A34663:733
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 5: 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.
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.
I have washed my feet:] Not with the laver of regeneration, for that would have been no impediment, but a furtherance to the pure worship of God; but she had washed her feet, she had freed and cleansed her conversation from defilements of secular affairs: she had taken up a devout regard of virginity, or hermitish or monkish solitary retiredness; she being cleansed and washed in these devices, cannot betake herself to worship the Lord in his simple ordinances, and in the ways of her calling, without some defilement: Thus marriage and worldly business (though both allowed by God, yet) seem a defilement, in comparison of more strict superstitious devotion.
I haue washed my feet:] Not with the laver of regeneration, for that would have beene no impediment, but a furtherance to the pure worship of God; but shee had washed her feet, shee had freed and cleansed her conversation from defilements of secular affaires: shee had taken up a devout regard of virginitie, or hermitish or monkish solitary retiredness; shee being cleansed and washed in these devices, cannot betake herselfe to worship the Lord in his simple ordinances, and in the waies of her calling, without some defilement: Thus marriage and worldly businesse (though both allowed by God, yet) seeme a defilement, in comparison of more strict superstitious devotion.