An Exposition of the Song of Solomon

AN ADVERTISMENT to the Reader.

SOlomons Song is twice runne ouer in this booke: first, the sense is deliuered, then obseruations collected from thence.

In expounding the Text, the Author hath held himselfe close to the Hebrewe.

In diuiding the Chapters hee hath had more respect to the dependance of matter, then to common custome, for which he hath the example of learned men.

In the latter part of this booke hee hath not set downe the whole entire Text, but only so much as serued to shew whence the obseruations were gathered; because they were at large set downe in the former part: If in reading the Obseruations thou be desirous to see the whole Text, turne to the same place in the Exposition.

Reade the seuerall sections both of the Exposition and of the Obseruations, so as if they were ioined together without any interruption of the Text: for sometimes the beginning of one Section dependeth vpon the latter end of another.

There is one generall point omitted thoroughout the whole booke viz. the setting downe of such words, as were needfull to be added in the Text for sense sake and propriety of our tongue, in a differing letter; it cannot now be amended. I pray thee therefore more diligently marke them: blame not the Author; who, I am sure, would haue seene this and other faults redressed, if he had reuised the sheetes before they had past the presse.

Such faults as may seeme to hinder the sense, are in the next following page set downe.

A Song of songs, which is Solomons.

THe Bookes of Solomon the Iewes compare not vnfitly to the Temple which he built Whereof this song of songs, or most excellent song resembleth the holy of holies o◊ the most holy place: Being a declaration of the blessed and sweet coniunction betweene Christ and his Church, and of the contract, and p. 2espousels made betweene them, whilest the Church is now militant vpon earth. All which time is as it were a bidding of the banes vntill by his second comming from heauen our spirituall marriage with him shall be solemnized and made vp.

The Author Solomon, peaceable, for so his name doth signifie, a figure of Christ the Prince of peace, and the builder both of the earthly Sanct◊arie, and of this heauenly frame, was, no doubt, whatsoeuer otherwise his fals might be, an elect vessell of God. 1. Because all the Prophets (of which number he was one) are in the kingdome of heauen Luke 13. 28. for howsoeuer it pleased God sometimes to speake by the wicked as hee did by Balaam, and to wring out of their mouthe contrary to their heart, that which might serue for the glory of his name: yet he neuer vsed the seruice of any but vessels of election, to be the penmen of his Spirit. So the Apostle 2. Pet. 1. 19. 20. teileth vs, that those which by diuine inspiration wrote the propheticall Scriptures, were all of them holy men of God. 2. The holy Ghost doth alwaies speake well of Solomon after his death, and maketh in all places an honourable mention of his name, which it neuer doth of the reprobate. 3. His waies are commended, and Rehoboam hath his worthy praise for walking in them 2. Chron. 11. 17. 4. God, whose counsels are constant, loued him and cleped his name Iedidah, beloued of the Lord. 2. Sam. 12. 24. 25. 5. He himselfe is said againe to haue loued God. 1. Kings p. 33. 3. Which being true and vnfeined (otherwise the Holy Ghost would neuer haue spoken of it) was impossible to be lost. And this very booke if it were written before his fall is an vndoubted argument how sincere, earnest, and vehement his loue was, and what a feeling hee had of the loue of Christ. If after his fall, it argueth then most certainly a sincere, and true repentance. 6. And lastly the booke of Ecclesiastes doth manifestly euince it, written when hee was olde, after hee had seene so much and had so long experience of his owne vanities and corruptions. The title whereof, A [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ko. heleth As if you would say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vnderstanding soule, or some such substantiue.] soule (an humble, and grieued soule) reconciled to the Church, from whence hee was before cast out for his offences: or, A soule speaking, and making confession, in the Church, sheweth his repentance.

p. 3The manner of writing is that which we call actiue, or representatiue, that is wherein Persons onely are brought in speaking, the Author himselfe saying nothing: and the persons here are Christ, the Church, and sometimes, but very rarely, the friends of them both: In all which the Church, burning with a desire of Christ longeth, and is impatient till shee be ioined vnto him. For hether tend all her passions, exclamations, testifications of her loue, commendations of her spouse. Christ againe by kinde gentle and louing speeches comforteth and cheereth vp the Church with certaine hope of that happie and blessed time: for hether tend all his commendations of her present, and promise of future graces, the accepting of her vnfeined repentance, p. 4and the assurance of purging, pruining, and making her more holy and fit for him. Till shee be taken vp vnto him without spot or wrinckle.

The Booke hath two parts. Whereof the first comprehendeth all that time that Christ and shee are friends, before any falling out, in the foure first Chapters. The Churrh longing to bee ioined to Christ. Chapt. 1. Acknowledging the benefits and comforts of life, pleasure and all good things which he bestoweth vpon her. Chapt. 2. And lastly desiring to see Christ in his heauenly glory. Chapt. 3. Whom Christ most sweetly comforteth. Chapt. 4. …