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

2. The commendation is explicat, or illustrat by a similitude: The thing she explains, and which she understood by Ointments, is his Name; The similitude whereby it is illustrate, is, Ointment poured forth. Christ's Name is himself, or the knowledge of himself, or every thing whereby himself is made known, his Attributes, Word, Works, especially these of Redemption, his Ordinances, Covenant, Promises, &c. which are all his Name (for so the Preaching of the Gospel is called the bearing of his Name, Act. 9. 15. and making known, or declaring of his Name, Psal. 22. 22. Heb. 2. 12. &c.) This is the thing illustrat. Now this Name is compared, not to Ointment simply, as sealed up in a Box, but to Ointment as poured forth and diffused. Whereby, 1. the abundance of these graces is holden forth, there is no scarcity of them in him. 2. His liberality in communicating of them, he pours them out, as one opening a Box of Ointment, should so diffuse and distribute it. 3. By this is set out, the lively savouriness of his graces; they savour not only as Ointment closed up, but as Ointment diffused. In a word, there is nothing in Christ (for whatever is in him, is comprehended under his Name) but the unfolding of it will be more refreshful, and abundant in spiritual delights, than if men would break and open many Boxes of costly Ointments, and pour them all out on others.

2. The commendation is explicat, or illustrat by a similitude: The thing she explains, and which she understood by Ointments, is his Name; The similitude whereby it is illustrate, is, Ointment poured forth. Christ's Name is himself, or the knowledge of himself, or every thing whereby himself is made known, his Attributes, Word, Works, especially these of Redemption, his Ordinances, Covenant, Promises, &c. which are all his Name (for so the Preaching of the Gospel is called the bearing of his Name, Act. 9. 15. and making known, or declaring of his Name, Psal. 22. 22. Heb. 2. 12. &c.) This is the thing illustrat. Now this Name is compared, not to Ointment simply, as sealed up in a Box, but to Ointment as poured forth and diffused. Whereby, 1. the abundance of these graces is holden forth, there is no scarcity of them in him. 2. His liberality in communicating of them, he pours them out, as one opening a Box of Ointment, should so diffuse and distribute it. 3. By this is set out, the lively savourinesse of his graces; they savour not only as Ointment closed up, but as Ointment diffused. In a word, there is nothing in Christ (for whatever is in him, is comprehended under his Name) but the unfolding of it will be more refreshful, and abundant in spiritual delights, than if men would break and open many Boxes of costly Ointments, and pour them all out on others.