This first particular may put us to a stand, when (as it were) ⟨p. 305⟩the Bride is at a stand in the commendation, and must double the word, as Gold, Gold, and it's hard to draw observations from it, yet warrantably this may be said, 1. Christ hath a head (however we take it) that is exceedingly excellent, he is God, and in that respect is unsearchable, being the brightness of the Fathers glory, and the express image of his person, Heb. 1. 3. He, as Mediator, is furnished with sovereignty and eminent graces for the good of the body; and these, as they are for their nature most solid and excellent, so as to their virtue they are most efficacious and quickening. 2. If we take it in general, Obs. That the excellencies wherewith Christ is furnished, are in the highest degree of excellency; Therefore it's Gold of Gold, what ever it be, and this general will necessarily infer the former, that he is God and Mediator, and in such and such offices furnished for the good of his people, and the former doctrine is the proof of this: all Christ's properties, wisdom, love, counsel, &c. are of more than an ordinary depth, being in him to the very uttermost, Heb. 7. 25. and without measure, Joh. 3. 34. 3. Christ's excellency is not only lovely in it self, but useful to others; he is not only rich in himself, but enriching these that possess him, as Gold doth enrich the owners of it: Christ is a golden possession where there is a well grounded claim to him. 4. Gold and all external riches, are empty things to a spiritual discerner of Christ's worth; as it were, a new sort of Gold must be invented, or imagined, to shadow forth the excellencies of Christ, Gold it self is but an insufficient and dark shadow to represent him; who ever loves Gold, may have (and that freely) the most fine and choice Gold in him. Yea, 5. this is peculiar to him, in opposition to all other beloveds, mens idols and other beloveds may be gilded, like the whores cup, spoken of, Rev. 17. 4. but Christ only is the golden beloved; for, this is so attributed to him, as it's denied to them, which are but clay, or thick clay-beloveds, Hab. 2. 6.
This first particular may put us to a stand, when (as it were) ⟨p. 305⟩the Bride is at a stand in the commendation, and must double the word, as Gold, Gold, and it's hard to draw observations from it, yet warrantably this may be said, 1. Christ hath a head (however we take it) that is exceedingly excellent, he is God, and in that respect is unsearchable, being the brightnesse of the Fathers glory, and the expresse image of his person, Heb. 1. 3. He, as Mediator, is furnished with soveraignty and eminent graces for the good of the body; and these, as they are for their nature most solid and excellent, so as to their vertue they are most efficacious and quickning. 2. If we take it in general, Obs. That the excellencies wherewith Christ is furnished, are in the highest degree of excellency; Therefore it's Gold of Gold, what ever it be, and this general will necessarily infer the former, that he is God and Mediator, and in such and such offices furnished for the good of his people, and the former doctrine is the proof of this: all Christ's properties, wisdom, love, counsel, &c. are of more than an ordinary depth, being in him to the very uttermost, Heb. 7. 25. and without measure, Joh. 3. 34. 3. Christ's excellency is not only lovely in it self, but useful to others; he is not only rich in himself, but inriching these that possesse him, as Gold doth inrich the owners of it: Christ is a golden possession where there is a well grounded claim to him. 4. Gold and all external riches, are empty things to a spiritual discerner of Christ's worth; as it were, a new sort of Gold must be invented, or imagined, to shadow forth the excellencies of Christ, Gold it self is but an insufficient and dark shadow to represent him; who ever loves Gold, may have (and that freely) the most fine and choice Gold in him. Yea, 5. this is peculiar to him, in opposition to all other beloveds, mens idols and other beloveds may be gilded, like the whores cup, spoken of, Rev. 17. 4. but Christ only is the golden beloved; for, this is so attributed to him, as it's denyed to them, which are but clay, or thick clay-beloveds, Hab. 2. 6.
