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.

O daughters of Jerusalem.

The Spouse was ill intreated of her enemies, as ap∣peareth verse 6. therefore now she speaketh unto her friends, looking to find favour and courtesie amongst them: the daughters of Jerusalem were her felllow-members, of whom wee have spoken of largely from chap. 2. 7. And also chap. 3. 5. Now this verse being the beginning of the second part of the Chapter, con∣taining a dialogue between the Spouse, and the damo∣sels or daughters of Jerusalem; which sheweth that the Spouse leaveth the watchmen, and enquires for her beloved among her owne friends, her owne Members.

Hence Observe.

That the Lord doth many times convey comfort and satisfaction to his people, by poore, weake, dispised in∣struments.

The Spouse expected more help from these poore dispised daughters of Jerusalem, her owne members,

then from the watchmen of the walls. What comfort could the Saints receive from the false Priests and Pro∣phets in the time of the Law? or, what satisfaction may the godly receive from the Scribes and Pharisees in Christs time? and as little may the Saints expect now from many, that pretend to the Office of Priesthood, or ministry. Surely, many a Saint knows by experience, that more satisfaction and comfort is to be had from many a poore dispised Member of their congregation, then from the great Rabbies and Do∣ctors of the world: and no marvaile; for, God ordain∣eth strength out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings, Psal. 8. And he hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the things that are mighty: and the base things of the world, and things that are dispised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glorie in his presence, 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28, 29. No fleshly nor carnall man shall boast in Gods sight; and therefore by his wisedome and power he will overturne the wisedome and power of flesh: that his owne spirit, wisedome, power, and righteousnesse might be exalted in his Saints. Now followeth the thing it selfe given the charge.

If yee finde my beloved, tell him that I am sick of love.

If yee finde my beloved, which sheweth they had but little knowledge of Christ, they had not the cleare manifestation of his love and favour; they apprehen∣ded him but darkely, being ignorant almost of him, as appeares by their answer in the next verse.

Hence Observe.

That many Saints know but little of Christ.

Hence the Spouse saith here, if ye finde him, that is, if you come to a more cleare knowledge and revelati∣on

of him: many Christians know Christ after the flesh, and after the letter, but how few know him af∣ter the Spirit? many know Christ, as he is set forth in the historie of the Gospell, to be crucified and risen, but few know Christ found in them by the spirit. It followeth.