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

he hath the old stock, and the new increase, the talents that were given him, and five more gained by them. 4. These fruits are said to be at ⟨p. 415⟩our gates; This looks most simply to signify this, that it's pleasant to have such fruits at the doors, and it betokens a frequency or plenty, and great abundance of them, when not only in the Garden, but at the gates they so abound; so this abounding of grace in a believer, makes (to say so) Christ's entry savoury and pleasant, and shows, that all things are in a good readiness for him, as the last motive (that they are laid up for him, even while they are at the gates) doth show: In sum, all things (saith she) are in readiness, and for thee only my beloved; although not in perfection, yet in sincerity, provision is made for thy entertainment. Obs•. 1. There are many various kinds of graces in a believer; and when it's right with one, or when one of them is thriving, it's ordinarily so with all. 2. Grace hath it's growth, and should be increased by new additions, where it is begun; and when it goes well with the believer, there will be of these spiritual fruits, both new and old. 3. There is no keeping in good case of the old stock of grace, but by continuing and growing in fruitfulness; where the old is preserved, there will be found new also, otherwise, what seemed once to blossom, becomes almost withered. 4. These who are seriously desirous of Christ's company, should be making ready for him, by liveliness of all manner of graces, new and old; and they who aim at such a condition, may with some confidence expect his presence and company. 5. Believers who seriously, tenderly and humbly follow holiness, may attain a great length in it, as this expression of her case signifies: And therefore, the blame is only our own, that our attainments in grace are so small.

he hath the old stock, and the new increase, the talents that were given him, and five more gained by them. 4. These fruits are said to be at ⟨p. 415⟩our gates; This looks most simply to signifie this, that it's pleasant to have such fruits at the doors, and it betokens a frequency or plenty, and great abundance of them, when not only in the Garden, but at the gates they so abound; so this abounding of grace in a believer, makes (to say so) Christ's entry savoury and pleasant, and shews, that all things are in a good readinesse for him, as the last motive (that they are laid up for him, even while they are at the gates) doth shew: In sum, all things (saith she) are in readinesse, and for thee only my beloved; although not in perfection, yet in sincerity, provision is made for thy entertainment. Obs. 1. There are many various kinds of graces in a believer; and when it's right with one, or when one of them is thriving, it's ordinarily so with all. 2. Grace hath it's growth, and should be increased by new additions, where it is begun; and when it goes well with the believer, there will be of these spiritual fruits, both new and old. 3. There is no keeping in good case of the old stock of grace, but by continuing and growing in fruitfulnesse; where the old is preserved, there will be found new also, otherwise, what seemed once to blossome, becomes almost withered. 4. These who are seriously desirous of Christ's company, should be making ready for him, by livelinesse of all manner of graces, new and old; and they who aim at such a condition, may with some confidence expect his presence and company. 5. Believers who seriously, tenderly and humbly follow holinesse, may attain a great length in it, as this expression of her case signifies: And therefore, the blame is only our own, that our attainments in grace are so small.