as the moon cleer as the sun and terrible as an Army with Banners Hitherto of the elder Church and of things as well past as present All the rest of the Treatise respecteth things to come which the more obscurity they have the more leave and pardon they crave But nothing is so plain wherein the vanity of maâ—s minde erreth not extremly unlesse it be governed by divine light nor any thing so concealed that it can lie hid if this enlighten him Thou therefore which hast enlightned the former darknesse give light unto these following that we being taught thy will and beholding the glory of thy children may cheerfully and constantly proceed iâ— our begun course of piety neither terrified by any dangers nor deceived by the deceitfull allurements of this world It plainly appeared before Chap. 5. 6. that by this manner of asking is declared the new birth or rising up of some Church by which afterwards thrice repeated is signified to be so many arisings of new Churches or rather the approaching of new people to one and the same Church Although others also are added whose aâ—â—cription is not declared in this kinde of speaking as we shall see in its place Therefore wee divide the younger sister into three parts whereof the first which is the Princesse is described from this vâ—ry place to the fifth verse of the eighth Chap. The sâ—cond from thence to the ninth verse The â—hird in the tenth and eleventh verses thereof The first of the sisters is the Church of the Iewes whose calling is to be expected within these few ages After the seat of Antichrist the City of Rome shall be utterly destroyed which is to be very shortly Hither all circumstances leade wherewith the Revelation agreeth and many Prophecies of the old Prophets This calling shall be doâ—ble the first from hence to the eighth verse of the seventh Chapter The second in the rest The condition of the first is in part briefly delivered in this verse and after severally in the verses following The generall explication teacheth what kinde of beginning and progresse there shall be for certain yeeres The first conversion shall be like the morning The first growing age faire aâ— the Moone The stronger age cleer as the Sunne The full strength thereof terrible as â—n Army with Banners It is likened to the morning because it shall not only be of a doubtfull and obscure light as is the first break of the day but also because the first light thereof fâ—all appeare from the East for Daniel speaking of this first calling saith Rumors out of the â—ast and out of the North shall troublâ— him Chap. 11. 44. as more plainly God willing shall be said at that place In which words â—e joyneth the North to the East because the Jâ—wes there banished should gather together with those of the East to the same faith of Christ In the Revelation Euphrates is dried â—p that a way may be made for the Kings of the East Chap. 16. 12. After when the new Ierusalem shall descend from heaven the first gate â—â—ull be Eastward Chap. 21. 13. If you desire the time of this first coâ—version God hath very much concealed the moments of time from us yet I suppose it is certainly noted out in the Scripture And the day drawing neer will adde a cleerer light unto it Dan. 12. 4 c. But as neer as we can attain to it by conjectures and those not light as they seem to me it is to be expected about the yeer 1650 as at the twelfth of Daniel the eleventh and twelfth verses shall be said more plainly Such shall be the beginning of this new light the progresse shall equall the beauty of the Moon most cleerly enlightening the mighty darknesse with a swift increase after the first appearing shining in a few dayes like the full Moon as Esay cryeth out Who hath heard such a thing who hath seen such things shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day or shall a nation be borne at once for as soon as Sion travelled she brought forth her children Chap. 66. 8. The riper age shall strive with the Sunne in glory light and cleernesse the exceeding brightnesse shall be such that it cannot be looked upon yea it shall be â—t length terrible to the enemies no lesse then an Army â—â—rnished with Banners We may observe out of these comparisons how much more excellent the condition of this Church shall be then ever it was of any other Great was the dignity of the former but at the most declared by similitâ—des taken from the earth but here as if the excellency of â—arthly things were not sufficient to set forth such glory he â—â—ies upward towards heaven taking the Morning the Moon and Sunne for comparisons Come Lord Iesu let us quickly see that pleasant sight the gathering together of our dispersed brethren that all flesh may acknowledge thee the only Lord that thy unmeasurable faith and mercy which exceedeth all the straits of a created minde may be celebrated and renouned in the mouthes of all men Vers 10. I went downe into the Garden of Nuâ—s to see the frâ—â—sâ—s of the Vallie and to see whether the vine flourished and the 〈◊〉 â—â—dded The second part of the description expresseth severally what was spoken even now generally Hereof are two members a prepâ—ration in this and the two next verses and the performance of the worke effected in the chapter following Of the first member â—â—e three degrees A visitation in this verse sufficient abilitie in the next and an effectuall calling in the 12. verse That which we translate to the garden of Nuts Tremelius turneth it to the garden of Prâ—ning How is the word fitted The Iewes a long time have beene pruned gardens wherein God hath exercised most severe loppings and prâ—nings Rom. 11. 20. Neither doth this interpretation differ from the disposition of the Iewes whose hearts were brawny with hardneâ—â—e Rom. 11. 25. whose stubbornnesse and obstinacie Esay most divinely describeth Chap. 42. 18 19 20. He calleth that people deafe and blinde hearing and â—eeing much and observing nothing neither laid they the most grievous châ—stâ—sâ—ments to heart ver 25. Also Chap. 6â— 2 3. Rom. 10. 21. The fruits of the Vally another note whereby the Iewes are marked out that they are as it were lateward trees bearing fruit very slowly such are they that are planted in vallies which the hills every way so hinder that they cannot be refreshed with the heat of the Suâ—â—e Such then shall Christ finde the Iewes when he shâ—ll visit them like Nuts covered with a hard shell neither more excellent with any branch or bud of true conversion towards God whereby they may shew themselves to be indâ—ed with any vitall strength from heaven then trees planted in the sâ—adow of steep rocks which other trees â—â—ourishing remain as half dead yet are there among that people both vines and Pomegranâ—tes The hard winter as yet keepeth
and Synagogues For they which raged so much against others which confessed him somewhat more freely what would they not â—o to him himself for whose cause they were so violent against others Ioh. 9. 22. But these people will not only open the gates that the King of glory may come in but will lead him through the streets and set him highest in the midst of their assemblies The same manner of speech we met with before Cap. 3. 4. which we interpreted of his coming in the flesh otherwise his mothers house is the Church as we saw in the first Chap. vers 17. Thou shouldest teach me Tremelius referreth it to my mother which teacheth me The words beare it but the Aâ—tithesis requireth such exposition as I have made The Iewes very much frequented the Temple they boasted themselves to be the white sonnes of their mother the Church but of the doctrine of their brother the man Christ there will be great difference between the old and these They could not abide to heare Christ preaching these will hearken to his voyce only they will draw their doctâ—ine from this only Well they will preferre themselves no other manner of life and salvation but him alone Lastly whereas she will give him spiced wine to drinke thereby he teacheth how far the new people shall differ from the old in cruelty They mingled him vinegar and gall to drinke Maâ— 27. 34. These shall tremble at such barbarous wickednesse and in stead of that most bitter cup shall invite him to most generous wine of Chast and fervent piety Their excellent forme and beauty could not be better painted out then by the opposite deformity of that old and degenerate Synagogue the fruit of the Pomegranate may be referred to some principall men among the Iewes who shall apply all their authority to advance religion c. Vers 3. His left hand should be under my head and his right hand should imbrace me The love of the Bridegroome which resteth most pleasantly in the bosome and imbracing of the Church thus settled he shall carry the Bride in his armes and shall keep her safe and sound from all troubles as before Chap. 2. 6. but that the Church was never before so well adorned and protected by the divine power as in this last renovation according to that of Ieremy Chap. 16. vers 14. 15. and of Esay Chap. 43. verâ— 5 6. The exceeding glory of Gods presence shall then obscure all former memory how famous or renouned â—oever Vers 4. I charge yee O daughters of Ierusalem that yee stir not up nor awake my love untill he plâ—â—se This betokeneth the perpetuity of this love and condition as before by the same kinde of oath he alwayes declareth a settled estate of the Church for some long continuance here are no Harts and Roes of the field to disturb the peace of the Church as when shee living among enemies had neer her by Gods just judgement revengers of their revolting but now the Kingdome shâ—ll be yeelded to Christ for this is the time wherein the stone cut out without hands c. Dan. 2. 34. 44. 45. and 7. 27. For in this Kingdome all enemies shall be far removed or rather taken away altogether so that the Church shall for ever hereafter live free from feare of them Then all things shall attaine their own ends and that whole Mystery Revel 10. 7. and 16. 17 It is finished which was foretold by the Prophets for hitherto belongeth their sacred Oracles Neither doe they further mention any notable change till our Lord shall come from heaven For this is that fulnesse then which nothing can be farther expected on earth which seemeth to be manifested by this removing of all causes of disturbing the Bridegroome hereaftâ—r Let us then leave the Christian Church of the Jewes most flourishing till Christ Translate his hence into heaven Verse 5. Who is this that commeth up from the Wildernesse leaning upon her beloved Iraised thee up under the Appletrce there thy mother brought thee forth there she brought thee forth that bare thee Hitherto hath beene spoken of the first younger daughter Another sister followeth for by this kinde of inquirie we have twice seene a new arising of some Church to be shewed And of this is a double state declared the beginning in this verse the progrâ—sse in the 6. and 7. The name of this Nation which commeth up from the wildernesse me seemeth may easily be supposed out of other places of the Prophets As Esay chap. 19 23. c. wherein he treateth of the calling of the Assyrians and the Egyptians for though many of either Nation were in former times indued with the saving knowledge of Christ yet that small number was nothing to this great assembly now spoken of Hither belongeth that of Ezek. 47. 1 2. and Ioel cap. 3. 18. See Numb 25. 1. Zachary extendeth the limits of this kingdome from sea to sea Cap. 9. 10. and from the sloud to to the end of the earth for the pride of Assyria c. Zach. 10. 11. Wherefore this Church shall be that whole bordering Eastern Region Arabia Chaldea Babylonia Assyria and Persia and those inmost corners of the East The waters flowing into these Regions is the course of the Gospell wherewith they shall be watered leaning upon her beloved sheweth her great familiarity with him as lovers are wont to cast themselves into the bosomes of their beloved and whereas she was raised up under an apple tree we learned before that the Apple tree betokeneth inferiour Magistrates under whose shadow the Bridegroome covereth his Church as under Tamarisk and lower trees the high and loftie Cedars being cut downe Chap. 2. 3. 4. Wherefore the first infancie of this Church seemeth to be governed by some inferiour Officer who though in the beginning there wanted the chiefe Princes authority yet by his labour and diligence he shall bring it to passe that the seede of the truth sowen shall spring up into the light that men may behold it yet it seemeth more likely that this Magistrate should be given them of the Jewes to whose rule bordering Regions shall obey And therefore this Church is raised up under an Apple tree because it shall be ruled by such Government Vers 6. Set me as a seale upon thine heart as a Seale upon thine arme for love is strong as death jealousie as cruel as thâ— grave the â—oales thereof are coales of fire which hath a most vehement flame Such was the beginning The progresse shall be famous for her marvellous and earnest desire of piety which is most elegantly painted out in her desire and the reason thereof Her desire is that she may be as a seale on his heart and arme as a note Printed with a seale whereby the impression of it might be aswell deepely fixed inwardly in the minde as appeare alwaies outwardly to the sight wherein she desireth that she may cleave to him as the figure is wont which
come to his garden and eat his pleasant fruit The Resolution VVEe saw in the end of the former Chapter how the Bridegroome was adoroâ—md in the solemnization of his marriage Now the beauty of the Spouse is shewed by hâ—r Eyes Teeth Lips Temples Neck Breasts vers 1. 2 3 4 5. The praise whereof at length is stayed by passing to a greater perfection Vers 6. And hitherâ—â— of the legall Church and the Euangelâ—call the beginning of one joyned to the end of the other Now of the Euangeliâ—all Church full and perfect what a one it should be after our redâ—mption by the death of Christ and his resurrection Of this Church in the rest of the Canâ—icles â—s a double description divided and â—â—njoyned The first considereth the pâ—ouâ—ar and different Churches which should be upon â—arth 〈◊〉 the second coming of Christ which for the more plainnesse we cull them sisters the one â—lder the râ—st younger sisters Wee call her elder and first begotten which was conceived and brought forth in the Disciplâ—s whom Christ collected which forthwith after his resurrection increased wonderfully and is yet growing inour this time The younger shall spring up in the last age of the world which we yet exspect The eldest is described in a diverse fortune flourishing decayed and restored Flourishing V. 7. 8. 9 10 11. Decayed partly inclining to ruine in the rest of this Chapter partly lying dead in the whole fifth Chapter and restored at length in the beginning of the sixth THE EXPOSITION Vers 1. Behold thou art fair my Love beholâ— thou art fair thou hast Doves eyes within thy lockes thy hair is as a flock of Goates that â—ppear from Mount Gilead IN the last verse of the former Chapter was taught how the solemnity of the Marriage began Now the Bridegroome in his own words sheweth how the Bride was adorned All which is but to let us see the state and condition of the Church which Christ himself chose present here in earth whos 's first arising was like a pillar of smoak but after he began his office he came forth in a most divine glorious shew as sliding from heaven She is first commended for her eyes by the sight wherof is often understood Indgement and Uâ—derstanding for the which she was commended by Christ himself who published those eyes blessed that saw the things which the Bride then saw Luke 10. 23. He also gave thanks to his Father that hee had hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to Babes Luke 10. 21. Her eyes were Doves eyes that is chaste and shamefast looking only on her own Husband as appeared by the words of Peten himself when others fell away declared he knew not whither else to go Iohn 6. 68. yet though these eyes were cleer they were within her locks that is they were so covered with harre that the brightnesse thereof was somewhat hindred the multitude of the faithfull being contemned and despised This Dove like chastity of the Bride was so covered that she seemed a disorderly company to thâ— proud Pharises Do any of the Elders or of the Phariâ—es believe on him but this common people which know not the law are accursed Joh. 7. 48 49. Yet this sight was not so sharp at first but grew by degrâ—es it was alwayes pure and true buâ— small in the beginning They were ignorant of the death of Christ much more of his resurrection his doctrine also was oftentimes little understood Are yee not without understanding Mat. 15. 26. Neither doth he upbraid them only that once with ignorance and dulnesse their haire scatteringly and disorderly hanging hindred their sight Her second praise is of the haire it self that she might not be thought deformed by it Now this haire betokeneth the whole multitude of the faithfull of those times fitly set forth by their number her comparison to a flock of goates may be understood if I be not deceived partly of that which goeth before and partly of that which followeth Before the godly Israelites scattered through the ten tribes are called Goates Chap. 1. 8. Whose flocks are said to be lesse and thinner because they scatter themselves and keep not together as sheep do As Varro saith in his second book of husbandry Christ indeed had many hearers but few amongst them which truely believed of many called few were chosen The head whereon the faithfull depend is Christ which was thought then to be with as great danger as the Goates hang on the sides of Mount Gilead or any other steep hill or rock If any did confesse him to be Christ he should be cast out of the Synagogne Iohn 9. 22. Therefore Nicodemus durst not be seen in this mountain of Gilead in the day time Such was the condition of the Church at that time her pietie quick of understanding and chaste but covered with hair and hid from the world not having yet obtained ripenesse it was yet thinne and reproachfull not daring to joyn together without great danger Vers 2. Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheep that are even shorne which come up from the washing whereof every one bear twinnes and none is barren amongst them These teeth compared to a flock of sheep are the disciples of Christ whom he appointed as faithfull and wise disposers to give every one of his houshold their allowance in due season Luk. 12. 41. They must also be strong and of a kinde of bonie nature to whom the care was committed of preparing and as it were chewing meat for others the better to digest it These sheep are even like the cherubiâ—s 1. King 6. 25. If it be asked why Christ sent his twelve Apostles two and two to preach instructed all with like power of teaching of working miracles c. Mark 6. 7. It was because he would truly set before us the two golden cherubims just of the same length breadth and largenesse of every part equally So that Peter was not more excellent then the rest but there was one commune administration one authority one jurisdiction And the same measure had the 70. Disciples afterwards both among themselves and among the twelve whom he also sent out two and two with the very same Laws and commandments which the former had Luk. 10. 1. The disciples came up from the washing instructed by baptisme cleansed from all filthines of â—in by faith in Christ Lastly their fruitfulnesse is declared by every one bearing twinnes and none barren among them This belongeth to the fruit which followed their preaching for the disciples having performed their message returned with joy because the devils were subject to them by that name which they declared But Christ sheweth them of a larger fruit which they durst not hope for I saw saith he Satan as it were lightning falling down from heaven As if by some violence at the voice of the Gospel he had been driven out of his Kingdom Luke 10. 18. Vers 3. Thy lips are like a thread
of scarlet and thy speech is comely Thy temples are like a peâ—ce of a Pomegranate within thy locks The lips figuratively do signifie speech whose praise is twofold slendernes and colour As small as a thread as red as scarlet which two shew the doctrine of those times As in form it was most pure sincere and mâ—st divine therfore compared to a small silk thread So the matter in a speciall manner setting forth his death is compared to scarlet Who would not kisse and reverence those lips which spake not of the earth but of heaven from whence they came Iohn 3. 31. 32. Blessed were those times which sounded with the voice of God himself when all his words were dipped in scarlet and all his doctrine as it were coloured with blood by often mentioning of his sufferings Mat. 16. 21. c. But these you will say are the lips of Christ himself and noâ— of the Church He is the head of this body and therefore the Church then spake with his lips He that heareth you heareth 〈◊〉 and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. And thy speech is comely This some translate Thy solitarines is to be desired for the word in the originall signifieth both which word it seemeth the wise Salomon useth advisedly to signifie both for though his words seemed harsh to the Scribes Pharisâ—es â—scoming out of a desert stopping their ears at his wâ—rds â—â—e the deafe adder as it was foretold Psa 58. 5. c. yet their servants confâ—ssed that never man spake like him Iohn 7. 46. No marvell then though the godly hearers were so taken with his words that they oftentimes forgat to provide things necessary for themselves Mark 6. 36. Hitherto of the speech now followeâ—h of the Temples like a piece of a Pâ—megranate within her Locks The Temples are that part of the head which extendeth it self from either part of the forehead between the eyes and the ears even to the crown of the head and being next unto the head and placed above the eyes teeth and lips they seem to signiâ—ie those which are appointed to be Ecclesiaâ—ticall governours in the Church which â—hould refresh the flock with sweet and pleasant juice distilling from them with a fragrant smell like a piece of a Pomgranate Notwithstanding the Church in those dayes lived contemptuously in the sight of the world and as it were hid and covered as the temples are with locks of haire Vers 4. Thy neck is like the toâ—er of David built for an Armory whereon there hang a thousand Bucklers all shields of mighty men So were the lips and the temples Now the neck is compared to the tower of David This tower seems to be that in Nehemiah Chap. 3. 19 25 26. which is called The Armory of the corner The neck is that bond wherewith the head is joyned to the body Now that bond whereby Christ is joyned to the Church is partly of the Spirit partly of the Humanity received Ephes 2. 21 22. and 4. 16. and 5. 30. The spirituall is common to all things The other then first began when putting on our nature he lived here on earth which seemeth best to agree with the Metaphor in this place The beauty of this neck is set forth as well in regard of the end as of the use The end that it should be as a tower built to hang swords in that kinde of weapons wherewith enemies are beaten and vanquished The use that it might be an Armory for all mighty men As concerning the first He therefore took our humanity that the world the law sinne the devill hell and all the crue that fight against our salvation might be overcome and conquered Be of good cheer saith Christ I â—ave overcome the world Joh. 16. 33. The devill was foyled in many combates while the only begotten lived in our frailty he brought many large spoyles into this Armory immortall publishers of his divine vertue But this true Sampson by his death overcame his enemies he consecrated the sword of Goliah to the Lord and overspread and covered this whole Tower with spoyles In this triumphant Chariot he spoyled principalities and powers c. Col. 2. 14 15. These were the chains and collars wherewith the neck of the Church was adorned in those dayes The use of this Tower is that here should hang a thousand Bucklers and all Shields of the mighty These Armes are of that kinde wherewith every one is covered and defended All the ancient mighty ones which from the beginning of the world have triumphed over sinne and death have been abundantly supplyed with weapons out of this Armoury which was only faith in Christ as it is plain Hebâ— 11. through the whole Chap. Vers 5. Thy two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins which feed among the Lillies These two breasts are the Apostles and Disciples which Chrâ—st sent before him into every City and place whither he himself would come They were of a low condition and simple at first like young Roes new yeaned called from their nets to the office of teaching They were twins sent forth two and two all alike in disposition and manners many in personâ— one in doctrine see before verse 2. They spread abroad the knowledge of salvation through the whole Countrey as swiftly as the Roes are wont to run over the hills It was but a little time that they spent in their legacie yet left they nothing undone which was given them in command If you ask how these breasts were supplyed with milk which they should yeeld to others The young Roes feed among the Lillies In the company of the Elect which smell most sweetly and pleasantly in Christ for such are the Lillies afterward Chap. 6. 1. they drew abundaâ—tly which they taught to others These things shall suâ—fice to declare the conditions of those times Vers 6. Vntill the day break and the shadowes fliâ— away I will get me to the mountain of myrrhe and to the hill of frankincense Here is the same time repeated which was spoken of Chap. 2. 17. The Jewes interpret this mountain of myrrhe the mountain of Moriah where Isaac was bound to be sacrificed Gen. 22. 2. and whereon the Temple was built in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floore of Ornan the Jebusite 2 Chron. 3. 1. Also in these few words is comprehended that whole History from Mat. 16. 21. unto the end of that Gospel Neither are these words I will get me without Emphasis for thereby is shewed that Christ ascended into this mountain of his own accord not drawn thiâ—her by force of enemies nor compelled by perswasion of friends for they rather exhorted him to favour himself Mat. 16. 22. and were moved with great grief at the mentioning of his death Iohn 16. 6. This Hill of Frankincense was Mount Golgotha whereon that only sacrifice was offered to God the Father
Universall Church is excellently declared by a dissimilitude taken from Salomon Salomon let out his Vineyard to others and received a large yeerly revenue from his Farmers But I saith the Bridegroom will take care of my vineyard my self I will not hire it forth And the fruit which I shall receive will be far larger then Salomons Much good do it him with his profits I do not enviâ—him Yet are they not to bee compared with mine Neither is it a new thing for Kings to hire out to others that which exceedeth their houshold store Morcerus interpreteth the twelfth verse as spoken of the Bride herself like as in the first Chapter and sixth verse she saith Shee was made a keeper of the vines and so she might be now againe except perhaps for ill lucks sake then the Bridegroom himself will hereafter undertake â—his care See Esay 65. 22 23 c. lest the peace of the Church should afterward be disturbed by some such like negligence Vers 13. O Thou that dwellest in the Gardens the Companions hearken to thy voice cause me to hear it This precept teacheth to what imploiment the Bride would give her self for ever They being subdued which durst to mutter against her and all things setled in most calme peace We have often told you that the precepts of this Song are prophesies of common affaires The bride is said to dwell in the Gardens after the same manner as before Chap. 4. 12. when by Constantines Authority shee was fenced by the safegard of the Civill Law but in those last times the Magistrates over all especially in the new collected Congregations shâ—ll bend all their force to defend the Châ—rch herein onely this shâ—ll differ from that because the first garden was closed with one wall their whole affâ—ires administred by one mans rule this new Garden as also that râ—stored Cha. 6. 1. shall be divided with many inclosures for the variety of Presidents which shall governe in severall provinces As concerning the Precept The companions that hearken are all the Citizens of the Church for then the Church bringeth it to passâ— that the Bridegroom may heare Her fellowes that is her citizens and particular Congregâ—tions when she sincerely delivereth the right way to beleeve in Christ and to worship God â—o that from her most wholsome instructions sins may be acknowledged mercy implored goodnesse preached and God in the end may receive his due honour This is that voice of the Companions wherewith the Bridegroom shall be delighted which from that time shâ—l sound in the Church for ever and which voice the Citizens learn to pronounce lâ—stning to the doctrine and instruction of the Church their Mother Vers 14. Make hast or fly hence my beloved and bee thou like to a Roe or to a young hart upon the mountaines of Spices It is the common desire in the Brides behalfe which is delivered in this verse for the Universall Church bâ—eaketh forth into these words that the Bridegroom should fly away into the mountaines of Spices What is she now weary of his presence whom with such labour she before sought being absent that shâ—e should so soone command him out of her sight No but when the Spouâ—e earnestly desireth that her beloved would fly out of the garden into the mountains of Spices it is as if shee should desire that leaving the earth he would return again to the heavenly fortâ—â—ssâ— for that meane the Mountaines of Spices Noâ— that she wishâ—â—h being alone and depriâ—â—d of his imbracings any longer to sticke in the filthy dregges of this world but that she earnestly desireth to fly hence her selfe together with her beloved and to come to the inheritance laid up for the Elect in heaven For she one of the Sisters which even new desired that shee might be â—ixed to his heart as a Seal could not endure this divorce to tarry â—ere behinde him This is all one with that of Saint Iohn Rev. 22. 20 Come Lord â—eâ—us differing a little in words Ioâ—n requesteth that the Bridegroom would shew himâ—elf to the world in the most glorious mâ—nifestation of his Majesty which is now covered from the eyes of the world at the right hand of the Father and so at length would put an end to all things The Spouse desireth that this Beame how brighâ— soever which shâ—ll then shine in the earâ—h would as it were collect his light and withdraw it self into heaven Either of them wisheâ—h the eâ—d but he defineth it by comming from Heaven she by departing from the earth Either of which we expect the comming first the departure after Hitherto goeth this divine Poeme but pointeth not out the last moment of time It is sufficient that it setteth forth the condition of the last Church more distinctly and exactly I suppose then any other part of the holy Scripture Many large and pleâ—sant Prophesies do ayme at the calling of the Iewes but here almâ—st all set up their marke but of the other Sisters coming to the truth by her help they make a more obscure and generall mention yet out of this interpretation it may be understood how false they are who set downe the end of the world at a certain yeer out of some limited number in the Scriptures especially if they compare this Prophesie with the Revelation and Daniel For that Resurrectioâ— Dan. 12. and Rev. 20. 12. Also that It is done of the seventh Viall Reve. 16. 17. appertaineth to the calling of the Iews So that where we exâ—ect the end of the world there we finde the beginning of a new Church which is not like to be for a day or a week or a short time The Angell expresly affirmeth to be far and wide spread Rev. 20. 5. 6. And giveth it a thousand yeers after the first Resurrection of the elder sister Now seeing the Church of the Iewes shall begin to flourish about 400. yeers after that Resurrection 600. yeers at least shall be left wherein she shall raign here upon the earth but how long after he only knoweth who knoweth all things I can light upon no mark or token of time that may give even the least conjecture Daniel saith after the destruction of the Turkish Empire which shall be dâ—stroyed by Conversion of the Iewes a space shall be given for the rest of the Beasts to live even for a time and a time appointed But this space is neither expressed neither perhaps shall the end of the World be joyned with the destruction of the remnant That therefore which hath troubled many as if that certain limiting of time which offereth it self in the Revelation and elsewhere should bring us to the end of all repressing or mollifying the words of Christ Mar. 13. 32. by interpretation may hence be delivered from this fear for all those accounts end either in the Iewes Conversion or if they goe a little farther whereof I finde only two which I have spoken of before they rather shew within what time