The next observation out of the words, because it is the especial, which works upon the daughters of Jerusalem, is from the large exphcation of Christ.
* That is, ' taken.'— G
168 BOWELS OPENED. [SeRMON XVIII.
That ivhich most of all stirs up holy affections to search after Christ is the large explications of his excellencies.
Then be in love with the ministry of the gospel and the communion of saints, who have their tongues and their hearts taught of God to speak ex- cellently. Their tongues are as refined silver ; their hearts are enriched to increase the communion of saints, Prov. x. 20. Mark this one excellency of that excellent ordinance of God in Christ, whereof Paul saith, Eph. iii. 7, 8, ' To me is committed this excellent office, to lay open the unsearchable riches of Christ ; ' such riches as may di-aw you to wonder, such ' as eye hath never seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man to conceive,' 1 Cor. ii. 9; and so to draw the aflfections of people after them.
And because it is the special office of the ministry to lay Him open, to hold up the tapestry, to unfold the hidden mysteries of Christ, labour we, therefore, to be alway speaking somewhat about Christ, or tending that way. When we speak of the law, let it drive us to Chiist ; when of moral duties, to teach us to walk worthy of Christ. Christ, or somewhat tending to Ghi'ist, should be our theme and mark to aim at.
Therefore what shall we judge of those that are hinderers of this glorious ordinance of Christ in the gospel ? They are enemies of conversion and of the calling of God's people ; enemies of their comfort. And what shall we think of those wretched and miserable creatm-es that, like Cain, are vagabonds ? who wander, and will not submit themselves to any ordinance meekty, but keep themselves out of this blessed opportunity of hearing the excellencies of Christ, which might draw their hearts to him ? We are made for ever, if Chi-ist and we be one. K we have all the world without him, it is nothing ; if we have nothing in the world but Christ, we are happy. Gh ! happy then when this match is made between Christ and the soul ! The friends of the bride and of Christ, they, laying open the unsearchable riches of Clirist to the spouse, draw the affi3ctions, work faith, and so bring the bride and the bridegroom together.
Thus far of the question. Now we have the church's answer to the daughters of Jerusalem.
' My beloved is gone into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lihes.'
The question was not for a bare satisfaction, but from a desire the church had to seek Christ. * Whither is thy beloved gone, that we may seek him ? ' It was not a curious question, but a question of inquisition tending to practice. Many are inquisitive ; but when they know another man's meaning, it is all they desire. Now I know your meaning, will they say, but I mean not to follow your counsel. The daughters of Jerusalem had a more sincere intention, ' 0 thou fairest among women, whither is thy beloved turned aside? that ive may seek him ivith thee.' Whereunto the church answered,
' My beloved is gone into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens.' Where we see,
The church is not squeamish, but directly answers to the question. For there is no en\'y in spiritual things, because they may be divided in solidum. One may have as much as another, and all alike. 'Envj is not in those things that are not divisible ; in other things, the more one hath, another hath the less. But there is no envy in grace and glory, because all may share alike. Therefore here is no envy in the answer, as if she denied the daughters of Jerusalem the enjoying of her beloved. No. If you will know, says she, I wiU teU you directly whither my beloved is gone.
Cant. VI. 1, 2.] *my beloved is gone into his garden,' 169
' My beloved is gone into his garden, to the bed of spices,' &c.
God hath two gardens. The chui-ch cathoHc is his garden, and every particular church are gardens and beds of spices, in regard that many Christians are sown there that Christ's soul delights in, as in sweet spices. This was spoken of before at large in chapter v. 1, why the church is called a garden, being a severed place from the waste.* The chnrch is severed fi-om the wilderness of the world in God's care and love ; likewise he tends and weeds his church and garden. As for the waste of the world, he is content the wilderness should have barren plants, but he will not endure such in his garden. Thei-efore those that give themselves liberty to be naught in the church of God, he will have a time to root them out. Trees that are not for fruit shall be for the fire ; and above all other trees their doom shall be the heaviest that grow in God's garden without fruit. That fig-tree shall be cursed, Luke xiii. 6—9.