hrist sets forth the graces of the church. (1-7) Christ's
love to the church. (8-15) The church desires further influences
of Divine grace. (16)
Verses 1-7: If each of these comparisons has a meaning applicable to
the graces of the church, or of the faithful Christian, they are
not clearly known; and great mistakes are made by fanciful
guesses. The mountain of myrrh appears to mean the mountain
Moriah, on which the temple was built, where the incense was
burned, and the people worshipped the Lord. This was his
residence till the shadows of the law given to Moses were
dispersed by the breaking of the gospel day, and the rising of
the Sun of righteousness. And though, in respect of his human
nature, Christ is absent from his church on earth, and will
continue to be so till the heavenly day break, yet he is
spiritually present in his ordinances, and with his people. How
fair and comely are believers, when justified in Christ's
righteousness, and adorned with spiritual graces! when their
thoughts, words, and deeds, though imperfect, are pure,
manifesting a heart nourished by the gospel!
Verses 8-15: Observe the gracious call Christ gives to the church. It
is, 1. A precept; so this is Christ's call to his church to come
off from the world. These hills seem pleasant, but there are in
them lions' dens; they are mountains of the leopards. 2. As a
promise; many shall be brought as members of the church, from
every point. The church shall be delivered from her persecutors
in due time, though now she dwells among lions, (Ps 57:4).
Christ's heart is upon his church; his treasure is therein; and
he delights in the affection she has for him; its working in the
heart, and its works in the life. The odours wherewith the
spouse is perfumed, are as the gifts and graces of the Spirit.
Love and obedience to God are more pleasing to Christ than
sacrifice or incense. Christ having put upon his spouse the
white raiment of his own righteousness, and the righteousness of
saints, and perfumed it with holy joy and comfort, he is well
pleased with it. And Christ walks in his garden unseen. A hedge
of protection is made around, which all the powers of darkness
cannot break through. The souls of believers are as gardens
enclosed, where is a well of living water, (Joh 4:14; 7:38), the
influences of the Holy Spirit. The world knows not these wells
of salvation, nor can any opposer corrupt this fountain. Saints
in the church, and graces in the saints, are fitly compared to
fruits and spices. They are planted, and do not grow of
themselves. They are precious; they are the blessings of this
earth. They will be kept to good purpose when flowers are
withered. Grace, when ended in glory, will last for ever. Christ
is the source which makes these gardens fruitful; even a well of
living waters.
Verse 16: The church prays for the influences of the blessed Spirit,
to make this garden fruitful. Graces in the soul are as spices
in these gardens, that in them which is valuable and useful. The
blessed Spirit, in his work upon the soul, is as the wind. There
is the north wind of conviction, and the south wind of comfort.
He stirs up good affections, and works in us both to will and to
do that which is good. The church invites Christ. Let him have
the honour of all the garden produces, and let us have the
comfort of his acceptance of it. We can invite him to nothing
but what is his own already. The believer can have no joy of the
fruits, unless they redound some way or other to the glory of
Christ. Let us then seek to keep separate from the world, as a
garden enclosed, and to avoid conformity thereto.
hrist sets forth the graces of the church. (1-7) Christ's
love to the church. (8-15) The church desires further influences
of Divine grace. (16)