Section 602
III. I shall now take notice of the things with which Christ's heart was ravished
1. "With one of the church's eyes:" the eye is an attractive of love;[3810] and therefore it is said in Proverbs 6:25. "Neither let her take thee with her eye-lids." By the eye, with which Christ was so taken, may be meant, the eye of faith; by which a soul looks on him, and loves him; beholds his fullness, and wishes for an interest in him; and looks to him, and expects from him alone life and salvation: He says, it was with one of her eyes; which shews that a believer has more eyes than one; and therefore we read of "the eyes of their understanding," Ephesians 1:18, but it was with this eye of faith, by which she looked to him, and believed on him, that his heart was so ravished; and that but with one look from it, or glance of it, as both Junius and Ainsworth read it; nay, though but a very glimmering one; for faith, even in its lowest degree, is exceeding precious to Christ Jesus; which shews how easily and quickly a conquest is gained over Christ's heart by faith; his heart must needs be full of love to believers, since it is ravished and overcome even with a single glimmering look from faith's eye; and if so, how" much will his heart be ravished, when we shall see him "face to face, just as he is;" take a full view of him, look at him, and feed our eyes for ever upon the unutterable glories of his person! 2. "With one chain of her neck:" the neck is a beautiful part of the body, and being agreeably adorned, is exceeding enamoring: the Vulgate Latin version is, "with one lock of hair of thy neck." so Aquila; which hung down in it, and looked very beautiful, and with which lovers are sometimes taken.[3811] By the neck, we may also understand faith, as we have observed on verse 4. it being neither unusual nor improper to represent one and the same thing under different metaphors: and by the chain, may be meant the graces of the Spirit, which, being linked and chained, do inseparably go together; and being put about this neck of faith, makes it look very beautiful: every grace is as a golden link or precious pearl in Christ's esteem; who having, beautified his people with them, takes the utmost delight in viewing them; and whilst he is observing how beautifully they are adorned therewith, his heart is ravished with them.