An Exposition of the Song of Songs, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
The King.
A Deſcription of the Apoſtolick Church in its Primitive Excellency, and in the Calling of the Gentiles.
Notes explaining the Senſe. aHow admirably does this Deſcription fit the Apoſtolick Church, which had excellency of Beauty, ſufficiency of Spiritual Food, ſignified by Teeth of pureſt Cleanneſs and Unity, as waſh'd and even ſhorn; Durable clothing Garments of Juſtification and Sanctification, numerous Off-ſpring in the multitude of the Converts.BEhold thy ſelf, my Love, the Fair,Notes explaining Words. 1To expreſs ſingular Fairneſs, the Word is doubled. the Fair
[Behold thou art Fair my Love, behold thou art Fair]Alone; my Blood, my Spirit, give the Air
Of thy great Beauty, while thy Doctine pure,
Thy Worſhip Chaſt a holy Life aſſure:
[Thou haſt Doves Eyes]So that thy Eyes the Chryſtal do excell
Of the unſpotted Doves, and gliſtring ſwell
[Thy Hair is a Flock of Goats that appear fron Mount Gilead]From out thy Locks, whoſe modeſt ſhade does Grace
In mean Attire the Beauties of thy Face;
That while no Art does Curl in form thy Hair,
Of Pomp, or Ceremony; 'Tis like the Glare
OfNotes explaining Words. 2The Apoſtolick Purity without outward Pomp or Splendor, was cover'd like the Ark with Goats Hair, deſpiſed by Jews, as not having the Signs of a preſent Kingdom; by the Gentiles as Fooliſhneſs; but was indeed Expreſſion of the Wiſdom and Power of God. Gilead's Goats; The too Cenſorious Eye
Of Jew and Gentile ſcorns thy Polity:
But I that value by their in ſide Things,
Can ſee thy Graces through thoſe Coverings:
Thus clouded were the Glories of the Ark
When the ſame Goats hair look'd ſo rude, ſo dark.
[Thy Teeth are as a Flock which come up from the Waſhing]The fruitfulNotes explaining Words. 3The Rumination or Chewing the Food of Life, to prepare it for others by Expounding the Old Teſtament, and farther Revealing the New, was the Excellency of the Apoſtolick Church. Maſtication of my Word
Is like the gainful Flock, that ſerves its Lord
With doubleNotes explaining Words. 4Pure in all Holineſs of Doctrine, Worſhip, and Life, and even without Ambition, or loving Preheminence. Bleſs'd with abundant Power of Converting Grace. Off▪ſpring, and the luſty Fleece
That falls ſo white, ſo even in a Piece;
And when ſo even ſhorn, when waſh'd ſo white,
The Flock appears one entire ſheet of Light.
The Chorus.
Now This whole Flock of Teeth, ſo white, ſo ſhorn,
Speaks Apoſtolick Pow'r in equal borne;
And does expoſe the falſhood of the Dream,
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. aHow far are all things in the Goſpel from ſuch a forg'd Supremacy of the Apoſtle Peter; obſerve his Fall, his being Reprov'd, Gal. 2. his humble Style Compresbyter or equal Elder. 1 Chriſts Blood in the Goſpel Miniſtry, is as Rahabs Scarlet Line twin'd within it, as a Pledge of Redemption from Wrath.That Peter in that Order was Supream:
By all with Peace, and Parile order fenc'd
The Food of Life was equally diſpenc'd;
And equal was the Fruit, For barren none
Was found, with all ſo great a Glory ſhone.
The King goes on.
My expiating Blood ſo ſoundly Taught,
Within thy Lips like Scarlet Thread is wrought:
My Croſs thoſe Graces gives thy Speech That Senſe,[Thy Lips are like a thread of Scarlet]
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2I deſire to know nothing but Chriſt, and him Crucified; Not the Wiſdom of this World, but the Wiſdom which God ordain'd before the World to our Glory.That ſhrinks the Pagan Wiſdom's Eloquence
To empty ſounds;Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3The many Seeds of the Pomegranate, the Emblem of Wiſdom, yield a moſt pleaſant Juice. Thy Temples are the ſeat[And thy Speech is comely]
Of ſoundeſt Judgment, which prepares the Meat[Thy Temples are like a piece of Pomegranate within thy Locks]
During to life, like Food of Pomegranate,
In which Seeds, as of Life, accumulate:
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4The ſtrict and holy Order of the Apoſtolick Church, that as the beſt ſtate of the Church of Epheſus, the Type of that Church Apoſtolick, tried thoſe that ſaid they were Apoſtles, and were not, but found them Lyars, and that could not bear them that were Evil, were like Locks gracing and guarding the Temples.Thoſe enterweaves of Holy Order like
The well-curl'd Locks, all falſhood that Repique,[Thy Neck is as the Tower of David]
Secures thy Temples Graces, and thy Neck,
WhichNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5Thoſe thouſand Shields and Bucklers moſt fitly reſemble the mighty Power of Miracles, Gifts of Tongues, and that ſevere Apoſtolical Rod, which the Apoſtle Peter ſhew'd in the Death of Ananias and Sapphira, and the Apoſtle Paul's delivery to Satan intimates, all which bore up the majeſty of that Church. thouſand Shields, and Bucklers round bedeck,
Riſing as David's Tow'r, Bears up thy Head.
Chorus.
This is Truth ſeal'd with Miracles, that ſhed
It ſelf into the Chriſtian Church, and arm'd[Builded for an Armory, all Shields of mighty Men]
It 'gainſt its Foes, and its Believers charm'd
Into its ServicesNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6The Primitive Chriſtians were reſolved either to defend Chriſtianity by theſe powers of Truth and Miracles, or as Martyrs to dye in defence of it, and ſo they were the Shields of mighty Men. All as Men of might
To do, or dye in defence of its Right:
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1The full Effect of the Apoſtolick Miniſtry and Miracles will not be ſeen till the New Jeruſalem.But yet theſe Arms are Magazin'd, not us'd,
As to their utmoſt Service, but diffus'd
Defence as yet, not perfect Victory:
Still They're deſign'd within this Armory,
And for the*c. 6. 10. Banner'd Armies They're prepar'd
Then to each Uſe their Service ſhall be ſhar'd.
The King goes on.
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2The Doctrine of Chriſtianity in the Apoſtolick Miniſtry, was like two full Breaſts deriving their Lillies Milk from the two Teſtaments, in which, as in Fields of Lillies, they Feed as two young Roes: According to which all the Apoſtlick Motions, and the Churches ſettled by them were govern'd, now theſe two Breaſts, as a double Sluce, or out-let of Water, ſend out their Streams.The milky ſtreams of Thy two Breaſts, as Roes
Flow to all Parts, and plenteouſly diſpoſe
[Thy two Breaſts are like two Roes, that feed among the Lillies]To Jew and Gentile, that ſo vital Juice,
(Pure as the Lillies through that double Sluce,)
Of the Two Teſtaments, where, as in Fields
Thou feedeſt, and that Truth thy motion weilds.
The King goes on.
The Aſcenſion of Chriſt, after he had by His Miniſtry, His Death, His Reſurrection, His Fourty Days giving Commandments to His Diſciples prepar'd this ſo Praiſed Apostolick Church.
Now till Nights ſhades, Shades of theNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3Atmoſphere, is the foggy black Air ariſing from Earths black Steams like Night, which flying away Emblems this dark State removing, and Chriſts Kingdom, who is the bright Morning Star appearing. Atmoſphere
Are flown, and the bright Morning Star appear
[Ʋntill the Day break, and the Shadows fly away, I▪ll get me to the Hill of Myrrh, and the Mountains of Frankincenſe]Breaking to Day; I'll hye me to the Hill,
Where Myrrh and Incenſe the whole Monntain fill,
The Heavens ſhall contain me,Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4Juſt as Chriſt was ſeen by his Diſciples in the Air, Aſcending upon their very earneſt gazing; ſo ſhall he be ſeen in his Return, which is to be fix'd in the very point of time, and of ſpace in the Heavens, or upper Regions, where the Cloud received him; For ſo the Angels Speech Implies: This ſame Jeſus, taken into Heaven ſhall ſo return, as ye have ſeen him go or going into Heaven, upon that very point I ſay, it is to be fix▪d, and is Expounded by the Apoſtle of Chriſt Deſcending not upon the Earth, but into the Air, whither the Saints are caught up to meet Him, and ſo to be ever with Him, 1 Theſ. 4. 17. till as now
… mount, the Heavens back again I bow,
In a ſerene and perfect Cloudleſs Day,
All ſhadows gone, and darkneſs flown away.
Chorus.
The King Himſelf, this brighteſt Morning Star
By his own glorious Preſence brings from far
The DayNotes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 1Exil'd ever ſince the Fall of Man, and the loſs of the Sabbatiſm of Creation. ſo long Exil'd; When He all Crowns
Shall in his KingdomNotes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 2According to Revel. 19. 15. &c. ſwallow, when the Frowns
Of his bright Face, as Thunder ſhafts ſhall ſend
The Dark Kings with their Night to their black End.
So He aſcends this Kingdom to receive,
And to return at time ofNotes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 3The Decree of God in whoſe Power the time eſpecially of this Kingdom is Reſerv'd. Sacred Breve.
This inNotes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 4With how great Skill is this Parentheſis or Deſcription of Chriſts Aſcenſion and Return with his Kingdom here brought in, to ſettle Time. Parentheſis is interpos'd
Amidſt the Churches Praiſes, and diſpos'd
On purpoſe ſo, that thus the time made plain
From Chriſts Aſcenſion to's Return again,
The flowing Cantoes might with Time keep touch,
And th' Churches various States fit Emblems couch.
Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 5And how Admirable the Churches moſt ſpotleſs State when the Holy Spirit was given, and the Gentiles Call'd, ſubjoyn'd to it, as we ſhall next ſee.Firſt, as its Spotleſs, Apoſtolick ſtate
It ſelf to Salvage Gentiles did dilate;
Of which how high the Sequent Emblems play,
Their Airs to liſten, is our next Eſſay.
The King goes on.
The ſending down of the Holy Spirit.
Now when my Love, my Hand hath form'd thee true
To my ownNotes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 6The Church form'd as Man by the Image of God at firſt, ſo now by the Image of Chriſt, is pronounced perfectly Fair and without ſpot. Image, and I Thee endueJohn c. 14. c. 15. c. 16. Tranſlated the Comforter.
By th'Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 7The giving of the Holy Spirit, call'd by Chriſt foreign, or the Paraclete was like breathing into Adam the Breath of Life. Holy * Paraclete ſent down from Me,
As my Triumphant Bounty, Ample, Free
[Thou art all Fair my Love]With Gifts and Graces;Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1Now the Church is pronounced Pure, as Adam was made Upright. Oh Thy Faireſt hue,
Thou Beauties higheſt point in this Review▪
[There is no ſpot in thee]Doſt ſpotleſs touch; 'Tis now thy Beauties clear
Without a Blemiſh, now Thou doſt appear
Like the firſt Church in Paradiſe compriz'd,
Which by the Serpent Fell;Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2Epheſus the Type of this Church as leaving its firſt Love loſt its Birth-right, and the firſt Place of its Candleſtick Tranſlated to Philadelph. upon which the New Jeruſalem, and the Kingdom of Chriſt are ſettled, till when the Apoſtolick Glory does not Return. Thou art repriz'd
From th' Serpents Hand; To ſtand, ſee, that thou chooſe
Leſt thy firſt Candleſtick its Place ſhould looſe,
And now my Song of Love doth thee Enroll
[My Spouſe, Come with me from Lebanon, with me from Lebanon]Into the ſtate ofNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3Here in this Goſpel ſtate, the Church is call'd Spouſe the firſt Time; For though it was ſo before, yet to diſtinguiſh Times, the Title is reſerv'd till now, and this State is moſt ſuitable to ſuch an Honour. Spouſe; Thy Nuptial ſtole
My Goſpel Graces are: The Gentile Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4Wolds are wild and deſert Places, where wild Beaſts inhabit.wolds
Come we'll ſurvey now which the Devil holds,
As Dens of Lyons, and the Leopards mounts,
[Look from the Top of Amana, from the Top of Shenir, and Hermon; from the Lyons Dens, and from the Mountains of the Leopards]Although my Kingdom's right by holy Counts,
FromNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5What more graceful Deſcription of the Heathen World in order to their Converſion, going out from the Land of Canaan, then the view of the Mountain of Leopards, and the Dens of Lyons from the Mountains of Judaea next the Gentiles, or more orderly Succeſſion in courſe of Time, or how could there be a fitter Figure of the Wicked Heathen World, than by wild Beaſts, ſo Dan. c. 7. c. 8. Canaans Mountains let us give them view,
Which lye within the Holy LandsNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6Or within the Lines of its Borders. purliew;
From Liban come, my Spouſe, come thou with me
From Liban come, from Aman's Top look thee;
From Shenir's, and from Herman's Brows with Eye
Of Grace lets look, where Lyons, Leopards lye.
The Chorus.
The Gentiles Call'd, and becoming a Siſter Church with the Jews Firſt, and after ſome Ages, the only Church in view till the Jews Converſion.
Upon this Gracious proſpect from the Hills
The Siſter-Church the following Cantoes fills.
The King goes on.
How ſoon I ſee a Siſter Spouſe ariſe,
So fruitful is the Favour of my Eyes;[My Siſter-Spouſe]
How ſoon the Gentile Church that Siſter-Spouſe[Thou haſt raviſhed or taken my Heart, with one of Thy Eyes]
One Body with the Jews in my Love grows:
Thou art Adopted now one of the Eyes,
That does complete the Beauty; its ſurprize[With one chain of thy Neck]
My Heart tranſports, as does that lovely Chain
Which to the Head unite does thee retain[How fair is thy Love, my Siſter, my Spouſe]
In whole, as by one Neck, and ſtill recalls
Thy Name, my Siſter-Spouſe, which thee inſtalls
In Nuptial Rights, ſo that thy Love enſhrines[How much better is thy Love than Wine!]
Thy Beauty in my Heart 'bove richeſt Wines,
Which Sacrifices grac'd, now out of date[And the ſmell of thy Oyntments, than of all Spices]
In this new Spouſed Jew, and Gentile State;
The Odours of thy Oyntments much excell
The Spices that in Typic Unguents ſmell;[Thy Lips, oh my Spouſe, drop as the Honey Comb]
For Gifts and Graces are my Spirits Oyl,
To which moſt Fragrant Matter's but a Foil:
The combed Cells, which ſweeteſt Honies fill[Honey and Milk are under thy Tongue]
Drop not the Pleaſures, Spouſe, thy Lips diſtill;
The ſtaple Dainties of the Promis'd Land,[And the ſmell of thy Garments is as the ſmell of Lebanon]
Honey and Milk are in thy Tongues Command,
The potent Flavors of Thy Veſts confine
Thoſe fainter of the Mount Liban.—Notes explaining Words and Senſe together.1 What can come more juſt with the Time, as we have ſettled it, then this very Word [Siſter-Spouſe] when the Gentiles came in to be one Body with the Jews.2 The Gentile Church, as another Eye was ſo unexpected to the very Apoſtles, that Chriſt is pleas'd to expreſs himſelf, as taken by the very Heart, as the Hebrew word ſignifies; Such is the importance of one Chain of the Neck.3 There is a very plain preferring the ſtate of the Jew and Gentile Church united, above the ſingle ſtate of the Jewiſh Church; So the rich Wines of the Sacrifice, the Perfumes us'd in the Kingly, Prieſtly, and Temple Oyntment, the Honey, Milk, and Cedars of the Promis'd Land, and the ſtate of this Church common by them, and preferr'd before them.
—Chorus.
—Thus Divine
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1The Spirit poured from on High, the Church compos'd of Jews and Gentiles, wild by Nature, much excells the Jewiſh Church alone, and, as in its earthly Canaan.Influxes make the barren Wilds out-do
An earthly Canaan, and its Types out-go:
Its Doctrines, Sufferings, Graces, all combine,
As ſweeteſt Odours, and the richeſt Wine:
For now theNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2After the Gentile Church came in, the Iſraelitiſh Church was ſtill declining till all mention of it was loſt, and ſo this Song eſpecially minds the Gentile Church, as the Iſrael of God. Jewiſh Spouſe in ſilent ſhade
Vales off this Song, Enſuing Emblems laid
Are in the Siſter-Spouſe; Till all the Tribes
Firſt Two, then Ten returning It deſcribes:
So now the Gentile Church, Great Iſraels Name
Inherits, as the onelyonly Spouſes claim:
But Fear, Ingrafted Iſrael the fateNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3By what follows, it will appear the Gentile Church was in a decayed State.
Of native Branches, Dread t'uſurp the State
Of Church ſo Catholick,Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4The Apoſtles Caution to the Romans, ch. 11. 17. &c. as if the Root
Thou Bor'ſt from whence the Branches ſhoot,
And not the Root Bare thee a Branch at will,
Standing by Faith, but pruned off, if Ill.
Or, as without the Nat'ralNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5For any Church or Churches of what Name ſoever, to look upon themſelves as in the perfect ſtate of the Evangelick Church, much more as the Catholick Church before the Jews converted, is to be onelyonly Wiſe in our own conceits. Iſrael Thou
Couldſt be the Perfect Spouſe, Proud Fancies glow
Thus in theNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6The Roman Name of a Church hath certainly daſh'd on that Rock of aſſuming to it ſelf, as the Jews daſh'd againſt, To be the Root, and to be the Catholick Church. Roman Breaſt; Conceits its own
Are Canoniz'd for Wiſe; But*Gentiles. Gents alone,
No more than Jews this Catholick can be,
Jews firſt ſplit on this Rock, and now Fear Thee.
The Chorus goes on.Beſides 'tis now the Gentiles Times run deep,
While Jewiſh Church and State thus lye aſleep:
The Chorus goes on.Then in the Gentiles Times, a Gentile Peſt
Will likely Riſe a Gentile Church t' infeſt,
Of theſe Adopted Jews ſome falſe Chriſts Preach,
And Antichriſts Supplants True Chriſt impeach.
The King.
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1The whole Time of the Gentile Church till the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, is in the Revelation given undér ſeveral Sealings. Firſt of ſeven Seals open'd, then of the 144000 Sealed, and the Temple meaſur'd and ſhut, then of the ſeven Thunders Sealed, &c.Thou Gentile Church, Thou Siſter in a Spouſe,
Thy whole Time in a Glance my Fore-ſight ſhowes;[A Garden incloſed is my Siſter, my Spouſe]
A Garden Barr'd, a Spring ſhut up, a Fount
That's Seal'd, throughout Thy Emblems I recount;[A Spring ſhut up]
For when Seals open All, my Kingdom ſtrait[A Fountain ſealed]
Will open with Them; But I patient wait,
Even tillNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2The Kingdom of Chriſt proclam'd; The Gentiles come in in Fulneſs; The Natural Iſrael Call'd, and ſo the whole Iſrael ſum'd up; The Kingdom of Chriſt Appears. that Iſrael, of which I come
Joyning with Thee make up my Iſraels Sum;
That Time my Father ſet, Succeſſive ſeals
Still therefore ſtay my Kingdoms juſt Appeals,
Each ſealed Time I'll Character to Thee,
Succeſſions each in Order thou ſhalt ſee:
FirſtNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3Epheſus, as the Apoſtolick, Primitive Church, may be moſt fidy compared to a Paradiſe of Truth. Epheſus the Seat of Truth reveal'd,
Each Plant an Orchard of Pomegranates ſeal'd[Thy Plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleaſant Fruits]
With Heavens Impreſs, I depaint:—
Chorus.
—Then Truth did flow,
As if each Plant a Paradiſe would grow.
The King goes on.
Next Thee a Spicy Region I deſcribe,
Where thrive, where ſmell, Spices of ev'ry Tribe,[Camphire with Spikenard, Spikenard and Saffron, with all Trees of Frankincenſe, Myrrh, and Aloes, with all chief Spices]
Thoſe of the Royalty, thoſe Popular
All juſtly mix'd, each in their Order are,
The Camphire meets the Spike, Spike Saffron meets,
The Aromatic Reed with Odours greets
The Fragrant Bark; Sweet Frankincenſe indents;
With Myrrh the flavor'd Aloes joyns ſcents.
Chorus.
Thus Spices of Afflictions bitter Taſte
Bruis'd by the pondrous Peſtel, while they waſte
Into Perfumes, giveNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1The Church of Smyrna in its Sufferings, is fitly compar'd to a Region of Spices, which by pounding ſend out their Smells. Smyrna's ſuffring Days
Which laſted till the Chriſtian Empire ſways.
The King goes on.
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2From the Reign of Conſtantine, during the time of the Chriſtian Emperours, all Apoſtolical Truth flowed out as a Fountain of Gardens, &c.'Tis then, as if unſeal'd, I do allow
Thy Gardens to ſtream out, Thy Springs to flow,
[A Fountain of Gardens, a Well of Living Waters ſtreaming from Lebanon]As if a Fount of Gardens Thou, A Mount of Wells,
That roll down with ſweet ſtreams of Liban's Smells:
The Winds, that Fan thy Redolent Perfumes
With Gales ſo brisk, each point my Care Aſſumes,
[Awake, oh South-Wind, Blow O South-Wind upon my Garden, that the Spices may flow out]Firſt theNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3Chriſt was pleas'd to uſe the North-wind, Firſt of Perſecution, then the gentle South-wind, that the Odours of Chriſtianity might flow, How Elegant is this Hieroglyphic, how agreeable with the Time. ſtern North, and then the ſofter South;
That all thy Spicy Atoms, as from Mouth
Of Arab's Gummy Land may blow; I Joy
In publick'ſt Graces, when of pure Alloy:
All Virtues from thee I let out, but In—
—To Thee ſhut out the ſubtle ſtreams of Sin:
Now cauſe That Man of Sin hath hisNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4The Time, Times, Half Time, ſworn by Chriſt, Dan. 12. 7. ſworn Time
Before my Kingdom; To turn back that ſlime
Foul, as the Serpents, ſee thy Springs new barr'd,
Thy Fountain ſeal'd underNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5The ſecureſt way of Sealing us'd by Chymiſts. Hermetic Guard;
Now Satan's Synagogue is creeping out
Thy noble Seeds to taint, 'tis now about
Thy ſpring to Poyſon, and thy ſtreams to ſtain,
My early Care ſtarts up to curb the Main
Of that bad Torrent; And I'll nowNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6In the Revelation Cap. 7. Immediately after the Ruine of Heatheaniſm by the Chriſtian Empire follow'd a ſecond Sealing with Agreeable Symbols, importing the delay of Chriſts Kingdom, and the ſecuring his Servants for it from Corruption. *Shut up cloſe within Walls.immure
Thy Garden, Spring, and Fount, to keep them pure
Chorus.
Thus for ſome time Truths Flood-gates open ſtood,
But oh how ſoon Apoſtaſie a Flood
Became, which quick does ſhift the Holy Scenes;
IniquitiesNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1The Myſtery of Iniquity began in low degrees in the Apoſtolick Times, and in Epheſus, forſaking its Firſt Love, and grew up to a Synagogue of Satan, under Smyrna's Suffering Martyrs; From whom it took occaſion to exalt it ſelf. Myſterious Womb by means
Moſt uneſpy'd, pregnant became,
And as in loweſt Parts, ſubmiſs and tame
Work'd on yet; For while Epheſus deriv'd
Its Springs of Wells, and Gardens, Smyrna ſtriv'd
By Cruel Princes pounded to diffuſe
Its Myrrhine Odours; And thoſe ſtrokes did bruiſe
Its Spices with a Northern Fury, till
Controlls of Chriſtian Princes did it ſtill,
And with TheirNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2Yet Chriſt accounted the Church it ſelf Pure, and made uſe of the South-wind of Proſperity under the Chriſtian Emperours to draw out its Graces; Although by Accident, Corruptions ſhewed themſelves alſo. Southern Breath perſwaded out
Thoſe Fragrant Graces, as from Springs to ſpout.
But even in Suffering Times bad Vapours crept
Into the better Odours, where they ſlept;
Till beſt and worſt fly out, while South-winds Blow,
And Chriſtian Fervors loſt, the worſt o'er-flow;
Thus by degrees the Fragrant Spices dye
Into aNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3Superſtition and worldly Riches and Pleaſure grew up together. 4 The great Pretence for the firſt bringing in Superſtition into the Chriſtian Church, was as it were to Chriſtianize Heatheniſh Cuſtoms. But as Atoms ſent out by Bodies into a Contagious Air, return to thoſe Bodies that ſent them out with Infection, ſo the Chriſtians ſending out their Principals as it were to better Heatheniſh Cuſtoms; They return to them as it were larded with Heatheaniſm, ſo that they became Pagan Chriſtians. Languid Senſuality:
For why'll beſt Odours try to Meliorate
The Pagan ſteams, they ſoon Incorporate,
And, as the Sympathetic Atoms fly
Back to their native Bed, ſo theſe Scents hye
To their own Sourſe, larded with the Attaint
Of Superſtition, that would hence write Saint:
While Vizord-Chriſtians Pagans meet half way
Truth Chriſtian, and chaſt Worſhip fly away;
Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5It is Evident, Chriſt is firſt in ſhowing love to his Church, in coming to it, in reſting with it, ſo that this very calling to Chriſt to come, ſhews a-new, but a corrupted State of the Church.So that when now the Spouſe her Prince Invites
To Banquet with Her, He her offer ſlights.
The Spouſe.
Let now with Pleaſure to his Garden come
[Let my Beloved come into his Garden, and Eat his pleaſant Fruits]He my Beloved and His Palate ſome
Chooſe of my New-ripe Fruits, which I call His,
Now let him Eat what for Him ſweetned is.
Chorus.
This very Call aſſures, He was withdrawn
Whoſe Love to's Spouſe had ever the firſt dawn:
Both Fruits and Church are new: It hath not known
The Bleſſed Jeſus, always with his own:
Chorus goes on.Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1That Chriſt ſaid he had Eaten, ſhews he liked to Eat no farther, but diſliked the Churches preſent State.His Anſwer to this Call aſſures us more
He was diſguſted, For He prais'd before
The Weeks ended An. M. 4024. An. Chr. 37.And there He ſtaid, as One no farther pleas'd;
For what he lik'd, he had already ſeiz'd;
Now from the Sev'nty Weeks fore-nam'd runn out,
Four hundred Years had turn'd their courſe about;
[The Time of the ſeven Seals ended, and of the Trumpets began, An. M. 4424. An. Chr. 437.The ſevenNotes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2All the Time of the ſeven Seals, and of the Churches pure State was run out; Becauſe therefore through the Corruptions of the Chriſtian World, notwithſtanding the Chriſtian Empire; Then is a new Sealing; The Temple is Meaſur'd; The outward Court caſt out to the Gentiles; The Holy Worſhippers immur'd in the Temple; The Witneſſes in Sackcloth, and the Church in the Wilderneſs, all Emblems of the Churches Fountain and Garden Sealed, and of the Kingdom of Chriſt ſtay'd from its Appearance. Seals their*Charge. Cargo had diſcharg'd;
And for the following Trumpets Time enlarg'd,
E'er which all Emblems of Time ſealed new
Th' Apocalyps doth give, that it might ſhew
The Kingdom juſt look'd out, and then withdrew.