Ecclesia Gemens, or, Two discourses on the mournful state of the Church, with a prospect of her dawning glory exhibited in a view of two Scriptures, representing her as a myrtle-grove in a deep bottom, and as a knot of lillies among thorns.

This Point divides it self into two Parts.

[ 1] The state of the Church in this World.

[ 2] The love of Christ to her in this State.

I shall endeavour to treat of the first under 6 Propositions.

There's a vast disparity between a Lilly and a Thorn. Thorns are the natural Daughters of the World; or at best, but carnal Professors with the Masque of Religion. The Lilly is a true Saint, an Off-set from the Root of Christ. He forms his holy Nature in the Church, and then calls her by his own name of a spotless innocent Lilly. He turns a Bramble into a Lilly by omnipotent grace, and then loves it with a spotless, end∣less delight. A Child of God may remember his Bramble nature with holy shame and humble thankful∣ness, and labour to lead a spiritual, meek, and heavenly life, like a Lilly of Christs regenerating.

[ 2] This Lilly, it pleases divine love and wisdom to plant in the midst of a thorny prickly world: 'Tis Christ

himself hath set it, and therefore sees and watches it in this perilous state. His Wisdom thought meet to set it, and his love delights to guard it. Brambles suck away the nitrous juice of the earth, to form their pungent prickles, that Lillies may draw more wholesome bal∣same.

Saints grow the more gracious by the vicinity of scratching Briars, and holy Men should meekly bear their station, since 'tis the will of Christ.

Its great discomfort to a Saint that's very gracious, to live in a vexing World, But his tribulation worketh patience under sorrows, ex∣perience of divine Protection, and hope of glory, and therefore glorys in it, Wo is me that I sojourn in Me∣sech, and live in the black Tents of Kedar, but joys in hope that the Badger-skins of Kedar, shall one day be changed into the Purple Curtains of Solomon. The Church both must and may have some society with thorny persons with sowr tempers, as well as sinful natures, not one∣ly

originally wicked but of sharp and contentious spirits.

A sweet temper mixt with holi∣ness makes grace more beautiful, especially when planted in the midst of thorns. Who would expect such a beautiful Lilly as Abigail by the sides of a Churlish Nabal, or a meek David near a taunting Mi∣chol? Thorns are the more uncome∣ly, and the Lillies much more de∣sireable.

[Q] Q. But how shall a Saint behave himself among such ruggid and pierc∣ing spirits?

[A] A. 1. With holy caution, when thorns be so near, remember how soon they may prick, Saints must take heed of passive offence: Not to take it unkindly, as well as not to provoke.

Briars are touchy things and act their nature, let them alone to the Juniper Coals of Magistrates, or fire from Heaven as they live unfruit∣ful and undesired, so they usually dy unlamented: No man is any farther troubled at a Dog when he snarles or bites, then to avoid his currish

temper, who expects from an Ass but rude braying; from a Horse but surly kicks; from a Swine, but mire and grunting; or from Thorns, but scratches. Stand out of their way as much as possible, and let such beasts bite and fight and scratch together, let thy delight be among the excellent that are in the earth. The law of kindness governs the tongue and the law of meekness the heart of a Saint.

[ 2] 2. Gracious persons should behave themselves inoffensively, as there is beauty, so there's smoothness and le∣nity in a Lilly. There's no less mercy then majesty in the nature of holi∣ness. A Child of God dares not do that to a wicked man which he suf∣fers from him. A Saint must shine with a winning conversation to the froward: If possible, anoint their sharp prickles with the oil of a soft answer, that when they enter, this may convey a healing drop into the wound. Its said of the Viper, that with his needle-teeth he drops from his head a yellow poysonous liquor dipt in rage, that inflames the wound,

let's pour in some Balm of Gilead, into the gauls and gashes of vene∣mous spirits; for healing apologies [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] comforts and sweetens against great offences.

[ 3] 3. Patiently, knowing that thorns never scratch the Church but as they are moved and waved by the wind of divine providence. This is a Saints comfort though such crook∣ed thorns may rend the tender flow∣er of his body, yet cannot hurt his root. Though he grow like a small lowly Lilly, yet his roots are like the Cedars of Lebanon. Ye never saw a Bramble scratching up the root of a Lilly; as he knows it not, so he can∣not. A Saints faith in and union to Christ remains inviolable. Nay, many times, the pulling off his visible flowers, makes this root the strong∣er.

O happy Church! O happy Saint! No enemy can think a mali∣cious thought, but 'tis foreseen, con∣ducted and often returned upon their own heads by an invisible pow∣er. Be patient, he sees that their day is coming who has appointed it.

When the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his holy one for a flame, and it shall burn and devour the thorns and briars in one day.

[ 3] The Church is among thorns as an embleme of its Persecutions, un∣godly men are always (in promptu) ready for mischief, though not (in aectu) continually vexing the Church of Christ: every wicked man has a Bramble in his heart, and sometimes hangs out at his mouth in bitter taunts. The Son of the Bond woman will persecute him that is born after the Spirit. The Nightingale sings with a thorn at her breast by night, though she sees it not always, yet may sometimes feel it▪ Its vain for the Church to promise self-security in a Land of Scorpions. Let the wind blow from any corner either of Paganisme or Heresie: the storms will impetuously clash the thorns up∣on the Lillies, and the Churches sides receive many a gash. She hath bin often taught wisdom from the Briars and Thorns of the Wilder∣ness. But here our thorns are the malepert daughters of Jerusalem.

Such as grow in Gardens are the worst, because the ranker soile breeds the strongest prickles. The sharpest Persecutions pierce the Church from the daughters of for∣mal Jerusalem; as may appear by the Jewish, Arian, and Popish Ty∣rannies over the Spouse of Christ. Mark an Apostate Julian, that scoffs and taunts most bitterly against the Church, according to that old saying, Omnis apostata osor sui ordi∣nis. Every Apostate hates the party from which they declined, and be∣come of all Persecutors the most cruel and barbarous. Thorns that are nighest by education, produce the sharpest tryals, as the Psalmist Prophecied in the Person of Christ, My familiar friend hath lift up his heel against me, with which the Pro∣phet accords, These are the wounds received in the house of my friends, My Mothers Children are angry with me. The sweetest wine makes the shar∣pest Vinegar. The nearest Relations the most bitter conflicts, who ought to yield the most tender embraces. Bernard observes they had not God to

their Father, but the Devil, though they boasted of their formal Mother. A cruel Mother that milks out poy∣son and spits venome in the face of her Children, pretends the hony of peace and discipline, and mixes the gall of pride, and flings out fire∣brands.

[ 4] 4. This Song presents but one Lilly among many thorns, my dove says Christ, my undefiled is but one, ther's but one Spouse, one Bride of Christ.

[ 1] 1. One to shew the paucity of true Believers, as to the multitude of ungodly persons, hypocrites and sormal Professors. Briars multi∣ply vastly, the vory tops of Bram∣bles will shoot down and take root in the neighbouring mould. The heads and hearts of the wicked run in the earth to a vast extent, but a Lilly never. Feracious and fruit∣ful is the nature of sin and sinners. How many Families fill'd with un∣holy persons, scarce a Lilly to be sound. How few true Saints in City or Country: As the Prophet speaks of the Berries of an Olive∣tree,

one of a City or two of a Tribe to come to Zion.

2. One to shew their unity, one root, though many flowors. The Church delights in oneness of heart and society. Unity and verity cling together, falsity and division are ve∣ry numerous. The wicked seldome agree but in tearing and defacing the Church, Pilat and Herod joyn hands against Christ, and mark what a crew of enemies unite and conse∣derate against the Church, else there's little union among the wick∣ed, because pride (the principle of division) compass them like a chain, and therefore violence as a garment. Their enmity to the Church drags them into some temporary union as with an iron Chain. The Popish Synagogue brags of their general u∣nion: 'Tis but a Spanish brag. For one of their Cardinals numbers a∣bove three hundred differences of opinion in the Romish Church, and one of their Casuists confesses near threescore differences in the point of Confession, and many more might be added of Popes and Counsels

and Frieries one against another. But the true Church hath an admi∣rable union, one Lord, one saith, one baptism, Jerusalem is a City compact together, and at unity with∣in her self. Though outward Pro∣fessors have some variance, yet in the grand sundamental of sree grace and salvation by faith alone the con∣fessions of the Reformed Churches rejoyce in a sweet harmony, as to lesser points, Oh that it were as it ought to be and shall be in the glo∣rious times that are a coming.

[ 3] 3. One, to shew what concerns the Church in general, is applica∣ble to every member. Each pro∣mise and priviledge is universal and yet peculiar, to teach Believers that are in Covenant to lay hold on e∣very promise, as if made to them a∣lone. Abraham's promise is thine, for it was not written for his sake a∣lone but for us also if we believe. What was said to Joshua, was said to thee, he will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Its common faith and common salvation, that they with∣out us should not be made perfect.

The Church is a Dove that brings an Olive-branch to every Noah, within the Ark of Christ; the love of Christ is general to all, and singu∣lar to each individual member. Each Saint hath an equal title to his love and all spiritual joys as the whole.

[ 5] The Lilly is not only encumbred with thorns but grows amongst them. 'Tis not a dead flower cropt and flung there, but thrives and flourishes though hedg'd and hem'd with thorns. It sends forth a gra∣cious smell among noisome briars, when planted there by Christ. Oh learn to adorn Religion in a barren soil amidst troublous enemies, that's the glory of a Saint, to be a Joseph, a Moses in the midst of Aegypt, an Obadiah at Samaria, a Nehemiah in Shushan, a Joanna in Herod's Court, In a thorny family among sharp relations, in a prickly Land to scent like Heaven. To retaine growing innocency and tender-hearted-lenity in a crooked and per∣verse Nation. To beautifie and sweeten the dunghil World. To

lustrate a wild Common full of bri∣ars by the purity of holiness. To pray for such as prick their sides, to do good to such as hate and spitefully scratch them, a spirit of God and a spirit of glory rests upon them, to be filled with the good will of him that dwelt and shined in the briar of Horeb: This is to be like our heavenly Father. 'Tis no great praise to be quiet in a Hermitage, and to fly like a Dove from Kedar, but in the midst of business, relations and troubles, then shines the grace of a Saint.

[ 6] 6. The Churches Lilly often re∣ceives protection from the thorns a∣bout them. The same hand planted both thorns and lillies. The lilly within, and the thorns for protecti∣on about it. The Briars often twist and twine themselves into an arbor to desend the Church. Saul and the Philistines encountring to∣gether gave escape to David. Juli∣an and the Persians delivered the primitive Christians. The Sadduces and Pharisees conflict rescued Paul into the hands of Lysias. The

Church often grows safely under the intangled counsels of infa∣tuated Achitophels, and subtile Hamans.

While they perplex and involve each other, they become insnared by the works of their own hands, and the Church sings Higgaion Se∣lah. The state of Geneva is compa∣red to a bone that 3 sturdy Mastiffs stand by and snarl one at another, but dare not touch it. The Motto upon the Churches briars, may well be that of Scotland's thistles, ne im∣pune lacessant: God fences his lillies about by the thorns of carnal Pro∣fessors, as well as the tall Brambles of Bashan, the open and violent Pa∣gan enemies. The multitudes of Formalists in and about the Church a wise God turns both to shadow and shelter; to shadow from the scorching Sun that would wither it, and to shelter it from the foot of Beasts, the foot of pride and vio∣lence that might tread it down. They are always good subjects, use∣ful and painful and faithful in their stations. Joseph's srugal prudence

gat him favour in the eye of Pha∣raoh. Mordecai's trustiness to the life of Ahasuerus raised him to ho∣nour, and Daniel's sagacity and ex∣pertness in affairs, was a notable step to his personal honour, his further advancement in the rising Persian Court, and a return for the Church of God out of Babylon.

Let's descend to apply, the Use is two-fold, to the thorns and lil∣lies.

[Ʋse 1] 1. To the Thorns in some parti∣culars.

[ 1] 1. Remember your vile original, what are you? but the cursed sruit of the fall, whose bramble natures breed unkind and pricking spirits. God planted no thorns in Paradise. The state of innocency knew no such crooked tempers. He created man upright, but he sought out many in∣ventions.

[ 2] 2. To the Thorns among Lillies.

Most of the Worlds briars grow without any lillies among them▪ They live among Nettles, Hemlock and Henbane and other poysonous Plants, stinging, and tearing, and

choaking one another, living in ma∣lice and envy, hateful and hating one another, but remember you that have Lillies among you; their hu∣mility, fragrancy, lenity, purity should provoke you to holy emu∣lation. They live peaceably by you, scratch them not. Happy thorns, did you know it; God would soon fold you up into bun∣dles and deliver you to the surnace of his wrath, were it not for his Chosen among you, Suffer them a while, let the Briars grow till the Harvest, says our Lord, Then shall his Angels gather out of his King∣dom, all things that offend and them which do iniquity and cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wail∣ing and gnashing of teeth.

[ 3] 3. Let wicked persecuting thorns consider their end. That earth that beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burnt. Unserviceable, unpro∣fitable wretches cumber the ground, suck away the juice from Gods Plants, unfit for building, and injuri∣ous, that which their prickly venome

heat and infest the hands that touch them. Take heed of persecuting the meek and humble Lillies. There's no one sin more criminal and provoking in the sight of God. He ordains his arrows against the Persecutors and dooms them to e∣ternal fire. When once persons fall to that sin, God maketh way and room for his wrath. Before the pots can feel the thorns &c. a dark place but sharp against Gods enemies: Arias and Glassius translate it, an∣tequam spinae intelligant rhamnum, &c. Before the Thorns apprehend a Bramble, an elegant metaphor from the growth of rational creatures. Before the young tender thorns shall arise to the capacity of a great bramble to do more mischief. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the plural masculine signifies thorns, and the Targum glosses the Text thus, while they are tender and green,: while in their youth and vigour, as Husband∣men cut down thorns before they grow rampant, so will the Lord tear off wicked Persecutors with the whirlwind and burn them with

the fire of his wrath before they grow old, withered and dry, while yet in the sap and strength, while they are lively and flourishing. The design of the Psalmist expresses the wrath of God against his enemies before they shall finish their purpo∣ses to bring utter destruction to the Congregation of the just.

[Ʋse 2] To the Lillies themselves.

[ 1] 1. Resemble your heavenly pat∣tern. Take heed of morosity, you never found a thorn in the root, leaf or flower of a lilly, but what was thrust in by a Briar, it agrees not to the meek and gentle na∣ture of holiness. Pride and imperi∣ousness of spirit is contrary to the humility of a Lilly, stiffness and per∣versness are unsuitable to the flexi∣ble temper of that lovely plant. Drooping and desponding unbe∣comes the erect and brisk aspect of its flower. Saints should labour to joy in the Lord always. Study for such innocency, mildness, winning, ingenious tempers, and candour of spirit as may silence the ignorance of foolish men, that by holy and hea∣venly

frames of heart and life they may convince the briars that tear them of their fiery, unrighteous sharpness. Saints must shew a bet∣ter spirit dwelling in them, then the world knows off, sweet thoughts is∣suing into courteous and affable words; smelling fragrantly of hea∣vens influence, and the dews of Zion moistning their lovely hearts with a conversation so amiable as may glorifie their heaven-born race that all about them may delight to come within them, to taste of their delicious spirits as if they dwelt in a garden of Pomegranats.

A Lilly is a tractable Plant, a briar is of a sullen, churlish, rough, Nabal-like spirit. Wicked mens tempers are commonly like nettles and thorns thrust away that cannot be taken with hands, he that touch∣es them must be fenced with iron, and the staff of a spear, and they shall be utterly burnt with fire in the same place, not to be handled without hedgers gloves, without guards and fences, but so must not Saints, yet, take heed of offences

even to the Sons of Belial. A Lilly will not cannot hurt a thorn. You never heard a Sheep barking, at a Dog, or saw a Dove fly after a Bird of Prey. A Saint must not be of a sturdy, dogged, proud, rapaci∣ous insolent and revengeful temper, but commit themselves to God, For Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I'll repay it.

[Q] Q. But may not a Saint some∣times use the prick of reproof?

[A] A. When the necessity of their calling, station and relation requires it, 'tis their duty. They must in no no wise hate their Brother in their heart, but shew their love by rebuking him, and not suffer sin upon him. But, if he be a scorner he'll never love his reprover, neither will he go unto the wise, but sight and quarrel and backbite most venomously. He that reproveth a scorner gets shame and blots and hatred. Therefore remember the sphere of thy station and go no further. Thorns are al∣ways scratching and censuring Saints for reproof though bound in duty, and though never so mild, where∣fore

let the Lillies whiteness, pu∣rity and humility be a silent stand∣ing reproof against their neighbour∣ing briars.

[ 2] 2. Do you belong to this heaven∣ly Plant? are you like to Christ? are ye his lillies indeed? [Let's try] can you bear their prickly thorns with meekness of patience. A good nature is seen more in bear∣ing and passing by injuries that might provoke a nettling temper, then in bestowing of benefits. Will ye pretend to a lilly and cant bear a prick in your good name for Christ, nor a thorn in your liberty for the Gospel sake, nor a scratch in your purses for pure worship and the honourable name of the great Lillie of the Vallies, what conformity bear we to Christ? The Head of the Church was girt and gored with a Crown of thorns for us, and must not the Churches Sides expect the like, Delicatus es Christi∣ane &c. said Jerome, thou art too dainty, that must be Crowned with roses here and glory hereafter: what, swim in a River of oil, into

the river of Paradise; no, no! Ca∣naanites will be thorns in your sides till ye come to that Canaan a∣bove. Deceive not your selves, scandals at the Cross make for∣malists stumble into Apostacy. A great Roman Emperor tryed his Courtiers and State Officers by Proclamation, who would renounce Christianity, to prove their constan∣cy, and such who for flattery or sear fled back from the truth, he turned out of their places, telling them, that such who were false to their Saviour, would never be true to their Emperor. Our great Lord and King of the Church sometimes tries whether we will suffer thorns in our comforts, rather then in our consciences. Turning times are try∣ing times.

[ 3] 3. Pray for the dews of heaven∣ly grace to fall like Orient Pearls upon your lillies. No matter what briars among us, so heavens influ∣ences showr down upon us. What need we beso much concerned for a scratch, if a Balsam drop from Heaven presently cure it? If mul∣titudes

of thoughts ramble and tum∣ble within us, let divine comforts delight our souls: a rare word in the Hebrew taken from the solaces, dancings, dandlings, singings of ten∣der Mothers to their froward and sretful Children. If thou canst find and feel God to be in Cove∣nant with thee, and taking thee in arms and cherishing thee on the knees of his affection like a Father, what matter what the scullions in the Kitchin, and wicked men the rods of his wrath, the Hang-men and Executioners of Divine Judg∣ments in the earth, be they never so great, speak and twit against thee thou knowest thy Fathers love is so∣lid and permanent, though by an affliction he chide for a fault, yet his heart is with thee, he'll never leave thee till he bring thee to him∣self, and to the high inheritance. Let all the Devils in Hell fling their ragged firebrands at thee, make but a tush of it in the name of the Fa∣ther of mercies, they can't hurt thee. Pray for the gentle Zephyrus, the sweet breathings of Gods Spirit

to flow down and invigorate your Beds of Spices.

[ 4] 4. Care not what the World counts, If God pronounce you to be his Lillies. Labour to be more eminently what God styles you, for what he loves you, and for what the World hates you: If the World hate you, saies our Lord, ye know that it hated me before it hated you, If ye were of the World, the World would love its own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have cho∣sen you out of the world, therefore the World hateth you. In his heavenly prayer our Lord also addresseth thus to the Father; I have given them thy word and the World hath ha∣ted them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Disgrace from the world, let it arm you from going back, and let holy emulation edge you forward. Love not the world, nor the things of this world, the childish fashion, the apish attire, the vain pomp and glist∣ering gewgaws, the tickling and soul-alienating pleasures of this transient and perishing life. Be solid

and serious persons, let your af∣fections be risen with Christ to the pleasures and treasures that are a∣bove.

[ 5] 5. Take heed of the thorns with∣in, more then them without. While your soul tabernacles in flesh, it dwells in a Thicket of thorns, scarce sees Heaven but through Crannies. Paul had this thorn, a thorn given, but it bore roses at last, His suffer∣ings incensed him to fight the good fight of faith the more couragiously.

O the piercing thorns of temp∣tation that annoy the choicest Saints! he mourns more intensely for the thorns at his heart, then those at his feet. He cuts down the former, but they grow again, Hinc ille lachrymae, hence his con∣tinual spring of tears; the others without him he tramples down va∣liantly. Worldly cares, fiery try∣als, dark desertions that touch his heart, these exercise his saith and patience. But O the fearful Bram∣ble of Original lust, a bramble like the Oakes in Bashan as big as the Waste of his soul. Here he

lays on with the ax of Repentance every day, and makes the Chips to fly, till death help him to fetch the killing stroke upon all his deadly enemies. He sweats and pants till he gets the Victory.

[ 6] 6. Be very solicitous to keep your selves from the thorns with∣out. To live holy, and ward off wicked mens blows with all pru∣dence consistent with confession of truth and the name of Christ, walk in wisdom toward them that are without; let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with Salt. If your salt be unsavoury, wherewith (says our Lord) shall it be seasoned. A violent calcining fire takes away much of the grateful savour of salt. Take heed of fiery tryals that are to try them that dwell upon the earth; If ye draw back, my soul (saith God) shall have no pleasure in you, a dreadful saying, to be like Israel's vessel wherein there's no pleasure. Immundum vas seu inutile &c. quo ad projicienda stercora uti sobemus. a vessel made for the requisites of nature to be

fill'd with things unseemly: let Saints study to be holy and useful and like∣wise to be careful and watchful a∣gainst the tinctures and temptations of a prophane World. A Saint must always carry about him a dove-like heart and sometimes use the nimble sparkling eye of the Ser∣pent to guard his dove-like inno∣cency. Spina poena est, thorns will be afflictive. To live near them and not to be hurt is the fruit of divine grace and power, but 'tis usually connext with our use of holy wisdom towards them. Per∣secutions are oftentimes chastise∣ments for sin, and preparations for glory. Though a fruit of the fall, yet they become medicinal to a Saint; his troubles being his comforts. Boysterous winds hurry a Ship to its haven. Dangerous diseases of∣ten ferment the bloud into a puri∣ty for more prosperous health. The poison of sin mingles the po∣tion of repentance. Andromachus's Treakle composed of a Viper cures its venome. The flesh of a Scorpi∣on applyed to the place affected,

healed Olearius of his pain and tor∣ment. A Saints inward bitings from Satan are cured by the Dragons bloud slain by the Spear of Christ. Its said that Crocodile's tears pierce the skull of man, I am sure that a Saints penitent tears dissolve the head and all the inventions of Sa∣tan. To end; a gracious soul may gather the flowers of assurance from the sharp prickles of tempta∣tion and persecution. He sucks much hony of the thorns that mo∣lest and afflict him.

[ 7] 7. Associate with heavenly Lillies. All the World besides are but thorns. The common Daughters of Jerusalem are lillies in shew, but have thorns in heart, and some∣times grow out from the midst of their seeming flowers. They'll prick sometimes as peevishly and perversely as open wicked men, and as the Daughters of Babylon. What delight can a Saint take in their vain converse, their pride and worldliness? Many strange Profes∣sors start up now adays that bear the leaves of their godly Fathers

but not their fruit, they go for Daughters of Zion, but are haugh∣ty, walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton eyes, mincing or tripping nicely as they go, and making a tinkl∣ing with their feet. Crepitantibus Calceis & Crepidis insistentes, With their flaps and slaps proclaiming their levity and folly, but their hearts are little worth, and their tongues like Serpents fork'd with en∣mity, and sharp like crooked thorns against the ways of holiness, let's depart from them and go with our Be∣loved into the Gardens, to the beds of Spices to feed in the Gardens and to ga∣ther Lillies, where Christ has his sets and knots of Lillies, has pure and holy worshiping Churches, there let's assemble, though bri∣ars be near, yet Christ is nigher.

[ 8] 8. Long for Heaven. Send up the fragrant odours of your pray∣ers into Paradise where no bleak wind, no chilling showrs, no pierc∣ing thorns shall trouble more. Let these Wilderness-prickles sharpen thy pace towards Heaven, being well shod with the preparation of the

Gospel of peace, yet leap nimbly through them and hasten from them. Cry out of the Valley, the Settims, the sharp Bushes in the Plains of Moab, and pant for Lebanon where thy Lilly shall be planted under the true Vine and the Tree of Life; where thorns in duties, re∣lations, enjoyments shall make thy spirit to bleed no more. Where thorns from Devils and a wicked World shall affront and gash no more, where thorns from our own hearts or others tongues shall wound no more, whether from the Daughters of Gath, or Jerusalem, from outragious wickedness, or per∣verse formalisme shall touch or prick or punish the Church no more.

O pray for that Sabbath of rest, that Jubilee of joy, when from all thy labours, sorrows and tears thou shalt rest in the bosome of eternal love, when the furrows made by the torrent of tears in thy hol∣low cheeks shall be fill'd up by the Balm of Gilead, when all thy wounds and scarrs shall be bathed into smoothness and beautifully heal'd

in those rivers of pleasure that flow at the right hand of him that sits upon the Throne, for ever∣more.

I should come now to the Se∣cond branch of the Doctrine to set forth the love of Christ to his Church and each holy Soul while sighing and groaning among the thorns of this Valley of Achor. whereof briefly and close.

[ 1] 1. He forms holy sighs and groans in thy Spirit by his Spirit. He sends his dove into our hearts, and then we mourn like doves in the clefts of the rock of Ages. He puts his spirit within us, and then hearkens to the groanings of his own Spirit, O my dove, let me hear thy voice, why? because thy Counte∣nance is comely: Non placet vox, si displiceat facies, our face is comely in the beauty of his righteousness, and therefore our voice is pleasant through the melody of his Spi∣rit.

[ 2] 2. Christ sighs with thee. He mingles the tears of his Cross with the tears of thy crucifiing afflicti∣ons.

In all their affliction he is af∣flicted. The thorn never pricks the sides of the Church, but it touches the apple of his eye. Is this lilly parch'd with the Sun? Cor Christi aestuat, the heart of Christ is affect∣ed with holy sympathy. Is it blast∣ed with East-winds? he comforts and relieves it by sweet Western Gales of his Spirit. Is it spotted and stained with dirt struck up by the foot of Beasts? he washes it clean in his own laver, our very hairs are numbred, our tears bot∣tled, our desires known, our steps and wandrings are measured, our groans are not hid from him, our members are written in his Book that not a bone is broken but he sets them again.

[ 3] 3. Christ appears graciously in time of distress; he came into the Church when the doors were shut for fear of the Jews, and breathed his peace upon them. He was with the Church in the Wilderness, he visited the lillys in the thorny bush, and conducted them & planted them in the Land of Canaan. It was his hortus

pensilis & ambulatorius, he delighted in his walking Garden through the howling Desarts of Arabia, the Type and Emblem of his Gospel Church in all her scatterings and thirsty march∣es, and will never forsake them till like conquering Joshua he bring them to their appointed rest. Nei∣ther is there any of the least of his beloved ones but he will vouchsafe a gracious ear to their petitions, and carry them in his bosome as all the days of old.

[ 4] He delivers frequently, inces∣santly, perseveringly, he loves them to the end. He gave Aegypt for their Ransome, Aethiopia and Seba for them, This is matter of argu∣ment in our prayer thou hast deli∣vered this people out of Aegypt un∣til now. And what if we be not fit for mercy, he is always fit to shew it when heavenly wisdom judges meet. The times of the Church are in the hands of a Father who consults his own bowels and the expediency of his own glory. In that day when the design and de∣crees of mercy, unite in accom∣plishment,

he can form the hearts of men and fashion them upon the wheel of Providence. Let none despond because the Church is not prepared for approaching delive∣rance. The Prophets are full of this encouragement that in such a day he will powr out another spirit, and make all things fall in joint and to hit the mark of his appoint∣ment. The time is hastening and at the doors, that the Lord will powr out clean water upon his Sanct∣uary he will do a new thing on the earth, now it shall spring forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 nunc germinabit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a manifest allusion with that of Zachary, I will bring forth my Servant, [Zemach] the BRANCH, called by Luke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Branch from on High: when the Beasts of the field, the Dragons and Owls of the Gentile Wilderness shall honour me Then shall Zion bud forth and great shall be the glory of her Children, from the North, and from the West, and those from the Land of Sinim. Which some as Arias and others,

understand of China, but more likely of Sin or Pelusium by a trope for the Land of Aegypt, Sin being the great fortress at the en∣trance of Aegypt, and South of the Land of Canaan.

[ 5] 5. He is sore displeased with the Heathen that are at ease. When Gods a little displeased, they leap like Lions from Bashan upon the Church. When God is wroth with his People for their unholiness and defilements, they shew no mercy. But God will put a Hook in their nose, and lead them back like beasts into the Land of Slaughter, for Sacrifices in the Temples of their own Gods. Hea∣then briars may flourish and spread their twins far and near, but when once they molest his Church they are nigh to burning. Pompey pros∣pered not after he stumbled in the Temple of Jerusalem. Many and fatal instances occur in History of Gods vindictive Justice upon his enemies, when once they laid hands upon the precious things of Zion. Discite justitiam moniti, &c. learn to beware of Herod's destiny,

smote by an Angel in the midst of all his glory.

[ 6] 6. These Thorns never prick and vex the Church but by his permissi∣on and guidance, and when he hath performed his work upon Mount Zion, he will punish the fruit of their stout hearts, and the glory of their high looks. When the Peo∣ple of Zion are meek and humble then they shall arise out of obscu∣rity, and shake of their dust and Kings shall come to the glory of Zions rising, humiliatio parit humi∣litatem, Sanctified humiliation brings advancing humility. All their thorns shall be consecrated into sweet bri∣ars, and all their pricking vexations shall prove medicinal, like poti∣ons made of the Carduus bendictus, the blessed thistle. The troubles of the Church both for time and mea∣sure are guided by her wise ad holy Husband, who hath charged the tossing waves of the Sea, hitherto shall ye come and no further.

[ 7] 7. He praises his Church and sets off her beauty by the uncomeli∣ness of the adjoyning thorns. She

is black but comely, scratcht but beautiful. A Dove begrim'd a∣mong the Pots but a Dove still. Arise my Dove, my love, my fair one, my joy, come away. The Tents of Kedar set a lustre upon the Cur∣tains of Solomon. A Jacob in La∣ban's Family, a Joseph in Pharaoh's, an Obadiah in Ahab's, gives a per∣fume to the place they dwell in. there's a wall of fire between the lillies and the thorns, to cherish the lillies and to consume the thorns. There's a black side of the Cloud to dannt the Aegyptians, but a bright side to enlighten and com∣fort Israel.

Let not the Church be discoura∣ged for Christ owns and loves her in the midst of deformities, imbe∣cilities and conflicts. Though sometimes weak and a little heady and conceited, 'tis his beloved Spouse still, whom he intends to form and beautifie for himself. A tender father pitties his sick and weakly Child, most of all. A gracious Husband compassionates his sickly Spouse especially if sick of love,

His left hand is under her head, and his right hand doth embrace her. A little pettishness and frowardness does not alienate his heart from her, if right in the main; his generous love winks at many things and par∣dons all. Though the Moon have her spots, the Sun distains not to shine upon her, and though a Saint may have some foolishness, yet God delivers him from draggling in the mire, and suffers him not to sink

Uprightness may consist with ma∣ny imperfections. God takes his measures by sincerity and not in∣firmity, that's a Saints joy. He considers our tentations and knows our frame and remembers that we are but dust. Some frowardness and frettings in the midst of inte∣grity, nay a spark of grace is high∣ly regarded though at first struck from Heaven into an ocean of cor∣ruption within us, its kindling and will be flaming. We have our coolings and our warmths, some beauty though some deformities, and the heart is all with God, if

the bent and tenour of the spirit be towards him, onely take heed lest our weaknesses should eclipse his praise, despond our spirits in holy duties, and indulging of touchy flashes should habituate into fierce∣ness, and thereby become envious at our betters in grace, and at last droop and sink into an uncomfor∣table frame of spirit, and then cen∣sure and backbite others that faith∣fully and meekly reprove us for our folly, and would restore us to a heavenly frame and communion with God.

Be sensible and meek under e∣very tryal. Let crosses crucifie the flesh within thee, and let e∣very affliction mortifie the body of sin and death, and still remem∣ber thou art Christs Lilly, though distressed by manifold thorns. Keep in the royal highway to Hea∣ven between fainting and confidence. He that faints, the strength of his faith is small. Nourish faith by Promises, they are the milk and hony of the Land of Canaan. Keep always some of these precious cor∣dials

in the bottles of memory, & be ware also of too much confidence & selfconceit Qui se sibi magistrum con∣stituit stulto se discipulum subdit, a self taught person has a fool to his Master.

The Church as far transcends the World as a pure unspotted Lilly outshines a crew of intricate thorns upon a cragged rock, or as a garden of roses in Sharon is more pleasant then the cursed Mountains of Gilboa, unpassable by briars and brambles.

Puniceis humilis quantum sali∣unca rosetis.

As sragrant roses prickly thorns excel Brambles and Myrtles yield no parallel.

Let none value true Saints by ex∣ternal grandeur, but their vertues and graces, humility sweetness, peacefulness and innocency. Many Professors are esteemed for riches and titles, for gold rings and gawdy

cloths: Sit here at my right hand, make room for a Silken Vest and fine toyes upon an empty head and a barren heart. Oh how our esti∣mates stick in the mire! whom do you most prize and admire, a poor sheep-skin Saint that stands his ground in Persecution, or a proud Peacock that yelps at a Storme. Are ye not carnal and judges of evil thoughts, Since it appears not now what it is to be a true Son of God, but at that day it will be revealed, when we shall see him as he is.

Let none stand amazed at the pa∣geantry of false Churches, nor va∣lue the Whore of Rome because of her bravery. She's deckt with Pearles and precious stones, but smells strong of Aegypt. All the Persumes of Arabia can't hide or choak her stink. 'Tis not Lateran Musick will consecrate her Masses into audience, nor her incense pro∣cure access to the Throne of Grace, I will not smell says the Lord in your Solemn Assemblies. Take away the noise of your Songs, the melody of your Viols, let judgment run

down as waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. I shall end with Bernard to Eugenius, the 4th. Plena est ambitiosis ecclesia, non est jam quod exhorreat in studiis & mo∣litionibus ambitionis, non plus quam spelunca latronum in spoliis viato∣rum. The Church (of Rome) is stufft with ambitious persons, they tremble no more in the studious endeavours after ambitious designs, then a den of Robbers at dividing the spoyls of innocent travellers. and then tells him to his face a∣mong other smart but serious re∣flections upon his Lordliness, [ prae∣sis ut prosis, &c. ut dispenses, non imperes &c. Nullum tibi venenum nullum gladium plus formido, quam libidinem dominandi] govern to edification, act like a Servant, and Steward, not an Emperor, I dread no poyson, no assassinate more fatal to you, then the lust of domina∣tion.

Be not offended at the Church of Christ because of her mean and troublesome State. What if the King of Zion come meek and low∣ly,

riding upon an Ass, or his ho∣ly Apostles walking on foot for the Conversion of Nations through the World, what if the showrs of Hea∣ven sall upon the cheeks of the love∣ly, lowly Lilly, and she sit weeping a∣mong the briars, must true religion and pure worship be never courted but when the Sun shines? The way to Canaan lay through stones and rocks, amidst Lions and Tygers, a∣mong Scorpions and fiery flying Ser∣pents; true genuine Israel must through all, and never be appaled, dismayed or dare to face about to Aegypt, of which the Lord hath said ye shall return that way no more, If we startle at the briars about the lillies, & flinch for a few prickles we are not worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. The troubles are but momentany, the glory eternal. They may hurt the flesh, but cannot hinder the flight of the soul into the bosome of Abraham. Let not the Churches afflictions ob∣struct your associating to her compa∣ny which is passing under the conduct of her 2d Joshua, into everlasting rest. Judge not her beauty, 'tis under a

mask, and though besmeared by the soil of her malignant enemies, she is all glorious within. 'Tis our igno∣rance of the Churches beauty. A comely face must not be disingeniou∣sly wip't by a malicious tongue, till the dust and spots be wash'd off and its aspect clarified, nor a sweet tem∣per dropt upon because of calumnies, before converse does open it. 'Tis want of holiness in most, and true love to it, that causes stumbling at the holy ways of God.

Resign your selves into his sweet and strong tuition, who can incline the worst of brambles to be a fence and security to his lillies; and the sharper and stronger they are, the more offensive to the Churches ene∣mies. Cyrus a ravenous Bird from East God called to feast upon the sacrifice of his wrath in the Land of Chaldea, to root up the briars of Ba∣bylon, which had so greatly vexed and abused his beloved people. All Histo∣ries yield notable instances of divine severity against barbarous persecu∣tors when once they stretch out their hands against the Church, they are

quickly withered. To what fearful issues the inraged and infatuated in∣struments of Satan in the 10 primi∣tive Persecutions were reduced, Ecclesiastick and Civil story is very pregnant; let's endeavour with all sincerity and sedulity to lead lives un∣blameable and keep Conscience un∣spotted before God and man, and arm our selves with holy resolutions against every sinful course wherein we would tremble to appear at the dreadful Judgment seat of Christ, and God, our gracious father will take care of his part to give us di∣vine protection and preserve us to his heavenly Kingdom. What bless∣ed lives might Christians live did they walk always as under the eye of an Omniscient God, and with what comfort might they resign their spirits at death into his hands, as of a faithful Creator, and merciful Redeemer, obtaining an abundant entrance into the everlasting King∣dom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Notes

• Prop. 1.
• v. 1.
• Ro. 5.4. Ps. 120.5.
• Songs 1.5.
• Ps. 120.4.
• Ps. 16.3.
• Pro. 31.26. 1 Pet. 3.4.
• 1 Pet. 2.23. and 3.1.
• Ecc. 10.4.
• Hose. 14.5.
• Ezek. 38.10.
• Ps. 37.13.
• Is. 10.17.
• Gal. 4.29.
• Jud. 8.16.
• Gal. 4.25.
• Ps. 41.9.
• Zac. 13.6.
• Song. 1.6.
• Bern, ib.
• Is. 17.6. Jer. 3.14.
• Ps. 83.5, 6.
• Ps. 73.6.
• Bp. Hall peace of Rome. Lond. 1603.
• Rom. 23, 24.
• Heb. 13.5. Tit. 1.4. Jude 3. Heb. 11.40.
• Luke 8.3.
• Phil. 21.15.
• Acts 23.7.
• Ps. 2.16.
• Ecc. 7.29.
• Tit. 3.3.
• Mat. 13.30.
• v. 41.
• Heb. 6.8.
• Ps. 7.13.
• Ps. 58.9.
• Isa. 54.13. Eccl. 7.8.
• Song 4.13.
• 2 Sam. 23.6.7.
• Rom. 12.9.
• Lev. 19.17.
• Pro. 15.12.
• Pro. 9.7.
• Ps. 94, 19.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Joh. 14.3.17.24.
• Song 4.16.
• John 15.18.
• John 17.14.
• Col. 3.1.
• 2 Cor. 12.7.
• Col. 4.5.
• Heb. 10.38.
• Hosea 8.8.
• Hiero∣nym. in loc.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 evi∣pera.
• Olear. Tra∣vels p. 195
• VVende∣lin de nilo C. 16. G. §. 11.
• Is 3.16.
• A Lap.
• Pro. 10.20.
• Song 6.2.
• Eph. 6.15.
• 2 Sam. 1.20.
• Add.
• Ezek. 36.27.
• Rom. 8.27. Song 2.14.
• Bern.
• Is. 63.9.
• Zach 2.8.
• Ps. 56.8.
• Is. 40.41.63.9.4.
• Is. 43.3.
• Numb. 14.19.
• Is. 43.19.
• Zech. 3.8.6.12.
• Is. 49.12.
• Zech. 1.15.
• Is. 47.6.37.29.
• Is. 13.12.
• Is. 60.3. Bern.
• Song. 2.10.
• Song 1.5.
• Zach. 2.4.
• Inser. 1.
• Song 2.6.
• Ps. 69.5.14.
• Infer. 2.
• Ps. 103 14
• Infer. 3.
• Prov. 24.10.
• Bern. Epist. 87.
• Inser. 4.
• Is. 55.13.
• James 2.3.
• Heb. 11.37.
• James 2.4.
• 1 John 3.2. Infer. 5.
• Rev. 18.16.
• Amos 5.22.
• * Bern. de consid. l. 1. f. 238.
• † id. l. 3 f. 240.
• Inser. 6.
• Zech 9.9.
• Deut. 8.15
• Deut. 17.16.
• Mat. 10.37.
• Heb. 4.8.9.
• 1 John 2.10.
• Inser. 7.
• Is. 46.11.