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

The second thing commended, is the beams of the house; The house is of a larger extent than the bed: It signifies the Church, wherein Christ dwells with his Bride; The beams of it, are the Ordinances, Word, Sacraments, promises of the Covenant, &c. whereby the house is both compacted together, and sustained; there being no living with Christ, nor fellowship with him, without these. The commendation is, that it's of Cedar. 1. Cedar was a durable wood. 2. Excellent and precious. Chap. 3. 10. 3. It was typical of Christ, and therefore used in the ceremonial services: So this commendation holds forth the excellent nature of the ordinances, and promises, being of great worth, precious, and perpetual in their use to the Church, while upon earth: But it doth especially hold forth the eternal excellency and worth, and the durable power and strength of Christ, the main cornerstone of this building, Eph. 2. 20, 22.

The second thing commended, is the beams of the house; The house is of a larger extent than the bed: It signifies the Church, wherein Christ dwels with his Bride; The beames of it, are the Ordinances, Word, Sacraments, promises of the Covenant, &c. whereby the house is both compacted together, and sustained; there being no living with Christ, nor fellowship with him, without these. The commendation is, that it's of Cedar. 1. Cedar was a durable wood. 2. Excellent and precious. Chap. 3. 10. 3. It was typical of Christ, and therefore used in the ceremonial services: So this commendation holds forth the excellent nature of the ordinances, and promises, being of great worth, precious, and perpetual in their use to the Church, while upon earth: But it doth especially hold forth the eternal excellency and worth, and the durable power and strength of Christ, the main cornerstone of this building, Eph. 2. 20, 22.

The third word is, rafters: It's on the margin, galleries, and so we take it, being rendered so, Chap. 7. 5. The word signifies to run alongst: and the scope here, is to show what pleasant walks there are with Christ; or, how pleasant a thing it is to walk with him, as to dwell with him, and lye, or bed with him,. So to walk with him, must needs be pleasant: And this Metaphor (with the rest) is here made use of, it being ordinary in this Song, under such expressions, to hold forth the love, fellowship, that is betwixt Christ and his Church: Now these galleries are said to be of Fir, or Cypress, a durable wood. This word is not else-where in Scripture, but the scope shows, it's some fine thing, and points out the unspeakable satisfaction, and pleasure which is to be had in a life of walking with him.