vers 35. Whosoeuer doth the will of God hee is my brother and my sister and mother and Saint Paule in the 8. chapt to the Romanes calleth him the first borne among many brethren And hee was made as it were a brother when hee tooke flesh and was in outward shewe like vnto vs men Now as euery brother that is to say euerie faithfull man sucketh the breastes of his mother the Church which begate him by the word of God that is to say receiueth ayde and comfort of her charitie and loue so in like maner Christ although indeede hee receiued not any comfort from her breastes yet neuerthelesse wee may truly say that hee did sucke her breastes because he tooke delight and comfort in them For the two breastes signifie loue and charitie as it hath bene before shewed you And this husband Christ is hee whome the Church desireth to finde in the streetes of the Citie that is to say in the multitudes of peoples because it is her heartie desire and wish that if it bee possible shee may bee seene and knowne of all by faith and finallie to the honour and glorie of God and example of others shee desireth to kisse him that is humblie to request Gods fauour and grace through Christ wherefore the Spouse here in this place seemeth to bee willing before men to confesse her selfe to bee a most wretched vile and miserable sinner making dayly intercessions and prayers vnto God through Christ for his mercifull fauour and therefore she desireth that she may haue leaue to kisse him publikely in the streetes and what is meant hereby it appeareth by the words following then they should not despâ—se me As who would say I know that thou doest most louingly embrace and kisse me in secret but I beseech thee ô my gentle and most louing Sauiour to kisse me openly and in the presence of whole multitudes to the end that all men may know and learne by my example to confesse themselues to be miserable sinners wretched persons and in the state of damnation and so consequently sue for Gods fauour and remission of sinnes thorough thee their Sauiour and Redeemer againe thy desire and prayer is that thy most glorious and holy name may be sanctified among all men and that no man would despise thee but contrariwise euery one would magnifie extoll thee with all their hearts I will lead thee and bring thee into my mothers house there thou shalt teach me and I will cause thee to drinke spiced wine and new wine of the pomegranate I will leade thee c. Finally he sheweth the duetie of the spouse she saith I will leade thee Christ is led of them that pray vnto him by faith whither they will because he heareth them and graunteth their requests Thus the Church bringeth him into the house of her carnall mother of whom wee haue spoken sufficiently alreadie It followeth there thou shalt teach me She which was but lately informed and taught by Christes spirite waxeth now more earnest and zealous to be taught and instructed in higher points of doctrine and shee will haue none to teach her but Christ to whom she speaketh with great boldnesse and confidencie saying thou shalt teach mee and no other but thee for there is nothing which the Church doth so much desire as to be taught of her husband bridegrome Christ and to heare his voice that is to say his wordes and no mans else and after that she hath bene taught of the bridegrome what remaineth then for her to do then she must cause him to drinke of the best wine or spiced wine Now this new wine of the pomegranates is the knowledge of the truth and veritie of the scriptures which is seasoned with the taste of the holy Ghost and the pomegranates are the congregations of the faithfull being red with the holy Ghost and directed or gouerned by charitie that is to say liuing altogether by the rule and canon of Gods holy word which is most pure and vndefiled which order must necessarily be kept of all those which meane to attaine vnto saluation Their new wine is the delectation and sweetnesse of Gods spirit whereby they liue and walke and haue their being and the bridegrome may be very well said to drinke of this wine because he is greatly delighted therewithall for he may be said in some sort to drinke which findeth a thing which pleaseth him greatly Last of all she thirsteth to drinke of this new wine that is to say after the workes of faith which Christ may bee very well said to drinke whiles he seeth these things in the faithfull and is well pleased with them His left hand shall be vnder mine head and his right hand shall embrace me The carefull and louing spouse entreth into the house of her carnall mother and bringeth Christ along with her she bringeth him thither by sincere prayers and preaching of the Gospell and she followeth the matter so earnestly faithfully withall that she receiueth the truth of her mother and so embraceth it For hauing once receiued the truth of her mother that is to say of carnall men from whom the Church issued and came she becommeth both the mother and the daughter that is to say the Church and spouse of Christ and last of all being conuerted vnto the truth she beginneth to make experience and triall of the crosse together with her daughter because it is vnpossible indeede that the crosse shold not be a companion to the loue of the truth Furthermore she sendeth Christ vnto heâ— which is her true spouse by faith I meane his peace and among all the crosses perils by sword rebukes tribulations and all maner of aduersities he sendeth vs by meanes of his peace the comfortable ioyes of his holy spirit whereby his left hand is comforted of the right vnto a certaine hope of saluation as these words are expounded aboue in the second Chapter where the very same words are to be read The words of the Spouse vnto the young damsels I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem that you stirre not vp nor waken my loue vntill she please I charge you After that the spouse the Church had made sufficient triall of the sharpnesse of Gods left hand that is to say had suffered crosses and tribulations enough she was sustayned and vpholden by Christs right hand wherewith he did most louingly embrace her in her greatest temptations sitting euen in the shadow of death and caused her to rest most quietly with the holy Ghost and enioy that peace which passed all vnderstanding resting thus securely on her bed of rest the bridegrome because hee would haue no body to trouble her spreads the couerlet ouer her and saith these wordes vnto the young virgins I charge you stirre not vp nor waken my loue and why then do you raise her vp waken her by sending her abroad amidst the troubles and turmoyles of the world which are alwayes opposed against her nay rather
The sonnes of my mother were angrie against me And what is this mother but Eue the mother of all the liuing aswel the iust as the vniust and the vniust haue euer since the beginning of the world opposed themselues against the iust because they hate thē which are ruled by Christs lawes so perish in the reprobrat sence of the flesh these are of the wicked synagogue of Satā which do stil persecute vexe contradict the spouse whence it cōmeth that she is grown so blacke brown They made me the keeper of the vines as if she should haue said I haue obtained this by my persecutions that I am made keeper of more vines that is of more churches bicause the first Church was founded in Ierusalem that which followeth But I kept not mine owne vine is not to be vnderstood of the mind but of the place for although the citie be ruinated and destroyed yet neuerthelesse the integritie of faith remaineth inuiolable for euer and euer so that this is the meaning he kept not that place that is hee retayned not that place where the vineyard should haue bene and where it was planted at the first being rooted by God the father out of that barren and vnfertile soyle and planted in a more fertile place among the Gentiles So the Church is this vine or else by this you may vnderstand the soules of the faithfull which are planted in faith rooted in charitie trenched about with the furrowes of good discipline repayred with the teares of the penitent and watered with the wordes of the Preacher and hence commeth it that they doe so abound in all manner of diuine fruit that is to say in gladnesse and holy deuotion In like maner we may say that faith is the vine the branches vertues the grapes good workes the wine deuotion Moreouer the vineyard is religion the husbandman the father the sonne the vine and the iust the branches thereof God the father is the husbandman because he digges and ditches it in confession and contrition proynes it with sprinckling of teares And indeed the Sonne is the vine because he is the foundation of religion because no man can lay any other foūdatiō but that which is already laid which is Christ Iesus by whom euery building doth grow vp to be a holy tēple The brāches are the righteous which doe shoot sprout out of the vine Christ and are full of sappe and moysture The spouse vnto Christ Shew me Christ is all in all vnto them that beleeue a king a sunne a keeper of vines a shepheard notwithstanding he cōtinueth alwayes to be their bridegrome welbeloued to whom the spouse flieth for succour helpe seeing that she is not able to keepe her vine any lōger she referreth the care therof vnto her husband Christ Moreouer she hath many litle goats about her that is many yong ones which are but simple fellowes nouices vngrounded in faith which she would faine haue fed with the precious and wholesome bread of Christs word and not with the poisoned doctrine of men And this is the cause why she makes her recourse vnto him knowing that he is the true shepheard of her soule saying O thou whom my soule loueth ô sonne of loue charitie and this charitie is God that is as much to say as ô thou my deare bridegrome husbād Christ whō my soule loueth whom I can not chuse but loue most entirely dearely shew me where thou feedest where the sonne of righteousnes feedeth and resteth himselfe I meane Christ Iesus the sonne of God which neuer setteth hauing alwayes a meridian brightnesse shyning round about him And the Church knoweth the time that is to say the noone-tide at what time the bridegrome doth rest take his repast but she knoweth not the place where Also she knoweth that with the lanterne of the word it is not possible to find him vnlesse it please him to manifest and shew himselfe by opening the hidden senses and darke mysteries of the scriptures with his key and this knowledge also can not be gotten vnlesse it be obtayned by the spirite of the bridegrome and therefore she requesteth him that it would please him to make himselfe knowen vnto her and shew her where he feedes abides And euen now he feedeth her whilest that he lighteneth reioyceth and inflameth her which is in the heate of the day to wit at noone or midday So that we are not able to endure the great glorie of his face vnlesse wee be couered with the vayle of his flesh which he tooke and euen now we do rest vnder the shadowe of his wings by being made partakers of his heauenly graces For why should I be And what is that the spouse requireth here in this place vnlesse it be that Christ should shew her these things least that she should be compelled to turne aside to the flockes of his companions But what are these companions but the faithfull chiefly those which haue any office or superioritie ouer the rest But of these there be some true some lying and false brethren The true brethren do not gather the flockes vnto themselues but vnto Christ neither doe they make themselues heads of the Church but humbly submit both themselues and their whole flockes vnto Christs gouernment acknowledging him to be their Lord and head and they are very much afraid least the flockes should follow them and therefore they doe studie by all manner of meanes how to preuent these sayings I am of Paul and I am of Peter I am of Barnabas and I am of Apollo But their onely care and desire is to bring euery one to say and confesse thus much I am of Christ Now contrariwise they which are the false followers and companions of Christ Iesus do not leade or gather the flockes vnto their bridegrome Christ but vnto themselues making themselues heads and ouerseers ouer those flockes wherefore the true Church saith I will not turne aside to the flockes of them which are called thy companions chusing rather to do any thing then this because that if the flockes do follow any other shepheard but thee they must needes perish and be destroyed and these flockes do wander and go astray because during the time of their abode here in this wicked world they can find no rest or peace but are alwayes troubled disquieted in mind and therefore the sense and meaning of these words is this I doe heartily desire thee ô my God and Sauiour that it would please thee and none but thee to take the paines to teach mee those things which it is meete for me to know to the end that my iudgement and minde may not bee offuscated and darkened with the cloudes of errors and heresies but that my vnderstanding may be lightened with the truth of thy word which shineth as cleare as the Sunne doth at noone day so that I may not fall into any error or false opinion being
misled misguided by them which make profession of great knowledge and wisedome and which continue to coÌ„pare their doctrine and the precepts of their fond hearts with the truth of thy word The text 7 If thou know not ô thou the fairest among women get thee foorth by the steppes of the flocke and feede thy kiddes by the â—ents of the shepheards 8 I haue compared thee O my loue to the troupe of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh 9 Thy cheekes are comely with rowes of stones and thy necke with chaynes 10 VVe will make thee borders of gold with studs of siluer 11 VVhiles the king was at his repast my spikenard gaue the smell thereof 12 My welbeloued is as a buÌ„dle of myrrhe vnto me he shall lie between my breasts 13 My welbeloued is as a cluster of camphire vnto me in the vines of Engedi 14 My loue behold thou art faire behold thou art faire thine eies are like the doues 15 My welbeloued behold thou art faire and pleasant also our bed is greene 16 The beames of our house are Cedars our rafters are of firre The Commentarie The words of the bridegrome vnto the Spouse If thou know not Christ aunswereth the Church and teacheth her all those things which she before had demaunded of him he saith vnto her O thou the fairest among women that is to say among the Churches because the Church congregation of the faithfull howsoeuer it seeme in the sight of men to be blacke and contemptible yet notwithstanding the only begotten sonne of God Christ Iesus esteemeth and iudgeth her to be fairer and better then all the Synagogues of the wicked O wonderfull great beautie and fairenes which God himselfe doth so greatly commende and approoue by calling her the fairest among women Indeed other women are faire because they are Gods creatures who is most glorious admirable in all his workes but thou O my Spouse exceedest them all because thou art to be preferred before them all because thou art adorned with my beautie in regard whereof he sayth vnto her O thou the fairest among women if thou know not of thy selfe where I feed rest at noone day then go foorth out of thy selfe renounce thy selfe and all things else for the loue of me beare thy crosse particularly and trust not to thy owne opinion or workes at all Furthermore depart from the flockes of my companions and from the dregs filth of humane traditions and lastly lay aside all trust and confidence in the flesh otherwise neuer hope to find the place where I do feed and rest my selfe at nooneday because he is not worthie of my loue that for the loue of me is not content to forsake all things and himselfe also if neede be At length he sheweth where his feeding and abiding is to wit in the footsteps of the flocks of the Church and neere the tabernacles of shepheards of these flockes are all they which we know to be of the Church and their footsteps are those things which we read of them to haue bene gratefull and acceptable vnto God and these are the steppes of the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles of the true faith in the word of God all those things which God doth worke and bring to passe in them by charitie And we must follow after those steps where he feedeth and lyeth because he comforteth all them which truely feede on him in their hearts by faith and he granteth them true peace of conscience which is as much as to rest and feede with Christ The litle goates and the feeble and weake hearted are those which beleeue in the Lord. The shepheards may be tearmed those whom he sendeth abroad with authoritie to preach the Gospell who by publishing abroad among the people the sincere word of God do minister and giue them food of eternall life by giuing them the bread of Gods word in due season which if they did not they would not be accounted true shepheards and ministers of the word and their tabernacles are the Churches neare which the flockes of the elect children of God do graze and feed and the pastures are the immaculate wordes of God and this is the food which Christ commanded Peter to feed his sheepe withall The words of the Bridegrome vnto the Spouse I haue compared thee ô my loue to the troupe of houses He compareth the blessed spouse of the most victorious king Christ vnto the troupe of horses that is to say vnto the Angels because no man of any vnderstanding in the world doubteth whether they be the messengers and ministers of Christ Wherefore Christ speaketh as it were after this sort vnto the spouse ô my deare spouse the time was when thou wast in a miserable case the prisoner and bondslaue of the Diuell and therfore as farre estranged as might be from me but loe I haue now set thee at libertie I haue freed and redeemed thee out of the hands of the diuell and by the vertue of my word and spirite I will so glorifie thee that thou shalt be like vnto the glorious companie of Angels But wherein In the Chariots and power of Pharaoh the king of Egypt that is to say the Prince of darkenesse the diuell sinne death and hell it selfe all which things I haue ouercome for thee that thou shouldest trust and beleeue in me And this is spoken to this end and purpose that we shold know that all those which are without Christ are but as it were horses which draw in the Chariot of Pharaoh that is to say are vnder the rule and guiding of him which driues the Chariot to wit the Diuell but as many as are of Christ hold with him they are put into Gods coach that is to say are altogether ruled and gouerned by him Therefore by the notable troupe of horses of God we must needes vnderstand the Church by reason of the multitude of meÌ„ that are contained in it and of store of spirituall armour and weapons of faith iustice and for the inuincible force and strength of the spirit and noble victorie ouer her enemies Thy cheekes are comely Finally he commendeth his owne workes in the spouse because the spouse is not otherwise faire or coÌ„ly but as she is faire and beautifull in her husband Christ And whereas it is said thy cheekes are comely wee are to consider the cheekes as they are in the head and face and the head of the spouse is the husbaÌ„d Now as the beautie of the cheekes doth principally appertain vnto the head and theÌ„ afterwards vnto the rest of the members so the beautie and glorie of Christs cheekes which is the head of the Church do first of all belong vnto him and secondly they appertaine vnto his members that is to say vnto the spouse because Christ is the honour and glory of the spouse whose necke are the Preachers and teachers of the Church which are adorned beautified with chaines sundry iewels
the liuely words of the holy scripture which do pearce euen to the soule and the thousand bucklers or targets are the hoped for helpes and succours of Gods diuine prouidence by the which he doth so much sustaine and releeue his seruants that it is not possible that they should bee ouercome or ouerthrowne Thy two breasts Finally because hee meaneth not to proceed so far in this place as to speak of her girdle after he had spoken of her head and neck he addresseth himselfe to say somwhat in commendations of her two breastes wherby is meant the doctrine of both the old and new testament then the which there can bee nothing imagined more pleasant more amiable or more profitable and he likeneth them to two young roes because as they do lightly leape and skip vp and downe so the doctrine of both the old and newe testament is spread abroad throughout the face of the whole world their feeding is said to be among the lillies wherby are signified the faithfull amongst whom there is alwaies abiding the loue charity of the Church which feedeth that is to say recreateth her this loue doth remaine for euer in her full state perfection among the faithfull But what is the food wherewith she feedeth thē It is the food of the spirit and word of God for because the Church doth alwaies feed on that food which shall make her strong to perseuer and continue out vnto the end Moreouer the faithfull people of God are fed and nourished with faith and loue of the Church but howe long are they fed after this sort vntill the day breake that is to say to the end of the world and that the shadowes of errors mens inuentions and all the workes of darknesse do flie away And Christ may rightly then bee sayd to come vnto vs when he helps vs and to go away from vs when he takes all hope of help and succour from vs. Now the spouse as long as she is in this world is not without tribulations and crosses and doubtlesse she would soone perish and come to nought if Christ shold not come to her to comfort strengthen her with the power of his spirit and therfore the Bridegrome speaketh vnto the Church as if he did speake vnto a third person saying I will go into the mountaine that is to say I will indeed helpe thee which arta mountain of mirrhe a hill of incense that is to say so full of my sweete ointments as a mountaine of incense and mirrhe Thou art all faire my loue there is no spot in thee Thou art c. He commeth then and slacketh not to come vnto his welbeloued spouse for he is no lyer to say that he will come and not to come he saith thou art all faire there is no spot in thee How faire how without spot or blemish by the bountifull and beautiful presence of the immaculate son of God and for the sweet smell of his ointmēt wherwith he hath perfumed vs and hence it is that the Church is called a mountaine of mirrhe a mountain of incense because that she albeit in her self and of her selfe she is most miserably foule black as any blackamore can be yet notwithstanding in her bridegrome Christ most amiable admirable faire pure without spot in Christ because he wipes away all her spots blots by forgiuing her her sins and imputing them no longer vnto her The Text. 8 Come with me frō Lebanon my spouse euen with me from Lebanon and looke from the top of Amanak from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the dennes of the Lyons and from the mountaines of the Leopardes 9 My sister my spouse thou hast wounded mine heart thou hast wounded mine heart with one of thine eyes and with a chaine of thy necke 10 My sister my spouse how faire is thy loue how much better is thy loue then wine and the sauour of thine ointments then all spices 11 Thy lippes my spouse drop as honey-combes honey and milke are vnder thy tongue and the sauor of thy garmentes is as the savour of Lebanon The Commentarie Here in this place we are to consider thus much that by the foure hilles of Israell is to be vnderstood the vocation of the Church of the Gentils vnto Christ her husbād which is called that she may not dwel any longer with Lyons Leopards but may be freed frō the power of thē that is to say that her body may not bee torne in peeces with the cruelty of bloudy tyrants or distracted by the diuersity variety of wicked sects but that she being reduced brought from heresie errour to the true vnderstāding of the faith may make one true Catholike Church of all the elect which are gathered assembled together of all nations tongues and kingdomes of the earth as who would say This my beautifull spouse flyeth vnto me for refuge not only from Libanus but from all the corners and quarters of the earth eschuing the subtilties of Sathan and treacheries of false teachers and heretikes such as they haue meditated and thought vpon lying on their beds to destroy and annoy the Church And in that he saith that his heart was wounded wee are to note the greatnesse of his loue which he beareth towards the Church which he for good cause calleth his sister and spouse first because shee is become his heauenly bedfellow partaker of the benefit of his celestial bed and secondly because hee vouchsafed to take flesh and put on mans nature vpō him that he might be our naturall brother The eyes of the Spouse are the iudgements proceedings of the holy Ghost the necke is faith and the chaines about the necke the workes that are done in faith Againe the spouse hath two eies whilest she liueth in the flesh to wit the iudgemēt of the spirit the iudgmēt of the flesh the first pleaseth Christ greatlie the secōd displeaseth him as much as the former pleaseth him because it is cōtrary to the former which the church shal be quite cleane freed frō when mortifying the old man she runneth vnto the tabernacle of the bodie by death Furthermore she is said to haue two chains about her neck the one a chain of hypocrisie that is to say of seming good works that issue forth frō faith one of these chaines the bridegrome loueth and the other he hateth to the death because it is a sinfull chain wherefore he saith thou hast wounded mine heart with one of thine eyes that is to say with the iudgemēt and vnderstanding of the holy Ghost and with one of thy chaynes that is to say with the workes which come from faith hast thou wounded mine heart that is to say thou hast done things very gratefull and acceptable vnto me and hee repeateth these words of wounding of his heart twise to make knowne and declare the singular great loue which Christ beareth towardes his Church
from all her sinnes The Text. 10 My welbeloued is white and ruddie the chiefest of ten thousands 11 His head is as fine golde his lockes curled and blacke as a rauen 12 His eyes are like doues vpon the rivers of waters vvhich are vvasht with milke and remaine by the full vessels 13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices as sweet flowers and his lippes like lillies dropping downe pure mirrhe 14 His hands as rings of gold set with the Chrysolite his bellie like vvhite iuorie couered vvith saphirs 15 His legges are as pillars of marble set vpon sockets of fine gold his countenaÌ„ce as Lebanon excellent as the Ceders 16 His mouth is as svveet things and he is vvholly delectable this is my vvelbeloued and this is my louer ô daughters of Ierusalem 17 O the fairest among women whither is thy welbeloued gone whither is thy welbeloued turned aside that vve may seek him with thee The Commentarie In these verses the Spouse describeth vnto vs the beauty of her immaculate spouse And first in generall tearmes speaking of his whole person then in particular by entreating of each part and meÌ„ber of him She saith then that he is white and ruddy the chiefest among thousands By his whitenesse we are to vnderstand his diuinitie according to that of S. Iohn God is the true light and there is no darkenesse in him His rednesse or ruddinesse is a token or signe of his humanity because of the bloud which he shed rebukes which he suffered and bitternesse of torment which he endured and lastly because his bloud doth wash vs cleane from all our iniquities It followeth in the wordes of the Spouse that her welbeloued was the chiefest of thousandes that is to say among all the multitudes of men because a thousand in this place is taken for all men there being one onely Mediator left betweene God and man Iesus Christ But why is he the chiefest and principall aboue all other Because he should be a fit Sauiour and redeemer of the Church for whereas we are all the sort of vs wicked reprobate and sinfull men he is therefore principally good and the chosen and chiefest among all others to the end that we that are by nature wicked should by his grace become good and of a vile and cruell nation an elect and chosen people vnto him being by faith made fully partakers of his goodnes graces and whom it hath pleased God the Father for his Sonne Christ Iesus sake to elect predestinate and preordaine vnto saluation from the beginning because no man can be chosen or become good vnlesse it bee by Christ and a true liuely faith in his death His head is as fine golde his lockes curled and blacke as a raueÌ„ His head c. Now the spouse goeth about to describe all the particular â— seuerall parts of the bridegrome and first she beginneth with his head affirming it to â— like the finest gold Whereby is signified the most precious nature of God which is called Christes head as S. Paule sayth the head of Christ is God Secondly she praiseth him foâ— his lockes because as the haire doth greatâ—â— grace the head if it bee finely curled and somewhat blacke withall euen so the lockâ— of Christes head are most decent and faire that is to say the doctrine and workes done in faith preached by the Apostles and Doctors of the Church which hang round about this head like so many curled lockes For albeit the wicked as much as in them lyeth do daily resist and striue against them yet they haue a most notable victorie ouer them and are more and more enlarged though peraduenture the wicked may thinke them to bee blacke because they cannot please them for they do alwayes labour as much as they may to impugne them obscure their doctrines with lies inuentions His eyes are like doues vpon the riuers of waters which are washt with milke and remaine by the full vessels His eyes c. Here she praiseth him for his eyes by the doues vpon the riuers of waters which are washt in milke or spices we are to consider the exceeding great knowledge fulnes of the holy Ghost which was so plentifully abounding in our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ as in no creature else Wherfore S. Iohn faith that he was full of grace and truth and shortly after it followeth of the fulnesse of his grace we all receaue and truly such are the eyes that is to say all the iudgements and proceedings of Christ to wit most sincere pure and proceeding from the fulnesse of the holy Ghost his cheekes are as a bed of spices and as sweet flowers and his lips like lillies dropping downe pure mirrhe His cheeks c. Here is the perfect description of his cheekes which are in the face and wherby euery man is known and therefore wee may verie well take these cheeks for the coÌ„mandements and writings of God because they do rightly teach and instruct vs how to know Christ and therefore it was wel said of Iohn Attend diligently vnto the writings of the scriptures because you may haue eternall life by them and they are they which testifie of me So then it appeareth most plainely that the scriptures and word of God are the face and cheekes of Christ which doe giue vs most euident tokens of him they are as it were beds of spices because their speeches are distinguished and deuided into diuerse books which smell most sweete vnto the godly mindes and this sweete smell is caused by the operation of the holy Ghost which happeneth so often as the stately sence thereof is vnfolded and expressed and the sent thereof is increased not a litle when those thingeâ— which may seeme to bee litle of themselues are for a certainty known to be most diuine celestiall and heauenly thinges But whâ—â— do these sweete spices growe In the heart of the faithfull which onely do esteeme and make account of them And hee saith thaâ— the smell of them is increased by reason of them which fell sweete spices and drugs which are the true Bishops and ministers of the word who whiles they by the speciall direction and inspiration of the word pronounce and minister it vnto the people as a most soueraigne ointment to recreate and heale their wounded soules Afterwards she commeth to describe the Bridegromes lippes Nowe the lips of the Bridegrome Christ are his doctrine which is published abroad by his Apostles and Saints which like vnto certaine odoriferous lillies do render foorth a most gratious smell of righteousnesse and truth His handes as rings of gold set with the Chrysolite his belly like white iuorie couered with Saphirs His hands c. The hand of Christ is the power of Christ wherwith both in himselfe and in others hee bringeth to passe strange things and he declareth the exceeding great value inestimable goodnes of these hands in that he likeneth them to rings of gold
set with Chrysolits and pretious stones because that it is not possible for any mortall man to cōprehend the height depth of Gods omnipotent power Furthermore shee praiseth him for his belly vnderstanding by his belly his affections cogitations she saith that his belly is like white iuory couered with saphirs Because all the cogitations affections and purposes of Christ and the faithfull are and appeare in the presence of God most white most precious and most acceptable Iuorie is made of an Eliphants tooth very hard very durable or incorruptible and the Saphire is a kinde of pretious stone which shineth most brightly and euen so the iudgements of Christ and his elect are most sincere firme and incorruptible and furthermore they are bright and Orient Saphirs lightning the whole body of the Church with their good workes so thē men seeing them may glorifie God which is in heauen His legges are as pillars of marble set vpon sockets of fine gold his countenance as Lebanon excellēt as the Cedars His legges Here in this place the spouse goeth about to commend Christes legges Now all the strength and nimblenesse of a man is in his legges wherefore by the legges wee may note the inuincible strength and fortitude of Christ which is able both to breake all his enemies in peeces and preserue his seruants from all manner of euill and therefore they may be well likened vnto pillars of marble set vpon sockets of fine gold because they are inuincible and the strength of them can not bee ouercome for he came into the flesh and ouercame sinne death and hell it selfe because hee might subdue them vnto the faithfull and strengthen their fearefull hearts And hence it is that you may read in the holie Scripture that hee is called a rocke because of his exceeding great force and strength against the which nothing shalbe able to preuaile Thus then the force of Christ consisteth in this that he is a pillar of marble which hath none like vnto him or to be compared with him and as many as beleeue in him may truly bee sayd to bee pillars also So that as many as are strengthened and confirmed by him may bee sayd to be pillars of the Church And now after all this shee setteth foorth his beautie at large which onely the beleeuers see and are delighted with the beautie thereof and yet they see no more then it pleaseth him to reucale vnto them And his countenance is likened vnto Lebanon which is a most stately and pleasant place because indeed all the beauty and sweete smell of Lebanon that is to say of the Church which is mystically to bee vnderstood by Lebanon is hid in Christ and among all the trees of Lebanon he is compared vnto the high incorruptible and odoriferous Cedar for looke howe much the Cedar doth passe all other trees in height euē so much and more doth he exceed and surpasse all others in the Church because hee is more high more precious and more odoriferous then any other yea there is no good smell no pretious good thing whatsoeuer which is not deriued frō him as frō the fountain of all good His mouth is as sweet things and he is wholly delectable this is my welbeloued this is my louer ô daughters of Ierusalem His mouth c. Last of all she describeth the bridegromes mouth taking it for all his inward sweetnesse that is to say for that inestimable great loue which he bare vnto mākind in seeking their saluations his peace which passeth all vnderstanding the righteousnes of Gods eternall truth in a word his ineffable inestimable spirit Finally the spouse wondering at the altitude of Christs glory and seeing that all the praises that shee could heap and accumulate vpon him were many degrees inferiour vnto his deserts concluding much matter in few tearms she saith that he is wholly delectable indeed this is her principall intent purpose euery where in the Canticles to proue Christ to be most earnestly desired and sought after that she might inflame and kindle the loue of all men towardes him And it followeth in the text and this is my louer to shew howe greatly she did glorie in him The vvordes of the young virgins vnto the Spouse O the fairest among women whither is thy welbeloued gone whither is thy welbeloued turned aside that we may seeke him with thee Whither c. Consider that which went before how the elect not as yet wholly fully perfect but tainted with some small errors and faults haue a kind of forme of godlines and some certaine knowledge of God which they desire might bee increased euerie day more and more and they are willing to bee better informed taught better things The young virgins that is to say the faithfull seruants of the immaculate spouse had learned and heard before what Christ was now they desired to know where his abiding is whither he is gone and where they should finde him and they promise to seeke him with her and they may well say with her for no man can find Christ without he haue that which shal bring him vnto the knowledge of christ or confirme and strengthen him in it Nowe we know that a true faith is a true companion of the faithful Church spouse of Christ which he himselfe nameth the fairest among all women that is to say among all congregations and nations because she is most wonderfully perfect and excellent by reason of that vnspeakeable beautie which she receiueth from her heauenly husband and celestiall bridegrome Christ The sixt Chapter 1 My welbeloued is gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices to feede in the gardens and to gather lillies 2 I am my welbeloueds and my welbeloued is mine who feedeth amōg the lillies 3 Thou art beautifull my loue as Tirzah comely as Ierusalem terrible as an armie with banners 4 Turne away thine eyes from me for they ouercome me thine haire is like a flock of goates which looke downe from Gilead 5 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe which go vp from the washing which every one bring out twinnes and none is barren among them 6 Thy temples are within thy lockes as a peece of a pomegranate 7 There are 60. Queenes and 80. concubines and of the damsels without nūber 8 But my doue is alone and my vndefiled she is the only daughter of her mother and she is deare to her that bare her the daughters haue seene her and counted her blessed euen the Queenes and the concubines and they haue praised her The Commentarie The words of the Spouse vnto the young damsels IT is a strange thing to see how the Church which but a litle since sought after her welbeloued whom she could not find charged the young damsels that is to say the faithfull that if they did find him they should bring her tidings of him because she was sick for the loue of him yet the
spirit abideth in the elect is firme and strong vnto them in as much as they are built vpon the most sure and strong rocke Christ That which followeth afterwards If a man should giue all c. doth declare to vs the exceeding great efficacy of this most sacred holy loue in all those which are truely possessed therewith for it is the nature of true and perfect loue which commeth from the holy Ghost to cause a man to renounce all that euer hee hath and to order him selfe wholly after Gods will and commaundement When riches are offered them they regard or esteeme them not for wee see by daily experience that they are ready and willing to forsake all that euer they haue if occasion serue time so require rather then they will seeme to denie the truth And truly it is no great maruell neither for where the loue of heauenly thinges is once accounted and esteemed of there the possession and fruition of all earthly and transitorie things is vilified neglected and disesteemed The Text. The wordes of the Spouse vnto the young maides 8 VVe haue a litle sister and she hath no breasts vvhat shall vvee do for our sister vvhen she shalbe spoken for 9 If she be a vvall vve vvill build vpon her a siluer pallace and if she be a doore vve vvill keepe her in vvith boords of Cedar 10 I am a vvall and my breasts are as towers then vvas I in his eyes as one that findeth peace 11 Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers euery one bringeth forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer The Commentarie This is the voice of the Primitiue and Apostolike Church which grew out of the Synagogue and people of the Iewes reioycing for the grace of God which was spred abrode throughout all nations and it is very fitly spoken of Salomon to call the Church of the Gentiles sister vnto the synagogue of the Iewes because God is father to them both Abraham also by whose faith the Gentiles are proued to be lawfull sonnes This is that yong Church which must be chosen from among the Gentiles which is called little or small because it had but small beginnings at the first till afterwardes in processe of time by litle and litle it grew vp in spirit truth She hath no breastes because the doctrine of the Lawe and of the Prophets belonged not vnto the Gentiles neither receiued she anie instruction of faith in God and charitie towardes her neighbour of her selfe for so she was not able to minister vnto her yong ones the spirituall foode of both the Testaments What then shall we do vnto our sister Aske the Patriarkes and Prophets aske of Christ and his Apostles and they wil shew you how the churches were to be taught how they should be vnited knit together of the Gentils how they should grow vp how they should bee nourished and fed how they should be ioyned in mariage with so noble a bridegroome as the Church how partakers of Gods fauor through Christ how they should adorne and beautifie the spouse at such a day of solemnitie what they should do at that time louing those things which they ought to loue and which they knew to be loued of the bridegroome how and in what termes they are to commend themselues vnto the bridegroome when they are brought vnto him If she be a wall we wil build vpon her a siluer pallace and if she be a dore we wil keepe her in with boordes of Cedar which is thus expounded If she be a wall that is if the Church of the faithful be as strong in faith as a wall so that she cannot bee easily ouerthrowne doubtlesse shee will stand fast vnto the authoritie of the Scriptures and bee a spouse worthie of the holy Ghost and of her husband Christ but without faith it is not possible for her to please him or to profite in any kind of exercise or studie whatsoeuer Wherefore if she be faithful we wil build vpon her a pallace of siluer that is to say the bright shining precious and eternall truth by which we may be able without all other helpes to ouerthrow and fiustrate the wicked attempts of our enemies Afterwards they deuise and cōmune among them selues how to shut the doore which is Christ with boords of Cedar hereby endeuoring as much as in them lieth to make the workes of the Church continually from time to time more perfect and sincere for this is meant onely by the going in and going out of the doore The Church of the conuerts vnto the Spouse I am a wall and my breasts are as towers then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace Shee replieth vnto them and faith that she is a wall that is to say founded and grounded in the faith of Christ for it is verie necessarie for euery Christian man or woman to yeeld a reason of his faith to euery one that shall demaund or aske it of him Likewise she saith My breasts are as towers that is to say charitie and loue in entertaining and receiuing others And this is meant hereby being directed and guided by my welbeloued husband Christ Iesus I shall be able to teach others strengthen them which are borne sonnes vnto God by the Gospell and since that time I haue receiued such fauour and kindnesse at my husband Christes hands that I am in his eyes as one that findeth peace And in these words she seemeth to ascribe all the glory vnto God for comforting and strengthening her and giuing her such strong breasts The Church of the Conuerts Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers euery one bringeth forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer Here she yeldeth yet a more ample testimonie of her faith saying in that that is to say the Catholike Church which containeth so many nations Salomō that is to say Christ our true Salomon and peaceable king had a vine in the beginning to wit his vniuersall Church for that is his vine And he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers as who would say I know that it is needfull and requisite that euery one to whom the charge and ministery of the word is committed should be thrisecarefull to keepe and not to wast and spoile te defend and not to destroy my vineyard Euery particular man of the elect may be said to bring forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer that is all that he hath and himselfe also And the frutes of this vineyard are these the grace of God peace righteousnesse iustice truth other particular signes of the holy Ghost and life euerlasting So that this is the summe of a Christian mans confession to confesse Christ to bee head of the vine that is to say of the Church of the conuerts The Text. 12 But my vineyard which is mine is before me to thee ô Salomon appertaineth a thousand peeces of
siluer two hundred to them that keepe the frute thereof 13 O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken vnto thy voyce cause me to heare it 14 O my welbeloued flie avvay and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the mountaines of spices The Commentarie The wordes of the Bridegrome vnto the Church of the Conuerts The bridegroome confirmeth her sayings to be true affirming the Church to be before the Lord because he is alwayes most readie to succour and helpe her in all her necessities Wherefore he sendeth not wolues but faithful ministers and Apostles to be her keepers in such sort that it is not possible that any one of them should perish The church of the conuerts vnto the Bridegrome To thee appertaineth a thousand peeces of siluer Because the number of a thousand is the terme and bound of all other numbers therefore it is taken for all numbers and then the words go thus O Salomon O my peaceable and louing Christ to thee appertaineth a thousand that is the greatest and farthermost number And two hundred to them that keepe the frute thereof that is not so much a◠appertaineth vnto thee The wordes of the Bridegrome vnto the Bride O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken vnto thy voyce cause mee to beare it Here Christ speaketh vnto all the Church in generall shewing how acceptable and pleasant her voyce is to him which she so greatly longeth for to heare because her voice is Gods word therfore he speaketh after this maner vnto the spouse O my louing spouse thou that dwellest in the gardens that is to say in the particular Churches which are taken for gardens Thy companions or friends namely those which preach and teach the Gospell Hearken vnto thy voyce that is are obedient vnto thee because thou alone art able to teach them my words Cause me to heare thy voyce which is nothing diuerse I am sure from my words or contrarie to the scripture therfore most acceptable and pleasant vnto me because all other words which proceede and come from the flesh they are not my words they are adulterous and false words and therfore most abhominable in mine eares The wordes of the Spouse vnto the Bridegroome O my welbeloued flie away and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the mountaines of spices This mountaine of spices is the Church and therfore the lesser and particular Churches are called mountaines of spices Christ desired to heare the Spouse speake the Spouse answereth him by vttering the words of perfect charitie by which words it appeareth how zealous she is of Christes glorie and the knowledge of his truth And furthermore the great desire wherewith she is inflamed towardes the saluation of all men And this is briefly the sence and meaning of these wordes O my welbeloued flie away as a man when he flieth away in great hast or as the Roes or young Harts doe skirre it along most nimbly vpon the tops of the hils so do thou make hast and tarrie not to come vnto the mountaines of spices that is to say to come both vnto the Church vniuersall and also to be present ayding vnto all the particular Churches least happily they may be constrained to receiue any other besides thee and so by estraunging themselues from thee perish eternally Therfore gentle Christ come quickly to helpe and succour to direct and guide vs vnto the right way which leadeth vs vnto life euerlasting FINIS Faults escaped In the Preface for the title or inscription of the Song of songs reade the title or inscription is the Song of songs Page 8. line 12. for man reade men p. 14. l. 6. for sunnie reade sinne p. 21. l. 23. for particularly reade patiently p. 23. l. 10. for houses reade horses p. 39. l. 13. for vvith the svveete reade vvith svveete p. 40. l. 28. for gold reade God p. 51. l. 7. for the people reade his people p. 51. l. 30. for and maketh it reade maketh it p. 64.1 for to reade and p. 79. l. 7. for of seeming workes that issue foorth from faith reade of seeming good vvorks but not proceeding frō faith the other a chaine of good vvorkes indeed that is to say of vvorkes that issue foorth from faith p. 108. l. 12. for then reade that p. 121. l. 11. for those elect vvhich is a companion c. reade of the elect vvhich continually haue their faiths accompanied and follovved vvith good vvorkes Floure Psal 16.11 * It the fruit fo his pleasant apples Thus it is in Italian Thus it is in Italian Thus it is in Italian * It. Hell