The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Verse 8
Verſ. 8. All thy Garments ſmell of Myrrhe, and Aloes, and Caſſia: Out of the Ivory palaces: whereby they have made thee Glad.
The Kings and Prieſts under the Law, were not only anoynted with bare Oil, but with an excellent pretious oyntment conſiſting of ſeveral ingredients, Myrrhe, Caſſia, &c. the fragrancy and ſmell whereof, did exceedingly refreſh the ſpirits and ſenſes: hereby Chriſt and his graces are ſhaddowed forth. All thy Garments ſmell of Myrrhe, &c.
Two things are here to be opened.
1. What is meant by Garments.
2. What by Myrrhe, Aloes, and Caſſia.
This Pſalm being moſtly carried on in an Allegorie, we ſhould not be too peremptory and confident in the Application of each word or phraſe: for probably, ſome words may admit of another interpretation. I ſhall pitch on that which I conceive to be ſafe, and tending to edification.
1. By Garments here, may be meant the ſpiritual gratious influences of Chriſt the Bridegroom, in his Word and Ordinances: though it is true, the Garments of Chriſt elſewhere do ſignify his glorious righteouſneſs, wherewith the Saints are clothed.
2. For theſe ſpices, Myrrhe, Aloes, and Caſſia: and 1. for Myrrhe: It is the Gumme of a Tree, bitter in taſte, but in ſmell ſweet and odoriferous, and preſervative from putrifaction, and therefore it was put in the pretious oyntment of the high Prieſt, who typified Chriſt, Exod. 30.23. With Myrrhe and Aloes, the dead Body of our Saviour was embalmed, John 19.39. and this was one of thoſe gifts which the wiſe-men offered unto him, Matth. 2.11. ſee Cant. 1.13. Cant. 5.13.
(2) Aloes is a ſweet wood, with which perfumes were alſo made, Prov. 7.17. It was counted one of the Chiefeſt Spices, Cant. 4.14. herewith alſo Nicodemus perfumed the body of Chriſt, Joh. 19.39. but it is ſomewhat dubious and uncertain which is the right Aloes at this day.
(3) Caſſia we find mentioned, Exod. 30.24, 25, 26, &c. This was alſo put into the holy Oile, wherewith the Tabernacle, the Arke of the Teſtimony, the Altar of Incenſe, the Table, Candle-ſticks and the veſſels thereof, were anoynted: We read of Caſſia alſo, Ezek. 27.19. many take it for a kind of Cinamon; But Caſſia and Cinamon are two ſeveral ſpices, as appears, in Exod. 30.23, 24. Ainſworth thinks it to be the Barke of that ſweet ſhrub Caſſia, mentioned by Pliny in his natural Hiſtory, lib. 12. cap. 20.
Obſerv. 1 Now the Garments of Chriſt are ſaid to ſmell of theſe ſweet Spices: As the rich Garments of a Prince ſend forth an odoriferous fragrant ſmell, which perfumeth his attendants, and the rooms wherein he walks; So the Garments of Chriſt, (i. e.) his ſpiritual Breathings, and influences in his Ordinances, do ſpiritually perſume his attendants; The Holy Ghoſt condeſcends to us, in illuſtrating ſpiritually things by temporal.ſo that they ſend forth a ſweet Savour, and the ſmell of their oyntments is much better then all ſpices, yea, it is like the ſmell of Lebanon, Cant. 4.10, 11, 13, 14. Hoſ. 14.5, 6, 7.
We may note in the firſt place,
That the Holy Ghoſt (in illuſtrating ſpiritual and Heavenly delights, by Temporal and Earthly things,) doth gratiouſly condeſcend to our weak capacities.
Obſerv. 2 We cannot as yet comprehend ſpiritual excellencies in their native Original beauty and glory.Christs ſpiritual preſence, is incomparably ſweeter then the ſwe etest of Creatures. If I have told you earthly things (ſaith our Saviour,) and ye believe not; how ſhall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things, Joh. 3.12.
Secondly, that Christs ſpiritual preſence, or the ſmell of his Garments in his Ordinances, is incomparably ſweeter & more excellent, then the ſweetest perfumes, and moſt odoriferous ſpices.
The oyntments of Chriſt, have a moſt excellent reliſh to a ſpiritual appetite: His name (being opened by the Spirit of God) is as a Box of ſweet oyntment powred forth, Cant. 1.3. his ſpiritual preſence cauſeth the ſpouſe to ſmell a ſweet Savour, and to abound in Spiritual fruits: when he blows upon his Garden, then ſhall the Spices thereof flow out, Cant. 4.13, 14, 15, 16. Cant. 5.5.
Mary anoynted Chriſts feet with ſweet oyntments, Matth. 26.7. But he anoynted her Soul with ſweeter perſumes; The moſt ſweet and pretious things in the World, are not worthy to be compared with the ſpiritual perfumes and odors of Chriſt, which glad and refreſh the heart and Spirits, and preſerve the inward man from corruption and putrifaction, Cant. 3.6.
Thoſe delights and ſweetneſſes which are in the Creatures, are but dark ſhaddows and reſemblances of that ſpiritual fragrancy and delightſomeneſs which is in Chriſt, Cant. 5.10, 11, 12, &c.
Uſe. 1 Firſt therefore, when you taſte and reliſh the ſweetneſs of the Creature, and ſmell thoſe ſpices, fruits, and flowers, which are moſt odoriferous and fragrant; O then! Let your Souls ſpiritually contemplate, and feed upon the ſweet and pretious preſence and perfumes of Chriſt: If there be ſo much ſweetneſs in theſe outward and periſhing things, what is there (O my Soul) in that ſpiritual Communion that we have with Chriſt? (Tis now the faſhion for men, yea men that will ſpeak much of Chriſt) to powder their hair, and perfume their bodies and clothes with ſweet odors: but alas, they are but rotten painted ſepulchres, if their hearts be not purified by faith, Acts 15.9. and their Souls perfumed with the ſpiritual preſence and oyntments of Chriſt.
Uſe. 2 Secondly. Be you exhorted chiefly to mind and eye the ſpiritual preſence and operations of Chriſt the King and Bridegroom in his Ordinances; that you may ſmell the Savour of his ſweet Garments and oyntments; While the King ſits at his Table, our ſpikenard ſends forth the ſmell thereof, Cant. 1.12. Cant. 7.13. Miniſters are but the friends of the Bridegroom, Joh. 3.29. the Word and Ordinances are but external means and inſtruments, which cannot of themſelves bring off the heart to God. Let us therefore hear what the Lord ſpeaks, 1 Sam. 3.10. Act. 10.33. let us minde the voice of the Bridegroom, and endeavour to have our ſenſes ſpiritually exerciſed, Heb. 5.14. that we may hear, ſee, ſmell, touch, taſte, and feel the precious garments and ointments of Chriſt, i.e. his ſpiritual influences in his ordinances; and be able to ſay experimentally with the Apostle, that we have heard, and ſeen, and handled the Word of life, 1 Joh. 1.1. I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight, (ſaith the Spouſe) and his fruit was ſweet unto my taſte, Cant. 2.3.
Obſerv. 3 Again, [All thy garments ſmell of, &c.] Obſerve further, They that are nearest Chriſt, are most refreſhed by him.That they who are neareſt to Christ, are most perfumed with his ſpiritual oyntments, graces, influences, and conſolations; as thoſe are moſt perfumed, that come neareſt the Bridegroom.
The moſt holy, ſpiritual, cloſe-walking Chriſtians, are moſt refreſhed and comforted by Chriſt, the ſpiritual Bridegroom. Some are more intimate with them then others, (though both may be faithful in the main:) there are ſome believers that are more dandled upon his knee, and have more frequent viſits and kiſſes from him, leaning on his boſom with the beloved diſciple, Joh. 21.20. and with the Spouſe, (as ſhe is deſcribed, Cant. 8.5.) lodging all night between his brests, Cant. 1.13. eating of the hidden manna, and having the white ſtone, with a new name written upon it, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it, Rev. 2.17. Though all the children in the family have the ſame filial relation to their father, yet one childe may be more familiar and better acquainted with him then another.
Ʋſe 1 Endeavour therefore (O my ſoul) after a cloſer and nearer communion with thy ſpiritual husband, to be kiſſed more with the kiſſes of his mouth, whoſe love is better then wine, Cant. 1.2. Content not thy ſelf to be at a diſtance from him: let there be no ſtrangeneſs on thy part: the bolder and more familiar thou art, the more welcome thou wilt be to him. Draw not back, (O my ſoul) but preſs nearer to Chriſt, and thou ſhalt have more intimate embraces from him.
Uſe. 2 Let ſuch as are God's nigh ones, his darlings, whom he hath often taken into his wine-cellar, & refreſhed with his flagons, Cant. 2.4. be exhorted, in a ſpecial high manner, to reverence and ſanctifie the Name of the Lord, and to behave themſelvs before him as the Kings ſpecial favourites ought to do. The Lord is holy, and will be ſanctified in them that draw near to him, Lev. 10.3. and ſuch as draw near in faith, and with a true …eart, will ſanctifie him, Heb. 10.22. Let us flee from whatſoever may hinder our intimate converſe with Chriſt, and abhor the garment ſpotted with the fleſh, Jud. 23. They that ſmell of this garment, cannot ſmell the ſweet garments of Chriſt, 1 Joh. 1.6, 7. He feedeth among the lilies, Cant. 2.16. (i. e.) among thoſe that are pure, holy, and watchful. Such are the Saints, who are as lilies among thorns, Cant. 2.2. The pleaſures of ſin will be bitter to them who have taſted how ſweet Chriſt is. Let us proceed further:
[All thy garments ſmell, &c. out of the ivory palaces] Or, our of the palaces of elephants tooth: for, the royal palaces of kings were ſometimes made of ivory or tooth, 2 King. 22.39. Cant. 7.4.
The Spirit of God here may allude either to thoſe edifice… or palaces out of which uſually the King came; or to thoſe ivory coffers or wardrobes in which the Kings garments were kept, and out of which they were taken.
Theſe palaces are interpreted by ſome to be the glorious manſions of heaven: but I rather cloſe with them who apply the ſame to the aſſemblies of the Saints in their militan… eſtate here. The Pſalmiſt ſaith that his ſoul longed, yea even fainted for the courts of the Lord, &c. Pſal. 84.2, 10. Some tranſlate the word, For the palaces of the Lord.
We may hence learn this leſſon:
Obſerv. 4 That though Chriſt hath reſerved the perfect glorious manifeſtation of himſelf for the Church triumphant, Chriſt manifeſts himſelf graciouſly in the aſſemblies of his Saintsyet even in this lif… he reveals himſelf graciouſly and ſweetly to or in the Churches … aſſemblies of his people.
He ſtandeth behinde our wall, looking forth at the window, ſhewing himſelf through the lattice, Cant. 2.9. His going out in the Sanctuary, as they are dreadful and terrible to the wicked, Pſal. 68.35. ſo they are ſweet and comfortable to the godly. Here he feedeth, and maketh his flock to reſt at noon Cant. 1.7, 8. here he diſplayeth the banner of his love, Cant. 2.4. Here we ſee his countenance, which is comely; and hear his voice, which is ſweet. In a word, here he ſheweth himſelf and unveileth the glory of his grace to a ſpiritual eye, as ou… of glorious and ſtately palaces.
The Reaſons are theſe:The Reaſons of this doctrine.
Reaſ. 1 Firſt, Becauſe the aſſemblies of the Saints (I ſpeak of a… the Saints that are at this day under various diſpenſations are taken into fellowſhip with God himſelf: they are th… temple, 1 Cor. 6.19. and habitation of God, Eph. 2.19, 2…. his ſanctuary, wherein he dwells, Exod. 25.8. the golden candleſticks, in the midſt whereof he walks, Rev. 1.13, 20.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, One Saint is of more worth and value with God, then all the world beſides, much more, a great number of Saints being gathered into one, Eph. 1.10. Of theſe the world is not worthy, Heb. 11.38. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, thou city of God. The Lord loveth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Jacob, Pſal. 87.2, 3. And therefore David choſe rather to be a door-keeper in the houſe of his God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedneſs, Pſal. 84.10.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, In the aſſemblies of the Saints, the Lord is truly worſhipped and acknowledged, and nowhere elſe. Were it not for the Saints, God would have no true ſpiritual worſhip in the world: for the whole world lieth in wickedneſs, 1 Joh. ….19. and worſhip they know not what, as Chriſt ſaid to the woman of Samaria, Joh. 4.22.
Reaſ. 4 Fourthly, Here is the beauty of holineſs, Pſal. 29.2. Pſal. 16.9. Pſal. 110.3. not in regard of outward ſituation, tim…er, ſtone, and external glory, Joh. 4.20, 21. no, there was more of that under the Old-Teſtament adminiſtration, then here is now: but in regard of that ſpiritual beauty and glory which Chriſt hath put upon his Saints, Ordinances, and Worſhip. No marvel, therefore, if here he ſend forth the …ell of his ſweet ointments and garments, as a Prince doth in …is ſtately and glorious palace.
Ʋſe. If it be ſo, Then let us deſire and affect the acquaintance and communion of the Lords people, 1 Joh. 1.3. yea, of thoſe …aints that are moſt ſpiritual, & have ſmell'd moſt of Chriſts …arments; that we may with them ſee the ſpiritual outgoings …f God in his ivory palaces. And O that the Saints were …ore ſpiritual in their converſe one with another; that the …eature might be nothing, and God might be all; that ſelf …d fleſh might be abafed, and the Spirit of the Lord exalted. …ow amiable are thy tabernacles, O God! Pſal. 84.1. Many …at on outward Palaces, and the Garments and Courts of …inces: by ſmelling much of theſe, they loſe in a great meaſure the ſweet ſmell of Chriſts garments: the outward courts …d glories of the world, choke their delights in the inward …urt and glory of Chriſt. O let us watch and take heed this hour of temptation, which is come to try us, that we …e not the ſweet ſmell of Chriſts garments: let us be watch…, and ſtrengthen the things that remain, which are ready to …, Rev. 3.2.
Obſerv. 5 Again, [Whereby they have made thee glad:] or thus More then they that make thee glad.The Bridegroom ſmels ſweeter then the friends of the Bridegroom.
Hence learn,
That though the garments of the Saints (who are Chriſts fellows) ſmell ſweet, and have a good ſavour, (the Spouſe being perfumed with Myrrhe, and Frankincenſe, and with all powders of the Merchant, Cant. 3.6. and the ſmell of her ointments being better then the ſmell of all ſpices, Cant. 4.10.) yet the garments of Chriſt are incomparably more ſweet and odo… ferous, Cant. 1.3.
The Bridegroom is to be preferred far before the friend of the Bridegroom, Joh. 3.29, 31. Chriſt carries the banne above ten thouſand, Cant. 5.10, 16. having offered up himſelf for us to God a Sacrifice of a ſweet ſmelling ſavour Eph. 5.2.
Again, [More then they that have made thee joyful.] This is ſpoken of Chriſt's joy. And therefore obſerve,
Obſerv. 6 That it glads the heart of Chriſt the head, It rejoyceth Chriſt when his people are comforted.when his member are ſpiritually refreſhed and comforted with the ſweet ſmell his garments in his ordinances. All his delights are … them; yea, he rejoyceth over them with ſinging, Cant. 7.6. Pſal. 16.3. Zeph. 3.17. Their joy is his joy, and their fulneſs … his fulneſs. The joy of Chriſt myſtical will not be full and compleat, till the joy of the Saints be perfected, Eph. 1.13. As the loving husband delights to ſee his wife, and the father to ſee his childe proſper, and walk chearfully: ſo do… Chriſt, &c.
Uſe. This Doctrine may encourage the Saints, (if not for th… own ſakes, yet) for Chriſts ſake, (that his joy may be full to caſt away their ſad, drooping, and melancholy thought… and to walk joyfully before the Lord. A chearful ſpirit an… converſation, is a great ornament to the profeſſion of th… Goſpel; and the contrary is a great diſparagement the… unto. As the Saints by their afflictions fill up the ſuffering Col. 1.24. ſo by their ſpiritual rejoycings they fill up the … of Chriſt. Rejoyce therefore (O ye Saints) in the Lord and I ſay again, Rejoyce, Phil. 3.3. Phil. 4.4. 1 Theſſ. 5.16. Make a joyful noiſe to the Lord; ſerve him with glad… and come before his preſence with ſinging, Pſal. 100.1, for it is comely for the Saints ſo to do, Pſal. 31.1. Pſ…. 147.1.