Clavis cantici, or, An exposition of the Song of Solomon

The words do contain the proof of a believers sincerity and reality in the Covenant of God, made out by two things put together, 1. By laying down distinctly the nature and terms of the Covenant, vers. 11. 2. By comparing her self exactly and impartially therewith, vers. 12. The general doctrine of the Covenant, vers. 11. runs on three heads; The first looks to the sum and end of all, that Christ had a Church or Vineyard, committed or given ⟨p. 462⟩him. The second looks to Christ's administration in his Church, by external Ordinances, he let it out to keepers. The third holds forth the ends of his letting out this Vineyard, or the terms upon which it is lea•ed, Every one was to bring for the fruit thereof, a thousand pieces of silver.

For explaining of the first, we are first to remember, that by Solomon, we are to understand Christ; for, as ever hitherto, so here, the Allegory is continued, to express and set forth Christ in his way with his Church, under that name. Next, the Vineyard here is […] Church, Isa. 5. 7. &c the visible Church in some respect is his Vineyard, as she is separate from others, and appointed to bring forth fruits to him; but especially the Church invisible and elect, who in a peculiar respect are Christ's as given to him and purchased by him, and so frequently in this Song, the believer is called a garden or vineyard. 3. The place where this vineyard is planted, is called Baal-hammon; which is the name of no proper place any where mentioned in Scripture, but is borrowed for it's signification, and it signifieth father of a multitude, and so it points out that Christ's vineyard is planted in a foil that is fruitful, and bringing forth much; and it is on the matter the same with that, Isa. 5. 1. my beloved had a vineyard in a fruitful hill, or, horn of oil, as the word there in the Hebrew signifieth, to show that it was well situate in a good soil, and did lye well, and was by his industry well fitted for bringing forth of fruit. Now, Christ is said, and that in the preterit time, to have had this vineyard, which shows his interest and propriety therein, and title thereto, and that by an eternal right, and a far other kind of title than he hath to the rest of the world beside: Now this right of Christ's (in respect of which it is said he had this vineyard) is not to be understood with relation to his essential dominion and sovereignty, whereby with the Father and holy Ghost, he created all things, and so as Creator, hath a conjunct interest in them; but this looks to that peculiar title, which Christ hath to the Church of the Elect, especially as Mediator, by the Lords giving of such and such particular persons to him to be saved,