FROM    THE   LIBRARY   OF 
 
 REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM    TO 
 
 THE    LIBRARY   OF 
 
 PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 
 
 mm 
 
 m 
 
1 
 
 : 
 
THE      LFEB4l93(f 
 
 MIRR  Gpirt 
 
 U  N  V  AIL'D,   C!y- 
 
 IN  A 
 
 Poetical  Paraphrafe 
 
 Of  the  High  and  Myfterious 
 
 SONG  of  SOLOMON. 
 
 Whereunto  is  added  a  Mifcellany  of 
 feveral  other  POEMS,  Sacred 
 and  Moral. 
 
 Together  with  fome  few  Pindariques  in 
 the  clofe. 
 
 N 
 
 By  ROBERT  F LE MING,  jan.  V. D. M. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed  by  J.  A.  for  gjoljtl  $to\\l$m% 
 
 at  the  Rifwg  Sm  in  CornhiB.     1691. 
 
THE 
 
 PREFAC 
 
 IF  it  teem  ftrange  to  any  of  my  Acquaint- 
 ance, to  find  the  following  Effays  thus 
 adventure  abroad,  in  a  time^  when  it 
 may  rather  be  efteem'd  a  Man's  Wif- 
 dom  and  Happineis  to  remain  wholly 
 unknown  to  the  World,  than  to  be  expofed 
 to  the  various  Opinions  of  a  giddy  Age, 
 wherein  Vncbaritablenefs^  and  a  precipitant 
 and  cenfbrious  judging  teems  to  be  fo  Epi- 
 demical a  Difeale  ;  I  befpeak  thtir  Candour  fo 
 far,  as  not  to  cenfure  me  rafhly  for  what,  it 
 may  be,  I  am  as  innocent  of  as  they.  What 
 comes  here  to  publick  View,  is  (I  readily 
 confefs  )  but  the  product,  for  the  moft  part, 
 of  my  younger  Tears ;  and  then  alio    Com- 
 
 A  2  pofed 
 
The  Preface. 
 
 pofed  chiefly  for  Divertifement's  fake ;  and 
 though   of  all  thefe  Papers,  I  can't  fay  that 
 of  the  Poet ,  that  they  have  been  Nonum  de- 
 prompt  a  in  Annum  ;  yet  moft  of  them  are  of 
 a  much  older  date.     And  they  ihould  have 
 yet  enjoyed    their  former   Obfcurity,    had    I 
 been  permitted  to  follow  my  own  Sentiments ; 
 for  I  never  judged   more  of  them,    than*of 
 many  of  their   Fellows,    whom   I  have  fe- 
 cured  from  the  like  Ramble,  by  beftowing 
 upon  them  the  grave  of  a  perpetual  Obfcu- 
 rity  ;  Qua  rnifi  in  ignem,  ne  forte  mitterentur 
 in  lucem.     I  could   eafily  give  the  ordinary 
 Apologies  for  my  appearing  thus  in  Print,  if 
 this  had  not  proceeded  from  fomething  not 
 only  providential,  but  fome  way  nectffitating 
 alfo.     I  know  it  is  the  Cuftom  of  many  to 
 cenfure  the  beft  Writers,  as   fbon  almoft  as 
 they  have  heard  the  Title  ;  and  for  one  word 
 or   fentence    to  run    down    a   whole    IVork, 
 above  it  may  be  their  own  Imitation,  if  not 
 their  Vnderjlandin*  too  :  So  that  I  were  ve- 
 ry ignorant  of  the  Difpofition   of  the   Age 
 in  this,  if  I  fhould  expert   thefe   fmali   E£ 
 fays    fhould  efcape  ;  the*  otherwife  I  might 
 hope   my  Obfcurity   might  fome  way  Pri- 
 viledge  me  as  to  this.     But  hower  it  hap- 
 pen, I  am  little  concerned  ;    hoping  I  may 
 Jiereby  profit  fome,  though  I   ihould  offend 
 
 others  , 
 
The  Preface* 
 
 others  ;  and  being  allured  that  whatever 
 Offence  he  taken,  there  is  none  hereby  given 
 to  any.  But  I  have  long  agoe  learned,  that 
 it  is  not  only  difficile,  but  impoffibile  omnibus 
 pLcere  ;  So  that  theyprefume  more  upon 
 their  own  worth  than  they  ought,  who 
 expeft  the  detra&ion  of  none  in  things  oP 
 this  Nature.  And  yet  I  muft  fay,  that  as 
 it  is  very  bad  Manners  to  interrupt  a  Man 
 in  the  middle  of  his  Difcourfey  fo  to  Cen- 
 tre a  Book  before  it  be  read  and  confider- 
 ed,  is  no  better. 
 
 But  I  happen  here  to  be  more  expofed  to 
 the  Cenfures  of  the  World  than  many 
 others,  fince  not  only  my  Weakness,  but 
 the  very  way  and  manner  wherein  I  write 
 gives  Occafion  for  the  fame.  For  fuch  is 
 the  difefteem  of  Poetry  at  prefent,  that  by 
 many  it  is  reckoned  as  a  Difgrace  for  any 
 Perfon  to  be  that  way  addicted.  To  fuch 
 I  fhali  only  fay,  that  for  my  part  they 
 fhall  be  fuffered  to  enjoy  their  own  Sen- 
 timents :  Though  I  am  very  well  fatisfied, 
 that  all  the  Arguments  that  are  made  ufe 
 of-againft  it,  proceed  either  from  ignorance 
 or  prejudice.  And  furely,  if  the  Authorities 
 of  the  beft  Examples  and  Prefidents  bear 
 any  fway  with  us,  it  were  an  eafie  thing 
 to  fhew,    that    in    all    Ages  this   Art  hath 
 
 A  %  been 
 
71:e  Preface. 
 
 been  efteemed  of,  and  that  not  by  a  few 
 only,  and  thofe  of  leffer  Account,  but  by 
 almoft  all  Learned  Men,  in  all  t acuities  and 
 ProfeJJionsy  ill  all  the  Politer  Nations  of 
 the  World,  of  whom  I  might  reckon  up 
 whole  Catalogues)  if  need  were.  But  be- 
 fides  this,  if  we  confider  Sacred  Writ^  we 
 fhall  find  a  good  part  thereof  adftri&ed  to 
 Poetical  Numbers.  For  tho*  "Job,  the  Pfalms.hz. 
 be  not  compofed  after  the  manner  of  the 
 Poetry  of  other  Nations  ;  yet  it  is  acknow- 
 ledged by  the  greatefl:  Mafiers  of  the  Jeivifb 
 Language*  that  thefe  Books  are  written  Poeti- 
 cally. And  it  is  no  ftrange  thing,  that  the- 
 old  Hebrew  Poefy,  feems  different  from  that  of 
 other  Nations,  fince  every  Nation  and  Lan* 
 guage  hath  its  own  Properties  and  things  pe- 
 culiar to  it  felf.  Only  we  may  juftly  here  la- 
 ment the  lofs  of  the  Knowledge  of  this  Art* 
 as  it  was  ufed  in  the  Schools  of  the  Old  Pro- 
 phets \  which  hath  perifhed,  together  with 
 many  other  things,  in  the  overthrow  of  that 
 Common-wealth.  Thofe  then  who  contemn 
 Poets  and  Poetry  in  the  general,  without  di- 
 ftinftion,  ought  to  take  heed  left  they  Con- 
 temn the  Holy  Scriptures^  yea,  God  himfelf*  the 
 Author  of  them,  who  hath  both  fanffified  and 
 honoured  this  Art,  by  letting  down  thus  the 
 molt  excellent  and  ufeful  part  of  the  Old  Te- 
 
 ftament, 
 
Tk  Preface.   . 
 
 ftament,as  without  doubt  the  Works  of  David, 
 and  the  other  Pfalmifts,  and  the  Works  of  the 
 Wife  Solomon,  together  with  the  Book  o{Job7 
 are  ;  efpecially  fince   thofe    facred   Pen-mert 
 (  not  to  mention  the  many  Poetical  Songs  anci 
 Hymns  wherewith  both  the  Old  and  New  7e- 
 ftament  are  befpangled  )  get  particular,  com- 
 mendatory and    honourable  Epithet s>  by  the 
 Spirit  of  God,  from    their  Skill  in,  and  ad- 
 diftednefs  to  this  Art  :    Thus  David  is  de- 
 signed the   Sweet-finger    or  Pfalmift  of   lfra- 
 el ;  and  Solomon  is  particularly  Noted  as  the 
 Author  of  a  thoufand  and  five  Songs,  where- 
 of  this  following  is   the    mod   excellent.     I 
 readily  confefs  (  which  I  bewail  alfo  )  that 
 no   Art  hath   been,  and  is,   more   varioufly 
 abufed,   and   ignominioufly  perverted,    than 
 this :  But  I  can't  thence  be  induced  to  throw 
 off'  the   Art  it   felf,   upon    this    accounr,  as 
 wholly   ufelefs  ;   fince    even    the    Scriptures 
 themfelves  are    by  many  perverted,  to    their 
 own  deftru&ion. 
 
 And  fure  I  am,  if  it  be  fuitable  for  any 
 thing  to  be  written  Poetically ',  this  Song  does 
 efpecially  require  it.  I  fhould  have  wifhc 
 indeed,  that  fome  other  might  have  pre- 
 vented my  labour  herein  ,  by  Paraphra- 
 sing the  fame  better,  both  as  to  Matter 
 ^nd  Words :  But    fince  none  has  done  it  as 
 
 A  4  jrel| 
 
Ike  'Preface. 
 
 yet,  in  fuch  a  manner,  this  may,  I  conceive, 
 fome  way  Apologize  for  the  Defe£fc  of  this 
 Pataphrafe  of  mine  ;   which  Ncceffity  has  pull'd 
 from  me,  without  affording  fo  much  time  as 
 diflinQly  to  Revife  the  Copy.     I  am  not  igno- 
 rant, that  (  befides  the  more  brief  and  verbal 
 Metapbrafes  of  this  Book  )  there  has  of  late 
 been  made  Publick  a  large  Pnraphrafe  hereof, 
 by  Mr.  Beverly :  But  fince  he  leaves  the  true 
 fpiritual  fenfe  thereof,  and  turns  it  wholly  to 
 Prophecy,  I  may  (  notwTithftanding  that  )  juft- 
 ly  fay,  that  none  has  yet  rendered  this  Song, 
 in  J  itch  a  manner  $  as    I  have  (  at  lea  ft  )  at- 
 tempted to  do  here.     I  would  not  reflect  up- 
 on that  worthy  Perfon,  or  any  elfe,  for  ma- 
 king this  and  fuch  other  Parts  of  Scripture  to 
 run    in   a    Prophetical flrain  ;    tho'  (I   muffc 
 needs    fay  )  1  am  fomewhat   afraid  of  the 
 confluences  of  that  way  ;    left  Men  be  lb 
 bold  alfo,  as  to  pervert  even  the  main   Do- 
 ctrinal parts  of  Scripture  by  Allegorical  Glofjes, 
 and    thus   turn    the    whole  Scripture   into  a 
 meer  No  ft  of  JVax7  or  the  Schools  Mater/a 
 Prima,  that  can  admit  of  what  fenfe  we  pleafe. 
 And  upon  this  account  I  am  concerned  to  find 
 this  good  Man   fo  far  fwallowed  up  in  this 
 way,  as  already  to  have  attempted  the  turn- 
 ing of  the  Lords  Prayer  and  Sacrament j,  with 
 other  things  of  that   Nature,  into  Prophecy 
 
 or 
 
The   Preface. 
 
 or  Allegory ;  to  whom  it  feems  all  things  appear 
 thus,  from  the  Predominancy  of  Imagination 
 that  way  ;  (  as  'tis  faid  of  them  that  are  trou- 
 bled with  the  yellow  Jaundice , that  they  fee  all 
 things  in  the  fame  Colour  :  )  only  I  judge, 
 that  in  this  matter  he  is  like  to  have  few 
 .  Followers,  among  the  Learned  and  judicious. 
 However  this  is  a  way  that  proved  hurtful 
 to  the  Ancient  Church  in  Orieens  time  :  And 
 of  late  the  Belgick  Church  has  had  the  fame 
 revived,  to  it's  no  fmall  Detriment,  by  Coc- 
 ctus  and  his  Followers,  who  derived  it  from 
 the  Talmud  and  Rabbinical  Interpretations  of 
 Scripture.  But  I  have,  it  may  be,  digrefc 
 fed  too  far  on  this  Head,  and  fhall  therefore 
 fay  no  more  thereof. 
 
 As  for  the  Mifcellanies  here  added  to  the 
 Song,  they  are  a  few  of  many  that  have  one 
 way  or  another  been  loft,  and  appear  no  other- 
 wile  to  me  than  as  fome  few  Flanks  tofsM 
 afhoar  from  a  common  Shipwrack.  It  is  true, 
 I  might  have  added  a  great  many  more  Scrip- 
 tural 'Iranflations,  which  yet  chance  to  lye  by 
 me,  fuch  as  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah, 
 with  moll  of  the  other  Scriptural  Songs  ;  as 
 alfo  feveral  other  Pfalms  in  Meeter  ;  but  find- 
 ing thele  already  done  by  others,  I  did  not 
 think  it  worth  the  while  to  be  at  the  Pains 
 of  revifing  them.     The  fame  Reafbn  (  as  alio 
 
 the 
 
the  fear  of  fwelling  the  Book  into  too  large  a 
 Volume  )  has  occafioned  the  retaining  like- 
 wife  of  feveral  other  Poems,  that  othcrwife 
 might  have  claimed  the  fame  Pnviledge  with 
 thefe.  As  for  the  Dramatique  Poem^  fubjoyn- 
 ed  to  the  Mifcellanies,  I  only  would  Adver- 
 tife  the  Reader,  that  I  did  not  think  fit  to  pre- 
 fix thereunto  the  Word  [Jc?]as  is  ufual, 
 (  being  in  my  judgment  againft  afting  of  any 
 fiich  grave  Matter,  after  the  manner  of  our 
 corrupt  Comedies  and  Opera's  \  )  though  the 
 right  apprehending  of  the  fcope  and  defign 
 thereof  feem'd  to  require  the  prefixing  of  the 
 word  [Scene]  for  diftinftions  fake. 
 
 The  few  Pmdariques,  which  I  thought  good 
 to  add  in  the  clofe  of  all,  are  much  of  th* 
 fame  Age  with  the  former,  of  which  I  (hall 
 not  fay  any  thing  here  particularly-  Only  as 
 to  the  laft  of  them,  which  is  called  the  Ec- 
 ftafie,  and  which  was  formerly  Printed  apart, 
 I  may  add  a  few  of  the  Words  prefixed  to  it 
 in  its  firft  Publication  ;  «'£  "  That  though 
 a  both  the  Subjeff,  and  thzmanntr  of  hand- 
 "  ling  it  may  feem  ftrange  to  fome,  yet  not 
 "  to  fuch  as  are  acquainted  with  the  Nature 
 "  of Poetry,  f  efpecially  PindariquesJ  and  its 
 "  liberty,  beyond  other  ways  of  Writing.  And 
 44  what  fhould  make  it  feem  ftrange,  that  the 
 "  a&ive  and  intelligent  SouL  when  freed  from 
 
 "fin 
 
The  Treface. 
 
 *  fin,  and  all  its  Effefts,  wherewith  it  is  bur- 
 11  dened  in  this  Animal  St atey  fhould  be  there- 
 in introduced,. as  considering  Gods  Works4, 
 "  and  difcourfwg  of  them,  even  in  its  progress 
 "  to  Heaven.     For  why  fhould  it  be  more 
 
 inconfiderate  then,  than  when  it  arrives  at 
 "  Heaven  ?  or  why  fhould  it  be  thought  to 
 "  go  thither  in  fuch  a  precipitant  hafte,  as 
 "  not  to  have  any  time  to  confider  thofe  things, 
 "  as  the  vulgar  fancy  ?  But  befides,  as  the 
 "  Occafion  fheweth,  fo  in  reality  thefe  Lines 
 u  were  the  product  offomewbat,  that  may  not 
 ic  unjuftly  bear  the  Name  of  an  Ecftaj$e9  or 
 "  Ecftattcal  Rapture  or  Dream.     Now  confi- 
 
 dering how  ftrange  fbmetimes  the  Ideas  aie 
 "of  things  reprelented  in  an  Ordinary  Drexm^ 
 "it  needs  not  feem  ftrange,  that  in  a  fome- 
 "  what  more  extraordinary  Qonfiitution  of  the 
 il  Pbavtafie,  there  fhould  be  fbme  more  un- 
 "common  Idea's  and  Reprefentations  of 
 4C  things. 
 
 But  not  to  detain  the  Reader,  I  fhall  only 
 fay  further,  that  if  what  is  here  Publifhed 
 offend  him,  be  is  not  like  to  be  troubled  a 
 fecond  time  with  any  thing  of  this  Nature  ; 
 for  my  publick  Work  at  prefent,  and  feverer 
 Studies,  afford  me  little  time  for  fuch  Digref 
 five  Diver fions  ;  and  if  they  fl:»oi  Id,  yet  I  re- 
 folve  fuch  immature  Births  of  my  vacant  hours 
 
 fliall 
 
 4i 
 
Ihe  Preface. 
 
 fha*.  not  again  trouble  any,  except  it  be  pri- 
 vate Friends.  So  that  I  may  now  fay  of 
 Porfry,  as  one  laid  in  t     her  Cafe, 
 
 u 
 
 Hoc  fabella  rnodo  panfum  facit*      Op- 
 Sulpit.  tima    pofihac  „i. 
 
 Sac.  Mufa  velim  moneas,  fine  qua  mibi  nnu\ 
 
 voluptas. 
 
 In  the  mean  time,  I  wifh  thefe  Poems  may 
 be  fo  happy  as  to  divert  the  Reader  from 
 worfer  thoughts,  and  fo  pleafe  the  Ajfe£tionsy 
 that  the  Soul  may  be  profited,  which  was 
 the  fcope  of  the  Author ,  (as  to  himfelf)  in 
 Compofing  them,  and  is  the  defian  (  as  to 
 others  )  of  fuch  as  have  extorted  the  Publiih- 
 ing  them.  And  fure,  how  low  and  dull  fo- 
 ever  the  manner  of  Compofing  them  may 
 feem  to  be,  yet  the  Subjetf  tor  the  moft  part  is 
 fuch,  as  may  fully  anfwer  any  fuch  defeat. 
 But  leaving  every  one  to  judge  as  he  pleafeth, 
 I  fhall  fay  no  more  in  this  place,  but  only  bid 
 the  Candid  Reader  Farewell. 
 
 Viro 
 
 i  I 
 
Viro  eruditione  juxta  ac  Pietate 
 Prseftantiffimo  Dno  Roberto 
 Fleminio  in  S.  S.  Epithalami- 
 
 MA<fte  animo,&  virtute  pia,  fpes  maxima  patris, 
 Nee  Patriae  minor,  &  dignus  utrinque  mei : 
 Eft  folvenda  fides,  meritas  perfolvere  grates 
 
 Et  ftatui,  &  vovi,  &  mufula  fida  dabit : 
 Hoc  tamenin  gracili  non  pingui  Carmine,  quale 
 
 Dec  blandis  Mufis  ars  decorata  tuis. 
 In  profaptu  eft  hoc^e2>  (a?^  fafiiw  5WV7 ) 
 Ampleftens  calami  pignora  facra  tui. 
 1  Omnia  qua*  longa  indulged  mortalibusGetas, 
 Hx:  tibi  (fauita  bonis)  prima  juventadedit. 
 Mulcet  inaudita  mentes  dulcedine  carmen, 
 Afpera&  invidofcedere  corda  dqmat, 
 Me  prope  confe&um  reficit,  prohibetqueSepulchro  t 
 
 Serviat  hinc  genio  fama  miniftra  tuo. 
 Refpuis  hoc  votum  ?  fpretis  popularibus  auris  ? 
 
 Sed  funs  ex  merito  quemoue  feculus  honos, 
 Ec  tuus  imprimis }  quern  'illevit  raelle  benigno 
 Calliojefacri  magna reginafoni. 
 
 Verier  at  ionis  ergo  b#c  f crip  fit  Addiffiffi- 
 mm  tutiS)  &  frater  fraterrimus. 
 
 S.B. 
 
To  the  Reverend 
 
 AUTHOR. 
 
 T  Hanks,  Courteous  Soul,  for  all  thy  fruitful 
 (  pains ; 
 But  what  j   mufi  thanks  and  love  be  all  thy  gams  ? 
 No,  we*  11  immortalize  thy  fpreading  Name, 
 To  be  the  wonder  and  difcourje  of  Fame  : 
 But  this  thou  (I  done  thy  felf,  who  can  do  more  ? 
 Nay,  half  fo  much  as  thou  haft  done  before  ? 
 My  rough- built  Verfe  mayn^t  undertake  to  praife 
 Thy  Sod-entrancing  and  harmonious  laies  : 
 1 T would  be  to  blurr  both  thee  and  them,  before 
 My  dull,  pen- feathered  Mufe  had  learned  to  foar, 
 And  gotten  Wings  as  well  as  Feet,  but  then 
 Challenge  my  praijing  Mufe-infpired  Pen : 
 Then  brand  me,  and  condemn  me,  if  a  word 
 Breaths  through  my  Lips  that  does  not  praife  afford. 
 
 Thanks 
 
To  the  Reverend  Author. 
 
 Thanks  Belgick  Coafts,  and  Scottfh  too,  that  thus 
 We  flare  in  onefo  great  with  you  and  us  : 
 Whom  the  kind  Arbiter  of  Fate  thought  ft 
 To  make  the  Majfet  of  a  Mine  of  Wit ; 
 And  give  fo  pregnant^  quick  and  clear  a  mindy 
 So  well  from  Earth  and  Muddmefs  refined : 
 One  who  at  plea/tire  has  the  help  in's  QuMy 
 Of  all  the  Towers  that  hunt  Parnaffus-  Hill. 
 Ltt  the  bright  Ruler   of  the  Jlidmg  day, 
 After  his  long  and  gilded  1  ravels  fay. 
 Whom  he  has  found  fo  youngs  that  winged  Fame 
 May  glory  more  in  th'  Honour  of  his  Name  : 
 'Whole  coupling  Cadences  in  greater  grace 
 Fall  in  a  better  and  more  chaft  Embrace. 
 When  others  bite  their  Nails,  and  rub  their  browy 
 7 enter  their  Jqueezed-brain,   and  all  wont  doy 
 Thy  Lips  drop  accent  s^  and  th  on  {bap* ft  the  Air 
 Into  fuch  words  at  pleafure,  thai  fh alibi ar 
 Proportion  to  thy  thoughts  ;   thy  ready  mind 
 Can  think,  and  fix ,  and  full  devotion  find. 
 Oft  have  I  been  th  SolomoriTJ  Porch  b  forey 
 But  ntre  could  under  ft  and  to  unlock  the  Dcor$ 
 To  get  within  the  Temple^  'till  at  I  aft 
 1  found  thy  Kjy,  and  jo  got  in  in  hafte. 
 Where  now  I  live,  andfeaft  my  Eyes  and  mind 
 On  th'  great  eft  Myfleries,  and  no  Mtfts  can  find. 
 Thanks  then  for  thisy  and  for  th'  Pindar  iques  too^ 
 But  all  my  1  hanks  cannot  be  half  thy  due  : 
 
 BlefsH 
 
To  the  Reverend  Author. 
 
 Bkfs*d  be  thy  Day  of  Life,  that  happy  day 
 Shall  be  to  after  times  their  Epoch  a. 
 ThoufilPjl  Report,  and  thy  Victorious  Rhime ' 
 Shall  well  revenge  thy  Death,  and  conquer  Time: 
 And  Antedate  thy  Refurretfion, 
 To  live  two  Lives,  when  others  live  but  one. 
 Go  on,  brave  Soul !  we'll  write  it  on  thy  Herfe, 
 Hertys  one  gained  Souls  to  God  by  Profe  and  Verft. 
 
 S.  B. 
 
 Ad 
 
( " ) 
 
 The  Song  of  Solomon. 
 
 CH  A  P.   I. 
 
 VERSE     u 
 The  Song  of  Songs,  which  is  Solomons- 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 The  Song  of  Songs,  pemfd  by  Solomon, 
 
 A  Song  which  other  Songs  exceeds  each  one  ; 
 Not  only  ihofe  which  Human  are ;  as  alfo  thofe 
 •  Thoufand  and  Yowxfvhicb  he  ^e fides  this  did  compfe. 
 But  likewife  thofe  whofe  Inspiration 
 Js  divine.     All  do  yield  to  this  rare  one : 
 Both  for  its  Matter ,  Words  andVoxm^ 
 And  Figures,  which  each  line  adorn. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS, 
 
 THere  were  Three  forts  of  Songs  an  ufe 
 amongft  the  Hebrews  of  old.  The  Fir  ft 
 whereof  they  called  "^Bip,  which  we  tran- 
 fjatc  Pfalm,  and  is  taken  cither  more  generally, 
 
 B  and 
 
2  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 and  fo  it  includes  the  other  two  forts ;  or  more 
 fpe&ially ,    and    fo    it   includes   properly    thofe 
 Pfalms,    which  contain  Dottrinal  Points,    Poeti- 
 cally handled  and  treated  of,,  whether  they  belong 
 to  lnftruftion,  Exhortation,  Dehortation,  Mercy, 
 Judgment,  or  Hiftories,Promifes,Prophecies,Threat- 
 nings,  Prayers>c^r.     And  of  this  fort  is  the  Hundred 
 and  nineteenth  Pfslm,and  the  greateft  part  of  all  the 
 Pfalms  of  David,  till  near  the  clofe.      The  Second 
 fort  is  called  QV?nr\  which  ilgnifies  properly  an 
 Hymn,  or  Song  of  Praife,  and  from  this  word  the 
 Book  of  Pfalms   is  defigned,  according  to  the  He- 
 brew,  The  Book  ofPraifes ;  fo  called,  as  I  think,  from 
 the  latter  part  thereof,  which  is  almofl  wholly  com- 
 pofed  ofPraifes.      The  Third  fort  is  termed  Tttf, 
 which  iignifies  properly  in  our  Language  a  Song  ;  af- 
 ter this  manner  we  may  obferve,  that  thofe  Pfalms. 
 or  Songs,  which  as  to  their  Matter  and  Expreflions 
 are  moftly  Myftick,  Allegorick  and  Spiritual,  are 
 thus  defigned'/    This  we  may  obferve  in  the  Forty 
 fifth  and  Forty  fixth  Pfalm.    But  there  are  fome 
 Pfalms  which  get  both  the  deilgnation  of  a  Pfalm  and 
 Song,  as  the  Sixty  feventh  and  Sixty  eighth  Pfalm, 
 with  fome  others  :  And  of  thefe  we  may  obferve 
 that  they  are  focompofed,  as  to  contain  in  them 
 both  fomething  of  the  firft  and  laft  fort }  and  fo  par- 
 ticipating of  both,  they  get  the  Defignationof  both. 
 All  thefe  three  forts  of  Pfalms  which  we  have  men- 
 tioned, we  have  fet  down  by  the  Apoftle, £^.5.19. 
 
 Now  of  the  laft  of  thefe  three  kinds  of  Songs, 
 is  this  prefent.  Bnt  as  it  is  a  Song  of  a  higher 
 ftrain  than  any  other  which  ever  was  compofed, 
 either  by  Human  or  even  Divine  Infpiration ;  io  doth 
 it  4eferve  a  higher  Title  than  others.  Wherefore  it  is 
 
 not 
 
Verfe  K  7^e  &?;*£  ^/Solomon.  5 
 
 not  limply  called  a  Song,  but  with  an  adjoyned  Epi- 
 thet, of  Songs  ^  yea  as  if  it  were  not  enough  to  call  it 
 a  Song  of  Songs,  it  isexprelfed  the  Song  of  Songs ; 
 for  fo  much  the  force  of  the  Hebrew  Expreffios  im« 
 ports,  and  is  thus  rightly  tranllared  in  our  V>  rfion. 
 And  if  wt  fbould  tranflate  the  Hebrew  by  the  Hieaning 
 of  this  Expreflion,  it  ftould  be  thus,  jhertloft  ex- 
 cellent of  all  Songs.  For  the  Hebrews  want  the  Su- 
 perlative ;  for  the  making  up  of  which,  they  ufe,  in 
 this  cafe,  the  Genitive  of  the  Plural  Number  of  the 
 fame  Noun,  thereby  holding  forth  the  excellency 
 of  the  Singular. 
 
 Some  there  are,  who  think  that  fome  Secret  or 
 Myftery  is  imporred  by  the  little  Circle  which  is  to 
 be  feen  above  the  letter  Schin^  (for  thus  it  is  written 
 in  this  place  ^i^, )  but  what  it  is,  it  cannot  be  po- 
 fitively  determined ;  but  it  may  be  not  improbably 
 thought,  that  it  is  a  mark  of  eminency,  to  diftin- 
 guilh  it  from  the  One  thoufand  and  five  Songs  men- 
 tioned i  Kings  4.  32.  or  rather  to  fhew  that  is  the 
 moft  excellent  of  them  ^  for  the  words  in  that  place 
 feera  to  make  this  one  of  them,  in  that  it  fays,  That 
 Solomon's  Songs  were  a  thoufand  and  fire,  which 
 imports  as  much  as  if  he  had  writ  only  thefe,  and 
 none  befides  thefe. 
 
 The  Pen- man  of  this  Song  is  faid  to  be  Solomon. 
 But  in  thfe  Hebrew  it  is  not  faid,  The  Song  of  Songs, 
 which  is  Solomons ,  but,  The  Song  of  Songs  to  Solomon* 
 Thereafon  of  this,why  the  Dative  and  not  the  Geni- 
 tive is  ufed,may(altho*  in  it  felf  an  Hebraifm^pottibly 
 be  added  to  difcrirainate  this  Song  from  the  others 
 which  he  compofed,by  (hewing  the  Divinity  of  this : 
 And  ifwe  admit  this  Con jedure,  we  may  thus  Meta- 
 phrafe  the  words,  The  Song  of  Songs  which  was  given  to 
 
 B  2  ^  Solomon^ 
 
4  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 won,  viz.  by  Divine  Jnfpration ;  intimating  that  the 
 other  Son^s  were  compofed  by  Solomon,  but  this  to 
 him. 
 
 We  may  obferve  here,  that  in  the  Title  of  this 
 Book  Solomon  is  fimply  defined,  without  any  Title 
 of  Honour,  as  he  is  defigried  in  his  other  two  Books. 
 The  rcafon  whereof  it'*  like  may  be,  becaufe  this 
 Song  being  wholly  compofed  of  Love,  no  other  Ti- 
 tles were  convenient  and  fit  to  be  infert  but  fuch  \ 
 but  Titles  of  Eminency,  Honour  and  Eftate,are  not 
 fuch,  but  are  rather  a  Barr  and  Obftacle  of  Intimacy , 
 and  therefore  are  left  out :  For  as  we  ufe  to  fay, 
 Non  bene  conveniunt,  nee  in  una  fede  morantnr,  majeftas 
 &  amor.  And  polfibly  it  may  be,  as  for  other  Rea- 
 fons,  fo  for  this,  that  it  is  written  fo  myftically  : 
 For  a  plain  Difcourfe  of  fuch  Intimacy  as  is  here  fet 
 down  betwixt  Chrilt  and  the  Believer,  would  not 
 have  that  luftre  that  it  hath,  when  vailed  :  For  the 
 Names  of  God,  Lord,  Jehovah ,  &c.  behoved  to  have 
 been  in  that  cafe  infert  ^  which  are  Names  of  Emi- 
 nency, and  fo,  for  the  former  Reafon  not  fit  for  a 
 Love-Song. 
 
 I  judge  none  of  any  Confcience  will  be  fo  profane, 
 as  to  doubt,  far  lefs  deny,  that  this  Song  is  to  be 
 underftood  Spiritually  •,  for  not  to  mention  its  ever- 
 undoubted  and  unqueftionable  Authenticknefs  by 
 both  Jevos  and  Chriftiam ,  I  fhall  only  ufe  one  Reafon 
 to  evince  the  fame,  which  is  couched  in  the  Title. 
 Shall  we  think  that  the  Spirit  of  God  would  give 
 luch  an  Epithet  to  this  Song,  (or  even  Solomw 
 himfelf,)  That  it  is  the  moft  excellent  of  Songs,  ii 
 it  were  not  of  an  high  and  fpiritual  ftrain  ?  Woulc1 
 the  Title  of  it  be  more  auguft,  ample  and  fuperla 
 tive  than  all  the  Pfalms  and  Songs  in  Scripture,  if  it 
 
 Matte: 
 
Verfe  r.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.  <j 
 
 Matter  and  End  were  not  correspondent  to  its  Title  ? 
 But  it's  no  wonder  that  earthly  and  carnal  Minds^ 
 to  whom  all  Spiritual  things  are  foolifhncfs,  have 
 their  Reafon  gravelled  and  non-plus'd  here  \  this 
 Scripture  fhining  with  fuch  a  light,  that  even  the 
 Eyes  of  holy  and  judicious  Souls  are  dazied 
 thereby. 
 
 And  it  is  but  a  (hallow  Objection' which  fome  ad- 
 duce againft  the  Divinity  of  this  Book  }  viz*  That 
 there  is  no  PalFage  of  it  cited  in  the  New-Telta- 
 ment :  For  Citation  of  Scriptures  in  the  New-Te- 
 ftament,doth  not  give  Authority  10  them  \  for  there 
 are  many  Scriptures  in  the  Old-Teftament,  which 
 were  never  cited  in  the  New.  Yet  we  may  judge, 
 that  there  are  many  Scriptures  in  the  Ncw-Tefla- 
 ment,  which  are  fpoken  in  allufion  to  this  Song  ^  as 
 the  often  ftyling  the  Church  a  Vineyard,  and  com- 
 paring the  Churches  Union  with  Chfift  to  a  Mar- 
 riage, Mat.  20.  and  22.  That  Chrift  (lands  at  the 
 door  and  knocks,  Rev,  3.  20.  taken  as  it  feeftis  from 
 Song  5.  2.  and  many  other  Expreflions  of  that  Na- 
 ture. , 
 
 It  is  uncontroverted  by  all,  that  this  Song  is 
 written  Dialogue-wife.  And  it  is likewife  clear,  that' 
 the  principal  Speakers  are  two,  $£a.thfc  B'ridegroowsnd 
 Bride  }  for  the  Mafculine  and  Feminine  Particles, 
 denote  different  Sexes ;  and  the  (train  of  their  Lif 
 conrfe,  the  Relation  that  they  /land  in  one  to  another, 
 It  is  aifo  clear,  that  there  is  a  fecondary  Speaker  or 
 Speakers,  called  Daughters  of  Jerufalem  ,  who  ff  em 
 to  be  the  Bride's  Companions ;  as  th£  Forty  fifth  Pfaim 
 (which  is  as  it  were  an  abridgment  or  compend  of 
 this)  doth  term  them.  Neither  doth  it  come  into 
 debate  among  Commentators,  wno  it  is  who.  here 
 
 B  3  goes 
 
6  A  Paraphrdfe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 goes  under  the  Name  of  Solomon^  and  the  Notion 
 of  the  Bridegroom  }  all  granting  that  hereby  Chrifty 
 or  God  in  Chrift,  is  underitood.    But  it  admits  Va- 
 riation of  Judgment  and  Debate,  who  it  is  who  is 
 here  meant  by  the  Spoufe  or  Bride  j  fome  under- 
 ftanding  it  of  the  Churchy  2nd  fome  of  a  particular 
 Believer  :  And  thofc  again,  who  undcrftand  it  of  the 
 Church,  do  vary,  fome  taking  it  to  be  the  Church 
 Vtfblcj  and  fome  the  Church  Invifiblei    And  fome 
 again  there  are,  who  under  this  Notion  take  infome- 
 times  the  Church  yifibkj  and  fometimes  the  Church  Invi- 
 fible  j  according  as  any  part  of  the  Allegory  fecms 
 bell  to  relate  to  any  of  them.    For  my  part  (with 
 humble  Suhmiffion  to  better  Judgments)  I  undcrftand 
 here,  by  Syoufe  or  Bride,  a  particular  Believer  only  ; 
 and  I  think  that  the  intent  and  fcopcof  this  Scrip- 
 Cure  is  to  (hew  the  various  Cafes  and  Conditions  that- 
 a  Saint  may  be  in,  as  to  their  fpiritual  and  inward 
 Exercife.    To  prove  which  I  think  ir  not  needful 
 here  to  infill,  fince  the  following  Paraphrafc  and 
 Annotations,   as  Occafion   offers,  will  ( I  think ) 
 manifeft  the  fame.   Only  I  may  fay  this,  That  there 
 are  fome  paffages  in  this  Song,  which,  in  a  manner 
 enforce  us  fo  to  explain  them,  as  chap.  3.  ver.  4.  The 
 Spoufe^s  bringing  her  Beloved  into  her  Mother's  houfe : 
 For  how  can  we  explain  what  the  Mother  here  is,  if 
 we  underftand  the  Spoufe  to  be  the  Church  ?  How- 
 ever, to  leave  each  one  to  their  own  Sentiments,  we 
 pafs  by  this.     And  though  many  things  might  be 
 previoufly  fpoken  to  here,  eVe  we  come  to  the  Song 
 it  fclf  \   yet  becaufe  whatever  is  neceffar?  to  be 
 known  (as  to  thofe  things  which  arc  introductory 
 to  this  Song)  are  largely  let  down  by  others,  efpe- 
 tially  Learned,  Holy  and  Judicious  Durham,  in  his 
 
 Key 
 
Yerfei.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  7 
 
 Key  premittcdto  bis  Explication  of  the  Song  ; there- 
 fore Iftiall  add  no  more  here,  1  emitting  thofe  who 
 defire  more  of  this  nature  to  thatfolid  Writer  ;  as 
 alfo  to  the  Synopjis  Criticorum  upon  the  place. 
 
 Now  becaufe,  by  what  is  faid,  it  may  appear 
 how  ample  and  large  this  Title  is,  which  is  prefixed 
 to  the  Song,  I  thought  it  not  incongruous  (although 
 I  have  already  Paraphraz'd  the  fame  in  a  few  lines) 
 to  amplifie  it  yet  a  little  further  under  the  form  of  a 
 Preface  or  Introduction  :  Which  is  as  follows. 
 
 The  Preface. 
 
 HE  to  whofe  hands  this  facred  Song  pmRcomey 
 If  Ears  he  have,  he  fall not  find  it  dumb  : 
 But  it's  a  Song  of  fuch  a  matchlejs  firain^ 
 As  few ^  its  like ,  may  under f  and  the  fame. 
 Whether  its  Matter,  Form  or  Words  rveviem, 
 Nothing  there's  here  hut  what  is  Strangely  new. 
 Its  Matter  is  no  common  Theam,  nor  fuck 
 As  vulvar  Mortals  dote  upon  fo  much. 
 It  s  not  compos  d.  of  empty  trivial  things  -y 
 No  dying  Prince's  dying  Praifc  it  [tags. 
 The  loveliefl  piece  of  the  Almighty'*  ways. 
 It  fings  unto  the  Great  Almighty *s  praifc. 
 It  treats  of  Love,  not  what  we  Love  nick- name, 
 Bat  of  what  only  can  Love's  Title  claim. 
 -ft i  Form  is  fitch  as  ne  re  fliall  follow  d  be  ; 
 For  here  the  Words  and  Speeches  yon  do  fee^ 
 Of  Heavens  iliuftrious  Darling,  and  his  Spoufe, 
 Whom  ftrangely  he  doth  to  hmfelfefpoufe. 
 Myfterious  Amours,  Myftick  Riddles  lye 
 Wrapt  her 9  nllfeen,  evn  by  the  carious.  Eye. 
 
 B  4  Its 
 
8  A  Taraphrafe  on  Chap.  L 
 
 its  Words  at  once  do  both  inftruSi  the  Goody 
 To  whom  true  Piety  is  undxr flood  j 
 And  do  debarr  the  Bad,  though  worldly-wife , 
 By  its  tr  an  [parent  Vail,  which  proves  Difguife 
 To  them  ;  while  to  the  Good  it  doth  appear 
 2  he  fame  as  when  that  Vail  it  doth  not  wear. 
 
 It  s  Author  would  yon  know  ?  It's  he  who  here 
 To  be  the  glorious  Bridegroom  doth  appear. 
 None  elfe  could  e're  thefe  MyFceries  unfold  ; 
 None  elfe  could  e're  thefe  Myftick  Loves  have  told: 
 None  elfe  durft  have  ufnrpt  his  glorious >  Name, 
 Or  have  put  in  as  Sharer  of  his  Fame. 
 Who  then  is  this ,  you'll  fay,  of  whom  we  hear  ? 
 Who*$  this ,  wjoofe  Name  n%fee  ingraven  here  ? 
 The  Name  o^olomon  fure  here  doth  fland ! 
 
 Right ! —that's the  Pen-man's  Hand. 
 
 A  chofen  Pen-man,  chofenfor  to  write 
 The  Rules  of  Wifdom,  ufed  to  indite 
 Nature's  Myfterious  Secrets,  who  did  more 
 Than  hundreds  ten  o/Songs  compofe  before. 
 Songs  rare  indeed  each  onex  but  none  for are , 
 As  with  this  Song  of  Songs  for  to  compare. 
 Ton  fee  the  Writer  Solomon  to  be, 
 But  do  but  draw  the  Curtain,  and  you  11  fee 
 Another  Solomon  of  far  more  worth. 
 Who  is  the  Subftance  by  this  Type  held  forth. 
 
 Come  then,  and  lend  a  ferious  humble  Eye, 
 And  here  a  Treafure  rich  thou  Jhalt  efpye 
 Of  richeft  Truths.     Come  here,  and  thou  fialt  fee 
 The  lively  Image  of  true  Majefty. 
 Love1 s  lovely  Feature,  Purity  divine^ 
 Are  the  fweet  breezes  breath' d  from  every  line. 
 The  Rofe  and  Lilly  here  do  fweet ly  meet : 
 The  balmy  Shrubs do  flowers  e/Ne&ar  weep  : 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  i ^         The  Song  0/ Solomon.  | 
 
 The  Honey-comb  frveet  Honey  doth  diftill ; 
 
 All  Pleafurcs  true  do  hen  abound  at  Will* 
 
 Difcords  do  here  tmte%  and  all  awee, 
 
 In  ma\$ng  one  concording  Harmony. 
 
 In  fumtn,  it  doth  contain  the  fomm  of  all 
 
 Which  can  the  heavenly  Pilgrim  here  befall 
 
 As  to  his  inward  Cafe  :  Each  ftep,  each  pace^ 
 
 Each  flip,  each  fall,  of  hts  Spiritual  Race, 
 
 Is  powtraydhere,  and  in  this  Map  fet  down, 
 
 EroifPs  fetting  forth,  untiil  he  reach  the  Crown. 
 
 Come  then j  advance ,  delay  not  to  come  here  ;2 
 Vnto  this  rareft  Mirrour  draw  thou  near  : 
 And'tf  old  Adam's  Vailk  off  thine  Eye, 
 My  ft  tries  faffing  Thought  thou  ft alt  efpye  : 
 The  Work's  but  fmall,  take  bat  a  little  pains, 
 And  quickly  thou  fhalt  reap  allured  Gains. 
 
 Now  having  fet  down  thefe  lines  by  way  of  Pre- 
 face, ir.  will  not  be  needful  to  fay  much  more;  only 
 I  think  it  not  incongruous  to  advertife  any  (who 
 may  chance  to  fee  this  following  Paraphrafe  of  mine) 
 of  thefe  few  things.  1.  That  in  Paraphrasing  this 
 Song,  the  feveral  kinds  of  Verfe  which  I  there  life, 
 are  for  the  moil  part  Arbitrary -,  and  as  I  ufed  no 
 Copy  to  follow  in  my  compofing  them,  fo  I  fuppofe 
 that  the  raoft  part  of  them  are  to  be  feen  in  no  other 
 WritenThis  Idid,not  out  of  any  AfFe&ation  ofSingn- 
 larity  or  Novelty,  but  only  becaufe  I  endeavoured  to 
 have  the  Verfe  vary,  according  to  the  Variation  of  the 
 feveral  parts  of  the  Book  ;  and  fo  to  correfpond  to  the 
 variety  of  Matter  therein,  that  fomethingof  the  Air 
 and  Breath  that  this  Song  carries  with  it,  may  be 
 cxpreifed  :  And  though  I  do  confefs,  that  it  is  but 
 little  that  I  have  attained  of  this,  (the  excellency  of 
 
 the 
 
, 
 
 io  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  L 
 
 the  Song  herein  being  fcarce  imitable  ; )  yet  this  was 
 the  truecaufe  of  my  doing  fo.  2.  That  I  have 
 looked ,  in  my  Paraphrafe,  more  to  the  Matter  than 
 Words,  and  have  (till,  as  I  went  along,  endeavoured 
 to  expr*fc  and  make  clear  the  fame  j  yet  fo,  as 
 I   have  Sigthly    paffed  by    the   Words  and 
 
 Tbrafes  of  the  Text.  And  indeed  1  mull  fay,  That 
 I  do  fcarce  know  :o  what  ufc  it  is  to  Paraphrafc  the 
 Words,  and  pof  the  meaning  of  this  Song;  for 
 fure  1  am  there  can  be  no  more  fweet,  fmoothand 
 foft  Exprejfions  ufed,  than  thofe  which  are  in  the  Text 
 itfelf ;  and  therefore  I  judged  it  my  fpecial  work  to 
 exprefs  the  meaning  of  this  Scripture  in  fit  Expreffions , 
 and  therewith  in  a  due  and  apt  way  to  bring  in  the 
 words  of  the  Text  it  felf  to  imbeliijh  the  meaning.  And 
 though  I  am  forry  that  I  fall  fo  far  fhort  of  my  aim 
 herein,  yet  Icorofqrt  my  feif  in  this,  QuodaHqnam 
 mereatur  laudem  etiam  magna  tentajfe,  licet  non  [ucte- 
 dat  provotis  fucceffns.  3.  I  have,  for  finding  ont 
 the  meaning  of  this  Song,  confulted  divers  Writers, 
 but  efpecially  judicious  Durham,  whole  Judgment  I 
 have  moltly  followed  jyet  in  two  or  threeplaces  I  have 
 been  led  to  a  diflenting  from  him,tho  in  a  manner  a- 
 gainft  my  will,  thorough  that  juft  Eftimation  I  have 
 for  him.  4, 1  have  in  forae  places  dificnted  from  our 
 English  Verfion,  as  not  fo  near  the  Original,as  will  be 
 feen  when  I  come  to  them  particularly.  5. 1  have  in 
 the  mutual  Commendations  of  the  Bridegroom  and 
 Bride,  always  ufed  Hexamiter  or  Heroick  Verfe, 
 became  I  thought  that  that  kind  of  Poefie  was  the 
 meft  proper  for  cxprefling  the  high  Qualifications 
 there  defcribed.  6.  Some  may  poffibly  judge,  that 
 this  Paraphrafe  of  mine  is  but  low  and  flat,*  becaufe 
 deltitute  of  thefe  high  Expreffions,  without  which 
 
 fome 
 
Verfc  z .  The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 1 
 
 fome  think  Pcefie  doth  not  run :  To  whom  I  fhall 
 only  fay,  That  I  am  not  apt  to  judge  much  of  what 
 is  nay  own  i  and  that  I  have  only  ftudied  here  to  ex- 
 prefs  ihis  Scripture  fo,  that  the  meaning  thereof 
 may  be,  in  a  tolerable  Poetical  ftyle,  laid  open. 
 And  for  high  terms  I  do  not  flmch  efteem  of  them  ; 
 for  the  excellency  of  PoeGe  confiik  not  in  a  roaring 
 impeinofity  of  its  Style,  but  in  a  perfpicuous  foft- 
 nefs  of  Expreffion ;  refembling  in  ^his  more  the 
 clear  and  gently  running  Stream,  tWan  the  impe- 
 tuous roaring  Torrent-  But  not  to  detain  my  felf 
 and  others  any  longer,  I  go  forward  to  the  Matter 
 it  felf. 
 
 The  bong  or  Difcourle  it  felf. 
 
 The  BRIDE. 
 
 An  Account  of  the  Bride  s  Marriage  or  Converfion  ^ 
 which  is  not  exprejfed,  but  is  impVka  in  the  Bride's 
 Difcmrfe,  particularly  in  Verfe  2. 
 
 I  Once  did  thinks  as  others  yet  do  think,. 
 Spiritual  things  but  Follies  I  did  deem  $ 
 Earths  P  leaf  ares  J  as  Cordials  did  drink, 
 IVhofpoke  of  Heavenly  Joys,  methonght  did  dream, 
 
 Dif- 
 
12  A  Paraph rafe  on  Chap.  2. 
 
 Difcourfes  /  of  God  and Chrilt 'did  hear, 
 Heavens  Comforts^  and  Heiis  Torments  were  me  told\ 
 Yet  all  did  reach  no  farther  than  the  Ear, 
 Sat3n  and  Sin  fo  firongly  did  vit  hold. 
 
 Long,  long,  alas !  in  this  fad  ftate  /  lay, 
 
 Deadj  mijerable,  fnfnl,  ignorant  ; 
 
 To  each  Temptation  and  Luft  a  Prey,  '  -^L 
 
 Proud  in  my  Slavry,  wanton  in  my  Want* 
 
 But  yet  at  tafi,  Ofweet  and  happy  hour, 
 God gracioujly  of  me  did  pity  take  \ 
 And  by  a  touch  of  his  All  -potent  Power, 
 from  lanorancc  and  Sin  did  me  awake. 
 
 Then  from  my  blinded  Eyes  the  Scales  did  fail, 
 I  clearly  then  did  things  aright  behold  ; 
 /  heard  another  thamhe  Preacher^  Calif 
 I  learn  d  to  difcem  Drofs  from  Gold. 
 
 I thenbecame enamour d  with  his  Love, 
 Who  fir fl  me  for  to  love  did  condefcend", 
 But  now  he's  gone  ;  my  love  I  hope  toprovt,    + 
 Though  Love  be  prone  to  Jealoufie  to  tend. 
 
 Thofe  who  ccfcfider  how  abruptly  this  Song  begins 
 in  the  Second  farfe,  and  who  refleft  upon  xhsfcope  of 
 the  fame,  will  very  eafily,  I  doubt  not,  be  brought 
 to  fee  and  confefs,  that  the  Bride  fpeaks  at  the  very 
 fir  ft,  as  one  already  Converted -,  or,  to  fpeak  more 
 cOnfonantly  to  this  Allegory,  as  one  already  in  a 
 Married  ftate  and  condition:  Which  being  confi- 
 dered,  it  is  eafie  to  judge  that  her  Converfion  or 
 fpiritijal  Marriage  is  there  prefuppefed.    So  that  no 
 
 con- 
 
Verfe  2.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  1  $ 
 
 confiderate  Perfon  will  think  it  ftrange  (cfpecially 
 if  he  have  any  genuine  Idea  of  the  extent  of  Poefie) 
 that  I  lay  hold  of  that  which  is  aeceflarily  prefup- 
 pofed  and  implied  in  the  whole  Series  of  this  Song, 
 but  more  fpecially  in  che  Second  Verfe ;  and  there- 
 upon give  a  general  Account  of  a  Christians  Conver- 
 fion,  applying  the  fame  to  this  Purpofe,  For  making 
 up  the  full  extent  of  the  Brides  meaning, 
 
 VERSE  2.  ■ 
 
 The  Bride's  Defire  or  Wifb%  That  Chrift  would 
 m  mi  ft  ft  himfdfto  her. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Let  him  kifs  me  with  the   kiffes  of  his 
 mouth : ~ 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Ch  voouldhe  come  again, 
 And  eafe  me  of  this  fm art  and  pain ^ 
 Which  his  fad  abfence  doth  impart 
 
 Ztnto  my  Mind  and  Heart . 
 
 O  come  my  lovely  one, 
 Let  me  no  more  for  abfence  groan , 
 Let  once  thy  lovely  Face  appear^ 
 
 And  Grief  wiH  difappear. 
 
 Oh  lay  thy  Lips  to  mine7 
 And  grant  a  Kifs,  a  Kifs  divine  : 
 Let  me  of  thy  Mouth's  fweetnefs  tafte7 
 
 And  thereon  fireetly  feaft. 
 
 .     ANNO- 
 
14  A  Paraphrafeon  Chap.  I. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 It  is  eafic  to  judge  by  thefc  words,  that  the 
 Bride  hath  been  uoder  fomc  Defmion  of  Chrifi's  fin- 
 able Pre fence  ;  and  therefore  is  it  that  fhe  breaks  out 
 with  that  abrupt  Wifo  orDefirc,of  Kijfmg  her ;  where- 
 by (he  means  his  coding  again,  and  manifefting  him- 
 felf  to  her. 
 
 It  is  remarkable,  that  it  is  faid  by  her,  let  hira 
 kifs  me,  without  defigning  whom  •,  for  this  rela- 
 tive hath  no  antecedent  preceeding  toanfwerthere- 
 to:llndoubtedly  Chrift  is  here  to  be  understood,  none 
 makes  quefrion  of  that.  And  here  we  may  take  notice 
 of  two  things }  i .  That  Love  outleaps  and  breaks  ail 
 the  Rules  of  Art,it  Hands  not  on  thefe.  2. That  Chrift 
 in  the  Believers  account  is  theone  in  Heaven  andEarth, 
 on  whom  they  have  their  eye  fixt  \  he  is  he  per 
 uMiify'xtw  :  they  think  they  need  fay  no  more  of 
 Chrift,  b«tfo,  he\  for  who  can  be  ignorant  of  him. 
 Pythagoras  his  Schollars  ufed  to  fay  of  their  Matter, 
 c>jjt&  ipi)  he  faid  it :  And  in  Scripture  Saints  fpeak 
 fotoo,  as  PfaL  87.1.  His  foundation^  &c.  and  I  fa. 
 53.2.  He foall grow  up,  &c.  and  good  reafon  th«y 
 have  to  fay  fo,  for  he  only  deferves  to  be  fpo- 
 ken  fo  of. 
 
 Ibid. 
 7  he  Motive  of  the  Bridts  Wifh  ;  viz.  The 
 exctlkncy  of  ChriJPs  Love. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 ■ ^For  thy  Love  is  better  than  Wine. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  i,        Ik  Song  of  Solomon.  i  $ 
 
 The  Paraphrafc. 
 
 For  why  thy  Love's  moft  facet  ^ 
 AUfaeetnefs  there  doth  meet. 
 /^better  izx  than  Wine, 
 
 Though  nere  fo  rare  and  fine. 
 
 All  thinvs  on  Earth  that  be~ 
 
 Are  but  meer  Gall  to  me^  / 
 
 When  once  compared  with  this 
 
 Foretafte  of  Happinefs. 
 
 No  pleafure  elfe  1  find 
 
 That  fatisfie  the  Mind ; 
 
 AH  empty  proves^   and  vain. 
 
 And  brings  no  [olid  gain. 
 
 Thy  Love  doth  ftrength  impart 
 
 \)nto  the  inward  part : 
 
 It  purifies  within 
 
 The  Heart  and  Mind  from  fin  j 
 
 From  thy  vital  Spirits  it  doth 
 
 All  heaviness  remove. 
 
 All  Cares  it  drives  away^  < 
 
 And  turns  our  Night  to  Day : 
 
 Divine  andfaeet  content 
 
 To  ttiMind  is  thereby  fent. 
 
 Annotations. 
 
 By  Love  here,  or  Loves^  as  it  is  in  the  Original, 
 is  undoubtedly  underftood  the  Manifeftation  and 
 EfFefts  thereof,  for  it  would  not  run  fo  currently 
 to  underftand  it  of  Gods  Eternal  Love,  as  it  is  an 
 Attribute  of  his.    The  connexion  of  this  with  her 
 
 former 
 
1 6  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 former  Defire  doth  like  wife  (hew  this  :  For  her 
 Wifli  before  being,  that  he  would  manifeft  his  fen- 
 fible  and  comforting  prefence  to  her  ;  (he  here  adds 
 the  Reafon,  becaufe  thefe  Love  Vifiu  of  his  were 
 fo  delighful  and  refrefliing  to  her,  that  nothing 
 could  come  in  competition  therewith. 
 
 So  that  it  is  hence  eafie  to  judge  what  it  is 
 which  (he  here  calls  Wine;  even  all  the  good 
 things  of  the  Earth.  To  all  things,  Saith  {he, 
 thy  Loves  are  preferable,  nothing  can  compare 
 with  thefe.  Wine  indeed  is  cheering  and  refrefh- 
 full,  would  fhe  fay,  Qytzjudg,  p.  13.  It  is  [aid  to 
 cheer  God  and  Man,}  but  Oh  what  is  that  to  thy 
 Love,  which  both  in  it  felf,  in  its  effect,  and  in 
 my  Experience  and  Efteem,  is  unconceivably  bet- 
 ter than  it,  and  preferable  thereto. 
 
 VERSE    3. 
 A  Second    Motive   of  the  Bride's  Wifh  ; 
 
 viz,  7hefwtetm[s  of  ChrijFs  Love. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Becaufe  of  the  favour  of  thy  good  Oynt- 
 ments,thy  Name  is  as  Oyntment  poured  forth, 
 therefore  do  the  Virgins  love  thee. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh  what  an  odoriferous  fcent 
 Unto  the  fmehin?  fenfc  isfent  ; 
 When  thoti  thy  Spirit  me  doftgivZj 
 Who  ft  infinences  me  relieve  ? 
 
 When 
 
Verfe  j.        §Ihe  Song  of  Solomon.  *7 
 
 When  thou  thy  Graces  me  doftfliew  ? 
 
 When  thou  prefenteft  to  my  view 
 
 Thycoftiy  Ointments  which  excell^ 
 
 O  what  a  choice  perfuming  [well 
 
 JDoth  ijfite  thence,  and  flow  to  all 
 
 Who  Hf9h  thee  fmcerely  call! 
 
 What  pleafant  favours  thence  proceed. 
 
 Which  far  all  other  fcents  exceed ! 
 
 Thy  veryNdtne,  when  it  ijfpoke^ 
 
 Is  like  a  Box  of  Oyntment  broke  ; 
 
 Which  fwiftly  flowing  here  and  there 4 
 
 Pcrfumeth  quickly  all  the  Air. 
 
 Hence  is  tt  that  the  Virgins  pure 
 
 To  be  from  thee  cannot  endure. 
 
 Hence  is' >p  that  thou  dofi  ravijh  fo 
 
 All  thofe  who  thee  do  rightly  know* 
 
 Hence  is  it  that  fo  willing  they 
 
 Thy  Captives  prove,  and  thee  obey. 
 
 Hence  ts^t  that  all  Earths  Beaut  ies  rare\ ) 
 
 Do  lofe  with  them  the  name  a/Fair,      > 
 
 When  once  they  do  with  thee  compare.     J  < 
 
 Hence  is't  that  they  re  Joyce  or  grieve^  ' 
 
 Hence  ist  that  they  do  die  or  Uvey 
 
 According  as  thou  doft  them  grant 
 
 Thy  Love^  which  they  cant  chufe  to  wan-* 
 
 ANNOTATIONS, 
 
 thrift  is  all  Javoury ,  all  Oyntments  and  Fcrfuoies 
 are  in  him,  and  all  the  Oyntmc  nts  which  he  i  i 
 are  good,  they  are  all  excellent,  and  J^pcr-  x~ 
 tellm* 
 
 O  Yem 
 
1 8  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  I, 
 
 Yea,  not  only  is  he  all  perfumed  over,  but  his 
 very  Name  carries  a  fweet  Odoriferous  Scent  there- 
 with to  all  true  Believers. 
 
 So  that  it's  do  wonder  that  all  true  Chriftians, 
 who  are  pure  and  unfpotted  Virgins,  be  in  Love 
 with  Chrift,  for  he  is  all  compofed  of*>iveets. 
 
 Ointments  ferve  not  only  for  perfuming,  but  for 
 adorning  alfo:  hence  Pjal.  104.15.  Gyl  (orOynt- 
 ment)  makes  the  face  to  Jhwe. 
 
 Now  Chrifts  Oyntments  are  his  Graces,  where- 
 with he  is  anointed,  fox  owning  the  eyes  of  the  blind, 
 for  preaching  glad  ty dings  to  the  poor,  to  bind  up  the 
 broken-hearted,  to  give  the  Oyl  of  joy  for  mournings  &c. 
 Ifa.  61.  1,2,3.  See  P/*/.  45.  2.  In  this  refpeA  Chriffc 
 is  faid  to  be  anointed  wieh  the  oyl  of  gladnefs  above  his 
 Fellows,  Pfal.  45.  7.  For  God  givetb  not  the  Spirit  to 
 him  by  meafure,  J  oh,  3.  34. 
 
 VERSE   4. 
 
 J  be  Bride's  Prayer  and  Suit  for  quicknivg  Grace. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Draw  me,  we  will  run  after  thee- 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Oh  let  me  find  thy  quickning  Grace, 
 
 And  then  Til  run  apace. 
 Draw  me,  O  draw  me  after  thee7 
 
 Why  from  me  doft  thou  flee  f 
 J  cannot  nm,  nor  go ,  nor  creeps 
 
 Except  thottgive  me  Feet. 
 
yerfe  4.  7  he  Song  ^/Solomon.  1 9 
 
 /  have  no  knowledge^  will  or  might 
 
 To  follow  thee  aright  5 
 Till  I  the  fame  from  thee  receive 9 
 
 For  all  from  thee  J  have. 
 Qh  grant  me  then  thy  quickning  Grace, 
 
 And  then  /'//  run  apace. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Spoufe  being  now  confirmed  rtiore  and 
 more  in  her  former  Defire,  from  the  Motives  or 
 Reafons  laid  down  *,  (he  bre  iks  forth  now,  as  not 
 able  to  hold  longer,  with  a  fervent  Ejaculatory 
 Prayer,  That  Chriil  would  grant  her  defire,  and 
 manifeft  himfelf  to  herlenfibly,  tor  her  comfort  and 
 refreshing *,  and  for  that  end,that  he  would  qnicken  her 
 Spirit,  and  effe&ualiy  ftir  her  up  to  follow  him  and 
 feck  him,  while  as  abfent.  And  it  is  cot  long  e  re  fhe 
 get  a  comfortable  Anfwer^  as  follows. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 The  Anfwer  which  the  Spoufe  gets  to  her  Suit ; 
 at  the  fuddennefs whereof  [he  is  aftonifhed* 
 
 The  Words, 
 ■The  King  hath  brought  me  into  his 
 
 Chambers : 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Oh  happy  Suit !  where  am  I  now  f 
 What's  this  I  view  ? 
 Things  rare  and  new  ! 
 
 C  2  >• 
 
ao  A  Paraphrafe  ott  Chap.  I. 
 
 Are  tbefe  Heavens  Manfions  bright  and  fair. 
 
 So  choice  and  rare, 
 
 Without  compare  ! 
 Snre  this  is  Heavens  Porch  and  Gate, 
 
 So  goodly,  great , 
 
 Where  1  await ! 
 My  King  and  Prince  hath  brought  rue  here, 
 
 Griefs  difappear, 
 
 And  Joys  appear. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Thefe  words  cannot  but  be  underftood  as  a  grant 
 of  the  Brides  Sk*>,  when  compared  with  her  Petition. 
 And  the  Exprcflion,  in  its  abruptnefs,  doth  evi- 
 dence that  they  are  fpoke  by  way  of  Exultation 
 or  Admiration. 
 
 By  King  here  is  meant  Chriil,who  is  King,  KcLT*  ^vky, 
 King  of  Kings  ^  and  Lord  of  Lords.  And  by  Chambers, 
 is  denoted  intimacy  with  him,  and  ncarnefs  to  him  : 
 (he  is  brought  in  to  his  Chamber  of  Pre  fence, his  Dining- 
 room,  and  Bed-chamber,  e're  (he  is  aware.  She  wai 
 juft  now  putting  up  a  Suit  to  be  admitted  to  do  the 
 King's  Willis  a  means  to  be  admitted  to  his  prefence. 
 But  lo  the  King,  e're  fhe  is  aware,  overleaping  as  it 
 were  her  Suit  about  quickning  Graces,  comtsand  in- 
 troduceth  her  into  his  own  prefence  himfelf. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 The  Bride,  upon  the  grant  of  htr  Suit,  enga- 
 getb  her  (elf  to  Gratitude,  for  his  gracious  fa- 
 vour of  admitting  her  to  his  prefence. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  4.        Tfo So.»-  -^Solomon.  21 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 * 'We  will  be  glad  an  J  re  Joyce  in  thee, 
 
 we  will  remember  thy  Love  more  than  Wine : 
 the  upright  love  thee. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Come  let  us  all  together  joined  be j 
 
 And  let  m  all  re  Joyce  in  thee, 
 
 Unwearied  and  triumphantly. 
 Let  all  -who  ever  of  thy  Love  did  t  aft  e, 
 
 Come  here  andjoyn  them f elves  a  Guejt^ 
 
 At  this  choice  Banquet  and  Love-Feaft, 
 Let  Hsfet  down  a  Regifter  of  all 
 
 Which  ever  did  our  Souls  befallr 
 
 Since  we  did  tread  the  earthly  Bali 
 .     Let  us  caft  all  into  one  Mold  of  Love, 
 
 For  fuch  sheyll  be  when  them  we  prove^ 
 
 Love-tokens  all  [em  from  above. 
 Tho*  fome  fetmd  barfly  when  them  we  underlay % 
 
 Tho  for  their  ab fence  we  did  fray, 
 
 Tet  otherwife  we  fee  this  day. 
 Oh  let  us  never  thy  fvett  loves  for  get-, 
 
 Or  to  commemorate  neglect 
 
 To  hs  thy  gracious  refpeEl. 
 For  why  there  s  none  who  ever  thee  did  fee r 
 
 Who  are  not  captivate  by  thee  ; 
 
 All  upright  Souls  thy  Lovers  be. 
 Shall  Drunkards^  their  Cups  combine. 
 
 And  Tavcrn-Rhimes  compofe  of  Wine, 
 
 Andjhallnot  we  compofe  Divine  ? 
 We  will  be  glad,  triumph,  re  Joyce  andfing, 
 
 And  all  thy  Loves  in  order  bring, 
 
 And  mount  them  on  our  voices  win?. 
 
 Cj  "ANNO- 
 
22  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  I, 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Confidcring  the  connexion  of  thefe  words  with 
 the  former,  I  cannot  but  take  them  toexprefs  her 
 rejoycing  in  the  grant  of  her  Srit-  and  her  (tin  ing  up 
 her  feu  and  others  to  a  thankful  commemcrsring  of 
 his  kindnefs.  She  had  fpoke  hitherto  in  the  lingular 
 Number,  but  now  in  the  Plural :  Aad  the  reafon  of 
 the  change  fne  fubjoyns,  faying,  The  upright  love  thee. 
 As  if  fhe  had  faid,  Now  fincc  I  fee  the  King's  Face, 
 and  am  his  Favourite,  what  ongh\  I  to  do  but  folacc 
 my  felf  therein,  and  remember  it  always,  as  do  all 
 thofe  who  are  admit  to  be  Partakers  thereof?  Surely 
 v;ould  (he  fey.  None  who  know  my  Beloved,  will 
 refufe  to  joyn  with  me  in  this  rare  exercife }  for 
 why,  they  who  love  thee,cannot  but  chufe  to  do  to* 
 
 To  remember  here,  imports,  I  think,  more  than 
 r*  ilmple  revolving  of  a  thing  in  the  mind  with  de- 
 light }  for  it  fcems  to  denote  the  time  to  come  alfo : 
 For,  fays  fhe,  ire  mil  remember  thy  love  ;  and  foit 
 may  take  in  the  recording  of  God's  goodnefs  for  her 
 own  profit,  to  the  time  to  come,  when  pofilbly  fne 
 m^y  ftand  in  need  of  it.  And  thus  we  may  take  in, 
 her  keeping  a  Regifler  or  Diary  of  God's  Defpenfation* 
 towards  her,  for  the  help  of  Memory }  and  her  laying 
 Engagements  on  others  to  do  the  fame.  And  rhus 
 have  I  underftood  it,  and  rendred  it  in  the  Para- 
 pbrafe. 
 
 It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  the  word  CD^tftJ, 
 which  we  tranflate  the  upright,  is  the  Plural  Number, 
 and  is  a  Snbjhvitive,  and  not  an  Adjective  \  and  fo  it 
 properly  fignifies  uprightntfs,  or  righttoufnefs ;  and 
 fo  it  may  be  read  thus,  AH  thirgs  that  are  upright  love 
 
 thee, 
 
Verfe  4.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  2  j 
 
 thee.  Or  if  we  underftand  that  word,  with  Tome, 
 adverbially,  then  the  fence  is,  all  who  rightly  love  thee; 
 As  if  flic  had  faid,  We  will  remember  thy  Love  more 
 than  Wine,  [as  d©  all  thofc  who]  rightly  love  tbec. 
 However  we  have  followed  our  Vernon,  which  ex- 
 prefleth  the  fence  well ;  for  that  word  may  vsry  weil 
 be  rendred  by  the  Adjeftive  Hfright,  this  way  of 
 Expreffion  which  we  have  noted,  being  but  an  He- 
 braifm. 
 
 By  this  Exprsfiion,  more  than  Wine,  may  either 
 be  underilood,  the  Saints  preferring  Chriit's  love 
 to  all  earthly  things  \  or,  that  the  Saints  have  a 
 greater  efteem  of  Chrifts  love,  than  earthly  Men 
 have  of  earthly  comforts.  Neither  of  thefe  we  ex- 
 clude, but  judge  the  fecond  to  be  principally  here 
 intended,  it  being  like  to  that  expreffion,  P/*/^.*?^. 
 and  we  think  the  meaning  to  be  this,  We  will  re- 
 member thy  Love,  more  than  earthly  Men  do  their 
 carnal  Delights,  and'raore  than  Drunkards  do  their 
 Wine.  As  if  flic  fhould  fay,  As  the  Objeft  of  our 
 Delight  and  praifc  is  infinitely  preferable  to  the  Ob- 
 ject of  the  delight  of  Worldlings,  fo  let  us  drive  to 
 out-go  them  in  our  delight  and  commemorating 
 thereof ,  and  thus  keepfome  proportion  to  the  great 
 difproportion  that  is  betwixt  thefe  contrary  Objefts. 
 Yet  I  think  this  is  fpoken  here  with  a  fpecial  refpedl 
 to  the  delight  which  Drunkards  have  in  their  Cups, 
 which  tranfport  them  often  to  an  admiring  and 
 praifing  of  Wine  in  their  drunken  Revels,  And  there- 
 fore it  needs  not  be  thought  ftrsnge,  that  in  the  Pa- 
 raphrafe  1  notice  this. 
 
 C4  VERSE 
 
24  A  Pdraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 VERSES  5  and  6. 
 
 The  Bride's  Apology  for  her  blackncfs,  to  the 
 Profeffors  of  Religion. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  am  black,  but  comely,  O  ye  Daughters 
 of  Jerufalem,,  as  the  Tents  of  Kedar,  as  the 
 Curtains  of  Solomon. 
 
 Look  not  upon  me  becaufe  I  am  black,  be- 
 caufe  the  Sun  hath  looked  upon  me  :  my  Mo- 
 ther's Children  were  angry  with  me,  they^ 
 made  me  the  Keeper  of  the  Vinyards,  but 
 mine  own  Vinyard  have  I  not  kept. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 V.  s. 
 
 I'm  black,  T m  bUckjndeed^  I  muft  confefs\ 
 
 Sin  And  Opprejfion  makes  mefo  ; 
 Than  tti'vileft  Mifcreant  Ym  black  nolefs^ 
 I  have  no  beauty  of  my  own  to  flow. 
 
 Load  me  with  all  reproach  and  calumny , 
 
 And  I  mil  it  acknowledge  all : 
 for  why  my  Sins  are  greater  than  yon  fee ', 
 Vm  mrfe  by  far  than  what  yon  cm  me  call. 
 
 Oh 
 
Verfe  5,  6.      The  Song  of  Solomon.  %^ 
 
 Oh  how  deformed  am  J  when  I  fee 
 
 And  view  my  Matter's  comely  Face  ! 
 Tm  made  to  wonder  why  he  looks  on  me, 
 In  whom  nought  but  deformity  hath  place* 
 
 Nought  do  I  fay  ?  Oh  let  me  not  deny 
 
 What  I  in  bounty  from  him  have. 
 Which  I  received,  when  Jin  want  did  lye  : 
 Pll  then  fubjoyn,  Nought  but  what  niche  gave. 
 
 None  can  his  comely  Countenance  behold, 
 
 None  can  with  him  cornier fe  and  talk? 
 But  fir  ait  his  Image  will  of  them  take  hold, 
 And  cafi  a  luftre  on  their  life  and  walk. 
 
 Sure  in  my  felf  I  jomething  do  perceive 
 
 From  him  for  to  reflet  on  me  ; 
 Which  makes  me  beauteous  Features  to  receive. 
 And  comely   by  his  comelinefs  to  be. 
 
 To  Kedars  Sun  fcorcVd  Tents  /  do  compare 
 
 My  felf,  when  I  my  felf  review  : 
 As  Solomon'?  Curtains,  coflly,  rich,  and  fair, 
 I  feem,  when  I  my  borrowed  beauty  view. 
 
 V*  6. 
 
 Wherefore  0  Daughters  of  Jerufalem, 
 
 Who  Godlinefs  frofefs  to  know  ; 
 Becaufe  tm  bUck^  do  not  me  thus  contemn, 
 Neither  becaufe  I  troubles  undergo. 
 
 The 
 
26  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap,  t 
 
 The  fcorchingSun  of  fore  Opprejfwn  ,hath 
 
 My  Beauty  quite  confumd  aw*y ; 
 Oft  have  I  been  brought  to  the  gates  of Death^ 
 Griefs  multiplying  on  me  night  and  day. 
 
 Thofe  who  the  fame  Religion  didprofefsy 
 
 Me  wrathfully  did  [ore  abufe  ; 
 
 And  did  than  toes  me  perfecutt  no  lefs, 
 And  without  caufe  mc  cruelly  did  ufe. 
 
 They  fet  me  as  a  Slave  their  Vines  to  keep, 
 
 In  drudgery  they  made  me  live ; 
 The  care  whereof  did  make  tne  lofe  myfleep, 
 And  to  my  trotbled  Mind  no  reft  did  gsve. 
 
 About  thefe  earthly  cares  my  life  was  fpenty 
 
 Much  of  my  time  did  thus  confume  \ 
 Which  now^  though  too  too  latey  I  do  repent , 
 Though  fill  thefe  cares  to  vex  me  do  prefume. 
 
 Alas !  I  have  a  Vineyard  of  my  owny 
 Which  Vm  toncemed  much  to  keep  ; 
 And  yet  it  is  with  Weeds  all  overgrown , 
 For  thisy  alas^  I  have  not  losi  myftcep. 
 
 Lo !  how  nnprundy  and  how  undrefs'd  it  lies. 
 
 By  my  ownfloth  and  carelefmfs  ; 
 Then  let  my  Sod  from  ft'ggifinefs  arifey 
 Which  is  the  chief  and  only  caufe  of  this. 
 
 ANNO- 
 
Jtferfe  7.  The  Song  of  Solomon.1  if 
 
 ANNOTATIONS, 
 
 By  Banghters  of  Jernftlem,  are  certainly  tmder- 
 ftood  Profejfors,  Members  of  the  Church,  profef- 
 fing  the  trne  Religion  ^  and  more  efpecially  fuch 
 Profeflbrs  as  have  a  Love  to  the  Truth,  though 
 but  little  knowledge  or  experience. 
 
 Thefe  words  of  the  Brides  are  fpoken  by  way 
 of  anticipation^  to  preoccupy  an  obje&ion,  or  (at 
 leaft)  prejudice,  which  thefe  Daughters  of  Jew- 
 fakm  might  be  in  hazard  to  have  at  her,  in  feeing 
 her  bkmifhes  and  affliction.  As  if  he  fhould  fay, 
 Do  not  think  that  I  am  a  meer  Formalift,  becaufe 
 I  am  difconfolate  fometimes,  and  afflicted,  and 
 becaufe  you  may  difcern  many  foul  blemifhes  and 
 fpots  on  me  }  for  though  all  that  be  true,  yet  you 
 mult  not  conclude  that  I  have  no  Beauty.  It  is 
 more  than  probable,  that  for  all  this,  the  Bride 
 had  as  few  fpots  as  any,  antl  was  every  way  holy 
 and  unblameable  in  her  walk  :  but- when  fhe  had 
 once  been  admitted  to  intimacy  with  God,  prefent- 
 ly  her  fpots  did  become  fo  vifible  to  her  felf,  that 
 fhe  images  all  fee  her  faults,  as  well  as  her  fdf; 
 and  therefore  left  they  Ihould  Humble  at  her,  fhe 
 thus  exprefles  her  felf,  and  1  think  this  is  the  true 
 ground  of  her  freaking  fo. 
 
 And  indeec  her  Speech  here  is  very  pathetick  : 
 for  firft  (he  conixfleir:  her  blacknefs,  and  yet  never- 
 thelels  derives  an,  peremptory  conciuflon  there- 
 from, as  if  (he  were  inlincere. 
 
 Kedar  was  one  of  the  Sons  of  Ifamael^  whofe  Po- 
 fierity  gave  Name  to  the  Country  of  Arabia  Pa- 
 trea  ;  and  were  by  the   Romans  afterwards  called 
 
 Nomades  : 
 
fiS  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  L 
 
 Nonuides  :  They  were  a  People  which  lived 
 in  Tents,  which  Tents  were  like  the  Inhabitants, 
 black  and  ugly  •,  whether  by  reafon  of  the  torch- 
 ing best  of  the  Sun,  or  becaufe  of  their  being  dy- 
 ed or  pitched  over,  with  fomc  black  and  pitchy 
 matter,  for  the  better  keeping  out  the  heat  and 
 rain,  or  becaufe  of  their  frequent  tranfportation  \ 
 whether  by  one  or  all  of  thefe  reafons  it  was  that 
 they  became  fo  black,  it's  fm^il  matter. 
 
 Solomons  Curtains  were  undoubtedly  moft  coftly, 
 rich,  and  comely,  as  being  fuch  as  were  befitting 
 the  State  and  Grandeur  of  that  King. 
 
 The  Suns  looking  upon  her,  is  as  much  as  to  fay 
 fcorching  and  Sun-burning  her  ;  for  the  Suns  heat 
 in  thefe  Countries  was  almofb  intolerable  in  the  mid- 
 day, efpccially  in  Summer  -7  as  we  fee  in  Jonth, 
 Chap.  4.  v.  8.  and  Cen.  3 1 .  40.  And  we  fee  that  by 
 the  heat  of  the  Sun,  perfecution  is  held  forth, 
 Mat.  13.  6, 21.  So  that  the  meaning  runs  thus; 
 It's  no  wonder  that  I  iecra  black  to  you,  for  I  have 
 endured  the  fcorching  Sun* fhine  of  Perfecution. 
 
 This  Perfecution  of  hers  (he  amplifies  more 
 fully,  by  telling  what  manner  of  perfecution  fhe 
 endured,  which  was  twofold  ;  1 .  Tongue  Perfecti- 
 on, exprcfTed  in  faying,  that  her  Mothers  Children 
 were  *ngry  with  her.  2.  Attual  Perfecution,  in  ma- 
 king her  do  fervile  things,  exprefled  by  keeping  of 
 the  yintyards  j  which  in  thofe  Countries  was  one 
 of  the  moft  flavifh  fcrvices  that  one  could  perform. 
 
 By  keeping  here,  is  not  underftood  any  Office 
 or  Station  that  fhe  was  put  in,  but  only  the  aft 
 of  keeping,  for  fo  doth  the  Hebrew  word  import. 
 And  therefore  it  fhould  be  better  tranflated,  if  we 
 Jhould  reader  it,  they  made  me  to  keep  the  Vineyards. 
 
 By 
 
Verfe  7.  The  Soxg  0/Solcmon.  29 
 
 By  Mothers  Children  here,  or  as  the  Hebrew 
 hath  it,  Mothers  Sons^  arc  undetftood  thefc  who 
 were  indeed  Members  of  the  outward  Church,  but 
 had  no  love  to  Godlincfs  -7  and  are  therefore  di- 
 ftinguiftied  from  the  Daughters  of  ftrufelem* 
 
 With  allufion  to  her  icrvile  condition,  which 
 fhe  terms  the  keeping  of  the  Vineyards,  flifVsafato 
 mention  of  a  Vineyard  of  her  own  ^  by  which  is 
 *nderftood  thofe  fpecial  Gifts  and  Graces,  which 
 God  gave  her  as  a  Talent  or  Vineyard  to  trade 
 with,  and  make  improvement  of.  This  (he  la- 
 ments, that  fee  hath  not  kept,  through  the  fk  ve- 
 ry that  flae  was  in,  which  did  fo  overpower  her 
 with  cares,  fiuggiihnefs,  and  defpondency,  that 
 fhe  became  heartlcfs  and  carelefs  as  to  her  main 
 Concerns. 
 
 VERSE    7. 
 
 The  Spcuje  turning  from  Profeffors,  to  Chrift 
 htmfelf  feeks  his  directing,  conducting,  and 
 affifting  her,  in  her  Spiritual  walk,  ffkjfihg  the 
 fame  from  the  great  need  /be  food  in  thereof 
 
 The  Words. 
 Tell  me,  O  thou  whom  my  Soul  leveth, 
 where  thou  feedeft,  where  thou  makeft  thy 
 Flocks  to  reft  at  noon  r  for  why  fhould  I  be 
 as  one  that  turneth  afide  by  the  flocks  of 
 thy  Companions. 
 
 The 
 
]jc  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Shew  me.  Oh  Jhew  me  thy  abode, 
 My  kfnd^  my  loving^  and  my  only  God  \ 
 O  thou  the  only  Objett  of  my  Souls  defir^; 
 Who  by  thy  comelinefi  my  Soul  doft  fet  on  fire ! 
 To  whom  my  Thoughts  do  [oar  and  mount  above % 
 Whom  I  adventure  for  to  love. 
 
 O  tell  me  where  thy  Flocks  do  feed, 
 And  in  what  Fafturage  thon  do(l  them  lead  ? 
 Teti  me  what  fhade  them  covers  from  the  fcorchtng  heat  5 
 Tell  me  how  thou  from  heat  and hanger  doft  them  keep. 
 When  Summers  midday-Sun  doth  herbs  opprcfs. 
 And  bur  net  h  up  the  tender  grafs  ! 
 
 What  Tafiurage  them  food  doth  give , 
 What  rivulet  their  thirft  doth  them  relieve  ? 
 When  as  Qpprcffions  Sun  is  mounted  to  its  noon, 
 Which  makes  the  Churches  Splendor  for  to  wither  foon? 
 In  what  unknown  and  unfrequented  way^ 
 LurMjhey,  and  yet  go  not  afiray  ?  . 
 
 For  why,  it  grieves  me  for  to  be 
 A  Vagabond  and  Wanderer  from  thee: 
 It  grieves  me  that  I  fimdd  flillthus  be  ignorant , 
 It  grieves  me  that  thy lovely pre  fence  IJJjouldwant  j 
 And  that  I  fljouldthw  wander  to  and  fro y 
 Not  knowing  how  nor  where  to  go. 
 
 Jt  grieves  me  that  I  thus  Jhouldbe, 
 And  Uafv  another  I  mifiakg  for  thee  : 
 
 For 
 
Verfe  5,6.      The  Song  of  Solomon.  5  r 
 
 For  why,  there's  many  that  ufurp  thy  Name  this  day^ 
 Who  Ao  pretend  thy  flock  to  feed,  and  them  do  /lay. 
 Many  falfe  Shepherds  do  this  day  appear, 
 Who  do  thy  Cloaths  and  Garments  wear. 
 
 Oh  then  my  dear  and  lovely  One, 
 Tor  whom  my  troubled  Soul  doth  -pant  and  groan  \ 
 Come,andfrom  Shepherds  falfe  my  -paths  and  foul  fours  ^ 
 Left  greedy  Wolves  me  meet,  and  do  my  SohI  devour  : 
 Sure  in  my  Death  no  pleafure  thou  canft  take  ; 
 Why  then  doft  thou  not  fafe  me  make. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Epithet  which  here  the  Spoufe  gives  to 
 Chrift,  is  very  pathetick,  and  intimates  her  difre- 
 li&ing  of  all  things,  if  once  compared  with  him* 
 The  Hebrew  exprefTes  it,  in  the  Preterite  thus,  O 
 thou  whom  my  Sod  hath  loved  ;  but  is  not  to  be  re- 
 drifted  to  that  alone,  as  if  (he  did  not  love  him  now : 
 The  force  of  the  words  then  are  thus  to  be  taken, 
 O  thon,  whom  I  not  only  at  preftnt  do  love,  but  whom 
 all  along  1  have  loved. 
 
 Feeding  here  fpoken  of,  is  to  be  underftood  ac- 
 tively for  his  feeding  of  ochers,  and  not  paffively  for 
 his  feeding  himfelf,  and  delighting  himfelf,  as  in 
 fome  other  places  of  this  Song  it  is  taken. 
 
 The  Hebrovo  word,  which  we  tranflate  where, 
 when  we  fay,  where  thon  feedeft,  &c.  may  either  be 
 fo  interpreted,  or  otherwife  by  the  word  how,  as 
 ifwefhould  render  it,  how  thwifecdtft,  &c  And  I 
 think  the  conjunction  of  both  tfaefe  a<  tions 
 
 not  improper,  for  both  come  under  the  i  ■rue  ex- 
 preffion  of  her  admiration.    As  if  fluulhould  fay, 
 
 Oh 
 
3  2  A  Parapbrafe  on  Cfiap.  1Y 
 
 Oh  my  Beloved,  fhcw  nie  I  intreat  thee,  what  is 
 that  myfterious  way  that  thou  takeft  in  fecuring 
 thy  own  People  in  the  times  of  finning  and  fuffer- 
 ing  \  bow  dofi thou  per 'form  this ,  or  where  ? 
 
 The  Hebrew  word,  H^Pf,  which  we  in  our 
 Tranilation  render,  to  turn  a  fide ^  mod:  properly 
 fignifies  to  be  vailed^  or  covered,  as  Women  are 
 when  in  a  mourning  pofture :  Butbecaufe  availed 
 perfon  is  not  in  a  fit  condition  for  travelling, 
 hence  it's  like  we  have  it  thus  rendred,  as  one  that 
 turneth  afide,  as  being  ignorant  of  the  way.  Hence 
 it  is  likewife,  that  force  interpreters  render  it 
 thus,  as  one  that  Umenteth  or  wcepeth  :  for  to  be 
 vailed  is  to  he  in  a  weeping  pofture.  However 
 it  be  underflood,  the  fence  is  the  fame,  &xu  That 
 the  Bride  was  (  at  leaft  to  her  fenfe  )  in  *  ftate  of 
 defertion. 
 
 The  Companions  here  fpoken  of,  may  be  taken 
 cither  for  Chrifts  fent  Minifters,  or  falfe  Teach- 
 ers, who  fet  up  themfelves  befides  Chrifl.  In 
 the  laft  fence  I  take  the  meaning  in  this  place  to 
 be,  becaufe  the  Bride  here  feeketh  fo  earneftly 
 for  Chrifts  Flock,  oppofing  thus  Chrifl  to  thefe  Com- 
 fmdonij  and  hU  flock^to  their  flocks  :  And  this  I  think 
 th:  words  do  fo  clearly  import,  that  without  con- 
 tortion they  cannot  otherwife  be  underflood.  So 
 that,  though  the  particle  vj>  may  be  underflood  in 
 divers  fences  }  yet  lince  particles  of  dubious  fig- 
 nification,  mnft  ftiU  be  adapted,  in  their  interpre- 
 tation, to  the  fcope  of  the  words :  Therefore  in 
 this  place  it  cannot,  I  think,  be  better  rendred 
 than  oarVerftoQ  doih,  wrhen  they  fay  by,  by  the 
 flocks  of  thy  Companion* ^  or  befldethem. 
 
Veric  8.         7  he  Song  of  Solomon.  j  j 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE    8. 
 
 Chrift  in  4^/lter  to  the  Brides  Petition, 
 gives  her  a  direction /#/  her  Duty,  fhewwg  her 
 how  to  walk. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 If  thou  know  not  (O  thou  faireft  among 
 Women,  )  go  thy  way  forth  by  the  footfteps 
 of  the  Flock,  and  feed  thy  Kids  befide  the 
 Shepherds  Tents. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 If  i?*or ant  thou  of  thy  Dnty  be^ 
 If  thou  the  rules  /  gave  thee  can(t  not  fee  j 
 If  that  fomeiimes  a  maty  day 
 Do  take  the  fight  of  me  away  ^  • 
 
 Or  if  Infirmity 
 Remove  me  from  thine  eye  ; 
 If  doubts,  or  fears,  or  griefs,  or  cares  do  make 
 Thy  thowhts,  at  any  time  thy  way  mtjiake^ 
 If  that  Temptation  remove 
 From   thee  the  fight  of  things  above 9 
 jind  make  tfoee  doakt  the  ivay^ 
 Left  that  thohgo  ajtrayi 
 
 D  r« 
 
24  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 Tet  be  not  thou  difcouraged,  nor  fcarr, 
 Thou  who  of  Women  art  the  Faireft  far, 
 Who  doft  in  Beauty  have  behind 
 All  others  far  of  humane  kind  ; 
 Who  art  beyond  co?npare, 
 Th/in  mortals  all  more  fair  : 
 Whom   I  as  Fair  and  Beauteous  efteem, 
 (Though  to  thy  felf  and  others  black  thoufeem,') 
 If  thou  de fir  eft  for  to  know 
 The  way  wherein  thou  jhouldcft  go  j 
 A  heedful  tar  then  reach. 
 And  I  the  fame  Jhall  teach. 
 Markjhou  the  way  where  former  Saints  have  trode% 
 It  is  a  narrow  and  a  beaten  road  : 
 
 There  thou  the  footfteps  fhalt  behold 
 Of  all  who  of  my  Law  took^hold, 
 Though  now  but  few  there  be 
 To  bear  thee  Company. 
 Saints  holy  pra&ice  and  Example  weigh,    . 
 Place  them  as  High-way  marks  before  thine  eye. 
 No  new  way  I  do  thee  prefcribe  , 
 But  wills  thee  by  the  old  abide, 
 The  good  old  way,  where  all 
 Do  walk^  on  me  who  call. 
 And  for  thy  more  fecurity  abide 
 Tti  approren  Shepherds  Tents  beftde, 
 After  my  Servants  do  thou  go, 
 Who  me  do  ferae,  and?ne  do  know  *7 
 They  Jhall  tint  ffterfi  the  way 
 How  me  thou  ihouldft  obey. 
 Thofe  who  arig'u  expound  my  Sacred  Word, 
 And  comfort  and  dircttion  afford  ; 
 Whoever  do  that  rule  ohferve, 
 And  unto  errer  mwrfwrve  i 
 
 Wh* 
 
Verfe  8.  7 he  Song  ^/Solomon,  f  5 
 
 Who  tW  image  bear  of  me^ 
 £et  fuch  thy  Payors  be. 
 Vnder  their  Miniftry  fee  that  thou  live^ 
 '{Expeft  not  that  1  Miracles  fkould  give.) 
 See  that  thou  under  them  takg  heedt 
 Thy  weak  and  tender  Kids  to  feed. 
 It  is  the  means  whereby 
 Thou  mu$  thy  felf  (apply  • 
 From  thence  thon  mufl [up  fly  thy  fclf  with  food f, 
 From  thence  thou  learn  mufl  what's  iHy  whats  good ; 
 Thy  tender  Graces  thtnee  by  thee 
 Both  warmd  and  watered  tmtft  be^ 
 ZJntill  they  come  at  lenath 
 Vnto  their  per fe£l  firength. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 • 
 
 The  Spoufc  did  flyle  her  felfblack\  but  loherc 
 Chrifi  calleth  her ,  the  fairest  among  Women. 
 When  Belierers  appear  deformed  in  their  own  eyes, 
 then  are  they  beautiful  in  his  eyes.  The  Believer 
 before  had  been  looking  upon  his  infirmity  andfin- 
 fulnefs:  but  here  Chrift.  looks  on  him,  with  re- 
 fped  to  the  imputation  of  Chtifts  Righteoufnefs, 
 to  the  ftamp  of  Holinefs  put  by  the  Spirit  on  him, 
 and  to  the  acceptation  which  he  hath  in  his  eyes. 
 This  Epithet  that  he  gives  the  Spoufe,  may  be  op- 
 policly  rendred,  O  thon  moft  fair  Woman  ;  for  this  is 
 the  fame  Hebraifm  that  we  took  notice  of  in  the 
 firft  Verfe,  where  it  is  faid  the  Song  of  Songs,  which 
 is  all  one  to  fay  The  moft  excellent  Song. 
 
 He  gives  her  two  Directions  here,  the  firft  is, 
 To  go  forth  by  the  foot fieps  of  the  flock  \  chat  is,  to  ob- 
 feryc  how  the  old  Worthies  walked,  aud  to  fol- 
 
 D  2,  low 
 
36  A  Psraphrafe  on  Chap.  L 
 
 low  them.  The  fecond  is,  To  feed  her  Kids  befide  the 
 Shepherds  Tents  -7  that  is,  to  have  refpett  to  the  pub- 
 lick  Ordinances,  and  to  hold  near  them,  that  fo 
 (he  liny  be  riirc&ed  how  to  walk  by  thofe  to  whom  ■ 
 God  hath  committed  the  truft  of  difpenfig  the 
 Word,  and  hath  made  Shepherds  of  the  Flock. 
 She  had  been  feeking  to  be  delivered  from  falfe  Shep- 
 herds ;  and  here  he  directs  her  to  the  true  Shepherds, 
 iv horn  fee  may  know  from  the  falfe  by  thefe  two 
 marks:  i.  That  they  walked,  and  fed  their  Flock 
 in  the  fame  manner  that  the  ancient  Worthies  did ; 
 and  2.  That  they  were  of  a  ipiritual  Frame  and 
 Converfation,  which  is  intimate  by  Tents  here  ;  for 
 Tents  are  a  token  of  an  itinerary  condition  -0  and 
 fuch  are  the  Saints,  *r.d  all  true  Shepherds,  reckon- 
 ing themfelves  but  Strangers  and  Pilgrims  in  the 
 Emh. 
 
 By  Kids  here,  fome  under '{land  young  unexperienced 
 Profejfors  -0  but  i  rather  take  it  tofignifie  the  Sponfes 
 Graces  and  Venues :  For  this  fence  doth  beffc  agree 
 with' the  fcope  of  the  Song,  as  I  take  it  up^  at  leaft 
 it  is  moft  agreeable  to  my  Expofition  thereof  0  for  all 
 along  I  take  the  Spoufe  to  iignifie  a  Believer,  and  not 
 the  Church  ;  1  mean  directly  and  principally.  For 
 by  way  of  allufion,  the  Exercifesof  a  private  Chri- 
 ftian  bear  fo  great  a  refemblance  to  thofe  of  the 
 Church,  that  what  is  fpoke  of  one  literally,  may  be 
 underftood  of  the  other  myfticaily. 
 
 TheSuppoikion  here  which  Chrift  makes,  If  thou 
 know  not^  &c.  is  not  an  intimation  of  any  upbraiding 
 of  her,  but  tendeth  only  to  infinuate  the  dire&ioa 
 the  more. 
 
 YER- 
 
Verfe  9,1 0,11.     The  Song  af  Solomon.         $7 
 
 VERSE    9,  lb,  11. 
 
 thrift  commendeth  the  Spcxfe,  by  corny  aring 
 her  to  the  /lately  and  richly  adorned  Chariot- 
 Horfes  *f  Pharaoh. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  have  compared  thee,  O  my  Love,   to  % 
 company  of  Horfes  in  Pharaoh's  Chariots. 
 
 Thy  Cheeks  are  comely  with  rows  of  Jew- 
 els, thy  Neck  with  Chains  of  Gold. 
 
 We  will  make  the  borders  of  Gold,  with 
 ftuds  of  Silver. 
 
 The  Parsphrafe. 
 
 v.  9. 
 
 But  oh  my  lovely  one, 
 Though  thou  for  rveaknefs  and  infirmity  do  qyqm  -7 
 Though  unto  Kids  thy  Graces  I  did  now  compart  j 
 Tet  now  I  do  (O  rare  I  ) 
 Advance  thy  Graces  to  another  high 
 J  ban  Kids  or  Goats  did  e're  appear  to  fight. 
 
 I  have  compared  tine 
 To  th%  heft  and choice ft  Horfe*  that  in  Egypt  be, 
 Evn  to  the  flrong  and  /lately  Horfes,  which  do  draw 
 Him  who  gives  Egypt'/  Lavs  : 
 For  why  thy  Graces  are  for  worth  renown *d7 
 Andfw  to  draw  my  Chariot  worthy  found. 
 
 D  3  V.  10. 
 
3  8  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 V.  10. 
 
 Thou  like  thefe  Horfes  *rt, 
 Strwg^  healthful^  fair^  and  well  adorned  in  each  part^ 
 With  rows  of Jewels  y  cojilier  than  they  by  far , 
 Thy  Cheeks  adorned  are : 
 Chains  of  the  fine  ft  and  the  fur  eft  Gold 
 Do  thy  more  fair  and  ft  atelier  Neck  infold. 
 
 V.  ii. 
 
 And  that  thou  yet  than  they 
 More  ftately  may  appear  ;  with  Gold  we'll  thee  irnbay  ; 
 Lo  we  (for  we  all  three  are  much  concerned  in  thee  ) 
 Shall  thus  thee  make  to  be. 
 Thy  very  out moB  Ornaments  fhaU  be 
 Decked  with  Gold  andSiver  varionfly. 
 
 For  we  about  the  fame 
 Of  the  pur  eft  and  the  choiceft  Goldfliall  Borders  frame ; 
 And  on  the  field  it  felf  "or  gronnd-workjwe  fhall  raifer 
 In  rare  and  flat ely  ways^ 
 Emboffed  fludds  of  many  figures  rare 
 Of  Silver ,  which  appear  ftfall  rarely  there. 
 
 ANNOTATION! 
 
 The  Spoufe  had  been  regretting  her  many  fpot$ 
 and  (infulnefs ;  and  therefore  the  Lord  adds  here  a 
 Commendation  of  her,  telliig  her,  That  flic  was 
 neither  fo  black,  nor  weak  and  unbeautiful  as  ihe 
 her  fclf  thought, 
 
 ft 
 
Verfe  9,10,11.  The  Song  ff  Solomon.  $  9 
 In  the  Ninth  Vcrfe  he  fets  oat  her  ftatelinefs, 
 ftrcngth  and  courage,  by  a  fmiilitude  taken  from 
 Horfcs.  He  had  in  the  former  Vcrfe  compared  her 
 Graces  to  Kids :  And  fo  here,  by  a  fudden  change 
 of  fpcech  ,  he  compares  them  to  Horfes :  And 
 asHorfes  are  ftrong  and  beautiful  Creature^as  they 
 aredefcribed^39.  19,  20,  &c.  fo  Cocopanjof 
 them  are  far  more  ftately  ;  especially  Horfcs,  which 
 were  the  befl  in  the  World  }  and  if  any  in  Egypt  had 
 good  Horfes,  certainly  Pharaoh  the  King  had  fuch 
 in  his  Chariots.  So  that  this  Companion  is  moil 
 auguft  and  ample. 
 
 But  further,  there  is  an  Amplification  of  this 
 Commendation  in  Verfe  10.  For  in  theie  E  ftern 
 Countreys  it  was  their  Cuftom  to  adorn  their  Hor- 
 fes in  a  rich  and  fumptuotss  manner ;  and  undoubted- 
 ly Pharaoh's  Hot fe$  were  fo  adorned,  with  rows  of 
 Jewels  about  their  Cheeks,  and  Chains  of  Gold 
 about  their  Necks :  fince  we  find,  Judg&.x6.  thai  the 
 Midianites  had  Chains  of  Gold  about  their  Camels 
 Necks. 
 
 But  yet  to  compleat  the  Commendation  the  more, 
 he  fhews  her,  Ver.  11.  byway  of  Promt fe\  That  he 
 will  yet  further  add  to  her  Comlinefs  and  Orna- 
 ments ;  and  that  he  would  fo  adorn  her,  that  there 
 fhould  not  be  a  fimilitude  in  Pharaoh' sHorfe-  Furni- 
 ture, of  thefe  Ornaments,  which  fhe  fhould  have 
 added  to  her.  Yet  I  do  not  think  that  here  there 
 is  intimation  made  of  particular  Ornaments  ^  but 
 only  of  the  beautifying  and  adorning  of  all  her  Or- 
 naments. As  if  he  fhould  fay,  And  yet  further  to 
 compleat  thy  ftatclinefs,  I  will  caufe  all  thy  Orna- 
 ments to  be  curioufly  over-layd  with  the  fineft  of 
 Embroydcry  5  intimating  in  particular  that  kind  of 
 
 D  4  Embroy- 
 
40  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I, 
 
 Embroydery  which  was  then  in  grerteft  citecm, 
 which  was,  to  make  the  ^orders  of  Gold,  and 
 then  upon  the  FieJd  or  Ground- work  within  that 
 Border  (what  the  Field  hath  been  made  of  is  not 
 mentioned)  to  indent  or  raife  up  in  Emboffed,  or 
 fuch  like  Workmar.fhip,  finds  of  Silver,  or  promi- 
 nent pieces  of  various  figures  and  fhapes.  This  is  the 
 Meaning  of  th^fe  words,  fo  f  r  as  we  can  reach. 
 Andfurethe  connexion  and  cohefion  of  them  with 
 the  other  two  Verfes,  clearly  ftiews  that  they  are  a 
 part  of  the  All  j  Hod  and  Comparison  of  the  Bride's 
 graces  to  Pharaotis  Horfes ;  and  therefore  I  wordcr 
 bow  judicio  \m%  and  others,  (hould  have  paf- 
 
 fed  this  without  Obfervation,  thinking  that  fome 
 particular  Ornament  is  here  underftood,  fince  the 
 wouis  make  mention  of  nothing  but  fome  curious 
 Eaibro)  dcry  or  adorning  of  thefc  Ornaments  of  hers, 
 mentioning  Borders  ofthefamc^nd  Studs  to  be  raifed 
 en  the  fame. 
 
 And  it  is  here  to  be  obferved,  that  the  Original 
 word  which  is  here  rrantlated  Borders,  is  the  fame 
 with  the  word  in  the  foregoing  Verfe,  which  is 
 tranflated  Rows.  Why  the  Tranfhtors  did  tranllite 
 the  fame  words  diverfly  (though  indeed  the  words 
 feem  to  be  fynonymous)  I  know  not j  but  I  think 
 I  may  raife  this  probable  Suppofition  therefi om,that 
 thefe  Borders  were  of  raifed  work,  as  well  as  the 
 Studs  ^  feeing  that  rows  of  Jewels  (as  the  former 
 Verfe  bath  it)  mult  needs  be  prominent,  2nd  fo  its 
 like  *rc  the  Borders  or  Rows  of  Gold  here  fpoken 
 of. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  12.       The  Song  of  Solomon.  2$ 
 
 The  B  RID  E. 
 
 VERSE  is. 
 
 The  Bride  (hews  how  comfortable  and  bene- 
 ficial Chriit's  Feliowhrp  was  to  her. 
 
 The  Words, 
 While  the  King  fiiteth  at  his  Table,  my 
 Spikenard  fendeth  forth  the  fmeil  thereof. 
 
 Thf  Pnraphrafe, 
 
 Whilfl  at  my  King,  my  prince  and  Sovereign  Lord7 
 Sits  at  his  Table  xvith  rare  Dainties  fioSd  7 
 
 Whilft  as  he  fends  from  thence 
 To  me  a  portion  of  his  Drink  and  Meat  5 
 Whilf  I  do  ft  near  him  when  he  doth  eat  \ 
 
 When  he  doth  me  dif  pence 
 The  favours  of  his  lovely  [miles  and  fpeech  : 
 Heftnfbly  my  very  Soul  doth  reach. 
 
 My  fweet-fmtll'd  Spicknard  then 
 By  his  frceet  Sun- like  influences  rare 
 Breathed  upon,  perfumeth  all  the  Air^ 
 
 And  thither  tends  again. 
 Tor  why  he  never  comes  to  be  my  Gnefi, 
 Except  he  brim  with  him  to  me  a  Feafi  ; 
 
 For  while  he  feafi  son  me, 
 Ard  on  my  Graces  (rather  his)  doth  feed7 
 Wuh  his  rich  for  e  he  doth  fupplymy  need% 
 
 And  proves  my  Food  to  me. 
 
 ANNO- 
 
43  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  King's  fitting  at  the  Table  here,  is  the  Be- 
 lievers enjoying  Communion  with  God. 
 
 And  the  Spikenards  fending  forth  a  fmell  then, 
 is  to  fhew,  that  at  that  time  the  Graces  of  a  Belierer 
 call  the  mofipleafant  perfuming  fmell. 
 
 Spikenard  is  a  fweet-f^eUiBg  Herb,  which  (as 
 Naturalifts  write)  the  more  it  is  prefTed  or  warmed, 
 the  more  copioufly  and  (weedy  doth  it  fmeH.  So 
 that  we  may  hence  find  the  meaning  of  the  expreffion 
 of  the  Bride's,  that  by  the  Lord's  prefence,  her 
 Graces  were,  as  it  were,  preflfed  or  heated,  i.e. quick- 
 ned  and  drawn  forth- 
 
 VERSE  13  and  14, 
 
 She  illuftrates  the  comfort  of  ChrifPs  company 
 ^<wo  Comparifons. 
 
 The  Wordit, 
 A  bundle  of  Myrh  is  my  Beloved  unto  me ; 
 he  fhall  lye  all  night  between  my  breafts. 
 
 My  Beloved  is  unto  me  a  clufter  of  Cam- 
 phir  in  the  Vinyards  of  En-gedi. 
 
 The 
 
$erfe  i 3M-     rhe  Sm&  '/Solomon;         y 
 
 The  Paraprafe, 
 
 V.   13. 
 
 For  irfey  &£  ir  £0  me  by  far 
 Sweeter  than  all  the  [weeteft  Spices  are  : 
 Vnto  fvoeet  Myrh  (hall  he 
 (  Since  fweeter  fmell 
 J  do  ngt  know 
 To  grow  in  anyplace'") 
 Compared  be  by  me  j 
 And  with  me  dwell% 
 And  with  me  go^ 
 And  always  me  embrace* 
 With  me  through  all  my  Lifes-night  hejbaflftay, 
 And  in  my  Bofom  him  Jil  lay. 
 
 V.  14. 
 
 Whatjhall  I  more  with  him  compare  ? 
 Heys  like  a  clufter  of  fweet  Camphir  rarey 
 Or  oftheCypriis-trcc^ 
 Whofe  fpibtilfume 
 Doth  give  a  fmell^ 
 And  odoriferous  /cent j 
 Delegable  to  me  : 
 And  I  pre  fume 
 It  doth  excelly 
 And  is  not  quickly  [pent  ; 
 Chiefly  that  which  doth  at  En-gedi  grow? 
 Where  Nature  doth  her  firength  be  flow. 
 
 ANNO. 
 
<3  A  Parcphraft  on  Chap.  £ 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 TheSpoufe  compares  Chrlft  to  Myrrh  And  Cam- 
 fhiry  or  (as  others  translate  It)  Cyprus:  Foraschefe 
 are  fweet-fmelling  Spices  or  Herbs,  fo  the  perfume 
 of  Chrilf  is  admirably  delegable. 
 
 This  dele&ablenefs  of  Chrilfc  enamours  her  fo, 
 that  fhe  thinks  (he  cannot  be  without  it ;  and  there- 
 fore molt  pathetically  fhe  (hews  the  warmnefs  of  her 
 affeftions  to  him,  faying,  That  he  Jhonldlye  aII  night 
 between  her  breafts.  By  Night  is  meant,  the  time  of 
 her  aboad  here  }  which  being  a  feparation  from  the 
 glorious  and  beatifical  light  of  God  above,  is 
 righ  :ly  termed  Night ;  for  here  we  do  but  as  it  were 
 dream  of  God  and  Truth, and  are  overihadowed  with 
 the  darknefs  of  Ignorance,  Sin,  Mortality,  and  Cor- 
 poreity. 
 
 Engedi  was  a  Gity  in  the  Wildernefs  of  Judah^ 
 Jofi  i  5.  62.  iituate  near  the  Lake  of  Afphdtes^  or 
 the  Ztowf-Se^renownedfor  the  Gardens  of  Balrn,Cy- 
 prus,Vines,and  other  fuch  fruitful  Trees  and  Shrubs  ^ 
 2nd  it  feems  did  frill  retain  fomewhat  of  the  fertility 
 and  pleafantnefs  thatthefe  Parts  were  renowned  for 
 before  Sodoms  overthrow,  that  Countrey  being  then 
 as  the  Garden  of  God  for  pleafure. 
 
 *.> 
 
 The 
 
VerfeT5.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  45 
 
 •The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE     15. 
 
 Chrifi  commendeth  th,  e's  Beauty,  and 
 
 themceritj  and  afft&iwattnzfs  of  her  Faith  and 
 J&fioaicdg?. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Behold,  tliou  art  fair,  my  Love  ;  behold 
 fliou  art  fair  :  thou  haft  Doves  eyes. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 ffbw  comely  and  hovd  fair  art  thou,  my  Love  I 
 Behold  h&w  beauteous  and  how  fair  t hots  art ? 
 
 My  gentle  Dove  I 
 Behold  how  fair  and  lovely  in  each  fart  ! 
 Thy  very  Looks  do  thy  AffcSkion  prove. 
 
 Like  the  chafle  Doves  thy  E\es  appear  ^ 
 Simplicity  and  Chaftity  theyfhew  } 
 
 Each  Look j  each'1  ear  7 
 Shews  me  that  thm  art  chafre,  fincere  and  true, 
 That ftrong  Affection  thay  to  me  dofi  bear. 
 
 A  N  N  Q- 
 
4^  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  I„ 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 By  -Eye/ here,  undoubtedly  we  are  to  underhand 
 the  Believers  Underftanding,  and  enlightned  Know- 
 ledge ;  For  as  Faith  in  Scripture  is  called,  a  looking 
 unto  Chrifl  ;  fo  the  Eyes,  being  the  Organs  of  Sight  i 
 Therefore  certainly  the  faving  Knowledge  of  a  Chri- 
 ftian  is  here  held  forth.  And  by  Doves,  Eyes,  is  un- 
 derftood  the  fincerity,  chaftity,  and  afFettionatenefs 
 of  her  Knowledge  :  For  fach  is  the  nature  of  Doves, 
 as  all  Naturalifts  fhew. 
 
 In  the  general,  we  have  in  this  Verfea  very  affe- 
 ctionate Commendation  of  the  Bride. 
 
 The  Bride* 
 
 VERSE    16  and  17.  ' 
 
 The  Spoufe  retorts,  and  turns  over  .ChrijPs 
 Commendation  of  her,  on  himfelf ;  Adding  a  Com- 
 mendation of  fellowship  with  him,  under  the 
 [imilitude  of  a  Bed,  Houfe,  and  Galleries. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Behold  thou  art  fair,  my  Beloved  ;  yea 
 pleafant :  alio  our  Bed  is  green. 
 
 The  Beams  of  our  Houfe  are  Cedar,  and 
 oar  Rafters  of  Fix, 
 
 the 
 
Verfe  1 67 1 7.      ihe  Song  of  Solomon.         47 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 What  is  my  beauty ' !  what  my  comlinefs !  ^ 
 
 If  ought  I  have,  it's  fare  but  the  imprefs 
 
 Of  thy  Sealfet  on  me. 
 What  ere  I  have,  it  unto  thee  1  owe7 
 For  thou  the  fame  didfl  upon  me  befiow, 
 
 I  all  received  from  thee. 
 
 My  Well-beloved,  thou  art  only  fair , 
 
 In  fairnefs  none  with  thee  can  once  compart  • 
 
 Tea,  thou  art  pleafant  all : 
 Refreshful  refts,  and  fweet  contents  there  be 
 '  To  be  enjoyed  in  thy  fweet  company, 
 
 Without  one  drop  of  G all. 
 
 Our  fweet  folacing  Bedisfrejh  andgreen7 
 Cur  fweet  folacing  Fellowship  I  mean : 
 
 The  Beams  which  do  fufiain 
 Our  well  compared  Houfe,  armeof  the  Cedar  firong  i 
 Our  Galhies  are  of  Cyprefs  lafiinglongf 
 
 Wherp  IfhaHay  remain. 
 
 What  can  be  fweet er  than  thy  Company  ? 
 What  ftronger  than  thy  Promifes  to  me  ? 
 
 What  more  delightful  wall^, 
 Than  in  the  Galhies  of  thy  Word  and  Way 
 To  meditate,  andread^  and  all  the  day 
 
 With  thee  to  walk^and  talk^ 
 
 What  can  be  more  delightful  than  to  be 
 Perpetually  in  thy  jwett  company 
 
 And  ay  to  fee  thy  face  ? 
 With  thee  to  lye,  and  u.^lII^  cindgo  ;  and  have 
 One  Bed^  Houft ,  i    fP  <  tes  us  for  to  ret  ei  ve, 
 
 In  every  time  an      I  %c  t 
 
 A  N  N  O- 
 
4§  <d  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  I 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 T^ie  Spoufc  being  commended  fo  amply,  haflens 
 (as  it  were)  to  retort  the  fcmc  on  Chrift,  as  judg- 
 ing it  more  properly  to  belong  to  him. 
 
 After   her  Commendation   of  himfclf,   flie  falls 
 out  in  Commendation  of  the  fweetnefs  and  happi- 
 nefs  of  his  Company  and  Fellowffcip  j  which  (he 
 doth  in  allufion  to  three  of  the  greateft  Comforts 
 of  our  natural  Life;  viz..  a  Bedy  an  Houfe,  and  a 
 Gallery   or    Wdking-flace :    {hewing    whereof  they 
 were  compounded,  at  leaft  fome  principal  thing 
 relating  to  their  Commendation.     Our  Bed  (faith 
 (he)  is  green.      Now    the    Green  colour    is  that 
 which   molt  delights  the  Eye  of  Man  ^  as  we  find 
 in  the  Summer-time,  how  pleafant  a  Profpeft,  and 
 grateful  is    the   green    Fields,    Forrefts  and  Or- 
 chards.     Next   fhe    commends   the   Beams  of  the 
 Houfe,  thereby  holding  forth  the  ftrength  of  the 
 fame  -0    for  tne   Beams  are   the  great  ftrength  oi 
 the   Building.      Thefe    Beams,    fhe    fays,    are   o 
 Cedar ,  which   is   accounted  the  rnoft    ftrong  anc 
 lafting  of  all  Trees.      Then    fhe  comes   to  comi 
 mend  the  Galleries.     Our  Translators  indeed  tran 
 Date  the  Original  word  otherwife,  calling  it  Ra}\ 
 %ers\  but  certain  I  am,  the  Original  fignifie  mor 
 natively  Galleries^  as  it  is  to  be  read  on  the  Mar 
 gent  :  Or  as  the  Lftine    tranflate  it,    AmbuUcrui 
 noftrwn,  Oar  Gallery,  Walking-Chamber  or  Room 
 compare  cb.  7.  ^.5.    This  Gallery  is  faidtobec 
 Cyprefs,  Qf  (as.  our  Verfion  hath  it)  of  Fir  :  Tt 
 lall,  though  I  think  the  former  moi 
 .able.     New    it   :s  to  be  taken  notice,   tnl 
 
 botj 
 
Verfe  i.         the  Song  of  Solomon,  49 
 
 both  the  Cedar  or  Cyprefs,  or  Fir,  are  Trees  which 
 are  perpetually  green.  So  that  herein  is  there  a 
 proportion  kept  to  what  fhe  faid  of  their  Bed, 
 that  it  was  green* 
 
 As  to  the  fpiritual  fence  and  meaning  of  the 
 Spoufe  by  thefe  Exprcffions,  I  have  fully  exprtffed 
 the  fame  in  the  Paraphrafe,  and  therefore  ihail  add 
 no  more  here, 
 
 CHAR    II. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE     1, 
 
 Chrifi  acknowledged  himfelfto  be  incomparably 
 lovely,  giving  a  Character  of  himftlf  for  that  end 
 under  the  ftmilitude  of  the  Rofe  and  Lilly. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  am  the  Role  of  Sharon,  and  the  Lilly  of 
 the  Valleys. 
 
 E  The 
 
5o  A  Parapbrafe  on  %  Chap.  II. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 That  I  am  beauteous,  comely ,  lovely,  fair, 
 With  whom  created  Beauty  cant  compare^ 
 That  there  are  in  me  all  Perfections  rare, 
 
 I  mil  not,  ought  not  to  deny. 
 The  §.ofe  of  Sharon,  which  doth  fo  txctH 
 All  other  Rofes  in  its  beauty,  fmtll, 
 Whofe fweetnefs  none  fuffciently  can  tell, 
 
 Surpafs  ana  far  excell  do  1. 
 
 The  Lilly  which  doth  in  the  Valleys^roH?, 
 (The  fertile  Valleys  where  to  grow  I  know 
 Many  a  failing  Flower  in  comely  row,*) 
 
 Though  lovely,  is  excel? d  by  mt. 
 1  am  the  heav'nly  Sharon's  lovely  Rofc, 
 /  am  the  beauteous  Lilly  among  thofe 
 Who  like  ohoice  Flowers,  do  thernfelves  repofe 
 
 In  Heaven,  and  there  ingrafted  be. 
 
 ANNO  TATIONS. 
 
 Chrift  comparcth  himfelf  to  the  Rofe  and  Lilly, 
 becaufe  of  their  exceeding  fweetnefs  of  fmell. 
 
 Sharon  hath  been  a  raoft  pleafant  Countrey  cer- 
 tainly i  for  therein  did  the  King's  Herds  and  Flocks 
 feed,  i  Chron.  27.29.  In  which  we  find  likewife 
 mention  made  of  the  Valleys.  So  that  it  feems 
 .  there  have  been  foaie  delegable  Valleys  in  the  Coun- 
 trey of  Sharon,  which  by  a  ko.t  Ho^Lm,  are  called,  The 
 Valleys  1  Or  it  may  be  the  Hill-Countrey  is  called 
 Sharon,  and  the  Low-Countrey  the  Valleys.  How- 
 ever certaiqly  both  Sharon  and  its  Valleys  have  been 
 
 exceed* 
 
Verfe  2,  The  Song  ^Solomon.  5 1 
 
 exceeding  pleafant  and  fruitful  places,  firide  2]]  Solo- 
 mons Cattle  were  kept  there.  And  I  am  apt  to  thinkj 
 that  Sharon  ind  the  Alleys  have  teen  conu0  10s 
 Countrys^fince  we  find  them  mentioned  as  aiftinCt  in 
 the  fore-cited  place  ;  yea  different  Overieeis  were 
 fet  over  the  Flocks  and  Herds  in  thefe  places  ^  which 
 argues  their  being  diftindi,., though  condguo ..is  pla- 
 ces. Sharon  is  mentioned  likewife  i  fhram  5.  16.  as 
 being  ikuate  in  the  Conntrey  of  xk&Amontes,  over 
 Jordan,  in  the  Tribe  A  Uad:  Froa  winch  place  it 
 appears  thnt  Sharon  hath  been  -a  City,  finceirierjriori 
 is  there  made  of  the  Suburbs  thereof  \  and  it's  like 
 the  Countrey  round  about  Sharon  hath  participate  of 
 its  Name  likewife. 
 
 VERSE    2. 
 
 Chrift  commtnh  the  End-  re,  under  the 
 
 Companfcn  of  tht  Lilly  among  the  Thorns  pre- 
 ferring her  fo  to  others. 
 
 The  Words? 
 As  the  Lilly  among  Ttiorns,  To  is  my  Love 
 among  the  Daughters. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Tet  ne*re  the  lefs,  my  lovely  One  7 
 Though  I  jhallnot  appropriate  to  thee 
 The  Rofe  or  Lillies  name,  appropriate  to  me  : 
 Tet  thou  the  Daughters  dofl  each  one 
 Snrpafs  as  far,  us  Lillies 'do  exceed 
 Thenfekfs  pricking  Thorns  which  every  where  do  breed, 
 
 E2  ANNO- 
 
52  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 It  is  here  to  be  obferved,  that  Chrift:  fpeaks  in 
 this  Comparifon  of  the  Spoule  in  another  dialed  and 
 manner  than  he  had  done  in  the  comparifon  of  him- 
 felf  in  the  former  Verfe  :  For  there  he  fays,  1  am 
 the  Lilly ,  &c.  Bat  here  he  fays  of  the  Spoufe,  She  is 
 as  the  Lilly,  intimating  its  like,  that  the  Spoufe's 
 beauty  is  only  a  refemblance  of  his.  Upon  this  Ob- 
 ferve  runs  the  Paraphrafe. 
 
 By  Daughters  here,  are  not  meant  true  Believers, 
 but  worldly  Perfons.  For  none  elfe  can  be  truly 
 called  Thorns,  for  offenfivenefs  and  ufelefnefs.  And 
 this  appears  from  the  fimple  defignation  of  Daughters 
 here,  to  diftinguifh  them  from  thofe  that  are  termed 
 Daughters  of  Jernfakm. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 VERSE;. 
 
 The  Bride  (faffing  over  bis  Commendation  of 
 her  J  falls  out  in  commending  of  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 As  the  Apple- tree  among  the  Trees  of  the 
 Wood,fois  my  Beloved  among  the  Sons. 
 
 The! 
 
Verfe  j.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  $  3 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 What  e're  Ibe^  fure  thou  as  far 
 Exceeds  all  Men  who  in  the  Earth  do  live, 
 Jls  doth  the  Apple-Tree  thofe  which  no  Fruit  do  give  \ 
 As  it  thofe  Trees  which  barren  are 
 Excelttth^  which  in  multitudes  doftand^ 
 jindfhady  Woods  cowpofe^  which  ever  are  at  hand. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Spoufe  takes  the  Commendation,  as  it  were, 
 out  of  Chrift's  Mouth,  and  turns  it  over  on  him.  The 
 Apple-Tree  is  a  fruitful  and  uigful  Tree,  in  regard 
 of  the  Fruit  it  bears. 
 
 By  Sons  here,  are  meant  the  Children  of  the 
 World,  which  are  as  wild  barren  Trees,  without 
 Fruit  or  Comfort. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 As  a  Proof  of  the  Truth  of  the  Commendation 
 fhe  gave  b?m7  (he  produceth  her  own  Expe- 
 rience. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 1 I  fat  down  under  his  fhadow  with 
 
 great  delight,  and  his  Fruit  was  fweet  to  my 
 tafte. 
 
 E  3  The 
 
54,  d  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  II* 
 
 The  Parap'hrafe. 
 
 This  by  Experience  J  fayy 
 As  wttl  I  may  : 
 For  \thcn  through  weight  of  fin,   and trouble  fore , 
 I  was  fo  vexd,   as  jinrce  I  could  be  more  -, 
 
 Scorched  with  Oppreflion's  fcorching  heat, 
 
 I  turned  m  my  feet, 
 
 Invited  by  his  fhadow  [met. 
 
 With  great  delight  I  under  lay 
 His  (hade  all  fay- 
 
 And  he  vreftrvd  h  he  fcorchinp-  heat, 
 
 .And  from pny  c  ief  did  fleetly  keep  ; 
 
 '  Andtaj.    ■      is  Frhity 
 
 Which  doth  unto  all  P  nit, 
 
 My  ft  If  I  happy  did  repute. 
 
 His  Fruit  my  drooping  Sprits  did  raife 
 Vnto  his  praife  ; 
 His  Shadow  cool,  and  pie  a f ant  Fruit,   did  m*k$ 
 Me  of  contents  mifpeakable  partake. 
 Th .--re,  there  J  wifhed  to  remain, 
 The  thought  of  coming  thence  was.  pain, 
 Tet  left  1 1  hat  with  further  gain » 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Spoufc  produceth  her  own  Experience  to 
 prove  Chrift's  fweetnefs :  For,  fays  (he,  Ifatennder 
 his  fljadow  with  great  delight,  and  found  his  Fruit  fweet 
 tomytafe.  As  if  (he  h:d  faid,  I  encoantred  with 
 many  difficulties,  which  fcorched  me  as  the  heat  of 
 
Yerfe  J.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  5  <j 
 
 the  Sun  at  Noon,  from  which  I  could  find  no  fhel- 
 *er  nor  refrefhment  from  the  Creatures  ;  but  I 
 refolded  to  make  ufe  of  Chriffc  by  Faith,  in  re- 
 ference to  them,  (even  as  Men  do  by  interpofing 
 a  Tree  betwixt  them  and  the  neat,  that  they 
 may  have  a  fhadow,)  and  I  found  refrefhment  and 
 cafe  by  the  benefits  and  priviledges  that  flow  from 
 Chriit,  and  are  purchafed  by  him,  and  are  enjoyed 
 by  virtue  of  an  intereft  in  him.  So  that  it  is  clear, 
 that  Chrift  is  here  compared  to  an  Apple-Tree  ;  that 
 his  Merits,  Satisfadion  and  Redemption,  is  the 
 Shadow  of  this  Apple-Tree  ;  that  the  fitting  under 
 this  Shadow,  is  the  applying  of  his  Redemption 
 and  Satisfaction,  by  Faith,  to  the  Soul,  for  com- 
 fort againft  all  troubles  ;  and  that  the  Fruits  of 
 this  Apple-Tree,  which  are  fo  fweet  to  a  Believer's 
 tafte,  are  the  benefits  and  comforts  which  flow 
 from  Chrift's  fulnefs  for  the  Believers  comfort  and 
 affi  fiance. 
 
 It  may  poffibly  feem  flrange,  that  in  the  lafl 
 Verfe  of  the  Paraphrafe,  I  fay,  that  though  it 
 was  comfortable  and  beneficial  to  be  fitting 
 under  Chrift's  fhadow,  yet  that  the  coming  thence 
 was  more  ufeful  and  pleafant,  (  for  fo  much  I 
 there  intimate } )  but  if  we  confider  what  follows 
 in  the  Fourth  Verfe,  it  will  not  feem  ftrange.  For 
 I  only  hereby  exprefs  the  meaning  and  fcope  of  the 
 following  Verfe,  thereby  to  (hew,  that  though  {he 
 was  comforted  in  applying  Chrifls  Merits  to  her, 
 and  thereby  had  fome  taftes  of  his  Love  in  this  Verfe; 
 yet  in  the  following  (he  gives  a  further  manifeflatioa 
 of  his  Lore,  far  furpafTing  the  former. 
 
 E4  VERSE 
 
<fi  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 .VERSE    4. 
 
 The  Spoufefets  down  a  further  advance  in  that 
 Experience  of  his  fwettnefs,  (hewinjr  how  fhc  was 
 feaited  apd  fatiated,  beyond  exprtjfion,  with  his 
 prefence  ;  avd  the  maniftflatim  of  his  love. 
 
 The  Word?, 
 He  brought  me  to  the  Banqueting-houic, 
 and  his  Banner  over  me  was  love. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe- 
 
 For  xthy  he  brought  me  to  the  Houfe  of  WlflC, 
 7    t  Houfe  ofFeafis  Divine \ 
 a  '    I  made  me  dine : 
 Jbidkft  tht  ft  oy  china  heat  jhould  do  me  harm^ 
 A  Bai.ritr  he  difflk) >dwith  his  own  Arm  j 
 Love,  Love  indeed 
 Difplayed  was,  i?:fiead 
 Of  other  Banners  round  about  my  Head. 
 
 ^ls  in  a  Triumph  he  aid  me  convoy  ^ 
 (Left  ought  fhould rne  annoy) 
 With  Love  and  Joy  : 
 And  m  the  Houfe  of  Banqueting  Tm  plac'd^ 
 And  with  his  Love  and  gracious  \4v0ur  grac  d : 
 hie,  h$  me  brought  * 
 For  xthy  I  can  do  nought 
 To  make  wyjclffo  happy ,  nof  one  thought. 
 
 Oh 
 
Verfe  4.         The  Song  of 'SolomoOo  §7 
 
 Oh  what  a  Banquet  and  Love-Feaft  have  I ! 
 His  Grace  abmdantly 
 Doth  mefupply  : 
 Iff  aft  onsfnlnefs  which  doth  overflow f 
 And  over  me  like  to  a  Torrent  go. 
 Teahisfweet  (hade 
 So  likewtfe  ore  me fyread, 
 And  his  fweet  Fruit  doth  hang  about  my  Head. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 It  hath  been  the  Cuftom  of  Princes  and  Great  Men 
 |n  all  Ages,  to  have  Rooms  for  dining  in ;  and  it 
 hath  been  the  cuftom  of  many,  for  the  greater  ftate, 
 to  have  feverai  of  thefe ,  fome  for  more  folemn 
 Times,  and  fome  for  more  ordinary  Occsfions. 
 Unto  this  Cuftom  is  there  an  allufion  here,  when 
 mention  is  made  of  a  Banquet ing-houfe  :  Which  was 
 the  molt  ftimptuous  place  of  all  undoubtedly  \  for 
 a  Banquet  is  the  moll  folemn  time  and  manner  of 
 entertaining  of  Friends.  So  that  the  meaning  of 
 this  Vei  fe  in  general,  is,  That  flie  was  brought  to 
 gaeater  near;  eis  with  him  than  before,  and  had 
 a  greater  and  more  glorious  intimation  of  his  pre- 
 fence. 
 
 As  for  what  follows,  That  his  Banner  over  her  was 
 Love,  thereby  is  denoted  the  glorioufnefs  and  the 
 ftate  wherein  (he  was  whilft  fhgwas  there.  By  Ban- 
 ner here,  we  mull  not  understand  a  warlike  Banner, 
 for  that  were  incongruous  to  a  feafling  pofture  \ 
 but  the  thing  which  is  hereby  to  be  understood,  is 
 zCanopy  pr  Pale ^  which  in  thefe  Eaftern  Countreys, 
 and  generally  all  hot  places,  Women  of  Quality 
 Jiad  carried  above  their  Head  to  fave  them  from  the 
 
 excefs 
 
5  8  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 excefs  of  heat  -,  which  things  are  ufed  in  many  pla- 
 ces to  this  day,  as  in  Italy  and  France,  in  the  time 
 cither  of  Heat  or  Rain.  Now  jnftead  of  being  out 
 of  a  Houfe,  (as  (he  was  in  the  former  Verfe)  (he  is 
 now  in  a  Houfe,  and  a  Bam,  Houfe  }  and  in- 
 
 field of  being  under  the  fhitfcw  of  a  Tree,  fhe  is 
 under  the  fhadow  of  a  Banner.  Chrift  who  mani- 
 feited  himfelf  before  fweetly,,  doth  now  overflow  all 
 bounds  in  his  careffing  and  entertaining  her.  If  any 
 fay,  That  feeing  [he  is  now  in  the  Banqueting-houfe, 
 there  feems  no  need  of  a  Banner  ro  keep  out  the 
 heat.  I  anfwer,  That  it  is  a  fi^iuiication  of  State 
 to  have  a  Banner  carried  above  her,  d:hough  necef- 
 fity  fhould  not  require  :  But  moreover  we  mult 
 know,  that  the  heat  of  Summer  is  i  ot  only  intole- 
 rable without,  but  even  within  alfo  oft-times  }  and 
 therefore  it  is  probable  that  in  thefe  Countrevs  they- 
 had  thefe  Banners  or  Pales  made  of  fuch  things,  as 
 by  their  cool  influence,  and  refrefhingfmell,  might 
 mitigate  the  heat.  And  fure,  whatever  thefe  Ban- 
 ners were,to  which  there  is  here  an  allufion }  yet  the 
 Sponfe's  Banner  was  fuch,  for  it  was  the  out-letting 
 and  fenfible  manifeilacion  of  the  fatherly  love  of 
 God  in  Chrift, 
 
 VERSE     5. 
 
 She  /hews  to  what  an  height  her  experience  of 
 hisfiveetmfs  and  fulnefs  came, in  that  {be  is  forced 
 to  cry  out  under  thefenfe  of  it,  as  being  feme  way 
 overcome  thereby \  and  unable  to  bear  it. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  $«  The  Song  of  Solomon.  59 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Stay  me  with  Flaggons,  comfort  me  with 
 Apples,  for  I  am  fick  of  love. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh,  Oh,  comfort  me, 
 Strengthen,  fupport  me, 
 For  I  am  fick,  fick,  fick  of  Love, 
 
 My  Soul  fr  extafie  can  fear  ce  my  Spirits  move : 
 Love  hath  them  burnt  up  from  above. 
 
 Yet  is  this  fchnefs 
 My  health  and  quickriefs,    . 
 J  love  to  be  burnt  with  this  fire  ; 
 Sick  thus  to  be  is  my  Soufrs  great  and  chief  defire. 
 Yet  left  I  herein  do  expire, 
 
 For  ftrengthning  1  cry, 
 For  almoft  I  die : 
 With  Flaggons  of  this  mat  chiefs  Wine . 
 Stay  me  ,  and  with  thefe  apples  choice/1  and  divine 
 Me  comfort,  who  with  Love  do  pine. 
 
 For  though  thefe  do  fo 
 
 Make  mefck^  I  know  -, 
 Yet  thofe  muft  be  the  means  to  mahe 
 My  Soul  and  Spirits  of  fir  engthning  vigour  to  par  take, 
 And  make  meftrong,  who  now  am  weak. 
 
 For  there* s  Vertue  here 
 The  (drooping  heart  to  chear ; 
 Then  let  them  not  this  Vertue  want  ; 
 And  then  this  very  fick&efs  under  which  1  parity 
 Health  evn  then  will  to  me  grant. 
 
 But 
 
6f%  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  H. 
 
 But  if  this  rertuebe 
 
 jib  [cm  novo  from  mey 
 Who  am  a  Veffel  but  of  Clay^ 
 Such  fpritful  Liquor  will  me  rem  or  waftc  away  : 
 Come  theft ,  renew  me%  dont  delay. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Sometimes  the  Lord  doth  fo  manifeft  himfelf  to 
 fome  of  his  Servants,  as  they  are  not  able  to  bear  it  j 
 2nd  how  can  it  be  otherwife,  when  Glory  and  Infir- 
 mity, Immortality  and  Mortality,  Perfection  and 
 Imperfection  do  meet  together :  Yea  fome  of  the 
 Saints  have  been  forced  to  utter,  at  fome  times, 
 fuch  words  as  are  here  fet  down,  and  as  I  have  hin- 
 ted at  in  the  Paraphrafe,  crying  out,  Lord  hold  thy 
 handy  I  am  bnt  a  clayey  and  earthen  Vtffel,  and  can  hold 
 no  more.  This  is  aMyftery  to  the  generality,  yea 
 even  to  many  who  are  really  godly,  and  have  fome 
 glances  fometimes  of  his  Face:  For  why,  everyone 
 is  not  admitted  to  this  length  of  accefs,  yea  but  very 
 few,  and  thefe  but  once  or  twice,  it's  like,  in  their 
 life. 
 
 It  is  ftrange,  that  when  (he  hath  been  made  fick, 
 by  being  fo  much  in  the  Banqneting-houfe,and  with 
 tailing  the  Fruit  of  the  Apple-Tree,  that  yet  fhe  cries 
 for  them  as  her  cure,  even  when  Ihe  is  overcharged 
 with  them  ^  but  as  there  are  great  depths  in  Chriftia- 
 nity,  foin  this  is  there  one  of  the  greateft  myfteries 
 of  a  Chriftian's  life  ^  which  none  can  know,  but 
 they  who  have  been  under  the  Brides  ficknefs.  And 
 therefore  I  dare  not  adventure  upon  diving  too  far 
 in  this  depth  :  For  as  I  (hall  not  pretend  to  befofar 
 advanced  as  to  know  this  cafe,  fo  if  I  fhould  at- 
 
 tfmp? 
 
Verfe  6.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.  6i 
 
 tempt  to  do  it,  few  fhould  underftand  me.  Where- 
 fore let  that  which  I  have  faid  in  the  Paraphrafc 
 fuffice  for  this. 
 
 ■  '  — — — — * ™ — ■ »** — — 
 
 #  VERSE5, 
 
 She  (hews  her  Beloved* s  tender  care  of  her  in 
 thxt  condition \in  upholding  and  comforting  her. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 His  left-hand  is  under  my  head,  and  his 
 right-hand  doth  embrace  me. 
 
 The  Paraphrafc, 
 
 Oh  how  1  feel  the  anfwer  of  my  SouFs  defire  ! 
 I  am  the  Bnjh  that's  burnt ,  yet  not  confumdwith  fire* 
 Lo  when  1  faint  and  fwoon^ 
 And  ready  am  to  drown 
 With  fp  ritual  Joy  which  overflows  the  brim, 
 Lo  how  fm  flrengthned  then  by  him.      • 
 
 Lo  with  what  care  and  love  he  doth  me  now  fuftain  ! 
 Lo  how  he  by  me  lyes !  His  Left-hand  doth  remain 
 Vnder  my  pained  Head  \ 
 A  Pillow  fweet  indeed ! 
 While  as  his  flight- hand  doth  embrace  my  Cheek  : 
 How  fweet  is  u  thus  to  be  fick^l 
 
 Sick 
 
62  A  Paraphraft  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 Sick,  do  I  fay  ?  Let  mefayfo  no  more  again, 
 This  time  the  title  of  true  Health  im  i 
 
 For  why  my  lovely  One 
 Is  Marrow  to  my  Bone. 
 His  Love-embraces  Health  and  Life  impart 
 To  Head  and  Heart ,  and  every  part.  # 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Here  is  the  anfwer  of  the  Bride's  defire.  She 
 fought  to  be  flayed  with  Flaggons,  and  comforted 
 with  Apples  :  And  here  Chrift  doth  it  -7  for  his 
 Left-hand,  that  is  to  fay,  his  ftrtngthning  and  fup- 
 porting  Grace,  is  that  fame  which  under  the  notion 
 of  Flaggons  of  Wine  {he  prayed  for.  For  in  Wine 
 there  is  a  ftrengthning  vertue  and  quality,  which-. 
 therefore  anfwers  his  fupportiog  Grace.  And  the 
 Love-embraces  of  his  Right-hand  are  thefe  comforting 
 Apples  for  which  fne  prayed,  which  are  therefore 
 nothing  elfe  but  his  comforting  Grace. 
 
 VERSE    7. 
 
 She  expreffeth  her  fear,  Itfi  any  change/ZWd 
 happen  in  her  condition,  through  the  diflurbance 
 that  might  by  ethers  he  given  to  her  fpiritual 
 frame  tn  enjoying  Chrijl^  pathetically  exprtffing 
 her  care  to  prevent  it. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  7.  Ihe  Son&  of  Solomon.  6% 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  charge  you,  O  ye  Daughters  of  Jerufa- 
 lem5  by  the  Roes  and  by  the  Hindes  of  the 
 field,  that  ye  ftir  not  up,  nor  awake  my  Love, 
 till  he  pleafe. 
 
 The  Psr^phrafe, 
 
 Hold,  hold  your -peace,  make  here  no  noifey 
 
 Keep  in  your  voice  ^ 
 Ye,  ye,  who  Zions  Daughters  be7 
 Or  friends  tome. 
 Oh  do  not  hinder  me  his  pre  fence  to  enjoy  > 
 Do  not,  oh  do  not  him  or  me  annoy, 
 Or  fruftrate  thns  my  joy. 
 
 I  charge  you  by  the  Roes  and  Hindes, 
 
 Whom  Wvery  Winds 
 Oft-times  do  make  allarms  for  to  take, 
 And  foon  awake  : 
 By  them  I  charge  yon,  that  yon  do  in  quiet  keep 
 
 Your  f elves  m)  and  ail  things  elf e,  while  he  doth  fleep  $ 
 Keep  ail  m  qmt  deep. 
 
 Tor  much,  much  it  concerneth  me 
 
 With  hi  n  to  be  -, 
 1  have  a  cod  eafyn  to  take  heed, 
 Left  .  d    • 
 
 jDijlttrbance  urn       %i         '  chafe  himfo  avoay. 
 Let  him  then  ileep  till  he  refsfe  to  jray^ 
 Arid  wont  admit  delay. 
 
 For 
 
&4  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 For  if  It  be  his  will  to  go ^ 
 
 Who  can  fay  no  f 
 We  mnfti   when  thus  he  doth  us  leave , 
 Obedience  give  : 
 For  tho  we  needs  muftgrieve^  when  he  doth  go  away  5 
 Yet  muft  we  yield^  when  he  wont  hear  of  ft  ay. 
 Be  fdcnt  then,  I  pray. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Spoufe  here  diretts  her  difcourfe  to  the 
 Daughters  ofjemfalem^  that  is,  the  Members  or  the 
 Vifible  Church,  intreating  them  not  todifturbher 
 heavenly  frame,  and  thereby  be  the  occafion  of 
 the  removal  of  her  Beloved.  I  have  been  fo  full  m 
 the  Explication  of  the  meaning  of  the  words,  in  the 
 Paraphrafe,  that  I  fhall  here  add  no  more. 
 
 VERSE    S. 
 
 The  Spoufe  falling,  as  it  were,  afleep,  Cbrifi 
 ftealeth  away  from  her,  awaking  her  by  his  voice 
 as  be  goes  away  ;  at  which  (he  farting  up,  fees  him 
 afar  o$>  yet  in  a  way  of  advancing  nearer* 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 The  voice  of  my  Beloved  !  behold  he 
 cometh  leaping  upon  the  mountains,  skipping 
 upon  the  hills. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  9.        'I he  Song  ^/Solomon.  65 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 The  voice  of  my  Btloved  ! What ! 
 
 Is'tpoflible! Tea,  yea,  it's  that  ! 
 
 I  thought  he  ftill  did  in  my  Bofom  lye  : 
 
 How  from  me  did  he  fie  !  m 
 
 I  thought  I  did  him  fill  embrace  ? 
 Bnt  lo,  hes  left  me  in  a  trace, 
 
 And  hides  from  me  his  Face. 
 His  Face  alas,  doth  not  appear  ! 
 Yet  fare  it  was  his  voice  that  I  did  hear. 
 
 Behold,  behold  I  fee  him  now  ! 
 O  what  age  ft  arc,  what  afhew  ! 
 Behold,  he  leapeth  o\e  the  Mouatains  high^ 
 Which  feem  to  touch  the  Skje. 
 Behold,  how  doth  he  skip  upon, 
 And  over-runs  the  Hills  alone? 
 
 Thofe  rocky  Hills  each  one  ! 
 Behold  he  fwiftly  draweth  near ! 
 Tet  nearer  ! . — nearer  yet  I  —  he^llftrait  be  hers ! 
 
 So  much  is  faid  in  the  Summary  or  Contents  of  this 
 Verfe,  and  in  the  Paraphrafe  it  felf,  that  I  need  not 
 infift  any  more  thereon,  for  opening  up  thereof. 
 
 VERSE    9. 
 
 She  compares  htm,  for  his  fwift  advancing,  to 
 a  Roe?  or  young  Hart* 
 
 F  The 
 
66  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 My,  Beloved  is  like  a  Roe,  or  a  young 
 Hart.- 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Like  to  the  fwift  and  nimble  Roc, 
 Lo  how  he  skiff  eth  too  and  fro  ! 
 Like  toayowgfwift-footed  Hart,  lo  he 
 Doth  leap,  or  rather  file. 
 Lo,  lo,  a  Hill  fcarce  feems  a  leap, 
 Tho  wre  fo  high,  tho  ntre  fo  fteep^ 
 
 Vnto  his  nimble  Feet ! 
 Behold  he  leaps !  behold  he  runs  ! 
 Behold  with  what  afiately  pace  be  comes  ! 
 
 This  being  a  part  of  the  former  words,  I  have  no- 
 thing to  obferve  on  them,  except  that  I  judge  they 
 ought  to  have  been  joyned  with  the  foregoing  Verfe, 
 and  not  with  this. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 The  Spoufe  thinking  he  was  coming  to  her,  fees 
 him  turn  afide  and  hide  himfelf ;  yet  (be  gets 
 feme  glimpfes  or  glances  of  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 • Behold  he  ftandeth  behind  our  wall, 
 
 he  looketh  forth  at  the  windows,  fhewing 
 himfelf  through  the  lattice. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  9.  Ihe  Song  0/Solomom  6  7 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Hes  come,  he*s  come  !  Alas  he  turns  a  fide  ! 
 
 BehiBd  our  Wall  lo  he  himfelf  doth  hide ! 
 
 Long  hid  I  hope  he  won't  abide ! 
 
 Lo  now  his  (lately  Head  I  fee  ! 
 Forth  at  the  Windows,  lo  he  now  doth  look.to  me* 
 
 LOj  now  he  inward  draws  himfelf  apace  ! 
 
 Tet  through  the  Lattice  ftill  he  (hews  his  Face  ! 
 
 Still  fomething  I  fee  of  its  grace  \ 
 
 But  what  foe  re  of  him  I  fee^ 
 Tet  fare  he  me  beholds  and  viexveth^perftttly  ! 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 It  is  to  be  fuppofed  that  the  Spoufe  was  in  e#pe- 
 Nation  of  Chrift's  coming  again  :  For,  ifweconfi- 
 der  the  connexion  of  thefe  Verfes,  it  will  be  clear, 
 that  fhe  was  fo.  For  in  the  fore- going  words,  (he 
 flieweththat  fhe  had  ftill  a  fight  of  him,  though  at 
 a  diftancej  and  that  the  poiiare  w7herein  fhe  then 
 faw  him,  was  an  advancing  and  approaching  po- 
 fture,  and  not  a  departing  pofture,  is  clear  from 
 what  follows  j  for  he  came  to  the  very  Houfe  k 
 felf,  that  is,  her  Soul  \  whereas  before  (he  had  feeii 
 afar  off,  as  it  were  upon  the  tops  of  remote  Moan- 
 tains. 
 
 Now  when  he  approaches  the  Houfe,  her  Expe- 
 ctation is  in  a  manner  com  pleated  ^  bur  thefudaeri 
 alteration  of  his  Carriage,  as  is  to  be  fuppofed,  hin- 
 ders her  from  uttering  the  fame:  But  it  will  not* 
 I  fuppofe,  be  thought  incongruous  for  me  to  have 
 fupplied  that^  which  I  do  in  two  words  only. 
 
 F  2  Now 
 
68  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 Now  there  arc  three  paflages  of  his  Carriage  here  . 
 reprefented,  as  I  take  them  up.  i.  When  he  ap- 
 proaches her,  and  (he  is  even  thinking  that  he  would 
 fire  about  her  Neck,  and  get  her  in  his  Arms  -0  he, 
 on  a  fudden,  turns  bapk  and  hides  himfelf  from  her 
 fight,  behind  the  Wall.  2.  He  goes,  unperceived 
 by  her,  into  the  Houfe  it  felf,  and  getting  up  into 
 the  Windows,  he  looketh  out  thereat,  (hewing  his 
 Face,  Head,  and  Shoulders.  3.  He  turneth  inward, 
 and  (hutting  the  Lattice  or  Grates,  he  peeps  out  there- 
 at ;  whereby  her  fight  of  him  is  not  fo  clear  as  before, 
 Now  thefe  Lattices  or  Grates,  were  a  kind  of  thing 
 made  of  fmall  Rods  or  Wire,  which  in  old  time 
 ferved  inftead  of  G^afs  to  let  in  the  light,  but  were 
 afterwards  ufed  for  the  fafeguard  of  the  fame.  They 
 have  been  by  Great  Men  likewife  ufed  for  Ornament 
 only  5  and  it's  like  this  hath  been  the  Ufe  thatS<?/o-_ 
 mm  and  others  in  thefe  times  ufed  them  for. 
 
 What  is  prefoppoftdin  the  following  Verfes }  (hew- 
 ing what  is  there  tacitly  included,  viz.  her  carriage 
 during  his  abfmce. 
 
 Whilft  he  is  abfent  thns,  what  fhould  I  do  ? 
 rt  I  call  to  mind  what  hefpakj  me  unto: 
 
 J  know  'not  fitter  for  to  do. 
 
 I  will  re- mind  what  he  did  fay 
 To  me^  whsnas  he  filsmjiole  from  me  away. 
 
 The  Spoufe  being  under  defertion,  calls  to  mind 
 the  parting  words  ofChrift,  which  yield  her  much 
 comfort  now  in  her  trouble  of  Mind.    I  think  it 
 
 needs 
 
Verfe  i  o,&c.       The  Song  of  Solomon.         6  9 
 
 needs  not  feem  flrange  then  that  I  bring  in  what  is 
 neceffarily  prefuppofed  in  the  following  words,  and 
 tend  to  give  fome  light  to  the  occaiion  of  her  altering 
 her  manner  of  Speech  in  the  Vcrfes  that  immediately 
 follow  :  The  fumm  whereof  is  2  loving  and  inftracft- 
 ing  Farewell  for  a  time,  (hewing  her  the  reafon  why 
 he  left  her,  viz.  becaufe  that  (he  had  now  attained  a 
 great  meafure  of  Knowledge  and  Experience,  and 
 therefore  he  mult  expe<&  to  live  by  Faith,  even 
 under  abfence  j  and  that  (he  ought  to  work  out 
 her  Salvation  with  all  diligence,  and  not  be  dif- 
 couraged. 
 
 VER  S  E  10,  1 1,12,  13. 
 
 The  Spoufe  callcth  to  mind  the  parting  words  of 
 her  Beloved,  comforting  her  felf  in  the  remem- 
 brance of  the  fame  ;  which  contain  an  Inftrudtion 
 to  her,  both  how  (he  ought  to  judge  of  his  deiert- 
 ing  her,  and  how  {be  ought  to  behave  her  felf  undet 
 her  Defertion. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 My  Beloved  fpake,  and  faid  unto  me, 
 Rile  up  my  Love,  my  fair  One,  and  come 
 away. 
 
 For  lo,  the  Winter  is  paft,  the  Rain  is  over, 
 and  gone. 
 
 F  j  The 
 
7p  AParafhrafe  on  Chap.  II 
 
 The  Flowers  appear  on  the  Earth,  the  time* 
 of  the  finging  of  Birds  is  come,  and  the  voice 
 of  the  Turtle  is  heard  in  our  land. 
 
 The  Fig-tree  putteth  forth  her  green  Figs, 
 and  the  Vine,  with  the  tender  Grape,  give  a 
 good  fmell.  Arife,  my  Love,  my  fair  One, 
 and  come  away. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 V.  10. 
 
 Vp,  Hp,  he  f aid,  {if I  remember  right ,) 
 
 Why  do  ft  thou  fie ep  away  the  Light  f 
 Jtife  up  my  Love,  my  fair  and  beauteous  One% 
 
 It  s  novo  high  time  that  we  were  gone. 
 Thou  mufi  not  always  here  expeft  to  lye7 
 '   And  ay  enjoy  my  company  m0 
 Huggd  in  my  Bofom  always  for  tobe^ 
 
 Thou  mufi  not  ay  expert  from  me. 
 Things  for  to  do  I  have  of  great  concern^ 
 
 Which, thou  and  others  cant  difcern  *7 
 And  thou  haft  an  alktted  Work  by  mc7 
 
 Which  mufi  performed  be  by  thee  : 
 Come  then  and  let  thy  Bufinefs  be  done  \ 
 
 Awake J  arife r  and  come  away  now  foon* 
 
 V.  ii. 
 
 Whilft  under  Exercife  of  Sprit  thou  layr 
 
 I  hafted  not  to  go  away. 
 V/hilfi  that  hard  Winter  on  thy  Soul  did  lyer 
 
 Whilfi  I  with  Tempefts  did  thee  try  ; 
 
Verfe  i  o,&c.     The  Song  of  Solomon.         7 1 
 
 /  then  did  thinkjt  fitting  for  to  ft  ay >, 
 
 Left  pojfibiy  thou  then  fhouldftray. 
 For  why  thru  waft  but  in  the  forming  then. 
 
 And  ab fence  couldft  not  well  fuftain. 
 But  now j  lo,  lo,  the  Winter^  over-paft, 
 
 Thou  needft  not  novo  be  more  agaft  ; 
 The  Rain  is  over  now,  the  Hail  arid  Snow  ; 
 
 The  beift'rtos  Winds  no  more  do  blow. 
 
 V.  12. 
 
 ThefmilingVlowers  lift  up  their  painted  Heads 
 
 Out  of  their  fvoeet  and  fragrant  Beds. 
 The  Fields  do  now  their  vernant  Mantle  wear, 
 
 The  tuneful  Birds  faint e  the  Ear. 
 Hark^  how  the  joyful  Birds  together  ftng, 
 
 And  welcom  both  the  Day  and  Spring  ! 
 Harl^y  the  chafte  Turtles  mournful  Voice  alfo, 
 
 Which  Springs  approach* doth  likewifefiow* 
 
 V.ij. 
 
 Green  Figs  appear  already  on  the  Tree, 
 
 Andfloew  the  Summer  near  to  be. 
 The  Blojfomsof  the  Vine  dofweetly  fmeU, 
 
 Andjhew  us  that  the  Grapes  excell. 
 All,  all  thy  Graces  budded  are,  and  bring 
 
 VndoubtedTokens  of  the  Spring. 
 O  then  my  Love,  why  daft  thou  linger  fo  ! 
 
 Arife,  my  faireft  One,  andgot 
 Arife,  arife,  and  come  with  me  away, 
 
 Why  doft  thou  always  thus  delay  ! 
 
 This  Paraphrafe  being  (as  I  fuppofe)  fufficiently 
 full,  in  opening  the  fpiritual  meaning  of  this  por- 
 tion of  Scripture  j  and  having  likewife  previoufly 
 
 F  4  thereto 
 
72  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 thereto  fpoken  fomething  for  opening  up  its  mean- 
 ing,  I  (hall  therefore  here  ceafe  from  adding  any 
 thing  farther,  which  were  but  neediefs  labour. 
 
 VERSE  14. 
 
 The  Second  Part  of  ChrifFs  departing  words  to 
 //^eSpoufe,  (which  foe  calls  to  mind  for  her  own 
 comfort , )  containing  an  Inftruttion  how  to 
 walk. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 O  my  Dove  !  that  art  in  the  clefts  of  the 
 Rocks,  in  thefecret  places  of  the  Stairs  ;  let 
 me  fee  thy  countenance,  let  me  hear  thy  voice ; 
 for  fweet  is  thy  voice,  and  thy  countenance  is 
 comely. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Come  then  my  Love7 
 Come  then  my  Dove, 
 And  hither  move  } 
 Why  art  thou  fled  avoay^ 
 And  in  the  clefts  of  Rocks  do  ft  flay  ? 
 
 Why  there  dofl  thou  abide^ 
 Or  fecret  in  the  Stairs  thee  hide  ? 
 
 P* 
 
Verle  14,       The  Song  of  Solomon,  75 
 
 Do  thou  appear 
 Without  all  fear, 
 Thy  Voice  let's  hear : 
 For  why  thy  Voice  is  fweet, 
 All  Harmony  therein  doth  meet : 
 Thy  Countenance  is  fair. 
 And  comely  above  all  compare. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 It's  abundantly  manifefl  from  the  Hebrew,  that 
 thefe  are  the  Bridgrooms  words  to  the  Bride  :  For 
 the  Original  Verbs  have  their  Genders,  as  well  as 
 the  Nouns. 
 
 It's  clear  from  thefe  words,  that  Chriffc  hath  been 
 fome  way  provoked  filently  to  depart  from  the 
 Spoufe  ;  and  thefe  words  do  tacitly  include  her  Of- 
 fence, though  in  a  losing  manner  they  beexprefled. 
 So  that,  if  we  narrowly  fcan  them,  we  fhall  find 
 their  meaning  to  be  this :  "  O  my  Dove,  why  doft 
 "  thou  now  prove  untoward,  fo  as  to  run  to  the 
 <c  Rocks  and  Stairs  to  hide  thee  from  me,  turning 
 "  thus  fecure,  and  betaking  thee  to  low  and  mean 
 <c  fhifts !  Caft  off  that  unfuitable  Carriage,  and 
 "  fhew  thy  Countenance  with  an  holy  boldnefs  to 
 cC  me,  andcaufe  thy  Voice  to  be  heard,  praying  in 
 u  Faith,  and  with  confidence ;  for  thy  Countenance 
 €C  is  comely,  and  thy  Voice  mod  fweet.  So  that, 
 as  it  is  faid  of  Ephraim,  Hof.  7.  11.  Ephraim  is  a  filly 
 Dove  without  hearty  that  goes  to  Egypt ,  &c.  fo  here 
 the  Bride  is  compared  to  a  Dove  hiding  it  felf,  out 
 of  feenrity  and  carelefnefs,  taking  poor  fhifts  for 
 her  eafe,  like  a  frighted  Dove,  that  miftakes  its 
 own  Window,,  and  flies  to  other  hiding  places. 
 
 It 
 
74  -^  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 It  may  be   faid,  feeing  thefe  words  were  a  part  of 
 what  Chrift  fpake  to  her  when  he  left  her,  How 
 could  he  fay,  that  (he  took  low  und  poor  fhifts  and 
 deferted  him,  fince  immediately  before  fhe  had  been 
 triumphing  in  his  being  with  her,  manifcfting  her 
 carefulnefs,  left  ought  iliould  difturb  him,  or  caufe 
 him  to   go  away  ?    I  anfwer,    That  it's  too  too 
 common  for  the  Saints  of  God,  when  God  manifefts 
 himfelf  unto  them,  to  fall  in  love  with  the  fweetnefs 
 of  his  Manifeftations,  more  than  with  Himfelf  \  and 
 to  hug  and  embrace  his  Love-Tokens ,    more  than 
 his  Love :  Which  cannot  but  be  offenfive  to  him ; 
 for  it  is  an  argument  of  a  mercenary  Love^  to  love 
 the  Gifts  more  than  the  Giver.    And  it's  probable 
 ihe  hath  fallen  into  this  Errour,  (as  who  is  without 
 Errour, )    and  fo    hath  occafioned  his   departure. 
 And  it's  probable  that  may  be  hinted  at  in  ihis  Verie^ 
 when  Jhe  is  faid  to  be  in  the  clefts  of  the  Rocks, 
 and  in  the  holes  of  the  Stairs,  intimating  (it's  like) 
 thereby,  that  Jhe  turned  her  face  from  him,  and  doted 
 upon  the  ftrono  -holds ,  and  hiding-places.)  andcomfortsr 
 which  he  had  given  her,  putting  them  in  his  ftead ; 
 which  indeed  are  but  poor  filly  (hifts,  and  therefore 
 doth  he  exhort  her  from  doing  fo,  defiring  her  to 
 bottom  herfelf  on  him,  (hewing  him  her  Counte- 
 nance, 2nd   making  him  hear  her  Voice  :   To  en- 
 courage her  to  do  which,   he  tells  her,   That  in 
 his  efteem  her  Voice  is  fweet,  and  her  Countenance 
 comely. 
 
 VERSE 
 
/eric  i  $.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  7  5 
 
 VERSE    15. 
 
 The  Laft  Part  0/  ChriJPs  departing  and  Fare* 
 well-Sermon  or  Words  {which  the  Bride  for 
 her  own  comfort  rehear [eth)  contain  an  Exhorta- 
 tion to  Mortification. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Take  us  the  Foxes,  the  little  Foxes  that 
 fpoii  the  Vines ;  for  our  Vines  have  tender 
 Grapes. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh,  oh,  my  Love,  a  thoufand  Beafts  I  fee 
 
 To  come  and  prey  on  thee  : 
 The  fubtle  Foxes  cunningly  creep  in  ; 
 Lulls  /  do  mean,  and  Sin  : 
 The fe  thee  annoy, 
 And  ft  rive  thy  Graces  to  deftroy. 
 
 Thefe  Foxes,  tho*  not  yet  come  to  their  ftrength^ 
 
 As  they  will  do  at  length, 
 Jf  not  looked  to  by  thy  care  and  my  love  \ 
 Jet  oh  how  they  do  move ! 
 
 Mo  ft  fubtilly 
 They  pajs  through  holes  unfeen  by  thee. 
 
 Come 
 
76  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 Come  let  us  joyntly  catch  thofe  Beafts  of  prey  7 
 
 Which  in  our  Gardeny?*y. 
 its  fare  this  is  thy  proper  workjo  do  } 
 Tet  can't ,  except  that  thou 
 Be  helpt  by  me9 
 And  taught  this  bleffed  Art  to  fee. 
 
 AU  things  I  fee  for  expedition  call: 
 
 The  Foxes  are  but  [mall } 
 So  that  us  fitter  they  fhould  now  beflainy 
 Than  when  they  ftrtngth  do  ?ain  ; 
 For  if  they  be 
 Vntaken,  what  mil  come  of  thee  ? 
 
 Likewife  thy  Garden  doth  as  yet  butfpront ; 
 
 The  Trees  the  fame  throughout 
 Do  only  bloffom  y€ty  as  thou  may  ft  fee : 
 So  that  if  thou  don't  free 
 The  Orchard  noT 
 From  thefe  Beafls  which  it  ruin  do  : 
 
 If  thou  dont  now  thy  weahnefs  thus  refpeci^ 
 
 What  can  ft  thou  then  expett  ? 
 Ihe  Harveft  fure  will  both  be  bad  and  thin , 
 And  choalfdby  Lttfts  and  Sin : 
 Go  then  in  hafte^ 
 And  flay  theft  Beafts  which  thee  do  wafte. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 I  have  been  the  fuller  in  Paraphrafing  thefe  words, 
 both  becaufe  of  their  ufefulnefs,  and  becaufe  the 
 right  underftanding  of  them  tends  to  the  more  clear 
 up-taking  of  tl\e    former  Verfes.     For ,   as    in 
 
 .  the 
 
Verfe  i  $*        ,  The  Song  ^/Solomon.  77 
 
 the  10, 1 1, 1 2,  and  13  Verfes,  h?  had  exhorted  her 
 to  do  her  work,  and  by  Faith  to  lay  hold  on  him^ 
 sven  under  defertion,  feeing  her  Graces  were  now 
 budded,  and  the  joyful  found  of  the  Gofpel  had 
 reach'd  her  Heart,  the  terrors  of  the  Law  (under 
 which  lhe  was  exercifed,  and  which  was  compared 
 to  a  ftrong  Winter)  being  now  removed  j  fointhe 
 former  Verfe,  and  in  this,  he  (heweth  her  wherein 
 the  work,  in  which  (he  ought  to  be  employed,  did 
 conlift.  In  the  former  Verfe  he  dehorts  her  from 
 fecurity,  faint-heartednefs,  and  relying  and  hugging 
 more  his  Love-Tokens  than  Himfelf,  (  as  in  the 
 fore- going  Annotations  thereon  we  (hewed,)  giving 
 her  two  Directions,  viz.  To  be  familiar  and  bold  with 
 him,  and  to  be  oft  in  the  exercife  ef  Prayer,  encou- 
 raging her  to  thefe  Duties  from  the  efteem  he  had 
 of  them,  and  her  ufing  them.  Aildin  this  Verfe  he 
 Ihews  her  wherein  mainly  her  work  did  confilt^ 
 viz..  in  mortifying  LnHs  and  Sins  ,  called  Foxss, 
 fpeaking  in  the  Plural, Number  to  her,  thereby 
 comprehending  himfelf  with  her,  as  concerned  in 
 this  work  ^  fo  that  by  this  manner  of  Expreffion  he 
 tacitly  promifeth  his  affiltance,  and  ^ncourageth 
 her  to  the  work,  by  (hewing  her  the  advantage  of 
 doing  it  quickly,  whilit  the  Foxes  were  young. 
 All  which  1  have  taken  notice  of  in  the  Parajthrafe  ; 
 and  as  to  what  I  add,  as  to  the  budding  of  her  Gra- 
 ces, it  is  brought  in,  not  unsuitably,  I  think,  to 
 imbellifh  the  fame  •,  the  words  likewife  giving 
 ground  for  the  fame,  when  it  fpcaks  of  the  tender- 
 nefs  of  the  Grapes, 
 
 V  ERSE 
 
78  A  Paraphrafeon  Chap.  II. 
 
 VERSE  16. 
 
 The  Spoufe  (  after  her  repeating  of  ChrifPs 
 Uli  words)  comforts  and  ftrengthens  her  ielf 
 under  abfence,  by  the  aflurance  of  her  inte- 
 rest in  him  ;  [hewing  ltkewife7that  though  Chriji 
 be  at  prtfent  away  from  her,  yet  that  he  is  .pre* 
 fent  in  the  Church,  and  with  others  of  the 
 Saints. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 My  Beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his  :  he 
 feedeth  among  the  Lillies. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 My  Lord  is  abfent,  and  from  me  away7 
 His  coming  he  doth  long  delay  '7 
 
 What  then ! 
 He  7/  come  when  he  thinks  fit  agen. 
 
 Awry  diftruftfd  Thoughts !  for  why  I  know 
 My  God  cafis  me  not  off;  no7  no  ! 
 
 He  wiH 
 All  my  de fires  at  laft  fulfill. 
 
 •  For  why  I  know  that  my  Beloved  is 
 Mine,  mine  \  and  I  again  am  his : 
 
 Here,  here, 
 1;  thai  which  may  remove  my  fear. 
 
 And 
 
rerfe  1 6.  The  Song  of  Solomon.'  79 
 
 And  though  at  prefent  him  I  do  not  fee7 
 Tct  know  J  where  he  fare  will  be : 
 
 Lo\  lo\ 
 Among ji  the  ZJllks  he  doth  go. 
 
 There  he  dothfeed^  and  doth  himfelffolace, 
 In  viewing  of  Believes  Grace  : 
 
 There  he 
 Great  fleafure  takethfor  tohz. 
 
 Among Ft  the  Saints  y  thofe  lovely  Lillies  fair 
 He  ft  ays  ^  and  in  their  Graces  rare 
 
 He  doth 
 Delight^  even  in  their  Faith ,  Hope7  Love 4 
 
 Thefe  fruitful  Graces  give  a  pleafant  fmelly 
 Which  doth  the  Lillies  fcent  excell j 
 
 On  which 
 He  feedeth  and  delight  eh  much. 
 
 I  need  not  infifl  in  giving  any  Explication  of  the 
 meaning  of  thefe  words,  fioce  the  faranhrafe  is  fa 
 rull  and  plain.  The  only  difficulty  in  them  is,  why 
 thrift  is  faid  to  feed  on  Believers,  or  among  them  : 
 7or  though  it  be  ealie  to  conceive  how  he  feeds  his 
 >eople,  and  how  they  feed  on  him  }  yet  it  founds 
 rery  harfniy  to  fay,  that  he  feeds  on  thera,  or  among 
 :hem.  To  which  I  anfwer,  Th3t  it  is  a  figurative 
 ixpreffion,  fignifying  his  folacing,  and  (as  it  were) 
 efrefhing  himfelf  on  them.  It  is  a  common  way 
 )f  fpeaking,  to  fay,  Such  a  Man  feeds  his  Eyes 
 vith  the  fight  of  fuch  an  Objedi  which  ispleafmg  to 
 iim :    And  fuch  another  Expreffion  is  this. 
 
 V  E  K  S  F 
 
A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  II. 
 
 VERSE     17. 
 
 She  petitioneth  neverthelefs,  that  he  would 
 pardon  her  Sin,  and  not  be  hindred  from  coming 
 to  her  becaxfe  of  her  infirmities  that  (land  in  the 
 way,  but  that  he  would  over- leap  all  the/e. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Turn  my  Beloved,  and  be  thou  like  a  Roe, 
 or  a  young  Hart  upon  the  Mountains  of 
 Bether. — — - 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Tct  oh,  my  be  ft  Beloved  God  and  Lord, 
 
 May  I  prefect 
 A  Suit^  I  hope,  according  to  thy  Word: 
 
 IVonidft  thou  Beloved  me  prevent 
 With  gracious  vifits  as  thou  feeFl  need, 
 
 And  thofe  -with  [peed  : 
 
 As  Roes  and  Harts  on  Bether-Hills  do  run 
 
 With  greatest  [peed, 
 Both  when  they  fiort, and  when  they  Hunters  fhun, 
 
 Run  thou  as  fall  unto  my  need ; 
 0  turn  my  beji  Beloved  unuo  me  I 
 
 Ob  fwiftlyflee  ! 
 
Verfe  1 7.       The  Song  ^/Solomon.  Si 
 
 1  do  confefs  that  Bethers  /  erett  j 
 
 Mountains  there  be 
 Of  Sins  both  tycomraiffion  and  neglect, 
 
 Which  my  own  felf  cafts  up  in  me  : 
 Tet  oh  my  Lord,  it  is  thy  work  to  be 
 
 Surety  for  me. 
 
 Then  muft  be  pleas' d  to  pardon  that  great  fumm^ 
 
 And  it  remove  } 
 ThoH  muft  all  thofe  Difficulties  d re-run ; 
 
 Thoff  mnfl  them  over-leap  by  Love : 
 For  why  there's  none  who  in  this  Earth  do  ft  ay  ^ 
 
 But  fin  each  day. 
 
 Oh  then  let  it  be  a  delioht  to  thee* 
 
 ornve 
 My  multiplied  Sins^  and  me  to  free 
 
 Therefrom j  andfo  to  make  me  live : 
 Do  this.  Oh  Lor A%  all  time  I  ft  ay  ok  Earthy 
 Ev'n  to  my  death. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Some  may  wonder  why  I  place  the  laft  part  of 
 the  Verfe  firfl: :  But  I  am  in  fome  fort  conftrained 
 to  do  fo  i  for  though  in  the  Hebrew  Language  they 
 fuit  belt  to  be  thus  difpofed,  yet  in  ours  it  is. not  fo, 
 efpecially  when  we  are  about  to  open  them  up ;  for 
 I  cannot  otherwife  take  them  (when  I  confider  this 
 Scripture  complexly)  than  to  be  a  Petition  of  the 
 Spoufe'sfor  nearnefs,  the  fir  ft  part  of  the  Verfe  (which 
 we  place  laft)  comprehending  the  term  thereof.  So 
 that  the  words,  as  I  under  ftand  them,  run  thus : 
 
 G  "Omy 
 
8  z  AParaphrafe  on  Chap.  II 
 
 "  O  my  Beloved,why  doft  thou  abfent  thy  felf  from 
 "  me  fo  long  !  Oh  turn  again  with  as  great  fpeed 
 u  over  all  the  impediments  which  my  fins  do  make 
 cc  in  thy  way,  as  the  Roe  or  young  Hart  do,  when 
 ct  fporting,  or  when  purfued,  upon  the  Mountains 
 cc  of  Bethcr  :  And  do  not  this  with  a  ftart  and  rare- 
 u  ly,  but  come  and  remain  with  me  until  the  fha- 
 cc  dows  of  fin  and  earthly  things  vanifh  and  flee 
 cc  away,  and  till  that  blefled  and  final  day  come 
 c<  when  thou  fhalt  be  revealed  from  Heaven  in  thy 
 Cc  glory,  for  thy  Peoples  full  comfort. 
 
 Undoubtedly  Bether  hath  been  fome  trad  of  Hills 
 in  Canaan,  though  no  mention  of  them  be  made 
 elfewhere  in  Scripture,  that  I  know  of  \  except  it 
 it  be  the  fame  with  that  trad:  of  Land  on  the  other 
 fide  of  Jordan,  mentioned  2  Sam.  2.  29.  and  is  cal- 
 led Bithron,  and  is  derived  from  the  fame  Root  that 
 Bether  is  j  for  both  of  them  fignifie  to  divide  or  fe- 
 parate :  So  that  the  Hills  of  Bether,  according  to  its 
 meaning,  is  all  one  as  to  fay,  the  Mountains  of  Se- 
 paration ;  and  upon  that  account  it  hath  a  great  re- 
 fpett  undoubtedly  to  Sins,  which  feparate  us  from 
 God,  and  fo  I  have  Paraphrased  it.  Hierom  would 
 have  Bether  the  fame  with  Bethel  fo  often  mentioned 
 in  Scripture,  but  there  is  no  ground  to  think  fo. 
 Others  more  probably  think  that  Bithron  or  Bether 
 is  a  tradl  of  Land  on  the  other  fide  of  Jordan,  lying 
 betwixt  the  Tribe  of  Gad,  and  the  half  Tribe  of 
 Manajfeh  -,  which  is  probable,  when  thefe  two  Scrip- 
 tures, Jo(h.i3.  26.  and  13.30.  are  compared  with 
 iChron.i.ip.  In  which  places  mention  is  made  of 
 Mahmaim  as  a  Town  in  the  Borders  of  thefe  two 
 Tribes,  but  reckoned  to  Gad,  Jojb.  21.38.  So  that 
 that  place,  zChron.  2.  2$.  may  be  thus  rendred  : 
 
 "And 
 
Verfe  1 7.         7  he  Song  of "Solomon*  8  3 
 
 :cAnd  Abner  and  his  Men  walked  all  that  night 
 L€  through  the  Plain,  and  patted  over  Jordan,  and 
 :c  went  thorough  all  the  Borders  (for  fo  the  He- 
 "  brew  word  Bithron  fignifies)  and  they  came  to 
 u  Mahanaim. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  (hews  the  term  untill  which  (he  is  dtfiroits 
 9/  his  abode,  even  tht  bleffed   day  which 
 but  a  period  to  all  the  fin  and  mijery  of  the  Saints, 
 %nd  wherein  they  f hall  begin  uninterruptedly  to  tnjoy 
 
 him, 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Until  the  day  break,  and  the  fhadows  Bee 
 1  way.— — ■ 
 
 The  Paraprafe, 
 
 Vntil  the  day  do  break,  that  glorious  day, 
 For  which  I  do  await  ', 
 
 Which  will  the  Shadows  chafe  away, 
 
 Vnridlin^  the  Book  of  Fate. 
 That- day  which  w*//*//Bether-Hills  remove, 
 
 -     And  purifie  my  Heart  ', 
 
 Mounting  my,  Sotd  all  Sin  above, 
 
 Which  glory  will  to  me  imparl . 
 That  day  which  will  my  happwfs  complcat, 
 And  make  me  fee  thy  Face  :, 
 
 And  have  thy  company  fa  [meet  , 
 
 Without  ought  it  for  to  deface. 
 
 g  2  i 
 
?4  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IIL 
 
 I  need  not  add  any  thing  here  to  what  is  faid  but 
 jjlift  now  upon  the  other  part  of  the  Verfe.  Only 
 note,  that  though  I  have  tranfpofed  the  two  parts  of 
 the  words,  yet  I  have  left  a  Mark  or  Signification  of 
 the  order  whereinto  they  aredifpofed  in  our  Tran* 
 iktion,  by  putting  a  Line  before  the  former  part, 
 and  one  behind  this  part,  to  fhew  that  this  precedes 
 the  former  in  our  Verfion. 
 
 « 
 
 CHAP.    III. 
 
 r 
 
 The  Bride  continueth  her  Difeowje, 
 V  E  R  S  E     i. 
 
 The  Bride  fbewetb,  that  having  long  expeffei 
 ChriJPs  coming,  and  being  fruftrate  of  her  ex 
 fetfation,  fhe  at  lafi  became  lazy  in  Duties 
 though  Jbe  did  not  wholly  abandon  them. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 BY  night  on  ray  bed  I  fought  him  whon 
 my  foul  loveth :  I  fought  him,  but 
 found  him  not. 
 
 Th 
 
ferfe  i.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  S  5 
 
 The  Paraphrafe- 
 
 It  was  a  fad  and  heavy  night j 
 Since  of  my  M 'after  I  did  lofc  the  fight  : 
 
 How  Gradually  came  it  on  ! 
 At  ftrft  there  was  (tho*  dimjfome  Starry  light , 
 
 But  oh  how  quickly  was  itgon  ! 
 
 m    Whilft  any  twinkling  did  remain 
 Of  light,  I  fonght  andjlrove  him  to  regain  : 
 
 But  when  darhjiight  once  on  me  came, 
 To  ftek^  him  then  feem^dto  me  wondrous  pain, 
 
 Such  lazjnefs  did  me  unframe. 
 
 As  weary  1  did  lay  me  down 
 (But  lazjnefs  did  never  Champion  Crown) 
 
 Upon  my  Bed.    Sadwordl  my  Bed  : 
 For  why  the  Prince  I  wanted  of  renown  ! 
 
 To  this  fad  ft  ate  1  thus  was  ltd. 
 
 Tet  there  alone  I  could  not  lye, 
 But  fought  (  Fool  that  I  was  !  )  his  company  j 
 
 His  company  which  I  do  love  : 
 But  flight  endeavours  never  fc  ale  the  skie, 
 
 And  thus  with  me  it  then  did  prove. 
 
 %For  all  my  Prayers  then  and  Pains 
 To  him  luktwarmnefs*who  difdains, 
 
 Did  make  him  grieve  or  pity  me  : 
 Such  Worfhip  could  afford  nofolid  Cains  -, 
 
 This  I  was  taught  by  htm  to  fee. 
 
 Gs  VERSE 
 
86  AParaphrafe  on  Chap.  Ill 
 
 VERSE     2. 
 
 She  telkth,  that  {he  ftirred  up  her  fe/f  to  *  di- 
 ligent feeking  of  Chriit ;  but  that,  though  foe 
 nfed  all  means  yoffibk^  yet  fhe  found  him  not. 
 
 The  Words,  % 
 
 I  will  rife  now  and  go  about  the  City  in 
 the  flreets,  and  in  the  broad-ways*$  will  feek 
 him  whom  my  foul  loveth  :  I  fought  him,  but, 
 I  found  him  not. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe* 
 
 Zip,  up  Til  rife,  then  did  I  fay. 
 Til  never  find  my  Love,  whilfi  here  I  (lay  ; 
 
 Through  all  the  City ,  and  each  Street 
 ///  go  and  fear ch^  this  Til  no  more  delay  7 
 
 J  poffibly  may  Jo  him  meet. 
 
 There  if  I  find  him  not^  TU  try 
 If  in  the  publick-ways  I  can  himfpyc. 
 
 All  Gofpel- means  /  mil  effay ; 
 Duties  both  private  and  more  publick  / 
 
 Will  ufe ,  iffo  him  find  1  may.  w 
 
 Swayed  by  lovey  I  then  didrife^ 
 jindboth  in  private  and  in  publick  ways 
 
 I  [ought  him  up  and  down  each  where  : 
 I fought ,  I  foyght^  butftilllmifsdmypriz,e0 
 
 1  found  him  neither  here  no*  there. 
 
 VERSlI 
 
 ! 
 
Ver fe  j.        The  Song  of  Solomon-  8  7 
 
 VERSE    ?. 
 
 She  hath  her  Cafe  and  Duty  difcovered  to 
 her  by  the  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel  ;  upon 
 which  Jhe  difcovers  her  Cafe  to  them%  md  is 
 encouraged  (as  is  to  be  thought)  by  them. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 The  Watchmen  that  go  about  the  City, 
 found  me  :  to  whom  I  faid,  Saw  ye  him 
 whom  my  foul  loveth  ? 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 The  Church's  Watchmen  who  her  keep. 
 My  fad  Soul  in  this  doleful  cafe  did  meet:  z 
 They  by  their  fearching  Doctrine  did 
 
 JDifcover  both  my  cafe^  and  what  was  meet 
 To  do  ;  butfiillmy  Lord  was  hid. 
 
 Vnto  themfehes  I  went  at  laFi, 
 Shewing  my  cafe,  and  how  I  was  agafi 
 
 Becanfe  my  Love  I  conldnot  fee  : 
 Who  me  exhorted  hope  not  off  to  ca&7 
 
 F$r  he  would  come  at  length  to  me, 
 
 # 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 In  thefe  three  laft  Verfes  is  held  out  the  Brides 
 fad  exercife  undeF  the  want  of  Chrift,  and  in  feek- 
 
 ©4  ifig 
 
88  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.IIL 
 
 ing  after  him.  And  therein  we  have  her  Cafe,  her 
 Carriage,  and  her  Vtifuccefsfhlnefs.  She  had  been 
 aftive  before  in  feeking  after  Chrift  ;  but  here  in 
 the  firft  Verfe  fhe  fhews  how  fhe  fell  from  her  dili- 
 gence to  (loth  and  lazinefs.  Yet  lhe  ftirreth  up  her 
 felf  to  diligence,  and  at  length  in  the  ufe  of  all  ap- 
 pointed means,  lhe  gets  her  Cafe  opened  up  by  the 
 Minifters.  After  which,  as  we  (hall  hear,  fhe  gets 
 an  happy  Out- gate. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe  being  fufficiently  clear,  I  (hall  not 
 here  add  any  thing  more  j  only  I  think  it  not  unfit 
 to  obferve  her  manner  of  feeking  her  Beloved.  In 
 which  thefe  things  are  to  be  feen.  1.  That  fhe 
 refolves  both  upon  doing  it,  and  the  manner  of  do- 
 ing it  diftinftly,  before  lhe  attempt  any  thing  :  We 
 muft  both  do  that  which  is  lawful,  and  in  a  lawful 
 way  ;  and  that  with  deliberation,  to  know  what 
 Duties  are  mod  like  to  prove  effe&ual.  2.  That 
 her  refolution  is  prefentjy  to  put  her  Duty  in  pra- 
 ctice, and  not  to  delay  it,  as  too  many  do.  3.  That 
 her  refolution  is  full,  refolving  to  leave  no  lawful 
 means  unefcaped  to  find  him.  After  all  which, 
 «(he  faileth  diligently  about  that  which  flie  had  re- 
 folved.  .  , 
 
 The  Original  word  H1T75,  which  we  render, 
 by  Night,  is  properly,  in  the  Nights,  in  the  Plural 
 Number ;  whereby  is  intimated  the  length  or  the 
 duration  thereof.  There  is  likewife  to  be  obferved 
 an  Emphafis  in  the  Original,  as  we  fhould  exprefs  it, 
 in  the  vtr-pNights  •  whereby  the  extream  tediouf- 
 nefs  of  them  is,  to  be  rjo$ed, 
 
 VERSE 
 
Verfe  4.       The  Song  0/ Solomon.  $9 
 
 VERSE    4. 
 
 She  fetteth  forwards   (  not  with fiandin*  her 
 difcourarements)  in  the  feekingof  Chrift  un-  % 
 markdly  ;  and  at  laft  (he  finds  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 It  was  but  a  little  that  I  patted  from  them, 
 but  I  found  him  whom  my  foul  loveth  :  I  held 
 him  and  would  not  let  him  go, — - — • 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Encouraged  by  their  confolations  fweet, 
 
 I  was  refohed  to  repeat  ^ 
 
 My  former  Duties ,  though  they  had  veen^ 
 
 Or  at  the  leaFl  didfeem 
 
 Fruitlefs  and  nfelefs  both^ 
 So  that  I  tempted  was  them  for  to  loath. 
 
 This  did  1  doy  andfcarce  1  did  begin% 
 When  lo,  my  heft  Belovd  fiept  in : 
 Which  when  1  faw^  I  fir  eight  fo  happy  feenrd^ 
 That  I  did  think^  I  dream  d : 
 But  foon  I  did  awake , 
 And  did  him^  as  it  were,  my  Captive  make,* 
 
90  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  III. 
 
 /  held  him  with  the  hands  of  Faith  and  Love, 
 
 And fnfj hrd  him  not  to  remove  : 
 •   With  Prayer  and  Supplication/  did 
 His  parting  thus  forbid  \ 
 And  thus  him  held  fo  faft, 
 That  he  to  ft  ay  confented  at  the  laft. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Bride  was  almofthopelefs,  but  yet,  in  Hope 
 believing  againft  Hope,  fhe  at  laft  refolves  to  be 
 doing  her  Duty,  and  commit  the  Event  to  God  ; 
 when  lo  on  a  fudden  he  comes  to  her. 
 
 When  fhe  once  finds  him,  (he  takes  hold  of  him 
 fafter  than  before,  and  will  not  let  him  go.  In 
 this,  her  Carriage  is  almoft  the  fame  with  Jacob's, 
 Gen.  32.  28.  But  what  was  it  that  made  Jacob  prevail 
 with  the  Angel  ?  It  was  not  his  corporal  aft  of 
 ftrugling,  although  thereby  he  dernonftrated  to  what 
 length  hiVAffedtions  carried  him.  What  it  was 
 tiofea  (hews  us,  chap.  12.  2,  3.  He  wept  and  made  fup- 
 plication,  &c.  Thus  it  is  likewife  with  the  Believer's 
 holding  her  Beloved  here  ;  it  was  by  humble  and 
 ardent  Prayer,  with  a  lively  exercife  of  Faith  on  his 
 Promifes,  together  with  ardence  of  Love :  And  thus 
 have  I  rendred  it. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  brings  him  into  her  Mother's  Houfe, 
 viz,,  the  Church  of  God,  and  labours  to  have 
 ethers  acquainted  with  him,  enjoying  ft  ill  his  com- 
 pany her  fe/f.  # 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  4.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  9 1 
 
 The  Words, 
 Until  I  had    brought  him  into  my 
 
 Mother's  Houle,  and  into  the  Chambers  of 
 her  that  conceived  me. 
 
 ■ 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 I  Then  him  1  brought 
 
 Into  my  Mother's  Houfe,  where  1 
 Recieved  my  Nativity. 
 
 Thus  him  I  caught , 
 And  brought  him  to  the  Chambers  there 
 Where  all  might  fee  his  Face  fo  fair. 
 
 Each  Word,  each  Thought, 
 Each  A&ion  then  with  him  wasfilCd, 
 All  other  things  with  me  were  fit  IN. 
 
 My  care  was  then 
 That  others  (hould  enamour  d  be 
 By  him  (as  are  all  who  him  fee) 
 
 And  fo  remain. 
 Tor  whofo  doth  him  once  but  view. 
 Is  metamorphofed  of  new. 
 
 Oh  what  a  fain 
 Is't  to  the  Saints^  to  fee  Men  die 
 For  tkirftj  and  have  this  well  fo  nigh  f 
 
 Thus  having  got 
 The  pre  fence  of  my  love  again^ 
 With  me  I  fay  for  to  remain  ; 
 
 Oh  what  a  Lot! 
 
 Oh 
 
92  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap,  III. 
 
 Oh  what  a  happy  Lot  have  /, 
 Who  now  enjoy  his  company  ! 
 
 This  weti  I  wot , 
 .  Jam  the  happiefi  now  alive ,  . 
 Jf  ought  dont  me  of  him  deprive. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Believer  having  found  Chrift,  is  at  work, 
 how  others  may  fee  him  likewife. 
 
 By  Mother  in  this  place,  as  elfewhere  in  Scripture, 
 is  meant  the  Church  of  God,  which  is  every  Belie- 
 vers Mother,  Hof  2.  2.  And  by  Mother  s  Houfe^  is 
 meant  the  Church  Vifible.  And  likewife  by  Mo- 
 thers Chamber /,  are  to  be  underftood  particular 
 Congregations,  Societies  or  Families.  The  Church 
 is  faid  to  have  conceived  the  Spoufe,  in  fo  far  asfhe 
 was  the  Inftrument  in  Chrift'shand  of  converting 
 her  to  God. 
 
 VERSE    5. 
 
 She  exprejfetb  her  fear,  left  any  thing  fhould 
 happen  in  her  condition,  or  in  the  condition  of  the 
 Churchy  through  the  difturbance  that  might  by 
 ethers  be  given  to  her  fpiritual  frame,  or  the  hea- 
 venly frame  of  the  Church,  whereby  Chrift  might 
 he  provoked  to  depart  from  the  Church  and  her  ; 
 pathetically  expr effing  her  care  to  prevent  it. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  $.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  9  j 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  charge  you,  O  ye  Daughters  of  Jerufa- 
 lem,  by  the  Roes  and  by  the  Hinds  of  the 
 field,  that  ye  ftir  not  up  nor  awake  my  Love 
 till  he  pleafe. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Hold}  hold  your  peace,  make  here  no  noife, 
 
 Keep  in  your  voice, 
 Ye,  ye,  who  Zions  Daughters  be, 
 Or  Friends  to  me. 
 The  Church  and  me,  %h  hinder  not  him  to  enjoy, 
 Do  not,  oh  do  not  him  or  us  annoy, 
 Or  frustrate  this  our  joy  I 
 
 I  charge  yon  by  the  Roes  and  Hinder 
 
 Whom  tti  very  Winds 
 Oft-times  do  make  allarms  for  to  take, 
 And  foon  awakg. 
 By  them  I  charge  yon,  that  yon  do  in  filence  keep 
 Tour  f elves,  and  all  things  elfe,  while  he  doth  fie ep  j 
 Keep  all  in  quiet  deep. 
 
 For  much,  much  it  concerneth  me 
 
 And  her  to  be 
 With  him  ;  we  ought  for  to  take  heed, 
 Left  ought  do  breed 
 Dijlurbance  unto  him,  and  chafe  him  fo  away ■•? 
 Let  him  then  fleep  till  he  refufe  to  flay, 
 And  chufe  not  to  delay. 
 
 For 
 
94  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  Iff. 
 
 For  if  it  be  his  will  to  go^ 
 
 Who  can  jay  no? 
 We  muft ^  when  thus  he  doth  us  leave , 
 Obedience  give. 
 For  though  we  needs  muft  grieve  when  he  doth  go  away7 
 Tet  muft  we  yield  when  he  wont  hear  of  ft  ay  : 
 Be  Jilent  then  I  pray. 
 
 This  Verfe  being  the  fame  with  the  vth.Verfe  of 
 the  Second  Chapter.,  I  need  fay  nothing  here.  Yet, 
 though  the  words  are  the  fame,  we  may  note  this 
 difference  in  the  fcope  and  meaning,  That,  there 
 they  look  to  her  particular  enjoyment  of  Chrift 
 only;  but  here  they  look  both  to  her  enjoyment  of 
 him,  and  the  Churches  enjoying  of  him  likewife  ; 
 for  now  ftie  had  brought  him  into  her  Mother's 
 Houfe.  To  illuflrate  which  difference,  I  have  made 
 fome  little  alteration  in  the  Paraphrafe  here  from 
 what  it  was,  that  fo  it  might  anfwer  to  the  fcope  of 
 this  Scripture. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  Jerufalem. 
 
 VERSE   6. 
 
 The  vifiblt  Profeffors  of  Religion^  being  feri- 
 ottfly  charged  by  the  Spoufe,  are  put  in  fome 
 piece  of  warmntfs  and  admiration  more  thanor- 
 dinary,  (as  ordinarily  ChrifPs  return  to  a  Church 
 and  Ordinances^  after  a  palpable  decay }  hath  fome 
 
 ftr, 
 
Verfe  6.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  95 
 
 ft'iYy  and  affectionate  motions  generally  accompa- 
 nying thefame^)  and  in  this  condition  they  break 
 forth  with  an  amazement  of  the  change  that  was 
 in  the  condition  of  the  Spouie. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Who  is  this  that  cometh  out  of  the  Wil- 
 dernefs  like  pillars  of  Smoak,  perfumed  with 
 Myrrh  and  Frankincenfe,  with  all  Powders  of 
 the  Merchant  ? 
 
 The  Paraphrafe,        ^ 
 
 What  Objctt  is  that  which  faint es  our  Eye  ? 
 Whd*s  this  that  draweth  nigh^   ' 
 Out  of  the  Wildernefs 
 Of -great  affiiffion  and  fore  difirefs  ? 
 Lo0  lo7 
 One  comes  with  great eft  pomp  and [how  ! 
 
 Sure  no  fuch  Fruit  that  Wildernefs  can  yield, 
 h  is  a  barren  Field : 
 Nothing  there  s  there  thatys  green  • 
 There  Winters  face  is  always  to  be  feen  : 
 Grief  grief 
 As  Mafter  there  doth  rule  in  chief 
 
 Whence  then  is  it  that  jloe^  who  did  appear 
 G\ewhelmd  with  grief and  fear  \ 
 Who  by  affiiUion  great 
 Vidconfolation  refufe  to  take  ? 
 Whence^  whence 
 Is't  that  fa  GQrnes  (0  far  from  thence? 
 
 Behold 
 
96  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  Ill 
 
 Behold  what  joyful  Praifes  up  do  fly 
 From  her,  and  touch  the  skie  ! 
 Ltke  to  the  Smoak,  which  doth 
 From  [acred  Incenfe  ijjite,  and  above 
 Adounts,  mounts, 
 Till  it  the  Clouds  and  Skie  fur  mounts  ! 
 
 Jufl  fo  her  praifeful  Prayers  flew  away 
 In  this  her  Sun-flnne  day  : 
 Like  Pillars  lo^  ofSmoal^ 
 From  Incenfe,  they  afcend,  and  God  invoke  : 
 See,  fee 
 How  through  the  calmed  Air  they  {lie  ! 
 
 Bemld  how  fweet,  her  cofily  Garments  fmell^ 
 Her  Garments  that  excell : 
 FrankincenfeWfweet  Myrrh 
 
 Salute  our  Noje,  when  we  come  near  to  her. 
 Each,  each 
 
 Sweet -fcented  Powder  doth  her  Cloaths  enrich. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Daughters  ofjerufalem  are  the  Members  oi 
 the  Vifible  Church.  The  Wildernefs  is  the  defolate, 
 barren  and  difconfolate-like  cafe  of  the  Spoufe, 
 during  her  defertion.  Her  coming  out  of  the  Wil- 
 dernefs, is  her  being  delivered  from  her  anxieties- 
 griefs  and  fears,  as  to  her  fpiritual  concerns.  The 
 Perfumes,  are  the  Graces  of  the  Spirit  in  her,  whict 
 being  now  quickned  by  Chrift's  prefence,  caft  a  moS 
 pleafant  fmell. 
 
 Th< 
 
Verfe  7.         7 be  Song  ^Solomon.  97 
 
 The  Ejfide. 
 
 What  is  prefuppofed  in  Verfe  7.  viz.  the  Bride's 
 care  to  remove  the  Daughters  of  Jerusalem  from  con- 
 templating her  change,  and  to  fijc  the  fame  on  her 
 Beloved. 
 
 Why  do  ye  ga^e  and  wonder  fo,  Oye 
 Who  Zion's  Daughters  be  ? 
 Why  do  ye  wonder  thus  at  me  ? 
 Remove  your  Eyes,  remove 
 Tour  Eyes  off  me ,  and  fix  your  Love 
 On  this  which  it  may  move. 
 Here,  here's  an  Objett  worthy  of  yonr  Soul's  defire. 
 Which  will  your  Soul's  affection  all  require, 
 This,  this  you  juftly  may  admire. 
 
 VERSE    7. 
 
 The  Spou/e  proposes  Chrift  to  the  confiderat'wn 
 of  the  Profejjors  of  Religion,  (hewing  them  the 
 dele&ablenefs  of  his  company. 
 
 The  Words, 
 Behold  his  Bed,  which  is  Solomons:— 
 
 H  The 
 
98  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  III. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Behold  the  true  andmatchlefs  Solomon  ! 
 His  Bed  it  is  alone 
 Which  ravitheth  th^Saintsfaehone! 
 
 I  mean  his  Comfiny, 
 Its  that  which  fo  hath  changed  me, 
 And  made  me  as  you  fee. 
 From  thence  it  is  that  now  my  C loath s  [0  fweetly  fmell, 
 From  thence  1  have  the fe  [cents  which  do  excell, 
 Becaufe  with  him  Iftay  and  dwell. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Sbefheweth,  that  there  is  a'ftrong  Guard  about 
 alltbofe  who  enjoy  communion  with  God. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Three  fcore  valiant  men  are  about  it, 
 
 ©f  the  valiant  of  Ifrael. 
 
 The  Paraphrafc. 
 
 Lo,  round  about  his  Bed  there  do  await 
 A  Guard  offixty  Men  both  valiant  andftrong, 
 
 Who  as  an  Iron  or  a  Brazjen  Gate, 
 Do  watch  lefi  ought  ourfweetefi  Fellowjhip  jhould  wrong. 
 True  Ifrael  ires  they  are, 
 Who  in  the  New  Jerufalem  do  ft  ay, 
 
 And  t  hence  are  ftntfofar 
 To  guard  the  Saints^  while  here,  left  theydoftray. 
 
 VERSE 
 
Verfe  8.         7  he  Song  ^/Solomon.  99 
 
 VERSE  8. 
 
 She  fheweth  in  whsft  manner  and  for  what 
 reafbn  that  Guard  is  fet  about  the  Saints,  when 
 they  are  enjoying  his  pre  fence. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 They  all  hold  fwords,  being  expert  in  war : 
 every  man  hath  his  fword  upon  his  thigh^  be- 
 caufe  of  fear  in  the  night. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Expert  they  are  in  all  the  feats  of  War,  [Thigh, 
 Their  Swords  unjlieatWd  they  have,  and  hold  upon  their 
 
 Le/l  ought  our  fweet  and  quiet  reft  jhould  mar, 
 Or  hs  affright,  whilft  in  the  Night  of  Life  we  lye. 
 Thus  Angels  down  are  fent 
 Vs  for  to  guard,  (for  he  hath  no  fuch  nee^  ) 
 
 And  then  about  our  Tern 
 Bo  watch,  left  ought  jhould  our  difturbance  breed. 
 
 #  , 
 
 x  ■ r  r  -  1  1  — 
 
 VERSE  9  and  10. 
 
 She  giveth  them  a  Defcription  of  the  Goipel, 
 
 or  Covenant  of  Grace ,    under  the  notion  of  a. 
 Chariot. 
 
 H  2  The 
 
ico  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IIL 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 King  Solomon  made  himfelf  a  Chariot  of 
 the  wood  of  Lebanon. 
 
 He  made  the  pillar^thereof  of  Silver,  the 
 bottom  thereof  of  Gold,  the  covering  of  it  of 
 Purple,  the  midft  thereof  being  paved  with 
 Love,  for  the  Daughters  of  Jeruialem. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Tea  that's  not  all,  lo  he  himfelf  hath  made 
 Of  the  long  Lifting  Cedar,  which  JhaU  never  fade  ; 
 Tfuuf acred  Wood  which  on  Mount  Libzms  did  grow 
 A  Chariot,  which  hath  a  mo  ft  glorious  ft^ow. 
 Of  Silver  carvd  moft  curioufty 
 Its  Pillars  all  compofed  be  ; 
 And  of  the  pur  eft  Gold, 
 Moft  comely  to  behold, 
 Its  bottom  rare 
 Is  formed  there. 
 
 The  Cover  ing  he  did  make  of  Purple  fine, 
 Which  cover  doth  and  hide  this  Chariot  divine  ; 
 ThisGofpel-Chariot,  wherein  hqfn  date  doth  ride, 
 And  wherein  he  hischofen  Ones  doth  hide, 
 Left  Winds  or  Heats  Jhould  them  annoy, 
 Left  Sin  or  Wrath  jhould  them  deftroy  : 
 From  Sin  and  Satan  he 
 Herein  their  Soul  doth  free^ 
 And  thus  doth  them 
 From  Hell  regain. 
 
 But 
 
Verfe  1 1.  The  Song  ^/Solomon.  i o i 
 
 But  oh  there  s  fomething yet  more  fine  therein ^ 
 Wherewith  it  paved  is^  and  all  adorned  within : 
 Its  Cushions ,  Quilts  and  Cmtains  all  compofed  are 
 Of  that  which  doth  all  Silkj  exceed  by  far. 
 For  why  it's  pavd  and  overfpread 
 With  Love  ^  it  is  Lovsvery  Bed ; 
 His  Love  mofl  wonder  fall 
 Is  there  unto  the  full 
 ¥  our*  d  out  for  you, 
 I  fay  for  you. 
 
 VERSE     ii. 
 
 The  Bridey  having  exhorted  the  Daughters  of 
 Jerufalem  to  confider  thefwettnefs  of, his  Bed  or 
 his  Fellowfhip,  and  the  glorioufnefs  of  his  Go- 
 fpel,  /he  at  lafi  invites  them  to  go  forth  out  of 
 themfelves,  and  take  a  view  of  Ch  rift  himfelf^ 
 holding  forth  his  glory ',  when  as  married  to  a  Belie- 
 ver by  his  Converjion. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Go  forth,  O  ye  Daughters  of  Zion,  and  be- 
 hold King  Solomon  with  the  Crown  where- 
 with his  Mother  crowned  him  in  the  day  of 
 his  efpoufals,  and  in  the  day  of  the  gladnefsof 
 his  heart. 
 
 H  5  The 
 
102  AParaphrafe  on  Chap.  III. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Why  then,  0  Zions  Daughters,  doyefo 
 
 Vpon  me  gazje  : 
 Here,  here^s  an  Gbjett  which  may  yon  amazx  ! 
 Go  forth  then  from  me,  go : 
 Go  forth,  and  view  the  King, 
 Our  Solomon  /  mean  : 
 Rouzjt  you  from  out  your  nat'ral  ftate, 
 And  then  a  fight  of  'Solomon you '11  get . 
 
 By  Faith  behold  him  with  the  Cvown,whic h  he 
 
 Oris  Head  doth  wear, 
 Wherewith  he  doth  fo glorious  appear  ; 
 Go  forth  and  thus  him  fee. 
 Behold  his  Throne  and  Crown  ; 
 Btbold  ris  Rofa  and  Govn, 
 Whereuith  the  Church  did  him  invefj^, 
 When  thus  jhe  her  Subjection  ex f  reft. 
 
 This,  this  was  that  which  did  his  Head  adorn, 
 
 And  which  him  gracd, 
 When*s  Mother  her  Affettion  on  him  flacd. 
 Inftead  of  Crown  of  Thorn, 
 This  was  to  him  a  Crown, 
 A  Throne,  a  Robe,  a  Gown ; 
 This  was  indeed  his  Marriage-day, 
 On  which  joy  all  his  faculties  didfway. 
 
 What  wonders  fly ange  are  here !  lore's  hisMoth&t 
 
 Whofe  Womb  within 
 He  is,  will  be,  and  oft  hath  fofhted  been. 
 And  yet  he  is  her  Brother  .• 
 
 A 
 
Verfe  1 1  •      The  Song  of  Solomon,  105 
 
 A  Subject  )fo\f  to  him, 
 Who  by  her  Crown'd  hath  been.  • 
 
 Yet  more  !  jhe  is  his  Wife  and  Spoufe, 
 Whom  with  much  grief  and  joy  he  didefpoufe. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Chrift  is  here  fet  forth  under  the  designation  of 
 Solomon,  in  thefe  laft  Verfes  of  this  Chapter.  And 
 he  is  defcribed,  1.  From  his  Bed,  v.  7,  8.  whereby 
 is  fet  forth  the  excellent  happinefs  and  quietnefs  that 
 Believers  have  in  enjoying  him.  2.  From  his  Chariot, 
 a  moft  flately  piece  of  work,  by  which  is  fignified 
 that  excellent  mean  and  way  whereby  he  brings  the 
 People  to  reft,  to  wit,  the  Covenant  of  Redemp- 
 tion revealed  and  preached,  t/..p,  10.  3.  From 
 his  own  glory,  when  married  and  efpoufed  to  Be- 
 lievers i  in  which  ftepfhe  fits,  with  adelirethat  all 
 may  behold  him. 
 
 This  Metaphorick  part  of  Scripture,  though  I 
 have  endeavoured  to  open  up  and  make  plain  in  the 
 Paraphrafe,  yet  becaufe  of  its  darknefs,  I  /hall  here 
 fliortly  touch  at,  and  give  my  fentiment  of  the  mean- 
 ing of  thefe  metaphorick  Expreffions.  1.  Solomon 
 here,  as  I  have  faid,  is  no  other  than  Chrift,  who 
 is  typified  by  him  through  all  this  Song.  2 .  Chrift's 
 Bed  is  the  enjoyment  of  his  company.  3-  The 
 Guard  about  it,  is  the  Guard  of  Angels,  who  en- 
 camp about  the  Saints,  PfaL  34. 8.  4.  Their  being 
 defcribed  as  valiant  Men  in  a  military  pofture,  is  to 
 fhew  their  might  and  readinefs  to  affift  the  Saints. 
 5.  Their  being  called  Ifraelites,  is  to  fhew  that  they 
 are  Inhabitants  of  the  true  Canaan,  the  Land  of  Pro- 
 
 H  4  mife, 
 
104  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  III. 
 
 mife^  and  that  they  are  our  Fellow-Servants.  6.  The 
 Chariot  fpoken  of,  is  the  Covenant  of  Redemption. 
 7.  It  is  faid  to  be  made  of  the  Wood  of  Lebanon, 
 to  ihew  its  firmnefs  and  unchangeablenefs  j  forCe-! 
 dar  Wood  doth  fcarce  ever  rot  or  confume.  8.  Its 
 being  fo  curioufly  made,  as  to  have  its  Pillars  of  Sil- 
 ver, its  Bottom  of  Gold,  its  Covering  of  Purple, 
 its  Pavement  of  Love  for  the  Daughters  of  Jmtfa- 
 lem,  is,  in  general,  tofhew  the  excellency,  richnefs, 
 durablenefs,  artifkialnefs,  and  admirabienefs  of  this 
 rare  frame,  which  may  therefore  be  juftly  called  the 
 chief  of  the  ways  of  God.  9.  Chrift's  Mother  is  the 
 Church.  10.  The  Churches  Crowning  him,  is  her 
 fubjedting  her  felf  to  him.  1 1.  And  fo  the  Crown 
 wherewith  fhe  Crowns  him,  is  her  Obedience  to  his 
 Command,  and  her  walking  worthy  of  him,  where- 
 by fhe  brings  Honour  and  Glory  to  him,  which  is 
 all  one  as  putting'a  Crown  on  his  Head.  1 2.  This 
 Crown  is  eminently  put  on  Chrift's  Head  in  the  day 
 of  his  Efpoufals  ^  now  Chrift's  efpoufal  with  the 
 Church  cannot  be  yet  faid  to  be  fully  come,  which 
 will  not  be  till  the  laft  day,  Rev.  21.2.  therefore  the 
 day  of  his  Efpoufals  mull  be  underftood  of  parti- 
 cular Believers,  who  are  efpoufed  tohim,2Cor.i  1.2. 
 by  their  confenting  to  accept  him  for  their  Husband. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Verfe  i,2,&:c.      The  Song  of 'Solomon*      105 
 
 CHAP.  IV. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE  1,  2,  3,4, 5. 
 
 The  Bridegroom  gives  an  ample  Commendation 
 of  the  Bride,  defcrihing  particularly  many  of  her 
 Parts,  Qualifications,  or  Graces^  viz.  v.  1 .  her 
 Eyes,  i>  e.  her  Wifdom  cr  Knowledge  ;  and  her 
 Hair,  i.  e.  her  Profeflion  :  v.  2.  her  Teeth, 
 /,  eQher  Zgal :  v.  ^.  her  Lips  and  Speech,  i.  e. 
 her  Words  and  Difcourfe  ;  and  her  Temples, 
 i.  e.  her  Modefly  :  v.  4.  her  Neck,  i.  e.  her  Mag- 
 nanimity :  1/,  5.  her  Breafts,  /.  e.  her  growth  in 
 Grace,  and  ufefulnefs  for  the  good  of  others* 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Ehold  thou  art  fair,  my  Love,  behold 
 
 thou  art  fair,    thou   haft  Doves  Eyes 
 
 within  thy  Locks :   thy  Hair  is  as  a  flock  of 
 
 Goats  that  appear  from  Mount  Gilead. 
 
 Thy  Teeth  are  like  a  flock  of  Sheep  that 
 
 are 
 
ic6  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  IV* 
 
 are  even  fhorn,  which  came  up  from  the 
 wafhnig,  whereof  every  one  bear  Twins,  and 
 ifcne  is  barren  among  them. 
 
 Thy  Lips  are  like  a  thread  of  Scarlet,  and 
 thy  Speech  is  comely  :  thy  Temples  are  like 
 a  piece  of  Pomegranate  within  thy  Locks. 
 
 Thy  Neck  is  like  the  Tower  of  David  build  • 
 ed  for  an  Armory,  whereon  there  hang  a 
 thoufand  Bucklers,  ali  Shields  of  mighty 
 Men. 
 
 Thy  two  Breafts  are  like  two  young 
 Roes  that  are  Twins,  which  feed  among  the 
 Lillies. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 V.  i. 
 
 Oh,  oh  >vy  bvely  One,  thoa'rt  fair,thou'rt  fair,      m 
 Thoutrt  fair  and comely  above  all  compare. 
 There  is  no  fart  nor  faculty  in  thee 
 Wherein  there  s  blemijh  or  deformity. 
 
 Ibid. 
 Thy  humble  piercing  UnderflandingV  fuch, 
 As  none  can  be  enamonr'd  of  too  much. 
 Thy  Wrfdom  and  thy  Knowledge  ismoft  bright  ^ 
 Irradiate  with  pure  and  divine  light  : 
 It's  like  the  modefi  Turtles  fervent  Eyes^ 
 The  Looks  thereof  to  me  are  filent  cryes ; 
 And  though fo  fervent,  yet  fo  modeflthon^ 
 That  fcarce  thou  thinkj  that  1  am  feen  by  you. 
 Thou  hides  thy  Knowledge  and  thy  Wifaom  fo^ 
 As  if  thou  fought  that  none  the  fame  might  know* 
 
r 
 
 Verfc  2.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  107 
 
 Tet  through  the  Locks  of  fdf-denial,  fee  ! 
 J  do  efpye  thy  .Eyes  to  fame  on  me. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Tet  nerethelefs  thy  felf  thou  doft  adorn 
 With  a  Profeffion  worthy  to  be  worn, 
 With  a  Frofejfion  not  oftentative, 
 Tet  which  doth  a  moft  pleafant  ProfpeEt  give. 
 Thy  grave  compofed  Carriage  doth  foew 
 That  thy  Profeffion  is  not  falfe  but  true, 
 Like  to  a  Flock  of  Goats,  which  do  appear 
 From  fruitful  Gilead,  and  unto  us  here 
 Below  moft  /lately  feem,  evnfodoft  thou 
 As  from  a  Mountain  caft  a  lovely  Shew. 
 Thy  grave  majeftick.  Looks  dofeem  to  (how. 
 That  thou  hall  quite  forfaken  Earth  below  .- 
 And  what  thou  thus  prof  ff eft  for  to  be, 
 Is  not  injhew,  but  in  reality. 
 Lo,  climbing  up  the  Rocks,  thou  doft  afcend 
 From  Earth,  and  doft  unto  the  Heaven  tend. 
 
 V.2. 
 
 And  though  Jo  humble  and  fo  grave  thon  be, 
 
 Tet  lo,  what  Zeal  and  Ardency  I  fee  ! 
 
 Thou  art  not  foft  nor  fimph  ;  no,  not  fo, 
 
 When  need  requires,  thou  haft  fharp  Teeth  tojhow  : 
 
 Tet  this  thy  Zeal  thou  doft  fo  moderate 
 
 With  cautious  Prudence,  and  juft  Care,   as  that 
 
 Thou  doft  obferve  the  Circwmftances  all, 
 
 Which  each  Occurrence  happen  and  befall. 
 
 Thy  zealous  Aftions  moderated  fo, 
 
 $eem  like  a  Flock  of  Sheep  (not  Wolves)  which  go 
 
 Snow* 
 
io8  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 Snow-white  from  out  the  wafhing,  and  which  be         J 
 Shorn,  and  cut  fo  well  and  equally,  S. 
 
 That  there's  nought  on  them  o/deformity  ;  '  ^ 
 
 And  fruitful  fo,  that  barren  there  is  none, 
 But  each  thereof  Twins  beareth  in  its  womb. 
 Thy  Zeal  thus  comely  and  thus  fruitful  is. 
 That  what  thou  does ,  the  fcope  doth  never  mifs. 
 
 v.  h 
 
 Sweet  are  thy  Words,  and  comely  thy  Difcourfe, 
 Flowing  from  Grace  and  Prudence  as  their  fourcc. 
 Little  thou  talkie  but  much  thy  words  contain 
 OfSubftance  therein  ;  much  they  do  retain 
 Offweetnefs  :  fair  and  lovely  they  appear, 
 And  are  fweet  Mufick  in  the  well-turidEar. 
 Vmo  thy  Lips  a  fcarlet  colour  they 
 So  deep  impart,  as  never  will  decay  ; 
 So  that  whatere  thou  fays,  doth  all  proceed 
 ZJnbroke,like  one  continued  fcarlet  Thread. 
 
 Ibid. 
 Thy  Modefty  and  €hame-facdnefs  is  fuch, 
 That  be  thou  but  commended,  thou  doft  blufli  ; 
 Or  if  ought  that's  unfeemly  thou  doft  hear, 
 Thy  tender  heart  it  pierceth  likeafpear. 
 If  ought  thou  do  which  feem  to  thee  a  Sin, 
 (Though  oft-times  but  apparent')  then  begin 
 There  doth  a  mode  ft  blujhingftrait,  which  [wells 
 Thus  thychafte  Heart, and  on  thy  Temples  dwells  ;   . 
 Dying  with  red  thy  Modefty  fo  white, 
 Where  Spangles  red  and  white  the  fight  delight  ; 
 And  like  apiece  o/Pomgranate  doth  feem, 
 Whofe  Jnyce  Straw-berry^red,  whofe  Seed  liks  Cream  , 
 
 Appear 
 
Verfe  4.         The  Song  ^/Solomon,  109 
 
 Appear  to  fight.     Tet  when  thou,  blu(heft  thus, 
 By  r^'Locks  of  felf  denial  thou  from  us 
 The  fame  doft  ftrive  to  hide,  left  thou  jhould  be 
 Viewed  by  others  who  do  look^  on  thee. 
 
 v.  4. 
 
 Tet  though  fo  mo  deft  >  yet  thou  doft  not  droop  ? 
 Nor  faff trs  thy  couragious  Neck  toftoop; 
 But  with  a  vaProus  magnanimity, 
 Art  Proof  again  ft  whatever  difficulty. 
 7^  Faith-built  Courage,  like  tti Armory 
 Built  by  King  David,  is7  wherein  there  be 
 A  thoufand  Bucklers,  Shields  of  Aden  of  Mighc7 
 Such,fuch  thy  valorous  Faith  is  in  my  fight  : 
 It  doth  contain  ^Shield  again  ft  each  Dart, 
 Which  Satan,  Sin  or  Death  throw  at  thy  Heart 
 Of  each  Temptation  it   can  break  the  Sting, 
 And  for  each  Grief  a  Remedy  doth  bring. 
 Thus  is  thy  Faith,  that  ufeful  Grace  of  thine, 
 Which  proves  a  Tower  ftately  and  divine* 
 
 A  great  Proficient  in  Love's  School  thou  art^  ) 
 
 With  Graces  fiord  and  treafurd  in  thy  herrt,  S 
 
 Which  yet  thou  doft  mo  ft  liberally  impart.  y 
 
 Thy  Breafts  in  this  are  like  two  pleafam  Roes , 
 
 Twins  of  an  equal  fiz^e  and  height,  which  go 
 
 And  feed  among  the  Lillies,  where  they  flay 
 
 Till  fat  and  fair  they  thence  be  brought  away. 
 
 Thus  thou  amongft  my  Truths,  thefe  Flowers  of  mine, 
 
 Doft  feed,  and  fuck  that  Nouriftimtnt  divine  ; 
 
 In  Grace  encreajlntr  ftitl,  until  thou  be 
 
 Softord  therewith)  that  thou  abundantly 
 
 • 
 
 Canft 
 
no  A  Paraphrafeon  Chap,  IV. 
 
 Canft  others  feed,  and  yet  thy  felfnot  want. 
 For  thee  to  be  a  Mother  God  doth  grant  • 
 Jlndfhe  doth  furnijh  fo,  that  thou  canft  feed 
 With  Milkjhofe  Babes  who  thereof  {land  in  need. 
 
 I  judge  there  is  no  need  of  noting  any  thing  here 
 on  thefe  words  for  clearing  up  their  meaning,  fince 
 both  in  the  Contents  prefixed  to  them,  and  in  the 
 Paraphrafe,  I  have  laboured  to  be  perfpicuous  and 
 clear. 
 
 VERSE  6. 
 
 Chrifi  fubjoyns  to  bis  Commendation  of  the 
 Spoufe,  an  Inftru&ion  where  he  is  to  be  fought 
 and  found  by  her,  viz.  in  the  Church  of  God  ; 
 which  is  compared  to  a  Hill  of  Myrrh  and  Fran- 
 kincenfe, becaufe  of  the  fweet  Perfumes  of  the 
 Ordinances  ,  Prayers  and  Prai/es  which  are 
 there. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 1  will  get  me  to  the  Mountain  of 
 
 Myyrh,  and  to  the  Hill  of  Frankincenfe. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Bat  for  thy  further  comfort,  lo  1  do 
 
 Vromife  tothee. 
 That  I  will  go  the  Bill  of  Myrrh  unto  -7 
 
 (Jo  thither,  and  thou  me  Jhaltfee. 
 Loy  to  the  Hiil  of  Myrrh  and  Frankincenfe 
 ^        1  hafie  me  hence. 
 
 Vnto 
 
Verfe  6.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 1 1 
 
 Vnto  theChnrch,  to  Zion-Hiil  I goy 
 
 Where  I  will  ft  ay  j 
 %)pon  that  Mountain  Vll  walk^  to  andfro^ 
 
 And  will  thee  hear^  when  thou  doll  fray  : 
 There  thou  at  hand  me  always  mayeft  find^ 
 
 If  thou  prove  kind. 
 
 For  it  delights  me  much,   when  I  do  hear 
 
 7  he  praying  voice 
 Of  thofe  who  me  aright  fincerely fear7 
 
 Or  when  1  hear  their  praifeful  noife  \ 
 Sweeter  than  all  Frankincenfe  it  dothfmeUr 
 And  Myrrh  excelL 
 
 Thou* It  find  me  always  on  this  Hill  of  Myrrh, 
 
 The  Church  I  mean : 
 For  all  the  fweetett  Spices  are  on  her7 
 
 There  I'll  be  always  to  befeen ; 
 Sure  thou  It  me  always  find  (if  in  right  frame) 
 Vpon  the  fame. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 He  fbeweth  the  term  of  his  abode  there,  evm 
 the  bltffed  day  which  fh all  compkat  the  Churches 
 lloryy  and  wherein  the  Saints  (hall  nmnterruptedly 
 wjoy  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Until!  the  day  break,  and  the  fhadows 
 3ee  way.  ■ • 
 
 The 
 
HZ  A  Parapbraft  on  Chap.  IV, 
 
 The  Paraphrale. 
 
 Until  the  day  do  break,  that  glorious  day, 
 For  which  thou  dojl  await  ; 
 Which  fall  the  Shadows  chafe  away, 
 Vnriddling  the  Book^of  Fate. 
 
 That  day  which  will  all Aether-Hills  remove, 
 And  purifie  thy  Heart  j 
 Mounting  thy  Soul  all  fin  above , 
 Which  Glory  will  to  thee  impart. 
 
 Tim  day  which  will  thy  happinefs  compleat, 
 And  make  thee  fee  my  face, 
 And  have  my  company  fofweet, 
 Without  ought  it  for  to  deface. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 This  Verfe  being  difpofed  after  the  fame  manner 
 that  the  i7th.Vcrfe  of  the  Second  Chapter  was,I  have 
 tranfpofed  it  as  I  did  that,  (for  the  fame  reafon,' 
 yet  leaving  a  Mark  or  Signification,  by  a  Line,  of 
 the  order  whereintoit  is  difpofed  in  our  Tranflation, 
 And  indeed  this  Verfe  is  in  a  manner  ao  Anfwer  to 
 that  Verfe.  And  as  for  thefe  words  of  the  Verfe] 
 which  I  have  fet  down  laft,  they  are  the  fame  with] 
 thefe  of  the  fore-cited  Verfe.  Wherefore  alfo  myi 
 Paraphrafe  of  them  is  the  fame,  only  I  adapt  them 
 (3s  their  fcope  requireth,  and  as  they  muft  of  nccef-J 
 fity  be)  to  their  meaning  and  fenfe. 
 
 vers; 
 
Verfe  7.       7  he  Song  ^/Solomon.  1 1 5 
 
 VERSE    7. 
 
 Chrifi  adds  here  a  general  Commendation  of 
 the  Spoufe,  to  the  Commendation  before  fee  doivn} 
 {hewing  how  fair  and  unfpottedfhe  is. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thou  art  all  fair,  my  Love,  there  is  no 
 fpot  in  thee. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh,  oh  ^lovely  One,  thoiPrt  fair jhourt  fair , 
 ThoiPrt  fair  and  comely  above  all  compare  \ 
 There  is  no  part  nor  faculty  in  thee, 
 Wherein  there's  blemijh  or  deformity. 
 Thourt  fair  all  over,  not  the  leaft  final!  fpot 
 Is  feen  on  thee  ^  there  is  not  any  jot 
 Ofblemijli  on  thy  Beamy  \  thy  fair  V ace 
 Shineth  with  glorious  and  majefttck^Grace  : 
 For  why  thy  Sin  is  pardoned  w  me  ; 
 My  Blood  hath  wafltd  and  purified  thee  : 
 So  that  floated  with  my  Robe,  there  doth  remain 
 No  Token  any  more  of  Scan  or  Stain. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 This  ample  Commendation  of  the  Spoufe,  that 
 (he  is  all  fair  and  without  fpot,  is  not  to  be  taken  in 
 a  Popifh  fence,  as  if  ihs  were  fo  perfect  as  to  be  to- 
 
 I  tally 
 
H4  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 tally  without  Sin  •,  nor  in  an  Antinomian  fence,  as 
 if  her  Sins  were  not  Sins  in  her,  or  did  pollute  her  -7 
 but  in  an  Orthodox  fence,  that  her  Sins  were  not  im- 
 puted to  her,  but  pardoned  in  Chrift  j  fo  that  her 
 Sins  being  imputed  to  her  Surety,  and  his  Righ- 
 teoufnefs  being  imputed  to  her,  fhe  was  reckoned 
 without  fpot  in  God's  Account :  This  I  have  hinted 
 at  in  the  Paraphrafe.  And  in  this  refpett  all  true  Be- 
 lievers may  juftly  be  reckoned  without  fpot.  But 
 that  the  Spoufe  had  her  own  failings,  is  manifeft 
 Chap.  1.6.  &3.1.  and  5. 2,  3.  yet  fhe  had  no  fuch 
 failings  as  to  blemilh  or  ftain  her  Profeflion.    , 
 
 VERSE    8. 
 
 Chrift  invites  the  Bride  to  confider,  with  a 
 difcerning  heavenly  Eye,  what  are  the  Excel- 
 lencies, Pleafures  and  Satisfactions  in  the  Earth, 
 wherein  the  Men  of  this  World  delight ;  tel- 
 ling her,  That  upon  aferious  consideration  fhe  fh ]all 
 find  no  (at  is  fact  ion  therein,  all  thefe  things  being 
 full  of  Fears,  Vexations  andMiferies. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Come  with  me  from  Lebanon  (my  Spoufe) 
 with  me  from  Lebanon  :  Look  from  the  top 
 ofAmana,  from  the  top  of  Shenir,  andHer- 
 mon,  from  the  Lions  Dens ;  from  the  Moun- 
 tains of  the  Leopards* 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  8.        The  Song  <?/Solomon,  115 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Come,  come  with  me  from  Lebanon, 
 
 With  me,  with  me,  I  fay, 
 Come,  come  with  me  from  Lebanon, 
 Don't,  don  t  delay. 
 Thou  viewed  hafi  already  Lebanon, 
 And  all  the  fiately  Cedars  thereupon  ; 
 That  goodly  range  of  Hills  which  Mofes  wiftidto  fee, 
 Jsfeen  and  fully  viewd  by  thee. 
 
 Come  let  us  go  to  Amana, 
 
 That  large  and  fiately  Hill  5 
 And  from  its  high  and  lofty  top 
 LePs  look^at  will. 
 Let's  go  to  Shenir,  and  to  Hermon  Mount, 
 Which  feem  the  very  Clouds  for  to  fur  mount : 
 Leisgoandtake  a  view  of  all  Earth's  beauties  rare  ; 
 Let's  view  all  thats  efieemedfair. 
 
 In  all  the fe  things  which  moft  delight 
 
 Thy  Senfes  while  as  here, 
 Will  you  alas  ought  fee  or  find 
 Devoid  of  fear  ? 
 What  are  thefe  pleafant  places  but  a  Nefi^ 
 Which  Lions  and  Leopards  infefl  ? 
 And  what  is  all  the  Earth  but  a  meer  Lion'iDen, 
 Lions,  though  in  thejhape  of  Men  ? 
 
 Come  then  and  let  us  look  above,  # 
 
 MySpoufe,  my  lovely  One , 
 Above  all  that  on  Earth  we  fee  7 
 Let's  hence  be  gone. 
 
 I  2  Lcf$ 
 
n6  A  Parapbrafe  en  Chap.  IV. 
 
 Let's  lookjtbove  unto  the  Heaven  bright, 
 That  is  a  comely  and  more  plea/ant  fight  : 
 Let  all  thy  Thoughts  upon  that  lovely  place  be  cafi, 
 Where  thou  wilt  come  to  flay  at  lafl. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Lebanon  was  a  place  of  old  famous  for  its  beauty 
 and  ftatelinefs,  infomuch  that  we  find  a  curiofity  in 
 the  Holy  Man  Mofes  to  fee  it,  Dent.  3.25. 
 
 As  for  Amana,  we  read  not  of  it,  except  it  be  that 
 which  is  mentioned  2  King.  5.12.  called  Abana,  but 
 on  the  Margent  Amana  :  It's  like  that  River  there 
 fpoken  of,  flowed  from  it,  and  is  defigned  there- 
 from.    It  (ignifics  in  the  Hebrew  firmnefs. 
 
 She-air  and  Herman  were  the  fame  Hill,  or  at  leafl 
 contiguous  Hills,  or  rather  two  tops  or  parts  of  one 
 Hit],  Dent. 3.  9.  beyond  Jordan,  pleafant  and  fer- 
 tile, and  from  which  they  might  fee  the  Land  of 
 Canaan  afar  off.  It  is  called,  Pfal.xg.  6.  Sirion. 
 It  is  likewife  called  Sion^  Dent. 4. 48.  It  was  fituate 
 at  the  South  or  Sotuh-Eaji  end  of  Canaan,  and  is  there- 
 fore taken  for  the  South,  and  fo  called,  PfaL  89.  12. 
 The  Chaldee  Paraphrafe  calls  it,  the  Mountain  of  Snow , 
 becaufe  itfeemsit  was  fo  high,  that  Snow  lay  al- 
 ways thereon. 
 
 The  Lions  Dens,  and  Mountains  of  the  Leopards  here 
 mentioned,  do  not  defign  any  new  place,  but  only 
 fhew  that  Lions  and  Leopards  frequented  thefe  Hills, 
 at  leaft  fome  of  them,  notwkhftanding  all  their 
 beauty  :  For  Mountains  are  the  common  Receptacle 
 of  fuch  Beafts,  and  are  therefore  called  Mountains  of 
 Prey.  There  is  an  ExprefTion  that  confirms  this, 
 H*b.  2.  17.  wrhere  mention  is  made  of  the  violence  of 
 Lebanon,  and  the  fpoil  ofBeafts. 
 
 VERSE 
 
Verfe  9.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.         1 1 7 
 
 VERSE    9, 
 
 Cbrifi  (heweth  how  he  is  taken,  and  as  it  nerey 
 ravifhed  with  the  Spoufe's  Beauty  and  Graces* 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thou  haft  ravifhed  my  Heart,  my  Sifter, 
 my  Spoufe  :  thou  haft  ravifhed  my  heart 
 with  one  of  thine  eyes,  with  one  chain  of 
 thy  neck. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Thou  ravifh'd  haft  my  Heart,  Oh  thott 
 
 Who  my  dear  Sifter  art, 
 And  who  art  my  dear  Sfoufe  alfo, 
 Thou  ravifh'd  hast  my  Heart. 
 
 Each  [quint  look  that  thongivesi  me 
 
 My  Mean  doth  ftizje  ; 
 Thou  haft  me  robbed  of  my  Heart, 
 
 With  each  one  of  thine  Eyes. 
 
 Each  Chain  which  doth  thy  Neck  adorn, 
 
 Each  fev'ral  Grace  of  thine, 
 Doth  captivate  my  Soul  and  Heart, 
 
 And  glew  the  fame  to  thine, 
 
 I3  VERSE 
 
1 1 8  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 VERSE     10. 
 
 thrift  amplifieth/mfor  the  Spoufts  Beauty. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 How  fair  is  thy  Love ,   my  Sifter  ,  my 
 Spoufe  !  \ • 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 How  fair,  bow  fairs  thy  Love, 
 My  Spoufe,  my  Sifter  fair  t 
 Fair  above  all  compare  j 
 How  doth  it  all  my  Bowels  move  ! 
 
 There  is  no  fpot  therein , 
 But  mdefibd  andpwre^ 
 And  chajie  it  doth  endftre9 
 Vnblemijhd  by  ugly  fin* 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Chrift  explains  and  illuftrates,  by  a  Campari* 
 fon  of  Wine,  how  her  Love  furpajjeth  the  mofi 
 excellent  of  earthly  things. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 •— -  How  much  better  is  thy  Love  than 
 Wine!—-? 
 
 The 
 
LVerfe  i  o.      The  Song  of  Solomon.  119 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Thy  Love,  thy  Loves  mottfweet^ 
 jillfweetnefs  there  doth  meet : 
 Its  better  far  than  Wine, 
 Though  nfrefo  rare  and  fine. 
 All  wings  on  Earth  that  be% 
 All  things  that  I  do  fee, 
 Do  halt  thy  Love  behind, 
 And  empty  prove  as  Wind, 
 When  once  compard  they  be 
 With  thy  true  Love  by  me. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Chrift  adds  another  GomvzxifonofOyntmentS) 
 wherewith  to  ilhfirate  her  Love  yet  further. 
 
 The  Words, 
 And  the  fmell  of  thine  Oynments 
 
 than  all  Spices ! 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh  what  an  odoriferous  [cent 
 Vnto  the  fmell  m^  fence  is  fent, 
 When  thou  thy  Graces  me  dolt  fhew9 
 When  thou  prefenteli  to  my  view 
 Thyco&ly  Ointments  which excelll 
 Oh  what  a  choice  perfuming  fmell 
 Doth  iffue  thence  and  flow  to  me ! 
 Oh  what  Perfeflions  in  thee  be ! 
 What  pleafant  favours  thence  proceed^ 
 Which  far  all  other  fcents  exceed ! 
 
 1 4  There 
 
120  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 There  occurrs  no  difficulty  in  thefe  two  Verfes  to 
 me,  and  therefore  I  (hall  feek  for  none.  The  two 
 laft  parts  of  Verfe  10.  are  almofl  the  fame  as  to  the 
 Expreflions,  with  thcfe  Commendations  y  which 
 were  given  of  Chrift's  Love  and  Name,  by  the  Spoufe^ 
 Ver.  2  and  3  of  Chap.  1 .  And  therefore  congruoufly 
 thereto  I  have  Paraphrafed  them,  only  adapting  the 
 Paraphrafe  to  the  fcope  here,  which  makes  it  be  diffe- 
 rent from  what  it  was  in  that  other  place. 
 
 AVERSE    11. 
 
 Chrift  falls  again  upon  the  Commendation  of 
 the  Spoufe,  and  fir  ft  he  commends  her  Difcourfe 
 and  Words. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thy  Lips,  Oh  my  Spoufe,  drop  as  the 
 Honey-comb. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Thy  Lips,  ^Spoufe,  fweet  Honey  drop. 
 
 Sweet  Honey  from  the  Comb^ 
 
 Sweet  Honey  thence  doth  come, 
 This  is  the  rich  and  fruitful  Crop 
 
 Which  from  thy  Speeches  ail  doth  flow  ; 
 
 The  words  which  come  from  theey 
 
 Mo  si  fweet  an  d  pie  a f ant  be, 
 Sugaring  all  things  where-ere  they  go» 
 
 Ibid* 
 
ferfe  1 1  •        The  Song  of  Solomon.  121 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 He  commends  the  Spoufts  Thoughts,   which 
 ire  the  fountain  or  four  ce  of  her  Speech. 
 
 The  Words, 
 —  Honey   and  Milk   arc   under   thy 
 
 rongue, 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Likewife  thy  Thoughts,  the  fource  of  all  thy  Speech  , 
 
 Thy  Tongue  its  words  which  teach, 
 }  MoEt  fxveet  andpleafantbe, 
 
 Though  none  the  fame  doth  know  but  1  and  Thee. 
 
 They  fecret  do  below  thy  Tongue  abide  ; 
 
 Tet  Milkj 'xcell  they  far , 
 
 Andfweet  as  Honey  are, 
 Though  thou  their  rhhnefs  and  their  worth  dofi  hide. 
 
 Thus  they  within  themfelves  do  comprehend 
 
 Jhefirength  and  quintefTence 
 
 *  Of  both  the  Flowers  and  Grafs-, 
 
 Sweet  for  the  prefent,  fweeter  in  the  end* 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 He  commends  the  S$ouf<?$  A&ions  likemfc, 
 as  mofi  lovely. 
 
122  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV* 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 And  the  fmell  of  thy  Garments  is 
 
 like  the  fmell  of  Lebanon. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 And  as  thy  Words  to  Men  are  fweet  ^ 
 As  being  feen  ; 
 And  as  thy  Thoughts  have  been 
 Moft  fweet  to  mey  andmofi  compleat  f 
 
 So  are  thy  A&ions  which  exceB, 
 And  thee  do  cloath  : 
 All  other  [cents  I  loath , 
 When  once  J  do  their  odour  fmell, 
 
 TliOHgh  Lebanon  tfregrown  with  F f lower s, 
 Cafis  a  fweet  fcent  ; 
 Tet  ist  but  low  and  faint % 
 When  once  it  is  compared  with  yonrs. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 When  I  confider  the  gradation  that  is  in  this 
 Verfe,  and  the  lignificancy  of  the  Expreffions  there- 
 in, I  cannot  take  them  up  in  another  way  than  I 
 haverendred  them  in  the  Paraphrafe:  viz.  That  there 
 is  here  a  Commendation  held  forth  of  a  Believers  Words^ 
 Thoughts  and  AElions. 
 
 Lebanon  was  not  only  famous  for  its  Cedars^  but 
 likewife  for  its  Fertility  and  Pleafantnefs.  Yea,  it's 
 reported  that  it  abounded  both  with  the  choiceil 
 
 Flowers 
 
Vcrfe  1 2 .       The  Song  of  Solomon.  125 
 
 Flowers  and  Spices  -7  from  which  it  feems  it  gets  its 
 Name/or  it's  derived  from  the  Hebrew  word  niG/, 
 which  fignifies  Frankincenfe^  which  it  feems  hath 
 grown  there  plentifully  of  old :  So  that  undoubtedly 
 Lebanon  hath  caft  a  moft  pleafant  fmell. 
 
 VERSE  12. 
 
 Chrifi  goeth  on  in  commending  the  Spoufe  yet 
 further,  by  various  Comparifons  ;  and  firft,  to 
 *,n  inclofed  Garden  (he  is  aflimiUted. 
 
 The  Words, 
 A   Garden  inclofed    is    my    Sifter,    my 
 Spoule  :  ■ — 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Thou  art  a  Garden  of  moft  pleafant  Flowers 
 With  curious  Walkj^andfbady  Bowers  j 
 A  Garden  where  doth  grow \ 
 
 In  decent  row, 
 In  Plots,  fome  high*  fome  low, 
 All  the  fweet-fcented  Spices  rare, 
 A  Garden  with  the  vMch  none  can  compare* 
 
 My  Si  tier  and  my  Spoufe,  thou  art  to  me 
 This  Garden  fair,  which  none  do  fee  •• 
 For  with  Inclofures/^ 
 
 Inclosed  art  now  ; 
 Henceforth  none  Jhall  thee  view  : 
 Beafis  Jhall  not  enter  and  deftroy 
 Thy  Plants,  nor  Tempefls  henceforth  thee  annoy. 
 
 Ibid- 
 
124  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV- 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 He  compares  her  to  a  Spring  that  is  fhut  up, 
 and  a  Fountain  that  is  fealed. 
 
 The  Words, 
 A   Spring   fhut   up,   a   Fountain 
 
 fealed. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 A  Spring  thou  art. 
 But  not  for  common  ufe  y 
 But  felled  up  by  Art 
 
 From  all  abufe. 
 
 A  Fountain  thou 
 Arty  feal'd  with  my  own  Seal, 
 That  none  may  thee  review. 
 
 Or  from  thee  fteml. 
 
 VERSE  13  &  14. 
 
 He  compares  her  Graces  to  choice  and  excel- 
 lent Plants  and  Spices,  growing  together  in  an 
 Orchard  of  Pkafure. 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  13,14.     The  Song  0/ Solomon.  125 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thy  Plants  are  an  Orchard  of  Pomgranates, 
 with  pleafant  Fruits,  Camphir  with  Spike- 
 nard. 
 
 Spikenard  and  Saffron,  Calamus  and  Ci- 
 namon  ,  with  all  Trees  of  Frankincenfe, 
 Myrrh  and  Aloes,  with  all  the  chief  Spices. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 For  in  thy  Orchard  allthefe  Spices  grawt 
 Which  tW  World  any  where  can  jljow  ; 
 The  Porngranates  are  there, 
 With  Frhits  moU  fair, 
 ,  With  Spices  choice  and  rare. 
 
 Of  Spices  there  is  there  no  want  • 
 Camphir  is  there,  o/Spikenard  there's  no  [cant. 
 
 Calamus,  Spikenard,  Saffron,  Cinamoji, 
 Andfweet  Frankincenfe-Trees  each  one 
 Of  whatfoevcr  kind, 
 We  there  may  find 7 
 Whenas  we  are  inclined: 
 Sweet  Myrrh  and  Aioes  are  there 
 Liktwife,  and  aH  the  Spices  which  are  rare. 
 
 VERSE   15. 
 
 He  compares  her,  ra  the  Ufl  place,  to  a  Foun- 
 tain of  Gardens,  and  a  Spring  -We  11  flowing  in 
 (Ireamsfrom  Lebanon, 
 
 Th- 
 
125  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 A  Fountain  of  Gardens,  a  Well  of  living 
 Waters,  and  ftreams  from  Lebanon. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 And  thou'rt  a  Spring 
 Which  in  the  Garden/fon?/, 
 Whereby  the  I 'lowers grows , 
 
 And  Plants  do  ff  ring. 
 
 Thou  art  a  Well 
 Of  Waters  which  do  live. 
 And  life  to  Plants  do  give^ 
 
 And  do  excelL 
 
 Which  down  do  flow 
 From  Lebanon,  not  thee. 
 But  from  a  Mount  ain^n  mey 
 
 To  thee  below. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 In  thefe  laft  Verfes  Chrift  gives  many  Comfarifons, 
 whereby  the  Bvid^sExcellency  and  Duty  is  held  forth; 
 which  we  have  endeavoured  to  hint  at  in  the  Para- 
 phrafe,  and  therefore  we  fhall  not  inilft  much  on  them 
 here. 
 
 In  the  1 2th.  Verfe  fhe  is  called,  i .  A  Garden  in- 
 clojkd  }  a  Gar  den  yto  denote  her  being  fet  a-part  from 
 common  ufe?  for  God's  fervice  j  an  inclofed  Garden^ 
 
 to 
 
Verfe  1 f        The  Song  of  Solomon.  127 
 
 to  fhew  both  God's  care  over  her,and  her  own  watch- 
 fulnefs  over  her  Spirit.  2.  She  is  a  Spring  font  up  :  a 
 Spring  to  denote  her  purity  and  ufefulnefs  ;  for 
 Springs  were  of  great  ufe,  efpecially  in  thofehot 
 Countries  :  a  Spring  flout  up,  to  fhew  her  purity  and 
 uncorruptednefs  ;for  in  thefe  Parts  Springs  were  fhut 
 up7Gen.  29.  8.  both  to  hinder  the  Waters  being  cor- 
 rupted by  the  Sun,  and  to  keep  Beafts  from  defiling 
 them,  3.  She  is  a  Fountain  fealed  ^  for  the  fame  reg- 
 ion, but  with  afpcciality  of  being  fealed.  A  Fountain 
 is  a  Spring  walled  about  artificially. 
 
 In  the  13th.  and  14th.  Verfes  there  is  an  enume- 
 ration of  divers  Spices,  to  fhew  the  diverfity  and 
 excellency  of  the  Bride's  Graces.  I  /hail  not  enquire, 
 whether  or  not  the  Holy  Ghoft  intends  here  to  hold 
 forth  the  Effects  and  Properties  of  divers  Graces, 
 though  I  am  apt  tp  incline  to  the  Affirmative,  feeing 
 Solomon  the  Pen- man  was  fo  well  vers'd  in  the  know- 
 ledge of  Plants,  as  of  all  things  'elfe,  2nd  fo  it's  like 
 did  not  without  due  Animadverfion  mention  any  of 
 them  here.  But  hower  it  be,  we  muft  hold  on  the 
 general.  They  are  pleafant,  phypcal,  favoury  and 
 deleft  able  Fruits ;  and  fo  are  the  Graces  of  the 
 Spirit,  both  to  him  who  hath  them,  to  others  with 
 whom  he  converfeth,and  toChrift  inrefped  of  his  ac- 
 ceptation of  them.  This  is  the  fcope  wherein  we  reft. 
 
 But  we  muft  here  take  notice  of  the  alteration  of 
 the  word  here,  from  what  it  was  in  the  former 
 Verfe.  In  the  former  Verfe  the  Hebrew  word 
 is  ]i  ,  which  we  render  a  Garden  j  and  in  this  Verfe 
 it  isDTli,  which  we  render  an  Orchard  j  but  ac- 
 cording ro  its  common  Interpretation  ,  and  the 
 found  of  the  word,  we  may  fay  Parrdife.  Some 
 make  this  difference  betwixt  the  firft  word  and  the 
 
 fecond, 
 
128  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 fecond,  that  the  firft  was  a  Garden  of  one  fort  of 
 Trees  only,    and  the  fecond  of  divers  Sorts  and 
 Kinds.     Bat  that  I  think  not  probable,  fince  in  this 
 fame  place,  viz.  Ver.  13.  it  feems  to  be  intimate, 
 that  the  Garden  or  Orchard  here  fpoken  of,  and  ) 
 to  which  the  Spoufe  is  compsred,  is  of  one  fort  of 
 Trees  only,  to  wit,  Pomegranates :  For  though  other 
 Spices  here  be  mentioned,    yet  it's  probable  that 
 thefe  were  only  here  and   there  intermix'd  there- 
 with, for  the  greater  pleafure  \  and  neither  are  any  j 
 of  thefe  Spices  properly  to  be  efteemed  Trees,  but 
 rather  Shrubs  or  Plants ;  and  we  fee  that  the  words  | 
 run  thus,   A^  Orchard  of  Pomgranates  with  pie  a f ant  I 
 Fruit,  &c.  not,  An  Orchard  of  Pomgranates,  and 
 other  pleafant  Fruits,  &c.  fo  that  Pomgranates  have 
 been  the  chief  con fl intent  here.     Wherefore  I  rather 
 think  the  diftin&ion  of  thefe  two  kind  of  Gardens 
 or  Orchards,  differenced  by  thefe  two  Names,  to 
 lye  in  this,  That  the  firft  hath  contained  principally 
 thefe  Trees,    Flowers,    Herbs,  &c+    which  are  of 
 more  common  and  univerfal  life  *  and  that  this  lat- 
 ter hath  contained, and  been  ftored  with  thefe  Trees, 
 Flowers,  Herbs,  Spices  and  Plants,  which  are  more 
 rare  and  ftrong.    So  that  the  firft  hath  been  a  Gar- 
 den for  Vfe  principally,  and  this  for  Pleafure.    So 
 that  this  laffc  is  not  unproperly  called  a  Paradife,  ac- 
 cording to  the  Hebrew,  or  a  Garden  of  Pleafure. 
 
 We  may  note  likewife,  that  the  Hebrew  doth  not 
 run  thus,  (as  our  Verilon  hath  it,)  With  pleafant 
 Fruits  ^  but  thus,  With  the  Fruits  of  precimis  things  : 
 Whereby  is  denoted  the  rarity  and  precioufnefs  of 
 thefe  Spices  which  were  in  thefe  Paradifes,  or  Gar- 
 dens oi:  Pleafure,  of  which  undoubtedly  Solomon  had 
 oxott  richly  ftored  ones. 
 
 In 
 
Ve/fe  16.         The  Song  ^/Solomon.  129 
 
 In  the  I5thc  Vcrfe  there  are  two fimlitndes  of  the 
 Spoufe  ;  not  three ,  as  Mr.  Durham  $nd  or/wj  think } 
 for  in  the  Hebrew  the  words  run  thus,  A  Fountain  of 
 Gardens,  a  Well  of  'Waters  living,  and  flowing  from  Leba- 
 non, or  ftreaming  from  Lebanon.So  that  Streams  here 
 are  not  to  be  taken  as  a  Snbflantive,  but  an  AdjetHve^ 
 And  as  to  the  Hebrew  word  ^K3»,  which  we  tran- 
 slate a  Well,it  fignifies  properly  a  Water- tit  or  Cifier??, 
 or  a  Receptacle  for  Water,     So  that  it's  gtbity,  that 
 an  allnfton  is  here  made  to  fome  Aqueduct,  of  Water, 
 made  by  Solomon,  whereby  Water  hath  been  brought 
 from  Lebanon  through  fome  Conduit,  for  watering 
 fome  of  his  Gardens, and  hath  therefore  been  received 
 by  fome  convenient  Receptacle  made  for  that  end. 
 
 • 
 
 The 
 
 !       V  E  R  S  E     16. 
 
 The  Brides  taking  the  opportunity  of  Chrift's 
 vearnefs  to  hprjydkeih  ufe  ofChnjfs,  Commenda- 
 'ion  ofhtr,as  an  argument  for  przjfihg  kirn  to  grant 
 wo  Suits  to  her,  :  The  firji  whereof  is,  that  the 
 Jpirit  of  God  w*y  be  given  her.,  for  quickning 
 wicomforting  her  according  as  her  need  requires, 
 
 1 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Awake,  O  Najftfe :"*wipd^  and  come  thou 
 iouth  ;  blow  upon  my  Garderuhat  the  SpiCes 
 
 hereof  may  flow  out : 
 
 K  the 
 
1 30  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 0  comforting  and  health-reftoring  Spirit, 
 Send  forth  thy  influence  on  me  \ 
 According  tomyneed^  not  merit  y 
 
 Lit  me  thy  Venue  fee. 
 
 1  do  confefs  that  la  Garden  have7 
 Wherein  fweet  Flowers  and  Spices  grow  ; 
 But  oh  it  proves  but  as  a  Grave, 
 
 When  orit  thou  doji  not  blow. 
 
 Sometimes  alas ,  /  fluggifh  *#;  and  dead , 
 And  other  times  I  troubled  prove  ; 
 In  thefe  two  Cafes  I  have  need 
 0/qukkning,  and  of  love. 
 
 for  why  fometimts  my  Spices  are  o\egrown 
 Withpoyfonous  andufeltfs  Weeds ; 
 Whilfl  other  times  they  [cor  ctid  are  grown , 
 Wanting  raoiilure  which  them  feeds. 
 
 Come  then  and  take  thofe  ugly  Weeds  away, 
 Themftifle  with  thy  pruning  cold : 
 Lufts  mortifie  which  in  me  ftay, 
 And  which  of  me  take  hold. 
 
 Come ,  and  with  fruitful  moifture  me  fupply, 
 Guard  me  againfi  the  fcorching  heat ; 
 In  my  Afflictions  comfort  mey 
 As  thou  doji  fee  it  meet. 
 
 Like 
 
Verfe  1 6.     The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 5 1 
 
 Like  to  the  North  and  the  Sonth-Windbe  thon^ 
 As  I  have  needy  upon  me  blow  : 
 When  griev  dor  fluggifh,  me  renew, 
 That  my  [cent  out  may  flow. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 The  Brides  ftcond  fuit  or  asking,  viz.  That 
 Chrift  may  gracioujly  he  p leafed  to  come  ami 
 abide  with  her,  and  take  f  leaf  me  in  her  Graces. 
 
 The  Words, 
 -Let  my  Beloved  come  into  his  Gar- 
 
 den, and  eat  his  pleafant  Fruits. 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 That  thus  my  Garden  being  dreft, 
 My  be(l*belovdmay  come  at  will, 
 And  eat  his  fill 
 Of  what  Fruit  he  thinks  bejf. 
 
 For  why  this  Garden  doth  belong 
 Of  right  and  property  to  him  j 
 And  he  therein 
 Will  wa\  the  Flowers  among* 
 
 O  let  him  come  into  his  Garden  then, 
 And  of  his  pleafant  Fruits  thus  cat, 
 As  he  thinks  meet : 
 Oh  let  him  not  refrain. 
 
 K2  ANNQc 
 
i  $  2  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  I V# 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Original  word  ^V,  which  we  render  Awake, 
 fignifies  properly  to  wntch^  which  is  more  empha- 
 tick  i  as  if  fhe  had  faid,  O  North- Wind  {i.e.  O 
 quickning  Spirit)  watch  for  my  quickning,  watch 
 over  my  dulnefs  and  fluggilhnefs,  tor  I  am  apt  oft  to 
 fall  therein. 
 
 The  word  likewife  which  we  render  blow  uj>6n% 
 may  more  properly  be  rendred  blow  thorow ;  as  if  (he 
 had  faid,  Leave  no  corner  of  my  Garden  unnoted, 
 no  Spice  or  Flower  thereof  riegle&ed,  but  blow 
 thorough  all  my  Garden. 
 
 Chrift's  eating  of  his  plcafant  Fruits,  is  his  fola- 
 cing  himfelf  upon  the  Graces  of  the  Saints,  as  we 
 have  obferved  elfewhsre. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Verfe  i .        The  Song  of  Solomon,  i  j  j 
 
 • -i— — 1 —  ■       ■  ■        ■    i  t 
 
 I 
 
 - 
 
 CHAP.  V. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE     i. 
 
 Chrijt  anfwereth  the  Spoufe,  and  fheweth  her7 
 that  he  hath,  according  to  her  defire,  come  to  her, 
 and  entred  into  her  Garden,  (which  was  her  Ufi 
 f nit  to  him,)  and  eaten  liketvife  therein. 
 ■ 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  am  come  into  my  Garden,  my  Sifter, 
 my  Spoufe  ;  I  have  gathered  my  Myrrh  with 
 my  Spice,.  I  have  eaten  tnf  Honey- comb 
 with  my  Honey,  I  have  drunk  'my  Wine  with 
 my  Milk.  :  ■ ■ 
 
 The  Paraphrale. 
 
 My  Sifter  dear,  as  thou  de  fired  hajir 
 Into  my  Garden'  fo  /  have  already  come  • 
 
 And  will  continue  as  I  havebepun, 
 On  thy  moftftvee?  and  [awry  Graces  for  tofeajl. 
 
 K  3  M/ 
 
i  ?  4  -A  Pdraphra/e  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 My  Myrrh  with  my  fwect  Spice  I  gathered  have, 
 My  Honey-comb  with  my  fweet  Honey  I  have  eat, 
 My  Wine  I  have  drunk  with  my  Milk  moll  fwect. 
 
 From  every  one  of  which  great  fkafurc  I  receive. 
 
 Thy  Graces^  of  whatever  fort  they  be, 
 Do  (when  together  put)  a  Feaft  mofl  favry  makf, 
 
 Boththoje  more  fiarp  and fweet,  more  fir ong  and  weak', 
 AH  which  1  hold  as  mine,  though  they  fpring  up  in  thee. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 He  invites,  her j  and  all  true  Believers  with 
 her,  to  come,  and  not  only  ta/fey  but  eat  and 
 drink,  and  that  abundantly  of  his  fulnefs  ;  andfo 
 to  feafi  themf elves  on  the  foul-refrefhing  Bene- 
 fits and  Bhffings  of  his  Purchaje,  by  their  afting 
 Faith  on  him,  and  thus  enjoying  Fellowfbip  with 
 him^and  comforting  themfelves  in  the  Priviledgesy 
 Promijes  and  Mercies  allowed  to  them. 
 
 4 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Eat,  O  Friends,  drink  *   yea,  drink 
 
 abundantly,  O  Ikloved. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Wherefore  thy  Graces  being  mine. 
 And  /,  /  being  Steward  of  this  Store , 
 And  Author  likewife  ofthefe  Fruit  j  divine  \ 
 
 Therefore 
 I  thee  invite^  and  all  Saints  elfe  to  dine : 
 
 Both 
 
Verfc  i.  The  Song  of  Salomon.        &f  5 
 
 2?of  fc  /or  f  0  dine  and  fup  at  will. 
 Come  then,  O  Friends,  come  all,  and  eat  with  me  \ 
 Come  drink,  yea  drink  abundantly  your  fill : 
 
 See,  fee 
 What  plenteous  fulnefs  doth  from  me'"diftiJL 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Hebrew  word  TQ^l,  vyiiich  we  tranflate 
 abundantly,  fignifies  to  be  drunk\  ,fo  that  the  words 
 run  thus,  Drink,  yea  drink,  and  fill  your  f elves  drunk. 
 But  we  need  not  wonder  at  this  •,  for  it  is  not  Wine 
 or  Strong-Drink  we  are  here  commanded  to  be 
 drunk  with,  but  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  the  Graces  of 
 the  Spirit.  And  indeed  this  Invitation  or  Command 
 is  the  fame  with  that  of  the  Apoftlcs,  Be  not  drunk 
 with  Wine,  wherein  there  is  excefs,  but  be  ye  filled  with 
 the  Spirit,  Eph.  $.18.  So  that  if  our  Joy  run  in  a 
 right  Channel,  there  cannot  be  excefs  in  it,  if  ic 
 were  to  be  drunken  with  it  5  fo  as  to  forget  our  poverty, 
 and  to  remember  our  miferyno  more. 
 
 But  we  rauit  note  here,  That  it  is  only  Friends 
 and  Beloved  Ones  that  Chrift  admits  to  feaft  with 
 him  ;  others  may  at  fome  times  get  Morfels  and 
 Crumbs  caft  from  his  Table,  but  it  is  only  feled 
 Ones  that  are  admitted  to  feaft  there. 
 
 K  4  VERSE 
 
l$6  JParaphrafe  o*  .Chap.V. 
 
 l»A — ;  — b ,  — tab — Q k^    I 
 
 L 
 
 VERSE    K M 
 
 T£e  $$rf2  jh'ervtth  what  Gafe  ihfe  was  in, 
 
 •*fe  C^i/?  is  inviting  her  tt)  tome  und  Fehfi 
 with  him ;  a  '"very  ftranee  Cafe  indeed.  inatte  Up 
 «  tt  were  of  Iteming  Paradoxes  and  contraries  , 
 for  (he  difl^uijketh  her  felf  -from  'her  Heart, 
 and  the  fleeping  of  the  one  front  'the-  waking 
 of  the  other  :  Momver^  by  her  fleeping  {he  fig- 
 mfes  a  ceaftngfYofnffiritnalDm^ 
 
 up  the  fpiritual  Stnfes,  as  naturaf^eep  kind's  up 
 the  bodily  Senfes  :  \And  by  waki&g^  tmderfiood 
 fome  livelmefsand  fenfibknefs^  4r  it  k*ft Lifty 
 '  'in  oppof.tion  to  t&4t  dullnejL 
 
 ■ 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  fleep,  but  my  Heart  waketh  ;  it  is  the 
 Voice  of  my  Beloved  who  knocketh 
 
 The- 
 
V er  fc  2 .         The  Song  of  Solomon.  137 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 What's  this  I  hear!  —  Is  this  my  Bridegroom's  Voice  t 
 
 No,  No,  it  is  fome  other  Noife. 
 
 Sleep  on,fle.ep  on,  it%s  bat- fome  dream. 
 Nay,  nay,  notfo  !  I  cannot  jo  efieem  ! 
 
 Its  true,  it's  trtie  indeed,  1 4o  but  fleeep  / 
 
 Would  God  I  could  but  for  it  weep  ! 
 
 Yet  neWethelefs  my  Heart1*  awake : 
 Grace  hinders  it  of  Jkep  for  to  partake. 
 
 For  though  indeed  fin  hath  far,  far,  awaiPd, 
 
 And  lazJnefs  (Pre  me  prevailed  \ 
 
 Tet  hath  the  Spirits  influence 
 Kept  me  from  being  overcome  from  thence. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  (hewetb  what  Chrifi  fold  to  ber>  while 
 in  that  Cafe,  and  bow  he  expoftulated  with  ber 
 to  let  him  in* 
 
 The  Words, 
 faying,  Open  to  me,  my  Sifter^ 
 
 my  Love,  my  Dove,  my  undefiled  :  For  my 
 Head  Is  filled  with  Dew,  and  my  Locks  with 
 the  dfops  of  the  Night. 
 
 The 
 
i  ?8  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 The  Paraphrafev 
 
 Sure,  fur  ey  it's  he  that  kpocketh  fo, 
 For  fur e  his  Voice  I  know. 
 His  words  I  hear  : 
 Open  to  me,  he  faith,  Sifter  dear ; 
 My  Love,  my  Dove,  my  undefiled,  hex* 
 Why  mat^fi  thou  me  fo  long  to  ftay9 
 Come,  come  away! 
 Come,  come,  my  lovely  one  j 
 Why  makift  thou  me  me  thus  to  wait  on  ? 
 Wbyfufferft  thou  me  thus  to  knock  ? 
 Why  thus  dofi  thou  me  lock^ 
 From  out  of  thee  ? 
 Why  with  delays  affront' ft  thou  me? 
 Im  wounded  by  this  carriage,  which  1  fee  :■ 
 This,  this,  doth  fill  my  Head  with  Dew, 
 And  I,  of  new ) 
 My  Locks  all  filled  have 
 With  Rain,  which  I  do' now  receive. 
 
 VERSE     z. 
 
 Ihe  Brides  Anfwer  to  her  Beloveds  Call ; 
 wherein  fhefbeweth  much  lazinefe  and  lukewarm- 
 nefs  ;  although  Ibme  defire  be  intimated  like- 
 wife  to  embrace  his  Caff. 
 
 The 
 
Vcrfe  4.         Tfc  Song  of  Solomon,  159 
 
 The  Words, 
 I  have  pi»t  off  my  Coat,  how  fhall  I  put 
 it  on?  I  have  wafhed  my  Feet,  how  fhall  I 
 defile  them  ? 
 
 The  Paraprafe, 
 
 This  do  1  hear.     $Ht  Oh  what  fhall  I  do ! 
 How  grievous  is  it  me  unto ! 
 My  Coat  is  off  :j  How  fhall  I  put  it  on  again  ? 
 
 Tet  will  I  rife.  — —  But  Oh  what  pain     « 
 
 Is  it  to  rife  ! 
 Lazinefsme  dothfo  comprize ! 
 
 How  grievous  is  it  for  to  rife  from  Bed, 
 Whereon  I  fweetly  now  am  laid  ! 
 My  Feet  are  wafh'd,  how  fhall  I  thera  defile  ! 
 
 Tet  will  I  rife.  — Obfiay  a  while ! 
 
 How  fhall  I  rife, 
 Lazjnefs  me  doth  fo  comprise ! 
 
 VERSE    4. 
 
 Shefheweth  what  way  Ghrifl:  took,  to  rouze 
 her  out  of  her  lazy  Condition,  viz.  by  an  effe- 
 ctual dealing  with  her  Heart ;  at  which  her 
 Bowels  are  movedy  both  with  grief  at  her  own 
 laz>inefsy  and  with  defire  of  enjoying  his  Company y 
 whomfhe  had  fo  unlovingly,  unmannerly  and  un+ 
 thankfully  requited. 
 
 The 
 
146  A  P#*py*fc  on  Chap,  y 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 My  Beloved  put  in  his  Hand  by  the  hole 
 of  the  Door,  and  my  Bowels  Were  moved 
 for  him. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 While  thus  in  Bed  J  Imgring  lay, 
 #     Having  my  Door  ft  ill  locked  andjbut, 
 No  longer  my  belovd  would  flay, 
 But  in  himfelfhis  Hand  he  put  : 
 
 In  at  the  hole  he  put  his  Hand, 
 And  with  his  Key.  unlocks the  fame.  | . 
 His  Key  didftrait  my  Heart  command^ 
 
 And  all  my  eafe  did  foon  mframe. 
 
 Grief  then  did  give  a  fuddenfmart 
 Tome,  becaufe  of  lazJnefs : 
 Sorrow  did  feizje  upon  my  Heart  :■ 
 Shame  did  my  very  Sod  aiftrefs. 
 
 9       ...   3 
 My  Bowels  moved  were  within, 
 That  him  without?  I  thusjhould  kgep  ; 
 That  Jjhould  treat  fo  ill  with  him  : 
 Tears  then  befprinkUd  all  my  Check* 
 
 VERSE 
 
rerfe  $.        Iht  Song  of  Solomon.  141 
 
 VERSE    5. 
 
 She  fbeweth  what  Ejfetfs  the  tombing  of  her 
 hearty  by  the  Spirits \Wfft final workings  had  up - 
 n  her  \  /fofirft  whertof  is,  that  (he  obeys  his 
 ^all,  and  rifethtoopen  her  door  to  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 I  role  to  open  to  my  Beloved,  ~— : 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Up,  up j  I  rofe,  to  open  unto  him^ 
 
 In  hafi^  in  hafl  }  to  him  I  fay  : 
 For  though  the  Lock  by  him  unlocked  had  becx9 
 
 Tetftillthe  Bole  within  did  flay. 
 
 That  hey  it's  true,  could  opened  havei  if  he 
 
 The  fame  had  plea  fed  for  to  do  j 
 But  he  did  not  think  fk  that  that  (hould  be  % 
 
 But  did  the  fame  have  me  unto. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  fheweth  another   effect   that  followed  on 
 
 £hrifPs  touching  her  Heart  ;  that  no  fooner  did 
 
 ^t  Ify  hqld  on  the  fame  to  open  it  to  him,  hut 
 
 he  found  fome  fweet  outpowring  of  the  influ- 
 
 mces  of  the  Spirit  upon  hereunder  taking  ;  Chrift 
 
 giving 
 
142  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 giving  her  thus  fome  ground  of  hope,  that 
 though  he  tvas  gone  away,  yet  it  was  not  for 
 tvery   nor  in  wrath. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 And  my    Hands  dropped    with 
 
 Myrrhe,  and  my  Fingers  with  fweet  fmell- 
 ing  Myrrhe,  upon  the  handles  of  thd 
 Lock. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Vp  then  I  ro/Cy 
 And  no  more  lingering,  no  more  time  did  lofe  \ 
 And  on  the  holt  my  hands  J  put. 
 To  open  my  hard  Heart,  which  had  Jo  long  been  font. 
 
 Whence  fir  ait  arofe 
 A  fmell  farpajfmg  the  moji  pleafant  Rofe  : 
 
 Sweet-fmelling  Myrrhe  my  Hands  did  fill, 
 And  (rom  my  Fingers,  as  they  touch' d  the  Lock,  diftili. 
 
 My  Graces  then 
 Vnto  their  former  vigour  came  again  ; 
 
 And  that  fweet  balmy  Myrrhe  my  Heart 
 Did  heal.,  and  made  its  laxjy  mfi  for  to  depart. 
 
 VERSE 
 
^erfe  6.  The  Song  ^Solomon.         145 
 
 VERSE    6. 
 
 The  Bride  fhemth  that  [he  effetiually  At  I  of  fuc- 
 cccded  in  opening  her  Heart  to  Chrift :  but 
 is  fadly  dif appointed,  when  fhe  finds  that  he  was 
 withdrawn  and  oone. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 I  opened  to  ray  Beloved,  but  my  Beloved 
 had  withdrawn  himfclf,  — 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 My  Heart  then  pattnt  did  1  lay., 
 And  open  make  by  Faith  and  Love  j 
 That  my  beloved  enter  might  andftay, 
 And  not  from  thence  remove. 
 
 But  my  Beloved,  ah  alafs ! 
 Withdrawn  had  himfelf  from  me ; 
 And  had  removd  his  Pre  fence  from  that  place? 
 That  him  I  could  not  fee. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  fberveth,  that  when  fbe  Sniffed  her  Belo- 
 ved, how  with  grief  fhe  reflected  on  her  by- 
 gone lazinels  and  evil  Carriage  towards  Chrift* 
 
 The 
 
1^4  4  Paraphrafe  on 
 
 The  Words. 
 ^—  My  Soul  failed  when  he  fpakc  — 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh  then  my  Soul  did  fait, 
 When  1  refietted  on  my  Carriage  paft, 
 
 My  Heart  did  faint  and  was  agajl  ; 
 But  Oh  Repentance  fcarce  could  then  prevail. 
 
 When  I  did  thint^apon 
 .My  keeping  him  fo  long  without  my  door  • 
 
 My  Soul  did  grieve  and  weep  thertfort^ 
 And  fadly  did  its  lazjnefs  bemoan. 
 
 • 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  jhewetb,  that  Jhe  ufed  4#  Means   and 
 Duties,  and  yet  found  not  Chrifl. 
 
 The  Words. 
 I  fought  him,  but  I  could  not  find 
 
 him  : 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 Tet  left  defpair  fhould  me  o  rethrow, 
 
 From  Hope  /  comfort  fought  to  find 
 Vnto  my  weary  mind^ 
 From  place  to  pUce  refolving  for  to  go 
 'Till  J  of  my  Bclovd  jhonld  know* 
 
 From 
 
Verfe  6.       The  Song  of  Solomon*      *        145 
 
 From  Duty  unto  Duty  /  did  run  : 
 I  Ordinances  didfrtquent ; 
 
 My  time  1  therein  font. 
 
 But  Oh  alas  !  my  Duties  he  didjhun  : 
 And  I  in  vain  that  race  did  ran. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  (beweth,  how  jhe  did  fall  about  the  Duty 
 of  Prayer ;  but  flill  ineffectually. 
 
 The  Words. 
 I  called  him,  but  he  gave  me 
 
 no  Anfwer. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Then  I  my  [elf  betook^to  private  Prayer, 
 And  therein  with  him  wrejile  did  j 
 Thinking  to  find  him  there  : 
 But  Oh  alas !  from  me  his  Face  he  hid. 
 
 I  wee  fd  and  waiNy  and  upon  him  did  call 
 But  I  had  him  di [flea  fed  foy 
 That  he  would  not  at  all 
 Me  hear,  but  without  Anfwer  let  me  go. 
 
 VERSE 
 
1^6  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 VERSE     7. 
 
 She  fherveth  how  /he  betook  her  felf  to  the  pub- 
 lick  Minifters  of  the  Church,  and  how  fad  a  dif ap- 
 pointment (he  oot  from  them  \  when  inflead  of 
 dffiflwg  her  and  comforting  her  in  her  dtflrefs, 
 they  did  harfhly  deal  with  her,  efleeming  her  but  a 
 Hypocrite 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 The  Watchmen  that  went  about  the  City 
 found  me,  they  (mote  me,  they  wounded  me, 
 the  Keepers  of  the  walls  took  away  my  Veil 
 from  me. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 At  lad  unto  the  Minifters  /  went, 
 
 Thofe  Watchmen,  who  God's  City  watch, 
 Vmo  them  uttering  my  complaint, 
 
 Hopeful  of  comfort ,  and  of  fome  difpatch. 
 
 J  told  them  how  my  lazjnefs  had  been 
 The  caufe  of  all  my  fad  difirefs, 
 How  it  had  feparate  between 
 
 My  Love  and  me,  which  did  me  fore  opprefs. 
 
 But 
 
Verfe  7.         The  Song  ^/Solomon.  147 
 
 But  lo^   whilfl  comfort  I  from  them  expeB^ 
 Nothing  but  grief  I  from  them  ?ot  ; 
 For  they  not  only  me  neglect 0 
 
 But  did  imbitter  and  make  fad  my  lot. 
 
 Vnto  the  bottom  they  didfearch  my  Wound, 
 Not  for  tojjtre^  but  hurt  the  fame  7 
 As  1  unto  my  for row  found \ 
 
 For  it  nere  to  my  very  Vitals  came. 
 
 By  their  rude  Hands  /  cruelly  did/mart  \ 
 For  having  once  found  out  my  forey 
 They  fmoteme,  and  did  wound  my  Hearty 
 
 Imbittering  my  life  fill  more  and  more* 
 • 
 
 Yea,thefe  fame  Keepers  of  the  Walls  did  take 
 My  very  Veil  away  from  me  5 
 Striving  infamous  me  to  make7 
 
 And  a  meer  formal  Hypocrite  to  be, 
 
 Profeflionsveil,  Ifay<>  (which  I  do  wear 
 In  tokfin  of  Subjection 
 Which  I  unto  my  Husband  bear ,) 
 
 They  judged  that  I  only  did  put  on7 
 
 To  hide  my  Sin  and  my  Hypocrifle^ 
 And  therefore  tookjthe  fame  away  ; 
 Thus  blemijhing  my  Piety  : 
 
 At  which  my  Soul  did  quite  almofi  decay. 
 
 Nothing  occurrsto  me  which  might  give  more  light: 
 to  the  fence  and  meaning  of  this  Cafe  of  the  Bride, 
 which  is  fet  down  in  this  place,  except  I  fhould  go 
 particularly  thorough  eachExprefiioa  thereof; Which 
 
 L  2  being 
 
148  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  IV. 
 
 being  but  tedious  to  do,  after  the  pains  I  have  taken 
 to  make  the  meaning  clear  in  the  Paraphrafe,  I  for- 
 bear here  to  add  any  thing  further. 
 
 VERSE  8. 
 
 The  Spoufe,  though  di( appointed  by  the  Watch- 
 men, yetgivethnot  over,  but  y  in  this  pi  ace  ^  be~ 
 takes  htr  (elf  to  the  ufe  ^mutual  Fellowfhip 
 with  thofe  which  {he  thinks  to  be  Saints^  that  {he 
 may  have  their  help  for  the  recovery  of  GhrifP-s 
 prefence. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  charge  you,  O  Daughters  of  Jerufalem, 
 if  ye  find  my  Beloved,  that  ye  tell  him  that  I 
 amfickoflove. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 O  Zions  Daughters,  who  havefeen 
 
 Onr  glorious  King^ 
 (For  he  amongftyoH  there  doth fl ay ,) 
 /  pray 
 That  ye  endeavour  would  him  for  to  fee 
 On  my  account  ; 
 And  my  fad  cafe  to  him  recount^ 
 And  how  I  long  for  his  fweet  company ; 
 
 Hon 
 
Verfe  9.  The  Song  0/Solomon.  1 49 
 
 How  I ftill  tojfed  am  andgriev*d% 
 
 And  unrelieved  : 
 He  accefs  doth  to  me  deny, 
 ret  1 
 Am  lick  of  love,  and  pained  at  the  hearty 
 With  hope  delay  d, 
 Though  every  mean  I  have  ejfafd, 
 His  abf erne  thus  mofl  fadly  makes  me  [mart. 
 
 The  Spoufe  in  this  place  is  fick  of  love,  after  ano- 
 ther manner  than  fhe  was  in  Chap.z.  Ver.<\.  for  there 
 fhe  was  fick,becaufe  over-po^/er'd  with  love^becaule 
 of  the  longing  fhe  hath  for  the  fame,  as  being  under 
 Defertion,  and  without  any  fenfible  Manifeftation 
 thereof.  So  that  by  Love  here,  is  meant,  the  Love 
 of  Defire ;  bat  in  the  former  place,  the  love  of  Com- 
 placence. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  'Jerufalem. 
 
 VERSE    9. 
 
 The  Profeffors  of  Religion  anfwer  the  Bridts 
 Charge^  by  way  of  Queftion,  defirmg  her  to  (hew- 
 wherein  the  Excellency  of  Chrilt,  above  all 
 created  Enjoyments^  doth  confift. 
 
 The  Words, 
 What  is  thy  Beloved   more  than  another 
 Beloved ,    O  thou  faireft    among  Women  ? 
 What  is  thy  Beloved  more  than  another  Be- 
 loved, that  thou  doft  fo  charge  us  ? 
 
 L  3  The 
 
i^o  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  V# 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 O  faireft  among  Women,  beauteous  One, 
 
 Fuir^  thouoh  with  grief  oppreft  ; 
 Wl)At  makes  thee  thus  fo  fadly  for  to  groan  ? 
 
 IVkerefort  an  thoufo  much  diftrefsd  f 
 
 Wh*t,  what  is  thy  Belored  more  than  ours, 
 
 Thar  us  thou  chargeft  fo  ? 
 Hath  he  more  Riches,  Grandeur,  or  more  Power , 
 
 Than  others,  on  thee  to  beftoxv  ? 
 
 ljrhat  is  his  Beauty,  what  his  Comlintfsy 
 
 That  thee  enamours  thus  } 
 Ifubefingular,  pray   then  exprefs, 
 
 And  evidence  the  fame  to  us. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Sometimes  God  will  make  thofe  that  truly  feek 
 him,  the  more  lovely  toothers,  the  more  that  cor- 
 rupt Mmifters  feek  to  defame  them  :  So  we  fee,  that 
 the  Watchmens  wounding  her,marrs  not  the  Daugh- 
 ters Eftimation  of  her.  And  indeed  the  Bride  here 
 is  like  the  wounded  Perfon,L^e  10.  31,  &c.  whom 
 the  Samaritan  fuccoured,  when  both  the  Prieft  and 
 Levite  had  pafied  by  him. 
 
 It  may  feem  ftrange.that  thofe  who  profefs  Reli- 
 gion,andthe  Knowledge  ofChrift,{hould  be  brought 
 in  here  as  ignoFant  of  ChriiVs  Excellency,  and  there- 
 fore queflioning  rhe  Bride  about  it.  But  I  Anfvcer, 
 1.  That  there  are  many  wjio  are  born  and  bred  in 
 the  Church,  who  believe  and  rcrofefs  the  Chriltian 
 
 Reli- 
 \ 
 
Verfe  1 0,1 1  ,&c.    The  Song  of  bolomon.     1 5 1 
 
 Religion,  not  becaufe  they  know*  the  truth  of  it^ 
 but  becaufe  it  being  the  generally  received,profeffcd, 
 and  authorized  Religion,  they  have  never  queftioncd 
 it  j  and  thefe  cannot  but  be  very  ignorant  of  the 
 truth  thereof,  and  it's  like  the  Daughters  ofjm*- 
 falem^  who  here  fpeak,  arefuch.  Neither  doth  it 
 contr2di&  this,  that  in  the  former  Verfe  the  Spoufe 
 did ''fpeak  to  them,  as  thofe  who  were  intimately 
 acquainted  with  the  ways  of  God,  when  fheintre^ts 
 to  intercede  with  Chrift  for  her  :  For  (befides  that 
 the  Spoufe  there  fpeaksonly  hypothetically5faying, 
 If  you  find  him,)  we  know  that  we  mull  charitabry 
 judge  of  thofe,  whom  we  have  no  certainty  to  be 
 real  Chriftians  -0  and  fo  doth  the  Spoufe  there. 
 Or,  2.  Poffibly  the  Daughters  of  Jemfalem  only 
 fpeak  thus,  that  they  may  learn  more  of  Chrift  from 
 her,  by  provoking  her  to  defcant  upon  his  Excel- 
 lency, whom  they  knew  to  be  much  acquainted  and 
 experienced  in  the  ways  of  God. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 VERSE  10,11,12,13,14,15,16. 
 
 The  Spoufe,  in  Anfwer  to  the  Que  ft  ion  of  the 
 Daughters  of  Jemfalem,  falls  out  in  commend- 
 ing and  Defcribing  her  Beloved,  in  a  flvect, 
 pithy,  deep  and  pathetick  manner,  (hewing  that 
 Chrift  is,  without  all  compare,  the  only  X)hjeti 
 Delight :  This  (he  doth,  both  inth?  general,  pre- 
 
 L  4  ftmng 
 
152  A  Paraphrafe  en  Chap.  V. 
 
 f erring  him  to  all  others,  Ver.  10.  and  in  fpe* 
 cial,  dt fending  to  [ever  al  particulars,  commend- 
 ing his  Head,  i.  e.  his  Divinity  ;  and  his  Locks, 
 i.  e.  his  Eternity,  Ver*  1 1.  commending  his  Eyes, 
 ix.Qwifcience, Ver.  12.  commending  his  Cheeks, 
 i.e.  his  Holintfs  ;  and  his  Lips,  i.  e.  his  Truth 
 and  IVord,  Ver.  t  3.  commending  his  Hands, 
 i.  e.  Omnipotence  ;  and  his  Belly  cr  Bowels, 
 i.e.  his  Loving- kindnefs  or  Mercy,  Ver.  14. 
 commending  his  Legs,  i.  e.  his  Providedce  ;  and 
 his  Countenance,  i.  e.  his  Mt]eflyy  Ver.  i<;. 
 andhflly,  commending  his  Mouth,  i.  ^.hisCom- 
 p.wy, .Ver.  16.  Jfter  which  [be  gives  again  a 
 general  Commendation  of  him.  Ibid  Con- 
 cluding with  an  Exclamation  to  thi  Daughters 
 0/^  Jerufalern  to  Qonfider  what  foe  haa  fpd  in 
 Vcf.  16.  like  wife. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 My  Beloved  is  white  and  ruddy,  thecmefefi: 
 among  ten  thoufand.  , 
 
 His^Head  is  as  the  moft  fine  Gold,  his  Locks 
 are  bufhy,  and  black  as  a  Raven. 
 
 His  Eyes  are  as  the  Eyes  of  Doves  by  the 
 Rivers  of  Waters,  wafhed  with  Milk,  and 
 fitly  fet. 
 
 His  Cfceeks  are  as  a  bed  of  Spices,  as  fweet 
 Flowers ;  his  Lips  like  LiIlies;dropping  fweet- 
 
 ;:!ling  Myrrh, 
 
 His 
 
Verfe  1 0,1 1  ,&c.    The  Song  0/ Solomon.     1 5  j 
 
 His  Hands  are  as  Gold  Rings  fetwithBe- 
 ryl ;  his  Belly  is  as  white  Ivory  overlaid  with 
 Saphires. 
 
 His  Legs  are  as  pillars  of  Marble,  fet  upon 
 fockets  of  fine  Gold  ;  his  Countenance  is  as 
 Lebanon,  excellent  as  the  Cedars. 
 
 His  Mouth  is  moftfweet  ;  yea,  he  is  alto- 
 gether lovely.  This  is  my  Beloved,  and  this 
 is  my  Friend,  O  Daughters  of  Jerufalem* 
 
 The  Faraphrafe. 
 V.  10. 
 
 He  whom  1  love,   and  who  doth  not  difdain 
 
 Me,  though  unworthy,  for  to  love  again, 
 
 Is  beauteous  all.    In  htm  there  s  no  ill  feature  ; 
 
 Ten  thoufand  times  more  fair  than  any  Creature  : 
 
 He's  white  and  ruddy  ,comely  to  behold  ;     ' 
 
 Through  all  eternity  cannot  be  told 
 
 The  thoufand  fart  of  his  Perfe£lions  rarey 
 
 He  is  the  Ocean  of  whan  good  and  fair  : 
 
 Trut  h,  Goodnefs,  Love  and  Beamy,  all  do  [fringe 
 
 And  run,  each  in  his  Conduit,  from  him. 
 
 V.  n.  l 
 
 His  Head  is  like  a  raafs  of  purefl  Gold, 
 
 Gold  I  do  fay,  becaufe  I  do  behold  i 
 
 Nought  purer  here  on  Earth.     But  0  mine  Eye 
 
 Doth  dazzle,  when  on  his  Divinity 
 
 I  fix  the  fame  !  What  Myfieries  are  hert ! 
 
 What  glorious  Wonders  do  to  me  appear  ! 
 
i^4  A  Paraphrafe  on     ,       Chap.  V 
 
 A  glorious  Three-One  EfTence  I conceive , 
 Which  for  to  be  the  Fountain  I  perceive 
 Of  Being ,  and  its  qualities  -,  yet  here 
 Imbodied  to  concenter  doth  off  ear : 
 The  God-head  with  Humanity  doth  meet., 
 As  Head  and  Body,  and  makes  him  co  tuple  at  : 
 Thus  is  compos* d  this  rare  and  lovely  One, 
 For  whom  1  now  jo  earnejlly  do  groan. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 His  Locks  are  bafhy,  on  his  Head  he  wears 
 
 Thoufands  of  Awes,  myriads  of  tears  ; 
 
 Eternity  it  felf,  mdditbetold, 
 
 Than  this  moB  beauteous  One  is  no  more  old  : 
 
 Tet  though  fa  old  and  ancient  he  be, 
 
 Ttt  his  smmrhakled  Head,  could  we  it  fee, 
 
 Hath  no  white  Hairs  thereon  ,  he's  youthful  aB9 
 
 The  hoaryHead  can  never  him  befall : 
 
 For  though  becaxfiafhis  duration,  he 
 
 The  ancient  of  days  be  (aid  tob&\ 
 
 Tet  if  without  a  Aletaphor  we  fpeak^ 
 
 Wensuftconfefsthat  Day, Month, Tear  and  Week, 
 
 Do  not  agree  to  him,  and  therefore  be 
 
 Gat  never  ancient  be  faid  to  be  : 
 
 For  why,  without  Succejfion  he  exifls, 
 
 Firfi,  Middle,  Laft  with  us,   do  all  perfift 
 
 Alike  with  him.     Eternity  will  nere 
 
 Caufe  him  one  aged  Wrinkle  for  to  wear  : 
 
 His  Head  we'll  never  white  and  hoary  fee, 
 
 But  Raven-black  it  evermore  will  be . 
 
 V.  12. 
 
Verfe  12,13.      The  Song  of  Solomon.       155 
 
 V.  12. 
 
 His  Eyes  tranfparent  are  and  clear,  like  to 
 
 The  meekjind  fervent  Eyes  of  Doves,  which  do 
 
 Thtmfelves  in  Rivers  bathe,  and  Waters  clear , 
 
 Or  wafh'd  with  Milk,  mofi  lovely  do  appear : 
 
 So  his  Omniscience  is*     All  things  that  were, 
 
 Things  thatjhall  he,  or  now  already  are, 
 
 Are  patent  unto  him  ;  nothing  doth  lye 
 
 So  hid  cr  latent ,  but  he  doth  efpye  • 
 
 Tet  though  fo  clear,  jo  merciful  he  is. 
 
 That  though  he  many  things  doth  fee  amifs 
 
 In  us  his  Servants,  yet  he  tempers  fo 
 
 His  piercing  Looks  with  Love,  that  he  doth  know 
 
 How  of  our  frailty  to  conjlruSi  aright, 
 
 Tho*  there's  no  fault  that  doth  efcape  his  fight: 
 
 For  why  his  Eyes  are  fitly  jet  and  p  lac  d, 
 
 And  with  a  fweet  vivacity  are  graced m, 
 
 All  things  he  views  in  Juftice,  yet  he  doth 
 
 View  the  fame  things  in  Mercy  and  in  Love. 
 
 V.  13. 
 
 His  fweet  and  lovely  Cheeks,  are  like  unto 
 A  Bed  of  fweeteft  Spices,  there  which  do 
 Flourijh  and  grow  -,  or  like  to  pleafant  Flowers 
 
 Which  neither  want  theSun^nor  moiftningShowers  : 
 
 Such  is  his  Santtky  and  Purity  divine, 
 
 All  that  is  fweet  or  fair,   doth  there  combine 
 
 To  make  it  lovely  -,  all  Perfections  meet, 
 
 To  make  this  rare  Perfection  compleat. 
 
 His  Cheeks  a  Garden  areywhere  nought  doth  breed 
 
 But  Flowers  and  Spices  -,  no  unfavry  Weed 
 
 Therein 
 
I  $6  A  Taraphrafe  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 Therein  doth  grow.     The  Wicked  are  debarrd 
 
 From  out  the  fame.  Thence  filthinefs  is  barrd. 
 
 The  Saints  alone,  who  holy  are  and  fair , 
 
 As  Bees  unto  thefe  Flowers  do  repair, 
 
 And  fuck  from  out  the  fame  that  Honey  which 
 
 Doth  drop  from  thence^and  there  abound  fo  much. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 His  Lips  like  Lillies  are,from  whence  doth  drop 
 
 Sweet-fmelling  Myrrh,  as  if  its  native  crop 
 
 Were  there.     Thus  is  his  true  and  pur  eft  Word, 
 
 Which  doth  all  Soul-refrefhing  Truths  afford  : 
 
 His  Truth  andhss  Veracity  isfuch, 
 
 As  none  can  love  or  wonder  at  too  much  : 
 
 Here  all  fweet-fcented  Balfam-Shrubs  do  grow  ; 
 
 What  ere  is  fit  and  worthy  for  to  know, 
 
 Is  here  fet  down  at  large  •  here  we  may  fee 
 
 The  lineaments  of  true  Divinity  : 
 
 Each  Truth  in  beauty  tW  Lilly  doth  excell, 
 
 Andfweetefl  Myrrh  in  its  mofl  pleafant  fmell : 
 
 Myrrh  drops  from  every  Twig,  and  every  Leaf, 
 
 A  Cure  is  here  both  for  the  blind  and deaf \ 
 
 The  wounded  and  the  maimd,  the  lame  and  halt, 
 
 Sure  Remedies  are  here  for  every  fault : 
 
 Here  grows  the  BabnofGitead,  and  hence 
 
 We  Remedies  may  have  without  expence. 
 
 V.  14. 
 
 His  Hands  are  like  toGoldRings,wherein  arc 
 Beryl  and  Stones  of  value,  which  by  far 
 Jn  Virtue  our  aflonifliment  exceed, 
 Such  is  his  Power,  wherein  we  Wonders  read. 
 
 la 
 
Verfe  14,1 5.         The  Song  0/Solomon.       157 
 
 In  his  Almightinefs,  All-potency, 
 
 What  Alls, what  Feats, what  Wonders  do  we  fee  ! 
 
 All  which  do  his  Omnipotence  adorn , 
 
 As  Stones  of  value,  which  are  therein  worn. 
 
 By  this  great  Power  of  his,  as  we  may  fee, 
 
 Great  Wonders  for  his  Church  performed  be* 
 
 Thus  though  fo  vafi  his  Power ,  yet  doth  it  prove 
 
 Like  to  a  Marriage-Ring  of  Love, 
 
 Wherewith  he  doth  his  Saints  efpoufe  and  take7 
 
 When  he  of  Mercy  makes  them  to  partake. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 His  Belly  is  like  bright  Ivory,  * 
 Indented  all  with  Saphires  curioujly  • 
 Where  brighttfl  white  concurrs  with  pureft  Blew^ 
 In  making  a  moil  rare  and  lovely  Shew. 
 1  Such  are  his  Bowels,  his  Companion, 
 And  Loving-kindnefs  unto  every  one 
 Who  him  do  fear.     Their  pleafant  Afpett  doth 
 Their  richnefs  emulate.     Such  is  his  Love, 
 His  wondrous  Love  and  Mercy  unto  thofe, 
 Who  do  their  trufi  and  hope  on  him  repofe. 
 
 V.i 5. 
 
 His  Legs  as  Pillars  are  of  Marble  ftrong, 
 Which  Sockets  of  fine  Gold  doltand  upon. 
 His  fteddy  and  unerring  Providence, 
 The  Methods  in  the  which  he  doty)  dijpenfe 
 And  govern  every  thing,  are  wife  and  fare, 
 Tlacdon  a  Bafis  that  will  ay  endure. 
 Eachfiep  he  gives  isjiately,  fure  andrflre, 
 And  like  himfelf  admirable  and  fair.  ' 
 
 He 
 
I  58  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  V.' 
 
 He  walks  en  Gold^  his  Feet  is  of  the  fame , 
 
 OfpurcttGotd  compofedis  the  frame 
 
 Of  his  harmonious  Providence  }  rvhofc  Wheels 
 
 Are  Love  andWtfdom^  which  do  never  reel, 
 
 Breaks  orfaUoff,  but  fpeedily  do  run 
 
 Much  fwifter  than  the  Chariot  of  the  Sun. 
 
 Thus,  as  his  Head  is  Gold,  fo  are  his  Feet  j 
 
 Thus  all  his  Parts  concenter  and  do  meet, 
 
 Inserting  his  Excellencies  fo  rare, 
 
 With  whom  none  can  in  Come  line fs  compare. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 His  Countenance  or  Stature  looketh  like 
 
 To  ftatefy  Lebanon,  which  doth  delight 
 
 The  Eye,  andgiveth  a  mojl glorious  Show, 
 
 Like  to  the  Cedars  which  thereon  do  grow. 
 
 Thus  is  his  glorious  Majefiy  divine , 
 
 That  bright  and  glorious  fparkting  which  dothjhine . 
 
 From  his  Perfettions,  in  one  unite, 
 
 Thus  making  all  his  Attributes  compleat \ 
 
 But  if  each  part  of  him  be  wonderfully 
 
 Then  oh  whatjhall  I  thinkjwhen  to  the  full 
 
 His  profpcEb  I  hdventure  for  to  take, 
 
 And  a  rcfemblance  of  him  for  to  make  ! 
 
 When  unto  Lebanon  him  I  compare, 
 
 Which  is  ore- grown  with  Cedars  tall  and  fair 7 
 
 I  infinitely  fmt  do  fall  of  him,  + 
 
 And  do  not  to  the  thouf and  portion  climb 
 
 Ofhisftrpaffing  fiately  Stature ,  which 
 
 Doth  Heavtn  it  ft  If furpafs  by  very  much. 
 
 V.  16. 
 
 His  Mouth  is  frveet  \  it  is  the  vers  Hive 
 Of  folid  fvcetnefs ;  Who-  ere  frail  dive 
 
 Therein, 
 
Verfe  5.         7 he  Son&  of  Solomoo*  1 59 
 
 Therein,  willfoon  the  fweeteft  Honey  loathy 
 And  find  Earths  pleqfures  all  to  be  but  froth  ? 
 Allfolidfweetnefs,  pleafures  all  comblm^ 
 Vmting  in  this  center  jo  divine  } 
 All  joys,  myrth,  raptures,  here  in  me  do  mat 
 In  s  company  and  fellowfirtp  fo  fiveet  : 
 All  other  fweets  without  this  are  but  Cdl^ 
 But  this  alone  makeup  the  want  ofalL 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 But  oh  why  do  I  thus  his  worth  recount 
 By  part  sand  parcels  !  He  doth  fo  furmomt 
 The  tongue  and  thoughts  of  Men{yea, Angels  &U?) 
 That  infinitely  we  below  do  fall 
 Of  what  is  due  to  him  ;  for  we  are  ftruck^ 
 Quite  blind,  when  to  his  excellence  we  look* 
 His  rays  do  dazle  both  our  thoughts  and  mindy 
 And  leave  eur  words  myriads  of  miles  behind  j 
 Wherefore  we  muft  contented  be  tofpe&k 
 In  general  terms ■,  and  leave  offtofeek^ 
 And  dive  too  far  into  this  Mine,  left  we 
 DoJofe  our  breath  and  life,  andftifled  be  : 
 What  therefore  jhall  I  fay,  but  that  he's  fair, 
 Comely  and  lovely,without  all  compare  ? 
 J f  Heaven  and  Earth  can  make  a  rare  complexion \ 
 Without  one  fiain,  or  the  leafl  imperfetlion  ; 
 Here,  here  it  is,  it  in  this  Prince  doth  fi:>ine% 
 He's  altogether  lovely,  all  divine : 
 He's  altogether  fair  m7  bis  beauty's  [uch% 
 As  none  can  be  enamour  d  of  too  much* 
 
 Ibid. 
 This,  this  is  my  Beloved,  this  is  hey 
 \Te  Daughters  of  Jerufalem  who  be  7 
 
 7  hi  j 
 
160  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  V. 
 
 This  is  my  Friend,  who  now  from  me  is gone , 
 For  who  ft  fad  ab fence  I  fo  fadly  groan  : 
 This,  this  is  he,  for  whom  I  did  def  re, 
 That  you  in  my  behalf  would  now  enquire  : 
 This,  this  is  he,  and  have  J  not,  think  ye, 
 Good  caitfe  to  weep,  while  abfent  he's  from  me  ? 
 Is  he  not  worth  the  feekjng  f  Have  not  I 
 Good  caufe  of  (or  row,  when  he  doth  deny 
 His  lovely  prefence  f  Ought  I  not  to  pray, 
 And  cry,  and  wrefile,  while  he  flays  away  f 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 This  Paraphrafe  being,  as  I  judge,fufficiently  plain, 
 copious  and  expreffive  of  the  meaning  .of  this  high 
 rapture  of  the  Bride,  it  were  needleis  to  add  any 
 thing  here.  And  for  any  various  reading,  I  find  not 
 any  variation  in  our  Tranflation  from  the  Original 
 fo  momentous,  as  to  make  any  remarkable  diffe- 
 rence in  the  fence  ;  only  we  may  mark,  that  the  O- 
 riginal  word,  vtr*  4.  which  we  render  Belly,  would 
 be  better  rendred  Bowels,  it  being  the  fame  word 
 which  is  rendred  Bowels,  ver.  4.  and  elfewhere  in 
 Scripture,  as  Ifa.  63. 15.  &Jcr.  31.20.  So  that  I 
 know  no  reafon  why  it  fhould  be  altered  in  this  place. 
 We  may  likewife  obferve,  that  the  word  EDDp  , 
 which  we  tranflate  Gold,  ver.  11.  is  a  far  different 
 word  from  ^}\,  which  properly  fignifies  Gold  j 
 whereas  this  word  in  the  uth.verfe,  fignifies  pro- 
 perly a  Mafs  of  Gold,  or  Mine  of  Gold  ;  which  is 
 more  emphatick,  confidering  its  myftick  meaning, 
 than  meerly  to  fay  Gold. 
 
 CHAP- 
 
Verfe  i.  The  Song  of  Solomon.         161 
 
 CHAP.   VI. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  Jerufalem. 
 VERSE     i. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  Jerufalem,  having  heard 
 Attentively  the  Excellencies  of  Chrift  fet  out  by 
 the  Spoufe^  they  come  in  again  here  with  a  new 
 Queftion. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Whitherls  thy  Beloved  gone  ?0  thou  faired 
 among  Women,  whither  is  thy  Beloved  turn- 
 ed afide  ?  that  we  may  feek  him  with  thee. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Tes^  yes ,  thon  haft  good  calife,  if  it  he  thus% 
 Good  caiife  thou  haft  -0  but  pray  foe  w  unto  ns7 
 Where  this  rare  Mirror  of *  Perfection U  goney 
 For  who fe  fad  ah  fence  thou  dofi  juftly  groan  : 
 Pray  whither  is  he  gone  }  if  thou  doftknow  \ 
 For  onr  Beloved  he's  UcQmK  alfo* 
 
 M  O 
 
6  2  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VI. 
 
 0  fair  eft  among  Women ,  unto  whom 
 None  $an  in  comclinefs  compare,  among 
 Allthpfe  Religion  who  profefs,  of  thee 
 We  do  intreat  informed  for  to  be, 
 Where  thy  fair  beji  beloved  flays,  and  where 
 He  is  accuftomedfor  to  repair  : 
 Thisjhew  to  us,  and  we  will  bend  our  mind. 
 And  thoughts  with  thee,  to  feek.,  until  we  fin  d 
 This  matchlefs  One :  We*ll  diligently  feek, 
 And  nfe  all  means  we  catf,  till  we  him  meet : 
 Weil /pare  notoyl,  no  labour,  and  no  pains, 
 In  this  our  fear  eh,  fwcefach  admired  Cains 
 In  finding  him%  abundantly  repays 
 The  toy  I  and  labour  of  fome  Weeks  or  Days: 
 Wherefore  we  thee  intreat  to  us  impart, 
 H^ither  he  went  when  he  did  laft  depart. 
 
 The  Bride.         j 
 
 VERSE     2. 
 
 The  Bride  is  not  long  in  anfwering  them,  hut  I 
 fas  being  glad  offuch  an  opportunity  of  edifying] 
 them)  fhe  fheivs  them,  that  though  he  be  with-  r 
 drawn  from  her ,  as  to his  fen  fib  le  prefence  ;  yet  isi 
 he  to  be  found  in  the  Church,  which  is  his? 
 Garden.  *r 
 
 Ther 
 
Verfe  2.       The  Song  of  Solomon.  165 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 My  Beloved  is  gone  down  into  his  Garden, 
 to  the  Beds  of  Spices,  to  feed  in  the  Gardens* 
 and  to  gather  Lillies. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 My  Beft-bcloved  is  not  gone  far  awayy 
 
 But  in  the  Church  doth  ft  ay : 
 Vnto  that  pleaf ant  Garden  there  of  his 
 
 He  s  gone  >  and  there  he  is : 
 Andto  each  fevral  Congregation, 
 
 Thofe  Beds  of  Spice,  hesgon : 
 In  them  he's  gone  toftay  andfeed^  and  there 
 
 To  gather  Lillies  fair. 
 Into  thefe  fevral  Gardens  he  isgone^ 
 
 For  fuch  they  are  each  one  : 
 Away  he's  gone  to  view  the  Spices  there ; 
 
 Thither  he  doth  repair  ^ 
 Upon  Believers  favry  Grace  tofeed7 
 
 For  pleafure,  not  for  need : 
 Thereon  he  feeds  ^  andr  as  it  were^  doth  edt 
 
 Of  that  mo  ft  pie  a f ant  Me  ax  : 
 There  he  delights  poor  Souls  for  to  convert , 
 
 And  captivate  their  heart  j 
 Vho  though  they  were  but  poyfonous  Weeds  before^ 
 
 Tet  prove  they  fuch  no  more  \ 
 7orhis  fweet  touch  them  Lilly-white  doth  make, 
 
 And  all  ftains  from  them  take  : 
 "his  is  his  worthy  his  Elett  to  invite, 
 .  And  them  to  fave  and  keep. 
 
 M 2  VERSE 
 
164  J  Paraphr<ife  on  Chap.  VI. 
 
 VERSE    ?. 
 
 The  Bride  (  having  fat  is  fed  the  Daughters 
 Queflion)  comforts  and  firengthens  her  j elf \  by 
 the  aflurance  of  her  intereft  in  Chrift  ;  fbew- 
 ing,  that  though  he  be  abfent  as  tofeneey  yet  that 
 he  is  prefent  in  the  Church,  and  with  others 
 of  the  Saints. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  am  my  Beloved's,and  my  Beloved  is  mine 
 he  feedeth  among  the  Lillies. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 My  God  is  abfent)  and  from  me  avpay^ 
 His  coming  he  doth  long  delay : 
 
 What  then  f 
 He'll  come  when  he  thinks  fit  agen. 
 
 Away  difirufiful  Thoughts  !  for  why^  I  knov 
 My  Cod  cafts  me  not  off\  no  !  no  I 
 
 He  will 
 All  my  de fires  at  laft  fulfill. 
 
 z  z  n  3. 
 
Verfe  }•       Ihe  Song  0/ Solomon.  1 6  $ 
 
 For  why,  I  know  that  My  Beloved  is 
 
 Mine,  mine,  and  I  again  am  his  ; 
 
 Here,  here 
 Is  that  which  may  remove  all  fear. 
 
 <4nd  though  at  prefent  him  I  do  not  fee, 
 Tet  k&ow  I  where  he  fare  will  be  ; 
 
 Loi  to, 
 Amongfl  the  Lillies  he  doth  go. 
 
 There  he  doth  feed,  and  doth  himfelf folate, 
 In  viewing  of  Believers  Grace : 
 
 There  he 
 Great  pleafure  takethfor  to  be. 
 
 Amongfi  the  Saint s,thofe  lovely  Lillies  fair, 
 fie  pays,  andin  their  Graces  rare 
 
 He  doth 
 Delight,  evn  in  their  Faith,  Hope,  Love. 
 
 Thefe  fruitful  Graces  give  a  f leafing  fmell, 
 Which  doth  the  Lillies  fcent  exctll: 
 On  which 
 He  feedeth  and  delighteth  much. 
 
 This  Verfe  is  the  Fame  in  effeft  with  Cbap.2.  Fer.i6. 
 and  therefore  I  have  not  altered  the  Paraphrafe. 
 And  the  words  being  fufficiently  made  perfpicuous, 
 (as  likewife  the  words  of  the  preceding  Verfe,)  I  de- 
 fift  from  faying  any  thing  in  order  thereto. 
 
 M  3  The 
 
1 66  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VI. 
 
 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE    4. 
 
 Chrifl,  after  the  repulfe  he  got  at  the  Spouffs 
 door,  had  been  long  filent  ;  but  now  he  brmcs  in% 
 without  any  Preface,  and  makes  up  all  his  former 
 ab fence  and  file  nee  y  by  htsfingular  kindnefs,  when 
 he  manifejis  his  love  to  his  Bride  ;  which  kindnefs 
 appear*  %  the  warmnefs  and  fweetnefs  of  his 
 many  and  'various  Expreffions.  And  firft,  in 
 this  Vtrfe:  ht  commends  her  by  a  threefold  Coai- 
 Tparifon  of  her,  viz.  ^  Tirzah,  Jerufalem,  and 
 a  banner'd  Army. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thou  art  beautiful,  O  my  Love,  asTirzah, 
 comely  as  Jerufalem,  terrible  as  an  Army 
 with  Banners. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Oh,oh  my  Love  !  what  oftheejhall  I  fay  ? 
 Thonrt  excellent  each  way : 
 For  lo  in  thee 
 The  compend  of  Perfections  aH  I  fee. 
 
 As 
 
Verfe  4.         The  Song  of  Solomon.  167 
 
 As  pleafant  Tirzah,  about  which  the  Fields 
 Delight  and  pleafure  yields^ 
 Thonrt  beauttfull ; 
 Thy  very  Afpettis  of  beauty  full. 
 
 Like  to  Jerufalem  mofi  comely ,  fair^ 
 Moft  pleafant  and  mofi  rare  j 
 Comely  thou  art 
 Without  ,  within,  and  in  each  fevral  part. 
 
 And  as  thonrt  comely^  fo  thou  doft  appear 
 Tofirikfi  with  awe  and  fear 
 AH  who  thee  fee, 
 And  like  an  Army  terrible  to  be. 
 
 Like  to  a  bannerM  Army,  which  doth  fiand 
 ExpeHinq  the  Command  ; 
 Such  is  thyjhew 
 To  all  who  ever  rightly  look  ou  yon. 
 
 Thonrt  each  way  beautiful,  within,  without, 
 And  terrible  throughout : 
 Thy  Graces  be 
 Likg  City  and  like  Army  unto  me. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Tirzahvws  a  City  of  the  Tribe  of '  Manajfeh,  and 
 a  moft  pleafant  City.  It  was  the  Seat  of  one  of  the 
 Kings  of  Canaan,  as  vVe  fee  J0Jh.12.24.  Afterwards 
 it  became  the  Seat  of  the  Kings  oUfrael^i  Keg  a  4. 17. 
 &  15.  33.  till  Zimri  burnt  the  King's  Palace  there  ; 
 whereupon  Omri  built  Samaria.     The  word  in  the 
 
 M  4  Original 
 
168  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VI. 
 
 Original  comes  from  a  Root,  which  fignifies  accept 
 table,  which  feems  to  import  itsdeleftablenefs. 
 
 It's  probable  that  Chrift  infinuates  here  three  fe- 
 veral  Qualifications,  fuitable  to  thefe  three  Compa- 
 nions. For  it's  like  that  Tir^ah  hath  been  chiefly 
 commendable,  becaufe  of  its  Situation,  andtheplea- 
 fure  of  the  Fields  about  it.  And  Jemfalem  hath  been 
 chiefly  commendable,  becaufe  of  its  internal  regularity 
 and  beauty  ,  but  above  all,  for  the  Ordinances,  of  God's 
 Houfe,  and  the  Church  of  God.  And  we  know  how 
 orderly,  (lately,  bar  terrible  a  thing,  an  Army  with 
 Banners  is.  So  that  I  judge,  that  hereby  is  fet  down 
 the  external  Beauty,  and  internal  Comelinefs,  as  like- 
 wife  the  Axvfd  and  A4ajefiick,{though  Humble)  Car- 
 riage of  the  Spoufe. 
 
 VERSE     5. 
 
 The  Bridegroom,  for  explaining  and  illufl  rating 
 of  the  Bride's  lovely  terribienefs,  fhews  a  Proof 
 thereof^  (a  very  wonderful  Inflame  indeed  I  )  on 
 himftlf ;  which  was,  That  (he  did  overcome  him, 
 or  captivate  and  ravi[h  him  with  her  beauteous 
 commanding  Perfections. 
 
 The -Words, 
 
 Turn  away  thine  Eyes  from  me,  for  they 
 have  overcome  me  ;  ^j_ 
 
 The 
 
Yerfe  $.  The  Song  (/Solomon.         169 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Turn,  turn  away  thine  Eyes  from  me. 
 Which  fparkk  and  fo  ardent  be  -7 
 Them  turn  away, 
 I  thee  intreat  and  fray-, 
 For  they  havp  wholly  me  oVeCome  to  day. 
 
 Herein  thoiPrt  terrible  to  me  ; 
 For  always  when  I  thee  do  fee ', 
 Iraviflfdprove : 
 Thy  fight  me  fo  doth  move. 
 That  overcome  Vmby  thy  Faith  and  Lqvc 
 
 1  By  thefe  mojl  noble  Graces,  I 
 
 Am  Captive  made,  and  cannot  fly  j 
 Thy  Faith  and  Love, 
 The  two  fair  Eyes  do  prove, 
 Which  me  fo  hold  that  I  cannot  remove. 
 
 From  out  thefe  Eyes,  lo  I  do  fee 
 Thy  other  Graces  now  at  me 
 So  far  to  burn, 
 That  I  thence  cant  return  : 
 Thy  Eyes  oh  therefore  from  me  do  thon  turn  ! 
 
 Ibid.  &  VERSE  6,7,8,9. 
 
 Chrift^  for  the  $poufeys  further  Comfort  and 
 Confirmation,  falls  out  in  commending  her,  as 
 be  had  done  before  )yeayto  fherv  tbat(notwithJiand- 
 
170  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VL 
 
 ing  her  foul  flip  and  fall)  his  Love  was  the 
 fame  to  hery  and  not  changed  from  what  it  was 
 before.  He  commends  her  here  in  the  fame  words 
 that  he  had  done  Chap.  1 .  Ver.  1 ,2,  $ .  And  tho7 
 he  doth  not  repeat  here  the  whole  Commendation 
 fet  down  in  thatplace7  yet  to  compenfe  that,  he 
 goeth  on  with  a  Comparifon,  Ver.  8,  &  9. 
 preferring  her  to  all  other  Relievers  what- 
 foever. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thy  Hair  is  as  a  flock  of  Goats  that 
 
 appear  from  Gilead. 
 
 Thy  Teeth  are  as  a  flock  of  Sheep  which 
 go  up  from  the  wafhing,  whereof  every  one 
 beareth  Twins,  and  there  is  not  one  barren 
 among  them. 
 
 As  a  piece  of  a  Pomgranate  are  thy  Temples 
 
 within  thy  Locks. 
 
 There  are  threefcore  Queens,  and  fourfcore 
 Concubines,  and  Virgins  without  number. 
 
 My  Dove,  my  Undefiled  is  but  one  ;  fne 
 is  the  only  one  of  her  Mother,  fhe  is  the  choice 
 one  of  her  that  bare  her :  ■ — — ' 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 V.5. 
 
 My  deareft  Love^  thy  [elf  thou  dofl  adorn 
 With  a  Profejfion  wqrthy  to  be  worn : 
 
Verfe  6.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  171 
 
 With  a  Profeflion  not  odentative, 
 Tet  which  doth  a  mofl  pleafant  Profpeft  give. 
 Thy  grave  compofed  Carriage  doth  {hew 
 That  thy  Profeffton  is  not  falfe  bat  true. 
 Like  to  i  Flock  of  Goats,  which  do  appear 
 From  fruitful  Gilead,  and  unto  us  here 
 Below  tnoft  flat ely  feem,  evnfo  doft  thou, 
 As  from  a  Mount  ain%  caft  a  lovely  Jhew. 
 Thy  grave  majeftick,Looks  dofeemtojhow, 
 That  thou  haft  quite  forfaken  Earth  below  ; 
 And  what  thou  thus  prof  eJJ eft  for  to  be, 
 Is  not  in  fbevsi,  but  in  reality  : 
 Lo,  climbing  up  the  Rocks,  thou  doft  afcend, 
 From  Earth i  and  doft  nnto  the  Heaven  tend.    . 
 
 V.6. 
 
 1 
 
 And  though  fo  humble  and  fo  grave  thou  be, 
 
 Tet  loj  what  zeal  and  ardency  I  fee  ! 
 
 Thou  art  not  foft  nor  fimpfa;  noy  not  for 
 
 When  needrecjuires^  thou  haftjharp  7 eeth  to  (how  j 
 
 Tet  this  thy  zjeal  thou  doii  fo  moderate 
 
 With  cautious  prndtincg^  andjuft  care,  as  that 
 
 Tho ,  doft  i^frvt  the  cttcumftances  all, 
 
 i-  hich     c<>  occa  fim  happen  and  befall* 
 
 Th    zjialoa    AtHons  moderated  fo, 
 
 St  em  lik^  a  t  lo.\uf  Sheep  (not  Wolves)  which  ao 
 
 Snow- whit  t  from  out  the  wajhing,  and  which  be~\ 
 
 Shorn  and  cut  fo  well  and  equally,  > 
 
 That  there  s  nought  on  them  of  deformity  *,       J 
 
 And  fruitful  fo,  that  barren  there  is  none, 
 
 But  each  thereof  Twins  beareth  in  its  Womb  : 
 
 Thy  zeal  thus  comely  and  thus  fruitful  is, 
 
 That  what  thou  does,  the  fcope  doth  never  mifs. 
 
 v.7. 
 
172  A  Paraphrafe  ot%  Chap.  VI. 
 
 V.  7. 
 
 Thy  modeftnefs  and  jhamefacdnefs  isfuch, 
 
 That  be  thou  but  commended,  thou  doft  blufo ; 
 
 Or  if  ought  that's  unfeemly  thou  doft  hear, 
 
 Thy  tender  heart  it  pierceth  like  a  Spear. 
 
 If  ought  thou  do  which  feem  to  thee  a  fin, 
 
 Though  oft-times  but  apparent,  then  begin 
 
 There  doth  a  mode  ft  blufhing  ftrait,  which  fweUs 
 
 Thus  thy  chafte  heart ,andon  thy  Temples  dwells  '7 
 
 Dying  with  Red  thy  Modeftyfo  White, 
 
 Where  Spangles  red  and  white  the  fight  delight; 
 
 And  like  a  piece  of  Pomgranate  doth  feem, 
 
 Whofe  Juyce  Strawberry-red,  whofe  Seeds  like  CW* 
 
 Appear  to  fight  ;  yet  when  thou  blujhejl  thus, 
 
 By  tW  Locks  of  Self-denial  thou  from  us 
 
 The  fame  doft  ftrive  to  hide,  lest  thou  ftiould  be 
 
 Viewed  by  others  who  do  lookjon  thee* 
 
 V.  8. 
 
 Threefcore  there  are  of  Queens  ^  there  are  Fourfcore 
 Of 'Concubines ;  there  are  of  Virgins  more 
 Than  can  be  numbered.    Many  do  prof efs 
 My  Beauty  for  to  know,  fomemore,  fome  lefs: 
 Some  are  true  Saint s,who yet  in  Grace  are  weakly 
 And  want  affurance  of  their  ft  ate  ;  and  take 
 The  name  ofSpoufe  not  to  them.     Others  are 
 More  grown  than  they  in  Grace,  and  donotfearr 
 That  holy  name  of  Spoufe  to  take,  whom  yet 
 Jfeldomtomy  Bed  of  Love  admit . 
 But  fome  there  are,  whom  I  familiarly 
 Converfe  oft  with,  whom  1  admit  to  fee 
 
 My 
 
Verfe  9.       The  Song  tf/ Solomon.  1 7 $ 
 
 My  Glory  and  my  Majefty  divine , 
 
 Wno  with  me  lye,  and  walk,  and  talk9  and  dine  : 
 
 Thefe  ftldom  I  my  company  refufe, 
 
 But  as  my  Wives  and  Queens  indeed  do  ufe. 
 
 v.9. 
 
 Jf at  oh  my  Dave,  my  undefiled  One, 
 
 Thou,  thou  unto  a  matchlefs  height  art  gr&wH  : 
 
 Thou'rt  fingnlar  indeed,  thourt  matchlefs,  fair, 
 
 Thou  art  a  None-fuch,  one  above  compare  ; 
 
 The  Church  thy  Mother  hath  not  one  like  thee  ; 
 
 None  of  her  Children  can  compared  be 
 
 To  thee,  my  Dove.    Thou'rt  the  choice  one  of  her, 
 
 Who  thee,  and  many  Children  more  did  bear : 
 
 Thy  Graces  for  the  mofi  fart  I  do  fee 
 
 Well  order  d,  and  in  exercife  to  be  : 
 
 ThoH  art,  as  'twere,  the  Churches  only  one, 
 
 Thou  haft  in  Graces,  others -  fo  ouhdone. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 There  are  fome  profane  Wits,  who  will  needs 
 have  this  Song  an  amorous  Poem  of  Solomons  to  the 
 praife  of  Pharaoh's  Daughter  -,  and  therefore  they 
 fay,  that  there  is  here  fo  much  mention  of  Love- 
 iPhrafes,  as  Dove,  Spoufe,  and  Love,  &c.  and  of 
 Queens,  Concubines,  and  Virgins.  Let  fuch  fport 
 themfelves  in  their  own  foily,  until  Deftru&ion 
 overtake  them.  We  reft  in  the  Spiritual  meaning ; 
 and  1  judge  that  the  Paraphrafe  of  the  8th.  &  9th,  Ver- 
 fes  doth  fully  and  clearly  enough  reprelent  the 
 ■Aft 
 
 In 
 
174  A  Paraphrsfe  on  Chap.  VI. 
 
 It  may  indeed  feem  ftrange  that  the  Bride  is  com- 
 mended here,  even  above  all  the  Queens^  i.  e.  thofe 
 who  live  in  Communion  with  God  ,  for  who  (  may 
 we  think  )  can  be  preferred  to  fuch,  whom  God  is 
 familiar  with,  as  a  Man  with  his  Wife.  1  Anfwer. 
 That  the  Scope  of  the  Scripture  is7  (  as  I  take  it  )  to  hold 
 forth,  to  what  a  pitch  and  height  of  Grace  and  Venue  a 
 Saint  may  attain  to  \  and  therefore  the  Believer  7  who  is 
 brought  in  here  under  the  Notion  of  the  Bride,  is  repre- 
 fentedas  the  chief  eft  of  Saints.  Neither  needs  that  be 
 ftrange,  that  one  Saint  get  fuch  an  Epithet  above 
 all  others ;  fince  we  fee  that  Job  gets  juft  the  fame 
 Commendation,  Job  i .  8.  that  the  Spoufe  gets  here  ; 
 where  the  Lord  fayeth,  that  there  was  none  likg  him 
 in  the  Earth. 
 
 VERSE    9. 
 
 Chrifi  having  commended  the  Spoufe  fo  high- 
 ly',  to  mxke  it  the  more  unqueftionable^  he  brings 
 in  a  double  Confirmation  thereof  :  The  firft 
 is  in  the  following  words  ;  and  it  is  taken  from 
 that  efteem  that  others  had  thereof. 
 
 The  Words. 
 The  Daughters  faw  her,  and  blefied 
 
 her,  yea,  the   Queens  and  the  Concubines, 
 and  they  praifed  her* 
 
 The 
 
Verfe  i  o.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  175 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 The  Daughters  and  the  Virgins  dideonfefs 
 Than  this  no  lefsy 
 And  in  their  Hearts  admiring  thee% 
 In  whom  fitch  Beauty  they  did  fee  } 
 They  did  exprefs 
 The  fame ,  and  blefs'd  thee  with  all  happinefs* 
 
 The  Queens  and  Concubines  thee  likewifefaw  j 
 And  ftruck^  with  awe 
 At  thy  perfections  fo  rare^ 
 And  at  thy  Countenance  fo  fair  y 
 
 (  Which  Love  doth  draw 
 Frontalis )  thee  prais'd  above  allege  they  J aw* 
 
 VERSE    10. 
 
 Chrifi  (  in  the  next  place  )  exprffftb  his  own 
 cfteem  of  her y  as  anothtr  pQfofdf  her  excellen- 
 cy ;  which  be  doth  by  four  Compar'^ons  cr  Si- 
 militudes. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 Who  is  fhe  that  looketh  forth  as  the  Morn- 
 ing, fair  as  the  Moon,  clear  as  the  Sun,  and 
 terrible  as  an  Army  with  Banners. 
 
 The 
 
1 76  J  Par&phrafe  on  Chap.  VL 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Whoy  who  isjhe  ?  wfo,  who,  that  looketh  forth  ? 
 Wherein  we  fee  fuch  worth  j 
 Who  to  as  here 
 Like  to  the  Morning  doth  appear  i 
 For  fill  fie  doth  more  beauteous  flow, 
 And  comely  now. 
 She  fair  is  as  the  Moon, 
 Which  doth  txtingmfi  the  Stars  glory  foon. 
 
 Tea  like  the  glorions  Sun  Jhe  doth  appear 
 
 Mofi  bright,  mofl  fair  and  clear. 
 She  brings  the  day^ 
 And  makes  the  Night  to  flee  away. 
 She  likexvije  hath  an  awful  (hew 
 To  all  who  view 
 Her  Graces  j which  do  fland 
 Like  to  an  Army  nnderjight  Command. 
 
 Like  Morning  light  (lie  doth  in  Grace  increafe  : 
 Than  tti  Moon  foes  fair  no  lefs  j 
 And  in  the  Night 
 Of  trouble  great  fie  (hineth  bright. 
 Teafie's  like  to  the  Sun  fo  fair. 
 
 Without  campare. 
 In  her  Profperitie. 
 And  Army- like  jhc  always  fcems  to  be. 
 
 VERSE 
 
Verfe  1 1 , 1 2.       7 fa  Song  ^/Solomon.        i  77 
 
 VERSE     n,&  12, 
 
 He  giveth  the  reafon  of  this  Efieem  of  her, 
 which  he  takes  from  his  own  Experience ,  (  re- 
 fpeffing  therein  v.  4,  5.  )  /hewing  how  He  was 
 allured,  yea]  conftrained  to  return  to  her,  tho- 
 rough the  vigorous  a£ting  of  her  Graces  and 
 Virtues. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  went  down  into  the  Garden  of  Nuts,  to 
 fee  the  Fruits  of  the  Valley,  and  to  fee  whe- 
 ther the  Vine  flourifhed,  and  the  Pomegra- 
 nates budded. 
 
 Or  ever  I  was  aware,  my  Soul  made  me 
 like  the  Chariots  of  Amminadab, 
 
 The  Paraprafe, 
 V.  11. 
 
 This  I  can  by  mofl  fure  experience  f*y, 
 For  when  I  went  from  her  away, 
 That  night,  when  I 
 By  her  fecurity 
 Was  locl£dand  kept  from  out  her  Heart, 
 (  For  which  foe  fince  did  fadly  [mirt  ) 
 Vnto  my  Garden  / 
 Did  go  tofpye 
 
 N  Ho* 
 
178  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  VI 
 
 How  the  young  tender  Nuts  did  grow: 
 I  alfo  went  down  to  the  Valley  low. 
 
 To  fee  how  all  the  Fruits  did  there  increafe^ 
 
 Left  ought  fhould  their juft  growth  repreft ; 
 To  look^upon 
 The  tender  Plants  each  one  } 
 Whether  the  Vine  was  flourifhing 
 And  Pomegranates  budds  forth  did  bring. 
 The  Churches  order  I 
 Went  thus  to  fpye  ; 
 And  for  to  view  the  Graces  rare 
 Of  other  Saint  s^  how  they  incrtafed  there. 
 
 V.  12. 
 
 Therefcarcelwas,  when  I  could  not  refrain 
 7Till  Ifhould  come  to  thee  again. 
 My  Sonl  did  move 
 Me  fuddenly  with  love. 
 Or  e're  I  was  aware ,  thou  didft  me  fo 
 Ravijh,  that  I  behovd  to  thee  to  go  : 
 My  bowels  all  did  tnrn^ 
 
 When  thoH  didft  mown. 
 Thy  powerful  Prayers  reached  mine  Ear  j 
 Iravijtidwas^  when  I  the  fame  did  hear. 
 
 When  I  thee  left  it  was  a  darksome  Night : 
 But  fcarce  Heft  theey  when  thy  light 
 Appear  d  to  me 
 Fair  as  the  Moon  to  be  : 
 Tea  or  1  know^  thou  didft  like  Morning  clear 
 Dart  forth  thy  rays  j  and  quickly  didft  appear 
 
Verfe  i  ? .      The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 7  9 
 
 To  bring  the  clear  days  light , 
 Than  tti  Snn  more  bright. 
 Tea  as  an  Army  thou,  my  Soul 
 A  willwa  Captive  mad* ft  without  comroal.    • 
 
 For  why  my  Sod  was  fo  enamoured 
 
 With  thy  Grace  and  Perfections  hid  j 
 Thy  Faith  and  Love 
 Did  fo  my  Bowels  move  • 
 Thy  painful  exercifing  of  the  fame, 
 And  power  ful  Prayers  fo  upon  me  'came: 
 That  my  Soul,  e^re  I  knew7 
 Was  fled  to  you. 
 My  Love  to  thee  me  np  did  lift 
 As  on  Aminadab  his  Chariots  fwift. 
 
 i  I  have  nothing  to  add  to  the  Paraphrafe,  but  that 
 •  judge  the  laft  words  of  the  12th.  Verfe,  do  clearly 
 illude  to  feme  notable  and  famous  Chariot-driver  in 
 :hofe  dayes ;  or  elfe  to  fome  Prince,  who  hath 
 :aken  pleafure  in  the  fwifc  running  of  Chariots, 
 :nd  therefore  hath  had  fuch.  However  it  be,  the 
 Spiritual  meaning  is  patent. 
 
 VERSE     13. 
 
 Chrifl,  having  declared  his  tflzem  of  the 
 Wide,  and  hoiv  be  was  in  fome  mariner  con* 
 rained  to  return  to  her  \  he  adds  now  a  pa- 
 letick  Invitation  of  her  to  come  to  him, 
 U  be  familiar  with  him,  that  he  may  at  light 
 N  2  bimftlf 
 
1 80  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  VI 
 
 himfelf  more  nearly  and  fully,  with  the  (i*ht  of 
 her  Perfections  :  And  feeing  her  Modefty  and 
 {bamefacdnefs  did  Object,  that  there  was  no- 
 thing  in  her  worthy  his  noticing  her  ;  he  anfwers 
 that,  by  {hewing  that  he  would  fee  a  notable  fight 
 in  htr,  viz.  her  Graces  ranked  and  marfhalled 
 up,  as  two  Armies  or  Camps,  both  as  to  their 
 Order  and  Number. 
 
 Tfie  Words, 
 
 Return,  return,  O  Shulamite  !  return,  re- 
 turn ;  that  we  may  look  upon  thee  :  What 
 will  ye  fee  in  the  Shulamite  ?  As  it  were  the 
 Company  of  two  Armies. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe 
 
 Return,  return,  O  STiulamite,  to  me, 
 For  lo  I  do  return  to  thee  ; 
 Thou  who  in  Salem  City  dwells, 
 Who  Mortals  all  excells  : 
 Return,  return  to  me, 
 That  I  may  look,  with  joy  on  thee  ; 
 That  1  may  view  thy  Graces  rare, 
 And  look  upon  thy  Countenance  fo  fair. 
 
 What  will you  {ee  ?  what  will  yon  fee  in  me  f 
 Wherein  no  Venues  true  there  be  : 
 Thus  thou  dojl  fpeak  ',  but  (ay  not  fo, 
 For  I  the  contrary  know. 
 Lo,  lo,  I  fee  in  thee 
 Of  Vert ues  a  va(l  Company. 
 
 Lo\ 
 
Verfe  i  ? .  The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 8 1 
 
 Lo^  like  two  Armies  they  appear 
 To  all  who  thee  do  rightly  know  and  near. 
 
 The  Fm««  a/immediate  Piety 
 Compofe  the  Army  fir  ft  in  thee  ^ 
 Which  doth  in  decent  Order  ftand^ 
 Still  ready  at  command. 
 In  tW  other  lo  we  fee 
 The  Venues  fl/Humanity, 
 Both  thefe  two  Armies  Love  obey  : 
 Love  thofefor  God^and  thefe  for  Man  dothfway. 
 
 Faith  is  the  Mufter-mafter,  which  aright 
 Tfa  way  them  teacheth  how  to  fight. 
 The  royal  Standard-bearer,  Hope, 
 All  mutinies  doth  flop. 
 The  Armory,  God's  Word. 
 All  Weapons  doth  to  them  afford. 
 Thus  they  do  in  their  Voftnvcftand, 
 And  Prayer  them  the  Word  gives  of  command. 
 
 It  will  not,  I  hope,  be  thought  unfuitable,  that 
 I  have  a  little  improved  this  Notion,  of  comparing 
 the  Spoufes  Graces  to  two  Arniics,  or  (  as  the  He- 
 brew hath  it )  Camps.  By  Shulamite^is  undoubted- 
 ly underftood  a  Hierofolamitane,  i.  e.  a  Citizen  or 
 In-dweller  of  the  myftical  Jerr'falemy  which  fome- 
 times  is  called  Salem. 
 
 Nvj  .CHAP. 
 
 \ 
 
[82  AParaphrafe  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 CHAP.    VII. 
 
 — 
 
 The   Bridegroom 
 
 Continueth  his  Difcourfe. 
 
 VERSE  i,  2,  $,  4,  5,6,7,8,  9. 
 
 Chrifi  goeth  on  in   his  Commendation  of  the 
 Bride,  defending  to  the  particularizing  of  ma- 
 ny of  her  Graces  and  Fertues,  viz.  Her  Feet, 
 i.  e.  her  Walk  or  Carriage  ;  and  her  Thighs,  /.  e. 
 the  Habits   or  Principles  of  her    Carriage    and 
 Converfationy  V.  1.    Then  her  Navel,  /.  e.  her 
 fpiritual  fructifying    Quality  ;  and  her    Belly, 
 i.  e.  the  Matrix  or  inward  habit  of  Grace,  V.  2. 
 Then  her  Breafts,    i.  c.  her  growth  in  Grace,  and 
 ufefulnefs  for  the  good  of  other  s,  V.  $.    Then  her 
 Neck,  i.  e.  her  Faith,  Magnanimity  and  fpiri- 
 tual  Valour  \  her  Eyes,  /.  e.  her  Vnderftanding 
 or  Wtfdome  \  and  her  Nofe,  i.  e.  her  Sagacity  or 
 Forefight,V.  4.  Then  her  Head,  i.  e.  her  Hope  ; 
 
 and 
 
Verfe  1,2,  &c.     7 he  Song  ^/Solomon.       185 
 
 and  her  Hair,  i.  e.  her  Chrijlian  Profejfion,  V.  5. 
 Jfter    which    Commendation    of  the   Bride,    he 
 defcends  to   add  fever  al  Aggravations  of  her 
 Comelinefs  :  The  firft  of  which  is  an   abrupt 
 Expreflion,  crying  out,  that  he  was  captivated 
 irrefiflibly  by  her  Graces  ;  in  the  clofe  of  V.  5. 
 The  fecond  is  a  ravijhed  and  tranfported  like 
 Expreflion,  containing  a  general  Commendation 
 of  the  Brides  Excellency,  V.  6.   The  third  is  an 
 Amplification  of  the  former  Commendation, 
 containing  his  Refolution  to  abide  with  her,  both 
 for  his  fat  is  faction  and  her  profit,  V.  7,  8,  9. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 HOw  beautiful  are  thy  Feet  with  Shoes, 
 O  Princes  Daughter !  the  Joynts  of 
 :hy  Thighs  are  like  Jewels,  the  Works  of  the 
 lands  of  a  cunning  Workman. 
 
 Thy  Navel  is  like  a  round  Goblet,  which 
 winteth  not  Liquor :  Thy  Belly  is  like  an 
 heip  of  Wheat,  fet  about  with  Lillies. 
 
 thy  two  Breafts  are  like  two  young  Roes 
 tha:  are  twins. 
 
 Ihy  Neck  is  as  a  Tower  of  Ivory  :  thine 
 Eyes  like  the  Fifl^  pools  in  Hefhbon,  by 
 the  §ate  of  Bethrabbim  :  thy  Nofe  is  as  the 
 Tower  of  Lebanon,  which  looketh  towards 
 Damafcus. 
 
 N  4  Thine 
 
i  $4  4  Paraphraft  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 Thine  Head  upon  thee  is  like  Carmel,  j 
 and  the  Hair  of  thine  Head  like  Purple  :  I 
 the  King  is  held   in  the  Galleries. 
 
 How  fair  and  how  pleafant  art  thou,  O  ! 
 Love,  for  Delights, 
 
 This  thy  Stature  is  like  to  a  Palm-tree,  and  I 
 thy  Breafts  to  Clufters  of  Grapes. 
 
 I  faid^  I  will  go  up  to  the  Palm-tree, 
 I  will  take  hold  of  the  Boughs  thereof  : 
 Now  alfb  thy  Breafts  fhaii  be  as  Clufters 
 of  the  Vine,  and  the  fmell  of  thy  Nofe  like 
 Apples. 
 
 And  the  Roof  of  thy  Mouth  like  the  beft 
 Wine,  for  my  beloved,  that  goeth  down 
 fweetly,  caufing  the  Lips  of  thofe  that  are 
 afleep  to  fpeak. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 V.i. 
 
 0  Princely  Daughter  of  the  highefi  Prince ', 
 
 Thy  Carriage  is  Me  to  convince 
 
 Ml  who  thee  fee,  of  thy  high  Progeny, 
 
 All  is  divine  andfrincely  that's  in  thee. 
 
 How  beautiful  and  comely  are  thy  Feet, 
 
 With  Princely  Shoes,  which  for  them  are  mofi  met ! 
 
 With  a  moll  grave,  but  yet  majeftick  pace, 
 
 Thou  walks ;  thy  fieps  adorned  are  with  Grace. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
farfe  2.       The  Song  of  Solomon.  1 8  5 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Nor  can  it  pojfibly  he  elfe  •,  for  why 
 
 The  habits  of  thy  walk^go  not  aftray. 
 
 No?  no ,  they  moft  harmonioufly  are  mader 
 
 And  fitted  fo,  that  nought  thy  walk  impede. 
 
 Thus  are  thy  Thighs,  theyr  orderly  compos1  dy 
 
 And  formed  fo  that  they  cannot  be  loosed* 
 
 rhey'r  like  to  Bracelets,  or  to  Chains  ofGold, 
 
 Ir  rows  of  Jewels,  comely  to  behold. 
 
 The  Work  they're  of  no  Novice  }  but  of  one 
 
 Vho  is  the  greateft  Artiil  ere  was  known. 
 
 V.  2. 
 
 And  as  thy  Walkjs  glorious  ;  fothou  art 
 
 Moft  glorious  within  the  hidden  part. 
 
 Thy  well-ihapd  Navel,  (  who  could  it  beholdy  ) 
 
 Like  a  round  Goblet  £*,  or  Cup  of  Gold ', 
 
 Full  of  the  choice  ft  mixture  ;  where  both  weak^ 
 
 And  jhonger  Liquor  do  their  portion  make 
 
 y  that  mixture^  which  thy  Graces  water  doth 
 
 blowing  in  plenty  to  thee  from  above. 
 
 Thy  fr uilifying  quality  isfuch. 
 
 As  none  can  thinkor  wonder  at  too  much. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 rhis  moifture/row  thy  Navel  doth  defcendy 
 4nd  to  thy  Belly  inwardly  doth  tend; 
 7hy  fruitful  Belly,  which  is  like  an  heap 
 )f  the  moft  fine  and  of  the  pureft  Wheat, 
 
 Such 
 
1 86  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 Such  is  the  Matrix,  fuch  the  Habits,  where 
 Thy  Grace  doth  lye,  and  whence  thy  Venues  rare 
 Proceed  and  do  fpring  forth.     Thy  moifiure  fo 
 Thy  habits  fr uglifies,  that  thence  doth  grow 
 Many  a  Lilly  and  moft  comely  Flower. 
 For  when  as  once  the  fructifying  Shower 
 O/th'  Spirits  divine  Influences/n^, 
 With  thy  inlarg'd  Capacity  doth  meet ; 
 That  mixture  hath  finch  Virtue  therein,  as 
 To  be  the  chief,  if  not  the  only  Caufe 
 Of  all  thy  fruitfulnefs.     For  when  from  thence 
 Moifiure  defcends,  and  Virtue  doth  difpenfe 
 To  the  prepared  cofily  Seed,  which  doth 
 Groan  (  as  it  were  )for  that  fiiower  from  above  : 
 Thence  doth  a  Spring  appear ;  the  feed  dothgroT, 
 And  fend  forth  ftalks  and  leaves,  which  have  aflioxo 
 Lil<e  nntofweet  and  lovely  Lillics  fair. 
 Such  are  thy  attual  Graces  choice  and  rare, 
 Which  from  habitual  Grace  within  proceed, 
 And  who fe  fweet  fcent  doth  Lillies  far  exceed. 
 
 v.  ?. 
 
 A  great  proficient  in  Loves  School  thou  art,     *\ 
 
 With  Graces  fiord  andtreafurd  is  thy  Heart,  > 
 
 Which  yet  thou  do  ft  as  liberally  impart.  J 
 
 Thy  Breafts  in  this  are  like  twopleafant  Roes, 
 
 Twins  of  an  equal  fizje  and  height ,  which  goe, 
 
 And  run,  and  w  altogether,  "till  they  prove 
 
 Both  fat,  and  fair,  and  <?reat.  Thus  thou  my  Love 
 
 In  Grace  increafeft  fiilh,  until  thou  be 
 
 So  fiord  therewith,  that  thou  abundantly 
 
 Canfi  others  feed,  and  yet  thy  felf not  want', 
 
 For  thee  to  be  a  Mother  God  doth  grant , 
 
 And 
 
Verfe4-        Ibe  Song  of  Solomon.  187 
 
 And  thee  doft  farnifh  fo,  that  thoit  can" ft  feed 
 With  Milkthofe  Babes  who  thereof  fiand in  need. 
 
 V.   4. 
 
 • 
 
 Thy  Grace  isfttch,  that  thou  doft  never  droopy 
 Nor  fnffer  thy  conragions  Neck  toftoop  } 
 But  with  a  vaCrous  magnanimity  y 
 Thonrt  proof  againft  whatt're  difficulty 
 Thy  Fakh-buiit  courage  doth  appear  to  be 
 Like  to  aftately  Tower  of  Ivory  ;      ' 
 Which  doth  contain  a  Shield  againfi  each  Dart, 
 Which  Satan i  Sin,  or  Earth,  throw  at  thy  heart : 
 Of  each  Temptation  it  can  break^the  ftingy 
 And  *  gain  ft  all  grief s  a  remedy  doth  bring  : 
 Thus  is  thy  Faith,  that  ufeful  Grace  of  thine  ^ 
 Which  proves  a  Toner  ftately  and  divine. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Thy  humble  piercing  ZJnderftandings  fuch, 
 jis  none  can  be  enamoured  of  too  much  : 
 Thy  Wifdom  and  thy  Knowledge  is  mofl  bright , 
 Irradiate  with  pure  and  divine  light : 
 Z/'^Hefhbons  clear  Fijh-  Pools,theyare  moftfair. 
 Which  at  Rethrabbirn-Gate  are  formed  there  : 
 Such  are  thine  Eyesjnoft  bright, andmirrom -like j 
 Which  do  all  thofe,  who  thereon  look,  deli&ht: 
 Therein  I  view  my  Stature  and  myFace^ 
 So  clear  and  fo  anftained  is  thy  Grace. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 rs  to  me 
 
 Ibid. 
 Thy  comely  wdl-ftiayd  Nofe  appears  to  mi 
 Like  to  the  Tower  of  Lebanon  to  be  } 
 
 That 
 
1 8  8  J  Par  agrafe  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 That  fortified  Tower,  which  doth  (land 
 
 Vpon  the  very  Frontiers  of  the  Land, 
 
 And looketh  towards ftrong  DamafctlS,  where 
 
 Our  Syrian  Foes  do  chiefly  all  repair  : 
 
 Such  is  thy  qfiick^  and  jharp  fagacity, 
 
 Which  proves  a  ftrong  Defence  and  Tow'rto  thee. 
 
 Thou  keeps  ftrong  Watch  againft  thy  canning  Foe9 
 
 And  fees  each  ft  ep  and  motion  he  doth  go  : 
 
 His  Anions,  thofaroff,  thou  doft  fore fee , 
 
 And frnells  his  Projects,  ere  they  for  medbe. 
 
 v.  5. 
 
 Thy  foaring  Hope  above  the  Clouds  doth  reach, 
 And  doth  it  fe  If  unto  the  Heavens  fir  etch ; 
 This  is  the  Head  of  all  thy  Graces,  which 
 Doth  foar  with  thee,  till  Graces  Throne  it  touch  : 
 Like  ft  at  ely  fruitful  Carrael  it  doth  ft  and, 
 And  overlooks  afar  both  Sea  and  Land : 
 Aftately  ProfpeU  this  doth  give  to  thee, 
 And  makes  thee  things  invifible  to  fee. 
 
 Ibid. 
 This  to  compleat,  thy  f elf  thou  doft  adorn 
 With  a  Profejfion  worthy  to  be  worn  j 
 With  a  Profeffton,  not  oftentative, 
 But  which  doth  a  moft  p  leaf  ant  Profpeft  give  : 
 Thus  doth  thy  Hair  as  lovely  Purple yfo/;^ 
 With  fuch  a  Dye,  and  luftre  fo  divine, 
 That  tho  the  fame  thou  hid* ft  yet  all  may  fee 
 A  divine  fplen dour  for  to  be  on  thee. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
Verlc  6.  The  Song  ^Solomon.  1 89 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Thy  luflre  is  fo  fair  and  bright^ 
 
 And  me  captivates  fa  } 
 And  1  fo  much  therein  delight y 
 
 That  I  cartt  from  thee  go.    . 
 
 Thy  Graces  me  fo  ftronqlyhold^ 
 
 That  I  cant  get  an  ay  ; 
 Nor  from  thy  Arms  me  unfold^ 
 
 But  needs  am  fore  d  to  ft  ay. 
 
 The  King  within  the  GsYrksfo 
 
 Is  Prisoner  made  by  thee  y 
 For  when  1 offer  for  togoy 
 
 Away  I  cannot  fee. 
 
 Thy  Comelinefs  like  Chains  doth  bind 
 
 My  Soul  thus  f aft  to  thine  ; 
 Thy  Love  and  thy  AJfeClion  kind 
 
 Keep  wr,  without  repine. 
 
 V.  6: 
 
 How  fair  art  thou^  my  Love^  all  beauties  run 
 
 From  thee^  as  Light  and  Heat  do  from  the  Sun: 
 
 Perfections  all  concenter  do  in  thee^ 
 
 And  thither  flow ,  as  Waters  to  the  Sea, 
 
 What  lovely  feat  nres  do  in  one  combine , 
 
 Uniting  in  thy  Countenance  divine. 
 
 Thy  Partsy  by  an  harmonious  fymmetry. 
 
 As  one  Perfection  do  feem  to  be  : 
 
 Thou'rt  al]  Delights  }  Perfections  all  mite 
 
 Jnmakjn?  thee  barmQnioHJly  compleat. 
 
 V.  7- 
 
190  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIL 
 
 V.7. 
 
 Thus  is  thy  /lately  Stature,   which  is  like 
 The  comely  Palm-Tree,  which  doth  fo  delight 
 The  Eye  by  its  perpetual  vernant  Green, 
 So  lovely  and  fo  pleafant  to  be  feen. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Like  to  the  pleafant  Clulters  thereof,  thou 
 Thy  lovely  pleafant  Breads  to  me  doftfiew : 
 Thy  fweet  eft  Love,  and  thy  Affeblion 
 Tajies  fweet  to  me,  to  whom  the  fame  is  known. 
 
 v.  8. 
 
 And  well  1 do  it  know  •  for  oft  thou  hast 
 
 Cf  that  fweet  Juyce  of  thine  me  made  to  tafle ; 
 
 Which  me  doth  ravifhfo,  that  J  intend 
 
 In  tafling  of  the  fame  fome  time  tofpend  : 
 
 For  why  within  my  felf  I  now  did  fay, 
 
 /  will  not  from  this  Palm-Tree  go  away 
 
 As  yet,  but  will  unto  the  fame  afcend, 
 
 And  tafle  thofe  Clutters  which  it  forth  doth  fend', 
 
 Til  take  hold  of  its  Boughs,  and  them  will  bend, 
 
 And  furely  then  thy  Fruits  thou  forth  wilt  fend. 
 
 When  1  my  pre  fence  do  impart  to  thee,  ' 
 
 Vndoubtedlythy  Fruit  will  multiply  } 
 
 Thouh  ftnd  forth  Clufters  in  abundance  then, 
 
 Whilfl  in  Embraces  I  with  thee  remain : 
 
 Thy  Breaftsjhallthen,hke  (Hufters  of  the  Vine, 
 
 Yield  to  my  tafle  a  Liquor  moft  divine. 
 
 The  favour  of  thy  Noie  Jhall  yield  afmeB, 
 
 Which  fliall  the  choicest  Apples  f*r  excell. 
 
 Thy 
 
Verfc  8 .  The  Sang  of  Solomon.  1 9  \ 
 
 Thy  Mouth  its  Roof,  or  Palate  fweet,  fliaU  be 
 Refreflfal  as  the  far  btSt  Wine  to  me. 
 The  breathings  and  the  longings  of  thy  Soul, 
 And  pantings,  which  the  fame  do  make  to  ronl 
 With  Waves  alternate,  flowing  nnto  me^ 
 Shall  mate  theemoB  delightful  for  to  be. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Theft  breathings  do  of  property  pert  din 
 To  my  Beloved  ;  forfo  once  and  again 
 Thou  me  didst  calL  Wherefore  this  Wine  fo  fweet 
 For  t\?nfe  ofnone,bnt  me,thou  ought* ft  to  keep  ; 
 The  breathing  of  thy  divine  love  and  light ^ 
 Belong  to  none  bnt  mto  me  of  right. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 i  ThisWine  doth  down  the  Throat  moflfweetlygo^ 
 And  therewith  a  fweet  livelinefs  doth  flow 
 To  all  the  fame  who  tafte.  Thofe  who  do  feeca 
 Unto  the  World  for  to  fleep  or  dream, 
 (jSo  drmkjhey  are  with  this  far  rarest  Wine,) 
 Do  ne'rethelefs  of  Matters  fpeak  divine. 
 This  Wine  hath  fnch  ejfetl  on  all  who  kgow 
 The  fame  aright,  that  it  doth  to  them  Jhow 
 My fteriotis  Secrets,  which  them  raviftid  make y 
 And  of  Idea's  new  thns  to  partake. 
 Earth's  Rarities,  which  Men  admire  andkeep7 
 Doth  fcem  to  thtm  of  Drofs  an  ugly  heap  : 
 For  why,foretaftes  of  Heaven  they  do  get, 
 That  they  almofi  Earth  wholly  do  forget : 
 This  makes  them  fpeakin  KaptXWZSjwhichdofeem 
 To  others  but  ejfetts  of  fleep  or  dreams  • 
 Or  elfeth'cjfetts  of  Wine, and  of "Strong- drink. 
 So  madly  they  do  of  this  Secret  thinks  j 
 
 It 
 
192  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIL 
 
 It  is  indeed  a  Jkep,  a  dream,  of  Wire 
 
 The  true  effeft,  but  fuck  as  is  divine, 
 
 Not  humane  ;  there's  no  dreg  of  Earth  herein^ 
 
 lis  purify  d  from  folly  and  from  fin  • 
 
 Whatever  thofe  thinl^of it,  who  do  want 
 
 That  tafte  them f elves,  andfo  are  ignorant 
 
 Of  its  ejfttts  and  qualities  divine  ; 
 
 Thus  proves  it  rviththefe  breathings  (Irong  of  thine, 
 
 My  dear  eft  Love-,  for  though  tboubeajleep 
 
 Thereby,  yet  doft  thou  Myjteries  then  f peak  : 
 
 And  thus  it  proves  with  ail  whom  1  admit 
 
 To  my  Embraces  ;  for  then  they  with  it 
 
 Are  fo  o^recome,  andfickjwith  divine  love, 
 
 That  falling  into  Extafies,  they  move 
 
 Their  lovely  Lips,  and  rapturd  fpeak  of  great 
 
 Myfttrious  Secrets  ;  for  they're  then  awake 
 
 Moft  truly,  and  at  other  times  but  Jlcep  t 
 
 But  this  a  fecret  is  for  moft  too  deep. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 Although  I  have  endeavoured  to  be  as  perfpicuous 
 and  full  in  the  Paraphrafe  as  poflibly  I  could  j  yet 
 there  being  fome  things  which  require  fome  further 
 clearing,  1  ihall  add  a  few  words  here,for  illuftrating 
 one  or  two  darker  Expreffions. 
 
 The  word  "^5,  ver.  3.  which  we  tranflate  the 
 Belly,  is  different  from  the  word  chap.  5.  w.4,&  14. 
 which  fignifieth  Bowels,  and  is  a  Feminine  word,  and 
 properly  is  attributed  to  Women,  and  fignifieth  the 
 Womb  wherein  the  Child  lyeth. 
 
 Hsjhbon  was  the  City-Royal  ofSihon  King  of  the 
 Amorites,  where  undoubtedly  there  have  been  plea- 
 fant,  profitable,   and  curioufly  framed  Fifi-Pools^ 
 
 or 
 
Verfe  9.  Ihe  Song  0/ Solomon.  1 9  j 
 
 or  Vonds  \  unto  which  the  Spoufe's  clear  Under- 
 ftanding  is  here  compared,  for  her  difcerning  of 
 fpiritual  things,  and  knowing  to  choofe  the  good, 
 and  refafe  the  evil.  Hefibon  is  derived  from  a  Root, 
 which  fignifies  to  excogitate,  as  Artificers  do,  who 
 make  any  curious  piece  of  Workmanfhip  ;  whence  it 
 is  that  Tremelhus  tranflates  this  place  thus,  Thy  Eyes 
 are  like  to  Fifth  Pools  artificially  m^de. 
 
 Bathrabbim  hath  been  the  chief  and  principal  Port 
 or  Gate  of  Hefhbon,  if  we  may  lay  any  weight  on  its 
 Compolition  ;  for  it  is  compofed  of  two  words, 
 which  are,  the  Daughter  of  a  Multitude,  i.  e.  a  place 
 of  great.confluence,  where  Multitudes  ufe  to  be. 
 
 The  Tower  of  Lebanon  fpoken  of  ver.  5.  cannot 
 well  be  underftood  to  be  that  fpoken  of,chap.^.  vcr.^. 
 which  is  called  the  Tower  of  David.  For  that 
 Tower  of  David  appeareth  to  have  been  built  with- 
 in Jerufakm,  as  the  following  words,  where  it  is  cal- 
 led zx\  Armory,  do  (hew,  if  we  compare  them  with 
 Nehem.  3.  19.  where  mention  is  made  of  the  Armory 
 ofjernfalem.  But  the  Tower  here  is  built  in  Lebanon, 
 towards  Damafctis.  Whether  this  Tower  be  the 
 fame  with  that  which  is  called  the  Honfe  of  the  Forreft 
 of  Lebanon  ,  2  Chron.  8.  3.  wherein  he  put  many 
 Targets  and  Shields,  2 Chron.  9.13-  is  hard  to  de- 
 termine. But  Lebanon  being  on  the  North  of  Jndah, 
 near  to  Syria  (where  Enemies  fpon  broke  out  againft 
 Solomonfxth  not  unlike  that  thisHoufe  hath  been  made 
 ufe  of  as  a  frontier  Tower ;  at  lead  fome  other  Tower 
 hath  been  built  there,  for  preventing  of  hurt  from 
 that  hand.  Damafcuswzs  the  Metropolis  of  Syria, 
 and  is  called,  Ifa.-j.  8.  the  Head  of  Syria.  Thefe 
 who  dwelt  there,  were  amongfc  the  moft  malicious 
 Enemies  of  Ifrael.    And  Refon  (whom  God  railed  up 
 
 '  O  to 
 
194  JParaphrafe  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 to  be  an  Enemy  to  Solomon,  i  King.  i  i  .24.)  did  reign 
 in  Birnafais  -,  fo  that  Solomon  had  good  reafon  to  be*' 
 watchful  on  that  hand.     Whereby  we  fee  in  what 
 refpett  the  Brides  Nofe  is  compared  to  it,  i.  c.  the 
 Bride's  watchfulnefs  and  fagacity. 
 
 Carmel  was  a  Mountain  upon  the  Borders  of  Phe- 
 nicia,  and  fituate  upon  the  Coaft  of  the  Pbenician  or 
 Mediterranean  Sea,  called  in  Scripture  the  Great  Sea^ 
 with  refpeft  to  the  Red  Sea.  It  is  mentioned  by 
 Tacitns,  and  others,  as  one  of  the  pleafanteft  and 
 fruittulleft  Mountains  in  the  World.  Its  pleafure 
 was  fingular  both  with  refpeft  to  the  (hew  it  had 
 afar  off  to  the  Eye,  and  with  refpeft  to  the  beauti- 
 ful and  great  Profped  which  it  afforded  from  its  top  ; 
 for  from  thence  one  might  have  feen  over  much  of 
 Canaan  and  Phenicia,  and  on  the  other  fide  have 
 \Tiewed  the  Sea  to  a  great  length.  Its  Fruitfulnefs 
 was  fo  famous,  that  its  Name  turned  Appellative 
 for  any  fruitful  place.  It  is  chiefly  famous  in  Scrip- 
 ture, for  what  Elias  did  there,  in  gathering  toge- 
 ther all  Ijracl,  flaying  Baal's  Prophets,  and  porcha- 
 lingRain,  1  King.  18. 
 
 Verfe  7,  &  8.  the  Bride  is  compared  to  the  Palm- 
 tree.  The  Palm-tree  is  a  moil  pleafant  Tree,  of  a 
 perpetual  green nefs  or  pernancy,  -without  the  change  of 
 Leaves,  for  they  do  not  fall  off  till  the  Tree  begin  to 
 decay  ;  and  becaufe  of  its  long  duration,  and  bear- 
 ing thus  fome  analogy  to  the  fo  much  admired,  tho* 
 fabulous,  Bird,  called  the  Phoenix,  it  gets  the  name 
 of  <poivi%,  in  the  Greeks  But  the  Latins  denominate 
 it  from  its  (hew  or  appearance  ;  for  its  Branches 
 being  extended  from  it,  as  the  Fingers  are  on  the 
 Hand,  therefore  is  the  Tree  called  Palma;  from 
 whence  likewife  its  Fruit,  from  fome  fimilitude  they 
 
 bear 
 
Verfe  9.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  195 
 
 bear  to  the  Fingers,  are  called  Dattyli,  that  is,  Dates  ^ 
 for  Dates  are  the  Fruic  that  it  bears.     Many  Natu- 
 raltfts  write  of  this  Tree,  that  they  are  divided  into. 
 Males  and  Females,  and  that  neither  of  them  do  bear 
 Fruit,except  they  be  within  fight  of  one  another  jand 
 therefore  in  Egypt  they  fo  plant  thcm,thai  the  Wind 
 may  pafs  from  the  Males  to  the  Females ;  or  other- 
 wife  they  draw  a  Cord  from  the  one  to  the  other, 
 tying  them  thus  together,  though  at  a  diitance  : 
 This  Plinms  and  other  Naturalifts  tell  us.    CarcUms 
 likewife  relates,  that  in  Numidia,  at  a  City  thereof 
 called  Data,  there  were  Palms,  the  Females  whereof 
 were  ftill  unfruitful,  producing  only  the  Stones  of 
 Dates  with  a  thin  lean  skin  about  the  fame,  except 
 when  Branches  were  cut  off  from  the  Males,  and 
 put  among  the  Branches  of  the  Females,  whereby 
 they  became  exceeding  fruitful.     Now  its  very  pro* 
 bable  that  the  Spirit  of  God  here,  and  Solomon  (to 
 whom  Natural  Caufes  and  Effects  were  better  known 
 :han  any  then  living)  hath  relation  to  this  Diftin- 
 Itoonofthe  Sexes  in  this  Tree,  when  he  fpeaks  of 
 Shrift's  going  up  to  the  Palm-Tree,  and  his  taking 
 lold  of  the  Boughs  thereof  •,  which  feems  yet  fur- 
 ;her  alluded  to,  when  he  fays,  Now  alfo  thy  Breafis 
 lallbelikeCluftersofthertnefoc.  As  if  he  had  faid,As 
 :he  Fe^/ePalm-Tree,fo  is  thy  Stature  -,  and  as  Clu- 
 Icrsof  Dates  thereon(for  what  our  Tranllation  adds, 
 >f  Grapes,  is  not  in  the  Original,)  fo  are  thy  Breafls^ 
 rot  as  the  Female  Palm-Tree  is  moft  fruitful  when  the 
 Male  is  by  it,fo  is  it  with  thee  when  I  am  near  rhee; 
 therefore  that  thou  may  be  the  more  fruitful,  I  have 
 efolved  to  go  up  unto  thee,  and  take  hold  of  thy 
 loughs;  by  which  thou  wilt  undoubtedly  encreafe 
 wonderfully  then,  infuchfort  that  thy  Breafts  will 
 
 O  2  be 
 
1 9<5  A  Parapbraft  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 be  as  full  of  Sap  and  fweetnels  as  are  the  Clufters  of 
 the  Vine  •,  yea, thy  very  Smell  will  be  as  fweetas  the 
 iVtell  of  Apples,  &c.    Neither  needs  it  it  be  ftrange, 
 that  in  the  middle  of  chis  Comparilbn  he  fpeaks  of 
 the  Vine  and  Wine  fo  much  -,  for  there  is  a  Kind  of 
 this  P^lm-Tiee  which  produceth  excellent  Wine, 
 ^nd  is  preferred  to  all  other  Kinds  of  them :  And  it's 
 like  Solomon  here  hath  refpedl  to  this  Kind.     I  fhall 
 defer ibe  it  in  the  words  of  The vetusy' and  J.  John- 
 ftonus  out  of  him,  in  hh  Thaum  at  agraphia  Natnralisy 
 ClafT.  5.  Cap.  32.  E\i  Palma  vinifera  in  Ethiopia  pro- 
 rsiOntoriO)   qu<z  cjt  pabnularum  genere  pulcherrimay  five 
 proceritatcm,    five  per  pet  nam  viridatem  fpetles.     Inci- 
 ekintur  duobus  a  terra  pedibus,  quo  [hcchs  inde  eliciatnr. 
 Hie  vafis  terreis  pro  quotidiano  potu  excipitur,  m  autem 
 dint  ins  confervctur,  modicum  fa  lis  injiciunt }    colore  & 
 confifttntia  vinum  album  Campania  refert.  And  not  only 
 in  Ethiopia,  but  in  India  likewife,  and  other  Eaftern 
 Countries*  doth  that  kind  of  Palm-Trees  grow,  as 
 Joknfim  and  others  fhew. 
 
 I   am  not  ignorant  that  fome  late  Writers  have 
 Iaugh'd  at  this  Diltindion  of  Sexes  in  this  Tree,  as 
 a  meer  dotage  of  the  Ancients ,  and  yet  they  them 
 felves  have  given  no  folid  or  convincing  Reafon  to 
 the  contrary,  that  I  could  yet  fee.     It's  true,  this 
 quality  attributed  to  this  Tree,  at  firft  view  may 
 feem  very  ftrange.     But  it's  true  alfo,  that  many 
 things  at  firlt  feem  ftrange  and  almoft  incredible, 
 that  afterwards  are  found  true.  And  1  am  perfwaded 
 that  if  the  ftrange  qualities  of  the  fenfitive  and  humble 
 Plant,  and  other  fuch  Plants,  were  not  unqueftio-J 
 nable  now  by  common  experience  to  ufc  in  thefe 
 Parts,  they  fhould  be  reckoned  by  many  meer  Fable 
 alfo.     However  I  fhail  not  affert  the  Truth  of  this, 
 
 but 
 
Verfe  9.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.  1 9 7 
 
 but  only  reprefent  it  at  leaft  as  probable.  One  thing  1^ 
 am  fure  of,  that  the  fpiritual  life  that  I  have  made  of 
 this,  is  beyond  Queftion,  viz..  That  Chrift's  Prefence 
 with  a  Believer,  renders  him  Fruitful. 
 
 That  word  in  the  9th.  Verfe,  For  my  Beloved,  is  a 
 very  abrupt  Expreffion,  and  may  either  be  Under- 
 ftood,  OfChrijVs  Friend?:,  whom  he  calls  his  Beloved } 
 orotherwife  it  may  be  taken,  for  Cbrift's  fper-kiv?  of 
 Himfelf  in  the  name  of  the  Bride-,  as  if  he  (hould  fay^ 
 It's  fiich  Wine  as  thou  allows  to  me  only,  who  am 
 thy  Beloved,  or  (when  as  thou  fpeaks)  my  Beloved, 
 This  laft  fence  I  have  imbraced  in  the  Paraph-raft*,  for 
 this  reafon  ,  becaufe  here  all  along  is  fpoken  of 
 Chrift's  communicating  his  Prefence  to  the  Believer, 
 and  the  Believers  communicating  his  Grace,  i.  e.the 
 Defires,  Longings,  and  out-goings  of  his  Soul  to 
 Chrifl: :  Now  it  would  not  run  fo  currantly ,  nor  can 
 it  be  underftood  fo  fitly,  to  underftand  this  in  the  Brft 
 fence,  as  if  the  words  ran  thus,  And  the  Roof  of  thy 
 Mouth  (i.e.)  thy  Palate,  or  the  Out- goings  of  thy 
 Soul)  (hould  be  as  the  beft  Wine,  for  my  Friends  ;  for 
 the  Out-goings  of  the  Soul  are  to  be  appropriated 
 ffl,  and  terminate  on  none  but  Chrifl:. 
 
 As  for  the  following  Expreffion,  (which  is  fome- 
 what  dark,)  and  other  Expreffion?  in  the  fore-going 
 Commendation  of  the  Bride,  I  fuppofe  they  are  per- 
 fpicuoufly  enough  opened  up  in  the  Paravhrafe. 
 
 o; 
 
 The 
 
iyo  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIL 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 VERSE     io. 
 
 7  he  Bride  having  now  got  Chrifi7  as  it  were , 
 in  her  Arms^  /be  comforts  her  felf  in  htr  Union 
 rvith  him,  and  in  the  af/urance  of  his  love  towards 
 far>  the  expreffion  whereof  /be  felt. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 I  am  my  Beloved's,  and  his  defire  is  to- 
 wards  me. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Ady  Lord's  now  pre/em,  and  with  me  doth  fiay* 
 From  me  hell  not  go  ft  ,  i  away  : 
 
 Oh  then 
 He' lift  ay )  and  with  me  here  remain  ! 
 
 Diftniftful  Thoughts  are  fled  !  for  this  I  kpow 
 That  J  am  his  ;  this  he  doth  jhow  : 
 
 He  will 
 Sure  my  defire s  all  now  fulfill. 
 
 tor  why  I  know  that  my  Beloved  is 
 Mine,  mine,  and  I  again  am  his : 
 Here,  here 
 U  that  which  [wallows  up  all  fear* 
 
 For 
 
Verfe  10.         7 he  Song  ^/Solomon.  1 99 
 
 Far  hisdefire  is  towards  me,  and  he 
 Dearly  andftrongly  lovcth  me: 
 
 He  doth 
 My  Soul  captivate  xtitb  his  love. 
 
 With  Love-embraces  f aft  he  doth  me  hold, 
 The  fxoeetnefs  whereof  can  t  be  told : 
 
 Impart 
 To  me  he  doth  his  very  Heart. 
 
 The  firft  part  of  thefe  words  we  have  chip.  2. 
 ver.  16.  &  chap.  6.  ver.  3.  at  both  which  times  fhe 
 was  under  Defertion,  and  yet  fhe  comforted  her  felf 
 in  her  Union  wich  him,  although  (he  wanted  fenfible 
 Communion.  But  here  (he  hath  both  Vnion  and  Com- 
 munion. So  that  it  is  clear,  that  as  the  firft  part  of 
 the  Verfe  points  ztVnion,  lb  the  fecond  at  Commu- 
 nion, in  thatChrift's  prefent  Expreffions  of  his  defire 
 and  love  was  toward  her. 
 
 VERSE    11,12,  &  if. 
 
 The  Bride,  enjoying  ChrijFs  company ,  is  not  yet 
 fatisfied,  but  dtfires  more  of  it  ;  and  for  that  end 
 gives  him  a  kindly  and  familiar  Invitation,  de- 
 firing  him  to  go  with  her  into  the  folitary  Fields 
 and  Villages,  where  retired  from  all  company  and 
 diflnrbance  fhe  may  enjoy  his  company.  The  end 
 and  intent  of  this  Invitation  fhe  foews  in  the  clofe 
 of  the  1 2th,  Verfe  ;  which  isy  that  fhe  may  by  his 
 
 O  4  preftmt 
 
loo  A  Paraphra/e  on  Chap.  VII. 
 
 prefence  be  helped  in  performing  the  neceffary  work 
 of  Self- Examination,  and  may  be  induced  the 
 more  to  hate,  abhor  r^and  mortijie  Lufis  ;  and  that 
 (he  may  the  more  freely  give  him  her  loves ,  i.e.  ex- 
 prefs  her  delight  in  him.  Where  unto  fhe  adds 
 fome  Motives ,  ver.  i^.to  induce  him  thereto. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Come,  my  Beloved,  let  us  go  forth  into  the 
 Field,  let  us  lodge  in  the  Villages. 
 
 Let  us  get  up  early  to  the  Vineyards,  let  us 
 fee  if  the  Vine  flourifh,  whether  the  tender 
 Grape  appear,  and  the  Pomgranates  bud 
 forth  ;  there  will  I  give  thee  my  loves. 
 
 The  Mandrakes  give  a  fmell,  and  at  our 
 Gates  are  all  manner  of  pleafant  Fruits,  new 
 and  old,  which  I  have  laid  up  for  thee,  O  my 
 Beloved, 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 V.  ii. 
 
 Come,  my  Belov'd,  forth  let  us  cp% 
 And  let  us  lodge  together,  where 
 None  foall  of  our  Retirement  know. 
 Where  fcldom  any  do  repair. 
 
 The  hurry  of  this  frequent  place 
 JDosh  hinder  Qurfociety ; 
 
 Aid 
 
Verfe  12.       The  Song  0/ Solomon.  qpi 
 
 And  too  oft  ynts  me  out  of  cafe  7 
 
 To  entertain  thy  company. 
 
 Come  let  us  then  go  to  the  Field, 
 And  in  the  Villages  let's  lodge  ; 
 for  thefe  a  harmlefspleafure  yield, 
 There  J  the  greatefi  will  not  grudge. 
 
 Come  let  us  thither  both  repair, 
 Where  none  jhall  our  Embraces  fee\ 
 There  I  thy  Face  Jhall  view  fofair, 
 Without  ought  for  to  hinder  me. 
 
 V.  12. 
 
 Thence  voe  will  early  rife  and  go 
 Vnto  the  Vineyards  there  of  mine  ; 
 Where  (thee  ajfijling)  I  jhall  know 
 How  flourifh  doth  the  tender  Vine  : 
 
 Whether  the  tender  Grapes  appear, 
 And  how  the  Pomgranates  hud  forth  : 
 Co  with  me,  and  1  will  go  near, 
 And  try  what  in  them  there*  s  of  worth, 
 
 My  Graces  all,  if  thou  affft, 
 F II  try,  and  will  examine  well : 
 Then  let  not  darknefs  me  bemift, 
 Let  me  thy  pre  fence  fee  and  feel. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 Come  then,  and  I  my  Loves  to  thee 
 Will  give,  and  manifejl  the  fame  : 
 
 There 
 
302  A  Ptr/tphrafe  oh  Chap*  VIL 
 
 There  let  me  have  thy  company , 
 Which  will  remove  all  grief  and  pain. 
 
 There  I  (liall  thy  fweet  Neck,  embrace, 
 And 'ft  ill  with  gladnefs  great  re  Joyce  *, 
 III  ktfs  thy  Cheeks ,   and  view  thy  Face, 
 jindfhallbe  raviflPd  with  thy  Poke. 
 
 My  heart  will  then  all  Idols  hate, 
 And  yield  all  f over  aignty 
 To  thee  alone,  without  debate, 
 For  all  my  love  is  fix* d  on  thee. 
 
 There  all  my  loves  thoujhah  pojfefs, 
 Noneftjall  thereof  have  anyjhare  : 
 Then  openly  Vll  there  exprefs, 
 And  no  reproaches  fear  or  care. 
 
 V.ij. 
 
 The  Mandrakes  give  a  pleafant  fmell, 
 The  Fields  fweet  Flowers  forth  do  bring, 
 IVhofe  pleafant  [cent  doth  fo  excell  ; 
 Thefe  Signs  are  of  more  than  the  Spring. 
 
 For  lo,  moreover  at  our  Gates 
 Fruits  lying  are,  both  old  and  new, 
 Which  for  thy  coming  there  await : 
 The  Summer  thefe,  yea,  Autum  Jhcw. 
 
 Fruits  of  all  kinds  are  there,  which  I 
 Didtreafure  tip,  and  hide  for  thee9 
 Awaiting  for  thy  company, 
 Which  I  have  longed  for  to  fee. 
 
 Thefe 
 
Verfe  1 3.      *Ihe  Son&  of  Solomon.  a  o  J 
 
 Thefe  are  at  hand,  for  they  do  lye 
 In  plenty  at  our  very  Gates  j 
 Which,  when  foe  re  thou  comeft  by, 
 Thou  at  thy  pleafure  mayefi  take. 
 
 Come  then,  Oh  come  with  me  away 
 To  that  retired  -pie a f ant  fart 
 Which  few  frequent  !  Do  not  delay  ; 
 My  loves  fll  there  to  thee  impart. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Mandrakes  are  fweet-fmelUng  Herbs  or  Flow- 
 ers. The  Hebrew  word  is  derived  from  a  word 
 which  fignifies  delightful,  or  beloved.  Their  Root 
 hath  fome  rude  Reprefentatiou  of  .the  form  of 
 Mans  Body  \  for  which  rea&ri  Pythagoras  calls  it 
 dv^&m^&j  but  as  for  thole  Roots  that  are  car- 
 ried up  and  down  under  the  name  01  Mandrake- 
 they  are  only  the  artificial  Compofure  of  Cheats  to 
 get  Money. 
 
 The  Believer  is  faid  hereto  have  all  manner  of 
 pleafan*;  Fruits  laid  up  for  Chrift,  both  new  and  old  j 
 whereby  is  held  forth  variety  of  Graces,  and  a  thri- 
 ving and  profpering  of  Graces.  A  true  Believer 
 preferves  the  old  Stocky,  and  the  new  Encreafe;  both 
 the  Talents,  and  their  Income  and  Advantage.  Thus 
 every  wife  Chriftian  is  that  good  Scribe  mentioned 
 /Watth.  13.  52.  which  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  treafure 
 things  new  and  old.  Thefe  two  muft  ftill  go  along 
 together ;  we  muft  not  lofe  or  diminifh  our  old  Stock, 
 elfe  how  fhall  we  trade,  or  reap  any  advantage : 
 Neither  muft  we  lofe  or  diminish  the  Encreafe  thereof, 
 elfe  to  what  advantage  have  we  a  Stock  ;  we  fhall  in 
 this  be  like  him  who  hid  his  Talent  in  a  Napkin. 
 
 CHAR 
 
204  A  Partpbrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 CHAP.  VIII. 
 
 The  Bride 
 
 Continueth  her  Difcourfe. 
 
 VERSE     i,&2. 
 
 The  Bride  putteth  up  an  earneft  fuit  to  Chrijl 
 for  further  familiarity,  and  that  he  would  not 
 carry  to  her  as  a  Stranger^  but  as  an  intimate 
 Friend,  yea,  as  her  Brother ;  (hewing  the  Motives 
 of  her  Stiit^  viz.  That  then  (he  (hould  not  notice 
 or  regard  what  others /aid  of  her  ;  That/&e  would 
 then  endeavour  to  make  others  acquainted  with 
 £/w;That  then  the  Ordinances  of  the  Church  would 
 prove  edifying  to  her  ;  And  that  fhe  would  then 
 treat  him  with  all  poffible  refpecf,  and  be  loth  to 
 offend  him. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 OThat  thou  wert  as  my  Brother,  who 
 fucked  the  Breafts  of  my    Mother  : 
 when  I  fhould  find  thee  without,   I  would 
 
 kifs 
 
Verfe  i .  The  Song  of  Solomon.  20  5 
 
 kifs  thee,    yet  I  fhould  not   be  defpifed. 
 
 I  would  lead  thee,  and  bring  thee  into  my 
 Mothers  houfe,  who  would  inftruQ:  me  :  I 
 would  caufe  thee  to  drink  of  fpiced  Wine, 
 and  of  the  Juyce  of  my  Pomgranate, 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 V  1. 
 
 0  that  thou  would*/}  be  to  me  as  my  Broths r, 
 And  not  a  Stranger  to  my  weary  Souly 
 
 But  like  him  who  the  Breads  fucked  of  my  Mother  j 
 None  fhould  then  owr  fweet  company  controul. 
 
 1  would  not  then  withfhame  be  fo  oppresfy 
 Nor  would  it  be  unfeemly  thought  in  me, 
 When  as  my  love  to  thee  fhould  be  exprefty 
 And  when  familiar  ./Jlwuldbe  with  thee. 
 
 J  fhould  not  thenfofeldom  fee  thyface. 
 Nor  to  a  corner  fhould  thou  be  confind  7 
 But  I  fhould  both  without ,  and  in  each  place, 
 Converft  with  thee,  whenas  I  Jhould  thee  find. 
 
 I  fhould  unframd  thee  kifs,  and  vent  my  love% 
 And  boldly  with  t  hee  every  where  converfe  , 
 Whatere  were  [aid  of  me,  (Iwuld  not  me  move% 
 1  confidently  would  my  loves  exprefs. 
 
 If  thou  were  thus  familiar  with  me, 
 Nonefmdd  adventure  me  for  to  defpife  \ 
 For  they  in  me  thy  \m%%z  fo fiiould  fee, 
 Tb&jhey  (liQuldxot  as  Hypocrite  me  pri^n. 
 
 V-  1 
 
2o6  J  Paraphrafe  oh  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 V.  2. 
 
 /  (liould  not  then  afhamed  be  at  all, 
 
 But  Jlwuld  imo  my  Mother's  Houfe  thee  bring  5 
 
 And  there  thy  comlinefs  flew  unto  all, 
 
 And  there  thy  Praifes  evermore  (liould  fing. 
 
 Ifrould  maks  everyone  thy  worth  to  know, 
 None  of  thy  beauty  foould  be  ignorant  : 
 (  1  thee  would  bring,  and  as  in  triumph  fhow 
 To  all ,  none  of  theejhould  the  knowledge  want. 
 
 There  thou  fhonldft  me  inflrutt,  and  teach  aright 
 Things  divine  for  toknow,  and  to  perceive  ^ 
 Thoujhouldfl  irradiate  my  Mind  with  light , 
 And  of  all  Follies  me  Jlooula  ft  undeceive. 
 
 Thoufjould'ft  me  teach  the  way  wherein  to  watk^ 
 And  how  to  know  thy  Laws,  and  them  obferve  \ 
 How  to  behave  in  Deeds,/;*  Thoughts^  Talk, 
 And  how  in  life  my  Graces  to  preferve. 
 
 With  all  refpeftand  care  Ijhould  thee  treat  % 
 What  e }re  Ihad^Jhould  all  be  for  thy  ufe  j 
 Iflwuidgive  all  obfervance  that  is  meet 7 
 And  not  offend  thee  by  fault  or  abufe. 
 
 Thou  of  the  choice ft ,  and  the  f pice  d  Winey 
 And  of  my  Pomgranate  its  plea fant  Juyce, 
 Shouldbe  made  for  to  drinks,  each  Grace  of  mine 
 Should  be  bymeprefervedfor  thy  ufe. 
 
 ANNO- 
 
Verfe  2.  The  Song  of  Solomon.  207 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  Suit  of  the  Bride,  That  Chrift  would  be  to 
 her  as  her  Brother,  doth  not,  I  judge,  refpefit  prin- 
 cipally Chrift  s  Incarnation^  but  implies  fomething 
 that  might  have  been  by  Believers  obtained,  even 
 then  before  his  incarnation,  and  may  be  yet  defired 
 by  thefe  who  now  love  him  :  But  that  which  is  chief- 
 ly  intended  in  thefe  words,  is  the  following  foffch  of 
 the  love-ftrain  of  the  heart- longing  for  Chrift'' s  company y 
 in  the  Terms  and  Expreffions  that  are  in  ufe  amongft 
 Men.  It  hath  been  ever  thought  unfeemiy  for  Vir- 
 gins, too  familiarly  to  converfe  with  Men  that  are 
 Strangers,  even  though  they  are  fuited  by  them  j 
 but  for  Brethren  and  Sifters  to  be  familiar,  hath  not 
 been  fubjeJt  to  miftakes.  Thus  the  fcope  here,  is 
 to  prefs,  that  Chrift  would  condefcend  to  be  fo 
 homely  vvich  her,  as  with  boldnefs  and  without  fear 
 fhe  may  converfe  wich  him.  O  (  would  fhe  fay  ) 
 that  thou  would  be  io  familiar  with  me,  that  I  might 
 confidently  converfe  with  thee,  as  a  Won  .in  with 
 her  Brother  ;  then  lhould  I  not  be  fo  iyable  to  mi- 
 ftakes as  I  am. 
 
 Sh:  adds  an  Amplification  of  her  Suit.  It's  not 
 every  Brother  that  I  would  have  thee  like,  (  faith 
 fhe,)  but  him  who  fucked  the  Breafts  of  my  Mo- 
 ther. There  are  fome  Children  who  are  of  the 
 fame  Father,  yet  born  of  diverfe  Mothers,  as  Jo- 
 Jeph,  Simeon^  and  D  nah  were  :  But  there  are  others 
 who  are  both  of  the  lame  father  and  Mother,  as 
 fofeph  and  Bthjamin  So  thai.  cneSpoufe  here  means 
 a  pother  in  the  aeareft  Relation,  even  as  him  who 
 
 lay 
 
2o5  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 lay  in  the  fame  Womb,  and  fucked  the  fame  Breads 
 with  her. 
 
 That  which  we  render,  When  I  fhould  find  thee 
 without ,  is  in  the  Hebrew  onlv,  1  fhould  find  thee  with- 
 out ;  the  word  when  being  fupplied  :  So  that  the 
 fence  is  this,  That  if  thou  wert  as  familiar  with  me 
 as  a  Brother,  thenlfliould  have  familiarity  and  fel- 
 lowfnip  with  thee,  without  as  well  as  within  ;  in 
 every  place  I  fhoold  find  thee,  and  converfe  with 
 thee. 
 
 By  fpiced  Wine  (to  which  the  Bride  compares  her 
 Graces)  is  either  underftood  fuch  Wine  as  natu- 
 rally is  fpiced,  as  to  its  tafte,  and  aromatic^-,  or 
 fuch  Wine  as  Men  purpofely  mingle  with  Spices,  to 
 make  it  the  more  favonry  and  wholfom,  as  hath  been 
 the  Cultom  in  thefe  Times  and  Countries,  Prov.9. 2* 
 This  latter  I  think  more  probably  to  be  meant  here. 
 
 VERSE    ?. 
 
 The  Spoufe  holds  out  here,  That  {he  got  d  Re- 
 turn and  comfortable  Anfwer  to  her  Suit,  Chrift 
 coming  in  a  familiar  way  to  her,  and  grafting 
 her  in  his  Arms,  (up porting  her  with  his  Left,  and 
 comforting  her  with  his  Right- band* 
 
 The  Words, 
 His  left-hand  fhould  be  under  my  head,and 
 his  right-hand  fhould  embrace  me. 
 
 The 
 
Ver/e  ?.  7ie  Song  ^/Solomon.  209 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 Lo^  now  1  feel  the  An  fiver  of  my  Souls  defire  ! 
 My  Suit  he  anfwereth.     Lo,  with  what  divine  fire 
 He  doth  exprefs  his  love  ! 
 Lo^  How  his  Boxvcls  move  ! 
 With  fp  ritual  joy  y  which  overflows  the  brim9 
 Tm  ravifid,  whilft  I  flay  with  him. 
 
 Lo,  with  what  care  and  love  he  doth  me  now  [uftaln  ! 
 Lo^  how  he  by  me  lyes !  His  Left-hand  doth  remain 
 Under  my  pained  Head  j 
 A  Pillow  fweet  indeed! 
 Whilft  as  his  Right-hand  doth  embrace  my  Check? 
 How  fwcetly  thus  doth  he  me  keep. 
 
 Thefe  words  are  the  fame  in  the  Original  with 
 Chap.  2.  for.  6.  and  therefore  I  wonder  much  why 
 our  Interpreters  fliould  make  any  variation  in  their 
 tranfiating  them  here,  from  what  they  did  in  the 
 former  place,  by  putting  in  Zfiouldbe.2     Forfure 
 they  agree  better  both  with  what  goes  before,  2nd 
 with  what  follows  after,  to  render  them  in  the  Pre- 
 fent  Tenfe,  rather  than  in  the  Future^  as  any  may  fee 
 who  confiders  them.     And  indeed  there  is  not  the 
 leaft  difference  here  in  this  Verfe,  both  as  to  Ante- 
 cedents and  Confequents,  from  Chap.  2.  Fcr.  6.  ex- 
 cept this,  That  in  Chap.  2.  (he  had  been  like  to  be 
 overcome  with   love,  before   Chrift  put  his  Arms 
 about  her,   in  order  to  uphold  her  in  that  Cafe  \ 
 whereas  here,  though  Chrift  was  in  fome  fort  pre- 
 fent,  yet  he  was  not  fo  familiarly  prefent  as  (he  de- 
 fired  :So  that  there  her  Suit  was  for  Snpportin*-Gr*cc. 
 
 P  but 
 
2 1  o  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII, 
 
 but  here  it  is  for  Comfming-Gracej  and  Familiariry  ; 
 there  ftc  was  overcome  with  thefenfeand  prefent 
 enjoyment  of  familiarity  withChrift?  but  here  fhe  is 
 overcome  with  the  defire  of  familiarity  with  him. 
 And  it  is  remarkable,  that  fhe  gets  rhe  fame  Anfwer 
 inbothCafes,  viz.*  an  admittance  to  fellowfhip  and 
 familiarity  with  himfelf  \  which  brings  with  it  both 
 Support  and  Comfort ,  for  thefe  two  go  always  toge- 
 ther. 
 
 VERSE     4. 
 
 She  exprejftth  her  fear,  left  any  change  (bould 
 happen  in  her  condition^  through  the  dtfturbanct 
 that  might  by  others  be  given  to  her  fpiritual  frame 
 in  enjoying  thrift ,  pathetically  exprejjing  her  cart 
 to  prevent  it. 
 
 The  Words. 
 
 I  charge  you,  O  ye  Daughters  of  Jerufa- 
 lem,  that  ye  ftir  not  up,  nor  awake  my  Love 
 until  he  pleafe. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Hold,  hold  your  peace ,  make  here  no  noife> 
 
 Keep  in  your  voice , 
 
 Ye,ye  who  Zions  Daughters  be, 
 
 Cr  Friends  to  me  : 
 
 Oh  do  not  hinder  me  his  pre  fence  to  enjoy. 
 
 Do  noty  oh  do  not  him  or  me  annoy , 
 
 Orfrnfirate  thus  my  joy  ! 
 
 Fori 
 
Verfe  4.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  211 
 
 For  much,  much  it  concerneth  me 
 
 With  him  to  be  ; 
 1  have  good  reafon  to  take  heed, 
 Left  ought  do  breed 
 Difturbance  unto  him,  and  chafe  himfo  away : 
 Let  him  then  reft  till  he  refnfe  to  ft  ay, 
 And  wont  admit  delay. 
 
 lor  if  it  be  his  will  to  go,  \ 
 
 Who  can  fay  no  ? 
 We  mnFt,  when  thus  he  doth  us  leave^ 
 Obedience  give : 
 For  thongh  we  needs  mnft  grieve  when  he  doth  go  away 
 Tet  nwft  we  yield,  when  he  worPt  hear  offtay  : 
 Be  (ilent  then,  I  fray. 
 
 >■  The  words  of  this  Verfe  are  the  fame  with  Chap. 2. 
 Ver.7.  ScChap.  3.  5.  only  there  is  this  fmall  diffe- 
 rence, that  in  this  Verfe,  that  Expreffion,  by  the 
 Roes  and  Hind  (which  was  formerly  ufed)  is  here 
 left  out ;  not  becaufe  this  charge  is  lefs  weighty,  but 
 it  fhews  a  hafte  and  abruptnefs  in  her  fpeaking, which 
 makes  her  omit  that,  the  more  fpeedily  to  exprefs 
 her  Charge  ;  yea,  it's  probable,  that  the  Spoufe  ob- 
 fervedfome  pronenefs  and  readinefs  in  them  whom 
 (he  chargeth  to  difturb  her  fpiritual  frame. 
 
 P  2  The 
 
2 "i  2  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 The  Daughters  o/Jerufalem. 
 
 VERSE     5. 
 
 Jhe  Profeffors  of  Religion  put  *  flop  to  the 
 Brides  proceeding  in  her  Difcourfe,  in  giving 
 an  Anfwer  to  her  Charge  ;  wherein  they  commend 
 her  from  her  Heavenly-  mindednefs,  and  the 
 Converfe  and  familiarity  that  (he  had  with  Chrifl, 
 whereby  jhe  flighted  the  Earth  and  all  earthly 
 things  ;  and  (hewing  that  jhe  was  afcending  up 
 from  the  Wildernefs  of  manifold  Afflictions, 
 having  Chrift  for  her  fupport  on  whom  (he 
 leaned. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 (  Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  Wil- 
 dernefs, leaning  on  her  Beloved. ) ■ « 
 
 The  Paraphrafe, 
 
 What  Object  is  that  which  falutes  our  Eye  ? 
 WWs  this  that  draweth  nigh  ? 
 Out  of  the  Wildernefs 
 Of  great  Affliction,  and  of  [on  diftrefs  f 
 Lo,  lo, 
 One  comes  with  great efi  pomp  andpww  t 
 
 Sure 
 
Verfe  $.  The  Song  0/Solomon.  215 
 
 Sure  no  fnch  Fruit  that  Wildernefs  can  yield, 
 ft  is  a  barren  Field. 
 Nothing  therms  there  that's  green  : 
 There  Winters  Face  is  always  tobefcen. 
 
 Grief,  grief, 
 As  Mafter  there  doth  ride  in  chief. 
 Lo,  on  her  belt  Belov'd  Ihe  now  doth  lean    . 
 In  triumph  as  a  Queen  ; 
 By  a  recumbency 
 On  him,  by  Faith,  jhe  doth  appear  to  be 
 Fair,  fair : 
 Her  grace  is  now  without  compare. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  firft  part  of  thefe  words  are  the  fame  with 
 the  beginning  of  the  6th.  Verfe  of  Chap.  3.  but  the 
 fecond  part  are  different  from  the  Expreflion  in  that 
 other  place. 
 
 The  Wildernefs  here  fpoken  of,  (  as  alfo  in  the 
 forementioned  place  )  may  either  be  underftood  of 
 this  World,  which  is  at  belt  but  a  Wildernefs  -,  or 
 of  the  troubles  and  anxieties  wherein  the  Spoufe 
 was:  The  lafl:  Expofltion  I  exprefs  in  the  Para- 
 phrafe,  not  excluding  the  former,  for  it's  only  in 
 this  Life  that  the  Saints  are  affii&ed. 
 
 Thefe  words  are  included  in  a  Paremhefis,  becaufe 
 they  come  only  in  obliquely,  and  are  a  ilop  in  the 
 Difcourfe  of  the  Spoufe  ;  who  only  looks  upon  them 
 as  an  interruption  of  her  Speech,  and  therefore  doth 
 give  them  no  Anfwer,  but  goes  on  in  her  Difcourfe, 
 as  is  clear  in  the  following  Words. 
 
 P  3  The 
 
214  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 Ibid. 
 The  Bride  (  without  noticing  what  the  Daugh^ 
 ters  fpoke  )  goes  forward  in  her  Difconrfe  to  the 
 Bridegroom  ;  reprefenting  to  him  the  Confedera- 
 tion of  one  of  the  folemn  Times  of  her  Commu- 
 nion with  him,  as  an  Argument  to  importune  him 
 to  remain  with  her. 
 
 The  Words, 
 I  raifed  thee  up  under  the  Ap- 
 
 ple tree  : 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 My  lovely  one,  while  as  thou  underlay 
 The  Apple-tree  all  day, 
 And  there  didjljleep,  and  there  didji  ftay , 
 Whilft,  overjhadoxvd  with  loves  pleafant  Jhade, 
 Thou  lay  on  Graces  bed, 
 Having  its  Covering  o're  thee  fpread  ; 
 In  that  moft  acceptable  time  I  came, 
 
 Burning  with  loves  chaft  flame, 
 C  Thy  fight  it  was  which  gave  the  fame :  ) 
 
 In  that  moft  happy  time,  1  came,  and  found 
 Thee  flee  ping  on  loves  ground, 
 
 At 
 
Verfe  $.  The  Song  0/Solomon.  2 1  5 
 
 At  which  my  Rowels  did  re  found. 
 Then  did  I  by  my  Prayers  thee  awake, 
 And  by  Faith  hold  did  take 
 Of  thee,  ftill  pleading  mercies  fake. 
 I  thus  awakdthee,  whofo  long  didft  flay 
 From  me,  far,  far  away : 
 And  thus  my  night  was  twrnd  to  day. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  represents  to  him  likewife  the  time  of  her 
 Converfion  ;  that  #ot  only  at  that  fokmn  time 
 fhe  found  him,  but  even  at  the  fir  ft  acquaintance 
 fhe  had  with  him  ;  when  Chrift,  by  means  of 
 the  Ordinances  of  the  Churchy  was  formed  in  her, 
 \  and  brought  forth. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 • There  thy  Mother  brought  thee 
 
 forth,  there  fhe  brought  thee  forth  that  bare 
 
 thee. 
 
 # 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 Tea,  I  not  only  by  experience  know 
 
 This  to  be  fo, 
 But  evn  the  Church  it  [elf  doth  teach  the  fame  , 
 For  foe  did  workjn  me  that  frame.  • 
 
 She,  foe,  it  was,  who  did  demonflrate  where 
 .     Thou  didft  repair. 
 
 P  4  S<:c 
 
216  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 She,  foe  it  was,  who  there  did  bring  thee  forth ^ 
 She  win/  to  nic  thy  mat  chiefs  worth. 
 
 She  by  her  Doftrine  pare  did  me  reform. 
 
 And  fo  did  form 
 1  bee  in  me,  'till  thou  waft  brought  to  the  birth , 
 Which  can  fed  m  me  greater  mirth. 
 
 Thus  didftie  prove  a  Mother  for  to  be 
 
 Then  unto  thee  ; 
 By  caufing  me  to  feel  Child-bearing  pain, 
 And  in  my  Soul  thee  forming  then  : 
 
 And  thus  1  at  that  time  did  prove  the  Womb, 
 Whence  thou  didft  come 
 'to  thy  Churchy  ^y;  Mother  Church  ;  where  thou 
 Art  oft  conceived  and  born  of  new. 
 
 ANNOTATIONS. 
 
 The  fenfe  of  thefe  and  the  former  Words  is  very 
 Plicate  and  obicure }  yet  have  I  endeavoured  to 
 make  the  fame  as  plain  as  poflibly  I  could  :  The 
 meaning  whereof,  is  briefly  (  fo  far  as  I  take  it  up  ) 
 this  :,  0  my  be  ft  Beloved,  with  Joy  1  remember,  that  fo- 
 lemn  time  of  Love,  rvhen  I  met  thee  under  the  Apple- tree, 
 r-herc  I  awaked  thee,  when  thou  didfl  fern  to  fecp  ;  and 
 fwceAy  enjoyed  thy  Company  :  Tea,  I  re-member  iikewi/e 
 that  joyful  time  of  Love,  when  thou  blejfedft  the  means  of 
 the  Gofpel  to  me,  that  I  was  Converted  to  thee,  and  the 
 Church  thy  Mother  brought  thee  forth  in  me,  1  being  at 
 ihat  time,  ant  were,  the  Womb,  wherein  thou  waft  con- 
 caved.    I  think  it  more  phan  probable,' that  thaL  fo- 
 
 kmn 
 
Verfe  6,  7.      The  Song  of  Solomon.  217 
 
 lemn  time  which  the  Bride  doth  fo  commemorate 
 here,  was  that  blefled  time  mention'd  Chap.  2.  v.  3, 
 4,  5,6.  where  the  Bride  hath  the  folemneft  and 
 greateft  manifeflation  of  Chrift  that  ever  (he  had  ; 
 for  it  encreafed  to  that  height,  that  (he  was  even 
 o^erpowred  and  ready  to  fink  under  the  weight 
 thereof.  Neither  doth  it  contradict  this,  that  there 
 Chrift  is  compared  to  the  Apple-tree,  under  whofe 
 (hadow  Ihe  fat  \  and  that  here  he  is  faid  to  be  under 
 the  Apple-tree :  For  it  appears  in  that  fore-cited  place, 
 that  Chrift  was  both  the  Apple-tree  under  which  (he 
 lay,  and  him  who  was  there  lying  befide  her  \  for 
 the  following  words  in  v.  4.  tell  us,  that  he  brought 
 her  out  thence  to  the  Banqueting-Houfe.  So  here 
 likewife  we  muft  underftand  that  this  Apple-tree  is 
 Chrift  himfelf,  under  which  yet  neverthelefs  he  did 
 lye  :  For  Chrift  is  ail  in  all  to  his  People ;  he  is  ( in 
 divers  refpetts  )  both  their  Houfe  and  Cloathing, 
 their  God,  their  Husband,  their  Brother,  their 
 ftrong  Tower  and  their  Armour  \  fo  that  it  needs 
 not  be  flrange  that  he  is  here  both  the  Apple-tree  to 
 overfhadow  them  }  and  their  Bridegroom  folacing 
 himfelf  with  them,  under  the  fame. 
 
 VERSE    6,kj: 
 
 The  Spoufe  (having  confirmed  her  f elf  in  the 
 commemorating  of  former  Experiences  }  prefents 
 an  earneft  Suit  and  Petition,  that  /he  may  be 
 loved  by  Gody  and  that  fie  may  have  htr  ajfu- 
 ranee  of  his  love  always  kept  Ihe'y  ;  gtvin?^  two 
 
 rezfons 
 
2 1 8  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VI II. 
 
 reafons  why  fbe  is  fo  peremptory  in  this  Suit  ;  the 
 firft  whereof  is,  that  her  Love  is  utterly  irreftft- 
 able  in  its  Nature  ;  upon  which  Account  (he  com- 
 pares it  to  Death,  the  Grave,  and  Coals  of 
 Fire  :  The  fecond  is  taken  from  the  peremptory 
 nefs  of  her  Love,  which  will  be  fatisfyed  with  no- 
 thing but  Love  from  Chrijl  again. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Set  me  as  a  Seal  upon  thine  Heart,  as  a 
 Seal  upon  thine  Arm  :  For  love  is  ftrong  as 
 Death,  Jealoufie  is  cruel  as  the  Grave ;  the 
 Coals  thereof  are  Coals  of  Fire,  which  hath  a 
 moft  vehement  Flame. 
 
 Many  Waters  cannot  quench  Love,  neither 
 can  the  Floods  drown  it  :  if  a  man  would 
 give  all  the  fubftance  of  his  houfe  for  Love, 
 it  would  utterly  be  contemned. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 V.6. 
 
 Ingrav,e  me  as  a  Seal  upon  thine  Heart, 
 From  whence  I  never  may  depart ; 
 Me  alfo  on  thine  Arm  wear  : 
 The  imprefs  of  me  let  both  thy  Heart  and  Arm  bear. 
 
 Stampt  let  me  be  on  thy  AjfeElion  ^ 
 
 And  let.  thy  works  and  ways  each  one 
 Haveflampton  them  Loves fweet  imprefs: 
 Left  grief  and  an  a  hi  fo  do  my  very  Soulopprefs. 
 
 For 
 
Verfe  7.        The  Son^  of  Solomon.  2 1 9 
 
 Tor  why,  thou  hpowft  the  force  and  ardency 
 Oftti  love  I  bear  to  thee. 
 That  it  like  unto  Death  isflrong, 
 And  if  not  fatisfd will  me confume  ere  long. 
 
 Yea  I  am  jealous  when  I  thee  do  mifs^ 
 Left  having  done  what  is  amifs, 
 Thy  Anger  J  thus  handled  have  : 
 Thus  Jealoufie  confumes  and  rots  me  as  the  Grave. 
 
 Tar  hotter  than  the  Coals  of  flaming  fire, 
 Whofe  vehement  flames  do  not  expire, 
 Are  ttf  Coals  of  love  and  jealoufie  y 
 Whofe  flames  int  oiler  able  and  confumptive  be. 
 
 V.  7. 
 
 The  Waters  of  afflidion  cannot 
 Abate  the  flame  of  Love  one  jot , 
 Nor  can  defertions  muddy  flood 
 Drown  or  put  out  this  choice  and  everlaflinggood0 
 
 And  as  Love  cannot  be  oWecome  by  force , 
 So  cant  allurements  it  enforce : 
 Whofo,  for  Love,  with  all  fnould  part^ 
 Would  be  contemn  d.  and  forcd  without  it  to  depart. 
 
 Tor  Love  through  all  impediments  doth  breaky 
 And  makes  them  prove  of  no  ejfett  ; 
 Vntil  at  laft  its  Object  fair 
 It  reach  unto,  andfo  it  felffolaceth  there. 
 
 Although 
 
220  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VII L 
 
 Although  I  be  not  prolix  in  the  Paraphrafe  of 
 thefe  two  Verfes,  yet  I  fuppofe  I  am  fufficiently  ex- 
 preflive,  and  therefore  fhall  add  nothing  here  :  On- 
 ly we  may  note,  that  what  we  tranflate  a  moft  vehe- 
 ment founts  is  in  the  Hebrew  far  more  emphatick, 
 it  being  exprefled  there,  the  flame  of  God.  And  in- 
 deed all  true  and  genuine  divine  Love  is  the  Flame 
 of  God  kindled  in  the  Soul. 
 
 VERSE    8. 
 
 The  Spoufe  prefects  an  earnefi  Petition  for 
 thofe  who  are  yet  Unconverted,  entreating  her 
 Beloved  to  find  out  fome  way  and  expedient  for 
 bringing  in  thofe  of  the  Ele£t  who  are  not  yet 
 brought  in. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 We  have  a  little  Sifter,  and  fhe  hath  no 
 Breafts ;  what  fhall  we  do  for  our  Sifter  in 
 the  day  when  fhe  fhall  be  fpoken  for  ? 
 
 The  Paraphrafe 
 
 And  as  I  for  my  fe  If  petition  d  have-) 
 $o  feekj,  that  thou  would' ft  receive 
 For  others  a  Petition, 
 
 For  whofe  Salvation  I  fo  yjxch  do  long. 
 
Verfe  8.  The  Song  ^Solomon.  221 
 
 I  have  a  little  Sifter,  whom  I  love, 
 
 Whofe  fad  Condition  me  doth  move  : 
 
 For  why  (he  hath  no  Breafts,  no  Grace : 
 
 Nothing  but  mifery  in  her  hath  place. 
 
 What  Jha/l  we  then  do  for  her,  when  as  you 
 Shall  her  by  the  bleft  Go/pel  wooe, 
 When  thou  for  her,  and  her  unto 
 
 Shalt  fpeak>  Oh  then  what  for  her  fliall  we  do? 
 
 What  fhall  we  do  to  help  the  Bargain  on, 
 And  workher  Heart  and  Soul  upon  $ 
 And  thus  cooperate  with  thee, 
 
 To  make  her  a  true  Convert  for  to  be  ? 
 
 1  Thofe  who  to  thy  JJjeepfold  and  flock  belong, 
 
 Although  they  be  not  now  among 
 Thy  followers  yet  actually, 
 Tet  them  1  judge  my  Sifters  virtually. 
 
 For  them  I  pray,  for  they  to  thee  are  known^ 
 Although  to  me  they  be  unknown., 
 That  thou  would' ft  truly  them  Convert 7 
 
 Andpurifie  and  fanttifie  their  Heart. 
 
 Some  judge  that  thefe  words  are  a  Prayer  of  the 
 Spoufe/br  the  Converfion  of  the  gentile  Church ;  of  which 
 Judgment  indeed  I  am  ;  yet  jo,  as  not  to  reftrift  them 
 to  that  only.  Thefe  words  then  (  as  worthy  Durham 
 fpeaks )  contain  a  Prayer  and  Suit  for  all  and  every 
 one  who  are  yet  unconverted.  This  is  the  principal 
 fcope  of  the  Words.  But  fince,  at  that  time  the 
 Gentiles  were  uncalled,  undoubtedly  they  mart:  be 
 taken  in  her£  The 
 
222  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE    9. 
 
 Chrijt  anOvereth  the  Brides  loft  Petition  ;  tell- 
 ing her,  that  if  her  Sifter  prove  a  true  Be- 
 liever,  whether  more  ftrong  or  weak,  yet  that 
 he  will  add  to  her  Grace,  and  carry  her  on  to 
 perfection. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 If  (he  be  a  Wall,  we  will  build  upon  her 
 a  Palace  of  Silver  ;  and  if  fhe  be  a  Door, 
 we  will  inclofe  her  with  Boards  of  Cedar. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 If  fhe  by  true  and  lively  Faith  on  me  take  hold, 
 Vpon  her  I  will  heap  my  Bleffings  manifold  : 
 And  as  her  Grace  proves  vigorous  and  ftrong  or  xveaky 
 So  of  more  Gifts  or  lefs  lie  caufe  her  to  partake. 
 For  if  her  Grace  increafe  inflrength  like  to  a  Wall, 
 Then  with  decor ements  rich  I  will  her  all  impale. 
 Vpon  her  then  Pie  ftately  filver  Turrets  rear^ 
 Both  for  her  Beauty,  and  to  guard  her  thus  from  fear. 
 Tea  thus  Tie  make  her  like  a  City  rich  and  firong^ 
 And  fox  to  fl arid  my  other  Cities  fair  among. 
 
 Bui 
 
Verfe  9.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.  22$ 
 
 But  if  foe  be  but  weak,  and  prove  but  as  a  Door, 
 Yet  will  I  evn  then  with  Graces  her  decore. 
 With  Boards  of  Cedar  flrong  1  will  her  fortifie  ; 
 And  thus  her  make  like  a  ftronr  Braz,en-gate  to  be. 
 That  patent ,  thus  and  open  fie  may  no  moreftand, 
 But  locked,  and  I  the  Key  have  only  in  my  hand. 
 So  that  whaterefe  prove,  iffhe  but  real  be^ 
 I  to  her  Grace  will  add,  and  the  fame  multiply. 
 
 I  fhall  add  nothing  to  what  is  faid  ;  but  only  to 
 give  the  reafon,  v/hy  inftead  of  Palace  of  Silver,  I 
 have  rendered  it  Turrets  of  Silver.  I  judge  here  that 
 allufion  is  made  to  the  Wall  of  a  fortified  City, 
 and  to  the  Gates  thereof.  Now  it  is  cuilomary  up- 
 on fuch  Walls  to  have  Turrets  raifed,  which  in  old 
 time  were  filled  with  Infruments  of  War,  and  from 
 whence  they  annoyed  the  Enemy  -,  but  it  is  not  {o 
 proper  to  build  a  Palace  upon  a  Wall.  And  the  Ori- 
 ginal word  FTW?  may  as  properly  be  tranfiated  a 
 Cajile,  Turret,  or  Fort,  as  a  Palace  :  And  the  fol- 
 lowing words  mentioning  Towers,  confirms  this. 
 
 The  Bride, 
 
 VERSE     10. 
 
 The  Bride  accepts  of  Chrifts  anfrver  for  the 
 little  Sifter,  and  draweth  Comfort  to  her  felf 
 from  thence,  in  that  foe  was  Converted  and  iveH 
 grown  in  Grace. 
 
 The 
 
224  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIIL 
 
 The  Words, 
 I  am  a  Wall,  and  my  Breafts  like  Tow- 
 
 ers : 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 /  am  a  (lately  Wall  well  fortified. 
 
 And  on  a  ftron?  foundation  ft  and  ; 
 For  I  am  built  by  thy  own  hand : 
 
 With  all  munition  1  am  well  fuppiied. 
 By  thy  own  bkfsd  command. 
 
 My  Breafts  Hand  up  as  Turrets  on  this  Wall; 
 With  Graces  rich  I  ftored  be. 
 With  thefe  Vmftlbd  ahandantly  : 
 
 With  all  decor ements  he  doth  me  impale  7 
 And  thus  adornethme. 
 
 Ibid. 
 
 She  fheweth,  by  her  own  Experience,  the  truth 
 of  what  Chrijl  had  f aid ;  that  no  fooner  file  was 
 Converted,  and  was  a  Wall,  and  her  Grace 
 grown  like  Towers  thereon,  but  ftrait  fhe  was 
 accepted  of  by  him. 
 
 The  Words. 
 Then  was  I  in  his  Eyes  as  one  that 
 
 found  Favour. 
 
 Th( 
 
Verfe  11,12.       The  Song  of  Solomon.       525 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 When  he  thus  fafaioned  me7  I  proved  fair  j 
 Me  he  was  pleas  d  to  love  : 
 My  Grace  fir 'ait  did  him  move  j 
 My  Grace  is^  thorow  him7  fo  rare. 
 
 I  did  find  Grace  and  favour  in  his  Eyes, 
 He  did  delight  in  me  \ 
 In  whom  he  then  did  fee 
 His  Image  y  which  he  fo  doth  prize. 
 
 VERSE   11  &  12. 
 
 The  Bride,  having  ajjerted    her   interelt  in 
 Chrifi^  proceeds  to  (hew  both  his  care  of  her,  and 
 her  duty ;  comparing  her  (elfin  both  thefe,  to  the 
 Church  of  God;  (hewing,  That  as  Chrift  hath 
 let  out  his  Church  to  the  keeping  of  his  Mi- 
 ll ifters  and  Servant  sy  who  are  to  bring  in  the 
 ,  Rent  thereof  to  his  praife  ;  fo  hath  he  given  the 
 I  keeping  of  her  Soul  unto  her  care,  as  her  pro- 
 \  per  Vineyard  ;  as  like  wife  unto  the  care  of  the 
 Minijlers   of  the  Gofpel ;  for  which  fhe  mud  be 
 accountable  to  pay  a  Rent  to   his  praife,  as  alfa 
 \to  give  all  juft  honour  and  refped  unto  the 
 jMinifterSj  who  are  likewife  intruded  with  the  can 
 thereof* 
 
 &  The 
 
226  AParapbrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Solomon  had  a  Vineyard  at  Baalhammon  ; 
 he  let  out  the  Vineyard  unto  Keepers  ;  every 
 one  for  the  Fruit  thereof,  was  to  bring  a  thou- 
 sand pieces  of  Silver. 
 
 My  Vineyard  which  is  mine,  is  before  me  : 
 thou  (O  Solomon)  mull  have  a  thoufand,  and 
 thofe  that  keep  the  Fruit  thereof,  two  hun- 
 dred. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 V.  ir. 
 
 Ohy  great  and.myftick  Solomon  did  plant 
 -^Vineyard  at  Baalhammon,  and  did  grant 
 The  keeping  thereof  unto  thofe 
 Who  do  his  Word  propofe. 
 
 Amongftthe  multitude  of  Men  he  plac'd 
 His  Church,  and  it  with  all  things  fitting  gracd  ? 
 And  did  his  Minifiers  ordain 
 To  tvatch  and  keep  the  fame. 
 
 Each  whereof  for  his  charge  and  part  fiofildcome. 
 And  of  a  thoufand  pieces  pay  thefumm  ^ 
 This  he  ordaind  them   to  bring  iny 
 As  t hi* Rent  due  unto  him. 
 
 For  why  the  Frnit  that  Minifters  do  reap 
 By  labouring  for  him  they  ought  to  keep  j 
 And  fo  it  payed  for  to  fee  ; 
 For  they  but  Farmers  h. 
 
 T.  12, 
 
Yerfe  1 2.       The  Song  0/ Solomon.  227 
 
 V.  12. 
 
 And  as  the  Church  his  Vineyard  is,  fo  he 
 A  Vinyard  hath  allotted  unto  me, 
 Which  1  ordained  am  to  keepy 
 As  it  is  fit  and  meet.  \ 
 
 This  Vineyard  I  ftill  place  before  mine  Eye, 
 
 With  watchjulnefs  endeavouring  to  efpie 
 Whate're  therein  requireth  care^ 
 Which  I  will  never  /pare. 
 
 O  my  true  Solomon !  as  thou  mull  have 
 Athoufand,  from  thofe  who  receive 
 Andgathtr  in  thy  Churches  Fruit, 
 Evcnfo  J  here  repute. 
 
 A  thoufand  thou  proportion  ably  muft 
 Receive  from  me  -0  fork's  but  right  andjufty 
 That  thou  my  Finsyards  Rent  flwuld'ft  have7 
 For  thou  to  me  it  crave. 
 Andfince  thou  tikewife  die? ft  its  care  intruft 
 Unto  thy  Minifters,  it's  alfo  juit. 
 Since  they  its  Fruit  keep  and  receive^ 
 That  they  two  hundred  have. 
 
 I  have  nothing  to  add  here,  the  Paraphrafe  being 
 Efficiently  full.  Only  we  may  note,  that  Baalham- 
 non  here  fpoken  of,  fignifies  the  Lord  of  a  Multitude  : 
 n  allufion  to  which  derivation,  I  mention  the  mnltu 
 ude  of  Men,  among  ft  whom  God  hath  planted  hts  Church. 
 Whether  there  was  fuch  a  place  in  Judea  of  that 
 iame,  is  not  mentioned  in  Scripture }  but  if  we  may 
 relieve  the  Jcwifh  Targum,  there  was  a  moft  fruitful 
 )lace  of  that  name  hard  by  Jerufalem,  where  excel- 
 ent  Vines  did  grow, 
 
 a »  The 
 
A  Parafbraft  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 VERSE     i$. 
 
 Chrift  being  to  depart  and  go  away  (which  is  ta- 
 citly included  m  the  words)  utter eth  now  his  Fare- 
 veil  and  laft  Salutation  to  the  Bride ;  wherein 
 commending  hery  from  herferious  and  diligent 
 frequenting  of  the  Ajftmblies  and  Ordinances  of' the 
 Churchy  and  from  the  great  efieem  and  refpeti 
 which  all  true  Chriftians  did  bear  to  her  ;  he  cIo~ 
 feth  with  a  ferious  Intreaty  and  Invitation 
 that  be  may  oft  hear  from  ber>  until  he  return 
 again. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Thou  that  dwelleft   in  the  Gardens,  the 
 
 Companions  hearken  to  thy  voice  ;  caufe  me 
 
 to  hear  it. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 (  ) 
 
 Thoh  who  in  Beauty  Mortals  all  cxcclls^ 
 Who  in  the  Gardens  dwells  \ 
 Who  dojl  freqnent  (whatcrc  befall) 
 My  Ordinances  all  i 
 
 Who 
 
Vcrfe  i  j.  The  Song  0/ Solomon.         229 
 
 Who  in  thefe  lovely  Gardens  there  of  mine% 
 Doft  flay  without  repine. 
 Thence  fucking  nourifhmeut  divine* 
 There  every  Herb  and  Flower, each  Shrub  &  Tret 
 A  rent  and  tribute  fays  to  thee  : 
 Forthouliketothe  Honey- Bee, 
 Cfre  every  Flower  doft  flee  ; 
 Thence  fucking  Honey  fweet, 
 And  Soul-refrejhing  Meat. 
 
 (  ) 
 
 Thouywhom  thy  Fellow-Chriftiaos  admire, 
 
 Rejoycing  thy  fweet  voice  to  hear  \ 
 yielding  to  thee  the  chief  eft  Seat  and  Place, 
 
 In  whom  they  fee  fitch  Grace  : 
 For  in  thee  fuch  Perfections  there  be, 
 
 That  all  who  ere  thee  fee, 
 Are  captivated  by  thy  beauty ,  which 
 None  can  admire  too  much  : 
 Thy  lovely  Face, 
 Thy  mat  chiefs  Grace, 
 Which  in  thee  fo  doth  dwells 
 Doth  makg  thee  others  to  excell. 
 
 <  ) 
 
 Since  I  am  now  to  go  away. 
 Thee  J  intreat  and  pray, 
 So  long  as  thou  on  earth  doft  flay, 
 That  thou  would! ft  me  the  Subject  make  J 
 And  for  the  end  of  all  thou  doft  me  take  : 
 Let  all  thy  words  and  talk, 
 Let  all  thy  deeds  and  walk 
 
 CL  3  & 
 
2  JO  A  Paraphrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 Be  ft  ill  concerning  me : 
 See  that  in  every  thing  thou  holy  be  ; 
 Thy  praying  voice, 
 Thy  praifing  noije, 
 See  that  thou  upwards  caufc  afcend, 
 Andthtn  m  ear  to  thee  fll  bend: 
 See  that  thou  oft  to  me  do  cry,  ~ 
 And  on  me  fix  thine  eye  • 
 Let  thy  Faith- winged  Prayers  fierce  the  Skie. 
 
 ('■> 
 
 For  greatly.  1  thy  voice  defire  to  hear  \ 
 
 Jt'is  fvceet  jMufickJn  mine  ear  .< 
 
 The  fwift-pacd  Pofts  of  fervent  cryes, 
 .    The  glances  of  thine  ardent  Eyes, 
 
 May  pafs  to  me  at  will  ; 
 So  that  by  thefe  thy  Wifhes,  all  thou  may  ft  fulfill. 
 Andfwce  I  much  defire  to  hear  from  thee, 
 
 Thou  may  thus  write  and  fend  to  me, 
 
 And  thus  enjoy  my  company. 
 Whatever  come,  thou  haft  no  canfe  to  fear , 
 
 Since  always  patent  is  mine  ear  ; 
 Then  oft  and  frequently,  my  Sifter  dear, 
 Caufc  me  thy  voice  to  hear. 
 
 The  Bride 
 
 VERSE    14. 
 The  Bride,    feeing  that  her  Beloved   would 
 needs  go  away,  puts  up  her  lafl;  Suit  and  Peti- 
 tion 
 
Verfe  1 4.  The  Song  ^/Solomon.        2  j  r 
 
 tion  to  him  ;  which  is,  That  he  would  make 
 hafte  to  come  again,  and  (if  it  were  bis  will) 
 take  her  to  himfelf,  that -fa  (he  might  never  any 
 more  have  caufe  to  fear  his  deferting  her  ;  for 
 the  words  are  in  fuch general  terms,  as  to  take  in 
 both  his  making  hafte  to  manifeft  himfelf  to 
 her  here,  and  his  making  hafte  to  manifeft 
 himfelf  to  her  for  ever,  without  interruption. 
 
 The  Words, 
 
 Make  hafte,  my  Beloved,  and  be  thou  like 
 to  a  Roe,  or  to  a  young  Hart  upon  the  Moun- 
 tains of  Spices. 
 
 The  Paraphrafe. 
 
 O  my  Beloved  !  if  thus  thou  go  awayy 
 
 Tet  do  not  ft  ay  • 
 For  Love  is  ftill  impatient  of  delay. 
 O  come  thou  down  to  me  ! 
 Or  taJ$  me  up  to  thee. 
 That  thy  fair  Face  I  fo  may  fee. 
 My  lovely  One^   whom  I  fo  much  do  love. 
 Why  do  the  Wheels  of  Time  fo  jlowly  move  ? 
 
 O  make  me  hence  to  flee  above  ! 
 Like  to  afwift  young  Hart,  or  nimble  Roe, 
 So  do  thongo^ 
 When  thou  to  me  returns  again , 
 For  ever  to  remain. 
 
 Q,  4  Upofl 
 
3}2v  A  Parapbrafe  on  Chap.  VIII. 
 
 () 
 
 Upon  the  fpicy  Mountains, 
 Which  in  Heavens  vernant  Fields  do  ft  and, 
 And  overlooks  hat  mat  chiefs  Land  ; 
 
 Andwhencethe Nettar  Fountains 
 In  Rivulets  do  run  by  thy  command , 
 There  do  thou  run  with  hafte  andfpeed. 
 
 As  I  have  needy 
 And  there  remove  me  for  to  feed, 
 So  foon  as  ever  thou  thinks  fit ; 
 for  I,  as  Jtwere,  am  in  a  Pit, 
 
 So  long  as  I  am  here  j 
 If  ant  mth  thee,  there  to  appear. 
 
 (  ) 
 
 Wherefore  m/tke  hade  me  to  remove 
 Vntothat  matchlefs  Land  above, 
 Which  I  fo  ardently  do  love  : 
 For  therefor  ever  Ijhalljoyned  be 
 With  the  melodious  company 
 O/Saints  and  Angels,  who  do  raife 
 Inhigheft  Notes  thy  highejl  P raife: 
 There  Ifhall  always  fee  thy  Face  above  • 
 For  Light  wont  there  with  Night  alternate  move : 
 
 No  Night  is  there, 
 But  an  eternal  brightly  fhining  Fire 
 Irradiates  and  gilds  that  fwtet  unjlaincd  Air. 
 
 KC    [* 
 
 There 
 
 N 
 
:rfe  14.        The  Song  of  Solomon.  25  j 
 
 (    ) 
 
 There  1  thee  evermore  fh  all  fee., 
 And  with  Heavns  Chorus  joynJd  %n  one  {hall  be  $ 
 
 Where  we 
 Onrjoynt  united  voice  will  lift  on  high    i 
 There,  there,  with  holy  firife  we^U  found, 
 And  in  high  Notes  well  raife 
 The  mighty  Three-One  s  Praife, 
 Till  Heaven  do  our  voice  re  found, 
 Our  praifeful  Songs 
 Shall  fly  in  throngs 
 The  Heavens  every-wherc  around : 
 And  in  a  fleafant  dance 
 Still  higher  fljall  advance, 
 Till  every  voice  in  one  be  drown  d  ; 
 As  every  Stream  is  loofed  in  the  Sea  : 
 For  there  all  voices  willfo  well  agree, 
 
 That  but  one  voice  theyllfeem  to  be* 
 O  come  my  befi  Beloved  then  down  tome* 
 Or  rather  take  me  up  to  thee, 
 That  face  to  face  I  thee  may  fee. 
 
 It  needs  not  be  llrange  that  I  am  fo  large  in  the 
 Paraphrafing  thefe  two  laft  Verfes,  confidering  their 
 emfhaticknefs,  and  being  the  Uji  words  of  the  Bride- 
 groom and  Bride ,  when  taking  their  farewell  of  one  ano- 
 ther: Likewife  confidering  the  nature  of  Pindarick 
 Verfe^m  which  I  have  Paraphrafed  thera,)whichi$  to 
 follow  every  hint'that  comes  in  its  way,whereby  it  is 
 commonly  full  of  Amplifications  and  Digreflions  \ 
 whence  it  is,  that  in  the  clofe  of  the  Brides  words, 
 I  am  fo  ample  in  defcribing  the  Joy  and  Happinefs 
 
 of 
 
2 34  AParaphrafe,  &c.         Chap.  VIII. 
 
 of  Heaven.  Upon  thefe  Confiderations  I  thought  it 
 not  unfuitable  to  be  fomewhat  full  here  \  and  to 
 clofe  up  the  whole  with  a  pathetick  Louging  for, 
 and  Defcription  of  Heavens  Happinefs,  which  is 
 the  ut mo Jl  period  of  the  Saints  Grief  and  Fear,  and 
 the  Confmnptionotai]  their  Prayers,  Hopes  and  Joys. 
 And  indeed  this  is  one  principal  End  of  Chrift's  de- 
 ferring and  leaving  his  People  fo  oft,  (as  here  he  does 
 with  the  Bride,)to  make  them  long  after  that  Coun- 
 trey,  where  there  fhall  never  be  Cloud  to  obfeure, 
 or  Night  to  remove  the  glorious  Light  of  the  Sun  of 
 Heaven.  It's  no  wonder  then  that  the  Bride  here  prays 
 fo  earnestly  to  be  uncloathed  of  her  earthly  Tabernacle ,  and 
 to  be  cloathed  with  her  Hoafe  which  is  from  Heaven.  So 
 that  this  Book  ends  much  after  the  fame  manner  that 
 the  iafi:  Book  of  the  whole  Scripture  doth,  with  that 
 which  ought  to  be  the  conftant  defire  and  longing  of 
 all  the  Saints,  who  love  Chrift's  appearing  :  For  as 
 the  Revelation  (and  confequently  the  whole  Scrip- 
 ture) doth  end  with  that  defire,  Come,  Lord  Jefus  ; 
 even  fo  the  Bride  clofeth  up  all  with  this  (hort  but 
 pithy  Expoftulation, Makehafieymy  Beloved^z.Amen. 
 Even  fo  come  Lord  Jefus. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
aj6 
 
 An  ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ALthough  I  have  largely  rendred  this  Song  already, 
 yet  becaufe  fome  may  love  more  the  Paraphrafe  of 
 the  Words ;  ttian  of  the  Meaning,  (which  I  principally,  thoy 
 not  only,  intended  in  the  preceding  Paraphrafe,)  therefore 
 1  thought  it  would  not  be  m fait  able  or  needle  fs  to  fubjoyn 
 the  following  Paraphrafe  for  that  end.  And  although  I 
 have  flill  fudged,and  do  yet  judge  that  there  can  be  no  more 
 fweety  fmooth,  and  J oft  Expreffions  ufed,  than  are  in  the 
 Text  it  felf  \  and  that  they  run  fofwectly  and  poetically, 
 as  there  feems  but  little  need  of  a  Paraphrafe  ;  yet  becaufe 
 they  cannot  befung  (at  leaft  fo  well)  except  they  be  cloathed 
 with  a  Paraphrafe,  therefore  have  1  been  induced  thereto  ; 
 efpecially  confidering  the  little  labour  that  they  cofk  me, 
 having  compofed  the  whole  within  lefs  than  the  compafs  of 
 one  Day.  So  that  this  following  Paraphrafe  may  be  fung 
 after  the  fame  manner  that  the  Pfalms  are,  with  any  of 
 the  common  Tunes:  Upon  which  Con ^deration  I  have 
 tranjlated  this  Son?  in  this  place,  in  the  fame  Verfe  in 
 which  our  Paraphrafe  of  the  Pfalms  is  rendred,  giving  it 
 likewife  no  other  Title  or  Defignation.  And  if  in  any 
 thing  I  vary  and  differ  from  our  Englifh  Tranflation  of 
 this  Book,  the  comparing  of  the  fame  with  the  foregoing 
 Paraphrafe W  Annotations,  will demonfirate  on*what 
 reafon  or  grouund  I/lo  fo. 
 
 The 
 
2*7 
 
 THE 
 
 Song  of  Songs  : 
 
 O  R, 
 
 SONG  of  SOLOMON, 
 
 In  Metre. 
 
 Which  may  be  fung  with  any  of  the  Common  Tunes. 
 
 C  H  A  P.  I. 
 
 The  Title. 
 
 i.  rTPHe  Song  of  Songs,  which  is  on  earth 
 
 JL       By  far  the  raireft  Song  i 
 Whofe  Subjeft,  Chrift  \  whofe  Pen-man  is 
 The  wifeft;  Solomon. 
 
 The  <Bride. 
 
 2  Let  him  me  with  the  kiffes  of  • 
 
 His  mouth,  which  is  divine, 
 Kifs  and  embrace  i  for  why,  thy  love 
 
 Excells  the  far  bell  Wine. 
 
 3  Yea 
 
*38  In  Metre.  Chap.  I. 
 
 3  Yea,  fuch  is  the  fweet  favour  of 
 Thine  Oyntments  which  excell, 
 
 That  even  like  to  Oyntment  fweec, 
 Thy  Name  doth  yield  a  fmell. 
 
 Hence  is't  that  thou  fo  much  art  lov'd 
 
 By  every  Virgin  pure ; 
 Who  fo  enamourM  are,  that  they 
 
 Thy  abfence  can't  endure. 
 
 4  Draw  me,  and  caufe  me  walk  aright, 
 Run  after  thee  will  we  : 
 
 The  King  into  his  Chambers  rare 
 Hath  introduced  me. 
 
 Weil  glad  be  and  rejoyce  in  thee, 
 Nought  fhall  from  mind  remove 
 
 Thy  Love  ;  we'll  mind  it  more  than  Wine  : 
 The  upright  thee  do  love. 
 
 5  O  Daughters  of  Jermfdem^ 
 I'm  black,  but  yet  am  fair  \ 
 
 Like  icT^r/Sun-fcorch'd  Tents,  and  like 
 To  Solomons  Curtains  rare. 
 
 6  Defpife  me  not,  tho'  black,  and  tho' 
 The  Sun  look'd  on  me  hath  : 
 
 My  Mother's  Children  angry  were, 
 
 And  in  the  heat  of  wrath, 
 They  made  me,  as  a  Slave,  to  keep 
 
 The  Vineyards  all  the  day  ; 
 But  oh  alas !  my  own  Vineyard 
 •Unkept  the  mean  time  lay. 
 
 7   O 
 
Ihap.I.  The  Song  0/ Solomon  239 
 
 7  Othou,  thou  whom  my  Soul  doth  love ! 
 Tell  me  in  what  hid  Meed 
 
 Thou  makes  thy  Flocks  at  Noon  to  reft, 
 And  where  thou  them  doft  feed. 
 
 For  why  fhould  I  be  like  to  one 
 That  turns  from  thee  aflde 
 
 The  Flocks  of  thy  Companions, 
 A  Vagabond  befide? 
 
 Tfo  Bridegroom. 
 
 8  O  thou  moft  fair  of  Women  all  ! 
 If  thou  that  do  not  know, 
 
 Then  by  the  footfteps  of  the  flock 
 
 See  that  with  care  thou  go  : 
 Unto  thefe  marks  and  footfteps  fee 
 1  That  thou  do  take  good  heed  ; 
 
 And  there,  befide  the  Shepherds  Tents, 
 
 Take  care  thy  Kids  to  feed. 
 
 9  I  Have  compared  thee,  my  Love, 
 Unto  a  company 
 
 Of  rare  and  ftately  Horfes,  which 
 
 In  Pharaoh's  Chariots  be. 
 1  o  Thy  Cheeks  with  rows  of  Jewels  are 
 
 Moft  comely  to  behold  : 
 Thy  ftately  Neck  adorned  is 
 
 With  chains  of  pureft  Gold. 
 1 !  Lo  likewife  on  thy  Ornaments, 
 
 Of  Gold  we'll  borders  frame, 
 And  Silver  ftuds  moft  curioully 
 
 We'll  raife  upon  the  fame. 
 
 The 
 
t^o  The  Song  ^Solomon         Chap.  I. 
 
 The  <Bride. 
 
 12  While  th*  King  doth  at  his  Table  fit, 
 My  Spikenard  yields  its  fmell. 
 
 13  My  Love  to  rae  a  bundle  is 
 Of  Myrrh  that  doih  excell  : 
 
 Hefll  lye  all  night  betwixt  my  Breafls, 
 I  will  not  let  him  go. 
 
 14  A  duller  he's  of  Camphir,  which 
 Doth  at  En-gedi  grow. 
 
 7he  Bridegrooni. 
 
 15  Behold,  thou  art  all  fair,  my  Love, 
 Thou  art  all  fair  to  me  : 
 
 Thy  lovely  Eyes  do  feem  of  Doves 
 The  very  Eyes  to  be. 
 
 The  (Bride. 
 
 16  ThouVt  fair,  my  Love,  and  pleafant  all 
 Green  alfo  is  our  Bed  .• 
 
 1 7  Our  Houfe  its  Beams  of  Cedar  arc, 
 Of  Fir  our  GallVies  made. 
 
 y 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Chap.  II.  la  Metre.  241 
 
 CHAP.    If. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 1  T  Am  the  fweet  and  lovely  Rofe, 
 A     Which  doth  in  Sharon  grow  j 
 
 And  the  fair  Lilly  of  the  Vale, 
 Which  doth  fo  pleafant  fliow. 
 
 2  Like  to  the  Lilly  which  doth  ftand 
 -  x  The  Thorns  thick  among  j 
 
 So  doth  my  faireft:  Love  excell 
 The  Daughters  every  one. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 3  As  tlr  Apple-Tree  among  the  Trees 
 Which  in  the  Foreft  be, 
 
 So  doth  my  Well-belov'd  furpafs 
 
 AU  Sons  on  earth  that  be. 
 Lo,  with  delight  and  pleafure  great, 
 
 Below  his  fhadow  plac'd 
 I  was,  and  of  his  Fruit  did  take, 
 
 Which  fweet  was  to  my  tafte. 
 
 4  Unto  the  Houfe  of  banqueting 
 By  him  I  then  was  brought  \ 
 
 And  over  me  his  Banner  fweet, 
 Of  nought  but  love  was  wrought. 
 
 5  Stay  me  with  Flaggons,  comfort  thou 
 My  Soul  with  Apples  fweet ; 
 
 For  why  with  love  Tm  overcome, 
 And  of  the  fame  am  fick. 
 
 R  6  to, 
 
242  The  Song  0/ Solomon         Chap.  II. 
 
 6  Lo,  his  Left-hands  below  my  Head, 
 And  doth  fupport  the  fame  \ 
 
 While  as  his  Right-hand  doth  embrace 
 My  Cheek,  whence  comforts  flame. 
 
 7  By  th' Roes  and  Hindeso'ttf  Field  ,1  charge 
 You,  Ziom  Daughters  all, 
 
 That  ye  do  not  awake  my  Love, 
 Until  himfclf  he  Avail. 
 
 8  The  voice  of  my  Beloved !  lo, 
 How  he  doth  leaping  come 
 
 Upon  the  Mountains !  lo,  how  he 
 On  th'  Hills  doth  leap  and  run  ! 
 
 9  Like  a  young  Harr,  or  Roe,  he  is ; 
 Behind  our  wall  lo  he 
 
 Doth  fland :  forth  at  the  windows  through 
 The  lattice  him  I  fee. 
 
 10  My  Bcft-beloved  fpake  tome, 
 And  unto  me  did  fay,  • 
 
 Rife  up,  my  Love,  my  faireft  One, 
 Rife  up  and  come  away. 
 
 1 1  For  lo  the  Winter's  over-paft, 
 The  Rain  is  o're  and  gone : 
 
 1 2  The  Flowers  on  earth  appear,  the  time 
 When  Birds  do  fing,  is  come. 
 
 The  mournful  Turtlecs  voice  is  heard 
 Already  in  our  Land  } 
 
 1 3  The  green  and  tender  Figs  do  now 
 Upon  the  Fig-Tree  ftand. 
 
 The  Vines  fmell  fweetly,  and  the  Grapes 
 Which  on  the  fame  doth  flay  : 
 
 Anfe  my  Love,  ray  faireft  One, 
 Rife  then  and  come  away. 
 
 14  M/| 
 
 ' 
 
IL  In  Metre.  243 
 
 1 4  My  Dove,  who  flays  in  clefts  of  Rocks, 
 And  in  the  holes  of  Stairs, 
 
 Make  me  thy  fwcet  voice  hear,  2nd  fee 
 Thy  countenance  fo  fair. 
 
 1 5  Let  us  the  Foxes  take,  the  fmall 
 And  little  Foxes,  which 
 
 Our  Vines,  which  now  have  tender  Grapes, 
 Do  fpoii  and  hurt  fo  much; 
 
 \6  My  Ben>belovcd  is  mine,  and  I 
 
 Am  his  likewife  I  know  : 
 Lo5  he  among#the  Lillies  fair 
 
 Doth  feed,  and  there  doth  go. 
 1 7  Turn,  my  Belovcd,  Like  Roe  or  Hart, 
 
 On  Bether- Hills  which  flay  ; 
 Until  the  day  do  break,  and  all 
 
 The  fhadows  flee  away. 
 
 CHAP.  Ill 
 
 7  he  Brule  continues  her  Dzfcourfe. 
 
 1  TJ  Y  night  him  whom  I  lovcd  1  fought, 
 J3     Whenas  in  bed  confined  : 
 
 Kim  there  I  for  a  while  did  feek, 
 But  him  I  could  not  find. 
 
 2  I  now  will  rife  {  I  laid  )  and  go 
 The  City  round  about : 
 
 Him  whom  I  love,  I  in  the  ftreets 
 And  bro^d'Ways  will  feek  out. 
 
 R  2 
 
244  The  Song  of  Solomon        Chap.  IIL 
 
 I  fought  him,  but  I  found  him  not : 
 3  The  Watchman  found  out  me 
 Who  it  do  keep  \  to  whom  I  faid, 
 My  Love  oh  did  you  fee  ? 
 
 4  Scarce  was  I  from  them  gone,  when  lo 
 I  found  him  whom  I  fought : 
 
 I  held,  and  would  not  let  him  go, 
 Until  I  him  had  brought 
 
 Into  my  deareft  Mother's  Houfc, 
 
 And  causcd  him  for  to  fee 
 The  Rooms  and  Ch^jnbers  all  of  her 
 
 Who  had  conceived  me. 
 
 5  By  th'  Roes  and  Hindes  octhc  Field, I  charge 
 
 You,  Zions  Daughters  all, 
 That  ye  do  not  awake  my  Love, 
 Until  himfelf  he  (hall. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  Jerufalem. 
 
 6  Whocs  this  that  from  the  Wildernefs 
 Like  fmoaky  pillars  comes  j 
 
 PerfumM  with  Myrrh,  Frankincenfe,  and 
 The  Merchant's  choice  Perfumes  ? 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 7  Behold,  behold  his  Bed,  which  is 
 The  Bed  of  Solomon : 
 
 Round  which  Watch  fixty  valiant  Men 
 Of  Jfrael  each  one. 
 
 8  They  all  hold  Swords,  expert  they  are 
 In  all  the  feats  of  fight : 
 
 Each 
 
Chap.  III.  In  Metre.  245 
 
 Each  Mian  his  Sword  hath  on  his  Thigh, 
 
 Againft  the  fear  of  night. 
 9  King  Solomon^  for  his  own  ufe, 
 
 A  Chariot  did  frame 
 Of  the  choice  Wood  ofLebaron. 
 
 10  The  pillars  of  the  fame 
 
 Of  Silver  were  ;  the  bottom  Gold  ; 
 
 With  Purple  deck'd  above 
 It  was ;  for  Zions  Daughters  it 
 
 Within  was  pavcd  with  love. 
 12  Go  forth,  O  Zions  Daughters,  and 
 
 Behold  King  Solomon^ 
 With  the  rich  Crown  which  he  doth  wear 
 
 His  Royal  Head  upon  ; 
 
 Wherewith  his  Mother  him  did  Crown 
 
 On  his  Efpoufals  day  ; 
 And  on  the  day  when  gladnefs  great 
 
 His  heart  did  wholly  fway. 
 
 CHAP.    IV. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 1  T>  Ehold  thou  art  all  fair,  my  Love, 
 X3     Thou  art  all  fair  to  mc ; 
 
 Thy  lovely  Eyes  within  thy  Locks, 
 Doves  Eyes  do  feem  to  be. 
 
 R  3  Thy 
 
2^6  The  Song  of  Solomon     Chap.  IV. 
 
 Thy  Hair  is  as  a  flock  of  Goats 
 Seen  from  Mount  Gilead. 
 
 2  T  hy  Teeth  are  as  a  flock  of  Sheep 
 Shorn  and  comely  made, 
 
 Which  from  the  wafhing  came,  of  which 
 Each  Twins  bears  in  its  Womb  : 
 
 Which  all  fo  fruitful  are,  that  none 
 Is  barren  them  among. 
 
 3  Thy  Lips  like  fcarJei  Threads  are,  and 
 Speech  lweet  •,  thy  Temples  are 
 
 Like  to  a  piece  of  Pomgranate 
 Within  thy  Locks  fo  fair. 
 
 4  Thy  Neck  is  like  to  Davids  Tower, 
 Built  for  an  Armory, 
 
 Where  hang  a  thoufand  Bucklers,  Shields 
 Of  mighty  Men  which  be. 
 
 5  Thy  two  Breads  are  like  two  young  Roes 
 That  Twins  are,  and  which  feed 
 
 Among  the  lovely  Liiliesfair, 
 In  a  delightful  Meed. 
 
 6  1*11  go,  and  on  the  Hills  of  Myrrh 
 And  of  Frankincenfe  flay  ; 
 
 Until  the  day  do  break,  and  all 
 The  fhadows  flee  away. 
 
 7  Thou  art  all  fair,  my  cleared  Love, 
 Thou  art  ail  fair  to  me ; 
 
 No  fpot  nor  imperfection 
 Is  feen  to  blemifh  thee. 
 
 8  Come,  Spoafe,  with  me  from  Lebanon, 
 From  Lebanon  with  me  ; 
 
 Frofl 
 
Chap.  IV,  In  Metre.  247 
 
 From  off  the  top  of  Amana 
 Look  downwards  with  thine  Eye  : 
 
 From  Shenir  and  from  Hermons  top, 
 From  Lions  Caves  and  Dens  \ 
 
 From  off  the  Mountains,  on  the  which 
 The  Leopards  remain. 
 
 2  My  Spoufe  and  Siller,  thou  baft  quit  e 
 
 Of  my  Heart  robbed  me, 
 With  one  Eye- glance,  with  one  chain  of 
 
 Thy  neck  I  ravifli'd  be. 
 
 10  How  fair's  thy  love,my  Sifter,  Spoufe  ! 
 How  much  doth  it  excel] 
 
 All  Wine  !  Thy  Oyntments  do  exceed 
 All  Spices  in  their  fmell. 
 
 1 1  Thy  Lips  drop  as  the  Honey-comb, 
 And  underly  thy  Tongue 
 
 Do  Milk  and  Honey  ;  all  thy  Cloaths 
 Do  fmell  as  Lebanon. 
 
 12  My  Sifter  dear  a  Garden  is, 
 Which  is  inclofed  well  \ 
 
 A  Spring  fhut  up,  and  Fountain  on 
 The  which  is  fet  a  Seal. 
 
 13  Thy  Plants  a  curious  Orchard  are 
 Of  Pomgr  a  nates  molt  rare  ^ 
 
 With  Fruits  moft  pleafant  j  Camphir  is, 
 With  rareft  Spikenard  there. 
 
 14  There  Spikenard,  Saffron,  Calamus 
 Frankinccnie,  Cinamon, 
 
 Myrrh,  Allocs  do  grow,  with  all 
 The  Spices  chief  each  one. 
 
 R  4  15  A 
 
248  The  Son^  of  Solomon      Chap.  IV. 
 
 15  A  Fountain  thoiTrt  of  Gardens,  and 
 A  Well  of  Floods  which  run ; 
 
 And  which  down  from  Mount  Lebanon 
 In  Rivulets  do  come. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 16  Awake,  O  North  Wind, and  thou  South, 
 And  on  my  Garden  blow, 
 
 That  fo  the  Spices  thereof  may 
 Out  in  abundance  flow. 
 
 Let  my  far  Bell-beloved  come 
 
 Into  his  Garden,  where 
 He  may  folace  himfelf,  and  eat 
 
 His  Fruits  moft  pleafant  there. 
 
 CHAP.   V. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 1  TNtomy  Garden  I  am  come, 
 
 X     My  Spoufe  and  Sifter  dear  ; 
 My  Myrrh,  with  my  fweet  Spice,  I  have 
 
 Already  gathered  here. 
 My  Comb  and  Honey  I  have  eat, 
 
 And  drunk  with  Milk  my  Wine  \ 
 Eat  Friends,  and  drink  abundantly, 
 
 And  don  t  for  want  repine. 
 
 The 
 
Chap.  V.  &  Metre.  249 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 2  I  fleep,  but  ftill  my  heart's  awake  9 
 My  Love's  fweet  voice  I  hear, 
 
 Who  knocks,  and  fays,  Open  to  rae, 
 
 My  Love,  my  Sifter  dear,, 
 My  Dove,  my  Undefil'd  j  for  why, 
 
 My  Head  is  filfd  with  Dew ; 
 And  all  my  Locks  with  drops  of  Rain, 
 
 Is  wet  this  night  of  new. 
 
 3  My  Coat  1  have  put  off ;  how  then 
 Shall  I  put  on  the  fame  ? 
 
 My  Feet  I  walhed  have  ^  how  fhall 
 
 I  them  defile  agdn  ? 
 )  4  My  bell  Belovcd  did  put  his  Hand 
 
 In  by  the  Door  its  hole ; 
 Whereat  ftraitway  for  him,  within 
 
 My  Bowels  all  did  rowl. 
 
 5  I  rofe  to  him  to  open,  and      , 
 My  Hands  with  Myrrh  did  drop ; 
 
 And  all  my  Fingers  with  fweet  Myrrh 
 On  th'Handles  of  the  Lock. 
 
 6  I  open4d  unto  him ;  but  lo  ! 
 My  belt  Belovcd  was  gone ; 
 
 My  Soul  fail'd ;  him  I  fought }  I  call'd, 
 But  Anfwer  could  have  none. 
 
 7  The  Watchmen,  who  the  City  keep, 
 Found,  fmote,  and  wounded  me ; 
 
 The  Keepers  of  the  Walls  with  fpite, 
 Made  me  unvail'd  to  be* 
 
 8  O 
 
2  50  The  So?$g  ^Solomon      Chap.  V. 
 
 8  O  Daughters  of  Jew/dem  ! 
 I  charge  you,  if  ye  find 
 
 My  Well-belovcd,  to  tell  him  that 
 Of  love  Icra  fick  and  pinecd. 
 
 The  Daughters  of  Jeruialem. 
 
 9  WhaVs  thy  Beloved  more  than  ours, 
 Mpft  fair  of  Women  all  ? 
 
 What  is  he  more  than  ours,  that  thou 
 Ipoft  fo  us  cfesrge  and  call. 
 
 Tl?e  Bride. 
 
 io  My  Love  is  white  and  ruddy,  all, 
 
 And  comely  for  to  fee  ; 
 The  chief  among  ten  thoufand,  he 
 
 Can  never  matched  be. 
 
 1 1  His  Head  upon  him  is  like  to 
 The  ch<jice  and  pureft  Gold  : 
 
 His  Locks  are  buihy,  Raven-black, 
 And  comely  to  behold. 
 
 1 2  His  Eyes  are  as  the  Eyes  of  Doves, 
 Which  bathe  in  Waters  clear , 
 
 With  Milk  they're  wafh'd,  and  fitly  fet, 
 And  lovely  do  appear. 
 
 13  His  Cheeks  of  Spices  are  a  Bed 
 Which  Flowers  fweet  do  crown  : 
 
 His  Lips  like  Lillies  are,  from  which 
 Sweei-fmelling  Myrrh  drops  down, 
 
 14  His 
 
Chap,  V.  In  Metre.  251 
 
 1 4  His  Hands  as  Gold  Rings  are,fet  with 
 The  Beryl  curioufly  : 
 
 His  Bowels  are  as  Saphires  rare 
 Set  in  bright  Ivory. 
 
 1 5  His  Legs  as  Marble  Pillars  are 
 On  golden  Sockets  plac4d  : 
 
 His  Countenance  as  Lebanon^ 
 With  ftately  Cedars  graced. 
 
 1 6  His  Month  of  fweetnefs  is  the  Hive  , 
 Of  Love  hecsallcomposcd  : 
 
 O  Zions  Daughters !    herecs  my  Love, 
 And  Friend,  whom  I  have  looscd. 
 
 CHAP-   VL 
 
 The  Daughtets  of  Jerufalem. 
 
 1  T  J\  /Here's  thy  Beloved  gone,  O  thou 
 
 V  V      Of  Women  all  moft  fair  ! 
 Where  is  he  turncd  afide,  that  we 
 May  feek  thee  with  him  there  ? 
 
 71?e  Bride. 
 
 2  My  Lovecs  down  to  his  Garden  gone, 
 And  Beds  of  Spices  there, 
 
 Within  the  Gardens  for  to  feed, 
 And  gather  Lillies  fair. 
 
 3  My 
 
 i 
 
252  1 'he  Song  ^/Solomon      Chap.  VI. 
 
 3  My  Beft-belov'd  is  mine,  and  I 
 
 Am  his  likcwife  I  know  : 
 Lo  he  amongft  the  Lillies  fair 
 
 Doth  feed,  and  there  doth  go. 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 4  As  Tirzab  thou  art  beautiful, 
 
 Fair  as  Jtrnfultm^ 
 My  Love,  and  as  a  banner 'd  Hoft 
 
 Thou  terrible  doft  fecm. 
 15  Turn,  turn  away  thine  Eyes  from  me. 
 
 Thine  Eyes  which  fparkle  fo  •, 
 For  they  quite  raviih'd  have  my  heart, 
 
 And  do  me  overthrow. 
 
 Thy  Hair  is  as  a  flock  of  Goats 
 Seen  from  Mount  Gilead. 
 
 6  Thy  Teeth  are  as  a  flock  of  Sheep 
 Shorn  and  comely  made  ; 
 
 Which  from  the  wafhing  come,  of  which 
 Each  Twins  bears  in  its  Womb, 
 
 Which  all  fo  fruitful  are,  that  none 
 Is  barren  them  among. 
 
 7  Like  to  a  piece  of  Pomgranate 
 Thy  lovely  Temples  are-, 
 
 And  have  a  pleafant  comely  Shew 
 Within  thy  Locks  fo  fair. 
 
 8  Threefcore  there  are  of  Queens,  there  are 
 Of  Concubines  fourfcore  ; 
 
 Likewife,  than  can  well  numbred  be, 
 There  are  of  Virgins  more. 
 
 9  My 
 
2hap.VL  In  Metre.  2^ 
 
 9  My  Dove,  my  UndefilM  is  one  j 
 
 Her  Mothers  only  one 
 She  is,  and  the  choice  one  of  her 
 
 Who  bare  her  in  her  Womb. 
 The  Daughters  did  her  fee,  and  did 
 
 On  high  her  Vertues  raife  ; 
 The  Queen  and  Concubines  her  faw, 
 
 And  did  her  alfo  praife. 
 
 1  o  Whocs  fhe  that  looks  as  Morning  ?  as 
 
 The  Moon  ?  yea>  Sun  mod  clear  ? 
 And  as  a  bannercd  Army  dorh 
 
 Moft  terrible  appear  ? 
 ir  I  to  the  Garden  went  of  Nuts, 
 
 To  fee  the  Valleys  Fruit ; 
 To  fee  if  thcVine  did  flourifh,  and 
 
 The  Pomgranatcs  did  fprout. 
 
 12  Or  ever*  I  was  once  aware, 
 My  Soul  did  raife  up  me  ^ 
 
 And  m?de  me  as  the  Chariots  of 
 Aminadab  to  be* 
 
 13  Return,  O  Shulamite  !  return, 
 That  we  may  look  on  thee  : 
 
 What  is  there  in  me  ?  as  of  two 
 Vaft  Holts  the  company, 
 
 CHAP.    VII. 
 
 The  Bridegroom  continues  bis  Difcourfe. 
 
 1  TT  Ow  comely  are  thy  Feet  with  Shoes, 
 JlJL     O  Princes  Daughter  !  and 
 
 Thy  Thighs  its  Joynts  like  Jewels  are 
 Wrought  by  a  skilful  hand* 
 
 2  Thy 
 
254  ^e  &°*g  ^/"Solomon       Chap.  VII. 
 
 2  Thy  Navel  like  a  Goblet  is, 
 Which  liquor  doth  not  want  : 
 
 Thy  Beijy  like  a  heap  of  Wheat, 
 Round  which  Men  Lillies  plant. 
 
 3  Thy  two  Brcafts,like  to  two  young  Roei 
 That  Twins  are,  feem  to  be. 
 
 4  Thy  ftately  Neck  is  like  unto 
 A  Tower  of  Ivory. 
 
 Thine  Eyes  like  Hefibom  Fifh-Pools,  by 
 Bathrabbim-Gatc,  do  Teem  : 
 
 Thy  Nofe  as  Ltbancm  Tower,  whence 
 Damafcus  Town  is  feen. 
 
 5  Thy  Head  on  thee  as  Carmelh, 
 As  Purple  is  thy  Hair  : 
 
 The  King  is  held,  as  Captive,  in 
 The  Galleries  moft  pare. 
 
 6  Thou  art  moil  fair,  my  deareft  Love, 
 Thou  pleafant  art  to  me  \ 
 
 Delights  concenter  and  do  meet 
 Together  all  in  thee. 
 
 7  Thy  Stature  thus  appeareth  like 
 Unto  a  fair  Palm-Tree  ; 
 
 And  like  the  clutters  of  the  fame 
 ThyBreafls  dofeemto  be. 
 
 8  I  faid,  I  will  go  up  unto 
 This  Palm-tree,  and  take  hold 
 
 Of  its  fair  Boughs :  Ngwfhall  thy  Breads 
 Sweet  Wine  to  me  unfold, 
 
 As  clutters  of  the  Vine  ;  thy  Nofc 
 As  Applesfweet  fhallfmell : 
 
 9  Thy  Mouth  its  Roof  (hall  likewife  yield 
 Sweet  Wine  that  doth  excel! ; 
 
 Whi 
 
Chap. VII.  In  Metre.  255 
 
 Which  going  fwectly  down,  (hall  caufe 
 The  Lips  of  thofe  thatfieep, 
 
 For  to  awake,  and  wond'roully 
 OfMyfteries  to'fpeak. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 10  I  do  to  my  Belovcd  belong, 
 This  certainly  I  know  : 
 
 Yea,  his  defire  is  towards  nie, 
 His  love  he  doth  me  (how. 
 
 11  Come,  ray  Belov'd,  let  us  go  forth 
 Into  the  lovely  Field  } 
 
 Let  us  lodge  in  the  Villages, 
 Thefe  harmlefs  pleafures  yield. 
 
 12  Let's  early  to  the  Vinyard  go, 
 And  fee  the  fruitful  Vine, 
 
 Whether  the  tender  Grapes  appear, 
 
 And  Pomgranates  dofpring. 
 There,  there  my  loves  i  will  impart, 
 
 And  there  delight  in  thee. 
 
 1 3  The  Mandrakes  give  a  pleafant  fmell, 
 And  at  our  Gates  there  be 
 
 All  forts  of  pleafant  Fruits,  both  new 
 And  old  ;  which  there  I  placcd 
 
 To  entertain  thee,  O  my  Love, 
 When  thou  (hall  be  my  Gueft. 
 
 CHAR 
 
«  $6        The  Song  of  Solomon       Chap.  VIII. 
 
 CHAP.  VIII. 
 
 The  Bride  continues  her  Difcourfe. 
 
 i    r^\  That  thou  as  ray  Brother  wert, 
 \^J     Who  fuck'd  my  Mother  dear  ! 
 
 Without  I  fhould  thee  find  and  kifs, 
 Yet  no  reproach  fhould  fear. 
 
 2  I  would  thee  lead,  and  thee  within 
 My  Mother's  Houfe  would  bring  $ 
 
 Where  thou  fliould'ft  me  inftruft,  and  make 
 Expert  in  every  thing. 
 
 There  I  would  caufe  thee  for  to  drink. 
 
 Of  choice  and  fpiced  Wine  ; 
 As  alfoof  my  Pomgranate, 
 
 The  Liquor  rare  and  fine. 
 
 3  Lo,  his  Left-hand's  below  my  Head, 
 And  doth  fupport  the  fame ; 
 
 While  as  his  Right-hand  doth  embrace 
 My  Cheek,  whence  comforts  flame. 
 
 4  O  Daughters  ofjerufalcnt  ! 
 A  Charge  I  give  you  all, 
 
 That  ye  do  not  awake  ray  Love, 
 Until  himfelf  he  fhaU. 
 
 The  Daughters  fl/Jerufalem. 
 
 5  Who  is  this  that  thus  cometh  up 
 Out  from  the  Wildernefs, 
 
 Leaning  upon  her  belt  Belovcd 
 With  pomp  and  joyfulnefs? 
 
 The 
 
Chap.  VIII.  In  Metre.  257 
 
 Tk  Sride. 
 
 I  thee  did  raife,  whenas  thou  lay 
 
 Below  the  Apple-Tree  ^ 
 There  did  thy  Mother  bring  thee  forth,  N 
 
 There  did  fhe  bring  forth  thee. 
 
 6  Seal  me  upon  thine  Heart  and  Arm, 
 For  cruel  as  the  Grave 
 
 Is  Jealoufie  }  Lovecs  ftrong  as  Death, 
 Its  coals  fire  flaming  have. 
 
 7  By  Floods  and  many  Waters  Love 
 Canct  quenchcd  or  drowned  be  : 
 
 Whofo  forct  all  fhould  give,  would  be 
 Contemned  utterly.- 
 
 8  A  little  Sifter,  without  Breafts, 
 We  have  :  what  (hall  we  do 
 
 In  thcday  whenas  our  Sifter  fhall 
 Be  fpoken  for  to  you? 
 
 The  Bridegroom. 
 
 9  If  fhe  a  Wall  prove,  we  on  her 
 Will  Silver  Turrets  build  : 
 
 If  fne  a  Door  prove,  we  with  Boards- 
 Of  Cedar  will  her  mould. 
 
 TIx  <Bride. 
 
 20  I  am  a  Wall  -0  my  Breafts  do  ftand 
 
 As  Turrets  thereon  round  ; 
 Then  was  I  in  his  Eyes  as  one 
 
 Who  Grace  and  Favour  found, 
 
 S  11  King 
 
242    7 be  Song  0/Solomon,  &c.    Chap.  VIIL 
 
 it  King  Solomon  a  Vineyard  at 
 
 Baalhammon  had,  which  he 
 Let  out  to  Keepers,  who  fhould  all 
 
 Of  it  obfervant  be. 
 Each  one  a  thoufand  pieces  was 
 
 Of  Silver  for  to  bring, 
 For  his  allotted  part,  as  that 
 
 Which  due  was  unto  him. 
 
 1 2  My  Vineyard  is  before  me  :  Thou 
 O  Solomon^  mufl  have 
 
 A  thoufand,  and  two  hundred  they 
 Who  do  its  Fruit  receive. 
 
 Tffe  Bridegroom* 
 
 13  Thou  who  dofl:  in  the  Gardens  dwell, 
 Thy  Fellows  all  give  ear 
 
 Unto  thy  voice  attentively ; 
 Caufe  me  the  fame  to  hear. 
 
 The  Bride. 
 
 14  Make  hafte,  my  Love  ^  like  to  a  Roe 
 Be  thou,  or  nimble  Hart 
 
 Upon  the  fpicy  Mountains.  Come, 
 Letcs  meet,  and  never  part. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
POEMS: 
 
 BEING 
 
 Mifcellanies 
 
 AND 
 
 ^mtjarfqttes, 
 
 By  (2(0.  FLEMing. 
 
 Virg.  Georg. 
 Me  vero  primum  dukes  ante  omnia  Muf<zy 
 Quarum  facra  fero  tngenti  percuffus  amore 
 Accipiant,  celiqnt  vias  &  fidera  monjtrent. 
 
 It, 
 
 Nee  <uo$  dulctffima  mundi 
 
 Nomina  y  vos  Mufa,  Libert  as,  Dtia,  Libri, 
 Hortique  Sylvaqae,  anima  remanents %  rdinquam. 
 
 L  0  ^X>  0  N, 
 
 Printed  by  J.  Jftvood  for  jJSOgRI  &alfgblW?, 
 
 at  the  Rifwg  Sun  mCornhill,     169 1. 
 S  2 
 
*         ■«'-:  ■• 
 
To  his  Honoured  Unklc 
 
 GEORGE  HAMILTON, 
 
 oUBinny,  Efq, 
 
 General  Receiver  of  their  Majefties  Supply  and  In- 
 land Excife,  for  the  Kingdom  of  ScotUnd^  and 
 Pay-mafter  General  to  the  Army  there. 
 
 S  I  R, 
 
 Ifprefume  that  you  will  not  take  it  amifs,  that 
 1  here  adventure  to  prefix 'your  Name  to 
 the  following  Papers :  Which,  thb  I  readily 
 confefs  are  but  a  Very  mean  Offering,  drej#  the 
 left  Expreffion  ©/ArTe&ion  that  at  prefentl 
 am  capable  of  giving.  Were  I  no  way  (Related  to 
 you,yet  the  confederation  ofthepublick  and  impor- 
 tant Services  you  have  rendered  your  King  and 
 Countrey  ,in  this  critical  junblure,  to  (and  1  may 
 fay  in  feme  fort  above)  your  power  -,  might  be  a 
 jufficient  excuie  for  any  attempt  of  this  na- 
 ture :  'But  as  both  the  Bond  of  Natural  Re- 
 lation to  you,  and  a  grateful  jenfe  (^'Obli- 
 gations received  from  you,  oblige  me  to  take 
 thefirft  opportunity  of  acknowledging  my  Debt 
 and  Duty  ;  fe  I  prefume  I  know  you  fo  well, 
 
 S  i  that 
 
The  Epiftle  Dedicatory. 
 
 that  it  is  not  the  ?nore  f  enfible,  hut  the  more 
 fpiritual  and  noble  part  of  Friendfliip  that  jou 
 bailie  mojl,  and  therefore  make  no  Queftion  but 
 that  your  Generality  ivill  prompt  you  to  con- 
 fider  here,  Non  tarn  donum  amantis,  quam 
 dantis  amorem.  Had  providence  given  me 
 thofe  Opportunities  offbewing  my jelf  grateful  to 
 Friends,  that  1  could  have  wiftt,  I  fhould,  1 
 am  confidenty  have  been  officious  enough  that 
 way ;  fed  farre  litabit,  qui  non  habet  thus, 
 God  himfelf  accepted  favourably  the  poor  Wi- 
 dows Mite,  as  being  the  greatefl  Offering  (he 
 had  to  give  :  For  a  Gift,  in  it  felf  (mall, 
 may  yet  be  magni  Amoris  indicium.  And  in 
 this,  all  truly  generous  Chriftians  will  doubt- 
 lefs  defire  to  be  like  their  Father  which  is  in 
 Heaven.  (But,  be  fides  this,  if  the  Gift  ofa 
 mans  felf  trny  be  thought  to  add  any  thing  to 
 what  one  prefents  his  Friend,  then  pray  be  pie  of - 
 ed  to  accept  of  him,  who  is 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Tour  mcji  affectionate 
 
 and  Obliged  Nephew  and  Servant, 
 
 R.  F. 
 
—*-. 
 
 Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 The  MOTTO. 
 
 WHat  fhall  I  do  to  live  and  dye  mkpovw, 
 And  make  ray  time  on  Earth  mine  own  ? 
 I  fhall  like  Beafts  and  many  Mortals  dye, 
 
 If  while  I  live  I  like  them  be. 
 Let  others  fcek  AppUnfe  ujx>n  the  Earth, 
 
 Applaufe  that  nurfed  is  by  breath  : 
 Let  their  Ambition  give  them  Wings  to  flye, 
 
 And  build  their  Nefi  in  all  mens  Eye  \ 
 '  Till  Envy,  Hate,  or  fome  unlucky  hour, 
 
 Their  weakly  founded  Work  devour. 
 For  me  in  dark  obfeurity  Tie  dwell, 
 
 And  with  the  World  nor  buy  nor  fell. 
 With  unperceived  progrefs  hence  Tie  flee, 
 
 And  build  my  Work  where  none  doth  fee : 
 Where  envy,  hate,  nor  any  lucklefs  hour, 
 
 Shall  e're  my  fure-buik  work  devour. 
 It  is  but  Folly  for  applaufe  to  feek, 
 
 Which  none  can  tally  gain  or  keep. 
 It's  not  th*  Applaufe  which  we  from  mortals  have, 
 
 That  can  make  us  furvive  the  Grave, 
 
 S  4  No! 
 
5  Mtfcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 No  !  the  jipflaafc  which  God  to  us  lhall  give 
 
 At  the  laft  day,  will  make  us  live. 
 Humility  will  then  be  found  toVe  been 
 
 The  only  way  Time  to  attain  -, 
 Obicure  contemned  ones  God  then  will  crown 
 
 With  true  Fame  and  molt  fure  renown  : 
 Whilit  many,  who  Fames  Garlands  here  have  worn, 
 
 A$  Thieves-foall  be  expose  to  fcorn. 
 To  tW  righteous  Owners  God  will  then  reftore 
 
 The  itolen  Garlands  which  they  wore. 
 Fame  is  too  high  a  flower  to  grow  on  Earth, 
 
 And  for  to  fpring  from  mortal  breath. 
 It  is  a  Jewel  of  the  heavenly  Crown  ; 
 
 Where  only  dwelleth  true  renown. 
 This  Earth  is  but  the  Wildernefs,  through  which 
 
 We  pafs,  'till  w7e  Canaan  touch. 
 Heavn  is  our  Journeys  end,  the  peaceful  Port, 
 
 Where  all  heavn-fraughted  Souls  refort. 
 Our  Lord  this  taught  us>  when  he  there  did  ftay  : 
 
 His  blefs'd  example  fhews  the  way. 
 Earth  he  did  look  on  as  a  Banijlmitnt, 
 Which  for  our  fakes  he  underwent. 
 And  though  he  was  mofi  high,  yea  the  mofi  high, 
 
 Yet  in  a  Stable  did  he  lye. 
 Yea  oft  above  him  he  a  roof  did  want, 
 Except  what  Nature  all  doth  grant. 
 No  Carpet  but  of  Grafs  was  oft  his  Bed, 
 
 With  Dainties  he  was  never  fed  : 
 Nc  Guards,  but  fome  poor  followers  had  he, 
 
 Who  Fools  by  Men  were  thought  to  be. 
 To  Mountains  hz  did  oft  retire  to  pray, 
 
 That  none  might  hear  what  he  did  fay. 
 Thus  hp  did  live  on  Earth,  for  well  he  knew 
 fimhs  Glory  was  but  painted Shew, 
 
 And 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  3 
 
 And  when  his  work  was  finilhed  and  done, 
 
 From  hence  he  halted  to  be  gone 
 Thither,  where  ntfw  in  glory  he  doth  reign, 
 
 Not  earthly  glory,  but  divine. 
 Then  let  me  ftrive  my  Afafters  fteps  to  trace, 
 
 They  are  the  Pattern  of  my  Race. 
 Defpifing  nickcnam'dFame,  let  me  purfue, 
 
 And  ftrive  to  gain  the  Fame  that  s  true. 
 On,  on  I  mull ;   What  found  is't  ftrikes  mine  Eir  ? 
 
 Methinks  I  the  lafl  Trumpet  hear  ! 
 'Tis  to  the  Saints  Fame's  Trumpet  ;  for  it  can 
 
 Raifefrom  the  Grave  their  buried  Name. 
 Troubles  I  fee,  but  I  will  cut  through  all, 
 
 Undaunted  when  Afflictions  call : 
 I'll  flight  .Earths  flatt'ring  Vanities,  which  lay 
 
 Nets  of [oft  Rofes  in  my  way  ^ 
 Heav'n  is  the  Priz^e  for  which  I  run  and  fight, 
 
 No  Clouds  fhall  intercept  its  fight : 
 Fame  is  the  Crown  which  there  the  Saints  do  wear, 
 
 Praife  is  the  only  Noife  theyTiear  : 
 Glory's  the  Robe  which  doth  them  there  inveft, 
 
 And  blefled  Peace  their  happy  Reft  : 
 Mirth  is  theii<conftant  Food,  and  Loves  the  Air 
 
 Wherein  they  breathe  mod  fweetly  there  : 
 Holinefs  is  their  Recreation, 
 
 Each  Angel  their  Companion  : 
 God  is  the  Subjctt  which  they  (ludy  (till, 
 
 His  Wills  the  IW^they  do'fulfill : 
 Chrift  is  the  Mirrour,  in  the  which  they  fee 
 
 TKldea  of  the  Deity  : 
 Nought  there  but  Happinefs  can  them  befall, 
 
 Eternity's  the  Date  of  all. 
 
Mifccllaneous  Poems. 
 
 The  Dire&ory. 
 
 HE  who  would  live  aright,  mufl  (all  the  day) 
 Divide  his  time  aright  in  Watch  and  Pray  : 
 When  he  from  deep  awakes,  the  fruitful  Mind 
 Muft  inftantly  a  Subjett  have  afiign'd 
 To  think  upon  ;  that  thus  each  paffing  Thought 
 May  not  be  loft,  but  to  an  order  brought. 
 E're  he  th'  allotted  labour  of  the  day 
 Begin  unto,  he  muft  be  fure  to  pray, 
 And  read  fome  holy  purpofe,  which  may  prove 
 A  Cordial  unto  his  Faith  and  Love, 
 And  when  his  Work  he  doth  begin,  he  muft 
 OnGod's  ajj'fiance,  not  his  labour,  truft  : 
 And  yet  he  muft  ule  as  much  diligence. 
 As  if  th'effeft  depended  only  thence  : 
 What  e're  he  does,   if  he  would  do't  aright, 
 Trus  profit  de  muft  joyn  with  th'  beft  delight  ; 
 And  at  each  paufe  of  what  he  does,  'twere  good 
 To  take  a  fhort  repaft  of  heavenly  Food  : 
 Yen,  in  the  midft  of  what  he  does,  to  fend 
 A  fringed  Thought  unto  his  highefi  Friend 
 For  Grace  and  Aid,  would  not  difturbhis  Mind, 
 Nor  caft  his  Labours  any  jot  behind. 
 He  fhould  propofe  a  reflex  Thought  to  caft 
 JLach  paffing  hour  on  what  he  did  the  lajl : 
 What  am  I !  and  what  do  I !  ought  to  be     f 
 The  Subjett  of  each  hour's  Soliloqxy. 
 
 And  though  no  lawful  Work  he  fhould  negledl, 
 Yet  the  great  one  thing  he  owes  molt  refpeft. 
 
 His 
 
MifcelUneous  Poems.  5 
 
 [is  Head  and  Heart,Tongue,Hands  and  Feet  mull  be 
 
 tampt  with  pine  unafFe&ed  Piety. 
 
 tc  muft  be  holy  m  his  Life,  and  walk, 
 
 ober  and  moderate  in  his  fpeech  and  talk, , 
 
 utt  with  his  Neighbours,  Valiant  for  his  GW, 
 
 .oving  to  be  at  homt  more  than  abroad. 
 
 a  him  the  Serpent's  prudence  ought  to  be 
 
 oyiiM  witli  the  harmlefs  Dove's  fimplicity. 
 
 ^hefhould  value,  but  fhould  mount  above 
 
 rime's  out  mod  bound  with  ilflVwgs  of  Faith  &  Love. 
 
 "ommunion  with  his  God  he  fhould  propofe 
 
 n  all  he  does,  wherein  the  Souls  repofe 
 
 )oth  primar  ly  confiit,  and  wherein  he 
 
 fh' 'Almighty,  ev'n  here,  may  know  and  fee  ; 
 
 ret  ought  he  for  compleat  Fruition, 
 
 Vith  ardent  longings  for  to  pant  and  groan  ; 
 
 >cn  though  he  be  content  to  ftay  on  Earth, 
 
 Vhilft  God  gives  Work,  and  doth  continue  Breath. 
 
 He  ought  to  be  like  unto  Ships  that  fail 
 Though  in  a  boift'rous  Sea)  with  profp^rous gale. 
 lis  Hope  like  out-fpread  Sails  ought  to  appear, 
 nd  yet  he  muft  bzballafted  withjW. 
 is  Faith  the  Helm's  Office  muft  fupply, 
 he  Scripture  muft  his  Chart  and  Compafs  be. 
 'he  holy  Motions  of  the  Holy  Ghofi 
 luft  be  the  Wind  to  take  him  to  the  Coaft  ; 
 nd  teftfalfe  Winds  (which  fome  are  cheated  by) 
 )o  come,  he  muft  them  by  his  Compafs  try. 
 "hus  through  theSe*  of  Time  he  ought  to  fail  ; 
 nd  though  he  oft  do  want  a  profp'rons  galey 
 nd  toffed  be  with  Tempefis,  yet  hath  he 
 o  caufe  to  fear  a  Shipwrack  on  this  Sea  5 
 
 For 
 
6  Mifcellaneotis  Poems. 
 
 For  why  his  wife  and  skilful  Pilot,  who 
 
 Sits  at  the  Helm,  all  Rocks  and  Shelves  doth  know  ; 
 
 And  by   his  skilful  Art ,  his  Providence 
 
 Will  fafely  bring  his  Ship  to  Land  from  thence. 
 
 Thus  mull  the  heavcnly  Soul  advance,  untill 
 
 He  do  his  Voyage  unto  Heavcn  fulfill. 
 
 But  that  he  may  all  Obftacles  remove, 
 Which  hinder  his  advance  in  Faith  and  Love, 
 He  ought  before  heflecp^  to  wafh  away 
 The  Sins  and  Follies  of  the  bygone  day : 
 And  for  that  end,  vsithexa£tfcrminy, 
 What  he  hath  done  he  muft  revolve  and  try  : 
 How  have  I  fpent  this  day  ?  he  ought  to  fay, 
 Have  I  been  defective  to  watch  and  pray  ? 
 Have  I  behaved  aright,  at  home,  abroad  ? 
 How  have  I  walked  in  order  to  my  God, 
 My  f elf,  my  Friends,  my  Neighbours,  and  my  Foes  f 
 How  did  I  carry,  when  I^r//arofe? 
 What  was  my  carriage  in  the  after-day  ? 
 What  did  IthinkJ  What  did  I  do  ox  fay? 
 Did  I  in  any  thing  exceed  in  Sleep, 
 In  Re  ere  at  ion  j  in  Drinks  in  Meat  f 
 How  were  my  labours  ordercd  ?  How  did  I 
 Perform  the  folemn  Afts  of  Piety  ? 
 Did  not  thofe  Sins  to  which  Vm  moft  inclined, 
 An  eafie  entrance  and  admittance  find  ? 
 
 Yet  his  own  ways  fhe  fhould  not  only  try, 
 But  into  GodLs,  to  him  fhould  likewife  pry  \ 
 Wherein  he  poffibly  may  have  to  obferve, 
 In  fuch  a  thing  God  did  his  Soul  preferve 
 From  unfew  Danger  ;  in  fuch  a  way  he  did 
 Oppofc  his  purpofa  and  in  Duty  hid 
 
 His 
 
MifcelUmous  Poems.  y 
 
 His  fweeteft  Face  -0  at  fuch  a  time  he  came 
 Vnlookedfor,  and  fhew'd  his  Face  again  j 
 At  fuch  a  time  he  fenfibly  did  find 
 Unutterable  Peace  to  fill  his  Mind  9 
 Yet  all^hat/nw/-  and  heavenly  repofe 
 He  finds  he  did  a  little  after  lofe  : 
 At  one  time  he  did  want  a  praying  frame , 
 And  at  another  could  not  leave  the  fame  : 
 At  fuch  a  time  God  feascnably  came  in, 
 And  kept  the  Soul  now  ready  for  to  fin  ; 
 While  at  another  time  Temptation 
 Its  end  fuccefsfully  did  carry  on. 
 
 Thus  he  fhould  nmftA  and  meditate,  and  try 
 Himfelf  before  he  down  in  Bed  do  lye ; 
 That  thus  Accompts  'twixt  God  and  him  being  clear, 
 fits  Debt  and  his  Credit  may  appear  : 
 Which  once  compar'd,  he  may  attain  to  know 
 The  vaft  Accompts  which  he  to  God  doth  owe  ; 
 What  he  hath  caufe  to praife  for,  what  to  feekj> 
 What  to  rt)oyce  at^  and  at  what  to  weep. 
 Thus  if  he  back  or  forward  goes,  hecU  find, 
 And  fo  abundantly  will  to  his  mind 
 Reap  Satisfaction,  and  true  Gain  unto 
 Both  Head  and  Heart.   This  who  doth  daily  do 
 With  humble,  ferious  Confcientioufnefs, 
 Shall  like  the  f *  aim-Tree  flourifh  and  encreafe  j 
 Shall  like  the  Eagle  his  loll  ftrength  renew, 
 And  Earth  at  laft  bid  joyfully,  Adieu* 
 
 Vani- 
 
S  Mifcellamous  Poems. 
 
 Vanity  of  Vanities : 
 
 O  R, 
 
 A  Meditation  upon  the.  Vanity  and  Emptinefs  of 
 all  things  on  Earth. 
 
 Se<a.  J. 
 
 The  INTRODUCTION. 
 
 i .  /^\  Bferving  how  all  human  things  below 
 
 V-J  Subjected  are  unto  Inconftancy  j 
 And  as  the  Wind  of  Providence  doth  blow, 
 Ev'n  fo  to  rife  and  fall,  to  live  and  die  0 
 And  when  they  feem  moil  upon  us  to  fmile, 
 Even  how  oft-times  they  cheat  us  molt  the  while. 
 
 2.  And  how  all  things  on  which  poor  Men  do  place 
 Their  love,  and  think  to  happinefs  do  tend , 
 Now  wax7  now  wain,  now  Jhinc  with  a  full  grace, 
 And  for  the  fame  griefs  here  and  ay  do  fend  : 
 I  thought  it  would  prove  profiting  and  fweet 
 Thereof  to  thin^  and  in  few  lines  to  treat  j 
 
 3.  And 
 
MiJcdUnecus  Poems. 
 
 ?.  And  fhew  bow  Pleafures  quickly  hafte  to  die, 
 knd  hum^i  comforts  all  to  poft  away  ; 
 How  Riches  Wings  take  tothemfelves  and  flie, 
 And  how  vain  Beauty  doth  as  Flowers  decay  ^ 
 How  Honour  more  unconftant  is  than  Wind, 
 And  humane  Knowledge  foolifh,  vain,  and  blind. 
 
 %.  How  Strength  is  brutilh,  and  how  Fame\s  a  Ik 
 ^And  every  thing  but  grief  and  trouble  here  ;  ) 
 How  Life  is  but  a  long-fpun  Vanity, 
 rhough  we  fhould  it  poflefs  a  thoufand  year  : 
 For  thus  through  various  Follies  we  do  go, 
 Till  wifeft  Death  make  us  our  Errours  know. 
 
 SECT.   II. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Pleafures. 
 
 OH  what  is  PUafwre  here,  but  trouble,  that 
 Is  gilded  over,  mining  to  the  Eye  • 
 \  Counterfeit  of  Heaven,  and  of  what         * 
 Hie  Soul  of  Man  can  only  fatisfie  ■ 
 Which  likewife  hurtful  unto  us'dpth  prove 
 In  making  lefs  the  worth  of  things  above. 
 
 >.  The  Pleafures  that  poor  Men  to  feek  we  fee, 
 Uid  on  the  which  they  fpend  their  time  while  here  s 
 iither  moft  wicked  in  themfelves  they  be 
 3r  otherwife  they  lawful  do  appear  :      ' 
 In  thefe  two  CUJfes  comprehended  are 
 The  Pleafures  all  that  do  on  Earth  appear. 
 
 7.  Of 
 
l  o  Mifcellaneeus  Poems. 
 
 7.  Of  t\it fir [t [on  \i  that  thy  Pieafuresbe, 
 Poor  Man,  ah  !  what  a  defpicable  Hate 
 Art  thou  in,  who  unto  the  drudgery 
 
 Of  Satan  to  be  Slave  hall  for  thy  fate  ! 
 Oh  better  far  to  be  to  Turks  a  Slave, 
 Than  fuch  an  horrid  Mailer  for  to  have. 
 
 8.  If  Gluttony  or  Drunkenmfs  to  thee 
 
 Be  Pleafure,  think  how  it  doth  thee  tranflate 
 Into  the  (tate  of  Brutes,  and  makes  thee  be 
 Weak  in  tny  Health,  and  haftneth  on  thy  Fate  ; 
 Yet  Beails  be  not  fo  brutilh,  fince  they  take 
 What  only  for  their  natural  Life  doth  make. 
 
 p.  Ifflejhly  Lull  unto  thee  be  a  Pleafure, 
 Confider  what  reproach  on  thee  it  brings ; 
 And  how  it  doth  exhauftthe  greatefltreafure, 
 If  thou  wilt  not  be  mov'd  by  higher  things  : 
 Yea,  how  Death  often  times  doth  it  attend, 
 And  brings  the  Doer  to  an  hafty  end. 
 
 10.  Confider  alfo  what  a  fearful  pain 
 A  guilty  Conscience  is,  when  as  fet  free ; 
 And  what  a  filthy  blot,  and  ugly  fain 
 Is  for  the  fame  by  others  call  on  thee  : 
 
 Yea,  which  is  wbrfe,  thou  purchafeft  thereby, 
 Inftead  of  God,  an  Hell  eternally. 
 
 1 1 .  If  of  the  fecond  fort  thy  Pleafures  be,. 
 Confider  that  although  they  laxvfulzxt ; 
 Yet  do  they  prove  but  gilded  Vanity, 
 Though  otherwife  they  to  our  fight  appear  : 
 
 And  though  our  earthly  Life  they  profit  may. 
 Yet  in  our  heavenly  courfe  oft  do  us  flay. 
 
 12.  If 
 
MifcdUmous  Poems.  II 
 
 12.  If  Houfes,  Orchards,  Meddows,  Rivers,  Woods , 
 Bewitch  thy  Wit,  and  do  inhance  thy  Love  -, 
 
 Then  ftrait  thy  foul  quite  darkned  proves  with  clouds^ 
 Which  makes  theelofe  the  fcent  of  things  above. 
 
 This  makes  it  harder  unto  thee  co  dye. 
 
 Than  unto  thofe  that  live  ia  mifery. 
 
 13.  If  that  you  do  Contentment  fweet  enjoy, 
 In  Friends,  as  Husband,  Wife,  or  Children  dear  % 
 Confider  how  even  fmalieft  things  annoy 
 
 All  thefe  your  joys,  which  you  enjoy  while  here. 
 And  though  no  other  thing  were,  one  muft  be^ 
 That  thou  muft  part  with  them,  and  they  with  thee* 
 
 SECT.    III. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Riches, 
 
 r4.XTOthing  there  is,  that  by  the  drove  of  men 
 iN    Is  more  efteemM  and  in  requefi;  than  this, 
 
 rhan  to  be  rich  -,  which  having  gotten,  then 
 
 \t  Poverty  and  poor  Men  they  do  hifs  -, 
 Thinking  thenffelves  much  happier  than  they 
 Who  labour  for  their  Maintenance  each  day* 
 
 5.  Alas  how  poor  a  Portion  will  it  prove 
 ro  have  all  thing*  on  Earth  we  can  defire, 
 Uid  lofe  our  Portion  of  the  things  above, 
 Ind  purchafe  to  our  lelves  eternal  Fire  ! 
 Shall  any  gain  of  fuch  bafe  abjeft  drofs, 
 The  cjamage  countervail  of  fuch  a  lofs  ? 
 
 T  16.       I 
 
12  MifcelUmous  Poems. 
 
 i  6.  But  what  are  Riches  but  the  Idols  vain 
 Of  Fools,  raid  Fetters  which  them  faft  do  bind 
 Unto  the  Earth)  and  whereby  great  difdain 
 And  Envy  they  do  for  their  Purchafe  find  : 
 Yea,  are  fttch  things,  as  that  I  muft  profefs, 
 Than  men  do  them,  they  much  more  men  pojfefs. 
 
 tj.  Are  they  not  Mitt  ah,  which  from  us  are  hid, 
 And  which  do  in  the  Earth  its  Bowels  lye  -, 
 A  token  that  eternaily  God  did 
 Forefee  what  evils  fnould  fall  out  thereby  : 
 And  which  Mens  cmofity  hath  fought 
 To  find,  and  fancie  hath  in  fajhion  brought. 
 
 1 8.  They  are  like  thorns,  which  if  you  be  bold 
 Clofcly  to  gripe j  by  wounding  will  make  flay ; 
 But  if  your  Hand  you  open  and  unfold, 
 
 And  therein  lay  them,  ftrait  are  blown  away. 
 
 Your  Heart  therefore  when  you  have  Riches  found, 
 Left  by  the  fame  you  get  a  mortal  Wound : 
 
 19.  Yet  nothing  more  inconftant  is  than  they, 
 For  when  we  certain  judge  our  felves  to  be 
 
 Of  their  abode,  they  vanilh  do  away, 
 And  in  a  moment  from  our  fight  do  .flee  : 
 
 Wherefore  your  Treafurcs  there  feek  up  to  lay, 
 Where  by  vo  Moth  or  ruft  corrupt  Ihall  they. 
 
 20.  And  though  one  man  faould  great  eft-  wealth  poffefs, 
 Yet  hath  he  only  by  that  greateft  ftore, 
 
 Wealth  for  one  Man  \  and  he  who  hath  far  lefs, 
 Hath  that,  as  well  as  he  who  hath  far  more. 
 Fret  not  therefore,  what  Wealth  do  thee  befall : 
 Who  leafi7  have  fome-7  who  moft7  have  never  all. 
 
 SECT. 
 
'  MifcelLnecus  Poems,  I  j 
 
 SECT.    IV. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Beauty. 
 
 ii.QOme  vaunt  of  Beauty  ^  but  if  they  did  know 
 
 O  How  vain  it  were  and  foolifh,  they  would  think 
 It  fharae  and  folly  to  account  it  fo, 
 Or  let  Pride  for  it  in  their  mind  co  fink  : 
 What  is  the  faireft,  buc  a  Clod  of  Clay, 
 Whofe  comelinefs  fhall  as  the  flower  decay. 
 
 22.  Beauty  is  but  skin-thick,  and  fo  doth  fall 
 Short  of  thofe  Statues  made  of  Wood  or  Stone  j 
 Yea  fuch  as  doth  not  feem  alike  to  all* 
 
 But  oft  on  Fancy  doth  depend  alone. 
 It's  dangerous  to  the  beholders  Eye  j 
 The  owner  hurts ;  is  foe  to  C  haft  it y. 
 
 23.  A  frame 'tis,  which  doth  others  more  delight 
 Than  th'  owner ,  and  a  cover  which  doth  hide 
 The  bones  and  brainy  things  fearful  to  the  fight, 
 And  where  to  fancy  ugly  things  refide. 
 
 Yea  doth  not  Sicknefs,  Griefs  ox  growth  in  Years, 
 It  blaft,  and  death  which  every  thing  outwears  ? 
 
 SECT.    V. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Honour* 
 
 24.fT1He  Idol  vain  of  the  ambitions  mind,    (  might, 
 
 X   And  which  men  feek  with  all  their  ftrength  & 
 
 Ti  Is 
 
1 4  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 Is  nick-nam'd  Honour  ^  which  doth  reafon  blind, 
 Appearing  fair  to  th'  fancy,  and  the  fight  \ 
 Although  that  really  it  be  no  more, 
 But  like  to  rotten  Wood  that's  guilded  o  re. 
 
 25.  It  is  with  great  eft  pains  acquird,  and  then 
 With grcateft  labour  men  do  it  retain } 
 Which  yet  a  frovcn  from  Providence  doth  ftain, 
 And  (trait  doth  make  evanifla  as  unfeen  : 
 
 Yet  nothing  but  falfe  Honour  is  all  this, 
 That  by  Ambition  thus  acquired  is. 
 
 26.  For  Honour  true  acquired  is  by  thofe 
 Alone,  who  low  and  humble  ftrive  to  be  j 
 And  by  them  only  is  retained,  whole 
 Defire  is  from  baft  Honour  for  to  file  : 
 
 For  Honour,  as  our  fiadow,  we  may  fee, 
 Doth  fly  thofe  who  itfeek,  thofe  feel^vjhoflee. 
 
 27.  If  that  thou  do  ftrive  for  to  mount  the  height 
 Of  Honours  lofty  top }  confider,  all 
 
 Who  there  afpire,  muft  have  no  wavering  fight, 
 Or  Head-vertigo,  left  from  thence  they  fall. 
 But  they  who  lowly  fit  upon  the  ground, 
 Have  not  from  w7hence  to  fall  themfelves  to  wound. 
 
 28.  Confider  alfo,  that  as  Winds  do  blow, 
 And  Tempefts  beat  on  tfys  of  Mountains  high, 
 More  than  upon  the  ground  which  lyes  below  j 
 Juft  fo  it  fhall  prove  likewife  unto  thee : 
 
 For  Winds  of  Hatred  and  Envy  fhall  rife, 
 And  with  affiddenfall  thy  mind  furprize. 
 
 29.  And 
 
MifcelLneous  Poems. 
 
 i 
 
 29.  And  though  there  Ihould  be  nothing  to  annoy 
 Your  outward  Peace,  while  lifts  floor t  Lamp  doth  burn  • 
 Yet  Oh  confider  what  wil]  be  your  Joy  ! 
 
 Whenas  the  King  of  Terrors  makes  yoa  mourn  j 
 And  how  denuded  of  all  now  you  have, 
 By  him  you  naked  (hall  defcend  to  Grave. 
 
 30.  And  what  fhall  all  this  World  prove  to  thee, 
 And  all  the  Honour  you  enjoy'd,  while  here, 
 
 If  for  the  fame  an  Heir  you  prove  to  be 
 Of  Wrath,  Difgrace  eternal  lor  to  wear  ? 
 
 \ft  ill  it  in  Hell  be  fweet  to  think,  the  gain 
 
 Of  all  your  Honour  is  eternal  pain  ? 
 
 SECT.    VL 
 
 7 be  Vanity  of  Knowledge. 
 
 3  i/TpHe  chiefeit  thing  that  men  of  Learning  here 
 
 JL  *  Do  judge  a  Man  accomplifhed  to  make, 
 Is  humane  Knowledge^  which  things  dark  makes  clear  \ 
 Whereby  they  think  with  Angels  we  partake : 
 
 Yet  if  from  Grace  fequeffrated  it  be, 
 
 Vexation  it  proves  and  Vanity. 
 
 32.  For  what  is  all  the  Knowledge  we  attain 
 On  Earth,  lince  that  we  know  not  perfe&ly 
 What  doth  unto  the  fmalleft  Flower  pertain, 
 Or  tV  Nature  of  the  meaneft  things  that  be, 
 In  fuch  a  form  why  every  thing  is  feen } 
 As,  why  Graf  is  not  as  well  red  as  green  ? 
 
 T  3  33-  Con: 
 
\6  M'tfcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 3  3-  Confider  alfo,  how  the  learned  minds 
 Amongft  themfelves  do  differ  about  things 
 Which  meaneft  pre,  which,  when  thereby  to  find 
 The  verity  you  ftrive,  confufion  brings. 
 Think  alfo,  how  one  Ave  doth  make  a  Jeft 
 Of  what  hath  been  before  in  great  requeft. 
 
 34.  If  then  there  be  fo  many  fecrets  here 
 \nfuch  things  which  we  both  do  feel  and  fee, 
 In  thofe  things  which  to  fenfe  do  not  appear, 
 What  Myfieries  unfathom'd  muft  there  be  ! 
 
 Know  then,  that  God  made  things  for  to  appear, 
 That  having  fearch'd  them,him  thou  ftiould  admire. 
 
 3  5 .  But,  though  thou  fhould  be  able  to  perceive 
 
 By  reafon,  what  is  in  the  Heavens  high, 
 
 Yea  perfectly  be  able  to  conceive 
 
 Of  God,  (  Oh  pure  impoffibility  !  ) 
 Yet  what  fhonld  that  thee  profit,  if  by  God 
 Shut  out, from  Heaven,  Hell  be  thy  abocje  ? 
 
 SECT.    VII. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Strength. 
 
 3#.QOme  glory  in  their  flrength,  as  if  that  there 
 
 i3  Perfection  or  Happinefs  did  lye, 
 Thinking  (  as  Men  do  Caftles  in  the  Aair 
 Imagine  )  great  things  to  atchieve  thereby  : 
 Although  the  fmalleft  thing  doth  oft  annoy 
 And  diflipate  fuch  foolifh  frantick  Joy. 
 
 37-  Will 
 
Miscellaneous  Poems.  17 
 
 37.  Will  any  Man  of  reafon  glory  in 
 That,  wherein  Beafts  and  Fiflw  him  excell  ? 
 Is't  not  enough  to  prove  it  fhame  and  fin, 
 To  fay  moft  Beads  his  force  with  force  repell  ? 
 Yet  fuch  is  Man,  that  e're  he  want  a  Name 
 To  glory  in,  will  glory  in  his  (name. 
 
 SECT.     VIIL 
 
 The  Vanity  of  Fame. 
 
 38.  \  K  Any  have  thought,  that  Happinefs  in  Fame 
 jLYjL  Confifts,  that  when  they  dead  are  and  away, 
 
 To  be  remembred  they  may  make  their  Name, 
 
 And  have  the  fame  in  Memory  to  ftay  : 
 
 Yea  fome  have  been  fo  frantick,  that  they  have 
 ftone  horrid  adts  to  free  their  Names  from  Grave. 
 
 39.  Yet  Oh  how  vain  is  this !  for  though  thou  could 
 Thy  Name  through  many  Nations  make  to  found  7 
 Yet  what  is  that,  if  that  thou  never  Ihould 
 
 Be  able  through  the  Earth  to  be  renownM  ? 
 For  though  far  Alexanders  Fame  was  blown, 
 Yet  was  it  to  America  unknown. 
 
 40.  For  oft-times  what  one  Nation  doth  know, 
 Another  doth  not  in  the  leaft  perceive  } 
 
 Yea  what  one  Age  with  wonder  great  doth  fhow* 
 
 Another  oft  with  fcorn  doth  receive : 
 For  in  this  Earth  confifts  no  true  renown : 
 But  (  after  lime  )  in  this,  receive  the  Crown. 
 
 T  4  41.  For 
 
x  8  Mifcetltmous  Poems. 
 
 (abroad, 
 41.  For,  fhould  thy  Name  through  Earth  be  bla^M 
 (  Which  can  be  never,  )  yet  if  thou  do  fwerve 
 For  fuch  a  thing,  from  following  after  God, 
 Neglecting  thns  his  Precepts  to  obfervc  ^ 
 
 Confider,  that  the  gain  of  that  will  be 
 
 An  infamy  and  fhame  eternally. 
 
 SECT.    IX. 
 
 The  Vanity  of  hong- lift. 
 
 42.QOme  for  Long-life  do  wifh  \  but  Oh  if  they 
 
 l3  Did  know  what  is  in  Heaven,  and  what  here, 
 They  would  account  it  torment  for  to  ftay, 
 Imprifon'd  in  this  Gaol  of  grief  and  fear  9 
 
 But  would  with  ail  their  ftrength  and  might  defire 
 Soon  to  be  joyned  to  the  heavenly  Quire.      • 
 
 43.  What  if  thy  Life  a  thoufand  Years  fhould  laft, 
 Yet  what  is  that  unto  Eternity  ? 
 
 Which  when  it  fhall  be  overgone  and  paft, 
 Will  prove  but  as  an  empty  Dream  to  thee  : 
 And  yet  thou  art  not  certain  if  thou  ftay 
 On  Earth  for  fome  few  Weeks,  nay,  or  one  day. 
 
 44.  Nothing  on  Earth  can  give  Content  to  Man, 
 For  there  is  nothing  here  but  Griefs  and  Pains ; 
 And  when  he  hath  done  with  his  fhort  Lifes  fpav^ 
 Of  his  great  labours  Death  is  all  the  gains: 
 
 So  though  he  fhould  live  many  Years  on  Earth  -7 
 Yet  muft  he  once  bereaved  be  of  Breath. 
 
 So 
 
MifcelUneous  Poems.  *  9 
 
 So  thus,  through  Follies }TroMes,Caresy  we  range , 
 j^nd  only  constant  are  in  conflam  Change. 
 
 SECT.    X. 
 
 Ihe    CO  NCLVSlON. 
 
 45.T  ri/Ith  fiery  Wings  fublime,  Oh  then,  my 
 VV  (Spirit, 
 
 Mount  to  the  Throne  where  never  change  (hall  be  \ 
 The  Earth  defpife,  in  that  take  no  delight 
 Where  nought  but  change  prefents  it  felf  to  thee : 
 
 Low  [hadows  here,  true  fubftance  is  above  ; 
 j    Then  fcorn  the  worft,  and  learn  the  Left  to  prove. 
 
 46.  Let  not  thy  fenfe,  with  vain  conceit  deluded, 
 Thee  thus  tranfport  to  fix  allured  truit 
 
 On  things  terrene^  of  which  thou'it  be  denuded,  , 
 And  which  with  thee  mult  end  in  rotten  dufL 
 Shall  fuch  a  Subjed  bafe,  and  Objed  vile, 
 Thee  thus  tranfport,  thy  reafon  fo  beguile  ? 
 
 47.  From  living  Fire  Eternal,  Soul,  thou  came, 
 And  art  ordaind  a  Veflel  for  thy  God, 
 
 A  Lamp  of  light  with  ever  burning  flame, 
 Infn^d^with  Grace,  with  Angels  to  accord. 
 Stain  not  thy  Birth  ^  nor  worth  of  fuch  a  price, 
 Nor  Bafiard  prove  to  follow  curfed  Vice. 
 
 '48.  The 
 
20  Miscellaneous  Poems. 
 
 48.  The  World  for  thee  God  framed,  (thee  before,] 
 And  all  things  therein  for  thy  good  alfo  ; 
 
 And  reafon  gave  thee  up  to  mount  and  foar 
 To  things  fublime,  above  what's  here  below  : 
 Shall  thou  to  him  ungrateful  then  appear, 
 Since  all  he  feeks  is  only  Praife  and  Fear  ? 
 
 49.  Things  here  do  fade,  ev'n  while  we  them  do  ufe : 
 Neither  in  them  can  true  Contentment  be, 
 
 On  which  the  Wife-man  hath  engraven  thus, 
 
 Of  Canities  all  things  are  Vanity. 
 
 With  fuch  things  then  do  not  thy  felf  corrupt, 
 On  which  there  is  a  Beacon  fuch  fet  up. 
 
 50.  Thou  then,  my  Soul,  exalt  thy  felf  on  high, 
 Be  blind  no  more,  fcrve  God  with  all  thy  might  -7 
 Let  Folly  link,  let  painted  fieaftre  dye, 
 Shan  da-knefs  deep,  and  walk  in  bleffed  Light  : 
 
 For  Earth  yields  Toyl,C '  arc  ,Difcord,  Pain andGrief, 
 But  Heaven  Reft,  Comfort ■,  Concord,  Peace,  Relief. 
 
 Natures 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  2 1 
 
 Natures  Sermon : 
 
 O  R, 
 
 d  MEDITATION  on  this  Vifible 
 World,  as  it  jhews  forth  the  Glory  of  the 
 Invifible   gOT>. 
 
 m 
 
 ty  Ouze  thee  ray  Soul  from  vulgar  thoughts,  and  look 
 
 l\   Upon  the  Characters  of  Natures  Book. 
 
 lead  o're  its  Pages,  fearch  and  feek  the  fen fe  , 
 
 \nd  trace  the  footfteps  of  a  God  from  thence. 
 
 Dive  in  the  meaning,  and  thou  there  (halt  fee 
 
 rhe  Pourtraitture  of  divine  Majefiy  (  lye 
 
 rhough  in  dark  draughts.  For  though  this  Book  doth 
 
 Ul  guilded  orer,  fhining  to  the  Eye 
 
 >f  every  man  ;  yet  few  there  are  who  do 
 
 ts  fpeech  and  various  pages  look  into. 
 
 tad  yet  amongfl;  thefe  fewr,  who  o're  do  turn 
 
 tad  pry  into  the  Caverns  of  this  Urn 
 
 Df  Natures  Secrets,  (  which  as  Corps  in  Tomb 
 
 rhere  lye  interfd,  or  as  the  Child  in  Womb,  ) 
 
 ♦ewer  are  they,  yea  greatly  fewer,  who 
 
 Attain  the  Workman  by  the  JfV^to  know. 
 
 ror  though  there's  none,  who  do  behold  this  frame, 
 
 juft  mult  admit  a  Workman  of  the  fame, 
 
 What 
 
2  2  '  MifcelUneous  Poems* 
 
 What  e're  they  do  profers  j  yet  there's  none,  who 
 Can,  who  this  Workman  is,  perceive  or  know, 
 But  they  to  whom  he  doth  himfelf  reveal, 
 Whofe  Souls  he  makes  his  powerful  working  feel. 
 
 Now  iince  my  Mind  like  Morning-Larl^  afpires, 
 Wing'd  with  high  thoughts  unto  his  Praife  to  rife, 
 1  do  intend  with  Modefty  to  look 
 Upon  the  Pages  of  this  opened  Bookj, 
 That  having  read  on  them  attentively, 
 I  thus  may  come  the  Author  great  to  fee. 
 
 O  ffotlefs  thou,  who  dwells  in  Heavens  bright, 
 Impervious  to  fuhlmary  light, 
 Who  dolt  all  things  created  once  uphold, 
 A  fmile  give  on  my  Undertaking  bold  ^ 
 And  chafe  away  Clouds  dark'ning  my  Engine, 
 For  at  my  high  attempt  my  Wits  repine, 
 O  make  all  thofe  in  Ignorance  who  reft, 
 And  are  with  want  of  Knowledge  fore  oppreft, 
 Unto  thy  Heaven  for  to  lift  their  Eye, 
 That  while  the  fixed  twinkling  Orb  they  fpy, 
 And  wonder  at,  as  alfo  how  that  time 
 Its  motion  keeps ;  they  by  thefe  Works  of  thine 
 May  come  thy  Power  and  Wifdom  for  to  fee, 
 Who  the  huge  bnlk of  Heaven,  Earth  and  Sea, 
 By  the  almighty  Arm  conferves,  and  who 
 By  Law  eternal  doft  them  order  fo 
 That  they  pafs  not  their  bounds  -0  all  which  we  fee 
 For  ends  mod  wife  created  for  to  be. 
 
 All  that  I  fee,  about,  below,  above, 
 Which  always  in  a  fixed  Order  move, 
 Do  every  day,  yea  hour,  with  tacit  fpeech, 
 Thy  Power  and  Wifdom,  Great  Creator,  preach. 
 
 And  though  the  frame  cohering  fixt  doth  Hand, 
 The  parts  of  all  being  clofely  tyed,  and 
 
 Obferyc 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  2  5 
 
 Merve  the  Laws  made  by  the  Lord  aioner 
 et  have  they  not  one  difpofition  : 
 or  the  fair  ft any  Region  'bove  the  Skye, 
 ,nd  Heavens  Palace  it  furpafiing  high, 
 erpetually  their  State  do  all  obferve, 
 nd  never  from  it  to  Corruption  fwerve  ; 
 iutwhatfoe're  below  the  Moon  doth  flay, 
 >  ftillunfix'd,  doth  change,  and  waft  way, 
 )oth  dye,  and  in  one  State  doth  not  remain, 
 ind  yet  again  doth  dye  to  live  again. 
 For  in  this  Worlds  under-part  I  fee 
 Continual  Difcord  always  for  to  be, 
 ls  beswixt  moift  and  dry,  and  cold  and  heat: 
 lay  I  not  fee,  how  Water  Earth  doth  meet, 
 ^nd  would  it  overflow,  had  not  the  Lord 
 1  Wifdom  great  them  for  to  make  accord ; 
 >y  making  Hills  and  Mountains  to  afcend, 
 jid  contrar'wife  low  Valleys  to  defcend  j 
 !y  making  alfo  hollow  gap  to  be, 
 ivA  feting  limits  to  the  raging  Sea  ? 
 or  God  of  old  did  mind  the  good  of  Man, 
 md  made  the  Sea,  the  Earth  which  over-ran, 
 nto  one  place  it  felf  for  to  contain, 
 md  fo  did  make  the  face  of  Earth  be  feen  ; 
 "hat  Man,  that  dwells  on  Earth,  might  lift  his  Eye 
 Into  the  fiining  Walls  of  Heaven  high  } 
 knd  fince  he  cannot  earthly  Members  raife 
 "o  things  divine,  his  mind  may  them  comprize. 
 Vhen  as  I  view  the  fpacious  Vniverfe, 
 Vhofe  ftore  and  riches  none  could  e're  exprefs  5 
 s  various  pmlikewife  and  beautiful 
 nd  comely  Order,  which  doth  to  the  full 
 ppear  in  their  Connexion  -,  then  I  am 
 :>rc7d  to  acknowledge  Skill,  beyond  what  Man 
 
 Could 
 
2$  MifcelUneom  Poems. 
 
 Could  ever  yet  find  out,  and  power  which  doth 
 Infinitely  poor  Man  tranfcend  above. 
 
 When  I  behold  that  multitude  of  great 
 JlliiftrioHs  Balls ,  which  round  their  way  do  make 
 About  this  Earth,  and  notice  take  of  the 
 Viciffitude,  which  every  where  I  fee, 
 In  the  yearly  feafons,  and  in  day  and  night } 
 Oh  doth  there  not  appear  unto  my  my  fight 
 Moft  weighty  Reafons  for  the  fame,  fo  that 
 Nothing  could  therein  altered  be,  but  what 
 Would  make  all  like  a  dijlocatedjoynt, 
 Or  compafs-ncedle,  fever'd  from  its  point? 
 
 Who  gave  the  Sun  command  to  run  its  courfe, 
 And  as  it  were  to  be  the  Spring  and  Source 
 Of  fweet  benigne  Influences  of  heat  ? 
 As  alfo  for  to  prove  unto  our  feet  s 
 
 A  bright Alluftriopts  Taper  all  the  day  ? 
 Who  chalked  out  the  oblique  Zodiack  way? 
 Wherein^  the  Sun,  as  by  a  conjiant  Law, 
 It  felf  in  Winter  doth  fo  far  withdraw 
 From  overheated  Earthy  as  gives  it  leave 
 To  cool  ^  and  yet  that  it  may  Earth  relieve 
 From  chilling  cold,  (as  ifit  fympathiz'd 
 With  its  conditions, )  fends  a  pleafant  brieve 
 Of  healthful  thawing  wind,  for  to  make  way 
 For  its  enlivening  heat,  which  all  the  day 
 Imparts  its  ufefull  preface;  which  doth  make 
 The  fruits  to  ripen,  and   the  herbs  to  take 
 A  further  increafe  of  their  growth  ;  yea  we 
 Our  felves  likewife  its  ufe  do  feel  and  fee  ? 
 
 Who  was'c  who  did  appoint  the  Moon  to  be 
 For  the  Night  feafon  the  Suns  Deputy, 
 And  made  it  for  to  go  a  little  out 
 Of  the  Surfs  Wtlks  and  thereby  Earth  throughoi 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 1 
 
Mijcellamcus  Poems.  24 
 
 "o  caufe  the  hideous  darkne[s  flee  away  1 
 Phat  thus  by  Sun  and  Moon  their  courfe  and  way, 
 A/e  might  our  time  divide  in  Months  and  Tears  ; 
 Ynd  might,  (when  as  the  San  and  Moon  appears 
 5right,  without  Clouds  them  covering  )  make  tryals 
 Df  th'  hours  by  Solar  and  NoBmnd  Dyals  i 
 
 Who  wast,  who  did  appoint  the  Air  to  be 
 ^n  Aviarii,  wherein  Birds  might  flie, 
 \nd  bright  tranfparent  Vehicle  of  Light, 
 \nd  Treafitry,  which  doth*  all  creatures  right 
 "  Which  Senfes  have  J  fupply  with  vital  breath? 
 iTea  God  as  a  great  Spunge  it  placed  hath 
 To  entertain  the  Vapours,  which  in  floods 
 Do  flow  from  Earth  and  Sea,  and  are  in   clouds 
 Exhal'd  from  thence,  and  foneezjed  out  in  (homers 
 Tor  nourifhment  of  Trees  and  Herbs  and  Flowers, 
 told  for  refrefliing  of  thefe  places,  where 
 Mo  other  Water-buckets  do  repair. 
 
 receptacle  this  is  to  the  Winds  ; 
 Which  as'^a  cleanfing  Fan  the  Earth  refines 
 rom  pntrid  Vapours,  and  do  check  the  heat 
 ^Summers  Noon-tide  Sun ,  and  fitly  meet 
 And  welcome  every  feafon,  and  attend 
 Kt  every  quarter  of  the  Earth  :  Thefe  bend 
 With  mighty  hlafis  the  oiu-ftrctcb'd  [welling  Sails 
 Of  deeply  load  en  Ships,  which  of  the  Whales 
 Do  check  the  bignefi,  and  which  do  upon 
 The  Sea  o're  Fijh  exerce  dominion. 
 
 What  is  there  here  prefented  to  my  'fight, 
 Which  may  me  not  irradiate  with  light 
 In  feeing  the  Creator  ?  what  is  here 
 Wherein  he  doth  not  to  my  fight  appear  ? 
 
 Do  I  not  fee  him,  when  I  view  the  Sea, 
 ajHow  it  doth  ebb  and  flow,  wherein  there  be 
 
 Such 
 
26  MifcelUneous  Poems. 
 
 Such  ftore  of  living  Creatures  -,  which  is  made 
 A  pnblick  vpay  to  carry  on  our  trade  ? 
 
 Do  I  not  fee  him  ;  when  I  view  the  Earth, 
 Whereon  we  have  our  Beings  Life  and  Breath  j 
 And  from  its  bowels  that  whereon  we  live : 
 Whofe  Superfice  to  us  doth  likewife  give 
 A  place  of  dwelling  ;  and  whereon  alfo 
 Beafts  of  all  forts  made  for  our  ufe  do  go  ; 
 On  whofe  rough  Belly  Infetts  creep  we  fee ; 
 And  above  which  the  Birds  and  Fowls  do  flie  ? 
 
 Whence  then  have  all  their  rife  ?  whence  do  they 
 Their  fit ft  beginning?  fince  they  d6  proclaim     (claim 
 Some  wife  and  mighty  curious  Artift,  who 
 In  fuch  a  ftately  Fabric^  us  doth  (hew 
 Such  Architecture  rare  ?  fure  we  may  fee 
 Some  Hieroglyphs  cks  of  Divinity 
 Engraven  on  them  all.     What  madnefs  then 
 Is  it  for  fome  their  reafon  to  refrain, 
 And  fear  their  judgment ,  when  they  do  deny 
 The  Worlds  frame  to  preach  a  Deity  ! 
 Can  we  imagine  Atoms  for  to  fall 
 Together i  and  the  Worlds  Original 
 Thus  to  compofe  ?  or  can  the  World  make 
 Itfelf,  or  chufe  what  form  for  to  take, 
 Before  it  had  a  being  ?  or  in  time 
 From  everlafting  did  the  Planets  fhine  ? 
 No,  No -,  fome  curious  Worker  hath  been  here 
 And  ftretcfrd  the  Line  and  Plummet.    Oh  come  near 
 Touch,  tafte,fmell,  fee  and  hear  ;  and  then  with  ms 
 Thou  doubtlefs  wilt  cry  out,  A  Deity  I 
 
 Since  then  there  is  a  God,  and  can*t  but  be, 
 Who  did  at  firft  fpread  out  the  tiemens  high, 
 The  Earth,  and  all  which  we  do  fee  or  know  \ 
 And  who  doth  yet  conferve  and  govern  fo 
 
 What 
 
MifcellaneoiAS  Poems.  27 
 
 What  he  at  firft  did  mak^  whom  ail  obey 
 Whether  in  Heaven,  or  this  mould  of  Clay  : 
 Roufe  thee  my  Soul,  and  fee  if  thou  canftfpy 
 The  fair  Idea  of  the  Deity  • 
 The  fteps  oi  Natures  Ladder  mount  and  climb. 
 Until  thou  do  arrive  and  reach  to  him  ; 
 On  tlv  Worlds  mirror  look,  if  thou  can'ifcfo 
 His  Attributes  attain  aright  to  know. 
 
 But  Oh  too  bcJld  Attempt!  my  [frits  relent. 
 My  thoughts  affrighted  lland,  my  Heart  doth  faint9 
 When  as  I  drive  to'  call  my  mind  on  thee, 
 And  as  in  tvanjport  above  Earth  to  flee. 
 Oh  pardon!  pardon!  if  there  do  appear 
 Any  thing  raBily  thought  or  fpoken  here, 
 *f  in  this  Earth  fo  many  fecms  lye, 
 Which  never  can  be  found  outperfe&ly, 
 &nd  if  in  [tarry  Firmament  fo  clear, 
 5o  many  Wonders  unto  us  appear, 
 M]  which  blunt  reafons  edge  •,  what  (hall  I  do 
 Whenas  my  feeble  thoughts  thee  look  unto. 
 
 Great  Worlds  Architect,  thou  King  of  light  7 
 )  Sun  invifible  !  yet  dading  bright, 
 A/ho  to  perfe&ion  never  canft  be  fought, 
 Tranfcending  ail  the  Circles  of  our  thought  j 
 Jart  in  a  ray  of  light  into  my  mind, 
 Phat  how  or  what  ro  fpeak  I  lb  may  find. 
 
 Great  God,  who  always  was,  is,  ay  {hall  be, 
 11  things  that  are  beginning  took  from  thee. 
 ut  e're  the  Sun  or  Stars  began  their  race, 
 nd  e're  the  Earth  had  Spring  or  Summers-face^ 
 "hou  happy  liv'd,  World  nought  to  theefupply'dj 
 or  in  thy  felf  thy  felf  thou  fatisfy'd. 
 ut  Oh  thy  Nature  is  to  us  unknown  ; 
 ea,  to  the  Awels  never  yet  was  fhown ; 
 
 U  Thai 
 
8  Mifceflaneous  Poems. 
 
 That  thoiTrt  a  Spirit,  things  indeed  do  Preach  ; 
 But  what  a  Spirit  that  we  cannot  reach  ; 
 This  infinitely  we  far  lcfs  do  know, 
 Than  Mans  Compofure's  known  to  Beafts  below. 
 
 Three  ways  Man  ufeth  of  thee  to  conceive  : 
 Firft;,  from  th'  appearances  that  things  here  have 
 Of  the  Creator  i  which  although  they  be, 
 Moft  glorious  in  themfclves,  and  fhew  that  he 
 Is  infinitely  fome  great  Artift^  whb 
 In  fuch  a  Fabric!^  vaft  his  Skill  doth  fhow  : 
 As  oft,  with  faint  and  feeble  thoughts,  we  call 
 Heaven  thy  Throne^  thy  Foot/tool  this  Earth's  bally 
 And  fay,  Day  glances  from  thine  eyes,  and  Night 
 From  thy  left's  fpangles  takes  its  [tarry  light : 
 Yet  Oh  all  thefe  do  little  (hew  of  thee, 
 Who  art  wrapt  up  in  dark  infinity  ! 
 
 And  though  bleft  he  doth  ufe  to  ftoop  fo  low, 
 As  for  to  take  the  Names  of  things  below, 
 Where  feemeth  Worth  or  Beauty  for  to  ly  j 
 Thus  coming  down  to  our  Capacity : 
 Yet  none  of  thefe,  yea  all,  cannot  hold  forth 
 What  he  is  fully,  or  make  known  his  worth. 
 But  yet  amongft  them  all,  there's  none  fo  right 
 His  Nature  that  holds  forth,  asdoeth  Light. 
 For  as  it  doth  more  glorious  appear 
 Than  any  other  Creature ;  fo  here 
 It  doth  his  glory  faintly  fhaddow  out : 
 And  as  to  the  Creation  all  throughout 
 Its  luftre  doth  impart,  without  which  all 
 Things  here  the  horrid  darknefs  fhould  impall, 
 And  this  magnifick  Palace  which  we  fee 
 Into  a  Dungeon  quickly  chang'd  fhould  be : 
 So  things  no  Beauty  could  have  in  the  leaft 
 Without  Him,  neither  could  at  all  fubfiftj 
 
MifcelLineous  Foe  fas.  29 
 
 Of  things  fiiould  be  no  being,  were  not  He  : 
 
 Bnt  Oh  impojfible  Him  not  to  be  ! 
 
 Next  Light  doth  in  the  twinkling  of  an  Eye 
 
 Throughout  the  World  all  raoflffwiftly  flee  i 
 
 So  doth  the  Lord  all  things  at  once  perceive, 
 
 Not  fuccejfwely  as  poor  Men  conceive. 
 
 And  as  the  light  fweet  heat  with  in  doth'bringj 
 
 And  with  the  lame  doth  cherifh  every  thing  ; 
 
 So  God  to  all  his  Creatures  doth  give 
 
 Sweet  Influences  which  do  make  them  live. 
 
 Again  as  Light's  from  imperfection  free. 
 
 Neither  is  tainted  with  impurity^ 
 
 Though  it  with  Dung  it  felf  communicate  : 
 
 Evenfo  the  divine  Majefty,  though  that 
 
 With  Sin  and  Hell  he  always  prefent  be, 
 
 Yet  Hill  \%  purely  pwrcSl  purity. 
 
 And  Jaflly  though  the  Light  the  faireft  be 
 
 Of  any  thing  created  that  wet  fee, 
 
 Yet  in  the  dazJUn?  both  the  Eve  and  Mind 
 
 It  proves  more  dark  than  any  thing  we  find  i 
 
 By  it  indeed  all  things  are  to  us  fliown  j 
 
 Yet  is  it  felf,  by  which  we  know,  wknown* 
 
 The  fame  of  God  we  do  affirm,  for  though 
 
 It  is  by  him  that  we  all  things  do  know  y 
 
 Yet  if  unto  that  dazJing  Light  our  Face 
 
 We  lift,  then  darkptfs  of  our  Eyes  takes  place  : 
 
 Yet  is't  not  want  of  light  our  Eyes  comprize, 
 
 But  Afifts  that  from  too  much  of  light  arife ; 
 
 And  fo  by  God  though  all  things  are  us  fhown  $ 
 
 Yet  is  himfclf,  by  whom  we  know,  u?;k??orvn. 
 
 The  next  way  man  doth  take  to  mount  the  bigbt 
 Of  feeing  of  thy  Countenance  fo  bright, 
 Is  by  confldering  what  yerfettions  here 
 Thy  Creatures  all  fcatteringly  do  bear } 
 
 U     2  £ycn 
 
go  MifcelLweous  Voerns. 
 
 Even  thofc  who /«*/?,  and  thofe  who  reafon  want* 
 But  chiefly  thofe  who  bear  of  thee  the  (lamp. 
 Which  if  they  fliadows  of  perfections  be 
 In  fuch,  then  infirittly  them  to  thee 
 We  attribute  •,  as  Mercy,  Majesty, 
 Wifdom,  Power,  Justice,  Truth,  Excellency, 
 Hoiwefs,  Goodncfs ;  which  we  think  to  fhine, 
 As  comely  Features  in  Nature  divine. 
 Which  Names  fince  from  the  Creature  we  take, 
 And  whofe  fignifications  partake 
 Of  th'  Imperfections  which  accompany 
 Created  .Nature  ;  cannot  iignifie 
 Or  hold  forth  rightly  what  perfections  are 
 In  him,  but  as  to  us  they  do  appear  : 
 '  For  no  perfections  fuch  in  him  there  be, 
 But  one  entire  Perfection  is  he. 
 
 The  laft  way  that  poor  Men  do  take  to  climb 
 Unto  the  blefled  Vifion  of  him, 
 Is  by  removing  of  what  they  do  fee 
 Of  imperfection  in  themfelves  to  be, 
 Infinitely  from  the  blefs'd  God  of  light, 
 And  faintly  thus  their  minds  to  him  they  lift. 
 Which  way,  though  in  the  knowledge  it  admit 
 The  greateft  imperfe&ion,  yet  it 
 The  greateft  length  of  knowledge  is,  that  we 
 Can,~while  on  Earth,  attain  blefs'd  Lord  of  thee, 
 
 For  when  we  fee  the  Creatures  below 
 Bounded  to  be,  them  finite  thus  we  knowj 
 Which  once  remove!  from  him  infinitely, 
 We  come  to  know  him  infinite  to  be. 
 And  when  Time  us  to  bound  we  do  perceive, 
 Then  of  him  as  eternal  we  conceive. 
 And  fince  he  doth  not  Changes  under  ly^ 
 Then  we  to  him  immutability 
 
 Do 
 
MifcelUneous  Poems.  Ji 
 
 Do  attribute.    So  iikewife  when  we  fee 
 Him  HncompQimdcd  wholly  for  to  be, 
 Then  him  we  do  pronounce  mof:  fimplyone. 
 And  when  as  we  do  fee  that  he  is  none 
 Of  things  which  we  do  by  our  fenfes  reach ^ 
 That  he's  *  Sprit  this  to  us  doth  preach. 
 
 Thus  do  we  come  Gods  Attributes  to  fee, 
 But  yet  attain  not  to  the  Trinity  ^ 
 That  there's  one  God  moil  blefled  we  perceive, 
 But  three  and  yet  bat  one,  we  can't  conceive. 
 Three  Perfons^  yet  One  Cod  }  One  God^  yet  Thres 
 Blefsd  Perfons  -,  Oh  unfathom'd  My  fiery  ! 
 A  My  fiery  that  of  our  thoughts  the  height 
 Doth  far  exceed,  wrapt  up  in  darkning  light. 
 And  though  Scholafiicks  ufed  have  to  ftrive 
 Into  this  greateft  Myftery  to  dive  •, 
 Yet  when  they  (trove  this  Paradics  by  fenfe 
 J  To  pierce,  a  Cherub  ftiii  hath  bar.r'd  them  thence. 
 Of  whom  fome  thus  of  the  great  God  conceive  ; 
 As  if  th'  Father  eternally  fnould  have 
 Taken  delight,  with  Contemplation  rare 
 in  his  blcf. ?dfelf\  and  thus  his  Image  fair 
 Should  have  re////f,  even  his  Eternal  Son  ; 
 From  bo^h  of  whom  eternally  fhould  come 
 The  Holy  Spirit,  from  that  Love  hath  been 
 Thei#  both  tr an fmitted mutually 'between. 
 So  (though  unlike  )  whenas  the  Sun  doth  rife, 
 He  in  a  moment  flrait  begets  his  rays  \ 
 And  from  them  both  doth  come,  as  we  may  fee, 
 The  pleafant  light,  which  through  the  World  doth 
 So  in  our  Sculs,  the  Vnderfidnding,  WtB9  (  flee. 
 
 And  Memory ,  though  three,  yet  one  are  (till. 
 
 Oh  [acred  Triad  I  I  am  ftricken  blind 
 Whenas  I  think  on  thee,  as  if  to  find 
 
 U  3  Thy 
 
32  MifcelUmons  Poems. 
 
 Thy  Nature  I  were  able,  or  thy  worth 
 llnmeafarable  I  ccr.ild  meafure  forth. 
 Ah  I'm  become  like  to  a  Pilgrim^  who 
 Doth  o7re  the  jUfi  high  tors  in  Journey  go  : 
 When  he  ibme  heaps  of  Hills  hath  overwent. 
 Begins  to  think  his  Journey  is  near  ipent ; 
 Until  attending  fome  high  Htil,  he  find 
 More  heights  before  him  than  he  left  behind. 
 Juffc  fo  while  I  my  Faculties  would  raife 
 To  the  nnbounding  Circuit  of  thy  Praife, 
 Some  part  of  way  I  thought  to  have  o'rerun  y 
 Cut  now  I  fee  I  fcarce  am  yet  begun. 
 
 But  here  I  mult  leave  off,  leaft  it  with  me 
 Do  prove,  as  oft  it  happens  with  the  Fly, 
 Which  wondring  at  a  Lamp  or  Candle  bright, 
 Them  round  doth  flee,  until  that  by  the  light 
 (  Too  near  approaching  )  ftiffled,  it  do  dye, 
 And  falling  down  in  th'  0y/,  it  drown'd  do  lye  : 
 Even  fo,  left  I  thus  ftiffled  be  with  light, 
 Which,  blazing  from  thine  Eyes,  doth  blind  my  fight ; 
 With  this  I  will  conclude,  and  all  upbind, 
 The  more  I  fearch,  the  more  I  fall  behind. 
 
 Th 
 
 « 
 
MifcelUmous  Poems.  3$ 
 
 The  Search : 
 
 OR,  AN 
 
 E  N  Q.U  I  R  Y 
 
 AFTER 
 
 RELIGION 
 
 WHere  is  Religion  ?  where  I  fay  ? 
 Where  doth  it  hide  it  felf  to  day  ? 
 For  though  I  look  both  here  and  there3 
 Yet  find  I  it  fcarte  any  where. 
 
 Sure  in  no  outward  thing  it  doth 
 Conlift,  bat  flies  the  fight  above, 
 Reafon,  when  feekingit  to  find, 
 Muft  needs  confefs  it  is  but  blind. 
 Though  Men  fiiould  go  from  PgU  to  Po!e7 
 And  travail  through  the  World  whole  j 
 At  length  yet  fhould  they  forced  be 
 To  fay  it's  not  in. Earth  or  Sea. 
 Fame j  Honour ^  Beantyy  Riches y  Vkafurc% 
 Cannot  impart  to  Men  this  Treafim  : 
 Yea  contrar'wife  God  oft  doth  finite 
 On  Men,  in  Sicknefsy  W*w7  or  Jdl. 
 
 U  4  Afl 
 
54  Mifcclianeons  Poems. 
 
 All  things  en  Eirth  do  eccho  forth 
 
 Their  ignorance  of  its  great  worth. 
 
 In  i  I  Shops  we  may  complain 
 
 Tint  rhis  isfcatcely  to  be  feeti. 
 
 Its  given  but%to/Wp,  /<?#,  fbor\ 
 
 And  yet  to  fewer  who  have  power. 
 
 With  jzreatnefs  it  doth  not  remaui : 
 
 The  rich  cannot  by  Gold  it  gain. 
 
 9  Tisfddom  given  Countrey  Clov:>n  j 
 
 Bat  yet  more  feldom  to  the  Crown. 
 
 It  never  doth  approach  the  door 
 
 Of  thofe  who  ferve  the  Scarlet  Whore. 
 
 To  fome,  from  Cradle  to  their  Biery 
 
 This  light  doth  never  once  appear. 
 
 The  Courtiers  at  it  do  float, 
 
 From  Colledaes  its  oft  (hut  oat. 
 
 Thz  Clergy ^  when  they  Preach  and  Pray, 
 
 Drive  it  fometimes  from  Church  away. 
 
 At  Barr  it  very  oft  doth  ftand  ; 
 
 And  is  excluded  by  command. 
 
 In  Cities  icarce  it  can  abide  ; 
 
 And  oft  in  Defarts  doth  refide. 
 
 By  fweet  V&rfkmes oft-timeS  'tis  choak'd  ; 
 
 And  oft  from  out  fair  Houfes  lock'd. 
 
 No  Hawk  could  e're  it  flie  about  j 
 
 Nor  Hound  by  fmelling  find  it  out. 
 
 None  can  at  Races  it  oYetake  \ 
 
 Neither  inlVar  it  Captive  make. 
 
 It  doth  not  in  the  Army  prance, 
 
 Nor  after  fweet-ear'd  Mufick  dance. 
 
 The  Mariner  doth  moflly  fail, 
 
 To  have  it  blow  to  fill  his  Sail. 
 
 It  will  not  with  full  Stomachs  dine, 
 
 Nor  fit  at  brimful  Cu}s  of  Wine. 
 
 Many 
 
Mifcettaneous  Poems.  li 
 
 Many  on  them  its  livery  wear, 
 Who  yet  do  Sat  bans  Image  bear. 
 Contentions  it  ever  (huns  : 
 From  factious  Sfrits  it  always  runs. 
 Who  are  abroad  more  than  at  bome^ 
 For  it  we  fear  have  little  room. 
 It  loves  not  many  words  to  ufe  } 
 Nor  with  high  Tropes  men  to  amufe. 
 On  thofe  who  read  voluminous  Books  7 
 It  often  very  faintly  looks. 
 The  witty  Brains,  which  fubtil  be, 
 Can  it  in  no  fine  Notions  fee. 
 
 For  why,  this  only  doth  accrew 
 To  thofe,  it  rightly  who  purfue, 
 And  ferve  God  truely1  not  in  fhew  : 
 Who  are  in  truth  but  very  few. 
 Which  is  the  perfed  way,  how  I 
 The  number  of  my  dayes  may  fpye  ? 
 What  Mcthadtmght  I  for  to  take, 
 A  reckoning  ofmy  Months  to  make? 
 By  what  j4r'thmetick&a\\  I  come, 
 Of  all  my  Years  to  find  the  fumme  ? 
 
 Shall  1  intend,  without  remorfc, 
 To  drive  to  mount  the  lofty  Horfe 
 Of  Honour ,  on  its  back  to  ride 
 With  eafe,  while  I  on  Earth  abide  ? 
 
 Nay,  that  is  wrong  ;  for  why,  God  hath 
 Said,  feekjiot  great  things  on  the  Earth. 
 
 Shall  I  then  love  thole  things,  that  be 
 Delightful  to  the  Heart  and  Eye  ? 
 And  on  the  contrare  without  meafure, 
 Hate  each  thing  that's  not  fane  d  with  pleafure* 
 
 Nay,  that  is  wrong,  fQrXuch  things  be 
 In  Gods  fight  wholly  Vanity. 
 
 Shall 
 
$6  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 Shall  I  fcek  for  great  ftoreof  Cold^ 
 To  heap  up  Riches  manifold, 
 Seeking  with  ardency  to  be 
 Kept  from  the  Peft  of  Poverty  f 
 
 Nay,  that  is  wrong  \  for  God  doth  fay 
 That  hated  by  him  is  this  way. 
 
 Shall  I  a  Cheirographer  be. 
 To  look  upon  my  Hands,  and  fee 
 What  every  Line  doth  there  portend 
 Concerning  Life  or  hafty  End  ? 
 Or  (ball  I  prove  Ajirologer 
 To  gaze  upon  the  Stars,  that  there 
 I  learn  from  their  Conrfes  may,  •% 
 
 And  their  Conjunctions^  on  what  day         i. 
 I  am  to  dye,  and  by  what  way  ?  J 
 
 Nay,  thefe  are  wrong  \  for  God  doth  fuch 
 Pat  in  Catalogue  with  the  Witch. 
 
 Shall  I  then  fpend  my  Time  and  Age 
 In  reading  o're  each  line  and  page 
 Of  thonfand  Volumes  ?  (hall  I  ftrive 
 Into  all  Learning  for  to  dive  ? 
 
 Nay,  that  is  wrong,  for  even  this 
 By  God  is  called  wearinefs. 
 
 Shall  I  then  fpend  my  Life  and  Breath, 
 All  time  I  ffcay  upon  this  Earth, 
 In  reading  upon  Sawed  Writ% 
 That  fo  I  certainly  by  it 
 May  find  the  right  and  nerfedt  way 
 To  know  the  fumme  of  Mon'th  and  day, 
 And  of  each  Year  j  and  fo  may  tend 
 From  certain  Life  to  certain  End? 
 
 Yea,  this  is  right ;  for  God  doth  fay, 
 That  this,  this  only  is  the  way, 
 
 When 
 
MifcelUmous  Poems.  37 
 
 Wherein  we  find  eternal  Life ; 
 All  other  ways  engend'ring  ftrife. 
 And  certain  Death ,  if  without  this  ; 
 Which  only  leads  to  perfect  Blifs. 
 
 AN 
 
 Adumbration  of   Eternity, 
 
 IF  all  the  Stars  ye  could  define, 
 Which  in  the  Firmament  do  ihine, 
 If  ye  could  all  the  drops  of  Dew, 
 And  of  the  Sea  and  IVaters  fhew, 
 The  Snow  fleeces,  ft  ones  ofHaily 
 And  drops  of  Rain,  if  ye  could  tell ; 
 Each  Spring  the  Flowers  which  do  grow, 
 The  colours,  fmells,  if  ye  could  (how, 
 How  much  of  fruit,  as  Grape  or  Pear, 
 In  Autumn  feafon  doth  appear, 
 The  grains  in  Summer,  great  and  fmall, 
 Tree-leaves  which  Winter  makes  to  fall, 
 In  th'  World  the  Animals  that  be, 
 The  Attorns  which  through  air  do  flee, 
 The  Hair  and  Wool  on  Beaft  that  breed, 
 Birds  feathers,  Hairs  upon  our  Head  ; 
 And  add  the  Sand  which  Coaft  doth  yield, 
 And  Grafs  which  groweth  in  the  Field  7 
 Yea  for  each  moment  which  hath  come, 
 And  been  fince  World  hath  begun, 
 The  fumme  the  greater  for  to  make, 
 Myriads  of  Years  if  ye  do  take; 
 
 Yea 
 
1  %  Mlfctlhneous  Poems. 
 
 Yea  and  moieover,  if  that  ye 
 A  thou f and  timts  fhould  multiply 
 Ail  thefc  huge  Numbers^  and  fhould  them 
 Double  and  triple  yei  again  : 
 Yet  thy  Artbmctich  cannot  teach, 
 How  far  Eternity  doth  reach. 
 
 Contentment. 
 
 O  Gracious  Lord,  I  fooliftily 
 Accufe  thee  of  my  Misery  \ 
 For  why  its  only  I,  from  whom 
 My  forrows  and  my  griefs  do  come. 
 
 I  foolifhly  complain,  the  way 
 Who  know  from  darknef*  to  convey 
 Lights  and  who  may  likewife  the  breath 
 Of  life  draw  from  the  gates  of  Death : 
 And  yet  do  (iiil  my  feif  annoy, 
 And  keep  from  having  folid  joy. 
 
 Wormwood  doth  not  honey  yield, 
 Thijiles  growing  in  :he  Field 
 Grades  do  never  bear  :  ev'n  fo 
 He  that  thinks  that  joys  do  grow 
 On  earthly  things,  frm  ieeketh  on 
 Such  barren  Trees  as  beareth  none. 
 
 Things  pleafant  to  our  outward  light, 
 Great  Palaces  which  fnine  moft  bright 
 With  Silver,  Gold,  Kings  high  defcent 
 Beanty,  Plea/are,  are  but  faint. 
 
 AU 
 
MifcelLneous  Poems.  39 
 
 All  that  doth  to  you  appear 
 By  both  Eye^  and  Hand,  and  Ear^ 
 Are  but  dnft  and  (hadews,  which 
 Our  fenfes  foolifhly  bewitch  : 
 Whereof  we  dream,  and  dream  again, 
 While  we  in  times  Ihort  night  remain. 
 
 That  which  hath  been  is  nothing  now, 
 What  cometh  will  be  but  a  ihew, 
 And  foon  will  pafs,  and  nothing  prove  : 
 Wilt  thou  then  lb  much  nothing  Jove. 
 
 Go  thtti,  O  Mifer,  fpread  thy  fails 
 Unto  this  Wind  fo  oft  which  fails, 
 And  (  which  none  will  but  a  mad  Man, ) 
 Go  catch  thy  Jbadorv  if  thou  can. 
 
 That  which  doth  pafs  away  from  thee 
 Thou  ought  to  fuffer  willingly, 
 And  prudently  thofe  things  to  feek, 
 Which  as  thou  pfeafeft  thou  may  keep. 
 
 What  profit  were  it  to  poffefs 
 This  great  and  fpacious  univerfe } 
 If,  when  times  fliort  Hmrglafs  is  run, 
 We  find  eternal  Wot  hegunT 
 
 How  much  more  wife  is  he  that  doth 
 His  Life  fo  order,  as  to  move 
 And  walk  in  harmlefs,  holy  rvayes  ; 
 Stiii  fpending  thus  his  happy  dayes^ 
 Until  he  reach  the  heavnly  gate. 
 Where  his  defires  and  joyes  await. 
 
 If  then  thou  do  defire  to  have 
 A  tafte  of  Joyes  that  won't  deceive  j 
 And  ev'n  on  Earth  to  live  a  Life, 
 So  far  as  can  be,  void  of  ft  rift  j 
 And  griefs  and  pain,  then  moderate 
 Thy  wijkes7  joyesy  andftars  -7  fo  that 
 
 Thou 
 
40  Mifcettaneous  Poems] 
 
 Thou  keep  thy  mind  ferene,  and  it 
 Quietly  to  thy  God  commit. 
 
 Without  this  fphere  if  thou  do  go, 
 Moving  outwards  too  or  fro, 
 Thou  (halt  live  unquietly, 
 And  thy  forrows  many  be. 
 
 But  if  thou  do  yet  defire 
 Furthermore  for  to  inquire 
 For  Contentment  true  ,  behold 
 Its  fpring  and  fource  I  will  unfold, 
 
 True  Contentment  being  hath 
 From  Chrifis  holy  Life  and  Death, 
 By  the  Spirit  to  us  flown, 
 By  Faith  apply ed  as  our  own. 
 Blefs'd  is  he  who  pleafure  takes 
 Herein,  him  it  happy  makes. 
 
 Riches  do  not  move  his  mind, 
 Earthly  loves  do  not  him  blind : 
 True  worth  only  him  doth  move, 
 He  covets  only  things  above. 
 
 All  thefe  things  that  Men  defire 
 He  efteems  but  as  the  mire ; 
 All  earthly  joys  are  but  a  toy 
 That  he  may  his  Lord  enjoy. 
 
 That  which  Men  do  commonly 
 Think  AfjUttion,  he  doth  fee 
 To  be  eafie,  light  and  fA7eet, 
 If  Chrifi  thereby  he  may  meet. 
 When,  if  that  Chrifi  abfem  be, 
 Comfort  he  thinks  Tyranny. 
 Gladly  on  Chrifis  Crofs  doth  he 
 •   Think  upon,  where  he  doth  fee, 
 Though  overdid  with  Death,  a  Life 
 Happy  without  grief  or  ftrife. 
 
Mijcellaneous  Poems.  41 
 
 He  hath  got  from  God  the  way 
 Bread  from  Stones  for  to  convey. 
 And  to  bring  Honey  at  a  call 
 From  the  hard  and  flinty  Wall. 
 
 This,  this  only  is  the  thing, 
 Which  Contentment  true  doth  bring, 
 And  doth  yield  a  con  flam  Feafi 
 Within  the  Clofct  of  the  Breaft. 
 
 But,  Oh,  upon  the  other  fide, 
 What  a  conltant  running  Tyde 
 Of  Cares  and  Griefs  doth  carry  thofe 
 Who  this  Pearl  want  or  lofe. 
 
 But  the  holy  Soul  doth  know 
 Where  this  rarefi  Fruit  doth  grow, 
 Of  which  he  would  not  robbed  be 
 For  all  Contents  on  Earth  that  be. 
 This  doth  yield  foretafts  of  Heaven, 
 Which  are  but  unto  few  given  ; 
 This  he  in  eameft  knows,  although 
 He  doth  not  it  to  others  fhow. 
 
 He  converfes  here  with  God 
 Whether  by  the  Word  or  Rod ; 
 And  counts  it  greateft  joy,  that  he 
 Correffeth  his  Iniquity. 
 
 Nothing  he  doth  fear  hut  fin, 
 Which  he  greatly  firives  to  win. 
 He  flights  not,  yet  he  fears  no  Foe, 
 If  God  and  Conference  with  him  goe. 
 
 Death,  which  commonly  we  fhun, 
 He  doth  greatly  wifh  to  come, 
 Grieving  on  this  Earth  to  Hay, 
 Wilhing  for  to  be  away. 
 Yet  in  this  fubmit  he  doth, 
 To  Gods  holy  Will  above. 
 
 This 
 
4^  MifceRaneous  Poemsl 
 
 This,  this,  is  the  happy  Life, 
 Void  of  f arrow ^  void  of ft rife  : 
 Which  none  on  Earth  do  know,  but  thofc 
 To  whom  God  doth  the  fame  difclofe. 
 
 This  is  the  fphcrc  of  true  Content  y 
 For  which  all  Mortals  here  are  bent : 
 But  moft  have  fuch  an  erring  fight, 
 That  ftill  the  wrong  they  take,  for  right. 
 
 An  OCCASIONAL 
 
 Morning  Soliloquie. 
 
 OH  Lord !  how  dull  am  I,  who  can't  arife, 
 Or  fleet)  andiloth  lhakc  from  my  drowfie  Ey 
 When  as  the  Sot,  though  urfto  me  unfeen, 
 Four  hours  above  our  Horizjon  hath  been  : 
 Which  Ihining  every  where,  with  Rays  moil  brig 
 Hath  darted  in  thefilver  winged  light 
 Upon  my  ciofedEyes,  through  Window-glafs, 
 Thus  making  to  my  Nobltr-part  addrefs. 
 
 How  canft  thou,  who  art  not  cf  matter  made, 
 Lye  clofed  up  in  fuch  a  drowfie  fliade, 
 As  is  that  Couch,  or  thus  fo  far  give  way 
 Unto  thy  lazy falling Houft of  Clay  ? 
 Of  God  it  is  its  true  to  entertain 
 Slee? ,  that  thou  may'ft  thy  body  thus  fuftain/ 
 While  as  it  is  his  will  to  keep  thee  here  ? 
 But  oh  ftiould  thou  to  it  allegiance  fwear 
 
 St, 
 
 As 
 
Mifceluneous  Poems*  45 
 
 As  to  a  Mafter  !  Count'fl:  thou  Earth  thy  Throng 
 Which  is  made  for  thy  f?et  to  trample  on  ? 
 Doit  thou  no  higher  than  do  Brutes  afpire  ? 
 Doft  thou  not  mount  unto  fome  other  fare; 
 Than  what  thou  doft  through  thy  two  Windows  fee? 
 Look  in  upon  thy  felf,  view,  view,  what  be 
 Thofe  lineaments  divinby  and  whdt  that  frame 
 Which  thou  contemplate]}}  Should  thou  then  ftairi 
 Thy  noble  felf  in  fiich  a  maniier  ?  raifc 
 Thy  thoughts  from  Earth  ?  Jet  it  not  thee  entice 
 With  carnal  Oratry  \  Nay,  nay,  thou  muft 
 On  Heaven  fet  thy  Mind,  and  not  on  Dnft7 
 If  thou  would  happy  be.    Here  thou  (halt  ftay 
 At  longefi  fonrte  few  years,  and  then  aw^y 
 Shalt  far  from  hence  remove !    Lov'ft  thou  to  b€ 
 On  Earth  for  ever  ?  here  what  can'ft  thou  fee, 
 Thy  (lay  on  it,  vain  it,  for  to  invite  t 
 £an'ft  thou  account  fuch  banijhmeni  fo  fwcet* 
 As  is  thy  being  from  thy  God,  or  love 
 To  be  fcqueftrat  from  his  houfe  above  ? 
 Oh  mount  unto  that  Light  which  doth  controul 
 All  darknefs,  and  doth  ihine  upon  that  Soul 
 Which  watchfiU  is,  at  midnight  •,  Rife  I  fay, 
 And  do  thy  work,  for  time  pofts  fait  away • 
 Rife  from  thy  drowfie  Couch,  and  do  not  cloft 
 Thy  Eyes  again^  it's  long  fince  I  arofe. 
 
 Thefe  Cogitations  being  darted  in, 
 The  Sun  appearing,  as  if  it  my  fin 
 Should  in  this  manner  tacitly  reprove  i 
 I  now  do  raife  my  felf,  and  look  above,; 
 Oh  furely,  furely,  it  is  bafe  indeed  $ 
 That  when  the  labouring  man^  to  win  his  Bread 
 Doth  rife  fo  foon,  and  when  with  Homing  Sm 
 The  fmtt-moHttt d  Birds  their  Praifeshave  begun  j 
 
 X  fa 
 
44  MifcelUneous  Poems. 
 
 In  Death-like  Jleep  clos'd  up  for  to  betray 
 My  telf  of  fweeteji  konrt  j  when  as  the  day 
 Is  given  me  to  fee  God's  Works,  and  hear 
 What  he  by  them  doth  fpcak }  that  fo  admire 
 I  may  his  great  and  glorious  Majefty, 
 And  endeavour  with  all  my  ftrength  to  be 
 Conformed  to  his  Will  }  him  to  obey, 
 While  as  upon  this  finfid  Earth  I  ftay. 
 
 A  N 
 
 EJACULATION 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 T  I  M  E. 
 
 LOrd,  fince  I  do  perceive  how  fafi  my  Sod 
 Doth  fail  through  time  and  nothing  to  controul 
 And  flop  its  courfe  j  and  how  that  every  knell 
 And  pacing  found,  (  which  of  the  day  doth  tell 
 Each  twenty-fourth  party )  makes  me  thus  to  think, 
 I  draw  by  fo  much  nearer  to  the  brink 
 Of  Death,  and  to  the  period  of  my  Life-, 
 (  Vncertain  Life  !  which  by  the  fatal  Knife 
 Shalt  fade  and  flee  !  )  Oh  grant  me  Lord  to  take 
 My  Tears  to  ferious  reckoning,  and  to  make 
 Improvement  of  my  time,  that  of  each  day 
 To  thee  a  rent  and  tribute  I  may  pay  : 
 For  why,  the  borrowed  loan  alone  is  mine, 
 Bitt  both  the  Talent  and  the  Increafe  thine* 
 
 Th 
 
MifcdUneous  Poem.  4j 
 
 The  Landskip. 
 
 i  TJ  Ere  I  do  lye  alone, 
 JlJL     Upon  a  pleafant  height, 
 
 And  have  a  Landskip  of  the  Earth 
 Prefented  to  my  fight. 
 
 2  I  am  enclosed  with  flowers. 
 And  trees  of  fundry  fort, 
 
 Replenifhed  with  Birds,  which  to 
 Their  Houfes  do  refart. 
 
 3  Where  fome  do  flie,  fome  fit 
 The  branches  green  among, 
 
 Filling  the  Wood  with  various  Note$ 
 Of  their  Harmonious  Song. 
 
 4  Lo,  on  the  other  fide 
 Do  pleafant  Meadows  lye, 
 
 EncompsfTed  with  Corns,  l/finesi 
 And  Orchards  pleafantly. 
 
 5  Befide  which  I  behold 
 The  pleafant  River  run, 
 
 Refle&ing  back  the  fcorching  rayes 
 Down  darted  by  the  Sun. 
 
 6  Whole  middle  is  all  cloathM 
 With  Sails  which  lye  along  \ 
 
 And  by  whofe  banks  fome/h?*/^  fonts  fijh 
 The  Bufhes  green  among. 
 
 X  z  7  And 
 
46  Mifcellaneous  Votntu 
 
 7  And  here  a  filverjtream 
 To  mitigate  the  heat 
 
 Doth  gufh  out  from  the  flinty  Rock, 
 Not  far  below  my  Feet. 
 
 8  The  afpeft  of  all  things 
 Is  fuch  unto  mine  Eye, 
 
 As  audibly  doth  fecra  to  preach 
 The  power  and  majefty, 
 
 9  And  Wifdom  great  of  him, 
 Who,  for  his  own  Names  fake 
 
 Doth  yet  uphold  and  govern  fo 
 What  he  of  old  did  make. 
 
 io  Yea  not  a  pile  of  Grafs, 
 Which  abjeft  feems  and  vile, 
 
 But  doth  the  fame  fhew  clearly  forth 
 With  tacit  voice  and  fmile  •, 
 
 1 1  Yea  Natures  Chymift  too 
 The  honey-gathering  Bccy 
 
 To  me  a  Lefture  doth  hold  forth 
 Of  greateft  indnftry. 
 
 12  Shall  I  alone  be  dumb, 
 When  God  alone  to  me 
 
 A  mouth  did  give,  his  glory  and 
 His  praife  to  raife  on  high  : 
 
 13  And  gave  me  (  being  Man  ) 
 Reafon  things  for  to  know, 
 
 As  center  of  the  Earth  to  give, 
 Praife  for  the  things  below. 
 
 14  Nay  fince  it  is  his  Will 
 That  Men  fhould  praifes  give, 
 
 And  glorifie  his  holy  Name, 
 By  whom  they  move  and  live  \ 
 
 15  With 
 
Mi(ceUaneous  Poems.  47 
 
 1  s  With  all  my  ftrength  and  might 
 
 Vic  ftrive  for  to  obey, 
 And  with  uplifted  mind  to  him, 
 
 With  Tongue  thus  humbly  fay  ; 
 \6  High  art  thou,  higbeft  Lordx 
 
 Thy  glory  can't  be  told; 
 Surpaffing  far  the  ftarry  frame  ^ 
 
 When  in  our  fight  enroll'd, 
 
 17  Wifezxt  thou,  wifefi  God7 
 Above  what  we  can  know, 
 
 When  as  thou  haft  thy  foot/tool  Earth 
 With  wifdom  ordered  fo« 
 
 18  Great  Worlds  Architect, 
 Whom  none  can  comprehend, 
 
 With  earneftnefs  I  thee  intreat, 
 Into  my  mind  to  fend 
 
 19  Thy  Grace  ^  and  to  condutt 
 And  keep  me  in  thy  wayes ; 
 
 That  all  my  work?  while  here  on  Earth, 
 May  be  to  Pray  and  Praife. 
 
 20  Oh  !  therefore  help  me  Lord, 
 Part  of  my  time  to  fpend 
 
 In  that,  which  after  time  (hall  be 
 My  Work  which  neVe  fhall  end, 
 
 Xj 
 
4$  MtfctHdneous  Poems. 
 
 A  Reflection  on  a  fud- 
 dain  Alteration  of  Mind  to 
 the  better. 
 
 i  \J\  7 Hence  come  thefe&*y« 
 V  V    To  Heart  and  Eyesy 
 
 So  dead  and  dark  before? 
 What  makes  my  mind 
 Juffc  now  inclind 
 
 To  Jloth^  awake  and  foar? 
 
 l  Sure  I  efpye 
 That  it's  not  I 
 
 That  fets  my  mind  on  fire, 
 Since  even  now, 
 I  clearly  view 
 
 On  fin  was  my  defire. 
 
 3  Nor  poflibly 
 Can  it  be  He 
 
 Who  once  from  Heaven  fell ; 
 Elfe  fhould  this  Fire 
 Not  up  afpire, 
 
 But  favour  fhould  of  Hell, 
 
 4  No 
 
MiJceUaneoHs  ifoems.  49 
 
 4  No ;  its  my  Gody 
 Who  hath  abode 
 
 And  dwells  in  purefl:  light, 
 Who  doth  attend, 
 And  me  doth  fend 
 
 Eye-fake  to  cure  my  fight 
 
 5  Who  with  a  [mart 
 Doth  wound  my  Heart, 
 
 And  make  me  grisve  for  fin  j 
 hfmart  yet  which 
 Containeth  much 
 
 Of  fweet  to  me  therein. 
 
 6  Who  doth  incline 
 Without  repine 
 
 My  Willy  and  makes  me  love 
 What  I  of  late 
 So  much  did  hate  ; 
 
 And  ill  doth  far  remove. 
 
 7  Thofe  then  do  lye 
 Who  do  deny 
 
 That  God  doth  rule  the  Will* 
 Since  he  alone 
 Its  motion 
 
 Conferveth  as  he  wilL 
 
 8  Him,  him,  therefore 
 I  will  adore 
 
 And  call  upon  his  Name ; 
 Since  he  alone 
 As  from  the  Throne 
 
 My  wilful!  Will  doth  tame, 
 
 X  4  9  M| 
 
5  c  MifceHapeous  Poems. 
 
 9  My  Lips  Pie  give 
 A  Sacrifice 
 
 To  him,  his  love  to  found* 
 My  Tpngyc  alvvay, 
 To  dying  day, 
 
 His  Praifes  fliall  refound. 
 
 10  Up  then,  my  Soul, 
 All  Mifts  controul 
 
 From  Emhs  dark  dungeon  call 
 Mount  cq  the  light, 
 Which  gives  thee  light, 
 
 And  fhall,  when  tirpe  is  paft. 
 
 SOLILO  Q_U  I  E 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 i  T  T  Ere,  here,  O  my  Soul, 
 
 jLX    Thou  fhalt  not  ever  flay, 
 But,  without  all  controul, 
 Quickly  (halt  flie  away, 
 Thither,  where  ever, 
 Thou  (halt  remain, 
 And  never,  for  ever, 
 Return  again* 
 
 2  When 
 
MifcelUfttous  Poems.  ^t 
 
 %  When  Death  fhall  make  a  wound 
 
 Thorough  thy  fainting  Heart, 
 And  break  the  Cords  that  bound 
 Thee,  that  thou  may'ft  depart  5 
 That  fo,  thou  mayeft  go 
 Far,  far,  from  thence, 
 Leaving  fo  Earth  below 
 Flying  from  hence : 
 
 3  Immortal  thou  (halt  prove 
 Then  from  that  very  day, 
 
 Soaring  all  fin  above, 
 
 Which  then  (hall  quite  decay. 
 
 Through  the  Skie  thou  (halt  flie, 
 
 'Till  thou  arrive 
 At  Heavens  Port  and  Fort, 
 Of  blifs  the  hive. 
 
 4  Thy  Corps  mult  ftay  behind 
 Wrapt  up  in  Earth  and  Dull ; 
 
 Which  again  thou  (halt  find, 
 On  th'  day  when  the  juft 
 
 Shall  here  on  Earth  appear 
 
 With  Mirth  and  Joy, 
 Whom  grief  (hall  as  a  Thief 
 No  more  annoy. 
 
 5  In  Heavens  Palace  bleil 
 Thou  (halt  with  Joy  behold 
 
 Happinefs,  Peace  and  Reft,  ;  \ 
 Which  none  can  here  unfold. 
 
 There 
 
jjf  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 There  thou'lt  raife  Hymns  always^ 
 
 And  lit  and  ficg 
 Joyful  ZVa*/e  all  thy  dayesf 
 
 To  Heavens  King. 
 
 6  Here,  here,  then  wy  Soul^ 
 Thou  fhalt  not  ever  itay, 
 But,  without  all  controul 
 Quickly  (halt  flie  away 
 Thither,  where  ever 
 Thou  fhalt  remain 
 And  never,  for  ever, 
 Return  again. 
 
 The  Riddle. 
 
 RAisM  at  the  firft  from  Mother  Nothing  I, 
 Old  fcarce  a  Moment  am  enforced  to  dye  •, 
 Below  in  Earths  dark  Fault  I'm  plac'd  and  laid  ; 
 Earth  though  I'm  not^  yet  am  by  Earth  furveyd  j 
 Robb'd  by  my  fources  guilt  of  purity, 
 Though  dead  I  am,  yet  needs  mint  further  dye  : 
 From  endiefs  Death  yet  freed  I  am  by  Grace, 
 Life  by  the  which  infus'd  of  me  takes  place  -, 
 Each  of  thefe  States  poffefs  of  me  a  part, 
 Molefted  by  the  Firfi^  th'  Other  hath  my  Heart ; 
 In  midft  of  which  great  ftorms  I  underlye,  v 
 
 Now  goody  now  *//,  now  I'm  alive  ^  now  *tyeh        \ 
 Go  therefore  hence  from  Death  to  Life  would  I.  J 
 
 The 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems,  $  j 
 
 The  Paradox. 
 
 REftUfs  I'm  oft,  reft  feeking  for  to  find  ^ 
 Free  when  from  rejilefnefs  yet  is  my  mind  ? 
 Oft  fubtilly  fin  doth  my  Soul  [nrprizje ; 
 
 Lo,  yet  not  captivd,  I  by  Grace  arife  ; 
 Benighted  when  by  mdancholick^  grief, 
 
 Enters  my  Soul  z  joy  of  joys  the  chief : 
 Each  difmal  rumour  gives  my  Soul  a  wound  ; 
 
 Mount  then  I  do  whole  to  th'  heavenly  found. 
 Rufked  with  carelefnefs  Care  doth  me  make  ; 
 
 Infnared  wherewith  Care  doth  me  awake  : 
 Tempted  by  Satan  conftantly  I  be  \ 
 
 Non~pluft  yet  oft  he  ceafeth  and  doth  flee : 
 
 God's  abfent  oft,  leafi  abfent  when  from  me. 
 
 } 
 
 An  ELEGY, 
 
 To  the  Memory  of  his  cleared  Brother, 
 J.  F.  who  dyed  May  i.  1685. 
 
 W 
 
 Hether  to  write  or  not,  or  what  to  fay 
 If  I  do  write,  I  am  in  doubt  j  for  why 
 
 My 
 
$4  MtfcdUneous  Voems. 
 
 My  Month  wants  Words  to  utter  what  I  wouU^ 
 My  Mind  wants  Thoughts  to  utter  what  I  frould. 
 Yet  Love  to  thee  commands  me  for  to  write  : 
 Thy  Love  to  me  doth  words  to  me  indite. 
 Tie  write  then,  though  it  be  with  greateft  Grief: 
 'Tis  like  a  Vent  may  give  me  fome  relief. 
 And  though  my  Vtrfe  be  courfe  and  evil  dreft, 
 Yet  Tie  not  be  difcouraged,  fince  belt 
 Sackcloth  befits  a  Mourner  ;  'tis  requif  d 
 That  fuch  in  black,  not  gold,  Ihould  be  attir'd. 
 
 ThouVt  gone,  dear  Soul,  who  whilft:  with  us  thou 
 Great  Comfort  gave  us,  fo  that  to  be  griev'd  ( livd, 
 When  thou  art  gone,  we  no  way  can  forbear, 
 Or  think  upon  thee,  and  not  drop  a  tear. 
 
 While  as  I  think  upon  thy  Stature^  Fact, 
 Thy  Words,  thy  Gifts  of  Nature,  Learning,  Grace ; 
 I'm  paincd  and  troublM  without  all  relief  \ 
 Reafon  is  held  a  Captive  by  my  grief: 
 Yet  when  I  think  how  from  all  grief  thoucrt  gone, 
 And  changcd  a  Vrifon  for  a  glorious  Throne 
 In  fuch  a  time,  when  terror  it's  to  live, 
 I  cannot  but  rejoyce  as  well  as  grieve. 
 
 For  why,thoucrt  thither  gone  where  thou  doft  fee 
 The  glorious  Perfons  of  the  Deity  , 
 Who  were  to  thee,  whilft  here,  and  [till  abide 
 Thy  loving  Father,  Saviour  and  Guide. 
 Thoucrt  gone,  where  no  pijfentions  thou  {halt  fee, 
 But  where  in  one  Friends  do  as  one  agree. 
 Thou4rt  thither  gone,  where  never  griefs  appear. 
 Thou'rt  mounted  up  above  zllfin  and  fear 
 Of  divine  Wrath :  Thou  drinkeft  of  the  ftrcam 
 Of  divine  love,  which  thou  did  fo  efteem    (  obfeure 
 Whilft  here.    Thou'rt  gone,  where  no  night  (hall 
 Thy  glorious  day,  and  where  no  thing  impure 
 
 Shall 
 
Mifcettaneous  Poems*  %% 
 
 Shall  ever  thee  moIeft.#  Thoucrt  thither  gone 
 Where  fome  furvivihg  thee  do  daily  groan 
 And  pant  to  be.     Thou  needed  not  to  fear 
 Sathan  and  his  AJfociates,  who  here 
 Combine  againlt  the  Saints  with  fedulous  Care, 
 Striving  their  Sottls  and  Bodies  to  enfnare. 
 
 Thou'rt  thither  gone,  where  cloathcd  with  rich 
 Thou  joyned  art  to  the  harmonious  jQjdrc     (  Attire 
 Of  fweet  celejiial  Singers^  who  do  raiie 
 [n  higheft  Notes  the  great  Almighty*-*  praife : 
 With  whom  thou  there  (halt  evermore  remain, 
 Intil  the  laft  great  day,  when  thou  again 
 Jhalt  come  with  Chrijl  thy  Head,  and  all  the  jufi^ 
 Having  put  on  thy  then  molt  glorious  dttfl. 
 But  e're  the  time  of  that  Solemnity, 
 Thy  Friends  we  hope  fhall  joyned  be  with  thee. 
 
 Mtrens  effadit  raptim  &  confuse 
 Frater  fuferftesy 
 
 R,  F. 
 
 An  ELEGY, 
 
 To  the  Memory  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
 John  Siaciare,  Minifter  of  the  Go  (pel, 
 who  Dyed  March  24.  An.  1687. 
 
 JlTHat  mean  our  Tapers  to  go  out  fo  faft, 
 '  *    And  leave  us  in  this  dtfmal  Night  agaft  ? 
 
 What 
 
$6  MifceRaneom  Poemsl 
 
 What  makes  our  Stars  evaniti  from  our  fight, 
 And  from  this  Hemfphere  withdraw  their  light  ? 
 Isct  not  enough  that  our  great  Surfs  gone  down  ? 
 Isct  not  enough  that  darknefs  us  doth  crown 
 With  dusky  grief  f  Is't  not  enough  that  night 
 Hath  chas'd  away  the  golden  rays  of  light  ? 
 But  rauft  we  likewife  wholly  be  bereav'd 
 Of  th*  borrowed  Light  which  we  from  Stars  receivcd  i 
 Muft  t/£gypt  j  darknefs  be  our  fate?  muft  we 
 Nor  Sun,  nor  Moon,  nor  Star,  nor  Vianet  fee  ? 
 
 Sure  we  may  fear  that  God  doth  W<*rs  intend, 
 When  he  for  his  Ambaffadors  doth  fend. 
 When  Clouds  in  ordered  Squadrons  range,  then  we 
 May  Tcmfefts  without  doubt  expect  to  fee. 
 Whenas  the  Husbandmen  from  Field  do  come, 
 And  do  repofe  their  wearycd  Corps  at  home 
 In  their  fweet  Couch  ;  thence  we  may  furely  know 
 That  Night  doth  towards  its  Meridian  grow. 
 When  as  in  Battle  thofe  who  do  command 
 Are  Qain,  how  can  the  Infantry  long  Hand  ? 
 Lo  (  after  many  )  how  this  glorious  Star, 
 (  Whofe  bright  refplendent  rays  did  fhinc  afar  ) 
 Doth  fet  in  hafte,  and  bid  the  World  adieu  y 
 Whom  we  on  earth  {hall  henceforth  never  view. 
 
 Lo  how  our  great  Elijah's  do  remove 
 In  their  triumphant  Chariots  above. 
 Lo  b6W-thofe  who  in  our  valt  breaches  ftood, 
 And  did  oppofe  the  highly  fw.elling  flood 
 Of  divine  "judgments,  now  are  gone  and  fled, 
 And,  having  watch'd  their  turns,  are  gone  to  bed. 
 
 Such,  fuch,  was  he,  who  now  from  us  is  gone  j  ft; 
 So  that  we  do  not  his  bhfsd  Fate  bemoan. 
 No  i  ctfe  our  own :  For  we  by  him  have  loft:        ■    'i\\ 
 That  Treafnre  rich,  which  feem'd  to  be  ingrofs'd 
 
 Withir 
 
Mijcetlawous  Poems.  %J 
 
 Within  his  Breaft :  His  Piety,  which  did 
 
 Shine  through  his  Life  and  Walk,  though  raoflly  hid. 
 
 His  Learning,  which  as  the  laborious  Bee 
 
 He  gathered  had  by  greateft  Induftry. 
 
 His  Languages  y  of  which  he  had  fuch  flore, 
 
 That  only  Fame  can  fpeak  of  him  in  more. 
 His  Talents  were  not  hid  within  the  ground, 
 
 But  did  unto  the  common  good  redound. 
 
 In  whatfoever  Place  he  liv'd,  his  Care 
 
 Was  to  do  good  and  plant  ChrijTs  Kingdom  there. 
 
 This  was  his  Work,  when  at  St.  Andrews  he 
 
 Did  teach  true  Venue  with  Phtlofophy. 
 
 This  was  his  Work  at  Ormiflon,  in  which 
 
 The  GofpelhQ  did  propagate  fo  much  : 
 
 Where  (  when  Oppreflion  had  our  Lamps  put  out, 
 Which  fhone  that  once  fam'd  Nation  throughout ) 
 
 jlnfpite  of  Envy,  by  a  divine  hand 
 He  was  referv  d  for  many  Years  to  ftand 
 As  a  publick  Beacm  for  to  fliew  the  way 
 To  Pafjengers,  left  they  might  go  aftray. 
 Yet  not  content  with  what  he  did  unto 
 His  generation,  he  needs  mult  do 
 What  good  he  could  to  Xhz  fucceedwg  Agey 
 And  therefore  did  with  Labour  great  engage 
 In  training  up  the  Youth  in  Pkty, 
 In  vert  uo  us  Learning  and  Humanity : 
 Of  which  his  Native  Land  doth  reap  the  gain  ; 
 For  though  he  taught  but  Boys  he  made  them  Men. 
 
 This  was  his  Work,   till  Helly  which  much  did 
 To  countermine  him,  did  at  laft  deprive       (  ftrive 
 His  Countrey  of  him,  caufing  him  to  flie 
 To  Forreign  Parts  for  his  fecurity. 
 Where  Strangers  more  humane  a  Call  him  gave 
 Unto  a  publick  Station  }  where  behave 
 
 He 
 
5  8  JMifcelUneous  Poemu 
 
 He  did  with  greateft  Candor,  Holinefs, 
 And  humble  Vcrtuc  ,  that  he  did  exprefs 
 In  all  his  walk,  the  Pi&ure  of  what  he 
 Did  others  teach  and  much  inftrudt  to  be. 
 
 Thus  he  did  live,  'till  Death  at  laft  did  come 
 And  call  him  to  his  glorious  wifht-for  home. 
 Where  now  in  glory  he  with  Saints  doth  fhine, 
 And  adds  one  more  unto  the  Quire  divine  : 
 Where  mounted  he's  above  all  Grief  and  Pain, 
 Whilfl  we  below  lament  our  lofs  in  vain. 
 
 Amicus  Amico,  Praceptori  Dijciphlus,  co  quo  pot  kit,  lu 
 cet  non  quo  deb  nit  affettit,  pay  em  are  vohut, 
 
 R.R 
 
 An  ACCROSTICK  to  the   Memory    of 
 Mr.  George  Rkdy  Deceafed  Anno  1 6 1  j. 
 
 G  r;e/both  invites  to  write  and  difinvites : 
 E  ach  Paffwn  fomewhat,  tho' confus'd,  indites 
 O  f  thy  great,  tho'  unfathom'd,  mrth  to  tell : 
 R  ais'd  w  hereunto,  my  Sighs  do  all  unfpeli. 
 G  rief  makes  me  thus  to  know,  they  being  gone 
 £  nervates  all  my  Powers,  and  makes  them  none^ 
 
 R  eli^n  I  therefore  muft,  and  only  fay, 
 /   n  Lofmg  thes,  m/  half  fe^ns  fled  away. 
 E  ndeared  Friend,  had  all  thee  known  as  f, 
 D  cath  (hould  have  envycd  thee  thy  Elegy, 
 
 Amico  Chart jfimo  Commilitoni  Imimc  appofhir, 
 
 R.F. 
 SEVERAL 
 
MifceBaneous  Poems.  \  $g 
 
 SEVERAL 
 
 PSALMS 
 
 Divcrfly  Rendered, 
 
 And  on  divers  OCCASIONS. 
 
 The  With.  PSALM  faraphrafel 
 
 i  /^i  Reat  Worlds  Architett^  how  excellent 
 
 Vj  Is  thy  great  Name !  and  how  magnificent 
 In  all  the  Earth  !  thou  ever  haft  the  fame 
 AdvancM  moil  high,  above  the  flarry  frame. 
 
 2  Thofe  whom  Men  Babes  and  Children  do  account, 
 Thon  mak'ft  all  thofe  in  Knowledge  to  furmount, 
 Whom  Men  as  wife  admire,  and  to  confound 
 
 And  make  their  Wifdom  as  an  empty  found. 
 
 3  When  as  I  mufe,  and  with  attentive  Eye, 
 View  and  review  thy  Heavens^  which  I  fee 
 About  this  Earth  to  roll,  and  which  do  fliew 
 Thy  handy-work  j  the  Moon  likewife  which  thou 
 
 Y  For* 
 
60  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 For  Seafons  didft  ordain,  the  Stars  the  Night 
 Which  do  adorn  with  their  twinkling  light  ^ 
 
 4  Then  do  I  wonder  and  admire,  why  thou 
 Of  corrupt  Man  art  mindful,  thus  to  ftxew 
 Thy  palling  Bounty  ;  doth  he  thus  deferve 
 
 That  thou  fhouldft  make  the  Heavens  high  to  ferve 
 And  wait  on  him  !  and  with  thy  bounteous  hand 
 Make  fuch  Proviflons  both  by  Sea  and  Land 
 To  entertain  him,  or  that  thou  fhouldft  take 
 
 5  Of  him  fuch  notice  !  yea  that  thou  fhould  make 
 And  him  Create  in  fuch  a  State,  which  is 
 
 Not  much  below  the  Angels !  and  fhould  blefs 
 
 Him  thus  with  Honour,    and  as  with  divine 
 
 Angelic^ glory  make  his  Face  to  fhine. 
 
 Yea  over  all  thy  Works  to  him  thou  gave 
 
 Dominion^  and  mad'ft  him  Power  to  have 
 
 O're  every  thing  hath  being,  or  doth  live  : 
 
 Thou  Sheep  and  Oxen  for  his  ufe  doft  give, 
 
 7  And  all  the  Beafts  which  in  the  Forreft  be  : 
 
 The  Fowls  which  fwiftly  through  the  Air  do  flie, 
 
 Ana  Fifties  all  upon  the  Sea  above 
 
 Which  fwim,  and  whatfoe're  doth  creep  and  move 
 
 Upon  its  fandy  bottom^  or  doth  go 
 
 Out  through  its  fecret  pajfages  below. 
 
 9  Great  Worlds  Architect,  how  excellent 
 
 Is  thy  great  Namey  and  how  magnificent 
 
 In  all  the  Earth,  thotr  ever  haft  the  fame 
 
 Advanc  d  moft  high  above  the  ftarry  frame. 
 
 The 
 
Mi(cellaneous  Poems.  61 
 
 The  107.  PSALM  Parapbrasd, 
 
 i   r~>  Ive  thanks  and  praife  to  God,  for  good  is  he, 
 
 VJ   His  Love  and  Mercy  everlafting  be. 
 
 2  Let  them  fay  fo,  whom  he  redeemed  hath 
 From  Servitude y  and  from  the  cruel  wrath 
 
 3  Of  bloody  foes  0  and  whom  he  gathered 
 
 4  From  every  place.    They  ftrayd  apd  wandered 
 In  barren  Defarts  folitary  way  7 
 
 Not  having  Honfe  nor  City  for  to  (lay 
 And  reft  their  wearied  Bodies  7  and  of  new 
 Their  half  confumed  ftrength  for  to  renew. 
 
 5  With  Thirfi  and  hunger  great  they  fainted  oft; 
 I  6  Then  they  in  trouble  to  the  Lord  aloft 
 
 Did  lift  their  Eye,  and  cry  for  help,  and  he 
 Delivered  them  out  of  their  Mijefy. 
 
 7  And  by  a  way  that's  right  he  did  convey 
 Them  to  a  place  where  fafely  they  might  ftay. 
 
 8  Oh  then  that  men  would  mamfie  the  Lord 
 For  his  great goodnefs,  and  with  one  accord 
 Would  the  great  works  which  he  hath  done  pro* 
 And  praife  his  glorious  and  exalted  Name.     (claim, 
 
 9  For  he  the  longing  Soul  doth  fatisfie, 
 And  thofe  that  hunger  fill  abundantly. 
 
 10  Such  as  did  fit  in  darknefs,  and  did  lye 
 In  deaths  p ale fhadow  in  great  Mifery, 
 With  fetters  bound,  and  in  afflictions  cell, 
 
 1 1  Becaufe  againftGods  words  they  did  rebel!, 
 And  did  contemn  the  will  of  the  molt  High  j 
 
 12  Ev'n  fuch  he  made  full  low  in  d/tfi  to  lye  j 
 
 Y  2  So 
 
62  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 So  they  did  ftoop,  and  fall  down  every  one, 
 When  them  to  help  and  fuccour  there  was  none. 
 
 13  Then  they  to  God  in  trouble  call* d,  and  he 
 Delivered  them  out  of  their  Mifery, 
 
 1 4  And  brought  them  out  of  darknefs,  and  from  fear 
 Of  Death,  and  did  their  bonds  in  pieces  tear. 
 
 1 5  Oh  then  that  men  would  magnifie  the  Lord 
 For  his  gczztgoodnefs,  and  with  one  accord 
 Would  the  great  works  which  he  hath  done  pro- 
 And  praife  his  glorious  and  exalted  Name,    (claim, 
 
 16  For  he  the  braz.cn  gates  hath  broken  up, 
 And  hath  the  Iron  bars  in  funder  cut. 
 
 17  Fools  for  their  Sins  and  their  Iniquities 
 
 18  Affiitted  are,  their  Soul  doth  meat  defpife, 
 And  they  unto  the  gates  of  death  draw  near  : 
 
 ip  But  when  they  cry  to  God  he  doth  them  hear  •, 
 And  them  out  of  their  troubles  all  doth  he 
 
 20  And  then  Dili  relies  let  at  Liberty. 
 
 He  lent  his  word  whereby  he  them  did  heal ; 
 
 21  And  over  juftice  mercy  did  prevail. 
 Oh  then  that  men  would  magnifie  the  Lord 
 For  his  great  goodnefs,  and  with  one  accord 
 Would  the  great  Atfs  which  he  hath  done  proclaim, 
 And  praife  his  glorious  and  exalted  Name. 
 
 22  Let  men  then  give  their  Lips  a  Sacrifice } 
 
 A  thankful  heart  likewife,  which  God  doth  pleafe. 
 
 23  Thofe  who  do  through  the  fpacious  Ocean  go 
 From  place  to  place,  in  ltately  Ships,  and  who 
 The  Sea  ufe  as  a  publicly  way,  that  they 
 
 Enjoy  Commerce  with  foreign  Nations  may.     (know, 
 24.  Thefe  Gods  great  Works  and  Wonders  fee  and 
 2$  For  he  commands  the  ftormy  Wind  to  blow} 
 Which  makes  the  Sea  to  fir  ell,  its  billows  all 
 To  foam,  to  roar ,  to  rife  aloft,  to  fall. 
 
 16  Their 
 
MifcdUneom  Poems.  6$ 
 
 z6  Their  Vejfel  mounts  on  top  of  hill-like  Waves , 
 
 And  feemingly  the  Firmament  out-braves, 
 
 As  flying  to  the  Heavens  at  a  breath  ; 
 
 But  ftraight  doth  change,  and  at  the  gates  of  death 
 
 Doth  feem  to  dalh  -,  whereby  their  Soul  with  grief 
 
 And  trouble  fore  is  vex'd  without  relief. 
 
 27  Their  Vejfel  too  and  fro  doth  reel,  and  they 
 No  lefs  than  it  do  flagger  night  and  day, 
 
 Like  to  a  man  who  drunken  is  with  wine  % 
 And  thus  no  way  of  fafety  can  divine. 
 Art  here  is  mute,  the  Mafiers  skill  can  give 
 No  counfel  how  their  Lives  they  may  relieve. 
 
 28  Then  they  to  God  in  trouble  call,  and  he 
 Delivers  them  out  of  their  mifery. 
 
 29  Thzftorm  he  makes  a  calm,  and  ftraight  the  Sea 
 Serene  becomes,  as  fmiling  pleafantly,     ( mourn'd, 
 
 30  Which  frown  d  before  -,  and  they  who  lately 
 Have  now  their  forrows  into gladnefs  turn'd. 
 
 So  he  doth  them  into  the  fort  conduct, 
 
 For  which  they  did  with  fo  much  longing  look. 
 
 3 1  Oh  then  that  men  would  magnifie  the  Lord 
 For  his  great  goodnefs,  and  with  one  accord 
 Would  the  great  works  which  he  hath  done  pro- 
 And  praife  his  glorious  and  exalted  Name,     (claim, 
 
 32  Amidft  the  People  likewife  let  them  fhew 
 His  Truth,  and  let  his  Pruifes  be  a  new 
 
 Tho'  conftant  Theme,  and  when  they  come  among 
 The  Elders,  a  reiterated  Song. 
 
 33  God  turneth  pleafant  and  irriguate  Soils 
 To  barren  defarts,  and  where  water  boils 
 And  breaketh  out  beneath  the  little  hills, 
 The  Valleys  filling  with  delightful  rills, 
 
 He  czufethfeorching  heat  to  dry  and  burn, 
 
 34  And  fruitful  fields  to  barrennefs  doth  turn  j 
 
 Y  2  That 
 
6  4  Mifcelhmous  Poem  t . 
 
 That  fo  he  may  his  jaftice  nuke  appear 
 Againft  all  thofe,  his  Name  who  do  not  fear. 
 
 35  But  yet  his  wrath  doth  not  for  ever  burn, 
 For  he  again  the  Wildemefs  doth  turn 
 
 Unto  a  pleafant  and  irriguate  Soil, 
 
 And  makes  the  water  iprings  again  to  boil 
 
 36  In  the  fcorcfrd  dtfart.     There  the  hungry  he 
 Doth  make  to  dwell  in  Cities  pleafantly  : 
 
 37  Where  they  the  fields  do  fow  at  his  command 
 And  with  rare  fruit  and  Vineyards  fill  the  Lard, 
 
 38  And  reap  the  fame ;  he  them  doth  iikewife  biefs, 
 And  they  in  number  and  in  beyds  increafe. 
 
 39  And  yet  again  when  they  do  him  provoke, 
 His  former  goodnefs  great  he  doth  revoke  \ 
 And  through  apfrijfuw  caufeth  them  to  fall, 
 Ard  makes  their  Cattle  few  and  incr cafe  {mall. 
 
 40  On  Princes  he  doth  pour  contempt,  and  make 
 Them  all  theiry?^e  andgrandeur  to  forfake, 
 
 And  wander  in  the  Wildtrnefs,  where  they 
 Can  find  no  dwelling,  neither  beaten  way. 
 
 41  And  yet  the  foor  he  lifteth  up  on  high, 
 Above  affliction,  and  their  family 
 
 In  families  makes  grow  and  fpread  abroad 
 
 42  Like  to  a  flock*     This,  they  who  wait  on  God 
 Behold  (hall  and  rejoyce ;  and  wichfdnefs 
 
 Shall  flop  her  mouth  and  more  and  more  decreafe. 
 
 43  Whofo  is  wife,  and  doth  thefe  things  obferve, 
 Gods  love  (hall  fee }  for  God  doth  fuch  preferve, 
 And  from  all  ill  defend,  and  makes  them  fo 
 
 His  love  and  mercy  ever  for  to  know6 
 
 The 
 
MifcelUneous  Poems.  65 
 
 The  19  PSALM  Varqhrafl 
 
 I.  nr  HE  Heavens  high  and  rolling  Sphere, 
 A     The  comely  Stars  and  Planets  rare, 
 And  the  harmonious  motion  there 
 
 Gods  glory  (hews ; 
 And  who  the  firmament  fo  clear, 
 Or  Comets,  whkh  fohietimes  appear, 
 Doth  ftand  and  tacitly  admire 
 
 Gods  works  he  views. 
 
 2  For  day  by  day  they,  without  noife 
 1  Our  mind  affeft  with  tacit  voice, 
 
 And  makes  us  with  our  felves  to  poize 
 
 •   His  works  and  ways  ^ 
 And  every  night  with  (dence  fpeech, 
 They  underftanding  do  us  teach, 
 And  that  he  powerful  is  they  preach 
 And  true  and  wife. 
 
 3  To  every  Nation  they  appear, 
 Inviting  men  to  know  and  fear, 
 Men  of  all  Languages  do  hear 
 
 What  they  do  fay. 
 
 4  Their  harmony  through  Earth  is  gone, 
 To  men  their  influence  is  fhown, 
 Through  all  the  Earth  their  words  are  known 
 
 Both  Night  and  Day. 
 
 Y  a  hTm 
 
66  MtfctlLneous  Poems. 
 
 A  Tent  unto  the  Sun  there  he 
 Did  fet,  which  every  day  we  fee 
 From  Eaft  in  State  and  Majefty, 
 For  to  arife ; 
 
 5  Like  to  a  Bridegroom  who  doth  go 
 Forth  in  great  ftate,  or  any  who 
 Their  art  in  running  love  to  fhow 
 
 For  fome  great  prize. 
 
 6  He  from  the  Eaft  to  Weft  doth  tend, 
 And  unto  every  thing  doth  fend 
 Enliv'ning  heat,  and  back  doth  bend 
 
 To  Eaft  again. 
 
 7  But  all  thefe  things  cannot  revert 
 A  man  from  evil,  or  convert 
 The  Soul,  or  in  fuch  fort  the  Heart 
 
 From  Sin  regain, 
 
 As  doth  Gods  Law,  which  makes  us  mourn 
 For  our  Offences,  and  doth  turn 
 Our  Souls,  and  makes  us  to  return 
 
 To  God  our  Light. 
 S  For  all  his  precepts  are  moft  fure 
 Making  us  wife:    They  're  right  and  cure 
 Our  troubled  hearts :  they  are  moft  pure, 
 
 And  give  u§  fight. 
 
 p  The  fear  of  God  is  good  and  plain, 
 
 And  doth  for  evermore  remain ;  Ac 
 
 Hh  judgments  true  and  without  ftain  j  M 
 
 Yea,  better  far, 
 
 io  And 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  6y 
 
 10  And  preferable  fixty  fold 
 To  the  mod  pure  of  Ophirs  Gold  ; 
 Than  Honey  which  the  Comb  doth  hold 
 
 They  fweeter  are. 
 
 1 1  Moreover  they  of  fin  me  warn : 
 Yea,  who  doth  place  his  great  concern 
 In  ftudying  them  for  to  learn, 
 
 Reward  (hall  have. 
 
 12  When  as  I  mufe  on  them,  lam 
 Forc'd  to  cry  out ;  there  is  no  man 
 The  number  of  his  fins  who  can 
 
 Aright  perceive. 
 
 For  I  my  fecret  fins  do  fee 
 In  number  pafling  count  to  be, 
 O  throughly  from  them  cleanfe  thou  me5 
 I  thee  entreat. 
 
 13  And  that  no  fin  dominion 
 May  have  ray  Heart  and  Soul  upon, 
 Which  favour  may  prefumpion, 
 
 I  humbly  feek. 
 
 For  then  I'll  be  in  heart  upright, 
 And  (hall  be  from  all  fear  kept  right 
 Of  that  great  fin  againft  the  light 
 And  Spirit  pure. 
 
 1 4  My  Words  and  Meditation 
 Accept  thy  Works  and  Law  upon, 
 My  Lord,  my  Saviour  alone, 
 
 And  Strength  moil  fure. 
 
 Thoughts 
 
68  Mif$elUneous  Poems. 
 
 Thoughts  upon  the  firjl  PSALM. 
 
 I.  "T^UENameof  Bleffednefs,  tho*  common  grown, 
 
 A     Yet  is  hfelf  a  Thing  to  nloft  unknown. 
 Falfe  glittering /b//f>.f  bleflednefs  we  deem, 
 And  counterfeits  thereof  it  felf  efteem  } 
 And  on  the  contrar  too  too  oft  do  fcora 
 It  felf,  as  wholly  worthlcfs  to  be  worn. 
 Through  ignorance  we  in  the  dark  do  groap 
 Upon  this  ugly  dung-hill  Earth  in  hope 
 To  find  that  which  all  men  have  fought  in  vain, 
 And  have  got  nothing  for  their  pains  but  pain. 
 Would  you  then  know  who  is  the  bkjfed  man, 
 To  whom  the  happy  name  of  happy  can 
 Be  rightly  attribute;  would  you  know  who? 
 Give  an  impartial  ear,  and  Til  you  fhow. 
 He  who  doth  value  him  but  for  a  fool. 
 Who  is  the  Worlds  wife-man,  and  doth  rule 
 Arid  fquare  his  Life  by  the  faint  Moon-fhine  light  ^ 
 Of  Natnre  in  its  wain,  and  yet  doth  flight  > 
 
 The  clear  Smfhine  of  Revelation  bright.  J 
 
 He  who  doth  flight  the  connfel  of  that  man 
 That  flights  Gods  Coun-fel,  and  doth  what  he  can 
 By  he/lijh  fubtle  mifts  to  cheat  the  fight 
 Of  thofe  who  in  the  courfe  that's  right  walk  right. 
 He  who  is  wife  aad  watchful  thofe  to  fliun, 
 Who  from  their  God  and  Happinefs  do  run  : 
 And  if  with  fuch  he  cafually  fall  in 
 pifdains/or  Company's  fake  to  fin. 
 
 He 
 
MifcelUneous  Poems.  69 
 
 He  who  at  Godlinefs  doth  never  laugh  ^ 
 
 But  when  he  hears  fuch  Has^  them  turns  to  Ah. 
 
 Who  doth  notjeft  at  Sin  or  Mifery, 
 
 But  Counfel,  Players,  Tears  and  Charity, 
 
 Hath  ready  all  he  can,  as  needs  require.  -s 
 
 Of  corrupt  Thoughts  and  Paflions,  who  the  fire,    ^ 
 
 If  kindled  in  his  breafty  makes  to  expire.  J 
 
 Who  with  ferene  tranquil,  content  doth  live, 
 
 Careful  to  God  and  Man  their  due  to  give. 
 
 Yet  who  at  chearfulnefs  doth  not  offend  ; 
 
 But  on  the  contrarethus  doth  recommend 
 
 Religion's  worth  and  comelinefs  to  aU, 
 
 Who  blindly  it  Melancholy  do  call. 
 
 2.  He  who  delights  in  heavenly  things  above, 
 And  only  loves  thofe  things  that  God  doth  love. 
 Gods  holy  Law  who  daily  doth  perufe,  •* 
 ^nd  on  the  fame  doth  meditate  and  mufe,  \ 
 And  feeks  the  Sfiri^of  Grace  the  fame  to  ufe.         J 
 This  is  the  thing  which  doth  his  heart  rejoyce, 
 This  is  the  thing,  of  which  he  doth  make  choice  j 
 Whofe  Dolhines  pure,  the  more  they  do  oppofe 
 His  Lufts,  they  give  his  Heart  the  more  repofe. 
 This  is  a  Glafsy  wherein  his  God  he  views, 
 
 And  whereby  he  his  ftrength  of  new  renews-. 
 In  this  deep  Cavern  he  doth  feek  and  find 
 Great  Myfieries  unknown  to  humane  Mind. 
 He  who  makes  this  his  fiudy  and  delight, 
 Who  doth  tranferibe  this  perfeft  law,  and  write 
 The  fame  upon  his  heart,  and  thence  again 
 On  all  his  Words  and  AElions  writes  the  fame. 
 
 3.  This  is  the  blejfed  man,  the  perfect  one, 
 Fen  thoufand  thoufand  other  men  among. 
 This  man  is  like  a  lofty  Tree  that  (lands 
 Kmongthelower  Shrub*  and  filly  Wands  j 
 
 Which 
 
Jo  MtfcdUneous  Poems. 
 
 Which  planted  in  a  fair  and  lovely  Green, 
 
 Irriguate  with  an  healthful  pleafant  ftream, 
 
 Is  in  its  feafon  due  fo  fruitful  found, 
 
 As  if  it  had  the  ftrength  of  all  the  Ground 
 
 Monopolized  to  it  felf  alone: 
 
 Thus  is  it  with  this  blefled  lovely  One. 
 
 Yea,  ev'en  his  outward  prefence  looketh  like 
 
 A  tree  that's  always  green,  and  doth  delight 
 
 The  eye  ^  for  tho  his  Leaves  fo  clofe  are  fet, 
 
 As  if  it  were  their  common  Strife  to  let 
 
 None  view  what's  there,  and  flop  the  prying  Eye 
 
 From  feeing  its  Fruit  ^  yet  this  Humility 
 
 Gan  no  ways  cover,  but  invites  the  light 
 
 The  more  to  view  the  Objettof  delight. 
 
 This  is  the  man  whofc  leaf  doth  never  fade, 
 
 Bat  unto  whom  each  cafual  thing  is  made 
 
 To  help  him  for  to  grow  :  each  Storm  and  Blafl 
 
 OfboiffrousTempeft  makes  him  ftand  more  faft. 
 
 By  every  c&ange  both  profp  rous  and  adverfe, 
 
 He  ftiii  doth  gain  more  ftrength,  and  doth  increafe 
 
 EYe  he  do  any  Aftion  take  in  hand, 
 
 Hedoth  enquire  if  God  do  it  command  i 
 
 And  then  he  doth  it  with  his  ftrength  and  might, 
 
 Not  doubting  the  event  of  what  is  right, 
 
 If  rightly  done,  whereof  he  watchfully 
 
 As  careful  not  to  do  what's  right  amifs. 
 
 He  doth  his  life  and  way  to  God  commit, 
 
 Defending  in  each  ften  on  him,  that  it 
 
 He  may  unto  a  blefled  Iffue  bring. 
 
 Thus  he  on  God  relies  in  every  thing  \ 
 
 And  God  him  blefleth  in  all  that  he  does. 
 
 And  if  he  any  thing  do  feek  or  chufe 
 
 To  do,  than .what  would  profitable  prove 
 
 For  his  own  good  ;  God  who  fees  from  above, 
 
 Th 
 
Mijctllanecus  Poems.  71 
 
 That  fuch  like  Prayers  from  ignorance  do  flow, 
 
 j  And  not  from  any  per verfe  Lufl,  doth  know 
 
 I  Thefe  Prayers  how  to  anfaer  }  tho  he  do 
 
 j  Give  no  immediate  Anfwer  him  unto  : 
 For  he,  to  whom  all  things  are  underftood, 
 
 i  Him  gives  afolid  for  a  feeming  Good. 
 4.  Oh,  how  unlike  to  fuch  a  man  is  he, 
 
 I  Who  loves  more  to  feem  good,  than  good  to  be  ! 
 Who  hateth  Piety,  yet  wears  its  Mask^ 
 For  felfifti  ends.  Oh,  what  an  heavy  task 
 Hath  this  man  undertaken,  who  doth  ftrive 
 To  make  both  God  and  Man  for  to  believe 
 
 !  That  which  himfelf  knows  to  be  falfe,  who  takes 
 Great  pains  for  to  be  damned,  and  who  makes 
 
 I  His  Conference,  which  is  Gods  great  Depnty7 
 A  Servant  unto  all  his  LuSls  to  be. 
 This  man  is  never  fettled,  but  doth  flow 
 By  every  change  of  Weather  to  and  fro. 
 He's  driven  here  and  thereby  th'  airy  Gufl 
 Of  every  bafe,  impure,  and  monftrous  Lufh 
 The  Chaff,  the  Dnft,  theFewkr,  which  we  fee 
 Driven  by  the  wind,  are  tofsM  no  more  than  he. 
 On  S*ndhQ  builds,  and  founds  his  foolifh hopes, 
 And  yet  makes  others  think  he  overtops 
 Thofe  who  found  on  the  Rock,  when  foolifh  man, 
 There  is  no  Wind  nor  Wave  fo  weak,  but  can 
 O'retorn  his  weakzbmlt  Fabric^  and  make  known 
 To  what  an  iflue  all  his  Works  are  grown. 
 
 5.  Poor  man  !  he  little  minds  that  God  is  juft,^ 
 And  an  Avenger  of  each  Sin  and  Luft,  K 
 
 On  thofe  who  him  will  neither  fear  nor  truft.        j 
 He  little  minds  what  Judgments  and  what  Snares 
 God  even  in  this  life  for  fuch  prepares. 
 
 He 
 
7  2  MifcdUneous  Poems. 
 
 He  with  himfelf  doth  think,  by  cunning  ways, 
 
 With  each  thing  to  conform,  and  fo  his  days 
 
 In  happinefs  and  peace  thus  for  to  end. 
 
 But,  oh,  poor  wretched  man!  coineand  attend 
 
 To  what  I  have  to  fay  j  what  tho  thou  do 
 
 Live  in  this  World  without  all  crofs  unto 
 
 The  period  of  thy  wretched  days !  What  then? 
 
 If  plea/lire  end  at  length  in  endlefs  pain  ? 
 
 What  wilt  thou  do,  when  Death  fnail  come  and  fit 
 
 Upon  thy  panting  Heart,  when  to  the  Pit 
 
 Thou  mud  defcend,  and  in  the  fame  lie  drown'd,    „ 
 
 Until  the  day  that  the  laft  Trumpet  found, 
 
 Not  forthyeafc,  but  thy  compleater  wound? 
 
 What  wilt  thou  do,  when  from  the  Pit  thou  rt 
 
 brought, 
 And  when  each  Word,  each  Attion,  and  Thought, 
 Which  e're  thou  didft,  jfhall  (canned  be,  and  laid 
 In  a  juifc  Ballance  juftly  to  be  weighM 
 By  a  juft  Judge;  poor  man  !  where  wilt  thou  flee 
 From  thy  incenfed  mighty  Enemy  ? 
 How  wilt  thou  howl  and  cry,  poor  Wretch  !  whe 
 
 that, 
 Tho  miferable,  nncommiftrate, 
 Thy  Body  and  thy  SohI  joyn  hands  to  be 
 Co-partners  in  thy  doubled  mifery  ? 
 
 } 
 
 What  anguifh  will  it  be -unto  thee  then, 
 
 To  feethofe  once  contemn  d  oppreffed  men, 
 
 Who  poffibly  were  injur'd,  mock'd,  or  fiain 
 
 By  thee,  while  as  thou  on  the  earth  didft  ftay 
 
 To  enjoy  now  one  perpetual  bleffed  day, 
 
 In  feeing  of  the  fweet  and  fmiling  Face 
 
 Of  God  above,  without  ought  to  deface 
 
 Their  everlafting  happwefs  above, 
 
 Whole  great  work  there  will  be  to  ftudy  Lovci 
 
 Yea 
 
Mifctlkncous  Poems.  7  $ 
 
 Yea,  their  great  ftudy  alfo,  and  their  task 
 Of  Love s  great  Riddle  Queltions  for  to  ask 
 At  Love  it  ft  If ;  there  they'll  admire  toiee 
 Juftice  and  Love  io  well  for  to  agree. 
 I  Yea,ther$  they'll  have  for  ever  for  to  fing, 
 ,  That  Love  and  Jnfltce  is  but  the  fame  thing. 
 I  Yea  more,  that  thing  call'd  JuJHce,  Love,  they'll  find 
 Nought  elfeto  be,  but  the  Eternal  Mind, 
 Call'd  alter  different  names :  there  they  fhaU  lee 
 Three  to  be  one,  and  that  One  to  be  Three  j 
 And  that  Three-One  Relations  Three-Ow,  ") 
 
 \  To  have  to  all,  and  yet  to  each  alone.  > 
 
 J  Oh,  MyBeries  till  then  (  yet  then,  )  unknown  !  -> 
 6".  For  why  ?  the  Lord  doth  know  him  well  that 
 takes 
 His  only  pleafure  in  his  Law,  and  makes 
 i  That  his  great  ftudy  both  by  day  and  night,     "> 
 I  And  earnestly  defires  the  Divine  Light  r 
 
 To  guide  him  rightly  in  the  way  that's  right,    f 
 He  knows  this  man  full  well,  for  even  here 
 B  He  Company  with  him  doth  bear  ; 
 i  And  if  at  any  time  he  do  depart, 
 'Tis  but  to  tin&ure,  and  to  dye  the  Heart, 
 (  When  for  his  feeming  abfence  he  doth  mpuro, ) 
 With  longings,  and  when  he  again  doth  turn, 
 With  greater  Care  and  ardency  of  Love, 
 Thus  he  doth  teach  him  for  to  mount  above, 
 And  fee  his  God  while  here  ;  and  thus  to  know 
 Th*  Tratts  of  W^Sdom,  to  none  which  he  doth  (how 
 But  fuch  as  he :  But  for  the  wicked  man, 
 Tho  poffibly  he  for  a  little  can 
 Weave  his  fine  Cob-webs,  with  much  Art  and  Skill, 
 Yet  certainly  at  length  his  Folly  will 
 
 Come 
 
74  MifctUantom  Poems. 
 
 Come  to  be  known  to  all  the  World  abroad, 
 At  the  command  of  the  AS-ruling  God  : 
 Who  for  his  Glory  s  fake,  at  laft  will  (hew,        -] 
 That  tho  he  did  his  thoughts  and  deeds  all  view, 
 Yet  him  and  fuch  as  he,  he  never  knew. 
 
 The  CWth.  PSALM  Taraphrafed. 
 
 i  T*  Lefs  God,  my  Soul,  and  magnifie  his  Name ; 
 X3  But  Oh !  my  God,  how  great  and  large  a  them 
 Is  it  to  praife  thee,  who  infinitely 
 Art  cloath'd  with  Honour  and  with  Majefty ! 
 
 2  Who  dofl  thy  felf  encompafs  round  with  light 
 As-with  a  garment ;  who  the  Heavens  bright 
 Above  like  to  a  Curtain  ftretcheft:  round  j 
 Which  as  a  Vail  our  outmoft  light  doth  bound. 
 
 3  Who  doft  the  rain,  the  [now  and  hail  up  lay 
 As  in  ftore-honfes  ;  who  doft  make  thy  way 
 Upon  the  clouds  as  in  a  chariot,  who 
 Swiftly  upon  the  wings  of  wind  doft  go. 
 
 4  Who  makes  thy  Angels  Spirits,  and  like  them 
 Thy  Minifiers  appear  a  fiery  Flame. 
 
 5  Who  by  thy  mighty  power  the  Earth  did  mak< 
 And  firmly  found  that  it  fhould  never  fhake. 
 
 6  Who  it  didft  cover  over  with  the  Sea 
 As  with  a  garment  ^  who  the  Waters  high 
 Above  the  higheft  mountains  made'ft  to  ftand, 
 
 7  And  who  again  by  thy  almighty  hand 
 Then  madeft  to  retnrn  and  flee  afraid, 
 And  at  thy  thunders  voice,  as  if  difmay'd, 
 
 8  T 
 
*  Mifctlhneous  Poems?  7  5 
 
 8  To  poft  away.   For  whereas  they  before 
 When  thou  didft  cal]>did  pafs  their  bounds  the  (hoar, 
 And  climb  the  mountains  •  now  at  thy  command 
 Down  do  they  run,  and  hafte  to  leave  the  iandt 
 Unto  the  place  which  formed  is  by  thee  f 
 
 9  For  their  abode.    About  the  which  we  fee 
 Thou  mak'ft  the  [and  a  wall,  and  though  they  roar 
 They  forced  are  to  kifs  and  leave  the  Ihoar, 
 
 Thy  will  not  daring  for  to  difobey, 
 
 When  nothing  elfe  their  furious  waves  doth  flay. 
 
 10  And  yet  through  curious  Aquedutts  thou  brings 
 From  thence  the  Rivers,  Fountains  and  the  Springs, 
 Which  run  amongft  the  Hills  and  Valleys  low, 
 Sweet  to  the  tafte,  although  from  Salt  they  flow: 
 
 11  Here  beafis  do  drink  :  the  ajfes  wild  which  ly 
 In  rocky  Defarts  hence  do  fatisfy 
 
 1 2  Their  burning  thirft.  By  thele  with  nimble  wing 
 , Birds  flie  and  build  their  Houfes,  which  do  ling 
 Amongft  the  branches  green  with  chearful  voice, 
 Filling  the  ear  with  fweet  melodious  noife. 
 
 13  Down  from  thy  watry  treafures  fruitfull  dew 
 And  water  fweet  on  Hills  diitilleft  thou 
 Which  barren  are  $  fo  that  the  Earth  before 
 With  fcorching  heat,  like  the  unfruitful  fhoar 
 Of  th'  Ocean,  Sands  turn'd  to  be,  doth  now 
 
 Its  fitperfice  prefent  unto  our  view 
 
 14  In  pleafant  colours.  Grafs  in  Meadows  low 
 The  Catteis  native  Food  thou  mak'ft  to  grow  : 
 The  Herbs  likewife,  the  which  thou  dofu  defign 
 For  man  his  ufe  :  from  Earth  thus  thou  dofi  bring 
 Food  for  all  things  that  thereon  move  and  live  ; 
 
 1  $  And  Wine  that  gladncfs  doth  impart  and  give 
 Unto  the  mind  of  Man ;  Oyl  which  doth  make 
 His  Face  to  fluhe  \  Bread  which  ni^kes  him  partake 
 
 2  Of 
 
76  MtJcelUneons  ifoems. 
 
 Of  ftrengthning  Nourifhment,  and  doth  impart 
 
 Vigour  and  beauty  unto  every  part. 
 
 itf  Sap  to  tall  trees  the  1  iikewife  up  dolt  bring, 
 
 Wherewith  thou  ipake'ft  their  branches  out  to  fpring 
 
 And  fpread  abroad,  the  Cedars  thou  make'lt  grow 
 
 *The  which  thou  doft  on  Lebanon  beftow. 
 
 i 7  Where  Birds  do  flocking  flee  their  Nells  to  make ; 
 
 As  for  the  Heron,  (he  doth  chiefly  take 
 
 The  Fir-tree  as  her  own,  in  which  fhe  may 
 
 Her  tender  young  ones  up  in  fafety  lay. 
 
 1 8  Thou  make'ft  wild  goats  in  Hills  to  livefecure 
 From  threatning  danger :  rocks  a  refuge  fure 
 Thou  makes  for  timerous  Conies,  who  retire 
 Safely  whenas  affrighted  fore  with  fear. 
 
 19  The  Moon,  which  never  with  the  felf-fame  face 
 To  us  appears,  thou  makes  the  felf-fame  race 
 For  to  fulfill,  whereby  the  Months  we 
 
 Do  reckon  up :  the  Sun  Iikewife  we  fee 
 A  conftant  journey  ever  for  to  make, 
 Which  for  a  rule  of  Days  and  Years  we  take. 
 From  it  thou  mak'ft  the  filver^winged  Light 
 
 20  To  flie  abroad  :  to  which  fucceeds  the  Night 
 With  horrid  darknefs ;  wherein  Beafis  abroad 
 
 21  Do  creep  :  the  Lions  cry,  and  feek  from  God 
 
 22  Their  prey  with  roaring.  But  no  fooner  light 
 On  Earth  doth  fhine,  butftraight  with  all  their  might 
 They  flock  together  and  away  do  run 
 Unto  their  dens,  untiil  dark  Night  hath  won 
 2$  Its  former  place.  Whereas  no  fooner  light 
 Hath  chas'd  away  the  dark  and  fleepy  Night, 
 But  man  doth  rife,  and  to  his  work  doth  go, 
 And  therein  all  the  day  with  Patience  fo 
 To  Evening  doth  continue  $  till  the  Sm 
 C  His  daily  race  now  finiihed  )  hath  run 
 
 Unto 
 
Mi[ceuaneous  Poems.  77 
 
 Unto  his  retting  place,  and  then  doth  give 
 Man  an  allarm  from  labour  for  to  live. 
 
 24  O  great  and  glorious  Lord  how  manifold 
 Are  thy  great  works !  too  many  to  be  told 
 By  Man  of  Angel!  which  in  wifdora  be 
 
 As  with  the  line  or  flnmmtt  made  by  thee  : 
 Earth  fhews  thy  wifdom ;  and  the  fertile  Land 
 The  bounty  great  of  thy  enriching  hand. 
 
 25  So  doth  thft  great  and  fpacious  Sea,  the  Sound 
 Of  whofe  great  billows  roar,  and  which  doth  round 
 The  Earth  encompafs }  in  whofe  bottom  low 
 (Thefe  fandy  Valiies)  Beafts  do  creep  and  go 
 Innnmerable :  Fifhes  moving  be 
 
 Upon  the  water-,  which  (like  Birds  thatflie) 
 
 Do  fwiftly  move  with  nimble  Fin  and  Tayl. 
 
 16  Among  the  which,  the  Ships  with  wind- filkd  Sail 
 
 Do  plow  the  threatning  billows^  and  do  ride 
 
 On  top  of  hill-like  Surges :  there  abide 
 
 Of  dreadful  figure  monftrous  Whales ,  where  they 
 
 Under  the  Cryftal-mater  fport  and  play. 
 
 27  AH  thefe  do  wait  on  thee,  that  thou  tnayft  meat 
 
 28  Unto  them  give.  That  which  thou  giv'it  they  eat* 
 And  gather  for  their  food :  thou  dolt  provide 
 
 29  That  whereon  they  do  live.  When  thou  uoit  hide 
 Thy  face,  they  troubled  are :  when  thou  from  them 
 Their  breath  doft  take,  they  die,  and  do  again 
 Return  unto  the  duit,  whence  thou  didfttake 
 
 At  firit  the  matter  whence  thou  them  didft  make* 
 
 30  And  yet  again,  when  thou  feeft  fit  to  end 
 The  pale  consuming  Famine^  thou  doft  fend 
 Thy  Sprit  forth,  which  caufes  them  to  live : 
 And  thus  the  withered  facd  thou  doft  relieve 
 Of  half  confuaied  earth,  and  dolt  of  new 
 With  fair  and  fruitful  feafons  it  renew. 
 
 2  2  31  Great 
 
78  MifcelUnecus  Poems. 
 
 3 1  Great  God  thy  glory  ever  (hall  remain 
 Unto  Eternity^  no  fpot  can  ftain 
 
 Thy  fpotlefs  honour  :  thy  great  works,  thy  u  e   , 
 When  as  once  finifh'd,  (hall  aloud  proclaim : 
 Yea  what  once  feemed  without  wifdom  wrought, 
 When  as  in  doing,  (hall  to  us  when  brought 
 Unto  Perfection,  thee  moft  powerful  (hew, 
 As  likewife  wife,  juft  merciful  and  true. 
 
 32  If  thou  due  once  thy  face  caufe  to  appear 
 On  Earth,  then  doth  it  tremble  all  for  fear  ^ 
 And  if  the  Hills  thou  touch,  they  are  afray'd, 
 And  vail  their  tops  with  fmoak  as  ifdifmay'd. 
 
 33  To  God  I  will  fing  praife  whilft  I  do  live, 
 Unto  my  God  ftill  praifes  will  I  give 
 
 34  While  here  I  have  a  being  •,  and  will  ufe 
 Sweetly  on  him  to  meditate  and  mufe : 
 
 On  him  I  will  my  confidence  repofe, 
 And  in  his  parting  pleafant  loves  rejoyce. 
 
 35  Let  Sinners  all  confume  and  pine  away 
 From  the  Earth,  and  let  theiwd^/ftay 
 On  it  no  longer :  but  my  Soul  the  Lord 
 Blefs  thou.  Oh  praife  ye  him  with  one  accord. 
 
 The  LXXXlVtk  PSALM  faraphrafel 
 
 i  /^\H,  how,  how  amiable  are 
 V>J     Thy  Tabernacles^  Lord, 
 
 With  Glory  and  with  Beauty  full, 
 With  Grace  and  Mercy  ftor'd. 
 
 2  My 
 
MifcelUmous  Poems.  79 
 
 2  My  Soul  doth  long ,  yea  even  faint 
 Within  thy  Conns  to  be  : 
 
 My  heart  and  flefh  not  only  groan. 
 But  cry  aloud  for  thee. 
 
 3  What  (hall  the  fparrow  find  thy  te/e, 
 An  &o#/e  wherein  to  relt  j 
 
 And  fhall  the  [wallow  for  her  young 
 
 Thine  Altars  make  her  Nell  ? 
 And  fhall  not  I  to  thee,  as  to 
 
 My  G(pd  and  King  lay  claim  ? 
 If  to  thy  houfe  thefe  Birds  do  flee, 
 
 Why  mayn't  I  do  the  fame  ? 
 
 4  Oh  blefled  fure  are  they  that  dwell 
 Within  thy  honfe  at  eafe  : 
 
 They  have  no  heavier  task  or  work 
 Than  thee  always  to  praife. 
 
 5  Yea  bleffed  alfo  is  the  Man, 
 Tho'in  the  Wildtrmfs, 
 
 Whofe  ftrength  and  hope  being  fixt  in  thee, 
 Doth  towards  Z/Wprefs. 
 
 6  As  do  thofe  Zealous  Worjhippers 
 Who  to  thy  Houfe  repair, 
 
 And  briskly  through  the  Defart  mzvzh 
 
 For  to  be  early  there  •* 
 Who  pafling  through  parcht  Bacas  Vale, 
 
 With  Pits  the  fame  do  fill, 
 That  Heaven  fmiling  on  their  pains, 
 
 The  Rain  may  there  diftill. 
 
 Z  3  7  They 
 
80  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 7  They  from  one  Company  pafs  on 
 'Till  they  another  find, 
 
 Altho'  fome  time  they  were  folacJd 
 With  thofe  they  leave  behind. 
 
 Yet  tho'  thefe  move  with  greater  ftrength, 
 Swifter  than  others  can, 
 
 Yet  before  God  in  Zion  they 
 At  length  appear  each  one. 
 
 Where  all  together  do  rejoice, 
 
 Enjoying  there  their  God  : 
 And  as  they  had  one  fcope  before, 
 
 Now  alfo  one  abode. 
 
 8  O  Lord  my  God,  while  I'm  on  Earth 
 My  Prayers  do  thou  hear  ; 
 
 Tho'  others  abfent  be,  Tie  joy 
 When  I  to  thee  draw  near. 
 
 9  Behold  our  State,  O  God,  our  fhield, 
 For  thine  Anointed*  fake  } 
 
 / 1  d  in  thy  Love  and  Mercy  us 
 into  thy  Fre fence  take. 
 
 10  For  why,  one  day  within  thy  Courts 
 A  thouftnd  doth  excell, 
 
 And  as  for  me  it  feems  fo  fweet, 
 And  I  do  like't  fo  well, 
 
 That  f  had  rather  keep  a  door 
 
 Within  thy  honfe^  my  God. 
 Than  in  the  Tent  like  Palaces 
 
 Of  th'  wicked  make  abode, 
 
 for 
 
M/fcellaneous  Poems.  8t 
 
 For  why  the  Lord's  our  Sun  and  Shield, 
 
 He'll  Grace  and  Glory  give, 
 And  all  thc  Jppendicles  of  thefc, 
 
 To  fuch  as  rightly  live* 
 
 Wherefore  fince  Saints,  with  Bleffings  all 
 
 Thus  richly  ftor'd  we  fee,     * 
 That  Mancs  fure  happy,  Lord,  who  doth 
 
 His  truft  repofe  on  thee. 
 
 — *.•— 
 
 The  CXXXIIR  PSALM  Tarafhrafel 
 
 i  T>  Ehold  how  good  a  thing  it  is, 
 J3  And  how  becoming  for  to  fee 
 Thofe  who  are  Brethren,  for  to  dwell 
 In  Concord,  Love,  andVnity. 
 
 2  Itcs  like  the  Oyntment  precious 
 Which  they  on  Aaron's  Head  did  poure, 
 Which  ran  unto  his  Beard,  and  to 
 
 His  Garments  skirts  like  Morning-fhowcr. 
 
 3  Like  Hermons  Dew,  and  that  which  doth 
 On  ZionH  Mountains  all  defcend, 
 
 For  on  fuch  happy  Unity 
 
 God  Life  and  Peace  doth  ever  fend. 
 
 Z  4  The 
 
2  2  Mtfctilantous  Poems. 
 
 The  XXilM.  PSALM  Taraphrafel 
 
 i   \  /\  7  Hat  makes  mY  fpirits  thus  to  fail? 
 
 V  V    What  ails  my  Heart  to  faint  f 
 What  makes  my  wonted  Confidence 
 
 And  Hope  thus  to  relent  f  ■     • 
 What  ground  have  I  to  be  afraid 
 
 Of  Poverty  or  Want^ 
 That  thoughtful  Care  of  future  time 
 
 Doth  thus  my  Courage  daunt  ? 
 
 What  though  I  have  no  claim  at  all 
 
 To  earthly  wealth  to  lay  ; 
 Nor  any  ftx't  Eftate  which  may 
 
 A  conftant  Rent  me  pay  ?    , 
 Neither  a  permanent  abode  ^ 
 
 Which  J  can  call  my  home  : 
 JNor  Bills  of  C>  edit  to  fupply'  f 
 
 My  li^pds  where  I  do  come  ? 
 
 What  then  ^  the  Lord  my  Shepherd  is7 
 
 Who  care  of  me  doth  take, 
 And  in  all  my  neceffities 
 
 Proviflon  doth  make. 
 I  am  a  filly  Sheep  indeed, 
 
 Both  poor  and  weak,  I  grant : 
 But  fince  I'm  his,  what's  needful  he 
 
 Will  never  let  me  want. 
 
 2  By 
 
MifcelUmous  Poems.  8  j 
 
 2  By  pafi  experience  I  may 
 
 My  future  hopes  fupport, 
 And  all  Aflaults  of  diffidence 
 
 From  thence  likewife  retort. 
 For  lo  evn  to  this  very  day 
 
 His  Favour  doth  o'reflow 
 Without  an  ebb ;  yea,  he  his  Face 
 
 Is  pleas'd  in  Love  to  fhow. 
 
 Hegracioufly  himfelfdoth  leadr 
 
 And  me  conduft  aright, 
 Refrelhing  me  with's  Company, 
 
 And  ftrengthning  with  his  might, 
 So  that  I  all  my  Life  may  call 
 
 A  pleafant  Tafture  green, 
 Where  nothing  but  repofe  and  reft 
 
 And  Comforts  I  have  feen. 
 
 For  though  the  times  wherein  I  live, 
 
 Wars,  Noife  and  Hurries  fill  9 
 Diffentions,  Clamours^  raging  fo, 
 
 As  may  all  Comforts  fpill : 
 Yet  by  fuch  Rivulets  Vm  plac'd 
 
 As  fitently  do  glide  j 
 Where  like  my  quiet  Fortune,  I 
 
 Do  quietly  refide. 
 
 And  as  my  life  no  noife  doth  make, 
 
 But  quiet  flips  away, 
 So  my  iweet  filent  Comforts  flow 
 
 As  gently  as  the  day. 
 
 So 
 
Mifcetlaneous  Poems. 
 
 So  by  the  filent  Waters,  which 
 Do  kifs  the  flowery  Mead, 
 
 He  doth  my  fweet  Companion  prove, 
 And  indifturb'd  me  lead. 
 
 3  I  grant,  I  have  a  fhare  of  Griefs 
 
 And  Cares  which  do  me  vex ; 
 I  meet  with  forrows  manifold, 
 
 Which  do  my  Soul  perplex. 
 I  have  my  MeUnchollick^FitSj 
 
 When  God  his  Face  doth  hide  ; 
 And  when  I  yield  to  any  fin, 
 
 As  Slothfnlnefs  or  Pride. 
 
 Yet  even  here  I  Comfort  have, 
 
 That  thefe  but  laft  a  while : 
 For  after  two,  three  Frowns,  my  God 
 
 Begins  again  to  fmile. 
 And  then  my  Winter-beaten  Soul 
 
 To  bloflbm  doth  begin, 
 When  once  the  fweet  enliv'ning  heat 
 
 Of  Summer  is  come  in. 
 
 Thus  he  my  Soul  reftores  again : 
 
 And  then  he  doth  me  lead 
 Into  my  former  fweet  refofe^ 
 
 Where  I  do  fweetly  feed. 
 In  Paths  of  Righteoufnefs  I  walk 
 
 With  heedful  Care  again  : 
 I  blefs  him,  for  whofefakg  it  is 
 
 That  he  performs  the  fame* 
 
 4  «S 
 
MifceHaneous  Poem.  85 
 
 4  Its  true  as«all  things  on  the  Earth 
 
 Alternately  do  move, 
 So  may  my  earthly  Comforts  all 
 
 Flee  from  me  and  remove. 
 Yet  ne'rethglefs  there's  nothing  that 
 
 Shall  difcompofe  my  mind, 
 Tho'  Senfe  and  Strength,  and  Heart  Ihould 
 
 There's  Comfort  ftiil  behind.  (  fail, 
 
 Tho'  through  the  frightfome  Valley  I 
 
 Of 'Terrors  and  of  Woe ^ 
 And  of  Deaths  horrid  Jhadows  fhould 
 
 Be  forced  for  to  go  : 
 Tho'  Hells  blachjmage^  darkJDeftair^ 
 
 Were  fet  before  my  Face, 
 And  murders^  lamentations^  cryes^ 
 
 Were  heard  in  every  place : 
 
 Tho'  Earth  Ihould  all  together  run 
 
 Into  Confufion, 
 So  that  of  all  the  Friends  I  have 
 
 I  fee  or  truft  could  none : 
 Yet  ne'rethelefs  Tie  never  fear 
 
 That  ill  fhall  me  befall  • 
 For  why  upon  Gods  faithfdnefs 
 
 I  have  embarqu'd  mine  All. 
 
 For  why  my  deareft  Mafter,  thou 
 
 In  faithfulnefs  and  love 
 Doft  never  me  defert,  although 
 
 Thou'rt  pleas  d  me  thus  to  prove. 
 
 Thy 
 
8<S  MifcelLneous  Poems.  • 
 
 Thy  very  Rod  doth  to  my  Soul 
 
 Sweet  delegation  gWe, 
 1  kifs  it  for  its  Authors  fake y 
 
 And  praife  as  well  as  grieve. 
 
 For  why,  it  comes  not  all  alone, 
 
 But  ftrengthning  Grace  thou  fends 
 Likewife  therewith  }  which  for  my  fmart 
 
 Doth  fully  make  amends. 
 Thus  all  thy  difpenfations  tend 
 
 I  fee  unto  my  good : 
 Faith  and  Experience  teach  me  what 
 
 I  once  not  underftood. 
 
 5  However  Lord  I  blefs  thy  Name 
 
 That  hitherto  my  Lot 
 Hath  overflown  with  Comforts,  and 
 
 From  terror  is  remote. 
 A  Table  thou  prepareft  me, 
 
 Moft  plentifully  ftor'd ; 
 And  whatfoe're  I  elfe  do  need, 
 
 Thou  doft  to  me  afford. 
 
 My  Cup  fo  plentifully  thou 
 
 Doft  fill,  that  I  can  fpare 
 Thereof  to  others  \  thus  my  Heart 
 
 Thou  chear'ft,  and  doft  repair. 
 My  Head  with  Oyl  thou  doft  anoint, 
 
 And  makes  me  brisk  to  be  y 
 So  that  I  value  not  the  fpite 
 
 Of  thofe  who  envy  me. 
 
 6  Yea, 
 
MijctUaneous  Poems.  87 
 
 6  Yea,  whatfoere  my  Tryals prove, 
 
 Though  Griefs  I  may  endure, 
 Yet  firmly  one  thing  I  believe 
 
 As  certain  and  molt  fure  : 
 That  Goodnefs  and  that  Mercy  fhall 
 
 On  Earth  ftill  follow  me  : 
 And  that  God's  Houfe  both  here  and  aye 
 
 My  dwelling-flace  (hall  be. 
 
 The  XLIU.  PSALM  Paraphrafel 
 
 1  A    Sin  the  pdrchttUVildernefsi 
 ±jl  Burnt  up  with  Summers  Sun, 
 
 The  Harp^  with  fainting  thirft  oppreit, 
 
 Doth  each  way  panting  run, 
 In  fearch  of  fome  fweet  Water-brock? 
 
 Where  he  may  quench  the  fame  : 
 Juft  fo  my  Soul  pants  after  thee, 
 
 This  is  my  very  frame. 
 
 2  My  Soul  for  thee  my  God  doth  thirft, 
 For  thee  the  living  God, 
 
 When  (hall  I  once  before  thee  come, 
 And  with  thee  have  abode. 
 
 3  My  Tears  have  long  to  me  been  Meat, 
 Both  in  the  night  and  day ; 
 
 Whilft  Men  to  me  continually 
 Where  is  thy  God,  do  fay. 
 
 4  When 
 
So  MtjcelUnecus  Poems.  • 
 
 4  When  I  thefe  things  remember,  and 
 Within  my  mind  revolve, 
 
 Grief  doth  my  Soul  fo  fore  opprefs 
 
 As  feems  it  to  diflblve. 
 Of  old  I  to  the  Houfe  of  God 
 
 Went  with  the  multitude^ 
 And  with  them  kept  the  holy  dayt 
 
 With  Joy  and  Praife  aloud. 
 
 My  paft  Enjoyments  concurr 
 
 To  make  ray  griefs  the  more, 
 I  gave  my  Soul  free  vent  to  weep, 
 
 As  to  rejoyce  before. 
 My  Mirth  is  now  in  weeping  plac'd, 
 
 My  Joy  is  all  to  grieve  : 
 Weep,  weep,  my  Soul,  and  pour  thee  forth, 
 
 I  cant  thee  elfe  relieve. 
 
 5  Hold,  hold,  ray  Soul,  I  go  too  far, 
 Grief  grows  impetuous  now  j 
 
 Its  torrent  throws  thee  down,  I  fee, 
 And  makes  thy  ftrength  to  bow. 
 
 Why,  why  art  thou  call  down,  my  Soul? 
 Why  thus  with  ^mf  oppreft  ? 
 
 Why  doft  thou  fo  impetuoufly 
 Knock,  at  my  languid  Breaji  ? 
 
 What  though  Gods  Providence  doth  fcem 
 
 Upon  thee  for  to  frown, 
 What  though  thou  meet  what  troubles  that 
 
 Before  thou  hadft  not  known  ? 
 
 What 
 
MifceUaneoHS  ifoems.  89 
 
 What: though  God  hide  his  Face,  and  fccm 
 
 Not  as  he  us'd,  to  fmile  ? 
 What  thoc  thou  want  his  Kijfes  and 
 
 Embraces  for  a  while  ? 
 
 Doft  thou  not  know,  that  Comforts  here 
 
 Do  never  fixed  Hay, 
 But  ftill  with  grief  are  followed,  as 
 
 The  Night  fucceeds  the  day  ? 
 Hope  thou  in  God,  for  well  I  know 
 
 The  time  is  haftning  on, 
 When  by  the  help  of 's  Countenance^ 
 
 My  grief  fhall  all  be  gone. 
 
 Light  fhall  my  Night  fucced,  and  Joy 
 
 Shall  chafe  my  fears  away, 
 And  then  I  fhall  have  caufc  to  Praift 
 
 For  what  I  now  do  P ray. 
 6  My  God  put  to  thy  helping  hand^ 
 
 And  free  my  Soul  from  pain. 
 For  why  I  do  what  in  me  lyes 
 
 For  to  uphold  the  fame.  • 
 
 I  think  on  pall:  Enjoyments 
 
 Which  I  with  thee  have  had, 
 How  with  thy  Love  Icve  been  rcfrefht 
 
 When  times  have  been  raoft  fad. 
 How  many  have  the  Places  been 
 
 Even  in  the  Dcfart  dry, 
 Where  I  did  tafte  thy  Loves,  and  where 
 
 Thy  Face  I  did  delcry  ! 
 
 Thee 
 
 :-.:■ 
 
9°  Mifceflaneous  Poems* 
 
 Thee  from  the  Land  of  Jordan  yet 
 
 I  do  remember  ftill } 
 Sweet  is  the  Land  of  Hermonites^ 
 
 And  likewife  Miz.ar-hill. 
 
 But  now  alas  !  deep  calls  on  deep, 
 
 To  hafte  on  me  with  fpeed, 
 Thy  Water-fponts  pour  down  whole  flood9 
 
 With  noife  upon  my  Head. 
 
 Waves  call  on  Waves  with  difmal  Voice, 
 
 Me  for  to  overflow, 
 Thy  billows  and  thy  furges  all 
 
 Do  roaring  ocre  me  goe, 
 Yet  Icm  aflurcd  the  Lord  will  make 
 
 His  Kindnefs  yet  be  known, 
 And  when  the  due  time  once  is  come, 
 
 He  will  not  me  difown. 
 
 Therefore  even  in  the  difmal  Night 
 
 His  Song  (hall  with  me  be : 
 I  will  not  ceafe  to  call  on  God, 
 
 Who  ftill  preferveth  me  : 
 Yet  with  my  God,  my  Rocky  I  will 
 
 Dare  to  expoftttlate  ; 
 And  fay,  Why  haft  thou  me  forgot  ? 
 
 What  art  thou  angry  at  ? 
 
 What  is  the  reafon,  why  I  have 
 So  long  now  mourning  gone  ? 
 
 Why  is  it  that  lcm  fubjeft  to 
 Such  fore  Oppreflion? 
 
 10  My 
 
Mfeeflaneofts  Poems.  9« 
 
 10  My  Foes  reproach  is  like  a  Sword 
 
 That  cuts  me  Night  and  Day, 
 Whilft  they  to  me  continually 
 
 Where  is  thy  God  do  fay. 
 
 ii  Why,  why  art  thou  call  down,  my  Soul! 
 
 Why  thus  with  grief  oppreft  : 
 Why  doft  thou  (o  impetuoufly 
 
 Knock  at  my  languid Breafl  ? 
 What  thoc  Godcs  Providence  doth  feem 
 
 Upon  thee  for  to  frown, 
 What  tho*  thou  meet  with  troubles  that 
 
 Before  thou  hadft  not  known  ? 
 
 What  thoc  God  hide  his  Face.,  and  feeitt 
 
 Not  as  he  uscd,  to  fmile  ? 
 What  thocthou  want  his  Kifles  and 
 
 Embraces  for  a  while? 
 Doft  thou  not  know,  that  Comforts  here 
 
 Do  never  fixed  ftay, 
 But  ftill  with  Grief are  followed,  as 
 
 The  Night  fucceeds  the  Day? 
 
 Hope  thou  in  God  ;  for  well  I  know 
 
 The  time  is  haftning  on, 
 When  through  his  Health  ot  Cowtcnanct 
 
 My  grief  (hall  all  be  gone. 
 Light  fhall  my  Night  fucceed,  and  Joy 
 
 Shall  chafe  my  fears  away  j 
 And  then  I  (hall  have  Caufe  to  Prtifc 
 
 For  ph*t  I  DOW  do  Pray. 
 
 .- 
 
 A*  The 
 
9*  Mijctllanzom  foems. 
 
 TheXCR  PSALM  Taraphrafel 
 
 i  \  7\  /Hat  Man  is  he,  that  dwells  within 
 
 V  V       The  ftcret  Place  01  God  ! 
 What  Man  is  be,  who  in  his  Chrifi 
 
 Hath  place!  his  fixt  abode? 
 Whofe  Life  with  God  in  Cbriji  is  hid, 
 
 And  who  in  him  doth  dwell  ^ 
 That  Man  the  feries  of  his  Life 
 
 May  certainly  foretell. 
 
 For  fince  of  Gods  own  Family 
 
 A  member  he's  become  ; 
 Since  under  Gods  own  roof  to  dwell 
 
 Far  fafety  he  is  come  ; 
 God  in  his  faithfulnefs  hath  made 
 
 With  him  a  Bargain  fure , 
 That  he  will  him  defend  and  lave 
 
 By  his  Almighty  Power. 
 
 Under  his  fhadow  fafe  he  Ihall 
 
 For  evermore  abide, 
 And  from  the  Storms  of  troubles  all 
 
 Himfelf  fecurely  hide. 
 For  the  moft  High,  who  is  his  Lord, 
 
 Is  the  Almighty  too  j 
 And  what  fie  undertaken  hath 
 
 Molt  certainly  will  do. 
 
 i    a  i 
 
 On 
 
M 
 
 Mifcellamous  Poems. 
 
 2  On  this  ground  I  can  firmly  fay 
 That  God's  my  refuge  fure  ; 
 
 .My  Tower  and  Fortrcfs  alfo,  where 
 
 I  reft  my  felf  fecure. 
 He  is  my  God,  and  that's  enough 
 
 To  give  me  ground  to  claim 
 An  int'reft  in  his  Love  and  Care7 
 
 Which  always  is  the  fame. 
 
 3  If  fuch  a  one  thou  be,  then  fure 
 He  will  be  thy  defence 
 
 From  fnares  of  fubtle  Foes,  and  from 
 The  noifome  Fefiilence. 
 
 4  He  with  his  feathers  (hall  thee  htfle^ 
 And  cover  from  all  ill, 
 
 His  brooding  Wings  7  o're  thee  o'refpreact 
 Shall  thee  with  comfort  fill. 
 
 Under  that  fweet  refreihing  jhade^ 
 
 In  him  thou  ftill  fhalt  trufl: : 
 His  Truth  (hall  be  thy  Buckler  7  and 
 
 Thy  Shield  left  thou  diftruft." 
 
 5  Thou  flialt  not  need  to  beafcuu} 
 For  Terrors  of  the  Night  7 
 
 Nor  for  the  difmal  Accidents 
 That  happen  while  its  light. 
 
 6  The  Pefiilencc.(  whofe  latent  Caufg 
 To  God  is  only  known, 
 
 Wfiofe  Poifon  walksin fecret  Paths, 
 Whereby  are  overthrown 
 
 Aai  Wholf 
 
^4  Mifceuaneous  Poems. 
 
 Whole  Cities  oft,  )  thou  need'ft  not  fear; 
 
 For  God  dire&eth  fo 
 Its  Shafts,  that  none  are  thereby  toucht, 
 
 But  thofe  whom  God  doth  know. 
 
 Neither  needs  Famine  thee  affright, 
 
 Whofe  fmart's  perceived  foon  - 
 And  which  doth  walk  in  open  day, 
 
 Moft  frightfully  at  Noon*, 
 Place  thou  thy  trufl  in  God  alone, 
 
 And  to  his  Will  fubrait ; 
 He  fhall  thee  favc,  and  furely  feed, 
 
 By  ways  he  thinks  moft  fit. 
 
 7  Thousands  on  either  fide  fhall  fall, 
 Even  at  thy  very  nand  : 
 
 Yet  nought  fhall  come  fo  nigh,  but  that 
 Thou  fhalt  untouched  ftand. 
 
 8  Only  thou  with  thine  Eyes  fhalt  fee 
 The  righteous  reward. 
 
 Which  God  for  formalifts,  and  for 
 The  wicked  hath  prepared. 
 
 9  Became  thy  habitation 
 
 In  God  is  plac'd  by  thee  \ 
 Whom  by  experience  I  find 
 
 A  refuge  fure  to  me  :    - 
 io  No  evil,  of  whatever  fort 
 
 Shall  unto  thee  befall  j 
 Nor  fhall  thy  Drilling  be  attacbt 
 
 By  any  tlagne  at  all. 
 
 ;;  *  H  For 
 
MifceSamons  Poems.  9$ 
 
 1 1  For  he  (hall  charge  his  Angels  ^  thee 
 In  all  thy  wayes  to  keep  ^ 
 
 12  Who  fhall  thee  in  their  hands  bear  up, 
 And  fave  from  falls  thy  Feet. 
 
 13  The  Lyon,  Adder,  Dragon,  thee 
 Who  drive  for  to  devour, 
 
 Thou  (halt  be  helped  to  defeat, 
 And  crufh  and  break  their  powef. 
 
 1 4  For  wh?  (  fayes  God  )  fince  fuch  a  Man 
 Hath  on  me  fei  his  Love, 
 
 Therefore  I  will  deliver  him, 
 
 Although  I  him  do  prove. 
 And  fince  I  once  have  favingly 
 
 Caus'd  him  to  know  my  Name  j 
 I  never  will  my  purpofe  change, 
 
 But  will  advance  his  fame. 
 
 15  He  (halion  me  with  confidence* 
 As  on  a  Father  call  \ 
 
 And  whatfoe're  he  asketh  thus, 
 
 Tie  anfwer  him  in  all. 
 And  when  1  lend  him  trouble  fore , 
 
 (  For  that  he  muft  expe8>  ) 
 He  fave  him  in  or  from  the  fame, 
 
 And  crown  him  with  refpeft* 
 
 16  With  long  Life  Fie  him  fatisfie7 
 As  much  as  he'll  require  j 
 
 And  then  my  full  Salvation  (hew 
 Which  Saints  fo  much  defire, 
 
 A  a  1  The 
 
WfceUmeous  Poems. 
 
 The  Xllltk  PSALM  Qaraphrafel 
 
 t  TTOwlong,  how  long,  OLord, 
 XjL  Wilt  thou  forget  ray  Soul, 
 And  fuffer  fad  tormenting  fear 
 My  Hope  for  to  controul  ? 
 
 What !  not  a  fmile^  a  glance  : 
 Art  thou  regardlefs  grown 
 Qf  thy  own  Child?  is  it  thy  way 
 For  to  forget  thine  own  ? 
 
 Dofl  thou  ray  Suits  defpife  ? 
 Are  all  my  Prayers  vain  ? 
 Sure  when  I  do  complain  and  cry. 
 Thou  knowft  1  do  not  fain. 
 
 Behold,  O  Lord,  how  long 
 A  Sttpplicant  I  lye  ! 
 And  wilt  thou  grant  each  one  his  Suit, 
 And  me  alone  deny  ? 
 
 How  long  wilt  thou  debar 
 My  Soul  from  one  fliort  light 
 Of  thy  fweet  Face  and  Countenance, 
 So  lovely  and  fo  bright  ? 
 
 What 
 
Wfcettaneous  Voemsl  $j 
 
 What  Comfort  isct  to  live, 
 And  be  debarfd  to  fee 
 My  Lord  ;  of  whom  to  be  depriv'd 
 Is  worfe  than  Death  to  me. 
 
 2  How  long,  Lord,  fhall  I  take 
 New  Counfel  in  my  Soul  ? 
 How  long  fhall  fad  and  difmal  thoughts 
 .Alternate  in  me  ronli 
 
 Shall  £r*>/ocrewhelm  my  Heart  ? 
 Shall  forrow  daily  grow  ? 
 And  wilt  thou  not  fome  pity  take 
 On  one  that's  brought  fo  low  ? 
 
 bow  long  fhall  my  proud  Foes 
 Still  more  and  more  increafe  ? 
 Can't  Prayers  and  Tears  with  thee  prevail 
 To  make  their  Power  to  ceafe  ? 
 
 3  Confider,  Lord,  my  Cafe  5 
 My  God,  with  fpeed  me  hear, 
 
 And  lighten  my  dark  Eyes,  left  I 
 To  fleep  Deaths  Jleep  appear. 
 
 4  Left:  that  my  Foe  fhould  fay, 
 Now  fure  I  have  prevailcd  j 
 
 And  thofe  that  trouble  me  rejoycef 
 When  mov'd  I  feem  and  foilcd* 
 
 5  But  fure  my  truft  I  have 
 Thy  mercy  built  upon : 
 
 So  that  my  Heart  doth  joy  in  hope 
 Of  thy  Salvation. 
 
 A  a  4  *  Where 
 
9§  MifccBantous  Poems. 
 
 6  Wherefore  Icle  check  my  fear, 
 Although  thou  dolt  delay, 
 And,  acquiefcing  in  thy  Will, 
 I4Je/r*?J/e  as  well  as  fray. 
 
 l4le  praife  thee  for  thy  Love, 
 
 And  bounty  fhown  to  me; 
 Yea,  for  my  very  fears  and  griefs 
 Which  tend  for  good  to  me. 
 
 The  CXXXVIM.  PSALM  Tarapbrajel 
 
 WHen  from  our  dcarefi  Countrey  we, 
 Sackt  by  the  cruel  Foe* 
 As  Tfopbies  of  their  ViEtory^ 
 
 Were  Captives  forccd  to  goe, 
 Then  by  the  Streams  of  Babylon 
 
 We  weary  did  fit  down, 
 Where  billows  of  renewed  grief 
 
 Our  Souls  almoii  did  drown. 
 A  thoufand  thoughts  did  then  poileft 
 
 Our  fad  and  troubled  mnd\ 
 And  oft  we  thought  and  thought  again 
 
 .  On  what  we  left  behind. 
 The  remembrance  of  our  /laughter* d  Friends 
 
 Did  us  with  horrour  fill  \ 
 That  we  fhould  ne're  our  CQtvnrey  fee, 
 
 Our  Souls  almoft  did  kill. 
 Thc  Idea  of  fweet  Zion  ofc 
 
 Recurred  to  our  thought  ^ 
 Thoughts  call'd  thc  Affcttions  forth,  and  they 
 
 New  Tears  ftill  with  them  brought. 
 
 Wp 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  99 
 
 We  wept  and  drencht  our  felves  in  tears 
 
 Upon  the  flowery  graft, 
 4)ur  Tears  did  like  to  rivulets 
 
 Th4  murmuring  ftream  increafe. 
 
 2  Upon  the  fhadowy  Wit&ws  there 
 Our  lilent  Harps  we  hung, 
 
 Our  Harps  which  great  Jchovalfj  praifi 
 
 In  Zton  oft  had  fung. 
 Thefe  fad  Companions  of  our  woe 
 
 Hang  dull  and  filent  by  : 
 Weeping  aione  our  Mufick,  W2S, 
 
 And  Sighs  our  Melody. 
 
 3  Lo  then  our  miscry  to  increafe, 
 And  to  augment  our  lVoet 
 
 Wemockcd  were,  and  derided  by 
 
 Our  proud  inlulting  Foe: 
 To  ling  a  Song  oiZion  they 
 
 Did  fcoffingly  require, 
 And  for  to  make  them  Melody 
 
 Upon  the  dolorous  Lyre. 
 
 4  Oh  lhall  wethen  the  divine  Name 
 To  opprbry  expofe  i 
 
 And  fing  fweet  Zwn's  facrcd  Songs 
 
 To  gratilic  our  Foes  1 
 Thefe  Songs  which  in  the  Temple  once 
 
 We  fung  and  did  rejayce, 
 Can  they  now  in  a  Forretgn  Land 
 
 Suit  with  a  weeping  rtice  ? 
 
 5  No,  no  ;  Jerufalem  I  can 
 Thee  never  thus  forget : 
 
 Thy  Memory  in  me  for  ay 
 
 Shall  fhine  and  never  fet. 
 Of  playing  on  the  turefull  Harp 
 
 I  fhall  the  Art  forget, 
 
 E're 
 
ioo  Mifceflaneous  Poems. 
 
 Ecrc  thy  rememberance  fhall  wafltf 
 A  place  within  ray  Heart. 
 
 6  My  Tongue  to  my  Mouths  roof  (hall  cleave^ 
 And  never  loofed  be, 
 
 If  ought,  that's  dearefl  to  me,  I 
 Do  equalize  to  thee. 
 
 7  The  cruel  feed  of  Edom7  Lord, 
 To  memory  recall, 
 
 When  thou  doll  free  Jemfalem 
 
 From  bondage  and  from  thrall : 
 Who,  rafe  it  wholly  down,  did  cry, 
 
 It  utterly  deface ; 
 Let,  Lord,  no  memory  remain 
 
 Of  that  accnrfed  race. 
 And  thou  wretclVd  Babylonijh  feed, 
 
 Thoagh  thou  do  flourifh  now, 
 And  with  much  Pomp  and  Pride  thy  felf 
 
 Triumphantly  doft  (hew ; 
 Thou  unto  ruine  deftinM  art, 
 
 And  (halt  dellroyed  be : 
 Thy  Enemies  no  veftige  (hcdl 
 
 Or  Footftep  leave  of  tnee. 
 Happy,  thrice  happy  (hall  he  be, 
 
 Who  thee  rewarded  thus, 
 And  (hall  avenge  on  thee  what  thou 
 
 In  wrath  didft  do  to  us. 
 9  Yea  happy  (hall  he  be  repute, 
 
 Thy  Children  who  fhall  take, 
 And  dadiing  out  their  Brains,  V  his  wrath 
 
 Doth  them  a  Viftim  make. 
 
 THE 
 
 tt»J 
 
MifceUaneous  Poems. 
 
 ioi 
 
 THE 
 
 Monarchical  Image 
 
 OR, 
 
 Nebuchadnezzar  s  DREAM. 
 
 Dan.  Chap  II. 
 
 A  Dramatique  Poem. 
 
 Dramatis  Perfonae. 
 
 The  Kjng  Nebuchadnezar.  Tatas  the  Meffenger. 
 TfoMagi.  Arioch  Captain  of the  Guard.  Be- 
 lelh  the  Lieutenant.  The  Scribe.  Daniel.  Ha- 
 naniah.  Mifhael  and  Azariah,  Daniel7/  Com- 
 panions. Raphael  and  Gabriel,  Angels. 
 
 SCENE    I. 
 
 |  Nebuchadnezzar,  awaking  from  bis  "Dream. 
 
 WAs't  Dream  or  not !  —  I  faw  —  but  what  — 
 (Is'tgone! 
 What  now  I  vrew'd  forgot  is,  and  unknown. 
 
 What 
 
io*  MifctUdmous  Poems I 
 
 What  Fiend  envies  me  ?  All  my  Memory  fled  ? 
 Have  I  no  a&ive  Fancy  but  in  Bed  ? 
 Could  I  but  Dream  k  oVe  again.    But  what ! 
 Unruly  Fancy  ne're  doth  opperate 
 
 The  fame  way  'twice Tie  call  the  Magi  here, 
 
 And  fee  what  Skill  doth  in  thefe  Fopps  appear. 
 Whocs  there  ?  —  Come  in.  —  Go  Tatas  quickly  call 
 <n        j     •  t  lritrat. 
 
 The  Magi  here.  Summon  them  each  and  all.     {Exit. 
 
 SCENE     IL 
 Tatas  the  Meffenger.     The  Magi. 
 
 Enter  Tatas. 
 
 Tat.  \\  Enowned  Sophies,  I  am  fent  to  call 
 
 JLV  You  from  your  College  to  the  Royal  Hall, 
 Where  our  Great  Monarch  doth  you  fummon  all 
 
 In  hafte  to  come. 
 
 Magi. Pray,  Tatas,  can  you  tell, 
 
 And  (hew  the  reafon,  why  he  us  doth  call 
 
 Sofuddenly  ?  fure'tis  forae  bufmefs 
 
 Of  greateft  weight :  Your  words  doihew  no  lefs. 
 
 We  in  your  looks  prefage  fome  caufe  of  fear  : 
 
 Is  there  come  any  News  of  danger  near  ? 
 
 Is  there  new  War  broke  forth  ?  or  is  there  come 
 
 Any  furmife  of  Treafon  broach'd  at  home? 
 
 Or  has  there  any  Sicknefs  been  fo  bold 
 
 As  fearlcfs  of  our  Monarch  to  take  hold  ? 
 
 Or 
 
MijeeBanecus  Poems.  ioj 
 
 Or  are  we  call'd  the  event  for  to  (hew 
 
 Of  fome  ftrange  Occident  fallen  out  of  new  ? 
 
 Tat.  'Tis  hid  from  me,  why  he  for  you  doth  fend* 
 But  fure  fome  weighty  thing  he  doth  intend. 
 For  when  he  me  did  call,   methought  I  faw 
 Anxiety  upon  his  Face  to  draw 
 It's  thoughtful  Characters.  Methought  hisvoice 
 Had  lefs  of  calmnefs,  more  of  dread  and  noife 
 Than  ufually.    But  I  mull  haft  away, 
 And  you  muft  follow.   Pray  make  no  delay, 
 For  without  doubt  the  Kings  come  to  the  place 
 Of  Audience  e're  now 
 
 Magi. We  haft  apace.  £  Exit. 
 
 SCENE 
 
 V 
 
 Tatas.    T<[ebuchadnezzar%   The  Magi.   Art- 
 och.     The  Scrile. 
 
 Enter  Tatas. 
 
 Tat'l  Ttf11* dread  Sov'raiga,  at  your  command 
 ,        1   To  call  the  Sophies,  famous  o're  the  Land 
 For  their  Prophetick  skill 
 
 **■**%  "t Why to  wnat  end  ? 
 
 Muit  I  on  fuch  as  you  and  them  attend  ? 
 vVhy  don't  they  come  ?  —Muft  I  ftill  waiting  ftay  ? 
 lot.  Great  Sir,  raay't  pleafe  you,  it  is  no  delay 
 In  them  or  me,  that  is  the  caufe  of  this  • 
 But  partly  the  variety  that  is 
 
 Of 
 
104  MifcelUneous  Poems. 
 
 Of  Dottors  in  their  huge  Society, 
 Which  muft  in  one  together  called  be, 
 Both  Sorcerers,    Magicians,  and  thofe 
 Who  do  the  language  of  the  Stars  difclofe, 
 With  other  fuch  :  partly  the  length  of  way 
 'Twixt  th'  Palace  and  the  Colledge  where  they  flay. 
 But  lo  they  come,  their  feet  do  make  a  found 
 Upon  the  outer  Courts  pavemented  ground. 
 
 [  To  the  Magi. 
 
 Neb.  Are  you  then  ent'red  at  the  laft  the  door, 
 While  I  have  waited  a  fall  hour  or  more  ? 
 But  this  I  will  let  pafs,  and  briefly  fhew 
 The  reafon,  why  I  now  have  call'd  on  you. 
 I  havethis  night  dreamed  of  things,  which  more 
 My  mindJiave  vext,  than  what  I  ecre  before 
 Dream' t  all  my  Life.  —  - — — 
 
 Magi. Pray  (hew  what  and  wherefore. 
 
 Neb.  Neither  Iknow,  and  therefore  did  I  call 
 For  you,  to  know  and  underftand  thus  all } 
 Both  wh^t  the  things  are,  which  I  dreamed  of, 
 And  what- they  doforelhew. — - — 
 
 Magi. In  very  troth 
 
 This  thing's  impoffible.     But  if  you  would 
 
 Be  pleased  the  Dream  to  fhew  us.  Then  wefhould 
 
 The  fame  interpret. 
 
 Nth. Oat  of  my  memory 
 
 Quite  rasM  it  is :  then  hall  and  fhew't  to  me. 
 
 Magi.  We  would  this  do  molt  willing,if  w.e  could* 
 
 Neb.  What  you  can  do  I  know  not. -What  you 
 That  fure  you  do  not. (fliould? 
 
 Magi. —For  to  difobey, 
 
 It  is  no  Treafon,  when  our  power  fays  nay. 
 
 Neb,  Treafon  and  Difobedience  to  a  King,. 
 Do  only  differ  in  the  Name,  not  thing*  . 
 
 Magi, 
 
 Vr 
 
Mifcellaneotts  Poems.  - 1  o  5 
 
 Magi.  Our  difobedience  is  not  want  of  xviil^ 
 But  want  of  power  your  orders  to  fulfill. 
 And  power  to  do  this  thing  from  us,  can  be 
 )  Expeft  no  more,  than  hearing  from  the  eye. 
 
 Neb.  All  things  unknown  for  to  difclofe  you  muf!-, 
 This  is  your  chief  employment  and  truft. 
 
 Magi.  Things  future  to  declare  we  do  profels. 
 
 Neb.  And  things  preterit  you  ought  do  no  lefs. 
 Thefts  you  difclofe,  or  elfe  pretend  to  do, 
 hftolen  dream  can  you  not  to  me  fliew. 
 
 Magi.  Things  fiokn  we  do  fnew,  becaufe  they  have 
 A  Being  dill,  and  v\$en  men  do  deceive 
 Their  Neighbours  by  the  taking  them  away, 
 They  do  but  in  anothers  power  flay, 
 And  fo  may  be  regained  :  but  Dreams  which  be 
 But  PhamafmS)  and  have  no  reality, 
 When  from  the  memory  they  once  do  go% 
 No  power  can  a  fecond  time  them  (how. 
 
 Neb.  What  brutilh  words  are  thefe !  do  you  intend 
 By  arguments  of  draw  for  to  defend 
 Your  want  of  skill  in  yoar  profefled  Art, 
 Who  a  loft  dream  to  me  cannot  impart ! 
 Have  ftolen  things  a  Being  unto  thofe 
 Who  now  thofe  things  do  want,which  they  did  h% 
 \nd  have  not  ftolen  dreams  regained  been  ? 
 3jr  my  experience  I  can  it  maintain, 
 
 Magi.But  yet  betwixt  thefe  two  there  is  great  odds 
 or  ftolen  dreams  are  ftolen  by  the  Gods. 
 
 Neb.  Tis  your  profeffion  for  thofe  things  to  feek^ 
 Which  from  all  men  the  Gods  in  fecret  keep. 
 
 Magi.  But  when  the  Gods  athing  of  purpofe  hide, 
 'hey  fhould  not  be  pr-ovokcd  or  difobey'd 
 y  omofity.  — - . — 
 
 Sfcl! 
 
lo6  MifceRxmotis  Poems. 
 
 Neb.  — If  this  be  fin, 
 
 Your  Art  is  finfal,  and  you  ftill  have  been 
 
 Profeflbrs  thereof.     I  have  now  found  out 
 
 Of  all  your  knavery  the  firft  fpring  and  root. 
 
 If  then  your  Arc  be  ought  befide  a  Name, 
 
 Shew  firlb  this  Dream,  and  then  explain  the  fame. 
 
 Make  hafie,  make  haitc,  I  have  too  long  delay'd, 
 
 In  one  of  two  I'll  be  by  you  obey'd  } 
 
 Either  difclofe  this  Dream  to  me,  or  I 
 
 A  hundred  fevcral  deaths  (hall  make  you  dye. 
 
 But  if  this  fecret  you  reveal  to  me, 
 
 My  bounteous  favour  you  {half  find  and  fee  : 
 
 Rewards  and  honours  I'll  on  you  beftow, 
 
 And  make  you  high  in  place,  who  now  are  low. 
 
 Magi.  No  Man  on  Earth,  great  King,  can  (hew  this 
 None  ever  did  to  us  fuch  queftion  bring.  (thing 
 
 None  can  a  precedent  produce  or  (hew 
 Of  fuch  a  Query,  as  is  put  by  you 
 To  us  for  to  unriddle.     You  propofe, 
 What  none  can,  but  the  Gods  alone,  difclofe. 
 
 (  profound ; 
 
 Neb.  Poor  fh^llow    wits,  who  fain  would  feenu 
 B^fe  ufelels  Weeds,  who  cumber  do  the  ground, 
 Fit  to  be  rooted  up.     Be  gone,  be  gone, 
 Out  of  my  prefence.  — — — -  Q  Exeunt, 
 
 Enter  Arioch. 
 
 Arioch. Pm  here. 
 
 Neb.  Go  take  a  fe!:ft  party  of  my  guard, 
 And  with  your  Weaponsgive  a  due  reward 
 To  thefe  b?fe  wretches,  who  have  now  gone  forth, 
 Who  have  no  true,  fcarce  lhadow  of  true  worth : 
 
 Who 
 
MifctlUneous  Poems.  107 
 
 Whofe  cheats,  tho'  I  have  oft  obfervcd  before, 
 Yet  now  their  Knavery  I  have  found  out  more 
 Than  ever.     Wherefore  hafte.  — 
 
 Ar.  — — Might  I  but  fpeak, 
 
 Some  fmall  delay  I   earneftly  would  feek 
 
 E're  I  commit  this  thing.    Perchance  your  mind 
 
 May  be  a  little  after  more  enclin'd 
 
 To  fpare  their  blood. — Paffion  makes  us  blind.  C^/Zsfe. 
 
 Neb.  You  ought  to  be  lefs  bold,  than  to  controul 
 What  I  command. 
 
 Ar. The  hate  and  odium  whole 
 
 Of  Princes  adions,  when  they  givediftafte 
 Unto  their  Subjeds,  generally  are  plac'd 
 Upon  their  Loyal  Servants 
 
 Neb. Do  not  fear, 
 
 Thou  art  my  Mhnfter,  and  haft  my  ear. 
 
 Ar.  Yet  if  that  happinefs  I  chance  tolofe, 
 This  adion  will  my  naked  Breaft  expofe 
 To  th'  hate  of  every  one. 
 
 Neb. What  think'it  thou  me 
 
 So  changeable  in  fuch  an  high  degree  ! 
 
 Ar.  It  happen  may  'tis  like  at  laft,  that  thou 
 May  wifh  thoa  hadft  this  a&ion  toundoe. 
 •And  if  thou  chance  to  think,  that  thou  haft  flain 
 'Thefemenunjultly  •  then  the  blot  and  ftain 
 [Thereof  thou'lt  caft  on  me.  — 
 
 Neb. Why  think'ft  thou  fo? 
 
 Ar.  To  fave  thy  honour  I  muffc  mine  forgoe, 
 ( If  not  my  Life  likevvife  )  to  fatisfie 
 Some  Courtier,  Friend  to  them,  and  foe  to  me. 
 
 Neb.  Why  then, try  if  thou  canft  fome  method  find 
 Both  for  to  help  thy  fear,  and  do  my  mind  5 
 
 /For  dye  they  mult. 
 
 *  Bb  Ar, 
 
ic8  MifcdUmous  Paws. 
 
 Ap A  method  to  propofe 
 
 Would  more  than  AStor  make  mc  feem  tothofc 
 Who  do  mc  hate.  My  life  I'd  fore  then  lofe. 
 
 Nrt\  Why  then  I'll  find  one  for  thy  groundlefs 
 Go  call    my  Scribe. (  fear# 
 
 •dr- 1  go. Behold  he's  here. 
 
 Enter  Scribe. 
 
 Scr.  Great  Sir,  I  'await  your  Sov'raign  will  to  me. 
 
 Neb.  I'll  di&ate  :  hafte  and  write.  
 
 Scr. 1  ready  be  : 
 
 Neb.  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Kings  ^  and  all 
 The  Nations,  whom  men  do  Civil  call ; 
 To  every  people,  where foe*re  they  live, 
 In  all  the  Earth  ;  advertifement  doth  aive  ; 
 That  whereas  thofe,  whom  men  efteem  to  be 
 Th'  only  Sophies,  whom  they  generally 
 Confult  in  every  weighty  cafe,  have  now 
 Been  found  out  to  be  cheats,  ( tho    not  a  few 
 Did  judge  the  fame  before  j  )  I  do  ordain 
 All  who  do  dwell  in  Babylon  to  be  fl^in, 
 Magicians,  AJfrologers,  and  thofe 
 Who  do  pretend*  things  future  to  difclofe, 
 With  ail  the  rest  of  that  acciir fed  crew, 
 Let  this  be  done  without  deLzy.     Adieu. 
 
 [_To  Ariwk 
 Go  Arioch  go  -,  this  fhall  thy  fafeguard  be, 
 And  fully  take   all  odium  from  thee. 
 
 Ar.  In  part  it  doth. 
 
 Nib.  —  In  part,  —  why  not  in  whole  ? 
 Vou  cloathed  with  my  power,  who  dare  controul  ? 
 Ar.  None  can  this  bloody  cftion,  Sir,  perform, 
 mtift  cxpedt  at  laft,  (w  it,  a  itorm, 
 
 Thefe 
 
 i 
 
MifctlLneous  Poems.  109 
 
 Thefe  men  are  greatly  lov'ti,  great  Friends  they  have, 
 By  this  I  much  do  fear  untimely  grave. 
 
 Neb.  Why  whofoe're  lhall  aim  toftrike  at  thee, 
 Mult  do  it  thorow  me. 
 
 Ar.  Hatred  and  Envy  are  rwo  cunning  Fiends, 
 And  can  a  murther  perpetrate  by  Friends. 
 ffe're  I  from  thy  Grace  and  Favour  fall  ; 
 If  e're  I  err  in  ought,  tho'  ne're  fo  fmall  j 
 My  Enemies  fome  method  will  devife, 
 Unto  their  malice  me  to  facrifice  : 
 Falfe  Witnefles  may  be  fuborn'd  tofwear 
 Me  from  my  Princes  Favour,  and  his  ear, 
 By  making  lyes  appear  to  him,  to  be 
 Undoubted  truths. 
 
 Neb-  — 1 —  Why  thus  diilrufls  thou  me  ? 
 
 Ha'nt  I  the  wifdom  to  difcern  a  lye? 
 What  have  my  wards  no  force  ?  Wilt  thou  with- 
 pifpute,  delay,  or  alter  my  command  ?        (  ftand, 
 What !  thou  a  Soldier  !  and  yet  fearful  fo  ! 
 
 Ar,  I  fear  Court-Favour^  more  than  any  Foe, 
 lut  fincc  I  muft  obey,  — Behold  I  go.  C  Exit 
 
 SCENE  4. 
 
 Arioch.     Magi.    Bele/I?    the     Lieutenant* 
 Daniel. 
 
 %'  VV^^  m^cr*cS  attcn^  thofe  who  do  live'f  f? 
 At  Princes  Courts,  who  muft  obedience^  lnpu. 
 
 0  all  their  orders,  whether  right  or  wrong  ! 
 fo  other  way  is  left  for  to  prolong 
 
 B  b  z  V 
 
i  i  o  Mifcdhmous  Potms. 
 
 Their  Courtfhip,  yea  and  Life.  How  wretcird  am  I, 
 
 Who  malt  men  guiitlefs  ilay,  or  guilticfsdie  ! 
 
 Oh  milerable  Fate,  ill  aft  I  be  fent 
 
 To  perpetrate  this  bloody  faft,   I  faint 
 
 Whillt  I  upon  it  think.  Muft  this  fame  hand 
 
 Accuftom'd  only  to  defend  the  Land, 
 
 Now  be  imbrewed  in  fuch  gailtlefs  blood  ! 
 
 Malt  this  fame  mouth  command  it !  Oh  a  flood 
 
 Of  tears  from  eyes  do  gu(h,  when  I  do  think 
 
 Upon  the  fame  !     Infamous  muft  I  ftink 
 
 For  ever  for  this  crime  !  Oh  now  I  fee 
 
 The  fatal  houfe  prefented  to  mine  eye  ! 
 
 Oh  mull  I  enter  ! - 
 
 Magi.  Wherefore  com'ft  thou  thus, 
 
 With  fuch  a  train  of  Soldiers  to  us  ? 
 
 Muft  we  be  Prisoners  made,  becaufe  that  we 
 The  King's  Dream  could  not  find  ?  We  plainly  fee 
 
 By  thy  fad  Countenance,  that  thou  art  come 
 
 With  fad  and  difaial  tydings  of  our  doom. 
 
 However  (hew  the  fame  :  for  we  did  judge, 
 
 And  from  the  firft  expect  fome  fad  deluge 
 
 Of  mine,  after  fuch  black  clouds  which  rofe 
 
 In's  breaft,  which  reafou  could  no  way  oppofe. 
 Ar.  I  have  no  words  to  utter  my  complaint, 
 
 I  muft  perform,  what  I  muft  e're  repent, 
 
 To  cut  you  all  in  pieces  I  am  fent. 
 
 Maai.  Oh  Cruel  Tyrant,  what  have  wc  deferv'd, 
 
 That  thus  we  (hould  at  hit  by  thee  be  ferv'd  ! 
 
 Arc  all  our  merits  quite  forgot  and  gone, 
 
 And  mult  we  be  defttoyed  every  one  ? 
 
 For  what  no  mortal  man  could  do,  muft  we 
 
 Be  butchcr'd  thus?—  Oh  msnftrous  Cruelty  ! 
 
 And  muft  thou  Ariocb  ad  this  Tragedy  ? 
 Ar,  I  muft  it  either  ad  or  die 
 
 i 
 
Mifctlhneons  Poems.  in 
 
 Magi.  What  is  there  no  delay?  Mufl:  we  be  (lain, 
 And  not  permitted  once  for  to  fuflain 
 Our  Courfe  at  Law,  before  fome  Court  or  Judge  ? 
 Unheard  we  arecondemn'd. . 
 
 j4r.  — Do  not  grudge 
 
 At  that :  for  there's  no  caufe.  — - 
 
 Magi. Why  doll  thou  vote 
 
 Us  likewife  guilty,  tho'  unheard  "?— 
 
 Ar. ■ Had    not 
 
 Your  felves  the  fameo.ccafion'd,  I  ihould  grieve. 
 Af^.Your  words  are  ridd!es,pray  the  meaning  give. 
 
 Ar.  That  eVe  our  King  ufwrfed  oVe  our  Laws^ 
 You  were  the  chief  if  not  the  only  Caufe. 
 You  gave  him  Titles  like  fome  Deity, 
 And  flatt'ring  told  he  Abfolute  fhould  be. 
 That  to  fubject  to  Laws  was  not  to  reign  ^ 
 That  he  mull  ruine  and  bring  under  him 
 The  force  of  Tom  and  Countreys  priviledge, 
 And  make  the  gre3teft  as  the  meaneft  Lie&. 
 That  he  on  Earth  mull  Sovraignbs  like  God, 
 And  have  all  things  fubjefted  to  his  nod  : 
 That  he  could  but  thznamc  of  Monarch  claim, 
 Whilft  others  fhar'd  the  Government:  with  him. 
 What  was  his  power,  whilft  Courts  or  Parliaments^ 
 Could  both  oppofe  and  fruftrate  his  intents.   • 
 Thefe  he  muxl  break  and  ruine,  if  that  he 
 Sov  raign  and  absolute  defir'd  to  be. 
 
 Magi.  Hold,  Arioch,  hold: 
 
 Our  madnefs  and  our  Folly  we  confefs. 
 
 Ar.  It  is  too  lace  our  ruine  to  redrefs. 
 You  of  your  folly  the  efFedts  do  lind, 
 And  more  we  fear  do  yet  remain  behind. 
 How  lad's  our  cafe,  whole  Lives  depend  upon 
 The  brittle  favour  of  a  Princes  Throne, 
 
 Bb  3  Whofc 
 
1 1 2  Mtfcellaxeous  Poems. 
 
 Wbofe  Pafllons  change  as  often  as  the  wind, 
 
 Whom  every  whilper  is  enough  to  blind  ! 
 
 How  happy  is  the  Countrey  Man,  who  lives 
 
 On  what  the  bounteous  field  him  early  gives : 
 
 Who  never  is  acquainted  with  fuch  dungs 
 
 As  griefs  and  fears  }  but  fwears  and  toils,  and  lings. 
 
 Ke  hath  no  Tyrants  mind  for  to  appeafe, 
 
 But  walks,  and  does,  and  fays,  whate':'-  he  r.ic.ifr. 
 
 He  is  the  Objeft  of  no  O'iticks  eye, 
 
 Nor  fears  an  headlong  downfall  by  Envy  :    . 
 
 But  1  do  fear  that  I  too  long  have  itay 'd , 
 
 My  Mailers  cruel  Will  mult  be  obey'd. 
 
 The  Soldiers,  tho  unwilling,  I  rauit  call 
 
 Upon  you  for  to  fall. 
 
 Magi.  Hold  yet  a  while. *• 
 
 Af \  — I  do  too  long  delay. 
 
 jMaoi.  We're  not  the  only  Perfons  you  muft  flay  ; 
 For  there  are  many  of  the  Jemjh  Seed, 
 Whom  lpng.  ago  our  Mafter  caus'd  to  breed 
 In  all  our  Sciences  and  Learning  }  they 
 Muft  be  with  us,  one  facrifcee  to  day. 
 Pray  therefore  for  them  fend. 
 
 Ar. 1 — —  I  do  obey, 
 
 It  is  'gainft  reafon  they  alive  remain 
 
 The  feed  of  Rebels,  while  that  you  are  (lain. 
 
 Come  hither  Belefh. 
 
 Enter  Bdejh. 
 
 BcL  » What  is  your  command  ? 
 
 jir.  Go  take  a  feleft  party  of  this  band, 
 And  gather  all  thofe  Jews  together,  who 
 The  name  of  wifdorn  claim :  make  hafte.  — 
 
 BcL  — I  go.  C  txn 
 
 Man. 
 
MifcelLmom  Poems.  1 1  j 
 
 Magi.  Were  it  not  better  for  to  difobey 
 A  Tyrants  cruel  Will,  than  to  obey 
 Againfl  what  Confidence  dictates  ? 
 
 Jr. If  I  fhould 
 
 My  Matter  difobey  in  this,  it  would 
 Coll  me  my  life,  and  do  to  you  no  good, 
 For  he  by  other  hands  would  fhed  your  blood. 
 
 Magi.  A  gallant  death  would  make  you  to  furvive, 
 Whilft  by  this  guilt  you'i  die  ev'n  whilft  alive. 
 Jr.  Tis  far  more  fweet  to  be,  than  not  to  be. 
 Magi.  Why  thinkft  thou  msn  arc  not,  when  they 
 
 (  do  die  ? 
 Jr.  Some  talk  there  is  another  life  than  this, 
 Where  good's  rewarded,  what  is  done  araifs 
 Is  punifhed:  which  if  I  could  believe, 
 I  fhould  endeavour  better  for  to  live 
 Than  heretofore  I  have.   But  fince  I  now 
 Am  ignorant  if  that  befalfeor  true, 
 A  certainty  I  do  prefer  to  that 
 Which  is  uncertain,  or  1  know  not  what. 
 Magi.  Thou  haft:  a  Soul^  which  ever  mufi  endure, 
 Jr.  I  have  a  mortal  life,of  that  I'm  fure, 
 Both  mortal  and  immortal  can  1  be  ? 
 
 Magi.  When  as  thy  Body  dyes,  thy  Sonl  doth  Hie, 
 Wherever  it  doth  flay. — 
 
 Jr. 1  ne're  did  fee 
 
 My  Soul. 
 
 Magi.  —  Becaufe  no  object  fo*  thine  eye, 
 
 But  yet  thou  may'fl  by  reafon  fee  it  :  Do 
 But  inwards  calt  a  reflex  thought  unto 
 The  aftings  and  the  workings  of  thy  mind, 
 And  then  fbme  aftmg  thinking  thing  choiHt  find, 
 
 Which  we  do  call  the  SouL 
 
 Bb  4  Jr. 
 
114  Mijctllantous  roems. 
 
 Ar. I  do  confefs 
 
 I  find  fome  a&ive  thing  within,  no  lefs 
 Than  what  I  fee  objected  to  mine  eye  -, 
 And  doth  this  thing  abide,  and  never  dye? 
 If  this  be  certain  it  may  comfort  you. 
 
 A4agi.lt  we  oar  felves  can  reckon^oo^  that's  true, 
 But  we're  of  that  uncertain:  for  we  have 
 Done  what  not  only  doth  deferve  the  grave, 
 But  hatred  from  the  Gods.  But  now  we  hear 
 Deaths  fatal  knell  for  tp  falute  our  ear, 
 Beleju  doth  come. . 
 
 Re-enter  Belefh,  bringing  in   Daniel, 
 and  the  other  Jews. 
 
 Bel. The  Jews  I  all  have  brought. 
 
 Dan.  We  learned  have  the  caufe.  — 
 But  why  fnould  we  be  murthered  among  thofe 
 Who  the  Kings  Dream  could  not  to  him  difclofe  ? 
 We  were  not  call 'd.  ■ 
 
 Ar. The  Order's  general , 
 
 To  flay  the  Babylonifti  Sophies  all. 
 
 Dan.  Yet  why  is  he  fo  fudden  \  would  he  give 
 Only  the  time  of  fome  few  days  to  live  : 
 In  that  I  fhould  the  dream  unto  him  (hew  : 
 This  I  dopromife. 
 
 Ar Would  it  were  but  true. 
 
 Dan.  Suffer  me  but  unto  the  King  to  go 
 Some  time  to  ask,  and  then  the  Dream  III  fhow. 
 
 Magi.  Puft  up  with  pride  and  felf-conceit  you  be, 
 
 Dan.  I  do  rely  upon  the  Deity  : 
 
 Magi.  Why  fo  do  we  as  well  as  you.  — 
 
 Dan.  * —  You  lye, 
 
 Fictions  you  ferve,  and  the  trite  God  deny. 
 
 Man 
 
MifcelLneous  Poems.  1 1  5 
 
 Magi.  We  ferve  more  Gods  than  you, 
 
 Dan. Falfc  all,  none  true. 
 
 But  why  do  you  me  hinder  thus:  For  why 
 Both  you  and  we  fliall  faved  be  this  way. 
 
 Ar.  Go  Bek[h  go,  this  Jew  to  th'  King  convey, 
 But  hafte,for  th'  matter  won't  admit  delay.  ^Exeunt 
 
 The  SCENE  drifts  to  the  Palace. 
 
 Enter  Daniel. 
 
 D^.lUft  now,  Great  Sir,l  heard  of  your  command 
 
 J   To  flay  the  Magi  over  all  the  Land  ; 
 Becaufe  thofecall'd,  as  it  to  me  was  told, 
 Could  not  the  Dream  you  loft,  to  you  unfold  : 
 'But  amongft  them  there  was  not  any  Jevo, 
 Elie  pofTibly  the  Dream  you  had  e  re  now 
 Regain'd,  and  yet  they  feek  us  for  to  flay: 
 But,  Sir,  may't  pleafe  you  to  grant  fome  delay, 
 And  here  I  promife  in  fhort  time  to  find 
 The  Dream*  and  to  explain  it  to  your  mind. 
 
 iW&.Wife  fprightlyTtf/tf^if  thou'k  make  good  thy 
 My  gracious  favour  I'll  to  thee  afford  ;  (word,, 
 
 To  live  in  State  and  Honour  I'll  thee  make, 
 And  fpare  the  Magi  likewife  for  thy  fake. 
 
 Dan.  No  State  or  Honour  t\t  all  require, 
 Only  the  Magfs  lives  I  dodefire,  x 
 Farewell  moft  gracious  King. ^ 
 
 The 
 
1 6  MifeelUneotts  Poems. 
 
 The  SCENE  returns  as  before. 
 
 Re-enter  Daniel. 
 
 Dan.  I  went,  I  ask'd,  and  have  my  fuit  obtain'd. 
 
 Msgi.  But  yet  the  fatal  Dream  thou  haft  not  gained, 
 And  ivhilft  that's  hid, we  are  but  where  we  were. 
 
 Ar.  Yet  'tis  fome  comfort  that  he  doth  deferr 
 His  Sentence.  Who  knows  but  he  may  relent. 
 
 Dan.  I  troft  my  God  will  give  a  good  event. 
 Bat'dsaotfit  to  flay  time  here  to  walle, 
 
 C  Ariocb  to  Beleflj. 
 Guard  D&iiel  and  his  fellows  home  in  h'afte.    {Exeunt* 
 
 SCENE   5. 
 
 Hananiaby  'Daniel,  Mijhael,  Azariab. 
 
 Han.yr\  Eareft  of  Friends^  thy  looks  prognoftick 
 JUf   good,  _  L  To  Dan. 
 
 Pray  fhev?  us  now  apart  thy  thoughts.  What  mood 
 Dida  Sod  the  King  in  ? 
 
 Dan. Heaven  hath  heard  our  Prayer, 
 
 Let's  bw  God  all  things  as  yet  go  fair. 
 
 On  God  oar  Lives  depend  :  let's  to  him  cry, 
 And  if  he  hear,  we're  fare  then  not  to  dye. 
 
 flto.  There's  ground*  to  hope  for  a  molt  happy  end, 
 Since  the  event  doth  whole  on  God  depend, 
 
 JkBfi. 
 
Mifcellaneous  Poems.  117 
 
 Aftjh.  Our  fafety  doth  in  God  himfelfembarque, 
 Tho  on  the  waves,  we  yet  are  in  the  Ark. 
 And  who  can  fear  a  Shipwrack  on  that  Sea, 
 Where  God  hitnfelfs  concerned,  as  well  as  we, 
 For  now  when  dubious  anfwers  will  not  do 
 From  Pagan  Prophets,  mayn't  we  hope  the  true 
 And  living  God  intends  for  to  exert 
 His  mighty  power,  and  ad  another  part 
 Than  what  we  yet  have  known  :  methinks  a  ray 
 Of  Divine  Light  foretells  an  happy  day 
 Is  toenfuc. 
 
 jx^ cTis  Gods  way  oft  to  bring 
 
 To  the  graves  mouth,  before  he  caufe  to  fing. 
 The  darkeft  Night  he  caufeth  oft  make  way, 
 And  ufher  in  the  mofi  illuftrious  day. 
 In  the  Red  Sea  the  droved  Egyptians  ly, 
 Whilft  Jfrael  triumphs  on  the  ihore  near  by. 
 Letcs  then  approach  our  God  with  truft  and  fear, 
 That  in  this  plunge  he  may  for  ns  appear. 
 
 Dan.  Let's  joyn  our  Forces,  and  our  God  implore,, 
 That  fince  no  heart  can  lock  him  out  of  door, 
 But  that  he  prefent  is  with  ev'ry  mind, 
 Ev'n  Kings  as  well  as  Beggars,  for  to  bind 
 Or  loofe  their  thoughts,  affections,  memory, 
 He  would  be  pieas'd  to  ftew  this  Myftery  \ 
 A  Myftery  to  us,  but  none  to  him  : 
 For  he  who  once  the  Dream  did  form  within 
 The  King  his  Soul,  can  make  us  it  to  find  5 
 1  his  is  my  motion. 
 
 Hap.  -— — —  We  are  of  your  mind. 
 
 fiani- 
 
I  1 8  Mifcellaneous  Poems. 
 
 Daniels  Prayer. 
 
 GReat  and  Almighty  God,    whofe .  Power  and 
 (Might 
 Tranfcends  both  Humane  and  Angelick  fight ! 
 Who  fo  doft:  reign  above,  that  alio  here 
 Thou'rt  known  to  fach  as  thee  do  rightly  fear. 
 Broaght  to  the  brin\^ofruihex  we  do  come, 
 And  humbly  proftrate  lye  before  thy  Throne  ^ 
 Where  with  fubmilfitre  fervent  Prayer  we  cry       -n 
 To  thee  our  God  in  this  extremity,  L 
 
 O  fend  us f  peed y  aid,  or  eife  we  dye.  J 
 
 Canft  thou  fit  (till,  and  lee  the  Heathen  thus 
 With  open  mouth  devour  and  fwallow  us  ? 
 Tho  wrenclvd  we  be  and  low,  yen  we  are  thine, 
 And  men  through  us  attack  thy  Power  Divine. 
 Lord,  thoifrt  the  fame,  in  Egypt  land  of  old, 
 Who  dttfft  exert  thy  wonders  manifold. 
 And  mayn't  we  now  expeft  to  fee  the  fame,  -\ 
 
 Or  th5  like  efFe&s  of  power,  whereby  thy  Name      > 
 May  be  of  new  exalted,  and  thy  fame  J 
 
 Thus  through  the  Earth  diffas'd,  that  all  may  know 
 That  Providence  doth  rule  th'  affairs  below  : 
 And  thic  thou  car'il  for  fuch  as  thee  do  fear. 
 And  to  their  prayers  giv'ft  a  patent  ear. 
 
 HananiaFs  Trayer. 
 
 GReat  Gxl,  in  whom  perfcEHons  all  do  dwell, 
 Whofe  love  and  favour*  Heaven^  whofe  wrath  it 
 On  whom  ail  beings,  as  their  fource  depend       {HtlL 
 Who  doft  thy  foes  confume,  thy  Friends  defend  ^ 
 
 To 
 
MiJctBaneous  Poems.  119 
 
 To  thee  to  day  with  fervent  Pray'r  we  cry, 
 And  on  thy  faithfulnefs  with  Faith  iely. 
 Lord  (hall  thy  Captives  in  a  forreign  Land 
 Who  efcap'd  by  thee  before,  now  by  the  hand, 
 Of  tlf  Heathen  fall,  a  viftito  to  their  wrath  ? 
 Shall  this  proud  Monarch,  whodeftroys  the  Earth, 
 Embrew  his  hands  thus  in  thy  Childrens  blood  ? 
 No,  no,  O  Lord,  thourt  merciful  and  good  : 
 On  this  we  build,  and  reft  our  felvesfecuie, 
 For  thofe  that  trufl  in  thee,  can  never  fure 
 Deferred  be  by  thee,  moii  gracious  Lord  : 
 Wherefore  we -beg  thou  wouldft  tons  afford 
 Thy  gracious  prefence,  as  a  certain  fign, 
 That  thou  for  us  deliv'rance.doft  defign. 
 Then  (hall  we  praife  thy  great  exalted  Name 
 For  evermore,  and  ftill  advance  thy  Fame. 
 
 SCENE  6. 
 
 tjfyphael,  and  Gabriel,  Angels  :  DanieL 
 
 ^#-]P|  Ear  Gfi&ricl  hold, my  bleft  companion  flay 
 jLJ  Whither  fo  fwifrly  moveft  thou  this  way, 
 Except  the  meffage  fecret  be  j  pray  (how 
 What  buiinefs  calls  thee  down  to  Earth  below  ? 
 
 Gab.  I'm  fent  to  caufe  the  Babylonian  ke^ 
 It  is  another  rules  the  World  than  hej 
 And  to  deliver  from  his  Cruelty 
 Some  pious  Souls  deftin'd  by  him  to  dye. 
 
 Raph.  What  method  art  thou  for  to  take  to  do 
 This  ufefui  fervice  ?  if  allowed,  itfliew. 
 
 Gab* 
 
} 
 
 120  MifcelUneoHS  Poems. 
 
 Gab.  Unto  this  daring  Monarch  lately  fent, 
 I  did  unto  his  Fancy  reprefent, 
 In  a  fhort  Dream,  the  J hies  and  fumm 
 Of  all  th?  eiwr  ^  of  time  that  were  to  come 
 To  the  Worlds  end,  as  far  as  did  concern 
 The  Church  Delow,  or  S*wrdid  need  to  learfl. 
 Which  once  engraven  on  his  Fancy  •  then 
 I  vail'd  his  memory,  and  did  reltraiin 
 His  reflex  power,  from  reading  wha-:  was  writ 
 Thereon.     Thus  he  did  ftrive  in  vain  foi  i  . 
 This  made  him  frantick  for  the  Magi  lend 
 To  eafe  his  mind,  where  failing  of  his  end, 
 Them  and  all  fuch  to  kill  he  doth  intend. 
 But  God  whofc  watchful  eye  doth  guard  his^own, 
 Hath  fent  me  down  the  Dream  for  to  make  known 
 To  David  and  his  Fellows  \  who  this  day 
 With  fervent  Faith  do  earneft  for  it  pray. 
 Come  then,  and  downwards  bear  me  company, 
 And  fee  how  fervently  they  groan  and  cry.    {jhfeend. 
 Raph.  Poor  Souls !  how  earneftly  for  life  they  pray, 
 
 As  if  on  Earth  true  happinefs  did  flay  : 
 
 But  one  right  thought  of  Heaven  would  make  them 
 
 For  liberty,  to  reach  their  happy  home.  (groan 
 
 Gab.  Were  it  not  natural  for  the  Saints  to  love 
 
 To  flay  on  earth,  their  z.eal  to  be  above 
 
 Would  fo  tranfport  them,  that  to  live  below 
 
 Would  fo  afflictive  feem,  and  tedious  grow, 
 
 As  them  fome  way  l%  incapacitate 
 
 For  th'  work  and  fervice  of  this  lower  State. 
 
 But  now  their  Prayers  end, — and  lothey  do 
 
 Their  night  Apartments  all  retire  unto. 
 
 Come  let  us  follow  Daniel  to  his  cell, 
 
 For  'tis  to  him  Icm  ordercd  to  reveal 
 
 This  Divine  Dream.  . — — 
 
MifcelLn.ous  Poems.  121 
 
 Raph. Lo  now  the  Lamp  is  out, 
 
 4Tis  now  the  feafon  mis  work  to  go  about. 
 
 Gab.  Come  let  us  thicken  and  condcnfe  the  jiir^ 
 And  therewith  four  trait  forth  an  Image  fair, 
 To  reprefent  the  fourfold  Monarchy 
 Both  unto  Daniels  fancy  and  his  eye. 
 Which  done  •,  (in  tti  language  us  d  by  us  above*  ) 
 lcll  fpeak  by  thought  to'smind,  thereby  to  move 
 Him  for  to  understand  what's  hereby  meant. 
 Icll  will  him  for  to  know  the  fame,  and  print 
 The  fame  upon  his  Soul,  what  is  difclos  a 
 To  me,  this  way  to  him  to  be  propos'd. 
 
 Dan.  Good  God  what  fee  I !  fare  a  Statue  high,-} 
 Great,fairyand  glorious,ftands  in  th7  room  near  by,  > 
 I  know  not  how,  but  plain  it  (hews  to  5th  eye.     J 
 His  Heads  of  parejt  gold'7  his  Arms  and  Brea/i 
 Of fiver  fine  *  but  downwards  all  the  reft 
 Of  courfer  mettal :,  his  Thighs  of  brafs,  tho  fin? 
 Are- made,  his  Belly  alfo  ^  his  Legs  are 
 Of  hardeft  Iron  fram'd  }  but  in  his  icct 
 Clay  joyns  ill  Iron,  the  fame  to  make  complect* 
 But  what  is  this  ?  Oh  ftrange  !  I  fee  at  Jaft 
 A  ftone  cut  without  handy  from  tti  Kcci^  is  cair 
 On  trr  feet  of ■*&  Image ,  which  lo  now  doth  fall 
 With  noife  !  and  now  is  broke  to  powder  fmaii  !— 
 And  now  the  Stone  a  Mountain  great  is  ro*de, 
 The  very  Earth  feems  cover'd  with  its  (hade. 
 And  now  behoid  my  mind  is  made  to  know  ^ 
 
 rhat  here's  the  Dream^  God  by  the  fame  doth  fhow  C 
 To  me  th'  events  which  happen  (hall  below.  j 
 
 This  glorious  Monarch  is  the  golden  head 
 Df  this  fair  Imagey  as  he  is  indeed 
 The  head  at  prefect  of  this  Monarchy , 
 rhegre^teft  that  the  Sm&id  ever  fee: 
 
122  MifcelLneous  Poems. 
 
 Who  tho  in  bignefs  it  do  yield  unto 
 Ttf  fuccceding  Empires,  yet  doth  them  outdo 
 In  s  compared  fixed  glorious  fway 
 Over  all  Kingdoms  which  do  it  obey. 
 For  tlv  bead,  tho  not  the  greateft  part,  is  yet 
 The  noblefb  far }  for  'tis  the  feat  of  wit, 
 Reafon  and  Judgment.  Next  to  which  the  brcaft 
 Succeeds  where  th'  heart,  and  other  vitals  reft. 
 So  next  to  this,  a  Monarchy  (hall  rife, 
 Which  (hall  in  fame  mount  up  unto  the  Skies  : 
 But  having  reacht  its  Zeneth,  (hall  fall  down, 
 Pluck'd  thence  by  a  daring  Monarch  of  renown, 
 Who  (hall  a  third  great  Empire  far  extend 
 OYe  all  tlv  Earth,  even  to  it's  utmollend  : 
 But  lo  a  fourth  great  Monarchy  fucceeds 
 Strong  as  th'  Iron,  fam'd  in  mighty  deeds. 
 For  as  the  Iron  breaks  all  things,  fo  (hall 
 This  mighty  Empire  Kingdoms  conquer  all : 
 Yet  fince  I  fee  the  iron  joyn'd  with  clay 
 In  itf  feet  and  toes  -,  fo  hence  I  furely  may 
 Draw  this  Conchtfion,  that  this  Monarchy 
 Towards  its  clofe  (hall  weak  and  feeble  be. 
 And  as  the  clay  with  Iron  cannot  mix  ;  » 
 
 So  all  their  projects  can't  their  Empire  fix  ; 
 But  being  weakn'd  at  the  laft  muft  fall, 
 And  with  ths  fame  the  reft  of  th*  Image  all. 
 Now  as  thefe  fev'ral  parts  joyn  and  compofe 
 This  glorious  linage  ^  ev'n  foall  thofe 
 Coumreys,  which  now  this  Monarch  great  obey, 
 Shall  be  the  Subjects  of  a  future  fway  : 
 The  Monarchy's,  tho  four,  are  yet  the  fame  ; 
 Only  four  Nations  deftin'd  are  the  Name, 
 And  Sov'raign  fway  fucceffively  to  bear, 
 Which  makes  the  Empire  different  forms  to  wear. 
 
 But 
 
f 
 
 MifctlUneous  Poems.  123 
 
 But  Io  ev  n  whilft  this  Image  fair  doth  ftand,        -n 
 God  hath  a  little  Kingdom  in  the  Land,  > 
 
 Cut  from  the  Rock  by  his  Almighty  hand }  J 
 
 Which,  tho  opprefs'd,  fhall  never  broken  be  ; 
 Yea,  at  the  laft,  I  hereby  do  forefee 
 That  when  the  fourth  great  Empire's  near  itsclofe9 
 Where  clay  and  iron  doth  its  State  compofe  5 
 Gods  Kingdom  then  fhall  ocre  the  Earth  bear  fway,-} 
 And  break  down  all  that  do  refute  V  obey,  > 
 
 And  ftand  till  th'  dawn  of  the  eternal  day.  J 
 
 Gab.  Our  work  is  done.  Come  let  us  fly 
 Through  the  fair  expanded  Sky7 
 Till  we  reach  the  Heavens- high. 
 
 Raph.   And  whilfl  weflyey  let's  praife  and fing 
 Anthems  to  our  Glorious  Kinc* 
 Till  th°  Air ,  th>  Ether ,  and  thJ  Stars  do  ring. 
 
 The  SONG. 
 
 Gab.T)  Raifed  be  the  God  above , 
 
 i     Who  unmoved  makes  all  things  movey 
 And  cements  all  things  with  love. 
 
 Raph.  Who  difpenfes  favours  fo 
 To  his  Friend^  and  to  his  Foe1 
 That  his  mercy  all  may  know. 
 
 Gab.  Whofe  Omnifcient  piercing  eyet 
 Doth  all  thoughts  and  attions  fpyy 
 Both  below  and  °bove  the  Sky. 
 
 C  c  Raph, 
 
i  2  4  MifcdUneous  Poems. 
 
 Re  ph.  Who  doth  happy  ever  ft ay , 
 Whofc  duration's  all  one  day, 
 And  perfections  one  joynt  Ray. 
 
 Gab.  Who  tho  one,  yet  three  is  fhoven  -7 
 Who  by  himfelf  is  lov'd  and  kgown, 
 And  right  be  fides  by  beings  none. 
 
 Raph.  Yet  doth  he  accept  above 
 The  thanks,  the  reverence,  and  love, 
 Which  our  Obedience  fway  and  move. 
 
 Gab.  Let's  then  raifehis  Name  on  high, 
 Where  oar  great  eft  work^doth  ly, 
 And  who  ftmll  praife  him  be  ft let's  try. 
 
 Both.  Let's  praife,  let's  praife  him  to  Eternity. 
 
 SCENE     7. 
 
 Daniel,  pariah,  Hananiah,  Miflwl. 
 
 Enter  Daniel. 
 
 Dan./^\U  happy  Night ! — »  ■ 
 
 K^J     Ax*  — Happy !  why  happy  pray  ? 
 Han.  Whathafte  to  go?  We  are  your  Friends 
 We  not  be  made  for  to  participate  (and  may 
 
 In  this  your  joy  and  mirth  ?  Pray  (hew  us  what 
 
 Thns 
 
Mifcellaneoas  Poems.  125 
 
 Thus  glads  your  Soul  ? — — 
 
 Mifh. He's  God  the  Dream  reveaPd  : 
 
 Dan.  RevealMitis,  and  nomorenowconceaPd, 
 
 Mi(h.  Oh  happy  Night  indeed  ! 
 
 Jlz..  — What  is  the  Dream  ? 
 
 Dan.  Oh  blefled,  blefled,  ever  be  the  Name 
 Of  our  Great  God  }  let  us  exalt  the  fame 
 For  evermore,  while  our  fhort  time  doth  run, 
 Let  Praifes  go  their  round  ftill  with  the  Sun  i 
 Until  Eternity  does  them  again 
 Exalt  refinM  unto  an  higher  ftrain. 
 For  why  all  Wifdom  in  our  God  is  found, 
 Which  with  Almighty  Power  is  ever  crown\L 
 We  fpeak  by  tropes,  when  to  the  Creature 
 We  attribute,  or  VVifdomtrue  or  Power. 
 ?Tis  he  that  changeth  times,  as  he  fees  good, 
 Who  doth  exalt ,  and  then  debafe  the  proud. 
 Lo  now  a  King  he  fetteth up,  and  then 
 Detbomes^  degrades,  andcaftshim  down  again: 
 A  Monarchy  he  now  doth  fet  on  high, 
 Which  (Wallows  up  all  Kingdoms  that  are  nigh, 
 For  a  feas'n  :  but  when  as  its  period's  come, 
 into  another  it  mull  yield  it's  room. 
 This  he  reveals  to  fuch  as  Wifdom  know, 
 To  fearch  thefe  fecret  Accidents  below. 
 To  fuch  he  doth  reveal  thefe  hidden  things, 
 "or  why  he  knows  full  well  their  latent  iprings** 
 Rfhich,  tho'  they  be  with  darknefs  mantle  clad 
 To  others,  are  to  him  with  light  o'refpread. 
 The  [cries  of  all  Years  that  are  to  run, 
 ie  fees  as  plain  as  if  already  come: 
 ind  thence  determines  all  things  as  he  will, 
 Vhich  he  accordingly  doth  fo  fulfill 
 
 Cc  2  And 
 
126  MifcelUneous  Poems. 
 
 And  fure  I  ought  to  prnife,  with  thankful  heart. 
 Thy  glorious  Name,  who  didft  to  me  impart 
 This  wondrous  Dream,  (which  is  from  others  hid) 
 Wherein  fuch  fecrets  lye  wrapt  up  j  and  did 
 In  a  Night-vifion  it  reveal  -0  and  then 
 It's  wondrous  meaning  alfo  didlt  explain. 
 The  Prayers  of  my  Friends  in  this,  and  mine, 
 O  God  thou  heardft,  for  which  all  praife  be  thine: 
 But  now  let's  go,  and  to  the  King  make  known 
 The  Dream,  which  God  fo  gracioufly  hath  fliown. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 I 
 
 I  indariq 
 
 ues 
 
Pindariques. 
 
 By  3(0.  FLEMINg. 
 
 Horat.  Epift.  /.  1.3. 
 
 (P'mdarki  fontis  qui  non  expalluit  hauflus 
 Tlxbanos  aptare  modos  ftudet,  aufyice  Mufa. 
 
 Idem. 
 
 Stye  JlylumVertas,  iterum  quddigna  legtfint 
 ScripturuSy  neque  te  ut  miretur  turbo,  labores, 
 Contentus  paucis  Letforibus. 
 
 L  0  2\(  £>  0  Ny 
 Printed  in  the  Year  1691. 
 
129 
 A 
 
 TRANSLATION 
 
 Of  FOUR  of  the 
 
 ODES    of  PINDAR, 
 
 From  the  Original  (?reek. 
 
 With  fome  few  brief  Notes  upon  the  fame,  for 
 clearing  the  dark  expreflions  thereof. 
 
 The  FOURTH 
 
 Olympique  Ode 
 
 O  F 
 
 PINDAR. 
 
 The  Argument. 
 
 Pfaumis^e  Sonofkcson,  a  Noblemm  of  Ca- 
 
 marina,  a.  City  of  Sicily,  is  praifed  for  his 
 
 C  C  4  winning 
 
I  $o  Miscellaneous  Poems. 
 
 winning  the  Horfe-race,  in  the  8  2  Olympi- 
 ads Where  Pindar,  beginning  with  Jupi- 
 ter as  the  great  Moderator  as  well  of  the 
 World,  as  the  Olympique  Games  ;  he  praijtth 
 Pfaumis  from  the  Victory  it  ft  If 'from  his 
 brave  and  warlike  Difpofition,  in  his  train- 
 ing Horfefor  that  end,  from  his  liberality  to 
 his  Friends,  from  his  love  to  his  Lountrefs 
 peace  and  flourifhing,  and  from  his  vigorouf- 
 nefs ;  Whence,  taking  occafionfrom  his  Grey- 
 hairs^  he  amplifies  thereby  the  Victory  ;  Shew- 
 ing that  that  is  fo  far  from  detracting  from 
 himy  as  that  it  adds  to  his  honour  ;  adducing 
 on  that  account  an  old  famous  inflame  0/Ergin 
 one  of  the  Argonauts.  Tet  never  thelefs  he 
 concludes  with  a  deny  at  of  the  certainty  of  his 
 being  Old,  from  the  common  token  thereof 
 the  hoary  Head  ;  upon  the  fuppcfttion  of  its 
 flowing  fometimes  from  other,  Caufes. 
 
 L 
 
 G 
 
 [Reat  and  Almighty  jove,who  holdeft  in  thy  hand 
 1        The  Thunders  vafi  Artillery, 
 
 Which  every  where  fo  dreaded  be  ; 
 At  whofe  command 
 They  do  difcharge,  and  fhake  both  Sea  and  Land  ^ 
 Who  on  the  fwitt  unweary'd  Clouds  doft  ride  7 
 (  Tho*  its  thy  being  there  that  makes  them  fo  abide :) 
 
 2  Thy 
 
Pindariques.  131 
 
 2  Thy  fam'd  Olympque  hours  do  call  me  forth 
 
 With  the  harmonious  Harps  fweet  noife 
 
 3  The  Organ  of  my  Songs  delightful  Voice, 
 To  fing  the  Conquerors  conquering  worth. 
 
 For  Praife  and  Honour  worth  do  feedf 
 Yea  it  revive  when  it  is  dead. 
 
 All  good  Men  do  rejoyce  to  hear 
 The  Vertues  which  do  any  where  appear  : 
 
 For  thefe  their  owners  do  to  them  endear, 
 And  make  them  to  efteem  them  Friends  mofl  near. 
 
 II. 
 
 Wherefore  great  Satums  greater  Son,  who  dwells 
 
 1  Ne*r  Etnas  thundering  top  j 
 
 2  Etna,  the  thunders  fiery  fnop  \ 
 
 3  Etna,  the  horrid  Typkons  heavy  Yoak  ; 
 
 Whofe  weight  doth  keep  the  hundred  Heads  below, 
 Though  he  to  undermine  it  flrive  and  up  to  blow : 
 Accept  this  grateful  praisfull  Hymn  from  me 
 Concerning  the  Olympiqm  Victory  \ 
 This  Hymn,  which  fliall  prove  the  perpetual  light 
 To  keep  off  an  eternal  Night 
 From  the  great  FfdArnU  Vertues  bright : 
 
 4  Pfaumis,  who  is  with  the  Tifean  Olive  cro.wn'd 
 
 And  every  where  by  all  renown'd  \ 
 
 5  Who  unto  Camarina  hafteth  home, 
 
 Ptrfom'd  with  Honour  and  with  Praife, 
 The  glory  cf  his  Countrey^nd  his  dayes : 
 But  Fame  hath  long  before  him  thither  gone. 
 
 HI 
 
Ij2  Pindar  iques. 
 
 IIL 
 
 Great  God,  his  Prayers  do  thou  hear, 
 And  give  a  patent  Ear 
 
 To  all  that  he  doth  undertake, 
 Of  a  wifht  end  let  all  he  does  partake. 
 For  why  all  Vertues  do  in  him  unite, 
 
 And  make  him  glorioufly  compleat. 
 Heroick,  Manly,  Virtuous  Exercife 
 
 Him  only  pleafe. 
 In  training  Horfe  for  War  and  warlike  fport, 
 
 Of  none  he  faileth  fhort. 
 After  a  princely  way  he's  hofpitally 
 
 Kind,  courteus  and  liberal, 
 
 Not  to  a  few,  but  unto  all. 
 Each-one  is  kindly  by  him  entertained, 
 He  is  his  Comtrcys  Lover,  and  its  Friend  j 
 
 Delighting  in  its  Cities  Peace  } 
 
 Rejoycing  when  they  do  furceafe 
 From  War  and  mutual  Enmity, 
 And  live  together  in  Tranquility. 
 No  Lyes  or  Fiftions  I  do  here  rehear fe  ; 
 
 Lyes  neither  Profe  befit,  nor  Verfe : 
 Th  experience  of  all  Mortals  fnews  the  fame, 
 
 Who  every  where  exalt  his  Name  -7 
 So  that  Vrn  but  the  Eccho  of  his  Fame. 
 
 •    IV. 
 
 His  Viftory  appeareth  more, 
 When  we  behold  on  him  what  doth  decore 
 
 The 
 
Pwdartques.  I  $  J 
 
 The  old  decrepit  Age  of  mortals  here  ; 
 
 For  lo  how  fiver  Hairs  on  him  appear. 
 
 But  thefe  the  want  of  ftrength  not  always  Aew  ; 
 
 But  oft  do  prove  untrue. 
 i        When  thc  Argonauts  to  Lemms  came 
 And  had  engaged  in  a  Funeral  Game, 
 Old  hoary- headed  Ergin^  Clymen's  Son 
 Was  not  afhamM  with  the  Young-men  to  run. 
 
 And  though  the  Women  much  did  laugh, 
 And  oft  did  him  falute  with  Ha  and  Ah  : 
 
 Yet  unmovcd  at  all,  they  did  fay  ; 
 
 Though  covered  with  an  heavy  mafs, 
 A  Coat  of  Male,  and  Arms  of  Erafs  j 
 He  run  and  won  the  Honour  of  the  day. 
 
 Who,  when  unto  the  Prize  he  came, 
 2  Hyffifila^  he  cryes,  I  am  the  fame, 
 
 Whom  you  and  yours  did  fo  difdain. 
 But  lo  you  now  do  fee,  that  Hoary-hairs 
 
 Are  not  of  weaknefs  ay  the  Heirs. 
 
 And  as  my  Feet  have  won  the  race, 
 So  do  my  Heart  and  Hands  with  them  keep  pace. 
 If  thegi  you4  try,  as  you  have  done  my  Feet 
 
 Youcl  find  my  Youth  in  all  compleat. 
 
 V. 
 
 With  Pfaumis  thus  it  provcd  thc  other  day, 
 When  he  thc  Olympique  prize  did  bear  away. 
 
 And  though  with  Wifdoms  Dye  hecs  crowned  ; 
 Yet  for  his  force  he  likewife  prov'd  renown'd  ; 
 When  vigoroufly  hisHorfe  he  manage  did, 
 s  And  with  Alphens  fwift  an  equal  Journey  rid. 
 
 Yes 
 
I  $4  Pwdariqaes. 
 
 Yea  probably  his  hoary  hairs 
 May  be  the  Heirs 
 Not  of  his  Age,  but  of  his  Cares  • 
 His  Cares,  which  for  his  Countreycs  Peace  and  good, 
 Oft  prove  his  only  Food. 
 For  why  we  oft  do  fee 
 That  hoary  Hairs  on  Young  Men  be. 
 Wherefore  this  poflibly 
 May  be  the  Caufe  why  thus  is  he. 
 
 The  SIXTH 
 
 Pythian  Ode 
 
 OF 
 
 PINDAR 
 
 The  Argument. 
 
 Zenocrates  a  Nobleman  (or,  as  it  would  feem^ 
 Governour  )  of  Agrigentum,  a  City  in  Sici- 
 ly, is  praifed for  his  having  won  the  Chariot- 
 Race  in  the  24  Pythiad  :  Whom  Pindar 
 praifeth}  from  his  Countrey  and  Kindred, 
 and  from  the  Pythian  Vi£tory  :  After  which , 
 turning  his  Difcoitrfe  to  his  Son  Thrafybu- 
 
 lus, 
 
Pindar iques.  135 
 
 lus,  he  continues  in  bis  praifes  to  the  end  of 
 the  Ode  ;  commending  him,  from  his  Piety 
 to  God,  and  Obedience  to  his  Parents ;  com- 
 paring him  therein  to  Achilles  and  Antilo- 
 chus  ;  as  likrvift  to  his  Vnkle  Theron,  for 
 his  Gallantry  \  concluding  with  a  commenda- 
 tion^ both  of  his  Fame,  and  of  his  fweet 
 Converfation. 
 
 I. 
 
 A- 
 
 fcTtend  all  Mortals  unto  what  I  fay, 
 For  I  do  enter  now  this  day 
 
 1  Fair  black-ey'd/^//;,  lovely  green  ; 
 
 That  pleafant  Meed,  where  all  the  Graces  ay  have 
 
 2  I  enter  do  of  Oracles  the  Queen,  (  been. 
 
 Placet  in  the  Navel  of  the  Earth, 
 
 3  Which  fpeaks  aloud  with  a  Prophetick  breath, 
 
 And  where  Apollo's  Temple's  feen. 
 
 4  Where  to  the  praife  of  the  Emmmldes, 
 
 That  happy  flourifhing  race, 
 
 5  And  Amgentum^  that  well  waterM  place, 
 
 AndTto  the  glory  of  Zenocrates } 
 Within  the  Delphiquc  Forreft  fair, 
 
 6  A  Monument  doth  there 
 
 Eretted  (land, 
 Which  {hall  all  Envy  countermand. 
 
 For  why,  thy  Fame's  a  Treafure  rich, 
 Able  a  thoufand  Hymns  for  to  enrich 
 And  plentifully  for  to  fill 
 With  Matter  which  doth  thence  into  each  line  diftill. 
 
 II. 
 
I J  i  Pindariques. 
 
 II. 
 
 This  Hymns  rare  monument,  no  Winters  rain, 
 
 Nor  ftormy  blafts  can  ever  itain. 
 It  doth  not  fear  the  Armies  of  the  roaring  Clouds 
 
 When  ?11  the  Heavens  face  they  fhroud  \ 
 Nor  yet  the  (baking  Winds,  which  fpeak  aloud  : 
 But  fhall  continue  to  outbrave 
 The  rage  of  Time  and  of  the  Grave. 
 Nay  ;  my  fmooth  footed  Verft 
 Remain  fhall  and  rehearfe 
 i   The  Praife  of  the  Crifean  Chariot-race; 
 
 Won  by  thy  Father  there, 
 1      Thrafybulus,  thy  Fathers  Vertues  Heir : 
 The  glory  of  which  Vi&ory 
 Shall  common  be  to  him  and  thee, 
 And  to  thy  Kindred,  to  Pofterity. 
 
 HI. 
 
 For  thouJTbrafybulfts  ^thy  Fathers  fteps  dofl  trace, 
 And  with  the  ancient  Hero's  runs  an  equal  race. 
 To  God,  and  to  thy  Parents,  thou 
 A  juft  Obedience  and  refpeft  dofl:  (hew. 
 Thou  dofl:  obferve,  almolt  alone, 
 The  Admonition 
 i  Which  the  wife  Son  of  Philyra  did  give 
 (Wife  Chiron  who  did  in  the  Mountains  live) 
 To  great  Achilles,  when  he  loft 
 His  Parents,  which  much  grief  him  coft. 
 
 Wor- 
 
Pindaric/ties.  i|7 
 
 Worfhip  with  reverence  (  faid  he  )  that  God 
 
 Above  all  others,  to  whofe  nod 
 All  things  fubjefted  are  in  Heaven  and  Ef rth. 
 On  whom  depends  our  very  breath. 
 The  great  Saturnian  Jove  obey, 
 And  to  him  Vow  and  Pray  j 
 Ev'n  him,  who  doth  the  thunders  great  create, 
 And  Lightnings  moderate. 
 For  he  who  thus  becomes  a  Saint , 
 Can  never  Parents  want  : 
 For  Jove  himfelf  will  grant 
 A  Father  to  that  Man  to  be, 
 Who  with  true  Piety 
 Doth  worfhip  and  adore  the  Deity, 
 
 IV. 
 
 And  like  Anulochns  thou  art ; 
 Whofe  generous  Heart 
 ( Did  Vi&im  for  his  Father  chufe  to  lye, 
 
 .   Rather  than  fee  him  dye. 
 }For  when  th'  Ethiopian  Memnan  came 
 / With  force  and  fury,  Ike  an  huge  prevailing  Flame, 
 (Deftroyingall  who  did  before  him  ftand  ; 
 i       Lo,  then  old  Nefiors  wounded  Chariot-horfe 
 Intangled  was,  and  by  no  force 
 In  any  wife  could  be 
 Thence  difintangled  and  fet  free  : 
 Old  Neftor's  Whip  and  Hand 
 Could  in  no  manner  it  command. 
 But  when  Amilochus  perceiv'd 
 "hat  Nejtor  likely  was  to  be  bereav'd 
 
 Of 
 
I  3  8  Pindariques. 
 
 Of  life,  by  Memnons  cruel  hand  ; 
 He  fingle  did  him  then  witbftand, 
 •  And  val'roufly  oppofe, 
 'Till  overcharged  he  did  his  Life  moft  bravely  lofe. 
 
 V. 
 
 1  The  old  diftrefs'd  Mtfftmm  then  did  cry, 
 Anttlochns  why  chufefl  thou  to  dye. 
 
 But  whatfoever  he  did  fay, 
 Could  not  his  gallant  Son  from  his  brave  purpofe  (lay : 
 For  perfevering,  he  redeemed  then 
 
 His  Fathers  life,  being  for  him  flain. 
 By  which  that  divine  Man  did  come  to  be 
 
 The  chief  example  to  Pofterity 
 
 Of  th'  love,  which  Children  do 
 Unto  their  Parents  owe. 
 
 But  thefe  rare  Vertaes  now  we  fee 
 
 Negle&ed  every  where  to  be 
 
 Except  Thrafybuliis  by  thee. 
 
 Thou  only  now,  of  all  we  know, 
 Doft  equal  to  thy  Fathers  Vertue  grow. 
 
 VI. 
 
 1       Thou  doft  thy  Vnkle  equalize, 
 
 His  Gallantry  and  Bravery  thee  doth  pleafe. 
 
 Thy  outward  wealth  thy  riches  thou  doft  not  efteem, 
 
 But  as  they  are  indeed  doft  deem. 
 
 The  vertues  of  thy  mind  moft  truely  be 
 
 Thy  riches  thought  by  thee  : 
 
 Pride 
 
Pwdariques*  1^9 
 
 Pride  and  Injuftice  far  from  thee  we  banifht  fee. 
 
 The  fearch  of  Wifdom  thou  doft  make 
 Thy  Study,  and  doft  pleafure  therein  take* 
 Wherever  the  lov'd  Mnfts  ftay  and  be, 
 
 They  fearch'd  are  for,  and  found  by  thee. 
 2  And  the  Tridentian  Ntytune  (  vvho  doth  ride 
 Around  the  Earth,  and  every  where  abide, ), 
 
 He  emulates ;  for  every  where  we  fee 
 His  Vertue  famM  like  a  fwolien  Tyde  to  be. 
 Moreover  his  fweet  candid  mind,  when  near, 
 Doth  like  the  Honey-comb  appear, 
 Whence  Honey  fweet  doth  roul 
 Into  each  Soul, 
 Through  both  the  Eye  and  Ear. 
 
 The  THIRD 
 
 Nemean  Ode 
 
 PINDAR, 
 
 The  Argument. 
 Ariftoclides,  Prime  of  afmalllflanX  fti&rfigi- 
 na,  is  praifed  for  bein?r  Victor  at  nil  the.  Ne- 
 mean  Games,  i.  e.  for  being  victorious  at 
 
 Dd  tht 
 
140  Pindar  iques. 
 
 the  Quinquertium,  or  five-fold  Game,  viz. 
 fighting  with  Battons  or  fome  fuch  things^ 
 Wreffling,  Leaping,  throwing  the  Difcus, 
 (  i.  e.  a  round  Stone  made  for  that  endy  ) 
 and  Running.  Pindar,  after  invoking  of 
 of  his  Mute,  to  affift  him  tn  the  Composition 
 of  his  Song  in  the  Praife  of  one  who  was  ab- 
 ftnty  and  exhorting  Ariftoclides  to  (iudy 
 goodnefs  more  than  greatnefs,  as  the  fafer 
 and  more  comfendious  way  to  glory ;  he  com- 
 mends himy  from  the  fever al  Hero's  of  his 
 Countrey  and  Race,  viz.  Eacus,  Peleus, 
 Telamon  and  Achilles  ;  unto  whom  com. 
 faring  and  equalizing  Ariftoclides,  he  /hews 
 further  how  meek  and  humble  he  is  in  the 
 rnidfi  of  all  the  Praifes  that  he  gets.  And 
 then  commending  his  own  Song  ;  he  endeth 
 with  an  excnfe  for  his  not  being  preftnt  him- 
 felf  in  Egina ;  drawing  a  Commendation  to 
 himfelf  therefrom. 
 
 I. 
 
 jLjLWake,  awake,  O  venerable  Afe/e, 
 Thou  who  didft  Midwife  me  into  the  Earth, 
 And  didft  infpire  with  a  poetick,  breath, 
 According  as  thou'rt  wont  to  ufe 
 Me  to  accompany 
 
 1  At 
 
Pindariques.  141 
 
 1  At  the  great  Nemean  folemnity  ; 
 
 Awake,  awake,  I  fay, 
 And  fly  with  me  away 
 
 2  Unto  the  well  inhabited  Egina  fair, 
 
 Where  Strangers  always  do  repair. 
 
 3  Where,  by  the  gentle  Ajofs  flowry  fide,  # 
 
 Thou'lt  find  for  to  abide 
 Many  a  comely  Youth,  who  do  that  place 
 With  pleafant  Songs  and  tuneful  Mufick  grace. 
 Who  all  await  for  thee,  and  much  deiire 
 To  hear  the  moving  Strings  of  thy  infpired  Lyre. 
 For  as  things  like  draw  to  alike,  fo  we 
 
 Do  always  fee 
 That  Praife  ad joyns  it  felf  to  Vi&ory. 
 
 A  praifefull  Hymn 
 Is  a  Companion  always  lovM  by  him,  (  climb* 
 
 Who  up  Earned  Pyramid  doth  by  great  Aftions 
 
 II. 
 
 Infpire  me  then,  my  JMnfe^  with  Divine  Fire  , 
 And  grant  a  Song,  fuch  as  I  do  defire  ; 
 
 Thou  who  to  Heaven  owes  thy  birth, 
 And  not  to  Earth  ^ 
 
 That  fo  my  tunefull  Lyre  and  I 
 
 1  May  help  to  make  compleat  that  Harmony  * 
 
 Whereby  Egyna  fhallrefound, 
 
 2  Egyna  for  the  Myrmidons  renown'd  ; 
 Egyna  which  brave  Ariftoclides 
 
 Much,  much  doth  grace  -0 
 Who  is  a  Credit  to  that  ancient  Race, 
 In  having  won  the  Nemean  Vi&ory    (Adivity  : 
 From  all  the  valorous  Youth  by  force  and  brave 
 Dd  2  Who 
 
j  42  Pindar/ques. 
 
 Who  though  he  wearied  be,  yea  wounded  too, 
 Yet  needs  not  care 
 Whether  or  not  fKyficians  be  there, 
 For  the  Nemtan  Fame  more  than  all  drugs  can  do. 
 • 
 
 III. 
 
 Now,  fince  great  Son  of  Ariftophanes, 
 
 T  hou  haft  fo  far  advancM  in  Glory's  race  j 
 
 Study  more  to  be  good  than  great : 
 
 For  why  on  goodnefs  do  await 
 All  Vertues,  as  upon  their  Queen, 
 As  may  by  all  experience  be  feen. 
 Then  to  this  way  thy  felf  betake, 
 
 This  way  which  thee  fhall  happy  tnake, 
 Much  eafier  than  that  which  Htrcuks  did  take. 
 
 For  who  can  add  to  what  he  did, 
 ?  Or  find  out  what  behind  his  Pillars  lyeth  hid? 
 
 2  But  why,  my  Soul,  do  I 
 Unto  a  Coafl  remote  and  ftrange  thus  fly  ? 
 3  Turn  fail,  and  to  Great  £^c^'draw  nigh. 
 For  in  this  Race  thou'lt  many  Hero's  find, 
 Yea  in  himfelf  many'  in  one  combined. 
 
 IV. 
 
 1   What  fliall  of  Pelens  be  told, 
 That  matchlefs  Hero,  who  of  old 
 
 2  Did  'johus  take  almofl  alone, 
 So  much  all  others  he  outfhone  ? 
 
 3  What  jhall  I  talk  of  the  great  Telamon^ 
 
 4.  Great  .Johns  great  Companion, 
 
 Who  Hium  did  befiege  and  take, 
 
 ItVKing  Laomcdon  a  Captive  make. 
 
 WhQ 
 
P/ndariques.  14? 
 
 Who  him  accompanied    when  he  did  beat 
 Th'  Amazonesy  :u)d  altered  their  itate. 
 What  fliall  I  fpeak  of  Achilles^  who 
 
 Did  even  himfelfsn  Hero  fhew, 
 6  By  flaying  Lyons,  and  fiich  Beads,  eVe  he 
 Seven  Winters  had  attain'd  to  fee? 
 
 And  what  he  did  at  the  famM  Troy  Town 
 When  come  to  Age,  needs  not  a  new  renown. 
 
 /        V. 
 
 Such,  fuch  is  the  great  race 
 Of  the  EacideSy 
 Which  doth  itfelf,  great  Jove,  derive  from  thee, 
 
 Who  needs  it's  Parent  fure  muft  be. 
 And  as  it  hitherto  produced  hath  of  courfe 
 Great  Hero's,  not  unlike  their  fource  : 
 In  Ariftoclides  fo  doth  it  flourifli  now, 
 
 In  whom  thy  Image  men  may  view, 
 He  doth  his  Great  Forefathers  feats  renew  : 
 
 By  him  Egyna  much  is  fam'd, 
 And  great;  Apollo's  Temple  hallowM  and  namM 
 
 VI. 
 
 His  Vertues  yet  he  ftrives  to  vail  from  fight, 
 
 By  hnmblemfsy  it's  covering  flight  \ 
 Humblenefs,  which  doth  more  exp.ofe  him  to  the 
 This  makes  him  unto  all  an  equal  be,  (  light* 
 
 That  thus  none  may  his  greatnefs  fee. 
 
 In  vain  he  does  it,  for  he  lyes 
 This  way  the  more  confpicuous  to  all  eyes. 
 Thus  proves  it  with  all  thofe  whbfe  Vertues  be 
 Innate^  and  ftampt  on  them,  great  Jove,  by  thee. 
 
 D  d  i  Whilft 
 
144  Pindariques. 
 
 Whilft  thofe  who  learn  it  by  Art, 
 Have  it  more  in  their  minds  than  in  their  heart, 
 And  fo  can  never  prove  in  it  expert. 
 
 Then  welcome  my  belt  Frend,  to  whom 
 I  fend  this  welcome  Song  : 
 On  which  the  heavenly  dew  hath  fallen  below, 
 And  made  it  forth  with  milk  and  honey  flow : 
 And  fo  fhall  prove  a  drink  raoft  fweet  to  thee 
 
 in  celebrating  thy  great  Vi&ory, 
 Which  maketh  thee  of  Fame  and  praife  athirft  to  be. 
 
 VII. 
 
 And  though  I  be  remote,  and  far  away, 
 
 Yet  can  I  hence  thee  fee,  where  thou  doft  ftay : 
 
 I  can  afar  fmell  out  my  Prey  ? 
 Like  to  the  generous  Eagle,  which  far  ofFcan  view, 
 
 What  Crows  and  Ravens  even  near  can't  do. 
 Behold  how,  though  remote,  thy  worth  moft  bright 
 Appeareth  glittering  to  my  fight. 
 This  hath  infpired  fo  my  Mn[t  aright, 
 As  to  invite  her  to  a  foaring  flight,         • 
 In  praifing  and  exalting  thee, 
 In  whom  fuch  Vertues  (he  doth  fee  \ 
 Vertues  which  came  unto  a  wondrous  height, 
 t     When  at  Megaris  and  Ntmea,  thou, 
 2  And  EpMaHfits  die  ft  them  (hew : 
 
 In  each  of  which  thou  didft  vi&orious  fight . 
 
 THE 
 
[45 
 
 The  THIRD 
 
 Ifthmian  Ode 
 
 0  F 
 
 PINDAR. 
 
 The  Argument. 
 
 Meliflus  a  Principal  Man  of  the  City  ^/Thebes* 
 is  prat  fed  from  his  winning  the  Horfe-race  at 
 the  Ifthmian  and  Pythian  Games,  whom  Pin- 
 dar commendeth  from  his  modeft  and  humble 
 deportment,  notwit branding  his  fame  and 
 greatnefs,  from  his  wife  forefight  tn  the  ma- 
 nagement of  his  Affairs,  from  the  glory  of  his 
 double  Victory,  and  from  the  glory  of  fome  of 
 £/>  Anceftors,  both  by  the  Father  and  Mothers 
 fide,  to  all  whom  he  equals,  or  rather  prefers 
 Meliflus,  concluding  with  a  commendation  of 
 vertue. 
 
 D  d  4  I.  What 
 
j/\6  Pindar  ic[ues< 
 
 1. 
 
 What  Man  is  Noble,  rich,  or  wife, 
 Or  us'd  to  Victories, 
 Who  thcfe  gifts  in  jutt  ballance  weighs  ? 
 Such  men  do  moftly  other  men  defpife. 
 
 But  if  there  any  chance  to  be 
 Who  tothefe  gifts  adjoyns  Humility, 
 Humanity  and  Modefty  j 
 That  Man  is  worthy  of  all  praife, 
 Worthy  whom  every  one  on  high  ihould  raife. 
 O  Jove,  how  many  Vertues  doft  thou  fend 
 On  thofe  who  do  from  thee  defcend  ! 
 Wife  Providence  thou  joynefi  to  the  reft, 
 Providence  of  all  Vertues  beft ; 
 Whereby  Men  future  things  forefee, 
 And  them  compare  with  prefent  things  which  be, 
 But  perverfe  minds  what's  prefent  only  fee. 
 
 II. 
 
 Wherefore  it  is  but  reafon  I 
 Should  praife  the  conquering  Vicftory 
 Of  this  brave  man,  who  twice  did  run, 
 
 And  both  times  did  o'recome ; 
 i        Both  in  the  Ifthmian  Valleys  low,  (once  did  go. 
 
 2  And  in  the  Nemean  Woods  where  the  great  Lyon 
 
 3  At  both  which  places  the  fweet  Muficks  dance 
 
 Did  equally  the  praife  advance 
 Of  brave  frteliffus,  and  the  ThebanTovm, 
 With  a  perpetual  Renown, 
 
 4  When  he  did  firfl  arrive  at  the  fair  hanging  Grown. 
 
 III.  By 
 
Pmdariques.  147 
 
 III. 
 
 By  which  aufpicious  double  race, 
 His  Noble  Name  deferves  a  Noble  place, 
 
 Amongft  the  Heroh  of  his  race. 
 They,  they  indeed  did  tread  that  way  before, 
 But  never  did  it  more. 
 
 1  Cleonimus  did  win  the  Chariot  prize, 
 With  greateft  glory  j  yet  but  once,  not  twice. 
 
 2  We  like  wife  know  how  the  Labdacides 
 Did  fev'rally  win  a  feveral  Race, 
 
 To  none  of  whom  Mdijfits  doth  give  place  : 
 
 Nor  yet  in  riches  falleth  he  behind 
 Any  of  his  own  kindred  that  we  find. 
 
 3  But  all  things  here  are  fubjed  unto  change, 
 
 And  do  in  various  forms  range  : 
 1  Yet  thofe  whom  Vertue  doth  exalt  to  be 
 
 Of  JWsown  blefs'd  Pofterity, 
 Are  proof  againft  ill  Fate,  and  each  Adverfity. 
 
 Some 
 
Some  brief  N  O  T  E  S  on  the 
 foregoing  four  ODES  of 
 PINDAR. 
 
 NOTES  on  the  Fourth  Olymfkk  ODE. 
 
 I. 
 
 i.T  Say  the  Thunders  Artillery,  by  a  Poetical  and 
 X  Pindarique  Licence ,  in  exprcfling  Pindar  s 
 meaning  after  a  modern  manner.  For  whereas  Pin- 
 dar calls  Jupiter  9&wif  0&n£<,  i.e.  the  Brandilher, 
 Shaker,  or  Thrower  of  Thunder,  in  allufion,  as  I 
 think,  of  the  manner  of  cafting  Arrows  and  Stones 
 in  thofc  days,  out  of  Crofs-bows,  or  other  fuch 
 Engines  ;  why  may  not  I  tranflate  it  by  thole  Inftru- 
 ments  that  are  in  ufe  with  us  now,  fince  the  fafhion 
 and  manner  of  thofe  ancient  Weapons  are  not 
 known  in  this  time?  And  fure  Artillery ,  as  Cannons 
 and  great  Guns  do  reprefent  the  Thunder  much 
 more  lively  than  any  War-Inftrument  of  the  An- 
 cients. 
 
 2.  Homer 
 
Mifctllaneous  Poems.  *49 
 
 2.  Homer  in  the  fifth  and  feventh  Books  of  his 
 Iliads i  fays,  That  the  Gates  of  Heaven  are  kept  and 
 watched  by  the  Hours :  By  which,  'tis  like  he  means, 
 that  the  motions  of  the  heavenly  Bodies  are  all 
 raeafured  by  Hours  ;  *.  e.  the  feveral  portions  of 
 time.  But  by  Olymptck.  hours  here,  I  know  nothing 
 that  Pindar  can  mean,  but  the  time  allotted  for  the 
 Celebration  of  the  Olympkk  Solemnities. 
 
 3.  I  call  the  Harp  the  Org  an  of  the  Songs  Voice, 
 by  a  known,  and  I  think,  lignificant  enough  Simili- 
 tude. For  the  Harp  was  as  neceffarv  to  Lyrick. 
 Verfe  of  old,  as  the  Tongue  and  Jaws  are  to  Speech : 
 For  all  Lyric^  and  confequentiy  Pwdarick.  Poefie^ 
 hath  fuch  a  near  Affinity  and  Similitude  to  Profit 
 that  deftitute  of  the  Harmony  of  Mufick^(  if  we 
 may  believe  Cicero  )  it  feems  almoft  Profe  it  felf. 
 However  our  Englifh  Pindaricks,  (  which  are  not 
 compofed  with  any  fuch  relation  to  the  Harp, )  will, 
 I  fuppofe,  be  found  fmooth,  and  fweet  enough, 
 if  rightly  ttnderftood  and  pronounced^  wherein  its  chief 
 Excellency  lies  :  Yea,  a  good  pronounciation  of  this 
 kin^l  of  Poefie,  is  the  fame  in  efFed  to  it  now,  which 
 the  Harp  was  to  it  of  old. 
 
 II. 
 
 1.  Pindar  hath  it,  who  dwells  on  Etna  ^  by  which 
 I  believe  he  means  fome  Temple  built  in  honour  of 
 Jnpiter  in  that  place.  However,  I  thought  it  would 
 run  better  to  fay  near  Etna^s  top  }  for  Etna  was  of 
 old  one  of  the  higheft  Mountains  in  the  World, 
 whofe  top  didfeem  to  reach  to  Heaven  it  feif  j  with 
 refpe<ft  to  which,  Pindar  calls  it  in  his  fiflft  Pythian 
 Ode7  K<W  x&v'ia^  the  heavenly  Pillar.     In  which  place 
 
 there 
 
1 50  Pwdxriqnes. 
 
 there  is  a  very  ftrange  account  of  that  Mountain, 
 which  fhews,  that  its  Burning,  even  in  thofe  times, 
 hath  been  much  after  the  fame  manner  that  it  hath 
 been  almoft  everfince:  But  when  it  began  to  bum, 
 is  utterly  unknown,  fince  even  Pindar  fpeaks  of  it 
 as  a  thing  in  his  time  out  of  the  Memory  of  Man  ; 
 which  argues  it\at  firft  to  have  been  ot  an  incredi- 
 ble height,  confidering,  that  though  for  fomethou- 
 fands  of  years  it  hath  been  burning ;  yet  is  it  one 
 of  the  higheft  Mountains,  even  at  this  day.  It  will 
 notbeamils  to  hear  Pindar  himfelf  fpeak  hereof  j 
 which  I  fhall  make  him  do  in  English  Profe. — ■  Sici- 
 ly it  felf  is  placed  above  him,  (  viz.,  the  Giant  Ty- 
 phon,  of  whom  anon, )  as  likewife  the  heavenly 
 Pillar,  the  Snowy  Etna,  which  doth  preferve  Snow 
 on  it  felf  the  whole  year  perpetually  :  Out  of  whofe 
 Bowels  inacceflible  ^Fountains  of  pure  fire  do  gu(h 
 forth,  yea,  Rivers  of  fire  run  down  from  thence, 
 which  in  the  day  time  feem  to  be  burning  pitchy 
 Smok§ ,  but  in  the  night  appear  a  clear  rolling  Flame, 
 carrying  Stones  along  therewith  into  the  very  bot- 
 tom of  the  Sea,  with  a  great  hideous  roaring.  And 
 as  this  Vdcanian  liquid  burning,  when  cafting  forth 
 fearful  Emanations  from  it,  is  a  prodigious  Spedtacle 
 to  behold  \  fo  is  it  ftrange  and  admirable  to  hear 
 the  Relation  thereof  from  others  ;  how  that  Etna, 
 whofe  tops  are  overgrown  with  fliadowy  Woods  , 
 ifhould  yet  nevertheless,  &c. —  Now  the  reafon  why 
 Pindar  makes  mention  of  Etna  here,  is  becaufe 
 Vfatimis,  whom  he  praifeth,  was  a  Siciliw. 
 
 2.The  Poets  did  feign  Etna  to  be  the  Shop  otFulcan 
 the  Smith  of  Jupiter,  where  he  did  form  the  Thun- 
 derbolts to  him. 
 
 3 .  Typhon 
 
Pwdarfyues.  151 
 
 3.  Typhon  was  a  Monfter,  who,  together  with 
 other  Giants,  did  attempt  to  fcale  Heaven,  by  caft- 
 ing  Pelion  on  Ojfa^  and  both  on  Olympus,  and  on 
 whom  Jupiter  did  call  down  Sicily,  and  particular- 
 ly Etna  on  his  Heart  or  Breaft  -,  where  when  he 
 fhakes  himfelf,  the  Mountain  quakes,  and  from  his 
 Mouth  and  Breathing  iffues  Fire,  whereby  Etna  is 
 kindled.  All  which  is  a  Fable  patched  together 
 out  of  the  old  confufed  Reliefs  of  the  Tradition  of 
 Babel's  building,  which  the  Scripture  fpeaks  of.  This 
 Typhon  is  faid  to  have  had  an  hundred  Heads;  by 
 which,  I  fuppofe,  is  meant  the  unite  Confederacy  that 
 was  amongft  the  Babel-builders. 
 
 4.  Pifa  was  a  Town  fituated  hard  by  the  Town 
 of  Olympus  ;  beiides  which  two  the  Olympick  Games 
 were  celebrated,  which  are  therefore  fometimes  cal- 
 led Pifean.  At  thofe  Games  the  Vitlors  were  crowned 
 !with  a  wild  Olive,  which  was  the  Garland  of  Vidtory. 
 
 5.  Camarina  was  a  City  in  Sicily,  fo  called  from 
 a  Lake  of  the  fame  Name,  on  which  it  flood. 
 
 IV. 
 
 1.  The  Argonauts  were  the  Company  of  Thefeus^ 
 who  went  to  take  the  Golden-Fleece. 
 
 2.  Hypfipila  was  the  Daughter  of  Theaut  King  of 
 Lemnus,  who  did  inflitute  a  Funeral-Solemnity,  in 
 which  the  Argonauts  did  engage  ;  and  amongft 
 others,  Er?ine,  then  an  old,  but  vigorous  Man, 
 who  at  his  firft  attempt  to  run  armed  with  the  young 
 Men,  was  mocked  at  by  the  Lemnian  Women ;  but 
 when  he  out-ran  the  reft,  he  was  the  more  ad- 
 mired, 
 
 V.  Ahhens 
 
152  Pindariques. 
 
 1.  A!phens,ha  River  in  Peloponncfa^  running  by 
 Olympus  and  Ptfa7  thorough  Ebis. 
 
 KO  TES  on  the  fixth  Pythian  ODE. 
 I. 
 
 i.  T)  Indar  here  compares  thePraife  of  Zenocrates 
 JL     to  a  pleafant  Field,  where  Verm  and  all  the 
 Graces  do  delight  to  remain. 
 
 2.  He  calls  the  Pythian  Oracle^  by  way  of  Emi- 
 nency,  the  Navel  of  the  Earth  7  for  Apollo  uttered 
 his  Refponfes  there  out  of  hollow  Caves :  But  I 
 thought  it  fuited  better  to  call  it  the  Queen  of  Ora- 
 cles, placed  in  the  Navel  of  the  Earth,  than  Am- 
 ply to  fay  the  Navel  of  the  Earth. 
 
 3.  It  is  by  Pindar  called  the  horribly  founding  Earthy 
 becaufe  of  the  difmal  hollow  Ghoft-like  found 
 which  it  made:  But  I  thought  it  ran  better  to  fay, 
 It  founded  aloud  with  a  prophetick^  Breath. 
 
 4.  Emmenides  is  the  Name  of  the  Family  of  which 
 Zenocrates  diddefcend,  fo  called  from  one  of  that 
 Name,  the  Founder  of  the  Family,  as  would  feem. 
 
 5.  Agngentum  is  the  Town  Gregento  in  Sicily  7  (i- 
 tuate  at  the  foot  of  the  Hill  Agragas^  on  the  brink 
 of  a  River  of  the  fame  Name. 
 
 <J.  Some 
 
 to 
 
 ! 
 
Pmdnriques.  *  5  3 
 
 6.  Some  think  that  Tindar  alludes  here  to  feme 
 {lately  Monument  eretted  in  the  Forreft  adjoyning 
 to  Apollo  s  Temple  at  Delphos  :  But  I  fee  no  grourid 
 to  think  there  was  any  fuch  Monument  there.  So 
 that  I  take  him,  in  a  metaphorical  way,  to  call  his 
 Hymn  fo;  which  the  following  words  mske  dear, 
 where  he  fays,  That  neither  Storms,  ror  Wirn^ 
 nor  Rain,  nor  yet  Time  it  felf  can  deface  this  Mo- 
 nument, which  can  be  faid  of  no  material  Monu- 
 ment: Wherefore  I  here  exprefs  i\\tGlf>ry and ]Fame 
 of  Zenocrates  his  Vidtory  to  be  that  Monument,  ofpe- 
 cially  his  Glory,  as  it  is  let  forth  and  perpetrated 
 by  Pindar1  sVerfe  ,  fo  as  his  Praife  and  Glory  make 
 up  the  Materials  of  this  Monument,  sjjid  this  Hymn 
 adds  zForm  to  them.  And  thus  this  pert  of  the 
 Hymn  which  founds  fo  harfn  in  Pindar^  with  a  little 
 fmoothing,  runs  moft  fwcetiy. 
 
 It 
 
 i.  Crifa  is  a  Town  or  Village  near  Ddvhos  and 
 belonging  to  it  ;  whence  the  Pythian  Ganges  are 
 fometimes  named  Crijmn. 
 
 2.  ThrafybaUs  is  the  Son  of  Zenocrates  ^  into 
 whofe  Praifes  he  falleth,  and  perfevereth  therein 
 to  the  very  end,  according  to  his  ufual  Enrhufcftick 
 manner,  infilling  more  o*i  DigreiTions  than  on  the 
 main  Subjed  :  Yet  if  my  Conje&ure  fail  me  not,  the 
 reafon  of  his  fo  doing  in  this  place,  hath  been  be- 
 caufe  the  invitation  which  he  hath  gotten  to  write 
 this  Hymn,  hath  been  from  Tkrafybulm,  and  not 
 his  Father  }  and  ib,  as  himfelf  fays,  he  makes  this 
 Hymncotnmon  to  both.  .  This  appears  the  reafon^ 
 \i  we  confider  that  he  Hill  addrefleth  himfelf  to 
 
 Thra* 
 
1 54  Pindariqttes. 
 
 Tkifybitlusi  and  fpeaks  of  his  Father  in  the  third'. 
 perfon  only. 
 
 HI. 
 
 t.  Chiron  was  Mailer  to  Achilles  in  his  young  years, 
 and  taught  him  all  manly  and  virtuous  Learning. 
 
 IV. 
 
 i.  Nefior^  Antilochus  his  Father  was  a  very  old 
 Man,  even  at  the  Trojan  Wars.  He  lived  about 
 three  hundred  :  So  that  he  became  a  Proverb  of  old 
 Age.  His  Chariot-horfe  was  forely  wounded  by 
 Paris  hh  Arrows,  which  made  them  through  Fury 
 to  intangle  themfelves,  fo  as  hindered  Neftor  from 
 defending  himfelffrom  the  furious  Aflault  of  Memnon. 
 This  made  Antilochus  leap  out  of  his  own  Chariot  to 
 fave  his  Father ;  in  which  attempt  he  was  (lain.  O- 
 vid  makes  Penelope  in  her  Letter  to  fay,  That  Anti- 
 lochns  was  (lain by  Hettor. 
 
 She  quis  Antilochum  narrabat  ab  Heflore  vicluntj 
 Antilochus  noftricanfa  doloriserat. 
 
 But  fince  fhe  fays  only  what  fhe  had  upon  a  flying 
 Relation,  it  is  no  wonder  that  ftie  erred. 
 
 i .  Neftor  C2tne  from  the  Country  and  Town  of 
 Mcflina ,  which  is  near  Pylns.  Now  Nejhr  was 
 Prince  of  both  A&Jfenea7  Arcadia,  and  Elis. 
 
 V  I.  The 
 
Pindar iques.  I  5  5 
 
 VI. 
 
 i.  The  tinkle  of  Thrafybulus  was  Tkeron  his  Fa- 
 ther's Brother ,  to  whofe  Praife  the  fecond  and 
 third  Olympick  Odes  are  compofed. 
 
 2.  Pindar  compares  Thrafybttltts  to  Neptnne,  whom 
 he  calls  a  Horfe-god  \  it  may  be  becaufe  he  is  faid  xo 
 ride  through  the  Waves  on  the  back  of  Fifhes,  as  the 
 Dolphin,  and  others.  But  1  think  it  runs  far  bet- 
 ter to  underfland  it  of  the  Sea  it  felfj  unto  the 
 Vbiqnity  of  whofe  Waters,  the  Fame  of  great  Virtue 
 univcrfaily  diffufed,  doth  excellently  anfwer. 
 
 NOTES  on  the  third  Nemean  0T>  E. 
 
 I 
 
 i,  \T£^4   was   a  woody   Country  in  Acbaia^ 
 jl\|   where  Hercnles  flew  a  Lion  of  prodigious 
 
 bignefs }  upon  occafion  whereof  he  inftituted  Games 
 
 in  honour  of  Jupiter  in  that  place. 
 
 i.  Egina,  is  one  of  the  Cychdes  lying  over  againfl 
 
 Attica,  and  a  Colony  o£  the  Argives. 
 
 3.  Afop  was  a  River  in  Epn*9  where  'tis  like, 
 
 the  City  or  Palace  of  Arifioclides  hath  been  fitu- 
 
 ated* 
 
 E  e  IL 
 
i  56  Pindar  iques. 
 
 II. 
 
 1.  Pindar  doth  not  mean,  that  he  would  make 
 the  Harmony  compleat  by  his  prefence,  but  only 
 fays  in  general,  That  he  accords  with  them  in 
 the  fame  thing.  'Tis  like  alfo  he  might  fend 
 his  Harp  by  another,  who  in  his  Name  was  to  ex- 
 prefs  his  Hymn  on  his  Lyre. 
 
 2.  Myrmidontsvizzz  the  People  of  Egyna  of  old 
 time ;  or,  it  may  be,  only  an  old  Name  of  the 
 fame  People.  Hefiod  fays,  that  the  Name  was  de- 
 rived from  Am$,  becaufe  Jupiter  did  firft  produce 
 Men  out  of  the  Ants  in  that  Ifland :  But  others 
 more  truly  derive  that  Name  from  the  ancient 
 manner  of  dwelling  of  that  People,  which  was  in 
 Caves  and  Holes  under  ground,  like  to  Ants. 
 
 III. 
 
 i.  After  that  Hercules  had  done  fo  many  mighty 
 Feats  and  prodigious  Anions  of  Valour  and  Virtue, 
 and  had  conquered  all  difficult  Exploits  that  either 
 others,  or  his  own  Courage  prompted  him  to  do  \ 
 when  he  came  to  the  outmoft  Point  of  Africk  and 
 Europe,  and  could  go  no  further  for  the  vaft  Ocean, 
 he  is  faid  to  have  fet  up  two  vaft  Pillars  there,  and 
 to  have  engraven  there,  Nil  ultra,  to  fignifie  either 
 that  there  was  no  Land  beyond  that,  or  that  there 
 was  no  more  known  beyond  it. 
 
 2.  He  chargeth  himfelf  with  Inconfideratenefs, 
 in  mentioning  Hercules,  fince  he  was  none  of  Arijio- 
 elides  his  PredccefTors  ;  in  which,  never thekfs,  there 
 were  fo  many  Hero's. 
 
 3,  Enats 
 
Pwdariques.  i^j 
 
 3.  Eacus  was  Achilles* %  Grandfather  ;  heisfaidto 
 be  the  Son  of  Jupiter  and  Europe  and  to  be  conftitu- 
 ted  one  of  the  three  Judges  ot  Hell;  and  fo  he  is  the 
 great  Parent  of  the  Family  of  Arijloclides. 
 
 IV. 
 
 1.  Peleus  was  Son  to  Eacus,  and  Father  of  Achilles^ 
 from  whom  he  i^oft  called  Pdides. 
 
 2.  Jotc/.s  was^  City  of  Thejfaly,  which  Peleus, 
 through  the  affiftance  of  J  a  fan  and  the  Eyndarid.es, 
 did  take  in  his  War  againft  Acaftus,  the  Son  of  Pelea. 
 So  that  when  Pindar  fay s,  that  Pekm  took  it  alone, 
 it  is  to  (hew  his  matchlefs  Valour,  in  companion  of 
 which,  the  Valour  of  others  was  eclipfed.  How- 
 ever, I  thought  it  was  ample  enough,  when  I  did 
 adjoyn  an  [almoft  ]  thereto ;  to  iignifie  that  he  was 
 
 not  totally  lingular  in  that  Exploit. 
 
 3.  Tdamon  was  Brother  to  Peleus,  and  Son  like- 
 wife  to  Eacus  ;  he  was  King  of  Salamis,  and  one  of 
 the  Argonauts,  as  likewife  Companion  to  Hercules  in 
 his  taking  of  Tray,  whereof  Laomedon  was  then  King. 
 He  was  Father  to  Ajax,  who  is  therefore  oft  called 
 TeUmonius. 
 
 4.  Iolaus  was  the  Son  of  Iphichis,  who  affifted  Her- 
 cules in  killing  the  Hydra  -,  or,  as  other  will  have  it, 
 he  was  Hercules  his  Charioteer:  However  it  be,  it  is 
 fure  Hercvde:  is  here  defigned  by  this  Name. 
 
 5.  The  Amawncs  were  Women  who  did  \ivt 
 apartr  without  any  men  amongft  them,  and  with 
 great  fuccefs  defended  themfelves  againft  their 
 Neighbours,  yea,  fubdued  feveral^  Countries,  tntill 
 at  lad  they  were  fubjugated  by  Hercules,  and  their 
 State  altered,  and  they" forced  to  cohabitate  with 
 
 Ee  z  men. 
 
1 58  Pwdanques. 
 
 men.  Yet  Tome  Authors  of  good  Note,  report, 
 That  they  continued  ,  at  lea(t  fome  remnant  of 
 them,  till  Alexander's  time.  They  were  called  A- 
 tnazjnes,  becaufe  they  did  cut  off  their  right  Breait, 
 
 that  they  might  fhoot  the  better. 
 
 6.  They  write  of  Achilles^  that  he  flew  Lyons, 
 
 and  other   fuch  Beafts,  ere   he  was  fix  years  of 
 
 Age. 
 Pindar  adjoyns  here  feveral  other  things  of  this 
 
 nature,    as  about   Chiron  and  EfliUpius,    which  I 
 
 thought  better  to  leave  out,  as  being  further  off 
 
 from  the  Subject. 
 
 V. 
 
 i.  By  hallowing  and  naming  of  Apollo's  Temple, 
 is  only  to  be  underftood  the  great  care  that  Aru 
 ftoclides  took  thereof  in  repairing,  decoring  it,  &c. 
 in  fuch  fort  as  it  might  be  taken  for  a  new  one. 
 
 VII. 
 
 1.  Akgzrh  was  a  Countrey  of   Achaia>  where 
 there  were  likewife  Solemnities. 
 
 2.  Epidaums  was  a  place  where  there  were  Games 
 inftituted  in  praife  of  EfcnUpins. 
 
 KOTES 
 
Pindariques.  159 
 
 NOTES  en  th  Ifthmian  ODE. 
 
 II. 
 
 ISthmus  is  any  neck  of  Land  betwixt  two  Seas, 
 but  efpecially  that  Neck  of  Land  joyning  Pdo- 
 fonnmjus  to  Greece. 
 
 2.  In  the  Nemean  Woods  Hercules  flew  a  great 
 Lyon,  of  which  i  fpoke  before  -y  this  Pindar  here 
 underitands. 
 
 3.  In  the  praifing  of  the  Vi&ors,  the  name  of  their 
 Countrey  or  native  City  was  mentioned  together 
 with  their  own  Name.  Hence  it  is  that  Pindar 
 fpeaks  thus  of  Melifjus,  that  by  his  Victory  he  equal- 
 ly advanced  himfeif  and  the  Town  of  Thebes,  in 
 the  renown  which  he  purchafed. 
 
 4.  It  was  the  cuftom  to  hang  the  Garland  or 
 Crown  at  rhe  end  of  the  Race,  on  fome  Tree  or 
 Stake,  which  whoever  firft  arrived  to,  was  held 
 Vidtor.  In  the  Ifthmian  Solemnities  the  Garland 
 was  the  Branch  of  a  Pine-tree. 
 
 III. 
 
 1.  Ckonimus  is  Metijfks's  Uncle  by  the  Father's 
 fide.  m 
 
 2.  The  Labdacides  arc -he  Poftcrity  of  Labdacus, 
 2n  old  Prince  of  Thebes,  of  whom  by  his  Mother 
 Mcliffus  is  defcended. 
 
 E  e  3  3.  Pindar 
 
i6o  Pwdariqaes. 
 
 3.  Pindar  is  thought  to  fpeak  this  with  relation 
 to  the  fad  Death  of  four  of  Metijfus  his  near  Kinf- 
 men,  who  were  fhui  together  in  Battel. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 REader^  1  had  once  an  Intention  to  have  translated 
 all  Pindar's  Works,  and  for  that  end  made  my 
 firft  Ejjay  in  tranflmng  the  jour  foregoing  Odes  out 
 of  the  correUefl  Greek  extant,  being  one  of  each  fort, 
 viz.  One  Olympian,  one  Pythian,  one  Nemean,  and 
 one  Ifthmian  :  But  truly  by  that  time  I  had  done  with 
 thefe,  I  became  fo  votary  of  the  old  Poetical  Fables 
 of  their  Gods  and  Heros,  and  fo  fick^  with  their  Ste- 
 rility, Impertinences,  Adulation,  &c.  that  I  thought 
 better  to  employ  my  Thoughts  on  more profitable-Subjz&S, 
 and  fo  to  rid  my  Hands  of  thefe,  with  a  few  Notes 
 upon  them,  leaving  the  reft  to  any  that  pleafe  to  employ 
 their  time  and  pains  that  way.  And  yet  I  must  fay , 
 /  did  what  I  could  to  make  the  beji  of  this  Poets  Ex- 
 prejfwns.  But  fince  our  Englifh  Pindar,  Cowley  has 
 tranflated  but  two  ofthefe  Odes,  /  thinks  I  have  done 
 enough  in  rendring  four. 
 
 TH  E 
 
Pindar  iques.  161 
 
 The  CREATION. 
 
 A  Pindarick  ODE. 
 
 r 
 
 TH'  Almighty  God,  in  whofe  Decree^ 
 (  That  Abyfs  known  to  him  alone  ) 
 All  things  lie  wrapped  up  from  human  Eye  \ 
 Whenas  the  time  at  lafi:  did  come, 
 Which  he  had  fettled  long  before 
 
 For  bringing  forth  of  Beings  many, 
 Out  of  vaft  fojjibilities  endlefs  ftore, 
 Whenas  before,  except  himfelf,  there  was  not -any  ; 
 According  to  tWIdea bright  and  clear, 
 Which  th*  Eternal  in  his  mind  ferene  did  bear, 
 He  did  himfelf  prepare 
 Forth  his  Almighty  Hand  to  put, 
 Which  yet  no  Objeft  had  whereon  to  work, 
 And  out  of  which  to  cut 
 The  well-proportion'dCVe^m>. 
 But  want  of  Objeft  was  no  want  to  him, 
 Whom  Nothings  did  as  well  obey, 
 As  Somethings  in  their  after-day  } 
 Until  that  monftrous  Nothing,  Sin, 
 pid  into  many  Somethings  ftrangely  climb, 
 And  taught  them  for  to  difobey. 
 
 E  e  4  (2.)  With 
 
*6z  Pittclitriques. 
 
 Within  the  Bowels  of  Eternity^ 
 That  Ocean  bounded  by  no  Sand, 
 God  made  a  little  Spring  to  rife 
 Within  the  middle  of  Immenfity, 
 That  vaftly  bound lefs  Land, 
 
 God  did  a  little  Space  devife  : 
 Agd  in  this  Space  he  put  that  Spring, 
 And  Wheels  he  put  the  Spring  within, 
 It  turning  always  in  a  round, 
 Which  in  it  felf  time-living  things  (hould  bound: 
 And  in  the  Space  within  the  Spring, 
 
 He  did  produce 
 A  certain  ftrange  confufed  thing, 
 Whofe  Nature,  End  and  Ufe 
 Was  known  to  God  alone  \ 
 Who  did  the  fame  forth  out  of  Nothing  bring, 
 According  as  in  Ages  pall,  although  not  gone, 
 Moft  wifely  he  had  with  himfelf  propos  d, 
 As  is  by  us  undoubtedly  fuppos'd. 
 
 (3-) 
 
 Then  betwixt  Space  and  vafl  Immenfityy 
 And  betwixt  Time  and  vaft  Eternity  y 
 God  did  a  Circle  draw, 
 And  did  it  for  the  Embrio-worUs  limit  place; 
 
 Saying,  Lo,  here  I  by  a  fixed  Law, 
 Do  fet  a  pound  to  the  Creations  Race  y 
 This  doth  contain  th'  extent  of  the  created  Space. 
 Then  did  he  take  a  part  of  the  confufed  thing, 
 (  Which  may  a  Chaos  well  be  call'd,  ) 
 
 And 
 
Pindar iques.  1 6  J 
 
 And  ic  from  all  grofs  Feculency  exhal'd, 
 And  to  a  glorious  Form  it  foon  did  bring ; 
 He  did  it  in  a  moment  round  extend, 
 And  then  a  lefler  Circle  them  betwixt  did  bend  ; 
 And  did  it  for  a  limit  place 
 Betwixt  the  upper  and  the  lower  Space 
 Within,  then  did  he  glorioudy, 
 Wich  Diamonds  and  Saphires  bright, 
 And  pure  and  radiant  Vehicles  of  Light 
 
 It  make  like  to  a  glorious  Lamp  to  be ; 
 Whereby  the  bright,  yet  uncreated  Ghofis^ 
 Inhabitants,  who  here  were  for  to  be, 
 Might  fomewhat  of  Gods  glorious  greatnefs  fee, 
 Whom  they  ordainM,  were  for  to  ferve  as  Hofts. 
 
 (  4-) 
 
 Within  this  glorious  Paradife  above, 
 He  many  Paradifes  made, 
 
 Which  never  fade, 
 But  always  green  and  flowry  prove. 
 Here  Trees  and  Flowers  of  a  more  glorious  kind, 
 And  of  more  glorious  Colours  than  we  find 
 
 In  this  mean  Paradifebdow, 
 Do  there  by  many  a  Silver  Stream, 
 Which  glide  through  many  a  pleafant  Green, 
 With  Zephyrs  Breath  that  comes  between, 
 r[   In  Woods  and  Gardens  grow, 
 In  mnny  a  comely,  ftately  Row, 
 In  different  fhapes,  both  tall  and  low  ; 
 
 Where  fing  and  iing  again 
 The  fwett,  melodious,  comely  Train 
 Of  fweet  Ccelcflial  Chorifters,  who  there 
 Sometimes  alone,  fometimes  by  pair  and  pair, 
 
 And 
 
J^4  Pinfariqttef. 
 
 And  fim:tim:s  in  -  fjll-roouttvd   Quire 
 Dz  Sag,  and  fitng  ^giin,  bdt  nere  do  tire: 
 No  Grief,  no  Fear, 
 No  Sirrovv,   and  no  Tear 
 D3:h  ever  there  appear. 
 Winters  chii]  old,  tffc  fcorthing  heat  of  Jmt% 
 Do  never  pat  thefe  Singers  out  of  tune. 
 Their  Ar'u  akviys  calm  and  clear, 
 Ttieir  bright  &m  always  doth  appear  ^ 
 And  the/  fometimes  from  Tree  to  Tree, 
 Aad  fometiues  by  the  Cbryfial  Sea, 
 And  fomecimes  on  the  Mountains  high, 
 And  fom:times  in  the  glorious  Sky, 
 An:'  fometimes  in  the  golden  Towers, 
 And  fometimes  under  fhady  Bowers, 
 And  fj:n::imes  in  the  Woods  mod  rare, 
 And  fornettm^s  in  the  Gardens  fair, 
 And  fometimes  in  the  Meadows  low, 
 Through  which  tire  Silver  Streams  do  flow, 
 Do  fly  wifcfa  nimble  Wing, 
 'Or chanting  lit,  or  walking  flng, 
 In  that  perpetual  vernant  Spring. 
 
 (50 
 
 Thefe  glorious  Creatures,   who  no  body  have, 
 
 Who  fear  no  Death,  and  know  no  Grave, 
 Were  by  th'  Eternal  out  of  Nothing  made 
 Within  their  glorious  Houfc,  which  neVedoth  fade- 
 Bit  when  they  were  thus  out  of  Nothing  brought, 
 What  may  we  think  was  their  firft  Thought? 
 Undoubtedly  they  ftood  araaz'd, 
 And  at  the  Glories  which  they  fa w,  they  gard ; 
 
 And 
 
Mifcellamous  Poems.  165 
 
 And  what, or  who,  or  where  they  were, 
 By  whom,  or  why  they  were  brought  there, 
 'Tis  like  they  did  admire, 
 Until  a  Beam  from  the  Eternal  Fire 
 Did  warm  the  Seed  which  in  them  latent  lay, 
 And  madethem  fee 
 Both  what,  and  who,  and  where  they  were, 
 By  whom,  and  why  they  were  brought  there  : 
 And  thus  their  mind  did  free 
 From  the  difficulty, 
 To  which  they  knew  not  what  before  to  fay. 
 Then  did  they  lift  their  fervent  Eyes, 
 
 Which  did  burn  with  ardent  Love, 
 And  through  the  fpacious  fpangled  Skies 
 Their  well-tun'd  Voices  did  arife, 
 
 Each  ftriving  for  to  mount  above 
 All  others  in  their  7*Mer's4?raife. 
 
 (5.) 
 
 Th*  Almighty  God,  who  forth  had  brought 
 The  great  and  glorious  upper  Story 
 Of  the  Creations  Fabrick  great, 
 With  all  its  garnifhing  and  ftate, 
 And  the  Inhabitants  of  Glory  ^ 
 All,  as  it  were,  together  in  on  e  Thought, 
 As  having  then  Spectators  none, 
 But  his  Infinite  Self  alone, 
 Did  now  begin  to  make 
 Of  his  great  Work  the  other  part  j 
 Which  tho  it  was  to  be  but  low, 
 If  with  the  other  half  compared, 
 Yet  that  his  upper  Creatures  might  know, 
 And  fee  the  rare  and  dext'rous  Art 
 Whereby  he  formed  every  part ; 
 
 He 
 
(  66  P  radar  iques. 
 
 He  did  it  not  by  Thought, 
 Which  fuddennefs  implies } 
 Bat  he  the  fame  by  Word  forth  brought, 
 Which  fpeaks  Succefllon  fuddennefs  denies. 
 
 And  firft  of  all  his  Spirit  forth  doth  fly, 
 
 And  doth  to  work  begin  ;  J 1 
 
 The  aftivc  Angels  with  a  prying  Eye 
 Humbly  adventure,  and  draw  nigh, 
 And  feat  themfelves  not  far  from  him. 
 For  they  would  fain  have  feen 
 How  a  Fabrick  fhould  arife, 
 Worthy  of  their  Maker's  Praife, 
 Out  of  a  thing  fo  low  and  mean, 
 Which  had  no  perfect  Form  or  Shape, 
 No  Comelinefs  or  Symmetry, 
 No  Lovelinefs  or  Unity, 
 But  feera'd  a  confus'd,  fhapelefs  Heap. 
 
 They  likewife  lov'd  to  fee, 
 As  in  a  Mirrour,  or  a  Glafs, 
 How  it  had  come  to  pafs, 
 That  they  who  were  not  once,  fhould  yet  now  be : 
 That  thus  they  might  more  Matter  have  to  raife 
 In  higher  Notes  their  great  Creator's  Praifc. 
 
 (8.) 
 
 The  Spirit  doth  along  the  Chaos  move 
 Its  yet  unlovely  face  above, 
 
 And  through  the  fame  doth  go : 
 Aqdlo  !  and  lo! 
 The  unweiidy  Matter  doth  obfequious  prove. 
 
 And 
 
Pindar  iques.  i  67 
 
 And  lo !  on  that  hand  there,  and  on  the  other  here, 
 
 How  things  fo  different  in  their  place  and  fire, 
 
 Do  with  embraces  mutually  meet, 
 Behold  it,  and  admire  ! 
 He  fhap'd  the  Matter  in  a  form  round, 
 And  drew  a  Circle  which  the  fame  might  bound, 
 
 And  did  thereto  a  motion  give, 
 And  put  a  Virtue  or  a  Quality 
 Therein,  which  as  a  Form  or  Soul  might  be, 
 
 To  make  each  thing  according  to  its  Nature  live. 
 
 (9) 
 
 Then  did  he  make  a  glorious  light  to  fly 
 Along  the  concave  face  of  Heaven  high, 
 
 Which  corapafs  did  the  Work  below, 
 From  which  an  adlive  lively  Heat  did  flow 
 Upon  the  moving  Matter,  which  did  go 
 Into  the  fame  j  and  lo  ! 
 The  vigorous  enlivening  Heat 
 Doth  with  the  vital  Virtue  meet. 
 
 And  now  behold  the  Divine  Art! 
 The  piercing  Heat  doth  wich  it  bring, 
 And  diffbfe  through  every  thing 
 A  vigour  and  proltfick.  Strength, 
 
 Which  as  it  did  impart 
 Unto  the  vital  Power  or  Quality, 
 Then  did  it  come  at  length 
 Unto  its  full  Confiftency, 
 And  then  the  motion  double  prov'd  to  be. 
 
 (  10.  )God 
 
*68  Pindarics*. 
 
 do.  ) 
 
 God  did  ordain  the  Light  to  make  the  Day, 
 And  over  half  of  time  to  bear  the  fway,  * 
 While  as  the  other  under  Darknefs  lay  ; 
 And  made  their  Order  thus  alternative. 
 Now  they  do  borrow  Seafons,  now  they  give, 
 
 As  if  they  fwayed  were  by  Love, 
 
 Without  quarrel  thus  they  move. 
 Here  God  doth  fmiling  look 
 Upon  this  Rudiment:  of  his  Nature  s  Boo^ 
 And  faid,  I  fee,   evn  as  I  thought, 
 My  Hand- maid  Nature  forth  is  brought, 
 By  which  things  henceforth  fhall  be  wrought, 
 Then  did  a  joyful  fweet  melodious  found 
 
 Through  every  part  refound, 
 
 From  the  Spectators  looking  on  : 
 Matter,  becaufe  it  could  not  do  the  fame, 
 
 Sent  forth  an  heavy  hollow  Groan  , 
 Which  did  it  eccho  back  again. 
 
 (n.) 
 
 The  paffive  Matter  having  got  from  God 
 
 An  aftive  virtue  put  therein  ; 
 Thea&ivetm/tf  being  furnilhed, 
 And  with  a  quickning  Heat  now  cherifhed  \ 
 The  glorious  Agent  with  a  Beck  or  Nod 
 
 Afignal  gives,  and  ftraight  there  doth  begin 
 For  to  appear  a  Separation 
 Arhongit  the  parts  of  the  Creation. 
 Out  from  thegrolfer  Matter  doth  arife, 
 And  upward  flies 
 
 A  fp'u 
 
A  fpirituous,  pure,  unmixed  Stream 
 
 Of  liqHidWattrsxzntf&y 
 
 And  excellently  purify'd , 
 Their  very  QuintifTeiice  and  Cream 
 It  joyns  it  felf  to  the  Cceleftial  Sphere, 
 
 And  halting  there, 
 Doth  with  s  calm,  yet  fpeedy  pace, 
 Fill  fully  up  the  empty  fpace 
 Betwixt  the  Heaven  and  the  Place 
 Where  now  the  various  Moan  doth  run  her  Race. 
 
 (12.) 
 
 Then  from  the  Earth 
 A  certain  pure,  and  fubtle  Breath 
 Evaporateth,  and  doth  fly, 
 And  mount  on  high, 
 Till  it  the  pure  Ethereal  Ocean  meet, 
 And  with  moft  clofe  Embraces  greet; 
 It  filleth  up  the  empty  fpace 
 Betwixt  thefe  Waters  and  the  face 
 
 Of  the  terraqueous  Globe  below  : 
 And  thus  doth  make  a  Separation 
 Betwixt  the  upper  and  the  lower  Gcem  % 
 So  that  the  upper  doth  not  downwards  flow* 
 
 Nor  doth  there  go 
 From  the  Lower  to  the  Vpper  any  more 
 Pure  rarified  Waters,  as  before. 
 Thefe  higher  Waters  are  the  fame  we  all 
 Do  commonly  the  'Ether  call. 
 And  that  which  dothfucceed  to  them, 
 Which  Scripture  Firmament  doth  name, 
 
 Is  that  we  call  the  Air-, 
 Wherein  all  things  do  breath  that  are  : 
 
 Or 
 
*7°  Pindariques. 
 
 Of  which  there  is  fo  much,  that  th6  the  fpace 
 
 It  fill  betwixt  the  Ether  and  Earth's  Face, 
 
 Yet  is  it  ftraitned  ftill  for  room, 
 
 That  much  of  it  mull  flay  at  home, 
 And  fill  up  all  the  Holes  and  Bores, 
 And  all  the  ^acunms  and  Pores, 
 Which  all  do  know 
 
 Earth's  Body  to  be  full  of  here  below. 
 
 Oi-) 
 
 The  purefl  part  of  Water  being  gone 
 
 Unto  the  highefl  Region  •, 
 
 Earth's  pureft  part  being  now  likewife  fled, 
 
 And  round  about  Earth's  Surface  fpread. 
 
 The  glorious  All- creating  Mind 
 
 A  Signal  gives  to  the  grofs  parts  behind  } 
 
 And  ftraight  the  bonds  which  did  before  them  bi  nd, 
 
 Do  open  of  their  own  accord, 
 
 And  Earth  and  Water  both  obey  their  Lord. 
 
 A  great  capacious  Gulpb  God  open  made, 
 
 And  unto  Water  faid, 
 
 This  is  your  Place,  this  is  your  Home, 
 
 Hither,  hither  muft  you  come. 
 
 Forthwith  from  both  Earth's  Swrfmc  and  its  Womb, 
 
 Waters  trembling  do  gufh  forth, 
 
 Knowing  well  that  voices  worth, 
 
 And  fill  that  Bed  both  deep  and  wide, 
 
 Where  ever  fince  they  do  abide  ; 
 
 Unto  the  barren  Sand 
 Then  did  he  give  forth  a  Command, 
 A  Limit  and  a  Wall  to  be 
 Againft  the  fwelling  Surges  of  the  Sea, 
 
 Never 
 
Pindariques*  *  7  * 
 
 Never  to  let  it  overpafs, 
 Until  it  fhould  let  fee  its  Matter's  Pafs. 
 
 (H) 
 
 Yet  that  he  might  the  dry  and  barren  Land 
 With  water  fatisfie, 
 He  did  contrive  a  curious  way 
 Earth's  draught  for  to  fupply, 
 And  made  the  fame  by  his  Almighty  hand- 
 Out  through  the  earth  he  cxxxxovsChanmls  cut? 
 
 And  in  the  fame  the  waters  made  to  flow, 
 
 Which  Earth  irriguate  as  they  go 
 
 In  their  Meanders  to  and  fro  : 
 Likewife  within  Earths  Bowels  he  did  put 
 
 Deep  ftanding  Lakes  for  the  fame  ufe. 
 
 Rivers  from  Sea  he  alfo  did  deduce; 
 From  thence  in  curious  Aquedutts  he  brings 
 
 The  healthful  Rivulets  and  Springs, 
 Which  run  amongft  the  Hills  and  Vallies  low, 
 Sweet  to  the  tafte,  altho  from  Salt  they  flow : 
 
 Thefe  as  they  their  courfe  do  take 
 
 Thorough  various  forts  of  things, 
 Which  out  of  the  Earth's  Bowels  fpringst.. 
 
 So  do  they  varioufly  partake 
 
 Of  Earth  its  different  Qualities, 
 Some/wee;  are  as  the  Sugar,  fome  fait  as  the  Seas, 
 Some  hot^  fome  cold^  and  fome  medicinal^ 
 Some  for  one  Sicknefs  good,  and  fome  for  all  j 
 Some  good  and  healthful  for  our  common  nfe7 
 Others  again  noifom  and  foyfonotis. 
 
 F  f  (15.)  Tfica 
 
1 72  Pwdariqttes. 
 
 Then  Earth  he  doth  command, 
 As  he  had  done  the  Sea, 
 Together  for  to  be 
 Joyn'd  hand  in  hand  : 
 Which  Order  ftraight  it  doth  obey. 
 Some  parts  whereof,  as  fearing  for  to  ftay, 
 Do  leap  out  from  the  reft,  and  mount  on  high, 
 As  if  they  meant  to  touch  the  Sky  ; 
 But  the  other  parts  do  crowd  fo  nigh, 
 That  Separation  they  deny  ; 
 And  with  moil  clofe  Embraces  them  do  keep, 
 Though  over-look  they  do  the  Earth  and  Deep. 
 
 Earth's  Bowels  wThich  to  fight  lye  hid, 
 With  Mettals,  Stones  and  Minerals  he  did 
 Fill  plentifully,  and  Earth's  Womb 
 He  did  impregnate  fruitfully 
 With  more  rich  Treafures  than  all  which  we  fee 
 Out  of  the  fame  yet  to  have  come 
 By  all  Man's  Art  and  Induftry. 
 
 (16.) 
 
 By  Natures  curious  hand 
 He  weaves  a  Carpet  large,  of  Colour  green, 
 And  fpreads  it  over  all  the  Land, 
 
 So  broad  and  wide, 
 That  it  Earth's  nakednefs  might  hide, 
 Which  henceforth  might  no  more  be  feen. 
 Of  which  green  Covering  Earth's  fo  glad, 
 That  when  we  any  part  thereof  remove, 
 It  doth  again  of  new  it  felf  or'e-fpread, 
 
 And 
 
Pivdar iqites.  I7J 
 
 And  thus  doth  us,  though  modeftly,  reprove 
 
 Us  Wretches !  who 
 With  our  own  hands  our  nakednefs  did  (how, 
 
 And  yet  continue  to  do  fo  ! 
 
 This  grafly  Carpet  he  did  take, 
 
 And  a  Ground-workxhzxzot  did  make, 
 Whereon  he  curioufly  did  weave 
 
 A  rare  Flower-work^  which  did  it  give 
 
 A  comely  pleafence  to  the  fight, 
 Which  much  doth  in  variety  delight. 
 
 (  17.  ) 
 
 Here  do  the  Flowers,  fo  interwoven  dwell, 
 That  it  is  hard  to  tell 
 Which  doth  excell 
 Either  in  Colour  or  in  fmell. 
 There  a  Grey-  coloured  Flower  doth  appear^ 
 A  Sky-blew  mantled  one  doth  ftand  it  near  7 
 A  third  in  modeft  Purple  clad  ^  lo  here 
 Another  doth  its  Mother's  Livery  wear. 
 Among  the  reft,  the  humble  Violet 
 Is  by  the  lovely  Virgin- Lilly  fet  ^ 
 Which  two  together  with  the  balhful  Rofe 
 Contend  which  mofc  fliall  gratifie  theNofe* 
 Some  Flowers  here  defpife 
 One  Colour  for  to  wear, 
 And  do  contend,  as  for  a  Prize, 
 Which  fhall  in  Colours  molt  appear, 
 Among  the  which  the  Tulip  loves 
 Its  Fellows  to  appear  above, 
 
 In  gaudy  Bravery  and  Pride, 
 Contemning  fuch  as  ftand  befide  1 
 
 F  f  2  BsiS 
 
174  Pin  Antiques. 
 
 But  filly  Flower!  it  little  thinks, 
 For  all  its  patched  Beauty,  that  it  ftinks. 
 
 (18.) 
 
 Bit  that  this  grafiy  Covering  might  be 
 As  profitable,  as  it's  fair  to  fee, 
 He  caufed  Herbs  and  Roots  there  for  to  grow, 
 Some  whereof  Health  prefer ve,  and  fomedo  it  be- 
 VVhofe  Vermes  if  aright  we  did  but  know,     ( (low  : 
 We  might  with  far  more  fafety,  and  left  Coll 
 Than  by  Phyficims  and  their  Drugs  we  do, 
 Or  Health  preferve,  or  it  regain  when  loft ; 
 Thefe  were  by  God  appointed  us  for  Food, 
 
 Both  medicinal  and  good. 
 The  Patriarchs  of  old  this  under ftood, 
 And  on  the  fame  they  lhrd,and  thereby  lived  long, 
 
 Healthful,  vigorous,  lovely,  ftrong.; 
 Uoah  did  firft  a  Difpenfation  get 
 
 Of  living  Creatures  for  to  eat, 
 After  that  Earth  w7asfpoiled  by  the  Flood, 
 
 Yet  was  he  ftill  forbid  the  Blood. 
 Where  in  a  Myft'ry  he  faw,  and  underftood 
 He  thereby  livM,  tho'it  was  not  his  Food. 
 The  Beafts  their  flefh  for  recompence  do  give 
 Thus  unto  Man,  who  them  preferv'd  alive. 
 
 (19.) 
 
 « 
 This  is  not  all,  more  Work's  behind, 
 As  Furniture  for  man  his  ufe  defign'd  j 
 
 The  (lately  Trees  then  doth  he  make  togroYf, 
 Some  more  tall /and  fome  more  low, 
 
 Of 
 
Pindar  iques,  175 
 
 Of  various  forts  and  kinds,  (  Winds. 
 
 Which  love  to  play  and  fport  with  th'whiftliag 
 Many  of  which  do  every  year 
 To  man  a  conftant  Tribute  bear. 
 Here  one  is  loaded  with  the  nourishing  Pear, 
 The  Apple  another  doth  prefent, 
 Chearful  in  Colour,  Tafte,  and  Scent. 
 The  Olive  doth  itsfatnefs  yield, 
 The  Cherry  beauty  of  the  Field, 
 The  Fig->  Plumb,  Neclaren,  Apricoc^   and  Peachy 
 Their  Fruit  unto  us  reach. 
 Some  with  tart  Lemons  loaded  Hand, 
 Some  do  invite  the  Eye  and  Hand 
 The  lovely  Orange  for  to  pi  tick  and  ate. 
 Some  bear  the  Date,  the  Coco,  or  the  Pomcgr.anati . 
 The  little  Shrubs  alfo 
 Do  year  by  year, 
 As  emulous  of  the  Fruit,  that  Trees  do  bear, 
 Strive  them  for  to  out-go. 
 Likewifealtho 
 Some  other  Trees,  asth'O^and  Pine, 
 When  in  their  prime 
 Man  nothing  give, 
 As  being  barren  in  all  things  but  Leaves ; 
 Yet  that  to  recompense 
 When  they  V  cut  down  and  dead, 
 We  thence 
 Furnifli  our  feives  of  many  things  we  need. 
 As  for  the  fruitful  over-loaded  Vine, 
 It  yields  its  various  kinds  of  generous  Wine  -} 
 An  uleful  Gifr, 
 Could  we  but  learn  to  ufe-t  aright. 
 
 ^c1 
 
 F  f  3  (20.;  Thus 
 
176  Prnddri^ues. 
 
 (20.) 
 
 Thus  Earth  was  furniftied  \ 
 And  ttf  Heavens  forthwith  after  did 
 Begin  at  God's  Command  for  to  be  garnilhed. 
 This  Lights  (aid  he, 
 Which  hitherto  hath  fervM  my  ufe, 
 I  did  it  not  with  that  intent  produce, 
 That  it  fhould  always  be 
 In  the  fame  Form  that  now  my  Angels  fee  : 
 It  is  but  in  its  Chaos  yet, 
 And  fhall  a  Form  more  perfeft  get* 
 He  fpoke  and  gave  Command, 
 Thzt  Light  fhould  fever  and  disband, 
 And  to  efFeft  the  fame  put  forth  his  mighty  Hand. 
 Then  ftraightway  Light, 
 More  fpeedy  than  the  winged  Sight, 
 Seems  all  in  parcels  for  to  fall, 
 Some  more  great,  and  forae  more  fraall, 
 Yet  of  a  Spheral  Figure  all. 
 Thefe  he  doth  take  and  place 
 Where  now  harmoniouQy  they  run  their  Race, 
 Each  in  his  diftance  round  this  Worlds  Face, 
 
 The  Stars  thus  framed,  he  alfo  then  did  make 
 The  Planets,  Sun,  and  Moonr  which  do  partake 
 Each  of  a  different  Courfe  and  Quality, 
 
 According  as  molt  wifely  he 
 For  wifeft  ends  thought  fit  that  they  fhould  be. 
 The  Sun  did  then  through  his  Zodiack  Line, 
 
 His  Silver  Rays  ma&e  for  to  Ihine, 
 
 Where 
 
Pindariques.  jjj 
 
 Where-ever  fince  he  hath  begun, 
 
 As  the  great  World's  Poft  to  run, 
 Days^  Years,  and  Hours  unalterable  he 
 
 Hath  meafurM  out  unweariedly. 
 The  Moon  like  wife  we  fee 
 
 A  Meafure  of  our  Months  to  be 
 
 Still  conftant  in  unconitancy. 
 Buttho'fhe  of  Inconflant  bear  the  Name, 
 The  Sun,  not  (he,  is  for  the  fame  to  blame  \ 
 Since  Ihe  is  either  dark,  obfcure,  or  bright, 
 According  as  he  pleafeth  to  give  light. 
 
 (22.) 
 
 The  liquid  Ether  being  fillM  with  clear         , 
 And  glorious  Lamps  of  Light  which  there  appear  : 
 And  thus  Man's  dwelling  great, 
 In  all  its  garnifhing  and  Hate, 
 Unto  Perfedtion  being  brought  and  made, 
 And  on  the  fame  the  Cope-ftone  laid, 
 Servants  only  wanting  were 
 
 To  attend  upon  him  there, 
 Againit  the  time  he  ihould  be  wrought, 
 And  forth  into  his  glorious  Palace  brought. 
 
 Then  doth  the  Lord 
 To  th' Waters  utter  his  creating  Word  : 
 The  Waters  heard  it,  and  well  underftood 
 What  thereby  was  his  Will  ; 
 Which  to  fulfill, 
 They  do  coagulate,  and  forth  do  bring 
 A  certain  Spawn,  or  a  crudled  thing, 
 Which  forthwith  into  thoufand  parts  divides, 
 Each  of  the  which  molt  wondroufly, 
 
 F  f  4  Into 
 
178  Pindariques. 
 
 Into  a  fevYal  kind  of  fifh  doth  turn  to  be, 
 Which  do  with  Fin  and  Tail  moft  nimbly 
 
 Call:  up  their  fcaly  fides  \ 
 The  Monfters  of  the  Sea, 
 
 And  Whales,  which  far  the  greateft  be, 
 Hence  their  beginning  alfoowe 
 
 Nolefs  than  other  Fifh  of  Form  more  low* 
 
 (23.) 
 
 Then  flraight  the  Waters  earthy  fides, 
 And  fandy  Ground  o're  which  it  Aides, 
 Of  the  fame  prolifkk  Virtue  doth  partake, 
 And  lo,  an  hollow  murmur  it  doth  make. 
 Cut  of  the  fame  then  doth  there  flic. 
 And  mount  on  high, 
 As  if  lifted  by  the  Winds, 
 Birds  of  thonfand  various  differing  kinds, 
 Which  fill  the  Air  with  divers  forts  of  Notes 
 Thorough  their  hoarfer,  or  more  tuneful  Throats; 
 Some  whereof  love  their  Mother  Water  fo, 
 As  always  thereon,  or  near  it  to  go 
 
 Hither  and  thither,  to  and  fro. 
 Whiifl  others  of  a  more  refined  kind, 
 Their  only  pleafure  on  the  Earth  do  find,    (  ftand, 
 Among  the  Trees  and  Flowers  which  there  ingrafted 
 
 By  Nature's  curious  Hand  : 
 Amongfl  the  which  the  Lark  and  Nightingal 
 
 Strive  toexcell, 
 The  one  aloft  doth  foar,  ev'n  to  the  Clouds, 
 Whiifl:  th'  other  under  thickeft  5/^fhrouds: 
 One  of  the  Fields,  th'  other  of  Woods  makes  choice, 
 One  in  the  day's  moft  lovely  light. 
 
 The 
 
Pindar iques.  179 
 
 The  other  in  the  gloomy  Night 
 Extends  its  lovely  Voice. 
 Hence  likewife  the  rapacious  Fowl, 
 
 And  Birds  of  prey, 
 As  th7  Eagle,  Vulture,  and  the  Owl, 
 Their  firft  beginning  took,  as  well  as  theye 
 
 (24.) 
 
 The  Tpacious  Sea,  the  Waters,  and  the  Air 
 
 Thus  filled  are 
 With  Creatures,  who  do  there  make  their  abode. 
 
 Then  God 
 Doth  make  the  dull  and  heavy-hearing  Ground 
 Jlear  his  creating  Voice's  found. 
 
 At  which  ftraightway  the  Earth 
 \  Conceives  a  living  Foetus  in  its  Womb, 
 
 Which  being  brought  unto  the  Birth, 
 Lo  then  thenceforth  do  come, 
 And  fpring 
 Thoufand  kinds  ot  differing  things. 
 Lo  here  a  living  Creature's  Head 
 Doth  gape,  and  panting  for  an  egrefs  plead 
 From  out  its  Mother's  Womb  -, 
 Then  forth  its  Breafts  and  Shoulders  come  j 
 Then  nimble  Life,  and  vital  Strength 
 Enliven  do  the  farts  behind, 
 And  now,  behold,  there  ifiiies  forth  at  length 
 
 A  Lyon,  Elephant,  or  Horfe 
 Rejoycing  in  its  fiercenefs,  ftrength  and  force. 
 Here  a  fpirituous  piece  of  Earth 
 Partakes  of  Life,  and  Heat,  and  Breath  : 
 Whence  doth  arife  a  Fox,  an  Ape,  or  Dog :     (  Hog. 
 Here  a  more  heavy  piece  of  Clay  is  forord  into  an 
 
 Here 
 
180  Pindar iqstes. 
 
 Here  doth  an  Oxe  arife, 
 And  here  a  piece  of  Earth  of  lefler  fize 
 
 Becomes  a  Goat  or  bleating  Sheep , 
 Befide  all  which  a  wanton  Doe  doth  leap. 
 There  runs  a  timerous  Hare  with  nimble  Feet ; 
 And  here  do  go  a  thoufand  Beafts  too  long  for  to  re- 
 Here  tWOt ter,  Wtfily  and  the  Mole  (cite. 
 Run  each  into  a  fev'ral  Hole  j 
 And  here  among  the  Bufhes  doth  the  Serpent  row!  : 
 
 Here  do  the  little  creeping  things, 
 (Some  whereof  helped  are  by  {lender  Wings,) 
 
 Run  along  the  Herbs  and  Grafs, 
 As  curious  in  their  frame  as  other  Animals,  tho'Iefs. 
 The  little  Ant  indultriouQy 
 
 Doth  here  prepare  her  (tore  ^ 
 
 For  the  Winter  long  before. 
 Likewife  the  Hornet,  Waft,  and  Honey-Bee 
 O're  every  Herb  and  Flower  do  fly, 
 And  for  a  future  Storm  prepare  fupply. 
 Now  all  this  while 
 In  a  lovely  lofty  ftyle 
 The  knowing  Angels  who  fland  by, 
 With  a  curious  prying  Eye, 
 Lift  their  tuneful  Voice  on  high, 
 So  harmonioufly  agreeing 
 With  the  fucceflive  Being 
 Of  each  part  of  the  Creation, 
 In  its  fev'ral  place  and  flation, 
 That  it  had  been  hard  then  to  perceive 
 Whether  each  Thing  did  receive 
 Its  Ejfcnce  from  that  found  by  fome  occult 
 And  fecret  Vertue  that  did  thence  refult ; 
 Or  whether  Angels  did  their  Notes  advance, 
 And  pace  did  keep  with  the  Creations  Dance. 
 
 (z6.)The 
 
JMiJceHamons  Poems.  181 
 
 t 
 (26.) 
 
 The  Earth  now  being  wholly  furnifhed, 
 And  garnifhed  all  o're, 
 And  with  moft  rich  and  plenteous  flore 
 
 Compleatly  furnifhed  \ 
 The  great  Three-One  doth  Counfel  take 
 With  his  own  Sacred  Self,  how  he 
 The  laft  part  of  his  work  fhould  make, 
 Ev'n  Man,  who  was  to  be 
 Superior  o're  all  things  that  we  do  fee ; 
 Man  the  fair  Commend  and  Eptomy 
 
 Of  finite  Beings  all, 
 Whether  they  're  Sprits,  or  Material, 
 In  whom  God  purpos'd  for  to  write  his  Law, 
 And  on  his  Soul  his  Image  bleffc  to  draw. 
 When  this  the  Angels  hear, 
 They  tacitly  admire, 
 And  with  amazing  Thoughts  do  ftand, 
 Then  God  doth  put  forth  his  A13-potent  Hand  ;     ' 
 And  Jo,  he  takes  a  piece  of  pureit  Clay 
 
 Whence  it  lay -, 
 And  it  a  curious  Machine  frames  to  be, 
 (  Surpaffing  all  the  Sun  before  did  fee, ) 
 
 In  all  its  parts  compleat,  (fleep. 
 
 Lying  along  like  to  a  comely  Man  o'recome  with 
 
 Ciy:) 
 
 Then  lo,  a  fpfrtual  Subftance  he  doth  make, 
 f  Such  as  the  Angels  for  an  Angel  take,) 
 
 And  it  doth  in  the  Body  place, 
 Which  ftraight  doth  live,  and  with  a  vigorous  Grace 
 
 [Lifts 
 
i8a  Pindar  iques* 
 
 kifts  up  its  well-fhap'd  face, 
 And  looketh  up  and  down,  and  round  about, 
 And  calls  his  rolling  Eyes  the  World  throughout  j 
 What  am  I,  faid  he  with  himfelf,  and  where? 
 What  things  are  thefe  which  I  view  every  where  ? 
 Amazed  thus  he  mufeth,  till  at  laft 
 TV  Prophetick.  Mind  a  look  doth  caft 
 Unto  the  Heavens,  and  doth  fpy 
 The  glorious  Divine  Majefty, 
 And  then  with  ardent  Love  Man  thither  drives  to  fly : 
 But  th*  Body  doth  fuch  a  Remora  prove, 
 That  no  way  he  can  find  to  get  above : 
 Oh  !  fays  the  Mind, 
 Muft  I  a  Prisoner  flay, 
 And  no  way  find 
 To  fty  out  from  this  Houfe  of  Clay? 
 
 (28.) 
 
 Stay,  ftay,  faith  God, 
 This  thy  abode 
 Is  half  thy  felf ;  and  wilt  thou  from  it  flie? 
 Where  wouldfl  thou  be  ? 
 For  I  am  here,  and  every  where, 
 Under  as  well  as  above  the  Heavens  fo  fair. 
 I  here  have  made  a  glorious  place, 
 A  very  Paradife  ^ 
 
 Come  enter  in. What  thinkfl  thou  now? 
 
 Have  not  things  here  a  lovely  fhow  ? 
 And  yet  all  thefe  are  made  for  yoa, 
 Thefe  Man  confiders,  and  doth  fall  before 
 His  God,  and  him  adore. 
 
 Oh  Lord,  faid  he,  thou  haft  upon  me  fuch 
 Great  Bleflings  pour  d,that  I  cannot  fo  much 
 
 As 
 
Pwdariques*  1 8j 
 
 As  number  up  the  thoufandth  part,  tho  I 
 Should  have  as  many  Eyes  as  Stars  thy  Sky, 
 
 0  re  all  th'  inferiour  Creatures  that  live, 
 
 Thou  doft  to  me  Dominion  give. 
 But  oh!  their  Natures  are  fo  different 
 From  mine,  that  I  the  want  lament — 
 
 1  fain  would  farther  fpeak,but  fear  left  thee  I  tempt. 
 
 (*9-) 
 
 He  fpoke,  and  proftrate  down  doth  lie, 
 A  proper  pofture  whilft  that  God  is  nigh. 
 Then  God  doth  make  a  deep, 
 And  heavy  death-like  fleep 
 On  Adam  for  to  fall :  which  done,  he  takes 
 A  flelhy  Rib  out  of  his  Side,  and  makes 
 A  Con  fort  thereof  to  him.  Adam  then  awakes, 
 Unvails  his  Eyes,  and  doth  behold 
 A  living  thing  of  his  own  Mold  ; 
 Lo  now,  faid  he,  I  am 
 A  compleat  and  perfedt  Man :, 
 And  thou  whom  I  do  look  upon, 
 And  who  art  taken  out  of  me, 
 Shalt  be  my  conftant  Helper  and  Companion 
 Where-e're  1  be. 
 Then  Mirth  and  Joy  mutual 
 Doth  folemnize  thefe  Lovers  Nuptial : 
 And  Birds  find  Beafts,  and  creeping  Creatures  all, 
 As  officious  their  Service  for  to  fhew, 
 Are  their  Attendants  and  Spectators  too. 
 Thus  they  rejoyce  untill  the  Night  draws  on, 
 The  fixth  and  laft  of  the  Creation  j 
 When  God  on  all  his  Works  the  Cope-ftone  caftj 
 And  winds  thera  up  with  a  fweet  Reft  at  laft ; 
 
 TIrob- 
 
154  Pindar  iquts. 
 
 Th<  obfervance  whereof  he  doth  Man  command, 
 That  it  for  ever  fandtify'd  might  rtand  : 
 I  grant  thee,  Man,  fix  days^  fays  he,  as  thine, 
 
 But  x\i  feventh  fart  of  all  thy  time 
 
 Do  challenge  and  efteem  as  mine. 
 
 (30.) 
 
 When  God  his  Will  doth  thus  impart, 
 Both  Man  and  Woman  do  prepare  their  Heart 
 
 To  fandlifie  the  following  day 
 
 In  an  holy,  pious  way  : 
 
 Which  when  it  comes,  behold  what  Throngs 
 Of  pious  Praifes^  and  untainted  Songs 
 
 Do  flye  above  unto  the  Throne 
 
 Of  the  Ecernal  Great  Three  One. 
 Thus  they  in  Hymns  fpend  all  the  running  day, 
 Until  the  Time  flyes  with  their  Hymns  away, 
 And  on  the  heav'nly  Altar  doth  them  lay  ; 
 
 Where  they  with  Songs  of  Angels  do  appear, 
 And  fly  (like  Incenfe)  to  th' Almighty's  Ear* 
 Thus  God  and  Angels  do  obferve  this  day, 
 And  Man  in  keeping  it,  doth  God  obey. 
 
 Wherefore,  my  Mufe^  do  thou  ftand  ftill, 
 And  likewife  keep  a  Sabbath  for  a  while  : 
 Thou  followed  haft  all  things  unto  their  Reft, 
 
 And  now  it  would  be  bell 
 For  thee  to  reft  thy  felf,  and  quiet  lye, 
 
 Till  a  fliort  Sabbath  do  pafs  by. 
 
 Life 
 
PiffAdriques.  18$ 
 
 Life  and  Death : 
 
 A 
 
 PINDARIQUE  ODE. 
 
 WHere  is  the  thing  calFd  Life  ?  Fain  wou'd  I 
 If  it  abide  on  Earth  below  j  (know 
 
 If  our  fhort  flay  on  Earth  can  claim 
 The  honour  of  that  Name  : 
 Since  here  almoft  each  one 
 Doth  figh,  lament  and  groan, 
 When  he's  by  ficknefs  fummon'd  to  be  gone, 
 
 And  leave  his  Habitation. 
 Or  if  Life  doth  not  here  remain, 
 Whence  comes  it  then, 
 That  Men  fo  fearful  be, 
 When  Breath  takes  Wings,  from  them  away  to^flie, 
 
 II. 
 
 Life's  a  miftaken  thing,  too  great  a  Name 
 For  any  thing  on  Earth  to  claim  : 
 It's  true,  in  Innocence  Man  got 
 A  little  Earneft  of  the  thing  call'd  Life ; 
 But  well  we  wot 
 He  quickly  did  deprive 
 Himfelf  oW  hope  to  be  alive, 
 
 The 
 
1 85  Pindariquesl 
 
 The  Throat  whereof  was  cut  by  Satans  fubtle  knife  t 
 
 Of  that,  his  wretched  fall 
 Deprived  him,  and  his  Pofterity  all. 
 
 Then,  them  Death  did  to.  Life  fucceed, 
 Not  by*  an  earneft,  but  earneftly  indeed  , 
 
 Since  which  Man  really  is  dead. 
 
 III. 
 
 Can  it  be  poftible  that  Life  is  nnrs'd 
 By  being  wretched  and  accursed  ? 
 Can  Life  by  Death  be  bred  ? 
 Can  Life  with  Death  be  fed? 
 Is^t  poffibie  that  true  Life  can  decay 
 Or  flee  away  ? 
 Can  Life  within  a  prifon  dwell  ? 
 Or  in  a  noifom  Cell  i 
 Can  he  be'  alive,  who  did  Life's  very  earnelt  fell  ? 
 Can  fuch  a  Bleffing  be  beftowM  on  Earth  or  Hell  ? 
 No !  no  !  it  only  in  rhe  Heavens  doth  dwell. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Tistrue,  our  Saviour  Life  hath  purchafed, 
 
 When  Death  by  Death  he  vanquished, 
 
 And  freely  fince  hath  offered 
 
 That  noble  thing, 
 
 To  enjoy  which  he  promife  doth  his  Folk  to  bring. 
 
 Oh  Life,  what  wondrous  thing  art  thou  ! 
 
 Who  could'ft  not  purchased  be 
 By  a  price  lefs  noble  or  lefs  high  (die, 
 
 Than  thy  great  Authors  Life,  who  needs  behov'd  to 
 E're  he  could  have  the  priviledge  to  (how, 
 And  upon  us  beftow 
 An  Earned  only  of  thee  here  below. 
 
 V.  For 
 
Pindariques.  187 
 
 V. 
 
 / 
 
 For  why  this  lower  World  God  doth  fcorn 
 With  iuch  a  Jewel  to  adorn  : 
 Which  as  it  takes  it's  rife, 
 From  Heavens  bright  Suns  molt  glorious  Rays, 
 In  heavens  illuftrious  Crown,fo  is  it  only  to  be  worn. 
 There,  there,  the  holy  pitrchaPd  ones, 
 With  praiiefuland  with  joyful  Songs, 
 lnftead  of  weeping,  fighs  and  groans, 
 Acknowledge  that  they  were  no  more, 
 But  dead  before  ^ 
 And  that  it  was  a  grofs  miflake, 
 To  fancy  Earth  could  e're  partake 
 Of  fuch  a  plant,  which  cannot  grow 
 
 Upon  sn  Heath  fo  barren  and  fo  low* 
 
 1 
 
 VI. 
 
 Leave  off,  erratick  Mortals,  to  deceive 
 Your  felves  with  fhadows,  which  no  fubftance  hare  s 
 Could  you,  alas,  conceive 
 
 What  rare  and  noble  thing  is  Life% 
 It  would  be  more  your  ftrife. 
 
 This  empty  dream  of  Life  to  leave, 
 
 Than  matter  for  the  fame  to  grieve* 
 Will  any  Man  near  to  the  Northern  Pole, 
 
 Who  feels  the  ftifling  cold 
 
 Which  of  that  frozen  climate  doth  take  hold^ 
 His  going  to  an  hotter  place  condole  ? 
 
 £g         (r )  to 
 
1 8S  Piadariques. 
 
 VII. 
 
 It's  true  indeed,  the  wicked  reafon  have 
 
 To  fear  thofe  things  call'd  Death  and  Grave. 
 They  who  in  Satans  fervice,  wafte  the  Prime 
 
 Of  their  molt  precious  Time  ^ 
 Who  willing  do  obey  each  finful  lull, 
 
 And  do  refufe  on  God  totruft: 
 Such  have  good  caufe  to  fear  the  lofs  of  breath, 
 By  that  which  we  call  Death, 
 Since  all  their  hope  depends  on  Earth. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 But  thofe  who  of  Gods  favour  are  fecure, 
 And  know  the  fame  }  cannot,  I  think,  endure 
 Herelingring  to  remain, 
 In  Sin,  in  Grief  and  Pain. 
 Sure  they  will  needs  for  Heaven  pant, 
 And  grieve  till  God  their  fuit  do  grant. 
 Let  frantick  Fools  feek  to  enjoy, 
 Their  blifs  in  fome  poor  earthly  Toy  } 
 Let  mad  Emlmfiafts  of  perfection  boaft  : 
 The  Saints  do  fee  that  they're  but  loft, 
 While  on  this  Dunghill  Earth  they  ftay. 
 And  therefore,  though  fometimesthey  get  a  glance  of 
 Yet  grieving  and  impatient  of  delay,  (  Day, 
 
 They  can't  but  pant  to  be  away. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Oh  what  a  Life  muft  that  needs  be, 
 Life's  fource  and  fpring  to  know  and  fee  ! 
 
 And 
 
Pindar  iques*  *$9 
 
 And  on  it's  bank  to  grow, 
 
 Like  tall  and  ftatcly  trees, 
 
 Green  and  thick  fet  with  fruit  and  leaves, 
 And  feel  it's  fap  to  feed  our  roots  below ! 
 
 For  while  upon  the  Earth  we  be, 
 
 We  are  but  in  a  Nurfmc, 
 'Till  to  Heavens  Orchard  we  tranfplanted  be. 
 
 X. 
 
 If  endlefs  blifs  deferve  the  Name  of  Life, 
 
 Without  conteft  or  ftrife  ; 
 Then  fureto  be  deprived  of  Blefiednefs, 
 
 Muft  be  call'd  Death  no  lefs. 
 God  is  the  fource  of  Life,  from  whom  doth  flow 
 The  Springs  thereof,  to  us  who  are  fo  low* 
 But  if  to  him  we  Adverfary  be, 
 
 Is't  pofiible  think  we, 
 That  we  fhall  neYe  the  lefs  be  fiaffered  to  live, 
 That  he,  that  Noble  Gift,  to  us,  as  to  his  Friends 
 
 ( fhould  give  ? 
 
 XL 
 
 Wherefore  let  it  our  ftudy  prove^ 
 To  mind  what  is  above, 
 And  thitherwards  to  move. 
 Let  it  be  our  conteft, 
 On  Earth  who  (hall  livebeft. 
 Let  us  with  an  unwearied  pace, 
 Depending  on  the  Heavenly  Grace, 
 Run  our  Spiritual  Race. 
 Let  us  our  mark  and  pattern  place  before  our  eye, 
 Let  6ur  bleft  Saviours  Life  obferved  be.     (  Love, 
 Our  Head  and  Heart,let  them  be  fway'd  by  Faith  and 
 And  converfe  with  our  God,let  it  our  Cordial  prove! 
 
 G  g2  Let 
 
1 90  Pwdtriques. 
 
 Let  this  be  our  great  ftudy,  and  our  ftrife* 
 And  thus  by  time,  weel  reach  to  Life. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Which  when  we  feel,  Death  we  fhall  no  more  fear, 
 
 Grief  will  no  more  to  us  appear  ; 
 for  where  there's  Life,  thfere  is  no  grief  nor  tear : 
 Joy  and  perpetual  Mirth, 
 Accompany  true  Life  it's  Birth, 
 Perpetual  Youth  of  us  (hall  then  take  hold, 
 
 And  we  (hall  ne  re  grow  old, 
 Heav'n  will  unknown  reft  and  peace  to  us  unfold, 
 The  fource  of  Life  we  always  fhall  behold  ; 
 In  which  infinite  Myfteries  wee'll  fee, 
 On  which  wee'l  mufing  (though  ftill  praifing)  be, 
 Through  th$  agelefs  Ages  of  Eternity. 
 In  the  mean  time,  while  here,  let's  groan 
 Hence  thither  to  be  gone. 
 
 Thoughts  upon  DavidV  ELECT 
 on  Saul  and  Jonathan,  2  Sam. 
 
 1. 
 
 ISrae^  quit  thy  Name  of  Jfraely 
 It  now  doth  not  befit  thee  half  fo  well, 
 As  the  firfb  Name  thou  hadft  before  j  go  then 
 And  take  thy  Name  of  Jacob  once  agen, 
 
 For 
 
Pindariques.  1 91 
 
 For  why,  Ifraels  Beauty  now  is  flain, 
 The  Foe  hathrubbM  on  us  an  everlafting  (tain. 
 
 Upon  the  Mountains  high, 
 Our  hope,  our  ftrength,  in  gore  doth  breathlefs  lyoj 
 Oh  can  the  Body  live,  when  as  the  Head  doth  dye  ! 
 Or  rather  can  the  Body  live  again, 
 When  thorowly  once  (lain? 
 What  reafon  then  have  we  who  yet  furvive, 
 To  think  that  we  do  live  ? 
 For  though  fome  glowing  heat  doth  in  us  (lay, 
 Yet  are  we  ought  but  dead,when  as  our  SouPs  away? 
 
 II. 
 
 Oh  let  there  none  be  found, 
 Abroad  our  hurt  to  found  7 
 Let  there  be  none, 
 In  Gath  or  Ash^lon^ 
 Who  may  get  notice  of  our  wound  : 
 The  (hame  of  fuch  difgrace,  and  fuch  a  fall 
 May  prove  fufficient  guard  unto  us  all, 
 
 The  weaknefs  for  to  cover 
 Of  our  almofl  expiring  Mother. 
 Let  neither  adlion  nor  word, 
 A  Token  of  this  general  lofs  afford  : 
 Left  that  the  Philifiines  rejoyce, 
 Left  that  their  very  Maids  extend  their  voice, 
 
 With  this  fad  fubjeft  of  a  Song  *,    (  walk  along. 
 Left  it  do  prove  their  common  News,  when  they  do 
 For  though  we  muft  confefs,  and  cannot  hide, 
 
 But  that  we  are  the  lofmg  fide  j 
 Yet  fure  we  may  fo  far  keep  in  our  breath, 
 As  not  to  found  abroad  our  King,our  Prince,and  No- 
 
 (  bles  Death, 
 G  g  j  III.  G//- 
 
1 92  Pitidariques. 
 
 III. 
 
 Gfttia  where  this  Tragedy  hath  afted  beenT 
 
 Let  there  grow  nought  on  you  henceforth  that's 
 Let  ne're  the  Clouds  upon  you  pour,  (green  ! 
 The  drops  of  a  refrefhing  (howcr  : 
 Let  not  the  moiftning  rain,  nor  pearly  dew, 
 
 Defcend  or  ever  fall  on  you : 
 Let  neVe  the  vernant  Spring  your  Face  rtnew  ! 
 Henceforth  let  ne're  your  Mountains 
 Give  birth  to  Springs  or  Fountains. 
 Be,  be  ye  turned  iptq  barren  fand,  (  Land. 
 
 And  prove  henceforth  a  curfe  and  Proverb  o're  the 
 Let  there  no  offering  henceforth  here  be  made, 
 But  let  thy  Groves  for  ever  fade. 
 Let  never  IJraelitefo  far  injurious  be, 
 To  laft-days  fatal  memorie, 
 As  ever  to  appear, 
 With  Offerings  or  Sacrifices  here  : 
 Or  if  he  do,  let  God  deny  to  hear, 
 And  juftly  ftop  his  Ear. 
 
 IV. 
 
 For  why,  this  is  the  wretchM  and  fatal  place, 
 
 Of  JfraePs  perpetual  difgrace  -7 
 Where  valiant  Men  away  did  throw, 
 
 In  an  unufual  flight, 
 Their  Shield,  their  Sword,  their  Bow  •, 
 Where  Men  of  might, 
 Where  men  of  great  renown, 
 
 Were  vilely  flain  and  flaughtered  down  : 
 Amongit  the  which  our  Prince  himfeJf  doth  lye, 
 '  (Our  Prince  ne're  us'd  to  fly ;) 
 
Findariques.  x  r  o 
 
 Saul,  S^/himfelf  doth  lye  among 
 The  common  Souldiers,  and  the  vulgar  throng  ^ 
 
 As  if  he  were  of  no  efteem, 
 As  if  his  head  with  Oyi  had  ne're  anointed  been. 
 
 V. 
 
 * 
 
 Here  Saal^  and  his  too  valiant  Son, 
 His  Son,  who  did  in  Vertue  far  all  Men  outrun, 
 Are  now,  (Oh  wonder,)  llain. 
 
 They  who  while  living,  did  difdain, 
 By  fomething  more  than  Magnanimity, 
 Even  when  alone,  from  Armies  for  to  fly  : 
 
 Who  thought  it  fhame  to  grapple  with'  a  Foe 
 Than  them  mere  lowr. 
 
 Men  mighty,  valiant,  and  renownd, 
 Men  whofe  admired  A&s  Fame  loud  did  found, 
 
 Not  one  by  one,  but  when  combinM,  . 
 Were  only  Objedts  worthy  of  their  generous  mind. 
 
 How  many  mighty  men  their  Graves  did  find 
 By  Jonathans  unconquerM  Arm  ! 
 
 What  multitudes  did  he  alone  difarm  ! 
 
 What  Armies  were  by  him  and  5^/down  brought ! 
 
 How  many  Captains  have  their  mercy  fought  ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 How  lovely  was  our  Said  and  Jonathan  ! 
 Is  there  a  Subjed,  nay,  is  there  a  Man 
 To  whom  they  known  were.*  who  can 
 Keep  back  the  tribute  of  a  Tear    ! 
 Sure  Foes  themfel ves  can't  chufe  but  grieve,when-this 
 Their  lovely  and  their  pleafant  lives    (they  hear. 
 With  their  Herokk  a&ions  ftrives  7  ] 
 
 G  g  4  What 
 
19  J  Pindtriques* 
 
 What  man  is  he  in  Battle  that  them  faw, 
 Who  was  not  (truck  with  awe? 
 What  Man  did  eYe  at  Court  them  fee, 
 Whom  Love  did  not  their  Captives  make  to  be  ? 
 What  Man  was  eVe  admittheir  Speeches  for  to  hear, 
 Their  Speeches  worthy  of  a  Learned  ear, 
 Who  did  not  their  profoundnefs  flill  admire? 
 And  as  they  livM,  fo  now  they  dye, 
 One  bears  the  other  Company  i 
 Lo  now,  how  they,  as  one,  together  lifelefs  lye  ! 
 Who  while  they  liv'd,  more  fwift  than  Eagles  were, 
 
 Encount 'ring  Foes  ere  they  were  once  aware. 
 Like  Eagles  mounting  up,  with  Glory's  wings  they 
 Like  Lions  amongft  Enemies  they  roar'd.  (foar'd, 
 
 Their  very  Names  did  fright  their  Foes  j 
 Their  very  voice  made  Adverfai  ies  lofe. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Ye  People  weep  and  wail, 
 (Though  weeping  can't  alas  ptevail,  ) 
 
 Weep  for  your  King, 
 Who  to  you  did  fuch  Wealth  and  Honour  bring : 
 Under  whofe  fliade  you  liv'd  fecure, 
 '     And  knew  fcarce  what  it  was  for  to  be  poor. 
 When  he  at  any  time  did  Viftory  attain, 
 You  fhared  with  him  in  the  gain. 
 With  Scarlet,  and  with  cloth  of  Gold, 
 With  Jewels  comely  to  behold, 
 And  other  things  mod  fine, 
 You  cloathed  were  by  him,  whilft  he  did  reign, 
 That  e're  you  did  in  fuch  great  plenty  live, 
 That  ere  you  had  fuch  ftore, 
 That  fcarce  you  could  have  wilhM  for  more, 
 
 Unto 
 
Pindar tyues.  \qe 
 
 Unto  his  care  you're  bound  thanks  for  to  give. 
 
 Gome  therefore,  come,  and  joyn  with  mc 
 In  making  of  his  Funeral  £/e^  : 
 Of  this  fad  Scene  let  uslaft  A&ors  be, 
 And  in  a  mournful  Song  clofe  up  this  Tragedy. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 By  what  enchanting  Magick  did  the  Foe 
 Prevail  o're  fuch  Great  Hero's  fo  ? 
 Who  would  believe,  that  Ifrael  thus  fhould  flie  ? 
 Who  would  believe  that  mighty  Men  fhould  die 
 
 In  fuch  a  way, 
 And  thofe,  who  us'd  to  flie,  fhould  gain  the  day  ? 
 Thefe  valiant  Men,  when  Cowards  run  away, 
 With  generous  difdain, 
 Refolved  ne're  their  worth  and  deeds  thus  for  toftain, 
 But  rather  fighting,  to  be  (lain. 
 They  run  amongfl  their  Foes, 
 And  fighting,  fingly  multitudes  oppofe  ;    (do  lofe. 
 Till  overpowr'&*3t  laft,unconquer'd  they  their  lives 
 O  Jonathan ,  thou  here  thy  matchlefs  Valour  try'd, 
 And  thoufands  flew  before  thou  dy'd  ! 
 Heaps  of  thy  Foes  thou  flew, 
 And  thereby  wearied  grew, 
 E're  Death  could  get  a  ftroke  of  you. 
 In  Honours  Bed  on  Gilboa  thou  didft  dye } 
 
 Where  though  thy  Corps  doth  lye, 
 Thy  lovely  Soul  hath  pierced  the  Sky, 
 VVhilft  here  Fame  paints  thee  flill  before  our  eye. 
 
 IX. 
 
 O  Jonathan,  how  of  thee  fhall  I  fpcak ! 
 How,  I  do  fay  !  not  that  I  matter  feek  : 
 
 The 
 
196  Pindariques. 
 
 The  copioufnefs  of  matter  makes  me  be 
 Stupid  when  I  fhould  fpeak  of  thee  ; 
 Thoafands  of  thoughts  my  Breaft  poffefs, 
 When  tM7  Name  of  Jonathan  I  would  exprefs.   ' 
 How  doth  thy  lamentable  Death, 
 That  fad  expiring  of  thy  breath, 
 With  heavy  grief  my  Heart  opprefs! 
 How  doth  it  wound,  how  doth  it  me  diitrefs  I 
 Oh  belt  of  Friends,  my  far  beft  Brother, 
 Ne're  to  be  equal'd  by  another  ! 
 My  fweeteft  Fellow,  my  Companion  dear, 
 My  Gjidc,  my  Equal,  and  my  lovely  Peer, 
 Ho  v  can  I  think  of  thee  without  a  tear  ? 
 
 X. 
 
 How  pie^fant  waft  thou,  when  thou  liv'd,  to  me, 
 
 How  lovely  was  thy  Company  ! 
 Thou  was  the  Load-ftone  which  my  Heart  did  draw, 
 
 When  ever  I  thee  faw, 
 And  when  as  abfent,  thy  Idea  bright 
 Didwafte  my  day,  and  fpend  my  night. 
 My  mind  was  always  on  the  wing, 
 Ready  almoU  to  break  the  ftring 
 
 Which  doth  it  to  this  Body  tye, 
 That  fo  it  unto  thee  might  flye. 
 How  (hall  I  henceforth  fpend  my  weary  time, 
 
 My  Life's  now  pad  ifs  prime  ? 
 Care  fure  will  on  me  me  now  it's  furrows  draw, 
 They'I  fure  not  know  me,  who  but  now  we  faw. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Thy  love  to  me  waspaffing  all  account, 
 All  thoughts  of  men  did  far  furraount- 
 
 The 
 
Pwdariques.  197 
 
 The  famed  loves  of  th'JFemale-kind, 
 
 The  Feats  of  Love  which  in  record  we  find, 
 
 Though  all  in  one  cotnbin'd, 
 Thy  Love  to  me  do  halt  far,  far  behind. 
 Love  did  in  thee  fure  to  its  Zenith  grow, 
 Which  Hiflory  to  Ages  all  my  fhow, 
 As  wonderful  above  what  ever  we 
 Did  yet  behold  or  fee. 
 
 0  who  a  reafon  can  me  fhow,    (worth  below  ? 
 Why  thou  thy  Love  didft  place  on  one  fo  far  thy 
 
 'Tis  like  thou  didfl  thy-  own  Idea  take, 
 Pei  feftions  perfed  Image  fair, 
 And  thereof  didft  another  Jonathan  make, 
 
 A  Picture  fare  moll  rare  : 
 ■Bat  fince  thou  in  that  portraiture  moftfair, 
 1  Difdain'ft  the  name  of ?  Jonathan  to  fee, 
 
 (Such  was  thy  firange  and  great  humility,) 
 Thou  needs  muft  feek  to  place  another  there: 
 Which  prov'd  by  fome  ftrange  Providence  to  be 
 
 None  elfe  but  me. 
 Sure  Jonathan  in  this  thou  wall  moft  blind, 
 To  write  and  love  in  me  the  Image  of  thy  mind, 
 
 XII. 
 
 0  who  can  thy  vaft  matchlefs  Love  exprefs, 
 
 1  felt  it  when  thy  mind  thou  didfl  undrefs  ! 
 When  thou  thy  Soul  as  'twere  did  in  me  pour, 
 
 1  felt  it  in  that  hour. 
 
 But  words  are  narrow,though ts  themfelves  are  weak , 
 
 A  right  Idea  of  thy  Love  to  make. 
 When  PafTion  at  me  thy  Father  did  incenfe, 
 
 Thou  nleaded  Innocence, 
 
 And 
 
*68  Pmdariques. 
 
 And  for  thy  Friend  almoft  him  los'd  from  thence : 
 Yea  of  the  Crown  thou  chufedft  to  bereave 
 Thy  felf,  that  I  the  fame  might  have. 
 Hadft  thou  now  liv'd,  I  fhould  have  fear'd  conteft, 
 Which  of  us  fhould  our  felves  of  it  divert : 
 But  now  thou  wears  the  Crown  of  heavenly  reft. 
 Ne're  Soul  was  more  capacious  of  a  Grown, 
 Ne^re  Prince  deferved  more  Renown  ; 
 Yet  at  thy  Friend  his  feet  thou  all  lay'd  down. 
 
 XHL 
 
 How  can  we  of  this  doleful  flaughter  hear  ? 
 How  is't  we're  not  ftruck  deaf,  when  this  doth  reach 
 
 (  our  car? 
 That  our  great  King,and  Prince,  and  Nobles  chief 
 Who  flaughtered  are,  (Oh  paining  grief,) 
 Do  yet  unburied  lye, 
 Since  they  did  dye  ! 
 With  billows  of  o'recharging  grief  we're  tofs'd, 
 And  almoft  loft. 
 Our  Valiant  Men  are  (lain, 
 Their  Armies  and  their  Weapons  cafl  away  j 
 While  we  this  day, 
 Half  dead  and  half  alive  remain,  (pain. 
 
 And  fcarce  have  ftrength  to  wreftle  with  our  killing 
 
 The 
 
Pindariques.  1 99 
 
 The  Ecftafie : 
 
 O  R, 
 
 The  Soul's  Tranfmigration  into   the 
 Heavenly  Countrey,  i?c. 
 
 The  Occafion. 
 
 IT  was  a  fweet,  ferene,  and  charming  day, 
 And  Earth  did  look  as  cloath'd  in  Mays  Array  ; 
 The  Sun  did  fmile  down  from  his  Orb  on  high, 
 And  painted  all  the  limpid  Azure  Sky, 
 The  Rofie  Morning  yielded  had  its  place, 
 And  warmer  Beams  did  now  the  Air  embrace  ; 
 The  mounting  Larks  with  all  the  chanting  Train* 
 As  fung  afleep,  did  in  the  Shades  remain. 
 When  glutted  with  the  fight  of  things  below, 
 More  raifed  Thoughts  my  Mind  did  over-flow  j 
 A  more  than  Humane  Inftinft  feizM  my  Soul, 
 And  all  bafe  Thoughts  did  utterly  controul  j 
 My  Fancy  facred  Notions  did  prefent, 
 And  Heav'fl,  as  in  a  Glafs,  did  reprefent. 
 
 At 
 
soo  Pindar  iqttes* 
 
 At  length  my  a&ive  Spirits  tired  grew, 
 
 And  all  Ideals  quietly  withdrew  } 
 
 My  Mind  did  yield  unto  its  Organs  Call, 
 
 And  did  repofe  within  its  clayie  Wall  ^ 
 
 Moift  Vapours  filent  to  the  Brain  did  creep, 
 
 And  feal'd  the  Senfes  up  with  quiet  fleep : 
 
 Yet  reftlefs  Fancy  by  a  divine  found, 
 
 Is  called  up  to  run  a  painted  round* 
 
 To  which  the  Mind  a  careful  E.  r  did  lend, 
 
 And  in  it  things  divine  did  apprehend. 
 
 And  firft,  the  Fancy  fecm'd  to  reprefent 
 
 The  Soul's  departure  from  its  earthly  Tent  *r 
 
 Irsprogrefs  next,  and  Journey  through  the  Sky, 
 
 Untillt  reach'd  the  height  of  th'  Heaven's  high  , 
 
 Its  entry  alfo  there,  with  what  it  heard 
 
 And  faw-of  th*  glorious  ftate  which  there  appear'd  • 
 
 In  a  fweet  Dream  (but  more  than  Dream  it  was,) 
 
 Things  feem'd  as  real  as  if  come  to  pafs : 
 
 Which,  when  awake,  I  did  again  review, 
 
 And  here  in  a  fhort  draught  its  fumm  1  fhew  ^ 
 
 Which,  If  it  feem  what's  flrange  for  to  contain, 
 
 The  Faith  of  which  you  can't  with  eafe  attain 
 
 Know,  then  my  Soul  was  in  no  common  ftrain. 
 
 The  Ecftafie. 
 
 The  Soul. 
 
 Farewell,  farewell  ail  earthly  toys  ;  (a) 
 Sweet  Friends  farewell,  farewell  all  humane  ./ay*  r 
 
 } 
 
 (a)  Tht  dqarting  Soul's  Famuli, 
 
Pindar iques.  20 1 
 
 I  have  no  time  in  words  to  wafte, 
 Farewell  t'ye  all  in  halte. 
 
 My  Body's  now  unpin'd  I  fee, 
 
 I  find  my  felf  from  Fetters  free. 
 
 Farewell,  dear  Body^  I  muft  fly 
 Through  the  expanded  Sky, 
 I  have  no  time  or  mind  longer  to  wait  on  thee, 
 The  Nuptial  tye's  now  loosM, which  made  thee  mine, 
 Reft,  relt  in  hope,  for  Death  (hall  thee  refine  ; 
 And  from  the  Grave  at  laft,  where  now  thou  muft 
 Thoul't  rais'd  be  to  be  my  half  again.  (remain, 
 
 What  glorious  Hofts !  what  fweefc  Companion  thofe 
 
 Which  do  me  clofe  !     (a) 
 What  pleafant  Dream  is  this,  if  Dream  it  be  ! 
 
 What  lovely  Phantafms  now  I  fee  ! 
 But  fure  they're  real !  fure  I  do  them  view  ! 
 
 How  glorious  do  they  fhew  ! 
 Mayn't  I  addrefsthem?  —  Lo,one  me  prevents  j 
 
 They  flight  vain  Complements. 
 
 An  AngeL 
 
 Blefs'd  Soul,  thou'rt  in  no  Dream, 
 Thy  Life  was  rather  fo  : 
 No,  but  awake  things  as  they  are  to  know. 
 We  are  what  jye  do  feem, 
 God's  Holts, thee  to  conduct  and  bring 
 To  Men  and  Angels  King. 
 
 (*)  The  Convoy  of  Angsls. 
 
 *  So4 
 
102  Tindariques. 
 
 Soul. 
 
 (3.) 
 
 But  if  I  ftand  in  need  of  any* 
 What  needs  fo  many  ? 
 
 Anrtt* 
 
 Through  Satan's  Territories  now  we  go, 
 Who  ruleth  in  the  Air,  as  thou  doft  know, 
 From  whom  we  mult  thee,  Soul,  with  force  defend, 
 If  he  fhall  chance  t'affault  us  for  fuch  end. 
 
 SohL 
 O  God's  great  Love !  but  why  fuch  glorious  Ones? 
 
 AngtL 
 
 All  Heavens  Hods  are  fuch  ;  all  who  are  there 
 
 As  glorious  are  and  fair, 
 
 For  we  are  all  God's  Sons. 
 But  why  on  us  doft  thou  thuswond'ring  gaze  ? 
 Look  on  thy  felf,  thy  felf  may  thee  amaze. 
 
 SohL 
 
 (%) 
 
 What  am  I  ?  What  ? —  What  do  I  view  ? 
 Is  this  ray  own  Proportion  ?  Is  it  true  ? 
 What  I  was  once,  fure  I  am  now  no  more, 
 Or  elfe  I  ne're  did  fee  my  felf  before ! 
 
 When 
 
Pindar  tykes.  2°? 
 
 When  firfl  I  left  the  Body,  in  amaze, 
 I  fee  you,  and  did  on  you  gaze  •, 
 You  were  and  are  a  Wonder  juft  to  me  $ 
 But  now  my  felf  with  wonder  morel  fee. 
 But  things  more  permanent  I  leave, 
 To  pafTing  things  fome  pafiing  Thoughts  I  give. 
 What  things  are  thofe  we  now  pafs  by,    (a) 
 Which  toul  thus  through  the  Sky  ?  " 
 
 Anvd. 
 
 (5) 
 Thofe  are  the  Cloudy  Magazines,  which  hold 
 The  Hail,  the  Snow,  the  Cold. 
 
 Lo,  here  the  treafurcs  of  the  Rain. 
 JLo,  there  the  Bellows  of  the  noifie  Winds  remain. 
 But  leaving  thefe }  lo,  upwards  look,  what's  here  ? 
 
 What  glittering  World  does  appear  ?    (J?) 
 This  is  the  Moon,  the  Worlds  letter  Light, 
 Which  by  the  Suns  refle&ion  Ihines  fo  bright, 
 
 Illuftrating  the  dusky  night  : 
 
 Which,  that  it  might  difpenfe 
 
 An  nniverfal  Influence  ■ 
 
 Unto  the  Earthly  Globle  below  j 
 God  did  it  fo,  and  of  fuch  matter  frame, 
 
 As  is  with  it  almoft  the  fame, 
 And  thus  it  feems  another  World  to  fhow. 
 
 But  here  a  while  we'll  flop  our  flight, 
 And  from  the  Surface  of  the  Moon  fo  bright 
 Caft  downwards  fome  few  looks  on  Earth  below^ 
 And  fee  what  at  this  lengtlj  its  form  doth  (how; 
 
 (a)  Tb{  Clouds.       (h)  the  Moon.    3- 
 
 H  h  SqhI 
 
2  04  Pindarics. 
 
 Soul. 
 
 What !  —that  the  Earth  !  fo  low  !  fo  fmall ! 
 That  dark  !  that  (hadowy  Ball !     (a) 
 Is  that  the  Boundary  of  afpiringMan  ? 
 which  fecms  from  hence  not  much  above  a  fpan. 
 Where,  where's  the  Britifb  Ijle,  my  Native  Land  ? 
 Lo  now  I  it  do  lee, 
 
 Though  fcarce  perceptible  it  be, 
 
 But  fcem  as  a  grain  of  the  Sand. 
 
 And  is  this  little  fpeck  I  fee 
 (O  fbame  of  words!  )  called  great  Britannie? 
 Poor  fhaliow-minded  Man,  whereas  thy  Renown*. 
 Where  is  the  glittering  glory  of  the  Crown  ? 
 Where  is  the  boaft  of  an  ex tenfive /*«*.* 
 Where  are  the  Trophies  Victories  do  claim  ? 
 Where's  all  the  Grandeur  Monarchies  do  boaft  ? 
 Thy  ftately  Shipsr  that  pafs  from  Coaft  to  Coaft  ? 
 Where's  all  thy  Empires  and  Dominions  great  ? 
 
 Where's  all  thy  Grandeur  and  thy  State  ? 
 Where's  all  thy  mighty  Bjifinefs  and  Trade  ? 
 Where  are  thy  long  and  weary  Journeys  made  ? 
 
 What !  Fight,  Rob,  Ravifh,  Murder,  Kill ! 
 And  all  for  forae  fmall  duft  of  this  Mole-hiti, ! 
 
 AweL 
 
 (7) 
 Leave  off"  thy  mufwgs,  let  us  mind  our  way, 
 Our  Journey's  longhand  time  admits  noftay. 
 
 (*)  The  Souls  rt fiction  on  the  Earth  from  thtMoon. 
 
 Lo, 
 
Pindar  iques.  205 
 
 Lo,  here's  the  way  thy  Sacred  Matter  took, 
 When  after's  Paffion  he  the  Earth  forfook  5 
 We  with  hirn  then  did  in  fuch  manner  fly, 
 
 As  thee  we  now  accompany. 
 Thoufands  of  Saints  their  new-rais'd  Bodies  wore(V) 
 At  tho  fame  time,  and  up  with  him  did  foar. 
 Thus  alfo  did  Elijah  march  before, 
 And  Enoch  fhatch'd  from  Earth,to  live  on  it  no  more* 
 
 Thus  fhall  the  Martyr* d  Saints  afcend,     (£) 
 When  Satan's  earthly  Monarchy  does  end; 
 Where  they  in  Heaven  fhall  reign  a  thonfend  years, 
 In  th'time  the  Church  to  reign  on  Earth  appears. 
 
 This  way  thou'lt  tread  a  feeond  time, 
 When  Souls  their  Bodies  do  aflume  again  ; 
 And  then  with  Chrift  thy  Head,  and  all  the  juft, 
 Who  have  put  on  their  then  Immortal  Duft, 
 Thou'lt  fit  to  judge  the  Men  that  are  accurft: 
 The  Judgment  over,  all  the  glorious  Train, 
 Who  follow  their  great  King,who  once  was  flaitij 
 In  glory  fhall  afcend  to  Heaven  again. 
 
 (8.) 
 
 But  now  look  up,  behold  the  glorious  Sun,    (r) 
 
 Approach,  and  fea^lefs  to  it  come  : 
 Bodies  fear  burning,  Spirits  are  not  fuch 
 As  to  be  hurt  by  any  matters  touch. 
 Behold  this  World  of  Fire,  and  fee  how  foon 
 God  can  the  Earth  in  Flames  confume. 
 If  plac'd  but  nearer  Earth, Heat  would  of  it  take  hold ; 
 And  further  if  removM,  Earth  would  confume  with 
 Lo,heres  the  fource  of  Light  and  Heat,     (co!d„ 
 So  fervid,  yet  fo  fwect. 
 
 Qi)  Math, 27.  $2,%$.       (V)  Rw.  20.  4,  $,      (c)TbtSun* 
 
 .     H  h  %  It's 
 
206  Pwdariques. 
 
 It's  this  which  lower  Beings  keeps  alive, 
 And  from  a  Winters  death  doth  Earth  revive. 
 Behold  the  matter  feeds  this  Flame  fo  clear, 
 Which  though  for  to  confumeit  doth  appear, 
 Yet  is  not  wafted,  lo,  five  thoufand  year. 
 
 (9.) 
 
 put  upwards  let  us  mount  with  all  our  might, 
 Each  Objed  mult  not  thus  tetard  our  flight. 
 
 Soul. 
 
 Methinks  ten  thoufand  Suns  I  do  efpy ,  (a) 
 
 All  rolling  through  the  Sky  j 
 Each  of  them  bigger  to  me  feems,  ev'n  here, 
 Than  from  the  Moon  the  whole  Earth  did  appear. 
 
 Angel. 
 
 Thefe  are  the  Stars  which  thus  fo  glorious  (hew,    . 
 But  time  admits  no  flay  them  now  to  view. 
 Let's  fwiftly  pafs  them  ;  Heaven  lo,  draws  near, 
 Where  Objedts  far  more  glorious  will  appear. 
 Lo,  now  the  Starry-Firmament  gives  way  j 
 Heav'ns  Gates  fly  open  ;  its  Hoflsdo  for  us  flay. 
 
 Soul. 
 
 (10.) 
 
 Where  am  I !  —Where !  —  How  glorious  all  things 
 What  glorious  Objefts  do  I  view  !  (b)    (Ihew/ 
 
 (a)  The  Stars.       (b)Tbe Sojl enttrs Haven. 
 
 "~    "'  What 
 
Pindar  iques.  207 
 
 What  fweet  Perfumes  I  fmell  /  what  Odours  rare    ■ 
 Pafs  through  the  fweet  irradiate  Air  / 
 What  fweet  melodious  Mufick  do  I  hear, 
 
 Which  ftrikes  my  ravifht  Ear  / 
 Lo,  how  innumerable  the  Armies  be 
 Of  glorious  Angels  which  I  fee  / 
 One  to  me  comes. — Methinks  I  him  fliould  know/0*) 
 Sure  it's  a  Sod  that  once  did  dwell  below  / 
 
 A  glorified  Sprit* 
 
 (11.) 
 
 Welcome,  dear  Brother^  to  the  Heavens  high  ^ 
 
 My  features  thou  may  know,  for  it  is  1 : 
 
 For  Glory  alters  not  the  Soul,  fave  in 
 
 Its  Imperfedtions,  the  effe&s  of  fin. 
 
 All  thy  Relations,  who  in  Chrift  did  die, 
 
 Are  alfo  here,  and  ftraight  you'll  them  defcry. 
 
 Our  love,  which  we  on  Earth  each  other  bore, 
 
 Obliged  me  others  for  to  come  before, 
 
 And  be  the  firft  to  fly  unto  the  Gate, 
 
 With  th' Angels  fent  thy  entry  to  await. 
 
 For  tho'  our  Heav'nly  State,as  that  of  Angels  pure, 
 
 No  Earthly  Bond  admits,  or  can  endure } 
 
 All  being  f wallowM  up  in  clofer  Saimjhips  Tye  : 
 
 Yet  true  Love  once  begun, like  Grace  doth  never  die, 
 
 But  purg'd  from  Earthly  dregs,and  made  more  pure, 
 
 Doch  ever  here  endure. 
 The  Heavniy  Wifdom  knows,  this  fit  to  be, 
 As  by  Experience  quickly  you  will  fee  ^ 
 
 {a)  A  J^novpn  Sprit. 
 
 Hh  3  For 
 
2o8  Pindariqins. 
 
 For  lo,  a  Manfion  is  for  you  prepared, 
 And  in  the  fame,  as  part  of  your  Reward, 
 You  may  obferve  it  fo  to  ftand, 
 As  to  have  nigh  at  hand 
 The  Manfions  of  all  thofe^conjoynM  to  thee  on  Earth 
 By  Nature 's,  or  by  clofer  Frimdflrifs  Birth. 
 
 SouL 
 
 (12.) 
 
 Sweet  Place,  fweet  Life,  fweet  Company,all  fweet  •, 
 Sweet  Grace,fweet  Love,which  for  this  made  us  meet. 
 
 Poor  fordid  Earth  below  ! 
 Thy  Memory  now  doth  more  than  fordid  grow. 
 Poor  Mortal  Friends^  with  weeping  why  fo  pin'd  ? 
 What  makes  you  thus  to  grief  inclin'd  ? 
 No  reafon  fure  you  have,  except  that  you  are  left  be- 
 What !  weep  becaufe  we  happy  are,and  well !  (hind. 
 
 Becaufe  we've  bid  all  grief  farewell  \ 
 Becaufe  Death  now  we  have  exchanged  for  Life, 
 And  Truth  &  Peace  have  got  for  Error  &  for  Strife  ! 
 Becaufe  we  from  a  troublous  Sea  are  fafely  got  on 
 
 And  are  to  fail  on  it  no  more  !  ((bore, 
 
 Sure  we,  who've  left  you  failing  yet  on  it, 
 On  that  fo  fad  and  hazardous  a  Deep, 
 
 Have  reafon  more  for  you  to  weep, 
 If  Heaven  could  of  fuch  a  frame  admit. 
 
 Glorified  Spirit. 
 
 (13.; 
 
 Break  off,  we've  wing'd  the  outer  Court  almofr, 
 We've  ieen  its  Glories,  and  its  glorious  Hoft. 
 
 The 
 
Pwdarzques.  2oy 
 
 The  Palace-Gate,  lo,  now  at  length  draws  near, 
 Whofe  fplendour   will   make  all*  you've  feen  to 
 
 (difappear : 
 For  there  our  glorious  God  himfelf  doth  (how, 
 As  far  as  Finite  Minds  can  formed  be  IhfinU^nefs  to 
 
 (know. 
 There  Chrift  you'll  fee,  in  whofe  Humanity 
 Are  center'd  all  the  Rays  of  the  bright  Deity. 
 But  it's  in  vain  thefe  things  for  to  defcribe, 
 
 Whereof  no  Pi&ure  can  be  made  -, 
 
 But  if  there's  any,  it  you'll  find 
 In  the  bright  MirrouroftlvirradiatewondringMind. 
 But  now  let's  enter,  itreight  you  more  will  fee 
 Than  can  be  fully  known,  far  lefs  cxpreft  to  ali  Eter- 
 nity. 
 
 Soul. 
 
 04> 
 
 What!  God  himfelf!  —  Yca,God  himfelf  I  fee  I 
 
 My  Saviour  dear  I  fee  and  know  ! 
 Now  Saints  and  Angels  difappear  to  me  : 
 A  divine  Inftintt  all  things  me  doth  (how. 
 But  Words  do  leave  me,  Thoughts  themfelves  do 
 Tho'  perfeft,  yet  Fm  finite  ffiill,  Chain, 
 
 And  tho'  Fm  freed  from  Moral  ill, 
 Yet  as  a  Creature,  not  without  all  fault, 
 God  is  himfelf  my  Bible  now  become, 
 
 And  Chrift  my  Teacher  grown  : 
 The  Wonders  of  the  Deity  will  come 
 
 Henceforth  to  be  more  known. 
 For  he  himfelf**  prefented  as  our  ftudy  now, 
 As'/  works  tlf  Objedts  once  were  of  our  view. 
 
 Hh   4  My 
 
2lo  Pixdariques* 
 
 Mypowerlefs  powers  would  fain  prefent  their  Offering, 
 Bat  that  they'll  wrapt  and  fetter d  by  a  divine  won- 
 dering. 
 Yet  lo,Sm*pkV^Fire  doth  kindle  fo  within  my  Breaft, 
 
 As,  with  th'  glorious  Chorus,  I 
 To  joyn  and  fing  mult  needs  attempt  at  leaft  ; 
 Yea,  lo  my  God  himfelf  invites  me  for  to  try. 
 
 All  praife,  all  praife  to  Him  that  fits  above, 
 The  only  Objed  worthy  of  all  Love. 
 To  thee^Great  God,  an  Hallelujah  I 
 Shall  warble  out  through  blefs'd  Eternity. 
 I  enter  now  t\\  Song  that  never  fhall  have  end, 
 But  fet  to  higher  Notes,  muft  higher  ftill  afcend. 
 
 For  ftill  of  thee  the  more  I  know,        Dhow  ^) 
 (And  more  and  more  Eternity,  tho'  gradually,  will 
 
 The  more  1 11  have  to  fing  and  praife, 
 And  higher  things  in  higher  Notes  to  raife. 
 
 Great  Three-One  God  affift  my  Mind, 
 
 New  Matter  ftill  for  praife  to  find. 
 Aflift  my  Will,  and  all  my  Pow'rs  to  be 
 Fit  for  this  Work,fo  as  to  praife  thee,  worthy  thee. 
 
 The 
 
Pwdariqftes.  21  1 
 
 The  Review. 
 
 HEre peps  foft  Chains  no  longer  could  contain 
 The  SohI^  in  all  the  Chambers  of  the  Brain^ 
 Which  ravifh'd  was  with  Pleafures  fweeteft  pain. 
 
 The  attire  Soul  did  chafe  all  Clouds  away, 
 Broke  all  the  Fetters  that  oppos'd  its  way, 
 And  did  reftor6  it  felf  to  light  and  day. 
 
 But  Oh  !  how  grievM  it  was  when  it  did  find, 
 That  Fancy  only  cheated  had  the  Mind, 
 Andthat.it  ftill  on  Earth  was  left  behind.  . 
 
 It  fain  would  havfe  believed  it  was  no  Dream, 
 But  that  things  real  were,  as  they  did  feem  ; 
 Thus  for  a  while  it  flrove  againft  the  Stream. 
 
 But  when  it  found  all  was  a  Dream  indeed, 
 Although  it7*  Divine  me-anina  it  did  read, 
 It  vexed  was,  and  bowed  down  the  Head. 
 
 Yet  a'cquiefcing  in  the  Divine  will, 
 
 Until  at  length  God  (hould  the  fame  fulfill, 
 
 An  Heavenly  fatisfattiori  did  it  fill: 
 
 Which  made  it  think  all  o're  again,  and  tafte ' 
 The  Joys  of  Heaven  in  the  Fir ft-fr  nits  at  leaft, 
 As  a  fweet  Vrelnde  of  flf  Eternal  Feaft. 
 
 But 
 
2 1 2  J?mdaric[uts. 
 
 But  flill  the  more  the  Soul  did  think  upon 
 Thefe  Objefts  fweet,  it  breathed  to  be  gone, 
 And  panted  for  it's  Separation. 
 
 At  length  it  could  it  felf  no  more  contain, 
 Unable  flames  fuppreft  for  to  retain  ; 
 But  /poke  them  forth  in  the  fucceedingftrain. 
 
 TJ:e  Souls  deftre  after  Separation. 
 
 OH !  how,  how  can  I  chufe  to  lit  upon 
 This  ugly  Earth,  without  a  pain  or  groan 
 At  my  fad  Fate,  for  being  fubjeft  to 
 The  various  evils  that  do  my  peace  undo  ! 
 
 Do  I  not  fee  what  miferies  attend 
 My  happinefs  begun  ?  what  evils  tend 
 Me  to  degrade  ?  how  forrows  all  combine 
 To  mix  wither  my  fweet  ^  with  Gall  my  Wine  ? 
 
 Do  I  not  fee  how  Satan  lurking  lyes 
 In  th'  fecret  corners  of  my  Heart  ?  whofe  Eyes 
 Are  ftiil  awake,  and  watch  each  paffing  glance 
 And  motion  of  my  thoughts,  that  fo  advance 
 He  may  with  th'  more  advantage,  and  may  ufe 
 My  faculties  againft  me,  and  amufe 
 This  way  my  Mind,  as  if  it  were  not  he, 
 But  roving  Fancy  that  I  thus  do  fee  ? 
 
 Do  I  not  fee  how  fins  do  me  furround  ? 
 And  how/«/?j  oft  admit,  and  gaineth  ground, 
 Freely  without  a  Querying,  from  whence  ? 
 And  entered  flays  oft  without  one,  Co  hence? 
 
 And 
 
Pindar  tgues.  21$ 
 
 And  how  corrupt  Ajfettions  daily  drive, 
 Sin  from  it's  Mortal  wound  for  to  revive  ? 
 Now  ccmes  head-ftrong  Ambition,  and  me  brings 
 To  mount  above  my  blifs  on  Eagles  wings. 
 Now  fordid  Pleafure,  through  it's  Perfpeftive, 
 That  Dung  is  Gold  would  fain  make  me  believe  ; 
 God-emulous  Pride  below  my  Graces  dives, 
 And  to  blow  up  Self-love  in  Flames  contrives, 
 Cur-natwrd  Envy  helpeth  me  to  mark 
 What's  good  in  others,  and  at  them  to  bark. 
 Bafe  Concupfcence  fawning  comes  and  (lands, 
 Begging  at  firft  embraces,  then  commands. 
 Ugly  'Toad-fhapcn  Covetoufnefs  doth  crawl, 
 And  when  admit,  to  Poyfon  turns  my  Gall. 
 VnnaPral,  Natural  Lufts,  ail  do  combine 
 fey  courfe,  to  change  my  Image  from  divine 
 To  diabolick,  ftriving  me  to  make 
 Participer  of  the  Infernal  Lake. 
 
 What  makes  me  then  to  grovel  on  the  Earth  ? 
 What  pleafure  take  I  in  this  panting  Breath  ? 
 What  comfort  fee  I  in  this  barren  Soil, 
 Where  nothing's  found,  but  the  old  curfeoftoil? 
 Where  every  comfort's  hatched  with  a  flings 
 And  dtfmalrumours  ftill  are  on  the  wing. 
 Where  foort-livdfmiles  are  drown  d  in  floods  of  tears  \ 
 And  hopes  few  grains  are  loft  in  Fields  of  fears. 
 Where  pounds  of grief weigh  down  our  drams  of  mirth. 
 And  forrow  kills  our  joy  even  at  it's  Birth. 
 Where  lofs  of  Friends  or  diftance  brings  us  more 
 Of  grief,  than  pefence  gave  content  before. 
 Where  vanity  is  writ  on  every  thing, 
 And  fad  vexation  mortally  doth  fling. 
 
 Up  then,  1*11  roufe  my  felf,  and  look  above, 
 Where  things  are  only  worthy  of  ray  love  : 
 
 Where 
 
214  Piadariques. 
 
 Where  Heav'ns  bright  Palace  joyfully  doth  ftand 
 To  welcome  me  into  the  promisM  Land  ; 
 Where  Gods  Majeftick  looks,  yet  fweetly  mild, 
 Do  call  me  to  the  Throne  as  his  own  Child. 
 Where  Heavens  bteftHoft  invite  me  for  to  come, 
 And  all  my  Friends  above  do  for  me  long. 
 Where  my  dear  Lord  with  Arms  expanded  Hays, 
 To  Crown  my  Head  with  Everlafting  Bays. 
 Where  my  Relations^  thither  gone  before, 
 Shall  be  my  Fellow  Saints  for  evermore. 
 Where  Robes  of  glory  are  for  me  to  wear, 
 And  hopes  full  Harvest  doth  exclude  all  fear. 
 Where  praifeful  Songs  ray  tuned  Throat  fhall  fing, 
 And  every  power  its  thankful  Offering  bring. 
 
 Down  from  Felicity's  Pyramid  I  then 
 May  look  on  fin,  and  never  fear  its  ftain  y 
 For  why  I  (hall  ho  more  it  have  to  be 
 My  Bofom  Neighbour.     Satan  I  fhall  fee 
 Trod  underfoot,  and  fully  vanquifht.    There 
 I  need  not  fear  the  fmart  of  any  care  •, 
 For  why  my  work  fnall  only  be  to  praife, 
 And  in  exalted  Notes. the  fame  to  raife 
 Of  my  great  Lord,  his  footfteps  for  to  trace, 
 And  fee  and  love  my  glorious  Lovers  Face. 
 
 Then  maytfc  I  long  for  Death  j  fince  furehe  is 
 No  King  of  terrors,  .but  a  King  of  blifs 
 To  me  ?  behind  him  leaving  all  his  fling 
 Which  makes  him  fearful.  He  to  me  (hall  bring^ 
 A  Pafs  from  th'  Worlds  Sotfraign  \  which,  when  given, 
 Shall  free  me  from  each  evil,  and  to  Heaven 
 Shall  fafely  me  convoy,  conduct  and  bring  ; 
 Whither  when  entred,  vI  (hall  fit  and  fing 
 Triumphant  Hallelujahs*  and  fhall  joyn 
 Eternally  in  an  unwearied  Song 
 
 Of 
 
Pindar iques.  215 
 
 Of  conftant  praife,  with  the  harmonious  Quire 
 Of  Saints  and  Angels,  with  Seraphick  Fire, 
 Who  raviflit  are  and  rapt.  There  I  fhall  fee 
 The  Face  of  God  to  all  Eternity. 
 There  I  with  Saints  fhall  evermore  remain, 
 And  drink  in  blifs,  and  drink  and  drink  again, 
 At  the  WelUfpring  it  felf.  And  fo  I  fhall 
 In  God  enjoy  one  blifs  perpetual. 
 
 Wherefore  let  me  take  ofFmy  thoughts  from  earth, 
 Them  place  on  what's  beyond  the  reach  of  Death : 
 And  fince  I  mud  not  prifon  break,  impart 
 Unto  my  Native  Land  at  lead  ray  Heart- 
 
 FINIS. 
 
Advertifement. 
 
 THe  Author  of  the  preceding  Papers 
 having  been  abfent  all  the  time  of 
 their  being  in  the  <Prefs,  and  that  at  Juch  a 
 difiance  as  to  be  wholly  incapacitated  for  <%e- 
 yifing  any  of  them  ,  the  Candid  1{eader  is 
 therefore  defired  the  more  favourably  to  Con* 
 jlrubt  of  whatever  Omiffions  or  other  Vefetls 
 he  may  Obferve  therein,  and  to  judge  of  them 
 as  Typographical  Errata's,  which  its  hoped  the 
 judicious  will  eafily  excufe. 
 
Booh  lately  printed  for  J.  Salusbury. 
 
 AN  End  of  Do&rinal  Controverfies,  which  have 
 lately  troubled  the  Churches,  by  reconciling 
 Explication,  without  much  difputing.  By  Richard 
 Baxter. 
 
 The  Duty  and  Bleffing  of  a  Tender  Gonfcience, 
 plainly  ftated,  and  earneftly  recommended  to  all 
 that  regard  acceptance  with  God,  and  the  profpe- 
 rity  of  their  Souls  :  By  T.  Crufo. 
 
 Six  Sermons  on  feveral  Occafions,  &c.  by  the 
 fame  Author. 
 
 The  Chrijiian  Layer ,  or  a  Difcourfe  concerning 
 the  Nature  of  participation  with,  and  the  neceflity 
 of  purification  by  Chrift.  By  the  fame  Author. 
 
 A  Rational  Defence  of  Nonconformity,  wherein  the 
 practice  of  Nonconformifts  is  vindicated,  from  pro- 
 moting Popery,  and  ruining  the  Church  }  imputed 
 to  them  by  Dr.  Stillingfieet  Bilhop  oflVorccfter,  in  his 
 Vnreafonablenefs  of  Separation.  Alfo  his  Arguments 
 from  the  Principles  and  way  of  the  firft  Diflenters 
 are  anfwered,  and  the  cafe  of  the  prefent  Separa- 
 tion truly  ftated,  and  the  blame  of  it  laid  where  it 
 ought  to  be,  and  the  way  to  Union  among  Prote- 
 ftants  is  pointed  at :  By  Gilbert  Rule-,  D.  D. 
 
 A  Guide  to  the  Practical  Phyfician,  lhewing  from 
 the  moft  approved  Authors,  both  Ancient  and  Mo- 
 dern, the  trueft  and  fafeffc  way  of  curing  all  Difeafes, 
 By  the.  Learned  Dr.  Tkoph.  Bom. 
 
 A 
 
Books  latelyPrwted for].  Salusbury, 
 
 A  New  Examination  of  Lillys  Grammar,  inEng. 
 lift*  and  L*tin. 
 
 An  Enquiry  after  Religion,  &c.  by  a  late  Gen- 
 tleman ot  the  Royal  Society. 
 
 The  Conformifts  Sayings,  &c. 
 
 A  New  Sut  vey  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 
 
 \