The church seeks Christ, and

SOLOMON'S SONG.

resolves not to displease him.

CHAPTER III.

The church seeks Christ, finds him, and resolves not to displease him again, 1–5.

Christ's coming out of the wilderness; his bed, guard, and chariot, 6-10. An invitation of the church to the kingdom of glory, 11. BY night on my bed I sought him || the chamber of her that conceived A. M. 3027. whom my soul loveth: I sought me. him, but I found him not.

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2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

3 The watchmen that go about the city found me to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth; I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into

a Isa. xxvi. 9.- b Chap. v. 7.

NOTES ON CHAPTER III.

Verse 1. By night on my bed—When others compose themselves to sleep, my affections were working toward him. I sought him—I sought for Christ's || gracious and powerful presence. I sought him This repetition denotes her perseverance and unweariedness in seeking him; but found him notFor he had withdrawn the manifestations of his love from me, either because I had not sought him diligently, or because I had abused his favour.

Verse 2. I will rise now-I will immediately apply myself to seek him, without whom my bed can give me no rest, nor comfort; and go about the city-The city of God, the church in which Christ resides. And in the broad ways--Not finding him in private prayer and meditation, I sought him in the places of public assemblies and ordinances; but I found him not-He saw fit still to delay the discoveries of his grace.

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5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. 6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon's: threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. 8 They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

d Chap. viii. 5.

c Chap. ii. 7; viií. 4.united, and have sweet communion together in holy ordinances, into which believers are said to bring Christ, by faith and prayer. Into the chamber of her that conceived me-Christ is, as it were, the father that begets, and the church, the mother that conceives and brings forth believers.

Verse 6. Who is this, &c.-The persons speaking seem to be the daughters of Jerusalem, who, upon occasion of the bride's speech to them, make this reply. The person spoken of is the spouse: that cometh out of the wilderness-Believers were to be called, not only out of the holy land, which was as the garden of God, but also out of the Gentile world, which, in prophetical writings, is frequently described under the notion of a wilderness: like pillars of smoke-Being conducted out of the wilderness as by a pillar of smoke going before them, as the Israelites were led through the wilderness to Canaan, by a pillar of cloud and fire: perfumed with myrrh— The spouse is said to be thus perfumed, for her ex

pleasant and acceptable to God, and for the merits and graces of Christ, which are a sweet savour to God, wherewith she is enriched and beautified: with all the powders of the merchants-Which are fetched by the merchants from Arabia, or other remote parts.

Verse 3. The watchmen―The ministers of Christ, and rulers of the church; that go about the city-cellent virtues and religious services, which are To prevent disorders and dangers; found me- -While they walked round about the city according to their duty to whom I said, Saw ye him-She does not name him, because she thought it needless, as supposing a person of such transcendent excellence could not be unknown to men in that capacity. Their answer is not mentioned, either because they Verses 7, 8. Behold-The bride-men continue gave her no satisfactory answer, or, because by their their speech, and from the admiration of the bride, silence she gathered that they were unable or un- proceed to the admiration of the bridegroom: his willing to inform her; and being eager in the pur-bed-The bed seems to denote the church, which is suit, she would not lose time in impertinent discourses with them.

comely through Christ's beauty, and safe by his protection, in which Christ is glorified, and believers Verse 4. It was but a little, &c., but I found him enjoy sweet fellowship with him. Solomon's-Christ met me, and manifested his love to me. I Which is the bed, not of an ordinary man, but of a brought him into my mother's house-As the spouse great king, whom Solomon typifies, and who is here signifies particular believers, so her mother is greater than Solomon. Threescore valiant men are the universal church, or the true Jerusalem, which about it-Very many, a certain number being put hath its rise from above, which is the mother of us for an uncertain. He alludes to Solomon's guard, all, (Gal. iv. 26,) in which Christ and believers are whereby he designs all those creatures, whether

Christ commends his church

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A. M. 2990. 9 King Solomon made himself a love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. A. M. 2990. chariot of the wood of Lebanon. 11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with

angels, princes, ministers, or others, whose ministry || the foundation of the word and promises, which is God uses for the protection of his church. Every either God's covenant, or Christ's mediation, in whom man hath his sword-Is prepared and ready to fight, || all the promises are yea and amen. The covering to prevent those dangers which are frequent in the of it-The uppermost part of it. The midst-The night season. The night may denote the whole time inward parts: being paved-Covered and adorned; of this life, which may well be called night, in with love-The love of Christ to the sons of men. respect of that ignorance and error wherewith it is For the daughters of Jerusalem-For their delight attended, (as the future life is compared to day,) this and comfort, who all bear a part in this marriage. life being the only time wherein such a guard is necessary.

Verses 9, 10. King Solomon made a chariot-In which the royal bridegroom and bride might ride together in state. By this chariot he seems to understand the word of Christ dispensed by his ministers, wherein Christ rides triumphantly in the world, conquering his enemies and subduing the world to the obedience of the gospel. Of the wood of Lebanon-Of cedars, which wood being incorruptible, doth fitly signify the word of the gospel, which endureth for ever, 1 Pet. i. 25. He made the pillars thereof-There is no necessity that either this or the following particulars should be distinctly applied to several things in the gospel; this in the general may suffice, that as all the particulars are added to show the perfection and beauty of the chariot, so they imply that Christ's word is every way amiable and perfect. The bottom thereof of gold-The under and lower part. Whereby he may seem to intend ||

Verse 11. Go forth--The church bids particular believers go forth to see this sight. Behold, King Solomon-The Messiah, of whom Solomon was an illustrious type. With the crown-Which being applied to Solomon, may design that garland or crown which was usually worn in nuptial solemnities: but being applied to Christ, it denotes the honour that was given him, which, though principally done by his Father, yet is here ascribed to his mother, namely, the universal church, which, in respect to his humanity, may be called his mother, because he was born in and of her, and one of her members. In the day of his espousals-When the church is married to him, which is done when the covenant is confirmed between them, or when persons are converted to Christ, and more completely when they are received by Christ into his immediate fellowship in the kingdom of glory. And in the day of the gladness of his heart-When he rejoiceth over his bride.

CHAPTER IV.

Christ commends his church for her beauty, 1-7. He calls her to go with him, 8. Manifests his love and affection for her, 9. A further commendation of her, 10-15. She prays for the effectual operation of his Holy Spirit on her to make her fruitful, 16.

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flock of goats, 'that appear from A. M. 2990. mount Gilead.

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a Chap. i. 15; v. 12.b Chap. vi. 5.

NOTES ON CHAPTER IV.

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Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that

hath in part received, and shall more fully receive Verse 1. Behold-These words are evidently || in the future life. Thy hair is as a flock of goats spoken by the bridegroom; thou art fair-Being-That is, as the hair of a flock of goats, which in clothed with my righteousness, and adorned with all the graces of my Spirit. Behold, thou art fairHe repeats it both to confirm his assertion, and to show the fervency of his affection. Thou hast dove's eyes-Whereas the beauty of the spouse is here described in her several parts, we need not la- Verses 2, 3. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheepbour much about the application of each particular Numerous, and placed in due order: that are even to some distinct grace of the church, it being the and shorn-Smooth and even, as also clean and chief design of the description to show that com- white. Whereof every one bears twins--Which pleteness and absolute perfection which the church || seems to denote the two rows of teeth: and none is

these parts was of extraordinary length, softness, and comeliness; that appear from mount Gilead |--A very fruitful place, fit for breeding all sorts of cattle, and especially of goats, because it was a hilly and woody country.

Christ manifests his love to

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A. M. 2990. are even shorn, which came up from || with me from Lebanon: look from the A. M. 2990. the washing; whereof every one bear | top of Amana, from the top of Shenir twins, and none is barren among them. * and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.

9 Thou hast 3 ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. 10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! 1how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: m honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is "like the smell

7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no of Lebanon.

spot in thee.

12 A garden 'enclosed is my sister, my spouse;

8 ¶ Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

J Chap. vi. 7.- Chap. vii. 4.-f Neh. iii. 19.- See Prov. v. 19; Chap. vii. 3.- h Chap. ii. 17.—Heb. breathe. i Eph. v. 27.

barren among them-Not one tooth is lacking. Thy speech is comely--Which is added as another ingredient of an amiable person; and to explain the fore- || going metaphor. The discourse of believers is edifying and comfortable, and acceptable to God, and to serious men. Thy temples-Under which he comprehends the cheeks; are like a piece of pomegranate-In which there is a lovely mixture of red and white.

Verses 4, 5. Thy neck-This may represent the grace of faith, by which we are united to Christ, (as the body is to the head by the neck,) by which Christians receive their spiritual food, and consequently their strength and ability for action; is like the tower-Upright, firm, and strong; and moreover, adorned with chains of gold, or pearl, or the like ornaments; of David--Some tower built by David, when he repaired and enlarged his royal city, and used by him as an armory. Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers--Such as are reserved for the use of mighty men. A thousand is put indefinitely for a great number. Which feed among the lilies-In the fields where lilies grow.

k Deut. iii. 9. -3 Or, taken away my heart. Chap. i. 2. m Prov. xxiv. 13, 14; Chap. v. 1. Gen. xxvii. 27; Hos. xiv. 6, 7.4 Heb. barred.

Verse 8. Come with me--Unto the mountain of myrrh, mentioned verse 6. From Lebanon, my spouse-This is the first time that Christ gives her this name, which he does both to oblige and encourage her to go with him. Look from the top of Amana-To the place to which I invite thee to go, which from those high mountains thou mayest easily behold. From the mountains of the leopards-From these or other mountains, which are inhabited by lions and leopards. This seems to be added as an argument to move the spouse to go with him, be|| cause the places where now she was were not only barren, but also dangerous.

Verses 9, 10. My sister, my spouse-So he calls her to show the greatness of his love, which could not sufficiently be expressed by any one relation. With one of thine eyes--With one glance. One chain of thy neck-With one of those other graces and perfections wherewith thou art adorned. How fair is thy love--How amiable and acceptable to me. The smell of thine ointments-Of the gifts and graces of God's Spirit, wherewith thou art anointed.

me.

Verse 6. Until the day break, &c.--These words Verse 11. Thy lips drop as the honey-comb-Thy are uttered by the bride, (chap. ii. 17,) and here return- speeches both to me in prayer and praises, and to ed by the bridegroom as an answer to that request. men for their edification, are highly acceptable to And this place may be understood of the day of Honey and milk are under thy tongueglory, when all shadows and ordinances shall cease; Words more sweet and comfortable than honey or I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, &c.--To|| milk. The smell of thy garments-Of that rightmy church upon earth, which was typified by the eousness wherewith I have adorned thee; is like the mountain of Moriah and the temple upon it. This, smell of Lebanon-Which was very sweet and in prophetic writings, is called a mountain, and may grateful in regard of the great number of sweetwell be called a mountain of myrrh and frank-smelling spices and trees which grew on that incense, both for the acceptable services which were mountain. there offered to God, and for the precious gifts and Verse 12. A garden-For order and beauty, for graces of the Holy Spirit, which are of a sweet-pleasant walks, and flowers, and fruits; enclosedsmelling savour to God and men. Thus Christ directs believers where they may find him, namely, in his church and ordinances.

Defended by the care of my providence: and reserved for my proper use. A spring shut up-To preserve it from all pollution, and to reserve it for

the use of its owner, for which reason springs were shut up in those countries where water was scarce and precious.

bridegroom to his spouse.

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15 A fountain of gardens, a well of oliv- A. M. 2990. ing waters, and streams from Lebanon. 16

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou || south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. P Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

• John iv. 10; vii. 38.-P Chap. v. 1.

ning water, which flows into gardens, and makes its flowers and plants to flourish. The church conveys those waters of life, which she receives from Christ, Verses 13, 14. Thy plants are an orchard-Be- to particular believers. And streams from Lebanon lievers, which are planted in thee, are like the plants-Like those sweet and refreshing rivers which flow or fruits of an orchard, which are pleasant to the eye, and delicious to the taste or smell, whereby he signifies the variety and excellence of the gifts and graces in the several members of the church. Spikenard-Which he mentions here with camphire, and in the next verse with saffron, because it is mixed with both these, and, being so mixed, yields the more grateful smell. All trees of frankincense-Such trees as produce frankincense.

Verse 15. A well of living waters--Though my spouse be in some sort a fountain shut up, yet that is not so to be understood as if she kept her waters to herself, for she is like a fountain of living or run

down from mount Lebanon, of which Jordan is one. Verse 16. Awake, O north wind, &c.-These winds may signify the several dispensations of God's Spirit. Blow upon my garden-This verse is spoken by the spouse. And she calls the garden both hers and his, because of that oneness which is between them, chap. ii. 16. That the spices may flow out-That my graces may be exercised. Let my beloved come into his garden--Let Christ afford his gracious presence to his church; and eat his pleasant fruits -And let him delight himself in that service which is given him, both by the religious worship, and by the holy conversation of his people.

CHAPTER V.

Christ answers the church's invitation, and shows her the delight he took in her fruit, 1.

She acknowledges her negligence

to Christ in not opening the door, 2-6. Of the harsh usage she met with, 7. She tells the daughters of Jerusalem she is sick of love to Christ, 8. Their question concerning him, 9. A description of Christ by his graces, 10-15. In whom she boasteth, 16.

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a AM come into my garden, my || voice of my beloved that knocketh, A. M. 2990. sister, my spouse: I have gathered saying, Open to me, my sister, my my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is honey-comb with my honey; I have drunk my filled with dew, and my locks with the drops wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, of the night. 1yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

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3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? 2 ¶ I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

NOTES ON CHAPTER V. that knocketh-By his word, and providence, and Verse 1. I am come into my garden-This is the Spirit, at the door of my heart; saying, Open to bridegroom's answer. I have gathered my myrrh, || me-Inviting me to let him into my soul; my sister, &c.—I have eaten of my pleasant fruits; I have|| taken notice of, and delight in, the service and obedience of my people. Eat, O friends--Believers are here encouraged with freedom and cheerfulness to eat and drink their spiritual food.

my love, &c.--This heap of kind compellations signifies Christ's fervent affection to his people. My head is filled with dew—While I wait without thy door, which signifies his sufferings for the church's good. My locks with the drops of the night-The dew which falls in the night.

Verse 2. I sleep--I was dull and sluggish; but my heart waketh-Yet in my very sleep my thoughts Verse 3. I have put off my coat-My day clothes, run upon my beloved. It is the voice of my beloved as persons use to do when they go to rest. How ---Between sleeping and waking, I heard his voice ; || shall I put it on?-It is inconvenient and trouble

SOLOMON'S SONG.

the bridegroom. A. M. 2990. 4 My beloved put in his hand by || ye find my beloved, 'that ye tell him, A. M. 2990. the hole of the door, and my bowels that I am sick of love. were moved 2 for him.