diffus'd the savour of Christs Oyntments and drew the Virgins after him In Union with David Solomon his Son is to be joyn'd who enjoyed in Splendor Peace and Magnificence the Kingdom that was the Acquest of David's Wars whose many Wives and Concubines like the sixty Queens the eighty Concubines and Virgins without number c. 6. 8. which make the Spouse of Christ and especially his Marriage of Pharaoh 's Daughter with Royal Estate are greatly serviceable to this Song and to the Representations it gives of the Spouse of Christ and of his Marriage to it For that most Illustrious and Celebrated Queen Pharaohs Daughter undoubtedly a Convert to the God of Israel was not only a Type of the Gentile Church in general but particularly of its State in the Philadelphian Interval so highly Honoured Revel 3. And for her as a Type of the Church in that state that Divinely Prophetick Fourty fifth Psalm was composed in so much Agreement with this Song a Song of Loves set to a Musical Instrument or Tune called Shoshannim or the Lillies among which this Song Represents so often Christ and his Church Feeding an Emblem of Purity at last set in Glory and Lustre Now the Principal Intention of that Psalm is under the Type of Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter to Represent Christ Annointed as on the Mount of Spices for his Appearance on his Royal Throne and taking his Church in the Philadelphian state to Himself as his Bride agreeable with the close of this Song agreeable with the Promises to the Philadelphian Church agreeable with Revel 19. and c. 21. And the very silence of Solomon's Israelitish Wives seems not to be without a Mystery but to express that long Desolate state of the whole Seed of Israel under the Gospel and yet there is a Revival at last in the Shulamite as Solomon had undoubtedly Israelitish Wives and in his Repentance Return'd to them c. 6. 12 13. And even in those Wives of the Idolatrous Nations Solomon took who Turn'd away his Heart from God He may be thus far a Type of the Love of Christ to the Heathen Idolatrous World and also of that great Scandal This hath against him the True Messiah given so long to the Jews from which yet Christ shall be vindicated at the Conversion of ALL as Solomon is by this Song together with the Book of Ecclesiastes Vindicated from the Infamy of his Idolatry It being so Royal a Monument of his Repentance This Solomon was also He who Built the Temple of God and his own House of State that serve also in this song as Types who lastly was a great Prince in Wisdom and the Largeness of his Mind This so great a Type yea so great a Prophecy of Christ in his own Person and Reign and Marriages is commission'd as the most Elect Person to sing this song this Prophetical song of the Kingdom of Christ as David did in so many Psalms And such a Song was to be expected from so great a Prince and such a Son of Wisdom whose Wisdom had not been perfect in Honour without such a Prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ Seeing Prophecy and Prophecy of Christ was the highest point of Wisdom And it stands with Ecclesiastes as a Monument of the Repentance of this Great King after his Fall Let then the Epoch of this Song be David's and Solomon's Reign in Conjunction and the beginning of the Course of Time to Christs Kingdom in this Song fix'd here And immediately after Solomon's death begins not a new Course but a new Character of this Course of Time carried on from Time to Time in the most Known Remarkable and Chronicular Events of greatest Renown in Scripture-History or Prophecy or Both or Scripture Prophecy and Humane History that cannot be denyed nor to have been such noble Events Now then if in the very same order these Events keep with the Course of Time They have also such fit Emblems and Resemblances of them in this Song and in the same order that They have all along to this very Day in the Course of Time I cannot account this less than great Evidence This Song is such a Frame or Table of Time as I assert it And that these may stand Fair Visible and Together I have Calendar'd them in the Annexed Table and Referr'd them to each part of this Song together with their References to each Page of the Book and also according to their Scituation and Place in the Course of Time and according to that Settlement I have endeavour'd to vindicate to them that in Course of Time by My Line of Time Now I cannot but add as a farther Evidence of the Epoch of this Song and that it designs a Course of Time of which I gave Intimation just now viz. That after the Reign of David and Solomon In the Division of the Ten and the Two Tribes making a House of Judah and a House of Israel Ezekiel's Days for Years Began as an Introduction of Prophetical Time and as shall be declared a Medium or Mediation betwixt Historical and Prophetical Time and on which the whole Course of Prophetical Time Runs Upon this very point of Time This Song gives those two Remarks 1. Of that Division by the Tents of Kedar and the Curtains of Solomon And then of Rehoboam's Servitude under Shishak King of Aegypt where to distinguish or rather to make most notorious that Time There is a more Uncouth Resemblance than is to be found in the whole Song beside viz. I have compared Thee O my Love to a Company of Horses in Pharaoh 's Chariot c. 1. 5. 9. as is Declared in the Exposition A Second Thing I cannot but add in Confirmation of the Cou rse of Time is That forasmuch as it was Fore-seen there would not be after the History of the Acts of the Apostles Scripture History to bear up the Prophecy of Daniel looking beyond that Time nor of the Apocalypse Given after that Time We have therefore before the Apostolical Time a Precedent of depending upon the most undoubted Humane History for one of the most Remarkable Prophecies in the Judgment of all Expositors and in which some would fain Absolve all Daniel's Prophecy viz. the Tyranny of Antiochus Taking away the Daily Sacrifice as great a Tyranny and Desolation of their Worship for the short time it lasted or greater than any the Jewish Church suffered till their Final Desolation And This though so solemnly prophecied of by Daniel we have only the History of the Maccabees and of Josephus to depend upon for the Exposition of it And it is counted so enough that no Interpreter doubts it Why then should we not be as well satisfied in undoubted Humane History concerning the Roman Antichrist the Antitype to Antiochus that he is that Man of Sin in 2 Thessal 2. and the Beast Rev. c. 13. c. 17. And it is very remarkable how much in the same Emblems This Song may be fairly suppos'd to Descant on Both
as it were the Type and the Antitype The Type c. 3. before the Incarnation The Antitype c. 6. before the preparation of All Things and their running on to the Glory of Christs Kingdom in c. 7. c. 8. And while there is an Agreement the due Distances are also maintain'd Thus the Epoch and so much of the Running on of the Course being Remonstrated upon let us consider the Period and Conclusion and see if the Song does not draw all things to their Consummation in the Glory of Christ's Kingdom as into the Time of the Fullest Confluence of all to the True Church of Christ as one Gentile Church viz. the Fulness of the Gentiles The Antichristian Converts and the Reformed Churches Then the Jews or two Tribes Congregated to it as the Princes of the East looking out as the Morning and at last the Ten Tribes And then the whole Mountain of Spices flows into an Everlasting Unction of Christ into his Kingdom who is then Annointed with the Oyl of Joy above his Fellows A Kingdom above all Kingdoms and beyond which There is nothing but Eternity And Concurrent with this End is the Highest Purity the most Ardent Love betwixt Christ and his Church the fullest Enjoyment as in not only a Supreme but an only Kingdom and as in the Paradise of God as is so Remarkable that it cannot be miss'd in the latter part or the three last Chapters of the Song What then can if This does not deserve to be the Period and Point of the Course of Time and of this Song Commensurate to it and so Adequate to Daniel's last Words of Prophecy and the drawing up all to an End in the Revelation Upon the whole then There cannot be a greater proof of a Frame system or Model in any Writing that doth not openly declare it self to be so than to find out a just Order and Series and due Connexion in the Parts Nor in a Mystical Frame than that the Parts do fairly Express and Expose the Things that in such a Frame They are supposed to Expose And if it be accounted in Philosophy a good Discharge to give an Hypothesis or Scheme of Nature agreeable and to keep All Appearances safe in Relation one to another I hope it will be Esteemed a good Acquittal of my Undertaking not only to Project a Frame or System of this but to find that Frame laid in Scripture-History and Prophecy or in Scripture-Prophecy and Uncontestable Humane History as of Antiochus his Tyranny just now to this purpose Instanc'd and to find the Images of Prophetick Song all along Agreeing And I hope it will be no more disallowed to Expound this Song into a continued Parable without dowright Demonstration than it is to Expound the Parts of this Song in several and particular Parables with as little Demonstration as General Interpreters do In fine that the whole Song so laid into a Parable may be Accepted as well as any other Theological Parable of which there are Examples seeing all the Parts and Lines on which it is grounded are undoubtedly Divine and the Exposition so fairly put for to be Justified as Divine also For I acknowledge That which enabled me to bring this Song into the Contexture wherein it is now Presented and that which gave me also the occasion and the Engagement to do it is The Scripture-Line of Time I lately Published To which I have in the Title declared It is Adjusted and which I have pursued along in the Exposition of the Song both in the Signification of the Emblems and in the Notes of Time And it is upon This Hope that These two may give Light and Strength one to another For the same Things variously Represented make them clearer and easier to general Apprehension Some Things being plainer to some in one Dress to some in another and each gives Light to the other when They are Compar'd And in this Song and its Exposition Things lye much nearer and closer one to another They are more suddenly seen and Apprehended more easily Grasp'd and more easily Remembred And what requires either fuller Discourse or Proof may be sought in those larger Prophetical Discussions of the Line of Time But above All The Compare of these Three Great Prophets besides others viz. Solomon Daniel John the Three Beloveds does exceedingly inlighten and strengthen my Prophetical Scheme For when the Three Frames differ in Circumstances and yet agree in Essentials There can be no greater Conviction of a Design'd Scheme of Prophecy nor happier Conduct into it than their compare one with another And such a three-fold Cord is not easily broken And in the Mouth of not Two but Three Witnesses every word is Established I have chosen to Present this Song in Verse in Conformity to the Divine Poesy not pretending to Excel herein much less to come within any distance of the Original but to come something nearer the High Spirit and Lofty Air of this Song than plain Exposition in Prose could do I am also in Hope that the Diversion and Acceptableness of Words in number and measure may Invite to the Consideration of the Matter so convey'd and that while the Poetry is Censur'd and Condemn'd yet the Sense may slide in and lay hold of the Judgment And lest any Difficulty in such a stinted Form of Words should occur I have by brief Notes Explaining Words and sense endeavoured to Illustrate such Difficulties And as I desire This Poem should look backward to the Line of Time I have already or shall with this offer to any Hand so I desire It should look forward to a second Part now in the Press and wherein I Beg the assistance of all who shall be induc'd to favour the Undertaking To conclude That all Things may be made most plain I have plac'd this Table as in Entrance to the Exposition of this Song That every one may run and Read those great Heads of Prophecy in their order and in the Series of Time wherein they are set the Events themselves none can deny to be the greatest that can be found in Scripture-History or suppos'd in Scripture-prophecy nor call in question their successive Order in Time So that every one may compare the Images which are undoubtedly Divine and then set them close to the Exposition which is in the Line of Time endeavour'd to be prov'd Divine also by immediate Scripture Consequence and when their place in Time cannot be contested what can be doubted There is but one grand Event which I can think of which can in this Song be suppos'd to be omitted And that is the Desolation of the Jews by the Romans But that asunfit for a Song of Loves is glided over and rather suppos'd by the Gentile Church entring into the whole play of the Song then describ'd even as Gods Casting the Ten Tribes out of his sight is silently made known by the Songs Reference to the House of Judah only And observe those Jewish Desolations are shaded over
ever since the Assyrian Captivity 2 Kings 17. exulate But as to Judah's Scepter-bearing Tribe And to the Church in that thus does describe This Holy Song What th' Sovereign Powers are As such it does bespeak the Church with Care It 's Beauty's yet secur'd And the Kings Love It still is duely styl'd Nothing does move That Character A Priestly Kingdom it Is Notes explaining the Senſe. t This Song therefore wholly exercis'd upon the two Tribes and Levites with them among which the Spouse and Church of Christ is described according to each King of Davids House and his Religious or Corrupt Reign But when they are Bad their Corruptions are as much hid as may be to preserve the Grace of this Song of Love made by Christ so must its Beauty sit To such Portraictures as its Princes Reigns Deserve while richer Blood yet fills its Veins Then by its Counterfeits is seen when ill To give them yet with Grace approves the skill To these plain shades the King too 's pleas'd to stoop Himself that under them his Spouse may'nt droop Distinct the Kings are set who 're th' Spouses joy Whose Notes explaining Words. 1 As currant Coin so were the pure Reigns sterling Reigns are all of pure alloy These in their Order but those rank'd between Who were the Bad that th' Good may be their screen Wrapt up in short to heal the Churches wrong This Be the Key to th' Ciphers of this Song But Notes explaining the Senſe. u The Spouse in Rehoboams time is uncouthly to the Grace of such a Song compar'd to a company of horses in Pharaohs chariot and yet with great Grace to Rehoboam's Reign as a new source Of Time to fix and guide the certain course Must have its single shade and though not fine Bless'd Spouse to sort the Beauty that is Thine Yet by its service it must Recompence Its Uncouth disagreement to Loves sense The King Rehoboam's Reign I have compar'd thee O my Love to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots Oh how am I my Love surpriz'd to see Thy Notes explaining Words. 2 The two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin united under Davids Family Two-trib'd Judah's low Notes explaining Words. 3 Shishaks Servants 2 Chro. 12. 8. servility As if in Triumph Pharaoh-Shishak's state Were Chariotted by thy Notes explaining Words. 4 A Power of any two united Duumvirate Of Tribes as lofty Steeds are curb'd and bowd To serve such proud Grandezza this black Cloud Encloses thee my Spouse and dwells upon Thy Glory under Schelom's Less-wise Notes explaining Words. 1 Rohoboam Son Notes explaining the Senſe. a The rest of the Kings Reigns and their Symbols here are so plain that the Compare of their History and the Expressions of the Song are as an Exposition upon them Asa's Reign But I my Love am Ravish'd with the change That Asa's brighter Days bring on The Range Thy Cheeks are comely with Rowes of Jewels Thy Neck with Chains of Gold Of Grace and Beauty on thy Cheeks like rows Of Jewels from whence Notes explaining Words. 2 Jewels bearing the likeness of Turtles 2 Chron. 15. chastest Lustre grows The Wreaths of th' Holy League like Golden chains Twine round thy Neck guarding thy Azure Veins His Reformation purged off the Soil That had so deep Attaint'd the Sacred Oyl Divine Favours shall soon Remark Thy Zeal Of Purity Victory and Publick Weal Shall be like Golden Borders whose grave scite We will make Thee Borders of Gold with Studs of Silver Enliv'd with Silver Stars shall sparkle Light The Medal of thy Well-mix'd Reformation Is Peace and Glory's Concert through thy Nation The Spouse Notes explaining Words. 3 2 Chron. 17. c. 19. c. Jehoshaphat's Reign To Thee my Princely Love I thus rej'yne Bless'd be thy Favour bless'd thy Grace Divine For while thy Table condescends so low My Spicknard feels the Vertue and doth flow While the King sitteth at his Table My Spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof In Streams so free that Judah's utmost Bounds Find the Attractive Eccho back the sounds Of Truth while the Notes explaining Words. 4 A costly Oyntment sending out its smell resembling pure Religion Spikenard's Effluxes fly And make returns to Thee by Notes explaining Words. 5 The desire of things to their own kind Sympathy Chorus This is the state of Things while Asa's Son The Good Jehoshaphat ascends the Throne The Spouse But now my highest Love a blacker frame Of things I sing under thy Royal Name While wicked Ahab's Notes explaining Words. 1 Ahazia Joash Amazia Line create a Night Of Notes explaining Words. 2 Their Reign omitted in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ Matt 1. 8. Inter-reign in Sacred Rolls Delight In thy Pure self becomes my onely stay Without the Kingly Types to underlay My Thoughts Lodg'd 'twixt my Breasts like rich Perfume A Bundle of Myrrh is my well-beloved to me He shall lye all Night betwixt my breasts Of Myrrh shall lye thy Oyl till Thou resume My Kings into thy Notes explaining Words. 3 Omitted As if there had been no Kings betwixt Jehoram and Vzziah Genealogy Of Myrrh I say Notes explaining Words. 4 Thy Discipline and Correction of thy Pedagogy Fit Emblem whose wise Rod chastises Sin With Mercy thus Myrrhs sweetest Odours win The intic'd Smell while bitter Notes explaining Words. 5 Relishes Gustoes chide The too bold Taste and Appetite deride The Spouse goes on As I my Love have modestly convey'd In least offensive terms what would upbreid My Love is to me as a bundle of Camphire Cypress in the Vineyards of Hen-gedi Our Pleasure in those three Attainted Kings With Awes so of my Love my Sorrow sings Their Reigns Notes explaining Words. 6 Abijam Joram Abaz Manasseh before repentance Amon their worst Reigns Whose Character is much too foul For Holy Love in Chrystal Airs t' Enroul Except Attoned in their worst Ferment By those of Notes explaining Words. 7 Vzziah Jotham Amaziah their better Reigns some though not the richest scent Whose Notes explaining Words. * A Shrub of some though not of so precious Scent growing in Judaea Cypress is the Nobler cause it grows And with Notes explaining Words. †A place of choicest Vineyards Hen-Gedies Vines its Odor flowes For the rich Soil of th' Holy Land doth raise The Vertue of its Shrubs if any Praise Of true Religion shall in them be found Though not with David's Purity they 'r Crown'd The King Hezekiah's Reign But now the Scene is chang'd my Love 's all Fair And onely Fair no Clouds near to Impair Behold thou art fair my Love Behold thou art fair Thou hast Doves Eyes Thy Beauty But thy Eyes are Chaste and Clear As Doves No Idols Notes explaining Words. 1 Antick look Grimace dares appear Thus Hezekiah's well Reformed State Thy Beauties Fame to Ages doth dilate The Spouse Josiah's Reign My best Belov'd the Praise of all is Thine Thine is the Glory while the Comfort 's mine Behold thou art fair my Beloved Also our Bed is Green All Beauty I can own is Thine reflex'd As the Worlds Light is Heavens Ray's Notes explaining Words. 2 As an Arch of Light convex'd Thou dart'st those purest Splendors from thy Face Josiah's
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
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
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