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

I have put off my coat.] Thus upon sleight pretence the Church refuseth to open to Christ: she pretends, Religion & the worship of God would appear too naked, if it were not clothed with goodly & comely humane inventions; how then should she in so naked a manner open to Christ? Humane inventions do not clothe Religion, or the Church professing it with any comely ornaments; but, as it were with warm blankets, lap her and lull her asleep in the bed of perfunctory worship and carnal security.

I have put off my coat.] Thus upon sleight pretence the Church refuseth to open to Christ: she pretends, Religion & the worship of God would appeare too naked, if it were not clothed with goodly & comely humane inventions; how then should she in so naked a manner open to Christ? Humane inventions do not clothe Religion, or the Church professing it with any comely ornaments; but, as it were with warme blankets, lap her and lull her asleep in the bed of perfunctorie worship and carnall security.

I do not here conceive that the Church acknowledgeth she hath cast off her garments of Christs righteousness; for then how should she remain the spouse of Christ? yea, how then should her heart have been otherwise then asleep too? but only she pleadeth she should appear too naked if she should open to Christ, if she should worship him in the simplicity and nakedness of his simple ordinances.

I do not here conceive that the Church acknowledgeth she hath cast off her garments of Christs righteousnesse; for then how should shee remaine the spouse of Christ? yea, how then should her heart have beene otherwise then asleepe too? but onely shee pleadeth shee should appeare too naked if shee should open to Christ, if shee should worship him in the simplicity and nakednesse of his simple ordinances.