John Trapp on Song of Solomon 2:1

CHAP. II. Verſ. 1. I am the Roſe of Sharon]

THe Greek renders it, the flower of the field, that grows without mans labour, having Heaven for its Father, Earth for its Mother. So had Chriſt, made of a woman, manifeſted in the fleſh, without Father as man, without Mother as God, Heb. 7.3. And Heb. 9.11. The Tabernacle of Chriſts humane Nature (ſo called, becauſe therein the fulneſs of the Godhead dwelt bodily, Col. 2.9.) was not made with hands, that is, not by mans help; it was not of this building by the power of Nature. But as matter in the beginning of time was taken from man to make a woman, ſo matter in the fulneſs of time was taken from Woman to make the Man Chriſt Jeſus: And as Eve was a true Woman without woman, ſo Chriſt was a true Man without man. Hee is called, filius hominis, but it is onely of the feminine gender. Hee is the flower of the field, as here, the Stone cut out without hands, Dan. 2.45. the Phoenix that hath no Parents, the Pearl that is not made through any earthly copulation, but is begotten of the dew of Heaven. For as Pearls are bred in ſhell-fiſhes of a celeſtial humour, ſo was Chriſt, by heavenly influence, in the Virgins womb. But let us weigh the words as they are commonly rendred: Sharon was a moſt fruitful place ſituate under the hill Libanon, 1 Chron. 27.29. coupled with Carmel for excellency, Iſa. 35.2. not more a field than a fold for flocks, Iſa. 65.10. To a Roſe (that Queen of flowers) here growing doth the Lord Chriſt fitly compare himſelf. This flower delights in ſhadowy places (and thence borroweth its name in the Original) it is orient of hiew,Habaſteleth. cold of complexion, but paſſing redolent, and of comfortable condition. Such a Flower is Jeſus (ſaith an Expoſitour here) moſt delighted in temperate places, for hiew white and ruddy, the chiefeſt of ten thouſand,Clapham. a cooler to the conſcience, but paſſing ſavoury, and comfortable to the diſtreſſed Patient.

And the Lilly of the Vallyes] Or, low places, which are moſt fat and fertile. Chriſt is both Roſe and Lilly, which two put together make a gallant ſhew, and beautifie the boſomes of thoſe that bear them; but nothing like as Chriſt doth thoſe that have him dwelling in their hearts by Faith. Theſe flowers do ſoon fade, and loſe both beauty and ſweetneſs: but ſo doth not Chriſt or his comforts. Tam recens mihi nunc Chriſtus eſt, ac ſi hac hora fudiſſet ſanguinem, ſaith Luther, Chriſt is as freſh to mee now, as if hee had ſhed his blood this very hour. Hee purpoſely compareth himſelf to a Vine, to a door, to bread, and many other excellent and neceſſary creatures, every where obvious, that therein (as in ſo many optick glaſſes) wee may ſee him, and bee transformed into him. For this it is alſo, that hee here commends himſelf, not out of arrogancy or vain affectation of popular applauſe, but for our ſakes doubtleſs, that wee may take notice of his excellencies, and love him in ſincerity. The Spouſe alſo praiſeth her ſelf ſometimes, not out of pride of her parts, but to ſhew her thankfulneſs to Chriſt, from whom ſhee had them.