prophet's head were to be bound up in his skirt, Ezek. v. 3. Hairs are given for ornament, and so weak believers, who are in the simplicity of the gospel, are the ornamental hair of the church: "Thy hair is as a flock of goats from Gilead." And these often appear in the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Hairs, though feeble, stick close to the head; and I know of none who stick closer to the Head of the church than the weak and feeble ones. "He gathereth the lambs with his arms, and carries them in his bosom, and gently leadeth those that are with young." And who stick closer to the heart of Christ than those who ride in the bosom of love?

"And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour." The back parts of the human body are deemed less honourable than the face, neck, hands, and arms; but upon these we bestow, or put on, more abundant honour than we do upon the face or hands, by covering them; as Aaron's garments were made for glory and beauty, to ornament and adorn him. And so we read of the raiment of Solomon, which astonished the Ethiopian queen; and even the Lord calls this his glory: Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like the lily; because Solomon's glory was artificial, but that of the lily is natural to itself. The poor, weak, ignorant, and foolish, of this world are represented by these: But God hath chosen

the foolish to confound the wise, and the weak to confound the strong, and the base, and those lightly esteemed; yea, the off-scouring of the earth; and has sent his gospel to them, and chosen them rich in faith, and hath made them heirs of his everlasting kingdom, having adopted them into his family. And it is often seen that the poorest and weakest saints are much more favoured with life, power, presence, comfort, and countenance, of God, than those who are brighter in parts, and better in circumstances.

"And our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness." When sin entered into the world, and guilt and shame followed upon it, and conscience began to reproach our first parents, they, being stripped of all righteousness and innocency, immediately invented a covering for these. But the Lord condescended to make them a better one himself; prefiguring thereby an imputed righteousness, which justifies from all things, and effectually covers from all sin and filth, from guilt and shame. These parts, some have thought, represent backsliding and fallen believers, who bring a reproach and scandal upon the church, and who require a deal of love to cover and hide their sin and shame from the world, that the good ways of the Lord be not evil spoken of. Though, for my part, I rather think that those parts of the human body which distinguish the sexes have a much higher and a more noble meaning. We read of the church's pregnancy, and of her pain and travail to be de

livered; and we read of gospel ministers begetting many to Christ; as it is written, "Though ye have ten thousand instructors, yet have ye not many fathers," says Paul: "I have begotten you.' Zion, in the mystery, is not without her fruitful womb: "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God." Nor are the ministers of the Spirit, which the Lord sends, destitute of divine power; nor yet destitute of the incorruptible seed, the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Hence it appears to me, that the usefulness of a minister in converting, and the increase of a lively, fruitful church, are signified by these parts; though it may be objected, that such preachers and churches cannot be called the uncomely parts. To which it may be replied, that such are the most despicable in the eyes of the world, or else they would not call such fruitful souls as the apostles the filth and off-scouring of the earth. A dead preacher, and a barren, lifeless congregation, do not incur the world's displeasure; they generally get the name of pious, honourable, moderate, candid, quiet, and inoffensive people. Under such preachers the devil keeps his captives, and the world keeps its companions; and as these sustain no loss, so the others have no persecution, But let the Spirit of God be poured out upon such a preacher, and upon such audiences; let the work of begetting, conceiving, breeding, travailing, and bringing forth, go on among them; and away goes

the world's good word for evermore; and they would appear to be the uncomely parts at once. Hence I conclude, that powerful preachers, who are owned, honoured, and much blessed in this work, and churches which are the most fruitful to God, are intended.

These have more abundant comeliness. All that are called by them, love and honour them for their work's sake. What is more delightful, to the real lovers and friends of Christ, than to see a successful preacher, and a fruitful church? And when such friends of the Bridegroom bring poor, blind, ignorant souls, or persons prejudiced against the word, under the means, and it pleases God to send the word home to them, how pleased such are to find the poor sinner is caught in the sinner is caught in the net; and upon such young fruit, just sprung from the womb, they also waiting upon them, watching over them; and when the work appears genuine, they esteem them, in their simplicity and humility, better than themselves. And for these the best robe, ring, fatted calf, and shoes, are brought forth, which is the comeliness of Christ, and is put upon them, which such souls need, and which gives them more abundant comeliness.

"For our comely parts have no need." The face, cheeks, eyes, mouth, and nose, of the human body, have no need of a covering to preserve them; for these comely parts are intended to be seen, and to set off and recommend the whole body. And by such the apostle means real and conscien

tious saints, who are sincere in heart, and circumspect in life; like one who wears the name of God in his forehead. The cheeks mean the modest and virtuous saint, who will take shame and blush at the thoughts of bringing any reproach upon the cause of Christ; of whom the Lord says, "Let me hear thy voice, let me see thy face; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely."

The eye, the nose, &c. have been before described as the discerning preacher and quickscented believer. But these comely parts have no need, in the sense the others have; for their iniquity is forgiven, and their sin is covered, and the grace of God is abundant upon them; these are all fair, and there is no spot in them.

"But God hath tempered the body together," by joining high and low, strong and feeble members, in one covenant, in one mystical body; and hath joined them together in judgment, touching their ruin in Adam, and restoration by Christ; and respecting their condemnation by the law, and justification by the gospel; and hath bound and braced them together in the unity of one faith in Christ, in the bond of peace, and in the more perfect bond of love; and hath tried them, humbled them, melted them, meekened them, and softened them, by humbling dispensations, which makes the heart contrite; and by which means he hath cemented them together, that they may need each other's assistance, feel for each other's infirmities, bear each other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of