in the drama. He seems to have embraced almost entirely the theory and interpretation of Origen.
354-430. Augustin, who was born at Tagesta in Numidia, in 354, and died in 430, materially aided Jerome in the spread of the allegorical interpretation in the West. He regards the Song of Songs as describing "the holy loves of Christ and his Church."
Of ch. i. 7, "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest
thy flock, where," &c., he says it is one testimony in behalf of the church in
Africa, which lies in the meridian of the world. The church asks Christ to
tell her where the one true church is, where it feeds and reclines. The
bridegroom answers, In the meridian, I feed in the meridian, I recline in
the meridian. The church is in other parts, but in Africa is its meridian.
This is the language of believers out of Africa, who also say, "For why
should I be as one roaming among the flocks of thy companions?" that is,
why remain concealed and unknown? Other churches are not thy flock,
but the flocks of thy companions. Upon the adjuration, "I adjure you," &c.
vii. 7, he observes, The church in these words addresses her own daughters.
She is a field of God, fruitful in graces, to which by loving Christ the
martyrs come, whom he wishes to lay down their lives as lovingly as he
laid down his life for them. Ch. ii. 15. "Take us the foxes," &c., that is,
withstand, confute, subdue, heretics that injure the ecclesiastical vines.
Bind them by Scripture testimony, as Samson bound the foxes together,
and put fire to their tails, by warning them of the condemnation they have
deserved. In ch. iv. 16, "Awake, O north, and come, thou south wind," &c.,
he says, the north wind is from the cold icy regions of the devil and his
angels, and the south wind is the spirit of grace blowing at noon from
warm and shining regions, that cause the spices to flow out, as the apostle
says, "We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved,
and in them that perish."
360-429. Theodore, bishop of Mopsuestia, who wrote a
commentary on this book, also rejected the allegorical meaning,
and adhered to its literal and obvious sense. Pity that his
commentary is lost, and that the only account of it is from his
enemies.
386-457. So general was the dissatisfaction with the allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs, and so different were the theories respecting it at the time of Theodoret or Theodorit, bishop of Cyrus in Syria, who was born at Antioch about 386, and died 457, that he was obliged to mention and refute them.
