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

Vers. 3. The watch-men that go about the City, found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

This verse contains the third step of the Brides carriage, being now abroad; the watch-men found her, and she inquires for her beloved at them: and her success in this may be gathered from what follows, she doth not upon recourse to them immediately find him, but is put to go a little further. In the words, there is, 1. An opportunity or mean for finding Christ, met with. 2. Her improving of it. 3. The success which is implied, as is said.

This verse contains the third step of the Brides carriage, being now abroad; the watch-men found her, and she inquires for her beloved at them: and her successe in this may be gathered from what follows, she doth not upon recourse to them immediatly find him, but is put to go a little further. In the words, there is, 1. An opportunity or mean for finding Christ, met with. 2. Her improving of it. 3. The successe which is implyed, as is said.

The mean holds forth these three things, 1. What the Church is; It's a City, wherein there is order, and a common-fellowship, as hath been said, vers. 2. 2. The Ministers office is here implied, this City hath watch-men; so are Ministers called, Ezek. 3. 17. Isa. 62. 6. Heb. 13. 17. Which word imports, 1. That the Church is a City in danger, having outward and inward enemies, and therefore needing watch-men. 2. That there is an office of a Ministry appointed in the Church for guarding against and preventing her danger; and that some are peculiarly designed, and separate from others for that purpose; some who may be called watch-men, which others cannot be said to be; and so they are here distinguished from believers or private persons. 3. This office is most necessary, burdensome, and of great concernment to the safety of the Church, as watch-men are to a city; for so watch they over the souls of the people committed to their trust.