140

use z.

ure 3.

Mat.5.14.

ufe 4.

ufe s.

ufe 6.

ufe 7.

Prayers the Churches weapons: Ch.5.

Secondly, this lets us fee, all the goodly fituations of the earth are but dunghils and deferts,in comparison of the Church; the Church is a garden,and in it are fountaines of living waters for every thirsty foule.

Thirdly, though the Church be fometimes in open view of all, as a City set on a hill; yet it is fometimes alfo otherwise, inclofed, fhut up, fealed.

Fourthly, when the Church is fhut up in corners and conventicles, the members of thatch not treafons, fchifmes, factions, but still remaineth as a garden, orchard, fountaine, yeelding fweet waters, favoury and wholefome fruits.

Fifthly, fee the wonderfull use of afflictions and perfecutions to the Church; what favoury, and wholefome and precious graces are thereby exereifed; yea, how mightily doth the Church then fpread when it is most reftrained?

Sixthly, fee then what the weapons of the Church were againft their perfecutors not daggers, dags, powder, piftols, rebellions, treafons, &c, but prayers for more feasonable times.

Seventhly, wee are to be stirred up to

pray,

Ch.5. The Churches ftate after Conftantine.

pray, that God would now ftirre up a wholefome Northwinde, to blow favourably upon the Churches beyond the feas, and strongly against their enemies.

Eightly, this may teach us whileft we ufe 8. enjoy at home these faire blafts, not to ftreame forth the unfavoury corruptions of our owne fpirits, but the fweet graces of God; elle wee abuse these sweet opportunities wee doe enjoy.

Laftly, it is a time of much rejoycing ufe 9. when God ftirreth up Kings and Princes to come into the fellowship of the. Church, and to partake of Gods ordinances in the fame.

Cant.5.2.

I fleepe, but my heart waketh, it is the voyce of my beloved that knocketh, faying, to Chapt &c.]

Now followeth the defcription of the eftate of the Church from Conftantines time to the time of reftoring of the Gofpell, and reforming of the Church by the Ministery of Luther, and other late Divines.

After that Conftantine had largely endowed the Church with peace, and wealth, and honour; it fell into an estate

of

6.ver.4.

142

The Churches fecurity defcribed. Ch.5. of carnall fecurity; which carnall fecurity is defcribed,

First, by a comparison, resembling it to fleep; which fleep of hers is amplified by the divers conditions, yet my heart waketh.

Secondly, by the carriage of Chrift towards her in this her fleepe; where observe,

1. The meanes he ufeth to awake and ftirre her up: which were,

First, calling to her and knocking, as verse 2.

Secondly, putting in his hand by the hole of the doore, verfe 4.

2. The fucceffe of thofe meanes,or the refpect she gave to them, or the ufe fhee made of them; which was double,

First,his calling and knocking fhe neglecteth wholly, upon very flight pretences and excufes, verse 3.

Secondly, his putting in his hand by the hole of the doore;

1. She is affected with it: My bowels were moved for him, ver.4.

2. She upon it fought him: which is further fet forth,

First, by the degrees of her feeking

him:

1. She

Ch.5. How the Church feekes Chrift.

1. She arose to open to him, verfe 5. 2. Her hands and fingers dropped Myrrh upon the handles of the locke, verse 5.

3. She.opened to her beloved, ver.6. Secondly, by the fruits or fucceffe of her feeking, where is interpreted the fruit or fucceffe of these two degrees of her feeking, in regard,

1. Of Chrift, he was gone, he had withdrawn himself, &c. ver.6.

2. Of the watchmen, of whom shee asketh not for her beloved; but they finding her seeking Christ, they First, fmote her.

Secondly, wounded her.

Thirdly, tooke away her vaile from her, verfe 7.

Fourthly,fhe,not difcouraged with this bad dealing and hard usage of the watchmen,added a fourth degree in her seeking of Chrift; fhee chargeth the daughters of Jerufalem to move Chrift for her, ver.8. The fucceffe or fruit whereof is added ; for upon this charge,

1. The daughters of Jerufalem are ftirred and occafioned to enquire of her, who Chrift is, verfe 9.

143

144

Verse 2.

In peace Gods worship neglected. Ch.5. 2. She by their enquiry is occafioned to describe him,

First, by his colours, verse 10. Secondly, by his eminency, verfe 10. Thirdly, by his feverall members and parts, verfe II, 16.

16.

Fourthly, by his amiableneffe, verse

3. The daughters of Jerufalem by this her description of him, are stirred up to affect him, and to promise their fellowship in feeking of him with her, Chap.6.1.

I fleepe.] The Church furfeiting with abundance of profperity in Conftantines time, neglected the purity and power both of doctrine and worship, and received corruptions; of which were prayers to Saints, building of Temples to them, Superftitious regard of their reliques, Images, and their worship, Ceremonies annexed to their Sacraments, choice of meats, affecting and applauding Monkish life, Purgatory, &c.

My heart waketh.] The Church was ftill awake,

First, to hearty devotion, according to their knowledge, and beyond it.

Secondly,