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VERS. 1.[A song &c.]
THis excellent Song con∣containeth a descripti∣on of the state of a Christian man after he is once vnited vnto Christ, during our whole life, whilest wee walke here by faith, and not by sight. This is the summe of the Booke. The parts are two, One the state of such a Christian when his faith and holinesse of life are at
the highest, his signe in the Appogaeon or middest of Heauen, that it cannot alter any point but it must decline, when he saileth with winde and wea∣ther, and hath the Sunne-shine of Gods fauour to goe before him; that is whilest he enioyeth peace of conscience, quietnesse and tranquility of minde, and is free from those great offences that make a kinde of separation between Christ and him, in the foure first Chapters. The other part setteth forth the state of a true Christian, comming to himselfe after that earth linesse and worldly pleasures haue seized vpon him, when the cloudes and mistes of of his owne sinfulnesse, of drousinesse and carnall security, doe ouercast the face of the heauens, and darken and eclipse the brightnesse of his glorie, in the foure last Chapters. The state of a Christian liuing in peace and quietnesse of a good consci∣ence, hath three excellent steppes. First his loue of Christ, in the first Chapter. Secondly the bene∣fits here ceiu••th from him, in the Second Chapter. 3. A desire to be made perfect Chap. 3. Whereun∣to Christ giueth answere, in the fourth Chapter.
The loue of a Christian soule to Christ (which is not possible to bee in any till Christ haue first lo∣ued him, and wrought in his heart a feeling of that loue) the holy Ghost doth thus describe.
[Vers. 2]O) First the vehemency of his affection, no∣ting true z••ale. For this loue is all fierie, and kindleth and enflameth the very bowels of the heart.
Let him ••••sse, &c. Secondly a desire to bee knit
vnto him as neere as is possible to enioy his sweete and blessed coniunction.
For thy loues are excellent, better then wine.] Thirdly a preferring of the loue of Christ before all worldly things, and aboue all the pleasures and delights of this present life.
[Vers. 3]Because &c.] Fourthly, a magnifying and extolling of Christ, whose very name and the only remembrance of him is most sweet & fra∣grant, which draweth the Christian heart vnto a loue, and in loue to an admiration of him.
The virgins.] This loue if you consider the qua∣lity thereof, is chast, holy, pure, and they only loue Christ who keepe themselues vndefiled from worldly pollution and vncleanesse.
[Vers. 4]Draw mee] The efficient cause is not in our selues, it commeth from Christ alone, who speaking to our heart by the ministery of the Word, and the sweet allurements of his spirit, pul∣leth vs out of this present euill world, and draweth vs after him.
Then will wee runne.] Heereby strength is put into vs, which maketh our feete nimble, and shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace to runne after Christ, and with might and maine to performe all holie duties to him,
Let the King] Whereunto wee are enabled by the corroborating spirit of Christ, into whose hands God the Father hath committed all things, and giuen him all power in Heauen and vpon the earth, making him both Lord and Christ
the King and ruler of his Church.
Bring me into his primie chambers.] Who in his fauour and princely bounty communicateth vnto vs more and more the rich graces and treasures of his Spirit, maketh vs more inward with him, and and leadeth vs as it were by the hand into his priuy chambers, those goodly roomes and parlours, where are all the Iewells and precious things laid vp for his people,
Wee will reioyce, &c.) This draweth from vs ioy in the holy Ghost, glorious and vnspeakea∣ble.
Wee will record &c.) It maketh vs neuer to satisfie our selues in setting forth and publishing vnto other the sweete comforts wee haue in him.
They shall &c.) Whom also wee desire to bee made pertakers hereof, and to loue Christ as well as wee.
Who in all rightnesse doe loue thee.) For such men onely, the holy and righteous are the siluer trum∣pets fit to sound forth Gods praises in his sanctua∣ri••. O if we euer felt how sweet a thing it is to haue his praises in our mouth, let vs not commit by word and deed, that through our owne folly and loosenesse so great a comfort should be taken from vs.
[Vers. 5]I] Lastly wee are carefully to remooue all lets and impediments that may hinder their ap∣proach to Christ.
〈◊〉〈◊〉) Conflicts we haue great and grieuous with
our owne soules, many a pluck and wrestle; but by faith wee ouercome them all.
black) Wee confesse our owne wretchednesse of ourselues more black then any blackamore, and therefore vnworthy to be matched with so great a King: for wee are borne in sinne and conceiued in iniquity, and are by nature the children of wrath, euen wee that liue in the Church, and are borne within the outward couenaunt, aswell as other men. Eph. 2. Gal. 2.
but comlie.) But being purged and washed by the lauer of the new birth, wee are gracious and pleasing vnto Christ, more amiable and bewtifull in his eies then Solomon with all his brauery could bee to the eie of any mortall creature.
[Vers. 6]Looke not vpon mee) True it is, the world seeth not this honour which Gods children haue because it is spiritually discerned: it acknowledgeth not vs because it knoweth not him.
Yet the Christian man comfort••th himselfe him∣selfe in the testimony of his owne conscience, and and in Gods iudgement and estimation of him.
because I am blackish) Though hee carrie about many remnants of sinne, the reliques of his old A∣dam, and is manifoldly assaulted with the pricks & temptations of the fle••••▪ For sinne is in vs as the spots are in the Leopard, not by accident, but by nature, which no art can cure, no water wash off, be∣cause they are not in the skinne, but in the fleshe & bones, in the sinowes & in the most inner parts.
By this meanes it commeth to passe that euen a
regenerate man falleth many times, and falleth grieuously and fearefully, lofeth of his hold, and of the bewty that God hath giuen him.
Howbeit the seede of God abiding in him ma∣keth that he cannot sinne finally and totally: for the oyle of Gods spirit where with hee is annoin∣ted, setteth the colours, which are of his owne tem∣pering, so sure on, and maketh them cleaue so fast together, that it is impossible hee should euer re∣turne to his old hew, to be black, all black, coale∣black as he was before.
The holinesse therefore of a Christian is alwaies mingled with sinne, his siluer with much drosse, not as chaffe is mingled with corne, but as wine is mingled with water, or as when two colours, black and white are mingled together, that there is no part white but it is blackish also.
Because the Sunne hath cast his beames vpon mee) Hence it is that a Christian is subiect to much af∣fliction, anguish and distresse, as it were to the scor∣ching of the Sunne, which turne all his moisture into the drought of Somer.
Because the sonnes of my mother incensed against me) Especially his sinnes and infirmities expose him to the taunts and reproaches of the wicked, open mens mouthes against him, and against the ho∣ly trueth of God for his sake, who vpon euery slip are ready to take aduantage to scandalize the Gospell.
Hereby a christian is exceedingly humbled, and cast downe, and driuen to renounce and for sake
armes. Neyther can he euer, satisfie his own soule, but d••••reth alwaies to rest there, without any the least interruption.
[Vers. 8]It is the voice) The cause of all comfort to the Church is the voice of Christ, speaking to her heart, and mouing and perswading her by his Spi∣rit.
His dealings are by degrees, and he vseth not (or∣dinaryly) to vtter all his fauours at once.
of my well-beloued:) First is his power suppor∣ting vs, that in our spirituall sicknesse the spirit bee not quenched.
Behold him,) Then hee speaketh a farre of, whis∣pering as it were in our heart.
hee commeth) After hee commeth neeror, at the length hee is himselfe present.
Lepping, skipping) When he commeth, his com∣ming hath foure excellent properties. First it is hastely and with speede.
Vpon these hilles, vpon these hillocks,) Secondly, no sinnes of ours, no vnworthinesse, can hinder his approach: all things, high or lowe, great or small offences, are too little for to stay him.
[Vers. 9]Standeth behind &c.) Thirdly, he doth not com so to our senses as wee desire: hee communica∣teth not▪ his whole presence with vs, but standeth as it were behind the wall: so as there is a space betweene him and vs to keepe him from vs: Hee looketh but out of a casement, or as it were tho∣rough a Lattice: for now wee see but darkely, and in a riddle.
Shewing himselfe cheerefully.] Yet neuer the le••••e (which is the fourth thing) this fight of his is most cheerefull, most sweet vnto the soule that lo∣ueth him: no p••ant, no tree, no flower, so delight∣full to the outward senses, as Christ is to the true beleeuer.
[Vers. 10]My well-beloued spake] But the dull heart of a Christian man had neede of the continuall voice of Christ, that hee should call and crie vnto vs, speake, and speake againe,
arise, &c.) (And the same words againe ele∣gantly repeated in the end of the thirteenth verse) Yea v••e all art and eloquence that may be to stirre vs vp to seek him,
my fellow friend, my faire one) And speak with all kindnesse vnto vs, that we may the better be per∣swaded he doth it for our good.
And here is the honour a Christian man hath, that Christ calleth vs not any more seruants, but his friends, and fellowes.
It is Christ that speaketh in the ministery of the Word. And we must heare the messengers whom hee doth send, as if Christ by them besought vs: be reconciled vnto God. 1. Cor. 5.20.
[Vers. 11]For behold,) The cause why Christ withdraw∣eth himselfe is our owne security and negligence in seeking to him, our slacknes in prayer and other holy exercises.
The winter &c.] The time whilest wee lie in sinne is a heauy and discomfortable time; there is no pleasure to be taken in the base seruice of such a
master: for what fruit can we haue of those things whereof wee must be ashamed? the whole life of a wicked man, what is it else but a sea of misery, full of feares & terrours, and expectation of the iudge∣ment to come? which should make vs hastely and with speed to labour to winde out of it.
[Vers. 12, 13]The flowers appeare &c.) Contrariwise a Chri∣stian mans life (whatsoeuer the world deeme) is the onely sweete and comfortable life, like to the pleasant spring that refresheth all the sences: as ha∣uing all things fresh and greene, and flourishing to the eies: all dainty to be cut and pruined with the hands: all cheerefull to the eares in the melodi∣ous noise and singing of the birds: all fruitfull and sweete to the taste: all odoriferous and pleasing to the smell: For a Christian man hath peace of con∣science that passeth vnderstanding, which the world hath not, nor knoweth what it meaneth: a Christian man is full of ioy wrought in him by the holy Ghost, whom the world cannot receiue: a christian man whatsoeuer his estate bee, good or bad, strengthneth himselfe in his God, as Dauid did when his Cittie was spoyled,* 1.1 onely the bare walles left, both his wiues carried away captiues, and the people ready to stone him to death: for well he is assured that nothing falleth out but for his good, and in loue and mercy to him; a Chri∣stian man hath accesse to God in all his troubles and aduersities, familiar conference and communi∣cation with him, & goeth boldly vnto the thron of grace: a christian man is endued with spirituall glo∣rie
and wisedome, which doubleth the beautie of his countenance, and maketh his face to shine: a Christian man hath the holy Angels of God, those glorious and most renowmed creatures, to be as it were his seruants, for they serue Christ, with whom he is one: Lastly, a Christian mans honour is not in regard of this life onely, but as a crowne of fu∣ture excellencie, hee hath fastened in his heart the anchor of hope to stay and quiet his minde in all the stonnes and tempests here, till he arriue at the hauen of all his rest.
Arise)•• Now the more these things excell, the more we must enforce our selues to follow af∣ter them: to pursue them speedily, to goe out of our selues and to come to Christ: by anie meanes taking heede that the pleasures of Sodome, the fil∣thie pleasures of our former life, and of this wic∣ked world, make vs not looke backe vnto them, but to cast them off with all our might, and to flie aware from them.
My fellow-friend, my faire one &c.) There is not anie so effectuall an argument to prouoke men hereunto, and to stirre vs vp to godlinesse, as the consideration of Gods mercie, and of the dignity we haue by Christ.
[Vers. 14]My Doue that dwelleft in the cliftes, &c.) But though the state of a Christian man be such and so excellent as before hath beene described, yet to humble him that hee be not proude, God leaueth, as it were, prickes and thomes in his side, as he did to the Israelites, manifold infirmities, which make
him to blush for shame, and not to dare to shewe his face: thinking in very truth most basely of himselfe, and that hee is of all the world the mea∣nest: not worthie to come almost in the sight and presse of men: how much lesse into the glorious sight and presence of God?
Shew me thy face make me heare thy voice:) Not∣withstanding the testimonie of his conscience; walking in simplicitie and sinceritie as before the Lord, maketh him (emboldned by the word of God) to lift vp his head to come before him, and to call vpon his name.
For thy voice is sweete, and thy face comelie.) Which the Lord graciously accepteth, and is well pleased with: accounting his person holie, and his praiers, and other the fruites of his faith, sweet and accep∣table through Christ.
[Vers. 15]Foxes,) It is the perpetuall lot and condition of the Church to nourish in her bosome secret e∣nemies, that closely vndermine the good of it: for all that are in Israell are not of Israel; and manie are among vs that are not of vs: but God in his good time will discouer hypocrites; how foxe-like soeuer they carrie themselues.
Take vs, &c.) Some mens sinnes are manifest a∣for••hand, going before vnto iudgement, and some mens follow after; but those that are of this sort cannot be hidden. The sword of discipline is to be drawen by the Ministers, and other into whose hand God hath put it, for the cutting off of kno∣wen offendours, and remouing of all offenses.
The Foxes,) Great ones are not to bee spared though they be as iolly foxes, as Herod was.
The little Foxes;] The small cubbes are not to bee neglected, though they can but nibble at the Vines.
Which destroie the Vines:) All euill, and occasi∣on, and shew of euill is to bee remoued: so much the more carefully, because from little beginnings growe great proceedings: and a small offence in the Church of God, manie times, turneth men a∣waie from the loue of the truth before they be set∣led in it.
Whilest our Vines are bringing forth the first grape.) Sathan also is euer busiest to seduce and drawe vs from the faith, when Christ is first borne within vs: waiting to eate vp, and destroy the children of the Church as soone as she is deliuered.
Hereby the vse, the excellencie, the necessi∣tie of discipline is seene: it restraineth offences that they breake not forth, it staieth them where a breach is begunne.
[Vers. 16]My Welbeloued,) After manie conflicts with our owne soule, God maketh vs in the end of feele more liuely our fellowship with Christ.
Is mine, and I am his,) The roote and foun∣taine of all our happinesse, is our coniunction, and communion with him.
Who feedeth in Lillies:) The fruites comming from it, excellent: for CHRIST our Shepheard feedeth his flocke in most sweete and delicate pa∣stures.
Till that daie breath▪) The two principall things which a Christian is to wish for, and desire after, are perfection in heauen by the comming of Ie∣sus Christ, and constancie and perseuerance vnto that day.
And these mistes flie awaie.) In this life manie mistes and shadowes are cast before our eyes, much ignorance of God and of holy duties: which that bright and glorious comming of our Lord and Sauiour, (as the rising of the Sunne,) will scatter all awaie.
VERS. 1. 2.In my bed anightes, &c.
THe childe of God hath manie times great vnquietnesse of mind for lack of the feeling of Christ.
Being so affected as a man deso∣late and without comfort, he seekes after him in al places & at all times, in the night and by day, a bedde and when he is vp, at home and without doores; in the Citie, by the streetes and the lanes, and abroad in the fields; by prinate prayer and meditation with his owne soule: by vsing the helpe, counsell, and aduise of godly brethren; by seeking for comfort at the hands of the Ministers of the word. Such is his desire and vnwear••ed trauaile for the finding of Christ.
Here is the vse wee should make of being pri∣uate: and this is a holy spending of our time, when we employ it in stirring vp our soules to be assured of the mercies of God in Christ: not, (as the world for the most part doth), in studying how to wreake our malice, or to compasse other wic∣ked desires, neither yet in idle and fruitlesse pa∣stimes.
himselfe, to goe out of himselfe, and to be no bodie in his owne e••es.
But yet hee looketh vnto Christ, whose gar∣ments of righteousnesse are broade, and large and wide enough to couer all imperfections: and who of his free grace is pleased to accept him, and to bestow vpon him the ornaments of his Spirit, whereby howsoeuer in much weakenesse and in the middest of manie fraileties, yet in the truth and soundnesse of his heart, being sincere and vp∣right before him, albeit the least of these things were enough to discourage him from euer com∣ming vnto Christ, or hauing any more to doe with him, yet neither for other mens reproaches, nor for all the conscience of his owne infirmities hee leaueth to seeke vnto him, to call and crie vpon him, for whither else should he goe but to things that cannot profit?
haue made me a keeper of other vines, &c.) There commeth yet a further mischiefe; home-enemies, borne and bredde in the bosome of the Church, which as vipers eat out the bowels of their mother, and make naturall rents, and breaches among their owne brethren.
For God euermore leaueth in his Church some vnquiet spirits to gall them, for the tryall of the faith of his children, that the approued among them may be knowne.
And let men pretend what they lift, set what face they will vpon it, it is the hatred of the truth, and of the professors of the truth, that maketh them
so to stirre: because worldly minded men cannot abide the sincerity of the Gospell, that fighteth a∣gainst their pompe, pride, and ambitious de∣signes.
And howsoeuer they lay the fault from them∣selues, and cast it vpon Gods children, that stick close to the ordinances of God, as wayward and conceited persons: yet in truth they are the factious, and those that make diffention in the Church.
Howbeit the best men that are, the holiest Churches, and most reformed assemblies, are of∣ten times turned out of the right waie, partly mis∣lead and seduced through a vaine al••urement of humane wisdome, partly carried away by the vio∣lence of the stormes and tempests that these men raise against them.
Yet we must not please our selues in the defor∣mities of the Church: our care must bee to haue al according to the paterne that was shewed in the mount.
[Vers. 7]Shew me where thou feedest, &c.) To this pur∣pose we are wholy and throughout to submit our selues to be ordered by the chiefe shepheard and Bishop of our soules, for hee onely must direct all necessarie things in his Church by the wisedome of his Word: from him wee receiue the foode of sweete and heauenly doctrine: hee it is that orde∣••eth our labour and our rest, euen at noone day, the whole gouernment and guidance of his house.
O thou whom my soule loueth.) The sins of Gods
elect, through his wonderfull wisdome that brin∣geth light out of darkenesse, and good out of euill; turne vnto their comfort, make them more to call and crie vpon Christ, to loue him more with all their soule, to desire more earnestly to bee ioyned vnto him, and to vse all holy meanes of attaining thereunto.
Atnoone) And that with such affection, that when other are resting, or taking their repasts, the christian man can haue no comfort, nor eate his mea••e vnlesse he be with Christ.
Thou feedest, thou makest thy flocke to l••e, &c.) This meanes of comming vnto Christ is the ministry of the word in the Church and Congregation of Saints, which are, as it were, one fould vnder one Shepheard, feeding with the food of life.
For why should I be as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocke of thy companions) Herein great care and circumspection is to be had, that we ioine not our selues to false teachers which com vnder the name of Christs shepheards, but inwardly are rauening wolues.
[Vers. 8]If thou know not) In which behalfe the faith∣full man though he be in Christ, and shine in the graces of the Spirit, yet laboureth of much igno∣rance, and is many times ouertaken, and therefore had neede to be instructed and set into the way:
Get thee out, &c.) Which is to trie the Spirits whe〈◊〉〈◊〉 they be from God, for the touchstone of all doctrine is by the word, if it bee heauenly and celestiall, not sauoring of the world.
Vnto the troope, &c) And being so, as many as walke according to this rule, the b••dge of the Israel of God, peace is vpon them and mercie, such a mans person is accepted to God, the graces and ornaments of the Spirit in him are sweet and plea∣sing.
[Vers. 11]Borders of gold we will make, Yea God, the Fa∣ther, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, the most bles∣sed and glorious Trinity, will dock and set him forth more and more, and bestowe more good things vpon him; and more enrich him with all heauenly blessings, transforming him from glory vnto glorie.
[Vers. 12]My Spicknard giueth forth his smell.) These pro∣mises comfort the Christian soule, and bring a sweet refreshing to the senses.
[Vers. 13, 14]My Welbe loued is as a bundle of myr••h,) Acknow∣ledging all to come from Christ, and from the ver∣tue of his power.
Whose excellency we must consider not simply, as it resteth in himselfe, but as by the sweete influ∣ence of his graces, he maketh vs pertakers of it.
And since he vouc••a••eth to bestow these sweete things vpon vs ••u••n now whilest wee are strangers from him, and walke h••••••eby faith and not by sight, what and how great things must those needs be which then wee shall enioy when Christ, which is our life shall reneale himself•• from hea∣••en?
[Vers. 15]Behold th•••• art faire &••.) In the ioyfull expec∣tation of which happy and blessed time that wee
faint not nor be discouraged, Christ doth still con∣firme his loue vnto vs: and by his Word and the comfort of his spirit assureth vs how pleasing wee are in his sight: both thorough our imputed righteousnesse, which maketh vs faire, all faire be∣fore him: and for the fruits of holinesse and sanc∣tification in a doue-like chastity, and simplicity without any guile.
[Vers. 16]Behold thou art &c.) Wee againe returne the praise of all this vnto him who is our only righ∣teousnesse, and through whom alone it is that we bring forth fruit alwaies fresh and flourishing, and acceptable vnto God through the communi∣on we haue with Christ, dwelling and walking in the middest of vs as in his house and temples.
[Vers. 17]The bewty of our houses &c.) The excellency of Christs glory is to be seen in the publick assemblies: we must not look for it in ciuil Courts & meetings, at faires & at markets, in pastimes & sports; in ban∣qu••ting & feastings, though all these in their time and place be lawfull. But if we will see Christ in his bewty we must goe to the Church and congrega∣tion of his Saints, where the same shineth and shew∣••th it selfe in the ministery of the Word and Sa∣craments.
VERS. 1.I am the Rose &c.]
Al the good wee haue commeth from Christ, who is most sweete himselfe, and the author of sweetnesse vnto o∣thers.
[Vers. 2]As a Lillie.) The Christian thus formed and fashioned by the mighty operation of his spirit, ex∣celleth all the world beside: for in them onely are all sound vertues to be found; Piety, Iustice, chasti∣ty, temperance, prudence, for titude, magnanimity, which eyther are not at all in the wicked, or at the least they haue but a shadowe of them: dead and drie stalkes onely, the flower and blossomes are in the godlie.
among th••rnes.) All men beefore they bee in Christ are but thornes: not only vnprofitable and void of good, but noxious and hurtful, replenished with all euill.
[Vers. 3]As the Apletree &c. so is my well-beloued,) The Christian man neuer satisfieth himselfe with the magnifying of Christ,
vnder his shadow &c.) The shade of whose
bowghs doth so refresh his soule, that he delighteth to dwell and haue his aboade vnder it for euer: for hee onely it is that with his sweet shadow fenceth vs from the burning wrath of God.
For sweete is his fruit &c.] Being renewed by the holy Ghost hee conceiueth an incomparable delight in those good things that are so wrought within him: In comparison whereof he despiseth all the gew-gawes, that the world so admireth and doateth after.
[Vers. 4]He brought me into his banqueting house,) The author of our vocation, regeneration, iustification, sanctification, and saluation is Christ, whose owne most sacred hands leade vs to this sweete and de∣lightfull feast.
ha••ing loue) The cause hereof is not in vs, but from himselfe, first louing vs, and by his loue as by a banner set before vs, drawing vs to loue him a∣gaine, and to range our selues vnder his colours.
Yea, keeping vs so neere about him and so fast vnto him, by the power of his Spirit, that it is im∣possible any should pull vs out of his hands, or that so much as one of those should perish, whom God the Father hath giuen vnto Christ.
[Vers. 5]Stay me, hold me vp.) The instrumentall cause he vseth is the preaching of the Word by his mi∣nisters and seruants.
with these flagons, with these apples:) The Word I say of reconciliation, which is the ioyful and glad tidings of our peace made with God, sweeter then the hony and the hony combe, and therefore
compared here to wine and apples: not the doc∣trine of the Lawe, which is the ministery of death and condemnation.
The assemblies of the Church where this hea∣ue••ly Gospell soundeth, are excellent helpes to quicken our dulnesse, and to make vs feele a grea∣ter measure of the loue of Christ:
For I am sick of loue.) For the heart of a faithfull man, euen when it is best affected, is subiect to ma∣ny qualmes, to much vexation and disquietnesse of minde: to bee euen sick as it were, for the loue of Christ because he cannot enioy him as hee would. And then is the word preached most sweete vnto his soule.
[Vers. 6]His left &c) The whole vertue and power of the ministery commeth from Christ: they wa∣ter and plant, but he only giueth the encrease, they doe their worthy endeauour to stay and vnder∣prop our faith, but that notwithstanding, we shall shall soone fall to the ground, if Christ put not to his hand to keepe vs vp.
Left hand, right hand.) Yea such is our vntow. ardnesse, the naturall corruption that is in vs, so great, the worke of our new birth so marueilous, so hard to bee brought about, and to goe through with, that wee had neede of both the hands of Christ to bee about vs, to claspe and hold vs fast, least we fall away.
[Vers. 7]I adiure &c.) The beleeuer is wrapt with an exceeding ioy and comfort when once hee feeleth himselfe to haue Christ, and to lie as it were in his
I sought:) The conferences of Gods children, their confession of sinnes one vnto another, and mutuall praiers for each other, whet one an other, as iron whetteth iron: and it is a sweete thing to conuerse with such, by whom wee may this way receiue comfort.
[Vers. 3]The Wath-men &c.) Especially the holy Mini∣sterie shineth most, and is the sanctified meanes to bring vs to Christ.
Yet God delayeth his comforts manie times, e∣uen to those that with vpright hearts and consci∣ences from the bottome of their soule seeke after him:
That wee may learne nor to depend vpon the meanes, but vpon God, and to attribute all to his grace and vertue.
Christ therefore is not alwaies to bee found to our minde, nor in our sense and feeling, though we vse all good and holy meanes for it.
Howbeit, for all that, he is indeed alwaies pre∣sent with his people.
did ye see him whom my soule loueth?) The loue of Christ cannot bee concealed: a man may sooner keepe in the winde with his fiste, or stay the oynt∣ment of his right hand from bewraying it selfe (as it is Prou. 27. 16) then not to vtter his loue to Christ, whomsoeuer he meet, fitly withall. I spake of thy Lawe before Princes (sayth Dauid) and was not ashamed.
[Vers. 4]I found him, &c.) Christ being sought careful∣ly and diligently, will at the length bee found ac∣cording
to his promise; Seeke and ye shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉, &c. he neuer returneth the desires of his seruants emp∣tie.
When I had past but a little from them) This he doth manie times when there is least hope, and when all meanes haue beene vsed and doe not preuaile: for euen the seed of the word bringeth not forth fruit by and by, but lurketh and is buried vnder the cloddes of the earth till the time appointed for it to shoote vp and to shew it selfe.
whom my soule loueth.) He is then sweetest to vs when he hath seemed for a while to absent himself, and to haue no minde of vs. And that maketh him so oft to withdrawe the comfortable beames of his glorious presence, that so he might whet our affections, and set an edge vpon them.
I tooke hold on him,) For thus when he sheweth himselfe againe vnto vs, wee beginne to haue our faith reuiued, wee lay faster holde vpon him, and with all the powers of our soule, cleaue as neere vnto him as euer we did before.
So we come to be possessed of spirituall ioy and gladnesse, then we are brought abedde (as it were) in a sweete sleepe of the peace of conscience, and then our heart is lifted vp to heauen with holie praiers and meditations.
not to let him goe till, &c.) The faithfull man, with purpose of heart cleaueth to the Lord, (as Barnabas did exhort, Act 11. 23.) and hath a ho∣ly purpose, and Christian resolution neuer to part from him vnto the end.
I adiure you &c.) When a Christian commeth to haue a feeling and apprehension of Christ, (espe∣cially after hee hath once found what it is to lacke him) he is carefull to auoide all occasions that may giue Christ cause to depart.
[Vers. 6]Come vp,) The thing that aboue all other affe∣cteth a Christian mans heart is the loue and medi∣tation of the heauenly glorie;
Out of the wildernesse,) In comparison whereof he esteemeth this world as a wildernes in regard of fruitfull and pleasant fields. And longeth to come out of these rough and desert places into the Lords champions.
Who is she) It is indeed a hard piece of worke to leaue the world, to denie vngodlinesse and world∣ly vanities, and to lift a mans heart and affection vp to heauen:
Becensed with Mirrh, &c.) None can attaine vnto it, but those whose eies God shall cleer to see and behold the excellency of that place.
[Vers. 7, 8, &c.]For the heauenly glorie dooth incomparably excell: there is all safety to the person:
[Vers. 9]All sweetnesse to the senses:
[Vers. 10]All pretious things and riches, all pleasures and delights.
[Vers. 11]The glorie of all the earth, Solomon himselfe in his greatest brauerie, is not to bee compared to it.
The glorie, the pleasures and delights, which God giueth heere to the sonnes of men, for their comfort and reioycing, must affect our hearts
with a holie meditation to thinke how farre more excellent those things bee that are aboue: and make vs thereby the more earnestly to seeke af∣ter them. This is the holie vse wee are to make of the lawefull pleasures of this life.
Comeforth and looke ye daughters of Tsijon,) It is the duetie of a Christian man to stir vp other to this heauenly meditation, as Christ by his Spi∣rit hath stirred him.
VERS. 1.Behold, thou art &c.]
CHrist much delighteth to see a Chri∣stian so affected as is set forth in the former Chapter, and rendreth there∣fore due commendations: praysing him for the graces that himselfe hath bestowed vpon him, and so crowning his own gifts in him: with all, making him to see what is his blessed estate both in this life, and in the life to come.
Faire,) The true belieuer thorough faith in Christ, is most perfectly holy and righteous, both wholly and in euerie part: as hauing in him ob∣tained by imputation the whole righteousnesse of the lawe.
The vertues which a Christian is most to la∣bour for, and which beseeme him best are,
thine eyes are Doues eyes,) First, Iudgement and singlenesse in all his actions, to haue his eyes in his head as Solomon speaketh; Ecclesiast. 2. 14.
Thy heart is like &c.) Secondly, sobrietie and a comely cariage.
[Vers. 2]Thy teeth, &c.) Thirdly, holding fast the truth of God by meditation and chewing of it.
[Vers. 3]Thy lippes, &c.) Fourthly, Gracious speech, that our words be powdred with falt, for the profit and edification of the hearers.
Thy temples.) Fiftly, to affect more spirituall graces then worldly things.
[Vers. 4]Thy necke is as a Tower, &c.) Sixtly, Constancie in the waics of godlinesse,
A thousand Targets hang, &c.] And to haue al∣waies in a readinesse the compleat armour of Chri∣stian Souldiers.
[Vers. 5]Thy two breasts, &c.) Seauently, To long after the sincere milke of the word of God that we may growe vp by it. 1. Pet. 2. 2.
[Vers. 6]I will get me &c.) Christ is alwaies present and at hand to euery true beleeuer, euen now whilest hee is in the pilgrimage of this world to comfort him in all his necessities.
These shadowes] The holinesse and sanctificati∣on which we haue wrought within vs in this life, is weake and imperfect, subiect to much ignorance, and manie shadowes, so as wee are neuer here to dreame of purity or perfection.
Flie awaie.) But the time shall certainly come when we shall put off these r••gges and be cloathed with immortalitie.
[Vers. 7]Thou art all saire, &c.) Our holinesse now im∣perfect and mingled with so much corruption
shall be made perfect that no spot or wemme shall be left in vs.
[Vers. 8]With ••e shalt thou come] None shall perish of those whom God hath giuen vnto Christ.
From Lebanon, from the top of Amana, from the top of Sheuir and Hermon,) The furthest and most remote places cannot keepe them: the craggedest and roughest thickets cannot detaine them; the height nor depth cannot conceale them:
From the dennes of Lions: From the mountaines of Leopards,) The cruellest and most sauage enemies of the Church shall not be able to hurt them: nor hell gates to preuaile against them. Heere is the comfort of Gods people.
But this we must arme our selues for, that whi∣lest we continue here, wee are to liue amongst Li∣ons and Leopards, barbarous and fierce enemies, Tyrants and oppressours: we must looke for ba∣nishments and imprisonments, to wander in the mountaines, to be throwen in holes and dennes, to be afflicted, persecuted, diftressed (as you haue examples of it, Heb. 11.) This is the perpetuall condition of the Church of God.
By how much the more wee are to waite for that happy time, when as in the yeere of Iubile we shall all returne vnto our possessions againe: when wee shall heare no more the voice of the exactor, and when the seruant shall bee free from his Mai∣ster.
Thou shalt looke downe from, &c.) This shall heape vp ioy vpon ioy to vs, that wee shall then
looke ouer these men, that is, triumph ouer them, that now so dominier ouer vs: when not only out selues shall be in heauen in the place of all happi∣nesse, but haue before vs and in our eies the sight of their misery.
[Vers. 9]Thou hast rauished &c.) God is not onely de∣lighted, but in a manner rauished with a loue of his graces in vs.
my sister) For he doth behold vs as the brethe∣ren of Christ: brethren both by vnity of the same nature, and communion with one heauenly Fa∣ther.
Spouse) Yea neerer then brethren, being euen heere espoused and betrothed to him.
[Vers. 10]How faire &c.) And kept by the annointing of the spirit, that wee cannot fall away, but abide and continue his for euer,
Which giueth vs more contentment and hearts∣ease, then all pleasures that are earthly.
[Vers. 11]Thy lips drop the hony combe: &c) The tongue of euery Christian (not only of a minister in the pulpit, though that especially) and the dropping of his lippes, euen in his priuate and familiar dis∣courses, is sweeter then the hony or the hony∣combe, as that which giueth grace to the hearers:
the sauour of thy garments, is as the sauour of Leba∣non.) Such an one is most pleasing to God, of as fragrant a smell as the smell of Libanus.
[Vers. 12]My sister spouse is) The Church of God hath two singular prerogatiues aboue all other compa∣nies and societies of men.
as a gardaine &c.) First it is the pillar and ground of truth: for there onely are the plants of the Lords owne setting there is the well head, and there onely flow the sweete streames of pure doc∣trine. It is vari••ty, errour, superstition and deceit whatsoeuer commeth not from hence.
shut, sealed vp,) Secondly it is holy, no pollu∣ted or vncleane thing can enter or haue aboade in it.
spring, fountaine,) The preaching of the Word is as a spring that warereth and maketh to encrease all the beds and plants of the Church of God.
[Vers. 13, 14.]A Christian man knowing his fruits to he most sweete vnto God,
[Vers. 15. 16.]Is desirous to bring forth plenty, and acknow∣ledging al to com from God, continually prayeth to be inspired and breathed vpon by his good spi∣rit to performe it.
fountaine of the gardaines) Christ is the onely fountain that watreth al the parts of the Church his gardaine: the ministers are onely his instru∣ments, and can doe nothing but water and plant: all the encrease commeth from Christ.
O well of liuing waters, &c.) The graces hee bestoweth vpon his Church are abundant and in∣finite, as liuing waters that continually spring and flow abroade.
O North, O South, &c. Let those waters ouerslow the spices of it.) Hee neuer denyeth his spirit to those that aske it with a true faith, but is ready to graunt the desire of his seruants to make them fruitfull,
and aboundant in euery good grace.
Let my wellbeloued come, &c.) And the thing which a Christian man aboue all the world desires, is the presence of Christ.
[Vers. 17]I am come into my gardaine &c.) Yet there being somewhat alwaies corrupt in our desires, it is many times good for Gods faithful children to goe with∣out the things, euen the spirituall and heauenly things, which they most long after.
••••te my fellow friends &c.) The Spirits of the righteous deceased, doe now enioy in heauen euer∣lasting happinesse.
This is our comfort against death; that thereby we change the miseries of this life with vnspeaka∣ble and endlesse pleasures.
VERS. 1.I being asleepe,]
A Christian man, euen the best, is ma∣ny times ouertaken with earn all se∣curity, falleth into a traunce or slum∣ber, forgetteth himselfe and his hea∣uenly calling, and is lulled a sleepe with the pleasures and delights of this pre∣sent wicked world: Not keeping that watch ouer his owne soule which hee ought: (Mathew 25. They all slept: the wise virgins as well as the foolish)
but my heart awake.) Yet his faith (for all that) gooth not quite out but lyeth hid and couered vn∣der the ashes, it is smothered, but not extinct; as may bee seene in Peter, of whom our Sauiour bea∣reth witnesse, I haue prayed for thee, that, in the middest of that most dangerous fal, thy faith should not faile.
Heere is one maine difference betweene the children of God and others: One sinne of infir∣mity, the other wilfully: all sleepe indeede, but the godly doe but slumber or winke, when the
wicked sleepe soundly, sleepe heart and all, they sleepe that they snort againe, the wicked commit sinne with all their heart, from the very soule (as the Prophet 〈…〉〈…〉 chil∣dren haue a resistance within, and striue and sight against it in som sort, euen then when they are most ouertaken with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the flesh: their heart is sound with God: sinne dwelleth, but raig∣neth not in them: they groan•• vnder the burden of it, mislike it as touching the inner man: there is a strife within them in their very bowells, as bee∣tweene Rebeccaes twinnes (a type of the Church, and of euery faithfull man.) To conclude, in the godly there is a striffe betweene their heart and their heart, but in the wicked onely between their heart and their conscience.
I being) The Christian delighteth to make con∣session of his sinnes, to acknowledge his owne wretchednesse and vnworthinesse, that God may haue the greater glory. Hee sticketh not himselfe to haue blushing checkes, so honour & praise may come to God and is not ashamed to be the trum∣pe••or of his owne reproach. This is true repen∣tance.
asleepe &c.) One marke there of is a holy an∣ger and 〈…〉〈…〉 against ourselues, amplifying and enlarging all the circumstances of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to make it more odious, and to bring vs vnto a greater loathing of it.
but my heart awakel) But the Christian though before God and men hee make confession of his
••ault, and it be the property of true repentance for a man to aggrauate, not to lessen his offence, as not satisfying his owne soule with a detestation of his wicked waies; yet hee vseth also a holy ex∣cuse and defence, that Sathan by his ouercharging of himselfe (to vse the Apostles phrase 2. Cor. 2. 5.) take not aduantage to cast him downe further then is meete, and to driue him into despaire: Hee therefore wrestleth with his owne soule to gather all arguments that may bee to his consci∣ence, that these his offences were done of frailety and through infirmity of the flesh, that his heart is sincere & vpright to God; that his faith, though sore shaken was not quite battered and ouercome &c. This is the wisdome of a sound Christian: And heere is a noble example of that other marke of repentance which the Apostle (2. Cor. 7. 11.) calleth an Apologie or cleering of ones selfe.
the voice of my well-beloued,) True repentance commeth not from our selues, it commeth by the preuenting grace of Christ: not onely that repen∣tance which is our first conuersion to God, but the raising of vs vp, when being conuerted wee fall in∣to any sinne.
The principal cause of this our conuersion is the Spirit of Christ knocking at the doore of our heart.
The meanes is his voice speaking to our outward ears, specially by the ministery of the Word and sacraments, as principal: but further also in a secon∣darie degree, by chastisements and corrections.
Bounsing,) Wee haue neede that God should call vpon vs earnestly, vehemently, and in most ef∣fectuall manner. So carnall are we of our selues, and so vntoward to hearken to him.
Yea, we had need againe and againe to be bea∣ten vpon, and all little enough. So you haue the truth of that which Elehu telleth Ioh, God speaketh once and twice, and a man doth not discerne it. Iob. 33. 14.
Wee are speedily to turne to God, and not to put off our repentance: for So much also doth the word bounsing import: Signifying all three that is to say, earnest, and often knocking, and a desire speedily to be let in.
Open] Of our selues and by nature we are held prisoners and captiues of Sathan, as it were vnder lock and key, till Christ open the dore and let vs loose by his word and the power of his Spirit.
God ceaseth not to vse all good meanes that possibly may be deuised to drawe vs home vnto him. What, how many, and how gracious argu∣ments dooth hee bring in this place? Taken first from the easinesse of the thing, it is but to open the doore.
Tome) Secondly, from his owne person, open to me; not your enemy, but your friend, your lo∣uer, one that seekes your good.
My sister &c.) Thirdly, from our person that should not sticke to doe a greater matter then that.
My fellow-friend, my Doue, my vndefiled one,) Fourthly, by the manner of his speaking with all
the sweet and kinde words that can be imagined, speaking to our heart (as he sayth hee will, Hos. 2. 14.) and beseeching as it were when he may com∣maund. As if Christ besought you by vs (sayth the Apostle) 2. Cor. 5. 20.
For my head is filled with dewe: my lockes with the droppes of the night.] Fiftly, by comparing his owne cares, labours and trauailes taken for vs, whom wee may be ashamed so vnthankfully to re∣quite, that wee will doe nothing for him againe. Thus he leaueth no meanes vnattempted, no ar∣guments, no perswasions to call vs backe when we goe astraie.
The loue of Christ wherewith hee hath loued vs ought to be a speciall motiue for vs to loue him againe. So Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 5. 14. 15. For the loue of Christ constraineth vs, iudging this, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And he died for all, that they which liue, might no more liue vnto them∣selues, but vnto him which died for them &c.
[Vers. 2]To whom I answered,) Sinne goeth not singly and alone, one and no more: but the nature of it is for one sinne to drawe manie other after it.
How should I &c.) Sinne for the most part is ioined with hardnesse of heart; and where sinne hath once seized, without a great mercie of God, it stoppeth all the passages from admitting of the voice of Christ.
I haue put off my coat•• &c. I haue washed my feete &c. how should I &c.) Where sin possesseth the soule, Sathan is strong and forcible, to cast mistes
before vs, to make euery babble, not worth the naming, to seeme a great matter in our eyes, and sufficient to hold our Christ.
Put it on, foule them.) A little case & carnal plea∣sure, with those that haue not their hearts effe∣ctually touched, preuaileth more then all the ioies and delights that are to be found in Christ.
[Vers. 3]My welbeloued let downe, &c Wee must re∣ceiue Christ when hee offereth himselfe vnto vs: for it we refuse him, hee will not alwaies continue knocking. Seeke the Lord vvhilest hee may be found. Esay 55. 6.
But the ease, pleasure, and commodities of this life, are great impediments to hold vs back, and to make vs seeke all manner of delaies.
The Word and all other outward meanes pro∣fit little, vnlesse it please God by his spirit to make the same effectuall. Therefore in Hoshea 2. 14. with the Word and with afflictions is ioyned his owne perswading of vs by the inward working of his Spirit, without which the other auaileth no∣thing.
The ministery of the Word bringeth not forth fruit alwaies at the instant: but many times the sweete impression that it leaueth behind, euen then when it seemeth to fall by the waie side, is at the length, in his time, effectuall to drawe men vnto God.
My bowels earning within mee) God suffereth not his to lie still in security, as hee doth the wic∣ked: (which is an other difference between these
two) but one time or other awakneeth them out of the sleepe of sinne, how long soeuer they continue in it.
The two degrees of repentance are heere to bee obserued; First, an earning of the heart, com∣punction of soule and spirit, comming from a sight of our sinnes, and preaching of the Lawe. So it is said,* 1.2 Dauids heart smote him when hee cut off the lap of Sauls garment, to thinke hee had so dallied with that monster of sinne. And Ier. 31. 19. brin∣geth in Ephraim saying, After I shall be made to know my sinne I will clap on my thigh, in token of mourning. As contrariwise of the wicked the same Prophet saith, Ier. 8. 6. There is none that saith, What haue I don?
[Vers. 4]I arose to open to my wel-beloued.] The second is a conceiuing of comfort, a raising vp of our selues by the sweet promises of the Gospell. for both see Acts 2. 37, 38, 39.
My hands dropped mirrh, and my fingers soft mirrh in the handles of the lock.) The very sweetnesse that Christ leaueth behinde him, when to our feeling hee departeth from vs, and as it were the shadow of his presence, doth marueilously rauish a Christian man: This appeareth by the ioy and comfort that the people of God tooke in the Arke, the Temple, and other symboles, which Phineas wife shewed when she so bewailed the taking of the Arke, that she called her sonnes name, I chabod, The glory is de∣parted. 2. Sam. 4. 21.
How much more sweete then must it bee to re∣ceiue
Christ himselfe, to enioy his owne presence, which bringeth all good things with it.
I arose to open &c.] A third note of repentance which the Apostle speaketh of, (2. Cor. 7. 11.) is heere also to be seene, studie, or care and diligence; that is to say, a framing of our heart and dispositi∣on to awake from sleepe, and to seeke after Christ,
[Vers. 5]I opened &c.] And a putting of the same in ex∣ecution.
my well-beloued withdrew himselfe, he passed awey,)
Christ for our incredulity and hardnes of heart, doth somtimes after a sort leaue vs for a while, withdrawing all comfortable sense and feeling of his grace. This is that spirituall desertion that Gods children may fall into, and is one of those heauy iudgements that God punisheth their sinne withall.
I fell into a swoune) A fourth note of repentance is zeale, to faint for the absence of Christ, and to be sick of loue for him.
I sought him, I cryed on him) A fift also, to seeke him, to call and crie vpon him, to wander vp and downe after him: finally to leaue nothing vndon till wee finde him, which the Apostle calleth a lon∣ging, or desire after him.
because of his speech:) The meditation and cal∣ling to minde of the word of God, of that which wee haue heard in the publick congregations and assemblies, is very profitable for the quickning & raising vp of our soules.
but I could not finde him, but hee answered me not.)
Christ to trie the faith of his children seemeth ma∣ny times to deale very hardly and vnkindely with them: the fountaine of mercy, to haue no drop of mercy in him. So hee dealt with the woman of Canaan, Mat. 15. 22. &c. First when shee cryed v∣pon him, hee made himselfe deafe, hee would not answere one word, but turned himselfe away, and when his disciples besought him to speake, how vntowardly and techely (as a man with reuere••ce may say) doth hee seeme to answere her' I was not sent but to the lost sheepe of the house of Israell: Shee for all that humbling her selfe yet more, and falling at his feete, in what reproachfull manner doth hee vse her, calling her a dogge, or rather for more dis∣grace a whelpe. How must not this wound her very soule? He that biddeth all men learne of him, because he is meeke and lowly in heart, to bee so rough to a poore sillie weoman so deiecting her∣selfe before him? but wherefore did he so? to dis∣courage or driue her from him? No; but that her faith being tryed in the furnace, might come forth purer then the gold, and after many a pluck and wrestle, like a true Israelite supported by his Spi∣rit, shee might preuaile with God: and so at the length he suffereth himselfe to be ouercom by the greatnesse of her faith.
[Vers. 6]The watchmen that goe about the Citie found mee.) A Christian truely repenting will not thinke much to throw himselfe into neuer so great perills and hazards for the recouery of Christ. And so is ex∣pressed the sixt marke of repentance: consisting in
a reuenge or taking the peny-worths of our selues for our former transgressions, not shrinking now for any danger, but running thorough thick and thinne (as wee say) in the night, among the watch, to come vnto him.
All this sheweth the feare that a Christian man hath, least hee should bee ouertaken with drowsi∣nesse, as he was before, which is an other and the last of those seauen notes of true repentance, men∣cioned 2. Cor. 7. 11.
And so haue you in this Chapter, (besides the falles and infirmities of Gods children, and how and wherein they differ from other men,) a wor∣thy example of the cause, the means, the parts, the steppes and degrees, and lastly of the notes and markes of their repentance.
they smote me, they wounded me,) An other pu∣nishment of our sinnes is affliction, outward trou∣ble and persecution, which God is wont to send vpon vs, to chastise and correct vs, and to make vs come to him.
the keepers of the walles tooke] Those that should bee the greatest friends vnto vs for the truths sake, proue many times our greatest enemies, such as carrie the name of watchmen in Gods Church, whose office it is to encourage and protect vs in well doing, none more then they do oppose them∣selues and discourage vs in the waies of godlinesse.
my vaile from me.) This is a great offence and stumbling block to Gods children: who by reason heereof lose their vaile, that is the hold of their
purity and integrity, and begin a little to decline, and to waxe fainter in the seruing of God:
[Vers. 7]I adiure you] Till by the company of Gods children in the communion of Saints, they begin to take heart againe, and to recouer their spirits, and so afresh follow after Christ.
ye daught••rs of Ierusalem) The society of the god∣ly is an excellent meanes to stirre men vp, and to kindle in them the holy fire of the loue of Christ: for with them wee may boldly conferre of such things as the world sauoureth not, nor hath any relish in.
if ye finde &c.) Yea, though they be not come so far as we in comprehending the length, breadth, and depth of the excellency of the loue of Christ.
[Vers. 8]What is there in thy well-beloued? &c.] If to those that dwell in the Church it be strange to see the passions that many of the godly are exercised with in their longing & thirsting after Christ, what shall we thinke of other men?
[Vers. 9. 10.]White & ruddie, fit to heare the banner aboue 10000 his head, &c. The things which wee are specially to consider in Christ, are, First his spirituall glo∣ry and power, shining euen in his humanity:
[Vers. 11]His eyes as doues eyes &c) Secondly, The eies of his prouidence, or the perfection of the gra∣ces of the Spirit dwelling in him, whereby hee pearceth euery where and entreth into mens harts, seeing the things, that are most secret.
[Vers. 12. 15.]his lippes, his pallat, &c.] Thirdly his doctor∣shippe, or Propheticall office.
Vpon his hands &c. his lagges are pillars of marble, &c.) Fourthly his gouernment and administra∣tion of the world, in glory, maiestly and power, chrushing to peeces the wicked and vngodly, and whatsoeuer doth set and oppose it selfe against him.
in his bowels is a shining, as of iuory, couered with Suphires: his looke as of Lebanon &c.) Fiftly The glorifying of his humane nature, which he hath purchased by his death and sufferings.
[Vers. 16]that me ••ay seeke him &c.) The fruit of a Chri∣stian mans temptations is, that other by our vehe∣mency are stirred vp to seeke Christ.
[Vers. 17 18.]My well-beloued in gon downe &c. I am my well∣beloueds &c.) Christ in the end is found of those that seek him, though he absent himselfe for a time, as he was of the woman of Canaan, Mat. 15. 28.
And this is our comfort, that God is faithfull, who will not suffer vs to bee tempted aboue our strength, but in euery temptation, how great soe∣uer, will giue vs a meanes how to come out of it, 1 Cor. 10. 13.
By mutuall conference and communication of of our faith, we haue the same strengthened, and nourishe and kindle in our selues a holy longing after Christ.
VERS. 1.Thou art faire &c.]
TRue repentance washeth off all the spots and deformities that our sinnes bring vpon vs.
terrible as an armie with banners.)
The life of Christian is a warrefare vpon earth: For the enabling of him to fight the Lordes battailes, God infuseth into his heart an heroicall and noble courage: for though hee fall, yet he riseth vp againe: though hee bee o∣uertaken, yet hee getteth out and recouereth his, strength,
Which maketh Sathan to feare the faith of a Christian, because hee knoweth it is built vpon that rocke which the gates of hell cannot preuaile against.
[Vers. 2, 34.]O turne thine eyes ouer-against me,) Our slippes and falles must not discourage vs: but wee must looke vp to Christ with a liuely faith and bee of good comfort,
that they may lift me vp.) For Christ glorieth and taketh pleasure in the faith of his people: it reioy∣ceth his heart, and he thinketh himselfe the better
for it, being affected with their miseries, and is glad when they are comforted.
Thy haire is &c.) The holinesse and righteous∣nesse of a Christian is not lost by the manifold in∣firmities hee falleth into. But it remaineth firme and constant in euery part; because it wholly re∣steth in the power and grace of God.
[Vers. 5]Let there be 60. Queenes, &c.) All the glory & excellency in the world, the courts of Princes, and their pompous traine are not to bee compared to the happinesse of a Christian.
[Vers. 6]That one &c.) There is but one company & soci∣ety in the world, wher saluation is to be had: that is the Church of God, which is one, because there is no more but she, one because she is only & entire∣ly beloued of God.
my done,] One because she is elect out of all the world.
mine vndefiled one,) One because shee keepeth her selfe one and the same vnto her spouse, pure, chast, and vndefiled.
that one with her mother) To this Church euery Christian man ioyneth himselfe, and professeth to be a member thereof, neuer making rent, schisme, nor diuision from it: those that goe out from it, it is a token they were, in truth, neuer of it.
assoone as they see &c.) God in his Church vte∣reth all his glorie, Psal. 29. That is, hee graceth his people with such blessings of his spirit, as makes them an admiration to the world. This is the priui∣ledge of those that dwell in the Church of God.
the maydens shall account her blessed, the Queenes and Concubines shall praise her.) The profane world∣lings are forced to preferre the state of Gods chil∣dren before their owne, and to wish they vvere like vnto them. As Saul, Pharaoh, Balaam and o∣ther did.
[Vers. 7]Goodly as the morning, faire as the moone, pure as the Sunne.) The way of a righteous man is like the Sunne shining, that shineth still more and more vnto the steddie day, Prou. 4. 18. Or, as Paul saith, (Rom. 1. 17.) we goe from faith to faith, our faith continually growing as the morning doth, and from one degree of perfection to an other: from the beauty of the moone, to the cleerenesse of the Sunne.
[Vers. 8]To the pruined gardaines,) The kingdome of God, the glorie of the heauenly Ierusalem is that which we ought alwaies to meditate of, and to haue the eyes of our soules fixed and bent vp∣on: beeing like the gardaines that are kept dres∣sed, most pleasant and goodly to the eye, and that yeeld all sweet and delectable fruit.
I went downe,) Christ himselfe by his exam∣ple inuiteth vs to take pains to watch and obserue the time of his comming: whereunto he doth ex∣hort. Math. 24. 42.
To see the greene plants of the valley: to see if the Vine flourished, if the Pomegranets budded.) By earth∣ly things wee must learne to meditate on heauen∣ly: and if wee be able to discerne of the times and seasons of the yeere, that when wee see the trees
to put forth leaues, wee know Summer is neere, is it not a shame to haue a lesse insight into those things that are the signes and forerunners of the comming of the Sonne of God to iudgement? This wisedome our Sauiour teacheth vs. Matth. 24. 32. 33.
There be manie signes of this glorious com∣ming of Iesus Christ: for which, see that whole chapter. Mathew 24.
[Vers. 9]When I discerned it not my minde set me) Christ loueth not to be longer absent from vs then needs he must.
vpon my free hearted,) Christian men are free∣hearted people, and of a willing minde: seruing Christ cheerfully, ioifully, readily Psalm. 110. not of necessity or constraint.
peoples chariots.) In such doth Christ delight to dwell, to be borne vp by them, & to haue them for his chariots. 2. Corinth. 9. 7. God loueth a cheerefull giuer.
[Vers. 10]Returne,) The voice and calling of Christ is the meanes of our conuersion.
Returne ô Shull &c. returne, returne) Who cal∣leth vs earnestly & continually to come vnto him, and not to delay nor put it off: for that doth the doubling and trebling, and fowre times repeating of the word returne, import.
O Shulamite] Yea, he vseth all manner of kind and louing speeches to perswade, as O my Shulla∣mite, or my perfect one: for all which see before Chapter 5. 1.
A Christian man is perfect by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse: perfect also with an E∣uangelicall, not a legall perfection: (that is to say, of a sound and vpright heart longing for perfecti∣on) euen in regard of their renued holinesse or sanctification.
that we may behold thee) Sinne obscureth Gods graces in vs, and maketh that Christ hath no de∣light to looke vpon vs: but faith and repentance restoreth vs to his fauour.
What behold you in that Shulamite? as the daunse of the Machanaijmites) Christ comforteth his soule by the beholding of our holinesse and righteous∣nesse.
[Vers. 11]How bewtifull &c.) Yea he boasteth and re∣ioyceth of it: so is there ioy in heauen for sinners that repent. Luke 15. 7.
O daughter of a Prince.) The excellencie of a chri∣stian standeth in this, that hee is born again, and by faith become the sonne of the great king: that life of the spirit incompatably more excelling the life of a naturall man (take the godliest and the gallan∣test) then that excelleth the life of a bruite beast.
[Vers. 12]Let not &c.) There is not anie thing more pleasing to him, then the spread of the Church of God, and a continuall encrease of the fruites of it, which are as glorious in his sight as a heape of wheate hedged about with I••illies.
Let not the liquor faile. But let thy belly be &c. The duties required of him are,
First, Faith continually fructifying.
Thy two breasts &c.) Secondly, A teachablenes to sucke the milke of the word of God.
[Vers. 14]Thy necke &c) Thirdly, Constancie to hold vp the truth of God.
Thine eyes &c. thy nose &c.) Fourthly, Iudge∣ment to weigh and discerne of doctrines.
[Vers. 15]That on thy head is like skarlet, &c.) Fiftly, Gra∣uitie, and a wise cariage in all our actions;
A King might be tyed, &c.) Which good graces being in vs and abounding, not onely knit mens hearts vnto vs,
[Vers. 16. 17.]How faire &c.) But make God himselfe to loue, and to admire vs.
[Vers. 18]I say &c) The word of Christ ought to be an assurance to vs, that wee shall be sanctified more and more: howsoeuer when we looke on the one side to the resistances that are against vs, and on the other side to our owne weaknes and corrupti∣ons, wee haue iust cause to despaire. But hee that sayd, the Word is able for to doe it, as casie it is for him to make vs all whole, as it was to say, take vp thy bedde and walke. Ioh. 5. 8.
I will get vp vpon the Palme-tree, take hold of her branches, &c.) The best man that is hath need of much hand, to be continually pruined, and lop∣ped, and to haue his superfluous branches shred from him to make him fruitfull.
I will &c.) This must be the worke of Christ himselfe: Who, as else where he is compared to a
Vine, so heere compareth himselfe to the Hus∣bandman, that taketh vs in hand to trimme and looke vnto vs: Without him wee can doe nothing. Ioh. 15. 5.
Thy teates shall now be like the clusters of the Vine: and the sauour of thy nose like Apples.) The fruite of Christs presence with vs, and of his taking vs in hand is excellent: it maketh vs sweete before him, fragrant, acceptable, and comfortable vn∣to other.
[Vers. 19]Thy pallat as wine making to speake the lippes of those which sleepe.] The preaching of the Gospell, is that which raiseth men out of the sleepe of sinne, and maketh them to speake with newe tongues to the prayse of the glorie of God.
VERSE 1.I am my Welbeloueds, since his desire is towards me.
THe mercies of God in pardoning and forgiuing our sinnes and taking vs to his fauour, are so farre from opening a win∣dow of libertie vnto vs, that contrari∣wise it ioyneth and knitteth our soules more neere vnto him, maketh vs more entirely to loue him, and rowzeth vs vp from drowsinesse and negli∣gence to a greater watchfulnesse ouer our waies, and a care to please him.
That is true repentance which groweth from a consideration of Gods mercies and of his loue: not that so much, which the feare of wrath and of his iudgements doth wring from vs.
[Vers. 2. 3]Let vs goe forth &c.) True repentance is seene by walking in a quite contrarie course to that wee walked in before: therfore it is called a turning; as if a man whose face is bent Westward, should wholly turne himselfe and set it vnto the East.
Let vs lodge by the Cypres: let vs rise in the mor∣ning, &c.) It is the certaine note of the childe of God to waite with all watchfulnesse and obserua∣tion for the glorious comming of Iesus Christ:
The day of whose comming is that happie time of our spirituall mariage, and most straight and neere coniunction with Christ: for then shall wee enioy him fully and perfectly, and see him as he is.
[Vers. 4]These louely flowers &c.) To him we must con∣secrate our selues and all we haue; for whatsoeuer he hath giuen vs, all the graces of his Spirit, all the good things we doe enioy, are not too good to be bestowed vpon him, to entertaine Christ the bet∣ter; that is the true vse of the blessings of God.
[Vers. 5]O that thou wert as a brother vnto mee &c.) A Christian man is impatient for the desire of Christ, and longeth that euen this day before too-morrow were the time of our perfect enioying of him.
Finding thee without I would kisse thee) Our loue to Christ where it is sincere and sound, will mani∣fest it selfe to all, and by all meanes.
I should not bee despised.) The perpetuall state of Gods children is to be vexed, scorned, and de∣spised of the world.
But against this we must comfort our selues with the remembrance of that time, when all teares shall be wiped from our eyes.
[Vers. 6]I Would bring thee into the house of my Mother which teacheth mee,) In the Church the word of God is to sound, and there it is that men are to bee taught and enformed in his waies.
I would giue thee to drinke of spiced wine &c.) There is nothing we haue or can come by, that is too costly or sumptuous to bee bestowed vpon Christ. Wherefore the woman in the Gospell hath
her iust commendation for powring the Alablaster boxe of Spicknard, most costly ointment vpon the head of our Sauiour Christ, though Iudas the traytour repined at it.
[Vers. 7, 8.]His left hand vnder &c. I adiure you, &c. Our former offenses and the fearefull effects comming from them, must teach vs when we haue Christ a∣gaine to make more of him, and to take heed that by our loosenesse and negligence he withdraw not the comfort of his presence.
[Vers. 9]Who is shee that commeth out of the wildernesse readie to ioyne her selfe to her welbeloued.
There is no sound pleasure to be found but in true pietie: all the delights of the world without that, are but as the wildernesse in comparison of pleasant and fertile soyle.
A Christian must denie himselfe and forsake this wicked world; it is a hard peece of worke, and a matter of no small difficulty thus to doe, and such, as none hath any hart or stomack to perform, saue but those that are borne anew: yet euery one must enforce himselfe vnto it; and so doing wee haue the same as a sure argument of hearty and sound repentance.
True valour in despising dangers is onely to be found in the childe of God,
whose faith ouercommeth all difficulties, and the tediousnesse of this world.
vnder the very apple-tree I awaken thee) For faith as it hath winges to flie vp to heauen, to the very seate of glory, and there to apprehend Christ, sit∣ting
at the right hand of his father: so in his humi∣lity here it beholdeth that excellency which the world is not able to conceiue.
Where thy mother was in labour of thee.) Christ vouchsafeth to account himselfe as one of vs: a childe of our mother, that is to say, one of the Church, being the head of it and wee his mem∣bers.
[Vers. 10]O set me) The faith, zeale, and repentance of Gods children, though it merit nothing at the hands of God, yet giueth vs assurance of obtaining good things, and maketh vs with boldnesse to craue fauour, and a blessing againe. To loue vs as wee loue him. So our Sauiour hath taught vs to pray, Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue &c.
True repentance maketh vs more zealous, and more to loue Christ then we did before.
A Christian aboue all things in the world desi∣reth to be ioyned to Christ as neerely, and by as straight a bond and coniunction as may bee.
as a seale on thine heart,) God hath vs alwaies as a seale vpon his heart, and in his minde; how is it possible he should forget vs?
as a seale on thine arme,) Hee hath vs alwaies as a seale vpon his arme, Who can pull vs from him?
Being vpon his arme wee are continually in his sight, his eies are vpon vs alwaies, and his proui∣dence watcheth ouer vs wheresoeuer wee ••oe be∣come, what euill can betide vs?
Loue, zeale &c.) Zeale is the proper vertue of a
Christian, wherein hee can neuer satisfie his owne soule.
strong as death &c.) True zeale breaketh through all difficulties, as death, and as the graue that subdue all, and cannot themselues bee ouer∣come.
a fire of the flame of Iah.) It is kindled in vs by the Spirit of God, and is the peculiar worke of his grace.
[Vers. 11]Much waters cannot quench &c.) A Christian is endued of God with the gift of constancy and perseuerance.
Many temptations assault a christian man to shak his faith; pleasures, afflictions, promises, hopes, re∣wards: but hee remaineth vnmoued in them all.
If a man would giue all the substance of his house,) Wicked men spare no cost to drawe men from Christ: how much lesse should wee be sparing, or thinke any thing too deare, to stire vp men to loue him?
Wee are to take most heede of those that come with fairest shewes and pretences to vs: for vnder the sweetest flowers lie commonly hidde the most venemous serpents.
it should vtterly bee contemned.) A man must learn to despise the wicked, notwithstanding all their wealth. This among other is one note of him that here shall soiourne in Gods tabernacle, and hereaf∣ter dwell in his holy hill. Psal. 15.
VERS. 1We haue a sister, &c. and what shall wee doe to our sister &c.)
THe loue of God towards vs, his mer∣cy in hiding and couering our offen∣ces, should make vs to loue not on∣ly him againe, but our bretheren for his sake: and by all meanes to seeke their good.
The Church of the Iewes so carefull for the calling of the Gentiles, teacheth how earnest wee should bee to commend their conuersion vnto God: whereof wee haue heere a promise, and all the Prophets & Apostles so gloriously doe speak; Esay, Chap. 4. & 26. &c. Dan. 12. Ezech. 37. &c. Hosh. 3. & 13. Zach. 12. &c. Paul Rom. 11. and 2. Cor. 3. Iohn in the Reuelation Chap. 20, &c. and our Sauiour, Mathew 24.
a little one, and she hath no brests,) The Church of God before the comming of Christ, was shut vp within narrowe bounds, the Gentiles beeing then aliens and strangers from the couenant.
in the day, when) God hath the moments of
time & seasons numbred before him, & a certaine day prefixed when he wil accomplish his counsels.
she shall be talked of.) Faith onely maketh men famous. The Gentiles before their calling were neuer talked of amongst Gods people: though for learning, arts, valour, they were the men of name in the world, and accounted the worthies of the earth: but it is indeed more honourable to be famous in Gods Church, then to haue al the fame and estimation in the world beside.
True fame is in piety, and the feare of God only.
Men must beate their heads and cast about how to performe the worke of God in the best manner.
Gods children must bend their speeches to ex∣toll and set forth those that truely feare God, and to make them famous, to honour and prefer them before worldlings, howsoeuer they glitter and shine in the eies of men. So did Elisha set light by the King of Israell, notwithstanding all his great∣nesse, in comparison of the good and godly King Iehoshaphat, 2. King. 3. What haue I to doe with thee? Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father &c. Againe, As Iehoush of hoasts liueth, in whose sight I stand, if it were not that I regard the presence of the King of Iuda, I would not haue looked towards thee, nor haue seen thee.
[Vers. 2]When a wall is to be built, when a gate is to be fen∣ced.) Wisdome is required in the builders of Gods house, to frame euery thing for the greatest bewty and ornament vnto it.
of siluer, boord of Cedre.) But all for any sub∣stance of religion, or necessarie part of Gods ser∣uice,
must be according to the rule of the Word, that it may be as siluer, and as the choice Cedre, precious in his sight:* 1.3 See thou make all things ac∣cording to the paterne was shewed thee in the Mount.
A pallace,) The Church of God is the Pallace of the great King, There he doth dwell, and hath his residence and aboade for euer. Psal. 132. 13, 14
a wall, a gate.) The discipline of the Church is as a wall and a gate, to keepe that no vncleane per∣son or execrable, enter in, to hold in those that are entred, the free burgesses and Citise••s of that Ci∣ti••.
[Vers. 3]I being as a wall, and my brests as towers,) There is in the Church a communion of Saints, whereby the graces of God bestowed vpon one member, turne to the generall good of the whole body.
then shall I be) Thereof it is that a true Christian is so farre from enuying the blessings of God in o∣ther, that he reioyceth in them as in his owne hap∣pinesse and perfection.
as one that findeth peace.) When the heart of the Iewes shall turne vnto the Lord, in the generall call of that whole nation, then come the daies of peace, ioy, happinesse, and comfort, as much as can be vpon earth, through the bright beames of the glorious Gospell, shining most cleere.
[Vers. 4]Solomon had a vine-yard,) Christianity and pro∣uidence in worldly matters stand well together.
in a fruitfull place,) It is a good duty of a Christi∣an to forecast to haue things most beneficiall and cōmodious for him. His vines in fruitful places &c.
he hired out his viney ards to keepers.) And when hee is so sitted, well to occupie and manure them to his most aduantage: That which hee cannot keepe in his owne hands, yet to prouide it be so let out as may be for his profit.
euery one bringeth for the fruit of it a thousand pee∣ces of siluer.) It is not onely the rule of charity, but true christianity to consider in reasonable sort, of those that trauaile for vs, that they labour not, nor sweate for nothing: but taking part of that gaine which commeth by their seruice, it may giue them cause to blesse vs.
We may with good conscience obserue a due proportion, and are not to be bl••med though the best morsels fall into our owne mouth. Solomon may well purse a thousand shekels, and leaue two hundred only to come to his lessees share.
The Anabaptistical communion hereby falleth to the ground.
[Vers. 5]My vineyard is still before my face,) God is iea∣lous of his Church, and letteth it not forth to o∣thers, but himselfe taketh the care of it; for though it be said in the parable, that a man planted a vine∣yard, and let it forth to husband men &c. that is an other kinde of letting, then that which Solomon heere speaketh of: For by it is meant the ministers whom God raiseth vp from time to time for the good of his people, & commendeth them to their care. Among whom hee himselfe is, not idle, but walking in the middest of those golden candle∣sticks, and euermore present by the assistance of
his Spirit: so as all commeth from his vertue and power, and he doth not rule his Church by depu∣ties or farmours.
I receiue both these 1000 of thine, O Solomon, and also the 200 pieces of those that keepe the fruite of it.) Nothing for substance of religion must bee done in the house of God but by his owne expresse pleasure: all is his, not the least farthing or dod∣kin in this kinde is to goe an other way.
[Vers. 9]O thou shee) Christ giueth to his Church Pa∣stours and Teachers as it were Husband-men to dresse his Vine.
That settest) Himselfe being the Arch-shep∣heard that taketh care of all the Vines: euery such Minister hath a chair which ought to be the chaire of truth: for so our Sauiour reasoneth, In the chaire of Moses sit the Scribes and Pharisees; there∣fore whatsoeuer they teach, (according to the law and doctrine of Moses, which onely is to sound in that chaire) do &c.
To these God himselfe reacheth a cushion, and placeth them in the chaire of authoritie in his Church: as the Scribes and Pharises are sayd to sit in Moses chaire, and Paul that he sate at Corinth a yeere and sixe moneths and taught the word of God among them. Acts 18. 11. So Ministers haue their Seas by Gods owne appointment.
This ordinance of God is perpetuall to the worlds end;
And they must sit, that is with all diligence and faithfulnesse attend vnto the flocke whereof
the holy Ghost 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them ouer seers.
In these Gard••i••e••,) Euery particular congre∣gation is a seuerall gardaine of the Lords:
to the fellowes) Wherein the Ministers are not to dominier ouer Gods heritage, but to liue as ex∣amples to the flocke, who are their brethren and fellowes.
Which) Wee must not giue that which is ho∣ly to dogges, nor cast our pearles before swine. Matth. the seauenth, and the sixt. The pretious treasure of the Gospell is not to be communicated to all, but to those that haue eares boared through of God, and hearts to receiue it: as for other, wee are commaunded to shake off the dust of our feete against them.
Attend thy voice) Wee must heare the Mini∣sters of God, teaching vs in his waies: and not heare onely, but heare with diligence and conti∣nually attend vpon their doctrine.
And that is one of the markes of the childe of God so to attend on the word.
Preach) Feeding of the flocke is a speciall ar∣gument of the loue that a Minister beareth to Christ:* 1.4 Peter louest thou me? feede my Lambes; it is the dutie that God calleth and crieth vnto vs for: an intollerable coldenesse and lacke of loue to Christ, to leaue them at sixe and seauen.
Preaching is the ordinarie meanes of bringing men to Christ;* 1.5 faith commeth by hearing.
The thing preached must be Christ, the whole substance of the Gospell, and in whom all the
the promises of God are Yea and Amen.
[Vers. 7]Flee to vs, &c. and bee like the Roe, &c. O thou that dwellest in the Mountaines of spices.) The Minister that wil approue himselfe faith∣full must neuer be wearie of feeding his flock to the comming of Iesus Christ.
And heerein it is his duetie carefully and diligently to impl••re Gods assistance, that he may goe through with it, and for a blessing vpon his labours.
This meditation both of Christs presence and assistance, of his bright and last appea∣rance, and of the waight of glorie laide vp in heauen, where Christ now is, and where we shall be together with him, must bee al∣wayes before their eyes as effectuall argu∣ments to stirre them vp vnto this duetie: which they are to oppose and set against all the tediousnesse and difficulties of their fun∣ction on the one side, and all the glittering pompe of the world on the other.
It is a speciall note of the childe of God to desire still the comming of Christ.
And to meditate on the glory of Gods kingdome.
1. Sam. 30. 6.
1. Sam. 24. 8.
Exodus 25. 40.
Joh. 21. 15.
Rom. 10. 17.