Section 565
III. She is also said to be perfumed with myrrh and frank incense, with all powders of the merchant
1st, She is said to be "perfumed with myrrh;" which may be understood, either of Christ himself, who is as "a bundle of myrrh" unto his people, exceeding grateful, to them; and which renders them acceptable to God, being held in the hand, or carried in the bosom of faith: or else, of his death, which, though like myrrh, exceeding bitter to himself, yet is of a sweet-smelling savor to his Father, and a delightful perfume to believers: or else, of his righteousness; which is that garment of Christ's, which, whether considered as in himself, or as put upon his people, smells of myrrh, aloes, and cassia;" and with which they being clothed, "their smell is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed."
2dly, She is said to be also perfumed, with frankincense;" by which may be meant the mediation and intercession of Christ, which is that much incense, with which Christ offers up the prayers of all saints to his Father; and with which their persons and their prayers being perfumed, they meet with acceptance with God, which otherwise would be a stink in his nostrils (see Revelation 8:3, 4; Psalm 141:2).
3dly, She is said to be perfumed, or to be possessed with all powders of the merchant." Christ is this merchant-man; the graces of the Spirit are those powders which Christ, as mediator, is full of; all which are sweet and savory, rich and costly; "the merchandise of them is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold." Some read this last part of the words thus[3687] "which is above or more excellent than all powders of the merchant, druggist or apothecary;[3688] for no spice in the merchant's warehouse, no precious drug or aromatic powder in the apothecary's shop, is to be compared with those graces of the Spirit, which Christ bestows upon his own people.