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

The third thing in this verse, is the end for which he lets it out, or the terms upon which; and these are, that every one may bring a thousand pieces of silver, for the fruit thereof: And so the condition upon which it is set out, is, that he might have a competent revenue and fruit, as is clear from, Isa. 5. and, Matth. 21. and the rent is agreed on by himself, and it is a thousand silver lings, which is mentioned, Isa. 7. 23. as a great rent. The number is a definite for an indefinite, saying in sum, that Christ's scope in letting out his Church, is thereby to make her fruitful, that by his servants Ministry he might have rent from her, as he saith, Job. 15. 16. I have chosen you, and ordained you, to go and bring forth fruit, &c. Which is especially to be understood in respect of their Ministerial-fruit (to say so) or the fruit of their Ministry. The sum required is alike to all, that every one may bring, &c. not implying, that all Ministers will have alike fruit in effect, or de facto, but to show, that all of them have one commission, and de jure, or of right, ought to aim at having much fruit to the Land-lord, and would by no means seek to feed themselves, but seek the Masters profit. The words aim at these four things, 1. That Christ's great design in planting of a Church, and sending of a Ministry, is to have souls saved, that is the fruit which he aims at, for the travel of his soul: And so to have his people brought on towards Heaven, by every step of knowledge, conversion, faith, repentance, holiness, till they be brought completely through. 2. It supposeth the peoples duty, that they who are planted in the Church, should be fruitful: This Vineyard bears well, else the keepers could not pay so much. 3. The Ministers duty is here implied also, and it is to crave in Christ's rent, that is his office, as a Factor, or Chamberlain to gather it in; So, Matth. 21. 31. he sent his servants to gather in the fruits of the Vineyard, Ministers are to labour amongst the people, and either to bring fruit, or a report of ill success unto Christ. 4. What ever fruits the Minister have to render to Christ, he must return a reckoning; So the word, ⟨p. 467⟩