that in him alone should all fulnes dwell Col. 1. 19. Verse 2. Setteth out the excellency and beauty of the Church instructing vs to ioyne our selues to that holy felowshippe which the Lorde him selfe accounteth the piller of truth and his owne house 1. Tim. 3. 15. Verse 3. Doth not onely shew that our Sauiour Christe hath in him the fulnesse of all goodnesse Iohn 1. 16. But also these wordes I doe greatly desire to sit do teach vs what a holy hunger and thirst we ought to haue after him For which see Psalm 42. 1. 2. Psal 84. 2. and that not for a small while but continually for he that continueth to the end shall be saued Mat. 24. 13. Vers 4. Teacheth first that al the good things we haue we haue from God Iames. 1. 17. by the meane of our sauiour Christe which is alwayes taught in these wordes Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 1. 7. Secondly that all these thinges whether they be bodily or spirituall or both are bestowed vppon vs for Christes sake and that therefore the Lorde is to be continually praised as Ephes 1 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. Pet. 1. 3. Vers 5. Teacheth vs first that we should comfort strengthen one an other in our faintinges Heb. 3. 12. 13. Heb. 13. 1. 3. Rom. 12. 9. 10. 11. 13. 15. 16. Secondly how earnest and harty our loue shoulde bee to Christ who hath loued vs so tenderly that he hath giuen himself for vs. Rom. 5. 6. 7. 1. Iohn 3. 16. 1. Iohn 4. 9. 10. 11. Vers 6. Teacheth that the presence of Christ to his church by his spirituall power and grace is meruailous comfortable which made our sauiour also to promise it as appereth Mat. 28. 20 Vers 7. Teacheth vs that not only those y t are without the church but those that are lincked ioyned to that holy body haue need sundry times not only to be admonished but also straitly charged that they do not any thing that may grieue or disquiet Iesus Christ the head therof Ephes 5. 23. For if they doe but neuer so little prouoke him then blessed are all those that trust in him Vers 8. Setteth out the great speed and hast as it were that Christ maketh to help succour his church in her griefes and distresses For proofe wherof see Luk. 18. 8. True it is that men many times thinke the time very long as Psal 13. 1. But we must learne in patience to possesse our owne soules Luk. 21. 19. and to tarry the lords leasure Psal 27. 14. Psal 37. 34. Vers 9 Teacheth that it is meruailous comfortable to the distressed oues of God to be persuaded or to see by the eye of faith testimonies and assured tokens of Christes fauor presence help Verse 10. Doth not onely teach Christes loue towardes his church calling her from the vanityes and delightes of this life to the hope of a farre better state but also teacheth her to yeeld obedience to that call and that while it is to daye Heb. 3. 7. 15. least otherwise we heare that terrible iudgement pronounced and practized against Ierusalem Math. 23. 37. 38. Verse 11. Sheweth that our sauiour gratiously remooueth all lettes and impedimentes that might hinder vs from comming to him namely our sinnes as Isaiah 1. 18. Iere. 3. 35. Psal 103. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. So that if there be anye defect or want it is not in him but in our selues who manye times thorow the corruption of our owne nature doe caste stumbling blockes in our owne wayes to hinder and let vs in the course and rase of godlinesse Vers 12. 13. Teach vs further that God doth not onely remooue stoppes and lets but also gyueth vnto vs aboundance of his mercyes as continuall spurres in our sides to prouoke vs to wel doing and obedience Ioseph made his maisters fauoure an effectuall instrument to keepe him back from committing vilany with his mistres Genes 39. 8. See Deutr. 8. thorow out but specially from verse 10. to the end of the chapter Verse 14. Teacheth vs that the church sometimes by one meane and sometimes by another is brought into wonderfull distresses Which thing is liuely expressed Isaiah 5. 1. 2. 3 c. Also Math. 21. 33. 34 c. vnder the parable of the vineyard Which also rightly considered serueth well to stop those mens mouthes that stande so much vpon the outward shew and multitude of the church See Michaiah 7. 1. Rom. 11. 1. 2. 3-4 5 c. Isaiah 1 ver 9. Verse 15. Teacheth vs that all thinges what soeuer though they be neuer so great or little therefore these speeches they are small thinges are of no force hindring y e growth of the church ought to be remooued and that speciallye euen in the beginning of the planting of Churches while the churches themselues be as it were tender and yong This order of reformation the good kings obserued as Iehosaphat 2. Chr. thorow out 17. Hezekiah also 2. Chr. 29. c. Iosias likewise 2. Chro. 34. thorow out namely verse 3. from which our sauiour Christ him selfe was not far off in exāple practise Ioh. 2. 14. 15. c. Vers 16. 17. Set out the assured and continuall affection that ought to be in the church to her spouse and head Christ so that in purpose strength of Gods spirit she may alwaies saye Who shal seperate vs from the loue of Christ Shal tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednes or perill or swoord No for I am perswaded that neither life nor deth nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things presēt nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shalbe able to seperate vs frō the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our lord as it is written Rom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. CHAP. the third and the summe thereof The Church declareth the most earnest desire that shee had euery daye more then other to take hold of and to obtayne her spouse 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Afterward beeing fully assured of the glory of her spouse shee sheweth that it is much better and profitable for her not to stay her spouse here but to follow him ascending into his heauenlye brydechamber 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 1 IN my bed sundry nights I seeking him that my soule loueth I seeking him I saye when I had not founde him I sayd 2 I will now rise vp and I wil goe about the citie by the streetes and by the open places will I seeke him whom my soule loueth but seeking him I haue not found him 3 I sayd vnto the watchmen that goe about the Citie they finding me haue you seene him whom my soule loueth 4 I had but a little passed by from them when I found him whom my soule loueth I tooke hold of him neither will I suffer him to depart till I shall haue brought
call their Lord their rocke as Psal 18. 2 and somtimes to be content with places of lesse assurance as dens all to broken to the end that for a while she maye hide her self there from the rage and cruelty of the enemy Shew me thy countenaunces that is shew thy selfe in my presence and come vnto me Neither lacketh it some force that he speaketh in the plurall number as that he woulde haue her to leaue none of her particular congregations or members behinde her Make me to heare thy voyce that is to say speake to me walke continuallye with me and be conuersaunt with me O singular loue of Christ to his church that doth thus earnestly seeke for and desire the presence and company thereof and O wonderfull ingratitude of the church if she shold contemne it For thy voyce is sweete and thy countenaunce comelye All this hee speaketh of the church not that she is so of her selfe but it pleaseth her spouse so to accept of her For therefore hath hee giuen him selfe for the church that hee might make it glorious vnto him selfe c. as Ephes 5. 25. 26. 27. And these wordes containe also a reason why Christe so much destreth the presence and company of his spouse Verse 15. Take for vs the foxes I take these wordes still to bee spoken by the church in the person of Christe as though that hee spake vnto his friendes not onely willing but commanding them earnestly to endeuour the remoouing of all thinges great and little that might hinder the groweth of his church which is a peculier inheritaunce vnto him selfe whether it were in vnsound doctrine or in corrupt conuersation See Tit. 2. 14 And whē he saith Take for vs he sheweth that hee hath as great loue to the church as to him selfe which if it be spoyled or hurt it redoundeth also to him selfe By foxes he meaneth not onely euill men as heretickes dissolute persons c. that woulde hinder the groweth of the church but all other thinges whatsoeuer how great or how little soeuer they be which also he signifieth by the next speech in that he calleth them little foxes And when he addeth corrupting the vines hee meaneth marring and destroying yea bringing as it were to vtter corruption and destruction the churches of God That Gods church or the particular churches are resembled to vynes maye appeare by sundrye places of Scripture as Isaiah 5. 1 c. Psalm 80. 8. 14. Math. 21. 33 c. And that foxes are hurtfull to vines our verye proouerb sheweth the foxe will eate no grapes Whilest our vines bring foorth the first grape that is while they are tender and yong as before verse 13. For euē then when the church is beginning to grow woulde it bee looked vnto speciallye which they that haue care of ought heedely to mark and to take heed that it be not deuoured by grieuous Wolues and by men that shall rise vp from among them selues As Actes 20. 29. 30. 1. Iohn 2. 19. aud other places Verse 16. My welbeloued is mine These are the wordes of the church spoken in her owne person and is the conclusion of the former discourse made in this chapter by her wherein she first reioyceth for the most excellent fellowship that shee had with Christe and next shee wisheth as it were his continuall presence all the dayes of her lyfe promising to remayne his vntill shee be perfectlye ioyned with him in heauen Now when shee sayth My welbeloued is mine and I am his It is as much as if shee shoulde saye he will haue no other for his wife but me neither will I acknowledge any other for my Spouse but him wee will eyther of vs delight one in an other and bee contented to take and loue one an other onelye It followeth That feedeth amonge the Lilies I know these wordes are diuerslye interpreted and I thinke it ariseth because the Hebrue word may be taken either passiuely or actiuely Some expound it thus that feedeth among the lilies that is that is most sweet and by the good smell of his sauors that is by his goodnes the sweetnes of his promises calleth allureth me vnto him I will speak what I thinke I had rather expound it thus that feedeth vz. his flockes as chap. 1. 7. among the lilies that is in sweet pleasant soft and well smelling pasture q. d. He that plentifullye pleasantly and sweetlye handleth and intreateth those that are his And to this sence seemeth to agree Psal 23. 1. 2. Verse 17. Vntill that day shall come and these shadowes shall flye awaye These are still the wordes of the church and muste bee ioyned to the latter end of the other verse wherein shee promiseth that shee will remaine to him for euer and euer For though the worde vntill doe moste commonlye note but a peece of time yet here it is vsed for a perpetuitie and euerlastingnes of time as it is also in other places as 2. Sam. 6. 23. Psal 110. 1. Mat. 5. 26. Mat. 28. 20 Which may also appeare in that she saith so forcibly Vntill that day shall come by which he meaneth that same great and last day of iudgement which is vsually pointed out by that maner of speech both in the olde and new Testament as Ioel. 2. 31. 2. Tim. 2. 18. And these shadowes shall flie away By shadows he meaneth both y e troubles of this life and al vanityes whatsoeuer that are set between her and her spouse while shee liueth in this world or els we may vnderstand by shadowes all those thinges that may shadow out vnto vs the hope of eternall life and glorye which may be called shadowes not that they are so of them selues but beeing compared with others that do lead vs vnto those and when shee sayth shall flye away he noteth the suddaine vanishing of the same Returne The church speaketh this as though her Spouse were departed and as though shee coulde not indure and abide his absence though it were neuer so small awhile Belike O my beloued to a roe or to a hindes calfe that is make most haste and speede to come vnto me as before in this chapter verse 9. And depart not any whit at al from me running on mountains whē one of them are sundred from an other He meaneth no doubt the mountaines of Gilead which the riuer of Iorden did seperate from the rest of Iudea See 2. Sam. 2. 29. Now he rather remembreth these mountaines then others of the country of Iudea because they were notable commodious for hunting and well stored with game and therfore much haunted For at what time Solomon wrote these thinges as it should appeare Hamath was not greatly occupied neither was the house builded in the forrest of Libanus see 2. Chro. 8. 2. 3. c. 1. Kin. 7. 1. 2. c. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that if we wil haue pleasant sweet good things we must look for thē in Christ onelye for it pleased the Father
to the troupe of horses that are ioyned to Pharaohs chariots 10 Thy cheekes are comely as it were with rowes of stones thy necke as it were with collers 11 Wee will make for thee borders of golde with studdes of siluer 12 In the mean while that the king is at his repast he sendeth out his sauour of mard 13 My beloued is vnto me as a bundle of myrre remayning between my breasts 14 My beloued is vnto me as a berry of the Cypres tree in the Vineyards of Engedi 15 Behold thou art fayre my loue beholde thou art fayre thine eyes be like the doues eies 16 Behold thee thou art fayre O my beloued yea thou art pleasaunt yea our bed is greene 17 The beams of our houses are of Ceder trees our walking places are of wood like Cypres An exposition vpon the Canticles otherwise called Schelomons song BEfore wee come to open this booke something would ve marked touching the obscuritie and hardnesse therof whereof I suppose a duble reason may be yeelded The one is the sodaine chaunge of the number tense and personne as now speaking singularly then plurally now in the present time anone in the time to come now in the person of the Bride and anone in the person of the Bridegrome or some other The other is for that in parables and darke speeches there is expressed vnto vs verye diuine and heauenlye matter the holy Ghost vsing this maner of speaking not onelye that the eyes of the wicked might be stopped from beholding spiritual comfort but also that the good might know that whatsoeuer light they haue they haue it from him for both which see Math. 13 ver 11. 12. 13. c and also that they might imploy all the vnderstanding they haue to the comprehending of these though darke yet very excellent misteries Letting passe all necessities either of the Iewish Rabbinnes or of the old expositors and namelye of Origen wee will content our selues with a plaine and simple sence of this Booke wherin Schelomon being the holy ghostes instrument doth liuely declare the marter and maner of mariage which is betwixt Christe and his Church somtimes setting out the speeches that passe betweene them making as it were thereby the betrothment otherwhiles declaring the mutuall duties one of them towardes an other but specially that same great loue of the Bridegrome to his spouse which is neuer remooued but alwayes abideth constant how oft soeuer shee fall awaye and seeme as a man would saye to forsake her husband If any think this kinde of dealing to be ouerlight for so graue weighty a matter let them take heed that in the height of their owne hartes they doe not ouer prowdly censure God and his order who in many places vseth this similitude or parable of mariage to expresse his loue to his Church by and the dutie of the Church towardes him one or two places shal serue as Hoschea 2. 19. I will mary thee vnto me for euer yea I will marry thee vnto me in righteousnes c. Also 2. Cor. 11. 2. I haue prepared you for one husbande to presēnt you as a pure virgin to Christ And that by this meanes Christes loue is expressed towardes his Church maye appeare Ephes 5. 25. Husbandes loue your wiues euen as Christ loued the Church And the obedience of the Church to Christe is declared in the same chapter ver 22. 23. 24. Concerning the time when this Booke should be written nothing can bee sayde of certainty out of the scriptures Wiherfore leauing coniecturall gesses let vs cleaue to the certeinty Gods spirite hath penned it and by the prouidence of our almighty God it hath beene esteemed in all times to the end that we vpon whō the ends of the world are come might reap and receiue profit and comfort thereby and yet see somewhat thereof hereafter 1 This first Chapter I doe deuide into three partes The first comprehendeth the tytle or inscription of the worke together with the authors name this is in the first vers 2 The seconde setteth out the wishes of the Church dersiing effectuallye to be ioyned with her head and spouse Christ And this is from verse 2. to the end of the 7. 3 And the third conteineth Christs ready offering of himself to his church with a mutual cōmendation one of an other vz. of Christ his Church from ver 8. to the end of y e chap. Verse 1. A song of songes That is to say a most excellent and notable song For by dubbling of the wordes the Scripture vseth if it speake of good thinges to vnderstande moste excellent thinges as Deut. 10. 17. The Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lordes That is to say most high Lord and God Whereas if it speake of base thinges it doth then on the other side by dubbling debase them as much as Gen. 9. 25. It is sayd of Ham A seruant of seruants shall he be That is to say a most vile slaue or seruaunt Which is Salomons That is to saye which Salomon made putting the time present for the time past And this is the generall title of the whole Booke and conteineth as a man would say not onelye the writers name but the verye chiefe matter it beeing a moste excellent mariage song as you would say beeween Christ and his church That Solomon ment not onely to set out his match with Pharoas daughter if which you may see Psal 45. thorow out but also to ascend on high vz. to the spirituall marriage betweene Christ and his church I take it to be ouer plaine then needeeh to be stood vpon Verse 2. Let him kisse me The Church desireth the vnfained loue and continuall presence of Christ For kissing in old time was vsed as a testimony of loue see Genes 31. 28. Genes 45. 15. Luke 7. 45. 2. Cor. 13. 12. So that he putteth the signe of the thing for the thing it selfe With the kisses of his mouth The church meaneth by kises in the plurall number the aboundaunce am continuaunce of his loue and by the worde his mouth his presence euen as it is ioyfull to parties affiaunced not onelye to see one an other but also to continue togeather And in this part of the verse is contained the churches wish in the nexte part is declared the reason of her wish for thy loues are good By Loues shee meaneth fauour and liking of her and she speaketh thereof in the plurall number both to set out the plentifulnesse of the same in Christe and to declare also what great comfort she did conceiue by the aboundance thereof and by good she meaneth profitable sweete pleasant and as it were ful of saluation vnto her and marke the soudaine change of the person for heere the Church speaketh of Christ in the second person whereas before shee had spoken of him in the third Before Wine that is to say if they are better then Wine if they may be compared therewith that men
of it both before God as the chiefe and one of them before and towardes an other Verse 1. Teacheth that how soeuer carnall men carnally minded can see nothing of waight in these canticles yet God who hath giuen it so glorious a title can and will open the eies of the spirituall minded man that he shall see wonderfull great misteries contayned therein The want of sight in the one is not in the matter but in the blindnesse of their owne hartes and the beholding of these thinges in the other is not in them selues but in God who of his mercy onely hath opened the eyes of their vnderstanding Verse 2. We learne to wish and pray for the continuaunce of Christes fauor towardes vs because therein onely consisteth all our welfare either inward or outward Some account of one thing and some of an other but in truth nothing is to be regarded but the goodnesse of God towardes vs in Christ Verse 3. The graces that we receiue from Christ are most excellent the reason is because he him selfe is moste excellent and nothing can come from him but it must taste of that singular excellencie that is in him Verse 4. And these wordes Draw me Wee learne that we can not come to Christ except the father draw vs. Ihon. 6. 44. For it is God that worketh in vs both the will and the deede Phil. 2. 13. and that of his owne good pleasure such is the strength and power of our freewill whatsoeuer we haue been taught or learned to the contrary And in these wordes When the king him selfe c. We learne that Gods misteries are to darke for vs to attaine to with all the wit and vnderstanding we haue till God by his spirite reueale them to vs. 1. Cor. 2. 10. 14. Also in these wordes We will rehearse thy loues c. That this is and ought to bee the matter of our ioy to thinke vpon and speake of Gods goodnesses towardes vs both generallye and particularly the remembraunce whereof will not onely be profitable to stirre vs vp to thankfulnesse but in all causes continually to trust in him who hath so manye wayes shewed him selfe mercifull towardes vs. Verse 5. And these wordes Yet comely am I. We learne that we may praise Gods giftes and graces in our selues keeping alwayes a iuste measure and proportion in that commendation Wee learne further in the same verse that the blacknesse that is the afflictions and trialles of the church shoulde not hinder vs from ioyning our selues thereto For all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3. 12. See also Act. 14. 22. Verse 6. And these wordes because the sonnes of my mother c. We learne that none are greater enemies to the church then those that most brag of her This we see to be true by experience in the papacy who haue nothing in their mouthes but the church the church as the people and Priestes in Ieremies time did the Temple of the Lorde c. See Ieremie 7. 4. and yet for all that both of them were the spoilers of the Temple and Church Also in these wordes the keeper of other vineyardes Wee learne that it behooueth euery one to keepe him within the compasse of that vocation y t God hath committed to him according to the counsell of the holy ghost Let euery man abide in the same vocation wherin he was called 1. Cor. 7. 10. Also Rom. 12. 7. He that hath an office let him waite on the office The Church might haue as much to say for her selfe as some in these daies haue it is giuen mee but that would not stand in steede before the Lord the reason is because euill and vnlawfull thinges many times are giuen which in deed ought not to bee receiued and one must not onely looke to the gyft but to the thing giuen whether it be lawfull or no and to the giuer also whether hee giue it according to the good will of God the giuer of all good giftes Iames. 1. 17. Lastly in these wordes I haue not kept c. We learne humble and vnfayned confession of our sinnes the fruites whereof are described Psal 32. 5. 1. Ihon. 1. 6. Verse 7. Shew me c. This teacheth first that we shoulde bee much mooued with the absence of Christ secondly that we should seek by al the lawful meanes we can to find him and to know the place of his abode of which see an example Ihon. 1. 38. and in these wordes Where the flocke may lye downe at noone both the great care and loue of our Sauiour towardes his people of which see Mat. 9. 36. 37. 38. and the good estate that they are in which follow him See Psalm 23. 1. Mat. 6. 33. Also Math. 14. ver 15. 16. c. Also in these wordes For why should I be c. We learne that though the absence of our sauiour should be grieuous vnto vs yet it should not vtterly make vs to fall awaye from him to others but the more earnestlye to seeke after him Verse 8. Setteth out Christes readinesse and willingnesse to instructe those that of a good minde come vnto him Also these wordes Followe not that flocke Teache the Church to flie as farre from infection of euill as may be and not to come too nigh the persons leaste touching pitch they be defiled therewith See Prouerb 6. 27. 28. Verse 9. Seweth that the church is so glorious as Christ her spouse esteemeth of her It teacheth also the excellencie of the Church and the increase of the particular members thereof because shee is compared to the Horses of Aegypt and to the troupes thereof of which see Psalme 45. from verse 10. to the ende of the Psal Also Act 2. 41. with other places Vers 10. Setteth out the comelinesse and beuty of the church which should also cause vs with all care and reuerence to ioyne oure selues thereto Verse 11. Declareth the assured fauour of the holy Trinitye and the vnspeakable loue thereof towardes the church with the glorious decking and adorning of the same Verse 12. Teacheth that Christ neuer forgetteth his church but is alwayes present with them by his grace and holy spirite Mat. 28. 20. Ihon. 14. 16. Verse 13. Teacheth vs in what great account we shoulde haue our sauiour Christe howsoeuer most reiect him See Math. 8. 34. Mat. 11. 19. Mat. 21. 42. Verse 14. Instructeth vs with humblenesse and loue to acknowledge the manifold blessings of God in others as the church doth it in her spouse I say with humblenesse in respect of our selues because when we see that God hath endued others with greater giftes then our selues he laboureth by that meanes to beat downe the pride of our nature which is alwayes clyming and I say in loue in respect of our brethren because it is very hard to flesh and bloud not to enuie one that is his better any way Verse 15. Setteth out the loue of Christe towardes his
church and the great account and regard he hath her in And these wordes Thine eyes be like doues eyes teach the church to stryue to inward and outward chastity and to Abstain from all appearance of euill as 1. Thes 5. 22. And to hate euen the garment which is spotted by the flesh Iude. 23. Verse 16. Teacheth vs to acknowledge that all the good thinges we haue we haue from aboue as Iames 1. 17. And these wordes Our bed is greene noteth the flourishing of the church and the increase thereof of which see before verse 9. Vers 17. Setteth out the firmity and staydnes of the church which thing also our sauiour meaneth when hee sayth that The gates of hell shal not preuaile against it Math. 16. 18. And in an other place that if it were possible the very elect should be deceiued Math. 24. 24. To this purpose also it is called the piller and ground of truth 1. Tim. 3. 15. CHAP. the second and the summe thereof The Bridegrome setteth out his owne dignitie and the Brides 1. 2. She againe answearing praiseth him and setteth out the duties that he hath done for her vnder a banquet and her exceeding loue towardes him by fainting or swonning 3. 4. 5. 6. Afterward shee declareth the comming of the Bridegrome vnto her her calling and moste large promises made vnto her 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13 c. And therefore she not onely reioyceth that she shall haue his company but desireth his presence vntill the fulfilling of his promises be perfourmed which shal be in his second comming 14. 15. 16. 17. 1 I Am the Rose of Sharon the Lilie of the vallies betweene the hils 2 As a lilie among Thornes so is my loue among the daughters 3 As an Apple tree among the trees of the forrest so is my well beloued among the sonnes I doe very greatly desire to sit in his shadow for his fruit is sweet to the roofe of my mouth 4 He brought mee into the place of wine and his banner towardes me was loue 5 Proppe me vp with these flagons beare mee vp with these apples for I am sicke with loue 6 His left hand is vnder mine head and his right hand doth imbrace me 7 I charge you and that by an oth O yee daughters of Ierusalem tarry ye abroad with the roes or with the hindes of the field stirre not vp neither wake this loue vntill he will him selfe 8 It is the voyce of my well beloued behold him he commeth leaping vpon these mountaines skipping vpon these hils 9 My well beloued is like a roe or a hindes calfe beholde him standing behinde our wall looking foorth of the windowes springing out of the gates 10 My well beloued speaking saide vnto me arise my loue my fayre one and come 11 For loe winter is past the raine is past it is gone away 12 Flourishing thinges are seene in the earth the time of the singing of birdes is come and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our land 13 The fig tree it selfe hath brought foorth her very young figs and the vines them selues euen in the first grape do yeeld a sauour Arise my loue my fayre one and come 14 My Doue lyuing in these cleftes of the rocke in a denne all to broken shew mee thy countenances Make mee to heare thy voyce for thy voyce is sweete and thy countenaunce comely 15 Take for vs the foxes yea the little foxes corrupting the vines whilst our vines bring foorth the first grape 16 My welbeloued is mine and I am his that feedeth among the Lilies 17 Vntill that day shall come and these shadowes shall flye away returne belike O my wel beloued to a Roe or as a Hindes calfe running on mountaines one of them sundred from another IN the last end of the first chapter Christe and his church had with an harmonicall conclusion praysed their houses for the excellencye continuaunce and commodiousnesse thereof that beeing dispatched the Brydegrome beginneth againe particularlye to praise him selfe and his spouse and likewise the spouse to praise him and to set foorth her great loue towardes him 1 The chapter hath two speciall parts In the first part the bridegrome commendeth him selfe and his spouse and this is contained in the two first verses of this chapter 2 And in the other the bride praiseth the bridegrome reciteth his benefits towardes her and earnestly calleth vpon him for his continual presence and fauor and this reacheth from verse the 3. to the end of the chapter Verse 1. I am the rose of Sharon I take these to be the wordes of the spouse commending him selfe for his moste excellent sweete vertue testified to all but speciallye to his church by communicating his spirite vnto it If any man maruaile that the Bryde and the Brydegrome doe commende them selues both heere and in other places let him know that in olde time this was not vnseemely as it is now accounted Secondly they did not flatter them selues in their prayses neither extolled them selues more then was meet Thirdly that the Brydegrome in this behalfe could not offend because there was neuer any sinne founde in him as 1. Pet. 2. 22. That Sharon was a plentifull place maye appeare 1 Chr. 27. 29. Also Isaiah 53. 2. One reason of the fertility therof may be giuen y e moderate warmnes of the sun in that place in which places also roses doe most delight and flourish are also by that means as the Philosopher supposeth more sweet of sauor So that when Christ resembleth him selfe to the rose of Sharon hee meaneth nothing els but that he was well coloured fruitful and of very good sauor able inough thorow his sweetnesse and the aboundance of his giftes and graces to allure and drawe his Churche to him selfe And the same I suppose he meaneth by comparing him selfe in the nexte part of the verse to the Lilie of the vallies How glorious and excellent the Lilie is our Sauiour himselfe beareth witnesse Math. 6. 28. 29. And when the Lorde will assure his people of a great blessing hee promiseth them that they shall grow as the Lilie Hosea 14. 5. Much more excellent shall it be when it groweth in a moste fertile place such as the vallies are that lie betweene two hilles which in all reason can not chuse but bee verye fruitefull and plentifull Christe therefore by this manner of speech not onelye noteth his great glorye and excellencye but also setteth foorth the aboundaunce of fruite that these shall yeeld which shall bee ingrafted into him as the true vine For which see Iohn 15. 2. Verse 2. As a Lilie among Thornes so is my loue amonge the Daughters These are still Christes wordes not commending him selfe as before but the Church shewing heereby that the Church in dignitye and honour so much excelleth other companyes and assemblyes as the Lilie in beautye and sauour surmounteth the Thornes He meaneth not that Lilies grow amongest Thornes but
speaketh it by the waye of comparison q. d. there is euen as much oddes betweene the Church and other counterfayt congregations as is betweene Lilies and Thornes or as we would saye betweene Golde and Drosse What hee meaneth by the terme Loue is playne by that which is Chapter 1. verse 9. And by Daughters he meaneth all those that were and are out of the bosome of the Church and I thincke it shoulde not bee amisse for the more plaine sense of the place to ioyne to the worde Daughters these wordes of men As Genes 6. 2. Verse 3. As an Apple tree Heere beginneth the seconde parte of this Chapter which as I take it contayneth three especiall points The firste is a declaration of the excellencie of the Spouse and of the great desire that the Church hath towardes him and that is comprehended in this thirde verse The second is a declaration of the duties of mutuall loue between them and that reacheth from verse 4. to the ende of the 15. And lastlye shee desireth of her Spouse a perpetuall feeling of the frute of this loue and that is in the twoo laste verses Now in that shee resembleth her Spouse to an Apple tree shee myndeth thereby to set out his pleasauntnesse to the sight his goodnesse to the taste and his profitablenes to other in respect of his frute Now when shee addeth Among the trees of the Forrest she meaneth eyther Trees altogeather barren or else such as though they yeelde fruite yet is it not good for menne And when shee saith So is my welbeloued among the sonns you may ad for more playne sense of men as Psalm 45. 2 yea though they be neuer so good and well accepted of in the Church meaning that hee is most fruitfull and sweete both in shadow and in fruite as the wordes following in this verse doe playnly expound it True it is that he is not so esteemed of among worldlings by reason of his basenesse but yet his owne haue him euer in that account and regard howe base contemptible soeuer he be in the world Read Isaiah 53 thoroughout It followeth I doe very greatly desire to sit in his shadow Here the Church expresseth the earnest affection that shee hath to bee kept vnder Christes prouidence from the heate of persecution affliction sinne c. for so I take the word Shadow to be vsed heere as Psalm 91. ver 1. or else as she her self speaketh it verses 16 17. of this chapter that she might he his and he hers for euer or els as our sauiour himself saith Ioh. 7. I in them and them in mee that they may be made perfect in me that they may be there euen where I am ver 23. 24. And by sitting she meaneth continuall abode and residence His fruit that is that that is to be receiued from him and his worde For as Shadow and fruite and apples are acceptable to the faint and wearied Iob. 7. so all thinges that come from Christe are to his moste sweete and comfortable if they stay vppon him and cleaue onely to his word yea his very yoke and burthen shall be easy and light to them as Math. 11. 28. 29. 30. 1. Iohn 5. 3 is sweete to the roofe of my mouth He putteth one part of the man for the whole and namely that part which is moste apt for tasting vnderstanding thereby not only how delightfull Christe was to the outwarde man but specially and cheefely to the inward vnder y ◠outward part also comprehēding the inward Verse 4. He brought me vnto the place of wine These are still the churches wordes celebrating the aboundant kindnesse and loue of his spouse By place of Wine she meaneth the places of delicate fare and feasting as before chap. 1. 2 but all this must bee spiritually vnderstoode to wit that our Sauiour brought the church to life and saluation by the exercises of the worde and sacraments Whereunto the parable of the mariage Math. 22. doth in some sort appertain And his banner towards me was loue that is hee had loue towards me insteed of a bāner Those that are skilled in warre know that by banners and Ensignes the souldiers are called together and kept in awe vnder their owne capitaines Whereunto it should seeme that the church alludeth meaning that the husbande of his onely loue towards the church did by his fauour as it were by a banner set before her eys draw her as it were vnto him Or els it may be thus Sundry people and namely the Turke when hee besiegeth any place doth the first day set vp a banner al of white signifiyng fauour if they wil accept it the next time a red banner betokening the execution of the cheefest and the last time a black one signifying all one and other must to the sworde and fire But Christe the spouse alwaies setteth vp a banner of loue grace and fauor howsoeuer we little deserue the same at his hands The first seemeth to me to bee the more plaine sense Verse 5. Prop me vp with these Flagons These are the wordes of the Church spoken vnto her Damosels or virgins of whom see before chap. 1. 3. and shee seemeth to be so inflamed with the loue of Christ that she is ready euen in the middest of the banquet to sinck down or to swoone as you wold say for loue But she hath two aides and comfortes in this her weaknesse one expressed in this verse the other in the next verse following That in this verse is that those that attend vppon her by the Bridegromes appointment that is the Prophetes Apostles and seruauntes of God See for this purpose Ephes 4. from verse 11. to the ende of the 16 doe minister vnto her at her request the spiritual Treasures and good thinges of her Husband which I take to bee noted and that very forcible and playnly by these wordes Proppe mee vp with these flagons beare me vp with these apples as it were appointing some certain aides which if they were neglected all the rest that coulde bee vsed were worth nothing And by Flagons no doubt she meaneth by the figure Metonimie the thing contayning for the thing contained that is the sweete Water and drinke of life of which see Isaaih 55. 1. which Treasure also wee haue in earthen Vesselles or Flagonnes as 2. Corinthians 4. 7. and is indeede nothing else but the sweet promises of Christ vnto euerlasting life And though by Apples layde vnder her as it were shee meane the selfe same thinge yet there is another order of it For hee alludeth to the custome of men who when other are swooning or faynting are wont to put strong smelling thinges vnto their Nostrelles so the Church meaneth that for her comforte and refreshing and reclayming her agayne as it were from death to life shee woulde haue well smelling Apples fette out of Christes Treasure both helde and applyed to her that by that meanes shee maye bee as it were recouered For I
am sicke with loue q. d. I shall neuer cease nor bee in quiet till I perfectly enioy my Husbandes companye feeling in this life the assured Testimonye of his continuall fauour and possessing the same eternally in the heauenly glory See 2. Corin. 5. 1. 2. c. Philip. 1. 23. Verse 6. His left hande is vnder mine heade and his right hand doth imbrace me These are still the wordes of the church contayning as I sayde before the seconde comfort in her fainting and that is that she had her spouse not onely present with her who alone is able effectuallye to heal the church but shewing singular loue and kindnesse cowardes her staying her vp with the one hand that shee fall not downe and comforting her with the other by lauing imbracing her I know that some put the right hand for length of dayes and the left hande for glory and riches as Prouerb 3. 16. But this is the more simple and agreeth better with the circumstaunce of place person to wit that Christ by vsing the gestures of those that do imbrace their friendes and comfort and ease them in their infirmities doth expresse thereby the singular loue he hath to his church and his tender care ouer her in comforting her Verse 7. I charge you and that by an oth These are still as I take thē the wordes of the church and not of Christ as some suppose resting in the imbrasing of her spouse of which we hearde immediatlye before verse 6. straightlye charging those to whom shee speaketh that no manner of waye they bee troublesome or disquietous to her spouse that resteth him self and taketh pleasure in the imbracinges of her And there is a double reason that leadeth me to thinke that these are the churches words rather then Christes First because that she by reason of the authority shee had might commaunde as shee doth verse 15. of this Chapter Secondly because all the wordes that followe till you come to verse 15 are the Churches wordes When shee sayth that shee chargeth them by an oth she meaneth that shee doth very hardly and straightly charge them and as it were in conscience binde them For the wordes Daughters of Ierusalem see chapter 1 5. she meaneth no doubt such as wished well to the church and had somewhat to doe therein Tarry ye abroad with theroes or with the hindes of the field That is get you abroade for a while take your pleasure and do what you will onely disquiet not neyther vexe my spouse And all this is spoken by the church as though the feast had beene kept abroade in some country towne or Village abroade also it is vttered after the manner of men and their wiues who when they will talke of secrete matters or take their rest and sleepe quietly together will bid their children and seruaunts auoyde and get them abroad to recreate them selues whether they will for a while Stirre not vp neyther make That is disquiet him not any manner of way And this the church speaketh both of her hearty loue that she beareth towards her spouse and also of good wil that she carrieth towards her selfe who earnestly wisheth and destreth to inioy the continuall presence and company of her spouse This loue vz. of mine meaning him whom she most dearly and tenderly loued which thing is also forcible and playnlie expressed by the article this Vntill he will himselfe The Church referreth all to the good will and pleasure of her spouse onely this she taketh care for that he may not be prouoked or disturbed by her or any of hers by anye occasion or offence though neuer so small but sheweth herselfe louing and obedient to him in all thinges See Ephes 5. 24. Verse 8. It is the voyce of my Welbeloued The Church in the verses before going and namely vers 4. 5. 6. had set out one notable duty of our sauiour towards her and that was of life and saluation which he brought her figured vnder the shadow of a banquet and healing Nowe shee recokneth vp another kindnesse shewed to wit the giuing of her pleasure peace and all good thinges necessary for her and this he setteth out vnder the figure of the spring time and of all greene and flourishinge thinges offering them selues as it were to the sight and seruice of the church this reacheth from this vers to the end of the 15. And this speech may be deuided into two partes One is that Christ offereth all good thinges to the church and refresheth her beeing deliuered from the winterly tempestes of sinne this reacheth vnto verse 14. The other is that he putteth back frō her al euil hurtful things and this is comprised in ver 15 both which graces Christ performeth to his church by his word the ministers thereof who are his seruants appointed to y ◠purpose as 2. Cor. 4. 5. But let vs come to the words as they lie It is the voice of my welbeloued These wordes are spoken as though while the bride slept the bridegrome had gone abroad some whither and as though she had bene sodainly waked made meruellous glad by the voice of her spouse returning backe againe q. d. Certainly it is my spouses voice wherin I much reioyce al this while I did but dream it or imagine it so to bee as when straunge thinges and vnlooked for come to passe we can hardly be perswaded at the first that they are so as Psalme 126 1 But now I perceiue of a trueth it is not his voice indeed Behold him q. d. I woulde haue you that are my freendes and welwillers to bee perswaded of this as well as I for I take that she speaketh these wordes to them He commeth leaping vpon these mountaines skipping vppon these hilles These wordes of leaping and skipping do not onely note his great speede and hair to succour and comforte his churche which is also set out in the nexte Verse by the similitude of Roes and Hindes but the other wordes also of Mountaynes and Hilles doe meruelously expresse his singular loue as though the Churche shoulde saye the daunger of the iorneye the hardnesse of the waye neyther anye thing else as mans power aydes and such like can hinder him from comming to me to comfort mee in my distresses And that mountaines and hilles are so vsed may appeare Isa 40. 3. Verse 9 My beloued is like a Roe or a hindes calfe The Church meaneth by these wordes to declare how swift and speedy Christe is to comfort and succour her We our selues knowe by experience that Roes and hindes bee very swift footed but besides our owne knowledge wee haue the warrant of the word as Psalm 18. 33 beholding him standing behinde our wall As though the church should say It is a wonderfull thing be standeth by mee and is present with me sooner then I can speake And when she sayth standing behinde our wall I thinke by Wall she meaneth Gods goodnesse and the promises and
him into my mothers house and into the inner chamber of her that conceiued me 5 I charge you by an oth O yee daughters of Ierusalem tarrye abroade with the Roes or with the hindes of the fielde stirre not vp neither awake this loue till he will himselfe 6 Who is she that would come vp out of the wildernes as it were perfumed with the liftinges vp of smoake perfumed with myrrh and incense better then all the fine powder of the Apothecary 7 Behold his bed which is better then that that is Solomons about which stand threescore mightie men of the mighty men of Israell 8 All taking hold of the sword are expert in warre euery one is gyrded with his swoorde vppon his thigh for feare euery night 9 Yea better then the bed which king Solomon prepared for him selfe of the trees of Lebanon 10 Whose pillers be made of siluer and that that was layd vppon it of golde whose couering was purple coloured the inwardes wherof were as iâ— were paued with loue by the Damosels of Ierusalem 11 O yee damsels of Sion come foorth and beholde king Solomon with the crown which his mother prouided for him in the day of his betrothinges and in the day of the gladnes of his hart THough in this song it maye be that all the chapters thereof do not hang and depende one vpon an other by reason that some thinges were sayde and done at one time and in one place and some at an other time and in an other place yet for the knitting of this with the former this me thinketh may be noted that hauing before declared what passed in the daye season or els when the day was very nigh and that while they were togeather in the country as it were the church doth now declare the matters and speeches had in the night and in the citie as may plainly appeare by the two first verses 1 The chapter I take it may be deuided into two partes In the first the church setteth out the great desire that shee hath to take holde of Christe and to possesse him which appeareth in this that by daye by night at home and abroad in the countrey and in the citie she is wonderfully inflamed with his loue and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 5. 2 In the other she doth as it were correct her selfe desiring rather that hee shoulde take hold of her and that she might abyde with him than he with her where vpon shee entreth into a commendation of his glorye sweetnes c. not onely comparing it with Solomons but preferring it before it and that by manye degrees and this reacheth from verse 6. vnto the end of the chapter Verse 1. In my bedde These are the churches words testifiyng her hunger and thirst after her spouse that in these places and at these times wherein menne giue them selues to their pleasures and rest her soule was tossed and troubled with seeking yea and longing after him whom his soule loued And it woulde be marked that she sayth not onely one night but sundry nights testifiyng her continuance and earnellnesse in this holy hunger and most assured loue to which also appertayneth the dubbling of the word seeking him expressing thereby her earneste affection These wordes whom my soule loueth are expounded before chapter 1. 7. In sum the church vsing this Periphrasis instead of a proper name doth nothing els but expresse the force of his loue and the earnestnes thereof Now where she addeth when I had found him that is when I did not sufficiently perceiue him to bee present with me according to my hartes desire for els Christ is neuer absent from his church but continually present therewith as appeareth Math. 28. 20. True it is that in our vnderstanding to the iudgement of the Church Christ seemeth either to be altogeather absent or els not verye nigh but howsoeuer it be this is the truth that He that keepeth Israell will neither slumber nor sleep Psal 121. 4. But y e Godlye are most greeued with this assault in the time of persecutions trialls troubles sorowes c. Which also may be signified by the word night in this place as it seemeth to be taken Iob. 17. 12. It followeth I sayd vz. to my selfe for al these are the words of the Church speaking vnto herself as it were declaring the consultations which she had with her selfe and resoluing what shee were best to do Verse 2. I will now rise vp q. d. I will delaye it no longer nowe I am resolued diligentlye and carefully to seeke him yea leauing my bed and naturall rest to the ende I maye finde him And I will go about the City vz. to seeke him q. d. I will leaue no place vnsought which also may appeare by the particulers following of streetes and open places I will seeke him vz. with great diligence and earnestnesê whome my soule loueth see verse 7. of the first chapter but seeking him I haue not found him The spouse expresseth these wordes sorrowfully not so much for the paines she tooke as that she could not meet with him whom she so tenderly loued and carefully sought And when she sayth shee founde him not she meaneth so sufficiently as she would and as her heart desired as may appear also by ver 1. of this chapter for the better vnderstanding of these wordes in this place read the notes there for they serue also fitly for the purpose Verse 3. I sayd vnto the watchmen The church meaneth by this manner of speech that she neyther dissembled her loue towardes Christe nor feared to demand euery one that she meetes no though they were publique rulers or preachers for that it is as I thinke she meaneth by watch men Ezech. 33. 2. concerning Christ her husband but that she did openly declare her vnfeyned loue towards him for which see chap. 2. 5. that go about the city she speaketh this according to the custome of men or townes of warre who besides that they haue standing or set watches for euery corner or quarter of their citye haue also certain cheefe men appoynted for their authority and faithfulnesse continually to go from one place to another to oueruew the rest and to see that they are faythful in the charges committed vnto them They finding me that is when they had found me going about the city by the streetes and open places thereof as vers 2. Haue you seene him She speaketh to such as perhaps knewe him not neither by name nor by face though indeede they should haue beene well acquainted with him but such is the force of earnest loue that it many times maketh men beleeue that others know them whome they like of though they do not Whom my soul loueth See this expounded chap. 1. 7. Verse 4. I had but a little passed by from them The Church declareth not what comfort or counsell shee had at the watch-mens handes which perhaps was little or
likewise with all earnestnes to obtaine them Also it teacheth vs to be watchful painfull in the places wherein God hath put vs least otherwise thorow negligence we offend his Maiestye wound our soules and hurt and hazard them whom god hath set vs ouer Verse 4. Teacheth vs that if we be not faynt harted we shall surelye finde in that time that God hath appoynted with him selfe from before all times the good thinges we long for and seek after See Galath 6. 9. Also that when we haue found them we should labour continually to reteine them with vs least otherwise letting them goe or not setting by them we be made voyde of excuse as in respect of our knowledge and so our latter end be worse then the beginning See Math. 12. 43. 44. Also 2. Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22. Verse 5. Teacheth euery one to haue care and conscience that neither in perswasion nor practize they do any thing to grieue or displease the Lorde Christe and to cause him to depart for a time either from the whole church or the particular members thereof for besides that it is a grieuous transgression to contemne him and so great graces as he bringeth with him it carryeth with it also the eternall destruction of our soules Verse 6. Teacheth vs that Gods children are and should be alwayes willing and contented to depart from all thinges for the gayning of Christ For if they make more account of the thinges of this life they are not fit for him as he him selfe plainely telleth vs. Math. 10. 37. Reuel 14. 26. Secondlye that howsoeuer the thinges that God gyueth vs in this life are of them selues good yet that they are euill when they hinder vs from approching to our sauiour and that therefore we should so vse the world as though we vsed it not 1. Cor. 7. 31. and no further then as thereby we may be furthered in the assured feeling of Christe and eternall blessednesse thorow him Verse 7. Teacheth vs to preferre things that be indeed good yea thinges that are the best indeed and that we shoulde not be deceiued with a vaine shew of thinges appearing to bee that which they are not See Phillip 4. 8. Secondly that strength of bodye and courage of hart is a thing not to be dispised but greatly esteemed rather as a notable meane that the Lorde hath bestowed vppon men both for the iust defence of them selues and of other oppressed Prouided alwayes that they doe not as Lamech or Nimrod abuse to pryde in them selues or tyranny towardes other or to roioyce in the same against the Lorde because the Lorde will not haue y e Strong man glory in his strength Ier. 9. 23. But let him that gloryeth glory in this that hee vnderstandeth and knoweth the Lorde Thirdlye that it is a notable thing for Princes and men of might to haue godlye and faithfull men about them for their guarde because it is impossible that any man shoulde euer be soundlye and continually trustye to an other that is not vnfaynedly seased with the loue and reuerence of God Verse 8. Teacheth vs this much y t euerye one taking any charge vppon them and therefore particularly such as haue the guarde and keeping of other mens persons shoulde not onelye bee men of valure and courage for if they haue no more but that they maye easely runne into rage and rashenesse but also that they should be well qualified for knowledge and skill least otherwyse they maye thorowe ignoraunce indaunger both them selues and the personnes committed vnto them yea that they shoulde be alwayes ready for feare of daungerous inconue niences and afterclaps continually to stand vppon their watch Tower for the faithfull discharge of their duties both towards themselues and others Vers 9. and 10. Teache vs that great and mighty personages may haue and vse very costly and sumptuous things both because the Lord hath therefore ordayned them and their estate wherevnto likewise the Lorde hath aduaunced them doth requyre the same For in as much as preferment commeth not from the East nor from the West but that it is the Lord that keepeth some low and aduanceth othersome whom he will the Lorde by that preferment sheweth that it is his purpose that mightye men shoulde haue the moste large and liberall allowaunce of all his creatures because he hath as it were put them in possession of the same and indued them with moste excellent meanes for the atchieuing thereof Notwithstanding alwayes they muste take heede that they abuse them not either in wastefulnes for then they shall aunswere it to y e Lord or for ostentation as Ezechias did Isaiah 38. for that is against charity and the Lord that hath set them vpp maye pull them downe and aduaunce others according to his good pleasure Verse 11. Teacheth vs that euen those in the church that seeme to be moste forwarde had yet notwithstanding need not onelye to bee tolde of their duties but euen to be exhorted and prouoked to imbrace the best thinges Wherevnto also they should be incouraged not onely by reason of the remainders of dulnesse and heauines which thorow corruption of nature cleaue faste vnto them but also by the excellencye of the good thinges set before them speciallye Christe him selfe and the fulnes of all goodnes in him who is as a treasure of good thinges that neuer can be wasted of whose fulnesse we haue all receiued euen grace for grace who though he giue all his church and euery member thereof aboundaunce of blessinges hath yet notwithstanding neuer a whit the lesse in him selfe CHAP. 4. and the summe thereof Christ the spouse or husbande of the church greatlye commendeth the perfection thereof and highly extolleth the pleasantnes of her speeches the sweet sauor of her ornamentes faithfulnes dutyes and fruites 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Which when the Church heareth and perceiueth shee againe on the other side doth not onely confesse that all the good thinges she hath were wrought in hir by Christ but taketh also therby an occasion more more to cōmend him and to request him continually to be present with her and to do her good whervnto also Christ consenteth vers 15. 16. 17. 1 BEholde thou art fayre my loue beholde thou art fayre thine eyes are like the doues among thy lockes of hayre thine hayre is like the flock of goates which looke downe from the mountain of Gilead 2 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheep of equal proportion which goe vppe from the washing all which bring out twinnes and there is none barren amongest them 3 Thy lips are like a threed of skarlet and thy talke is comely thy temples among thy lockes are as a peece of a Pomegranate 4 Thy necke is as the tower of Dauid built for defence a thousand shieldes hang therein all the tergates of the mighty men 5 Thy two breastes are as two young roes that are twinnes feeding amongest
the beds and the plants therin c. but by saying that it was shut vp he noteth that it did not ly open to the stranger yea that no man coulde come vnto it but by his sufferaunce and appointment And as a fountaine sealed vp vz. that no man can come to or haue thereof and this tendeth to the same ende that the former similitude Al being spoken according to the manner of that country wherein water was not onely skant and therfore a good blessing to haue water but also ther was much a doe to keepe it to them selues see Genes 21. 25. Also Genes 26 17. 18. 19 c. Verse 13. Thy plantes that is all that is planted and set in thee are as an Orcharde of Pomegranates that is are verye deare and precious yea very healthfull and good for all these as we know by experience belong to pomegranates With sweet fruites that is abounding with other sweete fruites and profitable thinges besides Pomegranates some particulars whereof he reckoneth in this verse and in the verse following As of the Cipres tree See this expounded before chapter 1. 14. With Nard An other particular thing of good sauor and sweet smelling no doubt but it was very costly also See Mark 14 3. Also Iohn 12. 3. and groweth in India Syria and other places there about Verse 14. Euen nard This is spoken of already and saffron a thing well knowne to euery one of vs to bee profitable and precious Calamus There are of this kinde of calamus or reed diuers sortes as the Herbaxians doe well inough know It is moste likely he meaneth it of that which is called Calamus Aromaticus or odoratus for the excellent smell it had and was wont to be brought out of Arabia Felix into Iudea was appoynted to be vsed in the confection of the holy oyle Exo. 30. 23. And Sinamome This is a thing well known to vs to be far fet and of great price and excellencie With all the trees of incense that is all trees bearing incense or matter that yeeldeth a sweet smell or sauour whereof also he reciteth two afterwardes in this verse Myrrh For this see chap. 1. 13. And Aloes This is a certaine kinde of sweete and precious wood and smelleth well both it and myrrhe togeather as appeareth Psalm 45. 8. and is forcible against putrification in which respect they vsed to annoynte dead bodies with it as appeareth Iohn 19. 30. 40. for Aloes see Num. 24. 6. With all the best of the spices that is with al most costly sweet and precious thinges and all this tendeth to the commendation of the Church after this sort that as those Gardens be most excellent and worthye after a sort to bee beloued and esteemed that haue the moste rare best and precious thinges growing in them so these excellent graces and fruites of the Church doo commend the same to God and men and make the Lord Iesus as a man would say inamoured with the loue thereof Many men do more curiouslie then needeth according to the seueral proprieties of the matters mentioned applie them to the Church It is inough that generally we know that by al these things are ment the gifts and graces wherwith the Church is beautyfied and adorned euen as a plentifull and pleasaunt Garden with infinite numbers of rare and pleasant simples as they call them or fruites wherby she is made commēdable spreading her fame far wide insomuch y t therof Christ her husband is euē as it were rauished with her loue hauing yet notwithstanding nothing of her owne to moue him to that affection but all y t she hath be stowed vpon her frō him See to this end a large discourse Ezech. 16. thorowe out almost Ver. 15 O fountain of the gardens Heere beginneth the second part of this chapter the Church speaking vnto Christ singularly commending him in this verse q. d. I humbly acknoweledge the thinges to be in me that thou hast said howbeit I confesse that they are not of my self but from thee who art the authour and giuer of all good thinges and though that I do perform the dutie of a fountaine towardes mine yet thou art hee to whome indeede the name of fountaine and liuing waters yea of life it selfe doth onelie appertaine yea thou art that onely fountaine and I do but water others as from thee O well of liuing waters The church meaneth by this word continuall waters such as cannot be drawen drie see Gen. 26. 19. meaning yet notwithstanding vnder these earthly waters heauenly and eternal graces of which our sauiour Christ Ioh 7. 8. saith that out of his belly that beleeueth in him shal flow riuers of water of life And in another place namely Ioh. 4. 14. He that drinketh of the water that Christe shall gyue him shall neuer thirste anye more but that water shallbe in him a well of water springing into euerlasting life And such as flow from Lebanon She procedeth stil in y e cōmendaciō of the excellency of her spouse most pure clear water cam from Lebanon yea Iorden it selfe watering the land of Israell came after a sorte from thence no doubt but the water of Lebanon tasted of that sweetnesse that is mentioned before verse 11. of this chapter Euen as we see by experience that the waters that come out of the hilles of some of y e Ilands of Molucca taste of the Sinamome Cloues c. that grow there In summe shee commendeth Christ for the plentye of spiritual graces in him and the conueiyng of them ouer to other in that shee calleth him the fountaine of the gardens Secondly for the perpetuity of the graces in that shee calleth him the well of liuing waters and thirdly for the sweetnesse and pleasauntnesse of the same in that shee resembleth him to the most sweet and pleasaunt waters flowing from Lebanon Vers 16. Arise O north The wordes of the Church intreating graces of her head and husband Christ to make her fruitfull withall It is a notable turning of her speech to the windes and quarters of the world attributing sence vnto thinges without life which also is common to Poets and louers speciallye in their louesonges He meaneth first the north quarter because it is cold and moyst as beeing farre remoued from the sunne and this he speaketh as hauing regard to the daye and hotte country of the land of Iudea And come O south This quarter is hot and drye hee ioyneth them togeather that so there beeing a good mixture made of them both extreemity of cold or continuance of heat might not worke barrennesse And no doubt but vnder these quarters and a good and equal mixture of them both she meaneth Christ and all the members he hath and vseth to make his church fruitfull who graunteth the vse of such sundrye sortes of ayre to make his garden fruitfull and withall manye times by the contrarye course of the windes purgeth the ayre and giueth sometimes cleare
and sometimes dropping seasons as maye serue moste for the commoditye of his ground or garden Blow on my garden that is euen as it were by blastes or blowing from sundry quarters worke that which thou seest to bee good and profitable for me For it is a request hauing a regard to the former comparison of the windes and Christ togeather It is somewhat darke in that the church calleth the church her garden but shee doth it not as hauing any thing of her selfe For whatsoeuer ornaments flowers plants c. she hath shee hath it from Christe but by reason of the nigh coniunction which is betwixt Christ and his church shee beeing flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones Ephes 5. 30. yea and the titles of the one and the other being indifferently attributed to the one and the other As 1. Cor. 12. 12. where the church is called by y e name of Christ That the spices thereof may flow out By spices she meaneth all maner of graces and by flowing out she meaneth continuall aboad and increase in the same so that we see to what end the Church desireth graces for Christe vz. that shee in her seuerall members may bee yet more and more fruitfull Iohn 15. 2. Let my beloued come to his garden An another petition containing the crauing of Christes presence meaninge that shee would haue him come and dwell in her euen as he had promised verse 6. of this chapter And eate the fruit of his sweetenesses The ende of the prayer of the churche vz. that Christe might receiue glory and profite by the graces giuen vnto the same And that worde sweetenesses in the plurall number serueth to two endes to wit to expresse the aboundance of Gods graces and also to denote and set out the excellency of the same Vers 17. I am come into my Garden q. d. Now at y e length I haue yeelded vnto thy request to come more fauorably plainly vnto thee thā before For no doubt but he was continually present though the church either felt it not or hee himself did not so fully manifest y e same My sister my spouse This is expounded alredy ver 9. of this chap. I gathered my myrrh with my spice y t is such pleasant delightfull fruits as y u diddest yeeld did indeed belong vnto me I did eat mine hony comb with my hony He meaneth y t he receiued y e fulnes of fruit from the church namely y t as hee had the hony so likewise he had the honicombe I did drinck my wine with my milke that is both the wine the milk y t did belong to me vnder these seuerall sortes hee meaneth still the sweet pleasaunt and profitable fruites that the church did yeelde vnto him declaring heereby that he did moste fauourablye accept the woorkes of his church and that hee was much more delighted therewith than any man is or can be in gathering most sweete smelling herbes and spices or in eating hony yea though he eat it so greedely that he do with all deuour the combe or in drinking the beste wine and purest milke by which no doubt he meaneth the worde of God and the doctrine of the church as we haue heretofore noted the same because that as wine so it maketh the hart merry and as sincere milke it nourisheth yea and strengtheneth the infirme or weake Eat O friendes vz. of mine hony and hony comb Drincke vz. of my milke and wine And be filled therewith O welbeloued that is drincke plentifully of the same by which we see that he compareth the fellowship and coniunction that is betweene him and the church vnto a banquet or feast q. d. take the same fruite that I haue of the church and be delighted therin and satisfied therwith as it were with most sumptuous banquets or daintie dishes So plentifull and kind harted is the lord y t he can not keep his ioy with in himselfe but stirreth vp his friends companions to eat and drincke and reioyce with him meaning thereby speciallye the ministers of his word because God vseth them as his cōpanions in the aduauncement of the worke of mans saluation and generally all the faithfull who shall be fellow heyres with Christ Vers 1. Teacheth vs that as the beauty of the church generallye shoulde cause vs to loue and like the same so particularly the faithfull Pastors performing their dutie and the holy multitude of Gods people they should make vs most to affect and commend the same For if Christ the head and souse thereof bee carried away euen to the loue and liking yea and to the commendation thereof also with the beholding of those graces who yet notwithstanding as in respect of him selfe needeth not them or to regard them how much more should we do it who need not onely these things for our owne stay but by commending the church or imbracing it doe greatly prouide for our owne good thereby Vers 2. Teacheth what a iust composition and order there ought to be obserued in the church and the holye gouernement thereof and that to these two endes especially namely that Christe might take a singular delight and pleasure therin all thinges beeing there perfourmed decently in order according to y e generall rule of the Apostle 1. Cor. 14. 40. and that his people by the same might be builded vp in all holines and righteousnesse euerye day more then other and in all reuerend regarde of that holy fellowship that maintayneth so right and good a course of holy gouernment Vers 3. Teacheth vs that there is nothing in the church that may or ought to make vs more in loue with the same than the holy exercises vsed there and particularly the exercises of preaching and prayer For as by the one God begetteth vs againe to him selfe thorow the incorruptible seed of the word 1. Pet. 1. 23. which is his effectuall instrument to saue all them that beleeue Rom. 1. 16 so by the other rightly performed he prouideth for his own glory while he is called vpon in faith Rom. 10. 14. And for our good giuing vs the meanes and grace to vse the same whereby we are to lay our needes before him and to obtayne such things as we shal aske according to his will in the name of his sonne Christ Iohn 16. 23. Verse 4. Doth notably paint out vnto vs the great glorye and wonderfull strength of the church of God which we are to set as on the one side against all weaknes of our owne so against all malice and power of the wicked our sauiour telling vs that The gates of hell shall not preuaile against it Math. 16. 18. And the Apostle naming it the piller and ground of the truth 1. Timot. 3. 15. what meane weake ones then for feare or sauour in the dayes of persecution to fall away from it Or the wicked in such rage fury to set them selues againste it seeing that al their labor is lost that
ver 16. and the aunswere in the two last verses the occasion both of the one and of the other was that vehement charge that the Church giueth her freends in the seuenth vers both concerning the spouse him selfe and the place where they should finde him Verse 1. l slept These are the churches words declaring what befell her in the night season while she slept q d. I was very sleepy and heauy yea my fayth seemed thorow drowsinesse and sleepe to be as it were oppressed howbeit yet it was neuer ouercome or vtterly put out for indeed it cānot 1. cor 4. 8. 9. 1. Ioh. 5. 4. which also may appeare by the words following in that she addeth but mine heart waketh meaning thereby that howsoeuer shee were ouertaken in the outward man or corruption of nature as you woulde say and the members thereof yet shee could not but in her heart and regenerated affection thinke vpon her head and spouse It is the voice of my welbeloued vz. that I suppose or I am sure I heare She speaketh as if it were one that being waked out of sleepe or slumber shold say that it was such or such a one that called or spake many also beeing so well acquainted with men that they can certainly as it were discerne them by their wordes That knocketh saying She heard not onely a bare sound but obserued the matter Open vnto me These things are spoken after the manner of earthly louers who come in the night season somtimes to visit their freendes and prouoke them as it were by fayre speeches to open vnto them when they knocke to which end also tende all these seuerall titles rmentioned in this verse Of Christes knocking and the church her opening see Reuel 3. 20. My Sister See this expounded chapter 4. 9. My loue that is one whom I doe most tenderly loue see cha 1. 9. My doue see this expounded before chap. 2. 14. My perfect one This title is attributed to the church not as though shee had perfection in this life or of her selfe but because she looketh for it in the life that shall be reuealed and because her heade hath perfection and ther is a most straight cōiunction between him and her therfore it may after a sort be attributed vnto her Some interpret this worde vndefiled but indeede it doth moste commonly and moste properly signifye perfect and sounde And the church doth most liuely expresse this speeche of Christs cōming vnto her euen the more greatly to encrease by the recitall thereof the foulnesse of her fact and offence committed q. d hee spake so kindly fauourably and gloriously of me yea he did so carefully prouoke me to embrace him and his trueth as if his owne businesse and affayres had beene in hand and not mine And therefore I cannot chuse but accuse my self the more for y t I haue not profited by so louing and mercifull a calling It followeth For my heade is full of dew A reason why he would haue the dore opened be let in vz because hee had refused no hurt or incōmodity but vndertooke al for y ◠good of the church y e cold dews of the night specially in those hotte countries were neither good nor wholsom for y e people And my locks with the drops of the night A sine description of the dew he persisting in the self same metaphore begun proceeding from the head to y e hair they also esteeming very much in those countries the locks of their hair But by both these similituds Christ noteth one thing namely y t he had stood as a watchman y t not one night but many nightes waiting to haue entrance cold haue none ye y e he had stood not as in a cōmaunding maner hauing his head armed or couered but as one y t wold intreat her bareheaded to be let in could not yet preuaile Ver. 2. I answered As y e church had before set out Christes great loue to aggrauate her transgression so here she describeth her own froward dealing y t by y e meanes also her iniquity might become more great grieuous I haue put of from me my coat y t is my garments apparell is of I am ready as it were to go to bed How should I put it on q. d. There is no reason I should so doe nowe I haue washed my feete howe should I defile them q. d. I will not come vpon the foul ground to defile my feete that I haue made so cleane neither is there any reason seeing they are clean already that they should be defiled againe Both y e similitudes tend to one purpose vz to expresse the deniall of the church in opening to Christ to let him in For euen as they that be vndressed are both to put on their clothes againe till morning that they must needes rise as they y t haue washed their feete are vnwilling to foul them many times alledge these thinges for excuses y t so they may y t more safely neglect their duties euen so doth the church here Those y t vnderstād by putting of her garments the renouncing of the old man by washing of her feet y e sanctificatiō of her affections are greatly deceiued for the more she had either of y e one or of the other the nearer she was to Christe and the more soon she might haue entertained him but the true and naturall sense is as before In sum she meaneth y t she reasoned to fro in her hart y t her faith did gretly wauer ye y t her own weaknes did so far preuail with her as not only to thinke but to say y t shee could not without some pain of clothing her self again or without som hurt by y e cold if she came without her apparel or w tout some discōmodity by fouling her faire feet as she thought rise vp and to open the dores and let Christ in yea vnwise as shee was shee more esteemed so small a discommodity in doing and executing of her duty then the vnspeakable pleasures shee might haue had by Christ who willingly for her sake had taken vpon him many inconueniences and hurtes Verse 3. My welbeloued put down his hand from the hole vz. of the locke of the dore which he had layd hold of as it were thinking indeed to haue had entraunce there but hearinge my vnkinde speech departed for it is the purpose of y e church here still to aggrauate hir owne sinne shewing that she gaue Christe no lesse occasion to goe away then if men shoulde deale vncurteously or vnkindly with their best freendes standing at their dores and knocking to be let in And my bowels were mooued touching him vz after that he was gone meaning that then she begun to bee moued in her minde and troubled in her selfe and after a sorte to repent her of it but then it was too late All which tendeth still to amplify her transgression in that she
things my soule set me vpō the chariots of my free people so that I said 10 Returne return O Shulamite return returne that we maye behold thee What shall you see in that Shulamite Euen as a company of tentes 11 O how beautifull are thy feet with these shewes Oh thou daughter of the Prince The ioynts of thy thyes are like iewels the worke of the hande like a cunning workman 12 Thy nauell is as a round cup it shal not want liquor thy belly is as a heape of wheat compassed about with lilies 13 Thy two brestes are like two yong roes that are the twins of a roebucke 14 Thy necke is like a towre of Iuorye thine eyes are like the fish pooles in Heshbon by the gate of Batherabbin thy nose is like the towre of Lebanon that looketh vpon the face of Damasec 15 Thy head vpon thee is as Carmell and the bush of thy head is as purple the king may be tyed in the rafters 19 How fayre art thou And how pleasaunt art thou O my my loue in these pleasures 17 This thy stature is like a palme tree and thy brestes like clusters 18 I sayd I will goe vp into the Palme tree I will take hold of her bowes thy brestes shall now be like the clusters of the vine and the sauour of thy nostrils like apples 19 And the roofe of thy mouth like the best wine which goeth streight to my welbeloued and causeth the lippes of the auncient to speake AS in the former chapter and specially towards the end thereof the church had very highly commended Christe her head and spouse and that not only to stir vp others in soundnesse of loue to imbrace him that was so excellent but also to rais vp and increase the feruency of her affection towarde him so in this chapter Christe againe on the other side doth likewise notably praise her not onely thereby to expresse his harty goodwill towardes her and to let her vnderstand that no loue or commendation bestowed vppon him is lost but that it shalbe required to the full but also to drawe on others in a sounde minde to ioyne them selues vnto her whome hee both so tenderly loueth and highly magnifieth In this chapter wherein Christe comforteth and confirmeth the Church being tossed too and fro with doubtings least Christ for his vnkindenesse should vtterly depart frō hir running vp and down to seeke her head and spouse In this chapter I say ther are are three especiall points propounded vnto vs. In the first because in the other chapter the church was full of mourning griefe and sicknes for her negligence and carelesnesse towardes him hee comforteth her and assureth her that notwithstanding the same she is and shall be as deare vnto him as euer shee was before which thing also that shee mighte be the better perswaded of he doth yeelde her a large and vnfained commendation and this is contained in the seuen first verses In the second he setteth out the earnest and vehement desire he had to haue the mariage betweene him and the church finished and this is comprised in one verse onely to wit the eight verse In the thirde part he declareth his good will and harty affection towardes the Churche by a notable commendacion of her promising as it were his continuall presence and aboade with her euen vntill the day of marriage so that she shall not need any more to bee discomforted by his departure from verse 9. to the end of the chapter In which third part notwithstanding Christ propoūdeth foure speciall thinges The first is that Christe declareth what councell hee tooke when he perceiued that that time of the marriage which was hoped and looked for was not yet come Verse 9. Secondly hee earnestlye calleth the Church to come back againe and to return vnto him she in her seeking hauing as it were ouergone him Verse 10 Thirdly there is a notable description of the former beauty and gorgeousnesse of the church verse 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. And lastlye a promise made to the churche for the faithfull and assured performance of all duties towards her vntill the mariage shal be fully consummate and ended ver 18. 19. And this much beeing sayde both for the connexion and diuision of the chapter into his cheefe partes members we come nowe to the sense of the wordes of the text as they lye Vers 1. Thou art beautifull my loue Christ meeting with the church that laboured and sought to finde him doth after the maner of louers bewraying his great affections maruailously commend the Churche for her excelent beutie All which things as they must be spiritually vnderstood so wee must know that all the glory she-hath how great or how litle soeuer yt bee shee hath it from Christ her spouse So that he doth nothing as it were but commend his own graces in her yet these thinges are not deliuered without cause whether we respecte Christ or y e Church it selfe or others If we respect Christ it propoundeth vnto vs the manifestation of his vnfained and continual loue towards the church if we regarde others it is done to make them in loue and lykinge towardes the Churche which Christ himselfe loueth so tenderly and so highly commendeth if we respect the Church it is don for her comfort q. d. Thinck not that that goodly beuty of thine is decaied or that I haue caste from mee thy loue and lyking by reason of thy former discurtesies and negligences I am not so scornefull and dysdainfull as to thincke thee deformed for that spottes sake thou hast sufficiently washed it a waye with thy teares and repentaunce Wherefore as I said before chap. 4 1. 2. c. So euen nowe I affirme the same still thy fauoure and beutie is moste acceptable and delightfull to mee And Christe doubleth this because it is hard for the Church and the members thereof to beleeue the Worde at the first and specially the worde of promise and then chiefely when wee regarde our euill dealing with the Lorde and oure multiplying of it againste him As tyrtzah It is the name of a moste pleasaunt Citie in the coastes of Israell scituated vppon the riuer Euphrates where after that the kingdome of Israell was rent from the house of Dauid Hieroboam placed as it shoulde seeme his kingly pallace Of this Citie you maye reade 1. Kinges 14. 17. also 15. 21. and 16. 6. c. Neither doubt I but that it had the name giuen it of pleasauntnes beeing deriued of a worde that signifieth to accept or like of because it did by the pleasauntnes and beutie thereof drawe all men as it were to the lykinge thereof Comely as Ierusalem For the beautie and glorye of this Cytie besides that wee haue the commendation of the word it being called therin the praise of the worlde Isaiah 62. 7. See also Psalm 122. 3. Yt did euen as forraine wryters recorde not onelie in beautie and comelynesse
glorious shew at which time shee seemeth a very beautifull and fayre creature indeed Pure as the sunne He meaneth not onely simply and of it selfe as the sunne hath not her light from any other but glorious also and full of wonderful maiesty so in Christes transfiguration it is sayde that his face did shine as the sunne Math. 17. 2. and Reuel 1. 16. it is sayd that his face shonne as y e sun shineth in his strength In a word vnder these speeches the holy Ghost woulde not onely note the growth of y e church by comparing it to the morning but the excellency glory of it by resembling it to the moone yea to the sunne the most excellent and glorious of all the heauenlye creatures that we doe beholde And terrible as an armie with many ensignes This is largelye expounded before in the first verse of this chapter Ver. 8. I came down to the fair dressed gardē Many turn it the garden of nuts with what reason let thē see This rather standeth both w t the etimology of y e hebrue word as good expositors note also more agreeth with the circumstance of the place because afterwardes he mentioneth vines pōgranates such like with which mē are wōt to plant their gardens not w t nut trees which besides y t they are cēmō euery wher to be had are of no precious accoāt or estimation I omit y e mistical reasons y t the iewes alledge why they thēselues shold be cōpared to nuts as ful of childish toyes and conceites No doubt but for the clearing of the sense this is to bee noted as before that heere beginning the seconde parte of the chapter in which Christe laboureth to comfort his church he sayth that he did not of lothsomnesse or wrath depart from her but rather of a very earnest desire that he had to finish y e same most holy mariage that therefore indeede hee went away for a while y t so he might be y e more assured of the time And in y t he resembleth the church to a fayre dressed garden he speaketh after the maner of mē who in y e beginning of y e spring prune purge dresse ther gardens orchards y t so it may bear more fruit when he saith he cāe down to the same he speaketh y t also according to y e maner of men who in the summer time come to see how their hādy works thriue and prosper so y t al is as much q. d. Thou shouldest not haue bin dismaide O church y ◠I departed frō thee for therin I dealt but with thee as good gardeners vine-dressers deal w t their orchards gardens vineyards who cōming perhaps before y t time of fruit to look for fruit finding none depart not for euer but til another more conuentēt season when they may receiue fruit And besides y t this agreeth wel w t christs purpose q. d. think not not y t I wil any more lose my labour cost bestowed vpō thee then owners of their gardēs orchards y e words folowing also in this ver do help to strengthen vphold this sense To behold the green plants of the vally y t is things newly plāted set to see also how they did thriue grow he vseth y e word vally which in y e hebrue tong signifieth both a riuer a brooke a vally also thorow which a riuer or brook did or might run because men commōly plant ther as which they take to be more plētiful fruitful To see whither the vine florished the pomgranates budded By 2. wordes he meaneth one thing namely y t as men look not onely to see the growth of their grifts plants but also their fruits whither they were then ripe so he did wait whether y t time appointed for y e mariage were come wherof also he had forerunning signes euen as the flourishing of y e vine budding of pomgranates were tokens of y e spring past of the sommer comming on See for this purpose cap. 7. 3. of this book Which order course our sauior him self obserueth Mat. 24. 32. see also for this end purpose Isa 5. 1. 2 Vers 9 When I perceiued not these thinges Vz. The Vine to flowrish the Pomgranate to bud c. Which are mentioned ver 8. meaning therby that when he perceiued the time of the mariage was not yet come as men know y ◠summer is not come when these thinges sprout not out to which also may be added that when hee perceiued howe greeuously the churche tooke his absence then My soule my louing affection and tender hart for now hee goeth about to declare what councell hee tooke when he perceiued that the long looked for time of mariage was not yet come namely that he made great hast backe againe as it were to comfort his Church which he expresseth by the metaphors following Set mee vpon the chariots that is yeelded mee good and sure meanes to bee caried neither doth hee onely note hereby the meanes of his comming to the Churche but in the wordes following the speede that he made Of my free people q. d. As they they that be willing and free hearted people do the things that they doe cheerefully and therefore also with more expedition and speede then others so came I cheerefully and with a readye minde after I had once resolued vppon the matter to see comfort the churche for this free harted and willing people see Psal 110. 3 I know other giue other sences of these words but me thinketh this is moste plaine and simple So that I sayd As before hee had declared his purpose and resolution of his returning to the church to the great comfort of the same so now hee sheweth what hee spake when hee came to her Verse 10 Returne returne These are the wordes of Christe vnto the Churche who in seeking of him had as a man wold sai gone beyond him And this calling of her backe again is expressed vnto vs vnder the similitude of an earthly man who as it were a farre off whooteth and shouteth euen as lowd as he can by wordes and speech to bring such back as wander out of the right way O Shulamite No doubt but vnder this terme hee meaneth the church which some thinke signifieth made moste perfect thorough the eternall purpose and calling of her by God to himselfe Me thinketh also it may be deriued of Salem by which name Hierusalem was called in former time as appeareth See Psal 76. 2. Gens 14. 18. Heb. 7. 7. 1. 2. and though perhaps it may rather bee sayde Schelemite than Schulamite yet it may be of another forme as in the scripture we reade Schunanite of Schomem 2. King 4. 8. 12. And the rather I would referre it to Hierusalem because that worde is often vsed in the scripture for the church it self Returne returne This is no vayne
repetition but profitable to expresse Christes earnestnesse and vehement loue twardes the Churche and the saluation thereof as also to note howe hardly euen y e church it selfe is reclaimed from straiyng y t must haue so many so earnest cals to pul her back That we may behold thee Christ speaketh this in his owne name the name of his friends whom he had mentioned verse 9. before for hee woulde haue them also to bee partakers of the beauty and glory of the church this beeing spoken also according to earthlye customes as the bridegrome hath his friends whō he wold make partakers of the glory of his Bryde so the bryd hath hers whō she would be glad to haue beholders of hir excellency glorye likewise The brydes friends may be sayd to be all y t sound particular mēbers of the church whom shee woulde gladly haue not onely to behold but to be partakers of the maiestye and magnificence of Christ her head and spouse The Bridgromes friendes maye be sayde to bee the same not that they are friendes to Christe or his churche of nature but by grace whome he would haue to beholde the infinite riches and inward beauty of his church that they might in the holy loue of the same liue and dye therein Others thinke the friendes of Christ to be the holy angels but me thinketh the former shoulde bee better because Christe saith Iohn 15. 14. 15. that the faithful are his friends What shall you see in that Shulamite Christ turneth his speech vnto his friendes by asking of whom this question he mindeth not to bewraye in him selfe anye ignoraunce or doubting of the great graces that were to bee founde in the Church but the rather thereby to stirre them vp to bee faythfull beholders and witnesses of that great glorye which is in the church and which hee coulde not otherwise expresse but by a wondrous demaund made of it See verse 7. of this chapter Euen as a company of tentes It is an aunsweare to the former question which whether Christ make or his friendes we will not stand much vpon though we rather thincke that as Christe propounded the question so hee was beste able for his skill as beeing best acquainted with the graces of the church and readiest also for his good will to aunsweare and satisfie the same The meaning is to set out the excellent order glory and power of the church comparing the same to a comelye order of pitching of tents innumerable inuincible people in the same others turne it as y e company of Mahanaim q. d. you see how glorious the church it selfe is by y t which hath beene spoken before but if you woulde beholde with what a notable troupe it is accōpanied you shall doe well to cal to mind that notable number and that same ioyful day also wherin the people returning to Dauid did receiue him with y e great ioye cōfort of them all as he did comfortably entertaine them and all this was done at Mahanaim as appeareth 2. Samuel 19. but I leaue it to the godlye to approue whether hee liketh and listeth to receiue in truth they both tend to one end Verse 11. Oh howe beautifull are thy feete Christ reioyceth at this comming of the church nigh vnto him and his approching to her euen as one tht would say to his freend whome her hath not seen of a long season O howe good and excellent are these feete of thine that broughte vs now at the length to the beholding one of another For the phrase see Isai 52. 7. also Rom. 10. 15. And heere hee beginneth in a liuely descriptiō to commend the church in euery particular member euen as a man woulde say from the sole of the foote to the top of the heade With these shewes which thou meanest and which no doubt Christe as a loue-token bestowed vppon her This may be referred eyther to the ministers of the word or else to the sound affections of the Church which are sometimes signified by Feete as Eccles 4. 17. or to the good workes which the thurch is inabled to perform through Christe O thou Daughter of the Prince That is thou most noble and excellent Damosel who art as it were sprong from a moste famous and honourable stocke Thus Christ compareth the churche to suche because suche eyther are or shoulde bee according to their highe place more excellent then those of more base condition And thus wee see that the Church is thorough Christe become the Daughter of God almighty who gouerneth the whole earth and who maketh her famous noble and glorious by the giftes and graces of his holye spirite bestowed vppon her The ioynts of thy thies From y e feet he ascendeth vpward meaning as it may appeare by that which followeth that they were very cunningly and artificially made We muste imagine heere nothinge but spirituall namely that there was is a most cunning framing and making of the whole churche and all the partes of the same euery part hauing in it comelinesse beauty glorye strength Other turne it thus the compassing of thy thyes Meaning therby y e girdle wherwith she was girded which they did vse to weare in old time lower by much then we do euen vpon their thighes as it should seeme Psal 45. 3. Or about the Loyns as Math. 3. 4. But I thinke that the former so it bee soberly and chastly read and regarded is better and commeth neerer to the purpose of Christe who maketh heere as it were a speciall enumeration or recital of y e parts of the church Are like Iewelles That is very fine and costly if wee reade it as referring it to the girdle which in deed Brydes were wont and are yet accustomed to weare very sumptuous and fine otherwise neat and comely if we referre it to the thighs The worke of the hand of a cunning workman This is added to note the excellencye q. d. moste workmanly or cunninglye made euen like vnto iewelles that haue the moste cunninge and curious workmanshippe bestowed vppon them that canne bee Some vnderstande this of that spirituall begettinge of children which the churche continuallye bringeth foorth vnto Christe by the ministery of the worde and working of the spirite but I rather referre it to the strength beauty comlinesse of y e church it selfe the particuler members thereof Verse 12 Thy nauell is as a round cup. That is very comely and bewtiful to the shew as we see globe glasses or stāding cups made after y t fashiō are It shall not want liquor q. d. it shal alwaies be plentifull as a cup y t is full to the top see Psal 23. 5. Some read it thus Let not the liquor therof fail as though in earnest affection he had cried out or wished rather y t the womb of y e church compared to a round cup in which similitude he persisteth stil might neuer haue bin decaied or consumed rather but might alwaies haue bene
as the pors widowes pitcher of oyle mentioned 1. King 4. 2. 3. But mee thinketh the other is more simple Thy belly is as a heap of wheate that is most fruitful aboundant hauing great store like a wheat heape Compassed about with lillies q. d. Besides y t it is fruitfull it smelleth well and is most sweete as those places and things are y t are beset with Lillies There is ment vnder all this the great fruitfulnesse of the churche and y e plenty of Gods graces vpon the same furnishing it not onelye with aboundance of waters which in those hot cuntries were much drunke and very scarse but euen with aboundaunce of verye necessary and sweete foode meant by wheat set about with lillies all which Christ setteth forth here not only to expresse his own loue towards the church but as we haue sayd before to draw on other men to do the like Verse 13. Thy two breastes are like two young roes that is fresh and lusty whose milke is not consumed with age or yeares That are the Twins of a roebuck that is they are equall and euen one of them is not greater then another Equalitye in womens breastes that is to say when one of them exceedeth not another in greatnesse is a thing much set by amonst men and it is a comlinesse to women them selues let vs remooue hence all earthly thoughtes and applye this humain similitude to spirituall thinges See the words of this vers also expounded before cap. 4. 5. wher ther is but very litle differēce in words in sense none at al Christ vsing y t same ther as here in the cōmendation of his church sauing y t he descendeth frō y t highest to the lowest parts whereas here keeping another course he ascendeth from the lowest to the highest Ver. 14. Thy neck is like a tower of iuory By cōparing it to a tower he meaneth y t it was straite vpright by saying it was of iuory he meneth y t it was most white pure Before cha 4. ver 4 he cōpared it to the towre of Dauid built for defēce ther cōmēding it for y e strēgth therof here resēbling it to iuory be cōmēdeth y e beauty of it Some vnderstand hereby the Preachers of the word who indeed are aloft in the church and are in the same insteed of watch towres or towres of defence they beeing of notable equalitie and wonderfull concorde among them selues in whose doctrine also there is nothing but that which is vpright and euen nothing but that which is well polished and nothing but that which is sweet and pleasaunt Some think that amongest other notable workes which Solomon made he builded a towre of Iuory and that hee shoulde resemble the church thereto in this verse But for as much as y t standeth vppon no ground of the word and it seemeth in reason impossible for where shoulde men prouide so much iuorye I rather approoue of the former sense Thine eyes are like the fishpooles in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbin In that he resembleth the eyes of the church to fishpooles yea to the the fish-pooles in Heshbon he doth not onely note out the pleasauntnesse of the same as in respect of the colour and beautye but also commendeth them for the necessarye vse of them euen as fishpondes or pleasaunt waters were in those hot and drye countries For Heshbon was a citie beyonde Iorden in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites wherein Sihon him selfe raygned as appeareth Iosh 9. 10. Also Iosh 13. 10. 21. And in that he addeth by the gate of Bathrabbin which should seeme to be some of the gates of Heshbon and is put downe for the more certaintye of the thing I suppose that thereby hee meanethe the multitude that shoulde repayre to the church euen as great numbers came to these fish pondes which yet I am more confirmed in because hee vseth the worde gate alluding no doubt to the custome vsed in those dayes both of the Iudges and people who did sit in the gates and repayred thither for iudgement as appeareth in many places of scripture Others read it otherwise but for as much as in other places of this chapter and namely vers 1 he resembleth the church to certaine beautifull places yea and in the ende of this verse also he doth the like I see no reason why we shoulde leaue this reading or sense specially seeing it is very 〈◊〉 for the place and standeth wel with the proportion of fayth Some vnderstand by the eies and fishpondes the Doctors of the church who are sayde to be eyes because they looke to the guiding and conducting of the rest and fishpondes to whome people may repayre to fetch aboundaunce of water yea who shoulde bring out of their treasures both olde and new thinges See math 13. 52. Thy nose is like the tower of Lebanon By the tower of Lebanon I suppose hee meaneth that towre that Salomon built in that house which he builded in the forrest of Lebanon of which we reade a large description 1. King 7. 2. 3 c. And the nose of the church is compared vnto that towre because it was fayre and beautiful as it because also it was straight and of equall proportion like the towre for straightnes and good proportion in noses is a good grace of comelines euen to the countenaunce That looketh vpon the face of Damasec He meaneth not as some haue fantastically imagyned that from Solomons towre men might behold the citye of Damascus in Syria but that Lebanon it selfe and therfore the house towre builded there lay as it were ouer against Damasec or Damascus the holy Ghost vsing this discription heere not so much for anye misterye as some imagine and specially the Iewish rabbins as to note the certainty of the former things vz that he speaketh not of an vncertaine or of an vnknown thing for Lebanon Damascus and other places were of common fame and notice By the nose some vnderstande as before by the eyes the ministers of the word which we should not think straunge because that they are resembled to these sundry thinges by reason of sundry parts of their offices as beeing eyes to looke to them noses euen after a sort to smell and prouide for them sweete and pleasaunt thinges c. And one thing more is to be marked here that in these commendations praises attributed to the church the holy Ghost chose to compare and resemble her by suche places of the lande of Iuda and Israell as had some excellent and notable thing in them that so the comparisons expressing her beauty might be the more excellent and her glorye resembled by the same the greater and therefore also we should not thinke them either hard or straunge to which also we may add that euen to this ende likewise he taketh vppon and laieth out the affections of louers who chose for the expressing of their affections towardes their louers and
church And there is in this word I say a vehemeÌ„cy coÌ„taining as it were in ita graue senteÌ„ce q. d. I giue thee my promise looke what I promise thee I wil perform I wil go vp into the palmetree He meaneth by this speech that he will bee present with his church whom before verse 17. he had resembled to a palme tree I will take holde of her bowes hee meaneth by this speech that hee will purge it and so not onelye perceiue but receaue notable fruites of her euen as in Palme trees the teader braunches are specially pruned and trimmed because that they yeelde flowres and Buds for fruite By which it should seeme they were not such trees as ours are He that list to read more then this ouer and beside all that which is spoken before let him see Plinie lib. 13. cap. 4 Othersome also affirming that they beare a certayne fruite both pleasaunt and profitable which we call Dates and of this mind are manye wryting of the nature of Plantes and trees both olde and new and particularlye Dodineus And by the worde which is turned heere bowes which properlye signifieth the highest bowes in the tree and is not vsed in any other place of the old Testament but heere this may yet appeare because the palme tree that the Philosophers wryte of doth at the toppe send foorth such long â—â—wes and there it is also whereas they report the fruite it selfe groweth In summe this is Christes meaning that ioyning him selfe vnto the church and beeing present with her he will doe it to this ende that hee maye see how they thriue in the fruites that is in the graces and blessings he hath bestowed vpon them and that he may gather the same and so enioy them and be as it were partaker of them Thy breasts shall nowe be q. d. whatsoeuer they haue beene heretofore to me and yet we may not thinke but y t the Lorde hath alwaies graciously regarded his church now at this time and for euer hereafter they shall be delightfull and pleasant vnto me and that he meaneth by the wordes following Like the clusters of the vine See for this ver 17 And the sauour of thy nostrells that is the breath that commeth from thee Like apples that is like sweete and pleasaunt smelles that come from apples see before chap. 2. 5. By all which wee must note that Christ doth not onely mean to deliuer vnto his church the comfort of his continuall presence but withall to note the effectes of the same because where Christ is indeede he is not in vaine q d. I will not onely be present with thee satisfying my selfe as it were in thy breastes and beauty and delighting in thy loue continually Prou. 5. 19. But also I will make thee strong fresh liuely yea sweet and pleasant to all such as shall come vnto thee by meanes of such graces as I shall indue thee withall and to the same end tend to words of the verse following Verse 19. And the roofe of thy mouth vz shall nowe both vnto mee and others bee like the best Wine vz both for colour strength taste sweetnes for all these concur together in wine meaning that it shall smel well and be most sweete and mighty in operation to which end namelye the commending of the Wine for the goodnesse thereof tend al the words following which goeth straight to my welbeloued q. d. It is such excelleÌ„t wine as I woulde wish it or send it euen to the dearest and best freend I haue euen to her that I loue as my self if not before my self And causeth the lips of the ancient to speake Another commendation of the wine Old folks many times be dull and heauy of speeche but this wine hath suche force in it that it will euen open theire mouths and cause them vtter a voice as a man would say whether they will or no. The worde that is here turned Ancients may also in the hebrue tong be deriued froÌ„ a worde that signifieth to sleepe q. d. the wine is so strong that it stirreth vp the heauy senses and doth after a sort as it were refresh the mind in so much that it maketh them that sleepe to speak Which manner of speeche though as we respect the similitude it may seeme hiperbolicall or verye excessiue yea more then true yet if wee respect the spirituall meaning we shall finde it is the trueth it selfe For what is Christes purpose heere but amongest other Graces giuen to the Churche to shewe that this is one excellent that hee will indue her with suche power and delightfulnesse of speeche which hee vnderstandeth by Roofe of the mouthe because without it nothing canne bee vttered it beeing one of the principall instrumentes of nature giuen vs to frame our voyce by see Chap. 5. 15 y t it shal euen as it were raise vp men not only froÌ„ natural sleep but from y â— sleep death of sin see Ioh. 5. 21. 25. This being perfourmed specially by the preaching of the gospel which is the power of God to saluation to all that beleeue Romans 1. 16. and is not mortall but immortall seede 1. Peter 1. 23. By which wee are quickened and raysed vppe together and made to sit togeather in the Heauenlye places in Christe Iesus Ephe. 2. 1. 6. c. Verse 1. Dothe teache vs that there are many thinges in the Churche that may make vs in an vnfeigned affection to loue and to like the same as the spiritual inward glory beauty and comelines thereof Yea it sheweth vs y t the Lord hath furnished the same with maiestye and might not only for y e comfort and defence of the sound members thereof but also both for the correcting of such as wold be straying and stragling from that same holy fellowship as also for the withstanding and ouercomming of such as wold without assault anoy thesame O the deepnes of the riches both of the wisdome mercy of God of his mercy towards his own sonnes and seruaunts and of his wisdom in intrapping the vngodly in his own subtilties and force If the Churche hadde beene beautifull and amiable onely howesoeuer many of her owne children might in a reuerent regard of her haue dutifully behaued them selues towardes her yet some Nimrodes of the earth woulde haue supposed with their giantlike force to haue defloured and defaced her but the Lorde hath gratiouslye prouided meanes againste both extreames that as there is in her many thinges to mooue her vnfained friendes to loue and like her so there is also many things in her againe to terrifie either her counterfeited friendes or her open and knowne enemies Verse 2. Teacheth vs in Christes example speaking comfortablie to the church distressed not onely his great loue towards the same who as a man woulde saye can not endure the heauinesse and griefe thereof which ought to bee no small consolation to the church and the particular members therof sith he that is
both able and willing to helpe them doth pity their case See Heb. 2. 17. 18 but also teacheth vs kindnesse of hart and tendernes of affection towards the afflicted for which see Rom. 12. 15. 16. yea to vse comfortable speeches towardes those that are distressed See Isaiah 40. 1. 2. c. least otherwise we adding bitternesse of wordes to griefe and anguish eyther of the body or mind or both we doe not onelye adde to their affliction but to our owne transgression also the Lorde condemning vs iustly not onely for hardnes of hart but for churlish wordes also Verse 3. Teacheth that the often repetition of one the self same thing in the word of God is not only idle or superfluous as some curious ears deeme but profitable pleasaunt and altogeather necessary whether we respect the Lorde him self who therby testifieth the wonderful hunger and thirst as it were that he hath of our saluation while hee doth so often vrge it vpon vs or we regarde our selues who are not onely heauie to learne good thinges but dull and slow of hart to beleeue the same and maruailously backewarde to performe them or consider the posteritye who by that meanes are put in minde of their owne corruption to good thinges which also maye mooue them more and more to fight against the same See for this doctrine and the proofe thereof Phillip 3. 1. Also 2. Pet. 1. 12. where he sayth that though they haue knowledge and be established in the present truth yet hee will not be negligent to put them alwayes in remembraunce thereof Verse 4. Is no warrant for women to lay out their lockes howsoeuer some out of this place and such like haue gone about to iustisie it First because that this is to be spiritually vnderstood and not in the letter and therefore they do iniury so to abuse the word Secondly because the holy Ghost hath condemned it in the new testament as 1. Timoth. 2. 9. where he condemneth broidred hayre as also 1. Pet. 3. 3. where the self same thing is forbidden but especially 1. Cor. 11. where he will haue a woman eyther to couer or hide her haire or else if shee graunte not that to yeelde to this to haue it shorn or cut off And thirdly because the manner of laying out of hayre in those dais was much more modest or at leaste nothing so garishe as it is now And therefore comparing vnequall thinges together they must learne to conforme them selues to the sobrietye and modestye of holy matrons and suche as haue vnfeinedly professed godlinesse Vers 5. 6. Teacheth vs that the inward glory and beauty of the church is highly to be preferred before all the outward pompe and glittering of the world whatsoeuer for the outwarde thinges bee not onely transitory and vaine but many times are baits layde by sinne and Sathan both to deceiue vs in this life and to destroy vs in the life to come whereas the glory of the church is not onely pleasaunt and profitable for this present world giuing vs directions also howe to walke in the same both towardes God and men but an instrument and a meane to bring vs to the hauen of Heauen and euerlasting blessednesse at the last Godlinesse it selfe being profitable vnto all thinges and hauing the promise of the life presente and of that that is to come 1. Tim. 4. 8. By this also wee maye see that the Church it selfe is to be discerned by better eyes then these of the body yea by better iudgemente then the lighte of reason For if our reason not reformed bee enemye generallye to all religion why not also to the Churche it selfe the mother and Nurse of all sounde Faythe and that is it also wee saye in the Confession of our fayth that we beleue there is a holye Vniversall Churche which is the companye of all Gods elect which also is sometymes Visible and yet then rather to bee descerned as in respecte of vs by the eye of a sounde Faythe and yet in respect of it selfe by the holye exercises thereof as the Worde Sacramentes and Discipline than by antiquitye Vniuersalitye c Or anye other Marke which the Papystes canne giue Lastlye wee learne by the same Verses that the LORDE will haue euen the myghtiest of the People that shall submitte them selues vnto the CHVRCHE and highlye extoll and commend the same See Isaiah Chapter 60. Verse 10. Also Chapiter 49. Verse 23. Wherein also GOD prouideth as on the one syde for the comforte of his owne while hee giueth them Kinges and Magystrates not onelye to mayntayne them but also to professe the Truethe togeather with them for theire better incouragemente So on the other syde hee meeteth with the mallyce of the wicked who manye tymes spare not to thinke but to speake also that the Churche is but the raking of the earth and the off-scoure of the whole world which yet appeareth false by this practise of the Lorde Vers 7. Doth not onelye set out the inwarde glory and beauty of the church vnder many excellent earthly similitudes and comparisons all which shold make vs as it were inamored with the sound and holy loue thereof but also sheweth the glory and excellency of it to be so great that it cannot wel be either resembled by any thing but in part or expressed by wordes but in part And therefore we may see that they are fowlye out of the way that either conceiue basely of the church or speake contemptuously of it as a number of prophane people do who going no further then their outward eye or carnall reason will leade do with Esau preferre base and contemptible things before the glory and beauty of the whole earth See Isaiah 62. 7. Vers 8. Teacheth vs not only Christs great care towards the church he dressing it and pruning it as a good husbande doth his Orchard garden of which our sauiour himselfe saith that the father purgeth euery braunche that beareth fruite that so it may bring foorth more fruite Iohn 15. 2. By which also wee maye see that the Church without Gods manuring and husbanding of it yeeldeth not nor bringeth forth fruite See 1. Corin. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9 But also that he will come to visite the vine that his own hand hath planted and to see what fruite it beareth Isaiah 5. 1. 2. c. And that therefore the church had need alwayes to be fruitfull not onely because the Lord will certainly come but because he will come sodainely See Math. 25. in the parable of the virgins and specially vers 13. Also Math. 24. verse 44 and so forwarde to the end of the chapter Vers 9. Amongst other thinges deliuereth vnto vs this doctrine that in all duties that we are to performe whether we respect God or men we should alwaies do the thinges that we doe willingly and cheerefully The Lord was well acquainted with the dulnesse and lumpishnesse of our hartes which maketh him so often in his worde to vrge this
and we know amongst men how slenderly we regarde those thinges that are done for vs yea though they be done for vs with an heauie and vnwilling minde many men wishing that such vnchearefull doers should rather surcease doing then performe the same But specially before God this is a foule fault as we maye perceiue by manye places of scripture and particularly in that the Lorde appointeth a free will offering by his law See Leuit. 22. 23. Exodus 35. 5. 29. Also Exod. 25. 2. Also 2. Cor. 8. 3. 12 and many other places where he requireth cheerefulnesse of vs. Vers 10. Where Christ so earnestlye seeketh the conuersion of his Churche and laboureth in the spirite of gentlenesse not onely to reclaime but also to receiue the same after hir error to fauour we do not only see the great and tender loue of our Sauioure to penitent sinners who sayth Come vnto me all ye that labour be heauy laden and I will refresh you Math. 11. 28. And who also therfore came into the world that hee might saue sinners yea the cheefest of sinners 1. Tim. 1. 15. But also he by his owne example teacheth vs in the spirite of loue to restore such as are fallen Galath 6. 1. and to labour their conuersion vnlesse they bee hardened in their iniquities rather by meeknesse then by extremity and ouer hard handling of them But as this belongeth vnto all generally so doth it particularly concerne the Churche gouernors and amongest them especiallye the ministers who of calling and conscience ought to doe it Luke 15. 4. 1. c. Also Ezech. 34. 4. c. Ver. 11. Setting out vnto vs the glory comlines and strength of the church teacheth vs to ioyne our selues in an vnfeined affection to that holy body that is indued with such excellent graces For though it be true that these thinges are attributed to the churh as seruing for the singuler prayse of the same yet the end whereat the holy ghost aimeth is to draw men by the same euen inseperably to be ioined thereto to which end also tend al the particulers afterward and reckoned vp in the verses following Vers 12. Commending vnto vs the continuall increase and sweete delights of the Church is also an argumeÌ„t very effectuall as a man wold say framed to y e humor of mans nature to moue men to loue like of the church Nothing many times discourageth men more from doing good things then to see y t they are or shal bee left post alone as we say which though it shold fall forth we shold yet labor notwithstaÌ„ding to ouer come y e same because God wil not haue vs to follow the multitude specially to do euil Exo. 23. 2. Ios his exaÌ„ple teacheth vs y t same Iosh 24. 15. And yet how great is Gods care ouer vs y t for y e hartening of vs on in y t wayes of righteousnes leaueth vs not alone but giueth vs the holy society fellowship of many of his saints not as thogh we meant the multitude of the church or glorious increase of the number thereof to be so great no though the Lord do extend it from one ende of the earth to the other as though it were able to match and compare with the wicked for we know Gods number to be the least as appereth in the generall floud wherein only eight persoÌ„s were reserued See for this purpose also Isa 41 14. Math. 7. 13. 14. Luk. 12. 32. By which also we may see that multitude or vniuersalitye of persons as they saye in poperye is no good sure and sufficiente note of the true Churche of Christe Verse 13. Propounding vnto vs the iuste proportion and holye consent that is in the church and particular members thereof contayning in it an other reason to lead vs to the liking of it for euery particular praise is as it were a speciall reason that Christe alleadgeth to gaine that at our handes by The strength of this good order and blessed vnity in the church standeth not vpon men as the members thereof for we know by corruption of nature they are alwayes vnstayed and contentious but firste vpon God him selfe whose house the church it selfe is 1. Tim. 3. 15. who beeing also the God of order peace and not of confusion 1. Cor. 14. 33. it is reason his house should be conformed and made like to him selfe And secondly vpon the vnity of those spirtuall graces that God hath blessed it withall there beeing but one bodye one spirite one hope of our calling one faith one Baptisme c. All which are notable instrumentes to cause vs to indeuour to keepe the vnitye of the spirite in the bond of peace Ephes 4. 3. 4. 5. Neither is there ment hereby either a perfect vnity or consâ—â—â— oâ—â—â—ndes in all thinges because that neither hath beene is or shall bee performed vppon this earth not for that there is anye want in the thing it selfe but by reason of the remainders of sinne in men God hauing reserued that excellent 〈◊〉 to the life that shal be reuealed there beeing here varietie of iudgement in the matters of smallest waight though the foundation it selfe shall be alwayes vnshaken or approuing of vnitye to be an essentiall note to discerne the visible church by because eyther it must be vnity in verity which is the life and soule of the church or else it will not serue and vnity it self howsoeuer it may be very profitable for the preseruation of the whole yet it is no sure marke to know the whole by no not in naturall bodies much lesse in this spirituall body of the church Vers 14. Propoundeth vnto vs two good lessons First the excelleÌ„cy of the ministery in that it is resembled to eyes fishepooles c. the Lord by the meanes of them conuerting men vnto him selfe and bringing foorth moste notable effectes both for his owne glorye and the good of his seruauntes of which we may read in manye places of the scripture and particularly Rom. 1. 14. 15. c. 2. Cor. 2. 14. 15. c. Ephes 4. 11. 12. 13. 14. So that whosoeuer they are that doe not verye highly esteeme the same they offer great dishonor to almighty God and tread vnder foot the meane of their owne saluation Secondly in that hee resembleth the church and the particular members yea and if you will also the ministers especiallye to the towre of Lebanon that looketh Damascus in the face we learne therein the courage and constancye of the same that feareth not the faces nor flattereth the persons of any no not of their greatest enemies we knowing that Damascus was an vtter enemy to y e people of God Whereof also wee may yeelde this reason that if the good children of godlye parents shall not bee ashamed nor afrayde to speake to their enemies either in the gates of the City where magistrates sit in iudgement or in the gates that enimies do besiege of which Dauid speaketh Psal
head and his right hand should imbrace me 8 I charge you by an oth O yee daughters of Ierusalem why should yee stirre vp or why should ye awake this my loue vntill he please 9 Who is she that commeth out of the wildernesse leaning vppon her welbeloued Vnder the apple tree I raised thee vp there thy mother conceiued thee there she conceaued that bare thee 10 Set me as a seale on thy hart as a singet vppon thine arme for loue is strong as death iealousie is harde as the graue the coales therof are coales of fire and as a flame from the lord 11 Many waters cannot quench this loue neither can the floudes ouer-flow it if a man woulde giue all the substance of his house for this loue in contemning they would contemne him OUR Sauiour hauing in the former chapter graciously comforted his poore distressed church partlye by giuing her an high and excellent commendation partly by promising her his continuall and gracious presence euen vntill the time of the solemnization of the marriage betweene them be come The church in this chapter sheweth what notable effectes these comfortable wordes of Christe brought foorth in her namelye they did continuallye strengthen her fayth in the truth of those promises and made her euery day more and more in earnestnes and vnfayneones to wish the approching of the mariage day that so they might be inseperably ioyned together for euer Which thing as Christe had done before in the other chapter so doth the church here thereby to let the Lorde as it were vnderstand that there was no want of loue and affection both towardes him and towardes the thinges also that he him selfe affected In this chapter and the next following for in both are principallye contayned the wordes of the church of Christe the church labouring according to her power to render lyke for lyke unto Christ doth set out her most earnest desire towardes that same wished day of their spirituall mariage But in this chapter she doth principally propound two thinges 1 The first is that the church doth generallye declare her good minde towardes Christe her Spouse and this is contayned in the first verse 2 In the second because there are two principall members of this church that is in subiection to Christ that is the fulnes of the Iewes and the fulnes of all the Gentiles as the Apostle sayth Rom. 11. 25. the old church that is to saye specially and principally the church of the Iews doth declare that shee did very earnestlye wayt for her spouse and diligently performe her duties and this reacheth from verse 2. to the ende of the chapter For as for that part of the church which consisteth in the fulnesse of the Gentiles mention is made of it in the next chapter as you shall see by the church of the Iewes Verse 1. I am my welbeloueds that is I do certainelye and assuredlye in the right of affiaunce and mariage belong vnto him q. d. I am no others but his And these are y e churches wordes manifesting what great good the comfortable speeches of Christ mentioned in the other chapter did her and declaring what assurance and certaine perswasion shee had of his holy graces towardes her and in her and of her constauncye and continuaunce in all sounde affection towardes him For his desire is towardes me that is he doth desire me and in this affection most tenderly loue me q. d. There is a mutuall loue betweene vs as I loue him so hee loueth me and as I belong to none but to him alone so hee belongeth to none other but to me onely whereof I haue amongest manye other graces this as a singular pledge that he loued me when I was his enemy that when I was straying awaye he called me backe that hee forgaue mee when I had sinned and did continuallye powre his benefites and mercyes vppon mee yea that he offered and gaue him selfe vnto mee as appeareth by his dealinges in the other chapter and therefore I can not chuse but loue him and belong vnto him alone So that wee see that the Church maketh the testimonies and tokens of Christes fauour sure proppes vnto her owne continuance in good thinges and obedience of his holy will Vers 2. Come my welbeloued Here beginneth the second part of the chapter in which the church but speciallye that of the Iewes which in the dayes of Solomon was in flourishing estate doth by turning her speech vnto Christe whereas in the former verse he had spoken as it were to some others stirre him vp by common affection as well as shee to wayt for and obserue the time of their holy mariage and this is contayned in this and the third verse Secondlye shee yeeldeth vp all the good thinges that shee had to the glorye of her Husbande and head verse 4. yea euen her selfe for the wonderfull loue that shee bare towardes him verse 5. and so on forwarde to the ende of the chapter So that these wordes Come my welbeloued are woordes of exhortation and prouoking as it were taken also from the loue of the church towardes Christ more effectually to perswade the thing she desireth because men willinglye commit them selues to the companye and easelye yeelde to the requestes of suche as they take to bee their vnfayned friendes Let vs goe foorth into the fielde Shee speaketh it after the maner of men inhabiting cityes and hauing their farme houses abroad in the country will walke they and their people to the same for recreation and to see how forwarde the springe is and whether the tyme of Sommer and haruest doe drawe nigh but all this muste bee vnderstoode spirituallye as though the Churche shoulde saye I beseeche thee doe not aloue and by thy selfe imploy thine affection in searching out the wished tyme of oure marriage as thou seemest to saye before chapter 6. 8. but let vs both togeather imploye our common diligence thereto for I likewyse desyre to haue that Marriage daye drawe yeare and the thinge it selfe perfourmed also Neither muste this exhorting of CHRISTE bee vnderstoode eyther as though hee were of himselfe vnwilling to it or needed the prouocations of the Churche for wee knowe hee is moste ready to all good thinges yea and stirreth vp the church to the dooing of the same or else they would neuer be performed but the churche requesteth it for euer for the strengthning and incouragement of her selfe thereby that so hauing his continuall presence and felllowship she may the more cheerfully go forward Let vs remaine in the Villages This part of the verse is diuersely reade by reason of the diuers significations of the words vsed therein as that worde which we turne remaine signifieth also to lodge all night which acception of the word I rather incline to in this place bicause the church seemeth to exhorte to it as it were of this purpose that so the next morning they mighte bee more ready to looke vpon
end as though Christ should say seeing the increase shall bee so great wee will imploye euen our common trauayle and payne together in this building vp of the whole churche together Vers 3 When I my selfe shall bee as a wall The olde churche hauinge before declared her good minde towardes the churche of the gentiles doth not so stay therein that shee neglecteth her selfe but sheweth that howsoeuer shee hath receiued as yet more graces from GOD then the poore churche of the gentlles had that yet notwithstanding there was muche to bee added vnto her beauty and strength which also she did look should be perfourmed to her euen by the vocation of the gentiles and that maketh her also to adde And my breastes like towers that is fayre and comely by which allo she noteth that thogh shee were then to be discerned from the churche of the gentiles which as was sayde before had no Breastes and shee had some yet there shoulde bee an increase still of that comlinesse and strength Then shall I bee in his eyes that is in the iudgemente and accounte of Christe For because that the iudgemente of the eye is in moste thinges certayne and it is a notable instrumente to conueyghe to our vnderstanding the trueth and certainty of thinges she putteth therefore the eye for the Iudgemente that Christe shall haue of her As one that findeth peace that is very deare and precious and full of delight and contentment For euen as that man that hath liued in long and greate disquietnesse seeking notwithstanding for peace and finding it at the length hath obtayned his heartes delighte and ioy yea that whiche hee preferreth before all that hee hadde so was it and shoulde it bee with the Churche All in effect is as muche as if the Churche shoulde saye when a greate companye of the gentiles beeing ioyned together with mee shall growe vp togeather with them and they with mee and so wee both make but one Citye I shall not bee farre from that same quietnesse of Spirite and blessednesse for whiche I trauayle so sore now I do in deed perswade my selfe now that I am not onely entring therinto but haue made some good proceedinges therein howbeit the time of my perfection and full strength therein is not yet come Nigh it is in deede I confesse but when the time shall come that I shall by the glorious appearing of my spouse Christe bee taken vp into the perfect communion and fellowshippe of peace then shall the marriage indeed bee thorowly finished and that is it which in so manie places of scripture is called the last daie Verse 4. Shelomoh hath a vine in Baulhamon Heere beginneth the Second part of this Chapter which is Christs speach to the Church Wheerin he doth propound two speciall things First by comparing it to a vine yea to a moste excellent vine hee sheweth how deare and precious the Churche it selfe is vnto him ver 4. 5. Secondly hee prouoketh and stirreth her vp to publishe his praise and the great graces that bee in him verse 6. Concerning the wordes The vine is commended in this verse first by the person of the owner to wit Solomon whoe if euer any man liuing might haue moste excellent thinges hee aboue others as a man would saye might haue them both for the wonderfull aboundaunce of his wealth as also for the excellencye of his wytte Secondlye it is commended for the situation or place wherein it was vz. Baalhamon whiche if wee take as the proper name of a place as some of the Hebrewe writers doe and particularlye Alen Ezra no doubt but it was famous not onelye for good Vyneyardes but also for greate store of the same from whiche also as it should seeme it tooke the name for Hamon signifyeth a multitude and if Baal maye bee interpreted as Rabbi Shelomoh thinketh it maye namelye to signifye a playne to whiche ende hee aleadgeth Ioshua 12. 7. Of Baalgad then no doubte but it was so muche the more plentifull because playnes and Vale countryes are moste commonlye accounted moste Fruitefull But if wee take it as a Nowne appellatiue as wee saye or common and turne it as some doe and as also the Worde maye well beare it in the Lorde of the multitude to witte of Wyne meaning thereby as some also doe render it in a fruitefull place the sense and meaning commeth all to one namelye that the Vyne is commended for the fruitefulnesse of the place wherein it grewe Hee gaue the Vine it selfe vnto thee keepers That is hee lette it foorthe to hyre or for a Rente to suche as shoulde keepe Dresse prime cut and trimme the same A man That is euery one of those that hired it or all they togeather for so haue you this word vsed in sundry places of scripture see 1. Cor. 11. 28. Bringeth for the fruit therof vz that hee hath reaped receiued from the same or for the rent thereof as we say A thousand peeces of siluer that is a verye great summe for hee putteth a number certaine for an vncertaine some read sickles meaning no doubt common sickles which was halfe as much as the sickles of the sanctuarye and did amount as some suppose to the valew of our twenty pence He that lusteth to see or read more of this matter maye view the most learned annotations of M. Beza vpon Math. 17. 28. whatsoeuer it be this is the third commendation attributed to the Vine namely that it was hyred or let for a very great rent which also is an argument of the great fruitfulnes therof and in this verse is contained the first part of the comparison Ver. 5. My vineyard which is mine He beginneth here to put downe the second part of his cōparison namely to shew how much Christs vineyard which is his Church differeth from Solomons euen as much as Christe who is greater then Solomon Mat. 12. 42. differeth from him and as much as spirituall thinges exceed bodely And this difference is not onely noted in the word my vineyard but also in the words following Which is mine Christ by dubling the words nothing both the excellency and the certaintye of it as we haue sundrye tymes declared heretofore q. d. It is an excellent vineyard euen as I my selfe and belongeth to none other but to me alone no man shal succeed me in this because he is the eternal Lord heyre of all things Heb. 1. 2. and therefore of the church also Is before my face y t is I do continually looke vppon it haue an eye ouer it or watch ouer it alwaies for good noting not onelye his perpetuall presence in his church by this phrase of which see Math. 28. 19. but his continuall dressing and pruning of the same as the husbandmen do vineyards y t it may bring foorth more fruit See Iohn 15. 2. And this is the second thing for which Christes vine is preferred before Solomons namelye because he is inforced to put ouer his to the