the excellencie of my beloved Thinke with your selves that I have not trifled nor done any thing unfit for a modest woman in that my earnest indeavour of seeking him and of charging you but the honour due to his merits far exceeds all my study These words do plainly teach that the Church in her true members at that time bestowed all diligence in seeking Christ And now wee see by this prophesie which with noted foot-steps hath exactly shewed the path-way through this Wildernesse by what degrees the knowledge of Christ appeared again from Frederick the second after infernall darknesse covering the world by the Bishop of Rome untill about the yeer 1420. Vers 16. Whither is thy bâ—loved â—one O thou fairest â—mong women whither is thy beloved turned aside that wee may seeke him with thee This sheweth the great desire of the faithfull to seek Christ offering their fellowship and promising common aid in seeking Which came in fashion when the Bohemians got their liberty for afterwards they were holpen with the writings of many learned men as the Waldâ—â—â—es Albingenses Wickliffe John Huâ—â—e and Hierome of Prague with all those before named Lastly the Bohemians by whose diligence the beauty of Christ by little and little appeared in his members to the world It was wonderfull how they were presently kindled to seeke the truth in England and Germany and many other places so that all corners of our coasts at least sounded againe with the voyces of them asking Whither is thy beloved gone thou fairest among women whither turneth thy beloved Yea this speech was so generally received that many daughters of Ierusalem which knew him not before nor touched with any desire of him now offered their ayde to seeke him The Art of Printing hapning at the same time 1440 by Gods singular benefit did greatly helpe to set forth his fame which continued 70. yeeres and more and could not be stayed by any meanes CHAP. VI. MY welbeloved is gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices to feede in the gâ—rdens and to gather lilies 2 I am my welbeloveds and my welbeloved is mine who feedeth among the lilies 3 Thou art beautifull my love as Tirzaâ— comely as Ierusalem terrible as an army with banners 4 Turne away thine eyes from me for they overcome me thine haire is like a flocke of goates which looke down from Gilead 5 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe which go up from the washing which every one bring out twins and none is barren among them 6 Thy temples are within thy lockes as a piece of a pomegranate 7 There are threescore Queens and fourescore concubines and of the damosels without number 8 But my Dove is alone and my undefiled she is the onely daughter of her mother and she is deare to her that bare her the daughters have seene her and counted her blessed even the Queenes and the concubines and they have praised her 9 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning â—aire as the moone pure as the â—un terrible as an army with banners 10 I went downe to the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley to see if the vine budded and if the pomegranates flourished 11 I knew nothing my soule set me as the charets of my noble people 12 Returne returne O Shulamite returne returne that we may behold thee What shall you see in the Shulamite but as the company of an Army The Resolution SO much of the Church cast down now of the Church restored in the whole and in the parts The whole as well summarily both in respect of the Bridegroome verse 1. 2. and in respect of the enemies verse 3. as severally by reason of certaine members of the whole body verse 4 5 6. The parts are particular Churches as Queenes Conâ—â—bines and Virgins verse 7. amongst all which one Dove excelleth verse 8. And such is the eldest Sister The younger are either a Princeâ—â—e or other inferiour Churches Her condition is partly growing partly of full age her beginning is summarily delivered vers 9. Afterwards severally expressed and how it was done verse 10. 11. 12. and what kinde of one she was when it was done Chap. 7. THE EXPOSITION Verse 1. My beloved is gone downâ— into his garden to the beds of spices to feede in the Gardens and to gather Lillies IN the beginning of the description the Spouse seeketh her beloved not knowing where he was as we have seene in the former Chapter Now she taketh on her to teach that which before she desired to learn To descend into the garden is onely as hath beene often said to be present as it were to be taught with the hands and seene with the eyes in purity of doctrine and integrity of all exâ—eâ—nall worship Which hapned in the times of Martin Luther 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 1â—â—7 At what time the Spouse began somewhat to recover her health and strength The Waldâ—nâ—es Wickâ—iâ—â— the Bohemiâ—ns and other daughters of Ierusalem had taken great paines in seeking the Bridegroome but the garden was never prepared with beds and borders for him till now when Frederike Duke of Saxonie by his own authority protected and defended the Church newly sprung up in Wittenberg a City of his dominion Here was the only garden at the first and therefore she faith My beloved is gone down into his garden The truth was plentifully sowne there but little reformation for the first four e yeeres therefore is there but one garden mentioned But shortly after more gardens were added to this one as Tigurum Argentoratum Basile Berne Geneva and also the Provinces of Hassia and Prussia so that the second part of the verse faith rightly He went downe to feede in the Gardens for now there were many gardens made by distinction of fence yet were all planted with the like fruite He came not into this garden any longer to behold the bare and naked beds but as it were feeding the elect by the nourishment of his word he at the length gathered lillies in baskets and separated them from the wicked world which Lillies were first gathered at Wittemberg when the Masse began to be discontinued and the Supper more purely to be administred in the yeere 1521. The yeere following the Images were cast out After three yeeres Tygâ—râ—m and Argentoratum were reformed This comming into the garden and gathering of Lillies is the harvest spoken of Rev. 14. 14 15. Verse 3. I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine he feedâ—th among the Lillies She triumpheth in the same words as she did upon her returne from Babylon Chap. 2. 16. by which free profession she declareth the boldnesse and constancie of those times wherein the truth need no more whisper in corners in feare and doubting but might publish her selfe openly and be publiquely celebrated by the common speech of many men Neither was the supportation of the Bridegroome lesse apparent in defenâ—ing her mightily against her enemies For if the hatred of the multitude
Universall Church is excellently declared by a dissimilitude taken from Salomon Salomon let out his Vineyard to others and received a large yeerly revenue from his Farmers But I saith the Bridegroom will take care of my vineyard my self I will not hire it forth And the fruit which I shall receive will be far larger then Salomons Much good do it him with his profits I do not enviâ—him Yet are they not to bee compared with mine Neither is it a new thing for Kings to hire out to others that which exceedeth their houshold store Morcerus interpreteth the twelfth verse as spoken of the Bride herself like as in the first Chapter and sixth verse she saith Shee was made a keeper of the vines and so she might be now againe except perhaps for ill lucks sake then the Bridegroom himself will hereafter undertake â—his care See Esay 65. 22 23 c. lest the peace of the Church should afterward be disturbed by some such like negligence Vers 13. O Thou that dwellest in the Gardens the Companions hearken to thy voice cause me to hear it This precept teacheth to what imploiment the Bride would give her self for ever They being subdued which durst to mutter against her and all things setled in most calme peace We have often told you that the precepts of this Song are prophesies of common affaires The bride is said to dwell in the Gardens after the same manner as before Chap. 4. 12. when by Constantines Authority shee was fenced by the safegard of the Civill Law but in those last times the Magistrates over all especially in the new collected Congregations shâ—ll bend all their force to defend the Châ—rch herein onely this shâ—ll differ from that because the first garden was closed with one wall their whole affâ—ires administred by one mans rule this new Garden as also that râ—stored Cha. 6. 1. shall be divided with many inclosures for the variety of Presidents which shall governe in severall provinces As concerning the Precept The companions that hearken are all the Citizens of the Church for then the Church bringeth it to passâ— that the Bridegroom may heare Her fellowes that is her citizens and particular Congregâ—tions when she sincerely delivereth the right way to beleeve in Christ and to worship God â—o that from her most wholsome instructions sins may be acknowledged mercy implored goodnesse preached and God in the end may receive his due honour This is that voice of the Companions wherewith the Bridegroom shall be delighted which from that time shâ—l sound in the Church for ever and which voice the Citizens learn to pronounce lâ—stning to the doctrine and instruction of the Church their Mother Vers 14. Make hast or fly hence my beloved and bee thou like to a Roe or to a young hart upon the mountaines of Spices It is the common desire in the Brides behalfe which is delivered in this verse for the Universall Church bâ—eaketh forth into these words that the Bridegroom should fly away into the mountaines of Spices What is she now weary of his presence whom with such labour she before sought being absent that shâ—e should so soone command him out of her sight No but when the Spouâ—e earnestly desireth that her beloved would fly out of the garden into the mountains of Spices it is as if shee should desire that leaving the earth he would return again to the heavenly fortâ—â—ssâ— for that meane the Mountaines of Spices Noâ— that she wishâ—â—h being alone and depriâ—â—d of his imbracings any longer to sticke in the filthy dregges of this world but that she earnestly desireth to fly hence her selfe together with her beloved and to come to the inheritance laid up for the Elect in heaven For she one of the Sisters which even new desired that shee might be â—ixed to his heart as a Seal could not endure this divorce to tarry â—ere behinde him This is all one with that of Saint Iohn Rev. 22. 20 Come Lord â—eâ—us differing a little in words Ioâ—n requesteth that the Bridegroom would shew himâ—elf to the world in the most glorious mâ—nifestation of his Majesty which is now covered from the eyes of the world at the right hand of the Father and so at length would put an end to all things The Spouse desireth that this Beame how brighâ— soever which shâ—ll then shine in the earâ—h would as it were collect his light and withdraw it self into heaven Either of them wisheâ—h the eâ—d but he defineth it by comming from Heaven she by departing from the earth Either of which we expect the comming first the departure after Hitherto goeth this divine Poeme but pointeth not out the last moment of time It is sufficient that it setteth forth the condition of the last Church more distinctly and exactly I suppose then any other part of the holy Scripture Many large and pleâ—sant Prophesies do ayme at the calling of the Iewes but here almâ—st all set up their marke but of the other Sisters coming to the truth by her help they make a more obscure and generall mention yet out of this interpretation it may be understood how false they are who set downe the end of the world at a certain yeer out of some limited number in the Scriptures especially if they compare this Prophesie with the Revelation and Daniel For that Resurrectioâ— Dan. 12. and Rev. 20. 12. Also that It is done of the seventh Viall Reve. 16. 17. appertaineth to the calling of the Iews So that where we exâ—ect the end of the world there we finde the beginning of a new Church which is not like to be for a day or a week or a short time The Angell expresly affirmeth to be far and wide spread Rev. 20. 5. 6. And giveth it a thousand yeers after the first Resurrection of the elder sister Now seeing the Church of the Iewes shall begin to flourish about 400. yeers after that Resurrection 600. yeers at least shall be left wherein she shall raign here upon the earth but how long after he only knoweth who knoweth all things I can light upon no mark or token of time that may give even the least conjecture Daniel saith after the destruction of the Turkish Empire which shall be dâ—stroyed by Conversion of the Iewes a space shall be given for the rest of the Beasts to live even for a time and a time appointed But this space is neither expressed neither perhaps shall the end of the World be joyned with the destruction of the remnant That therefore which hath troubled many as if that certain limiting of time which offereth it self in the Revelation and elsewhere should bring us to the end of all repressing or mollifying the words of Christ Mar. 13. 32. by interpretation may hence be delivered from this fear for all those accounts end either in the Iewes Conversion or if they goe a little farther whereof I finde only two which I have spoken of before they rather shew within what time
A COMMENTARY ON THE CANTICLES OR THE SONG of SALOMON VVherein the Text is Analised the Native signification of the Words Declared the Allegories Explained and the Order of times whereunto they relate Observed By THOMAS BRIGHTMAN Unto which is added brief notes out of severall Expositors of the Revelation touching the rising and fall progresse and finall destruction of the Enemies of the Church with some other Observances out of divers Writers LONDON Printed by Iohn Field for Henry Overton in Popes-head-Alley 1644. TO THE READER THat which the Queen of Sheba once affirmed before Salomon is very true The Instruments of Gods blessings are the arguments of his love whence it is apparent that God did wonderfully declare his tender love to the Church upon earth in continually raising famous men who like burning lights in golden Candlestickes did shine forth to the honour and glory of his Sanctuary And as no age since the Apostles time hath been so glorious for the light of truth and the abundance of lights as the present so I hope without prejudice to any our Brightman of blessed memory for names sake may deservedly finde a place among those that were most famous in this kinde for truely whilst he lived he was as Christ said of Iohn Baptist A burning and a shining light He was famous in Preaching and for his conversation making himself an example to the Church by practising what he Preached living according to the rule of his Doctrine Yea and that which is wonderfull this light of ours being extinct still shines brightly for what else is his Apocalyps of the Apocalyps but a Light shining in darke places for surely so mysterious is that parcell of Scripture that it is not to be interpreted by wit but by the Spirit of Divination But our Brightman hath made such plaine interpretation thereof that thou mayest easily behold the great mystery of Iniquity of the Beast of Rome as also Gods great mercy in calling the Jewes And although many learned men have to their glory â—â—ent their whole time in the interpreting this part of Scripture yet this our Author hath interpreted this and other most difficult places witnesse the Song of Solomon and the latter part of the Prophecie of Daniel Concerning the Song of Solomon the Law of the Jewes is very well knowne by which young men under the age of thirty before which time they did not enter into the Priest-hood were interdicted to reade it leâ—t those things which were mystically set forth should by the swaying of their passions be enterpreted in the worst sense But our Brightman amongst others that have deserved well in this also expresses every word spiritually whereby thou mayest receive Divine and heavenly pleasures All things are expounded with great labour and applyed with great Judgement insomuch that in this new path you may walk in the foote-steps of the Spouse Jesu Christ or as the Jewes call it enter the Sanctum Sanctorum The manner of his handling this Scripture especially in the application is universall for he held this prophecie to be wonderfully difficult whence it is no marvell if some doubt whether he did attain to the genuine interpretation of the Song but since the diffiulty of the Allegory hath occasioned such variance amongst the Interpreters that it may almost be said as many men so many mindes I hope it will not be distastefull to the Church of Christ that the labours of this her godly sonne are published in Print whereby the Reader may perceive the Authors great knowledge in this mysterie hee doth acknowledge a marriage beween Christ and his Church but in this he differs from the rest of the Interpreters that what they conclude to be always he restrains to certain times I confesse he that for sakes the ancient opinions of learned and godly men and propounds to himself a new way in which he walketh all alone may in good manners be thought to erre but because sometimes he that readeth understandeth that which the Prophets themselves which Prophesied it did not know and because our Brightman for his singular meeknesse humility and godlinesse was thought by them amongst whom he lived and had to do to be free from all manner of affectation of Noveltie as also because he is not singular in his manner of interpreting for amongst the Hebreâ—es Aben Ezrâ— conceives the mysterie from Abraham to the Messias to be here set forth And some amongst us from the Messias to the Churches freedome under Constantine And in this they all agree that some things are particularly to be applied And lastly because our Author doth not desire credence in any thing but where it may be grounded upon a sure foundation therefore feare not try all things and hold fast that which is good The spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets But admit this Propheticall and particular application doth not please you yet to behold the whole condition of the Church from the time of David till time shall be no more and this set forth in a short and easie table cannot choose but be both profitable and delightfull unto thee Reader I thought good to premise these things for thy sake and for the Authors praise at which I chiefly aim much more might be spoken but read the Author who in the Explication of the first verse doth by way of Proâ—mâ— admirably set forth the authority excellency and use of this Song of Songs By the way I pray take this caution if you once enter the Portall come not back untill you have surveyed the whole building the curiosity of whose structure surpasses my expression Let God so shine upon us with the light of his Countenance that there may alwayes be a Brightman in Britaine to the setting forth of the glory of God in his Sonne Jesus Christ Farewell A Table of the whole book of CANTICLES The parts of the Song Inscription v. 1. A song of the Church Legall Before the Captivity v. 1. In Captivity cap. 2. ad v. 15. After to Châ—ist his birth ad cap. 3. 6. his death ad cap. 4. 6. Evangelicall Begun ad cap. 4. 6. Finished and this In its parts that is in its Former Age pure obscure cap. 5. with a mist with darkenesse restored ad cap. 6. 9. Latter Age its Prince borne growne up Inferiours first cap. 8. 5. 6. 7. second cap. 8. 8. 9. 10. In the whole cap. 8. 11 12 13 14. A Propheticall Exposition of the whole Booke of the CANTICLES CHAP. I. 1 LET him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than wine 2 Because of the favour of thy good oyntments thy name is as an oyntment powred out therefore the virgins love thee 3 Draw me we will run after thee the king hath brought me into his chambers we will rejoyce and be glad in thee we will remember thy love more than wine the righteous do love thee 4 I am black O daughters of Ierusalem
the rebukes of the Doctors the curses of the Popes the condemning of the Emperour the conspiracies of Princes the confiscation of goods the danger of life and all other things threaâ—ning present death could have terrified the Spouse from proâ—eâ—â—ing her beloved faith had bin utterly lost The Spouse claimeth her beloved to be hâ—â—s in the words of Melanâ—thon to Prince Frederick Let us go on coâ—stantly howsoever the world rage Such was the mutuall imbracing of Christ and the Church at that time Verse â— Thou art beautifâ—ll O my love as Tirâ—aâ— comely as Jerusalem terrible as aâ— Jerusalem Army with Banners The explanation of this verse is divided into three times The Beginning Middle and End In the beginning she was faire as â—iâ—â—â—h which Solomon without doubt foresaw should be the chiefe City of the Israelites after the ten Tribes fell from the other two It was a pleasant City whence it tooke the name 1 Reg. 14. 17. but as-well by the estimation of men as in truth it was but a l ortresse of Robbers and rebels And no other was the Church esteemed to be of her enemies when her beloved went downe into his garden and some time after but a rebellious City disobedient to â—rinces and Governors and to carry a cerâ—aine show of Tirzah And thus the Church remained like unto Tirzah from the yeere 1529. when the Argentinenses joyned with the Helvetians till the death of Charles the 5. in the yeere 1558. And then she began to be â—omely as Ierusalem when the unpleasant name of Tirzâ—h grew out of use which hapneâ— in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths Raign in England in the yeere 1558. And in the yeere following in Scotland Geneva the Helvetian and German Churches in Denmarke Norway and Sweveland and other places of the reformed Religion Not that they were altogether free from hostile invasion great troubles shortly arising in France and the Low-countries yet partly by her own increase partly her adversaries tyred and ceasing somewhat from outward force she was so much exalted that her very enemies could not but admire her beauty and comelinesse whose beginnings they despised The last age of the restored Church is terrible as an Army with Banners She shall bestow all her time in warlike preparations and undertakings For the hellish furies will not suffer her enemies to reâ—t neither will she endure her selfe to be rent and torne by the Wolves but resist the injury with an armed hand Whereby she shall become fearefull to her enemies as she hath done these many yeeâ—es in England France and the Low-Countries But this is nothing to that terrour which shall shortly follow when Antichrist himself and his Ensign-bâ—arer the King of Spaine and all that carry his marke shall be so dâ—â—troyed by the Spouse that no mention of theâ—â—â—all remaine Vers 4. Turn â—way thine eyes from me for they have overcome me thy Layre is as a flock of Goats that appeare from Gilead Now she enters into a speciall comâ—endation of ceâ—tain members whereby the civill government of the Church may the better be understood This cleernesse of sight without doubt was shewed in the doctrine of Justification by faith whereby the Church not with squint but right eyes beholdeth Christ and all his righteousnes and excelleâ—cy And whatsoever excelleth in the judgement of the world to be losse and dung to it Phil. 3. 8. This eye was very dim in former times untill Martin Luther divinely drew away those darke scales For he wiped away all humane satisfaâ—â—ionâ— merits supererogations indulgences confidence in their own received wicked superstitions and shewed the yoke of the law to be more grievous then all the Popes Buls were able to uphold neither afterwards could the wicked Councel of Trent nor the Germane Interim forged altogether with fraud and deceit dazle the sight of these eyes but that they could discerne the authors of these deceits spreading their nets in vain neither was our Englâ—nd lesse sharp-sighted when not only the Pope but also the Papacie was utterly rejected by the authority of our Josias that most holy King Edward the sixth of blessed memory We see the divine beauty of these eyes which at this day God be thanked is the same in all reformed Churches The common people of the faithfull signified by Hayre is altogether the same as it was in the first Church Chap. 4. 1. scattered contemned put in great danger which yet by no means could be compelled to leave Gilead and returne to Bethaven Vers 5. Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing whereof every one beareth twins and there is not one barren amongst them The Teeth are alwayes taken for the Pastors and Ministers of the Word as Chap. 4. 2. where they were sent forth two and two instructed with the like gifts and messages As Sheep are of a mildâ— and pleasant disposition and far remote from all ambition so should the restored Church shine with faithfull Pastors the true successors of those former adorned with the self-same Ensignes as neer as the time would suffer They which before boasted themselves to be Pastors had altogether cast away the charge of preaching and yet these men would be heires of the Apostles whereas they were strong teeth these filthy rotten bones they Sheep these Lyons But at the length sound teeth sprung up again such as were Luther Melancthon Bucer Zuinglius Oecolampadius Capito Calvin Peter Martyr and many others whose names are written in heaven And verily the truth of this Prophecie seemeth very apparent in the decree made at Geneva in the yeere 1550. namely that the Ministers not only in Sermons which some neglected some heard them with small profit but also severally through houses and families at a certain time of the yeere with a Magistrate of the City should instruct every one and require a reckoning of every ones faith And it is scarce credible what fruit followed as Beza sheweth in the life of Calvin Verâ— 6. As a piece of Pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks This is the fourth agreement of this Church with the first which we have shewed to belong to the Ecclesiasticall and civill government in the use whereof the Church restored should be happy which appeared by the holy Discipline restored again at Geneva by Gods singular benefit together with the Gospel in the yeer 1541. Which wee also see to be done in other Churches at this day as in Helvetia Rhaetia France the low Countries and Scotland wherein the government requiring holinesse of life according to the rule of doctrine the truth flourisheth fruitfullâ— and inviolably But you will say these times which we have described shine not in all Reformed Churches whereunto I answer It is sufficient if we finde some such thing in any one Congregation for this by a common necessity shall belong to the commendations of all And this is the summe of the agreement Vers 7. There are threescore Queens and fourscore
Concubines and Virgins without number Having spoken compendiously of the Church restored some things are now briefly propounded particularly in these two verses wherein he divideth the severall Congregations into three ranks according to their degrees of purity namely Queens Concubines and Virgins or Maids And â—he that comes neerest to truth and holinesse the Bridegroome holdeth her dearest wherefore the Queens are mighty and flourishing Churches which excell the rest in purity The Concubines are of a lower ranke they are admitted to the Bed but far from the honour and excellency of the lawfull wives having no dower themselves nor are their children to inherite The Virgins are in the lowest place as servants and handmaids altogether estranged from any familiar acquaintance they have imployment in the house they have victuals and clothing they are reckoned to be of their Masters houshold but are not partakers of his goods they labour not for themselves but for their Masters It is also to be observed the Queens are numbred and so are the Concubinâ—s but the Virgins as of no reckoning are without number This distraction into such different degrees hapned about the yeere 1563. When Iohn Brentius and Iames Andrewes rent the Church in pieces with that unluckie division of that monstrous Vbiquity It was before sowne by Luther but he stayed the contention about it as long as he lived But Brentius revived it and three yeers after Illyricus and other Doctors out of far Countries came to Antwerp and renewed that error whereby the face of the Church even in her infancy was miserably defiled besides Anabaptists and Libertines Antitrinitarians new Arians and I know not what other monsters which wasted and spoyled Transilvania and the Regions thereabouts The English Irish Scottish Belgick Geneva Helvetique Rhetique do flourish God be praised with the dignitie of Queens whereof the Germane the Danish Gotique and Sweveland Churches and others cleaving to their opinions have taken a crowne to themselves and have gotten the place of Concâ—â—â—nes Among the Virgins I reckon the Anabaptists Libertines Aâ—â—itrinitarians Arians and the like which now altogether miserably waste and destroy Moraviâ— Polonia Hungaria Transilvania and a great part of Denmarke To these may be added the Roman filthy sinck wheresoever dispersed We have seen the whole Song marvellous hitherto but now especially when we come to things present Behold then the condition of the restored truth into what unlike degrees she at length should fall by a great separation The Spirit foretold a lamentable successe this age feeleth it and every day plainly threatneth a farther departure Vers 8. My Dove my undefiled is but one she is the only one of her mother shee is the choice one of her that bare her the daughters saw her and blessed her yea the Queenes and the concubines and they praised her Without doubt this Dove was one of the Queenes far excelling in glory and more beloved of the Bridegroome then the rest adorned with a threefold testimonie Of the Bridegroome of her mother and of the rest in the family For the Bridegroome termeth her his Dove his Vndefiled one Any thing may be one which is one in manners and disposition though absent in place and seate As the company of the faithfull are said to be one though severed in far remote placâ—s whiâ—e they hold the same purity of Doctrine and the like study of holinesse The second testimonie is of her Mother which is the Church and the Word to whose directions this Dove doth wholly apply her self The third testimony is of the rest in the family Fiâ—st of the daughters who are particular Churches which are begotten of this onely Dove from whâ—m they draw their instructions and the whole course of administration Next the Queenes and Concubines bear witnâ—sse both after one manner but both very sparingly and more slenderly then the daughters it may be through envie They acknowledge her fair and beautifull but perhaps they keep the branch to themselves as jealous wives often do All which sheweth how the wills were conjoyned between the Dove the Daughters the Qâ—eenes and Concubines Howsoever there be not the same degree of purity in all things But where are the Virgins without number Why is there no commendation of theirs rehearsed Verely as they are further absent from familiar acquaintance of the Bridegroome so are they more spitefully bent against his onely beloved Dove neither through hatred can they say any thing well Let us see then a more full distinction of the present Chuches which are either true or titulary The true are Queenes and Concubines The Queenes again are either the onely Dove or more and this onely onâ— is partly the Mother partly the Daughters The titular Churches are the virgins Who this onely Dove is may easily be proved if we consider the excellency of the Eyes Teeth and Temples of the restored Church for she that excelleth in the beauty of these members must of necessity be that one onely Dove Wherefore not trusting to mine own judgement but to the judgement of the Spirit himself I beheld in this glasse the Churcâ— of Geneva shining with the glory of this only Dove For first let us consider the excellent comlinesse of the eyes where sound and uncorrupt doctrine shineth spotted with no comments of filthy flatterers but especially the chastity of justification by faith wherwith the Bridegroom is chiefly delightâ—d But this beauty is common to the other Queens and also the Concubines Then let us behold the teeth â—â—mely the doctors like a flock of sheep simple harmlesse not dâ—â—dainfull not luxurious but content with a sparing diet diligent â—n teaching not so much troubled with worldly businâ—sâ—e that they can have no leasure for the word and doctrine Not undertaking the charge of many Churches and serving none nor may he that takeâ—â— the charge of one Church neglect it by his absence Neither is any thought fit for that pastorall function which can bâ—t only read Lastly let us view the Temples like a piece of a Pomgranate very beautifâ—ll The governors â—ogether with the Pastors most honest men watching over the manners of every man and correcting them by divine institution not sending them to the Romish horse-leaches and the Antichristian decrees the more to corrupt them but endeâ—vour to redeem their sins and publike offences rather by repentance then for mony Neither doth she command any idle ceremonies but what necessary reason onely requireth Lastly they which apply all to the authority which Christ hath given to the Churâ—h that every member may perform his duty holâ—ly The Spirit goeth no farther in the elder Church because as it seemeth she shall persist in that variety which we now spake of of Queenes Concubines Danghters Doves and Virgins unto the end wiâ—hout any notable change and it may happen as corruption dayly increaseth the Dove and the Daughters may be shut up in a narrow bound Vers 9. Who is she that looketh fâ—rth as the morning fair
these breasts and shâ—ll earnestly beseech the Lord that they may never drie up They also shew how this Spouse ought to behave her self towards these new guests to whom she is bound to bestow her breasts as well as to her own And the smell of thy nose as Apples There words seem to concern holinesse of common life We alwayes breath with the nostrils as long as there is any power of life whence Jeremy saith The breath of our nostrils the anoynted of the Lord is taken in their pits Lam. 4. 20. She prayeth therefore that to the abundant doctrine which is laid up in the breasts as in Wells never to be drawn dry may be joyned the sweetnesse of manners and integrity of all holinesse Vers 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best Wine that goeth down sweetly causing the lips of those that are asleep to speake The force of this manner of wishing as yet remaineth The palate or roof of the mouth signifieth words which are formed by the help thereof it differeth from the breasts because they are the closet and store-house wherein as in a treasury great store of learning is laid up but the palate and lips are as keyes wherewith the Treasury is unlocked and the riches laid up is brought forth for use for it little profiteth to have riches heaped up unlesse they may be applied to use and profit when need requireth That we may then understand this Church to be not only rich and plentifull in all abundance but also happy in the use and fruit thereof he no lesse foresheweth the sweetnesse of the palate then the fertility of the breasts Iâ— causeth the lips of those that are asleep to speak This is an excellent commendation of this Wine so strong and powerfull that it can shake off drowsinesse in men half dead make the minde and sences more nimble loose the tongue before sticking to the jawes and make it wonderfull eloquent Esay expoundeth this riddle saying Chap. 35. 5. Then shall the the Cripple skip as the Hart and the tongue of the dumb shall sing Vers 10. I am my beloveds and his desire is towards me The Spouse at length concludeth this place as if she should say It needeth not that we should stand reckoning up every thing that condition briefly shall be such that the Church with all study and desire shall be altogether affected and consecrated to Christ and shâ—ll find him again so kinde and loving as if he wholly applied himself to this only Care Vers 11. Come my beloved let us go forth into the field let us â—odgâ— in the villages or among the Cypresse trees So much of the first calling now followeth the second that which remaineth of the Chapter is a preparation of this second calling which doth wholly set forth the Spouse her inviting the Bridegroome into the countrey shewing that these first fruits of the Jewes shall burne with great desire to win the rest of their nation and shall not cease till they bring it to passe But why doth the Spouse desire the countrey Is she weary of the city or doth desire a more fresh ayre Indeed they that are long pend up in the city are wont often times for their mindes sake to avoid company and desire solitary rest but this going into the fields or villages seeketh not pleasure so much as it stirreth up to new work and labour If she had desired it to avoid the heat of the Sunne or for pleasant banquetting whereto serveth this lodging abroad She therefore goeth a hunting not to catch wilde beasts but men very many Iewes were yet busied in the countrey without the holy City for whom all this watching and trouble shall be undertaken that they may be gathered into one sheeâ—fold and fitted into one body of Christ with their brethren This vocation shâ—ll so much exceed the former as the open fields exceed the city or the whole multitude a small company Daniel Chap. 12. 12. appointeth the time thereof 45. yeers after the first which will happen about the yeer 1700. The exact time cannot be set downe it is enough for us if we come neer the truth Vers 12. Let us get up early to the vineyards let â—s see if the vines flourish whether the tender grapes appear and the Pomegranats â—ud forth there will I give thee my love That which the Bride lately entreated now she urgeth with certain reasons The end of the journey and the full acquaintâ—nce in this verse The perfection of all delights in the veâ—se following The end of being in the country is that she might arise earlâ— to the vineyard It was some trouble to watch among the Cypresse trees but this addeth more to go forth so early to the vines wherein we learn her chiefest care was in gathering these citizens of the second order wherein she spared no labour or diligence she will goe into the country not refusing the tediousnesse of the long journey she will endure the discommodity of watching in the villages and that nothing be wanting by her will she will arise early in the morning to dispatch the businesse and which is more to be admired whiles yet no harvest appeareth which might worthily require the painfull labour Esay mentioneth this desire when after the fore-shewed great glory of the reformed and much adorned spouse beholding in the Spirit the full conversion of the whole nation he cryeth out Go thorovv go thorow â—he gates prepare you the vvay of the people cast â—p cast up the highvvay gather out the stones lift up a standard for the people Chap. 62. 10. By which doubled words he sheweth their incredible desire ofgathering the reliques and bringing them into one Church The vines grapes and Pomgranates are the elect of the Iews whose prone readines to imbrace the truth is like a moâ—t pleasant spring the elect had tried their winter which deprived them of fruit and leaves that they could scarce be known from dead trees The second member of the verse sheweth another reason of going into the country There saith she I will give my loves to thee that it is to say I will shew my self freely to thee that thou mayest delight thy self in my company for to give one my love honestly and shamefastly is to give him full power over me Therfore the glory of Christs Kingdom shall not be full till this rustication Vers 13. The Mandrakes give a smell and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits nâ—w and old which I have laid up for thee O my beloved Mandrakes saith Pliniâ— have a strong smell but here is no commendation of the sent but mention is made of it only to shew the budding and growth thereof It is a cold herb drowsie and lateward it seems it grew in the fields in the land of Canaan Ruben found Mandrakes in the field Gen. 30. 14. They are also opposed in this place to those more delicate fruits which are planted neer the house as
wel for delight as for more easie keeping The new old fruits have a plain meaning An excellent division of the citizens seemeth here to be set forth whereof some are far scattered in remote colonies like Mandrakes growing in the open fields others like domstique milder fruit which by vicinity or neer neighbour-hood yeeld more plentifull delights Some again are newly fresh planted into the Church like Mandrakes cold and lateward herbs springing more slowly such shâ—ll the Jews be lastly called which shall more lately shake off their drowsinesse Some are elder who shall yeeld their names to the first calling and sâ—end their time in the received truth somewhat before the â—â—st shall come in This shall be a most pleasant beholding to the elders when they shall see Religion not to decay with the age which alas we behold to our grief as if the fulnesse of the gentils did now approach every later generation in their degrees fall away from the sanctity of their parents The latter part of the verse teacheth that the spouse shall have a time at length to unlocke her store-houses and as it were in pompe openly set forth her unmeasurable riches in the exceeding great abundance of her citizens Thrifty housholders do not suffer all things to be used continually and confâ—sedly but reserve some things for solemn feasts set apart from dayly uses which they may bring forth as occasion serveth for credit and honesty So the Church howsoever she hath oftentimes before declared her self not poor and needy but sufficient rich and abundantly adorâ—ed with all dignity yet she hath not applied these dainty banquets delicate dishes and sweet-meates to common and dayly diet but hath reserved them lockt up in store for this one solemnity whereby we may understand the glory of those times to be such as the former ages have never seen CHAP. VIII OH that thou werest as my brother that sucked the breasts of my mother I would finde thee without I would kisse thee then they should not despise thee 2 I will lead thee and bring thee into my mothers house there thou shalt teach me and I will cause thee to drink spiced wine and new wine of the pomegranate 3 His left hand shall be under mine head and his right hand shall embrace me 4 I charge you O daughters of Ierusalem that you â—tirre not up nor waken my love untill she please 5 Who is this that cometâ— up out of the wildernesse leaning upon her welbeloved I raised thee up under an apple tree there thy mother conceived thee there she conceived that bare thee 6 Set me as a seal on thy heart and as a â—ignet upon thine arme for love is strong as death jealousie is cruell as the the grave the coales thereof are fierie coales and a vehement flame 7 Much water cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it if a man should give all the substance of his house for love they would greatly contemne it 8 We have a little sister and she hath no breasts what â—hall we do for our sister when she shall be spoken for 9 If she be a wall we will build upon her a silver palace and if she be a door we will keep her in with boards of cedar 10 I am a wall and my breasts arâ— as towers then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace 11 Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon he gave the vineyard unto keepers every one bringeth for the fruit thereof a thousand pieces of silver 12 But my vineyard which is mine is before me to theâ— O Salomon appertaineth a thousand pieces of silver and two hundred to them that keep the fruit thereof 13 O thou that dweâ—lest in the gardens the companions hearken unto thy voice cause me to hear it 14 Oh my welbeloved â—lee away and be like unto the roe or to the young haâ—â— upon the mountains of spices The Resolution THus â—â—â—re the prepâ—râ—tion of the second câ—lling the calling it self followeth declared by the wonderfull desire of the called vers 1. 2. By the mutuall love of the Bridegroâ—me vers 3. and his everlasting continuance vers 4. And such is the princesse the younger sister The other inferiours which accompany this princesse are two one is described coming out of the desert leaning upon her beloved and with wonderfull zeal vers 5 6. 7. the other is renowned by the great affection of the Sisters vers 8 9. and by her own readinesse vers 10. And hitherto of the Churches severally Iointly it sheweth as well how carefully the Bridegroom will defend the whole vers 11. 12. and what he requireth of the whole vers 13. as what the common desire of the spouse shall be namely that her beloved would fly hence and that she at length might be carried vvith him into everlasting habitacles vers 14. THE EXPOSITION Vers 1. O that thou wert as my brother that sucked the breasts of my mother when I should finde thee without I would kisse thee yet I â—hould not be despised EVery thing now at length fully perfected and all the faithfull Iewes fitted into one body of Chrâ—st their affection is woâ—derfull made clear by the Antithesis of the former Iewes with whom Christ in times past had to do in the earth that with wondrous skill with one and the same labour he setteth forth aswell the aâ—cursed hatred of these as the willing and ready love of those new citizens The old Iewes despised and refused Christ coming in the flesh and shewing himself a brother but there shall be nothing better â—o those nothing that they shall more desire then that they may enjoy the favour of his presence whereby that horrible wickednesse of despising the Son of God by their elders may be recompenced by their faith and diligenâ—e in holy duties the old Iewes sought only his death but fled and followed him not teaching in the streets with kisses but reproaches All familiarity with him was accounted for a reproach and blame Nicodemus constrained for fear to seeke private conference with him by night These shall diligently seeke him wheresoever he should be and finding him shall worship him with great reverence Neither shall they any whit regard the moâ—ks and skoffes of the wicked the world shall then be of another fashion These later people altogether unlike to those their wicked elders Salomon hath most divinely comprised in these words aswell the wickednesse of those former in refusing Christas the pietiâ— of those later in imbracing him Vers 2. I would lead thee I would bring thee into my mothers house thou shouldest instruct me I would cause thee to drinke of spiced wine of the fruit of my Pomegranates He followeth the former Antithesis or opposition for he could not better expresse the integrity of those which are to be called then by opposing them to such as were formerly called in vain The old Iews then shâ—t Christ out adores and desired to drive him out of the Temple
and Synagogues For they which raged so much against others which confessed him somewhat more freely what would they not â—o to him himself for whose cause they were so violent against others Ioh. 9. 22. But these people will not only open the gates that the King of glory may come in but will lead him through the streets and set him highest in the midst of their assemblies The same manner of speech we met with before Cap. 3. 4. which we interpreted of his coming in the flesh otherwise his mothers house is the Church as we saw in the first Chap. vers 17. Thou shouldest teach me Tremelius referreth it to my mother which teacheth me The words beare it but the Aâ—tithesis requireth such exposition as I have made The Iewes very much frequented the Temple they boasted themselves to be the white sonnes of their mother the Church but of the doctrine of their brother the man Christ there will be great difference between the old and these They could not abide to heare Christ preaching these will hearken to his voyce only they will draw their doctâ—ine from this only Well they will preferre themselves no other manner of life and salvation but him alone Lastly whereas she will give him spiced wine to drinke thereby he teacheth how far the new people shall differ from the old in cruelty They mingled him vinegar and gall to drinke Maâ— 27. 34. These shall tremble at such barbarous wickednesse and in stead of that most bitter cup shall invite him to most generous wine of Chast and fervent piety Their excellent forme and beauty could not be better painted out then by the opposite deformity of that old and degenerate Synagogue the fruit of the Pomegranate may be referred to some principall men among the Iewes who shall apply all their authority to advance religion c. Vers 3. His left hand should be under my head and his right hand should imbrace me The love of the Bridegroome which resteth most pleasantly in the bosome and imbracing of the Church thus settled he shall carry the Bride in his armes and shall keep her safe and sound from all troubles as before Chap. 2. 6. but that the Church was never before so well adorned and protected by the divine power as in this last renovation according to that of Ieremy Chap. 16. vers 14. 15. and of Esay Chap. 43. verâ— 5 6. The exceeding glory of Gods presence shall then obscure all former memory how famous or renouned â—oever Vers 4. I charge yee O daughters of Ierusalem that yee stir not up nor awake my love untill he plâ—â—se This betokeneth the perpetuity of this love and condition as before by the same kinde of oath he alwayes declareth a settled estate of the Church for some long continuance here are no Harts and Roes of the field to disturb the peace of the Church as when shee living among enemies had neer her by Gods just judgement revengers of their revolting but now the Kingdome shâ—ll be yeelded to Christ for this is the time wherein the stone cut out without hands c. Dan. 2. 34. 44. 45. and 7. 27. For in this Kingdome all enemies shall be far removed or rather taken away altogether so that the Church shall for ever hereafter live free from feare of them Then all things shall attaine their own ends and that whole Mystery Revel 10. 7. and 16. 17 It is finished which was foretold by the Prophets for hitherto belongeth their sacred Oracles Neither doe they further mention any notable change till our Lord shall come from heaven For this is that fulnesse then which nothing can be farther expected on earth which seemeth to be manifested by this removing of all causes of disturbing the Bridegroome hereaftâ—r Let us then leave the Christian Church of the Jewes most flourishing till Christ Translate his hence into heaven Verse 5. Who is this that commeth up from the Wildernesse leaning upon her beloved Iraised thee up under the Appletrce there thy mother brought thee forth there she brought thee forth that bare thee Hitherto hath beene spoken of the first younger daughter Another sister followeth for by this kinde of inquirie we have twice seene a new arising of some Church to be shewed And of this is a double state declared the beginning in this verse the progrâ—sse in the 6. and 7. The name of this Nation which commeth up from the wildernesse me seemeth may easily be supposed out of other places of the Prophets As Esay chap. 19 23. c. wherein he treateth of the calling of the Assyrians and the Egyptians for though many of either Nation were in former times indued with the saving knowledge of Christ yet that small number was nothing to this great assembly now spoken of Hither belongeth that of Ezek. 47. 1 2. and Ioel cap. 3. 18. See Numb 25. 1. Zachary extendeth the limits of this kingdome from sea to sea Cap. 9. 10. and from the sloud to to the end of the earth for the pride of Assyria c. Zach. 10. 11. Wherefore this Church shall be that whole bordering Eastern Region Arabia Chaldea Babylonia Assyria and Persia and those inmost corners of the East The waters flowing into these Regions is the course of the Gospell wherewith they shall be watered leaning upon her beloved sheweth her great familiarity with him as lovers are wont to cast themselves into the bosomes of their beloved and whereas she was raised up under an apple tree we learned before that the Apple tree betokeneth inferiour Magistrates under whose shadow the Bridegroome covereth his Church as under Tamarisk and lower trees the high and loftie Cedars being cut downe Chap. 2. 3. 4. Wherefore the first infancie of this Church seemeth to be governed by some inferiour Officer who though in the beginning there wanted the chiefe Princes authority yet by his labour and diligence he shall bring it to passe that the seede of the truth sowen shall spring up into the light that men may behold it yet it seemeth more likely that this Magistrate should be given them of the Jewes to whose rule bordering Regions shall obey And therefore this Church is raised up under an Apple tree because it shall be ruled by such Government Vers 6. Set me as a seale upon thine heart as a Seale upon thine arme for love is strong as death jealousie as cruel as thâ— grave the â—oales thereof are coales of fire which hath a most vehement flame Such was the beginning The progresse shall be famous for her marvellous and earnest desire of piety which is most elegantly painted out in her desire and the reason thereof Her desire is that she may be as a seale on his heart and arme as a note Printed with a seale whereby the impression of it might be aswell deepely fixed inwardly in the minde as appeare alwaies outwardly to the sight wherein she desireth that she may cleave to him as the figure is wont which
the Print of the Seale hath made Most vehement love requires the like againe The ardent desire of love is exprest by most fit similitudes for saying it is as strong as death she sheweth thereby that none can resist the power thereof death overcommeth the proudest ones by force so that it should be folly to contend with her The grave is also cruell without pitie discourteous and inâ—xorable who despiseth all supplications nor is ever filled with prey it daily devoureth an infinite multitude and yet alwayes gapeth for new spolies Neither is jealousie lesse insatiable Verse 7. Many waters cannot quench love neither can the flouds drowne it if a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would utterly be contemned Therefore this love shall be eternall which neither adversity nor prosperity shall be able to weaken or any whit impaire for the chiefe scope hereof is to teach us that the light of the truth once kindled shall never be quenched againe in these countries whereby it manifestly appeareth that here is something expected to be done and not to shew any thing past Some knowledge of Christ hath over-spread the Easterne Countries many ages since but the floods have overwhelmed it and the wealth riches of the world have altogether choaked it for not the least part of true religion hath there beene seene by many ages But at the length by Gods mercy the truth shall plant her rootes in these lands which no storme or tempest shall pull up nor faire allurements shall cause it to wither Verse 8. We have a little sister and she bath no breasts what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for He commeth now to the calling of a new Nation we said was another of the younger sisters Our Divines suppose these to be the words of the old Church and her wishes to us Gentiles But we have seen this Prophesie many yeeres agoe carried beyond the age of that old Church and now exercised in the farthest borders of our earthly babitation Esay seemeth to teach chap. 19. 18. 23. c. who this people may be in the latter times approaching he joyneth three nations in a common profession of the truth The Assyrians Iewes and Aegyprians Of the Iewes and Assyrians hath the Paranymph spoken before and seemes to have reserved the Egyptians for the last which nation verily imbraced Christ many ages since and was in times past very famous in Churches much frequented yet without doubt the former times are not here respected but times yet to come as the course of things sufficiently sheweth It is very likely that their owne proper places were certainly given to each one in this song Neither can it be that such carefull order should faile now at the last Esay expresly coupleth Assyria and Egypt in the society of one Religion which never hapned in times past when Egypt flourished with true piety whereunto Assyria was then altogether a stranger This is especially to be noted that she calleth Egypt a little sister exceeded by Assyria onely in the latter times which was but a barren and thirsty land whilst Egypt abounded with full channels But at length Assyria shall be overflowne by a swift streame issuing from the Temple to whose Rivers the Egyptian Nilus will be a very small fountaine But Ioel saith chap. 3. 19. Egypt shall be desolate and Zacharie chap. 10. 11. saith her Scepter shall be removed It is very likely that all Muhumetans shall be destroyed there before those places shall obtaine the Kingdome of Christ but this blotting out of the wicked doth not signifie an utter destruction but a laying the way open to better inhabitants yeelding their power and authority to Christ his government Esay mentioneth the foregoing calamity and forthwith their following happinesse whilst he giveth the knowledge of the language of Canaan to five Cities chap. 19. 17. He sheweth why it is called a little one by bounding that Church in so few cities Vers 9. If shee be a wall we will build upon her a palace of silver and if she be a dore we will enclose her with boards of Cedar A wall before Chap. 5. vers 7. was the safegard of the Civill Magistrate and they which executed that office were called keepers of the wall compare it with Chap. 6. 9. it seemes here to signifie the same As if she should say If the Civill governours will yeeld their helping hand to build up and defend the Egyptian Church they shall not want our ready ayde that they may do that with the more dignitie The Gates in the Wall are the Ministers themselves which make an entrance for others into the Church As the new Ierusalem all closed with walls hath twelve Gates inscribed with the names of the twelve Apostles Reve. 21. 12. This is then the meaning thereof If she shall be naked and without authority of the Magistrate so that shee must be gathered and preserved by the onely trust and industry of the Ministers Then will we every where fence these gates with Cedar boards so that they may be fitted against force not feeling any worme-eaten old age For then shall the Church flourish with such Authority that she shall not onely helpe her self but also her far remote Citizens Vers 10. I am a wall and my breasts like towers then was I in his eyes as one that found peace The consultation and decree of the sisters hath discovered the beginning of this Church Shee sheweth the proceeding in her own words For answering their carefulnesse she sheweth her self furnished with those ornaments which they were afraid she wanted Verely not altogether destitute of the civill power but some-what â—enced with the aid thereof as with a wall and Bulwark Also her Breasts from whom milke is drawne for the Children though in the beginning they were so small that they seemed altogether none yet now they were grown to that largenes that they might be worthily compared with Towers This peace which she speaketh of is that Marriage as it sâ—emeth which her sisters before pointed at and is elsewhere called Rest Ruth 3. 1. As if shee should say after that my breasts waxed ripe or imbossed I found that pleasure in Christ which Maides are wont to enjoy in Marriage Vers 11. Salomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon he let out the vineyard unto keepers every one for the fruit therâ—of was to bring a thousand pieces of silver Vers 12. My vineyard which is mine is before me thou O Salomon must have a thousand and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred Hitherto of the new Christian Church as it was distinguished into divers members into the elder and the three younger sisters whereof the first is a Princess among the rest Now followeth that which is common aswell on the behalf of the Bridegroom as of the Bride that of the Bridegroom is twofold A care and a Precept The care of the Bridegroom towards the