we will run after thee the king brought me into his chambers we will be glad and rejoyce in thee we will remember thy love more than wine the upright love thee Quest 20. Whose words are those Answ They are the words of the Spouse Quest 21. What does the Spouse mean by drawing Answ She desires that God would by the power of his Spirit so bless all means that he useth with her to draw her nearer to himself that she might experience sweet Communion with him in duty Quest 22. What does the Spouse mean by saying We will run after thee Answ It is as if the Spouse had said Lord if thou wilt draw me nearer to thy self in duty I will endeavour to draw others along with me Quest 23. What is here meant by running after God Answ A constant walking in the ways of God that as the wicked desire to follow the Beast and their own beastly Lusts so the godly desire with Caleb to follow the Lord fully Quest 24. What is meant by running Answ To shew with what labour and diligence we ought to follow God in the way of his Commandments Christian work is hard work and therefore is sometimes expressed by striving and fighting and here by running Quest 25. Who is here meant by this King Answ Christ himself the King of Saints and Lord of Glory Quest 26. What is meant by the King's Chambers Answ The merits of the Death of Christ together with all the advantages we gain by his Mediatorship and for as much as the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an inner Bed-Chamber 1 Kings 22.25 which is a place of secrecy rest and safety I do conclude that the Spouse is here speaking of the great delight she did experience in those Chambers of Gospel-Mysteries wherein the Lord Jesus Christ reveals his everlasting love to a gracious Soul whereby it is filled with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory and therefore says the Spouse in the next words We will be glad and rejoyce in thee while Carnal Professors take up with the History of the Gospel Mat. 13.14 Eph. 3.4 Col 1. â—6 27. which we may compare to the Hall into which any may come that have occasion to come to the House A gracious Soul is by the Spirit of the living God led into the Mystery of the Gospel which we may compare to the inner-Chamber into which none do enter but special Friends Verse 5. I am black but comply O ye daughters of Jerusalem as the tents of Kedar as the curtains of Solomon As in the former Verse we may behold the Spouse in the loving embracings of her Beloved solacing of her self in the Fruition of those inexplicable Delights which are the blessed products of her close Communion with her Spiritual Husband in his Spiritual Chambers in which she did delight and rejoyce and whose love she resolved to remember more than Wine so we have in this Verse the Spouse under dismal Circumstances sitting as it were with her blubbered Cheeks her Eyes full of Tears and her Heart full of sorrow being under the Tyrannical Power of her Internal External and Infernal Enemies who are all combining together to make her Miserable Such is Satan's enmity against a Gracious Soul that he will not be wanting to give them a sufficient taste of his Malignant Emulation of their happiness so far as to let them know that there is nothing but mutability wrote upon the choicest of all created enjoyments of all which we have a hint in this Verse Quest 27. What does the Spouse mean by her being as black as the Tents of Kedar Answ As the Off spring of Kedar who was one of the Sons of Ishmael was of barbarous black Conditions Psal 120.5 6. so it is reported that they lived in Tents covered with black Hair-Cloth to which the Spouse compared her self Ver. 5. with respect to her sins and sufferings Quest 28. What does the Spouse mean by her being as comply as the Curtains of Solomon Answ The Spouse does thereby signifie That however she is black and deformed as in her self yet she is beautiful and comply in Christ as having his Righteousness imputed to her Verse 6. Look not upon me because I am black because the sun hath looked upon me my mothers children were angry with me they made me the keeper of the vineyards but my own vineyard have I not kept Quest 29. What blackness is it the Spouse is here bemoaning of her self under Answ As the principal radicals are here doubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it does denote the extream blackness of the Spouse both with respect to her sins and sufferings Quest 30. What does the Spouse mean by the Sun looking upon her Answ By that is meant the Sun of Persecution and so it is taken Mat. 13. Quest 31. What does the Spouse mean by the anger of her Mothers Children Answ The Persecuting rage of those that pretended to be Sons of the Church as they did own some Fundamental Truths but she does not call them her Fathers Children or Sons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because those that are indeed Children of God dare not be persecutors of the Saints Quest 32. What does the Spouse mean by those Vineyards which her angry Persecutors made her a keeper of Answ Those false Churches which for fear of Persecution the Spouse did joyn her self with for Churches are often expressed by Vineyards whether they are true or false Quest 33. What does the Spouse mean by her not keeping her own Vineyard Answ Her forsaking of that true Congregated Church to which she stood related Quest 34. Ver. 6. Were there any congregated Churches under Old Testament Administraâ—ions Answ No but though this Book was wrote by Solomon when God had only his National Jewish Church yet the matter contained therein relates to Gospel Administrations Verse 7. Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest where thou causest thy flocks to â—est at noon for why should I be as one that turneâ— aside to the flocks of thy companions Quest 35. Whose words are those Answ The words of the Spouse to Christ Quest 36. Why does the Spouse seem to boast of her love to Christ after her backsliding from him Answ If we read the words as they are wrote in the Hebrew line they run thus Cause to declare to me O thou who lovest my soul as if the Spouse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had said Lord while I can take no comfort in my love to thee because of the mutability thereof of which I have given a sad Demonstration in my backslidings from thee yet with this I comfort my self That though my love has appeared to be mutable to thee yet thy love is immutable to me But if we read the words as they are Translated then they denote thus much as if the Spouse had said Lord although I have through human infirmity for fear of Persecution let false Churches have my
AN EXPOSITION Upon the First Chapter of the Song of Songs Handled by way of Question and Answer FOR THE Information of the weakest Understanding By SAMVEL PACK The Secrets of the Lord are with his Fearers and he will shew them his Covenant LONDON Printed for the Author in the Year MDCXCI To all my Dearly Beloved Friends the Inhabitants of Ramsgate in the Isle of Thanet in Kent and all the adjacent Parts who are constant Attenders upon my Ministry Grace and Peace be multiplied My Dear Friends YOV may remember that some Years ago which was I think the second Summer after the Providence of God had cast me among you I did insist Copiously upon this Subject which I have now presented you with a Breviate of and forasmuch as the Kindness I then received from you gave me cause to hope that my poor Labours found acceptance with you I took encouragement to present you with this Paper in order to the helping of your Memories with some Hints of those Truths which some of you have acknowledged to have been conducible to the Illumination of your Vnderstandings in that great Doctrin of Justification by the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness and it is the earnest desire of my Soul that the Lord will be pleased so to attend my poor Endeavours in this Work with the powerful Assistance of his Spirit that they may conduce to the Mortification of your Sins here and the Glorification of your Souls hereafter for without Holiness in this VVorld you must never expect Happiness in the VVorld to come which Internal and Eternal Happiness of yours is the earnest desire of him who is Your Servant for Jesus sake SAMUEL PACK AN EXPOSITION Upon the First Chapter of the Song of Songs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 1. A Song of Songs because of Solomon Question 1. Answer WHY is this Book call'd a Song Because it lays a solid Foundation for a Beleiver's Spiritual Joy as it reveals unto us the unconceiveable Love of Christ who is the Son of God's Love Mat 3.17 Col. 2 9. Col. 1.9 Rom. 9.5 and in whom dwells the fulness of the God-head bodily and in whom it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell and who is God over all blessed for ever Amen Quest 2. Why is this Song of Solomon call'd a Song of Songs Answ Because it is the chief and principal Song Eccl. 7.5 not only in opposition to all wicked and filthy Songs which Solomon call'd Songs of Fools but also in Competition with many Songs of his own making which the Spirit of God did not think meet to transmit to Posterity as Canonical or a Rule of Faith Quest 3. Ver. 1. What other Reason may be given why this Song of Solomon is call'd a Song of Songs Answ Because it doth in a most excellent manner set forth the excellent perfections of Christ who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords on which account it is deservedly entituled A Song of Songs Rev. 17.14.19.16 Quest 4. What other Reason may be given why this Song is call'd a Song of Songs Answ Because God by stamping such glory upon the Front of this Book would for ever silence or leave inexcusable those Yokeless and black-mouth'd Sons of Felial that have got such a sufficient stock of Confidence as to say That this Book was only an Amourous Discourse that past between Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter Quest 5. Why do you Translate that because which we have Translated which Answ Because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as often read a causative Particle as which as in Isai 53.12 and in a hundred places more Quest 6. What other reason can you give thereof Answ Because of the subsequent Preposition of for it would be nonsense to read the words thus A Song of Songs which of Solomon but it is good sense to read the words thus A Song of Songs because of Solomon that is it is a chief and principal Song because it sets forth the transcendent excellency of Christ who is the chief and principal good Quest 7. Why do you Translate it a Song which we have Translated the Song Answ Because there is no Emphaticum in the Hebrew and we ought not to add to the Word of God Quest 8. Why do you read of Solomon which of is not in our Translation Answ Because the Spirit of God has put in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and we ought not to leave it out Quest 9. Who is here intended by Solomon Answ The Lord Christ of whom Solomon was a glorious Type 1 Kings 4.29 30. Col. 2.3 Prov. 8.14 Isai 40.28 not only in respect of his great wisdom but as he was appointed by God to build the Temple and so Christ was appointed by God to build his Church of which Solomon's Temple was a Type Verse 2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than wine Quest 10. Who is it that is speaking those words Answ The Spouse Quest 11. What does the Spouse mean by let him kiss me Answ She is thereby manifesting her strong desires after the manifestations of the love of Christ her Spiritual Husband Quest 12. Why does the Spouse of Christ express his love by a word of the plural number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ To shew that Holy greediness that is in a gracious Soul after an abundance of the love of Christ as being exposed to abundance of discouragements Quest 13. Why is the word better a word of the plural number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 goodnesses Answ Because of that abundance of goodness that is in the love of Christ as it makes all things even afflictions themselves to conduce to our good Verse 3. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth therefore do the virgins love thee Quest 14. Whose words are those Answ The words of the Spouse or Bride of Christ in commendation of the Graces of his Spirit Quest 15. What is meant by the name of Christ Answ All his personal Excellencies by which he is pleased to manifest himself to his Saints Quest 16. What is meant by the name of Christ being like Ointment Answ Because the personal Excellency of Christ revealed to a gracious Soul has the same comforting and cleansing power upon the Heart as Oyl has upon a wounded Body and therefore Christ was anointed to heal the broken in Heart Quest 17. Why is this Oyl or Ointment express'd by a word of the plural number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ Not only because of that fulness of Grace that is in Christ but also because of that variety of comforting and purging Grace that is in him Quest 18. Ver. 3. What is meant by the savour of this good Ointment Answ The experimental feeling thereof in our Hearts Quest 19. Who are meant by those Virgins Answ True Believers which do not defile themselves with the love of sin Verse 4. Draw me
Body yet I am no backslider in Heart Prov. 14.14 The Enemy had my Body and too much of that too but thou hast my Soul thou knowest that my Soul loves thee which love of mine I desire to manifest by my returning again to my former Station and by my constant persisting in the good ways of God whatever I suffer from my Mothers Children Quest 37. What does the Spouse mean by the Flocks of Christ resting at Noon Answ Their quiet and peaceable frames of Spirit in the heat and noon-time of Persecution Quest 38. Ver. 7. Who are those that the Spouse calls the Companions of Christ Answ They are the Godly Pastors of those Flocks which the Spouse is enquiring after Communion with Quest 39. But for as much as those Companions are generally understood of Hereticks I desire to know the reason of your contrary Judgment Answ 1. Because God does never in his Word call Hereticks his Companions 2. Because the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does denote God's joyned ones 1 Cor. 6 17. and he that is joynen to the Lord is one Spirit Hos 4.17 and the word is used in the singular to denote that oneness that is between the wicked and their Lusts Quest 40. But if those Companions are Godly Pastors why does the Spouse say Why should I be as one that turneth aside to the Flocks of thy Companions Answ This last whole sentence except the last word has no footing in the Hebrew which reads the words thus I will as or like a covering upon the Flocks of thy Companions and the leaving out of the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the Indicative Mood is that which is the ground of this Mistake and this word and no other is used throughout all the Old Testament for I will be except it be when I will be has a conversive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that if we read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for I will be which is always so read then the words as they are usually taken run thus Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest where thou causest thy flocks to rest at noon for I will be as one that turneth aside to the flocks of Hereticks I might have given another reason why those Companions cannot be understood of Hereticks and that is because the Spouse resolves to be a covering to them which she would not be to Hereticks Quest 41. What does the Spouse mean by those words I will be as a covering Answ The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does denote a Glorious covering Isai 61.3 and is used for a Garment of Praise but is never used for a Whores Vail as some think and the substance of that which I suppose is contained in the words is this That as the Spouse had by her backsliding from God dishonoured the Gospel and weakned the Hands and Hearts of the Faithful so now she does resolve by her Holy humble walking before God to adorn the Gospel as much as ever she had defaced it and that she would joyn unto her holy and close walking with God such a degree of courage and magnanimity of Soul as that thereby she might be a means to encourage those in the ways of God that had been discouraged by her former backsliding Example Verse 8. If thou knowest not O thou fairest among women go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy kids by the shepherds tents Quest 42. Whose words are those Answ They are the words of Christ to the Spouse after her backsliding from God Quest 43. Why does Christ call the Spouse the fairest among Women who by her backsliding had made her as black as the Tents of Kedar Answ To shew that he had pardoned all her former backslidings and also to encourage us to confess and forsake all our sins as the Spouse did and then we shall not need to fear but we shall find mercy though not for so doing yet in so doing Quest 44. What Flocks are they that Christ would have his Spouse go by the footsteps of Answ The Flocks of those Godly Pastors before mentioned Quest 45. What is meant by the footsteps of the Flocks Answ That is to follow the Examples of those that have through Faith and Patience inherited the Promises as if Christ had said O my Spouse as thou hast been at a great loss in thy Spirits by imitating the wicked and hast joyned thy self with them in their worship so now if thou hast a desire to be acquainted with the form of my House then be sure to tread in the steps of those that are the most Holy in their Lives Ver. 8. and the soundest in their Judgment Quest 46. What is meant by young Kids Answ Young Saints that the Spouse by her Godly Example and Admonition had been instrumental to Convert Quest 47. What is meant by the Spouse feeding of her Kids Answ The readiness of the Spouse to nourish the Faith and Hope of young Saints in God by imparting to them the experiences she had of the pardoning and comforting Grace of God to her Soul after her fall Quest 48. Why are young Saints call'd Kids Answ Because that as a Kid is a young Goat so God is pleased thereby to let us know that we are by Nature such Goats as deserve to be at the last day set on the left-hand of Christ and to pass under that dreadful sentence Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire Quest 49. VVho are interded by those Shepherds Answ Those Godly Pastors before mentioned Quest 50. VVhat is meant by the Shepherds Tents Answ The Divine Perfections of God and his gracious Promises of Protecting Directing and Comforting Grace for the supporting of his Ministers in the greatest of dangers and in the worst of times Quest 51. Is there not a word in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is twice left out Answ Yea And whereas Christ says If thou knowest not for thy self his meaning is If thou knowest not for thy own good Job 35.6 7. as if Christ had said If thou art ignorant of thy duty the damage will be to thy self and if thou keepest close to thy duty the advantage will be to thy self for Man cannot be profitable unto God as he that is wise may be profitable to himself Verse 9. I have compared thee O my love to a company of horses in Pharaohs chariots Quest 52. Why does Christ compare his Spouse to a company of Horses in Pharaoh 's Chariots Answ Because of that Spiritual courage with which the Heart of the Spouse was fill'd after her cowardly forsaking of God Job 37. from 19. to 25. for of all Beasts there is no Creature so couragious and fit for War as a Horse and of all Horses there are none so good as East-Country Horses and of all East Country Horses none so good as Aegyptian Horses and of all Aegyptian Horses none so good as