Annotations upon the five bookes of Moses, the booke of the Psalmes, and the Song of Songs, or, Canticles VVherein the Hebrevv vvords and sentences, are compared with, and explained by the ancient Greeke and Chaldee versions, and other records and monuments of the Hebrewes: but chiefly by conference with the holy Scriptures, Moses his words, lawes and ordinances, the sacrifices, and other legall ceremonies heretofore commanded by God to the Church of Israel, are explained. With an advertisement touching some objections made against the sinceritie of the Hebrew text, and allegation of the Rabbines in these annotations. As also tables directing unto such principall things as are observed in the annotations upon each severall booke. By Henry Ainsworth.

Annotations.

VVHo will give thee] that is, O if some would give thee; or, O that thou wert: a forme of [unspec 1] wishing often used in the Scripture; see Deut. 5. 29. Psal. 14. 7. The faithfull here desire the brother∣hood, love and communion of Christ, for their further comfort, and that they might manifest their love and obedience unto him. as a bro∣ther] loving affected, conjoyned, familiar and con∣versant with me. Brotherhood, signifieth neere con∣junction and consociation, whether by bond of nature, or otherwise by agreement and covenant, Zach. 11. 14 Wherefore things without life, cou∣pled together, are called man and his brother; or, Woman and her sister; Exod. 25. 20. and 26. 3. and they that are companions in like estate (though differing i•• nature) are brethren; as Iob was a bro∣ther to dragons, and a companion to Owles, Iob 30. 29. and a man in quality, condition or action like an∣other, is called his brother, Prov. 18. 9. Gen. 49. 5. and when Solomon perswadeth his sonne to affect, love, and associate himselfe unto Wisedome, hee biddeth him say unto her, Thou arr my sister, Prov. 7. 4. Although therefore Christ in his humanity was the brother of his people, taking part of the same flesh and blood with them, Heb. 2. 14. yet is he chiefly called our brother, because we are all of one Father by the Spirit of sanctification, Heb. 2. 11. 12. Matth. 12. 50. And this seemeth to bee the desire of the godly here, that Christ would vouch∣safe to enter into covenant with them, by his Word and Spirit, and to accompany them with his grace, for their mutuall comfort, and fruition each of others love: that he would shew himselfe as a brother, lovingly affectioned, mercifull and com∣passionate in their troubles and miseries; as a bro∣ther is borne for adversity, Prov. 17. 13. sucking] or, that sucked the breasts of my mother, that is, eve∣ry way most neerely conjoyned, as having both one father and one mother, for so the band or kinred is more neere, then if they had one father onely, as Abraham said, she is the daughter of my fa∣ther, but not the daughter of my mother, Gen. 20. 12. Wherefore the childe followed the mother, if shee were a free or a bondwoman, the childe was like∣wise, Exod. 21 4. Gal. 4. 22. 30. And between bre∣thren of the same mother, the affections and love are most vehement; as Iosephs cariage towards Benjamin manifesteth, Gen. 43. 29. 30. 34. The mother here is Ierusalem which is above, which is the mother of us all, and signifieth the new Testament or Covenant of grace and freedome, Gal. 4. 26. 24. To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the breasts of this mother, is to participate of her grace and consolations, Esa. 66. 10. 11. and 60, 16. and Christ is then said to suck these breasts, when the Covenant or Testament is by him con∣firmed and stablished to and with his people, open∣ly professed, and the communion of graces mutu∣ally doth grow. Which communion is figurative∣ly signified by eating, drinking, sucking, supping together and the like. Song 5. 1. Luk. 22. 15. 16 Ioh. 6. 51. Rev. 3. 20. The Hebrewes in then Chaldee paraphrase give this exposition; In that time, the King Christ shall be revealed unto the Congregation of Israel; and the sonnes of Israel shall say unto him; Come, be thou with us for a brother, and let as goe up to Ieru∣salem; and we will sucke with thee, the senses (or mea∣nings) of the Law, as a sucking child sucketh the breasts of his mother. It may also be observed, that things are sometime said to bee done unto Christ, which are done unto his people, Matth. 25. 35.—40. Acts 9. 4. 5. Colos. 1. 24. As therefore Christians, when they are begotten or converted unto Christ by the Gospell, have Christ formed in them, Gal. 4. 19. so when such are nourished with the sincere milke of the word, (as 1 Pet. 2. 2.) it may bee said that Christ himselfe is nourished in them; for he and his peo∣ple are one body, and mystically called Christ, 1 Cor. 12. 12. Thus the things here spoken of as to be done unto Christ, may be fulfilled by the be▪ getting, nourishing and cherishing of the elect, when the Covenant of life and peace is made, con∣tinued and confirmed among them. I would finde thee without] Her fervent love and desire of Christs communion and brotherly grace, is here accompanied with a promise of all carefull and lo∣ving duty, acceptation and obedience on her part. For to finde him without (or in the street,) where the Wisedome of God crieth, and teacheth, Pro. 1. 20. Luk. 13. 26. signifieth her ready mind to goe forth to meete him (as the virgins should to the Bride∣groome, Matth. 25. 6.) and both lovingly & bold∣ly to entertaine and welcome him, by receiving and obeying his Gospell, as the sequell Shew〈…〉〈…〉. See also Song 3. 2. 4. would kisse thee] a signe of love, honour, and of obedience; as all are exhor〈…〉〈…〉d to kisse the sonne, Psal. 2. 12. See Song 1. 2. they should not despise me] that is, men should not, or, I should not be despised, for so this manner of speech often importeth, as is noted on Gen. 16. 4. Persons are despised or contemned, when either they doe, or are thought to doe, that which is not honest or comely, Gen. 38. 23. 2 Sam. 6. 16. or, when they misse of their purpose, and are laughed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with contempt, Esa. 37. 22. Neither of these should befall her, doing but her duty in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and mo∣dest sort, and obtaining Christ whom her soule de∣sired. What the state of a people is without Christ, and how subject they are to shame and reproach; the Lord himselfe sheweth in Esa. 54. 1. 4. 6. But them that honour God, he will honour; and they that despise him, shall be lightly-esteemed, 1 Sam. 2. 30. and if any man serve Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will the Fa∣ther honour, Ioh. 12. 26.

Vers. 2. I would leads thee] to weet, with honour [unspec 2] and solemnity, with joy and gladnesse: for Kings and great personages are said to be sed & brought along, Esa. 60. 11. Psal. 45. 15. 16. Here, that which the faithfull desire & receive of God & of Christ, to be led and to be brought to his holy mountaine, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 43. 3. they promise to doe unto Christ: but the Lord doth it by the sight of his Word and Spirit, Esa. 63. 14. Psal, 143. 10. they doe it unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by

earnest prayers stirring-up themselves to take hold on him, Esa. 64. 1. 7. my mothers house] the state of Ecclesiastical policie, and publike assembly, figured by the house or Temple of God in Ierusa∣lem of old, (unto which the Chaldee paraphrase here referreth it,) but is fulfilled in Christian Chur∣ches, which are Gods house and temple now, Heb. 3▪ 6. 2 Cor. 6. 16. especially in that Ierusalem, which is the mother of us all, Gal. 4. 26. See Song 3. 4. thou should instruct me] or, shalt teach, shalt learne me, speaking to Christ, whose instruction shee would gladly receive. Thus also the Greeke interpreteth it, thou shalt teach me; and the Chaldee, thou shalt teach me to feare before the Lord. It may also bee re∣ferred to the mother aforesaid, shee that instructeth her; but the former seemeth most agreeable, and sheweth both her desire, and the end of bringing Christ unto her home, that shee might be further taught and builded up by the doctrines of his Gos∣pell. And thus it is prophesied, how in the last daies, many people should say, Come and let us goe up, to the house of the God of Iakob; and hee will teach us of his wayes, and we will walke in his pathes, &c. E∣sa. 2. 2. 3. Mich. 4. 1. 2. of spiced wine] wine sweeted with a mixture, or confection of spices; such (in the Law) were put into the holy incense, and oile, Exod. 30. 34. 35. 23. 25. such were also u∣sed at the buriall of the dead, 2 Chronicles 16. 14. and for banquetting, as this place sheweth. the juyce] or, the new-liquor, the sweet-wine, which hath the name of treading or pressing out of the pomegranats or grapes. Hereby she signifieth that the word should not be fruitlesse in her; but that she would honour Christ with her graces, and render unto him such fruits of faith, as should bee sweetned & spiced with his owne Spirit in her, & wrung out of her by the same, whiles she hath fel∣lowship in his afflictions. For when Christ admini∣streth the comforts of his Word and Spirit, hee gi∣veth us wine to drinke, Prov. 9. 1. 5. Esa. 55. 1. 3. and when wee bring forth the fruits of his Spirit, and with them doe glorifie him, and edifie our bre∣thren, he counteth himselfe refreshed as with wine, and taketh pleasure in his people. See Song 4. 10. and 5. 1. This juyce and wine, spiced with the truth, faith, grace, and spirit of the Lord; is con∣trary to that cup in the womans hand full of abhomi∣nations and filthiness of her fornication, the heresies, idolatries, and other fruits of the flesh, with which 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the inhabitants of the earth were made drunke; Rev. 17. 2. 4.

Vers. 3. under mine head] understand it prayer-wise as before, let it be under: or, should be under my [unspec 3] head. The Spouse privy to her owne infirmities, and desirous of strength and comfort from Christ; 〈…〉〈…〉eth that she may be sustained by him, and find rest to her soule in the feeling of his love, whose grace is sufficient for her, whose strength is made per∣〈…〉〈…〉 weakenesse; 2 Cor. 12. 9. See before in Song 26. where the like words are used.

Vers. 4. I adjure you] or, I charge you by an oath. 〈…〉〈…〉 here injoying Christ, desireth the con∣tinuance [unspec 4] of his grace, and chargeth her friends that they should by no means, disquiet, provoke or grieve him: as shee had adjured them twise be∣fore, Song 2. 7. and 3. 5. See the annotations there. why should yee stirre] that is, doe not stirre, for it will not be for your profit▪ before it was said, if yee stirre, in the like sense, and there (in Song 2. 7. and 3. 5.) the Roes, and Hindes of the field were mentio∣ned, which are not here.

Vers. 5. Who is this] this woman. This either im∣plyeth [unspec 5] the springing up of a new Church, condu∣cted by Christ through the wildernesse of this world: or, if it be understood of the former, it shew∣eth the admiration of the daughters of Ierusalem, at her increase, strong faith, patience, holy order, &c. whiles she followeth and relyeth upon Christ. So before, in Song 3. 6. the wildernesse] the peo∣ples of this world, out of which the people of God are chosen, and called, Ezek. 20. 35. Ioh. 15. 19. It signifieth also her former misery, under persecuti∣on; or under the bondage of sinne and satan, from which shee escapeth by Christ; for the wildernesse was a dry and thirsty land, a land of drought, and of the shadow of death; Ezek. 19. 13. Ier. 2. 6. that leaneth] or, leaning, cleaving to, adjoyning, associ∣ating her selfe: it is a word, not elsewhere used in Scripture, and is borrowed from the Arabian lan∣guage: the Greeke translateth it, confirming, or strengthening her selfe. It signifieth her weakenesse in her selfe, unable to sustaine her steppes: but her strength in Christ her beloved, on whom she lea∣ning by faith, is confirmed against all doubts, fears, dangers, difficulties, tentations, and by her union with him, is made partaker of all grace and com∣fort; for hee that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. and is by him made perfect, stablished, strengthened, setled; as 1 Pet. 5. 10. This grace is foretold by the Prophet, according to Gods first dealing with Israel, when he put his holy Spirit with∣in his people, and led them through the deepe, as an horse in the wildernesse; they stumbled not. As a beast goeth downe into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord quiet∣ly led him: so didst thou leade thy people, to make thy selfe a glorious name: Esa. 63. 11. 13. 14. I stirred thee up] or, I raised thee up. They by the words of the Spouse, speaking againe to her Beloved; whom she stirred or raised up as out of sleepe, by her ear∣nest prayers, as in Psal. 44. 24. Stirre up, why sleepest thou Lord? And they that give themselves to pray∣er, are said also to stirre up themselves, Esa. 64. 7. This raising up, was under the Apple tree, the tree of life and grace, whose shadow and fruit had been delightfull and sweet unto her; and to which tree, Christ himselfe was likened, Song 2. 3. So shee by faith taking hold on the covenant of grace & pro∣mises of life in Christ, called on his name in her for owes, and stirred him up for her helpe & com∣fort. there] under the Apple tree, the faith and hope of salvation and life. thy mother] the faith∣full company, or the primitive Church, who brought forth Christ into the world, by preach∣ing, professing, practising and suffering for his Gospell. painefully brought thee forth] travelled of thee with sorrow▪ The bringing forth of Christ into the world, by the preaching and witnessing of the Gospell, (that the childe might be borne unto

us, Esa. 9. 6.) is set forth by the similitude of a wo∣man in her painefull-travell, Rev. 12. 1. 2. Gal. 4. 19. For as child-birth is accompanied with many pangs and sorrowes, like bands that constraine forceably: so is the bringing forth of Christ into the hearts and mindes of men, that they may be∣leeve in him, performed with much labour, sor∣row and difficulty; In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tossings to and fro, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, &c. 2 Cor. 6. 4. 5. and 4. 8. 11. Wherefore the Church signifying her sorrowes, for the delive∣rance and salvation of her children, saith, Like as a woman with childe that draweth neere the time of her delivery, is in paine, cryeth out in her pangs; so have we beene in thy sight O Lord. Wee have beene with childe, wee have beene in paine, wee have as it were brought forth winde; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth, &c. Esa. 26. 17. 18.

Vers. 6. Set me] or, Put mee as a seale upon thine [unspec 6] heart. The Spouse desireth of Christ, assurance and confirmation of his love towards her; that she may be graven as the ingraving of a scale or signet, up∣on his heart. This hath reference to the high Priest of old, who having the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel, graven upon twelve precious stones, like the ingravings of a signet (or seale) is said to beare the names of the sonnes of Israel, in the Breast-plate of judgement upon his heart; for a memoriall before the Lord continually; Exod. 28. 21. 29. So shee desireth Christ to be her mercifull and faithfull high Priest, in things pertaining to God, Heb. 2. 17. that he would have a continuall care of her salvation, mindfull of her himselfe, and making a memoriall of her before God his Father; and that this affection of love, might not vanish away, but be as a deepe impres∣sion in his heart for ever. For a seale is used for a ra∣tifying and confirming that which is spoken, that it may not be disanulled, Neh. 9. 38. Rom. 4. 11. And this God signified to Zerubbabel saying, I will set thee as a seale; for I have chosen thee; Hag. 2. 23. and againe it is said, The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seale; the Lord knoweth them that are his: 2 Tim. 2. 19. a seale upon thine arme] The high Priest bare the names of the Tribes, not one∣ly upon his heart; but the same names he also bare (ingraven like a seale) upon his shoulders before the Lord for a memoriall, Exod. 28. 11. 12. And the Lord promising the daughter of Sion, that hee would not forget her to have compassion on her, saith: Behold I have graven thee upon the plames of my hands; thy walles, are continually before me, Esa. 49. 15. 16. But as the heart signifieth inward love, so the arme of Christ signifieth his outward manife∣station of love, by helping, bearing and supporting her in all her infirmities, through his power: wher∣fore it is said, Thou redeemest thy people with the arme, Psal. 77. 16. and, thou hast scattered thine enemies, with the arme of thy strength, Psal. 89. 11. and unto Ierusalem he saith, Behold the Lord will come with strong (hand) and his arme shall rule for him: Hee will feed his flocke like a sheepheard, hee will gather the Lambs with his arme, and carry them in his bosome, Esa. 40. 10. 11. love is strong as death] as death is strong, and overcommeth the strongest man, Psal. 89. 48. so the love which I beare towards thee, de∣siring to be united unto thee, is a strong affection which cannot be subdued in me by any trouble or tentation. zeale] or, gealousie: zeale is love infla∣med and ••ervent: and is used sometime in good part, as Ioh. 2. 17. sometime in the evill, called bit∣ter zeale (or envying) Iam. 3. 14. so is gealousie, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Here it seemeth to bee meant of godly zeale, or gealousie, wherewith her heart was also affected towards Christ. hard as hell] cruell, fierce and inexorable, as is hell it selfe, that is, the grave or state of death, whereof see the notes on Gen. 37. 35. that as death and the grave devoureth all, so love and gealous-zeale consumeth and eateth up, not sparing: for the love of Christ constraineth, 2 Cor. 5. 14. and the zeale for his glory, eateth up the godly, Psal. 69. 9. the coales] the fierie coales, arrowes, or fierie darts: properly the word signifieth that which flieth and burneth; & is applyed some∣times to plagues & judgements, Deut. 32. 24. some∣times to arrowes, Psal. 76. 3. here, to burning coales or darts of love, that pierce and inflame the heart, and cannot be quenched. flame of Iah] the con∣suming flame of God: Shalhebeth-jah, noteth a vehe∣ment or consuming flame of Iah (the Lord:) as the piercing and devouring lightning: but meaneth the fire of his Spirit, which is compared unto fire, Matth. 3. 11. for the power and efficacie thereof in the hearts of the children of God.

Vers. 7. many waters] By waters and floods are of∣ten [unspec 7] meant, afflictions, troubles, warres, persecuti∣ons, tentations, wherewith the faith, love, patience of Christs people are exercised & tried; Psal. 69. 2. Esa. 8. 7. 8. and 59. 19. Dan. 9. 26. and 11. 12. So here is signified that the love of Christ wherewith the mindes of his people are inflamed, is such, as cannot be quenched with any calamities. And thus it is said, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distresse, or persecution, or famine, or nakednesse, or perill, or sword? (as it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheepe of slaughter:) nay in all these things wee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more then conquerours, through him that loved us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I am perswaded that neither death, nor life, nor 〈…〉〈…〉 nor Principalities, nor powers, nor things present, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other crea∣ture shall bee able to separate us from the love of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is in Christ Iesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 〈…〉〈…〉 all the substance] or, all the riches (wealth) 〈…〉〈…〉 ver, gold, &c. that is in his house. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they would contemne it] that is, it would utterly (or al∣together) be contemned; or, he would wholly be contem∣ned. As the love betweene Christ and his Church cannot be separated, being united by the Holy Ghost so neither can love, nor other grace of God be bought for money, but is the free gift of God bestowed on whom he pleaseth▪ Act. 8. 18. 19. 20. Rom. 9. 11.—16. So wisedome cannot be go〈…〉〈…〉 for gold, neither shall silver bee weighed for the price thereof, &c. Ioh. 28. 15.—19. Prov. 8. 11. 19.

Vers. 8. Wee have a little sister] The godly here [unspec 8] consult about a new Church arising, whom they call a sister; in respect of the unitie of faith; little

(or small) as being yong, newly converted, and no∣thing populous, without breasts, as having yet no stablished ministerie, (for such is the state of the Churches in their beginning, as appeareth by Act. 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5.) so that her children could not sucke out the sincere milke of the word, and be sa∣tisfied with the breasts of her consolations, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Esa. 66. 11. for she was not yet come to the e∣state of Israel whose breasts were fashioned, and the Lord entred into covenant with her, and shee be∣came his, Ezek. 16. 7. 8. when she shall be spoken of] or, wherein speech shal be of her: when the fame of her calling and conversion shal come abroad, what fur∣therance shall we yeeld, to increase, settle, stablish her in the truth. This sheweth the duty of love from one Church to another, in communicating their graces each to other, and praying one for an∣other. See an example in Act. 11. 19. 22. 23. This Hebrew phrase of speech to be had of her (or in her,) may be understood two waies, for or against her: for her, when treatie shall be of her espousals unto Christ; thus David sent and spake of (or with) Abi∣gail, to take her to him to wife, 1 Sam. 25. 39. against her, as the people spake against God, and against Moses, Numb. 21. 5. and Princes speake against me, Psal. 119. 23. For no sooner doe a people turne to the Lord, but the wicked doe oppose in word and worke. And thus the Hebrewes in their Chaldee Para∣phrase expound it here, What shall wee doe for our si∣ster, in the day when the nations shall speake to goe up a∣gainst her, unto warre?

Vers. 9. If she be is wall] The answere to the thing proponed, made (as some thinke) by Christ, to [unspec 9] which the Chaldee paraphrast agreeth, saying, Michael the Prince of Israel will say: or, by other her sister churches, desirous to procure her good. a wall] that is, strong and well grounded in the truth; and so become a citie, which is often de∣scribed by walles, gates, barres, &c. 2 Chron 8. 5. and 14. 7. Revel, 21. 12. Spiritually it meaneth her faith and hope of salvation in Christ, grounded on the doctrine of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve Apostles of Christ, Rev. 21. 14. 19. as, Thou shalt call thy walles salvation, Esa. 66. 18. and, we have a strong city, salvation will God appoint for walles and bulworkes, Esa. 26. 1. Moreover, when God signifi∣ed the strength and courage of his Prophet against their enemies, he faith, I will make thee unto this peo∣ple, a fenced brazen wall; and they shall fight against thee shall not prevaile, ••er. 15. 20. wee will b〈…〉〈…〉d] Here, by we, may be implied the Trinitie in the Godhead, as Gen. 1. 26. Song 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. or, we may meane Christ inwardly & effectually by his grace, and his people (her sisters) outwardly and ministe∣rially by the word of the Gospell. a pallace] or, 〈…〉〈…〉le, a tower, a faire and orderly building; such as were wont est times to bee set on strong walles of cities: and this being of silver, noteth the puritie, excellencie and durablenesse of this pallace, ador∣ned with the graces of Gods word and Spirit, that so she might be builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. 2. 22. and bee able to resist the forces of her enemies. and if she be a doore] if shee goe forward in the faith and practise of the Gospell, that she be not onely built up as a wall, but as a gate and doore, fully edified; as at the repairing of Ierusalem, when they sanctified the gates, and set up the doores of it, Nehem. 3. which gates, doores, barres, &c. were for the safeguard of the inhabitants, and shewed their care to resist and keepe out the enemies, (as appeareth by the con∣trary in Ier. 49. 31.) as also to open, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truths may enter in, Esa. 26. 2. Psal. 118. 20. Therefore Angels are at the gates of the heavenly Citie, to conduct Gods people into it, Revel. 21. 12. 27. and 22. 14. wee will inclose her] or, we will fence her about, with board of Cedar; which is faire, strong and durable, and of sweet sa∣vour: of such the Temple was builded, 1 King. 6. 15.—18.

V. 10. I am a wall] or, I became a wall; that is, I grew [unspec 10] up and waxed strong in the faith & love of Christ. The little sister sheweth her readinesse to receive and increase in the doctrine of the Gospell my breasts as towers] my breasts are fashioned, Ezek. 16. 7. the ministerie of the word established in mee, to nourish up children unto Christ. The similitude of towers, noteth also the strength, power, and glory of the administration of the Gospell: and the open preaching of it out of pulpits of high places, that all may heare. For Migdal, a towre, is used for a pulpit, in Neh. 8. 4. in his eyes] in Christs sight. findeth peace] We all in our naturall corruption are enemies to God, Rom. 5. 10. but being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Iesus Christ, Rom. 5. 1. for the worke of righteousnesse is peace, and the effect of righteousnesse, quietnesse and as∣surance for ever, Esa. 32. 17. and this peace is injoy∣ed by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 8. 6. 9. and it is oppo∣sed to all the troubles, tentations, persecutions and afflictions in this life and world, Ioh. 16. 33. and is that which guardeth our hearts and mindes, through Christ Iesus, Phil. 4. 7.

Vers. 11. Solomon had a Uineyard, &c.] These [unspec 11] words may be understood as spoken by Christ, or by his Spouse forementioned. If by Christ, then it is a comparison betweene Solomon with his vine-yard, and Christ with his. That Solomon (as his father David, 1 Chro. 27. 27.) could not himselfe looke to his Vineyards, but appointed officers to looke unto them, who yeelded him a yeerely tri∣bute, and had themselves a part of the profit for their labour: but Christ (who is alwaies with his Church, Matth. 28. 20. and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candle stickes, Revel. 2. 1.) looketh to his Vineyard himselfe, that unto him, all the fruit and benefit thereof belongeth alone. If it be spoken by his Spouse (which I rather incline unto,) then it sheweth a greater care and diligence in her now then in former times, when she confessed, that shee kept not the Vineyard which was hers; that is, which was committed to her custodie, Song 1. 6. So by Solomon, she meaneth Christ, by the Vineyard, his church in generall; for the house of Israel was the Lords Uineyard, Esa. 5. 7. Baal hamon] that is by interpretation, the master (or owner) of a multi∣tude; meaning hereby either the world, among the multitudes whereof Christ hath his Church; or in

respect of the much fruit which it yeelded unto God, or should yeeld, being situate in a fertile place, which he had blessed with his grace; such as in E∣say. 5. 1. is called the horne of the sonne of oile, that is, a very fruitfull hill. he gave the Uineyard] that is, he let it out, in farme; as it is said, There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, &c. and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a farre countrie: Mat. 21. 33. Thus the Apostle saith to the Church of Corinth, Wee are labourers together with God, yee are Gods husbandrie, 1 Cor. 3. 9. a thousand shekels of silver] or, a thousand silverlings, meaning silver shekels: signifying hereby the great fertilitie of this Vineyard, that afforded so much to the ow∣ner, besides the labourers reward. So in Esa. 7. 23. threatning to make the most fruitfull place deso∣late, he saith, Where there were a thousand vines, at a thousand silverlings (or silver shekels) it shall bee for briars and thornes.

Vers. 12. My vineyard which is mine] that is, un∣derstanding [unspec 12] it to bee spoken by the Spouse, as in Song 1. 6. which is committed to my care and kee∣ping. is before me] that is, I alwaies looke un∣to it, care for it, and am diligent to manure and dresse it. As, all his judgements were before me; and his statutes I departed not from them; 2 Sam. 22. 23. to thee O Solomon] that is, thou shalt have thy full due for the fruit of thy vineyard, which is a 1000. silverlings, vers. 11. See Math. 21. 41. 200. to those that keepe the fruit] that is, thy labou∣rers shall receive also according to the agreement, every one for his worke: see Mat. 20. 1. 2. &c. So the Apostle saith, Every man shall receive his owne reward, according to his owne labour; 1 Cor. 3. 8.

Vers. 13. Thou that dwellest] or, O inhabitresse: [unspec 13] Christ speaketh to his Spouse, dwelling in the gar∣dens, that is, in the Churches; teaching her conti∣nuall duty, both to her neighbours, in constant witnessing of the truth; and to himselfe, in prayer and thanksgiving. the companions attending] or, doe attend to thy voice. By companions, he seemeth to meane her fellow Christians, partakers of the same faith, spirit and grace: 2 Pet. 1. 1. By voice hee un∣derstandeth the doctrine of the Church, whereun∣to all ought to attend. cause thou me to heare] to weet, thy voice; as he expressed before; in Song 2. 14. Let me heare thy voice; that is, thy prayers, praises, and thanksgivings: teaching her to call up∣on and to serve him continually. Or, cause to heare me, that is, preach me to thy companions that at∣tend to thy voice; let thy doctrines be my Gospell, not mens traditions. These are the two maine and permanent duties of all Gods churches; that their doctrine be the true and uncorrupt word of Christ; & their prayers & service be directed to him alone, who is ready to heare and help in all time of need. To these two, prayer and the Ministery of the Word, the Apostles gave themselves continually, Act. 6. 4.

Vers. 14. Flee my Beloved] The prayer of the Spouse unto Christ, desiring the end of his King∣dome in this world, where he with his people are persecuted and afflicted; and the translating there∣of into the highest heavens. For Christ now raign∣eth in the midst of his enemies, Psal. 110. 2. and so must raigne, till he hath put all enemies under his feete: and at the end he shall deliver up the King∣dome to God, even the Father, 1 Cor. 15. 24. 25. Then the dead in Christ arising first, they also that live and remaine, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the ayre; and so shall we ever be with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4. 16. 17. This day she desireth with speed: for though it be usually called the day of Christs comming (or appearing,) yet because he shall not come here to remaine, but to cary his elect away out of this world, shee useth the word Flee, or Depart away. The Hebrews in their Chaldee paraphrast, though they apply not this to the end of the world, yet so speake as beleeving that Christ should ascend into heaven and from thence succour his church on earth; saying: At that time shall the Elders of the Congregation of Israel say, Flee thou O my Beloved, the Lord of the world, from this uncleane earth, and let thy Majesty dwell in the highest heavens: and in tim•• of tribulation when wee shall pray before thee, bee like a Roe, &c, or like a Fawne of the Harts, which when it fleeth, looketh behinde it, so looke thou upon us, and have respect to our tribulation and our affliction from the highest heavens, untill the time that thou shalt take pleasure in us, and redeeme us, and bring us unto the mountaine of Ierusalem; and there the Priests shall burn before thee, the incense of sweet spices. be thou like] or, liken (resemble) thy selfe to a Roe; that is, be swift and make hast to flee away: see the notes on Song 29. 17. fawne of the Harts] that is, a yong Hart. on the mountaines of spices] This referred to the Roe or Hart, sheweth that they used to flee for their succour to mountaines where spices grew, as in Song 2. 17. she mentioned the mountaines of Be∣ther. Or, referring it to Christ himselfe, it may meane the very heavens, called mountaines of spi∣ces, for the height and pleasures which are there at the right hand of God for ever. And it may be in∣terpreted, O thou that art on the mountaines of spices, that is, in heaven; as, Hosanna in the highest, Matth. 21. 9. that is, thou which art in the highest hea∣vens. Thus as this Song began with desire of Christs first comming to kisse her with the kisses of his mouth, by preaching his Gospell: so it endeth with desire of his second comming, to remove his Church out of all misery, into the place of endlesse and incomprehensible glory, And the Spi∣rit and the Bride say, Come; and let him that heareth, say, Come: and Christ himselfe saith, Surely, I come quickly, Amen; Even so, Come Lord Iesus, Revel. 22. 17 20.