Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 — John Mayer — Deadmen

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Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · John Mayer

The Song of Salomon, Paraphrased upon in Meeter.

CHAP. I.
Verse 2. LEt him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth, thy love is better then wine.	Verse 2. O Lord my God, and Saviour, inspire me with thy grace Divine, Hereby I shall be glad, and joy, much more then they that doe drinke wine.
3 Because of the savour of thine oyntments, thy name is as an oyntment poured forth, therefore doe the Virgins love thee.	3 Th' Apostles, sent as odours sweet, spreading in every place thy fame, Inamour Nations, and so from Christ is spread the Christen name.
4 Draw me, we will run after thee, the King brought me into his chambers, we will be glad, and rejoyce in thee, we will remember thy name more then wine, the upright love thee.	4 Draw me (O Lord) by thy good Grace, without thine ayd I cannot come, But hereby drawne sure after thee, we'l all as one both run and come: When I thus run I'me sure of life, for which all upright men rejoyce In thee, and keep in mind thy love we ever wil, by deed and voyce.
5 I am blacke, but comly, (O yee daughters of Jerusalem) as the tents of Kedar, as the curtaines of Salomon.	5 But when of th' upright I doe speake, I meane not our owne righteousnesse, For we black are, and foule by sinne, in Christ is all our comlinesse; And this I speake to you (O Jewes) O say with me all blacke are we, As Kedars weather-beaten tents, thus as Kings curtaines shall we be.
6 Looke not upon me because I am blacke, because the Sunne hath looked upon me, my mothers children were angry with me, they made me the Keeper of the Vine-yards, but mine owne Vine-yard I have not kept.	6 And if I be so comely then, take none offence at my disgrace, In word, or deed, by spitefull men, the Sun thus only tans my face. None other harme yee can me doe, by your fell wrath, but cease me make Keeping your Vine-yard, but the Lord for one will more to me betake.
7 Tell me (O thou) whom my soule loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flocke to rest at noone, for why should I be as one that turnes aside by the flockes of thy companions?	7 Shew thou to me, my Love, my Deare, by what good pastures thou dost feed Thy Flock, and from all burning heat, shadow thy sheep all times of need; O keep me, that I follow not Seducers flockes, though they pretend Them to be sheep, elect by Christ, and eke himselfe his most deare friend.
8 If thou knowest not (O thou fairest amongst women) goe thy way forth by the footsteps of the flocke, and feed thy Kids besides the shepheards tents.	8 O thou, that hast a soule most faire, through faith by washing in my bloud, If that thou knowest not the way to me, behold just men and good, By whose foot-steps 'tis plainly seene; In David his true-heartednesse, In Abraham his obedience, and Zachary his blamelesnesse, Moses his zeale to beat downe sinne, of Job the greatest patience, The Apostles light esteeme of goods of this base world, both pounds and pence, And feed in Grace, thus strengthening, seeke not in corners thy babes to feed, Let learned Pastors in places keep, where Christian people use to meet.
9 I have compared thee, (O my Love) to a company of Horses in Pharaohs chariot.	9 Whereas (my Love) I thee direct, my flock to follow which is weake, Because stout foes will 'gainst thee rise, and seeke into the fold to breake; Feare not, but be undaunted now, for 'mongst my sheep my horse is try'd, Ready to strike thy proudest foes, as sometime Pharaoh in sea that's red.
10 Thy cheekes are comly, with rowes of jewels, thy necke with chaines of gold.	10 Of Chastity, the jewel doth adorne thy cheekes, thy neck the chaine Of holy Precepts, which thou keep'st, and keeping dost constant remaine:
11 We will make thee borders of gold, with studs of silver.	11 Nor are these all thy ornaments, but by the Ministers teaching Of Gold, and Silver rich Borders to Soules, the Trinity doth bring.
12 Whilst the King sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.	12 When Christ the King at Table sate, t' annoynt him to the Buriall, A woman came with Spikenard sweet, not one, but two, yea three in all.
13 A bundle of Myrrhe is my beloved to me, he shall lye all night betweene my breasts.	13 My Love to me a bundle is of Myrrhe, upon my soule seated, Thence keeping out all corruptions, and then from corps first corrupted.
14 My beloved is to me as a cluster of Camphir in the vine-yards of Engedi.	14 My Love an All-sufficient, expiating sinne Sacrifice Is without help of any man, his love, merit me doth suffice.
15 Thou art faire, my love, behold, thou art faire, thou hast Doves eyes.	15 Most faire thou art, and beautifull, yea, beautifull thou art, my Love; And for to grace thee more, thou hast eyes like the eyes of harmlesse Dove:
16 Behold, thou art faire my beloved, yea pleasant, also our bed is green.	16 O my beloved, dost thou speake of being faire, that's thine owne, For us 'tis grace enough, that we are like to trees that are green growne.
17 The beames of our house are Cedar, and our rafters of Firre.	17 That we are Gods House, built with best, and long lasting materials, Sweet Cedar beames, and streight Firre, Rafters so strong, never to fall.

CHAP. II.
Verse 1. I Am the rose of Sharon, and the Lilly of the vallies.	1 I Am the Rose that smels most sweet, of all the flowers in the field, And Lillies none more purely white, then me, the world did ever yeeld.
2 As the Lilly amongst the thornes, so is my Love amongst the daughters.	2 As Lilly white, which hath no price, amongst the pricking thornes is plac'd, So is my Love amongst hurtfull men, harmlesse set, whereby grac'd.
3 As the Apple-tree amongst the trees of the wood, so is my beloved amongst the sonnes; I sate downe under his shadow with delight, and his fruit was sweet unto my taste.	3 As Apple-trees for shade and fruit, excell all trees that grow in wood, So my beloved doth all sonnes, in pleasing shade, and fruit for food.
4 He brought me into the Banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.	4 No sooner doe I this beleeve, but that more joy comes unto me, By his good Spirit, as by wine, for now his Banner's love to me;
5 Stay me with Flaggons, comfort me with Apples, for I am sick of love.	5 And this sweet taste of thy great Love, (O Saviour) which now I have, So workes with me, that whole flaggons, and more apples of Grace I crave.
6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth imbrace me.	6 And this I can no sooner doe, but that he's ready in my sight Me to imbrace, with both his hands, my head with left, my corps with right.
7 I charge you, O yee daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and Hindes of the field that yee stirre not up, nor wake my Love untill he please.	7 And now he sleepes between my breasts, all anger being laid abed, My care shall be for evermore, by sinning not to stirre his head; And the same charge upon you, all fellow Beleevers, I doe lay: If Roe, the Hinde doth thus observe, stirre not by sin our Love, I pray.
8 The voyce of my beloved, behold he comes leaping upon the mountaines, and skipping upon the hills.	8 If how he comes, yee would faine know, behold his voyce in Wildernesse, Comes first for to prepare his way, and then my Love full of goodnesse.
9 My beloved is like a Roe, or young Hart, behold hee standeth behinde our wall, he looketh forth at the windowes, shewing himselfe through the Lattice.	9 Soone after as an Hinde, or Roe, stops not for steep mountaine or hill, So he ore-leaps impediments, even all by his good Gospel-will. Before he tooke our flesh he stood, hidden in Types behind that wall; But now at window as the Sun, turning to Light that darknesse all, And thus as man to man was seen, to mortall eyes, as God yet hid, As through a Lattice that is thick appeares, and shew himselfe he did;
10 My beloved spake, and said, Arise my Love, my faire one, and come away.	10 And now what is his will, but that I rise from sinne to righteousnesse, And thus beleeving come to him, and so partake of his goodnesse?
11 The winter is past, the raine is over, and gone.	11 And me to move to this, he pleads the time, and saith, winter is past, Wherein the world lay dead in sinne, which me from his cold raine kept fast.
12 The flowers appeare upon the earth, the time of the singing of Birds is come, the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our land.	12 Flowers of Grasse smelling most sweet, in Christen fields doe now appeare, Preachers like Birds sweet harmony, by singing make now every where, Charming the soule from den of sinne, yea the chaste Turtle John Baptist, His voyce is heard in Judea, with speed to draw us all to Christ.
13 The Fig-tree putteth forth green figges, the Vine with her tender Grapes give a good smell, arise my Love, my faire one, and come away.	13 All Countries whence the Gospel's preach'd, do spring, bud, shoot out, and blossome, As doth the Fig-tree in the spring, rise then my Love, and to me come.
14 O my Dove, that art in the clefts of the rocke, in the secret of the staires, let me see thy countenance, let me heare thy voyce, for thy voyce is sweet, and thy countenance comly.	14 And doing so feare not, for he that comes to me as helplesse Dove, In me the rock is sheltered from foes beneath, and foes above. But note that he who is thus safe, on staires of grace ascending is Heaven-ward, though not mens mortall eyes, but God in heaven alone sees this; Say then, I come, and unto me appeare upon these steps Divine: Thus both thy voyce and face shall I accept, and love and owne as mine.
15 Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes that spoile the Vines, for our Vines have tender grapes.	15 But that thy voyce may pleasant be, and face most faire eke in my sight; O suffer not Seducers bold within my Church, but by thy might Chase them away, as men Foxes doe take, which doe their vines deface, So these by devouring the weale of Church, doe marre the most faire face.
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his, he feedeth amongst the Lillies.	16 Dost thou in me so much delight (O my beloved) take, loe I Am thine, and thou art mine, feed then with me, and live with thy Lilly.
17 Untill the day breake, and the shadowes fly away, turne my beloved, and be thou like a Roe, or a young Hart, upon the mountaines of Bethar.	17 Till that most joyfull day shall breake, wherein thou com'st to save for aye, When all troubles, and miseries of world shall fleet, and fly away, As Roe, and Hinde, on Mountaines steep, hasten to goe with greatest speed: Haste thou alwayes to come to me, in danger, at all times of need.

CHAP. III.
Verse 1. BY night in my bed I sought him whom my soule loveth, I sought him, but I found him not.	Verse 1. MY Saviour I sometime fought to finde in sloth, and idlenesse, In the darke night of ignorance, but thus to seeke I finde bootlesse.
2 I will rise now, and goe about the City, in the streetes and broad wayes, I will seeke him whom my soule loveth, I sought him, but I found him not.	2 I said therefore, I will arise, and toyle, and travell, for to get Things worldly, for this present life, not ceasing thus to seeke him yet; But, woe is me, for whilst that I worldly goods getting doe most intend, In search of him that is most deare, in vaine I doe my whole time spend.
3 The watch-men that goe about the City found me, to whom I said, saw yee him whom my soule loveth?	3 I went therefore where Watch-men are, of wanderers the course to stay, And unto Christ in the darke night, strait for to direct their way;
4 It was but a little that I passed from them, I found him whom my soule loveth, I held him, and would not let him goe, till I brought him to my mothers house, to the chamber of her that conceived me.	4 When I did thus they found me soone, and I him, whom I love, then found, I did him finde, and held him fast, by persevering in faith sound; Untill that to Jerusalem, my Mother deare, I did him bring, Whence first I had conception, hearing those Bels th' Apostles ring.
5 I charge you, O yee daughters of Jerusalem, that yee stirre not up, nor wake my Love, untill he please.	5 This great worke done, my beloved hearts rest shall have, and stirre never To judge the Jew, or him forsake more, but him dearly love ever.
6 Who is this that comes out of the Wildernesse like a pillar of smoake, perfumed with Myrrhe & Frankincense, and all the powders of the Merchant?	6 For now as one with Frankincense, and Myrrhe perfum'd, in Wildernesse Horrid that lived long time hath incult in filth and nastinesse; So doe I see my Mother Church, the Jewes a long time wildered In unbeleife, acceptably to God, and Christ, at length turned.
7 Behold his bed, which is Salomons, sixty valiant men are about it, of the valiant men of Israel.	7 Which done, King Salomon himselfe with his deare royall Spouse, could not More safely sleep in bed, when Guard of mighty men stood it about.
8 They all hold Swords, being expert in Warre, every one hath his Sword upon his thigh, because of the feare in the night.	8 Although they sixty valiant were, all expert men of Israel, Swords in their hands, swords by their sides, feare causing Night-walkers to quell, Then Jewish Synagogues turn'd Church, and Love and Spouse of Christ most deare, Round about which Angels doe pitch their tents, and so her free from feare.
9 King Salomon made himselfe a Chariot, or chamber of the wood of Lebanon.	9 If in what chamber this bed stands inquire yee doe, 'tis faire and sweet,
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the borders thereof of gold, the covering thereof of purple, the midst paved with Love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.	10 With Silver pillars supported, bordered with Gold, as it is meet; The wood, Cedar of Lebanon, the hangings are purple royall, Of Jewish Church-graces shining, with dearest love amidst them all.
11 Go forth (O ye daughters of Zion) behold King Salomon with the Crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him, in the day of his Espousals, and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart.	11 And now yee Gentile Churches, loe Christ the true Salrmon, as King, By Jewes is crown'd, and married, for which shoutings with joy doe ring.

CHAP. IV.
Verse 1. BEhold, thou art faire (my Love) thou art faire, thou hast Doves eyes within thy lockes, thy haire is as a flocke of Goates, that appeare from Mount Gilead.	Verse 1. MY two Churches thus joyn'd in one, I now, thus saith the Lord, behold, As my most faire Love, which hast eyes adorn'd as Doves, not over bold; And whereas womens haire, if faire and long, a glory is to her, So doe the meditations of thy head now to me appeare.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorne, and come up from washing, every one beareth twins, and none of them is barren.	2 Thy Ministers that with study for thee prepare most wholsome food, As Nurse for Childe meat chew'd with teeth, as sheep appeare pure, white, and good; I meane not such, as whilst they preach, in doing good are yet barren, But bring forth twins of faith and love, both towards God, and towards men.
3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, thy speech is comely, thy temples are like a peice of Pomgranat within thy lockes.	3 Thy lips doe scarlet threads resemble all fiery red through zeale 'gainst him, Not frantick yet, but comely, thy speech like to thy wit within.
4 Thy neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, wherein there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.	4 Thy neck, whereby supported is thy head, and face so beautifull, Is strong, as Davids tower was, behung with shields, most wonderfull, The shields of faith which thousands have, even all Beleevers hereby made Most mighty through me, to defend themselves gainst all that thee invade.
5 Thy two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins, that feed upon the Lillies.	5 Thy Priests, that from both Testaments, as two twin Roes their breasts doe fill, With sincere milke examples bring, of Lillies white, strengthening 'gainst ill;
6 Till the day breake, and the shadowes fly away, I will get me to the mountaines of Myrrhe, and to the hills of frankincense.	6 Untill the Day of Judgement comes, when the darke night shall have an end, I'le be where Assemblies prayers to me as Odours sweet ascend.
7 Thou art all faire my Love, there is no spot in thee.	7 Thou faire art my Love, thou art faire, and in thee is no spot at all; As in Heathens, through vaine glory, amidst their vertues Cardinall.
8 Come with me from Lebanon (my Spouse) with me from Lebanon, looke from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, and from the Lions Dennes, and the mountaines of the Leopards.	8 'Mongst men like Lions (O my Spouse) and most fell Leopards thou shalt be, But from them all I'se thee set free, and thou with glory crown'd shalt be.
9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my Sister, my Spouse, with one of thine eyes, with one chaine of thy necke.	9 And now my Love, my Spouse, I see such faire and comely unity Amongst thy members, all which doe in discipline and faith agree, That as with his Loves beautifull, one wreath of haire her neck upon, And eye a Lover's ravished, so I with chaine thy neck upon.
10 How faire is thy Love (my Sister, my Spouse) how much better is thy love then wine, and the smell of thine oyntments then all spices?	10 And this thy love (O sister Spouse) amongst thy members most faire is, Yea, more pleasant then the best wine, thy grace each smels more sweet then spices
11 Thy lips (O my Spouse) drop as the Honey-combe, Honey and Milke are under thy tongue, and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.	11 Thy lips, thy Priests, sweet Doctrines bring, out of the word, where they lay hid Before, as in the Honey-combe, Honey, till it dropt out, lye did: And hereof more store still reserv'd, and of good milke also they have, Whereby to feed thy babes weak in knowledge, when e're their hunger doth it crave. The righteousnesse where-with thou art, as with most pure garments, cloathed, A fragrant smell unto me yeeld, as Lebanon when most blessed.
12 A garden inclosed is my Sister, my Spouse, a spring shut up, a fountaine sealed.	12 As a garden most delightfull, inclosed is my sister Spouse, Gainst filthy lusts, and as a spring, from fouling feet shut up in house: And unto God alone thy heart is kept, and to none other thing, But as by him permitted is, he for his deare thee thus sealing.
13 Thy plants are an Orchard of Pomgranats, with pleasant fruites, Camphir and Spiknard.	13 If in my Garden yee would know what trees there be, Pomgranats grow, And all-fruit-pleasant-bearing trees, Camphir and Spiknard on a row,
14 Spiknard and Saffron, Calamus and Cinamon, with all trees of Frankincense, Myrrhe, and Aloes, and all the chiefe spices.	14 Spiknard and Saffron, Calamus, and Cinamon, Myrrhe, Aloes, All trees of the best Frankincense, and all most sweet smelling spices: Beleevers which doe beare good fruit, in great abundance all as one, Making sweet smells unto the Lord, by prayers and devotion.
15 A fountaine of Gardens, a well of living waters, and streames from Lebanon.	15 And from my Spouse, as a fountaine, full many Gardens multiply, As one faire spring from Lebanon, streameth o're all both farre and nigh.
16 Awake (O North wind) and come (O South) blow upon my Garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, let my beloved come into his Garden, and eate his pleasant fruites.	16 Now that the Spice of which I spake before, may yeeld the sweeter scent, Yee Winds, both North and South, upon my Garden for to blow be bent: That is, thou Holy Ghost worke so, by meanes both harsh and gentle to, That all sweet graces may the more utter themselves, as thou canst doe. O my beloved, if thou dost such pleasure take in thy Garden, Feed and keep here I thee beseech, and alwayes be my safe Warden.

CHAP. V.
Verse 1. I Am come into my Garden, (my Sister, my Spouse) I have gathered my myrrhe with my spice, I have eaten my honey-combe with my honey, I have drunke my wine with my milk; eat (O friends) and drinke, yea, drinke abundantly (O beloved)	Verse 1. INto my Church, as my Garden, I'me come, and doe now delight so, In praise and prayer, as in spice, from which a fragrant scent doth flow, As honey and the honey-combe, wine and milke to taste are sweet In teaching, when sweet food that's hid in word, is given in glosses meet, And unto babes, and weake in faith, Soule-nourishing milke and comfort: Wherefore my friends, yee faithfull be with me, all merry in like sort.
2 I slept, but my heart waketh, it is the voyce of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me (my Sister, my Love, my Dove, my undefiled) for my head is filled with dew, and my lockes with the drops of the night.	2 But Lord, this my prosperity makes me to sinne securely, Although my heart be not secure, and judgements on me come hereby, And with judgements knocking, I heard the voyce of Christ my Saviour, Saying, Arise my sister Spouse, and sleep no more, no not one houre, For this I stand here wooing thee, drenched with wet my lockes and head, Till thou risest, and doore to me▪ of thy hard heart be opened.
3 I have put off my Coate, how should I put it on? I have washed my feet, how should I defile them?	3 So long I have without Law lived, as one in naked bed secure, That now thy Lawno more then bands most harsh, woe's me, can I endure, My conscience eke is washt, and wipt from all the sence of horrid sinne; Should I then now come to thee that calst, and live no more therein.
4 My beloved put in his hand at the hole of the doore, and my bowels were moved for him.	4 When voyce and knocking mov'd me not, the spirit of my beloved. Breake ope my heart with mighty hand, in sin once hardned, and entered.
5 I rose up to open to my beloved, my hands dropped with myrrhe, and my fingers with sweet-smelling myrrhe upon the handles of the locke.	5 I then to ope the doore arose, and went the Iron bolt unto, My hands dropt myrrhe when I began by good sweet sacrifice to doe.
6 I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had withdrawne himselfe, and was gone, my soule failed when he spake, I sought him, but could not finde him; I called, but he gave me no answer.	6 My heart I opened, but no love could I then see, which pierc'd my heart With sorrowes great, for he was gone, and had himselfe with-drawn apart; I prayed, but his answer to give he me deny'd then for to grant.
7 The Watch men that went about the City found me, they smote me, they wounded me, the Keepers of the wall tooke away my vail from me.	7 His Ministers I went unto, but they into me struck more feare, For when I heard them preach against sin, with great threats, it touched me, Who had so vilely liv'd; and when they shew'd some hypocrites to be
8 I charge you, (O yee daughters of Jerusalem) if yee finde my beloved. that yee tell him, I am sick of love.	8 That seem'd good hearers. But O yee, that in Gods house doe minister, On me some pitty take, and shew him, when before him yee appeare To pray, that I with upright heart doe love him now, and to him seeke, Being, untill he manifest his love to me, most deadly sick.
9 What is thy beloved more then another beloved (O thou fairest amongst Women?) what is thy beloved, that thou dost so charge us?	9 But canst thou tell how excellent he is of whom thou speak'st? I can.
10 My beloved is white, and ruddy, the chiefest amongst ten thousand.	10 He is the chiefe of ten thousands, hee's white and red, both God and man;
11 His head is as the most fine gold, his lockes are bushy, and black as a Raven.	11 He is a King most glorious, he is most mighty and most strong, For that a golden head, for this long lockes as Sampsons were when grown.
12 His eyes as Doves eyes by the rivers of water, washed with milke, and fitly set, or set in fulnesse.	12 As the white Doves by waters set, in streames so cleare doe wash their eyes; So he in midst of Churches is, as washt in milke, having pure eyes Set on all those that full of grace are in their hearts, as delighted, That in time of danger and need, for them it may be provided.
13 His cheekes are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers, his lips like Lillies, dropping sweet smelling myrrhe.	13 As for his cheekes they are most faire, as beds of spice and flowers gay, Words from his mouth loving and pure, stilling as myrrhe, most sweet I say:
14 His hands are as goldrings set with the Berill, his belly is a bright ivory, overlaid with Saphirs.	14 His hands with good workes, as with rings of gold with Berill set, are bright; His belly through compassion As Saphirs gives an heavenly light;
15 His leggs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of gold, his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the Cedars.	15 His leggs as Marble pillars stand, on sockets of the finest gold, The Prophets that in their writings of him all circumstances told: His countenance as choyse Cedars in Lebanon, that doe excell all trees, for so he higher is, then all Kings that on earth doe dwell,
16 His mouth is most sweet, he is altogether comely, this is my beloved, and this is my friend (O daughters of Jerusalem.)	16 From his sweet mouth all graces come, in all his parts he is lovely; That my beloved is (O Jewes) why then doy' not unto him fly.

CHAP. VI.
Verse 1. WHither is thy beloved gone (O thou fairest amongst women?) whither is thy beloved turned aside, that we may seeke him with thee?	Verse 1. VVHither is thy beloved gone? whither is he turned aside? O thou woman most faire, that we with thee may seeking him abide?
2 My beloved is gone downe to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather Lillies.	2 Into his Church, as his Garden, he's gone to beds of spices sweet, In grace delighting, and gathers thence pure soules from corps that fleet;
3 I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine; he feedeth amongst the Lillies.	3 Dost thou in me so much delight (O my beloved) take? loe I Am thine, as thou art mine; feed then with me, and live with thy Lilly.
4 Thou art beautifull my Love, as Tirzah; comely as Jerusalem, excellent as an army with banners.	4 Thou art (my Love) most beautifull, as Tirzah, Cit' in Israel, And comely as Jerusalem in Judah, which all know full well; An army with banners display'd, by Captaine ranked and filed That's most expert, by force of foes that it cannot be resisted.
5 Turne away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me; thy haire is as a flocke of Goates that appeare from Gilead.	5 Thy longing eyes turne now away, (my Love) with me thou dost prevaile, In seeking me as at a losse, thou shalt no longer weep and waile, The haires that be upon thy head are faire, as Goates on Gilead, I meane thy meditations, and studies on my sacred Read.
6 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep, that goe up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren amongst them.	6 Thy Ministers, that by studying prepare food for thy babes aright, As sheep new shorne, and washed cleane, by a new life shining in light. Not one is like a barren wombe, but full of knowledge, and pregnant, And what they know they doe bring forth, out of both' Old and new Testament.
7 As a peece of a Pomgranate, are thy temples within thy lockes.	7 The Pomegranate is not more full of kernels, and most pleasant meat, Then bee their heads of food divine, of which the faithfull their fill eat.
8 There are threescore Queens, and fourescore Concubines, and Virgins without number.	8 But when my Spouse, my Church, I praise, 'twixt them I put great difference: For some are Concubines, decked with knowledge, but no conscience. Such when I look upon, I love for civill things, and knowledge great: Yet being still servants to sin, they please me not, as doth my meat. Again, some foolish Virgins are, who neither grace nor knowledge have: Some Queens, that are indu'd with both, these few; they, numberlesse and brave.
9 My Dove, my undefiled is but one, shee is the onelyonly daughter of her Mother, shee is the choyce one of her that bare her; the daughters saw her and blessed her; the Queens and the Concubines, and praised her.	9 My Dove, my Church undefiled, sole Daughter of her Mother is; The Church that from beginning was, whom Daughters all do praise and blisse.
10 Who is this that looketh out as the morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, terrible as an army with Banners?	10 And now, as morning bright doth shee, after a black dark night appear: The Moon it self is not more fair, nor yet the shining Sun more clear: Through righteousnesse and holinesse, whereby shee's also terrible As Armies strong to all such soes, as with her now dare to meddle.
11 I went downe into the Garden of Nuts, to see the fruits of the Valleys, to see whether they flourished, and the Pomgranate budded.	11 Downe to my Nut-Garden I went, to Jewish Church, my self hiding: In that pure Virgin Maries womb, as kernell in Nut-shell lying. Down to the Valleys fruitfull soyle, the Jews to see my choyce Vineyard, And Vines growing there, and whether fruit they had, and Pomgranate hard.
12 Or ever I was aware, my soule made mee like the chariots of Aminadab.	12 But fruit then none could I there find, at which I was sore perplexed, To think ere long how they should bee by Romans army destroyed.
13 Return, return, O Shulamite, return, return, that wee may look upon thee: what will yee see in the Shulamite as a company of two Armies?	13 But now to thee (O Jew) I say in peacefull wise return, return: From East to West, from North to South, unto my faith return, return: But if to peace with God, return shee doth, a goodly sight to see: Two Kingdomes, as two great armies, one triumphant Church to bee.

CHAP. VII.
Verse 1. HOw beautiful are thy feet with shooes? (O Princes Daughter) the joynts of thy thighs are like Jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.	Verse 1. O Childe of God, for so thou art that turn'st from unbeliefe and sin, Thy desires and affections faire are, as feet faire shooes within; And thy conjunction in one with Gentiles in the faith, truly Is precious, as jewels be, with skilfull hands wrought cunningly.
2 Thy navel is like a round Goblet that wanteth no liquor, thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with Lillies.	2 Thy navel like a Goblet round, with good liquor replenished, Thy belly like an heap of wheat, a Graine whereon the best doe feed, Doe represent our women great with Childe, and bringing forth yet more Lilly-white children, which doe stand about her table round, good store.
3 Thy two breasts like two young Roes that are twins.	3 Thy breasts, that is, both Testaments, from which thy Ministers doe fill Themselves with milke, thy babes to feed, like two young Roes, are ever still.
4 Thy neck is like a tower of Jvory, thine eyes like the Fish-pooles in Heshbon, by the gate of Beth-rabbim, thy nose like the tower of Lebanon, that looketh towards Damascus.	4 Thy neck, the strength whereby thy head and breasts together are joyned, Is white, and strong, as a tower of Ivory that's composed; Thine eyes as Fish-pooles in Heshbon, that is, the word-Preachers all, Whereby as in a Looking-glasse faults thou mayst see, both great and small: And Looking-glasses of the Word, even now in all mens houses are, And so sagacious they are made, as of vile sin to voyd the snare.
5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, the haire of thine head like purple, the King is held in thy galleries.	5 Thy head wherein thou gloriest, that's Christ, is as fruitful Carmel, Thy haires, thy thoughts, upon his Bloud ornaments are, as is purple; The places where thy members meet for Divine worship are to me Most delightfull, and there I am held as spectator, and will be.
6 How faire and pleasant art thou (O Love) for delights?	6 How faire art thou, my Love, and eke by me how much delighted in?
7 This thy stoture is like to a pleasant Palm-tree, thy breasts like clusters of grapes.	7 High like Palm-tree for heavenly minde, thy fruits, sweet Grapes, soule free from sin;
8 I said, I wil goe up to the Palm-tree, I will take hold of the boughes thereof, now also shal thy breasts be as clusters of the Vine, the smell of thy nose as the smell of apples.	8 And for to purchase, and to make a Church so glorious to me; I'le to the tree, the Crosse, ascend Victor, holding branch of Palm-tree, And now thy breasts, both Testaments, like bunches of sweet Grapes shall be. And eke thy breath, the which is drawne by nose and mouth shall smell sweetly.
9 The roofe of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth downe pleasantly, making the lips of them that are asleep to speake.	9 As much delighted in preaching as in wine is thy beloved, And hereby going downe with joy, lips of the dead are opened, To sing unto the Lord in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and songs Spirituall.
10 I am my leloveds, and his desire is toward me.	10 For thus I my beloveds am, and to me is his desire all.
11 C…me my beloved, let us goe forth into the field, let us lodge in the Villages.	11 We thine Apostles fil'd with joy, as with best wine, are now all bent Amongst the Gentiles to preach thee. where we shall have entertainment.
12 Let us goe up into the Vine-yards, let us see whether the Vine flourisheth, whether the tender Grape puts forth, whether the Pomgranate puts forth, there will I give thee my love.	12 And after this to thy Vine-yard, barren of old, the word shall come, And it shall spring, bud, and fruit beare, I meane the Jewes, fore Day of Doome, And then my Love, unto my Church shall more then ever yet appeare, By peace and joy that I will give to all that worship me, and feare.
13 The Mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, which I have laid up for thee, (O my beloved) both new and old.	13 The Man-drakes which doe grow in field, and Gentiles graces signifie, A sweeter scent now yeeld, and Jewes in their owne City fructifie, And bring forth fruits both new and old, the New, of faith and charity, Old, of observance to Gods Lawes, th' end glory and felicity.

CHAP. VIII.
Verse 1. O That thou wer… my brother, that suckt the breasts of my Mother, when I should finde thee without I would kisse thee, yet I should not be despised.	Verse 1. ANd now that I this blisse fore-see, what else can be my hearts desire, But's Incarnation to see? this above all doe I require. As then my brother in the flesh, I should him love, and finde, and kisse, Submitting to his faith, and yet I should not be despis'd for this.
2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mothers house, who would instruct thee, I would cause thee to drinke of spiced wine, of the juyce of my Pomgranats.	2 And though my Mothers house, the Jewes, shall cast thee out, yet I will bring Thee in againe, and then she shall teach me, and I to thee will sing, And thou in this shalt delight more, then in a cup of sweetest juyce Of Pomgranats, when thereunto is added much of the best juyce.
3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand imbrace me.	3 This done, he with right hand imbraceth me, and holds my head;
4 I charge you (O yee daughters of Jerusalem, that yee stirre not up, nor awake my Love, untill he please.	4 With left, in this posture of rest O Jewes, him by sin to wake dread.
5 Who is this that cometh up from the wildernesse, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the Apple-tree, there thy Mother brought thee forth, there she brought thee forth that bare thee.	5 And now me thinkes I see the Jewes, after long desolation, And wandring in the Wildernesse of errour in opinion, Turning to Christ, and not trusting to workes, but to his passion, And the 'lone merit of the same for Justice and Salvation. Thee here opprest with misery, for despising me, and my Crosse, I found as the old Synagogue had brough thee forth, sinfull and lost.
6 Set me as a seale upon thine heart, as a seale upon thine arme, for Love is strong as Death, Jealousie is cruell as the Grave the coales thereof are as the coales of fire, that have a most vehement flame.	6 As doth a seale impression make, so let my love upon thy heart, And arme also, love me and mine, that nought here-from may thee divert, And if thy love to me be great as it must be, Death's not so strong, The stoutest bodies for to kill; As it, the flesh though liv'd in long, Nor jealousy like burning coales, Or hot fiery flames rage more, Or Grave-devouring all comers, Then have of Christ 'gainst paramore.
7 Much Water cannot quench love, neither can the flouds drowne it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would be contemned.	7 Quench love of Christ no waters can, nor flouds of persecution, And if worldly goods be preferr'd to love to cease sh'would spit thereon.
8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts, what shall we doe for her in the day that she shall be spoken for.	8 And now that Jewes converted are, a Sister's yet for to come in, To make my Church compleat and full, all the Gentiles living in sinne, And unbeliefe, and breasts wanting, from which of my faith suckt may be, The milke in time of her calling, now neare, for her what doe may we?
9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver, if a doore, we will inclose her with boards of Cedar.	9 If that a wall she be, on her we'l build a palace of silver, If firme in faith, she holdeth out a faire house for God that made her; And if thy heart be like unto a doore, open to instruction, Inclosed thou shalt surely be with Cedar of incorruption.
10 I am a wall, and my breasts as towers, then was I in his eyes as one finding favour.	10 For firmnesse I am like a wall, through Gods good favour unto me, My breasts also through my Teachers, are growne as towers great to be.
11 Salomon had a Vine-yard in Baal-Hamon, and he let it out to Keepers, every one to bring for the fruit a thousand peices of silver.	11 As Salomon a Vine-yard had, a most fruitfull soyle let out, For silver peices a thousand to Husband-men dwelling about.
12 My vine-yard which is mine is before me, thou (O Salomon) must have a thousand, and the Keepers thereof two hundred.	12 So I, the Lord, a Vine-yard have, the which is mine in my presence, Thou Prince of peace a thousand haste, each Keeper hath two hundred pence, That is, to thee all praise is given, rewards to them in heaven above.
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voyce, cause me to heare it.	13 The way to which is for thy friends, the voyce of thy preaching to love, And I, my Spouse, delight to heare thy voyce of supplication, Beloved, dost thou so, I pray now hasten thy salvation.
14 Make haste my beloved, be as the Roe, or the young Hart, upon the mountaines of spices.

The end of the Paraphrase of the Song of Salomon.