A Commentary on the Song of Solomon, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
HOw beautifull are thy goings with ſhooes, O Princes daughter! the joynts of thy thighs are like jewels: the worke of the hand of a cunning workeman.
2 Thy navell is as a round cup that wanteth not liquor: thy belly is as an heap of wheat compaſſed about with lilies.
3 Thy two breaſts are as two young roes that are twins.
4 Thy neck is like a Tower of Ivory: thine eyes are like the fiſh pooles in Heſhbon by the gate of Beth-rabbim: thy noſe is as the tower of Lebanon that looketh toward Damaſcus.
5 Thine head upon thee is as ſcarlet: and the buſh of thine head like purple: the King is tied in the rafters.
6 How fair art thou, and how pleaſant art thou, O my love in pleaſures!
7 This thy ſtature is like a Palme tree, and thy breaſt like cluſters.
8 I ſaid, I will go up into the palme tree, I will take hold of her bowes: thy breaſt ſhall now be like the cluſters of the vine: and the ſavour of thy noſe like apples.
9 And the roof of thy mouth like good wine, which goeth ſtraight to my welbeloved, and cauſeth the lips of the ancient to ſpeak.
10 I am my welbeloveds, and his deſire is toward me.
11 Come my welbeloved, let us goe forth into the field: let us remain in the villages.
12 Let us get up early to the vines, let us ſee if the vine flouriſh whether it hath budded the ſmall grape, or whether the Pomegranates flouriſh▪ there will I give thee my love.
13 The mandrakes have given a ſmell, and in our gates are all ſweet things, new and old: my welbeloved I have kept them for thee.
The Reſolution.
YOu have heard in what manner the Converſion was. Now is ſhewed the moſt glorious condition of the Converted … well by the beauty inherent to every member, verſ. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. and the whole body, v…rſ. 6. 7. as alſo the coming by chance of the Bridegroome, dwelling in her branches, verſ. 8. and the ſavour of the Noſe and Palate, verſ▪ 9▪ whereby i… commeth to p…e that they …eſt perpetually in one anothers love, verſ. 10. And ſuch us the growing condition of the Princeſs, the young…r d…ghter. The riper▪ age ſhall bring worſhippers in greater number, the occaſion whereof is ſhewed, verſ. 11. 12. 13. and the effect in the beginning of the Chapter following.
THE EXPOSITION.
Verſe 1. How beautifull are thy fe…e with ſh…oes, O Princes daughter▪ The joynes of thy thighs are like jewels, the vvork of the hands of a c…nning vvork…man.
A Particular deſcription of each member is here begun from beneath, for ſuch ſhall the progreſſe of things be. Heretofore alwaies the beginning was made from the head. The place of the eyes, …eeth, and temples: becauſe the firſt beginnings were more famous and ſooner perceived, in the Doctors and the adminiſtration appointed: but now in a wonderfull manner, the feete ſhall be firſt converted, and ſhall begin to ſtand and walke in the right way, as ſome notable reaſon ſhall diſcover, why ſuch a thing ſhould be done. He therefore admireth the beauty of her feete, becauſe it was verily a thing full of admiration. A ſhooe is applyed in the Scriptures to three ſignifications. To Mirth, Speed, and Liberty. It was a ſigne of Mirth; from whence in mourning they either put them off, of their own accord. As David aſcended to the Mount of Oliver, his head covered and barefoot, 2 Sam. 15. 30. Or they were conſtrained againſt their wils as Captives to the victors, who led them naked and barefoote, Eſa. 20. 4. Speede hath ſomewhat a more plain efficacy, for he that is ſhod, treadeth more boldly, and feareth not pibbles or …hornes. Wherefore God when he aſſured a ſpeedy returne to his people, he pro…iſeth to bring it to paſſe, that they ſhall goe with ſhooes on their feete, E…a. 11, 15. It was alſo to the Iſraelites a ſigne of liberty or rather of obtaining their redeemed inheritance. Whereas putting off the ſhoe was for a reproach, Dent. 25. 9, 10. Whither as it ſeemes belongeth, how God comm…nded Mo…es drawing neere to him, to put off his ſhooe, Exod. 3. 5. to put us in minde in how baſe a condition fleſh is before him. All the ſignifications agree. The mirth of the people returning, their ſpeede of returning, and the recovery of their ancient inheritance, will without doubt be a matter of wonderfull glory and of great admiration; ſo that worthily the Nations may cry out, how beautifull are thy feete! ſee Eſay 52. 12, 13, 14, 15. They ſhall make no haſte out of this captivity, as when one runneth away from his maſter, or as the I…raelites i… old time out of Egypt: but with great conſtance of minde and aſſured confiden… ▪ ſo as the Nations ſhall be amazed, and the Kings ſhall …top their mouthes, when they ſhall ſee that which was not told them; for then God ſhall bring to paſſe, that his people may enjoy their deſolate poſſeſſions. Eſa. 49. 8. The ſecond part of the verſe ſignifieth that nimble turning joynt, whereby the upper part of the thighes are fitly turned▪ Or rather perhaps it may more fitly ſignifie a turning from one way into another; as i… he ſhould ſay, the turning away of thy thighs from thy former ſtubborneſſe to true piety and faith in Chriſt. Iewels are fitted into many turning Circles, whoſe artificiall turnings doe excellently ſet forth this wonderfull converſion or turning of the thighes and feete. Moreover they are the worke of the hands of a cunning workman. See how ſweetly theſe words agree with thoſe of S. John, Rev. 19. 11. where in a larger explication of the ſixth viall, that is to ſay, the calling of the Iewes, the workman is deſcribed, by whoſe hands theſe Iewes and …oynts of the thigh…s are framed. Firſt by his name, agreeing with the ſame in this place▪ he was pleaſed to take this name to himſelfe, that he might at length declare in very deede, how faithfull he was in performing promiſes, and giving ſalvation to his people. But hence ſee, the converſion of the heart ſhall not proceede of themſelves, but from this faithfull workman, who ſhall frame theſe joynts, and worke theſe nimble turnings.
Verſe 2. Thy navell is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor▪ thy belly is like a heape of wheate ſet about with Lillies.
Interpreters refer theſe words to meate and drinke; but in this ſong, comelineſſe and honeſty is chiefely reſpected: and nouriſhment is ſignified by thoſe members, which they are appointed to by nature. I judge it rather to ſignifie fertility, flouriſhing freſh in them whoſe bodies are full of juyce, not dry and without blood. A heape of wheat, declareth the belly like a furrow, well ſtored with the beſt ſeed, which watered and made fruitefull by mixture of the Goble…, would at length breake forth into an infinite harveſt. Theſe things are more plaine with Eſay, cap. 49. 19. 20. The belly ſet about with Lillies, ſheweth that this field (unlike other fields) ſhall not be fenced with buſhes and quickſets, but ſhall every way lye open, and …e altogether ſo pleaſant, not onelyonly in the middle▪ where the more fruitfull increaſe is wont to be, but alſo in the uttermoſt borders. And mo…t …itly alſo are lillies joyned to the reſt, ſeeing nothing is more fruitfull, bearing often 50. heads upon one Roote, Plin. l. 21. 5.
Ver…. 3. Thy two breaſts are like two young Roes that are twins.
Excellent ſhall this Church be in doctrine: whoſe miniſters God ſhall water with fatneſſe, Ier. 31. 14▪ They ſhall be ba…e and ſimple at the beginning, like young Roes, wallowing in the duſt, when they are firſt brought forth; for as yet a ſetled Church ſhall not be fully gathered together, as by the labour of ſome certaine Apoſtles, who ſtaying in no certaine places ſhall go hither and thither to Preach, according as the cauſe requireth. In the ſame manner as it was done in the firſt Church, as before Chap. 4. 5. See alſo what hath beene obſerved upon Eſay, at the laſt verſe of the former Chapter.
Verſe 4. Thy necke is as a Tower of Ivory, thine eyes like the fiſhpooles in Heſ…bon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: Thy noſe is as the Tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damaſcus.
Mer…erus doubteth whether there were a Tower of this name. Rabbi Selom and the Chald… paraphraſts thinke there was. And I am of their minde, for all theſe ſimilitudes ſeeme to be taken from true things and not …eigned. Yea, for moſt weighty cauſes, as anon it will appeare, ſome more eminent places are choſen of purpoſe for this part of the deſcription. This Ivory Tower I ſuppoſe to be the Ivory throne ſpoken of 1 King. 10. 18. The neck of the firſt Church was alſo a Tower, in the ſame Mount where this Throne was built, namely an Armory for David and the warre: wherein all the inſtruments of war were put, as before Chap. 4. 4. But this Tower is Solomons, of peace, not of war; of Judgement, not of Armour. That though triumphing, yet afflicted with many troubles of warres. This, her enemies overcome very eaſily, ſhall raigne in peace like Solomon: for ſuch a flouriſhing eſtate doe the Prophets promiſe this Church, all her enemies put to flight, Eſay 41. 14, 15. Ier. 30. 31. Ez…ch. 39. 3, 4. 25. &c. Thine eyes like the fiſhpooles in Heſhbon. Tremelius tranſlateth it appellatively, to moſt artificiall fiſhpooles. But I ſuppoſe thoſe places to be noted out by name, …iefely for this reaſon, that by chooſing out of ſome notable places (as we ſhall ſee) Solomon ſeemeth to appoint out the territories and borders of that land, which the Jewes at length (converted to Chriſt, delivered from the Nations and reſtored to their Country ſeates) ſhall obtaine proper and their owne. But what (will ye ſay) doſt thou turne …w? God forbid. I dreame not of that returne, which as yet they do, That they may renew the Temple, reſtore the Ceremonies, and poſſeſſe the land in times paſt▪ promiſed and given as an earneſt of the heavenly. (Theſe things are eternally buried, not worne out by time, but utterly aboliſhed by Chriſt.) But I ſpeak of a re…oring to their Country, wherin they ſhall worſhip Chriſt according to his Ordinances: which is not contrary to Religion every one knoweth, and all the Prophets ſeeme to foretell it with one conſent. When I think hereof, it ſeemeth no light Argument, that untill this day that people remaine (although diſperſed through the whole world) divided and ſeparated from the Nations with whom they live. A thing truely wonderfull marvellous, but that it appeares plainely to be Gods doing. We know the Gothes, Vandals, Hunnes, and very many other Nations, forſaking their Countries, have alſo changed their ſpeech, names, and natures. So that (were it not for letters) they cannot be diſce…ned from the people of the Country with whom they live. But the Iewes, (like the River Roane in the poole Lauſan…) ſuffer none of our cuſtomes to be faſtned on them, but in the midſt of us, keepe their old name and Ordinance: would we know the cauſe? Firſt God would have them, for the …ale of his deſpiſed Sonne, be a …pectacle to the world: then alſo to adviſe us, le…t the people commonly accounted ſuperſtitious, ſhould perhaps make ſaving doctrine ſuſpected by their conſenting. Laſtly, that he might make plaine his infinite and unmeaſurable favour and truth at length, in reſtoring this people. We have far digreſſed from our pu…poſe, but not altogether into a ſtrange matter, and whereof a briefe Declaration was neceſſary. Seeing then that Heſh…on is to be properly taken; know that it was once a City beyond Iordan, common to the Gadites and the Rub… …ites, Numb. 21. 26, 27, 28. At firſt Noble, known by the Proverb, and once the Palace of Sihon: which City ſeemeth to teach the recovery of their old poſſeſſion, of whoſe Eaſtern coaſt this City is placed as it were the Meere-ſtone.
And moſt fitly are the eyes compared to Fiſhpooles, not ſo much for the cleereneſſ…, which ſheweth the brightneſſe of the … as for the abundance of teares flowing from true repentan…. …re. 31. 9, 18, 19. Iſay. 46. Z…char. 12. 10. Neither without … likewiſe are the gates mentioned by which theſe Fiſhpooles are ſeated: which as they are called Bathrabbim, the daughters of many, or of a multitude, moſt frequented by reſort of people: ſo they teach that there ſhall be at length an infinit… multitude of this people gathered to the truth by repentance. It might ſeem harſh to compare the No…e to a Power, but that the Counſell of the ſpirit alwaies puts …s in minde that things and places are choſen, whereby the borders of the land may be decribed, …er. 31. 8. Eſa. 49. 20. The hou…e of Libanus is famous in the Scripture. But that the Tower thereof looketh toward Damaſcus ſeemeth to be added for difference ſake. There were two houſes of the forreſt of Lebanon, one built on the hill as this place plainely ſheweth, See, 2 Chro. 9. 16, 17, 18. Another at Ieruſalem (in the forreſt) not far from the houſe of Salomon, which for likeneſſe was called the houſe of the forreſt of Lebanon whereof mention is made, 1 King. 7. 2. For the whole proviſion wherewith Salomon built this houſe, proveth that to be another from that in Lebanon. 1 King. 10. 17, 21. What need ſuch ſumptuous houſholdſtuffe in houſes ſo farre a ſunder: when there was ſcarce any hope that the King would ſee them twice? But moſt cleerely Shiſhack carried away the ſhields of gold which were found in the houſe of the forr…t of Lebanon, 1 King. 14. 26. It ſeemeth that houſe was then in the power of Reho…oam and at Ieruſalem; for the …ing of Egypt went no farther. And doubtleſſe the houſe of Mount Lebanon, in the falling away of the ten Tribes, ceaſed to be of the Dominion of Rehoboam. But in this place it is uſed to ſet forth the North border of the holy land to the Eaſt, as the Hebrewes in my judgement do rightly interpret it.
Verſ. 15. Thine head upon thee is like Carmell, and the haire of thy head like purple. The King is held in the Gutters, or in the Galleries.
Carmel is a Mountain of Phenicia, not far from Lebanon, known to Strabo and Ptolemy. Here then take the weſt ſide, in which nothing falleth out more fitly then this Mountain, which may be compared with the head. Twice before, by the haire we underſtood the multitude of the faithfull to be ſignified. There they were like Goates appearing from Mount Gilead; here like fine flax of purple die, as if every one then ſhould be a Prince, and endued with Princely dignity, whereof purple is the ſigne. This Church before was called a Princes daughter, and Saint Iohn calleth the faithfull Kings. But Zacharie more plainly ſaying, The ba…ſt among them ſhal be as David, &c. Zach. 12. 8. God forbid that I ſhould through envie conc…al any thing that the Spirit ſeemeth to will, and ſhould not rath…r with my whole heart rejoyce at this excellent glory of my brethren, though beholding it a farre off. This place by force of oppoſition giveth light to that of the Goates, a baſe ſtinking creature and full of filth. Not that Chriſtians are ſuch in themſelves, but are accounted ſuch in the world. Baſe and ſimple hath their condition been through the whole race of the calling of the Gentiles, to this of the I…wes, as we have obſerved, Chap. 4. The King is held in the gutters. I aſſent to thoſe learned men which think it alludeth to that, Gen. 30. 38. But their application ſeemeth to me far otherwiſe, although that place yet yeeldeth the ſame. For as thoſe pilled Rods put in the Gutters, and beheld by the ſheep (when being very hot th…y came to drinke) cauſed to bring forth Lambes ſo ſpeckled and ſpotted▪ even ſo the King is here ſaid to be held in the Gutters, that the faithfull having him alwaies before their eyes, in the place where they quench their thirſt, ſhall beget Kings by his example, a new Chriſtiſtian off-ſpring. So that theſe words yeeld a very good reaſon of that which was next before ſaid. For when hee had even now commended the Purple haire, whereunto I applied a Royall dignity of all the faithfull: leſt any ſhould marvell he yeeldeth a reaſon why it ſhould be ſo done, becauſe all the faithfull ſhall be borne Kings▪ for the king himſelfe is held in the Gutterers whither they ſhould come to drinke, and to quench their thirſt: it cannot be but they waxing hot at the ſight of him, ſhall bring forth ſuch Children, as they ſee him ſet forth before their eyes. But how can the King be bound in the Gutters? After the ſame manner as Chriſt ſet forth to the view was Crucified among the Galatians, by the powerfull preaching of the Word, Galat. 3. 1. This is that ſtream wherein he is held and from whence they draw to quench their thirſt. Now he is ſaid to be bound in the Gutter, becauſe they ſhall never afterward be deſtitute of him.
Verſ. 6. How fair and how pleaſant art thou O Love, for delights!
A ſententious concluſion, or rather an univerſall commendation, wherein he declareth the excellent beauty of the other members, which he mentioned not ſeverally. Every word hath its Emphaſis or expreſſe ſignification. The manner of a king hath admiration, the ſame repeated, ſheweth no Common but a moſt vehement and ſingu…r admiration. The abſtract ſheweth pure and perfect love, not infected with the pollution of any contempt: delights are laſtly caſt into the heap, if any thing more could be added. Neither are theſe things added to ſet forth her beauty alone, or onelyonly to expreſſe with what deſire the Bridegroome purſueth the Church, but it chiefly belongeth to the Hiſtory, and ſheweth this Church to be moſt excellent, not only in the praiſe of certain members, but to be admired in the beauty and properneſſe of the whole body.
Verſ. 7. This thy ſtature is like to a Palm-tree: and thy breaſts t… cluſters of Grapes.
Theſe words alſo belong to the generall commendation: for Stature is the heighth and talneſſe of the whole body, whereby it reacheth up on high, which is not▪ wont to be conſidered in the firſt yeers, but when the body is come to its full growth▪ ſhe therefore is ſaid to be like a Palm-tree, which groweth up ward, with what weight ſoever it be preſſed down: So this Church ſhall be advanced cheerfull and famous, yet after much toyle and labour: for it cannot be, but in the beginning ſhe ſhall meet with many moſt mortall enemies, Gog and Magog, the Mahumetan people, which ſhall give an occaſion of the utter ruine and riddance of that moſt miſchievous Tyrant; yet ſhall the Church receive no loſſe thereby, but in deſpite of all, ſhall riſe up, and attain to a juſt degree of dignity. Thy breaſts (ſaith he) are like cluſters of Grapes. Before the breaſts were like young Ro…s; but …ow, when the Church ſhall begin to be ſettled, the breaſts ſhall be changed into cluſters of Grapes▪ moſt plentifull and pleaſant fountains: for Grapes full of juice, being preſſed, run all into liquor, yeelding abundance of plenty and pleaſure, as well for neceſſity as delight.
Verſ. 8. I ſaid, I will go up to the Palm-tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: alſo thy breaſts ſhall be as the cluſters of the vine, and the ſmell of thy noſe like Apples.
Now are other ornaments remembred, as of the Bridegroome dwelling in the branches of this Palm-tree. The declaration of the Breaſts, Noſe, Palate of the Spouſe, and the mutuall deſire whereby they wholly reſt in one anothers love: we have often ſaid, how they both deſire to expreſſe themſelves one toward another, not only to ſhew their mutuall love, but alſo, how the faithfull are affected towards the Church: As in this place, where the Bridegroome having a purpoſe and dettermination to climb this Palm-tree, he ſheweth thereby, what the faithfull ſhall wiſh for, after they ſhall ſee the Church ſettled and confirmed, how deſirous they ſhall be to dwell in her branches, and to gather her ſweeteſt fruits: As Iſay ſaith, Chap. 49. 18. and Zachary, Chap. 8. 23. The nations ſhall deſire to be exalted in the heighth of her proſperity; whence it is ſaid in the Revelations, Chap. 21. 24. They ſhall bring their glory to this new Ieruſalem, I wiſh thy breaſts were, &c. The words are ſpoken in the manner of wiſhing, that the faithfull ſhall with all their indeavour ſtrive, as well to have theſe good things communicated unto them, as to be kept, increaſed and inlarged: They ſhall deſire to be fed with theſe breaſts, and ſh…ll earneſtly beſeech the Lord, that they may never drie up: They alſo ſhew how this Spouſe ought to behave her ſelf towards theſe new gueſts, to whom ſhe is bound to beſtow her breaſts, as well as to her own. And the ſmell of thy noſe as Apples. There words ſeem to concern holineſſe of common life. We alwayes breath with the noſtrils, as long as there is any power of life; whence Jeremy ſaith, The breath of our noſtrils, the anoynted of the Lord is taken in their pits, Lam. 4. 20. She prayeth therefore that to the abundant doctrine, which is laid up in the breaſts (as in Wells never to be drawn dry) may be joyned the ſweetneſſe of manners and integrity of all holineſſe.
Verſ. 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the beſt Wine that goeth down ſweetly, cauſing the lips of thoſe that are aſleep to ſpeake.
The force of this manner of wiſhing as yet remaineth. The palate or roof of the mouth, ſignifieth words, which are formed by the help thereof; it differeth from the breaſts, becauſe they are the cloſet and ſtore-houſe wherein (as in a treaſury) great ſtore of learning is laid up; but the palate and lips are as keyes, wherewith the Treaſury is unlocked, and the riches laid up is brought forth for uſe: for it little profiteth, to have riches heaped up, unleſſe they may be applied to uſe and profit when need requireth. That we may then underſtand this Church to be, not only rich and plentifull in all abundance, but alſo happy in the uſe and fruit thereof; he no leſſe foreſheweth the ſweetneſſe of the palate, then the fertility of the breaſts. I… cauſeth the lips of thoſe that are aſleep to ſpeak. This is an excellent commendation of this Wine ſo ſtrong and powerfull, that it can ſhake off drowſineſſe in men half dead, make the minde and ſences more nimble; looſe the tongue, before ſticking to the jawes, and make it wonderfull eloquent. Eſay expoundeth this riddle, ſaying, Chap. 35. 5. Then ſhall the the Cripple skip as the Hart, and the tongue of the dumb ſhall ſing.
Verſ. 10. I am my beloveds, and his deſire is towards me.
The Spouſe at length concludeth this place, as if ſhe ſhould ſay, It needeth not that we ſhould ſtand reckoning up every thing; that condition briefly ſhall be ſuch, that the Church with all ſtudy and deſire, ſhall be altogether affected and conſecrated to Chriſt, and ſh…ll find him again ſo kinde and loving, as if he wholly applied himſelf to this only Care.
Verſ. 11. Come my beloved, let us go forth into the field, let us …odg… in the villages: or▪ among the Cypreſſe trees▪
So much of the firſt calling, now followeth the ſecond: that which remaineth of the Chapter, is a preparation of this ſecond calling, which doth wholly ſet forth the Spouſe her inviting the Bridegroome into the countrey▪ ſhewing, that theſe firſt fruits of the Jewes ſhall burne with great deſire to win the reſt of their nation, and ſhall not ceaſe till they bring it to paſſe. But why doth the Spouſe deſire the countrey? Is ſhe weary of the city; or doth deſire a more freſh ayre? Indeed they that are long pend up in the city▪ are wont often times, for their mindes ſake, to avoid company, and deſire ſolitary reſt; but this going into the fields or villages, ſeeketh not pleaſure ſo much, as it ſtirreth up to new work and labour. If ſhe had deſired it, to avoid the heat of the Sunne, or for pleaſant banquetting, whereto ſerveth this lodging abroad? She therefore goeth a hunting, not to catch wilde beaſts, but men; very many Iewes were yet buſied in the countrey without the holy City, for whom all this watching and trouble ſhall be undertaken; that they may be gathered into one ſhee…fold, and fitted into one body of Chriſt with their brethren. This vocation ſh…ll ſo much exceed the former, as the open fields exceed the city, or the whole multitude a ſmall company; Daniel, Chap. 12. 12. appointeth the time thereof 45. yeers after the firſt, which will happen about the yeer 1700. The exact time cannot be ſet downe, it is enough for us, if we come neer the truth.
Verſ. 12. Let us get up early to the vineyards: let …s ſee if the vines flouriſh: whether the tender grapes appear, and the Pomegranats …ud forth, there will I give thee my love.
That which the Bride lately entreated, now ſhe urgeth with certain reaſons. The end of the journey and the full acquaint…nce in this verſe. The perfection of all delights in the ve…ſe following. The end of being in the country is that ſhe might ariſe earl… to the vineyard. It was ſome trouble to watch among the Cypreſſe trees, but this addeth more, to go forth ſo early to the vines: wherein we learn, her chiefeſt care was in gathering theſe citizens of the ſecond order, wherein ſhe ſpared no labour or diligence: ſhe will goe into the country, not refuſing the tediouſneſſe of the long journey▪ ſhe will endure the diſcommodity of watching in the villages, and that nothing be wanting by her will, ſhe will ariſe early in the morning to diſpatch the buſineſſe, and which is more to be admired, whiles yet no harveſt appeareth which might worthily require the painfull labour; Eſay mentioneth this deſire, when after the fore-ſhewed great glory of the reformed and much adorned ſpouſe beholding in the Spirit the full converſion of the whole nation, he cryeth out▪ Go thorovv, go thorow …he gates, prepare you the vvay of the people: caſt …p, caſt up the highvvay, gather out the ſtones, lift up a ſtandard for the people, Chap. 62. 10. By which doubled words he ſheweth their incredible deſire ofgathering the reliques and bringing them into one Church. The vines, grapes and Pomgranates are the elect of the Iews, whoſe prone readines to imbrace the truth is like a mo…t pleaſant ſpring, the elect had tried their winter, which deprived them of fruit and leaves, that they could ſcarce be known from dead trees.
The ſecond member of the verſe ſheweth another reaſon of going into the country, There (ſaith ſhe) I will give my loves to thee, that it is to ſay, I will ſhew my ſelf freely to thee that thou mayeſt delight thy ſelf in my company: for to give one my love honeſtly and ſhamefaſtly, is to give him full power over me, Therfore the glory of Chriſts Kingdom ſhall not be full till this ruſtication.
Verſ. 13. The Mandrakes give a ſmell, and at our gates are all manner of pleaſant fruits, n…w and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Mandrakes ſaith Plini… have a ſtrong ſmell, but here is no commendation of the ſent, but mention is made of it only to ſhew the budding and growth thereof. It is a cold herb drowſie and lateward; it ſeems it grew in the fields in the land of Canaan, Ruben found Mandrakes in the field, Gen. 30. 14. They are alſo oppoſed in this place to thoſe more delicate fruits which are planted neer the houſe, as wel for delight as for more eaſie keeping. The new & old fruits have a plain meaning. An excellent diviſion of the citizens ſeemeth here to be ſet forth, whereof ſome are far ſcattered in remote colonies, like Mandrakes growing in the open fields; others like domſtique milder fruit, which by vicinity or neer neighbour-hood yeeld more plentifull delights. Some again are newly freſh planted into the Church, like Mandrakes, cold and lateward herbs ſpringing more ſlowly, ſuch ſh…ll the Jews be laſtly called, which ſhall more lately ſhake off their drowſineſſe▪ Some are elder, who ſhall yeeld their names to the firſt calling, and ſ…end their time in the received truth ſomewhat before the …ſt ſhall come in. This ſhall be a moſt pleaſant beholding to the elders, when they ſhall ſee Religion not to decay with the age: which alas, we behold to our grief, as if the fulneſſe of the gentils did now approach, every later generation in their degrees fall away from the ſanctity of their parents. The latter part of the verſe teacheth that the ſpouſe ſhall have a time at length to unlocke her ſtore-houſes, and as it were in pompe, openly ſet forth her unmeaſurable riches in the exceeding great abundance of her citizens. Thrifty houſholders do not ſuffer all things to be uſed continually and conf…ſedly, but reſerve ſome things for ſolemn feaſts, ſet apart from dayly uſes, which they may bring forth as occaſion ſerveth for credit and honeſty: So the Church, howſoever ſhe hath oftentimes before declared her ſelf not poor and needy, but ſufficient rich and abundantly ador…ed with all dignity, yet ſhe hath not applied theſe dainty banquets, delicate diſhes and ſweet-meates to common and dayly diet, but hath reſerved them lockt up in ſtore for this one ſolemnity: whereby we may underſtand the glory of thoſe times to be ſuch as the former ages have never ſeen.