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dinances fometimes, when they can finde no fuch Gardens, nor him in any place openly worshipped, yet even then they feeke him here and there where they can finde him.

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

Thirdly, to teach us a true defcription of a Church: It is, as it were, a Garden, an Affembly of many good Chriftians, or Saints, as it were fweet fpices, or flowers, fet in order, as it were beds, or knots, amongst whom Chrift walketh, they enjoying fellowship with him in his publique Ordinances, and hee with them.

Fourthly, to refute the arrogancy, Separatif or ignorance of the Separatifts, who refufe to keep fellowship with reformed Churches, whom Chrift yet keepes fellowship with; fhall man be more pure than his Maker? or the fonnes of mor tall men more holy than the fonnes of God?

ufe s.

Fifthly, to exclude the Popish Synagogues from the number of Chrifts Gardens; the Gardens and Churches

of

Ch.6.

Let us keep close to Chrift.

of Chrift, as they have Chrift walking in them, fo they know it, and profeffe it, and rejoyce in it.

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I am my wel-beloveds, and my wel-belo-Ver.3. ved is mine.] The Church of Rome difdaines fuch a fong as Hereticall prefumption, to say, I am my wel-beloveds, and he is mine.

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

Seventhly, this may teach us, not to use 7. wonder if Chriftian Affemblies be at first fufpected, as Tirah for fedition, feparation, &c. It is the lot of Gods Church, which when it groweth up to be better known, will appeare to be as it is, comely as Ferufalem.

Eighthly, from the defcription of the Church here by her Members, Eyes, Haire, Teeth, Temples; gather here aM 3 gaine!

ufe 8.

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ufe 9.

Cant 2. 16.ver.3. Chap.6.

Verfe 8.

How Primit.and Refor. Ch. agree. Ch. 6. gaine in the fame Ufes made of the like defcription, Chap.4. verfe 1,2,3. page 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 refpects; and therefore the fame Members in the fame fort described, word for word yea, fuch fellowship as the Church of the Jewes had with Chrift coming out of Babylon, the fame have the Reformed Churches with Chrift coming out of Romish Babylon.

There are threefcore Queenes, and fourefcore Concubines, and Virgins without number.

This Verse containes the laft part of the description of the eftate of the Reformed Churches, which is a comparison of them together amongst themfelves; of whom fome are,

First, Queenes, and they are threefcore.

Secondly, Concubines, and they are fourfcore.

Thirdly, Damofels, and they without number.

Secondly,

Ch.6. Wives and Concubines how they differ. Secondly, one is eminent above them all unto Chrift: Firft, 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.

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There are threescore Queenes, and foure- Verf: 8. fcore Concubines, and Damofels, or Virgins,

without number.

Queenes differ from Concubines in foure refpects:

22.

First, Queenes, or chiefe Wives are taken into fellowship with their royall Huf- Gen.29. bands by folemne ftipulation, and with confent and folemne rejoycing of friends: The Concubines are not fo, as Bilhah and Zilphah, &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 Hufbands*

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Hence, Lesbonius to Lufitoles, in Matri- 9.16. mony,would not give his fifter* fine dote, left he should seem to give her in Concubi-Without

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3.

Wives and Concubines how they differ.Ch.6. natum potiùs quàm in Matrimonium : But Concubines were taken without dowry for the most part, as Hagar, Bilhah, Zilphah, &c.

Thirdly, chiefe Wives had the keyes of the families in their owne hands, they had government of the house under and with their husbands. Hence it is that Gen.16. Hagar, though called Abrahams wife, Verfe 6 yet is faid to be in Sarahs hand, who alfo corrected her: the Angell calleth her Sarabs maid, and fhee calleth Sarah her Miftreffe, as likewife the Angell doth. Concubines, though fecondary wiyes, yet were but as fervants, fave onely they were admitted to the fellowshipof the bed.

verfe 7. verfe 8.

verfe 9.

Fourthly, chiefe Wives brought forth children, to whom belonged the Inheri tance; whereas Concubines children had, for the most part onely, fome Gen.25. gifts given then. That Dan and Neptali, Gad and Afber, the fonnes of Bilhah and Zilphak had Inheritances among their brethren, was by extraordinary difpenfa

5-6.

tion.

Queenes then are fuch Reformed Congregations where fuch properties of Queenes are found: Chrift (indeed) lookes

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