The works of George Swinnock, M.A

If David was so taken with the beauty of the Church in this World, notwithstanding her blackness, by reason of corruption and affliction, that he saith, If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem before my chief joy; How much is he taken with the Spouse of Christ There, where it is granted unto her to be arrayed in fine linen, pure and white, which is the righteousness of the Saints, not only imputed, but also inherent, to be clothed with the embroidered graces of the holy spirit, perfect knowledge, perfect love, perfect joy, and all the beauties of holiness, without the least spot or wrinkle, or any such thing! there indeed he prefers Jerusalem before his chief joy, whilst he beholds her all fair, completely conformed to Christ, with such a peculiar resemblance of his glory, as if the name of Christ was written on her fore-head, and her spiritual affinity and kindred manifested thereby. Surely it is a lovely communion, when Saints sit down together at the Lords Table, in this world, and partake of his last Supper, when they see, and hear, and taste, the true pledges of their Fathers infinite grace, and read their Redeemers boundless love, written ⟨p. 352⟩by himself in his own blood. Their hearts have many a time been so ravished therewith, that they have wished the ordinance might have lasted longer, and that Christ would have lain so all night between their breasts; But O how infinitely short is this Communion, of that which •hey shall have in glory, when they shall be called to the Marriage supper of the Lamb, when they shall eat of the hidden Manna, and drink of the new wine in their Fathers Kingdom! then, then indeed every one may say, I sit under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit is sweet unto my taste; without question that Communion which Adam had with Eve, that short time which they continued in innocency, was exceeding sweet. She was to him as a Crown of glory, a meet help, and the delight of his eyes; What a •air Bride was she whom God himself dressed, and decked with all the ornaments of grace!

If David was so taken with the beauty of the Church in this World, notwithstanding her blackness, by reason of corruption and affliction, that he saith, If I forget thee, O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Ierusalem before my chief joy; How much is he taken with the Spouse of Christ There, where it is granted unto her to be arrayed in fine linnen, pure and white, which is the righteousness of the Saints, not onely imputed, but also inherent, to be cloathed with the embroydered graces of the holy spirit, perfect knowledge, perfect love, perfect joy, and all the beauties of holiness, without the least spot or wrinkle, or any such thing! there indeed he prefers Jerusalem before his chief joy, whlst he beholds her all fair, compleatly conformed to Christ, with such a peculiar resemblance of his glory, as if the name of Christ was written on her fore-head, and her spiritual affinity and kindred manifested thereby. Surely it is a lovely communion, when Saints sit down together at the Lords Table, in this world, and partake of his last Supper, when they see, and hear, and taste, the true pledges of their Fathers infinite grace, and read their Redeemers boundless love, written