A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

It were very much not to have loved the Lord, who is every way so beautiful, that no soul can behold him, but she must needs affect him! But the wicked never saw him, they look after him with carnal eyes, which are no more able to discern him, than a blear eye can look upon the Sun: their spiritual eyes, and intellectual faith never saw him. They behold him pendentem in patibulo, dormientem in sepulchro, not Sedentem in throno; as a man of sorrows, forsaken of his friends, afflicted by his enemies, exercised with terrors, killed with torments; yet even that he was lovely. But look upon his innocency, that immaculate Lamb; upon his righteousness, Christ the Just one: behold him waited on with Angels, worshipped with prostrate knees, holding out a white hand of mercy, speaking gracious words to penitent suitors, smiling upon his Saints, kissing the souls he bought: Lo, […] his beauty! If any ask the Church; What is thy beloved more than another beloved? Cant. 5.9. She answers that knoweth; My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine Gold, &c. Si pars, quid tum? If every member of him be so beautiful, how excellent is the whole composi ion? He is altogether lovely. Take your choices where you will; This is my beloved, and this is my friend. Ver. 16. This is my choice. Psa. 45.2. Thou art fairer than the ⟨p. 397⟩children of men: all that are fair, are fair only in thee. Therefore do the virgins love thee, Cant. 1.3. Suppose in a Country there is a young Shepherd, whose face hath but newly discovered to the world of what sex he is: his exquisite proportion and admirable beauty far transcending all the rest. The Virgin Shepherdesses desire his company, are glad to be in his sight, to do him any service, to tend his flock; and all for a kind word or a smile: striving like rivals one with another, who shall be most near him: and if it were possible, would every one enjoy him. So ten thousand times fairer than all the sons of men is the Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ: all the virgins love him, every good soul seeks him, and remembers his love more than wine, striving in a holy emulation who shall be most acceptable to him: they will do him all service and worship, honouring his Name, feeding his flocks, making much of his followers;