Matthew Poole and continuators on Song of Solomon 1:5

5 I am black , but comely , O ye daughters of Jerusalem , as the tents of Kedar , as the curtains of Solomon .

It might be objected, who art thou, that thou shouldst have or pretend to such a Royal Bridegroom, and such Honours and Favours? To this the Church answers, I confess, as to my self, and outward appearance in the Eyes of the World, I have not that Pomp and Beauty which Men admire, but am black, contemptible and deformed, both for my own Infirmities and Disorders, and for the scandals of some of my own Members, and for the Reproaches and Persecutions of worldly men. She alludes to the complexion of Pharaoh's Daughter, who was black.

Yet I am glorious withi[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ Psal. 45. 13. and comely through the Beauty which my Husband hath put upon me, by his Graces and Blessings conferred upon me, such as Justification and Sanctification▪ &c.

By which she understands particular Believers, whose Mother Jerusalem is called, Gal. 4. 26. who had joined themselves to her, especially young Converts and weak Christians, who were startled and o[illegible: 1+ letters]ended at the contemplation of her blackness.

i. e. Of the wild Arabians, the Posterity of Kedar, Gen. 25. 13. who dwelt in Tents, which were black and uncomely, both in themselves, and by the injuries of the weather, to which they were constantly exposed.

As the Hangings wherewith Solomons House was furnished, which none can doubt that they were most beautiful and glorious. So these two last clauses answer to the two first, and that in the same order in which they lie.