And these loues are better then wine because neither wine nor any other outward thing can be more pleasant or acceptable thē the workes of Christian charitie And finally the sauour of thine oyntments is better then all spices because the Church is made partaker of Christs ointments which yeeld foorth a farre more precious gracious and louing smel then the smell of any outward vnguent or any thing else whatsoeuer Thy lippes my spouse droppe honycombes hony and milke are vnder thy tongue and the sauour of thy garmēts is as the sauour of Lebanon Thy lips The lips of the church are euer like honycombs dropping but what do they drop or distill milke and hony which is vnder their tongues By which words we are to note the hony sweet and milke white vnspotted words of God These words may be said to drop from the mouth of the chast spouse whiles she deliuereth them vnto her neighbours they flow from her most easily and fluently which is signified by these words in that they are said to be vnder her tonge Indeed she is indewed with her husband Christs spirit by meanes whereof she both perfectly knoweth and easily pronounceth all things because it is a generall rule the more perfectly we know a thing the more ready shall we be able to vtter and pronounce the same And it followeth in the text and the savour of thy garments is as the sauour of Lebanon What garments are these which the Church weareth vnlesse it be these wherewith shee which is Christs most sacred body is couered and apparelled withall and these are the garments indeede wherwith the grace of Christ his iustice spirit truth peace and all those good gifts and graces which do accompany them are greatly glorified The sent smell of these things is wonderfull strong and strange for it is as the sauour of the hill of Lebanon or of many odoriferous trees and yet neuerthelesse the garmēts of the spouse are more odoriferous and well smelling then all these things But it is God alone and his Christ the Angels and elect which do smell the odor thereof are delighted therwith because it is not possible at all for them to please either God or man which haue not receiued of the fulnesse of Christs spirit The text 12 My sister my spouse is as a garden inclosed as a spring shut vp and a fountaine sealed vp 13 Thy plants are as an orchard of pomegranates with sweete fruits as camphire spikenard 14 Euen spikenard and saffron calamus and cinnamon with all the trees of incense myrrhe and aloes with all the chiefe spices 15 O fountaine of the gardens ô well of liuing waters and the springs of Lebanon 16 Arise ô North and come ô South and blow on my gardē that the spices therof may flow out let my wel beloued come to his garden and eat his pleasant fruit The Commentarie The Bridegrome in this first verse commendeth the spouse for abounding in all manner of fruit of good workes and he vseth the similitude very fitly of a garden which because it may the better bring forth herbes trees spices and all sorts of fruits men do vse to set a hedge round about it to keepe out cattle from hurting of it and last of all it is watered with wholesome sound and vnpoysoned waters and euen so for all the world is it with the Church What booteth it then for the Church to be neuer so fertile and fruitfull in good workes vnlesse God preserue and keepe it with a fatherly prouidence and care setting as it were a hedge round about it vnlesse he water it with the water of life and shadow or refresh it with the comfortable gifts and graces of the holy Ghost and therefore it is said as a spring shut vp and a fountaine sealed vp because it is confirmed and strengthened with the protection of the Almightie as also for an other reason because it is not lawfull for vs either to adde or diminish any thing from the fountaine of the Gospell because it must not be infected with the puddle of mens filthy doctrines or wicked constitutions Thy plantes are as an orchard of pomegranates with sweet fruits as camphire spikenard Thy plants That is to say the fruits of good workes which follow the planting of faith are as deare vnto me as a garden and as pleasant vnto me as any orchard can be in the world and thus by the varietie of costly spices and odoriferous trees of a paradise that is to say of a wide orchard or delectable garden wee are to learne that the elect although distinguished by degrees and persons yet are they notwithstanding all of them within one paradise that is to say within the odoriferous and pleasant trees of the Church which abound in most precious and sweet plants of the elect and faithfull ones and euery tree that is to say euery one which is not planted in this pleasant Eden or garden bringeth forth poysoned and corrupted fruit And to conclude there is no good herbe or fruit growing in the world out of this garden and contrariwise all that groweth here is wholesome pleasant and a fruit to be desired The words of the Bride vnto the Bridegrome O fountaine of the gardens ô well of lyuing waters and the springs of Lebanon O fountains This sentence appeareth to be an exclamatorie sentence of the spouse breaking foorth into the prayse of her husband for all the good things which she hath receiued of him as if shee should haue said in other wordes Thou ô my gracious and louing spouse art the cause of all my good the fountaine of eternall life all our gardens had neede to be watered with this liuely water thou art the well-spring of all heauenly graces from whō all good things are powred downe vppon vs in most plentifull sort thou art the conduit which conuayest these wholesome waters vnto thy Church which is Lebanon For as Lebanon is full of odoriferous plantings of the faithfull so the particular Churches may be called small orchards and pettie-gardens of the great paradise of the Church and there is but one fountaine of liuely water which runneth thorough out all the gardens of Lebanon that is to say there is but one fountaine of grace and truth namely the holy Ghost wherewithall the seuerall congregations of the faithfull must be watered and refreshed So then the fountaine of the gardens that is to say of the particular Churches and congregations is nothing else but the fountaine of the Catholike and Vniuersall Church because it is in her first and from thence deriued vnto all the rest Arise ô North and come ô South and blow on my garden that the spices thereof may flow out let my welbeloued come to his garden and eate his pleasant fruit Arise ô North. The spouse inuocateth the succour helpe of the holy Ghost by whose inspiration her young and tender plants may as well in aduersitie as in prosperitie flourish increase
siluer two hundred to them that keepe the frute thereof 13 O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken vnto thy voyce cause me to heare it 14 O my welbeloued flie avvay and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the mountaines of spices The Commentarie The wordes of the Bridegrome vnto the Church of the Conuerts The bridegroome confirmeth her sayings to be true affirming the Church to be before the Lord because he is alwayes most readie to succour and helpe her in all her necessities Wherefore he sendeth not wolues but faithful ministers and Apostles to be her keepers in such sort that it is not possible that any one of them should perish The church of the conuerts vnto the Bridegrome To thee appertaineth a thousand peeces of siluer Because the number of a thousand is the terme and bound of all other numbers therefore it is taken for all numbers and then the words go thus O Salomon O my peaceable and louing Christ to thee appertaineth a thousand that is the greatest and farthermost number And two hundred to them that keepe the frute thereof that is not so much a◠appertaineth vnto thee The wordes of the Bridegrome vnto the Bride O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken vnto thy voyce cause mee to beare it Here Christ speaketh vnto all the Church in generall shewing how acceptable and pleasant her voyce is to him which she so greatly longeth for to heare because her voice is Gods word therfore he speaketh after this maner vnto the spouse O my louing spouse thou that dwellest in the gardens that is to say in the particular Churches which are taken for gardens Thy companions or friends namely those which preach and teach the Gospell Hearken vnto thy voyce that is are obedient vnto thee because thou alone art able to teach them my words Cause me to heare thy voyce which is nothing diuerse I am sure from my words or contrarie to the scripture therfore most acceptable and pleasant vnto me because all other words which proceede and come from the flesh they are not my words they are adulterous and false words and therfore most abhominable in mine eares The wordes of the Spouse vnto the Bridegroome O my welbeloued flie away and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the mountaines of spices This mountaine of spices is the Church and therfore the lesser and particular Churches are called mountaines of spices Christ desired to heare the Spouse speake the Spouse answereth him by vttering the words of perfect charitie by which words it appeareth how zealous she is of Christes glorie and the knowledge of his truth And furthermore the great desire wherewith she is inflamed towardes the saluation of all men And this is briefly the sence and meaning of these wordes O my welbeloued flie away as a man when he flieth away in great hast or as the Roes or young Harts doe skirre it along most nimbly vpon the tops of the hils so do thou make hast and tarrie not to come vnto the mountaines of spices that is to say to come both vnto the Church vniuersall and also to be present ayding vnto all the particular Churches least happily they may be constrained to receiue any other besides thee and so by estraunging themselues from thee perish eternally Therfore gentle Christ come quickly to helpe and succour to direct and guide vs vnto the right way which leadeth vs vnto life euerlasting FINIS Faults escaped In the Preface for the title or inscription of the Song of songs reade the title or inscription is the Song of songs Page 8. line 12. for man reade men p. 14. l. 6. for sunnie reade sinne p. 21. l. 23. for particularly reade patiently p. 23. l. 10. for houses reade horses p. 39. l. 13. for vvith the svveete reade vvith svveete p. 40. l. 28. for gold reade God p. 51. l. 7. for the people reade his people p. 51. l. 30. for and maketh it reade maketh it p. 64.1 for to reade and p. 79. l. 7. for of seeming workes that issue foorth from faith reade of seeming good vvorks but not proceeding frō faith the other a chaine of good vvorkes indeed that is to say of vvorkes that issue foorth from faith p. 108. l. 12. for then reade that p. 121. l. 11. for those elect vvhich is a companion c. reade of the elect vvhich continually haue their faiths accompanied and follovved vvith good vvorkes Floure Psal 16.11 * It the fruit fo his pleasant apples Thus it is in Italian Thus it is in Italian Thus it is in Italian * It. Hell
eternall perfection and neuer misse of it I my selfe was as carefull as any woman in the world could be to find it and I was cōtent to endure any thing so I might attaine vnto it I asked for her many times and oft I did fast and pray watch and torment my body for the want of her but shee was not to be found any where but vnder the shadowe of thy wings which I so much desire And hence it is that she saith that he is so among all the sons as a fruitfull appletree is among all the trees of the wood Drawe neare therfore and approch vnto this happie blessed and most sweet shadow and vnder it you shall be sure to obtaine perfect peace rest although it be in the middest of tribulations aduersities because our husband Christ is our only appletree or tree of life which bringeth forth fruite of eternall life that is true vertues and holy workes in all those which lie vnder the shadow of it expecting the fulnesse of time when they shall receiue of the fulnesse of his liberalitie the apples which he shall command them to take of Gods benefits and graces that they may bee food vnto them of euerlasting and happy life The Text. 4 He brought me into the wine celler and loue was his banner ouer me 5 Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples for I am sicke of loue 6 His left hand is vnder mine head his right hand doth imbrace me 7 I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalē by the roes and by the hindes of the field that ye stirre not vp nor waken my loue vntill she please 8 It is the voice of my welbeloued behold he commeth leaping by the mountains and skipping by the hilles 9 My welbeloued is like a roe or a yong hart Lo he stādeth behind our wall looking forth of the windowes shewing himselfe through the grates The Commentarie He did not onely bring me vnto this tree of life true felicity which yeeldeth vs a defence frō the heat of the Sun also pleasant fruit but furthermore he brought vs into the wine celler by this wine is meant the word of God the houses or cellers which contain this wine are the holy books of both the old new testaments where Christ bringeth the Church as into a celler when he informs her in the right vnderstanding of the Scriptures Wherefore after that the spouse had once tasted of the pleasant drinke of euerlasting truth and therewith comforted and cheered vp her selfe in the spirit presently she declareth the benefits of her husband vnto her maydens and young virgins because she would inuite thē by litle litle vnto the loue of him and so cause them to run after him and she saith The king brought me in as if she should haue said His wine is so pleasant and good that I would willingly haue you brought into his cellers to tast of the goodnes therof and she continueth her old vaine of setting forth her husbands glory saying thus And loue was his banner ouer me What banner was that which was lifted vp ouer him the banner of loue Well then loue is the banner which draweth all thinges after her with her wonderfull and strange giftes of insinuation and allurement Christ continually commendeth vnto his Church the gift of loue and charity in such sort that he cannot with greater tokens of kindnesse testifie his loue and kindnesse to vs wards The spouse speaketh vnto her damsels Stay me with flagōs cōfort me with apples for I am sick of loue You see how effectuall how precious admirable is the banner of Christ that as soone as euer the spouse sawe it her heart was inflamed within her she cōstrained to breake forth into these words saying for I am sicke of loue And why shouldst thou be sick ô thou welbeloued spouse Is it for the want of the glorious presence of thy husbād that thou doest so torment and vexe thy self why doest thou crie out vnto the yong maidens that is to say vnto the faithfull what wouldest thou haue them to do for thee why callest thou vnto them biddest them stay thee vp with flagons and comfort thee with apples Surely by the flagōs of wine we must vnderstand the faithful and by the apples the holy Ghost or the wordes and operations of Christ And it commeth all to one passe as if she should haue sayd I am growne so impatient in striuing to shew forth my exceeding great loue vnto my best beloued Christ that I had need to be stayed vp and strengthened with the sweet smelles wine that is to say with the comfortable words of the faithfull and with the holie spirit of the Bridegrome abounding in them vnto all maner of perfection increase of faith therfore I do long to be cōforted with the delicate apples of the spirituall pleasures delights of his heauenly promises His left hand is vnder mine head his right hand doth imbrace me that is to say my request is vnto my husbād that he wold comfort me in this present world with the word of God least happily I may take occasion through the consideration conscience of my sins to fall into desperation I desire to haue him imbrace me with the clear sight and fruition of his bounty that he would preserue and deliuer me being now in this vale of miseries from all maner of sinne and daunger of dispaire or diffidencie at all and that it may please my husband to bestow vpon me the graces and gifts of the mind or otherwise confirme them in me with his glory perpetuall loue By the right hand of God is signified prosperitie by the left aduersitie and these are called the two hands of the Bridegrome because he worketh effecteth al things by thē The spouse hath the left hād of Christ but vnder her head that is to say vnder Christ by whose will and commādement they most willingly suffer endure all maner of crosses troubles or persecutions whatsoeuer For she knoweth this most certainlie that not an haire of her head shall fall to the ground or that she shall suffer any bitterne◠of griefe in the world vnlesse the Bridegrom◠will And furthermore that this left hand cannot alwaies be vnder her head although the fruites and effects thereof to wit true riches and godly glorie shall endure and continue for euer Besides all this she is most certainly perswaded that her happy daies which God holdeth in his right hand shall neue◠cease for as the Psalmist saith In thy presence is the fulnes of ioy at thy right han◠are pleasures for euermore And truly if i◠were so that Gold should holde his left han◠only vnder our heads as we haue shewed yo◠before we shold soon be brought to nough◠and neuer be able to come vnto the euerlasting pleasures in his right hand Gods left hand is said to be
of his meere good will fauour I will rise therefore now that is to say whiles that I doe goe about to seeke him out of me and go about in the citie by the streetes and by the open places to seeke my Sauiour and husbande the foundation of my happinesse and that in the religion of the Gentiles and doctrine of the Philosophers I found him not likewise And to seeke Christ is to bee willing to trust in him and sincerely to beleeue all his sayings and be directed and gouerned by them and lastly to hope most constantly for their saluations by the merits of Christs workes wherefore the spouse here in this place sheweth that she was not a litle deceiued when she sought him diligently but with humaine diligence and industrie and vpon the full confidence of her owne workes Go to then rise vp and goe about the citie that is to say all humaine counsels because they which seeke Christ without the word and spirit of God doe as i◠were fetch a compasse and goe the farthes◠way about Now the wicked do trace vp and downe in this way in vaine because tha◠wheras no care industry of man is auaileable vnto the finding of him they can neuer finde him out this way The watchmen that went about the citie found mee to whom I sayd haue you seene him whom my soule loueth The watchmen c. that is to say those which follow the constitutions of auncient fathers reuelations and studies of men which seeme to ward and keepe the Church I asked them also whether they could certainely tell mee of any place where to find out my louing and gracious spouse whe◠I might securely embrace him and secretly comfort my selfe To conclude I asked them whether they could bring me any certaine tydings of my saluation but hauing past a litle from their humaine studies and speeches to see whether I could find anie more certaine steppes and footings as it were of my saluation and peace of conscience which I had sought a long time but neuer as yet found at the length leauing all humaine helpes and Doctors I busied my selfe to make inquirie after him in the bookes of the holy scripture being written by the instinct of the holy Ghost whom I doe loue most entirely as being the sense of pietie and solide truth for it is onely Gods spirit which satisfieth and filleth the mind of man desirous of knowledge and leadeth his disciples into all manner of truth by teaching them the wordes of God And here I finde that not onely my vnderstanding is informed but also that my affections are inflamed within me and that I am presently able to discerne errors and falsehood from the veritie of true doctrine and to receiue and intertaine in my heart the true peace of conscience quieting and contenting my selfe in my husband and all this happeneth for no other cause but because I haue found out Christ my Sauiour and redeemer that is to say him who hath obtained the spirit of grace which is neuer separated and abstracted from the truth that which is his is mine for otherwise I knowe that I should suddenly perish and come to nought and forthwith Christ doth seeke the saluation of those which liue in wickednesse and error Wherfore the Church being once conuerted from the wicked promiseth to bring in Christ whom shee findeth in the house of his mother that is to say in the Synagogues and congregations of the wicked from whence he came and verily the true beleeuers do study and endeuour by praiers by the ministerie of the word and by all maner of meanes possible to reduce the poore wandring soules of the Church to the truth of Gods word that they may receiue Christ into their houses and into the secret chambers of their hearts because it is not enough for the seruants of God to seeke their owne saluations vnlesse they may compasse it for others also and direct them as well as they may vnto the like speeches of God which they ought to seeke so carefully and diligently that they should not leaue off seeking of it vntill they know that they haue receuied mercie as well as they which is declared vnto vs in the next words following I left him not till I had brought him into my mothers house into the chamber of her that conceiued me That is I left him not till euen the wicked such a one as I my selfe had heretofore for a certaine space beene being turned and conuerted vnto him receiued him The wordes of the Bridegrome vnto the Virgins I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and by the Hindes of the field that ye stirre not vp nor waken my loue vntill shee please I charge you The faithfull spouse of Christ doth most willingly obey his will and commaundement by seeking the saluation of her mother which conceiued and bare her which yet wandreth vp and downe in darkenesse and in the daunger of death so that the word of truth doth not a litle thing profite by her by making her fit to receiue him that was comming Christ Iesus and to change her by the power of his spirit to the end that they that were wise should become fooles and they that were fooles should become wise Hence is it that she is become one of the Churches daughters or rather to speake more properly a true member of the Church and spouse of Christ afterwardes the Bridegroome dispatcheth vnto her heart the pleasures of his spirite and peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding Therefore both the mother and the daughter being both of them together made a faithfull spouse of the Lords do reioyce and are merrie whereupon she sleepeth and taketh her quiet rest in the holy Ghost whom the holy Ghost doth so preserue and keepe from feare of any danger that the quiet rest and peace of their minds and consciences cannot be disturbed or hindered at all He saith vnto the yong virgins * I charge you which words were expounded before He chargeth them not to stirre or waken his loue vntill shee please but then he would haue the young maydes to waken her when they are moued thereunto by the word of God and this verse is repeated in the Canticles to shew that God hath no lesse care ouer the Church which is made of the Gentiles and wicked being once conuerted then hee hath of the Iewes and others which in the beginning were made righteous by him but that hee hath an equall care and loue of them both being made one in him and thorough him The friends of the Bridegrome vnto the young maydes 6 VVho is she that commeth vp out of the wildernesse like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and incense and with all the spices of the merchant 7 Behold his bed which is Salomons threescore strong men are round about it of the valiant men of Israell 8 They all handle the sword are expert in warre euery one hath his sword
yong virgins Come sorth ye daughters of Zion and behold the king Salomon with the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his mariage and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart Come forth ye daughters of Zion that is to say ye daughters of Zion as many among all the nations of the world as haue receiued the words of life through Christ and the handes of the Apostles to beleeue come forth out of your errors and vanities being before instructed by the holie scripture behold the peaceable king Salomon which made of two churches one by taking away the hinderance and let as well of God towardes man as of the Iewes towards the Gentils by his death and passion on the crosse come see and behold the humanitie of Christ crowned with a crowne of the deitie O good God how great was the loue of God towardes man that hee gaue his onlie begotten sonne in the flesh to the end that euerie one that beleeueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life either that they shall receiue it in that day when he shall come to iudge both the quick and the dead or that they haue receiued it already in that day when his humanitie was glorified the third day after his resurrection and triumph ouer the diuell the great enemie of all the faithfull people of God The fourth Chapter 1 Behold thou art faire my loue behold thou art faire thine eyes are like the doues among thy lockes thine haire is like the flocke of goates which look downe from the mountaine of Gilead 2 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe in good order which go vp froÌ„ the washing which every one bring out twinnes and none is barren among them 3 Thy lippes are like a threde of skarlet and thy talke is comely thy temples are within thy lockes as a peece of a pomegranate The Commentarie The words of the Bridegrome vnto the Bride THe Church of God is commended for diuerse things in the Canticles First for her doues eyes that is to say her simplicitie and synceritie of minde and iudgement which is giuen her by the holy Ghost which is signified by the similitude and shape of a doue secondly for her ornaments and iewels which do not a litle beautifie and adorn the face because they are the ornamentes of the head and the head is Christ whose face shineth most gloriouslie and in whose countenance is all the glorie of all the faithfull wheresoeuer Thirdlie she is praysed for her haire for as the haires do grow on the head so the truth which we haue and receiue from our head Christ doth take fast root and increaseth in vs nowe it groweth and increaseth in vs by reason of the preachers of the Gospell which are as it were the haires of this head which depeÌ„deth on Christ the true head of the church And the hairs of this head of the spouse are very properly fitly compared vnto Goats haires because whiles they attend wholly vnto the precepts of the Law and meditate vpoÌ„ nothing but vpon heaueÌ„ly things they are clean creatures which feed in high steep places And by Gilead which is as much to say by interpretatioÌ„ as an heap of testimonies is meant the multitudes of martyrs which coÌ„firme Christs doctrine by their deaths and passions Thy teeth are like a flockâ— of sheep in good order which go vp from the washings which euery one bring out twins and none is barren among them Thy teeth The teeth are the power of the holy Ghost by the which the true Bishops do ouercome the wicked and crush them in peeces by the preaching of the word and Christian conuersation and either conuert and turne them to the truth or else confirme and establish them in the truth by the power of the aforesaid word Againe the Bishops are teeth because they reprehend and reproue the wicked by the word of truth and make them members of Gods holy Church Moreouer they are teeth to break bruise the bread of doctrine so that it may be food for the weak And the teeth of the Church are described to be like vnto sheep after they are washed and shorne because the spirit of truth doth make the true professors of the Gospell and generally all the faithfull to become pure innocent simple or harmlesse as sheepe neither are they barren or fruitlesse because as the sheepe they bring forth twinnes alwayes abound in all maner of good workes Thy lips are like a thredâ— of skarlet and thy talke is comelie thy temples are within thy loâ—kes as a peece of a pomegranat Againe the Church is commended for her lips that is to say for her words And her lips are said to bee red because all her speeches tend onely to this end purpose to set forth the death of Christ our Sauiour red with bloud for the saluation of the elect And her words are fyery hot with zeale and faith not knowing howe to lâ—e but able to ouercome the false and lying brethreÌ„ And by her cheekes is signified modestie and shamefastnesse because when a man is ashamed he blusheth or his cheekes do looke red and because the pomegranat is red in hewe therfore it may be most fitly applied vnto the passioâ— of Christ Now because the Church is not ashamed of Christs crosse but reioyceth ratheâ— in her passions and persecutions which shâ— is to suffer for his sake and is wont to bearâ— the signe of the crosse verie patiently therefore it was well said that her cheekes werâ— like a pomegranate especiallie like a peece of pomegranat because the redder part of it was hid and the white only was seen And as the number of graines which are in a pomgranat cannot be seene vnlesse the pomegranat be broken or bruised in peeces so likewise the vertue and power of the Church is not seene but in tribulations and troubles The Text. 4 Thy necke is as the tower of Dauid built for defence a thousand shieldes hang therein and all the targets of the strong men 5 Thy two breasts are as two yong roes that are twins feeding among the lillies 6 Vntill the day break the shadows flie away I will go into the mountaine of mirrhe and to the mountaine of incense 7 Thou art all faire my loue there is no spot in thee The Commentarie In this place he coÌ„meÌ„deth the spouses neck as a tower built vp of a reasonable height haÌ„ged round about with strong shields what thing else is this in the spouse but the sweete agreement of holie maners or true strength fortitude against all aduersities that shall happen being alwayes adorned and decked with strong champions and Christian warriours which they keeping and preseruing do not only praise them but also in the power and vertue of him that is able to strengthen their weake soules endure and suffer all maner of aduersities The great Cannon which defendeth this Church is nothing els but
it is no strange phrase in the scripture to call the concubines by the name of wiues although it be euident out of the olde testameÌ„t that the chiefe of them were called wiues and the rest concubines as it is manifest by Abrahams wiues Thus theÌ„ the whole Church being considered together is one perfect spouse of Christ called a doue because of the gifts of the holie Ghost which are contained in her and the more speciall particular and greater Churches are called Queenes the lesser concubines because although they be threescore in number that is enough yet these are fourscore that is more for indeed the lesser Churches are more in number then the greater the young damsels are the faithfull soules without number because there are many which are vnknowne to vs. The Text. 9 VVho is she that looketh forth as the morning faire as the moone pure as the sunne terrible as an armie 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 chariots of my noble people 12 Returne returne ô Shulamite returne returne that we may behold thee what shalt thou see in the Shulamite but as the companie of an armie The Commentarie THe Church is the morning which hath not yet receiued the fulnes of her light which she shall receiue in glorie the Mâ—â—â—e is the truth of Christs doctrine which shineth in the darknesse but the darknes compreheÌ„ded it not Ioh. 1. The Sun as Christ Iesus Esa 60. vers 20. Thou shalt haue no more Sunne to shine by day neither shall the brightnesse of the moone shine vnto thee for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glory Thy â—un shal neuer go down neither shall the moone be hid for the Lord shal be thine euerlasting light Thus then the Church is faire but faire as the moone that is faire as the truth because all her beauty and fairenesse commeth from thence for so greaâ— is her beauty and comelinesse as her faith is great in Gods word if her life be answerable therunto afterwards shee is elected as the suâ— Christ who in all the elect is sayd to be thâ— first borne because others are elected and predestinated vnto saluation froÌ„ the beginning for his sake that she is terrible as an army witâ— banners It hath bene already shewed yoâ— in the beginning of this chap where you may read the very same words And this interrogatiue kinde of speech Who is she are thâ— words of Christ spoken by the way of admiration to make the glorie of the Churcâ— more known vnto al the world I went dowâ— to the garden of nuttes to see the fruites of thâ— valley to see if the vine budded and if thâ— pomegranates flourished I went downe c. He calleth the Church a garden of nuts because the kernell and sweetnesse thereof is contained vnder an hard shell of aduersitie Christ came downe into this garden to preserue the fruits of the waters or torrents that is to say of the elect which are as trees planted by the riuers of waters as it is in the first Psalme To see whether the vine budded 〈…〉 to say the faith of those elect of the elect which coÌ„tinually haue their faiths accoÌ„paniâ—d followed with good works we may obserue this in these wordes of Christ vnto the Church I went downe that there is nothing which may any way belong or appertaine vnto the good of the Church but he reuealeth and maketh it knowen vnto her The Spouse speaketh vnto the Bridegroome I knew nothing my soule set me as the chariots of my noble people I knew nothing c. Christ deliuered vnto the spouse the manner of his comming downe vnto her and that in the verse immediatly going before to whom she replyeth after this manner I knew not that is to say I marked not that you were so neare me till you bewrayed your selfe vnto me by your sweete and pleasant wordes likewise I knew not when thou departedâ— from me vnlesse it pleased thee to reueale the same vnto me and the reason is because no man knoweth the hidden secrets and mysteries of God vnlesse it be God and him vnto whom God reuealeth them and it followeth my soule The soule of the Church is Christ it is a very vsuall and significatiue kind of speech to expresse a mans loue because he that loueth a thing earnestly and vehemently calleth that which he loueth his soule so that the righteous maÌ„ which loueth Christ saith that Christ is his soule he set me as the chariots of my people which runne willingly in the course of Gods words but although they be willing in spirit and readie in mind yet they draw after them heauie weake chariots or burdens and therefore I will goe draw those chariots I will enter into them and confirme the weake and frayle ones with the doctrine of pietie comfort those that are comfortlesse and as much as I can frame my selfe wholly vnto their seruice caring not what shall happen vnto me so that I may winne some vnto the Gospell And hence it was that S. Paul boasted of his infirmities and labours which hee suffered and endured for Gods people The words of the young damsels vnto the Spouse Returne returne ô Shulamite returne returne that we may behold thee what shall you see in the Shulamite but as the companions of any armie Returne c. It hath beene oftentimes declared vnto you before that by the name of damsels or young virgins are signified the faithfull people of God which are all renewed in Christ and euery one of them hath a youngnesse or youth of mind these viewing and beholding the great care and diuerse troubles of the Church which she suffereth and endureth for their sakes are constrained to reioyce in the true charitie thereof because it is proper vnto the faithfull alone to reioyce be glad in the Lord wheÌ„ they see the loue of others towards theÌ„ which they desire and studie as much as in them lieth to immitate and expresse Therfore these are the words of the faithfull vnto the Church of God which is so carefull and pensiue for their good Returne ô Shulamite that is to say O thou peaceable and quiet spouse of Christ because that she ought to be a peaceable spouse of her peaceable husband Christ to the end that her nature may be answerable vnto her name and the thing concord and concurre with the words The doubling and repetitioÌ„ of the word returne discouereth the greatnes of their affections whence should she returne whence shold she come from labours and griefe from sorrow and troubleâ— for verily we can not but see how the Church is vexed and tormented watcheth and fasteth laboureth sweateth and all this shee is content to receiue at the hands of the wicked for the behoofe good of the
he calleth them twinnes because it is the selfe same God and father which is the author and father of both Testaments The Text. 4 Thy neeke is like a towre of iuorie thine eyes are like the fish pooles in Heshbon by the gate of Beth-rabbim thy nose is as the towre of Lebanon that looketh toward Damascus 5 Thine head vpon thee is as a skarlet and the buâ—ke of thine head like purple the king is tyed in the rafters 6 How faire art thou and how pleasant art thou ô my pleasure 7 This thy stature is like a palme trâ—e and thy breasts like clusters 8 I said I will go â—p into the palme tree I will take hold of her boughes thy breasts shall now be like the clusters of the vine and the sauour of thy nose like apples 9 And the roofe of thy mouth like good wine which goeth straight to my welbeloued and causeth the lips of the ancient to speake The Commentarie The necke is faith as it is euident out of the first and fourth Chapters and this place may be thus expounded as if a man had a towre of iuorie doubtlesse it would be a very precious and strong place so in like maner if a man haue faith hee hath a most firme strong and precious towre and rocke of defence against which the gates of hell shal neuer be able to preuaile but of this there hath bene sufficiently spoken in the places aboue mentioned Moreouer he commendeth her for her fine eyes which signifie nothing else but the iudgementes of the Church which are as cleare bright and pure as the most â—â—eare waters in the fish-pooles of Hesebon which are the liuely fountaines of truth and pure waters of Gods word which the bridegroome hath in great abundance and of the aboundance of his goodnesse wee all receiue that belong vnto the faithfull churches And these fish-pooles are neare vnto the gate of Beth-rabbim that is if a man interpret it the gate of the daughter of a multitude that is wherein manie are contained or to whom manie belong according to the phrase and manner of speaking of the Hebrewes is the Church which may bee verie fitly called a daughter of multitudes begotten by the word of God whose gate is Christ In this gate is their great aboundance and plentie of fountaines fishpooles of liuing water that is to say of truth grace and Gods diuine iustice Furthermore he goeth onward in praising her for her nose which is a signification of vertue for thereby do we smell the sweete sauours of our Lord and sauior Iesus Christ wherefore as they which are situated vpon the top of a towre on the pleasant hill of Lebanon do partake the sweet sent of the spices which growe thereon so hee that standeth vpon the strong tower of the Church and hath sure footing on this rocke to wit of faith which is noted by the similitude of a rock or towre must needs be perfumed with the sweete smell of Christes ointments for because he is in the Church and the rest not so for the same reason and he saith that this tower of faith looketh toward Damascus Where he taketh Damascus for all the carnall minded men which are indeed nothing else but a sacke of bloud because this is the right signification of the word in the originall Against these doth the strong tower that is to say the faith of the Church looke most oppositely and directly because the iudgementes and affections of the Church are cleane contrarie vnto them and the heade of the Church as wee haue before prooued vnto you is the Bridegrome Christ a pleasant and worthy Bridegrome high as mount Carmel and fruitfull as mount Carmel for all these thinges haue bene truly spoken and may bee very well verified of Christ the head of the Church for hee is most high and statelie fruitfull and abounding in the corne of trueth or rather all manner of fruites spring from him and without him it is not possible for anie man to budde or bring foorth either fruite or leaues Finallie wee are sed with his corne that is to say with his Spirit and truth as often as we beleeue in him as it is in the sixt chapter of Iohn and 32. verse where hee commaunded the Iewes to eate and drinke him by faith And Christ here as in manie other places of the Canticles commendeth himselfe in the Church and the Church in him for when hee praiseth the head of the Spouse what doth hee else but commend himselfe by and by afterwardes he commendeth the Spouse in commending himselfe for otherwise the Spouse deserueth no commendarious vnlesse it be for his sake He proceedeth further yet to magnifie and extoll her haire now the haire is nothing els but the doctrine and deedes of Christ and the king which he talketh of is God the purple the holie Ghost and perfect charitie the watering places the writings of God the Prophets where all the flockes of the Christians are to be watered And the haire of Christ is compared and likened vnto the purple of some mightie Prince because all that which hee either did or taught was deriued from the source of the holy Ghost and fountaine of true charitie and the king is tyed to the watering places because Gods holy spirit is inserted and ingrafted within the writings of the holy scripture and bookes of the Prophets where he is alwayes present and by them he maketh knowne the loue of God vnto the godly mindes moreouer he continueth to prayse the Church by rehearsing the generall commendations thereof and confounding or huddeling the prayses therof together into one short sentence saying ô faire art thou O thou Church and congregation of the faithfull which art most louing and pleasurable vnto thy spouse and that in the pleasures of thy Christ whilest thou reioycest in him alone and none but him for otherwise thou sholdest be the most miserable distressed wretch in the world receiuing no helpe and succour from him for no man that walketh in strange pleasures from Christ can haue any comelinesse or beauty before the Lord. Again she is commended for her husband and for her stature in these words This thy stature is like a palme-tree and thy breasts like clusters The palme-tree is a tree that hath a sound trunke high and straight but the barke or rinde thereof is rugged hard and deformed being broad and equallie big at top bowing her head euerie way downward which yeeldeth plentie of a kind of sweet fruite called dates which growe so plentifully vpon this tree that they be like vnto the clusters of vines and this is the stature of Christes spouse for shee is sound because of the roote and strength of faith somewhat high and tall which is so streight in the toppe with faith and the consideration of heauenlie thinges that she boweth or swaggereth not at all neither to the right hande nor to the left from the word of God shee hath a hard
vers 35. Whosoeuer doth the will of God hee is my brother and my sister and mother and Saint Paule in the 8. chapt to the Romanes calleth him the first borne among many brethren And hee was made as it were a brother when hee tooke flesh and was in outward shewe like vnto vs men Now as euery brother that is to say euerie faithfull man sucketh the breastes of his mother the Church which begate him by the word of God that is to say receiueth ayde and comfort of her charitie and loue so in like maner Christ although indeede hee receiued not any comfort from her breastes yet neuerthelesse wee may truly say that hee did sucke her breastes because he tooke delight and comfort in them For the two breastes signifie loue and charitie as it hath bene before shewed you And this husband Christ is hee whome the Church desireth to finde in the streetes of the Citie that is to say in the multitudes of peoples because it is her heartie desire and wish that if it bee possible shee may bee seene and knowne of all by faith and finallie to the honour and glorie of God and example of others shee desireth to kisse him that is humblie to request Gods fauour and grace through Christ wherefore the Spouse here in this place seemeth to bee willing before men to confesse her selfe to bee a most wretched vile and miserable sinner making dayly intercessions and prayers vnto God through Christ for his mercifull fauour and therefore she desireth that she may haue leaue to kisse him publikely in the streetes and what is meant hereby it appeareth by the words following then they should not despâ—se me As who would say I know that thou doest most louingly embrace and kisse me in secret but I beseech thee ô my gentle and most louing Sauiour to kisse me openly and in the presence of whole multitudes to the end that all men may know and learne by my example to confesse themselues to be miserable sinners wretched persons and in the state of damnation and so consequently sue for Gods fauour and remission of sinnes thorough thee their Sauiour and Redeemer againe thy desire and prayer is that thy most glorious and holy name may be sanctified among all men and that no man would despise thee but contrariwise euery one would magnifie extoll thee with all their hearts I will lead thee and bring thee into my mothers house there thou shalt teach me and I will cause thee to drinke spiced wine and new wine of the pomegranate I will leade thee c. Finally he sheweth the duetie of the spouse she saith I will leade thee Christ is led of them that pray vnto him by faith whither they will because he heareth them and graunteth their requests Thus the Church bringeth him into the house of her carnall mother of whom wee haue spoken sufficiently alreadie It followeth there thou shalt teach me She which was but lately informed and taught by Christes spirite waxeth now more earnest and zealous to be taught and instructed in higher points of doctrine and shee will haue none to teach her but Christ to whom she speaketh with great boldnesse and confidencie saying thou shalt teach mee and no other but thee for there is nothing which the Church doth so much desire as to be taught of her husband bridegrome Christ and to heare his voice that is to say his wordes and no mans else and after that she hath bene taught of the bridegrome what remaineth then for her to do then she must cause him to drinke of the best wine or spiced wine Now this new wine of the pomegranates is the knowledge of the truth and veritie of the scriptures which is seasoned with the taste of the holy Ghost and the pomegranates are the congregations of the faithfull being red with the holy Ghost and directed or gouerned by charitie that is to say liuing altogether by the rule and canon of Gods holy word which is most pure and vndefiled which order must necessarily be kept of all those which meane to attaine vnto saluation Their new wine is the delectation and sweetnesse of Gods spirit whereby they liue and walke and haue their being and the bridegrome may be very well said to drinke of this wine because he is greatly delighted therewithall for he may be said in some sort to drinke which findeth a thing which pleaseth him greatly Last of all she thirsteth to drinke of this new wine that is to say after the workes of faith which Christ may bee very well said to drinke whiles he seeth these things in the faithfull and is well pleased with them His left hand shall be vnder mine head and his right hand shall embrace me The carefull and louing spouse entreth into the house of her carnall mother and bringeth Christ along with her she bringeth him thither by sincere prayers and preaching of the Gospell and she followeth the matter so earnestly faithfully withall that she receiueth the truth of her mother and so embraceth it For hauing once receiued the truth of her mother that is to say of carnall men from whom the Church issued and came she becommeth both the mother and the daughter that is to say the Church and spouse of Christ and last of all being conuerted vnto the truth she beginneth to make experience and triall of the crosse together with her daughter because it is vnpossible indeede that the crosse shold not be a companion to the loue of the truth Furthermore she sendeth Christ vnto heâ— which is her true spouse by faith I meane his peace and among all the crosses perils by sword rebukes tribulations and all maner of aduersities he sendeth vs by meanes of his peace the comfortable ioyes of his holy spirit whereby his left hand is comforted of the right vnto a certaine hope of saluation as these words are expounded aboue in the second Chapter where the very same words are to be read The words of the Spouse vnto the young damsels I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem that you stirre not vp nor waken my loue vntill she please I charge you After that the spouse the Church had made sufficient triall of the sharpnesse of Gods left hand that is to say had suffered crosses and tribulations enough she was sustayned and vpholden by Christs right hand wherewith he did most louingly embrace her in her greatest temptations sitting euen in the shadow of death and caused her to rest most quietly with the holy Ghost and enioy that peace which passed all vnderstanding resting thus securely on her bed of rest the bridegrome because hee would haue no body to trouble her spreads the couerlet ouer her and saith these wordes vnto the young virgins I charge you stirre not vp nor waken my loue and why then do you raise her vp waken her by sending her abroad amidst the troubles and turmoyles of the world which are alwayes opposed against her nay rather
spirit abideth in the elect is firme and strong vnto them in as much as they are built vpon the most sure and strong rocke Christ That which followeth afterwards If a man should giue all c. doth declare to vs the exceeding great efficacy of this most sacred holy loue in all those which are truely possessed therewith for it is the nature of true and perfect loue which commeth from the holy Ghost to cause a man to renounce all that euer hee hath and to order him selfe wholly after Gods will and commaundement When riches are offered them they regard or esteeme them not for wee see by daily experience that they are ready and willing to forsake all that euer they haue if occasion serue time so require rather then they will seeme to denie the truth And truly it is no great maruell neither for where the loue of heauenly thinges is once accounted and esteemed of there the possession and fruition of all earthly and transitorie things is vilified neglected and disesteemed The Text. The wordes of the Spouse vnto the young maides 8 VVe haue a litle sister and she hath no breasts vvhat shall vvee do for our sister vvhen she shalbe spoken for 9 If she be a vvall vve vvill build vpon her a siluer pallace and if she be a doore vve vvill keepe her in vvith boords of Cedar 10 I am a vvall and my breasts are as towers then vvas I in his eyes as one that findeth peace 11 Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers euery one bringeth forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer The Commentarie This is the voice of the Primitiue and Apostolike Church which grew out of the Synagogue and people of the Iewes reioycing for the grace of God which was spred abrode throughout all nations and it is very fitly spoken of Salomon to call the Church of the Gentiles sister vnto the synagogue of the Iewes because God is father to them both Abraham also by whose faith the Gentiles are proued to be lawfull sonnes This is that yong Church which must be chosen from among the Gentiles which is called little or small because it had but small beginnings at the first till afterwardes in processe of time by litle and litle it grew vp in spirit truth She hath no breastes because the doctrine of the Lawe and of the Prophets belonged not vnto the Gentiles neither receiued she anie instruction of faith in God and charitie towardes her neighbour of her selfe for so she was not able to minister vnto her yong ones the spirituall foode of both the Testaments What then shall we do vnto our sister Aske the Patriarkes and Prophets aske of Christ and his Apostles and they wil shew you how the churches were to be taught how they should be vnited knit together of the Gentils how they should grow vp how they should bee nourished and fed how they should be ioyned in mariage with so noble a bridegroome as the Church how partakers of Gods fauor through Christ how they should adorne and beautifie the spouse at such a day of solemnitie what they should do at that time louing those things which they ought to loue and which they knew to be loued of the bridegroome how and in what termes they are to commend themselues vnto the bridegroome when they are brought vnto him If she be a wall we wil build vpon her a siluer pallace and if she be a dore we wil keepe her in with boordes of Cedar which is thus expounded If she be a wall that is if the Church of the faithful be as strong in faith as a wall so that she cannot bee easily ouerthrowne doubtlesse shee will stand fast vnto the authoritie of the Scriptures and bee a spouse worthie of the holy Ghost and of her husband Christ but without faith it is not possible for her to please him or to profite in any kind of exercise or studie whatsoeuer Wherefore if she be faithful we wil build vpon her a pallace of siluer that is to say the bright shining precious and eternall truth by which we may be able without all other helpes to ouerthrow and fiustrate the wicked attempts of our enemies Afterwards they deuise and cōmune among them selues how to shut the doore which is Christ with boords of Cedar hereby endeuoring as much as in them lieth to make the workes of the Church continually from time to time more perfect and sincere for this is meant onely by the going in and going out of the doore The Church of the conuerts vnto the Spouse I am a wall and my breasts are as towers then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace Shee replieth vnto them and faith that she is a wall that is to say founded and grounded in the faith of Christ for it is verie necessarie for euery Christian man or woman to yeeld a reason of his faith to euery one that shall demaund or aske it of him Likewise she saith My breasts are as towers that is to say charitie and loue in entertaining and receiuing others And this is meant hereby being directed and guided by my welbeloued husband Christ Iesus I shall be able to teach others strengthen them which are borne sonnes vnto God by the Gospell and since that time I haue receiued such fauour and kindnesse at my husband Christes hands that I am in his eyes as one that findeth peace And in these words she seemeth to ascribe all the glory vnto God for comforting and strengthening her and giuing her such strong breasts The Church of the Conuerts Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers euery one bringeth forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer Here she yeldeth yet a more ample testimonie of her faith saying in that that is to say the Catholike Church which containeth so many nations Salomō that is to say Christ our true Salomon and peaceable king had a vine in the beginning to wit his vniuersall Church for that is his vine And he gaue the vineyard vnto keepers as who would say I know that it is needfull and requisite that euery one to whom the charge and ministery of the word is committed should be thrisecarefull to keepe and not to wast and spoile te defend and not to destroy my vineyard Euery particular man of the elect may be said to bring forth the frute thereof a thousand peeces of siluer that is all that he hath and himselfe also And the frutes of this vineyard are these the grace of God peace righteousnesse iustice truth other particular signes of the holy Ghost and life euerlasting So that this is the summe of a Christian mans confession to confesse Christ to bee head of the vine that is to say of the Church of the conuerts The Text. 12 But my vineyard which is mine is before me to thee ô Salomon appertaineth a thousand peeces of