Ans. 2. Again, a wiUijifiness to follow Christ in all conditions as he is dis- covered in the word. To sufter Christ to have the sovereignty in our affections, above all other things and persons in the world ; this is the right disposition of a true spouse. For as it was at the first institution, there must be a leaving of father, and mother, and all, to cleave to our husband* : so here, when anything and Christ cannot stand together, or else we shall never have the comfort of his sweet name. Many men will be glad to own Christ to be great by him, but as St Austin complains in his time, Christ Jesus is not loved for Jesus his own sake. Vix diliyitur Jesus proj^ter Jesum, but for other things, that he brings with him, peace, plenty, &c. — as far as it stands with these contentments. If Christ and the world part once, it will be known which we followed. In times of peace this is hardlyf discerned. If he willpay men's debts, so as they may have the credit and glory of the name to be called Chi-istians, if he will redeem them from the danger of sin, all is well ; but only such have the comfort of this communion, as love him for himself. Let us not so much trouble om-selves about signs as be careful to do oui' duty to Chi-ist, and then will Christ discover his love clearly unto us.
Use 4. Now, they that are not brought so near to this happy condition by Christ, may yet have this encom-agement, there is yet place of grace for them. Let them therefore consider but these three things.
1. The excellency of Christ, and of the state of the chui'ch, when it is so near him.
2. The necessity of this, to be so near him.
3. That there is hope of it.
There is in Christ whatsoever may commend a husband ; birth, comeli- ness, riches, friends, wisdom, authority, &c.
1. The excellency of this condition to be one with Christ, is, that all tilings are ours. For he is the Iving, and the church the Queen of all. All things are ser^-iceable to us. It is a w^ondrous nearness, to be nearer to Christ than the angels, who are not his body, but servants that attend upon the church. The bride is nearer to him than the angels, for, ' he is the head and husband thereof, and not of the angels,' Heb. ii. 16. "VVTiat an excellent condition is this for poor flesh and blood, that creeps up and dowTi the earth here despised !
2. But especially, if we consider the necessity of it. We are all indebted for more than we are worth. To divine justice we owe a debt of obedience,
* See Gen. ii. 24 and Mat. xix. 5 ; Mark x. 7, but it is ' wife,' not ' husband.' — G. t Tljat is with ' difficulty.'— G.
Cant. V. 1.] ' i have gathered my iiYKRH.' 27
and in want of that we owe a debt of punishment, and we cannot answer one for a thousand. "What will become of us if we have not a husband to discharge all our debts, but to be imprisoned for ever ?
A person that is a stranger to Christ, though he were an Ahithophel for his brain, a Judas for his pr^ 'fession, a Saul for his place, yet if his sins be set before him, he will be swallowed up of despair, fearing to be shut up eternally under God's wi-ath. Therefore, if nothing else move, yet let ne- cessity compel us to take Christ.
3. Consider not only how suitable and how necessary he is unto us, but what hope there is to have him, whenas he sueth to us by his messengers, and wooeth us, whenas we should rather seek to him ; and with other mes- sengers sendeth a privy messenger, his Holy Spu'it, to incHue our hearts. Let us therefore, as we love our souls, sufl'er ourselves to be won. But more of this in another place. The next branch is,
ni. Christ's acceptation. ' I have gathered my myiTh with my spice,' &c. So that, together with Christ's presence, here is a gracious acceptance of the provision of the church, with a delight in it, and withal, a bringing of more with him. The church had a double desire, 1, That Christ would come to accept of what she had for him of his own grace, which he had wrought in her soul ; and 2, She was also verily persuaded that he would not come empty handed, only to accept of what was there, but also would bring abundance of grace and comfort with him. Therefore she desires acceptation and increase ; both which desires he answers. He comes to his garden, shews his acceptation, and withal he brings more. ' I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey ; I have drunk my wine with my milk,' &c. Whence we observe,
That God accepts of the (/races of his children, and delights in, them.
First, Because they are the fruits that come from his children, his spouse, his friend. Love of the person wins acceptance of that which is presented from the person. What comes from love is lovingly taken.