2. The way how Christ presseth this, is, 1. By showing who he was, it's me, open to me: There can be no greater commendation given to Christ, nor weightier argument used for him, than to make it known that it's he, the Husband, Lord, &c. whose the house is, and to whom entry by right from the wife ought to be given. 2. By giving her loving titles, and claiming her as his in many relations, as my sister, love, dove; and (which was not mentioned before) undefiled is added, that is, my perfect one, or upright sincere one, as it is often rendered. These titles given now, and so many at once, show, 1. That believers when secure, have very much need of the Spirit to rouse and stir them up: Souls are not easily persuaded to receive Christ. 2. There is wonderful love in Christ, that condescends so to entreat his people when in such a secure case: even then he changes not her name, no more than if all things were in good case; for, our relation to him, depends not on our case. 3. Christ will sometimes very lovingly deal, even with secure souls in his way, for obtaining entry, and persuading them to open to him, and sometimes will apply the most refreshful Gospel-offers and invitations, and use the most kindly compellations for that end. 4. Christ sometimes will overlook the lazy distempers of his people, and not always chide with them for these, but give them their wonted stiles notwithstanding. 5. The kind dealing of Christ to his people, will ever prove love to be on his side, but will not always prove that the persons so dealt with are presently in a good condition; for, he may accept their persons, and speak comfortably as to their state, although he approve not their present condition, as here. 6. We may see that Christ's love is not founded on our merit, nor is up and down according to our variable disposition, but he prevents both ⟨p. 260⟩in his dealing with his people. These titles being made use of as a motive to answer his call, and to open to him, show, 1. That the persuasion of Christ's love in souls, is a main thing to make way for their entertaining of him. 2. That it is a shame for a believer so beloved of Christ, to hold him without at the door, when he knocketh to be in. Grace would make a heart to blush, and in a manner look it out of countenance, that would refuse his kindness.
2. The way how Christ presseth this, is, 1. By shewing who he was, it's me, open to me: There can be no greater commendation given to Christ, nor weightier argument used for him, than to make it known that it's he, the Husband, Lord, &c. whose the house is, and to whom entry by right from the wife ought to be given. 2. By giving her loving titles, and claiming her as his in many relations, as my sister, love, dove; and (which was not mentioned before) undefiled is added, that is, my perfect one, or upright sincere one, as it is often rendered. These titles given now, and so many at once, shew, 1. That believers when secure, have very much need of the Spirit to rouze and stir them up: Souls are not easily perswaded to receive Christ. 2. There is wonderfull love in Christ, that condescends so to intreat his people when in such a secure case: even then he changes not her name, no more than if all things were in good case; for, our relation to him, depends not on our case. 3. Christ will sometimes very lovingly deal, even with secure souls in his way, for obtaining entry, and perswading them to open to him, and sometimes will apply the most refreshful Gospel-offers and invitations, and use the most kindly compellations for that end. 4. Christ sometimes will overlook the lazy distempers of his people, and not alwayes chide with them for these, but give them their wonted stiles notwithstanding. 5. The kind dealing of Christ to his people, will ever prove love to be on his side, but will not alwayes prove that the persons so dealt with are presently in a good condition; for, he may accept their persons, and speak comfortably as to their state, although he approve not their present condition, as here. 6. We may see that Christ's love is not founded on our merit, nor is up and down according to our variable disposition, but he prevents both ⟨p. 260⟩in his dealing with his people. These titles being made use of as a motive to answer his call, and to open to him, shew, 1. That the perswasion of Christ's love in souls, is a main thing to make way for their entertaining of him. 2. That it is a shame for a believer so beloved of Christ, to hold him without at the door, when he knocketh to be in. Grace would make a heart to blush, and in a manner look it out of countenance, that would refuse his kindnesse.
