Section 469
II. Her neck is said to "be comely with chains of gold"
The word gold is not in the Hebrew text, but supplied by our translators, and the word Charuzim, which is only found in this place, is generally interpreted by the Jewish doctors, chains of gold, or jewels and precious stones[3388] bored through and hung in a string, to be wore about the neck. A pearl necklace was in use with great personages; so the eldest daughter of Priamus had collo monile baccatum,[3389] a pearl necklace, which AEneas made a present of to Dido; and such like was the chain of gold beset with amber, presented to Penelope by her suitors, which shone like the sun.[3390] And, 1st, I shall enquire what is meant by the church's neck. 2dly, What by those chains of gold, or precious stones, with which it is adorned and made comely.
1st, By her neck may be meant, either the grace of faith, by which the church cleaves to Christ the head, and exalts him; this is also accompanied with other graces, which are linked together as a chain, and is attended with good works: or else, by it is meant the ministers of the gospel,[3391] who, as the neck, are placed in the most eminent part of the body, the church, and are the means of conveying spiritual food from Christ the head, to the members thereof. But of this, see more on chapter 4:4.
2dly, By those chains of gold, with which the church's neck is beautified and adorned, may be meant, 1. The laws and ordinances of God; which the ministers of the gospel, and members of churches should be careful to observe; and are, as Solomon says, Proverbs 1:9 "an ornament of grace unto the head, and chains about the neck," of those who regard them. Or, 2. Those diversities of gifts which are bestowed on the ministers of Christ, by which they are made "able ministers of the New Testament; and so become useful to many, and appear comely and beautiful, both in the eyes of Christ, and of such souls to whom they minister." Or, 3. The various graces of the Spirit, with which, not only ministers, but all believers are adorned; for as sins and vices are so chained and linked together, that where there is one, there is all; so the graces of the Spirit are like chains of gold, which are so closely linked together, that they cannot be separated, but where there is one grace there is every grace, which very much beautify and adorn the believerers. This golden chain of grace which is put about the church's neck, consists of these ten links: the first is faith, that precious pearl and valuable jewel, which is alike precious in all saints, as to its nature and object; the fruit of electing love, the Father's gift, the Son's grace, and the Spirit's work. The second is hope, which is called,"good hope thro" grace;" this carries the soul cheerfully through all the difficulties of life, and makes not ashamed at death; it is both the Christian's anchor and his helmet; it is valuable in its nature, and useful in its actings. The third link in this golden chain is love, which is "the fulfilling of the law;" this is highly valued, by Christ, see chapter 4:10, and is of so great a price, that if a man "would give all the substance of his house for it, it would utterly be contemned," chapter 8:7. The fourth is humility; which is, in "the sight of God, of great price;" and the believer, being clothed with it, appears very beautiful and comely; it is a sparkling gem in this necklace. The fifth is patience, which is of exceeding use in the believer's life, much recommends his character and profession, and is greatly taken notice of by Christ (see Revelation 2:2, 3, 19). The sixth is self-denial, which is required of, and should be in exercise in all Christ's followers, but seldom appears in its luster and splendor, being frequently sullied by carnal and selfish principles and actions. The seventh is contentment in every state of life; this is an exceeding great rarity; few persons are possessed of this jewel; the apostle Paul had it, as appears from what he says. "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." The eighth is a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; this is eternal life itself, and is by believers preferred to all the things of this life; who, with the apostle, "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, their Lord." The ninth is long-suffering and forbearance, whereby saints are not easily provoked, and do readily forgive those who have offended them; this gives great grace, and is exceeding ornamental to the believers. The tenth, and last link in this golden chain is sincerity; this runs through all other graces, and makes them so glorious as they are; this was exceeding bright, and shone with a great deal of luster in Nathaniel, of whom Christ said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Or, 4. Those blessings of grace which are laid up in an everlasting covenant, come through the blood of Christ, and are communicated to all his people, may be meant by these chains; they go inseparably together; where a person is blessed with one, he is blessed with all; for though our interest in them may be gradually discovered to us, yet are we blessed at once, "with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Not one of these links can be broken; this golden chain of grace and salvation is excellently described by the apostle, when he says (Romans 8:30), "Whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified;" where we may observe, how all the blessings of grace are inseparably linked together; and which being put about the believer's neck, must needs make him look very beautiful and comely.