if You displease These Roes and Hinds as Wolves and Tygers seize You as their Prey Oh then let no Offence Till my Love please Him waken and Incense Let no false Sects presume to Antedate My True Love 's coming and awake Debate 'Twixt Him and Salem's Daughters till He come An humble Shepherd to his Flock and bring them Home The Incarnation of Jesus Christ set out by the Chorus of Saints While seven Decads of Prophetick Weeks Had almost run their Course what all Time seeks Some noble Product that may guild its Sphere Doth here Ennoble it One 'gins to appear No Age can second Wonder Fear Desire Are each its Harbingers Natures dull Fire Can no such Birth Calcine Incarnation Empales this Mysterious Generation All vulgar Style 's too low Schelom Wise King Inspir'd Divinely does this Secret sing By us who with profoundest Reverence Of Love and Wonder thus Caroll our Sence Who 's this that comes as from a Wilderness Unknown and unattended who 'll confess To Glorys hid'd Pillars indeed arise With him but still of Smoke which does disguise The flame of Ether oyl'd yet with Perfumes Of Myrrh of Incense Frank of all the Gumms And Powders that from far the Merchants bring Three Sages Homag'd thus the Infant King Far Richer yet in s native Glory He The Treasures of his own Divinity Thus rose the Miracles of his whole Life Where Cloud and Lustre still maintain'd a strife The out-side Meanness and the in-side Glory Enrich the whole most mysterious story Consider well the Bed where the Word lay 'T was Schelom's humane Nature which had stay Truely Divine Angelic Guards attend Who can this Sacred Bed safer defend Then Schelom's threescore Valiant Israelites Whom Skill and Valour shield ' gainst all affrights While they arm'd at all points defie the Dread Wherewith the Night can threat the Royal Bed This Schelom God with us His Body fram'd So rich with all the Graces that are nam'd That Schelom's Chariot of sweet Lebans Wood Which on its Silver Pillars firmly stood Founded in Gold and with the Purple crown'd Is Emblem faint this Myst'ry to expound But yet which all Types still excels in Grace While Schelom Salem's Daughters did enchase In beauteous Images throughout this State That thus Triumphing He might celebrate His love to them Great Schelom was inspir'd With hotter Flames which his whole Body fir'd Inâ—â— Sacrifice to Justice while He bore These Salems Daughters on his Heart and wore Their Names wrought into his with Love so high No parallel can e'er be found to Vye And in this Chariot thus inflam'd He rode In Triumph over Hell it captive show'd And as the Royal * Bathsheba receiv'd The Crown from David's Mouth that Schelom wreath'd With which to Salem's Daughter He espous'd Himself and swelling Bowls of joy Carous'd Thus Zion's Daughters Holy Souls come forth From meaner Thoughts to those of higher Worth Behold King Schelom risen from the Dead A Crown of Majesty Empales his Head His Mother Crown'd Him For to th' Womans Seed By promise of the Father 't was decree'd And yet his greatest Joy is to Espouse His Church till He his Crowned Glory shows In Seal of which this Eulogy of praise That follows next is like a Crown of Raies Set on his Spouses Head by his own Hand Whose Act no Gate of Hell can countermand CHAP. IV. The King A Description of the Apostolick Church in its Primitive Excellency and in the Calling of the Gentiles BEhold thy self my Love the Fair the Fair Alone my Blood my Spirit give the Air Of thy great Beauty while thy Doctine pure Thy Worship Chast a holy Life assure So that thy Eyes the Chrystal do excell Of the unspotted Doves and glistring swell From out thy Locks whose modest shade does Grace In mean Attire the Beauties of thy Face That while no Art does Curl in form thy Hair Of Pomp or Ceremony 'T is like the Glare Of Gilead's Goats The too Censorious Eye Of Jew and Gentile scorns thy Polity But I that value by their in side Things Can see thy Graces through those Coverings Thus clouded were the Glories of the Ark When the same Goats hair look'd so rude so dark The fruitful Mastication of my Word Is like the gainful Flock that serves its Lord With double Off spring and the lusty Fleece That falls so white so even in a Piece And when so even shorn when wash'd so white The Flock appears one entire sheet of Light The Chorus Now This whole Flock of Teeth so white so shorn Speaks Apostolick Pow'r in equal borne And does expose the falshood of the Dream That Peter in that Order was Supream By all with Peace and Parile order fenc'd The Food of Life was equally dispenc'd And equal was the Fruit For barren none Was found with all so great a Glory shone The King goes on My expiating Blood so soundly Taught Within thy Lips like Scarlet Thread is wrought My Cross those Graces gives thy Speech That Sense That shrinks the Pagan Wisdom's Eloquence To empty sounds Thy Temples are the seat Of soundest Judgment which prepares the Meat During to life like Food of Pomegranate In which Seeds as of Life accumulate Those enterweaves of Holy Order like The well-curl'd Locks all falshood that Repique Secures thy Temples Graces and thy Neck Which thousand Shields and Bucklers round bedeck Rising as David's Tow'r Bears up thy Head Chorus This is Truth seal'd with Miracles that shed It self into the Christian Church and arm'd It ' gainst its Foes and its Believers charm'd Into its Services All as Men of might To do or dye in defence of its Right But yet these Arms are Magazin'd not us'd As to their utmost Service but diffus'd Defence as yet not perfect Victory Still They 're design'd within this Armory And for the Banner'd Armies They 're prepar'd Then to each Use their Service shall be shar'd The King goes on The milky streams of Thy two Breasts as Roes Flow to all Parts and plenteously dispose To Jew and Gentile that so vital Juice Pure as the Lillies through that double Sluce Of the Two Testaments where as in Fields Thou feedest and that Truth thy motion weilds The King goes on The Ascension of Christ after he had by His Ministry His Death His Resurrection His Fourty Days giving Commandments to His Disciples prepar'd this so Praised Apostolick Church Now till Nights shades Shades of the Atmosphere Are flown and the bright Morning Star appear Breaking to Day I 'll hye me to the Hill Where Myrrh and Incense the whole Monntain fill The Heavens shall contain me till as now â— mount
the Heavens back again I bow In a serene and perfect Cloudless Day All shadows gone and darkness flown away Chorus The King Himself this brightest Morning Star By his own glorious Presence brings from far The Day so long Exil'd When He all Crowns Shall in his Kingdom swallow when the Frowns Of his bright Face as Thunder shafts shall send The Dark Kings with their Night to their black End So He ascends this Kingdom to receive And to return at time of Sacred Breve This in Parenthesis is interpos'd Amidst the Churches Praises and dispos'd On purpose so that thus the time made plain From Christs Ascension to 's Return again The flowing Cantoes might with Time keep touch And th' Churches various States fit Emblems couch First as its Spotless Apostolick state It self to Salvage Gentiles did dilate Of which how high the Sequent Emblems play Their Airs to listen is our next Essay The King goes on The sending down of the Holy Spirit Now when my Love my Hand hath form'd thee true To my own Image and I Thee endue By th' Holy * Paraclete sent down from Me As my Triumphant Bounty Ample Free With Gifts and Graces Oh Thy Fairest hue Thou Beauties highest point in this Review Dost spotless touch 'T is now thy Beauties clear Without a Blemish now Thou dost appear Like the first Church in Paradise compriz'd Which by the Serpent Fell Thou art repriz'd From th' Serpents Hand To stand see that thou choose Lest thy first Candlestick its Place should loose And now my Song of Love doth thee Enroll Into the state of Spouse Thy Nuptial stole My Gospel Graces are The Gentile wolds Come we 'll survey now which the Devil holds As Dens of Lyons and the Leopards mounts Although my Kingdom 's right by holy Counts From Canaans Mountains let us give them view Which lye within the Holy Lands purliew From Liban come my Spouse come thou with me From Liban come from Aman's Top look thee From Shenir's and from Herman's Brows with Eye Of Grace le ts look where Lyons Leopards lye The Chorus The Gentiles Call'd and becoming a Sister Church with the Jews First and after some Ages the only Church in view till the Jews Conversion Upon this Gracious prospect from the Hills The Sister-Church the following Cantoes fills The King goes on How soon I see a Sister Spouse arise So fruitful is the Favour of my Eyes How soon the Gentile Church that Sister-Spouse One Body with the Jews in my Love grows Thou art Adopted now one of the Eyes That does complete the Beauty its surprize My Heart transports as does that lovely Chain Which to the Head unite does thee retain In whole as by one Neck and still recalls Thy Name my Sister-Spouse which thee installs In Nuptial Rights so that thy Love enshrines Thy Beauty in my Heart 'bove richest Wines Which Sacrifices grac'd now out of date In this new Spoused Jew and Gentile State The Odours of thy Oyntments much excell The Spices that in Typic Unguents smell For Gifts and Graces are my Spirits Oyl To which most Fragrant Matter 's but a Foil The combed Cells which sweetest Honies fill Drop not the Pleasures Spouse thy Lips distill The staple Dainties of the Promis'd Land Honey and Milk are in thy Tongues Command The potent Flavors of Thy Vests confine Those fainter of the Mount Liban Chorus Thus Divine Influxes make the barren Wilds out-do An earthly Canaan and its Types out-go Its Doctrines Sufferings Graces all combine As sweetest Odours and the richest Wine For now the Jewish Spouse in silent shade Vales off this Song Ensuing Emblems laid Are in the Sister-Spouse Till all the Tribes First Two then Ten returning It describes So now the Gentile Church Great Israels Name Inherits as the onely Spouses claim But Fear Ingrafted Israel the fate Of native Branches Dread t' usurp the State Of Church so Catholick as if the Root Thou Bor'st from whence the Branches shoot And not the Root Bare thee a Branch at will Standing by Faith but pruned off if Ill. Or as without the Nat'ral Israel Thou Couldst be the Perfect Spouse Proud Fancies glow Thus in the Roman Breast Conceits its own Are Canoniz'd for Wise But Gents alone No more than Jews this Catholick can be Jews first split on this Rock and now Fear Thee Besides 't is now the Gentiles Times run deep While Jewish Church and State thus lye asleep Then in the Gentiles Times a Gentile Pest Will likely Rise a Gentile Church t' infest Of these Adopted Jews some false Christs Preach And Antichrists Supplants True Christ impeach The King Thou Gentile Church Thou Sister in a Spouse Thy whole Time in a Glance my Fore-sight showes A Garden Barr'd a Spring shut up a Fount That 's Seal'd throughout Thy Emblems I recount For when Seals open All my Kingdom strait Will open with Them But I patient wait Even till that Israel of which I come Joyning with Thee make up my Israels Sum That Time my Father set Successive seals Still therefore stay my Kingdoms just Appeals Each sealed Time I 'll Character to Thee Successions each in Order thou shalt see First Ephesus the Seat of Truth reveal'd Each Plant an Orchard of Pomegranates seal'd With Heavens Impress I depaint Chorus Then Truth did flow As if each Plant a Paradise would grow The King goes on Next Thee a Spicy Region I describe Where thrive where smell Spices of ev'ry Tribe Those of the Royalty those Popular All justly mix'd each in their Order are The Camphire meets the Spike Spike Saffron meets The Aromatic Reed with Odours greets The Fragrant Bark Sweet Frankincense indents With Myrrh the flavor'd Aloes joyns scents Chorus Thus Spices of Afflictions bitter Taste Bruis'd by the pondrous Pestel while they waste Into Perfumes give Smyrna's suffring Days Which lasted till the Christian Empire sways The King goes on 'T is then as if unseal'd I do allow Thy Gardens to stream out Thy Springs to flow As if a Fount of Gardens Thou A Mount of Wells That roll down with sweet streams of Liban's Smells The Winds that Fan thy Redolent Perfumes With Gales so brisk each point my Care Assumes First the stern North and then the softer South That all thy Spicy Atoms as from Mouth Of Arab's Gummy Land may blow I Joy In publick'st Graces when of pure Alloy All Virtues from thee I let out but In To Thee shut out the subtle streams of Sin Now cause That Man of Sin hath his sworn Time Before my Kingdom To turn back that slime Foul as the Serpents see thy Springs new barr'd Thy Fountain seal'd under Hermetic Guard Now Satan's Synagogue is creeping out Thy
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
Holy Reign is from thy Grace Whose Early years as Greens of th' Verdant Spring Give flourish to our Bed and Pleasures bring Fresh as the Blossoms of his blooming Youth In purest Worship and Research of Truth Which still his growing Years Notes explaining Words. 3 Strengthen consolidate The Beams of our House are Cedars our Rafters of Firr Firm as the Cedar Beams those Trees of State And the Firr Rafters which the Temples Pile By his Repairing hand secur'd in File CHAP. II. Chorus THus far the Churches Sceptred Time is brought Guarded by Princes and its Battels fought By Absolute Supremes The feeble Tree As now Effete for Scepters yields in Fee The Crown to Egypts Babels Princes For to stem The Tide her own sustain not Th' Diadem At length from off the Palsey'd Head was spurn'd By Heavens just Decree thrice overturn'd Decreed so to remain Till He shall come Whose Right 's recorded in the Sacred Tome And to that Rightful Prince the mournful Spouse Defenceless seeming thus her Plaints doth rouse The Spouse The Reigns of Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeconiah Zedekiah I am the Rose in Scharon's open Field Expos'd to Danger cover'd with no Shield Lick'd off by th' Beast whose undiscerning Nose No odds makes 'twixt the Thistle and the Rose Except more eas'ly crop'd And yet its Beard Of prickles warns th' unwary Heard But more defenceless I the Lilly like The Vales along no Weapon have to strike The untaught Foot trampling without offence My Beauty and unarmed Innocence The King My Love thou slipp'st the wisdom of my Care For while thy Native Guards thus leave thee bare The Brutal Nations have not yet the scope To range upon Thee For they Enterlope One on another wreathed by my hand Like Thorns around the Lillie till they stand As Palizado'd on each side so strong That what may seem to press shields thee from wrong The Daughters of the Nations pay defence Though unawares to my Loves Excellence Surpassing them as Lillies do the Thorn Which take Defence but their Defence adorn The Spouse My Dearest Love by thee instruct'd I own Thy Goodness Wisedom Power all are shown In this Oeconomy of Guard And I repay Thy Love with Love of parallel Essay For as the Tree whose Fruit and not whose State Exalts its Name in the Trees Democrate So now thy Cedar-Rule torn up by storm Is lower'd to a Presidential Form Yet with most Thankful sense I praise the Grace Of Rule but just remov'd from Populace For this dwarf Government still leads to Thee Great King of Kings made by August'st Decree How pleasant therefore is its shade how sweet its Fruit Both swelling with Delights that draw pursuit Chorus This is the Prospect while the Scepter Val'd Till Judah's Legislator even fail'd The Spouse goes on The Captivity Nay let me publish through Gaths Streets his Praise Through Askelon and Babel may these Laies Sound to his Glory That while Chebar's Streams Me a Thrall'd Captive knew I Sing no Dreams What seem'd a Dungeon was a Vault of Wine His Grace with me deign'd so much to recline The Streaming Ensigns of High Babels Pride Were Banners of his Love to me Twice dy'd Which flow'd me round But finding some Retreat Of his Lov'd shade the Sun-beams me suâ—beat That swooning sinking with a Dying Breath I beg the Spirits that recall from Death In lib'ral Flagons Haste the Golden Fruit The Apples of that Tree that may recruit My Life near flown For in Love's Agony If in the Moment not Reliev'd I Dye As him I importun'd I found him come Whom my Soul Loves I found him coming Home His left Hand bore my Apoplectic Head His right Embracing me Love's Circle led Then by the Lawless Heroes of the Field That now how sad is it our Scepter weild And did not This his Goodness interpose Would soon with Rampant Paws us interclose I Salem's Daughters with deep Vows contest By no Offence to startle my Loves Rest And while he pleases let this be our Cell So long Love's Hermitage and not a Hell Chorus Thus to those Captive Years twice thirty five In Womb of Grace the Spouse was kept alive But now its liberty from Cyrus Type Of Great Messiah play'd in various stripe Is checker'd white and black till he shall Chace By his own Rays the shades that veil'd his Face The Spouse goes on The return of the Captivity But hark the Alarm of my Beloved's Voice How quick it strikes The very Skies Rejoyce He held me while the gentle Vapours seal'd Me up in softest slumbers now Repeal'd He shrill Commands to quit my Cell and meet Him on the Airy Mountains where his Feet Rebound more nimbly than the Roes or Harts When the dull Earth flies from their youthful starts I know this doth my Fredom indicate From Babels Chains For as his higher State Submits to what he Destines mine So mine With that he samples for me may well twine But yet my Liberty's not all at once For as those Harts and Roes themselves do sconce In coverts of the Walls and stand at bay Through Windows peeping quick and so away So do my Love 's kind Visits short but brisk Half open first bode me a freer Risque Chorus And thus does Sacred History depaint The Persian Edicts lively first then faint Lost and reviv'd Till Esthers Royal Son night Artaxerxes for our Solomon Spoke once for all in his so Full decree Then 't was Heav'ns word spoke out for Liberty The Spouse goes on For then my Love in Accents high and clear Both spake and said aloud My Fair my Dear Rise thee my Love Let no benum'd delay One minute stay thee Come yea come away For now're the sullen Glooms of Winter gone Its Clouds its stormy Rains see there are none The Earth its Carpets rich Embroy'ds with Green With Flowers as Pearls enammell'd all between The chanting Birds Natures sweet Harmony Proclaim the Spring with their soft Heraldry The Turtles modest moan now charms our Ears With sounds of chastest Peace and calms our Fears The World of Trees warn'd by the budding Figs Equips the Summer its Top gallant Rigs The twisting Vine swells out its cluster'd Grapes Perfum'd adorn'd with all their pretty Shapes All these my Love declare thy Spring-like state Usher thy Summer and thy Joys dilate Haste then my Love haste with thy Captive Train Oh why so slow From Babel haste amain The King by himself It s I indeed my Love it s I that Call To thee my Dove whom the Rocks Clefts enthrall Whom corners now infold and secret stairs Wind thee into this maze which thee insnares Oh let
the melting Airs of thy sweet Voice Flow in my Ears no other hath my Choice Address me with thy Taking Physnomy None else Reports those Graces from my Eye But now our Vines begin to germinate The Fox-like envy does our Fruit regrate And fain would Ravage it But let us set And wrap that subtile Kindred in our Net Chorus How the All-seeing Spirit that Divines Things Future as the Past draws here the lines As they 're drawn after by the ready Scribe And the Tirshatha of the Royal Tribe Thus once and twice and once again the Voice The Captives Call'd e'er the Ha'vre de Poiz Of Just Obedience gain'd They lay entwin'd I' th' closer Fetters of a servile Mind Till this unweary'd Love thus sets them free From double Chains of their Captivity Then did the Temple Walls and City Rise But Fox-like Foes as Builders in Disguise So here the Royal Prophet Sings durst Enterlope Till by great Schelom's Care their envious hope Was vain That pair of Worthies then Restor'd The Temples Order and the Pillars shor'd Of Salem's Policy During their daies The Gladded Spouse thus Issues into Praise The Spouse The settled state of the Church under Ezra and Nehemiah The Circle is now Perfect my Love mine By Faith I claim and strait return the Line Into it self that I am His and While My State though low no Falseness does defile As in a Field of Lillies white and pure He takes Repast and does himself ensure To me Till all Dark Veiles and Shades shall fly And vanish off from the Inlightn'd Sky And himself visible shall lead the Day Though I Fore-see my Love sometimes away Provok'd by new Offence yet turn my Love Let not Thy absence a Desertion prove Be Thou like to the youthful Hart and Roe That cuts its hasty Motions to and fro So Traverse thou the Mountains that define Each side of Time as th' Equinoctial-Line Cuts into equal parts the Globe so steer Thy hasty steps around Times lower Sphere Those latter Gentile Times that just commence When Cyrus bears Messiah's Reference On this same mount of Time like Bethers Hill Lets passing and repassing see thee still Till Thou bright Morning Star without a Cloud Shall spread the Beams so bright no shade can shroud The Chorus Here part the Hemispheres of Times whole Globe Encompass'd with the Endless flowing Robe Of vast Eternity From Times first Spring Out of that Womb till Cyrus greatest King Of all the Gentile Race whom sacred Fame Records alone Crown'd with Messiah's Name Flow Years in thousands three hundreds twice two And unites fifty nine in plainest View Of numbred Numbers if we will allow As doth the Sacred Calendar a-vow Ezekiel's Fourty to draw out the length Of his three hundred ninety from the strength Of twelve Tribes parted into Two and Ten. Thus Reason doth inforce the Time to Ken Till Salem's Temple in new Measures seen Drawn by * Ezechiel's Man of Brass had been And further forty Years themselves had worn When Judah's Sin was now no longer born For Cyrus Type of Great Messiah's Grace Did now just introduce Times last half space From Cyrus draw Times second half 't will flow In thousands two and hundreds three a-row Measur'd by Daniel's Eves and Morns that shoot Days into Years as Prophets may compute And so the thousand Years of Sabbatism They reach when one bless'd State shall know no Schism Thus Eves and Morns at first made Days tâ—â—ice three Of the All-potent Work and then left free The Seventh for a Sabbaths sacred Rest Thus ran times East and thus shall run its West For the six thousandth almost spent in Toyl To th' Sevenths Rest the whole is but a Foyl If we half-witted then create a Doubt How the Sixth Millenary turns about When Merge yet hundreds two and forty one If us no other Answer can attone Doth not our Lord in Prophecy cut short The curtaill'd Fag of Time lest the Effort Of Evils then so strong should reach t' Affect With over-flowing Vials his Elect Then what 's the space of Time how ever short We must beyond the thousand Years Transport Lyes secret from created Minds but still May what was wanting to Times measure fill Now of these Eves and Morns th' first sev'nty five By these repeated Calls the Spouse retrive From foreign Lands become too much her own Which Daniel calls in brief this Word forth gone From hence the sev'nty Weeks Tyde strait along So lively's the perspective of this Song Wherein the Spouses troublous Times most swell In Black Epiphanes as now She 'll tell CHAP. III. The Spouse Antiochus Epiphanes Defiling the Temple and taking away the Daily Sacrifice is now set out in this following Canticle HOw quick the Night o'ertakes me yet in Bed I thought to find that Princely Loved Head Whom my Soul clasps in dearest Tyes but He Was thence withdrawn the Temple could not be Our Bed in this Black Time when violate By th' Bestial Fury of Antioch's Hate Our ravish'd Bed could then no longer ease My Thoughts so full of Anguish nor appease My boyling Heart one minute I start out From its now-loathed Shroud and search about The Streets and open'st Ways if in the Throng I meeting Him Remonstrate might my Wrong But Oh I found the Publick had betray'd Their Faith to th' Tyrant I no longer stay'd In such a Fruitless search the Watchmen I apply Who are in Trust such Questions to unty The sacred Guard my Love fix'd to their Bounds My quick Enquiries visit all their Rounds With this one Question Have ye seen the Him The Him whom my Soul Love's that only Him They durst not loudly Speak but silent Guides Of Truth they gave me unto him who slides Into my Chast Embrace Just as I mov'd From that so happy Watch Him my Soul lov'd I soon espy'd By Faith and Love I hold Arm'd with my Prayers strongest when most bold And Jacob-like my Love I 'de not let go Once from me more till he had Bless'd me so That humane Nature should the Temple be Where I might Worship His Divinitie Thus dwelt the Word in Flesh as in the House My Mother bred Poor Me Here me t'Espouse In Promise first he graciously did deign As private Chambers here His Mystic Reign In Servants humble Form began In this He climb'd A Glory yet not seen but duely tim'd For its Appearance While thus my Love rests Contented not to stir my Care contests A-new You Salem's Daughters by the Hinds And Roes o' th' Field Gentiles whom nothing binds But my Love's Power Which
noble Seeds to taint 't is now about Thy spring to Poyson and thy streams to stain My early Care starts up to curb the Main Of that bad Torrent And I 'll now immure Thy Garden Spring and Fount to keep them pure Chorus Thus for some time Truths Flood-gates open stood But oh how soon Apostasie a Flood Became which quick does shift the Holy Scenes Iniquities Mysterious Womb by means Most unespy'd pregnant became And as in lowest Parts submiss and tame Work'd on yet For while Ephesus deriv'd Its Springs of Wells and Gardens Smyrna striv'd By Cruel Princes pounded to diffuse Its Myrrhine Odours And those strokes did bruise Its Spices with a Northern Fury till Controlls of Christian Princes did it still And with Their Southern Breath perswaded out Those Fragrant Graces as from Springs to spout But even in Suffering Times bad Vapours crept Into the better Odours where they slept Till best and worst fly out while South-winds Blow And Christian Fervors lost the worst o'er-flow Thus by degrees the Fragrant Spices dye Into a Languid Sensuality For why'll best Odours try to Meliorate The Pagan steams they soon Incorporate And as the Sympathetic Atoms fly Back to their native Bed so these Scents hye To their own Sourse larded with the Attaint Of Superstition that would hence write Saint While Vizord-Christians Pagans meet half way Truth Christian and chast Worship fly away So that when now the Spouse her Prince Invites To Banquet with Her He her offer slights The Spouse Let now with Pleasure to his Garden come He my Beloved and His Palate some Choose of my New-ripe Fruits which I call His Now let him Eat what for Him sweetned is Chorus This very Call assures He was withdrawn Whose Love to 's Spouse had ever the first dawn Both Fruits and Church are new It hath not known The Blessed Jesus always with his own His Answer to this Call assures us more He was disgusted For He prais'd before And there He staid as One no farther pleas'd For what he lik'd he had already seiz'd Now from the Sev'nty Weeks fore-nam'd runn out Four hundred Years had turn'd their course about The seven Seals their Cargo had discharg'd And for the following Trumpets Time enlarg'd E'er which all Emblems of Time sealed new Th' Apocalyps doth give that it might shew The Kingdom just look'd out and then withdrew CHAP. V. The King The Apostasie of the Christian Church WHY dost Thou call Spouse-Sister why so fast To do what 's done and now the Seasons past My Garden I have view'd my Myrrh my Spice I have secur'd Have Eaten once and twice My Honey with its Comb My Milk with Wine Have drunk There 's nothing that is mine But I enjoy'd my self This latter Spring Is nothing to me To my Rivals bring All this new store You new Loves Eat and Drink Let all that 's new into your Banquet sink What 's from my Word deriv'd on that I Feast Let those upstart Beloved's take the rest And now you your selves glut you Loves of sense I give you Freedom though at my Expence The Spouse I find my Senses ty'd my Parts benumm'd That outward lye The dull Narcotick stumm Of my new mingled Wines the Mushrom Fruits To which my Love I call'd which He Refutes In claiming to be his Oppress my Sense Yet still my Heart resists the Violence And wakes ' midst of these Charms Better I know Better I love while these Fumes over-flow My free'r Mind my Love 's so fast Ally That He 'll reprize it from the Sorcery That would Enchant it Hark it is his Voice That now does Call He Knocks now I rejoyce While yet I fear for thus He me Essays As in that nobler Heart that ne'r betrays Its Faith The King My Love my Dove my Undefil'd Open right now to me who am beguil'd Of my due Residence Who in this Night Under the Moons moist Empire am bedight My Head and Locks with Drops that on them light As counterfeited Jewels of the Dark Exhal'd but not Concoc't they bear the mark Of the half-virtu'd Beams that from the Moon Fall Chill and Pale whose Influences soon Are lost and can to no Perfection mount Of all that 's True my higher Light 's the Fount The Spouse Answers That plainer Coat of Holiness and Zeal Of Truth that did at first the Gospel Seal I have put off with that simplicity Now in a Bed of Ease and State I lye Bedeck'd with Ceremonious Gayeties shew How can I then that Former state renew The soyl of Gospel Travels rough and poor I have washd from my Feet Not from my Door I move now but in Equipage To tread the Ground With new Defilement but to Think does wound My Sense so delicate I paint the Dream That Fascinates my Foreign Members still the stream Of a much higher Soul to thee doth run Though under Ground impurer Veins to shun But at thy Summons it starts out for when my love His Fragrant Fingers in the Lock did move This reach'd my Heart Eftsoons my Bowels turn'd As by elastic Force to Him My Passions burn'd And sparkled to a Flame strait to the Door I poast t'unseal the Lock No soyling Floor Now frights my Feet and when I touch'd the Lock The smelling Myrrh as Waters from a Rock The smelling Myrrhs gush'd from the Lock The Oyls Around my Hands my Fingers swim this boyls My Heart with Passions fresh in haste I ope To my Belov'd mov'd with a joyful Hope To find Him there But then I soon descry'd Withdrawn from me he far himself did hide Not from my Soul to him indear'd but from that load Of outward Parts my new encumbring mode His Spirit moves that very Soul the swoon Goes off all ways I fly to find him soon Repeated Calls I send no Answer greets From Him my thirsty Ear Nor in the Streets My close Researches gain the hop'd success That should my wearied steps with my Love bless The City Watch of Prophets that espy All passes Jealous spy'd me sayling by These Prophets in disguise my Soul disdain'd I ask'd them nothing ' cause I knew them wain'd From my best Love to their Beloved's new So at my search for onely mine they grew To heights of Rage They smite they deeply wound As with a Past'ral Staff Curses they sound And loud Anathema's The Guards o' th' Walls The higher Pontiffes leave their Rev'rend Stalls And as the Sons of Belial force my Veil Of my inviolable Faith the Seal As Excommunicate They strip the Name Of Spouse from me my modesty defame My Veil rend from me as upbreiding them Now prostitute to a false spurious Stem Of Baal's as Husbands
Salem's Daughters pure Whom though the grand Apostasie immure As in a secret Temple and your Hue The Sackcloth marr your Witness yet stands true I charge you if my Love you find you tell How high my Passions to a Sickness swell Of Love till I may Him like him enjoy And for himself my Service whole employ Tell him by Prayer tell him by earnest Crys His Spouse is sick and if He comes not Dyes Chorus Thus the True Church in Pergamus did Wake As that much higher Soul when th' Bulk did take Lethargick slumbers thick with Balaam's Fumes When that High Prophet and his Church their Plumes So wide is spread that the True Church must fly Into the Wilds and Antipas must dye Because They held their Faith to th' Sovereign Name When Satan's Throne presum'd so high a Claim The Year four hundred thirty seven Mounts to height this Apostatic Leven Add thirty eight and to the Throne they bring Baal Pope the Eighth and yet the Seventh King Here The Twelve hundred sixty Sackcloth Days With th' Wilderness concurring Tread their Lays The Gentile-Times Moons forty two Confine And here begin Imp'd into which consign To th' Beast like Fourty Two To Sev'nty Five 'Bove Hundreds four when th' Vulgar Ere did thrive Thus Time o' th' Moon the Empress of the Night Equals the Days under the Lord of Light Thus both set out and end alike with both Time Times Half Time are settled under Oath Now from six Hundred sixty six Fam'd Year Seven Hundred Twenty Fifth of th' common Ere Till sixteen Hundred ninety seven shall Of the same Ere in Circle rise and fall The Antipapal Witnesses shall seek While Anathems Wounds and Death still reek From Hell them round and for their true Love cry With publick Voice They cry and then they Dye Unheard Till Salem's Daughters towards the Time Of fourteen Hundred listen to the Chime Then Thyatyra's Church Reform'd doth rise And lasts midst Death till Morning Star it spies The Musick first was low then louder Peals By Luther sounded in those high Appeals To those same Salem's Daughters Who will know Now whence those Crys those solemn Charges grow The last One Hundred Eighty then remain Of those Twelve Hundred Sixty which retain Their just Allotment and the whole are lock'd In three Days and a half wherein are shock'd The Witnesses by Death that is a part of each As Christs three Days in Grave without the breach Of Prophecy are understood So here the last Of Day the First the whole of Two then Fast On th' Morning of the last half Day ensue Protested Witnesses who thus review The true Belov'd as from the Spouse we hear To which increasing Churches yield their Ear And now the Spouse describes the King the King Not of the Spouse as through this Song does sing For while the Antichristian Beast doth Reign The Spouse could not be drawn in Full Sans stain Too foul for her to bear Besides the Loss Of Her Belov'd under so false a Gloss Was first to be detected by this Piece Which giving Cap a Pe the King unfleece Must strait the Wolf in Lambs disguize each Grace Resplendent in the King must needs Efface The counterfeit For ever blooming Youth Strength Beauty Vigor Life Emblems of Truth Make up the Portraict of the King so known To every seeing Eye that is its own It pulls the Vizor from the hoary Pape Who claiming from his Age commits the Rape Of Antichristship Languid Pale and Wan Chill Decrepid Dying can this Old Man Vicar this Ever-living Splendid Frow'ring Prince Who now this Lying Bubble can't Evince That hears the Spouse thus Emblemate her Love To Love whom won't those lovely Emblems move The Portraicture of the Churches True Beloved in Opposition to Antichrist as may be fairly Expounded Given by the Church of Thyatyra Inducing the Reformation Oh Fairest Woman notwithstand the Cloud From thy Love lost that does thy Beauty shroud Draw us the Picture of thy Love that we May know the Reasons of thy Charge and see They 're Good and so be mov'd thee to obey When Reason and not Passion leads our way What is 't wherein thy Love so much excells All Loves Instruct us how his Beauty swells His Praises so above those Loves whose din The World of Women now does Captive win The Spouse Answers Beauty's brisk Colours the pure White and Red Sit in my Love not as i' th' wither'd Bed Of Age but as the Lillies and the Rose In Youth concert so in my Love Repose The White and Red Behold the Rosie Blood Of his great Sacrifice in th' Lilly Flood Of th' Sanctifying Spirit Both which fade Under the Antichristian poysonons shade He as a Standard-Bearer stands erect A just Supreme from Myriads Elect No Palsie Title croutches under Guilt In Him As known to be usurp'd nor built On Forg'd Donations But Popes crooked Age Denys to them high Standard bearers gage Of stature and the Graces of Tall Personage His Royal Head of Massive purest Gold A Fount of Life eternally doth hold Not like the Counterfeit that as the Bowl That broken at the Well leaks out the Soul And Lives but by Successions His curl'd Locks Strong enterwove with Truth firm as the Rocks Speak Truth and Life long as the Ravens jet Not like That faded Head to Death in Debt His Eyes chast Clear and beaming as the Dove Reflex'd by limpid'st streams Arrows from Loves Full quiver thence do fly not like those Eyne Dull Hollow Sunk Bloodshot with Lust and Wine And Sanguinary Laws but bath'd in Milk Whose Retines Souls enclose as Nets of Silk Which Life wraps up thus Truth and Mercy stream From his bless'd Aspect as if both one Beam Of Light or like Pearls set by Art in Rings Of Gold whence double yet one Lustre springs His Cheeks the Seats of Love as Beds of Spice And Flowers preserve a fragrancy so nice That no foul Vapour can one Pore trapan To let it in no Breath of wind can Fan Nor poyson'd Atoms with its Hooks can pull One putrid steam into those scents All full And croud'd with Sweets but oh the gastly Cheeks Of Antichrist how loathsome thence the Reeks The Lips of my Belov'd so full of Grace From purest Lillies drop their Myrrh apace In perfum'd Gales of Truth While Asphaltite Belches its Sulphur after Sodoms Rite His gentle Hands to benign Clasps enclin'd As into Golden Rings of Love are twin'd Shaded with Arbors of the pleasing Green Green of Lights Beams too quick the modest screen From Beryl cast Far from the cruel stripes Of Antichristian Hands or their Iron gripes His Belly as an Eburn Hill is vein'd With azur'd streams which from this Mountain strein'd Enrich its Fruitfulness
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
They return to them as it were larded with Heatheanism so that they became Pagan Christians Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 It is Evident Christ is first in showing love to his Church in coming to it in resting with it so that this very calling to Christ to come shews a-new but a corrupted State of the Church Let my Beloved come into his Garden and Eat his pleasant Fruits Chorus goes on Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 That Christ said he had Eaten shews he liked to Eat no farther but disliked the Churches present State The Weeks ended An. M. 4024. An. Chr. 37. The Time of the seven Seals ended and of the Trumpets began An. M. 4424. An. Chr. 437. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 All the Time of the seven Seals and of the Churches pure State was run out Because therefore through the Corruptions of the Christian World notwithstanding the Christian Empire Then is a new Sealing The Temple is Measur'd The outward Court cast out to the Gentiles The Holy Worshippers immur'd in the Temple The Witnesses in Sackcloth and the Church in the Wilderness all Emblems of the Churches Fountain and Garden Sealed and of the Kingdom of Christ stay'd from its Appearance * Charge Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 This Invitation of Christ to come shews the earnestness of the Apostasie to entitle Christ to this False Christianity and Christs refusal upon the account that he had Eaten shews the time of the Churches purity past I am come into my Garden my Sister-Spouse I have gathered my Spice with my Myrrh I have eaten my Honey Comb with my Honey I have drunk my Wine with my Milk Eat O Friends drink abundantly O Beloveds Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 What could be more plainly significant of the Churches having embrac'd other Lovers than Christ than refusing himself and throwing those Provisions upon them by a Sarcastical Excitation of them to Eat and Drink abundantly Like Solomon Ecceles Rejoyce Oh young Men c. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 It was at Christs Expence He being Robb'd of that was indeed due to him and though as corrupted He would not accept it yet it was in pretension of Service and Devotion to Him as all Superstitions Honours of Saints Images Days the Hoast c. are Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 These Superstitions are like Vapours of stumm'd Wine that benum and stupifie the Soul in True Religion I Sleep Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 Mushrom Fruits like the Gods new come up Deuteron 32. But my Heart waketh Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 There was in the worst of the Times of the Apostles a number of the Elect that like a waking Heart heard Christ's Voice rose to seek Him And this was the True Church before Luther It is the Voice of my Beloved that knocketh Open to me my Sister my Love my undefiled Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 It is most carefully to be heeded before the True Church came to separate from the False and to Renounce it It is spoken to as having them that hold the Doctrine of Balam Revel 2. as the Church of Pergamus is addressed Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 Christ could not reside in his Church as a Church but makes a private Visit to his Witnesses and Servants and complains as one thrust out in the dark and moisture of the Night For my Head is wet with Dew and my Locks with the Drops of the Night Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 The False Honour put upon Christ by Superstitious Devotions may well be compared to the Drops and Dew of the Night as its counterfeit Jewels And so this Night and the Months under the Moon and Empress of the Night twice mention'd in the Revelation Agree Revel 11. Revel 13. Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Coat put off was that simplicity of the Gospel The Bed a Bed of Ease Sensuality Pomp and State of a Ceremonious Religion and full of Spiritual Fornication and Adultery as it after grew I have put off my Coat how shall I put it on I have wash'd my Feet how shall I defile them again Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 5 The true Mortification Travel and Sufferings of Religion were laid a side like the washing the Feet and must be no more defiled with the former Poverty and Hardships Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 6 This the True Servants of God spoke as having the False Christianity encumbring them My Beloved put his Hand in by the hole of the Lock Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 This very gracious Approach of Christ to his sealed Servants preserved a True Church of Pergamus under the Name of the Apostasie even where the Throne of Satan was Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 In this Church those Servants of God were the waking Heart And my Bowels were moved for Him I rose up to open to my Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 There were such gracious Intimations of Christ from himself that were fitly express'd by such Emblems as we here find viz. Christ Knocking Speaking putting his Odoriferous Hands into the holes of the Locks My Hands dropped with Myrrh my Fingers with the sweet smelling Myrrh I opened to my Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 All which prevail'd to this that Christ should be sought after in another way than the general state of the Apostasie allow'd and gave Countenance to But my Beloved had withdrawn himself My Soul failed when He spoke I sought Him but I could not find Him Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 For the Servants of God seeking him in that Publick and General Apostasie call'd a Church could not find Him I call'd Him but he gave me no Answer The Watch-men that went about the City found me Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 1 Of the publick Preachers or Prophets compar'd to Watch-men the Servants of God knew it was in vain to ask They smote me They wounded me The Keepers of the Wall took away my Veil from me Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 2 The Church Rulers and all that Authority smote the Church with all kind of Spiritual Punishments and gave them up also to the Secular Power * High-Priests Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 3 Excommunication cannot be more emphatically described than by taking away the Churches Veil the Emblem of its True Faith and Holy Worship wherein the Chastity of a Church consists I charge you oh ye Daughters of Jerusalem if ye find my Beloved that ye tell Him I am sick of Love * Balaam signifies too lofty Notes explaining Words and Senſe together. 4 The Apostate part of the Church were as Men in in a Spiritual Lethargy by the Fumes of the Doctrine of Balaam Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 1 The True Church were in the mean time earnest for a purer Enjoyment of Christ * Antipapal Revel 2. 12. c. c. 11. 3. Revel 12. 17. 19. Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 2 The Servants of God who kept the Commandments of God and held the Testimony of Jesus were true Witnesses however in Sackcloth and made up the true Church however in a Wilderness Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 3 The time of the Witnesses killing of Antipas or the Antipapal Witnesses being slain was the very Time that the Watchmen and Keepers of the Walls wounded the Spouse and took away her Veil The Apostacy as appears by the Line of Time began in the Vulgar Year 437 and the Beast came to his Power of Fourty Two Months at the Vulgar Year 475 when the Western Empire ceas'd Notes explaining the Words and Senſe together. 4 Revel 17. 11. He is the