A Brief Exposition of the Book of the Song of Solomon, Chapter 4
THE CANTICLES, OR SONG OF SONGS opened and explained.
THE TEXT. CHAP. 4.
BEhold; thou art faire my love, behold, thou art faire, thou haſt doves eyes within thy lockes: thy haire is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.
verse 2 Thy teeth are like a flocke of ſheepe that are even ſhorne, which came up from the waſhing: whereof every one beare twins, and none is barren among them.
verse 3 Thy lips are like a thread of ſcarlet, and thy ſpeech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy lockes.
verse 4 Thy necke is like to the tower of David, builded for an armory, whereon there hang a thouſand bucklers, all ſhields of mighty men.
verse 5 Thy two breaſts are like two young Roes, that are twins, which feed among the lillies.
verse 6 Vntill the day breake, and the ſhadowes flee away; I will get me to the mountains of Myrrhe, and to the hill of Frankincenſe.
verse 7 Thou art all faire, my love, there is no ſpot in thee.
verse 8 Come with me from Lebanon (my ſpouſe) with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the Lions dens, from the mountains of the Leopards.
verse 9 Thou haſt raviſhed my heart, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe; thou haſt raviſhed my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy necke.
verse 10 How faire is thy love, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe! how much better is thy love then wine! and the ſmell of thy oyntments then all ſpices!
verse 11 Thy lips, O my ſpouſe, drop as the honey-comb: honey and milke are under thy tongue, & the ſmell of thy garments is like the ſmell of Lebanon.
verse 12 A garden incloſed is my ſiſter, my ſpouſe, a ſpring ſhut up, a fountaine ſealed.
verse 13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranats, with pleaſant fruits, Camphire, with Spikenard.
verse 14 Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus and Cynamon, with all trees of Frankincenſe, Myrrhe, and Aloes, with all the chiefe ſpices.
verse 15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and ſtreames from Lebanon.
verse 16 Awake, O Northwind, and come thou South, blow upon my garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow out: let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits.
THE EXPLANATION.
Cant. 4. 1.—6.
Behold, thou art faire my love, behold thou art faire, thou haſt doves eyes within thy locks: thy haire is as a flock of goates, that appeare from mount Gilead, &c.
THis Chapter deſcribes the eſtate of the Church in her periods:
Firſt, in Chriſts time, under his Miniſtery, verſe 1.—6.
Secondly, after his aſcenſion, under the Apoſtles, verſe 7.—11.
Thirdly, after their departure, during the firſt ten perſecutions, verſe 12.—16.
The Church in Chriſts time is commended and deſcribed,
Firſt, by her beauty in generall, Behold, thou art faire my love, behold, thou art faire.
Secondly, the beauty of her ſeverall parts, at that time moſt conſpicuous, as
Firſt, Of her eyes, verſe 1.
Secondly, Of her haire, verſe 1.
Thirdly, Of her teeth, verſe 2.
Fourthly, Of her lips, verſe 3.
Fifthly, Of her temples, verſe 3.
Sixthly, Of her necke, verſe 4.
Seventhly, Of her breaſts, verſe 5.
Secondly, the death of Chriſt falling out in her time, verſe 6.
Behold thou art faire:] faire twice repeated implies, by an uſuall Hebraiſme, that ſhee was very faire: and beloved twice repeated, argues her eminent beauty was very conſpicuous; ſuch was the eſtate of the Church gathered by his Miniſtery and flocking after him.
Firſt, it was faire and beautifull, partly in her flocking after himaMat. 4. 25..
Secondly, leaving all to follow him, *Mat. 19. 19 27.hanging upon his mouth, and wondring at the gracious words and deeds comming from him.Luk. 19. 48. & 9. 43.
Secondly, In his both,
Firſt,bIoh. 3. 29 preſence with her, as her light.
Secondly,Ioh. 12. 35 decking of her by his Miniſtery.
This beauty of the Church was well knowne, yet ought to have beene better obſerved:
Firſt of all, by the children of wiſedomecMat. 11. 19..
Secondly, of all thedIoh. 12. 20, 21. Greekes, even ſtrangerseIoh. 12. 19. of the Phariſees and Elders.
Thou haſt Doves eyes within thy lockes:] Doves (as before Cha. 1. 15.) are noted,
Firſt, for their chaſteneſſe.
Secondly, loathing of uncleanneſſe: but there is with all in their eyes,
1. Cleanneſſe.
2. Simplicity.
This implies that the Church at that time
Firſt, ſaw more clearely ſundry truths about Chriſt then the Fathers had donefLuk. 10. 23, 24., or the preſent GovernoursgIoh. 9. 39..
Secondly, was of a ſimple and innocent looke and demeanourhMat. 10. 16..
Thirdly,Ioh. 1. 47. looked with a chaſte eye, after Chriſt aloneiIoh. 6. 68.
Fourthly, loathed the uncleanneſſe of Phariſaicall ſuperſtitionskMat. 15. 1, 2..
Within thy lockes.] For their knowledge, though cleere in many things, yet perceived not ſundry plaine points: as,
Firſt, the death and reſurrection of Chriſt*Luk. 18. 32, 33, 34..
Secondly, the leaven of the Phariſees†Mar. 8. 15.
As the eye within lockes of haire is hindred from diſcerning things lying open before it.Luk. 12. 1
Thy haire as a flocke of Goats that appeare from mount Gilead.Mat. 16 6.]
Haire, though it hang long upon the head, yet it may in time either,
Firſt, fall of it ſelfe.
Secondly, be cut off: ſo were the common Chriſtians of that time (as it were) haire,
1. For multitude.
2. Hanging on Chriſt the head.
3. Falling many of them from him:
Firſt, either of themſelves*Ioh. 6. 66., Or
Secondly, cut off by the practiſes of the*Mat. 27. 20. Prieſts:Ioh. 12. 42, 43. hence it was that Jeſus durſt not commit himſelfe to them†Ioh. 2. 23.—25..
As a flocke of Goats,] which are wont,
Firſt, to aſſemble themſelves in companies; ſo did the people gather after Chriſt.
Secondly, to be without a ſhepheard, as this people were*Mat. 9. 36..
Thirdly, to feed a farre off, and that ſomewhat dangerouſly, upon Rocks.
So that people came from farre to heare Chriſt*Mar. 8. 3, and were in danger for feeding on him*Ioh. 9. 22..
Thy teeth are like a flocke of ſheepe that are even ſhorne,Verſe 2. which came up from the waſhing: whereof every one beare twins, and none is barren among them.]
The ſheepe whereto theſe teeth are likened, are ſet forth,
Firſt, by their even-ſhorneneſſe.
Secondly, by their cleanneſſe, comming up from the waſhing.
Thirdly, by their fruitfulneſſe, Every one bringeth forth twins, none barren.
Firſt, even ſet, none gaping out.
Secondly, white and cleane.
Thirdly, each anſwering to his fellow in the other jaw, none wanting, as it is a praiſe to the teeth to be. The teeth are ſuch as chew the meat, and prepare it for the reſt of the body; ſuch in that Church were the Apoſtles, whom our Saviour calls a little flocke*Luk. 12. 32.: they were all,
Firſt, even ſet, and even ſhorne, none burſting out beyond his fellowes: Peters ſupremacy ſtretched not beyond the reſt of the Apoſtles†Mat. 16. 19. compared with Ioh. 20. 23 & Mat. 18 18..
The teeth of innocent ſheepe are even ſet: They that have tuſhes longer then the other teeth are hurtfull and ravenous beaſts,Mat. 20. 20, 25. as Dogs, Bears, Lions, &c. Ten of the Apoſtles diſdained the motion of ſupremacy.Mar. 10. 40, 42.
Secondly,Luk. 22. 24, 25. came up from Johns baptiſme, and therefore when Judas fell aaway, they muſt needs ſupply his place out of the number of ſuch as had continued with them from Johns baptiſme.Act. 1. 21. 22.
Secondly, they were ſutable each one to his fellow, and therefore the ſeventy were ſent out by couples*Luk. 10. 1..
But eſpecially they were fruitfull in bringing home many lambs to Chriſt; & hence the ſeventy returned with joy to Chriſt*Luk. 10. 17, 18.; and Sathan is ſaid to fall downe from heaven before them like lightning.
Thy lips are like a thread of Scarlet,Verſe 3. and thy ſpeech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy lockes.
Thy lips are like a thread of Scarlet, and thy ſpeech is comely.] Both ſignifying the delivery or utterance of the Doctrine of the Church at that time, which was
Firſt, as a thread ſlender (tenui filo,) not plump or ſwelling with humane eloquence, but ſavouring of Fiſher-like tenuitie and ſimplicitie.
Secondly, as a thread of Scarlet; for as Scarlet or Purple is a princely and royall weare, ſo their Doctrine was,
Firſt, touching the kingdom of heaven*Mat. 10. 7..
Secondly, though tender, yet deeply dyed in graine with royall Majeſty and authority of the Spirit of God.
Thy temples are like a piece of a Pomegranate within thy lockes.] Temples of the head are they by which the whole body watcheth or reſteth; they are ſuch therefore as watch over the body, and for it. The Pomegranate was of much uſe in the old Tabernacle and Temple:*Exod. 28. 34. Aarons coat was hanged with Pomegranates and Bels; Bels for ſound of doctrine and prayer, Pomegranates for reſtraining and healing the diſtempers and diſeaſes of the people. Pomegranates are commended by Fernelius*Fernel. p. 26.
Firſt, for repreſſing the heat of Choler.
Secondly, the malignity, rottenneſſe and agrimony of feavers.
Thirdly, the looſeneſſe of the belly.
Secondly, for comforting and ſtrengthning the ſtomacke and bowels, to the keeping backe all fainting†Fernelius Method. medend. lib. 5. cap. 3.. This office the Eccleſiaſticall governours of the Church doe performe to it; they repreſſe the heat of fallings out among brethren, the notorious abuſes, the looſeneſſe, or diſtempredneſſe of the people; they comfort the feeble, and binde up the weake, and are therefore fitly reſembled by Pomegranates, yea by a piece of a Pomegranate: for it is not the whole body of the Pomegranate that doth this; but it, broken in pieces, by his juice and rinde is medicinable.
Within thy lockes:] Becauſe though Chriſt eſtabliſhed Diſcipline, and delivered it to the Church in his time*Mat. 18. 15,—17.; yet it was not diſplayed, nor ſhewed it ſelfe in open execution till after his reſurrection on†1 Cor. 5, 1.—6..
Thy neck is like the tower of David,Verſe 4. &c.] The necke is that part that joyneth head and body together; now that which joyneth Chriſt and his Church together, is our faith: which faith in ſome of the members of that Church in Chriſts time, was obſerved to be ſtrong and great*Mat. 8. 10. & 15. 28.; and therefore is here fitly compared to the tower of David, for an Armory, (whereof we read)*Neh. 9. 25, 26. whereon there hanged a thouſand bucklers, all ſhields of mighty men. It ſeemes Davids mighty men hanged up their ſhields in this Armory againſt times of warre; and ſo in like manner all the Worthies of Iſrael; all the faithfull before Chriſt, hanged their ſhields of faith upon Chriſt, in whom the faith of his Church was as a ſtrong Armory†Heb. 11. 13.. Faith is not ſo much a tower of ſtrength in it ſelfe, as in Chriſt whom it apprehendeth.
Thy two breaſts are like two young Roes that are twinnes,Verſe 5. which feed among the lillies.
Thy two breaſts are like two young Roes that are twins.] The breaſts give milke: now the breaſts that give milke to the Church, the ſincere*2 Pet. 2. 2. milke of the word, are the Miniſters, which in the Church of Chriſts time were firſt the Apoſtles; ſecondly, the ſeventy: and are therefore here called two breaſts, and both as Roes, becauſe not tyed to any certaine place within all the people of the Jewes; for Roes ſtay not long in a place: And both as twins, becauſe of equall commiſſion, being both ſent alike to the whole houſe of Iſrael, though, after the Reſurrection, the Apoſtles commiſſion was enlarged further then that of the ſeventy.
Which feed among the lillies.] For they were ſent not onelyonly among the Gentiles or Samaritans, but amongſt,
Firſt,10. Mat. the loſt ſheepe of the houſe of Iſrael.
Secondly,Mat. 10. 11. the true-hearted or well-affected of the Iſraelites.
Theſe faithfull are here compared to the lillies,
Firſt, for their whiteneſſe and purity of innocency.
Secondly, for their amiableneſſe.
Untill the day breake,Verſe 6. and the ſhadowes flee away: I will get mee to the mountaines of Myrrhe, and to the hill of Frankincenſe.
Untill the day breake, and the ſhadowes flee away.] That is, untill the light of the Goſpell breake forth, and the ſhadowes of the Moſaicall Ceremonies vaniſh.
I will get me to the mountains of Myrrhe, and to the hill of Frankincenſe.] That is, to the mounts,
Firſt of Olivet,
Secondly, of Golgotha,
Where he ſuffered in the Garden, and on the Croſſe, and nailed to his Croſſe all the ſhadowes of the Law, and, in fulfilling them,*Col. 2. 14. aboliſhed them.
Myrrhe and Frankincenſe, are wont to be uſed in imbalming, and with ſuch like Chriſt himſelfe at his death was to have beene imbalmed,Joh. 19. 39, 40. if his reſurrection had not prevented the women.Luk. 23. 46. Beſides, the paſſion of Chriſt was a ſacrifice of a ſweet ſmelling ſavour to God, and therefore the place thereof is fitly called the Mountaine of Myrrhe, and hill of Frankincenſe; though otherwiſe the mountaine of Myrrhe may well be Mount Calvary, or Golgotha, the place of his death; and the hill of Frankincenſe mount Olivet, in regard of his aſcenſion into Heaven; yea, even Heaven it ſelfe, whither he aſcended, may be well called the hill of Frankincenſe for ſweetneſſe.
This firſt doth teach us that a Church may be beautifull in Gods ſight, though conſiſting
Uſe 1 Firſt, of meane perſons.
Secondly, of ſuch as were ſometimes notorious offenders, as Publicans and Harlots: and from hence
Firſt, poore people,
Secondly, ſinners, yea ugly ſinners are to be exhorted to repentance and ſeeking after Chriſt: It makes them truely amiable in Chriſts eies, though otherwiſe in themſelves never ſo meane and foule.
From hence alſo poore ſinners may take comfort; though loaden with the ſenſe of their deformities, they in Chriſts eyes are very beautifull.
From hence alſo the Separatiſts may learne, that notwithſtanding many abuſes in their teachers, or others of the Church,Mat. 23. 23. as the Scribes and Phariſees whom the people were to heare, yet the Church may be denominated from the better part very faire, as a heape of wheat, though covered over with abundance of chaffe.
Secondly, this may teach Miniſters how to frame themſelves to be amiable in Gods ſight, (viz.)
Firſt, by carrying themſelves evenly with their brethren.
Secondly, by cleanſing their hearts and lives by the power of Baptiſme.
Thirdly, by fruitfulneſſe, and faithfulneſſe in their Miniſtery.
Fourthly, by not affecting carnall eloquence, but gracious and deep-dyed powerfull utterance; for ſwelling words of humane wiſedome make mens preaching ſeeme to Chriſt (as it were) a blubber-lipt Miniſtery.
Fifthly, by reſtraining abuſes and offences amongſt the people, and ſtrengthning and comforting the feeble minded.
Sixthly, by feeding their people with *1 Pet. 2. 2.ſincere milke, and not being drie nurſes.
Seventhly, by taking moſt delight in converſing among lillies, their well-affected people, though ſeeking alſo to winne all, and therefore ſometimes converſing with them as the Phyſicians among the ſicke.
Uſe 3 This may teach eccleſiaſticall Governours their office in the former vertues of the Pomegranate, to repreſſe the heat of abuſes,Verſe 3. the looſeneſſe and diſtempredneſſe of the people, to comfort the feeble, and binde up the weake, &c.
Fourthly, this may teach the people how to approve themſelves to Chriſt, in looking after Chriſt in knowledge, ſimplicity, chaſtity of Spirit, loathing ſuperſtitions, and places of bad reſort.
Aſpicis ut veniunt ad candida tecta Columbae.
Thou ſee'ſt how Pigeons take their flight,
To houſes that be faire and white.
For, what ſhould Chriſtians doe in filthy Taverns, Ale-houſes, Stews, &c. in ſtrength of faith rooting and building themſelves upon Chriſt.
Thou art all faire my love, Cant. 4. 7,—11.there is no ſpot in thee.] In theſe words wee have a deſcription of the eſtate of the Church ſoone after Chriſts aſcenſion, gathered and built up by the Miniſtery of the Apoſtles, which they call the Apoſtolicke or primitive Church.
This Church is here ſet forth,
Firſt, by her compleat beauty, her full faireneſſe, ver. 7.
Secondly, by Chriſts calling her to behold the calling of the Gentiles, ver. 8.
Thirdly, by the raviſhing beauty of a ſiſter Church at that time:
1. In one of her eyes.
2. One chaine of her necke.
verſe 9.
Fourthly, by her love, which is ſet forth,
1. By the faireneſſe of it.
2. By the ſweetneſſe of it above wine,
verſe 10.
Fifthly, by the flowingneſſe, ſweetneſſe, and wholſomneſſe of her doctrine, v. 11.
Sixthly, by the ſmell of her garments, like that of Lebanon, ver. 11.
Thou art faire:] The faireneſſe of the Church was acknowledged before, but never till now the perfect faireneſſe. All compleat faireneſſe or beauty ſtandeth in theſe three things:
Firſt, in the integrity of all the parts and members of the body; for if any be wanting, it is a maimed, a blemiſhed body.
Secondly, in the Symmetry, or fit proportion of all the members one to another.
Thirdly, in the good complexion, or colour of them all. Looke what parts are requiſite for the compleat integrity of a faire Church, they are all found in the Apoſtolicke Church in comely proportion of beauty; for looke,
Firſt, at their doctrine, and it was,
1. Free from all errour, ſo farre as it was diſpenſed by the Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts of that time*Act. 28. 22, 23., who likewiſe ſuffered no weeds of falſe doctrine to grow under them*Rev. 2. 2..
2. Their doctrine was compleat, even the whole counſell of God†Act. 20. 27..
3. It was diſpenſed in powerfull ſimplicity *1 Cor. 2. 4..
Secondly, looke at their worſhip, and you may ſee,Act. 2. 37, 44. & 4. 4.
1. The purity of Gods ordinances, without mixture of humane inventions*1 Cor. 11. 23, 34. & 14. 26, 48..
2. Order, decency, edification of all aimed at in all the duties adminiſtred.
3. Fervency and frequency in prayer*Act. 4. 31. & 13. 1.—3. & 14. 23. and faſting.
Thirdly, looke at their Chriſtian communion, and you may ſee
1. Their unity one with another*Act. 4. 32..
2. Love, and large-heartedneſſe one towards another†Act. 4. 32., eſpecially to their Miniſters*Gal. 4. 14, 15..
Fourthly, looke to their Diſcipline, and you may ſee the Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Presbyters, Paſtors, Teachers, firſt, teaching; ſecondly, exhorting; thirdly, ruling: and all by, firſt, preaching, ſecondly, writing, thirdly, private conference, fourthly, good examples: (No Churches unprovided of Presbyters, in the plurall number*Act. 14. 23..)
Thirdly, the Deacons providing for the poore, Act. 6. 3,—6.
Fourthly, both ſorts choſen by the Church, Act. 6. 3, 5.
Fifthly, Excommunications diſpenſed upon weighty occaſions,1 Cor. 5. 3,—5 with 2 Cor. 2. 6,—8. and with great reverence, and with good ſucceſſe.
Sixthly, Synods impoſing no other but neceſſary things, either in themſelves, or for the preſent uſe of the Church, Act, 15. 26.
This comely frame and order of the Chruch Paul beholding, joyed in it*Col. 2. 5. The Church was now called a Spouſe after Chriſt had taken our nature upon him.
Come with me from Lebanon.Verſe 8. (my Spouſe) with mee from Lebanon: looke from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the Lions dens, from the mountaines of the Leopards.
Come with me from Lebanon.] It is a famous hill in the uttermoſt border of Iſrael northward: Amana a hill more northward on the weſt of Syria, looking into Syria, Meſopotamia, Cilicia, & all Aſia the leſs.
Hermon and Shenir.] Two names of the ſame hill, though happely given to divers parts, called alſo Syrion or Sien *Deut. 3. 9. & 4. 48..
The Lions dens and mountaines of the Leopards:] Jeruſalem*Mat. 21. 13. and the Temple in our Saviours time was made a den of theeves and robbers;Mar. 12. 17. but in the Apoſtles time,Luk. 19. 46. after the Aſcenſion, the Rulers grew more fierce and cruell, ſpilling the bloud of Stephen, and making havocke of the Church: So then, in this verſe, Chriſt cals his Church of the Chriſtian Jewes,
Firſt, to behold from Lebanon, Hermon, Amana, the Church of the Gentiles gathered in Antioch, Phenice, Cyrene, Cyprus, &c.
Secondly, to come out from thoſe dens of ravenous perſecutors at Jeruſalem, and to prepare her ſelfe to dwell among the Gentiles. Upon the perſecution of Stephen the faithfull wandred into theſe parts, and preached the Goſpell partly to the Jewes, and after to the Gentiles alſo*Act. 11. 18.—20.; whereupon great numbers of the Gentiles beleeved†Act. 11. 21.: Which when tydings thereof came to Jeruſalem, it was as the voyce of Chriſt calling the Church of Jeruſalem to ſend Barnabas to them, to ſee the Churches there, and to eſtabliſh them*verſe 22—24.. Afterwards when the Church of the Gentiles increaſed in number and grace, and the Jewes increaſed and grew up in blaſphemy and rage againſt the Goſpell, Chriſt called his Church at Jeruſalem to leave thoſe dens and mountaines of Lions and Leopards.Act. 22. 21 & 13. 46.
My ſiſter. Verſe 9.] This implieth that Chriſt now ſpeaketh not to the mother Church of the Jewes, but to a ſiſter Church, the Church of the Gentiles; ſuch a ſiſter as is alſo a ſpouſe, a true Church, now firſt called a ſiſter by reaſon of the acceſſion of the Church of the Gentiles.
Thou haſt raviſhed my heart, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe, thou haſt raviſhed my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy neck.
Thou haſt raviſhed my heart, thou haſt raviſhed my heart.] This implies that Chriſt was overcome exceedingly with the love of the Church: for ſuch repetitions imply, in the Hebrew Phraſe, a ſuperlative excellency.
This Church ſo affecting Chriſt was Antioch, the firſt Church of the Gentiles, ſeated betweene Amana and Lebanon: for Barnabas, ſeeing the grace of God upon them, was not a little glad of it, ſo that his ſpirit was ſtirred up to exhort them to continue and grow up*Act. 11. 23, 24.: yea, hee went out and ſought Saul, to bring him among them*verſe 25, 26.; and they both ſpent a whole yeare there, and did winne much people, ſo that that Church was firſt called Chriſtian,*verſe 26 they firſt had their huſbands name, the name of Chriſt firſt put upon them, for the forwardneſſe of his love to them, and theirs to him.
With one of thy eyes.] The eyes of the Church are ſeverall, according as the Church may be ſeverally conſidered: for if the Church be conſidered as aſſembled together to publike duties, ſo the Miniſters of the Church are the eyes, amongſt whom they at Antioch excelled, as Agabus †Act. 11. 27, 28. & 13. 1.and others; among whom the Lord was eſpecially delighted with Barnabas and Saul, who were ſent immediatly by the Spirit of Chriſt to enlighten all the neighbour Countries*Act. 13. 2. to Act. 14. 27.: So they two, joyned in one office, were as one eye to enlighten all the parts. But if the Church be conſidered in the members apart, the eyes thereof are knowledge and faith†Ioh. 8. 56.: In this Church faith excelled, reſting upon Chriſt alone without Moſes his Ceremonies, which the Jewes would have thruſt upon them*Act. 15. 1, 2, 3..
With one chaine of thy necke.] Chaines ſignified Lawes†Cant. 1. 10. binding as Chaines. Now the Church of Antioch ſending up Paul and Barnabas to Jeruſalem, about the contention which Cerinthus (as the ſtories thinke) and others raiſed at Antioch concerning the neceſſity of the Ceremoniall Lawes;*Act. 15. 2. the Apoſtles or Elders made a Law or decree to abrogate the Ceremonies, and yet enjoyne ſome things, partly neceſſary in themſelves, as to avoid fornication; partly neceſſary to avoid the offences of the Jews, as to abſtaine from bloud, &c. This Law the Apoſtles and Elders hanged as a chaine upon the necke of the Church of Antioch and other Churches†Act. 15. 23.—29.: whence that Church received great conſolation*Verſe 31, and the other Churches eſtabliſhment and increaſe*Act. 16 4, 5..
How faire is thy love my Siſter,Ver. 10. my ſpouſe! how much better is thy love then wine! and the ſmell of thine oyntments then all ſpices!
How faire is thy love, my Siſter!] Siſter implies the ſame, and ſuch like gentile Churches, whoſe love is here ſet forth,
Firſt, by the faireneſſe of it.
Secondly, by the ſtrength, ſweetneſſe, cheerefulneſſe, implied in the preferring it above wine.
How faire, and ſtrong, and ſweet, and cheerefull was the love of the Church of Antioch; which aforehand prepared a contribution of their owne accord for the poore Saints at Jeruſalem, even*Act. 11 29, 30. every man according to his ability! The like or greater love ſeemed in the poore Churches of Macedonia*2 Cor. 8. 1.—5.. A faire love for poore men to ſend reliefe to others: A ſtrong love for deepely poore to ſend rich liberality; yet more ſtrong and ſweet to pray the meſſengers with much intreaty to receive it, and a cheerefull love to doe all this in abundance of joy, and beyond the Apoſtles owne expectation.
This kinde of benevolence the Apoſtle calleth an odour of a ſweet ſmell*Phil. 4. 18.; it was ſweeter and better then wine. All this love ſhewed to the poore Saints Chriſt takes here as done to himſelfe, as he will alſo take it at the laſt day.Mat. 25. 35.—40. The decayes of this firſt love ſhewes how great this love was at the firſt*Rev. 2. 2.—4..
The ſmell of thine oyntments then all ſpices. Ver. 10.] Oyntments, are the graces of Gods Spirit*Chap. 1. 3.: Theſe gave a ſweet report farre and neare in thoſe Primitive Churches†Rom. 1. 8..
Thy lips,Col. 2. 5. O my ſpouſe,1 Theſ. 1. 6. 7, 8. drop as the honey-combe:Ver. 11. honey and milke are under thy tongue, and the ſmell of thy garments is like the ſmell of Lebanon.
Thy lips, O my Spouſe, drop as the honey-combe: honey and milke are under thy tongue.] This commendeth the Doctrine and Miniſtry of thoſe firſt Churches, in theſe foure reſpects:
Firſt, for the readineſſe and flowingneſſe of it; it dropped forth of it ſelfe, it needed not to be preſt and conſtrained, as an honey-combe.
Secondly, for the ſweetneſſe of it, as the honey or the honey-combe.
Thirdly, for the wholeſomneſſe of it, as milke.
The ſmell of thy garments is like the ſmell of Lebanon.] Lebanon is full of ſweet trees of ſpices growing in it, which yeeld a fragrant ſmell even a farre off. Garments are,
Firſt, partly the wedding garments of Chriſts righteouſneſſe.
Secondly, partly the gracious carriage wherewith they cloathed themſelves in their outward converſation: They cloathed and decked themſelves with Chriſt, not onelyonly to their Juſtification, but with his Spirit to their Sanctification; which ſhewes forth it ſelfe in their humility, meekenes, patience, honeſty, faithfulneſs, diligence, ſerviceableneſs of their outward carriage, ſo farre forth as that the Heathen ſmelled a ſweet favour in their whole courſe;*Phil. 4. 8 yea,1 Theſ. 4. 9.—11. even in Trajans time,1 Pet. 2. 12. when the ſmell of garments was not ſo ſtrong: yet what a ſweet teſtimony doth Pliny himſelfe (though a perſecutor) give of them,1 Ioh. 3. 22. 24. when hee ſaid, hee could finde no fault with them but that they roſe early,Euſeb. lib. 3 cap. 30. and went into the woods to ſing Hymnes to one Jeſus?Plin. Epiſt. lib. 10. Epiſt. 97.
Uſe 1 This firſt is to reforme their judgements who ſpeake of the Apoſtolicall Church as an infant and rude Church, whereas Chriſt, whoſe eyes were as a flame of fire, and who beſt knew it, commends it for perfection of beauty, and ſaith it was faire: So that if a Church were ſuch, Chriſt might imbrace it with both his armes.
This is the Church excellent for her Miniſters, excellent for common Chriſtians, which had pure eyes of knowledge and faith; ſo that by how much neerer any Church comes to this, by ſo much the fairer it is; and by how much any Church comes ſhort of it, by ſo much the fouler it is.
Uſe 2 Secondly, this doth teach us that not abuſes, but the toleration of them doth blemiſh a Church, and detract from the perfect beauty of it; for otherwiſe in the Primitive Churches were found Schiſms, Hereſies,1 Cor. 11. 13, 14. 19.—22. & 14. & 15. Chap. a denying the Reſurrection, uncharitable going to Law, Inceſt, love-feaſts in the Lords Supper, ſtrange tongues in the publicke worſhip; and yet becauſe the Apoſtles ſtood out againſt theſe and reformed them, the Church ſtill retaines her perfect beauty. In the Church of Epheſus there were falſe Apoſtles *Rev. 2. 2, yet it was a Church; ſo it is, corruptions not cut off defile a Church▪ As we then deſire the Church ſhould be pure, leave we all our ſinnes and corruptions which may any way blemiſh the beauty of the Church.
Uſe 3 Thirdly, this teaches us to be ready to extoll and acknowledge (as occaſion ſerveth) other mens labours above our owne. Chriſt gathered a Church in his owne time which hee called, Faire*Cant. 4▪ 1.; but this Church gathered by his Apoſtles he calleth, All faire*Cant. 4. 7.. It grieveth him not to aſcribe thouſands to himſelfe, and ten thouſands to them; yea, he foretold it,Ioh. 14. 12 and promiſed it freely aforehand: How farre was he from a Spirit of envie and emulation, though indeed all their ſucceſſe was by his grace and bleſſing, as Paul ſaid,*1 Cor. 15. 10. By the grace of God I am that I am? The contrary Spirit of emulation hindereth Churches from taking that which is their owne from one another.
Uſe 4 Fourthly, hence wee learne in what caſes one Church may ſtep from another, to wit,
Firſt, when Chriſt leaveth a Church, and goeth away with us from it; Come with me from Lebanon (my ſpouſe,) with me: So when Chriſt leaves and forſakes a Church, wee may leave it and goe out with him.
Secondly, when a Church is become an univerſall ſpotted Leopard, and a cruell Lion, blaſpheming and perſecuting the Goſpell of Chriſt, as*Act. 19. 9. & 13. 50, 51.
Theſe things were found in Rome, from whence wee departed not in England, (bleſſed be the Lord) from whom the Separatiſts would have us to depart: But Chriſt ſtill vouchſafes to be with us, converting ſoules, feeding his lambes, hearing our prayers; We may alſo worſhip Chriſt in truth without feare of lawes, yea with acceptance. When Chriſt goes, let all his faithfull ſpouſes goe with him; when there are dens of Lions, and men cannot keepe the profeſſion of Chriſt, but fall into their mouthes, then it is time to goe: But are there theſe cauſes now? doth not Chriſt dwell here in the ſimplicity of his ordinances? As long as Chriſt is here in England, let us not goe away:*Ioh. 6. 68. but ſay, as Peter and John, Lord, to whom ſhall wee goe? thou haſt the words of eternall life. As long as Chriſt is pleaſed to feed us, to drop milke and honey into our ſoules, let us not depart.
Uſe 5 Fifthly, this may teach us how to knit the heart of Chriſt to us in raviſhing affection, by cleaving to Chriſt with ſetled purpoſe*Act. 11. 23., by abounding in helpfulneſſe to the Saints, by procuring and keeping faithfull ſhepherds, by burthening the Church not with many chains of lawes,Verſe. 9. but onelyonly with few, and thoſe neceſſary: all theſe are formerly mentioned in the Church of Antioch. As ever we deſire to have the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to love us, let us grow in knowledge, faith, and all ſaving graces of his Spirit, and hereby ſhew our love to him, and then we ſhall finde Chriſt raviſhed with our love.
Uſe 6 Sixthly, this doth teach us what kind of love Chriſt acknowledgeth and embraceth;Verſe 10. to wit, faire, ſtrong, ſweet, cheerefull, in an enlarging our ſelves to the reliefe of his poore Saints.
Uſe 7 Seventhly, this doth teach Miniſters how to make their Miniſtry amiable to Chriſt,Verſe 11. (not to preach once a monethmonth, or quarterly, by the preaching of the Law, but) to be full as the honey-combe dropping out of it ſelfe, to preach ſweet doctrine as honey, and wholeſome as milk, for the nouriſhment of Chriſts lambs.
The Paſtors and Miniſters of the Primitive Church did this without help of Univerſities; what a ſhame then is this for us to come ſhort of them in ſuch abundance of outward helpes and means? Would'ſt thou be a faithfull Miniſter? let thy doctrine drop as honey, preach willingly, freely, ſweetly, comfortably.
Uſe 8 Laſtly, this may learne and ſtirre up Chriſtians ſo to walke, and ſo to furniſh our ſelves with inward graces, and with outward commendable carriage, as may yeeld a ſweet ſavour and ſmel to God and man, that it may be like the ſmell of Lebanon, that men may ſmell a ſweet ſavour that come neere them: let our hearts be inwardly furniſhed with the graces of God as with ſweet oyntments; and our outward garments, our outward converſation ſo directed with honeſty, integrity, humility, meekeneſſe and love, &c. that our names be not diſhonoured, much leſſe God by our meanes. Caſt we aſide ſtinking drunkenneſſe, whoredome,Rom. 13. 13, 14. malice, covetouſneſſe, &c. And thus doing, wee ſhall take away all offence; ſo doing, Chriſt ſhall looke at us as his faire ſpouſe, and ſay, Thou art all faire my love, verſe 7.
*Cant. 4. 12. to cha. 5. 2.A garden incloſed is my ſiſter, my ſpouſe.]
After the Church gathered by the Miniſtry of the Apoſtles, next followeth that under the ten perſecution; which is here deſcribed,
Firſt, by her reſtraint, verſe 13.
Secondly, by her privacy, verſe 14.
Thirdly, by her fruitfulneſſe, refreſhing and watering others, verſe 15.
Fourthly, by her prayer in this eſtate: wherein conſider,
1. The Petitions; which are three,
Firſt, for the ariſing of the winde, and coming into the South, verſe 16.
Secondly, for favourable blaſts of it, and that for this end, the flowing forth of her ſpices.
Thirdly, that Chriſt would come into his garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits, verſe 16.
2. Chriſts anſwer thereunto:
Firſt, he commeth into his garden.
Secondly, he gathereth and enjoyeth the fruits of it.
Thirdly, he fils his Churches friends with a large meaſure of plenty, Chap. 5. 1.
A garden:]Ver. 12. The Church is here ſo called, as verſe 13. an orchard; or as it is in the originall, a Paradiſe, as if this were the garden of Eden. All the world is as a wilderneſſe, or at leaſt a wilde field; onelyonly, the Church is Gods garden or orchard, in theſe three reſpects,
Firſt, as the garden of Paradiſe was the habitation of Adam in the eſtate of innocency, ſo is the Church of all thoſe who are renewed into innocency.
Secondly, as in that garden were all manner of pleaſant and wholeſome hearbs and trees growing, ſo in the Church are all manner of uſefull and ſavoury ſpirits.
Thirdly, as a man walketh in his garden to refreſh himſelfe; ſo doth Chriſt walke in his Church, yea and calleth his friends thither to walke with him.
A ſpring, a fountaine:] Not Becauſe the Church is the fountaine of grace; but becauſe, Chriſt being in it, it is the ſpring or fountaine of the waters of life unto all*Zach. 13. 1.
A garden, Pſ. 87. 7.ſpring, fountaine, incloſed, ſhut up, ſealed;] Not by a pale or wall of defence by Chriſtian Magiſtrates, but rather ſhut up by reſtraint; for the word ſignifies to incloſe or ſhut up, as with lockes and fetters.
Againe, the Church prayeth for the inlargement of the flowing of her ſpices, verſe 16. and therefore her preſent ſhutting up was uncomfortable to her.
The Church was then ſaid to be ſhut up,
Firſt, becauſe under the perſecutions it was ſhut up in priſons, and other places of puniſhment, as under lockes and fetters.
Secondly, becauſe the Church then aſſembled in private cloſe places, woods, dens, &c. and not in the open places of townes or cities.
Thirdly, becauſe it was ſhut up from free acceſſe of forrainers, men without; neither were the Emperours willing their Subjects ſhould repaire to them, nor the Church willing to admit all promiſcuouſly.
Thy plants:]Ver. 13, 14. That is, thy children or members, as an orchard of Pomegranates, Camphire, verſe 14. Spikenard, Safron, Calamus, Cynamon. The children of the Church are compared to theſe wholeſome and ſweet fruits, trees, hearbs, in a double reſpect.
Firſt, becauſe the vertues of theſe fruits and ſpices are eſpecially ſeen when they are cut and powred out, or beaten, or burned, or bruiſed: So it is with the graces of Gods children; they are chiefly exerciſed by the hard dealing of perſecutors.
Secondly, there was in the faithfull then perſecuted a reſemblance of the vertues of theſe fruits and ſpices.
Pomegranates repreſſe and reſtrainePomgranats. the heat of Choler, the malignity of fevers, the looſeneſſe of the belly, they alſo comfort the ſtomacke and bowels, and prevent faintings and ſwoonings.
Camphire with his ſweetneſſe of ſmell delighteth and ſtrengthneth the Spirits,Camphire cheereth up the minde, helpes the ſtone, reſtraines ulcers.
Spikenard ſtayeth diſtillations from the head,Spikenard ſtrengthneth the ſtomacke, digeſteth cold humours, helpeth conception.
Safron thinneth flegme,Safron. helpes lethargies, coughs, and plurifies, furthereth digeſtion, comforteth the heart, redreſſes the rottenneſſe of the other parts, which alſo are ſtrengthned.
Calamus helpes the paſſages of the urine,Calamus. and the faults of the reines, helpeth alſo the wombe and conception.
Cynamon ſtrengthneth and cheereth the ſpirits and minde,Cynamon dryeth up rotten matter, helpeth againſt poyſon, warneth and ſtrengthneth the ſtomacke to digeſtion.
Frankinceſe reſtraineth and helpeth ulcers, gouts,Frankincenſe. fluxes of bloud, cleanſeth and glueth up wounds and ulcers.
Myrrh refreſheth the braine,Myrrh. drieth up ſuperfluous humors, helpeth ſtraightneſſe of breath, reſtraineth ulcers and itchineſſe, filleth ulcers and wounds with fleſh.
Aloes cleanſe tough flegme and choller,Aloes. drie up raw and cold humours, preſerve the reſt from putrefying,Fernelius de method. medend. lib. 4. cap. 7, 9, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27. lib. 6. cap. 12, 13, 14, 15. open obſtructions, ſtrengthen the ſtomacke ſtrongly.
Sutable to the vertues of theſe fruits and ſpices, perſecution bred and ſtirred up in the faithfull graces of like efficacy, to reſtraine heats of emulation, contention, ambition, to repreſſe ulcers of malignity and diſ-affection one to another, to heale the coldneſſe, hypocriſie, and rottenneſſe of their ſpirits; to ſtay diſtillations of cold raw matters, dropping from the head Biſhops of Rome; as alſo to ſtrengthen appetite to the word, to comfort the faint hearted, to knit the members together.
A fountaine of gardens, &c.]Ver. 15. For the Church, pouring out her confeſſions and martyrdomes for the truth, propagated and watered many Churches; for, ſanguis martyrum was ſemen Eccleſiae, Joh. 4. 10.a Well of living waters. The Church was not then dryed up, but plentifully ſtored with the graces of the ſpirit, Streames from Lebanon: The Churches were ſtored with ſuch graces of the Spirit, as ſtreamed and iſſued out from the mountains of Iſrael, the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles.
Awake, or ariſe, Ver. 16.O Northwind, &c.] The Churches deſire that a winde might ariſe in the North, and come into the South: to wit, that Conſtantine, borne in Yorke, would come into the ſoutherne parts, and take the Empire upon him, (and blow upon my garden) driving away the blaſts of Eaſterly perſecutions, and breath favourably and wholeſomly upon the Church, cooling the tempeſtuous heats of the perſecutions which the Church endured. The Church prayeth not the South to come, but the North to come into the South, elſe
Firſt, the word blow, if it had reference to both windes, ſhould have beene of the plurall number.
Secondly, Northwinde and Southwinde blowing together, would interrupt and croſſe one another by their contrariety.
That the ſpices thereof may flow forth:]Ver 16. That the Goſpell and ordinances of Chriſt and the graces of his children, which were there reſtrained from their free manifeſtation by the perſecutions, might have free paſſage.
Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat of his pleaſants fruits.] Le Conſtantine come to them, and partake of the benefits of the Churches ſerviceable graces to God and him.