Song of Solomon 3

Song of Solomon 3:1

I Sought him] This is the bride, who in a holy quietnesse of spirit, by prayers, meditations, lifting up of the mind and heart, endeavoureth to procure the Lords returne with new comfort, light, place, and vertue of the holy Ghost; which the faithfull man doth not alwayes obtaine in the same moment of time as he desires it. Isaiah 26:9.

Song of Solomon 3:2

I will rise] That which I could not attain unto in my rest, and whilst I lived retired: I will now endeavour to get by action and diligence in my vocation.

Song of Solomon 3:3

The watch-men] It appeares by Canticles 5 7. that by this word are meant great worldly wi〈…〉 men, who have the cre and government of States and Common-wealths, whilst the night of this life lasteth: But have no light of the kingdome of heaven, neither can they give a man any directions towards it.

Song of Solomon 3:4

It was but a little] To shew that Christ is never sought for in vaine, Matthew 7:7. Luke 18:7. Hebrews 10:37 And would not let him goe] Here are described the fervent desires, and the forcible endeavours of the Church, and of every faithfull person to make this singular presence of Christ, perpetuall and familiar unto them: which neverthelesse cannot bee attained unto in this life; but is reserved for the life evrlasting. See Gen. chapt. 32. v. 29. Luke chapter 4. ver. 25.

Song of Solomon 3:5

I charge you] The Italian, I adjure you] this is the Bridegroome; and by the connexion of this representation, we must suppose, that the bride was sweetly fallen asleep in the injoyment of this his so much desired presence, and the meditation of these divine graces, and the bridegroom withdrawing himself desires to have her left to this holy rest, without any disturbance, till shee bee moved of her owne accord to seek him againe.

Song of Solomon 3:6

Who is this] The bridegrooms friends; namely the holy Angels are brought in here as ravished with admiration, seeing the Church lift her selfe up in this manner towards God in holy meditations, and desires, and in the actuall exercise of all vertues, and gifts of the spirit. Ephes. 3. 10. 1 Peter 1:12 The wildernesse] That is to say the world, which is a barren, savage, and terrible wildernesse to the children of God, in comparison of heaven: See Son 8:5 Pillars of] Hee seemes to have a speciall reference to those grosse smoaks, which did rise from the sacrifices, where there was great store of incense burnt. See Psal. 141. 2.

Song of Solomon 3:7

Behold his] The Church was represented as asleep upon his bed in her celestiall raptures: the Angels extolling the bed of this divine rest, which is nothing but the faithfull soule, Son 1:16. in which Christ dwelleth, Romans 8:9-10. Ephes. 3. 17 Solomons] Namely Christ, signified and figured by this peaceable, happy and most rich King Valiant man] Or of those selected bands of great Captaines set downe 2 Samuel 23:8. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Are about it] As Solomon had his watchmen set about him in the night time, so is the Church guarded with Angels, which doe watch about her, Psalme. 34. 7. Daniel 4. 13 17.

Song of Solomon 3:8

Hold swords] They are sword men, and have both experience and skill in handling their weapons.

Song of Solomon 3:9

King Solomon] A figurative description of e faithfull soule regenerated and fashioned by Jeus Christ, to be a place of sweet habitation, and re〈…〉se for him Of the wood] Of Cdar, which was 〈…〉on in Lebanon, and is not subject to wormes, and corruption to shew the incorruption of a faithfull mans meek and quiet spirit, 1 Peter 3:4.

Song of Solomon 3:10

The pillars] by the pillars may be understood the firme perseverance of the godly: [The pavement] the Italian, the Beds head, by which is meant faith in Christ, upon which the conscience resteth [The covering] the Italian, the tester of the bed, by which he signifieth hope.[The midst] by the middle is meant a good and upright conscience, the true looking-glasse, and resemblance of the new man created by Christ in justice and holinesse of truth.

Song of Solomon 3:11

Yee daughters] the Angels exhortation to all the elect, to cause their hearts to forsake the world, to contemplate Christ by faith in the glory of his Kingdome, after his resurrection, which was, as it were the time of his marriage. As God brought Adam his wife after he awaked, Gen. 2. 21. 23. see Isaiah 33:17 Hebrews 2:9. [His Mother] according to the letter, this is meant by Solomon,who was the figure of Christ; for when Solomon was married, hee had no father; and his mother was shee that did set the regall crown upon his head (having procured it him, 1 Kings 1:16.) and put on his nuptiall garments. But in respect of Christ by mother is meant the father, who crowned him, as Son 8:5. Psal. 110. 1. Philippians 2:9.