An Exposition of the Song of Songs, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Chorus.
THus far the Churches Sceptred Time is brought,
Guarded byNotes explaining Words. 42 Chro. 34. 8. Princes, and its Battels fought
Notes explaining Words. 4The time of their moſt p…tent Kings, not ſubject to Heathen Princes.By Abſolute Supremes;Notes explaining Words. 5The ſimilitude taken from Ezek. 19. 10. The feeble Tree,
As now Effete for SceptersNotes explaining Words. 62 Kings c. 23. 31. c. 24. c. 25. yields inNotes explaining the Senſe. aAfter Joſiah the Kingdom of Judah was held in Fealty of the Heathen Princes of Egypt and Babylon. Fee
The Crown to Egypts, Babels Princes; For to ſtem
The Tide her own ſuſtain not;Notes explaining Words. 1Ezek. 21. 26. 27. Th' Diadem
At length from offNotes explaining Words. 2The tottering State. the Palſey'd Head was ſpurn'd
Notes explaining the Senſe. aThat Great Prophecy of Ezekiel began to be fulfill'd in Zedekiah, and was perfected at the comming of Shiloh, or ſoon after, in the deſtruction of all ſhew of Sovereignty by the Romans. And ſo it will continue till Chriſts Glorious Coming, when among his many Crowns He ſhall have this on his Head, as higheſt of all.By Heavens juſt Decree, thrice overturn'd;
Decreed ſo to remain; Till He ſhall come
Whoſe Right's recorded in the Sacred Tome;
And to that Rightful Prince the mournful Spouſe,
Defenceleſs ſeeming, thus her Plaints doth rouſe;
The Spouſe.
The Reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, Zedekiah.
I am theNotes explaining the Senſe. bThe Roſe of Scharon, and the Lilly of the Valleys are very ſignificant Reſemblances of the Church in perpetual danger to be ſeized by Heathen Princes, as thoſe Flowers in a Field are by Beaſts; yet the Roſe having ſome better Defence than the Lilly, ſhews the ſtill decaying ſtate of Power. Roſe inNotes explaining Words. 3A fruitful Paſture in Baſhan. Scharon's open Field
[I am the Roſe of Scharon, the Lilly of the Valleys]Expos'd to Danger, cover'd with no Shield,
Lick'd off by th' Beaſt, whoſe undiſcerning Noſe
No odds makes 'twixt the Thiſtle and the Roſe,
Except more eas'ly crop'd; And yet its Beard
Of prickles warns th' unwary Heard.
But more defenceleſs I, the Lilly like
The Vales along, no Weapon have to ſtrike
The untaught Foot, trampling without offence
My Beauty, and unarmed Innocence.
The King.
My Love, thou ſlipp'ſt the wiſdom of my Care,
For while thy Native Guards thus leave thee bare,
[As the Lilly among the Thorns]TheNotes explaining Words. 4The Heathen Nations compar'd to Beaſts. Brutal Nations have not yet the ſcope
To range upon Thee Notes explaining the Senſe. cThe Lilly ſurrounded with Thorns ſhews the Defence that Heathen Princes gave the Church, one againſt another, as by balance of Power, as even to this day we ſee in the World, weak States are in the way of Emulation of ſtronger Princes one againſt another ſecured. This was an admirable Method of Providence over the Church.; For they Enterlope
One on another, wreathed by my hand,
Like Thorns around the Lillie, till they ſtand
AsNotes explaining Words. 1Defended as Breaſt-works in a Fortification by ſharp Stakes. Palizado'd on each ſide ſo ſtrong,[So is my Love among the Daughters.]
That what may ſeem to preſs, ſhields thee from wrong.
The Daughters of the Nations pay defence,
Though unawares, to my Loves Excellence;
Surpaſſing them as Lillies do the Thorn,
Which take Defence but their Defence adorn:
The Spouſe.
My Deareſt Love, by thee inſtruct'd I own
Thy Goodneſs, Wiſedom, Power, all are ſhown
In thisNotes explaining Words. 2The Wiſe Order. Oeconomy of Guard; And I repay
Thy Love with Love of parallel Eſſay[As the Apple Tree among the Trees of the Wood]
For as theNotes explaining Words. 3The Apple Tree. Tree whoſe Fruit, and not whoſeNotes explaining the Senſe. aIt is moſt plain the Apple Tree is a moſt pregnant Emblem of a low, yet pleaſant Government, even as the Cedars are of a High, Supreme, Royal Government. State
Exalts its Name in the TreesNotes explaining Words. 4Popular Government. Democrate
So nowNotes explaining Words. 5Kingly Government. thy Cedar-Rule torn up byNotes explaining Words. 6The Babyloniſh Army. ſtorm
Is lower'd to aNotes explaining Words. 7From Kings to Rulers, Zerobbabel, Nehemiah, &c. Preſidential Form,
Yet with moſt Thankful ſenſe, I praiſe the Grace
Of Rule, but juſt remov'd fromNotes explaining Words. 8The Government of the People. Populace;[So is my beloved among the Sons]
For this dwarf Government ſtill leads to Thee
Great King of Kings made byNotes explaining Words. 9Gods Supreme Decree. Auguſt'ſt Decree
How pleaſant therefore is its ſhade, how ſweet its Fruit?
Both ſwelling with Delights that draw purſuit!
Chorus.
This is the Proſpect while the Scepter Val'd
Till Judah's Legiſlator even fail'd.
The Spouſe goes on.
The Captivity.
Nay, let me publiſh through Gaths Streets his Praiſe,
ThroughNotes explaining Words. 10Their Confeſſion in the midſt of the Heathen Nations. Askelon, and Babel, may theſe Laies
Sound to his Glory; That whileNotes explaining Words. 11Ezek. 1. 1. Chebar's Streams
Me a Thrall'd Captive knew,Notes explaining the Senſe. bThe preſence of Chriſt in his Church is Elegantly deſcribed by Entertainment in a low Vault and Cellars of Wine, while it was in Captivity. (I Sing no Dreams)
What ſeem'd a Dungeon was aNotes explaining Words. 1The Wine Cellar. Vault of Wine,
His Grace with me deign'd ſo much toNotes explaining Words. 2Or to Reſt. recline.
[His Banner over me was Love]The Streaming Enſigns of High Babels Pride
Were Banners of his Love to me;Notes explaining Words. 3As Scarlet Streamers. From Cyrus (the moſt Eminent Type of Chriſt, and the onelyonly of any Heathen Prince call'd Meſſiah) till the very Glorious Appearance of Chriſt the Churches Condition is full of Varieties and continual Changes, of better and worſe Condition. Twice dy'd,
Which flow'd me round; But finding ſome Retreat
Of his Lov'd ſhade, the Sun-beams me ſu…beat;
That ſwooning, ſinking, with a Dying Breath
[Stay me with Flagons]I beg the Spirits, that recall from Death;
In lib'ral Flagons; Haſte the Golden Fruit,
[Comfort me with Apples]The Apples of that Tree, that may recruit
My Life near flown; For in Love's Agony
[For I am ſick of Love]If in the Moment not Reliev'd, I Dye.
As him I importun'd, I found him come,
Whom my Soul Loves; I found him coming Home;
[His left Hand is under my Head, His right Hand doth Embrace me]His left Hand bore myNotes explaining Words. 4My Fainting Swooning ſtate. Apoplectic Head,
His right Embracing me Love's Circle led.
Then by the LawleſsNotes explaining Words. 5The Roes and Hinds, meaning the Pagan Powers ready to be Cruel and Savage. Heroes of the Field,
That now, (how ſad is it?) our Scepter weild,
[I charge you, oh ye Daughters of Jeruſalem, by the Roes and by the Hinds of the Field, that ye ſtir not up nor awake my Love till he pleaſe]And did not This his Goodneſs interpoſe
Would ſoon with Rampant Paws us intercloſe;
I Salem's Daughters with deep Vows conteſt
By no Offence to ſtartle my Loves Reſt;
And while he pleaſes let this be our Cell,
So long Love'sNotes explaining Words. 6Place of Retirement. Hermitage, and not a Hell.
Chorus.
Thus to thoſe Captive Years twice thirty five
In Womb of Grace, the Spouſe was kept alive;
But now its liberty fromNotes explaining Words. 7Cyrus was called Meſſiah or Gods Anointed. Cyrus, Type
Of Great Meſſiah, play'd in various ſtripe
Is checker'd white and black, till he ſhall Chace
By his own Rays the ſhades that veil'd his Face.Notes explaining the Senſe. aIn the very loweſt of the Captivity, there were notable Tokens of Gods Preſence, as of Wine, though in a deep Cellar or Vault; ſuch was Ezekiel's Prophecy, Daniel's Prophecy and Exaltation, Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Exaltation of God.Notes explaining the Senſe. bThere was great Reaſon of fearing to offend in this Time, ſeeing his Goodneſs turn'd thoſe Lyons, Tygers, and Wolves, into any degrees of mildneſs of Roes and Hinds of the Field. The Awes therefore of their Salvageneſs was to keep them from Murmuring and Repining at Gods Hand in their Captivity, and to wait his appointed time: And this is thus Poetically Expreſs'd, I Charge you, &c.
The Spouſe goes on.
The return of the Captivity.
But hark, the Alarm of my Beloved's Voice,
How quick it ſtrikes? The very Skies Rejoyce;
He held me while theNotes explaining Words. 1The Captivity yet allow'd Peace and Quiet. gentle Vapours ſeal'd[The Voice of my Beloved]
Me up in ſofteſt ſlumbers now Repeal'd;
He ſhrill Commands to quit myNotes explaining Words. 2The Cell and the Mountains are oppos'd, one ſignifying Captivity, the other Liberty. Cell, and meet
Him on the Airy Mountains, where his Feet[Behold he cometh leaping upon the Mountains, skipping upon the Hills]
Rebound more nimbly, thanNotes explaining Words. 3The Earth it ſelf ſeems to fly in the Airy leaps of thoſe Creatures. the Roes, or Harts
When the dull Earth flies from their youthful ſtarts;
I know, this doth my Fredom indicate,
From Babels Chains; For asNotes explaining Words. 4The Churches moves upon the Mountains, in return from Babel, are ſet out by the Motions of her Beloved; even as Chriſt is Reſembled with the Churches Condition. his higher State[My Beloved is like a Roe, or a young Hart; Behold he ſtandeth behind our Wall; He looketh forth at the Windows, ſhewing himſelf through the Lattiſe]
Submits, to what he Deſtines mine; So mine
With that he ſamples for me may well twine.
Notes explaining the Senſe. aThere Cannot be a more exact Deſcription of the ſtate of the Church, when Cyrus Proclaimed its Liberty, Ezr. 1. And the Adverſaries of Judah hinder'd the Progreſs of Things till Darius, Ezr. 1. And Darius Retriv'd all Ezr. 5. and Artaxerxes fully ſettled them in their former ſtate, Ezr. 7. and throughout his and Nehemiah's Hiſtory.But yet my Liberty's not all at once
For as thoſe Harts and Roes themſelves do ſconce
In coverts of the Walls, and ſtand at bay,
Through Windows peeping quick, and ſo away;
So do my Love's kind Viſits, ſhort, but brisk,
Half open firſt, bode me a freer Riſque,
Chorus.
And thus does Sacred Hiſtory depaint
The Perſian Edicts lively firſt, then faint,
Loſt and reviv'd; TillNotes explaining the Senſe. bIt ſeems on all accounts of Scripture and Hiſtory moſt probable Artaxerxes called Longimanus was by Eſther the Son of Xerxes Ahaſuerus ſpoken of, Eſth. 1. &c. Eſthers Royal Son
night Artaxerxes for our Solomon
Spoke once for all in his ſo Full decree
Notes explaining the Senſe. cThe Word here fully went forth according to Ezr. 6. 14. compared with Dan. 9. 23. 25.Then 'twas Heav'ns word ſpoke out for Liberty.
The Spouſe goes on.
Notes explaining Words. 1Artaxerxes laſt Decree, Ezr. 7.For then my Love in Accents high and clear
Both ſpake, and ſaid aloud; My Fair, my Dear;
[My Beloved ſpake and ſaid unto me]Riſe thee my Love; Let no benum'd delay
One minute ſtay thee; Come, yea, come away;
[Riſe up my Love and Fair one▪ come away]For now're the ſullen GloomsNotes explaining Words. 2All the Tokens of the Spring are made uſe of to ſet out this Liberty. of Winter gone,
Its Clouds, its ſtormy Rains, ſee there are none;
[For lo the Winter is paſt, the Rain is over and gone]The Earth, its Carpets rich Embroy'ds with Green,
With Flowers, as Pearls enammell'd all between;
The chanting Birds, Natures ſweet Harmony
Proclaim the Spring with their ſoft Heraldry;
[The Flowers appear on the Earth]The Turtles modeſt moan now charms our Ears
With ſounds of chaſteſt Peace, and calms our Fears.
[The time of the Singing of Birds is come, and the Voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land]The World of Trees warn'd by the budding Figs;
EquipsNotes explaining Words. 3The Summer is like the ſetting out of a Royal Navy. the Summer, its Top gallant Rigs;
The twiſting Vine ſwells out its cluſter'd Grapes
Perfum'd, adorn'd, with all their pretty Shapes:
[The Fig-tree putteth forth her green Figs, and the Vine with the tender Grapes give a good ſmell]All theſe, my Love, declare thy Spring-like ſtate,
Uſher thy Summer, and thy Joys dilate;
Haſte then, my Love, haſte with thy Captive Train,
Oh, why ſo ſlow? From Babel haſte amain.
The King by himſelf.
[Ariſe my Love my fair One, and come away]Its I indeed, my Love, its I that Call
[O my Dove that art in the clefts of the Rock in the ſecret place of the Stairs]To thee, my Dove, whom the Rocks Clefts,Notes explaining Words. 4The delay of the Jews returns is moſt Elegantly ſet out by Clefts of Rocks, and ſecret Stairs; and by Haggai and Zechariah were given out, and by Ezra and Nehemiah, the continued Calls of Chriſt to come away. enthrall,
Whom corners now infold, and ſecret ſtairs
Wind thee into this maze, which thee inſnares;
[Let me hear thy Voice]Oh let the melting Airs of thyNotes explaining Words. 5By the Churches Voice and Countenance we may underſtand the Order of the Temple Worſhip, ſo taken care of by Artaxerxes and Ezra, commiſſioned by him. ſweet Voice
Flow in my Ears, no other hath my Choice;Notes explaining the Senſe. lThere cannot be a clearer Explanation of this part of the Song, than the compare of it with the Hiſtory of Ezra and Nehemiah.
[Let me ſee thy Countenance; for ſweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is comely]Addreſs me with thy Taking Phyſnomy,
None elſe Reports thoſe Graces from my Eye.
But now our Vines begin to germinate,
The Fox-likeNotes explaining Words. 1Sanballat, Tobiah, &c. Nehem. 6. envy does our Fruit regrate
And fain would Ravage it; But let us ſet,[Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes, for our Vines have tender Grapes]
And wrap that ſubtile Kindred in our Net.
Chorus.
How the All-ſeeing Spirit (that Divines
Things Future, as the Paſt) draws here the lines,
As they're drawn after by theNotes explaining Words. 2Ezra the ready Scribe in the Law of God, Ezr. 7. 6. ready Scribe;
And theNotes explaining Words. 3Nehemiah the Tirſhatha, Nehem. 7. 65. Who were Rais'd up by God under the fore-nam'd King …rtaxerxes, called Longimanus, to reſtore the Temple, and the whole Order of the Jewiſh Law; Tirſhatha of the Royal Tribe,
Thus once, and twice, and once again the Voice
The Captives Call'd, e'er the Ha'vre de Poiz
Of Juſt Obedience gain'd; They lay entwin'd▪
I'th' cloſer Fetters of a ſervile Mind,
Till this unweary'd Love thus ſets them free
From double Chains of their Captivity;
Then did the Temple, Walls, and City Riſe;
ButNotes explaining Words. 4While the fore-ſaid Sanballat and Tobiah, by a Fox-like Cunning, pretended to Build with them; as is to be ſeen in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Fox-like Foes, as Builders in Diſguiſe,
(So here the Royal Prophet Sings) durſt Enterlope,
Till by great Schelom's Care their envious hope
Was vain, That pair of Worthies then Reſtor'd
The Temples Order, and the Pillars ſhor'd
Of Salem's Policy; During their daies
The Gladded Spouſe, thus Iſſues into Praiſe.
The Spouſe.
The ſettled ſtate of the Church, under Ezra and Nehemiah.
The Circle is now Perfect, my Love mine,
By Faith I claim; and ſtrait returnNotes explaining Words. 5This is the Circle, He is mine, I am His. the Line[My Beloved is mine, and I am His]
Into it ſelf, that I am His; and While
My State, though low, no Falſeneſs does defile,
[He feeds among the Lillies]As in aNotes explaining Words. 1Feeding among the Lillies, repreſents the Churches pure ſtate in Faith, Worſhip, and Life, wherein Chriſt delights. Field of Lillies white and pure,
Notes explaining the Senſe. aWhen Nehemiah had ſettled the Jewiſh State according the Law of God, then was this mutual Affiance betwixt Chriſt and the Church.He takes Repaſt; and does himſelf enſure
[Ʋntill the Day break, and the ſhadows▪ fly away]To me;Notes explaining the Senſe. bThe Church prays for the ſpeedy returns of Chriſt, foreſeeing times of his Abſence, as Daniel calls them, Troublous Times, which as Chriſt and his Apoſtles, eſpecially the Revelation aſſure us, are to continue till his Coming. Till all Dark Veiles and Shades ſhall fly,
And vaniſh off from the Inlightn'd Sky,
And himſelf viſible ſhall lead the Day,
[Turn my Beloved](Though I Fore-ſee my Love ſometimes away
Provok'd by new Offence,) yet turn my Love,
Let not Thy abſence a Deſertion prove,
[And be thou like a Roe, or a young Hart on the Mountains of Bether, or Diviſion]Be Thou like to the youthful Hart and Roe,
That cuts its haſty Motions to and fro:
So Traverſe thou the Mountains that define
Each ſide of Time, as th'Notes explaining Words. 2As the Equinoctial-Line divides the Year into its two halves of Summer and Winter, before each of which the Sun comes upon that Line; ſo the two halves of the Worlds time, are in Cyrus divided into the times of old, and the latter times. Equinoctial-Line
Cuts into equal parts the Globe, ſo ſteer
Thy haſty ſteps around Times lower Sphere,
Thoſe latter Gentile Times, that juſt commence
When Cyrus bears Meſſiah's Reference:
On this ſame mount of Time,Notes explaining the Senſe. cThere could not be a more Elegant Deſcription of the laſt half of time, then by the Mountains of Bether, and of the ſtate of that Time, as a time with Troubles, then by ſuch a deſire of Chriſts ſudden Viſits after ſome ſhort Abſences, nor of the end of it, then by Chriſts Glorious Appearance, then by Shades flying away, and the bright Morning Star appearing, and ſhaded no longer by ſuch wav'd Diciſions of Abſence and Preſence, or of Eves and Morns. likeNotes explaining Words. 3The laſt half is fitly ſignified by the Mountains of Bether, or of Diviſion and Diſſection, viz. of time parted and cut aſunder from its ſelf, and alſo divided betwixt Chriſts Abſence and Preſence, as Eves and Morns. Bethers Hill
Lets paſſing and repaſſing, ſee thee ſtill;
Notes explaining Words. 4The end of this laſt half of time is, that all ſhades fly away, and the Day of the Glorious Kingdom of Chriſt appears.Till Thou bright Morning Star without a Cloud
Shall ſpread the Beams ſo bright, no ſhade can ſhroud.
The Chorus.
Here part theNotes explaining Words. 5Whole Time being compar'd to a Globe, the two halves may be compared to two Hemiſpheres, or half Globes, while Eternity, as before and after Time, flows round the whole Globe of Time. Hemiſpheres of Times whole Globe,
Encompaſs'd with the Endleſs flowing Robe
Of vaſt Eternity; From Times firſt Spring
Out of that Womb, till Cyrus (greateſt King
Of all the Gentile Race, whom ſacred FameEſay. 45. 1.
Records, alone Crown'd withNotes explaining Words. 1Among all the Heathen Kings named in Scripture, Cyrus alone is called Gods Annointed. Meſſiah's Name)
FlowNotes explaining the Senſe. aThe Years from the Creation, when the Womb of Eternity brought forth Time, computed firſt by the Patriarchs Lives to the Flood; thence to Abraham's Sojourning at Terah's Death; thence to the going out of Aegypt; thence to Solomon beginning the Temple; thence to Solomon's Death; thence to Cyrus by Ezekiel's 390, and 40 Prophetick Years, ariſe juſt to 3459 years, as will appear on Tryal. Years in thouſands three, hundreds twice two;
And unites fifty nine in plaineſt View,
OfNotes explaining Words. 2Numbred Numbers are Numbers plainly ſet down in the Scripture Calendar, or Account of Time. numbred Numbers, if we will allow
(As doth the Sacred Calendar a-vow)
Ezekiel'sNotes explaining the Senſe. bEzekiel's 390 Years accounted by the Reigns of the Kings of Iſrael till their Captivity (as they ought to be, becauſe this Sin of Iſrael was born in them,) then by the Kings of Judah, till the City Smitten; then by the 14 years after the City Smitten, riſe exactly ſo many at the Viſion of the New Jeruſalem, which Viſion accompliſhed, they ſhall be Reſtored, and their Sin no longer borne. The 40 Years of Judah, being the remainder of the 70 Years Captivity from that Viſion, run to their Redemption by Cyrus, when their Sin no longer borne, and ſo ought to be joyn'd to the 390, as is ſaid in the Verſes. Fourty to draw out the lengthEzek. 4, 5, 6.
Of his three hundred ninety from the ſtrength
Of twelve Tribes parted into Two and Ten.
Thus Reaſon doth inforce the Time to Ken,
Till Salem's Temple in new Meaſures ſeen
Drawn by * Ezechiel's Man of Braſs had been;Ezek. 41. 1. &c.
And further forty Years themſelves had worn
When Judah's Sin was now no longer born;
For Cyrus Type of Great Meſſiah's Grace
Did now juſt introduce Times laſt half ſpace;
From Cyrus draw Times ſecond half, 'twill flow
In thouſands two, and hundreds three a-row,
Meaſur'd byNotes explaining the Senſe. cDaniel's 2300 Even. Morn. and the thouſand Years make the other half of Time, together with the little Time after Satan looſed at the end of the thouſand Years. Daniel's Eves and Morns, that ſhoot
Days into Years, as Prophets may compute,
And ſo the thouſand Years ofNotes explaining the Senſe. dThe thouſand Years are an entire Sabbatiſm without Rent. Sabbatiſm
They reach, when one bleſs'd State ſhall know no Schiſm.
Notes explaining the Senſe. dThe thouſand Years are an entire Sabbatiſm without Rent.Thus Eves and Morns at firſt made Days t…ice three
Of the All-potent Work, and then left free
Notes explaining the Senſe. aUndoubtedly Evenings and Mornings making Days, are taken by the Spirit of God in Daniel from it ſelf in Moſes, Leading the ſix Evenings and Mornings to the Seventh Day or Sabbath: So theſe 2300 Ev. Morn. lead to the great Sabbatiſm of the thouſand Years.The Seventh for a Sabbaths ſacred Reſt;
Thus ran timesNotes explaining Words. 1The Beginning. Eaſt and thus ſhall run itsNotes explaining Words. 2The End. Weſt,
For theNotes explaining Words. 3The World hath been generally ſuppoſed to conſiſt of ſix Millenaries or Thouſands anſwerable to the ſix Days of Creation, and the Seventh thouſand to be a Sabbath. ſix thouſandth almoſt ſpent in Toyl
To th' Sevenths Reſt the whole is but a Foyl;
Notes explaining the Senſe. bAccording to general Computation, an Objection may ariſe; The ſixth thouſandth, or Millenary, wants two hundred forty one of the thouſand; To this may be Anſwered, 1. Chriſt tells us, the laſt time of the Tribulation of the Vials ſhall be ſhortned for the Elects ſake, when Philadelphia or the true Church ſhall be preſerved from the Temptation that ſhall come on all the Earth, 2. We know not what time may be after the thouſand Years, as in Recompence of that ſhortned Time.If we half-witted then create a Doubt,
How the Sixth Millenary turns about,
When Merge yet hundreds two and forty one;
If us no other Anſwer can attone,
Doth not our Lord in Prophecy cut ſhort
Matth. 24. 22.TheNotes explaining Words. 4The laſt end of Time Chriſt foretold ſhall be ſhortned. curtaill'd Fag of Time? leſt the Effort
Of Evils then ſo ſtrong ſhould reach t'Affect
With over-flowing Vials his Elect;
Then what's the ſpace of Time, how ever ſhort,
Revel. 20. 3. 8, 9.We muſt beyond the thouſand Years Tranſport,
Lyes ſecret from created Minds, but ſtill
May what was wanting to Times meaſure fill.
Now of theſe Eves and Morns, th' firſt ſev'nty five,
By theſe repeated Calls, the Spouſe retrive
From foreign Lands, become too much herNotes explaining the Senſe. cThe Jews were too much naturaliz'd to thoſe Heathen Countries, that they needed many Call home to their own. own
Which Daniel calls in brief,Notes explaining Words. 5Dan. 9. 25. The Commandment going forth. 6 Things given with great Life, and in ſhort, as by the Art of Perſpective. this WordNotes explaining the Senſe. dAll thoſe Calls were the Commandment going forth till all was finiſh'd by the Commandment of the God of Iſrael, of Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes King of Perſia. Ezra 6. 24. forth gone:
From henceNotes explaining the Senſe. eAt the Word perfectly gone forth the ſeventy Weeks began, viz. Artaxerxes his ſeventh Year. the ſev'nty Weeks Tyde ſtrait along,
So lively's the perſpective of this Song;
Wherein the Spouſes troublous Times moſt ſwell
In BlackNotes explaining Words. 7Antiochus Epiphanes, that Famous Tyrant over the People of God, whoſe Tyranny is Related, 1 Maccab. c. 1, &c. to his Death, and by Joſephus. Epiphanes, Notes explaining the Senſe. fThe moſt eminent and renewed Trouble of thoſe ſeventy Weeks was the Cruel Tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes, to which this Song now goes on.as now She'll tell.