CONTEMPLATION VI.—SOLOMON AND THE
QUEEN OF SHEBA.

God hath no use of the dark lanterns of secret and reserved perfections; we our

niture; what is the altar, 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-selves do not light up candles to put them 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 hearts so honoured by thee, that they are made thy 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 the gracious testimonies of thy good Spirit, witnessing with ours, that we are the children of 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. O do thou ever dwell in this thine 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.

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 Sheba, 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, religion, is a thing past both parallel and limitation. 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 neglect her!

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 betakes 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

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 !`

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 Expectation is no better than a kind were not for the hope of resolution: it is enemy to good deserts. We lose those obnot safe to suffer doubts to dwell too long | jects which we overlook. Many had been upon the heart; there may be good use of admired, if they had not been overmuch them as passengers, dangerous as inmates: befriended by fame, who now, in our judghappy are we, if we can find a Solomon to ment, are cast as much below their rank, remove them. 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 most liberal 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 lo, 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 apophthegms. It is not worth the name of wisdom, that may be heard only, and not seen.

Fame, as it is always a blab, so ofttimes 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 businesses 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 emptyhanded if she came to fetch an invaluable treasure, she finds 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

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."

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And if this great person admired the wisdom, the 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 thy 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 hereof: but he that is full despiseth an honey-comb.

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; Solomon 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! O that we could come, from the remote

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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 delighteth 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 ad-regions of our infidelity and worldiness, to vancement 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 Judah 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."

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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 hath 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 Seba bring gifts; yea, all kings shall worship thee, all nations shall serve thee!" They cannot enrich themselves, but by giving unto thee.

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!

CONTEMPLATION VII.
DEFECTION.

SOLOMON'S

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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

cense: because Solomon feeds them in their | not break, nor alter the thing that is gone superstition, he draws the sin home to himself, and is branded for what he should have forbidden. Even our very permission appropriates crimes to us. We need no more guiltiness of any sin than our willing tole

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out of my mouth." Behold, the favour of God doth not depend upon Solomon's obedience: if Solomon shall suffer his faithfulness to fail towards his God, God will not requite him with the failing of his faithfulness to Solomon; if Solomon break his covenant with God, God will not break his covenant with the father of Solomon, with the son of David: he shall smart, he shall not perish. O gracious word of the God of all mercies, able to give strength to the languishing, comfort to the despairing, to the dying, life! Whatsoever we are, thou wilt be still thyself, O Holy One of Israel, true to thy covenant, constant to thy decree; the sins of thy chosen can neither frustrate thy counsel, nor outstrip thy mercies.

Who can but yearn, and fear, to see the woful wreck of so rich and goodly a vessel? O Solomon! wert not thou he, whose younger years God honoured with a message and style of love? to whom God twice appeared, and in a gracious vision renewed the covenant of his favour? whom he singled out from all the generation of men, to be the founder of that glorious temple, which was no less clearly the type of heaven, than thou wert of Christ, the son of the ever-living God? wert not thou that deep sea of wisdom, which God ordained Now I see Solomon, of a wanton lover, to send forth rivers and fountains of all a grave preacher of mortification: I see him divine and human knowledge to all nations, quenching those inordinate flames with the to all ages? wert not thou one of those tears of his repentance. Methinks I hear select secretaries, whose hand it pleased him sighing deeply, betwixt every word of the Almighty to employ in three pieces of that his solemn penance, which he would the divine monuments of sacred scriptures? needs enjoin himself before all the world: Which of us dares ever hope to aspire" I have applied my heart to know the unto thy graces? which of us can promise to secure ourselves from thy ruins? We fall, O God, we fall to the lowest hell, if thou prevent us not, if thou sustain us not!" Uphold thou me, according to thy word, that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Order my steps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have | dominion over me." All our weakness is in ourselves; all our strength is in thee. O God! be thou strong in our weakness, that our weak knees may be ever steady in thy strength.

But, in the midst of the horror of this spectacle, able to affright all the sons of men, behold some glimpse of comfort. Was it of Solomon that David his father prophesied, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand?" If sensible grace, yet final mercy, was not taken from that beloved of God: in the hardest of this winter, the sap was gone down to the root, though it showed not in the branches. Even while Solomon removed, that word stood fast," He shall be my son, and I will be his father." He that foresaw his sin, threatened and limited his correction: "If he break my statutes, and keep not my commandments, then will I visit his transgression with a rod, and his iniquity with stripes; nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail; my covenant will I

wickedness of folly, even the foolishness of madness; and I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall be delivered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her."

Solomon was taken as a sinner, delivered as a penitent. His soul escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare was broken, and he delivered. It is good for us that he was both taken and delivered: taken, that we might not presume; and, that we might not despair, delivered. He sinned, that we might not sin; he recovered, that we may not sink under our sin.

But O the justice of God, inseparable from his mercy! Solomon's sin shall not escape the rod of men: rather than so wise an offender shall want enemies, God shall raise up three adversaries unto SolomonHadad, the Edomite, Rezon, the king of Aram, Jeroboam, the son of Nebat; whereof two were foreign, one domestical. Nothing but love and peace sounded in the name of Solomon; nothing else was found in his reign, while he held in good terms with his God; but when once he fell foul with his Maker, all things began to be troubled. There are whips laid up against the time of Solomon's foreseen offence, which are now brought forth for his correction. On purpose was Hadad, the son of the king of Edom, hid in a corner of Egypt from the sword of David and Joab, that he might be