The Canticles, or Song of Solomon Paraphrased and Explained

VER. 1. THe Song] So is this Book called, in respect both of the Matter of it (which is a declamation of the holy Espousals, and Sweet communion between Christ and his Church, and of the mutual love and affection they bear each to other) and the Poetical Manner of penning it. [Of Songs] i. e. The most p. 2sweet and excellent Song, as in the like phrase, Canaan is called a servant of servants, the vilest and basest, Gen. 9. 25.

Ver. 2. The Church, after the manner of Lovers, begins abruptly and passionately, [Let him] i. e. Let Christ my beloved [Kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth] manifest and confirm to me his Love; To this end (among others) kisses were given, 1 Cor. 16. 20. [For, thy] She changeth the person after the pathetical and passionate manner of vehement lovers; [Loves] so the Heb. readeth: whereby she intimateth the abundance and intimateness of his love (Ephes. 3. 19.) for so in the Heb. phrase is the plural number used [are better than Wine] are more comfortable, and glad the heart more than Wine, which of all creatures is most effectual to make the heart merry, Iud. 9. 13. p. 3Psal. 104. 15. Ier. 31. 5, 6.

Ver. 3. Because of the savour of thy good Oyntments] Because of the Oyle of Gladness, that fulness of Grace, and of the Spirit, wherewith thou art anointed, Psal. 45. 7. which is the fountain from whence all Grace is derived to the Church, Io. 1. 16. Psal. 133. 2. [Thy Name] thy holy Word and Gospel, whereby thou makest thy self known, Psalm 138. 2. Mat 19. 29. compared with Mar. 10. 29. Act. 9. 15. [is as an Oyntment poured forth] i. e. as the sweet and pretious Oyntments (which were much used in those Countries) did then cast forth their sweetest savour when they were poured out, (Mar. 14. 3. compared with Io. 12. 3.) So the excellency that is in thee, being published by the Gospel, doth make thee most sweet and amiable, [The Virgins] such as keep themselves pure and p. 4undefiled from Idolatry, and all wordly Pollutions [love thee].

Ver. 4. [Draw me] O pull me more and more out of the bondage of Satan, and of my own corruption, Mat. 6. 13. Give me both a will and a power to come unto thee Io. 6. 44. Phil. 2. 13. [Wee] I and the children which thou hast given me, then [will run after thee] will cheerfully and readily obey and follow thee, Psa. 119. 32. Mat. 4. 20, 22. [The King] Jesus Christ my Husband who is also my Lord and King, Psal. 45. 11. Yea the King of kings and Lord of lords, Rev. 17. 14. and 19. 16. [hath brought me into his Chambers] hath already brought me into those places where his Jewels and chief treasures are laid up, and where he useth most inwardly and familiarly to converse with, and communicate him-self to his beloved, viz, the places of his p. 5publique and solemn Woship, Psal. 26. 8. and 27. 4, 5. and 36. 8. and 63. 2. and 65. 4. [We will be glad and rejoyce in thee] thus will we be affected while we are in thy Chambers, Psal. 29. 9. Is. 56. 7. [we will remember] we will meditate and speak of [thy loves more than Wine] thy favour and the comfort to be found therein, as of that which is more sweet and comforttable than any Wine, Psal. 4. 6, 7. [The upright love thee] All whose hearts are sound and free from hypocrisy, having tasted of, and been satisfied with the pleasures of thine house, cannot choose but love thee.

p. 5Ver. 5. I am black but comely] I confess that in respect of my outward estate & condition I am nothing amiable, nor have any thing to allure a carnal eye to affect or love me; yet have I an inward beauty and excellency (Psal. 45. 13.) to be discerned p. 6by such as are spiritual. [(O ye Daughters of Ierusalem)] O ye which being members of the visible Church, and apt to take offence at this my outward estate, which is [as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon] as those tents and curtains that being on the outside weather-beaten, had within, great Treasures and Riches.

Ver. 6. Look not upon me because I am black] Do not too much eye or observe and despise me for the deformity of my outward estate and condition; but consider the true cause thereof [because the Sun hat looked upon me] The heat of persecution (whereunto I have alwayes been much subject) as the Sun in his strength shining full upon my face, hath scortched and tanned me, Mat. 13. 6, 21. [The Sons of my Mother were angry with me] such as by outward profession were Children of p. 7the true Church, yea, that did bear cheif sway in it, were the chief authors of this my persecution, being angry with me for this my sincerity, Gal. 4. 29. [They made me the keeper of the Vineyards] they compelled me through their violence & mine own weakness, to observe their fancies, and to fashion my self to the customes and manners of others [but mine own Vineyard have I not kept] The duties God assigned me for the gathering and ordering of his People, and making of them fruitful to Him, I have neglected.

Ver. 7. Tell me (O thou whom my Soul loveth) where thou feedest, where thou makest thy Flocks to rest at Noon] Show me these assemblies where thy saving Ordinances are to be found, wherein Thou (the chief Shephard, Psal. 23. 1. Io. 10. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 4.) performest all the offices of a careful and faithful Pastor, both p. 8feeding them with knowledg and understanding, Ier. 3. 15. and giving them comfort and repose in all their afflictions, Ezek. 34. 12, 16. [For why should I be as one that turneth aside] As I fear nothing more than the falling away or declining from thee, and the purity of thy Worship; So, unless I joyn my self to those assemblies where thine Ordinances are to be had, I shall not be able to keep my self from declining, Heb. 10, 25. compared with ver. 23. [by the flocks of thy companions] My danger to turn aside and decline from thee, is the greater, because I live where thy companions are such as pretend to be the friends of thee the Bridegroom, and to mourn for thee; but do indeed nothing less, being Idolaters and false Teachers, Iud. 14. 20. 2 Cor. 11, 13.