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.

Ʋntill I had brought him into my Mothers house, and into the Chamber of her that conceived me.

These words declare how effectually the Church did lay hold upon Christ, that so shee retained him

to dwell with her for ever. The expression which the Church useth here, My Mothers house, &c. signifies a chief City, or solemne place of assembly.

But now it may be demanded, What Mother hath the Church? And who is shee that conceived her? Is there any Spouse of Christ but one?

I answer, there is but one mysticall body of Christ, and one Spouse: but always that part of the Church on Earth, is called the Daughter of the Church of former times: and Christians doe beget Christians and the new Church came forth of the old Church. Or, the whole Church is the Mother of each part, as in the usuall phrase of Hebrew speech. Now of old, the Temple and Sanctuary might be the Chamber of her that conceived; that is, the place where they of the former Church did meet. So now Jerusalem that is above, is called the Mother of us all, Gal. 3. which was figured by Sarah the free woman, and signifieth the Covenant of grace, Gal. 4. 24. Now the house and Chamber wherein we are conceived, by the Gos∣pel of the Covenant of grace, is outwardly the Church, but inwardly the heart where faith dwelleth, Rom. 10. 10. Now into this house the Church saith shee will lead her beloved; we may take it eyther.

1. For her leading of him into the Church, and displaying of Christs goodnesse manifested to her soul, to others. Or,

2. For her leading Christ down into her own soul; enlarging her owne affections by dilating upon the copious theme of his divine love, delighting in a close and neer communion with him.

From the first of these Interpretations, Observe,

That he Saints having received consolation from Christ,

doe labour to make others partakers of the same comfort. Here the Spouse having found her beloved, manife∣sting his love and favour to her, saith, I will bring him into my Mothers house, towit, into the Church, and assembly of Saints, to spread all his goodnesse dis∣covered unto me. Shee bringeth her beloved home, that so he may not onely dwell with her, but also be a solace to her Mothers Children; shee doth labour to communicate the comfort of Gods Spirit unto o∣thers, that so they may rejoyce with her. Thus Phi∣lip, who finding Nathanael, did with much joy mani∣fest the finding of Christ, John 1. 45. Thus was the Woman of Samaria, who having found the Messiah, could not but cast her Pitchar aside, and goe into the City, to reveale that comfort to others, John 4. 28, 29. Nor can there be any soule that finds the sweet disco∣veries of Christs love, but there is likewise a strong desire to acquaint others with their souls comfort. It is an easier thing to carry fire in the bosome, then to conceale spirituall comfort. We cannot (saith the Apostle) but speake the things which we have seene and heard, Acts 4. 20. As it doth much lessen our com∣fort to conceale the thing we know, so it doth much increase and inlarge our comfort, to make known our injoyments to others.

From the second Interpretation, towit, that the Spouse entertaineth him to dwell in her heart: Ob∣serve,

That it doth not content the Saints to have some slight ap∣prehension of Christ, but they desire to lead him into the in∣ner Chambers of their minds, that he may dwell in their hearts. So the Spouse here had apprehended her be∣loved, and shee doth not satisfie her selfe untill shee

hath led him downe into the inmost corner of her heart. Then it is that the Spouse liveth, or Christ li∣veth in her, Gal. 2. 20. the Church is called upon by the holy Ghost to open the Gates, and everlasting doors, (that is, the doors of their hearts) And (Christ) the King of glory shall come in, Psal. 24. Shee doth open the gates and the doors and leadeth him in. What good thing can be wanting where the King of glory shall enter in to dwell? He is the Lord of Hosts who is strong and mighty in Battaile, who will subdue sin, and put the Prince of darknesse to flight; yea, he will chase away all evill where he dwelleth. No marvaile then that the Church will not let him goe, but lead∣eth him into the Chambers of her that conceived her.

Lastly, in that the Church is called the Mother of the Church.

Hence Observe,

That the Church doth nourish her owne Members. Saints are nourished and cherished among Saints: Hence they are bid to rejoyce with Jerusalem, &c. That they may suck and be satisfied with the Breasts of her consolation, that they may milke out, and be delighted with the brightnesse of her glory, Isa. 66. 11. And to the Church of beleivers pertaineth all the glorious priviledges which did of old pertaine to Israel, as the Apostle telleth us in Rom. 9. 4, 5. To whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the ser∣vice of God, and the promises: of whom are the Fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is o∣ver all, God blessed for ever. Amen. It followeth.