The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Introduction – Exposition
An EXPOSITION on the 45. Pſalm: The INTRODUCTION.
THis Pſalm doth in an Allegory, excellently deſcribe the myſticall marriage between Chriſt and his Church, under the type of King Solomon, and his Queen: the glory, and magnificence of whoſe marriage, and Court, did but ſhadow forth this; and therefore though we may take notice by the way, of Solomon and his Queen, yet Chriſt myſticall is chiefly aymed at in this Pſalm: many things herein being only applicable to him.
It is much like the Canticles, which is alſo an Allegory, borrowed, from the fellowſhip between husband and wife, to ſignify the Intercourſe and communion which … between Chriſt and his Church. The Booke of Daniel, and the Apocalypſe, with the Hiſtory of Abrahams family, mentioned, Gal. 4.24. are likewiſe Allegoricall; with …ther paſſages in Scripture.
In an Allegory, a further thing is meant then is plainly expreſſed in words: yet nevertheleſs we muſt avoid the …xtreams of Papiſts and other Monkiſh men, who under …otence of Allegories and myſteries, make of the Scriptures a noſe of wax, and turn the whole Hiſtory of the Bible, Chriſt, ſin, death, heaven, hell, and all into an… Allegory; ſome tell us that the whole letter of the Scripture holds forth only a Covenant of works; and ſo reduce all, to a Spirit and light within them: evacuating and laying aſide Chriſt Crucified, his Blood, merits, offices, word,*Caro concupiſcit adverſus Spiritum, id eſt Hiſtoria & Scripturae Carneus ſeu literalis intellectus, Contra allegoriam & Spiritualem Doctrinam repugnat. Literatis Scripturae intelligentia arceat a regno dei, allegorici Senſus Coelum aperiant &c. I Conſid. There is but one true ſenſe of Scripture. Inſtitutions, as Types and ſhadows of tha… Glory which is revealed in them.
Some of the ancients did miſerably pervert the Scriptures by bringing in vain and groundleſs Allegories: Phil… Judaeus, Expounds Paradiſe, to be the Soule; Ma… to be the mind; the woman to be the ſenſe; the Serpen… to be delight; the Tree of knowledge of good and evil to be wiſdome; and the reſt of the Trees to be the vertues and endowments of the mind: whither will no… the wanton wit of man (otherwiſe ſober) miſlead him?
Origen one of the Fathers was a great admirer of Allegories; writing on the words of the Apoſtle, The fleſ… luſteth againſt the Spirit, Gal. 5.17. That is (ſaith he) the Hiſtoricall or Literall Sence, fighteth againſt the Spirituall or Allegoricall ſenſe of Scripture; and again, th… Literall Senſe, which is Carnall, keeps men from, Bu… the Allegoricall Senſe, opens the Kingdome of Heaven to them. But ſee and admire the wiſdom of God! whereas this man expounded almoſt all other Scriptures Allegorically, he applyed Math. 19.12. Literally, and ſo gelded himſelf.
Now becauſe Allegories have been and are ſtill much abuſed, I ſhall propound 3 or 4 Conſiderations, which may miniſter ſome light to the Reader therein.
Firſt, whereas Papiſts and others make ſeverall Senſe of Scripture, a Literall and a Spiritual ſenſe; and the Spirituall they divide into Allegoricall, Tropologicall, and Anagogicall; we muſt know that there is but one full true, and entire ſenſe of Scripture, intended by the holy Ghoſt, and that is the Literall ſenſe; which is ſomtimes expreſſed by the Spirit of God in proper, and ſomtimes i… borrowed & figurative terms: a man may aſwell brin… in a hundred ſeverall ſenſes, as two or three varying one from another. The Literall and Spirituall are no… ſeverall ſenſes, but ſeverall Illuſtrations, applications or uſes of Scripture, or a Compound ſenſe (as ſome Phra… it) whereof there are two parts, literal, and figurative, which make up one entire Senſe, which is fulfilled two manner of ways, i.e. in the type, and literally in the thing ſignified. 'Tis not denyed but that there is a vaſt difference between the Naturall man and the Spirituall mans knowledge of the word of God, as there is between a naturall, and a ſpirituall light and principle: But then this difference is in the perſon or ſubject knowing, not in the Scriptures or object known.
Secondly, Allegories are not to be admitted,2 Conſid. Allegories are to be Cautiouſly admitted. but where the Scripture it ſelfe doth warrant them; and Commonly where an Allegory is propounded, there it is alſo expounded, as in Gal. 4.24. Which things are an allegory (or, by which things another thing is meant) for theſe are the two Teſtaments: nor hath this hiſtory of Abrahams family two ſeverall Senſes; the one proper and literall, the other figurative and myſticall; But they are two parts or Branches of one full entire ſenſe, and ſo intended by the holy Ghoſt: for not only the bare Hiſtory, but alſo that which is thereby ſignified, is the full ſenſe of the holy Ghoſt.
Thirdly, The learned Papiſts themſelves confeſs,3 Conſid. Allegories are not argumentative Theologia Symbolica, non eſt argumentativa, Tho. Aqui. that no convincing demonſtrative argument can be taken from the Allegoricall ſenſe, either to Confute, or to Confirme any point of Doctrine; and therefore much leſſe from that which they call Tropologicall, or Anagogicall. Allegories may ſerve to illuſtrate the Truth, but we are not to build our faith upon them.
Fourthly, As it is dangerous to bring in allegories where the Scripture doth not warrant them, and to take thoſe words Figuratively which ſhould be taken properly; So on the other hand, 'tis no leſſe dangerous,4 Conſid. Tis alſo dangerous to take that literally, which ought to bee taken figuratively. to take thoſe Texts properly, which ſhould be taken figuratively: as Joh. 10.1. Joh. 15.1. 1 Cor. 11.24. Matt. 17.12. Matt. 16.6. Joh. 3.3. Matt. 3.11. The Papiſts by expounding thoſe words, This is my Body, literally, which ſhould be taken figuratively, have brought in that monſtrous Idoll of Tranſubſtantiation. And whereas John ſpeakes, Matt. 3.11. of being Baptized with Fire, The Abyſſeni taking the words Literally, inſtead of Baptizing their Children with water, they marke them with a hot-Iron.
Quaer. — But when ought we to leave the proper and literall, In what Caſes allegories are to be admitted.and adhere to the figurative ſenſe?
Anſ. 1. When the proper ſenſe is againſt common Reaſon, or 2. againſt the rule of Faith, or 3. againſt good Manners; then are we to depart therefrom, and adhere to the Figurative; comparing ſuch Texts with other cleare Scriptures, where the Truth at leaſt in fundamental is plainly laid down in the letter. Concerning this (that I may not be too tedious) I refer the Studious Reader to Weems Chriſt. Synagog. Lib. 2. Cap. 1. p. 216. &c. Pareu… on Gal. 4.24. Perkins on Gal. 4.24. Mr White on the Scriptures, p. 167.