Exposition of Song of Solomon, Chapter 2 · Verse 6
Verſ. 6.
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth imbrace me.
In the laſt Verſe we had the Churches diſeaſe deſcribed, here we have the remedy. Shee called out to the Miniſters of Chriſt to help her in the former verſe, but it appears here that it is onelyonly Chriſt that can apply cure: Indeed they be inſtruments, and no more, for Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but it is God that can give increaſe, 1 Cor. 3. 6. It is Chriſt himſelfe that is able to ſupport his Church by his divine power. Hence it is the Church addeth to her former Speech, ſaying, His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth imbrace me. So that though ſhee had called unto others for help, yet here ſhe confeſſeth that all the efficacie is from Chriſt himſelfe, declaring, that he doth ſtay her up with both his hands.
In theſe words, obſerve, The Churches declaration of Chriſts exceeding louelove towards her: and this love of Chriſt appeareth in one generall act of favour, namely, his ſweet embracing her, which embracements muſt needs argue love and favour.
In Chriſts embracements of his Church, wee have two particulars.
Firſt, in his left hand conveighed under her head.
Secondly, in his right hand, amiably embracing her.
His left hand, &c.
Some underſtand it, prayer-wiſe, Let it be under my head: and then the Church prayeth unto Chriſt, for ſupply of ſtrength and ſuſtentation, and that he would comfort her heart by his word and Spirit, as a loving Husband doth his wife in her ſorrow and ſickneſſe, for ſo the Apoſtle tels us, That Chriſt nouriſheth his Church, Epheſ. 5. 29. Seeing theſe things are ſpirituall, what may be meant by the left and right hand? for the reſolution of this myſtery, wee cannot bring in that of Chriſts right and left hand, ſpoken of in Matth. 25. becauſe the left hand is turned to the wicked: but both hands here doe uphold the Church. Some underſtand by the left hand of Chriſt his man-hood, and by his right hand, his God-head. But I underſtand it here of whole Chriſt embracing of her, with both hands as it were, both his God head and man-hood, his life, death, reſurrection, and aſcenſion, even all that is Chriſts, is imployed for the good and comfort of his people.
The forme of ſpeech may alſo ſeeme to allude to their feaſts, when they lay on the ground, ſo that if any fainted, they put one hand under them to lift them up, and gave them ſome comfortable potion with the other. In like manner, Chriſt doth not leave his Church in her ſorrow and ſickneſſe, but imbraceth her with his owne hands, in the manifeſtation of all love, and mercy, and keepeth her ſafe from evill. Now if wee take the words for a narration, then the comfort of Chriſts goodneſſe and mercy is ſet forth in the refreſhing his people by his word and ſpirit. But if wee take them prayer-wiſe, Let him embrace me, &c. then they hold forth the faith and thankfulneſſe of the Church, becauſe ſhee ſeeth Chriſt preſent, adminiſtring comfort to her, even in a fainting condition.
Hence Obſerve, Firſt,
That it is in Chriſts power alone to ſupport and comfort his Church, by the miniſtry of his Spirit.
It is not in Paul that planteth, nor in Apollo that waters, but in Chriſt, that giveth the increaſe, 1 Cor. 3. 6. therefore though ſhe had called to others for help, yet here ſhe acknowledgeth all the efficacie to be from Chriſt, he doth ſtay her up with both his hands, when ſhe is ready to faint.
Secondly, note.
That it is a marveilous comfortable thing unto the Church, to ſee Chriſt preſentewith her, by his ſpirituall power and grace.
His left hand is under my head, as a Pillow for me to be refreſhed on, when by reaſon of ſinne the whole heart is faint, and the head is ſick, then Chriſt doth comfort the poore afflicted conſciences, in the forgiveneſſe of ſinnes, by the applying his owne righteouſneſſe, and the conſolations of the ſpirit: So that the Saints can ſay with David, when my fleſh and heart faileth, God is the Rocke of my heart for ever.