from the blood of his atonement, Eph. v. 2. So from the graces wherewith for them he is anointed, his faints receive a refreshing cherishing favour, Cant. i. 2. A fweet favour expreffes that which is acceptable and delightful, Gen. viii. 21. He is alfo the Lily of the vallies, that of all flowers is the most eminent in beauty, Mat. vi. 29. Moft defireable is he for the comelinefs and perfection of his person incomparably fairer than the children of men, of which afterwards. He then being thus unto them, abundantly fatiating all their fpiritual fenfes, their refreshment, their ornament their delight, their glory; in the next verfe he tells us what they are to him: As the lilie among the thorns, fo is my Beloved among the daughters. That Chrift and his church are likened unto, and termed the fame thing, (as here the Lily) is, as from their union by the indwelling of the fame Spirit, fo from that conformi

the

ty and likeness that is between them, and whereunto the faints are appointed. Now she is a lily, very beautiful unto Chrift; As the Lily among thorns. 1. By the way of eminency; as the lily excelleth the thorns, fo do the faints all others whatever in the eye of Chrift, let comparison be made, fo will it be found to be. And, 2. By the way of trial; the refidue of the world, being pricking briers and grieving thorns to the houfe of If rael, Ezek. xxviii. 24. The best of them is a brier, and the most upright of them harper than a thorn hedge, Micah. vii. 4. And thus are they among the daughters; even the most eminent collections, of the most improved profeffors, that are no more hut fo. There cannot be in any comparison, a greater exaltation of the excellency of any thing. So

then.

then is Chrift to them indeed, ver. 1. So are they in his esteem, and indeed, ver. 2. How he is in their esteem and indeed, we have ver. 3.

As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, fo is my Beloved among the fons, I fat down under his Shadow with great delight and his fruit was fweet to my taste. To carry on this intercourse, the fpoufe begins to speak her thoughts of, and to fhew her delight in the Lord Christ. And as he compares her to the lily among the thorns, fo fhe him to the apple-tree among the trees of the wood: and fhe adds this reafon of it, even because he hath the two eminent things of trees, which the residue of them have not: fruit for food: fhade for refreshment: of the one fhe eateth, under the other fhe refteth, both with great delight. All other fons, either angels, the fons of God by creation, Job i. 6, xxxviii. 7. or the fons of Adam, the best of his offfpring, the leaders of those companies, which, ver. 2. are called daughters, or fons of the old creation; the top branches of all its defireable things, are to an hungry, weary foul, (fuch alone feek for fhade and fruit) but as the fruitlefs, leaflefs trees of the foreft, which will yield them neither food nor refreshment. In Christ, faid fhe, there is fruit, fruit fweet to the tafte. Yea his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, John vi. 55. Moreover he hath brought forth that everlasting righte oufnefs, which will abundantly fatisfy any hungry foul, after it hath gone to many a barren tree for food, and hath found none. Befides he aboundeth in precious and pleasant graces, whereof I may eat, yea he calls me to do fo, and that abundantly. Thefe are the fruits that Chrift, beareth. They fpeak of a tree that bringeth forth all things needful for life in food and raiment. Chrift is that Trec

of life, which hath brought forth all things that are needful unto life eternal: in him is that righteousness which we hunger after: in him is that water of life, which whofo drinketh of, fhall thirst no more. Oh how fweet are the fruits of Chrift's mediation to the faith of his faints! He that can find no relief in mercy, pardon, grace, acceptation with God, holiness, fanctification, &c. is an utter ftrang, er to these things, (wine in the lees) that are prepared for believers. Alfo he hath fhades for refreshment and helter. Shelter from wrath without, and refreshment becaufe of wearinefs from within. The first use of the shade, is to keep us from the heat of the fun, as did Jonah's gourd. When the heat of wrath is ready to fcorch the foul; Christ interpofing bears it all; under the fhadow of his wings, we fit down conftantly, quietly, fafely putting our trust in him. And all this with great delight. Yea who can exprefs the joy of a foul fafe-fhadowed from wrath, under the covert of the righteousness of the Lord Jefus? There is alfo refreshment in a fhade from wearinefs. He is as the fhadow of a great rock in a weary land, Ifa. xxxii. 2. From the power of corruptions, trouble of temptations, diftrefs of perfecutions, there is in him quiet rest and repose, Matth. xi. 27, 28.

Having thus mutually defcribed each other, and fo made it manifeft, that they cannot but be delighted in fellowship and communion; in the next verfes, that communion of theirs is at large fet forth and defcribed. I fhall briefly obferve four things therein. 1. Sweetnefs, 2. Delight, 3. Safety, 4. Comfort.

.

1. Sweetness. He brought me to the banquetinghoufe; or houfe of wine." It is all fet forth under expreffions

expreffions of the greatest sweetness, and most delicious refreshment, flaggons, apples, wine, &c. He entertains me (faith the fpouse) as fome great perfonage. Great perfonages, at great entertainments are had into the banqueting-houfe, the house of wine, and dainties. These are the preparations of grace and mercy, love, kindness, supplies revealed in the gofpel, declared in the affemblies of the faints, exhibited by the Spirit. This love is better than wine, Cant. i. 2. it is not in meats and drinks, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. xiv. 17. Gofpel dainties are fweet refreshments. Whether these boufes of wine, be fcriptures, the gospel, or the ordinances difpensed in the affemblies of the faints, or any eminent and fignal manifestations of special love, (as banqueting is not every days work, nor used at ordinary entertainments) it is all one. Wine that cheereth the heart of man, it maketh him forget his mifery, Prov. xxxi. 6, 7. it gives him a cheerful look and countenance, Gen. xlix. 12. is that which is promised. The grace exhibited by Chrift in his ordinances, is refreshing, ftrengthening, comforting, and full of sweetness to the fouls of the faints. Woe be to fuch full fouls, as loath thefe honey combs. But thus Chrift makes all his affemblies, to be banqueting houses, and there he gives his faints entertainment.

2. Delight. The fpoufe is quite ravished with the fweetnefs of this entertainment, finding love and care and kindness bestowed by Chrift in the affemblies of the faints, hence the cries out yer. 5. Stay me with flaggons, comfort me with apples, for I am fick of love. Upon the difcovery of the ex cellency and sweetness of Chrift in the banquetin

hou

houfe, the foul is inftantly overpowered, and cries out to be made partaker of the fulness of it. She is fick of love, not as fome fuppofe, fainting for want of a fenfe of love, under the apprehenfions of wrath, but made fick, and faint, even overcome with the mighty actings of that divine affection, after the had once tafted of the sweetnefs of Chrift in the banqueting houfe. Her defire deferred, makes her heart fick, therefore the cries ftay me, &c. I have feen a glimpse of the king in his beauty: tafted of the fruit of his righteoufnefs, my foul melteth in longing after him, Oh fupport and fuftain my fpirit, with his prefence in his ordinances, thofe flaggons and apples of his banqueting houfe, or I fhall quite fink and faint! Oh what haft thou done bleffed Jefus? I have feen thee, and my foul is become as the chariots of Amminadab; let me have fomething from thee to fupport me, or I die. When a perfon is fainting on any occafion, thefe two things are to be done; ftrength is to be used to support him, that he fink not to the ground; and comfortable things are to be applied to refresh his fpirits. These two, the foul overpowered, and fainting with the force of its own love, raised by a fenfe of Christ, prayeth for, it would have strengthning grace to fupport it in that condition, that it may be able to attend its duty; and confolations of the Holy Ghost, to content, revive, and fatiate it, untill it come to a full enjoyment of Chrift. And thus fwee ly and with delight is this communion carri ed on.

3. Safety. His banner over me was love, ver. 4. The banner is an emblem of fafety and protection, a fign of the presence of an host. Perfons belonging to an army, do encamp under their banner in

fecurity.