Exposition of the Song of Solomon, Part 1

Exposition of the Song of Solomon · Part 1

p. 1AN EXPOSITION of the Song of Solomon, called CANTICLES.

CHAP. I.

VERS. 1

A Song of ſongs, which is Solomons.

THe Bookes of Solomon the Iewes compare not vnfitly to the Temple which he built Whereof this ſong of ſongs, or moſt excellent ſong reſembleth the holy of holies o… the moſt holy place: Being a declaration of the bleſſed and ſweet coniunction betweene Chriſt and his Church, and of the contract, and p. 2eſpouſels made betweene them, whileſt the Church is now militant vponupon earth. All which time is as it were a bidding of the banes vntill by his ſecond comming from heauen our ſpirituall marriage with him ſhall be ſolemnized and made vp.

The Author Solomon, peaceable, for ſo his name doth ſignifie, a figure of Chriſt the Prince of peace, and the builder both of the earthly Sanct…arie, and of this heauenly frame, was, no doubt, whatſoeuer otherwiſe his fals might be, an elect veſſell of God. 1. Becauſe all the Prophets (of which number he was one) are in the kingdome of heauen Luke 13. 28. for howſoeuer it pleaſed God ſometimes to ſpeake by the wicked as hee did by Balaam, and to wring out of their mouthe contrary to their heart, that which might ſerue for the glory of his name: yet he neuer vſed the ſeruice of any but veſſels of election, to be the penmen of his Spirit. So the Apoſtle 2. Pet. 1. 19. 20. teileth vsus, that thoſe which by diuine inſpiration wrote the propheticall Scriptures, were all of them holy men of God. 2. The holy Ghoſt doth alwaies ſpeake well of Solomon after his death, and maketh in all places an honourable mention of his name, which it neuer doth of the reprobate. 3. His waies are commended, and Rehoboam hath his worthy praiſe for walking in them 2. Chron. 11. 17. 4. God, whoſe counſels are conſtant, loued him and cleped his name Iedidah, beloued of the Lord. 2. Sam. 12. 24. 25. 5. He himſelfe is ſaid againe to hauehave loued God. 1. Kings p. 33. 3. Which being true and vnfeined (otherwiſe the Holy Ghoſt would neuer hauehave ſpoken of it) was impoſſible to be loſt. And this very booke if it were written before his fall is an vndoubted argument how ſincere, earneſt, and vehement his louelove was, and what a feeling hee had of the louelove of Chriſt. If after his fall, it argueth then moſt certainly a ſincere, and true repentance. 6. And laſtly the booke of Eccleſiaſtes doth manifeſtly euince it, written when hee was olde, after hee had ſeene ſo much and had ſo long experience of his owne vanities and corruptions. The title whereof, A aaforeign Ko. heleth As if you would ſay foreign vnderſtanding ſoule, or ſome ſuch ſubſtantiue.ſoule (an humble, and grieued ſoule) reconciled to the Church, from whence hee was before caſt out for his offences: or, A ſoule ſpeaking, and making confeſſion, in the Church, ſheweth his repentance.

The manner of writing is that which we call actiue, or repreſentatiue, that is wherein Perſons onelyonly are brought in ſpeaking, the Author himſelfe ſaying nothing: and the perſons here are Chriſt, the Church, and ſometimes, but very rarely, the friends of them both: In all which the Church, burning with a deſire of Chriſt longeth, and is impatient till ſhee be ioined vntounto him. For hether tend all her paſſions, exclamations, teſtifications of her louelove, commendations of her ſpouſe. Chriſt againe by kinde gentle and louing ſpeeches comforteth and cheereth vp the Church with certaine hope of that happie and bleſſed time: for hether tend all his commendations of her preſent, and promiſe of future graces, the accepting of her vnfeined repentance, p. 4and the aſſurance of purging, pruining, and making her more holy and fit for him. Till ſhee be taken vp vntounto him without ſpot or wrinckle.

The Booke hath two parts. Whereof the firſt comprehendeth all that time that Chriſt and ſhee are friends, before any falling out, in the foure firſt Chapters. The Churrh longing to bee ioined to Chriſt. Chapt. 1. Acknowledging the benefits and comforts of life, pleaſure and all good things which he beſtoweth vponupon her. Chapt. 2. And laſtly deſiring to ſee Chriſt in his heauenly glory. Chapt. 3. Whom Chriſt moſt ſweetly comforteth. Chapt. 4. The ſecond part, in the foure laſt chapters, is a falling out of theſe two louers thorough the Churches fault and vnkindneſſe to him. But this falling out is a renuing of their louelove. In her by repentance Chapt. 5. in him by a gratious accepting of her into his fauour againe, as deere as euer ſhee was before. Chapt. 6. Whence ariſeth all thankefulneſſe from the Church and promiſe to amend Chapt. 7. vers 1. 2. 3. 4. with a noble demonſtration of her zeale vntounto him; teſtified by her longing, firſt for his owne comming in the fleſh. Chapt. 7. vers 5. to the end of the Chapter. Secondly for the drawing of others that as yet were ſtrangers and aliens from the common wealth of Iſraell to the fellowſhip and participation of Chriſt, and for the whole Iſraell of God (Iewes and Gentiles) to be knit and ioined together in one holy ſociety. Chapt. 8. And ſo this ſecond part containeth three moſt excellent propheſies. One of the words incarnation, an other of the calling of the p. 5Gentiles, the third of the conuerſion of the Iewes and their acceſſe in the laſt daies vntounto the Church of Chriſt. But let vsus now heare themſelues ſpeake, and with their owne words to vtter their owne affections.

CHVRCH.

VERS. 2.

O let him kiſſe mee with the kiſſes of his mouth, for thy Loues are excellent better then wine.

The Church (whoſe heart the Spirit of Chriſt had before knit vntounto him) beginneth to wooe her louelove: and crying out in a paſſion, deſireth his embracings: That he would be preſent with her, ioine himſelfe vntounto her, and remaine hers for euer. This vehement deſire, this ardency of affection ſhe ſheweth to be moſt iuſt & reaſonable, and fortifieth the equity, the honeſty, the neceſſity, the fruite, and commodity thereof, diuerſly and many waies. Firſt the excellency of this louelove is wonderfull, aboue all the pleaſures and delights of the world: eſpecially if it come not ſingle but accompanied with a large neſſe and a bounty from him, that it may be called Loues in the plurall. What wine ſo pleaſant to the taſte?

VERR. 3.

Becauſe of the ſmell of thy good ointmens thy name is as an ointment powred foorth. Therefore the Virgins louelove thee.

p. 6What ointment ſo fragrant to the ſmell? Was that which ſhead vponupon Aarons head, trickled downe his beard, and wet the hemmes of his garment? or the coſtly ointment, that Alablaſter boxe of pure Nard, the Spickenard which ſhee powred vponupon our Sauiour Chriſt, that filled all the houſe with the ſweetneſſe of the ſmell? Take which you will, and the beſt ointments els, they are not worthy to be named, when thine ointments, the ioy of gladneſſe wherewith God hath annointed thee aboue thy fellowes, and which thou powreſt forth to the comfort of the world, & the refreſhing of thy Saints that hauehave any ſence, and ſpirituall ſmell, are talked of. I ſpeake not of my louelove as preſent with me when I enioy his ſweet ſelfe, and hauehave him in mine armes. No. Eye hath neuer ſeen, eare hath neuer heard, heart cannot conceiue the ſweetnes of thoſe delights. But I ſpeake of the verie remembrance of him, abſent and away. Thwit me not here with any carnall louelove, or louelove to ſteale my heart from God; farre be that from my thoughts: I meane nothing but that which is holy, chaſt, pure, maidenly, and virgin-like, free as well from bodily pollution and vncleanneſſe; as from ſpirituall fornication againſt my ſpouſe.

VERS, 4.

Draw me, after thee will we runne. Let the King bring mee into his priu…e chambers. We will reioice and be glad in thee. We will record thy loues better then wine. They p. 7ſhall record them who in all rightnes do louelove thee

They that will follow vaine vanities and forſake their owne mercy, let them doe it. But I will eleaue to thee. This comming, and eleauing vntounto Chriſt, is I confeſſe a diuine worke, the worke of God himſelf, & ſteps beyond the reach of man, which no humane foote can tread, no wit can climbe vntounto or comprehend, vnleſſe it be framed and faſhioned from aboue. A worke which of all others vvee are moſt vntoward to, of ſuch difficulty that wee muſt be drawen, and haled, and violently pulled out of our ſelues, before wee can once ſettle about it, hauing neither power, nor ſo much as will vntounto it; for what finde I in my ſelfe to egge, and prouoke me thereunto? Whatſoeuer I hauehave within me, or without me, from the top vntounto the toe, from the head vntounto the heeles, is an vtter enemy, and doth oppoſe and ſet it ſelfe againſt it; yet I deſire thorough the working of his holy ſpirit (for euen the deſire and firſt thought doth come from him,) not onelyonly to walke in the pathes, (which notwithſtanding O happy men that ſo doe, and how few there bee that find the ſame) but to runne in them with all my might and maine, with faith, hope, patience, and obedience to follo… thee: O let my feete be ſhod and made nimble for to doe it. But who (thinke you?) is the perſon whom thus I louelove, and am ſo enamoured with? Verely the King himſelfe our Soueraigne Lord, CHRIST, the God of glory, worthy to be loued of all, able to draw a…l p. 8vntounto his louelove, and to make all the gates, and doores of our heart to be ſet open to him. What may be the place whether we runne ſo faſt, and would ſo faine hie our ſelues vntounto? It is his owne priuie chambers, his Church, and houſe heere, and after this his heauenly tabernacles, where better it is to be one hower then in the Palaces of all other Kings a thouſand yeeres beſide. The fruites and effects that come from it, are admirable, and diuine: ioy in the holy Ghoſt, ſpirituall mirth and gladneſſe. For the hauing whereof where, or who is he (ſhew me the man, if he be a man and not a very beaſt) that would not bid al the Iolity of the world adew. It is a ioy cannot well bee hidden: it will ſhew it ſelfe and fill our mouthes with the praiſes of his name, with Pſalmes, hymnes, and ſpirituall ſongs, all too little, too too litttle for him. Neither will I (my ſelfe alone) take pleaſure in this duty, I and mine, all my friends and followers, whoſoeuer they be that louelove thee, will vnceſſantly performe the ſame: you prophane get you farie away. The praiſes of God beſeeme not your mouthes. Theſe pretious Iewels, ſuch pearles are not for ſwines ſ…outes. So holy a worke belongeth to holy men: It is for them whoſe hearts are cleane, pure, ſanctified, which waike in all integrity and in the righteouſneſſe of their waies. Theſe our God doth call; their tongues he fines and fi…es, to be the trumpetters of his glory:

Thus, and by thoſe arguments (twelue in number) the Church ſetteth forh, amplifieth, p. 9and enlargeth the ſumme of her moſt holy deſires.

VERSE 5

I am black, but comly, O daughters of Ieruſalem: Like to the Kedarenes that dwell in tents: but I am alſo like to thoſe that dwell in the curtaines of Solomon.

Now becauſe it is the property of true louelove to be deſirous that others alſo may hauehave a liking of the thing beloued, ſhee remoueth the lets and hindrances that may keepe her friend and fellows (in Gods election members of the Church) from comming vntounto CHRIST, confeſſing there is nothing outwardly in her to bee ſeene that can giuegive concontent or make her bee liked, but inwardly, in the hidden man ſhee is amiable and full of beauty: for this daughter of the King is all glorious within, foule in her ſelfe and black, euen cole black, as black as any black-more, or if any thing bee more black then it, through ſinne, both originall and actuall, that maketh her to com ſhort of the glory of God, and to be ſubiect to death and condemnation: but through CHRIST, and the righteouſneſſe ſhee hath in him, ſhe is goodly and glorious as Solomons courtly traine.

VERS. 6.

Looke not vponupon mee becauſe I am blackiſh, becauſe the Sunne hath caſt his beames vponupon me, becauſe the ſonnes of my mother incenſed againſt me, hauehave made mee a keeper p. 10of other vine-yards: mine owne vine-yard I hauehave not kept.

Three things indeed there bee which lay her open, though waſhed, though iuſtified, though ſanctified through CHRIST, to ignomie and reproach. All which notwithſtanding ſhee is not to be deſpiſed, ſince none of them, nor they all are able to obſcure the brightnes of Gods glory in her; firſt the remnants of ſinne that ſtill cleaue vntounto her, and are ſo many foule ſpots in her faire face: making her blackiſh, though not cole black. Secondly afflictions, as it were the ſchorching of the Sun. Laſtly her infirmitie, that thorough the peeuiſhneſſe of ſome which beare the face of bretheren, not able to endure wholſome doctrine, and the ſweete yoke of IESVS CHRISTS, but making ſtirres and diſcords in the Church, and teaching inſteed of Chriſts lores their owne fantaſies, and pleaſures, ſhee hath in weakneſſe been driuen to yeeld in many things contrary to the duty and place which God hath ſet her in.

VERS. 7.

Shewe mee O thou whom my ſoule loueth, where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt flock to lie downe at noone: for why ſhould I bee as one that pitcheth her tents by the flocks of thy companions.

Wherefore ſhe ſaith ſhe will goe to the Archbiſhoppe, and chiefe ſheppard of her ſoule, of him p. 11to learne how to carry her ſelfe in the Church, which is the houſe of the liuing God, to be ordered by thoſe Lawes onelyonly that hee himſelfe the moſt wiſe houſe-holder hath preſcribed. Heereupon ſhe turneth her ſpeech to Chriſt, telling him, hee onelyonly is her delght. All his ordinances ſhe accounteth right in all things, and that ſhee hateth euerie lying path. And therefore prayeth him to teach her where hee feedeth with his Word and Sacraments, where at noone day hee maketh his ſheepe to reſt: for both feeding and reſting, wholy and in all things her deſire is to be at his direction. And euen then when others repaſt themſelues and take their meales, ſhee can not be in quiet vnleſſe ſhee bee with him. That ſo ranging her ſelfe among his other ſheepe ſhe may bee kept from hauing any thing to doe with ſtrange ſhepheards, that in name participate with CHRIST, but in truth are none of his.

CHRIST.

VERS. 8.

If thou know not O thou faireſt among women, get thee out from going in the ſteppes of yonder flock, and feed thy kiddes aboue the tabernacles of thoſe ſhepheards.

To this Chriſt maketh anſwere; firſt ſatisfying her demaund in that wherein ſhe was not fully before enformed. Bidding her by any meanes to take heed of the worldly prophane and hereticall teachers, and ſuch as are corrupted by them, that p. 12ſhee tread not in their ſteps, but to fe…de her little ones, the faithful flocke, with the foode of heauenly doctrine in all ſincerity and truth, lifting them vp, out, and from aboue the world.

VERS. 9.

VntoUnto the troope of horſes in the chariots of Pharaoh doe I liken thee, my fellow friend.

By this occaſion they fall to congratulate one vntounto an other, the good things that are in them: CHRIST hee praiſeth his owne gifts beſtowed vponupon the Church, in regard of the dignity of her perſon, by his word affirming, and by the power of his ſpirit making her like to the horſe of Pharaohs Chariot, braue, ſtately, and couragious, excellent for all good ſeruices.

VERS. 10.

Thy cheekes are comlie, as with rewes of ſmall ſtones: thy neck as with collars.

And in regard of the ornaments of the ſpirit, wherby her cheeks and neck, the principall ſeates of beauty, are ſet forth with rewes of precious ſtones, gemmes, collars, and gorgious things, as horſes of thoſe countries were wont to be.

VERS. 11.

Borders of Gold wee will make vntounto thee, with ſpecks of neate ſiluer.

And not content therewith promiſeth that the Father Sonne and the holy Ghoſt, the bleſſed and p. 13glorious Trinity, will further bewtifie, and let her out with all rich graces and ornaments of the ſpirit, with a continuall grouth of ſanctification, as it were pure gold, bewtified with the ſiluer ſpecks of a new encreaſe of holineſſe, being made more and more glorious by the reflection of his glory.

CHVRCH.

VERS. 12.

Whileſt the King is in his circute, my ſpicknard doth giuegive foorth his ſmell.

The Church, reſoundeth the praiſes of her CHRIST, for the ſweet and fragrant odours that from him come downe vponupon her by his Word, and the power of his ſpirit, thoſe holy things that make her ſo ſweete her ſelfe, and to ſpreade her ſweetneſſe farre and neere to other: And that euen now whileſt this Lord and King ſitteth in the round globe of the higheſt and moſt glorious heauens, abſent in the fleſh; how much more when CHRIST which is her life, ſhall appeare and reueale himſelfe in glory?

VERS. 13.

My beloued is as a bundle of mirrh vntounto me that lodgeth betweene my breſts.

The cauſe of all is, Chriſts dwelling in her heart by faith, which maketh her both gracious, and ſweete as a noſegay of mirrh in a weomans boſome,

p. 14VERS. 14.

My well-bel oued is vntounto mee as a cluſter of Cypres in the vine-yards of Hengedie.

And as a cluſter of Cypres full of berries within his white flower, when the ſame is planted in fruitfull gardens, ſuch as Hengedie was.

CHRIST.

VERS. 15.

Behold thou art faire my fellow friend, behold thou art faire, thine eies are doues eies.

This mutuall gratulation Chriſt ſhutteth vp with exclamations, ſetting forth her bewty, the bewty ſhe hath in him without ſpot, and glorious, alſo her charity and doue-like ſimplicity, that will not caſt one eie vponupon any ſuperſtitions

CHVRCH

VERS. 16.

Behold thou art faire my well-beloued: alſo delectable: alſo our bed is greene.

The Church ſhutteth vp with commendations of the bewty and amiableneſſe of her louelove,… Brutes, as the Hebrew word is, which Plinie al…o doth retaine in the 12 booke of his naturall hiſtory Chap. 17 ſignifieth rare, plea…ant and ſpeciall woods. and the fruitfulneſſe of their bed, begetting many children vntounto God.

CHRIST and CHVRCH both.

VERS. 17.

The beames of our houſes are of Cedars, our walkes of brute trees.

They both conclude with commendations of p. 15the preciouſneſſe of their houſes, and of the walkes wherein they viſite one onother that is of Chriſts habitation in her by the communion and fellowſhippe of the ſpirit.

CHAP. II.

CHRIST.

VERS. 1.

I am the roſe of **Shar…n was a place of l…w paſture groundes, between Baſhā & mount Leb…non, as appeareth 1. Chron. 5. 16 & 27. 29. So that … roſe of Sharon, hee meaneth a ro…e growing in a fruitfull and ſunnie place which is allwa…s of ſwe… teſt ſauour.1 Chr 5:161 Chr 27:29Sharon, the Lillie of the valleys.

THe Church and her ſpouſe not ſatiſfied with their former praiſes, and the mutu…ll commending one of an other, fall afreſh vntounto it. Hee commendeth his owne ſweete vertue, which hee hath not for himſelfe alone, but by his ſpirit doth communicate to his Church.

VERS. 2.

As a Lillie among thornes, ſo is my fellowe friend among the daughters.

Whereby the ſame as farre excelleth all other companies and aſſemblies through the righteouſneſſe and glory ſhe receiueth from him, as the Lillie doth the thornes: for all are no better then thornes take them as they are, but ſpecially if they be compared with her.

p. 16CHVRCH.

VERS. 3.

As an aple-tree among the trees of the forreſt, ſo is my wel-beloued among the Sonnes: vnderunder his ſhadow I deſire that I may ſit: for ſweet is his fruit vntounto my pallat.

The Church againe praiſeth him for his fruitfulneſſe, and the ſweetneſſe both of his ſhade and fruits. Such and ſo great, as ſhe deſireth no onelyonly to reſt vnderunder the ſhadowe of his grace and righteouſnes, thereby to be kept from the ſcorching heat of the wrath of God, the curſe of the Lawe, death, and condemnation, being reconciled by him to his Father: but to taſte of the dainty fruits, the fulneſſe of ioyes that are at his right hand.

VERS. 4.

He brought me into the banqueting houſe, and his banner ouer me was …oue.

Here is the great deſire & longing expre'ſt, which ſhe hath for Chriſt, enlarged narration-wiſe, by two moſt ſweete and notable fruits that proceed from him vntounto his Church. Firſt life, ſafety and deliuerance from all euill: then pleaſure, comfort, ioy, peace of conſcience, and the fruition of all good. The former ſhe ſetteth forth, firſt by the effici…nt cauſe, his onelyonly louelove ſhed in her heart by the holy Ghoſt: wherby he kept her as faſt vntounto himſelfe, as Soldiers are kept about the colours of their Generall, that nothing could pul her from him. Secondly by the place wher this was done, the banqueting p. 17houſe of the congregation of his Saints, where all dainties and iunketing diſhes, all pleaſures and delights were to be found in him.

VERS. 5.

Stay mee with theſe flagons, hold me vp with theſe apples, for I am ſick of louelove.

Thirdly, by her fainting for the deſire of Chriſt. So ſick ſhee was with ſpirituall louelove. Fourthly, by her great deſire, expreſſed by turning her ſpeech to his ſeruants that ſtood round about the Table, the miniſters of the Word to ſtay and hold her vp, and to keep life within her, by an holy vſe of the Word and Sacraments, which are as refreſhing apples, and as bottles of wine, out of the which wee ſuck the ſwcete promiſes of the Goſpell.

VERS. 6.

His left hand is vnderunder my head, and his right hand doth embrace mee.

Fifthly, by Chriſts doing a great deal more then we ſhould require: Euen himſelfe as a kinde huſband will doe vntounto his wife, taking her in both his armes, and ſo falling with her into a ſweet reſt and ſlumber from the cares of this preſent world.

VERS. 7.

I adiureye yee daughters of Ieruſalem, tarrie without with the roes, or with the hindes of the field. Stirre not vp nor waken this louelove vntill he pleaſe.

Sixthly, by adiuring all Chriſtians to abide in p. 18their place and ſtanding, that is to ſay in ſome honeſt and lawfull vocation, as Rachell that looked to her fathers heards, and not eyther thorough idleneſſe, or diſorderly walking and following after ſinfull pleaſures to grieue the ſpirit, and to giuegive Chriſt cauſe, when they may hauehave and hold him, to diſioint himſelf from them. And ſo ſhe liues and breaths in him thorough that ſweet and happy coniunction ſhee hath with her head.

VERS. 8.

It is the voice of my well-beloued. Behold this ſame, hee commeth lepping vponupon theſe mountaines, skipping vponupon theſe hils.

But that is not all. She thus reſting in quiet ſleep, and hee going into the countrey to the pleaſant fields to prepare and ſet things in a readines, returning againe heapeth vponupon her fauours and pleaſures that cannot be expreſſed, which ſhee with a ioyfull heart ſetleth her ſelfe to entertaine. Firſt, hee ſpeaketh vntounto her, ſhee heareth his comfortable voice. Secondly he commeth, ſhee ſeeth him comming a farre of. Thirdly, hee is preſent and at hand, no hilles, nor hillocks, no offences, great or ſmall, haynous ſinnes or meaner imperfections are able to ſtay his comming.

VERS. 9.

My well-beloued is like a roe, or a young Hart. Behold this ſame, he ſtandeth behind our wall, looking forth of the windows, p. 19ſhewing himſelfe cheerefully thorough the grates.

Hereupon ſhe crieth out for ioy, compareth him with the hindes & yong roes for his ſwiftnes, with goodly flouriſhing trees for his ſweetneſſe, and the pleaſure of his countenance. OnelyOnly this is her griefe, that hee looketh but as it were through the grates, ſtandeth behinde the walls, and doth not as ſhe would, communicate his preſence with her.

VERS. 10.

My well-beloued ſpake and ſaide vntounto me, Ariſe my fellow friend, my faire one, and come thy way.

Then thus prepared to heare and to receiue him, he ſpeaketh to her heart: and powring forth a golden ſhower of kinde and gracious words, with ſiluer ſtreames of eloquence (manifeſting his affection) inuiteth her to the fruition of thoſe good and excellent things which by his Word and ſpirit hee is ready to beſtow vponupon her.

VERS. 11.

For behold the winter is paſt, the raine is ouer, it is gone.

Drawing arguments from her preſent ſtate and condition compared with her former miſery that was in the time of her ignorance, whilſt ſhe lay dead in ſinne and treſpaſſes, and was a ſtranger from the life of God: al which time was as the winter ſeaſon, p. 20foule and tempeſtuous, full of ſtormes, of horror of minde, terror of conſcience, feare of death and deſperation.

VERS. 12.

The flowers appeare in the earth, the time of the chirping of birds is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in our land.

VERS. 13.

The Figge-tree hath put forth her greene figges and the vines with the tender grape giuegive forth a ſmell. Ariſe my fellow friend, my faire one, and come thy way.

But this now com in the place of it is as the pleaſant ſpring, all greene, freſh, and flouriſhing. Such are the pleaſures that the enioying of Chriſt doth bring. That done here moueth two maine obiections that euermore trouble the Saints of God, and hold them as it were amazed.

VERS. 14.

My done that dwelleſt in the clefts of the rocks, in the f…eety denne; ſhewe mee thy countenance, make mee to heare thy voice: for thy voice is ſweet, and thy countenance comly.

One, the conſcience of their own infirmity and weakeneſſe, which maketh them like ſilly doues to hide themſelues in corners, in the clifts of the rock, vnderunder the grices of the ſtaires, in ſecret places, flying the fight of men, and not to dare to ſhew their p. 21faces. This hee remoueth with the conſideration of Gods eternall election, and of his deepe and vnſearchable counſels, a rocke of ſtrength to comfort her in her weakeneſſe: a ſure hold and vnacceſſable denne, whereunto no euill can approach, a fort impregnable, vnderunder the which ſhe reſteth, and ſhall reſt ſafe for euer. And thereupon hee biddeth her to take heart of grace, to come vntounto him, to walke before him, and to be vpright to talke with him, to make him heare her voice in Praiers and the praiſes of her God. For that in Chriſt be accepteth her and is well pleaſed with her, both her perſon, and thoſe ſpirituall ſacrifices and fruits of her faith.

VERS. 15.

Take vsus the foxes, the little foxes which ſpoile the vineyards, and that whileſt our vineyards are bringing foorth the tender grape.

The other thing that troubleth is the oppoſition of wicked and vngodly men, not the cruell tirants of the world onelyonly, but falſe teachers which nippe the Church in the head, and are the inſtruments of Sathans malice when it firſt beginneth to peepe, for then Sathan is euer buſieſt to ſeduce vsus in the firſt birth of Chriſt in our hearts, waiting to kill and to deſtroy vsus. Theſe alſo hee ſaith hee will take order for, by ſending workemen into his vineyard that ſhall ſpare none, not the leaſt euill but by drawing forth the ſword of holy diſcipline ſhall cut off all euill, and all meanes and occaſion of p. 22euill, which heere exhorting he promiſeth, and in promiſing he exhorteth his ſeruants the miniſters of the Church not to be ſlack to doe, that ſo ſhee may enioy perfect peace and pleaſure, and all kinde of happineſſe.

VERS. 16.

My welbeloued is mine, and I am his who feedeth among the Lillies.

VponUpon all which ſhee concludeth: glorying firſt of her fellowſhip & communion with Chriſt; who as a good ſhepheard feedeth his with ſatiety of pleaſures and delights that are at his right hand for euermore.

VERS. 17.

Till that day breath and theſe ſhadowes flie away, returne, be like, my welbeloued, to the roe or to the yong hart vponupon the**By Seuered mountaines hee meaneth Mount Gilead, which was ſ…ue…ed by the riuer Iordan from the reſt of Iudea, 2. Sam. 2. 29. and was the beſt place for courſe and for hunting.2 Sam 2:29 ſeuered mountaines.

And then wiſhing his gratious preſence that he would come quickely to her, and not depart one heates bredth from her to the day of his laſt moſt bright appearance, when we ſhall perfectly be receiued vntounto the communion of Chriſt, and of all good things in him: that ſo by his bleſſed preſence and the aſſiſtance of his Spirit, ſhee may paſſe thorough and ouercome all the miſts and ſhadowes of ſinne, ignorance and affliction that come in her way whi…eſt ſhee is in this preſent world.

p. 23CHAP. III.

VERS. 1.

In my bed anights I ſought him whom my ſoule loueth: I ſought him, but I found him not.

VERS. 2

Therefore I ſaid, I will riſe now and goe about the Citie by the ſtreets, and by the high waies, I will ſeeke him whom my ſoule loueth. I ſought him, but I found him not.

YEt once more the Church expreſſeth her affection and longing after Chriſt: the wonderfull deſire ſhee hath to cling neerer and to cleaue faſter to him: and that in a more paſſionate manner then euer ſhe did before; thinking ſhee had loſt him, when moſt ſhe did enioy him.

By night and by day, vponupon her bed and when ſhe was vp; at home and abroad, within in the Citie by the ſtreets, and by the lanes, without in the fields; with her ſelfe alone in the ſecret meditation of her heart, and by conference with others. Firſt, godly bretheren (as ſhe met them in eueryevery corner) her fellows and familiar friends exerciſed in the like temptations.

p. 24VERS. 3.

The watchmen vvhichwhich goe about the Citie found mee. to vvhom I ſaid, did you ſee him vvhom my ſoule loueth.

Then the publique watchmen of the Citie, the Lords remembrancer, swhom he hath ſet ouer thy walles O Ieruſalem, that all the day, and all the night they might not be ſilent of him: eueryevery where and at all times, vſing all the meanes, from the loweſt to the higheſt, ſhe ſeeketh Chriſt, and can heare no tidings of him. That is ſhee cannot finde him preſent as ſhe doth deſire, and to her hearts liking in her owne ſenſe and apprehenſion, though indeed hee be alwaies moſt preſent with her.

VERS. 4.

It vvas but a vvhile ere I had past from them, ti vvhen I found him vvhom my ſoule loueth. I tooke hold of him, not to let him goe, till I ſhall hauehave brought him into my mothers houſe, and into the chamber of her that conceiued me.

At the laſt when ſhe leaſt looketh for it, and hath paſſed all the meanes, that the excellency may bee from God and not from them, ſhee findeth her hearts ioy, him whom her ſoule loueth. Shee claſpeth him, and layeth faſt holde vponupon him, with purpoſe not to let him goe till ſhee hauehave brought him into her mothers houſe (like an honeſt and ſhamefaſt maiden that will doe nothing in ſuch caſes without her mothers priuitie) that is, till the happy time that the whole Catholick Church p. 25ſhal grow vp in one body, to bee preſented as a pure virgin, glorious vntounto Chriſt.

VERR. 5.

I adiure you, ye daughters of Ieruſalem, tarry without with the roes, or with the hindes of the field. Stirre not vp nor waken this louelove vntill he pleaſe.

VERS. 6.

Who is ſhee that ſhould come vp out of the wilderneſſe, as it were becenſed with ſmoke that is raiſed vp; becenſed with mirrh and incenſe better then all Apothecaries poulder.

And now reſting in his armes, ſhee deſireth to remaine there ſo long as he ſhall pleaſe, that is to ſay for euer

But the vponupon the view and muſter of his graces, ſhe corrects her dulneſſe, and rapt with admiration, O, ſaith ſhee, what doe I meane? Am I ſo fooliſh to tye Chriſt vntounto my ſleeue, to wiſh that he might abide here with me in the wildernes of this world, which is ſo crooked and empty of all goodneſſe? Should not I my ſelfe rather (though I know the wicked world lookes after no ſuch matter) labour to be taken vp from hence by faith into his home and dwelling place, and vntounto his ſpiritual marriage bed, the heauenly glorie of Gods Kingdome, and Ieruſalem that is aboue. For the ſweetneſſe of it moſt fragrant and odoriferous, as all becenſed p. 26with mirrh and incenſe of holineſſe, glorie, immortallity, better then the beſt perfumes.

VERS. 7.

Behold his bed is better then Solomons, which threeſcore ſtrong men ſtand about, of the valiant men of Iſraell.

VERS. 8.

All of them dravving ſvvord, expert in vvarre, each hath his ſvvord by his ſide for feare anightes.

For the ſafety, price, preciouſneſſe of matter, and worke that exceeds the matter, farre beyond Solomons wedding bed, though it were moſt curious: for there indeed ſtood a continuall gard of threeſcore valiant men, with their ſwords by their ſides to keepe the chamber doore for feare of danger in the night▪ But he hath a thouſand thouſand ſtanding before him; yea ten thouſand thouſand miniſtring vntounto him; Thrones, Dominions, principallities, powers, other manner of perſons in ſtrength and valure.

VERS. 9.

Better I ſay then the bed which King Solomon made him of the trees of Lebanon.

VERS. 10.

Whoſe pillars he made of ſiluer, the beddeſteed therof of gold, the couerlet thereof of purple. The middeſt of it paued with louelove, by the daughters of Ieruſalem.

True it is, that bedde was made for a King, but this for the king of Kings, and Lord of Lords: the p. 27frame there was of Cedars of Lebanon. the pillars ſiluer, the bedſteed gold, the couerlets purple. But heer the very ſtreets, the market place is all of pure & beaten gold, ſhining as cleer chriſtall. Where of ſhall we thinke (by that reckoning) that the bedde and furniture thereof is made. There the middeſt was paued moſt louely with needle-worke, heere the ornaments and hangings are the ſhining glory of God and the Lambe, that the daughters of Ieruſalem did work; this the Father of heauen. Thus doth the place where wee ſhall enioy Chriſt excell▪

VERS. 11.

Goe forth and looke ye daughters of Sion, vponupon King Solomon, with the Crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his eſpouſals, and in the day of gladneſſe of his heart.

But if you compare perſon with perſon, ones ioy with the others triumphes, your owne eies will tell you when Solomon was at the higheſt, how infinitely he did come ſhort. Solomon indeed had a Crowne that royally ſet him forth; but Chriſt hath many Crownes and diadems vponupon his head; Solomon in his excellency and the crowne of his glory was a ſpectacle worthy to bee looked vponupon and admired, but Chriſt to be worſhipped, honoured, and adored, not of the maidens of Ieruſalem onelyonly, but of the whole hoaſt of heauen; Solomons heart leapt for ioy the day thht he was contracted, p. 28but Chriſt is anointed with the oyle of gladneſſe aboue his fellows, with a heape and variety of gifts and graces, more then all men or Angels. So farre is he to be preferred.

CHAP. IIII.

CHRIST.

VERS. 1.

Behold thou art faire my fellow friend, behold thou art faire: thine eies are doues eies from betweene thy locks: thy haire is like a flocke of Goates, which ſheare vponupon mount Gilead.

CHRIST here comforteth the Church againſt that anxiety of minde, which appeared in the former Chapt. ſhewing how gracious ſhe is vntounto him, how beautifull in his eies: not for any bodily, but for her ſpirituall bewty. Whether you conſider her wholy and entirely, being all faire, or her members and lineaments one by one: eies, haire and locks, teeth, lippes, temples, her neck and both her breaſts; all in that comlineſſe and proportion, as is fit both for the diſcharge of the great duty of the miniſtery, and the common duty of chriſtianity. p. 29Her eies firſt, how chaſt they are? how ſimple? how douclike? if you conſider eyther the faithfull Miniſter, the eies and lights of the Church, whoſe care is to preſent vsus chaſt and pure virgins vntounto Chriſt, or the eie of iudgement in eueryevery Chriſtian, which maketh the whole body lightſome, and keepeth them ſingle and ſincere in all things. Againe how comely they are within her locks, ſeemelily turned vp: for ſuch is both the Churches decency, reiecting all toyiſh ceremonies, and the graue and ſober cariage of eueryevery Chriſtian. And this haire ſo goodly ſhining ſmooth, as of fat Goates that feede in fruitfull paſtures; theſe ceremonies, this carriage orderly, ſober, decent, bring that reuerence to a Chriſtian, that comlineſſe to a Church, as make them both gracious.

VERS. 2.

Thy teeth are like a flock of euen ſhorn ſheep, that come vp from the waſhing, which all of them doe bring forth twinnes, and there is not a miscarrying one among them.

VERS. 3.

The lips are like a threed of skarlet▪ and thy talke is comely: thy temples within thy locks are as a peece of pomegranet.

VERS. 4.

Thy neck is as the towre of Dauid, built for armories: a thouſand targets hang therein, all ſhields of mighty men.

VERS. 5

Thy two breſts are as two young hindes, the twins of a roe which feede among lillies.

Goe vntounto her teeth, they are equall, ſhining, p. 30dowblerewed, whereby ſhe cheweth the meate of heauenly doctrine, both for her ſelfe and others. The Law of grace is in her skarlet lippes, ſpeaking things comely and for edification. Temples like a roſe to ſee to, & of the hew of a Pomegranet, bending beyond the haire. So naturall is her bewty, and her face her owne: for what needeth ſhee the dyings or colourings of worldly glory to ſet forth her ſpirituall bewty? or of humane wiſdome to adorne the ſimplicity of the Goſpell? Is her face onelyonly and the parts thereof worthy to bee commended? doe not the reſt as well excell? her neck of holy diſcipline, and gouerment to aſſiſt the miniſtery of the Word, and that compleat armour of proofe which eueryevery chriſtian fighteth with, holdeth her vp and keepeth her ſteddy, more ſtrong then all the weapons of any tower or armourrie can doe. Laſtly her pappes plumpe, round, faire, are …full of all good nouriſhment of the ſincere milke of the word of God, that flowes as from a ſtreame out of both her breſts of that olde and the new Teſtament.

VERS. 6.

Till that day breath, and theſe ſhadows flie away, I will get mee vntounto the Mountaine of Mirrh, and to the hill of frankinſenſe.

This deſcription done, and made an end of, now to ſatiſfie her requeſt he promiſeth that notwithſtanding till the mariage daie doe come, when the miſtes of ſinne, ignorance, and afliction that p. 31are caſt in this world before the eies of the Church ſhall fleete away, he muſt keepe his reſidence and aboade in Ieruſalem that is aboue, where are his friends, who performe vntounto him duties ſweeter then mirrh and frankinſence.

VERSE 7

Thou all faire my fellow friend, and not a ſpot in thee.

VERS. 8.

With me from Lebanon, my ſpouſe with mee from Lebanon ſhalt thou come, thou ſhalt looke down from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir, and Hermon, from the dennes of Lyons, from the mountaines of Leopards.

Yet he will euer be preſent with his Church by his Word and the power of his ſpirit, ſanctifying and cleanſing the ſame, vntill being all faire without any ſpot or wrinckle in her, and ſo fitted and made ready for the wedding day, he do receiue her as his ſpouſe, (that is to ſay a wife ioyned and married to her husband, for ſo he is bould now to call her, in regard of that prefixed time) into euerlaſting life, and crowne her with glory and immortality. At what time he ſaith he will redeeme her (wholy and eueryevery part, ſo as not one whom the Father hath giuen vntounto Chriſt ſhall periſh) from the moſt remote places and borders of the Land, and out of the clawes of Lyons and Leopards, her moſt cruell, fierce, barbarous and ſauage enemies.

p. 32VERS. 9.

Thou hast rauiſhed my heart, my Siſter Spouſe. Thou haſt rauiſhed my heart, with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy necke.

The remembrance of this day, and of the perfection ſhe now hath in his iudgement & eſtimation of her, and then ſhal actually hauehave by his benefit beſtowed vponupon her, maketh him to cry out in the paſſion and vehemency of his louelove, calling her Siſter, as being of one nature, alſo his married ſpouſe, profeſſing ſhee hath rauiſhed his heart with the bewty of her lookes, with the ornaments of her graces, that are as chaines about her neck, yea with one looke of faith, with that one grace of his ſanctifying ſpirit in her:

VERS. 10.

How faire are thy loues, my ſiſter ſpouſe? how good are thy loues? better then wine, and the ſmell of thine ointements better then all ſpices.

Amplifying with exclamations the excellency of her louelove better then wine, and the ſweete ſauour of her ointements (the annointing of his ſpirit, ſealing her vp to the day of redemption) better in ſenſe and feeling, then all ſpices.

VERS. 11.

Thy lips, my ſpouſe, drop the hony-combe, Hony and milke are vnderunder thy tongue, and p. 33the ſmell of thy garments is as the ſmell of Lebanon.

Thus hauing declared the feruency of his louelove vntounto her, hee doth by many figures and formes of ſpeech, expreſſe the ſweeteneſſe and the ornaments of her faith and of the fruits that proceed from it. Thy lippes (ſaith hee) both of them, that is, in the publique miniſtery, in priuate ſpeech droppe the hony and the hony-combe, ſweete and heauenly leſſons and inſtructions, comforts and conſolations. Out of thy tongue that milke of the Word is ready to come forth: thy ſmell is odoriferous, thine outward carriage and behauiour ſweete amiable, and full of grace.

VERS. 12.

A gardaine encloſed my ſiſter ſpouſe, a ſpring ſhut, a fountaine ſealed vp.

Thou keepeſt thy ſelfe moſt chaſt vntounto me,' and thy fruits ſound and entire as a gardai…e cloſed, as a ſpring ſhut vp, as a fountaine ſealed: for in thee is the ceſtern of that wholſom and fauing doctrine, whereby the parts of the field, or gardaine of my Church, the beddes and plantes. (particular congregations) are all watred, and which no ſtranger can hauehave acceſſe vntounto: for none entreth thither but in and thorough me.

VERS. 13.

Thy plants are as of an orchard of pomegranets, with fruit of precious things: as p. 34Cypres with Spicknard.

VERS. 14.

Spicknard and Safron, ſweete Canes and Cinamon, with all trees of Frankinſence, mirrh, and Santales, with all the chiefe ſpices,

To conclude thy plants (meaning the fruits of faith) are moſt precious, as an orchard ſtored with all precious and delicate fruits.

CHVRCH.

VERS. 15.

O fountaine of the gardains, O Well of liuing waters, and flowing more then the waters of Lebanon.

The Church ioying in her ſpouſes thus gracious accepting of her, doth firſt modeſtly attribute all ſhe hath to him. Doeſt thou call me a ſpring and fountaine? giueſt thou me the name of a gardaine? Vouchſafeſt thou mee ſuch honour that my fruits ſhould bee eſteemed, as ſweete ſpices? O but how ſoeuer I may in ſome ſort diſperſe vntounto mine the waters of life, yet thou in truth art the onelyonly fountaine, from whoſe fulneſſe we all receiue. I water, but from thee, thou art the onelyonly well of liuing water, out of the which I doe drawe; thou art the wind and comfortable ayre that purgeſt thy gardaine, makeſt ſeaſonable times, raine and faire weather, as is moſt commodious and beſt for the manurance of it. I, whatſoeuer I hauehave, meate, drinke, or any thing elſe, it is all of the gift of thy hand; my p. 35life and ſauing health I hauehave, and hold from thee.

VERS. 16

Awake O North, and com O South, breath vponupon my gardaine. Let thoſe waters ouerflow the ſpices of it. Let my well-beloued come vntounto his gardaine, and eate his dainty fruits.

Wherefore, ſaith ſhe, deny not theſe two things vntounto me, bleſſe me yet more with all ſpirituall bleſſings: Let thy windes blow vponupon my gardaine, and thoſe liuing waters ouer flow my beddes and ſpices. Secondly, come and dwell with me, feaſt and make merry in the middeſt of my ſoule and conſcience: for euen heere alſo (as well as in Heauen) thou haſt, as thou ſayeſt, a gardaine?

CHRIST.

VERS. 17.

I am com into my gardain, my ſiſter ſpouſe, I gather my mirrh with my ſpice, I eate my hony-combe with my hony, I drinke … wine with my milk. Eate fellow friends, drinke, and bee dronke O yee my well-beloued.

O no, ſaith hee, you know not what you aske; that were nothing good for you, and hurtfull to many other: for yet til the marriage day doe com, my place is to be in heauen with the infinite thouſands of holy Angels and ſpirits of the righteous that are deceased: where I in them, and they in me p. 36take incomparable pleaſure & delight; and where I welcome and entertaine moſt louingly with all dainties and delightfulneſſe, the faithfull ſoules whom I dayly take out of this tranſitory world, into euerlaſting glory,

CHAP. V

CHVRCH.

VERS. 1.

I being aſleepe, but my heart awake, heard the voice of my wellbeloued, bounſin…, open to mee, my ſiſter, my fellow friend, my doue, my vndefiled one, for my head is filled with de…e, my locks with the droppes of the night.

WE come now to the ſecond part of this booke, which is the falling out between Chriſt & his Church. The fault whereof is firſt of al laid where it was, in the Churches vnkindnes to him, which ſhe her ſelfe ſtic…eth not to acknowledge that it grew from her owne drowſineſſe and carnall ſecurity: Although thus farre to bee excuſed, that it was thorough weakeneſſe and humane frailety, againſt her owne heart and liking; not with that full ſwing of ſinne that the wicked giuegive p. 37themſelues ſcope to runne into, nor with all her heart and ſoule. The ſpirit being alwaies ready to doe his part, though the fleſhe were weake. Her faith was ſmothered, it was not put out: yet this one ſinne (as the nature of ſuch things is) went not alone, it was accompanied with a multitude of other ſinnes: reiecting him ſo ſcornefully, who with his owne lacred v…ice ſpake vntounto her to ariſe from the ſleepe of ſinne, and to awake vntounto righteouſneſſe, and yet could not preuaile. What might be done that hee did not to reclaime, and bring her home? For the manner of his comming, it was not only knocking, but bounſing at the dore of her heart by the miniſtery of his Word, vehemently, erneſtly, & more then once. The thing he did deſire ſmall in it ſelf, ſo eaſie for her to graunt, as nothing could bee more: onelyonly to open and to let him in. He ſpake ſo kind…ly, ſo louingly, in ſuch a gentle and ſo earneſt a manner, as might hauehave moued a heart of flint; gaue her ſuch and ſo many, ſo ſweete and ſo honourable titles all with one breath, my ſiſter, my friend, my doue, mine vndefiled one, beſtowed ſuch care and diligence to compaſſe his deſires, as if it were his own good that he ſought, and not hers. Hee (bearing all the infirmities of our nature, and the inconueniences of this life, compared to the night in regard of the life to come) refuſed to vndergoe no perill, nor weariſomeneſſe, or incommodity of weather, no toile or trouble for her ſake; to goe by day or by night, early in the morning, or late in the euening, in faire of foule p. 38weather, in the dewe and in the raine, his head and his haire, his skull and his locks, all beeſprinckled and wet; that what heart (not made of ſtone) could be ſo vnkinde to let him ſtand without, in the raine and in the dangers, and hazards of the night?

VERS. 2

To whom I anſwered, I hauehave put off my coate, how ſhould I put it on? I hauehave waſhed my feete, how ſhould I foule them?

Yet for all that, eueryevery vaine pretence, eueryevery fond and friuolous excuſe, was enough to keep her from admitting Chriſt, and from opening the dore vntounto him; that dore of her heart whereby through a true and liuely faith, Chriſt doth make an entrance and is receiued, and more and more fruitfully applied vntounto vsus. A manifeſt argument what ſmall account ſh…e made of him, and how little ſhee ſet by the ineſtimable good that he came to bring vntounto her: preferring a little eaſe and daintines, before the pleaſures that are in him. Shee thought it (for ſooth) a matter of no ſmall adoe to put on her coate againe, and riſe when once ſhe was abed, for feare of catching cold: ſhe was loath to touch the ground with her feet now they wer waſht, leſt ſhe ſhould beray them, that is to ſay, ſhe was loath to giuegive eare to eueryevery call of Chriſt, for feare of diſquieting her ſelfe, of drawing vponupon her dangers, troubles, feares and loſſes if ſhee ſhould follow him in all things: as if theſe or ten thouſand greater diſcommodities then theſe could any way counterpeize, p. 39or lie in the ballance with the infinite bleſſings we hauehave by Chriſt. O fleſh and blood how wiſe art thou to finde out a reaſon vntounto thine owne heart? and to hauehave ſome blinde excuſe or other for that thou wouldeſt faine doe?

VERS. 3

My wellbeloued let downe his hand from the key-hole, when as my bowels earning within mee,

VERS. 4

I roſe to open to my well-beloued, and my hands dropped Mirrh, and my fingers ſoft Mirrh in the handles of the lock.

But the end and effect heereof was fearefull. Chriſt ſo repulſed went his wa…e: ſo ſhee loſt her louelove and could no more finde him: and then all too late her heart began to earne; ſhee fell then to hauehave a compunction of ſoule, remorſe of her offence: and then (foole as ſhee was) when hee was gone ſhee roſe to open vntounto him: Yet ſo at the laſt diſpoſing and framing herſelfe vntounto his call, the very touch of the handle of the lock, where Chriſt departing, had left behinde him ſuch fragrant ſteppes and impreſſions of his fauour by the bleſſing and ſweet ſmelling ſauour of his Goſpell, brought her to a conſideration of her moſt vnworthy fact.

VERS. 5.

I opened to my well beloued, but my well-beloued withdrewe himſelfe, he paſſed away: I fell into a ſound becauſe of his ſpeaking, I p. 40ſought him, but I could not finde him, I cryed on him, but he anſwered me not.

And was enough now to make her to ariſe and open vntounto him, (departed and gone away) whom preſent before and requeſting it, ſhee had reiected. O then what would hauehave been the comfort if when he was at the doore hee had beene let in and entertained? Well, ſhee openeth now, but her louelove is gone. Then ſtrook with a conſcience of her ſinne, ſhee falleth into a ſwowne to thinke of his kinde and louing words, which ſhee ſo ſcornefully ſet at naught: ſhee ſeckes him by meditation of the Word, by calling to minde the promiſes of the Goſpell, and his former mercies, but ſhee cannot finde him ſhe cryeth vponupon him with praiers, teares, weepings, and lamentations, but hee will not anſwere.

VERS. 6.

The watchmen that goe about the Citie found me, they ſmote mee, they wounded mee; the keepers of the walles tooke my vaile from mee.

Yet ſhee ſupported by his Spirit, not caſting off her faith, continueth to ſeeke him ſtill, and paſſeth petills paſt beleefe. The Min…ſters themſelues and watchmen of the Church of God, … hoſe part it was to gard her, were the firſt that did her wrong, ſmote, and wounded her tender conſcience: and in ſteed of ſpeaking a word in due time to the wearied p. 41and diſtreſſed ſoule, did euen take her vaile from her, and beate her from holding faſt her reuerend obedience and ſubiection vntounto Chriſt.

VERSE 7

I adiure you, ye daughters of Ieruſalem, if ye finde my wellbeloued, what you ſhould tell him: that I am ſick of louelove.

Wherefore finding no comfort where in reaſon it was moſt to be expected, ſhe getteth her to the maydens her friends and fellows, though not ſo well acquainted with Chriſt as ſhee. To them ſhe is more bold to impart the ardency of her affection; asketh them after Chriſt, adiureth them, both themſelues to take knowledge of it, and to let her louelove vnderſtand how ſhe doth affect him.

The Maydens the CHVRCHES friends.

VERS. 8.

What is thy well-beloued aboue an other well-beloued, O thou faireſt among weomen? what is thy well-beloued aboue an other well-beloued, that thus thou doeſt adiure vsus?

CHVRCH.

VERS. 9.

My well-beloued is white aud ruddie, fitted for a ſtandard-bearer aboue ten thouſand.

They wondring at her paſſion, as vnacquainted with ſuch moods enquire what is in her louelove aboue other loues, that ſhee doth ſo long and thirſt after p. 42him. Whereupon ſhe taketh occaſion to deſcribe her louelove; Firſt, by the bewty and excellency of his colour, (ſignifying his holineſſe and perfect happineſſe) white and red mixed together, with that temper that is in the beſt and ſtrongeſt complexions, enabling him to doe any feate of actiuity aboue ten thouſand other. For who but hee can ſuſtaine the furie of the battailes of God, and yet goe away with the honor and glory of the field? or of whom but of him alone can it bee ſaid, that hee hath a crowne giuen vntounto him, and goeth forth ouercomming, and muſt ouercome?

VERS. 10.

His head excellent gold, fined; his locks curled, black as a rauen.

Secondly, by the members and lineaments of his body, head, haire, cies, cheeks, lips, hands, breaſts legges, looke, pallate, and to conclude his whole ſelfe. His head, (wherein the grace of his humane nature ſtandeth) precious as the moſt excellent gold, pure, bright, ſhining, as gold fined ſeauen times: for euen in his humanity, hee is the engrauen forme of the perſon of his Father, and the reſplendence of his glory. His haire, firſt black as a rauen, then coloured and criſped; ſo faire hee is in the very leaſt ornaments of nature, more then the ſonnes of men.

VERS. 11.

His eies as doues eies by the ſtreames of p. 43waters, waſhed with milke it ſelfe, ſet in cunningly.

His eies hauehave a threefold quality to commend them by: Firſt amiable as the doues, as the neate and the dainty doues by the water ſide, in the gracious and comfortable looke which hee caſteth on his Church. Secondly, white as milke, and ſhining with white, becauſe hee is more pure of eies then that hee can behold iniquity. Thirdly, ſet in the hollow places as fit, and with as great art and cunning, as a ſtone by the artificers hand is ſet into a ring; ſo guiding and directing his ſight to looke perfectly into all things, yea into the depth of the ſecret of mens hearts.

VERS. 12.

His cheekes like a bedde of Spice, growne plants of perfume, his lips to Lillies, dropping ſoft mirrh.

His cheekes goodly and flouriſhing with a freſhe and ſweet beard, like a bedde of ſpices, like growne plants that ſerue for perfume: Such a grace and grauity doth hee carrie. His lips in themſelues as lillies, redolent for the ſmell, comely in proportion: to vsus full of heauenly grace & ſweetneſſe, of moſt comfortable doctrine which droppeth from him, as liquid or ſoftmirrh.

VERS. 13.

VponUpon his hands are rings of gold, ſet with p. 44Chryſolite, in his bowels is a ſhining, as of Iuory, ouerlaide with Saphires.

His hands are ſet forth with al ornaments precious & ſhining rings of gold ſet with the Cryſolite, to note that not his perſon onelie but al his actions (done by the inſtrument of the hand) the whole gouernement and adminiſtration of his kingdom, is full of maieſty and glorie. His breſt and all his bodie (for that is to be vnderſtood by the bowels that are within) hath a ſhyning like Iuory, couered ouer with Saphires: for of a weake and corruptible bodie he hath made his owne, and will make ours in him glorious and incorruptible.

VERS. 14.

His legges are pillars of Marble, ſet vponupon ſockets of fined gold: his countenance as of Lebanon, choice as the Cedars.

His legs are pillars of marble, leaning vponupon ſockets of the choiceſt gold, to ſhew his power and maieſty, being able to tread all his enemies, and whatſoeuer ſetteth it ſelfe againſt him, in peeces vnderunder his feete, and to make the rage of men to turne vntounto his glorie. The looke and ſhew of his perſon, goodly as Lebanon, choice as the Cedars.

VERS. 15

His pallate moſt ſweete, and all of him moſt p. 45to be deſired. This is my well-beloued, and this my friend, O dauhgters of Ieruſalem.

His pallat (that is his ſpeech and the words that come from him) (for there, there lyeth his ſweetneſſe, from thence is all our comfort, and therefore this that ſo delighteth and refreſheth all our ſenſes, it doth her good once againe to ſpeake of it) is moſt ſweet and pleaſant. What ſhould I ſay more? he is wholy bewtifull, and all to be deſired.

The maydens the Churches friends.

VERS. 16

Whether is thy well-beloued gone, O faireſt amongſt weomen? whether hath thy well-beloued turned his face? that we may ſeeke him with thee.

This diſcription doth ſo affect them, that they long to know of her, where her louelove is become, burning with a deſire to ſeeke Chriſt as well as ſhee. That is the fruit of the conference of Gods children.

CHVRCH.

VERS. 17.

My well-beloued is gone downe into his gardaine, to the beddes of ſpice, that hee may feede in the gardaines and gather Lillies.

p. 46VERS. 18.

I am my well-beloueds, and my well-beloued is mine, who feedeth among the Lillies.

To whom ſhe anſwereth, that hee is gone to Ieruſalem which is aboue, there to repaſt with his friends as himſelfe had ſaid; and concludeth with an exclamation, that whatſoeuer calamity her own ſinne had brought vponupon her, yet the affection to her Ioue is firme and conſtant; and ſo ſhee aſſureth her ſelfe his is to her, though abſent in Heauen. And by this meanes ſhee nouriſheth that holy deſire of ſeeking Chriſt both in her ſelfe and others: and together with her temptation findeth, by the goodneſſe of GOD, an iſſue and way to come out of it.

p. 47CHAP. VI.

CHRIST.

VERS. 1.

Thou art faire my fellow friend, as Thirtza, comely as Ieruſalem, terrible as an armie with banners.

CHRIST here comforteth his Church againſt all the feares and terrours which the conſcience of her own ſinne might iuſtly pull vponupon her; telling her that hauing by faith and the teares of true repentance waſhed away her former ſpots, ſhe was now as faire in his eyes, and as amiable as euer ſhe was before: all bewtifull and faire (being iuſtified & ſanctified thorough Chriſt) as Thirtza, Ieroboams ſtately Cittie: ſeemely as Ieruſalem the glory of all the Cities of the Eaſt, built as a Citie compact and knit together, wherein are all thoſe worthies of the Lord of hoaſtes, Paſtors, Teachers, &c. in a moſt comelie order and gouernment of the Church: terrible in the Church-miniſtery and diſcipline, which is a rod to keepe in ſubiection eueryevery thought, and to reuenge all diſobedience: yea, terrible againſt Sathan and all the powers of hell. And howſoeuer ſhe had caught aſore below, which p. 48might ſeeme to bee an argument of her cowardlineſſe, yet in truth ſhe was of an inuincible faith and courage, and fearfull to her foes.

VERS. 2.

O turne thine eies ouer againſt mee, that they may left mee vp. Thine haire is as of a flock of Goates that ſheareth on Gilead.

VERS. 3.

Thy teeth like to a flock of ſheepe which come vp from waſhing, which all of them doe bring forth twinnes, and there is not a miſcarying one amongſt them.

VERS. 4.

As a peece of pomegranet are thy temples from betweene thy locks.

And therefore (ſaith hee) be of good comfort, looke vponupon mee, hauehave faith in the promiſes of the Goſpell: That ſhall be my ioy, and the crowne of my glory, who hauehave alwaies a ſenſe and a fellowfeeling of thy miſerys, and am like affected to thee, mourne when thou mourneſt, and am glad when thou reioyceſt. If thou doubt whether thy bewty ſtill continue, whether it remaine freſh and conſtant, I aſſure thee it doth; and no fault or infirmitie of thine can make it for to fade: for it wholy reſteth in my grace and goodneſſe. Thy haire, thy teeth, thy temples, all thy parts and members are eueryevery one as comlie, as faire, as well featured as before. Thy bewty doth excell.

VERS. 5.

Let there be threeſcore Queenes, and foureſcore p. 49Concubines, and maidens without number.

Thinke not, becauſe there bee ſo many that glitter and flouriſh in the world, liuing in all wealth and …ollity, and at their hearts eaſe, when it is ill with thee, when thou art humbled and fighteſt with many difficulties, haſt warres without, and terrours within, that their condition is better then thine owne: as if they onelyonly were happy and to be admired, thou baſe and contemptible▪ No, if they were eueryevery one a Queene, or Concubines, and Ladies, neuer ſo many that attend vponupon them, yet thou onelyonly doſt excell.

VERS. 6

That one, my doue, mine vndefiled one, that one with her mother, that pure one with her that bare her: aſſoone as the maidens ſee, they ſhall account her bleſſed; the Queenes and Concubines ſhall praiſe her, ſaying,

VERS. 7

Who is ſhee, goodly as the morning, faire as the Moone, cleere as the Sunne, terrible as an armie with banners.

For thou art mine owne, moſt deare vntounto mee, (with whoſe iudgement it is fit thou content thy ſelfe more then with all the glittering ſhew and pompe of the world) elect and choſen out of all kinred, nations, and tongues to bee my peculiar inheritance: Innocent, ſimple, chaſte, ſincere, and vpright before me. Who though now thou hauehave thin p. 50aboad on earth in this ſinfull and wretched world, yet doeſt cleaue ſo cloſe to thy mother the heauenly Ieruſalem, that the whole world hath thee in admiration. Such a ſtarre of glorie and excellency ſhineth in thy forehead, for inward ſanctity, and outward maieſty in the miniſtery and gouernment of the Church: Inſomuch as there is none of all theſe braue and gallant Ladies, but though they thinke not as thou thinkeſt, nor walke as thou walkeſt, yet in their conſciences they are all conuinced that the trueth is with thee alone. Thee they will admire, as ſoone as they doe behold thee; to thee they will giuegive the prize, and count thee onelyonly bleſſed; attribute as much vntounto thee, and ſay as much of thee as I hauehave ſaid and attributed: for bewty, pruity, vertue, continually encreaſing.

VERS. 8

To the pruined gardaines I went downe to ſee the geene plants of the valley: to ſee whether the vine flouriſhed, the pomegranets budded.

And albeit I left thee for a while, yet with euerlaſting mercies will I reſort vntounto thee: I did indeed withdraw my ſelfe, but it was not for any miſlike or indignation conceiued againſt thee: The trueth is, I had a longing to ſee how neer the time approached of our ioyfull and happy marriage, and therefore betooke me to my place of glory.

p. 51VERS. 9.

When I diſcerned it not, my minde ſet mee vponupon the chariots of my free-hearted people, to ſay,

But perc…iuing that day was not yet at hand, I came back with ſpeed vntounto thee, together with all my people, and retinue: by the miniſterie of thoſe my free-willing ſeruants, with all ſpeede and earneſtneſſe to giuegive thee comfort. And now mark and lay vp in thy heart what I ſhall ſay,

VERS. 10.

Returne, returne O Shullamite: returne, returne that wee may behold thee. What, behold you in that Shullamite? as the daunſe of the Machanaijmites.

Thou haſt indeed gone aſtray: that had almoſt marred thee: but in mee is thy health and ſafety. Returne, returne vntounto me, that I and mine, all the Angels of God, may hauehave ioy in heauen to ſee the fruits of thy faith ſpring anew. For notwithſtanding thy ſlippes and fales, I eſteeme thee moſt perfect in mine eternall counſell and decree, and putting all the robes of mine innocencie & righteouſnes vponupon thee, doe now ſo make thee by the power of my Word and ſpirit, my friends here and fellows being iudges. Looke vponupon her, tell me how you finde her: Is ſhee not moſt braue, glorious, and gallantly attended? Verely when I doe behold her, and all her troupes comming forth to meete mee, me thinkes I am in the middeſt of the Tribes of Iſrael, p. 52and of all thoſe worthies, that skipping and lepping with ſongs and daunſes, and all kinde of holy meriments, came to receiue Dauid at Machanaim, when God brought him back into his kingdome.

VERS. 11

How bewtifull are thy feete with theſe ſhooes, O daughter of a Prince? The compaſſe of thy thighs are like browches, the worke of the hand of a cunning workeman▪

And yet the neerer I come vntounto thee, the more I admire thy bewty from the toppe vntounto the toe, from one end vntounto an other. To beginne at the loweſt, and ſo to aſcend. Thy feete ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace. Thou daughter of a Prince! O thou of noble birth! borne not according to the fleſh, but by the faith of the promiſe. The girdle of pure truth aboue thy hippes, framed by the moſt cunning workeman, the Spirit of God himſelfe.

VERS. 12.

Thy nauell like a round bowle. Let not the Liquor of it faile. But let thy belly bee as a heape of wheate, hedged about with Lillies.

Thy nauell round as a bowle, a token of thy fruitfulneſſe. O let it neuer be drawne drie; but as a full cuppe wanting not any liquor; let thy wombe be alwaies fruitfull, and thy fruit precious p. 53and fragrant as a heape of wheate hedged about with Lillies: So great a deſire I hauehave of thine increaſe.

VERS. 13.

Thy two breaſts are like two young roes, the twinnes of a hinde.

VERS. 14.

Thy neck like to a tower of Iuorie: thine eies to the fiſh-pooles made with art at the populous gate: thy noſe like to the tower of Lebanon, that looketh towarde Damaſcus.

Thy two breſts as two hindes, fit to nouriſh and giuegive ſuck. Thy neck, the neck of diſcipline ſtraight, and ſteddie, like vntounto a tower to beare vp the miniſterie as it were the face of the Church: and white and bewtifull as a tower of iuory for the order and grauity thereof. Thine eies bright and cleere, as the fiſh-pooles made with great art at Ieruſalem in the broade gate of the flocks, (for ſuch is the miniſtery of the Church, placed where the godlie doe flock into the Lords aſſemblies) which ſhine as the cleere waters in the pond, for iudgement and knowledge: for deliuery of doctrine are as the flowing of thoſe waters: for wiſdome in ſearching and waighing, preparing and fitting of it, may be compared vntounto the workemen by whom thoſe pondes were artificiallie made, and to their cunning workemanſhippe. Thy noſe ſtraight and comely; as quick a iudgement in diſcerning doctrines, as the noſe hath in diſcerning ſmelles.

p. 54VERS. 15.

That which on thy head is put vponupon thee, is like to crimſon, and the fillet of thy head is like to purple, a King might bee tyed to theſe walkes.

The ceremonies, as it were the ornaments of thy head, both the haire-lace & the borders, & all thy whole attire are for comlines & good order of ſpeciall account, and a great grace vntounto thee: no leſſe then skarlet and purple. There is no King in the world but might finde in his hart to be tied to theſe walkes, and to be held priſoner in the ſight of thee, and of the bewty of thy aſſemblies. So great is thy glory in compariſon of all the vaine pompe of this preſent world.

VERS. 16.

How faire thou art, and how delectable O LoueLove with theſe pleaſures.

I cannot hold, but I muſt cry out with an admiraon of thy bewty, that thou art exceeding faire and amiable, not thy ſelfe onelyonly, but all that is about thee: O louelove onelyonly to bee beloued.

VERS. 17.

This thy ſtature is like a palme tree, and thy breſts like cluſters of grapes.

Thy whole body ſtraight, ſtrong, and of a comely ſtature. Thy Teates as berries.

p. 55VERS. 18.

I ſay I will get vp vponupon the palme-tree, I will take hold of her branches, and thy breſts ſhall now be like the cluſters of the vine, and the ſmell of thy noſe like apples.

But I will not leaue thee ſo, I giuegive thee my word for it, (and that I promiſe be ſure I will performe) I will prune and purge thee that thou ſhalt bee all fruitfull, redolent, and fragrant. Thy teates as the cluſters of grapes, full of the ſweete iuce of the milke of the Word of God. Thy noſe ſhall both giuegive and receiue a ſmell of apples, that thou maiſt be as wel meate as drink vntounto the ſoule.

VERS. 19.

And thy pallat as wine of the beſt ſmell, frisking, liuely, vpright, making the lips of thoſe that are aſleepe to ſpeake.

Yea thy tongue (the preaching of the Goſpell) ſhall bee as pure, ſtrong and pleaſant wine of the beſt ſmell and ſauour, ſprinckling, and leaping louely, frisking in the cuppe; whereby euen thoſe that ſleepe, and are dead in their ſinnes and treſpaſſes ſhall be awakned, and with new lippes and words ſound forth thy praiſe.

p. 56CHAP. VII.

CHVRCH.

VERS. 1.

I am my well-beloueds, ſince his deſire is towards me.

THis comfortable ſpeech of Chriſt vntounto his Church doth ſo refreſh her, that firſt ſhe breketh forth into thankfulneſſe for his mercy: In regard whereof ſhee profeſſeth ſhee is wholy his, whoſe affection ſhe findeth to be ſo wonderfull towards her, that he loued her, when ſhe cared not for him: followed her, when ſhe refuſed him: called her back, when ſhe ranne away from him: pardoned her, when ſhe offended him: gaue himſelfe anew vntounto her, when ſhe had forſaken him: ſeated her in Heauen, when ſhee was in the loweſt hell.

VERS. 2

Goe to, my well-beloued, let vsus goe forth into the Countrey, let vsus lodge by the Cypres.

Then ſhe rouſeth vp her dul & h…auy ſpirits praying him, not alone, and by himſelfe apart to ſpend his howers in obſeruing of the time of their ſpirituall marriage, as hee ſaid before he did: ſince ſhee p. 65alſo had a care and longing to hauehave the ſame conſummate as well as he.

VERS. 3

Let vsus get vp early to the vine-yards: let vsus ſee if the vine budde, the firſt grape open, the pomgranets ſprout, there will I giuegive my Loues to thee.

Promiſing withall not to be found henceforth vnready, not to be any more ſo drouſie, ſo ſluggiſh, ſo wretchleſſe as ſhee was: but hereafter night and day to watch and attend that hower: and to enquire and learne after all the ſignes & tokens, when ſhee may come to be perfectly knit to Chriſt.

VERS. 4

Theſe louely flowers that giuegive a ſmel, & about our gates all precious things, new, and alſo old, my well-beloued I keepe in ſtore for thee.

In the third place ſhee conſecrateth all ſhee hath vntounto him, and vndertaketh in the meane time againſt the ſolemnization of that marriage, to prouide all manner of preſents, flowers, garlands, and the like, which men at ſuch times are wont to ſtraw at the threſholds, and in the entries. That is, to furniſh her ſelfe with ſpirituall graces, and to lay vp in ſtore plenty and variety of heauenly treaſure, things both new and old.

p. 58VERS. 5.

O that thou wert as a brother vntounto me, ſucking the breſts of my mother: finding thee without I would kiſſe thee, alſo I ſhould not be deſpiſed.

But becauſe there reſt two great workes to bee accompliſhed before that time can come, the manifeſting of God in the fleſh, and the calling of the Gentiles, in them both ſhee ſheweth her ardent affection, and therein the aboundance of her louelove and zeale to Chriſt.

Fourthly therefore you hauehave her deſire, which was the deſire of all the prophets and holy men, to ſee the day of Chriſt, the day of his comming in the fleſh: that hee might be her brother and ſuck the breſts of her mother; naturally of the virgin, ſpiritually of the Church vniuerſall, where Chriſt is borne in the hearts of the faithfull by his Word and Spirit: for ſo comming among his owne, ſhe, his owne and his onelyonly owne, would kiſſe him and receiue him, both by faith and ſenſe when ſhee ſhould ſee with her eies that Word of life, and behold him, and her hands ſhould feele and handle him. So ſhold ſhe be free from the ſcorns of wicked men, their contumelies and deſpites that reproach the ſteppes of Gods Meſſias, and vexe and moleſt the Church, whileſt ſhee is in the expectation of that happie day.

VERS. 6.

I would leade thee, I would bring thee into the houſe of my mother which teacheth me: I p. 59would giuegive thee to drinke of ſpiced wine, of the iuice of the pomegranets.

Then (ſaith ſhee) there ſhould be no delay: this, this ſhould be the marriage day. I would euen now without more adoe bring you into my mothers houſe, which teacheth & inſtructeth me in all piety and good offices to you-wards, into the Catholick Church of God: that all growing vp into one bodie, whereof my ſpouſe is the head, I might at the laſt be preſented as a chaſte and pure virgin, glorious to the Lord. Then would I giuegive him pleaſures and delights for a King, and entertaine him with a moſt royall banquet of the graces of Gods ſpirit.

VERS. 7.

His left hand vnderunder my head, and his right hand embracing me,

VERS. 8.

I adiure you, yee daughters of Ieruſalem, why ſhould you ſtirre vp, or why ſhould you waken this louelove vntill he pleaſe?

I hauehave ſweete fellowſhippe and reſt with him: neyther whileſt thus I were in his armes, and vnderunder his embracings, ſhould any the leaſt offence be giuen to him, I would be carefull to ſhunne all occaſions of any more diſpleaſing my louelove, or of cauſing him to retire from me.

VERS. 9.

Who is ſhe that commeth vp out of the wilderneſſe, ready to ioyne her ſelfe to her welbelo…ed? vnderunder the very Appletree I waken p. 68thee, where thy mother was in labour of thee, where ſhe was in labour that bare thee.

Hauing thus ſet forth her deſire of Chriſts incarnation, now ſhee beſtoweth many ſweete and gracious words to expreſſe and amplifie the vehemencie of this louelove. Firſt, by the duties ſhee will performe vntounto him: great in themſelues, but greater if you compare theſe duties of hers, with thoſe that are to be looked for from other women. Was there euer (ſaith ſhee) any woman in the world, that would endure thoſe labours, and take vponupon her ſuch perills as I doe to ioyne herſelfe to her beloued? But I by faith ouercome all difficulties to come to thee. It is a ſmall thing in myne eies, which to others ſeemes ſo hard, to put off the old man, to renounce this preſent wicked world, wherin is no pleaſure nor ſound delight, but a very wilderneſſe and a deſert, that I may finde thee out, and preſent my duties to thee: euen in that ſweete and bleſſed place where thy mother (after the manner of other women, ſinne excepted) fell in trauaile of thee. Let me for the certeinety and ſecret of this wonderful hidden myſtery once againe ſpeake it, where ſhee fell in trauaile that did beare thee. This labour, this toyle may bee an argument what and how great my louelove is vntounto thee.

VERS. 10.

O ſet me as a ſeale on thy heart, as a ſeale on thine arme: for louelove is ſtrong as death; p. 69zeale, hard as the graue. The Coales thereof are Coales, nay a fire of the flame of Iah.

O doe thou louelove me again, for this louelove ſhould be mutuall. HaueHave me in thy minde, with an earneſt and continuall remembrance of me, ſet me before thine eies, imprint me vponupon thine hand, as an inſeperable ornament of thy glory, ſo as the wife is to her husband.

The ſecond amplification of her louelove, is by the properties adioyned to it, ſet forth by many elegant and apt ſimilitudes. It is moſt vehement, moſt ardent, moſt conſtant, like to death which deuoureth all, or as the dominion of death which ouercommeth all. God himſelfe (the mighty IAH) hath kindled it in our hearts by the powerfull light of his holy ſpirit neuer to goe out.

VERS. 11▪

Much waters cannot quench this louelove, nor the flouds drown it. If a man would giuegive all the ſubſtance of his houſe for this louelove, it ſhould vtterly be contemned.

It is firme & inuincible, that neither force, …raud, nor promiſes, troubles and perſecutions, pleaſures or commodities, no height or depth, things preſent or things to come are able to preuaile againſt it.

p. 62CHAP. VIII.

CHVRCH.

VERSE 1

We hauehave a ſiſter, a little one, and ſhe hath no breſts: what ſhall we doe for our ſiſter in the day that ſhe ſhall be talked of?

FIfthly, the Church of Solomons time, as maimed and imperfect till the fulneſſe of the Gentiles ſhould com in, which then were a fewe, and rarely called, and without any miniſtery of their owne (as it were) breſts to giuegive ſuck, conſulteth with Chriſt what courſe to take when the myſtery ſo long kept ſecret ſhall bee reucaled and made knowne for their conuerſion. How ſhe may behaue her ſelfe in helping and adminiſtring vntounto them: what Chriſt will bee pleaſed to doe in giuing an encreaſe and bleſſing. And thus ſhe doth further teſtifie her louelove to Chriſt, by her louelove vntounto their common ſiſter. Siſter to her, by the ſeede of the ſame ſpirtit whereby they are both begotten vntounto God: ſiſter to Chriſt, by his aſſuming of the ſame nature to him.

p. 63CHRIST and his CHVRCH both.

VERS. 2.

When a wall is to be built we will build it in a pallace of ſiluer. When as a gate is to bee fenced, wee will fence it about with boord of Cedre.

Chriſt and ſhe make anſwere, telling what they meane to do: that ſince when that time ſhal be, it is not poſſible to containe the Church within the narrow boundes of Ieruſalem, which of a particular Church of the Iewes ſhall then bee made the Catholicke Church of all the world; a new manner of Citie muſt bee built: wherefore plucking downe the mid wall of partition, a new wall, and new gates ſhall bee made to enlarge the Cittie: a new gouernment and diſcipline, new officers, paſtors teachers, &c. to adminiſter it. New, not in ſubſtance, which hath alwaies been the ſame, euen among the Iewes, but newly ſtabliſhed, be w…ified, and tranſlated to the Gentiles. Neither ſhall this be any diſgrace to the now Ieruſalem, eueryevery thing ſhall bee then ſo farre more glorious and more excellent. A houſe of saints ſhall bee erected by the preaching of the Goſpell, to bee the Pallace of the great King: a ſtately and magnificent pallace, all of ſiluer, which is the precious graces of Gods ſpirit: the Gate, the euer laſting gate of this Pallace, where the King of glory doth come in, the gate of our heart, ſhall be ſeeled with faith more precious then Cedre, by which onelyonly wee receiue him and make him ours.

p. 72CHVRCH.

VERS. 3.

I being a wall, and my breſts as towers, then ſhall I bee in his e…es as one that findeth peace.

To this the Church (in the ſixt and laſt place) replyeth that ſhe is ſo far from enuving this great good vntounto her ſiſter, as contrariwiſe when ſhe (the Church of the Iewes) ſhall herſelfe become of the ſame ſociety, and by the communion of the Spirit, grow vp with the Gentiles into one Citie embracing Chriſt, whom ſo long they ſhall hauehave reiected, and making one glorious part, both for gouernment and doctrine of the heauenly Tſion, Ieruſalem which is aboue, ſhee ſhall then obtaine a great part of her deſire, and bee in a manner perfected, not being far from that reſt and happineſſe which ſhe longeth after, to bee receiued into the perfect communion of her ſpouſe: For theſe are eueryevery where called the laſt daies.

CHRIST.

VERS. 4.

Solomon had a vine-yard in a fruit full place; he let out the vine-yard to keepers. EueryEvery one bringeth for the fruit of it a thouſand pieces of ſiluer.

Chriſt againe ſheweth how precious the Church is in his eies, and how much hee doth regard her, for this and all other her excellent parts: and that by a compariſon in this wiſe; There is no King p. 73(ſaith hee) and take Solomon the wiſeſt, that if hee hauehave a vineyard in a fruitfull place, is able himſelfe to dreſſe and to manure it, or to take all the fruit, but muſt be driuen to let it forth to others: And though his tenaunts and farmours pay him a rent for it, yet ſom part they look, and ſo reaſon would, they ſhould keepe vntounto themſelues.

VERS. 5

My vineyard which I hauehave, is ſtill before my face. I receiue both that thouſand of thine, O Solomon, and alſo the two hundred peeces of thoſe that keepe the fruit of it.

But I (ſaith Chriſt) neyther let out the Church, my vine-yard, nor ſuffer any part of the profits to goe from mee: for all grow vp into that bodie, whereof I am the head▪ I purſe vp all the rent, and that alſo that Solomons leſſees were to hauehave: So iealous I am of mine inheritance, and hauehave mine eies alwaies vponupon it, being euer preſent with it, and in the middeſt of it.

VERS. 6.

O thou, ſhee that ſetteſt in theſe gardaines, to the fellows which attend vntounto thy voice, preach me.

Hereupon he concludeth leauing this commandemēt as his laſt farewel to al the Churches, which are his gardaines wherein hee walketh and maketh his plants to grow, that in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon they preach the goſpell to all that hauehave a mind p. 74to attend vntounto the wholſome doctrine.

CHVRCH▪

VERS. 7.

Flie to vsus my well-beloued, and hee thou like to the r…e or young hart, Othou that dwelleſt in the mountaines of ſpices.

She ſhutteth the booke vp, vndertaking to doe that which he enioyneth: but knowing her owne vnability prayeth him to bee preſent with her, to giuegive her ſtrength to doe it from his throne of glory, which is in the higheſt heauens, and ſpedily to accompliſh all his promiſes by his laſt and glorious comming.

Amen. Euen ſo come Lord I…svs.