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
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
both may Comprehend The King My Love 's as Tirzah Fair as Salem it doth shine With graceful Airs my Kingdom both entwine As sticks unite So Prophecies require Those parted Palaces in mine entire Herein it is the Glory of thy Rays Surmounts ev'n that of th' Apostolick Days The Weapons that i' th' Magazine then stor'd Did hang for greater Service Now they 're soar'd On Armies Wings which round their Terrours spread And yet those Terrours with thy Beauties wed But Oh the dazling Lustre of Thy Eyes Too quick their Beams they dart for while they rise As with my Kingdoms Light shade still their Rays With th' Goat-like Hair of th' Apostolick Days The Tabernacle of my presence free From those Dark Covers yet it cannot be My Throne My Temple near are both in one And not uncover'd till the Voice IT S DONE Thy Doctrine now prepar'd by Teeth so wash'd Declare my Truth Restor'd as when it flash'd Like Tongues of Fire from Heaven A like spring As drops from Mornings Womb are issuing Blesses with Fruitfulness thy Time So dwells The same Wise Judgment as in safest Cells Entempled which my Primiere Servants sway'd For so with them thy Parallel I 've layd Churches Reform'd like Queens unite to Thee Without disdain at thy Prioritie Converts from Babel through those Nations spread Whose Sovereigns Arm'd the Ten-horn'd Be'stian Head Now are receiv'd in Thee who had before Right of Concubinage because They bore My Name Confess'd though in polluted State Espous'd a-new They higher now relate To Me in Thee In whom I 'll now embrace Reform'd all Churches of the Christian Race The Gentiles Fulness Thou to me present As Virgins Chast by Grace of new descent Each of these Orders Three their proper space In Number fill as They before their Place In this World had Threescore the Queens Account Confines Fourscore 's the Concubines amount The Gentiles Fulness no Just figures hold In Numbers heap'd on Numbers They are told That know no End But Thou art onely One My Impolluted Love Thee Thee alone Thy Mother bare into that high degree That Virgins Queens and Concubines in thee Make up my Spouse Thee Envy cannot Touch For all concert thy Praise thy Bless'd state Vouch Chorus The Virgins Bless Queens Concubines thee Praise Those as thy Daughters These in Sisters phrase In Thee the Mother-Woman sees alone The Serpent bruis'd and her Great Son on Throne The Chorus goes on What Artist of the most reported Name E'er drew in Prophecy so Rich a Frame Embellishing Apocalyptic Lines Thus John with Schelom as two grand Divines Cenferr their Symbols how does Philadelph Fill out this Picture with its single self All 's Apostolick and That Song that sprung In those first Times is now as new Resung For th' Everlasting Gospel can't be new Yet is renew'd into its Native Hue Apostleship no second e'er can Rise The Twelve that were at first preserve the size Of Salem's Walls when new it from Above Descends the Palace of the Princely Love Those Scarlet Threadded Lips those even shorne White washed Teeth are therefore here not borne In this new Emblem nor the comely Talk Nor those twin Breasts that as Two Roes do walk Among the Lillies feeding For all these The Apostolick High Commission seife And undisseiz'd their Fundamental Right By after Notes is to that ONCE kept tight The Sacred Canon of two Testaments Once seal'd no farther swells Faith's Ligaments Close up are Wound ONCE giv'n they remain To shine more bright but ne'r giv'n o'er again But now an Army for an Armory Paints Expedition to a Victory These Daughters Concubines and Queens describe Th' Eternal Gospel Preach'd to ev'ry Tribe Of Nations with Success The numbers weigh Each sort so justly out that they allay The scandal that upbreids the Church Reform'd As least in the World's Map as if o'er-swarm'd By worser Names For this these Numbers own The Virgins Daughters now become are thrown Into a kind of Infinite Thus swell In Rate the Regions that are Infidell As they are spread in space to them assign'd By this Prophetick Truth that Countermin'd Can never be Though till it be fulfill'd Some Mormocs may affright the too unskill'd In Sacred Calendar the Sixty Queens Of Churches that protest each one that weens Of things aright sees eighty Concubines Of Romish Name o'er-number'd in these Lines As Eight with Six compar'd which in a Glance Redeems the wonder of the Proud enhance Of Popish 'bove Reform'd in this Earths Tract Till the Great Change foretold Them into act And now those Twelve peculiar Tribes that branch From their true Native Olive 'gin to Lanch Fro' their long captiv'd State first come those two We call the Jews which in more open view We see and on the sudden start to sight The Ten Tribes rising from their long-some Night Of these their Schelom Prince now sings and Ends In that Bless'd Mount this Song of Songs Ascends The Calling of the Jews of the Two Tribes What Fair is This that as the Morning starts Fair as the Moon that Light with shades imparts And then clears up to th' brightness of the Sun And as with display'd Banners Terrours run From the Puissant Army so'es the view Of this return a Spectacle so new Of such Surprise and even so to me For in the Gardens Rich with Prophecy Though shell'd in Symbols as the pleasing Nuts Barr'd round to those who do not pierce their shuts The open Fruits I minded most that grow Along the Vales with an inviting show The flower'd Vine and the Pomegranates blooms The open Truths in Prophets which the glooms Clear up of Hieroglyphicks While I pry'd Thus every way most unawares I Ride As in Elijah's Chariot snatch'd and burn In Flames of Passion for the swift Return Of those my Princely People Kings o' th' East For whom my Prayers as Chariots are Imprest With Voice twice doubled as their Charioteer I call Return Return with quick Career Thou Native Salemite that we may view All we Adopted Salemites the hew Of Salemites by Nature Eldest First R'-ingraff'd into their Olive Own they pierc't With Rage unnatural And so cut off Were doom'd as Parricides to th' Nations scoff Chorus What then is to be seen that so invites Your flowing Passions to such Salemites The Spouse 'T is not themselves that for themselves we'd see But Hoasts of Angels Heavens Embassie As Jacob's Vision of Mahanaim Conducting Home those Jews and bringing Him Our Souls so love attended with his Choire Of Cherubs Myriads waiting with Devoir On Him with Heavens Armies till His Foes Crouch basely under as his Feets Repose And David's People thus Build up his Throne For
upright Servants of God keeping close to him Notes explaining Words. 4 Great Companies 5 Thy Great Father David The Virgins love Thee Draw me We willrun after Thee The King hath brought me into his Chambers Notes explaining Words. 6 The Camp typ'd Christ in his Judgments as in David a Warrier Notes explaining Words. 7 Christs gracious Communion typ'd by Solomon's Temple as Chambers Notes explaining Words. 8 Wars full of Horrour We will rejoyce in thee we will remember thy Love more than Wine Notes explaining Words. 9 The Feast at Solomon's Temple Dedicated 1 Kin. 8. 65. Notes explaining Words. 10 1 Kings 11. 5. We will remember Notes explaining Words. 11 Searches with Sorrow Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. m From this Fall Solomon rose by Repentance testified by his Book of Ecclesiastes or of the Royal Preacher and this his Prophetical Song of Christ's Kingdom Notes explaining Words. 12 King and Preacher Eccles 11. Notes explaining Words. 13 Chap. 8. 14. with Revel 19. 3 4. Notes explaining Words. 14 Days of David Notes explaining Words. 15 Division of the Two and Ten Tribes Notes explaining Words. 16 Or Anointing of David and Solomon Types of Christ Notes explaining Words. 17 Here begins the first of Ezekiels 390 Days lying on his side Ezek. 4. 5. Year of the World about 3030. Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. n Here the Prophetical Cypher of Time or of a Day for a Year begins or of Ezekiels 390 days and so go on to the 40 and joyn to the 2300 Even and Morn and so reach the very Kingdom of Christ Notes explaining Words. 18 Garments I am black but comely As the Tents of Kedar Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. o The Tents of Kedar and the Curtains of Solomon were the fittest Representation that could be chosen to set out the divided state of the ten Tribes from the Two For while there was a true Church among them they were as the Curtains of Solomon they had Communion with the Temple and yet they were also as Kedars Tents by their distance from it and its Worship As the Curtains of Solomon Notes explaining Words. 1 Kedars Tents a likeness of Heathenish Worship Ye Daughters of Jerusalem look not on me because I am black because the Sun hath look'd upon me Notes explaining Words. 2 Solomons Curtains of true Worship Notes explaining Words. 3 Complexion Notes explaining Words. 4 Jerusalem Notes explaining Words. 5 All Idolatry look'd that way to the Sun My Mothers Daughters were angry with me They made me the keeper of the Vineyards my own vineyard I have not kept Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. p The Sun looking upon c. is a very lively Emblem of an endeavour to seduce to Idolatry and when it was done by the Tribes under the same Covenant of Religion it is most fitly expressed by Angry Daughters of the same Mother setting the true Church among them to keep other Vineyards to neglect its own Vineyard that is its state in the true Church and to be of a false Church Notes explaining Words. 6 Jeroboam and his ten Tribes Tell me O Thou whom my Soul loveth Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. q The Spouse the true Servants of God among the Tribes desire to know whether they should set up a Church state among themselves in that division of the Kingdom to worship God in Where thou feedest where thou makest thy stock to rest at noon Notes explaining Words. 7 Any loose Writing like Tradition compar'd with the written Word For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the Flocks of thy Companions false shepherds * For why should I be as one that turneth aside c. The sense is what the holy Souls among the ten Tribes should do when Jeroboam forbad them the Temple Notes explaining Words. 4 2 Chro. 34. 8. Notes explaining Words. 4 The time of their most pâ—tent Kings not subject to Heathen Princes Notes explaining Words. 5 The similitude taken from Ezek. 19. 10. Notes explaining Words. 6 2 Kings c. 23. 31. c. 24. c. 25. Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a After Josiah the Kingdom of Judah was held in Fealty of the Heathen Princes of Egypt and Babylon Notes explaining Words. 1 Ezek. 21. 26. 27. Notes explaining Words. 2 The tottering State Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a That Great Prophecy of Ezekiel began to be fulfill'd in Zedekiah and was perfected at the comming of Shiloh or soon after in the destruction of all shew of Sovereignty by the Romans And so it will continue till Christs Glorious Coming when among his many Crowns He shall have this on his Head as highest of all Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b The Rose of Scharon and the Lilly of the Valleys are very significant Resemblances of the Church in perpetual danger to be seized by Heathen Princes as those Flowers in a Field are by Beasts yet the Rose having some better Defence than the Lilly shews the still decaying state of Power Notes explaining Words. 3 A fruitful Pasture in Bashan I am the Rose of Scharon the Lilly of the Valleys As the Lilly among the Thorns Notes explaining Words. 4 The Heathen Nations compar'd to Beasts Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. c The Lilly surrounded with Thorns shews the Defence that Heathen Princes gave the Church one against another as by balance of Power as even to this day we see in the World weak States are in the way of Emulation of stronger Princes one against another secured This was an admirable Method of Providence over the Church Notes explaining Words. 1 Defended as Breast-works in a Fortification by sharp Stakes So is my Love among the Daughters Notes explaining Words. 2 The Wise Order As the Apple Tree among the Trees of the Wood Notes explaining Words. 3 The Apple Tree Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a It is most plain the Apple Tree is a most pregnant Emblem of a low yet pleasant Government even as the Cedars are of a High Supreme Royal Government Notes explaining Words. 4 Popular Government Notes explaining Words. 5 Kingly Government Notes explaining Words. 6 The Babylonish Army Notes explaining Words. 7 From Kings to Rulers Zerobbabel Nehemiah c. Notes explaining Words. 8 The Government of the People So is my beloved among the Sons Notes explaining Words. 9 Gods Supreme Decree Notes explaining Words. 10 Their Confession in the midst of the Heathen Nations Notes explaining Words. 11 Ezek. 1. 1. Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b The presence of Christ in his Church is Elegantly described by Entertainment in a low Vault and Cellars of Wine while it was in Captivity Notes explaining Words. 1 The Wine Cellar Notes explaining Words. 2 Or to Rest His Banner over me was Love Notes explaining Words. 3 As Scarlet Streamers From Cyrus the most Eminent Type of Christ and the onely of any Heathen Prince call'd Messiah till the very Glorious Appearance of Christ the Churches Condition is full of Varieties and continual Changes of better and worse Condition Stay me with Flagons Comfort me with Apples For I am sick of Love His left Hand is under my Head His right Hand doth Embrace me Notes explaining Words. 4 My Fainting Swooning state Notes explaining Words. 5 The Roes and Hinds meaning the Pagan Powers ready to be Cruel and Savage I charge you oh ye Daughters of Jerusalem by the Roes and by the Hinds of the Field that ye stir not up nor awake my Love till he please Notes explaining Words. 6 Place of Retirement Notes explaining Words. 7 Cyrus was called Messiah or Gods Anointed Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a In the very lowest of the Captivity there were notable Tokens of Gods Presence as of Wine though in a deep Cellar or Vault such was Ezekiel's Prophecy Daniel's Prophecy and Exaltation Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Exaltation of God Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b There was great Reason of fearing to offend in this Time seeing his Goodness turn'd those Lyons Tygers and Wolves into any degrees of mildness of Roes
and Hinds of the Field The Awes therefore of their Salvageness was to keep them from Murmuring and Repining at Gods Hand in their Captivity and to wait his appointed time And this is thus Poetically Express'd I Charge you c. Notes explaining Words. 1 The Captivity yet allow'd Peace and Quiet The Voice of my Beloved Notes explaining Words. 2 The Cell and the Mountains are oppos'd one signifying Captivity the other Liberty Behold he cometh leaping upon the Mountains skipping upon the Hills Notes explaining Words. 3 The Earth it self seems to fly in the Airy leaps of those Creatures Notes explaining Words. 4 The Churches moves upon the Mountains in return from Babel are set out by the Motions of her Beloved even as Christ is Resembled with the Churches Condition My Beloved is like a Roe or a young Hart Behold he standeth behind our Wall He looketh forth at the Windows shewing himself through the Lattise Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a There Cannot be a more exact Description of the state of the Church when Cyrus Proclaimed its Liberty Ezr. 1. And the Adversaries of Judah hinder'd the Progress of Things till Darius Ezr. 1. And Darius Retriv'd all Ezr. 5. and Artaxerxes fully settled them in their former state Ezr. 7. and throughout his and Nehemiah's History Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b It seems on all accounts of Scripture and History most probable Artaxerxes called Longimanus was by Esther the Son of Xerxes Ahasuerus spoken of Esth 1. c. Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. c The Word here fully went forth according to Ezr. 6. 14. compared with Dan. 9. 23. 25. Notes explaining Words. 1 Artaxerxes last Decree Ezr. 7. My Beloved spake and said unto me Rise up my Love and Fair one come away Notes explaining Words. 2 All the Tokens of the Spring are made use of to set out this Liberty For lo the Winter is past the Rain is over and gone The Flowers appear on the Earth The time of the Singing of Birds is come and the Voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land Notes explaining Words. 3 The Summer is like the setting out of a Royal Navy The Fig-tree putteth forth her green Figs and the Vine with the tender Grapes give a good smell Arise my Love my fair One and come away O my Dove that art in the clefts of the Rock in the secret place of the Stairs Notes explaining Words. 4 The delay of the Jews returns is most Elegantly set out by Clefts of Rocks and secret Stairs and by Haggai and Zechariah were given out and by Ezra and Nehemiah the continued Calls of Christ to come away Let me hear thy Voice Notes explaining Words. 5 By the Churches Voice and Countenance we may understand the Order of the Temple Worship so taken care of by Artaxerxes and Ezra commissioned by him Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. l There cannot be a clearer Explanation of this part of the Song than the compare of it with the History of Ezra and Nehemiah Let me see thy Countenance for sweet is thy Voice and thy Countenance is comely Notes explaining Words. 1 Sanballat Tobiah c. Nehem. 6. Take us the Foxes the little Foxes for our Vines have tender Grapes Notes explaining Words. 2 Ezra the ready Scribe in the Law of God Ezr. 7. 6. Notes explaining Words. 3 Nehemiah the Tirshatha Nehem. 7. 65. Who were Rais'd up by God under the fore-nam'd King â—rtaxerxes called Longimanus to restore the Temple and the whole Order of the Jewish Law Notes explaining Words. 4 While the fore-said Sanballat and Tobiah by a Fox-like Cunning pretended to Build with them as is to be seen in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah Notes explaining Words. 5 This is the Circle He is mine I am His. My Beloved is mine and I am His He feeds among the Lillies Notes explaining Words. 1 Feeding among the Lillies represents the Churches pure state in Faith Worship and Life wherein Christ delights Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a When Nehemiah had settled the Jewish State according the Law of God then was this mutual Affiance betwixt Christ and the Church Vntill the Day break and the shadows fly away Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b The Church prays for the speedy returns of Christ foreseeing times of his Absence as Daniel calls them Troublous Times which as Christ and his Apostles especially the Revelation assure us are to continue till his Coming Turn my Beloved And be thou like a Roe or a young Hart on the Mountains of Bether or Division Notes explaining Words. 2 As the Equinoctial-Line divides the Year into its two halves of Summer and Winter before each of which the Sun comes upon that Line so the two halves of the Worlds time are in Cyrus divided into the times of old and the latter times Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. c There could not be a more Elegant Description of the last half of time then by the Mountains of Bether and of the state of that Time as a time with Troubles then by such a desire of Christs sudden Visits after some short Absences nor of the end of it then by Christs Glorious Appearance then by Shades flying away and the bright Morning Star appearing and shaded no longer by such wav'd Dicisions of Absence and Presence or of Eves and Morns Notes explaining Words. 3 The last half is fitly signified by the Mountains of Bether or of Division and Dissection viz. of time parted and cut asunder from its self and also divided betwixt Christs Absence and Presence as Eves and Morns Notes explaining Words. 4 The end of this last half of time is that all shades fly away and the Day of the Glorious Kingdom of Christ appears Notes explaining Words. 5 Whole Time being compar'd to a Globe the two halves may be compared to two Hemispheres or half Globes while Eternity as before and after Time flows round the whole Globe of Time Esay 45. 1. Notes explaining Words. 1 Among all the Heathen Kings named in Scripture Cyrus alone is called Gods Annointed Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. a The Years from the Creation when the Womb of Eternity brought forth Time computed first by the Patriarchs Lives to the Flood thence to Abraham's Sojourning at Terah's Death thence to the going out of Aegypt thence to Solomon beginning the Temple thence to Solomon's Death thence to Cyrus by Ezekiel's 390 and 40 Prophetick Years arise just to 3459 years as will appear on Tryal Notes explaining Words. 2 Numbred Numbers are Numbers plainly set down in the Scripture Calendar or Account of Time Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. b Ezekiel's 390 Years accounted by the Reigns of the Kings of Israel till their Captivity as they ought to be because this Sin of Israel was born in them then by the Kings of Judah till the City Smitten then by the 14 years after the City Smitten rise exactly so many at the Vision of the New Jerusalem which Vision accomplished they shall be Restored and their Sin no longer borne The 40 Years of Judah being the remainder of the 70 Years Captivity from that Vision run to their Redemption by Cyrus when their Sin no longer borne and so ought to be joyn'd to the 390 as is said in the Verses Ezek. 4 5 6. Ezek. 41. 1. c. Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. c Daniel's 2300 Even Morn and the thousand Years make the other half of Time together with the little Time after Satan loosed at the end of the thousand Years Notes explaining the SenÅ¿e. d The thousand Years are an entire