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

The nature of her sufferings is expressed thus, They made me keeper of the Vineyards. That this implies suffering, and no trust put on her, the scope and her complaint makes it clear: Beside, that it's given as the evidence of the hatred and malice of these persecutors. This general expression then, being compared with other Scriptures, will import these ingredients in her suffering, which occasioned her blackness. 1. That her suffering was heavy and painful; for it was a great drudgery, to be put to keep the Vineyards; to be made keeper, was to watch both night and day, and so no wonder she was scorched, Matth. 20. 11. The bearing burdens in the Vineyard, in the heat of the day, is spoken of as the greatest weight, and heaviest piece of their work. 2 That her suffering was reproachful; for, the keeping of the Vineyards: was a base and contemptible service, therefore it's said, Jer. 52. 16. that the poor, who were not taken notice of, were left to dress the Vines; and it's a promise, Isai. 61. 5. that his people should have freedom from that drudgery, and ⟨p. 82⟩strangers should be employed in it, for them. 3. That her sufferings occasioned sad distractions to her in the worship and service of God; for, in Scripture sometimes, Vine-dressing is opposed to the worshipping of God, as a distracting, diverting exercise, which is very afflicting to God's people: Therefore when they have a promise of more immediate access to God's worship, it's said, they shall be liberate from such diverting employments, Isai. 61. 5. and 6. and in stead of these, they shall get another task, to wit, to be Priests to the Lord, and Ministers of our God, as if these exercises were somewhat inconsistent together; and so she opposeth her own proper duty to this, in the next words: In a word, these malignant brethren procured her pain, shame, and distraction from the service of God, as much as they could, and in a great part prevailed.

The nature of her sufferings is expressed thus, They made me keeper of the Vineyards. That this implyes suffering, and no trust put on her, the scope and her complaint makes it clear: Beside, that it's given as the evidence of the hatred and malice of these persecuters. This general expression then, being compared with other Scriptures, will import these ingredients in her suffering, which occasioned her blacknesse. 1. That her suffering was heavy and painful; for it was a great drudgery, to be put to keep the Vineyards; to be made keeper, was to watch both night and day, and so no wonder she was scorched,