An Exposition of the Song of Songs, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
[The Chorus by Salem's Daughters]The State of the Church in the Philadelphian Interval, or the Last Seventy Five Years of the Two Thouſand Three Hundred.
[Whither is thy Beloved gone, Oh thou Faireſt among Women? Whither is thy Beloved turned aſide?]Notes explaining the Senſe. 5Here is the very Worſhipping of the ſleepy Sardians, even ſuperſtitiouſly fond of Antiquity, at the Feet of Philadelphia, expreſs'd by owning her the Faireſt of Women, by ſeeking Chriſt with her, as the True Spouſe.THou Faireſt of the Female, Beautious Name,
We now our ſlumbring Sentiments diſclaim,
And fain would know from thee, whither is gone,
And whither is Retreat, Thy Loved ONE.
Thou, that ſo long thy ſearches haſt maintain'd
Canſt guide us beſt, for ſleepy we reſtrain'd
[That we may ſeek Him with Thee]Our Home purſuits, andNotes explaining the Senſe. 1The foreign; Revel. 3. 2. the Things that remain, are properly Expreſs'd by Remainders in order to the Kingdom of Chriſt, which were to be ſtrengthned in Sardis, as ready to dye. our remainders marr'd,
O'th' preſent over-fond, futures we barr'd:
Now we would ſeek with Thee, with Thee be ONE
In the Reſearch where Thy Belov'd is gone.
[My Beloved is gone down into his Garden]Notes explaining the Senſe. 2It cannot but be obſerved by every Thoughtful Reader, that the Account the Spouſe gives of Chriſt Return'd, is juſt oppoſite to the State of the Apoſtaſie before Chap. 5. to v. 9.Not Gones now my Belov'd, as in my ſwoon,
When I had loſt him ſo; But He's gone down,
Juſt now gone down into that Garden, He
Had left ſo long to the Apoſtaſie:
[To the Beds of Spices]Notes explaining the Senſe. 3Before Chriſt had come into his Garden, as a Time paſt, and then could not be found.The Spicy Beds He now returns to Left,
As cover'd wish Black Vapours, and bereft
Of their True Odour; Now a new Repaſt
He takes of Fruits after ſo long a Faſt;
[To Feed in the Gardens, and to gather Lillies]Notes explaining the Senſe. 4He had Eaten and gathered, &c. and left all to other Beloveds: Now He is again returned to the Beds of Spices, and to gather Lillies.He now his Lillies gathers, a new ſpring
Of Graces, Worſhip, Truth in return bring
Th' Approaches of his Kingdom ſo long veil'd
By Antichriſt, and cloſe his Servants ſeal'd;
[I am my Beloveds]His ſealed now on Sion's Mount ſtand clear,
And with his Fathers written Name appear
On open Fore-head;Notes explaining the Senſe. 5Before the Church had put off its Coat, and waſh'd its Feet, and could not open to Chriſt, now it ſaith, I am my Beloveds, This is in Revel. c. 14. 1. the Servants of God, having his Name on their Fore-head. Now I Him enjoy,
As ſingly with his Faith of pure Alloy,
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1Before the Church could not find Chriſt, now Chriſt is the Churches. 2 It is very obſervable, ch. 2. v. 16. Theſe Words are us'd, but in another Order, then it is firſt ſaid, My Beloved is mine; For in the Captivity the Church was under Judgment, not under Apoſtaſie: So the firſt Remarkable was Chriſt Return'd to his Church in Mercy, which thereupon cried out: My Beloved is Mine. Here the Church having been under Apoſtaſie, Expreſſes firſt its own Loyal Return to Chriſt, I am my Beloveds; And as that was the Triumphal Note of the Return from Litteral Babylon, ſo now with this Remarkable Alteration, it is taken up again as the Motto of its Return from Spiritual Babylon.And while His love in me is pleas'd to Reſt,[And He is mine]
He with himſelf as mine does me Inveſt:
Then He along the Beds of Lillies Feeds,
As of the FutureNotes explaining the Senſe. 3The conſtant Alluſion of this Song to the moſt Excellent Plants, Spices, and Trees water'd by the Pureſt ſtreams, is moſt agreeable to the Paradiſe of God, with its Tree of Life, bearing twelve ſorts of Fruit, and the River of Life running through the Streets of the New Jeruſalem. Paradiſe the Seeds.
Chorus.
FromNotes explaining the Senſe. 4Chriſt the True Schelom or Solomon. Schelom Born,Notes explaining the Senſe. 5I account the proper Time or Interval of Philadelphia, the laſt of the Six Churches, that draw ſo many ſpaces of Time from the Reſurrection to the New Jeruſalem to begin 1697. now Hundreds Ten and Six
A Nine of Tens, and unites Seven Fix
Our Philadelphs. Beginning Interval
Till the Worlds Kingdoms to the beſt King fall,
As in juſt Homage firſt*Mother Cities. proclaim'd his own,
At laſt together Build his Royal Throne,
Notes explaining the Senſe. 6It comprehends ſo many Years betwixt the Fall of the Tenth Part, or decem Principality of the Great City, as were between the Fall of Litteral Babylon, and that completing Decree, Ezra the 7th, when the Word for reſtoring Jeruſalem was Perfect.And, as while Salem's Ruines were reſtor'd
From Babel's ſpoil Years Sev'nty Five were ſcor'd
Of Old; ſo many now exact do Flow
To Salem New from Babel's Overthrow
Babel the Myſtic; To New Salem's Throne,
Notes explaining the Senſe. 7It comprehends alſo the Seven Voices, and the Seven Vials.Seven Voices, and as many Vials Grone
In earneſt Motion;Notes explaining the Senſe. 8As it were to declare the Converſion of both the Houſe of Judah, and of the Houſe of Iſrael with Philadelphia's Interval, the Church is compar'd to Jeruſalem, the Metropolis or chief City of Judah's Kingdom, and to Tirzah the Metropolis or chief City of Iſrael's Kingdom, both which unite in Chriſt's Kingdom. Thoſe two Royal Towns,
Salem and Tirzah ſeat the many Crowns,
As the*Mother Cities. Metropoles, and ſhow unite
In Schelom Twelve Tribes ſo long Bipartite,
Which now returning Philadelph adorne,
And match'd with it, are in its Scutcheon borne,
So in this Landſcaph the ſtream'dNotes explaining the Senſe. 1The Banner'd Armies, are thoſe Armies of Heaven, that come down to Armageddon in this Churches Time. Banners play
Before his Hoſts, Terrours with them Array
Themſelves, Jehovah's Mighty Ones come down
To Armageddons Plains, and them Renown
With Victory; All theſe are ſo diſplay'd,
That to theNotes explaining the Senſe. 2There is both an agreement in the Deſcription of the firſt Apoſtolick Church, and of the Church in this State, to ſhow one lyes at the Foundation, the other is placed at the very Top and Heights of the Church in the New Jeruſalem. Apoſtolick Firſt ſtate layd,
And yet diſtinguiſh'd, They may both aſcend,
And Salem's Glory both may Comprehend.
The King.
My Love's, asNotes explaining the Senſe. 3Tirzah, the Beautiful City, where Jeroboam ſettled his Kingdom over the Ten Tribes, repreſents the Ten Tribes, 1 Kings 14. 17. Jeruſalem eminently the City of Two Tribes, theſe united, as the two Sticks, Ezeck. 37. Tirzah Fair, as Salem it doth ſhine
[Thou art Beautiful Oh my Love as Tirzah, Comely as Jeruſalem]With graceful Airs, my Kingdom both entwine,
As ſticks unite; So Prophecies require
Thoſe parted Palaces in mine entire.
Herein it is the Glory of thy Rays
Surmounts, ev'n that of th' Apoſtolick Days;
[Terrible as an Army with Banners]The Weapons, that i'th'Notes explaining the Senſe. 4(As between a furniſh'd Armory, and a Banner'd Army) betwixt the State of the Church in the Apoſtles days, and the State of it in this Approach of Chriſts Kingdom: In the Firſt, There was a Viſible Preparation to a Kingdom, and Victory; Here all things are ready for Execution, according to that Preparation. Magazine then ſtor'd
Did hang for greater Service, Now they're ſoar'd
On Armies Wings, which round their Terrours ſpread,
And yet thoſe Terrours with thy Beauties wed.
[Turn away thy Eyes from, for they have overcome me]But Oh the dazling Luſtre of Thy Eyes,
Too quick their Beams they dart, for while they riſe▪
As with my Kingdoms Light, ſhade ſtill their Rays
[Thy Hair is as a Flock of Goats, that appear from Gilead]With th'Notes explaining the Senſe. 5The Goats-Hair ſhading as Hair, the overcoming Eyes, ſpeaks an admirable Glory, as of the Tabernacle, and yet cover'd with Goats-Hair, till the very Temple Built, and the Voice from the Throne; It is Done, Revel. 27. 6. Goat-like Hair of th' Apoſtolick Days;
The Tabernacle of my preſence, free
From thoſe Dark Covers yet it cannot be;
My Throne, My Temple near are both in one,
And not uncover'd till the Voice, ITS DONE.
[Thy Teeth are as a Flock of Sheep that go up from the Waſhing]Notes explaining the Senſe. 1Then are the very ſame Expreſſions us'd to ſet out the Fruitfulneſs of this Time in the abundance of Converts to God and Chriſt, that were us'd in the very Apoſtles Days, when the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven as Fire, in the form of Cloven Tongues, and the Seeds of Life, which the Pomegranates Import.Thy Doctrine now prepar'd by Teeth ſo waſh'd
Declare my Truth Reſtor'd, as when it flaſh'd
Like Tongues of Fire from Heaven, A like ſpring,
As drops from Mornings Womb are iſſuing,[Whereof every one beareth Twins, and there is none Barren among them]
Bleſſes with Fruitfulneſs thy Time; So dwells
The ſame Wiſe Judgment, as in ſafeſt Cells
Entempled, which my Primiere Servants ſway'd,
For ſo with them thy Parallel I've layd.[As a piece of Pomegranate are thy Temples within thy Locks]
Notes explaining the Senſe. 2The diſtribution of thoſe who are gathered to the Church of Chriſt, as in the Philadelphian State and Interval, and preſerving that in a ſingle, and ſingular Conſideration, One, and the onelyonly One of her Mother, is moſt natural and agreeable.Churches Reform'd likeNotes explaining the Senſe. 3Firſt, Reformed Churches juſtly deſerve the Honourable Names of Queens, becauſe Reformed; Theſe gather to it from Thyatyra, and Sardis. Queens unite to Thee,
Without diſdain at thy Prioritie.
[There are Threeſcore Queens]Converts from Babel through thoſe Nations ſpread,
Whoſe Sovereigns Arm'd the Ten-horn'd Be'ſtian Head,
Now are receiv'd in Thee, who had before
Right ofNotes explaining the Senſe. 4Concubines may be underſtood very Elegantly ſuch as pretend a▪right to Chriſt by the Profeſſion of his Name, and of his Religion, and yet are not in ſuch a holy State, through the Corruption of that Profeſſion, as not to be eſteemed in the Rank of Conjugal Honour, being Apoſtatiz'd. Concubinage, becauſe They bore[Fourſcore Concubines]
My Name Confeſs'd, though in polluted State,
Eſpous'd a-new, They higher now relate
To Me in Thee; In whom I'll now embrace
Reform'd, all Churches of the Chriſtian Race.
[Virgins without number]The Gentiles Fulneſs Thou to me preſent,
As Virgins Chaſt by Grace of new deſcent.
[My Dove my Ʋnfiled is but one, She is the only One of her that bare her; The Daughters ſaw her and Bleſſed her; The Queens and Concubines, and they Praiſed her]Each of theſe Orders Three their proper ſpace
In Number fill, as They before their Place
In this World had: Threeſcore the Queens Account
Confines; Fourſcore's the Concubines amount;
The Gentiles Fulneſs no Juſt figures hold,
In Numbers heap'd on Numbers They are told,
That know no End; But Thou art onelyonly One,
My Impolluted Love, Thee, Thee alone
Thy Mother bare into that high degree;
ThatNotes explaining the Senſe. 1The Converts from Paganiſm, are alſo moſt Elegantly repreſented by Virgins, who had not before profeſſed Chriſt, but are now Eſpouſed to Him: The Reaſon of each Number is after to be given. Virgins Queens and Concubines in thee
Make up my Spouſe,Notes explaining the Senſe. 2The Philadelphian moſt pure and perfect ſtate of the Church, is the only One of her Mother, that is, That only pure Church, in whoſe ſtate the great Promiſe to Chriſt, the great Seed of the Woman ſhall be fulfilled; This Emblem is moſt aptly taken from Solomon's many Wives and Concubines, with a preference to Pharaoh's Daughter, even as to Philadelphia, the moſt Excellent ſtate of the Gentile Church. Thee Envy cannot Touch,
For all concert thy Praiſe, thy Bleſs'd ſtate Vouch;
Chorus.
The VirginsNotes explaining the Senſe. 3All theſe do not Envy but Praiſe and Bleſs this Church, as happy in it themſelves. Bleſs, Queens, Concubines thee Praiſe,
Thoſe, as thy Daughters, Theſe in Siſters phraſe;
In Thee*Eve the Mother of all Living. the Mother-Woman ſees alone
The Serpent bruis'd, and her Great Son on Throne.
The Chorus goes on.
WhatNotes explaining the Senſe. 4This muſt needs be evident to every one that compares the Symbols of the Apoſtacy, and the Reformation, as Solomon hath here deſcrib'd them. Artiſt of the moſt reported Name,
E'er drew in Prophecy ſo Rich a Frame,
Embelliſhing Apocalyptic Lines?
ThusNotes explaining the Senſe. 5Solomon in this Song, and the Apoſtle John in the Revelation, do Admirably agree. John with Schelom, as two grand Divines
Cenferr their Symbols, how doesNotes explaining the Senſe. 6There will be found an Admirable Agreement betwixt the Apoſtolick Church, and the Church of Philadelphia. Philadelph
Fill out this Picture with its ſingle ſelf?
All's Apoſtolick, andNotes explaining the Senſe. 6There will be found an Admirable Agreement betwixt the Apoſtolick Church, and the Church of Philadelphia. That Song, that ſprung
In thoſe firſt Times, is now, as new, Reſung:
ForNotes explaining the Senſe. 7That Song, Revel. 14. 3. &c. is the ſame Song of Redemption ſung by the Apoſtolick Church, Revel. 4. ult. Revel. 5. 9. which is ſung again as new, but not new, Revel. 14. 3. th' Everlaſting Goſpel can't be new,
Yet is renew'd into its Native Hue;
Apoſtleſhip no ſecond e'er can Riſe,
TheNotes explaining the Senſe. 8There cannot be another Goſpel, Gal. 1. v. 7. But the Goſpel cover'd with the Apoſtaſie, is as new in the Glory of the Church Appearing. 9 It is therefore Remarkable, the Twelve Names of the Apoſtles of the Lamb are in the Foundations of the Wall of the New Jeruſalem, Revel. 21. 14. Twelve that were at firſt preſerve the ſize
Of Salem's Walls, when new, it from Above
Deſcends, the Palace of the Princely Love.
ThoſeNotes explaining the Senſe. 1This both Agreement, and yet variation of the Types in this Song ſhow the oneneſs, and yet the difference of the Church in the Foundation, and in the higheſt of its States. Scarlet Threadded Lips, thoſe even ſhorne
(White waſhed Teeth) are therefore here not borne
In this new Emblem, nor the comely Talk,
Nor thoſe twin Breaſts, that as Two Roes do walk
Among the Lillies feeding; For all theſe
The Apoſtolick High Commiſſion ſeife,
And undiſſeiz'd their Fundamental Right
By after Notes is to that ONCE kept tight.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 2Nothing can now be added nor taken from the Scripture ſeal'd up.The Sacred Canon of two Teſtaments
Once ſeal'd, no farther ſwells; Faith's Ligaments
Cloſe up are Wound; ONCE giv'n, they remain
To ſhine more bright, but ne'r giv'n o'er again.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 3Yet the Apoſtolick Time was an Armory for after Uſe; This, as an Army in making that Uſe to Victory.But now an Army for an Armory
Paints Expedition to a Victory;
Theſe Daughters, Concubines, and Queens deſcribe
Th'*Revel. 14. 6. Eternal Goſpel Preach'd to ev'ry Tribe
Of Nations with Succeſs; The numbers weigh
Each ſort ſo juſtly out, that they allay
Notes explaining the Senſe. 4It is one great Objection of the Atheiſt, that the Chriſtian Religion poſſeſſes the leaſt part of the World; and of the Romaniſt, that the Reform'd Religion holds ſuch a ſmall part of the Chriſtian World in Union with it in compariſon of the Roman.The ſcandal, that upbreids the Church Reform'd,
As leaſt in the World's Map, as if o'er-ſwarm'd
By worſer Names, For this theſe Numbers own;
Notes explaining the Senſe. 5To this there cannot be a greater Anſwer, than, that Prophecy of Scripture hath told us both before, as Chriſt ſays, Lo I have told you before.The Virgins, Daughters now become, are thrown
Into a kind ofNotes explaining the Senſe. 6There is no end of the number of Convert Heathens, the Heathen World being ſo numerous before Converſion. Infinite; Thus ſwell
In Rate the Regions, that are Infidell,
As they are ſpread in ſpace, to them aſſign'd,
By this Prophetick Truth, thatNotes explaining the Senſe. 7The Truth of Prophecy, aſſuring the Converſion of the Fulneſs of the Gentiles, ſhall not be reſiſted in its own Time, in the mean none ought to be affrighted with the Ghoſt of this Objection. Countermin'd
Can never be; Though till it be fulfill'd
Some*Bugbears. Mormocs may affright the too unskill'd
In Sacred Calendar,Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The Popiſh World, compar'd with the Proteſtant, is here given, as Eight to Six, till the Great Converſion of the Reformation in the Philadelphian Church, which takes away that Objection alſo. the Sixty Queens,
Of Churches, that proteſt, each one that weens
Of things aright, ſees eighty Concubines
Of Romiſh Name o'er-number'd in theſe Lines,
As Eight with Six compar'd, which in a Glance,
Redeems the wonder of the Proud enhance
Of Popiſh 'bove Reform'd in this Earths Tract,
Till the Great Change foretold Them into act.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 2Now follows the Call and Converſion of the Jews within the time of this Philadelphian Church, as before Explained: Firſt, The Two Tribes, then the Ten.And now thoſe Twelve peculiar Tribes, that branch
From their true Native Olive, 'gin to Lanch
Fro' their long captiv'd State, firſt come thoſe two,
We call the Jews, which in more open view
We ſee, and on the ſudden ſtart to ſight
The Ten Tribes riſing from their long-ſome Night;
Of theſe theirNotes explaining the Senſe. 3Solomon was the great peacable Prince of both the Ten and Two throughout his Reign, which none before him nor after of the Kings was; Herein Solomon was an Eminent Type of Chriſt, in whoſe Kingdom both ſhall Unite. Schelom Prince now ſings, and Ends
[The Spouſe, or Chriſtian Church to the Jews, or Two Tribes coming into Ʋnion with it]In that Bleſs'd Mount, this Song of Songs Aſcends.
The Calling of the Jews of the Two Tribes.
[Who is this that looketh forth as the Morning, Fair as the Moon, Clear as the Sun]What Fair is This,Notes explaining the Senſe. 4The compare of the Jewiſh Church to the Beauty of the Moon, and then of the Sun, is moſt ſignificant of its Exaltation from thoſe Types and Feaſts ſo dependent on the Moon, to the Clearneſs of a Goſpel ſtate, and the looking forth as the Morning ſpeaks, the Dawn of the Kingdom of Chriſt near. that as the Morning ſtarts
Fair as the Moon, that Light with ſhades imparts,
And then clears up to th' brightneſs of the Sun?
Notes explaining the Senſe. 5The Calling of the Jews was as dreadful as an Army with Banners, for immediately upon the Kings of the Eaſt having their way made, the Spirits went out to congregate the whole World to the Battel, Revel. 16. 12.And, as with diſplay'd Banners Terrours run
[Terrible as an Army with Banners?]From the Puiſſant Army, ſo'es the view
Of this return, a Spectacle ſo new
[I went down into the Garden of Nuts to ſee the Fruits of the Vallies, and to ſee whether the Vine flouriſhed, and the Pomegranates Budded]Of ſuch Surpriſe, and even ſo to me;
For in theNotes explaining the Senſe. 1The Prophecies of Scripture are fitly compar'd to a Garden of Nuts, becauſe of Divine Truth wrapped up in Parables and Riddles, eſpecially in Ezekiel and Daniel's Prophecy. Gardens Rich with Prophecy,
Though ſhell'd in Symbols, as the pleaſing Nuts
Barr'd round to thoſe, who do not pierce their ſhuts,
TheNotes explaining the Senſe. 2Many Excellent and Spiritual, yet very plain Doctrines among thoſe Prophecies, are as the Fruits that are not lock'd up in Shells, but of an inviting Beauty and Pleaſantneſs, and which ſhall be in an exceeding Flouriſh at this time of the Church. Theſe Truths and Prophecies inlightning one another, there ariſe at the ſame time moſt earneſt Deſires and Prayers for the Return of the Jews, as of the Princely People, or Kings of the Eaſt. open Fruits I minded moſt, that grow
Along the Vales with an inviting ſhow,
The flower'd Vine, and the Pomegranates blooms,
The open Truths in Prophets, which the glooms
Clear up of Hieroglyphicks; While I pry'd
Thus every way, moſt unawares I Ride,[Or ever I was aware, my Soul made me, as the the Chariots of Ammi-nadib]
As in Elijah's Chariot ſnatch'd, and burn
In Flames of Paſſion for the ſwift Return
Of thoſe my Princely People, Kings o'th' Eaſt,
For whom my Prayers, as Chariots are Impreſt;
With Voice twice doubled, as their Charioteer
I call, Return, Return, with quick Career
Thou NativeNotes explaining the Senſe. 3Shulamite, or Salemite, is a Diſtinction of the Converted Jews from all the Members of the True Church, which are called Daughters of Jeruſalem. Salemite, that we may view
All we, Adopted Salemites, the hew
Of Salemites by Nature, Eldeſt, Firſt,
R'-ingraff'd into their Olive Own,Notes explaining the Senſe. 4They are re-ingraffed into their own Olive, whom they pierc'd by Crucifying Him, for which they were cut off by God, and became a Taunt, and Proverb to the whole World. they pierc't
With Rage unnatural; And ſo cut off
Were doom'd as Parricides to th' Nations ſcoff.
Chorus.
[What would ye ſee in the Shulamite]Notes explaining the Senſe. 5Seeing theſe Salemites are thoſe that have been ſo long under the Curſe and Wrath of God, the Reproach and Proverb of the Nations, a People of no Reputation, but for Traffick and getting Riches by Uſury, what would you now ſee in them? This is a Queſtion made on purpoſe to draw out this Anſwer.What then is to be ſeen, that ſo invites
Your flowing Paſſions to ſuch Salemites.
The Spouſe.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The Anſwer is, 'Tis not for themſelves, but for thoſe Eminent Appearances from Heaven, that ſhall be at the time of their Converſion, which ſhall be the Riches of the World, and as Life from the Dead, and like Jacob's Viſion of Angels, when He call'd the Place, Gen. 32. 2. Mahanaim. And it ſeems to relate to that Battel at Armageddon, immediately on the Calling of the Jews, even as Jacob's Viſion of Angels was his defence againſt Eſau's Hoaſts.'Tis not themſelves, that for themſelves we'd ſee,
[As it were the company of two Armies or Mahanaim]But Hoaſts of Angels, Heavens Embaſſie,
As Jacob's Viſion of Mahanaim;
Conducting Home thoſe Jews, and bringing Him,
Our Souls ſo love attended with his Choire
Of Cherubs, Myriads waiting with Devoir
On Him, with Heavens Armies, till His Foes
Crouch baſely under, as his Feets Repoſe;
And David's People thus Build up his Throne,
For which Bleſs'd ſtate the weary Creatures Grone,
For Life 'tis from the Dead to us fore-told
By Prophecies Both Teſtaments Enroll'd.