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

2. By garden, is understood the believer, called a garden, vers. 12. and an orchard, vers. 13. because the believer doth abound in diverse graces, as a garden doth in many flowers. And she calls it my garden, as he calleth the plants her plants, that were planted there, vers. 13. and as she called the vineyard hers, Chap. 1. 6. and 8. 12. which also is his, vers. 11. as also this garden is called his in the following words, Chap. 6. 1. It's his by propriety, as the heritor and purchaser; as also, all these graces in her are hers, as being the servant that hath the over-sight of them, and who hath gotten them as talents to trade with for the Masters use. All that we have, viz. a soul, gifts, graces, &c. are given to us as talents, which we are to dress for bringing fo•th fruit to the owner, as the following words do clear.

2. By garden, is understood the believer, called a garden, vers. 12. and an orchard, vers. 13. because the believer doth abound in diverse graces, as a garden doth in many flowers. And she calls it my garden, as he calleth the plants her plants, that were planted there, vers. 13. and as she called the vineyard hers, Chap. 1. 6. and 8. 12. which also is his, vers. 11. as also this garden is called his in the following words, Chap. 6. 1. It's his by propriety, as the heritor and puchaser; as also, all these graces in her are hers, as being the servant that hath the over-sight of them, and who hath gotten them as talents to trade with for the Masters use. All that we have, viz. a soul, gifts, graces, &c. are given to us as talents, which we are to d•esse for bringing fo•th fruit to the owner, as the following words do clear.

3. The actings and workings of the Spirit, are held forth in three words, which are as so many branches of her petition. The first is, awake. This word is often used by God's people in dealing with him, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord, &c. Isa. 51. 9. It is not as if the Spirit were at any time sleeping, but she desires that by some effects, sensible to her, he would let it be known he is stirring. The second word, come, is to the same purpose: the Spirit considered in himself, cannot be said to come or go, being every where present; But this is to be understood, in respect of the effects of his presence, and so he is said to come and go: Thus while she saith, come, the meaning is, Let me find some sign of thy presence, quickening and stirring my graces. The last word is, blow upon my garden: Blowing holds forth the operation, whereby the Spirit produceth his effects in believers; It's not the Spirit himself, nor the fruits of the Spirit that are in believers, that are here understood, but the operation of the Spirit, whereby he influenceth, or (if we may so speak) infuseth them (as God breathed in Adam the breath of life) and whereby he stirs, excites and quickens them for acting. The prayer then, is directed to the Spirit (as,