the Saviour of our bodies Ephes 5.23 For our bodie is the temple of the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 Know yee not that yee are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If 〈◊〉 man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God is holy which tâ—â—ple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. For ye are not yoâ— owne ye are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 He hath redeemed us to himselfe that we should serve him in all love hee hath done all things for the glory of himselfe and that we should have the benefit of it and he doth purge his Temple for himselfe to dwell in but as we are men there is no good in us nor no inclination to good we are but poor earthen vessels yet hee himselfe is pleased to dwell in us by his Spirit For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.6 7. So it is not our bodies that is the Church for our bodies are not one with God for it is but an earthen vessell for the Spirit of God to dwell in But this Spirit being in all the children of God makes one body Now yee are the bodie of Christ and members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one bodie being many are one body so also is Christ For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one body whether wee be Jewes or Gentiles whether wee be bound or free and have been all made to drinke inâ—â— one Spirit For the body is not one member but many If the foote shall say because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body And if the eare shall say because I 〈◊〉 not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were heâ—ring where were the smelling But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him And if they were all one members where were the body But now are they many members yet but one body And the eye caâ—â—â— say to the hand I have no need of thee nor agaiâ— the head to the feet I have no need of you Nâ—â— much more those members of the body which seeâ— to be more feeble are necessary But all thâ—â—â— worketh by one and the selfe same Spirit dâ—viding to every man severally as he will 1 Câ—â— 12.11 to the 22. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift 〈◊〉 Christ Wherefore he saith When hee ascended 〈◊〉 on high he led captivity captive and gave gifâ— unto men He ascended up far above all heavâ—â— that he might fill all things And he gave some â—postles and some Evangelists and some Pastors 〈◊〉 Teachers For the perfecting of the Saints for 〈◊〉 work of the Ministery for the edifying of the boâ—â— of Christ Anâ— growing up into him in all thiâ—â— which is the head even Christ From whom 〈◊〉 whole bodie is fitly joyned together and comâ—â—cted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh encrease of the bodie unto the edifying of it selfe in love Ephes 4.7 8.10 11 12.15 16. Christ is the head and
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
high mountaine and shewed mee that great Citie the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God having the glory of God And her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper stone clear as chrystall The Bride of Christ is the Church of God and it is descended out of Heaven from God for it is one with him for it is the Spirit of God in all the children of God that is this body the Church The Bride and this descendeth from God into us yet it is not parted from him but is in him and this is cloathed with the glory of God This is that righteousnesse of the Saints and her light is the light of Christ and that light is the clearest and purest and most precious and glorious light that can be I will appeare glorious in thee Isa 49.3 Awake awake put on thy Strength O Sion put on thy beautifull garments O Jerusalem the holy Citie for hence-forth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the uncleane Shake thy selfe from the dust arise and sit downe O Jerusalem loose thy selfe from the bands of thy necke O captive daughter of Sion Isa 52.1 2. Shee was in a sleepy drousie condition so long as shee sate in the dust of that earth of Anti-christ and was a captive in his band But now our Beloved is come hee calls unto us to awake and to put on strength The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be affraid Psalm 27.1 Psalm 28.7 Hee hath cloathed us with his strength And this is that beautifull garment Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee For behold the darkenesss shall cover the earth and grosse darkenesse the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seene upon thee Isa 60.1 2. And the glory that thou hast given me I have given them John 17.22 The Spouse of Christ being cloathed with the glory of Christ shee is all glorious The Kings daughter is all glorious within Wee are the King of heavens daughters for wee are married to Christ and God the Father is our Father and wee are all glorious within It is the Spirit of God in us that is so glorious and this is a spirituall glory it cannot be seene outwardly by others they may hear us speake forth something of this glory in us but none sees it nor knowes it but those that have it Revel 2.17 To him that overcommeth will I give to eate of the hidden Manna and I will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving him that hath it This Manna is Christ and he is hid from the world but as wee are Saints wee see it and feede upon it for it is that which wee live by and this stone is Christ 1 Pet. 2.6 And this is a very precious stone and here is a new name written in this stone that none doth know it but hee that hath it And that which is written in it is the manifestation of the exceeding riches of the love and mercy of God and all his glory and excellency which hee hath given us as we are Saints Christ doth set forth the beauty and comlinesse and glory of his Church having his beauty and comelinesse and glory on her Cant. 4. Cant. 7. Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse thou hast ravished my heart with one of thy eyes with one chain of thy necke How faire is thy love my Sister my Spouse how much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thy oyntments than all spices Thy lips O my Love drop as the honey-combe honey and milke are under thy tongue and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon This oyntment that our Beloved is so taken with the smell of is the anoynting of the holy Ghost 1 John 2.27 The anointing which yee have received of him abideth in you and yee need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you all things and is truth and is no lye and even as he hath taught you ye shall abide in him The Priests and Kings used to be anoynted with oyle and it was a type of Christ hee was that King and Priest that was anoynted with the holy Ghost Psalm 45.6 7. Thy throne O God is for ever and ever the scepter of thy kingdome is ascepter of righteousnesse Thou lovest righteousnesse and hatest wickednesse because God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse above thy fellowes And this is like that precious oyntment upon the head that runneth upon the beard even unto Aarons beard which wet downe on the border of his garments Psal 133.2 This oyntment of the Spirit of God is all of it poured upon this Priest Christ which is the head of the Church and it runs off from him down upon all the Saints and this ointment of the Spirit of God makes our garments smell so sweete which is that Wedding garment Mat. 22.12 which is the righteousnesse of the Saints Revel 19.8 And being filled with this Spirit causeth our lips to speake or drop forth sweet heavenly glorious things more sweeter to the soule than the honey and honey-comb is to the pallet The Spouse of Christ is exceeding glorious in every respect being in Christ she is perfect in him I in them and they in me that they may be made perfect in one John 17.23 That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us John 17.21 Put on charity which is the bond of perfectnesse Coloss 3.14 which is Christ And where hee is there is perfection Col. 1.27 28. To whom God would â—ake knowne what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in â—ou the hope of glory Whom we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdome that wee may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus We are perfect in Christ as wee are Saints and are the Church of God for this Spirit of Christ in us is perfect but as wee are men and women we are not perfect for we are naturall and not spirituall and as we are naturall we cannot discern the things of God neither can we doe them 1 Cor. 2.14 But it is this Spirit of God in us that doth all and if hee withdraw his Spirit from us we shall runne into all sin if he doth not restraine us for our bodies are the same as they were before the Spirit of God appeared in us and by his reigning in us he suppresseth destroyeth and burneth up by degrees as he revealeth himself in us all things that are contrary to him and hee brings our wills into subjection to his for wee are led by his Spirit and being filled with his Spirit wee are made drunke as it were with it
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