/ 174 M!_L_o~_e_.: _________ Sut. VII. clarewhatcombats, tryals,and temptations the Saints are fubjecr unto after their new birth and change of lifeJnow up, now downe, now full of I good refolutions, now againe lluggi1l1 and flow, ' not to be waked, nor brought forwards by the voice ofChrifi,a:s it was with the Church hereJ lhe will not out ofher lleep to open unto Chrifr, though hecall and knocke,and fiand waiting for entrance. She is now delirous to pitty her felfe, and needs no l'eter to fiir her up unto it, the fJelh of it felfe is prone enough to draw backe, and 1 make excufes to hinderthe powerofgracefrom its due operaticn in us. She is laid along (as it were)to refi her; yet is not fhe fo afleep,but .fhe difcernes the voice of Chrifr,but up and rife .fhe will not. Thus we may fee the truth of that fpeech ·of Ioh.3,6, our Saviour verified, ThAt which ts horn oftheJlejh iJ jlejb, And thAt which u6orneof the Sptrtt u Spi. rit. The fldb puis her backe, the Spirit would raife her up to open to Chrilt, I1e in rhe meane while makes her inexcufabJe, and prepares her byhis knocking,waiting, and departing, as for a fiate of further Humiliation, fo for an efiate of I further Exaltation. But how lovingly doth he l fpeake to her '! l · openuntomemy Love. j 'Wliy mi Lovt. He cals her my Love, efpecially for two reI · • fpects;partly becaufehu love was fetled upon her, I, it was in hi~ owne breafl:, but it refied not ther~, I but feared It fdfe upon, and in ~he heart of h1s Spoufe, fo thatlhe became Chnfts love. Wee u knOWl !~----------------~---------------------
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=