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.

She is but one.

She is one, or, There is (but) one my Dove, and so this only one, is opposed to the many Queenes and Con∣cubines forementioned, though it were the glorie of the other to be many; yet the glorie of the Spouse is, that she is Christs only one.

The Spouse is said to be alone, as wee say in our speech, an odd one, both because shee was chosen by God, out of all the people and Nations of the world, and was most deare unto him: and also because com∣pared with others, none of them could come nigh her to match with her.

Hence Observe.

That the Spouse is that only one, whom Christ doth pre∣ferre before the multitude of others, which in the worlds esteeme seeme never so glorious.

It is common in the world, for the wicked to magni∣fie themselves, as in Revel. 18. 7. where it is said, Babi∣lon did much glorifie her selfe, and lived deliciously, for she saith in her heart, I sit a Queene, and am no Widdow, and shall see no sorrow, therefore shall her plagues in one day, death, mourning, and famine, &c. See also Isa. 47. 7. But the Spouse she is that one, that only one whom Christ hath respect unto. Thus it was said of Israel. And who is like thy people, like Israel, one Nation in the earth Whom God went to redeeme for a people to himselfe, &c. 2 Sam. 7. 23. And the Lord in respect of the Covenant he made with them, speakes thus, If yee will obey my voice indeed, and keep my Covenant; then yee shall be a pe∣culiar

treasure unto me, above all peoples, for all the earth is mine, Exod. 19. 5. Thus it is with the Spouse; as there is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, &c. So there is but one Spouse, who is only glorious, who is only chosen and beloved, who is only deare and pre∣cious in Christs eyes. So much for the glorie of the Spouse, as in relation to Christ. It followeth.