A brief exposition of the whole book of Canticles, or Song of Solomon lively…

Use 1 This first is to reform their judgements who speak of the Apostolical Church as an infant and rude Church, whereas Christ, whose eyes were as a flame of fire, and who best knew it, commends it for perfection of beauty, and saith it was fair: So that if a Church were such, Christ might embrace it with both his arms.

Use 1 This first is to reforme their judgements who speake of the Apostolicall Church as an infant and rude Church, whereas Christ, whose eyes were as a flame of fire, and who best knew it, commends it for perfection of beauty, and saith it was faire: So that if a Church were such, Christ might imbrace it with both his armes.

This is the Church excellent for her Ministers, excellent for common Christians, which had pure eyes of knowledge and faith; so that by how much nearer any Church comes to this, by so much the fairer it is; and by how much any Church comes short of it, by so much the fouler it is.

This is the Church excellent for her Ministers, excellent for common Christians, which had pure eyes of knowledge and faith; so that by how much neerer any Church comes to this, by so much the fairer it is; and by how much any Church comes short of it, by so much the fouler it is.

Use 2 Secondly, this doth teach us that not abuses, but the toleration of them doth blemish a Church, and detract from the perfect beauty of it; for otherwise in the Primitive Churches were found Schisms, Heresies,¹ a denying the Resurrection, uncharitable going to Law, Incest, love-feasts in the Lords Supper, strange tongues in the public worship; and yet because the Apostles stood out against these and reformed them, the Church still retains her perfect beauty. In the Church of Ephesus there were false Apostles