Annotations on five poetical books of the Old Testament (viz.) Job, Psalmes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles / by Edward Leigh ...

CHAP. I.

CAnticles, or Song of Songs.] That is, the most excellent* 1.1 Song. Titulus praestantiam ostendit & authorem. Brightm.

Salomon made a thousand Songs and five, 1 King. 4. 32. of all which this was most excellent; yea, and of all the Songs in the Scripture. Non est enim strepitus oris, sed ju∣bilus cordis: non sonus labiorum, sed motus gaudiorum: voluntatum non vocum consonantia. Bern. Serm. 1. super Cantica.

Some make this Book wholly a Mystery; some a Histo∣ry; Brightman a Prophecy.

Christ is the woer, the Church, or a true Christian soul the Virgin or Spouse.

Est nuptiale carmen exprimens custos jucundosque complexus animorum, morum concordiam. Bern.

Our Saviour cals his Church, as his Spouse, so his Sister at the least five times in the Canticles, to note the greatness of his love to her. The Church is called Fair fifteen times in this Book.

Vers. 2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.] Whereby the Church de∣sireth* 1.2 to have Christ manifested in the flesh, and to have the loving and comfor∣table doctrines of his Gospel applied unto her conscience.

Foelix osculum, ac stupenda dignatione mirabile! in quo non ••s ori imprimitur, sed Deus homini unitur. Bern. super Cantica, Serm. 12.

Vers. 3. Because of the savour of thy good ointments, thy name is as an ointment poured forth.] There is no great savour of precious ointment, when shut up in a box: It alludes to his Name, Messias and Christ is anointed. Est proculdubio inter oleum & nomen sponsi similitudo, nec ociosè Spiritus sanctus alterutrum comparavit. Bernardus super Cantica, Serm. 15.

Oleum planè, quod dum supernatat cunctis, quibus immiscetur liquoribus, li∣quidò illud designat nomen, quod est super omne nomen. Id. ib. Serm. 16.

By ointments the gifts of the Spirit are signified; the smell of these gifts is that fruit and sweetness which is found by the communication of them.* 1.3

Therefore do the Virgins love thee.] Heb. Therefore do the righteousnesses love thee; the Saints and all the righteous are termed Righteousnesses in the ab∣stract.

Vers. 4. Draw me, we will runne after thee.] The Church desires to be drawn,

• 1. Propter infirmitatem.* 1.4
• 2. Propter tarditatem.
• 3. Propter renitentiam.

We will runne.] Draw me in the singular number, and we will runne, that is,* 1.5 those which I shall draw with me: Ego & sociae meae. A••sted.

Running notes,

1. Readiness of affection. 2. Speed. 3. Constancy.

• 1. Diligentiam.
• 2. Festinationem.

The King hath brought me into his chambers.] The bed-chamber is the most re∣tired* 1.6 place, Judg. 15. 1. the nearest communion with Christ, Matth. 11. 25.

Chambers are places of secrecy, intimacy, safety, glory and majesty.

Be glad and rejoyce.] Be glad inwardly, and rejoyce outwardly.

We will remember thy love more than wine.] Heb. Loves, All those severall loves* 1.7 wherewith thou hast loved us. Numerus pluralis excellentiam & magnitudinem rei denotat, Gen. 19. 11. Psal. 68. 20. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Wine is put for one of the most ne∣cessary supports of life, Hab. 3. 18. 2. For one of the most cheering and reviving comforts, Eccles. 10, 19. Prov. 31. 6, 7. He prefers the love of Christ before the most necessary and cheering comforts.

The upright love thee.] Or they love thee in uprightness; that is, with a strong and vehement love which is without dissimulation or guile.

Vers. 5. I am black but comely (O ye daughters of Jerusalem) as the tents of Ke∣dar,* 1.8 as the curtains of Salomon.] Black: By reason of her infirmities and imper∣fections, as well as of her afflictions and persecutions. Bern.

But comely.] The Hebrew Navah signifieth comely, beautifull, amiable, and to be desired. Comely in Christ, though black in her self.

As the tents of Kedar.] See Psal. 120. 5.

Vers. 7. Tell me (O thou whom my soul loveth) where thou feedest; where thou

makest thy flock to rest at noon.] This signifies unfeigned and fervent love. See ch. 3. v. 2, 3, 4.

Noon.] In the heat of persecution. See Isa. 16. 3.

Noon hath two things in it; Light, that is, prosperity; Heat, that is, ad∣versity.

For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions.] The* 1.9 Hebrew word signifies to hide or lie hid. See Robotham.

This place was much urged by the Donatists of old, and by some of late, it is clear against them; if Christ feed amongst us, be present with us, we are not to turn aside.

Vers. 8. O thou fairest among women.] Heb. fair, beautifull among women: Speciosa propter fidem & charitatem erga me.

Women are usually fairer than men; the Spouse of Christ is fairer than all women.

Vers. 12. While the King sitteth at his round table, my spikenard sendeth forth the* 1.10 smell thereof.] That is, whilst Christ had communion with me, my graces were exercised and drawn out, even then whilst I had fellowship with him. I will come in and sup with him: Eating and drinking was anciently a sign of intimate fel∣lowship.

Vers. 13. A bundle of myrrhe is my beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt* 1.11 my breasts.] The Hebrews expound it optatively, Quis det ut pernoctet inter ube∣ra mea.

Christ is a bundle, for sufficiency: of myrrhe, for sweetness: lies in the breast, that is, the heart.

Night.] In disgraces, persecutions.

All night.] That is, constantly.

A bundle for variety and unity; Christ is full of all excellent graces, and they are in him by reason of the union of the Godhead with the manhood.

Vers. 14. A cluster of Camphire in the Vineyards of Engedi.] This may note un∣to* 1.12 us the sweetness of Christs redemption, and the fruits of his death, whereby he became as a cluster of redemption unto his people; for as a cluster consisteth of many berries compact toget•••••• into one bunch, so the redemption of Christ hath all mercy, grace, and love compacted together.

Vers. 15. Behold thou art fair, my love, behold thou art fair, thou hast Doves eyes.]* 1.13 The doubling of the words expresseth the superlative degree, by a usuall He∣braism.

Doves * 1.14 eyes.] See ch. 4. 1. These Doves eyes wherewith the Spouse is beautified, do set forth the simplicity, sincerity, humility, meekness, but especially the spi∣rituall chastity of the Church, whose eyes are unto Christ alone, looking unto him for life and salvation, Matth. 10. 16. Phil. 3. 7, 10.

Vers. 16. Also our bed is green.] Here children are begotten to Christ. Green.] 1. Because of the flourishing of it, it flourisheth with peace. 2. Because of the fruitfulness of it. Quasi dicat: Non est infoecundus, liberos multos procreamus. Mercerus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  De Cantico isto Salomonis pro∣bè norum est Judaeorum scitum, quo minori natis annis triginta (quae aetas est sacerdotalis ministerii ini∣tium) hujus lectione est in∣derdictum, ne quae mysticè hic dicuntur, ex affectuum intemperie in deteriorem partem raperentur. Praefat. ad Brightmanni Comment. in Cantica Cantic.
• * 1.2

  Exoptat Ec∣clesia verbis sui Sponsi eru∣diri. Desiderat Sponsa haec oscula, quae certissima sunt pignora amoris Sponsi: nec quicquam cum hoc amore conferendum est. Ideò praefert illum Vino, quod primas obtinet inter ea quae jucundissimè sapiunt. Brightm.
• * 1.3

  Those that are pure in heart and conversation, Rev. 14. 4. & 5. 10, 13.
• * 1.4

  John 6. 44. A Lapide.
• * 1.5

  Trahe quo∣dammodo in∣vitam, ut fa∣cias volunta∣riam. Trahe torpentem ut reddas cur∣rentem. Erit quando non indigebo tractore. Bern. super Cantica Serm. 22.
• * 1.6

  They are cal∣led Privy▪ chambers, and secret places, opposed to the house top, 2 King. 6. 12. Luke 12. 3. Matth. 6. 6.
• * 1.7

  Verba sensus significant affectum & effectum, as the fourth Commandment, and Eccles. 12. 1. Id est, potiùs quam lautitias quasvis, & opipara splendidaque convivia. Mercerus.
• * 1.8

  Nigra quidem in se ob re∣liquias pecca∣ti & afflictio∣nes quibus eam exercet Deus, formo∣sa tamen ob dilectionem sponsi eam acceptantis & purgantis ab omni macula, sed sensim & de die in ••iem. Rivetus in Cathol. Orthod Allusit Scriptor divinus vel maxime ad gratiosam venustatem Orientalium; ut divini amoris mysteria ob oculos poneret. Est autem nigredo, oculorum praesertim in delitiis etiam nunc populis orientalibus: qui etiam colly••io, quod ex lapide quodam Persico conficitur, palpebras amabili nigredine solent inficere. Dieterici Antiq. Bibl.
• * 1.9

  Operiens, Montanus. Delitescens, Beza. Verbum istud (gnatah) plurimum usurpatur in luctu, Levit. 13. 45. & Mic. 3. 7. Igitur sensus est, cur essem tanquam mulier luctu & maerore meipsam conficiens, dum nefandam Israelitarum idololatriam videam. Brighim. ad loc. Vide Mercerum.
• * 1.10

  In corona sua, id est, in fre∣quentia homi∣num undique cingentium, quomodo usurpatur vox à Latinis. Brightm. in loc. Inter delicias Judaeae fuit mos ille peculiaris, ut discumbentes unguentis perfunde∣rentu.: quod & Mariam in novo Testamento Christo recumbenti fecisse videmus; mysticus sensus erit interim dum praesens Ecclesiae suae adest Christus verbo suo pascens eam, bonum odorem fidei suae & virtutum ac bono∣rum operum reddidisse. Mercerus in loc.
• * 1.11

  Hîc tria sig∣nificantur, scientiae sua∣vitas per myr∣rham; doctri∣nae admini∣stratio per ubera, & utriusque tranquilla & diuturna usura per pernoctationem. Quae omnis commemoratio Jehosaphati tem∣pora respicit, qui praeter illam curam castae sinceraeque conservandae religionis quam à Patre accepit, insignis etiam fuit docendi studio, missis Praefectis & Levitis cum libro legis, ut omnes civitates Jehudae & Benjaminis obirent, populumque Dei voluntatem docerent. 2 Chron. 17. 7, 8, 9. Brightmannus in loc.
• * 1.12

  Erat Engaddi locus juxta mare mortu∣um vicinus u••bi Jericho, ubi & palmae plurimae atque optimae. Drus. Observat. Sac. l. 15. c ••.
• * 1.13

  Ecce admi∣rantis vox est, reliquum lau∣dis. Bernardus super Cantica, Serm. 45. The Song of Songs. Geminatio praedicat insignem pulchritudinem, praesertim apud Hebraeos, quibus pro superlativis familiare est. Brightm.
• * 1.14

  Sic Cant. 5. 13. Quidam accipiunt de vehementer pulcris & gra∣tiosis. Meo judicio oculi columbini dicuntur casti ac simplices, minimeque mali aut invidi. Drus. Prov. Class. 2. l. 3. Vide Mercerum & Brightm.