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

Again, these watch-men, are in the exercise of their duty, They went about the city; Which shows their diligence according to their trust; at least, it holds forth the end wherefore they are appointed. Obs. There is but one City or Church, and all Ministers are watch-men of that one Church, given for the edification of that body; and they should watch, not only for this or that Post (to say so) but for the safety of the whole, as watchmen that stand at their post, for the good of the whole City.

Again, these watch-men, are in the exercise of their duty, They went about the city; Which shews their diligence according to their trust; at least, it holds forth the end wherefore they are appointed. Obs. There is but one City or Church, and all Ministers are watch-men of that one Church, given for the edification of that body; and they should watch, not only for this or that Post (to say so) but for the safety of the whole, as watchmen that stand at their post, for the good of the whole City.

3. These watch-men found her, that is, (as we conceive) by their doctrine they spoke to her condition, and by their searching and particular application, made the two-edged sword of the Word reach her; as if they had discernably pointed her out, beyond all the rest of the Congregation: Which shows, 1. The efficacy of the word when rightly managed, Heb. 4. 12. It's a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2. That God can make it find out one in the midst of many others, when the Minister knows not; and can make it speak to a believers case, or any other particular persons condition, as if he did know and aim at them particularly. 3. That Ministers should be searching, and differencing in their doctrine, as the several conditions, and various exercises of hearers require: that is, they ought to put difference betwixt the precious and the vile, and rightly to divide ⟨p. 161⟩the word of truth or to lay every ones portion to them so as it be not given in gross, or heaped together to all, but to every one their own allowance. In sum then, that which she says, is this, When I had gone abroad, (saith she) in heaviness to hear (if so I might meet with Christ in public) God made some watch-men speak to my condition particularly, as if one had acquainted them with it.