Let not the weakest of all others be discouraged. Christ looks not to what he brings, so much as out of what store ; that which is least in quan- tity may be most in proportion, as the widow's mite was more in accept- ance than richer offoi'ings, Luke xsi. 3, ' A pair of turtle doves,' Levit. v. 7, was accepted in the law, and those that brought but goats' hair to the building of the tabernacle, Exod. xxxv. 6.
The particulars here specified that Chiist took delight in, and inviteth others to a further degree of delight in, are
Myrrh and spice, honey and honeycomb, milk.
* That is, 'speak evil of.'— Q.
32 BOWELS OPENED. [SeRMON HE.
Which shew, 1. The sweetness of gi-ace and spiritual comfort. 2. The variety. 3. The use.
Myrrh and spices, 1, refresh the spirits, and 2, preserve from putre- faction ; which are therefore used in embalming. If the soul be not em- balmed with grace, it is a noisome, carrion soul ; and as it is in itself, so whatsoever cometh from it is abominable.
Milk and honey nom-ish and strengthen ; and rvine increaseth spirits ; and thereupon encourageth and allayeth sorrow and cares. ' Give wine to him that is ready to die,' Prov. xxxi. 6. The sense of the love of Christ is sweeter than wine ; it banisheth fears, and sorrow, and care.
From this mutual delight between Christ and his spouse we observe next, that
There is a mutual feastiny betwixt Christ and his church. The church bringeth what she hath of his Spirit ; and Christ comes with more plenty.
For there being so near a covenant between him and us, we are by his grace to perform all offices on our part. We invite him, and he inviteth us. There is not the meanest Christian in whom there is not somewhat to welcome Christ withal; but Christ sends his provision before, and comes, as we say, to his own cost. He sends a spirit of faith, a spirit of love, a spirit of obedience. 1. Some are content to invite others, but are loth to go to others, as if it were against state. They would have wherewith to entertain Christ, but are unwilling to be beholden to Christ. 2. Some are content to have benefit by Christ, as his righteousness to cover them, &c., but they desire not grace to entertain Christ ; but a heart truly gracious desireth both to delight in Christ, and that Christ may delight in it. It desireth grace together with mercy, holiness with happiness. Christ could not delight in his love to us, if we by his grace had not a love planted in our hearts to him. But to come to speak of this feast.
We see it pleaseth Christ to veil heavenly matters with comparisons fetched from earthly things, that so he may enter into our souls the better by our senses.
1. Christ maketh us a feast, a marriage feast, a marriage feast with the King's Son, of all feasts the most magnificent. A feast, first, in regard of the choice rarities we have in Christ. We have the best, and the best of the best. ' Fat things, and the marrow of fatness ; wine, and wine on the lees,' Isa. xxv. 6, refined, that preserveth the strength. The comforts we have from Christ, are the best comforts ; the peace, the best peace ; the privileges, the highest privileges. ' His flesh,' crucified for us, to satisfy divine justice, 'is meat indeed; his blood, shed for us, is drink indeed,' John vi. 55; that is, the only meat and drink to refresh our souls ; because these feed our souls, and that to eternal life. The love of God the Father in giving Christ to death ; and Christ's love in giving himself, together with fall contentment to divine justice ; this gift it is that the soul especially feeds on. What could Christ give, better than himself to feed on? He thought nothing else worthy for the soul to feed on ; and this it daily feeds on, as daily guilt riseth from the breakings out of the remainder of corruption. Other dainties are irom this ; from hence we have the Spirit, and graces of the Spirit. If he giveth himself, will he not give all things -with himself?
2. As Christ maketh a feast of choice things for his elect and choice spouse, so there is variety, as in a feast. ' Christ is made to us of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,' 1 Cor. i. 30, that we should not be too much cast down with thought of our own folly, guilt, unholiness, and misery. There is that in Christ which answereth to aU our wants, and
Cant. V. l.J ' eat, o friends ; drink.' 83
an all-sufficiency for all degrees of happiness. Therefore, he hath terms from whatsoever is glorious and comfortable in heaven and earth. Christ is aU marrow, all sweetness. All the several graces and comforts we have, and the several promises whereby they are made over and conveyed unto us, are but Christ dished out in several manner, as the need of every Christian shall require. Christ himself is the ocean, issuing into several streams, to refresh the city of God. We can be in no condition, but we have a promise to feed on, and ' all promises are yea and amen,' 2 Cor. i. 20,' made to us ' in Christ,' and performed to us ' for Christ.'