nothing at all so rechlesse and vnfaithfull manye times are they that should be most forward but proceedeth to declare what issue her diligent searching had namely that shee was scarce gone from them or passed but a little way from them When I found him whom my soule loueth vz. to the great ioy and contentment of my hart I tooke hold of him As in the former wordes she had declared what she did before shee found him so now shee sheweth what she did after she had found him vz. laid fast and sure holde of him as loath to let him depart whome shee had so painefullye sought and did so tenderly loue Neither will I suffer him to depart vz. at any time or by any meanes from me She sheweth the holy purpose she had to detaine and keep Christ with her for the better performance whereof also shee maketh a promise that shee might thereby be the more straightlye bound to the doing of the same Till I shall haue brought him into my mothers house For the word till see before chapter 2. 17. meaning also by her mothers house moste familiar and delightfull dwelling and continuaunce with him by which also for the great loue that mothers beare vnto their children for which see Isaiah 49. as also Isaiah 66. 13. she noteth most comfortable intertainement and friendlye continuing togeather as it were vnder one roofe And into the inner chamber shee meaneth the best place of the house and most secreat and if any one were more secreat better than an other See 2. King 6. 12. Of her that conceiued me A periphrasis or description of hir mother See Psal 51. 5. Verse 5. 1. I charge you by an oth The church hauing obtayned her husband and his holy companye or felowship enioyneth and that verye vehementlye the particular members thereof to doe nothing that may bee grieuous vnto him and no doubt but shee hath a speciall regarde to the custome vsed then and yet euen at this day in some places vsed amongest vs namely that songes are sung before the Bryde chamber and certaine noyses of instruments broght to wake the bride and bridegrome from sleepe See all this verse euen word for word as it is heere expounded before chap. 2. verse 7. which also is an vsuall thing in this booke as we see in many mariage songs and other kind of verses also Vers 1. Who is she vz. beside my selfe q. d. what people is there in the world besides the church that would do this and that that is those things which are expressed in this verse And heere beginneth the other part of the chap in which the church correcting as it were her former speech speaketh thus as it were what shoulde I cause him to remaine with me Nay rather I shoulde striue to enter into his pallace who hath all thinges moste fayre beste furnished and exceedingly sweete and well smelling yea whose very Bedde or Bride-chamber is much more glorious then all Solomons roialty which afterwards shee commendeth in many respectes That would come vp out of the wildernesse that is forsake the world and the things that be therein which may bee aptly compared to a wildernesse because as it is commonly ful of hurtful noysome thinges so is the world As it were perfumed with the liftings vp of smoke that is ascending vp directly euen as pillers of smoke She addeth perfumed with myrh and incense Wee know that these were sweet pleasant things for the sauour and smell of them see Psal 45. 8 Better then all the fine powder of the Apothecarie The worde that is here turned Apothecary signifieth such a merchaunt as selleth all sortes of sweete smelling thinges Our grossers heere amongest vs but specially our Apothecaries haue their shops most stuffed with such sauours and are moste often in the compounding of such things for smell and therefore it is not yll turned Apothecary Whatsoeuer it be the Church mindeth to declare that though she had the vaintiest and delightfullest thinges in the world yet these could not hinder her from comming to her husbaÌ„d Christ in whom were hid al the treasures of God Col. 1. 19. Also Coll. 2. 3. and as in respect of which all the thinges of the world were to be accouÌ„ted but losse dyrt dung and whatsoeuer is most vile see Phil. 3. 8. Verse 7 Behold this bed which is better then that that is Solomons She amplyfieth the excellency of the bed of Christe and his church by comparing it with Solomons first she commendeth it for the safety that is to be had found there and that in this verse and verse 8 all which is conteyned in a parenthesis as you may see Secondly for the deare price and rich furniture of the same vers 9 10. And she entreth into this course of commendation not only to set out the great glory of her husband but thereby also the better to stirre her vp to perfourme her duty towardes him that was of such great state and magnificeÌ„ce About which stand threescore mighty men q. d. The bed is watched least any shold eyther by force or frawd annoy the bridegrâ—me or his spouse neither doth this watche consist of weaklings but of moste stoute and couragious men yea and that of a greate number of them namely threescore and those not heathenish idolaters or prophane professors but as shee sayth afterwards of the mighty men of Israel that is faithfull and godly hauing the knowledge beleefe zeale and obedience of religion towardes the Lord and therefore most likely to be founde trusty towardes other All this is spoken after the manner of earthly princes who as they haue their guard for the day so they haue their watch for y e night and y t in about the bed-chambers as a man would say Verse 8. All taking hold of the swoord He amplifieth this gard or defence shewing that they are not onely godly men but as he sayd before men of valure and courage able to handle this weapon both for the defence of them selues their king and for the annoyaunce and hurt of their enemies Are expert in warre As before shee had commended them for their strength so here shee prayseth them for their skill because one of these without the other are little auaileable Euery one is girded with his swoord vpon his thigh This was the maner and custome then of that people as appeareth Psalm 45. 3. By which also shee noteth their readines in the vse of their weapoÌ„s For feare vz. least any hurt should befaule y e brydgroÌ„e or y e brid Euery night she meaneth y t they vse this course of a watchful care and wise defence continually No doubt but vnder all this the holy Ghost meant to shew in what a safe state and condition they are that are matched with him who haue both infinite numbers of holy aungels to attend vpon them Psalm 91. 10. and of godlye teachers to fence and garde them as it were thorow all
the daungers and distresses of this life whatsoeuer See Ephes 4. 11. 12. 13. For though he speake here but of a certaine number yet no doubt but thereby he vnderstandeth an infinite number which is also vsuall in the holye scriptures Verse 9. Yea better than the bed which king Solomon prepared for him selfe Euery word heere tendeth to the magnifiying of the mariage bed of Christe and his Church As first in that it was better then a kings bed who for his state and riches was commendable thorough the worlde and wonderfull 1. King 10. 27. Thirdly in that it was better then that which hee had prepared for himselfe We know what good thinges men make for themselues specially when they haue wherewithall to do the same Yea the very word which is here rendred Bed tendeth to the amplifying hereof because it signifieth a fruitfull and flourishing bed of which see before chap. 1. 16. Yea and the wordes following make also to that purpose When she addeth of the trees of Lebanon which was a place farre from Ierusalem the wood also whereof was very excellent and good as which for the worthinesse of it was imployed to the best thing namely the building of the Temple as appeareth 1. King 5. 6. So that it was commendable because it was chargeable as being farre fet and also because it was a notable and famous kinde of wood Verse 10. Whose pillers are made of syluer As she had before spoken generally of it so now she commeth to discribe it by peece meale as it were affirming that the pillers were of siluer We knowe that standing beddes haue pillers and postes to vphold the Testers now whereas other mens were made of wood his pillers were of siluer which should not seeme strang vnto vs seeing the holye Ghoste sayth he gaue siluer in Ierusalem as plentifull as stones 1. King 10. 27. And that that was layd vpon it of gold he meaneth by that which was layde vpon it the bed it selfe as we say vnderstanding also by golde that it was moste precious because nothing we haue is commonly more deare then golde Whose couering was purple coloured He meaneth that the couering or couerlet appertayning to that bed was of a ritch and costlye colour For purple was in those dayes accounted most deare and precious See Prouerb 31. 22. Also chapter 7. 5. of this booke Mark 15. 17. Luk. 16. 19. The inwardes whereof hee meaneth the partes of the bedding y t were for the time out of sight Were as it were paued with loue that is were as costly rich as if they had beene adorned with things y t men most loue like noting also by y e word pauing the varieties of workes y t were in the same as in pauinges we see some checkered some diamonded some one way some another which also are no doubt cunningly wroght w t needle work a matter much set by in these dais in euery thing See Psal 45. 14. By the damsels of IerusaleÌ„ he expresseth y e persons y t should performe this worke not meaning such as were broght vp in the cuntry but within the coÌ„passe of the wals of IerusaleÌ„ where it was like they had bin trained vp in most curious cunning and costly workmanship Vers 11 O yee damsels of Zion Those whom in the other verse he had called damsels of IerusaleÌ„ he calleth here damsels of Zion putting a part for the whole For the hil of Zion was a peece of the city meaning no doubt by these the faithful and sound meÌ„bers of the church whom yet notwithstanding they were forwarde the church putteth in minde of their duties Come foorth vz. out of your owne priuate houses into publicke places and beholde king Solomon The fame and name of Solomons glory was great but yet not matchable with y t of Christ for beholde a greater then Solomon is here Mat. 12. 42. and yet because shee had none greater to compare him vnto she resembleth him to the greatest For euen as the proper name Dauid is in scripture attributed to christ as Iere. 30. 9. So is Solomons here in this place With the crowne which his mother prouided for him Now shee describeth Solomons glory yet so that vnder the same is meant the exceeding maiestie of Christ The word crowne is put for the same as Phil. 4. 1. and by these wordes which his mother prouided for him is set out y e excellency therof for mothers wil prouide no base or mean things for their children if they be able In the day of his betrothings y t is against the time y t he shold be affianced maried also for she putteth y e beginning as it were of mariage for â—he whole action of the same And in the daye of the gladnesse of his hart that is against the daye wherein his heart was made glad which was not onelye when hee and his wyfe were affiaunced but when they were married and marriage duties perfourmed wee knowing by experience that the marriage daye is the day of greatest myrth specially to the partyes maried against which daye also the parties themselues and the parentes and all do bestow all the cost that possiblye they can as we see by dayly and continuall experience Verse 1. Teacheth vs to be in continuall meditation of Christ and heauenly things yea and that we should for that purpose break our sleeps as it were to the ende that we maye bee seased with the feeling of the same and though we can not at the firste or second time conceiue thereof that yet we shoulde not for all that leaue off but looke for a time wherein that holye hunger and thirst that we haue of righteousnes shal be plentifully supplyed to Gods glory and our comfort Verse 2. Teacheth vs to shake off all impediments that may hinder vs from going to Christ as whether it be the heauines of our flesh or corruption of nature thorow sinne c. For which see Heb. 12. 1. Also that we shoulde seeke good thinges indeed with diligence and care to attayne the same and that not in one place onely but in euerye place where they were likely to be had or maye be founde indeede and that though we finde them not at the firste seeking yet we should not leaue off For it may be that we seek them not where they are to be had or search not after them with a right mind and therfore good reason why we should want the thinges we wish and desire but stirre vp our selues stil euen as it were by excessiue toyle and importunity to preuaile at the length Verse 3. Teacheth vs not to be ashamed or afrayde by demaunding to come to the possessing of those thinges that we wishe and seeke after In labouring to get worldly things we will endeuour to shake off both shame feare whatsoeuer els might hinder vs in atchieuing our purposes therefore for as much as these thinges are farre more excellent we should labour
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