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

Use 1 First, we may here learn to behold a different estate of the Church. Sometimes it is in a Garden; sundry Christians, gathered together into beds and knots, and growing up into good order together, delighting and refreshing both God and man with the savour of their sweetness: such was, and is the estate of the Church reformed. Sometimes again, the members of the Church scattered abroad in the wild fields, seeking where they may find Christ, as in the former Chapter.

Ʋse 1 First, we may here learn to behold a different estate of the Church. Sometimes it is in a Garden; sundry Christians, gathered together into beds and knots, and growing up into good order together, delighting and refreshing both God and man with the savor of their sweetnesse: such was, and is the estate of the Church reformed. Sometimes againe, the members of the Church scattered abroad in the wilde fields, seeking where they may finde Christ, as in the former Chapter.

The Church is here visible, as in a Garden, in some of their eminent and principal members. If then the Papists ask, where was the Church visible before Luther? ¹The answer is, it was visible, not in open Congregations indeed, as it were Gardens; but in sundry members of the Church, as sweet spices and flowers, growing here and there, whom the Popes and their Instruments, like wild Boars sought ⟨p. 180⟩to root out, and yet God preserveth them.

The Church is here visible, as in a Garden, in some of their eminent and principall members. If then the Papists aske, where was the Church visible before Luther? ¹The answer is, it was visible, not in open Congregations indeed, as it were Gardens; but in sundry members of the Church, as sweet spices and flowers, growing here and there, whom the Popes and their Instruments, like wilde Boares sought