A34663:1206
A brief exposition of the whole book of Canticles, or Song of Solomon lively…
A brief exposition of the whole book of Canticles, or Song of Solomon lively describing the estate of the church in all the ages thereof, both Jewish and Christian, to this day ... / written by that learned and godly divine, John Cotton ...
London: printed for Philip Nevil, 1642
Chapter 8: THE CANTICLES, OR SONG OF SONGS, opened and explained.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Use 3 Thirdly, we may here see the duty of inferior Magistrates what it is, even to see that the Church be raised up under them, how much more to countenance and protect it with their shadow, and to comfort it with the fruit of their sweet and wholesome laws and examples.
Ʋse 3 Thirdly, we may here see the duty of inferiour Magistrates what it is, even to see that the Church be raised up under them, how much more to countenance and protect it with their shadow, and to comfort it with the fruit of their sweet and wholesome lawes and examples.
Use 4 Fourthly, this may serve for trial of the goodness of our affections to Christ; if we thirst after his deep affection to us, and continual remembrance of us, if we labour to subdue our selves and all ours to him, if we jealously war against all that which might impair our love to him, if we burn up all our impediments, if no afflictions can discourage us from him, if no prosperity can shake our entire desires after him, we are then well affected to him as this Church is: If we desire to have such deep place in Christs heart, it is a plain sign Christ hath a deep place in our hearts.
Ʋse 4 Fourthly, this may serve for tryall of the goodnesse of our affections to Christ; if we thirst after his deepe affection to us, and continuall remembrance of us, if wee labour to subdue our selves and all ours to him, if wee jealously warre against all that which might impaire our love to him, if wee burne up all our impediments, if no afflictions can discourage us from him, if no prosperity can shake our intire desires after him, we are then wel affected to him as this Church is: If we desire to have such deep place in Christs heart, it is a plain signe Christ hath a deep place in our hearts.
Use 5 Fifthly, this may show us a means how to consume all base and kitch inloves and lusts in us, set upon these sensual worldly things; grow up in this spiritual love to Christ, and it will swallow up and consume these lesser fires; the greater light will extinguish the lesser, as the Sun will put out the kitchen fire; so this strong fire of Christs love in us will burn up, and eat out all lust in us.