This eBook was produced by David Widger
from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgiaand Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome.
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek,and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared withthe Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard ChallonerA.D. 1749-1752
This Book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the mostexcellent of all canticles: because it is full of high mysteries,relating to the happy union of Christ and his spouse: which is herebegun by love; and is to be eternal in heaven. The spouse of Christ isthe church: more especially as to the happiest part of it, viz., perfectsouls, every one of which is his beloved, but, above all others, theimmaculate and ever blessed virgin mother.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 1
The spouse aspires to an union with Christ, their mutual love for oneanother.
1:1. Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts arebetter than wine,
Let him kiss me… The church, the spouse of Christ, prays that he maylove and have peace with her, which the spouse prefers to every thingdelicious: and therefore expresses (ver. 2) that young maidens, that isthe souls of the faithful, have loved thee.
1:2. Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil pouredout: therefore young maidens have loved thee.
1:3. Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. Theking hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice inthee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.
Draw me… That is, with thy grace: otherwise I should not be able tocome to thee. This metaphor shews that we cannot of ourselves come toChrist our Lord, unless he draws us by his grace, which is laid up inhis storerooms: that is, in the mysteries of Faith, which God in hisgoodness and love for mankind hath revealed, first by his servant Mosesin the Old Law in figure only, and afterwards in reality by his onlybegotten Son Jesus Christ.
1:4. I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tentsof Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
I am black but beautiful… That is, the church of Christ founded inhumility appearing outwardly afflicted, and as it were black andcontemptible; but inwardly, that is, in its doctrine and morality, fairand beautiful.
1:5. Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered mycolour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made methe keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.
1:6. Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thouliest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thycompanions.
1:7. If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, andfollow after the steps of the flocks, and feed thy kids beside the tentsof the shepherds.
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