A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 33
Christ the Lilly of the Vallies.
Cant. 2.1.
I am the Rose of Sharon; and the Lilly of the Vallies.
MOst Expositors agree that these (fore-going Words) are the Words of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lilly of the Vallies. Wherein he expresseth his own Excellencies, to draw, allure and enamour the Souls of those that love, and long after him: how fitly he may be compared to a Rose we have shewed in this Book, in some other Place, to which we refer you. And as there is great and lovely Beauty and Amiableness set forth by a Rose; so here, I shall by his Assistance, endeavour to set forth his Delicious Qualifications, by a Lilly; the Lilly of the Vallies.
Metaphor.
I. A Lilly is a sweet and a fragrant Flower, yea of such a strong and odoriferous Scent, that a Mans Senses (Naturalists say) will be easily over-turn'd with the sweet Savour thereof.
II. A Lilly is white and very beautiful; within it are seven Grains or Seeds, of the colour of Gold, so amiable, that our Saviour saith, Solomon in all his Glory was not adorn'd like one of these: Tagus p. 793.for Whiteness it exceeds all Flowers.
III. It is observed that the Lilly is exceeding fruitful; Vna Radice quinquagenos saepe emittente bubbos; one Root puts forth fifty Bubbs or Colours.Plin. lib. 21. c. 5.
IV. Pliny saith, The Lilly is the tallest of Flowers,c. 21. p. 5. yet hangs down its Head.
V. The Lilly is a Flower that hath many medicinal Virtues; the distilled Water of a Lilly is good to restore a lost Voice, it helps Faintness, good for the Liver, helps the Dropsie; and the Oil of it is good for divers Maladies; Inquit Galen.
Parallel.
I. THe Lord Jesus Christ may very fitly be compared to the Lilly, whose Savour and spiritual Sweetness very much excels and transcends the Sweetest of any Odours that can be mentioned; the Hony and the Hony-Comb are sweet to the smell, and sweeter to the taste: O then how sweet is the precious Savour of our blessed Saviour! See Rose of Sharon.
II. Whiteness denotes Holiness; 'tis said of the Bride, the Lamb's Wife, to her was granted, that she should be cloathed in White. And of those few Names,Rev. 19.8. in Sardis, which had not defiled their Garments, these (saith Christ) shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Purity is essential,Rev. 3.4. originally, perfectly, and absolutely inherent in Christ; he is Holiness it self, his Glory is infinite, within and without every way glorious; the Perfection of Beauty.
III. Jesus Christ is exceeding fruitful, from this Root, (for so is he call'd) how many Lillies, or holy, and heavenly Churches, have there sprung? yea, from this Blessed Lilly many thousands of holy and sanctified Christians? See the Metaphor of the Vine.
IV. Jesus Christ is higher than the Mighty Princes, Kings and Emperours of the Earth, higher than Heaven or Angels, and yet humble and lowly in Heart; Therefore he is compared to the Lilly of the Valley, in his Exaltations, as God very high:▪ but in his Humiliation, he seems to hang down his Head.
V. The great and incomparable Virtue that is in the Lord Jesus Christ, is excellently good to cure all the Diseases and Maladies of the Soul; it cures Spiritual Blindness, it softens an hard Heart, it cures Stubbornness and Obstinacy, by his blessed Infusion of Grace; in a word, there is no Malady too hard for this Spiritual Physician. See Physician and Heart. And for other Properties of the Lilly, see more where the Church is compared to it. For the Disparity, See Rose of Sharon.
Application.
FRom hence we may seasonably learn to be humble, seeing the Lilly which is said to be of a tall growth, yet hangeth down its Head. As Christ is humble, so Holiness and Humility are the glorious Ornaments of a Christian. That Christian that hath most Holiness, hath most Humility. The Ear of Wheat which is well kern'd and fullest, hangs down its Head most.