Section 750
V. All this plenty and variety of pleasant fruits which were just at hand, the church declares were all laid up for Christ
"Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved:" respect may be had to a custom with lovers, to lay up fruits for those they love; at least such a custom may be compared with this.[4240] Christ had bestowed a large store and great plenty of fruit upon the church, which she had carefully reserved for him; she laid it up in her heart; she bore it in remembrance, which this phrase is sometimes expressive of: thus it is said (Luke 1:66), that all that heard of the surprising circumstances which attended the birth of John the Baptist, "laid them up in their hearts," that is, bore them in remembrance; so should we lay up the word of God, and the doctrines of it in our minds, and not forget them: thus David said (Psalm 119:11), he did "Thy word," says he, "have I hid or laid up," it is the same word that is here used, "in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee:" so likewise should we treasure up in our minds all the instances of God's grace and favor to us, and record the several experiences of his loving kindness; not as a stock to live upon, but to be brought out at proper times, to magnify the grace of Christ and to advance his glory; "for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things." Now this appears to be a very great attainment and. a mighty instance of grace in the church, to have a stock of promises and experiences, and yet not live upon them herself, but upon Christ the author and donor of them; to lay them up for his service, and lay them out for his honor and glory: and her adding this endearing character, "O my beloved," shows not only the strength of her affection to him, but may also serve to assure him of the truth of what she said; as well as be an inducement to him to comply with her request, which she passionately renews in the beginning of the next chapter.