A34663:957
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 6: 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.
Use 1 The first Use of this is for discerning a different estate of all Christian Churches and Congregations, and trial of our own parishes. In one of these ranks every Congregation is found, either a Queen, a Concubine, a Damosel, or a Dove: If we have freely consented to the entertainment of a faithful Ministry, coming to us in the Name of Christ; if we bring with us to him a sufficient dowry for ⟨p. 199⟩his maintenance; If the word of God shall be powerfully dispensed amongst us, and the opening and shutting of the Kingdom of Heaven, and withal the key of Discipline be not neglected: If our Congregations bring forth many children to God, partakers of the Heavenly Inheritance, then are our Congregations as chief wives, as Queens to Jesus Christ. But if our Ministers find not conjugal and free acceptance from us; if we be not willing to provide for them comfortable and honourable maintenance; If the word be not so dispensed that the people may find themselves either in good or evil estates; If our Congregations bring not forth regenerate Christians to partake of the heavenly Inheritance, then are they but as Concubines in the sight of God: If we have yet no Ministers that woo us,1 and beseech us to be reconciled to Christ; or if they do, yet we coyly put them off with delays, or refuses, then are we Damosels, but neither Queens nor Concubines. But if ⟨p. 200⟩we find all the properties of Queens belonging to us, and withal, find a love and care to keep our selves chaste to Christ, and innocent to man, and undefiled, and unspotted, both of the World and of Rome; then are we Doves to Christ Jesus, choicest children of the true Catholic Church.
Ʋse 1 The first Use of this is for discerning a different estate of all Christian Churches and Congregations, and triall of our owne parishes. In one of these rankes every Congregation is found, either a Queene, a Concubine, a Damosell, or a Dove: If we have freely consented to the entertainment of a faithfull Ministery, comming to us in the Name of Christ; if we bring with us to him a sufficient dowry for ⟨p. 199⟩his maintenance; If the word of God shall be powerfully dispensed amongst us, and the opening and shutting of the Kingdome of Heaven, and withall the key of Discipline bee not neglected: If our Congregations bring forth many children to God, partakers of the Heavenly Inheritance, then are our Congregations as chiefe wives, as Queenes to Jesus Christ. But if our Ministers finde not conjugall and free acceptance from us; if we be not willing to provide for them comfortable and honourable maintenance; If the word be not so dispensed that the people may finde themselves either in good or evill estates; If our Congregations bring not forth regenerate Christians to partake of the heavenly Inheritance, then are they but as Concubines in the sight of God: If we have yet no Ministers that wooe us,