Section 783
I. It will be proper to consider what is meant by this vineyard
Which I think is to be understood of the church of Christ; the Israelitish nation, and the church of God therein, sometimes bears this name (see Psalm 80:8, 9, 14, 15; Isaiah 5:1, 7), and it is very usual with Christ to express the New Testament church-state by the same metaphor (see Matthew 20:1, 21:33), which was thus prophesied of by Isaiah, chapter 27:2. "In that day, sing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine." Now the church of Christ may be compared to a vineyard, for these following reasons: 1. A vineyard is a spot of ground, separated and distinguished from others; so is the church of Christ from the rest of the world, by electing, redeeming, and efficacious grace; believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation; and being, so, are a peculiar people; they are fenced about with sovereign grace, whereby they are made to differ from others. 2. A vineyard is a spot of ground set with plants of various sorts, and especially vines: it is manifest, from chapter 1:14 and 7:12, that it was usual to set other plants in vineyards besides vines; for which see also Luke 13:16. In the vineyard, the church, stands in the first place Christ, the true and most noble vine; and next to him true believers, who are there planted by him, engrafted on him, and grow up in him: now these are of various sorts, of different growths and fruitfulness; some are larger and more fruitful than others; but are all "the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified:" but besides these, there are some who are only externally planted here, and grow up only in a mere outward profession; who are not planted by Christ's heavenly Father, and therefore shall be rooted up; because, instead of bringing forth right fruit, they bring forth wild grapes. 3. Vineyards are valuable to the owners of them; one part of their wealth and riches consisting therein: the church of Christ is highly esteemed of by him, it being his inheritance, his portion, and wherein great part of his riches, as mediator, lies; his Father gave it to him, and he values it upon that account; as Naboth did his vineyard, because it was "the inheritance of his fathers," and therefore would not part with it to Ahab upon any consideration whatever: moreover, Christ's esteem for his vineyard, the church, is farther manifest from the great price he gave for it, which was his own blood, as also from the exceeding great care he takes of it. 4. A vineyard is a very fruitful spot; so is the church of Christ and all believers, who are "filled with the fruits of righteousness by Jesus Christ:" who is " the true vine," on whom they are engrafted; and "the green fir-tree," from whom their fruit is found: all that are "planted in the house of the Lord," being watered by divine grace, "flourish in the courts of our God," and bring forth fruit, whereby he is glorified. 5. Vineyards are delightful and pleasant; thus among the several methods which Solomon took co gratify and indulge himself in pleasure, this was one; he "planted himself vineyards," (Ecclesiastes 2:4). The church is a delightful vineyard to Christ, where he delights to walk, and observe how his several plants grow and thrive; for this purpose he often goes down into it, as in chapter 6:11, and the church, knowing how much pleasure he takes therein, invites him to it, in chapter 7:12. 6. Vineyards are not only delightful, but also profitable; there is much fruit produced by them, to the advantage of the owners thereof: so Christ has much fruit from his vineyard, as appears from this and the following verse; which makes for the advancement of his honor and glory in the world; for as all their fruit comes by him, and from him, so all the glory redounds unto him; and "his glory is great" in every branch of their salvation. 7. Vineyards are exposed to beasts of prey, which often break in and do much damage to them: the church of Christ is not only exposed to the "boar out of the wood," the openly profane world, which often makes great havoc of it, by its oppressions and persecutions; but also to those foxes, false teachers, heretics, who cunningly bring in their pernicious doctrines, to the great annoyance and disturbance of the peace, comfort, and faith of God's people; hence it is said, in chapter 2:15 "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes." 8. A great deal of care must be used in promoting the fruitfulness of vineyards; the vines must be watered, pruned, and propped up, as well as the stones gathered out, and a fence set about them (see Isaiah 5:2). Christ does all this and much more to his vineyard; he waters it every moment with his grace, prunes and lops off the unfruitful branches, supports the weak and tender vines with his Almighty power; gathers out all things that offend, and fences it about with divine favors; in short, acts the whole faithful part of a vine-dresser to it.