Song of Solomon 2:1
I — These are the words of the bridegroom. He compares himself to the rose and lilly, for fragrancy and beauty. Sharon, was a very fruitful place, and famous for roses.... [ Continue Reading ]
I — These are the words of the bridegroom. He compares himself to the rose and lilly, for fragrancy and beauty. Sharon, was a very fruitful place, and famous for roses.... [ Continue Reading ]
Among — Compared with thorns, which it unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty. So — So far, doth my church or people, excel all other assemblies. The title of daughter, is often given to whole nations. These are Christ's words, to which the spouse makes the following reply.... [ Continue Reading ]
The apple — tree — Whose fruit is very pleasant and wholesome. The trees — Which are barren. I sat — I confidently reposed myself under his protection. His fruit — The benefits which I received by him, remission of sins, faith, grace, and assurance of glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Banquetting house — The places in which believers receive the graces and blessings of Christ. His banner — By the lifting up whereof I was invited to come to him, and to list myself under him. Love — The love of Christ crucified, which, like a banner, is displayed in the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stay me — Or, support me, keep me from fainting. The spouse speaks this to her bride — maids, the daughters of Jerusalem: or to the bridegroom himself. Flaggons — With wine, which is a good cordial. Apples — With odoriferous apples, the smell whereof was grateful to persons ready to faint. By this u... [ Continue Reading ]
His hand — No sooner did I cry out for help, but he was at hand to succour me.... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you — This is spoken by the bride. By the roes — By the example of those creatures, which are pleasant and loving in their carriage towards one another. Nor awake — That you do not disturb nor offend him. 'Till — Never, as this word, until, in such phrases, is commonly used. For neither can... [ Continue Reading ]
The voice — Christ's voice, the word of grace revealed outwardly in the gospel, and inwardly by the Spirit of God. Leaping — He saith, leaping and skipping, to denote that Christ came readily, and swiftly, with great desire and pleasure and adds, upon the mountains and hills, to signify Christ's res... [ Continue Reading ]
Like a roe — In swiftness. He is coming to me with all speed and will not tarry a moment beyond the proper season. He standeth behind — And while he doth for wise reasons forbear to come; he is not far from us. Both this and the following phrases may denote the obscure manner of Christ's manifesting... [ Continue Reading ]
Spake — Invited me outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit. Rise up — Shake off sloth, and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world. Come — Unto me, and with me; follow me fully, serve me perfectly, labour for a nearer union, and more satisfying communion with me.... [ Continue Reading ]
The winter — Spiritual troubles arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God. But, saith Christ, I have removed these impediments, God is reconciled; therefore cast off all discouragements, and excuses, and come to... [ Continue Reading ]
The flowers — The communications of God's grace, the gifts, and graces, and comforts of the Holy Spirit, are vouchsafed unto, and appear in believers, as buds and blossoms do in the spring. The turtle — This seems particularly to be mentioned because it not only gives notice of the spring, but aptly... [ Continue Reading ]
Her figs — Which it shoots forth in the spring.... [ Continue Reading ]
My dove — So the church is called, for her dove — like temper, and for her dove — like condition, because she is weak, and exposed to persecution, and therefore forced to hide herself in rocks. The stairs — In the holes of craggy and broken rocks, which resemble stairs. Let me see — Be not afraid to... [ Continue Reading ]
Take us — The bridegroom gives this charge to his bridemen or friends. By whom he understands those magistrates and ministers to whom, under Christ, the custody of the vineyards, the churches, principally belong. These he commands to take the foxes, to restrain them from doing this mischief. Foxes —... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved — These are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him. He feedeth — Abideth and refresheth himself amongst his faithful people, who are compared to lillies, Song of Solomon 2:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Until — Until the morning of that blessed day of the general resurrection, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of outward administrations, shall cease. Turn — Return to me. For although Christ had come to her, and she had gladly received him, yet he was gone... [ Continue Reading ]