SALOMONS
Song of Songs, paraphrased.
CHAP. I.
Dialog. The Church, to
CHRIST.
OH that he would bestovve vpon me the comfortable testimonies of his loue,
1 Let him kisse me, with the kisses of his mouth; for, thy loue is better then wine. and that hee would vouchsafe me yet a neerer coniunction with himselfe; as in glory hereafter, so for the meane time in his sensible graces. For, thy loue, O my Sauiour,
[Page 2] and these fruites of it, are more sweet vnto me, then all earthly delicates can bee to the bodily taste.
2. Because of the sauour of thy good ointmēts, thy name is as an oinmēt powred out: therfore the Virgins loue theeYea, so wonderfully pleasant are the sauours of those graces that are in thee, wherewith I desire to be indued; that al, whom thou hast blessed with the sense thereof, make as high and deare account of thy Gospell, vvhereby they are wrought, as of some precious oyntment, or perfume: the delight whereof is such, that (heereuppon) the pure and holy soules of the faithfull, place their whole affection, vpon thee.
[Page 3]Pull me therefore out from the bondage of my sinnes:
3. Draw me, we will runne after thee: the king hath brought me into his chā bers, we will reioyce, & be glad in thee: we will remē ber thy loue, more then vine, the righteous doe loue thee. deliuer mee from the world, and doe thou powerfully incline my will, and affections toward thee: and in spight of all tentations, giue mee strength to cleaue vnto thee; and then both I, and all those faithfull children thou hast giuen me, shall all at once with speede and earnestnesse walke to thee, and with thee: yea, when once my royall and glorious husband hath brought mee both into these lower roomes of his spirituall treasures on earth, and into his heauenlie chambers of glorie,
[Page 4] then will we reioyce and bee glad in none, but thee; which shalt be all in all to vs: then will wee celebrate and magnifie thy loue, aboue all the pleasures we found vpō earth; for, all of vs thy righteous ones, both Angels and Saints, are inflamed with the loue of thee.
4. I am black O daughters of Ierusalē, but comely: If I be as the tents of
Kedar, yet I am as the curtaines of
Salomon.Neuer vpbraid mee (O ye forraine congregations) that I seeme in outward appearance discoloured by my infirmities, and duskish with tribulations: for, what soeuer I seeme to you, I am yet inwardly wel-fauoured in the eyes of him, whom I seeke to please; and tho I bee to you blacke like the tents of the Arabian shepherds: yet to
[Page 5] him and in him, I am glorious and beautiful, like the curtains of
Salomon.
Looke not therefore disdainefully vpon me,
5. Regard yee me not, because I am blacke: for the sun hath looked vpon me; the sons of my mother were angry against me: they made m
[...] keeper of the vines: but I kept not min
[...] owne vine. because I am blackish, & darke of hew: for, this colour is not so much naturall to me; as caused by that continuall heate of afflictions wherewith I haue bene vsually scorched: neither this, so much vpon my owne iust desert, as vpon the rage and enuie of my false brethren, the World: who would needs force vpon me the obseruation of their idolatrous religions, and superstitious impieties; through whose wicked importunitie, and my owne
[Page 6] weakenesse, I haue not so intirely kept the sincere truth of God committed to me, as I ought.
6. Shew me, O thou whom my soule loueth, where thou feedest, where thou liest at noon: for why shold I be as shee that turneth aside to the flockes of thy companions?Now therfore, that I am some little started aside from thee, O thou whom my soule notwithstanding dearely loueth, shew me, I beseech thee, where, and in what wholesome & diuine pastures thou (like a good shepherd) feedest, & restest thy flockes with comfortable refreshings, in the extreamity of these hot persecutiōs: for, how can it stand with thy glory, that I should through thy neglect, thus suspiciously wander vp and downe, amongst the congregations of them that both
[Page 7] command & practise the worship of false gods.
CHRIST, to the Church.
IF thou know not,
7. If thou know not, O thou the fairest among women, get thee foorth by the steps of the flocke: & feed thy Kids aboue the tents of the shepherds. ô thou my Church, whō I both esteeme and haue made most beutifull by my merits, and thy sanctification: stray not amongst these false worshippers, but follow the holy steps of those blessed Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, which haue bin my true & ancient flocke; who haue both knowen my voice, & followed me: & feed thou my weake & tender ones with this their spirituall food of life; far aboue the carnall reach of those other false teachers.
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8. I haue cō pared thee, O my Loue, to the troups of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh.Such is mine estimation of thee, O my Loue, that so farre as the choisest Egyptian horses of Pharaoh, for comely shape, for honourable seruice, for strength and speed, exceed all other, so farre thou excellest all that may be compared with thee.
9. Thy cheeks are comely with rowes of stones, & thy necke with chaines.Those parts of thee, which both are the seats of beauty, and most conspicuous to the eye, are gloriously adorned with the graces of my sanctification; which are for their worth as so many precious borders of the goodliest stones, or chaines of pearle.
10. We will make thee borders of gold, with studs of siluerAnd tho thou be already thus set forth: yet I and my father
[Page 9] haue purposed a further ornament vnto thee, in the more plentifull effusion of our spirit vpon thee: which shalbe to thy former deckings, in stead of pure gold curiously wrought with specks of siluer.
The Church.
BEhold (O yee daughters) euen now,
11. While the king was at his repast, my spiknard gaue the smell thereof. whiles my Lord and King seemes farre distant from me, & sits in the throne of heauen amongst the companies of Angels (who attend around vpon him) yet now doe I find him present with mee in spirit; euen now, the sweet influence of his graces, like to some precious ointmēt, spreds
[Page 10] it selfe ouer my soule; and returnes a pleasant fauour into his owne nosthrils.
12. My welbeloued is as a bundle of myrrhe vnto me, lying betweene my breasts.And tho I bee thus delightful to my Sauiour, yet nothing so much as he is vnto me: for loe, as some fragrant pomander of myrrhe, laid betweene the brests, sends vp a most cō fortable sent; so, his loue, laid close vnto my heart, doth still giue me continual & vnspeakable refreshings.
13. My welbeloued is as a cluster of Cypers vnto me among the vines of Engeddy.Or if any thing can bee of more excellent vertue, such smell as the clusters of cypersberries, within the fruitfulst, pleasantst, & richest vineyards, & gardēs of Iudaea, yeeld vnto the passengers; such and more
[Page 11] delectable doe I finde the sauour of his grace to me.
CHRIST.
NEither doest thou on my part lose any of thy loue,
14. My Loue behold thou art faire, thine eyes are like the doues O my deare Church: for, behold; in mine eies, thus clothed as thou art with my righteousnesse, oh how faire & glorious thou art; how aboue all comparison glorious and faire! thine eies (which are thy seers, Prophets, Apostles, Ministers) and those inward eyes, whereby thou seest him that is inuisible, are full of grace, chastity, simplicitie.
The Church.
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15. My wel-beloued, behold, thou art faire & pleasant: also our bed is greene.NAy then (O my sweet sauiour and spouse) thou alone art that faire and pleasant one indeed, from whose fulnesse I confesse to haue receiued al this little measure of my spiritual beauty: and behold, from this our mutuall delight, & heauenly coniunctiō, there ariseth a plentifull and florishing increase of thy faithfull ones, in all places, & through all times.
16. The beames of our house are cedars, our galleries are of firre.And behold, the congregations of Saints, the places where we do sweetly conuerse and walke together, are both firme and during (like cedars
[Page 13] amongst the trees) not subiect through thy protecting grace to vtter corruptiō; & through thy fauourable acceptation and word (like to galleries of sweet wood) full of pleasure and contentment.
CHAP. II.
Christ.
THou hast not without iust cause magnified mee,
1. I am the Rose of the field, and the Lillie of the valleyes. O my Church: for, as the fairest & sweetest of all floures which the earth yeeldeth, the rose & lilly of the valleyes, excell for beautie, for pleasure, for vse, the most base and odious weeds that growe; so doth my
[Page 14] grace, to al them that haue felt the sweetnesse thereof, surpasse all worldly contentments.
2. Like a lilly among the thorns, so is my Loue among the daughters.Neither is this my dignitie alone: but thou O my spouse (that thou mayest bee a fit match for mee) art thus excellent aboue the world, that no lilly can bee more in goodly shew beyond the naked thorn, then thou in thy glory thou receiuest from me, ouer-lookest all the assemblies of aliens and vnregenerates.
The Church.
3. Like the Apple-tree among the trees of the forest, so is my wel-beloued among the sonnes of men: vnder his shadow had I delight, & sate down; and his fruit was sweet vnto my mouth.ANd (to returne thine owne praises) as some fruitful & wel-growen Apple-tree,
[Page 15] in comparison of all the barren trees of the wild forest: so art thou (O my beloued sauiour) to me, in comparison of all men, and angels; vnder thy comfortable shadowe alone, haue I euer wont to find safe shelter against all mine afflictions, all my tentations and infirmities, against all the curses of the Law, and dangers of iudgement, and to coole my selfe after all the scorching beames of thy fathers displeasure, and (besides) to feed and satisfie my soule with the soueraigne fruite of thy holy word; vnto eternall life.
Hee hath gratiously led me by his spirit,
4. He broght me into the wine cellar, and loue was his banner ouer me. into the midst of
[Page 16] the mysteries of godliness; and hath plentifully broached vnto me the sweet wines of his Scriptures, & sacrament. And looke how soldiers are drawn by their colours, from place to place, and cleaue fast to their ensigne: so his loue, which he spred forth in my hart, was my only bāner, wherby I was both drawen to him, directed by him, and fastened vpon him.
5. Stay me with flagons, and comfort me with apples: for, I am sicke of loue.And now, O ye faithfull Euangelists, Apostles, Teachers apply vnto me, with all care & diligence, all the cordiall promises of the Gospel: these are the full flagons of that spirituall wine, which only can cheere vp my soule; these are the
[Page 17] apples of that tree of life, in the middest of the garden, which can feed me to immortalitie. Oh come and apply these vnto my heart: for, I am euen ouercome with a longing expectation and desire of my delayed glory.
And whilest I am thus spiritually languishing in this agony of desire;
6. His left hand be vnder my head: and let his right hand imbrace mee. let my Sauiour imploy both his hands to releeue mine infirmitie: let him comfort my head & my heart, my iudgement and affections (which both complaine of weakenesse) with the liuely heate of his gratious imbracements: and so let vs sweetly rest together.
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7. I charge you O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes & by the Hinds of the field, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my Loue, vntill he please.In the meane time, I charge you (O all yee that professe any friendship or affinitie with mee) I charge you, by whatsoeuer is comely, deare, and pleasant vnto you, as you will auoid my vttermost censures, take heed how you vexe and disquiet my mercifull Sauior, & greeue his spirit, and wrong his name, with your vaine and leud cōuersatiō; & do not dare by the least prouocation of your sin to interrupt his peace
8. It is the voice of my wel-beloued: behold he cō meth leaping by mountains and skipping by the hils.Loe, I haue no sooner called, but hee heares and answeres me with his louing voice: neither doth he only speak to me afar, but hee comes to me with much willingnes & celeritie;
[Page 19] so willingly, that no humane resistaunce can hinder him, neither the hillocks of my lesser infirmities, nor the mountaines of my grosser sinnes (once repented of) can staie his merciful pase towards me.
So swiftly, that no Roe,
9. My Welbeloued is like a Roe, or a yoūg Hart: loe, hee standeth behinde our wall, looking forth of the windowes, shewing himselfe through the grates. or Hinde, can fully resemble him in this his speed & nimbleness: and loe, euen now, before I can speak it, is he come neere vnto me; close to the doore and wall of my heart. And tho this wall of my flesh hinder my full fruition of him: yet loe, I see him by the eye of faith, looking vpon me; I see him as in a glasse; I see him shining gloriously, through the
[Page 20] grates and vvindowes of his Word and Sacraments, vpon my soule.
10. My VVelbeloued spake, & sayd vnto me, arise my Loue, my faire one, and come thy wayAnd now, mee thinkes, I heare him speake to mee in a gracious invitation & say, Arise (O my Church) rise vp, whether from thy security, or feare: hide not thy head anie longer, O my beautiful Spouse for danger of thine enemies: neither suffer thy selfe to bee pressed with the dulness of thy nature, or the carelesse sleepe of thy sinnes; but come forth into the comfortable light of my presence, and shew thy self cheerefull in me.
11. For, behold winter is past, the rain is changed and gone way.For beholde, all the cloudie winter of thy afflictions is passed,
[Page 21] all the tempests of tentations are blowen ouer; the Heauen is cleare, and novv there is nothing that may not giue thee cause of delight.
Euerie thing novv resembles the face of a spirituall Spring;
12. The flowers appeare in the earth: the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. all the sweete flovvers and blossomes of holy profession put forth, and shewe themselues in their opportunities: now is the time of that heauenly melodie, which the cheerefull Saints and Angells make in mine eares; vvhile they sing songs of deliuerance and praise me with their Alleluiahs and say, Glory to God on hie, in earth peace, goodwill towards men.
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13. The fig-tree hath broght forth her young figs and the vines with their small grapes haue cast a sauor: arise my Loue, my fa
[...]re one, and come away.What speake I of blossoms? beholde, those fruitfull vines, and fig-trees of my faithfull ones, whome my husbandry hath carefully tended & dressed, yeeld forth both pleasant (tho tender) fruits of obedience, and the wholsome and comfortable sauours of better desires: wherefore, now O my deare Church, shake off all that dull securitie, wherewith thou hast beene held; and come forth, and inioy me.
14. My Doue, thou art in the hoales of the rocke, in the secret places of the cliftes: shewe mee thy sight, let mee heare thy voice: for thy voice is sweet and thy sight comely.O my beautifull, pure, and chaste spouse, which like vnto some solitary doue hast long hid thine head in the secret & inaccessible clifts of the rocks, out of the reache and knowledge
[Page 23] of thy persecutours; how-euer thou art concealed from others, shew thy selfe in thy works and righteousnesse, vnto me: and let me be euer plied with thy words of imploration, and thankesgiuing: for thy voice (tho it be in mourning) and thy face (tho it bee sad and blubbered) are exceedingly pleasing vnto me.
And in the meane time (O all yee that wishe vvell to my Name and Church) do your vtmost indeauour,
14. Take vs the foxes, the litle foxes which destroy the vines: for our vines haue small grapes. to deliuer her from her secret enemies (not sparing the least) who either by hereticall doctrine, or profane conuersation, hinder the course of the Gospell; and
[Page 24] peruert the faith of many; especially of those, that haue newly giuen vp their names to me, and are but newly entred into the profession of godlinesse.
16. My VVelbeloued is mine, & I am his: hee feedeth amōg the Lillies.My beloued Sauior is mine, through my faith; and I am his through his loue: and we both are one, by vertue of that blessed vnion on both partes; whereby wee mutually inioy each other, with all sufficient contentment. And how worthily is my loue placed vpon him, who leadeth mee forth into pleasant pastures; and at whose right hand there is the fulnesse of ioy for euermore?
[Page 25]Come therefore (O my Sauiour) and vntill the day of thy glorious appearance shall shine forth to the world,
17. Vntill the day break and the shadowes flee away; returne my VVelbeloued, & be like a Roe or a young Hart vpon the moū taines of Bether. wherin our spirituall marriage shall be consummate, and vntill all these shadowes of ignorance, of infidelity, of troubles of conscience, and of outwarde tribulations be vtterly dispersed, and chased away; come and turne thee to me againe: thou which to the carnall eyes of the world seemest absent; come quickly and delay not: but, for the speed of thy return be like vnto som swift Roe, or Hind, vpō those smooth hills of
Gilead, which
Iordan seuers from the other part of
Iury.
[...]
[...]
CHAP. III.
1. In my bed, by night I sought him that my soule loued: I soght him, but I found him not.MY securitie told me that my Sauior was neer vnto my soule, yea with it, and in it: but vvhen by serious and silent meditation I searched my owne heart, I found that (for ought my ovvne sense could discerne) hee was farre off from me.
2. I will rise therefore now, and goe about in the Citie by the streetes, and by open places, and will seek him that my soule loueth: I soght him, but I found him not.Then thought I vvith my selfe, Shall I lie still contented with this want? No, I wil stirre vp my selfe: and the helpe I cannot finde in my selfe, I will seeke in others; Of all that haue been experienced in all kinde of difficulties: of all
[Page 27] deep Philosophers, of the wisest and honestest worldlings, I will diligently enquire for my Sauiour: amongest them I sought him, yet could receiue no ansvvere to my satisfaction.
Missing him there,
3, The watchmen that went about the City, found me: to whom I sayd, haue you seen him whom my soule loueth? I ran to those vvise and carefull Teachers, whom God hath set, as so many watch-men vpon the walles of his Ierusalem, vvho sooner found me then I could aske after them; to whome I sayde, (as thinking no man coulde bee ignoraunt of my loue) Can you giue mee no direction where I might finde him, vvhome my soule loueth?
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4. VVhen I had past a little from them, then I found him whō my soule loueth: I took holde on him, and left him not, till I had brought him vnto my mothers house into the chā ber of hir that conceiued me.Of whome when I had almost left hoping for comfort, that gracious Sauiour vvho would not suffer mee tempted aboue my measure, presented himselfe to my soule: Loe then, by a newe act of faith, I laide fast holde vpon him, and will not let him anie more part from my ioyfull embracements; vntil both I haue brought him home fully into the seate of my conscience, and haue won him to a perpetuall cohabitation with mee; and a full accomplishment of my loue, in that Ierusalem which is aboue, which is the mother of vs all.
CHRIST.
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NOw that my distressed Church hath beene,
5. I charg ye ô daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes, & by the Hinds of the fielde, that yee stirre not vp nor wakē my loue vntill shee please. all the Night long of my seeming absence, toyled in seeking mee, I charge you (O all that professe anie friendship with mee) I charge you by whatsoeuer is comly, deare, and pleasant vnto you, that (as you will answere it) you trouble not her peace vvith anie vniust or vnseasonable suggestions, vvith vncharitable contentions, with anie Nouelties of doctrine; but suffer her to rest sweetelie, in that diuine truthe,
[Page 30] vvhich shee hath receiued, and this true apprehension of mee vvherein shee reioyceth.
6. Who is she that commeth vp out of the wilderness, like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh and incense, & with al the chief spices?Oh who is this, how admirable? hovv louely? vvho but my Church, that ascendeth thus gloriouslie out of the vvildernesse of the world, vvherein shee hath thus long vvandered, into the blessed mansions of my fathers house; all perfumed vvith the graces of perfect sanctification, mounting right vpward into her glorie, like some straight pillar of smoake, that ariseth from the most rich and pleasant composition of odours that can be deuised.
The Church.
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I Am ascended;
7. Behold his bed better then
Salomons: threescore strong men are roūd about it, of the valiant men of Israel. and loe how glorious is this place where I shall eternally inioy the presence and loue of my Sauiour; hovv farre doth it exceede the earthlie magnificence of SALOMON: about his bedde doe attende a guard of threescore choysest men of Israel.
All stout VVarriers,
8. They all handle the sword, and are expert in war euery one hath his sword vpō his thigh, for the fear by night. able and expert to handle the sword; which, for more readinesse, each of them weares hanging vpon his thigh, so as it may be hastily dravven vppon
[Page 32] anie suddaine daunger: but about this heauenlie pauilion of my Sauiour, attend millions of Angelles, spirituall Souldiers, mightie in power, readie to bee commaunded seruice by him.
9. King
Salomon made himself a bed of the trees of Lebanon.The Bride-bed that SALOMON made (so much admired of the World) vvas but of the Cedars of Lebanon.
10. Hee made the pillars therof of siluer, and the sted thereof of gold, the hangings thereof of purple, whose midst was in-layde with the loue of the daughters of Ierusalem.The Pillars but of siluer, and the bed-steed of golde; the Tester or Canopie but of purple; the couerlet wrought vvith the curious and painefull needle-worke of the maydes of IERVSALEM: but this celestiall resting place of
[Page 33] my GOD is not made with hands, not of anie corruptible metall, but is full of incomprehensible light, shining euermore vvith the glorious presence of GOD.
And as the outward state,
11. Come forth yee daughters of Sion, and beholde the King
Salomon with the crowne wherwith his mother crowned him in the day of his mariage, and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart. so the maiesty of his person is aboue all comparison. Come forth (O ye daughters of Sion) lay aside all priuate and earthly affections, looke vpon king SALOMON as hee sits solemnlie crovvned in the daie of his greatest royaltie and triumph, and compare his highest pompe vvith the diuine magnificence of my Sauiour; in that daie vvhen his blessed
[Page 34] marriage shall bee fully perfited aboue, to the eternall reioycing of himselfe, and his Church; and see vvhether there bee any proportion betwixt them.
CHAP. IIII.
CHRIST.
1. Behold, thou art faire my Loue, beholde thou art faire, thine eyes are like the doues within thy locks, thine haire is like a flocke of goats which looke downe from the mountaines of Gilead.OH how faire thou art and comely, my deer Spouse; how inwardely faire with the giftes of my Spirit; how faire outwardly in thy comely administration, and gouernmēt: thy spirituall eyes of vnderstanding, and iudgement, are
[Page 35] full of puritie, chastitie, simplicitie; not wantonly cast forth, but modestly shining amidst thy locks: all thy gratious profession and all thy appendances, and ornaments of expedient ceremonies, are so comely to behold, as it is to see a flock of well-sed goates grasing vpon the fruitfull hils of Gilead.
Those that chew and prepare the heauenly food for thy soule,
2. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheepe in good order which goe vp from the washing: which euery one bring out twinnes, and none is barren among them. are both of gratious simplicitie, and of sweete accordance one with another; hauing all one heart, and one tongue: and both themselues are sanctified, & purged from their vncleannesses, and are fruitfull in their holy labours
[Page 36] vnto others; so that their doctrine is neuer in vaine, but is still answered with plentifull increase of soules added to the Church.
3. Thy lips are like a thred of scarlet, and thy talke is comely; thy temples are within thy locke as a peece of a pomgranate.Thy speech (especially in the mouth of thy teachers) is both gratious in it selfe, and such as administers grace to the hearers; full of zeale and feruent charitie, full of grauitie and discretion: and that part of thy countenance, which thou wilt haue seene (tho dimly and sparingly) is full of holy modesty and bashfulnesse; so blushing, that it seemeth like the colour of a broken peece of pomgranate.
[Page 37]Those,
4. Thy necke is as the towre of Dauid, built for defence: a thousand shields hang therein, & all the targets of the strong men. who by their holy authority sustaine thy gouernment (which are as some straight and strong neck to beare vp the head) are like vnto Dauids hie tower of defence, furnished with a rich armory; which affords infinite wayes of safe protection, and infinite monumēts of victory.
Thy two testaments (which are thy two ful & faire breasts whereby thou nursest all thy faithfull children) are as two twinnes of Kiddes: twinnes,
5. Thy two brests are as two yong Kids that are twins, feeding among the Lillies. for their excellent and perfect agreement, one with another, in all resemblances: of Kiddes, that are daintily fed among the sweete flowers,
[Page 38] for the pleasant nourishment, which they yeeld to all that sucke thereof.
6. Vntill the day breake and the shadowes fly away, I will go into the moū taine of myrrh, and to the mountain of incense.Vntill the day of my gratious appearance shall shine foorth, and vntill all these shadowes of ignorance, infidelitie, afflictions, be vtterly and suddenly dispersed, O my spouse, I will retire my selfe (in regard of my bodily presence) into my delightfull and glorious rest of heauen.
7. Thou art all farre my loue, & there is no spot in thee.Thou art exceeding beautifull, O my Church, in all the parts of thee: for, all thy sinnes are done away, and thine iniquitie is couered, and loe I present thee to my father without spot, or wrinkle, or
[Page 39] any such deformitie.
And now,
8. Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, euen with me from Lebanon, and looke from the top of Amanah, from the toppe of Shenir and Hermon, frō the dens of the Lyons, & frō the mountaines of the Leopards. (O thou which I professe to haue married to my selfe in trueth and righteousnesse) thou shalt be gathered to me from all parts of the world: not onely from the confines of Iudea, where I planted and found thee, but from the remotest and most sauage places of the nations; out of the company of infidels, of cruell & bloody persecutors, who like Lyons and Leopards haue tyrannized ouer thee, & mercilessely torn thee in pieces.
Thou hast vtterly rauisht me from my selfe (O my sister and spouse; for so thou art,
9. My sister my spouse, thou hast
[...]ounded my hart with one of thine eies: and with a chaine of thy necke.
[Page 40] both ioyned to me in that spirituall vnion, and coheire with mee of the same inheritance, and glory) thou hast quite rauisht my heart with thy loue: euen one cast of one of thine eyes of faith; and one of the ornaments of thy sanctification where with thou art decked by my spirit, haue thus stricken mee with loue: how much more, when I shall haue a full sight of thee, and all thy graces, shall I bee affected towards thee.
10. My sister, my spouse; how faire is thy loue; how much better is thy loue thē wine, and the sauour of thine ointments then all spices?O how excellent, how precious, howe delectable are those loues of thine, O my sister, my spouse; how farre surpassing all earthlie
[Page 41] delicates; and the sauour of those diuine vertues, wherwith thou art indued, more pleasing to my sent, then all the perfumes in the world.
The gratious speeches that proceede from thee,
11. Thy lippes, my spouse, drop as honycombs: honie and milke are vnder thy tongue, & the sauour of thy garments is as the sauour of Lebanon. are as so many droppes of the honie-combe that fall from thy lippes: and whether thou exhort, or confesse, or pray, or comfort, thy words are both sweete and nourishing; and the sauour of thy good workes, and outward conuersation, is to mee as the smell of the woode of Lebanon to the sense of man.
[Page 42]
12. My sister my spouse, is as a garden inclosed, as a spring shut vp, & a fountaine sealed vp.My sister, my spouse, is as a garden or orchard full of all varietie of the heauenly trees, & flowers of grace; not lying carelesly open, either to the loue of strāgers, or to the rage of enemies, which like the wild Bore out of the wood, might root vp, & destroy her choise plants: but safely hedged and walled about, by my protection, and reserued for my delight alone; she is a spring and Well of wholesome waters, from whom flowe foorth the pure streames of my word; but, both inclosed and sealed vp: partly, that shee may the better (by this closenesse) preserue her owne naturall taste;
[Page 43] and vigor, from the corruptions of the world; and partly, that she may not be defiled & mudded by the profane feete of the wicked.
Thou art an orchard,
13. Thy plants are as an orchard of pomegranats with sweete fruits: as Cipers, Spikenard, euen Spikenard & Saffron, Calamus and Cinamō, with all the trees of Incense, Mirrh & Aloes with all the chief spices. yea a paradise, whose plants (which are thy faithfull children that grow vp in thee) are as pomgranate trees; the apples whereof are esteemed, for the largenesse, colour and taste, aboue all other: or (if I would feede my other senses) the plentifull fruites of thy holie obedience (which thou yieldest vnto mee) are for their smell as some composition of Cipresse, Spikenard, Saffron, sweete Cane, Cinamon, Incense,
[Page 44] Myrrhe, Aloes, and whatsoeuer else may bee deuised, vnto the most perfect sent.
14. O fountaine of the gardens, O well of liuing waters & the springs of Lebanon.Thou art so a spring in my garden, that the streames which are deriued from thee, water all the gardens of my particular congregations, all the world ouer: thou art that fountaine, from whose pure head issue all those liuing waters, which who-so drinketh, shall neuer thirst againe; euen such cleare currents, as flow from the hill of Libanus, which like vnto another Iordan, water all the Israel of God.
The Church.
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IF I be a garden,
15. Arise O North, & come O South, and blowe on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: let my wel-beloued come to his garden, and eate his pleasant fruit as thou saist (O my Sauiour) then arise, O all ye Souerain winds of the spirit of God, and breath vpon this garden of my soule; that the sweet odours of these my plants, may both be increased, and may also bee dispersed afarre, and carried into the nosthrils of my wel-beloued: & so let him come into this his owne garden (which his owne hand hath digged, planted, watered) and accept of the fruit of that seruice & prayse, which hee shall inable mee to bring forth to his name.
CHAP. V.
CHRIST.
1. I am come into my garden, my sister, my Spouse: I gathered my myrrh with my spice; I eate my hony with my hony comb, I drank my wine with my milk: eate O my friends drinke, and make you merry O welbeloued.BEholde, according to thy desire, I am come into my gardē, O my sister, my spouse; I haue receiued those fruites of thine obedience which thou offerest vnto mee, with much ioy: and pleasure. I haue accepted not onely of thy good workes, but thy indeauours & purposes of holinesse: both which are as pleasant to mee, as the honie and the honie combe. I haue allovved of the cheerefulnesse of thy seruice, and the wholesomnesse
[Page 47] of thy doctrine. And ye, O my friends, whether blessed Angells, or faithfull men, partake with mee in this ioie arising from the faithfulnesse of my Church: cheere vp and fill your selues, O my beloued, with the same spirituall dainties vvherevvith I am refreshed.
The Church.
WHen the world had cast mee into a secure sleep,
2. I sleepe, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my VVelbeloued that knocketh, saying, open vnto me my sister, my Loue, my doue, my vndefiled: for mine head is full of dew, & my locks with the drops of the night. or slumber rather (for my hart was not vtterly bereaued of a true faith, in my Sauiour) euen in this darkenesse of my minde, it pleased my gracious Redeemer not to neglect
[Page 48] mee; hee came to mee, and knocked oft, and called importunately at the doore of my heart, by his word and chastisements, and said; Open the doore of thy Soule, O my sister, my deare, chaste, comely, vnspotted Church: let me come in, & lodge & dwell with thee, in my graces; shut out the world, and receiue me with a more liuely act, and renouation of thy faith. For loe, I haue long waited paciently for this effect of thy loue, and haue indured all the iniuries both of the night, and weather of thy prouocations, that I might at last inioy thee.
[Page 49]I answered him again,
3. I haue put off my coat: how shal I put it on? I haue washed my feet: how shall I defile them. pleading excuses for my delay; Alas Lord, I haue now, since I left my forward profession of thee, auoyded a great number of cares and sorrowes: must I take them vp againe to follow thee? I haue liued cleane from the soile of these euils: and shall I now thrust my selfe into daunger of them?
When my Sauiour heard this vnkind answere of delay:
4. My wel-beloued put his hand from the hole of the doore; & my bowels yearned toward him. hee let his hand fall from the key-hole, which he had thus before without successe labored about; & withdrew himself from soliciting mee any more: whereupon my hart & bowels
[Page 50] yearned within mee for him, and for the remorse of my so long foreslowing his admittance vnto me.
5. I rose vp to open to my wel-beloued, and my hands did drop down myrrhe, and my fingers pure myrrhe vpon the handles of the barres.And now I rouzed vp my drousy hart (what I could) that I might in some cheerefull manner desire to receiue so gratious a Sauior: which when I but indeauoured, I found that hee had left behind him such a plentifull blessing (as the monument of his late presence) vpon the first motions of my heart, as that with the very touch of them I was both exceedingly refreshed, and mooued to further indignation at my selfe for delaying him.
[Page 51]I opened to my beloued Sauiour:
6. I opened to my Welbeloued: but my Welbeloued was gone and past; mine hart was gone when hee did speak: I soght him but I could not find him; I called him, but hee answered mee not. but my Sauiour had now (in my feeling) withdrawen himselfe, & hid his countenance from me, holding me short of those gracious offers, and meanes which I had refused; and now I was almost past my selfe with despaire, to remember that sweete inuitation of his, which I neglected: I sought him therefore in my thoughts, in the outward vse of his ordinances, and of my earnest praiers; but he would not as yet be found of me, or let mee finde that I was heard of him.
Those which should haue regarded me,
7. The watch-men that went about the City found mee, they smote me and wounded me: the watch men of the walls tooke away my vaile from me. and by their vigilancy
[Page 52] haue secured me from danger, proued mine aduersaries: instead of comforting mee, they fell vpon mee, and wounded mee with their false doctrines, drawing me on into further errours, spoyling mee of that puritie and sinceritie of profession, vvherewith as with some rich & modest vaile I was formerly adorned, and couered.
8. I charge you ô daughters of Ierusalem, if you finde my wel-beloued, that you tell him I am sicke of loue.I aduise you solemnely, O all ye that wish well to me (for I care not who knowes the vehemencie of my passion) if you shall finde my Sauiours presence in your selues before me, praie for the recouerie of his loue to mee; and bemone
[Page 53] my estate to him, tel him how I languish with the impatient desire of his loue, & presence to be restored vnto me.
O thou which art the most happie, most gracious,
9. O the fairest among women, what is thy welbeloued, more thē another wel-beloued? what is thy welbeloued, more then another louer, that thou dost so charge vs? & most glorious of all creatures, the chosen of the liuing God; what is thy welbeloued whom thou seekest, aboue al other the sons of men? what such eminency is there in him aboue all saints and angells: that thou art both so far gone in affectiō to him; and doest so vehemently adiure vs to speake vnto him for thee?
10. My welbeloued is white & ruddy, the standerdbearer of ten thousand.
My welbeloued (if you know not) is of perfect beautie; in vvhose face is an exact mixture
[Page 54] of the colours of the purest & healthfullest complexion of holinesse: for, he hath not receiued the spirit by measure; and in him the god-head dwells bodily; he is infinitely fairer, then all the sonnes of men; & for goodliness of person may beare the standard of comelinesse and grace amōgst tenne thousand.
11. His head is as fine gold, his locks curled, and black as a rauen.The deitie which dwelleth in him, is most pure and glorious: and that fulnesse of grace which is communicated to his humane nature is wondrously beautifull, and so sets it forth, as the black curled lockes doe a fresh and welfauoured countenance.
[Page 55]His iudgement of al things,
12. His eies are like doues vpon the riuers of waters, which are washt with milke, and remaine in their fulnesse. and his respect to his Church (which are as his eyes) are full of loue, and full of pittie, shining like vnto doues washed in water, yea in milke, so as there is no spot, or blemish to bee found in them: and they are withall so fully placed; as is both most comely and most expedient for the perfect sight of the estate, and necessities of his seruants.
The manifestation of himselfe to vs in his word,
13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices and as sweete flowers, and his lips like lillies dropping downe pure myrrhe. is sweet to our spirituall feeling, as an heape of spice, or those flowers that are vsed to make the best perfuming oyntmēts are to the other senses: his heauenly
[Page 56] instructions and promises of his Gospel are vnspeakably comfortable, and plentious, in the grace that is wroght by them.
14. His hands as rings of gold set with the chrisolit; his belly like white Iuory couered with saphirs.His actions, and his instruments (which are his hands) are set forth with much port & maiestie, as some precious stone beautifies the ring wherin▪ it is set: the secret counsells of his breast, and the mysteries of his wil are most pure and holy, and full of excellent glory.
15. His legs are as pillars of marble, set vppon sockets of fine golde: his countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the Cedars.All his proceedings are firm and stable; and withall, as pillars of marble set in sockets of tryed golde; so as they are neither subiect to vvauering,
[Page 57] nor to anie danger of infirmitie and corruption: the shewe and carriage of his whole person whereby he makes himself knowen to his chosen, is exceeding goodly, & vpright like to the streight and lofty Cedars of Lebanon.
His mouth out of which,
16 His mouth is as sweet things, & he is wholy delectable: this is my welbeloued, and this is my louer, O daughters of Ierusalem. proceedeth innumerable blessings & cōfortable promises, is to my soule euen sweetnesse it selfe; yea (what speak I of anie one part?) as you haue heard in these particulars, hee is as sweets: there is nothing but comfort in him; and there is no comfort but in him; and this (if ye would know) is my welbeloued; of so incomparable
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[...]
[Page 57]
[...]
[Page 58] glory and worthinesse, that ye may easily discern him from all others.
Forraine Congregations.
17. O the fairest among women, whether is thy Welbeloued gon? whither is thy Welbeloued turned aside, that we might seeke him with theeSInce thy Welbeloued is so glorious, and amiable (O thou which art for thy beauty worthie to bee the Spouse of such an husband) tell vs (for thou onely knowest it; and to seek Christ without the church we knowe is vain) tel vs where this Sauiour of thine is to bee sought; that we (rauished also with the report of his beautie) may ioin with thee in the same holy studie of seeking after him.
CHAP. VI.
MY Welbeloued Sauiour (if you vvould knowe this also) is to bee sought and found in the particular assemblies of his people,
1. My welbeloued is gone down in to his garden to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lillies. which are his garden of pleasure, wherin are varieties of all the beds of renued soules, which both he hath planted, and dressed by his continuall care, and wherin hee walketh for his delight; feeding and solacing himselfe vvith those fruites of righteousnesse, and new obedience, which they are able to bring forth vnto him.
And now loe,
2. I am
[...]y welbeloueds, and my welbeloued is mine, who feedeth amōg the Lillies. whatsoeuer
[Page 60] hath happened cross to me, in my sensible fruition of him; in spight of al tentations, my beloved Sauior is mine through faith; and I am his through his loue; and both of vs are by an inseparable vnion knit together; vvhose coniunction and loue is most sweete, and happy for, all that are his, he feedeth continually with heauenly repast.
CHRIST.
3. Thou art beautifull my Loue as Tirzah, comly as Ierusalē, terrible as an army with banners.NOtwithstanding this thy late blemish of neglecting me, O my Church: yet stil in mine eies, throgh my grace; vpon this thy repētance, thou art beautifull, like vnto that
[Page 61] neate and elegante Citie of
[...]irzah, and that orderly building of Ierusalem, the glorie of the world: and with this thy louelinesse, thou art awefull vnto thine aduersaries, throgh the power of thy censures, and the maiestie of him that dwelleth in thee.
Yea, such beautie is in thee,
4. Turne away thine eyes from me, for they ouercom me: thine haire is like a flocke of goats which looke downe from Gilead. that I am ouercome with the vehemencie of my affection to thee: turne away thine eies a while from beholding mee; for, the strength of that faith, whereby they are fixed vpon me, rauishes me from my selfe vvith ioy. I doe therefore again renew thy former praise; that thy gracious profession,
[Page 62] and all thy appendances & ornamēts of expedient ceremonies, are so comely to behold, as it is to see a flock of wel-fed goates grasing vpon the fruitfull hills of Gilead.
5. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep which goe vp from the washing, which euery one bring out twins, and none is barren among them.Thy Teachers, that chew & prepare the heauenly foode for thy soule, are of sweet accordance one vvith another, hauing all one heart, and one tongue; and both themselues are sanctified & purged from their vncleannesses, and are fruitfull in their holy labours vnto others: so that their doctrine is neuer in vaine, but is still aunsvvered vvith plentifull increase of soules to the Church.
[Page 63]That part of thy countenaunce which thou wilt haue seene (tho dimmely and sparingly) is full of holy modestie and bashfulnesse;
6. Thy Temples are within thy lockes as a peece of a Pomgranate. so blushing, that it seemeth like the colour of a broaken peece of Pomgranate.
Let there be neuer so great a number of people and nations of Churches and assemblyes,
7. There are threescore queenes, and fourescore concubines, and of the dā sels, without number. vvhich challenge my name and loue, and perhaps by their outwarde prosperitie may seeme to plead much interest in mee, and much worth in themselues:
Yet thou onely art alone my true and chaste Spouse,
8. But my Loue is alone, and my vndefiled, shee is the onely daughter of hir mother, & she is deare to her that bare hir: the daughters haue seen hir, and coū ted hir blessed, euen the queenes and the cōcubines and they haue praised hir. pure and vndefiled in the
[Page 64] truth of thy doctrine, and the imputation of my holinesse; thou art shee, whome that Ierusalem vvhich is aboue, (the mother of vs all) acknovvledgeth for her only true, and deare daughter. And this is not my commendation alone, but all those forraine assemblyes, vvhich might seeme to bee riualles vvith thee of this prayse, doe applaude and blesse thee in this thine estate, and saie; Blessed is this people, whose God is the Lord.
9. Who is shee that looketh forth as the morning, faire as the moone, pure as the sunne, terrible as an armie with banners.And admiring thy goodlinesse shall say; Who is this that lookes out so freshlie as the morning nevve risen; which
[Page 65] from these vveake beginnings is grovven to such hie perfection, that nowe shee is as bright, and glorious, as the sunne in his full strength; and the moone in a cleare skie; and vvithall is so dreadefull thorough the maiestie of her countenance, and povver of her censures, as some terrible armie, vvith ensignes displayed, is to a vveake aduersarie.
Thou complaynest of my absence, (O my Church):
10. I went downe to the dressed Orchard, to see the fruits of the vally, to see if the vine budded, and if the Pomgranates flourished. there vvas no cause; I meant not to forsake thee: I did but onelie vvalke dovvne into the vvell-dressed Orcharde of thine assemblyes, to
[Page 66] recreate and ioy my selfe, with the viewe of their forvvardnesse: to see the happie progresse of the humble in spirit, and the gracious beginnings of those tender soules, vvhich are newly conuerted vnto mee.
11. I knew nothing, my soule set mee as the charets of my noble people.So earnestly did I long to reuisit thee, and to restore comfort vnto thee; that I hasted I knevve not vvhich vvaie: and vvith insensible speede, I am come backe, as it were vppon the swiftest chariots, or the vvinges of the vvinde.
12. Return, return, ô Shulamite: returne, return, that I may behold thee: what shall you see in the Shulamite, but as the company of an army?Now therefore returne (O my Spouse, the true daughter of Ierusalem) returne to mee,
[Page 67] returne to thy selfe and to thy former feeling of my grace: returne, that both my selfe, & all the company of Angels, may see, and reioyce in thee: and what shall ye see (O all ye hoast of heauen) what shall ye see in my Church? euen such an awfull grace and maiestie, as is in a wel-marshalled armie, ready to meet with the enemy.
CHAP. VII.
HOw beautiful are thy feet O daughter of the hyest;
1. How beautifull are thy goings with shooes, O princes daughter? the compasse of thy hyps like iewels: the worke of the hand of a cunning workeman. being shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace,
[Page 68] and readily addressed to run the way of the commaundements of thy God: thou art compassed about thy loynes with the girdle of verity; which is both precious for the matter of it, and cunningly framed by the skill of the spirit of truth.
2. Thy nauell is as a round cup, that wanteth not liquor: thy bellie is as an heap of wheat compassed about with Lillies.The nauell, whereby all thy spirituall conceptions receiue their nourishment, is full of all fruitfull supplie, and neuer wants meanes of sustenance, to feed them in thy wombe: which also is so plentious in thy blessed increase, that it is as an heape of wheat, consisisting of infinite pure grayns which consort together with
[Page 69] much sweetnesse, and pleasure.
Thy two testaments (which are thy two full and comely breasts;
3. Thy two breasts are as two yong Kids that are twins. by whose wholesome milke thou nourishest all thy faithfull children, once borne into the light) are for their excellēt & perfect agreement, & their amiable proportion, like two twins of Kids.
Those,
4. Thy necke is like a tower of Iuory: thine eies are like artificiall pooles in a frequented gate: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon, that looketh toward Damascus. who by their holy authority support thy gouernmēt (which are as som straight and strong necke to beare vp thy head) are for their height and defence like a tower; for their order, purenesse, and dignitie, like a tower of Iuory: thy teachers and ministers
[Page 70] (which are thine eyes) are like vnto some cleare and artificiall ponds of water, in a place of greatest resort: wherein all commers may see the faces of their consciences; & whence they may plentifully draw the waters of life. Thy nose, by which all spirituall sents are conuaied to thee, is perfectly composed, and featured like some curious turret of that goodly house in Lebanon; so as thy iudgement, and power of discerning the spirits, is admirable for the order and excellency thereof.
5. Thine head vpō thee is as scarlet, and the bush of thine head like purple: the king is tied in thy beames.The whole tyre of thine head (which are the ceremonies vsed by thee) are very
[Page 71] gracefull, and of hie estimation and price to all the beholders: and as for me, I am so enamoured of thee, that I am euen tyed by my owne desire, to a perpetuall presence in thine holy assemblies.
Oh how beautifull & louely art thou therefore (O my Church) in all thy parts and ornaments?
6. How faire art thou & how pleasant art thou, O my loue, in pleasures? how sweete and pleasant art thou (O my loue) in whatsoeuer might giue me true contentment?
Thy whole frame is,
7. This thy stature is like a palme-tree, and thy breasts like clusters. for goodliness & streight growth, like vnto some tall palme-tree; which the more it is depressed by the violence of persecutions, riseth the more; and
[Page 72] the two breasts of thy Testaments are like two full iuicie clusters, which yeeld cōfortable and abundant refreshing.
8. I said, I will goe vp into the Palme-tree. I will take hold of her boughes: thy breasts shall now be like the clusters of the vines, and the sauour of thy nose like apples.Seeing then thou art my Palme-tree, I haue resolued in my selfe to adioyne my selfe to thee; to inioy thee, to gather those sweet fruits of thy graces, which thou yeeldest; and by my presence also will cause thee to bee more plentifull in all good works, and doctrine; so as thou shalt afford abundance of heauenly liquor vnto all the thirstie soules of thy children; and an acceptable verdure of holinesse and obedience vnto me.
4. And the roofe of thy mouth like good wine, which goeth straight vp to my welbeloued; & causeth the lips of him that is asleepe, to speake.And the deliuerie of my
[Page 73] word, by the mouthes of thy ministers, shall bee as some excellent wine, which sparkleth right vpward: being wel accepted of that God, in whose name it is taught, and looketh most pleasantly in the glasse, being no less highly esteemed of the receiuers: which is of such wō derfull power, that it is able to put words both of repentance, and praise into the lips of him, that lies asleepe in his sinnes.
The Church.
BEhold, such as I am,
11. I am my welbeloueds, and his desire is toward mee. I am not my owne; much lesse am I any others: I am wholely my Sauiours; and now I see, and feele, whatsoeuer I had
[Page 74] deserued, that he is mine also, in all intire affection; who hath both chosen me, and giuen himselfe for me.
11. Come my wel-beloued, let vs goe into the fields let vs lodge in the villages.Come therefore, O my deare Sauiour, let vs ioyne together in our naturall care: let thy spirit and my seruice be intent vpon thy congregations here below on earth; and let vs stay in the place where our spirituall husbandry lieth.
12. Let vs goe vp earely in the morning to the vines, and see if the vine florish, whether it hath disclosed the first grapes, or whether the pomegranats blossom: therewill I giue thee my loue.Let vs with all hast & cheerfulnesse visit the fruitfull vines of our beleeuing children; & to our mutuall comfort, bee witnesses and partakers of all the signes and fruits of grace, of all those good workes, and thankesgiuings, of those holy
[Page 75] indeauours and worthy practises, which they yeeld forth vnto vs: let vs iudge of their forwardnesse, and commend it: whereupon it will easily appeare, that the consummation of our happie marriage draweth neere, in which there shall bee a perfect vnion betwixt vs.
Behold: thy godly seruants,
13. The mandrakes haue giuen a smell, and in our gates are all sweete things, new and old; my welbeloued, I haue kept thē for thee. which not onely beare fruit themselues, but are powerfull in the prouocation of others, present their best seruices vnto thee; and euen at our doores (not farre to seeke, not hard to procure) is offer made vnto thee, of all varietie of fruite; whether
[Page 76] from thy yong conuerts▪ or thy more settled professors: & all these I spend not lauishlie; but, in my louing care, duely reserue them for thee, and for the solemne day of our full marriage.
CHAP. VIII.
The Iewish Church.
1. Oh that thou werest as my brother that sucked the breast of my mother. I would finde thee without, I would kisse thee, then they should not despise mee.OH that I might see thee (my Sauiour) clothed in flesh: Oh that thou which art my euerlasting husband, mightest also be my brother, in partaking the same humane nature with me; that so I finding thee below vpon earth,
[Page 77] might familiarly intertaine thee, and conuerse with thee, without the reproach of the world; yea, might be exalted in thy glory.
Then would I (tho I be now pent vp in the limits of Iudea) bring thee forth into the light,
2. I will lead thee, and bring thee into my mothers house; there thou shalt teach me: I will cause thee to drinke spiced wine, & new wine of the pomgranats. and knowledge of the vniuersall Church, whose daughter I am: and then and there, thou shouldest teach me how perfectly to serue & worship thee, & I shall gladly intertaine thee with a royall feast of the best graces that are in my holiest seruants; which I knowe thou wilt account better cheere, thē all the spiced cups, and pomgranate wines in the world.
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3. His left hand shall bee vnder my head, and his right hand shall imbrace mee.Then shall I attaine to a neerer communion with him; and both his hands shall bee imployed to susteine, and relieue me: yea, he shall comfort my head and my heart (my iudgement, and affections) with the liuely heat of his gracious imbracements.
4. I charge you O daughters of Ierusalem, that you stirre not vp, nor waken my loue, vntill hee please.I charge you (O all ye that professe any friendship to me) I charge yee deepely, as yee will auoyd my vttermost censures; take heed how ye vexe and disquiet my mercifull Sauiour, and grieue his spirit: and doe not dare, by the least prouocation of him, to interrupt his peace.
CHRIST.
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WHo is this,
5. VVho is this that cō meth out of the wildernesse; leaning vpon her welbeloued? I raised thee vp vnder an apple-tree: there thy mother conceiued thee: there she conceiued that bare thee. that from the comfortless desertes of ignorance, of infidelity, of tribulatiōs, ascendeth thus vp into the glorious light & libertie of my chosen? relying her selfe wholly vpon her Sauiour, and solacing her selfe in him? Is it not my Church? it is she, whom I haue loued, & acknowledged of olde: for, euen vnder the
[...]ree of offence, the forbidden fruit which thou tastedst to thy destruction, I raysed thee vp againe from death; Euen there, thy first mother conceiued thee; while by faith shee layd hold on
[Page 80] that blessed promise of the Gospel, whereby she, and her beleeuing seed were restored.
Iewish Church.
6. Set mee is a seale on thy hart, and as a signet on thine arme: for loue is strong as leath; Ielousie is cruell as the Graue: the coales thereof are siery coales, and a vehement flame.ANd so haue thou me still (O my Sauiour) in a perpetual and deare remēbrance: keepe me sure in thine heart, yea in thine armes, as that which thou holdest most precious; and let me neuer be remoued from thy loue; the least shew and danger whereof I cannot indure: for, this my spirituall loue is exceeding powerfull, and can no more be resisted then death it selfe: & the ielous zeale which I haue for thee, and thy glory, consumes
[Page 81] me, euen like the Graue, and burnes mee vp like vnto the coales of some most vehemēt and extreame fire.
Yea, more then any fire;
7. Much water cannot quench loue, neither can the floudes drowne it: if a man should giue all the substance of his house for loue, they would greatly contemne it. for any flame yet may be quenched with water: but al the water of afflictions & terrors (yea whole streams of persecutiōs) cānot quench this loue: & for all tempting offers of wealth, of pleasures & honor, how easily are they all contemned for the loue of my Sauiour?
We haue yet a sister (as thou knowest O Sauiour) ordained through thy mercy to the same grace with me:
8. VVe haue a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we doe for our sister, when she shall be spoken for? the vncalled Church of the Gentiles; small (as yet) of groth, through
[Page 82] the rareness of her conuerts, & destitute of the helpe of any outward ministery; whereby she might either bear, or nourish children vnto thee: when she growes vnto her maturitie; and the mystery of calling her vniuersally to thee, shall be reuealed to the world, and her selfe; what course will it please thee to take with her?
CHRIST.
9. If she be twall, we will build vpon her a siluer palace: and if she be a doore, we will keepe her in with boards of cedar.IF shee shall continue firme and constant, in the expectation of her promises, and the profession of that truth which shall bee reuealed; wee will beautifie and strengthen her, with further grace, and make
[Page 83] her a pure and costly palace, fit to entertaine my spirit: and if she will giue free passage & good entrance, to my word and grace; wee will make hir sure and safe from corruption, and reserue hir to immortalitie.
Iewish Church.
BEhoulde:
10. I am a wall, and my breasts are as towers: then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace. that condition vvhich thou requirest in the Church of the Gentiles, thou findest in me; I am thus firme and constant in my expectation, in my profession: and that vvant thou findest in her of abilitie to nourish her Children, by the breast of thy WORDE, is
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[Page 84] not in mee; who haue abundance both of nourishment & defence: vpon which my cō fession and plea, I found grace and peace in the eyes of my Sauiour; and receiued from him assurance of his euerlasting loue to me.
CHRIST.
11. Salomon had a vine in Baalhamon: hee gaue the vineyard vnto keepers: euery one bringeth for the fruite thereof a thousand peeces of siluer.MY Church is my Vine, & I am the owner, and husbandman: our thrift and profit therof farre exceedeth the good husbandry of
Salomon: he hath a rich vineyard indeed in a most fruitfull soyle; but he lets it forth to the hands of others, as not beeing able to keepe and dresse it himselfe:
[Page 85] and therefore he is faine to be content with the greatest part of the increase, not expecting the whole.
But my vine is euer before me,
12. But my vineyard which is mine is before mee: to thee ô
Salomon appertaineth a thousand peeces of siluer, and two hundreth to them that kept the fruit thereof. I am with it to the end of the world, I reserue it in mine owne hands, and dresse it with mine owne labour: and therfore if thou (O
Salomon) canst receiue from thine, to the proportion of a thousand, thy workemen and farmers vvill looke for the fift part to come vnto their share; wheras the gaine of my vineyard ariseth wholly, and onely, vnto my selfe.
Sith therefore such is my care of thee,
13. O thou that dwellest in the gardēs, the companions hearken vnto thy voice, cause me to heare it. and ioy in thee
[Page 86] (O my Church; which cōsistest of the particular assemblies of men professing my name) see thou be diligent in declaring my will, & giuing holy counselles to all thy fellow-members: speake forth my prayse in the great congregations, (which al attend willingly vpon thee) and let me heare the voice of thy constant & faithfull confession of mee before the world.
The Church.
14. Oh my welbeloued, flee away, and be like vnto the Roe, or to the yong Hart vpon the mountaines of spices.I Will most gladly doe what thou commaundest, O my Sauiour but, that I may performe it accordingly; be thou
[Page 87] (which art, according to thy bodily presence, in the hyest heauens) euer present with me by thy spirit, & hasten thy glorious comming, to my full redemption.
FINIS.