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Chap.1. The Church true though black.

neffe also, and not adde affliction to the afflicted: much leffe are we to think they in Bohemia, and in the Palatinate, are no Churches, for that they are now funneburnt. The fun, even God, hath looked upon them; and it is not their mothers children, but the baftards of the Roman Harlot have been angry with her. Let us not then look at them with a vultures eye, as though we would behold nothing but corruption and carrion:nor with a fcorching eye,make them more black: but with a child-like eye, to pity them for their calamity and blackneffe which is befallen them.

Fourthly, obferve that the calamities ufe 4. of the Church fpring not out of the dust, but it is God that caufeth darknesse upon the Church: yea, to fpeake reverently, it is he that lookes at her with a fcorching eye; he fearcheth her finnes, and, finding them out, doth blast her that she is tann'd and fun-burnt. If then it be Gods hand, let us pity the Church fo much the more, and ftrive with God to renew the light of his countenance upon her.

Fifthly, it was a fin in them to be an-ufe 5. gry with the Church, as fome of the Se

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This Song penned after Solomons fall. Chap.1.

paration are,and doe depart from us; and it is not a little finne and fault in us to defpife other Churches in diftreffe. What and if fome caft off England, fhall we reject it because some of the fons of her mother do fo? How much leffe then when the fons, not of a mother but of a harlot, hate the Churches beyond the feas: fhall we then reject the Church? God forbid. Sixthly, this teacheth us concerning Solomon, that,

Firft, he repented of his fall, acknowledged his being wanting of keeping his owne Vine: and,

Secondly,he wrote this Song after his fall and repentance: elfe, if he had foretold his fall, and repentance before it was done, it might feem like the Jefuites Popish repentance, who confeffe to their Priests their finne before they commit it. But he penned it after his fall,to affure us the more of his falvation, which fome make doubt of.

Seventhly, this fhewes us, fuch foules are the fairest and most beautifull in Christs eyes as (not refting in the commandements of governments touching matter of Religion, but) doe fecke for the

true

Chap.1. Who beautifull in Christs eyes.

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13.14,16.

21,27.

true Church and pure worship of God, and follow it, though with neglect of their * fuburbs and poffeffions. Chrift* 2Chron. calleth those the fairest among women who here enquire after him, and fellt allt Mat. 19. him, +3 to follow him: fo thefe that want meanes of falvation at home, are defirous to feek after them, and where they finde them, there they goe, and part with any thing to enjoy the purity of Gods worship and ordinances: thefe in Gods account are the worthieft Chriftians.

Luke 18. 22,28.

Mark 10.

21,28.

use 8.

21.

Kin. 18.

Eightly, here is fhewed two markes of the true Church of God doe any doubt whether God be God or Baal,and do halt. between two opinions,not knowing whether to joyn with Rome or England: Goe Verfe 8. then out by the foot-steps of the flockés; where the faithfull hearing Chrifts voice refort, and will not heare any voyce but Chrifts, follow thofe : now times are fuch! (bleffed be God) as every one may finde out where the Church is, but in the cafe of blacknefs and darknefs, enquire then,

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Firft, for fuch as will heare no voyce but Chrifts, and follow then the footsteps of the flocke: fee where they feed, there joyne your selves. C 2 Secondly,

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ufe 9. Verfe 9.

The Church for fakes God, and he her. Chap.1.

Secondly, where you find faithfull Minifters, Priests,as Aarons fons,and Levites anointed with heavenly graces; thither carry your kids,there plant your families to be fed under fuch fhepheards.

Laftly, wee may fee here when the Church neglects Gods fervice, God gives her up to the fervice of forain Princes, to draw as horfes in Pharaohs chariots: and yet being humbled for this, God wil have mercy on her,and fo difpofe of it,that her service fhall not be bafe, for God will make them to draw his yoke,though they draw it in the yoke of forain Princes, as f2 Chro. Rehoboam and his people did f.

12.2,49 8,9. Verse 10. to end.

Thy cheeks are comely with rowes of jewels.] The eftate of the Church is here defcribed, as it was in the dayes of Abijam, in thefe words, Thy cheekes are comely with jewels; and as it was in the dayes of Asa, both in the fame words, and in the words following to the end of Verse 11.

Thy cheeks. That is, the outward face of the Church are comely with rowes of jewels: that is, with keeping their right place and order, and manner of Gods owne ordinances.

This Abijam proclaimeth himself to all

the

Chap.1.

What meant by Cheeks.

the house of Ifrael: 8 But as for us (faith he) the Lord is our God, we have not for faken him, the Priests which minifter unto the Lord are the fons of Aaron; and the Levites waite upon that bufineffe, and they burne unto the Lordevery morning and every evening burnt facrifices and fweet incenfe: the fhew-bread alfo they fet in order upon the pure table.

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15.3.

It was not fo with the House of Ifrael, though Abijahs heart was not fo upright Verfe 8,9. as Davids h; yet the outward face of the Church, her cheekes (as it were) were comely with the orderly keeping and obferving the ordinances of God: yea, and comely also was the face of the Church looking up to God in diftreffe, which moved him to deliver you from Ieroboam. Thy neck with chaines of gold.]

i 2 Chro. 13.12,18.

Verse 10.

Chaines of gold are wholefome lawes, binding like chaines, to keep the worship of God and true Religion pure as gold; fuch lawes are called chaines. This wask Pf.149. done in the dayes of Afa, when he remo- 8. ved the Altars of the ftrange gods,pulling down the high places, breaking the Images, and cutting down the Groves; commanded Judah to feeke the Lord God of their fathers, and the people willingly

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