whereon our sacrifices of prayer and praises are offered to the Almighty, but a contrite heart? What the golden candlesticks, but the illumined understanding, wherein the light of the knowledge of God, and his divine will shineth for ever? What the tables of shew-bread, but the sanctified memory, which keepeth the bread of life continually? Yea, if we shall presume so far, as to enter into the very closet of God's oracle, even there, O God, do we find our unworthy hea ts so honoured by thee, that they are made the very ark, wherein thy royal law and the pot of thy heavenly manna are kept for ever; and from whose propitiatory, shaded. with the wings of thy glorious angels, thou givest thy gracious testimonies of thy good Spirit, witnessing with ours, that we are the children of thee the living God.

Behold, if Solomon built a temple unto thee, thou hast built a temple unto thyself, in us. We are not only, through thy grace, living stones in thy temple, but living temples in thy Sion. Oh. do thou ever dwell in this thy house; and in this thy house, let us ever serve thee. Wherefore else hast thou a temple, but for thy presence with us, and for our worshipping of thee? The time was, when, as thy people, so thyself, didst lodge in flitting tents; ever shifting, ever moving: thence, thou thoughtest best to sojourn, both in Shiloh and the roof of Obed Edom. After that, thou, condescendedst to settle thine abode with men, and wouldst dwell in a house of thine own, at thy Jerusalem, So didst thou, in the beginning, lodge with our first parents in a tent; sojourn with Israel, under the Law; and now makest a constant residence, under the Gospel, in the hearts of thy chosen children, from whence thou wilt remove no more: they shall remove from the world, from themselves; thou shalt not remove from them.

Wheresoever thou art, O God, thou art worthy of adoration, Since thou ever wilt dwell in us, be thou ever worshipped in us.. Let the altars of our clean hearts send up ever to thee, the sweetest perfumed smokes of our holy meditations, and faithful prayers, and cheerful thanksgivings. Let the pure lights of our faith and godly conversation shine ever before thee and men, and never be put out. Let the bread of life stand ever ready, upon the pure and precious tables of our hearts. Lock up thy law and thy manna within us; and speak comfortably to us from thy mercy-seat. Suffer nothing to enter in hither, that is unclean. Sanctify us unto thyself, and be thou sanctified in us.

1 Kings v, vi. 2 Chron. ii, iii, iv.

SOLOMON, AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.

God hath no use of the dark lanterns of secret and reserved perfections: we ourselves do not light up candles, to put them under bushels. The great lights, whether of heaven or earth, are not intended to obscurity; but, as to give light unto others, so to be seen themselves,

Dan and Beersheba were too strait bounds, for the fame of Solomon; which now hath flown over all lands and seas, and raised the world to an admiration of his more than human wisdom. Even so, O thou everlasting King of Peace, thy name is great among the Gentiles. There is no speech nor language, where the report of thee is not heard: the sound of thee is gone forth through all the earth. Thy name is an ointment poured out; therefore the virgins love thee,

No doubt, many, from all coasts, came to learn and wonder; none, with so much note, as this noble daughter of Cham: who, herself, deserves the next wonder to him, whom she came to hear and admire. That a woman, a princess, a rich and great queen, should travel from the remotest south, from Saba, a region famous for the greatest delicacies of nature, to learn wisdom, is a matchless example. We know merchants, that venture to either Indies for wealth; others, we know daily to cross the seas, for wanton curiosity; some few Philosophers, we have known to have gone far for learning; and, amongst princes, it is no unusual thing, to send their ambassadors to far distant kingdoms, for transaction of businesses, either of state or commerce: but, that a royal lady should, in person, undertake and overcome so tedious a journey, only to observe and inquire into the mysteries of nature, art, gion, is a thing past both parallel and imitation. Why do we think any labour great, or any way long, to hear a greater than Solomon? How justly shall the Queen of the South rise up in judgment and condemn us, who may hear wisdom crying in our streets, and neg

lect her!

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Certainly, so wealthy a queen, and so great a lover of wisdom, could not want great scholars at home: them she had first opposed, with her enigmatical demands: and now, finding herself unsatisfied, she takes herself to this oracle of God. It is a good thing to doubt; better, to be resolved: the mind that never doubts shall learn nothing; the mind that ever doubts shall never profit by learning our doubts only serve to stir us up to seek truth; our resolutions settle us in the truth we have found. There were no pleasure in resolutions, if we had not been formerly troubled with doubts; there were nothing but discomfort and disquietness in doubts, if it were not for the hope of resolution. It is not safe, to suffer doubts to dwell too long upon the heart: there may be a good use of them as passengers; dangerous, as inmates; happy are we, if we can find a Solomon to remove them.

Fame, as it is always a blab, so oft-times a liar. The wise princess found cause to distrust so uncertain an informer; whose reports are still, either doubtful or fabulous, and, like winds or streams, increase in passing. If very great things were not spoken of Solomon, fame should have wronged him; and if but just rumours were spread of his wisdom, there needed much credulity to believe them. This great queen would not suffer herself to be led by the ears; but comes in person, to examine the truth of foreign relations. How much more unsafe is it, in the most important bu

sinesses of our souls, to trust the opinions and reports of others! Those ears and eyes are ill bestowed, that do not serve to choose and judge for their owners.

When we come to a rich treasure, we need not be bidden to carry away what we are able. This wise lady, as she came far for knowledge, so, finding the plenty of this vein, she would not depart without her full load: there was nothing, wherein she would leave herself unsatisfied: she knew that she could not every day meet with a Solomon, and therefore she makes her best use of so learned a master: now she empties her heart of all her doubts, and fills it with instruction. It is not good neglecting the opportunities, of furnishing our souls with profitable, with saving knowledge. There is much wisdom, in moving a question well, though there be more in assoiling it: what use do we make of Solomon's teacher; if, sitting at the feet of Christ, we leave our hearts either ignorant or perplexed?

As if the errand of this wealthy queen had been to buy wisdom, she came with her camels laden with gold, and precious stones, and rich odours though to a mighty king, she will not come to school empty handed. If she came to fetch an invaluable treasure, she finds it reason to give thanks unto him that kept it. As he is a fool, that hath a price in his hand to get wisdom, and wants a heart; so is he unthankful, that hath a heart to get wisdom, and hath no price in his hand; a price, not countervailable to what he seeks, but retributory to him of whom he seeks. How shameful is it, to come always with close hands to them, that teach us the great mysteries of salvation!

Expectation is no better than a kind enemy to good deserts. We lose those objects which we overlook. Many had been admired, if they had not been overmuch befriended by fame; who now, in our judgment, are cast as much below their rank, as they were fore-imagined above it. This disadvantage had wise Solomon with this stranger, whom rumour had bid to look for incredible excellencies; yet, so wonderful were the graces of Solomon, that they overcame the highest expectation, and the liberallest belief; so as when she saw the architecture of his buildings, the provisions of his tables, the order of his attendants, the religion of his sacrifices, she confessed, both her unjust incredulity in not believing the report of his wisdom, and the injury of report in underrating it; I believed not the words till I came, and mine eyes had seen it, and lò, the one half was not told me. Her eyes were more sure informers than her ears. She did not so much hear as see Solomon's wisdom, in these real effects. His answers did not so much demonstrate it, as his prudent government. There are some, whose speeches are witty, while their carriage is weak; whose deeds are incongruities, while their words are apothegms. It is not worth the name of wisdom, that may be heard only, and not seen: good discourse is but the froth of wisdom; the pure and solid substance of it, is in well-framed actions: If we know these things, happy are we if we do them.

And if this great person admired the wisdom, and buildings, the domestic order of Solomon, and chiefly his stately ascent into the house of the Lord, how should our souls be taken up with wonder at thee, O thou true Son of David, and Prince of everlasting Peace, who receivedst the Spirit not by measure! who hast built this glorious house, not made with hands, even the heaven of heavens! whose infinite providence hath sweetly disposed of all the family of thy creatures both in heaven and earth! and who, lastly, didst ascend up on high, and leddest captivity captive, and gavest gifts to men!

So well had this studious lady profited by the lectures of that exquisite master, that now she envies, she magnifies, none but them, who may live within the air of Solomon's wisdom; Happy are the men, and happy are thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom; as if she could have been content, to have changed her throne for the footstool of Solomon, It is not easy to conceive, how great a blessing it is, to live under those lips, which do both preserve knowledge and utter it: if we were not glutted with good counsel, we should find no relish in any worldly contentment, in comparison thereof; but, He that is full despiseth a honeycomb.

She, whom her own experience had taught how happy a thing it is to have a skilful pilot sitting at the stern of the state, blesseth Israel for Solomon, blesseth God for Israel, blesseth Solomon and Israel mutually in each other; Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel. Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

It was not more Solomon's advancement to be king of Israel, than it was the advancement of Israel to be governed by a Solomon, There is no earthly proof of God's love to any nation, comparable to the substitution of a wise and pious governor to him we owe our peace, our life, and, which is deservedly dearer, the life of our souls, the Gospel. But, O God, how much hast thou loved thine Israel for ever, in that thou hast set over it that righteous branch of Jesse, whose name is Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace: in whose days Ju dah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely! Sing, O heaven, and rejoice, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains, for God hath comforted his people, and will have everlasting mercy upon his afflicted.

The queen of Sheba did not bring her gold and precious stones to look on, or to re-carry, but to give to a wealthier than herself. She gives therefore to Solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold, besides costly stones and odours. He, that made silver in Jerusalem as stones, is yet richly presented on all hands. The rivers still run into the sea: to him that hath shall be given. How should we bring unto thee, O thou King of Heaven, the purest gold of thine own graces, the sweetest odours of our obediences! Was not this withal a type of that homage, which should be done unto thee,

O Saviour, by the heads of the nations? The kings of Tarshish and the Isles bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Saba bring gifts; yea, all kings shall worship thee, all nations shall serve thee. They cannot enrich themselves, but by giving unto thee.

It could not stand with Solomon's magnificence, to receive rich courtesies without a return. The greater the person was, the greater was the obligation of requital. The gifts of mean persons are taken but as tributes of duty: it is dishonourable, to take from equals, and not to retribute. There was not therefore more freedom in her gift, than in her receipt: her own will was the measure of both. She gave what she would; she received whatsoever she would ask: and she had little profited by Solomon's school, -if she had not learned to ask the best: she returns therefore, more richly laden than she came: she gave to Solomon, as a thankful client of wisdom; So lomon returns to her, as a munificent patron, according to the liberality of a king. We shall be sure to be gainers, by whatsoever we give unto thee, O thou God of wisdom and peace. Oh that we could come from the remote regions of our infidelity and worldliness, to learn wisdom of thee, who both teachest and givest it abundantly, without upbraiding, without grudging; and could bring with us the poor presents, of our faithful desires and sincere services: how wouldst thou receive us, with a gracious acceptation; and send us away, laden with present comfort, with eternal glory! Kings x. 2 Chron. ix..

SOLOMON'S DEFECTION.

SINCE the first man Adam, the world hath not yielded, either so great an example of wisdom, or so fearful an example of apostasy, as Solomon. What human knowledge Adam had, in the perfection of nature by creation, Solomon had by infusion; both fully, both from one fountain. If Adam called all creatures by their names, Solomon spake from the cedars of Lebanon to the moss that springs out of the wall; and besides these vegetables, there was no beast, nor fowl, nor fish, nor creeping thing, that escaped his discourse. Both fell; both fell by one means: as Adam, so might Solomon have said, The woman deceived me. It is true indeed, that Adam fell as all; Solomon, as one; yet so as that this one is the pattern of the frailty of all. If knowledge could have given an immunity from sin, both had stood.

Affections are those feet of the soul, on which it either stands or

falls. Solomon loved many outlandish women: I wonder not, if the wise king miscarried. Every word hath bane enough for a man: women; many women; outlandish; idolatrous; and those, not only had, but doated on. Sex, multitude, nation, condition, all conspired to the ruin of a Solomon. If one woman undid all mankind, what marvel is it, if many women undid one? Yet had those many been the daughters of Israel, they had tempted him only to lust; not to mis-devotion: now they were of those nations,