John Trapp on Song of Solomon 2:14

Verſ. 14. Oh my Dove! that art in the clefts of the Rock] The Dove is meek, mournful, ſimple, ſociable, fearful, beautiful, faithful to her mate, fruitful, neat, ſo is the Church. And becauſe the Dove is ſought after by birds of prey, therefore ſhee builds in ſtrong and ſteep places, in clefts of Rocks, in the ſides of the holes mouth, as Jeremy hath it, chap. 48.28. The Church alſo is forced many times to flie into the wilderneſſe, Rev. 12. into the further parts of the world, and hide it ſelf in corners, to avoid perſecution. So many, ſo mighty, and ſo malicious are the Churches enemies, that ſhee dare ſcarce peep out, or appear abroad, with the Dove, but ſhee is in danger to become Hawks-meat. Hence Hilary ſaith of the Primitive Chriſtians, that they were not to bee ſought in tectis & exteriori pompa, in Palaces and outward pomp, but rather in deſerts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, as the Apoſtle alſo hath it, Heb. 11.38. Concerning the Chriſtian Congregation in Queen Maries time, ſaith Mr. Fox, there were ſometimes forty, ſometimes an hundred, ſometimes two hundred came together, as they could, in ſome private place in London, Act. & Mon. fol. 1881. for mutual edification. They are utterly out therefore, that hold that the true Church muſt bee evermore glorious and conſpicuous for her outward ſplendour. Shee is eft-ſoons like the Moon in her ecclipſe, which appeareth dark toward the earth, but is bright and radiant in that part which looks toward Heaven. The Papiſts would have this Moon alwaies in the full. And if ſhee ſhew but little light to us, or bee ecclipſed, they will not yeeld, ſhee is the Moon. And yet (except it bee in the ecclipſe) Aſtronomers demonſtrate that the Moon hath at all times as much light, as in the full: But oftentimes a great part of the bright ſide is turned to Heaven, and a leſſer part to the earth. And ſo the Church is ever conſpicuous to Gods eye, though it appear not alwaies to ours.

In the ſecret places of the ſtairs] Whither thou art retired, as for ſecurity, ſo for ſecrecy, that thou mayeſt the more freely, and without ſuſpition of hypocriſie, pour out thy heart before mee, and ſeek my protection. Or, where thou lyeſt cloſe out of modeſty, or conſcience of infirmity; not daring to ſhew thy face.

Shew mee thy face] Or, Let mee ſee thy countenances, leave none of thy particular Congregations or Members behinde thee, but preſent your ſelves before the Lord, come boldly to the Throne of Grace, Heb. 4.16. in full aſſurance of Faith, Heb. 10.22. Quid enim per faciem niſi fidem qua â Deo cognoſcimur, ſaith Gregory upon this Text.Heb. 11.6 What can wee underſtand by the face but Faith, ſith by it wee are known of God, and without it, it is impoſſible to pleaſe God: For hee that cometh to God, (that ſhews his face before the King Eternal, Immortal, Inviſible, &c. 1 Tim. 1.17. muſt come in his beſt) muſt beleeve that hee is (ſcil. Optimus Maximus) and more particularly, that hee is a rewarder of all that diligently ſeek him, that ſeek him out, as the Greek hath it, viz. that fetch him out of his retiring-room, as the Syropheniſſe by the force of her Faith did, Mark 7.24. and as the Spouſe here would never give him over, till ſhee had recovered him out of the Country, and drawn from him this ſweeteſt invitation to go along with him, and incitation to make bold with him.

Let mee hear thy voice] In holy exerciſes, preaching, prayer, conference, &c. See here how the Lord Chriſt wooes attendance, ſolicits ſuters. The Father ſeeketh ſuch to worſhip him, John 4.24. Hitherto yee have asked mee nothing, ſaith the Son, nothing to what you might have done, and ſhould do well to do hereafter, Ask, that your joy may bee full. John 16.24 Pray that yee may joy: draw waters with joy out of this well-ſpring of Salvation. Ply the Throne of Grace, follow your work cloſe. It was more troubleſome to Severus the Emperour (to Chriſt you may bee ſure it is) to bee asked nothing of his Courtiers, than to grant them much. Ask, and you ſhall have, ſaith Chriſt. And is not hee worthily miſerable, that will not make himſelf happy by asking?

Sweet is thy voice] Becauſe uttered by the Spirit of grace and ſupplication, whoſe very breath prayer is, and without whom prayer is no better than a ſounding braſs, or tinckling cymbal.

And thy countenance is comely] ſcil. By reaſon of the Image of God repaired in thee, clearly ſhining in thy heart and life: This renders thee comely indeed, ſo that I am the better to ſee thy face, and to hear thy voice. To Lovers nothing can bee more pleaſing than mutual converſe and conference.