The church confesses

CHAPTER VI.

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her faith in Christ. A. M. 2990. beryl: his belly is as bright ivory || Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. A. M. 2990. overlaid with sapphires. 16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, 9 15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon || he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

B. C. 1014.

Heb. His palate.

for their singular brightness, for which they are compared to fine brass, Rev. i. 15; his countenance -Hebrew, his aspect or appearance, his form or person; is as Lebanon, &c.-In respect of its cedars, tall, and upright, and stately. He is altogether lovely-Not to run out into more particuThis is my beloved, O ye daughters, &c.

beryl-Beautiful and precious, and richly adorned, as it were, with gold rings set with precious stones; his belly as bright ivory-Which seems to be here used for the whole body, reaching from the neck to the bottom of the belly; overlaid with sapphiresOf a pure and bright white colour, intermixed with blue veins; for some sapphires are of a bright blue || lars. colour. His legs as pillars of marble-White, and ||--And therefore you have no cause to wonder if straight, and well shaped, and strong; set upon I am transported with love to so excellent a persockets of fine gold-His feet are compared to gold, sonage.

CHAPTER VI.

Christ shows the

An inquiry after Christ, 1. The church's answer, 2. The church confesses her faith in Christ, 3. graces of his church, 4; and the beauty of her several parts, 5-10. He acquaints her where he had been, and what he had been doing, 11. And discovers his affection to her, 12. With an invitation of her to return to him again, 13. A. M. 5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for A. M. 2990. they have overcome me: thy hair is whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. may seek him with thee.

4. C. 2010. WHITHER is thy beloved gone,

B.

a O thou fairest among women?'

d

B. C. 1014.

6 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 among them.

7 'As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is

Ch. i. 8.- Ch. ii. 16; vii. 10. Verse 10. Or, they have puffed me up.- d Ch. iv. 1.—e Ch. iv. 2. Ch. iv. 3.

NOTES ON CHAPTER VI.

Verses 1, 2. Whither is thy beloved gone-Name- || ly, from thee: see chap. v. 6, 8. These are the words of the daughters of Jerusalem, last mentioned, whom the preceding full and pathetical description of the bridegroom's excellence had inflamed with love to him. My beloved is gone into his garden—|| The spouse had hitherto been at a loss for her beloved, but, having diligently sought him, now at last she meets with a gracious answer from God, directing her where to find him. The garden may signify the church catholic, and the gardens, as it follows, as also the beds, the particular assemblies of the faithful, in which Christ affords his presence. To the beds of spices-In which the gifts and graces of God's Spirit, fitly compared to spices, or aromatical flowers, appear and grow. To feedTo refresh and delight himself. To gather liliesWhich may denote either particular believers, whom Christ gathers to himself in his church, or the VOL. III. (4)

prayers and praises of his people in the public congregations.

Verse 4.

Thou art beautiful-These are the words of Christ, who had now again manifested himself to his church; as Tirzah-A very pleasant city, the royal seat of the kings of Israel; comely as Jerusalem-Which was beautiful, both for its situation and for its goodly buildings; terrible as an army, &c.-To her enemies, whom God will certainly destroy.

Verse 5. Turn away thine eyes from me—It is a poetical expression, signifying how beautiful the church was in Christ's eyes. Thy hair, &c.—This clause and the whole following verse are repeated from chap. iv. 1, 2. And this repetition is not vain, but confirms what was said before, that the church's miscarriage had not alienated Christ's affection from her.

Verses 8, 9. There are threescore queens-A certain number for an uncertain. The sense seems 3

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A. M. 2990. the only one of her mother, she is || see the fruits of the valley, and to see A. M. 2990 the choice one of her that bare her. whether the vine flourished, and the The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, pomegranates budded. the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10 ¶ Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, * and terrible as an army with banners? 11 I went down into the garden of nuts to of two armies.

CHAPTER VII.

A further description of the church's graces, 1–7. His design to visit the church, with the blessed effect thereof, 8, 9. She professes her faith and desire, 10. She invites him to communion with her, 11. The end thereof, 12, 13. thy thighs are like jewels, the work of A. M. 2990. the hands of a cunning workman.

NOTES ON CHAPTER VII. from the parts of her body, and partly from her orVerse 1. How beautiful are thy feet, &c.-The||naments. With respect to which the same thing is to bridegroom, who spake the last words, here conti- be observed which was remarked concerning her nues his speech, and breaks forth into a particular description of the bridegroom, namely, that there is description and commendation of the spouse, partly || no necessity of a distinct application of every parti( 4* )

The church professes

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CHAPTER VII.

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her faith and desire.` A. M. 2990. 2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, || breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, A. M. 2990. which wanteth not 1liquor; thy belly and the smell of thy nose like apples; is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. 9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down 'sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to

b

3 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

с

10

I am my beloved's, and his desire is

toward me.

4 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine || speak. eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus. 5 Thy head upon thee is like 2 Carmel, and the hair of thy head like purple; the King is 3 held in the galleries.

11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us f see if the vine flourish, whether the tender

6

6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: for delights!

||

cular article of it, the design being only this, to de- || tree-Climb up, that so I may take hold of the scribe the beauty and glory of the church, under the || boughs, which do not grow out of the sides, as in representation of a beautiful and noble woman. This other trees, but only at the top of it. I will take also is observable, that in the description of Christ, hold, &c.-Partly to prune and dress them, and she begins at the head, and so goeth downward, partly to gather the fruit. The smell, &c.—Of thy (chap. v. 11, &c.,) but Christ, in the description of the breath; which is often called the breath of a man's spouse, proceeds from the feet upward. With shoes nostrils. -Shoes were anciently evidences of a free and comfortable state, whereas slaves and mourners used to go barefoot.

||

Verse 4. Thine eyes like the fish-pools-Full, and clear, and quiet, and pleasant; in Heshbon-A pleasant and well-watered city beyond Jordan; as the tower of Lebanon-Which was, in all probability, built by Solomon in the mountain of Lebanon, the northern border of the land of Israel; and therefore a very fit place for a watch-tower; which looketh toward Damascus-There was another tower or building, in or near Jerusalem, which was called the || house of the forest of Lebanon, 1 Kings vii. 2.

Verse 9. The roof of thy mouth-Thy speech, the palate being one of the principal instruments of speech; like the best wine-Grateful and refreshing; for my beloved-Who reapest the comfort and benefit of that pleasure which I take in thee. Causing the lips, &c., to speak-The most dull, and stupid, and sleepy persons to speak.

Verses 10, 11. I am my beloved's-This and the following verses contain the words of the bride, in answer to the bridegroom's endearing expressions delivered in the foregoing verses. Let us go forth into the field-That, being retired from the crowd, we may more freely and sweetly converse together. Verses 5, 6. Thy head is like Carmel-Emi- Verse 12. Let us get up early-The church havnent and pleasant to the eye, and fruitful as mounting lost her beloved, by her former laziness, now Carmel was: which may denote that her mind was replenished with knowledge, and other excellent gifts of the Holy Ghost. The hair of thy head like purple-Which colour was anciently much esteemed. The king is held in the galleries-In || which he walks, and, having once espied thee, is un- || able to take off his eyes from thee. How fair, &c., for delights-For those various and lovely features which are in thee.

doubles her diligence; to the vineyards-To particular congregations. Let us see if the vines, &c.— Let us inquire into the success of our labours, what souls are brought in and built up, and how they prosper and grow in grace. There will I give thee my loves-There I will discover the fervency of my affections to thee, and maintain communion with thee in thy holy ordinances.

Verse 13. The mandrakes-This Hebrew word Verses 7, 8. Thy stature is like to a palm-tree- is used Gen. xxx. 14, 15, and the signification of it Tall and straight, or upright. And he seems to is very much doubted and disputed by interpreters. mention the palm-tree rather than any other, be- The word here signifies sweet and pleasant flowers, cause it is constantly green and flourishing, and and therefore if it be understood of mandrakes, they grows upward in spite of all pressures. I said- || were of another sort than ours, as flowers of the same Within myself, I resolved; I will go up to the palm- || kind, in several climates, have very different natures

Commendation of the church

SOLOMON'S SONG.

for her faith in Christ.

and qualities. At our gates-Brought thither by di- which seems to be meant of the various fruits and vers persons to congratulate our nuptials. New and operations of the Spirit, and degrees of grace in seold fruits-Fruits of this year and of the former; || veral believers.

CHAPTER VIII.

The church expresses her desire of familiarity with Christ, 1, by the entertainment she would make him, 2, 3. She charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb her beloved, 4. A commendation of the church for her faith in Christ, 5. She prays for full assurance of his love, through her invincible desire, 6. Which is insatiable, 7. The calling of the Gentiles,

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d

with their intent, and her condition, 8-13. Christ's coming prayed for, 14. THAT thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.

2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.

4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, 2 that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

B. C. 1014.

5 Who is this that cometh up from A. M. 2990. the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple-tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

3

6¶Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

He would not despise me for my forwardness in my affection to him, but would kindly accept of my love, and return it.

Verse 5. Who is this, &c.—These seem to be the words of the daughters of Jerusalem, or of the friends of the bride and bridegroom, admiring and congratu

NOTES ON CHAPTER VIII. Verse 1. O that thou wert as my brother-Most intimate, and free, and familiar with me, as brethren and sisters commonly are; that sucked the breasts of my mother-That came out of the same womb and sucked the same breasts, and were brother and sister by father and mother too: for such are gene-lating this happy union: leaning upon her beloved rally most dear to one another. The intent of these expressions, and of those in the three following verses, is to signify the church's earnest desire of a stricter union, and more intimate fellowship with Christ. When I should find thee without, &c.-In the open streets; I would kiss thee, &c.-And thus express my affection to thee openly, without fearing any scandal or contempt; such expressions being usual among persons so nearly and dearly related.

Verses 2, 3. I would lead and bring thee-With joy and triumph, as the bridegroom was usually brought to the bride's house; into my mother's house, who would instruct me-How I should behave myself toward thee: or, as the clause may be rendered, where she did instruct, or educate me. I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, &c.--I || would give thee the best entertainment the house affords. My gifts and graces should all be employed to serve and glorify thee. His left hand, &c.-The same expressions are used chap. ii. 6. The sense is,

-Which implies both great freedom and familiarity, and fervent affection and dependance upon him. I raised thee up-These are Christ's words: when thou wast fallen, and laid low, and dead in trespasses and sins, and in the depth of misery, I revived thee: Under the apple-tree-Under my own shadow: for she had compared him to an apple-tree, and declared, that under the shadow of the tree she had both delight and fruit, (chap. ii. 3,) which is the same thing with this raising up. There-Under that tree, either the universal or the primitive church did conceive and bring thee forth.

Verses 6, 7. Set me as a seal upon thy heartThese are undoubtedly the words of the bride. The sense is, Let thy mind and heart be constantly set upon me. Solomon seems to allude to the engraven tablets which were frequently worn upon the breast, and to the signet on a man's arm or hand, which they prized at a more than ordinary rate, and which were continually in their sight. For love-My love to

thee, whence this desire proceeds, is strong as death my Father and I, as the principal builders, and my -Which conquers every living thing, and cannot be ministers, as workers with and under us, will build resisted or vanquished. Jealousy-Or, zeal: my upon her a palace of silver-Will add more strength ardent love to thee, is cruel as the grave-Hebrew, and beauty to her, will enlarge and adorn her; and op, is hard, grievous, and terrible, and sometimes if she be as a door-Which is weaker than a wall; ready to overwhelm me, and swallow me up; there- if she be weak in faith, yet we will not therefore fore have pity upon me, and do not leave me. The reject her, but we will enclose, or (as many others coals thereof are coals of fire. -It burns and melts render the word) strengthen, or fortify her with my heart like fire. Many waters cannot quench love || boards of cedar-Which are not only beautiful, but -My love to thee cannot be taken off, either by ter- also strong and durable. In other words, "We will rors and afflictions, which are commonly signified take care of her, in proportion as she is capable of in Scripture by waters and floods, or by temptations receiving or profiting by our bounty, like as men are and allurements. Therefore, give me thyself, wont to build on good foundations." The eastern without whom, and in comparison of whom, I people delight thus to express themselves by paradespise all other persons and things. bles, or comparisons. The bride's answer in the next verse is thought to show that the bridegroom alludes to the sister's degree of growth.