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

There are three parts in the verse, 1. The title he gives her. 2. A commendation, that is insinuated. 3. A request made to her, or duty laid on her. The title is, Thou that dwellest in the Gardens: By Gardens, in the plural number, we understand (as Chap. 6. 2.) particular Congregations, where the Ordinances are administrat; called Gardens in the plural number, as contradistinguished from the Catholic Church, and from a particular believer, who are also called a Garden in the singular number. To dwell in, or inhabit these Gardens, imports three things, 1. A frequenting of these meetings. 2. A continuance in them ordinarily, as if there were her residence. 3. A delight in them, and in the exercises of his worship and service there. And in sum, the meaning is, Thou, my Bride, who frequent• and loves the assemblies of my people, and my public Ordinances, &c. Obs. 1. That Christ Jesus loveth to leave his people comforted, and therefore, is distinct in this his farewell, that there be no mistakes of him in his absence: And this way he used also with his Apostles, John, 14. 13, 14, 15. &c. before his ascension. 2. Christ hath ordinarily ever preserved the public Ordinances, by particular assemblies, in his Church. See, Chap. •. 2. 3. Where God's people are in good case, there the public Ordinances are most frequented and esteemed of; and still the better in case they be, the Ordinances are the more prized, and haunted by them; for, this is a special character and property of such, that they love to dwell among the Ordinances, Psa. 27. 4. Also, this is pleasant and acceptable to Jesus Christ, and the title he gives the Bride here, shows his approbation thereof.

There are three parts in the verse, 1. The title he gives her. 2. A commendation, that is insinuated. 3. A request made to her, or duty laid on her. The title is, Thou that dwellest in the Gardens: By Gardens, in the plural number, we understand (as Chap. 6. 2.) particular Congregations, where the Ordinances are administrat; called Gardens in the plural number, as contradistinguished from the Catholick Church, and from a particular believer, who are also called a Garden in the singular number. To dwell in, or inhabit these Gardens, imports three things, 1. A frequenting of these meetings. 2. A continuance in them ordinarily, as if there were her residence. 3. A delight in them, and in the exercises of his worship and service there. And in sum, the meaning is, Thou, my Bride, who frequent and loves the assemblies of my people, and my publick Ordinances, &c. Obs. 1. That Christ Jesus loveth to leave his people comforted, and therefore, is distinct in this his farewel, that there be no mistakes of him in his absence: And this way he used also with his Apostles,