A Commentary on the Song of Solomon, Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII.
1 BEhold, thou art fair my love: behold, thou art fair: thine eyes are like the doves: among thy locks thine hair is like the flock of goats, which look down from the mountain of Gilead.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of ſheep in good order, which go up from the waſhing: which every one bring out twins, and none is barren among them.
3. Thy lips are like a thread of skarlet, and thy talke is comely: thy temples are within thy locks as a piece of a pomegranate.
4 Thy neck is as the tower of David, built for defence: a thouſand ſhields hang therein, and all the targets of the ſtrong men.
5▪ Thy two breaſts are as two young roes that are twins, feeding among the lillies.
6 Untill the day break, and the ſhadowes flee away, I will go into the mountain of myrrhe, and to the mountain of incenſe.
7 Thou art all fair, my love, and there is no ſpot in thee.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my ſpouſe, even with me from Lebanon, and look from the top of Amanah, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, and from the mountains of the leopards.
9 My ſiſter, my ſpouſe, thou haſt wounded mine heart, thou haſt wounded mine heart with one of thine eyes, and with a chain of thy neck.
10 My ſiſter, my ſpouſe, how fair is thy love! how much better is thy love then wine, and the ſavour of thine oyntments then all ſpices!
11 Thy lips, my ſpouſe, drop as honey combs: honey and milk are under thy tongue, and the ſavour of thy garments is as the ſavour of Lebanon.
12 My ſiſter, my ſpouſe is as a garden incloſed, as a ſpring ſhut up, and a fountain ſealed up.
13 Thy plants are as an orchard of pomegranates, with ſweet fruits, as camphire, ſpikenard.
14 Even Spik…nard, and ſaffron, calamus, and cinamon, with all the trees of incenſe, myrrhe, and aloes, with all the chief ſpices.
15 O fountaine of the gardens, O well of living waters and the ſprings of Lebanon.
16 Ariſe, O North, and come, O South, and blow on my garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow out: let my welbeloved come to his garden, and eat his pleaſant fruit.
The Reſolution.
VVEe ſaw in the end of the former Chapter, how the Bridegroome was adoro…md in the ſolemnization of his marriage: Now the beauty of the Spouſe is ſhewed by h…r▪ Eyes, Teeth, Lips, Temples, Neck▪ Breaſts, verſ▪ 1. 2, 3▪ 4, 5. The praiſe whereof at length is ſtayed by paſſing to a greater perfection, Verſ. 6. And hither… of the legall Church and the Euangel…call: the beginning of one joyned to the end of the other▪ Now of the Euangeli…all Church, full and perfect▪ what a one it ſhould be after our red…mption▪ by the death of Chriſt and his reſurrection. Of this Church, in the reſt of the Can…icles, …s a double deſcription; divided and …njoyned. The firſt conſidereth the p…ou… ar and different Churches which ſhould be upon …arth, … the ſecond coming of Chriſt; which▪ for the more plainneſſe, we cull them ſiſters: the one …lder, the r…ſt younger ſiſters: Wee call her elder and firſt begotten, which was conceived and brought forth in the Diſcipl…s, whom Chriſt collected, which forthwith after his reſurrection, increaſed wonderfully, and is yet growing inour this time: The younger ſhall ſpring up in the laſt age of the world, which we yet exſpect. The eldeſt is deſcribed in a diverſe fortune, flouriſhing, decayed, and reſtored: Flouriſhing, V. 7. 8. 9, 10, 11. Decayed, partly inclining to ruine, in the reſt of this Chapter; partly lying dead▪ in the whole fifth Chapter: and reſtored at length, in the beginning of the ſixth.
THE EXPOSITION.
Verſ. 1. Behold, thou art fair my Love, behol…, thou art fair: thou haſt Doves eyes within thy lockes, thy hair is as a flock of Goates that …ppear from Mount Gilead.
IN the laſt verſe of the former Chapter was taught how the ſolemnity of the Marriage began. Now the Bridegroome in his own words ſheweth how the Bride was adorned. All which is but to let us ſee the ſtate and condition of the Church which Chriſt himſelf choſe preſent here in earth: whoſe firſt ariſing was like a pillar of ſmoak; but after he began his office, he came forth in a moſt divine glorious ſhew, as ſliding from heaven▪ She is firſt commended for her eyes; by the ſight wherof, is often underſtood Indgement, and U… derſtanding: for the which ſhe was commended by Chriſt himſelf, who publiſhed thoſe eyes bleſſed that ſaw the things which the Bride then ſaw, Luke 10. 23. He alſo gave thanks to his Father, that hee had hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and revealed them to Babes, Luke 10. 21. Her eyes were Doves eyes, that is, chaſte and ſhamefaſt, looking only on her own Husband, as appeared by the words of Peten himſelf. (when others fell away) declared he knew not whither elſe to go, Iohn 6. 68. yet though theſe eyes were cleer, they were within her locks, that is, they were ſo covered with harre, that the brightneſſe thereof was ſomewhat hindred: the multitude of the faithfull being contemned and deſpiſed. This Dove▪like chaſtity of the Bride was ſo covered, that ſhe ſeemed a diſorderly company to th… proud Phariſes: Do any of the Elders, or of the Phari…es believe on him? but this common people which know not the law are accurſed, Joh. 7. 48, 49. Yet this ſight was not ſo ſharp at firſt, but grew by degr…es, it was alwayes pure and true, bu… ſmall in the beginning: They were ignorant of the death of Chriſt, much more of his reſurrection; his doctrine alſo was oftentimes little underſtood: Are yee not without underſtanding? Mat. 15. 26. Neither doth he upbraid them only that once with ignorance and dulneſſe, their haire ſcatteringly and diſorderly hanging, hindred their ſight. Her ſecond praiſe is of the haire it ſelf, that ſhe might not be thought deformed by it. Now this haire betokeneth the whole multitude of the faithfull of thoſe times, fitly ſet forth by their number: her compariſon to a flock of goates, may be underſtood (if I be not deceived) partly of that which goeth before, and partly of that which followeth.
Before, the godly Iſraelites ſcattered through the ten tribes are called Goates. Chap. 1. 8. Whoſe flocks are ſaid to be leſſe and thinner, becauſe they ſcatter themſelves and keep not together as ſheep do. As Ʋarro ſaith in his ſecond book of husbandry. Chriſt indeed had many hearers, but few amongſt them which truely believed: of many called few were choſen. The head whereon the faithfull depend is Chriſt, which was thought then to be with as great danger, as the Goates hang on the ſides of Mount Gilead, or any other ſteep hill or rock. If any did confeſſe him to be Chriſt, he ſhould be caſt out of the Synagogne, Iohn 9. 22. Therefore Nicodemus durſt not be ſeen in this mountain of Gilead in the day time. Such was the: condition of the Church at that time, her pietie quick of underſtanding and chaſte, but covered with hair and hid from the world, not having yet obtained ripeneſſe, it was yet thinne and reproachfull, not daring to joyn together without great danger.
Verſ. 2. Thy teeth are like a flocke of ſheep that are even ſhorne, which come up from the waſhing: whereof every one bear twinnes and none is barren amongſt them.
Theſe teeth (compared to a flock of ſheep) are the diſciples of Chriſt, whom he appointed as faithfull and wiſe diſpoſers to give every one of his houſhold their allowance in due ſeaſon, Luk. 12. 41. They muſt alſo be ſtrong and of a kinde of bonie nature, to whom the care was committed of preparing, and as it were, chewing meat for others the better to digeſt it. Theſe ſheep are even, like the cherubi…s, 1. King. 6. 25. If it be asked why Chriſt ſent his twelve Apoſtles two and two to preach, inſtructed all with like power, of teaching, of working miracles, &c. Mark 6. 7. It was becauſe he would truly ſet before us the two golden cherubims juſt of the ſame length, breadth and largeneſſe of every part equally. So that Peter was not more excellent then the reſt, but there was one commune adminiſtration, one authority, one juriſdiction; And the ſame meaſure had the 70. Diſciples, afterwards, both among themſelves and among the twelve, whom he alſo ſent out two and two, with the very ſame Laws and commandments which the former had, Luk. 10. 1. The diſciples came up from the waſhing inſtructed by baptiſme: cleanſed from all filthines of …in by faith in Chriſt. Laſtly, their fruitfulneſſe is declared by every one bearing twinnes and none barren among them. This belongeth to the fruit which followed their preaching: for the diſciples having performed their meſſage, returned with joy▪ becauſe the devils were ſubject to them by that name which they declared. But Chriſt ſheweth them of a larger fruit, which they durſt not hope for. I ſaw (ſaith he) Satan as it were lightning falling down from heaven. As if by ſome violence (at the voice of the Goſpel) he had been driven out of his Kingdom, Luke 10. 18.
Verſ. 3. Thy lips are like a thread of ſcarlet, and thy ſpeech is comely: Thy temples are like a pe…ce of a Pomegranate within thy locks.
The lips figuratively do ſignifie ſpeech, whoſe praiſe is twofold: ſlendernes and colour. As ſmall as a thread & as red as ſcarlet, which two, ſhew the doctrine of thoſe times. As in form it was moſt pure, ſincere and m…ſt divine, & therfore compared to a ſmall ſilk thread: So the matter in a ſpeciall manner ſetting forth his death is compared to ſcarlet. Who would not kiſſe and reverence thoſe lips, which ſpake not of the earth, but of heaven from whence they came? Iohn 3. 31. 32. Bleſſed were thoſe times which ſounded with the voice of God himſelf: when all his words were dipped in ſcarlet, and all his doctrine as it were coloured with blood, by often mentioning of his ſufferings, Mat. 16. 21. &c. But theſe (you will ſay) are the lips of Chriſt himſelf and no… of the Church. He is the head of this body, and therefore the Church then ſpake with his lips. He that heareth you, heareth … and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me: and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me, Luke 10. 16. And thy ſpeech is comely. This ſome tranſlate, Thy ſolitarines is to be deſired, for the word in the originall ſignifieth both, which word it ſeemeth the wiſe Salomon uſeth adviſedly to ſignifie both, for though his words ſeemed harſh to the Scribes & Phariſ…es, …scoming out of a deſert, ſtopping their ears at his w…rds, …e the deafe adder, as it was foretold, Pſa. 58. 5. &c. yet their ſervants conf…ſſed, that never man ſpake like him. Iohn 7. 46. No marvell then though the godly hearers were ſo taken with his words that they oftentimes forgat to provide things neceſſary for themſelves, Mark 6. 36. Hitherto of the ſpeech, now followe…h of the Temples like a piece of a P…megranate within her Locks. The Temples are that part of the head which extendeth it ſelf from either part of the forehead, between the eyes and the ears, even to the crown of the head, and being next unto the head and placed above the eyes, teeth and lips, they ſeem to ſigni…ie thoſe which are appointed to be Eccleſia…ticall governours in the Church, which …hould refreſh the flock with ſweet and pleaſant juice, diſtilling from them with a fragrant ſmell like a piece of a Pomgranate. Notwithſtanding, the Church in thoſe dayes lived contemptuouſly in the ſight of the world, and, as it were, hid and covered, as the temples are with locks of haire.
Verſ. 4. Thy neck is like the to…er of David, built for an Armory, whereon there hang a thouſand Bucklers, all ſhields of mighty men.
So were the lips and the temples: Now the neck is compared to the tower of David. This tower ſeems to be that in Nehemiah, Chap. 3. 19, 25, 26. which is called, The Armory of the corner: The neck is that bond wherewith the head is joyned to the body. Now that bond whereby Chriſt is joyned to the Church, is partly of the Spirit, partly of the Humanity received, Epheſ. 2. 21, 22. and 4. 16. and 5. 30. The ſpirituall is common to all things. The other then firſt began, when putting on our nature he lived here on earth, which ſeemeth beſt to agree with the Metaphor in this place. The beauty of this neck is ſet forth as well in regard of the end, as of the uſe. The end, that it ſhould be as a tower, built to hang ſwords in, that kinde of weapons wherewith enemies are beaten and vanquiſhed. The uſe, that it might be an Armory for all mighty men. As concerning the firſt, He therefore took our humanity, that the world, the law, ſinne, the devill, hell, and all the crue that fight againſt our ſalvation might be overcome and conquered. Be of good cheer (ſaith Chriſt) I …ave overcome the world, Joh. 16. 33. The devill was foyled in many combates, while the only begotten lived in our frailty, he brought many large ſpoyles into this Armory, immortall publiſhers of his divine vertue: But this true Sampſon, by his death overcame his enemies, he conſecrated the ſword of Goliah to the Lord, and overſpread and covered this whole Tower with ſpoyles. In this triumphant Chariot he ſpoyled principalities and powers, &c. Col. 2. 14, 15. Theſe were the chains and collars wherewith the neck of the Church was adorned in thoſe dayes. The uſe of this Tower is that, here ſhould hang a thouſand Bucklers, and all Shields of the mighty. Theſe Armes are of that kinde wherewith every one is covered and defended. All the ancient mighty ones, which from the beginning of the world have triumphed over ſinne and death, have been abundantly ſupplyed with weapons out of this Armoury, which was only faith in Chriſt, as it is plain, Heb…. 11. through the whole Chap.
Verſ. 5. Thy two breaſts are like two young Roes, that are twins which feed among the Lillies.
Theſe two breaſts are the Apoſtles and Diſciples which Chr…ſt ſent before him into every City and place whither he himſelf would come. They were of a low condition and ſimple at firſt, like young Roes new yeaned, called from their nets to the office of teaching: They were twins ſent forth two and two, all alike in diſpoſition and manners, many in perſon…, one in doctrine: ſee before, verſe 2. They ſpread abroad the knowledge of ſalvation through the whole Countrey as ſwiftly as the Roes are wont to run over the hills. It was but a little time that they ſpent in their legacie, yet left they nothing undone which was given them in command. If you ask how theſe breaſts were ſupplyed with milk, which they ſhould yeeld to others, The young Roes feed among the Lillies. In the company of the Elect, which ſmell moſt ſweetly and pleaſantly in Chriſt, (for ſuch are the Lillies afterward, Chap. 6. 1.) they drew abunda…tly which they taught to others: Theſe things ſhall ſu…fice to declare the conditions of thoſe times.
Verſ. 6. Ʋntill the day break, and the ſhadowes fli… away: I will get me to the mountain of myrrhe, and to the hill of frankincenſe.
Here is the ſame time repeated which was ſpoken of, Chap. 2. 17. The Jewes interpret this mountain of myrrhe, the mountain of Moriah, where Iſaac was bound to be ſacrificed, Gen. 22. 2. and whereon the Temple was built in the place that David had prepared in the threſhing floore of Ornan the Jebuſite, 2 Chron. 3. 1. Alſo in theſe few words is comprehended that whole Hiſtory from Mat. 16. 21. unto the end of that Goſpel. Neither are theſe words (I will get me) without Emphaſis: for thereby is ſhewed, that Chriſt aſcended into this mountain of his own accord, not drawn thi…her by force of enemies, nor compelled by perſwaſion of friends, for they rather exhorted him to favour himſelf, Mat. 16. 22. and were moved with great grief at the mentioning of his death, Iohn 16. 6. This Hill of Frankincenſe was Mount Golgotha, whereon that only ſacrifice was offered to God the Father by Chriſt the Sonne, whereby hee is reconciled to the Elect for ever, Mark 15. 22. Here was the ſword of that triumpha…t Emperor hung about the necke of the Church, wherewithall our deadly enemies were ſlain at once. Now we ſee how this skilfull craftſmam hath painted out the ſtate of the Church ſo long after his time, with more then mortall wit, deſcribing the ornaments of her flouriſhing eſtate, comforting the calamities of her afflicted eſtate, and ſweetly rejoycing at the felicity of her eſtate reſtored. With how divine words hath he comprehended the birth, infancy, office and death of Chriſt? Here is the laſt end of the old Church, and the beginning of the new: For the death of Chriſt brought that midday, wherein the old ſhadowes utterly vaniſhed, never to returne again.
Verſe 7. Thou art all faire my love, there is no ſpot in thee.
So far of the Legall Church▪ Now of the Chriſtian Church only as it was at Chriſts reſurrection, (A. D. 34.) & from thence hath increaſed unto this day, the flouriſhing condition whereof is declared in theſe five next verſes: for Chriſt departing into the hill of Frankincenſe by his death and buriall, was not long abſent, but roſe early the third day by power of the Spirit, and returned to his own, with whom he converſed 40. dayes, ſhewing them all things which belong to the Kingdome of God; making and acknowledging the Church by his inſtructions: ſound, perfect and abſolute. She was never all faire till now, ſhe was many times before commended for her beauty▪ and by the divine mercy, wherein the Father beholdeth her in the Son, ſhe is alwaies glorious, Epheſ. 5. 26. 27. Sanctified and clenſed with the waſhing of water, by the Word. But now ſhe was in her moſt pure and flouriſhing eſtate, Not having ſpot or wrinckle, or any ſuch thing, but holy and unblameable. Now ſhe obeyed Chriſt onelyonly, adding nothing of her owne, neither changing or omitting any of thoſe things which he required to be done and obſerved. This perfection laſted the firſt 300. yeere…: though ſomewhat declining towards the end▪ yet tolerable all that ſpace, without any great ſpot of deformity.
Verſe 8. Come with me from Lebanon (my Sp…uſe) with me from Lebanon, looke from the top af Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon: from the Lions Dens, from the mountaines of the Leopards.
The meaning of this verſe will be the better underſtood if we firſt run over the words. Lebanon is a famous hill on the North borders of the Land of Iſrael. Amanus far more Northerly, toward the Weſt of Syria▪ being a parcell of the Mount Taurus, and ſtretching to the River Iſſicus, from whence one may behold Syria, Meſopotamia, Cilicia, and all the leſſer Aſia. Shenir and Hermon are two hills on the Eaſt ſide, Deut. 3. 9. Theſe hills are called Lyons dens and mountains of Leopards, not ſo much bec…uſe wilde beaſts did live in them, but rather men of fierce and cruel diſpoſitions, Heathen Idolaters, void of all knowledge and fear of God. This inviting then, whereby the Bridegroome ſolicite…h his ſpouſe to look down upon him from theſe mountains, teacheth the propagation of the goſpel after Chriſts reſurrection, wherby the fierce and cruell nations ſhould be admitted into the Church of God. Now the woolf ſhould dwell with the Lamb &c. Iſa. 11. 6. The Church was before ſhut up in the narrow bounds of Indca; The doctors were breaſts indeed, but they yeelded milk only to the Iſraelites, they were dry to ſtrangers. Now the Iewes & Gentiles ſhould draw together of the ſame fountain, ſo that by Chriſt both had an acceſſe by one Spirit unto the Father, Eph. 2. 18. Chriſt led his ſpouſe as it were by the hand from Lebanon and the other mountains, when the brethren diſperſed by perſecution, preached Chriſt firſt to the Grecians, Act. 8. 1. and 11, 20. At that time he was preached to the Samaritans, the Eunuch was baptized and Peter warned by a viſion to call nothing common or unclean, Act. 10. 15. This joyfull meſſ…ge went all the world over, but the firſt report of it flew towards the north and Eaſt, Philip (the Spirit commanding him) went neer unto Gaza, but ſtraightwayes returned from thence to Azotus▪ Acts 8.
Verſ. 9. Thou haſt raviſhed my heart (my ſiſter, my ſpouſe) thou …ſt raviſhed my heart, with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy n…ck.
This eye and chaine are the Church of Antioch encloſed with the mountains Amana and Lebanon: who by the labour and diligence of Paul and Barnabas, and the working of the Spirit, the Bridegroom was with good cauſe raviſhed with this eye which ſhined with ſo great light, yet the beautie thereof chiefly gliſtered, when ſome contending to have the Law joyned with Chriſt, this Church withſtood them, and by Barnabas▪ and Paul in the Synod of the Apoſtles at Ieru…alem, maintained faith only in Chriſt ſufficient to ſalvation, Act. 15. And then was the chaine hung about her neck, when ſhe was fir…t called a Chriſtian, Act. 11. 26. The humanitie of Chriſt was before the neck of the Church, now the name of Chriſt is the chaine of th…t neck. And being a Gentile, yet is now a ſiſter to the Jewiſh Church. And to ſhew that ſhe is as deer to him as the Jewiſh, He …lleth her alſo his ſpouſe.
Verſ. 10. How fair is thy love (my ſiſter, my ſpouſe,) how much better is thy love then wine and the ſmell of thine oyntments then all ſpices!
Love is taken figuratively for the effects whereby it is ſhewed▪ O…ntments are gifts of grace, which the Father beſtow eth on the Church for the Sons ſake, he acknowledged her love before this time, yet now (in the ſpace remaining of the flouriſhing Church) in this and the next verſe, ſhe ſheweth moſt apparent arguments of high…ſt and moſt unſained love. For love that cannot be withdrawn by adverſity is ever moſt precious and pleaſant. But no times yeelded more matter of triall of▪conſtancy, then thoſe (An. D. 60. &c.) of Nero, Domitian, Trajan… and the other Romane tyrants, who left nothing unattempted that either hatred of the truth might yeeld them, or power might perform, whereby the Chriſtian name might be altogether extinct. But it was wonderfull, how the tyrants were wearied with killing, and the Chriſtians incouraged in dying. So that it was no marvell, if (theſe boxes being broken) the ſmell of the oyntments moſt pleaſantly ſpread it ſelf farre and wide. The ten books of Euſebius his Eccleſiaſticall hiſtory are full Commentaries of this and the next verſe.
Verſ. 11. Thy lips (O my ſpouſe) drop as the honycomb: Hony and milke are under thy tongue: and the ſmell of thy garments is like the ſmell of Lebanon.
The honycomb of the lips is ſweetneſſe of ſpeech. Hony and milk, pleaſantnes of Doctrine; milk is chief among thoſe things that nouriſh, and hony in the faculty of preſerving. The garments are chiefly the covering of Chriſts righteouſnes, with which only the nakednes of the Saints is covered, that they dare appear in the ſight of God; the hem of which garment is outward honeſty and ſoundnes of manners and diſcipline. The mount Lebanon reaching many miles, ſet full of cedars and other ſweet ſmelling trees, yeelded ſuch a ſtrong fragrant ſmell, that no ill favour whatſoever could take away the ſweet perfume thereof. So in this Church faith imbracing the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and holines of life, breathed forth ſuch a ſweet ſmell, that he which would endeavour to quench that, ſhould be leſſe able to do it then to exceed all the odoriferio…s perfumes of Lebanon joyned together by a greater ſmell. Wherefore that we may ſee the application: firſt we know that the Greek eloquence now chiefly attended on the truth, for God raiſed up Dionyſius the Areopagite, Quadratus, Ariſtides the Athenian, Dionyſius of Corinth, Melito, Apollinarius, Polycarpus, and many o…her eloquent men, by whoſe pleaſant Orations the Lips of the ſpouſe dropt like a Hony-comb, and her tongue flowed with profitable ſpeech as with a moſt pleaſant fountain of milk. Then concerning the ſmell of her garments; no times were ever more fruitfull of Heretickes, which laboured with their filthy comments, to take away the moſt divine favour of truth▪ and bring it to nothing. But this ſweetnes of Lebanon could not be overcome. But the ſmell of her garments was afterward weakned, therefore no marvell if filthy errours prevailed. The holines of the Church was t…ſtified as well by enemies (ſuch as was Plinie the ſecond, in Euſebius lib. 3. chap. 33.) as by friends, Juſtine, Tertullian, and Cyprian, which mervellouſly ſet forth the ſweetneſſe of her garments. This dignity continued in ſome meaſure, untill the time of Diocleſian the Emperour. Indeed the truth and regard of manners and honeſty by little and little began to decay, pride privily creeping in; yet the ſmell of the garments for the firſt 300. yeeres remained ſound and uncorrupted, without any notable change as the Spirit foretold it.
Verſ. 12. A Garden incloſed is my ſiſter, my Spouſe, a ſpring ſhut up, a fountain ſealed.
Ye have heard how the Church in her flo…riſhing eſtate was all fair: Now followeth her declining Condition, and firſt how ſhe ran to ruine, threatning a fall, before ſhe fell away altogether. In this verſe is propounded her double eſtate, one in reſpect of ſtran… ers, the other in regard of her own houſhold. As to ſtrangers, it is a garden incloſed: To her own, A ſpring ſhut up, a …ountain ſeal…d. The Church is often compared to a Vine, her ſafety (wherewith God vouchſafeth to defend her from the rage of her enemies) to a Wall, a Hedge or Incloſure, as Pſal. 80. 8 12. and Iſ…y 5. 1, 2. But now the Church was void of ſuch defence for three hundred yeers. Fortified by no power of Princes, or authority of Magiſtrates, or any Ordinance of Lawes. Yet at length God ſtirred up Conſtantine the Great, who fenced this Garden with a wall, rooting out the Tyrants, and reſtraining all hoſtility that might diſturbe the peace, and …quietneſſe of the Church. And not onelyonly freed her from the power of her enemies, but confirmed her liberty by Lawes a…d Ordinances, and alſo advanced her to great honour and dignity, Euſeb. lib. 2. Now the Garden was incloſed and fenced from the invaſion of all her enemies. But what was ſhe then in reſpect of her own houſhold? A ſpring ſhut up, a fountain ſealed. From common Theeves, we defend our fortunes with walles and houſes; from private theeves, which live with us in the ſame houſes, we keep our goods in Cheſts with lockes. Therefore the fountain ſealed ſheweth, that all had not leave to draw and to drinke, which lived within the incloſure of the Garden: for ſeeing the fountain and ſpring yeeldeth lively juice to hearbes and trees, many which had room appointed them in the Garden wanted this wholeſome watering of true life. Which altogether agreeth with that in the▪ Revelation, Chapter 7. 2, 3. and 11. 2, &c. and 12. 6. The fountain was ſealed to many given over into a reprobate ſen…e to imbrace Arianiſme, and others given wholly to ſuperſtitions newly ſprung up, wherewith miſerable men were ſo blinded, that they had no more power to come to this ſpring of ſalvation, then if they had bin ſhut out with barres and bolts. Now was the glory of the Church much diminiſhed, which of late was all faire.
Verſ. 13. Thy plants are an Orchard of Pomegranats with pleaſant fruits, Camphire with Spiknard.
Verſ. 14. Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus and Cynamon, with all trees of Frankincenſe, Myrrhe and Aloes, with all the chiefe Spices.
This deſcription is according to the proprieties which are wont to be ſeen in a pleaſant Garden or Orchard. Firſt well ſenced, and after ſet with choice trees, then watered plentifully with ſweete water, fourthly placed in a freſh ayre, and laſtly, fruitfull and profitable. In the former verſe we have the fencing: Now behold the planting which conſiſts of two ſorts of Trees: ſome for fruit, ſome only for pleaſure. The one plainly ſhewed in the firſt words, an Orchard of Pome-granates, the other in the words following, with pleaſant fruits. As there are two ſorts of Trees: ſo are there two orders of the Members in the Church, one publike, the other private. The Pomegranates ſignifie thoſe which labour in the word and doctrine, or in the politike government of the Church. The pleaſant fruits are the Chriſtian Congregations, ready to obey their Governours, which though they are not to be compared to the fruit Trees, yet by reaſon of their obedience and conſent, they much adorne this Orchard. Of theſe pleaſant fruits there are two ſorts, ſome more common, as Camp…ire, or Cypres, and Spik…nard, ſome more ſcarce, as Spiknard and Saffron, &c. Verſ. 14. The more vulgar ſhew the unlike meaſure of gifts, wherein all are not the eye, nor all the …are, …s the Apoſtle ſpeaketh▪ but indued with great variety of graces profitable to the perfecting of the body of Chriſt, 1. Cor. 12. 4. 5▪ &c. The more ſcarce are of three ſorts (for the divers degrees of private men) Hearbs, Shrubs and Trees, all of ſweete and pleaſ…nt perfumes: which ſh…weth that the Chriſtians inc'oſed within the compaſſe of this fenced Garden abounded in graces, aſwell the loweſt and the midlemoſt a… the higheſt, every one in their ſeverall degrees. The ornaments which Conſtantine beſtowed upon the Church, as Riches, Honour, Immunities, magnificent buildings, of Temples, and the like were meere delights, like an Orchard ſet with Pomegranate plants. The trees and fruits here mentioned ſeem to ſignifie thoſe countries where they grew, to bee firſt incloſed within this Fence. As by Pomegranates Carthage and other places in Africa; Camphire and Spikenard our European Nations. Neither was it raſhly done to reckon theſe in the firſt place, for Europe was then the chiefe part of this garden, moſt famous for the multitude of the faithfull and purity of the truth.
Verſ. 15. A fountain of Gardens, a well of living waters and ſtreames from Lebanon.
To the fencing and planting is added watering, without which the beauty of the garden would ſoon decay. The fountain is commended, becauſe it is of Gardens, becauſe it is a well of living waters, and which flow from Lebanon. Hee ſpeaketh now of many gardens, becauſe the garden is common, that is to ſay, one Church divided into many▪ particular Congregations and Pariſhes, like beds or borders in a Garden. Now alſo it is called a Well, which of late was but a Fountain and ſpring, becauſe it is digged deep againſt the heat of the Sun, for drying it up. Living water…, which flow continually and never faile: whoſe Spring the Church hath never wanted. Nay the Head it ſelfe of the fountain whence we all draw, and thoſe moſt pure Conduite-pipes (the Apoſtles) which received the water flowing from the firſt Fountain, lived not long before. Now is mention firſt made of Living waters in regard of the Councell of Nice, of ſo many learned and Religious men out of all parts of the earth. By whom the rivers of living waters runne into each part of the Church, much dried up with the Arrian heate. Conſtantine himſelfe was that Lebanon from whence theſe waters did flowe. He called the Councell, maintained it at his owne coſt, and confirmed it by his authority.
Verſ. 16. Awake, O North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow cut. Let my beloved come into his Garden, and eat his pleaſant fruit.
The firſt member of this verſe ſeemeth to be the words of the Bridegroome: for the Lord of the Garden ſpeaketh, ſaying, Blow upon my Garden: But the Bride is the Garden her ſelf, and not the Miſtreſſe of i…: for inviting him into the Garden, ſhe truly and modefily confeſſeth it to be his, not hers▪ Let my beloved (ſaith he) come i…to his Garden, &c. Here is the temperature of the …yre added to the watering. Neither doth the Bridegroome intreat that a ſupply ſhould be made from any but himſelf of that which ſhould be fit for the garden; but to ſhew what ayre the Garden ſhould uſe at thoſe times. By the North and the South▪ are meant Europe and Africk, who ſtoutly defended the truth in thoſe times, againſt the Arrian hereſie. Laſtly, of the fruit whereunto he is invited: for it is no idle invitation, only for f ſh…ons ſake, but for gre…t uſe, to expreſſe the condition of thoſe times. Let my love (ſaith ſhe) come into his Garden, and eat his pleaſant fruit; which words, no doubt, are of the Spouſe, giving the Garden to her beloved, not challenging it to her ſelf, as is ſaid before: for without doubt, ſhe perceived that her beloved had withdrawne himſelf, otherwiſe, had the invitation been in vain. There was an excellent outward ſhew, but within, all things were defiled with Moſſe and Ruſt; Envie, Brawlings, Contentions Ambition and Hereſies, had almoſt abol…ſhed true pietie: ſo that the Church neceſſarily (leaving the multitude, who preferred a bare name only) lurked, as it were, in darkneſſe, with a few Citizens. This ſolitarineſſe happened when the fountain was ſealed, as is ſaid at the 12. verſe: for then many more were within the bounds of the Church, then had leave to drink of the Fountain. Then was the Dragon thruſt out of heaven, and the woman fled into the Deſart, as we have ſhewed in the Revelation. The meaning is, the Church much flouriſhing outwardly, Chriſt left her▪ vold of true piety, as more plainly will appear by his anſwer in the next verſe.
Verſ. 17. I am come into my Garden, my Siſter, my Spouſe, I have gathered my myrrhe with my ſpice: I have eaten my hon…-comb with my hony; I have drunke my wine with my milke. Eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved: Or, and be drunken with loves.
They commonly expound it, as if (yeelding to her requeſt) hee ſhould ſay, Thou do…ſt intreat mee to come into the garden, Loe, I come, thou haſt thy deſire. But the Hiſtory directeth us to another expoſition, as if he ſhould ſay, whereas thou deſireſt that I ſhould come into the Garden, to what end ſhould I come? my harveſt and my vintage, and time of delights are paſt: I was t…ere long ſince, and gathered my myrrhe with my ſpice, &c. I have laid up as▪much as I pleaſed, now nothing remaineth wherein I ſhould take pleaſure. Thus ſaith the Bridegroome. This harveſt and vintage were preſently at the fencing of the garden, as ſoone as Conſtantine obtained the Empire: for then the fruit (getting heat of the Sunne) was quickly ripe; And the good Husbandman loſt no opportunity▪ but gathered infinite ſtore of all kinde of fruits while the time ſerved▪ But after he departed from the Garden, he returned no more▪ till a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes were ended▪ Rev. 11. 3. For the Bridegroome muſt be ſo long abſent, as the Bride hid her ſelf. Therefore theſe words teach no ſhort and ſwift return into the garden▪ but yeeld a reaſon why he was not in a long ſpace to be expected. The ſecond part of the anſwer belongeth to his fellowes or friends. Eate (ſaith he) O friends, and be drunken with loves. This word be drunken, is ſometimes in Scripture taken for drinke abundantly, Gen. 43▪ 34. or ſufficiently, but moſt commonly (in the worſer part) for overmuch drinke, depriving the ſenſes: Theſe words very well expreſſe the ſtate of thoſe times, declaring thoſe which boaſted to be the Bridegroomes friends, to be puffed up with too much proſperity, moſt baſely abuſing it; giving themſelves wholly to the throat and the belly, as if they were out of their wits. So that whatſoever the godly Emperor gave for the comelineſſe and commodity of the Church, they changed all to her ſhame and deſtruction. It is moſt pleaſant to conſider how expreſly the Holy Ghoſt long before painted out theſe things, which at length ſhould happen in the Church, the like whereof we ſee ſtill continueth. And hitherto of the Church inclining to fall, it ceaſed to flouriſh, when the Bridegroome firſt departed the garden, and as ſoone as Conſtantine came to the Empire: As long as hee lived ſhe was in great glory, but preſently after followed the darkneſſe.