A commentary on the Canticles or the Song of Salomon wherein the text is analised, the native signification of the words declared, the allegories explained, and the order of the times whereunto they relate observed / by Thomas Brightman ; unto which is added brief notes out of severall expositors of the Revelation touching the rising and fall, progresse and finall destruction of the enemies of the church with some other observations out of divers writers.
         Brightman, Thomas, 1562-1607.
      
       
         
           1644
        
      
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             A commentary on the Canticles or the Song of Salomon wherein the text is analised, the native signification of the words declared, the allegories explained, and the order of the times whereunto they relate observed / by Thomas Brightman ; unto which is added brief notes out of severall expositors of the Revelation touching the rising and fall, progresse and finall destruction of the enemies of the church with some other observations out of divers writers.
             Brightman, Thomas, 1562-1607.
          
           [8], 979-1088 p.
           
             Printed by Iohn Field for Henry Overton,
             London :
             1644.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Song of Solomon -- Commentaries.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           COMMENTARY
           ON
           THE
           CANTICLES
           OR
           THE
           SONG
           of
           SALOMON
           .
        
         
           VVherein
           the
           Text
           is
           Analised
           ,
           the
           Native
           signification
           of
           the
           Words
           Declared
           ,
           the
           Allegories
           Explained
           ,
           and
           the
           Order
           of
           times
           whereunto
           they
           relate
           Observed
           .
        
         
           By
           THOMAS
           BRIGHTMAN
           .
        
         
           Unto
           which
           is
           added
           brief
           notes
           out
           of
           severall
           Expositors
           of
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           touching
           the
           rising
           and
           fall
           ,
           progresse
           and
           finall
           destruction
           ,
           of
           the
           Enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           with
           some
           other
           Observances
           out
           of
           divers
           Writers
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Iohn
             Field
          
           ,
           for
           
             Henry
             Overton
          
           ,
           in
           Popes-head-Alley
           .
           1644.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THat
           which
           the
           Queen
           of
           Sheba
           once
           affirmed
           before
           Salomon
           ,
           is
           very
           true
           ;
           
             The
             Instruments
          
           
           
             of
             Gods
             blessings
             are
             the
             arguments
             of
             his
             love
             :
          
           whence
           it
           is
           apparent
           that
           God
           did
           wonderfully
           declare
           his
           tender
           love
           to
           the
           Church
           upon
           earth
           ,
           in
           continually
           raising
           famous
           men
           ,
           who
           like
           burning
           lights
           in
           golden
           Candlestickes
           ,
           did
           shine
           forth
           to
           the
           honour
           and
           glory
           of
           his
           Sanctuary
           .
           And
           as
           no
           age
           (
           since
           the
           Apostles
           time
           )
           hath
           been
           so
           glorious
           for
           the
           light
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           the
           abundance
           of
           lights
           as
           the
           present
           ,
           so
           I
           hope
           (
           without
           prejudice
           to
           any
           )
           our
           Brightman
           of
           blessed
           memory
           ,
           for
           names
           sake
           ,
           may
           deservedly
           finde
           a
           place
           among
           those
           that
           were
           most
           famous
           in
           this
           kinde
           ;
           for
           truely
           whilst
           he
           lived
           he
           was
           ,
           as
           Christ
           said
           of
           
             Iohn
             Baptist
             ,
             A
             burning
             and
             a
             shining
             light
             .
          
           He
           was
           
           famous
           in
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           conversation
           making
           himself
           an
           example
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           practising
           what
           he
           Preached
           ,
           living
           according
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           his
           Doctrine
           .
           Yea
           and
           that
           which
           is
           wonderfull
           ,
           this
           light
           of
           ours
           being
           extinct
           ,
           
           still
           shines
           brightly
           ,
           for
           what
           else
           is
           his
           Apocalyps
           of
           the
           Apocalyps
           ,
           but
           a
           
             Light
             shining
             in
             darke
             places
          
           ?
           for
           surely
           so
           mysterious
           is
           that
           parcell
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           interpreted
           by
           wit
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Divination
           .
           But
           our
           Brightman
           hath
           made
           such
           plaine
           interpretation
           thereof
           ,
           that
           thou
           mayest
           easily
           behold
           the
           great
           mystery
           of
           Iniquity
           of
           the
           Beast
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           also
           Gods
           great
           mercy
           in
           calling
           the
           Jewes
           .
           And
           although
           many
           learned
           men
           have
           (
           to
           their
           glory
           )
           ●●ent
           their
           whole
           time
           in
           the
           interpreting
           this
           part
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           yet
           this
           our
           Author
           hath
           interpreted
           this
           and
           other
           most
           difficult
           places
           ;
           witnesse
           the
           Song
           of
           Solomon
           ,
           and
           the
           latter
           part
           of
           the
           Prophecie
           of
           Daniel
           .
           Concerning
           the
           Song
           of
           Solomon
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Jewes
           is
           very
           well
           knowne
           by
           which
           young
           men
           under
           the
           age
           of
           thirty
           (
           before
           which
           time
           they
           did
           not
           enter
           into
           the
           Priest-hood
           )
           were
           interdicted
           to
           reade
           it
           ,
           le●t
           those
           things
           which
           were
           mystically
           set
           forth
           ,
           should
           by
           the
           swaying
           of
           their
           passions
           ,
           be
           enterpreted
           in
           the
           worst
           sense
           .
           But
           our
           Brightman
           amongst
           others
           that
           have
           deserved
           well
           in
           this
           also
           ▪
           expresses
           every
           word
           spiritually
           ,
           whereby
           thou
           mayest
           receive
           Divine
           and
           heavenly
           pleasures
           .
           All
           things
           are
           expounded
           with
           great
           labour
           ,
           and
           applyed
           with
           great
           
           Judgement
           ;
           insomuch
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           new
           path
           ,
           you
           may
           walk
           in
           the
           foote-steps
           of
           the
           Spouse
           ,
           Jesu
           Christ
           :
           or
           as
           the
           Jewes
           call
           it
           ,
           enter
           the
           
             Sanctum
             Sanctorum
          
           .
        
         
           The
           manner
           of
           his
           handling
           this
           Scripture
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           application
           ,
           is
           universall
           ;
           for
           he
           held
           this
           prophecie
           to
           be
           wonderfully
           difficult
           ,
           whence
           it
           is
           no
           marvell
           ,
           if
           some
           doubt
           whether
           he
           did
           attain
           to
           the
           genuine
           interpretation
           of
           the
           Song
           :
           but
           since
           the
           diffiulty
           of
           the
           Allegory
           hath
           occasioned
           such
           variance
           amongst
           the
           Interpreters
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           almost
           be
           said
           ;
           as
           many
           men
           ,
           so
           many
           mindes
           :
           I
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           distastefull
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           the
           labours
           of
           this
           her
           godly
           sonne
           are
           published
           in
           Print
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Reader
           may
           perceive
           the
           Authors
           great
           knowledge
           in
           this
           mysterie
           :
           hee
           doth
           acknowledge
           a
           marriage
           beween
           Christ
           and
           his
           Church
           ;
           but
           in
           this
           he
           differs
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Interpreters
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           conclude
           to
           be
           always
           ,
           he
           restrains
           to
           certain
           times
           .
           I
           confesse
           ,
           he
           that
           for
           sakes
           the
           ancient
           opinions
           of
           learned
           and
           godly
           men
           ,
           and
           propounds
           to
           himself
           a
           new
           way
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           walketh
           all
           alone
           ,
           may
           (
           in
           good
           manners
           )
           be
           thought
           to
           erre
           ;
           but
           because
           sometimes
           he
           that
           readeth
           understandeth
           that
           ,
           which
           the
           Prophets
           themselves
           which
           Prophesied
           it
           did
           not
           know
           ,
           and
           because
           
           our
           Brightman
           ,
           for
           his
           singular
           meeknesse
           ,
           humility
           ,
           and
           godlinesse
           ,
           was
           thought
           by
           them
           amongst
           whom
           he
           lived
           and
           had
           to
           do
           ,
           to
           be
           free
           from
           all
           manner
           of
           affectation
           of
           Noveltie
           ;
           as
           also
           because
           he
           is
           not
           singular
           in
           his
           manner
           of
           interpreting
           :
           for
           amongst
           the
           
             Hebre●es
             ,
             Aben
             Ezr●
          
           conceives
           the
           mysterie
           from
           Abraham
           to
           the
           Messias
           ,
           to
           be
           here
           set
           forth
           ;
           And
           some
           amongst
           us
           from
           the
           Messias
           to
           the
           Churches
           freedome
           under
           Constantine
           :
           And
           in
           this
           they
           all
           agree
           ,
           that
           some
           things
           are
           particularly
           to
           be
           applied
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           because
           our
           Author
           doth
           not
           desire
           credence
           in
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           where
           it
           may
           be
           grounded
           upon
           
           a
           sure
           foundation
           ,
           therefore
           
             feare
             not
             ,
             try
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             hold
             fast
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ;
             The
             spirits
             of
             the
             Prophets
             are
             subject
             to
             the
             Prophets
             .
          
        
         
           But
           admit
           this
           Propheticall
           and
           particular
           application
           doth
           not
           please
           you
           ;
           yet
           to
           behold
           the
           whole
           condition
           of
           the
           Church
           from
           the
           time
           of
           David
           ,
           till
           time
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           ;
           and
           this
           set
           forth
           in
           a
           short
           and
           easie
           table
           ,
           cannot
           choose
           but
           be
           both
           profitable
           and
           delightfull
           unto
           thee
           .
        
         
           Reader
           ,
           I
           thought
           good
           to
           premise
           these
           things
           for
           thy
           sake
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Authors
           praise
           ;
           (
           at
           which
           I
           chiefly
           aim
           )
           much
           more
           might
           be
           spoken
           ,
           but
           read
           the
           Author
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           Explication
           of
           the
           first
           verse
           ,
           doth
           by
           way
           of
           Pro●m●
           ,
           admirably
           
           set
           forth
           the
           authority
           ,
           excellency
           and
           use
           of
           this
           Song
           of
           Songs
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           way
           ,
           I
           pray
           take
           this
           caution
           ,
           if
           you
           once
           enter
           the
           Portall
           ,
           come
           not
           back
           untill
           you
           have
           surveyed
           the
           whole
           building
           ,
           the
           curiosity
           of
           whose
           structure
           ,
           surpasses
           my
           expression
           .
        
         
           Let
           God
           so
           shine
           upon
           us
           with
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Countenance
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           alwayes
           be
           a
           Brightman
           in
           Britaine
           ,
           to
           the
           setting
           forth
           of
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Sonne
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           Farewell
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           Table
           of
           the
           whole
           book
           of
           CANTICLES
           .
        
         
           
             The
             parts
             of
             the
             Song
             
               
                 Inscription
                 ,
                 v.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 A
                 song
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 
                   
                     Legall
                     
                       
                         Before
                         the
                         Captivity
                         .
                         v.
                         1.
                         
                      
                       
                         In
                         Captivity
                         ,
                         cap.
                         2.
                         ad
                         v.
                         15.
                         
                      
                       
                         After
                         to
                         Ch●ist
                         —
                         
                           
                             his
                             birth
                             ad
                             cap.
                             3.
                             6.
                             
                          
                           
                             his
                             death
                             ad
                             cap.
                             4.
                             6.
                             
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     Evangelicall
                     
                       
                         Begun
                         ad
                         cap.
                         4.
                         6.
                         
                      
                       
                         Finished
                         ,
                         and
                         this
                         
                           
                             In
                             its
                             parts
                             ,
                             that
                             is
                             ,
                             in
                             its
                             
                               
                                 Former
                                 Age
                                 ,
                                 
                                   
                                     pure
                                  
                                   
                                     obscure
                                     
                                       
                                         cap.
                                         5.
                                         
                                      
                                       
                                         with
                                         a
                                         mist
                                      
                                       
                                         with
                                         darkenesse
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                   
                                     restored
                                     ad
                                     cap.
                                     6.
                                     9.
                                     
                                  
                                
                              
                               
                                 Latter
                                 Age
                                 ,
                                 
                                   
                                     its
                                     Prince
                                     
                                       
                                         borne
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         growne
                                         up
                                         .
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                   
                                     Inferiours
                                     
                                       
                                         first
                                         ,
                                         cap.
                                         8.
                                         5.
                                         6.
                                         7.
                                         
                                      
                                       
                                         second
                                         ,
                                         cap.
                                         8.
                                         8.
                                         9.
                                         10.
                                         
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                           
                             In
                             the
                             whole
                             ,
                             cap.
                             8.
                             11
                             ,
                             12
                             ,
                             13
                             ,
                             14.
                             
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Propheticall
           Exposition
           of
           the
           whole
           Booke
           of
           the
           CANTICLES
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             
               1
               LET
               him
               kisse
               mee
               with
               the
               kisses
               of
               his
               mouth
               :
               for
               thy
               love
               is
               better
               than
               wine
               .
            
             
               2
               Because
               of
               the
               favour
               of
               thy
               good
               oyntments
               ,
               thy
               name
               
                 is
                 as
              
               an
               oyntment
               powred
               out
               :
               therefore
               the
               virgins
               love
               thee
               ▪
            
             
               3
               Draw
               me
               ,
               we
               will
               run
               after
               thee
               :
               the
               king
               hath
               brought
               me
               into
               his
               chambers
               :
               we
               will
               rejoyce
               and
               be
               glad
               in
               thee
               :
               we
               will
               remember
               thy
               love
               more
               than
               wine
               :
               the
               righteous
               do
               love
               thee
               .
            
             
               4
               I
               am
               black
               ,
               O
               daughters
               of
               Ierusalem
               ,
               but
               comely
               ,
               as
               the
               tents
               of
               Kedar
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               curtaines
               of
               Salomon
               .
            
             
               5
               Regard
               ye
               me
               not
               because
               I
               am
               black
               :
               for
               the
               sunne
               hath
               looked
               upon
               me
               .
               The
               sons
               of
               my
               mother
               were
               angry
               against
               me
               :
               they
               made
               me
               the
               keeper
               of
               the
               vines
               :
               but
               I
               kept
               not
               mine
               own
               vine
               .
            
             
               6
               Shew
               me
               ,
               
                 O
                 thou
              
               whom
               my
               soule
               loveth
               ,
               where
               thou
               feedest
               ,
               where
               thou
               lyest
               at
               noone
               :
               for
               why
               should
               I
               be
               as
               she
               that
               turneth
               aside
               to
               the
               flockes
               of
               thy
               companions
               ?
            
             
               7
               If
               thou
               know
               not
               ,
               O
               thou
               the
               fairest
               among
               women
               ,
               get
               thee
               forth
               by
               the
               steps
               of
               the
               flocke
               ,
               and
               feed
               thy
               kids
               by
               the
               tents
               of
               the
               shepherds
               .
            
             
               8
               I
               have
               compared
               thee
               ,
               O
               my
               love
               ,
               to
               the
               troope
               of
               Horses
               in
               the
               chariots
               of
               Pharaoh
               .
            
             
               9
               Thy
               cheekes
               are
               comely
               with
               rowes
               of
               stones
               ,
               and
               thy
               necke
               with
               chaines
               .
            
             
               
               10
               We
               will
               make
               thee
               borders
               of
               gold
               with
               studs
               of
               silver
               ▪
            
             
               11
               Whiles
               the
               king
               was
               at
               his
               repast
               ,
               my
               spikenard
               gave
               the
               smell
               thereof
               .
            
             
               12
               My
               welbeloved
               
                 is
                 as
              
               a
               bundle
               of
               myrrhe
               unto
               me
               :
               he
               shall
               lye
               between
               my
               breasts
               .
            
             
               13
               My
               welbeloved
               
                 is
                 as
              
               a
               cluster
               of
               camphire
               unto
               me
               ,
               in
               the
               vines
               of
               Engedi
               .
            
             
               14
               My
               love
               ,
               behold
               ,
               thou
               art
               faire
               ,
               behold
               ,
               thou
               art
               faire
               :
               thine
               eyes
               
                 are
                 like
              
               the
               doves
               .
            
             
               15
               My
               welbeloved
               ,
               behold
               ,
               thou
               art
               faire
               and
               pleasant
               ▪
               also
               our
               bed
               is
               greene
               :
            
             
               16
               The
               beames
               of
               our
               house
               are
               cedars
               ,
               our
               rafters
               are
               of
               Firre
               .
            
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               O
               Mercifull
               Father
               in
               Iesus
               Christ
               ,
               I
               〈◊〉
               th●e
               〈◊〉
               thy
               holy
               Spirit
               for
               a
               guide
               unto
               me
               ,
               to
               〈…〉
               these
               thy
               ●idden
               Mysteries
               .
               All
               the
               knowledge
               of
               〈…〉
               is
               exceeding
               delightfull
               and
               pleasant
               :
               yea
               that
               which
               stands
               before
               the
               door
               ,
               and
               offereth
               it self
               freely
               to
               every
               one
               :
               how
               delicious
               then
               is
               that
               which
               thou
               hast
               layd
               up
               in
               the
               inward
               treasuries
               ,
               shut
               up
               with
               so
               many
               lockes
               and
               bolts
               ,
               that
               no
               mortall
               man
               can
               breake
               through
               unto
               it
               ,
               but
               he
               to
               whom
               thou
               wilt
               vouch●a●e
               an
               entrance
               for
               thine
               onely
               sons
               sake
               .
               Be
               present
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               &
               thou
               which
               hast
               poured
               forth
               fiery
               tongues
               in
               times
               past
               upon
               thy
               servants
               ,
               grant
               that
               I
               may
               understand
               the
               language
               of
               the
               Bridegroome
               and
               of
               the
               Bride
               ,
               and
               may
               declare
               their
               speech
               pu
               ely
               and
               holily
               to
               thy
               servants
               ;
               to
               the
               glory
               of
               thy
               Name
               ,
               and
               the
               edifying
               of
               thine
               Elect
               ,
               through
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               Iesus
               Christ
               .
            
             
               Amen
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Analysis
               ,
               or
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               THe
               Authority
               of
               this
               Song
               is
               declared
               by
               the
               Inscrittion
               .
               Then
               he
               prosecuteth
               is
               purpose
               in
               verse
               ,
               which
               is
               wholy
               imployed
               in
               describing
               〈◊〉
               condition
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               aswell
               as
               it
               was
               Legall
               ,
               from
               
               the
               time
               of
               David
               to
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               ,
               in
               the
               
                 3
                 ▪
              
               first
               chapters
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               
                 6.
                 verse
              
               of
               the
               
                 4.
                 chapter
              
               .
               As
               also
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               Evangelicall
               unto
               the
               second
               comming
               of
               Christ
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               book
               .
               The
               Legall
               Church
               is
               set
               forth
               in
               a
               divers
               fortune
               ,
               which
               for
               plainnesse
               ●ake
               we
               divide
               into
               3
               times
               .
               First
               what
               it
               should
               be
               till
               the
               Captivitie
               ,
               in
               the
               whole
               first
               Chapter
               ,
               and
               the
               2.
               first
               verses
               of
               the
               second
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               what
               in
               the
               Captivity
               it self
               ,
               to
               the
               
                 15.
                 verse
              
               of
               the
               same
               Chapter
               .
               And
               lastly
               ,
               what
               i●
               should
               be
               afterward
               to
               its
               last
               abrogation
               or
               dissolvi●g
               ,
               which
               reacheth
               to
               the
               
                 6.
                 verse
              
               of
               the
               
                 4.
                 chapter
              
               .
               Before
               the
               Captivitie
               ,
               beginning
               at
               his
               Father
               David
               ,
               he
               sheweth
               what
               condition
               that
               enjoyed
               under
               him
               ,
               
                 verse
                 1.
                 2.
              
               afterwards
               under
               himselfe
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
              
               
               And
               from
               thence
               what
               it
               should
               be
               under
               his
               sonne
               Rehoboam
               ,
               to
               the
               
                 9.
                 verse
              
               :
               under
               Abija
               and
               
                 Asa
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
              
               under
               Iehosaphat
               ,
               vers
               .
               12.
               under
               
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 Ahazia
                 ,
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 Amaziah
                 ,
                 Huzijah
                 ,
                 Iotham
                 ,
              
               and
               Ahaz
               ,
               verse
               13.
               under
               
                 Hezechia
                 ,
                 verse
                 14.
              
               under
               Manasses
               and
               Iosias
               ,
               verse
               15.
               and
               16.
               
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   1.
                
                 
                 Let
                 him
                 kisse
                 me
                 with
                 the
                 kisses
                 of
                 his
                 mo●th
                 ,
                 for
                 thy
                 love
                 is
                 better
                 then
                 wine
                 .
              
               
                 THis
                 Prophesie
                 following
                 agreeth
                 well
                 neere
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 with
                 that
                 of
                 Saint
                 Iohn
                 in
                 the
                 Revelation
                 .
                 They
                 fore-shew
                 the
                 same
                 events
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 times
                 .
                 And
                 either
                 of
                 them
                 directeth
                 his
                 course
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 marke
                 .
                 They
                 differ
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 beginnings
                 as
                 Salomon
                 exceeded
                 John
                 in
                 age
                 .
                 They
                 also
                 follow
                 somewhat
                 ,
                 a
                 divers
                 manner
                 of
                 handling
                 it
                 .
                 John
                 setteth
                 forth
                 the
                 strifes
                 and
                 battells
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 more
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 and
                 exactly
                 painteth
                 out
                 her
                 enemies
                 with
                 a
                 greater
                 caution
                 or
                 heed
                 taking
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 Propheticall
                 Paranymph
                 (
                 or
                 marriage
                 maker
                 )
                 toucheth
                 these
                 things
                 more
                 sparingly
                 ,
                 desirous
                 onely
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 joyfull
                 events
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 he
                 scarcely
                 mentioneth
                 at
                 all
                 any
                 accidents
                 ,
                 whereby
                 this
                 nuptiall
                 song
                 might
                 be
                 disturbed
                 :
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 so
                 seasoning
                 her
                 troubles
                 ,
                 that
                 much
                 pleasure
                 may
                 alwayes
                 appeare
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 first
                 let
                 us
                 weigh
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 then
                 let
                 us
                 see
                 the
                 Application
                 :
                 Kisses
                 are
                 sometimes
                 taken
                 for
                 saire
                 ,
                 milde
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasant
                 words
                 ,
                 as
                 chidings
                 and
                 brawlings
                 are
                 compared
                 to
                 wounds
                 ,
                 as
                 Salomon
                 saith
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 27.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   The
                   wounds
                   of
                   a
                   lover
                   are
                   more
                   faithfull
                   then
                   the
                   flattering
                   kisses
                   of
                   an
                   enemie
                   .
                
                 The
                 Church
                 then
                 desireth
                 to
                 be
                 instructed
                 
                 with
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 her
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 which
                 she
                 calleth
                 Kisses
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 assured
                 pledges
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroomes
                 love
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 this
                 love
                 ;
                 therefore
                 she
                 preferreth
                 it
                 before
                 wine
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 chiefely
                 esteemed
                 among
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 taste
                 most
                 pleasantly
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 comparisons
                 of
                 this
                 song
                 are
                 taken
                 from
                 such
                 things
                 which
                 do
                 chiefely
                 tickle
                 up
                 the
                 sences
                 :
                 because
                 our
                 infirmity
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 commonly
                 feele
                 no
                 greater
                 pleasure
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 pertaine
                 to
                 these
                 inferior
                 sences
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 sum
                 :
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 doe
                 chiefely
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 altogether
                 over-whelmed
                 in
                 a
                 most
                 familiar
                 conversation
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 plentifully
                 instructed
                 with
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 his
                 mouth
                 :
                 which
                 they
                 confirme
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 great●st
                 pleasure
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 .
                 Now
                 for
                 the
                 Application
                 .
                 Solomon
                 beginneth
                 from
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 sheweth
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 Raigne
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 David
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 .
                 Christ
                 then
                 by
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 David
                 (
                 bearing
                 his
                 Type
                 )
                 kissed
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 instructing
                 it
                 with
                 most
                 sweete
                 
                   Odes
                   ,
                   Psalmes
                
                 and
                 Songs
                 ,
                 wherein
                 that
                 time
                 was
                 most
                 excellent
                 above
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 David
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 sweete
                 singer
                 of
                 Israel
                 by
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 23.
                 1.
                 
                 Whereof
                 the
                 booke
                 of
                 Psalmes
                 is
                 a
                 plentifull
                 witnesse
                 .
                 Solomon
                 also
                 composed
                 1005.
                 songs
                 ,
                 but
                 very
                 few
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 recorded
                 in
                 the
                 Sacred
                 Treasury
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 many
                 then
                 ▪
                 and
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 ,
                 did
                 chide
                 very
                 often
                 ;
                 but
                 not
                 kisse
                 :
                 They
                 reproved
                 sins
                 ,
                 they
                 thundred
                 out
                 Judgements
                 ,
                 they
                 terrified
                 with
                 threatnings
                 :
                 whereas
                 this
                 sweet
                 singer
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 powred
                 out
                 almost
                 nothing
                 but
                 prayers
                 ,
                 thanksgivings
                 ,
                 promises
                 and
                 Exhortations
                 :
                 worthily
                 were
                 these
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 kissing
                 and
                 imbracing
                 ▪
                 chiefly
                 ,
                 if
                 ye
                 adde
                 all
                 that
                 care
                 and
                 diligence
                 ,
                 which
                 hee
                 applied
                 to
                 ordaine
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 God
                 most
                 fitly
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Chro.
                 23.
                 &c.
                 With
                 these
                 kisses
                 ,
                 which
                 even
                 burned
                 with
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 word
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 pietie
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 had
                 then
                 no
                 lesse
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 imbraced
                 (
                 if
                 ever
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 .
                 )
                 David
                 rejoyced
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   go
                   into
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 seeing
                 the
                 readinesse
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 preferring
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 God
                 before
                 all
                 Wine
                 ,
                 Psal
                 .
                 122.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 King
                 himself
                 likewise
                 in
                 the
                 sweetnes●e
                 of
                 singing
                 (
                 a
                 figure
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 )
                 with
                 diligence
                 and
                 desire
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 (
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 )
                 did
                 not
                 he
                 desire
                 one
                 thing
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   dvvell
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   all
                   the
                   dayes
                   of
                   his
                   life
                   ?
                   Psal
                   .
                
                 27.
                 4.
                 
                 He
                 manifestly
                 confirmeth
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 betteer
                 to
                 
                 him
                 ▪
                 then
                 many
                 thousands
                 of
                 Gold
                 and
                 silver
                 .
                 And
                 his
                 judgements
                 to
                 be
                 sweeter
                 then
                 hony
                 to
                 his
                 mouth
                 ,
                 Psal
                 .
                 119.
                 72.
                 103.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   2.
                
                 
                 Because
                 of
                 the
                 savour
                 of
                 thy
                 good
                 ointments
                 ,
                 thy
                 name
                 is
                 as
                 an
                 oyntment
                 poured
                 out
                 ,
                 Therefore
                 the
                 virgins
                 love
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 elegant
                 Periphrasis
                 ,
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 consi●eration
                 of
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 effects
                 :
                 whose
                 force
                 is
                 weak●ed
                 by
                 the
                 similitude
                 ▪
                 For
                 the
                 sence
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Thy
                   name
                   is
                   an
                   oyntment
                   poured
                   out
                   ,
                   very
                   well
                   answering
                   to
                   the
                   smell
                   of
                   thy
                   oyntments
                   .
                   Oyntments
                
                 signifie
                 the
                 gifts
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 these
                 gifts
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 fruit
                 and
                 sweetnesse
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 received
                 by
                 the
                 Communication
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 whereas
                 the
                 Church
                 publisheth
                 the
                 oyntments
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 it
                 properly
                 pertaineth
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 replenished
                 treasury
                 of
                 the
                 inf●nitn●sse
                 of
                 all
                 graces
                 .
                 Yet
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 doubted
                 ,
                 but
                 here
                 together
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 David
                 his
                 type
                 may
                 also
                 be
                 beholden
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 repleni●hed
                 with
                 great
                 abunda●ce
                 of
                 most
                 divine
                 graces
                 ,
                 breathed
                 out
                 their
                 sweetnesse
                 to
                 Gods
                 people
                 which
                 he
                 governed
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 after
                 Gods
                 own
                 hear
                 .
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 example
                 the
                 Kings
                 following
                 are
                 commended
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 ordain●d
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 
                   a●nointed
                   of
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   ●acob
                   ,
                
                 2.
                 
                 Sam.
                 23.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   God
                   annointing
                   him
                   with
                   his
                   holy
                   oyl
                   ,
                   Psal
                   .
                
                 89
                 21.
                 
                 Neither
                 was
                 it
                 without
                 cause
                 ,
                 ●hat
                 he
                 was
                 three
                 times
                 anointed
                 .
                 First
                 privatly
                 by
                 Samuel
                 ,
                 secondly
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 Tribe
                 ,
                 thirdly
                 by
                 all
                 Israel
                 :
                 whereas
                 the
                 other
                 Kings
                 were
                 only
                 anoynted
                 but
                 once
                 .
                 Whence
                 that
                 name
                 is
                 worthily
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 Psal
                 .
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Kings
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   stand
                   up
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   rul●rs
                   take
                   counsell
                   together
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   against
                   his
                   anointed
                   .
                
                 Wherefore
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 Solomon
                 de●l●reth
                 the
                 happinesse
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 a
                 King
                 so
                 well
                 furnished
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 gifts
                 of
                 the
                 spir●t
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 virgins
                 are
                 the
                 citizens
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 that
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 obeyed
                 his
                 government
                 ,
                 who
                 therfore
                 loved
                 his
                 Ki●g
                 exce●dingly
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 saw
                 him
                 anoynted
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 enr●●hed
                 with
                 sucn
                 notable
                 and
                 excellent
                 gifts
                 .
                 The
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 virgins
                 first
                 shewed
                 it self
                 ,
                 when
                 Saul
                 persecuted
                 David
                 ,
                 ●econdly
                 in
                 his
                 two
                 yee●s
                 wars
                 with
                 Ishbosheth
                 ,
                 and
                 thirdly
                 in
                 Absolons
                 conspiracie
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 true
                 citizens
                 divinely
                 smelling
                 the
                 Odour
                 of
                 the
                 annointed
                 King
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 terrified
                 by
                 any
                 dangers
                 ,
                 from
                 ●leaving
                 to
                 him
                 with
                 firme
                 minde●
                 .
                 So
                 short
                 ,
                 but
                 lively
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 Davids
                 raigne
                 .
                 Notable
                 in
                 kisses
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 figurative
                 M●ssias
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 peoples
                 desire
                 of
                 those
                 kisses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 virgins
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 Subjects
                 ,
                 a
                 most
                 happy
                 Kingdom
                 wherein
                 these
                 four
                 reigned
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 Draw
                 me
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 run
                 after
                 thee
                 ▪
                 The
                 King
                 hath
                 bro●ght
                 me
                 
                 into
                 his
                 Chambers
                 :
                 we
                 will
                 reioyce
                 and
                 be
                 glad
                 in
                 thee
                 :
                 we
                 will
                 remember
                 thy
                 love
                 more
                 then
                 wine
                 :
                 the
                 righteous
                 do
                 love
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 this
                 one
                 little
                 verse
                 ,
                 Solomon
                 intreateth
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 during
                 his
                 raigne
                 ,
                 whose
                 whole
                 condition
                 is
                 divided
                 into
                 sixe
                 members
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 drawing
                 by
                 his
                 example
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 spirit
                 working
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 faithfull
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 authority
                 of
                 his
                 raigne
                 began
                 with
                 the
                 published
                 meeting
                 at
                 Gibeon
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Chro.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 Of
                 what
                 force
                 was
                 this
                 attraction
                 ?
                 There
                 followed
                 most
                 calme
                 peace
                 ,
                 such
                 abundance
                 of
                 wealth
                 as
                 no
                 where
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 wisedome
                 almost
                 more
                 then
                 mortall
                 .
                 Glory
                 which
                 amazed
                 all
                 other
                 Kings
                 :
                 and
                 (
                 which
                 exceeded
                 all
                 )
                 a
                 beholding
                 next
                 unto
                 God.
                 These
                 were
                 enough
                 to
                 have
                 drawn
                 the
                 most
                 unwilling
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 people
                 followed
                 willingly
                 :
                 
                   We
                   will
                   run
                
                 (
                 say
                 they
                 )
                 
                   after
                   thee
                
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 here
                 is
                 taught
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 people
                 drawn
                 by
                 the
                 Kings
                 example
                 ,
                 do
                 flie
                 with
                 a
                 swift
                 course
                 :
                 He
                 commanded
                 the
                 meeting
                 at
                 Gibeon
                 :
                 they
                 flocked
                 thither
                 in
                 great
                 troopes
                 ,
                 1
                 Chro.
                 1.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 the
                 chamber
                 ,
                 whereinto
                 the
                 Bride
                 is
                 brought
                 :
                 was
                 that
                 most
                 magnificent
                 Temple
                 built
                 by
                 Solomon
                 .
                 This
                 house
                 is
                 the
                 inner
                 chamber
                 ;
                 nay
                 rather
                 the
                 couch
                 and
                 Bed
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 afterward
                 called
                 )
                 wherein
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 converseth
                 with
                 the
                 Bride
                 most
                 familiarly
                 :
                 whither
                 Solomon
                 brought
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 when
                 for
                 her
                 sake
                 he
                 built
                 and
                 adorned
                 it
                 so
                 beautifully
                 ;
                 and
                 especially
                 by
                 drawing
                 the
                 people
                 into
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 day
                 wherein
                 he
                 dedicated
                 the
                 house
                 ,
                 going
                 before
                 them
                 with
                 sacrifices
                 ,
                 prayer
                 and
                 thanksgiving
                 ,
                 as
                 1.
                 
                 Kings
                 8.
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 chapter
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 and
                 fiftly
                 is
                 declared
                 ,
                 how
                 joyfull
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 were
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 so
                 happily
                 begun
                 and
                 continued
                 for
                 many
                 yeers
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   upright
                   love
                   thee
                
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 doth
                 he
                 mention
                 the
                 upright
                 ,
                 as
                 though
                 there
                 were
                 any
                 in
                 those
                 times
                 whose
                 hearts
                 were
                 not
                 sincere
                 and
                 sound
                 ?
                 verily
                 he
                 seemeth
                 by
                 these
                 words
                 to
                 passe
                 over
                 privily
                 those
                 blessed
                 times
                 to
                 a
                 sorrowfull
                 falling
                 away
                 .
                 We
                 know
                 how
                 grievously
                 Solomon
                 fell
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 yeers
                 of
                 his
                 reigne
                 ,
                 by
                 bringing
                 in
                 strange
                 wives
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 King.
                 11.
                 
                 His
                 heart
                 was
                 not
                 found
                 towards
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 followed
                 Ashtaroth
                 and
                 M●lcom
                 ,
                 and
                 built
                 an
                 high
                 place
                 for
                 Chemosh
                 and
                 Molech
                 .
                 But
                 did
                 not
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 flattering
                 courtiers
                 run
                 before
                 ,
                 whither
                 they
                 saw
                 the
                 King
                 ready
                 to
                 decline
                 ?
                 But
                 the
                 faithfull
                 and
                 upright
                 in
                 heart
                 ,
                 remained
                 firm
                 in
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 destitute
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 authority
                 .
                 Here
                 then
                 we
                 may
                 behold
                 the
                 beginning
                 and
                 middle
                 of
                 his
                 raigne
                 very
                 pleasant
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 leading
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 following
                 ,
                 The
                 Temple
                 built
                 
                 m●st
                 magnificently
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 mirth
                 and
                 rejoycing
                 of
                 all
                 m●n
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 were
                 defiled
                 ,
                 yet
                 ▪
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 upright
                 was
                 constant
                 ,
                 though
                 many
                 fell
                 away
                 to
                 Idolatrie
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 black
                 ,
                 but
                 comely
                 (
                 O
                 ye
                 daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 )
                 as
                 the
                 Tents
                 of
                 Kedar
                 :
                 as
                 the
                 Curtains
                 of
                 Solomon
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 spoken
                 before
                 of
                 the
                 flourishing
                 est●te
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 now
                 the
                 withering
                 age
                 followeth
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 wholly
                 propheticall
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 which
                 follow
                 .
                 Brightnesse
                 and
                 light
                 are
                 tokens
                 of
                 mirth
                 and
                 gladnes
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 so
                 used
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 Black
                 and
                 darknesse
                 are
                 applied
                 to
                 griefe
                 and
                 mourning
                 .
                 And
                 truely
                 there
                 hapned
                 mournfull
                 times
                 presently
                 ●fter
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 son
                 Rehoboam
                 by
                 an
                 undiscreet
                 answer
                 ,
                 drave
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 from
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 No
                 marvell
                 then
                 if
                 she
                 mourned
                 in
                 black
                 :
                 a
                 matter
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 offence
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 make
                 the
                 strongest
                 to
                 stagger
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 weak
                 to
                 fall
                 altogether
                 :
                 wherefore
                 least
                 any
                 should
                 split
                 his
                 ship
                 against
                 this
                 Rock
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 rage
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 described
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 full
                 five
                 verses
                 .
                 He
                 beginneth
                 at
                 the
                 falling
                 away
                 of
                 the
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 where
                 a
                 great
                 alteration
                 hapned
                 ,
                 aswell
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 affairs
                 are
                 first
                 declared
                 briefly
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 afterward
                 severally
                 in
                 the
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 and
                 8.
                 verses
                 .
                 The
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 in
                 the
                 9.
                 verse
                 .
                 As
                 concerning
                 the
                 briefe
                 explication
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Church
                 confesseth
                 her self
                 made
                 brown
                 and
                 black
                 by
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 her
                 children
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 of
                 her
                 former
                 beautie
                 ;
                 The
                 two
                 similitude●
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 seem
                 to
                 agree
                 with
                 the
                 two
                 distinct
                 members
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   black
                   as
                   the
                   Tents
                   of
                   Ked●r
                   :
                   but
                   co●ely
                   as
                   the
                   Curtains
                   of
                   Solomon
                   .
                
                 The
                 Kedarens
                 are
                 Arabians
                 ,
                 living
                 i●
                 hair-cloth
                 Tents
                 ,
                 made
                 of
                 Goates
                 hair
                 .
                 
                   Solinus
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 45.
                 which
                 they
                 carried
                 with
                 them
                 whither
                 they
                 would
                 .
                 
                   Pliny
                   .
                   lib.
                
                 6.
                 chap.
                 28.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 curtains
                 of
                 Solomon
                 were
                 such
                 as
                 did
                 not
                 only
                 exceed
                 the
                 
                   Kedaren
                   haircloth
                
                 by
                 almost
                 infinit●
                 degrees
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 they
                 had
                 a
                 setled
                 abode
                 ;
                 whence
                 the
                 Jews
                 figur●●ively
                 used
                 them
                 for
                 every
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 
                   Ieremiah
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 4
                 20.
                 
                 
                   Suddenly
                   are
                   my
                   Tents
                   spoiled
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   curtains
                   in
                   a
                   moment
                   .
                
                 This
                 also
                 sheweth
                 that
                 he
                 wrote
                 this
                 song
                 after
                 his
                 repentance
                 :
                 for
                 i●
                 he
                 had
                 known
                 these
                 things
                 before
                 his
                 fall
                 ,
                 A
                 prophet
                 needed
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 sent
                 to
                 admonish
                 him
                 of
                 renting
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 
                   from
                   hi●●
                   ,
                   and
                   giving
                   it
                   to
                   his
                   servant
                   ,
                
                 1.
                 
                 Kings
                 11.
                 11.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   5.
                
                 
                 Look
                 not
                 upon
                 me
                 because
                 I
                 am
                 black
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 sunn●●ath
                 looked
                 ●pon
                 me
                 :
                 my
                 mothers
                 children
                 were
                 angry
                 vvith
                 me
                 ;
                 They
                 made
                 me
                 the
                 keeper
                 of
                 the
                 vineyards
                 :
                 but
                 mine
                 ovvn
                 vineyard
                 have
                 I
                 ●ot
                 kept
                 .
              
               
               
                 In
                 this
                 verse
                 is
                 a
                 speciall
                 description
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 two
                 verses
                 following
                 ▪
                 In
                 this
                 verse
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 words
                 ,
                 he
                 preventeth
                 the
                 contempt
                 which
                 might
                 be
                 objected
                 ▪
                 and
                 then
                 sheweth
                 the
                 causes
                 of
                 her
                 calamitie
                 .
                 
                   Look
                   not
                   upon
                   me
                
                 (
                 saith
                 she
                 )
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 behold
                 me
                 not
                 disdainfully
                 ;
                 which
                 words
                 do
                 not
                 only
                 command
                 but
                 also
                 foretell
                 in
                 what
                 e●timation
                 she
                 should
                 be
                 among
                 her
                 own
                 people
                 .
                 The
                 causes
                 are
                 three
                 ;
                 first
                 the
                 principall
                 :
                 
                   bec●use
                   the
                   Sun
                   hath
                   looked
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 heaven
                 hath
                 inflicted
                 this
                 calamity
                 on
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 hath
                 threatned
                 it
                 before
                 ,
                 1
                 Kings
                 11.
                 11.
                 30.
                 
                 &
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 Rehoboam
                 regarding
                 not
                 the
                 hand
                 that
                 smote
                 him
                 heareth
                 of
                 
                   Shemaiah
                   ,
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   this
                   thing
                   is
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Kings
                 12.
                 24.
                 
                 The
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 here
                 very
                 well
                 described
                 by
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 the
                 sunne
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 the
                 in●trumentall
                 cause
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   mothers
                   children
                
                 ,
                 (
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 kindred
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 by
                 Religion
                 )
                 being
                 grievously
                 offended
                 at
                 me
                 ,
                 have
                 broken
                 off
                 their
                 former
                 conjunction
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 consulting
                 privately
                 by
                 themselves
                 ,
                 are
                 altogether
                 separated
                 from
                 mine
                 acquaintance
                 .
                 See
                 the
                 History
                 ,
                 1
                 Kings
                 12.
                 16.
                 
                 &c.
                 The
                 third
                 cause
                 giveth
                 occasion
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 causes
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   made
                   me
                   the
                   keeper
                   of
                   the
                   vineyards
                   ,
                   but
                   mine
                   o●n
                   vineyard
                   have
                   I
                   not
                   kept
                   ,
                
                 do
                 you
                 ask
                 the
                 cause
                 ,
                 why
                 God
                 and
                 her
                 brethren
                 were
                 so
                 offended
                 ?
                 Thus
                 it
                 was
                 .
                 The
                 chiefe
                 authority
                 deferred
                 to
                 the
                 Tribe
                 of
                 Iuda
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 Gods
                 decree
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 consent
                 of
                 their
                 brethren
                 ,
                 was
                 ill
                 administred
                 by
                 her
                 :
                 The
                 Lords
                 vineyard
                 was
                 committed
                 to
                 her
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 :
                 For
                 
                   ●e
                   despised
                   the
                   tent
                   of
                   Joseph
                   ,
                   and
                   chose
                   not
                   the
                   Tribe
                   of
                   Ephraim
                   ,
                   but
                   chose
                   the
                   Tribe
                   of
                   Iuda
                   ,
                   even
                   mount
                   Sion
                   whom
                   he
                   loved
                   ,
                   Psal
                   .
                
                 78.
                 67.
                 68.
                 yet
                 through
                 Solomons
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 and
                 defiling
                 Gods
                 worship
                 (
                 by
                 the
                 just
                 judgement
                 of
                 God
                 )
                 the
                 other
                 Tribes
                 were
                 offended
                 at
                 Iuda
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 separating
                 themselves
                 made
                 the
                 Church
                 deformed
                 and
                 polluted
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 Tell
                 me
                 (
                 O
                 thou
                 whom
                 my
                 soule
                 loveth
                 )
                 where
                 thou
                 feedest
                 ,
                 where
                 thou
                 makest
                 thy
                 flock
                 to
                 rest
                 at
                 Noon
                 :
                 for
                 why
                 should
                 I
                 be
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 vailed
                 by
                 the
                 fl●cks
                 of
                 thy
                 companions
                 ?
              
               
                 Having
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Religion
                 in
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 how
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 what
                 cause
                 they
                 were
                 afflicted
                 ;
                 Now
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 the
                 scattered
                 reliques
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 ten
                 .
                 This
                 verse
                 containeth
                 a
                 question
                 of
                 the
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 ,
                 the
                 Lovers
                 answer
                 .
                 This
                 hath
                 a
                 petition
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 part
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 inquiry
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 :
                 The
                 Petition
                 sheweth
                 the
                 great
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 godly
                 ;
                 their
                 minds
                 were
                 inwardly
                 inflamed
                 with
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 though
                 hee
                 were
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 fight
                 .
                 They
                 ask
                 of
                 him
                 himsel●
                 (
                 but
                 whom
                 should
                 they
                 ask
                 else
                 )
                 where
                 hee
                 is
                 whom
                 they
                 
                 seeke
                 .
                 They
                 knew
                 he
                 was
                 alwayes
                 in
                 heaven
                 ;
                 but
                 not
                 without
                 cause
                 they
                 doubted
                 where
                 he
                 fed
                 and
                 folded
                 his
                 flock
                 on
                 earth
                 .
                 They
                 saw
                 their
                 brethren
                 falne
                 away
                 from
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 knew
                 there
                 was
                 neither
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 nor
                 Law
                 in
                 Israel
                 ,
                 2
                 Chr.
                 25.
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 question
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   should
                   I
                   be
                   as
                   one
                   that
                   is
                   covered
                   among
                   the
                   flocks
                   of
                   thy
                   companions
                   ?
                
                 A
                 woman
                 veyled
                 or
                 covered
                 ,
                 is
                 taken
                 for
                 a
                 Whore
                 ,
                 as
                 Gen.
                 38.
                 14.
                 
                 Their
                 manner
                 was
                 to
                 cover
                 themselves
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 also
                 much
                 used
                 in
                 mourning
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Leaper
                 was
                 commanded
                 ,
                 Lev.
                 13.
                 45.
                 and
                 Mich.
                 3.
                 7.
                 
                 It
                 signifieth
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 Why
                 should
                 I
                 be
                 like
                 a
                 woman
                 ,
                 pining
                 my self
                 with
                 grief
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 in
                 beholding
                 the
                 wiked
                 Idolatry
                 of
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 I
                 live
                 among
                 these
                 Idolaters
                 ?
                 Where
                 I
                 am
                 inforced
                 to
                 hide
                 and
                 cover
                 my self
                 ,
                 not
                 daring
                 to
                 speak
                 what
                 I
                 think
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 seducers
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 are
                 called
                 his
                 fellowes
                 :
                 not
                 by
                 a
                 true
                 name
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 their
                 ambition
                 ,
                 wherby
                 they
                 boasted
                 to
                 be
                 equall
                 to
                 the
                 high
                 Shepheard
                 ,
                 and
                 carryed
                 themselves
                 as
                 his
                 fellowes
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 had
                 forsaken
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 coyned
                 a
                 new
                 Religon
                 at
                 their
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 as
                 yet
                 they
                 had
                 the
                 same
                 right
                 which
                 the
                 chief
                 Shepheard
                 had
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 lawes
                 for
                 their
                 flocks
                 ,
                 how
                 God
                 should
                 be
                 worshipped
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Pope
                 now
                 boasteth
                 to
                 be
                 Christs
                 fellow
                 ,
                 making
                 new
                 Religions
                 ,
                 with
                 punishment
                 inflicted
                 on
                 those
                 which
                 observe
                 them
                 not
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 Ieroboam
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 be
                 fellowes
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 all
                 are
                 servants
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 If
                 thou
                 know
                 not
                 (
                 O
                 thou
                 fairest
                 among
                 women
                 )
                 goe
                 thy
                 way
                 forth
                 by
                 the
                 footsteps
                 of
                 thy
                 flocke
                 ,
                 and
                 feed
                 thy
                 Kids
                 beside
                 the
                 Shepheards
                 Tents
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 answer
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 comforting
                 his
                 beloved
                 in
                 her
                 grief
                 ;
                 who
                 (
                 whilest
                 she
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 defiled
                 with
                 such
                 deformity
                 )
                 was
                 adjudged
                 by
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 fairest
                 of
                 women
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 excell
                 all
                 other
                 congregations
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 For
                 although
                 these
                 reliques
                 lurked
                 here
                 and
                 there
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 yet
                 made
                 they
                 but
                 one
                 Church
                 with
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 .
                 Then
                 he
                 shewes
                 her
                 the
                 path
                 where
                 shee
                 should
                 go
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 finger
                 pointeth
                 to
                 the
                 pastures
                 where
                 he
                 rested
                 whom
                 she
                 sought
                 .
                 The
                 flocke
                 are
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 among
                 whom
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 more
                 apparant
                 ;
                 the
                 Kids
                 are
                 the
                 scattered
                 reliques
                 of
                 the
                 Israelites
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 appointeth
                 them
                 pasture
                 besides
                 the
                 Shepheards
                 Tents
                 ,
                 hee
                 bids
                 them
                 goe
                 into
                 Iudea
                 ,
                 and
                 worship
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 institution
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 Priests
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 I
                 have
                 compared
                 thee
                 (
                 O
                 my
                 Love
                 )
                 to
                 my
                 Mare
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 my
                 Troope
                 of
                 horses
                 in
                 Pharaohs
                 Chariots
                 .
              
               
               
                 This
                 comparing
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 to
                 a
                 Mare
                 ,
                 may
                 seem
                 a
                 grosse
                 similitude
                 to
                 distressed
                 Lovers
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Counsell
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 most
                 sweet
                 and
                 Divine
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 have
                 seen
                 in
                 what
                 case
                 Religion
                 was
                 ,
                 aswell
                 among
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 as
                 among
                 the
                 dispersed
                 reliques
                 .
                 This
                 one
                 verse
                 toucheth
                 the
                 Civill
                 state
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 servile
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 joyned
                 like
                 a
                 Horse
                 to
                 a
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 to
                 draw
                 therein
                 at
                 the
                 Drivers
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 thy
                 will
                 to
                 endure
                 the
                 Harnesse
                 ,
                 the
                 Bridle
                 and
                 the
                 Whip
                 ?
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 that
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 aid
                 and
                 succour
                 his
                 Love
                 was
                 protected
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 fifth
                 yeer
                 of
                 the
                 reign
                 of
                 Rehoboam
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 a
                 little
                 breathed
                 after
                 their
                 former
                 troubles
                 ,
                 Shishak
                 the
                 king
                 of
                 Egypt
                 made
                 war
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 having
                 twelve
                 hundred
                 Chariots
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 very
                 great
                 Hoste
                 .
                 He
                 took
                 many
                 fenced
                 Cities
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 proceeded
                 to
                 the
                 utter
                 wasting
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 Lord
                 at
                 the
                 length
                 pitied
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 away
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 his
                 wrath
                 from
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 utterly
                 destroy
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 bring
                 it
                 in
                 bondage
                 to
                 the
                 Egyptians
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 saith
                 by
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Shemaiah
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 12.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Neverthelesse
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   his
                   servants
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   know
                   my
                   service
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdomes
                   of
                   the
                   countries
                   .
                
                 This
                 Shishak
                 entring
                 into
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 took
                 away
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 house
                 :
                 he
                 carried
                 away
                 also
                 the
                 shields
                 of
                 Gold
                 which
                 Salomon
                 had
                 made
                 .
                 Behold
                 the
                 Church
                 now
                 like
                 a
                 Mare
                 in
                 the
                 Chariots
                 of
                 Pharaoh
                 .
                 The
                 drawing
                 Mare
                 betokeneth
                 servitude
                 :
                 The
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 compelled
                 unto
                 it
                 by
                 war.
                 Pharaoh
                 (
                 by
                 a
                 common
                 name
                 )
                 the
                 King
                 whom
                 they
                 should
                 serve
                 ,
                 how
                 brief
                 and
                 plain
                 it
                 is
                 described
                 ?
                 yet
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 Saints
                 should
                 faint
                 altogether
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 such
                 calamity
                 ,
                 their
                 comfort
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 calleth
                 her
                 his
                 Mare
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 although
                 I
                 deliver
                 thee
                 over
                 to
                 Shishak
                 ,
                 yet
                 understand
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 care
                 of
                 thee
                 .
                 I
                 do
                 challenge
                 thee
                 for
                 mine
                 own
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 safe
                 under
                 my
                 protection
                 .
                 Note
                 that
                 hee
                 ,
                 whom
                 the
                 holy
                 Scripture
                 calleth
                 Shishak
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 by
                 prophane
                 Writers
                 Steroosis
                 :
                 And
                 hee
                 joyned
                 Kings
                 together
                 to
                 draw
                 his
                 
                   Chariot
                   ,
                   Diod.
                   sic
                   lib.
                
                 1.
                 pag.
                 37.
                 lin
                 .
                 23.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 cheeks
                 are
                 comely
                 with
                 Turtles
                 ,
                 or
                 withrows
                 of
                 Jewels
                 ,
                 Thy
                 neck
                 with
                 chaines
                 of
                 Gold.
                 
              
               
                 Wee
                 heard
                 in
                 the
                 Analysis
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 two
                 next
                 verses
                 ,
                 did
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Abijah
                 and
                 
                   Asa
                   .
                   Abijah
                
                 ruled
                 but
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 no
                 great
                 variety
                 of
                 matter
                 hapned
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 :
                 therefore
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 both
                 ,
                 is
                 delivered
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 
                 this
                 Vers●
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 concerneth
                 the
                 affaires
                 of
                 Asa
                 ,
                 is
                 afterwards
                 set
                 forth
                 more
                 at
                 large
                 .
                 The
                 Iewels
                 like
                 Turtles
                 ,
                 be●oken
                 chastity
                 and
                 carefulnesse
                 :
                 The
                 two
                 Cheeks
                 are
                 the
                 most
                 conspi●uous
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 these
                 were
                 the
                 Tribes
                 of
                 Iuda
                 and
                 Benjamin
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 the
                 Church
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 was
                 chiefly
                 known
                 unto
                 men
                 .
                 This
                 chastity
                 and
                 carefulnesse
                 appeared
                 first
                 in
                 Abijah
                 ,
                 who
                 making
                 warre
                 with
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 endeavoured
                 with
                 gentle
                 speech
                 to
                 call
                 back
                 the
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 from
                 their
                 wicked
                 purpose
                 ,
                 warning
                 them
                 of
                 their
                 falling
                 away
                 from
                 God.
                 
                   There
                   are
                   with
                   you
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   Golden
                   Calves
                   ,
                   which
                   Ieroboam
                   made
                   you
                   for
                   gods
                   ;
                   but
                   wee
                   have
                   the
                   Lord
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   whom
                   we
                   have
                   not
                   forsaken
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Priests
                   which
                   minister
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   are
                   the
                   sonnes
                   of
                   Aaron
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Levites
                   wait
                   upon
                   their
                   businesse
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Chro.
                 13.
                 8.
                 10
                 ,
                 &c.
                 for
                 although
                 this
                 integrity
                 was
                 not
                 pure
                 without
                 any
                 pollution
                 ,
                 as
                 appeareth
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 15.
                 3.
                 yet
                 was
                 it
                 Turtle-like
                 chastity
                 to
                 that
                 filthy
                 whoredome
                 of
                 the
                 Israelites
                 :
                 so
                 when
                 Abijah
                 and
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 were
                 beset
                 both
                 behind
                 and
                 before
                 ,
                 they
                 cried
                 unto
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Behold
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 Turtles
                 ,
                 carefull
                 ,
                 doubtlesse
                 ,
                 in
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 strait
                 ,
                 but
                 adorned
                 with
                 holinesse
                 as
                 with
                 Jewels
                 ;
                 the
                 Lord
                 heard
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 stroke
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Jsrael
                 before
                 Abijah
                 and
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 great
                 slaughter
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 13.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 So
                 Asa
                 beset
                 with
                 almost
                 infinite
                 hosts
                 of
                 Zerah
                 the
                 Ethiopian
                 ,
                 called
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 a
                 Turtle
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   nothing
                   for
                   thee
                   to
                   help
                   ,
                   either
                   with
                   many
                   ,
                   or
                   with
                   them
                   that
                   have
                   no
                   power
                   ;
                   help
                   us
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   we
                   rest
                   on
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   thy
                   name
                   we
                   goe
                   against
                   this
                   multitude
                   ;
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   let
                   not
                   man
                   prevaile
                   against
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Whereby
                 the
                 enemies
                 were
                 put
                 to
                 ●light
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Church
                 greatly
                 inriched
                 with
                 their
                 spoiles
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 14.
                 11.
                 
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 Wee
                 will
                 make
                 the
                 borders
                 of
                 Gold
                 with
                 studs
                 of
                 Silver
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 proceedeth
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 under
                 Asa
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 give
                 her
                 yet
                 a
                 more
                 comely
                 ornament
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 declared
                 by
                 the
                 taking
                 counsell
                 of
                 adorning
                 the
                 
                   Spouse
                   ;
                   Wee
                   will
                   make
                   thee
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   borders
                   of
                   Gold
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 better
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 brought
                 to
                 passe
                 by
                 the
                 conjoyned
                 studies
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 one
                 alone
                 .
                 Furthermore
                 ,
                 Gold
                 is
                 now
                 also
                 added
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 excellent
                 in
                 the
                 singular
                 workmanship
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 price
                 it self
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 chequered
                 with
                 silver
                 studs
                 .
                 This
                 did
                 openly
                 foreshew
                 that
                 constrained
                 meeting
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 by
                 Asa
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 consultation
                 made
                 by
                 the
                 common
                 consent
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 orders
                 in
                 the
                 fifteenth
                 yeer
                 of
                 ●is
                 reigne
                 ,
                 of
                 taking
                 away
                 all
                 abominable
                 gods
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Land
                 of
                 Juda
                 and
                 Benjamin
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 penal●y
                 
                 imposed
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 seek
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 15.
                 9.
                 10.
                 
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Now
                 was
                 order
                 taken
                 for
                 adorning
                 the
                 spouse
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 Kings
                 authority
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 decree
                 of
                 all
                 orders
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 Reformation
                 which
                 was
                 begun
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 his
                 reigne
                 ,
                 was
                 now
                 more
                 fully
                 grown
                 to
                 a
                 ripenesse
                 .
                 The
                 silver
                 studs
                 were
                 that
                 faithfull
                 executing
                 of
                 the
                 decree
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Kings
                 grand-mother
                 Mahaka
                 was
                 put
                 from
                 her
                 regency
                 for
                 her
                 horrible
                 idolatry
                 .
                 2
                 Chro.
                 15.
                 16.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Whilest
                 the
                 King
                 was
                 at
                 his
                 repast
                 ,
                 my
                 Spik●nard
                 gave
                 smell
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 Ye
                 have
                 heard
                 before
                 that
                 the
                 gifts
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 ,
                 are
                 shadowed
                 by
                 oyntments
                 :
                 and
                 Spikenard
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 chief
                 among
                 oyntments
                 )
                 rightly
                 betokeneth
                 the
                 most
                 excellent
                 gifts
                 .
                 Therfore
                 while
                 the
                 King
                 sate
                 ,
                 the
                 spouse
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 opening
                 a
                 Box
                 ,
                 perfumed
                 all
                 the
                 neighbourhood
                 ,
                 with
                 breathing
                 out
                 most
                 holy
                 graces
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 ask
                 who
                 the
                 Prophet
                 saith
                 sate
                 at
                 this
                 repast
                 ?
                 Behold
                 King
                 Asa
                 ,
                 compassed
                 with
                 a
                 large
                 garland
                 of
                 
                   Iewes
                   and
                   Israelites
                
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 assembly
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 made
                 borders
                 of
                 gold
                 with
                 studs
                 of
                 silver
                 ,
                 2
                 Chr●
                 .
                 15.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 A
                 covenant
                 was
                 made
                 :
                 but
                 wh●t
                 mirth
                 of
                 a
                 banquet
                 could
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 this
                 delight
                 ?
                 Furthermore
                 the
                 joy
                 in
                 sacrificing
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 great
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 )
                 had
                 the
                 holy
                 pleasure
                 of
                 banqueting
                 conjoyned
                 to
                 it
                 by
                 the
                 Law.
                 As
                 concerning
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 the
                 Spikenard
                 :
                 how
                 pleasant
                 was
                 it
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 covenant
                 among
                 so
                 many
                 people
                 ,
                 to
                 worship
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 minde
                 .
                 Many
                 of
                 
                   Ephraim
                   ,
                   Manasses
                   and
                   Simeon
                
                 ,
                 stirred
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 this
                 smell
                 ,
                 clave
                 to
                 Asa
                 ,
                 seeing
                 the
                 Lord
                 his
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 As
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 2
                 Chr.
                 15.
                 9.
                 
                 Therfore
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 raign
                 of
                 A●a
                 ,
                 is
                 contained
                 in
                 these
                 3.
                 little
                 verses
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 My
                 w●lbeloved
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 bundle
                 of
                 Myrhe
                 unto
                 me
                 :
                 He
                 shall
                 lie
                 between
                 my
                 breasts
                 .
              
               
                 Herein
                 are
                 three
                 things
                 signified
                 :
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 knowledge
                 by
                 Myrhe
                 :
                 Administration
                 of
                 doctrine
                 by
                 breasts
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 quiet
                 and
                 continuall
                 use
                 thereof
                 by
                 lying
                 or
                 resting
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 concerne
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 Iehoshaphat
                 :
                 who
                 besides
                 that
                 care
                 of
                 preserving
                 the
                 chaste
                 and
                 pure
                 Religion
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 received
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 also
                 excellent
                 in
                 the
                 study
                 of
                 teaching
                 ,
                 sending
                 governours
                 and
                 Levites
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 book
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 cities
                 of
                 
                   Iuda
                   and
                   Benjamin
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 teach
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 17.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 He
                 also
                 appointed
                 Judges
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 fenced
                 cities
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Levites
                 and
                 Priests
                 ,
                 and
                 elders
                 of
                 the
                 families
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 judgements
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 controversies
                 :
                 which
                 Iudges
                 were
                 as
                 breasts
                 ,
                 
                 yeelding
                 the
                 pleasant
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Gods
                 will.
                 And
                 also
                 Iehoshaphat
                 (
                 diligently
                 labouring
                 that
                 each
                 one
                 should
                 perform
                 his
                 duty
                 holily
                 and
                 faithfully
                 )
                 shewed
                 a
                 lively
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 lying
                 between
                 the
                 breasts
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 19.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 &c.
                 This
                 resting
                 was
                 only
                 called
                 a
                 provocation
                 ,
                 because
                 that
                 since
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 was
                 rent
                 under
                 Rehoboam
                 ,
                 a
                 grievous
                 darknes
                 covered
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 it
                 seemed
                 more
                 pleasant
                 at
                 one
                 time
                 then
                 at
                 another
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 rest
                 was
                 quiet
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 fell
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 kingdoms
                 of
                 the
                 lands
                 that
                 were
                 round
                 about
                 Iuda
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 not
                 fight
                 against
                 Iehoshaphat
                 .
                 The
                 Philistians
                 also
                 brought
                 tribute
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Arabians
                 flocks
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 17.
                 10.
                 11.
                 the
                 Moabites
                 made
                 war
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 were
                 soon
                 overcome
                 .
                 After
                 which
                 they
                 returned
                 to
                 their
                 former
                 rest
                 .
                 2
                 Chro.
                 20.
                 29.
                 30.
                 pleasant
                 then
                 was
                 that
                 rest
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 mol●sted
                 by
                 no
                 troubles
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 My
                 welbeloved
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 clustre
                 of
                 Camphire
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 vines
                 of
                 Engedi
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 these
                 words
                 is
                 excellently
                 declared
                 what
                 next
                 succeeded
                 Iehoshaphat
                 :
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 
                   Iehoram
                   ,
                   Ahazi
                   ,
                   Joast
                   ,
                   Amazia
                   ,
                   Huzzia
                   ,
                   Iotham
                   and
                   Ahaz
                   ,
                
                 whereof
                 some
                 were
                 apparently
                 wicked
                 ,
                 some
                 obscurely
                 godly
                 ;
                 he
                 stayeth
                 not
                 to
                 remember
                 them
                 all
                 severally
                 (
                 least
                 he
                 should
                 thereby
                 pollute
                 the
                 marriage
                 Feast
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 the
                 guests
                 to
                 loath
                 the
                 banquet
                 )
                 but
                 briefly
                 binds
                 them
                 up
                 altogether
                 in
                 a
                 bundle
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 he
                 addeth
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   the
                   vines
                   of
                   Hengadi
                
                 :
                 he
                 teacheth
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 company
                 should
                 spring
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 middest
                 of
                 the
                 chiefe
                 Princes
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 their
                 pleasant
                 and
                 plentifull
                 fruit
                 ,
                 may
                 worthily
                 be
                 compared
                 to
                 most
                 fruitfull
                 vines
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Princes
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 were
                 Asa
                 and
                 I●hoshaphat
                 ;
                 after
                 ,
                 
                   H●zekiah
                   and
                   Iosias
                
                 ,
                 between
                 whom
                 this
                 cluster
                 of
                 Camphire
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 berries
                 ,
                 sprung
                 up
                 among
                 the
                 vines
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   14.
                
                 
                 My
                 love
                 ,
                 behold
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 ,
                 behold
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 :
                 Thine
                 eyes
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 doves
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 doubling
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 declared
                 her
                 excellent
                 beauty
                 ,
                 especially
                 with
                 the
                 Hebrews
                 ,
                 who
                 use
                 it
                 familiarly
                 for
                 Superlatives
                 .
                 The
                 eyes
                 of
                 Doves
                 are
                 chaste
                 and
                 shamefaced
                 ,
                 which
                 wander
                 not
                 hither
                 and
                 thither
                 to
                 seek
                 new
                 loves
                 .
                 Such
                 is
                 the
                 chastity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 contented
                 with
                 one
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 she
                 turneth
                 not
                 her
                 eyes
                 to
                 idols
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 invented
                 worship
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 then
                 undoubtedly
                 pertain
                 to
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 which
                 restored
                 true
                 and
                 pure
                 Religion
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 casting
                 out
                 all
                 Idolatry
                 .
                 Then
                 truly
                 the
                 Church
                 did
                 wonderfully
                 shine
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 it self
                 ,
                 the
                 like
                 had
                 
                 not
                 been
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 since
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 30.
                 26.
                 
                 But
                 were
                 there
                 not
                 dove-like
                 eyes
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 hee
                 considered
                 their
                 wanton
                 lookes
                 even
                 towards
                 the
                 
                   Brazen
                   Serpent
                
                 ,
                 hee
                 commanded
                 it
                 bee
                 broken
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 Gods
                 own
                 ordinance
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 excellent
                 Monument
                 of
                 former
                 memory
                 ,
                 2
                 Kings
                 18.
                 4.
                 
                 Loe
                 here
                 excellent
                 chastity
                 joyned
                 with
                 like
                 wisdom
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   15.
                
                 
                 My
                 welbeloved
                 ,
                 behold
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 and
                 pleasant
                 :
                 Also
                 our
                 Bed
                 is
                 green
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 coherent
                 is
                 this
                 praise
                 ?
                 which
                 aswell
                 instructeth
                 the
                 minde
                 in
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 endueth
                 the
                 heart
                 with
                 Religion
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 thankfull
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 thing
                 for
                 Christ
                 to
                 be
                 thankfull
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 He
                 accounts
                 us
                 thankfull
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 election
                 ,
                 we
                 feel
                 not
                 him
                 sweet
                 and
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 :
                 and
                 our
                 hearts
                 be
                 kindled
                 with
                 a
                 desire
                 of
                 godlinesse
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 godly
                 one
                 desire
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 after
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Hezekias
                 ,
                 the
                 Bride
                 declareth
                 it
                 in
                 commendations
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 .
                 She
                 then
                 flourisheth
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 may
                 freely
                 behold
                 and
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 which
                 verily
                 hapned
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Iosias
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 excellent
                 sanctity
                 the
                 Church
                 saw
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 34.
                 and
                 35.
                 
                 At
                 sixteene
                 yeers
                 of
                 age
                 he
                 began
                 to
                 seek
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 David
                 ,
                 four
                 yeers
                 after
                 ,
                 to
                 cleer
                 
                   Inda
                   and
                   Ierusalem
                
                 from
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 and
                 the
                 groves
                 :
                 and
                 from
                 carved
                 and
                 molten
                 images
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 34.
                 3.
                 
                 Religion
                 adorneth
                 every
                 age
                 but
                 especially
                 that
                 tender
                 age
                 aswell
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 and
                 unexpected
                 ripenes
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 a
                 greater
                 hope
                 therof
                 in
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 the
                 latter
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 ,
                 declareth
                 more
                 fully
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 
                   Manasses
                   &
                   Ammon
                   .
                   Also
                   our
                   bed
                   is
                   green
                   .
                
                 The
                 Kings
                 chamber
                 (
                 before
                 )
                 signified
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 doubted
                 but
                 (
                 Bed
                 )
                 is
                 here
                 used
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 placed
                 in
                 the
                 more
                 inward
                 and
                 privy
                 Chamber
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 godly
                 may
                 injoy
                 Christ
                 most
                 familiarly
                 .
                 This
                 Bed
                 waxeth
                 green
                 like
                 the
                 meadowes
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 spring
                 ,
                 whose
                 beautie
                 the
                 winter
                 had
                 defaced
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 alwayes
                 kept
                 their
                 greennesse
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 unnecessary
                 to
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Iosias
                 had
                 succeeded
                 next
                 after
                 Hezekias
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 as
                 superfluous
                 to
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 the
                 Temples
                 flourishing
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 green
                 grasse
                 in
                 summer
                 .
                 The
                 words
                 then
                 declare
                 aswell
                 that
                 winter
                 which
                 miserably
                 afflicted
                 the
                 Church
                 under
                 
                   Manasses
                   and
                   Ammon
                
                 ,
                 which
                 shook
                 off
                 altogether
                 the
                 flowers
                 of
                 godlinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 exposed
                 Christs
                 Bed
                 to
                 all
                 injuries
                 and
                 tempestuous
                 stormes
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 33.
                 
                 As
                 also
                 the
                 pleasantnesse
                 of
                 a
                 milder
                 time
                 ,
                 under
                 Iosias
                 ,
                 who
                 
                 beautifully
                 repaired
                 the
                 winters
                 spoiles
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 event
                 very
                 well
                 answered
                 the
                 prophesie
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 purity
                 of
                 Religion
                 was
                 the
                 first
                 care
                 of
                 Iosias
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 yet
                 a
                 childe
                 :
                 but
                 after
                 in
                 the
                 eighteenth
                 yeer
                 of
                 his
                 reigne
                 he
                 applied
                 his
                 minde
                 to
                 re-edifie
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 desirous
                 to
                 leave
                 the
                 Bed
                 green
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 found
                 grievously
                 rent
                 and
                 torne
                 with
                 stormes
                 and
                 tempest
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 34.
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   16.
                
                 
                 The
                 beames
                 of
                 our
                 house
                 are
                 of
                 Cedar
                 ,
                 our
                 Rafters
                 are
                 of
                 Firre
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 more
                 fully
                 sets
                 forth
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 begun
                 before
                 ,
                 d●clared
                 by
                 the
                 green
                 bed
                 ,
                 for
                 first
                 the
                 grasse
                 is
                 green
                 which
                 afterward
                 ariseth
                 into
                 a
                 talk
                 ,
                 and
                 forthwith
                 groweth
                 till
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 it
                 come
                 to
                 it's
                 full
                 ripenesse
                 .
                 The
                 infancy
                 of
                 Josi●u
                 was
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 riper
                 age
                 yeelded
                 more
                 pleasant
                 fruit
                 ,
                 whereof
                 there
                 was
                 hope
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 his
                 cradle
                 .
                 He
                 sent
                 
                   Shaphan
                   ,
                   M●aseiah
                   ,
                   &
                   Joah
                
                 to
                 repaire
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 his
                 God.
                 He
                 gathered
                 mony
                 of
                 the
                 Tribes
                 of
                 Manasses
                 and
                 Ephraim
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 
                   Juda
                   and
                   Benjamin
                
                 ,
                 to
                 repaire
                 the
                 common
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 &
                 the
                 Bride
                 ;
                 Wherein
                 they
                 might
                 mutually
                 delight
                 themselves
                 ;
                 He
                 gate
                 workmen
                 and
                 builders
                 to
                 hew
                 stone
                 and
                 timber
                 for
                 beams
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 couples
                 of
                 the
                 houses
                 which
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 I●da
                 had
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 34.
                 8.
                 
                 Worthily
                 was
                 it
                 now
                 foretold
                 that
                 the
                 beames
                 should
                 be
                 of
                 cedar
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 building
                 was
                 set
                 forward
                 with
                 such
                 cost
                 ,
                 care
                 and
                 diligence
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 first
                 beauty
                 of
                 it
                 might
                 in
                 some
                 sort
                 appear
                 ,
                 though
                 perhaps
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 fully
                 be
                 restored
                 .
                 And
                 hitherto
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 tollerable
                 ,
                 oftentimes
                 afflicted
                 with
                 many
                 miseries
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 refreshed
                 again
                 ,
                 when
                 religious
                 princes
                 ruled
                 .
                 The
                 following
                 times
                 were
                 more
                 subject
                 to
                 calamities
                 ;
                 To
                 which
                 deservedly
                 a
                 new
                 chapter
                 is
                 given
                 ,
                 bringing
                 new
                 fortune
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             
               I
               Am
               the
               rose
               of
               the
               field
               ,
               and
               the
               lillie
               of
               the
               valleyes
               .
            
             
               2
               Like
               a
               lillie
               among
               the
               thornes
               ,
               so
               is
               my
               love
               among
               the
               daughters
               .
            
             
               3
               Like
               the
               apple
               tree
               among
               the
               trees
               of
               the
               forrest
               ,
               so
               is
               my
               welbeloved
               among
               the
               sons
               
                 of
                 men
              
               :
               under
               his
               shadow
               had
               I
               delight
               ,
               and
               sate
               downe
               :
               and
               his
               fruit
               was
               sweet
               unto
               my
               mouth
               .
            
             
               
               4
               He
               brought
               me
               into
               the
               wine
               cellar
               ,
               and
               love
               was
               his
               banner
               over
               me
               .
            
             
               5
               Stay
               me
               with
               flagons
               ,
               and
               comfort
               me
               with
               apples
               :
               for
               I
               am
               sick
               of
               love
               .
            
             
               6
               His
               left
               hand
               is
               under
               mine
               head
               ,
               and
               his
               right
               hand
               doth
               embrace
               me
               .
            
             
               7
               I
               charge
               you
               ,
               O
               daughters
               of
               Ierusalem
               ,
               by
               the
               ro●s
               and
               by
               hindes
               of
               the
               field
               ,
               that
               ye
               stir
               not
               up
               ,
               nor
               waken
               my
               love
               untill
               she
               please
               .
            
             
               8
               
                 It
                 is
              
               the
               voice
               of
               my
               welbeloved
               :
               behold
               ,
               he
               cometh
               leaping
               by
               the
               mountaines
               ,
               and
               skipping
               by
               the
               hills
               .
            
             
               9
               My
               welbeloved
               is
               like
               a
               roe
               ,
               or
               a
               young
               hart
               :
               loe
               ,
               he
               standeth
               behinde
               our
               wall
               ,
               looking
               forth
               of
               the
               windowes
               ,
               shewing
               himself
               thorow
               the
               grates
               .
            
             
               10
               My
               welbeloved
               spake
               and
               said
               unto
               me
               ,
               Arise
               my
               love
               ,
               my
               fair
               one
               ,
               and
               come
               thy
               way
               .
            
             
               11
               For
               behold
               ,
               winter
               is
               past
               :
               the
               rain
               is
               changed
               ,
               and
               is
               gone
               away
               .
            
             
               12
               The
               flowers
               appear
               in
               the
               earth
               :
               the
               time
               of
               the
               singing
               of
               birds
               is
               come
               ,
               and
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               turtle
               is
               heard
               in
               our
               land
               .
            
             
               13
               The
               figtree
               hath
               brought
               forth
               her
               young
               figs
               :
               and
               the
               vines
               with
               their
               small
               grapes
               have
               cast
               a
               savour
               :
               arise
               my
               love
               my
               fair
               one
               ,
               and
               come
               away
               .
            
             
               14
               My
               dove
               that
               art
               in
               the
               holes
               of
               the
               rock
               ,
               in
               the
               secret
               places
               of
               the
               staires
               ,
               shew
               me
               thy
               sight
               ,
               let
               mee
               hear
               thy
               voice
               :
               for
               thy
               voice
               is
               sweet
               ,
               and
               thy
               sight
               comely
               .
            
             
               15
               Take
               us
               the
               foxes
               ,
               the
               little
               foxes
               ,
               which
               destroy
               the
               vines
               :
               for
               our
               vines
               have
               small
               grapes
               .
            
             
               16
               My
               welbeloved
               is
               mine
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               his
               :
               hee
               feedeth
               among
               the
               lillies
               ,
            
             
               17
               Vntill
               the
               day
               break
               ,
               and
               the
               shadowes
               flee
               away
               :
               returne
               ,
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               and
               be
               like
               a
               roe
               ,
               or
               a
               young
               hart
               upon
               the
               mountaines
               of
               Bether
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               The
               Analysis
               .
            
             
               THere
               remain
               yet
               other
               Kings
               unto
               the
               last
               Zedekias
               ,
               whose
               times
               are
               described
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 1.
                 2.
              
               
               And
               such
               should
               the
               Church
               be
               untill
               their
               carrying
               away
               .
               In
               the
               Captivity
               it self
               ,
               there
               should
               be
               some
               comfort
               at
               well
               to
               some
               few
               left
               in
               their
               Countrey
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
              
               as
               to
               the
               whole
               multitude
               in
               the
               enemies
               countrey
               partly
               ,
               that
               the
               Bridegroom
               should
               marvellously
               preserve
               the
               Church
               there
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 4.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
              
               partly
               that
               at
               length
               hee
               should
               deliver
               thence
               ,
               whereof
               there
               is
               an
               appearance
               more
               remote
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 8.
                 9.
              
               neer
               at
               hand
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
              
               and
               at
               length
               the
               effecting
               of
               it
               
                 vers
                 .
                 14.
              
               
               Hitherto
               the
               Captivity
               ,
               the
               state
               of
               the
               restored
               condition
               should
               be
               divers
               ,
               which
               we
               have
               divided
               into
               two
               times
               .
               One
               to
               the
               birth
               of
               Christ
               ,
               the
               other
               from
               thence
               to
               ●is
               death
               .
               The
               time
               next
               after
               the
               returne
               ,
               should
               be
               some
               what
               troublesome
               in
               the
               times
               next
               following
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 15.
              
               which
               after
               a
               little
               while
               should
               receive
               a
               tollerable
               rest
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 16.
                 
                 &
                 17.
                 
              
               Then
               more
               afflicted
               in
               the
               latter
               age
               ,
               shewed
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               Chapter
               following
               .
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   1.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Rose
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lillie
                 of
                 the
                 vallies
                 .
              
               
                 IN
                 this
                 complaint
                 the
                 Church
                 declareth
                 her
                 calamity
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 shee
                 should
                 say
                 :
                 I
                 smell
                 most
                 sweetly
                 as
                 the
                 Rose
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 most
                 beautifull
                 as
                 the
                 Lillie
                 :
                 yet
                 to
                 the
                 Cropping
                 and
                 trampling
                 on
                 of
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 I
                 lie
                 no
                 lesse
                 open
                 then
                 the
                 flowers
                 in
                 the
                 valleyes
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 which
                 grow
                 in
                 pasture
                 grounds
                 .
                 My
                 wall
                 is
                 broken
                 down
                 ,
                 my
                 hedge
                 pluckt
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 root
                 ▪
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 feedeth
                 on
                 my
                 beauty
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Heards
                 on
                 the
                 grasse
                 in
                 the
                 fields
                 .
                 Yet
                 I
                 despaire
                 not
                 in
                 these
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 being
                 assured
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 my
                 Beloved
                 I
                 am
                 most
                 sweet
                 and
                 pleasant
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 cast
                 down
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 lifted
                 up
                 and
                 refreshed
                 ,
                 by
                 thinking
                 on
                 the
                 excellencie
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 be●towed
                 on
                 her
                 .
                 Those
                 times
                 which
                 followed
                 the
                 restoring
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 by
                 Iosias
                 ,
                 do
                 teach
                 us
                 that
                 this
                 complaint
                 was
                 just
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 Iosias
                 himself
                 ,
                 a
                 most
                 pleasant
                 flower
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 sweeter
                 then
                 any
                 Rose
                 ,
                 was
                 cropped
                 by
                 
                   Pharaoh
                   Neco
                
                 ,
                 and
                 slain
                 at
                 
                   Megiddo
                   .
                   I●hoahaz
                
                 his
                 son
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 raigned
                 onely
                 three
                 moneths
                 ,
                 was
                 carried
                 away
                 Captive
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 Pharaoh
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                 Countrey
                 made
                 tributary
                 .
                 Iehojakim
                 served
                 
                   Nebuchadnezzar
                   .
                   Ie●ojazin
                
                 also
                 after
                 three
                 moneths
                 ▪
                 Raigne
                 was
                 carried
                 into
                 exile
                 with
                 ●is
                 Courtiers
                 and
                 the
                 Mightier
                 men
                 of
                 t●e
                 Countrey
                 .
                 But
                 most
                 apparantly
                 under
                 Zedech●●s
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 raigne
                 ,
                 Ierusalem
                 was
                 taken
                 and
                 mi●erably
                 spoiled
                 .
                 The
                 Temple
                 burnt
                 ,
                 the
                 houses
                 puld
                 down
                 ,
                 the
                 walles
                 overturned
                 ,
                 the
                 City
                 made
                 equall
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 people
                 (
                 pulled
                 from
                 their
                 Countrey
                 seats
                 ,
                 )
                 carried
                 Captive
                 into
                 bondage
                 :
                 as
                 free
                 libertie
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 enemie
                 of
                 making
                 havock
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 .
                 
                   The
                   enemy
                   hath
                   stretched
                   out
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                   (
                   Zame●teth
                
                 Ieremy
                 Chap.
                 1.
                 10
                 )
                 
                   upon
                   all
                   her
                   pleasant
                   things
                   ▪
                   for
                   she
                   hath
                   seen
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   2.
                
                 
                 Like
                 a
                 Lillie
                 among
                 the
                 thornes
                 ,
                 So
                 is
                 my
                 L●ve
                 among
                 the
                 daughters
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Bridegroome
                 answereth
                 the
                 former
                 complaint
                 ,
                 and
                 teacheth
                 plainly
                 how
                 his
                 beloved
                 is
                 not
                 d●stitute
                 of
                 that
                 comfort
                 which
                 shee
                 thought
                 she
                 wanted
                 :
                 If
                 she
                 would
                 truly
                 consider
                 that
                 .
                 He
                 acknowledgeth
                 her
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Lilly
                 ,
                 naked
                 of
                 her
                 former
                 fences
                 ,
                 exposed
                 to
                 the
                 prey
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 :
                 Yet
                 not
                 void
                 of
                 all
                 su●●our
                 but
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 so
                 guarded
                 every
                 where
                 with
                 a
                 thick
                 hedge
                 of
                 Briers
                 and
                 Bushes
                 ,
                 that
                 neither
                 the
                 heards
                 of
                 Cattell
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 wilde
                 beasts
                 could
                 approach
                 to
                 do
                 her
                 injurie
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 similtude
                 doth
                 not
                 onely
                 set
                 forth
                 her
                 excellency
                 ,
                 but
                 chiefly
                 her
                 succour
                 and
                 safety
                 .
                 That
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 certainly
                 be
                 preserved
                 safe
                 and
                 sound
                 ,
                 remaining
                 in
                 the
                 midstof
                 her
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 shee
                 should
                 bee
                 no
                 lesse
                 defended
                 by
                 her
                 very
                 enemies
                 ,
                 then
                 flowers
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 among
                 the
                 thornes
                 ,
                 who
                 beset
                 them
                 about
                 with
                 pricking
                 branches
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 manifest
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 made
                 triall
                 of
                 this
                 comfort
                 in
                 those
                 hard
                 times
                 ,
                 when
                 her
                 safety
                 was
                 maintained
                 by
                 the
                 helpe
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 hostile
                 hatred
                 shee
                 seemed
                 ,
                 utterly
                 destroyed
                 .
                 Pharaoh
                 defended
                 her
                 against
                 Nebuchadnezzer
                 ,
                 and
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 against
                 Pharaoh
                 .
                 Neither
                 of
                 them
                 would
                 root
                 out
                 the
                 Nation
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 there
                 was
                 hope
                 of
                 faithfull
                 obedience
                 ,
                 but
                 supposed
                 to
                 defend
                 it
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 sound
                 resuge
                 against
                 the
                 breaking
                 in
                 of
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 with
                 these
                 bryers
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 shee
                 put
                 away
                 extream
                 calamity
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 Like
                 the
                 Appletree
                 among
                 the
                 trees
                 of
                 the
                 forrest
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 ●●y
                 vvellbeloved
                 among
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 men
                 :
                 under
                 his
                 shadovv
                 had
                 I
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 sate
                 dovvne
                 :
                 and
                 his
                 fruit
                 vvas
                 svvete
                 unto
                 my
                 mouth
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 untill
                 they
                 were
                 carried
                 away
                 Captive
                 by
                 Nebuchadnezzer
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Captivity
                 fo●loweth
                 :
                 whose
                 first
                 ●omfort
                 is
                 rest
                 granted
                 to
                 the
                 miserable
                 Reliques
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 when
                 
                 the
                 rest
                 were
                 carried
                 away
                 )
                 had
                 leave
                 granted
                 to
                 remain
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 country
                 .
                 This
                 comfort
                 is
                 declared
                 by
                 the
                 similitude
                 of
                 an
                 appletree
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 low
                 tree
                 ,
                 neither
                 in
                 length
                 of
                 body
                 or
                 in
                 farre
                 spreading
                 of
                 limbs
                 may
                 it
                 compare
                 with
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 her
                 fruit
                 excelleth
                 many
                 others
                 in
                 profit
                 and
                 pleasantnesse
                 .
                 The
                 similitudes
                 are
                 alwayes
                 fitted
                 to
                 the
                 times
                 and
                 the
                 divers
                 conditions
                 which
                 the
                 Church
                 enjoyeth
                 ,
                 This
                 apple
                 tree
                 betokeneth
                 Gedaliah
                 whom
                 Nebuchad-nezzer
                 made
                 governour
                 over
                 the
                 people
                 which
                 were
                 left
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 ,
                 2
                 King.
                 25.
                 22.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 low
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 tallnesse
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 Kings
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 those
                 high
                 cedars
                 which
                 flourished
                 in
                 the
                 Babylonian
                 mountains
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 shadow
                 he
                 was
                 very
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 fruit
                 wholsome
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 scattered
                 Church
                 flocked
                 under
                 his
                 covering
                 ,
                 chiefly
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 joyned
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Ieremy
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Ier.
                 40.
                 
                 For
                 now
                 were
                 the
                 cedar
                 beams
                 &
                 the
                 firre
                 crafters
                 broken
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 leave
                 granted
                 to
                 remain
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 rubbish
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 .
                 They
                 dwelt
                 at
                 Mizpah
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 under
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 trees
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 the
                 prophet
                 Micha
                 foretold
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 41.
                 10.
                 
                 Iohanan
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 Captains
                 so
                 rejoyced
                 in
                 this
                 shadow
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 disclosed
                 the
                 treason
                 of
                 Ishmael
                 desirous
                 to
                 prevent
                 his
                 wicked
                 purpose
                 with
                 just
                 punishment
                 ▪
                 ,
                 Ier.
                 40.
                 13.
                 14.
                 
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 He
                 brought
                 me
                 into
                 the
                 wine-seller
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 was
                 his
                 banner
                 over
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 small
                 company
                 remaining
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 captived
                 multitude
                 were
                 kept
                 in
                 the
                 enemies
                 country
                 70.
                 yeers
                 :
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 declared
                 in
                 these
                 four
                 verses
                 .
                 
                   He
                   brought
                   me
                
                 (
                 saith
                 she
                 )
                 
                   into
                   the
                   wine-seller
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 place
                 under
                 ground
                 ,
                 where
                 wine
                 is
                 laid
                 and
                 kept
                 for
                 use
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 should
                 say
                 he
                 brought
                 me
                 into
                 a
                 sorrowfull
                 and
                 dark
                 hole
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 into
                 a
                 cave
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 place
                 under
                 ground
                 ,
                 where
                 notwithstanding
                 I
                 found
                 wine
                 laid
                 up
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 lesse
                 appearance
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 towards
                 me
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 ensigne
                 or
                 Banner
                 carried
                 before
                 the
                 souldiers
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 signe
                 of
                 the
                 captaines
                 presence
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 wine-seller
                 was
                 partly
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 whither
                 the
                 people
                 were
                 carried
                 away
                 by
                 Nebuchad-nezzar
                 :
                 and
                 partly
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 whither
                 the
                 rest
                 went
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 accord
                 ,
                 when
                 Gedaliah
                 was
                 slain
                 .
                 Ier.
                 41.
                 
                 Neither
                 did
                 the
                 Church
                 want
                 comfort
                 in
                 these
                 miseries
                 ,
                 whose
                 prison
                 was
                 furnished
                 with
                 wine
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 many
                 times
                 compared
                 to
                 wine
                 )
                 was
                 plentifull
                 in
                 this
                 prison
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 love
                 thereof
                 as
                 conspicuous
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Banner
                 carried
                 before
                 the
                 Army
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 warre
                 ,
                 Ieremiah
                 sending
                 letters
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 carried
                 away
                 began
                 this
                 wine
                 unto
                 them
                 ▪
                 shewing
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 prosperity
                 which
                 God
                 would
                 give
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 their
                 captivity
                 .
                 
                 Chap.
                 29.
                 
                 But
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 here
                 briefly
                 spoken
                 is
                 de●l●r●d
                 more
                 at
                 large
                 in
                 the
                 verses
                 following
                 .
                 Here
                 let
                 us
                 consider
                 the
                 wonderfull
                 mercy
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 seasoneth
                 his
                 corrections
                 ,
                 towards
                 his
                 Church
                 with
                 such
                 gentlenesse
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 think●
                 themselves
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 overwh●lmed
                 and
                 buried
                 in
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 yet
                 there
                 they
                 finde
                 wine
                 and
                 great
                 plenty
                 o●
                 delights
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   5.
                
                 
                 Stay
                 me
                 with
                 Flagons
                 ,
                 and
                 comfort
                 me
                 with
                 apples
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 〈◊〉
                 of
                 love
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 words
                 more
                 plainly
                 shew
                 that
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 wine
                 was
                 no
                 banqueting
                 house
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 cellar
                 wherein
                 wines
                 are
                 laid
                 up
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 lover
                 is
                 not
                 wont
                 to
                 languish
                 with
                 desire
                 ,
                 where
                 plenty
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 loved
                 is
                 present
                 :
                 and
                 such
                 is
                 that
                 banquet
                 where
                 the
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 Feast
                 is
                 absent
                 .
                 The
                 Bride
                 therefore
                 fainteth
                 ,
                 because
                 she
                 findeth
                 not
                 her
                 beloved
                 present
                 in
                 this
                 wine-cellar
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 in
                 adversity
                 God
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 absent
                 from
                 us
                 )
                 so
                 that
                 she
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 upholden
                 of
                 her
                 fellowes
                 ,
                 l●st
                 she
                 should
                 f●ll
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 strength
                 ,
                 wherein
                 was
                 most
                 elegantly
                 d●clared
                 ,
                 what
                 d●sire
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 have
                 tow●rds
                 God
                 during
                 the
                 captivity
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 she
                 should
                 be
                 satisfied
                 untill
                 the
                 full
                 restitution
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 that
                 she
                 desireth
                 Flagons
                 and
                 apples
                 ,
                 she
                 sheweth
                 th●t
                 these
                 were
                 sufficient
                 helpes
                 for
                 her
                 ;
                 Apples
                 are
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 a
                 low
                 shadowing
                 tree
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 :
                 Flagons
                 are
                 vessels
                 wherein
                 wine
                 is
                 put
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 powred
                 to
                 drink
                 ;
                 the
                 apples
                 betokened
                 some
                 inferiour
                 persons
                 with
                 power
                 ,
                 under
                 whose
                 defence
                 th●
                 captived
                 people
                 might
                 lurke
                 in
                 safety
                 .
                 The
                 Flagons
                 noted
                 the
                 prophets
                 and
                 priests
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 sweet
                 and
                 wholsome
                 doctrine
                 :
                 whereof
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 some
                 ,
                 which
                 only
                 like
                 Flagons
                 should
                 yeeld
                 the
                 wine
                 of
                 heavenly
                 knowledge
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 when
                 plenty
                 of
                 hogsheads
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 had
                 in
                 exile
                 and
                 such
                 adversity
                 .
                 God
                 bestowed
                 the
                 commodity
                 of
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 caprivity
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 wonderfully
                 exalted
                 
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   Hananiah
                   ,
                   Mishae●
                   and
                   Hazaria●
                   ,
                
                 who
                 like
                 wholsome
                 apple
                 trees
                 ,
                 shadowed
                 the
                 afflicted
                 Church
                 with
                 their
                 boughes
                 ,
                 and
                 fed
                 and
                 refreshed
                 the
                 miserable
                 people
                 with
                 pleasant
                 fr●it
                 .
                 God
                 gate
                 them
                 favour
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Median
                   and
                   Persian
                
                 Kings
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 (
                 being
                 appointed
                 gover●our
                 of
                 the
                 Provinces
                 ▪
                 )
                 they
                 procured
                 much
                 rest
                 to
                 their
                 people
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 1.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 and
                 2.
                 48
                 ,
                 49.
                 
                 These
                 were
                 the
                 apples
                 by
                 whom
                 their
                 feeblenesse
                 was
                 supported
                 .
                 The
                 Prophets
                 were
                 the
                 Flagons
                 .
                 Ezechiel
                 in
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Lord
                 joyned
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 who
                 supplied
                 both
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 apple
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 flagon
                 ,
                 being
                 advanced
                 to
                 great
                 dignity
                 and
                 most
                 excellent
                 in
                 the
                 gui●t
                 of
                 prophesie
                 ;
                 He
                 suffered
                 also
                 Ieremy
                 to
                 be
                 drawn
                 into
                 Egypt
                 that
                 either
                 people
                 might
                 have
                 flagons
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 
                 which
                 the●
                 might
                 draw
                 the
                 wine
                 of
                 God●
                 word
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 quench
                 their
                 thirst
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 succour
                 their
                 fainting
                 strengths
                 decayed
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 His
                 left
                 hand
                 is
                 under
                 mine
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 right
                 hand
                 doth
                 ●mbrace
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 this
                 gesture
                 of
                 imbracing
                 is
                 plainly
                 shewed
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 manifestly
                 declared
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 how
                 he
                 loved
                 his
                 Church
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 only
                 preserve
                 her
                 by
                 mans
                 aid
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 defended
                 her
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 stretched
                 out
                 arme
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 know
                 was
                 done
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 wonderfull
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 first
                 of
                 the
                 three
                 children
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 fierie
                 furnace
                 ,
                 who
                 loved
                 Religion
                 more
                 then
                 life
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 3.
                 
                 Then
                 of
                 Daniel
                 himselfe
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Lions
                 den
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 6.
                 
                 For
                 whiles
                 Gods
                 by
                 such
                 wonderfull
                 powerfull
                 power
                 preserved
                 the
                 trees
                 from
                 all
                 danger
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 planted
                 for
                 a
                 shadow
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 worthily
                 seeme
                 to
                 hold
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 imbrace
                 her
                 with
                 both
                 his
                 armes
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Roes
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Hindes
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 that
                 yee
                 st●●re
                 not
                 up
                 ,
                 nor
                 waken
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 untill
                 she
                 please
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 citizens
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 The
                 Roes
                 and
                 the
                 Hindes
                 ,
                 are
                 those
                 nations
                 which
                 held
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 captivity
                 .
                 The
                 meaning
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 should
                 have
                 said
                 (
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 learned
                 
                   Tremelius
                   and
                   Iunius
                
                 observe
                 ,
                 )
                 I
                 require
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 ye
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 swear
                 to
                 me
                 by
                 the
                 Roes
                 and
                 Hindes
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 by
                 your
                 fault
                 ,
                 ye
                 drive
                 away
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 from
                 my
                 imbracing
                 ;
                 Those
                 Roes
                 and
                 Hindes
                 shall
                 revenge
                 it
                 on
                 you
                 with
                 deserved
                 punishment
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 lawfull
                 to
                 swear
                 by
                 enemies
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 any
                 other
                 then
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 figurativesy
                 by
                 the
                 forme
                 of
                 an
                 oath
                 ,
                 she
                 teacheth
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 certain
                 that
                 the
                 citizens
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 avoid
                 all
                 grievous
                 offences
                 ,
                 with
                 no
                 lesse
                 diligent
                 heed
                 (
                 namely
                 ,
                 for
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 enemies
                 among
                 whom
                 they
                 lived
                 )
                 then
                 if
                 a
                 convenant
                 had
                 been
                 undertaken
                 of
                 that
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 confirmed
                 by
                 an
                 oath
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 the
                 history
                 of
                 this
                 oath
                 is
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 captivitie
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 voi●e
                 of
                 my
                 w●lbeloved
                 ▪
                 behold
                 ,
                 he
                 ●ommeth
                 leaping
                 by
                 the
                 mountaines
                 ,
                 and
                 skipping
                 by
                 the
                 hills
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 after
                 the
                 seventy
                 yeers
                 captivity
                 ,
                 followeth
                 the
                 delivery
                 ;
                 whose
                 prepartion
                 a
                 far
                 off
                 is
                 contained
                 in
                 this
                 &
                 the
                 verse
                 following
                 ,
                 consisting
                 of
                 a
                 threefold
                 circumstance
                 :
                 Of
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 .
                 His
                 swift
                 coming
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 presence
                 .
                 
                   The
                   voyce
                   of
                   my
                   beloved
                
                 :
                 Shee
                 falleth
                 into
                 this
                 speech
                 abruptly
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 had
                 heard
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 her
                 
                 beloved
                 ,
                 ●alling
                 her
                 from
                 a
                 far
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 been
                 smitten
                 with
                 a
                 sudden
                 joy
                 for
                 the
                 newnesse
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 she
                 chiefly
                 desired
                 .
                 Now
                 in
                 this
                 whole
                 preparation
                 ,
                 King
                 Cyrus
                 representeth
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 had
                 stirred
                 up
                 to
                 deliver
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 Then
                 after
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 beloved
                 first
                 heard
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 rumor
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 spred
                 abroad
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Medes
                 and
                 Persians
                 would
                 make
                 war
                 against
                 Babylon
                 .
                 The
                 Prophets
                 noted
                 out
                 Cyrus
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 many
                 yeers
                 before
                 ;
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 should
                 heare
                 him
                 preparing
                 for
                 war
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 not
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 voyce
                 it self
                 of
                 the
                 beloved
                 ,
                 Isay
                 44.
                 28.
                 
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   is
                   my
                   Shepheard
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   performe
                   all
                   my
                   pleasure
                   :
                
                 and
                 45.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   to
                   his
                   anoynted
                
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 
                   whose
                   right
                   hand
                
                 I
                 
                   have
                   holden
                   to
                   subdue
                   nations
                   ,
                   &c.
                   that
                   thou
                   mayest
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                
                 I
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   ▪
                   which
                   call
                   thee
                   by
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   am
                   the
                   God
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 report
                 was
                 spred
                 far
                 and
                 wide
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Kings
                 brought
                 their
                 hosts
                 to
                 Babylon
                 :
                 Isay
                 ▪
                 21.
                 3.
                 
                 I
                 
                   was
                   bowed
                   down
                   at
                   the
                   hearing
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   I
                   was
                   dismaied
                   at
                   the
                   seeing
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   my
                   heart
                   panted
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 under
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 the
                 Babylonians
                 .
                 And
                 Jeremiah
                 50.
                 43.
                 
                 
                   The
                   King
                   of
                
                 Babylon
                 
                   hath
                   heard
                   the
                   report
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   hands
                   waxed
                   feeble
                   ,
                   anguish
                   took
                   hold
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
                 And
                 51.
                 29.
                 
                 As
                 Babylon
                 
                   hath
                   caused
                   the
                   slain
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 
                   to
                   fall
                   ,
                   so
                   at
                
                 Babylon
                 
                   shall
                   fall
                   the
                   slain
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   .
                
                 But
                 this
                 voyce
                 so
                 fearfull
                 to
                 the
                 Babylonians
                 ,
                 was
                 most
                 pleasant
                 and
                 acceptable
                 to
                 the
                 oppressed
                 and
                 banished
                 Church
                 .
                 Now
                 for
                 the
                 swiftnesse
                 of
                 his
                 comming
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Hee
                   came
                   leaping
                
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 hastning
                 over
                 the
                 Mountains
                 on
                 stilts
                 ,
                 so
                 passing
                 over
                 the
                 little
                 hils
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 did
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 touch
                 them
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 manner
                 was
                 the
                 comming
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 swift
                 and
                 sudden
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 businesse
                 he
                 brought
                 to
                 passe
                 after
                 he
                 once
                 ,
                 undertook
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 subdued
                 the
                 Armenians
                 and
                 Craesus
                 the
                 Lydian
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 trice
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   Hyrcanians
                   ,
                   Bactrians
                   ,
                   Susians
                   ,
                   Carians
                   ,
                   Phrygians
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Cappadocians
                 ;
                 he
                 scarce
                 touched
                 with
                 the
                 tops
                 of
                 his
                 toes
                 ,
                 they
                 so
                 readily
                 yeelded
                 to
                 him
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 accord
                 :
                 See
                 
                   Herodotus
                   ,
                   Clio
                   ,
                   Xenophon
                   ,
                   Cyropaed
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 My
                 w●lbeloved
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Roe
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 young
                 ▪
                 Hart
                 ,
                 lo
                 ,
                 he
                 standeth
                 behind
                 our
                 wa●●
                 ,
                 looking
                 forth
                 of
                 the
                 windows
                 ,
                 shewing
                 himself
                 thorow
                 the
                 grates
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 first
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 declareth
                 the
                 swiftnesse
                 of
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 Cy●●s
                 ;
                 the
                 later
                 part
                 part
                 describeth
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 three
                 circumstances
                 :
                 
                   His
                   standing
                   behind
                   the
                   wall
                   ;
                   his
                   looking
                   thorow
                   the
                   window
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   shewing
                   himself
                   th●row
                   the
                   grates
                
                 ;
                 All
                 which
                 set
                 forth
                 unto
                 ●s
                 ,
                 tho
                 be●ieging
                 of
                 Babylon
                 by
                 C●rus
                 and
                 Darius
                 :
                 for
                 
                 these
                 mountains
                 and
                 hils
                 quickly
                 past
                 over
                 ;
                 the
                 Tents
                 were
                 pitcht
                 at
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 there
                 Cyrus
                 stood
                 a
                 while
                 behind
                 the
                 wall
                 ,
                 doubting
                 what
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 his
                 retinue
                 charging
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 prospering
                 after
                 his
                 desire
                 ;
                 at
                 length
                 ,
                 
                   hee
                   looked
                   forth
                   thorow
                   the
                   letties
                   of
                   the
                   windows
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 hee
                 took
                 crafty
                 counsell
                 ,
                 and
                 considered
                 secretly
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 might
                 gain
                 the
                 City
                 ;
                 when
                 turning
                 the
                 river
                 Euphrates
                 ,
                 he
                 brought
                 his
                 army
                 into
                 the
                 City
                 by
                 the
                 channell
                 so
                 privily
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 City
                 was
                 take
                 before
                 any
                 force
                 of
                 battery
                 was
                 felt
                 .
                 Neither
                 should
                 any
                 marvell
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 beloved
                 is
                 given
                 to
                 a
                 heathen
                 King
                 :
                 for
                 what
                 ,
                 and
                 soever
                 the
                 Church
                 hath
                 ,
                 the
                 beloved
                 himself
                 yeeldeth
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 hee
                 useth
                 divers
                 instruments
                 ,
                 on
                 whom
                 hee
                 bestoweth
                 his
                 own
                 Name
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 help
                 may
                 be
                 properly
                 understood
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 him
                 whose
                 name
                 the
                 instruments
                 beare
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 My
                 welbeloved
                 spak●
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 Arise
                 my
                 Love
                 ,
                 my
                 fair
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 away
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 preparation
                 farther
                 off
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 neerer
                 followeth
                 :
                 First
                 ,
                 declared
                 universally
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 then
                 severally
                 by
                 parts
                 in
                 the
                 verses
                 following
                 ▪
                 This
                 sweet
                 and
                 pleasant
                 salutation
                 hapned
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 Babylon
                 was
                 taken
                 ,
                 and
                 Balshazzer
                 slain
                 ;
                 the
                 Medes
                 and
                 Persians
                 obtaining
                 the
                 Empire
                 .
                 See
                 how
                 the
                 Edict
                 of
                 C●●us
                 ,
                 of
                 delivering
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 agreeth
                 with
                 this
                 pleasant
                 calling
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 1.
                 3.
                 
                 &
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   there
                   among
                   you
                   of
                   all
                   his
                   people
                   ?
                   his
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   go
                   up
                   to
                
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 
                   which
                   is
                   in
                
                 Jud●
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   build
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   hee
                   is
                   the
                   God
                   )
                   whi●h
                   is
                   in
                
                 Jerusalem
                 .
                 
                   And
                   whosoever
                   remaineth
                   in
                   any
                   place
                   where
                   he
                   s●●ourneth
                   ,
                   let
                   the
                   men
                   of
                   his
                   place
                   help
                   him
                   with
                   silver
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   gold
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   goods
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   beasts
                   ,
                   besides
                   the
                   free-will
                   offering
                   for
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   God
                   which
                   is
                   at
                
                 Jerusalem
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 welbeloved
                 boasteth
                 or
                 glorieth
                 in
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 and
                 while
                 he
                 breaketh
                 the
                 bonds
                 of
                 her
                 servitude
                 ,
                 and
                 giveth
                 her
                 leave
                 to
                 depart
                 ,
                 hee
                 maketh
                 proclamation
                 ,
                 
                   Arise
                   ,
                   and
                   come
                   away
                
                 .
                 And
                 verily
                 ,
                 though
                 Ezra
                 ,
                 a
                 most
                 learned
                 Priest
                 ,
                 relateth
                 that
                 matter
                 for
                 the
                 worthinesse
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 most
                 plentifully
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 Chapter
                 ;
                 yet
                 there
                 the
                 thing
                 done
                 is
                 scarce
                 more
                 plainly
                 declared
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 here
                 foretold
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 For
                 behold
                 ,
                 Winter
                 is
                 past
                 ,
                 the
                 rain
                 is
                 changed
                 and
                 is
                 gone
                 away
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 severall
                 explication
                 is
                 manifested
                 either
                 in
                 removing
                 the
                 hindring
                 causes
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 setting
                 down
                 the
                 helping
                 causes
                 in
                 the
                 two
                 verses
                 following
                 .
                 Winter
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 violent
                 storme
                 is
                 changed
                 .
                 This
                 Winter
                 is
                 twofold
                 ,
                 proper
                 ,
                 and
                 figurative
                 :
                 properly
                 ,
                 it
                 teacheth
                 
                 that
                 about
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Winter
                 the
                 people
                 prepared
                 for
                 their
                 return
                 ,
                 stirred
                 up
                 thereunto
                 by
                 the
                 Edict
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 conf●●med
                 by
                 probable
                 reason
                 ;
                 for
                 their
                 first
                 feast
                 after
                 their
                 return
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 Feast
                 of
                 Tabernacles
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 celebrating
                 of
                 which
                 Feast
                 ,
                 som●
                 time
                 passed
                 before
                 the
                 people
                 could
                 come
                 together
                 ,
                 scattered
                 through
                 the
                 fields
                 and
                 Cities
                 ▪
                 Ezra
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 Then
                 after
                 certain
                 ye●rs
                 Hezra
                 himself
                 departing
                 from
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 readier
                 or
                 more
                 prepared
                 band
                 ,
                 spent
                 four
                 Moneths
                 in
                 the
                 journey
                 ,
                 Hezra
                 7.
                 9.
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 likely
                 that
                 those
                 first
                 betook
                 themselves
                 to
                 the
                 journey
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 Spring
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 long
                 after
                 .
                 The
                 figurative
                 Winter
                 is
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 of
                 late
                 )
                 fell
                 upon
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 horrible
                 ●torm
                 ,
                 and
                 scattered
                 them
                 hither
                 and
                 thither
                 ,
                 like
                 straw
                 or
                 stubble
                 .
                 This
                 wrath
                 at
                 length
                 pacified
                 ,
                 was
                 changed
                 into
                 a
                 great
                 calme
                 and
                 quietness●
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 The
                 flovvers
                 appeare
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 singing
                 of
                 Birds
                 is
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 Turtle
                 is
                 heard
                 in
                 our
                 land
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 verse
                 following
                 ,
                 shew
                 the
                 helping
                 causes
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 also
                 proper
                 or
                 metaphoricall
                 .
                 Proper
                 ,
                 the
                 commodity
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 most
                 pleasant
                 ;
                 whereupon
                 hapned
                 the
                 decree
                 and
                 the
                 counsell
                 of
                 returning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 preparation
                 thereof
                 ,
                 whereof
                 was
                 spoken
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 verse
                 .
                 Metaphoricall
                 ,
                 God
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 already
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 )
                 but
                 partly
                 also
                 the
                 reconcised
                 will
                 of
                 strangers
                 ,
                 partl●
                 ,
                 the
                 exceeding
                 readin●sse
                 of
                 the
                 Ievvs
                 themselves
                 .
                 The
                 nations
                 hearkning
                 to
                 the
                 Edict
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 inwardly
                 stirring
                 up
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 with
                 how
                 great
                 desire
                 did
                 they
                 further
                 the
                 return
                 ,
                 helping
                 them
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 and
                 furnishing
                 them
                 plentifully
                 with
                 gold
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 silver
                 ,
                 with
                 aid
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 cattell
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 other
                 precious
                 things
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 Ievves
                 delight
                 and
                 pleasure
                 therein
                 ,
                 no
                 doubt
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 well
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 flowers
                 ,
                 with
                 singing
                 of
                 Birds
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 blooming
                 of
                 trees
                 :
                 Also
                 among
                 the
                 Ievves
                 were
                 divers
                 orders
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 here
                 to
                 be
                 signified
                 by
                 the
                 severall
                 ornaments
                 of
                 the
                 Spring
                 ,
                 which
                 Ezra
                 divideth
                 into
                 three
                 ranks
                 :
                 
                   The
                   Elders
                   of
                   Families
                   ,
                   The
                   Priests
                   and
                   Levites
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Common
                   People
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 1.
                 5.
                 and
                 2.
                 70.
                 
                 Here
                 Salomon
                 proceede●h
                 by
                 an
                 inverted
                 order
                 ,
                 making
                 no
                 reckoning
                 of
                 the
                 dignity
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 deed
                 ▪
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 supp●se
                 the
                 common
                 people
                 are
                 the
                 flowers
                 appearing
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 grow
                 confusedly
                 ,
                 here
                 and
                 there
                 ,
                 one
                 among
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 prevent
                 the
                 trees
                 themselves
                 in
                 their
                 hasty
                 ripening
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 expressing
                 the
                 headlong
                 study
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 people
                 ▪
                 who
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 run
                 before
                 the
                 industry
                 of
                 the
                 Magistrate
                 :
                 The
                 
                 
                   ●●nging
                   Birds
                   and
                   Turtles
                
                 ,
                 are
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 Leviticall
                 Order
                 ,
                 which
                 went
                 before
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 some
                 with
                 holy
                 songs
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 with
                 sa●rifices
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 The
                 Fig-tree
                 hath
                 brought
                 forth
                 her
                 young
                 figs
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Vines
                 with
                 their
                 small
                 grapes
                 have
                 cast
                 a
                 savour
                 :
                 Arise
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 my
                 fair
                 ●ne
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 away
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 the
                 mean●r
                 helping
                 causes
                 ;
                 here
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 mightier
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 principall
                 :
                 As
                 if
                 hee
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Flowers
                 of
                 the
                 grasse
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 shrubs
                 and
                 tallertrees
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 guide
                 and
                 governe
                 the
                 people
                 and
                 multit●de
                 ,
                 should
                 set
                 their
                 hands
                 to
                 worke
                 ,
                 and
                 bend
                 all
                 their
                 force
                 to
                 bring
                 back
                 the
                 people
                 .
                 Cyrus
                 restored
                 to
                 them
                 every
                 instrument
                 of
                 silver
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 which
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 had
                 taken
                 away
                 .
                 
                   Zerubbabel
                   ,
                   Joshua
                   ,
                   Nehemiah
                
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 excellent
                 men
                 ,
                 made
                 themselves
                 Captains
                 over
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 well
                 ordering
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 bring
                 all
                 their
                 desires
                 to
                 a
                 wished
                 end
                 .
                 So
                 in
                 this
                 preparation
                 here
                 ,
                 shine
                 as
                 Stars
                 ,
                 the
                 Edict
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 yeere
                 ,
                 the
                 office
                 of
                 the
                 Nation●
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 divers
                 orders
                 and
                 degrees
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 returning
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 all
                 declared
                 more
                 at
                 large
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 second
                 of
                 Ezra
                 ;
                 he
                 useth
                 the
                 same
                 compellation
                 or
                 calling
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 which
                 hee
                 did
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 shew
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 with
                 bounded
                 limits
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 space
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 this
                 description
                 of
                 the
                 Spring
                 is
                 included
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   14.
                
                 
                 My
                 Dove
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 in
                 the
                 ●oles
                 of
                 the
                 Rocke
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 secr●t
                 places
                 of
                 the
                 staires
                 ,
                 shew
                 me
                 thy
                 countenance
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 heare
                 thy
                 voice
                 ,
                 for
                 thy
                 voyce
                 is
                 sweete
                 and
                 thy
                 sight
                 comely
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 delivery
                 it selfe
                 is
                 declared
                 in
                 this
                 one
                 verse
                 ,
                 which
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 appeare
                 and
                 sinke
                 the
                 deeper
                 in
                 their
                 mindes
                 ,
                 he
                 remembreth
                 them
                 of
                 their
                 late
                 Condition
                 by
                 
                   the
                   holes
                   of
                   the
                   Rocke
                   and
                   the
                   secret
                   places
                   of
                   the
                   staires
                   ▪
                
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 as
                 well
                 remember
                 to
                 attribute
                 her
                 received
                 safety
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 yeelded
                 her
                 no
                 lesse
                 refuge
                 from
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 high
                 rocks
                 and
                 darke
                 lurking
                 places
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 Doves
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 to
                 put
                 her
                 in
                 minde
                 that
                 the
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 her
                 own
                 habitation
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 lurking
                 place
                 ,
                 ●it
                 to
                 keepe
                 her
                 in
                 safety
                 in
                 Exile
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 appointed
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 .
                 ●he
                 must
                 therefore
                 depart
                 out
                 of
                 that
                 prison
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 haste
                 to
                 the
                 Palace
                 ,
                 which
                 her
                 beloved
                 had
                 built
                 her
                 .
                 No
                 doubt
                 ,
                 they
                 exhorted
                 one
                 another
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 pre●er
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 Country
                 seates
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 ,
                 whereinto
                 they
                 were
                 banished
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 many
                 were
                 so
                 taken
                 and
                 ●●●nared
                 that
                 they
                 altogether
                 neglected
                 a
                 returne
                 .
                 Now
                 whereas
                 
                 he
                 requireth
                 that
                 she
                 should
                 shew
                 him
                 her
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 cause
                 her
                 voice
                 to
                 be
                 heard
                 ;
                 he
                 sheweth
                 them
                 that
                 at
                 length
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 be
                 seene
                 againe
                 openly
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 long
                 lyen
                 hid
                 from
                 mens
                 sight
                 in
                 darknesse
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 voyce
                 which
                 her
                 lover
                 is
                 so
                 desirous
                 to
                 here
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 mourning
                 and
                 weeping
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 faithful
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 should
                 acknowledge
                 their
                 former
                 offences
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 had
                 provoked
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 ●arnestly
                 and
                 heartily
                 bewaile
                 them
                 .
                 
                   When
                   ye
                   shall
                   call
                   upon
                   me
                
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 
                   Jeremy
                   )
                   that
                   ye
                   may
                   go
                   and
                   pray
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   then
                   will
                   I
                   heare
                   you
                   :
                   and
                   seeking
                   yee
                   shall
                   sinde
                   me
                   ,
                   when
                   ye
                   shall
                   search
                   for
                   me
                   with
                   all
                   your
                   heart
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 29.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 countenance
                 all
                 overwhelmed
                 with
                 teares
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 sight
                 God
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 delighted
                 :
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 mournfull
                 and
                 suspicious
                 voyce
                 ,
                 then
                 which
                 nothing
                 is
                 to
                 him
                 more
                 sweete
                 or
                 pleasant
                 :
                 for
                 so
                 the
                 second
                 company
                 which
                 Ezra
                 brought
                 backe
                 ,
                 beginning
                 their
                 progresse
                 with
                 a
                 Proclaimed
                 fast
                 ,
                 shewed
                 the
                 same
                 aspect
                 to
                 their
                 lover
                 ,
                 causing
                 him
                 to
                 heare
                 a
                 most
                 sweete
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 confession
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 8.
                 23.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   15.
                
                 
                 Take
                 us
                 the
                 Foxes
                 ,
                 the
                 little
                 Foxes
                 ,
                 that
                 spoile
                 the
                 vines
                 :
                 for
                 our
                 Vines
                 have
                 tender
                 Grapes
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 of
                 the
                 Captivity
                 ,
                 now
                 followeth
                 the
                 restored
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 And
                 first
                 of
                 that
                 State
                 which
                 it
                 obtained
                 next
                 the
                 returne
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 verses
                 following
                 .
                 It
                 appeareth
                 not
                 plainly
                 ,
                 whether
                 these
                 be
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 both
                 :
                 truely
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 here
                 commanded
                 concernes
                 them
                 both
                 :
                 yet
                 seeing
                 it
                 belongs
                 to
                 his
                 government
                 and
                 authority
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 all
                 h●rtfull
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 damnifie
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 they
                 seeme
                 rather
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 .
                 These
                 words
                 teach
                 three
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 she
                 hath
                 little
                 Foxes
                 lying
                 in
                 waite
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 those
                 Foxes
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 and
                 their
                 deceipts
                 made
                 vaine
                 .
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 the
                 beginnings
                 of
                 the
                 restored
                 Church
                 were
                 so
                 tender
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 grievously
                 hurt
                 by
                 the
                 feeblest
                 enemie
                 .
                 As
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 The
                 Foxes
                 betoken
                 a
                 craf●y
                 ,
                 subtile
                 and
                 dissembling
                 enemy
                 ▪
                 whereunto
                 also
                 the
                 Hebrew
                 word
                 very
                 well
                 agreeth
                 ,
                 which
                 signifies
                 to
                 destroy
                 under
                 a
                 shew
                 of
                 friendship
                 .
                 As
                 Usurers
                 use
                 ,
                 who
                 seeming
                 to
                 helpe
                 poore
                 men
                 ,
                 utterly
                 undoe
                 them
                 with
                 borrowed
                 money
                 .
                 How
                 to
                 the
                 life
                 happened
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 know
                 with
                 what
                 craft
                 the
                 Enemies
                 endeavoured
                 to
                 hinder
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 craftily
                 offering
                 ayde
                 ,
                 and
                 corrupting
                 the
                 Counsellors
                 with
                 rewards
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 Kings
                 favoured
                 the
                 Jewes
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 they
                 saw
                 their
                 favours
                 a
                 little
                 to
                 decline
                 ,
                 they
                 spared
                 no
                 reproaches
                 ,
                 and
                 false
                 accusations
                 ,
                 
                 whereby
                 they
                 might
                 procure
                 hatred
                 to
                 the
                 new
                 returned
                 Jewes
                 :
                 yea
                 to
                 their
                 fraud
                 they
                 added
                 force
                 ,
                 endeavouring
                 to
                 hinder
                 the
                 begun
                 work
                 by
                 Armes
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 4.
                 23.
                 
                 Now
                 these
                 Enemies
                 are
                 called
                 little
                 Foxes
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Syrian
                   ,
                   Assyrian
                
                 and
                 Babylonian
                 Kings
                 ,
                 which
                 afflicted
                 them
                 in
                 former
                 times
                 .
                 These
                 Governours
                 were
                 base
                 and
                 obscure
                 persons
                 ,
                 yet
                 could
                 these
                 little
                 wilde
                 beasts
                 do
                 much
                 in
                 such
                 tender
                 beginnings
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 worke
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 hindred
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 begun
                 lay
                 still
                 about
                 27.
                 yeeres
                 ▪
                 Ezra
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 But
                 at
                 length
                 those
                 little
                 Foxes
                 were
                 taken
                 ,
                 when
                 Dariu●
                 confirmed
                 the
                 building
                 ,
                 and
                 imposed
                 a
                 most
                 grievous
                 punishment
                 on
                 those
                 that
                 by
                 any
                 meanes
                 hindred
                 the
                 worke
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 6.
                 11.
                 
                 Yea
                 there
                 wanted
                 not
                 Foxes
                 ,
                 for
                 Nehemiah
                 found
                 
                   Sanballat
                   ,
                   Tobia●
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 that
                 crew
                 as
                 troublesome
                 as
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 craft●ly
                 studying
                 privily
                 to
                 oppresse
                 them
                 ,
                 Nehem.
                 4.
                 7.
                 
                 But
                 missing
                 thereof
                 they
                 attempted
                 violence
                 under
                 colour
                 of
                 conference
                 ,
                 having
                 hired
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 and
                 chiefe
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 to
                 deliver
                 them
                 Nehemiah
                 .
                 These
                 were
                 Fox-like
                 times
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 Tobia
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 said
                 ,
                 Nehem.
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Although
                   they
                   build
                   ,
                   y●t
                   if
                   a
                   Fox
                   go
                   up
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   even
                   breake
                   downe
                   their
                   stony
                   wall
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   16.
                
                 
                 My
                 welbeloved
                 is
                 mine
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 his
                 ;
                 he
                 feedeth
                 among
                 the
                 Lillies
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 rest
                 quietly
                 in
                 one
                 anothers
                 love
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 contented
                 with
                 me
                 onely
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 with
                 him
                 alone
                 .
                 Her
                 lover
                 ●ath
                 such
                 care
                 of
                 his
                 flock
                 ,
                 that
                 not
                 like
                 other
                 heardsmen
                 ,
                 he
                 seeketh
                 onely
                 grassie
                 Pastures
                 for
                 his
                 sheepe
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 gardens
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Then
                 at
                 length
                 those
                 Fox-like
                 times
                 received
                 a
                 reasonable
                 happie
                 condition
                 ,
                 the
                 holy
                 Ceremonies
                 were
                 used
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 wicked
                 superstitions
                 were
                 valiantly
                 and
                 constantly
                 refused
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 which
                 while
                 the
                 Church
                 applyed
                 her
                 study
                 ,
                 she
                 shewed
                 her selfe
                 to
                 depe●d
                 wholly
                 on
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 her
                 onely
                 Lover
                 .
                 Before
                 the
                 Iewes
                 were
                 bani●hed
                 to
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 follow
                 strange
                 gods
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 grievously
                 and
                 often
                 reprehended
                 by
                 the
                 Pr●phets
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 brought
                 upon
                 them
                 almost
                 utter
                 destruction
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 long
                 Captivity
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 which
                 time
                 they
                 seemed
                 no
                 lesse
                 to
                 have
                 forsaked
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 God
                 himselfe
                 to
                 have
                 forsaken
                 their
                 services
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 at
                 length
                 called
                 backe
                 to
                 their
                 Country
                 seates
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 preserve
                 chaste
                 piety
                 with
                 a
                 more
                 firme
                 purpose
                 ,
                 constant
                 will
                 and
                 desire
                 .
                 Neither
                 would
                 they
                 ever
                 hereafter
                 depart
                 from
                 Gods
                 holy
                 Religion
                 ,
                 even
                 with
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 which
                 came
                 to
                 passe
                 acco●dingly
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 read
                 of
                 no
                 troubles
                 afterward
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 untill
                 
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Alexander
                 the
                 great
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 these
                 2.
                 verses
                 comprehend
                 the
                 history
                 of
                 about
                 two
                 hundred
                 yeares
                 ,
                 namely
                 from
                 the
                 restoring
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 by
                 Cyrus
                 to
                 Alexander
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 during
                 the
                 whole
                 Monarchie
                 of
                 the
                 Persians
                 ,
                 as
                 appearech
                 by
                 Ezra
                 and
                 Nehemiah
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   17.
                
                 
                 Vntill
                 the
                 day
                 breake
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 shadowes
                 fly
                 away
                 ,
                 turne
                 my
                 beloved
                 and
                 be
                 thou
                 like
                 a
                 Roe
                 or
                 young
                 Hart
                 upon
                 the
                 mountaines
                 of
                 ●●ether
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 2.
                 former
                 verses
                 shewed
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 next
                 after
                 their
                 returne
                 :
                 this
                 verse
                 intreateth
                 of
                 time
                 a
                 little
                 farther
                 off
                 ,
                 yet
                 with
                 a
                 continued
                 order
                 joyned
                 with
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 Herein
                 first
                 he
                 setteth
                 down
                 certaine
                 bounds
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 delivereth
                 the
                 sum
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 The
                 bounds
                 define
                 that
                 space
                 in
                 the
                 compasse
                 whereof
                 this
                 consideration
                 is
                 contained
                 :
                 namely
                 
                   untill
                   the
                   day
                   breake
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Which
                 words
                 signifie
                 that
                 most
                 renowned
                 day
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
                 :
                 as
                 it
                 shall
                 after
                 appear
                 :
                 whose
                 morning
                 and
                 mid-day
                 are
                 here
                 most
                 elegantly
                 declared
                 by
                 adjuncts
                 .
                 All
                 agree
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 aire
                 or
                 winde
                 is
                 usually
                 more
                 troublesome
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 and
                 evening
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 as
                 also
                 Aristotle
                 teacheth
                 in
                 his
                 Problemes
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 is
                 this
                 day
                 described
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 troublesome
                 windy
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 vanishing
                 shadowes
                 ?
                 Because
                 it
                 was
                 chiefely
                 to
                 be
                 noted
                 in
                 both
                 these
                 propricties
                 .
                 The
                 morning
                 blew
                 turbulently
                 ,
                 for
                 straightway
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 the
                 high-Priests
                 with
                 the
                 Elders
                 and
                 Scribes
                 ,
                 held
                 a
                 Councell
                 and
                 delivered
                 Iesus
                 to
                 
                   Pilate
                   ,
                   Mark
                
                 15.
                 1.
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 6.
                 houre
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 noone
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 the
                 shadowes
                 flew
                 away
                 overwhelmed
                 with
                 darknesse
                 in
                 a
                 strange
                 manner
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Iewes
                 saw
                 not
                 yet
                 an
                 end
                 put
                 to
                 their
                 old
                 shadowes
                 ,
                 Mark
                 15.
                 33.
                 
                 But
                 then
                 especially
                 they
                 vanished
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 third
                 houre
                 after
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 Messias
                 ,
                 the
                 vaile
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 rent
                 in
                 two
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hand-writing
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 (
                 as
                 well
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Ceremonies
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 against
                 us
                 )
                 was
                 altogether
                 cut
                 off
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 day
                 so
                 famous
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 exactly
                 defined
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 25.
                 
                 Of
                 this
                 Christ
                 ▪
                 himselfe
                 maketh
                 often
                 mention
                 ,
                 I●h
                 .
                 7.
                 30.
                 and
                 8
                 ▪
                 20.
                 and
                 13.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 time
                 is
                 here
                 set
                 forth
                 of
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 ancient
                 Church
                 from
                 Alexander
                 the
                 great
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 .
                 So
                 was
                 that
                 time
                 limited
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 ye
                 seeke
                 what
                 the
                 whole
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 during
                 all
                 that
                 space
                 ▪
                 The
                 swift
                 returne
                 of
                 her
                 love
                 ,
                 
                   like
                   a
                   Roe
                   on
                   the
                   mountaines
                   of
                   Bether
                   ,
                
                 sheweth
                 it
                 us
                 .
                 The
                 Mountaines
                 of
                 Bether
                 are
                 in
                 Gilead
                 beyond
                 Iordan
                 ,
                 whence
                 they
                 take
                 their
                 name
                 ▪
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 divided
                 from
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 Iud●a
                 
                 by
                 the
                 River
                 ●ord●n
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 whole
                 Tract
                 is
                 called
                 Bithron
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 2.
                 29.
                 as
                 Tromelius
                 and
                 I●nius
                 do
                 observe
                 .
                 This
                 similitude
                 teacheth
                 that
                 ●er
                 beloved
                 seemed
                 sometimes
                 to
                 withdraw
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 yet
                 no
                 farther
                 then
                 the
                 neighbour
                 mountaines
                 of
                 Bether
                 ,
                 seated
                 in
                 the
                 borders
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 land
                 ,
                 whence
                 he
                 could
                 quickly
                 come
                 to
                 her
                 ayde
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 Roe
                 or
                 a
                 young
                 Hinde
                 .
                 
                   Ptolemeus
                   Lagi
                
                 grievously
                 afflicted
                 Iudea
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 lasted
                 not
                 long
                 .
                 Nor
                 was
                 there
                 any
                 violence
                 done
                 to
                 Religion
                 .
                 Afterwards
                 Antiochus
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 strove
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Ptolemees
                   ,
                   Eupator
                
                 and
                 Epiphanes
                 with
                 doubtfull
                 fortune
                 of
                 the
                 warres
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 ●ewes
                 were
                 sometimes
                 constrained
                 to
                 change
                 their
                 Masters
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 alwaies
                 prospered
                 without
                 great
                 danger
                 of
                 perishing
                 .
                 Her
                 beloved
                 was
                 not
                 alwayes
                 ready
                 to
                 helpe
                 her
                 ,
                 these
                 first
                 137.
                 yeeres
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 suffered
                 her
                 not
                 long
                 to
                 complaine
                 ,
                 running
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 helpe
                 her
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 bordering
                 Mountaines
                 as
                 need
                 required
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             
               IN
               my
               bed
               by
               night
               I
               sought
               him
               that
               my
               soul
               loved
               :
               I
               sought
               him
               ,
               but
               I
               found
               him
               not
               .
            
             
               2
               I
               will
               rise
               therefore
               now
               ,
               and
               go
               about
               in
               the
               city
               by
               the
               streets
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               open
               places
               ,
               and
               will
               seeke
               him
               that
               my
               soul
               loveth
               :
               I
               sought
               him
               ,
               but
               I
               sound
               him
               not
               .
            
             
               3
               The
               watchmen
               that
               went
               about
               the
               city
               ,
               found
               me
               :
               
                 to
                 whom
                 I
                 said
              
               ,
               Have
               you
               seene
               him
               ,
               whom
               my
               soul
               loveth
               ?
            
             
               4
               When
               I
               had
               past
               a
               little
               from
               them
               ,
               then
               I
               found
               him
               whom
               my
               soul
               loved
               ▪
               I
               took
               hold
               on
               him
               and
               left
               him
               not
               ,
               till
               I
               had
               brought
               him
               unto
               my
               mothers
               house
               ,
               into
               the
               chamber
               of
               her
               that
               conceived
               me
               .
            
             
               5
               I
               charge
               you
               ,
               O
               daughters
               of
               Ierusalem
               ,
               by
               the
               roes
               and
               by
               the
               hindes
               of
               the
               field
               ,
               that
               ye
               stir
               not
               up
               ,
               nor
               waken
               my
               love
               untill
               she
               please
               .
            
             
               6
               Who
               is
               she
               that
               commeth
               up
               out
               of
               the
               wildernesse
               like
               pillars
               of
               smoake
               perfumed
               with
               myrrhe
               and
               incense
               ,
               and
               with
               all
               the
               spices
               of
               the
               merchant
               ?
            
             
               7
               Behold
               his
               bed
               ,
               which
               is
               Solomons
               ●
               threescore
               
               strong
               men
               are
               round
               about
               it
               ,
               of
               the
               valiant
               men
               of
               Israel
               .
            
             
               8
               They
               all
               handle
               the
               sword
               ,
               
                 and
                 are
              
               expert
               in
               war
               ,
               every
               one
               hath
               his
               sword
               upon
               his
               thigh
               for
               the
               feare
               by
               night
               .
            
             
               9
               King
               Solomon
               made
               himselfe
               a
               palace
               of
               the
               trees
               of
               Lebanon
               .
            
             
               10
               He
               made
               the
               pillars
               thereof
               of
               silver
               ,
               and
               the
               pavement
               thereof
               of
               gold
               ,
               the
               hangings
               thereof
               of
               purple
               ,
               whose
               mids
               was
               paved
               with
               the
               love
               of
               the
               daughters
               of
               Ierusalem
               .
            
             
               11
               Come
               forth
               ye
               daughters
               of
               Zion
               ,
               and
               behold
               the
               king
               Solomon
               ,
               with
               the
               crown
               ,
               wherewith
               his
               mother
               crowned
               him
               in
               the
               day
               of
               his
               marriage
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               gladnesse
               of
               his
               heart
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Analysis
               .
            
             
               HItherto
               hath
               beene
               spoken
               of
               that
               milder
               time
               of
               the
               Church
               after
               the
               return
               ▪
               from
               the
               Captivitie
               ,
               both
               of
               the
               time
               neere
               and
               farther
               off
               .
               Now
               shall
               be
               shewed
               a
               more
               troublesome
               time
               by
               the
               absence
               of
               her
               beloved
               ,
               which
               in
               vaine
               she
               seeketh
               in
               her
               bed
               ,
               
                 verse
                 1.
              
               in
               the
               Citie
               ,
               
                 verse
                 2.
              
               or
               among
               the
               watchmen
               of
               the
               Citie
               ,
               
                 verse
                 3.
              
               but
               at
               length
               she
               findes
               and
               holds
               him
               ,
               
                 verse
                 4.
              
               and
               5.
               
            
             
               And
               thus
               ●ar
               to
               the
               birth
               of
               Christ
               ▪
               The
               rest
               of
               the
               time
               unto
               his
               death
               is
               as
               it
               were
               an
               overseeing
               of
               the
               marriage
               ,
               whose
               preparing
               is
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               Bride
               ,
               
                 verse
                 6.
              
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               beloved
               and
               his
               bed
               ,
               
                 verse
                 7.
                 8.
              
               
               His
               Litter
               ,
               
                 verse
                 9.
                 10.
              
               
               The
               solemnity
               of
               the
               Marriage
               which
               giveth
               us
               a
               King
               Crowned
               ,
               
                 verse
                 11.
              
               
               And
               his
               love
               very
               comely
               ,
               &c.
               
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
              
               to
               the
               7.
               
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   1.
                
                 
                 By
                 night
                 on
                 my
                 Bed
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 soule
                 loveth
                 :
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 found
                 him
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 OF
                 all
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 time
                 untill
                 the
                 break
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 day
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 dyed
                 )
                 worthy
                 of
                 memory
                 is
                 that
                 night
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Spouse
                 now
                 speaketh
                 of
                 .
                 The
                 weaker
                 sort
                 might
                 be
                 afraid
                 ,
                 lest
                 Christ
                 had
                 altogether
                 forsaken
                 them
                 ,
                 now
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 finde
                 him
                 to
                 helpe
                 them
                 ▪
                 whom
                 yet
                 they
                 hoped
                 to
                 be
                 neere
                 at
                 
                 hand
                 in
                 the
                 bordering
                 mountaines
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 generally
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 Chapter
                 .
                 This
                 calamity
                 is
                 declared
                 in
                 seeking
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 first
                 begun
                 in
                 her
                 bed
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 .
                 Now
                 her
                 bed
                 is
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 Chap.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Our
                   bed
                   is
                   greene
                
                 .
                 This
                 search
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 namely
                 when
                 the
                 true
                 worship
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 much
                 obscured
                 ,
                 and
                 altogether
                 over-whelmed
                 with
                 night-like
                 darknesse
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 therefore
                 complaineth
                 it
                 was
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 wherein
                 true
                 Religion
                 was
                 trodden
                 down
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 Christ
                 whom
                 the
                 faithfull
                 thirsted
                 for
                 ,
                 was
                 no
                 where
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 his
                 true
                 worship
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 then
                 belong
                 to
                 that
                 desolation
                 which
                 
                   Antiochus
                   Epiphanes
                
                 brought
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 robbed
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 forbad
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 offered
                 Swines
                 flesh
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 constrained
                 them
                 to
                 worship
                 strange
                 gods
                 ,
                 compelled
                 them
                 to
                 leave
                 circumcising
                 their
                 children
                 ,
                 burned
                 their
                 holy
                 Bookes
                 ,
                 and
                 left
                 no
                 manner
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 unattempted
                 .
                 This
                 wofull
                 spectacle
                 Daniel
                 did
                 manifestly
                 declare
                 almost
                 300.
                 yeeres
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 8.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 11.
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 1
                 Maccab.
                 1.
                 from
                 the
                 23.
                 verse
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Chapter
                 .
                 The
                 Temple
                 was
                 not
                 cast
                 down
                 as
                 by
                 Nebuchaduezzar
                 ,
                 but
                 wofully
                 deformed
                 and
                 shut
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 true
                 worshippers
                 ,
                 whence
                 she
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   She
                   sought
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   Bed
                   ,
                   but
                   found
                   him
                   not
                   .
                
                 The
                 Bed
                 remained
                 empty
                 and
                 Christ
                 was
                 gone
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   2.
                   
                   I
                
                 will
                 rise
                 now
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 Citie
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 broad
                 wayes
                 :
                 I
                 with
                 seek
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 soul
                 loveth
                 ,
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 but
                 I
                 found
                 him
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 search
                 which
                 sheweth
                 that
                 Christ
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 absent
                 from
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 city
                 .
                 If
                 every
                 corner
                 were
                 sought
                 never
                 so
                 diligently
                 ,
                 there
                 could
                 bee
                 found
                 no
                 footstep
                 of
                 piety
                 .
                 The
                 cruelty
                 of
                 Antiochus
                 wrought
                 this
                 effect
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 sacked
                 the
                 city
                 ,
                 burnt
                 it
                 with
                 fire
                 ,
                 overthrew
                 the
                 houses
                 and
                 walls
                 ,
                 carried
                 away
                 the
                 women
                 and
                 children
                 captives
                 ,
                 guarded
                 the
                 upper
                 city
                 with
                 murtherers
                 ,
                 put
                 the
                 citizens
                 to
                 flight
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 the
                 city
                 an
                 habitation
                 of
                 strangers
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 1
                 
                   Macta●
                   ▪
                
                 1.
                 33.
                 34.
                 35.
                 and
                 40.
                 
                 No
                 marvell
                 if
                 among
                 the
                 dregs
                 of
                 such
                 most
                 desperately
                 wicked
                 men
                 ,
                 her
                 beloved
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 found
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 could
                 be
                 more
                 elegantly
                 spoken
                 to
                 foreshew
                 this
                 desolation
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 The
                 watchmen
                 that
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 city
                 found
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 I
                 said
                 :
                 Saw
                 ye
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 sout
                 loveth
                 ?
              
               
                 She
                 seeking
                 the
                 city
                 in
                 vaine
                 ,
                 ligh●eth
                 on
                 the
                 watchmen
                 of
                 whom
                 she
                 enquireth
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Have
                   ye
                   seen
                   him
                   whom
                   my
                   soul
                
                 
                 loveth
                 ?
                 She
                 stayes
                 not
                 till
                 they
                 examine
                 her
                 ,
                 but
                 begins
                 to
                 question
                 them
                 ;
                 The
                 watchmen
                 &
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 holy
                 Priests
                 who
                 (
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 )
                 hold
                 fast
                 &
                 keep
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 these
                 dark
                 times
                 .
                 And
                 are
                 ●aid
                 to
                 have
                 found
                 the
                 Church
                 wavering
                 ,
                 being
                 driven
                 from
                 her
                 seates
                 .
                 The
                 chief
                 of
                 these
                 were
                 Mattathias
                 the
                 father
                 of
                 the
                 Maccabees
                 and
                 his
                 sons
                 ;
                 who
                 valiantly
                 answered
                 the
                 Kings
                 servant
                 ,
                 requiring
                 them
                 to
                 sacrifice
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   all
                   Nations
                   fell
                   away
                   from
                   the
                   worship
                   of
                   their
                   elders
                   :
                   yet
                   be
                   a●d
                   his
                   children
                   and
                   brethren
                   would
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   their
                   eld●rs
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   transgresse
                   their
                   worship
                   to
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   or
                   to
                   the
                   left
                   .
                
                 1.
                 
                 Macca
                 .
                 2.
                 19.
                 20.
                 
                 Such
                 faithfull
                 men
                 then
                 found
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 gave
                 her
                 no
                 answer
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 astonished
                 as
                 their
                 silence
                 here
                 declareth
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 It
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 that
                 I
                 passed
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 found
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 soul
                 loveth
                 :
                 I
                 held
                 him
                 and
                 would
                 not
                 let
                 him
                 go
                 ,
                 untill
                 I
                 had
                 brought
                 him
                 into
                 my
                 mothers
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 into
                 the
                 chamber
                 of
                 her
                 that
                 conceived
                 me
                 ▪
              
               
                 Now
                 she
                 departeth
                 from
                 the
                 high
                 priests
                 and
                 governours
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 ,
                 getting
                 no
                 comfort
                 of
                 them
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 suffering
                 with
                 the
                 rest
                 a
                 common
                 destruction
                 .
                 But
                 going
                 a
                 little
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 she
                 chanceth
                 on
                 him
                 whom
                 she
                 should
                 have
                 :
                 whereby
                 is
                 taught
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 did
                 not
                 long
                 lie
                 in
                 these
                 miseries
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 in
                 short
                 time
                 delivered
                 from
                 those
                 chastisements
                 .
                 Neither
                 was
                 this
                 comfort
                 vain
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 length
                 fully
                 shewed
                 by
                 
                   Iudas
                   Maccabeus
                
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Mach
                 ,
                 4.
                 47.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 142.
                 yeer
                 of
                 the
                 reigne
                 of
                 the
                 Greekes
                 ,
                 Antiochus
                 began
                 to
                 afflict
                 Iudea
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 thr●e
                 and
                 forty
                 yeer
                 he
                 spoiled
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
                 Af●er
                 two
                 whole
                 yeers
                 he
                 took
                 away
                 the
                 daily
                 sacrifice
                 and
                 all
                 divine
                 worship
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Maca.
                 1.
                 21.
                 30.
                 47.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 eight
                 and
                 fortieth
                 yeer
                 the
                 nineth
                 moneth
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 holy
                 houses
                 purged
                 and
                 divine
                 worship
                 restored
                 again
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Mach.
                 4
                 ▪
                 52.
                 53.
                 
                 &c
                 ▪
                 Now
                 was
                 her
                 beloved
                 found
                 and
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 her
                 mother
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 have
                 him
                 present
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 keep
                 his
                 publike
                 worship
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 often
                 as
                 we
                 recover
                 it
                 being
                 lost
                 :
                 wherein
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 shew
                 himselfe
                 to
                 his
                 .
                 These
                 darknesses
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 they
                 lasted
                 were
                 very
                 bla●k
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 long
                 .
                 After
                 2300
                 dayes
                 (
                 limited
                 by
                 the
                 Angel
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 8.
                 14.
                 )
                 
                   The
                   sanctuarie
                   shall
                   be
                   purged
                
                 Wherefore
                 her
                 beloved
                 delayed
                 not
                 long
                 to
                 aid
                 her
                 ▪
                 but
                 came
                 swiftly
                 from
                 the
                 
                   mountains
                   of
                   Bether
                
                 ;
                 whom
                 the
                 faithfull
                 doubted
                 to
                 be
                 farther
                 off
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 these
                 few
                 verses
                 are
                 an
                 Epitome
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 history
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Mac●abees
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 those
                 books
                 a
                 j●st
                 commentary
                 of
                 this
                 place
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 she
                 would
                 ●ot
                 let
                 her
                 beloved
                 go
                 till
                 she
                 had
                 brought
                 him
                 into
                 
                 her
                 mothers
                 chamber
                 ,
                 thereby
                 is
                 signified
                 (
                 this
                 darknes
                 driven
                 away
                 )
                 divine
                 worship
                 should
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 interrupted
                 ,
                 untill
                 Christ
                 came
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 bring
                 Christ
                 into
                 this
                 chamber
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 descended
                 into
                 it
                 and
                 took
                 our
                 nature
                 upon
                 him
                 for
                 her
                 sake
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 cause
                 it
                 is
                 done
                 .
                 Then
                 from
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Maccabees
                 to
                 the
                 comming
                 of
                 the
                 Mo●●ias
                 ,
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 Religion
                 was
                 constant
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 common
                 calamitie
                 interrupted
                 .
                 Not
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 times
                 were
                 most
                 corrupt
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 middest
                 thereof
                 ,
                 was
                 free
                 leave
                 to
                 worship
                 God
                 rightly
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Church
                 might
                 nourish
                 her
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 might
                 cherish
                 her self
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 sweet
                 familiar
                 acquaintance
                 of
                 Christ
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   V.
                   5.
                   
                   I
                
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 daughters
                 ,
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Roes
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 hindes
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 stir
                 not
                 up
                 ,
                 nor
                 awake
                 my
                 love
                 till
                 she
                 please
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 verse
                 sheweth
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 no
                 great
                 trouble
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 from
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Maccabees
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 birth
                 of
                 Christ
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 verse
                 .
                 Now
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 silence
                 and
                 a
                 tolerable
                 rest
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Saints
                 might
                 be
                 defended
                 (
                 in
                 their
                 true
                 studies
                 )
                 from
                 fear
                 of
                 their
                 enemies
                 which
                 are
                 here
                 noted
                 by
                 
                   Roes
                   and
                   hindes
                
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 come
                 home
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 enemies
                 land
                 and
                 setled
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 proper
                 seat●
                 :
                 yet
                 they
                 found
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 all
                 places
                 full
                 of
                 enemies
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Romanes
                 oppressed
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 Herods
                 tyranny
                 bridled
                 them
                 .
                 These
                 wilde
                 Roes
                 caused
                 Gods
                 people
                 to
                 worship
                 him
                 more
                 diligently
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 carefull
                 ,
                 le●t
                 with
                 any
                 noise
                 of
                 apparant
                 impiety
                 (
                 which
                 only
                 disturbeth
                 our
                 beloved
                 from
                 his
                 rest
                 )
                 she
                 should
                 lose
                 the
                 enjoying
                 of
                 him
                 howsoever
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   V.
                   6.
                
                 
                 Who
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 cometh
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 wildernes
                 like
                 pillars
                 of
                 smo●k
                 ,
                 perfumed
                 with
                 myrrhe
                 &
                 frankincense
                 with
                 all
                 powders
                 of
                 the
                 merchant
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ,
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 before
                 the
                 birth
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 Now
                 what
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 while
                 he
                 lived
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 This
                 description
                 containeth
                 a
                 prophesie
                 ,
                 especially
                 of
                 things
                 done
                 from
                 the
                 conception
                 of
                 Christ
                 untill
                 thirty
                 yeers
                 of
                 his
                 age
                 :
                 when
                 the
                 beautie
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 cause
                 admiration
                 in
                 the
                 beholders
                 .
                 Who
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 (
                 say
                 they
                 )
                 which
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 legall
                 Church
                 ,
                 wondring
                 at
                 the
                 excellent
                 smell
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 smoke
                 stirred
                 up
                 .
                 For
                 at
                 this
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 outward
                 form
                 was
                 twofold
                 .
                 The
                 legall
                 continued
                 yet
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Evangelicall
                 was
                 new
                 begun
                 .
                 Her
                 threefold
                 propriety
                 was
                 ,
                 her
                 admirable
                 coming
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 desart
                 ;
                 her
                 smokie
                 enlarging
                 and
                 increase
                 ;
                 and
                 lastly
                 her
                 sweet
                 smell
                 ▪
                 She
                 came
                 first
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 desart
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 message
                 of
                 the
                 Angel
                 to
                 the
                 virgine
                 Mary
                 living
                 then
                 in
                 Nazareth
                 of
                 Galilee
                 :
                 a
                 solitary
                 place
                 i●
                 
                 respect
                 of
                 others
                 more
                 fr●quented
                 .
                 And
                 divinely
                 revealed
                 to
                 Elizabeth
                 in
                 the
                 mountaines
                 of
                 I●dea
                 :
                 as
                 she
                 testified
                 when
                 Mary
                 came
                 to
                 see
                 her
                 .
                 This
                 report
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 pillars
                 of
                 smoke
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 smoke
                 goeth
                 before
                 the
                 flame
                 ,
                 breaking
                 forth
                 and
                 arising
                 up
                 like
                 branched
                 pillars
                 ,
                 yet
                 quickly
                 avoideth
                 and
                 vanisheth
                 in
                 the
                 air
                 ,
                 how
                 thick
                 soever
                 it
                 were
                 :
                 So
                 shall
                 we
                 finde
                 this
                 report
                 and
                 mens
                 expectation
                 thereof
                 altogether
                 like
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 As
                 by
                 the
                 prophesie
                 of
                 
                   Zacharie
                   of
                   raising
                   up
                   a
                   hor●e
                   of
                   Salvation
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   David
                   .
                
                 Confirmed
                 by
                 miracles
                 ,
                 aswell
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 born
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 old
                 age
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 his
                 speech
                 restored
                 after
                 ten
                 moneths
                 .
                 What
                 feare
                 came
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 the
                 hill
                 country
                 ?
                 Luke
                 1.
                 65.
                 68.
                 69.
                 
                 &c.
                 This
                 smoke
                 arising
                 in
                 the
                 wildernesse
                 ,
                 how
                 pleasantly
                 smelt
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 godly
                 waiting
                 for
                 the
                 consolation
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 yet
                 foulded
                 up
                 in
                 such
                 thick
                 obscuritie
                 that
                 men
                 could
                 not
                 see
                 the
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 whither
                 the
                 thing
                 so
                 much
                 desired
                 would
                 tend
                 .
                 But
                 afterward
                 by
                 the
                 former
                 when
                 the
                 shepherds
                 and
                 the
                 wise
                 men
                 came
                 seeking
                 ●o●
                 the
                 new
                 borne
                 King
                 ,
                 all
                 ●erusalem
                 was
                 troubled
                 Luke
                 2.
                 1
                 
                 ▪
                 8.
                 
                 Mat.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 Then
                 the
                 branched
                 smoke
                 flew
                 upward
                 ,
                 breaking
                 forth
                 with
                 such
                 force
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 increased
                 hea●e
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 ascended
                 like
                 a
                 Pillar
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 smoke
                 quickly
                 vanished
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 ever
                 failed
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 this
                 rumour
                 ceasing
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 so
                 deep
                 a
                 silence
                 from
                 that
                 time
                 untill
                 the
                 baptisme
                 of
                 J●h●
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 had
                 vanish●d
                 into
                 smoke
                 .
                 But
                 who
                 can
                 declare
                 how
                 sweet
                 this
                 rumour
                 was
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 godly
                 thirsting
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Messias
                   ?
                   Sime●n
                
                 taking
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 in
                 his
                 Armes
                 and
                 praising
                 God
                 very
                 joyfully
                 ,
                 desired
                 to
                 die
                 having
                 obtai●ed
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 most
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 Luke
                 2.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 truly
                 all
                 
                   M●r●he
                   ,
                   Frankincense
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 perfumes
                 are
                 un●avo●y
                 in
                 re●●ect
                 of
                 this
                 sweetnesse
                 .
                 Those
                 things
                 which
                 hap●ed
                 about
                 the
                 bi
                 r
                 h●●f
                 Christ
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 more
                 significantly
                 and
                 briefly
                 be
                 declared
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Ver●
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 Behold
                 his
                 bed
                 which
                 is
                 Salomons
                 :
                 threescor●
                 valiant
                 men
                 are
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 valiant
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 is
                 described
                 the
                 provision
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 before
                 the
                 marriage
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 twofold
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   bed
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Chariot
                   .
                
                 Of
                 the
                 bed
                 is
                 ●rtreated
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 .
                 
                   His
                   bed
                
                 (
                 ●aith
                 she
                 ,
                 namely
                 her
                 bel●veds
                 )
                 wherein
                 he
                 lay
                 himself
                 alone
                 .
                 
                   Not
                   a
                   common
                   bed
                
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   Our
                   Bed
                   )
                   Chap.
                
                 1
                 ▪
                 16.
                 
                 As
                 also
                 speaking
                 of
                 her
                 own
                 ●ed
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 Wherein
                 her
                 beloved
                 was
                 not
                 found
                 .
                 This
                 bed
                 resembles
                 that
                 of
                 Solomons
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 was
                 waited
                 on
                 with
                 as
                 strong
                 a
                 guard
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 verse
                 following
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 They
                 all
                 ●old
                 swords
                 ,
                 being
                 expert
                 in
                 war
                 :
                 every
                 man
                 hath
                 his
                 sword
                 upon
                 his
                 thigh
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 fear
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 .
              
               
               
                 Here
                 the
                 guard
                 is
                 described
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 watch
                 and'a
                 custody
                 of
                 this
                 bed
                 is
                 committed
                 .
                 Their
                 number
                 and
                 nature
                 was
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 verse
                 .
                 Now
                 their
                 readinesse
                 ,
                 skill
                 and
                 diligence
                 is
                 shewed
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 their
                 watching
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 called
                 sword-men
                 ,
                 ready
                 and
                 strong-men
                 ,
                 whose
                 vertue
                 feareth
                 no
                 danger
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 expert
                 in
                 war
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 old
                 ,
                 hardy
                 ,
                 skilfull
                 souldiers
                 :
                 
                   every
                   one
                
                 hath
                 his
                 sword
                 .
                 Beds
                 are
                 appointed
                 for
                 rest
                 and
                 sleep
                 ,
                 whereby
                 a
                 man
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 is
                 deprived
                 of
                 his
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 power
                 to
                 defend
                 himself
                 ;
                 wherefore
                 Kings
                 and
                 Princes
                 ,
                 (
                 to
                 sleep
                 the
                 more
                 safely
                 )
                 ordained
                 watch-men
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Salomon
                 is
                 here
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 had
                 .
                 Which
                 teacheth
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 beloved
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 himself
                 to
                 rest
                 ,
                 was
                 fenced
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 guard
                 ,
                 as
                 could
                 keep
                 him
                 safe
                 from
                 all
                 feare
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 secret
                 deceipts
                 which
                 the
                 wicked
                 could
                 invent
                 .
                 This
                 time
                 of
                 rest
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 whole
                 infancie
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 maketh
                 a
                 man
                 no
                 lesse
                 able
                 to
                 avoyd
                 dangers
                 then
                 the
                 deepest
                 sleep
                 that
                 is
                 .
                 Herod
                 making
                 use
                 of
                 this
                 night
                 ,
                 endeavoured
                 (
                 most
                 wickedly
                 )
                 his
                 destruction
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 Angel
                 
                   (
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   mighties
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 )
                 warning
                 Joseph
                 to
                 flie
                 with
                 the
                 childe
                 into
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 delivered
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 jawes
                 of
                 Herod
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 cruell
                 slaughter
                 of
                 the
                 Bethlehemites
                 .
                 Truly
                 this
                 bed
                 was
                 better
                 guarded
                 then
                 Salomons
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 King
                 Salomon
                 made
                 himself
                 a
                 Chariot
                 of
                 the
                 wood
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 bed
                 :
                 Now
                 followeth
                 a
                 description
                 of
                 the
                 Chariot
                 in
                 this
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 .
                 The
                 bed
                 was
                 enough
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 what
                 did
                 belong
                 to
                 private
                 use
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 this
                 Chariot
                 is
                 declared
                 with
                 what
                 Majesty
                 he
                 would
                 shew
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 multitude
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 made
                 this
                 Chariot
                 for
                 himself
                 alone
                 ,
                 although
                 the
                 dignity
                 th●reof
                 belongeth
                 to
                 the
                 Spouse
                 also
                 .
                 The
                 generall
                 matter
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 wood
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 whereof
                 likewise
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 built
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 5.
                 6.
                 
                 Other
                 things
                 that
                 concern
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 mentioned
                 in
                 the
                 verse
                 following
                 where
                 yee
                 shall
                 see
                 the
                 application
                 of
                 the
                 Prophecie
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 He
                 made
                 the
                 Pillars
                 thereof
                 of
                 silver
                 ,
                 the
                 bottome
                 thereof
                 of
                 gold
                 ,
                 the
                 covering
                 of
                 it
                 of
                 purple
                 ,
                 the
                 midst
                 thereof
                 being
                 paved
                 with
                 love
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 Salomons
                 stately
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 wherein
                 hee
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 carried
                 in
                 publique
                 ,
                 whose
                 beautifull
                 and
                 glorious
                 structure
                 is
                 here
                 declared
                 ,
                 to
                 expresse
                 that
                 high
                 and
                 incomprehensible
                 excellencie
                 of
                 Christs
                 humane
                 nature
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 was
                 that
                 triumphall
                 Chariot
                 wh●ch
                 he
                 built
                 for
                 himself
                 of
                 the
                 wood
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 conceived
                 in
                 the
                 womb
                 
                 of
                 Mary
                 of
                 N̄azareth
                 of
                 Galile
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 foot
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 that
                 rightly
                 the
                 matter
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 whence
                 his
                 humanity
                 was
                 built
                 up
                 or
                 framed
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 made
                 this
                 Chariot
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 not
                 begotten
                 by
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 overshadowing
                 the
                 Virgin.
                 Whose
                 pillars
                 were
                 silver
                 ,
                 the
                 seats
                 were
                 gold
                 ,
                 the
                 coverings
                 purple
                 ;
                 all
                 the
                 frame
                 from
                 head
                 to
                 foot
                 ,
                 most
                 pure
                 ,
                 most
                 precious
                 ,
                 most
                 divine
                 ,
                 and
                 within
                 the
                 ground
                 and
                 pavement
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 )
                 the
                 foundation
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 frame
                 ,
                 was
                 wholly
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierus●lem
                 :
                 he
                 had
                 them
                 drawne
                 with
                 the
                 needle
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 ingraven
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 and
                 bowels
                 ;
                 seeing
                 for
                 his
                 elects
                 sake
                 only
                 ,
                 he
                 made
                 him
                 this
                 Chariot
                 of
                 humanity
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 would
                 openly
                 be
                 carried
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 for
                 men
                 to
                 behold
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Go
                 forth
                 ,
                 O
                 yee
                 daughters
                 of
                 Sion
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 King
                 Salomon
                 with
                 the
                 Crown
                 wherewith
                 his
                 mother
                 crowned
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 espousals
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 gladnesse
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 seemeth
                 here
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 custome
                 for
                 parents
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 solemnity
                 ,
                 to
                 bestow
                 some
                 singular
                 ornament
                 upon
                 their
                 children
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 Bathsheba
                 bestowed
                 this
                 Crown
                 on
                 Salomon
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 married
                 Pharaohs
                 daughter
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 the
                 Scripture
                 speak
                 not
                 of
                 it
                 )
                 for
                 David
                 was
                 dead
                 before
                 ;
                 But
                 it
                 shall
                 better
                 appeare
                 in
                 the
                 new
                 Salomon
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 Type
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 Crown
                 which
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 S●on
                 are
                 commanded
                 to
                 behold
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 great
                 glory
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 gave
                 the
                 Sonne
                 ,
                 entring
                 into
                 his
                 office
                 ,
                 testifying
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 This
                 was
                 that
                 his
                 
                   beloved
                   Sonne
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   he
                   was
                   well
                   pleased
                   .
                
                 And
                 likewise
                 annoynting
                 him
                 above
                 his
                 fellowes
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 himself
                 descending
                 in
                 a
                 visible
                 shape
                 ,
                 and
                 resting
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 Church
                 (
                 whose
                 husband
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 some
                 reason
                 her
                 sonne
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 before
                 )
                 put
                 this
                 Crown
                 on
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 by
                 acknowledging
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 King
                 and
                 Head
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 The
                 Sonne
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Lambe
                 which
                 took
                 away
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 the
                 Messias
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 all
                 power
                 in
                 heaven
                 and
                 in
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 the
                 faithfull
                 sought
                 ,
                 and
                 obtained
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 dispossessed
                 of
                 devils
                 ,
                 healed
                 of
                 diseases
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 remedy
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 troubles
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 manifest
                 what
                 opinion
                 they
                 held
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 what
                 incomprehensible
                 Majesty
                 indeed
                 he
                 was
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 time
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 his
                 office
                 ,
                 until
                 his
                 passion
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 espousalls
                 or
                 marriage
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 taught
                 himself
                 ,
                 calling
                 his
                 Disciples
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 wedding
                 chamber
                 ,
                 and
                 himself
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 9.
                 15.
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Parable
                 of
                 a
                 certain
                 King
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 
                   a
                   M●r●iage
                   for
                   his
                   son
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 2
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 gladnesse
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 when
                 with
                 a
                 ready
                 and
                 willing
                 minde
                 he
                 earnestly
                 indeavoured
                 to
                 effect
                 all
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 belong
                 to
                 our
                 salvation
                 ;
                 that
                 hee
                 preferred
                 the
                 care
                 thereof
                 before
                 meat
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 necessaries
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 John
                 4.
                 32.
                 
                 The
                 daughters
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 moved
                 with
                 this
                 glory
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 Sion
                 ,
                 the
                 Citizens
                 and
                 free
                 Denizens
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 the
                 heavenly
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 these
                 moved
                 with
                 the
                 divine
                 beauty
                 and
                 excellencie
                 of
                 this
                 King
                 and
                 Crown
                 ,
                 should
                 slock
                 unto
                 him
                 every
                 where
                 by
                 heaps
                 ,
                 making
                 the
                 hypoc●●tes
                 afraid
                 ,
                 lest
                 all
                 men
                 should
                 believe
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 11.
                 48.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IIII.
             
          
           
             
               1
               BEhold
               ,
               thou
               art
               fair
               my
               love
               :
               behold
               ,
               thou
               art
               fair
               :
               thine
               eyes
               
                 are
                 like
              
               the
               doves
               :
               among
               thy
               locks
               thine
               hair
               is
               like
               the
               flock
               of
               goats
               ,
               which
               look
               down
               from
               the
               mountain
               of
               Gilead
               .
            
             
               2
               Thy
               teeth
               are
               like
               a
               flock
               of
               sheep
               in
               good
               order
               ,
               which
               go
               up
               from
               the
               washing
               :
               which
               every
               one
               bring
               out
               twins
               ,
               and
               none
               is
               barren
               among
               them
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Thy
               lips
               are
               like
               a
               thread
               of
               skarlet
               ,
               and
               thy
               talke
               is
               comely
               :
               thy
               temples
               are
               within
               thy
               locks
               as
               a
               piece
               of
               a
               pomegranate
               .
            
             
               4
               Thy
               neck
               is
               as
               the
               tower
               of
               David
               ,
               built
               for
               defence
               :
               a
               thousand
               shields
               hang
               therein
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               targets
               of
               the
               strong
               men
               .
            
             
               5
               ▪
               Thy
               two
               breasts
               are
               as
               two
               young
               roes
               that
               are
               twins
               ,
               feeding
               among
               the
               lillies
               .
            
             
               6
               Untill
               the
               day
               break
               ,
               and
               the
               shadowes
               flee
               away
               ,
               I
               will
               go
               into
               the
               mountain
               of
               myrrhe
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               mountain
               of
               incense
               .
            
             
               7
               Thou
               art
               all
               fair
               ,
               my
               love
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               spot
               in
               thee
               .
            
             
               8
               Come
               with
               me
               from
               Lebanon
               ,
               my
               spouse
               ,
               even
               with
               me
               from
               Lebanon
               ,
               and
               look
               from
               the
               top
               of
               Amanah
               ,
               from
               the
               top
               of
               Shenir
               and
               Hermon
               ,
               from
               the
               dens
               of
               the
               lions
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               mountains
               of
               the
               leopards
               .
            
             
               
               9
               My
               sister
               ,
               my
               spouse
               ,
               thou
               hast
               wounded
               mine
               heart
               ,
               thou
               hast
               wounded
               mine
               heart
               with
               one
               of
               thine
               eyes
               ,
               and
               with
               a
               chain
               of
               thy
               neck
               .
            
             
               10
               My
               sister
               ,
               my
               spouse
               ,
               how
               fair
               is
               thy
               love
               !
               how
               much
               better
               is
               thy
               love
               then
               wine
               ,
               and
               the
               savour
               of
               thine
               oyntments
               then
               all
               spices
               !
            
             
               11
               Thy
               lips
               ,
               my
               spouse
               ,
               drop
               as
               honey
               combs
               :
               honey
               and
               milk
               are
               under
               thy
               tongue
               ,
               and
               the
               savour
               of
               thy
               garments
               is
               as
               the
               savour
               of
               Lebanon
               .
            
             
               12
               My
               sister
               ,
               my
               spouse
               
                 is
                 as
              
               a
               garden
               inclosed
               ,
               as
               a
               spring
               shut
               up
               ,
               and
               a
               fountain
               sealed
               up
               .
            
             
               13
               Thy
               plants
               
                 are
                 as
              
               an
               orchard
               of
               pomegranates
               ,
               with
               sweet
               fruits
               ,
               as
               camphire
               ,
               spikenard
               .
            
             
               14
               Even
               Spik●nard
               ,
               and
               saffron
               ,
               calamus
               ,
               and
               cinamon
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               trees
               of
               incense
               ,
               myrrhe
               ,
               and
               aloes
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               chief
               spices
               .
            
             
               15
               O
               fountaine
               of
               the
               gardens
               ,
               O
               well
               of
               living
               waters
               and
               the
               springs
               of
               Lebanon
               .
            
             
               16
               Arise
               ,
               O
               North
               ,
               and
               come
               ,
               O
               South
               ,
               and
               blow
               on
               my
               garden
               ,
               that
               the
               spices
               thereof
               may
               flow
               out
               :
               let
               my
               welbeloved
               come
               to
               his
               garden
               ,
               and
               eat
               his
               pleasant
               fruit
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               VVEe
               saw
               in
               the
               end
               of
               the
               former
               Chapter
               ,
               how
               the
               Bridegroome
               was
               adoro●md
               in
               the
               solemnization
               of
               his
               marriage
               :
               Now
               the
               beauty
               of
               the
               Spouse
               is
               shewed
               by
               h●r
               ▪
               
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 Teeth
                 ,
                 Lips
                 ,
                 Temples
                 ,
                 Neck
                 ▪
                 Breasts
                 ,
              
               vers
               ▪
               
                 1.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ▪
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               The
               praise
               whereof
               at
               length
               is
               stayed
               by
               passing
               to
               a
               greater
               perfection
               ,
               
                 Vers
                 .
                 6.
              
               
               And
               hither●●
               of
               the
               legall
               Church
               and
               the
               Euangel●call
               :
               the
               beginning
               of
               one
               joyned
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               other
               ▪
               Now
               of
               the
               Euangeli●all
               Church
               ,
               full
               and
               perfect
               ▪
               what
               a
               one
               it
               should
               be
               after
               our
               red●mption
               ▪
               by
               the
               death
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               resurrection
               .
               Of
               this
               Church
               ,
               in
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Can●icles
               ,
               ●s
               a
               double
               description
               ;
               divided
               and
               ●●njoyned
               .
               The
               first
               considereth
               the
               p●ou●ar
               and
               different
               Churches
               which
               should
               be
               upon
               ●arth
               ,
               〈◊〉
               the
               second
               coming
               of
               Christ
               ;
               which
               ▪
               for
               the
               more
               plainnesse
               ,
               we
               cull
               them
               sisters
               :
               the
               one
               ●lder
               ,
               the
               r●st
               younger
               sisters
               :
               Wee
               call
               her
               elder
               and
               first
               begotten
               ,
               
               which
               was
               conceived
               and
               brought
               forth
               in
               the
               Discipl●s
               ,
               whom
               Christ
               collected
               ,
               which
               forthwith
               after
               his
               resurrection
               ,
               increased
               wonderfully
               ,
               and
               is
               yet
               growing
               inour
               this
               time
               :
               The
               younger
               shall
               spring
               up
               in
               the
               last
               age
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               which
               we
               yet
               exspect
               .
               The
               eldest
               is
               described
               in
               a
               diverse
               fortune
               ,
               
                 flourishing
                 ,
                 decayed
                 ,
                 and
                 restored
                 :
                 Flourishing
                 ,
              
               V.
               
                 7.
                 8.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 Decayed
                 ,
              
               partly
               inclining
               to
               ruine
               ,
               in
               the
               rest
               of
               this
               Chapter
               ;
               partly
               lying
               dead
               ▪
               in
               the
               whole
               fifth
               Chapter
               :
               and
               restored
               at
               length
               ,
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               sixth
               .
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   1.
                
                 
                 Behold
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 my
                 Love
                 ,
                 behol●
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 fair
                 :
                 thou
                 hast
                 Doves
                 eyes
                 within
                 thy
                 lockes
                 ,
                 thy
                 hair
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 Goates
                 that
                 ●ppear
                 from
                 Mount
                 Gilead
                 .
              
               
                 IN
                 the
                 last
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 Chapter
                 was
                 taught
                 how
                 the
                 solemnity
                 of
                 the
                 Marriage
                 began
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 words
                 sheweth
                 how
                 the
                 Bride
                 was
                 adorned
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 let
                 us
                 see
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 which
                 Christ
                 himself
                 chose
                 present
                 here
                 in
                 earth
                 :
                 whos
                 's
                 first
                 arising
                 was
                 like
                 a
                 pillar
                 of
                 smoak
                 ;
                 but
                 after
                 he
                 began
                 his
                 office
                 ,
                 he
                 came
                 forth
                 in
                 a
                 most
                 divine
                 glorious
                 shew
                 ,
                 as
                 sliding
                 from
                 heaven
                 ▪
                 She
                 is
                 first
                 commended
                 for
                 her
                 eyes
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 sight
                 wherof
                 ,
                 is
                 often
                 understood
                 Indgement
                 ,
                 and
                 U●derstanding
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 which
                 she
                 was
                 commended
                 by
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 published
                 those
                 eyes
                 blessed
                 that
                 saw
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 the
                 Bride
                 then
                 saw
                 ,
                 Luke
                 10.
                 23.
                 
                 He
                 also
                 gave
                 thanks
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 had
                 hid
                 these
                 things
                 from
                 the
                 wise
                 and
                 prudent
                 ,
                 and
                 revealed
                 them
                 to
                 Babes
                 ,
                 Luke
                 10.
                 21.
                 
                 Her
                 eyes
                 were
                 
                   Doves
                   eyes
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 chaste
                 and
                 shamefast
                 ,
                 looking
                 only
                 on
                 her
                 own
                 Husband
                 ,
                 as
                 appeared
                 by
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Peten
                 himself
                 .
                 (
                 when
                 others
                 fell
                 away
                 )
                 declared
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 whither
                 else
                 to
                 go
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 6.
                 68.
                 yet
                 though
                 these
                 eyes
                 were
                 cleer
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 within
                 her
                 locks
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 covered
                 with
                 harre
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 brightnesse
                 thereof
                 was
                 somewhat
                 hindred
                 :
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 being
                 contemned
                 and
                 despised
                 .
                 This
                 Dove
                 ▪
                 like
                 chastity
                 of
                 the
                 Bride
                 was
                 so
                 covered
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 seemed
                 a
                 disorderly
                 company
                 to
                 th●
                 proud
                 Pharises
                 :
                 
                   Do
                   any
                   of
                   the
                   Elders
                   ,
                   or
                   of
                   the
                   Phari●es
                   believe
                   on
                   him
                   ?
                   but
                   this
                   common
                   people
                   which
                   know
                   not
                   the
                   law
                   are
                   accursed
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 7.
                 48
                 ,
                 49.
                 
                 Yet
                 this
                 sight
                 was
                 not
                 so
                 sharp
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 but
                 grew
                 by
                 degr●es
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 alwayes
                 pure
                 and
                 true
                 ,
                 bu●
                 small
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 :
                 They
                 were
                 ignorant
                 of
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 of
                 his
                 resurrection
                 ;
                 his
                 doctrine
                 also
                 was
                 oftentimes
                 little
                 understood
                 :
                 
                   Are
                   yee
                   not
                   without
                   understanding
                
                 ?
                 Mat.
                 15.
                 26.
                 
                 Neither
                 doth
                 
                 he
                 upbraid
                 them
                 only
                 that
                 once
                 with
                 ignorance
                 and
                 dulnesse
                 ,
                 their
                 haire
                 scatteringly
                 and
                 disorderly
                 hanging
                 ,
                 hindred
                 their
                 sight
                 .
                 Her
                 second
                 praise
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 haire
                 it self
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 might
                 not
                 be
                 thought
                 deformed
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 haire
                 betokeneth
                 the
                 whole
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 fitly
                 set
                 forth
                 by
                 their
                 number
                 :
                 her
                 comparison
                 to
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 goates
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 understood
                 (
                 if
                 I
                 be
                 not
                 deceived
                 )
                 partly
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 goeth
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 partly
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 followeth
                 .
              
               
                 Before
                 ,
                 the
                 godly
                 Israelites
                 scattered
                 through
                 the
                 ten
                 tribes
                 are
                 called
                 Goates
                 .
                 Chap.
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 Whose
                 flocks
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 lesse
                 and
                 thinner
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 scatter
                 themselves
                 and
                 keep
                 not
                 together
                 as
                 sheep
                 do
                 .
                 As
                 Varro
                 saith
                 in
                 his
                 second
                 book
                 of
                 husbandry
                 .
                 Christ
                 indeed
                 had
                 many
                 hearers
                 ,
                 but
                 few
                 amongst
                 them
                 which
                 truely
                 believed
                 :
                 of
                 many
                 called
                 few
                 were
                 chosen
                 .
                 The
                 head
                 whereon
                 the
                 faithfull
                 depend
                 is
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 thought
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 as
                 great
                 danger
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Goates
                 hang
                 on
                 the
                 sides
                 of
                 
                   Mount
                   Gilead
                
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 steep
                 hill
                 or
                 rock
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   did
                   confesse
                   him
                   to
                   be
                   Christ
                   ,
                   he
                   should
                   be
                   cast
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Synagogne
                   ,
                   Iohn
                
                 9.
                 22.
                 
                 Therefore
                 Nicodemus
                 durst
                 not
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 this
                 mountain
                 of
                 Gilead
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 time
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 :
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 her
                 pietie
                 quick
                 of
                 understanding
                 and
                 chaste
                 ,
                 but
                 covered
                 with
                 hair
                 and
                 hid
                 from
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 yet
                 obtained
                 ripenesse
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 yet
                 thinne
                 and
                 reproachfull
                 ,
                 not
                 daring
                 to
                 joyn
                 together
                 without
                 great
                 danger
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   2.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 teeth
                 are
                 like
                 a
                 flocke
                 of
                 sheep
                 that
                 are
                 even
                 shorne
                 ,
                 which
                 come
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 washing
                 :
                 whereof
                 every
                 one
                 bear
                 twinnes
                 and
                 none
                 is
                 barren
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 teeth
                 (
                 compared
                 to
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 sheep
                 )
                 are
                 the
                 disciples
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 appointed
                 as
                 faithfull
                 and
                 wise
                 disposers
                 to
                 give
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 houshold
                 their
                 allowance
                 in
                 due
                 season
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 12.
                 41.
                 
                 They
                 must
                 also
                 be
                 strong
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 bonie
                 nature
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 care
                 was
                 committed
                 of
                 preparing
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 chewing
                 meat
                 for
                 others
                 the
                 better
                 to
                 digest
                 it
                 .
                 These
                 sheep
                 are
                 even
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 cherubi●s
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 King.
                 6.
                 25.
                 
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 asked
                 why
                 Christ
                 sent
                 his
                 twelve
                 Apostles
                 two
                 and
                 two
                 to
                 preach
                 ,
                 instructed
                 all
                 with
                 like
                 power
                 ,
                 of
                 teaching
                 ,
                 of
                 working
                 miracles
                 ,
                 &c.
                 Mark
                 6.
                 7.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 because
                 he
                 would
                 truly
                 set
                 before
                 us
                 the
                 two
                 golden
                 cherubims
                 just
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 length
                 ,
                 breadth
                 and
                 largenesse
                 of
                 every
                 part
                 equally
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 Peter
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 excellent
                 then
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 was
                 one
                 commune
                 administration
                 ,
                 one
                 authority
                 ,
                 one
                 jurisdiction
                 ;
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 measure
                 had
                 the
                 70.
                 
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 both
                 among
                 themselves
                 and
                 
                 among
                 the
                 twelve
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 also
                 sent
                 out
                 two
                 and
                 two
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 very
                 same
                 Laws
                 and
                 commandments
                 which
                 the
                 former
                 had
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 10.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 disciples
                 came
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 washing
                 instructed
                 by
                 baptisme
                 :
                 cleansed
                 from
                 all
                 filthines
                 of
                 ●in
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 their
                 fruitfulnesse
                 is
                 declared
                 by
                 
                   every
                   one
                   bearing
                   twinnes
                   and
                   none
                   barren
                   among
                   them
                   .
                
                 This
                 belongeth
                 to
                 the
                 fruit
                 which
                 followed
                 their
                 preaching
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 disciples
                 having
                 performed
                 their
                 message
                 ,
                 returned
                 with
                 joy
                 ▪
                 because
                 the
                 devils
                 were
                 subject
                 to
                 them
                 by
                 that
                 name
                 which
                 they
                 declared
                 .
                 But
                 Christ
                 sheweth
                 them
                 of
                 a
                 larger
                 fruit
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 durst
                 not
                 hope
                 for
                 .
                 I
                 saw
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   Satan
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   lightning
                   falling
                   down
                   from
                   heaven
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 by
                 some
                 violence
                 (
                 at
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 )
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 driven
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 Luke
                 10.
                 18.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 lips
                 are
                 like
                 a
                 thread
                 of
                 scarlet
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 speech
                 is
                 comely
                 :
                 Thy
                 temples
                 are
                 like
                 a
                 pe●ce
                 of
                 a
                 Pomegranate
                 within
                 thy
                 locks
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 lips
                 figuratively
                 do
                 signifie
                 speech
                 ,
                 whose
                 praise
                 is
                 twofold
                 :
                 slendernes
                 and
                 colour
                 .
                 As
                 small
                 as
                 a
                 thread
                 &
                 as
                 red
                 as
                 scarlet
                 ,
                 which
                 two
                 ,
                 shew
                 the
                 doctrine
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 .
                 As
                 in
                 form
                 it
                 was
                 most
                 pure
                 ,
                 sincere
                 and
                 m●st
                 divine
                 ,
                 &
                 therfore
                 compared
                 to
                 a
                 small
                 silk
                 thread
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 matter
                 in
                 a
                 speciall
                 manner
                 setting
                 forth
                 his
                 death
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 scarlet
                 .
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 kisse
                 and
                 reverence
                 those
                 lips
                 ,
                 which
                 spake
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 heaven
                 from
                 whence
                 they
                 came
                 ?
                 Iohn
                 3.
                 31.
                 32.
                 
                 Blessed
                 were
                 those
                 times
                 which
                 sounded
                 with
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 :
                 when
                 all
                 his
                 words
                 were
                 dipped
                 in
                 scarlet
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 doctrine
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 coloured
                 with
                 blood
                 ,
                 by
                 often
                 mentioning
                 of
                 his
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 21.
                 
                 &c.
                 But
                 these
                 (
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 )
                 are
                 the
                 lips
                 of
                 Christ
                 himself
                 and
                 no●
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 this
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 Church
                 then
                 spake
                 with
                 his
                 lips
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   heareth
                   you
                   ,
                   heareth
                   〈◊〉
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   despiseth
                   you
                   ,
                   despiseth
                   me
                   :
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   despiseth
                   me
                   ,
                   despiseth
                   him
                   that
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                   Luke
                
                 10.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 thy
                 speech
                 is
                 comely
                 .
                 This
                 some
                 translate
                 ,
                 Thy
                 solitarines
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 originall
                 signifieth
                 both
                 ,
                 which
                 word
                 it
                 seemeth
                 the
                 wise
                 Salomon
                 useth
                 advisedly
                 to
                 signifie
                 both
                 ,
                 for
                 though
                 his
                 words
                 seemed
                 harsh
                 to
                 the
                 Scribes
                 &
                 Pharis●es
                 ,
                 ●scoming
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 desert
                 ,
                 stopping
                 their
                 ears
                 at
                 his
                 w●rds
                 ,
                 ●●e
                 the
                 deafe
                 adder
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 foretold
                 ,
                 Psa
                 .
                 58.
                 5.
                 
                 &c.
                 yet
                 their
                 servants
                 conf●ssed
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   never
                   man
                   spake
                   like
                   him
                   .
                   Iohn
                
                 7.
                 46.
                 
                 No
                 marvell
                 then
                 though
                 the
                 godly
                 hearers
                 were
                 so
                 taken
                 with
                 his
                 words
                 that
                 they
                 oftentimes
                 forgat
                 to
                 provide
                 things
                 necessary
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 Mark
                 6.
                 36.
                 
                 Hitherto
                 of
                 the
                 speech
                 ,
                 now
                 followe●h
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Temples
                   like
                   a
                   piece
                   of
                   a
                   P●megranate
                   within
                   her
                   Locks
                   .
                
                 The
                 Temples
                 are
                 that
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 head
                 which
                 extendeth
                 it self
                 from
                 either
                 
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 forehead
                 ,
                 between
                 the
                 eyes
                 and
                 the
                 ears
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 crown
                 of
                 the
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 next
                 unto
                 the
                 head
                 and
                 placed
                 above
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 teeth
                 and
                 lips
                 ,
                 they
                 seem
                 to
                 signi●ie
                 those
                 which
                 are
                 appointed
                 to
                 be
                 Ecclesia●ticall
                 governours
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 ●hould
                 refresh
                 the
                 flock
                 with
                 sweet
                 and
                 pleasant
                 juice
                 ,
                 distilling
                 from
                 them
                 with
                 a
                 fragrant
                 smell
                 like
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 a
                 Pomgranate
                 .
                 Notwithstanding
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 those
                 dayes
                 lived
                 contemptuously
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 hid
                 and
                 covered
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 temples
                 are
                 with
                 locks
                 of
                 haire
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 neck
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 to●er
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 built
                 for
                 an
                 Armory
                 ,
                 whereon
                 there
                 hang
                 a
                 thousand
                 Bucklers
                 ,
                 all
                 shields
                 of
                 mighty
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 were
                 the
                 lips
                 and
                 the
                 temples
                 :
                 Now
                 the
                 neck
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 the
                 tower
                 of
                 David
                 .
                 This
                 tower
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 that
                 in
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 19
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 which
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Armory
                   of
                   the
                   corner
                
                 :
                 The
                 neck
                 is
                 that
                 bond
                 wherewith
                 the
                 head
                 is
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 bond
                 whereby
                 Christ
                 is
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 is
                 partly
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 partly
                 of
                 the
                 Humanity
                 received
                 ,
                 Ephes
                 .
                 2.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 and
                 4.
                 16.
                 and
                 5.
                 30.
                 
                 The
                 spirituall
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 then
                 first
                 began
                 ,
                 when
                 putting
                 on
                 our
                 nature
                 he
                 lived
                 here
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 seemeth
                 best
                 to
                 agree
                 with
                 the
                 Metaphor
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 .
                 The
                 beauty
                 of
                 this
                 neck
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 as
                 well
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 use
                 .
                 The
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 a
                 tower
                 ,
                 built
                 to
                 hang
                 swords
                 in
                 ,
                 that
                 kinde
                 of
                 weapons
                 wherewith
                 enemies
                 are
                 beaten
                 and
                 vanquished
                 .
                 The
                 use
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 an
                 Armory
                 for
                 all
                 mighty
                 men
                 .
                 As
                 concerning
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 He
                 therefore
                 took
                 our
                 humanity
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 sinne
                 ,
                 the
                 devill
                 ,
                 hell
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 crue
                 that
                 fight
                 against
                 our
                 salvation
                 might
                 be
                 overcome
                 and
                 conquered
                 .
                 
                   Be
                   of
                   good
                   cheer
                
                 (
                 saith
                 Christ
                 )
                 
                   I
                   ●ave
                   overcome
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 33.
                 
                 The
                 devill
                 was
                 foyled
                 in
                 many
                 combates
                 ,
                 while
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 lived
                 in
                 our
                 frailty
                 ,
                 he
                 brought
                 many
                 large
                 spoyles
                 into
                 this
                 Armory
                 ,
                 immortall
                 publishers
                 of
                 his
                 divine
                 vertue
                 :
                 But
                 this
                 true
                 Sampson
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 overcame
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 he
                 consecrated
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 Goliah
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 overspread
                 and
                 covered
                 this
                 whole
                 Tower
                 with
                 spoyles
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 triumphant
                 Chariot
                 he
                 spoyled
                 principalities
                 and
                 powers
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Col.
                 2.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 These
                 were
                 the
                 chains
                 and
                 collars
                 wherewith
                 the
                 neck
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 adorned
                 in
                 those
                 dayes
                 .
                 The
                 use
                 of
                 this
                 Tower
                 is
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   here
                   should
                   hang
                   a
                   thousand
                   Bucklers
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   Shields
                   of
                   the
                   mighty
                   .
                
                 These
                 Armes
                 are
                 of
                 that
                 kinde
                 wherewith
                 every
                 one
                 is
                 covered
                 and
                 defended
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 ancient
                 mighty
                 ones
                 ,
                 which
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 have
                 triumphed
                 over
                 sinne
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 abundantly
                 
                 supplyed
                 with
                 weapons
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 Armoury
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 only
                 faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 plain
                 ,
                 Heb●
                 .
                 11.
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 Chap.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   5.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 two
                 breasts
                 are
                 like
                 two
                 young
                 Roes
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 twins
                 which
                 feed
                 among
                 the
                 Lillies
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 two
                 breasts
                 are
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Disciples
                 which
                 Chr●st
                 sent
                 before
                 him
                 into
                 every
                 City
                 and
                 place
                 whither
                 he
                 himself
                 would
                 come
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 of
                 a
                 low
                 condition
                 and
                 simple
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 like
                 young
                 Roes
                 new
                 yeaned
                 ,
                 called
                 from
                 their
                 nets
                 to
                 the
                 office
                 of
                 teaching
                 :
                 They
                 were
                 twins
                 sent
                 forth
                 two
                 and
                 two
                 ,
                 all
                 alike
                 in
                 disposition
                 and
                 manners
                 ,
                 many
                 in
                 person●
                 ,
                 one
                 in
                 doctrine
                 :
                 see
                 before
                 ,
                 verse
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 spread
                 abroad
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 salvation
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 Countrey
                 as
                 swiftly
                 as
                 the
                 Roes
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 run
                 over
                 the
                 hills
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 that
                 they
                 spent
                 in
                 their
                 legacie
                 ,
                 yet
                 left
                 they
                 nothing
                 undone
                 which
                 was
                 given
                 them
                 in
                 command
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 ask
                 how
                 these
                 breasts
                 were
                 supplyed
                 with
                 milk
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 should
                 yeeld
                 to
                 others
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   young
                   Roes
                   feed
                   among
                   the
                   Lillies
                   .
                
                 In
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 Elect
                 ,
                 which
                 smell
                 most
                 sweetly
                 and
                 pleasantly
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 such
                 are
                 the
                 Lillies
                 afterward
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 )
                 they
                 drew
                 abunda●tly
                 which
                 they
                 taught
                 to
                 others
                 :
                 These
                 things
                 shall
                 su●fice
                 to
                 declare
                 the
                 conditions
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 Vntill
                 the
                 day
                 break
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 shadowes
                 fli●
                 away
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 get
                 me
                 to
                 the
                 mountain
                 of
                 myrrhe
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 hill
                 of
                 frankincense
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 repeated
                 which
                 was
                 spoken
                 of
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 2.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 Jewes
                 interpret
                 this
                 
                   mountain
                   of
                   myrrhe
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   mountain
                   of
                   Moriah
                
                 ,
                 where
                 Isaac
                 was
                 bound
                 to
                 be
                 sacrificed
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 22.
                 2.
                 and
                 whereon
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 built
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 that
                 David
                 had
                 prepared
                 in
                 the
                 threshing
                 floore
                 of
                 Ornan
                 the
                 Jebusite
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 Also
                 in
                 these
                 few
                 words
                 is
                 comprehended
                 that
                 whole
                 History
                 from
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 21.
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 that
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Neither
                 are
                 these
                 words
                 
                   (
                   I
                   will
                   get
                   me
                
                 )
                 without
                 Emphasis
                 :
                 for
                 thereby
                 is
                 shewed
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 ascended
                 into
                 this
                 mountain
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 accord
                 ,
                 not
                 drawn
                 thi●her
                 by
                 force
                 of
                 enemies
                 ,
                 nor
                 compelled
                 by
                 perswasion
                 of
                 friends
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 rather
                 exhorted
                 him
                 to
                 favour
                 himself
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 22.
                 and
                 were
                 moved
                 with
                 great
                 grief
                 at
                 the
                 mentioning
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 Iohn
                 16.
                 6.
                 
                 This
                 
                   Hill
                   of
                   Frankincense
                
                 was
                 
                   Mount
                   Golgotha
                
                 ,
                 whereon
                 that
                 only
                 sacrifice
                 was
                 offered
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 by
                 Christ
                 the
                 Sonne
                 ,
                 whereby
                 hee
                 is
                 reconciled
                 to
                 the
                 Elect
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 Mark
                 15.
                 22.
                 
                 Here
                 was
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 that
                 triumpha●t
                 Emperor
                 hung
                 about
                 the
                 necke
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 wherewithall
                 our
                 deadly
                 enemies
                 were
                 slain
                 at
                 once
                 .
                 Now
                 we
                 see
                 how
                 this
                 skilfull
                 craftsmam
                 hath
                 painted
                 out
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 
                 so
                 long
                 after
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 with
                 more
                 then
                 mortall
                 wit
                 ,
                 describing
                 the
                 ornaments
                 of
                 her
                 flourishing
                 estate
                 ,
                 comforting
                 the
                 calamities
                 of
                 her
                 afflicted
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 sweetly
                 rejoycing
                 at
                 the
                 felicity
                 of
                 her
                 estate
                 restored
                 .
                 With
                 how
                 divine
                 words
                 hath
                 he
                 comprehended
                 the
                 birth
                 ,
                 infancy
                 ,
                 office
                 and
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Here
                 is
                 the
                 last
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 brought
                 that
                 midday
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 old
                 shadowes
                 utterly
                 vanished
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 returne
                 again
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   7.
                
                 
                 Thou
                 art
                 all
                 faire
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 spot
                 in
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 far
                 of
                 the
                 Legall
                 Church
                 ▪
                 Now
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 only
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 at
                 Christs
                 resurrection
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   A.
                   D.
                
                 34.
                 )
                 &
                 from
                 thence
                 hath
                 increased
                 unto
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 the
                 flourishing
                 condition
                 whereof
                 is
                 declared
                 in
                 these
                 five
                 next
                 verses
                 :
                 for
                 Christ
                 departing
                 into
                 the
                 hill
                 of
                 Frankincense
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 buriall
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 long
                 absent
                 ,
                 but
                 rose
                 early
                 the
                 third
                 day
                 by
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 returned
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 conversed
                 40.
                 dayes
                 ,
                 shewing
                 them
                 all
                 things
                 which
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 making
                 and
                 acknowledging
                 the
                 Church
                 by
                 his
                 instructions
                 :
                 sound
                 ,
                 perfect
                 and
                 absolute
                 .
                 She
                 was
                 never
                 all
                 faire
                 till
                 now
                 ,
                 she
                 was
                 many
                 times
                 before
                 commended
                 for
                 her
                 beauty
                 ▪
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 divine
                 mercy
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Father
                 beholdeth
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 alwaies
                 glorious
                 ,
                 Ephes
                 .
                 5.
                 26.
                 27.
                 
                 
                   Sanctified
                   and
                   clensed
                   with
                   the
                   washing
                   of
                   water
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Word
                   .
                
                 But
                 now
                 she
                 was
                 in
                 her
                 most
                 pure
                 and
                 flourishing
                 estate
                 ,
                 
                   Not
                   having
                   spot
                   or
                   wrinckle
                   ,
                   or
                   any
                   such
                   thing
                   ,
                   but
                   holy
                   and
                   unblameable
                   .
                
                 Now
                 she
                 obeyed
                 Christ
                 onely
                 ,
                 adding
                 nothing
                 of
                 her
                 owne
                 ,
                 neither
                 changing
                 or
                 omitting
                 any
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 required
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 and
                 observed
                 .
                 This
                 perfection
                 lasted
                 the
                 first
                 300.
                 yeere●
                 :
                 though
                 somewhat
                 declining
                 towards
                 the
                 end
                 ▪
                 yet
                 tolerable
                 all
                 that
                 space
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 great
                 spot
                 of
                 deformity
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   8.
                
                 
                 Come
                 with
                 me
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 (
                 my
                 Sp●use
                 )
                 with
                 me
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 looke
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 af
                 Amana
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 Shenir
                 and
                 Hermon
                 :
                 from
                 the
                 Lions
                 Dens
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 mountaines
                 of
                 the
                 Leopards
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 meaning
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 better
                 understood
                 if
                 we
                 first
                 run
                 over
                 the
                 words
                 .
                 Lebanon
                 is
                 a
                 famous
                 hill
                 on
                 the
                 North
                 borders
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 
                   Israel
                   .
                   Amanus
                
                 far
                 more
                 Northerly
                 ,
                 toward
                 the
                 West
                 of
                 
                   Syria
                   ▪
                
                 being
                 a
                 parcell
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Mount
                   Taurus
                
                 ,
                 and
                 stretching
                 to
                 the
                 River
                 Issicus
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 one
                 may
                 behold
                 
                   Syria
                   ,
                   Mesopotamia
                   ,
                   Cilicia
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 lesser
                 
                   Asia
                   .
                   Shenir
                
                 and
                 Hermon
                 are
                 two
                 hills
                 on
                 the
                 East
                 side
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 3.
                 9.
                 
                 These
                 hills
                 are
                 called
                 
                   Lyons
                   dens
                
                 and
                 
                   mountains
                   of
                   Leopards
                
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 bec●use
                 wilde
                 beasts
                 did
                 live
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 men
                 of
                 fierce
                 and
                 cruel
                 dispositions
                 ,
                 Heathen
                 Idolaters
                 ,
                 
                 void
                 of
                 all
                 knowledge
                 and
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 inviting
                 then
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 solicite●h
                 his
                 spouse
                 to
                 look
                 down
                 upon
                 him
                 from
                 these
                 mountains
                 ,
                 teacheth
                 the
                 propagation
                 of
                 the
                 gospel
                 after
                 Christs
                 resurrection
                 ,
                 wherby
                 the
                 fierce
                 and
                 cruell
                 nations
                 should
                 be
                 admitted
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God.
                 
                   Now
                   the
                   woolf
                   should
                   dwell
                   with
                   the
                   Lamb
                   &c.
                   Isa
                   .
                
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 Church
                 was
                 before
                 shut
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 narrow
                 bounds
                 of
                 Indca
                 ;
                 The
                 doctors
                 were
                 breasts
                 indeed
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 yeelded
                 milk
                 only
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 dry
                 to
                 strangers
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Iewes
                 &
                 Gentiles
                 should
                 draw
                 together
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 fountain
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 by
                 Christ
                 
                   both
                   had
                   an
                   accesse
                   by
                   one
                   Spirit
                   unto
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   Eph.
                
                 2.
                 18.
                 
                 Christ
                 led
                 his
                 spouse
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 mountains
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 brethren
                 dispersed
                 by
                 persecution
                 ,
                 preached
                 Christ
                 first
                 to
                 the
                 Grecians
                 ,
                 Act.
                 8.
                 1.
                 and
                 11
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 At
                 that
                 time
                 he
                 was
                 preached
                 to
                 the
                 Samaritans
                 ,
                 the
                 Eunuch
                 was
                 baptized
                 and
                 Peter
                 warned
                 by
                 a
                 vision
                 to
                 call
                 nothing
                 common
                 or
                 unclean
                 ,
                 Act.
                 10.
                 15.
                 
                 This
                 joyfull
                 mess●ge
                 went
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 over
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 first
                 report
                 of
                 it
                 flew
                 towards
                 the
                 north
                 and
                 East
                 ,
                 Philip
                 (
                 the
                 Spirit
                 commanding
                 him
                 )
                 went
                 neer
                 unto
                 Gaza
                 ,
                 but
                 straightwayes
                 returned
                 from
                 thence
                 to
                 
                   Azotus
                   ▪
                   Acts
                
                 8.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 Thou
                 hast
                 ravished
                 my
                 heart
                 (
                 my
                 sister
                 ,
                 my
                 spouse
                 )
                 thou
                 ●●st
                 ravished
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 with
                 one
                 of
                 thine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 with
                 one
                 chaine
                 of
                 thy
                 n●ck
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 eye
                 and
                 chaine
                 are
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Antioch
                 enclosed
                 with
                 the
                 
                   mountains
                   Amana
                   and
                   Lebanon
                
                 :
                 who
                 by
                 the
                 labour
                 and
                 diligence
                 of
                 Paul
                 and
                 Barnabas
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 working
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 was
                 with
                 good
                 cause
                 ravished
                 with
                 this
                 eye
                 which
                 shined
                 with
                 so
                 great
                 light
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 beautie
                 thereof
                 chiefly
                 glistered
                 ,
                 when
                 some
                 contending
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 Law
                 joyned
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 this
                 Church
                 withstood
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 
                   Barnabas
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 Paul
                 in
                 the
                 Synod
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 at
                 Ieru●alem
                 ,
                 maintained
                 faith
                 only
                 in
                 Christ
                 sufficient
                 to
                 salvation
                 ,
                 Act.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 was
                 the
                 chaine
                 hung
                 about
                 her
                 neck
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 was
                 fir●t
                 called
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 Act.
                 11.
                 26.
                 
                 The
                 humanitie
                 of
                 Christ
                 was
                 before
                 the
                 neck
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 now
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 chaine
                 of
                 th●t
                 neck
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 a
                 Gentile
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 now
                 a
                 sister
                 to
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Church
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 shew
                 that
                 she
                 is
                 as
                 deer
                 to
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 ,
                 He
                 ●●lleth
                 her
                 also
                 his
                 spouse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 How
                 fair
                 is
                 thy
                 love
                 (
                 my
                 sister
                 ,
                 my
                 spouse
                 ,
                 )
                 how
                 much
                 better
                 is
                 thy
                 love
                 then
                 wine
                 and
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 thine
                 oyntments
                 then
                 all
                 spices
                 !
              
               
                 Love
                 is
                 taken
                 figuratively
                 for
                 the
                 effects
                 whereby
                 it
                 is
                 shewed
                 ▪
                 O●ntments
                 are
                 gifts
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 bestow
                 eth
                 on
                 the
                 
                 Church
                 for
                 the
                 Sons
                 sake
                 ,
                 he
                 acknowledged
                 her
                 love
                 before
                 this
                 time
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 (
                 in
                 the
                 space
                 remaining
                 of
                 the
                 flourishing
                 Church
                 )
                 in
                 this
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 ,
                 she
                 sheweth
                 most
                 apparent
                 arguments
                 of
                 high●st
                 and
                 most
                 unsained
                 love
                 .
                 For
                 love
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 withdrawn
                 by
                 adversity
                 is
                 ever
                 most
                 precious
                 and
                 pleasant
                 .
                 But
                 no
                 times
                 yeelded
                 more
                 matter
                 of
                 triall
                 of
                 ▪
                 constancy
                 ,
                 then
                 those
                 
                   (
                   An.
                   D.
                
                 60.
                 &c.
                 )
                 of
                 
                   Nero
                   ,
                   Domitian
                   ,
                   Trajan●
                
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 Romane
                 tyrants
                 ,
                 who
                 left
                 nothing
                 unattempted
                 that
                 either
                 hatred
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 might
                 yeeld
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 power
                 might
                 perform
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Christian
                 name
                 might
                 be
                 altogether
                 extinct
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 was
                 wonderfull
                 ,
                 how
                 the
                 tyrants
                 were
                 wearied
                 with
                 killing
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Christians
                 incouraged
                 in
                 dying
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 no
                 marvell
                 ,
                 if
                 (
                 these
                 boxes
                 being
                 broken
                 )
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 the
                 oyntments
                 most
                 pleasantly
                 spread
                 it self
                 farre
                 and
                 wide
                 .
                 The
                 ten
                 books
                 of
                 Eusebius
                 his
                 Ecclesiasticall
                 history
                 are
                 full
                 Commentaries
                 of
                 this
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 lips
                 (
                 O
                 my
                 spouse
                 )
                 drop
                 as
                 the
                 honycomb
                 :
                 Hony
                 and
                 milke
                 are
                 under
                 thy
                 tongue
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 thy
                 garments
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 honycomb
                 of
                 the
                 lips
                 is
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 speech
                 .
                 Hony
                 and
                 milk
                 ,
                 pleasantnes
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 ;
                 milk
                 is
                 chief
                 among
                 those
                 things
                 that
                 nourish
                 ,
                 and
                 hony
                 in
                 the
                 faculty
                 of
                 preserving
                 .
                 The
                 garments
                 are
                 chiefly
                 the
                 covering
                 of
                 Christs
                 righteousnes
                 ,
                 with
                 which
                 only
                 the
                 nakednes
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 is
                 covered
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 dare
                 appear
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 hem
                 of
                 which
                 garment
                 is
                 outward
                 honesty
                 and
                 soundnes
                 of
                 manners
                 and
                 discipline
                 .
                 The
                 
                   mount
                   Lebanon
                
                 reaching
                 many
                 miles
                 ,
                 set
                 full
                 of
                 cedars
                 and
                 other
                 sweet
                 smelling
                 trees
                 ,
                 yeelded
                 such
                 a
                 strong
                 fragrant
                 smell
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 ill
                 favour
                 whatsoever
                 could
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 sweet
                 perfume
                 thereof
                 .
                 So
                 in
                 this
                 Church
                 faith
                 imbracing
                 the
                 righteousnesse
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 holines
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 breathed
                 forth
                 such
                 a
                 sweet
                 smell
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 which
                 would
                 endeavour
                 to
                 quench
                 that
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 lesse
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 then
                 to
                 exceed
                 all
                 the
                 odoriferio●s
                 perfumes
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 joyned
                 together
                 by
                 a
                 greater
                 smell
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 application
                 :
                 first
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 the
                 Greek
                 eloquence
                 now
                 chiefly
                 attended
                 on
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 raised
                 up
                 Dionysius
                 the
                 
                   Areopagite
                   ,
                   Quadratus
                   ,
                   Aristides
                
                 the
                 
                   Athenian
                   ,
                   Dionysius
                
                 of
                 
                   Corinth
                   ,
                   Melito
                   ,
                   Apollinarius
                   ,
                   Polycarpus
                   ,
                
                 and
                 many
                 o●her
                 eloquent
                 men
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 pleasant
                 Orations
                 the
                 Lips
                 of
                 the
                 spouse
                 dropt
                 like
                 a
                 Hony-comb
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 tongue
                 flowed
                 with
                 profitable
                 speech
                 as
                 with
                 a
                 most
                 pleasant
                 fountain
                 of
                 milk
                 .
                 Then
                 concerning
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 her
                 garments
                 ;
                 no
                 times
                 were
                 ever
                 more
                 fruitfull
                 of
                 Heretickes
                 ,
                 which
                 laboured
                 with
                 their
                 filthy
                 comments
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 most
                 divine
                 favour
                 of
                 truth
                 ▪
                 and
                 bring
                 it
                 to
                 nothing
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 sweetnes
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 overcome
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 her
                 garments
                 was
                 afterward
                 weakned
                 ,
                 therefore
                 no
                 marvell
                 if
                 filthy
                 errours
                 prevailed
                 .
                 The
                 holines
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 t●stified
                 as
                 well
                 by
                 enemies
                 (
                 such
                 as
                 was
                 Plinie
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Eusebius
                   lib.
                
                 3.
                 chap.
                 33.
                 )
                 as
                 by
                 friends
                 ,
                 
                   Justine
                   ,
                   Tertullian
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Cyprian
                 ,
                 which
                 mervellously
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 her
                 garments
                 .
                 This
                 dignity
                 continued
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 ,
                 untill
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Dioclesian
                 the
                 Emperour
                 .
                 Indeed
                 the
                 truth
                 and
                 regard
                 of
                 manners
                 and
                 honesty
                 by
                 little
                 and
                 little
                 began
                 to
                 decay
                 ,
                 pride
                 privily
                 creeping
                 in
                 ;
                 yet
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 the
                 garments
                 for
                 the
                 first
                 300.
                 yeeres
                 remained
                 sound
                 and
                 uncorrupted
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 notable
                 change
                 as
                 the
                 Spirit
                 foretold
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 A
                 Garden
                 inclosed
                 is
                 my
                 sister
                 ,
                 my
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 a
                 spring
                 shut
                 up
                 ,
                 a
                 fountain
                 sealed
                 .
              
               
                 Ye
                 have
                 heard
                 how
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 her
                 flo●rishing
                 estate
                 was
                 all
                 fair
                 :
                 Now
                 followeth
                 her
                 declining
                 Condition
                 ,
                 and
                 first
                 how
                 she
                 ran
                 to
                 ruine
                 ,
                 threatning
                 a
                 fall
                 ,
                 before
                 she
                 fell
                 away
                 altogether
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 verse
                 is
                 propounded
                 her
                 double
                 estate
                 ,
                 one
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 stran●ers
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 her
                 own
                 houshold
                 .
                 As
                 to
                 strangers
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   garden
                   inclosed
                
                 :
                 To
                 her
                 own
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   spring
                   shut
                   up
                   ,
                   a
                   ●ountain
                   seal●d
                   .
                
                 The
                 Church
                 is
                 often
                 compared
                 to
                 a
                 Vine
                 ,
                 her
                 safety
                 (
                 wherewith
                 God
                 vouchsafeth
                 to
                 defend
                 her
                 from
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 )
                 to
                 a
                 Wall
                 ,
                 a
                 Hedge
                 or
                 Inclosure
                 ,
                 as
                 Psal
                 .
                 80.
                 8
                 12.
                 and
                 Is●y
                 5.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 now
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 void
                 of
                 such
                 defence
                 for
                 three
                 hundred
                 yeers
                 .
                 Fortified
                 by
                 no
                 power
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 or
                 authority
                 of
                 Magistrates
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 Lawes
                 .
                 Yet
                 at
                 length
                 God
                 stirred
                 up
                 Constantine
                 the
                 Great
                 ,
                 who
                 fenced
                 this
                 Garden
                 with
                 a
                 wall
                 ,
                 rooting
                 out
                 the
                 Tyrants
                 ,
                 and
                 restraining
                 all
                 hostility
                 that
                 might
                 disturbe
                 the
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 ●quietnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 onely
                 freed
                 her
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 but
                 confirmed
                 her
                 liberty
                 by
                 Lawes
                 a●d
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 advanced
                 her
                 to
                 great
                 honour
                 and
                 dignity
                 ,
                 
                   Euseb
                   .
                   lib.
                
                 2.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 Garden
                 was
                 inclosed
                 and
                 fenced
                 from
                 the
                 invasion
                 of
                 all
                 her
                 enemies
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 was
                 she
                 then
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 her
                 own
                 houshold
                 ?
                 
                   A
                   spring
                   shut
                   up
                   ,
                   a
                   fountain
                   sealed
                   .
                
                 From
                 common
                 Theeves
                 ,
                 we
                 defend
                 our
                 fortunes
                 with
                 walles
                 and
                 houses
                 ;
                 from
                 private
                 theeves
                 ,
                 which
                 live
                 with
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 houses
                 ,
                 we
                 keep
                 our
                 goods
                 in
                 Chests
                 with
                 lockes
                 .
                 Therefore
                 the
                 fountain
                 sealed
                 sheweth
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 had
                 not
                 leave
                 to
                 draw
                 and
                 to
                 drinke
                 ,
                 which
                 lived
                 within
                 the
                 inclosure
                 of
                 the
                 Garden
                 :
                 for
                 seeing
                 the
                 fountain
                 and
                 spring
                 yeeldeth
                 lively
                 juice
                 to
                 hearbes
                 and
                 trees
                 ,
                 many
                 which
                 had
                 
                 room
                 appointed
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Garden
                 wanted
                 this
                 wholesome
                 watering
                 of
                 true
                 life
                 .
                 Which
                 altogether
                 agreeth
                 with
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 ▪
                 
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   Chapter
                
                 7.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 and
                 11.
                 2
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 12.
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 fountain
                 was
                 sealed
                 to
                 many
                 given
                 over
                 into
                 a
                 reprobate
                 sen●e
                 to
                 imbrace
                 Arianisme
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 given
                 wholly
                 to
                 superstitions
                 newly
                 sprung
                 up
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 miserable
                 men
                 were
                 so
                 blinded
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 had
                 no
                 more
                 power
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 spring
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 then
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 bin
                 shut
                 out
                 with
                 barres
                 and
                 bolts
                 .
                 Now
                 was
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 much
                 diminished
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 late
                 was
                 all
                 faire
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 plants
                 are
                 an
                 Orchard
                 of
                 Pomegranats
                 with
                 pleasant
                 fruits
                 ,
                 Camphire
                 with
                 Spiknard
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   14.
                
                 
                 Spikenard
                 and
                 Saffron
                 ,
                 Calamus
                 and
                 Cynamon
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 trees
                 of
                 Frankincense
                 ,
                 Myrrhe
                 and
                 Aloes
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 chiefe
                 Spices
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 description
                 is
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 proprieties
                 which
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 a
                 pleasant
                 Garden
                 or
                 Orchard
                 .
                 First
                 well
                 senced
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 set
                 with
                 choice
                 trees
                 ,
                 then
                 watered
                 plentifully
                 with
                 sweete
                 water
                 ,
                 fourthly
                 placed
                 in
                 a
                 fresh
                 ayre
                 ,
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 fruitfull
                 and
                 profitable
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 former
                 verse
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 fencing
                 :
                 Now
                 behold
                 the
                 planting
                 which
                 consists
                 of
                 two
                 sorts
                 of
                 Trees
                 :
                 some
                 for
                 fruit
                 ,
                 some
                 only
                 for
                 pleasure
                 .
                 The
                 one
                 plainly
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   an
                   Orchard
                   of
                   Pome-granates
                
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 following
                 ,
                 
                   with
                   pleasant
                   fruits
                
                 .
                 As
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 sorts
                 of
                 Trees
                 :
                 so
                 are
                 there
                 two
                 orders
                 of
                 the
                 Members
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 one
                 publike
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 private
                 .
                 The
                 Pomegranates
                 signifie
                 those
                 which
                 labour
                 in
                 the
                 word
                 and
                 doctrine
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 politike
                 government
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 The
                 pleasant
                 fruits
                 are
                 the
                 Christian
                 Congregations
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 obey
                 their
                 Governours
                 ,
                 which
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 to
                 the
                 fruit
                 Trees
                 ,
                 yet
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 their
                 obedience
                 and
                 consent
                 ,
                 they
                 much
                 adorne
                 this
                 Orchard
                 .
                 Of
                 these
                 pleasant
                 fruits
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 sorts
                 ,
                 some
                 more
                 common
                 ,
                 as
                 Camp●ire
                 ,
                 or
                 Cypres
                 ,
                 and
                 Spik●nard
                 ,
                 some
                 more
                 scarce
                 ,
                 as
                 Spiknard
                 and
                 
                   Saffron
                   ,
                   &c.
                   Vers
                
                 .
                 14.
                 
                 The
                 more
                 vulgar
                 shew
                 the
                 unlike
                 measure
                 of
                 gifts
                 ,
                 wherein
                 all
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 eye
                 ,
                 nor
                 all
                 the
                 ●are
                 ,
                 ●s
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ▪
                 but
                 indued
                 with
                 great
                 variety
                 of
                 graces
                 profitable
                 to
                 the
                 perfecting
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 4.
                 5
                 
                 ▪
                 &c.
                 The
                 more
                 scarce
                 are
                 of
                 three
                 sorts
                 (
                 for
                 the
                 divers
                 degrees
                 of
                 private
                 men
                 )
                 Hearbs
                 ,
                 Shrubs
                 and
                 Trees
                 ,
                 all
                 of
                 sweete
                 and
                 pleas●nt
                 perfumes
                 :
                 which
                 sh●weth
                 that
                 the
                 Christians
                 inc'osed
                 within
                 the
                 compasse
                 of
                 this
                 fenced
                 Garden
                 abounded
                 in
                 graces
                 ,
                 aswell
                 the
                 lowest
                 and
                 the
                 midlemost
                 a●
                 the
                 highest
                 ,
                 every
                 one
                 in
                 their
                 severall
                 degrees
                 .
                 The
                 ornaments
                 which
                 Constantine
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 Riches
                 ,
                 Honour
                 ,
                 Immunities
                 ,
                 magnificent
                 buildings
                 ,
                 of
                 Temples
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 were
                 meere
                 delights
                 ,
                 like
                 an
                 Orchard
                 set
                 with
                 Pomegranate
                 plants
                 .
                 The
                 trees
                 and
                 fruits
                 here
                 mentioned
                 seem
                 to
                 signifie
                 those
                 countries
                 where
                 they
                 grew
                 ,
                 to
                 bee
                 first
                 inclosed
                 within
                 this
                 Fence
                 .
                 As
                 by
                 
                   Pomegranates
                   Carthage
                
                 and
                 other
                 places
                 in
                 
                   Africa
                   ;
                   Camphire
                
                 and
                 Spikenard
                 our
                 European
                 Nations
                 .
                 Neither
                 was
                 it
                 rashly
                 done
                 to
                 reckon
                 these
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 for
                 Europe
                 was
                 then
                 the
                 chiefe
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 garden
                 ,
                 most
                 famous
                 for
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 and
                 purity
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   15.
                
                 
                 A
                 fountain
                 of
                 Gardens
                 ,
                 a
                 well
                 of
                 living
                 waters
                 and
                 streames
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 the
                 fencing
                 and
                 planting
                 is
                 added
                 watering
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 garden
                 would
                 soon
                 decay
                 .
                 The
                 fountain
                 is
                 commended
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 Gardens
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   well
                   of
                   living
                   waters
                   ,
                   and
                   which
                   flow
                   from
                   Lebanon
                   .
                
                 Hee
                 speaketh
                 now
                 of
                 many
                 gardens
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 garden
                 is
                 common
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 one
                 Church
                 divided
                 into
                 many
                 ▪
                 particular
                 Congregations
                 and
                 Parishes
                 ,
                 like
                 beds
                 or
                 borders
                 in
                 a
                 Garden
                 .
                 Now
                 also
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 a
                 Well
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 late
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 Fountain
                 and
                 spring
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 digged
                 deep
                 against
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 for
                 drying
                 it
                 up
                 .
                 Living
                 water●
                 ,
                 which
                 flow
                 continually
                 and
                 never
                 faile
                 :
                 whose
                 Spring
                 the
                 Church
                 hath
                 never
                 wanted
                 .
                 Nay
                 the
                 Head
                 it selfe
                 of
                 the
                 fountain
                 whence
                 we
                 all
                 draw
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 most
                 pure
                 Conduite-pipes
                 (
                 the
                 Apostles
                 )
                 which
                 received
                 the
                 water
                 flowing
                 from
                 the
                 first
                 Fountain
                 ,
                 lived
                 not
                 long
                 before
                 .
                 Now
                 is
                 mention
                 first
                 made
                 of
                 Living
                 waters
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 Councell
                 of
                 Nice
                 ,
                 of
                 so
                 many
                 learned
                 and
                 Religious
                 men
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 By
                 whom
                 the
                 rivers
                 of
                 living
                 waters
                 runne
                 into
                 each
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 much
                 dried
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 Arrian
                 heate
                 .
                 Constantine
                 himselfe
                 was
                 that
                 Lebanon
                 from
                 whence
                 these
                 waters
                 did
                 flowe
                 .
                 He
                 called
                 the
                 Councell
                 ,
                 maintained
                 it
                 at
                 his
                 owne
                 cost
                 ,
                 and
                 confirmed
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 authority
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   16.
                
                 
                 Awake
                 ,
                 O
                 North-wind
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 thou
                 South
                 ,
                 blow
                 upon
                 my
                 Garden
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 spices
                 thereof
                 may
                 flow
                 cut
                 .
                 Let
                 my
                 beloved
                 come
                 into
                 his
                 Garden
                 ,
                 and
                 eat
                 his
                 pleasant
                 fruit
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 first
                 member
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 Garden
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Blow
                   upon
                   my
                   Garden
                
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 Bride
                 is
                 the
                 Garden
                 her self
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Mistresse
                 of
                 i●
                 :
                 for
                 inviting
                 him
                 into
                 the
                 Garden
                 ,
                 she
                 truly
                 and
                 modefily
                 confesseth
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 ,
                 not
                 hers
                 ▪
                 
                   Let
                   my
                   beloved
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   come
                   i●to
                   his
                   Garden
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Here
                 is
                 the
                 temperature
                 of
                 the
                 ●yre
                 added
                 to
                 the
                 
                 watering
                 .
                 Neither
                 doth
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 intreat
                 that
                 a
                 supply
                 should
                 be
                 made
                 from
                 any
                 but
                 himself
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 fit
                 for
                 the
                 garden
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 ayre
                 the
                 Garden
                 should
                 use
                 at
                 those
                 times
                 .
                 By
                 the
                 North
                 and
                 the
                 
                   South
                   ▪
                
                 are
                 meant
                 Europe
                 and
                 Africk
                 ,
                 who
                 stoutly
                 defended
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 Arrian
                 heresie
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 fruit
                 whereunto
                 he
                 is
                 invited
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 idle
                 invitation
                 ,
                 only
                 for
                 f
                 sh●ons
                 sake
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 gre●t
                 use
                 ,
                 to
                 expresse
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   my
                   love
                
                 (
                 saith
                 she
                 )
                 
                   come
                   into
                   his
                   Garden
                   ,
                   and
                   eat
                   his
                   pleasant
                   fruit
                
                 ;
                 which
                 words
                 ,
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 are
                 of
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 giving
                 the
                 Garden
                 to
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 not
                 challenging
                 it
                 to
                 her self
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 said
                 before
                 :
                 for
                 without
                 doubt
                 ,
                 she
                 perceived
                 that
                 her
                 beloved
                 had
                 withdrawne
                 himself
                 ,
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 had
                 the
                 invitation
                 been
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 There
                 was
                 an
                 excellent
                 outward
                 shew
                 ,
                 but
                 within
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 were
                 defiled
                 with
                 Mosse
                 and
                 Rust
                 ;
                 Envie
                 ,
                 Brawlings
                 ,
                 Contentions
                 Ambition
                 and
                 Heresies
                 ,
                 had
                 almost
                 abol●shed
                 true
                 pietie
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 necessarily
                 (
                 leaving
                 the
                 multitude
                 ,
                 who
                 preferred
                 a
                 bare
                 name
                 only
                 )
                 lurked
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 in
                 darknesse
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 few
                 Citizens
                 .
                 This
                 solitarinesse
                 happened
                 when
                 the
                 fountain
                 was
                 sealed
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 said
                 at
                 the
                 12.
                 verse
                 :
                 for
                 then
                 many
                 more
                 were
                 within
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 then
                 had
                 leave
                 to
                 drink
                 of
                 the
                 Fountain
                 .
                 Then
                 was
                 the
                 Dragon
                 thrust
                 out
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 woman
                 fled
                 into
                 the
                 Desart
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 Revelation
                 .
                 The
                 meaning
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 much
                 flourishing
                 outwardly
                 ,
                 Christ
                 left
                 her
                 ▪
                 vold
                 of
                 true
                 piety
                 ,
                 as
                 more
                 plainly
                 will
                 appear
                 by
                 his
                 answer
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   17.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 come
                 into
                 my
                 Garden
                 ,
                 my
                 Sister
                 ,
                 my
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 gathered
                 my
                 myrrhe
                 with
                 my
                 spice
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 eaten
                 my
                 hon●-comb
                 with
                 my
                 hony
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 drunke
                 my
                 wine
                 with
                 my
                 milke
                 .
                 Eat
                 ,
                 O
                 friends
                 ,
                 drink
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 drink
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 O
                 beloved
                 :
                 Or
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 drunken
                 with
                 loves
                 .
              
               
                 They
                 commonly
                 expound
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 (
                 yeelding
                 to
                 her
                 request
                 )
                 hee
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 Thou
                 do●st
                 intreat
                 mee
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 garden
                 ,
                 Loe
                 ,
                 I
                 come
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 thy
                 desire
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 History
                 directeth
                 us
                 to
                 another
                 exposition
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 whereas
                 thou
                 desirest
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 Garden
                 ,
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 should
                 I
                 come
                 ?
                 my
                 harvest
                 and
                 my
                 vintage
                 ,
                 and
                 time
                 of
                 delights
                 are
                 past
                 :
                 I
                 was
                 t●ere
                 long
                 since
                 ,
                 and
                 gathered
                 my
                 
                   myrrhe
                   with
                   my
                   spice
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 I
                 have
                 laid
                 up
                 as
                 ▪
                 much
                 as
                 I
                 pleased
                 ,
                 now
                 nothing
                 remaineth
                 wherein
                 I
                 should
                 take
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Thus
                 saith
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 .
                 This
                 harvest
                 and
                 vintage
                 were
                 presently
                 at
                 the
                 fencing
                 of
                 the
                 garden
                 ,
                 as
                 soone
                 as
                 Constantine
                 obtained
                 the
                 Empire
                 :
                 for
                 then
                 the
                 fruit
                 (
                 getting
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 Sunne
                 )
                 was
                 quickly
                 ripe
                 ;
                 And
                 the
                 good
                 Husbandman
                 lost
                 no
                 opportunity
                 ▪
                 but
                 gathered
                 infinite
                 store
                 of
                 all
                 kinde
                 of
                 fruits
                 while
                 the
                 time
                 served
                 ▪
                 
                 But
                 after
                 he
                 departed
                 from
                 the
                 Garden
                 ,
                 he
                 returned
                 no
                 more
                 ▪
                 till
                 a
                 thousand
                 two
                 hundred
                 and
                 threescore
                 dayes
                 were
                 ended
                 ▪
                 Rev.
                 11.
                 3.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 must
                 be
                 so
                 long
                 absent
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Bride
                 hid
                 her self
                 .
                 Therefore
                 these
                 words
                 teach
                 no
                 short
                 and
                 swift
                 return
                 into
                 the
                 garden
                 ▪
                 but
                 yeeld
                 a
                 reason
                 why
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 a
                 long
                 space
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 .
                 The
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 answer
                 belongeth
                 to
                 his
                 fellowes
                 or
                 friends
                 .
                 Eate
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   O
                   friends
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   drunken
                   with
                   loves
                   .
                
                 This
                 word
                 
                   be
                   drunken
                
                 ,
                 is
                 sometimes
                 in
                 Scripture
                 taken
                 for
                 drinke
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 43
                 ▪
                 34.
                 or
                 sufficiently
                 ,
                 but
                 most
                 commonly
                 (
                 in
                 the
                 worser
                 part
                 )
                 for
                 overmuch
                 drinke
                 ,
                 depriving
                 the
                 senses
                 :
                 These
                 words
                 very
                 well
                 expresse
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 declaring
                 those
                 which
                 boasted
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Bridegroomes
                 friends
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 puffed
                 up
                 with
                 too
                 much
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 most
                 basely
                 abusing
                 it
                 ;
                 giving
                 themselves
                 wholly
                 to
                 the
                 throat
                 and
                 the
                 belly
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 wits
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whatsoever
                 the
                 godly
                 Emperor
                 gave
                 for
                 the
                 comelinesse
                 and
                 commodity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 they
                 changed
                 all
                 to
                 her
                 shame
                 and
                 destruction
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 most
                 pleasant
                 to
                 consider
                 how
                 expresly
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 long
                 before
                 painted
                 out
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 length
                 should
                 happen
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 the
                 like
                 whereof
                 we
                 see
                 still
                 continueth
                 .
                 And
                 hitherto
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 inclining
                 to
                 fall
                 ,
                 it
                 ceased
                 to
                 flourish
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 first
                 departed
                 the
                 garden
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 soone
                 as
                 Constantine
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 Empire
                 :
                 As
                 long
                 as
                 hee
                 lived
                 she
                 was
                 in
                 great
                 glory
                 ,
                 but
                 presently
                 after
                 followed
                 the
                 darknesse
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             
               I
               Am
               come
               into
               my
               garden
               ,
               my
               sister
               ,
               my
               spouse
               :
               I
               gathered
               my
               myrrhe
               with
               my
               spice
               :
               I
               ate
               mine
               honey
               combe
               with
               mine
               honey
               ,
               I
               dranke
               my
               wine
               with
               my
               milke
               :
               eate
               O
               friends
               ,
               drink
               ,
               and
               make
               you
               merry
               ,
               O
               welbeloved
               .
            
             
               1
               I
               sleepe
               ,
               but
               mine
               heart
               waketh
               :
               
                 it
                 is
              
               the
               voyce
               of
               my
               welbeloved
               that
               knocketh
               ,
               saying
               ,
               Open
               unto
               me
               ,
               my
               sister
               ,
               my
               love
               ,
               my
               dove
               ,
               my
               undefiled
               :
               for
               mine
               head
               is
               full
               of
               dew
               ,
               and
               my
               lockes
               with
               the
               drops
               of
               the
               night
               .
            
             
               2
               I
               have
               put
               off
               my
               coat
               ,
               how
               shall
               I
               put
               it
               on
               ?
               I
               have
               washed
               my
               feet
               ,
               how
               shall
               I
               defile
               them
               ?
            
             
               
               3
               My
               welbeloved
               put
               in
               his
               hand
               by
               the
               hole
               
                 of
                 the
                 doore
              
               ,
               and
               mine
               heart
               was
               affectioned
               toward
               him
               .
            
             
               4
               I
               rose
               up
               to
               open
               to
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               and
               mine
               hands
               ●id
               drop
               down
               myrrhe
               ,
               and
               my
               fingers
               pure
               myrrhe
               upon
               ●he
               handles
               of
               the
               bar
               .
            
             
               5
               I
               opened
               to
               my
               welbeloved
               :
               but
               my
               welbeloved
               was
               gone
               and
               past
               :
               mine
               heart
               was
               gone
               when
               he
               did
               spe●ke
               :
               I
               sought
               him
               ,
               but
               I
               ●ould
               not
               finde
               him
               :
               I
               called
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               answered
               me
               not
               .
            
             
               6
               The
               watchmen
               that
               went
               about
               the
               City
               ,
               found
               me
               :
               they
               smote
               me
               and
               wounded
               me
               :
               the
               watchmen
               of
               the
               wals
               tooke
               away
               my
               vaile
               from
               me
               .
            
             
               7
               I
               charge
               you
               ,
               O
               daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               ,
               if
               you
               finde
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               that
               you
               tell
               him
               that
               I
               am
               sick
               of
               love
               .
            
             
               8
               O
               thou
               the
               fairest
               among
               women
               ,
               what
               is
               th●
               welbeloved
               more
               then
               other
               welbeloved
               ?
               what
               is
               thy
               welbeloved
               more
               then
               another
               lover
               ,
               that
               thou
               dost
               so
               charge
               us
               ?
            
             
               9
               My
               welbeloved
               is
               white
               and
               ruddie
               ,
               the
               chiefest
               of
               ten
               thousand
               .
            
             
               10
               His
               head
               
                 is
                 as
              
               fine
               gold
               ,
               his
               lock●s
               curled
               ,
               and
               black
               as
               a
               raven
               .
            
             
               11
               His
               eyes
               are
               like
               doves
               upon
               the
               rivers
               of
               the
               waters
               ,
               which
               are
               washt
               with
               milke
               ,
               and
               remaine
               by
               the
               full
               vessels
               .
            
             
               12
               His
               cheekes
               are
               as
               a
               bed
               of
               spices
               ,
               
                 and
                 as
              
               sweete
               flowers
               :
               and
               his
               lips
               like
               li●ies
               dropping
               down
               pure
               myrrhe
               .
            
             
               13
               His
               hands
               as
               rings
               of
               gold
               set
               with
               the
               chrysolite
               .
               his
               belly
               like
               white
               yvory
               covered
               w●th
               saphirs
               ▪
            
             
               14
               His
               legs
               
                 are
                 as
              
               pillars
               of
               marble
               ,
               set
               upon
               sockets
               of
               fine
               gold
               :
               his
               countenance
               as
               Lebanon
               ,
               excellent
               as
               the
               cedars
               .
            
             
               15
               His
               mouth
               
                 is
                 as
              
               sweete
               things
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               wholly
               del●ctable
               ▪
               this
               is
               my
               w●lbeloved
               ,
               and
               this
               is
               my
               lover
               ,
               O
               
               daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               .
            
             
               16
               O
               the
               fairest
               among
               women
               ,
               whither
               is
               thy
               welbeloved
               gone
               ?
               whither
               is
               thy
               welbeloved
               turned
               aside
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               seeke
               h●m
               with
               thee
               ?
            
          
           
             
               The
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               HItherto
               of
               the
               Church
               declining
               and
               running
               to
               ruine
               .
               Now
               l●ing
               prostrate
               she
               is
               doubly
               described
               :
               First
               how
               she
               neglected
               her
               beloved
               calling
               her
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 1.
                 2.
                 3.
              
               
               Then
               how
               she
               ●ought
               him
               in
               vaine
               b●ing
               gone
               :
               the
               fruit
               thereof
               is
               shewed
               ,
               ●oth
               how
               she
               was
               used
               of
               the
               watchmen
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 4.
                 5.
                 6.
              
               and
               how
               of
               the
               daughters
               of
               Jerusalem
               ,
               who
               kindled
               with
               her
               mervellous
               praises
               of
               him
               ,
               promi●e
               their
               fellow
               labour
               to
               seeke
               him
               :
               in
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               Chapter
               .
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   V●r●e
                   1.
                
                 
                 I
                 ●●eep
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 h●art
                 waketh
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 voyc●
                 of
                 my
                 beloved
                 that
                 knocketh
                 ●aying
                 ,
                 Open
                 to
                 me
                 my
                 sister
                 ,
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 my
                 dove
                 ,
                 my
                 und
                 filed
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 head
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 dew
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 lock●s
                 with
                 the
                 drops
                 of
                 the
                 night
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 negligence
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 lying
                 thus
                 is
                 declared
                 ;
                 First
                 by
                 her
                 drowsinesse
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 his
                 enticing
                 call
                 ,
                 and
                 lastly
                 by
                 the
                 flight
                 causes
                 of
                 her
                 excuse
                 .
                 Sleepe
                 caused
                 her
                 outward
                 sen●es
                 to
                 be
                 benummed
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 neither
                 regarded
                 nor
                 consi●ered
                 how
                 superstitions
                 arose
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 happened
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Housholder
                   ,
                   Mat.
                
                 13.
                 25.
                 
                 Neither
                 could
                 it
                 be
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 (
                 when
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 left
                 the
                 garden
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 friends
                 or
                 fellowes
                 drunken
                 with
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 wholly
                 gaping
                 after
                 riches
                 and
                 honours
                 ,
                 all
                 common
                 good
                 despised
                 )
                 but
                 sleepe
                 would
                 overcome
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 wherein
                 outwardly
                 she
                 should
                 not
                 differ
                 from
                 a
                 dead
                 woman
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 the
                 heart
                 sho●ld
                 move
                 and
                 liv●
                 ,
                 the
                 seede
                 of
                 faith
                 not
                 altogether
                 quenched
                 .
                 This
                 drow●inesse
                 crept
                 in
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Constantine
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 gap●ng
                 heaviness●
                 with
                 a
                 continuall
                 desire
                 of
                 sleeping
                 ,
                 so
                 oppressed
                 the
                 Spo●se
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 sharpest
                 sighted
                 P●stors
                 could
                 not
                 use
                 their
                 outward
                 senses
                 :
                 not
                 perceiving
                 how
                 ambition
                 crept
                 in
                 among
                 the
                 Bishops
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 onely
                 that
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 began
                 to
                 consecrate
                 Temples
                 to
                 Saints
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 to
                 seeke
                 their
                 Reliques
                 ,
                 to
                 worship
                 them
                 with
                 prayers
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 beleeve
                 that
                 prayers
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 Saints
                 at
                 their
                 Sepulchres
                 did
                 profit
                 much
                 .
                 Who
                 could
                 now
                 tell
                 whether
                 the
                 Church
                 
                 were
                 sleeping
                 or
                 waking
                 ?
                 who
                 neither
                 loathed
                 nor
                 perceived
                 such
                 things
                 .
                 When
                 Constantine
                 was
                 d●ad
                 ,
                 Christ
                 found
                 the
                 Church
                 asleepe
                 ,
                 and
                 sought
                 by
                 all
                 meanes
                 to
                 stir
                 her
                 up
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 knocking
                 and
                 calling
                 .
                 He
                 knocked
                 by
                 persecutions
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 
                   Constance
                   ,
                   Iulian
                
                 and
                 Valens
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 though
                 Iulian
                 were
                 a
                 profest
                 enemie
                 ,
                 
                   (
                   A.
                   D.
                
                 368.
                 )
                 yet
                 the
                 other
                 two
                 exceeded
                 him
                 in
                 cruelty
                 .
                 After
                 their
                 tyrannous
                 raigne
                 ,
                 God
                 stirred
                 up
                 Valentinian
                 in
                 the
                 West
                 parts
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 Christ
                 lovingly
                 called
                 his
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 that
                 returning
                 unto
                 her
                 former
                 integrity
                 she
                 should
                 open
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 in
                 .
                 Then
                 taking
                 away
                 Valens
                 ,
                 he
                 called
                 more
                 earnestly
                 at
                 both
                 dcores
                 (
                 as
                 i●
                 were
                 )
                 as
                 well
                 in
                 the
                 West
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 by
                 Gratian
                 and
                 Theodosiu●
                 the
                 elder
                 :
                 after
                 by
                 Arcadius
                 and
                 Honorius
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 Theodosius
                 the
                 younger
                 and
                 Valentinian
                 the
                 third
                 .
                 And
                 lastly
                 (
                 that
                 there
                 might
                 be
                 foure
                 paire
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 answerable
                 to
                 the
                 foure
                 voyces
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   Sister
                   ,
                   my
                   Love
                   ,
                   my
                   Dove
                   ,
                   my
                   undefiled
                   one
                   )
                
                 by
                 Marcian
                 alone
                 in
                 the
                 East
                 ▪
                 These
                 Emperours
                 studied
                 and
                 laboured
                 very
                 religiously
                 to
                 defen●
                 ▪
                 and
                 enlarge
                 true
                 Religion
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 fault
                 ,
                 who
                 having
                 these
                 helpes
                 prepared
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 use
                 them
                 to
                 r●cover
                 he●
                 former
                 brightnesse
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 readines
                 of
                 the
                 Emperors
                 was
                 added
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 excellent
                 Bishops
                 and
                 best
                 learned
                 men
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 :
                 As
                 
                   Basile
                   ,
                   Gregory
                   ,
                   Nazianzen
                   ,
                   Ambrose
                   ,
                   Hierome
                   ,
                   Chrysostome
                   ,
                   Augustin●
                   ,
                
                 and
                 other
                 the
                 lights
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 But
                 seeing
                 hi●
                 profession
                 of
                 ●ove
                 could
                 nothing
                 move
                 her
                 ,
                 he
                 tryeth
                 what
                 his
                 shutting
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 doores
                 at
                 night
                 would
                 doe
                 .
                 
                   My
                   head
                
                 (
                 ●aith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   is
                   filled
                   with
                   dew
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   ●ockes
                   with
                   the
                   drops
                   of
                   the
                   night
                   .
                
                 The
                 lockes
                 of
                 haire
                 signified
                 before
                 the
                 congregation
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 among
                 whom
                 true
                 Religion
                 was
                 now
                 so
                 much
                 decayed
                 by
                 new
                 and
                 foolish
                 Ceremonies
                 ,
                 borrowed
                 partly
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 and
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 and
                 partly
                 invented
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 idle
                 braines
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 grasse
                 is
                 scarce
                 more
                 covered
                 with
                 drops
                 of
                 dew
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 with
                 superstitions
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   .
                   2.
                
                 
                 I
                 have
                 put
                 off
                 my
                 coate
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 I
                 put
                 it
                 on
                 :
                 I
                 have
                 wa●●ed
                 my
                 feete
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 I
                 defile
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 great
                 negligence
                 in
                 the
                 Spouse
                 to
                 give
                 her selfe
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 sleepe
                 :
                 but
                 pardon
                 her
                 heavinesse
                 .
                 Why
                 opened
                 shee
                 not
                 when
                 hee
                 knockt
                 and
                 called
                 ?
                 was
                 she
                 so
                 buried
                 in
                 sleepe
                 that
                 she
                 heard
                 him
                 not
                 ?
                 it
                 is
                 plainely
                 seene
                 ,
                 she
                 answered
                 him
                 quickly
                 .
                 But
                 was
                 she
                 so
                 benummed
                 that
                 she
                 could
                 neither
                 move
                 hands
                 nor
                 feete
                 ?
                 Neither
                 was
                 that
                 the
                 matter
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 she
                 heard
                 and
                 might
                 open
                 ,
                 she
                 made
                 an
                 idle
                 excuse
                 .
                 
                   I
                   have
                   put
                   off
                   my
                   coa●●
                
                 
                 (
                 faith
                 she
                 )
                 
                   and
                   washed
                   my
                   feet
                
                 .
                 The
                 coat
                 is
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 only
                 imputed
                 righteousnesse
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 we
                 look
                 on
                 our selves
                 and
                 seek
                 righteousnesse
                 in
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 vertue
                 ,
                 we
                 spoil
                 our selves
                 of
                 this
                 garment
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 filthinesse
                 appeareth
                 presently
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Angels
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 we
                 may
                 wash
                 our
                 feet
                 with
                 oth●r
                 waters
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 our selves
                 most
                 clean
                 .
                 So
                 much
                 was
                 the
                 doctrine
                 of
                 free
                 justification
                 by
                 Christ
                 alone
                 decayed
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 mean
                 of
                 washing
                 and
                 purging
                 the
                 feet
                 found
                 out
                 besides
                 him
                 :
                 that
                 no
                 coming
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 faith
                 alone
                 ,
                 was
                 commonly
                 beleeved
                 without
                 danger
                 of
                 defiling
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 My
                 beloved
                 put
                 his
                 hand
                 by
                 the
                 hole
                 of
                 the
                 door
                 ▪
                 and
                 my
                 ●owels
                 were
                 moved
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 beginneth
                 the
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 chapter
                 of
                 seeking
                 th●
                 Bridegroom
                 ,
                 the
                 degrees
                 whereof
                 are
                 diverse
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   moving
                   of
                   her
                   bowels
                   ,
                   his
                   withdrawing
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   her
                   opening
                   the
                   door
                   ,
                   her
                   enquiring
                   ,
                   her
                   crying
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   the
                   watchmen
                   entertained
                   her
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 manifest
                 by
                 the
                 first
                 of
                 these
                 words
                 that
                 he
                 loosed
                 his
                 hand
                 from
                 the
                 hole
                 of
                 the
                 door
                 ,
                 wherby
                 appeareth
                 that
                 he
                 not
                 only
                 knocked
                 and
                 called
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 sought
                 to
                 put
                 back
                 the
                 bolt
                 ,
                 his
                 hand
                 was
                 ready
                 at
                 the
                 hole
                 when
                 the
                 godly
                 Emperors
                 called
                 sacred
                 councels
                 to
                 pull
                 up
                 the
                 tares
                 which
                 wicked
                 idle
                 men
                 had
                 sowen
                 in
                 the
                 Lords
                 field
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 excellent
                 ,
                 how
                 Marcian
                 the
                 Emperor
                 in
                 the
                 councell
                 of
                 Chalcedon
                 exhorted
                 the
                 fathers
                 oftentimes
                 to
                 apply
                 all
                 their
                 studie
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 her●sies
                 and
                 all
                 wicked
                 instructions
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 true
                 and
                 holy
                 faith
                 might
                 appear
                 ,
                 or
                 shew
                 it self
                 .
                 What
                 might
                 not
                 the
                 Bishops
                 then
                 have
                 done
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 known
                 their
                 opportunity
                 ?
                 But
                 one
                 would
                 have
                 thought
                 ,
                 it
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 their
                 own
                 chiefest
                 care
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 Emperours
                 admonition
                 .
                 The
                 like
                 paines
                 took
                 the
                 two
                 Emperours
                 Theodosius
                 the
                 Nephew
                 and
                 the
                 grand-father
                 in
                 those
                 famous
                 councels
                 of
                 Ephesus
                 and
                 Constantinople
                 :
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 did
                 his
                 part
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 ●arre
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 spouse
                 would
                 not
                 :
                 therefore
                 he
                 withdrew
                 his
                 hand
                 and
                 took
                 away
                 all
                 power
                 to
                 remove
                 the
                 bolt
                 .
                 For
                 after
                 Marcian
                 was
                 dead
                 ,
                 such
                 barbarous
                 cruelty
                 raged
                 in
                 the
                 west
                 ;
                 and
                 ob●curitie
                 ,
                 ●●oth
                 and
                 covetousnesse
                 raigned
                 in
                 the
                 east
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 which
                 before
                 sought
                 for
                 entrance
                 was
                 now
                 no
                 where
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 I
                 rose
                 to
                 open
                 to
                 my
                 beloved
                 and
                 my
                 hands
                 dropped
                 with
                 myrrhe
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 fingers
                 with
                 swe●t
                 smelling
                 myrrhe
                 upon
                 the
                 handles
                 of
                 the
                 lock
                 or
                 bolt
                 .
              
               
                 After
                 the
                 spouse
                 (
                 afflicted
                 with
                 dayly
                 miseries
                 )
                 had
                 learned
                 how
                 great
                 loss●
                 her
                 negligence
                 had
                 procured
                 :
                 she
                 seekes
                 now
                 to
                 recover
                 
                 it
                 by
                 diligence
                 .
                 And
                 shaking
                 off
                 floth
                 ,
                 goes
                 to
                 the
                 door
                 ,
                 which
                 endeavour
                 of
                 hers
                 
                   (
                   her
                   fingers
                   dropping
                   with
                   myrrhe
                   )
                
                 proves
                 to
                 be
                 to
                 God
                 most
                 sweet
                 and
                 acceptable
                 .
                 The
                 spouse
                 arose
                 when
                 
                   Leo
                   Isaurus
                
                 raigned
                 ,
                 who
                 endeavoured
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 worshipping
                 of
                 images
                 lately
                 brought
                 in
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 ages
                 .
                 But
                 Constantine
                 his
                 son
                 
                   (
                   A.
                   D.
                
                 755.
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 seventeen
                 councell
                 of
                 Constantinople
                 (
                 who
                 soundly
                 condemnning
                 that
                 hainous
                 abomination
                 by
                 the
                 holy
                 scriptures
                 )
                 set
                 his
                 hand
                 to
                 the
                 bolt
                 or
                 lock
                 that
                 shut
                 out
                 Christ
                 :
                 which
                 holy
                 enterprise
                 of
                 his
                 flowed
                 with
                 
                   myrrhe
                   .
                   Charles
                
                 the
                 great
                 assayed
                 the
                 like
                 at
                 Franckford
                 ,
                 about
                 forty
                 yeers
                 after
                 ,
                 795.
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 decreed
                 in
                 the
                 councell
                 wanted
                 successe
                 ,
                 ●o●
                 no
                 reformation
                 followed
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   5.
                
                 
                 I
                 opened
                 to
                 my
                 beloved
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 beloved
                 had
                 withdrawen
                 himself
                 and
                 was
                 gone
                 :
                 my
                 soul
                 failed
                 when
                 he
                 spake
                 :
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 finde
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 called
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 gave
                 me
                 no
                 answer
                 .
              
               
                 She
                 opened
                 to
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 withdrew
                 himself
                 and
                 was
                 gone
                 .
                 Her
                 soul
                 failed
                 when
                 she
                 remembred
                 how
                 lovingly
                 he
                 had
                 called
                 her
                 .
                 He
                 sheweth
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 present
                 and
                 seen
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 worship
                 by
                 himself
                 ordained
                 .
                 This
                 prophesie
                 agreeth
                 with
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   Leo
                   Isaurus
                   ,
                   Constantine
                
                 his
                 son
                 and
                 
                   Leo
                   Copronymus
                
                 endeavoured
                 what
                 they
                 could
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 idolatry
                 ,
                 to
                 remove
                 the
                 bolt
                 and
                 open
                 the
                 door
                 to
                 the
                 beloved
                 :
                 but
                 so
                 great
                 and
                 such
                 horrible
                 corruption
                 of
                 all
                 piety
                 remained
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 his
                 outward
                 worship
                 .
                 The
                 Emperors
                 rightly
                 did
                 their
                 duties
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 that
                 which
                 most
                 manifestly
                 appeared
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 past
                 by
                 many
                 grosse
                 errors
                 untoucht
                 .
                 Whose
                 contagion
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 flying
                 ,
                 withdrew
                 himself
                 so
                 ●arre
                 off
                 .
                 They
                 which
                 were
                 awaked
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 idolatry
                 were
                 inflamed
                 with
                 a
                 marvellous
                 desire
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 rather
                 increased
                 their
                 grie●e
                 ,
                 then
                 recovered
                 their
                 former
                 happinesse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 The
                 watchmen
                 that
                 went
                 about
                 the
                 City
                 found
                 me
                 :
                 they
                 smote
                 me
                 ,
                 they
                 wounded
                 me
                 .
                 The
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 walls
                 tooke
                 away
                 my
                 vail
                 from
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 watchmen
                 differ
                 much
                 from
                 those
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 3.
                 who
                 (
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 )
                 knew
                 whither
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 was
                 gone
                 ,
                 and
                 might
                 be
                 found
                 again
                 ;
                 for
                 she
                 asketh
                 them
                 whether
                 they
                 saw
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 shee
                 ●●yes
                 nothing
                 to
                 these
                 ,
                 assured
                 of
                 their
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 glad
                 to
                 have
                 passed
                 by
                 them
                 in
                 safety
                 .
                 Likewise
                 those
                 forme●
                 watchmen
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 could
                 yeeld
                 her
                 no
                 help
                 ,
                 (
                 sailing
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 vessell
                 )
                 yet
                 forbare
                 to
                 lay
                 violent
                 hands
                 on
                 her
                 :
                 but
                 these
                 beat
                 and
                 wound
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 reproachfully
                 take
                 away
                 her
                 vail
                 :
                 who
                 ,
                 though
                 
                 they
                 be
                 far
                 unlike
                 in
                 courtesie
                 ▪
                 and
                 humanity
                 ,
                 yet
                 their
                 common
                 name
                 shewes
                 some
                 agreement
                 in
                 Office.
                 Wherefore
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Rulers
                 and
                 Governors
                 ,
                 Emperours
                 ,
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 Prelats
                 and
                 men
                 of
                 such
                 ranke
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 event
                 plainly
                 teacheth
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 the
                 truth
                 began
                 to
                 appear
                 :
                 in
                 how
                 shamefull
                 a
                 manner
                 was
                 she
                 received
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 world
                 ▪
                 and
                 especially
                 of
                 those
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 accounted
                 Watchmen
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 ?
                 She
                 was
                 smitten
                 with
                 reproaches
                 ,
                 lyes
                 and
                 Cursings
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Gregorie
                 the
                 second
                 :
                 by
                 whom
                 
                   Leo
                   Isaurus
                
                 was
                 excommunicated
                 for
                 putting
                 downe
                 the
                 worshiping
                 of
                 Images
                 .
                 But
                 by
                 the
                 councell
                 of
                 Nice
                 under
                 Constantine
                 (
                 sonne
                 of
                 Leo
                 )
                 and
                 Irene
                 his
                 mother
                 ,
                 (
                 by
                 compulsion
                 or
                 Instigation
                 of
                 Pope
                 Adrian
                 and
                 Torasius
                 ,
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Constantinople
                 )
                 (
                 788.
                 )
                 shee
                 was
                 cruelly
                 wounded
                 .
                 The
                 watchmen
                 within
                 the
                 City
                 are
                 the
                 Ecclesiasticall
                 Teachers
                 and
                 Rulers
                 .
                 The
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 walls
                 ,
                 the
                 civill
                 Governours
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Theodora
                 ,
                 the
                 Empresse
                 ,
                 and
                 Michael
                 her
                 sonne
                 ,
                 the
                 vaile
                 was
                 taken
                 away
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 had
                 neither
                 Priest
                 nor
                 Magistrate
                 to
                 defend
                 her
                 .
                 These
                 were
                 the
                 times
                 wherein
                 the
                 Spouse
                 kept
                 her
                 bed
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 never
                 seen
                 abroad
                 by
                 many
                 yeers
                 :
                 the
                 worst
                 times
                 that
                 ever
                 shee
                 indured
                 .
                 Shee
                 was
                 much
                 troubled
                 in
                 minde
                 (
                 her
                 heart
                 failing
                 her
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 Wine-cellar
                 ;
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 2.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 yet
                 then
                 she
                 was
                 supplyed
                 with
                 Flagons
                 ,
                 and
                 Apples
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 her
                 beloved
                 came
                 quickly
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 imbraced
                 her
                 (
                 ready
                 to
                 fall
                 )
                 in
                 both
                 his
                 armes
                 :
                 but
                 here
                 she
                 is
                 
                   smitten
                   and
                   wounded
                   ,
                   h●r
                   vaile
                   taken
                   away
                   and
                   laid
                   for
                   dead
                   :
                
                 but
                 no
                 Flagons
                 or
                 Apples
                 ,
                 or
                 hope
                 of
                 her
                 beloveds
                 coming
                 :
                 for
                 no
                 man
                 durst
                 speak
                 or
                 look
                 freely
                 to
                 testifie
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 much
                 lesse
                 to
                 reach
                 out
                 an
                 helping
                 hand
                 to
                 the
                 truth
                 lying
                 prostrate
                 .
                 The
                 comon
                 Harlot
                 of
                 Rome
                 may
                 then
                 see
                 how
                 far
                 she
                 is
                 estranged
                 from
                 this
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 who
                 boasteth
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 her
                 visibility
                 since
                 her
                 first
                 beginning
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 I
                 charge
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 if
                 yee
                 finde
                 my
                 beloved
                 ,
                 that
                 yee
                 tell
                 him
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 sick
                 of
                 love
                 .
              
               
                 
                   If
                   yee
                   finde
                   my
                   beloved
                
                 (
                 saith
                 she
                 )
                 
                   tell
                   him
                
                 (
                 do
                 you
                 ask
                 what
                 you
                 shall
                 tell
                 him
                 )
                 
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   sick
                   of
                   love
                   .
                
                 After
                 she
                 had
                 conc●aled
                 her self
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 ,
                 at
                 length
                 (
                 impatient
                 of
                 longer
                 delay
                 )
                 she
                 begins
                 afresh
                 to
                 seek
                 her
                 beloved
                 :
                 she
                 goes
                 to
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 Jer●salem
                 ,
                 her
                 fellow
                 Citizens
                 ,
                 the
                 Elect
                 ,
                 and
                 sheweth
                 them
                 of
                 her
                 grief
                 ,
                 how
                 she
                 had
                 sought
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 shee
                 were
                 without
                 hope
                 of
                 finding
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 they
                 chanced
                 to
                 light
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 bewaile
                 before
                 him
                 the
                 miserable
                 fortune
                 of
                 his
                 af●licted
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 their
                 tears
                 he
                 mi●ht
                 be
                 the
                 sooner
                 moved
                 to
                 come
                 speedily
                 to
                 her
                 
                 aide
                 ;
                 which
                 sheweth
                 ,
                 that
                 after
                 long
                 silence
                 ,
                 some
                 godly
                 men
                 should
                 bewaile
                 t●●
                 calamity
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 and
                 desire
                 reformation
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 done
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 110●
                 .
                 after
                 all
                 mention
                 of
                 the
                 trueth
                 ceased
                 ,
                 being
                 altogether
                 buried
                 260.
                 yeeres
                 and
                 more
                 since
                 ▪
                 the
                 vaile
                 was
                 taken
                 away
                 .
                 For
                 about
                 that
                 time
                 a
                 Florentine
                 Bishop
                 openly
                 began
                 to
                 lament
                 the
                 Misery
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 doubted
                 not
                 boldly
                 to
                 affirm
                 Antichrist
                 to
                 bee
                 come
                 already
                 .
                 Also
                 one
                 Arnold
                 a
                 Romane
                 could
                 not
                 hold
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 his
                 head
                 bewailed
                 the
                 grief
                 of
                 the
                 Spo●se
                 .
                 And
                 Hildegarde
                 the
                 Prophetesse
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Church
                 appeared
                 in
                 a
                 vision
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 forme
                 of
                 a
                 woman
                 wailing
                 :
                 her
                 face
                 sprinkled
                 with
                 dust
                 by
                 the
                 Priests
                 ▪
                 her
                 garments
                 rent
                 and
                 torne
                 :
                 the
                 innocent
                 Lambe
                 driven
                 from
                 her
                 by
                 their
                 fault
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 Adde
                 unto
                 these
                 Bernards
                 complaints
                 upon
                 the
                 Canticles
                 and
                 others
                 .
                 Afterwards
                 there
                 arose
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 which
                 freely
                 professed
                 their
                 grief
                 .
                 By
                 whose
                 tongues
                 the
                 Spouse
                 declared
                 her
                 misery
                 to
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 What
                 is
                 thy
                 beloved
                 more
                 then
                 another
                 beloved
                 ,
                 O
                 ▪
                 thou
                 fairest
                 among
                 women
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 thy
                 beloved
                 more
                 then
                 another
                 beloved
                 that
                 thou
                 doest
                 so
                 charge
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 These
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 were
                 the
                 friends
                 of
                 the
                 Spouse
                 .
                 They
                 call
                 unto
                 her
                 familiarly
                 and
                 lovingly
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 better
                 sighted
                 then
                 others
                 )
                 they
                 acknowledge
                 her
                 most
                 beautifull
                 ,
                 being
                 naked
                 and
                 compassed
                 with
                 darkenesse
                 .
                 Yet
                 were
                 they
                 altogether
                 ignorant
                 of
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 otherwise
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 asked
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 .
                 They
                 shew
                 great
                 desire
                 of
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 asking
                 again
                 and
                 again
                 to
                 be
                 shewed
                 him
                 .
                 At
                 the
                 complaint
                 of
                 the
                 godly
                 doctors
                 ,
                 the
                 studies
                 of
                 the
                 Elect
                 were
                 stirred
                 up
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 hee
                 which
                 promised
                 onely
                 the
                 first
                 lineaments
                 of
                 true
                 piety
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 had
                 great
                 companies
                 following
                 him
                 .
                 See
                 the
                 multitude
                 ●locking
                 to
                 
                   Petrus
                   Walde●sis
                
                 (
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1160
                 ▪
                 )
                 a
                 private
                 man
                 ,
                 not
                 graced
                 with
                 any
                 ambitious
                 titles
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 My
                 beloved
                 is
                 white
                 and
                 ruddie
                 ,
                 the
                 chiefest
                 among
                 tenn●
                 thousand
                 .
              
               
                 Shee
                 willingly
                 yeeldeth
                 to
                 their
                 desire
                 ,
                 hoping
                 to
                 get
                 what
                 she
                 sought
                 for
                 ,
                 the
                 sooner
                 by
                 their
                 meanes
                 .
                 The
                 answer
                 is
                 threefold
                 
                   Common
                   ,
                   sp●●iall
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 mixte
                 .
                 Which
                 seemes
                 to
                 note
                 out
                 so
                 many
                 times
                 ,
                 wherein
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 like
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 .
                 Common
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 taken
                 aswell
                 from
                 things
                 inhe●ent
                 as
                 from
                 Circumstances
                 .
                 The
                 things
                 inherent
                 declare
                 the
                 excellent
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 the
                 lively
                 colours
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 concernes
                 those
                 times
                 of
                 the
                 Waldens●s
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 the
                 aforesaid
                 Peter
                 made
                 his
                 house
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 a
                 Schoole
                 of
                 Sacred
                 learning
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 taught
                 the
                 Ca●●chisme
                 and
                 first
                 rudiments
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 turned
                 the
                 Bible
                 into
                 their
                 owne
                 language
                 ;
                 translated
                 some
                 writings
                 of
                 the
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 diligence
                 and
                 piety
                 brought
                 it
                 to
                 passe
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 length
                 the
                 beautifull
                 colours
                 of
                 Christ
                 shining
                 with
                 pure
                 holinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 Red
                 with
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 seen
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 which
                 did
                 not
                 wilfully
                 shut
                 their
                 eyes
                 .
                 The
                 circumstances
                 are
                 10000.
                 men
                 attending
                 on
                 Christ
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 the
                 truth
                 was
                 discovered
                 by
                 
                   Petrus
                   Waldensis
                
                 and
                 his
                 f●llowes
                 ,
                 the
                 Romane
                 Antichrist
                 seeking
                 by
                 all
                 meanes
                 to
                 abolish
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 spread
                 it
                 abroad
                 unwittingly
                 in
                 many
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 whose
                 fruitfulnesse
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1200.
                 the
                 Albigenses
                 du●st
                 joyne
                 battell
                 with
                 the
                 Antichristian
                 Bands
                 ,
                 which
                 Innocent
                 the
                 third
                 sent
                 to
                 destroy
                 them
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 leading
                 of
                 Leopoldus
                 the
                 sixth
                 Duke
                 of
                 
                   Austria
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 Simon
                 Earle
                 of
                 Mountfort
                 .
                 At
                 length
                 
                   Reymond
                   Tolosa●us
                
                 and
                 Petrus
                 King
                 of
                 Tarracon
                 came
                 to
                 aid
                 the
                 Albigeuses
                 .
                 Then
                 might
                 ye
                 see
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 begin
                 to
                 shew
                 hi●selfe
                 again
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 attended
                 with
                 10000.
                 truly
                 Crosse-bearing
                 souldiers
                 ?
                 Which
                 had
                 wandered
                 many
                 yeers
                 before
                 solitary
                 and
                 without
                 company
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 His
                 head
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 fine
                 gold
                 ,
                 his
                 lockes
                 are
                 bushie
                 and
                 black
                 as
                 a
                 Raven
                 .
              
               
                 An
                 other
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 more
                 plaine
                 and
                 evident
                 then
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 For
                 now
                 the
                 Daughters
                 of
                 Ierusal●m
                 learn
                 of
                 the
                 Spouse
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 principall
                 members
                 which
                 the
                 world
                 knew
                 not
                 by
                 many
                 ages
                 .
                 
                   The
                   head
                   as
                   the
                   most
                   fine
                   gold
                   ,
                
                 (
                 or
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 originall
                 )
                 gold
                 of
                 gold
                 )
                 signifieth
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 King
                 of
                 ●ings
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 other
                 wear
                 Crownes
                 of
                 gold
                 upon
                 their
                 heads
                 ,
                 which
                 with
                 their
                 Kingdomes
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 :
                 but
                 his
                 head
                 is
                 as
                 pure
                 gold
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 Eternall
                 and
                 Essentiall
                 ,
                 which
                 teacheth
                 that
                 Christ
                 would
                 now
                 shew
                 himself
                 a
                 King
                 in
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
                 As
                 it
                 came
                 to
                 p●sse
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1216.
                 in
                 that
                 long
                 contention
                 of
                 Frederick
                 the
                 Emperour
                 ,
                 the
                 second
                 of
                 that
                 name
                 ,
                 with
                 Hon●rius
                 the
                 third
                 ,
                 Gregory
                 the
                 ni●th
                 ,
                 and
                 Innocent
                 the
                 fourth
                 ,
                 then
                 presently
                 after
                 the
                 Albigens●●n
                 Warre
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 usurped
                 of
                 the
                 Popes
                 by
                 Tyranny
                 might
                 be
                 restored
                 again
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 right
                 Lord
                 or
                 true
                 owner
                 .
                 The
                 bushie
                 looks
                 are
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 very
                 comely
                 and
                 beautifull
                 in
                 those
                 times
                 for
                 their
                 mutuall
                 love
                 and
                 imbracing
                 one
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 yet
                 wanting
                 the
                 brightn●sse
                 of
                 externall
                 policy
                 .
                 The
                 blacknesse
                 of
                 the
                 hair
                 be
                 to
                 keneth
                 the
                 Wars
                 ,
                 troubles
                 
                 and
                 persecutions
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 bewailed
                 by
                 many
                 .
                 As
                 some
                 of
                 
                   Sweveland
                   at
                   Hallis
                   ,
                   Robert
                   Groster
                
                 Bishop
                 of
                 
                   Lincolne
                   ,
                   Matthew
                   Paris
                   ,
                   Guilihelmus
                   de
                   sancto
                   Amore
                   ,
                   Arnoldus
                   de
                   villa
                   nova
                   ,
                
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 Christian
                 people
                 by
                 craft
                 of
                 the
                 devill
                 had
                 gone
                 astray
                 from
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 faith
                 which
                 the
                 people
                 commonly
                 had
                 was
                 like
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 devils
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 all
                 Christian
                 people
                 were
                 led
                 to
                 hell
                 .
                 See
                 how
                 rightly
                 they
                 are
                 compared
                 to
                 the
                 colours
                 of
                 a
                 Raven
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 black
                 and
                 disordered
                 .
                 Neither
                 did
                 this
                 deformity
                 then
                 first
                 invade
                 her
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 she
                 b●gan
                 first
                 to
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 and
                 bewailed
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 His
                 eyes
                 are
                 as
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 Doves
                 by
                 the
                 rivers
                 of
                 water
                 ,
                 washed
                 with
                 milke
                 and
                 fitly
                 set
                 .
              
               
                 Christ
                 carefully
                 looking
                 on
                 his
                 spouse
                 boweth
                 down
                 his
                 head
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 behold
                 her
                 the
                 more
                 neerly
                 and
                 exactly
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 doves
                 bow
                 their
                 necks
                 with
                 eyes
                 inclining
                 towards
                 the
                 water
                 when
                 they
                 desire
                 to
                 quench
                 their
                 thirst
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 the
                 spouse
                 was
                 deformed
                 altogether
                 with
                 dust
                 ,
                 he
                 useth
                 no
                 sh●rp
                 remedy
                 ,
                 but
                 applieth
                 much
                 mercy
                 and
                 gentlenesse
                 in
                 cleansing
                 her
                 outward
                 filthinesse
                 .
                 
                   His
                   eyes
                   are
                   f●tly
                   set
                
                 ,
                 not
                 overn●●ch
                 standing
                 out
                 nor
                 too
                 much
                 dipping
                 in
                 ,
                 but
                 fitly
                 placed
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 whole
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 These
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 so
                 delectable
                 ,
                 were
                 shewed
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 
                   Michael
                   Cesenas
                
                 and
                 
                   Petrus
                   de
                   Carbaria
                
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1277.
                 together
                 with
                 
                   Iohn
                   de
                   Poliaco
                
                 ,
                 all
                 which
                 Pope
                 John
                 condemned
                 :
                 Because
                 first
                 ,
                 they
                 taught
                 diligently
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   P●ter
                   was
                   n●n●on●
                   head
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   then
                   any
                   other
                   Apostle
                   :
                   neither
                   did
                   Christ
                   ●e●ve
                   after
                   him
                   any
                   vicar
                   ●r
                   head
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   .
                
                 Which
                 evidently
                 declareth
                 the
                 first
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 similitude
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 beholdeth
                 his
                 Church
                 with
                 no
                 lesse
                 attention
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 thirstie
                 and
                 drinking
                 doves
                 beho●●
                 the
                 waters
                 with
                 ●ttentive
                 eyes
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 they
                 taught
                 plainly
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   The
                   Church
                   hath
                   no
                   power
                   to
                   correct
                   any
                   one
                   with
                   coactive
                   punishment
                   (
                   as
                   th●y
                   ●●ll
                   it
                   )
                   much
                   lesse
                   hath
                   the
                   Pope
                   any
                   such
                   power
                   to
                   correct
                   ,
                   punish
                   ,
                   institute
                   or
                   remove
                   any
                   one
                   in
                   the
                   magistracie
                   .
                
                 Whereby
                 they
                 ▪
                 prove
                 the
                 Pope
                 clean
                 contrary
                 to
                 Christ
                 ▪
                 the
                 one
                 washeth
                 away
                 spots
                 with
                 milk
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 with
                 salt-peter
                 ,
                 the
                 one
                 restraine●h
                 and
                 pu●isheth
                 faults
                 with
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 with
                 the
                 sword
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 they
                 taught
                 that
                 
                   Priests
                   and
                   elders
                   had
                   all
                   a
                   like
                   authority
                   ▪
                   power
                   and
                   jurisdiction
                   :
                   Emperors
                   indeed
                   had
                   given
                   a
                   high
                   degree
                   to
                   the
                   Popes
                   ,
                   and
                   might
                   take
                   it
                   away
                   again
                   at
                   their
                   pleasure
                   .
                
                 The
                 Pope
                 raged
                 when
                 Michael
                 taught
                 this
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 holy
                 man
                 proceeded
                 and
                 ●eased
                 not
                 to
                 preach
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Church
                   was
                   a
                   striving
                   place
                   of
                   piety
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   not
                   a
                   race
                   of
                   Ambition
                   .
                   And
                   seeing
                   that
                   full
                   vessels
                   might
                   satisfie
                   ever●
                   one
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   terrible
                   that
                   the
                   Clergie
                   should
                   so
                   sham●fully
                   contend
                   for
                   honour
                   either
                   with
                   the
                   laitie
                   or
                   among
                   themselves
                   .
                
                 The
                 covetous
                 and
                 ambitious
                 have
                 never
                 enough
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 minde
                 alwayes
                 thirsts
                 for
                 something
                 more
                 :
                 whereby
                 they
                 plainly
                 shew
                 ,
                 that
                 either
                 they
                 never
                 lighted
                 on
                 that
                 full
                 river
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 quietly
                 resteth
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 another
                 disposition
                 ,
                 contrary
                 to
                 him
                 whose
                 name
                 they
                 falsly
                 pretend
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 His
                 cheekes
                 are
                 as
                 a
                 bed
                 of
                 spices
                 ,
                 as
                 sweet
                 flowers
                 :
                 his
                 lips
                 like
                 lillies
                 ,
                 ●ropping
                 sweet
                 smelling
                 myrrhe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 countenance
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 cheeks
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 Christ
                 are
                 most
                 apparent
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 raigneth
                 openly
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 holy
                 institutions
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 by
                 his
                 Church
                 till
                 his
                 coming
                 .
                 These
                 cheeks
                 are
                 first
                 likened
                 to
                 beds
                 new
                 made
                 in
                 a
                 garden
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 to
                 sweet
                 flowers
                 ,
                 which
                 elegantly
                 setteth
                 forth
                 the
                 swift
                 and
                 speedy
                 increase
                 of
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 the
                 flowers
                 immediately
                 following
                 the
                 sowing
                 .
                 The
                 fruitfull
                 ripening
                 of
                 thi●
                 seed
                 was
                 furthered
                 by
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 
                   Robert
                   French
                   Anno
                
                 1290.
                 
                 Who
                 by
                 many
                 visions
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 lamentable
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 declared
                 openly
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Pope
                   was
                   an
                   Idol
                   ,
                   a
                   Serpent
                   ,
                   a
                   wooden
                   head
                   .
                
                 And
                 
                   the
                   spouse
                
                 which
                 was
                 presented
                 unto
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 glittering
                 silver
                 crosse
                 very
                 beautifull
                 and
                 excellent
                 as
                 well
                 in
                 life
                 as
                 doctrine
                 .
                 Hitherto
                 the
                 following
                 member
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 doeth
                 seem
                 to
                 belong
                 .
                 
                   His
                   lips
                   like
                   lillies
                   dropping
                   sweet
                   smelling
                   Myrr●●
                   .
                
                 Now
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 famous
                 by
                 the
                 puritie
                 of
                 teaching
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 durst
                 not
                 but
                 only
                 mutter
                 and
                 whisper
                 without
                 lifting
                 up
                 the
                 voice
                 boldly
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 His
                 hands
                 are
                 as
                 gold
                 rings
                 set
                 with
                 the
                 Beryll
                 :
                 his
                 belly
                 is
                 as
                 bright
                 Ivory
                 overlaid
                 with
                 saphirs
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 hath
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 been
                 set
                 forth
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 some
                 speciall
                 members
                 from
                 Frederi●k
                 the
                 second
                 to
                 
                   Robertus
                   Gallus
                
                 ,
                 by
                 almost
                 100.
                 yeers
                 .
                 The
                 hands
                 are
                 the
                 instruments
                 of
                 Action
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 scripture
                 they
                 figuratively
                 signifie
                 works
                 .
                 The
                 Jems
                 included
                 in
                 the
                 rings
                 seem
                 to
                 signifie
                 the
                 ministers
                 of
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 which
                 elswhere
                 Christ
                 carryeth
                 as
                 stars
                 in
                 his
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 1
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 But
                 these
                 times
                 yeelded
                 not
                 such
                 splendour
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 shew
                 a
                 change
                 and
                 alteration
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 Christ
                 would
                 bring
                 to
                 passe
                 by
                 the
                 labour
                 of
                 his
                 ministers
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 hapned
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1300.
                 which
                 was
                 called
                 
                   the
                   first
                   resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   dead
                   .
                
                 For
                 now
                 the
                 thousand
                 yeers
                 were
                 ended
                 wherein
                 Satan
                 was
                 bound
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 dead
                 raised
                 from
                 their
                 graves
                 .
                 
                 Very
                 many
                 now
                 began
                 more
                 boldly
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 truth
                 :
                 As
                 Dan●
                 the
                 
                   Florentine
                   ,
                   Marsilius
                   Pa●avinus
                   ,
                   William
                   Ockam
                   ,
                   Iohn
                   of
                   Gaunt
                   ,
                
                 and
                 many
                 others
                 .
                 Philip
                 ,
                 the
                 French
                 King
                 ,
                 despised
                 Pope
                 
                   Boniface
                   ,
                   Lewes
                
                 of
                 Bavaria
                 ,
                 strove
                 long
                 time
                 with
                 these
                 most
                 humble
                 servants
                 of
                 servants
                 for
                 the
                 right
                 of
                 the
                 Empire
                 .
                 Edward
                 of
                 England
                 made
                 shew
                 unto
                 many
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 he
                 esteemed
                 the
                 Popes
                 authority
                 .
                 By
                 the
                 Bowels
                 or
                 Belly
                 ,
                 bright
                 as
                 
                   Iv●ry
                   ,
                   overlaid
                   with
                   Saphirs
                
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 understood
                 the
                 two
                 Sacraments
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 month
                 and
                 countenance
                 ,
                 neither
                 is
                 it
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 hid
                 from
                 strangers
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 Sacraments
                 serve
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 houshold
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 bowels
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 appointed
                 only
                 to
                 that
                 body
                 whose
                 members
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 but
                 serve
                 to
                 no
                 use
                 for
                 strangers
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 finger
                 ,
                 point
                 to
                 those
                 times
                 of
                 
                   Ioh●
                   Wickliff
                
                 ,
                 (
                 1370
                 )
                 who
                 taught
                 openly
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   substance
                   of
                   materi●ll
                   bread
                   and
                   wine
                   remain
                   in
                   the
                   Sacrament
                   of
                   the
                   Altar
                   :
                   the
                   accidents
                   of
                   br●ad
                   remain
                   not
                   without
                   the
                   subject
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Sacrament
                   :
                   Christ
                   is
                   not
                   really
                   in
                   the
                   sacrament
                   ,
                   in
                   proper
                   presence
                   corporally
                   .
                   Beringarius
                
                 spake
                 against
                 this
                 wicked
                 error
                 ,
                 200.
                 yeeres
                 before
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 time
                 was
                 not
                 yet
                 come
                 ,
                 wherein
                 
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   the
                   Bridegroome
                   should
                   be
                   seen
                   full
                   of
                   Rings
                   ,
                
                 whence
                 his
                 enterprise
                 wanted
                 successe
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   14.
                
                 
                 His
                 legs
                 are
                 as
                 pillars
                 of
                 Marble
                 ,
                 set
                 upon
                 sockets
                 of
                 fine
                 gold
                 :
                 his
                 countenance
                 is
                 as
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 excellent
                 as
                 the
                 Cedars
                 ▪
              
               
                 The
                 beginning
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 se●●eth
                 forth
                 the
                 nether
                 parts
                 ;
                 whose
                 chief
                 praise
                 consists
                 in
                 strength
                 and
                 stablenesse
                 .
                 All
                 would
                 faile
                 ,
                 un●esse
                 that
                 which
                 upholdeth
                 were
                 sufficient
                 to
                 beare
                 the
                 weight
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 standeth
                 immoveable
                 on
                 such
                 strong
                 bases
                 :
                 And
                 lest
                 we
                 should
                 thinke
                 that
                 his
                 strength
                 wanteth
                 beauty
                 ,
                 loe
                 ,
                 the
                 legs
                 and
                 feet
                 are
                 of
                 gold
                 ;
                 So
                 that
                 from
                 the
                 crown
                 of
                 the
                 head
                 to
                 the
                 soal
                 of
                 the
                 feet
                 ,
                 hee
                 shineth
                 with
                 infinite
                 glory
                 and
                 Majesty
                 .
                 Yet
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 these
                 things
                 belong
                 also
                 to
                 the
                 history
                 :
                 therefore
                 these
                 two
                 golden
                 bases
                 ,
                 whereon
                 the
                 Marble
                 pillars
                 are
                 set
                 ,
                 seem
                 to
                 point
                 out
                 
                   John
                   Husse
                
                 and
                 Hierome
                 of
                 Prague
                 ;
                 as
                 is
                 the
                 perpe●uity
                 of
                 Marble
                 ,
                 such
                 was
                 their
                 con●tancy
                 to
                 indure
                 death
                 willingly
                 for
                 the
                 truths
                 cause
                 ,
                 induring
                 a
                 triall
                 by
                 fire
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 pure●t
                 gold
                 .
                 They
                 differed
                 from
                 the
                 Popelings
                 in
                 many
                 things
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 chiefly
                 bit
                 the
                 mitred
                 fathers
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 gravely
                 reprehended
                 their
                 wicked
                 and
                 lascivious
                 lives
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 ulcer
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 indure
                 scratching
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 them
                 rage
                 so
                 fierc●ly
                 against
                 them
                 :
                 this
                 was
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 ,
                 1415.
                 
                 The
                 other
                 Member
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 
                   countenance●s
                   as
                   L●b●●o●
                   ,
                   ex●●llent
                   as
                   the
                   C●dars
                   ,
                
                 His
                 countenance
                 
                 is
                 seen
                 here
                 on'earth
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 true
                 worship
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 himself
                 hath
                 appointed
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 com●●ring
                 it
                 to
                 
                   Mount
                   Lebanon
                
                 ,
                 sheweth
                 thereby
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 increase
                 of
                 knowledge
                 and
                 renewed
                 worship
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 profession
                 of
                 Christ
                 should
                 continue
                 as
                 firm
                 as
                 the
                 hils
                 themselves
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 Cedars
                 of
                 ●ebanon
                 exceed
                 other
                 tre●s
                 in
                 length
                 ,
                 so
                 should
                 tru●
                 Religion
                 excell
                 all
                 scratching
                 and
                 pricking
                 superstitions
                 in
                 reverend
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 which
                 most
                 f●●ly
                 agree
                 with
                 the
                 times
                 presently
                 following
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 B●hemians
                 shook
                 off
                 the
                 Romish
                 yoke
                 ,
                 1420.
                 
                 Now
                 first
                 began
                 the
                 Word
                 to
                 be
                 truly
                 preached
                 ,
                 the
                 Sacraments
                 to
                 be
                 administred
                 in
                 either
                 kinde
                 ,
                 wicked
                 supe●stitions
                 to
                 be
                 rooted
                 out
                 ,
                 Monasteries
                 to
                 be
                 beaten
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Priests
                 constrained
                 to
                 till
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 yeeld
                 some
                 better
                 fruit
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   15.
                
                 
                 His
                 mouth
                 is
                 most
                 sweet
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 altogether
                 lovely
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 friend
                 ,
                 O
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 lips
                 (
                 at
                 the
                 12.
                 verse
                 )
                 dropped
                 myrrhe
                 :
                 here
                 the
                 mouth
                 foundeth
                 sweetly
                 ;
                 both
                 lips
                 and
                 mouth
                 betoken
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 only
                 the
                 lips
                 whisper
                 obscurely
                 :
                 the
                 palate
                 and
                 open
                 mouth
                 yeeld
                 a
                 more
                 sounding
                 voyce
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 heard
                 in
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 Bohemia
                 ,
                 preaching
                 the
                 truth
                 freely
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 feare
                 ,
                 in
                 despite
                 of
                 
                   Antichrist
                   .
                   Hee
                   is
                   altogeth●●
                   lovely
                
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 him
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 ,
                 with
                 greatest
                 care
                 and
                 study
                 .
                 
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   beloved
                
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 seeing
                 yee
                 have
                 so
                 earnestly
                 desired
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 excellencie
                 of
                 my
                 beloved
                 .
                 Thinke
                 with
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 trifled
                 ,
                 nor
                 done
                 any
                 thing
                 unfit
                 for
                 a
                 modest
                 woman
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 my
                 earnest
                 indeavour
                 of
                 seeking
                 him
                 and
                 of
                 charging
                 you
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 honour
                 due
                 to
                 his
                 merits
                 far
                 exceeds
                 all
                 my
                 study
                 .
                 These
                 words
                 do
                 plainly
                 teach
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 her
                 true
                 members
                 ,
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 bestowed
                 all
                 diligence
                 in
                 seeking
                 Christ
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 wee
                 see
                 by
                 this
                 prophesie
                 (
                 which
                 with
                 noted
                 foot-steps
                 hath
                 exactly
                 shewed
                 the
                 path-way
                 through
                 this
                 Wildernesse
                 )
                 by
                 what
                 degrees
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 appeared
                 again
                 from
                 Frederick
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 (
                 after
                 infernall
                 darknesse
                 covering
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 the
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Rome
                 )
                 untill
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 ,
                 1420.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   16.
                
                 
                 Whither
                 is
                 thy
                 b●loved
                 ●one
                 ,
                 O
                 thou
                 fairest
                 ●mong
                 women
                 ?
                 whither
                 is
                 thy
                 beloved
                 turned
                 aside
                 ,
                 that
                 wee
                 may
                 seeke
                 him
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 This
                 sheweth
                 the
                 great
                 desire
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 to
                 seek
                 Christ
                 ,
                 offering
                 their
                 fellowship
                 ,
                 and
                 promising
                 common
                 aid
                 in
                 seeking
                 .
                 Which
                 came
                 in
                 fashion
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Bohemians
                 got
                 their
                 liberty
                 :
                 for
                 afterwards
                 
                 they
                 were
                 holpen
                 with
                 the
                 writings
                 of
                 many
                 learned
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Wald●●●es
                   ,
                   Albingenses
                   ,
                   Wickliffe
                   ,
                   John
                   Hu●●e
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Hierome
                 of
                 Prague
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 those
                 before
                 named
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 the
                 Bohemians
                 ,
                 by
                 ▪
                 whose
                 diligence
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 little
                 and
                 little
                 ,
                 appeared
                 in
                 his
                 members
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 wonderfull
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 were
                 presently
                 kindled
                 to
                 seeke
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 England
                 and
                 Germany
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 all
                 corners
                 (
                 of
                 our
                 coasts
                 at
                 least
                 )
                 sounded
                 againe
                 with
                 the
                 voyces
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 asking
                 ,
                 
                   Whither
                   is
                   thy
                   beloved
                   gone
                   thou
                   fairest
                   among
                   women
                   ?
                   whither
                   turneth
                   thy
                   beloved
                   ?
                
                 Yea
                 ,
                 this
                 speech
                 was
                 so
                 generally
                 received
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 which
                 knew
                 him
                 not
                 before
                 ,
                 nor
                 touched
                 with
                 any
                 desire
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 now
                 offered
                 their
                 ayde
                 to
                 seeke
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 Art
                 of
                 Printing
                 hapning
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 (
                 1440
                 )
                 by
                 Gods
                 singular
                 benefit
                 ,
                 did
                 greatly
                 helpe
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 his
                 fame
                 ,
                 which
                 continued
                 70.
                 yeeres
                 and
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 stayed
                 by
                 any
                 meanes
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             
               MY
               welbeloved
               is
               gone
               downe
               into
               his
               garden
               to
               the
               beds
               of
               spices
               ,
               to
               feede
               in
               the
               g●rdens
               ,
               and
               to
               gather
               lilies
               .
            
             
               2
               I
               am
               my
               welbeloveds
               ,
               and
               my
               welbeloved
               is
               mine
               ,
               who
               feedeth
               among
               the
               lilies
               .
            
             
               3
               Thou
               art
               beautifull
               ,
               my
               love
               ,
               as
               Tirza●
               ,
               comely
               as
               Ierusalem
               ,
               terrible
               as
               an
               army
               with
               banners
               .
            
             
               4
               Turne
               away
               thine
               eyes
               from
               me
               :
               for
               they
               overcome
               me
               :
               thine
               haire
               is
               like
               a
               flocke
               of
               goates
               ,
               which
               looke
               down
               from
               Gilead
               .
            
             
               5
               Thy
               teeth
               are
               like
               a
               flocke
               of
               sheepe
               ,
               which
               go
               up
               from
               the
               washing
               ,
               which
               every
               one
               bring
               out
               twins
               ,
               and
               none
               is
               barren
               among
               them
               .
            
             
               6
               Thy
               temples
               are
               within
               thy
               lockes
               as
               a
               piece
               of
               a
               pomegranate
               .
            
             
               7
               There
               are
               threescore
               Queens
               ,
               and
               fourescore
               concubines
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               damosels
               without
               number
               .
            
             
               8
               But
               my
               Dove
               is
               alone
               ,
               and
               my
               undefiled
               ,
               she
               is
               the
               onely
               daughter
               of
               her
               mother
               ,
               and
               she
               is
               deare
               to
               her
               that
               
               bare
               her
               :
               the
               daughters
               have
               seene
               her
               ,
               and
               counted
               her
               blessed
               :
               even
               the
               Queenes
               and
               the
               concubines
               ,
               and
               they
               have
               praised
               her
               .
            
             
               9
               Who
               is
               she
               that
               looketh
               forth
               as
               the
               morning
               ,
               ●aire
               as
               the
               moone
               ,
               pure
               as
               the
               ●un
               ,
               terrible
               as
               an
               army
               with
               banners
               !
            
             
               10
               I
               went
               downe
               to
               the
               garden
               of
               nuts
               ,
               to
               see
               the
               fruits
               of
               the
               valley
               ,
               to
               see
               if
               the
               vine
               budded
               ,
               
                 and
                 if
              
               the
               pomegranates
               flourished
               .
            
             
               11
               I
               knew
               nothing
               ,
               my
               soule
               set
               me
               as
               the
               charets
               of
               my
               noble
               people
               .
            
             
               12
               Returne
               ,
               returne
               ,
               O
               Shulamite
               ,
               returne
               :
               returne
               that
               we
               may
               behold
               thee
               .
               What
               shall
               you
               see
               in
               the
               Shulamite
               ,
               but
               as
               the
               company
               of
               an
               Army
               ?
            
          
           
             
               The
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               SO
               much
               of
               the
               Church
               cast
               down
               ;
               now
               of
               the
               Church
               restored
               ,
               in
               the
               whole
               and
               in
               the
               parts
               .
               The
               whole
               ,
               as
               well
               summarily
               ,
               both
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               Bridegroome
               ,
               
                 verse
                 1.
                 2.
              
               and
               in
               respect
               of
               the
               enemies
               
                 verse
                 3.
              
               as
               severally
               by
               reason
               of
               certaine
               members
               of
               the
               whole
               body
               ,
               
                 verse
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               The
               parts
               are
               particular
               Churches
               ,
               as
               Queenes
               ,
               Con●●bines
               and
               Virgins
               ,
               
                 verse
                 7.
              
               amongst
               all
               which
               ,
               one
               Dove
               excelleth
               ,
               
                 verse
                 8.
              
               
               And
               such
               is
               the
               eldest
               Sister
               .
               The
               younger
               are
               either
               a
               Prince●●e
               ,
               or
               other
               inferiour
               Churches
               .
               Her
               condition
               is
               partly
               growing
               ,
               partly
               of
               full
               age
               :
               her
               beginning
               is
               summarily
               delivered
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 9.
              
               
               Afterwards
               severally
               expressed
               ,
               and
               how
               it
               was
               done
               ,
               
                 verse
                 10.
                 11.
                 12.
              
               and
               what
               kinde
               of
               one
               she
               was
               when
               it
               was
               done
               ,
               
                 Chap.
                 7.
              
               
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   ▪
                   1.
                
                 
                 My
                 beloved
                 is
                 gone
                 down●
                 into
                 his
                 garden
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 beds
                 of
                 spices
                 :
                 to
                 ▪
                 feede
                 in
                 the
                 Gardens
                 and
                 to
                 gather
                 Lillies
                 .
              
               
                 IN
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 description
                 the
                 Spouse
                 seeketh
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 :
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 seene
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 Chapter
                 .
                 Now
                 she
                 taketh
                 on
                 her
                 to
                 teach
                 that
                 which
                 before
                 she
                 desired
                 to
                 learn.
                 To
                 descend
                 into
                 the
                 garden
                 ,
                 is
                 onely
                 (
                 as
                 hath
                 beene
                 often
                 said
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 present
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 taught
                 with
                 the
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 seene
                 with
                 the
                 eyes
                 in
                 purity
                 of
                 doctrine
                 and
                 integrity
                 
                 of
                 all
                 ex●e●nall
                 worship
                 .
                 Which
                 hapned
                 in
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 
                   Martin
                   Luther
                
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 1●●7
                 .
                 At
                 what
                 time
                 the
                 Spouse
                 began
                 somewhat
                 to
                 recover
                 her
                 health
                 and
                 strength
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Wald●n●es
                   ,
                   Wick●i●●
                   ▪
                
                 the
                 Bohemi●ns
                 and
                 other
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 had
                 taken
                 great
                 paines
                 in
                 seeking
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 garden
                 was
                 never
                 prepared
                 with
                 beds
                 and
                 borders
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 till
                 now
                 ,
                 when
                 Frederike
                 Duke
                 of
                 Saxonie
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 authority
                 protected
                 and
                 defended
                 the
                 Church
                 newly
                 sprung
                 up
                 in
                 Wittenberg
                 a
                 City
                 of
                 his
                 dominion
                 .
                 Here
                 was
                 the
                 only
                 garden
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 she
                 faith
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   beloved
                   is
                   gone
                   down
                   into
                   his
                   garden
                   .
                
                 The
                 truth
                 was
                 plentifully
                 sowne
                 there
                 ,
                 but
                 little
                 reformation
                 for
                 the
                 first
                 four
                 e
                 yeeres
                 ,
                 therefore
                 is
                 there
                 but
                 one
                 garden
                 mentioned
                 .
                 But
                 shortly
                 after
                 more
                 gardens
                 were
                 added
                 to
                 this
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Tigurum
                   ,
                   Argentoratum
                   ,
                   Basile
                   ,
                   Berne
                   ,
                   Geneva
                   ,
                
                 and
                 also
                 the
                 Provinces
                 of
                 Hassia
                 and
                 Prussia
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 faith
                 rightly
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   went
                   downe
                   to
                   feede
                   in
                   the
                   Gardens
                   ,
                
                 for
                 now
                 there
                 were
                 many
                 gardens
                 made
                 by
                 distinction
                 of
                 fence
                 ,
                 yet
                 were
                 all
                 planted
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 fruite
                 .
                 He
                 came
                 not
                 into
                 this
                 garden
                 any
                 longer
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 bare
                 and
                 naked
                 beds
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 feeding
                 the
                 elect
                 by
                 the
                 nourishment
                 of
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 he
                 at
                 the
                 length
                 gathered
                 lillies
                 in
                 baskets
                 and
                 separated
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 wicked
                 world
                 ,
                 which
                 Lillies
                 were
                 first
                 gathered
                 at
                 Wittemberg
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Masse
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 discontinued
                 and
                 the
                 Supper
                 more
                 purely
                 to
                 be
                 administred
                 in
                 the
                 yeere
                 1521.
                 
                 The
                 yeere
                 following
                 the
                 Images
                 were
                 cast
                 out
                 .
                 After
                 three
                 yeeres
                 Tyg●r●m
                 and
                 Argentoratum
                 were
                 reformed
                 .
                 This
                 comming
                 into
                 the
                 garden
                 and
                 gathering
                 of
                 Lillies
                 is
                 the
                 harvest
                 spoken
                 of
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 14.
                 14
                 
                 ▪
                 15.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   3.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 my
                 beloveds
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 beloved
                 is
                 mine
                 :
                 he
                 feed●th
                 among
                 the
                 Lillies
                 .
              
               
                 She
                 triumpheth
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 words
                 as
                 she
                 did
                 upon
                 her
                 returne
                 from
                 
                   Babylon
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 2.
                 16.
                 by
                 which
                 free
                 profession
                 ,
                 she
                 declareth
                 the
                 boldnesse
                 and
                 constancie
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 truth
                 need
                 no
                 more
                 whisper
                 in
                 corners
                 ,
                 in
                 feare
                 and
                 doubting
                 ,
                 but
                 might
                 publish
                 her selfe
                 openly
                 and
                 be
                 publiquely
                 celebrated
                 by
                 the
                 common
                 speech
                 of
                 many
                 men
                 .
                 Neither
                 was
                 the
                 supportation
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 lesse
                 apparent
                 in
                 defen●ing
                 her
                 mightily
                 against
                 her
                 enemies
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 the
                 hatred
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 ,
                 the
                 rebukes
                 of
                 the
                 Doctors
                 ,
                 the
                 curses
                 of
                 the
                 Popes
                 ,
                 the
                 condemning
                 of
                 the
                 Emperour
                 ,
                 the
                 conspiracies
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 the
                 confiscation
                 of
                 goods
                 ,
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 things
                 threa●ning
                 present
                 death
                 ,
                 could
                 have
                 terrified
                 the
                 Spouse
                 from
                 pro●e●●ing
                 her
                 beloved
                 :
                 faith
                 had
                 bin
                 utterly
                 
                 lost
                 .
                 The
                 Spouse
                 claimeth
                 her
                 beloved
                 to
                 be
                 h●●s
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Melan●thon
                 to
                 Prince
                 Frederick
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 go
                 on
                 co●stantly
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 the
                 world
                 rage
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 mutuall
                 imbracing
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 Church
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   ●
                   ▪
                
                 Thou
                 art
                 beautif●ll
                 O
                 my
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 Tir●a●
                 ,
                 comely
                 as
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 terrible
                 as
                 a●
                 Jerusalem
                 Army
                 with
                 Banners
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 explanation
                 of
                 this
                 verse
                 is
                 divided
                 into
                 three
                 times
                 .
                 The
                 Beginning
                 ,
                 Middle
                 ,
                 and
                 End.
                 In
                 the
                 beginning
                 she
                 was
                 faire
                 as
                 ●i●●●h
                 ,
                 which
                 Solomon
                 without
                 doubt
                 foresaw
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 chiefe
                 City
                 of
                 the
                 Israelites
                 after
                 the
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 fell
                 from
                 the
                 other
                 two
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 pleasant
                 City
                 ,
                 whence
                 it
                 tooke
                 the
                 name
                 ,
                 (
                 1
                 Reg.
                 14.
                 17.
                 
                 )
                 but
                 (
                 as-well
                 by
                 the
                 estimation
                 of
                 men
                 as
                 in
                 truth
                 )
                 it
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 l
                 ortresse
                 of
                 Robbers
                 and
                 rebels
                 .
                 And
                 no
                 other
                 was
                 the
                 Church
                 esteemed
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 (
                 when
                 her
                 beloved
                 went
                 downe
                 into
                 his
                 garden
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 time
                 after
                 )
                 but
                 a
                 rebellious
                 City
                 ,
                 disobedient
                 to
                 ●rinces
                 and
                 Governors
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 carry
                 a
                 cer●aine
                 show
                 of
                 
                   Tirzah
                   ▪
                
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 Church
                 remained
                 like
                 unto
                 Tirzah
                 from
                 the
                 yeere
                 1529.
                 (
                 when
                 the
                 Argentinenses
                 joyned
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Helvetians
                   ,
                
                 )
                 till
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Charles
                 the
                 5.
                 in
                 the
                 yeere
                 ,
                 1558.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 she
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 ●omely
                 as
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 unpleasant
                 name
                 of
                 Tirz●h
                 grew
                 out
                 of
                 use
                 ,
                 which
                 hapne●
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 Queene
                 Elizabeths
                 Raign
                 in
                 England
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 yeere
                 1558.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 yeere
                 following
                 in
                 
                   Scotland
                   ,
                   Geneva
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Helvetian
                 and
                 German
                 Churches
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Denmarke
                   ,
                   Norway
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Sweveland
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 places
                 of
                 the
                 reformed
                 Religion
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 altogether
                 free
                 from
                 hostile
                 invasion
                 ,
                 great
                 troubles
                 shortly
                 arising
                 in
                 France
                 and
                 the
                 Low-countries
                 :
                 yet
                 partly
                 by
                 her
                 own
                 increase
                 ,
                 partly
                 her
                 adversaries
                 tyred
                 and
                 ceasing
                 somewhat
                 from
                 outward
                 force
                 ,
                 she
                 was
                 so
                 much
                 exalted
                 ,
                 that
                 her
                 very
                 enemies
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 admire
                 her
                 beauty
                 and
                 comelinesse
                 ,
                 whose
                 beginnings
                 they
                 despised
                 .
                 The
                 last
                 age
                 of
                 the
                 restored
                 Church
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   terrible
                   as
                   an
                   Army
                   with
                   Banners
                   .
                
              
               
                 She
                 shall
                 bestow
                 all
                 her
                 time
                 in
                 warlike
                 preparations
                 ,
                 and
                 undertakings
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 hellish
                 furies
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 her
                 enemies
                 to
                 re●t
                 ,
                 neither
                 will
                 she
                 endure
                 her selfe
                 to
                 be
                 rent
                 and
                 torne
                 by
                 the
                 Wolves
                 ,
                 but
                 resist
                 the
                 injury
                 with
                 an
                 armed
                 hand
                 ▪
                 Whereby
                 she
                 shall
                 become
                 fearefull
                 to
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 as
                 she
                 hath
                 done
                 these
                 many
                 yee●es
                 in
                 
                   England
                   ,
                   France
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Low-Countries
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 nothing
                 to
                 that
                 terrour
                 which
                 shall
                 shortly
                 follow
                 ,
                 when
                 Antichrist
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 Ensign-b●arer
                 (
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Spaine
                 )
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 carry
                 his
                 marke
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 d●●troyed
                 by
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 mention
                 of
                 the●●●all
                 remaine
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 Turn
                 ●way
                 thine
                 eyes
                 from
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 have
                 overcome
                 me
                 :
                 thy
                 Layre
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 Goats
                 that
                 appeare
                 from
                 Gilead
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 she
                 enters
                 into
                 a
                 speciall
                 com●endation
                 of
                 ce●tain
                 members
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 civill
                 government
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 may
                 the
                 better
                 be
                 understood
                 .
                 This
                 cleernesse
                 of
                 sight
                 ,
                 without
                 doubt
                 ,
                 was
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 doctrine
                 of
                 Justification
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Church
                 (
                 not
                 with
                 squint
                 but
                 right
                 eyes
                 )
                 beholdeth
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 righteousnes
                 and
                 excelle●cy
                 .
                 And
                 whatsoever
                 excelleth
                 in
                 the
                 judgement
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 losse
                 and
                 dung
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 This
                 eye
                 was
                 very
                 dim
                 in
                 former
                 times
                 ,
                 untill
                 
                   Martin
                   Luther
                
                 divinely
                 drew
                 away
                 those
                 darke
                 scales
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 wiped
                 away
                 all
                 humane
                 satisfa●●ion●
                 ,
                 merits
                 ,
                 supererogations
                 ,
                 indulgences
                 ,
                 confidence
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 received
                 wicked
                 superstitions
                 ;
                 and
                 shewed
                 the
                 yoke
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 grievous
                 then
                 all
                 the
                 Popes
                 Buls
                 were
                 able
                 to
                 uphold
                 ;
                 neither
                 afterwards
                 could
                 the
                 wicked
                 Councel
                 of
                 Trent
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 
                   Germane
                   Interim
                
                 (
                 forged
                 altogether
                 with
                 fraud
                 and
                 deceit
                 )
                 dazle
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 these
                 eyes
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 discerne
                 the
                 authors
                 of
                 these
                 deceits
                 ,
                 spreading
                 their
                 nets
                 in
                 vain
                 ;
                 neither
                 was
                 our
                 Engl●nd
                 lesse
                 sharp-sighted
                 ,
                 when
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Pope
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 Papacie
                 ,
                 was
                 utterly
                 rejected
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 authority
                 of
                 our
                 Josias
                 ,
                 that
                 most
                 holy
                 King
                 ,
                 Edward
                 the
                 sixth
                 ,
                 of
                 blessed
                 memory
                 .
                 We
                 see
                 the
                 divine
                 beauty
                 of
                 these
                 eyes
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 (
                 God
                 be
                 thanked
                 )
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 all
                 reformed
                 Churches
                 .
                 The
                 common
                 people
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 signified
                 by
                 Hayre
                 ,
                 is
                 altogether
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Church
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 1.
                 scattered
                 ,
                 contemned
                 ,
                 put
                 in
                 great
                 danger
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 ,
                 could
                 be
                 compelled
                 to
                 leave
                 Gilead
                 ,
                 and
                 returne
                 to
                 Bethaven
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   5.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 teeth
                 are
                 as
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 sheep
                 which
                 go
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 washing
                 :
                 whereof
                 every
                 one
                 beareth
                 twins
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 one
                 barren
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Teeth
                 are
                 alwayes
                 taken
                 for
                 the
                 Pastors
                 and
                 Ministers
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 as
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 2.
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 sent
                 forth
                 ,
                 two
                 and
                 two
                 ▪
                 instructed
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 gifts
                 and
                 messages
                 :
                 As
                 Sheep
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 mild●
                 and
                 pleasant
                 disposition
                 ,
                 and
                 far
                 remote
                 from
                 all
                 ambition
                 ,
                 so
                 should
                 the
                 restored
                 Church
                 shine
                 with
                 faithfull
                 Pastors
                 ;
                 the
                 true
                 successors
                 of
                 those
                 former
                 ,
                 adorned
                 with
                 the
                 self-same
                 Ensignes
                 as
                 neer
                 as
                 the
                 time
                 would
                 suffer
                 .
                 They
                 which
                 before
                 boasted
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 had
                 altogether
                 cast
                 away
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 preaching
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 these
                 men
                 would
                 be
                 heires
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ▪
                 whereas
                 they
                 were
                 strong
                 teeth
                 ;
                 these
                 filthy
                 rotten
                 bones
                 :
                 they
                 Sheep
                 ;
                 these
                 Lyons
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 length
                 sound
                 teeth
                 sprung
                 up
                 again
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 
                   Luther
                   ,
                   Melancthon
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Bucer
                   ,
                   Zuinglius
                   ,
                   Oecolampadius
                   ,
                   Capito
                   ,
                   Calvin
                   ,
                   Peter
                   Martyr
                   ,
                
                 and
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 whose
                 names
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 heaven
                 .
                 And
                 verily
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 this
                 Prophecie
                 ,
                 seemeth
                 very
                 apparent
                 in
                 the
                 decree
                 made
                 at
                 Geneva
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 yeere
                 1550.
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Ministers
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 some
                 neglected
                 ,
                 some
                 heard
                 them
                 with
                 small
                 profit
                 )
                 but
                 also
                 severally
                 through
                 houses
                 and
                 families
                 ,
                 at
                 a
                 certain
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 yeere
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 Magistrate
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 should
                 instruct
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 require
                 a
                 reckoning
                 of
                 every
                 ones
                 faith
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 scarce
                 credible
                 what
                 fruit
                 followed
                 ,
                 as
                 Beza
                 sheweth
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Calvin
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Ver●
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 As
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 Pomegranate
                 ,
                 are
                 thy
                 temples
                 within
                 thy
                 locks
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 fourth
                 agreement
                 of
                 this
                 Church
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 to
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 Ecclesiasticall
                 and
                 civill
                 government
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 whereof
                 the
                 Church
                 restored
                 should
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 which
                 appeared
                 by
                 the
                 holy
                 Discipline
                 restored
                 again
                 at
                 Geneva
                 ,
                 by
                 Gods
                 singular
                 benefit
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 yeer
                 1541.
                 
                 Which
                 wee
                 also
                 see
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 in
                 other
                 Churches
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 ;
                 as
                 in
                 
                   Helvetia
                   ,
                   Rhaetia
                   ,
                   France
                   ,
                   the
                   low
                   Countries
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Scotland
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 government
                 requiring
                 holinesse
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 doctrine
                 ,
                 the
                 truth
                 flourisheth
                 fruitfull●
                 and
                 inviolably
                 .
                 But
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 these
                 times
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 described
                 ,
                 shine
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 Reformed
                 Churches
                 ;
                 whereunto
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 sufficient
                 if
                 we
                 finde
                 some
                 such
                 thing
                 in
                 any
                 one
                 Congregation
                 :
                 for
                 this
                 by
                 a
                 common
                 necessity
                 ,
                 shall
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 commendations
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 summe
                 of
                 the
                 agreement
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 There
                 are
                 threescore
                 Queens
                 ,
                 and
                 fourscore
                 Concubines
                 ,
                 and
                 Virgins
                 without
                 number
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 spoken
                 compendiously
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 restored
                 ;
                 some
                 things
                 are
                 now
                 briefly
                 propounded
                 ,
                 particularly
                 in
                 these
                 two
                 verses
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 divideth
                 the
                 severall
                 Congregations
                 into
                 three
                 ranks
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 degrees
                 of
                 purity
                 :
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   Queens
                   ,
                   Concubines
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Virgins
                 or
                 Maids
                 ;
                 And
                 ●he
                 that
                 comes
                 neerest
                 to
                 truth
                 and
                 holinesse
                 ,
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 holdeth
                 her
                 dearest
                 ;
                 wherefore
                 the
                 Queens
                 are
                 mighty
                 ,
                 and
                 flourishing
                 Churches
                 ,
                 which
                 excell
                 the
                 rest
                 in
                 purity
                 .
                 The
                 Concubines
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 lower
                 ranke
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 admitted
                 to
                 the
                 Bed
                 ,
                 but
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 honour
                 and
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 lawfull
                 wives
                 ;
                 having
                 no
                 dower
                 themselves
                 ,
                 nor
                 are
                 their
                 children
                 to
                 inherite
                 .
                 The
                 Virgins
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 lowest
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 servants
                 and
                 handmaids
                 ,
                 altogether
                 estranged
                 from
                 any
                 familiar
                 acquaintance
                 ,
                 they
                 
                 have
                 imployment
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 victuals
                 and
                 clothing
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 reckoned
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 their
                 Masters
                 houshold
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 not
                 partakers
                 of
                 his
                 goods
                 ;
                 they
                 labour
                 not
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 their
                 Masters
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 also
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 the
                 Queens
                 are
                 numbred
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 are
                 the
                 Concubin●s
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Virgins
                 (
                 as
                 of
                 no
                 reckoning
                 )
                 are
                 without
                 number
                 .
                 This
                 distraction
                 into
                 such
                 different
                 degrees
                 hapned
                 about
                 the
                 yeere
                 ,
                 1563.
                 
                 When
                 
                   Iohn
                   Brentius
                
                 and
                 
                   Iames
                   Andrewes
                
                 ,
                 rent
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 pieces
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 unluckie
                 division
                 of
                 that
                 monstrous
                 Vbiquity
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 before
                 sowne
                 by
                 Luther
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 stayed
                 the
                 contention
                 about
                 it
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 he
                 lived
                 .
                 But
                 Brentius
                 revived
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 three
                 yeers
                 after
                 ,
                 Illyricus
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Doctors
                 out
                 of
                 far
                 Countries
                 ▪
                 came
                 to
                 Antwerp
                 ,
                 and
                 renewed
                 that
                 error
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 her
                 infancy
                 ,
                 was
                 miserably
                 defiled
                 ;
                 besides
                 ,
                 Anabaptists
                 and
                 
                   Libertines
                   ,
                   Antitrinitarians
                   ,
                   new
                   Arians
                   ,
                
                 and
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 other
                 monsters
                 ,
                 which
                 wasted
                 and
                 spoyled
                 Transilvania
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Regions
                 thereabouts
                 .
                 The
                 
                   English
                   ,
                   Irish
                   ,
                   Scottish
                   ,
                   Belgick
                   ,
                   Geneva
                   ,
                   Helvetique
                   ,
                   Rhetique
                   ,
                
                 do
                 flourish
                 (
                 God
                 be
                 praised
                 )
                 with
                 the
                 dignitie
                 of
                 Queens
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 Germane
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Danish
                   ,
                   Gotique
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Sweveland
                 Churches
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 cleaving
                 to
                 their
                 opinions
                 ,
                 have
                 taken
                 a
                 crowne
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 gotten
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Conc●●●nes
                 .
                 Among
                 the
                 Virgins
                 I
                 reckon
                 the
                 
                   Anabaptists
                   ,
                   Libertines
                   ,
                   A●●itrinitarians
                   ,
                   Arians
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 which
                 now
                 altogether
                 miserably
                 waste
                 and
                 destroy
                 
                   Moravi●
                   ,
                   Polonia
                   ,
                   Hungaria
                   ,
                   Transilvania
                   ,
                
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 Denmarke
                 .
                 To
                 these
                 may
                 be
                 added
                 the
                 Roman
                 filthy
                 sinck
                 ,
                 wheresoever
                 dispersed
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 seen
                 the
                 whole
                 Song
                 marvellous
                 hitherto
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 especially
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 things
                 present
                 .
                 Behold
                 then
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 restored
                 truth
                 ,
                 into
                 what
                 unlike
                 degrees
                 she
                 at
                 length
                 should
                 fall
                 by
                 a
                 great
                 separation
                 .
                 The
                 Spirit
                 foretold
                 a
                 lamentable
                 successe
                 :
                 this
                 age
                 feeleth
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 day
                 plainly
                 threatneth
                 a
                 farther
                 departure
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 My
                 Dove
                 ,
                 my
                 undefiled
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 one
                 of
                 her
                 mother
                 ,
                 shee
                 is
                 the
                 choice
                 one
                 of
                 her
                 that
                 bare
                 her
                 ,
                 the
                 daughters
                 saw
                 her
                 and
                 blessed
                 her
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 Queenes
                 and
                 the
                 concubines
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 praised
                 her
                 .
              
               
                 Without
                 doubt
                 this
                 Dove
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Queenes
                 ,
                 far
                 excelling
                 in
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 beloved
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 then
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 adorned
                 with
                 a
                 threefold
                 testimonie
                 :
                 
                   Of
                   the
                   Bridegroome
                   ,
                   of
                   her
                   mother
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   rest
                   in
                   the
                   family
                   .
                
                 For
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 termeth
                 her
                 ,
                 his
                 Dove
                 ,
                 his
                 
                   Vndefiled
                   one
                
                 .
                 Any
                 thing
                 may
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 in
                 manners
                 and
                 disposition
                 ,
                 though
                 absent
                 in
                 place
                 and
                 seate
                 ;
                 As
                 the
                 
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 though
                 severed
                 in
                 far
                 remote
                 plac●s
                 ,
                 whi●e
                 they
                 hold
                 the
                 same
                 purity
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 study
                 of
                 holinesse
                 .
                 The
                 second
                 testimonie
                 is
                 of
                 her
                 Mother
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 the
                 Word
                 to
                 whose
                 directions
                 this
                 Dove
                 doth
                 wholly
                 apply
                 her self
                 .
                 The
                 third
                 testimony
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 family
                 .
                 Fi●st
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 daughters
                 who
                 are
                 particular
                 Churches
                 which
                 are
                 begotten
                 of
                 this
                 onely
                 Dove
                 ,
                 from
                 wh●m
                 they
                 draw
                 their
                 instructions
                 and
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 administration
                 .
                 Next
                 the
                 Queenes
                 and
                 Concubines
                 bear
                 witn●sse
                 both
                 after
                 one
                 manner
                 ,
                 but
                 both
                 very
                 sparingly
                 and
                 more
                 slenderly
                 then
                 the
                 daughters
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 through
                 envie
                 ;
                 They
                 acknowledge
                 her
                 fair
                 and
                 beautifull
                 ,
                 but
                 perhaps
                 they
                 keep
                 the
                 branch
                 to
                 themselves
                 ;
                 as
                 jealous
                 wives
                 often
                 do
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 sheweth
                 how
                 the
                 wills
                 were
                 conjoyned
                 ,
                 between
                 the
                 Dove
                 ,
                 the
                 Daughters
                 ,
                 the
                 Q●eenes
                 and
                 Concubines
                 .
                 Howsoever
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 degree
                 of
                 purity
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 But
                 where
                 are
                 the
                 Virgins
                 without
                 number
                 ?
                 Why
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 commendation
                 of
                 theirs
                 rehearsed
                 ?
                 Verely
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 further
                 absent
                 from
                 familiar
                 acquaintance
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 they
                 more
                 spitefully
                 bent
                 against
                 his
                 onely
                 beloved
                 Dove
                 ,
                 neither
                 (
                 through
                 hatred
                 )
                 can
                 they
                 say
                 any
                 thing
                 well
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 see
                 then
                 a
                 more
                 full
                 distinction
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 Chuches
                 which
                 are
                 either
                 true
                 or
                 titulary
                 .
                 The
                 true
                 ,
                 are
                 Queenes
                 and
                 Concubines
                 .
                 The
                 Queenes
                 again
                 are
                 either
                 the
                 onely
                 Dove
                 ,
                 or
                 more
                 :
                 and
                 this
                 onely
                 on●
                 is
                 partly
                 the
                 Mother
                 ,
                 partly
                 the
                 Daughters
                 .
                 The
                 titular
                 Churches
                 are
                 the
                 virgins
                 .
                 Who
                 this
                 onely
                 Dove
                 is
                 ,
                 may
                 easily
                 be
                 proved
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 consider
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 Teeth
                 and
                 Temples
                 of
                 the
                 restored
                 Church
                 ,
                 for
                 she
                 that
                 excelleth
                 in
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 these
                 members
                 ,
                 must
                 of
                 necessity
                 be
                 that
                 one
                 onely
                 Dove
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 not
                 trusting
                 to
                 mine
                 own
                 judgement
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 judgement
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 himself
                 :
                 I
                 beheld
                 in
                 this
                 glasse
                 the
                 Churc●
                 of
                 Geneva
                 ,
                 shining
                 with
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 this
                 only
                 Dove
                 .
                 For
                 first
                 let
                 us
                 consider
                 the
                 excellent
                 comlinesse
                 of
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 where
                 sound
                 and
                 uncorrupt
                 doctrine
                 shineth
                 ,
                 spotted
                 with
                 no
                 comments
                 of
                 filthy
                 flatterers
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 the
                 chastity
                 of
                 justification
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 wherwith
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 is
                 chiefly
                 delight●d
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 beauty
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 Queens
                 and
                 also
                 the
                 Concubines
                 ;
                 Then
                 let
                 us
                 behold
                 the
                 teeth
                 ,
                 
                   ●●mely
                   the
                   doctors
                
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 sheep
                 ,
                 simple
                 ;
                 harmlesse
                 ,
                 not
                 d●●dainfull
                 ,
                 not
                 luxurious
                 ,
                 but
                 content
                 with
                 a
                 sparing
                 diet
                 :
                 diligent
                 ●n
                 teaching
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 troubled
                 with
                 worldly
                 busin●s●e
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 leasure
                 for
                 the
                 word
                 and
                 doctrine
                 .
                 Not
                 undertaking
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 many
                 Churches
                 and
                 serving
                 none
                 ,
                 nor
                 may
                 he
                 that
                 take●●
                 
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 one
                 Church
                 neglect
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 absence
                 .
                 Neither
                 is
                 any
                 thought
                 fit
                 for
                 that
                 pastorall
                 function
                 which
                 can
                 b●t
                 only
                 read
                 .
                 Lastly
                 let
                 us
                 view
                 the
                 Temples
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 piece
                 of
                 a
                 Pomgranate
                 very
                 beautif●ll
                 ▪
                 The
                 governors
                 ●ogether
                 with
                 the
                 Pastors
                 most
                 honest
                 men
                 ,
                 watching
                 over
                 the
                 manners
                 of
                 every
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 correcting
                 them
                 by
                 divine
                 institution
                 ,
                 not
                 sending
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 Romish
                 horse-leaches
                 and
                 the
                 Antichristian
                 decrees
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 to
                 corrupt
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 ende●vour
                 to
                 redeem
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 publike
                 offences
                 ,
                 rather
                 by
                 repentance
                 then
                 for
                 mony
                 .
                 Neither
                 doth
                 she
                 command
                 any
                 idle
                 ceremonies
                 but
                 what
                 necessary
                 reason
                 onely
                 requireth
                 .
                 Lastly
                 they
                 which
                 apply
                 all
                 to
                 the
                 authority
                 which
                 Christ
                 hath
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Chur●h
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 member
                 may
                 perform
                 his
                 duty
                 hol●ly
                 .
                 The
                 Spirit
                 goeth
                 no
                 farther
                 in
                 the
                 elder
                 Church
                 ,
                 because
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 seemeth
                 )
                 she
                 shall
                 persist
                 in
                 that
                 variety
                 which
                 we
                 now
                 spake
                 of
                 :
                 of
                 
                   Queenes
                   ,
                   Concubines
                   ,
                   Danghters
                   ,
                   Doves
                
                 and
                 Virgins
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 wi●hout
                 any
                 notable
                 change
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 happen
                 as
                 corruption
                 dayly
                 increaseth
                 ,
                 the
                 Dove
                 and
                 the
                 Daughters
                 may
                 be
                 shut
                 up
                 in
                 a
                 narrow
                 bound
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 Who
                 is
                 she
                 that
                 looketh
                 f●rth
                 as
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 fair
                 as
                 the
                 moon
                 ,
                 cleer
                 as
                 the
                 sun
                 ,
                 and
                 terrible
                 as
                 an
                 Army
                 with
                 Banners
                 !
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 of
                 the
                 elder
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 things
                 as
                 well
                 past
                 as
                 present
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 Treatise
                 respecteth
                 things
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 more
                 obscurity
                 they
                 have
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 leave
                 and
                 pardon
                 they
                 crave
                 .
                 But
                 nothing
                 is
                 so
                 plain
                 wherein
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 ma●s
                 minde
                 erreth
                 not
                 extremly
                 ,
                 unlesse
                 it
                 be
                 governed
                 by
                 divine
                 light
                 :
                 nor
                 any
                 thing
                 so
                 concealed
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 lie
                 hid
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 enlighten
                 him
                 .
                 Thou
                 therefore
                 which
                 hast
                 enlightned
                 the
                 former
                 darknesse
                 ,
                 give
                 light
                 unto
                 these
                 following
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 being
                 taught
                 thy
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 beholding
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 thy
                 children
                 may
                 cheerfully
                 and
                 constantly
                 proceed
                 i●
                 our
                 begun
                 course
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 neither
                 terrified
                 by
                 any
                 dangers
                 ,
                 nor
                 deceived
                 by
                 the
                 deceitfull
                 allurements
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 It
                 plainly
                 appeared
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 5.
                 6.
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 manner
                 of
                 asking
                 is
                 declared
                 the
                 new
                 birth
                 or
                 rising
                 up
                 of
                 some
                 Church
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 afterwards
                 thrice
                 repeated
                 ,
                 is
                 signified
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 many
                 arisings
                 of
                 new
                 Churches
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 the
                 approaching
                 of
                 new
                 people
                 to
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Church
                 .
                 Although
                 others
                 also
                 are
                 added
                 ,
                 whose
                 a●●cription
                 is
                 not
                 declared
                 in
                 this
                 kinde
                 of
                 speaking
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 .
                 Therefore
                 wee
                 divide
                 the
                 younger
                 sister
                 into
                 three
                 parts
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 first
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Princesse
                 )
                 is
                 described
                 from
                 this
                 v●ry
                 place
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 fifth
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 eighth
                 Chap.
                 The
                 s●cond
                 ,
                 from
                 thence
                 to
                 the
                 ninth
                 verse
                 :
                 The
                 ●hird
                 in
                 the
                 tenth
                 and
                 eleventh
                 verses
                 thereof
                 .
                 The
                 
                 first
                 of
                 the
                 sisters
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 whose
                 calling
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 within
                 these
                 few
                 ages
                 .
                 After
                 ,
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 Antichrist
                 (
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 Rome
                 )
                 shall
                 be
                 utterly
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 very
                 shortly
                 .
                 Hither
                 all
                 circumstances
                 leade
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Revelation
                 agreeth
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 Prophecies
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 Prophets
                 .
                 This
                 calling
                 shall
                 be
                 do●ble
                 :
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 from
                 hence
                 to
                 the
                 eighth
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 seventh
                 Chapter
                 :
                 The
                 second
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 The
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 in
                 part
                 ▪
                 briefly
                 delivered
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 severally
                 in
                 the
                 verses
                 following
                 .
                 The
                 generall
                 explication
                 teacheth
                 what
                 kinde
                 of
                 beginning
                 and
                 progresse
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 certain
                 yeeres
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 conversion
                 shall
                 be
                 like
                 the
                 morning
                 ;
                 The
                 first
                 growing
                 age
                 ,
                 
                   faire
                   a●
                   the
                   Moone
                
                 :
                 The
                 stronger
                 age
                 ,
                 
                   cleer
                   as
                   the
                   Sunne
                
                 :
                 The
                 full
                 strength
                 thereof
                 ,
                 
                   terrible
                   ,
                   as
                   ●n
                   Army
                   with
                   Banners
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 likened
                 to
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 of
                 a
                 doubtfull
                 and
                 obscure
                 light
                 ▪
                 (
                 as
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 break
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 )
                 but
                 also
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 first
                 light
                 thereof
                 f●all
                 appeare
                 from
                 the
                 East
                 ▪
                 for
                 Daniel
                 (
                 speaking
                 of
                 this
                 first
                 calling
                 )
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Rumors
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   ●ast
                   ,
                   and
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   North
                   ,
                   shall
                   troubl●
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 11.
                 44.
                 as
                 more
                 plainly
                 (
                 God
                 willing
                 )
                 shall
                 be
                 said
                 at
                 that
                 place
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 words
                 ●e
                 joyneth
                 the
                 North
                 to
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 J●wes
                 there
                 banished
                 ,
                 should
                 gather
                 together
                 with
                 those
                 of
                 the
                 East
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   Euphrates
                   is
                   dried
                   ●p
                   ,
                   that
                   a
                   way
                   may
                   be
                   made
                   for
                   the
                   Kings
                   of
                   the
                   East
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 16.
                 12.
                 
                 After
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   the
                   new
                   Ierusalem
                   shall
                   descend
                   from
                   heaven
                   ,
                   the
                   first
                   gate
                   ●●ull
                   be
                   Eastward
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 21.
                 13.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 desire
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 this
                 first
                 co●version
                 :
                 God
                 hath
                 very
                 much
                 concealed
                 the
                 moments
                 of
                 time
                 from
                 us
                 ;
                 yet
                 I
                 suppose
                 it
                 is
                 certainly
                 noted
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 day
                 drawing
                 neer
                 ,
                 will
                 adde
                 a
                 cleerer
                 light
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 12.
                 4
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 neer
                 as
                 we
                 can
                 attain
                 to
                 it
                 by
                 conjectures
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 those
                 not
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 seem
                 to
                 me
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1650
                 ▪
                 as
                 at
                 the
                 twelfth
                 of
                 Daniel
                 the
                 eleventh
                 and
                 twelfth
                 verses
                 shall
                 be
                 said
                 more
                 plainly
                 .
                 Such
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 this
                 new
                 light
                 ;
                 the
                 progresse
                 shall
                 equall
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Moon
                 ,
                 most
                 cleerly
                 enlightening
                 the
                 mighty
                 darknesse
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 swift
                 increase
                 after
                 the
                 first
                 appearing
                 ,
                 shining
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 dayes
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 full
                 Moon
                 :
                 as
                 Esay
                 cryeth
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   hath
                   heard
                   such
                   a
                   thing
                   ?
                   who
                   hath
                   seen
                   such
                   things
                   ?
                   shall
                   the
                   earth
                   be
                   made
                   to
                   bring
                   forth
                   in
                   one
                   day
                   ?
                   or
                   shall
                   a
                   nation
                   be
                   borne
                   at
                   once
                   ?
                   for
                   as
                   soon
                   as
                   Sion
                   travelled
                   ,
                   she
                   brought
                   forth
                   her
                   children
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 66.
                 8.
                 
                 The
                 riper
                 age
                 shall
                 strive
                 with
                 the
                 Sunne
                 ,
                 in
                 glory
                 ,
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 cleernesse
                 ;
                 the
                 exceeding
                 brightnesse
                 shall
                 be
                 such
                 ▪
                 that
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 looked
                 upon
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 ▪
                 ●t
                 length
                 terrible
                 
                 to
                 the
                 enemies
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 an
                 Army
                 ●●rnished
                 with
                 Banners
                 .
                 We
                 may
                 observe
                 out
                 of
                 these
                 comparisons
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 excellent
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 this
                 Church
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 then
                 ever
                 it
                 was
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 .
                 Great
                 was
                 the
                 dignity
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 most
                 declared
                 by
                 similit●des
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 but
                 here
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 ●arthly
                 things
                 were
                 not
                 sufficient
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 such
                 glory
                 ,
                 he
                 ●●ies
                 upward
                 towards
                 heaven
                 ,
                 taking
                 
                   the
                   Morning
                   ,
                   the
                   Moon
                   ,
                   and
                   Sunne
                
                 for
                 comparisons
                 :
                 
                   Come
                   Lord
                   Iesu
                
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 quickly
                 see
                 that
                 pleasant
                 sight
                 ,
                 the
                 gathering
                 together
                 of
                 our
                 dispersed
                 brethren
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 flesh
                 may
                 acknowledge
                 thee
                 the
                 only
                 Lord
                 ;
                 that
                 thy
                 unmeasurable
                 faith
                 and
                 mercy
                 which
                 exceedeth
                 all
                 the
                 straits
                 of
                 a
                 created
                 minde
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 celebrated
                 and
                 renouned
                 in
                 the
                 mouthes
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 I
                 went
                 downe
                 into
                 the
                 Garden
                 of
                 Nu●s
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 fr●●s●s
                 of
                 the
                 Vallie
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 see
                 whether
                 the
                 vine
                 flourished
                 and
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 ●●dded
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 description
                 expresseth
                 severally
                 what
                 was
                 spoken
                 even
                 now
                 generally
                 .
                 Hereof
                 are
                 two
                 members
                 ▪
                 a
                 prep●ration
                 in
                 this
                 and
                 the
                 two
                 next
                 verses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 worke
                 effected
                 in
                 the
                 chapter
                 following
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 first
                 member
                 ●●e
                 three
                 degrees
                 .
                 A
                 visitation
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 sufficient
                 abilitie
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 effectuall
                 calling
                 in
                 the
                 12.
                 verse
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 we
                 translate
                 to
                 the
                 garden
                 of
                 Nuts
                 ,
                 Tremelius
                 turneth
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 garden
                 of
                 Pr●ning
                 .
                 How
                 is
                 the
                 word
                 fitted
                 ?
                 The
                 Iewes
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 have
                 beene
                 pruned
                 gardens
                 ,
                 wherein
                 God
                 hath
                 exercised
                 most
                 severe
                 loppings
                 and
                 pr●nings
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 20.
                 
                 Neither
                 doth
                 this
                 interpretation
                 differ
                 from
                 the
                 disposition
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 whose
                 hearts
                 were
                 brawny
                 with
                 hardne●●e
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 25.
                 whose
                 stubbornnesse
                 and
                 obstinacie
                 ,
                 Esay
                 most
                 divinely
                 describeth
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 42.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 He
                 calleth
                 that
                 people
                 deafe
                 and
                 blinde
                 ,
                 hearing
                 and
                 ●eeing
                 much
                 and
                 observing
                 nothing
                 ,
                 neither
                 laid
                 they
                 the
                 most
                 grievous
                 ch●st●s●ments
                 to
                 heart
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 25.
                 
                 Also
                 Chap.
                 6●
                 .
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 21.
                 
                 
                   The
                   fruits
                   of
                   the
                   Vally
                
                 ,
                 another
                 note
                 whereby
                 the
                 Iewes
                 are
                 marked
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 lateward
                 trees
                 bearing
                 fruit
                 very
                 slowly
                 ,
                 such
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 planted
                 in
                 vallies
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 hills
                 every
                 way
                 so
                 hinder
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 refreshed
                 with
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 Su●●e
                 :
                 Such
                 then
                 shall
                 Christ
                 finde
                 the
                 Iewes
                 when
                 he
                 sh●ll
                 visit
                 them
                 ,
                 like
                 Nuts
                 covered
                 with
                 a
                 hard
                 shell
                 ;
                 neither
                 more
                 excellent
                 ,
                 with
                 any
                 branch
                 or
                 bud
                 of
                 true
                 conversion
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 shew
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 ind●ed
                 with
                 any
                 vitall
                 strength
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 then
                 trees
                 planted
                 in
                 the
                 s●adow
                 of
                 steep
                 rocks
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 other
                 trees
                 ●●ourishing
                 )
                 remain
                 
                 as
                 half
                 dead
                 :
                 yet
                 are
                 there
                 among
                 that
                 people
                 both
                 
                   vines
                   and
                   Pomegran●tes
                
                 .
                 The
                 hard
                 winter
                 as
                 yet
                 keepeth
                 back
                 the
                 buds
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 length
                 in
                 fit
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 Sun
                 of
                 righteousnesse
                 shall
                 thaw
                 that
                 frozen
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 afford
                 a
                 more
                 gentle
                 aire
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 breake
                 forth
                 freely
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Or
                 ever
                 I
                 was
                 aware
                 ,
                 my
                 soul
                 made
                 me
                 like
                 the
                 Chariots
                 
                   (
                   or
                
                 set
                 me
                 on
                 the
                 chariot
                 )
                 of
                 my
                 willing
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 shall
                 the
                 people
                 be
                 when
                 Christ
                 shall
                 first
                 visit
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 he
                 teacheth
                 the
                 sufficient
                 ability
                 of
                 the
                 conversion
                 .
                 The
                 meaning
                 is
                 (
                 that
                 I
                 stand
                 no
                 longer
                 refuting
                 other
                 mens
                 opinions
                 )
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 say
                 .
                 I
                 descended
                 indeed
                 into
                 my
                 garden
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 verily
                 did
                 suppose
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 as
                 at
                 length
                 hap●ed
                 .
                 I
                 expected
                 a
                 stubborn
                 and
                 obstinate
                 people
                 ,
                 but
                 after
                 that
                 I
                 found
                 them
                 easie
                 and
                 ready
                 to
                 receive
                 me
                 ▪
                 my
                 minde
                 infor●ed
                 me
                 to
                 shew
                 my self
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 chariots
                 ,
                 wh●●ewith
                 I
                 might
                 quickly
                 bring
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 reckon
                 them
                 among
                 her
                 citizens
                 .
                 Undoubtedly
                 he
                 added
                 a
                 spurre
                 to
                 them
                 running
                 ,
                 neither
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 wanting
                 to
                 their
                 study
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 might
                 supply
                 that
                 which
                 might
                 help
                 forward
                 the
                 begun
                 work
                 .
                 Therefore
                 ▪
                 Esay
                 saith
                 ▪
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   bring
                   all
                   your
                   brethren
                   out
                   of
                   all
                   nations
                   for
                   an
                   ●ffering
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ▪
                   with
                   horses
                   and
                   chariots
                   and
                   litters
                   and
                   mules
                   and
                   swift
                   beasts
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   hi●●
                   of
                   my
                   holinesse
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 66.
                 20.
                 
                 These
                 chariots
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 ready
                 aide
                 that
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 should
                 bring
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 to
                 recover
                 their
                 former
                 seats
                 .
                 But
                 did
                 not
                 Christ
                 know
                 what
                 the
                 study
                 and
                 readinesse
                 of
                 this
                 people
                 should
                 be
                 ?
                 The
                 things
                 are
                 spoken
                 historically
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 conversion
                 should
                 be
                 beyond
                 all
                 expectation
                 :
                 for
                 as
                 Esay
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   so
                   that
                   thou
                   mayest
                   say
                   with
                   thy
                   minde
                   ,
                   who
                   hath
                   begotten
                   me
                   these
                   ?
                   seeing
                   I
                   am
                   deprived
                   and
                   am
                   desolate
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   been
                   a
                   capt●●e
                   and
                   remain
                   to
                   and
                   fro
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   hath
                   brought
                   up
                   these
                   ?
                   behold
                   I
                   was
                   left
                   alone
                   ,
                   these
                   ▪
                   where
                   have
                   they
                   been
                   ?
                   Chap.
                
                 49.
                 21
                 
                 ▪
                 He
                 sheweth
                 a
                 thing
                 having
                 great
                 admiration
                 :
                 for
                 time
                 will
                 reach
                 many
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 commonly
                 interpret
                 as
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 past
                 whose
                 event
                 is
                 yet
                 to
                 come
                 :
                 and
                 especially
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 seemeth
                 to
                 me
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Jewes
                 ▪
                 which
                 verily
                 little
                 considered
                 of
                 ours
                 ,
                 hath
                 darkned
                 (
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 perverted
                 )
                 the
                 proper
                 and
                 naturall
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 in
                 many
                 places
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 Return
                 ,
                 return
                 ,
                 O
                 Shulamite
                 ,
                 return
                 :
                 return
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 look
                 upon
                 thee
                 .
                 What
                 will
                 ye
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 Shulamite
                 ?
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 two
                 Armies
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 third
                 member
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 c●uses
                 .
                 
                   The
                   effectuall
                   calling
                
                 .
                 Which
                 shall
                 be
                 earnest
                 and
                 thrust
                 on
                 with
                 great
                 enforcement
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                 twice
                 two
                 doubled
                 words
                 do
                 signifie
                 :
                 whether
                 that
                 of
                 Esay
                 s●●meth
                 to
                 belong
                 ,
                 
                   How
                   bea●tifull
                   upon
                   the
                   mount●ins
                   are
                   the
                   feet
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   bringeth
                   good
                   tidings
                   ,
                   that
                   publisheth
                   peace
                   ,
                   that
                   bringeth
                   good
                   tidings
                   of
                   good
                   ,
                   that
                   publisheth
                   salvation
                   ,
                   that
                   saith
                   unto
                   Zion
                   ,
                   Thy
                   God
                   raigneth
                   .
                   Thy
                   watchmen
                   ,
                   &c.
                   Chap.
                
                 52.
                 7.
                 8.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 that
                 whole
                 chapter
                 entreateth
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Jewes
                 ,
                 whose
                 felicity
                 should
                 be
                 eternall
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 interrupted
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 also
                 maketh
                 mention
                 of
                 a
                 threefold
                 captivity
                 .
                 The
                 Egyptian
                 ,
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 and
                 a
                 voluntary
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
                 In
                 which
                 last
                 hapned
                 the
                 most
                 miserable
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Jewish
                 people
                 :
                 wherein
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 since
                 Christs
                 time
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 inforced
                 into
                 Egyyt
                 by
                 hunger
                 .
                 Into
                 Assyri●
                 they
                 were
                 drawn
                 by
                 force
                 of
                 war.
                 Only
                 the
                 Romanes
                 did
                 not
                 compell
                 them
                 to
                 t●rn
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 dispersed
                 themselves
                 here
                 and
                 there
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 accord
                 ▪
                 Or
                 rather
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 and
                 re●koning
                 in
                 this
                 last
                 ●aptivity
                 ,
                 as
                 held
                 for
                 things
                 of
                 nothing
                 :
                 whose
                 greatest
                 worth
                 any
                 man
                 might
                 purchase
                 at
                 the
                 vilest
                 price
                 ,
                 as
                 Psa
                 .
                 44.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 who
                 seethnot
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 accounted
                 for
                 nothing
                 in
                 the
                 m●ltitude
                 of
                 captives
                 ,
                 partly
                 sent
                 to
                 the
                 Egyp●●an
                 mines
                 ,
                 partly
                 slain
                 upon
                 the
                 scaffolds
                 of
                 cities
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 compelled
                 to
                 fight
                 eitherwith
                 wild
                 beasts
                 ,
                 or
                 among
                 themselvs
                 to
                 kill
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 came
                 to
                 passe
                 at
                 the
                 dcstruction
                 of
                 Ieru●alem
                 by
                 Titus
                 .
                 Or
                 if
                 Adrian
                 straightly
                 forbad
                 the
                 Iews
                 their
                 country
                 ●oil
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 captivity
                 was
                 free
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Romanes
                 aimed
                 not
                 at
                 any
                 benefit
                 by
                 their
                 service
                 as
                 the
                 Egyptians
                 and
                 Assyrians
                 did
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 the
                 quietnesse
                 of
                 the
                 province
                 .
                 Christ
                 by
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 his
                 flesh
                 brought
                 them
                 not
                 deliverance
                 from
                 this
                 captivity
                 ▪
                 but
                 will
                 bring
                 it
                 at
                 length
                 ,
                 by
                 turning
                 their
                 hearts
                 to
                 the
                 faith
                 .
                 But
                 perhaps
                 Saint
                 Paul
                 saith
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 who
                 applieth
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 sent
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 15.
                 
                 But
                 I
                 think
                 it
                 will
                 seem
                 otherwise
                 if
                 we
                 well
                 con●ider
                 it
                 ▪
                 his
                 purpose
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 prevent
                 an
                 offence
                 taken
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 incred●lity
                 .
                 Now
                 there
                 were
                 chiefly
                 two
                 things
                 which
                 might
                 make
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 doubt
                 .
                 
                   The
                   ancient
                   Lawes
                   of
                   the
                   Jewes
                   :
                   and
                   the
                   present
                   studie
                   of
                   piety
                   ▪
                
                 Were
                 not
                 that
                 most
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 truth
                 which
                 a
                 nation
                 (
                 vouchafed
                 so
                 much
                 honour
                 before
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 lesse
                 fervent
                 as
                 yet
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 earnest
                 desire
                 to
                 wor●hip
                 God
                 )
                 should
                 not
                 onely
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 pursue
                 it
                 most
                 earnestly
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 former
                 chapter
                 ,
                 he
                 opposeth
                 election
                 to
                 the
                 old
                 Law
                 :
                 here
                 he
                 entreate●h
                 of
                 the
                 study
                 of
                 ●iety
                 ▪
                 where
                 he
                 granteth
                 them
                 zeal
                 ,
                 but
                 lest
                 any
                 should
                 be
                 deceived
                 with
                 the
                 shew
                 thereof
                 ,
                 he
                 teacheth
                 how
                 farre
                 distant
                 it
                 is
                 from
                 true
                 piety
                 or
                 Religion
                 .
                 The
                 only
                 right●ousnesse
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 righteousnesse
                 of
                 
                 faith
                 altogether
                 diff●ring
                 from
                 the
                 righteousnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 which
                 alone
                 while
                 the
                 Iewes
                 sought
                 for
                 ,
                 they
                 obtained
                 not
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 desired
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 missed
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 .
                 This
                 effect
                 have
                 the
                 words
                 from
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
                 to
                 vers
                 .
                 14.
                 
                 Then
                 making
                 a
                 difference
                 of
                 saving
                 and
                 legall
                 righteous
                 nesse
                 ,
                 lest
                 any
                 doubt
                 should
                 ye●
                 sticke
                 in
                 their
                 stomackes
                 ;
                 he
                 teacheth
                 yet
                 a
                 little
                 more
                 plainely
                 ,
                 why
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 approach
                 to
                 this
                 saving
                 righteousnesse
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 is
                 cheifly
                 placed
                 in
                 calling
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
                 13.
                 
                 How
                 ;
                 saith
                 he
                 ▪
                 shall
                 they
                 call
                 ●
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 How
                 shall
                 the
                 Iewes
                 call
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 But
                 let
                 us
                 returne
                 to
                 Salomon
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 that
                 these
                 words
                 yeeld
                 two
                 arguments
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 appear
                 properly
                 to
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 exhortation
                 or
                 incouragement
                 is
                 expressed
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 returning
                 :
                 wherby
                 he
                 granteth
                 th●t
                 the
                 Nation
                 which
                 he
                 now
                 calleth
                 ,
                 had
                 bin
                 before
                 turned
                 away
                 :
                 which
                 cannot
                 properly
                 take
                 place
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 Iewish
                 Nation
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 of
                 set
                 purpose
                 for
                 difference
                 sake
                 he
                 ●alleth
                 h●r
                 by
                 her
                 countrey
                 name
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Sal●m
                
                 :
                 Whereas
                 before
                 confessedly
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 Song
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 notified
                 all
                 the
                 ●itizens
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 gathered
                 together
                 as
                 well
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusal●m
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 by
                 this
                 difference
                 it
                 might
                 plainly
                 appeare
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 now
                 turned
                 his
                 speech
                 to
                 the
                 old
                 Countrey
                 breed
                 ,
                 letting
                 alone
                 the
                 new
                 inhabitants
                 which
                 are
                 free
                 in
                 the
                 City
                 by
                 ●hrist
                 ▪
                 Fou●thly
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Convers●on
                 he
                 sheweth
                 the
                 Shulamite
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 s●militude
                 of
                 Tents
                 ▪
                 that
                 she
                 ●●all
                 ●eliver
                 her self
                 by
                 Armes
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 her
                 enemies
                 ,
                 whom
                 she
                 now
                 serveth
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 of
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 38.
                 and
                 39
                 ▪
                 hapneth
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 and
                 Mogog
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ▪
                 the
                 Turke
                 and
                 the
                 Tartar
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 wicked
                 Mahumetanes
                 shall
                 utterly
                 perish
                 by
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 the
                 Converted
                 and
                 returned
                 Iewes
                 .
                 See
                 Da●
                 .
                 11.
                 44.
                 and
                 45.
                 
                 Reve.
                 20.
                 9.
                 
                 Whither
                 also
                 belongeth
                 that
                 of
                 
                   Zacharie
                   .
                   When
                   I
                   shall
                   stirre
                   up
                   thy
                   sons
                   O
                   Zion
                   against
                   thy
                   ●onner
                   O
                   ●●van
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 9.
                 13.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             
               HOw
               beautifull
               are
               thy
               goings
               with
               shooes
               ,
               O
               Princes
               daughter
               !
               the
               joynts
               of
               thy
               thighs
               are
               like
               jewels
               :
               the
               worke
               of
               the
               hand
               of
               a
               cunning
               workeman
               .
            
             
               2
               Thy
               navell
               
                 is
                 as
              
               a
               round
               cup
               that
               wanteth
               
               not
               liquor
               :
               thy
               belly
               
                 is
                 as
              
               an
               heap
               of
               wheat
               compassed
               about
               with
               lilies
               .
            
             
               3
               Thy
               two
               breasts
               are
               as
               two
               young
               roes
               that
               are
               twins
               .
            
             
               4
               Thy
               neck
               is
               like
               a
               Tower
               of
               Ivory
               :
               thine
               eyes
               
                 are
                 like
              
               the
               fish
               pooles
               in
               Heshbon
               by
               the
               gate
               of
               Beth-rabbim
               :
               thy
               nose
               is
               as
               the
               tower
               of
               Lebanon
               that
               looketh
               toward
               Damascus
               .
            
             
               5
               Thine
               head
               upon
               thee
               is
               as
               scarlet
               :
               and
               the
               bush
               of
               thine
               head
               like
               purple
               :
               the
               King
               is
               tied
               in
               the
               rafters
               .
            
             
               6
               How
               fair
               art
               thou
               ,
               and
               how
               pleasant
               art
               thou
               ,
               O
               my
               love
               in
               pleasures
               !
            
             
               7
               This
               thy
               stature
               is
               like
               a
               Palme
               tree
               ,
               and
               thy
               breast
               like
               clusters
               .
            
             
               8
               I
               said
               ,
               I
               will
               go
               up
               into
               the
               palme
               tree
               ,
               I
               will
               take
               hold
               of
               her
               bowes
               :
               thy
               breast
               shall
               now
               be
               like
               the
               clusters
               of
               the
               vine
               :
               and
               the
               savour
               of
               thy
               nose
               like
               apples
               .
            
             
               9
               And
               the
               roof
               of
               thy
               mouth
               like
               good
               wine
               ,
               which
               goeth
               straight
               to
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               and
               causeth
               the
               lips
               of
               the
               ancient
               to
               speak
               .
            
             
               10
               I
               am
               my
               welbeloveds
               ,
               and
               his
               desire
               is
               toward
               me
               .
            
             
               11
               Come
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               let
               us
               goe
               forth
               into
               the
               field
               :
               let
               us
               remain
               in
               the
               villages
               .
            
             
               12
               Let
               us
               get
               up
               early
               to
               the
               vines
               ,
               let
               us
               see
               if
               the
               vine
               flourish
               whether
               it
               hath
               budded
               the
               small
               grape
               ,
               
                 or
                 whether
              
               the
               Pomegranates
               flourish
               ▪
               there
               will
               I
               give
               thee
               my
               love
               .
            
             
               13
               The
               mandrakes
               have
               given
               a
               smell
               ,
               and
               in
               our
               gates
               are
               all
               sweet
               things
               ,
               new
               and
               old
               :
               my
               welbeloved
               I
               have
               kept
               them
               for
               thee
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               YOu
               have
               heard
               in
               what
               manner
               the
               Conversion
               was
               .
               Now
               is
               shewed
               the
               most
               glorious
               condition
               of
               the
               Converted
               〈◊〉
               well
               by
               the
               beauty
               inherent
               to
               every
               member
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 1.
                 2.
                 3.
                 4.
                 5.
              
               and
               the
               whole
               body
               ,
               
               
                 v●rs
                 .
                 6.
                 7.
              
               as
               also
               the
               coming
               by
               chance
               of
               the
               Bridegroome
               ,
               dwelling
               in
               her
               branches
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 8.
              
               and
               the
               savour
               of
               the
               Nose
               and
               Palate
               ,
               
                 vers
                 ▪
                 9
                 ▪
              
               whereby
               i●
               commeth
               to
               p●●●e
               that
               they
               ●est
               perpetually
               in
               one
               anothers
               love
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 10.
              
               
               And
               such
               us
               the
               growing
               condition
               of
               the
               Princess
               ,
               the
               young●r
               d●●ghter
               .
               The
               riper
               ▪
               age
               shall
               bring
               worshippers
               in
               greater
               number
               ,
               the
               occasion
               whereof
               is
               shewed
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 11.
                 12.
                 13.
              
               and
               the
               effect
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               Chapter
               following
               .
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   1.
                
                 
                 How
                 beautifull
                 are
                 thy
                 fe●●e
                 with
                 sh●oes
                 ,
                 O
                 Princes
                 daughter
                 ▪
                 The
                 joynes
                 of
                 thy
                 thighs
                 are
                 like
                 jewels
                 ,
                 the
                 vvork
                 of
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 a
                 c●nning
                 vvork●man
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 Particular
                 description
                 of
                 each
                 member
                 is
                 here
                 begun
                 from
                 beneath
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 shall
                 the
                 progresse
                 of
                 things
                 be
                 .
                 Heretofore
                 alwaies
                 the
                 beginning
                 was
                 made
                 from
                 the
                 head
                 .
                 The
                 place
                 of
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 ●eeth
                 ,
                 and
                 temples
                 :
                 because
                 the
                 first
                 beginnings
                 were
                 more
                 famous
                 and
                 sooner
                 perceived
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Doctors
                 and
                 the
                 administration
                 appointed
                 :
                 but
                 now
                 in
                 a
                 wonderfull
                 manner
                 ,
                 the
                 feete
                 shall
                 be
                 first
                 converted
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 begin
                 to
                 stand
                 and
                 walke
                 in
                 the
                 right
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 notable
                 reason
                 shall
                 discover
                 ,
                 why
                 such
                 a
                 thing
                 should
                 be
                 done
                 .
                 He
                 therefore
                 admireth
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 her
                 feete
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 was
                 verily
                 a
                 thing
                 full
                 of
                 admiration
                 .
                 A
                 shooe
                 is
                 applyed
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 to
                 three
                 significations
                 .
                 To
                 
                   Mirth
                   ,
                   Speed
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Liberty
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 signe
                 of
                 Mirth
                 ;
                 from
                 whence
                 in
                 mourning
                 they
                 either
                 put
                 them
                 off
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 accord
                 .
                 As
                 
                   David
                   ascended
                   to
                   the
                   Mount
                   of
                   Oliver
                   ,
                   his
                   head
                   covered
                   and
                   barefoot
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Sam.
                 15.
                 30.
                 
                 Or
                 they
                 were
                 constrained
                 against
                 their
                 wils
                 as
                 Captives
                 to
                 the
                 victors
                 ,
                 who
                 led
                 them
                 naked
                 and
                 barefoote
                 ,
                 Esa
                 .
                 20.
                 4.
                 
                 Speede
                 hath
                 somewhat
                 a
                 more
                 plain
                 efficacy
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 shod
                 ,
                 treadeth
                 more
                 boldly
                 ,
                 and
                 feareth
                 not
                 pibbles
                 or
                 ●hornes
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 God
                 when
                 he
                 assured
                 a
                 speedy
                 returne
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 he
                 pro●iseth
                 to
                 bring
                 it
                 to
                 passe
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 goe
                 with
                 shooes
                 on
                 their
                 feete
                 ,
                 E●a
                 .
                 11
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 also
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 a
                 signe
                 of
                 liberty
                 or
                 rather
                 of
                 obtaining
                 their
                 redeemed
                 inheritance
                 .
                 Whereas
                 putting
                 off
                 the
                 shoe
                 was
                 for
                 a
                 reproach
                 ,
                 Dent.
                 25.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Whither
                 as
                 it
                 seemes
                 belongeth
                 ,
                 how
                 God
                 comm●nded
                 Mo●es
                 drawing
                 neere
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 his
                 shooe
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 3.
                 5.
                 to
                 put
                 us
                 in
                 minde
                 in
                 how
                 base
                 a
                 condition
                 flesh
                 is
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 significations
                 agree
                 .
                 The
                 mirth
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 returning
                 ,
                 their
                 speede
                 of
                 returning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 their
                 ancient
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 will
                 without
                 doubt
                 be
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 wonderfull
                 glory
                 and
                 of
                 great
                 admiration
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 worthily
                 the
                 Nations
                 
                 may
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   how
                   beautifull
                   are
                   thy
                   feete
                
                 !
                 see
                 Esay
                 52.
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 They
                 shall
                 make
                 no
                 haste
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 captivity
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 one
                 runneth
                 away
                 from
                 his
                 master
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 I●raelites
                 i●
                 old
                 time
                 out
                 of
                 Egypt
                 :
                 but
                 with
                 great
                 constance
                 of
                 minde
                 and
                 assured
                 confiden●●
                 ▪
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 Nations
                 shall
                 be
                 amazed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Kings
                 shall
                 ●top
                 their
                 mouthes
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 told
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 then
                 God
                 shall
                 bring
                 to
                 passe
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 people
                 may
                 enjoy
                 their
                 desolate
                 possessions
                 .
                 Esa
                 .
                 49.
                 8.
                 
                 The
                 second
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 signifieth
                 that
                 nimble
                 turning
                 joynt
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 upper
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 thighes
                 are
                 fitly
                 turned
                 ▪
                 Or
                 rather
                 perhaps
                 it
                 may
                 more
                 fitly
                 signifie
                 a
                 turning
                 from
                 one
                 way
                 into
                 another
                 ;
                 as
                 i●
                 he
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 turning
                 away
                 of
                 thy
                 thighs
                 from
                 thy
                 former
                 stubbornesse
                 to
                 true
                 piety
                 and
                 faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 .
                 Iewels
                 are
                 fitted
                 into
                 many
                 turning
                 Circles
                 ,
                 whose
                 artificiall
                 turnings
                 doe
                 excellently
                 set
                 forth
                 this
                 wonderfull
                 conversion
                 or
                 turning
                 of
                 the
                 thighes
                 and
                 feete
                 .
                 Moreover
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 worke
                 of
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 a
                 
                   cunning
                   workman
                
                 .
                 See
                 how
                 sweetly
                 these
                 words
                 agree
                 with
                 those
                 of
                 S.
                 
                   John
                   ,
                   Rev.
                
                 19.
                 11.
                 where
                 in
                 a
                 larger
                 explication
                 of
                 the
                 sixth
                 viall
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 the
                 workman
                 is
                 described
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 hands
                 these
                 Iewes
                 and
                 ●oynts
                 of
                 the
                 thigh●s
                 are
                 framed
                 .
                 First
                 by
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 agreeing
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 ▪
                 he
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 take
                 this
                 name
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 at
                 length
                 declare
                 in
                 very
                 deede
                 ,
                 how
                 faithfull
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 performing
                 promises
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 salvation
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 .
                 But
                 hence
                 see
                 ,
                 the
                 conversion
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 shall
                 not
                 proceede
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 this
                 faithfull
                 workman
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 frame
                 these
                 joynts
                 ,
                 and
                 worke
                 these
                 nimble
                 turnings
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   2.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 navell
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 round
                 goblet
                 ,
                 which
                 wanteth
                 not
                 liquor
                 ▪
                 thy
                 belly
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 heape
                 of
                 wheate
                 set
                 about
                 with
                 Lillies
                 .
              
               
                 Interpreters
                 refer
                 these
                 words
                 to
                 meate
                 and
                 drinke
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 this
                 song
                 ,
                 comelinesse
                 and
                 honesty
                 is
                 chiefely
                 respected
                 :
                 and
                 nourishment
                 is
                 signified
                 by
                 those
                 members
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 appointed
                 to
                 by
                 nature
                 .
                 I
                 judge
                 it
                 rather
                 to
                 signifie
                 fertility
                 ,
                 flourishing
                 fresh
                 in
                 them
                 whose
                 bodies
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 juyce
                 ,
                 not
                 dry
                 and
                 without
                 blood
                 .
                 
                   A
                   heape
                   of
                   wheat
                
                 ,
                 declareth
                 the
                 belly
                 like
                 a
                 furrow
                 ,
                 well
                 stored
                 with
                 the
                 best
                 seed
                 ,
                 which
                 watered
                 and
                 made
                 fruitefull
                 by
                 mixture
                 of
                 the
                 Goble●
                 ,
                 would
                 at
                 length
                 breake
                 forth
                 into
                 an
                 infinite
                 harvest
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 more
                 plaine
                 with
                 Esay
                 ,
                 cap.
                 49.
                 19.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   The
                   belly
                   set
                   about
                   with
                   Lillies
                   ,
                
                 sheweth
                 that
                 this
                 field
                 (
                 unlike
                 other
                 fields
                 )
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 fenced
                 with
                 bushes
                 and
                 quicksets
                 ,
                 but
                 shall
                 every
                 way
                 lye
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 ●e
                 altogether
                 so
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 in
                 the
                 middle
                 ▪
                 where
                 the
                 more
                 
                 fruitfull
                 increase
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 in
                 the
                 uttermost
                 borders
                 .
                 And
                 mo●t
                 ●itly
                 also
                 are
                 lillies
                 joyned
                 to
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 seeing
                 nothing
                 is
                 more
                 fruitfull
                 ,
                 bearing
                 often
                 50.
                 heads
                 upon
                 one
                 Roote
                 ,
                 Plin.
                 l.
                 21.
                 5.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Ver●
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 two
                 breasts
                 are
                 like
                 two
                 young
                 Roes
                 that
                 are
                 twins
                 .
              
               
                 Excellent
                 shall
                 this
                 Church
                 be
                 in
                 doctrine
                 :
                 whose
                 ministers
                 God
                 shall
                 water
                 with
                 fatnesse
                 ,
                 Ier.
                 31.
                 14
                 
                 ▪
                 They
                 shall
                 be
                 ba●e
                 and
                 simple
                 at
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
                 like
                 young
                 Roes
                 ,
                 wallowing
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 first
                 brought
                 forth
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 yet
                 a
                 setled
                 Church
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 fully
                 gathered
                 together
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 the
                 labour
                 of
                 some
                 certaine
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 who
                 staying
                 in
                 no
                 certaine
                 places
                 shall
                 go
                 hither
                 and
                 thither
                 to
                 Preach
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 the
                 cause
                 requireth
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 same
                 manner
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 done
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
                 See
                 also
                 what
                 hath
                 beene
                 observed
                 upon
                 Esay
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 verse
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 Chapter
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   4.
                
                 
                 Thy
                 necke
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 Tower
                 of
                 Ivory
                 ,
                 thine
                 eyes
                 like
                 the
                 fish-pooles
                 in
                 Hes●bon
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 gate
                 of
                 Bathrabbim
                 :
                 Thy
                 nose
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 Tower
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 which
                 looketh
                 toward
                 Damascus
                 .
              
               
                 Mer●erus
                 doubteth
                 whether
                 there
                 were
                 a
                 Tower
                 of
                 this
                 name
                 .
                 
                   Rabbi
                   Selom
                
                 and
                 the
                 Chald●●
                 paraphrasts
                 thinke
                 there
                 was
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 am
                 of
                 their
                 minde
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 these
                 similitudes
                 seeme
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 true
                 things
                 and
                 not
                 ●eigned
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 for
                 most
                 weighty
                 causes
                 ,
                 as
                 anon
                 it
                 will
                 appeare
                 ,
                 some
                 more
                 eminent
                 places
                 are
                 chosen
                 of
                 purpose
                 for
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 description
                 .
                 This
                 Ivory
                 Tower
                 I
                 suppose
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Ivory
                 throne
                 spoken
                 of
                 1
                 King.
                 10.
                 18.
                 
                 The
                 neck
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Church
                 was
                 also
                 a
                 Tower
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Mount
                 where
                 this
                 Throne
                 was
                 built
                 ,
                 namely
                 an
                 Armory
                 for
                 David
                 and
                 the
                 warre
                 :
                 wherein
                 all
                 the
                 instruments
                 of
                 war
                 were
                 put
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 this
                 Tower
                 is
                 Solomons
                 ,
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 war
                 ;
                 of
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 Armour
                 .
                 That
                 though
                 triumphing
                 ,
                 yet
                 afflicted
                 with
                 many
                 troubles
                 of
                 warres
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 her
                 enemies
                 overcome
                 very
                 easily
                 ,
                 shall
                 raigne
                 in
                 peace
                 like
                 Solomon
                 :
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 flourishing
                 estate
                 doe
                 the
                 Prophets
                 promise
                 this
                 Church
                 ,
                 all
                 her
                 enemies
                 put
                 to
                 flight
                 ,
                 Esay
                 41.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 Ier.
                 30.
                 31.
                 
                 Ez●ch
                 .
                 39.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 25.
                 
                 &c.
                 
                   Thine
                   eyes
                   like
                   the
                   fishpooles
                   in
                   Heshbon
                   .
                   Tremelius
                
                 translateth
                 it
                 appellatively
                 ,
                 to
                 most
                 artificiall
                 fish-pooles
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 suppose
                 those
                 places
                 to
                 be
                 noted
                 out
                 by
                 name
                 ,
                 ●●iefely
                 for
                 this
                 reason
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 choosing
                 out
                 of
                 some
                 notable
                 places
                 (
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 )
                 Solomon
                 seemeth
                 to
                 appoint
                 out
                 the
                 territories
                 and
                 borders
                 of
                 that
                 land
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Jewes
                 at
                 length
                 (
                 converted
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 delivered
                 from
                 the
                 Nations
                 and
                 restored
                 to
                 their
                 Country
                 seates
                 )
                 shall
                 obtaine
                 proper
                 and
                 their
                 owne
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 
                 (
                 will
                 ye
                 say
                 )
                 dost
                 thou
                 turne
                 ●●w
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 I
                 dreame
                 not
                 of
                 that
                 returne
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 yet
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 may
                 renew
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 restore
                 the
                 Ceremonies
                 ,
                 and
                 possesse
                 the
                 land
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ▪
                 promised
                 and
                 given
                 as
                 an
                 earnest
                 of
                 the
                 heavenly
                 .
                 (
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 eternally
                 buried
                 ,
                 not
                 worne
                 out
                 by
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 utterly
                 abolished
                 by
                 Christ
                 .
                 )
                 But
                 I
                 speak
                 of
                 a
                 re●●oring
                 to
                 their
                 Country
                 ,
                 wherin
                 they
                 shall
                 worship
                 Christ
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 contrary
                 to
                 Religion
                 every
                 one
                 knoweth
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Prophets
                 seeme
                 to
                 foretell
                 it
                 with
                 one
                 consent
                 .
                 When
                 I
                 think
                 hereof
                 ,
                 it
                 seemeth
                 no
                 light
                 Argument
                 ,
                 that
                 untill
                 this
                 day
                 that
                 people
                 remaine
                 (
                 although
                 dispersed
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 )
                 divided
                 and
                 separated
                 from
                 the
                 Nations
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 live
                 .
                 A
                 thing
                 truely
                 wonderfull
                 marvellous
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 appeares
                 plainely
                 to
                 be
                 Gods
                 doing
                 .
                 We
                 know
                 the
                 
                   Gothes
                   ,
                   Vandals
                   ,
                   Hunnes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 many
                 other
                 Nations
                 ,
                 forsaking
                 their
                 Countries
                 ,
                 have
                 also
                 changed
                 their
                 speech
                 ,
                 names
                 ,
                 and
                 natures
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 (
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 letters
                 )
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 disce●ned
                 from
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 the
                 Country
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 live
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 (
                 like
                 the
                 River
                 Roane
                 in
                 the
                 poole
                 Lausan●
                 )
                 suffer
                 none
                 of
                 our
                 customes
                 to
                 be
                 fastned
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 keepe
                 their
                 old
                 name
                 and
                 Ordinance
                 :
                 would
                 we
                 know
                 the
                 cause
                 ?
                 First
                 God
                 would
                 have
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 ●ale
                 of
                 his
                 despised
                 Sonne
                 ,
                 be
                 a
                 ●pectacle
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 :
                 then
                 also
                 to
                 advise
                 us
                 ,
                 le●t
                 the
                 people
                 commonly
                 accounted
                 superstitious
                 ,
                 should
                 perhaps
                 make
                 saving
                 doctrine
                 suspected
                 by
                 their
                 consenting
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 make
                 plaine
                 his
                 infinite
                 and
                 unmeasurable
                 favour
                 and
                 truth
                 at
                 length
                 ,
                 in
                 restoring
                 this
                 people
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 far
                 digressed
                 from
                 our
                 pu●pose
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 altogether
                 into
                 a
                 strange
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 whereof
                 a
                 briefe
                 Declaration
                 was
                 necessary
                 .
                 Seeing
                 then
                 that
                 Hesh●on
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 properly
                 taken
                 ;
                 know
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 once
                 a
                 City
                 beyond
                 Iordan
                 ,
                 common
                 to
                 the
                 Gadites
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Rub●●ites
                   ,
                   Numb
                
                 .
                 21.
                 26
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 At
                 first
                 Noble
                 ,
                 known
                 by
                 the
                 Proverb
                 ,
                 and
                 once
                 the
                 Palace
                 of
                 Sihon
                 :
                 which
                 City
                 seemeth
                 to
                 teach
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 their
                 old
                 possession
                 ,
                 of
                 whose
                 Eastern
                 coast
                 this
                 City
                 is
                 placed
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 the
                 Meere-stone
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 most
                 fitly
                 are
                 the
                 eyes
                 compared
                 to
                 Fishpooles
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 the
                 cleereness●
                 ,
                 which
                 sheweth
                 the
                 brightnesse
                 of
                 the
                 〈◊〉
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 abundance
                 of
                 teares
                 flowing
                 from
                 true
                 repentan●●
                 .
                 ●●re
                 .
                 31.
                 9
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 Isay
                 .
                 46.
                 
                 Z●char
                 .
                 12.
                 10.
                 
                 Neither
                 without
                 〈◊〉
                 likewise
                 are
                 the
                 gates
                 mentioned
                 by
                 which
                 these
                 Fishpooles
                 are
                 seated
                 :
                 which
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 called
                 
                   Bathrabbim
                   ,
                   the
                   daughters
                   of
                   many
                   ,
                
                 or
                 of
                 a
                 multitude
                 ,
                 most
                 frequented
                 by
                 resort
                 of
                 people
                 :
                 so
                 they
                 teach
                 
                 that
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 at
                 length
                 an
                 infinit●
                 multitude
                 of
                 this
                 people
                 gathered
                 to
                 the
                 truth
                 by
                 repentance
                 .
                 It
                 might
                 seem
                 harsh
                 to
                 compare
                 the
                 No●e
                 to
                 a
                 Power
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 Counsell
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 alwaies
                 puts
                 ●s
                 in
                 minde
                 that
                 things
                 and
                 places
                 are
                 chosen
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 borders
                 of
                 the
                 land
                 may
                 be
                 decribed
                 ,
                 ●er
                 .
                 31.
                 8.
                 
                 Esa
                 .
                 49.
                 20.
                 
                 The
                 hou●e
                 of
                 Libanus
                 is
                 famous
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 the
                 Tower
                 thereof
                 looketh
                 toward
                 Damascus
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 added
                 for
                 difference
                 sake
                 .
                 There
                 were
                 two
                 houses
                 of
                 the
                 forrest
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 one
                 built
                 on
                 the
                 hill
                 as
                 this
                 place
                 plainely
                 sheweth
                 ,
                 See
                 ,
                 2
                 Chro.
                 9.
                 16
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 Another
                 at
                 Ierusalem
                 (
                 in
                 the
                 forrest
                 )
                 not
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Salomon
                 ,
                 which
                 for
                 likenesse
                 was
                 called
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 forrest
                 of
                 Lebanon
                 whereof
                 mention
                 is
                 made
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 7.
                 2.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 whole
                 provision
                 wherewith
                 Salomon
                 built
                 this
                 house
                 ,
                 proveth
                 that
                 to
                 be
                 another
                 from
                 that
                 in
                 Lebanon
                 .
                 1
                 King.
                 10.
                 17
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 What
                 need
                 such
                 sumptuous
                 houshold-stuffe
                 in
                 houses
                 so
                 farre
                 a
                 sunder
                 :
                 when
                 there
                 was
                 scarce
                 any
                 hope
                 that
                 the
                 King
                 would
                 see
                 them
                 twice
                 ?
                 But
                 most
                 cleerely
                 
                   Shishack
                   carried
                   away
                   the
                   shields
                   of
                   gold
                   which
                   were
                   found
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   forr●●t
                   of
                   Lebanon
                   ,
                
                 1
                 King.
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 It
                 seemeth
                 that
                 house
                 was
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Reho●oam
                 and
                 at
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 ●ing
                 of
                 Egypt
                 went
                 no
                 farther
                 .
                 And
                 doubtlesse
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 
                   Mount
                   Lebanon
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 falling
                 away
                 of
                 the
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 ceased
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 Dominion
                 of
                 Rehoboam
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 it
                 is
                 used
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 North
                 border
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 land
                 to
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Hebrewes
                 in
                 my
                 judgement
                 do
                 rightly
                 interpret
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   15.
                
                 
                 Thine
                 head
                 upon
                 thee
                 is
                 like
                 Carmell
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 haire
                 of
                 thy
                 head
                 like
                 purple
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 is
                 held
                 in
                 the
                 Gutters
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 Galleries
                 .
              
               
                 Carmel
                 is
                 a
                 Mountain
                 of
                 Phenicia
                 ,
                 not
                 far
                 from
                 Lebanon
                 ,
                 known
                 to
                 Strabo
                 and
                 Ptolemy
                 .
                 Here
                 then
                 take
                 the
                 west
                 side
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 nothing
                 falleth
                 out
                 more
                 fitly
                 then
                 this
                 Mountain
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 the
                 head
                 .
                 Twice
                 before
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 haire
                 we
                 understood
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 to
                 be
                 signified
                 .
                 There
                 they
                 were
                 like
                 Goates
                 appearing
                 from
                 Mount
                 Gilead
                 ;
                 here
                 like
                 fine
                 flax
                 of
                 purple
                 die
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 every
                 one
                 then
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 Prince
                 ,
                 and
                 endued
                 with
                 Princely
                 dignity
                 ,
                 whereof
                 purple
                 is
                 the
                 signe
                 .
                 This
                 Church
                 before
                 was
                 called
                 a
                 Princes
                 daughter
                 ,
                 and
                 Saint
                 Iohn
                 calleth
                 the
                 faithfull
                 Kings
                 .
                 But
                 Zacharie
                 more
                 plainly
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   ba●●st
                   among
                   them
                   shal
                   be
                   as
                   David
                   ,
                   &c.
                   Zach.
                
                 12.
                 8.
                 
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 through
                 envie
                 conc●al
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 the
                 Spirit
                 seemeth
                 to
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 not
                 rath●r
                 with
                 my
                 whole
                 heart
                 rejoyce
                 at
                 this
                 excellent
                 glory
                 of
                 my
                 brethren
                 ,
                 though
                 
                 beholding
                 it
                 a
                 farre
                 off
                 .
                 This
                 place
                 by
                 force
                 of
                 opposition
                 giveth
                 light
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Goates
                 ,
                 a
                 base
                 stinking
                 creature
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 filth
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 Christians
                 are
                 such
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 accounted
                 such
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Base
                 and
                 simple
                 hath
                 their
                 condition
                 been
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 race
                 of
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 to
                 this
                 of
                 the
                 I●wes
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 observed
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   The
                   King
                   is
                   held
                   in
                   the
                   gutters
                   .
                
                 I
                 assent
                 to
                 those
                 learned
                 men
                 which
                 think
                 it
                 alludeth
                 to
                 that
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 30.
                 38.
                 
                 But
                 their
                 application
                 seemeth
                 to
                 me
                 far
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 although
                 that
                 place
                 yet
                 yeeldeth
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 those
                 pilled
                 Rods
                 put
                 in
                 the
                 Gutters
                 ,
                 and
                 beheld
                 by
                 the
                 sheep
                 (
                 when
                 being
                 very
                 hot
                 th●y
                 came
                 to
                 drinke
                 )
                 caused
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 Lambes
                 so
                 speckled
                 and
                 spotted
                 ▪
                 even
                 so
                 the
                 King
                 is
                 here
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 held
                 in
                 the
                 Gutters
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 faithfull
                 having
                 him
                 alwaies
                 before
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 they
                 quench
                 their
                 thirst
                 ,
                 shall
                 beget
                 Kings
                 by
                 his
                 example
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 Christistian
                 off-spring
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 these
                 words
                 yeeld
                 a
                 very
                 good
                 reason
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 next
                 before
                 said
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 hee
                 had
                 even
                 now
                 commended
                 the
                 
                   Purple
                   haire
                
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 I
                 applied
                 a
                 Royall
                 dignity
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 faithfull
                 :
                 lest
                 any
                 should
                 marvell
                 he
                 yeeldeth
                 a
                 reason
                 why
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 done
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 the
                 faithfull
                 shall
                 be
                 borne
                 Kings
                 ▪
                 for
                 the
                 king
                 himselfe
                 is
                 held
                 in
                 the
                 Gutterers
                 whither
                 they
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 drinke
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 quench
                 their
                 thirst
                 :
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 but
                 they
                 waxing
                 hot
                 at
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 bring
                 forth
                 such
                 Children
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 see
                 him
                 set
                 forth
                 before
                 their
                 eyes
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 the
                 King
                 be
                 bound
                 in
                 the
                 Gutters
                 ?
                 After
                 the
                 same
                 manner
                 as
                 Christ
                 set
                 forth
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 was
                 Crucified
                 among
                 the
                 Galatians
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 powerfull
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Galat.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 stream
                 wherein
                 he
                 is
                 held
                 and
                 from
                 whence
                 they
                 draw
                 to
                 quench
                 their
                 thirst
                 .
                 Now
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 bound
                 in
                 the
                 Gutter
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 shall
                 never
                 afterward
                 be
                 destitute
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 How
                 fair
                 and
                 how
                 pleasant
                 art
                 thou
                 O
                 Love
                 ,
                 for
                 delights
                 !
              
               
                 A
                 sententious
                 conclusion
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 an
                 universall
                 commendation
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 declareth
                 the
                 excellent
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 members
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 mentioned
                 not
                 severally
                 .
                 Every
                 word
                 hath
                 its
                 Emphasis
                 or
                 expresse
                 signification
                 .
                 The
                 manner
                 of
                 a
                 king
                 hath
                 admiration
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 repeated
                 ,
                 sheweth
                 no
                 Common
                 but
                 a
                 most
                 vehement
                 and
                 singu●●r
                 admiration
                 .
                 The
                 abstract
                 sheweth
                 pure
                 and
                 perfect
                 love
                 ,
                 not
                 infected
                 with
                 the
                 pollution
                 of
                 any
                 contempt
                 :
                 delights
                 are
                 lastly
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 heap
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 thing
                 more
                 could
                 be
                 added
                 .
                 Neither
                 are
                 these
                 things
                 added
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 her
                 beauty
                 alone
                 ,
                 or
                 onely
                 to
                 expresse
                 with
                 what
                 desire
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 pursueth
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 chiefly
                 
                 belongeth
                 to
                 the
                 History
                 ,
                 and
                 sheweth
                 this
                 Church
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 excellent
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 certain
                 members
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 admired
                 in
                 the
                 beauty
                 and
                 propernesse
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   7.
                
                 
                 This
                 thy
                 stature
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 Palm-tree
                 :
                 and
                 thy
                 breasts
                 t●
                 clusters
                 of
                 Grapes
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 words
                 also
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 generall
                 commendation
                 :
                 for
                 Stature
                 is
                 the
                 heighth
                 and
                 talnesse
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 reacheth
                 up
                 on
                 high
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 ▪
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 yeers
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 the
                 body
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 its
                 full
                 growth
                 ▪
                 she
                 therefore
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 like
                 
                   a
                   Palm-tree
                
                 ,
                 which
                 groweth
                 up
                 ward
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 weight
                 soever
                 it
                 be
                 pressed
                 down
                 :
                 So
                 this
                 Church
                 shall
                 be
                 advanced
                 cheerfull
                 and
                 famous
                 ,
                 yet
                 after
                 much
                 toyle
                 and
                 labour
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 she
                 shall
                 meet
                 with
                 many
                 most
                 mortall
                 enemies
                 ,
                 Gog
                 and
                 Magog
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Mahumetan
                   people
                
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 give
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 the
                 utter
                 ruine
                 and
                 riddance
                 of
                 that
                 most
                 mischievous
                 Tyrant
                 ;
                 yet
                 shall
                 the
                 Church
                 receive
                 no
                 losse
                 thereby
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 despite
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 shall
                 rise
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 attain
                 to
                 a
                 just
                 degree
                 of
                 dignity
                 .
                 
                   Thy
                   breasts
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   are
                   like
                   clusters
                   of
                   Grapes
                
                 .
                 Before
                 the
                 breasts
                 were
                 like
                 
                   young
                   Ro●s
                
                 ;
                 but
                 ●ow
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Church
                 shall
                 begin
                 to
                 be
                 settled
                 ,
                 the
                 breasts
                 shall
                 be
                 changed
                 into
                 
                   clusters
                   of
                   Grapes
                   ▪
                
                 most
                 plentifull
                 and
                 pleasant
                 fountains
                 :
                 for
                 Grapes
                 full
                 of
                 juice
                 ,
                 being
                 pressed
                 ,
                 run
                 all
                 into
                 liquor
                 ,
                 yeelding
                 abundance
                 of
                 plenty
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 for
                 necessity
                 as
                 delight
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   8.
                
                 
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 Palm-tree
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 take
                 hold
                 of
                 the
                 boughs
                 thereof
                 :
                 also
                 thy
                 breasts
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 clusters
                 of
                 the
                 vine
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 smell
                 of
                 thy
                 nose
                 like
                 Apples
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 are
                 other
                 ornaments
                 remembred
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 dwelling
                 in
                 the
                 branches
                 of
                 this
                 Palm-tree
                 .
                 The
                 declaration
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Breasts
                   ,
                   Nose
                   ,
                   Palate
                
                 of
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 mutuall
                 desire
                 whereby
                 they
                 wholly
                 rest
                 in
                 one
                 anothers
                 love
                 :
                 we
                 have
                 often
                 said
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 both
                 desire
                 to
                 expresse
                 themselves
                 one
                 toward
                 another
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 shew
                 their
                 mutuall
                 love
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 ,
                 how
                 the
                 faithfull
                 are
                 affected
                 towards
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 As
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 having
                 a
                 purpose
                 and
                 dettermination
                 to
                 climb
                 this
                 Palm-tree
                 ,
                 he
                 sheweth
                 thereby
                 ,
                 what
                 the
                 faithfull
                 shall
                 wish
                 for
                 ,
                 after
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 the
                 Church
                 settled
                 and
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 how
                 desirous
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 her
                 branches
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 gather
                 her
                 sweetest
                 fruits
                 :
                 As
                 Isay
                 saith
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 49.
                 18.
                 and
                 
                   Zachary
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 8.
                 23.
                 
                 The
                 nations
                 shall
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 exalted
                 in
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 her
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 21.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   bring
                   their
                   glory
                   to
                
                 
                 
                   this
                   new
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   I
                   wish
                   thy
                   breasts
                   were
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
                 The
                 words
                 are
                 spoken
                 in
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 wishing
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 faithfull
                 shall
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 indeavour
                 strive
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 to
                 have
                 these
                 good
                 things
                 communicated
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 ,
                 increased
                 and
                 inlarged
                 :
                 They
                 shall
                 desire
                 to
                 be
                 fed
                 with
                 these
                 breasts
                 ,
                 and
                 sh●ll
                 earnestly
                 beseech
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 never
                 drie
                 up
                 :
                 They
                 also
                 shew
                 how
                 this
                 Spouse
                 ought
                 to
                 behave
                 her self
                 towards
                 these
                 new
                 guests
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 she
                 is
                 bound
                 to
                 bestow
                 her
                 breasts
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 her
                 own
                 .
                 
                   And
                   the
                   smell
                   of
                   thy
                   nose
                   as
                   Apples
                   .
                
                 There
                 words
                 seem
                 to
                 concern
                 holinesse
                 of
                 common
                 life
                 .
                 We
                 alwayes
                 breath
                 with
                 the
                 nostrils
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 power
                 of
                 life
                 ;
                 whence
                 Jeremy
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   breath
                   of
                   our
                   nostrils
                   ,
                   the
                   anoynted
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   taken
                   in
                   their
                   pits
                   ,
                   Lam.
                
                 4.
                 20.
                 
                 She
                 prayeth
                 therefore
                 that
                 to
                 the
                 abundant
                 doctrine
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 breasts
                 (
                 as
                 in
                 Wells
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 drawn
                 dry
                 )
                 may
                 be
                 joyned
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 manners
                 and
                 integrity
                 of
                 all
                 holinesse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 And
                 the
                 roof
                 of
                 thy
                 mouth
                 like
                 the
                 best
                 Wine
                 that
                 goeth
                 down
                 sweetly
                 ,
                 causing
                 the
                 lips
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 asleep
                 to
                 speake
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 force
                 of
                 this
                 manner
                 of
                 wishing
                 as
                 yet
                 remaineth
                 .
                 The
                 palate
                 or
                 roof
                 of
                 the
                 mouth
                 ,
                 signifieth
                 words
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 formed
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 thereof
                 ;
                 it
                 differeth
                 from
                 the
                 breasts
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 closet
                 and
                 store-house
                 wherein
                 (
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 treasury
                 )
                 great
                 store
                 of
                 learning
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 palate
                 and
                 lips
                 are
                 as
                 keyes
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Treasury
                 is
                 unlocked
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 riches
                 laid
                 up
                 is
                 brought
                 forth
                 for
                 use
                 :
                 for
                 it
                 little
                 profiteth
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 riches
                 heaped
                 up
                 ,
                 unlesse
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 applied
                 to
                 use
                 and
                 profit
                 when
                 need
                 requireth
                 .
                 That
                 we
                 may
                 then
                 understand
                 this
                 Church
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 rich
                 and
                 plentifull
                 in
                 all
                 abundance
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 happy
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 and
                 fruit
                 thereof
                 ;
                 he
                 no
                 lesse
                 foresheweth
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 the
                 palate
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 fertility
                 of
                 the
                 breasts
                 .
                 
                   I●
                   causeth
                   the
                   lips
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   asleep
                   to
                   speak
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 an
                 excellent
                 commendation
                 of
                 this
                 Wine
                 so
                 strong
                 and
                 powerfull
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 shake
                 off
                 drowsinesse
                 in
                 men
                 half
                 dead
                 ,
                 make
                 the
                 minde
                 and
                 sences
                 more
                 nimble
                 ;
                 loose
                 the
                 tongue
                 ,
                 before
                 sticking
                 to
                 the
                 jawes
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 it
                 wonderfull
                 eloquent
                 .
                 Esay
                 expoundeth
                 this
                 riddle
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 35.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   shall
                   the
                   the
                   Cripple
                   skip
                   as
                   the
                   Hart
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   tongue
                   of
                   the
                   dumb
                   shall
                   sing
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 my
                 beloveds
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 desire
                 is
                 towards
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Spouse
                 at
                 length
                 concludeth
                 this
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 It
                 needeth
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 stand
                 reckoning
                 up
                 every
                 thing
                 ;
                 that
                 condition
                 briefly
                 shall
                 be
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 with
                 all
                 study
                 and
                 desire
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 altogether
                 affected
                 and
                 consecrated
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 sh●ll
                 find
                 him
                 again
                 so
                 kinde
                 and
                 loving
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 wholly
                 applied
                 himself
                 to
                 this
                 only
                 Care.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Come
                 my
                 beloved
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 go
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 ●odg●
                 in
                 the
                 villages
                 :
                 
                   or
                   ▪
                
                 among
                 the
                 Cypresse
                 trees
                 ▪
              
               
                 So
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 calling
                 ,
                 now
                 followeth
                 the
                 second
                 :
                 that
                 which
                 remaineth
                 of
                 the
                 Chapter
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 preparation
                 of
                 this
                 second
                 calling
                 ,
                 which
                 doth
                 wholly
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 Spouse
                 her
                 inviting
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 into
                 the
                 countrey
                 ▪
                 shewing
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 first
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Jewes
                 shall
                 burne
                 with
                 great
                 desire
                 to
                 win
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 their
                 nation
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 cease
                 till
                 they
                 bring
                 it
                 to
                 passe
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 doth
                 the
                 Spouse
                 desire
                 the
                 countrey
                 ?
                 Is
                 she
                 weary
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 ;
                 or
                 doth
                 desire
                 a
                 more
                 fresh
                 ayre
                 ?
                 Indeed
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 long
                 pend
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 city
                 ▪
                 are
                 wont
                 often
                 times
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 mindes
                 sake
                 ,
                 to
                 avoid
                 company
                 ,
                 and
                 desire
                 solitary
                 rest
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 going
                 into
                 the
                 fields
                 or
                 villages
                 ,
                 seeketh
                 not
                 pleasure
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 stirreth
                 up
                 to
                 new
                 work
                 and
                 labour
                 .
                 If
                 she
                 had
                 desired
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 avoid
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 Sunne
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 pleasant
                 banquetting
                 ,
                 whereto
                 serveth
                 this
                 lodging
                 abroad
                 ?
                 She
                 therefore
                 goeth
                 a
                 hunting
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 catch
                 wilde
                 beasts
                 ,
                 but
                 men
                 ;
                 very
                 many
                 Iewes
                 were
                 yet
                 busied
                 in
                 the
                 countrey
                 without
                 the
                 holy
                 City
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 all
                 this
                 watching
                 and
                 trouble
                 shall
                 be
                 undertaken
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 gathered
                 into
                 one
                 shee●fold
                 ,
                 and
                 fitted
                 into
                 one
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 with
                 their
                 brethren
                 .
                 This
                 vocation
                 sh●ll
                 so
                 much
                 exceed
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 exceed
                 the
                 city
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 whole
                 multitude
                 a
                 small
                 company
                 ;
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 12.
                 12.
                 appointeth
                 the
                 time
                 thereof
                 45.
                 yeers
                 after
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 happen
                 about
                 the
                 yeer
                 1700.
                 
                 The
                 exact
                 time
                 cannot
                 be
                 set
                 downe
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 enough
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 come
                 neer
                 the
                 truth
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 get
                 up
                 early
                 to
                 the
                 vineyards
                 :
                 let
                 ●s
                 see
                 if
                 the
                 vines
                 flourish
                 :
                 whether
                 the
                 tender
                 grapes
                 appear
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Pomegranats
                 ●ud
                 forth
                 ,
                 there
                 will
                 I
                 give
                 thee
                 my
                 love
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 which
                 the
                 Bride
                 lately
                 entreated
                 ,
                 now
                 she
                 urgeth
                 with
                 certain
                 reasons
                 .
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 journey
                 and
                 the
                 full
                 acquaint●nce
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 .
                 The
                 perfection
                 of
                 all
                 delights
                 in
                 the
                 ve●se
                 following
                 .
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 being
                 in
                 the
                 country
                 is
                 that
                 she
                 might
                 arise
                 earl●
                 to
                 the
                 vineyard
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 some
                 trouble
                 to
                 watch
                 among
                 the
                 Cypresse
                 trees
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 addeth
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 go
                 forth
                 so
                 early
                 to
                 the
                 vines
                 :
                 wherein
                 we
                 learn
                 ,
                 her
                 chiefest
                 care
                 was
                 in
                 gathering
                 these
                 citizens
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 order
                 ,
                 wherein
                 she
                 spared
                 no
                 labour
                 or
                 diligence
                 :
                 she
                 will
                 goe
                 into
                 the
                 country
                 ,
                 not
                 refusing
                 the
                 tediousnesse
                 of
                 the
                 long
                 journey
                 ▪
                 she
                 will
                 endure
                 the
                 discommodity
                 of
                 watching
                 in
                 the
                 villages
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 
                 nothing
                 be
                 wanting
                 by
                 her
                 will
                 ,
                 she
                 will
                 arise
                 early
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 to
                 dispatch
                 the
                 businesse
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 more
                 to
                 be
                 admired
                 ,
                 whiles
                 yet
                 no
                 harvest
                 appeareth
                 which
                 might
                 worthily
                 require
                 the
                 painfull
                 labour
                 ;
                 Esay
                 mentioneth
                 this
                 desire
                 ,
                 when
                 after
                 the
                 fore-shewed
                 great
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 reformed
                 and
                 much
                 adorned
                 spouse
                 beholding
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 the
                 full
                 conversion
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 nation
                 ,
                 he
                 cryeth
                 out
                 ▪
                 
                   Go
                   thorovv
                   ,
                   go
                   thorow
                   ●he
                   gates
                   ,
                   prepare
                   you
                   the
                   vvay
                   of
                   the
                   people
                   :
                   cast
                   ●p
                   ,
                   cast
                   up
                   the
                   highvvay
                   ,
                   gather
                   out
                   the
                   stones
                   ,
                   lift
                   up
                   a
                   standard
                   for
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 62.
                 10.
                 
                 By
                 which
                 doubled
                 words
                 he
                 sheweth
                 their
                 incredible
                 desire
                 ofgathering
                 the
                 reliques
                 and
                 bringing
                 them
                 into
                 one
                 Church
                 .
                 
                   The
                   vines
                   ,
                   grapes
                   and
                   Pomgranates
                
                 are
                 the
                 elect
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 ,
                 whose
                 prone
                 readines
                 to
                 imbrace
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 mo●t
                 pleasant
                 spring
                 ,
                 the
                 elect
                 had
                 tried
                 their
                 winter
                 ,
                 which
                 deprived
                 them
                 of
                 fruit
                 and
                 leaves
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 scarce
                 be
                 known
                 from
                 dead
                 trees
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 member
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 sheweth
                 another
                 reason
                 of
                 going
                 into
                 the
                 country
                 ,
                 There
                 (
                 saith
                 she
                 )
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 
                   my
                   loves
                   to
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 my self
                 freely
                 to
                 thee
                 that
                 thou
                 mayest
                 delight
                 thy self
                 in
                 my
                 company
                 :
                 for
                 to
                 give
                 one
                 my
                 love
                 honestly
                 and
                 shamefastly
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 full
                 power
                 over
                 me
                 ,
                 Therfore
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Christs
                 Kingdom
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 full
                 till
                 this
                 rustication
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 The
                 Mandrakes
                 give
                 a
                 smell
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 our
                 gates
                 are
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 pleasant
                 fruits
                 ,
                 n●w
                 and
                 old
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 beloved
                 .
              
               
                 Mandrakes
                 saith
                 Plini●
                 have
                 a
                 strong
                 smell
                 ,
                 but
                 here
                 is
                 no
                 commendation
                 of
                 the
                 sent
                 ,
                 but
                 mention
                 is
                 made
                 of
                 it
                 only
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 budding
                 and
                 growth
                 thereof
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 cold
                 herb
                 drowsie
                 and
                 lateward
                 ;
                 it
                 seems
                 it
                 grew
                 in
                 the
                 fields
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 
                   Canaan
                   ,
                   Ruben
                   found
                   Mandrakes
                   in
                   the
                   field
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 30.
                 14.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 also
                 opposed
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 to
                 those
                 more
                 delicate
                 fruits
                 which
                 are
                 planted
                 neer
                 the
                 house
                 ,
                 as
                 wel
                 for
                 delight
                 as
                 for
                 more
                 easie
                 keeping
                 .
                 The
                 new
                 &
                 old
                 fruits
                 have
                 a
                 plain
                 meaning
                 .
                 An
                 excellent
                 division
                 of
                 the
                 citizens
                 seemeth
                 here
                 to
                 be
                 set
                 forth
                 ,
                 whereof
                 some
                 are
                 far
                 scattered
                 in
                 remote
                 colonies
                 ,
                 like
                 Mandrakes
                 growing
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 fields
                 ;
                 others
                 like
                 domstique
                 milder
                 fruit
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 vicinity
                 or
                 neer
                 neighbour-hood
                 yeeld
                 more
                 plentifull
                 delights
                 .
                 Some
                 again
                 are
                 newly
                 fresh
                 planted
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 like
                 Mandrakes
                 ,
                 cold
                 and
                 lateward
                 herbs
                 springing
                 more
                 slowly
                 ,
                 such
                 sh●ll
                 the
                 Jews
                 be
                 lastly
                 called
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 more
                 lately
                 shake
                 off
                 their
                 drowsinesse
                 ▪
                 Some
                 are
                 elder
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 yeeld
                 their
                 names
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 calling
                 ,
                 and
                 s●end
                 their
                 time
                 in
                 the
                 received
                 truth
                 somewhat
                 before
                 the
                 ●●st
                 shall
                 come
                 in
                 .
                 This
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 most
                 pleasant
                 beholding
                 to
                 the
                 
                 elders
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 Religion
                 not
                 to
                 decay
                 with
                 the
                 age
                 :
                 which
                 alas
                 ,
                 we
                 behold
                 to
                 our
                 grief
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 the
                 gentils
                 did
                 now
                 approach
                 ,
                 every
                 later
                 generation
                 in
                 their
                 degrees
                 fall
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 sanctity
                 of
                 their
                 parents
                 .
                 The
                 latter
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 verse
                 teacheth
                 that
                 the
                 spouse
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 time
                 at
                 length
                 to
                 unlocke
                 her
                 store-houses
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 pompe
                 ,
                 openly
                 set
                 forth
                 her
                 unmeasurable
                 riches
                 in
                 the
                 exceeding
                 great
                 abundance
                 of
                 her
                 citizens
                 .
                 Thrifty
                 housholders
                 do
                 not
                 suffer
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 used
                 continually
                 and
                 conf●sedly
                 ,
                 but
                 reserve
                 some
                 things
                 for
                 solemn
                 feasts
                 ,
                 set
                 apart
                 from
                 dayly
                 uses
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 may
                 bring
                 forth
                 as
                 occasion
                 serveth
                 for
                 credit
                 and
                 honesty
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 she
                 hath
                 oftentimes
                 before
                 declared
                 her self
                 not
                 poor
                 and
                 needy
                 ,
                 but
                 sufficient
                 rich
                 and
                 abundantly
                 ador●ed
                 with
                 all
                 dignity
                 ,
                 yet
                 she
                 hath
                 not
                 applied
                 these
                 dainty
                 banquets
                 ,
                 delicate
                 dishes
                 and
                 sweet-meates
                 to
                 common
                 and
                 dayly
                 diet
                 ,
                 but
                 hath
                 reserved
                 them
                 lockt
                 up
                 in
                 store
                 for
                 this
                 one
                 solemnity
                 :
                 whereby
                 we
                 may
                 understand
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 those
                 times
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 former
                 ages
                 have
                 never
                 seen
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             
               OH
               that
               thou
               werest
               as
               my
               brother
               that
               sucked
               the
               breasts
               of
               my
               mother
               :
               I
               would
               finde
               thee
               without
               ,
               I
               would
               kisse
               thee
               ,
               then
               they
               should
               not
               despise
               thee
               .
            
             
               2
               I
               will
               lead
               thee
               ,
               and
               bring
               thee
               into
               my
               mothers
               house
               :
               there
               thou
               shalt
               teach
               me
               :
               and
               I
               will
               cause
               thee
               to
               drink
               spiced
               wine
               ,
               and
               new
               wine
               of
               the
               pomegranate
               .
            
             
               3
               His
               left
               hand
               
                 shall
                 be
              
               under
               mine
               head
               ,
               and
               his
               right
               hand
               shall
               embrace
               me
               .
            
             
               4
               I
               charge
               you
               ,
               O
               daughters
               of
               Ierusalem
               ,
               that
               you
               ●tirre
               not
               up
               ,
               nor
               waken
               my
               love
               ,
               untill
               she
               please
               .
            
             
               5
               (
               Who
               is
               this
               that
               comet●
               up
               out
               of
               the
               wildernesse
               ,
               leaning
               upon
               her
               welbeloved
               ?
               )
               I
               raised
               thee
               up
               under
               an
               apple
               tree
               :
               there
               thy
               mother
               conceived
               thee
               :
               there
               she
               conceived
               that
               bare
               thee
               .
            
             
               6
               Set
               me
               as
               a
               seal
               on
               thy
               heart
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               ●ignet
               upon
               thine
               
               arme
               :
               for
               love
               is
               strong
               as
               death
               :
               jealousie
               is
               cruell
               as
               the
               the
               grave
               :
               the
               coales
               thereof
               are
               fierie
               coales
               ,
               and
               a
               vehement
               flame
               .
            
             
               7
               Much
               water
               cannot
               quench
               love
               ,
               neither
               can
               the
               floods
               drown
               it
               :
               if
               a
               man
               should
               give
               all
               the
               substance
               of
               his
               house
               for
               love
               ,
               they
               would
               greatly
               contemne
               it
               .
            
             
               8
               We
               have
               a
               little
               sister
               ,
               and
               she
               hath
               no
               breasts
               :
               what
               ●hall
               we
               do
               for
               our
               sister
               when
               she
               shall
               be
               spoken
               for
               ?
            
             
               9
               If
               she
               be
               a
               wall
               ,
               we
               will
               build
               upon
               her
               a
               silver
               palace
               :
               and
               if
               she
               be
               a
               door
               ,
               we
               will
               keep
               her
               in
               with
               boards
               of
               cedar
               .
            
             
               10
               I
               am
               a
               wall
               ,
               and
               my
               breasts
               ar●
               as
               towers
               :
               then
               was
               I
               in
               his
               eyes
               as
               one
               that
               findeth
               peace
               .
            
             
               11
               Salomon
               had
               a
               vine
               in
               Baal-hamon
               :
               he
               gave
               the
               vineyard
               unto
               keepers
               :
               every
               one
               bringeth
               for
               the
               fruit
               thereof
               a
               thousand
               pieces
               of
               silver
               .
            
             
               12
               But
               my
               vineyard
               which
               is
               mine
               ,
               is
               before
               me
               :
               to
               the●
               ,
               O
               Salomon
               ,
               appertaineth
               a
               thousand
               
                 pieces
                 of
                 silver
              
               ,
               and
               two
               hundred
               to
               them
               that
               keep
               the
               fruit
               thereof
               .
            
             
               13
               O
               thou
               that
               dwe●lest
               in
               the
               gardens
               ,
               the
               companions
               hearken
               unto
               thy
               voice
               :
               cause
               me
               to
               hear
               it
               .
            
             
               14
               Oh
               my
               welbeloved
               ,
               ●lee
               away
               ,
               and
               be
               like
               unto
               the
               roe
               ,
               or
               to
               the
               young
               ha●●
               upon
               the
               mountains
               of
               spices
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               THus
               ●●●re
               the
               prep●r●tion
               of
               the
               second
               c●lling
               ,
               the
               calling
               it self
               followeth
               ,
               declared
               by
               the
               wonderfull
               desire
               of
               the
               called
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 1.
                 2.
              
               
               By
               the
               mutuall
               love
               of
               the
               Bridegro●me
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 3.
              
               and
               his
               everlasting
               continuance
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 4.
              
               
               And
               such
               is
               the
               princesse
               the
               younger
               sister
               .
               The
               other
               inferiours
               which
               accompany
               this
               princesse
               are
               two
               :
               one
               is
               described
               coming
               out
               of
               the
               desert
               ,
               leaning
               upon
               her
               beloved
               ,
               and
               with
               wonderfull
               zeal
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 7.
              
               the
               other
               is
               renowned
               by
               the
               great
               affection
               of
               the
               Sisters
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 8
                 ▪
                 9.
              
               and
               by
               her
               own
               readinesse
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 10.
              
               
               And
               hitherto
               of
               the
               Churches
               severally
               .
               Iointly
               ,
               it
               sheweth
               as
               well
               ,
               how
               carefully
               the
               Bridegroom
               will
               defend
               the
               whole
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 11.
                 12.
              
               and
               what
               he
               requireth
               of
               the
               whole
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 13.
              
               as
               what
               the
               common
               desire
               of
               the
               spouse
               shall
               be
               ,
               
               namely
               ,
               that
               her
               beloved
               would
               fly
               hence
               ,
               and
               that
               she
               at
               length
               might
               be
               carried
               vvith
               him
               into
               everlasting
               habitacles
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 14.
              
               
            
          
           
             
               THE
               EXPOSITION
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   1.
                
                 
                 O
                 that
                 thou
                 wert
                 as
                 my
                 brother
                 that
                 sucked
                 the
                 breasts
                 of
                 my
                 mother
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 should
                 finde
                 thee
                 without
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 kisse
                 thee
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 ●hould
                 not
                 be
                 despised
                 .
              
               
                 EVery
                 thing
                 now
                 at
                 length
                 fully
                 perfected
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 faithfull
                 Iewes
                 fitted
                 into
                 one
                 body
                 of
                 Chr●st
                 ,
                 their
                 affection
                 is
                 wo●derfull
                 ,
                 made
                 clear
                 by
                 the
                 Antithesis
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 Christ
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 had
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 wondrous
                 skill
                 ,
                 with
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 labour
                 ,
                 he
                 setteth
                 forth
                 aswell
                 the
                 a●cursed
                 hatred
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 willing
                 and
                 ready
                 love
                 of
                 those
                 new
                 citizens
                 .
                 The
                 old
                 Iewes
                 despised
                 ▪
                 and
                 refused
                 Christ
                 coming
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 and
                 shewing
                 himself
                 a
                 brother
                 :
                 but
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 nothing
                 better
                 ●o
                 those
                 ,
                 nothing
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 more
                 desire
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 enjoy
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 whereby
                 that
                 horrible
                 wickednesse
                 of
                 despising
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 their
                 elders
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 recompenced
                 by
                 their
                 faith
                 and
                 diligen●e
                 in
                 holy
                 duties
                 :
                 the
                 old
                 Iewes
                 sought
                 only
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 but
                 fled
                 and
                 followed
                 him
                 not
                 (
                 teaching
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 )
                 with
                 kisses
                 ,
                 but
                 reproaches
                 .
                 All
                 familiarity
                 with
                 him
                 was
                 accounted
                 for
                 a
                 reproach
                 and
                 blame
                 ;
                 Nicodemus
                 constrained
                 for
                 fear
                 to
                 seeke
                 private
                 conference
                 with
                 him
                 by
                 night
                 .
                 These
                 shall
                 diligently
                 seeke
                 him
                 wheresoever
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 him
                 shall
                 worship
                 him
                 with
                 great
                 reverence
                 .
                 Neither
                 shall
                 they
                 any
                 whit
                 regard
                 the
                 mo●ks
                 and
                 skoffes
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 :
                 the
                 world
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 of
                 another
                 fashion
                 .
                 These
                 later
                 people
                 altogether
                 unlike
                 to
                 those
                 their
                 wicked
                 elders
                 ;
                 Salomon
                 hath
                 most
                 divinely
                 comprised
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 aswell
                 the
                 wickednesse
                 of
                 those
                 former
                 in
                 refusing
                 Christas
                 ,
                 the
                 pieti●
                 of
                 those
                 later
                 in
                 imbracing
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   2.
                
                 
                 I
                 would
                 lead
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 bring
                 thee
                 into
                 my
                 mothers
                 house
                 ,
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 instruct
                 me
                 :
                 I
                 would
                 cause
                 thee
                 to
                 drinke
                 of
                 spiced
                 wine
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 my
                 Pomegranates
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 followeth
                 the
                 former
                 Antithesis
                 or
                 opposition
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 better
                 expresse
                 the
                 integrity
                 of
                 those
                 which
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 opposing
                 them
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 formerly
                 called
                 ,
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 The
                 old
                 Iews
                 then
                 sh●t
                 Christ
                 out
                 adores
                 ,
                 and
                 desired
                 to
                 drive
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 and
                 Synagogues
                 :
                 For
                 they
                 which
                 raged
                 so
                 much
                 against
                 others
                 which
                 confessed
                 him
                 somewhat
                 more
                 freely
                 ;
                 what
                 would
                 they
                 not
                 ●o
                 to
                 him
                 himself
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 cause
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 violent
                 against
                 others
                 ?
                 
                 
                   (
                   Ioh.
                
                 9.
                 22.
                 )
                 But
                 these
                 people
                 will
                 not
                 only
                 open
                 the
                 gates
                 that
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 glory
                 may
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 lead
                 him
                 through
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 him
                 highest
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 their
                 assemblies
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 manner
                 of
                 speech
                 we
                 met
                 with
                 before
                 ,
                 Cap.
                 3.
                 4.
                 which
                 we
                 interpreted
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 ;
                 otherwise
                 his
                 mothers
                 house
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 saw
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 
                   Chap.
                   vers
                
                 .
                 17.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   shouldest
                   teach
                   me
                   .
                   Tremelius
                
                 referreth
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   my
                   mother
                   which
                   teacheth
                   me
                   .
                
                 The
                 words
                 beare
                 it
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 A●tithesis
                 requireth
                 such
                 exposition
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 made
                 .
                 The
                 Iewes
                 very
                 much
                 frequented
                 the
                 Temple
                 ;
                 they
                 boasted
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 white
                 sonnes
                 of
                 their
                 mother
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 doctrine
                 of
                 their
                 brother
                 (
                 the
                 man
                 Christ
                 )
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 great
                 difference
                 between
                 the
                 old
                 and
                 these
                 .
                 They
                 could
                 not
                 abide
                 to
                 heare
                 Christ
                 preaching
                 :
                 these
                 will
                 hearken
                 to
                 his
                 voyce
                 only
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 draw
                 their
                 doct●ine
                 from
                 this
                 only
                 Well
                 they
                 will
                 preferre
                 themselves
                 no
                 other
                 manner
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 but
                 him
                 alone
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 whereas
                 she
                 will
                 give
                 him
                 
                   spiced
                   wine
                   to
                   drinke
                
                 ,
                 thereby
                 he
                 teacheth
                 how
                 far
                 the
                 new
                 people
                 shall
                 differ
                 from
                 the
                 old
                 in
                 cruelty
                 :
                 
                   They
                   mingled
                   him
                   vinegar
                   and
                   gall
                   to
                   drinke
                   ,
                
                 Ma●
                 .
                 27.
                 34.
                 
                 These
                 shall
                 tremble
                 at
                 such
                 barbarous
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 ,
                 stead
                 of
                 that
                 most
                 bitter
                 cup
                 shall
                 invite
                 him
                 to
                 most
                 generous
                 wine
                 of
                 Chast
                 and
                 fervent
                 piety
                 .
                 Their
                 excellent
                 forme
                 and
                 beauty
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 better
                 painted
                 out
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 the
                 opposite
                 deformity
                 of
                 that
                 old
                 and
                 degenerate
                 Synagogue
                 :
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Pomegranate
                 may
                 be
                 referred
                 to
                 some
                 principall
                 men
                 among
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 apply
                 all
                 their
                 authority
                 to
                 advance
                 religion
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   3.
                
                 
                 His
                 left
                 hand
                 should
                 be
                 under
                 my
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 right
                 hand
                 should
                 imbrace
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 ,
                 which
                 resteth
                 most
                 pleasantly
                 in
                 the
                 bosome
                 and
                 imbracing
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 thus
                 settled
                 ▪
                 he
                 shall
                 carry
                 the
                 Bride
                 in
                 his
                 armes
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 keep
                 her
                 safe
                 and
                 sound
                 from
                 all
                 troubles
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 2.
                 6.
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 was
                 never
                 before
                 so
                 well
                 adorned
                 and
                 protected
                 by
                 the
                 divine
                 power
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 this
                 last
                 renovation
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 
                   Ieremy
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 16.
                 vers
                 .
                 14.
                 15.
                 and
                 of
                 
                   Esay
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 43.
                 ver●
                 .
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 exceeding
                 glory
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 obscure
                 all
                 former
                 memory
                 ,
                 how
                 famous
                 or
                 renouned
                 ●oever
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   4.
                
                 
                 I
                 charge
                 yee
                 ,
                 O
                 daughters
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 that
                 yee
                 stir
                 not
                 up
                 ,
                 nor
                 awake
                 my
                 love
                 untill
                 he
                 pl●●se
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 betokeneth
                 the
                 perpetuity
                 of
                 this
                 love
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 kinde
                 of
                 oath
                 ,
                 he
                 alwayes
                 declareth
                 a
                 settled
                 estate
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 for
                 some
                 long
                 continuance
                 ;
                 here
                 are
                 no
                 Harts
                 and
                 Roes
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 to
                 disturb
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 shee
                 living
                 among
                 enemies
                 ,
                 had
                 neer
                 her
                 (
                 by
                 Gods
                 ▪
                 just
                 judgement
                 )
                 revengers
                 of
                 their
                 revolting
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 sh●ll
                 be
                 yeelded
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 wherein
                 
                   the
                   stone
                   cut
                   out
                   without
                   hands
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Dan.
                 2.
                 34.
                 44.
                 45.
                 and
                 7.
                 27.
                 
                 For
                 in
                 this
                 Kingdome
                 all
                 enemies
                 shall
                 be
                 far
                 removed
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 taken
                 away
                 altogether
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 shall
                 for
                 ever
                 hereafter
                 live
                 free
                 from
                 feare
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Then
                 all
                 things
                 shall
                 attaine
                 their
                 own
                 ends
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 whole
                 Mystery
                 
                   (
                   Revel
                
                 .
                 10.
                 7.
                 and
                 16.
                 17
                 
                 ▪
                 It
                 is
                 finished
                 )
                 which
                 was
                 foretold
                 by
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 for
                 hitherto
                 belongeth
                 their
                 sacred
                 Oracles
                 .
                 Neither
                 doe
                 they
                 further
                 mention
                 any
                 notable
                 change
                 ,
                 till
                 our
                 Lord
                 shall
                 come
                 from
                 heaven
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 fulnesse
                 ,
                 then
                 which
                 nothing
                 can
                 be
                 farther
                 expected
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 manifested
                 by
                 this
                 removing
                 of
                 all
                 causes
                 of
                 disturbing
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 hereaft●r
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 leave
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 of
                 the
                 Jewes
                 most
                 flourishing
                 till
                 Christ
                 Translate
                 his
                 hence
                 into
                 heaven
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   5.
                
                 
                 Who
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 commeth
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 Wildernesse
                 ,
                 leaning
                 upon
                 her
                 beloved
                 ?
                 Iraised
                 thee
                 up
                 under
                 the
                 Appletrce
                 ,
                 there
                 thy
                 mother
                 brought
                 thee
                 forth
                 ,
                 there
                 she
                 brought
                 thee
                 forth
                 that
                 bare
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 hath
                 beene
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 younger
                 daughter
                 .
                 Another
                 sister
                 followeth
                 :
                 for
                 by
                 this
                 kinde
                 of
                 inquirie
                 we
                 have
                 twice
                 seene
                 a
                 new
                 arising
                 of
                 some
                 Church
                 to
                 be
                 shewed
                 .
                 And
                 of
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 double
                 state
                 declared
                 ,
                 the
                 beginning
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 the
                 progr●sse
                 in
                 the
                 6.
                 and
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 name
                 of
                 this
                 Nation
                 which
                 commeth
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 wildernesse
                 (
                 me
                 seemeth
                 )
                 may
                 easily
                 be
                 supposed
                 out
                 of
                 other
                 places
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 .
                 As
                 Esay
                 chap.
                 19
                 ▪
                 23.
                 &c.
                 wherein
                 he
                 treateth
                 of
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 and
                 the
                 Egyptians
                 :
                 for
                 though
                 many
                 of
                 either
                 Nation
                 were
                 in
                 former
                 times
                 indued
                 with
                 the
                 saving
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 small
                 number
                 was
                 nothing
                 to
                 this
                 great
                 assembly
                 now
                 spoken
                 of
                 .
                 Hither
                 belongeth
                 that
                 of
                 Ezek.
                 47.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 and
                 Ioel
                 cap.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 See
                 Numb
                 .
                 25.
                 1.
                 
                 Zachary
                 extendeth
                 the
                 limits
                 of
                 this
                 kingdome
                 from
                 sea
                 to
                 sea
                 ,
                 Cap.
                 9.
                 10.
                 
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   sloud
                   to
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   pride
                   of
                   Assyria
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 Zach.
                 10.
                 11.
                 
                 Wherefore
                 this
                 Church
                 shall
                 be
                 that
                 whole
                 bordering
                 Eastern
                 Region
                 ,
                 
                   Arabia
                   ,
                   Chaldea
                   ,
                   Babylonia
                   ,
                   Assyria
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Persia
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 inmost
                 corners
                 of
                 the
                 East
                 .
                 
                   The
                   waters
                   flowing
                   into
                   these
                   Regions
                   ,
                
                 is
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 the
                 Gospell
                 wherewith
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 watered
                 ;
                 
                   leaning
                   upon
                   her
                   beloved
                
                 ,
                 sheweth
                 her
                 great
                 familiarity
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 lovers
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 cast
                 themselves
                 into
                 the
                 bosomes
                 of
                 their
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 whereas
                 she
                 was
                 
                   raised
                   up
                   under
                   an
                   apple
                   tree
                   ,
                
                 we
                 learned
                 before
                 that
                 the
                 Apple
                 tree
                 betokeneth
                 inferiour
                 Magistrates
                 ,
                 under
                 whose
                 shadow
                 the
                 Bridegroome
                 covereth
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 under
                 Tamarisk
                 and
                 lower
                 trees
                 ;
                 the
                 high
                 and
                 loftie
                 Cedars
                 being
                 cut
                 downe
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 2.
                 3.
                 4.
                 
                 Wherefore
                 the
                 first
                 infancie
                 of
                 this
                 Church
                 ,
                 seemeth
                 to
                 be
                 governed
                 by
                 some
                 inferiour
                 Officer
                 ,
                 who
                 though
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 there
                 wanted
                 the
                 chiefe
                 Princes
                 authority
                 ,
                 yet
                 by
                 his
                 labour
                 and
                 diligence
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 bring
                 it
                 to
                 passe
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 seede
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 sowen
                 shall
                 spring
                 up
                 into
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 may
                 behold
                 it
                 :
                 yet
                 it
                 seemeth
                 more
                 likely
                 that
                 this
                 Magistrate
                 should
                 be
                 given
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 Jewes
                 ,
                 to
                 whose
                 rule
                 bordering
                 Regions
                 shall
                 obey
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 this
                 Church
                 is
                 raised
                 up
                 under
                 an
                 Apple
                 tree
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 such
                 Government
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   6.
                
                 
                 Set
                 me
                 as
                 a
                 seale
                 upon
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Seale
                 upon
                 thine
                 arme
                 ,
                 for
                 love
                 is
                 strong
                 as
                 death
                 ,
                 jealousie
                 as
                 cruel
                 as
                 th●
                 grave
                 ,
                 the
                 ●oales
                 thereof
                 are
                 coales
                 of
                 fire
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 a
                 most
                 vehement
                 flame
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 beginning
                 .
                 The
                 progresse
                 shall
                 be
                 famous
                 for
                 her
                 marvellous
                 and
                 earnest
                 desire
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 elegantly
                 painted
                 out
                 in
                 her
                 desire
                 and
                 the
                 reason
                 thereof
                 .
                 Her
                 desire
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 a
                 seale
                 on
                 his
                 heart
                 and
                 arme
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 note
                 Printed
                 with
                 a
                 seale
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 impression
                 of
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 aswell
                 deepely
                 fixed
                 inwardly
                 in
                 the
                 minde
                 ,
                 as
                 appeare
                 alwaies
                 outwardly
                 to
                 the
                 sight
                 ,
                 wherein
                 she
                 desireth
                 that
                 she
                 may
                 cleave
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 figure
                 is
                 wont
                 which
                 the
                 Print
                 of
                 the
                 Seale
                 hath
                 made
                 .
                 Most
                 vehement
                 love
                 requires
                 the
                 like
                 againe
                 .
                 The
                 ardent
                 desire
                 of
                 love
                 is
                 exprest
                 by
                 most
                 fit
                 similitudes
                 ,
                 for
                 saying
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 strong
                 as
                 death
                 ,
                 she
                 sheweth
                 thereby
                 that
                 none
                 can
                 resist
                 the
                 power
                 thereof
                 ,
                 death
                 overcommeth
                 the
                 proudest
                 ones
                 by
                 force
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 folly
                 to
                 contend
                 with
                 her
                 .
                 The
                 grave
                 is
                 also
                 cruell
                 without
                 pitie
                 ,
                 discourteous
                 and
                 in●xorable
                 ,
                 who
                 despiseth
                 all
                 supplications
                 ,
                 nor
                 is
                 ever
                 filled
                 with
                 prey
                 :
                 it
                 daily
                 devoureth
                 an
                 infinite
                 multitude
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 alwayes
                 gapeth
                 for
                 new
                 spolies
                 .
                 Neither
                 is
                 jealousie
                 lesse
                 insatiable
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   7.
                
                 
                 Many
                 waters
                 cannot
                 quench
                 love
                 ,
                 neither
                 can
                 the
                 flouds
                 drowne
                 it
                 :
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 would
                 give
                 all
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 his
                 house
                 for
                 love
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 utterly
                 be
                 contemned
                 .
              
               
                 Therefore
                 this
                 love
                 shall
                 be
                 eternall
                 ,
                 which
                 neither
                 adversity
                 nor
                 prosperity
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 weaken
                 or
                 any
                 whit
                 impaire
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 chiefe
                 scope
                 hereof
                 is
                 to
                 teach
                 us
                 that
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 once
                 kindled
                 ,
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 quenched
                 againe
                 in
                 these
                 countries
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 manifestly
                 appeareth
                 that
                 here
                 is
                 something
                 expected
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 shew
                 any
                 thing
                 past
                 .
                 Some
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 hath
                 over-spread
                 the
                 Easterne
                 Countries
                 many
                 ages
                 since
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 floods
                 have
                 overwhelmed
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wealth
                 &
                 riches
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 have
                 altogether
                 choaked
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 part
                 of
                 true
                 religion
                 hath
                 there
                 beene
                 seene
                 by
                 many
                 ages
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 length
                 by
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 the
                 truth
                 shall
                 plant
                 her
                 rootes
                 in
                 these
                 lands
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 storme
                 or
                 tempest
                 shall
                 pull
                 up
                 ,
                 nor
                 faire
                 allurements
                 shall
                 cause
                 it
                 to
                 wither
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Verse
                   8.
                
                 
                 We
                 have
                 a
                 little
                 sister
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 bath
                 no
                 breasts
                 :
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 do
                 for
                 our
                 sister
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 when
                 she
                 shall
                 be
                 spoken
                 for
                 ?
              
               
                 He
                 commeth
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 Nation
                 ,
                 we
                 said
                 was
                 another
                 of
                 the
                 younger
                 sisters
                 .
                 Our
                 Divines
                 suppose
                 these
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 wishes
                 to
                 us
                 Gentiles
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 this
                 Prophesie
                 many
                 yeeres
                 agoe
                 ,
                 carried
                 beyond
                 the
                 age
                 of
                 that
                 old
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 exercised
                 in
                 the
                 farthest
                 borders
                 of
                 our
                 earthly
                 babitation
                 .
                 Esay
                 seemeth
                 to
                 teach
                 
                   (
                   chap.
                
                 19.
                 18.
                 23.
                 
                 &c.
                 )
                 who
                 this
                 people
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 times
                 approaching
                 ;
                 he
                 joyneth
                 three
                 nations
                 in
                 a
                 common
                 profession
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Assyrians
                   ,
                   Iewes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Aegyprians
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 and
                 Assyrians
                 ,
                 hath
                 the
                 Paranymph
                 spoken
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 seemes
                 to
                 have
                 reserved
                 the
                 Egyptians
                 for
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 which
                 nation
                 verily
                 imbraced
                 Christ
                 many
                 ages
                 since
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 very
                 famous
                 in
                 Churches
                 much
                 frequented
                 ;
                 yet
                 without
                 doubt
                 ,
                 the
                 former
                 times
                 are
                 not
                 here
                 respected
                 ,
                 but
                 times
                 yet
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 things
                 sufficiently
                 sheweth
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 very
                 likely
                 that
                 their
                 owne
                 proper
                 places
                 were
                 certainly
                 given
                 to
                 each
                 one
                 in
                 this
                 song
                 .
                 Neither
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 that
                 such
                 carefull
                 order
                 should
                 faile
                 now
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 .
                 Esay
                 expresly
                 coupleth
                 Assyria
                 and
                 Egypt
                 in
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 one
                 Religion
                 :
                 which
                 never
                 hapned
                 in
                 times
                 past
                 ,
                 when
                 Egypt
                 flourished
                 with
                 true
                 piety
                 :
                 whereunto
                 Assyria
                 was
                 then
                 altogether
                 a
                 stranger
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 especially
                 to
                 be
                 noted
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 calleth
                 Egypt
                 a
                 little
                 sister
                 ,
                 exceeded
                 by
                 Assyria
                 onely
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 times
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 barren
                 and
                 thirsty
                 land
                 whilst
                 Egypt
                 abounded
                 with
                 full
                 channels
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 length
                 Assyria
                 shall
                 be
                 overflowne
                 by
                 a
                 swift
                 streame
                 issuing
                 from
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 to
                 whose
                 Rivers
                 the
                 
                   Egyptian
                   Nilus
                
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 very
                 small
                 fountaine
                 .
                 But
                 Ioel
                 saith
                 ,
                 chap.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 Egypt
                 shall
                 be
                 desolate
                 :
                 and
                 
                   Zacharie
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 10.
                 11.
                 saith
                 ,
                 her
                 Scepter
                 shall
                 be
                 removed
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 very
                 likely
                 that
                 all
                 Muhumetans
                 shall
                 be
                 destroyed
                 there
                 ,
                 before
                 those
                 places
                 shall
                 obtaine
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 blotting
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 doth
                 not
                 signifie
                 an
                 utter
                 destruction
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 laying
                 the
                 way
                 open
                 to
                 better
                 inhabitants
                 ,
                 yeelding
                 their
                 power
                 and
                 authority
                 to
                 Christ
                 his
                 government
                 .
                 Esay
                 mentioneth
                 
                 the
                 foregoing
                 calamity
                 and
                 forthwith
                 their
                 following
                 happinesse
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 giveth
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 Canaan
                 to
                 five
                 Cities
                 ,
                 chap.
                 19.
                 17.
                 
                 He
                 sheweth
                 why
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 a
                 little
                 one
                 ,
                 by
                 bounding
                 that
                 Church
                 in
                 so
                 few
                 cities
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   9.
                
                 
                 If
                 shee
                 be
                 a
                 wall
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 build
                 upon
                 her
                 a
                 palace
                 of
                 silver
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 she
                 be
                 a
                 dore
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 enclose
                 her
                 with
                 boards
                 of
                 Cedar
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 wall
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 5.
                 vers
                 .
                 7.
                 was
                 the
                 safegard
                 of
                 the
                 Civill
                 Magistrate
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 which
                 executed
                 that
                 office
                 were
                 called
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 wall
                 :
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 Chap.
                 6.
                 9.
                 it
                 seemes
                 here
                 to
                 signifie
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 she
                 should
                 say
                 ,
                 If
                 the
                 Civill
                 governours
                 will
                 yeeld
                 their
                 helping
                 hand
                 to
                 build
                 up
                 and
                 defend
                 the
                 Egyptian
                 Church
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 our
                 ready
                 ayde
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 do
                 that
                 with
                 the
                 more
                 dignitie
                 .
                 The
                 Gates
                 in
                 the
                 Wall
                 are
                 the
                 Ministers
                 themselves
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 an
                 entrance
                 for
                 others
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 new
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 all
                 closed
                 with
                 walls
                 ,
                 hath
                 
                   twelve
                   Gates
                   ,
                   inscribed
                   with
                   the
                   names
                   of
                   the
                   twelve
                   Apostles
                   ,
                
                 Reve.
                 21.
                 12.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 then
                 the
                 meaning
                 thereof
                 .
                 If
                 she
                 shall
                 be
                 naked
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 authority
                 of
                 the
                 Magistrate
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 shee
                 must
                 be
                 gathered
                 and
                 preserved
                 by
                 the
                 onely
                 trust
                 and
                 industry
                 of
                 the
                 Ministers
                 ;
                 Then
                 will
                 we
                 every
                 where
                 fence
                 these
                 gates
                 with
                 
                   Cedar
                   boards
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 fitted
                 against
                 force
                 ,
                 not
                 feeling
                 any
                 worme-eaten
                 old
                 age
                 For
                 then
                 shall
                 the
                 Church
                 flourish
                 with
                 such
                 Authority
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 shall
                 not
                 onely
                 helpe
                 her self
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 her
                 far
                 remote
                 Citizens
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   10.
                
                 
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 wall
                 and
                 my
                 breasts
                 like
                 towers
                 ,
                 then
                 was
                 I
                 in
                 his
                 eyes
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 found
                 peace
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 consultation
                 and
                 decree
                 of
                 the
                 sisters
                 hath
                 discovered
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 this
                 Church
                 .
                 Shee
                 sheweth
                 the
                 proceeding
                 in
                 her
                 own
                 words
                 .
                 For
                 answering
                 their
                 carefulnesse
                 ,
                 she
                 sheweth
                 her self
                 furnished
                 with
                 those
                 ornaments
                 which
                 they
                 were
                 afraid
                 she
                 wanted
                 .
                 Verely
                 ,
                 not
                 altogether
                 destitute
                 of
                 the
                 civill
                 power
                 ,
                 but
                 some-what
                 ●enced
                 with
                 the
                 aid
                 thereof
                 as
                 with
                 a
                 wall
                 and
                 Bulwark
                 .
                 Also
                 her
                 Breasts
                 from
                 whom
                 milke
                 is
                 drawne
                 for
                 the
                 Children
                 ,
                 though
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 small
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 seemed
                 altogether
                 none
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 they
                 were
                 grown
                 to
                 that
                 largenes
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 worthily
                 compared
                 with
                 Towers
                 .
                 This
                 peace
                 which
                 she
                 speaketh
                 of
                 is
                 that
                 Marriage
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 s●emeth
                 )
                 which
                 her
                 sisters
                 before
                 pointed
                 at
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 elsewhere
                 called
                 Rest
                 ,
                 Ruth
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 As
                 if
                 shee
                 should
                 say
                 :
                 after
                 that
                 my
                 breasts
                 waxed
                 ripe
                 or
                 imbossed
                 ,
                 I
                 found
                 that
                 pleasure
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 Maides
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 enjoy
                 in
                 Marriage
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   11.
                
                 
                 Salomon
                 had
                 a
                 vineyard
                 at
                 Baal-hamon
                 ,
                 he
                 let
                 out
                 the
                 
                 vineyard
                 unto
                 keepers
                 :
                 every
                 one
                 for
                 the
                 fruit
                 ther●of
                 was
                 to
                 bring
                 a
                 thousand
                 pieces
                 of
                 silver
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   12.
                
                 
                 My
                 vineyard
                 which
                 is
                 mine
                 is
                 before
                 me
                 :
                 thou
                 (
                 O
                 Salomon
                 )
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 thousand
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 keep
                 the
                 fruit
                 thereof
                 two
                 hundred
                 .
              
               
                 Hitherto
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Christian
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 distinguished
                 into
                 divers
                 members
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 elder
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 three
                 younger
                 sisters
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 a
                 Princess
                 among
                 the
                 rest
                 ▪
                 Now
                 followeth
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 common
                 aswell
                 on
                 the
                 behalf
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 Bride
                 :
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 is
                 twofold
                 .
                 
                   A
                   care
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Precept
                   .
                
                 The
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 towards
                 the
                 Universall
                 Church
                 is
                 excellently
                 declared
                 by
                 a
                 dissimilitude
                 taken
                 from
                 
                   Salomon
                   :
                   Salomon
                
                 let
                 out
                 his
                 Vineyard
                 to
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 received
                 a
                 large
                 yeerly
                 ▪
                 revenue
                 from
                 his
                 Farmers
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 )
                 
                   will
                   take
                   care
                   of
                   my
                   vineyard
                   my self
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   hire
                   it
                   forth
                   .
                
                 And
                 the
                 fruit
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 receive
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 far
                 larger
                 then
                 Salomons
                 .
                 Much
                 good
                 do
                 it
                 him
                 with
                 his
                 profits
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 envi●him
                 .
                 Yet
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 to
                 bee
                 compared
                 with
                 mine
                 .
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 a
                 new
                 thing
                 for
                 Kings
                 to
                 hire
                 out
                 to
                 others
                 that
                 which
                 exceedeth
                 their
                 houshold
                 store
                 .
                 Morcerus
                 interpreteth
                 the
                 twelfth
                 verse
                 as
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 Bride
                 herself
                 ,
                 like
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Chapter
                 and
                 sixth
                 verse
                 she
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Shee
                   was
                   made
                   a
                   keeper
                   of
                   the
                   vines
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 she
                 might
                 be
                 now
                 againe
                 ,
                 except
                 perhaps
                 for
                 ill
                 lucks
                 sake
                 then
                 ,
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 himself
                 will
                 hereafter
                 undertake
                 ●his
                 care
                 (
                 See
                 Esay
                 65.
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ▪
                 &c.
                 )
                 lest
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 should
                 afterward
                 be
                 disturbed
                 by
                 some
                 such
                 like
                 negligence
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   13.
                
                 
                 O
                 Thou
                 that
                 dwellest
                 in
                 the
                 Gardens
                 ,
                 the
                 Companions
                 hearken
                 to
                 thy
                 voice
                 :
                 cause
                 me
                 to
                 hear
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 precept
                 teacheth
                 to
                 what
                 imploiment
                 the
                 Bride
                 would
                 give
                 her self
                 for
                 ever
                 :
                 They
                 being
                 subdued
                 which
                 durst
                 to
                 mutter
                 against
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 setled
                 in
                 most
                 calme
                 peace
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 often
                 told
                 you
                 that
                 the
                 precepts
                 of
                 this
                 Song
                 are
                 prophesies
                 of
                 common
                 affaires
                 .
                 The
                 bride
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 Gardens
                 after
                 the
                 same
                 manner
                 as
                 before
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 12.
                 when
                 by
                 Constantines
                 Authority
                 shee
                 was
                 fenced
                 by
                 the
                 safegard
                 of
                 the
                 Civill
                 Law
                 ,
                 but
                 ▪
                 in
                 those
                 last
                 times
                 the
                 Magistrates
                 over
                 all
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 new
                 collected
                 Congregations
                 ,
                 sh●ll
                 bend
                 all
                 their
                 force
                 to
                 defend
                 the
                 Ch●rch
                 ;
                 herein
                 onely
                 this
                 sh●ll
                 differ
                 from
                 that
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 first
                 garden
                 was
                 closed
                 with
                 one
                 wall
                 ,
                 their
                 whole
                 aff●ires
                 administred
                 by
                 one
                 mans
                 rule
                 ,
                 this
                 new
                 Garden
                 (
                 as
                 also
                 that
                 r●stored
                 ,
                 Cha.
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 )
                 shall
                 be
                 divided
                 with
                 many
                 inclosures
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 variety
                 of
                 Presidents
                 which
                 shall
                 governe
                 in
                 severall
                 
                 provinces
                 .
                 As
                 concerning
                 the
                 Precept
                 .
                 The
                 companions
                 that
                 hearken
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 Citizens
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 for
                 then
                 the
                 Church
                 bringeth
                 it
                 to
                 pass●
                 that
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 may
                 heare
                 Her
                 fellowes
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 her
                 citizens
                 and
                 particular
                 Congreg●tions
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 sincerely
                 delivereth
                 the
                 right
                 way
                 to
                 beleeve
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 worship
                 God
                 ,
                 ●o
                 that
                 from
                 her
                 most
                 wholsome
                 instructions
                 ,
                 sins
                 may
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 ,
                 mercy
                 implored
                 ,
                 goodnesse
                 preached
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 may
                 receive
                 his
                 due
                 honour
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Companions
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 shall
                 be
                 delighted
                 ,
                 which
                 from
                 that
                 time
                 sh●l
                 sound
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 voice
                 the
                 Citizens
                 learn
                 to
                 pronounce
                 ,
                 l●stning
                 to
                 the
                 doctrine
                 and
                 instruction
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 their
                 Mother
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   ▪
                   14.
                
                 
                 Make
                 hast
                 ▪
                 or
                 fly
                 hence
                 my
                 beloved
                 ▪
                 and
                 bee
                 thou
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 Roe
                 ▪
                 or
                 to
                 a
                 young
                 hart
                 upon
                 the
                 mountaines
                 of
                 Spices
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 common
                 desire
                 in
                 the
                 Brides
                 behalfe
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 delivered
                 in
                 this
                 verse
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Universall
                 Church
                 b●eaketh
                 forth
                 into
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 should
                 fly
                 away
                 into
                 
                   the
                   mountaines
                   of
                   Spices
                   ▪
                
                 What
                 ?
                 is
                 she
                 now
                 weary
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 whom
                 with
                 such
                 labour
                 ,
                 she
                 before
                 sought
                 being
                 absent
                 ,
                 that
                 sh●e
                 should
                 so
                 soone
                 command
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 her
                 sight
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 the
                 Spou●e
                 earnestly
                 desireth
                 that
                 her
                 beloved
                 would
                 
                   fly
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   garden
                   into
                   the
                   mountains
                   of
                   Spices
                   :
                
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 if
                 shee
                 should
                 desire
                 ▪
                 that
                 leaving
                 the
                 earth
                 he
                 would
                 return
                 again
                 to
                 the
                 heavenly
                 fort●●ss●
                 for
                 that
                 meane
                 the
                 
                   Mountaines
                   of
                   Spices
                
                 .
                 No●
                 that
                 she
                 wish●●h
                 (
                 being
                 alone
                 and
                 depri●●d
                 of
                 his
                 imbracings
                 )
                 any
                 longer
                 to
                 sticke
                 in
                 the
                 filthy
                 dregges
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 she
                 earnestly
                 desireth
                 to
                 fly
                 hence
                 her selfe
                 together
                 with
                 her
                 beloved
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 inheritance
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 the
                 Elect
                 in
                 heaven
                 .
                 For
                 she
                 (
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Sisters
                 )
                 which
                 even
                 new
                 desired
                 that
                 shee
                 might
                 be
                 ●ixed
                 to
                 his
                 heart
                 ▪
                 as
                 a
                 Seal
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 endure
                 this
                 divorce
                 ,
                 to
                 tarry
                 ●ere
                 behinde
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 with
                 that
                 of
                 Saint
                 
                   Iohn
                   ,
                   Rev.
                
                 22.
                 20
                 
                 ▪
                 
                   Come
                   Lord
                   ●e●us
                
                 ;
                 differing
                 a
                 little
                 in
                 words
                 .
                 Io●n
                 requesteth
                 that
                 the
                 Bridegroom
                 would
                 shew
                 him●elf
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 m●nifestation
                 of
                 his
                 Majesty
                 ▪
                 which
                 is
                 now
                 covered
                 from
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 at
                 length
                 would
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 Spouse
                 desireth
                 that
                 this
                 Beame
                 ,
                 how
                 brigh●
                 soever
                 ,
                 which
                 sh●ll
                 then
                 shine
                 in
                 the
                 ear●h
                 ,
                 would
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 collect
                 his
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 withdraw
                 it self
                 into
                 heaven
                 .
                 Either
                 of
                 them
                 wishe●h
                 the
                 e●d
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 defineth
                 it
                 by
                 comming
                 from
                 Heaven
                 :
                 she
                 by
                 departing
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Either
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 expect
                 ,
                 the
                 comming
                 first
                 ,
                 the
                 departure
                 
                 after
                 .
                 Hitherto
                 goeth
                 this
                 divine
                 Poeme
                 ,
                 but
                 pointeth
                 not
                 out
                 the
                 last
                 moment
                 of
                 time
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 sufficient
                 that
                 it
                 setteth
                 forth
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 Church
                 more
                 distinctly
                 and
                 exactly
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 then
                 any
                 other
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Scripture
                 .
                 Many
                 large
                 and
                 ple●sant
                 Prophesies
                 do
                 ayme
                 at
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 but
                 here
                 alm●st
                 all
                 set
                 up
                 their
                 marke
                 :
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 Sisters
                 coming
                 to
                 the
                 truth
                 by
                 her
                 help
                 ,
                 they
                 make
                 a
                 more
                 obscure
                 and
                 generall
                 mention
                 ,
                 yet
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 interpretation
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 understood
                 how
                 false
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 who
                 set
                 downe
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 at
                 a
                 certain
                 yeer
                 out
                 of
                 some
                 limited
                 number
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 especially
                 if
                 they
                 compare
                 this
                 Prophesie
                 with
                 the
                 Revelation
                 and
                 Daniel
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 Resurrectio●
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 12.
                 and
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 12.
                 
                 Also
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   done
                
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 seventh
                 Viall
                 ,
                 Reve.
                 16.
                 17.
                 appertaineth
                 to
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 ▪
                 So
                 that
                 where
                 we
                 ex●ect
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 there
                 we
                 finde
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 Church
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 for
                 a
                 day
                 or
                 a
                 week
                 or
                 a
                 short
                 time
                 .
                 The
                 Angell
                 expresly
                 affirmeth
                 to
                 be
                 far
                 and
                 wide
                 spread
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 5.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 giveth
                 it
                 a
                 thousand
                 yeers
                 after
                 the
                 first
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 elder
                 sister
                 .
                 Now
                 seeing
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 shall
                 begin
                 to
                 flourish
                 about
                 400.
                 yeers
                 after
                 that
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 600.
                 yeers
                 at
                 least
                 shall
                 be
                 left
                 wherein
                 she
                 shall
                 raign
                 here
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 ▪
                 but
                 how
                 ▪
                 long
                 after
                 ,
                 he
                 only
                 knoweth
                 ,
                 who
                 knoweth
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 light
                 upon
                 no
                 mark
                 or
                 token
                 of
                 time
                 that
                 may
                 give
                 even
                 the
                 least
                 conjecture
                 ;
                 Daniel
                 saith
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 the
                 Turkish
                 Empire
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 d●stroyed
                 by
                 Conversion
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 )
                 a
                 space
                 shall
                 be
                 given
                 for
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 Beasts
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 
                   even
                   for
                   a
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   time
                   appointed
                   .
                
                 But
                 this
                 space
                 is
                 neither
                 expressed
                 ,
                 neither
                 perhaps
                 shall
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 be
                 joyned
                 with
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 the
                 remnant
                 .
                 That
                 therefore
                 which
                 hath
                 troubled
                 many
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 that
                 certain
                 limiting
                 of
                 time
                 which
                 offereth
                 it self
                 in
                 the
                 Revelation
                 and
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 should
                 bring
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 (
                 repressing
                 or
                 mollifying
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Mar.
                 13.
                 32.
                 by
                 interpretation
                 )
                 may
                 hence
                 be
                 delivered
                 from
                 this
                 fear
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 those
                 accounts
                 end
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 the
                 Iewes
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 goe
                 a
                 little
                 farther
                 (
                 whereof
                 I
                 finde
                 only
                 two
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 spoken
                 of
                 before
                 )
                 they
                 rather
                 shew
                 within
                 what
                 time
                 the
                 end
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 ,
                 then
                 at
                 what
                 moment
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 that
                 of
                 Christ
                 remaineth
                 without
                 doubt
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 meaning
                 as
                 the
                 words
                 do
                 properly
                 shew
                 :
                 
                   The
                   Angells
                   themselves
                   know
                   not
                   the
                   very
                
                 last
                 day
                 .
                 We
                 verily
                 believe
                 this
                 day
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 many
                 tokens
                 of
                 its
                 drawing
                 neere
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 suppose
                 we
                 fail
                 of
                 any
                 account
                 that
                 may
                 bring
                 us
                 to
                 any
                 neere
                 knowledge
                 thereof
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 think
                 I
                 have
                 
                 opened
                 a
                 window
                 to
                 security
                 by
                 removing
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 it
                 so
                 far
                 off
                 :
                 let
                 him
                 know
                 if
                 the
                 shortnesse
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 and
                 the
                 end
                 uncertain
                 move
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 neither
                 will
                 the
                 neerenesse
                 of
                 this
                 day
                 move
                 him
                 any
                 whit
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 What
                 matter
                 makes
                 it
                 whether
                 Christ
                 himself
                 come
                 to
                 judgement
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 or
                 thou
                 be
                 drawne
                 to
                 judgement
                 at
                 his
                 Tribunall
                 Seate
                 ?
                 or
                 oughtest
                 thou
                 not
                 be
                 carefull
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 end
                 ,
                 unlesse
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 do
                 accompany
                 it
                 ?
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   wicked
                   be
                   filthy
                   still
                   ,
                
                 yet
                 this
                 thought
                 will
                 easily
                 shake
                 off
                 s●curity
                 from
                 the
                 godly
                 ,
                 though
                 this
                 revealed
                 truth
                 may
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 bridle
                 the
                 tongues
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 which
                 draw
                 all
                 things
                 into
                 doubt
                 ,
                 whiles
                 they
                 read
                 of
                 fixed
                 termes
                 in
                 some
                 mens
                 workes
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 use
                 learn
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 deceived
                 by
                 conjecture
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 the
                 errour
                 of
                 blinde
                 man
                 (
                 and
                 such
                 verily
                 are
                 the
                 sharpest
                 sighted
                 in
                 Divine
                 Matters
                 )
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 sufficient
                 Argument
                 to
                 subvert
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 God.
                 We
                 may
                 be
                 deceived
                 in
                 obscure
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 plainly
                 delivered
                 to
                 us
                 of
                 purpose
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 Divine
                 Truth
                 doth
                 neither
                 deceive
                 ,
                 nor
                 is
                 deceived
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 too
                 late
                 shall
                 finde
                 ,
                 which
                 have
                 despised
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 this
                 plain
                 exposition
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               EXceeding
               praise
               be
               to
               thee
               O
               mercifull
               Father
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               Sonne
               and
               holy
               Ghost
               ,
               which
               hast
               so
               much
               respected
               our
               infirmity
               ,
               that
               thou
               hast
               vouchsafed
               to
               inform
               us
               of
               things
               to
               come
               even
               to
               the
               last
               end
               .
               Whereby
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               vse
               of
               times
               past
               we
               may
               be
               confirmed
               in
               thy
               truth
               ,
               and
               not
               run
               headlong
               into
               unforeseen
               mischiefes
               in
               the
               knowledge
               of
               things
               to
               come
               .
               Let
               not
               this
               knowledge
               vani●●
               without
               fruite
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               but
               bestow
               the
               comfort
               thereof
               upon
               thy
               Church
               ;
               that
               she
               looking
               into
               the
               glory
               of
               thy
               Children
               may
               despise
               all
               the
               troubles
               and
               deceitfull
               delights
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               and
               may
               constantly
               proceed
               to
               that
               mark
               for
               which
               the
               Crowne
               is
               laid
               up
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               To
               whom
               with
               thee
               O
               Father
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               holy
               Spirit
               ,
               ●e
               all
               honour
               ,
               praise
               and
               glory
               for
               ever
               and
               ever
               ,
            
             
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Popes
           SPECTACLES
           Or
           his
           CLJMACTERJCALL
           yeere
           calculated
           in
           
             August
             ,
             Anno
          
           1623.
           
        
         
           BRiefe
           Notes
           out
           of
           severall
           Expositors
           of
           the
           Revelation
           ,
           touching
           the
           rising
           and
           fall
           ,
           progresse
           and
           finall
           destruction
           of
           the
           Enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           with
           some
           other
           observances
           out
           of
           divers
           writers
           .
        
         
           St.
           John
           wrote
           his
           Revelation
           and
           sent
           it
           to
           the
           seven
           Churches
           in
           
             Asia
             minor
          
           ,
           now
           called
           Natolia
           .
        
         
           He
           wrote
           it
           Anno
           97.
           as
           Eusebius
           saith
           :
           in
           99.
           as
           Irenaeus
           saith
           .
           He
           dyed
           under
           Trajan
           ,
           109.
           as
           most
           say
           ;
           But
           Ierome
           and
           Nicephorus
           say
           in
           100.
           
        
         
           This
           Prophesie
           is
           of
           things
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           things
           past
           ,
           as
           is
           well
           observed
           by
           Master
           Brightman
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           understanding
           of
           this
           Prophesie
           ,
           what
           names
           and
           Titles
           the
           Revelation
           giveth
           to
           the
           adversaries
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           are
           as
           followeth
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           and
           last
           adversaries
           are
           called
           a
           dragon
           ;
           an
           open
           and
           perverse
           enemie
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           heathen
           Emperors
           ,
           and
           now
           the
           Turkes
           ,
           as
           the
           best
           expositors
           understand
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           and
           third
           after
           the
           Dragon
           are
           two
           beasts
           ,
           the
           first
           out
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           the
           second
           out
           of
           the
           earth
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           is
           called
           a
           Whore
           and
           
             Babylon
             ,
             chap.
          
           17.
           1.
           and
           5.
           
           Also
           that
           Whore
           is
           called
           the
           great
           City
           ,
           &c.
           which
           in
           Saint
           Iohns
           time
           was
           onely
           Rome
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Dragon
           the
           first
           Adversary
           was
           destroyed
           by
           Constantine
           the
           great
           in
           overthrowing
           
             Dioclesian
             ,
             Maxentius
          
           and
           
             Maximinian
             Anno
          
           311.
           he
           began
           his
           Raigne
           Anno
           306.
           or
           307.
           
        
         
           After
           the
           overthrow
           of
           the
           Dragon
           ,
           a
           Beast
           ariseth
           presently
           out
           of
           the
           Sea
           :
           which
           Brightman
           expounds
           erroneous
           doctrine
           ,
           so
           likewise
           hath
           he
           Ecclesiasticall
           Government
           .
           And
           in
           Constantines
           time
           Rome
           was
           called
           the
           first
           Sea
           ,
           Constantinople
           the
           second
           ,
           Alexandria
           the
           third
           ,
           Antioch
           the
           fourth
           ,
           and
           Jerusalem
           the
           fifth
           .
           And
           so
           the
           Romanists
           at
           this
           day
           style
           the
           Popes
           jurisdiction
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           beast
           riseth
           out
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Popes
           spirituall
           and
           Temporall
           power
           ,
           or
           rather
           his
           deare
           friends
           ,
           the
           Antichristian
           Emperours
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           said
           verse
           11.
           that
           this
           beast
           ca●●●th
           all
           that
           dwell
           in
           the
           earth
           to
           worship
           the
           first
           Beast
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Pope
           ,
           for
           they
           were
           his
           first
           builders
           and
           are
           his
           chiefe
           pillars
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           He
           is
           likewise
           called
           the
           Beast
           which
           was
           and
           is
           not
           ,
           Chap.
           17.
           11.
           by
           which
           is
           meant
           the
           Romane
           Empire
           ,
           in
           the
           West
           ,
           which
           lay
           voide
           three
           hundred
           twenty
           five
           yeeres
           ,
           from
           Augustulus
           ,
           to
           
             Carolus
             Magnus
          
           .
        
         
           Also
           ,
           the
           Beast
           was
           taken
           ,
           and
           with
           him
           that
           false
           Prophet
           which
           wrought
           miracles
           ,
           &c.
           Chap.
           19.
           20.
           which
           seeme
           to
           make
           them
           to
           be
           two
           distinct
           persons
           .
        
         
           Thus
           also
           is
           Rome
           plainely
           described
           to
           be
           set
           on
           seven
           hills
           and
           ruling
           over
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           earth
           :
           which
           make
           Bellarmine
           and
           R●bira
           both
           Iesuites
           to
           confesse
           that
           Rome
           is
           the
           Whore
           there
           meant
           .
           Rome
           also
           maintaines
           Idolatrie
           and
           Superstition
           in
           her
           Religion
           ,
           Government
           ,
           and
           Policie
           ;
           which
           in
           Scripture
           is
           called
           Whoredome
           :
           then
           the
           Pope
           is
           not
           the
           Whore
           ,
           but
           one
           of
           the
           Beasts
           or
           Bawds
           rather
           (
           if
           you
           will
           )
           to
           the
           Whore.
           For
           example
           ;
           he
           maintaines
           Stewes
           in
           Rome
           ,
           yeelding
           him
           yeerely
           40000.
           
           Duckets
           ,
           and
           receiveth
           yeerely
           of
           Curtizans
           50000.
           
           Duckets
           ,
           and
           granteth
           dispensations
           to
           his
           Cardinals
           to
           use
           Sodometry
           in
           the
           three
           hot
           moneths
           of
           the
           yeere
           .
           I
           would
           know
           of
           any
           Iesuite
           whether
           the
           Pope
           can
           pardon
           a
           sinne
           before
           it
           be
           committed
           &c.
           
           As
           he
           did
           H●nry
           the
           8.
           to
           marry
           his
           brothers
           wife
           :
           the
           King
           of
           Spaine
           his
           Neece
           :
           the
           Arch-dutches
           ,
           Albertus
           ,
           whom
           she
           might
           call
           ,
           Brother
           ,
           Uncle
           ,
           and
           Cozen.
           And
           so
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           the
           indifferent
           to
           judge
           ,
           whether
           he
           be
           the
           Whore
           ,
           the
           Beast
           ,
           or
           a
           Bawd.
           
        
         
           The
           Whore
           is
           said
           to
           sit
           upon
           a
           Beast
           ,
           Revel
           .
           17.
           the
           Pope
           is
           this
           whores
           only
           stay
           and
           prop
           ,
           
             (
             quis
             nescit
             ?
          
           )
           And
           so
           
             Iunius
             Napier
          
           and
           
           Brightman
           take
           it
           :
           but
           Downam
           thinks
           it
           meant
           of
           the
           Germane
           Emperours
           ,
           whose
           punishment
           and
           destruction
           is
           described
           ,
           Chap.
           17.
           and
           18.
           vers
           .
           3.
           and
           4.
           
        
         
           In
           the
           thirteenth
           chapter
           it
           is
           said
           that
           the
           first
           beast
           is
           wounded
           and
           healed
           by
           a
           Dragon
           ,
           before
           the
           arising
           of
           the
           second
           Beast
           ;
           which
           Dragon
           some
           say
           was
           Athaulphus
           that
           wounded
           Honorius
           the
           Emperour
           ,
           Ann.
           414.
           
           Others
           say
           Odoacer
           ,
           who
           overthrew
           Augustulus
           the
           last
           Romane
           Caesar
           .
           Another
           (
           viz.
           D.
           
             Forbes
             ,
             now
             a
             Bishop
             in
             Scotland
             )
          
           saith
           ,
           it
           was
           Theodoricus
           the
           Ostrogoth
           ,
           Ann.
           476.
           
           Others
           
             Alaricus
             a
             Goth
          
           that
           sackt
           Rome
           ,
           Anno
           541.
           
           These
           were
           all
           heathen
           Kings
           ,
           and
           therefore
           accounted
           among
           the
           Dragons
           ,
           whereof
           one
           healed
           the
           first
           Beast
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Pope
           .
           Quere
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           Rome
           was
           under
           the
           Exarches
           of
           Ravenna
           197.
           yeers
           ,
           which
           were
           Christians
           ;
           then
           under
           the
           Lumbards
           56.
           yeers
           ,
           which
           at
           first
           were
           heathen
           and
           after
           Arrians
           ,
           and
           had
           but
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Empire
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           time
           the
           Visigothes
           ruled
           in
           Spaine
           ,
           the
           Aleins
           in
           Guines
           and
           Gascoine
           ,
           the
           French
           men
           in
           the
           residue
           of
           France
           ,
           the
           
             Vandalls
             in
             Africke
          
           ,
           the
           
             S●xons
             in
             Britain
          
           ,
           the
           Ostrogoths
           in
           Mise
           and
           Hungarie
           ,
           the
           
             Herules
             and
             Turinges
          
           in
           ●talie
           and
           Rome
           .
           Only
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Empire
           remained
           with
           Zeno
           in
           the
           East
           .
           Transamundus
           King
           of
           the
           Vandalls
           in
           Africke
           banished
           220.
           
           Bishops
           Ann.
           459.
           
           About
           the
           time
           was
           great
           alteration
           of
           States
           and
           Kingdomes
           ;
           
             Carolus
             magnus
          
           overthrowing
           the
           
             Gothes
             and
             Vandalls
          
           with
           Alaricus
           and
           the
           Lumbards
           ,
           was
           by
           Pope
           Honorius
           made
           Emperour
           of
           the
           West
           ,
           Anno
           802.
           
           
             (
             M●lancthon
             and
             Lanq●et
          
           )
        
         
           So
           from
           Augustulus
           to
           
             Carolus
             Magnus
          
           the
           Empire
           was
           void
           ,
           325.
           yeers
           ,
           wherein
           saith
           
             Eraesmus
             ,
             Antichrist
          
           was
           to
           arise
           .
           
             Downam
             ,
             Napier
             and
             Brightman
          
           ,
           say
           he
           rose
           when
           Constantine
           removed
           the
           Empire
           (
           out
           of
           the
           way
           )
           to
           Constantinople
           ;
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           then
           the
           whore
           conceived
           the
           monster
           ,
           but
           she
           bore
           him
           in
           her
           womb
           35.
           yeers
           ,
           before
           she
           brought
           him
           forth
           to
           the
           fight
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           2.
           
           Thess
           .
           2.
           
        
         
           He
           that
           withheld
           was
           taken
           away
           by
           Constantine
           ,
           (
           311
           )
           when
           he
           overthrew
           
             Dioclesian
             ,
             Maxentius
             ,
             and
             Maximinian
          
           the
           last
           of
           those
           Dragons
           :
           neither
           is
           he
           there
           said
           presently
           to
           appear
           or
           be
           borne
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           Chap.
           13.
           11.
           and
           12.
           
        
         
           The
           second
           Beast
           after
           his
           rising
           ,
           causeth
           the
           earth
           and
           them
           that
           dwell
           therein
           to
           worship
           the
           first
           Beast
           ,
           whose
           deadly
           wound
           was
           healed
           .
           These
           were
           the
           Emperours
           :
           as
           Phocus
           ,
           who
           gave
           the
           first
           title
           
           of
           universall-Bishop
           to
           Boniface
           the
           third
           ,
           Bale
           saith
           ,
           he
           was
           a
           Britain
           first
           named
           Wenefridus
           ,
           Anno.
           606.
           
           Pepin
           and
           Charles
           the
           great
           ,
           who
           gave
           great
           revenews
           to
           Leo
           the
           third
           .
           But
           these
           were
           of
           the
           Race
           of
           the
           second
           Beast
           ▪
           and
           not
           of
           the
           Dragon
           .
           About
           100
           yeers
           after
           the
           death
           of
           Charles
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           came
           to
           Otho
           the
           first
           German
           Emperor
           ,
           Ann.
           9●6
           .
           After
           in
           996.
           the
           Eel
           ctors
           of
           the
           Empire
           were
           ordained
           ,
           by
           Pope
           Gregory
           the
           seventeenth
           and
           Otho
           the
           third
           .
        
         
           Neither
           were
           Boniface
           or
           Le●
           the
           first
           Beast
           as
           some
           take
           it
           ,
           for
           the
           two
           Beasts
           were
           bred
           and
           born
           long
           before
           ,
           as
           hereafter
           will
           plainly
           appear
           .
        
         
           Thus
           much
           shall
           suffice
           to
           distinguish
           between
           the
           Dragon
           ,
           the
           Beast
           ,
           the
           false
           prophet
           ,
           and
           the
           whore
           ,
           Rev.
           20.
           2.
           
        
         
           The
           Dragon
           called
           also
           the
           devill
           and
           Satan
           is
           bound
           for
           1000.
           yeers
           ▪
           his
           first
           binding
           by
           Constantine
           continued
           untill
           Zadok
           the
           first
           Emperour
           of
           the
           Turks
           :
           which
           was
           1310.
           
           This
           dragon
           began
           to
           breed
           ,
           Anno
           1051.
           but
           was
           not
           of
           full
           growth
           untill
           Ottaman
           the
           first
           Emperour
           ,
           Anno
           1300.
           
           Then
           the
           Dragon
           and
           Satan
           compassed
           the
           tents
           of
           the
           Saints
           and
           the
           beloved
           city
           ,
           Rev.
           20.
           who
           were
           the
           Christians
           .
           In
           this
           time
           the
           Christians
           recovered
           
             again
             Ierusalem
          
           ,
           and
           held
           it
           92.
           yeers
           ,
           Chap.
           11.
           3.
           
        
         
           The
           two
           witnesses
           〈◊〉
           and
           their
           corpes
           lying
           in
           the
           streets
           of
           the
           great
           city
           unburied
           three
           dayes
           and
           a
           half
           ,
           is
           expounded
           by
           Brightman
           to
           be
           the
           decree
           of
           the
           Councell
           of
           Trent
           ,
           the
           Pope
           and
           Charles
           the
           fifth
           ,
           dated
           the
           eight
           of
           April
           1546.
           
           Calling
           the
           scriptures
           a
           dead
           letter
           ,
           as
           Pope
           Innocent
           had
           before
           decreed
           .
           And
           so
           the
           scriptures
           were
           but
           as
           a
           dead
           corpes
           ,
           for
           the
           space
           of
           three
           yeers
           and
           a
           half
           ,
           
             (
             Sleydan
          
           )
           untill
           the
           coming
           of
           Mauritius
           ,
           and
           the
           men
           of
           Magdeburg
           ,
           who
           made
           the
           said
           councell
           to
           ●●ie
           the
           ninth
           of
           November
           1549.
           
           This
           councell
           continued
           by
           fits
           17
           or
           18
           yeers
           .
           The
           Emperour
           with
           the
           consent
           of
           his
           brother
           Ferdinando
           and
           the
           Princes
           of
           Germany
           suffered
           the
           Scriptures
           again
           to
           be
           read
           in
           their
           mother
           tongue
           by
           a
           decree
           at
           Ausburg
           the
           seventh
           of
           October
           1555.
           when
           the
           two
           witnesses
           were
           set
           again
           upon
           thei●
           feet
           ,
           Chap.
           11.
           13.
           
           And
           then
           the
           tenth
           part
           of
           the
           city
           is
           said
           to
           fall
           ,
           which
           was
           
             England
             ,
             Denmark
             ,
             Swetia
          
           and
           a
           great
           part
           of
           Germany
           fell
           then
           away
           from
           the
           Romish
           Religion
           or
           sea
           .
        
         
           Napier
           takes
           it
           to
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           councell
           of
           Constance
           ,
           which
           began
           Anno
           1414.
           
        
         
           These
           two
           witnesses
           are
           to
           prophesie
           1260
           dayes
           clothed
           in
           sackcloth
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           many
           yeers
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           are
           to
           be
           slain
           .
           
           Wherefore
           they
           must
           not
           begin
           at
           Constantines
           time
           ,
           as
           Napier
           and
           Brightman
           suppose
           ,
           but
           a
           little
           after
           his
           death
           at
           the
           Councell
           of
           Ariminum
           :
           where
           above
           200.
           good
           Bishops
           opposed
           the
           multit●de
           of
           the
           
             Arrians
             .
             Lanquet
          
           saith
           it
           was
           held
           ,
           Anno
           361
           ▪
           Melan●thon
           362
           ,
           from
           thence
           the
           27
           of
           September
           ,
           it
           was
           removed
           to
           Sele●cium
           .
           From
           whence
           (
           adding
           1260
           yeers
           )
           it
           will
           fall
           out
           to
           be
           about
           1620
           or
           1621.
           
           About
           which
           time
           was
           the
           losse
           and
           fall
           of
           those
           two
           famous
           Churches
           of
           Bohemia
           and
           the
           Palatinate
           :
           or
           if
           you
           will
           ,
           the
           great
           afflictions
           that
           fell
           on
           the
           two
           Churches
           of
           France
           and
           Germany
           ,
           which
           caused
           a
           great
           rejoycing
           among
           Papists
           in
           all
           places
           .
           But
           if
           I
           might
           see
           them
           upon
           their
           feet
           again
           either
           in
           Anno
           1624
           or
           25.
           
           I
           shall
           be
           confident
           it
           was
           meant
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Parker
           who
           wrote
           upon
           the
           crosse
           ,
           and
           died
           at
           Frankford
           ,
           saith
           (
           by
           learned
           Brightmans
           leave
           )
           that
           by
           the
           Angel
           powring
           out
           his
           viall
           on
           the
           sun
           ▪
           is
           meant
           some
           great
           affliction
           to
           fall
           upon
           some
           Church
           .
           And
           the
           Angel
           shewing
           Iohn
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           whore
           out
           of
           the
           wildernesse
           ,
           meaneth
           that
           he
           which
           shall
           destroy
           Rome
           ,
           his
           country
           must
           be
           first
           made
           a
           wildernes
           ,
           which
           he
           saith
           is
           some
           Protestant
           or
           Lutheran
           State
           ,
           Chap.
           12.
           14.
           
        
         
           The
           time
           ,
           times
           and
           half
           a
           time
           ,
           must
           agree
           with
           the
           sixth
           verse
           of
           the
           twelfth
           chapter
           ,
           where
           the
           woman
           is
           fed
           in
           the
           desart
           1260.
           dayes
           ,
           which
           make
           three
           yeers
           and
           a
           half
           .
        
         
           Also
           they
           say
           it
           was
           the
           custome
           of
           the
           Prophets
           to
           account
           yeers
           by
           moneths
           ,
           weeks
           and
           dayes
           ,
           as
           Num.
           14
           34.
           
           Eze●h
           .
           4.
           5
           
           ▪
           6.
           
           The
           70.
           weekes
           in
           Daniel
           must
           of
           necessity
           be
           490.
           yeers
           .
           40.
           
             dayes
             and
             Nineve●
          
           shall
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           Ionah
           .
           3.
           4.
           which
           came
           to
           passe
           just
           40.
           yeers
           after
           ,
           by
           Cyaxares
           .
           And
           thirteene
           yeers
           before
           the
           desolation
           of
           Ierusalem
           by
           
             Nebuchadnezzar
             .
             Eusebius
             ,
             Of
             the
             times
             of
             the
             alteration
             of
             States
             .
          
        
         
           Nineveh
           the
           Imperiall
           city
           of
           the
           Assyrians
           was
           distant
           from
           Jerusalem
           north-east
           648.
           miles
           .
           And
           Anno
           mundi
           3238
           ,
           and
           before
           Christ
           730.
           
           Merodach
           a
           Chaldean
           slew
           Senacharib
           and
           his
           sonne
           Asarhaddon
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           A●syrians
           subject
           to
           the
           Babylonians
           ,
           Babylon
           is
           680.
           miles
           from
           Ierusalem
           towards
           the
           east
           .
           About
           536.
           yeers
           before
           Christ
           Babylon
           was
           taken
           by
           Cyrus
           .
           And
           so
           the
           Empire
           of
           the
           Babylonians
           came
           to
           the
           Persians
           .
           Persepolis
           their
           chief
           city
           was
           from
           Ierusalem
           ,
           1240
           miles
           towards
           the
           east
           :
           about
           302.
           yeers
           before
           Christ
           
             Alexander
             magnus
          
           overcame
           Darius
           and
           translated
           the
           Empire
           to
           the
           Grecians
           .
           Their
           chief
           city
           Philippi
           was
           distant
           
           from
           Ierusalem
           )
           954
           ▪
           miles
           north-east
           .
           A
           little
           before
           Christs
           time
           Iuli●●
           gat
           th●
           name
           of
           Emperour
           :
           but
           it
           was
           setled
           in
           August●●
           at
           the
           birth
           of
           Christ
           .
           So
           much
           of
           the
           s●cond
           of
           Daniel
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           eleventh
           chapter
           ,
           the
           two
           witness●s
           prophesie
           clothe●
           in
           sackcloth
           1260.
           dayes
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           twelfth
           chapter
           ,
           the
           woman
           is
           nourished
           in
           the
           wildernesse
           1260.
           dayes
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           the
           eleventh
           ,
           the
           holy
           city
           shall
           they
           tread
           under
           foo●
           42.
           moneths
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           13
           th
           .
           power
           is
           given
           to
           the
           Beast
           to
           domineer
           42.
           moneths
           .
        
         
           A
           time
           ,
           times
           and
           half
           a
           time
           is
           expounded
           three
           yeers
           and
           a
           half
           .
           Three
           yeers
           and
           a
           half
           contain
           4●
           .
           moneths
           ,
           which
           make
           1260
           ▪
           d●ies
           ;
           thirty
           dayes
           to
           a
           moneth
           .
        
         
           Now
           for
           the
           time
           of
           the
           fall
           and
           destruction
           of
           the
           enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           account
           of
           Napier
           it
           shall
           be
           ,
           Anno
           1639.
           
           Brightman
           faith
           before
           1650.
           
           These
           two
           begin
           at
           Constantines
           time
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           crave
           leave
           of
           these
           two
           worthies
           to
           begin
           35.
           yeers
           after
           theirs
           ,
           my
           reasons
           are
           ;
           Fi●st
           ,
           they
           take
           the
           man
           ▪
           childe
           to
           be
           Constantine
           ,
           and
           so
           do
           I
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           plain
           in
           the
           text
           that
           he
           is
           first
           taken
           up
           to
           God
           before
           the
           womans
           flying
           into
           the
           wildernesse
           ,
           which
           came
           not
           to
           passe
           untill
           23.
           or
           26.
           yeers
           after
           the
           death
           of
           Constantine
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           his
           time
           the
           Church
           most
           flourished
           and
           had
           no
           cause
           to
           hide
           ;
           But
           Con●●anti●●●
           b●unty
           and
           leaving
           Rome
           to
           the
           Popes
           government
           was
           the
           cause
           that
           p●esently
           Rome
           grew
           proud
           and
           turned
           to
           be
           the
           great
           whor●
           ▪
           ●or
           (
           committing
           ●ornication
           with
           errou●
           and
           ambition
           )
           ●he
           conceived
           and
           brought
           forth
           two
           sons
           that
           wer●
           ▪
           Beasts
           :
           yi●
           ▪
           Constanti●●
           Emperours
           and
           Liberi●s
           Pope
           both
           Arri●●s
           .
           These
           are
           the
           fathers
           and
           Grandsires
           of
           the
           two
           Breasts
           ▪
           viz.
           of
           all
           the
           Antichristian
           Emperour
           and
           Popes
           following
           .
           So
           that
           it
           was
           er●our
           and
           p●rsecution
           which
           caused
           the
           Church
           to
           hide
           her
           sel●
           .
        
         
           The
           greatest
           difficulty
           is
           to
           know
           the
           time
           when
           the
           womans
           flying
           began
           :
           to
           free
           my
           sel●
           from
           envy
           and
           ●avill
           of
           Papists
           and
           Prot●stants
           I
           will
           begi●
           at
           t●e
           Ar●ia●
           councells
           .
           And
           I
           will
           begin
           my
           computation
           at
           the
           horrible
           dec●ee
           and
           councell
           of
           Antioch
           ,
           Anno
           365.
           
           And
           add
           to
           it
           1260
           yeers
           ,
           the
           time
           of
           the
           womans
           hiding
           i●
           the
           wildernesse
           (
           and
           the
           Beasts
           time
           of
           Domineering
           )
           it
           makes
           1625.
           
           At
           the
           end
           whereof
           I
           hope
           the
           woman
           or
           Church
           sh●ll
           come
           forth
           as
           a
           virgine
           and
           Bride
           trim
           ▪
           d
           for
           her
           husband
           ,
           and
           see
           all
           her
           enemies
           trod
           under
           foot
           :
           which
           I
           pray
           God
           the
           father
           of
           all
           mercies
           and
           the
           God
           of
           all
           comfort
           to
           grant
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           But
           I
           know
           many
           will
           say
           ,
           my
           calculation
           is
           incredible
           ,
           c●nsidering
           the
           Popes
           and
           the
           Emperours
           late
           prevailings
           ,
           together
           with
           their
           and
           the
           King
           of
           Spaines
           power
           .
           I
           answer
           :
           The
           whores
           plagues
           are
           to
           come
           upon
           her
           at
           a
           day
           ,
           Chap.
           17.
           which
           may
           well
           be
           unde●stood
           of
           a
           yeers
           warning
           ,
           or
           upon
           a
           suddain
           .
        
         
           Also
           if
           Babylon
           be
           and
           were
           an
           Antitype
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           apparent
           ;
           Babylon
           was
           of
           an
           incredible
           strength
           and
           greatnesse
           .
           The
           walls
           were
           50.
           cubits
           thick
           and
           200
           high
           ,
           and
           380
           ▪
           furlongs
           in
           compasse
           as
           Strab●
           saith
           ,
           which
           makes
           48.
           miles
           .
           The
           river
           E●p●●ate●
           ran
           thorow
           it
           .
           The
           first
           founder
           was
           
             Nimrod
             ▪
          
           like
           Romulus
           ,
           branded
           with
           the
           most
           perspicuous
           note
           of
           cruelty
           :
           compelling
           his
           vassals
           (
           like
           the
           Pope
           )
           to
           worship
           him
           with
           divine
           wo●ship
           ,
           and
           after
           his
           death
           to
           be
           honoured
           for
           one
           of
           the
           principall
           gods
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Saturne
             .
             (
             Chap.
          
           18.
           )
           And
           ●f
           Romes
           destruction
           be
           described
           by
           the
           name
           of
           Babylon
           :
           and
           Babylon
           was
           destroyed
           upon
           a
           suddain
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           secure
           .
           Belshazzar
           was
           merry
           in
           his
           cups
           .
           The
           same
           night
           the
           city
           was
           taken
           destroyed
           :
           and
           so
           may
           the
           Pope
           for
           any
           thing
           I
           know
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           any
           ask
           ,
           by
           whom
           it
           shall
           come
           to
           passe
           .
           It
           is
           said
           ,
           Rev.
           17.
           that
           there
           are
           ten
           horns
           ,
           which
           are
           ten
           Kings
           ,
           who
           shall
           hate
           the
           whore
           and
           make
           her
           desolate
           .
           If
           any
           demand
           who
           these
           ten
           Kings
           are
           ,
           let
           them
           reade
           Maxwells
           Iury
           of
           24.
           
           Prophets
           ,
           whereof
           twelve
           ●re
           canonized
           by
           Popes
           for
           Saints
           ,
           Bale
           reckons
           them
           seven
           in
           England
           ,
           one
           in
           Sc●tland
           ,
           one
           in
           Ireland
           and
           one
           in
           Wales
           .
           These
           saith
           he
           shall
           hate
           the
           whore
           and
           make
           her
           desolate
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           will
           cite
           two
           or
           three
           of
           Maxw●lls
           Prophets
           which
           are
           most
           to
           the
           purpose
           .
        
         
           
             First
             Paulus
             Secundus
             and
             Grebnerus
             of
             Misma
             the
             Germane
             Astrologian
             .
          
           
             He
             foretelling
             divers
             strange
             things
             which
             have
             since
             come
             to
             passe
             .
             As
             the
             destuction
             and
             dissipation
             of
             the
             Spanish
             fleete
             in
             88.
             
             The
             murther
             of
             Henry
             the
             third
             of
             France
             :
             the
             preferment
             of
             Henry
             the
             fourth
             to
             the
             crown
             .
             The
             besieging
             and
             winning
             of
             Grooning
             in
             Friezland
             and
             the
             death
             of
             Philip
             the
             second
             King
             of
             Spaine
             in
             his
             
               Sericum
               mundi
               filum
            
             .
             He
             also
             doeth
             deliver
             that
             the
             Lyon
             having
             the
             rose
             and
             the
             lillies
             on
             his
             armes
             shall
             utterly
             destroy
             the
             Pope
             :
             so
             that
             afterward
             there
             shall
             never
             be
             any
             more
             Pope
             .
          
           
             Thus
             farre
             Maxwell
             out
             of
             Grebnerus
             .
          
           
           
             This
             that
             follows
             of
             Greb●er●s
             is
             taken
             out
             of
             the
             Originall
             ,
             in
             Trinity
             Library
             ,
             Banner
             .
             173.
             
          
           
             The
             Romane
             Scepter
             and
             Diademe
             being
             laid
             down
             or
             taken
             away
             from
             the
             house
             of
             Austria
             by
             fatall
             necessity
             ,
             being
             oppressed
             of
             the
             Germanes
             ,
             and
             
               Forraigners
               ,
               French
               ,
               English
               ,
               Danish
               ,
            
             and
             Swevians
             ,
             flocking
             and
             flowing
             together
             hence
             and
             thence
             .
             Whence
             shall
             a
             horrible
             ,
             bloody
             and
             most
             sharp
             battell
             arise
             ,
             wherewith
             all
             Europe
             (
             being
             grievously
             shaken
             )
             shall
             tremble
             :
             and
             being
             sundry
             waies
             rent
             and
             wasted
             ,
             it
             shall
             be
             obnoxious
             to
             notable
             mutations
             and
             changes
             .
             To
             this
             battaile
             ,
             (
             and
             to
             the
             making
             of
             eruptions
             into
             the
             provinces
             of
             the
             
               Pomeranes
               ,
               Megapolensians
            
             ,
             and
             Danes
             )
             the
             King
             of
             Swevia
             of
             that
             time
             shall
             be
             invited
             and
             drawne
             by
             the
             writings
             of
             the
             Legate
             of
             the
             Romane
             Sea
             :
             to
             which
             ,
             if
             he
             shall
             obey
             ,
             he
             becomes
             the
             neerest
             Companion
             or
             fellow
             of
             War
             :
             but
             evilly
             and
             unluckily
             ,
             by
             that
             propinquity
             or
             ●eerenesse
             .
             Wherefore
             I
             counsell
             him
             to
             leave
             Suevia
             in
             that
             state
             he
             had
             received
             it
             .
             So
             hims●●●e
             ,
             his
             stocke
             and
             Posterity
             shall
             quietly
             and
             peaceably
             enjoy
             it
             ,
             being
             content
             with
             their
             own
             condition
             :
             Wherewith
             they
             do
             Governe
             ,
             they
             shall
             preserve
             ▪
             their
             Nation
             and
             Subjects
             ,
             and
             keep
             them
             bo●nd
             to
             them
             in
             duty
             .
             But
             if
             he
             shall
             determine
             ▪
             with
             his
             heart
             to
             perswade
             his
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             draw
             them
             from
             the
             way
             ,
             the
             Lord
             shall
             take
             him
             away
             by
             death
             .
             And
             so
             of
             or
             from
             a
             Charles
             ,
             a
             Great
             Charles
             reigning
             ,
             is
             made
             ,
             who
             with
             great
             successe
             and
             fortune
             shall
             rule
             the
             Northerne
             people
             ,
             and
             as
             an
             Enemie
             fight
             luckily
             with
             hi●
             Navie
             against
             the
             Spanish
             power
             and
             Tyranny
             ,
             and
             their
             Navie
             or
             Armado
             .
             And
             together
             with
             other
             Christian
             forces
             conjoyned
             shall
             fight
             stoutly
             and
             fiercely
             .
             But
             God
             doth
             call
             out
             of
             this
             life
             the
             Popish
             wife
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             from
             whence
             the
             Romane
             High
             Priest
             shall
             con●eive
             great
             ●errour
             ,
             which
             shall
             the
             more
             m●rease
             and
             presse
             when
             Charles
             the
             King
             himself
             shall
             oppose
             Antichrist
             ,
             and
             bee
             adverse
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             shall
             joyne
             his
             forces
             to
             the
             Bands
             of
             the
             Germanes
             and
             other
             neighbours
             ,
             and
             oppugne
             or
             fight
             against
             the
             Spanish
             Diademe
             ▪
             And
             then
             the
             Swevian
             shall
             use
             his
             Navie
             with
             most
             happie
             successe
             ,
             and
             his
             people
             by
             Land
             ,
             and
             by
             Sea
             ,
             against
             the
             Enemie
             .
          
           
             Bohemia
             doth
             fe●le
             tumults
             and
             warlike
             noyses
             ,
             with
             a
             great
             falling
             away
             of
             her
             people
             .
             At
             that
             time
             ,
             the
             last
             Caesar
             of
             the
             house
             of
             Austria
             ,
             shall
             put
             on
             the
             nose
             of
             the
             Elector
             of
             
               Saxonie
               ,
               Spanish
            
             ,
             sra●dulent
             ,
             deceiptfull
             ,
             flattering
             ▪
             and
             treacherous
             Spectacles
             .
             The
             nature
             of
             ▪
             which
             spectacles
             at
             laft
             he
             knowes
             and
             by
             experience
             is
             
             taught
             ,
             that
             these
             spectacles
             of
             the
             house
             of
             Austria
             ,
             are
             colloguing
             or
             flattering
             and
             glorious
             words
             ,
             wicked
             and
             treacherous
             practises
             .
             And
             if
             he
             go
             on
             further
             to
             give
             credit
             unto
             them
             :
             he
             shall
             cast
             head-long
             himselfe
             ,
             wife
             ,
             and
             children
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             confederates
             of
             Christendome
             into
             pernicious
             destruction
             ,
             whence
             the
             Pope
             of
             Rome
             shall
             take
             up
             a
             great
             laughter
             .
             But
             the
             Lord
             doth
             raise
             up
             an
             Elector
             which
             shall
             throw
             down
             and
             raze
             out
             the
             Romane
             Antichrist
             with
             all
             his
             members
             and
             ayders
             .
          
           
             In
             this
             violent
             ,
             head-long
             and
             Sea-tumult
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             song
             of
             despaire
             of
             the
             Romane
             Caesar
             ,
             the
             Exiles
             of
             all
             the
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             of
             Europe
             ;
             the
             Bavarians
             ,
             the
             
               Bohemians
               ,
               Burgundians
            
             ,
             and
             Portingalls
             .
             shall
             be
             restored
             to
             their
             former
             estate
             .
             And
             a
             noble
             and
             stout
             Bohemian
             Lord
             doth
             possesse
             and
             recover
             his
             jurisdiction
             .
          
           
             They
             that
             have
             not
             seene
             the
             destruction
             ,
             the
             meeting
             together
             of
             Armes
             ,
             and
             the
             dissipation
             :
             these
             being
             expelled
             ,
             shall
             plot
             or
             seeke
             their
             recovery
             .
             And
             the
             heires
             of
             them
             shall
             contend
             and
             labour
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             bounty
             of
             the
             last
             Emperour
             of
             Germanie
             they
             may
             be
             set
             againe
             in
             the
             place
             of
             their
             Ancestors
             .
          
           
             There
             ariseth
             now
             a
             fortunate
             
               Bohemian
               Zisca
            
             for
             the
             Bohemian
             Warre
             .
             And
             a
             certaine
             
               Germane
               Zisca
            
             ,
             most
             powerfull
             and
             famous
             :
             who
             shall
             bruise
             and
             breake
             the
             heads
             of
             the
             Iesuites
             in
             Germany
             .
             He
             shall
             drive
             and
             banish
             them
             out
             of
             Bohemia
             and
             Austria
             ,
             and
             shall
             subdue
             to
             himselfe
             the
             Bohemians
             and
             all
             that
             thorow
             Austria
             and
             Pannonia
             even
             to
             Constantinople
             ,
             and
             all
             those
             people
             .
             And
             therefore
             it
             is
             meete
             and
             just
             ,
             that
             a
             glittering
             and
             precious
             golden
             crowne
             ,
             burning
             ,
             be
             set
             on
             the
             head
             of
             this
             Teutonicall
             or
             
               Germane
               Zisca
            
             ,
             or
             on
             the
             head
             of
             the
             Storke
             ,
             who
             being
             a
             great
             and
             stout
             Warriour
             doth
             come
             forth
             out
             of
             the
             stock
             of
             Mars
             .
          
           
             And
             he
             shall
             be
             called
             a
             worthy
             noble
             man.
             He
             shall
             ruse
             victoriously
             ,
             which
             shall
             doe
             these
             famous
             things
             and
             happily
             finish
             them
             with
             his
             other
             Captaines
             of
             Zisca
             .
             After
             these
             changes
             ,
             a
             subtile
             exercised
             interpretor
             of
             the
             Revelation
             of
             Saint
             Iohn
             ,
             may
             more
             easily
             understand
             ,
             and
             more
             lively
             decipher
             the
             same
             ,
             the
             ninths
             being
             past
             by
             little
             and
             little
             betweene
             the
             606.
             
             There
             shall
             be
             a
             more
             lively
             explication
             of
             those
             things
             which
             Ezechiel
             and
             Daniel
             have
             Prophesied
             of
             the
             last
             Act
             of
             the
             age
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           
             
               Paulus
               Grebnerus
            
             his
             silken
             thread
             of
             the
             world
             perfected
             at
             
               Magdeburgh
               .
               Anno.
            
             1574.
             
          
           
             This
             booke
             was
             found
             in
             the
             Closet
             of
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             at
             her
             death
             by
             Doctor
             Nevill
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
           
             Also
             a
             Prophesie
             of
             Capistranus
             in
             the
             Records
             of
             Canterbury
             .
          
           
             The
             Lyon
             of
             the
             house
             of
             Burgundy
             having
             got
             the
             Empire
             ,
             will
             seeke
             to
             build
             a
             sure
             nest
             for
             his
             young
             :
             but
             it
             shall
             not
             be
             ▪
             for
             there
             ariseth
             a
             certaine
             grave
             and
             constant
             man
             ,
             neere
             Aquisgrave
             of
             the
             Rheine
             ,
             who
             being
             chosen
             ,
             shall
             restore
             the
             Apostolicall
             discipline
             .
             And
             in
             the
             third
             incursion
             of
             time
             shall
             prevaile
             and
             do
             great
             things
             ,
             and
             there
             shall
             be
             of
             his
             race
             to
             the
             day
             of
             jadgement
             .
          
           
             This
             Capistranus
             was
             a
             
               Franciscan
               Minorite
            
             Fryer
             ,
             and
             prayed
             for
             the
             Souldiers
             under
             Huniades
             at
             the
             siege
             of
             Belgrade
             by
             the
             Turke
             Anno
             1454.
             saith
             
               Symonds
               ,
               fol.
            
             224.
             
             He
             is
             also
             one
             of
             Maxwells
             Prophets
             .
          
           
             Also
             Nostrodamus
             saith
             ▪
             that
             Rome
             shall
             be
             ruled
             by
             her
             old
             Brit●nish
             head
             .
          
           
             Those
             10.
             
             Kings
             which
             were
             to
             rise
             with
             the
             beast
             and
             gave
             their
             power
             to
             her
             ,
             and
             which
             shall
             also
             hate
             the
             Whore
             and
             make
             her
             desolate
             .
             Bale
             reckons
             them
             as
             before
             ,
             seven
             in
             England
             ,
             the
             other
             three
             in
             
               Wales
               ,
               Ireland
            
             ,
             and
             Scotland
             .
             These
             ,
             saith
             he
             ▪
             rose
             with
             the
             Beast
             ,
             and
             first
             gave
             their
             power
             to
             the
             Beast
             ,
             and
             did
             h●m
             homage
             ,
             paying
             him
             Peter
             pence
             as
             a
             service
             .
             This
             was
             Anno
             433.
             
             This
             kingdome
             was
             afterward
             reduced
             into
             a
             Monarchy
             by
             
               Aluredus
               ,
               Anno
               D●m
            
             .
             687.
             
          
           
             But
             I
             rather
             like
             Grebnerus
             judgement
             ,
             who
             reckons
             them
             thu●
             ▪
             The
             French
             ,
             the
             English
             ,
             the
             Danes
             ,
             the
             Swetians
             and
             the
             Germanes
             ;
             for
             they
             begin
             to
             combine
             prettily
             together
             at
             this
             time
             .
          
           
             Savanorolla
             saith
             that
             one
             should
             come
             over
             the
             Alpes
             like
             to
             Cyrus
             ,
             which
             should
             subvert
             and
             destroy
             Jtaly
             and
             Rome
             .
             He
             lived
             about
             ,
             Anno
             1496.
             saith
             Lanquet
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
           
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A29507-e130
           
             1
             King.
             10.
             9.
             
          
           
             Ioh.
             3.
             33
             
          
           
             1
             Thes
             .
             21.
             1
             
             Cor.
             14.
             33.