A BRIEFE EXPOSITION Of the whole Book of CANTICLES, OR, SONG OF SOLOMON: Lively defcribing the Eftate of the Church in all the Ages thereof, both Jewish and Christian, to this day. And modeftly pointing at the Glorioufneffe of the reftored Eftate of the Church of the Jewes, and the happy acceffe of the Gentiles, in the approaching dayes of Reformation, when the Wall of Partition fhall be taken away. A Work very usefull and feasonable to every Chriftian; but especially such as endeavour and thirst after the fettling of Church and State, according to the Rule and Patterne of the Word of God. Written by that Learned and Godly Divine John Cotton, Batchelor of Divinity; and now Paftor of the Congregation at Bofton in New-England. LONDON, Printed by J. Young for Charles Green, and are to be fold at the Signe of the Gun in Ivie. Lane.1648. Chap.1. THE CANTICLES, OR SONG OF SONGS opened and explained. THE TEXT. CHAP. I. He Song of fongs, which is Solomons. 3 Because of the favour of thy good ointments,thyName is as ointment powered forth,therefore doe the Virgins love thee. 4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the King bath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoyce in thee, we will remember thy love more then wine, the upright love thee. 5 I am blacke, but comely, CO ye daughters of Jerufalem) as the Tents of Kedar, as the curtaines of Solomon. 6 Looke not upon me because I am blacke,because A 2 the I 2 The Song of fongs. Chap.1. the Sunne hath looked upon me : my Mothers children were angry with me, they made me the keeper of the Vineyards, but my own Vineyard have I not kept. 7 Tell me, CO thou whom my foule loveth) where thou feedeft, where thou makeft thy flocke to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth afide by the flocks of thy companions? 8 If thou know not (O thou fairest among women) goe thy way forth by the footsteps of thy flocke, and feed thy kiddes befides the shepheards tents. 9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of borfes in Pharaohs chariots. 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rowes of jewels, thy neck with chaines of gold. II We will make thee borders of gold, with ftuds of filver. 12 While the King fitteth at his table,my Spikenard fpendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrhe is my welbeloved unto me, be fhall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me, as a cluster of Camphire in the Vineyards of En-gedi. 15 Behold, thou art faire my love: behold, thou art faire, and haft doves eyes. 1 16 Behold, thou art faire, my beloved, yea, pleafant: alfo our bed is green. 17 The beames of our house are Cedar, and our rafters of firre. THE Chap.1. Love-fongs ancient. 3 THE EXPLANATION. Cant.1. ver. 1. The Song of fongs, which is Solomons. Ver.2.Let him kiffe me with the kiffes of his mouth, for thy love is better then wine. Ruth 4. 11, 12. 25.1.to 5. IT T was the manner of ancient times, at Efpoufalls and Nuptialls to indite and fing (Epithalamia) love-fongs: a The title of the 45. Pfalme may feeme to be penned by one of the chiefe fingers of the a fal.45. Temple, (who now were all of them Prophets; † Afaph, Heman, Feduthun,) tiChron. upon occafion of Solomons marriage with Pharaohs daughter; for though fhee was a stranger by birth from the common-wealth of Ifrael yet his marriage was lawfull with her: And therefore, notwithstanding this marriage, his love to God is ftill commended, Solo- bx King. mon made affinity with Pharaoh King of E-3.10 gypt, and Solomon loved the Lord, &c. For indeed herein Solomon was, First, a type of Chrift, admitting the Gentiles into the fellowship of his marriage-bed. Secondly, this Pharaohs daughter be- came c verfe 3. |