mh_parser/vol_split/22 - Song of Solomon/Chapter 6.xml

<div2 id="Song.vii" n="vii" next="Song.viii" prev="Song.vi" progress="98.62%" title="Chapter VI">
<h2 id="Song.vii-p0.1">S O N G   O F   S O L O M O
N.</h2>
<h3 id="Song.vii-p0.2">CHAP. VI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Song.vii-p1">In this chapter, I. The daughters of Jerusalem,
moved with the description which the church had given of Christ,
enquire after him, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.1" parsed="|Song|6|1|0|0" passage="So 6:1">ver. 1</scripRef>.
II. The church directs them where they may meet with him, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.2-Song.6.3" parsed="|Song|6|2|6|3" passage="So 6:2,3">ver. 2, 3</scripRef>. III. Christ is now found
of those that sought him, and very highly applauds the beauty of
his spouse, as one extremely smitten with it (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.4-Song.6.7" parsed="|Song|6|4|6|7" passage="So 6:4-7">ver. 4-7</scripRef>), preferring her before all others
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.8-Song.6.9" parsed="|Song|6|8|6|9" passage="So 6:8,9">ver. 8, 9</scripRef>), recommending
her to the love and esteem of all her neighbours (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.10" parsed="|Song|6|10|0|0" passage="So 6:10">ver. 10</scripRef>), and, lastly, acknowledging
the impressions which her beauty had made upon him and the great
delight he took in it, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.11-Song.6.13" parsed="|Song|6|11|6|13" passage="So 6:11-13">ver.
11-13</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Song.vii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Song.6" parsed="|Song|6|0|0|0" passage="So 6" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Song.vii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.1-Song.6.3" parsed="|Song|6|1|6|3" passage="So 6:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.6.1-Song.6.3">
<h4 id="Song.vii-p1.9">Enquiring after Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.vii-p2">1 Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest
among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek
him with thee.   2 My beloved is gone down into his garden, to
the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
  3 I <i>am</i> my beloved's, and my beloved <i>is</i> mine:
he feedeth among the lilies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p3">Here is, I. The enquiry which the daughters
of Jerusalem made concerning Christ, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.1" parsed="|Song|6|1|0|0" passage="So 6:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. They still continue their high
thoughts of the church, and call her, as before, the <i>fairest
among women;</i> for true sanctity is true beauty. And now they
raise their thoughts higher concerning Christ: <i>Whither has thy
beloved gone, that we may seek him with thee?</i> This would be but
an indecent, unacceptable, compliment, if the song were not to be
understood spiritually; for love is jealous of a rival, would
monopolize the beloved, and cares not that others should join in
seeking him; but those that truly love Christ are desirous that
others should love him too, and be joined to him; nay, the greatest
instance of duty and respect that the church's children can show to
their mother is to join with her in seeking Christ. The
<i>daughters of Jerusalem,</i> who had asked (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.5.9" parsed="|Song|5|9|0|0" passage="So 5:9"><i>ch.</i> v. 9</scripRef>), <i>What is thy beloved more
than another beloved?</i> wondering that the spouse should be so
passionately in love with him, are now of another mind, and are
themselves in love with him; for, 1. The spouse had described him,
and shown them his excellencies and perfections; and therefore,
though they have not seen him, yet, believing, they love him. Those
that undervalue Christ do so because they do not know him; when
God, by his word and Spirit, discovers him to the soul, with that
ray of light the fire of love to him will be kindled. 2. The spouse
had expressed her own love to him, her rest in that love, and
triumphed in it: <i>This is my beloved;</i> and that flame in her
breast scattered sparks into theirs. As sinful lusts, when they
break out, defile many, so the pious zeal of some may <i>provoke
many,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.9.2" parsed="|2Cor|9|2|0|0" passage="2Co 9:2">2 Cor. ix. 2</scripRef>. 3.
The spouse had bespoken their help in seeking her beloved
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Song.5.8" parsed="|Song|5|8|0|0" passage="So 5:8"><i>ch.</i> v. 8</scripRef>); but now
they beg hers, for they perceive that now the cloud she had been
under began to scatter, and the sky to clear up, and, while she was
describing her beloved to them, she herself retrieved her comfort
in him. Drooping Christians would find benefit themselves by
talking of Christ, as well as do good to others. Now here, (1.)
They enquire concerning him, "<i>Wither has thy beloved gone?</i>
which way must we steer our course in pursuit of him?" Note, Those
that are made acquainted with the excellencies of Christ, and the
comfort of an interest in him, cannot but be inquisitive after him
and desirous to know where they may meet with him. (2.) They offer
their service to the spouse to accompany her in quest of him: <i>We
will seek him with thee.</i> Those that would find Christ must seek
him, seek him early, seek him diligently; and it is best seeking
Christ in concert, to join with those that are seeking him. We must
seek for communion with Christ in communion with saints. We know
<i>whither our beloved has gone;</i> he has gone to heaven, <i>to
his Father, and our Father.</i> He took care to send us notice of
it, that we might know how to direct to him, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:John.20.17" parsed="|John|20|17|0|0" passage="Joh 20:17">John xx. 17</scripRef>. We must by faith see him there,
and by prayer seek him there, with boldness <i>enter into the
holiest,</i> and herein must join with <i>the generation of those
that seek him</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.24.6" parsed="|Ps|24|6|0|0" passage="Ps 24:6">Ps. xxiv.
6</scripRef>), even with <i>all that in every place call upon
him,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.1.2" parsed="|1Cor|1|2|0|0" passage="1Co 1:2">1 Cor. i. 2</scripRef>. We
must pray with and for others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p4">II. The answer which the spouse gave to
this enquiry, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.2-Song.6.3" parsed="|Song|6|2|6|3" passage="So 6:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>. Now she complains not any more, as she had done
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.5.6" parsed="|Song|5|6|0|0" passage="So 5:6"><i>ch.</i> v. 6</scripRef>), "He is
gone, he is gone," that she knew not where to find him, or doubted
she had lost him for ever; no,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p5">1. Now she knows very well where he is
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.2" parsed="|Song|6|2|0|0" passage="So 6:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): "<i>My
beloved</i> is not to be found in the streets of the city, and the
crowd and noise that are there; there I have in vain looked for
him" (as his parents <i>sought him among their kindred and
acquaintance, and found him not</i>); "but he <i>has gone down to
his garden,</i> a place of privacy and retirement." The more we
withdraw from the hurry of the world the more likely we are to have
acquaintance with Christ, who took his disciples into a garden,
there to be witnesses of the agonies of his love. Christ's church
is a garden enclosed, and separated from the open common of the
world; it is <i>his garden,</i> which he has planted as he did the
garden of Eden, which he takes care of, and delights in. Though he
had gone up to the paradise above, yet he comes down to his garden
on earth; it lies low, but he condescends to visit it, and
wonderful condescension it is. <i>Will God in very deed dwell with
man upon the earth?</i> Those that would find Christ may expect to
meet with him <i>in his garden</i> the church, for <i>there he
records his name</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.20.24" parsed="|Exod|20|24|0|0" passage="Ex 20:24">Exod. xx.
24</scripRef>); they must attend upon him in the ordinances which
he has instituted, the word, sacraments, and prayer, wherein he
will be with us <i>always, even to the end of the world.</i> The
spouse here refers to what Christ had said (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.5.1" parsed="|Song|5|1|0|0" passage="So 5:1"><i>ch.</i> v. 1</scripRef>), <i>I have come into my
garden.</i> It is as if she had said, "What a fool was I to fret
and fatigue myself in seeking him where he was not, when he himself
had told me where he was!" Words of direction and comfort are often
out of the way when we have occasion to use them, till the blessed
Spirit brings them to our remembrance, and then we wonder how we
overlooked them. Christ has told us that he would <i>come into his
garden;</i> thither therefore we must go to seek him. <i>The
beds,</i> and smaller <i>gardens,</i> in this greater, are the
particular churches, the <i>synagogues of God in the land</i>
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.84.8" parsed="|Ps|84|8|0|0" passage="Ps 84:8">Ps. lxxxiv. 8</scripRef>); the
<i>spices</i> and <i>lilies</i> are particular believers, the
planting of the Lord, and pleasant in his eyes. When Christ comes
down to his church it is, (1.) <i>To feed</i> among <i>the
gardens,</i> to feed his flock, which he feeds not, as other
shepherds, in the open fields, but in his garden, so well are they
provided for, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.23.2" parsed="|Ps|23|2|0|0" passage="Ps 23:2">Ps. xxiii. 2</scripRef>.
He comes to feed his friends, and entertain them; there you may not
only find him, but find his table richly furnished, and a hearty
welcome to it. He comes to feed himself, that is, to please himself
with the products of his own grace in his people; <i>for the Lord
takes pleasure in those that fear him.</i> He has many gardens,
many particular churches of different sizes and shapes; but, while
they are his, he feeds in them all, manifests himself among them,
and is well pleased with them. (2.) <i>To gather lilies,</i>
wherewith he is pleased to entertain and adorn himself. He picks
the lilies one by one, and gathers them to himself; and there will
be a general harvest of them at the great day, when he will send
forth his angels, to gather all his lilies, that he may be for ever
glorified and admired in them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p6">2. She is very confident of her own
interest in him (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.3" parsed="|Song|6|3|0|0" passage="So 6:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>): "<i>I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine;</i>
the relation is mutual, and the knot is tied, which cannot be
loosed; for <i>he feeds among the lilies,</i> and my communion with
him is a certain token of my interest in him." She had said this
before (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.2.16" parsed="|Song|2|16|0|0" passage="So 2:16"><i>ch.</i> ii. 16</scripRef>);
but, (1.) Here she repeats it as that which she resolved to abide
by, and which she took an unspeakable pleasure and satisfaction in;
she liked her choice too well to change. Our communion with God is
very much maintained and kept up by the frequent renewing of our
covenant with him and rejoicing in it. (2.) She had occasion to
repeat it, for she had acted unkindly to her beloved, and, for her
so doing, he had justly withdrawn himself from her, and therefore
there was occasion to take fresh hold of the covenant, which
continues firm between Christ and believes, notwithstanding their
failings and his frowns, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.89.30-Ps.89.35" parsed="|Ps|89|30|89|35" passage="Ps 89:30-35">Ps.
lxxxix. 30-35</scripRef>. "I have been careless and wanting in my
duty, and yet <i>I am my beloved's;</i>" for every transgression in
the covenant does not throw us out of covenant. "He has justly
hidden his face from me and denied me his comforts, and yet <i>my
beloved is mine;</i>" for rebukes and chastenings are not only
consistent with, but they flow from covenant-love. (3.) When we
have not a full assurance of Christ's love we must live by a
faithful adherence to him. "Though I have not the sensible
consolation I used to have, yet I will cleave to this, <i>Christ is
mine and I am his.</i>" (4.) Though she had said the same before,
yet now she inverts the order, and asserts her interest in her
first: <i>I am my beloved's,</i> entirely devoted and dedicated to
him; and then her interest in him and in his grace: "<i>My beloved
is mine,</i> and I am happy, truly happy in him." If our own hearts
can but witness for us that we are his, there is no room left to
question his being ours; for the covenant never breaks on his side.
(5.) It is now her comfort, as it was then, that <i>he feeds among
the lilies,</i> that he takes delight in his people and converses
freely with them, as we do with those with whom we feed; and
therefore, though at present he be withdrawn, "I shall meet with
him again. <i>I shall yet praise him who is the health of my
countenance, and my God.</i>"</p>
</div><scripCom id="Song.vii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.4-Song.6.10" parsed="|Song|6|4|6|10" passage="So 6:4-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.6.4-Song.6.10">
<h4 id="Song.vii-p6.5">The Church's Confidence in Christ; The Love
of Christ to the Church.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.vii-p7">4 Thou <i>art</i> beautiful, O my love, as
Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as <i>an army</i> with
banners.   5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have
overcome me: thy hair <i>is</i> as a flock of goats that appear
from Gilead.   6 Thy teeth <i>are</i> as a flock of sheep
which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and
<i>there is</i> not one barren among them.   7 As a piece of a
pomegranate <i>are</i> thy temples within thy locks.   8 There
are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins
without number.   9 My dove, my undefiled is <i>but</i> one;
she <i>is</i> the <i>only</i> one of her mother, she <i>is</i> the
choice <i>one</i> of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and
blessed her; <i>yea,</i> the queens and the concubines, and they
praised her.   10 Who <i>is</i> she <i>that</i> looketh forth
as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, <i>and</i>
terrible as <i>an army</i> with banners?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p8">Now we must suppose Christ graciously
returned to his spouse, from whom he had withdrawn himself,
returned to converse with her (for he speaks to her and <i>makes
her to hear joy and gladness</i>), returned to favour her, having
forgiven and forgotten all her unkindness, for he speaks very
tenderly and respectfully to her.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p9">I. He pronounces her truly amiable
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.4" parsed="|Song|6|4|0|0" passage="So 6:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>Thou art
beautiful, O my love! as Tirzah,</i> a city in the tribe of
Manasseh, whose name signifies <i>pleasant,</i> or
<i>acceptable,</i> the situation, no doubt, being very happy and
the building fine and uniform. <i>Thou art comely as Jerusalem,</i>
a city <i>compact together</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.122.3" parsed="|Ps|122|3|0|0" passage="Ps 122:3">Ps.
cxxii. 3</scripRef>), and which Solomon had built and beautified,
<i>the joy of the whole earth;</i> it was an honour to the world
(whether they thought so or no) that there was such a city in it.
It was the holy city, and that was the greatest beauty of it; and
fitly is the church compared to it, for it was figured and typified
by it. The gospel-church is <i>the Jerusalem that is above</i>
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.26" parsed="|Gal|4|26|0|0" passage="Ga 4:26">Gal. iv. 26</scripRef>), <i>the
heavenly Jerusalem</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.22" parsed="|Heb|12|22|0|0" passage="Heb 12:22">Heb. xii.
22</scripRef>); in it God has <i>his sanctuary,</i> and is, in a
special manner, present; thence he has the tribute of praise
issuing; it is his rest for ever, and therefore it is <i>comely as
Jerusalem,</i> and, being so, is <i>terrible as an army with
banners.</i> Church-censures, duly administered, strike an awe upon
men's consciences; the word (the weapons of her warfare) <i>casts
down imaginations</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.10.5" parsed="|2Cor|10|5|0|0" passage="2Co 10:5">2 Cor. x.
5</scripRef>), and even an unbeliever is convinced and judged by
the solemnity of holy ordinances, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.14.24-1Cor.14.25" parsed="|1Cor|14|24|14|25" passage="1Co 14:24,25">1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25</scripRef>. The saints by faith
<i>overcome the world</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:1John.5.4" parsed="|1John|5|4|0|0" passage="1Jo 5:4">1 John v.
4</scripRef>); nay, like Jacob, they have <i>power with God and
prevail,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.28" parsed="|Gen|32|28|0|0" passage="Ge 32:28">Gen. xxxii.
28</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p10">II. He owns himself in love with her,
<scripRef id="Song.vii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.5" parsed="|Song|6|5|0|0" passage="So 6:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Though, for a
small moment, and in a little wrath, he had hid his face from her,
yet now he gathers her with very surprising instances of
<i>everlasting lovingkindness,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.8" parsed="|Isa|54|8|0|0" passage="Isa 54:8">Isa. liv. 8</scripRef>. <i>Turn thy eyes towards me</i>
(so some read it), "turn the eyes of faith and love towards me,
<i>for they have lifted me up;</i> look unto me, and be comforted."
When we are calling to God to turn the eye of his favour towards us
he is calling to us to turn the eye of our obedience towards him.
We read it as a strange expression of love, "<i>Turn away thy eyes
from me, for</i> I cannot bear the brightness of them; <i>they
have</i> quite <i>overcome me,</i> and I am prevailed with to
overlook all that is past;" as God said to Moses, when he
interceded for Israel, "<i>Let me alone,</i> or I must yield,"
<scripRef id="Song.vii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.32.10" parsed="|Exod|32|10|0|0" passage="Ex 32:10">Exod. xxxii. 10</scripRef>. Christ is
pleased to borrow these expressions of a passionate lover only to
express the tenderness of a compassionate Redeemer, and the delight
he takes in his redeemed and in the workings of his own grace in
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p11">III. He repeats, almost word for word, part
of the description he had given of her beauty (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.4.1-Song.4.3" parsed="|Song|4|1|4|3" passage="So 4:1-3"><i>ch.</i> iv. 1-3</scripRef>), her <i>hair,</i> her
<i>teeth,</i> her <i>temples</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.5-Song.6.7" parsed="|Song|6|5|6|7" passage="So 6:5-7"><i>v.</i> 5-7</scripRef>), not because he could not have
described it in other words, and by other similitudes, but to show
that he had still the same esteem for her since her unkindness to
him, and his withdrawings from her, that he had before. Lest she
should think that, though he would not quite cast her off, yet he
would think the worse of her while he knew her, he says the same of
her now that he had done; for those <i>to whom much is forgiven
will love the more,</i> and, consequently, will be the more loved,
for Christ has said, <i>I love those that love me.</i> He is
pleased with his people, notwithstanding their weaknesses, when
they sincerely repent of them and return to their duty, and
commends them as if they had already arrived at perfection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p12">IV. He prefers her before all competitors,
and sees all the beauties and perfections of others meeting and
centering in her (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.8-Song.6.9" parsed="|Song|6|8|6|9" passage="So 6:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>): "<i>There are,</i> it may be, <i>threescore
queens,</i> who, like Esther, have by their beauty attained to the
royal state and dignity, <i>and fourscore concubines,</i> whom
kings have preferred before their own queens, as more charming, and
these attended by their maids of honour, <i>virgins without
number,</i> who, when there is a ball at court, appear in great
splendour, with beauty that dazzles the eyes of the spectators; but
<i>my dove, my undefiled, is but one,</i> a holy one." 1. She
excels them all. Go through all the world, and view the societies
of men that reckon themselves wise and happy, kingdoms, courts,
senates, councils, or whatever incorporations you may think
valuable, they are none of them to be compared with the church of
Christ; their honours and beauties are nothing to hers. <i>Who is
like unto thee, O Israel!</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.29 Bible:Deut.4.6-Deut.4.7" parsed="|Deut|33|29|0|0;|Deut|4|6|4|7" passage="De 33:29,De 4:6,7">Deut. xxxiii. 29; iv. 6, 7</scripRef>. There
are particular persons, as <i>virgins without number,</i> who are
famed for their accomplishments, the beauties of their address,
language, and performances, but the beauty of holiness is beyond
all other beauty: "<i>My dove, my undefiled, is one,</i> has that
one beauty that she is a dove, an undefiled dove, and mine, and
that makes her excel the queens and virgins, though they were ever
so many." 2. She included them all. "Other kings have many queens,
and concubines, and virgins, with whose conversation they entertain
themselves, but <i>my dove, my undefiled,</i> is to me instead of
all; in that one I have more than they have in all theirs." Or,
"Though there are many particular churches, some of greater
dignity, others of less, some of longer, others of shorter,
standing, and many particular believers, of different gifts and
attainments, some more eminent, others less so, yet they all
constitute but one catholic church, are all but parts of that
whole, and that is <i>my dove, my undefiled.</i>" Christ is the
centre of the church's unity; all the children of God that are
scattered abroad are gathered by him (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:John.11.52" parsed="|John|11|52|0|0" passage="Joh 11:52">John xi. 52</scripRef>), and meet in him (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.10" parsed="|Eph|1|10|0|0" passage="Eph 1:10">Eph. i. 10</scripRef>), and are all his
doves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p13">V. He shows how much she was esteemed, not
by him only, but by all that had acquaintance with her and stood in
relation to her. It would add to her praise to say, 1. That she was
her mother's darling; she had that in her, from a child, which
recommended her to the particular affection of her parents. As
Solomon himself is said to have been <i>tender and an only one in
the sight of his mother</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.3" parsed="|Prov|4|3|0|0" passage="Pr 4:3">Prov. iv.
3</scripRef>), so was she <i>the only one of her mother,</i> as
dear as if she had been an only one, and, if there were many more,
yet she was <i>the choice one of her that bore her,</i> more
excellent than all the societies of men this world ever produced.
All the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, are nothing,
in Christ's account, compared with the church, which is made up of
<i>the excellent ones of the earth,</i> the <i>precious sons of
Zion, comparable to fine gold,</i> and <i>more excellent than their
neighbours.</i> 2. That she was admired by all her acquaintance,
not only <i>the daughters,</i> who were her juniors, but even
<i>the queens and the concubines,</i> who might have reason to be
jealous of her as a rival; <i>they</i> all <i>blessed her,</i> and
wished well to her, <i>praised her,</i> and spoke well of her.
<i>The daughters of Jerusalem</i> called her the <i>fairest among
women;</i> all agreed to give her the pre-eminence for beauty, and
every sheaf bowed to hers. Note, (1.) Those that have any correct
sense of things cannot but be convinced in their consciences
(whatever they say) that godly people are excellent people; many
will give them their good word, and more their good-will. (2.)
Jesus Christ takes notice what people think and speak of his
church, and is well pleased with those that honour such as fear the
Lord, and takes it ill of those that despise them, particularly
when they are under a cloud, that <i>offend any of his little
ones.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p14">VI. He produces the encomium that was given
of her, and makes it his own (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.10" parsed="|Song|6|10|0|0" passage="So 6:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>): <i>Who is she that looks forth as the morning?</i>
This is applicable both to the church in the world and to grace in
the heart.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p15">1. They are amiable as the light, the most
beautiful of all visible things. Christians are, or should be, the
lights of the world. The patriarchal church <i>looked forth as the
morning</i> when the promise of the Messiah was first made known,
and <i>the day-spring from on high visited</i> this dark world. The
Jewish church was <i>fair as the moon;</i> the ceremonial law was
an imperfect light; it shone by reflection; it was changing as the
moon, did not make day, nor had <i>the sun of righteousness yet
risen.</i> But the Christian church is clear <i>as the sun,</i>
exhibits a great <i>light to those that sat in darkness.</i> Or we
may apply it to the kingdom of grace, the gospel-kingdom. (1.) In
its rise, it <i>looks forth as the morning</i> after a dark night;
it is discovering (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.12-Job.38.13" parsed="|Job|38|12|38|13" passage="Job 38:12,13">Job xxxviii.
12, 13</scripRef>), and very acceptable, <i>looks forth</i>
pleasantly as a clear morning; but it is small in its beginnings,
and scarcely perceptible at first. (2.) It is, at the best, in this
world, but <i>fair as the moon,</i> which shines with a borrowed
light, which has her changes and eclipses, and her spots too, and,
when at the full, does but rule by night. But, (3.) When it is
perfected in the kingdom of glory then it will be <i>clear as the
sun,</i> the church <i>clothed with the sun,</i> with Christ <i>the
sun of righteousness,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.12.1" parsed="|Rev|12|1|0|0" passage="Re 12:1">Rev. xii.
1</scripRef>. Those that love God will then be <i>as the sun when
he goes forth in his strength</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.5.31 Bible:Matt.13.43" parsed="|Judg|5|31|0|0;|Matt|13|43|0|0" passage="Jdg 5:31,Mt 13:43">Judges v. 31; Matt. xiii. 43</scripRef>); they
shall shine in inexpressible glory, and that which is perfect will
then come; there shall be no darkness, no spots, <scripRef id="Song.vii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.30.26" parsed="|Isa|30|26|0|0" passage="Isa 30:26">Isa. xxx. 26</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p16">2. The beauty of the church and of
believers is not only amiable, but <i>awful as an army with
banners.</i> The church, in this world, is <i>as an army,</i> as
the camp of Israel in the wilderness; its state is militant; it is
in the midst of enemies, and is engaged in a constant conflict with
them. Believers are soldiers in this army. It has its
<i>banners;</i> the gospel of Christ is an ensign (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.12" parsed="|Isa|11|12|0|0" passage="Isa 11:12">Isa. xi. 12</scripRef>), the love of Christ,
<scripRef id="Song.vii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.2.4" parsed="|Song|2|4|0|0" passage="So 2:4"><i>ch.</i> ii. 4</scripRef>. It is
marshalled, and kept in order and under discipline. It is
<i>terrible</i> to its enemies as Israel in the wilderness was,
<scripRef id="Song.vii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.15.14" parsed="|Exod|15|14|0|0" passage="Ex 15:14">Exod. xv. 14</scripRef>. When Balaam
saw Israel encamped according to their tribes, by their standards,
with colours displayed, he said, <i>How goodly are thy tents, O
Jacob!</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.24.5" parsed="|Num|24|5|0|0" passage="Nu 24:5">Num. xxiv. 5</scripRef>.
When the church preserves her purity she secures her honour and
victory; when she is <i>fair as the moon,</i> and <i>clear as the
sun,</i> she is truly great and formidable.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Song.vii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.11-Song.6.13" parsed="|Song|6|11|6|13" passage="So 6:11-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.6.11-Song.6.13">
<h4 id="Song.vii-p16.6">The Love of Christ to the
Church.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.vii-p17">11 I went down into the garden of nuts to see
the fruits of the valley, <i>and</i> to see whether the vine
flourished, <i>and</i> the pomegranates budded.   12 Or ever I
was aware, my soul made me <i>like</i> the chariots of Amminadib.
  13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may
look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the
company of two armies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p18">Christ having now returned to his spouse,
and the breach being entirely made up, and the falling out of these
lovers being the renewing of love, Christ here gives an account
both of the distance and of the reconciliation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p19">I. That when he had withdrawn from his
church as his spouse, and did not comfort her, yet even then he had
his eye upon it as his garden, which he took care of (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.11" parsed="|Song|6|11|0|0" passage="So 6:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): "<i>I went down into
the garden of nuts,</i> or nutmegs, <i>to see the fruits of the
valley,</i> with complacency and concern, to see them as my own."
When he was out of sight he was no further off than the garden, hid
among the trees of the garden, in a low and dark valley; but then
he was observing <i>how the vine flourished,</i> that he might do
all that to it which was necessary to promote its flourishing, and
might delight himself in it as a man does in a fruitful garden. He
went to see whether <i>the pomegranates budded.</i> Christ observes
the first beginnings of the good work of grace in the soul and the
early buddings of devout affections and inclinations there, and is
well pleased with them, as we are with the blossoms of the
spring.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p20">II. That yet he could not long content
himself with this, but suddenly felt a powerful, irresistible,
inclination in his own bosom to return to his church, as his
spouse, being moved with her lamentations after him, and her
languishing desire towards him (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.12" parsed="|Song|6|12|0|0" passage="So 6:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): "<i>Or ever I was aware, my
soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib;</i> I could not any
longer keep at a distance; my repentings were kindled together, and
I presently resolved to fly back to the arms of my love, my dove."
Thus Joseph made himself strange to his brethren, for a while, to
chastise them for their former unkindnesses, and make trial of
their present temper, till he could no longer refrain himself, but,
<i>or ever he was aware,</i> burst out into tears, and said, <i>I
am Joseph,</i> <scripRef id="Song.vii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.45.1 Bible:Gen.45.3" parsed="|Gen|45|1|0|0;|Gen|45|3|0|0" passage="Ge 45:1,3">Gen. xlv. 1,
3</scripRef>. And now the spouse perceives, as David did (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.31.22" parsed="|Ps|31|22|0|0" passage="Ps 31:22">Ps. xxxi. 22</scripRef>), that though she
<i>said in her haste, I am cut off from before thy eyes,</i> yet,
at the same time, he <i>heard the voice of her supplications,</i>
and became <i>like the chariots of Ammi-nadib,</i> which were noted
for their beauty and swiftness. <i>My soul put me into the chariots
of my willing people</i> (so some read it), "the chariots of their
faith, and hope, and love, their desires, and prayers, and
expectations, which they sent after me, to fetch me back, as
chariots of fire with horses of fire." Note, 1. Christ's people
are, and ought to be, a willing people. 2. If they continue seeking
Christ and longing after him, even when he seems to withdraw from
them, he will graciously return to them in due time, perhaps sooner
than they think and with a pleasing surprise. No chariots sent for
Christ shall return empty. 3. All Christ's gracious returns to his
people take rise from himself. It is not they, it is his own soul,
that puts him into the chariots of his people; for he is gracious
because he will be gracious, and loves his Israel because he would
love them; not for their sakes, be it known to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.vii-p21">III. That he, having returned to her,
kindly courted her return to him, notwithstanding the
discouragements she laboured under. Let her not despair of
obtaining as much comfort as ever she had before this distance
happened, but take the comfort of the return of her beloved,
<scripRef id="Song.vii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.6.13" parsed="|Song|6|13|0|0" passage="So 6:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Here, 1. The
church is called <i>Shulamite,</i> referring either to
<i>Solomon,</i> the bridegroom in type, by whose name she is
called, in token of her relation to him and union with him (thus
believers are called <i>Christians</i> from <i>Christ</i>), or
referring to <i>Salem,</i> the place of her birth and residence, as
the woman of <i>Shunem</i> is called the <i>Shunamite.</i> Heaven
is the Salem whence the saints have their birth, and where they
have their citizenship; those that belong to Christ, and are bound
for heaven, shall be called <i>Shulamites.</i> 2. She is invited to
return, and the invitation most earnestly pressed: <i>Return,
return;</i> and again, "<i>Return, return;</i> recover the peace
thou hast lost and forfeited; come back to thy former composedness
and cheerfulness of spirit." Note, Good Christians, after they have
had their comfort disturbed, are sometimes hard to be pacified, and
need to be earnestly persuaded to return again to their rest. As
revolting sinners have need to be called to again and again
(<i>Turn you, turn you, why will you die?</i>) so disquieted saints
have need to be called to again and again, <i>Turn you, turn
you,</i> why will you droop; <i>Why art thou cast down, O my
soul?</i> 3. Having returned, she is desired to show her face:
<i>That we may look upon thee.</i> Go no longer with thy face
covered like a mourner. Let those that have made their peace with
God <i>lift up their faces without spot</i> (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.22.26" parsed="|Job|22|26|0|0" passage="Job 22:26">Job xxii. 26</scripRef>); let them come boldly to his
throne of grace. Christ is pleased with the cheerfulness and humble
confidence of his people, and would have them look pleasant. "Let
us <i>look upon thee,</i> not I only, but the holy angels, who
rejoice in the consolation of saints as well as in the conversion
of sinners; not I only, but all the daughters." Christ and
believers are pleased with the beauty of the church. 4. A short
account is given of what is to be seen in her. The question is
asked, <i>What will you see in the Shulamite?</i> And it is
answered, <i>As it were the company of two armies.</i> (1.) Some
think she gives this account of herself; she is shy of appearing,
unwilling to be looked upon, having, in her own account, no form or
comeliness. Alas! says she, <i>What will you see in the
Shulamite?</i> nothing that is worth your looking upon, nothing but
<i>as it were the company of two armies</i> actually engaged, where
nothing is to be seen but blood and slaughter. The watchmen had
smitten her, and wounded her, and she carried in her face the marks
of those wounds, looked as if she had been fighting. She had said
(<scripRef id="Song.vii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.6" parsed="|Song|1|6|0|0" passage="So 1:6"><i>ch.</i> i. 6</scripRef>), <i>Look
not upon me because I am black;</i> here she says, "Look not upon
me because I am bloody." Or it may denote the constant struggle
that is between grace and corruption in the souls of believers;
they are in them <i>as two armies</i> continually skirmishing,
which makes her ashamed to show her face. (2.) Others think her
beloved gives the account of her. "I will tell you what you shall
<i>see in the Shulamite;</i> you shall see as noble a sight as that
of two armies, or two parts of the same army, drawn out in rank and
file; not only <i>as an army with banners,</i> but as <i>two
armies,</i> with a majesty double to what was before spoken; she is
as <i>Mahanaim,</i> as the two hosts which Jacob saw (<scripRef id="Song.vii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.1-Gen.32.2" parsed="|Gen|32|1|32|2" passage="Ge 32:1,2">Gen. xxxii. 1, 2</scripRef>), a host of saints
and a host of angels ministering to them; the church militant, the
church triumphant." Behold <i>two armies;</i> in both the church
appears beautiful.</p>
</div></div2>