170 Verse 2. The state of the Church reformed. Ch.6. 2. Haire. Fiftly,by comparing the feverall reformed Churches, as amongst themselves, and preferring one above the rest of the reformed Churches there. 1. As Queenes, 60. 2. As Concubines, 8a. 3. As Virgins without number, verse 8. As a Dove, and who, 4. First, to Chrift is undefiled. Secondly, to the whole Church as an onely one, as a choice one. Thirdly, to the reft : 1. Bleffed, to the Daughters. 2. Praised, to the Queenes and Concu bines, verfe 8,9. My beloved is gone downe into his garden, to the beds of fpices, to feed in the garden, and to gather lilies. My beloved is gone downe into his garden:] The Church, which Chrift next vifited, and wherein he was first found in that generall Apoftafie wherein the Church fought Christ and could not find him. In the former Chapter was the Church of Ch.6. What meant by beds of fpices. of Wittenburg reformed by the Ministery of Luther, which was a garden; being Firft,ftored with variety of godly people, as fweet flowers fet in order, fome teaching, fome hearing. Secondly, fenced in as with a hedge, pale or wall, by the protection of Frederick the good Duke of Saxony. Thirdly, a place wherein Chrift walked (as wee doe in our gardens) to refresh himselfe and his friends. Is gone down into his garden.] Defcending from thofe famous cities and eminent places of Rome and Conftantinople, into a meane country city. To the beds of fpices. Because in Germany, at that time, fundry Chriftians were called and forted into feverall beds and companies in feverall places, though not attaining at the first to be fo many gardenis, fo many feverall Churches. To feed in the garden.] In proceffe of time, thefe feverall beds of fpices (com, panies of Chriftians) grew up to the fafhion of juft and full Churches in Zurich, Stranburgh, Braffell, Berne, Geneva,befides thofe in Haßia and Prußia. To feed,] First, 171 172 Mat.6.29. Pro.12.26. Faithfull Chriftians compar'd to lilies.Ch.6. First, both himfelfe with his peoples prayers,and other worship and obedience. Secondly, his people with his Word and Sacraments, and other ordinances. And to gather lilies; that is, to gather and call more and more faithfull Christians out of a wild field of worldly people into the fellowship of his Church, as it were, to gather lilies into his garden. They are called lilies, Firft, for their faireneffe. Secondly,for excellency, or eminency. Thirdly, for Gods care in providing Mat.6.28, for them beyond their owne labour and industry. 29. Verse 3. I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine.] Which words imply foure things: First, that the Church had familiar fellowship with Chrift in his holy publike ordinances; efpecially in the maine doarine of pardon of fins by Christs bloud alone, and of juftification by faith. Secondly, that thee enjoyed this fellowship with him, before the time of her deliverance out of a Babylonish, or ch: Romifh captivity: *for the fame words * Chap.2. Verse 15. are Ch.6. Proteftants when, and why fo called. are used upon the deliverance out of Babel,and enjoying Gods ordinances in their owne.country; but with this difference: there the Church faith, My beloved us mine, and Lam his, becaufe, firft, hee delivered her out of Babel, before hee gave her the free ufe of his ordinances, but here the Church faith, I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine; becaufe fhee first found Christ in his ordinances, before shee enjoyed deliverance from fubjection to Rome for Luther preached against the Popes pardons, before he rejected the fupremacy of the Pope. 173 Thirdly, their open profeffion of their fellow fhip with Chrift,when the Princes of Germany openly protested against the Maffe, and other corruptions in the Church, and avowed the defence of the reformation begun; whence they were Sleyden afterward called Proteftants. Fourthly, Chrifts gracious protection of thofe Churches, fpecially in their firft beginnings for how fhould Luther (a poore Flier) have attempted and gone through with fo great a work, against fuch great and generall oppofition, and in the end die quietly in his bed, if Chrift had lib.6,7. 174 Verse 4o How Tirzah loft her beauty.`` Ch.6. had not held him as it were in his armes❤ Hee feedeth among the lilies.] Hee rel frefheth himselfe and strengtheneth his people, converfing amongst them, who ftrove for whiteneffe, and purity, and reformation. Thou art beautifull, o my love, as Tirzah, comely as Ferufalem, terrible as an army with banners. Thou art beautifull as Tirzah.] Tirab was the chiefe city of the Kingdome of Ifrael,after they had separated themselves from Fudah, untill Samaria was after * 1 King. ward builded*. I 14.17. & 15.33. 1 Kings 12.24. A The city and Governers of it the people having recourfe to it for judgement, rather then to Ferufalem) were at firft in difgrace and obloquie with the fewes for their schisme and feparation from the houfe of David at Ferufalems and for her rebellion against the King of Judah ; but this did not diminish her beauty because this feparation was from God. Borto 3) Afterward Tirzah loft her beauty by erecting the golden Calves, and falling off (not onely from the idolatry of Solomon wherein they did well, but) from the true worship of God, restored and conti nued |