First, By theHead I understand the Godhead of Chrift is meant, according to thofe Words in 1 Cor. xi. v. 3. But I would have you know, that the Head of every Man is Chrift; and the Head of the Woman is the Man; and the Head of Chrift is God. Thus we fee that the Divine Nature is faid to be the Head, or the Godhead of Chrift: For as the Head is the Seat of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Prudence; fo it fhews, that all the Treafures of Wifdom, and Knowledge, are hid, in Chrift, from this Fulnefs of the Godhead; For in bim dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godbead bodily, Col. ii. v.3.9. Secondly, as the Head is the Seat of Wisdom, fo it is ofGovernment; that Rule, Power, and Authority of governing, which by the Father is given unto Chrift, may be fignified by this Head, the Lord fefus; who knows how (from that Sufficiency of Wisdom, Strength, and Power that is in him) to rule and govern in Earth and Heaven, for the Manifeftation of his Glory, the eternal Good and Welfare of his People. Again, as God is the Head of Chrift, fo Chrift is the Head of the Church. Eph. i. 22. and hath put all Things under his Feet, and gave him to be the Head over all Things to the Church. Oh what Grace, Mercy, and Dignity, is conferr'd upon that Soul that is in Union, and fo near a Relation unto this glorious Perfon, that hath the Lord Jefus Chrift to be his Head! This Head is by the Spouse fet out to be all of Gold; Sol. v. ver. 10. His Head is as fine Gold. That is, Chrift's Head is compar'd not only unto Gold, but fine Gold, the choiceft and pureft Gold. This, doubtlefs, fets forth the Purity, Glory, Excellency, and Duration of Chrift's Government: Now if the Saints have fuch a golden Head

as

as Chrift is, then the Saints who are in Union with this Head, must be golden Members alfo, as in Rev. 1. The feven Churches are called feven golden Candlesticks, which refpect the Saints in thofe feven Churches. Chrift being fuch a glorious Head, puts a Glory upon his whole (myftical) Body. Thus we fee then that the Head hath an Eminency above all other Parts, as the Fountain and Seat of Wisdom; and thus is Chrift in a way of Emi nency the Head of all Principalities and Powers. Unto him it is that we fhould go for Wifdom, Strength, Comfort, and every Thing that we need.

Secondly, What is meant by the Hair? The Hair is ornamental to the Head, and fo may very fitly fet forth the Beauty, Glory, and Excellency of Jefus Chrift. A true Believer, when in the Exercife of Faith, cannot look upon any Thing in Chrift but what is lovely, as it is in the laft Verfe of the 5th Chapter of Solomon; His Mouth is moft Sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely, from the Head to the Feet; in every Part of Chrift there is a Beauty and. a Loveliness, in the Eye of a gracious Soul. Mofes faw fuch a Beauty, Glory, and Excellency in the Reproaches of Christ, as he could not fee in Pharaoh's Court. Heb. xi. v. 26. Oh how beautiful is the Hair then upon Chrift's Head, as pure Wool, or as white as Snow. If fo be that Chrift takes Notice of our Hair, yea, fuch Notice as to number them, with a Promife that not one of them fhall be loft, which fets forth the Providence of God in the Prefervation of the Saints: What Cause have we then, much more to take Notice of the Hair of Chriff's Head? Yea, the Spoufe did take Notice of this in the 5th of Solomon's Song, when she had been a fetting forth the Glory and Excellency of

her

her Beloved in every Part, beginning at his Head until she comes to his Feet; fhe doth not pafs by the Observation of his Hair, but fets forth the Excellency of it, though under a different Colour which I fhall endeavour to explain in the third Particular. May we therefore, in the mean time, be viewing with an Eye of Faith, and meditating upon the Beauty and Excellency of Chrift's glorious Perfon, which will afford Comfort, Satisfaction, and Delight unto our Souls.

Thirdly, Why this Hair is compar'd unto pure Wool? And that may be confidered in these three Particulars: Firft, in its Whiteness. Secondly, in its Fineness. Thirdly, in its Usefulness.

First, then it is compared unto Wool, in refpect of its Whitenefs. The Nature of Wool is generally white, and that of an excellent Whitenefs too, efpecially when it is washed and cleaned from the Soil, it doth appear of a beautiful Whitenefs, and fo fets forth two Things: First, the Whiteness of the Hair fets forth the Ancientnefs of the Perfon, upon whofe Head it grows; and being here_applied to Chrift, fets forth the Ancientnefs or Eternity of Chrift; and fo denotes his Wisdom, Knowledge, Prudence, and Gravity. Secondly, it denotes his Holinefs, Purity, and fpotlefs Nature; the Spirit of God being pleased to make ufe of fuch Similitudes as are fuited to our Capacity of Understanding. Now as this hath a Reference unto us, it may denote the free Pardon of all our Sins, or the spotlefs Purity of the Saints may be fhadowed out by it as they stand in Union unto Chrift, and are compleat in him. We read of a white Stone, Rev. ii. v. 17. that fhall be given by Christ, to them that overcome;

He

He fhall eat of the hidden Manna, and I will give him a white Stone, and in the Stone a new Name, &c. Which refpecteth the Innocency and Purity of the Perfon who receives it, or the free Pardon, Acquittance, and Discharge from all their Sins, by the Lord Jefus Chrift, that is reprefented here as a Judge fitting upon a Throne; and therefore fhews that it cannot but muft go well with all those who are interested in this Head; because he that is to be their Judge, is, and will alfo be their Advocate. To this agree thofe Words in Ifaiah i. ver. 18. Come now and let us reason together, faith the Lord: though your Sins be as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow; though they be red like Crimon, they shall be as Wool.

Secondly; His Hair is likened unto pure Wool, in refpect of its Fineness. Wool, fuch Wool as this Hair takes its Comparison from, is fine as well as white. The Beauty and Excellency of Wool confifteth not only of a white but of a fine Nature; all which agrees to this one Thing, (exprefs'd before) in fetting forth the Beauty, Glory, and Excellency of Jefus Chrift unto the Soul. This Hair npon Chri's Head is not only of a white but of a fine foft beautifying Excellency. O what a Sight had the Old Teftament Saints of this, when the Spouse compared Chrift's Head to fine Gold ! She faith, his Locks or his Hair are bufhy, and black as a Raven; his Locks are bufhy or curled : This Curling of the Locks fheweth that the Hair is of a fine foft Nature; which, as fome fay, argueth in a natural Body, one that is of an affable, loving, and gentle Difpofition. Sure I am that this Hair may well fignify fo upon Chrift's Head: Oh! what a fweet, loving, meek and gentle Na

ture,

her Beloved in every Part, beginning at his Head until she comes to his Feet; fhe doth not pafs by the Obfervation of his Hair, but fets forth the Excellency of it, though under a different Colour; which I fhall endeavour to explain in the third Particular. May we therefore, in the mean time, be viewing with an Eye of Faith, and meditating upon the Beauty and Excellency of Chrift's glori ous Perfon, which will afford Comfort, Satisfaction, and Delight unto our Souls.

Thirdly, Why this Hair is compar'd unto pure Wool? And that may be confidered in these three Particulars: Firft, in its Whitenefs. Secondly, in its Fineness. Thirdly, in its Usefulness.

First, then it is compared unto Wool, in refpect of its Whitenefs. The Nature of Wool is generally white, and that of an excellent Whiteness too, especially when it is washed and cleaned from the Soil, it doth appear of a beautiful Whiteness, and fo fets forth two Things: First, the Whiteness of the Hair fets forth the Ancientnefs of the Perfon, upon whofe Head it grows; and being here_applied to Chrift, fets forth the Anc` nity of Chrift; and so denotes hi Tedge, Prudence, and Gravity. Sec Holinefs, Purity, and fpotlefs God being pleafed to make 1

or EterKnowotes his Spirit of nilitudes rftanding. it may dethe spotless out by it as I are compleat Rev. ii. 7. 17.

n that