Song of Solomon 3

Song of Solomon 3:1

By night] Even night after night.

I fought] Sought and sought, instantly & earnestly, Jer. XXIX. 13. She longed, as David did, 1 Chr. XI. 17. Counts all but losse and dung in comparison of Christ, Hos. V. 15. Psal LXXVIII. 34. Esay LXIII. 15.

but I found him not] We are faultie: And yet withal too hasty; we antedate the promises; and are ready to complaine of Christs delay, though procured by our selves.

Song of Solomon 3:2

I will rise] An holy, and resolute determination.

now] Presently, without losing any opportunity; while the day and time of grace lasteth: Delays are dangerous, Hos. V. 6. Prov. I. 28. John VII. 34. & VIII. 21. And too many sluggishly use them, as Pro. VI. 10.

the citie] Jerusalem, where the Temple, Priests, and Ordinances were: Jesus was found there, Luke II. 46. Psal. CXXII. 4.

Song of Solomon 3:4

a little that I passed from them] From the Watchmen, the meanes, and Ordinances; that the finding might not be attributed to the excellency of the meanes; but unto God, 1 Cor. III. 6, 7. Rom. IX. 16.

I found him] Hos. VI. 3. Mark VII. 24, 25.

would not let him go] As, Gen. XXXII. 26. Job XIII. 15. Rom. VIII. 35.

Song of Solomon 3:6

Who is this] Chap. VIII. 5. There spoken concerning the Church. See the Observations there. And so possibly it may be spoken here. Or else spoken by the Church, concerning Christ; as the words following all along do seeme to imply; she continuing her high expressions, and continual ascensions in her affection to Christ.

The words following seeme to me to be straitened by Commentators, and tied to more particular senses and applications, then in their general meaning they need, or will well bear. The Church pleaseth under the Person and Parable of Solomon, and his glory, in his Bed; in his bed-chamber-warders, or Esquires of his body; in his Charet; in his Crowne in the day of his Espousals; and in their descriptions; to typifie, and magnifie the glorious state of Christ her Bridegroome, in all his braveries.

Christ here in a great part of this Chapter, amplifies the Praises, and the Graces of his Church, by elegant similies and ornaments of speech, not applicable to bodily, but to spiritual beauty. And proceeds to admonish and dehort her from unworthy societie and communion which he urgeth by fresh praises, and vowes of love. To which she makes a brief Reply, by desiring to be made fit for those Praises and future affections, by the work of his Spirit; and that he may come to enjoy them in her.