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. IV. (Book 4)

The King.

A Description of the Apostolick Church in its Primi∣tive Excellency, and in the Calling of the Gentiles.

Notes explaining the Sense. a 1.1 BEhold thy self, my Love, the Fair,Notes explaining Words. 1 1.2 the Fair * 1.3 Alone; my Blood, my Spirit, give the Air Of thy great Beauty, while thy Doctine pure, Thy Worship Chast a holy Life assure: * 1.4 So that thy Eyes the Chrystal do excell Of the unspotted Doves, and glistring swell * 1.5 From out thy Locks, whose modest shade does Grace In mean Attire the Beauties of thy Face; That while no Art does Curl in form thy Hair, Of Pomp, or Ceremony; 'Tis like the Glare OfNotes explaining Words. 2 1.6 Gilead's Goats; The too Censorious Eye Of Jew and Gentile scorns thy Polity: But I that value by their in side Things, Can see thy Graces through those Coverings: Thus clouded were the Glories of the Ark When the same Goats hair look'd so rude, so dark. * 1.7 The fruitfulNotes explaining Words. 3 1.8 Mastication of my Word Is like the gainful Flock, that serves its Lord With doubleNotes explaining Words. 4 1.9 Off▪spring, and the lusty Fleece That falls so white, so even in a Piece;

And when so even shorn, when wash'd so white, The Flock appears one entire sheet of Light.

The Chorus.

Now This whole Flock of Teeth, so white, so shorn, Speaks Apostolick Pow'r in equal borne; And does expose the falshood of the Dream, Notes explaining Words and Sense together. a 1.10 That Peter in that Order was Supream: By all with Peace, and Parile order fenc'd The Food of Life was equally dispenc'd; And equal was the Fruit, For barren none Was found, with all so great a Glory shone.

The King goes on.

My expiating Blood so soundly Taught, Within thy Lips like Scarlet Thread is wrought: My Cross those Graces gives thy Speech That Sense, * 1.11 Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.12 That shrinks the Pagan Wisdom's Eloquence To empty sounds;Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.13 Thy Temples are the seat * 1.14 Of soundest Judgment, which prepares the Meat * 1.15 During to life, like Food of Pomegranate, In which Seeds, as of Life, accumulate: Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.16 Those enterweaves of Holy Order like The well-curl'd Locks, all falshood that Repique, * 1.17 Secures thy Temples Graces, and thy Neck, WhichNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.18 thousand Shields, and Bucklers round bedeck, Rising as David's Tow'r, Bears up thy Head.

Chorus.

This is Truth seal'd with Miracles, that shed It self into the Christian Church, and arm'd * 1.19 It 'gainst its Foes, and its Believers charm'd Into its ServicesNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.20 All as Men of might To do, or dye in defence of its Right:

Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.21 But yet these Arms are Magazin'd, not us'd, As to their utmost Service, but diffus'd Defence as yet, not perfect Victory: Still They're design'd within this Armory, And for the* 1.22 Banner'd Armies They're prepar'd Then to each Use their Service shall be shar'd.

The King goes on.

Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.23 The milky streams of Thy two Breasts, as Roes Flow to all Parts, and plenteously dispose * 1.24 To Jew and Gentile, that so vital Juice, (Pure as the Lillies through that double Sluce,) Of the Two Testaments, where, as in Fields Thou feedest, and that Truth thy motion weilds.

The King goes on.

The Ascension of Christ, after he had by His Ministry, His Death, His Resurrection, His Fourty Days giving Commandments to His Disciples prepar'd this so Praised Apostolick Church.

Now till Nights shades, Shades of theNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.25 Atmosphere Are flown, and the bright Morning Star appear * 1.26 Breaking to Day; I'll hye me to the Hill, Where Myrrh and Incense the whole Monntain fill, The Heavens shall contain me,Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.27 till as now •• mount, the Heavens back again I bow, In a serene and perfect Cloudless Day, All shadows gone, and darkness flown away.

Chorus.

The King Himself, this brightest Morning Star By his own glorious Presence brings from far The DayNotes explaining the Words and Sense together. 1 1.28 so long Exil'd; When He all Crowns Shall in his KingdomNotes explaining the Words and Sense together. 2 1.29 swallow, when the Frowns Of his bright Face, as Thunder shafts shall send The Dark Kings with their Night to their black End. So He ascends this Kingdom to receive, And to return at time ofNotes explaining the Words and Sense together. 3 1.30 Sacred Breve.

This inNotes explaining the Words and Sense together. 4 1.31 Parenthesis is interpos'd Amidst the Churches Praises, and dispos'd On purpose so, that thus the time made plain From Christs Ascension to's Return again, The flowing Cantoes might with Time keep touch, And th' Churches various States fit Emblems couch. Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 5 1.32 First, as its Spotless, Apostolick state It self to Salvage Gentiles did dilate; Of which how high the Sequent Emblems play, Their Airs to listen, is our next Essay.

The King goes on.

The sending down of the Holy Spirit.

Now when my Love, my Hand hath form'd thee true To my ownNotes explaining the Words and Sense together. 6 1.33 Image, and I Thee endue * 1.34 By th'Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 7 1.35 Holy * Paraclete sent down from Me, As my Triumphant Bounty, Ample, Free

* 1.36 With Gifts and Graces;Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.37 Oh Thy Fairest hue, Thou Beauties highest point in this Review▪ * 1.38 Dost spotless touch; 'Tis now thy Beauties clear Without a Blemish, now Thou dost appear Like the first Church in Paradise compriz'd, Which by the Serpent Fell;Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.39 Thou art repriz'd From th' Serpents Hand; To stand, see, that thou choose Lest thy first Candlestick its Place should loose, And now my Song of Love doth thee Enroll * 1.40 Into the state ofNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.41 Spouse; Thy Nuptial stole My Gospel Graces are: The GentileNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.42 wolds Come we'll survey now which the Devil holds, As Dens of Lyons, and the Leopards mounts, * 1.43 Although my Kingdom's right by holy Counts, FromNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.44 Canaans Mountains let us give them view, Which lye within the Holy LandsNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.45 purliew; From Liban come, my Spouse, come thou with me From Liban come, from Aman's Top look thee; From Shenir's, and from Herman's Brows with Eye Of Grace lets look, where Lyons, Leopards lye.

The Chorus.

The Gentiles Call'd, and becoming a Sister Church with the Jews First, and after some Ages, the only Church in view till the Jews Conversion.

Upon this Gracious prospect from the Hills The Sister-Church the following Cantoes fills.

The King goes on.

How soon I see a Sister Spouse arise, So fruitful is the Favour of my Eyes; * 1.46 How soon the Gentile Church that Sister-Spouse * 1.47 One Body with the Jews in my Love grows: Thou art Adopted now one of the Eyes, That does complete the Beauty; its surprize * 1.48 My Heart transports, as does that lovely Chain Which to the Head unite does thee retain * 1.49 In whole, as by one Neck, and still recalls Thy Name, my Sister-Spouse, which thee installs In Nuptial Rights, so that thy Love enshrines * 1.50 Thy Beauty in my Heart 'bove richest Wines, Which Sacrifices grac'd, now out of date * 1.51 In this new Spoused Jew, and Gentile State; The Odours of thy Oyntments much excell The Spices that in Typic Unguents smell; * 1.52 For Gifts and Graces are my Spirits Oyl, To which most Fragrant Matter's but a Foil: The combed Cells, which sweetest Honies fill * 1.53 Drop not the Pleasures, Spouse, thy Lips distill; The staple Dainties of the Promis'd Land, * 1.54 Honey and Milk are in thy Tongues Command, The potent Flavors of Thy Vests confine Those fainter of the Mount Liban.— Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1.55 * 1.56 * 1.57

—Chorus.

—Thus Divine Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.58 Influxes make the barren Wilds out-do An earthly Canaan, and its Types out-go: Its Doctrines, Sufferings, Graces, all combine, As sweetest Odours, and the richest Wine: For now theNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.59 Jewish Spouse in silent shade Vales off this Song, Ensuing Emblems laid Are in the Sister-Spouse; Till all the Tribes First Two, then Ten returning It describes: So now the Gentile Church, Great Israels Name Inherits, as the onely Spouses claim: But Fear, Ingrafted Israel the fate Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.60 Of native Branches, Dread t'usurp the State Of Church so Catholick,Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.61 as if the Root Thou Bor'st from whence the Branches shoot, And not the Root Bare thee a Branch at will, Standing by Faith, but pruned off, if Ill.

Or, as without the Nat'ralNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.62 Israel Thou Couldst be the Perfect Spouse, Proud Fancies glow Thus in theNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.63 Roman Breast; Conceits its own Are Canoniz'd for Wise; But* 1.64 Gents alone, No more than Jews this Catholick can be, Jews first split on this Rock, and now Fear Thee.

* 1.65 Besides 'tis now the Gentiles Times run deep, While Jewish Church and State thus lye asleep:

* 1.66 Then in the Gentiles Times, a Gentile Pest Will likely Rise a Gentile Church t' infest, Of these Adopted Jews some false Christs Preach, And Antichrists Supplants True Christ impeach.

The King.

Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.67 Thou Gentile Church, Thou Sister in a Spouse, Thy whole Time in a Glance my Fore-sight showes; * 1.68 A Garden Barr'd, a Spring shut up, a Fount That's Seal'd, throughout Thy Emblems I recount; * 1.69 For when Seals open All, my Kingdom strait * 1.70 Will open with Them; But I patient wait, Even tillNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.71 that Israel, of which I come Joyning with Thee make up my Israels Sum; That Time my Father set, Successive seals Still therefore stay my Kingdoms just Appeals, Each sealed Time I'll Character to Thee, Successions each in Order thou shalt see: FirstNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.72 Ephesus the Seat of Truth reveal'd, Each Plant an Orchard of Pomegranates seal'd * 1.73 With Heavens Impress, I depaint:—

Chorus.

—Then Truth did flow, As if each Plant a Paradise would grow.

The King goes on.

Next Thee a Spicy Region I describe, Where thrive, where smell, Spices of ev'ry Tribe, * 1.74 Those of the Royalty, those Popular All justly mix'd, each in their Order are, The Camphire meets the Spike, Spike Saffron meets, The Aromatic Reed with Odours greets The Fragrant Bark; Sweet Frankincense indents; With Myrrh the flavor'd Aloes joyns scents.

Chorus.

Thus Spices of Afflictions bitter Taste Bruis'd by the pondrous Pestel, while they waste Into Perfumes, giveNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.75 Smyrna's suffring Days Which lasted till the Christian Empire sways.

The King goes on.

Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.76 'Tis then, as if unseal'd, I do allow Thy Gardens to stream out, Thy Springs to flow, * 1.77 As if a Fount of Gardens Thou, A Mount of Wells, That roll down with sweet streams of Liban's Smells: The Winds, that Fan thy Redolent Perfumes With Gales so brisk, each point my Care Assumes, * 1.78 First theNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.79 stern North, and then the softer South; That all thy Spicy Atoms, as from Mouth Of Arab's Gummy Land may blow; I Joy In publick'st Graces, when of pure Alloy: All Virtues from thee I let out, but In— —To Thee shut out the subtle streams of Sin: Now cause That Man of Sin hath hisNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.80 sworn Time Before my Kingdom; To turn back that slime Foul, as the Serpents, see thy Springs new barr'd, Thy Fountain seal'd underNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.81 Hermetic Guard; Now Satan's Synagogue is creeping out Thy noble Seeds to taint, 'tis now about Thy spring to Poyson, and thy streams to stain, My early Care starts up to curb the Main Of that bad Torrent; And I'll nowNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.82* 1.83 immure Thy Garden, Spring, and Fount, to keep them pure

Chorus.

Thus for some time Truths Flood-gates open stood, But oh how soon Apostasie a Flood

Became, which quick does shift the Holy Scenes; IniquitiesNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.84 Mysterious Womb by means Most unespy'd, pregnant became, And as in lowest Parts, submiss and tame Work'd on yet; For while Ephesus deriv'd Its Springs of Wells, and Gardens, Smyrna striv'd By Cruel Princes pounded to diffuse Its Myrrhine Odours; And those strokes did bruise Its Spices with a Northern Fury, till Controlls of Christian Princes did it still, And with TheirNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.85 Southern Breath perswaded out Those Fragrant Graces, as from Springs to spout.

But even in Suffering Times bad Vapours crept Into the better Odours, where they slept; Till best and worst fly out, while South-winds Blow, And Christian Fervors lost, the worst o'er-flow; Thus by degrees the Fragrant Spices dye Into aNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.86 Languid Sensuality: For why'll best Odours try to Meliorate The Pagan steams, they soon Incorporate, And, as the Sympathetic Atoms fly Back to their native Bed, so these Scents hye To their own Sourse, larded with the Attaint Of Superstition, that would hence write Saint: While Vizord-Christians Pagans meet half way Truth Christian, and chast Worship fly away; Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.87 So that when now the Spouse her Prince Invites To Banquet with Her, He her offer slights.

The Spouse.

Let now with Pleasure to his Garden come * 1.88 He my Beloved and His Palate some Choose of my New-ripe Fruits, which I call His, Now let him Eat what for Him sweetned is.

Chorus.

This very Call assures, He was withdrawn Whose Love to's Spouse had ever the first dawn: Both Fruits and Church are new: It hath not known The Blessed Jesus, always with his own:

* 1.89Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.90 His Answer to this Call assures us more He was disgusted, For He prais'd before * 1.91 And there He staid, as One no farther pleas'd; For what he lik'd, he had already seiz'd; Now from the Sev'nty Weeks fore-nam'd runn out, Four hundred Years had turn'd their course about; * 1.92 The sevenNotes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.93 Seals their* 1.94 Cargo had discharg'd; And for the following Trumpets Time enlarg'd, E'er which all Emblems of Time sealed new Th' Apocalyps doth give, that it might shew The Kingdom just look'd out, and then withdrew.

Notes

• Notes explaining the Sense. a 1.1

  How admirably does this Description fit the Apostolick Church, which had excellency of Beauty, sufficiency of Spiritual Food, signified by Teeth of purest Cleanness and Unity, as wash'd and even shorn; Durable clothing Garments of Justification and Sanctification, numerous Off-spring in the multitude of the Converts.
• Notes explaining Words. 1 1.2

  To express singular Fairness, the Word is doubled.
• * 1.3

  [Behold thou art Fair my Love, be∣hold thou art Fair]
• * 1.4

  [Thou hast Doves Eyes]
• * 1.5

  [Thy Hair is a Flock of Goats that appear fron Mount Gilead]
• Notes explaining Words. 2 1.6

  The Apostolick Purity without out∣ward Pomp or Splendor, was cover'd like the Ark with Goats Hair, despised by Jews, as not ha∣ving the Signs of a present Kingdom; by the Gentiles as Foolishness; but was indeed Expression of the Wisdom and Power of God.
• * 1.7

  [Thy Teeth are as a Flock which come up from the Washing]
• Notes explaining Words. 3 1.8

  The Rumination or Chewing the Food of Life, to prepare it for others by Expounding the Old Testament, and farther Revealing the New, was the Excellency of the Apostolick Church.
• Notes explaining Words. 4 1.9

  Pure in all Holiness of Doctrine, Worship, and Life, and even without Ambition, or loving Preheminence. Bless'd with abundant Power of Converting Grace.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. a 1.10

  How far are all things in the Gospel from such a forg'd Supremacy of the Apostle Peter; ob∣serve his Fall, his being Reprov'd, Gal. 2. his humble Style Compresbyter or equal Elder. ¹ Christs Blood in the Gospel Ministry, is as Rahabs Scarlet Line twin'd within it, as a Pledge of Redemption from Wrath.
• * 1.11

  [Thy Lips are like a thread of Scarlet]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.12

  I desire to know nothing but Christ, and him Crucified; Not the Wisdom of this World, but the Wisdom which God ordain'd before the World to our Glory.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.13

  The many Seeds of the Pomegranate, the Emblem of Wisdom, yield a most pleasant Juice.
• * 1.14

  [And thy Speech is comely]
• * 1.15

  [Thy Temples are like a piece of Pomegranate with∣in thy Locks]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.16

  The strict and holy Order of the Apostolick Church, that as the best state of the Church of Ephesus, the Type of that Church Apostolick, tried those that said they were Apostles, and were not, but found them Lyars, and that could not bear them that were Evil, were like Locks gracing and guarding the Tem∣ples.
• * 1.17

  [Thy Neck is as the Tower of Da∣vid]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.18

  Those thousand Shields and Bucklers most fitly resemble the mighty Power of Miracles, Gifts of Tongues, and that severe Apostolical Rod, which the Apostle Peter shew'd in the Death of Ananias and Sapphira, and the Apostle Paul's delivery to Satan intimates, all which bore up the majesty of that Church.
• * 1.19

  [Builded for an Armory, all Shields of mighty Men]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.20

  The Primitive Christians were resolved either to defend Christianity by these powers of Truth and Miracles, or as Martyrs to dye in defence of it, and so they were the Shields of mighty Men.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.21

  The full Effect of the Apostolick Ministry and Miracles will not be seen till the New Jerusalem.
• * 1.22

  c. 6. 10.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.23

  The Doctrine of Christianity in the Apostolick Ministry, was like two full Breasts deriving their Lillies Milk from the two Testaments, in which, as in Fields of Lillies, they Feed as two young Roes: According to which all the Apostlick Motions, and the Churches settled by them were go∣vern'd, now these two Breasts, as a double Sluce, or out-let of Water, send out their Streams.
• * 1.24

  [Thy two Breasts are like two Roes, that feed among the Lillies]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.25

  Atmosphere, is the foggy black Air arising from Earths black Steams like Night, which flying away Emblems this dark State removing, and Christs Kingdom, who is the bright Morning Star appearing.
• * 1.26

  [Ʋntill the Day break, and the Shadows fly away, I▪ll get me to the Hill of Myrrh, and the Mountains of Frankincense]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.27

  Just as Christ was seen by his Disciples in the Air, Ascending upon their very earnest gazing; so shall he be seen in his Return, which is to be fix'd in the very point of time, and of space in the Heavens, or upper Regions, where the Cloud received him; For so the Angels Speech Implies: This same Jesus, taken into Heaven shall so return, as ye have seen him go or going into Heaven, upon that very point I say, it is to be fix▪d, and is Expounded by the Apostle of Christ Descend∣ing not upon the Earth, but into the Air, whither the Saints are caught up to meet Him, and so to be ever with Him, 1 Thes. 4. 17.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 1 1.28

  Exil'd ever since the Fall of Man, and the loss of the Sabbatism of Creation.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 2 1.29

  According to Revel. 19. 15. &c.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 3 1.30

  The Decree of God in whose Power the time especially of this Kingdom is Reserv'd.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 4 1.31

  With how great Skill is this Parenthesis or Description of Christs Ascension and Re∣turn with his Kingdom here brought in, to settle Time.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 5 1.32

  And how Admirable the Churches most spotless State when the Holy Spirit was given, and the Gentiles Call'd, subjoyn'd to it, as we shall next see.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 6 1.33

  The Church form'd as Man by the Image of God at first, so now by the Image of Christ, is pronounced perfectly Fair and without spot.
• * 1.34

  John c. 14. c. 15. c. 16. Translated the Comforter.
• Notes explaining the Words and Sense together. 7 1.35

  The giving of the Holy Spirit, call'd by Christ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Paraclete was like breathing into Adam the Breath of Life.
• * 1.36

  [Thou art all Fair my Love]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.37

  Now the Church is pronounced Pure, as Adam was made Upright.
• * 1.38

  [There is no spot in thee]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.39

  Ephesus the Type of this Church as leaving its first Love lost its Birth-right, and the first Place of its Candlestick Tran∣slated to Philadelph. upon which the New Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of Christ are settled, till when the Apostolick Glory does not Return.
• * 1.40

  [My Spouse, Come with me from Lebanon, with me from Le∣banon]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.41

  Here in this Gospel state, the Church is call'd Spouse the first Time; For though it was so before, yet to distinguish Times, the Title is reserv'd till now, and this State is most suitable to such an Honour.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.42

  Wolds are wild and desert Places, where wild Beasts inhabit.
• * 1.43

  [Look from the Top of Amana, from the Top of Shenir, and Hermon; from the Lyons Dens, and from the Mountains of the Leopards]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.44

  What more graceful Description of the Heathen World in order to their Con∣version, going out from the Land of Canaan, then the view of the Mountain of Leopards, and the Dens of Lyons from the Mountains of Judaea next the Gentiles, or more orderly Successi∣on in course of Time, or how could there be a fitter Figure of the Wicked Heathen World, than by wild Beasts, so Dan. c. 7. c. 8.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.45

  Or within the Lines of its Borders.
• * 1.46

  [My Sister-Spouse]
• * 1.47

  [Thou hast ravish∣ed or taken my Heart, with one of Thy Eyes]
• * 1.48

  [With one chain of thy Neck]
• * 1.49

  [How fair is thy Love, my Sister, my Spouse]
• * 1.50

  [How much better is thy Love than Wine!]
• * 1.51

  [And the smell of thy Oyntments, than of all Spices]
• * 1.52

  [Thy Lips, oh my Spouse, drop as the Honey Comb]
• * 1.53

  [Honey and Milk are under thy Tongue]
• * 1.54

  [And the smell of thy Garments is as the smell of Leba∣non]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1.55

  ¹ What can come more just with the Time, as we have settled it, then this very Word [Sister-Spouse] when the Gentiles came in to be one Body with the Jews.
• * 1.56

  ² The Gentile Church, as ano∣ther Eye was so unexpected to the very Apostles, that Christ is pleas'd to express himself, as taken by the very Heart, as the Hebrew word signifies; Such is the importance of one Chain of the Neck.
• * 1.57

  ³ There is a very plain preferring the state of the Jew and Gentile Church united, above the single state of the Jewish Church; So the rich Wines of the Sacrifice, the Perfumes us'd in the Kingly, Priestly, and Temple Oyntment, the Honey, Milk, and Cedars of the Promis'd Land, and the state of this Church common by them, and preferr'd before them.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.58

  The Spirit poured from on High, the Church compos'd of Jews and Gentiles, wild by Nature, much excells the Jewish Church alone, and, as in its earthly Canaan.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.59

  After the Gentile Church came in, the Israelitish Church was still declining till all mention of it was lost, and so this Song especially minds the Gentile Church, as the Israel of God.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.60

  By what follows, it will appear the Gentile Church was in a decayed State.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.61

  The Apostles Caution to the Romans, ch. 11. 17. &c.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.62

  For any Church or Churches of what Name soever, to look upon themselves as in the perfect state of the Evangelick Church, much more as the Catholick Church before the Jews converted, is to be onely Wise in our own conceits.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.63

  The Roman Name of a Church hath certainly dash'd on that Rock of assuming to it self, as the Jews dash'd against, To be the Root, and to be the Ca∣tholick Church.
• * 1.64

  Gentiles.
• * 1.65

  The Chorus goes on.
• * 1.66

  The Chorus goes on.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.67

  The whole Time of the Gentile Church till the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ, is in the Revelation given undér several Sealings. First of seven Seals open'd, then of the 144000 Sealed, and the Temple measur'd and shut, then of the seven Thunders Sealed, &c.
• * 1.68

  [A Garden inclo∣sed is my Sister, my Spouse]
• * 1.69

  [A Spring shut up]
• * 1.70

  [A Fountain sealed]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.71

  The Kingdom of Christ proclam'd; The Gentiles come in in Ful∣ness; The Natural Israel Call'd, and so the whole Israel sum'd up; The Kingdom of Christ Ap∣pears.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.72

  Ephesus, as the Apostolick, Primitive Church, may be most fidy compared to a Paradise of Truth.
• * 1.73

  [Thy Plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleasant Fruits]
• * 1.74

  [Camphire with Spikenard, Spike∣nard and Saffron, with all Trees of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Aloes, with all chief Spices]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.75

  The Church of Smyrna in its Sufferings, is fitly compar'd to a Region of Spices, which by pounding send out their Smells.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.76

  From the Reign of Constantine, during the time of the Christian Emperours, all Apostolical Truth flowed out as a Fountain of Gardens, &c.
• * 1.77

  [A Fountain of Gardens, a Well of Living Waters streaming from Le∣banon]
• * 1.78

  [Awake, oh South-Wind, Blow O South-Wind upon my Garden, that the Spices may flow out]
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.79

  Christ was pleas'd to use the North-wind, First of Persecution, then the gentle South-wind, that the Odours of Christianity might flow, How Elegant is this Hieroglyphic, how agreeable with the Time.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 4 1.80

  The Time, Times, Half Time, sworn by Christ, Dan. 12. 7.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.81

  The securest way of Sealing us'd by Chymists.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 6 1.82

  In the Revelation Cap. 7. Immediately after the Ruine of Heatheanism by the Christi∣an Empire follow'd a second Sealing with Agreeable Symbols, importing the delay of Christs Kingdom, and the securing his Servants for it from Corruption.
• * 1.83

  Shut up close within Walls.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.84

  The Mystery of Iniquity began in low degrees in the Apostolick Times, and in Ephesus, for∣saking its First Love, and grew up to a Synagogue of Satan, under Smyrna's Suffering Martyrs; From whom it took occasion to exalt it self.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.85

  Yet Christ accounted the Church it self Pure, and made use of the South-wind of Prosperity under the Christian Emperours to draw out its Graces; Although by Accident, Corruptions shewed themselves also.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 3 1.86

  Superstition and world∣ly Riches and Pleasure grew up together. ⁴ The great Pretence for the first bringing in Super∣stition into the Christian Church, was as it were to Christianize Heathenish Customs. But as Atoms sent out by Bodies into a Contagious Air, return to those Bodies that sent them out with Infection, so the Christians sending out their Principals as it were to better Heathenish Customs; They return to them as it were larded with Heatheanism, so that they became Pagan Christians.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 5 1.87

  It is Evident, Christ is first in showing love to his Church, in coming to it, in resting with it, so that this very calling to Christ to come, shews a-new, but a corrupted State of the Church.
• * 1.88

  [Let my Beloved come into his Gar∣den, and Eat his pleasant Fruits]
• * 1.89

  Chorus goes on.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 1 1.90

  That Christ said he had Eaten, shews he liked to Eat no farther, but disliked the Churches present State.
• * 1.91

  The Weeks ended An. M. 4024. An. Chr. 37.
• * 1.92

  [The Time of the seven Seals ended, and of the Trum∣pets began, An. M. 4424. An. Chr. 437.
• Notes explaining Words and Sense together. 2 1.93

  All the Time of the seven Seals, and of the Churches pure State was run out; Because therefore through the Corruptions of the Christian World, notwithstanding the Christian Empire; Then is a new Sealing; The Temple is Measur'd; The outward Court cast out to the Gentiles; The Holy Worshippers immur'd in the Temple; The Witnesses in Sackcloth, and the Church in the Wilderness, all Emblems of the Churches Fountain and Garden Sealed, and of the Kingdom of Christ stay'd from its Appearance.
• * 1.94

  Charge.