An exposition of the divinely prophetick Song of Songs which is Solomons beginning with the reign of David and Solomon, ending in the glorious kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ / adjusted to the expositor's line of time, and illustrating it, and composed into verse by T. Beverley.

CHAP. VII. (Book 7)

The Spouse Praises the Jewish Body Coming into Union with it.

* 1.1Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.2 HOW Beautious are the princely Feet now shod With Liberty, that captiv'd naked trod On Earth's hard Pavements; andNotes explaining the Sense. 3 1.3 the Royal Thighs, * 1.4 Whose motion was distorted, and the Guise Of th' Princes Daughter so deform'd with Chains, Are joynted now with Pearl, that state maintains To all her Motion; Which the Artists Hand With deepest cunning Fram'd, so to command * 1.5 The noblest Goings: Princess,Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.6 Thy Navel's Twirl'd So close with Truth, that like a Goblet Curl'd Into a Circle, fast must hold the Juice Entrusted to it, and preserve to use

* 1.7 The Vital Liquor; while a fruitful Hill Of Wheat thy Belly rises, that doth fill Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.8 Each gracious Appetite with Food so pure, * 1.9 That Lillies with their Milk-white Guard secure It all about: For Thy great Types unveil'd, Thy Prophecies unlock'd are Truth* 1.10 engrail'd With highest Pleasures, which (as finest Wheat, And noblest Moystures Bodies) Spirits treat; Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.11 Thy Testaments entwist't with so great Light Of Exposition offer'd to all sight, At this great Revolution shall, like Breasts, * 1.12 Dispose their Milk abroad; As Roes whose rests Are Rists to Motions fresh and new, so Truth From thy Returns its leaps, and bounds renew'th, And never flags; As Fountains press'd by Art Mount High, so Thy two Breasts shall shoot and dart On every side their Milky way, when thou United to me shalt to my Love bow: And though those Testaments are ne're new giv'n, By thy Conversion They divinely thriv'n Swell like young Breasts, when soon theNotes explaining the Sense. 3 1.13 Twelve of Tribes Shall joyn Apostles Twelve, which thing describes New Salem's Gates and Walls, when each these Twelves By Names engraven deep, Record themselves.

Now that I may define Thee with just Art Distinguish'd from the Nations, thus each Part Of theNotes explaining the Sense. 4 1.14 Superiour Order, I descry By Figures of thy own Lands Royalty; These, as the noblest* 1.15 Vehicles of Life, Life from the Dead, without intestine strife * 1.16 To the whole World convey, and as the Rest Of universal Riches; East and West

* 1.17 Send it abroad: Thy Neck's that Eburn Throne Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.18 King Schelom mounted to a Towers Cone,

On which GreatNotes explaining the Sense. 2 1.19 Schelom* 1.20 Zenith'd sits in Reign, When equal Judgment to Earth's Globe He'll deign: And Trees in crouds of Woods shall clap their hands For Joy; Then swelling Floods forsake their Sands, In Thunders* 1.21 Elah to mount Praise: And Grones Of the Creation melt into sweet Tones.

* 1.22 Clear as theNotes explaining the Sense. 3 1.23 Heshbon Fish-pools are thy Eyes, Those Pools that by Bath-Rabbims Gate do rise, Where Multitudes do flock to hear the Wise: Ezekiel's Landscaph of the Blessed state Of Life by Waters, that as Seas dilate, Agrees, For as the Scaled Habitants Swim in unnumber'd sholes, and find no wants Of room for Life in the vast Ocean, so Men, as the Fishes shall these Waters Row; And as successive Billows, Life shall rise On all that moves; Here nothing moves and dyes, What's Dead, or Dyes into a Sea of Salt, Is cast like Sodom's Lake, the Dead-Seas Vault.

* 1.24 Thy Nose likeNotes explaining the Sense. 4 1.25 Liban's Towre, Liban's Perfumes Drinks, and, as the blissful Odours it assumes, It thence diffuses, while Damascus Types The World around thee; Thus thy Nose, as Pipes Conveys Lifes Savor, it had drunk, Thy Eyes As Princes Bless, what in their prospect lyes, Thus thou, this Royal Tower, by thy Nose Draw'st in, and dost again dispose

The Royal Savors; sending out those Breaths, That thou didst first exhale; Thus Incense wreaths In sweetest Circles: Thus whatever lyes Within thy point is Bless'd; For from thee hyes The Incense down, that first to thee did rise. Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.26 Now in this lofty Temple State, and Air Serene, grows useless the Goats Hair.

* 1.27 Thy Carmel Head Blazons an high Estate, Bound with the Crimson, and the purpurate, Bless'd Sch••••m's high Estate, in Colours Plait Of Royalty within thy Locks, for lo * 1.28 The King not in the presence, but so, As in his Palaces chief* 1.29 Ante-rooms * 1.30 He in the Galleries is held; He comes From thence in State: My Ravish'd Thoughts rush on In foretasts of the Pleasures we'r upon.

* 1.31 Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.32 How great's the Beauty, and the Pleasure high When Love set free from all Adversity Baths in the Liquid streams of pure Delight? What Inspir'd Pen can to this Love do right? * 1.33

But I return to Thee, whose statures flown To th'Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.34 Palm-Trees Height, and near its Top is grown; Mean whilst, as gen'rous Clusters on the Vine, That twists about that Height, swell out of Line; So don'tNotes explaining the Sense. 4 1.35 Thy Breasts their Fruitfulness forget, Whilst thou in Heights so near the Clouds are set. * 1.36

I said, with Thee I will unite, and climb Thy Highest Boughs; Thy Top that's so sublime, I'll reach with great Delights; For in thy H'ight * 1.37 All Saints are equally advanc'd; Of Right

Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.38 Thy Palms so high are grown; For they are due To each of my Love's Victors, at that view * 1.39 Triumphant; In due time thy Palm-Tree stands With Branches to adorn the Conqu'rers Hands.

While Thou so graceful art, and while so High, With both Thy Fruitfulness at once doth vie; * 1.40 I joy thy Clusters to Repeat again, Those pleasing fertile Smells Thy Nose amain Breaths out, while as fromNotes explaining the Sense. 2 1.41 Apples, Atoms fly * 1.42 With loud Reports, that Paradise is nigh, And thy Mouths Roof, such Doctrines doth send down Of th' Sacrifice, that's my Beloveds own, Of greater Worth, thenNotes explaining the Sense. 3 1.43 blood of choicest Vines Which into Consciences by such strait* 1.44 Lines Go down, that sleepy Lips awaken'd Praise Heavens Bounty, that doth such Redemption raise.

Chorus.

Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.45 Thus does the Jew and Gentile Church unite, While yet the Jew doth Elder Sister write; But so that Mercies each Reciprocate One to another in this proper state.

For first the blinded Isra'ls lowest Fall Was* 1.46 Surrogated by the Gentiles Call, And so did Mercy reach to th' Pagan wild, Much more their Fulness is by Mercy Fil'd.

For when this People's (whose the Promise) Call'd, Christ in his Glory then shall be Install'd; And Gentiles Churches perfect; Now to repay This Mercy to the Jews, In full display

Wisdom Contrives; For 'twas the Gentile Spouse, Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.47 That bore the Dragons, and the Beast's Carouse Of Blood so long, upon THIS Kingdoms Hope, Which cannot fail; THIS Kingdom then must Cope These Martyrs with Reward; So Jews obtain Mercy through Gentiles Mercy; Thus remain Both under Mercy;Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.48 Oh the Waters deep In which this Wisdom Sovereign doth steep Its Foot-steps; But from Him's the Sourse of all, Then to His Glory All things justly fall.

The Jews Conversion thus distinctly plac'd, the Song Returns to the One Spouse thus Grac'd, who now Speaks.

* 1.49Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.50 In this new Royal State, through th' Kings of th' East With me the Gentile Church Now One; I vest My onely Loved in my self; To Him intire I am Devote; And now I feel the Fire Of his approaching Coming, to receive * 1.51 With New Desire His Spouse; To enterweave His Love with Mine; Come therefore my Belov'd Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.52 Let us in Circuit visit the Improv'd * 1.53 State of thy Church, in all its various Seats, In all its Fruits, midst them let our Retreats Now be dispos'd; Into the Fields let's walk, * 1.54 And view thy Gospels spread, where late no stalk Of Truth did grow: Thou in the Hamlets please With me to Lodge, where Quiet doth appease * 1.55 All Noise, and yet Thy Truth doth there diffuse Into those private Thoughts; The silent Muse

* 1.56 Of thy great Kingdom in that privacy The very Trees Applaud, and Woods revy; * 1.57 Then with the Morning Light, our early steps Shall to the Vineyards haste, we'll see the Leaps The Vine makes into Clusters; The Granate Pearl'd into Buds; For hereby we'll Rate Thy Governments Approach; Those splendid Fruits Of Truth are thy Gemm'd Scepters blooming shoots * 1.58 Into its Glory, Strength, and just Extent; Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.59 Amidst those Fruits, my Love, thou shalt resent That I thy Bride to Thee my self present: * 1.60 Now on this Visit, I with Joy report; All Flowers of Love, and Fruits of Pleasure sort Themselves together; Eldest, latest Dates * 1.61 Conspire, and place themselves around our Gates: For since the World began to this Times joint, All Truths and Graces flow, as to a point; * 1.62 Which Treasur'd up for Thee, now make their Court To thee, my Love, as in their last Effort.

Notes

• * 1.1

  [How Beautiful are thy Feet with Shooes, oh Princes Daughter?]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.2

  Bare Feet are in Scripture Lan∣guage an Emblem of Captivity, even as shod are of Liberty.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.3

  The Joynts of the Thighs, like Jewels fram'd by so cunning a Work-man, denote a princely Gate and Motion, and speak the Dig∣nity put upon the Jews at their Conversion.
• * 1.4

  [The Joynts of thy Thighs are like Jewels, the work of the Hands of a cun∣ning Work-man]
• * 1.5

  [Thy Navel is like a round Goblet, that wanteth not Li∣quor]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.6

  The Belly, as a Hill of Wheat, and the Navel, as a Goblet full of Liquor, speak the Abundance of Truth and Spiritual Plenty, that shall be at that Time the Riches of the World.
• * 1.7

  [Thy Belly is like a heap of Wheat]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.8

  The unveiling the Types and Prophecies of the Old Testament, will be as a heap of Wheat set about with Lillies, and a Goblet wanting no Liquor: Highest Nourishment with greatest Delight to Souls, as the other is to Bodies.
• * 1.9

  [Set about with Lillies]
• * 1.10

  Rayl'd about with Ornament, a term in Heraldry.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.11

  Upon which the two Testaments, the New receiv'd with the Old, become as two Breasts that are Twins of these new Converts, and disperse Truth every way.
• * 1.12

  [Thy two Breasts are two young Roes that are Twins]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.13

  So New Jerusalem's Gates and Walls have the Names of the Twelve Tribes, and Twelve Apostles.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.14

  The Neck, Eyes, Nose and Head, the most conspicuous parts in Nature, are here Character'd by some most Remarkable Points in Judaea, to ascertain the Calling of the Jews is here meant.
• * 1.15

  Carriages.
• * 1.16

  Rom. 11, 12. 15.
• * 1.17

  [Thy Neck is as the Tower of Ivory]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.18

  King Solomon's Ivory Throne describ'd, 2 Chron. 9. 17. is here made the Emblem of the Royal Enthronization of Christ at the New Jerusalem state, much exalted by the Jews Conversion.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.19

  Christ sitting on this Exalted Throne, Judges the World with Equity, and the whole Creation Bejoyces, according to Psal. 96, 97, 98. Rom. 8. 22, 23.
• * 1.20

  Exalted to the Highest.
• * 1.21

  The highest Note in Musick.
• * 1.22

  [Thy Eyes are like the Fish-pools of Heshbon by the Gate of Bath-rab∣bim]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.23

  Heshbon the Royal Seat of the Amorites, Num. 21. 26. is call'd the Gate of Bath-Rabbim, which signifies both Multitude, and the Gate of the Wise Judges, and Learned Masters in Knowledge, and may fitly Type the Knowledge of the Lord Aboun∣ding, as the Sea, or Ezekiel's Holy Waters in which all things Live, Ezek. 47. 9.
• * 1.24

  [Thy Nose is like the Tower of Le∣banon that looketh toward Damas∣cus]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.25

  The Tower of Libanus in allusion to Solomon's House of the Forest, 1 Kings, 7. 2. takes in the Cedar Perfumes, and both Beautifies all within its prospect even to Damascus, and by Repercussion sends back those sweet Airs: So the Jews Converted, as they receive the Gospel themselves, so shall Minister to the abundant Propagation of it to the World about, Typ'd here by Damascus.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.26

  The Head that had Hair, as of a Flock of Goats from Mount Gilead, is now as cover'd with Scarlet or Crimson (as Carmel signifies) and Purple, shewing the Exaltation of the meanness of the Gospels out-side to Princely Greatness at the Jews Conversion, signified by these Royal Colours.
• * 1.27

  [Thy Head upon Thee is like Car∣mel or Crimson]
• * 1.28

  [The Hair of thy Head is as Purple]
• * 1.29

  Rooms of state have Ante-rooms before them.
• * 1.30

  [The King is held in the Galleries]
• * 1.31

  [This Thy stature is like the Palm-Tree]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.32

  I do not understand here by Love, (as in this Song in other Places) Christ the Beloved of the Spouse, but Love in the Abstract, plac'd, and seated in the Delights of a great Condition, suitable to the Approaching bless'd Estate.
• * 1.33

  [And thy Breasts to Clusters of Grapes]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.34

  The Palm-Tree I account the Emblem of the High Victorious State of Christ and his Gospel, agreeable to Revel. 7. 9. when the Jews and the Gentiles shall be united.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.35

  The so often Mention of Breasts and Clusters, speaks the Admirable Fruitfulness of the Gospel-Light and Grace, as well as Height of Condition.
• * 1.36

  [Behold I will go up to the Palm-Tree]
• * 1.37

  [I will take hold of the Boughs thereof]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.38

  By the Height of the Jewish Palm-tree, is not to be understood any Dominion of the Jews alone, but the state of most Excellent Grace and Glory, accruing to all the Saints from Christs Exalted Kingdom at their Conversion in which the Jews may be first, but yet no more than equal with all Saints.
• * 1.39

  [Now also thy Breast shall be as Clusters of the Vines]
• * 1.40

  [And the smell of thy Nose like Apples]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.41

  Mention of Apples, and all Fruits as was said, allude to the Paradise of God.
• * 1.42

  [And the Roof of thy Mouth like the best Wine, causing the Lips of those that were asleep to speak]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.43

  The Blood of Christ, and the Doctrine and Sacrament of it are fitly express'd by Wine, as the Scripture Witnesses.
• * 1.44

  As we say to Rights.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.45

  The Order God hath set betwixt the Jews and Gentiles in the Communica∣tions of his Mercy, is very Admirable, according to Rom. 11. the Jews Falling, of necessity God must have a People, Christ a Church: The Gentiles then are called to supply their Vacancy; So the Jews Fall is the Riches of the World.
• * 1.46

  Supplied.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.47

  The Gentile Church hath yielded that Army of Martyrs, first under Heathen, then under Popish Powers; These must be Recompenc'd in Christ's Kingdom: Christ's Kingdom cannot be without the Conversion of the Jews, whose are the Promises, and of whom Christ Blessed for ever came; So then because the Gentile Martyrs must be Crown'd through Mercy, the Mercy promis'd to them, assures and hastens Mercy to the Jews in its time, that so the Kingdom of Christ, the Riches of the World, and Life from the Dead, may come in at the Fulness of the Jews.
• Notes explaining the Sense. 2 1.48

  Rom. 11. Ʋlt.
• * 1.49

  [My Beloved is mine]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 3 1.50

  The Royal State of Christ figur'd by the Jews Return, as the Kings of the East being given, the Church, as one Spouse anew entitles it self to Christ.
• * 1.51

  [And his desire is towards me]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 4 1.52

  This particular Visitation of all parts, and of the Fruits appearing, relate to the Kingdom of Christ, and shew the near Approach of it, when all things were thus prepared.
• * 1.53

  [Come my Beloved, let us go forth]
• * 1.54

  [Into the Field]
• * 1.55

  [Let us Lodge in the Villages]
• * 1.56

  [Let us get up ear∣ly to the Vineyards]
• * 1.57

  [Let us see if the Vine flourish, whe∣ther the tender Grapes appear, and the Pomegranate bud forth]
• * 1.58

  [There will I give thee my Loves: Or I will yield up my self to my Beloved]
• Notes explaining the Sense. 1 1.59

  The Words Translated, My Loves, I rather render by an Elegant Abundance; I will give my self to my Beloved, to Thee, signifying the Spouses State, even prepar'd as a Bride adorn'd for the Bridegroom, by the universal Readiness of all things for the Kingdom of Christ: On which follows a Representation of a Feastival Abundance waiting at the Gates, as for the Marriage Supper in the next Canticle.
• * 1.60

  [The Mandrakes, or lovely Fruits give a smell]
• * 1.61

  [And at our gates are all manner of pleasant Fruits, new and old]
• * 1.62

  [Which I have laid up for thee, O my Beloved]