Ch.6. We have no dowry to give to Chrift. 185 Ezek. 16. 5-6. 1 Cor.4. 15. lookes for no Dowrie from us for his owne use, he needeth nothing of ours, neither have we any thing to give him, but our owne nakedneffe, filthineffe, and beggery. Here therefore looke at Chrift in the perfons of the Ministers, whofe Vicegerents they are, and Embasfadours alfo, and in whose name they being married to the Churches, doe beget children to Chrift; though Minifters confidered in comparifon with Chrift, they are but as the friends of the Bridegroome, not Bridegroomes themselves. Such Churches then, and Congregations are Queenes whom the Ministers and Congregations do with mutuall free confent chufe either the other, as when the people do give up themfelves, firft, to the 2 Corin. Lord,and then to the Minifters by the wil of God. Of this fort are fundry Congregations in England,and very many in the reformed forain Churches: Other Congregations, which have Minifters thruft upon them without their liking and confent, and whom Minifters have to them by fome clandeftine conveyances, are more like to Concubines. Againe, fuch Congregations as come John 3.29. 8. 5. 186 The Keyes of the Kingdome of Ch.6. come to their Minifters with a good dowry, and comfortable and honourable maintenance, they are like wives. Others who bring little or no maintenance with them, are like to Concubines, though indeed the former condition is more effentiall to lawfull marriage; to wit, free confent, and mutuall ftipulation on both fides, for as fometimes lawfull wives have but poore dowries, and Concubines fometimes bring large maintenance with them: fo fome Congregations that freely confent to the acceptance of their Minifters can allow them but flender maintenance, whereas fome others upon whom Minifters thrust themfelves are richly endowed: Furthermore, fuch Congregations as enjoy the power of the Keyes, they are as Queenes, lawfull wives. The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven, are Firft, the one of Knowledge, Luke 11. ver:52. 52.01. Secondly, the other of Jurifdiction, Matth.18.18. and both of them mentioned, Mat.16.19. Where then a Congregation enjoyeth a faithfull Ministery, opening an entrance Ch.6. Heaven in the hands of the Church. into the Kingdome of Heaven to penitent beleevers, and shutting it against impenitent hypocrites and fcandalous livers, there the power of the Keyes is not wanting; and if withall they have liberty exercifing Jurifdiction, there is their Queen-like, or Wife-like authority more compleat. Of this fort are divers, both English and Foraine Churches, though fundry Germane Churches difpenfing the Keyes of Knowledge more corruptly in their Doctrine of the Sacrament, and Predestination, and neglecting the use of Excommunication, doe rather turne to the condition of Concubines. ། But fuch Churches as have no Preachers, or fuch as have no power in their gifts to open and fhut the Kingdome of Heaven, to the confcience and foules of men, they are as Concubines. Laftly, fuch Congregations where the people remaine ftill ignorant in darkneffe, and are not brought on to be begotten of God by the lively Word of Regeneration, but continue altogether ignorant, wordly, and profane, they are as Concubines whofe children inherit not, though God may give them outward bleffings. 187 188 Scaucity of Preachers at first Reformation.Ch.6. But fuch Congregations where the word is lively to the begetting of foules to an immortall inheritance, they are lawfull wives, yea Queenes: Ofthis fort our English and Forain Churches have many, (God be bleffed) though the Church of Rev.3.4. Sardis hath but a few names. Damofels are without number, &c.] Damofels, or Virgins in this marriage-fong are of leffe reckoning, as being yet either not spoken to in way of marriage by Chrift and his Minifters,or coily refusing him. Of this fort there were many Churches at the first reforming of the Gospel, to whom for want of Minifters Readers were fent; whence one of the Martyrs wifhed, that every able Minister might have ten Congregations committed to his charge, till further provifion could be made; fo that fuch Churches there were, even ten to one, abundantly many, that fcarcely heard of Chrifts knocking at their hearts by any conscionable Miniftery; yea, and how many be there at this day, that either doe want fuch Minifters as doe elpouse them to Christ, or elfe doe coily deny their motions, and stand out againft Chrift and their Minifters? of Ch.6. When the Church as a Dove. Of Queenes hee reckoneth threescore, of Concubines fourefcore. A certaine number put for an uncertaine ; and of Churches, the leffe pure the greater. Damofels hee reckons without num ber. First, partly, because they have been exceeding many of them, and are ftill too many. Secondly, partly, because Chrift maketh no account of them, as if they were with him nullius numeri, not worth the reckoning. 189 But my Dove, my undefiled is one, &c.] Verfe 9. A Dove is noted, First, for her chastity; First, of Romish pollutions, or Mat.10. 10. Cant.5.7. |