Ch.2. Magiftrates are to be Apple-trees. 63 Firft, fhadow of protection. mercy. Sixthly, we may here fee the wonderfull power of God, and goodneffe to his Church, in turning their house of bondage into a houfe of wine, in fpreading alfo his banner of love over them in their greateft diftreffes and dangers: what more dolefull times of his Church then captivity, when men would thinke God carries his Church into a dungeon, then he carries her into a wine Cellar: This may be a ground of folid comfort to us in our worst takings, for though wee be in the greatest extremity,yea, in the deepeft dungeon of darkneffe, God can fustaine and uphold us here, and refresh us with many comforts. Seventhly, this ought to ftirre us up to more ardent and longing affections after Christ, so that as wee be ready to faint and fwoone through carneft affections, after more full and familiar fellowship ufe 6. ufe 7. 64 Inoffenfive walking neceffary. Ch.2. lowfhip with him: It was Daniels case, he was ficke of love, fo let it be with us for want of Gods prefence; and pray that God would refresh us with his prefence, and fend good Minifters and good Efay 49. Magiftrates to be as nurfing fathers to his Church. 23. ufe 8. Eighthly, this ferves to teach, and ftraightly to charge the children of God, when they enjoy Gods prefence and favour in the Minifterie and Magiftracie, sustaining and comforting them, to take heed of difturbing their peace, 1. By any indifcreet, or 2. Offenfive carriage, for it is First,a disturbance to Chrift himselfe, he is stirred up and awaked, (as it were) before he please. Secondly, the Roes and Hinds of the field, young commers on in Religion,are foone scared away by dangers and troubles arifing against the Church; therefore we fhould be carefull and take heed wee provoke not any dog to barke, for then they will be gone: Let us therefore walke wifely, and inoffenfively, that none be difcouraged, that Chrift, who doth fuftaine us, and refresh us, may Ch.2. The Churches deliverance bow. In these words are defcribed, First, the Churches deliverance out Firft leaping and skipping. Secondly, looking out at the windowes. Thirdly, fhewing himselfe through the lattice*. 65 Verfe 8. to end. *Ver.8,9. *Ver.8,9. Verfe 10, Secondly, the calling out of captivity: First, from removall of impediments, verfe 11. Secondly,from store of opportunities, Thirdly, 66 ao? Chrift frequent in bis vifits. Ch.2 Thirdly, to worship God in publicke *Ver. 14. meetings in their own Countrey*. Secondly, the ftate of the Church returned into her owne Countrey, in regard, *Ver. 15. First, of oppofition of enemies*, fubtill and ravenous; where is fet forth, * Ver. 16. * Ver. 17. Verfe 8. Firft,their nature, they are foxes, little foxes. Secondly, the harme they doe; they fpoile the vines. Thirdly, there take us the foxes. Secondly, of their communion with Chrifts outward enemies, and inward abufes reftrained, partly, more plentifull and intire, First, My beloved is mine, and I am bis. Secondly Lillies. * Feedeth amongst the Secondly, interrupted, and yet by turnes Chrift often and fpeedily, vifiting and fuccouring them, and that to the time of the comming of Chrift, and the abolishing of the fhadowes of the cere moniall Law * The voyce of my beloved.] This was the report of Cyrus comming to befiege Babel, Ch.2. The Churches deliverance by Cyrus. 67 Babel, and his mustering together of many Nations to that service, which rumour was difcerned,by the faithfull, to be the accomplishment of the prophecies given them before, of deliverance by Cyrus. And therefore the Church hea- Elay 44 ring this rumour, fuddenly acknowledgeth in it the promife and voyce of Chriftt: and fo it was no leffe gratefullt Ier.so. to them, then dolefull and dreadfull to 42,43, the Babylonians. He commeth leaping upon the mountaines. 28. & 45. I. 46. My beloved is like a Roe, or a young Hart; Verfe 9. behold he ftandeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the window, fhewing himselfe through the lattice.] These words expreffe the great expedition and speed which Cyrus made in his journey against Babel, all the Nations lying in the way, Firft,either of themselves fetting open their gates to him, as weary of the Babylonian yoke. Secondly, or fpeedily furprised and fubdued. Hee ftandeth behinde the wall,] Laying fiege to the wals of Babylon. He looketh forth at the windowes: ] That F 2 is, : |