under the pressure of weights hanging on it and yet neither bowing it to make it grow crooked nor bearing it down And 5. We read that the branches of these tree were caried as signes of victory and rejoysing Revel 7. 9. Al 's these resembling in the godly 1. Their growing up in grace and raising their desires to things that are above 2. Their uprightness and sincerity in their walking both with God and man 3. Their perpetuall vigour and constancy in grace and weldoing 4. Their spirituall thriving under the pressure of heaviest crosses which neither makes them bow to any wicked or crooked course nor beares them down by despair in greatest extremity and 5. That their estate after crosses here shal be victorious and Triumphant in joy for ever hereafter And therefore we see the godly mans estate compared to the florishing of the Palme-tree Psal 92. 12. and that figures of Palme-tree with Cherubims were carved within and without upon the walls of Solomons temple 1 King 6. 29. To denotate that of the godly on whom the Angells do waite as Ministring spirits the spirituall or mysticall Temple of Gods Church consists Likewise her breasts here are compared to clusters of grapes as not only having nourishing milk for Babes but likewise the cheering liquor of wine for those of riper age and in a word variety of wholsome and comfortable food for every hungry or thirsty soul therefore does the Lord proclaime by Isay Ho every one that thirsts come to the waters buy wine and milk without price or money Isay 55. 1. Observations 1. Seeing the stature of Christ's Church and the godly therein is like a Palme-tree of a tall and goodly grouth this should warne all those who are true members thereof to strive to grow in godliness daily and heavenliness of affection that they prove not dwarfs in Christianity standing ever as it were at one stay and deceiving themselves as if they had true grace which they have not who are so because true grace where ever it is is still growing and the godly walk still from strength to strength till they see God in Sion Psal 84. 7. 2. Against Sectaries and separatists we observe that although the Scriptures of the two Testaments be Gods word here they are called the Churches two breasts because by the Ministry of the Church and from her hands Gods children must be fed and therefore pastors are called the Lords stewards and dispensers of this spirituall food which as Pharaoh's garners were under Joseph's is under their hand wherefore whosoever would have the benefit and comfort of the word they ought not to despise the breasts of this Mother or contemne the ordinary Ministry of a constitute Church and separate therefrom by which ordinarily faith comes as the Apostle showes and consequently salvation Rom. 10. 14. 3. Seeing her breasts are not dry breasts but full like clusters of grapes this should teach all pastors to be stored in knowledge with old store and new out of the holy Scriptures and as the men of God to be perfect unto every good work of their holy calling Matth. 13. 12. 4. The clusters of grapes draw their liquor which they containe and suck it from the vine even so should faithfull pastors draw the doctrine which they store up and dispense to people from the true vine Christ Jesus allaverly that they may say with the Apostle That which I received from the Lord that I deliver to you 1 Cor. 11. 23. as the Moon borrowes her light from the Sunne or the Pipe convayes the water which it hath from the full fountaine Vers 8. I said I will go up to the Palme-tree I will take hold of the boughes thereof now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the Vine and the smell of thy nose like Apples 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved that goeth down sweetly causing the lippes of those that are asleep to speak Followes here this resolution what he will do to this his Palm-tree to wit he wâ—ll dresse the same whereunto is subjoyned a declaration of the fruitfulness that will arise there-from first then the Palm-tree being tall for dressing of it he speakes after the manner of the custome of Husbandmen used by them in dressing or snedding such trees which was they did first climb up into them and so laying hold on every branch they purged or dressed the same Even so the Lord like a painfull and diligent Husbandman he not onely plants and waters his trees and looks to their grouth but likewise as we see also Joh. 15. He has a care to purge and dresse them and every bough or branch which he doth not onely by his word by which faith is begotten that purgeth the heart but sometimes by rough and sharp afflictions like the snedding knife which curs away what is superfluous and luxuriating and which the for the present as the Apostle sayes it be grievous to flesh and blood Heb. 12. 11. nevertheless afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to such who are exercised thereby Therefore he subjoynes how fruitfull she shall become by this his carefull dressing to wit that her breasts shal be as clusters of the vine that is full of sweet and most pleasant fruits as also the smell of her nose should be like apples declaring thereby as men usually breathe at their nose so that she should breathe out nothing but sweetness as is the smell of apples Last of all he sayes that the roof of her mouth should be like the best wine that is her heavenly doctrine and all other her godly speeches which she should utter by opening her mouth should be full of wholsome instruction comfort and edification like the best wine producing these effects to wit spirituall delight the warming of the soul with heavenly love the inflameing of it with holy zeal and comforting thereof when it is dejected which goes down sayes he sweetly to wit when the same is heard with joy and delight and amongst many other effects produceth also this that it causes the lipps of these that are asleep to speake that is it wakeneth and rouseth up the spirits of those who are asleep in sinne and security and causes their lips to speak by humble confession and other holy speeches to Gods glory and the good of others to the like whereof they were not before accustomed Observations 1. We see that Christ's Church and her true members albeit well grown in grace like a Palm-tree for stature yet has need to be dressed and purged in the branches thereof because of their oft Luxuriating in peace and prosperity as we see in David Psal 30. 6. And because of daily attracting of great pollution and guiltiness and therefore when he comes with the snedding knife of affliction or rough hand of purging let us not think uncouth thereof as the Apostle exhorts concerning the fiery tryall but reverence his care and wisedome submitting
not known almost what way to turne them till in the end they have had here with the spouse their refuge to Christ to be taught and resolved by him The next part of his speech to her is directory directing her where to go to wit by the steps of the flock But seeing it is the church which makes this request that He would show her where He feeds what flock does he feed beside His Church Is not she His only flock What other flock is this then whose steps she must trace to find Him and where he feeds Indeed the Church is but one in respect of the unity of faith and charity and Christ feeds no other flock beside Her But in respect of the diversity of times and places she may be diversly considered and may be said to be divers flocks and therefore we must observe here that this is the prayer of the Church ever on earth militant and there be who were upon earth in former time that are now in Heaven triumphant whose steps notwithstanding in sacred History yet may be seene and what truth they profest and how they worshipped God It is this flock then that He meanes of true and faithfull worshippers and whose steps he willes Her to follow as the Apostle yet calls to all saying Follow me as I follow Christ Also it is to be noted that He bids her go forth Leaving nature the practice of sinne the society of seducers the suggestion of flesh and blood And Next he bids her feed her kids by the shepherds Tents where we have 1. What is meant by Her kids 2. What by the shepherds and their Tents First then by kids are meant young and tender Christians for the goats whose young ones kids are being indeed sometime opposed to sheep signifie the wicked yet usually also they figured in the Law the godly offered up by mortification as sacrifices to God Rom. 12. 1. And Christ Himself was signified by goats and kids by the Apostles exposition Heb. 9. 12. Kids likewise they are called or young goats to show what they are by nature when they are at first brought to Christ and to feed on the greene pasture of His word to wit goatish and petulant till the change by grace and the meanes thereof be wrought upon them from goats to be Christs sheep appointed for his right Hand kids also for tender age denoting that even from our younger years we should be a ccustomed according to Timotheus's commondation with the pasture of Gods word to be fed thereby Next by these shepherds spoken of who fed and guided these anicent flocks are meant the Holy Prophets and Apostles to whom as Christ said to Peter passce oves meas Christ committed his sheep to feed and upon whose doctrine as the only true foundation St. Paul declares the whole house of God which is his Church to be built and by their Tents is meant their writings or the displayed and firme doctrine of the truth which they fully and faithfully preached and left unto all posterity registrate in Scripture Observations 1. We see How readily he answers her petition From which we observe the Lords promptitude in answering the petitions of his own specially craving spirituall things as He showes us Luk. 11. 11. 2. Out of the style he gives her of being fairest among women we see the difference between the judgment of the blind world and Christ's who not seeing the spirituall beauty of Christs church Rev. 12. 1. but looking on Her outward base and afflicted condition vilifies her while as her members are the Lords Jewels and she is most beautifull being justified and sanctified in him to her Heavenly husband 3. We see here also a great comfort to every godly soul in temptation when Satan upbraides unto them their filthiness and pollution by sinne and therefore how can so pure and Holy a God delight in them or count them fair or beautifull To whom such may reply that though they be so by sinne yet being washed and sanctified they are beautifull in His eyes who sees no Iniquity in Jacob but whose blood has clensed them his spirit renewed them and whose love has covered the multitude of their infirmities 4. As we see the difference betweene the judgment of the blind world and Christ's concerning his Church so also between Her owne Judgment of her self and Christ's she sayed of her self before I am black and He sayes here that she is most beautifull to reach us to be vile in our own eyes and humble like the publican and then the Lord will the more highly esteeme of us and exalt us 5. Whereas in such a meek manner without rebuking her for her ignorance He tells her what to do to wit to go forth by the foot-steps of the flock and besides the Tents of the shepherds we see a true and sure directory in his words in the matter of Religion to wit to insist in the steps of the profession and practise of Gods true people who have gone before us as we find them cleerly set before our eyes in the writings of the faithfull shepherds of his Church to wit the Prophets and Holy Apostles 6. We see how the godly they not only do good in their life time but also by their good example registrate in Holy Scripture which they left behind them being dead they do good in like manner therefore Heb. 11. 4. by that oblation of Abel's and his faith manifested therein being dead he is said yet to speak and instruct others how to worship good in like faith and sincerity 7. Lastly we see 1. How will these agree to wit the flock's foot-steps with the shepherds Tents a holy practice in people with sound doctrine of pastors and 2. That hereby Christs flock may be knowne to be his true flock to wit by insisting in the profession of propheticall and apostlicall truth which is the Tents of these here spoken of Verse 9. and 10. I have compared thee O my Love to a company of Horses in Pharoah's charets thy cheeks are comely with rowes of Jewels thy neck with chaines of Gold After our Saviours direction of his Church according to her petition followes to the end of the Chapter the mutuall commendation one of another and 1. His of her wherein we have 1. How he styles her 2. Whereto he compares her First then he styles her his love in the originall My fellow friend 1. Who delights in my company 2. Eats and drinks with me and. 3. Who is ready to participate in weal and woe This love of his is she whom he loves not vvith a generall love as he does all his creatures as they are his workmanship and as he saw them good at the beginning but vvith a speciall love which is twofold benevolentiae vvhereby he elected his Church and complacentiae vvhereby he dedelights in her and in her obedience or beauty of holiness This speciall love vvhich he has to his Church has these properties
the same the praise may be given 7. We see what prudence Pastors should have and not ever to be sonnes of thunder or as upon â—ball to denounce threatings but sometimes and to some persons to speake as from Gerizim and not come with the terrors of Sinai but the comforts of Sion lest they break the bruised reed and quench the smoking flax contrary to their Masters practice and eeke affliction to the afflicted whereas rather they should bind up the broken heart minister the oile of gladness to the spirit of heaviness or as here stay the flaggering soul with flaggons and comfort her with apples who is sick of love 8. From the reason which she gives of her desire to be stayed with flaggons and comforted with apples because she was sick of love we observe that it is not uncouth to see the dearest children of God to be subject to spirituall swoonings faintings and desertions as we see c. 3. 5. and here and to be sensible sorrowfull and solicitous therefore Yea I may say happy are they who are so soul-sick and most erronious is the blind worlds judgment of such who think them the contrary 9. Her sickness is here called love-sickness in respect of the vehemency thereof where with she was inflamed where we see not only whereon or on whom the love of every godly soul is set but that their love of Christ is not a lukewarme love but a fervent love kindled by the fire of Gods spirit and joyned with a fervent zeale of his glory whereby they preferre him to all things and the love of his truth yea to their very lives which is not deare to them in comparison of him or it when they are called to hazard the same for his name 10. It is she only who is thus love-sick that calls for these flaggons and apples that are mentioned to show unto us that such only hunger and thirst after the word of God and to these only the same is sweeter then hony and the Hony comb as David sayes Psal 19. and Mary Magdalen shews and therefore it is no marvell to see a Soul wherein the love of Christ was never yet setled to have small or no appetite to the word of God or delight therein Verse 6. His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me The church having called before for staying and comfort at the hands of the ministers of the Word here finding and feeling straightwais Christs help like a loving husband taking about her as the Apostle showes Eph. 5. 29. she acknowledges and confesses that all the efficacy and chief application is from the Lord himself Saying his left hand is under my head and with his right he doth embrace me Now hand is sometimes put in Scripture properly for the member of the body so called Gen. 19. 16. And sometimes figuratively and when it is applyed to God as here it signifieth sometimes God effectuall purpose of things to be done as Act. 4. 28. 2. Sometimes Gods actuall power in performance as 2. Chron. 6. 15. 3 His help and furtherance of others in performance of his good-will as Ezra 8. 18. 22. and Neh. 2. 8. 4 His power resisting and disappointing yea destroying his enemies who do oppose and delivering his owne Ezra 8. 31. Exod. 15. 6. 5 His bountifull providence towards all and chiefly towards his owne Psal 145. 16. 1 Chron. 29. 16. 6 His gracious protection Isay 49. 2. 7 His upholding with strength and comfort as here and Ps 37. 24. and 18. 35. Also we have in Scripture a creating hand of Gods Job 10. 8. 2 A redeeming hand Luk. 1. 74. 3 A conducting hand Ps 73. 23. and 4. A receiving up hand or manus suscipiens Ps 31. 5. In like manner hands of mercy offering Isay 65. 2. and a hand of justice punishing Heb. 10. 31. Likewise a right hand as here embracing and a left hand supporting both comfortable to the godly but the left hand dreadfull to the wicked Matth. 25. 41. Of these two hands sayes Bernard Laevâ levat dextrâ suscipit in laeva miserationes et merita in dextra remunerationes et praemia Or as Solomon sayes length of dayes are in her right hand speaking of wisedom and in her left hand riches and honours Pro. 3. 16. But simply to looke here to the mind of the Holy Ghost howsoever some expound these two hands to be the old and new Testament compassing the soul about with the divers comforts that are in them as a left hand under and the right hand embracing one above do compasse and clasp the body yet both these hands of his signifies that all that Christ is his god-head and man-hood natures and offices life and death buriall and resurrection ascension and coming againe to Judgment all these by the powerfull application by the spirit of grace and faith applyed to the love-sick soul afford great comfort and refreshment Observations 1. We see Christs great love who leaves not his own in their infirmities or straits corporall or spirituall but is neer unto them and present with them even in the greatest seeming desertions to support and stay them when with Peter they are as it were sincking or as it is said Matth. 8. 25. ready to perish and who applyes himself unto them and embraces them as Elisha 2 King 4. 34. applyed himself to the Shunanites child to revive him or as for the comfort of the dejected prodigall his father ranne unto him embraced him and did kisse him Therefore let us still relye on his more then fatherly tender care and say with David Ps 119. 116. Uphold me according to thy word that I may live O Lord and let me not be ashamed of my hope in thee 2. We see that the flaggons she sought to be stayed by them and the applâ—s for her comfort availes not to preserve her from swoonings nor raising up againe till he put his left hand under her head and with his right embraced her to show thereby unto us that except with the outward ministry for comforting raising or strenghning a soul himself concurre by his inward efficacy and powerfull work of grace all what Paul or Apollos or any such could do can no wais availe It is therefore that which we specially should beg and desire 3. Here we have a notable comfort that he embraces her when she is so weake and in a swoond that she cannot imbrace him and therefore although our spirituall fainting be great and our faith so weake that we are so farre from being able to hold fast and with Jacob wrestle for a blessing that our grip seems altogether to be loosed and we beginne to sinck as it were yet be of good comfort that we do not so much apprehend as our safety stands herein that we are apprehended and gripped unto or held up by the hand of the Almighty and out of whose hand none is able to pull any one of his sheep 4. She
an antipathy unto his Nature of holinesse and this is when we sin specially in such clear light and against light customably and presumptuously stubbornly and impenitently Observations 1. In respect that the Church here chargeth so her true members we see her authority that she she has from God and for God for which therefore we should reverence her and obey her which if any stubborn child of hers will not do by our Saviours commandment he is to be held as a heathen and a publican 2. Seeing her true members have their denomination from love and peace therefore they should bend all their endeavours to maintain these holy vertues among themselves eschewing the contrary seeing God their Father is the God of peace Christ their Redeemer is the Prince of peace the work of the holy Ghost is grace and peace the Church is Ierusalem a vision of peace and they daughters of that mother and therefore should be children of peace 3. Seeing this is her charge and chief care in retribution as it were of all the love and kindnesse that she has found of him not onely not to stir up her beloved her self but also to exhort and charge others not to do the same this teaches us in like manner in retribution of all his love and favours that he has bestowed on us either in re or spe what like care we should have not onely not to offend and stir him up to wrath by our own sinfull life and conversation but likewise as we are exhorted Ephes 5. 11. to reprove sin in others and to exhort them seriously to forbear the practise thereof 4. In that she charges them not to stir up her Beloved we see the pronesse of the best by nature to stir up the Lord to anger by sin and therefore we should the more warily look to our waies and watch and pray that we enter not into temptation Vers 8. The voice of my Beloved Behold he comes leaping upon the mountains skipping upon the hills As between two betrothed Lovers when the spring comes the man calls and invites his future Spouse to come forth out of the house wherein she has remained in the winter season that they may walk together abroad and take delight and solace themselves now with the flowers and those pleasant things which the spring doth afford Even so the Church in the rest of this Chapter is by her Beloved invited and called upon to arise from all carnall security and forsake the love of this world to follow him in the faith and love of the Gospell and to view and delight her self with the variety of these heavenly comforts and spirituall graces which like a pleasant spring the same doth afford First then in these words we have 1 Whereby he calls or invites her to this participation of his graces and spirituall delight thereof to wit by his voice which she discerneth to be his 2 After what manner he comes unto her to wit readily and speedily overcomming all impediments leaping over the mountains and skipping over the hills First then the Lord Jesus doth call his chosen by his Word externally which is his Voice as he sales Joh. 10. 3 and by the work of his Spirit internally and effectually whereby they not onely hear his voice but discern the same to be his and thereafter follow him as he shewes Joh. 10. 4. having gotten a spirituall ear whereof the Spirit speaks Rev. 2. 3. which hears that which the world cannot hear as it is said of Paul's conversion Act. 22. 7. 9. that he heard a voice vers 7. which they who were with him heard not as is said vers 9. and who not onely have a spirituall ear or hearing â—ut also a spirituall gift of discerning Christ's voice from the voice of a stranger truth from errour and the voice of the Lamb from that of the Beast's horned like the Lamb but speaking like the Dragon For 1 They have not onely the knowledge of the truth in their mind but the love of the truth in their heart which because some has not had therefore as 2 Thess 2. 11. they have been given over to the delusion of errour 2 They have the spirit of truth and therefore they can try the Spirits whether they be of God or noâ— Secondly prefixing an Ecce whereof cap. 1. 15. She speaks of His comming to her and manner thereof according as he saies Joh. 14. 23. that he who hears his voice and keeps his word his Father will love him and we saies he will come unto him and make our abode with him This comming then is a spirituall comming to the soul by the Word as the ordinary mean so that they who contemn the Word contemn his comming to them by the same and they who reverence and receive the Word they receive him who comes thereby for our Saviour is said to come three manner of waies to his Church 1 He came visibly and corporally in his Incarnation 2 He comes as here invisibly and spiritually by sanctification And 3 He is to come gloriously for her remuneration To whom therefore by his Word he comes spiritually to sanctifie them here he shall come to them comfortably to glorifie them hereafter Then touching the manner of his comming she showes it was both cheerfully and speedily like one leaping and skipping as also upon the mountains and hills that is openly and apparently to the eye of faith as Nahum 1. 15. their feet are said to be that bring good tidings and publish peace or else passing over all lets as our sins how great soever like Manasses's Mary Magdalen's and others which hindered not his free grace â—or the naturall opposition of a carnall heart as Esa 40. 4. Observations 1. We see how all the godly esteeme of Gods word which they heare preached unto them to wit as the voice of Christ himself which therefore they heare reverently lay it up in their hearts with David carefully meditate thereon fruitfully and obey it diligently Ps 119. 11. 2. We see that as is showne us Joh. 10. 4. Christs sheep have a discerning faculty between the voice of their own shepherd and a strangers and by the rule of holy Scripture as we have Isay 8. 20. the Bereans example and Pauls direction Gal. 1. 8. can discerne error from truth and the doctrine of Christ from the doctrines of Antichrist 3. Whereas it is said not only that it is the voice of her welbeloved but that he comes skipping over the hils c. we see 1. how Christ comes ordinarily to the soul to wit by the means of grace and preaching of the word which whosoever despises they despise the coming of Christ Jesus to their soules for their salvation here and shall never heare that joyfull sentence spoken to them hereafter Come yee blessed of my Father c. 2. That although the voice of the beloved be heard yet if he come not himself by the power of his spirit and inward efficacy
spoken of and to be considered what it is 2 Who made it to wit Solomon 3 To whom he made it to himself 4 Whereof both generally and in the particular parts as pillars bottom covering and pavement And 5 For whom with himself to wit The daughters of Jerusalem First then there is a Chariot spoken of by which is meant the preaching of the Gospell compared to a Chariot because as a man is carried whither he will in his Chariot even so is Christ's Name by the preaching of the Gospell for which cause our Saviour said to Ananias concerning Paul that he should be a chosen vessell unto â—…m to carry his Name before the Gentiles And for this cause also the same is compared to that white Horse in the Revelation whereon our Saviour is said to ride and be carried Rev. 6. 2. The word in the originall is apirion from parah to flourish to show that by the preaching of the Gospell is the Church her flourishing and enlargement the Word being that spirituall seed whereby many are begotten anew to Christ and the Church's onely diadem or glory as we see Rev. 12. 1. unlike to that of the Whore's of externall pomp Rev. 17. This Chariot therefore is a triumphall Chariot wherein he that rides and has a Crown given him as is said in the Revelation goes forth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6. 2. and therefore saies the Apostle speaking of his preaching the Gospell Now thanks be unto God which alwaies causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place 2 Cor. 2. 14. They who draw this Chariot are the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell who therefore fitly may be compared to these goodly and richly furnished Horses in Pharaoh's Chariots Cant. 1. 9. or to that white Horse whereon Christ is said to ride and to go forth upon conquering He likewise who drives this Chariot as Ezekiel showes is the Spirit of God who makes the Wheeles thereof and them whom he rules to go in their course Ezek 1. 20. and 12. 1 Straight forward or as the Apostle speaks with a streight foot in the Gospell 2 As Esay speaks with alacrity and doing God's work diligently Esa 60. 8. fleeing as clouds and doves to the windowes of the Temple And 3 as Ezekiel in the forecited place saith Without turning back or taking their hand from the plough constantly as we are taught Phil. 3. 13. c. Secondly He who made this Chariot is said to be King Solomon shewing hereby who institutes the holy Ministry or Teachers of his Church to wit King Jesus the true Solomon and Wisdome of the Father and therefore saies the Apostle That it is he that gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ Ephes 4. 11. Even as it was he that called Bezaleel and Aholiab and sitted them for the work of the Tabernacle Exod. 31. 2. Thirdly For whom made he this Chariot The Text saies sibi or to himself that is for his own glory in the riches of his grace which he has made manifest by the preaching of the Gospell to Mankind So that this should be the aim of all faithfull Pastors as our Saviour did not to seek their own glory but the glory of him who sent them in the procuring of the salvation of his people and referring all the glory of their successefull pains to him onely who gives the increase Fourthly This Chariot is said to be made of the wood of Lebanon meaning thereby the Cedars that grew there in Lebanon which was a hill neer Hermon and whereon such sort of Trees for the most part did grow which Cedars 1 were a sort of tall Trees signifying here thereby that Ministers of God's Word should mount upwards not onely in holy and heavenly meditation but likewise in affection seeking those things that are above and in a daily grouth of grace whereunto they exhort others and of a holy life who are therefore compared to Stars that are in a heavenly station and not found on the earth 2 Cedars were strongly rooted as we see Hos 14. 5. and so should Pastors be specially both in firmnesse of sound doctrin and holy confidence as builded on a Rock 3 The Cedars of Lebanon were such as afforded a good smell as we see Hos 14. 6 7. and so do faithfull Pastors both by sound and comfortable doctrin and by a holy life and example and therefore saies the Apostle For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved 2 Cor 2. 15. 4 Cedar-wood was durable and not subject as other wood to rottennesse and corruption and so are faithfull Pastors and should be neither corrupt in doctrin nor in life and conversation Next more particularly it is said that the pillars thereof were of silver by which pillars the chief Pastors in God's Church are understood such as were the Apostles and others of eminent note as we see Peter James and John called Gal. 2. 9. so called both in respect of their own stability as also of their bearing up by the word of Truth the Church and house of God wherein they are placed These pillars also are said to be of silver which is a costly and precious shining mettall showing thereby how precious faithfull Pastors are in God's sight and as they are profitable like pillars how precious also such should be in the eyes of Gods people before whom they shine both in life and doctrin and especially of what price and estimation the Word which they preach should be unto them as we see David professes and as his son Solomon declares saying The tongue of the righteous is as choise silver Psal 119. 72. The second part whereof he speaks in particular is the foundation or bottom which he saies is of gold and by which bottom the foundation of the Apostles their doctrine is meant as we see Rev. 21. 14. and Ephes 2. 20. said to be of gold the most precious and durable metall of any to shew the most precious worth of the Word of God registred in Scripture and the perpetuall indurance of the same against which neither the rust of corruption time which weareth all things nor the malice of the devill and the gates of hell shall ever prevail The covering of which Chariot is said to be of purple which is nothing else but Christ's bloodshed death and passion and the vertue and merit thereof preached which covers and cleanses our souls and saves them from the wrath of God and eternall destruction as the blood of the Paschall Lamb an aspersion thereof upon the Israelites door-cheeks and lintells saved them from the destroying Angell And therefore this being the clefts of the Rock which is spoken of Cant. 2. 14. whereunto as a cover or shelter the simple dove has her
and delight as we see Prov. 5. 19. as also 2 for use and nourishing of Insants as we see Psal 22. 9. Even so these two breasts of the Church which are the sound doctrin of the Old and New Testaments ments are the onely true and greatest ornament that any Church has which makes her truly glorious and therefore Rev. 12. 1. the Church is said to have her crown of twelve Stars which is the doctrine of the twelve Apostles As also it is out of these two breasts onely that she gives unto her children as Peter saies the sincere milk of the Word whereby they do grow 1 Pet. 2. 2. and out of them as Isaiah speaks God's children are exhorted to suck onely this milk and to satisfie themselves with the breasts of her consolation Isai 66. 11. all other milk of human invention and errour being but poysonable and deadly and if an Angel from heaven should besides these two breasts offer or obtâ—ude any other milk or preach any other doctrine as the Apostle saies let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8. These two breasts are also said to be like two young Roes because they are full of vigorous sap and sweet nourishment as young Roes are that feed in a pleasant pasture and are like twins by reason of their mutuall agreement in one and the same heavenly truth of doctrine And thus from seven particular parts the number of seven being the number of perfection as we see Rev. 5. 6. having commended her he thereby showes her beauty and comlinesse to be compleat and perfect Observations 1. Seeing grace makes the Church to be so fair and beautifull and so lovely in Christ's sight that by prefixing the particle Behold he admires as it were the same and calls others with him to behold and admire the same as the Queen of Sheba admired Solomon's glory and wisdom when she saw and heard the same nothing therefore more then this should inflame our hearts to seek after grace and godlinesse 2. First he commends her from her faith which he calls her eyes and which he compares to doves eyes Therefore we see the wofull estate of the soul that wants faith to wit that it is blinde and therefore no marvell that it be mislead by Satan and oâ—teâ— stumble and fall nor can discern things aright and therefore as the blind desired that Christ would open their eyes such likewise should beseech Christ to open their eyes with that eye-salve of his Spirit and give them true faith that they be not like blind Moles groveling onely in the earth and going on to their endlesse destruction 3. By the commendation of the Church's well ordered or dressed hair her lips and comely speech her temples of bashfull cheeks and her streight and seemly neck we ought to learn the things signified hereby that our thoughts arising from purified hearts should be holy and heavenly ouâ— words savoury and edifying our actions godly joyned with humble and bashfull modesty and our whole carriage and conversation righteous and upright 4. By the commendation likewise of her teeth and breasts Pastors should learn to be prudent and skilfull to divide the Word aright holy in life and fruitfull in begetting and bringing forth many to Christ and to feed God's children onely with the breasts of the holy Scriptures and the milk of sound doctrin out of the Old and New Testament and being the Church's breasts they should not be dry breasts Vers 6. Untill the day break and the shaddowes fles away I will get me to the mountains of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense 7. Thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee Some think these words to be the words of the Church of Christ showing in time of temptation or trouble untill comfort arise whither she will go by prayer meditation and confidence to wit to Christ her Bridegroom who is to her as a fair and firm mountain full of all sweetest odoriferous and most pleasant spices Others expound these words still to be the words of Christ who Vntill the day break and the shaddowes flee away that is till the day of generall Judgment as has been shown cap. 2. 17. as he has praised his Church hitherto so here he promises to be with her by his spirituall presence to the end of the world and which he calleth here a mountain as she is oftimes in Scripture called the Mountain of the Lord and compared to Sion in respect of her holy calling advanced above others of the world and of her heavenly disposition rising in her desires and delights above the earth and earthly things called also here Mountains of myrrh and frankincense because of the sweet and savoury prayers and praises that she continually sends up to the Lord in her members with other such spirituall sacrifices made acceptable through Christ his mediation Which promise he concludes with a repetition again of her praise in generall of perfect beauty which requires these three things 1 Integrity of all the parts none wanting 2 Due proportion one with another 3 A good complexion and constitution of all Which praise he utters to shew his delight in her to be so great that he cannot sufficiently commend her And further the more to confirm and comfort her against all her fears and infirmities he tells her that there is no spot in her from whence Paul seems to draw his alike speech Ephes 5. 27. not that she is this in her self nor yet as she is here in this life but as she is by acceptation before God and in Christ washed and sanctified and in respect of her future condition Observations 1. In all troubles and temptations we see the comfort that Christ's church has and all her true members to wit according to his promise that he shall be with them even when to their own sense and judgment of others he seems to have forsaken them 2. Here is another comfort also that the godly have in the dark and longsome night of trouble that at last the break of day shall come and all their troubles like shaddowes shall flee away and depart 3. But if we would be truly partakers of Christ's comfortable presence at all times with us we must be like those Mountains whereof he speaks by a heavenly disposition and a holy and firm confidence smelling sweetly by grace in our hearts and by mortification and the holy exercises of a godly conversation 4. Seeing Christ's delight is so great in his Church and her spirituall beauty that he cannot as it were sufficiently commend the same repeating it so oft how great should our mutuall delight be in him and his service and obedience Vers 8. Come with me from Lebanon my Spouse with me from Lebanon look from the top of Amana from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the Lions dens from the mountains of the Leopards In these words our Saviour having cleansed and beautified his bride he invites her heer to follow