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The estate of the Jewish Church in perf.Ch.7. Secondly, by her ftature, refembled to a palme-tree, ver.7.

Thirdly, her breasts resembled to clufters of Grapes, ver.7.

The third eftate of this Church, as it fhall be further enlarged by the acceffe of the Gentiles, is described, ver.8,10. and that

Firft, by Chrifts climbing this palmtree, and taking hold of the boughes of it, verfe 8.

Secondly, by the rich fupply of nourishment from her breasts, ver.8. Thirdly, by the fmell of her nofe, refembled to Apples, ver.8.

Fourthly, by the power of her DoArine, ver.9.

Fifthly,by her familiar fellowship with Chrift, ver.10.

The fourth eftate of this Church, as it fhall multiply, and stretch it felfe into the Country villages, is defcribed, verfe 11. to the fourth of the next Chapter, and that

First, by the occafion of this encreafe, the Churches invitement of Chrift to visit the Country villages, ver. 11,12. Secondly,

Ch.7.What meant by the fairenesse of the Ch. Secondly, by the affectionate service of this Church to Chrift, Chapter 8. ver.

1,2.

Thirdly, by Christs affectionate embracing of her, ver.3.

Fourthly, by the Churches defire for the continuance of this estate without interruption, ver.4.

How faire, and how pleasant art thou, o love, for delights!

How faire !]The faireneffe and beauty of the Church implyeth futably to what is found in the naturall beauty of the body.

Firft, a compleat integrity of all the Members of this Church; where any Member is wanting, there is deformity, beauty is blemished. This Church fhall want then no Ordinances of God, nor any fuch Members to whom the difpenfation of each Ordinance belongeth.

Secondly, a fit proportion of all the Members of the Church one to another; no fwellings, no convulfions.

Thirdly, a good colour in the outward face of things, all carried decently, and in order: How faire! It implyeth admirable beauty in all these refpects.

How

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223

The Femes willingneffe to serve Chrift.Ch.7.

How pleafant for delights!] This word implyeth a ready willingneffe of this Church to the publique worship of God, which is here called delights, as being the marriage bed wherein Christ most familiarly folaceth himselfe with his Church.

This ready willingness of this Church Pfal.110. was fore-told, and the willingneffe of this people to any fervice of his is pleasant to

3.

2 Cor.9. him.

7.

Verfe 7.

Jer.17.8.

1

O love! As if the Church were fo lovely, that it were even love it selfe.

The five former verfes described the Church in her severall Members apart. This verse confidereth the whole body met together in publick duties.

This thy ftature is like to a palme-tree, and thy breafts to clusters of grapes.

This thy ftature is like to a Palme-tree.]
This tree is eminent,

First, for her ftraightneffe.
Secondly, for her taleneffe.

Thirdly, for her perpetuall greennesse and fruitfulneffe, as that

Fourthly, for her thriving under weight preffing it down.

Fifthly, for her eafineffe to be clim

bed,

Ch.7.Minifters like clusters of Vine-grapes. bed, having many boughes, whereon to ftay hands and feet: So fhall the Church be eminent for uprightneffe therein, for growing up even against 'all oppofitions of Gog and Magog, for ready entertaining of all the faithfull that fhall come to her.

Thy breafts are like the clusters of the vinegrapes. Their Minifters fuch like in four refpects:

Firft, not few, as afore, two young Roes, but many, as clusters.

Secondly, not ftirring up and down, as Roes, from place to place, but hanging in their places.

Thirdly, full of ftrong liquor of found Doctrine.

Fourthly, requiring 'fome preffure in urging (though little) before they empty themfelves, but upon eafie preffure doing it plentifully.

2:22

Plin.li.13.

cap 4.

I faid, I will goe up to the Palme-tree, I Ver. 8. will take hold of the boughes thereof: now also thy breasts fhall be as clusters of the Vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples.

I faid, I will goe up to the Palme-tree, I will take bold of the boughts thereof.] Chrift fpeakes of himfelfe to imply the readineffe

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23.

Zech.8.

Ifai.60. 8.11.

The fewes willingnesse to ferve Chrift.Ch.7.\ readineffe of his members to resort and flock to this Church of the Jewes; for what Christs members doe by the guidance of his Spirit, hee accounteth it his owne action. This forwardneffe of the Gentiles to ascend and refort to Jerusalem, is elsewhere fore-told more plainly *.

Now alfo thy breasts as the clusters of the vine.] And that is notwithstanding the plenteous acceffe of the Gentiles to the Church. Here fhall be no defect of Minifters to teach and feed them all, but there fhall be still a large fupply of ftore, fweet and plentifull Teachers, as clusters of Grapes to refresh them all.

And the fmell of thy nofe like apples.] Notwithstanding this plenteous acceffe of the Gentiles,the life of common Chriftians intainted with heathenish and popifh unfavory pollutions; yet the Church her felf, and they that live in it shall smell a fragrant favour of the good converfation of the people.

The smell of thy nofe.] Not which the nofe yeeldeth, but which is yeelded to the nofe, to thy favoury difcerning fhall be fweet and comfortable,as that of apples.

Before,

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