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

Lastly, such Congregations where the people remain still ignorant in darkness, and are not brought on to be begotten of God by the lively word of Regeneration, but continue altogether ignorant, worldly, and profane; they are as Concubines, whose children inherit not, though God may give them outward blessings. But such Congregations where the word is lively to the begetting of souls to ⟨p. 189⟩an immortal inheritance, they are lawful wives, yea Queens: Of this sort our English and foreign Churches have many, (God be blessed) though the Church of Sardis hath but a few names.¹

Lastly, such Congregations where the people remaine still ignorant in darknesse, and are not brought on to be begotten of God by the lively word of Regeneration, but continue altogether ignorant, worldly, and prophane; they are as Concubines, whose children inherit not, though God may give them outward blessings. But such Congregations where the word is lively to the begetting of soules to ⟨p. 189⟩an immortall inheritance, they are lawfull wives, yea Queenes: Of this sort our English and forraigne Churches have many, (God be blessed) though the Church of Sardis hath but a few names.¹

1. 1Revel. 3. 4.

Damosels are without number, &c.] Damosels, or Virgins in this marriage song are of less reckoning, as being yet either not spoken to in way of marriage by Christ and his Ministers, or coyly refusing him. Of this sort there were many Churches at the first reforming of the Gospel, to whom for want of Ministers Readers were sent; whence one of the Martyrs wished, that every able Minister might have ten Congregations committed to his charge, till further provision could be made; so that such Churches there were, even ten to one, abundantly many that scarcely heard of Christs knocking at their hearts by any conscionable Ministry; yea, and how many be there at this day, that either do want such Ministers as do espouse them to Christ, or else do