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.

A spring, a fountaine.

A spring hath its name in Hebrew Gal, of the root Galal, which signifies the rolling and waving of the waters. Springs and fountaines are never dry, but send forth streams of water continually. So that this signifieth the abundance of waters that the Church is supplyed with, it is as a Spring able to water all parts of the Garden.

Hence Observe,

That the garden of Christs Church is plentifully watered by his spirit and grace, and so made fruitfull. This gar∣den is therefore well watered, there is a spring of li∣ving waters, which alwayes doe flow, wherewith e∣very herb and pretious plant is watered. Thus Christ himselfe testifieth, saying, He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow ri∣vers of living water, John 7. 38. And when the Lord promiseth a full supply of his Spirit, he saith, I will powre water upon the dry ground, and floods upon him that is thirsty, Isa. 44. 3. This water fructifieth the bar∣rennesse, molifieth the hardnesse, and cooleth the hot distempers, and moistneth the drinesse of the hearts of the Saints, and so makes them fruitfull Trees of righ∣teousnesse to Gods praise. Water is comfortable to a thirsty land; so is the supply of the Spirit to a thir∣sty soule, hence saith David, My soule gaspeth after thee as a thirsty land, Psal. 143. 6. A River in Paradise was called Euphrares of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because it maketh glad, so doth the overflowings of the Spirit of Christ into the soule, refresh it, and make it glad and lightsome. It is said that the joy of the Captives returning from Babylon, was like the waters of the South, Psal. 126. 4.

Intimating, that the South parts of the world thirsted after water in a dry Summer. Such is the joy of the dry and thirsty soule, when God causes his spirit to returne upon it, and refresh it with heavenly supplies. It is promised, the Lord will satisfie thy soule in droughts, and make fat thy Bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters faile not, Isa. 58. 11. Thus the Spouse is a spring and a foun∣taine, not because shee is the fountaine of grace, but because Christs being in it, it is the onely well-spring or fountaine of the waters of life unto all. But now it is added.