A Commentary on the Song of Solomon, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
1 LET him kiſſe mee with the kiſſes of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
2 Becauſe of the favour of thy good oyntments, thy name is as an oyntment powred out: therefore the virgins love thee▪
3 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will rejoyce and be glad in thee: we will remember thy love more than wine: the righteous do love thee.
4 I am black, O daughters of Ieruſalem, but comely, as the tents of Kedar, and as the curtaines of Salomon.
5 Regard ye me not becauſe I am black: for the ſunne hath looked upon me. The ſons of my mother were angry againſt me: they made me the keeper of the vines: but I kept not mine own vine.
6 Shew me, O thou whom my ſoule loveth, where thou feedeſt, where thou lyeſt at noone: for why ſhould I be as ſhe that turneth aſide to the flockes of thy companions?
7 If thou know not, O thou the faireſt among women, get thee forth by the ſteps of the flocke, and feed thy kids by the tents of the ſhepherds.
8 I have compared thee, O my love, to the troope of Horſes in the chariots of Pharaoh.
9 Thy cheekes are comely with rowes of ſtones, and thy necke with chaines.
10 We will make thee borders of gold with ſtuds of ſilver▪
11 Whiles the king was at his repaſt, my ſpikenard gave the ſmell thereof.
12 My welbeloved is as a bundle of myrrhe unto me: he ſhall lye between my breaſts.
13 My welbeloved is as a cluſter of camphire unto me, in the vines of Engedi.
14 My love, behold, thou art faire, behold, thou art faire: thine eyes are like the doves.
15 My welbeloved, behold, thou art faire and pleaſant▪ alſo our bed is greene:
16 The beames of our houſe are cedars, our rafters are of Firre.
A Prayer.
O Mercifull Father in Ieſus Chriſt, I … th…e … thy holy Spirit for a guide unto me, to … theſe thy …idden Myſteries. All the knowledge of … is exceeding delightfull and pleaſant: yea that which ſtands before the door, and offereth it ſelf freely to every one: how delicious then is that which thou haſt layd up in the inward treaſuries, ſhut up with ſo many lockes and bolts, that no mortall man can breake through unto it, but he to whom thou wilt vouch…a…e an entrance for thine onelyonly ſons ſake. Be preſent, I beſeech thee, & thou which haſt poured forth fiery tongues in times paſt upon thy ſervants, grant that I may underſtand the language of the Bridegroome and of the Bride, and may declare their ſpeech pu ely and holily to thy ſervants; to the glory of thy Name, and the edifying of thine Elect, through our Lord and Saviour Ieſus Chriſt.
Amen.
The Analyſis, or Reſolution.
THe Authority of this Song is declared by the Inſcrittion. Then he proſecuteth is purpoſe in verſe, which is wholy imployed in deſcribing … condition of the Church, aſwell as it was Legall, from the time of David to the death of Chriſt, in the 3▪ firſt chapters, and to the 6. verſe of the 4. chapter. As alſo, as it is Evangelicall unto the ſecond comming of Chriſt to the end of the book. The Legall Church is ſet forth in a divers fortune, which for plainneſſe …ake we divide into 3 times. Firſt what it ſhould be till the Captivitie, in the whole firſt Chapter, and the 2. firſt verſes of the ſecond. Secondly, what in the Captivity it ſelf, to the 15. verſe of the ſame Chapter. And laſtly, what i… ſhould be afterward to its laſt abrogation or diſſolvi…g, which reacheth to the 6. verſe of the 4. chapter. Before the Captivitie, beginning at his Father David, he ſheweth what condition that enjoyed under him, verſe 1. 2. afterwards under himſelfe, verſ. 3. And from thence what it ſhould be under his ſonne Rehoboam, to the 9. verſe: under Abija and Aſa, verſ. 9, 10, 11. under Iehoſaphat, verſ. 12. under Iehoram, Ahazia, Ioaſh, Amaziah, Huzijah, Iotham, and Ahaz, verſe 13. under Hezechia, verſe 14. under Manaſſes and Ioſias, verſe 15. and 16.
THE EXPOSITION.
Verſ. 1. Let him kiſſe me with the kiſſes of his mo…th, for thy love is better then wine.
THis Propheſie following agreeth well neere in all things with that of Saint Iohn in the Revelation. They fore-ſhew the ſame events in the like times. And either of them directeth his courſe to the ſame marke. They differ ſo much in beginnings as Salomon exceeded John in age. They alſo follow ſomewhat, a divers manner of handling it. John ſetteth forth the ſtrifes and battells of the Church more at large, and exactly painteth out her enemies with a greater caution or heed taking. But this Propheticall Paranymph (or marriage maker) toucheth theſe things more ſparingly, deſirous onelyonly to ſet forth the joyfull events of the Church, he ſcarcely mentioneth at all any accidents, whereby this nuptiall ſong might be diſturbed: or at leaſt ſo ſeaſoning her troubles, that much pleaſure may alwayes appeare in them.
But firſt let us weigh the words, then let us ſee the Application: Kiſſes are ſometimes taken for ſaire, milde, and pleaſant words, as chidings and brawlings are compared to wounds, as Salomon ſaith, Prov. 27. 6. The wounds of a lover are more faithfull then the flattering kiſſes of an enemie. The Church then deſireth to be inſtructed with the words of her Bridegroome, which ſhe calleth Kiſſes, as the moſt aſſured pledges of the Bridegroomes love; neither can any thing be compared with this love; therefore ſhe preferreth it before wine, which is chiefely eſteemed among thoſe things which taſte moſt pleaſantly: for the compariſons of this ſong are taken from ſuch things which do chiefely tickle up the ſences: becauſe our infirmity is ſuch, that we commonly feele no greater pleaſure in this life, then in thoſe things which pertaine to theſe inferior ſences. This is the ſum: the company of the faithfull doe chiefely deſire to be altogether over-whelmed in a moſt familiar converſation with Chriſt, and to be moſt plentifully inſtructed with the words of his mouth: which they confirme to be the great…ſt pleaſure that can be. Now for the Application. Solomon beginneth from the Church of his time, and ſheweth the face of it as it was in the Raigne of his Father David, in this and the next verſe. Chriſt then by the mouth of David (bearing his Type) kiſſed the Church, inſtructing it with moſt ſweete Odes, Pſalmes and Songs, wherein that time was moſt excellent above all others. David is called the ſweete ſinger of Iſrael by the Teſtimony of the Spirit, 2 Sam. 23. 1. Whereof the booke of Pſalmes is a plentifull witneſſe. Solomon alſo compoſed 1005. ſongs, but very few of them are recorded in the Sacred Treaſury.
The Prophets, which were many then▪ and at other times, did chide very often; but not kiſſe: They reproved ſins, they thundred out Judgements, they terrified with threatnings: whereas this ſweet ſinger of Iſrael, powred out almoſt nothing but prayers, thankſgivings, promiſes and Exhortations: worthily were theſe the times of kiſſing and imbracing▪ chiefly, if ye adde all that care and diligence, which hee applied to ordaine the worſhip of God moſt fitly, 1. Chro. 23. &c. With theſe kiſſes, which even burned with love of the divine word and of all pietie, the people had then no leſſe deſire to be imbraced (if ever at any time.) David rejoyced, when they ſaid unto him, Let us go into the houſe of the Lord. And ſeeing the readineſſe of the people, preferring the worſhip of God before all Wine, Pſal. 122. 1. The King himſelf likewiſe in the ſweetneſ…e of ſinging (a figure of the Bridegroom,) with diligence and deſire of Religion, (one of the company of the faithfull) did not he deſire one thing of the Lord, that he might dvvell in the houſe of the Lord all the dayes of his life? Pſal. 27. 4. He manifeſtly confirmeth the Law of the mouth of God, to be betteer to him▪ then many thouſands of Gold and ſilver. And his judgements to be ſweeter then hony to his mouth, Pſal. 119. 72. 103.
Verſ. 2. Becauſe of the ſavour of thy good ointments, thy name is as an oyntment poured out, Therefore the virgins love thee.
Here, with an elegant Periphraſis, is ſet forth the conſi…eration of the name of the Bridegroom, from the effects: whoſe force is weak…ed by the ſimilitude▪ For the ſence is, Thy name is an oyntment poured out, very well anſwering to the ſmell of thy oyntments. Oyntments ſignifie the gifts of the ſpirit; and the ſmell of theſe gifts, is that fruit and ſweetneſſe, which is received by the Communication of them. Now whereas the Church publiſheth the oyntments of the Bridegroome, it properly pertaineth unto Chriſt, which is a moſt repleniſhed treaſury of the inf…nitn…ſſe of all graces. Yet it is not to be doubted, but here together with Chriſt, David his type may alſo be beholden, who being repleni…hed with great abunda…ce of moſt divine graces, breathed out their ſweetneſſe to Gods people which he governed.
He was a man after Gods own hear., by whoſe example the Kings following are commended. He was ordain…d to be the a… nointed of the God of …acob, 2. Sam. 23. 1. God annointing him with his holy oyl, Pſal. 89 21. Neither was it without cauſe, …hat he was three times anointed. Firſt privatly by Samuel, ſecondly by his own Tribe, thirdly by all Iſrael: whereas the other Kings were only anoynted but once. Whence that name is worthily given him, Pſal. 2. 2. The Kings of the earth ſtand up, and the rul…rs take counſell together, againſt the Lord, and againſt his anointed. Wherefore, in theſe words Solomon de…l…reth the happineſſe of thoſe times, which had a King ſo well furniſhed with all the gifts of the ſpir…t.
The virgins are the citizens of the Church, that people of God, which obeyed his government, who therfore loved his Ki…g exce…dingly, becauſe they ſaw him anoynted of God, and enr…hed with ſucn notable and excellent gifts. The love of the virgins firſt ſhewed it ſelf, when Saul perſecuted David, …econdly in his two yee…s wars with Iſhboſheth, and thirdly in Abſolons conſpiracie, when the true citizens divinely ſmelling the Odour of the annointed King, could not be terrified by any dangers, from …leaving to him with firme minde…. So ſhort, but lively, is the image of the Church in Davids raigne. Notable in kiſſes: In the figurative M…ſſias: In the peoples deſire of thoſe kiſſes, and the love of the virgins in the true Subjects, a moſt happy Kingdom wherein theſe four reigned.
Verſ. 3. Draw me, we will run after thee▪ The King hath bro…ght me into his Chambers: we will reioyce and be glad in thee: we will remember thy love more then wine: the righteous do love thee.
In this one little verſe, Solomon intreateth of the Church during his raigne, whoſe whole condition is divided into ſixe members.
Firſt, the King drawing by his example, and the ſpirit working together in the faithfull. The firſt authority of his raigne began with the publiſhed meeting at Gibeon, 2. Chro. 1. 2. Of what force was this attraction? There followed moſt calme peace, ſuch abundance of wealth as no where the like: wiſedome almoſt more then mortall. Glory which amazed all other Kings: and (which exceeded all) a beholding next unto God. Theſe were enough to have drawn the moſt unwilling. But the people followed willingly: We will run (ſay they) after thee.
Secondly here is taught, that the people drawn by the Kings example, do flie with a ſwift courſe: He commanded the meeting at Gibeon: they flocked thither in great troopes, 1 Chro. 1. 13.
Thirdly, the chamber, whereinto the Bride is brought: was that moſt magnificent Temple built by Solomon. This houſe is the inner chamber; nay rather the couch and Bed (as it is afterward called) wherein the Bridegroom converſeth with the Bride moſt familiarly: whither Solomon brought the Church, when for her ſake he built and adorned it ſo beautifully; and eſpecially by drawing the people into the Temple, on the day wherein he dedicated the houſe, going before them with ſacrifices, prayer and thankſgiving, as 1. Kings 8. through the whole chapter.
Fourthly and fiftly is declared, how joyfull all the people were of thoſe things, ſo happily begun and continued for many yeers.
Laſtly he ſaith, the upright love thee. But why doth he mention the upright, as though there were any in thoſe times whoſe hearts were not ſincere and ſound? verily he ſeemeth by theſe words to paſſe over privily thoſe bleſſed times to a ſorrowfull falling away. We know how grievouſly Solomon fell in the laſt yeers of his reigne, by bringing in ſtrange wives, 1. King. 11. His heart was not found towards the Lord, but he followed Aſhtaroth and M…lcom, and built an high place for Chemoſh and Molech. But did not many of his flattering courtiers run before, whither they ſaw the King ready to decline? But the faithfull and upright in heart, remained firm in the truth, howſoever deſtitute of the Kings authority. Here then we may behold the beginning and middle of his raigne very pleaſant. The King leading, the people following, The Temple built m…ſt magnificently, the great mirth and rejoycing of all m…n. But the moſt part in the end were defiled, yet▪ the love of the upright was conſtant, though many fell away to Idolatrie.
Verſ. 4. I am black, but comely (O ye daughters of Jeruſalem) as the Tents of Kedar: as the Curtains of Solomon.
Having ſpoken before of the flouriſhing eſt…te of the Church: now the withering age followeth, which is wholly propheticall, and ſo are all the reſt which follow. Brightneſſe and light are tokens of mirth and gladnes, and are ſo uſed in the Scriptures. Black and darkneſſe are applied to griefe and mourning. And truely there hapned mournfull times preſently …fter Solomon, when his ſon Rehoboam by an undiſcreet anſwer, drave ten Tribes from the Church. No marvell then if ſhe mourned in black: a matter ſo full of offence, that it might make the ſtrongeſt to ſtagger, and the weak to fall altogether: wherefore leaſt any ſhould ſplit his ſhip againſt this Rock, the whole rage of that time, is not deſcribed in a word, as before, but in full five verſes. He beginneth at the falling away of the Tribes, where a great alteration hapned, aſwell in the Church as in the Kingdome. The Church affairs are firſt declared briefly in this verſe, afterward ſeverally in the 6, 7. and 8. verſes. The ſtate of the Kingdome in the 9. verſe. As concerning the briefe explication.
The Church confeſſeth her ſelf made brown and black by the loſſe of her children, and much of her former beautie; The two ſimilitude… in the end ſeem to agree with the two diſtinct members in the beginning of the verſe, I am black as the Tents of Ked…r: but co…ely as the Curtains of Solomon. The Kedarens are Arabians, living i… hair-cloth Tents, made of Goates hair. Solinus, chap. 45. which they carried with them whither they would. Pliny. lib. 6. chap. 28. But the curtains of Solomon were ſuch as did not only exceed the Kedaren haircloth by almoſt infinit… degrees, but alſo they had a ſetled abode; whence the Jews figur…ively uſed them for every part of the houſe, as with Ieremiah, chap. 4 20. Suddenly are my Tents ſpoiled, and my curtains in a moment. This alſo ſheweth that he wrote this ſong after his repentance: for i… he had known theſe things before his fall, A prophet needed not to have been ſent to admoniſh him of renting the Kingdom from hi…, and giving it to his ſervant, 1. Kings 11. 11.
Verſ. 5. Look not upon me becauſe I am black, becauſe the ſunn… …ath looked …pon me: my mothers children were angry vvith me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards: but mine ovvn vineyard have I …ot kept.
In this verſe is a ſpeciall deſcription of the two Tribes, as there is of the other, and in the two verſes following▪ In this verſe in the firſt words, he preventeth the contempt which might be objected▪ and then ſheweth the cauſes of her calamitie. Look not upon me (ſaith ſhe) that is to ſay, behold me not diſdainfully; which words do not only command but alſo foretell in what e…timation ſhe ſhould be among her own people. The cauſes are three; firſt the principall: bec…uſe the Sun hath looked upon me, that is, heaven hath inflicted this calamity on me, as God hath threatned it before, 1 Kings 11. 11. 30. & 31. And Rehoboam regarding not the hand that ſmote him heareth of Shemaiah, Thus ſaith the Lord, this thing is from me, 1 Kings 12. 24. The wrath of God is here very well deſcribed by the heat of the the ſunne.
Secondly, the in…trumentall cauſe, My mothers children, (not only by kindred, but alſo by Religion) being grievouſly offended at me, have broken off their former conjunction with me, and conſulting privately by themſelves, are altogether ſeparated from mine acquaintance. See the Hiſtory, 1 Kings 12. 16. &c. The third cauſe giveth occaſion to the former cauſes, They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine o…n vineyard have I not kept, do you ask the cauſe, why God and her brethren were ſo offended? Thus it was. The chiefe authority deferred to the Tribe of Iuda, both by Gods decree, and the conſent of their brethren, was ill adminiſtred by her: The Lords vineyard was committed to her to be kept: For …e deſpiſed the tent of Joſeph, and choſe not the Tribe of Ephraim, but choſe the Tribe of Iuda, even mount Sion whom he loved, Pſal. 78. 67. 68. yet through Solomons Idolatry, and defiling Gods worſhip (by the juſt judgement of God) the other Tribes were offended at Iuda, and by ſeparating themſelves made the Church deformed and polluted.
Verſ. 6. Tell me (O thou whom my ſoule loveth) where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy flock to reſt at Noon: for why ſhould I be as one that is vailed by the fl…cks of thy companions?
Having ſpoken of the ſtate of Religion in the two Tribes, how, and for what cauſe they were afflicted; Now he ſpeaks of the ſcattered reliques in the other ten. This verſe containeth a queſtion of the beloved, and the next, the Lovers anſwer. This hath a petition in the firſt part, and an inquiry in the reſt: The Petition ſheweth the great care of the godly; their minds were inwardly inflamed with his love, though hee were out of their fight. They ask of him himſel… (but whom ſhould they ask elſe) where hee is whom they ſeeke. They knew he was alwayes in heaven; but not without cauſe they doubted where he fed and folded his flock on earth. They ſaw their brethren falne away from Iudah; yet they knew there was neither God, nor Prieſthood, nor Law in Iſrael, 2 Chr. 25. 3. The queſtion is, Why ſhould I be as one that is covered among the flocks of thy companions? A woman veyled or covered, is taken for a Whore, as Gen. 38. 14. Their manner was to cover themſelves: It is alſo much uſed in mourning; as the Leaper was commanded, Lev. 13. 45. and Mich. 3. 7. It ſignifieth in this place, as if he ſhould ſay, Why ſhould I be like a woman, pining my ſelf with grief and ſorrow, in beholding the wiked Idolatry of the Iſraelites? Why ſhould I live among theſe Idolaters? Where I am inforced to hide and cover my ſelf, not daring to ſpeak what I think? It is to be obſerved, that the ſeducers of the people, are called his fellowes: not by a true name, but by reaſon of their ambition, wherby they boaſted to be equall to the high Shepheard, and carryed themſelves as his fellowes. For the ten Tribes had forſaken the true God, and coyned a new Religon at their pleaſure, as yet they had the ſame right which the chief Shepheard had, to make lawes for their flocks, how God ſhould be worſhipped of them. As the Pope now boaſteth to be Chriſts fellow, making new Religions, with puniſhment inflicted on thoſe which obſerve them not. Such was the pride of Ieroboam and the other Iſraelites, who would be fellowes with him, to whom all are ſervants.
Verſ. 7. If thou know not (O thou faireſt among women) goe thy way forth by the footſteps of thy flocke, and feed thy Kids beſide the Shepheards Tents.
This is the anſwer of the Bridegroom, comforting his beloved in her grief; who (whileſt ſhe, which was defiled with ſuch deformity) was adjudged by him to be the faireſt of women, and to excell all other congregations in the world. For although theſe reliques lurked here and there in the Kingdome of Ieroboam, yet made they but one Church with the two Tribes. Then he ſhewes her the path where ſhee ſhould go, and with his finger pointeth to the paſtures where he reſted whom ſhe ſought. The flocke are the two Tribes, among whom the Church was more apparant; the Kids are the ſcattered reliques of the Iſraelites. When he appointeth them paſture beſides the Shepheards Tents, hee bids them goe into Iudea, and worſhip the Lord, after the inſtitution of the true Prieſts.
Verſ. 8. I have compared thee (O my Love) to my Mare, or to my Troope of horſes in Pharaohs Chariots.
This comparing of his Love to a Mare, may ſeem a groſſe ſimilitude to diſtreſſed Lovers, but to the Counſell of the Spirit moſt ſweet and Divine.
We have ſeen in what caſe Religion was, aſwell among the two Tribes, as among the diſperſed reliques. This one verſe toucheth the Civill ſtate, what can be more ſervile, then to be joyned like a Horſe to a Chariot, to draw therein at the Drivers pleaſure, and againſt thy will to endure the Harneſſe, the Bridle and the Whip? Such was the condition of that Kingdome, by whoſe aid and ſuccour his Love was protected. For in the fifth yeer of the reign of Rehoboam, when they had a little breathed after their former troubles, Shiſhak the king of Egypt made war upon them, having twelve hundred Chariots, and a very great Hoſte. He took many fenced Cities, and had proceeded to the utter waſting of the Land, had not the Lord at the length pitied them, and turned away the rage of his wrath from Jeruſalem, ſo that he would not utterly deſtroy it, but only bring it in bondage to the Egyptians. As he ſaith by the Prophet Shemaiah, 2 Chron. 12. 8, 9. Nevertheleſſe, they ſhall be his ſervants, that they may know my ſervice, and the ſervice of the Kingdomes of the countries. This Shiſhak entring into the City, took away the treaſures of the Houſe of the Lord, and the treaſures of the Kings houſe: he carried away alſo the ſhields of Gold which Salomon had made. Behold the Church now like a Mare in the Chariots of Pharaoh. The drawing Mare betokeneth ſervitude: The Chariot, that they ſhould be compelled unto it by war. Pharaoh (by a common name) the King whom they ſhould ſerve, how brief and plain it is deſcribed? yet, leſt the Saints ſhould faint altogether under the weight of ſuch calamity, their comfort is, that he calleth her his Mare, as if he ſhould ſay, although I deliver thee over to Shiſhak, yet underſtand, I have a care of thee. I do challenge thee for mine own, and thou ſhalt be ſafe under my protection. Note that hee, whom the holy Scripture calleth Shiſhak, is called by prophane Writers Sterooſis: And hee joyned Kings together to draw his Chariot, Diod. ſic lib. 1. pag. 37. lin. 23.
Verſ. 9. Thy cheeks are comely with Turtles, or withrows of Jewels, Thy neck with chaines of Gold.
Wee heard in the Analyſis, that this, and the two next verſes, did belong to the Kingdom of Abijah and Aſa. Abijah ruled but a while, and therefore no great variety of matter hapned in his time: therefore that which is common to both, is delivered in the beginning of this Verſ…, but that which concerneth the affaires of Aſa, is afterwards ſet forth more at large. The Iewels like Turtles, be…oken chaſtity and carefulneſſe: The two Cheeks are the moſt conſpi…uous parts of the body; theſe were the Tribes of Iuda and Benjamin, in whom the Church at that time was chiefly known unto men. This chaſtity and carefulneſſe appeared firſt in Abijah, who making warre with Ieroboam, endeavoured with gentle ſpeech to call back the ten Tribes from their wicked purpoſe, warning them of their falling away from God. There are with you (ſaith he) Golden Calves, which Ieroboam made you for gods; but wee have the Lord our God, whom we have not forſaken; and the Prieſts which miniſter unto the Lord, are the ſonnes of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their buſineſſe, 2 Chro. 13. 8. 10, &c. for although this integrity was not pure without any pollution, as appeareth, 1 King. 15. 3. yet was it Turtle-like chaſtity to that filthy whoredome of the Iſraelites: ſo when Abijah and the two Tribes were beſet both behind and before, they cried unto to the Lord, Behold the voyce of Turtles, carefull, doubtleſſe, in ſo great a ſtrait, but adorned with holineſſe as with Jewels; the Lord heard them, and ſtroke Ieroboam, and all Jſrael before Abijah and Iudah, with a great ſlaughter, 2 Chron. 13. 14, 15. So Aſa beſet with almoſt infinite hoſts of Zerah the Ethiopian, called upon the Lord, in the voyce of a Turtle, ſaying, It is nothing for thee to help, either with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we reſt on thee, and in thy name we goe againſt this multitude; O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevaile againſt thee. Whereby the enemies were put to …light, and the Church greatly inriched with their ſpoiles, 2 Chron. 14. 11. &c.
Verſ. 10. Wee will make the borders of Gold with ſtuds of Silver.
The Spirit proceedeth to ſhew the condition of the Church under Aſa, that hee might give her yet a more comely ornament, as it is declared by the taking counſell of adorning the Spouſe; Wee will make thee (ſaith he) borders of Gold; that is wont to be better, which is brought to paſſe by the conjoyned ſtudies of many, then that which is done by one alone. Furthermore, Gold is now alſo added, no leſſe excellent in the ſingular workmanſhip, then in the price it ſelf, for it ſhould be chequered with ſilver ſtuds. This did openly foreſhew that conſtrained meeting of the Kingdome by Aſa; and that conſultation made by the common conſent of the people, and of all orders in the fifteenth yeer of …is reigne, of taking away all abominable gods out of the whole Land of Juda and Benjamin; and a penal…y impoſed on him that would not ſeek the Lord, 2 Chro. 15. 9. 10. &c.
Now was order taken for adorning the ſpouſe, not by the Kings authority alone, but by the decree of all orders. And that Reformation which was begun, in the beginning of his reigne, was now more fully grown to a ripeneſſe. The ſilver ſtuds were that faithfull executing of the decree, whereby the Kings grand-mother Mahaka was put from her regency for her horrible idolatry. 2 Chro. 15. 16.
Verſ. 11. Whileſt the King was at his repaſt, my Spik…nard gave ſmell thereof.
Ye have heard before that the gifts of the ſpirit, are ſhadowed by oyntments: and Spikenard (which is chief among oyntments) rightly betokeneth the moſt excellent gifts. Therfore while the King ſate, the ſpouſe as it were opening a Box, perfumed all the neighbourhood, with breathing out moſt holy graces.
But if any ask who the Prophet ſaith ſate at this repaſt? Behold King Aſa, compaſſed with a large garland of Iewes and Iſraelites, in that aſſembly, where he made borders of gold with ſtuds of ſilver, 2 Chr…. 15. 9, 10. A covenant was made: but wh…t mirth of a banquet could be compared with this delight? Furthermore the joy in ſacrificing (which was great at that time) had the holy pleaſure of banqueting conjoyned to it by the Law. As concerning the ſmell of the Spikenard: how pleaſant was it to make a covenant among ſo many people, to worſhip the Lord, with all their heart, and with all their minde. Many of Ephraim, Manaſſes and Simeon, ſtirred up by the ſweetneſſe of this ſmell, clave to Aſa, ſeeing the Lord his God to be with him, &c. As it is ſaid, 2 Chr. 15. 9. Therfore whatſoever is ſpoken of the Church in the raign of A…a, is contained in theſe 3. little verſes.
Verſ. 12. My w…lbeloved is as a bundle of Myrhe unto me: He ſhall lie between my breaſts.
Herein are three things ſignified: ſweetneſſe of knowledge by Myrhe: Adminiſtration of doctrine by breaſts: and the quiet and continuall uſe thereof by lying or reſting. All which concerne the times of Iehoſhaphat: who beſides that care of preſerving the chaſte and pure Religion which he had received of his father, he was alſo excellent in the ſtudy of teaching, ſending governours and Levites, with the book of the Law to all the cities of Iuda and Benjamin, that they might teach the people, the will of God, 2 Chro. 17. 7, 8, 9. He alſo appointed Judges through all the fenced cities, and in Ieruſalem, of the Levites and Prieſts, and elders of the families, for the judgements of the Lord, and for controverſies: which Iudges were as breaſts, yeelding the pleaſant knowledge of Gods will. And alſo Iehoſhaphat (diligently labouring that each one ſhould perform his duty holily and faithfully) ſhewed a lively image of the Bridegroom, lying between the breaſts of his love, 2 Chro. 19. 5, 6. &c. This reſting was only called a provocation, becauſe that ſince the Kingdom was rent under Rehoboam, a grievous darknes covered the Church, howſoever it ſeemed more pleaſant at one time then at another, yet this reſt was quiet, becauſe the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Iuda, that they ſhould not fight againſt Iehoſhaphat. The Philiſtians alſo brought tribute, and the Arabians flocks, 2 Chro. 17. 10. 11. the Moabites made war againſt them, but were ſoon overcome. After which they returned to their former reſt. 2 Chro. 20. 29. 30. pleaſant then was that reſt, which was mol…ſted by no troubles.
Verſ. 13. My welbeloved is as a cluſtre of Camphire unto me, in the vines of Engedi.
In theſe words is excellently declared what next ſucceeded Iehoſhaphat: in the times of Iehoram, Ahazi, Joaſt, Amazia, Huzzia, Iotham and Ahaz, whereof ſome were apparently wicked, ſome obſcurely godly; he ſtayeth not to remember them all ſeverally (leaſt he ſhould thereby pollute the marriage Feaſt, and cauſe the gueſts to loath the banquet) but briefly binds them up altogether in a bundle. And where he addeth in the end, in the vines of Hengadi: he teacheth, that this company ſhould ſpring up in the middeſt of the chiefe Princes, who for their pleaſant and plentifull fruit, may worthily be compared to moſt fruitfull vines. Now the Princes before them, were Aſa and I…hoſhaphat; after, H…zekiah and Ioſias, between whom this cluſter of Camphire, with their berries, ſprung up among the vines.
Verſ. 14. My love, behold thou art fair, behold thou art fair: Thine eyes are like the doves.
The doubling of the words, declared her excellent beauty, eſpecially with the Hebrews, who uſe it familiarly for Superlatives. The eyes of Doves are chaſte and ſhamefaced, which wander not hither and thither to ſeek new loves. Such is the chaſtity of the Church, when as contented with one true God, ſhe turneth not her eyes to idols, or any other invented worſhip. Theſe things then undoubtedly pertain to Hezekiah, which reſtored true and pure Religion to the Church, caſting out all Idolatry. Then truly the Church did wonderfully ſhine, when by the teſtimony of the ſpirit it ſelf, the like had not been in Ieruſalem ſince the dayes of Solomon, 2 Chro. 30. 26. But were there not dove-like eyes, which when hee conſidered their wanton lookes even towards the Brazen Serpent, hee commanded it bee broken, though it had been Gods own ordinance, and an excellent Monument of former memory, 2 Kings 18. 4. Loe here excellent chaſtity joyned with like wiſdom.
Verſ. 15. My welbeloved, behold thou art fair and pleaſant: Alſo our Bed is green.
How coherent is this praiſe? which aſwell inſtructeth the minde in knowledge, as it endueth the heart with Religion. It is one thing for us to be thankfull to Chriſt, and another thing for Chriſt to be thankfull to us. He accounts us thankfull by reaſon of election, we feel not him ſweet and pleaſant, before we be called to the knowledge of the truth: and our hearts be kindled with a deſire of godlineſſe. But if any godly one deſire to know the ſtate of the Church after the death of Hezekias, the Bride declareth it in commendations of the Bridegroom. She then flouriſheth, when ſhe may freely behold and ſet forth the beauty of her beloved, which verily hapned in the time of Ioſias, in whoſe excellent ſanctity the Church ſaw the ſweetneſſe of her beloved, 2 Chro. 34. and 35. At ſixteene yeers of age he began to ſeek the God of his father David, four yeers after, to cleer Inda and Ieruſalem from the high places and the groves: and from carved and molten images, 2 Chro. 34. 3. Religion adorneth every age but eſpecially that tender age aſwell for the preſent and unexpected ripenes of it, as for a greater hope therof in time to come.
But the latter part of the verſe, declareth more fully the Hiſtory of Manaſſes & Ammon. Alſo our bed is green. The Kings chamber (before) ſignified the Temple. Neither is it to be doubted but (Bed) is here uſed for the ſame, which is wont to be placed in the more inward and privy Chamber, where the godly may injoy Chriſt moſt familiarly. This Bed waxeth green like the meadowes, in the beginning of the ſpring, whoſe beautie the winter had defaced, if they had alwayes kept their greenneſſe, it had been unneceſſary to make mention of it. And if Ioſias had ſucceeded next after Hezekias, it had been as ſuperfluous to make mention of the Temples flouriſhing, as of green graſſe in ſummer. The words then declare aſwell that winter which miſerably afflicted the Church under Manaſſes and Ammon, which ſhook off altogether the flowers of godlineſſe, and expoſed Chriſts Bed to all injuries and tempeſtuous ſtormes, 2 Chro. 33. As alſo the pleaſantneſſe of a milder time, under Ioſias, who beautifully repaired the winters ſpoiles. And the event very well anſwered the propheſie, for the purity of Religion was the firſt care of Ioſias, when he was yet a childe: but after in the eighteenth yeer of his reigne he applied his minde to re-edifie the houſe of God, deſirous to leave the Bed green, which he had found grievouſly rent and torne with ſtormes and tempeſt, 2 Chro. 34. &c.
Verſ. 16. The beames of our houſe are of Cedar, our Rafters are of Firre.
This more fully ſets forth that which was begun before, d…clared by the green bed, for firſt the graſſe is green which afterward ariſeth into a talk, and forthwith groweth till in the end it come to it's full ripeneſſe. The infancy of Joſi…u was pleaſant, but his riper age yeelded more pleaſant fruit, whereof there was hope, even from his cradle. He ſent Shaphan, M…aſeiah, & Joah to repaire the houſe of the Lord his God. He gathered mony of the Tribes of Manaſſes and Ephraim, and all the reſt of Iſrael, and of all Juda and Benjamin, to repaire the common houſe of the Bridegroom & the Bride; Wherein they might mutually delight themſelves; He gate workmen and builders to hew ſtone and timber for beams, and for couples of the houſes which the Kings of I…da had deſtroyed, 2 Chro. 34. 8. Worthily was it now foretold that the beames ſhould be of cedar, when the building was ſet forward with ſuch coſt, care and diligence, whereby the firſt beauty of it might in ſome ſort appear, though perhaps it could not fully be reſtored. And hitherto the condition of the Church was tollerable, oftentimes afflicted with many miſeries, but now and then refreſhed again, when religious princes ruled. The following times were more ſubject to calamities; To which deſervedly a new chapter is given, bringing new fortune with it.