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

All which being put together, holds forth the sense of the words, Christ hath given every one in his Church a trust (which is, as it were, the Vineyard that every believer ought to have before him) and that (saith she) which was committed to me, I have been singly and conscientiously careful to do my duty in reference thereunto, so as I have a testimony in my conscience of it: And thus her case is far different from what it was, Chap. 1. 6. where she acknowledgeth that her own Vineyard she had not kept. Obs. 1. It's no matter how well one be acquaint with the general truths of the Gospel, if there be not a conformity of practice: Whatever knowledge Christians have, it will never further their peace, except their practice be suitable. ⟨p. 469⟩2. Every member of the Church, and every believer, hath a particular trust committed to him, and he must be countable for his carriage in reference thereto. 3. The right discharging of) this trust, calls for watchfulness and diligence, and it will require, daily oversight and attendance, that so the believers Vineyard may be always before him. 4. They who assiduously wait upon the work committed to them, may through grace make good progress in it, and attain to a good testimony from their own consciences thereanent. 5. It's exceeding comfortable to believers, when they have a testimony within them, that they have been diligent and careful in the duty committed to them. 6. Believers would reflect on their carriage in the trust committed to them, that they may be able to make some distinct report concerning the same. 7. They who are most tender in their duty, are also most diligent to search how it is with them, that they may know the condition of their Vineyard, whether it thrive or not. If it be moved here, how she could assert so much of her condition, seeing, Chap. 1. 6. she acknowledgeth the contrary, that her own Vineyard, or, the Vineyard which was hers, she had not kep•• And it's evident, Chap. 5. 3. that she was under a great measure of security; in which case she sell into many escapes? I answer, both may be true, in diverse considerations, 1. A• David in one place acknowledged sin, yet, Psa. 18. 21, 22. &c. pleadeth sincerity, so doth' she here. Obs. 1.

All which being put together, holds forth the sense of the words, Christ hath given every one in his Church a trust (which is, as it were, the Vineyard that every believer ought to have before him) and that (saith she) which was committed to me, I have been singly and conscienciously carefull to do my duty in reference thereunto, so as I have a testimony in my conscience of it: And thus her case is far different from what it was, Chap. 1. 6. where she acknowledgeth that her own Vineyard she had not kept. Obs. 1. It's no matter how well one be acquaint with the general truths of the Gospel, if there be not a conformity of practice: Whatever knowledge Christians have, it will never further their peace, except their practice be suitable.