Chap.1. Solomon honour'd for his wisdome. 19 That is, First, honourably esteeme

thee.

Secondly, affect thy fight and fellow

ship.

Thirdly, feeke after thee. *This was fulfilled in Solomon: His owne people reverenced him, even all of them; his name was famous in all nations round about him: all the Kings fent to him, and of all people fome came to heare his wifedome. The Queen of Sheba commeth from the uttermoft parts of the earth to heare it, and counteth his people happy under it: † Hiram King of Tyre bleffed God for his wifedome.

*

Draw me.] It may well be the fpeech of Solomon to Chrift, praying that Chrift would draw him to the Father, neere unto him in holy duties, and promifing to bring all the people to runne with him after God: Or it may be the fpeech of the Church to Solomon, defiring him to draw them together, by publicke edicts and proclamations, to the folemne duties of Gods worship, and promifing to come freely, to run toge ther willingly in the times of fuch affem blies; which was done. a

20

Verse 4.

2.

.Chro.

What meant by Chambers. Chap.1. [The King hath brought mee into his chambers:] That is, into thofe bride-chambers, where Chrift familiarly converseth with them; which were three:

First, the Tabernacle of Gibeon.
Secondly, the Arke at Jerufalem.
Thirdly, the Temple.

Into these Solomon brought the whole congregation of Ifrael to folemne 1.King.8. facrifices.

1.2-6.

5.-14. -631

br.King.

8.66.

The words following in this verse, fhew a threefold refpect which the people beare to Solomon:

First, they rejoyced in him. Secondly, they remember his love better then wine.

Thirdly, the upright love him.

Their rejoycing in him, is recordedb: their remembrance of his love more then wine, is there alfo implied; for,departing from the meeting with fuch glad hearts, they afterward remembred the comfort thereof, as more bleffed then the peaceable living under their owne Vine and Fig-tree: The love of the upright to him continued all his time, even when his wives,and hollow-hearted fub

jects

Chap.1. Solomon a type of Chrift.

jects flattered him, and enticed him to toleration of Idolatrie.

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But confider further, that Solomon, when hee is here fet forth as the defire, praise and blessedneffe of all his people, hee is then a type of Chrift, greater then Solomon; whofe heavenly fellowship and instruction the Church defires above Verse 2. wine: whofe graces are excellent and procuring him love and renowne, of whom the Church prayeth to be drawn, and who leadeth us to fellowship with God in holy worship; whom therefore the people rejoyce in, and remember his love above wine: the upright love him.

This, firft,doth fhew us the happy eftate ufe 1. of a Church or Common-wealth, when men of place labour not for preferments or worldly profits, for honour or long life, but for wife and understanding hearts, that may goe in and out before the people in their callings; when they defire to be kiffed with the kiffes of Gods mouth, that he would breath into them graces as bee needfull for their

fuch

places.

Secondly, this fheweth what procures Ufe.2
C 3

a ma

22

How to get a good name. Chap.1.

a Magiftrate love and reputation; when, being enriched with Gods graces, as fweet oyntments, hee manifefteth the fweet favour thereof in all his adminiftrations. If any man defires a good name,if any man defires love and refpect, this is the way to get it; Fill your hearts with the good gifts and graces of God: let Gods grace fhew forth it felf in your fpeeches, in your anfwers, in your practices; this oyntment will bee ftronger to get a good name, then any other noyfom thing to hinder it: The Virgins will love c Heb.11. you, for they rejoyce at your faith; and c by faith our elders were well reported of. By these Solomon got a good name all the world over.

2.

ufe 3.

Use 4.

Thirdly, this is to teach a Magistrate to draw on the people to holy duties, by all meanes he can, by his proclamations, lawes,and examples.

Fourthly, to fhew that the greatest comfort of fubjects, and the ftrongest love to knit them in all hearty affections to their Prince, is his forwardnesse in drawing them on, and leading them an end to the holy duties of Gods worship. Verfe 4. Draw mee, and I will runne after thee.]

Chap.1. How the Church is black.

If Solomon once be drawne, all the people will come after rejoycing, when they fhall fee the Magiftrate come.

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Fifthly, to fhew us a figne of a true ufe 5. fpoufe of Chrift; fuch a one preferreth fellowship with him above all things,de-Verfe 2. lighting in his company, in his ordinan

ces: Thus did Paul, I count all things d Phil.3. loffe and droffe for Chrift:So David,e Whom have I in Heaven but thee?

I am blacke, yet comely, &c.]

7,8

CPL.73.25

f Text

In these verses is defcribed the eftate ver. 5. to

of the Church.

First, of Ifrael and Judah, in the last

9.

dayes of Solomon, and then of Reho

Verse 5.

boam.

Secondly, of Judah alone.

Verse 6.

Thirdly, of Ifrael alone after the A

poftacy of the ten tribes.

Ver.7,8

Fourthly, of Judah alone, in refpect

of his civill condition under the service of the King of Egypt.

I am black, &c.] The Church is fet forth by a double adjunction, the one contrary to the other; I am black, yet comely and both thefe by comparifon:

Firft, black, as the tents of Kedar.
C4

Verse 9.

Verse 5.

Blacke.

Secondly,