Ans.
Gods word in Gods way.
Cant 1.
I answer, no question, but false worshippers, and false Christians may easily satisfie themselves, and stop the mouths of their consciences, with any formal performance of a Sermon by an houre-glasse, or other traditions, or customes of Fathers, or the times. But a child of God desires to be as well carefull (according to his sight, for the true Mothers-Breast, (a true Ministrie) as for a Womans Milk, the opening of the word by any in any way, &c. And therefore cries the Spouse to Christ Jesus: Oh thou whom my soul loveth, shew me where thou feedest, for why should I be as one that turns aside to the flocks of thy companions.
2ly. A true child of God (though weak) looks chiefly at God, and Christ, himself in the Ministry, and dispensation of the word, and therefore saith (Cant: 1.) Let Him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth, for his love is better then wine.
True hunger after Gods word.
3. While the Hypocrites find their natural delight in the word, as in musick, while yet they obey not: The child of God comes to the breasts of the Church, as a child hangs upon the Mothers Breast, not only for the delight of sucking, but out of a vehement painfull longing, to have its soul satisfied, and its strength of spirituall life and grace increased in the ways of God: according to that in 1. Pet. 2. [That you may grow thereby.]
True desire in all Gods people.
A 4th. Argument of the life of the inner man, (though in much weaknes, or sicknes, is a true and unfained desire, to do that which it finds it cannot do, but falls short in doing or suffering the will of God: So Nehemiah pleads with God, from the uprightnes of their hearts, that they desired to fear his Name, when a soul can say uprightly in Gods presence, I desire, that is, unfainedly longing to know his will, although I am much ignorant, I desire to believe, though I find an unbelieving heart, I desire to be willing and able to suffer, though I find much fearfulnesse, &c.
Ob. May not an Hypocrite desire to know and love God, &c.