Chap. 1. What meant by Chambers. proclamations, to the folemne duties of Gods worship, and promifing to come freely, to runne together willingly in the times of fuch affemblies; which was done P.

19

P 2 Chro.
Verse 4.

The King hath brought me into his cham-2.2, 3. bers.] That is, into thofe bride-chambers, where Chrift familiarly converseth with them; which were three.

Firft, the Tabernacle at Gibeon.
Secondly, the Ark at Jerufalem.
Thirdly, the Temple.

Into thefe, a Solomon brought the whole congregation of Ifrael to folemne facrifices.

The words following in this verfe, fhew a three-fold refpect which the people beare to Solomon.

First, they rejoyced in him.

Secondly,they remember his love bet

ter then wine.

Thirdly, the upright love him.

q 2 Chro. 26.

I King. 8. 5.14.

-63.

Their rejoycing in him, is recordedr:r King. their remembrance of his love more then 8.66.1 wine, is there also implied; for departing from the meeting with fuch glad hearts, they afterward remembred the comfort thereof, as more bleffed then the peaceB 3

able

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Verse 2.

ufe 1.

Solomon a type of Chrift.

Chap.1.

able 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 fubjects flattered him, and enticed him to toleration of Idolatrie.

But confider further, that Solomon, when hee is here fet forth as the defire, praise, and bleffedneffe of all his people, he is then a type of Chrift, greater then Solomon; whofe heavenly fellowship and instruction, the Church defires above 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 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 go 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 fuch

Chap.1. How to get a good name.

fuch graces as be needfull for their places.

ufe 2.

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Secondly, this fheweth what procures a Magiftrate love and reputation; when, being inriched with Gods graces, as fweet oyntments, hee manifefteth the fweet favour thereof in all his adminiftrations. If any man defire a good name,if any man defires love and refpect, thit is the way to get it; fill your hearts with the good gifts and graces of God; let Gods grace fhew forth it felfe in your fpeeches, in your answers, in your practices; this oyntment will be stronger to get a good name, then any other noyfom thing to hinder it. The Virgins will love you, for they rejoyce at your faith; And Heb.11.2 by faith our elders were well reported of. By thefe,Solomon got a good name all the world over.

Thirdly, this is to teach a Magiftrate ufe 3. 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 use 4. comfort of fubjects, and the strongest love to knit them in all hearty affections to their Prince, is his forwardneffe in drawing them on, and leading them an

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Verfe 4.

How the Church is black. Chap.1. end to the holy duties of Gods worship. Draw me, and I will runne after thee.] If Solomon once be drawne, all the people will come after rejoycing, when they fhall see the Magiftrate come.

Fifthly, to fhew us a figne of a true fpoufe of Chrift; fuch a one preferreth Verfe 2. fellowship with him above all things, delighting in his company, in his ordinances. Thus did Paul,& I count all things loffe and droffe for Chrift. So David, Whom have I in heaven but thee?

d Phil.3. 7,8.

с

25.

Pfal.73.

Text Ver.

Verse 5.

Vcrfe 6.

I am blacke, yet comely, &c.

In these verses is defcribed the estate of the Church.

First, of Ifrael and Judah, in the last dayes of Solomon, and then of Rehoboam. Secondly, of Judah alone.

Thirdly, of Ifrael alone after the

Ver.7, 8 Apoftafie of the ten tribes.

Verse 9.

Verses.

Blacke.

Fourthly, of Judah alone, in refpect of his civill condition under the fervice of the King of Egypt.

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

First, black, as the tents of Kedar.

Secondly,

Chap.1.

How the Church is black.

Secondly, comely, as the curtaines or hangings of Solomon.

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g 1 King.

First, black, by the fall of Solomon ɛ.
Secondly, by the folly of Rehoboam h, 1 King.

Thirdly,

1. By Profaneneffe.

I 1.4,9.

h

12.14, 15.

2. By Schifme.

3. By Apoftafie.

4. By the Rebellion of the ten tribes i Yet comely,] Firft,by the prefent purity of Gods ordinances in the Templek.

Secondly, the conftancy of the upright in cleaving to God,to the King, to the house of God, and David; the which was done in profeffion by whole Judah and Benjamin, and the Ifraelites inhabiting in the Cities of Judah, but in truth, by the upright.

Yee Daughters of Ferufalem, &c.] 17,20,23. Children of the Church are called Daughters rather then Sons,as being prepared as a pure Virgin for Chrift their husband m.

m2 Cor.

As the tents of Kedar, &c.] That is, 11.2. of the Arabians, who were called Scenith, or Nomede, for that they wandred up and downe, feeding their flockes in

tents,