(seq. 149)

137

here he answers, I am come &c:

In the words (1) The terms of compellation,
which Christ gives to his church, 'my sister, my
'spouse! By which is intimated 1) Christs condes-
cension to take upon him humane nature; y^t
we are as brethren & sisters to him, he is
'bone of our bone & flesh of our flesh. Heb.
2.11, 14.

2) Our priviledge & exaltation to y^e
adoption of children unto God. That we are
brought to be children of y^e same father, heirs
of God & joynt-heirs with Christ. Rom. 8.16, 17.

3) The marriage union & relation of believers
to Christ, whereby yy are become as one flesh
Eph. 5.31, 32.

4) The conjugal love which
Christ bears to his church & faithful people
Eph. 5.25, 29.

5) The duty which ^ ^{the Church &} all believers
[owe?] to Christ as his spouse. Eph. 5.24.

(2) Christs declaration of his approach to his
Church & faithful servants. 'I am come into
'my garden. By Christs garden here is meant
'his church, chap. 4.12, they are enclosed &
impaled from y^e rest of the world for Christs
use & delight. And there are special seasons
of Christs approach to his people & manifesting
of himself in a signal & gracious manner to
them especially upon their earnest prayer
for his presence.

(3) Christs carriage when come to his Church.
'I have gathered my myrrhe with my spice,
'I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey
'I have drunk my wine with my milk, by
myrrhe, spice, honey, wine & milk, we are to
understand the graces & good works of believ-
ers which are delightful unto Christ. These
when Christ comes he gathers, he prepares y^m
by his spirit quickning & drawing them forth
into exercise; when Christ comes in to y^e soul
by his gracious presence he makes their gra-
ces to spring & be lively & in full exercise
he prepares a harvest for himselfe, & when
he hath so done he gathers & feasts himselfe
therewith, he eats & drinks of these his plea-
sant fruits in y^e souls of believers, i.e. he ac-
cepts of & delights himselfe in y^e graces & ser-
vices of believers. He is as it were refreshed,
abundantly satisfied & fully feasted with them.