An Exposition of the Song of Songs, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
The Spouſe Praiſes the Jewiſh Body Coming into Union with it.
[How Beautiful are thy Feet with Shooes, oh Princes Daughter?]Notes explaining the Senſe. 2Bare Feet are in Scripture Language an Emblem of Captivity, even as ſhod are of Liberty.HOW Beautious are the princely Feet now ſhod
With Liberty, that captiv'd naked trod
On Earth's hard Pavements; andNotes explaining the Senſe. 3The Joynts of the Thighs, like Jewels fram'd by ſo cunning a Work-man, denote a princely Gate and Motion, and ſpeak the Dignity put upon the Jews at their Converſion. the Royal Thighs,
[The Joynts of thy Thighs are like Jewels, the work of the Hands of a cunning Work-man]Whoſe motion was diſtorted, and the Guiſe
Of th' Princes Daughter ſo deform'd with Chains,
Are joynted now with Pearl, that ſtate maintains
To all her Motion; Which the Artiſts Hand
With deepeſt cunning Fram'd, ſo to command
[Thy Navel is like a round Goblet, that wanteth not Liquor]The nobleſt Goings: Princeſs,Notes explaining the Senſe. 4The Belly, as a Hill of Wheat, and the Navel, as a Goblet full of Liquor, ſpeak the Abundance of Truth and Spiritual Plenty, that ſhall be at that Time the Riches of the World. Thy Navel's Twirl'd
So cloſe with Truth, that like a Goblet Curl'd
Into a Circle, faſt muſt hold the Juice
Entruſted to it, and preſerve to uſe
[Thy Belly is like a heap of Wheat]The Vital Liquor; while a fruitful Hill
Of Wheat thy Belly riſes, that doth fill
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The unveiling the Types and Prophecies of the Old Teſtament, will be as a heap of Wheat ſet about with Lillies, and a Goblet wanting no Liquor: Higheſt Nouriſhment with greateſt Delight to Souls, as the other is to Bodies.Each gracious Appetite with Food ſo pure,[Set about with Lillies]
That Lillies with their Milk-white Guard ſecure
It all about: For Thy great Types unveil'd,
Thy Prophecies unlock'd are Truth*Rayl'd about with Ornament, a term in Heraldry. engrail'd
With higheſt Pleaſures, which (as fineſt Wheat,
And nobleſt Moyſtures Bodies) Spirits treat;
Notes explaining the Senſe. 2Upon which the two Teſtaments, the New receiv'd with the Old, become as two Breaſts that are Twins of theſe new Converts, and diſperſe Truth every way.Thy Teſtaments entwiſt't with ſo great Light
Of Expoſition offer'd to all ſight,
At this great Revolution ſhall, like Breaſts,[Thy two Breaſts are two young Roes that are Twins]
Diſpoſe their Milk abroad; As Roes whoſe reſts
Are Riſts to Motions freſh and new, ſo Truth
From thy Returns its leaps, and bounds renew'th,
And never flags; As Fountains preſs'd by Art
Mount High, ſo Thy two Breaſts ſhall ſhoot and dart
On every ſide their Milky way, when thou
United to me ſhalt to my Love bow:
And though thoſe Teſtaments are ne're new giv'n,
By thy Converſion They divinely thriv'n
Swell like young Breaſts, when ſoon theNotes explaining the Senſe. 3So New Jeruſalem's Gates and Walls have the Names of the Twelve Tribes, and Twelve Apoſtles. Twelve of Tribes
Shall joyn Apoſtles Twelve, which thing deſcribes
New Salem's Gates and Walls, when each theſe Twelves
By Names engraven deep, Record themſelves.
Now that I may define Thee with juſt Art
Diſtinguiſh'd from the Nations, thus each Part
Of theNotes explaining the Senſe. 4The Neck, Eyes, Noſe and Head, the moſt conſpicuous parts in Nature, are here Character'd by ſome moſt Remarkable Points in Judaea, to aſcertain the Calling of the Jews is here meant. Superiour Order, I deſcry
By Figures of thy own Lands Royalty;
Theſe, as the nobleſt*Carriages. Vehicles of Life,
Life from the Dead, without inteſtine ſtrifeRom. 11, 12. 15.
To the whole World convey, and as the Reſt
Of univerſal Riches; Eaſt and Weſt
[Thy Neck is as the Tower of Ivory]Send it abroad: Thy Neck's that Eburn Throne
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1King Solomon's Ivory Throne deſcrib'd, 2 Chron. 9. 17. is here made the Emblem of the Royal Enthronization of Chriſt at the New Jeruſalem ſtate, much exalted by the Jews Converſion.King Schelom mounted to a Towers Cone,
On which GreatNotes explaining the Senſe. 2Chriſt ſitting on this Exalted Throne, Judges the World with Equity, and the whole Creation Bejoyces, according to Pſal. 96, 97, 98. Rom. 8. 22, 23. Schelom *Exalted to the Higheſt.Zenith'd ſits in Reign,
When equal Judgment to Earth's Globe He'll deign:
And Trees in crouds of Woods ſhall clap their hands
For Joy; Then ſwelling Floods forſake their Sands,
In Thunders*The higheſt Note in Muſick. Elah to mount Praiſe: And Grones
Of the Creation melt into ſweet Tones.
[Thy Eyes are like the Fiſh-pools of Heſhbon by the Gate of Bath-rabbim]Clear as theNotes explaining the Senſe. 3Heſhbon the Royal Seat of the Amorites, Num. 21. 26. is call'd the Gate of Bath-Rabbim, which ſignifies both Multitude, and the Gate of the Wiſe Judges, and Learned Maſters in Knowledge, and may fitly Type the Knowledge of the Lord Abounding, as the Sea, or Ezekiel's Holy Waters in which all things Live, Ezek. 47. 9. Heſhbon Fiſh-pools are thy Eyes,
Thoſe Pools that by Bath-Rabbims Gate do riſe,
Where Multitudes do flock to hear the Wiſe:
Ezekiel's Landſcaph of the Bleſſed ſtate
Of Life by Waters, that as Seas dilate,
Agrees, For as the Scaled Habitants
Swim in unnumber'd ſholes, and find no wants
Of room for Life in the vaſt Ocean, ſo
Men, as the Fiſhes ſhall theſe Waters Row;
And as ſucceſſive Billows, Life ſhall riſe
On all that moves; Here nothing moves and dyes,
What's Dead, or Dyes into a Sea of Salt,
Is caſt like Sodom's Lake, the Dead-Seas Vault.
[Thy Noſe is like the Tower of Lebanon that looketh toward Damaſcus]Thy Noſe likeNotes explaining the Senſe. 4The Tower of Libanus in alluſion to Solomon's Houſe of the Foreſt, 1 Kings, 7. 2. takes in the Cedar Perfumes, and both Beautifies all within its proſpect even to Damaſcus, and by Repercuſſion ſends back thoſe ſweet Airs: So the Jews Converted, as they receive the Goſpel themſelves, ſo ſhall Miniſter to the abundant Propagation of it to the World about, Typ'd here by Damaſcus. Liban's Towre, Liban's Perfumes
Drinks, and, as the bliſsful Odours it aſſumes,
It thence diffuſes, while Damaſcus Types
The World around thee; Thus thy Noſe, as Pipes
Conveys Lifes Savor, it had drunk, Thy Eyes
As Princes Bleſs, what in their proſpect lyes,
Thus thou, this Royal Tower, by thy Noſe
Draw'ſt in, and doſt again diſpoſe
The Royal Savors; ſending out thoſe Breaths,
That thou didſt firſt exhale; Thus Incenſe wreaths
In ſweeteſt Circles: Thus whatever lyes
Within thy point is Bleſs'd; For from thee hyes
The Incenſe down, that firſt to thee did riſe.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The Head that had Hair, as of a Flock of Goats from Mount Gilead, is now as cover'd with Scarlet or Crimſon (as Carmel ſignifies) and Purple, ſhewing the Exaltation of the meanneſs of the Goſpels out-ſide to Princely Greatneſs at the Jews Converſion, ſignified by theſe Royal Colours.Now in this lofty Temple State, and Air
Serene, grows uſeleſs the Goats Hair.
[Thy Head upon Thee is like Carmel or Crimſon]Thy Carmel Head Blazons an high Eſtate,
Bound with the Crimſon, and the purpurate,
Bleſs'd Sch…m's high Eſtate, in Colours Plait
Of Royalty within thy Locks, for lo[The Hair of thy Head is as Purple]
The King not in the preſence, but ſo,
As in his Palaces chief*Rooms of ſtate have Ante-rooms before them. Ante-rooms[The King is held in the Galleries]
He in the Galleries is held; He comes
From thence in State: My Raviſh'd Thoughts ruſh on
In foretaſts of the Pleaſures we'r upon.
[This Thy ſtature is like the Palm-Tree]Notes explaining the Senſe. 2I do not underſtand here by Love, (as in this Song in other Places) Chriſt the Beloved of the Spouſe, but Love in the Abſtract, plac'd, and ſeated in the Delights of a great Condition, ſuitable to the Approaching bleſs'd Eſtate.How great's the Beauty, and the Pleaſure high
When Love ſet free from all Adverſity
Baths in the Liquid ſtreams of pure Delight?
What Inſpir'd Pen can to this Love do right?[And thy Breaſts to Cluſters of Grapes]
But I return to Thee, whoſe ſtatures flown
To th'Notes explaining the Senſe. 3The Palm-Tree I account the Emblem of the High Victorious State of Chriſt and his Goſpel, agreeable to Revel. 7. 9. when the Jews and the Gentiles ſhall be united. Palm-Trees Height, and near its Top is grown;
Mean whilſt, as gen'rous Cluſters on the Vine,
That twiſts about that Height, ſwell out of Line;
So don'tNotes explaining the Senſe. 4The ſo often Mention of Breaſts and Cluſters, ſpeaks the Admirable Fruitfulneſs of the Goſpel-Light and Grace, as well as Height of Condition. Thy Breaſts their Fruitfulneſs forget,
Whilſt thou in Heights ſo near the Clouds are ſet.[Behold I will go up to the Palm-Tree]
I ſaid, with Thee I will unite, and climb
Thy Higheſt Boughs; Thy Top that's ſo ſublime,
I'll reach with great Delights; For in thy H'ight[I will take hold of the Boughs thereof]
All Saints are equally advanc'd; Of Right
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1By the Height of the Jewiſh Palm-tree, is not to be underſtood any Dominion of the Jews alone, but the ſtate of moſt Excellent Grace and Glory, accruing to all the Saints from Chriſts Exalted Kingdom at their Converſion in which the Jews may be firſt, but yet no more than equal with all Saints.Thy Palms ſo high are grown; For they are due
To each of my Love's Victors, at that view
[Now alſo thy Breaſt ſhall be as Cluſters of the Vines]Triumphant; In due time thy Palm-Tree ſtands
With Branches to adorn the Conqu'rers Hands.
While Thou ſo graceful art, and while ſo High,
With both Thy Fruitfulneſs at once doth vie;
[And the ſmell of thy Noſe like Apples]I joy thy Cluſters to Repeat again,
Thoſe pleaſing fertile Smells Thy Noſe amain
Breaths out, while as fromNotes explaining the Senſe. 2Mention of Apples, and all Fruits as was ſaid, allude to the Paradiſe of God. Apples, Atoms fly
[And the Roof of thy Mouth like the beſt Wine, cauſing the Lips of thoſe that were aſleep to ſpeak]With loud Reports, that Paradiſe is nigh,
And thy Mouths Roof, ſuch Doctrines doth ſend down
Of th' Sacrifice, that's my Beloveds own,
Of greater Worth, thenNotes explaining the Senſe. 3The Blood of Chriſt, and the Doctrine and Sacrament of it are fitly expreſs'd by Wine, as the Scripture Witneſſes. blood of choiceſt Vines
Which into Conſciences by ſuch ſtrait*As we ſay to Rights. Lines
Go down, that ſleepy Lips awaken'd Praiſe
Heavens Bounty, that doth ſuch Redemption raiſe.
Chorus.
Notes explaining the Senſe. 4The Order God hath ſet betwixt the Jews and Gentiles in the Communications of his Mercy, is very Admirable, according to Rom. 11. the Jews Falling, of neceſſity God muſt have a People, Chriſt a Church: The Gentiles then are called to ſupply their Vacancy; So the Jews Fall is the Riches of the World.Thus does the Jew and Gentile Church unite,
While yet the Jew doth Elder Siſter write;
But ſo that Mercies each Reciprocate
One to another in this proper ſtate.
For firſt the blinded Iſra'ls loweſt Fall
Was*Supplied. Surrogated by the Gentiles Call,
And ſo did Mercy reach to th' Pagan wild,
Much more their Fulneſs is by Mercy Fil'd.
For when this People's (whoſe the Promiſe) Call'd,
Chriſt in his Glory then ſhall be Inſtall'd;
And Gentiles Churches perfect; Now to repay
This Mercy to the Jews, In full diſplay
Wiſdom Contrives; For 'twas the Gentile Spouſe,
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The Gentile Church hath yielded that Army of Martyrs, firſt under Heathen, then under Popiſh Powers; Theſe muſt be Recompenc'd in Chriſt's Kingdom: Chriſt's Kingdom cannot be without the Converſion of the Jews, whoſe are the Promiſes, and of whom Chriſt Bleſſed for ever came; So then becauſe the Gentile Martyrs muſt be Crown'd through Mercy, the Mercy promis'd to them, aſſures and haſtens Mercy to the Jews in its time, that ſo the Kingdom of Chriſt, the Riches of the World, and Life from the Dead, may come in at the Fulneſs of the Jews.That bore the Dragons, and the Beaſt's Carouſe
Of Blood ſo long, upon THIS Kingdoms Hope,
Which cannot fail; THIS Kingdom then muſt Cope
Theſe Martyrs with Reward; So Jews obtain
Mercy through Gentiles Mercy; Thus remain
Both under Mercy;Notes explaining the Senſe. 2Rom. 11. Ʋlt. Oh the Waters deep
In which this Wiſdom Sovereign doth ſteep
Its Foot-ſteps; But from Him's the Sourſe of all,
Then to His Glory All things juſtly fall.
The Jews Converſion thus diſtinctly plac'd, the Song Returns to the One Spouſe thus Grac'd, who now Speaks.
[My Beloved is mine]Notes explaining the Senſe. 3The Royal State of Chriſt figur'd by the Jews Return, as the Kings of the Eaſt being given, the Church, as one Spouſe anew entitles it ſelf to Chriſt.In this new Royal State, through th' Kings of th' Eaſt
With me the Gentile Church Now One; I veſt
My onelyonly Loved in my ſelf; To Him intire
I am Devote; And now I feel the Fire
Of his approaching Coming, to receive[And his deſire is towards me]
With New Deſire His Spouſe; To enterweave
His Love with Mine; Come therefore my Belov'd
Notes explaining the Senſe. 4This particular Viſitation of all parts, and of the Fruits appearing, relate to the Kingdom of Chriſt, and ſhew the near Approach of it, when all things were thus prepared.Let us in Circuit viſit the Improv'd[Come my Beloved, let us go forth]
State of thy Church, in all its various Seats,
In all its Fruits, midſt them let our Retreats
Now be diſpos'd; Into the Fields let's walk,[Into the Field]
And view thy Goſpels ſpread, where late no ſtalk
Of Truth did grow: Thou in the Hamlets pleaſe
With me to Lodge, where Quiet doth appeaſe[Let us Lodge in the Villages]
All Noiſe, and yet Thy Truth doth there diffuſe
Into thoſe private Thoughts; The ſilent Muſe
[Let us get up early to the Vineyards]Of thy great Kingdom in that privacy
The very Trees Applaud, and Woods revy;
[Let us ſee if the Vine flouriſh, whether the tender Grapes appear, and the Pomegranate bud forth]Then with the Morning Light, our early ſteps
Shall to the Vineyards haſte, we'll ſee the Leaps
The Vine makes into Cluſters; The Granate
Pearl'd into Buds; For hereby we'll Rate
Thy Governments Approach; Thoſe ſplendid Fruits
Of Truth are thy Gemm'd Scepters blooming ſhoots
[There will I give thee my Loves: Or I will yield up my ſelf to my Beloved]Into its Glory, Strength, and juſt Extent;
Notes explaining the Senſe. 1The Words Tranſlated, My Loves, I rather render by an Elegant Abundance; I will give my ſelf to my Beloved, to Thee, ſignifying the Spouſes State, even prepar'd as a Bride adorn'd for the Bridegroom, by the univerſal Readineſs of all things for the Kingdom of Chriſt: On which follows a Repreſentation of a Feaſtival Abundance waiting at the Gates, as for the Marriage Supper in the next Canticle.Amidſt thoſe Fruits, my Love, thou ſhalt reſent
That I thy Bride to Thee my ſelf preſent:
[The Mandrakes, or lovely Fruits give a ſmell]Now on this Viſit, I with Joy report;
All Flowers of Love, and Fruits of Pleaſure ſort
Themſelves together; Eldeſt, lateſt Dates
[And at our gates are all manner of pleaſant Fruits, new and old]Conſpire, and place themſelves around our Gates:
For ſince the World began to this Times joint,
All Truths and Graces flow, as to a point;
[Which I have laid up for thee, O my Beloved]Which Treaſur'd up for Thee, now make their Court
To thee, my Love, as in their laſt Effort.