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230 Efficacy of doctrin ftirs up drowfie/pirits. Churches Doctrine, in her preaching of Christ, caufing the lips of those that are afleepe to speak. Such fhall be the fweet and powerfull efficacy of the Doctrine of the Church then, as shall cause the fleepy and drowfie profelfors, whether amongst us Gentiles, or amongst the Jewes, to open their mouthes and perke plentifully to God's praife. When the Apostles fpake (the wonderfull workes of God) in ftrange tongues, fome of the people thought them to be full of new wine, Acts 2011. but they were deceived, and were willing fo to account of them in mocke ry. But these people shall be full of new wine of the Spirit and Word of God, to open their mouthes to fpeak as the Apostles did, the wonderfull workes of God.

13.

Verf.10.

I am my beloveds, and his defire is to wards me.

This profeffion of the Church,that
fhe is her beloveds, Argueth,
Firft, her familiar fellowship with
Chrift.

Secondly,

Ch. 6. Chrifts ftrong love to his Church. 231

Secondly, her faith, or confidence of her Intereft in him, or his in her.

Thirdly, her open profeffion of the fame.

That his defire is towards her, argueth the ftrength of his affection towards her, and it is the fame word ufed, which there implieth two things,

407

First, the ftrength of their affection to their husband, and their elder brother. N

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Gen. 3.16.

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4.7.

Secondly, the fubordination and dependance thereof upon their will; the former is here also meant, the latter doth not ftand with the foveraignty and headship of Chrift over his Ephef.s. Church: Unleffe thus far, to intimate 23.24. Chrifts tender regard of the will and defire of his Church; as he would be as unwilling to deny them, as loving husbands be to deny their wives any thing.

Verf. 11. Come my beloved, let us goe forth into the field: let us lodge in the villages. In thefe words, the Church inQ4 viteth

The faithfull difcover their affection to Chrift inviteth Chrift, to vifite the Countrey villages about her, implying, First, her prayers to Chrift, that with her he might lodge there, plant, and fet Churches there.

Secondly, her care to take and obferve all opportunities to advance fuch a work,

Let us get up early to the vineyards, Verf. 12. let us fee if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appeare,and the pomegranats bud forth, there will I giv thee my loves.

Iob.21.15.

Let us get up early to the vineyards, let us fee if the vine flourilb.] Meaning if any opportunity fhould offer it felfe, to plant Religion amongst them; then Chrift and fhe might be forward to further the fame.

Thirdly, her promise to Chrift to employ her beft endeavours to fuch a fervice.

There will I give thee my loves.] The love of the Church to Chrift is especially feen in feeding his Lambes and Sheep: She therefore offereth to Chrift free ufe of her dearest and beft affections to fet forward fuch a work. Fourth

The Church willing to employ for Christ. 233 Fourthly, her difcerning of fome good beginning of fuch a work,

The Mandrakes give a smell and at our Verf.13. gates are all manner of pleafeant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

The Mandrakes give a fmell.] Which is a Countrey field hearb, yet amiable, Gen.30. which argueth fome fruits to be gathered in the Countrey.

And at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,new and old.] And therefore, out of the abundance of her own ftore, fhe can fupply the Countrey with all fit helps,to her further gathering and establishment.

which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.] She profeffeth her defire to employ all her ftore to Chrifts advanrage, and therefore abounding with Minifters, and other fit Officers for gathering and establishing the Countrey Churches about her, fhe expreffeth her read ineffe to bring them out to his service and use, as if they were fome good houfhold provifion, laid up by her for fuch a ufe. The ac

ceffe

14.

234 The Chur willing to employ all for Christ.

Ifai.62. 4.

ceffe of the whole Land of Ifrael to
the City is profitable. The Land shall
be called Belulah, as well as the City
Hephzibah. ver. 10. A Caufey is caft
up
for a mutual recourse of Coun-
trey to City,

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