new covenant as Hagar was which served as an Allegory to shew what was to be done with them under the Gospell and so applied at large by the Apostle Gal. 4. from ver. 22. to the end Note The only thing that seems to oppose this is in the next words ver. 9. Ver. 9. My Dove my undefiled is one then you may say how are they sixty Queens to be understood the Churches 1. To which I answer when the Churches are said to be sixty it is to be understood the Lord speaks of severall Churches under particular Evangelists Pastors Teachers set up in severall Cities as in the first setting up of the Churches in the Gospell 2. When he speaks of the Church as one 1. He speaks of the Elect as they are immediatly joyned to Christ by the Spirit he the Head they the Members they all his wife and he their husband 2. They are said to be one as having one Spirit Faith Baptism Lord Discipline and are not as the false Church some Papists Protestants Lutherians c. 3. It shews the Unity God will give in the world to all true Churches at the restoration thereof 4. Having spoke briefly of all in this verse 8. he speaks mor particularly of them and begins with the Queens or true Church estate 1. She is the only one of her Mother by her Mother is meant the first Church at Jerusalem which was the Mother Church of all as the Apostle Gal. 4.26 2. No Church constituted by any will be more perfect then the Church that is to be of this estate Hence she is said to be the only one and the choice one of her that bare her 3. The Daughters here are set before the Queens which I take to be 1. Either the Churches constituted in the Apostles time whose writings will commend her and pronounce her blessed 2. Because it is said they saw her the Virgins here may be meant who being extremely affected with her and filled with a desire of her are said to pronounce her blessed 3. The Queens and Concubines praise her that is are satisfied that that is the true grace of God in which the Church then stands Note That this is meant of the Jews estate 1. Appears in that the Law estate is set before Cap. 4.1 2 3. 2. It being set down here without difference of the former proves that though it be the same thing yet they were to be fullfilled not in the same people but one in the Gentiles the other in the Jews 3. The Gentiles appearance is set out by Galeed Laban a Heathen covenanting with Jacob there the Jews in Tirzah a City built by a King who as the Jews turned Rebels and are again to be restored 4. Here both are set down together Tirzah and Jerusalem but not in the Gencile estate to shew that the Jews had both these administrations before and should have them again 6. Generall is that of the Jews Church estate Cap. 6. Ver. 10. Who is she that looketh forth as the Morn 1. The first appearance of the truth is a strange thing to that people 2. She peeps out at first among them as the Morn out of a dark night in which is the beginning of light among them 3. Fair as the Moon truth in a more glorious way being manifested to them then before but yet not manifested as the truth is indeed but as it were a light of night this is no lesse true in the coming forth of the Gentile then the Jews Church light 4. Truth appears in its most glorious brightnesse being as the Sun which is the day light in which all things are clear and the shadows are driven away that are of the night 5. It becomes with this spirituall blessing honored with victory over the enemies of the truth and is terrible to them 6. In this is shewed that the Jews are delivered by the sword or war from the enemies of her cause and liberty and that they will be terrible to them as Zachary hath foretold Cap. 12. from ver. 1. to the 9. Ver. 11. Upon this Christ manifests his presence among them saying I went down into the garden of Nuts to see the fruits of the valley 1. The Jews are indeed in the valley of distresse and suffering in a very low and servile condition {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the sorrows of the valley 2. In this estate they now begin to seek God in Christ as Hosea foretold Cap. 2. that they should have the valley of Achor or trouble given them for a door of hope and they should sing there as in the day God brought them up out of the Land of Egypt 3. As in Egypt God came down to visit the Jews in their affliction Exod 3.7 8. so now Christ saith I went down into the garden of Nuts not of Spices to see the fruits of the valley 4. To see where the Vine flourished by the Vine in this place I understand the true knowledge of the Law and Justice which is the flourishing of the Vine 5. And the Pomgranats by the Pomgranats I understand the writings of the Apostles or men having the spirit and Church Authority as buds from the Apostles to reveal the Gospell truth to men Ver. 12. Christ being among the Jews his grace so wrought in and upon that people that before he was aware the Hebrew reads I knew not my soul in which Christ was as it were in an extasie and surprized with admiration of what was done in them 2. His soul placed him as on wheels to that honorable people by which he could not retain his love from them but must as the father to the prodigall son run to him fall on them weep over them and kisse them in which we may see Christ loveth not as man loveth he loved them as an honorable people still God having honored them with many honors above all the Nations of the earth Ver. 13. Return return O Shulamit the Shulamit was a Virgin sought out for David in his age who is said to be very fair 1 Kings 1.3.4 and that she ministred to King David or the beloved King 1. Return return signifies a call ministred to them to return to God and his truth 2. They are not yet fully informed nor called from the world and their other wayes therefore he calls again return return 3. This may allude to the call of the Jews into their own Countrey from the Nations they are mixt among when and where they will only attain their perfect glory 4. That we that is that Christ and the Gentile Churches thy sister may look on thee or contemplate thy beauty 5. What will ye see in the Shulamite as it were the company of two Armies 1. It seems to me God holds forth in this Question and Answer some noteable â—hing stirring men up thereby to an inquirie after it 2. Which I take to be applied to the two calls 3. These two calls raise two Armies 4.
AN EXPOSITION UPON THE CANTICLES OR SOLOMONS Song of Songs Written by an unworthy Witnesse of the Truth of the most high God JOHN BRAYNE Orig. in Cant. Cant. Hom. 1. Quatuor mihi in his videor invenisse personas virum sponsam cum sponsa adolescentulas cum sponso sodalium greges Idem Ibid. Audi Canticum Canticorum festina intelligere illud cum sponsa dicere ea quae sponsa dicit ut audias quae audivit sponsa si autem non potueris dicere cum sponsa quae dixit ut audias ea quae dicta sunt sponsae festina vel cum sponsi sodalibus fieri porro si illis inferior es esto cum adolescentulis quae in sponsae deliciis commorantur Hom. 3. Intelligatur sponsus ut pote vir non semper in domo neque semper assidere sponsae intra domum positae sed exeat frequenter illa eum quasi amore ejus sollicita requirat absentem ut ipse interdum redeat ad illam LONDON Printed by Robert Austin 1651. To my ever honored dear and faithfull friend 〈◊〉 JOHN SADLER Esquire Sir IT hath been the way of the most gracious God in the Gospel to make precious the memory of his Saints as in the woman that poured the box of Balm upon his head Mar. 14.9 by which they are said to die wel reported of Heb. 11.2 God speaking well of them Paul did the like by Onesyphorus 2 Tim. 1.16.18 to which may be added the Church Book called the Book of Life or of the living believing souls to which David alludes Psal. 87.6 by which their memory was continued among the blessed when dead Sir these waies cease yet the Doctrine contained therein remains which is a thankfull acknowledgement of the favors we have received from God by such God raised up to do us good in this world of which as Paul said 2 Timoth. 1.18 in how many things you have ministered unto me not Timoth. but God knoweth very well the Lord be be mercifull to you and to your house and so sanctifie this unworthy Treatise and brief Exposition to your soul that the sense of Christ the savour of the Divine Life and the grace of God may be stirred up in you and increased thereby to eternall life which instead of Silver and Gold I presume to present you with and remain Yours alway to observe you and seek God for you John Brayne THis Book of the Canticles is a Prophecy of the state of the Church as under Christ and the rule of the world as under Moises to be restored according to the pattern of the Judiciall or Morall Law and the pattern of the Gospell 1. He begins his first Chapter with the call of the Gentiles occasioned by his marriage with the Egyptian Queen a type of the call of the Gentiles and their marriage to Christ 2. It appears that in this book Solomons eye was altogether on the Gospell estate and not the time before as Mr. Brightman hath expounded and applied much of the same 3. In that of the Jews estate if in any part be would have spoken of the Mosaicall rule but he only passeth it over with the Winter is past Cap. 2. Ver. 11. and then begins with the Voice of Christ the Baptist the Turtle Christ himself the flowers the Apostles the pruning of the Vine the call of men from the Jewish old state in Johns baptism and the Apostles gathering believers into the Church out of the world {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which is translated the singing of Birds but contrary to the scope of the Prophecy which Gal. 4. is admirably illustrated in the Allegory of Hagar and Ismaels abode in Abrahams house a while that is untill the time of the new Covenant when the Vine is cut and they cast out of doors so that this Song may be called the Song of Songs as the Gospell is the Wine of Wines the Wisdome that excells all Wisdome so this being of the Gospell estate of the Church it excelled his Songs of the Law estate or those that commended his wisdome and knowledge in the discovery of the Nature of the Plants and trees friend the things done lately with those now doing and what else are to be done are so set forth herein as in none of the Prophecies else where they are not to be found let not my brevity used herein be offensive because I am necessitated thereunto diversly time may inlarge me and it and gain me oportunity to present unto thy view the other Key of Prophecy and Councell which I have long intended by an Exposition on the Revelations then which two Scriptures I know none for History Mistery Prophecy and all other fullnesse of variety to exceed by understanding whereof thou mayest be abundantly made rich in knowledge and wise to understand the Salvation Purposes and Councell of God whereunto thou shalt do well to give heed as to a light shining in a dark place that thou be not comprehended by the now darknesse nor deceived in thy hopes and happinesse which thou shalt do well to beware that thou mayest be saved from the now immediate burnings of the man of sin and that thou mayest stand before the Son of Man who shortly will appear on the Clouds of the Truth in the glory of the Gospell which is all and only that is sought for at thy hands by the Author hereof Who is an unworthy witnesse of this and the other truth of the most high God JOHN BRAYNE AN EXPOSITION UPON THE CANTICLES CAP. I. IT hath been the way of the Spirit to shadow out under severall Metaphors one and the same thing to illustrate and set forth his mind the more clear thereby as in the Revelations and the Histories of the life of Christ many Parables diversly set forth the same Kingdome and visions the same truth In this Book ye have the rise the fall and restoration of the Gospell Church as set up among both Jews and Gentiles most excellently predicted and shadowed out unto you 1. The Prophet begins with the Gentile Church Ver. 1. Kisse me c. Psalm 2. Ver. 12. Servants were bound to their Master by a Kisse in which she begins to shew her love to her Lord in desiring love and sign of favour from him which is spiritually in Gods speaking love to her and lovely of her as after he calls her his Love Dove and perfect one as men shew an inward love by an outward complement of a kisse so God loves inwardly those whom he speaks well of and unto it being the first of her acquaintance with sight of God 2. The reason why she demands this favour is because therein she apprehended an excellency above other things for sayes she thy loves are better then wine wine is good but the Church discernes an excellency in the loves of God it 's beyond all compare which shews that Christ wins the soul to himself by
warres and in which he is carried to war upheld and defended 3. By Troops they are fixed to him and as horses fiercely and fearlesly they carry on and serve that power against the enemies thereof Ver. 10. On the checks of these horses are rows of stones as it were set in their bridles to shew the esteem that the Pharaonicall power should set on these horses above others having a gold chain or a sweet obedience in them to the then Magistracy for conscience as the horses of Zeba and Zalmuna Judges 8.26 Whom the Magistrate then found to be of most excellent and necessary use for their then preservation God miraculously by them and for them sending salvation to those they serve as that other thundering Legion that sometimes served the Roman Emperor in his wars who gained by prayer rain in their necessity and saved their whole Army from perishing Ver. 11. We will make thee that is I Christ and the Magistracy set out by the then Pharaoh we will make thee Borders of Gold some externall dignity is here promised to the Church to be conferred on her in which Christ as well as Pharoah will have a hand in the accomplishment thereof But I rather read the words Tryers of Gold with Pastors of Silver that is I Christ will inable some with judgement to try the truth as Goldsmiths gold and silver and the Magistrate shall accordingly appoint them thereunto after which the true Ministery in the Pastors of Silver shall be restored Amos 1.1 The word for Studs is read Shepheards or Pastors of Tekoah alluding to that Malach. Cap. 3. Ver. 3. which work is again to be done in this Age of ours Rev. 20.4 Ver. 12. While the King was in his Crown vid. cap. 3. ult. By the King is meant Jesus Christ in his Crown signifies that 〈◊〉 the Saints like troops were in Pharoah's Chariots until Christ upon the discovery of the truth comes to be made King and the Kingdome 〈◊〉 be the Lords Rev. 6.2 Spiknard gave a good smell that is the Church became preciously to be esteemed among the sons of men and her estate to be accompted of as honorable and her actions before condemned to be now praised and had in honour of such as were round about her Ver. 13. My beloved is to me as a little box of Myrrhe Vid. Brightman or bag to put Myrrhe shewing that all sweetnesse and perfumes were placed and laid up of God in Christ as in their place I will place it between my brests it being the place whence the savour of Christ most sweetly riseth to the Saint that being a place where women place such things as they affect and the place of her husband that so the savour of Christ may be ministered to all that suck of her breasts thereby Myrrhe was that which was part of the perfume offered up to God and signified that in hoc loculo in this little repository the divine nature of God came to dwell and to inhabit in and in it with us when found in our nature Verse 14. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Orbatus fui redemptoris I was deprived of the Reedmer that is whilst I was under Anti-christs bondage I was denyed the knowledge of Christ But My Beloved came unto me in the vinyards of Engedâ— that is in the dispensations of the Law and Gospel being the Vineyards of the chief Princes So in Scripture somtime the Law estate is set out by a Vineyard and somtime the Gospel but here both when both again are restored to the Church as at first among the Saints and sons of men Verse 15. Christ Behold thou art fair my Beloved behold thou art fair thine eyes are Doves Now that the Church â—ad both Vineyards not one onely Christ is delighted in her beauty and shewes she is approved in his sight very highly And above all commends the simplicity of her eyes who were onely delighted with and carryed after the truth in all things worshipping the true God in Spirit and truth She was fair in Christ by Justification and in her self Sanctified Verse 16. Church Behold thou art fair my Beloved our bed is green As Christ beheld the Churches Beauty so the Church beholds Christs and seeks to find full content in him and shews she was contented in him 2. She found sweetness and pleasure in contemplating the Beauty and comliness of her Lord who was all in all to her eyes and desires 3 She saith Our bed is green or rather according to the Metaphorical interpretation of the word it is new that is of the new estate of the Gospel or new shee having not yet brought forth any other Churches or Daughters to Christ A Bed signifying the way of worship the Church had by Christ to worship God in Verse 17 The Beams of our house that is the visible Church are Cedars men of great account such need the Beams to be and ful of strength and their Rafters are of Fir Men streight and upright of green and flourishing life Cap. 2.1 I am the Rose of the Sharon and Lilly of the Valleyes The Church was as a Rose growing in a desolate field Sharon was a field near Lebanon and desolate And the Lilly of the Valleyes Mans estate is as a Valley among whom here is none desireable but this Lilly in whom the world savoured sweetness and Saints saw a beauty and loveliness Verse 2. Christ As the Lilly among the thorns so is my love among the daughters 1. By daughters I understand false Churches the Daughters of Babel 2. The true shall be among the false 3. The false Churches are Thorns the effects of the fall of man Naturally and the Church Mystically Gal. 4.29 4. The true Church grows as a Lilly among them far exceeding and no way to be compared with them which will appear after the Churches Restoratio most glorious Verse 3. Church As the Apple-tree among the Trees of the Forrest so is my Beloved among the sonnes 1 Christ in taking our nature is among the sons 2. But more Excellent then they they were fruitless he fruitful to man 3. The sons here were false Christs or Teachers joyned to the Daughters or false Churches also by the Trees may be meant other Kings of Nations which are the sons of a people and brought out by them 1. I desired greatly to be in his shaddow The shaddow of Kings was their protection from violence of men Christs is from the violence of sinne Satan Death Hell and the Wrath of God and curse of Law 2. I sate down as desiring no other but this and found Rest and Peace and safety therein which I could not find no where but here Mat. 11. v. 28 3. His fruit was sweet to my tast she would not be defended by but fed of Christ also in which the Lord communicates himself in sweetness to her with as much delight as she received it from him 4. The fruits of Christs Death Suffering and
Resurrection being very sweet and saving as the Tree of Liâ—e Rev. 22.2 Christ giving the savour thereof in the sweetness of Gods Divine love and mercy to her thereby verse 4. He brought me into the house of Wine 1. That is the society of men in Christ where the Lords Supper was to be administred at which the whole Church met partly celebrated by Wine in which the Churches estate was fully constituted 1 Cor. 11.20 2. Called the House of Wine because the wine of Gospel joy and peace is there to that society most Divinely published and applyed 3. Love was his Banner over me 1. The Banner signifies Christ held out in the Gospel 2. This Banner was his love 3. This love as A Banner conserved her and was spread over her wrapping her as it were up therein as in a garment of love Verse 5. The Church being in this flourishing estate once again declines but it is after a long time of prosperity predicted Rev. 20.7 Satan is again let loose verse 8. He again by false Doctrine deceives the world few are freed from his delusions when there will again open and secret Anti-christian enemies arise and bring a very great persecution of the Saints but not so overcome them as before v. 5. the Anti-christian Ministry said to be dead at the binding of Satan or said again to live after the 1000 years and the Devil got his liberty when the Church cryeth stay or support me with Flaggons or Vessels in which the Wine or Gospel-grace was laid up in which shewes she was much burthened and oppressed and cryes for support and help from the World in which it seems she had few left to comfort her Comfort me with Apples Christ is compared to the Apple tree and the works of Christ for the Church in his Mediatourship are those Apples with which she would be comforted I am sick saith she of love That is she loved Christ dearly but the Priests were false to her and would not satisfie her they kept both Flagons and Apples from her also leaving her to her fainting estate Verse 6. Christ supplies their lack and he puts one hand under her head that hangs down and is very heavy and the other embraceth her that is holds her up that she sink or faint not which ends in sleeps and drowsiness Verse 7. Are the words of Christ as {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Femenine clears sufficiently again he speaks them to the Daughters of Jerusalem that they wake not his love that is the Gentiles Church until she be made willing thereunto Now in this verse Christ concludes the first period of the Gentiles Church having in it its rise its fall its restauration and decay after that again That in this Part is meant undeniably the Gentile Church 1. She had never received a kiss from Christ that is Christ never owned her as yet 2. She is shaddowâ—d out by Pharaoh's daughter a Gentile 3. She is made keeper of the Vinyards the Iews being broken off 4. She keeps not her own Vinyard but turns Antichristian 5. The Saints are employed in Pharaohâ—s Chariots or Wars in Reformations 6 The fellowship intimated in the bed Cap. 1. verse 16. which she had with Christ now was new and of no long contiuance before the Gospel estate she being without God and Christ in the world Eph. 2.12 7. These things are so spoken of the Gentiles that they cannot be rightly applyed to the Iews Church or State The Jewish Church begins Cap. 2. Verse 8. 1. The Voyce of my Beloved The Baptist was that Voyce in the Wilderness that prepared the way of Christ or gave notice of his coming 2. John he came leaping upon the Mountains as it were to beat them into a Plain This coming sets out the end of his Ministry and what he was to do upon the Hills also Luke 3.5 Verse 9. My Beloved that is Christ is like the Roe or rather the Church apprehends in Christ the likeness of glory or appearance of glory in his Divine Nature and says my Beloved is to be assimulated to glory or the yong of Rams in his Humane Nature being the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World Behold he standeth behind our Wall the Humane Nature was as a Wall behind which Christ stood being among the Iews his Humanity and the meanness of his Estate was as a Wall which hindred them from the sight of him it may be applyed to the Ceremonial Law he looketh through the Windows that is the Divine Nature did manifest it self through those out-lets as by the Windows of the Humane Nature whereat he gives out the knowledge of his God-head as by the hand when he did any wonders God came to manifest himself to those that saw them so when he taught he manifested himself by that Teaching to men God as it were looking out at the Windows in his forgiving sins c. Thus Paul to Timothy God was seen of men shewing himself through the Lettice by the many ways God had to discover himself by Christs Humane Nature to man 1 Tim. 3.16 manifested in Flesh Verse 10. The Church speaks of Christ as her Love he answers her love and speaks in love to her again it was both answer and speech also to the Churches he now teacheth and the Church knows his voice from any other He saith to her Arise that is from thy earthly estate to a heavenly from a servant to a Queen from beggarly Rudiments to Royal Ornaments Again he calls her to come away the first shews how hardly the Iews were brought from their Ceremonies or that they were first brought in part from that way of worship by Christ and then fully afterward by his Apostles The words in the Original signifie come from thy self first as natural and secondly as a member of the Iews Church here Prophetically is hinted at Christ calling the Apostles call the seventy's call at several seasons Verse 11. He useth reasons to perswade her hereunto that she may not doubt to Arise and come away upon his call which shews men should not do any more then they have warrant for in the Word from God to do but sit still until they have his Word to walk by as Mat. 14.28 Peter did 1. The winter is past a time that is bad to travel in for a woman in which the Lord compares the law estate to winter the Gospel to summer in the winter the days are short and nights long the Sun shaddowed not shining with so strong a heat all things dead and cold so were the Ceremonies and Service of that time if compared with the staâ—e of the Gospel 2. The Reigne or Ministry is now changed from Law to Gospel Heb. 7.12 3. It is now come to me I am now thy Priest and no more Aaron 26.28 Verse 12. The flowers appear on earth who are the Apostles the first fruits and the voyce of the Turtle which is Christ
proaching and preached Evangelically in our land which is applyed in especial to the land of Judea in which the Lord onely taught himself and was first taught by such others as he sent forth The time of singing of birds is come the seventy read it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and indeed {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I rather read according to the mysterie the time amputationis arboris of the cutting tree or vine then singing of Birds because then unbelievers were cut off from believers then Ismael was cast out of the house and not suffered to inherit with Isaac Gal. 4. from verse 21 to 31. before which the Gospel was not cleerly and fully to be applyed until believers were by themselves seperated from the world into Societies or Churches Verse 13. The Fig-tree that is the Iewish first Church appeared in the world and began with the beginning of the summer Matth. 24.32 whose fruit quickly falls The Vine which is the Gentile Church had sent forth their Grapes and therewith a favor as the Church of Rome whose praise was spread far abroad and that of Macedonia Again he calls his Spouse to come away shewing that the Iews did retain many ceremonies after they were a Church which Christ would not have them do and shews Christ would not allow of any Verse 14. My Dove that is the Church now the Spouse of Christ Thou art in the Castles of the Rock that is the Saints were in their several Societies under their threefold Ministry as in their Castles or strengths of safety which is significantly called the holes of the Rock Christ they being instituted by him They are called the hid places because none but the saints come there And then hid places of her measure every one being measured by his state in Christ that cometh into any of those holes Eph. 4.16 Antichrists Church is the strong hold of the false Religion as this is of the true Rev. 18.2 Let me see thy countenance or make me behold thy appearance make me hear thy voice in which he stirs up the Church to prayer and to an apprehension of the happy estate she was in though afflicted and miserable in appearance to the world though dark shaddowy and corrupt in her own eyes yet in this there papears a desireableness in the one and a sweetness {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the other through the variety of gifts she had bestowed upon her and vertues that were in her Verse 15. Take us the Foxes which are false Teachers who crept in wilily into the Churches society to spy out their liberty among which some are more wily then others but all are to be taken and the words are 1. As it were spoken of Christ and the Church to the Ministry to whom the rule of the Church and its oversight was committed Acts 20.28 2. The Vines are Gospel Churches only the National Church Rule of Moses being fallen 3. These Foxes did destroy them as in Galatia Coloss Corinth 4. Our Vines that is Churches have tender grapes that is Believers weak in faith Infants in knowledge and easily deceived by seducers Gal 16. Eph. 4.14 Gal. 2.4 Acts 15.1 if things were thus in the times of the Apostles how were they after Verse 16. My Beloved is mine and I am his that is as a man bestows himself in marriage on the wife he marries and the woman her self on the man by covenant tying themselves each to other So the Church had done to the Lord Iesus and he to her so that none else could say so but her self of Christ nor would Christ say so of any but her 2. It shews the Church was not yet whorish but kept her faith to her Lord with much loyalty and love 3. As a strange woman hath nothing to do with another womans husband so hath no false Church to do with Christ the true church's spouse nor Christ with them 4. He feedeth among the Lillies the Lillies are the Saints or Believers or rather he feedeth in them Rev. 3.20 I will come into him and sup with him Verse 17. Shews the Apostacy of the Iews Church and State they came unto in their first defection 1. A night comes on her she is again troubled with Iewish ceremonies which yet she expect should be driven away by the glorious light should arise again unto her in the now restoration is to be 2. Until when she desires her love to appear himself as divine glory in his glorious nature and as the young of Rams being the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world 3. This she would have him be on the mountains of Bether that is of division which the Antichristian estate that destroyed the way of the Gospel is eminently to be called being Babel and to be understood Rev. 6.14 and 16.20 whose mountains are removed and removing 4. Though here the young of Rams be set down to note the Humane nature yet you know Rev. 6. ult. that the wrath of God that sate on the Throne and the Lamb was that tormented the Popish world which {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} sets out the one and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the other Cap. 3. Verse 1. By night on my bed I sought him 1. This as before sets out the grand defection the Iews made and darkness on her while she was shut up in that estate 2. Her state then was that she was asleep insensible of this desolation and rested in her erroneous way as on a bed called her bed but none of Christ's 3. In it she sought the Lord Iesus whom her soul loved {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifies her diligent seeking Christ in her erroneous way or time of night 4. He was not in her bed to be found yea she sought him again and again in her corrupt Iudaizing way of worship but found him not Verse 2. I will arise now from my quondam bed I will go about the City that is she will examine Antichrist's way having the visible shew of a Church left but seeing the Idolatry and profaness of her in general she will go into the streets that is the meeting places of the Romish church where things were bought and sold and in the broad waies of that city which is the service of people that lead to or from Rome though separated from her she seeks the Lord in these but finds him not she loseth her labour and fails of her expectation Note A Prophesie shewing that the Romish church would never be the means of the conversion of the Jews because they saw not Christ in her 2. They sought after the Lord above all things else a time of their desiring Christ is coming Verse 3. The city here is Babel the Antichristian state the watchmen the Ministers who walk about that city to preserve it in safety and find out such as would perturb the peace of it and wrong the
Salomon speaks of another whilst he names himself he made himself or for himself a Throne What is a King without a Throne Christ as yet is without the Throne but now he is about to make one for himself which Throne shall be of the Wood of Lebanon That is the rule of Christ shall be that in the world was in the time of the Temples estate it is of the Wood of Lebanon and not a new Law to rule by 1. The Pillars of it are silver The Law was divided into two Tables which as Pillars hold up the Throne of Christ for it is said The Throne is established by Justice and then said to be silver because as Silver is to Gold so is the Law to the Gospel 2. Supporters That is those on which the Pillars stood were of Gold it being founded on the Will and upheld by the Power of this Almightiness of God and his Iustice 3. The seat thereof was Purple Purple being a rich and Kingly colour did set out the Authority Christ had received from God to rule by and that others had to rule under him 4. The middest of it was a Coal of Love To shew that that which was comprehended within the Pillars of the Law was Love a Love like that of Fire much water could not quench it and that Gods Throne of Justice was full of Love to the Daughters of Jerusalem or that God ruled in a way of Love over Men commanding love of men to himself and others 1. The Law being holy just and good not Tyrannous 2. Commanding Love condemning Envy Oppression Hate c. 3. In this it shews what manner of men they ought to be that ascend into this Throne to judge and what the judgement ought to be and how to proceed and whose it ought to be It is very noteable that God sets down the Daughters of Jerusalem that is those of the Gospel estate who indeed have the coal of love in them which kindled by Christ in them But now in this verse It is very noteable that God sets down the daughters of Jerusalem that is the Gospell estate who indeed have the coal of love in them kindled by Christ to God and man But now in this verse Ver. 11. He calls on the Daughters of Sion which I take to be those that shall injoy the Rule of the Law as the Jews once had and Gospell also or it may be the Jewish believers are meant in this place 1. The Spirit calls on them to go forth from their captivity of darknesse 2. And to see king Solomon that they may approve of his rule for all authority is now given the Son and shews that though when Christ came in the flesh they saw nothing in him now that he comes to raigne they shall behold another glory in him then before 3. It may be applied to the people and present state of the Jews that they on the giving up of the Kingdome by the Gentiles to Christ are called forth from their Dens of darknesse to see and behold what honor was now done to Christ to whom Solomon their most Royall King could no waies compare 4. Christ the true King of peace was now crowned with that crown that Solomon his Vicegerent was crowned by the Jews and so proved to be the Christ of which sales God against all the worlds great opposition yet have I set my King on my holy hill of Zion in which it appears that Zion was the place or Representative of Monarchy and the Rule of Christ to be as King in the world 5. It was the crown of his Metropolis for so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifies a Metropolis which is some eminent place and people are to do for Christ Rev. 6.2 a thing not yet done and that people do it shall be as the Metropolis of the great King or his Mother 6. This is done in the day of his Espousalls that is in that day Christ is espoused as Lord to the people the people as servants to the Lord in that day Christ contracts affinity with a people that they which before were not a people do become the people of the living Lord and those under other rule and law are beasts 7. It was the day of the joy of his heart 1. Christs heart longs for this day it is the travail of his soul 2. We are not more glad of Christ then he is of us for his delight are with the sons of men John 1.7.23.27 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them Christ would have God love them as himself and that the sense of Gods loving him may be shed abroad in their hearts as loving them with the same love he loved him CAP. IV. Ver 1. BEhold thou art fair my Love behold thou art fair The Gentiles having set up the Mosaicall Rule and made Christ their King the Lord he commends her beauty under that administration 2. With her beauty she had simplicity in her Doves eyes not desiring any other Lord or Law but his 3. These eyes are said to be within her Lock Note She is not said to have any Head for Christ is the Head of the Church Estate not the worlds and therefore this here is spoke of the world 4. Her Hayre that is those of her constitution were Goats a Flock o Goats such as indeed the men of the world are from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which signifies fear they being held thereunder as yet Heb. 2.18 5. These are as those appear from Mount Gilead Mount Gilead was the place where Jacob and Laban made their Covenant and feasted and rolled a heap of stones See here by this the Nation as Goats first appear in making Covenant with God in which is known who the people are God hath chosen Gen. 21.48 Ver. 2. Thy teeth that is the Teachers of the Law were as a Flock Our translation adds of Sheep which is not in the Originall and omitted because not of the Church or Gospell fold as yet it being not set up among men 1. Again these Teachers seem to differ from the goats in the hair and are said to be shorn being such as had in some measure put off their old conversation and were come up from the washing of repentance and regeneration 2. Every one bears twins and none is barren among them they addicting themselves to fruitfullnesse in good works commanded by the Law and Gospell Ver. 3. As a thred are thy two lips The Law is fitly here compared to a line or thred and the two tables to the two lips who were to be spoke by as by a line thy speech is comly shewing that the Law taught now should be a comely a usefull thing to the people that were under the same to rule and govern them As a divided Pomgranat or a Pomgranat broken one half set on one side of the face and the other on the other so are thy temples The
Temples are the Magistracy who ruled and governed under Christ in the dispensations of the Law who were within the locks the people choosing them maintaining and defending them and shews that by divine authority it should come again to be set up among men two Judges judging in every city Esay 1.26 Ver. 4. Thy Neck is as the Tower David builded for an armory the neck is that the head rests on and is fastned to and is here compared to an armory which is the old Testament wherein the Worthies of God have their arms hung up for men to have at need in which there are a hundred bucklers for defence from Satans temptations and the old covenant made with God by many worthies the only preservative and safety of a nation Ver. 5. Thy Brests that is the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or the preparatory Ministery or doctrine of the Law like two young Roes being the beginning-knowledge for children which twins are one Law though two tables Christ the glory of God and man is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or Gloria the Glory feeds among the Lillies that is the Saints gathered into the the Church only on which saith Christ Ver. 6. I will go to my self that is I will be saith Christ with the Father and leave the world without manifestations of my presence untill the day appear and the shadows are fled for as yet the darknesse of the Antichristian estate or state of nature from which the shadows of that night were not fled untill which be done in the soul Christ is with himself not with the soul I will goe to the mountains of Myrrhe the three persons and to the hill of frankincense as one God Note In this estate though Christ were King yet his glory was not manifested thereunder untill the other administration of the day by which unbelief and ignorance are expell'd by the spirit or none can injoy Christ as he is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the glory The Church Estate Ver. 7. Thou art all fair my beloved there is not one spot in thee 1. In this Christ speaks to believers the Church 2. He commends all in her saying Behold thou art all fair 3. And her in all saying there is no spot in thee Ver. 8. Come with me from Lebanon 1. The Law estate is not to be continued in by the Elect. 2. Men continue in it untill called from it by Christ being shut up under the Law to the Faith that is after to be revealed Gal. 3.23 3. It is Christ calls men by the Gospell thence and makes them free from it 4. Christ is strength and help to bring men thence they cannot come thence alone without him thence he saith Come with me 5. My Spouse is a word never given the Law estate but the Church drawn from Lebanon and joyned to Christ by the new covenant 6. He calls her again and again from Lebanon to himself which shews how hard and how slow men are to believe and to leave themselves the Law estate Rev. 18.4 Saith the Lord thou shalt come with me and look or sing with me from the head of Amana Shiner Hermon hills about Judea 1. By Hills I understand the worldly powers and greatnesse thereof as under Antichrist and other Kings of the Nations 2. The top of or head of these hills are the supreme powers thereof 3. From these or their subjection they shall be fully set free after that the first people have crowned Christ King 4. When they come thence they shall sing and go forth with joy as Israel out of Egypt Hos. 2.15 5. In these hills or Dens of Lions Gods people have been kept all the time of Antichrist as Daniel in the Lions Den Christ untill the call having been there with them and kept them but now if they stay after the call and he leave them there they are threatned with ruine Rev. 18.6 6. From the mountains of Leopards that is the false Church estate which was a filthy spotted Beast quick and nimble for the pray the Beast and Kings ruling together Rev. 13.2 the Papacy is compared to a Leopard Ver 9. Thou hast ravished my heart my sister my Spouse 1. The Church relates to Christ as his sister being like us in all things sinne excepted and as a brother Heb. 2.11 2. As his Spouse and he her husband Ephes. 5.31 32· 3. He is much more delighted and taken up with her then she with him 4. This delight comes from one of the Churches eyes that is her eye of Faith or some person God raised up at that time to restore the Church by whom the Ministery of the Gospell which had been hid comes to be revealed and thus Moises said of Hobab that he might be eyes to them in their journey through the Wildernesse and who knows not that the Prophets were called Seers 4. With a chain of thy neck the body politick under Christ had a neck so the Church estate by which the head and body are united here by the Neck I understand the New Testament and it's Covenant made therein by which Christ and the Church are one 2. About this Neck there is a chain which Chain are the promises and profession of the Believer made before the Church of denying himself forsaking all and becoming Christs by which as with a Chain the Believers come to have their neck adorned by the Lord and shews that in this his glory was set forth and was become an Ornament unto him of praise Ver. 10. Upon taking the covenant and making this good promise and profession this good profession before many Witnesses as Paul speaks the Lord cries out How fair are thy Loves in the plurall my Sister my Spouse to shew she loved him in denying her self and in forsaking all and in bearing her crosse and in following Christ Christ takes no content in any thing but this nor no content in any man till then when they are under the Gospell Covenant then the souls love to Christ is better then wine to comfort him and refresh his soul after his suffering instead of the vineger and gall given him 3. Note the gradation better much better how much better then Wine which shews how acceptable the Believers love and service to Christ is and without love all service is nothing and that he looks on it in the parts thereof and calls them Loves 4. And the smell of thy Ointments then all spices 1. The Lord gives in this estate abundance of his Spirit Act. 2 17. 2. The graces hereof are called Ointments and they his annointed ones John 2.27 3. These Ointments have a savour of the Spirit and of the divine Nature 4. All Spices are no way comparable hereunto Ver. 11. Thy lips that is her speech or words being Evangelicall dropped as a honey comb full of honey and under her tongue that is she had in the meditation of those things she spake both
honey and milk the believer apprehended more then he could utter of Christ in his own soul And the smell of thy Garments in the plurall 1. The first Garment is that of Christ by Justification Believers putting on and being cloathed with Jesus Christ in the wedding garment of baptism 2. Is of sanctification cloathed with humility their feet shod with the Gospell their heads covered with the helmet of Salvation the girdle of Truth c. Ephes. 6.13 4. These garments in their smell are said to be like Lebanon that is the Law righteousnesse but more perfect and intire and of a more divine Nature through Christ Ver. 12. The Church is described to be 1. A garden as differing from the wildernesse or desert world 2. It is inclosed from the world that those in and of the world cannot come unto her or be of her Rev. 2.12.27 3. This inclosure is of the Spouse or Church under the Gospell from them that are of the world under the Law 4. A Spring in which riseth life comfort and content which Spring also is shut up that none can come at the water thereof 5. A Fountain sealed so that no Unbelievers can come at the Fountain for that Seal nor at the Spring or garden for the Inclosure but they must destroy the Inclosure first and then it ceaseth to be the Spouse of Christ Rev. 11.2 Zach. 13.1 1. The inclosing of the garden is Gods Ordinance set up in the Church for the admitting of Members or Believers and keeping or shutting out Unbelievers by which as by a fence it was hedged in Esay 5.2 2. As a garden it had all pleasant plants planted in it and when planted pruned and dressed and dunged as in the parable of the Fig tree Luke 13.8 whereas the trees of the Forrest grew wild or of the Wildernesse were not regarded 3. It is a Spring shut up with a door John 10 1.3 I am the door to which there is a Porter even the Spirit or as a stone must first be rolled away before any tast the water Gen. 29.2 of a well that is covered 4. A sealed Fountain and must be opened Zach. 13.1 to which is not only a cover but the cover sealed 1. Internally by the Spirit John 3.5 2. Externally by Baptism John 3.5 Ver 13. Thy Emissions are Paradise Pomgranats with fruits of delight 1. It is the use of the Spirit to distinguiâ—h things by the place they grow in or are of as the Grapes of one climate are far better then another the Vine of Sodom and Zion much differed in Gods eye from one came sweet wine the other sowre and bitter juice one had life and the other death in it and was of death So here the Pomgranats are of Paradise the delightfull fruits of Paradise which was a place exceeded all other for the choicenesse of fruit and shews believers now should by far exceed any ordinary men of any other age such also was the cypresse with the spikenard 1. By Pomgranats Brightman understands the Ministery then thus that the Ministery of this restored estate of the Church shall be from heaven or have a call from God intimated in that they are of Paradise Rev. 21.2 2. But I rather understand by the Pomgranats the Apostles 3. By the fruits of delight the Prophets in their Prophecies whose fruit is of much delight to the Saints in all ages 4. By Camphir the Evangelist sending out and evaporating it self into a most sweet savour being of the pure juice of a tree both bright and clear Ver. 14.5 By Spikenard the Pastor twice set down because his Ministery was exhortatory and respected the Society of the Teacher that went before and of the Evangelist that came after to minister perswading to exceed the infants and to attain perfection 6. By Saffron that is of a red and dying nature of things dipt in it and cordiall I understand the Teacher by whose ministery men were dipped in the bloud of Christ and call'd Christians 7. By calamus is meant the Elders who had the Reed of Rule or Government 8. By Cynamon the Deacons that were imployed about the Bark of the Tree to provide for the poor the Widdow and Orphans in their bodily estate 1. With all the trees of Incense that is all those Belivers under the ministery of the Evangelists partakers eminently of the divine nature 2. Trees of Myrrhe that is those Believers under the Pastor made spirituall 3. Trees of Aloes that is those under the Teachers Ministery who as yet are as it were carnall With all the heads of Balsamum or choice balsome which is that these all had the unction of the Spirit of grace upon them every one and therefore put in the last place and without which none might be admitted therefore the Spirit was given to every one to profit withall 1 Cor. 2.7 Ver. 15. In this also was the Fountain of Gardens which is Christ as a garden cannot thrive without it have a Well to water it in drought so cannot the Church be without Christ from whence the river runs in the paradise of God Rev. 22.1 2. A pit that is the Gospell into which the living water conveies it self and out of which the Saints are to draw it for their uses and occasions Esay 12.3 3. Streames from Lebanon which is the Law Ver. 16. Awake North wind and come O South wnd and blow upon my garden 1. The Garden is the Church 2. Christ calls it his he having redeemed it with his Bloud He seeth the wants of his Garden he calls to the winds the North Wind and the South Wind some understand here by the differing operations of the Spirit others the teaching of the Word 4 The end that the Balsome that is the graces of the Saints may be exercised quickned stirred up and brought forth in them in which the use of the Word is lively by Christ set forth Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruit 1. The Church longs to have Christ in her and with her 2. To have Christ eat his pleasant fruit in her that is that Christ should see what his death had done and Resurrection in saving sanctifying and redeeming so many precious souls from sin and death and hell which was the travail of his soul God promised the Lord Jesus he should see Esay 53.10.11 and now feeds thereon as on the pleasant sweet and delightfull fruit of his desires and Passion which is that other meat he had to eat I have another and how do I long untill it be accomplished CAP. V Ver. 1. I Am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered my Myrrhe 1. That is Christ received that glory was given by the Church to him in his Divine Nature as Son of God with his Balsom that is the content he found in the graces of his Spirit appearing in the Saints all which they acknowledged to be from Christ and Christs as Paul Galat. 2.
Not I but Christ liveth in me 2. I have eaten my honey comb with my honey By the comb the sorrows by the honey the joyes of Christ Or The Body or humane Nature of Christ was the comb and the Divine Nature the honey in that comb of which Christ saith He hath eaten that is he is satisfied in his sufferings for the Saints with great content in beholding the effects thereof both with God and men Ephes. 2.16 3. I have drunk my Wine Mark by Wine I understand the Gospell and shews Christ had his part in the Gospell comforts from the Father as we have ours I delight to do thy will O God 4. He had his milk to eat as his honey comb to eat with his wine and honey 5. Christ having eaten and drunk his part first he distributes the rest to the Saints saying Eat ye of the Comb and honey that remains The crosse comforts of Christ 6. Drink ye of the Milk and drink ye of the Wine drink abundantly of them both he having sanctified himself and the truth for them Joh. 17.17.19 7. Drink as my friends invited and heartily entertained to be refreshed therewith as in the supper of the Lord in which as here God and man feast eat and drink together with sweet content and comfort John 15.11 Matth. 26.27 8. But it is to be observed though Christ bids the Saints to eat and drink he bids them not to gather of Myrrhe or Balsome that being to be his only the rest are ours he having by his first taking them to himself in our nature sanctified them to our use and comfort who would they should have their fill of comfort Note that these three generall parts concerne the Restoration of the Gentiles after the grand Apostacy of Antichrist as appears in these following considerations 1. It begins with the Restoration of the Nationall Rule taken away from the Jews by the Romans and foretold of God to be bestowed on the Gentiles Deut. 32.31 Matth 21.43 Rom. 10.19.20 2. Cap. 3. Ver. The Gentiles invite the Jews to go forth and see Christ and the Kingdome restored to him which occasioned that jealousie of heirs the Scriptures do foretell they in this apprehending themselves rejected and another people given in marriage to their Lord in their stead Deut. 32.21 3. Cap. 3. ver. 8. All these are to be done chiefly by sixty men in Authority and Power who subdue by the sword all such as gainsay the same or do oppose it 4. Cap. 4. ver. 8. By these men and their means the Saints are freed from the mountains or powers of the world called the Dens of Lions and mountains of Leopards which are set out by three parts or distinct members Amana Sheuir Hermon the three parts of the city Reu. 16.19 3. The time is noted and the call thereof Rev. 18.4 6. When the ministery is restored and the Covenant cap 4. ver. 9. 7. When the Church Evangelically is separated from the world ver. 12. 8. When the Saints are disposed of under the differing Ministery and administrations in the way of the Gospell ver. 13.14 All which things are first to be accomplished in us of the Gentiles before in the Jews and is by the Apostle called the fullnesse of the Gentiles the graces blessings of God being the fulness of a people untill all which be done on us blindnesse continueth on Israel or the Iew Rom. 11.25 and that Genesis 9.27 where it is said Japhet shall dwell in the Tents of Shem is a Scripture is not fulfilled to this day the Gentiles having yet been under only the dispensations of Christ or the Gospell which is but one Tabernacle the other is that of Moises which as yet we Gentiles have not submitted to but must the Rule of Government therof in the judiciall according to form or this Scripture is never to be fullfilled 9. As he began in Chap. 1. with the Gentile Church so it is orderly to begin with its restoration also 10. God having decreed first to restore the Gentiles the Spirit accordingly by Prophecy begins first with them and their restoration 11. God hath purposed to make use of the Gentiles restoration to restore the Iews thereby that they may not be perfect without us PART IV. Contains a description of the restoration of the Gentile Church beginning with CAP. V. VER. II. Ver. 2. I Sleep but my heart waketh there was nothing awake but the Heart in the time of the Churches sleep 2. Her sleep shews the neglect and carelessenesse she had of Antichrists operations as the man slept whilest the enemy sowed tares so the Church slept whilest Antichrist did delude and deceive her Matth. 13.25 3. The sleep was of the generality of men in the externall means of worship but the heart the sincere man was awake Believers being still kept to adhere to Christ for Salvation in that time of defection who were as the then Churches heart which is primum vivens and ultimum moriens viro 4. In this sleep of the Church she had shut her self with Antichrist up from the Lord Christ Antichrist had more love and entertainment then Christ from her 5. Christ would before the extremity of Apostacy have her open unto him as in the admonition to the seven Churche Rev. Cap. 2 3. The last whereof which was the time of this knocking and was the Church estate of Leodicea Rev. 3. 1. When the sleep was eminently set forth in her saying as men in a dream that she was rich full and wanted nothing when she knew not that she was naked poor and wanted all things 3. When the Churches Apostacy was foretold in that God said he would spew her out of his mouth signifying the lothsomnesse of the false church estate to God Christ would have awakned her and have come in to her and feasted with her and have reformed the corruptions come in upon her 4. He yet calls her his Sister his Spouse his Dove his undefiled one there being not yet Idolatry or confusion of world and Church admitted though that that made way for it was already laid 5. She yet knew his voice which yet had his knock or call Note The reason my head is filled with deaw 1. My head which is God is full of the deaw of the night to shew the indignity God suffered on the rejecting of Christ by her for they that despise Christ despise him that sent him 2. His locks which were those believed on him in that corrupt age were troubled with the drops of the night which the then Doctrine was but as the drops of a cold Winter night to a mans head Spouse Ver. 3. I have put off my coat how shall I put it on Note her coat 1. This coat she had put on by Christ 2. She her self puts it off without leave of Christ and without much inforcement of persecution 3. When she had put it off she knew not how to put it on again
for shame 4. The putting off and on of this coat made her delay to entertain Christ 5. She had washed her feet and now she could not let Christ in but she must defile her feet again as she thought she apprehending Christ would have condemned her practise newly taken up which she thought to be a pure and clean way in this like the whore she wiped her mouth and said she had not sinned and thus Prov. 16.2 Ver. 4. He put in his hand by the hole of the door as it were to remove the bolts that made it fast or thus my beloved sent his hand from the white that is by his Spirit came to convince her conscience of her own unworthinesse by the knowledge remaining in her upon which her bowells were moved for him apprehending how unworthy she was any way to injoy him Ver. 5. She arose for when once Christ had touched her heart she had no rest but she must arise to open to Christ and so was taken from delaies 1. The white or open place Christ might look in at and put his hand in being at the key hole when the Spouse put her hand on the lock her hands and fingers dropped Myrrhe some divine favour she found upon opening the door 2. This dropped on the handles of the lock Ver. 6. I opened to my beloved she opened and expected Christ but my beloved had withdrawn himself now she misseth Christ who at first she saith had but withdrawn himself and so expected him to be with her shortly but after she saith he was gone and here began the false church estate and saith she my soul failed {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} went forth In this she found the misse of Christ I sought him but found him not and that when use of the word did her no good I called him but he gave me no answer Note here she calls him when he was gone to come again or to know when he would come or why he was gone but saith the Text he answered me not She being thus crying after Christ the Watchmen the Priests of Antichrists estate here called the city or false Church they found her that is discern'd her opposition of their errors and love to the truth Indeed so diligent and watchfull were these watchmen of the night estate though it were dark they would quickly espie and find them out as a light is easie discerned in a dark place 1. Having found her that is those Societies that desired to retain the true knowledge and way of God The watchmen smote me or the Peripatericks made me be smitten that is accused me to the Magistrate for a disturber of the peace à Schismatike and therefore must be punished 2. They also wounded her destroying her authority true Ministery and administration forcing her into the Antichristian form corrupted her with fals Doctrine 3. The Keepers of the Walls these were another kind of watchmen who had a greater charge then the rest and these I take to be the Arch-bishops Bishops c. in the time of the Apostacy they took away her Vail {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a word which signified a garment in use in those times the form whereof is not I suppose scarce known of us in these daies {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} But I take it to signifie 〈◊〉 by which the Church priviledges only had among the Saints and not known to the world now came to be unvailed and made common among all the Saints now being not permitted to have any thing distinct from the world when and on which act the Church was driven into the Wildernesse as in Rev. 12. all which time the Spirit of God passeth over in silence in this place unto the time of Luther as being a time of night in which was nothing done but sleept away Ver. 8. I charge you O ye Daughters of Jerusalem these words seem to prove that this was the Gentile Estate thus calling to the Jews who both had lost Jesus Christ and were become seekers 2. It is implyed that the Iews should find Christ and again become the daughters of Ierusalem according to that which was below which was the Law Estate and that above which was the Gospell Estate 3. Here the invisible Church thus stript of its Ornaments calls Christ still her beloved and would acknowledge none but Christ 4. That she would have the Iews Church if restored before her to tell the Lord in prayer that she was sick of Love Resp. Ver. 9. What is thy beloved more then another beloved the word another is added and is not in the Text 1. In this ye have the Iews ignorance of Christ 2. Their contempt of Christ which alwaies accompanies ignorance 3. Their desire to hear of Christ from her 4. That the people seek Christ want him and leave Antichrist are the best and the fairest among women or rather those which God calls his beloved 5. When the Gentile is diligently inquiring for Christ the Iew will then come to do the like and come to be stirred up by it 6. That that moved her was the charge laid on her which was not usually done for a small matter The description of Christ Ver. 10. My beloved is white and ruddy in these words is a generall description of Christ he is white which hath in it a signification of his Divine nature and ruddy in it is a signification of his human nature again he is the chief among ten thousand the Hebrew is that he is conspicuous among many multitudes that is that he is easily known from any other being above all Ver. 11. His head is as the most fine gold of gold now the Apostle tells us that the head of Christ is God and Christ the head of the Church His locks are bushy and black as a Raven In this place Christs hair which springs from his head are not the members of the Church as some would the hair of the Churches Head being compar'd to purple signifies the Kingly authority of Christ but here the hid and unknownnesse of the Divine Nature and glory which was in the gold of the head covered over or shadowed with this thick and dark cover of black hair so the mercy seat was shadowed and the womans hair was given her for a covering and it is Gods glory to hide himself from the world so that he makes the light to hide him Ver. 12. His eyes are as Doves not as Doves eyes but as Doves by the rivers of water so Christs eys were on the teaching of the Word 2. They are as washed with milk and so have no evill remaining in them 3. They are as set on fullnesse in the beholding of God and the invisible things of him who is blessed for ever and this is the glory of Christs eye being set on that we cannot attain nor see and live 4. Christ seeth not as man seeth and therefore his eyes are not to be set
palati sua vitatem quam uberum foecunditatem praedicat nisi forsan discrimen sit infantiae virilis aetatis quarum illa pascitur uberibus haec institutis monitis parentum informatur in which ye may see the man hinted something at the mind of God but I rather take it thus O Church thy tasting the sweetnesse of thy Saviour in his love as Priest King and Prophet to thee becomes to Christ himself an unspeakable joy and delight and is to himself as the good wine is to thee 2. Hence the pallat which is the churches is placed in the head among the Royall Offices of Christ that it may dwell and be fed daily with the delights and sweetnesse thereof and that immediately it may be hers from God before it be mix'd with a carnall matter and called the joy of the Holy Ghost and the Kingdome of God 3. The palat is for the beloved that is the church should savor relish or delight in no other but Christ tast and see hovv good the Lord is it should be kept for him 1 Pet. 2.3 if ye have tasted hovv good the Lord is 4. It is said to go down to the heart and rejoyce it as well as please the pallat 5. Causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak which I rather read thus rectifying the lips of those that are asleep to speak 1. Brightman and others would have those here said to be asleep to be meant the Jews but without doubt this description is made of the Church after the call of the Jews and of the Jews Church who though she be called after the Gentiles to restore the Church yet the pattern here spoke of will be eminently seen to be among them 2. By those asleep I rather understand some of the membeâ—s of the Church which like David after some sinne are fallen asleep and against which the Apostle speaks 1 Thes. 5.6 3. That the Offices of Christ preached to these makes their lips to speak the praise of it 4. Of this vvord here comes {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} infamia or detractatio which then shews this that men asleep and know not Christ who therefore detract from him do no sooner come to tast the sweetnesse of it but it rectifieth their tongues and brings them to commend and honour the excellency of the Lord as Paul c. Ver. 10. The Church concludes in these words I am my beloveds by Covenant and by Redemption and none but his alone And his desire is towards me it is to be observed that in the fall God said to the woman That her desire should be to her husband and he should rule over her Gen. 3.16 the word for desire there and here are expressed by the same word and shews that as the womans desire after the fal was to be to the man so after the restoration Christs desire is to the Church The Church being heightned to this perfection it 's thoughts are to propagate and to constitute Churches either at home or among other Nations abroad which is the seventh part The seventh generall part Cap. 7. Ver. 11. 1. Come my beloved in which there is a call or invitation to Christ and shews that there is no company like Christs nor no good to be done without him in the work of God For Paul may plant and Apollo may water but it is God that gives the increase 1 Cor. 3.7 2. Let us we of the Ministery they going three together alwaies to set up Churches as in my letters written to the Assembly and printed I have set forth at large 3. We and thee let us go forth 2 Cor. 6.1 we as workers together with God we that is Paul Silvanus Timothy 2 Cor 1.19 as workers together in one Church not dividedly in many work with the beloved and cannot work at all without him 4. Let us goe forth of the Church into the field the world and shews the care of the Jews to distribute and convay knowledge among men that never heard of it which their dispersion now will notably help then after their call through their knowledge of the languages and those countrey customes of the world that never heard of Christ Brightman understands here by the field the desire the Iews had to have the unconverted Iews to be converted which I think to be too narrow and further that the Iews conversion will be admirable even in one year as it were brought to passe in most part of the world and those are not then perswaded perish among the Nations for their unbelief Esay 66.8 5. They go forth into the fields but lodge not there but in the villages that is with such as embrace the doctrine of repentance and the preparation of the Gospell Ver. 12. Let us be as the morning on the Vineyards to shew that men under the Law had not that clear manifestation of grace to them as the Church had but had a morning light in which their own nature and darknesse of estate was set forth and the love of the Lord Iesus in his call of them thence to his marvellous light for the call of men is from darknesse in the state of nature to light in the state of grace and is the first work of grace and Gospel effect of the Ministery on man and not baptism 1 Pet. 2.9 thus 2 Acts 38. repent be baptized so that repentance must go before baptism and the call before repentance as in Mark 2.17 I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance which is the key of the Kingdome now taken from the people that they enter not therein and the preparation of the Gospell both which light and darknesse is in that of John and Christ saying Repent there is the darknesse for the Kingdome of heaven is at hand 2. Let us see if the Vine flourish where it seems that the church shall have under Christ the oversight of the world and the government thereof as under Moses the flourishing whereof is the true and right administration of Iustice 3. Where the tender grapes appear the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifies a tender grape that is a grape that hath lost his flower that is a poor soul that hath lost his own glory by the Law whose flower is fallen from him on whom Christ cast his eyes Esay 4. If the Pomgranats have sent out their buds that is the Apostles or men raised up of God to teach as the Apostles did the truth of Christ called the buds of them 5. There will I give saith Christ my loves unto thee so that ver. 11. was the churches call of Christ ver. 12. Christs call of the church who saith that where the Domgranats bud there Christ will give his loves in the plurall and no where else or not before Ver. 13. The Mandrakes give a smell I do not conceive that the Mandrakes here are those soporiferous herbs said to be like
male and female but some other pleasant herbs of which Gen. 30.15 being of some choice nature as seems by the word by reason whereof it is not easie to apply the sense of the spirit in this place Mr. Brightman applies them to men newly ingrafted into the church it may be the catechists are meant here who are men not awake and soporiferous field plants At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits the church hath three gates set out in the square form of the new Ierusalem which had twelve gates three at each side which shewed that in all quarters of the world the church should be of the same constitution the three gates were belonging to the three-fold ministery at each of which the Angell thereof stood either to let in or keep out 1. The first whereof was the Teacher and his gate at which were old fruits that is repentance required with self deniall c. 2. Faith and obedience of the Gospell which were the new fruits 3. All these must be at the gates before entrance which are said to be before Christ that is for his glory and praise who called them his redeem'd ones and delivered them by his power and vertue from Satan to God and from darknesse to light with his Saints 4. They are said to be laid up for him the church receiving upon the effectuall call of any a profession made by them to leave the world and himself and to love Christ and obey the Gospell and to walk in all the commands thereof as appears 1 Timoth. 6.12 which was rightly said to be laid up for Christ also CAP. VIII Ver. 1. O That thou wert as my brother that sucked the breasts of my mother Christ is said not to be ashamed to call us brethren Heb. 2.11 wherefore it should seem the Church wisheth that Christ were conversant with her in the flesh as before and as those suck the breasts of her mother though the Apostle saith that Christ is no more to he known after the flesh 2 Cor. 6.18 Malachy 3.1 2. When I should find thee without that is not admitted to the church which shews none is of the church untill admitted all are found without the church at first 3. This is altogether against Christs personall raign on earth for if ever he should raign personally on earth it were at this time of the churches restoration 4. I would kisse thee a ceremony performed in the church by the brethren only and not as now among us men kissing women 2 Cor. 13.12 Salute {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and so 1 Cor. 16.20 1 Thes. 5.26 it is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} not {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} thus Judas saluted Christ Absalon all the people Abner kissed Hazael nor do we read of any mans kissing woman but Isaac his wife Rebecca But because som have of late been about to revive the holy kisse in their churches note that the manner in the Primitive church was this that when the churches met together in one place on the receiving of the Sacraments or the like the brethren of the Evangelists Society kissed all the brethren of the Pastors and Teachers to witnesse their inward love and affection to them upon their departure each from other Object This is not the custome of our countrey Resp. The word saith that Believers must not be conformed to this evill world but be changed in therenewing of their mind so that no custom but that of the word is to be practised by men in and of the Church 5. Yet I should not be despised 1. Doing that women use not to do 2. Doing that the Saints use not to do that is kisse those that are without men that are not members of the church a thing which ought not to be done 1. In thy eyes 2. In the Saints eyes 3. The world did they know Christ would not despise the church for kissing Christ 4. It shews how Christ though he be not of the world yet were he what esteem she would give him 5. And thence what esteem the Saints that are in the world shall have of the church if that Christ appear to be in them 2. Ver. 2. I would lead thee and bring thee into my mothers house which is the church being indeed the house of her mother that is the first church constituted by the Apostles so that those which think of a new church way not known in the word are but in a dream 2. Thou shouldest teach me in which it shews the desire it had above all of Christ teaching who taught as one having authority 3. I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine the church would indeavour to acquaint Christ with that comfort they themselves came to find and know to be in that salvation they found within themselves to have received from him 4. And the juice of the Pomgranat that is the sweetnesse and comfort of the works writings and sufferings of the Apostles Ver. 3. His left hand should be under my head and his right hand should imbrace me Ver. 4. I charge you c. in which two verses as in the former periods the church shuts up this part also The eighth generall part Cap. 8. Ver. 5. Ver. 5. Who is this cometh up from the wildernesse As I was slow writing these words I find Mr. Brightman to hint hereon that on this coming up out of the wildernesse and in the other places of this book is meant the restoration of the church whose words I thought good to insert to take away the reproach that some may cast upon the ground and way I have here laid down and used in the expounding this book as of novelty fancy c. as silly men are wont to do Haec enim sciscitandi forma semel atque iterum novam originem Ecclesiae alicujus indictam vidimus And by who is this cujus nominis est haec gens quae ascend it è deserto 1. When rather I understand it thus that the church having been in the wildernesse and the state of the Law government lost above 1200. years the form vvhereof being unknown to the world on Gods discovery of it men stand amazed and cry out who is this 2. This is clearly proved in that the body of the Song contains á discovery of these estates and of Christ their King as of things hidden and unknown 3· By the wildernesse is meant the state of the world opposed to the garden or church of God which God in the Revelation calls the Antichristian estate Rev. 12.6 where the woman the church is driven into the wildernesse or world estate Antichrist baptism and church being no better then the rest of the unbaptized world 4. Out of this world of the Antichristian estate shall the Gentile church first ascend the Jews church estate ascends out of the Mahometan world estate being Gog Magog 5. The word signifies to ascend as alluding to the
37 Ezek. 1.12 when God brings the Iews out of their graves and bone and flesh and skin and breath by the ministery in the four winds come on them and restore them 6. God here understands not any particular Nations or Churches nor is it warrantable to apply them so the Scripture of the Old Testament comprehending all under the two generall tearms of the Iews and Gentiles it is true Prophecy speaks of the states of the world in particular as the four Empires and the ten Kingdomes and their periods but for the Church in Prophecy the spirits purpose is after the call of the Iews Gentiles before which they vvere two but after speaks of them as one for that that of Paul and Johns writing of particular Churches and naming them warrants not us where that particular is not spoken of but generall only ver. 8. of this chap. hath the signification of some high matter of which I shall say something when I come to speak thereof 8. Leauing on her belowed that is depending on the strength help and power of Christ to bring her thence against the povver of her opposers 8. I raised thee up under the apple tree by the apple tree is meant Christ Cant. 2.3 the apple tree among the trees Christ among other Kings is as the apple tree among the fruitlesse trees of the wood 2. Under it that is Christ coming to take a people to himself in the vvay of the old Covenant nationally the Iew grows jealóus that God hath put him avvay and taken another people to himself to vvife vvhich raiseth them up Deut. 32.21 Rom. 10.19 Luke 15.28.29 3. By I raised thee up is meant Christ raised her up who speaks here and the vvord is I made thee to be raised up 4. The vvord for leaning on may be read sticks unto or joyned unto her beloved to shevv that the people sticking to or joyned to Christ at the churches coming up from the desert vvere not knovvn to the vvorld 9. There thy mother brought thee forth in the old Covenant 10. There again thy mother brought thee forth in the New Covenant 11. She that bare thee which was the first Church owned by Jesus Christ now that this concerned the Jevvs Church is clear for as yet none but the Jews have enjoyed both Covenants Verse 6. Set me as a seal upon thy heant they are the words of Christ to the Church after he had raised her up signifying that he desired nothing of her for all he had done for her but her love 2. That he should be the seal of her heart whence she should let nothing go without his leave to any nor to worship love or fear any besides himself all being to be shut up to him and for him 3. Set me as a seal upon thy seed our translation reads on thy arm by the seal here I understand Baptisme which all the seed of the Church were to be sealed with that is set apart from others to Jesus Christ which time state and work is foretold by John Revel. 7.2 where the Man that God authorizeth in his name to constitute the church is said to be an Angel having the seal of God who sealed the Jews tribes verse 4. to the 8. Note The Reasons why Christ requires the Church thus to set him as a seal on her heart and on her children are set down in that that remains of this verse and in the seventh verse Reason 1. Love is strong as death as death overcomes all men so love overcomes all things in man crucifies and subdueth all things to Jesus Christ Reason 2. Or thus as if Christ should say my love to thee made me dye for thee and now if thou shouldst not love me and set me as a seal upon thy heart it would prove again as strong as death was to me when I dyed Reason 3. Jealousie is as the grave for cruelty God is set forth to be a jealous God over the Jews in the first Covenant Christ in the second but Christs jealousie is of the heart that the Church loves not so singly cordially spiritually the Lord her husband as she ought Which as the grave he would devour all that in heart adulterated the Covenant or Marriage-bed of Christ Reason 4. The coles thereof are the coles that the fire Jah hath kindled here some only use the word Jah as a Hebraisme to set forth the greatness or vehemency of the flame of it but I rather do thus understand them the coles of this jealousie are kindled by the fire or heat of zeal that is from Jah or Jehovah my God-head to whom all is due and with whom none is to be Corrival Verse 5. Many waters cannot quench love in which Christ would again mitigate the expression used before in which his love as jealousie was as fire or a flame coles to consume a consuming fire now shews that many or much waters cannot quench his love and whereas the Apostle saith love covereth a multitude of sins so sin like water here though it abound in the Saints yet it cannot quench the flame of Gods love nor can the floods that is some exceeding gluts of sin on some temptations they neither cannot drown it but love will exceed them and be above them 6. If a man would give all the substance of his house with a lover it would be utterly despised Christ applies most sweetly in these words to shew the effects of a faithful woman loving her husband saying if a man would intice her to adulterate her husbands bed and to offer to give her the substance of his house she would in despising despise it that is exceeding contemn him and them now saith Christ if a woman will do this for her husband that loves him how canst thou say thou lovest me and not do the like have not I deserved more of thee then any man of any woman Our ordinary Translation to me seems strange I know no right sense can be given of it which saith if a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would utterly be despised 1. As if the Church could not obtaine Christs love or as if she were to buy it 2. As if Christ could not or had not purchased the Churches love But if ye take the words as I have read them before 1. Ye have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a man offering then {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with a lover in the feminine with a woman loving her husband it would be despised which shew that the contempt is said to be of the woman tempted by any to folly against her husband that she loveth Part. 9. Cap. 8. Ver. 8. We have a little sister and she hath no breasts Note By the little sister cannot be meant the Gentiles 1. They are called before the Iews and the Iews have their Call and Ministry from the Gentiles at their Restauration 2. The Iews Church will be
small in compare of the Gentiles 3. Hence I suppose that by the little sister is meant part of the Iewish Nation which being dispersed in the most remote parts of the earth some after the call of the body of the Nation are not called nor have no means thereunto implyed in this she hath no breasts 4. Christ here with the Iews calls them his sister with the Gentiles Churches 5. What shal we do for our sister she willingly would be doing for and not talking of her only and is the same in effect as is expressed Cap. 7.11 12. 6. She hath no breasts or true and lawfull Ministry which cannot be the Iews speaking of the Gentiles who had Ministry before them nor do I think it to be the Gentiles speaking of the Iews but the Iews speaking of some of their own Tribes It may be Dan not mentioned at the first sealing Rev. 7. but after to be called last of all 7. In the day the word shall be made to be spoken to her and doth signify the effectualness of the word at the time God hath appointed for her call though before she opposed the word and did not obey the call as the rest had done Verse 9.1 If she be a wall let us build on her a silver Tower the words are the words of Christ in answer to the Churches question before 2. If she be a door we will inclose her with boards of Cedar Ver. 10. I am a wall the holy City or new Jerusalem is set out by its walls and gates of which here the Jews church saith that she is a wall the word coms from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} â—ocer she and the Gentiles joyned by the corner stone Christ now into one frame of building 2. Her brests are as Towers being abundant in knowledge and in the wisdome of the Gospell in which she was exalted very high 3. Then saith she was I in his eyes that is Christs as one that found favour being beloved and esteemed of him Part 10. Cap. 8. Ver. 11. 1. There was a Vineyard to Solomon with the Lord of the multitudes that is the Nationall Church under the Rule of Moses was Nationall with that of the world called Satans the Lord of the multitude 2 He let forth this Vineyard to keepers that is to the Judges of the Cities 3. Every man brought with his fruit that is his own obedience of the Law a thousand silverlings that is the grace of the Gospell which is in Christ to be justified or he could not be accepted in himself Ver. 12. The Vineyard that are to me saith Christ are mine which is the Church estate under the Gospell 2. They are said to be before Christ in Christs presence he himself watcheth them he walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks Rev. 1.13 and is alway vvith them and among them and in them being another way provided for then that of Solomons and receives all the fruit of it himself 3. He shews Solomons Vineyard was divided in the fruit of it 1000. Solomon had and 200. the keepers for keeping the fruit Note This is a key to this book and shews that the Vineyard sometimes is to be understood by the Nationall sometime by the Gospell Church Ver. 13. Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken unto thy voice This friends is a wonder in which the fall and cestation of the false Ministers and Ministery is foretold 1. The companions are such as by their own authority set up Churches and use the authority power and word of Christ without his leave 2. These a long time oppose the truth and true way of Christ and at last are by the grace of God perswaded to obedience deny their way see their folly and evill committed against the Gospell 3. The Church which had heard it cries cause me to hear it which shews none can hear it but those are made to hear Conclusion Ver. 14. 1. Fly O my beloved or hasten O my beloved the fullfilling of these things in us the Jews and Gentiles make us one in thee and in thy faith according to thy word 2. Assimilate thy self to the Tzebi O take on thee the nature of poor man as thou hast said O thou that art the glory of the Father as God and of man as man 3. Or be thou in thy celerity as the young hart hunted on the mountains so haste in thy coming unto us in which she ingeminates her desires to Christ 4. Come unto us upon the mountains of spices 1. He came filled with the Godhead anoynted with the spirit possessed with all authority of the Father for to be King Priest and Prophet to his people 2. He had all power in heaven and earth to do what he would give what and take what he would of life for man 3. As man he was in all things tempted like unto us and therefore knew how to pity those that came to God by him Note On these and the other Mountains of God and grace did he come as the church desired him to come that coming they might not find any emptinesse in him for whom their souls longed and in vvhom all fullnesse is to dvvell Who came from the Mountains of Spices that are in God into the gardens of Spices that are in the church or Saints of Gods election The things that are predicted in this propheticall Song I verily believe vvill most certainly in their appointed time be accomplished of vvhich vvith the Prophet David and the Apostle Paul in their time I cannot but to the Generation present speak these things for I believe and therefore speak that the praise of God this glory and vvisdome of Jesus Christ may be seen and admired of us and that vve occasion not our ruine by crossing his purposes but use the means and vvalk in the vvay appointed for the hastning our happinesse not come to be broken to povvder by falling on the Stone in Zion or the stones falling on us vvhich I advise all the men on earth this day to bevvare in this great day of the visitations of the Lord God Almighty vvhose fire is novv in Zion and his furnace in Jerusalem and he about to accomplish his vvork his strange vvork among the sons of men and vvho shall hinder the Almighty who vvill both root up and plant the Nations of the earth again and make Zion his 〈◊〉 the praise of all the earth for evermore Amen FINIS There are sundry errors on this Treatise the Author being not present at the printing of most of it which he desires thee to passe by and especially to supply what is wanting in p. 18. l. ult. cap. 6. by reading I have another baptism to be baptized vvith and hovv c. In the Introduction to the Exposition l. 11. for the Mosaicall Rule read the Leveticall Ministery set up by Moses THere are three books which have in them Braine for Brayne which concerne my self 1. A Treatise written against Mr. John Duryes Notes in defence 〈◊〉 the present Ministery 2. A Treatise concerning the call of the now Ministery dedicated 〈◊〉 the Honerable the Parliament of England 3. A Letter written by Dr. Chamberlaine to me in the defence of the authority of such as now baptize believers