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.

Thy neck is as a Tower of Ivory.

This comparison doth not much differ from that former, where he saith, Thy neck is as the Tower of Da∣vid, built for an armorie: saving that there he respecteth strength and force, making mention of the sheilds of mighty men: but here by saying it was of Ivory, he meaneth, that it was white and pure, as being made of pure matter, and of a cleare colour, the Ivory being of a cleareare white. The neck being compared to a Tower is meant streight and upright: and as it was commended before for strength; so here for beautie. So then wee may understand by this comparison of the Shulamitesse, her neck being likened to a Tower of Ivory, the power and glorie of the Church, in respect of the clearenesse and puritie of her doctrine, and up∣right judgements, whereby her Children are guided and governed, with sweetnesse, peace and liberty.

Hence Note.

That the Saints are glorious, in respect of those divine discoveries of truth, that Christ doth manifest unto them.

Christ tels the Jewes, That if they would continue in his word, they should be his Disciples indeed; and they should know the truth, and the truth should make them free, Joh. 8. 31, 32. The knowledge of the truth is so ex∣cellent and glorious, that it frees the Saints from the

servitude of men, 1 Cor. 7. 23. from the service of sin, Rom. 6. 6. And therefore its promised that the Church should be loosed from the bands of her necke, Isa. 52. 2. The people of Israel in the time of their capti∣vitie, were such prisoners and captives, as were wont to be fastened one to another, as beasts in a yoake, Lam. 1. 14. So the Saints are yaoked and chained, untill the spirit of truth come to set them free: and when freedome is wrought, it is very glorious. It followeth.