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.

Into the house of my Mother.

Here the Spouse alludeth to the custome in those dayes, which was to bring the Bride and Bidegroome also, into the house of either of their Parents: See Gen. 24. 97. where Isaac is said to have brought Rebeckah in∣to the Tent of Sarah his Mother. It is the manner of the Hebrews (as hath been noted heretofore in this Song) to call some whole thing or body, by the name of Fa∣ther or Mother, and the parts derived from the same, by the names of Sonnes and Daughters. So here, Christ and the Saints, making up one Church or bo∣dy, which is called the new Jerusalem, which commeth downe from God, out of which Christ and all Saints spring: this new Jerusalem is called the Mother of us all, in Gal. 4. 26. But of this we have spoken already in Chap. 3. vers. 4. and therefore I shall passe this, and proceed to the next words. Who would instruct me.

This clause standeth doubtfull whither we shall Translate it, Thou shalt teach me, or, she shall teach me: for in the Hebrew tongue, in the future, the same word standeth for the third person feminine, that is for the second Masculine. And so it standeth in diffe∣rent here by the word, whither we say, thou shalt teach me, or, she shall teach me: true it is, that Christ is the teacher of his Church, in a double respect. 1. In that he alone teacheth by the light of his Spirit. But the Church (who is the heavenly Jerusalem, and Mother of us all) doth as an instrument teach, and instruct her particular Members with the heavenly doctrine of the Gospell. We may take it that she saith to Christ, Thou shalt teach me, for so runs the new Covenant, That every man shall not teach his neighbor, saying know the Lord, for they shall all know me, saith the Lord. So that the Saints should not depend upon mans teaching, but up∣on Christ's the true Prophet.

Hence Observe.

That the Saints desire most of all, to be under the tea∣chings of Christ.

This was the end of the Spouse, in bringing Christ in to her mothers house, namely, that he might teach and instruct her by his Spirit. And thus it is prophesi∣ed, how that in the last dayes, many people should say, Come, and let us go up tothe house of the God Jacob, and will teach us of his wayes, &c. Isa. 2, 2, 3. See also Mi∣chah 4. 1, 2. Christ tels his Disciples in John 16. 25. That the time was comming, he would shew them plainely of the Father, its Christ that doth unmaske and unvaile the face of his Father, and helpe us to a manifestation and sight of it: Christ is the lively I∣mage of God, 2 Cor. 4. 4. He is the Brightnese of his glorie, and the expresse Character of his person, Heb. 1. 3. there is no excellency in the Father, which is not manifest in the Sonne, and by the Sonne wee may come to know it: so saith the Apostle, God who hath commanded light to shine out of darkenesse, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glorie of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 6. 6. If there be such a bright vision of divine glorie manifested by Christ, how sweet, how comfortable, and how much to be desired are the teachings of Christ then, who is as it were the beames and brightnesse of Gods glorie shining out upon us?

The effects of Christs teaching is set forth in the next words.

I would cause thee to drinke of spiced wine, of the juyce of my Pomegranate.

According to the similitude in earthly things, the

Spouse professeth to entertaine Christ with a dainty banquet in her mothers house,, for that is meant by spiced wine, and juyce of the Pomegranate.

By Spiced wine, she meaneth such wee call Ipocras, which besides the nature and strength of the wine it selfe, it is much strengthned by composition, mixture or confection of many Spices with it: So that by the strength and pleasantnesse of this composition of sweet spices, the heart is strengthened and warmed, and the senses much refreshed and satisfied, with the pleasant smell thereof: Such compositions as these, were put into the holy incense and oyle, Exod. 30. 24, 25. Such were also used for banquetting, as this place ma∣nifesteth.