the Heavens back again I bow In a serene and perfect Cloudless Day All shadows gone and darkness flown away Chorus The King Himself this brightest Morning Star By his own glorious Presence brings from far The Day so long Exil'd When He all Crowns Shall in his Kingdom swallow when the Frowns Of his bright Face as Thunder shafts shall send The Dark Kings with their Night to their black End So He ascends this Kingdom to receive And to return at time of Sacred Breve This in Parenthesis is interpos'd Amidst the Churches Praises and dispos'd On purpose so that thus the time made plain From Christs Ascension to 's Return again The flowing Cantoes might with Time keep touch And th' Churches various States fit Emblems couch First as its Spotless Apostolick state It self to Salvage Gentiles did dilate Of which how high the Sequent Emblems play Their Airs to listen is our next Essay The King goes on The sending down of the Holy Spirit Now when my Love my Hand hath form'd thee true To my own Image and I Thee endue By th' Holy * Paraclete sent down from Me As my Triumphant Bounty Ample Free With Gifts and Graces Oh Thy Fairest hue Thou Beauties highest point in this Review Dost spotless touch 'T is now thy Beauties clear Without a Blemish now Thou dost appear Like the first Church in Paradise compriz'd Which by the Serpent Fell Thou art repriz'd From th' Serpents Hand To stand see that thou choose Lest thy first Candlestick its Place should loose And now my Song of Love doth thee Enroll Into the state of Spouse Thy Nuptial stole My Gospel Graces are The Gentile wolds Come we 'll survey now which the Devil holds As Dens of Lyons and the Leopards mounts Although my Kingdom 's right by holy Counts From Canaans Mountains let us give them view Which lye within the Holy Lands purliew From Liban come my Spouse come thou with me From Liban come from Aman's Top look thee From Shenir's and from Herman's Brows with Eye Of Grace le ts look where Lyons Leopards lye The Chorus The Gentiles Call'd and becoming a Sister Church with the Jews First and after some Ages the only Church in view till the Jews Conversion Upon this Gracious prospect from the Hills The Sister-Church the following Cantoes fills The King goes on How soon I see a Sister Spouse arise So fruitful is the Favour of my Eyes How soon the Gentile Church that Sister-Spouse One Body with the Jews in my Love grows Thou art Adopted now one of the Eyes That does complete the Beauty its surprize My Heart transports as does that lovely Chain Which to the Head unite does thee retain In whole as by one Neck and still recalls Thy Name my Sister-Spouse which thee installs In Nuptial Rights so that thy Love enshrines Thy Beauty in my Heart 'bove richest Wines Which Sacrifices grac'd now out of date In this new Spoused Jew and Gentile State The Odours of thy Oyntments much excell The Spices that in Typic Unguents smell For Gifts and Graces are my Spirits Oyl To which most Fragrant Matter 's but a Foil The combed Cells which sweetest Honies fill Drop not the Pleasures Spouse thy Lips distill The staple Dainties of the Promis'd Land Honey and Milk are in thy Tongues Command The potent Flavors of Thy Vests confine Those fainter of the Mount Liban Chorus Thus Divine Influxes make the barren Wilds out-do An earthly Canaan and its Types out-go Its Doctrines Sufferings Graces all combine As sweetest Odours and the richest Wine For now the Jewish Spouse in silent shade Vales off this Song Ensuing Emblems laid Are in the Sister-Spouse Till all the Tribes First Two then Ten returning It describes So now the Gentile Church Great Israels Name Inherits as the onely Spouses claim But Fear Ingrafted Israel the fate Of native Branches Dread t' usurp the State Of Church so Catholick as if the Root Thou Bor'st from whence the Branches shoot And not the Root Bare thee a Branch at will Standing by Faith but pruned off if Ill. Or as without the Nat'ral Israel Thou Couldst be the Perfect Spouse Proud Fancies glow Thus in the Roman Breast Conceits its own Are Canoniz'd for Wise But Gents alone No more than Jews this Catholick can be Jews first split on this Rock and now Fear Thee Besides 't is now the Gentiles Times run deep While Jewish Church and State thus lye asleep Then in the Gentiles Times a Gentile Pest Will likely Rise a Gentile Church t' infest Of these Adopted Jews some false Christs Preach And Antichrists Supplants True Christ impeach The King Thou Gentile Church Thou Sister in a Spouse Thy whole Time in a Glance my Fore-sight showes A Garden Barr'd a Spring shut up a Fount That 's Seal'd throughout Thy Emblems I recount For when Seals open All my Kingdom strait Will open with Them But I patient wait Even till that Israel of which I come Joyning with Thee make up my Israels Sum That Time my Father set Successive seals Still therefore stay my Kingdoms just Appeals Each sealed Time I 'll Character to Thee Successions each in Order thou shalt see First Ephesus the Seat of Truth reveal'd Each Plant an Orchard of Pomegranates seal'd With Heavens Impress I depaint Chorus Then Truth did flow As if each Plant a Paradise would grow The King goes on Next Thee a Spicy Region I describe Where thrive where smell Spices of ev'ry Tribe Those of the Royalty those Popular All justly mix'd each in their Order are The Camphire meets the Spike Spike Saffron meets The Aromatic Reed with Odours greets The Fragrant Bark Sweet Frankincense indents With Myrrh the flavor'd Aloes joyns scents Chorus Thus Spices of Afflictions bitter Taste Bruis'd by the pondrous Pestel while they waste Into Perfumes give Smyrna's suffring Days Which lasted till the Christian Empire sways The King goes on 'T is then as if unseal'd I do allow Thy Gardens to stream out Thy Springs to flow As if a Fount of Gardens Thou A Mount of Wells That roll down with sweet streams of Liban's Smells The Winds that Fan thy Redolent Perfumes With Gales so brisk each point my Care Assumes First the stern North and then the softer South That all thy Spicy Atoms as from Mouth Of Arab's Gummy Land may blow I Joy In publick'st Graces when of pure Alloy All Virtues from thee I let out but In To Thee shut out the subtle streams of Sin Now cause That Man of Sin hath his sworn Time Before my Kingdom To turn back that slime Foul as the Serpents see thy Springs new barr'd Thy Fountain seal'd under Hermetic Guard Now Satan's Synagogue is creeping out Thy
intire I am Devote And now I feel the Fire Of his approaching Coming to receive With New Desire His Spouse To enterweave His Love with Mine Come therefore my Belov'd Let us in Circuit visit the Improv'd State of thy Church in all its various Seats In all its Fruits midst them let our Retreats Now be dispos'd Into the Fields let 's walk And view thy Gospels spread where late no stalk Of Truth did grow Thou in the Hamlets please With me to Lodge where Quiet doth appease All Noise and yet Thy Truth doth there diffuse Into those private Thoughts The silent Muse Of thy great Kingdom in that privacy The very Trees Applaud and Woods revy Then with the Morning Light our early steps Shall to the Vineyards haste we 'll see the Leaps The Vine makes into Clusters The Granate Pearl'd into Buds For hereby we 'll Rate Thy Governments Approach Those splendid Fruits Of Truth are thy Gemm'd Scepters blooming shoots Into its Glory Strength and just Extent Amidst those Fruits my Love thou shalt resent That I thy Bride to Thee my self present Now on this Visit I with Joy report All Flowers of Love and Fruits of Pleasure sort Themselves together Eldest latest Dates Conspire and place themselves around our Gates For since the World began to this Times joint All Truths and Graces flow as to a point Which Treasur'd up for Thee now make their Court To thee my Love as in their last Effort CHAP. VIII The Earnest Desire of the Church for the Personal Appearance and Reign of Christ in Humane Nature I Ask with flaming Passions and yet veil'd With Modesty I Ask as One appal'd With my own boldness thus I shade desire who 'll Thee me Give in Freedoms so intire Yet so uncensur'd as my Brother Thou That the same Breasts with me didst Suck I 'de Vow My Chastest Kisses to thy Lips In streets I 'de find Thee and thou 'dst not despise my Greets Into my Mothers House I 'de draw my Love Who did me teach that Promise first to move Which as the Granates Juice and spiced Wine I press into thy Crowned Cup Divine I know thy Person is The Womans Seed Yet is to Reign in view Thy happy speed I urge now at the Time so just An Age Each Minute seems I give in Umpirage Betwixt my Love and me what er'st I pray'd When Liberty from Babels Thrall delay'd Press'd me so hard be it of this time The happy Signal Now when FALLS in chime The Babel night Spiritual I pray Let His Left Hand my Head support each Day He stays His Right me embrace as loves dear pawn My Nuptial Morn is now just at its dawn And untill then you Salem's Daughters hear My solemn Charge Which now no weight of fear Is possible or needs t' enforce Those Roes And Hinds so wild now tam'd won't discompose Your Peace as Salvages enrag'd But th' Awes Of my Great Love so near to come are Lawes Of greatest Power That Him you not displease In gracious Posture Ruffle not his Ease Untill that oft Repeated Self-same-day Be broke and the last Shadows fly away Chorus The Appearance of the Ten Tribes as on a sudden Who 's This that from a tedious Exile mounts As if in Desert lost that all accounts Of her have fail'd Till now propp'd by the Arm Of Him who 's pleas'd to Love without a Charm Of Merit This e'er lasting Arm can reach All Times and none that 's past his Grasp Impeach These are the Ten Tribes now return'd long lost From all Appearance on the Four Winds Tost Now stay'd and guided by the Arms that bear Whole Nature up we see them thus appear The King Though others wonder yet not new to me Of Old I rais'd Thee from the Apple-Tree Of thy Lost Paradise as now from thy desart I call home to my self thy wild'red Heart There Eve All Livings Mother did adorn Thy Cradle There my Church conceiv'd and born Was of that Sovereign Promise to Eves Seed Wherein I am Supreme Thus 't was Decreed So long forgotten I by Love revis'd Would now from future Forfeiture Fore-pris'd Stand sealed on Thy Heart Thy Arm Thy Heart As deep engraven there and ne're to part From thy endeared Thoughts and on Thy Arm That to Love's Eye I may be still a Charm Thy Love my Heart doth with that Passion fill That it without Enjoyment can't be still How Vehement the Coals how Hot They glow That by Love's force Spirits Immortal Blow Love unenjoy'd's strong as the Dismal Gloom Of Death I have Endur'd I feel and dread the Doom Repeat't Of loosing Thee a-new doth Rave A Jealousie like to the Cruel Grave I have been Cloyster'd in Whose Womb doth crave Still Endless more No Rolling Floods can Quench Love's Flames nor flowing Oceans too deep drench Its Spirits or it self to Loss Nor can The Riches of the World Bribe off the Man That Loves The Substance of a House would be If stak'd ' gainst Love Refus'd with Scofferie Thy Self now Come no Mammonized State Can Vicar for Thee nor my Passions Sate Thy Self I seek Thy Self alone I prize The World of Worlds without Thee I despise The Spouse Concerning the Ten Tribes newly Return'd A Youngest Converts Sister 's come to View Who hath no Breasts yet Her Return's so new The Gospel Knowledge is not Fashion'd yet Into those Breasts with Milky Veins so set That may Receive and so disperse the Juice Of Truth as Childrens Food through every Sluice What shall we in our Prayers then Present In our Consults Resolve That may Indent With Succour to her Case If She shall stand Firm as a Wall of Stone We 'll Counter-band That Constancy in her Profession We With such a Frame of Truth and Sanctitie Will her Ennoble as a Palace Rais'd Of Massive Silver for its Lustre Prais'd Of ev'ry Eye seating its Light and Beams Of Holy Laws to flow in Milky streams If She 's a Door by which the Tender Flock May in and out be Guided without Shock Of Force or Falshood and sweet Pasture find That Door with Boards of Cedar we will bind With Cedar Boards whose Safety State and Smell So Princely shall Attract Secure and Swell Its Converts to great Numbers While these Marks Of Royal Grace and Favour mount its Sparks To a Victorious Flame So Bless'd this state Of Times shall be Glorys to propagate Chorus So Quick indeed is now the Churches Growth That nothing lingers with a Languid Sloath. Firm Wall of Rock I stand i' th' Temple Frame And my small Breasts swell'd to High Towers Name That Spout from High the Gospel with Renown Renown so Great that Circles in a Crown For in the Princes
Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 4 With how great Skill is this Parenthesis or Description of Christs Ascension and Return with his Kingdom here brought in to settle Time Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 5 And how Admirable the Churches most spotless State when the Holy Spirit was given and the Gentiles Call'd subjoyn'd to it as we shall next see Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 6 The Church form'd as Man by the Image of God at first so now by the Image of Christ is pronounced perfectly Fair and without spot John c. 14. c. 15. c. 16. Translated the Comforter Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 7 The giving of the Holy Spirit call'd by Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Paraclete was like breathing into Adam the Breath of Life Thou art all Fair my Love Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 Now the Church is pronounced Pure as Adam was made Upright There is no spot in thee Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 Ephesus the Type of this Church as leaving its first Love lost its Birth-right and the first Place of its Candlestick Translated to Philadelph upon which the New Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Christ are settled till when the Apostolick Glory does not Return My Spouse Come with me from Lebanon with me from Lebanon Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Here in this Gospel state the Church is call'd Spouse the first Time For though it was so before yet to distinguish Times the Title is reserv'd till now and this State is most suitable to such an Honour Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 Wolds are wild and desert Places where wild Beasts inhabit Look from the Top of Amana from the Top of Shenir and Hermon from the Lyons Dens and from the Mountains of the Leopards Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 What more graceful Description of the Heathen World in order to their Conversion going out from the Land of Canaan then the view of the Mountain of Leopards and the Dens of Lyons from the Mountains of Judaea next the Gentiles or more orderly Succession in course of Time or how could there be a fitter Figure of the Wicked Heathen World than by wild Beasts so Dan. c. 7. c. 8. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 Or within the Lines of its Borders My Sister-Spouse Thou hast ravished or taken my Heart with one of Thy Eyes With one chain of thy Neck How fair is thy Love my Sister my Spouse How much better is thy Love than Wine And the smell of thy Oyntments than of all Spices Thy Lips oh my Spouse drop as the Honey Comb Honey and Milk are under thy Tongue And the smell of thy Garments is as the smell of Lebanon Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 What can come more just with the Time as we have settled it then this very Word Sister-Spouse when the Gentiles came in to be one Body with the Jews 2 The Gentile Church as another Eye was so unexpected to the very Apostles that Christ is pleas'd to express himself as taken by the very Heart as the Hebrew word signifies Such is the importance of one Chain of the Neck 3 There is a very plain preferring the state of the Jew and Gentile Church united above the single state of the Jewish Church So the rich Wines of the Sacrifice the Perfumes us'd in the Kingly Priestly and Temple Oyntment the Honey Milk and Cedars of the Promis'd Land and the state of this Church common by them and preferr'd before them Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 The Spirit poured from on High the Church compos'd of Jews and Gentiles wild by Nature much excells the Jewish Church alone and as in its earthly Canaan Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 After the Gentile Church came in the Israelitish Church was still declining till all mention of it was lost and so this Song especially minds the Gentile Church as the Israel of God Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 By what follows it will appear the Gentile Church was in a decayed State Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Apostles Caution to the Romans ch 11. 17. c. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 For any Church or Churches of what Name soever to look upon themselves as in the perfect state of the Evangelick Church much more as the Catholick Church before the Jews converted is to be onely Wise in our own conceits Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 The Roman Name of a Church hath certainly dash'd on that Rock of assuming to it self as the Jews dash'd against To be the Root and to be the Catholick Church * Gentiles The Chorus goes on The Chorus goes on Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 The whole Time of the Gentile Church till the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ is in the Revelation given undér several Sealings First of seven Seals open'd then of the 144000 Sealed and the Temple measur'd and shut then of the seven Thunders Sealed c. A Garden inclosed is my Sister my Spouse A Spring shut up A Fountain sealed Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 The Kingdom of Christ proclam'd The Gentiles come in in Fulness The Natural Israel Call'd and so the whole Israel sum'd up The Kingdom of Christ Appears Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Ephesus as the Apostolick Primitive Church may be most fidy compared to a Paradise of Truth Thy Plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleasant Fruits Camphire with Spikenard Spikenard and Saffron with all Trees of Frankincense Myrrh and Aloes with all chief Spices Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 The Church of Smyrna in its Sufferings is fitly compar'd to a Region of Spices which by pounding send out their Smells Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 From the Reign of Constantine during the time of the Christian Emperours all Apostolical Truth flowed out as a Fountain of Gardens c. A Fountain of Gardens a Well of Living Waters streaming from Lebanon Awake oh South-Wind Blow O South-Wind upon my Garden that the Spices may flow out Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Christ was pleas'd to use the North-wind First of Persecution then the gentle South-wind that the Odours of Christianity might flow How Elegant is this Hieroglyphic how agreeable with the Time Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Time Times Half Time sworn by Christ Dan. 12. 7. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 The securest way of Sealing us'd by Chymists Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 In the Revelation Cap. 7. Immediately after the Ruine of Heatheanism by the Christian Empire follow'd a second Sealing with Agreeable Symbols importing the delay of Christs Kingdom and the securing his Servants for it from Corruption * Shut up close within Walls Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 The Mystery of Iniquity began in low degrees in the Apostolick Times and in Ephesus forsaking its First Love and grew up to a Synagogue of Satan under Smyrna's Suffering Martyrs From whom it took occasion to exalt it self Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 Yet Christ accounted the Church it self Pure and made use of the South-wind of Prosperity under the Christian Emperours to draw out its Graces Although by Accident Corruptions shewed themselves also Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Superstition and worldly Riches and Pleasure grew up together 4 The great Pretence for the first bringing in Superstition into the Christian Church was as it were to Christianize Heathenish Customs But as Atoms sent out by Bodies into a Contagious Air return to those Bodies that sent them out with Infection so the Christians sending out their Principals as it were to better Heathenish Customs
diffus'd the savour of Christs Oyntments and drew the Virgins after him In Union with David Solomon his Son is to be joyn'd who enjoyed in Splendor Peace and Magnificence the Kingdom that was the Acquest of David's Wars whose many Wives and Concubines like the sixty Queens the eighty Concubines and Virgins without number c. 6. 8. which make the Spouse of Christ and especially his Marriage of Pharaoh 's Daughter with Royal Estate are greatly serviceable to this Song and to the Representations it gives of the Spouse of Christ and of his Marriage to it For that most Illustrious and Celebrated Queen Pharaohs Daughter undoubtedly a Convert to the God of Israel was not only a Type of the Gentile Church in general but particularly of its State in the Philadelphian Interval so highly Honoured Revel 3. And for her as a Type of the Church in that state that Divinely Prophetick Fourty fifth Psalm was composed in so much Agreement with this Song a Song of Loves set to a Musical Instrument or Tune called Shoshannim or the Lillies among which this Song Represents so often Christ and his Church Feeding an Emblem of Purity at last set in Glory and Lustre Now the Principal Intention of that Psalm is under the Type of Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter to Represent Christ Annointed as on the Mount of Spices for his Appearance on his Royal Throne and taking his Church in the Philadelphian state to Himself as his Bride agreeable with the close of this Song agreeable with the Promises to the Philadelphian Church agreeable with Revel 19. and c. 21. And the very silence of Solomon's Israelitish Wives seems not to be without a Mystery but to express that long Desolate state of the whole Seed of Israel under the Gospel and yet there is a Revival at last in the Shulamite as Solomon had undoubtedly Israelitish Wives and in his Repentance Return'd to them c. 6. 12 13. And even in those Wives of the Idolatrous Nations Solomon took who Turn'd away his Heart from God He may be thus far a Type of the Love of Christ to the Heathen Idolatrous World and also of that great Scandal This hath against him the True Messiah given so long to the Jews from which yet Christ shall be vindicated at the Conversion of ALL as Solomon is by this Song together with the Book of Ecclesiastes Vindicated from the Infamy of his Idolatry It being so Royal a Monument of his Repentance This Solomon was also He who Built the Temple of God and his own House of State that serve also in this song as Types who lastly was a great Prince in Wisdom and the Largeness of his Mind This so great a Type yea so great a Prophecy of Christ in his own Person and Reign and Marriages is commission'd as the most Elect Person to sing this song this Prophetical song of the Kingdom of Christ as David did in so many Psalms And such a Song was to be expected from so great a Prince and such a Son of Wisdom whose Wisdom had not been perfect in Honour without such a Prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ Seeing Prophecy and Prophecy of Christ was the highest point of Wisdom And it stands with Ecclesiastes as a Monument of the Repentance of this Great King after his Fall Let then the Epoch of this Song be David's and Solomon's Reign in Conjunction and the beginning of the Course of Time to Christs Kingdom in this Song fix'd here And immediately after Solomon's death begins not a new Course but a new Character of this Course of Time carried on from Time to Time in the most Known Remarkable and Chronicular Events of greatest Renown in Scripture-History or Prophecy or Both or Scripture Prophecy and Humane History that cannot be denyed nor to have been such noble Events Now then if in the very same order these Events keep with the Course of Time They have also such fit Emblems and Resemblances of them in this Song and in the same order that They have all along to this very Day in the Course of Time I cannot account this less than great Evidence This Song is such a Frame or Table of Time as I assert it And that these may stand Fair Visible and Together I have Calendar'd them in the Annexed Table and Referr'd them to each part of this Song together with their References to each Page of the Book and also according to their Scituation and Place in the Course of Time and according to that Settlement I have endeavour'd to vindicate to them that in Course of Time by My Line of Time Now I cannot but add as a farther Evidence of the Epoch of this Song and that it designs a Course of Time of which I gave Intimation just now viz. That after the Reign of David and Solomon In the Division of the Ten and the Two Tribes making a House of Judah and a House of Israel Ezekiel's Days for Years Began as an Introduction of Prophetical Time and as shall be declared a Medium or Mediation betwixt Historical and Prophetical Time and on which the whole Course of Prophetical Time Runs Upon this very point of Time This Song gives those two Remarks 1. Of that Division by the Tents of Kedar and the Curtains of Solomon And then of Rehoboam's Servitude under Shishak King of Aegypt where to distinguish or rather to make most notorious that Time There is a more Uncouth Resemblance than is to be found in the whole Song beside viz. I have compared Thee O my Love to a Company of Horses in Pharaoh 's Chariot c. 1. 5. 9. as is Declared in the Exposition A Second Thing I cannot but add in Confirmation of the Cou rse of Time is That forasmuch as it was Fore-seen there would not be after the History of the Acts of the Apostles Scripture History to bear up the Prophecy of Daniel looking beyond that Time nor of the Apocalypse Given after that Time We have therefore before the Apostolical Time a Precedent of depending upon the most undoubted Humane History for one of the most Remarkable Prophecies in the Judgment of all Expositors and in which some would fain Absolve all Daniel's Prophecy viz. the Tyranny of Antiochus Taking away the Daily Sacrifice as great a Tyranny and Desolation of their Worship for the short time it lasted or greater than any the Jewish Church suffered till their Final Desolation And This though so solemnly prophecied of by Daniel we have only the History of the Maccabees and of Josephus to depend upon for the Exposition of it And it is counted so enough that no Interpreter doubts it Why then should we not be as well satisfied in undoubted Humane History concerning the Roman Antichrist the Antitype to Antiochus that he is that Man of Sin in 2 Thessal 2. and the Beast Rev. c. 13. c. 17. And it is very remarkable how much in the same Emblems This Song may be fairly suppos'd to Descant on Both
Holy Reign is from thy Grace Whose Early years as Greens of th' Verdant Spring Give flourish to our Bed and Pleasures bring Fresh as the Blossoms of his blooming Youth In purest Worship and Research of Truth Which still his growing Years Notes explaining Words. 3 Strengthen consolidate The Beams of our House are Cedars our Rafters of Firr Firm as the Cedar Beams those Trees of State And the Firr Rafters which the Temples Pile By his Repairing hand secur'd in File CHAP. II. Chorus THus far the Churches Sceptred Time is brought Guarded by Princes and its Battels fought By Absolute Supremes The feeble Tree As now Effete for Scepters yields in Fee The Crown to Egypts Babels Princes For to stem The Tide her own sustain not Th' Diadem At length from off the Palsey'd Head was spurn'd By Heavens just Decree thrice overturn'd Decreed so to remain Till He shall come Whose Right 's recorded in the Sacred Tome And to that Rightful Prince the mournful Spouse Defenceless seeming thus her Plaints doth rouse The Spouse The Reigns of Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeconiah Zedekiah I am the Rose in Scharon's open Field Expos'd to Danger cover'd with no Shield Lick'd off by th' Beast whose undiscerning Nose No odds makes 'twixt the Thistle and the Rose Except more eas'ly crop'd And yet its Beard Of prickles warns th' unwary Heard But more defenceless I the Lilly like The Vales along no Weapon have to strike The untaught Foot trampling without offence My Beauty and unarmed Innocence The King My Love thou slipp'st the wisdom of my Care For while thy Native Guards thus leave thee bare The Brutal Nations have not yet the scope To range upon Thee For they Enterlope One on another wreathed by my hand Like Thorns around the Lillie till they stand As Palizado'd on each side so strong That what may seem to press shields thee from wrong The Daughters of the Nations pay defence Though unawares to my Loves Excellence Surpassing them as Lillies do the Thorn Which take Defence but their Defence adorn The Spouse My Dearest Love by thee instruct'd I own Thy Goodness Wisedom Power all are shown In this Oeconomy of Guard And I repay Thy Love with Love of parallel Essay For as the Tree whose Fruit and not whose State Exalts its Name in the Trees Democrate So now thy Cedar-Rule torn up by storm Is lower'd to a Presidential Form Yet with most Thankful sense I praise the Grace Of Rule but just remov'd from Populace For this dwarf Government still leads to Thee Great King of Kings made by August'st Decree How pleasant therefore is its shade how sweet its Fruit Both swelling with Delights that draw pursuit Chorus This is the Prospect while the Scepter Val'd Till Judah's Legislator even fail'd The Spouse goes on The Captivity Nay let me publish through Gaths Streets his Praise Through Askelon and Babel may these Laies Sound to his Glory That while Chebar's Streams Me a Thrall'd Captive knew I Sing no Dreams What seem'd a Dungeon was a Vault of Wine His Grace with me deign'd so much to recline The Streaming Ensigns of High Babels Pride Were Banners of his Love to me Twice dy'd Which flow'd me round But finding some Retreat Of his Lov'd shade the Sun-beams me suâ—beat That swooning sinking with a Dying Breath I beg the Spirits that recall from Death In lib'ral Flagons Haste the Golden Fruit The Apples of that Tree that may recruit My Life near flown For in Love's Agony If in the Moment not Reliev'd I Dye As him I importun'd I found him come Whom my Soul Loves I found him coming Home His left Hand bore my Apoplectic Head His right Embracing me Love's Circle led Then by the Lawless Heroes of the Field That now how sad is it our Scepter weild And did not This his Goodness interpose Would soon with Rampant Paws us interclose I Salem's Daughters with deep Vows contest By no Offence to startle my Loves Rest And while he pleases let this be our Cell So long Love's Hermitage and not a Hell Chorus Thus to those Captive Years twice thirty five In Womb of Grace the Spouse was kept alive But now its liberty from Cyrus Type Of Great Messiah play'd in various stripe Is checker'd white and black till he shall Chace By his own Rays the shades that veil'd his Face The Spouse goes on The return of the Captivity But hark the Alarm of my Beloved's Voice How quick it strikes The very Skies Rejoyce He held me while the gentle Vapours seal'd Me up in softest slumbers now Repeal'd He shrill Commands to quit my Cell and meet Him on the Airy Mountains where his Feet Rebound more nimbly than the Roes or Harts When the dull Earth flies from their youthful starts I know this doth my Fredom indicate From Babels Chains For as his higher State Submits to what he Destines mine So mine With that he samples for me may well twine But yet my Liberty's not all at once For as those Harts and Roes themselves do sconce In coverts of the Walls and stand at bay Through Windows peeping quick and so away So do my Love 's kind Visits short but brisk Half open first bode me a freer Risque Chorus And thus does Sacred History depaint The Persian Edicts lively first then faint Lost and reviv'd Till Esthers Royal Son night Artaxerxes for our Solomon Spoke once for all in his so Full decree Then 't was Heav'ns word spoke out for Liberty The Spouse goes on For then my Love in Accents high and clear Both spake and said aloud My Fair my Dear Rise thee my Love Let no benum'd delay One minute stay thee Come yea come away For now're the sullen Glooms of Winter gone Its Clouds its stormy Rains see there are none The Earth its Carpets rich Embroy'ds with Green With Flowers as Pearls enammell'd all between The chanting Birds Natures sweet Harmony Proclaim the Spring with their soft Heraldry The Turtles modest moan now charms our Ears With sounds of chastest Peace and calms our Fears The World of Trees warn'd by the budding Figs Equips the Summer its Top gallant Rigs The twisting Vine swells out its cluster'd Grapes Perfum'd adorn'd with all their pretty Shapes All these my Love declare thy Spring-like state Usher thy Summer and thy Joys dilate Haste then my Love haste with thy Captive Train Oh why so slow From Babel haste amain The King by himself It s I indeed my Love it s I that Call To thee my Dove whom the Rocks Clefts enthrall Whom corners now infold and secret stairs Wind thee into this maze which thee insnares Oh let
if You displease These Roes and Hinds as Wolves and Tygers seize You as their Prey Oh then let no Offence Till my Love please Him waken and Incense Let no false Sects presume to Antedate My True Love 's coming and awake Debate 'Twixt Him and Salem's Daughters till He come An humble Shepherd to his Flock and bring them Home The Incarnation of Jesus Christ set out by the Chorus of Saints While seven Decads of Prophetick Weeks Had almost run their Course what all Time seeks Some noble Product that may guild its Sphere Doth here Ennoble it One 'gins to appear No Age can second Wonder Fear Desire Are each its Harbingers Natures dull Fire Can no such Birth Calcine Incarnation Empales this Mysterious Generation All vulgar Style 's too low Schelom Wise King Inspir'd Divinely does this Secret sing By us who with profoundest Reverence Of Love and Wonder thus Caroll our Sence Who 's this that comes as from a Wilderness Unknown and unattended who 'll confess To Glorys hid'd Pillars indeed arise With him but still of Smoke which does disguise The flame of Ether oyl'd yet with Perfumes Of Myrrh of Incense Frank of all the Gumms And Powders that from far the Merchants bring Three Sages Homag'd thus the Infant King Far Richer yet in s native Glory He The Treasures of his own Divinity Thus rose the Miracles of his whole Life Where Cloud and Lustre still maintain'd a strife The out-side Meanness and the in-side Glory Enrich the whole most mysterious story Consider well the Bed where the Word lay 'T was Schelom's humane Nature which had stay Truely Divine Angelic Guards attend Who can this Sacred Bed safer defend Then Schelom's threescore Valiant Israelites Whom Skill and Valour shield ' gainst all affrights While they arm'd at all points defie the Dread Wherewith the Night can threat the Royal Bed This Schelom God with us His Body fram'd So rich with all the Graces that are nam'd That Schelom's Chariot of sweet Lebans Wood Which on its Silver Pillars firmly stood Founded in Gold and with the Purple crown'd Is Emblem faint this Myst'ry to expound But yet which all Types still excels in Grace While Schelom Salem's Daughters did enchase In beauteous Images throughout this State That thus Triumphing He might celebrate His love to them Great Schelom was inspir'd With hotter Flames which his whole Body fir'd Inâ—â— Sacrifice to Justice while He bore These Salems Daughters on his Heart and wore Their Names wrought into his with Love so high No parallel can e'er be found to Vye And in this Chariot thus inflam'd He rode In Triumph over Hell it captive show'd And as the Royal * Bathsheba receiv'd The Crown from David's Mouth that Schelom wreath'd With which to Salem's Daughter He espous'd Himself and swelling Bowls of joy Carous'd Thus Zion's Daughters Holy Souls come forth From meaner Thoughts to those of higher Worth Behold King Schelom risen from the Dead A Crown of Majesty Empales his Head His Mother Crown'd Him For to th' Womans Seed By promise of the Father 't was decree'd And yet his greatest Joy is to Espouse His Church till He his Crowned Glory shows In Seal of which this Eulogy of praise That follows next is like a Crown of Raies Set on his Spouses Head by his own Hand Whose Act no Gate of Hell can countermand CHAP. IV. The King A Description of the Apostolick Church in its Primitive Excellency and in the Calling of the Gentiles BEhold thy self my Love the Fair the Fair Alone my Blood my Spirit give the Air Of thy great Beauty while thy Doctine pure Thy Worship Chast a holy Life assure So that thy Eyes the Chrystal do excell Of the unspotted Doves and glistring swell From out thy Locks whose modest shade does Grace In mean Attire the Beauties of thy Face That while no Art does Curl in form thy Hair Of Pomp or Ceremony 'T is like the Glare Of Gilead's Goats The too Censorious Eye Of Jew and Gentile scorns thy Polity But I that value by their in side Things Can see thy Graces through those Coverings Thus clouded were the Glories of the Ark When the same Goats hair look'd so rude so dark The fruitful Mastication of my Word Is like the gainful Flock that serves its Lord With double Off spring and the lusty Fleece That falls so white so even in a Piece And when so even shorn when wash'd so white The Flock appears one entire sheet of Light The Chorus Now This whole Flock of Teeth so white so shorn Speaks Apostolick Pow'r in equal borne And does expose the falshood of the Dream That Peter in that Order was Supream By all with Peace and Parile order fenc'd The Food of Life was equally dispenc'd And equal was the Fruit For barren none Was found with all so great a Glory shone The King goes on My expiating Blood so soundly Taught Within thy Lips like Scarlet Thread is wrought My Cross those Graces gives thy Speech That Sense That shrinks the Pagan Wisdom's Eloquence To empty sounds Thy Temples are the seat Of soundest Judgment which prepares the Meat During to life like Food of Pomegranate In which Seeds as of Life accumulate Those enterweaves of Holy Order like The well-curl'd Locks all falshood that Repique Secures thy Temples Graces and thy Neck Which thousand Shields and Bucklers round bedeck Rising as David's Tow'r Bears up thy Head Chorus This is Truth seal'd with Miracles that shed It self into the Christian Church and arm'd It ' gainst its Foes and its Believers charm'd Into its Services All as Men of might To do or dye in defence of its Right But yet these Arms are Magazin'd not us'd As to their utmost Service but diffus'd Defence as yet not perfect Victory Still They 're design'd within this Armory And for the Banner'd Armies They 're prepar'd Then to each Use their Service shall be shar'd The King goes on The milky streams of Thy two Breasts as Roes Flow to all Parts and plenteously dispose To Jew and Gentile that so vital Juice Pure as the Lillies through that double Sluce Of the Two Testaments where as in Fields Thou feedest and that Truth thy motion weilds The King goes on The Ascension of Christ after he had by His Ministry His Death His Resurrection His Fourty Days giving Commandments to His Disciples prepar'd this so Praised Apostolick Church Now till Nights shades Shades of the Atmosphere Are flown and the bright Morning Star appear Breaking to Day I 'll hye me to the Hill Where Myrrh and Incense the whole Monntain fill The Heavens shall contain me till as now â— mount
noble Seeds to taint 't is now about Thy spring to Poyson and thy streams to stain My early Care starts up to curb the Main Of that bad Torrent And I 'll now immure Thy Garden Spring and Fount to keep them pure Chorus Thus for some time Truths Flood-gates open stood But oh how soon Apostasie a Flood Became which quick does shift the Holy Scenes Iniquities Mysterious Womb by means Most unespy'd pregnant became And as in lowest Parts submiss and tame Work'd on yet For while Ephesus deriv'd Its Springs of Wells and Gardens Smyrna striv'd By Cruel Princes pounded to diffuse Its Myrrhine Odours And those strokes did bruise Its Spices with a Northern Fury till Controlls of Christian Princes did it still And with Their Southern Breath perswaded out Those Fragrant Graces as from Springs to spout But even in Suffering Times bad Vapours crept Into the better Odours where they slept Till best and worst fly out while South-winds Blow And Christian Fervors lost the worst o'er-flow Thus by degrees the Fragrant Spices dye Into a Languid Sensuality For why'll best Odours try to Meliorate The Pagan steams they soon Incorporate And as the Sympathetic Atoms fly Back to their native Bed so these Scents hye To their own Sourse larded with the Attaint Of Superstition that would hence write Saint While Vizord-Christians Pagans meet half way Truth Christian and chast Worship fly away So that when now the Spouse her Prince Invites To Banquet with Her He her offer slights The Spouse Let now with Pleasure to his Garden come He my Beloved and His Palate some Choose of my New-ripe Fruits which I call His Now let him Eat what for Him sweetned is Chorus This very Call assures He was withdrawn Whose Love to 's Spouse had ever the first dawn Both Fruits and Church are new It hath not known The Blessed Jesus always with his own His Answer to this Call assures us more He was disgusted For He prais'd before And there He staid as One no farther pleas'd For what he lik'd he had already seiz'd Now from the Sev'nty Weeks fore-nam'd runn out Four hundred Years had turn'd their course about The seven Seals their Cargo had discharg'd And for the following Trumpets Time enlarg'd E'er which all Emblems of Time sealed new Th' Apocalyps doth give that it might shew The Kingdom just look'd out and then withdrew CHAP. V. The King The Apostasie of the Christian Church WHY dost Thou call Spouse-Sister why so fast To do what 's done and now the Seasons past My Garden I have view'd my Myrrh my Spice I have secur'd Have Eaten once and twice My Honey with its Comb My Milk with Wine Have drunk There 's nothing that is mine But I enjoy'd my self This latter Spring Is nothing to me To my Rivals bring All this new store You new Loves Eat and Drink Let all that 's new into your Banquet sink What 's from my Word deriv'd on that I Feast Let those upstart Beloved's take the rest And now you your selves glut you Loves of sense I give you Freedom though at my Expence The Spouse I find my Senses ty'd my Parts benumm'd That outward lye The dull Narcotick stumm Of my new mingled Wines the Mushrom Fruits To which my Love I call'd which He Refutes In claiming to be his Oppress my Sense Yet still my Heart resists the Violence And wakes ' midst of these Charms Better I know Better I love while these Fumes over-flow My free'r Mind my Love 's so fast Ally That He 'll reprize it from the Sorcery That would Enchant it Hark it is his Voice That now does Call He Knocks now I rejoyce While yet I fear for thus He me Essays As in that nobler Heart that ne'r betrays Its Faith The King My Love my Dove my Undefil'd Open right now to me who am beguil'd Of my due Residence Who in this Night Under the Moons moist Empire am bedight My Head and Locks with Drops that on them light As counterfeited Jewels of the Dark Exhal'd but not Concoc't they bear the mark Of the half-virtu'd Beams that from the Moon Fall Chill and Pale whose Influences soon Are lost and can to no Perfection mount Of all that 's True my higher Light 's the Fount The Spouse Answers That plainer Coat of Holiness and Zeal Of Truth that did at first the Gospel Seal I have put off with that simplicity Now in a Bed of Ease and State I lye Bedeck'd with Ceremonious Gayeties shew How can I then that Former state renew The soyl of Gospel Travels rough and poor I have washd from my Feet Not from my Door I move now but in Equipage To tread the Ground With new Defilement but to Think does wound My Sense so delicate I paint the Dream That Fascinates my Foreign Members still the stream Of a much higher Soul to thee doth run Though under Ground impurer Veins to shun But at thy Summons it starts out for when my love His Fragrant Fingers in the Lock did move This reach'd my Heart Eftsoons my Bowels turn'd As by elastic Force to Him My Passions burn'd And sparkled to a Flame strait to the Door I poast t'unseal the Lock No soyling Floor Now frights my Feet and when I touch'd the Lock The smelling Myrrh as Waters from a Rock The smelling Myrrhs gush'd from the Lock The Oyls Around my Hands my Fingers swim this boyls My Heart with Passions fresh in haste I ope To my Belov'd mov'd with a joyful Hope To find Him there But then I soon descry'd Withdrawn from me he far himself did hide Not from my Soul to him indear'd but from that load Of outward Parts my new encumbring mode His Spirit moves that very Soul the swoon Goes off all ways I fly to find him soon Repeated Calls I send no Answer greets From Him my thirsty Ear Nor in the Streets My close Researches gain the hop'd success That should my wearied steps with my Love bless The City Watch of Prophets that espy All passes Jealous spy'd me sayling by These Prophets in disguise my Soul disdain'd I ask'd them nothing ' cause I knew them wain'd From my best Love to their Beloved's new So at my search for onely mine they grew To heights of Rage They smite they deeply wound As with a Past'ral Staff Curses they sound And loud Anathema's The Guards o' th' Walls The higher Pontiffes leave their Rev'rend Stalls And as the Sons of Belial force my Veil Of my inviolable Faith the Seal As Excommunicate They strip the Name Of Spouse from me my modesty defame My Veil rend from me as upbreiding them Now prostitute to a false spurious Stem Of Baal's as Husbands
Meanness in which Christ was born and liv'd Notes explaining Words. 3 Triumphant Pillars of Divine Knowledge Power Grace but cover'd with the Smoke of outward Poverty and the malicious slanders of the Pharisees Like pillars of Smoke Perfum'd with Myrrh and Frankincense Notes explaining Words. 4 Richly yet perfum'd with all Heavenly Graces Notes explaining Words. 5 His very Infancy was Homag'd by the three Magi or Wise Men from far with Gold Myrrh and Frankincense as an Emblem hereof but the Glory of his own Divinity far excell'd With all the Powders of the Merchant Behold His Bed which is Solowons Notes explaining Words. 6 The humane Nature may be compar'd to a Bed where the Divinity lodg'd as in a Temple Notes explaining Words. 7 Angels continually attended upon Christ as his constant Guard when He bringeth his first Begotten into the World He said Let all the Angels of God Worship Him Threescorevaliant Men are about it Every Man hath his Sword on his Thigh because of Fear in the Night King Solomon made himself a Chariot of the Wood of Lebanon he made the Pillars thereof of Silver the bottom thereof of Gold the covering of it of Purple the midst thereof being pav'd with Love for the Daughters of Jerusalem Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 Solomon's Royal Chariot is described with all its rich and costly Materials from top to bottom Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 Solomon's Chariot was adorn'd with the most beautiful pictures of the Daughters of Zion to express his Love to them Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 This was a faint Image of the Excellent Humane Nature of Christ in which even to the Death of the Cross He bare the Names of the People on his Heart and offered himself a whole Burnt-offering for them through the greatness of his Love Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Crown of Christ is that which he receiv'd at his Resurrection when he was Annointed with the oyl of Joy above his Fellows as Solomon was Crown'd with highest Joy a Pledge of his Eternal Kingdom and Espousal to his Church Revel 19. 1. Go forth oh ye Daughters of Zion Behold King Solomon with the Crown Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 As Bathsheba receiv'd the Crown from David for Solomon so God made good his Promise to Eve the Seed of the Woman c. by this Crown of Christs Resurrection and Kingdom Wherewith His Mother Crown'd Him in the Day of his Espousals and in the Day of the Gladness of his Heart Notes explaining the Senſe. a How admirably does this Description fit the Apostolick Church which had excellency of Beauty sufficiency of Spiritual Food signified by Teeth of purest Cleanness and Unity as wash'd and even shorn Durable clothing Garments of Justification and Sanctification numerous Off-spring in the multitude of the Converts Notes explaining Words. 1 To express singular Fairness the Word is doubled Behold thou art Fair my Love behold thou art Fair Thou hast Doves Eyes Thy Hair is a Flock of Goats that appear fron Mount Gilead Notes explaining Words. 2 The Apostolick Purity without outward Pomp or Splendor was cover'd like the Ark with Goats Hair despised by Jews as not having the Signs of a present Kingdom by the Gentiles as Foolishness but was indeed Expression of the Wisdom and Power of God Thy Teeth are as a Flock which come up from the Washing Notes explaining Words. 3 The Rumination or Chewing the Food of Life to prepare it for others by Expounding the Old Testament and farther Revealing the New was the Excellency of the Apostolick Church Notes explaining Words. 4 Pure in all Holiness of Doctrine Worship and Life and even without Ambition or loving Preheminence Bless'd with abundant Power of Converting Grace Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. a How far are all things in the Gospel from such a forg'd Supremacy of the Apostle Peter observe his Fall his being Reprov'd Gal. 2. his humble Style Compresbyter or equal Elder 1 Christs Blood in the Gospel Ministry is as Rahabs Scarlet Line twin'd within it as a Pledge of Redemption from Wrath. Thy Lips are like a thread of Scarlet Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 I desire to know nothing but Christ and him Crucified Not the Wisdom of this World but the Wisdom which God ordain'd before the World to our Glory Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 The many Seeds of the Pomegranate the Emblem of Wisdom yield a most pleasant Juice And thy Speech is comely Thy Temples are like a piece of Pomegranate within thy Locks Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The strict and holy Order of the Apostolick Church that as the best state of the Church of Ephesus the Type of that Church Apostolick tried those that said they were Apostles and were not but found them Lyars and that could not bear them that were Evil were like Locks gracing and guarding the Temples Thy Neck is as the Tower of David Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 Those thousand Shields and Bucklers most fitly resemble the mighty Power of Miracles Gifts of Tongues and that severe Apostolical Rod which the Apostle Peter shew'd in the Death of Ananias and Sapphira and the Apostle Paul's delivery to Satan intimates all which bore up the majesty of that Church Builded for an Armory all Shields of mighty Men Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 The Primitive Christians were resolved either to defend Christianity by these powers of Truth and Miracles or as Martyrs to dye in defence of it and so they were the Shields of mighty Men. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 The full Effect of the Apostolick Ministry and Miracles will not be seen till the New Jerusalem * c. 6. 10. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 The Doctrine of Christianity in the Apostolick Ministry was like two full Breasts deriving their Lillies Milk from the two Testaments in which as in Fields of Lillies they Feed as two young Roes According to which all the Apostlick Motions and the Churches settled by them were govern'd now these two Breasts as a double Sluce or out-let of Water send out their Streams Thy two Breasts are like two Roes that feed among the Lillies Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Atmosphere is the foggy black Air arising from Earths black Steams like Night which flying away Emblems this dark State removing and Christs Kingdom who is the bright Morning Star appearing Vntill the Day break and the Shadows fly away I ll get me to the Hill of Myrrh and the Mountains of Frankincense Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 Just as Christ was seen by his Disciples in the Air Ascending upon their very earnest gazing so shall he be seen in his Return which is to be fix'd in the very point of time and of space in the Heavens or upper Regions where the Cloud received him For so the Angels Speech Implies This same Jesus taken into Heaven shall so return as ye have seen him go or going into Heaven upon that very point I say it is to be fix d and is Expounded by the Apostle of Christ Descending not upon the Earth but into the Air whither the Saints are caught up to meet Him and so to be ever with Him 1 Thes 4. 17. Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 1 Exil'd ever since the Fall of Man and the loss of the Sabbatism of Creation Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 2 According to Revel 19. 15. c. Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 3 The Decree of God in whose Power the time especially of this Kingdom is Reserv'd
They return to them as it were larded with Heatheanism so that they became Pagan Christians Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 It is Evident Christ is first in showing love to his Church in coming to it in resting with it so that this very calling to Christ to come shews a-new but a corrupted State of the Church Let my Beloved come into his Garden and Eat his pleasant Fruits Chorus goes on Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 That Christ said he had Eaten shews he liked to Eat no farther but disliked the Churches present State The Weeks ended An. M. 4024. An. Chr. 37. The Time of the seven Seals ended and of the Trumpets began An. M. 4424. An. Chr. 437. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 All the Time of the seven Seals and of the Churches pure State was run out Because therefore through the Corruptions of the Christian World notwithstanding the Christian Empire Then is a new Sealing The Temple is Measur'd The outward Court cast out to the Gentiles The Holy Worshippers immur'd in the Temple The Witnesses in Sackcloth and the Church in the Wilderness all Emblems of the Churches Fountain and Garden Sealed and of the Kingdom of Christ stay'd from its Appearance * Charge Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 This Invitation of Christ to come shews the earnestness of the Apostasie to entitle Christ to this False Christianity and Christs refusal upon the account that he had Eaten shews the time of the Churches purity past I am come into my Garden my Sister-Spouse I have gathered my Spice with my Myrrh I have eaten my Honey Comb with my Honey I have drunk my Wine with my Milk Eat O Friends drink abundantly O Beloveds Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 What could be more plainly significant of the Churches having embrac'd other Lovers than Christ than refusing himself and throwing those Provisions upon them by a Sarcastical Excitation of them to Eat and Drink abundantly Like Solomon Ecceles Rejoyce Oh young Men c. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 It was at Christs Expence He being Robb'd of that was indeed due to him and though as corrupted He would not accept it yet it was in pretension of Service and Devotion to Him as all Superstitions Honours of Saints Images Days the Hoast c. are Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 These Superstitions are like Vapours of stumm'd Wine that benum and stupifie the Soul in True Religion I Sleep Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 Mushrom Fruits like the Gods new come up Deuteron 32. But my Heart waketh Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 There was in the worst of the Times of the Apostles a number of the Elect that like a waking Heart heard Christ's Voice rose to seek Him And this was the True Church before Luther It is the Voice of my Beloved that knocketh Open to me my Sister my Love my undefiled Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 It is most carefully to be heeded before the True Church came to separate from the False and to Renounce it It is spoken to as having them that hold the Doctrine of Balam Revel 2. as the Church of Pergamus is addressed Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 Christ could not reside in his Church as a Church but makes a private Visit to his Witnesses and Servants and complains as one thrust out in the dark and moisture of the Night For my Head is wet with Dew and my Locks with the Drops of the Night Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 The False Honour put upon Christ by Superstitious Devotions may well be compared to the Drops and Dew of the Night as its counterfeit Jewels And so this Night and the Months under the Moon and Empress of the Night twice mention'd in the Revelation Agree Revel 11. Revel 13. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Coat put off was that simplicity of the Gospel The Bed a Bed of Ease Sensuality Pomp and State of a Ceremonious Religion and full of Spiritual Fornication and Adultery as it after grew I have put off my Coat how shall I put it on I have wash'd my Feet how shall I defile them again Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 The true Mortification Travel and Sufferings of Religion were laid a side like the washing the Feet and must be no more defiled with the former Poverty and Hardships Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 This the True Servants of God spoke as having the False Christianity encumbring them My Beloved put his Hand in by the hole of the Lock Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 This very gracious Approach of Christ to his sealed Servants preserved a True Church of Pergamus under the Name of the Apostasie even where the Throne of Satan was Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 In this Church those Servants of God were the waking Heart And my Bowels were moved for Him I rose up to open to my Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 There were such gracious Intimations of Christ from himself that were fitly express'd by such Emblems as we here find viz. Christ Knocking Speaking putting his Odoriferous Hands into the holes of the Locks My Hands dropped with Myrrh my Fingers with the sweet smelling Myrrh I opened to my Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 All which prevail'd to this that Christ should be sought after in another way than the general state of the Apostasie allow'd and gave Countenance to But my Beloved had withdrawn himself My Soul failed when He spoke I sought Him but I could not find Him Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 For the Servants of God seeking him in that Publick and General Apostasie call'd a Church could not find Him I call'd Him but he gave me no Answer The Watch-men that went about the City found me Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 Of the publick Preachers or Prophets compar'd to Watch-men the Servants of God knew it was in vain to ask They smote me They wounded me The Keepers of the Wall took away my Veil from me Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 The Church Rulers and all that Authority smote the Church with all kind of Spiritual Punishments and gave them up also to the Secular Power * High-Priests Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Excommunication cannot be more emphatically described than by taking away the Churches Veil the Emblem of its True Faith and Holy Worship wherein the Chastity of a Church consists I charge you oh ye Daughters of Jerusalem if ye find my Beloved that ye tell Him I am sick of Love * Balaam signifies too lofty Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Apostate part of the Church were as Men in in a Spiritual Lethargy by the Fumes of the Doctrine of Balaam Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 1 The True Church were in the mean time earnest for a purer Enjoyment of Christ * Antipapal Revel 2. 12. c. c. 11. 3. Revel 12. 17. 19. Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 2 The Servants of God who kept the Commandments of God and held the Testimony of Jesus were true Witnesses however in Sackcloth and made up the true Church however in a Wilderness Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 3 The time of the Witnesses killing of Antipas or the Antipapal Witnesses being slain was the very Time that the Watchmen and Keepers of the Walls wounded the Spouse and took away her Veil The Apostacy as appears by the Line of Time began in the Vulgar Year 437 and the Beast came to his Power of Fourty Two Months at the Vulgar Year 475 when the Western Empire ceas'd Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 4 Revel 17. 11. He is the