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.

VPon my bed] The Church now sheweth grea∣ter afflictions into which shee fell, through want of feeling the presence and comforts of Christ. Whiles she thought her selfe sure of her Beloved, and laid her downe as on the bed of ease; supposing him to bee with her, she misseth his company: and seeking him by solitary medita∣tion found him not. Thus may wee understand this place comparing it with Chap. 5. vers. 2. 3. &c. The bed sometime signifieth tribulation, as in Rev. 2. 22. which may be also implyed here; that the Church sought and waited for the Lord, in the way of his judgements, as in Esay 26. 8. the nights] the times of solitary & earnest meditation, as also of effliction, are signified by the nights: as in Ps▪ 63. 7. and 119. 55. and 77. 3. 4. 7. &c. So in Esay [unspec 1] 26. 9. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my Spirit within me, will I seeke thee earely. I sought] by prayer, study, meditation; upon repen∣tance of sins & negligences, in faith of Gods pro∣mises &c. See Matt. 7. 7. 8. Ho••ea 3. 5. and 5. 15. Ieremy. 50. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 2. 3. Deu•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. 29. my soule loveth] Christ whom before shee called her Beloved, is here the love of lier soule; for by withdrawing the light of his face, & afflicting the conscience, the love, zeale and affections of the Christian heart are kindled and increased When he slew them th••n they sought him; and returned & sought God early, &c. Psal. 78. 34. 35. I found him not] to weet presently, till afterward, v. 4. For neglect of taking hold on grace when it is offered, or not keeping it when it is received, God often with∣draweth the light of his countenance, to stirre up zeale and fervency in his children, Prov. 1. 24. 28. Mic. 3. 4. Ier. 11. 10. 11.

V. 2. I will rise now] or, Let me rise now. This signi∣fieth [unspec 2] a stirring up of grace in her, an increase of faith, love, zeale and fervency in spirit: Neh. 2. 12. 18. Lam. 2. 19. Psal. 57. 6. Thus afflictions are pro∣fitable, that we may learn Gods statutes, Ps. 119. 17. goe about in the Citie] a signe of earnest desire to obtaine that which one seeketh, whether it be for evill, as in Psal. 55. 11. and 59. 7. 15. or for good, as in this place. See also Esay 23. 16. By the Citie, un∣derstand Ierusalem the holy citie, where Christ dwelt amongst men, and had seated his Temple, and the practice of his ordinances, wither all Is∣rael repaired thrice every year; which was a figure of the Church, Eccl. 10. 15. Esa. 26. 1. So amongst the people of God, in his word and ordinances, she sought Christ for the comfort of her soule. streets and broad places] or, narrow streets, and broad streets, for both words are used for streets of a city; and the latter, for such broad places as oftentimes people met together in, as in 2 Chron. 32. 6. Neh. 8. 1. 3. 16. Iob ••9. 7. So this n••teth an exquisite search, as in another case it is said, Run ye to and fro through the streets of Ierusalem, and see now and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, &c Ier. 5. 1. And she therfore seeketh him in the streets because there wisdome uttereth her voice, Pro. 1. 20.

22. there▪ Christ teacheth, Luk. ••3. ••6. yet now in them she cannot find him.

Vers. 3. The Watchmen] or, The Keepers, Warders. [unspec 3] These signifie the officers or Ministers of the Church and Citie of God for the Priests and Le∣vi••es kept of old the watch for charge of the Lord, Numb. 3. 7. 8. So in Esay 62. 6 it is said, I have set watchmen upon thy wals, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ierusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night, &c. found me] It is not said thee sought th••m, but they found her; which phrase signifieth diligence rather on their part, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing unlooked for on hers. So God is said to find his people in the wildernesse, Deut. 32. 10. and afflictions doe find men, as Psal. 116. 3. and 18. And this accordeth with the Watch-mens du∣tie, to find out such as wander about the city in the nights. After shee sp••aketh of the like and more, that the Watchmen found her, and smo••e her, &c. Song. 5. 7. Saw ye him] She inquireth of them for Christ, but here is no mention of any thing they said to her before; nor of any answer they gave to her demand after. It is problable by this their silence, and her words following, that they told her no tidings of her beloved. Whether the fault were in them, that they were such as are spo∣ken of in Esa. 56. 10. blind watchmen, & dumbe dogs that could not barke: or in her selfe, that could not by the doctrine of the Ministers, apprehend & ap∣ply Christ unto her conscience and comfort.

Ver. 4. but a little] or, a very little: meaning either time, or distance of place. passed from them] [unspec 4] so she stayed not with them, because her beloved was not among them: but continued seeking o∣therwhere. For neither the society of brethren, or Church, or Ministers, can comfort the afflicted conscience, unlesse Christ himself be apprehended by faith. but I found] or, untill I found: here, af∣ter much seeking, without fainting or discourage∣ment, when meanes faile, she findeth Christ to the Comfort of her conscience. Thus the promise is fulfilled, Seeke and yee shall find, Mat. 7. 7. not let him goe] or, not leave him; shewing herein Iakobs faith when he wrastled with the Angel, Gen. 32. 26. I will not let thee go, except thou blesse me. This is done, when the doctrines & promises of the Gos∣pel are by faith retained; as it is said, Take fast hold of instruction, let her not goe, Pro. 4. 13. my mothers house] Hereby any chiefe City, Politie, or solemne place of assembly is signified, 2 Sam. 20. 19. Esay 50. 1. Ier. 50. 12. Ezek. 19. 10. The mother is Ieru∣salem which is above, the mother of us all; which is figured by Sarah the Freewoman, and signifieth the new Testament, or covenant of Grace, Gal. 4. 24.—26. The house and chamber wherein she con∣ceiveth us by the preaching of the Gospell, is out∣wardly the Church, 1 Tim. 3. 5. inwardly the hart and conscience where faith dwelleth, Rom. 10. 16. Gal. 4. 19. Thus by the Spirit, she getteth unto her selfe more constant assurance of her election and salvation by Christ, and by his presence through his Word & Ordinances, her state & Church po∣litie is set up and stablished. So after in Song. 8. 2.

Vers. 5. I adjure you, &c.] She having obtained [unspec 5] Christ againe, with constant purpose of heart to re∣taine him; reneweth her contestation and charge of sanctification of life, such as becommeth the Gospell; and of patient suffering adversitie for his name: that Christ bee not provoked by ••inne to leave his people. For, as Moses said unto Israel, If ye turne away from after him, hee will yet againe leave them in the wildernesse; and yee shall destroy all this people, Num. 32. 15. See the annotations on Song. 2. 7. where this charge was first given; in these same words.

Ver. 6. Who is this] this woman, speaking of the [unspec 6] Church, by the example of Israel, who went up frō the wildernesse unto Canaan the promised inhe∣ritance; Num. 10. 33. &c. This seemeth to imply a new company o•• state of a Church rising up in the world: or it is the speech of strangers, admi∣ring the glory of the Spouse of Christ: who was seene before of Christ by her faith, and is now be∣holden of others, by her order, (the two things most respected in the Church of God, Col∣lossians 2. 5.) in which she marcheth through the widernesse of this world, towards her heavenly rest. So when Christ came riding into Ierusalem, all the Citie was moved, saying: Who is this? Mat. 21. 10. commeth up] or, ascendeth, as the going into Aegypt, is called a descending, or going downe, Genesis 42. 2. and 46. 3. 4. so the going out from thence, is called ascending, or going up Exod. 13. 18. and 33. 3. Deut. 9. 23. The way of life, is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath, Pro. 15. 24. from the wildernesse] the wildernesse of the land of Aegypt was a figure of the world; as the Prophet teacheth us when he mentioneth the wildernesse of peoples, Ezek. 20. 35. 36. So Christians are not of the world, but he hath chosen them out of the world, Ioh. 15. 19. pillars of smoake] or, va∣pours of smoake, as the Holy Ghost translateth it in Greeke, Act. 2. 19. from Iocl 2. 30. In Hebrew it hath the name of Palme trees, (such as the stature of the Church is likened unto, in Song. 7. 7.) which are upright and tall like pillars: and smoky vapours mounting upright, are so called by simi∣litude. The Spouse of Christ is here likened to pillars of smoake, because her journey tendeth right upward to heaven, moved by the fire of Gods spi∣rit. And whereas in Ioel 2. 30. and Act. 2. 19. blood, and fire, and pillars of smoake, are signes of Gods wrath against the contemners of his word and Church; (and smoke in the Scriptures is usual∣ly a signe of anger,) here also the like may bee im∣plyed. Againe, as smoake is darke and hindereth from seeing, and the cloudy pillar was darke to the Aegyptians, Exo. 14. 20. so is the Church and glo∣ry thereof, obscure unto the world, by reason of her afflictions in this life, which were resembled unto Abraham by a smoaking oven, Gen. 15. 17. But chiefly this seemeth to denote the sanctification of the Church, who as a spirituall sacrifice, as∣cendeth upto God, on the Altar Christ, by the fire of the spirit, resolving the earthly matter to ashes remaining beneath, and the other unto smoake mounting up unto God. perfumed] or, becensed with Myrrh; the Church is perfumed and made of sweet odout by Christ

〈◊〉〈◊〉 agge of myrrh that lodgeth betweene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 b••••sts, Song, 1. ••3.) whose death was like myrrh, bi••ter in tast, lot of sweet smell, with this she was perfumed by knowing him, and the power of his re∣surrection, & the fellowship of his suffrings, being made conformable unto his death. Phil. 3. 10. And with the odour of this incense, she is comforted; according to the Proverbe, Ointment and perfume rejoyce the heart, Prov. 27. 9. and frankincense] Myrrh was used in the holy anointing oile; and frankincense in the sweet perfume, Exod. 30. which perfume fi∣gured the mediation of Christ, the Angell which offereth much incense w^ch the prayers of all saints, Rev. 8. 3. So through his death and intercession the Church hath her sweet smell: and all her gar∣ments are Myrrh, aloes and Cassia, Psal. 45. with all powder] or, above all powder (that is powders or spices) of the Merchant. That is, with all other graces that Christ hath bestowed upon her by the preaching of his Gospell. Or, those forenamed Myrrh and Frankincense which shee hath from Christ, are above all other graces and gifts which can be attained to in this word. of the merchant] or, of the spice merchant, as the word is englished in 1 Kin. 10. 15. But the Gr. interpreteth it Apotheca∣rie, or Ointment maker. Such were of the Priests, under the Law, which made the ointment of the spi∣ces, 1 Chron. 9. 30. and such now, are the Ministers of the Gospell, uttering the word and graces of the Spirit.

Ver. 7. Behold his bed, which is Solomons] an He∣brew manner of speech, explained thus in Greeke, [unspec 7] Behold the bed of Solomon. Some understand here, his bed like that which was Solomons: others, above (or better thē) that which was Solomons. The Spirit here calleth us to behold the guard which was a∣bout Solomons bed, for his safety and security frō feare. Solomon in his name Kingly office, wise∣dome and royalty, was a figure of Christ, (who is greater then Solomon, Mat. 12. 42.) and his bed is above Solomons. Christs bed here seemeth to meane the hearts of the elect, (as in Song. 1. 13. the Spouse said, he shold lodge betwixt her brests) in whose hearts Christ dwelleth by faith, Ephes. 3. 17. and there taketh his repose and rest. And this habitation or ledging, was figured by the Taber∣nacle and Temple of Solomon, 1 Cor. 6. 19. There∣fore the Chaldee paraphrast (who saw not Christ but in shadowes,) applyed this bed, to the Temple which Solomon built. 60. mightie ones] or, 60. valiants, strong men. Solomons bed was guarded with sixtie of the Valiants, or mighty men of Israel, that hee might bee safe from perill, figuring the safe guarding and keeping of the hearts and minds of Gods elect, both by their own diligent watch over their hearts and wayes; (as it is written, Above all observation keepe thy heart: for o•••• of it are the ••ssues of life, Pro. 4. 23. wherein whiles they keepe sound wisedome and discretion, when they lye downe, they shall not be afraid; yea they lye downe, and their sleepe is sweet, Pro. 3. 21. 24.) as also by the safe keeping and protection of God, by whose power, the Saints are guarded (or kept) through faith unto salvation, 1. Pet. 1. 5. so that they are not afraid for the terrour of the night, or for the arrow that flyeth by day, Psal. 91. 1. 5. & the peace of God, which passeth ••l understanding, doth keep (or guard) their hearts and minds through Christ Iesus, Phil. 4. 7. And in speciall, this is done by the Ministers of Christ, that watch and wake for the soules of his people, Heb. 13. 17. Act. ••0. 28. 31. as his servants of old, did stand in the house of the Lord, in the nights, Psal. 134. 1. might it ones of Israel] what mighty valiants, were in Israel, appeareth by Davids Worthies, which helped him in his wars: and are mentioned in 1 Chron. 11 10. 47. and 12. 1. 38. They figured such strong men as have the word of God abiding in them, and doe overcome the wicked one; 1 Ioh. 2. 14.

V. 8. hold the sword] or, holden (apprehended) of [unspec 8] the sword, that is, girded therewith. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, Ephes. 6. 17. which men do then hold, when they hold forth the word of life, Phil. 2. 16. and therewith resist Satan and all ene∣mies; and by faith doe overcome, 1 Ioh. 2. 14. and 5. 4. expert] or, learned, taught, (as the Greeke translateth it) being taught of God, who teacheth the hands of his people to war, 2. Sam. 22. 35. so that they fight the good fight of faith, 1 Tim. 6. 12. and by long custome are inured and skilfull in the Lords battels, and have their senses exercised to dis∣cerne good and evill, Heb. 5. 14. Such in figure, were the sons of Reuben, Gad, and Manasses, 1 Chron, 5. 18. his swordon his thigh] by his side prepa∣red, and ready to fight, as Exod. 32. 27. So unto Christ it is said, Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Psal. 45. 4. feare in the nights] or, dread (terror) in the nights; the dreadfull evills that are secret and unseene, and every night do endan∣ger. For thefts, murders, treasons, and other mis∣chiefes, are often done in the night; as experience, and the scriptures testifie, Iob 24. 14. Ier. 6. 5. Neh. 6. 10. Dan. 5. 30. 1 Cor. 11. 23. Mat. 13. 25. Prov. 7. 9. 22. and then it is needfull to watch, & stand rea∣dy armed, Neh. 4. 22. Mat. 24. 43. and 26. 31. 41. So Christians which are to wrastle against manifold tentations, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spirituall wickednesses in high places; are willed to take unto them the whole armour of God: and to stand, having their loynes girded, &c. Ephes. 6. 12. 13. 14.

V. 9. a charret] The Hebrew Apirjon is not found [unspec 9] but in this one place, translated in the Greek Pho∣reion, which is a thing to cary upon, as a charet, licter or the like; but after the Hebrew it hath the name of fairenesse or gloriousnesse, and of fruitful∣nesse. Some take it be a throne, some a pallace, some a bed: Sol. Iarchi expounds it a secret chamber for honor, to wit, such as is made for the Bride & Bride∣goome. The Chaldee expoundeth this of the tem∣ple which Solomon made of the wood of Leba∣non, but that temple was a figure of Christ and of his Church: to which we may better referre it. Of Christ, it may be meant, in respect of his human na∣ture, which was all glorious, without spot of sinne; which humanity he made and assumed to himselfe with all the glorious graces of the spirit, for the salvation of his elect, the daughters of Ierusalem.

Of the Ministers of Christ, or the Church (his my∣sticall body) it may (as I thinke) rather here bee spoken, which by the preaching, profession and practise of the Gospell, carieth Christ as a charret, holding forth the word of truth and of salvation, in the midst wherof Christ sitteth, teaching, go∣verning and triumphing. So the former similitude of the Bed, signifieth the more secret state of the Church in times of danger: this of the charret be∣tokeneth the more open glory of the same, by the publishing and practising of the Gospell. wood] or, trees of Lebanō, that is of Cedar wood that grew on Lebanō, figuring, the Saints likned to Cedars in Lebanon, Ps. 92. 12. 13. of which, as of the matter, Christ maketh his Church, Rom. 1. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 2.

Ver. 10. the pillars] This if it be referred to persōs, meaneth the Ministers, who by the doctrine of [unspec 10] the Gospell susteyned the Church; as Iames, Cephas and Iohn seemed to be pillars, Gal. 2. 9. If unto other things, it may bee understood of the words of God, (likened unto fined silver in Psal. 12.) with whose oracles, as with pillars the charret of the Church is sustained. So Prov. 9. Wisedome buil∣ded her house, and hewed out her seven pillars. A pillar signifieth constancy and stability, Rev. 3. 12. the bottome] or, the seat on which Solomon sit∣teth, resteth or lyeth in his charret: so the Greeke translateth it Anacliton, that which one sitteth or lyeth downe upon. This bottome or seat of gold, seemeth to have reference to the golden Mercie-seat over the Arke in the Temple; on which God is said to sit, Ps. 80. 2. And it signifieth the covenant of grace, apprehended by faith: (which is much more precious thē gold that pensheth, 1 Pet. 1. 7.) and the doctrines of the Law by faith, which are better then thousands of gold and silver, Psal. ••19. 72. the covering] the top and hangings, which have the name here of riding, because it seemed as it were to ride upon the charter: so the Greek cal∣leth it Epibasis, of ascending. It seemeth to signifie the outward conversation and cloathing of the Church, which being purple, is not onely a Prince∣ly colour, denoting heavenly life, but hath speciall reference to the blood and death of Christ, wher∣of the Church is made partaker, both for justifica∣tion and sanctification, Rev. 1. 5. 6. and 7. 14. Rom. 6. 3. 4. And so the hope of heavenly glory is here also applyed, and protection from Christ, till wee come unto his glory. the midst] or, the inmost thereof, being paved with love: or he made a pave∣ment of love. This in respect of Christ, signifieth his inmost and servent love towards us, even giving his life for us, and having us as it were written in his heart: in respect of his people it signifieth the sense and feeling of Christs love towards them, as also their love unto Christ, and one to another. So the seat, the covering, and the pavement, are answe∣rable to those three graces, faith, hope and love, spo∣ken of in 1 Cor. 13. of the daughters of Ierusa∣lem] these are the elect of God, the children of Ie∣rusalem (the mother of us all, Gal. 4. 26.) which be∣ing loved of Christ, are graven on the palmes on his hands, Esay 49. 16. yea caried upon his heart, as the high Priest bare the names of the children of Israel, in the brest plate of judgment, upon his hart, Ex. 2••. 29. And so of his Ministers, as it is said, Ye are our Epi∣stle written in our hearts, 1 Cor. 3. 2. & you are in our hearts, to dye, and live with you, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cor. 7. 3. Such therefore, as the love of Christ, are the pave∣ment of his Coach.

Ver. 11. daughters of Zion] Zion was a mount in [unspec 11] Ierusalem and as that was called the holy Citie, Esay 52. 1. so Zion is called the Lords holy mountaine. Ioel 3. 17. because of his Temple there. The daughters of Zion were the women dwelling therein, or belonging thereto, Esay 3. 16. 17. and 4. 4. But under the name daughters, all the inha∣bitants men and women, are comprised; and all Townes and Cities of Israel which were daugh∣ters (in Scripture phrase) to the mother Zion: and so the Chaldee here expoundeth it, Inhabitants of the Provinces of the land of Israel. This mount Si∣on figured the Christian Church, Heb. 12. 22. the daughters figured Christians, either persons or Churches, Esay 49. 14. 22. which are therefore said to be Virgins, and to follow the Lamb Christ, who standeth upon mount Sion, Rev. 14. 1. 4. These are called forth by the preaching of the Gospel, to behold Christ (the true Solomon) with his crown. So in Psal. 149. 2. Let the sons of Sion be gladin their King: and in Mat. 21. 5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion, behold thy King commeth, &c. see K. Solomon] the faitfull are called out of their former state, to a further degree of knowledge, to see Christ (whom Solomon figured in his kingdome) crowned with glory and honor in his Church. So unto Iohn it was said, Come and see: Rev. 6. 1. 3. 5. 7. his mo∣ther crowned him] by the mother, seemeth to bee meant the congregation of the faithfull, (as also the Chaldee here expoundeth it, the people of the house of Israel,) called his mother, because by the do∣ctrine of faith, they spiritually doe conceive and bring forth Christ, Gal. 4. 19. and doing the will of his Father they are esteemed and loved of him, as his sister and mother, Mat. 12. 50. The crowne is a signe of Kingdome, Dominion and Victorie, Psal. 21. and Christ warring against his enemies, and overcomming, hath on his head many crownes (or ••••a∣demes) Rev. 19. 11. 12. &c. and 6. 2. And the King∣domes of this world, after the tyranny of Anti∣christ, do become the Kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Christ, Rev. 11. 15. When Christ therefore ruleth in his Church by the s••epter of his Word, and his people submit unto his Law and Governe∣ment, then let they the Crowne upon his head, acknowledging his soveraignty. day of his espousalls] when he was esponsed unto his Bride the Church; this is the day of the Covenant made betweene Christ and his people, Ezek. 16. 8. &c. as he saith to Ierusalem, I 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 thee, the kindnesse of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, whē thou we〈…〉〈…〉st after me in the wildernesse, &c. Ier. 2. 2. For when a people are by the Gospell won unto the faith, and setled in the order of Christ, they are espoused unto him as to a husband, 2 Cor. 11. 2. And this is after called the day of the gladnesse of his heart, because as the Bridegroome 〈…〉〈…〉th ever the Bride, so God re∣joyceth over his people, Esay 62. 5.