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

Having thus summed up her carriage in the former threefold commendation, now he proceeds both to describe and commend her, by a seven-fold comparison, wherein (to say so) the rhetoric of our Lords love abounds: Each of them may point out these three things, 1. They describe somewhat the nature of a believer, or Christ's Bride. 2. They evidence Christ's love and care, which he hath toward her. 3. They hold forth her duty in reference to her self. We shall shortly explain them, as they relate to this scope.

Having thus summed up her carriage in the former threefold commendation, now he proceeds both to describe and commend her, by a seven-fold comparison, wherein (to say so) the rhetorick of our Lords love abounds: Each of them may point out these three things, 1. They describe somewhat the nature of a believer, or Christ's Bride. 2. They evidence Christ's love and care, which he hath toward her. 3. They hold forth her duty in reference to her self. We shall shortly explain them, as they relate to this scope.

In this 12. verse, we have three of these comparisons, whereby she is described and commended. 1. She is compared to a garden enclosed: A garden is a plot of ground, separate from other places, for delight and recreation of the owner, having many flowers in it, and much pains taken on it: So believers are, 1. Set a-part by God beside all others in the world, and much pains is taken on them; The trees in Christ's garden are digged about and dunged, Luk. 13. 8. 2. They are his delight, being separate from others for his own use, with whom he dwells, in whom he takes pleasure, and amongst whom he feeds, Chap. 6. 2. 3. They are furnished with many excellent graces, fruits of the Spirit, which are planted in them as flowers in a garden, Gal. 5. 21. Next, this garden is enclosed: It's a special property of gardens to be so; To be enclosed, is by a wall or hedge to be fenced from the trampling and eating-up of beasts, and also from the hazard of winds: So,