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.

By the Roes, and by the Hindes of the Field.

Some render these words thus: Tarry ye abroad with the Roes, or with the Hinde of the field. Wee may un∣derstand it thus, Yee that are by the Roes, that is, yee that feed your flocks abroad in the Feilds, where the Roes and Hindes runne. The meaning may be this, get you abroad for a while, take your pleasure, and doe what you will, only disquiet not, neither vexe my beloued. This is spoken by the Church, after the manner of men and their wives, who when they would talke off secret matters, or take their rest and be quiet, will bid their Children and servants get them abroad, and recreate themselves, where they will, for a while. Indeed some take the words, as if the Oath were by the Roes and by the Hindes, which cannot

be but improper and onely figurative, because Oathes and Adjurations are by the name of God onely, Deut. 6. 13. We may read it among the Roes, so doth Arius Montanus, rather then by the Roes, because the Letter Beth is here prefixed, which signi∣fieth in, Or among, more properly then by. The Church doth in her charge to the Daughters of Jerusalem, take these creatures, to wit the Roes and Hinds, as witnesses against them if they neglect their charge: an exam∣ple we have in Deut. 30. 19. I call Heaven and Earth (saith Moses) to record this day against you, &c. This obtestation of Heaven and Earth, is meant the crea∣tures in Heaven and Earth. We have the like ex∣pression in Josh. 24. 27. This stone shall be a witnesse (saith Joshua) unto us, for it hath heard all the words of the Lord. This figurative Speech is as much as if Jo∣shuah had said to the people thus, this stone shall as truely witnesse against you, if you shall falsifie your promise and Covenant, as if it had heard the words that were spoken.

Hence Observe,

That unreasonable creatures are called to testifie against men that deale falsly with Christ. Suitable to this is that in the Prophet, Jer. 2. 12. Be astonished O yee Heavens at this, and be yee horribly afraid, be yee very desolate, saith the Lord. Implying, that the very senselesse crea∣tures, were they apprehensive of such evills, would abhor such dealings, and tremble to thinke what the issue of them would be, or that such courses were such as might justly fill Heaven and Earth with astonishment.

And so in Isa. 1. 2. Give eare O Heavens, and heare O Earth, &c. Because men are obstinate and senselesse,

the dumb creatures are called upon as more ready to heare and obey Gods word then they, and are there∣fore witnesses for God against them. And in Psal. 50. 4. He will call to the Heavens to judge his people, that Heaven & Earth may beare record. And in Job 20. 27. The Hea∣vens shall reveale his iniquity, and the Earth shall rise up a∣gainst him.

Let us consider the nature and condition of these Roes and Hinds, and then we shall see how fitly they are here brought in, in this obtestation or adjura∣tion.

1. The Roes and Hinds are wild Beasts of the Field, and have their names of Armies and Powers: and by wild Beasts, the people of the world, who are not of God, are named: so that his people are admonished not to provoke Jesus Christ, least these wild Beasts among whom they live, should be made instrumen∣tall to afflict them.

2. These Roes and Hinds are set forth in Scripture for their swiftnesse of foot, as in 2 Sam. 2. 18. which being referred to Gods judgements, may signifie the swiftnesse of Gods judgement on them that shal break this adjuration.

3. These creatures are also commended for their mutuall love one to another: by them is the love be∣tweene man and wife set forth, as in Prov. 5. 19. Let her be as the loving Hind, and as the pleasant Roe, &c. That as the Males and Females of these Beasts doe dearly love one another, so is the unfeighned love betweene man and wife, and also betweene Christ and his Church; for Christ himselfe is likened to a Roe, or young Hart, in Vers. 9.

4. These Beasts are very much desirous of the

highest places: this is a property given by the Pro∣phet Habakkuk to the Hinds, when he saith, The Lord will make my feet like the Hinds, and he will make me walk upon mine high places, Habak. 3. 19. So should the Saints walk on high places, and not remaine below on Mountaines of Earth, but we should Mount up to Heaven in our hearts, the hill of Gods holinesse, and of our happinesse, unto which Paul ascended in the vi∣sion of his soul, and unto which Stevens heart and eye was lifted up in the end of his Apology, because his defence was in the Heavens. All our Salvation, joy, and happinesse, commeth not from the Mountaines of flesh and blood, but from the Heavens.

5. These creatures were often made a prey, and o∣ver-reached by the Huntsman; therefore Christ him∣selfe is called Aijeleth Kashacar, The Hind of the morning, Psal. 22. 1. Who in that Psalme is extreamly hunted with Doggs of the Evening: so are all the Saints hunted by the men of the world.

6. These Hinds are very charitable one unto ano∣ther: it is reported of them, that when they swim over a River, the first sustaineth the second, and the second upholds the third, &c. Thus the Saints are exhorted by the Apostle to beare one anothers burthens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ, Gal. 6. 2. Not looking eve∣ry man on his owne things, but every man also unto the things of others, Phil. 2. 4.

Thus in some measure all the Saints may be likened to the Roes and Hindes of the field: not that they were to sweare by them, but for whose sake and by whose means they were to take themselves bound, as by a So∣lemne Oath, not to stir or provoke Christ by any mis∣carriage whatsoever. Thus far for the manner of his

charge, now followeth the matter thereof.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In capreis.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Militia, congregatio populi, axer∣citus.