mh_parser/vol_split/22 - Song of Solomon/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Song.iv" n="iv" next="Song.v" prev="Song.iii" progress="96.98%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Song.iv-p0.1">S O N G   O F   S O L O M O
N.</h2>
<h3 id="Song.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Song.iv-p1">In this chapter, I. The church gives an account of
a sore trial wherewith she was exercised through the withdrawing of
her beloved from her, the pains she was at before she recovered the
comfortable sense of his favour again, and the resolution she took,
when she did recover it, not to lose it again, as she had done
through her own carelessness, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.1-Song.3.5" parsed="|Song|3|1|3|5" passage="So 3:1-5">ver.
1-5</scripRef>. II. The daughters of Jerusalem admire the
excellencies of the church, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.6" parsed="|Song|3|6|0|0" passage="So 3:6">ver.
6</scripRef>. III. The church admires Jesus Christ under the person
of Solomon, his bed, and the life-guards about it (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.7-Song.3.8" parsed="|Song|3|7|3|8" passage="So 3:7,8">ver. 7, 8</scripRef>), his chariot, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.9-Song.3.10" parsed="|Song|3|9|3|10" passage="So 3:9,10">ver. 9, 10</scripRef>. She calls upon the
daughters of Zion, who were admiring her, to admire him rather,
especially as he appeared on his coronation day and the day of his
nuptials, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.11" parsed="|Song|3|11|0|0" passage="So 3:11">ver. 11</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Song.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Song.3" parsed="|Song|3|0|0|0" passage="So 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Song.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.1-Song.3.5" parsed="|Song|3|1|3|5" passage="So 3:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.3.1-Song.3.5">
<h4 id="Song.iv-p1.8">The Love of the Church to
Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.iv-p2">1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul
loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.   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: <i>to
whom I said,</i> Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?   4 <i>It
was</i> 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 the chamber of her
that conceived me.   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 <i>my</i> love, till he please.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p3">God is not wont to say to the seed of
Jacob, <i>Seek you me in vain;</i> and yet here we have the spouse
for a great while seeking her beloved in vain, but finding him at
last, to her unspeakable satisfaction. It was hard to the
Old-Testament church to find Christ in the ceremonial law, and the
types and figures which then were <i>of good things to come.</i>
Long was the consolation of Israel looked for before it came. The
watchman of that church gave little assistance to those who
enquired after him; but at length Simeon had <i>him</i> in his arms
<i>whom his soul loved.</i> It is applicable to the case of
particular believers, who often walk in darkness a great while, but
<i>at even time it shall be light,</i> and those that seek Christ
to the end shall find him at length. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p4">I. How the spouse sought him in vain
<i>upon her bed</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.1" parsed="|Song|3|1|0|0" passage="So 3:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>); when she was up and looking about her, grace in act
and exercise, though her beloved was withdrawn, yet she could see
him at a distance (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.2.8" parsed="|Song|2|8|0|0" passage="So 2:8"><i>ch.</i> ii.
8</scripRef>), but now it was otherwise. She still continued her
affection to him, still it was <i>he whom her soul loved,</i> that
bond of the covenant still continued firm. "<i>Though he slay me, I
will trust in him;</i> though he leave me, I will love him. When I
have him not in my arms, I have him in my heart." But she wanted
the communion she used to have with him, as David when he
<i>thirsted for God, for the living God.</i> She sought him, but,
1. It was <i>by night on her bed;</i> it was late and lazy seeking.
Her understanding was clouded; it was by night, in the dark. Her
affections were chilled, it was on her bed half asleep. The wise
virgins slumbered in the absence of the bridegroom. It was a dark
time with the believer; she saw not her signs, and yet she sought
them. Those whose souls love Jesus Christ will continue to seek him
even in silence and solitude: their <i>reins</i> instruct them to
do so, even <i>in the night season.</i> 2. She failed in her
endeavour. Sometimes he is <i>found of those that seek him not</i>
(<scripRef id="Song.iv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.1" parsed="|Isa|65|1|0|0" passage="Isa 65:1">Isa. lxv. 1</scripRef>), but here he
is not found of one that sought him, either for punishment of her
corruptions, her slothfulness and security (we miss of comfort
because we do not seek it aright), or for the exercises of grace,
her faith and patience, to try whether she will continue seeking.
The woman of Canaan sought Christ, and found him not at first, that
she might find him, at length, so much the more to her honour and
comfort.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p5">II. How she had sought him in vain abroad,
<scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.2" parsed="|Song|3|2|0|0" passage="So 3:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. She had made
trial of secret worship, and had gone through the duties of the
closet, had remembered him on her bed and meditated on him in the
<i>night-watches</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.63.6" parsed="|Ps|63|6|0|0" passage="Ps 63:6">Ps. lxiii.
6</scripRef>), but she did not meet with comfort. <i>My sore ran in
the night,</i> and then <i>I remembered God and was troubled,</i>
<scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.77.2-Ps.77.3" parsed="|Ps|77|2|77|3" passage="Ps 77:2,3">Ps. lxxvii. 2, 3</scripRef>. And yet
she is not driven off by the disappointment from the use of further
means; she resolves, "<i>I will rise now;</i> I will not lie here
if I cannot find my beloved here, nor be content if he be
withdrawn. <i>I will rise now</i> without delay, and seek him
immediately, lest he withdraw further from me." Those that would
seek Christ so as to find him must lose no time. "<i>I will
rise</i> out of a warm bed, and go out in a cold dark night, in
quest of my beloved." Those that see Christ must not startle at
difficulties. "<i>I will rise, and go about the city,</i> the holy
city, in the streets, and the broad-ways;" for she knew he was not
to be found in any blind by-ways. We must seek in the city, in
Jerusalem, which was a type of the gospel-church. The likeliest
place to find Christ is in the temple (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.46" parsed="|Luke|2|46|0|0" passage="Lu 2:46">Luke ii. 46</scripRef>), in the streets of the
gospel-church, in holy ordinances, where the children of Zion pass
and repass at all hours. She had a good purpose when she said, <i>I
will arise now,</i> but the good performance was all in all. She
arose, and <i>sought him</i> (those that are in pursuit of Christ,
the knowledge of him and communion with him, must turn every stone,
seek every where), and yet she <i>found him not;</i> she was still
unsatisfied, uneasy, as Job, when he looked on all sides, but could
not perceive any tokens of the divine favour (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.23.8-Job.23.9" parsed="|Job|23|8|23|9" passage="Job 23:8,9">Job xxiii. 8, 9</scripRef>), and the Psalmist often,
when he complained that God hid his face from him, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.88.14" parsed="|Ps|88|14|0|0" passage="Ps 88:14">Ps. lxxxviii. 14</scripRef>. We may be in the
way of our duty and yet may miss the comfort, for <i>the wind
bloweth where it listeth.</i> How heavy is the accent on this
repeated complaint: <i>I sought him, but I found him not!</i> like
that of Mary Magdalen, <i>They have taken away my Lord, and I know
not where they have laid him,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:John.20.13" parsed="|John|20|13|0|0" passage="Joh 20:13">John xx. 13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p6">III. How she enquired of the watchmen
concerning him, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.3" parsed="|Song|3|3|0|0" passage="So 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>.
In the night the watchmen <i>go about the city,</i> for the
preservation of its peace and safety, to guide and assist the
honest and quiet, as well as to be a check upon those that are
disorderly; these met her in her walks, and she asked them if they
could give her any tidings of her beloved. In the streets and
broad-ways of Jerusalem she might meet with enough to divert her
from her pursuit and to entertain her, though she could not meet
her beloved; but she regards none in comparison with him. Gracious
souls press through crowds of other delights and contentments in
pursuit of Christ, whom they prefer before their chief joy. Mary
Magdalen sees angels in the sepulchre, but that will not do unless
she see Jesus. <i>Saw you him whom my soul loveth?</i> Note, We
must evince the sincerity of our love to Christ by our solicitous
enquiries after him. <i>The children of the bride-chamber will
mourn when the bridegroom is taken away</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.9.15" parsed="|Matt|9|15|0|0" passage="Mt 9:15">Matt. ix. 15</scripRef>), especially for the sin which
provoked him to withdraw; and, if we do so, we shall be in care to
recover the sense of his favour and diligent and constant in the
use of proper means in order thereunto. We must search the
scriptures, be much in prayer, keep close to ordinances, and all
with this upon our heart, <i>Saw you him whom my soul loveth?</i>
Those only who have seen Christ themselves are likely to direct
others to a sight of him. When the Greeks came to worship at the
feast they applied to Philip, with such an address as this of the
spouse to the watchmen, <i>Sir, we would see Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:John.12.21" parsed="|John|12|21|0|0" passage="Joh 12:21">John xii. 21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p7">IV. How she found him at last, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.4" parsed="|Song|3|4|0|0" passage="So 3:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. She <i>passed from</i> the
watchmen as soon as she perceived they could give her no tidings of
her beloved; she would not stay with them, because he was not among
them, but went on seeking, for (as Ainsworth observes) the society
neither of brethren, nor of the church, nor of ministers, can
comfort the afflicted conscience unless Christ himself be
apprehended by faith. But soon after she parted from the watchmen
she found him whom she sought, and then called him <i>him whom my
soul loveth,</i> with as much delight as before with desire. Note,
Those that continue seeking Christ shall find him at last, and when
perhaps they were almost ready to despair of finding him. See
<scripRef id="Song.iv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.7-Ps.42.8 Bible:Ps.77.9-Ps.77.10 Bible:Isa.54.7-Isa.54.8" parsed="|Ps|42|7|42|8;|Ps|77|9|77|10;|Isa|54|7|54|8" passage="Ps 42:7,8,77:9,10,Isa 54:7,8">Ps. xlii. 7, 8;
lxxvii. 9, 10; Isa. liv. 7, 8</scripRef>. Disappointments must not
drive us away from gracious pursuits. Hold out, faith and patience;
<i>the vision is for an appointed time,</i> and, though the
watchman can give us no account of it, <i>at the end</i> it shall
itself <i>speak and not lie;</i> and the comfort that comes in
after long waiting, in the use of means, will be so much the
sweeter at last.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p8">V. How close she kept to him when she had
found him. She is now as much in fear of losing him as before she
was in care to find him: <i>I held him,</i> held him fast, as the
women, when they met with Christ after his resurrection, <i>held
him by the feet, and worshipped him,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.9" parsed="|Matt|28|9|0|0" passage="Mt 28:9">Matt. xxviii. 9</scripRef>. "<i>I would not let him
go.</i> Not only, I would never do any thing to provoke him to
depart, but I would by faith and prayer prevail with him to stay,
and by the exercise of grace preserve inward peace." Those that
know how hard comfort is come by, and how dearly it is bought, will
be afraid of forfeiting it and playing it away, and will think
nothing too much to do to keep it safe. <i>Non minor est virtus
quam quærere parta tueri</i>—<i>As much is implied in securing our
acquisitions as in making them.</i> Those that have laid hold on
wisdom must <i>retain her,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.18" parsed="|Prov|3|18|0|0" passage="Pr 3:18">Prov.
iii. 18</scripRef>. Those that hold Christ fast in the arms of
faith and love shall <i>not let him go;</i> he will abide with
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p9">VI. How desirous she was to make others
acquainted with him: "<i>I brought him to my mother's house,</i>
that all my relations, all who are dear to me, might have the
benefit of communion with him." When Zaccheus found Christ, or
rather was found of him, <i>salvation came to his house,</i>
<scripRef id="Song.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.19.9" parsed="|Luke|19|9|0|0" passage="Lu 19:9">Luke xix. 9</scripRef>. Wherever we
find Christ we must take him home with us to our houses, especially
to our hearts. The church is our mother, and we should be concerned
for her interests, that she may have Christ present with her and be
earnest in prayer for his presence with his people and ministers
always. Those that enjoy the tokens of Christ's favour to their own
souls should desire that the church, and all religious assemblies
in their public capacity, might likewise enjoy the tokens of his
favour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p10">VII. What care she was in that no
disturbance might be given him (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.5" parsed="|Song|3|5|0|0" passage="So 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>); she repeats the charge she had
before given (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.2.7" parsed="|Song|2|7|0|0" passage="So 2:7"><i>ch.</i> ii.
7</scripRef>) to the <i>daughters of Jerusalem</i> not to <i>stir
up or awake her love.</i> When she <i>had brought him into her
mother's house,</i> among her sisters, she gives them a strict
charge to keep all quiet and in good order, to be very observant of
him, careful to please him, and afraid of offending him. The charge
given to the church in the wilderness concerning the angel of the
covenant, who was among them, explains this. <scripRef id="Song.iv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.23.21" parsed="|Exod|23|21|0|0" passage="Ex 23:21">Exod. xxiii. 21</scripRef>, <i>Beware of him and obey
his voice;</i> <i>provoke him not.</i> See that none of you stir
out of your places, lest you disturb him, but <i>with quietness
work and mind your own business;</i> make no noise; let all
<i>clamour and bitterness be put</i> far <i>from you,</i> for that
<i>grieves the Holy Spirit of God,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.30-Eph.4.31" parsed="|Eph|4|30|4|31" passage="Eph 4:30,31">Eph. iv. 30, 31</scripRef>. Some make this to be
Christ's charge to the <i>daughters of Jerusalem</i> not to disturb
or disquiet his church, nor trouble the minds of the disciples; for
Christ is very tender of the peace of his church, and all the
members of it, even the little ones; and those that trouble them
<i>shall bear their judgment,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Gal.5.10" parsed="|Gal|5|10|0|0" passage="Ga 5:10">Gal.
v. 10</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Song.iv-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.6" parsed="|Song|3|6|0|0" passage="So 3:6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.3.6">
<h4 id="Song.iv-p10.7">The Love of the Church to
Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.iv-p11">6 Who <i>is</i> this that cometh out of the
wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and
frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p12">These are the words of the <i>daughters of
Jerusalem,</i> to whom the charge was given, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.5" parsed="|Song|3|5|0|0" passage="So 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. They had looked shily upon the
bride because she was black (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.6" parsed="|Song|1|6|0|0" passage="So 1:6"><i>ch.</i>
i. 6</scripRef>); but now they admire her, and speak of her with
great respect: <i>Who is this?</i> How beautiful she looks! Who
would have expected such a comely and magnificent person to <i>come
out of the wilderness?</i> As, when Christ rode in triumph into
Jerusalem, they said, <i>Who is this?</i> And of the accession of
strangers to the church she herself says, with wonder (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.21" parsed="|Isa|49|21|0|0" passage="Isa 49:21">Isa. xlix. 21</scripRef>), <i>Who has begotten
me these?</i> 1. This is applicable to the Jewish church, when,
after forty years' wandering in the wilderness, they came out of
it, to take a glorious possession of the land of promise; and this
may very well be illustrated by what Balaam said of them at that
time, when they ascended <i>out of the wilderness like pillars of
smoke,</i> and he stood admiring them: <i>From the top of the rocks
I see him. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob!</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.23.9 Bible:Num.24.5" parsed="|Num|23|9|0|0;|Num|24|5|0|0" passage="Nu 23:9,24:5">Num. xxiii. 9; xxiv. 5</scripRef>. 2. It is
applicable to any public deliverance of the church of God, as
particularly of Babylon, the Old-Testament and the New-Testament
Babylon; then the church is <i>like pillars of smoke,</i> ascending
upwards in devout affections, the incense of praise, from which, as
from Noah's sacrifice, God <i>smells a sweet savour;</i> then she
is amiable in the eyes of her friends, and her enemies too cannot
but have a veneration for her, and <i>worship at her feet, knowing
that God has loved her,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.9" parsed="|Rev|3|9|0|0" passage="Re 3:9">Rev. iii.
9</scripRef>. Sometimes the <i>fear of the Jews</i> was upon their
neighbours, when they saw that <i>God was with them of a truth,</i>
<scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Esth.8.17" parsed="|Esth|8|17|0|0" passage="Es 8:17">Esth. viii. 17</scripRef>. 3. It is
applicable to the recovery of a gracious soul out of a state of
desertion and despondency. (1.) She ascends <i>out of the
wilderness,</i> the dry and barren land, where there is <i>no
way,</i> where there is <i>no water,</i> where travellers are still
in want and ever at a loss; here a poor soul may long be left to
wander, but shall come up, at last, under the conduct of the
Comforter. (2.) She comes up <i>like pillars of smoke,</i> like a
cloud of incense ascending from the altar or the smoke of the
burnt-offerings. This intimates a fire of pious and devout
affections in the soul, whence this smoke arises, and the mounting
of the soul heaven-ward in this smoke (as <scripRef id="Song.iv-p12.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.20" parsed="|Judg|13|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:20">Judges xiii. 20</scripRef>), the heart lifted up to God
in the heavens, <i>as the sparks fly upward.</i> Christ's return to
the soul gives life to its devotion, and its communion with God is
most reviving when it ascends <i>out of a wilderness.</i> (3.) She
is <i>perfumed with myrrh and frankincense.</i> She is replenished
with the graces of God's Spirit, which are as sweet spices, or as
the holy incense, which, being now kindled by his gracious returns,
sends forth a very fragrant smell. Her devotions being now
peculiarly lively, she is not only acceptable to God, but amiable
in the eyes of others also, who are ready to cry out with
admiration, <i>Who is this?</i> What a monument of mercy is this!
The graces and comforts with which she is <i>perfumed</i> are
called the <i>powders of the merchant,</i> for they are far-fetched
and dear-bought, by our Lord Jesus, that blessed merchant, who took
a long voyage, and was at vast expense, no less than that of his
own blood, to purchase them for us. They are not the products of
our own soil, nor the growth of our own country; no, they are
imported from the heavenly Canaan, the better country.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Song.iv-p12.8" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.7-Song.3.11" parsed="|Song|3|7|3|11" passage="So 3:7-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Song.3.7-Song.3.11">
<h4 id="Song.iv-p12.9">The Love of the Church to
Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Song.iv-p13">7 Behold his bed, which <i>is</i> Solomon's;
threescore valiant men <i>are</i> about it, of the valiant of
Israel.   8 They all hold swords, <i>being</i> expert in war:
every man <i>hath</i> his sword upon his thigh because of fear in
the night.   9 King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood
of Lebanon.   10 He made the pillars thereof <i>of</i> silver,
the bottom thereof <i>of</i> gold, the covering of it <i>of</i>
purple, the midst thereof being paved <i>with</i> love, for the
daughters of Jerusalem.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p14"><i>The daughters of Jerusalem</i> stood
admiring the spouse and commending her, but she overlooks their
praises, is not puffed up with them, but transfers all the glory to
Christ, and directs them to look off from her to him, recommends
him to their esteem, and sets herself to applaud him. Here he is
three times called <i>Solomon,</i> and we have that name but three
times besides in all this song, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.5 Bible:Song.8.11-Song.8.12" parsed="|Song|1|5|0|0;|Song|8|11|8|12" passage="So 1:5,8:11,12"><i>ch.</i> i. 5; viii. 11, 12</scripRef>. It is
Christ that is here meant, who is greater than Solomon, and of whom
Solomon was an illustrious type for his wisdom and wealth, and
especially his building the temple.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p15">Three things she admires him for:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p16">I. The safety of his bed (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.7" parsed="|Song|3|7|0|0" passage="So 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Behold his bed,</i>
even <i>Solomon's,</i> very rich and fine; for such <i>the curtains
of Solomon</i> were. <i>His bed, which is above Solomon's,</i> so
some read it. Christ's bed, though he had <i>not where to lay his
head,</i> is better than Solomon's best bed. The church is his bed,
for he has said of it. <i>This is my rest for ever;</i> <i>here
will I dwell.</i> The hearts of believers are his bed, for he lies
all night between their breasts, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.17" parsed="|Eph|3|17|0|0" passage="Eph 3:17">Eph.
iii. 17</scripRef>. Heaven is his bed, the rest into which he
entered when he had done his work. Or it may be meant of the sweet
repose and satisfaction which gracious souls enjoy in communion
with him; it is called <i>his bed,</i> because, though we are
admitted to it, and therefore it is called <i>our bed</i>
(<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Song.1.16" parsed="|Song|1|16|0|0" passage="So 1:16"><i>ch.</i> i. 16</scripRef>), yet it
is his peace that is our rest, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:John.14.27" parsed="|John|14|27|0|0" passage="Joh 14:27">John
xiv. 27</scripRef>. <i>I will give you rest,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.28" parsed="|Matt|11|28|0|0" passage="Mt 11:28">Matt. xi. 28</scripRef>. It <i>is Solomon's bed,</i>
whose name signifies <i>peace,</i> because in his days Judah and
Israel <i>dwelt safely under their vines and fig-trees.</i> That
which she admires his bed for is the guard that surrounded it.
Those that rest in Christ not only dwell at ease (many do so who
yet are in the greatest danger) but they dwell in safety. Their
holy serenity is under the protection of a holy security. This bed
had <i>threescore valiant men about it,</i> as yeomen of the guard,
or the band of gentlemen-pensioners; they are <i>of the valiant of
Israel,</i> and a great many bold and brave men David's reign had
produced. The life-guard men are well armed: <i>They all hold
swords,</i> and know how to hold them; they are <i>expert in
war,</i> well skilled in all the arts of it. They are posted about
the bed at a convenient distance. They are in a posture of defence,
<i>every man</i> with <i>his sword upon his thigh</i> and his hand
upon his sword, ready to draw upon the first alarm, and this
<i>because of fear in the night,</i> because of the danger feared;
for the lives of princes, even the wisest and best, as they are
more precious, so they are more exposed, and require to be more
guarded than the lives of common persons. Or, <i>because of the
fear</i> of it, and the apprehension which the spouse may have of
danger, these guards are set for her satisfaction, that she may be
<i>quiet from the fear of evil,</i> which believers themselves are
subject to, especially <i>in the night,</i> when they are under a
cloud as to their spiritual state, or in any outward trouble more
than ordinary. Christ himself was under the special protection of
his Father in his whole undertaking. <i>In the shadow of his hand
he hid me</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.2" parsed="|Isa|49|2|0|0" passage="Isa 49:2">Isa. xlix.
2</scripRef>); he had legions of angels at his command. The church
is well guarded; more are with her than against her. Lest any hurt
this vineyard, God himself <i>keeps it night and day</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.27.2-Isa.27.3" parsed="|Isa|27|2|27|3" passage="Isa 27:2,3">Isa. xxvii. 2, 3</scripRef>); particular
believers, when they repose themselves in Christ and with him,
though it may be night-time with them, and they may have their
<i>fears in the night,</i> and yet safe, as safe as Solomon himself
in the midst of his guards; the angels have a charge concerning
them, ministers are appointed to <i>watch for their souls,</i> and
<i>they</i> ought to be <i>valiant</i> men, <i>expert in</i> the
spiritual warfare, holding <i>the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God,</i> and having that girt <i>upon their thigh,</i>
always ready to them for the silencing <i>of the fears</i> of God's
people <i>in the night.</i> All the attributes of God are engaged
for the safety of believers; they are kept as in a strong-hold by
his power (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.8" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.5" parsed="|1Pet|1|5|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:5">1 Pet. i. 5</scripRef>), are
safe in <i>his name</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov. xviii.
10</scripRef>), his peace protects those in whom it rules
(<scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.10" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.7" parsed="|Phil|4|7|0|0" passage="Php 4:7">Phil. iv. 7</scripRef>), and the
effect of righteousness in them is <i>quietness</i> and
<i>assurance,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p16.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.17" parsed="|Isa|32|17|0|0" passage="Isa 32:17">Isa. xxxii.
17</scripRef>. Our danger is from <i>the rulers of the darkness of
this world,</i> but we are safe in the <i>armour of light.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p17">II. The splendour of his chariot, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.9-Song.3.10" parsed="|Song|3|9|3|10" passage="So 3:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. As Christ and
believers rest in safety under a sufficient guard, so when they
appear publicly, as kings in their coaches of state, they appear in
great magnificence. This chariot was of Solomon's own contriving
and making, the materials very rich, <i>silver,</i> and
<i>gold,</i> and <i>cedar,</i> and <i>purple.</i> He made it for
himself, and yet made it <i>for the daughters of Jerusalem,</i> to
oblige them. Some by this <i>chariot,</i> or <i>coach,</i> or
<i>chaise</i> (the word is nowhere else used in scripture),
understand the human nature of Christ, in which the divine nature
rode as in an open chariot. It was a divine workmanship (<i>A body
hast thou prepared me</i>); the structure was very fine, but that
which was at the bottom of it was love, pure love to the children
of men. Others make it to represent the everlasting gospel, in
which, as in an open chariot, Christ shows himself, and as in a
chariot of war rides forth triumphantly, <i>conquering and to
conquer. The pillars,</i> the seven pillars (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.9.1" parsed="|Prov|9|1|0|0" passage="Pr 9:1">Prov. ix. 1</scripRef>), are of <i>silver,</i> for the
words of the Lord are <i>as silver tried</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.12.6" parsed="|Ps|12|6|0|0" passage="Ps 12:6">Ps. xii. 6</scripRef>), nay, they are better <i>than
thousands of gold and silver.</i> It is hung with <i>purple,</i> a
princely colour; all the adornings of it are dyed in the precious
blood of Christ, and that gives them this colour. But that which
completes the glory of it is <i>love;</i> <i>it is paved with
love,</i> it is lined with love, not love of strangers, as
Solomon's was in the days of his defection, but <i>love</i> of
<i>the daughters of Jerusalem,</i> a holy <i>love.</i> Silver is
better than cedar, gold than silver, but love is better than gold,
better than all, and it is put last, for nothing can be better than
that. The gospel is all <i>love.</i> Mr. Durham applies it to the
covenant of redemption, the way of our salvation, as it is
contrived in the eternal counsel of God, and manifested to us in
the scriptures. This is that work of Christ himself wherein the
glory of his grace and love to sinners most eminently appears, and
which makes him amiable and admirable in the eyes of believers. In
this covenant love is conveyed to them, and they are carried in it
to the perfection of love, and, as it were, ride in triumph. It is
admirably framed and contrived, both for the glory of Christ and
for the comfort of believers. It is <i>well ordered in all things,
and sure</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.23.5" parsed="|2Sam|23|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 23:5">2 Sam. xxiii.
5</scripRef>); it has <i>pillars</i> that cannot be shaken, it is
<i>made of the wood of Lebanon,</i> which can never rot; the basis
of it is <i>gold,</i> the most lasting metal; the blood of the
covenant, that rich <i>purple,</i> is the cover of this chariot, by
which believers are sheltered from the wind and storms of divine
wrath, and the troubles of this world; but the midst of it, and
that which is all in all in it, is <i>love,</i> that <i>love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge</i> and the dimensions of which
are immeasurable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p18">III. The lustre of his royal person, when
he appears in his greatest pomp, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Song.3.11" parsed="|Song|3|11|0|0" passage="So 3:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p19">1. The call that is given to the
<i>daughters of Zion</i> to acquaint themselves with the glories of
<i>king Solomon: Go forth, and behold</i> him. The multitude of the
spectators adds to the beauty of a splendid cavalcade. Christ, in
his gospel, manifests himself. Let each of us add to the number of
those that give honour to him, by giving themselves the
satisfaction of looking upon him. Who should pay respects to Zion's
king but Zion's daughters? They have reason to rejoice greatly when
he comes, <scripRef id="Song.iv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.9.9" parsed="|Zech|9|9|0|0" passage="Zec 9:9">Zec. ix. 9</scripRef>. (1.)
<i>Behold him</i> then. Look with pleasure upon Christ in his
glory. Look upon him with an eye of faith, with a fixed eye. Here
is a sight worth seeing; <i>behold,</i> and admire him,
<i>behold,</i> and love him; look upon him, and know him again.
(2.) <i>Go forth and behold</i> him; go off from the world, as
those that see no beauty and excellency in it in comparison with
what is to be seen in the Lord Jesus. Go out of yourselves, and let
the light of his transcendent beauty put you out of conceit with
yourselves. <i>Go forth</i> to the place where he is to be seen, to
the street through which he passes, as Zaccheus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Song.iv-p20">2. The direction that is given them to take
special notice of that which they would not see every day, and that
was his <i>crown,</i> either the crown of gold, adorned with
jewels, which he wore on his coronation-day (Solomon's mother,
Bathsheba, though she did not procure that for him, yet, by her
seasonable interposal, she helped to secure it to him when Adonijah
was catching at it), or the garland or crown of flowers and green
tied with ribbons which his mother made for him, to adorn the
solemnity of his nuptials. Perhaps Solomon's coronation day was his
marriage-day, <i>the day of his espousals,</i> when the garland his
mother crowned him with was added to the crown his people crowned
him with. Applying this to Christ, it speaks, (1.) The many honours
put upon him, and the power and dominion he is entrusted with:
<i>Go forth,</i> and see king Jesus, <i>with the crown wherewith
his</i> Father <i>crowned him,</i> when he declared him his
<i>beloved Son, in whom</i> he was <i>well-pleased,</i> when he
<i>set him as King upon his holy hill of Zion,</i> when he advanced
him to his own right hand, and invested him with a sovereign
authority, both <i>in heaven and in earth,</i> and <i>put all
things under his feet.</i> (2.) The dishonour put upon him by his
persecutors. Some apply it to the <i>crown of thorns</i> with which
<i>his mother,</i> the Jewish church, <i>crowned him</i> on the day
of his death, which was <i>the day of his espousals</i> to his
church, when he <i>loved it, and gave himself for it</i> (<scripRef id="Song.iv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.25" parsed="|Eph|5|25|0|0" passage="Eph 5:25">Eph. v. 25</scripRef>); and it is observable
that when he was <i>brought forth wearing the crown of thorns
Pilate said,</i> and said it to the <i>daughters of Zion, Behold
the man.</i> (3.) It seems especially to mean the honour done him
by his church, as his mother, and by all true believers, in whose
hearts he is formed, and of whom he has said, <i>These are my
mother, my sister, and brother,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.50" parsed="|Matt|12|50|0|0" passage="Mt 12:50">Matt. xii. 50</scripRef>. They give him the glory of his
undertaking; to him is glory <i>in the church,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.21" parsed="|Eph|3|21|0|0" passage="Eph 3:21">Eph. iii. 21</scripRef>. When believers accept
of him as theirs, and join themselves to him in an everlasting
covenant, [1.] It is his coronation-day in their souls. Before
conversion they were crowning themselves, but then they begin to
crown Christ, and continue to do so from that day forward. They
appointed him their head; they bring <i>every thought into
obedience to</i> him; they set up his throne in their hearts, and
cast all their crowns at his feet. [2.] It is <i>the day of his
espousals,</i> in which he betroths them to him for ever in
lovingkindness and in mercies, joins them to himself in faith and
love, and gives himself to them in the promises and all he has, to
be theirs. <i>Thou shalt not be for another, so will I also be for
thee,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Hos.3.3" parsed="|Hos|3|3|0|0" passage="Ho 3:3">Hos. iii. 3</scripRef>. And to
him they are presented as <i>chaste virgins.</i> [3.] It is <i>the
day of the gladness of his heart;</i> he is pleased with the honour
that his people do him, pleased with the progress of his interest
among them. Does <i>Satan fall</i> before them? <i>In that hour
Jesus rejoices in spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Song.iv-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.10.18 Bible:Luke.10.21" parsed="|Luke|10|18|0|0;|Luke|10|21|0|0" passage="Lu 10:18,21">Luke
x. 18, 21</scripRef>. There is joy in heaven over repenting
sinners; the family is glad when the prodigal son returns. <i>Go
forth and behold</i> Christ's grace toward sinners, as his
<i>crown,</i> his brightest glory.</p>
</div></div2>