A34663:958
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.
A second Use is for a discerning of a different estate of all Christian souls, and trial of our own estates before God; if our hearts have never yet been called and knocked at by the lively word of Gods Ordinances, or if we have coyly put off our Repentance to this day, or refuse to hearken to Christ, then are we Damosels. If we bring forth seed of Righteousness to Christ, by reason we are under the government of such who will require it, and well may command it of us, we are but as Concubines. But if we freely condescend to receive and embrace Christ into our hearts with entire conjugal affection, and give up our selves to him to bring forth the fruits ⟨p. 201⟩of his Spirit, and are enabled to govern our selves and families after his will, then are we Royal Spouses unto Christ Jesus: And if beyond this we grow up to a holy jealousy against our selves, and keep our selves to Christ chaste, innocent, and undefiled, and endeavour to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; 1then are we as Doves unto Jesus Christ.
A second Use is for a discerning of a different estate of all Christian souls, and triall of our owne estates before God; if our hearts have never yet beene called and knocked at by the lively word of Gods Ordinances, or if we have coily put off our Repentance to this day, or refuse to hearken to Christ, then are we Damosels. If we bring forth seed of Righteousnesse to Christ, by reason we are under the government of such who will require it, and well may command it of us, we are but as Concubines. But if we freely condescend to receive and embrace Christ into our hearts with entire conjugall affection, and give up our selves to him to bring forth the fruits ⟨p. 201⟩of his Spirit, and are enabled to governe our selves and families after his will, then are we Royall Spouses unto Christ Jesus: And if beyond this we grow up to a holy jealousie against our selves, and keepe our selves to Christ chaste, innocent, and undefiled, and endeavour to cleanse our selves from all filthines of flesh and spirit; 1then are we as Doves unto Jesus Christ.