II. CANTICLES, or the Songs of Solomon. This is a sacred Book in Scripture, by the Hebrews called Schir Haschirim, the Song of Songs, or the most excellent of all Songs. It is believed that Solomon composed it upon the occasion of his own Marriage with the King of Egypt’s Daughter, and that it is, as it were, his Epithalamium; but they who would penetrate the meaning, and comprehend the whole mystery of it, must raise their conceptions above things relating to flesh and blood, and contemplate in it the espousals of Jesus Christ with human Nature, with the Church, and with good and faithful Souls. This is the Key of this divine Book, which is a continued allegory, wherein under the terms of a common Wedding, a divine and supernatural Marriage is expressed.
Gen. xxix. 22. Judg. xiv. 12, 15, 17. Tob. viii. 23.It is observed that seven nights and seven days are very distinctly set down in this Song; because Weddings among the Hebrews were celebrated for seven days. This Song relates the adventures of these seven days, but in a poetical manner and in a way very different from a common and historical narration. The Hebrews apprehending it might be understood in a gross and carnal manner, very prudently forbad the reading it before the age of thirty1. This rule has been followed even among Christians: and nothing is more dangerous than to read it with carnal thoughts and dispositions; People not only being liable to the hazard of losing thereby all the esteem which they ought to have for this Book; but of even wounding the Soul instead of edifying it.
The Christian Church as well as the Synagogue, has always received this Book among the Scriptures as generally owned to be canonical2. In all Antiquity we know of none but Theodorus of Mopsuesta that rejected it, and declared it not to be canonical. Some Rabbins questioned whether it were written by inspiration; and the Anabaptists lay it aside as a dangerous composition. But in opposition to these we plead the Authority both of the Synagogue and the Christian Church, which have at all times ranked it among the least dubious parts of Scripture. If it be objected, that neither Christ nor his Apostles have ever cited it, and that the name of God is not once to be found in it, we answer, that there are several other Sacred Books, which our Saviour has not expresly quoted; and that in an allegory, wherein the Son of God is concealed under the figure of an Husband, it is not necessary that he should be expressed by his proper name. If he were by name mentioned, it would cease to be an allegory.
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