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
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
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
But Heath and Sands Impov'rish'd Soil barren and thirsty Lands That barren Womb o' th' seven Headed mount Describe streaming with Fire as Etna's Fount His Legs supporting all with Marble rise Firm Certain Stable Steddy Pillar wise Fix'd on their Feet as stalls of Gold not Clay On which the Gentile-Image had its stay The very Papal Feet false to the weight They 're trusted with false to Proud Babel's height Thus Truth and pow'r Divine must needs endure Whose Ground-work as the Top is rich is sure Whereas when ever stuck those Feet of Clay Their Head of Gold to Ruine must betray His Port His Air His meen Majestick great As Liban's Cedars and their lofty Seat Such is the Grandez such the Reason sense Of all that 's from the Eternal Sapience When Papal Faith and Rites become the scoff Of Divine Wisdom and like Chaff huff'd off As sweetest Ambrose so His Mouth doth flow With Truth Heavens Eloquence His Praises grow Upon me quick so to a point I draw His Loveliness to Beauty's self gives Law This Salem's Daughters is my Love here end If you but lovely know you know my Friend But oh the Counter-Christ hath Dragons Jaws Who Poyson Vomits in his Feral Laws The Salvagest of Beasts his Form display Sin makes the Man in Him if Him you 'd say He 's one Deformity if that you know It 's He 'mong Thousands He himself doth show The Churches of the Reformation Thyatyra Sardis Philadelphia displayed according to this Earnest Search after the Beloved With what stupendious Art is here now drawn The Churches Reformation from its dawn Till the Twelve Hundred Sixty Days shall end On which th' Apostasy's permitted to extend It self Wherein the Church doth search about All Places Forms to find Her Loved out The Church indeed is One yet into Three Must from its various scites distinguish'd be I' th' midst of Antichristian Bowels Thyatyre Lyes paled round with Vive Comburian Fire That heats that Furnace where the Sovereign feels What in his lowest Members burns who steels Their Constancy even when They 're pil'd in Flames For Flames he to a Bed of Roses tames Hungary France others Thyatyra 's Rest Do now the cruel Ravages Attest Where Papal Rage may farther come He knows Who trys the deepest Reins of Things and shows The Blessed End but still conceal'd What may fall out e'er th' Morning Star reveal'd For at that Summons the whole Church shall fly To higher Things than now it can descry Sardis ascends to Splendor and would bear As high as if the Spouses Love were there It s undefiled Names does yet dissent Lest Acquiescing in what 's now prevent Those splendid Robes assur'd them when in white Heavens Armies shall attend the Bride Grooms Light Now Philadelph with smallest Humane strength Of Laws or Power supports the Restant length Of Time upon the Name the Faith the Word The Patience of her single loved Lord While Satan's Smyrna-Synagogue reviv'd Appears as 't were Antiquity retriv'd And fain would Bolt this Churches Open Door As if not Ancient and as if too Poor In Ceremonious Pomp in Mitred Names In Feasts in Fasts its simple Order blames With rigid Censure But Davidean Key That binds and looses Bars the lofty Plea Of Jurisdiction till Salem's state Approach so near as to compose the Bate Even Satan's Synagogue shall then sit low At Feet of Philadelph and Pray to know Whither the Churches Love is gone and all Unite to seek Him with Uncloven Call For though His peerless Person was agreed No Pontiffs claim allow'd yet how with speed To find This Synagogue from Sardis teem'd Disputed hard For in their Dream they deem'd Their Golden Dream that He already here As much as th' Spouse could hope did now appear To wait Him farther Factious discontent Gainst present Things did future Represent To hot Schismatick Brains But what follows now Shews This all Salem's Daughters disavow With whom the Synagogue submits to Philadelph For to the Spouse by Her Christ show'd himself And now the Philadelphian Intervall Enters Voices on High all Kingdoms call To Christ Dates of Apostate Times expire In one the Churches their True Prince enquire CHAP. VI. The State of the Church in the Philadelphian Interval or the Last Seventy Five Years of the Two Thousand Three Hundred THou Fairest of the Female Beautious Name We now our slumbring Sentiments disclaim And fain would know from thee whither is gone And whither is Retreat Thy Loved ONE Thou that so long thy searches hast maintain'd Canst guide us best for sleepy we restrain'd Our Home pursuits and our remainders marr'd O' th' present over-fond futures we barr'd Now we would seek with Thee with Thee be ONE In the Research where Thy Belov'd is gone Not Gones now my Belov'd as in my swoon When I had lost him so But He 's gone down Just now gone down into that Garden He Had left so long to the Apostasie The Spicy Beds He now returns to Left As cover'd wish Black Vapours and bereft Of their True Odour Now a new Repast He takes of Fruits after so long a Fast He now his Lillies gathers a new spring Of Graces Worship Truth in return bring Th' Approaches of his Kingdom so long veil'd By Antichrist and close his Servants seal'd His sealed now on Sion's Mount stand clear And with his Fathers written Name appear On open Fore-head Now I Him enjoy As singly with his Faith of pure Alloy And while His love in me is pleas'd to Rest He with himself as mine does me Invest Then He along the Beds of Lillies Feeds As of the Future Paradise the Seeds Chorus From Schelom Born now Hundreds Ten and Six A Nine of Tens and unites Seven Fix Our Philadelphs Beginning Interval Till the Worlds Kingdoms to the best King fall As in just Homage first proclaim'd his own At last together Build his Royal Throne And as while Salem's Ruines were restor'd From Babel's spoil Years Sev'nty Five were scor'd Of Old so many now exact do Flow To Salem New from Babel's Overthrow Babel the Mystic To Salem's Throne Seven Voices and as many Vials Grone In earnest Motion Those two Royal Towns Salem and Tirzah seat the many Crowns As the Metropoles and show unite In Schelom Twelve Tribes so long Bipartite Which now returning Philadelph adorne And match'd with it are in its Scutcheon borne So in this Landscaph the stream'd Banners play Before his Hosts Terrours with them Array Themselves Jehovah's Mighty Ones come down To Armageddons Plains and them Renown With Victory All these are so display'd That to the Apostolick First state layd And yet distinguish'd They may both ascend And Salem's Glory
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
the Approaching bless'd Estate And thy Breasts to Clusters of Grapes Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The Palm-Tree I account the Emblem of the High Victorious State of Christ and his Gospel agreeable to Revel 7. 9. when the Jews and the Gentiles shall be united Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 The so often Mention of Breasts and Clusters speaks the Admirable Fruitfulness of the Gospel-Light and Grace as well as Height of Condition Behold I will go up to the Palm-Tree I will take hold of the Boughs thereof Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 By the Height of the Jewish Palm-tree is not to be understood any Dominion of the Jews alone but the state of most Excellent Grace and Glory accruing to all the Saints from Christs Exalted Kingdom at their Conversion in which the Jews may be first but yet no more than equal with all Saints Now also thy Breast shall be as Clusters of the Vines And the smell of thy Nose like Apples Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 Mention of Apples and all Fruits as was said allude to the Paradise of God And the Roof of thy Mouth like the best Wine causing the Lips of those that were asleep to speak Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The Blood of Christ and the Doctrine and Sacrament of it are fitly express'd by Wine as the Scripture Witnesses * As we say to Rights Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 The Order God hath set betwixt the Jews and Gentiles in the Communications of his Mercy is very Admirable according to Rom. 11. the Jews Falling of necessity God must have a People Christ a Church The Gentiles then are called to supply their Vacancy So the Jews Fall is the Riches of the World * Supplied Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 The Gentile Church hath yielded that Army of Martyrs first under Heathen then under Popish Powers These must be Recompenc'd in Christ's Kingdom Christ's Kingdom cannot be without the Conversion of the Jews whose are the Promises and of whom Christ Blessed for ever came So then because the Gentile Martyrs must be Crown'd through Mercy the Mercy promis'd to them assures and hastens Mercy to the Jews in its time that so the Kingdom of Christ the Riches of the World and Life from the Dead may come in at the Fulness of the Jews Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 Rom. 11. Vlt. My Beloved is mine Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 The Royal State of Christ figur'd by the Jews Return as the Kings of the East being given the Church as one Spouse anew entitles it self to Christ And his desire is towards me Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 This particular Visitation of all parts and of the Fruits appearing relate to the Kingdom of Christ and shew the near Approach of it when all things were thus prepared Come my Beloved let us go forth Into the Field Let us Lodge in the Villages Let us get up early to the Vineyards Let us see if the Vine flourish whether the tender Grapes appear and the Pomegranate bud forth There will I give thee my Loves Or I will yield up my self to my Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 The Words Translated My Loves I rather render by an Elegant Abundance I will give my self to my Beloved to Thee signifying the Spouses State even prepar'd as a Bride adorn'd for the Bridegroom by the universal Readiness of all things for the Kingdom of Christ On which follows a Representation of a Feastival Abundance waiting at the Gates as for the Marriage Supper in the next Canticle The Mandrakes or lovely Fruits give a smell And at our gates are all manner of pleasant Fruits new and old Which I have laid up for thee O my Beloved O that thou wert or one would give thee as my Brother Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 After the Account of this complete Preparation to a Nuptial Banquet as it were in Paradise the Spouse desires the Appearance of Christ in the Glory of His Humane Nature or as the Great Son of Man under the Modesty of desiring Him to be given as her Brother of the same Nature with her self That sucked the Breasts of my Mother I would Kiss thee when I should find thee without yet I should not be despised Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 To which also relates the bringing him into the House of her Mother as the Incarnation was before Express'd Chap. 3 4. Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 The spiced Wine and Juice of the Pomegranate is that first great Promise of Life and of the Kingdom to the Seed of the Woman c. in which the Spouse would be visibly and experimentally Instructed by Christ Appearing I would lead thee and bring thee into my Mothers House who would instruct me I would cause thee to drink of the spiced Wine of the Juice of the Pomegranate Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 This and the next Expression are us'd just at the Deliverance from Literal Babel and so here from Spiritual of which That was a great Type as appears by Ezekiel's Temple His left Hand should be under my Head His right Hand should embrace me I charge you oh ye Daughters of Jerusalem Notes explaining the Senſe. 4 This Adjuring the Daughters of Salem is us'd three Times in this Song 1. Before Christ Appearing in Liberty by Cyrus that so Eminent Type of him Chap. 2. 7. 2. Before the Incarnation Chap. 3. 5. and 3. here before his Appearance to his Glorious Kingdom and here it is very Remarkable it is without that Intimation of Terrour by the Roes and Hinds of the Field now brought in subjection to Christ Thus in Prophetical Scripture it is a Rule Likeness of Expression signifies some especial Resemblance of Times and States That ye stir not up nor awake my Love till he please Who is this that cometh up from the Wilderness leaning on her Beloved Notes explaining the Senſe. 5 The Desart and coming up the from Wilderness leaning on the Everlasting Arms of her Beloved as Israel of Old Deut. 33. 27. is a High Expression of this long Exil'd State of the Ten Tribes and Deliverance from it I raised Thee up under the Apple-Tree Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 The Apple-Tree calls to mind the Promise by which the Church was first Conceived after Paradise Lost and fitly here Remembred There thy Mother brought thee forth There she brought Thee forth that bare Thee The Spouse as in the Ten Tribes Notes explaining the Senſe. 2 This was the universal Temper and earnest Desire of the Spouse in all parts of it to be in the most immediate Enjoyment of Christ personally Appearing Set me as a Seal on thy As a Seal on thy Arm Thy Love is strong as death Jealousie is cruel as the Grave Notes explaining the Senſe. 3 All these passionate Expressions signifie a jealousie of any Absence of Christ Vehement as Fire and Cruel as the Grave The Coals therof are as Coals of Fire which hath a most vehement Flame Many Waters cannot quench Love nor the Floods drown it Notes explaining the Senſe. 1 It hath been too shamefully the Sin of Christian Churches especially the Grand Apostate the Roman Church to take worldly Glory for Christ's Kingdom even as a Desire of a Carnal Pompous Messiah was the Sin of the Jews not understanding this Exalted Kingdom of Christ our Saviour in its Spiritual yet Visible Glory If a Man would give all the Substance of his