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VERS. 1A Song of songs, which is Solomons.
THe Bookes of Solomon the Iewes compare not vnfitly to the Temple which he built Where∣of this song of songs, or most excellent song re∣sembleth the holy of holies o•• the most holy place: Being a declarati∣on of the blessed and sweet coniunction betweene Christ and his Church, and of the contract, and
espousels made betweene them, whilest the Church is now militant vpon earth. All which time is as it were a bidding of the banes vntill by his second comming from heauen our spirituall marriage with him shall be solemnized and made vp.
The Author Solomon, peaceable, for so his name doth signifie, a figure of Christ the Prince of peace, and the builder both of the earthly Sanct••arie, and of this heauenly frame, was, no doubt, whatso∣euer otherwise his fals might be, an elect vessell of God. 1. Because all the Prophets (of which number he was one) are in the kingdome of heauen Luke 13. 28. for howsoeuer it pleased God sometimes to speake by the wicked as hee did by Balaam, and to wring out of their mouthe contrary to their heart, that which might serue for the glory of his name: yet he neuer vsed the seruice of any but ves∣sels of election, to be the penmen of his Spirit. So the Apostle 2. Pet. 1. 19. 20. teileth vs, that those which by diuine inspiration wrote the propheti∣call Scriptures, were all of them holy men of God. 2. The holy Ghost doth alwaies speake well of So∣lomon after his death, and maketh in all places an honourable mention of his name, which it neuer doth of the reprobate. 3. His waies are commen∣ded, and Rehoboam hath his worthy praise for wal∣king in them 2. Chron. 11. 17. 4. God, whose coun∣sels are constant, loued him and cleped his name Iedidah, beloued of the Lord. 2. Sam. 12. 24. 25. 5. He himselfe is said againe to haue loued God. 1. Kings
3. 3. Which being true and vnfeined (otherwise the Holy Ghost would neuer haue spoken of it) was impossible to be lost. And this very booke if it were written before his fall is an vndoubted argu∣ment how sincere, earnest, and vehement his loue was, and what a feeling hee had of the loue of Christ. If after his fall, it argueth then most certain∣ly a sincere, and true repentance. 6. And lastly the booke of Ecclesiastes doth manifestly euince it, written when hee was olde, after hee had seene so much and had so long experience of his owne va∣nities and corruptions. The title whereof, Aa 1.1 soule (an humble, and grieued soule) reconciled to the Church, from whence hee was before cast out for his offences: or, A soule speaking, and making con∣fession, in the Church, sheweth his repentance.
The manner of writing is that which we call ac∣tiue, or representatiue, that is wherein Persons one∣ly are brought in speaking, the Author himselfe saying nothing: and the persons here are Christ, the Church, and sometimes, but very rarely, the friends of them both: In all which the Church, burning with a desire of Christ longeth, and is impatient till shee be ioined vnto him. For hether tend all her passions, exclamations, testifications of her loue, commendations of her spouse. Christ againe by kinde gentle and louing speeches comforteth and cheereth vp the Church with certaine hope of that happie and blessed time: for hether tend all his commendations of her present, and promise of fu∣ture graces, the accepting of her vnfeined repen∣tance,
and the assurance of purging, pruining, and making her more holy and fit for him. Till shee be taken vp vnto him without spot or wrinckle.
The Booke hath two parts. Whereof the first comprehendeth all that time that Christ and shee are friends, before any falling out, in the foure first Chapters. The Churrh longing to bee ioined to Christ. Chapt. 1. Acknowledging the benefits and comforts of life, pleasure and all good things which he bestoweth vpon her. Chapt. 2. And lastly desi∣ring to see Christ in his heauenly glory. Chapt. 3. Whom Christ most sweetly comforteth. Chapt. 4. The second part, in the foure last chapters, is a fal∣ling out of these two louers thorough the Chur∣ches fault and vnkindnesse to him. But this falling out is a renuing of their loue. In her by repentance Chapt. 5. in him by a gratious accepting of her into his fauour againe, as deere as euer shee was before. Chapt. 6. Whence ariseth all thankefulnesse from the Church and promise to amend Chapt. 7. vers 1. 2. 3. 4. with a noble demonstration of her zeale vn∣to him; testified by her longing, first for his owne comming in the flesh. Chapt. 7. vers 5. to the end of the Chapter. Secondly for the drawing of others that as yet were strangers and aliens from the com∣mon wealth of Israell to the fellowship and parti∣cipation of Christ, and for the whole Israell of God (Iewes and Gentiles) to be knit and ioined together in one holy society. Chapt. 8. And so this second part containeth three most excellent prophesies. One of the words incarnation, an other of the calling of the
Gentiles, the third of the conuersion of the Iewes and their accesse in the last daies vnto the Church of Christ. But let vs now heare themselues speake, and with their owne words to vtter their owne af∣fections.
VERS. 2.O let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth, for thy Loues are excellent bet∣ter then wine.
The Church (whose heart the Spirit of Christ had before knit vnto him) beginneth to wooe her loue: and crying out in a passion, desireth his em∣bracings: That he would be present with her, ioine himselfe vnto her, and remaine hers for euer. This vehement desire, this ardency of affection she shew∣eth to be most iust & reasonable, and fortifieth the equity, the honesty, the necessity, the fruite, and commodity thereof, diuersly and many waies. First the excellency of this loue is wonderfull, aboue all the pleasures and delights of the world: especially if it come not single but accompanied with a large nesse and a bounty from him, that it may be called Loues in the plurall. What wine so pleasant to the taste?
VERR. 3.Because of the smell of thy good ointmens thy name is as an ointment powred foorth. Therefore the Virgins loue thee.
What ointment so fragrant to the smell? Was that which shead vpon Aarons head, trickled downe his beard, and wet the hemmes of his gar∣ment? or the costly ointment, that Alablaster boxe of pure Nard, the Spickenard which shee powred vpon our Sauiour Christ, that filled all the house with the sweetnesse of the smell? Take which you will, and the best ointments els, they are not worthy to be named, when thine ointments, the ioy of gladnesse wherewith God hath annointed thee a∣boue thy fellowes, and which thou powrest forth to the comfort of the world, & the refreshing of thy Saints that haue any sence, and spirituall smell, are talked of. I speake not of my loue as present with me when I enioy his sweet selfe, and haue him in mine armes. No. Eye hath neuer seen, eare hath ne∣uer heard, heart cannot conceiue the sweetnes of those delights. But I speake of the verie remem∣brance of him, absent and away. Thwit me not here with any carnall loue, or loue to steale my heart from God; farre be that from my thoughts: I meane nothing but that which is holy, chast, pure, maidenly, and virgin-like, free as well from bodily pollution and vncleannesse; as from spirituall for∣nication against my spouse.
VERS, 4.Draw me, after thee will we runne. Let the King bring mee into his priu••e cham∣bers. We will reioice and be glad in thee. We will record thy loues better then wine. They
shall record them who in all rightnes do loue thee
They that will follow vaine vanities and forsake their owne mercy, let them doe it. But I will eleaue to thee. This comming, and eleauing vnto Christ, is I confesse a diuine worke, the worke of God himself, & steps beyond the reach of man, which no humane foote can tread, no wit can climbe vnto or comprehend, vnlesse it be framed and fashioned from aboue. A worke which of all others vvee are most vntoward to, of such difficulty that wee must be drawen, and haled, and violently pulled out of our selues, before wee can once settle about it, ha∣uing neither power, nor so much as will vnto it; for what finde I in my selfe to egge, and prouoke me thereunto? Whatsoeuer I haue within me, or without me, from the top vnto the toe, from the head vnto the heeles, is an vtter enemy, and doth oppose and set it selfe against it; yet I desire tho∣rough the working of his holy spirit (for euen the desire and first thought doth come from him,) not onely to walke in the pathes, (which notwith∣standing O happy men that so doe, and how few there bee that find the same) but to runne in them with all my might and maine, with faith, hope, pa∣tience, and obedience to follo•• thee: O let my feete be shod and made nimble for to doe it. But who (thinke you?) is the person whom thus I loue, and am so enamoured with? Verely the King him∣selfe our Soueraigne Lord, CHRIST, the God of glory, worthy to be loued of all, able to draw a••l
vnto his loue, and to make all the gates, and doores of our heart to be set open to him. What may be the place whether we runne so fast, and would so faine hie our selues vnto? It is his owne priuie chambers, his Church, and house heere, and after this his heauenly tabernacles, where better it is to be one hower then in the Palaces of all other Kings a thousand yeeres beside. The fruites and effects that come from it, are admirable, and diuine: ioy in the holy Ghost, spirituall mirth and gladnesse. For the hauing whereof where, or who is he (shew me the man, if he be a man and not a very beast) that would not bid al the Iolity of the world adew. It is a ioy cannot well bee hidden: it will shew it selfe and fill our mouthes with the praises of his name, with Psalmes, hymnes, and spirituall songs, all too little, too too litttle for him. Neither will I (my selfe alone) take pleasure in this duty, I and mine, all my friends and followers, whosoeuer they be that loue thee, will vncessantly performe the same: you prophane get you farie away. The praises of God beseeme not your mouthes. These pretious Iewels, such pearles are not for swines s••outes. So holy a worke belongeth to holy men: It is for them whose hearts are cleane, pure, san∣ctified, which waike in all integrity and in the righ∣teousnesse of their waies. These our God doth call; their tongues he fines and fi••es, to be the trumpet∣ters of his glory:
Thus, and by those arguments (twelue in number) the Church setteth forh, amplifieth,
and enlargeth the summe of her most holy de∣sires.
VERSE 5I am black, but comly, O daughters of Ie∣rusalem: Like to the Kedarenes that dwell in tents: but I am also like to those that dwell in the curtaines of Solomon.
Now because it is the property of true loue to be desirous that others also may haue a liking of the thing beloued, shee remoueth the lets and hin∣drances that may keepe her friend and fellows (in Gods election members of the Church) from com∣ming vnto CHRIST, confessing there is nothing outwardly in her to bee seene that can giue con∣content or make her bee liked, but inwardly, in the hidden man shee is amiable and full of beauty: for this daughter of the King is all glorious within, foule in her selfe and black, euen cole black, as black as any black-more, or if any thing bee more black then it, through sinne, both originall and actuall, that maketh her to com short of the glory of God, and to be subiect to death and condemnation: but through CHRIST, and the righteousnesse shee hath in him, she is goodly and glorious as Solomons courtly traine.
VERS. 6.Looke not vpon mee because I am blackish, because the Sunne hath cast his beames vp∣on me, because the sonnes of my mother in∣censed against me, haue made mee a keeper
of other vine-yards: mine owne vine-yard I haue not kept.
Three things indeed there bee which lay her o∣pen, though washed, though iustified, though sanc∣tified through CHRIST, to ignomie and re∣proach. All which notwithstanding shee is not to be despised, since none of them, nor they all are a∣ble to obscure the brightnes of Gods glory in her; first the remnants of sinne that still cleaue vnto her, and are so many foule spots in her faire face: ma∣king her blackish, though not cole black. Second∣ly afflictions, as it were the schorching of the Sun. Lastly her infirmitie, that thorough the peeuish∣nesse of some which beare the face of bretheren, not able to endure wholsome doctrine, and the sweete yoke of IESVS CHRISTS, but making stirres and discords in the Church, and teaching insteed of Christs lores their owne fantasies, and pleasures, shee hath in weaknesse been driuen to yeeld in many things contrary to the duty and place which God hath set her in.
VERS. 7.Shewe mee O thou whom my soule lo∣ueth, where thou feedest, where thou makest flock to lie downe at noone: for why should I bee as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocks of thy companions.
Wherefore she saith she will goe to the Arch∣bishoppe, and chiefe sheppard of her soule, of him
to learne how to carry her selfe in the Church, which is the house of the liuing God, to be ordered by those Lawes onely that hee himselfe the most wise house-holder hath prescribed. Heereupon she turneth her speech to Christ, telling him, hee onely is her delght. All his ordinances she accoun∣teth right in all things, and that shee hateth euerie lying path. And therefore prayeth him to teach her where hee feedeth with his Word and Sacraments, where at noone day hee maketh his sheepe to rest: for both feeding and resting, who∣ly and in all things her desire is to be at his directi∣on. And euen then when others repast themselues and take their meales, shee can not be in quiet vn∣lesse shee bee with him. That so ranging her selfe among his other sheepe she may bee kept from ha∣uing any thing to doe with strange shepheards, that in name participate with CHRIST, but in truth are none of his.
VERS. 8.If thou know not O thou fairest among women, get thee out from going in the steppes of yonder flock, and feed thy kiddes aboue the tabernacles of those shepheards.
To this Christ maketh answere; first satisfying her demaund in that wherein she was not fully be∣fore enformed. Bidding her by any meanes to take heed of the worldly prophane and hereticall teachers, and such as are corrupted by them, that
shee tread not in their steps, but to fe••de her little ones, the faithful flocke, with the foode of heauen∣ly doctrine in all sincerity and truth, lifting them vp, out, and from aboue the world.
VERS. 9.Vnto the troope of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh doe I liken thee, my fellow friend.
By this occasion they fall to congratulate one vnto an other, the good things that are in them: CHRIST hee praiseth his owne gifts bestowed vpon the Church, in regard of the dignity of her person, by his word affirming, and by the power of his spirit making her like to the horse of Pharaohs Chariot, braue, stately, and couragious, excellent for all good seruices.
VERS. 10.Thy cheekes are comlie, as with rewes of small stones: thy neck as with collars.
And in regard of the ornaments of the spirit, wherby her cheeks and neck, the principall seates of beauty, are set forth with rewes of precious stones, gemmes, collars, and gorgious things, as horses of those countries were wont to be.
VERS. 11.Borders of Gold wee will make vnto thee, with specks of neate siluer.
And not content therewith promiseth that the Father Sonne and the holy Ghost, the blessed and
glorious Trinity, will further bewtifie, and let her out with all rich graces and ornaments of the spi∣rit, with a continuall grouth of sanctification, as it were pure gold, bewtified with the siluer specks of a new encrease of holinesse, being made more and more glorious by the reflection of his glory.
VERS. 12.Whilest the King is in his circute, my spick∣nard doth giue foorth his smell.
The Church, resoundeth the praises of her CHRIST, for the sweet and fragrant odours that from him come downe vpon her by his Word, and the power of his spirit, those holy things that make her so sweete her selfe, and to spreade her sweetnesse farre and neere to other: And that e∣uen now whilest this Lord and King sitteth in the round globe of the highest and most glorious hea∣uens, absent in the flesh; how much more when CHRIST which is her life, shall appeare and re∣ueale himselfe in glory?
VERS. 13.My beloued is as a bundle of mirrh vnto me that lodgeth betweene my brests.
The cause of all is, Christs dwelling in her heart by faith, which maketh her both gracious, and sweete as a nosegay of mirrh in a weomans bo∣some,
VERS. 14.My well-bel oued is vnto mee as a cluster of Cypres in the vine-yards of Hengedie.
And as a cluster of Cypres full of berries within his white flower, when the same is planted in fruit∣full gardens, such as Hengedie was.
VERS. 15.Behold thou art faire my fellow friend, be∣hold thou art faire, thine eies are doues eies.
This mutuall gratulation Christ shutteth vp with exclamations, setting forth her bewty, the bewty she hath in him without spot, and glorious, also her charity and doue-like simplicity, that will not cast one eie vpon any superstitions
VERS. 16.Behold thou art faire my well-beloued: also delectable: also our bed is greene.
The Church shutteth vp with commendations of the bewty and amiablenesse of her loue,* 1.2 and the fruitfulnesse of their bed, begetting many children vnto God.
VERS. 17.The beames of our houses are of Cedars, our walkes of brute trees.
They both conclude with commendations of
the preciousnesse of their houses, and of the walkes wherein they visite one onother that is of Christs habitation in her by the communion and fellow∣shippe of the spirit.
VERS. 1.I am the rose of * 1.3 Sharon, the Lillie of the valleys.
THe Church and her spouse not satisfi∣ed with their former praises, and the mutu••ll commending one of an o∣ther, fall afresh vnto it. Hee com∣mendeth his owne sweete vertue, which hee hath not for himselfe alone, but by his spirit doth communicate to his Church.
VERS. 2.As a Lillie among thornes, so is my fellowe friend among the daughters.
Whereby the same as farre excelleth all other companies and assemblies through the righteous∣nesse and glory she receiueth from him, as the Lil∣lie doth the thornes: for all are no better then thornes take them as they are, but specially if they be compared with her.
VERS. 3.As an aple-tree among the trees of the for∣rest, so is my wel-beloued among the Sonnes: vnder his shadow I desire that I may sit: for sweet is his fruit vnto my pallat.
The Church againe praiseth him for his fruit∣fulnesse, and the sweetnesse both of his shade and fruits. Such and so great, as she desireth no onely to rest vnder the shadowe of his grace and righte∣ousnes, thereby to be kept from the scorching heat of the wrath of God, the curse of the Lawe, death, and condemnation, being reconciled by him to his Father: but to taste of the dainty fruits, the fulnesse of ioyes that are at his right hand.
VERS. 4.He brought me into the banqueting house, and his banner ouer me was ••oue.
Here is the great desire & longing expre'st, which she hath for Christ, enlarged narration-wise, by two most sweete and notable fruits that proceed from him vnto his Church. First life, safety and deliue∣rance from all euill: then pleasure, comfort, ioy, peace of conscience, and the fruition of all good. The former she setteth forth, first by the effici••nt cause, his onely loue shed in her heart by the holy Ghost: wherby he kept her as fast vnto himselfe, as Soldiers are kept about the colours of their Gene∣rall, that nothing could pul her from him. Second∣ly by the place wher this was done, the banqueting
house of the congregation of his Saints, where all dainties and iunketing dishes, all pleasures and de∣lights were to be found in him.
VERS. 5.Stay mee with these flagons, hold me vp with these apples, for I am sick of loue.
Thirdly, by her fainting for the desire of Christ. So sick shee was with spirituall loue. Fourthly, by her great desire, expressed by turning her speech to his seruants that stood round about the Table, the ministers of the Word to stay and hold her vp, and to keep life within her, by an holy vse of the Word and Sacraments, which are as refreshing apples, and as bottles of wine, out of the which wee suck the swcete promises of the Gospell.
VERS. 6.His left hand is vnder my head, and his right hand doth embrace mee.
Fifthly, by Christs doing a great deal more then we should require: Euen himselfe as a kinde hus∣band will doe vnto his wife, taking her in both his armes, and so falling with her into a sweet rest and slumber from the cares of this present world.
VERS. 7.I adiureye yee daughters of Ierusalem, tarrie without with the roes, or with the hindes of the field. Stirre not vp nor waken this loue vntill he please.
Sixthly, by adiuring all Christians to abide in
their place and standing, that is to say in some ho∣nest and lawfull vocation, as Rachell that looked to her fathers heards, and not eyther thorough idle∣nesse, or disorderly walking and following after sin∣full pleasures to grieue the spirit, and to giue Christ cause, when they may haue and hold him, to disioint himself from them. And so she liues and breaths in him thorough that sweet and happy coniunction shee hath with her head.
VERS. 8.It is the voice of my well-beloued. Behold this same, hee commeth lepping vpon these moun∣taines, skipping vpon these hils.
But that is not all. She thus resting in quiet sleep, and hee going into the countrey to the pleasant fields to prepare and set things in a readines, retur∣ning againe heapeth vpon her fauours and plea∣sures that cannot be expressed, which shee with a ioyfull heart setleth her selfe to entertaine. First, hee speaketh vnto her, shee heareth his comforta∣ble voice. Secondly he commeth, shee seeth him comming a farre of. Thirdly, hee is present and at hand, no hilles, nor hillocks, no offences, great or small, haynous sinnes or meaner imperfections are able to stay his comming.
VERS. 9.My well-beloued is like a roe, or a young Hart. Behold this same, he standeth behind our wall, looking forth of the windows,
shewing himselfe cheerefully thorough the grates.
Hereupon she crieth out for ioy, compareth him with the hindes & yong roes for his swiftnes, with goodly flourishing trees for his sweetnesse, and the pleasure of his countenance. Onely this is her griefe, that hee looketh but as it were through the grates, standeth behinde the walls, and doth not as she would, communicate his presence with her.
VERS. 10.My well-beloued spake and saide vnto me, Arise my fellow friend, my faire one, and come thy way.
Then thus prepared to heare and to receiue him, he speaketh to her heart: and powring forth a gol∣den shower of kinde and gracious words, with sil∣uer streames of eloquence (manifesting his affecti∣on) inuiteth her to the fruition of those good and excellent things which by his Word and spirit hee is ready to bestow vpon her.
VERS. 11.For behold the winter is past, the raine is ouer, it is gone.
Drawing arguments from her present state and condition compared with her former misery that was in the time of her ignorance, whilst she lay dead in sinne and trespasses, and was a stranger from the life of God: al which time was as the winter season,
foule and tempestuous, full of stormes, of horror of minde, terror of conscience, feare of death and desperation.
VERS. 12.The flowers appeare in the earth, the time of the chirping of birds is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our land.
VERS. 13.The Figge-tree hath put forth her greene figges and the vines with the tender grape giue forth a smell. Arise my fellow friend, my faire one, and come thy way.
But this now com in the place of it is as the plea∣sant spring, all greene, fresh, and flourishing. Such are the pleasures that the enioying of Christ doth bring. That done here moueth two maine obiecti∣ons that euermore trouble the Saints of God, and hold them as it were amazed.
VERS. 14.My done that dwellest in the clefts of the rocks, in the f••eety denne; shewe mee thy countenance, make mee to heare thy voice: for thy voice is sweet, and thy countenance comly.
One, the conscience of their own infirmity and weakenesse, which maketh them like silly doues to hide themselues in corners, in the clifts of the rock, vnder the grices of the staires, in secret places, fly∣ing the fight of men, and not to dare to shew their
faces. This hee remoueth with the consideration of Gods eternall election, and of his deepe and vn∣searchable counsels, a rocke of strength to comfort her in her weakenesse: a sure hold and vnaccessa∣ble denne, whereunto no euill can approach, a fort impregnable, vnder the which she resteth, and shall rest safe for euer. And thereupon hee biddeth her to take heart of grace, to come vnto him, to walke before him, and to be vpright to talke with him, to make him heare her voice in Praiers and the prai∣ses of her God. For that in Christ be accepteth her and is well pleased with her, both her person, and those spirituall sacrifices and fruits of her faith.
VERS. 15.Take vs the foxes, the little foxes which spoile the vineyards, and that whilest our vineyards are bringing foorth the tender grape.
The other thing that troubleth is the oppositi∣on of wicked and vngodly men, not the cruell ti∣rants of the world onely, but false teachers which nippe the Church in the head, and are the instru∣ments of Sathans malice when it first beginneth to peepe, for then Sathan is euer busiest to seduce vs in the first birth of Christ in our hearts, waiting to kill and to destroy vs. These also hee saith hee will take order for, by sending workemen into his vineyard that shall spare none, not the least euill but by drawing forth the sword of holy discipline shall cut off all euill, and all meanes and occasion of
euill, which heere exhorting he promiseth, and in promising he exhorteth his seruants the ministers of the Church not to be slack to doe, that so shee may enioy perfect peace and pleasure, and all kinde of happinesse.
VERS. 16.My welbeloued is mine, and I am his who feedeth among the Lillies.
Vpon all which shee concludeth: glorying first of her fellowship & communion with Christ; who as a good shepheard feedeth his with satie∣ty of pleasures and delights that are at his right hand for euermore.
VERS. 17.Till that day breath and these shadowes flie away, returne, be like, my welbeloued, to the roe or to the yong hart vpon the* 1.4 se∣uered mountaines.
And then wishing his gratious presence that he would come quickely to her, and not depart one heates bredth from her to the day of his last most bright appearance, when we shall perfectly be re∣ceiued vnto the communion of Christ, and of all good things in him: that so by his blessed presence and the assistance of his Spirit, shee may passe tho∣rough and ouercome all the mists and shadowes of sinne, ignorance and affliction that come in her way whi••est shee is in this present world.
VERS. 1.In my bed anights I sought him whom my soule loueth: I sought him, but I found him not.
VERS. 2Therefore I said, I will rise now and goe a∣bout the Citie by the streets, and by the high waies, I will seeke him whom my soule loueth. I sought him, but I found him not.
YEt once more the Church expres∣seth her affection and longing af∣ter Christ: the wonderfull desire shee hath to cling neerer and to cleaue faster to him: and that in a more passionate manner then euer she did before; thinking shee had lost him, when most she did enioy him.
By night and by day, vpon her bed and when she was vp; at home and abroad, within in the Ci∣tie by the streets, and by the lanes, without in the fields; with her selfe alone in the secret meditation of her heart, and by conference with others. First, godly bretheren (as she met them in euery corner) her fellows and familiar friends exercised in the like temptations.
VERS. 3.The watchmen vvhich goe about the Citie found mee. to vvhom I said, did you see him vvhom my soule loueth.
Then the publique watchmen of the Citie, the Lords remembrancer, swhom he hath set ouer thy walles O Ierusalem, that all the day, and all the night they might not be silent of him: euery where and at all times, vsing all the meanes, from the low∣est to the highest, she seeketh Christ, and can heare no tidings of him. That is shee cannot finde him present as she doth desire, and to her hearts liking in her owne sense and apprehension, though in∣deed hee be alwaies most present with her.
VERS. 4.It vvas but a vvhile ere I had past from them, ti vvhen I found him vvhom my soule loueth. I tooke hold of him, not to let him goe, till I shall haue brought him into my mothers house, and into the chamber of her that con∣ceiued me.
At the last when she least looketh for it, and hath passed all the meanes, that the excellency may bee from God and not from them, shee findeth her hearts ioy, him whom her soule loueth. Shee clas∣peth him, and layeth fast holde vpon him, with purpose not to let him goe till shee haue brought him into her mothers house (like an honest and shamefast maiden that will doe nothing in such ca∣ses without her mothers priuitie) that is, till the happy time that the whole Catholick Church
shal grow vp in one body, to bee presented as a pure virgin, glorious vnto Christ.
VERR. 5.I adiure you, ye daughters of Ierusalem, tar∣ry without with the roes, or with the hindes of the field. Stirre not vp nor waken this loue vntill he please.
VERS. 6.Who is shee that should come vp out of the wil∣dernesse, as it were becensed with smoke that is raised vp; becensed with mirrh and incense better then all Apothecaries poulder.
And now resting in his armes, shee desireth to re∣maine there so long as he shall please, that is to say for euer
But the vpon the view and muster of his graces, she corrects her dulnesse, and rapt with admiration, O, saith shee, what doe I meane? Am I so foolish to tye Christ vnto my sleeue, to wish that he might abide here with me in the wildernes of this world, which is so crooked and empty of all goodnesse? Should not I my selfe rather (though I know the wicked world lookes after no such matter) labour to be taken vp from hence by faith into his home and dwelling place, and vnto his spiritual marriage bed, the heauenly glorie of Gods Kingdome, and Ierusalem that is aboue. For the sweetnesse of it most fragrant and odoriferous, as all becensed
with mirrh and incense of holinesse, glorie, immor∣tallity, better then the best perfumes.
VERS. 7.Behold his bed is better then Solomons, which threescore strong men stand about, of the vali∣ant men of Israell.
VERS. 8.All of them dravving svvord, expert in vvarre, each hath his svvord by his side for feare anightes.
For the safety, price, preciousnesse of matter, and worke that exceeds the matter, farre beyond Solomons wedding bed, though it were most curi∣ous: for there indeed stood a continuall gard of threescore valiant men, with their swords by their sides to keepe the chamber doore for feare of dan∣ger in the night▪ But he hath a thousand thousand standing before him; yea ten thousand thousand ministring vnto him; Thrones, Dominions, prin∣cipallities, powers, other manner of persons in strength and valure.
VERS. 9.Better I say then the bed which King Solo∣mon made him of the trees of Lebanon.
VERS. 10.Whose pillars he made of siluer, the bedde∣steed therof of gold, the couerlet thereof of purple. The middest of it paued with loue, by the daughters of Ierusalem.
True it is, that bedde was made for a King, but this for the king of Kings, and Lord of Lords: the
frame there was of Cedars of Lebanon. the pillars siluer, the bedsteed gold, the couerlets purple. But heer the very streets, the market place is all of pure & beaten gold, shining as cleer christall. Where of shall we thinke (by that reckoning) that the bedde and furniture thereof is made. There the middest was paued most louely with needle-worke, heere the ornaments and hangings are the shining glory of God and the Lambe, that the daugh∣ters of Ierusalem did work; this the Father of hea∣uen. Thus doth the place where wee shall enioy Christ excell▪
VERS. 11.Goe forth and looke ye daughters of Sion, vpon King Solomon, with the Crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of gladnesse of his heart.
But if you compare person with person, ones ioy with the others triumphes, your owne eies will tell you when Solomon was at the highest, how infi∣nitely he did come short. Solomon indeed had a Crowne that royally set him forth; but Christ hath many Crownes and diadems vpon his head; Solomon in his excellency and the crowne of his glory was a spectacle worthy to bee looked vpon and admired, but Christ to be worshipped, honou∣red, and adored, not of the maidens of Ierusalem onely, but of the whole hoast of heauen; Solomons heart leapt for ioy the day thht he was contracted,
but Christ is anointed with the oyle of gladnesse a∣boue his fellows, with a heape and variety of gifts and graces, more then all men or Angels. So farre is he to be preferred.
VERS. 1.Behold thou art faire my fellow friend, be∣hold thou art faire: thine eies are doues eies from betweene thy locks: thy haire is like a flocke of Goates, which sheare vpon mount Gilead.
CHRIST here comforteth the Church against that anxiety of minde, which appeared in the former Chapt. shew∣ing how gracious she is vnto him, how beautifull in his eies: not for any bo∣dily, but for her spirituall bewty. Whether you consider her wholy and entirely, being all faire, or her members and lineaments one by one: eies, haire and locks, teeth, lippes, temples, her neck and both her breasts; all in that comlinesse and propor∣tion, as is fit both for the discharge of the great du∣ty of the ministery, and the common duty of chri∣stianity.
Her eies first, how chast they are? how simple? how douclike? if you consider eyther the faithfull Minister, the eies and lights of the Church, whose care is to present vs chast and pure virgins vnto Christ, or the eie of iudgement in e∣uery Christian, which maketh the whole body lightsome, and keepeth them single and sincere in all things. Againe how comely they are within her locks, seemelily turned vp: for such is both the Churches decency, reiecting all toyish ceremo∣nies, and the graue and sober cariage of euery Chri∣stian. And this haire so goodly shining smooth, as of fat Goates that feede in fruitfull pastures; these ce∣remonies, this carriage orderly, sober, decent, bring that reuerence to a Christian, that comlinesse to a Church, as make them both gracious.
VERS. 2.Thy teeth are like a flock of euen shorn sheep, that come vp from the washing, which all of them doe bring forth twinnes, and there is not a miscarrying one among them.
VERS. 3.The lips are like a threed of skarlet▪ and thy talke is comely: thy temples within thy locks are as a peece of pomegranet.
VERS. 4.Thy neck is as the towre of Dauid, built for armories: a thousand targets hang therein, all shields of mighty men.
VERS. 5Thy two brests are as two young hindes, the twins of a roe which feede among lillies.
Goe vnto her teeth, they are equall, shining,
dowblerewed, whereby she cheweth the meate of heauenly doctrine, both for her selfe and others. The Law of grace is in her skarlet lippes, speaking things comely and for edification. Temples like a rose to see to, & of the hew of a Pomegranet, ben∣ding beyond the haire. So naturall is her bewty, and her face her owne: for what needeth shee the dyings or colourings of worldly glory to set forth her spirituall bewty? or of humane wisdome to a∣dorne the simplicity of the Gospell? Is her face onely and the parts thereof worthy to bee com∣mended? doe not the rest as well excell? her neck of holy discipline, and gouerment to assist the mini∣stery of the Word, and that compleat armour of proofe which euery christian fighteth with, hol∣deth her vp and keepeth her steddy, more strong then all the weapons of any tower or armourrie can doe. Lastly her pappes plumpe, round, faire, are ••full of all good nourishment of the sincere milke of the word of God, that flowes as from a streame out of both her brests of that olde and the new Testament.
VERS. 6.Till that day breath, and these shadows flie a∣way, I will get mee vnto the Mountaine of Mirrh, and to the hill of frankinsense.
This description done, and made an end of, now to satisfie her request he promiseth that notwith∣standing till the mariage daie doe come, when the mistes of sinne, ignorance, and afliction that
are cast in this world before the eies of the Church shall fleete away, he must keepe his residence and aboade in Ierusalem that is aboue, where are his friends, who performe vnto him duties sweeter then mirrh and frankinsence.
VERSE 7Thou all faire my fellow friend, and not a spot in thee.
VERS. 8.With me from Lebanon, my spouse with mee from Lebanon shalt thou come, thou shalt looke down from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir, and Hermon, from the dennes of Lyons, from the mountaines of Leopards.
Yet he will euer be present with his Church by his Word and the power of his spirit, sanctifying and cleansing the same, vntill being all faire without a∣ny spot or wrinckle in her, and so fitted and made ready for the wedding day, he do receiue her as his spouse, (that is to say a wife ioyned and married to her husband, for so he is bould now to call her, in regard of that prefixed time) into euerlasting life, and crowne her with glory and immortality. At what time he saith he will redeeme her (wholy and euery part, so as not one whom the Father hath giuen vnto Christ shall perish) from the most re∣mote places and borders of the Land, and out of the clawes of Lyons and Leopards, her most cru∣ell, fierce, barbarous and sauage enemies.
VERS. 9.Thou hast rauished my heart, my Sister Spouse. Thou hast rauished my heart, with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy necke.
The remembrance of this day, and of the per∣fection she now hath in his iudgement & estimati∣on of her, and then shal actually haue by his benefit bestowed vpon her, maketh him to cry out in the passion and vehemency of his loue, calling her Sister, as being of one nature, also his married spouse, professing shee hath rauished his heart with the bewty of her lookes, with the ornaments of her graces, that are as chaines about her neck, yea with one looke of faith, with that one grace of his sanctifying spirit in her:
VERS. 10.How faire are thy loues, my sister spouse? how good are thy loues? better then wine, and the smell of thine ointements better then all spices.
Amplifying with exclamations the excellency of her loue better then wine, and the sweete sauour of her ointements (the annointing of his spirit, sea∣ling her vp to the day of redemption) better in sense and feeling, then all spices.
VERS. 11.Thy lips, my spouse, drop the hony-combe, Hony and milke are vnder thy tongue, and
the smell of thy garments is as the smell of Lebanon.
Thus hauing declared the feruency of his loue vnto her, hee doth by many figures and formes of speech, expresse the sweetenesse and the orna∣ments of her faith and of the fruits that proceed from it. Thy lippes (saith hee) both of them, that is, in the publique ministery, in priuate speech droppe the hony and the hony-combe, sweete and heauenly lessons and instructions, comforts and consolations. Out of thy tongue that milke of the Word is ready to come forth: thy smell is odo∣riferous, thine outward carriage and behauiour sweete amiable, and full of grace.
VERS. 12.A gardaine enclosed my sister spouse, a spring shut, a fountaine sealed vp.
Thou keepest thy selfe most chast vnto me,' and thy fruits sound and entire as a gardai••e closed, as a spring shut vp, as a fountaine sealed: for in thee is the cestern of that wholsom and fauing doctrine, whereby the parts of the field, or gardaine of my Church, the beddes and plantes. (particular con∣gregations) are all watred, and which no stran∣ger can haue accesse vnto: for none entreth thi∣ther but in and thorough me.
VERS. 13.Thy plants are as of an orchard of pome∣granets, with fruit of precious things: as
Cypres with Spicknard.
VERS. 14.Spicknard and Safron, sweete Canes and Cinamon, with all trees of Frankinsence, mirrh, and Santales, with all the chiefe spices,
To conclude thy plants (meaning the fruits of faith) are most precious, as an orchard stored with all precious and delicate fruits.
VERS. 15.O fountaine of the gardains, O Well of li∣uing waters, and flowing more then the waters of Lebanon.
The Church ioying in her spouses thus graci∣ous accepting of her, doth first modestly attribute all she hath to him. Doest thou call me a spring and fountaine? giuest thou me the name of a gardaine? Vouchsafest thou mee such honour that my fruits should bee esteemed, as sweete spices? O but how soeuer I may in some sort disperse vnto mine the waters of life, yet thou in truth art the onely foun∣taine, from whose fulnesse we all receiue. I water, but from thee, thou art the onely well of liuing water, out of the which I doe drawe; thou art the wind and comfortable ayre that purgest thy gar∣daine, makest seasonable times, raine and faire wea∣ther, as is most commodious and best for the ma∣nurance of it. I, whatsoeuer I haue, meate, drinke, or any thing else, it is all of the gift of thy hand; my
life and sauing health I haue, and hold from thee.
VERS. 16Awake O North, and com O South, breath vpon my gardaine. Let those waters ouerflow the spices of it. Let my well-beloued come vnto his gardaine, and eate his dainty fruits.
Wherefore, saith she, deny not these two things vnto me, blesse me yet more with all spirituall bles∣sings: Let thy windes blow vpon my gardaine, and those liuing waters ouer flow my beddes and spi∣ces. Secondly, come and dwell with me, feast and make merry in the middest of my soule and con∣science: for euen heere also (as well as in Heauen) thou hast, as thou sayest, a gardaine?
VERS. 17.I am com into my gardain, my sister spouse, I gather my mirrh with my spice, I eate my hony-combe with my hony, I drinke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wine with my milk. Eate fellow friends, drinke, and bee dronke O yee my well-beloued.
O no, saith hee, you know not what you aske; that were nothing good for you, and hurtfull to many other: for yet til the marriage day doe com, my place is to be in heauen with the infinite thou∣sands of holy Angels and spirits of the righteous that are deceased: where I in them, and they in me
take incomparable pleasure & delight; and where I welcome and entertaine most louingly with all dainties and delightfulnesse, the faithfull soules whom I dayly take out of this transitory world, in∣to euerlasting glory,
VERS. 1.I being asleepe, but my heart awake, heard the voice of my wellbeloued, bounsin••, open to mee, my sister, my fellow friend, my doue, my vndefiled one, for my head is filled with de••••e, my locks with the droppes of the night.
WE come now to the second part of this booke, which is the falling out between Christ & his Church. The fault whereof is first of al laid where it was, in the Churches vnkindnes to him, which she her selfe stic••eth not to acknow∣ledge that it grew from her owne drowsinesse and carnall security: Although thus farre to bee excu∣sed, that it was thorough weakenesse and humane frailety, against her owne heart and liking; not with that full swing of sinne that the wicked giue
themselues scope to runne into, nor with all her heart and soule. The spirit being alwaies ready to doe his part, though the fleshe were weake. Her faith was smothered, it was not put out: yet this one sinne (as the nature of such things is) went not alone, it was accompanied with a multitude of other sinnes: reiecting him so scornefully, who with his owne lacred v••ice spake vnto her to arise from the sleepe of sinne, and to awake vnto righte∣ousnesse, and yet could not preuaile. What might be done that hee did not to reclaime, and bring her home? For the manner of his comming, it was not only knocking, but bounsing at the dore of her heart by the ministery of his Word, vehemently, ernestly, & more then once. The thing he did desire small in it self, so easie for her to graunt, as nothing could bee more: onely to open and to let him in. He spake so kind••ly, so louingly, in such a gentle and so earnest a manner, as might haue moued a heart of flint; gaue her such and so many, so sweete and so honourable titles all with one breath, my sister, my friend, my doue, mine vndefiled one, be∣stowed such care and diligence to compasse his de∣sires, as if it were his own good that he sought, and not hers. Hee (bearing all the infirmities of our nature, and the inconueniences of this life, compa∣red to the night in regard of the life to come) re∣fused to vndergoe no perill, nor wearisomenesse, or incommodity of weather, no toile or trouble for her sake; to goe by day or by night, early in the morning, or late in the euening, in faire of foule
weather, in the dewe and in the raine, his head and his haire, his skull and his locks, all beesprinckled and wet; that what heart (not made of stone) could be so vnkinde to let him stand without, in the raine and in the dangers, and hazards of the night?
VERS. 2To whom I answered, I haue put off my coate, how should I put it on? I haue wa∣shed my feete, how should I foule them?
Yet for all that, euery vaine pretence, euery fond and friuolous excuse, was enough to keep her from admitting Christ, and from opening the dore vn∣to him; that dore of her heart whereby through a true and liuely faith, Christ doth make an entrance and is receiued, and more and more fruitfully ap∣plied vnto vs. A manifest argument what small account sh••e made of him, and how little shee set by the inestimable good that he came to bring vn∣to her: preferring a little ease and daintines, before the pleasures that are in him. Shee thought it (for sooth) a matter of no small adoe to put on her coate againe, and rise when once she was abed, for feare of catching cold: she was loath to touch the ground with her feet now they wer washt, lest she should beray them, that is to say, she was loath to giue eare to euery call of Christ, for feare of disqui∣eting her selfe, of drawing vpon her dangers, trou∣bles, feares and losses if shee should follow him in all things: as if these or ten thousand greater dis∣commodities then these could any way counter∣peize,
or lie in the ballance with the infinite bles∣sings we haue by Christ. O flesh and blood how wise art thou to finde out a reason vnto thine owne heart? and to haue some blinde excuse or o∣ther for that thou wouldest faine doe?
VERS. 3My wellbeloued let downe his hand from the key-hole, when as my bowels earning within mee,
VERS. 4I rose to open to my well-beloued, and my hands dropped Mirrh, and my fingers soft Mirrh in the handles of the lock.
But the end and effect heereof was fearefull. Christ so repulsed went his wa••e: so shee lost her loue and could no more finde him: and then all too late her heart began to earne; shee fell then to haue a compunction of soule, remorse of her of∣fence: and then (foole as shee was) when hee was gone shee rose to open vnto him: Yet so at the last disposing and framing herselfe vnto his call, the very touch of the handle of the lock, where Christ departing, had left behinde him such fra∣grant steppes and impressions of his fauour by the blessing and sweet smelling sauour of his Gospell, brought her to a consideration of her most vnwor∣thy fact.
VERS. 5.I opened to my well beloued, but my well-be∣loued withdrewe himselfe, he passed away: I fell into a sound because of his speaking, I
sought him, but I could not finde him, I cry∣ed on him, but he answered me not.
And was enough now to make her to arise and o∣pen vnto him, (departed and gone away) whom present before and requesting it, shee had reiected. O then what would haue been the comfort if when he was at the doore hee had beene let in and enter∣tained? Well, shee openeth now, but her loue is gone. Then strook with a conscience of her sinne, shee falleth into a swowne to thinke of his kinde and louing words, which shee so scornefully set at naught: shee seckes him by meditation of the Word, by calling to minde the promises of the Gospell, and his former mercies, but shee cannot finde him she cryeth vpon him with praiers, teares, weepings, and lamentations, but hee will not an∣swere.
VERS. 6.The watchmen that goe about the Citie found me, they smote mee, they wounded mee; the keepers of the walles tooke my vaile from mee.
Yet shee supported by his Spirit, not casting off her faith, continueth to seeke him still, and pas∣seth petills past beleefe. The Min••sters themselues and watchmen of the Church of God, •• hose part it was to gard her, were the first that did her wrong, smote, and wounded her tender conscience: and in steed of speaking a word in due time to the wearied
and distressed soule, did euen take her vaile from her, and beate her from holding fast her reuerend obedience and subiection vnto Christ.
VERSE 7I adiure you, ye daughters of Ierusalem, if ye finde my wellbeloued, what you should tell him: that I am sick of loue.
Wherefore finding no comfort where in reason it was most to be expected, she getteth her to the maydens her friends and fellows, though not so well acquainted with Christ as shee. To them she is more bold to impart the ardency of her affecti∣on; asketh them after Christ, adiureth them, both themselues to take knowledge of it, and to let her loue vnderstand how she doth affect him.
VERS. 8.What is thy well-beloued aboue an other well-beloued, O thou fairest among weo∣men? what is thy well-beloued aboue an o∣ther well-beloued, that thus thou doest ad∣iure vs?
VERS. 9.My well-beloued is white aud ruddie, fit∣ted for a standard-bearer aboue ten thou∣sand.
They wondring at her passion, as vnacquainted with such moods enquire what is in her loue aboue other loues, that shee doth so long and thirst after
him. Whereupon she taketh occasion to describe her loue; First, by the bewty and excellency of his colour, (signifying his holinesse and perfect hap∣pinesse) white and red mixed together, with that temper that is in the best and strongest complexi∣ons, enabling him to doe any feate of actiuity aboue ten thousand other. For who but hee can sustaine the furie of the battailes of God, and yet goe away with the honor and glory of the field? or of whom but of him alone can it bee said, that hee hath a crowne giuen vnto him, and goeth forth ouercomming, and must ouercome?
VERS. 10.His head excellent gold, fined; his locks cur∣led, black as a rauen.
Secondly, by the members and lineaments of his body, head, haire, cies, cheeks, lips, hands, breasts legges, looke, pallate, and to conclude his whole selfe. His head, (wherein the grace of his humane nature standeth) precious as the most excellent gold, pure, bright, shining, as gold fined seauen times: for euen in his humanity, hee is the engra∣uen forme of the person of his Father, and the re∣splendence of his glory. His haire, first black as a rauen, then coloured and crisped; so faire hee is in the very least ornaments of nature, more then the sonnes of men.
VERS. 11.His eies as doues eies by the streames of
waters, washed with milke it selfe, set in cunningly.
His eies haue a threefold quality to commend them by: First amiable as the doues, as the neate and the dainty doues by the water side, in the gra∣cious and comfortable looke which hee casteth on his Church. Secondly, white as milke, and shining with white, because hee is more pure of eies then that hee can behold iniquity. Thirdly, set in the hollow places as fit, and with as great art and cun∣ning, as a stone by the artificers hand is set into a ring; so guiding and directing his sight to looke perfectly into all things, yea into the depth of the secret of mens hearts.
VERS. 12.His cheekes like a bedde of Spice, growne plants of perfume, his lips to Lillies, drop∣ping soft mirrh.
His cheekes goodly and flourishing with a freshe and sweet beard, like a bedde of spices, like growne plants that serue for perfume: Such a grace and grauity doth hee carrie. His lips in themselues as lillies, redolent for the smell, comely in proporti∣on: to vs full of heauenly grace & sweetnesse, of most comfortable doctrine which droppeth from him, as liquid or softmirrh.
VERS. 13.Vpon his hands are rings of gold, set with
Chrysolite, in his bowels is a shining, as of Iuory, ouerlaide with Saphires.
His hands are set forth with al ornaments preci∣ous & shining rings of gold set with the Crysolite, to note that not his person onelie but al his actions (done by the instrument of the hand) the whole gouernement and administration of his kingdom, is full of maiesty and glorie. His brest and all his bodie (for that is to be vnderstood by the bowels that are within) hath a shyning like Iuory, couered ouer with Saphires: for of a weake and corrupti∣ble bodie he hath made his owne, and will make ours in him glorious and incorruptible.
VERS. 14.His legges are pillars of Marble, set v∣pon sockets of fined gold: his countenance as of Lebanon, choice as the Cedars.
His legs are pillars of marble, leaning vpon soc∣kets of the choicest gold, to shew his power and maiesty, being able to tread all his enemies, and whatsoeuer setteth it selfe against him, in pee∣ces vnder his feete, and to make the rage of men to turne vnto his glorie. The looke and shew of his person, goodly as Lebanon, choice as the Ce∣dars.
VERS. 15His pallate most sweete, and all of him most
to be desired. This is my well-beloued, and this my friend, O dauhgters of Ierusalem.
His pallat (that is his speech and the words that come from him) (for there, there lyeth his sweet∣nesse, from thence is all our comfort, and therefore this that so delighteth and refresheth all our senses, it doth her good once againe to speake of it) is most sweet and pleasant. What should I say more? he is wholy bewtifull, and all to be desired.
VERS. 16Whether is thy well-beloued gone, O fai∣rest amongst weomen? whether hath thy well-beloued turned his face? that we may seeke him with thee.
This discription doth so affect them, that they long to know of her, where her loue is become, burning with a desire to seeke Christ as well as shee. That is the fruit of the conference of Gods children.
VERS. 17.My well-beloued is gone downe into his gardaine, to the beddes of spice, that hee may feede in the gardaines and gather Lillies.
VERS. 18.I am my well-beloueds, and my well-beloued is mine, who feedeth among the Lillies.
To whom she answereth, that hee is gone to Ie∣rusalem which is aboue, there to repast with his friends as himselfe had said; and concludeth with an exclamation, that whatsoeuer calamity her own sinne had brought vpon her, yet the affection to her Ioue is firme and constant; and so shee assureth her selfe his is to her, though absent in Heauen. And by this meanes shee nourisheth that holy de∣sire of seeking Christ both in her selfe and others: and together with her temptation findeth, by the goodnesse of GOD, an issue and way to come out of it.
VERS. 1.Thou art faire my fellow friend, as Thirtza, comely as Ierusalem, terrible as an armie with banners.
CHRIST here comforteth his Church against all the feares and terrours which the conscience of her own sinne might iustly pull vpon her; telling her that hauing by faith and the teares of true repentance washed away her former spots, she was now as faire in his eyes, and as amiable as euer she was before: all bewtifull and faire (being iusti∣fied & sanctified thorough Christ) as Thirtza, Iero∣boams stately Cittie: seemely as Ierusalem the glory of all the Cities of the East, built as a Citie com∣pact and knit together, wherein are all those wor∣thies of the Lord of hoastes, Pastors, Teachers, &c. in a most comelie order and gouernment of the Church: terrible in the Church-ministery and dis∣cipline, which is a rod to keepe in subiection eue∣ry thought, and to reuenge all disobedience: yea, terrible against Sathan and all the powers of hell. And howsoeuer she had caught asore below, which
might seeme to bee an argument of her cowardli∣nesse, yet in truth she was of an inuincible faith and courage, and fearfull to her foes.
VERS. 2.O turne thine eies ouer against mee, that they may left mee vp. Thine haire is as of a flock of Goates that sheareth on Gilead.
VERS. 3.Thy teeth like to a flock of sheepe which come vp from washing, which all of them doe bring forth twinnes, and there is not a mis∣carying one amongst them.
VERS. 4.As a peece of pomegranet are thy temples from betweene thy locks.
And therefore (saith hee) be of good comfort, looke vpon mee, haue faith in the promises of the Gospell: That shall be my ioy, and the crowne of my glory, who haue alwaies a sense and a fellow∣feeling of thy miserys, and am like affected to thee, mourne when thou mournest, and am glad when thou reioycest. If thou doubt whether thy bewty still continue, whether it remaine fresh and con∣stant, I assure thee it doth; and no fault or infirmi∣tie of thine can make it for to fade: for it wholy resteth in my grace and goodnesse. Thy haire, thy teeth, thy temples, all thy parts and members are euery one as comlie, as faire, as well featured as be∣fore. Thy bewty doth excell.
VERS. 5.Let there be threescore Queenes, and foure∣score
Concubines, and maidens without num∣ber.
Thinke not, because there bee so many that glit∣ter and flourish in the world, liuing in all wealth and ••ollity, and at their hearts ease, when it is ill with thee, when thou art humbled and fightest with many difficulties, hast warres without, and terrours within, that their condition is better then thine owne: as if they onely were happy and to be admired, thou base and contemptible▪ No, if they were euery one a Queene, or Concubines, and La∣dies, neuer so many that attend vpon them, yet thou onely dost excell.
VERS. 6That one, my doue, mine vndefiled one, that one with her mother, that pure one with her that bare her: assoone as the maidens see, they shall account her blessed; the Queenes and Concubines shall praise her, saying,
VERS. 7Who is shee, goodly as the morning, faire as the Moone, cleere as the Sunne, terrible as an armie with banners.
For thou art mine owne, most deare vnto mee, (with whose iudgement it is fit thou content thy selfe more then with all the glittering shew and pompe of the world) elect and chosen out of all kinred, nations, and tongues to bee my peculiar in∣heritance: Innocent, simple, chaste, sincere, and vp∣right before me. Who though now thou haue thin
aboad on earth in this sinfull and wretched world, yet doest cleaue so close to thy mother the heauen∣ly Ierusalem, that the whole world hath thee in ad∣miration. Such a starre of glorie and excellency shineth in thy forehead, for inward sanctity, and outward maiesty in the ministery and gouernment of the Church: Insomuch as there is none of all these braue and gallant Ladies, but though they thinke not as thou thinkest, nor walke as thou wal∣kest, yet in their consciences they are all conuinced that the trueth is with thee alone. Thee they will admire, as soone as they doe behold thee; to thee they will giue the prize, and count thee onely bles∣sed; attribute as much vnto thee, and say as much of thee as I haue said and attributed: for bewty, pruity, vertue, continually encreasing.
VERS. 8To the pruined gardaines I went downe to see the geene plants of the valley: to see whether the vine flourished, the pomegra∣nets budded.
And albeit I left thee for a while, yet with euer∣lasting mercies will I resort vnto thee: I did indeed withdraw my selfe, but it was not for any mislike or indignation conceiued against thee: The trueth is, I had a longing to see how neer the time approa∣ched of our ioyfull and happy marriage, and there∣fore betooke me to my place of glory.
VERS. 9.When I discerned it not, my minde set mee vpon the chariots of my free-hearted people, to say,
But perc••iuing that day was not yet at hand, I came back with speed vnto thee, together with all my people, and retinue: by the ministerie of those my free-willing seruants, with all speede and earnestnesse to giue thee comfort. And now mark and lay vp in thy heart what I shall say,
VERS. 10.Returne, returne O Shullamite: returne, returne that wee may behold thee. What, behold you in that Shullamite? as the daunse of the Machanaijmites.
Thou hast indeed gone astray: that had almost marred thee: but in mee is thy health and safety. Returne, returne vnto me, that I and mine, all the Angels of God, may haue ioy in heauen to see the fruits of thy faith spring anew. For notwithstan∣ding thy slippes and fales, I esteeme thee most per∣fect in mine eternall counsell and decree, and put∣ting all the robes of mine innocencie & righteous∣nes vpon thee, doe now so make thee by the pow∣er of my Word and spirit, my friends here and fel∣lows being iudges. Looke vpon her, tell me how you finde her: Is shee not most braue, glorious, and gallantly attended? Verely when I doe behold her, and all her troupes comming forth to meete mee, me thinkes I am in the middest of the Tribes of Is∣rael,
and of all those worthies, that skipping and lepping with songs and daunses, and all kinde of holy meriments, came to receiue Dauid at Macha∣naim, when God brought him back into his king∣dome.
VERS. 11How bewtifull are thy feete with these shooes, O daughter of a Prince? The com∣passe of thy thighs are like browches, the worke of the hand of a cunning worke∣man▪
And yet the neerer I come vnto thee, the more I admire thy bewty from the toppe vnto the toe, from one end vnto an other. To beginne at the lowest, and so to ascend. Thy feete shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace. Thou daugh∣ter of a Prince! O thou of noble birth! borne not according to the flesh, but by the faith of the pro∣mise. The girdle of pure truth aboue thy hippes, framed by the most cunning workeman, the Spi∣rit of God himselfe.
VERS. 12.Thy nauell like a round bowle. Let not the Liquor of it faile. But let thy belly bee as a heape of wheate, hedged about with Lil∣lies.
Thy nauell round as a bowle, a token of thy fruitfulnesse. O let it neuer be drawne drie; but as a full cuppe wanting not any liquor; let thy wombe be alwaies fruitfull, and thy fruit precious
and fragrant as a heape of wheate hedged about with Lillies: So great a desire I haue of thine in∣crease.
VERS. 13.Thy two breasts are like two young roes, the twinnes of a hinde.
VERS. 14.Thy neck like to a tower of Iuorie: thine eies to the fish-pooles made with art at the populous gate: thy nose like to the tower of Lebanon, that looketh towarde Da∣mascus.
Thy two brests as two hindes, fit to nourish and giue suck. Thy neck, the neck of discipline straight, and steddie, like vnto a tower to beare vp the ministerie as it were the face of the Church: and white and bewtifull as a tower of iuory for the order and grauity thereof. Thine eies bright and cleere, as the fish-pooles made with great art at Ie∣rusalem in the broade gate of the flocks, (for such is the ministery of the Church, placed where the godlie doe flock into the Lords assemblies) which shine as the cleere waters in the pond, for iudge∣ment and knowledge: for deliuery of doctrine are as the flowing of those waters: for wisdome in searching and waighing, preparing and fitting of it, may be compared vnto the workemen by whom those pondes were artificiallie made, and to their cunning workemanshippe. Thy nose straight and comely; as quick a iudgement in discerning doc∣trines, as the nose hath in discerning smelles.
VERS. 15.That which on thy head is put vpon thee, is like to crimson, and the fillet of thy head is like to purple, a King might bee tyed to these walkes.
The ceremonies, as it were the ornaments of thy head, both the haire-lace & the borders, & all thy whole attire are for comlines & good order of spe∣ciall account, and a great grace vnto thee: no lesse then skarlet and purple. There is no King in the world but might finde in his hart to be tied to these walkes, and to be held prisoner in the sight of thee, and of the bewty of thy assemblies. So great is thy glory in comparison of all the vaine pompe of this present world.
VERS. 16.How faire thou art, and how delectable O Loue with these pleasures.
I cannot hold, but I must cry out with an admira∣on of thy bewty, that thou art exceeding faire and amiable, not thy selfe onely, but all that is about thee: O loue onely to bee beloued.
VERS. 17.This thy stature is like a palme tree, and thy brests like clusters of grapes.
Thy whole body straight, strong, and of a comely stature. Thy Teates as berries.
VERS. 18.I say I will get vp vpon the palme-tree, I will take hold of her branches, and thy brests shall now be like the clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples.
But I will not leaue thee so, I giue thee my word for it, (and that I promise be sure I will per∣forme) I will prune and purge thee that thou shalt bee all fruitfull, redolent, and fragrant. Thy teates as the clusters of grapes, full of the sweete iuce of the milke of the Word of God. Thy nose shall both giue and receiue a smell of apples, that thou maist be as wel meate as drink vnto the soule.
VERS. 19.And thy pallat as wine of the best smell, frisking, liuely, vpright, making the lips of those that are asleepe to speake.
Yea thy tongue (the preaching of the Gospell) shall bee as pure, strong and pleasant wine of the best smell and sauour, sprinckling, and leaping loue∣ly, frisking in the cuppe; whereby euen those that sleepe, and are dead in their sinnes and trespasses shall be awakned, and with new lippes and words sound forth thy praise.
VERS. 1.I am my well-beloueds, since his desire is to∣wards me.
THis comfortable speech of Christ vn∣to his Church doth so refresh her, that first she breketh forth into thank∣fulnesse for his mercy: In regard whereof shee professeth shee is wholy his, whose affection she findeth to be so wonderfull towards her, that he loued her, when she cared not for him: followed her, when she refused him: cal∣led her back, when she ranne away from him: par∣doned her, when she offended him: gaue himselfe anew vnto her, when she had forsaken him: seated her in Heauen, when shee was in the lowest hell.
VERS. 2Goe to, my well-beloued, let vs goe forth into the Countrey, let vs lodge by the Cypres.
Then she rouseth vp her dul & h••auy spirits pray∣ing him, not alone, and by himselfe apart to spend his howers in obseruing of the time of their spiri∣tuall marriage, as hee said before he did: since shee
also had a care and longing to haue the same con∣summate as well as he.
VERS. 3Let vs get vp early to the vine-yards: let vs see if the vine budde, the first grape open, the pomgranets sprout, there will I giue my Loues to thee.
Promising withall not to be found henceforth vn∣ready, not to be any more so drousie, so sluggish, so wretchlesse as shee was: but hereafter night and day to watch and attend that hower: and to en∣quire and learne after all the signes & tokens, when shee may come to be perfectly knit to Christ.
VERS. 4These louely flowers that giue a smel, & about our gates all precious things, new, and also old, my well-beloued I keepe in store for thee.
In the third place shee consecrateth all shee hath vnto him, and vndertaketh in the meane time a∣gainst the solemnization of that marriage, to pro∣uide all manner of presents, flowers, garlands, and the like, which men at such times are wont to straw at the thresholds, and in the entries. That is, to furnish her selfe with spirituall graces, and to lay vp in store plenty and variety of heauenly treasure, things both new and old.
VERS. 5.O that thou wert as a brother vnto me, suc∣king the brests of my mother: finding thee without I would kisse thee, also I should not be despised.
But because there rest two great workes to bee accomplished before that time can come, the ma∣nifesting of God in the flesh, and the calling of the Gentiles, in them both shee sheweth her ardent af∣fection, and therein the aboundance of her loue and zeale to Christ.
Fourthly therefore you haue her desire, which was the desire of all the prophets and holy men, to see the day of Christ, the day of his comming in the flesh: that hee might be her brother and suck the brests of her mother; naturally of the virgin, spi∣ritually of the Church vniuersall, where Christ is borne in the hearts of the faithfull by his Word and Spirit: for so comming among his owne, she, his owne and his onely owne, would kisse him and receiue him, both by faith and sense when shee should see with her eies that Word of life, and be∣hold him, and her hands should feele and handle him. So shold she be free from the scorns of wicked men, their contumelies and despites that reproach the steppes of Gods Messias, and vexe and molest the Church, whilest shee is in the expectation of that happie day.
VERS. 6.I would leade thee, I would bring thee into the house of my mother which teacheth me: I
would giue thee to drinke of spiced wine, of the iuice of the pomegranets.
Then (saith shee) there should be no delay: this, this should be the marriage day. I would euen now without more adoe bring you into my mothers house, which teacheth & instructeth me in all piety and good offices to you-wards, into the Catholick Church of God: that all growing vp into one bo∣die, whereof my spouse is the head, I might at the last be presented as a chaste and pure virgin, glori∣ous to the Lord. Then would I giue him pleasures and delights for a King, and entertaine him with a most royall banquet of the graces of Gods spirit.
VERS. 7.His left hand vnder my head, and his right hand embracing me,
VERS. 8.I adiure you, yee daughters of Ierusalem, why should you stirre vp, or why should you waken this loue vntill he please?
I haue sweete fellowshippe and rest with him: neyther whilest thus I were in his armes, and vnder his embracings, should any the least offence be giuen to him, I would be carefull to shunne all occasions of any more displeasing my loue, or of causing him to retire from me.
VERS. 9.Who is she that commeth vp out of the wil∣dernesse, ready to ioyne her selfe to her wel∣belo••ed? vnder the very Appletree I wa∣ken
thee, where thy mother was in labour of thee, where she was in labour that bare thee.
Hauing thus set forth her desire of Christs incar∣nation, now shee bestoweth many sweete and gra∣cious words to expresse and amplifie the vehemen∣cie of this loue. First, by the duties shee will per∣forme vnto him: great in themselues, but greater if you compare these duties of hers, with those that are to be looked for from other women. Was there euer (saith shee) any woman in the world, that would endure those labours, and take vpon her such perills as I doe to ioyne herselfe to her be∣loued? But I by faith ouercome all difficulties to come to thee. It is a small thing in myne eies, which to others seemes so hard, to put off the old man, to renounce this present wicked world, wher∣in is no pleasure nor sound delight, but a very wil∣dernesse and a desert, that I may finde thee out, and present my duties to thee: euen in that sweete and blessed place where thy mother (after the man∣ner of other women, sinne excepted) fell in trauaile of thee. Let me for the certeinety and secret of this wonderful hidden mystery once againe speake it, where shee fell in trauaile that did beare thee. This labour, this toyle may bee an argument what and how great my loue is vnto thee.
VERS. 10.O set me as a seale on thy heart, as a seale on thine arme: for loue is strong as death;
zeale, hard as the graue. The Coales there∣of are Coales, nay a fire of the flame of Iah.
O doe thou loue me again, for this loue should be mutuall. Haue me in thy minde, with an ear∣nest and continuall remembrance of me, set me be∣fore thine eies, imprint me vpon thine hand, as an inseperable ornament of thy glory, so as the wife is to her husband.
The second amplification of her loue, is by the properties adioyned to it, set forth by many ele∣gant and apt similitudes. It is most vehement, most ardent, most constant, like to death which deuou∣reth all, or as the dominion of death which ouer∣commeth all. God himselfe (the mighty IAH) hath kindled it in our hearts by the powerfull light of his holy spirit neuer to goe out.
VERS. 11▪Much waters cannot quench this loue, nor the flouds drown it. If a man would giue all the substance of his house for this loue, it should vtterly be contemned.
It is firme & inuincible, that neither force, ••raud, nor promises, troubles and persecutions, pleasures or commodities, no height or depth, things pre∣sent or things to come are able to preuaile against it.
VERSE 1We haue a sister, a little one, and she hath no brests: what shall we doe for our sister in the day that she shall be talked of?
FIfthly, the Church of Solomons time, as maimed and imperfect till the ful∣nesse of the Gentiles should com in, which then were a fewe, and rarely called, and without any ministery of their owne (as it were) brests to giue suck, con∣sulteth with Christ what course to take when the mystery so long kept secret shall bee reucaled and made knowne for their conuersion. How she may behaue her selfe in helping and administring vnto them: what Christ will bee pleased to doe in gi∣uing an encrease and blessing. And thus she doth further testifie her loue to Christ, by her loue vn∣to their common sister. Sister to her, by the seede of the same spirtit whereby they are both begotten vnto God: sister to Christ, by his assuming of the same nature to him.
VERS. 2.When a wall is to be built we will build it in a pallace of siluer. When as a gate is to bee fenced, wee will fence it about with boord of Cedre.
Christ and she make answere, telling what they meane to do: that since when that time shal be, it is not possible to containe the Church within the narrow boundes of Ierusalem, which of a particu∣lar Church of the Iewes shall then bee made the Catholicke Church of all the world; a new man∣ner of Citie must bee built: wherefore plucking downe the mid wall of partition, a new wall, and new gates shall bee made to enlarge the Cittie: a new gouernment and discipline, new officers, pa∣stors teachers, &c. to administer it. New, not in substance, which hath alwaies been the same, euen among the Iewes, but newly stablished, be w••ified, and translated to the Gentiles. Neither shall this be any disgrace to the now Ierusalem, euery thing shall bee then so farre more glorious and more ex∣cellent. A house of saints shall bee erected by the preaching of the Gospell, to bee the Pallace of the great King: a stately and magnificent pallace, all of siluer, which is the precious graces of Gods spirit: the Gate, the euer lasting gate of this Pallace, where the King of glory doth come in, the gate of our heart, shall be seeled with faith more precious then Cedre, by which onely wee receiue him and make him ours.
VERS. 3.I being a wall, and my brests as towers, then shall I bee in his e••••es as one that findeth peace.
To this the Church (in the sixt and last place) replyeth that she is so far from enuving this great good vnto her sister, as contrariwise when she (the Church of the Iewes) shall herselfe become of the same society, and by the communion of the Spirit, grow vp with the Gentiles into one Citie embra∣cing Christ, whom so long they shall haue reiected, and making one glorious part, both for gouern∣ment and doctrine of the heauenly Tsion, Ierusa∣lem which is aboue, shee shall then obtaine a great part of her desire, and bee in a manner perfected, not being far from that rest and happinesse which she longeth after, to bee receiued into the perfect communion of her spouse: For these are euery where called the last daies.
VERS. 4.Solomon had a vine-yard in a fruit full place; he let out the vine-yard to keepers. Euery one bringeth for the fruit of it a thousand pie∣ces of siluer.
Christ againe sheweth how precious the Church is in his eies, and how much hee doth regard her, for this and all other her excellent parts: and that by a comparison in this wise; There is no King
(saith hee) and take Solomon the wisest, that if hee haue a vineyard in a fruitfull place, is able himselfe to dresse and to manure it, or to take all the fruit, but must be driuen to let it forth to others: And though his tenaunts and farmours pay him a rent for it, yet som part they look, and so reason would, they should keepe vnto themselues.
VERS. 5My vineyard which I haue, is still before my face. I receiue both that thousand of thine, O Solomon, and also the two hundred peeces of those that keepe the fruit of it.
But I (saith Christ) neyther let out the Church, my vine-yard, nor suffer any part of the profits to goe from mee: for all grow vp into that bodie, whereof I am the head▪ I purse vp all the rent, and that also that Solomons lessees were to haue: So iealous I am of mine inheritance, and haue mine eies alwaies vpon it, being euer present with it, and in the middest of it.
VERS. 6.O thou, shee that settest in these gardaines, to the fellows which attend vnto thy voice, preach me.
Hereupon he concludeth leauing this comman∣demēt as his last farewel to al the Churches, which are his gardaines wherein hee walketh and maketh his plants to grow, that in season, and out of sea∣son they preach the gospell to all that haue a mind
to attend vnto the wholsome doctrine.
VERS. 7.Flie to vs my well-beloued, and hee thou like to the r••e or young hart, Othou that dwellest in the mountaines of spices.
She shutteth the booke vp, vndertaking to doe that which he enioyneth: but knowing her owne vnability prayeth him to bee present with her, to giue her strength to doe it from his throne of glo∣ry, which is in the highest heauens, and spedily to accomplish all his promises by his last and glorious comming.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ko. heleth As if you would say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vnderstanding soule, or some such substan∣tiue.
•• Brutes, as the Hebrew word is, which Pli∣nie al••o doth retaine in the 12 booke of his naturall history Chap. 17 signifieth rare, plea••ant and speciall woods.
Shar••n was a place of l••w pa∣sture groundes, between Bashā & mount Leb••non, as appea∣reth 1. Chron. 5. 16 & 27. 29. So that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rose of Sharon, hee meaneth a ro••e growing in a fruitfull and sunnie place which is all∣wa••••s of swe••∣test sauour.
By Seuered mountaines hee meaneth Mount Gile∣ad, which was s••ue••ed by the riuer Ior∣dan from the rest of Iudea, 2. Sam. 2. 29. and was the best place for course and for hunting.