and behold the vines and other thinges mentioned in the next verse and that which is turned here Villages others turne Cypres trees which some take to bee a bushe or tree growing in Egypt Syria and the countries thereabout much like to that we call Priuet Yea some haue taken it to bee the very selfe same See Pliny lib 12. cap. 24. Also chap. 1. of this book vers 14. And indeede the word is vsed in scripture both to signify Villages and little towns and also the Cypres But whatsoeuer it bee the meaning is all one q d. I will nowe no more be found vnprepared which was the fault of the Churche mentioned before chap. 5 verse 1. c. I am ashamed of that carelesnesse negligence and slouth it is my duty to watch with thee and therefore I will indeuor the perfourmaunce of it yea I will day night wayte for the assured signes of thy glorious appearing and the rather because that as thy glorye so my chiefe good standeth in the perfourmaunce of this duty and so the church perfourmeth that vnto Christ him selfe as shee her selfe affirmed in his personne before chap. 2. 10. had performed vnto her Verse 3. Let vs rise vp earely to the vines that is to visite and looke vpon the vines The church sheweth what commodity she and her spouse shal get by remayning or lodging all night in the country villages or amongst the sweet Cypres trees out of the citye namely that they shall bee ready earelye to make triall of that that they come and look for Let vs see whether the vine florishe that is what likelyhood there is of the approching of the time of mariage for to this ende tendeth this and all the similitudes and comparisons following And whether the small grape or as you would saye The first grape which is called firste because of the firste sprowting thereof and small not onely because of the littlenes but also because it wareth greater and greater Hath opened it selfe that is hath declared it selfe vnto men that it is now become a grape and groweth which at the first appearing of it or as it were in the bud can hardly be discerned And whether the Pomgranates flourish The budding of this fruite wherof also there was good store in those countries was a signe of the spring nowe and the flourishing thereof as it were of the summer at hand By all which as hath bene sayd before the church laboureth to come to the vndoubted signes of the daye of her marriage with Christ I know others otherwise expound it as though the church should intreat Christe and stirre vp her self to looke vpon the signes of saluation and Gods grace amongest his owne people which are manye times compared to Vines Indeede I deny not but that Gods people is Gods vine and that the bringing foorthe of flowers and fruites may well resemble good works and the outward manifestation of Gods graces wherewith he inwardly adorneth his Seruauntes and that they may well bee compared to Pomgranates which fruite is of it selfe moste pleasaunte and delightfull to the taste also but yet me thinketh the former sense is more playne and simple except wee will saye thus that the more aboundaunce of good fruite that Gods people yeelde and bringe foorthe the more nighe is the marriage but because the perfection and fulnesse of oure Fruite cannot bee in this life but in the lyfe to bee reuealed that therefore the perperfection and consummation of the marriage shall not be till then It followeth There will I giue thee my loues that is there will I make manifest and open declaration of my vnfained affection towardes thee And shee speaketh of loues in the plurall number thereby to set out both the excellency of the same and the aboundaunce or plenty thereof likewise which indeed moste properly is to bee referred to the great and laste daye at what time we shall not onelye by signes most certainly perceiue that the marriage daye draweth nigh but shall in most perfect loue bee most perfectly knit vnto our head and husbande Christ Verse 4. The mandrakes haue giuen a smell Before we speake anye thing of the sense of this verse we will a little looke vppon the wordes The worde that is heere turned Mandrakes is not vsed in all y e old testament but onely in this place and Genes 30. 14. 15. in which almoste all interpretours both Iewes and Christians doe turne it Mandrakes but if the circumstances eyther of that place of Genes or this heere maye be waighed it will be found not to bee so rightlye translated For the place of Genesis if we weigh Rubens childhood we shall perceiue that he was drawen and mooued towards them rather by some pleasaunt shew and colour of them the Her boristes agreeing that the leaues of the Mandrake speciallye of the male are of a whitish greene colour and the apples of it fayre yellow and round then by any vertue or strength he either thoght or knew to be in them Besides that they should not be Mandrakes me thinketh there are yet two circumstances more the one taken from the place where it is sayde Reubens flowres did grow namely in the plain and open field as it were wheras they that write of Mandrakes affirme that it groweth moste gladly in darke shadowie places an other is from the time vz that these flowres were ripe in the dayes of wheat haruest wheras the Herboristes affirme that Mandrakes can not be so soone ripe whereof also this maye bee one reason because they delight in darke and colde places we knowing by experience and reason that thinges growing there can not be so soone ripe as they that grow abroad and haue the power of the sunne to set them forward Concerning this place it selfe mee thinketh there is one speciall reason to lead me why it shoulde not bee turned Mandrakes here namely because a sweet smel and sauour is attributed vnto it whereas they that be experienced in Mandrakes wryte and affirme that they haue no good sent or sauour at all Me thinketh rather that both in Genesis and in this place the circumstances being considred and namely that Rahel was there drawn to a liking of them by the sight of them rather than by their vertue and heere preparation is made and offered in the sweetest maner that can bee to entertayne the Brydegrome that therefore it shoulde be turned as Immanuel turneth it well These louely flowers yeelding a sauour vnderstanding by louely flowres the delight that for their colour and pleasaunt shew they offer to the eye and by yeelding a sauour meaning the sweet sent they giue to smelling q. d. Christe should haue all sweet thinges to smell to pleasaunt to looke vpon prouided for his intertaynement and yet me thinketh I am more confyrmed in this iudgement because the word here vsed is deriued from a worde that signifieth loue or to loue If anye man see more or better let him humbly
¶ An exposition vppon the Booke of the Canticles otherwise called Schelomons Song ¶ PVBLISHED FOR the edification of the Church of God By T. VV. AT LONDON Printed for Thomas Man Anno. 1585. ¶ TO THE RIGHT worshipfull and his very good friendes in Christ Sir Iohn Brockette and Sir Iohn Cuttes Knights and M. Charles Morison Esquire T. VV. vvisheth continuance and increase in that state vvhich hath the promise of this life and of that that is to come thorovv Christ I Sende vnto youre worships some few lines and leaues of mine long agoe written vppon the Canticles of Solomon for the dearest friende that I had amongst men whil he was liuing vpon earth and lately published for the profite of Gods people at the earnest request of some of my very Godly friendes For mine owne part I was vtterlye purposed either to haue buryed the same as diuers other things that I haue writtē vpon other books of holy scripture in perpetuall darknes that they shoulde neuer haue beheld the light of this sunne or els to haue suffered them to perish amongest wormes moaths as the common prouerb is Wherevnto I was the rather ledde not for want of good will to benefite the church of Christ all whose causes and euerye one of them shal thorow Gods goodnes be so deare vnto me as mine owne life but partly by reason of the great sinne and insufficiencie that I find in my selfe to perfourme that dutye in action wherevnto in affection I will alwayes be readye and partlye also by reason of the great learning and light that God hath bestowed vppon this last age of the worlde but most especially by reason of that wonderfull waywardnes and curiousnesse that I see the spirites of sundrye men to be possessed withall whom nothing can please but that which they them selues affect For if a man bring new thinges they are discontented for that men walke not in former antiquity And if a man tread in the steps of the auncient their stomackes loath it they count it coleworts twise sodde And yet these men that are so diuersly conceited hatch or bring foorth nothing of their owne either new or olde For mine owne part I will not denye but that in this poore worke that I now publishe I haue beene greatlye holpen by the light of other mens workes vpon the same booke both old and new writers I mean But most of all furthered therein by the writings of men thogh of late yet of worthy memorie who hauing receiued more knowledge in tongs more light in the word by reading hearing conference and meditation therein haue more soundlye interpreted the same than such as went before them in the fleshe And yet I haue not so sworne into all their wordes but that vppon reason I hope I maye both in translation and sense now then with their good leaue swarue from them Whatsoeuer it be let the church iudge and take it I beseech your worships into your hands frō the hands of him that wisheth you all and euery one of you al good in Christ In the penning whereof I can simplye confesse that I haue neither sought gaine nor glorye to my selfe but in all simplicity and shortnes after my maner labored to come to the true meaning of the holy Ghost and the obseruation of such necessary doctrines as the Lorde made mee able to see for the time The course that I haue taken therin is plaine and profitable if I be not deceiued First connecting the chap. togeather then diuiding them into their seuerall partes and portions afterwardes giuing the sense of them verse by verse and lastly obseruing such doctrines as most fitlye agree with the place If any man see more or better I pray him not only not to contemn this that is which is but to publish that which maye more edifie And as for your worships I beseech you to accept it as at the hands of one that doth vnfainedly both loue reuerence you all in the truth and for the truth And sith it principallye intreteth of the church let it be a whetstone to ad an edge to your care loue for the church the causes therof and the rather because of the practises of the wicked against it both at home abroad that sith they doe what they can to vndermine it thogh it be to their iust condemnation you maye doe your vttermost to the vpholding of it sith in the peace florishing estate thereof standeth the glorye of God the good quiet state of the whole land euery particular sound member therof Christ Iesus the onely head of the church encourage your heartes and strengthen your handes to minde speake and do those things that may tend to his glorye and the good of his people and be answearable to the places wherein he hath put you in the cōmonwelth that when the dayes of your dissolution shall drawe nigh you maye in the testimonye of a good hart feel to your comforts the assured and vnmoueable hope of the heauenly inheritance London the 25 of this Maie 1585. Your vvorships alvvayes ready and bounden in Christ Iesus T. VV. the Lords vnvvorthy CAP. 1. and the summe thereof 1. The Church being carryed away with the desire of the Bridegrome desireth to be imbraced of him 2. She commendeth his sweet sauouring name 3. And voweth that she wil praise it 4. She purgeth her selfe from her vnworthinesse 5. 6. And calleth vppon the bridegrome 7. Whom the Bridegome instructing hee beautifieth with deedes and promises 8. Wherfore reioysing between themselues they commend and praise one the other 1 A Song of Songs which is Schelamons 2 Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth for thy loues are good before wine 3 To smell to thy oyntmentes are best thy name spread abroad is as oyntment therefore thy Damselles loue thee 4 Drawe mee wee will runne after thee when the King him selfe shall haue brought me into his inner Chambers we will reioyce and be glad in thee we will rehearse thy loue before Wine suche as loue thee shall speake of righteous thinges 5 Blacke I may bee yet comely am I O daughters of Ierusalem I may bee like to the tentes of Kedar but I am like to them that dwell vnder Schelomons tapistry 6 Looke not vpon me because I am somwhat black because the sunne hath behelde mee because the sonnes of my mother kindled with wrath against me haue appointed mee the keper of other vineyards because I haue not kept to my selfe mine owne Vine 7 Shew me O thou whome my soule loueth where thou feedest where thou carest that the flocke may lye down at noone tide for why should I be as one that spreadeth the tent among the flockes of thy companions 8 Seeing thou knowest not O thou the fairest of women go out follow not the steps of that flock and feede thy kiddes aboue the Tents of other shepheards 9 I do compare thee O my loue
to the troupe of horses that are ioyned to Pharaohs chariots 10 Thy cheekes are comely as it were with rowes of stones thy necke as it were with collers 11 Wee will make for thee borders of golde with studdes of siluer 12 In the mean while that the king is at his repast he sendeth out his sauour of mard 13 My beloued is vnto me as a bundle of myrre remayning between my breasts 14 My beloued is vnto me as a berry of the Cypres tree in the Vineyards of Engedi 15 Behold thou art fayre my loue beholde thou art fayre thine eyes be like the doues eies 16 Behold thee thou art fayre O my beloued yea thou art pleasaunt yea our bed is greene 17 The beams of our houses are of Ceder trees our walking places are of wood like Cypres An exposition vpon the Canticles otherwise called Schelomons song BEfore wee come to open this booke something would ve marked touching the obscuritie and hardnesse therof whereof I suppose a duble reason may be yeelded The one is the sodaine chaunge of the number tense and personne as now speaking singularly then plurally now in the present time anone in the time to come now in the person of the Bride and anone in the person of the Bridegrome or some other The other is for that in parables and darke speeches there is expressed vnto vs verye diuine and heauenlye matter the holy Ghost vsing this maner of speaking not onelye that the eyes of the wicked might be stopped from beholding spiritual comfort but also that the good might know that whatsoeuer light they haue they haue it from him for both which see Math. 13 ver 11. 12. 13. c and also that they might imploy all the vnderstanding they haue to the comprehending of these though darke yet very excellent misteries Letting passe all necessities either of the Iewish Rabbinnes or of the old expositors and namelye of Origen wee will content our selues with a plaine and simple sence of this Booke wherin Schelomon being the holy ghostes instrument doth liuely declare the marter and maner of mariage which is betwixt Christe and his Church somtimes setting out the speeches that passe betweene them making as it were thereby the betrothment otherwhiles declaring the mutuall duties one of them towardes an other but specially that same great loue of the Bridegrome to his spouse which is neuer remooued but alwayes abideth constant how oft soeuer shee fall awaye and seeme as a man would saye to forsake her husband If any think this kinde of dealing to be ouerlight for so graue weighty a matter let them take heed that in the height of their owne hartes they doe not ouer prowdly censure God and his order who in many places vseth this similitude or parable of mariage to expresse his loue to his Church by and the dutie of the Church towardes him one or two places shal serue as Hoschea 2. 19. I will mary thee vnto me for euer yea I will marry thee vnto me in righteousnes c. Also 2. Cor. 11. 2. I haue prepared you for one husbande to presēnt you as a pure virgin to Christ And that by this meanes Christes loue is expressed towardes his Church maye appeare Ephes 5. 25. Husbandes loue your wiues euen as Christ loued the Church And the obedience of the Church to Christe is declared in the same chapter ver 22. 23. 24. Concerning the time when this Booke should be written nothing can bee sayde of certainty out of the scriptures Wiherfore leauing coniecturall gesses let vs cleaue to the certeinty Gods spirite hath penned it and by the prouidence of our almighty God it hath beene esteemed in all times to the end that we vpon whō the ends of the world are come might reap and receiue profit and comfort thereby and yet see somewhat thereof hereafter 1 This first Chapter I doe deuide into three partes The first comprehendeth the tytle or inscription of the worke together with the authors name this is in the first vers 2 The seconde setteth out the wishes of the Church dersiing effectuallye to be ioyned with her head and spouse Christ And this is from verse 2. to the end of the 7. 3 And the third conteineth Christs ready offering of himself to his church with a mutual cōmendation one of an other vz. of Christ his Church from ver 8. to the end of y e chap. Verse 1. A song of songes That is to say a most excellent and notable song For by dubbling of the wordes the Scripture vseth if it speake of good thinges to vnderstande moste excellent thinges as Deut. 10. 17. The Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lordes That is to say most high Lord and God Whereas if it speake of base thinges it doth then on the other side by dubbling debase them as much as Gen. 9. 25. It is sayd of Ham A seruant of seruants shall he be That is to say a most vile slaue or seruaunt Which is Salomons That is to saye which Salomon made putting the time present for the time past And this is the generall title of the whole Booke and conteineth as a man would say not onelye the writers name but the verye chiefe matter it beeing a moste excellent mariage song as you would say beeween Christ and his church That Solomon ment not onely to set out his match with Pharoas daughter if which you may see Psal 45. thorow out but also to ascend on high vz. to the spirituall marriage betweene Christ and his church I take it to be ouer plaine then needeeh to be stood vpon Verse 2. Let him kisse me The Church desireth the vnfained loue and continuall presence of Christ For kissing in old time was vsed as a testimony of loue see Genes 31. 28. Genes 45. 15. Luke 7. 45. 2. Cor. 13. 12. So that he putteth the signe of the thing for the thing it selfe With the kisses of his mouth The church meaneth by kises in the plurall number the aboundaunce am continuaunce of his loue and by the worde his mouth his presence euen as it is ioyfull to parties affiaunced not onelye to see one an other but also to continue togeather And in this part of the verse is contained the churches wish in the nexte part is declared the reason of her wish for thy loues are good By Loues shee meaneth fauour and liking of her and she speaketh thereof in the plurall number both to set out the plentifulnesse of the same in Christe and to declare also what great comfort she did conceiue by the aboundance thereof and by good she meaneth profitable sweete pleasant and as it were ful of saluation vnto her and marke the soudaine change of the person for heere the Church speaketh of Christ in the second person whereas before shee had spoken of him in the third Before Wine that is to say if they are better then Wine if they may be compared therewith that men
one is if shee finde not the spouse shee is in daunger of falling into manifest and manifold corruptions The other is that it greeueth her to be conuersant though it were neuer so small a while with counterfeit hipocrites and vngodly persons q. d. what honour shall come vnto thee or profit to me by hiding thy selfe from me and I by falling thereby into societie and familiaritie with others For the church vseth spreading or pitching of tents for familiaritye and felowship speaking according to the people of Arabia who as is sayde before dwelt in tents And when she sayeth Thy companions shee speaketh thus not as though shee made these straunge sheepheardes good shepheards or anye waye comparable with her spouse but rather according to that that they them selues gaue out of them selues and as in name and outwarde shew they woulde seeme to be when as they had nothing in deed and truth See 2. Cor. 11. 14. 15. In a word this me thinketh is the sense the church beeing as it were in daunger wandring vp and downe to seeke her spouse feareth least if shee shoulde not haue the place shewed her where shee might find him she should runne astray and ioyne her selfe to other congregations that do boast them selues to bee Christs companioÌ„s and friends reioyce in the name of the church and yet are neither so nor so Verse 8. Seeing thou knowest not This is Christes aunsweare to the church shewing that he is nigh to them that seeke him as Psal 145. 18. and it consisteth of two partes first hee aunsweareth her and instructeth her and then hee testifieth his good will and kindnesse towardes her Seeing thou knowest not vz. so fully as thou shouldest but in part onelye as all the knowledge of the church in this lyfe is no other 1. Cor. 13. 12. And therefore desirest further instruction I will teach thee O thou the fayrest of women Christ adorneth his church with this title whereby we may see that the church is not as men account of her but as she is esteemed by her spouse Goe out vz. from that companye of counterfeit sheepheardes and sheepe as may appeare by that which hee addeth follow now the steppes of that flocke for their feete tread not in the right path to life but lead the way to eternal destruction And by that worde goe out he noteth not onely the speedy departure from them but that the church shoulde not communicate with them nor with any thing that was theirs See Isaiah 52. 11. which also he noteth by that phrase follow not the steps of that flocke And feed the kiddes I take this particle and heere to be put for but as in other places of scripture q. d. this is it that thou must do not onely shun other mens euils corruptions but do those good thinges that thou art appoynted vnto And by kiddes he meaneth the flockes of faithfull people and euery particular one noting also vnder that manner of speech the tendernesse of the Church and euerye particular member thereof Aboue the tents of other sheepheardes That is to saye with more excellent pasture both for substaunce and forme then these sheepheardes with their tents are conuersant in He meaneth that he would haue the church by the food of the heauenlye doctrine to lift vp the faithfull people far aboue the earth and earthlye thinges as 1. Cor. 2. 14. 15. And he calleth them here shepheardes in the same sence that the church called them verse 7. Christes companions Verse 9. I do compare thee The spouse after instruction of the church entereth into the commendation thereof verse 9. 10. 11. And when he sayth that he doth compare her the meaneth not onely that he doth resemble her no cause thereof beeing in her why shee should be resembled but that he doth and will inable her by his graces euen to the best thinges for that he meaneth by horses ioyned to Pharaohs chariots This we know that Pharaoh was a name common to all the kinges of Aegypt This we know further that the horses of Aegypt were in great regarde and estimation not onely in Aegypt but in other countries also as 1. King 10. 28. 29. Neither is it without force that he speaketh of troupes and multitudes of chariots for for all these things Aegypt was very commendable as Exod. 14. 7. 9. All which layde togeather maketh much for the credite glory and renowne that Christe giueth vnto his church for the excellency therof Vers 10. Thy cheeks are comely The spouse entreth into the commendation of the particular partes of the church and he speaketh of those that are most to be seen because if they be beautifull fayre inquiry is not made of the beautie and fayrenesse of the rest And when he sayth that they are comelye as though they were set with rowes of stones hee alludeth no doubt to the maner of the Easterne princes who vsed to trimm their bridles and other furniture for the fore part of their horses with sundrye kindes of ornaments as golde pearle precious stones c. See Iudges 8. 21. meaning that there was no greater glorye nor comelines in these thinges then was in the outwarde partes and members of the church And to that same end must that be referred when he sayth Thy necke as it were with colours As may appeare in the places of the Iudges before alleadged Now to enquire either heere or in the other partes of this Booke what shoulde bee signified by the Cheekes or by y e necke or other members of the church specified therein would be curiositie because the mind of the holy Ghost is not so much to stand vpon the partes as by recitall of the seuerall partes to commend the whole and yet me thinketh something may now and then be sayd that way without anye preiudice of the truth as in this place to say that the cheekes which in shamefastnesse by meanes of blushing moste commonlye appeareth shoulde be put for shamefastnesse modestye and chastity of the church which neuer lacketh her ornaments and deckinges and the necke for the ministers of the word by whom the word it selfe is deliuered vnto the people euen as the meat by the necke is sent to the stomacke who haue also their glorye and beautifying but of this let euery godly and sober christian Reader iudge Verse 11. We will make for thee These are still the wordes of Christe not spoken as some thinke in his owne name and the name of the friendes of the church such as were some faithful people but spoken in deed as hauing regarde to the miâ—â—ery of the Godhead and Trinity such like kind of speeches see Genes 1. 26. also Genes 11. 7. where God speaketh of him selfe in the plurall number also Borders of golde with studs of siluer vz. set in sundrye places betweene them q. d. though thou be excellently well decked vp yet we will more and more adorne and beautifie thee so that nothing shall be wanting
127. 5. Much lesse shall the Churche or children thereof bee ouertaken there with howsoeuer they may somtimes haue their feares And this we may see performed particularly in Sephen Acts. 6. 15. And generally thorough the whole seuenth chapter of the sayd booke of the Actes Verse 15. Commending vnto vs the excellency and aboundance of Gods graces bestowed vpon the church is another argumēt propounded by the holy ghost to drawe vs on more and more to loue the same Al which is put down not only for the high exceeding commendation of the church of God as which is indued with al manner of louely graces from the Lord but also that so he might win that at our handes eyther by some one of these sundry reasons or by all of thē ioyntly together that otherwise coulde not bee gayned of vs. We learn also that not mean men onely but euen the mightiest of the earth should make this their speciall crowne and glorye to delight in the church of God yea to take delight in the very stones therof as Gods seruants are said to doe Psalme 102. 14. For what could it or can it boote them to liue and not to liue as the principall members or at the least sound members thereof sithe all of them must confesse that without the church there is no saluation And the rather they aboue others should striue hereto because their examples are manye times forcible to fetch that from men eyther for feare or fauour c. that other mens works can not winne Vers 16. Deliuereth vnto vs this doctrine namelye that the Churche contayneth in it not only more glory and beauty then can bee seene with the outward eie but than can either be conceiued in heart or expressed with mouth Which also shold moue vs vnfeinedly to affect the same Wherof also me thinketh we may yeelde a dubble reason the first because of the narrownesse and straightnesse of our owne vnderstanding we being not able sufficiently either to thinke or speak of the least of Gods graces much lesse of the church vppon whome the Lorde hath bestowed euen the very treasures of his goodnesse secondly because of y e excellency of y e graces thē selues whether we consider them generallye or particularly they beeing as in respect of themselues euen of his nature from whom they flow y t is to say altogether infinite incōprehensible Ver. 17. Teacheth vs y t howsoeuer the church both in the whole and in the partes thereof may be greatly by the burthen of afflictions oppressed for the time that yet notwithstanding it shall rise vp againe doe the wicked what they can Which as we know to be truelye performed in Christ our sauiour the head therof whom it was impessible y t the sorrowes of death shold altogether hold down Act. 2. 24 so was it also verefied in the Apostle and other beleeuers who sayth of him self and thē we are afflicted on euery side yet not in distresse persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but perish not 2. Cor. 4. 8. 9. which indeed ariseth in them from the strength of Christes ouercomming we being in him become more then conquerors Roma 8. 37. Oh whom would not this comfort and incourage to suffer any thing yea euery thing for the profession of Christ and the keeping of a good conscience before God and men Vers 18. Teacheth vs that the greatest matter of ioy to the church standeth especially vpon thes two points to wit Christes continuall presence and his making of the same fruitefull in the seueral duties that the church is to perform to God and men One of these maye not nor can not bee sundred from other because where Christe is hee is not there idelly or in vaine though we muste confesse also that the force of Christs grace appeareth not a like at al times because it is darkned many times with the mystes cloudes of our owne corruption but dwelling in their harts by faith he maketh thē fruitfull in all good workes and inableth them to comprehend with all saints what is the bredth and length and depth and height that is all fulnesse as it were of fayth and obedience See for this purpose Epes 3. 17. Vers 19. Doth notably commend vnto vs the excellency gracious effects of the word of god Whereof who so listeth to read may see a large discourse psal 119. And if they suppose that to be to tedious they maye more shortly see it comprised Psal 19. vers 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. which the holye Ghoste doth so much the more highly extoll because men are wont to haue it in very small regard accoūt And yet in y e praising of it he doth not as mē who to win men to the loue liking of such things as they propose giue excessiue or vnture commendations thereof but in all truth and simplicitie exalteth the same if he come short any waye it is because the Lord is too sparing in it not that hee wanteth wordes to expresse the praise of it or that the thing it selfe is not most high excellent but because hee is for our weaknesse sake contented to stoupe downe commending it so farre foorth as we are able thorow his spirit to conceiue of it and not otherwise Is it not then a pitifull thing that this word shall receiue so great a commendation and that we shall be so backewarde in intertayning the same CAP. 7. and the summe thereof The church hearing of the earnest affection and loue of Christ hir spouse towardes hir whollye resigneth vp her selfe vnto him verse 1. and afterwardes doth not onelye seeke to know the signes of the day set for their mariage but doth wishe from hir hart that the time therof were come ver 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. She admonisheth her Damsels handmaides or friendes of their dutie that they should not hinder hir being now conuersant with hir husband Christ vers 8. And lastly she declareth her most ardent and earnest loue towardes him desiring euen for euer to be beloued of him againe ver 9. 10. 11. 1 I Am my welbeloueds for his desire is towardes me 2 Come my welbeloued let vs goe foorth into the fielde let vs remaine in the villages 3 Let vs rise vp earely to the vines let vs see whether the vine flourish and whether the small grape hath opened it selfe whether the pomgranates florish ther will I giue thee my loues 4 The mandrakes haue giuen a smell and in our gates are all sweet thinges new and olde I haue kept them for thee 5 O that some woulde giue thee to be as a brother vnto me that sucked the breastes of my mother though I found thee in the streat I woulde kisse thee neither would they dispise me 6 I would lead thee I woulde bring thee into the house of my mother that teacheth me I would cause the to drinke spiced wine yea sweete wine made of my Pomegranate 7 His left hande shoulde be vnder mine
thanke God for it and laye it out to the benefite of the church And in our gates are all sweet thinges The word signifieth precious also And when the church sayth They are in the gates she meaneth not onely that they were readye but alludeth also vnto customes and orders obserued on mariage daies men beeing went to straw the houses entries doores yea and streets and all with sweet smelling herbes as we see in vse amongst vs. New and old q. d. There is great stoore and plentye of them for this is an vsuall thing by these termes to expresse aboundaunce See for the phrase Math. 13. 52. where Christe affyrmeth that the Scribes which are taught of God bring out of their treasures new and olde thinges I haue kept them foorth The church protesteth that as shee had carefullye reserued these thinges againste the marriage daye so that time beeing come she will plentifully powre them abroad that so Christ her spouse maye take pleasure in the thinges that shee willinglye offereth for his intertainment Many mistically expound these thinges for the sweet sauor that the godly yeelde in the churche by their good workes and holy conuersation and I doubt not but it maye bee so taken how be it I suppose this to bee the more simple meaning that the church alluding to the outward maner of men in worldly marryages doth meane thereby the great preparation that both she had in former tymes and presently made against the marriage day and would then plentifully powre the same abroad for the greater manifestation of her vnfayned loue towardes Christ Ver. 5. Oh that some would giue thee The church hauing shewed y e great preparatiō she had made for the marriage daye beginneth to declare the earnest affection shee had towardes Christe wishing as many doe in the earnestnesse of their minde specially when they eyther feel the want of good thinges or are moued with the excellency thereof that shee might continuallye enioye him as a moste faithfull friend Now in that shee mencioneth none to whome shee powreth foorth this wishe shee meaneth not that euerye one could graunt this or that shee did at all aduentures speake it but knowing that it was only in God to graunt the same shee doth vnder this exclamation or wish expresse the feruent desire she had to haue this performed vnto her See Iere. 9. 1. To be as a brother vnto me that is most faithfull friendlye and louing see Genes 13. 8. Also Psal 133. 1. That sucked the breastes of my mother She is not contented onely to haue him as a brother but as a most naturall kinde brother because many times it falleth out that brethren also are at great iarres thorow the neglect or forgetfulnes of those bondes wherewith they should be tyed most straitly together she wisheth that she might finde Christ as louing towardes her and as continual with her as one most natural and kindharted brother is to with another that so she might both continually and most familiarly also enioye his loue comfortable both presence and speech Though I found thee in the street that is in so open and publicke place as it were See Luk. 14. 21. I would kisse thee that is I woulde neither be ashamed nor afrayde to performe the dutyes of a holye loue and sound good will towardes thee See chapter 1. verse 2. Also Luke 15. 20. Neither would they despise me vz that knew what it meant otherwise perhaps there might be misiudging We know it is an immodest and vnseemly thing to kisse women and maydes openly as many do but if thou wert my brother as though she shoulde saye no bodye would dislike me for it though I did it openlye because of a holy affection I carry towards thee So here we see that as shee proposed her wishe and desire so here shee beginneth to shew what she would do if that might be graunted proceeding in reckoning vp of other thinges that shee ment to performe meaning onelye heere that in the performance of those holy dutyes shee would set feare and shame aside and not regarde the scornes and reproches wherwith the wicked are wont to exercise her and will still exercise her till the mariage day indeed come Verse 6. I woulde lead thee I woulde bring thee Shee doubleth the worde as it were to note not onely the ioyfulnesse of her hart to thinke vppon this which if it were so delitfull now that shee coulde not tell with what wordes to expresse it what would it be then beeing performed in full measure but also the certaine purpose that indeed shee had to execute the same binding her selfe by the means of this maner of speech more straightly to the performaunce thereof Into the house of my mother Shee alludeth no doubt to the custome in those dayes which was to bring the Bryde and the Brydegrome also into the houses of eyther of their parents see chap. 3. 4. and Genes 24. 97. where Izhac is sayde to haue brought Ribkah into the tent of Sarah his mother And no doubt but here vnder the name of mother the whole vniuersal church which rising vp togeather into one body shall in good time as a pure virgin be presented glorious and vnspotted to Christ See 2. Cor. 11. 2. Ephe. 5. 27. For the better vnderstanding of this point we muste well weigh two thinges the first is the maner of the Hebrues in their speech which vse to call some whole thing or body by y e name of father or mother and the partes deryued from the same by the names of sonnes or daughters whereof also there is some reason because as children be as it were chippes hewen from their parentes so are other things when they are disioyned one of them from an other The second is the consideration that wee muste haue of the church which in the holye scripture is to bee considered after two sortes to wit either generallye or particularly The church generall or vniuersall is likewise to be considered after two sortes For sometimes there is contayned vnder the name or word of the church Christ with all his elect people which therefore by reason of the streight and narrow coniunction that is betweene him and them is also called the Brydegromes mother as ver 9. of this chapter and in which regard also the church is called his sister chapter 4. 9. and also chapter 8. 1. Sometimes vnder the same word there is signified the elect onely as in this place and before in this booke chapter 3. 4. also chapter 6. 6. and such like Where we must marke that the very selfe same distinction muste bee obserued in the new Testament also where the church considered together with her heade Christ is called Christ 1. Cor. 12. 12 Eph. 3. 4. that is to saye misticall Christ as the Fathers were wont to say or Christ in a misterye but when wee consider the church seuered from Christe then it is called Christes church or his bodye Now