Song of Solomon 2

Song of Solomon 2:1

I Am] This is the bride-groom: as if he should say, as I am perfect in beauty and holinesse, represented by these flowers, so have I made my Church like me, by my sanctifying spirit, 1 John 4:17 Sharon] A most fruitfull and pleasant plaine, Isaiah chap. 35. vers. 〈◊〉.

Song of Solomon 2:2

Among the] Namely, amongst all other Nations and Assemblies, which in their owne naturall corruption are but like thornes, and barren and hurtfull plants, which are destinated to the fire.

Song of Solomon 2:3

As the Apple-tree] This is the Bride The sonnes] Namely amongst the other heads, or false gods of prophane nations I sate downe] The Italian, I have desired to be under] I receive a double benefit from Christ, as from a faire and fruitfull tree: for first he is my protection and safeguard, especially against the heat of Gods wrath: and secondly, hee filleth mee with good things for the food of my soule.

Song of Solomon 2:4

He brought me] Hee hath brought me into the communion of himselfe and all the Saints, where he unfoldeth, and bestoweth upon his elect all manner of spirituall gifts, Proverbs chapter 9. verse 〈◊〉. Matth. chap. 22. verse 〈◊〉. Who through faith are already in heaven, enjoying the fulnesse thereof. Matth. chap. 26. verse 29. Luke chapt. 13. verse 29. and 22. 30 Revelation 19:9.His Banner] That is to say, from heaven, whither he is ascended for me, he sheweth mee evident signes of his love; to the end that I should alwayes look and goe towards him: and that I should not goe astray in the world, but retire and draw nigh unto him, as souldiers doe unto their Banners.

Song of Solomon 2:5

Stay me] The Italian, Cofort me] a figurative description of the fervent enterchangeable love of the Church, which can never bee without restoratives of Gods word, for feare of fainting.

Song of Solomon 2:6

His left hand is] The Italian, Let his left hand be] None but Christ by his spirit can ease me in the faintnesses which I am subject to in this world, by loving and following of him. See Romans 8:26.

Song of Solomon 2:7

I charge you] The Italian, I adjure you] This is the bride-groom, who arrives upon a suddain, and unlooked for, whilst the bride in her languishments is fallen asleep: and by this charge which he gives the brides companions: namely the particular Churches, and the elect, hee seemes to intend to make a triall of the readinesse of her faith, and love to see if she will awake of her selfe at his comming: see Matth. 25. 6. Ephes. 5. 14 By the Roes] That is to say, by the example of these fearfull beasts, which the hunters endeavour to steale upon softly, and not to affright them, or make them runne away with much noyse. And hereby is signified the mildnesse of Evangelicall preaching, and exhortations. 1 Thes, 2. 6, 7. Or I adjure you by my love towards all the true elect, which are figured by these pleasant and wilde beasts, that have no gall.

Song of Solomon 2:8

The voyce] The Italian, Behold the voyce] this is the bride, who you must imagine, did awake on a suddaine, according as her bridegroome did imagine He commeth] a representation of Christs speed, in visiting his Church, and every faithfull soule from heaven, when he is earnestly and fervently desired so to doe.

Song of Solomon 2:9

Behold hee standeth] Though I doe not see him openly, which is a thing reserved for the life everlasting. 1 Corinth. 13. 12. yet I doe apprehend him by faith, and doe finde the effects of his presence. 2 Corinthians 5:7. 1 Peter 1:8.

Song of Solomon 2:10

Spake] Namely by inspiration, and internal motion of the spirit, forwarding and animating the exhortatons of his preached word Rise up] forsake the world in heart and affection, to follow me, ayming at the marke of thy heavenly vocation, Philippians 3:14. Colossians 3:12.

Song of Solomon 2:11

The winter] The pleasing spring, of the yeare of grace is come, through the manifestation of the Messias in the flesh, and the preaching of the Gospell: enjoy it then with that spirit of freedom, which giveth thee accesse unto mee with confidence, Son 7:11. Romans 13:11-12. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. A propheticall description of this great good, which in Solomons time was yet a great way off.

Song of Solomon 2:12

Of the singing] That is to say, of rejoycing in God, and yielding unto him continuall thankes. Others, to prune their vines, which was a token that the spring was come.

Song of Solomon 2:14

O my dove] This is a continuation of the Bride-grooms speech to the bride, which her soule onely unnerstands, she alone hath power to preach it to others. Now this name of Dove, so frequently attributed to the Church, represents her purity, simplicity, mildnes, and sociable nature, this bird having no gall, nor beake, nor clawes to doe any hurt with, and is very tame and sociable.That art] This is also a very ordinary thing for Doves to doe, to signifie that the Church is oftentimes constrayned to fly into the further part of the world, and hid it self in corners to avoyd persecutions. Yet she never ought for to forsake the freedome of her profession, nor the invocation of Christs name, nor the preaching of his word.

Song of Solomon 2:15

Take us] This is Christs promise, namely, that he will appoynt his Angels to overthrow and destroy tyrants and persecuters, Psal 80. 14. Or a command given to the Church it selfe, to represse and put out hereticks, and schismaticks, which grow up together with the truth of the Gospell.

Song of Solomon 2:16

My beloved] This is the conclusion of this visit, wherein the Church gives herselfe wholly to Christ, and doth embrace and lay hold on him by a lively faith, though we reside in heaven, in glory: to which corporall absence she voluntarily consents He feedeth] Who in his heavenly paradice, and fruition of his glory, performeth the office of soveraigne shepheard of the blessed soules: and from thence gathereth up unto him, those that are yet in this world. Canticles chapter 6. verse 2. Revelations chap. 7. verse 17.

Song of Solomon 2:17

The day break] The Italian, The breath of the day] For likely at break of day there arise fine pleasing winds, Genesis 3:8. See concerning the breaking of this everlasting day of Glory, Psalme 49. 14. Son 7:12. Romans 13:11. 2 Pet. 19 The shadowes] The night of the present estate of this world, which is nothing but darknesse of misery, sinne, disorder, and sorrow Turne] Now thou hast fully comforted and restored me by this thy visit. I am content for to returne to my ordinary course of faith, repentance, service and obedience, as if thou didst retire into heaven, carrying with thee these extraordinary lights, & favours; untill the great day of the resurrection, at which time I hope thou wilt restore them to me perfect and everlasting without any interruption, Son 8:14 Upon the mountaines] This name of Bether is not to be found any where else; peradventure it is some name framed according to the signification of the word, which is separation: for by these mountaines is meant heaven, and the state of eternall life, as well by reason of the height of it, as for its separation from all conditions and qualities, of this animall and terrestriall life, and from the state of this corruptible world. Ephes. 4. 10.