Chap.2. Magiftrates are to be apple trees. Firft, fhadow of protection. mercy. fweete fruit of loving Sixthly, we may here fee the wonder- ufe 6. full power of God, and goodneffe to his Church, in turning their houfe of bondage into a house of wine, in fpreading alfo his banner of love over them in their greateft diftreffes and dangers: What more dolefull times of his Church then captivity? when men would thinke God carries his Church into a dungeon, then he carries her into a Wine-cellar. This may be a ground of folid comfort to us in our worft takings, for though wee be in the greatest extremity, yea, in the deepeft dungeon of darkneffe, God can suftaine and uphold us here, and refresh us with many comforts. Seventhly, this ought to ftirre us up ufe 7. to more ardent and longing affections after Chrift, fo that as wee be ready to faint and fwoone through earneft affections,after more full and familiar fel lowship 63 64 Elay 49. 23. ufe 8. Inoffenfive walking neceffary. Chap.2. lowship with him: It was Daniels cafe, hee was ficke of love, fo let it be with us for want of Gods prefence; and pray that God would refresh us with his prefence, and fend good Minifters and good Magiftrates to be as nurfing fathers to his Church. Eighthly, this ferves to teach, and ftraightly to charge the children of God, when they enjoy Gods prefence and fa vour in the Ministery and Magiftracy, fuftaining and comforting them, to take heed of disturbing their peace, 1. By any indiscreet: or 2. Offenfive carriage: for it is, First, a disturbance to Christ himselfe, he is stirred up and awaked, (as it were) before he please. Secondly, the Roes and Hindes of the field, young comers on in Religion, are foone scared away by dangers and troubles arifing against the Church, therefore we fhould be carefull and take heed wee provoke not any dog to barke, for then they will be gone. Let us therefore walke wifely, and inoffenfively, that none bee difcouraged, that Christ, who doth fuftaine us, and refresh us, may Chap.2. The Churches deliverance how. may dwell with us for ever. 65 The voyce of my beloved,behold, he cometh Ver.8.xo leaping upon the mountaines, and skipping the end. upon the bills.] In these words are defcribed, First, the Churches deliverance out of captivity: where is laid downe, Firft,the preparation to the deliverance First, leaping and skipping. Secondly, the calling out of captivity: Firft, to goe out of Babylon into their owne countrey; whereunto there are motives, First, from removall of impediments, verfe II. Secondly, from store of opportunities, Ver.8,9. † Ver. 8.9. Ver.10, 13. verse 12,13. 66 Chrift frequent in his vifits. Chap.2. Thirdly, to worship God in poblicke h Ver. 14. meetings in their owne countrey h. i Ver. 15. k Ver.16. Secondly, the state of the Church returned into their owne countrey, in regard, Firft,of oppofition of enemies i, fubtill and ravenous: where is fet forth, First, their nature; they are foxes,little foxes. Secondly, the harme they doe, they fpoile the vines. Thirdly, there take us the foxes. Secondly, of their communion with Chrifts outward enemies, and inward abuses restrained, partly, more plentifull and intire. bis. First, My beloved is mine, and I am Secondly, * Feedeth amongst the Lillies. Secondly, interrupted, and yet by turnes Chrift often and fpeedily vifiting and fuccouring them, and that to the time of the coming of Christ, and the abolishing of the fhadowes of the cere 1 Ver.17. moniall Law 1. Verfe 8. The voyce of my beloved.] This was the report of Cyrus coming to befiege Babel, Chap.2. The Churches deliverance by Cyrus. 69 Babel, and his mustering together of many Nations to that fervice; which ru mour was difcerned by the faithfull, to be the accomplishment of the Prophecies given them before, of deliverance by Cyrus *. And therefore the Church hea- *Ifa.44. ring this rumour, fuddenly acknowled-28.& 45.1 geth in it the promife and voyce of Chriftt: and fo it was no leffe gratefullt Jer. 50. to them, then dolefull and dreadfull to 42, 43,46. the Babylonians. He cometh leaping upon the mountaines. beloved is like a Roe, or a young Hart, My behold,he ftandeth behinde our wall,he looketh forth at the window,fhewing himselfe through the lattice.] These words expreffe the great expedition and speed which Cyrus made in his journey against Babel, all the Nations lying in the way, Firft,either of themselves fetting open their gates to him,as weary of the Babylonian yoke. Secondly, or fpeedily furprised and fubdued. Hee ftandeth behinde the wall.] Laying fiege to the walls of Babylon. Hee looketh forth at the windowes.] That E 2 is, Verfe 9. |