¶THE CANTICLES or Balades of Salomon, phraselyke declared in Englysh Metres, by William Baldwin.
M.D.XLIX.
THat thou mayste vnderstande this booke the better (Christen reader) thou shalte vnderstande that it is (as it wer) a dialoge betwene Christ and his churche, or as Origen calleth it, y e spousal song of Christ and his spouse: wherin there be fower singers. Christe the brydegrome accompanied with his frendes, good bishops and teachers: And the catholike churche his spouse accompanied with damoysels, yong christen soules. Betwene these is all spoken that is contayned in these balades. The whole matter as Anselme taketh it, is a prophecie, describyng the estate of the churche, and with what affecciō she desyred Christ in all tymes, bothe vnder the lawe of nature, of Moyses▪ and of the gospell. No doubt but it is an hie and misticall matter, and more darkely hyd than other partes of the scripture, by meanes of the wanton wordes: which also cause many to deny it to be Gods wurde. Whose errour to redresse is the chief cause why I haue medled with the matter. And because the rediest way was to make a paraphrase, I haue attem [...]pted it: & that in meter, because they bee balades. And althoughe I bee not so playne in al thinges as I mought haue ben by meanes of my metres, yet I trust that suche as wyll reade them diligently, shall haue great lyght in vnderstanding the texte. But this I tell the good reader, thou must reade them well, (for it is not once readyng nor twise that can make thee vnderstand them) & in reading note the sentence more than the time, with the argumentes whiche go before and after the songes. And reade them orderly, so shall the proces of the matter helpe the muche. The exposicion of euery Hebrue wurd, I haue put last: which wil help the muche bothe to vnderstande the song and the texte. And to the entent thou lose not thy labour in readyng, I entend with the leaue of God shortly to set furth a boke of notes, and suche an exposicion of the Metaphorical wurdes, as shal serue the for a cōmentary. In the meane whyle, the Lorde kepe the, & augment thy knowlege. Amen.
Loue and lyue.
SENECA that good Philosopher among many his piththy morall preceptes, hath sum of geuinge giftes, that all thinges of all men mighte aptly be applyed. Among whiche whan he hath declared to whome, and howe all gyftes are to be geuen, and with what affeccion receyued, he willeth that mete thinges be not vnmetely geuen, as armoure to women, nettes to studentes, nor bokes to plowmen, but that all giftes be helpfull, or at leastwise aunswerable to his trade of lyfe and estate, that they be geuen vnto. Whose counsayle (moste honorable and vertuous Prince) whan I had well wayed, and allowed, I thought none so mete as your grace to whome I might aptly dedicate this presente volume, considering your earnest zeale to knowlege of truth, & diligent endeuor to auaunce the same, with other your many towardly vertues and giftes of grace: in praise of whiche, yf Lamuell had not ben forbidden to geue Princes wyne (and suerly no wyne is so stronge, or taketh awaye mans reason or sences so soone as pryde, & vayn glory cōceyued of earblowing) I would here haue taryed. But sith your maiestie knoweth them already, partly by other mens true declaracion, but chiefly by your owne feling, (For euery man best knoweth hym selfe) I haue here let slip my iust occasion: beseching the euerliuyng God, who hath the hartes of rulers in his hand so to gyde yours, that ye may alwayes continue the same, that ye are thought and praysed for already
Sum perchaunce yet wyll thinke that a booke of suche an Argument, namely of the holy Scripture, and that suche a parte of scripture as (yf comparyson may be made in the holy gostes wrytinges) passeth all the reste of the same kynde, and therefore called Cantica canticorum, The Balades of Balades, that is to saye the principall balades of holy scripture according to Origens opinion (in Erasmus iudgement the beste skylled of all the doctours in vnderstanding the holy scriptures) is muche vnmete for any seculer person, & wyl [Page] say that I haue not folowed Seneca his counsel, in geuyng that to a temporal Prince, whiche wer more mete for a spiritual Prelate. If any thus thinke arrogantlye, disdaynyng that lay men should meddle with the scriptures, to suche I answer: Arrogant obstinacie deserueth no answer. But yf any so thinke for lacke of better knowlege, I wyl satisfy them with Erasmus his argumentes, whiche they shall fynde in his preface to the Emperour, before his Paraphrase of saint Matthew: whervnto I adde this, that as it is vnmete for a Prince to be ignoraunt in that whiche he defendeth, so is it most vnmete for a Supreme head to be vnskylled in y e, wherin it is his office to see his subiectes instructed. For your maiestie are not only king ouer vs your English people, but also the Supreme head of our whole Church and congregacion. And to whome could a matter betwene Christ & his church be more iustly geuen, than to hym, whiche on the one syde is a deputie, and on the other the chyef and principall?
Sum thus satisfied in the aptly applying of my gyft, may chaunce to doubt in a greater matter, that is: whether one man may haue at once two contrary offices, a spirituall and a temporall: and that of so great and wayghty charge, that one alone would cumber two diligent officers. I wyl not tary in thexamining euery part of this doubt, but for a ful answer to the whole, this I saye: I reade of no men, so muche praysed of men, or better rewarded of God for executing any one office alone, as I doe of men y t haue at once had both.
Of whome to let passe Mercurius Trismegystus (so called because he had both the office of kyng and priest, and the spirite of prophecie to boote) whose glory darkneth all the Egypcian rulers that we read of: the scriptures make mencion of diuers. Gene xiiii. Hebru vii. Fyrste of Melchisedech Kyng of Salem, of an vnknowen genealogie, who was priest of the highest god before God had ordeyned any of those offices. But whether he wer fyrst kyng, and beyng in that state, made prieste, it is not certayne, yet by the placyng of the wurdes it should seme it was so: Once we are sure that yf kingdomes went by succession than as they do nowe, he was borne a kyng, and so a prince before he wer prelate: except the priesthode went also by succession, ioyned with the kyngdome, as I thynke it did. But because he was before the law, we wyll cum nerer. And then to let go Moses the brynger of Gods law & religion, a [Page] ryght paterne of a Christen kyng, i. of Kin. vii. Samuel was at once chief priest and Iudge in Israel. Though it wer before they had a kyng, yet had the Iudge that than whiche after becam the kynges office. And how muche it was agaynst Gods plesure to haue that sundered, which was before but one, besyde his answer to Samuel, i. of Kin. viii. the succes of wycked kynges and wurse priestes which ioyed theyr seueral offices, can testify: which cam bothe at last to vtter destruccion, the people beyng lefte captiue vnder the bluddy sweard of the tiran Antiochus, i. Macha. i.ii and .iii. tyl it pleased God to delyuer them, by bryngyng that agayne to one, whiche they by theyr folishnes had deuided in twayne. For they neuer enioyed any peace, i. Mach. xiii. tyl they had geuen to Simon and to his posteritie for euer, for ouercummyng theyr enemies, and restoryng theyr religion, and for many other benefites, the honor both of hygh priest and kyng ouer them. After the death of whome (the vertues of his lyfe are declared in the bookes of Machabees) his sonne Iohn (as witnesseth Iosephus) otherwise called Hyrcanus, Iosephus de bello Iudai. li. i. Cap iii. succeded in his fathers place. A man of suche wit in war, suche prudence in peace, and holines in religion, that besides the great prayses of Iosephus, & his fathers honors, he deserued the name of Trismegystus: For God gaue hym the spirit of prophecie, and forknowlage of diuers matters.
These examples besyde y e euident profe in our late souerain Lorde Kyng Henry the eyght, satisfy this dout sufficiently: For firste they proue that God woulde so haue it, because he ioyneth with them his spirit of prophecie: And whether one man may wel execute them both▪ the prayses of these menne metely well declare.
Wherfore now seing I haue proued my gift aptly applied, I haue no more to do, but fyrst to desyer the euerliuing God that as he hath geuen your grace these two offices, so it may plese him (as he did to other that had the like) to geue ye also the thirde: I meane the gyft of prophecie, truly to vnderstand the holy scriptures, that ye may be able through the illuminyng of his holy spirit, to iudge & examin al spirites, & then to besech your maiesty to take in wurth this simple gift. We haue an english prouerbe whiche teachyng to take gyfts thankfully, & to fynde no fault with them, sayth: A prouerbe. Loke not a geuen horse in the mouth. I wyl not tary vpon the prouerbe, but I would it should not be regarded here: for this gyfte is [Page] an horse of an other nature than those that the prouerbe seeueth for. This is suche an horse as must be ryd, & beyng well red and rid, I doubt not but wyll bryng a man to Christe, yf the reader (I should say rider) wil endure to sit him: wherfore I beseche your maiestie to beholde him, open his mouthe hardily, yea rip his belly to, & loke what is within hym, tyll ye be perfect in euery parte of hys body. It is but a shorte horse, and yet contrary to the prouerb, he will be long in corying: spare hym not therefore, but tyre hym yf ye can, read hym day and nyght, & spurre hym to the quicke. And yf your grace perceyue, that he interfere, halte, or stumble, (For it is a good horse that neuer stumbleth) cast hym not awaye therfore, but geue hym to sum cunnyng leache, to cure hym, and breake of from him those euell properties. So doing I doubt not but your grace shalbe delyted and pleased with my gift, and I be made ioyous for that you vse it according to my desier. For here shal your maiestie hear Christ and his churche singyng the one in prayse of the other: and that suche swete & mistical balades, as I doubt not but will delite any christen harted eare. Would god that suche songes myght once driue out of office the baudy balades of lecherous loue that commonly are indited and song of idle courtyers in princes and noble mens houses. They are not fine ynough sum will answer: wel than woulde I wish that suche fine felowes would becum course ynough for suche course matters. The coursest frise best pleaseth the finest of them in winter. And I doubt not but theyr colde soules shoulde be kept warme with these course songes, if in the winter of theyr frosen faythe, & clumsed charitie, they woulde vouchesafe tunably to syng them. I speake not this of these balades alone, but of all other of lyke matter: Ephes. v. Iacob. v. Thes. iii. as psalmes, and himnes: In whiche the apostle woulde haue them that reioyce, to be exercised. To whiche your Maiesty hath alredy geuen a notable ensample, in causyng the psalmes brought in to fine englysh meter, by youre godly disposed seruaunt Thomas Sternholde, to be song openly before your grace in the hearyng of all your subiectes. Whiche good example, I beseche GOD all your subiectes may haue grace to folow: that you may be praysed as the paterne of vertue, and in the folowing therof God may be glorified. Who preserue your Maiestie in health, welth, vertue and honor, nowe and euer. Amen.
At London the first of Iune. 1549.
O That he wolde kysse me with the kysses of his mouthe: for thy loue is more pleasaunt then wyne, & that because of the good and pleasaunt sauour of thy most precious balmes. Thy name is a swete smelling ointment when it is shed forthe, therfore do the maydens loue the: draw thou me vnto the: we wyll runne after the. The kyng hath brought me into hys priuy chambres. We wyll be glad & reioyce in the, we thinke more of thy loue then of wyne. They that be ryghteous loue thee. I am black (O ye daughters of Ierusalem) like as the tentes of the Cedarenes, and as the hangings of Salomon: but yet am I fayre & well fauoured withall. Maruel not at me that I am so black: for why the sun hath shyned vpon me. My mothers chyldren had euel wil at me, they made me the keper of the vyneyardes: but myne owne vineyarde haue I not kept. Tell me of him whom my soule loueth where thou feedest the shepe, where thou makest them rest at the noone daye: for why shall I be lyke him, y t goeth wrong aboute the flockes of thy companyons?
[Page]If thou know not thy self (O thou fayrest amōg wemen) then goe thy waye furth after the footesteppes of the shepe, and feede thy goates besyde the shepheardes tentes. Unto the hoast of Pharaos charets haue I compared thee, O my loue. Thy chekes and thy neck is beautiful as the turtyls, and hanged with spanges and goodly Iuels: a nekband of golde wyll we make thee, with syluer buttons.
Whan the kyng sitteth at the table, he shal smell my Nardus: a bundle of Myrre is my loue vnto me: he wyll lye betwixte my breastes. A cluster of Camphore in the vineyardes of Engaddi, is my loue vnto me. O howe fayer art thou (my Loue) Oh how fayer art thou? thou hast doues iyes. O how fayer art thou (my beloued) how welfauored art thou? Oure bed is decte with floures, the sylinges of our house are of Cedre tree, and our crosse ioynters of Cypres.
O That he would kysse me with the kysses of hys mouthe: The For thy teates are better than wyne, smelling swete with moste fragraunte oyntementes. Thy name is a poured furth oyntmente: Therfore the Damosels haue loued thee. Draw me vnto thee.
THe Church Christes Spouse, deliuered from the corrupt kisses of fleshly pleasures and delytes, & rid frō y e vain wurkes of men in which she long time trusted, hauing tasted of the pure fountayn of gods aboundant loue and mercy, is so inflamed through fayth to loue Christe & his merites, that humbling herselfe she despiseth her formed forein righteousnes: & rauished with earnest affeccion (like a very feruent louer) besyreth the loue of her beloued: singing to hym in the audience of her maydens, the congregacion of young beleuers, as foloweth.
WE wyll runne after thee: (In the sauour of thy swete smellyng oyntmentes. The texte.)
CHriste hauyng heard the louely peticion of his Spouse the church, fulfilleth her request: geuyng her the swete kysse of peace of conscience, and the oyntmentes of gyftes spirituall that runne out of his fragraunt smellyng brestes. With whiche whan he hath coupled her to hym, he maketh her so glorious in fayth to hym ward, and charitie towardes all folke, that the Younglynges seyng her godly conuersacion s [...]ynyng euerywhere, are moued the more earnestly to stick vnto her. And therefore where as afore they wer waueryng, for fear of troubles and persecucion readier to go backe than forward, they now plucke vp a good courage: and fully bent to folow, syng vnto Christe as foloweth.
The texte.THe Kyng hath broughte me into his priuie Chaumber.
CHrist seeyng the readynes of the younglinges, both to folowe and runne after him, is as ready to receiue them: And therfore to thintent that they faynt not by the way, he sendeth furth his spouse to comfort & encourage them. Who preaching to them the mercies of god, and benefites which she hath receyued of her beloued: syngeth very pleasauntly as foloweth.
IN the wil we reioyce and be glad: The texte. we wil thinke more of thy seates than vpon wine. They that be righteous, loue thee.
THe younglynges delyted with the consolation of the churches pleasant song, enter into the kinges chambers, from whence they tendre thankes and prayses to Christ for his benefites, synging.
[Page] The texte: I Am blacke and welfauored with al (O ye Daughters of Ierusalem) lyke the Chedarenes tentes, and lyke the hangynges of Salomon. Despyse me not though I be broune: for the Sunne hath shined vpon me: My mothers children had euyll wil at me, they made me the keper of the vineyardes, but myne owne vineyarde I haue not kepte.
BEcause it is nedefull that al whiche wyl be partakers of the benefites and swete consolacions of Christe, muste also be partakers of his troubles and bitter affliccions: For persecucion foloweth the gospell: eyther inwardly by temptacion of the wicked deuyll, orels outwardly by the malice of his cruel ministers: therfore the Churche by example of her self warneth the Younglynges herof, syngyng as foloweth.
The texte.O Thou whō my soul loueth, tel me wher [...]hou fedest, & where thou restest at none tyde: lest I begin to wander after thy felowes flockes.
THe yonglinges hauing heard the spouses open declaracion both of her lyfe passed, and also of her presente estate, and doubting lest they may be deceiued & seduced as she before tyme had beene, because they would be sure, commit themselues to her giding & custody. But y e church knowlegyng her vnablenes by her owne wit & power to kepe herselfe, cōmitteth to Christ the cure of altogether. And to thētent she be not prouoked through the subtil deceite of false doctrine, to wandre & stray from the trueth, she desireth her beloued to shew her the right way where and how to finde him, synging as foloweth.
IF thou know not thy self O thou fayrest among women, cum furth: The texte. and followe the footsteppes of thy flocke, and feed thy kyddes hard by the shepherdes tentes.
BEcause the Churche distrustyng her selfe, putteth her whole confidence in her Beloued, praying hym so earnestly to teache her how she may ryghtly instruct her Yoūglynges, he hauyng heard and allowed her humble peticion, maketh answer to her request, syngyng as foloweth.
The texte: I Haue lykened thee O my Loue, to myne oaste in Pharaos charriots. Thy chekes are fayer lyke the Turtle doue. Thy necke is lyke vnto a [Page] goodly Iewel: we wyll make thee a neckebande of golde, beset with syluer buttons.
CHriste hauyng taught his Spouse where and howe to fynde hym, and after what sorte she shall instructe her Younglynges: nowe that the Younglynges maye delyte in her the more, begynneth to prayse her, not for because she hath any thyng prayse wurthy of her selfe, but for the good gyftes that he hath geuen her: whiche neuertheles he calleth hers, because he gaue her theym freelye: she confessyng also that whatsoeuer good she hath, cummeth from hym, whiche hath made her beautyfull. For whiche and many other good gyftes he wyllyng to prayse her, syngeth before the Younglynges as foloweth.
The texte:WHyle the Kyng was in his restyng place, my Narde yelded furthe the sauoure. My Beloued is to me a bundle of Myrrhe, he wyl tary betwene my brestes: a cluster of Cypres is my loue vnto me in the vinyardes of Engaddi.
SCarce hath Christ finished his song, but that his Spouse accordyng to her dutie, rendereth hym thankes therefore, transcrybyng vnto hym that wurketh in her bothe the wyll and dede of all goodnes, the prayse of all her goodly beautie. And that the Younglynges whome she hath taken charge of [Page] maye knowe howe to wear the neckebande of good wurkes, whiche God hath prepared & geuen her, so that her Beloued maye be pleased withall, she teacheth the Younglynges by example of her self, syngyng as foloweth.
LOe thou art fayer my Loue, Loe thou arte fayer: Thou hast doues iyes.
WHan the Churche hath transcribed the glory of all her goodnes to her Beloued, and praysed hym as the Author thereof, he pleased with this her true iudgement, prayseth her therfore, syngyng agayne as foloweth.
O Howe fayer art thou my Beloued, o how welfauored and beautifull art thou: The Texte. Our bed is decked with flowers, the sylynges [Page] of oure houses are of Cedre tree, and oure crosse ioynters of Cypresse.
THe Churche so hyghlye commended of Christe for the simplicitie of her true and vpryght iudgemente, yeldeth hym thankes agayne bothe because it pleased hym to geue it her, and also to accept it so wel in wurth: and to encorage the Younglynges to loue hym the better, she prayseth his beautie and other benefites, syngyng.
I Am the Lilie of the fielde, and the Rose of the valleyes: as the rose among the thornes, so is my Loue amōg the daughters. Lyke as the appul tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloued amōg the sonnes. My delite is to sit vnder his shadow, for his fruite is swete vnto my throte. He bryngeth me into his wyne soller, his bāner spred ouer me is loue. Set about me cuppes of wyne, comforte me with appuls, for I am sicke of loue: Cant. viii. a His left hand lieth vnder my head, and his ryght hande shal enbrace me. Cantic. iii. b. I charge you, o ye daughters of Ierusalem, by the Roes & Hyndes of the field that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her, tyll she be content herself. Me think I hear the voice of my beloued: loe, there cummeth he hoppyng vpon the mountaynes, and leapyng ouer the little hylles. My beloued is lyke a Roe, or a young Hart. Beholde he standeth behynde our wall, he loketh in at the window, and pepeth thorow the grate. My beloued answered and sayd vnto me: O stand vp my loue, my beautifull, & go to thyne own: for loe, the winter is now past, the rayne is away and goen. The flowers are cum vp in the fyelde, the tyme of byrdes syngyng is cum, & the voyce of the turtle doue is heard in our lande. The fygtree bringeth furth her figges, and the [Page] vines beare blossoms, and haue a good smell. O stāde vp then and cum my loue, my bewtiful, and cum I saye (O my doue) out of the caues of the rockes, out of the holes of the wall: O let me see thy countenaunce, and hear thy voyce: for swete is thy voyce, & fayre is thy face. Get vs the foxes yea the litle foxes that hurt the vines, for our vines bear blossoms. Cantica. vi. My loue is mine, and I am his, which fedeth among the roses, vntil the day breake, and tyll the shadowes be goen. Cum agayne (O my beloued) and be lyke as a Roe or a young hart vpon the wyde mountaynes.
I Am the flower of the field, and the Lilie of the valleyes: The texte. As the lilie among the Thornes, so is my Spouse among the daughters.
CHrist hauyng heard his Spouse prayse him for his bewtie and fauour through whiche she was made bewtifull and obtayned the bed of peace, and house in the last song declared, calleth nowe to mynde his humanitie: whiche after he hath euidently declared, he taketh therof a new occasion to prayse his Churche, syngyng.
LIke as the apple tree among the trees of the wood: so is my Beloued among the sonnes. The texte.
BEcause Christe compared his Spouse to a flower, she compareth hym agayne to an Apple tree, syngyng.
[Page]I Sate doun vnder the shadow of him whom I desyred: The texte: & his frute is swete in my throte. The kyng led me in to his wyne celler, and lifted vp to me his banner of loue.
THe Churche hauyng compared Christe to an apple tree, declareth to the Younglynges the cause why she so dyd, swetely syngyng as foloweth.
DEcke me with flowers, The texte. & comforte me with apples: for I am loue sicke.
THe Churche beyng in the wyne seller of Goddes hollye wurde, and seyng therin the banner of his loue whiche he displayed for her, whan he gaue vp his body to the crosse, & suffered with horrible payne and panges of death, his blud to be shed and powred furth, only for her sake, to pourge and cleanse her from all spot and wrincle, and to make her of his foule enemie his fayer Spouse, is so rauished with beholding his mercy, that desirous to haue all people loue hym she brasteth furth in her panges, syngyng to the Younglinges.
The TexteHIs left hand is vnder my head, & his right hande shall embrace me.
SO feruent is the Churches zeale to bring all creatures to the loue of her Beloued, that it causeth the wycked, and suche as hate the truthe, to persecute her: whiche also for a whyle Christ suffereth, to trye whether she be constant in the truthe or no. Whiche she knowyng welynough, exhorteth the Younglynges not to be afrayed though the malice of manne for a tyme seeme to preuayle: and to cumfort them the more, allegeth that it cummeth not agaynst her Beloueds wyll, but purposely by the prouidence of God, whatsoeuer tribulacion she suffer: and that at length she shall haue the victorie ouer all her enemies.
I Charge you o ye daughters of Ierusalem, The Text. by the Roes and Hyndes of the fielde, that ye wake not vp my Loue, nor touch her tyll she be content her selfe.
[Page]THe Spouse hauyng drunke in the wyne celler of her Beloued, the secret misteries of his holy spirit, sitten vnder his shadow, eaten the apples of gostly graces, garnished with the swete smellyng flowers of many faythful people, vnderlayed with the left hand of affliccion, and embraced with the ryght hande of consolacion, obteyneth perfect peace: and layeth her doune to slepe and rest in Christe. Who takyng vpon hym to saue and kepe her in quiet, chaurgeth that none wake her through errours or new opinions, singyng.
I Hear the voyce of my Beloued: Loe he cummeth hoppyng in the mountaynes, The texte. leapyng ouer the litle hilles. My Beloued is lyke a Goat [Page] or an Hartes hynde. Loe where he standeth behynd our wal, lokyng in at the window, and pepyng through the lattesses.
THe Church hearyng Christe geue so strayte charge that none wake her, knoweth so well his voyce, that she affirmeth it to be his. And that it may the better be regarded, she declareth to the younglynges what he is that hath geuen the charge, syngyng.
The TexteMY Beloued answered me and sayde: Aryse make hast my loue, my doue my most bewtifull, and cum.
The Churche whome no man may wake vp, but her Beloued, asketh hym continually what she shal doe: And whan he hath made her an answer, she publysheth it to the Younglynges, syngyng.
NOwe the wynter is past, the rayne shower is goen, and departed. The flowers haue appeared in our land. The singing tyme is cum. The Turtles voyce was heard in oure lande: The fygge tree hath brought furth her buddes, [Page] and the flowred vines haue yelded theyr smell. Up therfore my Loue, make haste my darlyng: and cum O my doue in to the holes of the rocke, into the hyd ladder degrees, and shewe me thy face, and let me heare thy voyce: For thy voyce is swete, and thy face beautiful.
CHriste seyng hys Spouse ready to ryse, encourageth her to make great haste: and exhortyng her to preache, declareth howe bothe the tyme and place is nowe fit therefore, openly syngyng.
CAtch vs the foxes, the litle foxes that waste the vines, The texte. and our vine bourgeons.
WHyles the Church accordyng to Christes commaundement, preacheth remission of sinnes, through fayth in his blud, death and merites, false Apostles seyng the people ready to receyue what soeuer is taught▪ fayne themselues to be the Spouses healpers: and vnder that title deceyuyng the surple rude soules, preach for theyr profit, theyr own dremes and inuencions: promisyng merit and satisfaccion for supersticious wylwurkes. Whiche Christe perceyuyng, geueth his Spouse warnyng of them: & streytly chargyng her to preach agaynst them: syngeth.
MYne is my Beloued, and I his, The texte. whiche fedeth among the lilies: vntyl the day break and tyll the shadowes be goen.
THe Spouse consyderyng the carefulnes that her Beloued taketh for her and her maydens, admonisheth them therof: and declaring what loue she beareth hym agayne, and wyll doe euer, syngeth.
The texte:REturne O my Beloued, and be lyke a Roe & yong Hart vpon the mountains Bather.
The Church accordyng to Christes commaundment, goeth about to catch the foxes: admonishing them of theyr wikednes, and shewyng what hurt they do to the Lordes vineyardes with preachyng theyr own dreamed diuices, & supersticious wurkes: charitably exhortyng them to ceasse from peruertyng the people, and abusyng the holy scriptures. But the foxes are so proude, stubberne and stoute, that they wyll not yelde: but wylfully resist styl the truth. Wherfore she supposing that God hath geuen them ouer by withdrawing his grace from them, instauntly prayeth her Beloued to returne vnto them: and to mollifie theyr hardened heartes, that they may repent and be saued: syngyng.
BY nyght in my bed I soughte him, whom my soule loueth: ye diligently sought I him, but I found him not. I will get vp (thought I) and goe aboute the citie, in the wayes in all the stretes will I seeke hym whome my soule loueth: but when I sought him I found him not. The watchmen also that goe aboute the citye, founde me. Sawe ye not hym whome my soule loueth? So when I was a litle past them, I found him whome my soule loueth. I haue gotten holde vpon hym, and will not let hym goe, vntyll I bryng hym into my mothers house, and into her chaumber that bare me Cantic. ii. [...]. I charge you, O ye daughters of Ierusalem, by the Roes and Hyndes of the fielde, that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her, tyll she be content her selfe. Who is thys, that cummeth vp oute of the wildernes lyke vapours of smoke, as it were a smell of Myrre, frankencense, and all manier spyces of the Apoticary? Beholde, about Salomons bedstede there stand .lx. valeaunte men of the moste mightie in Israell. They holde sweordes euerye one, and are experte in warre. Euerye man also hath hys sweorde vpon hys thygh, because of feare in the nyght: Kyng Salomon had made hymselfe a palace of the wood of Libanus the pillers are of siluer, the coueryng of gold, the [Page] seate of purple, the grounde is pleasantly paued with loue for the daughters of Ierusalem. Goe foorthe (O ye daughters of Sion) and beholde Kyng Salomon in the croune: wherewith hys mother crouned hym in the day of his mariage, and in the day of the gladnes of his heart.
BY nyghte, in my bed sought I for hym whome my soule loueth. I sought him but I found hym not. I wyl ryse nowe and goe about the citie, by the lanes & stretes wyll I seke him whome my soule loueth. I sought hym, but I founde hym not.
The kepers whiche goe aboute the citie, founde me. Haue ye not seen hym, whome my soule loueth? Whan I was a little passed furth from them, I founde hym whome my soule loueth. I got holde vpon hym, and wyll not let hym go agayn, vntyll I haue brought hym into my mothers house, and in to the Chamber of her that bore me.
AT the desyer of his Spouse, Christe cummeth vpon the mountaines of Bather, the harde harted Foxes that destroyed his vineyardes, mekenyng through his grace, theyr loftie stomakes: so humbling them that they acknowlegyng theyr wyckednes, do repent and recant the false doctrine that they taught. And nowe receyued through sayth and humilitie into the felowshyp of Christes holy Churche, they confesse and openly publish the vaynenes of theyr former lyfe and of the tradicions and glorious wyl wurkes, which they so stifly mayntayned, singyng.
I Charge you o ye daughters of Ierusalem, by the Roes & Hyndes of the fyelde, The texte. that ye wake not vp my Loue, nor touche her, tyll she be content her selfe.
SO earnest is theyr zeale, whom God calleth to the truth, that after themselues haue by fayth and grace obteyned Christe and the true sence of his holy spirite, they can not be quiet vntyl they haue brought all other vnbeleuers of whose secte sumtyme they wer, vnto the state that they nowe be in. Whiche whan this newe conuerted churche hath brought to [Page] passe, she committeth her selfe wholly to Christe, who laying her downe to rest in the bed of quietnesse of conscience: commaūdeth that none wake her: singing the same again, which in the seconde chapter he song to the yonglynges.
THe rest of this chapter is the spech of the ministers of y e fyrst churche, whiche beyng nowe perfect, are becum the frendes of God, that is to saye his true and constaunt preachers▪ whiche shrinke not for any kynde of tribulacion: but boldly preache his wurd in the middes of persecucion.
WHo is she that cūmeth vp by the wyldrenes, The texte. lyke a spyre of smoke, made of the odours of Myrrhe, and frankincence, with al other kyndes of Apothecary spices.
WHyle the newe conuerted Spouse resteth in the sweete peace of conscience, she waxeth dayly more perfect and perfect: ascendyng from fayth to fayth, from clerenes to clerenes vntyll she cum to perfectnes: so that in this world which is a desert voyde of good people, she in all loue, pacience, vertue, holynes and perseueraunce in truth so shyneth, that the fyrste Spouse as it wer amased therat: syngeth.
The texte.BEholde, about Salomons bedstede are .lx. valeaunte men of the moste mightie in Israel. They holde sweordes euery one, and are expert in warre. Euery man also hath hys sweorde vpon hys thygh, because of feares in the nyght.
THe perfect Spouse perceyuyng that the other is in the bed of Christe, out of whiche she smoketh vp so swetely, prayseth the bed to the Younglynges: syngyng.
KIng Salomon made hymself a tabernacle of the wood of Libanus: The Texte the pyllers made he of siluer, the coueryng of golde, the stayres of purple: in the middes therof is made a pauemēt of loue for the Daughters of Ierusalem. Goe forth (O ye daughters of Sion) & behold Kyng Salomon in the croune: wherewith hys mother crouned hym in the day of his Spousage, and in the day of the gladnes of his heart.
THe Spouse hauing shewed to the Yonglinges the bewtie and municion of Christes bed, whiche is the peace of conscience obtayned by fayth, through hope and assurance of lyfe and ioye euerlastyng, for the merites of Christes deathe & passion: how it is inuirened with true and faythful prechers whiche holde the sweard of the spirit, able to confound therewith what so euer doctrine of man maye disquiet anye of the faythfull restyng in the same, descrybeth in lyke manner the humanitie of her Beloued, syngyng.
O How fayre art thou, my loue, how fayre art thou? thou hast doues eyes, beside that which lyeth hyd within. Thy heary lockes are like the wull of a flocke of goates that be shorne vpon Mount Gilead: Thy teeth are like shepe of the same bignesse, whiche went vp from the washyng place: where euerye one beareth two twyns, and not one vnfruytfull among them. Thy lyppes are lyke a rose coloured rybonde, thy wordes are louely, thy chekes are like a piece of a Pomgranat within thyne heares. Thy necke is lyke the tower of Dauid builded with costly stones lying out on the sides, wher vpon there hang a thousande shieldes, yea all the weapons of the Gyauntes. Thy two breastes are lyke two twyns of young Roes, which fede among Roses▪ O that I might go to the mountayne of Myrre, and to the hyl of frankencense: tyll the daye breake and tyll the shadowes be past awaye. Thou art all fayre, O my loue, and no spot is there in thee. Come to me frō Libanus (O my spouse) come to me from Libanus, loke from the top of Amana, from the toppe of Sanir and Hermon, from the Lyons dennes and from the mountaynes of the Leopardes. [Page] Thou hast with loue bewitched my heart, O my Sister, my spouse, thou hast bewitched my heart with one of thyne iyes, and with one cheyne of thy necke. O how fayer are thy brestes, my syster my spouse? Thy brestes are more pleasant than wyne, and the smel of thyne oyntmentes passeth all spices. Thy lippes o my Spouse, drop as the hony combe: yea mylke and honye is vnder thy toung, and the smel of thy garments is lyke the smel of Libanus. A gardeyne well locked is my sister, my spouse, a garden wel locked, and a sealed well. The fruites that are planted in the are lyke a verye Paradise of Pomegranates, with swete frutes: as Camphor, Nardus, and Saffron, Calamus, and Synamom, with all swere smellyng trees: Mirrhe, Aloes, and all the best spices: a well of gardeyns, a well of liuyng waters, which rendoune from Libanus. Up thou Northewynde, cum thou South wynde and blow vpon my gardeyn, that the smel therof may be caried on euery syde, yea and that my beloued maye cum in to his garden, & eat of the swete fruites that grow therin.
LOe thou art fayer my Loue, The Texte. thou arte fayer, thou hast doues iyes, besyde the tyer thervpon. Thy heares are flockes of Goates, whiche are shorne from of mount Gileal. Thy lyppes are lyke the red scarlet threde, and thy spech is swete. Thy chekes be lyke to an halfe pomegranade, besyde thy fyllet. Thy Necke is lyke to Dauids tower whiche is buylded with his bulwarkes, whervpon hang a thousande shyeldes, the armour of most valiant men. Thy two teates are lyke a gotes two double twinnes, whiche are fed among lilies, tyl the day breake, and tyll the shadoes passe awaye.
WHan the perfect Preachers haue declared the humanitie of Christe, in whiche he made satisfaccion to his father for the sinnes of the whole worlde, he praysyng them agayn, for all his gyftes in them, syngeth.
The Text.¶I wyl goe to the mount of Mirrhe, to the hyl [Page] of Frankincence. Thou art al fayer o my spouse and no spot is in thee. Cum from Libanus o my Spouse, cum from Libanus, cum.
WHan Christe hath praysed perfectly the perfect spouse, he calleth to mynde the other, whiche is yet in bed on slepe: and desirous to prayse her also, syngeth.
THou shalt be crouned from the top of Amana, from the toppe of Sanir and Hermon, The Text. from the Lions dennes, and from the mountaynes of the Leopardes.
BEcause the Churche shoulde cum the more spedely from all confidence in herselfe, to truste wholly in Christe: her Beloued shewyng why he called her, addeth great promises, whiche (yf she cum to hym) he wyl perfourme, syngyng.
THou hast rauished my mynde, oh sister my spouse, The texte. thou hast rauished my mynd in one of thyne iyes, and in one chayn of the neck.
CHriste hauyng promysed to croune his Churche with truth, (for his self wyll be her croune) from Sanir and Hermon, the curses and troubles that she should sustayne for his sake, and from the Lyons den, and Leoperdes mounte, whiche signifie pleasures and delites, honors and dignities: (whiche though they be for the most part abused, yet Christe promyseth his Spouse that yf she trust in hym only, & stande to his truth, she shal vse them to his glory, and be crouned of hym therefore) he begynneth to prayse her. But because she is not yet perfecte by reason of the flesh, whiche continually troubleth and hyndereth her, he lykyng sumwhat, and myslykyng elswhat, syngeth.
O Howe fayer are thy brestes my syster my spouse? they are more pleasaunt then wine, The texte. and the smell of thyne oyntmentes passeth al the spices. Thy lippes o my loue are a dropping hony combe, milke and hony is vnder thy tongue. The smell of thy garmentes is lyke the smell of Libanus. A garden wel locked thou art my sister my spouse, a garden well locked, and a sealed wel. The fruites that growe in thee, are lyke a Paradise of Pomegranades, with fruite trees, [Page] Camphor, Nardus, and Saffron, Fistula, and Synamom, with al trees of Libanus. Mirrhe, Aloes, and all the best spices. A well of gardeynes, a fountayne of liuyng waters, which flowe out from Libanus. Up thou Northe wynde, and cum thou Southwynde and blow vpon my gardeyn, that the smel therof may be caried on euery syde.
AFter Christe hath praysed his Spouse for thone of her iyes, and for one of her chaynes, dispraysyng the other (for she hath yet one carnal iye, and doeth sum of her wurkes through hipocrisie) he prayseth the rest of her partes throwly, syngyng before the Younglynges.
The texte.LEt my beloued cum into hys gardeyn, and eate the swete fruites therof.
AFter the north and southwynde haue so long blowen vpon the churche that her fruites of pacience, humblenes, obedience and charitie are rype: she calleth Christe vnto her his gardeyn: desyryng hym to eat his fruites, that is to accept for good the wurkes, which she through fayth in hym hath brought surth: syngyng as foloweth.
I Am cum into my gardē, O my sister, my spouse: I haue gathered my Myrre with my spyce. I haue eaten hony with my hony combe, I haue dronke my wyne with my mylke. Eate, O ye frendes, drynk and be mery, O ye beloued.
As I am a slepe, and my herte is waking, I hear the voyce of my beloued, whē he knocketh. Open to me, O my syster, my loue, my doue, my derlyng: for my heade is ful of dewe, and the lockes of my hearre are full of the nyght droppes. I haue putte of my cote, howe can I do it on agayne? I haue washed my fete, how shall I fyle them agayne?
My loue put in his hand at the hole, and my herte was moued within me. I stode vp to open vnto my beloued, and my handes dropped with Myrre, and the Myrre ranne downe my fingers vpon the locke. I opened vnto my beloued, but he was departed and gone his way. Now when he spake, my heart was goen: I sought hym, but I could not fynde hym: I cried vpon him neuertheles he gaue me no answer. So the watchmen that went about the citie, founde me, smote me, & wounded me: yea they that kept the walles, toke [Page] away my kercheaf fro me. I charge you therefore, O ye daughters of Ierusalem, yf ye fynde my Beloued, that ye tell hym how I am sick for loue. What maner of man is thy loue aboue other louers, O thou fayrest among wemen? Or what can thy Loue doe more than other louers, that thou chargest vs so straytly? As for my loue he is white and red coloured, a goodly person among ten thousand: his head is as the most fyne golde, the lockes of his heare are busshed, & blak as a crow. His iyes are as the iyes of doues by the water brokes, as though they were wasshed with mylke, and are set lyke perles in gold. His chekes are lyke a garden bed, wherein the Apotecaries plant all maner of swete thynges: Hys lyppes are lyke Roses that drop swete smellyng Myrre. His handes are lyke gold ringes hauing enclosed the precious stone of Tharsis. His body is as the pure yuory, deckt ouer with Saphires: His legges are as the pillers of Marble, set vpon sokets of golde: his face is as Libanus, & as the beautie of the Cedre trees. The wurdes of his mouth are swete yea he is altogether, louely. Such one is my loue. O ye daughters of Ierusalem, suche one is my Loue.
I Am cum into my gardein, my sister, my Spouse, The texte. I haue gathered my myrrhe with my spice, I haue eaten my hunnie combe with my hunney: I haue drunke my wine with my mylke.
AT his Spouses request, Christ cūmeth into his gardeyn: and gathereth his mirrhe with his spices, the vertuous dedes whiche through hym she bryngeth surth: and eateth his hunney combe with his hūney and drynketh his wyne with his mylke, that is, he accepteth well her good doctrine wherwith she nurissheth & comforteth the Younglynges. Whiche al he calleth his, because that for his sake she did them: and whan he hath so doen, he certifieth his Spouse therof, syngyng.
[Page]EAt o my frendes, and drynke, and be drunke my best beloued. The Texte.
CHriste seyng his Spouses fruites of most holsum doctrine, to be excellent good, calleth his fyrst Churche, the whiche now are his frendes, vnto his banket: willyng them not only to eat and drynke his churches mylk and wyne, that is the doctrine of holy scripture, but also to be drunke, that is to haue all carnall iudgement cleane ouercum with the perfect knowlege of his wurde, syngyng to them.
The texte. I Slepe, and my hart waketh. I hear the voice of my Beloued knockyng.
THe Spouse hyndred with the heauy burden of the flesh, falleth oft: becummeth negligent in her ministerie, and slepeth as touchyng the flesh: but in her hart and spirit watcheth continually, alwayes attentiue and hearkenyng whan God wyl moue and wake her vp, to doe any thyng.
[Page]Whiche she confesseth her selfe, syngyng to the Yonglynges·
OPen to me my sister, my Loue my Doue, The Text. my darling: for my Head is full of dewe, and my lockes of hear are full of Nyghte droppes.
WHan Christe (accordyng to the confession of his welbeloued Spouse) hath styerred and waked her vp by the secret wurkyng of his grace, from the sluggysh rest whiche she had in her disobedient and vnruly flesh, he cummeth hym selfe vnto her, with his head God the father hye head of all, full of the dewe of his grace, truth and mercie: hauyng hys heary lockes full of the nyght droppes of tribulacion, persecucion, and affliccion. (For all that receyue Christe with the dewe of his fathers truth and mercye, must also receyue the troubleous nyghtdroppes of his heares.) And now desirous that she should so receyue hym, syngeth.
The texte.I Haue put of my coat, how shall I put it on agayn? I haue washed my feet, how shal I fyle them agayne?
THe Spouse (whose flesh is not ful mortified, and obedient to the spirit) is troubled sore with this request of her Beloued. She is in the bed of quietnes already, and hath as she thynketh, put of the vesture of olde Adam, with trust in her owne righteousnes, and hath washed her feete from the soule affecciōs, lustes, and desiers of worldly thynges. Thus thynkyng (but she is deceyued) she reasoneth with her Beloued, syngyng.
MI Beloued put in his hande at the Hole, and my bowels swelled within me. The Text. I arose that I myght open to my Beloued, and my hādes dropped myrrhe, and my fingers wer full of tryed mirrhe. I opened the bolte of my dore to my Beloued: but he was goen & past. As sone as my Beloued spake, my soul cam out. I sought hym, but I founde hym not: I called, but he gaue no answer. The watchmen y t went about the citie, found me, smote me, and wounded me: They that kept the wall, toke away my gaberdin. I charge you o ye daughters of Ierusalem, that yf ye fynde my Beloued, ye shew him how that I am louesycke.
THe Churche beholdeth Christ, and would gladly receyue hym, for her soule deliteth in his dewy head, but her flesh can not away with the nyghtdroppyng heares, which caused her as though she had ben perfect, to reason with Christ, and to thynke that he woulde haue her put on her coate agayne, whan as in dede he woulde haue her cum naked to put on the coat whiche he wyll geue her. Thus is the poore churche deceyued through frayltie of the flesh: whiche he consyderyng and seyng the dore shut, that is the spirite so hyndred in carnal iudgement, that she can not receyue hym, thrusteth in his hande, that is his power, grace, and helpe, through the hole [Page] of the dore, that is the eleccion whiche remayneth in olde Adam the dore of the flesshe, whiche through his grace he openeth. Whiche the Spouse felyng, confesseth: syngyng.
wHat maner one is thy beloued of a beloued o thou fayrest of women? what maner one is thy beloued of his beloued, The Text. because thou geuest vs so great charge?
THe Younglynges beyng charged of the Churche that yf they fynde her Beloued, they shew hym how she is louesicke, because they know hym not (as in dede none can excepte the faythfull haue taught them) enquyer what he is, singing.
MY Beloued is whyte and red, chosen among a thousande. The Texte. Hys head is principal good golde: his heares are lyke the branches of the Palme trees, as blacke as a Crowe.
THe Church at the Younglynges request, describeth her beloued in .iii. songes, syngyng.
HIs iyes are as the culuers, The Text. vpon the water brookes, whiche are wasshed with mylcke, and rest vnto theyr fulnes. His Chekes are lyke beddes of spices, growyng for the Apotecaries. Hys lyppes are lilies, that drop percing Myrre. His handes are golden ringes full of Iacinctes His belly is of yuory, deckt ouer with Saphirs: His legges are Marble pillers, set vpon golden bases. His shape is as Libanus, he is chosen as the Cedre tree. His throte is moste swete.
WHan the Churche hath shewed the eleccion of Christe (for he is the chyef and onely elect sonne of his father) and his two natures, diuinitie and humanitie: she procedeth on in the descripcion of the rest of his partes, syngyng.
SUche one is my Beloued as is whollye to be desyred. The texte. And he is my frende O ye daughters of Ierusalem.
WHan the Churche hath particulerly descrybed Christe as well as she coulde, at last astonished with beholdyng the depth of his wunderful mercies, and hyndered through infirmitie to vtter suche thinges as she gladly would, she breketh out into wunderyng: and desyrous to styr vp al other to desyer hym, concluded muche in few wurdes, syngyng.
WHither is thy loue goen then (o thou fayrest among weomen) whither is thy loue departed? we wyll seke hym with thee. My Loue is goen downe into his gardeyne, vnto the sweete smellyng beddes: that he maye refresh himself in the gardeyn, and gather roses. My loue is myne and I am his, which fedeth among the roses.
Thou art beautifull o my loue, as is the place of Thirza, thou art fayer as Ierusalem, fearful as an armie of men with theyr banners. Turne away thyne iyes from me: for they haue set me on fyer. Thy hearry lockes are lyke a flock of goates shorne vpon the mount of Gilead. Thy teeth are lyke a flocke of shorne shepe, whiche goe out of the washyng place, where euerye one beareth twynnes, and not one vnfrutefull among them. Thy chekes are lyke a piece of Pomegranate, within thy volupers. There are .lx. Quenes, & lxxx. Concubines, and Damselles without numbre. One is my doue, one is my darlyng: She is the onely beloued of her mother, and dere vnto her that bare her. When the daughters saw her, they sayed she was blessed. Yea the Quenes and wyues praysed her.
[Page]What is she this that loketh forth as the mornyng? Fayre as the Moone, clear as the Sun, and fearful as an armie of men with theyr banners. I went doun into the nutgardeyne, to see what grewe by the brookes, and to looke yf the vineyarde floryshed, or yf the Pomegrates were shot furth. I knew not that my soule had made me the charriote of the people that be vnder tribute. Turne agayn, turne agayn: O thou perfect one turne agayn, turne agayn and we wyll loke vpon thee. What wyll ye see in the Sulamite? She is lyke men of warre, syngyng in a company.
The texte▪ WHither is thy Beloued goen O thou the fayrest woman? Whither is thy Beloued departed? That we maye seke hym with thee.
THe Younglynges although they haue been long ledde in darknes, and seduced with blyndnes of errours, yet hearyng Christe truly preached, with his death, power, and merites throughly declared, dooe hungre and thyrste for the true righteousnes: Whiche that they maye the sooner obtayne, they demaunde of the Church whither her Beloued is goen, and that twyse for faylyng, shewyng therby theyr earnestnes that they haue to helpe to seke hym, syngyng as foloweth.
MI Beloued is goen doun into his gardeyne to the spice beddes, The Text. that he may there fede in his gardeyn, and gather lilies. I please my Beloued, and my Beloued me, whiche fedeth among the lilies.
THe Churche whiche euen nowe sought for her beloued & could not fynde hym, beyng now required of the Younglynges to shew where he is, doth not only know where for to seke hym, but also where to fynde hym: and therfore maketh answer to the Younglynges, syngyng.
THou art fayer my frende, pleasaunt & bewtifull as Ierusalem. Fearful as a standerd of an hoste set in ray. The Text. Turne awaye thyne iyes from me, for they haue set me on fyer. Thyne heares are lyke a flock of goates, whiche appear from Gileal. Thy teeth are lyke a flocke of shepe, whiche cum vp from the washing place hauyng euery one twinnes, and none barayn amongst them. Thy chekes are lyke to a pyece of Pomegranade, besydes thy fillet.
WHan the Spouse hath shewed that Christ is goen doun into his Churche whiche is his gardeyne, (not that she at any tyme lacked hym, for she had him euen whā she sought hym, but she felt hym not: & therfore she sayeth he went doun into her, because he than holpe her) and towlde also that he cummeth to the spice beddes, the bokes of holy scripture, alwayes present there to geue to all those the fruites of euerlastyng lyfe, that sincerely study, and earnestly accomplysshe the thinges taught them therin: And that besyde his presence in her and in the scriptures, he fedeth among the lilies, those are the true and faythfull beleuers: not that he eateth them, but rather they hym, in perfectly beleuyng in hym: and howe she only delyteth in hym and he in her: Christe allowyng her zeale prayseth her. And where as before she had a carnall iye, and false chayne of hipocritical wurkes about her fayer neck, her iudgement is now so vpryghte, and her charitable deades so good and perfect, that he delyted therwith, syngeth.
The texte.THere are thre score Quenes, and fowerscore Concubines, with Damsels innumerable. One is my doue, one is my perfect one: she is the elect of her mother, and dere vnto her that bare her. The daughters sawe her, and sayde she was moste blessed: the quenes also and Concubines praysed her.
CHriste beyng highly pleased with his Spouses iyes and heares, whiche she lacked at the fyrste, prayseth her now. But aboue all his Churches, bothe Quenes, whiche are the perfectest: concubines, that are not throwly perfect: and damsels whiche yet are young in fayth: with all the rest, he prayseth one, whiche is the primatiue churche of his Apostles, callyng [Page] her his Doue, and perfect one, to allure the Yonglinges to ensue her steppes, swetely syngyng to them.
wHat one is she that loketh furth as the mornyng, fayer as the Moone, elect as y e Sun, The texte. and terrible as a banner?
WHan Christe hath magnified his Spouse with no lyttle cōmendacion, yet is he not satisfied: but that the yonglynges maye lyke her the better, procedeth farther, comparyng her to the mornyng, to the sunne, to the moone, and to a banner: and as it were wundryng at her excellencie, singeth.
I Am cum downe into the Nutgardeyn, to se the plantes that growe by the ryuers syde: The Texte. to see yf the vineyard bud, or yf the Pomegranades wer floured.
WHan Christ hath wundred at the excellēcie of his spouse and compared her to the mornyng, because of the lacke of perfect glory whiche she can not attayne so long as she is subiect to the fraile body: and to the Moone that is the truth whiche taketh lyght of hym, as the moone doeth of the sun, whiche as it shyneth in the darke, so doeth the Churche in aduersitie and persecucion: and to the Sunne, that is hymselfe the Sunne of righteousnes, callynge her electe as hymselfe, the chefe and principal elect of his father: and last of all to a banner, for her terriblenes in fraying her aduersaries: whan [Page] he hath thus wunderyngly praysed her, he cummeth downe into her to se yf his vines bud, and pomegrates flower, whether his elect haue a lyuely iustifiyng fayth, whiche wurketh by loue, that if they be barayn he maye curse them as he dyd the fruteles fygtree. Math. xx. and whan they be wydered to cast them out of his gardayne. And beyng nowe in his Nutgardeyn, he declareth why he cummeth, singyng.
¶I knewe it not. The Texte
WHan Christ hath told his Spouse that he is descended into her to see the fruites of her faythful people, she ignoraunt before hearyng nowe his voyce, confesseth her ignoraunce, acknowlagyng her imperfeccion. And not withstandyng the greate prayses wherewith her Beloued magnified her, she presumeth not: but humbly acknowlegyng her estate confesseth her ignoraunce: syngyng.
MY soule appoynted me to drawe in the chariots of Aminadif. The texte.
THe Churche hauyng before the Younglynges confessed her ignoraunce, and declared that without the wurde of God no man can be certified of his wyll, and doubtyng nowe least they yet waueryng for want of knowlege, and ouercharged with the heauie burden of the body, flesh, and sin, should dispayer of Gods fauour▪ because their off [...]nces are so great that they be neyther able to hear them, nor to recompence thē with the best wurkes they can deuise: and also because they lacke the wurkes whiche Christe cam to see in hys gardeyne: [Page] And to shewe that it is Christes wyl that all whiche are of his Churche ought to bear one an others burdeyne, she syngeth to the Younglynges.
TUrne agayne, turne agayne (O thou perfecte one) turne agayne, turne agayn, The Text. that we maye beholde thee.
THe Younglynges hauyng heard the Churches great consolacion, and seyng what paynes she taketh for theyr sake in fasting and prayers, to relieue them of theyr heauy burden, call her now backe agayne to preache: that they maye beholde and see, as well the precious giftes of God within her, as the tribulacions they see vpon her, syngyng as foloweth.
The Texte.What would ye see in the Sulamite, whiche is lyke to a cumpanie of pitched tētes?
WHan the Younglynges whiche iudge not by the outewarde wurkes of fastyng, praying, and almose deedes, with other rites and ceremonies whiche the wycked may doe vnder hipocrisie with as goodly a face and shew as the moste faythfull, haue called agayn the churche, to vewe her as well within as without: Christe to thintent that his faythfull be not deceyued, teacheth howe and by what markes to knowe his churche, singyng to the yong.
O Howe pleasaunt are thy treadynges with thy shoes, thou princes daughter? Thy thighes are lyke a fayer iewel whiche is wrought by a cunning wurke mayster. Thy nauel is lyke a rounde goblet, whiche neuer is without drynke. Thy woumb is lyke an heap of wheat that is set about with roses. Thy two brestes are lyke two twins of young Roes. Thy neck is as it wer a tower of yuory: thy iyes are lyke the water poles y t are in Hesebon, besyde the port of Bathrabim: thy nose is lyke the tower of Libanus, whiche loketh towarde Damascus. That head that stādeth vpon the, is lyke Carmel, and the hear of thy head is lyke purple, & lyke a kyng goyng furth with his garde about hym. O how fayer & louely art thou my dearlyng in pleasures? Thy stature is lyke a Palmetree, & thy brestes lyke the grapes. I sayd: I wyl clyme vp into the palmtre, & take hold of his hye branches. Thy brestes also shalbe as the vineclusters, the smel of thy nostrels lyke the smell of apples, & thy iawes lyke the best wyne. Whiche goeth strayt vnto my Beloued, and brasteth oute by the lyppes of the Ancient elders. There wyll I turne me vnto my Loue, and he shall turne hym vnto me.
[Page]O come on my loue, we wyll goe forth in to the fielde, and take our lodgeyng in the villages. In the mornyng wyll we goe see the vineyarde: we will see yf the vine be sprong forth, yf the grapes be growē, and yf the pomegranades be shot out: There wyll I geue thee my brestes: the Mandragoras geue theyr swete smell: & besyde our dores are all maner of pleasaunt frutes, both newe and olde whiche I haue kepte for thee, O my Beloued.
The texte. HOw pleasant are thy treadynges in thy shoes, O thou princes daughter? The cumpas of thy thighes are lyke a goodly iewel whiche is wrought by the handes of a cunning wurkman. Thy nauel is lyke a rounde goblet whiche neuer is without drynke.
Thy belly is lyke an heap of wheat set aboute with lillies. Thy two brestes are lyke two twinnes of young Roes. Thy necke is as it were a tower of yuory. Thyne iyes are lyke the water poles that are in Hesebon, besyde the porte of Bathrabim. Thy face is lyke the tower of Libanus, whiche loketh towarde Damascus. Thy head is lyke Carmell, and thy heares lyke a kyng goyng furth with his garde about hym.
[Page]CHriste hauyng taught the Younglynges to knowe the true Spouse by her pitched tentes, which as it is declared before, are the bookes of scripture, out of whiche, she kepeth warre agaynst the enemies of the truthe: begynneth to prayse her afresh, syngyng.
The Texte O How fayer & louely art thou my Darling in plesures? Thy stature is lyke a Palme tree. I sayd: I wil clyme the palmtre, and take hold of the hye branches. Thy brestes also shal be lyke the vine clusters, the smel of thy nostrels lyke the smel of apuls. Thy throte shalbe lyke the best wyne, mete for my beloued to drinke, with his lyppes, and to chewe with his teeth.
CHriste hauyng praysed his Spouse particulerly, begynnyng at her feete and goyng vpward to her head, where as he was wunt to begyn at the head, and thence to go dounwarde: procedeth as he was wunt, with moste earnest affeccion syngyng.
[Page] I Am the Spouse of my Beloued: and he doeth turne hym vnto me. The texte.
AFter that Christe hath clymed vp into his churche, a very Palme tree, and made her aboundant in all good gyftes of grace, so that her nose smelleth lyke apples, whiche signifie gyftes of the holy goste, whiche she geueth vnto other by preachyng and laying on handes, & by ministryng to them the holy sacramentes: and hath moystned her mouth & throte with the wyne of his holy wurd, she by and by in the hearyng of the Younglynges, preacheth: in wurdes but a small sermon, but in sence full of muche good matter, syngyng.
CUm my Beloued, let vs goe furth into the field, and let vs lodge together in the villages. The texte. In the mornyng we wyl ryse, and goe se yf the vines be flowred, and whether the Pomegranades be shot furth. Ther wyl I poure out all my loue vpon thee.
[Page]WHan the Churche hath wel instructed the younglynges and hath still an earnest desier to preache, she consydereth that abrode in the worlde, whiche here is called a fyelde and countrey, there are many that know not Christe, whiche neuertheles thorough good instruccion, woulde soone becum good Christians: wherfore she hath a desier to go preache to them. But because she knoweth that all her endeuoures can profit nothyng without Christe hymself be present, and helpe with the secrete callyng of his grace and spirite, she desyreth hym to goe with her, and declareth what she would haue hym to doe there, syngyng.
The Texte.THe mandrages do smel: & within our dores are all maner fruites. Both old and newe o my Beloued, I haue kept for thee.
AFter that Christe at his Spouses requeste, hath bene with her in the fielde, and lodged with her in the vyllages, and that so long that they haue there wunne a new company to the belyef of the gospel: he as she desyred hym, cummeth with her now to see the vines and pomegranades, whether they be fruitfull or no. And whan the Churche hath wel beheld them, she smelleth the Mandrags, that is the doctrine and preachyng of the faythful, and delyted therwith, sheweth Christ therof, syngyng.
O That I might finde the with out, and kisse thee, whome I loue as my brother, whiche sukt my mothers brestes: and that thou shalt not be despised I wyll lead the and bring the into my mothers house: that thou mightest teache me, and that I myght geue thee to drinke of spiced wyne, and of the swete sappe of my pomgranates. His left hande shalbe vnder my head and his right hande shall embrace me. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, that ye wake not vp my loue, nor touche her, tyll she be content her selfe. What is she this, that commeth vp from wyldernes, and leaneth vpon her loue? I waked thee vp among the apple trees, where thy mother conceyued thee, where thy mother (I saye) broughte thee into the worlde. [Page] O set me as a seale vpon thyne heart, & as a seale vpon thyne arme: for loue is mighty as the death and gelousie as the hell. Her coales are of fyre: & a very flambe of the Lorde: so that many waters are not able to quenche loue, nether may the streames droune it. Yea yf a man woulde geue all the good of his house for loue, he shoulde count it nothyng. Our sister is but young, & hath no brestes: what shall we do for our syster whan she shall bee spoken for? If she be a wall, we shall buyld a siluer bulwarke therevpon: yf she be an open dore, we shall fasten her with borders of Cedre tree. I am a wall, and my brestes lyke towers, than was I as one that hath founde fauour in his syght. Salomon hath a vineyarde at Baal Hamon, and this vineyarde deliuered he vnto the kepers, that euery one for the fruite therof should geue hym a thousand pieces of syluer. My vineyard is in my syght: thou (O Salomon) must haue a thousand, and the kepers two hundred with the fruite. Thou that dwellest in the gardens, O let me heare thy voyce, that my companions maye hearken to the same. O get thee away my loue, and be as a roe or young heart vpon the swete smellyng mountaynes.
O That I once myght fynde thee without, and kisse thee, The texte. whome I loue as my brother, whiche sukt my mothers brestes: and that none myght despyse vs. I wyll lead the and bryng the, into my mothers house. There thou shalt teache me: And I wyll geue thee to drinke of spiced wyne, and of the swete sappe of my Pomegranades.
WHyle the perfect Spouse taketh her pleasure with her Beloued, gatheryng the fruites of the old & newe testament, to preache Christes humanitie, and the wurkes whiche he wrought in the same, the younglynges whiche she lefte in the fyeldes and villages (whiche may well betoken the sectes of the Phylosophers, Phariseis, Saduccis, and al other like whiche sought for ryghteousnes in theyr wysedome & dedes) seyng the puritie of the vineyard, and smellyng the sauour of the Mandragoras, an heauy smell to them, partly because it condemneth theyr rightousnes, and partly because it maketh them lament theyr imperfeccion, begynne to long for the true ryghteousnes, and saluacion: whiche because they can haue by none other meane than by Christe, they seke hym, and are therfore mocked, and persecuted of those sectes, of whyche they wer before, whiche is theyr mothers house, whose great blyndnes they (beyng now his Spouse) pitiyng, wysh for to fynde hym abrode, and to bryng hym to them, syngyng.
The TexteHIs left hande is vnder my head, & his right hande shall embrace me.
CHrist seyng his Younglynges so earnestly set to receyue hym, that they promys to ieoberd theyr lyfe for the profession of his name, cummeth to them, and geuyng them his kysse of peace, taketh them to his Spouse: & than as he dyd to the other Churches before, he cūmeth to her with his dew and nyght droppes, to proue and trye her: wherfore she beyng sore afflicted of her mothers houshold, that such as are weak fall not from her, declareth that Christ hath not forsaken her [Page] but hath purposely brought that crosse vpon her, and that at length she shall haue the victorye of all her aduersaries, and persecutours, syngyng.
I Charge ye O ye Daughters of Ierusalē, The texte. that ye wake not vp my loue, nor touch her tyll she be content herself.
WHan Christe hath tryed his Spouse with persecucion, and founde her constant, he receyueth her into his bed of peace, quietnesse, and rest, geuyng chaurge to the Daughters of Ierusalem, as many as entende to obtayne fauoure at his hande, that they trouble her not with vayne questions false opinions, supersticious tradicions, ydle and dum ceremonies, newe constitucions, wicked decrees, nor vngodlye lawes: but to suffer her slepe in the faythe and quyetnesse of conscience that she hath receyued of hym already, til she wake her selfe: eyther through his instigacion to auaunce his glory, or by sum charitable mocion to healpe her neyghboures: syngyng as foloweth.
VUhat is she that cummeth vp from the wyldrenes, and leaneth vpon her Loue?
WHyle the Churche is at rest in Christe, she waxeth dayly more and more notable through her good lyfe and Godly conuersacion: whiche the perfecte Spouse woundryng at, syngeth.
[Page]I Waked thee vp amōg the apple trees wher thy mother conceyued thee, The Texte where thy mother brought thee into the worlde.
CHriste maketh aunswere, declaryng what she is, where and howe he rounde her: and declaryng what he dyd for his Spouse, doeth syng as foloweth.
O Set me as a seale vpon thy heart, and as a signet vpon thyne arme: The texte. for loue is myghtie as death, and gelousie as hel. Her coles are of fier & a very flame of the Lord. Many waters are not able to quenche Loue, neyther maye the streames droune it: yea yf a man would geue al the goodes of his house for loue, he should count it nothyng.
WHan Christe hath tolde his Spouse howe he ascended for her sake, the apple tree of the crosse, makyng thereon ful satisfaccion to his father for the sinnes of al mankind by the sheadyng of his most precious blood, wakyng her vp, from the deadly slepe, whiche she slept vnder the apple tree of originall sinne and condemnacion, vnder whiche her mother brought her furth: He wyllyng to haue her myndeful of hys benefites byddeth her set hym as a seale vpon her harte, that is to scale vp all her affeccions and thoughtes, with the remembraunce of his blessed passion, and by the same to seale out al other deuices to obtayn saluacion: & to set him as a signet vpon her arme, not to presume to doe ought by her owne wit, & strēgth, but to doe in al thinges as his wurd teacheth: [Page] All this he desyreth her to doe for the loue sake which he beareth to her, whiche is strong as death or hel, yea and stronger: For the strength of his loue overcam the strength of bothe. Wherfore for this his great loue, he woulde haue his spouse thankfull, and shewe hym loue agayne: The properties wherof he declareth, syngyng.
WE haue a litle sister, whiche as yet hath no brestes. What shall we doe to our Syster, whan we shall speake to her.
WHan Christe hath finished his song, his Spouse accordyng as he desyred, setteth hym as a seale at her heart, and as a bracelet about her arme: and than remembryng he [...] sister whome she left whan she came to Christe, and desyrous through her preachyng to bryng her to Christe, doeth aske of Christe and his perfect frendes what she shall doe, singyng.
The Texte.IF she be a wall, we wyll buylde a syluer bulwarke thervpon: yf she be an open dore, we wil fasten her with borders of Cedre.
CHriste seyng the carefulnes of his Spouse for her yong sister, teacheth what must be doen to her, saying: If she be a [...]al, that is as sum take it elect, and yet not in the fayth: and as other sum take it, instructed in the faythe, but yet not perfecte, we wyll buylde vpon her a syluer bulwarke, that is accordyng to eleccion a strong and valiaunt fayth: & according to fayth, the gyftes of the holy gost, as knowlege, vtterance, power to wurke myracles. &c. whiche bothe agree well to the matter, but the last is moste nere, and proper. But yf she be an open dore, that is in state of grace, apte to receyue any kynde of doctrine, we wyll garnishe or fasten her with borders of cedre tree, with good doctrine, good bokes, good, constant and perfect preachers, whiche shall kepe her close from errour. Thus sayth Christ she must be doen by, singyng to his spouse as foloweth.
I Am a wall, and my brestes lyke towers. The text. Than was I as one that hath founde fauoure in hys syght.
THe Younglynges hearyng what Christe sayde, answere that they are a wall, strong, constant, and able to kepe out errours, and wrong opinions: and beyng made his Spouse, sayeth she hath brestes lyke towers, well furnyshed with vytayles of good doctrine to succour and helpe them that nede. For the whiche properties they hauyng founde fauour in the syght of God, declare all to theyr sister, syngyng.
The text.SAlomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon, and this vineyarde let he out to kepers, that euery one for the fruicte thereof shoulde geue hym a thousande pieces of syluer. My vineyarde is in my syght. And to thee O Salomon I wyl paye a thousande, and two hundred to the kepers with the fruite.
CHriste hauyng by fayth coupled all his Churches together, and made them all one vineyard, calleth to mynde the vineyarde whiche Kyng Salomon had at Baalhamon, a place nere Ierusalem: whiche vineyarde he let out to hyer, receyuyng of euery keper, a thousande pieces of syluer for the fruicte. This story Christe counteth to his Spouse, that she maye know howe muche he loueth her better than Salomon dyd his, in that he wyll kepe her hym selfe: And geue to Salomon, that is euery peacefull person, an inestimable reward: and to the kepers, that are his byshoppes, two hundred and the fruite. (O happy kepers that shall be so rewarded.) This promis maketh he to his Spouse, syngyng.
THou that dwellest in the gardeyns, O let me heare thy voyce, The Texte. that my Companions maye hearken: o the same.
WHan Christe hath styrred vp his Churche to yelde hym thankes for his beneficiall diligence toward her, he stirreth her vp to preach, that his felowes, whiche are false christians, maye heare her true preaching, that beyng confounded therwith, they may cōuert and becum true christians in dede, syngyng to her as foloweth.
The text. O Get the away my Loue, and be as a young Roe or an Harte, vpon the sweete smellyng mountaynes.
THe Churche commaunded of Christe to preache, willingly obeyeth. But because she knoweth her preachyng can take none effect without his help, she desyreth hym to depart from this worlde to heauen, and there to make intercession betwene God the father and her, and from thence to help her in all her affayers: She desyreth hym also to be as a Roe or harte vpon the swete smelling mountaynes, that is, to be alwayes quicke ready and swyft, in his Scriptures, that they may take effect when she preacheth them. This she desyreth of hym, syngyng as foloweth.
¶In the fyrste syde of the fowertenth lefe, in the sixte and seuenth line, for fowertenth, read seuententh. Any other great fautes it hath not, excepte lettre for lettre, whiche euery one shal be as able to correct as to fynd, and therfore not nedefull to haue be noted here.
¶Imprinted at London by William Baldwin, seruaunt with Edwarde Whitchurche.
Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.