The fourth qualification follows in the motives, that she might see how the several fruits budded: And it shows, that she desired not his company only for her satisfaction, but for her profit also, that thereby she might be helped to thrive in her spiritual condition, and might be enabled the better to do her duty. Obs. A sincere and right desire of communion with Christ, studieth to improve it for spiritual advantage, when it is attained. So then, all these put together, show, that she desires Christ's presence retiredly, constantly, timeously, and in order to her spiritual advantage and profit: This last will appear more in the motives, especially the first. This is indeed a main desire, and therefore, in what follows she presseth it with motives, which put her to it, and also (as being well pleasing to him) give her ground to expect it from him: And though she useth these motives, as if they were arguments to induce him to grant her desire, yet they are mainly for strengthening her own faith in pressing her suit. The using of motives, and her thus qualifying of her desire, saith, That believers in their petitions, would insist and press ⟨p. 409⟩them; for, although Christ be not informed by words, nor persuaded by our arguments, yet this both helps to warm the affections, and strengthen the saith of the believer himself, and is becoming believers in their prayers to him, who calls for, and admits of reasonable service. The motives in particular are four, The first is taken from the end of her petition, which is to see how her graces prosper: The similitude continues, as a wise intending to visit her husbandry (to say so) is helped and encouraged therein by her husbands presence, and therefore desires his company; So, the believer hath a husbandry, Vineyards, Grapes, Pomegranates, and diverse plants to oversee, which are the graces of the Spirit, and diverse duties committed to him (as was said upon Chap. 4. 12, 13. and 6. 11.) and his visiting of these, is the taking of a reflect view of himself, in an abstracted retired condition, that thereby he may be distinctly acquainted how it's with him, and with his graces: In following of which duty, Christ's presence in some secret corner is exceeding helpful; therefore, for that end doth the Bride seek it, and makes use of this motive to press it, because it's a duty of concernment to her to search her self;
The fourth qualification follows in the motives, that she might see how the several fruits budded: And it shews, that she desired not his company only for her satisfaction, but for her profit also, that thereby she might be helped to thrive in her spiritual condition, and might be enabled the better to do her duty. Obs. A sincere and right desire of communion with Christ, studieth to improve it for spiritual advantage, when it is attained. So then, all these put together, shew, that she desires Christ's presence retiredly, constantly, timously, and in order to her spiritual advantage and profit: This last will appear more in the motives, especially the first. This is indeed a main desire, and therefore, in what follows she presseth it with motives, which put her to it, and also (as being well pleasing to him) give her ground to expect it from him: And though she useth these motives, as if they were arguments to induce him to grant her desire, yet they are mainly for strengthening her own faith in pressing her suit. The using of motives, and her thus qualifying of her desire, saith, That believers in their petitions, would insist and presse ⟨p. 409⟩them; for, although Christ be not informed by words, nor perswaded by our arguments, yet this both helps to warm the affections, and strengthen the saith of the believer himself, and is becoming believers in their prayers to him, who calls for, and admits of reasonable service. The motives in particular are four, The first is taken from the end of her petition, which is to see how her graces prosper: The similitude continues, as a wise intending to visit her husbandry (to say so) is helped and encouraged therein by her husbands presence, and therefore desires his company; So, the believer hath a husbandry, Vineyards, Grapes, Pomegranates, and diverse plants to oversee, which are the graces of the Spirit, and diverse duties committed to him (as was said upon Chap. 4. 12, 13. and 6. 11.) and his visiting of these, is the taking of a reflect view of himself, in an abstracted retired condition, that thereby he may be distinctly acquainted how it's with him, and with his graces: In following of which duty, Christ's presence in some secret corner is exceeding helpful; therefore, for that end doth the Bride seek it, and makes use of this motive to presse it, because it's a duty of concernment to her to search her self;
