things my soule set me vpō the chariots of my free people so that I said 10 Returne return O Shulamite return returne that we maye behold thee What shall you see in that Shulamite Euen as a company of tentes 11 O how beautifull are thy feet with these shewes Oh thou daughter of the Prince The ioynts of thy thyes are like iewels the worke of the hande like a cunning workman 12 Thy nauell is as a round cup it shal not want liquor thy belly is as a heape of wheat compassed about with lilies 13 Thy two brestes are like two yong roes that are the twins of a roebucke 14 Thy necke is like a towre of Iuorye thine eyes are like the fish pooles in Heshbon by the gate of Batherabbin thy nose is like the towre of Lebanon that looketh vpon the face of Damasec 15 Thy head vpon thee is as Carmell and the bush of thy head is as purple the king may be tyed in the rafters 19 How fayre art thou And how pleasaunt art thou O my my loue in these pleasures 17 This thy stature is like a palme tree and thy brestes like clusters 18 I sayd I will goe vp into the Palme tree I will take hold of her bowes thy brestes shall now be like the clusters of the vine and the sauour of thy nostrils like apples 19 And the roofe of thy mouth like the best wine which goeth streight to my welbeloued and causeth the lippes of the auncient to speake AS in the former chapter and specially towards the end thereof the church had very highly commended Christe her head and spouse and that not only to stir vp others in soundnesse of loue to imbrace him that was so excellent but also to rais vp and increase the feruency of her affection towarde him so in this chapter Christe againe on the other side doth likewise notably praise her not onely thereby to expresse his harty goodwill towardes her and to let her vnderstand that no loue or commendation bestowed vppon him is lost but that it shalbe required to the full but also to drawe on others in a sounde minde to ioyne them selues vnto her whome hee both so tenderly loueth and highly magnifieth In this chapter wherein Christe comforteth and confirmeth the Church being tossed too and fro with doubtings least Christ for his vnkindenesse should vtterly depart frō hir running vp and down to seeke her head and spouse In this chapter I say ther are are three especiall points propounded vnto vs. In the first because in the other chapter the church was full of mourning griefe and sicknes for her negligence and carelesnesse towardes him hee comforteth her and assureth her that notwithstanding the same she is and shall be as deare vnto him as euer shee was before which thing also that shee mighte be the better perswaded of he doth yeelde her a large and vnfained commendation and this is contained in the seuen first verses In the second he setteth out the earnest and vehement desire he had to haue the mariage betweene him and the church finished and this is comprised in one verse onely to wit the eight verse In the thirde part he declareth his good will and harty affection towardes the Churche by a notable commendacion of her promising as it were his continuall presence and aboade with her euen vntill the day of marriage so that she shall not need any more to bee discomforted by his departure from verse 9. to the end of the chapter In which third part notwithstanding Christ propoūdeth foure speciall thinges The first is that Christe declareth what councell hee tooke when he perceiued that that time of the marriage which was hoped and looked for was not yet come Verse 9. Secondly hee earnestlye calleth the Church to come back againe and to return vnto him she in her seeking hauing as it were ouergone him Verse 10 Thirdly there is a notable description of the former beauty and gorgeousnesse of the church verse 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. And lastlye a promise made to the churche for the faithfull and assured performance of all duties towards her vntill the mariage shal be fully consummate and ended ver 18. 19. And this much beeing sayde both for the connexion and diuision of the chapter into his cheefe partes members we come nowe to the sense of the wordes of the text as they lye Vers 1. Thou art beautifull my loue Christ meeting with the church that laboured and sought to finde him doth after the maner of louers bewraying his great affections maruailously commend the Churche for her excelent beutie All which things as they must be spiritually vnderstood so wee must know that all the glory she-hath how great or how litle soeuer yt bee shee hath it from Christ her spouse So that he doth nothing as it were but commend his own graces in her yet these thinges are not deliuered without cause whether we respecte Christ or y e Church it selfe or others If we respect Christ it propoundeth vnto vs the manifestation of his vnfained and continual loue towards the church if we regarde others it is done to make them in loue and lykinge towardes the Churche which Christ himselfe loueth so tenderly and so highly commendeth if we respect the Church it is don for her comfort q. d. Thinck not that that goodly beuty of thine is decaied or that I haue caste from mee thy loue and lyking by reason of thy former discurtesies and negligences I am not so scornefull and dysdainfull as to thincke thee deformed for that spottes sake thou hast sufficiently washed it a waye with thy teares and repentaunce Wherefore as I said before chap. 4 1. 2. c. So euen nowe I affirme the same still thy fauoure and beutie is moste acceptable and delightfull to mee And Christe doubleth this because it is hard for the Church and the members thereof to beleeue the Worde at the first and specially the worde of promise and then chiefely when wee regarde our euill dealing with the Lorde and oure multiplying of it againste him As tyrtzah It is the name of a moste pleasaunt Citie in the coastes of Israell scituated vppon the riuer Euphrates where after that the kingdome of Israell was rent from the house of Dauid Hieroboam placed as it shoulde seeme his kingly pallace Of this Citie you maye reade 1. Kinges 14. 17. also 15. 21. and 16. 6. c. Neither doubt I but that it had the name giuen it of pleasauntnes beeing deriued of a worde that signifieth to accept or like of because it did by the pleasauntnes and beutie thereof drawe all men as it were to the lykinge thereof Comely as Ierusalem For the beautie and glorye of this Cytie besides that wee haue the commendation of the word it being called therin the praise of the worlde Isaiah 62. 7. See also Psalm 122. 3. Yt did euen as forraine wryters recorde not onelie in beautie and comelynesse
the mutability of the ayre were maruailouslie defaced as it were or els that by the figure Metonomy he putteth the tentes for the people dwelling in the tentes which I rather encline vnto by reason of that which is written Psal 120. 5. Kedar was the name of one of Ishmaels Sonnes as appeareth Genes 25. 13. who togeather with their posteritie as it should seeme inhabited some part of Arabia Petrosa and called the name of that quarter where they dwelt Kedar by the name of their first Father see Isaiah 21. from verse 13. to the end of the chapt But I take it to be here vsed more generally that is a parte of the Countrie for the whole and the name of the Country for the people inhabiting the same as Hieremie 2. 10. Hiereme 49. 28. that the people dwelt in Tentes it appeareth not onely by this place but by Isaiah 13. 20 Besides that they were blacke this reason me thinketh is sufficient to proue because they were gyuen muche to trauell from place to place and to sore toile in so often remouing their Tentes which they dwelt in and also by reason of their nigh bordering to the Ethiopians as apeareth 1. Chron. 21. 16. who were black therof were called blackmoores See Hie. 13. 23. but I am like to them that dwell vnder Solomons Tapistry that is to say moste faire and comely for those that dwell in Kinges houses and specially those that are continuallye in the places of most costly furniture and rich hanging are not only verie faire as whose beautie the sun or sharpe weather doth seldome touche but also are comely because of beeing continually in the Kinges presence from which purpose our Sauiour Christes speach Math. 11. 8. doth not much vary And no doubt but by one parte of Solomons househoulde as his tapistrie or curteines shee ment all the glorye and furniture of his house whatsoeuer of which you maye read at large 1. Kinges 10. 1 2. c. Verse 6. Looke not vpon me The church continueth her speach to the particular members thereof willing them not to looke vpon her that is not to be discouraged from ioyning themselues vnto her for all her afflictions which make her outwardly as it were deformed but rather to haue their eyes fixed vppon Christ her husband those inward beauties graces that he hath decked her with all Because I am somewhat blacke She doth in this speech somewhat lessen the word blacke that was vsed verse 5. q. d. My blacknes is not so much as perhaps you take it to be and therefore be not so much discouraged as you woulde seeme to bee because the sunne hath behelde me The Church declareth in these and the wordes following that that blackenesse was not her owne naturall colour as a man woulde saye but that it came by some other meanes as firste because that thorow oppression and persecution shee was as it were by the sunne dryed vp So that the word sunne is taken here for the heat of persecution and so it is Math. 13. 6. 21. because the sonnes of my mother kindled with wrath against me haue appointed me the keeper of other vineyards I know this place is diuersly expounded Some giue this sence of it by sonnes of the same mother they vnderstand originall sin and the sinne that dwelleth in the church and by beeing kindled with wrath they vnderstand sinne increasing and raging as it were and by appoynting the church to Keepe other vineyardes they vnderstand the committing of the workes of the flesh and the deedes of darknesse with which she was as it were holden so that she coulde doe nothing els till the Lorde had loosed her out of these chaynes Others to whome I rather incline expounde it thus The sonnes of my mother that is to say those that seemed moste deare vnto me and were as it were my selfe who also bosted in the name of the church Kindled with wrath against me that is to saye though they pretended good will towardes mee yet were they set on fire with wrath and hatred against mee Haue appointed me the keeper of other vineyards that is to saye haue made mee to take vppon me that which did not in deede appertaine vnto me and to intermeddlein those thinges that did nothing respect me And this sence me thinketh may bee warranted not onely because a mans enemies are they of his owne houshold and of his dearest acquaintance Math. 10. 36. Psal 50. 20. Psal 55. 12. 13. 14. but also because we see by experience howe those that woulde bee counted the brethren and the fathers of the Church vnder the name and title therof haue labored to thrust into the Church the execution of Ciuill causes and offices which do not indeede belong to the Church nor to the ministers thereof as may appeare Luke 12. 13. 14. whereof the Church maye and doth not without cause complaine as of a great burthen too heauie for her to bear and this is the second cause of the Churches blacknesse and now followeth this cause of her blacknesse continued in these wordes Because I would not haue kept to my self mine own vine That is to say I haue departed from the dutie that was prescribed vnto me though it were neuer so healthfull and profitable for me wherein also we see the churches humble confession of her negligence and carelesnesse in executing the calling wherein she was placed Verse 7. Shew me The Church turneth her speech againe to her spouse q. d. Thinke not y â— either by others slanders or mine owne offences I am discouraged to come vnto him no I will call vpon him in your presence and you shal heare him aunswearing me By the word shewing the Church desireth instruction and knowledge so haue you the same worde vsed Iob. 10. 2. O thou whom my soule loueth That is to saye thou whom I loue from my hart For this Periphrasis no doubt hath greater force then if the church had sayde O my beloued or O my deare spouse as the contrary speech Isaiah 1. 14. noteth wonderfull disliking Where thou feedest vz. thy flockes For she compareth Christ to a good sheepheard that prepareth meet and conuenient food for his flocke see Psalm 23. 1. c. Iohn 10. 14. Where thou carest that thy flock may lie downe at noone tide The church here expresseth the great care and loue that Christ hath ouer his people which he calleth by the name of flocke as Luke 12. 32. Actes 20. 28 and also in what a quiet state and condition they are in which follow Christ True it is that he expresseth this vnder a parable of the flockes taking their rest at noone time in the heate of the daye but by such manner of earthlye speeches it pleaseth the Lord many times in his word to set out spirituall and heauenly matters For why should I be as one that spreadeth the tent amongest the flockes of thy companions The church noteth in this speech two thinges the
pleasure without the city but they must of necessitye goe downward because the city stood vpon the hill and they planted their gardens in the lower places because they were more plentiful and fruitfull and what shee shoulde meane by the worde garden see before chapter 4. 17. To the beddes of spice that is to comely and sweete smelling places in the same this Phrase is expounded verse 12. of this chapter To feed in the gardens The church noteth the endes wherfore Christe is gone downe into the gardens that is to eate and to drincke there and to take therein his pleasure and refreshing And to gather lilies that is sweet and good flowers Men goe to ther gardens commonly as we see by experience amongst vs eyther to make merry as we saye or els to gather such fruites as grow there that doth the church applye in a spirituall sence vnto her head and spouse Christ meaning that Christ is come into that place where his worde is purelye preached and hearde for there in deed is the seate of the church that is Christ his garden set with diuers sortes of plants and decked with excellent flowers this was called before a garden inclosed chapter 4. 12. thorow the beds of sweet smelling spices which he as a good gardiner treadeth out planteth watereth and doth all in all namelye the heartes and consciences of such as he hath regenerated replenishing them with sundrye gyftes and graces as of prayer thankesgyuing obedience c which are vnto him as it were sweete smelling spices or flowres yea he fedeth in his gardens that is to saye particular churches for it is as it were food vnto him to haue churches in which he maye be confessed and serued yea it is his meat and drincke to him either to doe him selfe or to haue others doe his Fathers will Iohn 4. 32. 34. And he gathereth lylies and other flowres for them when he perceiueth them to doe good workes which is an odor that smelleth sweete and a sacrifice farre more acceptable and pleasaunt to him Philip. 4. 18 then all the pleasant flowres in the world can be to any man earthly Verse 18. I am my welbeloueds and my welbeloued is mine This is the conclusion of the whole chapter and of all the speech that the church hath with her Daughters and Damsels wherein the church openly professeth that whatsoeuer may bee either staied or done against her y t shee is and will be of a stayed and vnmoueable affection towards Christe and will be continuallye strengthened in an assured perswasiō of his good will towards her and so by this meanes shee fostereth and foodeth her affection and good will towards him for shee meaneth by this speeche that she belongeth so to Christ and Christ so to her that there can bee no separation and therefore good cause why she should continually loue and like him we had the same before chap. 2. 16 Ther being no difference in the meaning thogh as in respect of the order of the words there is some that being put ther in the first place which is here in the latter that there in the latter which is heere in the first the meaning beeing thus As he will not haue an other but whollye delighteth in me so I will not haue another louer but hold my self wholy and onely contented with him Who feedeth among the Lillies That is who liueth most pleasantly and sweetely q. d. as they that eate there me at among the Lillies and other sweet smelling flowers can not chuse but liue in delights pleasantnesse and sweetenesse so doth Christ in his church and those that ther liue with him And the church propoundeth this not only for the singular commendation of Christ her spouse but also thereby as it were by a forcible argument to moue all the faithful cōtinually to loue and like him that hath in him such aboundaunce of sweetenes pleasure Vers 1. Teacheth vs y t howsoeuer God haue bestowed great many spiritual graces vppon his church the particuler members so y t they are indued with knowledge faith many other holy vertues y t yet notwithstanding ther are certain remainders of their naturall corruption in them which will sometimes breake foorth in them to manifest the neglect of their duetye towardes God and men which yet notwithstanding wee shoulde labour all the dais of our life in a holy striuing to set our selues against Of this combate reade Rom. 7. 14. 15. 16. c. Secondlye it teacheth vs as on the one side to confesse our infirmityes as the church doth here her drowsinesse and sleeping that so we may obtayne forgiuenesse at Gods handes for if wee confesse our sinnes God is faithfull and iuste to forgiue vs our sinnes 1. Ioh. 1. 9. and receiue instruction comfort and praye for our brethrē who knowing our miseries can not but extend y e bowels of pity compassion towards vs because they haue learned to weep with thē y t weepe c. Rom. 12. 15. So on y e other side notwithstāding to acknowlege the graces of God in vs vpō vs as the church doth here sayng that her hart was awake for otherwise we shal rod God of his glory who hath giuen vs his good things depriue y e brethren of y t comfort they might haue by vs. Satans subtletie woulde be waighed in this assault who if he can not puffe vs vp in pryde of the thinges we haue not woulde cast vs downe in supposing a want of the thinges we haue So hard a matter is it to bee wise according to sobriety as the Apostle willeth vs. Roman 12. 3. Thirdly we may learne for the better feeling of our sinne and the working of a more sound detestation of it in vs to aggrauate the same vnto our selues in all the circumstaunces and occasions thereof howbeit in a iust measure and proportion least otherwise we bee found false witnesse bearers against our own soules This doth the Prophet Dauid in many Psalmes namely Psalm 51. and Daniel also chap. 9. 5. 6. c yea the whole church in sundry Psalmes and particularly Psal 106. 6. But this wil not our cursed generation yeeld vnto and that is the reason why we are so besotted and senseles in our sins yea frosen as the Prophet sayth in the dregs of our owne iniquity Zephan 1. 12. Vers 2. Teacheth vs what shiftes and excuses fleshe and bloud can finde to put the Lorde from them in his gracious calling of them with the refusall also of their own good thorow the want of the graces that hee woulde giue them sometymes they alleadging that it is no conuenient tyme to come as the people did in the buylding of the Lordes house Haggai 1. 2. Sometimes that there profittes and pleasures are to bee followed as in the parable of them that were bidden to the wedding Mat. 22. 1. 2 c. And sometimes one thing somtimes an other And euen as the church here