An exposition on the whole booke of Solomons song,: commonly called the canticles. Wherein the text is explained and usefull observations raised thereupon. / By John Robotham, preacher of the gospel.

Therefore doe the Virgins love thee.

The Church having laid down the cause, shee also shewes the effect: the sweetnesse of Messiah, and of his graces powred forth upon her, have enflamed her heart with love towards him.

Some understand these Virgins to be such as are not espoused to Christ; such as the unconverted Jewes, and the uncalled of the Gentiles.

Others understand them to be the fellow-friends of the Spouse, and of those that are faithfull and called of God, who with pure minds serve the Lord only, and worship him in their spirits.

These Virgins are either,

1. Of particular congregations; so the Apostle cal∣leth the Church in 2 Cor. 11. 1. I have prepared you for one husband, and to present you as a pure Virgin unto Christ: or else,

2. Of particular members of the Church; for the Hebrew tongue (as I hinted before) useth co call the whole the Mother, and the parts the Daughter; for so these Virgins are called in diverse places of this song.

Now the Saints and members of Christ are called Virgins in these respects.

1. For their chastity, as in thefore-named place, 2 Cor. 11. 2. That I may present you as a chast virgin unto Christ. These love Christ with a chast (but not with an adulterous) love.

2. For their purity: These are they (saith the Apostle) which are not defiled with women, for they are virgins: these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and unto the Lamb: and in their mouth was found no

guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God, Rev. 14. 4, 5. These as virgins abstaine from all things that might be offensive to their beloved.