His belly likewise or whole inwards and bowells of compassion specially is said to be as bright Ivory over-laid with Saphires that is pure and cleer without any spot and most comfortable to the soul as white and blew colours are pleasant to the eye Vers 15. His legs are as pillars of Marble set upon sockets of fine gold his countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars His legs whereby is understood all his wayes specially of mercy and love towards his Elect are said to be as pillars of Marble set on sockets of fine gold denotating thereby that they are alwaies stable holy pure and glorious His countenance also or loving favour to them on whom he makes the same to shine is said to be as Lebanon excellent as the cedars that is to say goodly most pleasant and delectable as we see David found and therefore so much desired the same Psal 4. 6. Vers 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem His mouth to wit opened in holy scripture and promises of salvation therein contained is most sweet and comfortable specially to a weary and fainting soul as Jonathans honey was to him yea he is altogether lovely even all Christ and all in Christ to a soul that loves him This is her beloved she sayes and this is her friend of whom the daughters of Jerusalem asked what was he more then another beloved a beloved of matchles beauty as he has been described and a friend of matchlesse friendship kinder then Jonathan was to David whose love exceeded the love of women who died for his enemies that painefull accursed and ignominious death of the crosse that he might make friendship between God and us and befriend our wretched soules in delivering them from death and purchasing unto them life everlasting Observations 1. We see out of her description of Christ to the daughters of Jerusalem that it is the Churches part and office to publish and paint out before the eyes of the faithfull as the Apostle speaks by the preaching of the word Christ Jesus Crucified for which cause she is called the staple-place and pillar of truth which thing is a mark of the true Church and whosoever does it not but withholds from Gods people the sound doctrine of the Word and would by dumb images and idolls the teachers of lies paint out Christ crucified otherwise they are not the true Church of Christ 2. By such a description of the excellency and beauty of her Beloved we see what a rich Jewell they find who find Christ and to how rare and excellent a matchless husband they espouse their souls who by a lively faith espouse themselves to him divorcing from Satan sin and the world also how much worth the seeking so glorious a Lord is and what happinesse and great dignity his Church has by the fruition of him here but far greater by enjoying of him hereafter 3. Christ's love is so firmly rooted in her heart and it so plentifully filled therewith that even when he has withdrawn himself from her to her feeling and seemes so unkind to her as Joseph seemed rough and strange to his brethren that when she called he would not answer her yet she expresses the vehemency of her love towards him so that she ceases not to charge the daughters of Jerusalem to tell him that she is sick of love and so highly to praise and commend him as the strain of her best expressions can any way reach unto showing thereby that true saving grace and the love of Christ is so permanent and durable in the souls of the Elect that there is nothing that can befall them or whereby it pleases the Lord to exercise them that can cool their love but rather kindle the same to him and therefore even then as Ruth did to Naomi they cleave the faster to him with Jacob they wrestle and will not let him go and with Job they dare tell him that albeit he should kill them yet never will he depart from him nor shall ever his love go out of their heart or his praise out of their mouth For as the Apostle saies who shall seperate them from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Nay in all these things they are more than conquerours through him that has loved them Rom. 8. 35. 4. From the description of his head vers 11. which is as most fine gold not subject as other baser mettalls to rust and corruption Seeing a conformity should be between the head and members his mysticall body not being like Nebuchadnezar's Image therefore we should all strive to holinesse and not to be subject to corruption or wickednesse 5. Likewise from the description of his eyes vers 12. compared to Doves eyes the eyes of his Church being in like manner chap. 4. 1. so called and compared delighting in purity holinesse and innocency we see as has been said what a conformity not onely should be but is between Christ and his Church in holinesse their eyes ears tongue heart and hand all being sanctified and made holy as he is holy by his Spirit who renewes them 6. From the description of his cheeks and lips vers 13. affording such sweetnesse we see how sweet leight and easie is Christ's yoke of submission unto all the faithfull through love's facilitation which is not so to others and how sweet also his word is to such which exacts that homage and subjection not onely in the promises but precepts thereof howsoever it be like Marah even bitter to the relish of others tormenting them before their time because of their distempered palat and corruption which it launces therefore Foelix could not abide it no more than a sore eye can endure the bright light which is delightfull to others 7. In the 14 vers we see a conformity between his actions and inwards both holy and void of corruption or spot Teaching us that the like conformity should be between our inwards and outwards not to have fair outwards and foul inwards like painted tombs nor to pretend fair inwards but to have foul outwards our actions being contrary to our profession and having the voice of Jacob but the hands of Esau 8. His legs or waies which are all holy are said to be stable like pillars of marble vers 15 teaching us in like manner that so should all our waies of holinesse be without wavering or inconstancy and backsliding remembring Lot's wife and the punishment of Korah and others who would have returned to Egypt We must be then like Joshua and Caleb and not like those Galatians that began in the spirit but would end in the flesh Gal. 3. 3. For unto stable standers as David professes of himself Psal 26. 12. and constant perseverers is the promise made of eternall life Revel 2. 10. 9. She saies vers 16. This is my Beloved after
repentance and expressions of her holy love and which is strange the feast that he most delights in is our hungring and thiâ—…ng after righteousness and such he mutually invites to feast with him Isai 54. 1. but alas we feast him rather with Wormwood and Gall and with such grapes as are spoken of Isai 5. 3. Thirdly we have to consider 1. What this Spikenard is 2. How called hers 3. How it sends forth the smell thereof First then spikenard is a very precious and odoriferous Oyntment as we see Mark 14. 3. Joh. 12. 3. and by which is meant the precious and savory or fragrant graces of Gods Spirit comming from our head of Christ and powred down upon his members like that Psalm 133. 1. which is that Unction whereof John speaks and whereby all true Christians are spiritually annoynted to be a Royall Priesthood unto God 2. This Spikenard is called hers 1. by donation as it is said quid habes quod non accepisti 2. by inhesion because it is gratia gratis data quae nobis inhaeret being sown and rooted in such who are ingraft truly and rooted in Christ but is not ours as if it were either from our selves or like Christs Righteousnesse which is imputed to us and is like Esau's vesture that sweet smelling garment wherewith being clothed we get our fathers blessing 3. This Spikenard is said to send forth the smell thereof when these graces manifest themselves by the fruits or effects and operation thereof in that new obedience which becommeth Christians expressing the vertue of Christs death and resurrection the truth of their conversion the livelinesse of their faith the fervencie of their zeale and the reality of their charity and the like the smell whereof like that Joh. 12. 3. fills every place where it is sent forth ascending upwards to God like that of Noah's sacrifice or Cornelius almes deeds and pleasing him reflecting inward to the conscience rejoycing the same and giving an assurance of our election by welldoing and extending to others as Psal 16. 2. who seeing our good works and getting good thereby do glorify God our heavenly Father Observations 1. We see the great love of Christ to his Church not only in bestowing gifts and graces upon her but likewise familiarly banquetting with her as he sayes Rev. 3. 20. If any man will open unto mâ—… I will sup with him and he shall sup with me therefore also c. 2. verse 4. it is said he brought me into his banquetting house and his banner over me was love which should teach us to walk worthy of such a favour and ever to have on the banquetting Garment of holynesse unspotted with the flesh 2. By her Spikenard its sending sorth the smell thereof we see that there is no better way to entertain him than with the fruits and fragrant smell of his own saving graces and therefore it is said c 4. v. 16 Let my Beloved come into his garden eat his pleasant fruits so that as it is said of the vertuous woman Prov. 31. 31. give her of the fruit of her own hands and let her own works praise her Or as David said to the Lord 1 Chron. 29. 14. of thine own have we given thee even so give the Lord of the fruit of his own graces planted in thy heart and let his own work thereof praise him But alass the smell we send forth is as that of a filthy puddle which displeases the Lord and provokes him to wrath 3. We see likewise here that what edifying gifts we get from God like so many talents we ought not to keep them close as that improfitable servant did or hiding our light as it were under a bushell but we should do as Mary Magdalen did with her Box of Spiknard precious and costly powre it out for the benefit of others even upon Christs feet Math. 26. and lovvest or meanest members of his body even as that Psalm 133. 2. costly oyntment that was povvred on Aarons head drenched down to the lowest skirts of his Garment Verse 13. A bundle of mirrh is my well be loved unto me He shall lye all night betwixt my breasts Here the Church profestes her spirituall comfort which she had in Christ and of his death and resurrection the feeling whereof is like a sweet odour to a believing soul and which she would be so carefull to conserve and apply in all estates unto her selfe by the work of faith that all the night time of his life or of affliction and tentation noted by a dark time she would make Him her continuall joy and comfort solacing her selfe in him and that he should lye between her breasts and constantly dwell in her heart by Faith and true affection She compares him then to a bundle of Mirrhe or Nosegay such as is usually made of most pleasant and sweet Flowers for delighting sight and smell and which Maidens did set in their bosomes between their breast that so they might have the sweet savour thereof alwaies in their nose In which word we have 1. how she calls him 2. Whereunto she compares him to wit to myrrh and a bundle of myrrh 3. to whom he is so to wit to her 4. where she places him between her Breasts and 5. How long shall he lye there to wit all the Night First then she calls him her beloved whereof v. 7. whom for power and authority before she called a King v. 12. and whose power should confound her if his love did not comfort her and to whom she againe as a King owes loyalty and subjection and as her blessed bridegoom she professes to him love and affection Next she compares him to Myrrh which was one of the gifts wherewith the wise men of the East honoured Christ at his birth Math. 2. with which aloes his body also was imbalmed after his death Joh. 19. 39. and which likewise was the first and speciall ingredient of the holy annointing oyle that vvas appoynted to be made for annoynting Aaron and the Tabernacle with the pertinents thereof being of a svveet and odoriferous smell as the rest of the sweet spices were of that conposition and whereby is signified the sweet comfort that the Christian soul indued with spirituall senses finds in Christ crucisied to whom sinne is first sowre Exod. 30. 23. Neither contents she her self to compare Him only to Myrrh but to a bundle of Myrrh to show unto us 1. the abundance of that spirituall comfort that comes from him to a believing soul as a greater smell is yeelded by a bundle of sweet flovvers or spices than comes from a single flovver or a graine of spice As likewise to shovv 2. that as from every flovver in a bundle there comes a svveet smell even so from every thing considerable in Christ there arises comfort whether we consider his natures or offices his birth and conception his holy life death buriall resurrection and ascention and now his intercession at his
watch harden themselves like beaten souldiers against all difficulties resist temptations which are the assaults of the enemie like Gideons souldiers imitate their captaine fight that good fight whereof the Apostle speaks and be constant to the death and they shall receive the crown of life 2. This should teach us to welcome death when it comes which ends our fight gives the full victory and enters us in the triumphant estate of glory 3. We see that that which is terrible to the enemies of Christ's Church spirituall or corporall is when she is like a well ordered army wherein is no mutinie or conâ—usion but unity of faith and decency of order whereas on the contrary if she be as Midians army Judg. 7. or the builders of Babel by heresie or schisme confusion and disorder this is the greatest joy advantage and ground of courage unto all her enemies Vers 5. Turn away thine eyes from me for they have overcome me thy haire is as a flock of goats that appeare from Gilead The like of these words we have chap. 4. 9. Which we have already expounded and as for any variation which we find here Christ does not meane thereby that she should turne away the eyes of her faith from him he being the constant object thereof and wherein he so delights that the doing thereof ravishes his heart to her as he showes there but this is a kind of speech whereby he expresses how much the beauty of her eyes does inamour him that it makes him in like case with her self that is to be sick of love such is the excellency and force of true faith which for that cause we should be so carefull to obtaine The rest to the eight verse we have expounded before in the fourth Chapter verses 1. 2. 3. Vers 8. There are threescore Queens and fourscore concubines and virgins without number 9. My dove my undefiled is but one she is the onely one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her the daughters saw her and blessed her yea the queens and concubines and they praised her In this eight verse is set down the glorious attendance of the spouse of Christ as we have the like Psal 45. 12. and 14. And as it is likewise said that kings shal be her nursing fathers and queens her nursing mothers a definite number of which queens and concubines being here put for an indefinite and by virgins all chaste worshippers whatsoever being to be understood and therefore they are said to be without number as we find the like speech of such in the Revelation c. 7. 9. All which forenamed queens for birth beauty or busking are no wise comparable to these three in her for all hers is from heaven and spirituall but all their's from the earth and naturall yea as the Psalmist saies This King's daughter is all glorious within with the beauty of holinesse spoken of Psal 110. which by age cannot fade sicknesse cannot blast nor death can quite abolish Next vers 9. the Church is praised from her chastity and unity for which she is blessed and praised blessed by the Daughters and praised by the Queens and Concubins In respect of which her spirituall chastity she is called Vndefiled and in respect of her unity she is called One yea the onely one of her mother that bare her The title that he gives her here calling her his Dove of it we have spoken already cap. 2. 14. whereunto this onely may be added That as every thing in the dove is amiable as her eyes Cant. 1. 15. and her feathers Psal 68. 13. and what not so is the Church in the eyes of Christ who sees no iniquity in Jacob nor perversnesse in Israel not that his justice sees any thing otherwise than it is but that his mercy will not see some things as they are Likewise how he calls her his Dove we have spoken in like manner Therefore 1 She is not her own 1 Cor. 6. ult because bought with a price 2 Neither is she the world 's for so it would love her whereas on the contrary it hates her as it did her Head before her The first property then from whence she is described is her chastity implied in this that she is called Vndefiled not that she is free from all sinning so long as she is in this life but she is so perfectly by justification and reputed so in Christ by gracious acceptation and inchoatively made holy by sanctification and made perfect by the perfection of parts which is evangelicall though not of degrees as the Law requires and is not competent to her estate militant Next she is called One all perfection rising from unity and returning thither so that every thing the neerer it comes to perfection gathers it self up the more towards unity Therefore God is one there is one Heaven one Earth one Church in the earth one King of his Church one Law one Faith one Baptism c. And as there is perfection in unity so there is strength as on the contrary a City or Kingdome divided against themselves cannot stand therefore it is said That for the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart The Church then is called one 1 as not being divided 2 as not being multiplied To begin then with the former Whether we consider the Church as an aggregation of the outward visible particular Churches of Christian professors in common or as the invisible and universall Church of the Elect onely it is still one professing one Lord and so being one in the Head one Faith and so being one in the heart and one Baptism and so being one in the outward face thereof No naturall body being more one than this mysticall is which one head rules one spirit quickens one blood washes one food nourishes and one roab covers c. And so it is one in it selfe and one with Christ as Christ is one with the Father Joh. 17. 22. What Church then has one onely head the Lord one onely faith in the Lord built upon one onely foundation Ephes 2. 20. and one baptism in that faith â—hat is Christ's Dove And as the Church of Christ is one not being divided so is she one not being multiplied For as the Lord gave but one Evaâ— to the first Adam so he will take but one Spouse to himselfe who is the second Adam therefore many particular Churches whether Congregationall or Nationall make up but one Universall Neither are there two Churches when we say Militant and Triumphant but we distinguish onely the divers condition of the divers members of Christ's Church which is but one as they are either in via or else already in patria Observations 1. By this glorious attendance of the Spouse of Christ of the greatest and most honourable persons on earth as Queens who are her nursing mothers beside the glorious attendance of the glorious Angells which is invisible and who are ministring Spirits sent out for her good
a main ingredient to stirre up our devotion and to thank the Lord therefore is his love towards us This also is an encouragement giving us confidence to be heard and accepted and this should be as the Apostle uses it Rom. 12. 1. a maine motive to offer up our bodies as an acceptable holy and living sacrifice to God Observations 1. We see that the Church takes the kisses of Christs mouth which are the assurance to her soul of her reconciliation with God and such spirituall gifts as the onely sure testimonies of his love towards her and therefore how farre is she different in judgement from the worldlings who measure gods love to themselves by temporall things and worldly prosperity which thing like that woman Rev. 12. 1. she treads upon in affection seeking quae supra and with Jacob the birthright and blessing or with David Psal 4. 6. the light of Gods countenance 2. We see the cause why so earnestly she suits these tokens of Christs love consequently his love it self is her due and right valuation of the same better nor wine or the most pleasant and comfortable thing in nature therefore till we learn spiritually to discerne and accordingly highly to value spirituall things like Jacob who valued the birthright and blessing otherwise then Esau Or the wise merchant Matth. 13. that valued the pearle otherwise than did Esop's Cock we will never earnestly seek after such things but as most men do we will vilisie and despise them and seek after other things busily with Martha which we most account of neglecting this one thing which is most necessary of all yea after sinne and sinfull pleasures which should be bitter and most disgustfull to us 3. As due valuation of spirituall things makes earnestness of seeking after such so till the soul be indued with spirituall senses that she may taste and see how good the Lord is and thereby find in Christs love and the pledges thereof a surpassing sweetness beyond that which is in any other thing whatsoever she will never value aright the same and consequently seek after the same earnestly and therefore we should all seek these spirituall senses and not marvell to see worldlings who are dead in sinne to want the same altogether 4. Seeing Christs love is so excellent surpassing all the excellencie of earthly things and that he has so freely bestowed the same on us worthless and wretched worms how dearly should we love him againe and not set our love on any other object in or of this World and much lesse on sinne the Cut-throat of our Soul and crucifier of Christ Verse 3. Because of the savour of thy good Oyntment powred forth therefore do the Virgins love thee In this verse the Church rendreth the reason wherefore her heart is so set upon her beloved which is drawn from his excellencie and bountie he being like a Vessel full of sweet Oyntments and heavenly graces the fullnesse whereof is not in Christ for himself only but for his Churches good are powred out to delight sweeten and perfume her God having given him the spirit without measure and annoynted him with the Oyle of gladnesse above his fellowes Heb. 1. 9. that not only in him as sayes the Apostle all fulnesse should dwell Col. 1. 19. but as it is written that out of his fulnesse we might all receive grace for grace John 3. 34. and which therefore was typed by that precious Ointment spoken of Psalm 133. 1. which was powred on Aarons head and drencht down his whole body to the skirts of his garments and like that costly Ointment which Mary Magdalen powred out of her Box on our Saviours head while he sat at table Mark 14. 3 with the sweet savour whereof the whole house was filled John 12. 3. And by reason of the savour in like manner of this sweet Oyntment here spoken of his name or the preaching of the Gospel whereby Christ crucified as the Saviour of the World is made known and with his merit and all saving graces exhibited unto al believers is as a sweet smelling Oyntment powred out and becomes the savour of life unto life to all those who believe And by reason of the fragrant smell of those saving graces that are in Christ as the head fullie and from him are graciously dispensed and bestowed on his Church and members as also because of the comfortable ministrie of the Word and Sacraments whereby they are conveyed to the believing soul Therefore the Spouse of Christ and all the true members of his Church who are like chaste Virgins do love and effect him In this verse then wherein she renders a reason of her love to her well beloved we have to consider 1. What is meant by these oyntments spoken of 2. How are they called his 3. the properties thereof that they are good and savory 4. The twofold fruit of their good savour or fragrancy the one whereof is that his name is as Oyntment powred out wherein we have to consideragaine 1. What is meant by his name 2. How it is powred out as Oyntment The other fruit is that therefore the virgins love him Wherein likewise we have to consider 1. Who are these virgins and why so called 2. Of what sort their love is 3. The object thereof And 4. The motive First then by these Oyntments no other thing is meant but the saving graces of the holy ghost which out of Christs fulnesse according to the Lords promise Isai 44. 3. and Joel 2. 28. are powred upon the Elect and whereof the Apostle speaks 1 Joh. 2. 20. which graces are compared to Oyntment 1. Because of the preciousness great worth thereof as it s called Psalm 133. 2. and Matth. 26. 7. Even so is grace whereof it may be said as it is of the vertuous woman Prov. 31. 10. for its price is far above Rubies in regard whereof the godly are called the Lords Jewels and by David the excellent ones of the earth 2. Oyntment is delectable in smell as we see here and Canticles 4. 10. Even so is grace to a renewed soul and makes the same in like manner delectable in smell to the Lords Nostrils John 12. 2. as Esau's garment on Jacob's back was to old Isaac whereas on the contrary the sinfull soul that is destitute thereof is before God as a filthy puddle or most loathsome carcase 3. It rejoyces the heart Prov. 27. 9. therefore called the Oyl of joy and gladnesse Isa 61. 3. and for that cause not used in mourning Dan. 10. 3. but feasting Psal 23. 5. Even so nothing more rejoyces the heart of the godly than the sense of saving grace the same being the pledge of glory and of that fullness of joy that is in God's presence for ever Psalm 84. 11. 4. Ointment does mollifie as we see Isai 1. 6. even so doth saving grace the heart and makes it so an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord Psalm 51. 17 and plyable to have
16. 3. Even so the Lord of his free grace out of the corrupted and accursed masse of mankind has separate and chosen a select number to be his Church to dwell in the midst of them by a peculiar and constant presence of grace here and to advance them at last to dwell with him in eternall glory hereafter 3. In respect of Situation firmly founded upon a Mount that cannot be removed as we see Psalm 125. 1. but abideth for ever even so is the Church of God built upon a sure foundation the Rock Christ Jesus against which the gates of Hell shall no-wise prevail 4. In respect of defence and fortification with Mountains round about Walls and Watch-Tovvers as vve see Psalm 125. 2. Isai 62 6. Ezekiel 33 3. Even so as the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people sayes the Psalmist from hence forth even for ever Psalm 125. 2. 84. 11. 5. In respect of compact structure for commodious habitation as we see Psalm 122. 3. Even so is Christ's Church conpactly built Eph. 2. 21. and firmly joyned together by a three fold conjunction 1. Of unity in faith 2. Of externall profession in the truth and 3. Of love and affection 6. In respect of Gods true worship and adoration which was there established and therefore there was the Temple the Lords Priests and sacrifices even so in Christs Church there is the true worship of God in like manner established for which cause it is called 1 Tim. 3. 15. The Pillar and stable place of truth and no where but there is the voyce of the great Shepherd Christ Jesus to be heard nor doth he walk but in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks 7. In respect of her many priviledges and peculiar donations as to be called the Citty of the great King the Lords dwelling place and glory of the Earth and in respect whereof Psalm 87. 3. it is said Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Even so great and many are the Prerogatives of the Church of Christ as to be the spouse of the King of Kings cloathed with the Sun crowned with stars trampling on the Moon attended on by Angels having heaven her inheritance and all things to be hers Rev. 12. 1. This Jerusalem here is said to have daughters therfore as we see Gal. 4. 26. She is a mother yea such a mother to her Children as the mother of her head and Husband was to Christ to wit a virgin-mother in whose womb the godly are conceived through the operation of the holy Ghost by the immortall seed of the Word 1 Pet. 1. 23. And borne againe by that new birth whereof our Saviour speaks to Nicodemus John 3. 3. And upon whose breasts they are fed and nourished by that sincere milk of the Word wherof Peter speaks 1 Pet. 2. 2. Having then spoken of those to whom she speaks follows next what it is that she speaks to wit I am black sayes she but comely which speech of hers is by way of concession granting that which they might object unto her concerning her blacknesse but withall showing them that she was comly which blacknesse or rather blackishness howsoever it may be said to befall her because of the infirmities whereunto she is subject in this life so long as flesh and spirit are in her like Rebecca's twins wrastling yet specially this blackness is said to befall her as she shows in the next verse because of persecution and much affliction whereunto she is subject and all such who will live godly in this present World which persecution in the next Verse she calls the Suns looking upon her and which our Saviour Mat. 13. 6. expounds to be such and wherewith the Lord wisely suffers his Church to be exercised for these reasons following 1. To purge her as in a furnace from her drosse and so to further her mortification therfore called a Fiery tryall which the Godly should not think strange to be amongst them 2. To Weane her affection from this World that it may be the more setled on him and that life to come and to make death and her entry into her rest the more welcome when it comes 3. For exercise of her holy gifts and graces as her patience humility love constancy and courage c. 4. For detecting of Hypocrits and Temporizers who in the hour of temptation like chaffe will not abide with the solid graine 5. For manifesting his mighty power to the disappoyntment of Satan and comfort of his own in preserving his Church in the midst of hottest persecution as the bush was where Moses saw the fire or the three Children in the fiery furnace see also Cant. 2 2. 6. Making this also a mean of propagating the Gospell which Satan and his Instruments thereby would impede as a Vine by cutting the same becomes more frâ—itfull hence Sanguis martyrum semen ecclesiae and by the dispersion of the Disciples the preaching of the Gospell was the farder spread 7. Hereby likewise the body is conformed to the Head by bearing the Crosse here that she may come to the Crown hereafter for all which former respects the godly have rejoyced in their sufferings and as Philip. 1. 29. counted it a gift or benefit and an honour given them that they were found worthie to suffer with Christ Thus we see the difference between the troubles of the godly especially for righteousnesse and these of the wicked 1. In their nature 2. In the ground wherefrom they come even the Lords great love 3. In their fruit to wit of righteousnesse And 4. In their end The next thing whereof he speaks by way of Apology is that she is comly where we have to consider 1. What this comelinesse is and wherein it consists 2. From whom she hath it And 3. Before whom or in whose sight and estimation she is so But first this would seem to be contrary to a Virgins modesty chiefly to praise her self and say that she was comely and to that humility whereof Salomon speaks saying Let anotherman praise thee and not thine own mouth a stranger and not thine own lips Prov. 27. 2. But hereunto it may be answered that without violation of that precept of Solomons this may be done in two cases Vel quando ad imitationem requirit hoc utilitas audientis vel ad justam defensionem necessitas loquentis both which we may see in Paul The first Acts. 20. 18. 35. and againe 1 Cor. 11. 1. The second in two whole Chapters 2 Cor. 11. 12 To come then to the first poynt to be handled of her comliness to wit what it is and wherein it consists It is nothing else but that spirituall and inward beauty of Holiness so called Psal 29. 2. and 110. 3. which as is said Ezek. 16. 14. is that comliness which the Lord put upon Her and whereby as the Psalmist Speakes Psal 45. 13. The kings daughter is all glorious
Vers 16. My Beloved is mine and I am his he feeds among the Lillies Upon all the former speeches of Christ expressing his love and care of his Church she breaks forth here into a gloriation not a vain one as Haman's nor a worldly one as the rich Fool 's nor a wicked one as Lamech's nor a self-one as the Pharisee's but a godly one as the Apostle saies He that glories let him glory in the Lord. It is therefore in that sweet and holy communion which is betwixt the Lord Jesus Christ and her and comfortable fruit which she reaps thereby wherein her felicity stands that here she glorieth saying My wel-beloved is mine and I am his Where we must note first That there is an union betwixt Christ and his Church from whence cometh this communion by which union he is her head and she is by the Spirit united to him as his mysticall body whence followes that whatsoever is in him it is hers and therefore it is said That he is made unto us of God Wisdom Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption And more particularly from this communion flowes these benefits 1 He has taken upon him all our sins and guiltinesse and satisfied the justice of God for the same 2 He makes us partakers of his righteousnesse which is made ours in justification 3 He gives us also his Spirit of sanctification and all saving-graces necessary to salvation 4 He gives unto us the sense of God's love true peace inward joy comfort in crosses courage against death and victory over all our enemies And 5 He sympathizes with us in good or evill and gives unto us right unto life everlasting Her beloved then is hers 1 By the Father's donation Rom. 8. 32. 2 By this mysticall forenamed union diversly exprest in Scripture 3 By faith's application of his death resurrection ascension mediation c. and benefits or comforts thereof And 4 He shall be ours most comfortably in that full fruition which we shall have of him as our blessed Bridegroom at the last day after the solemnization of our espousalls and entry with him into those mansion-places of eternall glory She likewise is her beloved's 1 By the Father's donation Joh. 10. 29. 2 By creation 3 By redemption 4 By desponsation 5 By the bond of affection And 6 By mutuall application that as we by faith apply him to us so likewise by holy obedience as the imp to the stock we comply to him and apply our selves and whole endeavours to please and honour him Thereafter she expresses the delight which the Lord Jesus takes in this sweet communion and fellowship with his Saints whom he here calls Lillies as they are called vers 2. to wit That he feeds amongst them that is he delights in them and in their obedience to his will as we are said to feed our sight with such objects wherein we delight and as he counted it food unto him or meat and drink to do his Father's will Observations 1. We see here the Christian's happinesse and how poor soever in this world he be yet what a great treasure he has when Christ is his in whom all fulnesse is and who is Lord of all whom if we have as the Apostle reasons Rom. 8. 32. we are sure of all other things that God knowes to be for his glory and our good 2. We see if Christ be ours we must likewise be his for there are many that would be content that Christ should be theirs but they labour not to be Christ's again by renewed obedience But here we see that we must be his if we would have him to be ours and a true faith as it applies Christ so it makes one comply to Christ 3. But mark the order that Christ must first be ours before we can be his for without him we can do nothing and it is he who seeks the lost sheep first and works in us both the will and the deed so that till Christ give himself first to us and come first to us as he did to â—azarus lying in the grave we will never be able to give our selves to him or to be his by faith and renewed obedience 4. If we be his then it followes 1 That we must not be Satan's nor sin's nor the world's nor suffer our affections to be set on any other or any other to lord over us 2 If we be his great is our comfort herein that he will count the wrongs done to us as done to himself or to her who is one with himself yea he who touches such he has said that they touch the apple of his own eye And 3 If the godly be his then whatsoever good we do to such this is our encouragement we do the same to Christ himself and his members as he will professe at the last day 5. If Christ so delight in us and in our obedience that he feeds as it were amongst us how should we in like manner delight in him and his presence and be obedient to him not grieving and far lesse quenching his good Spirit by whom we are sealed to the day of perfect redemption Vers 17. Untill the day break and the shadowes flee away turn my Beloved and be thou like a Roe or a young Hart upon the mountains of Bether Here the Spouse of Christ closeth this Chapter with an earnest and holy prayer to her Beloved that during the night-time of this life which is obnoxious to much sin and ignorance troubles and temptations signified by the shaddowes here that shall flee away at last and till that happy change come signified by the break of day or dawning that all these forenamed shall be removed and have an end and sighing and sorrowing shall passe away by Christ's glorious comming in the clouds on high like a Roe or young Hart upon the mountaines of Bether that till then he would never remove his comfortable presence from her but be ready ever at hand for her help by the comfort of his Word and Spirit The mountains then that are spoken of here are called the mountains of Bether called also Bithron 2 Sam. 2. 29. which is by interpretation separation or division and were on the yonder side of Jordan in the land of Gilead so called because by Iordan they were separate or divided from the rest of Iudea and on these mountains Harts and Roes used to skip and feed and therefore the Church speaking of Christs second comming to judgment when he is to seperate the sheep from the goats she alludes to these mountains that are by interpretation Separation and by the Harts and Roes that did feed and skip thereon she alludes to the manner of his comming which she wishes to be speedily as the Church in the Revelation answereth with a like holy Eccho saying Even so come Lord Iesus come quickly Rev. 22. 20. Observations 1. Her being his and Christ hers makes the Church to think of the Last-day with joy and so earnestly to wish
faith and obedience of the same to him is the gladness of his heart so the finding of this disposition in our selves or the seeing thereof in others let it be in like manner the gladness and rejoysing of our heart and the contrary the just matter of greatest contristating the same Finis tertiâ— Capitis Soli Deo gloria CHAP. IV. Vers 1. Behold thou art faire my love behold thou art faire thou hast doves eyes within thy locks thy haire is as a flock of goates that appeare from mount Gilead IN this whole Chapter for the most part is the speach of the bridgroom set down commending his bride 1. Generally 2. More particularly whose praise or expressing of her glory is not from outward Pomp and busking like that Whore of Babylon spoken of in the Revelation Rev. 17. But from the comly feature of the speciall parts of her body and as Peter sayes from the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible and in the sight of God is of great price 1 Pet. 3. 3. First then he beginnes her praise from her beauty in generall whereof we have already spoken c. 1. 15. Next from the comly feature of the parts of her body in particular to show thereby that her beauty and comliness which he has put upon her as he speakes by his Propher Eze. kiel Ezek. 16. 14. is a compleat and perfect beauty defective in no part for if in any person one part be deformed though the other parts be comely in such there is no perfect beauty but in Gods church which is his mysticall body there is no such thing who is not therefore like Nebuchadnezars Image whose head though it was of gold and the body of silver yet the feet were but Iron and clay but she is glorious in all her parts and members and therefore being washed and sanctified by him justly doeth he â—ay verse 7. Thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee In this particular commendation he beginnes at her eyes saying that within her locks she had doves eyes whereby what was signified we shewed before c. 1. 15. Which are here said to be within her locks used by virgins for decence and alluring as we see Revel 9. 8. Hereby to signifie her care to procure his love and delight in her Next he commends her from her haire which he sayes is like a slock of goats that appeare from mount Gilead whereby are understood her holy thoughts rightly ordered as virgins haire uses to be proceeding from a Sanctified heart as haires do from the head the chief part of the body and rising upward by heavenly desires and contemplation and therefore compared as is said to a flock of goates who delight to climb and seek to high and steep places and therefore are said to appeare from mount Gilead a goodly and high mountaine of pasture whereof we read Numb 32. 1. Others understand by her haire the multitude of common Christians by externall profession holding to the head yet some whereof oft fall off and others are cut off by excommunication Verse 2. Thy teeth are like a stock of sheep that are eaven shorne which came up from the washing whereof every one beares twinne and none is barren among them 3. Thy lips are like athread of scarlet and thy speech is comely thy temples are like a peece of Pomegranate within thy locks 4. Thy neck is like the towre of David builded for an armory c. Thirdly he commends her from her teeth the comliness and beauty whereof in the naturall body consists in these two things to wit that they be eaven and white and therefore he compares them to a flock of sheep that are eaven shorne and are white being newly come up from the washing by which are understood in the mysticall body of Christs church her faithfull and godly pastors who 1 as the teeth cut and prepare the food for the nourishment of the body so do they devide the word aright and prepare food for the nourishment of the soul as also 2. as these are like an eaven shorn flock so this signifieth how pastors should agree in one harmony of truth and unity 3. And as the teeth are white in colour so should pastors be holy and spotless in conversation lastly as the churches teeth are like a flock of sheep whereof every one bears twinnes and there is none barren amongst them so should pastors labour to be fruitfull by the immortall seed of the word to beget and bring forth many children to God Fourthly he commends her from her lipps which are for a twofold use 1. For the expression of love by kissing as we see Câ—nt 1. 2. and 2. For help of articulate and comely speakking and therefore he subjoynes that her speech is comely And therefore her lips here compared to a thread of scarlet does signifie 1 Her servent love to Christ and that submission and obedience that flowes therefrom spoken of by kissing the Son Psal 2. 12. as also her holy and comely speech here mentioned both in prayer and praising God and edifying likewise her neighbours showing thereby as it is said of the vertuous woman that the law of Grace is in her lips and that the same proceeds from a heart purged by faith in Christ's blood which makes it to be as if it were of a red or scarlet die 3 Her lips are the delivery of the wholsome doctrine of her teachers precious like scarlet and teaching Christ crucified by whose blood we are saved and drawn like a wel-spun thread out of holy Scripture Fifthly He commends her from her temples or cheeks the seat of shamefastnesse or blushing which he compares to a piece of pomgranat that is reddish betokening thereby her chast modesty and blushing if she do any thing amisse or be rebuked for the same and therefore is not impudent as many are in sinning and of a whoorish forehead that cannot be ashamed nor yet impatient or carelesse for rebuke And this her shamefastnesse and modesty are these rowes of Jewells wherewith her cheeks are made comely as is said before cap. 1. 10. Sixthly He commends her from her neck which is streight and comely and is like the Towre of David builded for an Armoury signifying thereby that being united to her head by faith as the neck joynes the head with the rest of the body her carriage accordingly is upright and holy not stooping neither to sin's slavery against which she is armed with the whole armour of God spoken of Ephes 6. nor yet basely bowing down to the love of earth and earthly things but as she is exhorted Col. 3. 1. being risen with Christ she seeks those things that are above where Christ sits at the right hand of his Father Seventhly He commends her from her two breasts being both full and white and therefore compared to two young Roes that are twins and feed amongst the Lillies which breasts in women are 1 for ornament
are compared to these fish-pooles for their cleerness like water in the knowledge of Christ and his truth and seeing her self and her own wayes or else for her mournfull disposition in shedding teares for her owne sinnes and the sinnes of the times as we see Ezek. 9. 4. and Psal 119. 136. Lastly he speaks of her nose or spirituall sense of smelling what sweetness is in Christ and in the graces of his spirit as also whereby she discernes between truth and errour the noysome smell of sinne and fragrant smell of godliness and which nose of hers for beauty and comeliness he compares to the towre of Lebanon which Solomon built as we reade 1 King 7. Observations 1. Where her faith signified by her neck is compared to a towre built of white Ivory which denotates purity and holiness we see then where holiness without which no man shall see God Heb. 12. 14. is not joyned with faith that faith is not true nor saving Jam. 2. 14. 2. Seeing the Churches eyes for the reasons before named are compared to fish-pooles we see then that ignorance and impenitâ—ncy are not suteable to true Christianity 3. The church has a spirituall nose or smelling and such-like other senses Let us try then if we be true members thereof by this that we have the like and thereby discerne as is aforesaid else if we have but coporall and naturall senses like unto beasts we are not to be accounted better yea our condition shal be worse then theirs Vers 5. Thine head upon thee is like Carmell and the haire of thy head like purple the king is held in the Galleries Her head whereby is understood her soul because as the head is the chiefest part of mans body so is the soul the chiefest part of mans whole frame and composition the same I say is compared to Carmell and the hair of her head like unto purple which Carmell was a fertill plot of ground whereof we read Nahum 1. 4. And therein a pleasant City so called which was situate in the hilly part thereof and belonged to the tribe of Judah as we see Joshuah 15. 55. From which the inhabitants were called Carmelites as we have it 1 Chron. 11. 37. Whereby is signified that as a fertill field is plentifull in good graine or pasture or a City is full of rich things and inhabitants even so her soul is stored with the knowledge of God Phil. 1. 11. and fruitfull in the graces of his spirit Eph 3. 19. Rom. 15. 14. Whereunto is subjoyned that the king is held in the Galleries to show that as kings who have their Galleries of pleasure to walk in when they would sted fastly behold any object wherein they delight they stand and are taken or held with that whereon they look and take such pleasure in Even so this blessed bridegroom of hers who is King of kings and Lord of lords when he looks on his Church and his own graces in her whereby he made her so beautifull in his sight he stands as it were and is taken more and more with the love of her even as he said before Chap. 4. 9. Thou hast ravish't my heart with one of thine eyes and a chain of thy neck Observations 1. Seeing the soul which is called here the head is compared in a true Christian to a fertill and well replenished field or populous City like Carmell how unfit are they to be called or accounted true Christians whose soules are altogether empty of the saving graces of Gods holy spirit like that house which was the receptacle of seven unclean spirits which were worse then the first that had gone out of the same Luk 17. 26. 2. Where it is said that the king is held in the Galleries we may see the admirable excellency and beauty of grace that it ravishes as it were with the delight thereof God himself who is the author of the same so that he takes more pleasure in beholding one beautified soul therewith though a poor Lazarus then in all the kingdomes of the world and the glory thereof wherewith Satan would have tempted our Saviour which should make us the more carefull to attaine to grace and count that soul happy which is beautified therewith this spirituall glory which is had here being the onely sure pledge of that heavenly glory which is to be had hereafter Vers 6. How faire and how pleasant art thou O love for delights The Bridegroom having thus praised his beloved her beauty and comeliness severally and in parts from the very feet upwards to her head now with admiration as it were he praises her beauty in the whole as being beautifull and comely throughout both by the perfection of parts here as also beholding her according to his acceptation of her as such not seeing any iniquity in Jacob Numb 23. 21. and as he will make her to be to himself hereafter by the perfection of degrees to wit a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle Neither here does he onely call her his love but his love for delights which is a very Emphatick speech and forcible declaring thereby both his surpassing love towards her and his delight in her for we may love many persons and not as he does here place our whole and constant delight in them so that as his Father spoke of him from Heaven This is my onely beloved sonne in whom I delight so does he of her This is my welbeloved spouse in whom I delight Eph. 5. 27. Observation Whence we should learn that if the Lord his delight be so much in us as to call us his love for delights being onely as Abraham said of himself but base Dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. or as David professed wormes and sinnefull wretches unworthy to be beloved Psal 22. 6. Job 25. 6. O how much then should we love so good a God and make him our love of delights whose excellency farre surpasses all things or persones wherein the sonnes of men can any way delight the excellency or beauty of any creature being but small rayes of that infinite excellency and beauty that is in himself who is the creator Psal 51. 5. Ezek. 16. Vers 7. This thy stature is like to a palme tree and thy breasts to clusters of grapes As Jacob in blessing his sonnes after he had blessed seven of them he falles out into these words I have waited O Lord for thy salvation Gen. 49. 18. and then proceeds after to the blessing of the other five even so after our Saviour had praised his Church in many particulars and had subjoyned in the generall how fair and pleasant she was as his love for delights he proceeds thereafter to her praise in more particulars as yet and here in this verse to the praise of her stature and breasts first then he compares her stature to a Palm-tree which tree is commended 1. For talness and height 2. For being eaven and straight 3. For perpetuall greenness 4. For thriving though