metaphor, as to fecure it from being perverted and abufed to wantom paffions; which, I hope, fhall find no handle here by any mode of expreffion tending to divert the mind from the fpirituality of the theme. The composure upon every text here is fuch, as, I think, without great violence done to it, can never be applied to any lovers inferior to that glorious Bridegroom, the Lamb of God; and the Bride, the Lamb's wife, as the church is defigned, Rev. xxi. 9.

I thought it needlefs here, in a prefatory way; to offer you a Key for opening this Song, fince this has been done fo oft and fo well already by others, and particularly DURHAM's book upon it, which is fo common among many hands; I refer the reader to his Clavis Cantici, prefixed to that book. Mr. HENRY fays, the best key for opening this book is the forty-fifth Pfalm, which we find applied to Chrift in the New Teftament. And it feems the more fit this book be now opened, in a way fuited to that difpenfation, fince Chrift is more frequently and clearly reprefented in the New Teftament than in the Old, as the Bridegroom of his church and people; for which I might multiply. inftances, were it needful.

The objections of adverfaries, against the divinity of this book, are but weak and trifling, while we are confirmed in the faith of its divine extraction, and fpiritual application to the marriage between Chrift and his church, by the antient, conftant, and concurring teftimony both of the Jewish and Chriftian church. And hence, though to carnal minds, it is a flower out of which they have extracted poison; yet, to these that are spiritual, it is sweeter than honey and the honey-comb; infomuch, that fome have made it the mark and characteristic of a faint, to find and experience the spiritual relish and quickening favour of this part of fcripture.

Profane wits, who ridicule this lofty anthem as a carnal Epithalamium, or Marriage-fong, feem to be at a nonplus whether to apply it to Solomon's marriage with the Egyptian princefs, or a Circaffian dame; but they must be yet at a greater lofs, what to make of fome compli ments and commendations given to Solomon's bride, if they were to be properly (and not figuratively) underflood. For, how monftrous and ridiculous were it to defcribe her as having "An head like Carmel, "teeth like a flock of fheep, a nofe like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damafcus, and terrible like an army with banners!" &c.And, if Solomon's chariot were to be understood properly and materially, of what matter would they fuppofe it to be made, when the midft of it is faid to be paved with Love? Or, if Love be no material thing; how fhall it be a material chariot? But this facred Song is not the worse, becaufe profane and wanton wits abuse it, and endeavour to fasten their abfurd and obfcene fenfes upon fome passages of it.— It requires, indeed, as fome interpreters acknowledge, a fober and pious, not a foolish and lafcivious reader. hottest flames of love between Chrift and his people; and has, in all ages of the church, been moft fweet, comfortable, and useful, to all that have read it with ferious and fpiritual eyes. One of the fathers [viz. Athanafius] comparing this Song with the other feriptures of

It breathes forth the

the

the Old Teftament, fays, "It is like John the Baptift among the pro"phets other fcriptures fpeak of Chrift as coming, and afar off; this fpeaks of him, and to him, as already come, and near-hand: "fo familiar and present is he here represented both to the faith "and sense of his people." Zanchius makes this Song a compend and copy of the fpiritual marriage with Chrift. And another great divine [Bodius in Eph.] calls it, Ipfius fidei et religionis Chriftiane medulla; i. e. "The very marrow and substance of faith and Chriftia"nity itself." And therefore, I hope it will not be reckoned an unprofitable work or fervice, to open up, in a homely poefy, funk to the level of vulgar capacities, the great gofpel-myfteries contained in this allegorical scripture, and in a strain suited to the New-teftament difpenfation.

This effay, ferious Reader, being the fruit of fome study and application only at leifure-hours, is, on this account, the work of feveral years; and though occafions had allowed, yet the nature of the ftudy, however pleasant in itself, was more fevere, both to body and mind, than to have allowed a continued progress in it, without many intermiffions, till it was finished. Some parts of this compofure being therefore at fome years diftance from other parts of it, it is poffible fome difcerning and judicious readers will obferve, that fome of the texts and chapters are explained with more life and accuracy than others; which may be cafily accounted for, by every one who knows that the vein of poefy and frame of spirit is fubject to various alterations, higher or lower, at different times.The greateft defect I have here found myself to labour under, was with reference especially to that fpirituality of frame, heavenlinefs of mind, and clofs communion with Chrift, that an effay to open this facred divine Song required; fince in it the believer's moft intimate fellowship with this glorious Bridegroom is represented under fo many figurative expreffions. However, it has been my earneft defire fometimes, That my labour in this may not be in vain in the Lord; but that it might contribute, through the divine bleffing, to the inftruction, edification, and comfort of the Lord's people, especially fuch as have little accefs to read large comments upon this facred Song; and particularly thofe of the congregation which I have fo long had a special concern in, and relation to, and to whom I have but very feldom preached upon texts in this book of the Song of Solomon.

It must be owned, there are great depths in this allegorical fcrip ture; the letter whereof kills thefe that reft in that, and look no further; but the Spirit thereof giveth life, 2 Cor. iii. 6. John vi. 63.; and that it requires great pains, and caution, to point out the meaning of the Holy Ghoft, in every part of this poetical book, and in applying the figures and fimiles therein to the feveral graces and virtues of the Bridegroom apd Bride; and therefore I have not admitted of any private thought or imagination of mine own, in the interpretation of this notable part of holy fcripture, without obferving my view thereof to be agreeable with the judgment of

found

found commentators upon it. Though they could afford me little help as to the form, yet from them I willingly collected materials.— Nor did I venture to make a Paraphrafe upon any one verfe here, till I had confulted them, and was fatisfied that I should not deviate from the current of orthodox writers, their judgment upon it, of which you have here a fum. Though yet the Paraphrafe is the longer, that I have not only enlarged upon thefe places that I reckoned were moft emphatical, but also touched at the connection of one verfe and purpose with another, where I thought it was neceffary for the illuftration of the scope. Nor have I paft over any one verfe, however more curtly treated than others, without giving fome plain view of the meaning and import of it. And, if more seem to be faid upon any verse in this Song than is directly imported in it, I hope it will be reckoned no great fault, if what is faid be deducible from it, or neceffary for the further explicaion of it, and for adapting this Paraphrafe upon an OldTeftament fong to a New-teftament difpenfation. Befides, the fenfe being cramped and contracted within the narrow bounds of common metre, has fometimes made the repetition (though not of words, yet) of matter unavoidable: and though every explication is but an amplified circumlocution; yet I have used as few repetitions as could consist with my defign of conveying a clear idea of the meaning.

I thought fit to fet down the fcripture-text at large before the Paraphrafe; partly, that every one, even of thefe who would hardly be at the pains to confult their Bibles, might have an opportunity to compare the text and Paraphrafe together; and partly, that there might be occafion to mark, upon the margin, fome of the different readings that the original text admits of, which I endeavour also not to neglect in the Paraphrafe.

The Church's Love unto CHRIST.-She confeffeth her Deformity, and prayeth to be directed to his flock.CHRIST directeth her to the Shepherds Tents; and fheweth his love to her, by giving her gracious Promifes.-The Church and CHRIST Congratulate one another.

The TITLE.

Ver. 1. The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.

THE

*

HE choice of anthems exquifite,
From Sol'mon's facred pen,
Which doth to heav'nly love excite
The fouls of holy men.

Its characters divine evince,
And evidently clear,

A wifer King, a greater Prince,
Than Solomon is here.

Who from above did animate,
And with celeftial flame
Infpire the fong, to equal that

Of Mofes and the Lamb.

This to the Lamb's fair Bride belongs,
To found on all her ftrings,

With tuneful harp, the Song of fongs
To Chrift the King of kings.

* Songs.

CHRIST'S Words.

Ver. 2. Let him kifs me with the kiffes of his mouth;

for thy love is bitter than wine.

Let him who in my room and place
Did act the kindest part,

The God of love, and Prince of peace,
The victor of my heart,

With sweet indearments from above,
Let him my foul embrace;
To fhew my int'reft in his love,
And manifeft his grace.

With bleffings of thy mouth divine,
O may I favour'd be!

More precious is thy love than wine;
More fweet than life to me.

I was among the trait'rous crew
Doom'd to eternal fire,

When he, to pay the ranfom, flew
On wings of strong defire.

Jefus the God, with naked arms,

Hangs on a crofs and dies;

Then mounts the throne, with mighty charms,
T'embrace me from the skies.

His mouth delicious, Heav'n reveals;

His kiffes from above

Are pardons, promises, and feals

Of everlasting love.

Ver. 3. Because of the favour of thy good ointments,

thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee.

The oil of gladnefs and of grace,

On thee pour'd largely forth,
Does fpread around, in ev'ry place,
Thy favour and thy worth.

Like precious oil diffus'd, thy name
Along fuch odour sends;

That hence from virgin-fouls a flame
Of holy love afcends.

+ Heb. Thy Loves.