not known almost what way to turne them till in the end they have had here with the spouse their refuge to Christ to be taught and resolved by him The next part of his speech to her is directory directing her where to go to wit by the steps of the flock But seeing it is the church which makes this request that He would show her where He feeds what flock does he feed beside His Church Is not she His only flock What other flock is this then whose steps she must trace to find Him and where he feeds Indeed the Church is but one in respect of the unity of faith and charity and Christ feeds no other flock beside Her But in respect of the diversity of times and places she may be diversly considered and may be said to be divers flocks and therefore we must observe here that this is the prayer of the Church ever on earth militant and there be who were upon earth in former time that are now in Heaven triumphant whose steps notwithstanding in sacred History yet may be seene and what truth they profest and how they worshipped God It is this flock then that He meanes of true and faithfull worshippers and whose steps he willes Her to follow as the Apostle yet calls to all saying Follow me as I follow Christ Also it is to be noted that He bids her go forth Leaving nature the practice of sinne the society of seducers the suggestion of flesh and blood And Next he bids her feed her kids by the shepherds Tents where we have 1. What is meant by Her kids 2. What by the shepherds and their Tents First then by kids are meant young and tender Christians for the goats whose young ones kids are being indeed sometime opposed to sheep signifie the wicked yet usually also they figured in the Law the godly offered up by mortification as sacrifices to God Rom. 12. 1. And Christ Himself was signified by goats and kids by the Apostles exposition Heb. 9. 12. Kids likewise they are called or young goats to show what they are by nature when they are at first brought to Christ and to feed on the greene pasture of His word to wit goatish and petulant till the change by grace and the meanes thereof be wrought upon them from goats to be Christs sheep appointed for his right Hand kids also for tender age denoting that even from our younger years we should be a ccustomed according to Timotheus's commondation with the pasture of Gods word to be fed thereby Next by these shepherds spoken of who fed and guided these anicent flocks are meant the Holy Prophets and Apostles to whom as Christ said to Peter passce oves meas Christ committed his sheep to feed and upon whose doctrine as the only true foundation St. Paul declares the whole house of God which is his Church to be built and by their Tents is meant their writings or the displayed and firme doctrine of the truth which they fully and faithfully preached and left unto all posterity registrate in Scripture Observations 1. We see How readily he answers her petition From which we observe the Lords promptitude in answering the petitions of his own specially craving spirituall things as He showes us Luk. 11. 11. 2. Out of the style he gives her of being fairest among women we see the difference between the judgment of the blind world and Christ's who not seeing the spirituall beauty of Christs church Rev. 12. 1. but looking on Her outward base and afflicted condition vilifies her while as her members are the Lords Jewels and she is most beautifull being justified and sanctified in him to her Heavenly husband 3. We see here also a great comfort to every godly soul in temptation when Satan upbraides unto them their filthiness and pollution by sinne and therefore how can so pure and Holy a God delight in them or count them fair or beautifull To whom such may reply that though they be so by sinne yet being washed and sanctified they are beautifull in His eyes who sees no Iniquity in Jacob but whose blood has clensed them his spirit renewed them and whose love has covered the multitude of their infirmities 4. As we see the difference betweene the judgment of the blind world and Christ's concerning his Church so also between Her owne Judgment of her self and Christ's she sayed of her self before I am black and He sayes here that she is most beautifull to reach us to be vile in our own eyes and humble like the publican and then the Lord will the more highly esteeme of us and exalt us 5. Whereas in such a meek manner without rebuking her for her ignorance He tells her what to do to wit to go forth by the foot-steps of the flock and besides the Tents of the shepherds we see a true and sure directory in his words in the matter of Religion to wit to insist in the steps of the profession and practise of Gods true people who have gone before us as we find them cleerly set before our eyes in the writings of the faithfull shepherds of his Church to wit the Prophets and Holy Apostles 6. We see how the godly they not only do good in their life time but also by their good example registrate in Holy Scripture which they left behind them being dead they do good in like manner therefore Heb. 11. 4. by that oblation of Abel's and his faith manifested therein being dead he is said yet to speak and instruct others how to worship good in like faith and sincerity 7. Lastly we see 1. How will these agree to wit the flock's foot-steps with the shepherds Tents a holy practice in people with sound doctrine of pastors and 2. That hereby Christs flock may be knowne to be his true flock to wit by insisting in the profession of propheticall and apostlicall truth which is the Tents of these here spoken of Verse 9. and 10. I have compared thee O my Love to a company of Horses in Pharoah's charets thy cheeks are comely with rowes of Jewels thy neck with chaines of Gold After our Saviours direction of his Church according to her petition followes to the end of the Chapter the mutuall commendation one of another and 1. His of her wherein we have 1. How he styles her 2. Whereto he compares her First then he styles her his love in the originall My fellow friend 1. Who delights in my company 2. Eats and drinks with me and. 3. Who is ready to participate in weal and woe This love of his is she whom he loves not vvith a generall love as he does all his creatures as they are his workmanship and as he saw them good at the beginning but vvith a speciall love which is twofold benevolentiae vvhereby he elected his Church and complacentiae vvhereby he dedelights in her and in her obedience or beauty of holiness This speciall love vvhich he has to his Church has these properties
watch harden themselves like beaten souldiers against all difficulties resist temptations which are the assaults of the enemie like Gideons souldiers imitate their captaine fight that good fight whereof the Apostle speaks and be constant to the death and they shall receive the crown of life 2. This should teach us to welcome death when it comes which ends our fight gives the full victory and enters us in the triumphant estate of glory 3. We see that that which is terrible to the enemies of Christ's Church spirituall or corporall is when she is like a well ordered army wherein is no mutinie or conâ—usion but unity of faith and decency of order whereas on the contrary if she be as Midians army Judg. 7. or the builders of Babel by heresie or schisme confusion and disorder this is the greatest joy advantage and ground of courage unto all her enemies Vers 5. Turn away thine eyes from me for they have overcome me thy haire is as a flock of goats that appeare from Gilead The like of these words we have chap. 4. 9. Which we have already expounded and as for any variation which we find here Christ does not meane thereby that she should turne away the eyes of her faith from him he being the constant object thereof and wherein he so delights that the doing thereof ravishes his heart to her as he showes there but this is a kind of speech whereby he expresses how much the beauty of her eyes does inamour him that it makes him in like case with her self that is to be sick of love such is the excellency and force of true faith which for that cause we should be so carefull to obtaine The rest to the eight verse we have expounded before in the fourth Chapter verses 1. 2. 3. Vers 8. There are threescore Queens and fourscore concubines and virgins without number 9. My dove my undefiled is but one she is the onely one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her the daughters saw her and blessed her yea the queens and concubines and they praised her In this eight verse is set down the glorious attendance of the spouse of Christ as we have the like Psal 45. 12. and 14. And as it is likewise said that kings shal be her nursing fathers and queens her nursing mothers a definite number of which queens and concubines being here put for an indefinite and by virgins all chaste worshippers whatsoever being to be understood and therefore they are said to be without number as we find the like speech of such in the Revelation c. 7. 9. All which forenamed queens for birth beauty or busking are no wise comparable to these three in her for all hers is from heaven and spirituall but all their's from the earth and naturall yea as the Psalmist saies This King's daughter is all glorious within with the beauty of holinesse spoken of Psal 110. which by age cannot fade sicknesse cannot blast nor death can quite abolish Next vers 9. the Church is praised from her chastity and unity for which she is blessed and praised blessed by the Daughters and praised by the Queens and Concubins In respect of which her spirituall chastity she is called Vndefiled and in respect of her unity she is called One yea the onely one of her mother that bare her The title that he gives her here calling her his Dove of it we have spoken already cap. 2. 14. whereunto this onely may be added That as every thing in the dove is amiable as her eyes Cant. 1. 15. and her feathers Psal 68. 13. and what not so is the Church in the eyes of Christ who sees no iniquity in Jacob nor perversnesse in Israel not that his justice sees any thing otherwise than it is but that his mercy will not see some things as they are Likewise how he calls her his Dove we have spoken in like manner Therefore 1 She is not her own 1 Cor. 6. ult because bought with a price 2 Neither is she the world 's for so it would love her whereas on the contrary it hates her as it did her Head before her The first property then from whence she is described is her chastity implied in this that she is called Vndefiled not that she is free from all sinning so long as she is in this life but she is so perfectly by justification and reputed so in Christ by gracious acceptation and inchoatively made holy by sanctification and made perfect by the perfection of parts which is evangelicall though not of degrees as the Law requires and is not competent to her estate militant Next she is called One all perfection rising from unity and returning thither so that every thing the neerer it comes to perfection gathers it self up the more towards unity Therefore God is one there is one Heaven one Earth one Church in the earth one King of his Church one Law one Faith one Baptism c. And as there is perfection in unity so there is strength as on the contrary a City or Kingdome divided against themselves cannot stand therefore it is said That for the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart The Church then is called one 1 as not being divided 2 as not being multiplied To begin then with the former Whether we consider the Church as an aggregation of the outward visible particular Churches of Christian professors in common or as the invisible and universall Church of the Elect onely it is still one professing one Lord and so being one in the Head one Faith and so being one in the heart and one Baptism and so being one in the outward face thereof No naturall body being more one than this mysticall is which one head rules one spirit quickens one blood washes one food nourishes and one roab covers c. And so it is one in it selfe and one with Christ as Christ is one with the Father Joh. 17. 22. What Church then has one onely head the Lord one onely faith in the Lord built upon one onely foundation Ephes 2. 20. and one baptism in that faith â—hat is Christ's Dove And as the Church of Christ is one not being divided so is she one not being multiplied For as the Lord gave but one Evaâ— to the first Adam so he will take but one Spouse to himselfe who is the second Adam therefore many particular Churches whether Congregationall or Nationall make up but one Universall Neither are there two Churches when we say Militant and Triumphant but we distinguish onely the divers condition of the divers members of Christ's Church which is but one as they are either in via or else already in patria Observations 1. By this glorious attendance of the Spouse of Christ of the greatest and most honourable persons on earth as Queens who are her nursing mothers beside the glorious attendance of the glorious Angells which is invisible and who are ministring Spirits sent out for her good
terrible as an Army with banners as was formerly shown on the fourth verse which she is not onely so to her spirituall foes but also to wicked men both in the threatnings of Gods Word which makes their conscience oftimes tremble like Foelix as also in her sincere government and execution of discipline against scandalous delinquents Observations 1. We see by these comparisons how good and happy is their estate though never so poor and base in the world who are true members of Christ's Church and therefore if we find this by having grace in our hearts let us never grudge at our condition otherwise for as Elkanah said to Hannah 1 Sam. 1. 5 8. so the Lord has given us a worthier portion than ten thousand worlds himself being our portion And if he hath likewise in earthly things dealt liberally with us yet let us never ballance alike the same with his bounty in this but be content to lose the one for keeping the other Luk 14. 26 27 33. 2. If the Church in her militant estate be so glorious on earth how glorious will she be and all her members in her triumphant estate hereafter in the heavens Vers 11. I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomgranate budded Followes now after Christ's commendation of his Church his speciall visit of her by going down to his garden the Lord speaking so after the manner of men as he does in like manner Gen. 18. 21. the end thereof being To see the fruits of the valley that is of those humble ones who as Esay sayes Tremble at his word Esa 66. 2. and in all humility brings sorth the fruits thereof without any proud conceit of their own merit but when they have done all counting themselves unprofitable servants As also he comes to see whether the Vines flourished or the pomgranats budded that is whether they were fruitfull or hopefull and what progresse and proficiency he could find in the practise of true faith and piety And therefore he speaks onely of fruit-Trees as Nuts Vines and pomgranats because unfruitfull Trees are not to be suffered in the Lord's garden Matth. 3. 10. Luk. 13. 7 9. The godly being compared to Nut-trees 1 Because as Nuts has the best unseen within it which is the kernell even so the best side of the godly is the inner man contrary to hypocrites as we see Psal 45. 13. 2 The Nuts with the greatest shours of rain are washt onely the more but no waies harmed even so by affliction or persecution are the godly profited but not prejudiced The godly also are likened to Pomgranats which are full of seed and liquor to show so are they replenished with the seeds and sweet liquor of grace Observations 1. As Matth. 22. we see the Lord 's particular inspection of his guests so here his speciall and particular inspection of all sorts of trees in his garden whereof if we were mindfull continually it would be a soveraign preservative against sin and a motive to godlinesse Hos 7. 2. 2. We see what sort of ground the Lord's garden is which brings forth good fruit to wit Valley-ground that is humble soules to whom onely he has promised to give grace by which they sructisie wherefore till we be made so by repentance we are not fit for fructifying and when we are made fruitfull true grace will make us yet more humble none being so holy as our Head and yet none so humble 3. We find no mention but of fruitfull trees in the Lord's garden wherefore if we be not so we know what is threatned against such Matth. 3. 10. 4. Neither are all trees bringers forth of the like precious fruit for we see some are but Nut-trees and some more noble as the Vine and the Pomgranat If therefore we labour to be fruitfull and faithfull in our places though never so mean or low it suffices that we are in the Lord's house though a door-keeper or a snuffer or a snuff-dish being in the Sanctuary 5. We see that there is not a like progresse or measure of proficiency in all for some have fruits others as the Vine but flourish and some as the Pomgranat was but only budding even as there are some but babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3. 1. and some stronger men Heb. 5. 12 13 14. It is well then if true grace be surely rooted in the heart and be kything in any measure in a holy life provided it be constantly growing in the holy progresse of a christian practice as the Apostle showes was his own endeavour Vers 12. Or ever I was aware my soul made me like the Chariots of Aminadab In these words is set down upon Christ's comming down to his Garden the sudden rapture of the soul as a swift Chariot to meet him which is the work of his Spirit blowing mightily when he list and which she saies she found before she was aware as we see the like in the calling of Zacheus the conversion of Paul the Thief upon the Crosse and the change wrought on Manasses like the awaking of Peter unawares by the Angells suddain and unexpected comming upon him in the prison and making the chains fall off from his hands Act. 12. 7. or like that descending suddenly of the holy Ghost in form of fiery tongues upon the Apostles Act. 2. 2 Which work of the Spirit upon the soul unawares makes such a rapture and alacrity of obedience that the same is compared to the swift march of the Chariots of Aminadab who as we read 1 Chron. 2. 10. was the father of Naashon Prince of the children of Judah of whom our Saviour came according to the flesh as we have it Matth. 1. 4. Others take this to be the name of Solomon's driver of his Chariots allusion being made in all this Song to Solomon Others read Aminadib which is by interpretation a willing people and not appellatively to show the disposition of Christ's people as Psal 110. and what makes them so forward to come to him Others take this to be a continued speech of Christ's showing his speedy march of mercy when he comes to visit his Church in love the very tender affection of his soul towards her making him to be like the Prodigalls father his running to meet his son whom he saw afar off or as is said here to the swift march of the Chariots of Aâ—…dab Observations 1. In respect that this work of grace exciting and enabling her to come and meet her beloved who after a whiles withdrawing himself was now come down to his garden was before she was aware We may learn hereby for any work of grace in us or good wrought by us to whom belongs the glory we being all by nature like Ezekiel's dry bones or Iazarus lying in the grave the one breathed upon and the other raised and both made to live and stand up before they were aware 2.
us to be carefull to get true grace setled in our hearts and then assuredly where it is by this as by one property thereof it will be known to wit by grouth and a further increase 4. We see the excellency of the Church and her preciousnesse in Gods sight how meane and contemptible soever in the eyes of vvorldings to wit that she is like a glorious and rich silver palace of Gods owne building for which cause he sayeth We vvill build upon her a palace of silver which should be a motive to all men to seek to be true members of this Church As likewise showes unto us if she be so glorious and beautifull in her Pilgrimage and militant estate absent from her Lord how glorious and beautifull vvill she be in her heavenly country being present vvith him and triumphant in glory Vers 10. I am a wall and my breasts like towers then was I in his eyes as one that found favour Here this little sister is brought in showing that she is a wall built on that foundation spoken of Eph. 2. 20. and Revel 21. 12. and has not onely breasts but breasts like to towers all which she acknowledges not to be from nature or any merit of hers but from the free grace of God as the Apostle shovves and that favour that she sayes here she found in his eyes Thus then for the certainty of faith as has been noted before she is brought in here speaking of that vvhich was to come as of a thing present She vvas therefore this wall that is spoken of when by the planting and after watering of the Apostles she vvas conformed in the Gospell of Christ and the Lord gave her that increase that is spoken of by Ezekiel when she multiplied as the bud of the field Ezek. 16. 7. and vvhich was foretold by Isay who brings in the Jewish Church with admiration saying Isay 49. 21. Who hath begotten me these seeing I have loâ—t my Children and am desolate therefore thus sayeth the Lord God behold I vvill lift up mine hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard to the people and they shall bring thy sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shal be carried upon their shoulders And Kings shal be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy noursing mothers Verse 22 23. c. and which thing we see beganne to be performed in that notable work of conversion Act. 2. 41. Likewise her breasts are said to be like Tovvers and so not onely comly fashioned as the Lord speaks Ezek. 16. 7. but so abounding in the plenty and power of the Gospell of grace that she afforded as a Mother such plenty of the sincere Milk of the word unto the multitudes of her children and converts whereby they abounded and as the Apostle speakes were so filled with knowledge that they had the word of Christ in all wisdome dwelling in them richly Col. 3. 16. All which as has been said she acknowledges to have received from the meer and free favour of God which she found in his eyes who is her heavenly husband as is shown at length Ezek. 16. that so all the glory of this work of grace may be to him onely to whom glory belongeth Observations 1. We see here our happiness if we make good use thereof and the Lords gracious dealing towards us that vve are borne and live in the time of the plenty and clear light of the Gospell when the breasts of the Church are like towers boudned or swolne up as it vvere vvith the sweet and sincere Milk of the word streaming forth plentifully every vvhere to nourish her children so that much being given us we may look that much wil be required to vvit for great and clear light great thankfulnesse and obedience and if we set leight by this heavenly and great benefit and either live in willfull ignorance or wicked disobedience bringing forth the works of darkness our estate shal be more wretched beyond that of Corazin and Bethsaida as theirs was beyond Tyre and Sidon Matth. 11. 21. 2. Whereas she attributes all this to Gods free favour hereby then a Church may know that she stands in favour with God and has found grace in his eyes when she injoyes the word in plenty and in power so that her breasts are like unto strong and vvell furnished towres Cant. 4. 4. as vvas that of Davids built for an armory and when the same is not onely painfully preached by her faithfull pastors but also Christianly obeyed by her Children and people 3. Whereas she ascribes all to this that she vvas as one that had found favour in his eyes After her example let us likewise learne in all thankfulness and humility to acknowledge the fountaine from whence all good things whatsoever spirituall or corporall temporall or eternall proceed which is Gods free grace alone and that we have found favour in his eyes Vers 11. Solomon had a vineyard at Raal-hamon he let out the vineyard unto keepers every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand peeces of silver 12. My vineyard which is mine is before me thou O Solomon must have a thousand and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred Here is the second thing in the conclusion of this heavenly song whereof we were to speake which is the comparison between Solomons vineyard and the Church And. 1. Why the Church is so compared we have spoken before 2. This vineyard whereunto she is now compared and which was Solomons Chap. 1. 6. and 7. 12. first is said to have been in Baal-hamon which is by exposition a Lord or Master of a multitude to wit of vines as the Church is a mistresse and Mother of a multitude of beleevers Baal signifying a Lord and hamon a multitude which some take to be no proper name of any one place but to denotate the fertility of the soile as it is said Isay 5. 1. That the Lord had a vineyard in a very fruitfull hill Others againe take it to be the propper name of a fruitfull plot of ground which did belong to Solomon and lay neer to Jerusalem Alwaies the difference between this vineyard of Solomons and Christs which is his Church consists as is set downe here in these particulars First Solomon let out his vineyard unto keepers who shared with him in the profit and fruits which it afforded because of their labours and payed unto him eveâ—y one of them for his part of the fruits thereof a thousand peeces of silver But Christ lets not out his vineyard so but as his eye is upon it to keep it himself so he will have the whole fruits thereof onely to himself that is to redound onely to his glory and no man to share with him in any part thereof Not but that our Saviour lets also forth his vineyard to keepers and dressers thereof as we see Matth. 21. 33. and these receive likewise their hire or reward as we see in the parable of those
LOVES ENTERCOVRS BETWEEN The Lamb his Bride Christ and his Church OR A clear Explication and Application of the Song of Solomon By WILLIAM GUILD D. D. and Preacher of God's Word Ephes 5. 32. This is a great Mystery I speake concerning Christ and his Church Revel 21. 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem comming down from God our of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband LONDON Printed by W. Wilson for Ralph Smith and are to be sold at his shop at the Bible in Cornhill 1658. 7 To the right Honorable Andrew Ramsey Provost of Edinburgh Archbald Sydserf Robert Murray Archbald Ker and Alexander Helleburton Balies David Wilkie deane of Gild Frances Kinloch Treasurer and to the remanant of the Honorable Councell of that Citty Right Honorable IT is a wonderfull love that the Lord hath ever carried towards Man passing by the faln Angels not onely electing him before time creating him in time redeeming him in the fulnesse of time and preparing glory for him after all time but likewise in the manifestation of this his matchless love dealing therein so indulgently that he unfolds to us the highest mysteries that may be for our consolation in the lowliest termes and resemblances that can be for our instruction stooping downe so to us that we may step up to him and making earth to be as it were Heavens trenchman and that conjugall chaste love that is between the bridegroom and bride or the loving spouse and his dearely beloved to poynt and paint out in some measure that cordiall and matchlesse affection that without measure Christ carries to his Church so that the Lord demits himselfe so to our capacities for our easier admission to his heavenly mysteries that if sense have any power on the soul the same cannot want many constant instructers as if things below were made by divine providence beyond their ordinary use or course to speak out things above and to be like the steps of that Ladder which Jacob saw at Bethel by which from the earth the soul may mount to Heaven or like that Vessel full of all variety which in a Vision was let down to Peter that by things terrestriall the same may be instructed in things that are celestial A cleere instance whereof we have in this notable Song of Songs or sublime book of the Canticles wherein that great Lord and King of whom David speaks Psalm 45. and his glorious Spouse and Queen are to the life described together with that mutual holy and chaste love which each one of them beares to another The serious and sanctified meditation whereof as it requireth an elevated and heavenly disposed mind so it cannot likewise but ravish such a soul with spirituall ioy and comfort and inflame the same with a holy fervour of heavenly affection and a sutable care to expresse the same by a correspondent obedience of practicall action to be wished as the disposition of all faithfull Christians and for excitation whereunto I have taken these pains in unfolding as the Lord has inabled me the sublime Mysterie of this heavenly and mutuall intercourse of love communion and communication between Christ Jesus and his bride or spouse in her estate here by grace till at last she come to the full and uninterrupted fruition of himselfe in glory when all teares shall be wiped from her eyes and she shall enjoy that plenitude of ioy and perpetuity of pleasures for ever whereof the Psalmist speaks Psalm 16. 11. And which I shall wish to be the Lot of every faithfull Christian These paines then which I have taken in the unfoldingof this great and sublime mysterie I have dedicated to your honours which as it is a Song of Love so it may be a sign and signification of my Love and respect to yourselves and to that place the most eminent Citie of our Kingdome whose prosperity and dayly increase of all saving Knowledge and believing on that blessed bridegroom he described and of your spirituall union with him as his beloved wherein only stands true happinesse shall be the heartie and earnest wish of Your affectionated servant in Christ W. GUILD An Exposition of the Song of Songs which is SOLOMON'S CHAP. I. Verse 1. The Song of Songs which is Solomon's THis Book of holy Scripture has for the pen-man thereof we see Salomon the wisest of Kings for the matter the worthiest subject the mutuall love between Christ and his Church for the style the most sublime and pleasant being amorous and a song and for the speakers therein the most heavenly and excellent Christ Jesus and his Spouse The cause wherefore the holy Ghost represents this love and union between these two in all this Song by the similitude of matrimoniall conjunction is because in all other Londs of love or friendship there is not either so sacred a ground of so holy and particular intire affection nor such a communion of so deere things as hearts bodies and goods nor so strait a conjunction of parties becomming thereby one flesh not so durable for time being dissolvable only by death and the effect rather divine then humane God using men thereby but as instruments to propagate his Church Therefore the Holy Ghost being to represent unto us that which is otherwise in it selfe unconceiveable could chuse no fitter similitude then this affection and union matrimoniall Therefore also it is that in other places of Scripture the Church is called the Bride and the Lamb's wife Rev. 21. 9. and Ioh. 3. 29. our Saviour is called the bridegroom the Church his bride whereby is evident though this Bride and bridegroome bee not named by any proper names in all this Song yet that it is without all controversie that Christ and his Church are meant these things being attributed in this song to both to wit such beauty glory and excellency as far surmounts all other beautie glory and excellency in the world and to represent in like manner the spirituall and heavenly ornaments gifts which he bestoweth on her and the fruits of her love againe which she rendereth to him for the same here are reckoned up all the sweetest richest and most precious things that are in the world This book then in generall is a continued amorous conference between Christ and his Church for the most part wherein either they speake by way of a love-dialogue each to other or else encomiastickly and by way of commendation one of another And in particular to come to this Chapter 1 Wee have therein the generall title or inscription of the whole book contained in the first verse 2. We have the three severall parts of the chapter the first wherein the church speakes and which is supplicatory the first six verses after the second wherein Christ speakes and which is directorie ver 8. and the last where both speake which is mutually laudatorie in the last verses of the chapter In the generall title then and inscription of the
16. 3. Even so the Lord of his free grace out of the corrupted and accursed masse of mankind has separate and chosen a select number to be his Church to dwell in the midst of them by a peculiar and constant presence of grace here and to advance them at last to dwell with him in eternall glory hereafter 3. In respect of Situation firmly founded upon a Mount that cannot be removed as we see Psalm 125. 1. but abideth for ever even so is the Church of God built upon a sure foundation the Rock Christ Jesus against which the gates of Hell shall no-wise prevail 4. In respect of defence and fortification with Mountains round about Walls and Watch-Tovvers as vve see Psalm 125. 2. Isai 62 6. Ezekiel 33 3. Even so as the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people sayes the Psalmist from hence forth even for ever Psalm 125. 2. 84. 11. 5. In respect of compact structure for commodious habitation as we see Psalm 122. 3. Even so is Christ's Church conpactly built Eph. 2. 21. and firmly joyned together by a three fold conjunction 1. Of unity in faith 2. Of externall profession in the truth and 3. Of love and affection 6. In respect of Gods true worship and adoration which was there established and therefore there was the Temple the Lords Priests and sacrifices even so in Christs Church there is the true worship of God in like manner established for which cause it is called 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Pillar and stable place of truth and no where but there is the voyce of the great Shepherd Christ Jesus to be heard nor doth he walk but in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks 7. In respect of her many priviledges and peculiar donations as to be called the Citty of the great King the Lords dwelling place and glory of the Earth and in respect whereof Psalm 87. 3. it is said Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Even so great and many are the Prerogatives of the Church of Christ as to be the spouse of the King of Kings cloathed with the Sun crowned with stars trampling on the Moon attended on by Angels having heaven her inheritance and all things to be hers Rev. 12. 1. This Jerusalem here is said to have daughters therfore as we see Gal. 4. 26. She is a mother yea such a mother to her Children as the mother of her head and Husband was to Christ to wit a virgin-mother in whose womb the godly are conceived through the operation of the holy Ghost by the immortall seed of the Word 1 Pet. 1. 23. And borne againe by that new birth whereof our Saviour speaks to Nicodemus John 3. 3. And upon whose breasts they are fed and nourished by that sincere milk of the Word wherof Peter speaks 1 Pet. 2. 2. Having then spoken of those to whom she speaks follows next what it is that she speaks to wit I am black sayes she but comely which speech of hers is by way of concession granting that which they might object unto her concerning her blacknesse but withall showing them that she was comly which blacknesse or rather blackishness howsoever it may be said to befall her because of the infirmities whereunto she is subject in this life so long as flesh and spirit are in her like Rebecca's twins wrastling yet specially this blackness is said to befall her as she shows in the next verse because of persecution and much affliction whereunto she is subject and all such who will live godly in this present World which persecution in the next Verse she calls the Suns looking upon her and which our Saviour Mat. 13. 6. expounds to be such and wherewith the Lord wisely suffers his Church to be exercised for these reasons following 1. To purge her as in a furnace from her drosse and so to further her mortification therfore called a Fiery tryall which the Godly should not think strange to be amongst them 2. To Weane her affection from this World that it may be the more setled on him and that life to come and to make death and her entry into her rest the more welcome when it comes 3. For exercise of her holy gifts and graces as her patience humility love constancy and courage c. 4. For detecting of Hypocrits and Temporizers who in the hour of temptation like chaffe will not abide with the solid graine 5. For manifesting his mighty power to the disappoyntment of Satan and comfort of his own in preserving his Church in the midst of hottest persecution as the bush was where Moses saw the fire or the three Children in the fiery furnace see also Cant. 2 2. 6. Making this also a mean of propagating the Gospell which Satan and his Instruments thereby would impede as a Vine by cutting the same becomes more frâ—itfull hence Sanguis martyrum semen ecclesiae and by the dispersion of the Disciples the preaching of the Gospell was the farder spread 7. Hereby likewise the body is conformed to the Head by bearing the Crosse here that she may come to the Crown hereafter for all which former respects the godly have rejoyced in their sufferings and as Philip. 1. 29. counted it a gift or benefit and an honour given them that they were found worthie to suffer with Christ Thus we see the difference between the troubles of the godly especially for righteousnesse and these of the wicked 1. In their nature 2. In the ground wherefrom they come even the Lords great love 3. In their fruit to wit of righteousnesse And 4. In their end The next thing whereof he speaks by way of Apology is that she is comly where we have to consider 1. What this comelinesse is and wherein it consists 2. From whom she hath it And 3. Before whom or in whose sight and estimation she is so But first this would seem to be contrary to a Virgins modesty chiefly to praise her self and say that she was comely and to that humility whereof Salomon speaks saying Let anotherman praise thee and not thine own mouth a stranger and not thine own lips Prov. 27. 2. But hereunto it may be answered that without violation of that precept of Solomons this may be done in two cases Vel quando ad imitationem requirit hoc utilitas audientis vel ad justam defensionem necessitas loquentis both which we may see in Paul The first Acts. 20. 18. 35. and againe 1 Cor. 11. 1. The second in two whole Chapters 2 Cor. 11. 12 To come then to the first poynt to be handled of her comliness to wit what it is and wherein it consists It is nothing else but that spirituall and inward beauty of Holiness so called Psal 29. 2. and 110. 3. which as is said Ezek. 16. 14. is that comliness which the Lord put upon Her and whereby as the Psalmist Speakes Psal 45. 13. The kings daughter is all glorious
catholick Church as well as she of one Mother and under one common Ensigne of the true worship or religion and therefore these her Persecutors were not open and avowed enemies to the Church nor infidells and disclaimers of the profession of the true Religion But as the Jewes in the most corrupt times claimed and cryed The Temple of the Lord so they that they were the Children of the true Church even when they were with hot and fiery persecution afflicting them who were the true Church In a word then these sonnes were as the Apostle calles them falsebrethren Act. 20. 30. Where we have here to advert that she calles them not her father's children because as our faviour said to the Jewes howsoever they called Abraham their father yet he was not but the divell whose works they did even so howsoever they pretended and claimed to the true catholick Church to be their mother yet they were not that truely but by usurpation of that name because they who have her truly to be their Mother have God to be their Father and his children they were not because they did not his words but rather the divells in persecuting her who was the true church But seeing the true Church speaketh here who is her self the mother how speaks she of her self as a person distinct from her Mother or rather as a daughter to this mother and of these her persecutors as her Mothers children I answer It is the manner of the Hebrew Tongue to call the whole the Mother and the parts of the whole catholick Church daughters and sisters and children Then remark this that although there be but one universall Church yet because the same is never whole in the world at one time therefore the true Church of the present time may be called a daughter to the true Church that preceded her in former times and these her persecutors pretended children of that Mother as she may be called a Mother to the true Church that succeedeth her in future or after times and of the sincere individuall worshippers in the present time Thirdly she seâ—ts downe what was their disposition towards her and this is they were angry with her where she uses this similitude As if a beautifull Virgin dwelling in her Mothers house had churlish and untoward brethron who dealt roughly with her thrust her out of dores to keep their vines whereby she is compelled to be in the sunne or Sunne-burnt and to neglect her owne proper task which her mother injoyned her This anger of theirs was like that of Josephs brethren an unjust anger or like Cain's against Abel or the dragons against the woman in the Revelation whom he persecuted and made to â—lee of whom it is said that he was wroth with her and made warre with the remnant of her seed Rev. 12. 17. So that she might justly say of them as David sayes of his onemies they hated him without a cause Lastly the progresse of their anger and rage against her is set down or the effect thereof which is thus farre that they made her the keeper of their Vines with the neglect of her own which words of their Vines and her Vine are set down by way of opposition their 's being Vines of another quality then her's For there are divers sorts of Vines spoken of in the Scripture to wit a Vine which is called the Vine of Sodom whose grapes are grapes of Gall and their Clusters bitter Deut 32 32. Also there is a Vine which is called an empty Vine Hos 10. 1. Also a Vine which is called a Noble Vine and a right seed Jer. 2. 21. also a goodly Vine Ezek. 17. 8. and a fruitfull Psalm 80. 9. Ezek. 19 10. and this is the vine which is called her Vine in like manner there is another whereof Jeremy speaks Jer. 2. 21. and the Lord calls a degenerate plant of a strange Vine to him even as it is said Isai 1. that the faithfull City was become a Harlot and this is the sort of these Vines which are called their Vines who were themselves degenerate and bastard-children of the Church and such only who usurped the name of true professor's but had degenerate from the truth of God to humane traditions like the Pharisees in Christs time and to grosse corruption in Religion These Sonnes then of her mother or false brethren they seek to draw her to this corruption in religion with themselves and to observe humane traditions which is the keeping of their Vines forsaking the purity and sincerity of the true worship of God the keeping of her own Vine or else to undergo their wrath and cruell persecution wherein through the force of their persecution on the one hand and her own weaknesse and frailty on the other she is made for the most part to swerve from her former sincerity and like the servants that slept while the tares were sown to neglect the performance of the Charge and duty that was committed unto her I say for the most part lest this defectiion should be thought totall as to the eyes of the very Prophet Elias it seemed to be in the dayes of Achab and persecuting Jesabel but yet it was not the Lord having his prophets hid in Caves by fifties and good Obediah and 7000. that had not kissed nor bovved their knees to Baâ—â— Observations 1. This place sorveth to direct us in our judging and estimation of Christs Church aright and not to despise her or take offence and forsake her as many have done because of her blacknesse that is want of externall beauty and worldly lustre or glory for so was her Head on earth and that she is under much and many sufferings for so it behoves her with her Saviour by the Crosse to come to the Crown but we should look to her inward beauty by a spirituall discerning eye and to that perfection of glorious beauty to which she shall come when it shall be said unto her Thouart all fair my love and there is no spot nor wrinkle in thee and when she shall be rid of all her Enemies and no Canaanite shall be in the Land The erring in which poynt of right judgement has bin the cause of the ruine of many who both for the base condition of her Head when He was on Earth despised Him and who likewise for the like condition of his true Church like the two witnesses Revel 11. cloathed in sackcloath and under much suffering did forsake the same and in respect of the outward pompous and worldly lustre of the Antichristian Church on the contrary followed the Beast 2. Seeing the Lot of Christs Church here on earth is to be subject to persecution and trouble which is compared to the scorching of the Sun therefore in time thereof let us do as those who are so scorched in hot Countries that is as Jonas had his recourse to his gourd so let us have our recourse chiefly to the coverture and shadow of
ruminate and doe chew their cud even so when Christs sheep has read or heard His word which is that pasture spoken of Psal 23. 2. With David Psal 1. and 119. they meditate thereon apply the same and lay it up in their heart that they sinne not against God Psal 119. 11. Lastly As great is the care that the good and faithfull shepherd has of his sheep in feeding guiding and guarding them reducing the strayers curing the diseased caring for the weak and watching over all as we see in the examples of Jacob David and the shepherds of Bethleem Luk. 2. 8. Even so great is the care that Christ Jesus has of his own elect in doing the like offices towards them for his glory and their good and comfort And albeit the silly sheep whose safety stands only in the care of the shepherd has many enemies as Dogs Foxes Woolvs Beares and Lyons and are killed daily also for the use of man yet mightily beyond any other increase even so although the godly may say as we have it Rom. 8. 36. We are killed all the day long and are counted as sheep for the slaughter yet maugre all their enemies the Lord makes his flock multiply as Israel did under Pharoah's heaviest pressure and the blood of Martyrs to be the seed of his Church Fourthly the actions attributed to this shepherd in this text are two 1. feeding as we see it attributed to him Ezek. 34. 23. which he doth partly externally meditately and ministerially by the preaching of the word as he said to Peter Feed my sheep and partly internally immediately and as the principall agent without whose concurrence and co-operation Pauls planting nor Apollos watering will produce no increase The next action is cooling refreshing making his Flock to rest at Noon in some reposing and shadowish resting place alluding so to the manner of Shepherds in hot Countryes who in the heare of the day which is most at Noontide lead their Sheep to some cooling resting place where they might repose and refresh themselves and chew their cud and being saved from the vehemencie of the scorching Sunne might with the greater alacrity thereafter returne to their pasture Even so in the very greatest heat of persecution our Saviour Christ makes his own to find comfortable refreshment shelter of preservation and such inward rest of peace of conscience and joy in the holy ghost that they may say with David in greatest commotions My heart is fixed and cry out with the Apostle Rom. 8. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ For why should I be Followes the reason of her petition wherein we have 1. The manner of the proponing it to wit by way of interrogation 2 What is meant by these whom she calls his companions 3. What is meant by her turning aside to the flocks of these the substance of all which is the incommodity that will fall out if he tell her not where he feeds to wit that by her frailty and force of temptation she may be made to decline aside from the way of truth and joyne to false worshippes which will be neither to his honour nor her good First then the manner of the proponing this Reason by way of interrogation is to shew 1. her earnest detestation of any declyning though never so little from the truth of Christ in time-comming as Hos 14. 8. Ephraim is brought in saying What have I to do any more with Idols who before c. 14. v. 17. ere she was converted is said to have been joyned or married with such and which holy indignation is in every one that is truly converted against that sinne they were formerly given to no lesse then Amnom detested Tamar 2. This implyes a firme resolution not to turne afide as that interrogation Nehem. 6. 11. Should such a man as I flee 2. These whom she calls companions she styles so not thereby to ascribe to them any such dignity in truth which were blasphemy but to shew what bold usurpers hereticks are and especially that grand Antichrist who ascribes to himselfe infallibility that he may be the only great Master and teacher of Christs Catholick Church on earth and therefore equalls his doctrines and decretalls in authority with Canonick Scripture while as Christ is the only great shepherd and teacher of his Church and who only has no Companion nor Vicar one earth 3. By turning side to the flocks of these is meant the swarving from the truth and purity thereof to the society of false worshippers and suffering her self to be seduced by such as S. Paul speaks of who were deceivers and should enter in after his departure and draw disciples after them as Absolom made many to follow him in his rebellious course who did so in the simplicity of their hearts or as the whole world is said to have been by deceit drawn out of the right way of truth to follow the beast Observations 1. The Church here in her weaker members being sensible of her former errors and having acknowledged the same she now desires to be so directed and established by her beloved that she never deflect nor swerve any more from the purity of his worship and for this her direction goes only to him who is the way and the truth so that we see though the godly fall yet they are not like the wicked who lye and live in sin but they rise againe by humble acknowledgement prayer detestation of sinne and resolution to eschew the same in all time-comming all which we see in this her practice 2. Out of her compellation of him we see though through weaknesse and force of temptation she fell yet his love never went out of her heart as we may see in Peter who though he fell foulely yet he could say to Christ when he asked him Lovest thou me Lord thou knowest that I love thee so that although Satan Fidem concussit amorem tamen non excussit cujus actum et si intermisit habitum tamen non amisit which also we may see in Davids fall and others of Gods Saints whom he has permitted to fall but never suffered to fall away because of that seed of his love that still notwithstanding remained in their heart to him and flowes from this that his love to us is immutable and ours to him is an effect of his love to us O then labour to keep Gods love evermore 3. This compellation she uses now when she goos about prayer to him or invocation as being a great motive to him to hear and ground of confidence to her that he would do so Let us try then if we find the love of God in our hearts and then we may be assured to have the like confidence 4. Whereas she sayes tell me c. desiring to be instructed aright and that by his word only which is now registrate in Scripture we see 1. Her humble acknowledgement of her naturall ignorance needing information And O happy soul
of her into his banquetting-house in heaven hereafter and mansion place of glory as we see Psal 84. 11. and 73. 24. Therefore let us strive to get this earnest and first-fruits else if we enter not in at the gate of grace on earth let us never think to enter in at the gate which may be called as Act. 3. 2. the beautifull gate of glory 5. Christ's love displayed over us here in this life is called a Banner which is used onely in warfare to shew that the state of his Church here on earth is militant and therefore she is exhorted and every true member thereof to put on the whole armour of God Ephes 6. 11. that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the devill and verse 18. praying and watching with all perseverance till they may say in the end I have fought the good fight and have finished my course 2 Tim. 4. or as the Prophet saies My warfare is accomplished Esa 40. 2. 6. Seeing a banner is set up over any place in token of the defence of that place and defiance to the enemy Christs love therefore being this banner over his own let us then above all things seek it earnestly with David Psal 4. 6. and then we may be sure of defence as he saies vers 8. and as is shown unto us Prov. 3. 24. Rom. 8. 31. 37. c. and give a defiance to all our enemies saying with the Psalmist Of whom shall I be afraid yea to death it self as Psal 23. 4. and 1 Cor. 15. 55. 7. Doth Christ display his love both to us and for so many comfortable ends and uses over us then let us be ashamed not to love him again ut totus nobis figatur in corde qui totus pro nobis fixus fuit in cruce and to display our love towards him that is to manifest the same by our obedience to his holy commandments 8. Last of all we see the happy estate of the poorest most afflicted and despised Lazarus who is a true member of Christ to wit that notwithstanding of their outward and visible estate they have the Lords love displayed over them and he banquets their souls with comforts unspeakable and glorious Vers 5. Stay me with flaggons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love Here is a wonderfull effect of these former things whereof she spake she compared Christ before to an apple-tree whose fruit was sweet to her taste and shewed that he brought her in into his banquetting-house or house of wine and his banner over her was love hereupon then she showes that her heart is so ravished with love towards him again that she is love-sick and ready to swound therewith and therefore cries out to be stayed with flaggons and comforted with apples The similitude then is drawn from a Virgin who is betrothed and through the vehemency of her love towards her future Spouse is love-sick and swoundeth In the words then we have 1 What she seeks 2 Of whom she seeks And 3 Wherefore she seeks First then she seeks to be stayed with flaggons having relation to the house of wine whereinto she was lately brought 2. To be comforted with apples having relation to the apple-tree whereto she had before compared him Therefore we must consider 1. what is meant by these flaggons and how she is stayed therewith and 2. what is meant by these apples and how she is comforted therewith First then flaggons are mentioned because at banquets wine was distributed and brought in by such as we see 1 Chron. 16. 2 3. Also by flaggons is understood by a certain figure of speech the wine contained in them as Luk. 22. 20. the Cup is taken for the wine contained in the cup and by this wine again in these flaggons is meant the cordiall comforts contained in the Gospell or Word of God and promises thereof that are onely able to cheer up a sick and dejected soul or wounded conscience as David clearly confesseth saying In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts have rejoyced my soul Psal 94. 19. And again Vnlesse thy law had been my delight I had perished in mine afflictions This is therefore that soveraigne balme of Gilead those still and cooling waters whereof David speaks Psal 23. 2. and like that wine and oyle poured in by the loving Samaritan into the wounds of the wounded Israelite or that cheering liquor and flaggons spoken of here whereby the sainting soul is stayed from falling into desperation and powerfully comforted strengthned and established Likewise she speakes of flaggons to show wherein these comforts are to be found to wit not in that gilded cup of the Popes decretals and mens traditions Rev. 17. wherein onely is the giddy wine of spirituall fornication wherewith that Whoore of mysticall Babylon made drunk the indwellers of the earth but in the flaggons of the old and new Testament or written word of God which is that Pedum et virga spoken of by David Ps 23. 4. The two witnesses the two Olives and Candlesticks spoken of in the Revelation that stand before the God of the earth Rev. 11. 4. and that foundation of the Prophets and Apostles whereon the Church is built Ephes 2. 20. beside which if any though an Angell from Heaven should preach any other Doctrine of faith and manners Let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8. Next she desires to be comforted with Apples by which apples is meant nothing else but that which we shewd already is meant v. 3. by the fruit of the apple-tree which was sweet unto my taste and here with the fragrant smell whereof she desires to be comforted and so the same being both for taste and smell cordiall and comfortable whereby is given us to understand the excellency of Gods word and that it delights not only one of the spirituall senses of the soul but likewise all of them being light to the eye thereof musick to the eare thereof delightfull to the touch thereof sweet to the taste and comfortable to the smelling 2. By these flaggons or wine therein and by these apples the staying of her by the one and comforting of her by the other is likewise represented unto us the diverse operations of the word of God upon the godly soul strengthning the weake confirming the stronger enlightning the blind quickning the dead reclaiming the strayer guiding the ignorant resolving the doubtfull making wise the simple and many other operations which we may see Ps 19. and 119. and here staying them that are ready to fall comforting the languishing and as Ps 19. 8. rejoycing the heart sweeter also then hony and the Hony-comb 2. Having spoken of that which she seeks we come next to consider from whom she seeks so to be stayed with flaggons and comforted by apples where we find that the Church in this her soul-sickness speakes to her friends in the plurall number to whom are committed the mysteries of the Gospell to manifest and the
of the Word strongly confuting their Heresies and by Excommunication casting them forth of the Church and the other if they yet continue obstinate and infest the vines by civill and corporall punishment catching and destroying them lest they destroy the vines that have but tender grapes that is seduce simple soules while they are as yet but only young and weake But why saith Christ Take us the foxes and not simply â—ake the foxes or particularly take me the foxes but in common take us the foxes I answer 1. This is to show that the taking of these foxes redounds both to Gods glory and his Churches good and therefore whosoever is negligent in doing of his duty Minister or Magistrate he neither tenders Gods glory nor his Churches good 2. This is likewise to show for the Churches great comfort that Christ and she have common friends and foes Last of all the reason of the taking these foxes is their spoiling of the vines by which are understand the members of Christ's church against whom these foxes do set themselves for hurt compared here unto vines Isay 5. Psal 80. as else where frequently in Scripture Matth. 20. c. For the reasons following 1. The vine is called noble Jer. 2. 21. So are the godly and Gods Church beyond all other societies Psal 16. 2. 2. It has not outward beauty but is full of inward sap so neither has the Church like that whore Rev. 17. But is beautifull within through the aboundant sap of grace 3. It is weake and therefore needs under-propping and so is the Church of her self but is under-propped by Christ Cant. 8. 5. 4. It must be also hedged about for defence Isai 5. 5. Psal â—0 12. and so must the Church also chiefly by divine protection 5. It spreads farre in the boughs thereof Ps 80. 11. And so does the Church in her members to the utmost ends of the earth Psal 2. 6. It is the most fruitfull of any tree and so is the Church and her true members â—oh 15. 7. If it be otherwise it is most unprofitable of any tree and fit only for the fire and so are the members of the visible church Ezek. 15. 3. Joh. 15. 6. and like unsavory salt Matth. 5. 13. 8. That it may be so great pains is taken about it Isay 5. And so is about the Church by the Lords vine-dressers Luk. 13. 7. 9. It must be pruned specially and is much better thereby so must the Church by the crosse and affliction and with David She finds that it is good that she is so 10. The Vine with the grapes thereof send forth a good smell Cant. 2. 13. Hosea 14. 7. and so do Christians by their fruitfulness in holiness both upward towards God in Christ and to all such who see their godly example 11. The vines as we see here and Psal 80. 13. have many enemies and so has Christ's church both open and secret subtile and mighty 12. The Husbandman plants them Psal 80. 8. and has a care of their prospering purging and preservation and so doth the Lord of his Church who therefore is so called Joh. 15. 1. and to whom his Vine-yard is more deare then Naboths was to him and none can take the same from him or pluck any of his sheep out of his hand 13. There are many sorts of vines whereof we have already spoken on the 6. verse of the 1. Chapter as there are many sorts of grounds spoken of in the parable of the sower Matth. 17. And so are there many sorts of Christians but one sort only which are the noble and goodly vine spoken of here and whereof the Lords has such a care called else where by Jeremy the right seed Jer. 2. 21. and these are such who as Ps 1. 3. and Isai 5. disappoints not the expectation of the Husbandman but brings forth sweet grapes and good fruit in due season Now the spoiling of these vines is nothing else but the perverting and drawing them from the truth by poisonable Doctrine and deceiving as our Saviour sayes if it were possible the very elect or as the Lord speaks by his Prophet when under pretence of leading Gods people such mis-lead them and cause them to erre wherein these crafty foxes in the time of ignorance did so prevaile before the over-clouded eternall Gospell as we see Rev. 9. 2. beganne againe cleerly to shine that as we see Rev. 13. the whole world in a manner followed the beast Observations 1. In this charge which we see Christ gives both to Ministers and Magistrates concerning his Church we see the care that he has thereof and of every true member that is therein whereof for our comfort let us never doubt in whatsoever estate she or we be in both for protection and providence although it were our case as Israels in Egypt or at the red-sea or like that boat wherein he and his Disciples were Matth. 8. 24. 2. Here also we may behold the estate of Gods Church that it shall never want enemies both subtile foxes that will creep in among the vines to spoile them and cruell boares out of the wilderness to waste and destroy them Psal 80. 12. And therefore she should arme her self against both and not think it uncouth although she be infested by both being herein conforme to her head who had both cruel enemies who cryed crucifie crucifie and a crafty bosome Judas who did betray his Master 3. Their end and aime is to spoile the vines where we may see the Malice of Satan in his instruments is next to the head now against the members of Christs body that he may have no Church which therefore they seek to spoile by poisonable Doctrine craftily or else to cut off by persecution cruelly and yet herein thorow Christs care and preservation shal be disappointed who by his spirit of truth shall lead his elect into all truth so that it shal be impossible that they can be deceived and shall so preserve his Lilly amongst the midst of thorns that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her 4. Seeing it is the duty both of Magistrates and Ministers each one in their own places to take order with the enemies of Christs church they ought carefully to take heed thereto as once they must give an account and we ought all of us pray to God earnestly that he would thrust out many faithfull pastors more and more and many zealous Magistrates into his Church who may diligently do Gods work here injoyned and hunt these hurtfull and subtle foxes that spoil the Lords vines which if they who should hunt and take them neglect or that they be too strong the Lord will not fail to do it himself as he did to Pharaoh and that fox Herod and others 5. If Ministers and Magistrates should be the takers of these foxes who spoil the vines then it is a shame to see either of them prove foxes themselves and wasters of the Lord's Vine-yard
recourse in storm or when she is pursued by her cruell enemy The midst of which golden foundation wherewith the same is paved and overlaid is Love even the Love of the Elect to him who has so loved them manifested in the doctrine of his Word whereon they rely and build their faith and confidence Last of all it is said That as this Chariot is made to him self or for his glory so likewise it is for the daughters of Jerusalem or the good of his Church and salvation of his Elect his glory being first as it ought to be the first and main end at which we should aime and his Church's good being next and the salvation of soules which we ought all to work out with fear and with trembling Observations 1. Seeing Christ comes to any person or place ordinarily by the preaching of his Word as in his triumphall Chariot then happy is that people where his Gospell is purely and plentifully preached as on the contrary unhappy is their condition when as he threatneth Ephesus Rev. 2. he removes his golden candlestick from them and as in Hosea he saies Woe be to them when he departs from them Hos 9. 2. The end why the Lord hath instituted or doth in any place settle the Ministry of his Word is His own glory and his Church's good therefore these two should be the onely ends at which all faithfull Pastors in the discharge of their charge should mainly aime at and have before their eyes 3. This Chariot here spoken of is made of the finest wood and most precious mettalls which should therefore teach Pastors to be ashamed to be as common or ordinary men in their conversations and much more to be like the basest and worst sort earthly minded unstable scandalous and corrupt and not like pillars of silver but rather of whom it may be said as Isai 1. 22. is said to Jerusalem Thy silver is become drosse and thy wine is mixt with water Vers 11. Go forth O ye daughters of Zion and behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousalls and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart This is the speech of the Church to all her daughters wherein she invites them to come forth and behold Christ the true Solomon in his glory In which speech we have 1 Whom she invites And 2 Whereunto she invites them 1 to go forth 2 to behold King Solomon with his Crown 3 is set down who crowned him to wit his Mother and 4 when in the day of his espousalls and of the gladnesse of his heart And so in these words we have the end wherefore the Gospell was preached and Christ carried in his Chariot to the ends of the earth to wit that all the faithfull every where who are effectually called may behold him as a crowned and victorious King ruling in his Church by the Scepter of his Word and submission of his people wherein he most rejoyces First then Those whom the Church invites to this contemplation are called the daughters of Sion who are the same who before were called the daughters of Jerusalem and by whom are meant all faithfull believers and true Christians either persons or particular Churches for this Sion was a mount in Jerusalem and as that was called the holy City Isai 52 1. so Sion was called the Lord 's holy Mountain because of his Temple there Joel 3. 17. and did prefigure the Christian Church under the Gospell as we see Heb. 12. 22. or as the Apostle there speaketh The generall assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in heaven These I say are the persons who are called forth by the preaching of the Gospell to behold Christ thus seated in the soul as vers 7 8. and carried as in a Chariot by the ministry of his Word to the outermost parts of the earth as Psal 2. 8. as a Conquerour and a King crowned with glory and honour in his Church 2. That whereunto she invites these is 1 To go forth implying that as long as they remained within dores they could not behold the glory of this King till they came forth which going forth is out of themselves and their former estate not seeking Christ in their own reason and carnall imaginations or having their affections and desires set on the world and earthly things but renouncing and denying themselves and quitting whatsoever thing may be an impediment they must strive with the Apostle for a greater progresse and degree of perfection in the true and saving knowledge of Christ unto their own salvation by doing whereof and with the eye of faith in daily meditation beholding the glory of Christ especially wherein he is now seated and wherein his Church shall raigne with him they shall easily despise all the glory and pleasures of this world as very drosse and dung As Abraham therefore left his father's house Israel Egypt Moses the treasures of Egypt and the Disciples their Boats and Nets to follow Christ so must all those who would be saved or see Christ savingly leave their former conversation and whatsoever is dear unto them if it be an impediment to come to Christ though it were father or mother wife or children and as Lot came out of Sâ—dom Moses put off his shoes going to see the burning bush Exod. 3. 5. And as the Lord sayes to his people concerning Babel Rev. 18. 4. Go out of her my people so they must go out of nature and deny themselves the wantons abandoning and forsaking their carnall pleasures with Mary Magdalen the covetous his worldly profit as Matthew did his receipt of custome the extortioner his unjust gaine with godly Zaccheus the drunkard his excesse and the proud his ambition c. And each one must go forth out of that which may hinder him from a saving and sanctified sight and sense of Christ and his gracious government in his Church and in their owne hearts here or of the comfortable sight of him crowned in glory hereafter 2. That whereunto they are invited and is the end of their going forth is to behold Christ the true Solomon and greater then he as a king crowned in glory power and Majesty ruling in his Church and in the hearts of all his elect A sight indeed needing a sharp-sighted eye to behold and which is onely the eye of faith whereby the wise men that came from the east saw him a king though a new born infant swadled in clouts and lying in a crib and the theef on the crosse in like manner though crowned with thorns and hanging on a tree by this eye likewise the patriarks saw him in the Promises before the lawâ— the faithfull in the sacrifices figures and Prophecies under the law and all true beleeving Christians in his word Sacraments and gracious presence in his Church and their own hearts under the Gosspell And therefore because the blind naturalist or worldling sees not these things the
and delight as we see Prov. 5. 19. as also 2 for use and nourishing of Insants as we see Psal 22. 9. Even so these two breasts of the Church which are the sound doctrin of the Old and New Testaments ments are the onely true and greatest ornament that any Church has which makes her truly glorious and therefore Rev. 12. 1. the Church is said to have her crown of twelve Stars which is the doctrine of the twelve Apostles As also it is out of these two breasts onely that she gives unto her children as Peter saies the sincere milk of the Word whereby they do grow 1 Pet. 2. 2. and out of them as Isaiah speaks God's children are exhorted to suck onely this milk and to satisfie themselves with the breasts of her consolation Isai 66. 11. all other milk of human invention and errour being but poysonable and deadly and if an Angel from heaven should besides these two breasts offer or obtâ—ude any other milk or preach any other doctrine as the Apostle saies let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8. These two breasts are also said to be like two young Roes because they are full of vigorous sap and sweet nourishment as young Roes are that feed in a pleasant pasture and are like twins by reason of their mutuall agreement in one and the same heavenly truth of doctrine And thus from seven particular parts the number of seven being the number of perfection as we see Rev. 5. 6. having commended her he thereby showes her beauty and comlinesse to be compleat and perfect Observations 1. Seeing grace makes the Church to be so fair and beautifull and so lovely in Christ's sight that by prefixing the particle Behold he admires as it were the same and calls others with him to behold and admire the same as the Queen of Sheba admired Solomon's glory and wisdom when she saw and heard the same nothing therefore more then this should inflame our hearts to seek after grace and godlinesse 2. First he commends her from her faith which he calls her eyes and which he compares to doves eyes Therefore we see the wofull estate of the soul that wants faith to wit that it is blinde and therefore no marvell that it be mislead by Satan and oâ—teâ— stumble and fall nor can discern things aright and therefore as the blind desired that Christ would open their eyes such likewise should beseech Christ to open their eyes with that eye-salve of his Spirit and give them true faith that they be not like blind Moles groveling onely in the earth and going on to their endlesse destruction 3. By the commendation of the Church's well ordered or dressed hair her lips and comely speech her temples of bashfull cheeks and her streight and seemly neck we ought to learn the things signified hereby that our thoughts arising from purified hearts should be holy and heavenly ouâ— words savoury and edifying our actions godly joyned with humble and bashfull modesty and our whole carriage and conversation righteous and upright 4. By the commendation likewise of her teeth and breasts Pastors should learn to be prudent and skilfull to divide the Word aright holy in life and fruitfull in begetting and bringing forth many to Christ and to feed God's children onely with the breasts of the holy Scriptures and the milk of sound doctrin out of the Old and New Testament and being the Church's breasts they should not be dry breasts Vers 6. Untill the day break and the shaddowes fles away I will get me to the mountains of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense 7. Thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee Some think these words to be the words of the Church of Christ showing in time of temptation or trouble untill comfort arise whither she will go by prayer meditation and confidence to wit to Christ her Bridegroom who is to her as a fair and firm mountain full of all sweetest odoriferous and most pleasant spices Others expound these words still to be the words of Christ who Vntill the day break and the shaddowes flee away that is till the day of generall Judgment as has been shown cap. 2. 17. as he has praised his Church hitherto so here he promises to be with her by his spirituall presence to the end of the world and which he calleth here a mountain as she is oftimes in Scripture called the Mountain of the Lord and compared to Sion in respect of her holy calling advanced above others of the world and of her heavenly disposition rising in her desires and delights above the earth and earthly things called also here Mountains of myrrh and frankincense because of the sweet and savoury prayers and praises that she continually sends up to the Lord in her members with other such spirituall sacrifices made acceptable through Christ his mediation Which promise he concludes with a repetition again of her praise in generall of perfect beauty which requires these three things 1 Integrity of all the parts none wanting 2 Due proportion one with another 3 A good complexion and constitution of all Which praise he utters to shew his delight in her to be so great that he cannot sufficiently commend her And further the more to confirm and comfort her against all her fears and infirmities he tells her that there is no spot in her from whence Paul seems to draw his alike speech Ephes 5. 27. not that she is this in her self nor yet as she is here in this life but as she is by acceptation before God and in Christ washed and sanctified and in respect of her future condition Observations 1. In all troubles and temptations we see the comfort that Christ's church has and all her true members to wit according to his promise that he shall be with them even when to their own sense and judgment of others he seems to have forsaken them 2. Here is another comfort also that the godly have in the dark and longsome night of trouble that at last the break of day shall come and all their troubles like shaddowes shall flee away and depart 3. But if we would be truly partakers of Christ's comfortable presence at all times with us we must be like those Mountains whereof he speaks by a heavenly disposition and a holy and firm confidence smelling sweetly by grace in our hearts and by mortification and the holy exercises of a godly conversation 4. Seeing Christ's delight is so great in his Church and her spirituall beauty that he cannot as it were sufficiently commend the same repeating it so oft how great should our mutuall delight be in him and his service and obedience Vers 8. Come with me from Lebanon my Spouse with me from Lebanon look from the top of Amana from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the Lions dens from the mountains of the Leopards In these words our Saviour having cleansed and beautified his bride he invites her heer to follow
him and to seperate her from the society of the wicked and conformity with them who are but as barren trees in a wild forrest or father cruell untamed beasts who resort in hills or dens as Lions and Leopards whereunto the wicked are compared to the Lion's for cruelty therefore saies David My soul is among Lions Psal 57. 4. And again speaking of the wicked man whom he so calleth thrice altogether he saith He lyeth in wait secretly as a Lion in his den to catch the poor Psal 10. 9. And again Like a Lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young Lion lurking in secret places Psal 17. 12. And therefore when he prayeth to be delivered from his wicked persecutors he saith Save me from the Lion's mouth Psal 22. 21. And again Save me from all them that persecute me and deliver me Psal 7. 2. lest he â—ear my soul like a Lion rending it in pieces while there is none to deliver In like manner the wicked are compared to Leopards that haunt the mountains 1 Because of their being full of spots and all sorts of indelible or incorrigible vices therefore saies the Prophet to the wicked Can the Aethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots Jer. 13. 23. then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evill 2 They are compared to Leopards both for craft and cruelty who use craftily to couch and hide themselves that without being seen they may observe and catch their prey see examples hereof Exod. 1. 10. Matth. 2. 7. therefore saies the Lord by his Prophet Hosea Therefore I will be unto them as a Lion and as a Leopard by the way will I observe them Hos 13. 7. And again the Prophet Jeremy speaking of the enemies that he should bring against his people for their sins and what they should do unto them saies That as a Leopard they should watch over their Cities Jeâ— 5. 6. 3 The wicked are compared to Leopards because of their swiftnesse to all wickednesse as we see Habac. 1. 8. where it is said That the Caldeans horses that should come against Jerusalem should be swifter than the Leopards And so in like manner it is said of the wicked That as they have a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations so they have feet that be swift in running to mischief Prov. 6. 18. Lebanon also whereof mention is made here sometimes is praised and taken in good part as Hos 14. 6 7. from the sweet smell of odoriferous spices flowers herbs and vines that grew there so also in this same chapter vers 11. 15. and 5. 15. c. Sometimes it is taken in a worse part as a place where wicked enemies of God's people had their habitation as Judg. 3. 3. to wit the Philistins Canaanites and Hivites c. in which sense it seemeth to be taken here when the Bridegroom calleth his Bride to come with him from Lebanon Amana otherwise called Abana is also a mountain in Syria whereof the valley and river at the foot thereof took the name as we see 2 King 5. 12. Shenir likewise which the Sidonians call Syrion as we have Deut. 3. 9. and Psal 29. 6. and Hermon were those mountains which were of old possessed by Og King of Bashan and after by the Israelites It is then from these places that were inhabited by wicked men and in respect thereof which were like mountains of Leopards and dens of Lions that the Bridegroom calls his Bride As he saith to his people concerning Babel Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. Observations 1. We see the duty of all such who are washed from their spots and made fair and clean by Christ not to continue any longer in sin but to forsake the same and all wicked society who like spotted Leopards delight therein and to follow Christ with the Apostle 1 Cor. 11. 1. by the imitation of a holy life that he may be our pattern on earth who is our patron in the heavens And when any Church leaves Christ and he it as Rome we should leave it also and follow Christ chiefly when it turns to a den of Lions and Leopards 2. We see that sinne changes men to beasts as Dogs and Swine Foxes and Wolves Lyons and Leopards and makes them of no better account with God nor the Godly 3. We may perceive the happiness of the death of gods Saints that frees them from being any more amongst such and places them in the blessed society of God his Saints and Angells for ever Vers 9. Thou hast ravish't my heart my sister my spouse thou hast ravisht my heart with one of thine eyes with one chaine of thy neck From this verse to the last the bridgroom proceedeth in the larger commendation of his bride and first that her beauty is such that it hath ravished his heart see Pro. 6. 25. Which to show the truth and vehemency of his affection towards her he repeateth twice and sho weth how the eye of her faith that looks onely to him and the concatenation of his graces and spirituall ornaments like a chain bestowed on her makes her so amiable and hath such a wonderfull efficacy But if faith be one of her eyes may some say which is the other I answer that in respect the church is brought in under the person of a woman therefore there are two eyes ascribed unto her which two eyes are the eyes of faith but in respect that there are divers degrees of faith to wit a weake faith and a stronger faith therefore here he would comfort his Church showing the efficacy even of a weake faith being true and sincere that it is powerfull to ravish his heart as the trembling touch of the woman diseased of the bloody issue drew vertue out of Christ and got a blessing as well as the strong hand of Jacob who wrestled for the same and the dimmest bleared eye that looked up upon the serpent in the wilderness got cure of the fiery stingings as well as the clearest And of these two degrees of one and the same faith as of the stature and strength of one and the same person in infancy and riper age doth the Apostle speak saying that the Gospell is the power of God to salvation unto every one tâ—… beleeveth adding this reason that the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith not speaking as if there were two faiths but one and the same but a weaker increasing to a stronger Next to the solution of this doubt and the better cleering of these words we have a new style which she receives he calling her his sister c. Which is 1. In respect of his incarnation whereby God became like one of us and he took upon him our nature as the Apostle showes and was made like to us in all things sinne onely excepted Heb. 2. 16. 17.
up her self as Isay speaks to take hold of him Isay 64. 7. She resolves and professes that she will do all the honour she can to him such as is usually done to great personages who use not onely to be waited on and met without at the dore or gate but a great way off and convoyed or brought along to the place whither they are coming as we read Psal 45. 14. Where it is said that the Queen spoken of there shal be brought or convoyed to the king in raiment of needle work with the virgins and companions that follow her Next having declared that she would lead him and bring him to her Mothers house she showes the office of her Mother or what she would do unto her to wit she would instruct her in the whole duties that she should perform to so good and glorious a husband Pro. 1. 8 9. In whom the word of her instruction should not be fruitlesse for she should make him drink of spiced wine and the juice of the Pomegranate that is she would honour and intertaine him with his owne graces and render unto him such fruits of her faith as should be sweetned and made savoury like Jacobs savoury meat which he gave his father with the spices of his owne spirit and humility wherein he delights By doing whereof v. 3. she showes in like manner what she may mutually expect of him especially in her time of need as we see Chap. 2. 6. Where the same words are set down to wit the sweet supporting of his grace and comfor-fortable imbracement of his tender love of which words because we have spoken in the forenamed place as also of the subsequent we cease here to repeat Observations 1. The godly we see makes still a progresse in grace and all religious duties as the Church is said here not to be content onely to find her beloved without but she will also with all observance and honour that she can perform lead him and bring him into her Mothers house and there intertaine him with the choisest things she can 2. We see the office of the true Church as a mother to her children and of all faithfull pastors therein which is not to keep them blind folded in ignorance which that whoor of Rome calles the Mother of devotion but to instruct them in all the duties which they ought to perform to the Lord Jesus acknowledging him to be their onely head and husband and no earthly creature as his vicar therein that he is also their onely Saviour and they nor no other in part or whole are saviours to themselves that he is likewise the sole Monarch or king and Lawgiver to his Church and with whose laws binding the conscience none can dispence the sole Priest also both for Satisfaction fully on earth and sole mediation he makes in the Heavens as likewise that he is her onely Prophet that cannot erre and whose voice onely as chief pastor in the holy scripture by all is to be heard 3. We see that the Churches instruction to her children should not be fruitlesse but should produce the sweet fruits of holy obedience as we see Isay 5. and Joh. 15. is required and whereby Christ is feasted as it were and intertained as with spiced wine and the delicious juice of the Pomegranate so that the light of knowledge whereby we see should produce the light of obedience whereby we shine and our lamps like those of the wise virgins should be both burning and shining 4. By doing whereof we shall find that our work of obedience is not in vaine but shal be well recompenced both with the comfortable embracement of Christ Jesus in the armes of his mercy and protection in our greatest need here and beside the sweet repose of a good conscience therein which was Jobs greatest comfort she shal be recompenced in mercy with his perpetuall and glorious sight hereafter in whose presence is fulness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Vers 5. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness 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 Followes here a question concerning the Church which was in the same words before propounded Chap. 3. 6. to which place we referre the reader but here her posture is set down which was not there mentioned to wit that she leanes upon her beloved and whereby is signified 1. Her relying by a holy and humble confidence onely upon him in respect of her own weaknesse and his supporting of her by his speciall grace whereof he said to Paul that it should be sufficient for him without which she was neither able to stand against temptation nor walk in that narrow way that leads unto salvation let be to walk upward as she is said here to come up from the wilderness And 2. is signified that in all her feares dangers or difficulties yea in death it self with David Psal 23. 4. her onely stay and confidence for comfort resolution or delivery is onely fixt on Christ her beloved Leaning unto and upon him alone as all-sufficient to be unto her as saith the Apostle wisdome and righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30. that according as it is written he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. After which description of the Church of Christ chosen out of the world and wilderness thereof and coming up out of the same both in affection and conformity of like conversation and leaning upon Christ onely his merit and grace followes Who first raised her up that she might thereafter come up out of the wilderness and made her to be spiritually born of her Mother the Church Surely this is Jesus Christ alone who raised the dead and sayeth here to his Church I raised thee up under the Apple-tree before this she being sitting in darkness and under the shadow of death and in such a wofull estate by nature as the Apostle showes Eph. 2. 5. He is then said here to have raised her under the Apple-tree which is mentioned Chap. 2. 3. and which tree is himself as the comforts that flow from him vers 5. are called apples Under him therefore and under his over-shaddowing by the efficacy of his owne spirit which makes him say I raised thee doth the godly rise from sinne to righteousness and there doth their Mother the Church bring them forth by the work of regeneration being conceived in her womb by the immortall seed of the word and co-operation of the Holy Ghost even as it is said of the conception of Christ our head in the womb of his virgin-Mother in like manner that the Holy Ghost should come upon her and the power of the most high should over-shaddow her therefore that holy thing that should be born of her should be called The sonne of God Luk. 1. 35. Where it is to be remarked that the work of
who were called to labour in his vineyard Matth. 20. But the keepers of Solomons vineyard did keep and dresse it in his absence whereas the keepers of Christs vineyard can do nothing unlesse he be present and a coworker with them Next the keepers of Christs vineyard they shall indeed receive a reward for their labours yea a very great one as Daniel showes and the Apostle declares but this cometh from the Master of the vineyard himselfe who promised it but not from shareing in the fruits of the vineyard 1 Cor. 3. 9. Dan. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 3. 8. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Observations 1. We see here by Christs reaping alone the fruit of his vineyard which onely she brings forth to him how faithfull his Church is as a chaste spouse who will not give the glory which is due to him to no creature in heaven nor in earth Isay 42. 8. Psal 115. 1 Faâ— lesse will she ascribe that which is his to her self or her own merit 2. Whereas Christ sayes of his vineyard that it is alwaies before him and he consequently present with the same we may see how blasphemous that doctrine is of the Roman Church and of that beast or head thereof horned like the Lamb but speaking like the Dragon who affirmeth himselfe to be Christs vicar on earth as if he himselfe had deserted his Church and let out his vineyard onely to him as Master thereof who indeed under pretence hereof shareth a large part of worldly possessions which he calles Peters patrimony and has coming in unto him daily thousands of silver 3. Seeing he sayes that his vineyard is alwaies before him whose eyes are like a flame of fire ever looking on it this should warne us all to look narrowly to our selves and watch over our wayes seeing we have him who is the al-seeing God and the righteous judge of the whole world looking upon us whereof if we were ever mindfull it would be a soveraigne perservative to us against all sinne 2 Chron. 16 9. Vers 13. Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause me to heare it In these words is set down the Churches prayer to Christ that still she may injoy his presence in this life and the comfort of his word with grace that profitably she may heare and obey the same wherein 1. She calles him O thou that dwellest in the gardens that is who constantly abides and walks in the midst of thy Church as we see him described Rev. 1. 13. The companions that is those who are thy chaste worshippers therefore called Psal 45. 14. the virgin companions that follow the kings daughter who is all glorious within they hearken to thy voice that is like the true sheep of Christ Joh. 10. 3. they hearken and embrace the sound and pure doctrine that is contained in thy word and preached by faithfull pastors cause me also to heare it whereby she professes that it is the speciall grace of God and gift of his holy spirit that opens the inward eare of the soul whereof he speakes Rev. 2. 7. And who opens likewise the heart as he did Lidia's whereby they heare his word aright beleeve and obey the same Observations 1. Out of this style which she gives him saying O thou that dwells in the garden we learne this lesson of comfort that Christ is not onely present with his Church but as husbands are bidden to dwell with their wives so he is a dweller with her 1 Pet. 3. 7. as he has promised Ioh. 14. 23. Yea an indweller in the midst of her and in the hearts of all her true members whom hereafter he shall make to dwell with him for ever in the heavens 2. We see here a true note of the true Church of Christ which is where Christs voice sounds and is heard by his sheep and virgin companions there is his true Church and they are it onely 3. As these companions hearken to his voice so she desires that in like manner he would cause her to heare it Where we may observe that it is a necessary and commendable thing to advert what we see to be good in others and to endeavour to imitate that our selves for which cause the Apostle recommends his practise in so farre as he followed Christ to be a patterne to others 1 Cor. 11. 1. 4. She seeks by prayer this speciall grace from Christ that he would cause her to heare his voice so that as all graces are to be sought by prayer and from God onely who is the giver thereof so this in particular should be sought by all such who come to heare Gods word or resort thereto conscionably Vers 14. Make haste my beloved and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountaines of spices Last of all as she beganne this song with a prayer desiring him to hasten his first coming so she ends it with a prayer desiring him in like manner with the Church Revel 22. 20. To hasten his second coming which very like sute and in the very like words we had before Chap. 2. 17. Onely she sayes here Be like a roe or young Hart upon the mountaines of spices where she spake before of the mountaines of Bether meaning by these mountaines the heavens called mountaines for their height and the eminency of that happy estate of Gods saints there and mountaines of spices for the sweet delights and pleasures for evermore that are at Gods right hand in that place of joy Observations 1. We may perceive the difference between the godly and wicked the remembrance of Christ coming to judgement to the godly is that which so overjoyes their heart that earnostly they wish the same as the solemnity of their mariage-day and meeting with Christ when their full redemption shall then be accomplished but to the other it torments them before the time and affects them with trouble of spirit as Christs first coming did unto Herod Matth. 2 3. because then beginnes the accomplishment in soul and body of all their endless misery and easeless torments in hells fire for ever 2. Are the heavens in comparison of this valley of teares and barren wilderness of this world for sublimity of happiness and all sweet delights like the mountaines of spices O then let us loath this world using it onely as if we used it not and climb these mountaines by affection and holy desires here till we come to the full and reall fruition thereof in glory hereaster Which the Lord grant to us for Christ sake Amen Finis octavi Capitis Cantici Canticorum Soli Deo Gloria FINIS 1. In respect of Pronunciation 2. Of Application 3. Of Obsignation * Note a difference between the godly and wicked Rom. 8. 1. 1. The commonnesse of his joy 2. The right object â—ly The ground Ecce Deus siâ—lis nobis cap. 4. 9 cap. 1. 9. cap. 2. 14. cap. 4. 7.
We see how powerfull an inducement this should be to adjoyn our selves to Christ's Church to be true members thereof and what honour the poorest and most contemptible attains unto who do so 2. Whereas the Church is called a Dove not any ravenous foul those who are violent fiery and furious spirits are disclaimed from being any true members of Christ's Church who think that there can be no zeal or piety that is not cruell and that Religion should be propagated not so much gladio oris as ore gladii by bloody warrs massacres and such like which has been the customable practise of the Roman Church whereby that Whoor is drunk with the blood of the Saints Whereas Christ's Dove delights in no blood but that which was shed for her but not in any blood shed by her And it is by her own blood shed by others that she has flourished and been enlarged but not by her shedding of the blood of others 3. In respect of spirituall chastity and pure worship of God only according to the rule of his Word that she iscalled undefiled Then we see that what Church soever pretend what she will defiles her self with idolatry which is spirituall whoordom and departing from the sincerity of the Word of God goes a whooring after the traditions of men superstition and will-worship adoring the creature whereas onely they should worship the Creator That Church that doth so is not Christ's Church nor his dove and undefiled but an antichristian idolatrous and apostatick Church usurping the Christian name 4. Seeing the Church is called Christ's undefiled he onely claiming propriety thereto this shewes 1 That he may claim from us all whatsoever we are our souls and all the faculties thereof our bodies and all the members thereof to be his in entire affection in obsequie in all things that we have from him in all these that we be for him his glory his cause and his Church c. 2 As he may claim from us whatsoever we are or have so we being his and he ours as cap. 6. 3. we may claim from him his love his defence yea himself and all his benefits with him for the inference between conjugall parties is mutuall and reciprocall the husband and all he has is the wifes and the wife and all that she has is the husbands 5. Seeing Christ's dove is undefiled those who delight in the pollutions of sin the world and the flesh are not Christ's true members but it is to the unclean spirit that such unclean persons belong neither such carnall ravens but the clean and undefiled dove is fit for the Lord's ark to be taken into the same 6. Seeing Christ's dove and undefiled is but one let all such who claim interest in her be as one holding the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace one in heart and affection as the primitive Christians were Act. 4. 32. one in minde one in will submissive in every thing to God's one in work I mean the practise of godlinesse and one in tongue and profession of the truth that neither it be said as Hos 10. 2. their hearts is divided nor in tongue that they are like the builders of Babel but that their ditton may be cor unum via una Neither let any small weaknesses in our ordinary conversation make a rupture of this brotherly unity which is so commended and commanded Psal 133. 1. 7. She is also called the choice or elect one of her that bare her which teaches us that the true members of Christ's mysticall body which is his Church they are not of the ordinary multitude who professe the Christian name in common nor must think that this will suffice but they must labour to be choice ones and singular beyond such as Noah was in his age and Lot in Sodom c. not contenting with the common badge or name that they live or shew of godlinesse having denyed the power thereof but labour for the sealing that is spoken of â—zek 9. and Revel 7. and the stamp of their Father's Image 8. It is said here That the daughters that saw her blessed her or pronounced her to be so whereby we see what it is that makes one to be truly blessed oâ— happy and what is the right judgment which men should have in this point to wit not to account any blessed or happy for worldly honour or riches or any externall and accidentall thing but for the grace of God that they see in them and that kyths in the whole constant course of their life and conversation both in their duties to God and Man although their estate were never so mean and their persons crossed and contemptible in this world as was that of Lazarus 9. Also it is said that the Queens and Concubines they praised her which teaches us what is onely and truly praise-worthy or which we should commond in any to wit a holy and christian conversation whereâ—â— they expresse the simplicity and meeknesse of the Dove an undefiled and holy life a peacable and godly disposition to entertain peace and unity with all men so far as in them lies and whereby they labour to approve themselves to God to their own conscience and to all that look upon their life and conversation that they are the true member's of Christ's mysticall body Vers 10. Who is she that looks forth as the morning fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an army with Banners Here they who did see her beauty before not onely as in the former verse do praise her but in this place with admiration at the matchlesse greatnesse and glory thereof they extoll and magnifie the same more amply by way of admiration saying Who is this that looketh forth as the morning c. ascending by way of gradation to show the degrees of the increase of the light and brightnesse of the Church which may either have relation to her estate before the Law under the Law or under the Gospell she being like the morning light before the Law under the Law like the light of the Moon which is changeable as Types and Figures were and under the Gospell she being like the clear or bright shining Sun Or else she is said to be like the morning whose light more and more encreaseth unto the perfect day to show how the knowledge of the godly is ever in grouth in this life onely who know but in part but is nor perfect till the life to come Next she is said to be fair like the Moon to show that as the Moon borroweth her light from the Sun so doth she her beauty brightnesse from the Sun of Righteousness as himself tells her Ezek. 16. 14. she having nothing of her self but what she has received And lastly she is said to be clear as the Sun as Rev. 12. 1. being cloathed with the Sun of righteousnesse and that righteousnesse of his which is imputed to her She is said also to be