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A Church, what it is. Ch.6.

to root out, and yet God preferveth them.

Sometime, the Church findeth Chrift comfortably in her folemne affemblies, when good Chriftians are met together to ferve him in the fimplicity of his ordinances: sometimes when they can finde no fuch Gardens, nor him in any place openly worshipped, yet even then they feek him here and there where they can finde him.

Secondly, the like ufes are here to be made of these Gardens,of that Cha.4. ver. 14.

Thirdly, to teach us a true descrip tion of a Church: It is, as it were, a Garden, an affembly of many good Chriftians, or Saints, as it were sweet fpices, or flowers, fet in order, as it were beds, or knots, amongst whom Chrift walketh, they enjoying fellow. ship with him in his publique ordinances, and he with them.

Fourthly, to refufe the arrogancy, Separatifs. or ignorance of the Separatifts, who refuse to keepe fellowship with refor

med

Ch.6. Let us keep close to Christ.

181

med Churches, whom Chrift yet keepes fellowship with; fhall man bee lob 4.17. more pure than his maker? or the fons

of mortall men more holy than the Tons of God?

Fifthly, to exclude the Popish Sy- Use 5. nagogues from the number of Chris Gardens; the Gardens and Churches of Chrift,as they have Chrift walking in them, fo they know it, and profeffe it, and rejoyce in it.

I am my welbeloveds, and my welbelo- Verf.3. is mine. The Church of Rome dif daines fuch a fong as Hereticall prefumption, to fay, I am my welbeloveds, and he is mine.

Sixtly,this doth teach us, that when Ufe 6. Churches keep themselves close to Chrift, and to the fimplicity of his ordinances, that they can fay, I am my welbeloveds, and he is mine. Chrift will keep himselfe powerfull and gracious amongst them, for their protection and comfort; he will not faile to fhew himfelfe theirs, when they faile not to fhew themselves his.

Seventhly, this

may teach
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18 How Primit.and reform. Chur, agree.

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wonder if Chriftian affemblies bee at first suspected, as Tirzah for fedition, feparation, &c. It is the lot of Gods Church, which when it groweth up to be better known, will appear to be as it is, comely as Ierufalem.

pag.

Eightly,from the description of the Church here by her Members, Eyes. Haire, Teeth, Temples; gather here againe in the fame Ufes made of the like defcription, Chap.4. verse 1,2,3. in Ufes 2,3,4.there expreffed. Ninthly, obferve the Reformed Churches to be the fame that the Primitive Church in Chrifts time, was in fundry principall Members and refpets; and therefore the fame Members in the fame fort defcribed, word for word; yea, fuch fellowship as the Church of the Jewes had with Christ comming out of Babylon, The fame have the Reformed Churches with Chrift comming out of Romish Babylon.

There are threefcore Queenes, and four. Score Concubines, and Virgins with ou number.

1

Vives and Concubines how they differ. 183 Thisverfe containes the laft part of the defcription of the eftate of the Reformed Churches, which is a comparison of them together amongst themselves; of whom fome are, First, Queenes, and they are three

fcore.

Secondly, Concubines, and they are fourfcore.

Thirdly, Damofels, and they withOut number.

Secondly, one is eminent above them all unto Christ: First, a Dove, Secondly, undefiled.

Secondly, her felfe one.

Thirdly, her mother,an onely choice

one.

Fourthly, her daughter, blessed. Fifthly, the Queenes and Concubines commended her.

There are threescore Queenes,and four- Verfe 8. [core Concubines, and Dimofels,or vir

gins, without number.

Queenes differ from Concubines in

foure refpects:

Firit, Queenes, or chiefe wives are taken into fellowship with their royal

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Husbands

184 Wives and Concubines how they differ. Gen.29.22 husbands by folemne ftipulation, and with confent and folemne rejoycing of friends: The Concubines are not fo, as Bilbab and Zilpbab, &c. A man takes fuch to him rather by right of Dominion, than by fellowship of Wedlock.

Secondly, Queenes, or chiefe wives bring with them dowries to their huf

King.9. bands *.

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Cowrie.

Hence, Lesbonius to Lufitoles,in Matrimony, would not give his fifter*

*With ut fine dote, left he should feeme to give her in Concubinatum potiùs quam in Matrimonium: But Concubines were taken without dowry for the most part, as Hagar, Bilhah, Zilphak, &c.

verfe 6.

Thirdly, chiefe wives had the keyes ofthe families in their owne hands, they had government of the houfe un der and with their husbands. Hence it Gen 16.3 is that Hagar, though called Abrahams wife, yet is faid to be in Sarahs hand, who alfo corre&ted her the Angel calleth her Sarahs maid, and she calleth Sarah het Mitreffe, as likewife the Angel doth. Concubines

verfe 8.

vcrfe 8.

veries.

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