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

Vers. 4. Thy neck is as a tower of Ivory; thine eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Beth-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus.

Vers. 4. Thy neck is as a tower of Ivory; thine eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Beth-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebaanon, which looketh toward Damascus.

In the fourth verse, three more of the Brides parts (which make the sixth, seventh and eighth) are commended. The sixth is the neck: It was spoken of, chap. 4. 4. neither doth the commendation differ much: There, it was said to be like the tower of David, here it is as a tower of Ivory, that is, both comely and precious, being made of the Elephants teeth, a tower whereof, must be very precious; and by this we conceive, the great defensive efficacy of faith is set forth, which is still a tower, yet comparable to many, it's so excellent and sure; they dwell safely who are believers, because they dwell in God, and in his son, Jesus Christ. And so we may here observe, 1. Faith is a precious defence; for, Christ is a precious hiding-place, and faith must be precious, because Christ is precious: Hence it is not only precious as Ivory, but much more precious than Gold, 1 Pet. 1. 7. 2. Faith is a sure defence, and is the believers tower, whereto he betakes himself when he hath to do. 3. It is lovely and pleasant to Christ, when believers by faith betake themselves to him; He will never quarrel with them for it, seeing he so commends it. 4. There is no safe tower to any of the world, but what the believer hath; for, he, and he only, hath a tower of Ivory to make use of: Christ is the only rock and sure foundation, and it's only believers that build their house upon him.

In the fourth verse, three more of the Brides parts (which make the sixth, seventh and eighth) are commended. The sixth is the neck: It was spoken of, chap. 4. 4. neither doth the commendation differ much: There, it was said to be like the tower of David, here it is as a tower of Ivory, that is, both comely and precious, being made of the Elephants teeth, a tower whereof, must be very precious; and by this we conceive, the great defensive efficacy of faith is set forth, which is still a tower, yet comparable to many, it's so excellent and sure; they dwell safely who are believers, because they dwell in God, and in his son, Jesus Christ. And so we may here observe, 1. Faith is a precious defence; for, Christ is a precious hiding-place, and faith must be precious, because Christ is precious: Hence it is not only precious as Ivory, but much more precious than Gold,