The song of the beloued, concerning his vineyard Modulated, and applied to moue men to know and embrace that, which belongeth to their peace, in this their time. By Iohn Carpenter of Norleigh in Deuon.

CHAP. V.

The Title of the Song. viz.

A Song of my Beloued concerning his Vineyard, verse. 1.

THere be in the holy Scriptures di∣uers Psalmes and Songs diuersly entituled, either according to the names of the Authors of them, or the persons to and for whom they were dedi∣cated or composed, or according to the matter in them conteined. As, the Psalme of Dauid the seruant of the Lord: the Prayer of Moses the man of God: the Song of Salomon: the Song of Mary: the Song of Zacharie: the Song of Degrees: the prayer of the afflicted: the Song for the Sabboth day: the Song to giue in∣struction: a Song committed to Asaph: a Song committed to the sonnes of Ko∣rah, &c. But this Song before all others, as he singeth it to his Beloued, so also he entituleth it of his Beloued touching his Vineyard. And in this, he giueth two

things to be considered, viz. first, whose the Song is that he singeth, and secondly, what matter the Song concerneth.

First he saith, that the Song is of his Beloued: next, that the Song concerneth the Vineyard of his Beloued.

2. I sayd in the Chapter before, that the Prophet calleth God his Beloued, and now, in that he calleth the Song, the Song of his Beloued, it is asmuch, as if he had called it, the Lords Song, for that is his meaning, namely, that he would sing a Song of the Lord. And worthely doth he so entitle it, first, because the Song was not the Prophets, but the Lords: for (in∣deede) the Lord put this Parable and Song in the mouth of the Prophet, as he also put a Parable in the mouth of the Prophet Nathan, whom he sent to Dauid. By his commandement was it, that one of the Seraphims flew vnto the Prophet with an hoat coale in his hand, which he had taken from the al••ar with his tongs and touched his mouth, as him∣selfe sayd, Isay. 6. 6.

3. By this, he would declare the cre∣dit of the matter, testifying, that hee

brought vnto the people nothing of his owne, but that which was the Lords, who spake by his mouth. Thus said Christ to his Apostles whome he sent forth to preach, partly to embolden them, and partly to giue authoritie to the word they preached, It is not you that speake, but the Spirit of my Father which speaketh within you. Againe, The words that I speake, are not mine, but his that sent me. So, he sayth, I will sing a Song, not mine owne, but my Beloueds, that is, the Lords. Neither can it be but a comfort to the Minister, when he is assured of his calling, and the cause, to be the Lords: and a notable credit for the matter, when the people can per∣swade, that it is the Lords.

4. Next, the Prophet entituleth the Song, the Lords Song, because it concerned the Glory of God, and the case of his people. As the Iewes in Babilon called that Song the Lords Song, which concerned the praise of God, the seruice of God, the Religion of God. In that sence, the Euan∣gelist saith, that Christ spake vnto his A∣postles of those things which apperteined to the kingdome of God. And we call that a godly Sermon, a godly Song, a godly

Psalme, in the which, the Glory of God, and the consolation & instruction of his people is set forth and furthered. And here we are taught, what should be the chiefe matter of our Sermons, our Songs and parables: and wherein we should (in∣deede) meditate, as our chiefe exercise & delight with that Blessed man, Psal. 1. 2.

5. Againe, considering the excellencie of the matter, as bewtified and authorised by the author thereof, that is, by the Lord of hoasts, we should both reuerently vse ••t, and aduisedly dispose it. God wil not be ••leased, that we handle his holy mysteries with vnwashed hands; nor that we mixe ••is pure diuinitie with mans inuentions; ••or that we apply them to prophane vses ••o please mans fleshly lusts: but that we ••se thē holily, modestly, zealously, wisely, •••• the feare of God, to his glory, to the ••omfort of his Church, to the discharge ••f our duties. And also the Lords will is, ••hat we should sing the songs of mercy to ••hem that repent, and the songs of iudge∣ment to thē that be obstinate, as the Pro∣••het hath taught vs; least (peraduenture) ••e should seeme to sing the Lords Song in a ••range land; to giue things holy to dogs;

and to cast pretious pearles before swine▪

6. Finally, the Prophet (to make dif∣ference betweene this Song, and other the Lords Songs) telleth what thing th•••• Song chiefely concerneth, namely, th•• Vineyard of the Lord. But thereof, with the matter of the Song, and what the purpose of the Lord is in the same, it shall be (by the help of God) declared in the second part.

Notes

• Diuers titles of Psalmes.
• Two things in this title.
• The Lords Song, and why it is so called.
• The credit and autho∣rity of the Song.
• Psal. 137. 4.
• Act. 1. 3.
• How to vse the word of God.
• This Song concerneth the Lords Vineyard.