The Song of the Beloved Concerning His Vineyard, Part 1 – Part 2

The Song of the Beloved Concerning His Vineyard · Part 1 – Part 2

The firſt part.

Iſa. 5. ver. 1.

Now will I ſing to my Beloued, the Song of my Beloued, concerning his Vineyard.

The firſt Chapter.

Of the Prophet, being the Actor, or Singer of the Song.

THis part conteineth a Proeme, wherein the Prophet Iſayah maketh preparation to ſing the Song of his Beloued. But before that we ſpeake p. 2thereof, or of the Song, it is meete that wee conſider of the Prophet himſelfe, and ſo commence and begin our Oration with him, who here ſetteth forth himſelfe as the Actor or ſinger of the Song: for ſpeaking of himſelfe, he ſayth, I will ſing.

This is that very Prophet, afterThe kinred and name of the Prophet. whom the whole booke of this propheſie is entituled, namely, Iſayah the ſonne of Amos, Iſay. 1. 1. howbeit, not of that Amos which is named and numbred among the twelue leſſer Prophets: but of him who was the brother of Amaſiah or Azariah the King of Iudah: for in this, as the beſt learned in the Church do conſent, ſo is there no ſmall difference in the name: for the Prophets name beginneth with the hebrew Y, as Yamos: but the fatherY Amos. of Iſayah his name beginneth with A, and endeth with z, as Amotz. By this it appeareth,Amotz. that Iſayah was of the Royall bloud of Iudah, the which by this his function, hee rather beawtified, then diſtained With this well agreeth the name of thi… Prophet, for Iſayah is a moſt ſweete and delectable voice, and noteth health p. 3good newes & gladnes, and it is aſmuch to ſay, as Iaſchay-iah, that is, the health, or ſaluation Iſayah.of the Lord. And ſeeing the holy Ghoſt hath exhibited vntounto vsus this Propheſie vnderunder that delectable title, let vsus (as ſoone as we either heare or reade the ſame) promiſe to our ſelues ſome ioyfull, wholſome, and happie thing therein to come from the Lord. Neither ſhall we …e therein deceiued, if wee deceiue not our ſelues through our owne infidelitie …nd fleſhly luſts, as thoſe commonly do which receiue the graces of Gods ſpirit …n vayne.

2. What the calling and office ofThe calling and function of Iſayah Iſayah was, it playnely appeareth in the …xt Chapter of his Propheſie (the which Chapter after the iudgement of the beſt, …hould be in order the firſt) for there… is conteyned his calling, and the be…nning of his Propheſies, where hee …yeth, verſe 1. I ſawe the Lorde ſitting …pon an high Throane. And there hee …yeth, that hee heard the Lorde to ſay, …hom ſhall I ſend? and who ſhall go for vsus? Iſayah anſwered (after that his lips were …uched, his iniquitie taken away, and his p. 4ſinnes purged) Here am I, ſend me: and he ſayd, Go, and ſay vntounto this people, ye ſhall heare, &c. Lo, here is the office of the Prophet, his calling, and authoritie. He is called by the Lord, and made his Embaſſador vntounto his people, to declare vntounto them his word and iudgements. Thus are they called, and are (indeede) the Prophets of the moſt high God, which are not inſtructed, taught and authorized by any humane arte, ſtudie, induſtrie, o… power of man: but furniſhed and inabled by the light and power of Gods ſpirit and ſent forth to preach the holy myſteries of God, to reproue ſinnes in the people, to threaten them with the iudgemēt of God, that be rebellious and obſtinate and to preach remiſſion of ſinnes to th… repentant. And this is a thing commo… to all the Prophets.

3. Further, becauſe it pleaſed th… high God, to ſhew himſelfe vntounto thi… Iſay calleth his propheſies viſions.Prophet (according as his capacitie wa… made able to comprehend) and fro… thence gaue him in charge what to do (in like ſort as Kings and Princes befor… they ſend foorth their Embaſſadors i… p. 5matters of importance, do call them into …heir preſence, and ſhew plainely, and de…iuer vntounto them their will and commiſ…ion) therefore Iſayah calleth his propheſies Viſions. By this alſo he would perſwade, that he hath brought nothing to …he people, but that which he had perfectly ſeene reuealed vntounto him: yea, things certaine and heauenly, and ſuch as concerned the Maieſtie of God and his people, which intimated theſe three things: 11. Firſt, that as his authoritie was of the Lord of heauen: ſo ought they to whom he was ſent, to reuerence and accept the ſame. 22. that therefore it behoued himſelfe to walke therein honeſtly, wiſely, …nd worthely. 33. that hauing ſuch a war…ant, and behauing himſelfe accordingly, …e needed not to feare the ſterne faces of men.

4. This Prophet beyond all others,Iſay was an Euangelical Prophet. hath preached and teſtified moſt plainely …nd ſignificantly of the Conception, the …irth, the life, the death, the reſurrection, …he Aſſenſion, the rule, Dominion, Glo…ie, and perpetuitie of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and of that glad tidings of the remiſſion p. 6of ſinnes, and eternall peace in the Sonne of God, and therefore he hath bin… worthely called, not only a Prophet, but alſo an Euangeliſt, & an Euangelical Prophet.

5. The labours of the Prophet inThe great and long labours of the Prophet and about theſe things appeare to be great, and alſo of long time he taught and inſtructed the people with all wiſedome, conſtancie, humanitie, vehemencie, as the cauſe required: he feared not to reproue the corrupt manners, not only of th… common people, but alſo of the Prieſts and Princes: to this end, that they might amend their liues, and not to periſh in their vngodlineſſe without warning. And hee amplifieth his Sermons with many exquiſite and pithie words, according to that which Salomon noteth in the wiſe Preacher, and that they mightEccles. 12.Eccl 12 not forget at any time the great mercies of God on them declared in his manifold benefits, he often vſeth theſe and ſuch other like words in the Lords behalfe: I hauehave nouriſhed and brought v… children: I hauehave adopted them: I hauehave brought them out of Egypt: I hauehave born… them in my boſome: I hauehave giuen them … p. 7good land: I hauehave made them victors ouer …heir enemies: I hauehave preſcribed vntounto them the right Gods ſeruice. I hauehave formed them for my ſelfe. I hauehave created them for my Glory, &c.

6. And thus continued he buſied inThe time that Iſayah propheſied. this his charge, aboue threeſcore and fower yeares, within the which time, ſucceeded fiue Kings in Iudah: as namely, Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manaſſes. In the hiſtorie of the which 5. kings, we may eaſily vnderſtand the ſtate and condition of the time and people: and therein how comparable to this time & people we may likewiſe conſider. But howſoeuer the people declared thēſelue… worthy ſuch a benefit, it is certain that the Lord expreſſed his louelove towards them in this, that he vouchſafed thē the preſence & painful miniſtery of ſo holy a Prophet.How the people eſteemed of the Prophet and his words.

7. But all this they nothing conſidered, and therfore, as they contemned the mercies of God; ſo contemned they his Prophets: and notwithſtanding all the trauels of this Euangelicall Prophet, & his goodnes towards thē, they neuer gaue him his …ight honor amōg them, but deſpiſed him, p. 8tooke him as a foole, and made him their ieſting ſtocke, whereof he was moued to ſay, chap. 57. 4. On whom hauehave ye ieſted? vponupon whom hauehave ye gaped, and thruſt out your tongues? His words alſo they compted as fables, and of no credit: whereof he complained, Iſa. 53. 1. Who will beleeue our report? And (indeede) vntounto this impietie were the people come in this time, notwithſtanding thoſe excellent meanes they had to be well taught and inſtructed by the Prophets. Thereof it is ſayd, 2. Chro. 30. 10. that when King Hezekiah in this time ſent forth his poſts to call the people to the Lord, they would not beleeue, but laughed the meſſengers to ſcorne, and mocked them. And indeede this is that the Prophets find, and this is the common reward that the Miniſters of the Goſpell receiue after their labours.

8. Moreouer, this Prophet findethThe reward of the Prophet after his long labours. (beſides that) a more heauie reward of thoſe vnthankfull people: for after that he had ſharply reproued them for their pride, their couetouſnes, their oppreſſion, their crueltie, their dronkenneſſe, their whoredome, their idolatrie and vnthankfulneſſe; p. 9he was at the length accuſed and called by them, before King Manaſſes, for an heretike and a ſeducer of the people: whereupon (notwithſtanding he was of the Royall bloud, and neare vntounto the King) he could neither be liked of the people for the hatred they beare his miniſterie; nor be tollerated of the King, for that he had reproued him for his idolatrie: and therefore Manaſſes commanded him to be cut aſunder with a ſaw, that he dyed.

9. Lo, this is the wages which thisThe ingratitude of the people to them that do them good. painefull labourer receiued after his long dayes worke of this vnkind people. Such a thing is therefore worthely taught and reproued in the fable of the old dog, the which ſaid to him that beat him ſorely, Quam cito meritorum meorum oblitus, ita in me ſaeuus es? How cruell art thou towards me, whoſe good deſerts thou haſt forgotten? And well thereof ſayd the Greeke Poet:

O'uk'eſti cháris metópiſthen' euergéon,

That is,

Thankfulneſſe for good deſerts is rarely found.

p. 1010. Howbeit, all this ſhould not diſcourageThe Miniſters of God ought not to be diſcouraged by the hard lots o… their fellow Miniſters. them that be thus called and authorized, neither ſhould they thinke all their trauailes in this beſtowed in vaine, no more then the like diſcouraged Ieremy, Daniel, Amos, Zachary, Hoſeah, and many others: but rather with them, and with the Apoſt…es of Chriſt, they ſhould be glad… (as their maiſter hath warned them) that they are thought worthie this miniſterie, and to ſuffer thoſe rebukes and perſecutions for his ſake. Neither ſhal they be extinguiſhed, which are thus abandoned & thruſt out frō among men: but they ſhallIſa. 57. 1. 2.Isa 57:1Isa 57:2 be ſure to reſt in peace, whē others broyle in torments: and ſhal with Daniel, Ieremy, and this holy and Euangelicall Prophet,Dan. 12.Dan 12 ſhine as the brightneſſe of the firmament, and as the ſtarres for euer and euer: when their perſecutors ſhall periſh, and weepe, and wayle, and gnaſh with their teeth, in vtter darkeneſſe, without comfort. For God is not vnrighteous, that he ſhouldHeb. 6. 10.Heb 6:10 forget our works and labours of louelove, which we hauehave ſhewed towards his name, in that we hauehave miniſtred vntounto the Saints, and yet do miniſter: Therefore, perſwading1. Cor. 15. 581 Cor 15:58 p. 11that God is righteous, and will remember vsus in goodneſſe, and that thoſe …ur labours in him are not in vaine, let e…ery one of vsus (as the Apoſtle requeſteth) …hew the ſame diligence to the full aſſu…ance of hope vntounto the end, that we be not ſlothful, but followers of them, which …hrough faith and patience inherit the promiſes, committing the ſucceſſe of our labours and our ſelues, wholy to the Lord.

CHAP. II.

2. The manner of the dealing of the Prophet with the people: viz.

Now will I ſing, verſe. 1.

HAuing ſpoken before of the perſon, office, labours, and reward of the Prophet, it is meete, that now we conſider the manner of his dealing withThe Prophet conſidered the nature of the people and of the time. the people in this place, and in this time. Surely, the Prophet (as it well beſeemed hym) had euer a due conſideration both of the nature of the p. 12people to whome he ſpake, and of the time wherein he ſpake, and (according to the ſame) he behaued, vſed, and ordred himſelfe in his miniſterie. This, as we find, was likewiſe obſerued of Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe, of Dauid, of the Apoſtles of our Lord, and the holy Martyrs, and fathers of the Church.

2. In the dealing of this Prophet w… are to obſerue theſe three things, viz.

1. the affection and mind of the Prophet

2. his veine, and ſtile in ſpeaking.

3. the nature and kind of his Oration or Sermon. The firſt whereof is noted in1 The motion of his mind. Quaeſo. Nunc. this particle, Na, or Ana, which ſignifieth the motion of the mind: by the which a man ſheweth the deſire of his heart towards his ſuperiour, to perſwade or intreate, or encline him, to yeeld or harken to his words: and is interpreted, Now forſooth, or now I pray you, or earneſtly beſeech you. By this therefore, the Prophet expreſſeth his able mind, and the ſubmiſſiueneſſe of his heart, with the earneſt deſireHis humble ſubmiſſion and courteſie. he had by all wayes and meanes to allure and perſwade the people. He now behaueth himſelfe, not as a man of the p. 13Royall bloud, not as a Prince, neither as Pope, or as an high Prelate: but, as a …ruant to his Maiſter, as a ſubiect to his …rince, as an inferiour man to his Supe…or, ſaying in all humilitie and reue…ēce, beſeech you, I pray you, I earneſtly intreate …u: Thus he aſſayed by gentleneſſe, …ourteſie, and humble deſires, to get au…ience, and to allure the people to accept …nd embrace his words.

3. Neither thought he, it was meete or him to deale otherwiſe with them inHis diſcree… dealing. …his time, when men being fat and full …ith proſperitie, were become more like Tygars, Lyons, Buls, Beares & Wolues, …hen like Sheepe or Lambs: and there…ore, as men that vſe ſuch coloured garments, words and gentle meanes, as ra…her allure them, then conſtraine them to …ecome gentle: ſo was it the beſt way for …he Prophet to do and behaue himſelfe …owards this people, that thereby (if it could be) he might allure and perſwade …hem with gentleneſſe, which would in no wiſe abide to digeſt ſharp and rough dealing. Now therefore I beſeech you with all courteſie, and gently pray you (my p. 14maiſters, my Lords, my friends) that y… will vouchſafe to hearken vntounto mee fo… your own good. The righteous man Noa… after the floud wiſhed with all his heart that the Lord would in this ſort allure IaphetGen 9. 27.Gen 9:27 to enter into the tabernacle of Shem And thus Paule dealing with ſome of that poſteritie, I meane the Gentiles, ſayth vntounto them: Now I beſeech you brethren Rom. 12. 1.Rom 12:1by the mercies of God, that yee giuegive vp your bodies a liuing ſacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.

4. In this ſort the Prophet teacheth humilitie and gentlenes to the MiniſtersA leſſon for the Miniſters of the word. of the word, who ſhould be indeede (as Chriſt hath taught them) rather Seruants to all, then Lords of all. Neither can the Romane Byſhop and other proud Prelates, but bluſh and be aſhamed (if they were not too impudent) in that they ſo much extoll themſelues aboue their brethren in proud titles and worldlie promotions: yea, and deale with them more like Tyrants of the Heathen, then the Miniſters of the Gospell. Surely ſuch perſons do no… nor ſhall allure the people to godlineſſe: but rather terrifie and p. 15diſcourage them, **1. Sam. 2. 1…1 Sam 2:1as the ſonnes of Eli …d the people of God. They be ſuch, neither enter into the kingdome ofLuk. 11. 52.Luke 11:52 …auen themſelues, nor ſuffer others at willingly would, to enter therein. …ut the Prophet, to the end he might ra…er draw them to goodnes then diſcou…ge them, doth gently pray and beſeech …em, to giuegive him audience.

5. Next, the Prophets ſtile and veine2 His veine of ſpeaking, he ſingeth. noted in this, where he ſayth, I will …g. As if he ſayd: Behold, I hauehave thus …ng time propheſied, preached, and …ad vntounto you, and therein hauehave I de…ared the goodnes of God towards you, …hat hee looketh for at your hands: a…ine, your vnkindneſſe towards him, …d what will be the end thereof: I hauehave proued you, and threatned you, and cal…d and warned you: howbeit, ye be ne…r the nearer to the amendment of your …es. Therefore, now I mind not to call …u to an ordinary Sermon or Lecture, or … my accuſtomed maner of propheſying, …t to a Song: for I wil now rather modu…e and ſing (as a Poet) then ſpeake (as Prophet:) yea, I will be vntounto you, p. 16as a woer now, who by ſome louing dittie and ſweete Song, will aſſay to allu… and get the heart and affection of m… beſt beloued.

6. The cauſe that moued the ProphetThe cauſe that moued the Prophet to ſing: Firſt, to get hearers. to vſe this veine, was partly to ge… him hearers: partly, to make them mo… attentiue to his words: partly, that th… things which he deliuered therein, ſhoul… be the better remembred. For firſt, b… this extending and lifting vp of the voi… (beyond his accuſtomed manner) he dre… the people to flock about him, as they d… about them that ſing in the ſtreetes. Suc… a meane vſed he to get audience: for th… longer he preached among them, th… more loathſome he was vntounto them: an… might preach and teach long enough (… ſome of our Miniſters do now in the… Churches) without hearers. But he hat… happely by this ſinging ſome audienc… before whome, he might deliuer his e… rand, who ſhould be made witneſſes bot… for him touching the diſcharge of his d… tie, and for themſelues and againſt themſelues, touching their monſtrous vnkin… neſſe to the Lord their God, howſoeue… p. 17they ieſted at him, as whom they made their ieſting ſong, & accounted his words but as the pleaſant ſound of him that was a cunning Singer: as they alſo eſteemed of the Prophet Ezechiel and Ieremy, andEzech. 33. 32.Ezek 33:32 their words.

7. Howbeit, the Prophet was perſwaded (for his part) that by this kind of dealing2. To make them attentiue. they would be the more attentiue to his words, as to matters of great waight: for howſoeuer men vſe ſongs and ditties …ow, and abuſe this diuine exerciſe by …heir ſenſuall luſts, and howſoeuer they e…teemed them then, yet in the old time …hey committed nothing to ſong, but the matters moſt noble, moſt waightie, and of …he higheſt importance. As Moſes com…oſedExod. 15.Exod 15 in a ſong the remembrance of the …onderful deliuery of the people of Iſrael …ut of Egypt, when the Lord had brought …em ſafe through the red Sea: the which …ng, Moſes, Aron, Miriam, and others did …ng, to the praiſe of God, and comfort of …emſelues. Afterward Moſes compoſedDeut. 38. …. …other Song of the great bleſſings of …od on the people: and of their great vn…ndnes towards him, for the which he p. 18threatneth them with Gods future iudgements. Theſe be matters of no ſmall accompt. Such the Prophet handleth in this place, and many ſuch hauehave we regiſtred in the new Teſtament, as theLuk. 1. 44. 68 & 2. 14. 29. Apo. 5.Luke 1:44Luke 1:68Luke 2:14Luke 2:29 Song of the Angels, the Song of Zacharie, the Song of Mary, the Song of Symeon, the Song of the foure Beaſts, of the 24. Elders, and the Creatures. In the hearing whereof, wee ſhoulde prepare our mindes to the conſideration of high, ſtrange, and great matters.

8. Thirdly, the Prophet compoſeth3. That the matter might be the better learned and remembred. this matter in a Song, to this end, that it might be the ſooner learned of eueryevery one, be ruminated in eueryevery mans mouth, and ſo be had and kept in mind: for there is not any thing ſooner learned, nor more ſpoken of, nor better remembred, then that whereof men make their Songs, and vſe dayly to modulate for their ſolace and recreation of mind. And therefore they of yore vſed to compoſe in ſuch ſong… the worthie acts, exploytes, and vertues of noble and famous Princes and perſonages, that thereby their worthie deed… p. 19and excellent vertues might be knowne, ſpoken of, and remembred through many generations. And what things ought more to be learned, ſpoken of, and remembred, then the moſt noble acts and works of the Lord of Hoaſts? Of this ſingeth Hezekiah: O Lord, to all thoſe that Iſa. 38. 16. 18. 19. 20.Isa 38:16Isa 38:18Isa 38:19Isa 38:20ſhall liue hereafter, to all men ſhall it be knowne. The father telleth his children of thy faithfulneſſe. And we will ſing my Songs …n the houſe of the Lord, all the dayes of …ur life. And thus ſingeth the Pſalmiſt, I will make thy Name to be remembred Pſal. 45. 17.Ps 45:17…hrough all generations: therefore ſhall the …eople giuegive thanks vntounto thee world without …nd.

Moreouer, as the mercies of God, …nd his noble works, are by ſuch meanes …et foorth, knowne, and remembred: … alſo, the vnkindneſſe of men towards …is goodnes, ſhall not be couched, con…ealed and buried, but be called into …emembrance againſt them that will not …pent. As that whereof Moſes made a …ng. Frowardly hauehave they done againſt him Deut. 32. …Deut 32… their vices, not beeing his owne children; …t a wicked and frowarde generation. p. 20And this the Lord commanded Iſayah toIſa. 30. ….Isa 30 note with an yron pen, to be remembred for euer.

9. Finally, as the Prophet changeth hi… accuſtomed veine, ſo alſo altereth he hi… ordinarie dealing with them, as touching… 4. The nature of the Oration▪ a Parable.the nature and kind of his Oration. Fo… whereas he was wont to ſpeake vntounto the people in ſimple words & plaine terme… now he is forced to take vp a Parable for the Song is a Parable. But of this, a… alſo of the cauſes that moued him there vntounto, it ſhall be ſpoken (and God will in the next Chapter.

10 But by the premiſed, we may wel… gather in what ſort the Prophet applyed himſelfe to the people, and the time… neither omitted Ieremy, Ezechiel, and other Prophets the ſame. Paul alſo (among the Apoſtles) made himſelfe … a Iewe to the Iewes, and as a Gentile t… the Gentiles, to winne both. All th… notwithſtanding, the people behaue themſelues both to the one and to the other, much like them, vntounto whom it w… ſa…d by Chriſt in the behalfe of all pain… full Apoſtles and Miniſters: We▪ ha… p. 21piped to you, and ye hauehave not daunced: we hauehave mourned to you, and ye hauehave not wept. And ſome ſuch there be in this time, which pipe, which ſing, which lament and weepe, to allure the people to repentance: but all cannot preuaile to moue the affection of the ſtiffe-necked and hard-hearted people, who, whe…her we will or no, will wallow in their …bhominations, and dye in their ſinnes.

CHAP. III.

Of the kind of the Song: and what the Song is. He ſayth, I wil ſing a Song. verſe I.

AS we hauehave conſidered the manner of the Prophets dealing with the people: ſo now we will obſerue the …ind of the Song which the Prophet ſin…eth, and what the Song is.

The Hebrewes hauehave diuers kinds ofThe Hebrewes had diuers kinds of ongs. Halal. Songs, whereof ſome they call Tehilloth: …hat is, Prayſes and laudes. And this kind …s made of that word, which ſignifieth p. 22the exaltation of the voice, in extolling, in lawding, in glorifying either the worthie perſon, or his noble action. Some they call Miſmorim, that is,Miſmor. Pſalmes, verſes, and artificiall Metres, which hold in number and feete. SomeQuaſi ex …ather & quibuſdam longis vocibus. Schir. they call Scherim, that is, Canticles or Balades, in the which are reſpected rather the voyce and words of the ſinger and matter, then any artificiall compoſition of ſyllables, and is made of a word, which ſignifieth **Schor.to intend or extend the voice, and by tranſlation, to ſing or deſcant.

2. Of this ſort, Rahi Ioſeph numbrethMunſter. in Cant. 1.Song 1 vp ten Songs, wherewith (as he ſayth) God is glorified in this world, and ſhall be glorified in the world to come. 1The firſt of the which Adam ſang on the Sabbath day, when his debt was remitted, and it is the 92. Pſalme. 2The ſecond, Moſes did ſing with the children of Iſrael, at what time they had paſſed on dry foote through the red Sea, Exod. 15. 1. 3The third ſang the Iſraelites, when the water was giuen vntounto them. p. 234The fourth ſang Moſes, when he ſayd, Heare yee heauens, &c. 5The fift Ioſuah ſang, when in his warre the Sunne ſtood ſtill againſt Gabaon. 6The ſixt ſang Barak and Deborah, when Siſſera was deliuered into the hand of Iſraell. 7The ſeauenth, Hanna the mother of Samuel did ſing. 8The eight modulated Dauid of all thoſe great ſignes and wonders which the Lorde wrought with him. 9The ninth w… that which Salomon the King did ſing: 10The tenth is that which the children of the tranſmigration ſhall ſing, when they ſhall be deliuered from their captiuitie. This proueth hee out of Iſayah, not for vsus Chriſtians, but for his countrie men the Iewes.

Howbeit, among all theſe he maketh no mention of this memorable SongThe kind of the Song. Schir-haſcirim. of Iſayah the Prophet againſt the Iewes, the which neuertheleſſe is reſerued in the holy Regiſter for vsus Chriſtians, and is of that kinde which Salomon compoſed, entituled, The Song of Songs, as mayCant. 1.Song 1 be gathered, not only by the title thereof, p. 24but alſo by that word which the Prophet vſeth, when hee ſayth, I will ſing.

3. And (indeede) as this Song ſoundeth much like a LoueLove Song, and ſeemeth to allude to the faſhion of Louers, who are wont to allure one another with pleaſant and ſweete Songs and Ditties, ſo ſeemeth it to be of the like note and muſick which Solomon modulated in the like kind of Song, wherein hee ſetteth foorth the ſpirituall loueloveThe Song hath both pleaſure and ſorow. and ſweete communication betweene Chriſt and his Church. But yet, when we conſider the end of this Song, we can ſcarcely diſcerne betweene it, and our mournefull Song, for the beginning thereof is not ſo Comicall, but the end is alſo as Tragicall, for though he began to ſing of louelove and benefites, yet he endeth his Song with anger and diſpleaſure. He began thus: My beloued had a Vineyard in a plentifull hill, the which he hedged, planted, and beawtified, and this is gladſome: but he endeth thus: The Vineyard is ingratefull, therefore my beloued is angrie with it, he is not minded to do p. 25… any more good, but rather he will ſpoyle and waſte it: and this is wofull. Such a …nd of Song ſingeth the Prophet.

4. Moreouer, as we hauehave obſerued theThe Song is a Parable …nd of the Sōg, ſo let vsus note what is mēt …y the Song. The Prophets by a Song, …o ſometimes vnderſtand a Parable: as …is Prophet ſaith. In that day this Song …all be ſung in the land of Iudah: Iſa. 26 1. …at is, they ſhall vſe or applie this Para…e. Againe: Sing of the Vineyard of New…ine: Iſay. 27. 2. that is, propoſe a Para…le of the Vineyard. So (indeed) the Song …hich the Prophet ſingeth heere, of theWhat the Iewes vnderſtand by a Parable. …ngratefull Vineyard, is a Parable, and …f that kind which Chriſt often vſed in …e Goſpell. But the Iewes vnderunder this …ord, vſed to comprehend all kinde of …imboles, Riddles, Prouerbes, Adages, …pothegmes, Allegories, Miſteries, and …ll obſcure and darke ſentences whatſoe…er, the which had in them ſomething …ore hidden and conceited, then could …lainly be vnderſtood of euerie one that …ther heard or read the ſame: And ſo …eaneth the Euangelist, when hee ſaith,Luk. 8. 10.Luke 8:10 …hat Christ ſpake to the people in Parables: p. 26that is, he ſpake in an hard, darke, and myſticall ſaying, far beyond their vnderſtanding. And it is certain, that the Prophet i… this place maketh ſuch an obſcure an… darke oration vntounto them, as that they t… whom he propoſed it, could not by an… by vnderſtand the pith and ſubſtance o… the matter therein conteined, no mo… then the Iewes vnderſtood the meanin… of Chriſt, when he ſpake in parables vnt… them. This is a Similitude taken from th… What a parable is.Truth, of the which there be right man… in the diuine Scriptures, and the whic… neuertheleſſe without an expoſitour t… giuegive the ſence of them, are as words ſpok… in a ſtrange tongue, and ſealed vp fro… them to whom they be ſpoken.

5. If ye demaund, what moued the Lor… to ſpeake by the Prophet Iſayah in thi… ſort, vntounto the people of Iſrael? I anſwere… euen that which moued Chriſt in th… Why the Prophet ſpeaketh in a parable.Goſpell to ſpeake in parables to the Iewe… And we find not, that Chriſt ſpake to th… in parables, but in ſimple & plaine word… vntill they began to ſclander, deride, an… contemne both him, and his doctrine an… works: but after that time, he ſpake as in … p. 27ſtrange language vntounto them, and that for …eſe three cauſes: firſt, becauſe they loa…edThe firſt cauſe that moued Chriſt to ſpeake in parables. Mat. 13. 10.Matt 13:10 and contemned the plaine teaching, …leaſed the Lord to ſhut them vp in vn…liefe, and depriue them of the benefit …ereof. For when this queſtion was pro…ſed to Chriſt by his diſciples: Why ſpea…t thou to them in Parables? he anſwered …d ſaid vntounto thē, Becauſe it is giuen to you …nly) to know the ſecrets of the kingdome of …auen: but vntounto them it is not giuen: tea…ing vsus, that the knowledge of the diuine …yſteries apperteineth not to all men, but …ly to ſuch, as it ſhall pleaſe God to giuegive that is, to the diſciples of Chriſt: and that …th in Chriſt is the only key of all pa…bles and darke ſentences of the holy …criptures: to him that wanteth faith, …hatſoeuer is ſpoken is as a riddle or pa…ble: and ſo ſpake Chriſt to the wicked …d reprobate Iewes in Parables.

6. S. Paul after a ſort expoundeth …is ſentence of Chriſt, ſhewing that a ſtrange tongue or Parable is an euident …gne of Gods vengeance and curſe to…ards1. Cor. 14. 21. 22.1 Cor 14:211 Cor 14:22 the wicked, which hauehave contemned …e plaine doctrine and truth of his word. p. 28Tongues, ſaith he, are for a ſigne not t… Strange Tongues are as Parables to thē that beleeue not.them that do beleeue, but to them that beleeue not. And ſo muſt we vnderſtand …h… words of Chriſt to his Diſciples, To you… ſaith he, (which are beleeuers, and are le… by the ſpirit of God) it is giuen to kno… the Myſteries of the Kingdome of heauen▪ but vntounto them which are without (that is▪ which hauehave no faith whereby to attain… to the pith and ſubſtance, but do ſtay … the bare barke, and letter of the word) ſpeake I in Parables?

Againe, it is ſaid, that without Parable… he ſpake nothing vntounto the Iewes. Marke. 4▪ 34. but vntounto his Diſciples (which beleeued in him) he expounded all things.

7. The Lord proceedeth both in confirming …nd amplifying of the cauſe▪ They that cont…mne plain words ſhall be fed with darke Riddles.Mat 13. 13. Therefore I ſpeake vntounto them in Parables, becauſe they ſeeing, do not ſee: and hearing, they heare not, neither vnderſtand. And why? For this peoples heart is waxen fat, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their syes they hauehave wincked, least they ſhuld ſee with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and ſhould returne that I ſhould heale them. As if hee ſaid: They p. 29hauehave euen thruſt away from themſelues …y graces, and hauehave made themſelues vn…orthie the knowledge of my waies and …erlaſting life. When they might hauehave …eard, they would not heare: when they …ight hauehave ſeene, they would not ſee: …hen they might hauehave vnderſtood, they …ould not vnderſtand: when I called, …ey refuſed: when I ſtretched forth my …and, they did not regard, but contemned …y counſells, and ſet my corrections at …aught: therefore, when they will, they …hall not: yea, becauſe they would not vſe …heir hearing, their ſeeing, their vnderſtanding to their owne good, when they …ad it, euen that ſhal be taken from th…m …gaine. For vntounto him that hath, it ſhall be giuen, and he ſhall hauehave abundance: but from …hem, that ſhall be taken away, which they …aue. Therefore, I ſpeake vntounto them in darke and myſticall ſayings. To this purpoſe ſerueth alſo that Propheſie of Iſaiah. In hearing, ye ſhal heare, and ſhall not vnderſtand: Iſay. 6. 9. 10.Isa 6:9Isa 6:10and ſeeing, ye ſhall ſee, and not perceiue, &c.

8. And to note, that this kind of dealingWhen the plain preaching of with thoſe rebellious and ſtubborne p. 30children, was not only a preamble t… of the word, is turned into obſcure ſayings, it is a preamble to plagues enſuing.their deſtruction, but alſo a warning t… all others in the poſteritie, to take heed▪ how they negiected and contemned th… graces of God, and ſhut vp their hearts i… the deadly dungeon of vnbeliefe. The Prophet ſaith, that when he asked the Lord, how long this deafneſſe, blindneſſe, an… hardneſſe of heart ſhould continue, he anſwered him, vntill the Cities be wasted Iſa. 6. 11.Isa 6:11without inhabitants, and the houſes without man, and there be a great deſolation in the middeſt of the land. This is that which enſueth, the deafneſſe, the blindneſſe, and the obſtinacie of this people.

9. The ſecond cauſe that moued theThe ſecond cauſe was to perſwade them to giuegive eare. Lord to propoſe this Parable to the people by the miniſterie of the Prophet, was that the Prophet might thereby perſwade the people to hearken and heare him to the end of his oration, who (as I ſayd before) being as fierce Tygars and wild beaſts, would otherwiſe hauehave interrupted his words, and fallen vponupon him, as the Iewes did on S. Stephen. Act. 7. Thus Nathan, when he ſhould ſpeake to Dauid Nathan. …. Sam. 12▪ 1.in the caſe of Vriah, tooke vp a Parable. p. 31Thus Ioatham propoſed a Riddle to theIoatham▪ Iudg. 9. 8. Chriſt. Math. 21.Judg 9:8Matt 21 …chemites. Thus Chriſt himſelfe did of…n vſe Parables: when he would re…ooue the pride, the couetouſneſſe, the …gligence, the wickednes of the Prieſts …d rulers of the Iewes, who yet were …ntented to liſten to ſuch things, when …ey would abide the ſimple preaching, one otherwiſe, then Herod ſuffred Iohn …e Baptiſt and his words, when he re…oued him in plaine termes.

10. Hereof was it, that men in old timeThe vſe of Comedies, Tragedies, &c. …uented thoſe Comedies, Tragedies, …bles, proſopopoiaes, and fictions of per…ns and things, which deciphered & re…oued the pride, inſolencie, ambition, in…atitude and abhominations of certaine …ird perſons, and of thē abſent, to teach, …dmoniſh, & put in mind ſecond perſons, …nd them preſent, before whom, and to …hom they ſpake. And to theſe things …oth the Princes and the people rather …ue audience, then to that ſimple oration …f truth, which doeth reproue them to …eir faces, neyther do they thinke it …wfull for the Miniſter of the word, to …ll them wherein they be faultie, and p. 32how needfull it is they did amend, albei… they themſelues, know themſelues guilti… and cannot but acknowledge the equit… of his dealing with them therein.

11. But in this, they be likened no… Men rather heare and look on the faul…s of others, then either amend or thinke, or ſuffer to be told of their owne.onelyonly to the eye, which both ſeeth an… correcteth all other things ſaue it ſelfe but alſo to that couetous wretch, wh… notwithſtanding he would not vſe his riches, but brooded on them, and was a… poore in the middeſt of plentie, doth ye… admire and laugh when he heareth th… Poet tell of Tantalus, who was thirſtie i… the middeſt of the ſtreame, and died wit… drouth. Thus (I ſay) the very guiltie conſcience can harken and behold, ſo long a… he perſwadeth that yet the Prophet o… Miniſter poynteth not to him, but t… ſome other perſon. For ſuch therefore, … Parable is more meete, then a plaine Oration.

12. The third and laſt re…ſon is, tha… The third cauſe that moueth the Prophet to ſing a Parable. Dauid condemneth himſelfe.by this kind of dealing, the guiltie an… faultie perſon might be drawne in, to giu… ſentence againſt himſelf, euen then, whe… he thinketh to condemne an other man King Dauid hearing the Parable which p. 33Nathan propoſed, imagining the caſe …o …ouch any other man beſides himſelfe, …aue this iudgement againſt himſelfe, As …e Lord liueth, the man that hath done this, 2. Sam. 12. 5.2 Sam 12:5…all ſurely dye. And the chiefe Prieſts,Math. 21. 41Matt 21:41 …ulers and Scribes, hearing the Parable …hich Chriſt propoſed, of the perfidious …usbandmen, and being asked what the …ord of the Vineyard would do to thoſe huſ…andmen? They anſwered him (giuing …ntence againſt themſelue…) He will cru…ly A Parable hath not the like effect in all men.destroy thoſe wicked men, and well let out …s Vineyard vntounto other husbandmen, which …all deliuer him the fruites in their ſeaſons. …heſe both Parables were: expounded …d applyed, the one by Nathan to Da…d, the other by Chriſt to the Scribes, …rieſts, and Rulers of the Iewes, the which …t had not the like effect in either: for …auid acknowledged his fault, repented, …d was forgiuen; but the other waxed …grie, continued obſtinate, and dyed in …eir ſinnes.

13. And (indeede) as Dauid gaue …dgement againſt himſelfe vponupon the …aring of his Parable: and as the Prieſts, …cribes and Rulers alſo cenſured themſelues p. 34worthie deſtruction. So theſe v… They giuegive the ſentence againſt thē ſelues.thankfull people were induced by th… parable of the Prophet Iſayah, to co… demne themſelues, whoſe very ſenten… of condemnation, that ſame is, which th… Lord thereupon confirmeth by the Pr… phet againſt them thus: It is meete ther… fore, that this good and painfull husbandm… do take away the hedge from that ingratef… Vineyard, that it may be eaten vp, and … breake the wall thereof, that it may be trod… downe, and that he lay it waste, &c. To ſu… ſpeaketh Paul, Rom. 2. 1. Therefore th… art inexcuſable (ô man) whoſoeuer thou … that iudgeſt: for in that that thou iudgeſt … nother, thou condemneſt thy ſelfe: for th… that iudgeſt doeſt the ſame things. For th… cauſes was it, that the Prophet Iſayah … not only ſing a ſong, but ſuch a ſong … hath in it a Parable, that is, a myſterie a… obſcure and darke ſaying. But of the m… ter, and circumſtances of this Parab… I mind to ſpeake in the ſecond part, … the grace of God.

p. 35CHAP. IIII.

… whom the Prophet conſecrateth his Song, viz.

To his Beloued, verſe 1.

AFter the order of the words, we are next to note to whome the Prophet ſingeth. He ſayeth, I will ſing vntounto … Beloued. Here the Prophet ſheweth, … whoſe prayſe hee conſecrateth his …g. When S. Luke had written twoLuk. 1. 1.Luke 1:1 …ned Volumes, the one, entituled, … Gospell after Luke: the other, The Act. 1. 1.Acts 1:1…es of the Apostles, he dedicated them …h to his deare Theophilos: and ſo o…rsTheophilo… alſo hauehave had a deſire to commend …ir beſt labours to ſuch perſonages as …y moſt reuerenced and beſt affected. …us the Prophet Iſayah hauing com…ed a Song, ſayth, he will ſing the ſame …is beloued friend.

…. And (as it ſeemeth) he alludeth inThe Prophet alludeth to the manner of writers …, to the manner not only of them that …e and dedicate bookes, but of Woers p. 36and Louers (as I ſayd before.) As if … of Bookes and Woers.ſayd: ſeeing men▪ vſe to ſing Songs … commend and pleaſe them whom th… moſt louelove and affect, I will alſo af… their manner Sing a Song to my Belo… For I hauehave alſo a Beloued: howbeit, … Beloued▪ is not as theirs: but my Belo… is mine and I am his: Cant. 5. 10. my Belo… is fayre and ruddy▪ Cant. 5. 10.

3. B…t (this notwithſtanding) we … not imagine▪ that therefore the P… phetWho is the Beloued. was piſſionated with any fleſhly … worldly conceit▪ or affection, as th… fleſhly woe… b…d louers be: but rat… that he wa… enflamed with a moſt h… and godly zeale, and an ardent …ffect… of louelove, and deſire to promote▪ the gl… of God▪ whom before all other thing… loued, and to the which he would … thoſe and all his labour ſhould be c… ſecrated. Therefore we may iuſtly c… ſent with the beſt Expoſitours of… place, that by this his Beloued he ment… Lord his God, and the ſame, whoſe ſp… tuall louelove and communication with … Church▪ Salomon deſcribeth after … Cant. 1. P…al. 45.Song 1manner of the man and the woman t… p. 37ardently deſireth the fauour and ſocietie …e one of the other in chaſt louelove. Of this …loued he reioyced, and might ſay with …e holy Spowſeſſe, Lo, this is my Beloued, …d this is my Louer, ô ye daughters of Ieru…em: My Beloued is not a fleſhlie but …pirituall louer, and he will be pleaſed …t with fleſhly, but with ſpirituall louelove: …, the true worſhippers worſhip him in …rit and truth, and louelove him ſo.

…. By this, we learne to aſcribe the …ry of all our actions to God, to writeWe ought to conſecrate our labours to God. …okes, and dedicate them to his honor… …compoſe Songs, and ſing them both …h the ſpirit▪ and with the vnderſtan…g, to his eternall praiſe, as to the wor…eſt and beſt beloued. Thus alſo Mo… Deborah, Hanna, Dauid, Salomon, …a…y, Zachary, Hezekiah and others, …wred forth their Songs to the Lord, … gaue him the glory. Thus alſo ſang … Angels, Glory be to God on high. TheyLuk. 1.Luke 1 …t attribute the power and glory of …t vertues and commendable labours …o any other, do derogate from his …aieſtie, and blaſpheme his honour▪ …erefore, let vsus ſing vntounto the Lord, and p. 38extoll the glory of his Name, as the Pſa… miſt hath alſo taught vsus ſaying: Not v… to vsus, ô Lord, not vntounto vsus, but vntounto thy Na… giuegive the Glory, for thy louing merciemercy, and f… thy truthes ſake, Pſal. 115. 1.

5. At the leaſt, the Prophet b… Thus ſhould wee commend the ſucceſſe of our labours to God.ſinging to his Beloued, doth commen… the ſucceſſe of his labours, and the iudg… ment of all things to the Lord God… As if hee ſhould ſay (to our vnderſta… ding) Seeing I hauehave a long time pipe… and none would daunce: ſeeing I ha… preached and propheſied vntounto this pe… ple, and neuer a one of them beleeue… my report and words: I will now bri… the matter before the high Iudge, a… to him will I commend both it, and t… ſucceſſe of my trauailes. I will ſing v… to him, yea, I will complayne v… him, and call him foorth as a witne… for me againſt them. Thus, this P… phet in the firſt Chapter calleth to … Iſay. 1. 2.Isa 1:2Heauens and the earth, as if he eith… ſpake to them, or called them to be w… neſſes againſt the people. Thus, M… Deut. 32. 1.Deut 32:1alſo dealeth with thoſe vngratefull Iſr… lites. So ſayeth Micah, I will looke … p. 39…h. y. 7.vntounto the Lorde. And Zacharie beeing …rought to the place of execution, (at …e commandement of that vnkind Ioaſh) …ommitted the cauſe to God, ſaying: …he Lord looke vponupon it, and require it. So2. Chro. 24. 22.2 Chr 24:22 …eere this Prophet committeth all vntounto …od, as we alſo ought to do; for vntounto the …ord it onelyonly apperteineth either to make … marre all.

6. It is obiected, that the ProphetThe Prophet by this word Beloued, meaneth not the people, but God. … this place rather commendeth his Song … the people of Iſrael, to whome hee …ake, becauſe hee ſayth, I will ſing to my …eloued, and then propoſeth the matter … the people, the which alſo he might …ll his Beloued, in reſpect of his louelove to …em, and his great deſire to reforme and …end them: But that which followeth …thſtandeth all this, and ratifieth that …hich is ſaid before: namely, that the Pro…et by his Beloued, meaneth the Lord. …r he ſaith, he will ſing a Song of his Belo…d to his Vineyard. And it is certaine, that … Song or Parable, which he propoſed, is …e word of God, & the Vineyard where… he ſpake, was the people of Iſrael and …dah, vntounto whom the Lord himſelfe in p. 40mercy behaued himſelfe as an husbandman to his Vineyard: for ſo the Prophet expoūdeth it, My beloued had a Vineyard that is to ſay, the Lord of hoaſts had … choſen and peculiar people: namely, th… houſe of Iſraell, and the man of Iudah.

7. There be here two other queſtion… to be anſwered, whereof the firſt is, why he calleth God a Beloued: the ſecond i… why he calleth him, his Beloued. Touching1. Why he calleth God Beloued. the firſt, we hauehave the reaſon of this title in the 2. Chap. of the 2. Booke o… Samuel, verſ. 24. where Dauid named hi… ſonne Iedid-iah, the Beloued of the Lord… for that (as it is there ſayd) the Lord louelove him. So the Pſalmiſt (ſpeaking of Chriſ… in the perſon of Salomon) ſayth: Thou ar… Pſal. 45.Ps 45fayrer then the children of men, full of grac… are thy lips: the reaſon is added, becauſ… God hath loued thee for euer. And th… Prophet calleth the Lord Iedid, Beloue… for that he is the ſame chiefe Good; th… God is the chiefe goodwhich (before all things) is to be louelove… and to be deſired, according to that commandement, Thou ſhalt louelove he Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, wi… all thy power: And, firſt ſeeke: the kingdom… p. 41of God, and the righteouſnes thereof.

8. Next, the Prophet calleth him My 2. He calleth God his Beloued: as ſpeaking in the behalfe of the Church.Beloued, partly as ſpeaking in the perſon of the whole Church: partly, for himſelfe. He ſpeaketh in the behal…e of the Church as Salomon did who brought in the ſame, ſpeaking of Chriſt, as a faithfull wife of her husband, ſaying: My Beloued is mine, Cant. 2. 16. Againe, I hauehave ſought for him whom my ſoule loueth: and in that reſpect, the Lord nameth himſelfe an husband, and his people his wife: Hoſ. 1. & 2. So is the Lord my Beloued (ſaith the holy Spowſeſſe) becauſe he loueth me, as the good husband loueth his wife: he is my beſt Beloued, becauſe I affect and deſire him, as the good wife affecteth and deſireth her husband in holy louelove. And ſuch (indeede) he would our louelove ſhould be towards him, as his louelove is towards vsus. The Church ſaid, I am ſick with louelove: ſo let vsus louelove him, and let vsus be ſick with his louelove.

9. Next, the Prophet ſpeaking in his3. As ſpeaking in his owne behalfe. owne behalfe, calleth the Lord his Beloued, becauſe the Lord had eſpecially choſen, called, and loued him: and alſo, for p. 42that hee affected and deſired his louelove, mercy, and holy graces before all worldly treaſures. For this cauſe was the Lord called the God of Abraham, the God of Iſaack, the God of Iaacob, the God of Daniel, as the ſame, who had bene eſpecially good vntounto them, and whome they loued and ſerued before all other Gods. And in this ſence Paule ſayth, I thanke my God: God, that loueth and1. Cor. 1. 4.1 Cor 1:4 preſerueth mee; God, whome I louelove and ſerue with my whole heart.

10. Finally, by this word, the Prophet expreſſeth his thankefull heart vntountoA note of the Prophets thākfulneſſe to God. God, whoſe louelove and goodneſſe he doth not only acknowledge, but reuerently remember, and endeuour to requite to his power (through his Grace) to ſtirre vp, and to prouoke the people to do the like. Neither could they deny, how bountifull the Lord had bin in bleſſings towards them, therein declaring his great louelove to them, as Ezechiel alſo ſayth in the 16. Chapter: or that thereby, he might make them bluſh at their monſtrous vnkindneſſe, who would neither confeſſe his louelove to them, nor ſhew p. 43any token of good will towardes him: whereat the Lorde was moued to ſay, I will call her Beloued, which was not beloued, and her whome I loued, will I reiect and caſt off. Therefore ſayth the Prophet, I will ſing to my Beloued: that is, to God, whoſe louelove towards me I acknowledge, and whom I only louelove and ende…our (by all meanes poſſible) to expreſſe and vtter this my louelove towards him, as he hath expreſſed his louelove towards me. This is my Beloued, and I am his. A moſt worthie leſſon for all men to learne and follow, according to S. Iohns rule: Let vsus 1. Iohn. 4 9. 10.1 John 4:91 John 4:10louelove God, for he loued vsus firſt, and let vsus expreſſe this louelove, by keeping of his commandements, as our Lord hath in his Goſpell commanded vsus.

p. 44CHAP. V.

The Title of the Song. viz.

A Song of my Beloued concerning his Vineyard, verſe. 1.

THere be in the holy Scriptures diuers Pſalmes and Songs diuerſly entituled, either according to the names of the Authors of them, or the perſons to and for whom they were dedicated or compoſed, or according to the matter in them conteined. As, the PſalmeDiuers titles of Pſalmes. of Dauid the ſeruant of the Lord: the Prayer of Moſes the man of God: the Song of Salomon: the Song of Mary: the Song of Zacharie: the Song of Degrees: the prayer of the afflicted: the Song for the Sabboth day: the Song to giuegive inſtruction: a Song committed to Aſaph: a Song committed to the ſonnes of Korah, &c. But this Song before all others, as he ſingeth it to his Beloued, ſo alſo he entituleth it of his Beloued touching his Vineyard. And in this, he giueth two p. 45things to be conſidered, viz. firſt, whoſeTwo things in this title. the Song is that he ſingeth, and ſecondly, what matter the Song concerneth.

Firſt he ſaith, that the Song is of his Beloued: next, that the Song concerneth the Vineyard of his Beloued.

2. I ſayd in the Chapter before, that the Prophet calleth God his Beloued, and now, in that he calleth the Song, the Song of his Beloued, it is aſmuch, as if he had called it, the Lords Song, for that is hisThe Lords Song, and why it is ſo called. meaning, namely, that he would ſing a Song of the Lord. And worthely doth he ſo entitle it, firſt, becauſe the Song was not the Prophets, but the Lords: for (indeede) the Lord put this Parable and Song in the mouth of the Prophet, as he alſo put a Parable in the mouth of the Prophet Nathan, whom he ſent to Dauid. By his commandement was it, that one of the Seraphims flew vntounto the Prophet with an hoat coale in his hand, which he had taken from the al…ar with his tongs and touched his mouth, as himſelfe ſayd, Iſay. 6. 6.

3. By this, he would declare the credit of the matter, teſtifying, that hee p. 46brought vntounto the people nothing of hisThe credit and authority of the Song. owne, but that which was the Lords, who ſpake by his mouth. Thus ſaid Chriſt to his Apoſtles whome he ſent forth to preach, partly to embolden them, and partly to giuegive authoritie to the word they preached, It is not you that ſpeake, but the Spirit of my Father which ſpeaketh within you. Againe, The words that I ſpeake, are not mine, but his that ſent me. So, he ſayth, I will ſing a Song, not mine owne, but my Beloueds, that is, the Lords. Neither can it be but a comfort to the Miniſter, when he is aſſured of his calling, and the cauſe, to be the Lords: and a notable credit for the matter, when the people can perſwade, that it is the Lords.

4. Next, the Prophet entituleth the Song, the Lords Song, becauſe it concerned the Glory of God, and the caſe of his people. As the Iewes in Babilon called that Song the Lords Song, which concerned the praiſe of God, the ſeruice of God, thePſal. 137. 4.Ps 137:4 Religion of God. In that ſence, the Euangeliſt ſaith, that Chriſt ſpake vntounto his Apoſtles of thoſe things which apperteined to Act. 1. 3.Acts 1:3the kingdome of God. And we call that a godly Sermon, a godly Song, a godly p. 47Pſalme, in the which, the Glory of God, and the conſolation & inſtruction of his people is ſet forth and furthered. And here we are taught, what ſhould be the chiefe matter of our Sermons, our Songs and parables: and wherein we ſhould (indeede) meditate, as our chiefe exerciſe & delight with that Bleſſed man, Pſal. 1. 2.

5. Againe, conſidering the excellencieHow to vſe the word of God. of the matter, as bewtified and authoriſed by the author thereof, that is, by the Lord of hoaſts, we ſhould both reuerently vſe …t, and aduiſedly diſpoſe it. God wil not be …leaſed, that we handle his holy myſteries with vnwaſhed hands; nor that we mixe …is pure diuinitie with mans inuentions; …or that we apply them to prophane vſes …o pleaſe mans fleſhly luſts: but that we …ſe thē holily, modeſtly, zealouſly, wiſely, … the feare of God, to his glory, to the …omfort of his Church, to the diſcharge …f our duties. And alſo the Lords will is, …hat we ſhould ſing the ſongs of mercy to …hem that repent, and the ſongs of iudgement to thē that be obſtinate, as the Pro…het hath taught vsus; leaſt (peraduenture) …e ſhould ſeeme to ſing the Lords Song in a …range land; to giuegive things holy to dogs; p. 48and to caſt pretious pearles before ſwine▪

6. Finally, the Prophet (to make differenceThis Song concerneth the Lords Vineyard. betweene this Song, and other the Lords Songs) telleth what thing th… Song chiefely concerneth, namely, th… Vineyard of the Lord. But thereof, with the matter of the Song, and what the purpoſe of the Lord is in the ſame, it ſhall be (by the help of God) declared in the ſecond part.

The end of the firſt Part.

p. 49The Second part, conteyning The matter and ſubſtance of the Song of the Beloued, &c.

…erſe 1.

My Beloued had a Vineyard in a very frutefull hill. And he hedged it about, &c. vntounto the end of the 6. verſe.