Grace I stood so Fair That as a Princely Spouse with Royal Air Surround'd I Favour found And His Delight Is now to Honour me with Spousal Right Chorus A Description of the Supreme Kingdom of Christ under the Parable of Solomon's Royal Vineyard King Schelom had a Royal Vineyard plac'd So that Hamon's Name its Grandeur grac'd Princely Abundance that Great Name Imports This Schelom could not Grasp within the Efforts Of his own Eye though Greatest Wisest King With Caution therefore that each Farmer bring A thousand Silverings He Lets it out Thus to his State the Circle runs about The Fruits in Silver thus return'd supply By Right th' Expence of Schelom's Dignity The King While This some shade to th' Royal Vineyard gives That I call Mine as Paint gives to what Lives How Dark yet and how Dead are still the Lines How short of the Great Life For my True Vines With their whole Plat are always in my Eye Each Keeper that I place I will stand by And by my Eye Guide All No Errour shall So much as in a Point this State Appall For as my Saints alike my Vineyard keep So I Them All whose Eye 's ne're chain'd by sleep Chorus The Thousand then whole Glories perfect Sum To Thee the Great the Schelom True must Come Two Hundred without hazard Run Reward Those Thou acceptest as thy Vineyards Guard Now as the Parrity Aggrands the Rate So that no Loss can be Blesses the State How Royal is't that the chief Shepherds Ten Two as reward Communicates For when Old Salem's Priest-hood Decimate but one In Ten to a Community the Tone Of Bless'd Salem's Priests is stretch'd alike And to each Saint twice one in ten doth strike For when Ten Hundred to the King doth Rise Two Hundred to each Saint He doth demise For ev'ry Saint's a Priest and keeps the Vine Himself The Vineyard by an equall Line Rises from every Vine So the Reward Runs Equal to this Equal Priestly Guard This is Essential Glory yet Degrees May vary as in Light the Stars One sees The King Oh Thou that in the Gardens yet dost Dwell Which to Mount Paradise of God shall swell In Beauty and in Fruits Now Now that All Is thus prepar'd My Spouse I 'de hear thy Call Ecchoed by every Saint in Harmonie And then I Come I quickly Come to Thee The Spouse My Voice Lord Jesus Thou shalt hear thy Bride One Spirit Tunes to say with Holy Pride At such a Day Approaching Come yea Come As youthful Harts and Roes on Hills do Roame With Bounds so Quick that ev'ry where They'reseen Thou on the Spicy Mount without all screen Of shade be seen let no Dark Spot appear Unguilded by thy Lightning Quick each where So let the Redolency of thy Air Perfume each Point and no Ill Blast empair Those sweetest Breaths Now be there no Delay Haste thee Lord Jesus Come yea Come Away Thee to Annoint the Mount of Spices Grows And to an Endless Royal UNGUENT Flows THE EXPOSITOR'S CONCLUSION THough not in Babel's Land but Babel's Times This Sion's Song I sing As its sweet Chimes I Skill not to Tune High So the Repike Of untun'd Ears its True sounds back do strike With Disacceptance But One Decad more Of Years to Light springs Prophecies deep store Then will a New Composure soon Enflame Each Salem's Daughter to Rechant the same Then I Great Schelom's Humble Poet whom Contempt now Locks into a silent Tomb Shall by the Comment of those Brighter Days Rise better Understood and Crown'd with Bays This in Diviner Warmths I dare Predict And if before that Time My Soul 's Relic't Lye down On it This Epitaph let Sit IN PROPHECY ON SONG OF SONGS HE WRITT To Him be Glory by Jesus Christ for Ever Amen FINIS The end of the 70 years * At Cyrus his first year the same 3459 when began Daniels 2300 Even Morn and after 75 years of the words going forth the 70 weeks of years The same 33. and 34 years The beginning of the 1260 Days It is done It is done Christ says The Answer of all Notes explaining the Senſe. a Christ is plainly the Truth of what Solomon was the Shadow or Image And his Wives both Jewish and of the Gentiles most especially Pharaohs Daughter are fit Emblems of the Church Notes explaining the Senſe. b A Prayer for the Assistance of the Divine Spirit in so mystical a Book Notes explaining Words. 1 Solomon from the Hebrew Schelomoh Notes explaining the Senſe. c Allow this a Prophecy as undoubtedly it must as hath been set out in the Preface and it must be above all the Names of Prophecy in the world Notes explaining Words. 2 The great Pagan Prophetess suppos'd yet to foretell Christ Notes explaining Words. 3 Heathen Oracles struck dumb by Christ the Great Pan or Shepherd as Plutarch witnesseth Rev. 19. 9. Notes explaining the Senſe. d It runs from David to Christs Supreme Kingdom Notes explaining Words. 1 Holy Veils or Likenesses in Parables Notes explaining Words. 2 Make famous Notes explaining the Senſe. e The Song hath great Sense even where the Types are lowest and plainest Notes explaining Words. 3 Full of Sense Notes explaining the Senſe. f There is by the several words used My Love or Beloved by the Spouse my Love or Companion Spouse Sister Spouse by Christ and Persons of a Third or middle betwixt both and calling Christ the King a plain distinction of the Persons viz. The Spouse of the King the King the Chorus or Quire of Saints g The kisses of Christ's Lips are a most proper Emblem of David's time because David was so eminent a Prophet and King and the Pen-man of so excellent a Book of Scripture so full of Divine Truth as the Book of Psalms wherein are also so great discoveries of Christ's Kingdom Notes explaining Words. 4 or Quire Notes explaining Words. 5 Grieves with Notes explaining Words. 6 Rejoyces with Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth Notes explaining Words. 7 A rich Drink Notes explaining Words. 8 Flowes out Thy Love is better than Wine Notes explaining Words. 9 Mutual Discourses Because of the Savour of thy Good Oyntments Notes explaining Words. 1 Christ Dan. 9. 25. Notes explaining Words. 2 nam'd Notes explaining the Senſe. h This Symbol also of Oyntments is most proper to David God's Annointed whose Anointing with holy Oyl and to an Everlasting Kingdom is so often mention'd in Scripture from which Annointing Saul was rejected Now all this referrs to Christ the true Prince David or Messiah whom David though his Son in spirit calls Lord. Thy Name is as Oyntment poured out Notes explaining Words. 3 Small Motes flying from Bodies Notes explaining the Senſe. i An Emblem of which were those Songs of the Women Saul hath kill'd his thousands and David his ten thousands 1 Sam. 18. 7. k Solomon a Prince of Peace had this the great Glory of his Reign That he built the Temple elegantly here call'd Chambers viz. of Love and State l Wine is an Empharical Symbol or Representation of the Dedication of the Temple with those magnificent Feasts The remembring of the Love of Christ more than Wine implies Solomon's Fall into Idolatry and yet the sincere
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Divinely Prophetick SONG OF SONGS WHICH IS SOLOMONS Beginning with the Reign of David and Solomon Ending in the Glorious Kingdom of our Lord JESUS CHRIST Adjusted to the Expositor's Line of Time and Illustrating it And Composed into VERSE By T Beverley London Printed for the Author 1687. THE PREFACE TO THE Exposition of Solomon's Song by way of Justificacation that the Exposition ought to be Prophetical THAT This Book of Holy Scripture hath been under a high Character of Honour in the Church of God and hath Imprinted an Awe and Veneration of it self upon the Minds of Wise and Holy Men is out of doubt both among Jews and Christians It is enough known that the Jews prohibit any to read it till the Sacerdotal or Thirtieth Year of Age Now though this may savor of an over Fear which in Religious Matters dwells at the next door to Superstition Yet still it shews of how sublime a Majesty and Estimation this Song appear'd to them And with the same profound Reverence all Christians approach it who have any serious Sense of the Dread due to Sacred Oracles This Thing therefore is not of any doubt But it is a Question of much greater Intricacy and Perplexity what the drift scope and design of so uncontestably a Divine and Spiritual Song is The generality of Interpreters look upon it as a Catholick seat or Universe of Allegories representing the Mystical Communion betwixt Christ and his Spouse the Church and every Believing Soul in it Now although I defer as much as Any of the most Devoted to such Holy Spiritual and Heavenly Meditations as are deriv'd with Advantages of Piety and Prudence from this stupendious Allegory Yet I cannot for this very great Reason Rest in that Expository Sentiment that makes it the grand scope of the Holy Spirit to give Rist to such Meditations And this is my Reason All parts of Scripture have some so limited determinate defined scope and end that they cannot be misled from it by any Interpretation But it cannot be imagin'd or with any semblance suppos'd that from this Song there can be drawn a Frame or Platform either of the state of the Church or of particular Souls in Relation to their Communion with Christ or of Religious Discipline or Rules of Life that should traverse and cut with variety of Motions backward and forward that so Indefinite variety that these so manifold both new and repeated Emblematisms require If then there be not a Frame and Model to stint and confine Interpretation this Song must be left to the differing Phantasies of all its Interpreters how many soever and nothing left to controll or correct them who do but keep to the general Analogy of pious Sense and natural Knowledge For when the whole Universe serves the Images of thiâ— Sacred Poesie and that every Sprig may some way resemble God It may consequently be made serviceable to some spiritual Meditation and moral Document and so proportionably seeing the Communion betwixt Christ and his Church is of the same Divine Spiritual and Holy Nature every Particle of Nature used in this Song shall be subject to as many Descants upon it as there are Ingenies to extract them agreeably to that foresaid Analogy of Faith and common Philosophy And so the Song and the several parts of it unstable as Water having no consistent Figure of their own shall receive sâ—ape from every Vessel the Interpreter brings to it But it surpasses my Understanding or Belief that so infinitely Wise and divinely Prudent an Author as the Holy Spirit should write in such a Laxity as this Known to whom are all his Works of Scripture from the beginning to the end and all the various Censures and Senses each Iota of them shall undergo and hath supreme and determinate Counsels of his own which shall Over-rule them all And so in this Song And indeed if this Liberty and Largeness of Interpretation were allowed It would yet be never possible to give any decent and congruous Agreement betwixt the Spouse of Christ and a Company of Horses in Pharaohs Chariot Teeth like a Flock of Sheep bearing Twins Eyes as Fish pools Locks bushy and black as a Raven that should express the Communion betwixt Christ and his Church without some other Key of Interpretation that keeps the whole Tight to such a Frame and Model of things as was before desir'd There are some Interpreters therefore though so very few as hardly to escape the Note of singularity and of very Venerable Name who have understood by it a portraicture of the various States through which the Kingdom of Christ hath pass'd in relation to his Church and so reciprocally of his Church in relation to his Kingdom And from these I confess I receiv'd the first Thoughts that such a Table is most agreeable to this Divine Composure And herein I am not asham'd to acknowledgde I have borrowed most light from that very Admirable Man Mr. Brightman with whom Mr. Cotton that great Light of the Church of God in New England Symbolises And yet I have retired from them in a careful Avoidance to press these Divine Figures too hard lest wringing them should bring forth Blood or to make the pursuit too far lest the Exposition should be too curious and minute For in all Prophetical Expositions I think there is most safety of Truth in resting upon the Bulk and Body of Scripture Prophecy and of History when only Humane History leads the Application but when Sacred History conducts it One may be much more bold or where the Instance is singular and notorious as in Antiochus Epiphanes And as I have retired in these particularities of Interpretation from those two by me so honoured Expositors of this Song so I have as freely dissented from them wheresoever I see Reason And upon this occasion I take liberty to make this Digression and to observe It is a very frivolous Undertaking to attempt to blâ—st the Interpretation of Prophetical Interpreters as of Mr Mede Mr. Brightman and that to me above all others most Indear'd Name of the most Learned Pious and Honoured Dr. More on Daniel and the Apocalypse and Others Because either Events have not answered their Calculations or because they differ among themselves For herein is the great Mistake Men are angry These Prophetical Expositors do not as inspired Writers give Oracles Whereas God may wonderfully and beyond the ordinary standard assist his Servants in some grand Points to bring Light into the World and to make great Efforts into the retired parts of Scripture viz. the Prophecies and yet leave them in many Particulars to the Fallibility of their own Minds and so to Mistakes For this is the Distinction betwixt the immediate Assistances of God vouchsafed to the Sacred Pen-men and Those whom he leads by the Mediation of their own Learning Search and Judgment To the one He dictates wholly from himself To the other by an Excitation of their Faculties to
make a due Inquiry and then to adjoin themselves to greatest Evidences of Reason Together with which he may as he pleases extraordinarily awaken inject infuse into their Minds but so that the whole Assurance they have depends upon Evidence and all they claim to of Assent is upon the same Evidence where this then fails Mistake ensues and Assent is not due From hence it follows As they may mistake so they may differ and One be in the right upon better Evidence where another is in the wrong upon no Evidence or insufficient Evidence Or Both may be Right or in an Errour on the same accounts and yet Both these may be in great Things eminent Ministers of the Truth of God to his Church and agree therein being excited and conducted beyond the ordinary level of Men to attain Evidences true and firm in such Points where the generality yea where very few enter at all And therefore those Mistakes and Differences shall not in the least invalidate the great Truths wherein they have Evidence and wherein they Agree For all is to be valued by Evidence And Ignorance Inapprehensiveness Want of Diligence in others in Trying and Judging these Evidences to distinguish between Mistake and Truth and their Rejection of all for want of such Infallibility and Agreement makes no alterations in things themselves which neither will deceive nor can be deceived And withal observe here are no more Grains of Allowance required in this Case than in all kinds of Learning Knowledge Science and Arts in the World which do not proceed upon Infallibility nor determine in any greater Universality of Consent No not Theology it self beyond the very express Assertions of Scripture If Men have a greater Antipathy and Aversion to make out after to try or to receive Prophetical Knowledge and to think it Reason enough to do so because Men mistake and differ which same thing they do in all things and though their Agreements in grand Points as in all other Cases is so valueable It cannot be helped till a better State of the World cure this so general Malady But to return from this long but most necessary Digression upon this Occasion Although I do with all Thankfulness acknowledge the Helps I have received yet I humbly avow with lowliest Thanksgivings to God I have proceeded upon these peculiar Grounds deriv'd from his Word alone I find no way of Interpretation so like to Circumscribe and Define the Sacred Sense of this Song as a Prophetical Course of Time which the Church passing through under the various Elevations and Depressions of the Kingdom of Christ it becomes capable of these so various Pictures And as in the Course of Time God requires and calls back what is past into wonderful Agreements with what is present and to come upon which Solomon says There is no new thing under the Sun So in this Song supposing it such a Table of Time the Figures and Allegories in which those past things are pourtray'd may be requir'd and repeated For the States come to be repeated in their likenesses also and so the old Emblems are often recall'd and no new ones chosen for them 1. This then laid in the Foundation I farther observe From the very Beginning to the End of this Song there are under the Emblems of Spices of sweetest Smell and richest Perfume couch'd a preparation to a Royal Annointing in agreement with the Great Title of Christ Messiab or Annointed and also in allusion to Paradise the Palace Royal of his Kingdom in all these there is a Designation of his Kingdom who is the Bridegroom and the Beloved of his Church His Spouse and Bride which makes this Song Panegyrical or Inaugurative 2. Again therefore I observe There is from the Beginning to the End of this Song a constant Design of drawing all the Preparations to a Marriage and Nuptial Solemnity by the holiest purest and most ardent Affections and all kind of Ceremonies and Retinue and Courtship for Espousals and for the Glories and solemnization that agree to the Nuptial Love and Honour Christ is pleas'd to put upon his Spouse and Bride the Church And that as Marriage which is a great Mystery as the Apostle says speaking concerning Christ and his Church was instituted in Paradise and there had its Beginning So in the Paradise of God it hath its Complement and Perfection Now hereunto agree the so often mention of Flowers Gardens Virgins a Bed Espousals and innumerable the like by which this Song looks so like an Epithalamium or Marriage-Song between Christ and his Church Revel c. 19. c. 21. 3. Further Because as the Grandeur of a Kingdom was by the Ancients addulced and sweetned with the Emblems of the Tenderness Care and Propriety of a Shepherd in his Flock and that the Entertainments of Love and Amorous Contemplations were agreeable to the Shepherd's Life Therefore in this Song there is so often mention of Kids Sheep Goats Roes and Hinds Lyons Leopards Roes and Hinds of the Field of a wilder Race of Shepherds and the Mountains They and their Flocks walk upon whereby this Song hath so much of a Pastoral in it 4. And lastly Because Enemies are oft to be overcome before Kingdoms can be enjoyed in Peace and Lustre there is therefore so often mention of Valiant Men Arms Armory and Armies by which this Song becomes Heroic and Triumphal And all these things are drawn into Song according to the general Usage in ancient Times to Compose into Poesy both their Wars the Glory of their Kings and also their Amours and Pastoral Divertisements From these Considerations then we may have a general prospect and view upon the Frame and Model of this Song and so as to fix it and not leave it to the Pleasure of every Mercurial Phantasie 5. Seeing every Course of Time that is to be limited and circumscribed and pourtrayed as in a Model and Table must have a Point when it begins and when it ends and a medium or middle Line in which it runs along I observe there are great Inducements as possibly we can desire to begin the Song in David who was the first Royal Ancestor of Jesus Christ the King of his Church and the most Eminent Typical Messiah or Annointed of the Lord Annointed with holy Oyl A King raised from a Shepherd to be so wherein he was as it were by Education fitted to a Pastoral Government and prepared to become the sweet Singer of Israel in agreement so far with this Song and a most renowned Warrior who Atchieved by Conquest his Kingdom and was therein eminently a Prophet and a King and not without some providential Resemblance of a Priest in being girded with the Priestly Ephod before the Lord Thus every way in so Eminent a Personage this Song was to begin who was so great a Type and also in his Psalms so great a Prophet of Christs Kingdom as therein to give the Kisses of Christs mouth as he in his several Annointings
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
in the Red Horse of War in the Apocalypse and given in Daniel but in the way of Appendage to the Cutting off the Messiah But most fully given Ezek. c. 16. c. 23. To Conclude as I humbly Beg the Prayers of All who have Favour for Endeavours in the Clearing of Prophecy So I most Humbly and Ardently Pray for Blessing from Above upon what is here Presented that we may Read and Understand this Prophecy and may wait and come to the End of the 1335 Days For the Time is at Hand A TABLE OF THE GRAND EVENTS Relating to the Kingdom of Christ and the States of his Church from the Kingdom of David begun to his own Glorious Appearance in his Kingdom given in this Song AFTER the general Argument Solomons Preface and the Expositors Preface p. 1. p. 2. Years of the World 2949 Davids Reign began and with Solomons Reign made eighty years p. 3. p. 4 5. Years of the World 3029 Jeroboams Reign and the parting of the Kingdoms p. 6 7. Rehoboams Reign p. 8. Asaes and Jehosaphats Reign p. 9. The Reign of Ahaziah Joash Amaziah omitted in the Genealogy of Christ compar'd to a bundle of Myrrh in the Night p. 10. Abiiam Joram Ahaz Manasseh before Repentance Amon those worst Kings bundled with Uzziah and Jotham and Manasseh after Repentance as Camphire or Cypress giving some sweetness p. 11. Hezekiahs and Josiahs Reign p. 11. The Reigns of Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeconiah Zedekiah p. 12 13. Years of the World 3389 The Captivity of the seventy years beginning in Jehoiakims sixth and seventh years p. 13 14. The return of the Captivity p. 15 16 17. Years of the World 3459 The setled State of the Church under Ezra and Nehemiah p. 17 18. The division of Time by the Mountains of Bether before and after the Captivity p. 19 20. Antiochus Epiphanes making the Sanctuary desolate according to Daniels Prophesie and the History of the Maccabees p. 21. The Recovery of the Temple-Worship and Christ in it till the Incarnation p. 22. Years of the World 3987 The Incarnation of Christ p. 24. Years of the World 4020 The Death and Resurrection of Christ p. 25. Year of Christ 33. 34. A Description of the Apostolick Church p. 26 27. The Ascension of Christ p. 28 29. The sending down of the Holy Spirit p. 29 30. The Gentiles call'd and becomming a Sister Church p. 31. The Gentile Church becoming as the only Church and the Jews under silence with the Scripture Admonitions in that case p. 32. The sealed Time entring wherein the Kingdom of Christ is stay'd and the State of the Churches under the Apocalyptick Symbols of Ephesus and of Smyrna under the Heathen and under the Christian Emperours p. 33 34 35 36. Of the World 4424 Year of Christ 437 The Apostacy of the Christian Church under the Church of Pergamus symboliz'd in the Revelation p. 37 38 39 40. The distribution of the 1260 Days of the Witnesses Sackcloth the Woman in the Wilderness under the Gentiles 42 months and the Beasts 42 months knitting one into another and becoming equal with the 1260 dayes p. 41 42. Year of Christ about 1400. The Description of the Churches true Beloved in the Church of Thyatira in opposition to Antichrist p. 43 44 45 46. Year of Christ 1527 and forward The Churches of the Reformation Thyatyra Sardis and Philadelphia searching for the Beloved and call'd Protestants p. 47 48. World 5684 Christ 1597 The State of the Philadelphian Churches Interval or the last 75 years of the 2300 p. 49 50 51. The calling of the Jews of the two Tribes p. 56. The Spouse praises the Jewish Body coming into Vnion with it p. 58 59 60 61 62. The Jews return thus distinctly plac'd the Song returns to the one Spouse so grac'd who now speaks p. 63 64. The earnest desire of the Church for the Personal Appearance and Reign of Christ in Humane Nature p. 64 65. The Appearance of the Ten Tribes as on the sudden p. 65 66. The Spouse concerning those Ten Tribes newly return'd and the Answer of the Ten Tribes p. 67 68. Year of the World 5759 Year of Christ 1772 A Description of the supreme Kingdom of Christ under the Parable of Solomons Royal Vineyard with a Conclusion comprizing Christs Incitation of his Church to desire his Appearance and the Churches Prayers for it like the end of the Revelation p. 69 70. Cant. 8. 13 14. Revel 22 17 20. compar'd Cause me to hear the Companions Hearkning to thy Voice Make haste my Beloved and be thou like a young Roe on the Mountain of Spices The Spirit and the Bride say Come Let him that heareth or hearkneth to this Voice say Come ALL SAID Come Lord Jesus come quickly The Argument AN Exposition of the Divinely Prophetick Song of Songs which is Solomons The Epoch or Beginning of which is to be Fixed at David's Unction Year of the World about 2950. or Annointing into the Kingdom of Judah and Israel who was the Grand Typical Messiah The Period of this Song is in The Glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ the True Solomon King of Peace King of Glory the Son of David the Only True Messiah In a Prayer for this Kingdom This Song of Solomon Jedidiah the Beloved of the Lord Ends Thus Make haste my Beloved And be Thou as a Roe or a young Hart on the Mountain of Spices chap. 8. ult Even as the Beloved Daniel Ends in the Blessedness of that End of Dayes Dan. 12. ult And the Beloved Disciple John in that Prayer Even so come Lord Jesus shuts up his Revelation The Exposition is compos'd into Verse in Imitation of the Divinely Inspired Poesie in which the Holy Spirit Dictated it to Solomon The Persons speaking are The Spouse of the King The True Church The King himself Jesus Christ God-Man The Chorus or Quire The Saints of every Age. The Sacred Text with the Times of each Stanza or Canticle of this Song Adjusted to the Expositor's Line of Time and Illustrating it is given with short Marginal Notes for the Explication of any Difficulties in Words or Sense Solomon 's Preface Chap. 1 ver 1 The Song of Songs which is Solomons THis Divine Song of Songs To Solomon belongs The Type to Solomon The Life to Christ alone The Preface of the Expositor MAy th' Holy Breath now fill my humble Sails That swell'd King Schelom's Thoughts with first born Gales While Sp'rite Divine did th' Royal Phant'sy steer He sung the Song the World of Songs can't Peer A Song that Sacred Senses Enterweaves With Prophecies so high that Sybils leaves So fam'd to Ballads dwindle in Compare Or silenc'd Oracles This does declare That Princely Stem whom David's Kingly Root From Low Beginnings did in Schelom shoot 'Bove Earthly Kings and still in David's Son And Lord much higher lifts true Solomon Till Heaven opens and on Skies he rides Triumphant and all
The False Prophet so intimate to and united with the Beast speaks as a Dragon Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 Those three Churches make the Order of the Reformed Churches Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 It is not possible the state of the Reformation could be more notably described than by this Portraicture of Christ and the Churches harkning to it and seeking after Him This State shall last till the Year 1697 as is made out by the Line of Time Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The one Church of the Reformation is Represented by three in regard of different Circumstances and especially different intervals of Time in which first Thyatyra then Sardis then Philadelphia have the ascendency successively and all with a Continuance near to the Glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 The Reformation of the Church of Thyatyra Rev. 2. 18. attended with Burnings alive Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 The Protestants of Hungary France and in other Popish Countries are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the remaining sufferers till the Kingdom of Christ in every Eye to this Day * Revel 3. 24. Notes explaining the Senſe. 6 How far those Sufferings may spread over other Protestant Countries is known to God who knows the Secrets of all future Events Notes explaining the Senſe. 7 A certain Blessed End we know but what may fall out before is as to particulars concealed though we certainly know Then shall be a Church of Thyatyra of Sardis till the approach of Christs Kingdom Notes explaining the Senſe. 8 How much clearer and brighter shall Christianity and the knowledge of the Churches be when that Morning Star appears Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 Sardis is the state of the Protestant Churches where they are protected by States and Laws and so is ready to believe there is not to be a higher and a more glorious State of the Church in the World except its undefiled Names who look principally to the Appearance of Christ and bewail the Low State of the Church till then Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 Philadelphia rises out of the Suffering Saints in Thyatyra and those undefiled Names in Sardis who cannot be satisfied in any present state of the Church but wait for Christs coming It is settled upon the pure Laws and Ordinances of Christ resting upon the consent of Christians in that and in his Power and Favour working this brotherly Love of Christianity however it come to have the Favour of Princes and States also after it comes to its Interval Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The Synagogue of Satan is that which rises out of the worst part of Sardis that contend hard for the old Antiquity not resting wholly on Gods Word and finding fault for want of Fasts Feasts Episcopal Power c. which is especially while the Church of Philadelphia is low and is not come to its proper Interval Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 The great Dispute hath been about Jurisdiction or the Power of the Keys Christ will resolve that by shewing this supreme Key of David 5 Philadelphia being as was said a Church that lyes scattered in the suffering Protestants of Thyatyra and the undefiled Names of Sardis its Door is endeavoured to be shut and not to be acknowledged by the Synagogue of Satan they are zealous for the Rites and Customs of the Primitive Church for the four first Centuries and would reduce all under pain of Excommunication and all severe Penalties to that Time not considering the Apostasie rose gradually from thence 6 But when Philadelphia comes to its proper Time Christ shows David's Key His Key of Supreme Jurisdiction and that Synagogue sits low and learns of Phidelph And All of the Reformed Churches seek Christ together Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 All Protestants agree concerning Christ the only Head and Supreme of his Church against Papal Tyranny but they differ'd where he was to be found whether in the present Order and Government of the Church or in a greater Glory of his Kingdom Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 It hath been look'd upon hitherto by too many as Faction and Schism to desire a greater Reformation of the Church than we see yet Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 When the Kingdom of Christ comes to be Proclaimed at 1697 it shall then be agreed by all the Reformed Churches to seek Him and wait for his coming in greater Glory Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 With how great Elegancy is Satan's Synagogue which gave the Elevation of the Apostasie in Smyrna again parallelled to that Over-zealous Contention to bring things in the Reformed Churches to that state again as the most perfect state whereas the Apostasie rose out of it but to show Christs Favour to all of the Reformation He brings these to acknowledge their Errour and to acknowledge also Christs Love to a Church settled by his Word and not by Antiquity which is here by this Song given in the Daughters of Jerusalem waiting so long to hear the Description of Christ's Person e'er they all agreed to seek him with the Philadelphian Church as we shall find they did agree in the following Chapter The Chorus by Salem's Daughters Whither is thy Beloved gone Oh thou Fairest among Women Whither is thy Beloved turned aside Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 Here is the very Worshipping of the sleepy Sardians even superstitiously fond of Antiquity at the Feet of Philadelphia express'd by owning her the Fairest of Women by seeking Christ with her as the True Spouse That we may seek Him with Thee Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Revel 3. 2. the Things that remain are properly Express'd by Remainders in order to the Kingdom of Christ which were to be strengthned in Sardis as ready to dye My Beloved is gone down into his Garden Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 It cannot but be observed by every Thoughtful Reader that the Account the Spouse gives of Christ Return'd is just opposite to the State of the Apostasie before Chap. 5. to v. 9. To the Beds of Spices Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 Before Christ had come into his Garden as a Time past and then could not be found To Feed in the Gardens and to gather Lillies Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 He had Eaten and gathered c. and left all to other Beloveds Now He is again returned to the Beds of Spices and to gather Lillies I am my Beloveds Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 Before the Church had put off its Coat and wash'd its Feet and could not open to Christ now it saith I am my Beloveds This is in Revel c. 14. 1. the Servants of God having his Name on their Fore-head Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 Before the Church could not find Christ now Christ is the Churches 2 It is very observable ch 2. v. 16. These Words are us'd but in another Order then it is first said My Beloved is mine For in the Captivity the Church was under Judgment not under Apostasie So the first Remarkable was Christ Return'd to his Church in Mercy which thereupon cried out My Beloved is Mine Here the Church having been under Apostasie Expresses first its own Loyal Return to Christ I am my Beloveds And as that was the Triumphal Note of the Return from Litteral Babylon so now with this Remarkable Alteration it is taken up again as the Motto of its Return from Spiritual Babylon And He is mine Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The constant Allusion of this
Power Endless guides Fix then the Foot of Schelom's Inspir'd Layes In Regnant David's first Annointed Dayes And there of Right For there the Olive thriv'd Into a Scepter and its Oyl deriv'd From hence those Holy Concerts are display'd Which 'twixt True Schelom and his Church are laid Wherein its Hieroglyphicks are carv'd out Through every Stage of Time and which Redoubt Its State not such oft-times as Poets paint Their Beauties in not in the vulgar Quaint Of Phancy but in Images low plain Divinely sensy solid free from vain And yet so High no mortal Quill can touch Nor Mysteries in humble Phrase so couch This Song is enterchang'd 'twixt th' Spouse and King Who turn it round as 't were in Holy Ring The Choir of Saints informes censures approves Condoles conjoyes as each occasion moves The Spouse David 's Reign of forty Years LET thirsty me now drink the Christal Breath That from his Word like Kisses followeth While Israels sweetest Singer with Harp skims The tuned melting Air The Nectar swims Around my Lips with Raptures all Divine More Rich more Vivid than the flavour'd Wine While Truth in Streams it self thus Disembogues As chastest Kisses Loves sweet Dialogues I own them and from Him whom my Soul loves Who all His Favours into Life improves Oh thou the True Annoint'd Messiah hight Thy God-like Oyntments give thy Name the Right Thy fragrant Atomes draw the Virgin Souls Seiz'd with thy Holy Flames they meet in Sholes Within thy pure Embrace piercing the Type Of thy Grand Sire and by that Conduit Pipe Arrive to thee Great Saviour whose large Wing Shaded thy Father who of Thee did sing With highest Pleasure and with strongest Trust thou 'dst raise His Scepter with himself from Dust Solomon's Reign 36 years from the Temple begun 40 in the whole But though thy fragrant Oyntments Virgins win To thee the bloody Fields and Camps within Yet more them move The Rooms of Love and State Chambers in Schelom's Temple Emblemate Where greater Freedoms of Thy Love Thy Grace May former Scenes of Misery efface The Goblets crowned with the lusty Wine Did not at th' Dedication so Refine Our drooping Spirits as Thy nobler Love The Characters of which what can remove Not Schelom's After-fall no tempting Feasts On Idol Sacrifices Our warm Quests Still Thee alone pursue no foolish Fire Of Ast'roth Milchom Chemosh us inspire The Upright love Thee and recall Thy Love However Schelom with his Pleasures move Chorus But even He repenting to this Point Thy Self return'd Ecclesiast Anoinct And so Atton'd this Song of Songs He sings As Royal Prophet mount'd on Heavenly Wings Leading thy Spouse through all its Shades and Vales Till in thy lasting Arms He it Empales On Mount of Spices where this Song is drown'd Rather with lasting Hallelujahs Crown'd Thus happy were the Davidean Days Thus happy Schelom's till His Fall deep lays The Ground of future Woe the lasting Schisme Of Tribes united in the Holy Chrisme The Church is still but One for Truth for God Are only one Churches under one Rod Are therefore gather'd One However styl'd By th' differing Names of People where they 're Fil'd Thus does the Church in Jeroboams share Of th' Ten Trib'd Kingdom celebrate its Care To be reputed Those whose Lips whose Knees Ne'r kiss'd ne'r bow'd to Calvish Deities Thus does the Spouse in those unspotted Souls With Reason mourn The Spouse Jeroboam 's Reign While I in sable Stoles Look black Through coursest shades my Beauty shines My graceful Meine the thickest Clouds Refines While Tyranny secludes me from my Love Shrin'd in his Temple Grant I seem to move Like Kedars Tents yet whil'st my Worship 's Pure Still Scheloms Curtains as my Guard ensure My Chast Embraces Let no scornful Eye Dwell on my tawn'd discolour'd Physnomy To Salem's Daughters do I now appeal That they all rigid Censures would repeal ' Cause near Baal-Sun I 'me plac'd Too close his Beams Have plaid upon me in his scorching Gleams Th' angry Tribes have set me t' enforce my Care Of Vineyards Churches wild and strange I dare Not own But Guardian of my onely Own Idolatry encircul'd with a Crown Forbids me Oh may this deep'â—st Claim To latest Ages sound and Purge my Name Tell me my Love Thou deep Love of my Soul From thy own Lips I 'de hear 't No feign'd Escroul Shall me seduce when superstitious Rage Pursues like Noon-tide Beams and would engage All to it self My Love where is it then thou d'st have thy Flock to Feed and Rest For when I would not lewdly stray and Prostitute What 's Sacred to thy self at the false Suit Of those would be thy Rivals I 'm in fear How to secure my Faith and Love and where I ought to wait thy Presence Tell me now What I my Love from Thee alone would know The King Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. r The Answer of Direction is To do all they can to keep close to the Church of God and the Temple at Jerusalem being so fix'd by God as to be the onely place of true Publick Worship and it shews That where Worship can be true and pure the most Publick and United is best This is signified by the Foot-steps of the Flock and the shepherds Tents or the Priests Residences in the Temple at Jerusalem in Attendance upon which they were to bring up their Children Oh fairest Beauty of the Female Race Thy Chastness not thy Ignorance I Grace If thou know not O thou fairest among women For since thy Faith thy Love led by my word Is true to me thy Saviour Husband Lord If thou know'st not what eas'ly may be known As where my Word is there 's my Flock alone So where thou find'st my Flock to numbers swell And where my Shepherds in their fix'd Tents dwell Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy sheep besides the shepherds tents There do I choose my Rest with two or three Where with my Word more cannot yet I 'll Be Thou knowest Salem hath my Temple now Its Chambers as with Tents my Priests endow My Flock is folded there whose frequent Print Guides thee the Shepherds Tents thy motions stint Where as by Natures instinct thy soft Kids May learn to Feed as Holy Order bids Chorus Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. s The ten Tribes have only this short Description of their state being by degrees loft from the true Church till they are Restored as those ten Tribes at the approach of Christs glorious Kingdom wherein they are described chap. 8. 5. and Ezek. 37. This is the Image of the Ten-Trib'd state Till it 's so long Assyrian Notes explaining Words. 1 It s banishment from its own Land
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
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