misled misguided by them which make profession of great knowledge and wisedome and which continue to coÌ„pare their doctrine and the precepts of their fond hearts with the truth of thy word The text 7 If thou know not ô thou the fairest among women get thee foorth by the steppes of the flocke and feede thy kiddes by the â—ents of the shepheards 8 I haue compared thee O my loue to the troupe of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh 9 Thy cheekes are comely with rowes of stones and thy necke with chaynes 10 VVe will make thee borders of gold with studs of siluer 11 VVhiles the king was at his repast my spikenard gaue the smell thereof 12 My welbeloued is as a buÌ„dle of myrrhe vnto me he shall lie between my breasts 13 My welbeloued is as a cluster of camphire vnto me in the vines of Engedi 14 My loue behold thou art faire behold thou art faire thine eies are like the doues 15 My welbeloued behold thou art faire and pleasant also our bed is greene 16 The beames of our house are Cedars our rafters are of firre The Commentarie The words of the bridegrome vnto the Spouse If thou know not Christ aunswereth the Church and teacheth her all those things which she before had demaunded of him he saith vnto her O thou the fairest among women that is to say among the Churches because the Church congregation of the faithfull howsoeuer it seeme in the sight of men to be blacke and contemptible yet notwithstanding the only begotten sonne of God Christ Iesus esteemeth and iudgeth her to be fairer and better then all the Synagogues of the wicked O wonderfull great beautie and fairenes which God himselfe doth so greatly commende and approoue by calling her the fairest among women Indeed other women are faire because they are Gods creatures who is most glorious admirable in all his workes but thou O my Spouse exceedest them all because thou art to be preferred before them all because thou art adorned with my beautie in regard whereof he sayth vnto her O thou the fairest among women if thou know not of thy selfe where I feed rest at noone day then go foorth out of thy selfe renounce thy selfe and all things else for the loue of me beare thy crosse particularly and trust not to thy owne opinion or workes at all Furthermore depart from the flockes of my companions and from the dregs filth of humane traditions and lastly lay aside all trust and confidence in the flesh otherwise neuer hope to find the place where I do feed and rest my selfe at nooneday because he is not worthie of my loue that for the loue of me is not content to forsake all things and himselfe also if neede be At length he sheweth where his feeding and abiding is to wit in the footsteps of the flocks of the Church and neere the tabernacles of shepheards of these flockes are all they which we know to be of the Church and their footsteps are those things which we read of them to haue bene gratefull and acceptable vnto God and these are the steppes of the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles of the true faith in the word of God all those things which God doth worke and bring to passe in them by charitie And we must follow after those steps where he feedeth and lyeth because he comforteth all them which truely feede on him in their hearts by faith and he granteth them true peace of conscience which is as much as to rest and feede with Christ The litle goates and the feeble and weake hearted are those which beleeue in the Lord. The shepheards may be tearmed those whom he sendeth abroad with authoritie to preach the Gospell who by publishing abroad among the people the sincere word of God do minister and giue them food of eternall life by giuing them the bread of Gods word in due season which if they did not they would not be accounted true shepheards and ministers of the word and their tabernacles are the Churches neare which the flockes of the elect children of God do graze and feed and the pastures are the immaculate wordes of God and this is the food which Christ commanded Peter to feed his sheepe withall The words of the Bridegrome vnto the Spouse I haue compared thee ô my loue to the troupe of houses He compareth the blessed spouse of the most victorious king Christ vnto the troupe of horses that is to say vnto the Angels because no man of any vnderstanding in the world doubteth whether they be the messengers and ministers of Christ Wherefore Christ speaketh as it were after this sort vnto the spouse ô my deare spouse the time was when thou wast in a miserable case the prisoner and bondslaue of the Diuell and therfore as farre estranged as might be from me but loe I haue now set thee at libertie I haue freed and redeemed thee out of the hands of the diuell and by the vertue of my word and spirite I will so glorifie thee that thou shalt be like vnto the glorious companie of Angels But wherein In the Chariots and power of Pharaoh the king of Egypt that is to say the Prince of darkenesse the diuell sinne death and hell it selfe all which things I haue ouercome for thee that thou shouldest trust and beleeue in me And this is spoken to this end and purpose that we shold know that all those which are without Christ are but as it were horses which draw in the Chariot of Pharaoh that is to say are vnder the rule and guiding of him which driues the Chariot to wit the Diuell but as many as are of Christ hold with him they are put into Gods coach that is to say are altogether ruled and gouerned by him Therefore by the notable troupe of horses of God we must needes vnderstand the Church by reason of the multitude of meÌ„ that are contained in it and of store of spirituall armour and weapons of faith iustice and for the inuincible force and strength of the spirit and noble victorie ouer her enemies Thy cheekes are comely Finally he commendeth his owne workes in the spouse because the spouse is not otherwise faire or coÌ„ly but as she is faire and beautifull in her husband Christ And whereas it is said thy cheekes are comely wee are to consider the cheekes as they are in the head and face and the head of the spouse is the husbaÌ„d Now as the beautie of the cheekes doth principally appertain vnto the head and theÌ„ afterwards vnto the rest of the members so the beautie and glorie of Christs cheekes which is the head of the Church do first of all belong vnto him and secondly they appertaine vnto his members that is to say vnto the spouse because Christ is the honour and glory of the spouse whose necke are the Preachers and teachers of the Church which are adorned beautified with chaines sundry iewels
let her alone for a while trouble her not suffer her to repose and rest her selfe a while in the beds of the holy scripture and let my holy spirit abide and dwell in her The Text. The speech of the young virgins 5 VVho is this that commeth vp out of the wildernesse leaning vpon her welbeloued I raysed thee vp vnder an apple tree there thy mother conceiued thee 6 Set me as a seale on thy heart and as a signet vpon thine arme for loue is strong as death iealousie is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are fierie coales and a vehement flame 7 Much water can not quench loue neither can the flouds drowne it if a man should giue all the substance of his house for loue they would greatly contemne it The Commentarie Wee see here that the Church doth turne her carnall mother and she being conuerted or turned is made one and the very selfe same with the Church and together with her cleaueth and inclineth vnto Gods word notwithstanding any crosse or aduersitie whatsoeuer And she that was before conuerted by her daughter doth now seeke to procure the saluation of her mother that is to say of those from whom she came for this is alwayes a generall note that the Church of God doth seeke the saluation of the wicked and their vngodly congregations from whence she came and was deriued because we were all of vs once sinners and offenders and sprong vp out of the Church of the wicked I say of the wicked and not of the reprobate because euery reprobate is a wicked person but it followeth not that euery wicked person is a reprobate and albeit the elect were said to be of Sathans Church before they did beleeue and embrace Christ in their hearts by a liuely faith yet neuerthelesse in the eternal decree of almightie God they were alwayes reckoned to be of his Church But the young virgins looke vpon the spouse and see how quietly shee sleepeth amongst the dayly troubles of the Gospell profiting daily more and more in the knowledge of the Gospell and therefore breaking foorth into a kind of admiration they aske who is this as if they should haue said it is a very strange thing beyond all sense and reason that she should perseuere among so many euils as do assault her And they say that she came vp out of the wildernesse because they sprong out of the drie and dead stocke of that abominable sect of the vnbeleeuers as it were out of a plaine desert whither went shee whither did she ascend or go verily she mounted from terrestriall carnall and momentarie things she went vp vnto the glorious hill of Christ the true Sion The words of the Bridegrome vnto the Church after her conuersion Vnder an appletree c. The preaching of any man whatsoeuer be his gifts of vtterance perswasion neuer so good profiteth vs nothing vnlesse Christ preach and teach vs inwardly by mouing of our harts to heare the word and afterwards by confirming strengthening the same in our minds when we haue heard it The Church as we declared vnto you before brought Christ vnto her mother and he conuerted her because Christ can not be truely and properly saide to be brought to a place vnlesse he be entertained and lodged there So then he being once in friendly sort receiued and entertayned vouchsafeth to teach and informe her himself deliuering her the whole summe of the doctrine of the Gospell in few words for he saith no more vnto her but this vnder an apple tree as if he should haue said thou wast before in a miserable case dead in sinne but I haue raised thee vp and that vnder an appletree that is to say vnder mee for hee speaketh of himselfe as if he meant a third person We are then raised vp vnder Christ the true appletree of life if we do but beleeue in him by faith and wholly depend vpon him who are there that is to say vnder the appletree borne by the Church the mother of the faithfull as vnder that other tree of delight in paradise our grandmother Eue conceaued and brought vs foorth the sonnes of wickednesse and corruption Set me as a seale on thine heart and as a signet vpon thine arme for loue is as strōg as death iealousie is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are firie coales and a vehement flame Set me c. He may be rightly said to haue set Christ as a seale on his heart and as a signet on his arme which can subdue keepe vnder the wicked affectiōs of the flesh together with the works thereof so that he frame him selfe wholy vnto Gods glorie For what thing else is the heart but the affections of the heart what is meant by the arme but the strength and force thereof with all the works of our hands And she yeeldeth a reason thereof because as she saith Loue is strong at death to wit the loue of Christ because hee loued vnto the death and this ielousie is cruell as the graue that is most dreadfull and horrible towardes hypocrites And the meaning of all these words is this drawe neare vnto me with all thy heart with all thy mind and with all thy strength and do all things in my name because such is the loue wherewith I loue thee that I was content to die for thee And as for those which say they are of me that is of my Church and yet haue not any seale that is to say faith but the lying signes of the flesh and the world my iealousie indignation shalbe kindled against them as hote as hel fire And in that it is sayd The coales thereof are fierie coales and a vehement flame we are to note the vehemencie and heate both of Christes loue and also of his iealousie because they cause such a fire as is the fire of Gods spirit that is to say a most liuely and mightie fire because the fire of loue that is to say the holy Ghost maketh vs to be inflamed with a profitable and wholesome kinde of heate And the iealousie of this fire that is to say sharpe reuēge and indignation consumeth all the wicked vngodly men of the earth Much water can not quench loue neither can the flouds drowne it if a man should giue all the substaunce of his house for loue they would greatly contemne it Much water c. Here in this place the constancie and stabilitie of the aforenamed Loue is described and deciphered vnto vs this is that loue wherwith Christ loued his Church And verily such was the heate of this loue that many violent streames of inconueniences troubles reproches tribulations and all sorts of euils that could be deuised could not quench it for by the parable of a house built vppon a sure rocke mentioned in the sixt Chapter of Saint Lukes Gospell it is euident that flouds do sometimes signifie aduersitie Now the loue which by the vertue of the same
vnder their heades what is meant by that but that when the iust man fâ—lleth he should not be broken in peeces wherfore the spouse feeling his left hand vnder her head reioyceth notwithstanding because of the louing imbracings which she is sure to enjoy by the benefit of his right hand The words of the Bride vnto the yong maydens There be foure things which cause me exceedingly to reioice first because of the flowâ—rs that is to say for the faithful because there â—re enough of theÌ„ secondarily for the apples of the most fruitfull tree Christ thirdly because he hath his left hand vnder his head â—hat is to say vnder the spouses head for hee â—s the head of the spouse last of all because of the certaine hope and assurance which â— haue that hee will imbrace me with his right hand that is to say with the pleasures and ioyes of euerlasting glorie And thus whiles the Church the spouse of Christ â—oth take her quiet rest sleepe the word of God commandeth her not to be troubled or disquieted any thing at all it is as if Christ ss hould speak vnto the soules of the faithfull â—fter this manner I charge you ô ye faithfull soules and which is more I coniure you by that which is most deare and pleasant vnto you that you stir not the loue of your husband in the elect by iudging condemning them by the wrath and fauour of God shewed more or lesse towards them I say find not you fault with God for being sometimes displeased with the elect and shewing forth his anger towards theÌ„ accuse not his diuine prouidence or the maner of his proceedings eyther in iustice or mercy because he doth most certainly guide and direct all things vnto thâ— good of his elect but submit your willes Alwayes vnto the good will and pleasure of almighty God praying continually that hiâ— will may be done his name hallowed And we are to vnderstaÌ„d by the roes and hinds oâ— the fields by the which he chargeth the souleâ— of the faithfull the Apostles and preacher of Gods word which wander vp and dowâ— in the worlde preachâ—â—g the Gospell euery where whersoeuer they come fearing the policies sleights of their aduersary the diuell The spouse vnto the yong maides It is the voice of my welbeloued behold â—â— commeth leaping by the mountaines and skipping by the hilles This is a notable place to proâ—â— that all those that are of Christs Church 〈◊〉 know their husband Christs voice that is tâ— say his words and can iudge thereby Gods words from mens Because shee saith flatlie vnto the virgins that the words that she doth heare are vndoubtedly the words of her louing husband Christ for she saith she knoweth them well enough and indeed to say the truth who should better knowe the thinges which concerne the Bridegrome then the Bride her selfe Nowe I am the Bride which haue espoused the onely begotten sonne of God wherefore me thinks I should knowe his voyce better then anie other So then first of all there is shewed vnto vs the Church by the voyce of the bridegrome which she knoweth most readily afterwards there is declared vnto vs the fruit that ariseth redoundeth vnto her by the knowledge of his voice that is to say the knowledge of perfect charity And Christ the husband of the faithful is likened vnto him which is most faire in the fairest thinges most excellent in the excellents that that can be gotten exceeding beyond the degree of admiration and abounding beyond measure in all maner of thinges that may be desired coueted or obtained Finally the ende and terme of Gods promises contayned within the compasse of the scriptures and written of either in the Law or in the Prophets This Christ the summe of all happines and felicity came vnto his own vnder the forme of mortality hauing a wall set betweene him and the wicked because he would not be seene of the vnworthy vngodly or vnelected ones and yet he stood in the middest of them and spake the words of life partlie vnto them which did see him partlie vnto those which despised him voluntarilie suffered themselues to be seduced or deceiued so as he looked forth of the windowes and shewed himselfe through the grates he might be seen and heard after some sort of the wicked but onely the godly and elect of God vnto saluation may fully see behold lastly receiue him into their hearts by faith And the words of SalomoÌ„ in the next verse before how hee came leaping by the mountains skipping by the hilles signifieth nothing els but this how his spirit leaped vpon the Patriarkes and Prophets and skipped in the Apostles preachers of the Gospell who being more eminent and excellent theÌ„ the rest did teach men the simplicity and plainnesse of their liues doctrines and the similitude of a roe or a hart which followeth in the next verse is all one in effect with the former because it is only proper vnto goates to leap skip about although they may bee likened vnto theÌ„ for another reason because of their sharpe sight for vnlesse their sight were as good as their running they shold not be able to discerne their way know either how to leape or skip By the swiftnes of their leaping skipping vp and downe we may note the earnestnesse of a willing and charitable minde by the quicknesse of sight the sharpenesse of iudgement so in both these thinges we may obserue both iudgemeÌ„t and mercy crying out with Dauid in the Psalmes Mercie and iudgement will I sing vnto thee â— Lord. The Text. 10 My welbeloued spake and said vnto me arise my loue my faire one and come thy way 11 For behold winter is past the raine is changed and is gone away 12 The flowers appeare in the earth the time of the singing of birds is come and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land 13 The figtree hath brought forth her yong figs and the vines with their small grapes haue cast a sauour arise my loue my faire one and come away 14 My doue that art in the holes of the rock in the secret places of the staires shew me thy sight Let me heare thy voice for thy voice is sweet thy sight comely The voyce of the Spouse vnto the virgins My welbeloued spake said vnto me c. The spouse being once awaked out of her sleep tels her maydens what her sweet-heart said vnto her Arise my loue faire one and come thy way to wit arise froÌ„ rest to labour froÌ„ ioy peace to sorrow griefe and rise thou thy selfe let no other rise for thee because I wil haue thee no other to gather my flowers fruits that is to say vnto the ministery of my word by the which the flowers to wit the soules of the faithfull are gathered together into the Church And come thy way that is follow
me continue to beleeue in me by faith because he may be truly sayd to followe after Christ which beleeueth in him then the spirit of Christ the bridegrome of the faithful speaketh after this maner vnto the elect dispersed throughout the face of the whole earth Rise vp my faithfull spouse by a liuely faith in Gods wordes and put all thy trust and confidence in him that calleth thee vnto him he sheweth that there is a conueniēt time for all things to be done in by reason of the vicissitude and change of thinges for wheras her welbeloued had but earst before visited her in her greene bed now he wils her to dresse the vineyard and driue away the wilde beasts out from it that is to say to build vp his Church and weede out all manner of heretickes out of it and it is as if Christ should haue said vnto her Rise vp out of thy bed of contemplation and rest wherein thou now slumberest yet thinke not that I will vtterly forsake thee because thou art my loue but go gather the faithfull together in the spirit of gentlenesse and lenitie because thou art my doue come thy way and suppresse thy aduersaries because thou art faire and adorned or beautified with all manner of vertues for behold the winter is past the raine is changed and is gone away That is to say the old and ancient errors are vanished away at the comming of the glorious Sonne of God Christ Iesus and the tedious darke and dyrtie time of winter is past and gone when all things were wrapt and infolded in ignorance and blindnesse in neglect and contempt of Gods good will and benefits but loe now the ioyfull and hopefull time of Spring is come when the pleasant and wholsome blast of Gods fauor shall blow vpon all the hearts and mindes of the faithfull filling and inspiring them with the word of God sent downe from heauen for the behoofe and benefit of vs mortall men and now is the time or neuer to repent and amend our liues by awaking out of sinne and preparing our minds consciences vnto the study or godlinesse meekenesse and to do the true works of piety to roote vp the concupiscences of carnall senses and follow the old and ancient discipline of the Church The voyce of the Turtle doue hath beene already heard vppon the earth which is a signe of a most happie yeare or spirituall aboundance and plentie of all manner of goodnesse and gladnesse in the hearts and consciences of the faithfull and the pleasantnesse of the Gospell is comming vpon you with all maner of comfort and consolation and now the time approcheth whē you shall reape the fruit and receiue the benefit of your godlinesse the figge tree bringeth foorth her young figges and the vines begin to bud foorth so that we haue all the signes of a rich and plentifull yeare which is likely to abound in all manner of loue and true holinesse perfect ioy and euerlasting comfort and we haue certain infallible true tokens of the Churches perfection which consisteth in the true vnitie therof and knowledge of Gods loue in the multitude of the Gentiles and faithfull soules which are called Moreouer we may if we will allegorically interpret the hardnesse of the winter to be the hardnesse and rigor of the law which is alreadie vanished away because of the comming of the Gospell of glad tydings and therefore we see the promises of the Prophts to flourish and the gracious proceedings therof which we may call the floures which appearing in the spring time do shew forth a fruitfull and happie yeare and the time of pruning or dressing is when laying aside all manner of lying and deceit euerie man shall speake the truth vnto his neighbour And by the voyce of the Turtle is signified the voice of the Preachers of Gods word which beginneth to be heard abroad in the world And the figge tree doth bring forth her young figges that is to say the Apostles are alreadie come into the world which bring forth the most delectaable and pleasant food of the Gospell and minister it vnto the faithfull according to their necessities The Bridegrome speaketh vnto the Spouse My doue that art in the holes of the rocke in the secret places of the stayres shew me thy sight let me heare thy voice for thy voice is sweet thy sight comely By the doue is signified the holy Ghost as it is euident out of the third of Matthew the first of Marke the third of Luke and 1. of Iohn Wherefore the Church which is inspired and filled with the holy Ghost made altogether spirituall may well be called here in this place a doue and whereas he replyeth and calleth her his loue we are to note that all her loue commeth frō him which is the fountaine of loue and that it is from him and for him that she is called beautifull and faire or a doue that is to say spirituall and she is prouoked and stirred vp afresh by the Bridegroome to come but in the holes of the rockes and secret places of the stayres This rocke is Christ 1. Cor. 10 v. 2. We did all drinke of the spirituall rocke that followed them the rocke was Christ and by the secret places of the stayres is meant the inward ascention and lifting vp of the heart which euery faithfull man must needs haue And it followeth shew me thy sight because the bridegrome was desirous to see the face of the Church as I shewed you before in the holes of the rockes and in the secrete places of the stayres and to heare her voyce or rather his because otherwise the wordes of God cannot be acceptable vnto her neither is it possible for her to find her husband by any other meanes for thy voice is sweete and thy sight comely here we see the goodnesse of her louing spouse towards her For without all question it is indeede his voice and his words which the Church speaketh and to conclude all that the Church hath is his but why then calleth he it her voice thy voice is sweete because we should know that his voyce is common betweene him and the spouse for Christs voice is nothing else but the ministerie of Gods word in the Church so that alwayes Christs words do concerne and regard the Church and the good of the people It followeth and thy sight comely We are to obserue in these wordes that whereas euery one is knowne by his face that the Church here in this place is said to be known by her sight face or countenace Now the face of the spouse is the righteousnesse of the iust I meane the beleeuing iust of the light of whose countenāce it is written to the end that they may turne the hearts of fathers vnto their sonnes and the vnbeleeuers vnto the wisedome of the iust And whosoeuer hath this wisedome walketh not after the will of man but after the
the liuely words of the holy scripture which do pearce euen to the soule and the thousand bucklers or targets are the hoped for helpes and succours of Gods diuine prouidence by the which he doth so much sustaine and releeue his seruants that it is not possible that they should bee ouercome or ouerthrowne Thy two breasts Finally because hee meaneth not to proceed so far in this place as to speak of her girdle after he had spoken of her head and neck he addresseth himselfe to say somwhat in commendations of her two breastes wherby is meant the doctrine of both the old and new testament then the which there can bee nothing imagined more pleasant more amiable or more profitable and he likeneth them to two young roes because as they do lightly leape and skip vp and downe so the doctrine of both the old and newe testament is spread abroad throughout the face of the whole world their feeding is said to be among the lillies wherby are signified the faithfull amongst whom there is alwaies abiding the loue charity of the Church which feedeth that is to say recreateth her this loue doth remaine for euer in her full state perfection among the faithfull But what is the food wherewith she feedeth thē It is the food of the spirit and word of God for because the Church doth alwaies feed on that food which shall make her strong to perseuer and continue out vnto the end Moreouer the faithfull people of God are fed and nourished with faith and loue of the Church but howe long are they fed after this sort vntill the day breake that is to say to the end of the world and that the shadowes of errors mens inuentions and all the workes of darknesse do flie away And Christ may rightly then bee sayd to come vnto vs when he helps vs and to go away from vs when he takes all hope of help and succour from vs. Now the spouse as long as she is in this world is not without tribulations and crosses and doubtlesse she would soone perish and come to nought if Christ shold not come to her to comfort strengthen her with the power of his spirit and therfore the Bridegrome speaketh vnto the Church as if he did speake vnto a third person saying I will go into the mountaine that is to say I will indeed helpe thee which arta mountain of mirrhe a hill of incense that is to say so full of my sweete ointments as a mountaine of incense and mirrhe Thou art all faire my loue there is no spot in thee Thou art c. He commeth then and slacketh not to come vnto his welbeloued spouse for he is no lyer to say that he will come and not to come he saith thou art all faire there is no spot in thee How faire how without spot or blemish by the bountifull and beautiful presence of the immaculate son of God and for the sweet smell of his ointmēt wherwith he hath perfumed vs and hence it is that the Church is called a mountaine of mirrhe a mountain of incense because that she albeit in her self and of her selfe she is most miserably foule black as any blackamore can be yet notwithstanding in her bridegrome Christ most amiable admirable faire pure without spot in Christ because he wipes away all her spots blots by forgiuing her her sins and imputing them no longer vnto her The Text. 8 Come with me frō Lebanon my spouse euen with me from Lebanon and looke from the top of Amanak from the top of Shenir and Hermon from the dennes of the Lyons and from the mountaines of the Leopardes 9 My sister my spouse thou hast wounded mine heart thou hast wounded mine heart with one of thine eyes and with a chaine of thy necke 10 My sister my spouse how faire is thy loue how much better is thy loue then wine and the sauour of thine ointments then all spices 11 Thy lippes my spouse drop as honey-combes honey and milke are vnder thy tongue and the sauor of thy garmentes is as the savour of Lebanon The Commentarie Here in this place we are to consider thus much that by the foure hilles of Israell is to be vnderstood the vocation of the Church of the Gentils vnto Christ her husbād which is called that she may not dwel any longer with Lyons Leopards but may be freed frō the power of thē that is to say that her body may not bee torne in peeces with the cruelty of bloudy tyrants or distracted by the diuersity variety of wicked sects but that she being reduced brought from heresie errour to the true vnderstāding of the faith may make one true Catholike Church of all the elect which are gathered assembled together of all nations tongues and kingdomes of the earth as who would say This my beautifull spouse flyeth vnto me for refuge not only from Libanus but from all the corners and quarters of the earth eschuing the subtilties of Sathan and treacheries of false teachers and heretikes such as they haue meditated and thought vpon lying on their beds to destroy and annoy the Church And in that he saith that his heart was wounded wee are to note the greatnesse of his loue which he beareth towards the Church which he for good cause calleth his sister and spouse first because shee is become his heauenly bedfellow partaker of the benefit of his celestial bed and secondly because hee vouchsafed to take flesh and put on mans nature vpō him that he might be our naturall brother The eyes of the Spouse are the iudgements proceedings of the holy Ghost the necke is faith and the chaines about the necke the workes that are done in faith Againe the spouse hath two eies whilest she liueth in the flesh to wit the iudgemēt of the spirit the iudgmēt of the flesh the first pleaseth Christ greatlie the secōd displeaseth him as much as the former pleaseth him because it is cōtrary to the former which the church shal be quite cleane freed frō when mortifying the old man she runneth vnto the tabernacle of the bodie by death Furthermore she is said to haue two chains about her neck the one a chain of hypocrisie that is to say of seming good works that issue forth frō faith one of these chaines the bridegrome loueth and the other he hateth to the death because it is a sinfull chain wherefore he saith thou hast wounded mine heart with one of thine eyes that is to say with the iudgemēt and vnderstanding of the holy Ghost and with one of thy chaynes that is to say with the workes which come from faith hast thou wounded mine heart that is to say thou hast done things very gratefull and acceptable vnto me and hee repeateth these words of wounding of his heart twise to make knowne and declare the singular great loue which Christ beareth towardes his Church
gone away from her that is when he doth not fulfill all her desires do all that she would haue him for to do she rehearseth the wonderfull workes of God and laudeth the great power force of his word saying my soule shall go forth when he speaketh The speech of the Bridegrome is his worde which speaketh most absolutely in the hearts of the faithfull by the operation and working of the holy Ghost and as soone as the faithfull mā heareth the soūd of these words he beleeueth and trusteth in them and his heart or soule goeth foorth because hee renounceth and denyeth himselfe and all that liueth or is within him for Christs sake and the soule may be truely sayd to go forth at the voyce of the bridegrome which leeseth her voyce and life and all that euer she hath for him but whosoeuer doth so shall be sure to keepe them vnto eternall life So then it is all one in effect as if the spouse should speake after this sort so amiable and effectuall is the voice of my welbeloued husband that I am wholly bent and intent vpon him still looking and following after him It followeth I sought him but I could not find him What should the spouse of Christ be by the delights and ioyes of Christ but readie to seeke him and runne after him and this with as much hast and diligence as may be Thus then she maketh diligent search and inquiry for her husband continueth still seeking of him but he withdrew himselfe from her would not suffer her to find him out although she desired it so as nothing more for albeit she puffed blowed labored till she swet againe to find him out yet she could not find him till he manifested himself vnto her which may be foūd at any time so that a mā haue faith which faith cōmeth frō God the giuer of al good things Neuerthelesse it pleaseth him for a while to withdraw himselfe from the flesh to the end that it may be more holy and more sanctified Againe the spouse addeth these wordes I called him but he answered me not She calleth the Bridegrome because she hath neede of his fauour and help and desireth it most earnestly he answereth her when he granteth her the desires and petitions of her heart but she saith that her welbeloued answered her not when shee called him Because he did not presently yeeld vnto her request by giuing that which shee asked for oftentimes it so commeth to passe that God doth not presently bestow that on vs which we desire at his hande because indeed by withholding and withdrawing these things from vs for a certain time he maketh vs to bee more earnest and willing to seeke those thinges according to the institution prescript of his word The Text. 7 The watchmen that went about the citie found me they smote me and wounded me the watchmen of the walles took away my vaile from me 8 I charge ye ô daughters of Ierusalem if you find my welbeloued that you tell him that I am sicke of loue 9 O the fairest amōg women what is thy welbeloued more then other welbeloued what is thy welbeloued more then another louer that thou doest so charge vs The Commentarie Whiles the Church was thus earnest in the pursuit of her welbeloued the watchmen and those that went round about the citie found her thus perplexed and by them we are to vnderstand those which are Bishops and chiefe-priests in name and word only being indeed so far frō shewing where Christ is and comforting the weake consciences of the ignorāt people with the words of life that they do rather beat the spouse and vexe the Church as the euill seruants in the Gospel did afflict and beat the rest of their maisters family and fellowseruants whiles their maister was abroad in a forraine countrie These be the men that lade men with an infinit number of humane precepts and commandements these false teachers tooke away her vaile from her When vnder the pretence and pretext of true religion they became destroyers or corrupters of the word of God by taking it away out of the Church to the end that their owne doctrines might take place The words of the Spouse vnto the virgins I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem if you find my welbeloued that you tell him that I am sicke of him I charge you The faithfull spouse of Christ being wounded beaten spoyled and depriued of her owne garments and being now altogether out of hope as a man would say to find him in the doctrines of men yet neuerthelesse for all this she ceaseth not to call vpon him and seeke after him neither wanteth she any desire or godly affection to stirre her vp vnto the earnest and vehement pursute therof for it is most certaine that the elect of God are so inwardly prouoked and stirred vp vnto those things by the meere instinct of the holy Ghost that they would rather chuse to die a hundred times then once to leaue off from doing those things Wherefore as the spouse could learne nothing of the false teachers and enemies of godlinesse which carried a great shew of pietie learning she turneth her selfe vnto those which of her knowledge made no great shew of knowledge and learning to wit vnto the young maydes and daughters of Ierusalem signifying the faithfull and godly sort liuing here in this world which are accounted fooles and deuoyde of iudgement of the world And it is most euident that hereby they are meant because the daughters of Ierusalem are alwayes taken for the faithfull whom the Church chargeth that if they find Christ they would be a meanes vnto him for her to obtaine his loue by telling him that she was sicke of loue and languished for the desire of him which is the greatest desire the elect can haue because they do both seeke to find out Christ together with the spouse and also desire him to help and succour them at all times houres The virgins words vnto the Spouse O the fairest among women what is thy welbeloued more then other welbeloued what is thy welbeloued more then an other louer that thou doest so charge vs It is not possible for the young virgins the Churches best beloued vnlesse they first heare to vnderstand what his state and condition is wherefore here in this place they do aske after his condition and qualities demaunding what he is Wherefore the faithfull people of God doe earnestly desire to receiue instructions of the Church and bee informed of her what is her welbeloued for it appertayneth onely to the Church to define of these things prouided alwaies that she doe it by the tenour and prescript of Gods word which is her onlie life and rod of direction how he was begotten of the father before all ages and how in the fulnesse of time he came into the world to take the Church to be his spouse sauing and redeeming her
rough and filthie barke because shee is yet a sinner hauing not crucified the olde man but being alwayes subiect vnto aduersities stormes and troubles aboue on the toppe of the tree that is to say in Christ the head of the Church there bee manie fine heights and breadthes and workes of charitie stooping euerie way vnto the necessities infirmities of her neighbours and brethren here are to be gathered most sweet and pleasant fruits because there is nothing more pleasant and sweete then the loue of the Church and as it is said the Church is the palmetree which our sauiour Christ went vp into when hee powred downe his heauenly graces from heauen Againe hee went vp this palme-tree when more particularlie hee reuealed vnto his faithfull the knowledge of his maiestie And hee tooke hold of the boughs therof that by touching of him he might giue them some influence and cause them more and more for to prosper and encrease The breasts of the Church are compared likened vnto the clusters of the vine because as there are many stones in a cluster of grapes so true and perfect charitie is not idle but bringeth foorth many godly workes The last commmendation which hee giueth of the spouse is of the roofe of her mouth which is the taste and feeling of Gods spirite which is like the best wine because it is most pleasant in taste comfortable to the mind and without any mixtion or infusion of anie strange liquor maketh a man drunken after a most profitable and wholesome kinde of sort The Text. 10 I am my welbeloueds and his desire is towards me 11 Come my welbeloued let vs goe foorth into the field let vs remaine in the villages 12 Let vs get vp early to the vines let vs see if the vine flourish whether it hath budded the small grape or whether the pomegranates flourish there will I giue thee my loue 13 The mandrakes haue giuen a smell and in our gates are all sweet things new and old my vvelbeloued I haue kept them for thee The Commentarie The wordes of the Spouse vnto the Bridegroome These are the wordes of the spouse directed vnto the Bridegroome containing thus much in effect As long as I endeuour studie to please thee so long I may perswade my selfe most assuredlie that I shall want nothing And furthermore that hee will loue embrace me as his most deare spouse and louing married wife according vnto the holy and godly lawes of matrimonie because my desire shall bee towardes him Come my welbeloued let vs go foorth into the field let vs remaine in the villages Fieldes vines and villages are out of the towne within the towne hurres sturres tumults abroad a man may finde rest and quietnesse but at home that is within Gods Citie to wit the Church we are to looke for nothing but stirres and tumultes either whiles she is tossed vp and downe and vexed with the care of prouiding thinges necessarie for the welfare of the Church or in making continuall warre and fight with olde Adam and the wicked and shee is saide to goe foorth when shee is deliuered and freed out of the handes of them or when she can be most willing and content to suffer and endure all manner of rebukes for the testimonie of a good conscience or for Christs sake reposing all her trust and confidence in God and vtterly distrusting her owne workes or merits Afterwards she may bee trulie sayd to remaine in the villages when she hath the benefite of Christs peace Earlie in the morning that is to say when she is illuminated and lightened thereunto by Christ because all thinges must be done in his name and in his name we are to seeke for the flower of true faith And the grapes which are not yet fully ripe are the works and deeds of faith which are saide to be greene vnripe or somewhat sower because as long as wee liue here in this wicked world and carrie about vs this frayle and brittle flesh there remayneth some dregges of imperfection in vs. And furthermore it is sayd that they went to see whether the Pomegranates did flourish that is to say they did seeke and inquire after many good workes done in good and orderly sort likewise we may vnderstand hereby the well ordered and gouerned congregations of the faithfull which are red with charitie and this is the onely order and method to be obserued of vs in gouerning and guiding the works of the Church that all thinges be done and ordered according vnto the prescribed rule and Canon of Gods word for otherwise howe can they be said to be ordered at all The violets haue giuen a smell and in our gates are all sweete thinges new and olde my welbeloued I haue kept them for thee So then the Spouse goeth vnto the villages with Christ that is to say by his meanes shee commeth vnto the full fruition of true rest and tranquilitie because the violets which do most commonly growe abroad in the fieldes are taken for the faithful whose place and habitation is in the fields that is to say in peace because as they are sometimes oppressed with the tumultes of the Citie that is to say assaulted with diuerse and grieuous temptations so at another time they enioy such rest of minde and peace of conscience that they seeme to haue arriued at the hauen of all happinesse and to be safely brought vnto the pleasures and delights of the countrie It followeth And in our gates are all sweet thinges to wit in the gates of our villages which are these iustice righteousnesse hope the grace of God wisedome a cleane heart and a pure vnderstāding because the faithful do remaine and dwell in these villages most peaceably and securely and the gates of these villages or towres are these faith and trueth together with the feare of God which is the beginning of wisedome and these are for the most part common with Christ and the spouse and therfore he calleth them our gates Round about these gates and villages there is great plentie of good workes growing which are to bee reaped when the haruest and seasonable time of charitie commeth The eight Chapter 1 O that thou vverest as my brother that sucked the breast of my mother I vvould finde thee vvithout I vvoulde kisse thee then they should not despise thee 2 I vvill leade thee and bring thee into my mothers house there thou shalt teach me and I vvill cause thee to drinke spiced vvine and new vvine of the pomegranate 3 His left hand shall bee vnder mine head and his right shall embrace me 4 I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem that ye stirre not vp nor vvaken my loue vntill she please The Commentarie The wordes of the Spouse vnto the Bridegroome OH that thou werest as my brother c. Christ is as it were a brother vnto those that are of the congregation of the faithful as hee saith in the third chap of Mark.