Matthew Poole and continuators on Song of Solomon 2:15

15 Take us the foxes , the little foxes , that spoil the vines : for our vines have tender grapes .

The Bridegroom gives this charge to his Bridemen or Friends, whose Office it is to attend upon him, and to observe in Commands. By whom he understands those Magistrates and [illegible: 1 word] to whom, under Christ, the custo[illegible: 1+ letters]y of the Vineyards, to wit, the Churches, principally belong. These he commands to take the Foxes, i. e. to restrain them from doing this mischief.

Heb. for us, i. e. at our instance, and for our common good, as this spoiling of the Vines was injurious and grievous to them both.

The disturbers of the Vineyard, or the Church, Seducers or [illegible: 1+ letters]alse Teachers, who are fitly compared to Foxes here, and Ezek. 13. 4. partly to distinguish them from great Tyrants and Persecutors, who are compared to wild Boars, or other wild Beasts, Psal. 80. 13. as to Lions, 2 Tim. 4. 17. and partly for their fox-like qualities and actions, because they are very crafty and deceitful, 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14. Eph. 4. 14. and very mischievous also, Ezek. 34. 2, 3. 2 Tim. 2. 17. Tit. 1 10, 11. 2 Pet. 2. 2. He mentions Foxes, because these abounded in that Country, as is [illegible: 1+ letters]anifest from Iudg. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 4. Psal. 63. 10. Lam. 5. 18. &c. but under [illegible: 1 word] he comprehends all noxious Creatures, upon the [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

This he adds, not as if the great Foxes were excused or ex[illegible: 1+ letters]mpted, but for more abundant caution to teach the Church to pre[illegible: 1+ letters] Errours and Heresies in the beginnings of them, before they spread, and grow strong and incurable.

Which Foxes do ma[illegible: 1+ letters]y [illegible: 1+ letters]ays, as those who write of them have observed, by g[illegible: 1+ letters]awing and brea[illegible: 1+ letters]ng the little Branches, and Leaves, and the Bark, by [illegible: 1+ letters]igging holes in the Vineyards, and so spoiling the Roots, by eating the Grapes, and other ways.

Which give us hopes of a good Vintage, and which are easily spoiled, if great care be not used to prevent it.

Marginal references: Ezek. [illegible: 1+ letters]34. Luk. 13. 3[illegible: 1+ letters].