II. The latter part of the text
II. The latter part of the text
"Thou, O Solomon must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof, two hundred," manifestly appears to be the words of, the church allotting proper portions: First, To the owner of the vineyard, Solomon. Secondly, To the keepers of it, the ministers.
First, She allots to "Solomon a thousand," that is, a thousand pieces of silver, as in the former verse: where is to be considered,
1st, Who is meant by Solomon; by whom, no doubt, the Messiah is intended; as is acknowledged by R. Ahen Ezra,[4309] and other Jewish[4310] writers though Maimonides[4311] says, that "wherever the name of Solomon is mentioned in the Song of Songs, it is holy, and is as the rest of the names, except that, a thousand unto thee, O Solomon:" to which some[4312] add also, chapter 3:7, but that Christ, and not Solomon, is here intended, is most agreeable to the nature and design of this song.
2dly, The church's manner of addressing him, "Thou, O Solomon," shows that she was now in his presence, had much nearness to him, and used much freedom and familiarity with him, as she was by him allowed to do.
3dly, The allotment which she makes to him, is, "a thousand;" which, 1. Is the sum agreed upon in the former verse for the church is willing that Christ should have all that he demands or desires; she would have no abatement made, but would have him have his whole due, and full revenue of glory from his people. 2. It is a far greater share than what is assigned to the keepers; and good reason there is it should be so; for he is the head and master of them, as well as the owner of the vineyard; he is "all and in all, and God over all, blessed for ever;" his is the vineyard, and all the fruit thereof; he has a right unto it, and takes the chief care and oversight of it; so that "neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but Christ, who gives the increase;" and therefore should have all the glory. 3. This shows the fruitfulness of this vineyard, that it yields so large a profit both to the owner and keepers of it.
Secondly, The share allotted to the keepers, is, "two hundred;" from whence may be observed.
1st, That the ministers of the gospel shall have their reward; every one that labors in the vineyard shall have his penny; and every man, as the apostle says (1 Corinthians 3:8), "shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor; whether he be employed in watering or in planting."
2dly, That their having their reward, is no lessening of Christ's; for he has his whole thousand, though they have their two hundred; nay, Christ comes at a considerable part of his revenue, through their having theirs; for "he that receiveth you," says he, (Matthew 10:40), "receiveth me;" where ministers are valued and honored, Christ also is.
3dly, As one[4313] well observes, where Christ gets his due among a people, there and there only do ministers get their due; where Christ is heartily received, the feet of them that "bring glad tidings" will be beautiful; where Christ has his thousand, ministers will have their "two hundred;" but if Christ comes short of his due, no wonder that ministers should of theirs: but what is this two hundred, which is due to the keepers? Why, 1. An honorable maintenance for themselves and their families; for "the laborer is worthy of his reward," which is his due according to God's ordination: hence the apostle (14), establishing the truth of this, from several instances in nature, from the reasonableness of things, as well as from proofs out of the law of God, adds, "even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel;" but this is but the least part of their "two hundred." 2. Honor and esteem among the people, to whom they minister, is another part thereof; for (1 Timothy 5:17, 18), the elders that rule well, "are to be counted worthy of double honor;" by which the apostle means, first an honorable maintenance, as is manifest from his following words; and then, that duty and respect which are due to them from their people, who ought to "esteem them very highly in love," not for their persons, but "for their works sake." 3. The conversion Of sinners is another part of this two hundred; and indeed, godly and faithful ministers think that they have a very large share of their reward, when their labors are succeeded this way; for, "what is our hope," says the apostle (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20), "or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming? for ye are our glory and JOY:" and as the conversion of sinners, so the comfort and edification of saints; their steadfast adherence to, and continuance in the doctrines of the gospel, are likewise a great satisfaction to them; "for now we live," says the same apostle (1 Thessalonians 3:8), "if ye stand fast in the Lord." 4. Eternal glory is the complement of it; they will have their full two hundred in heaven, how math short so ever they come of it; here; where, instead of it, poverty, disrespect and reproach frequently attend them: then "they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever," (Daniel 12:3), who when they have "fought the good fight of faith," (2 Timothy 4:8), they shall receive "the crown of righteousness," which is laid up for them, and shall be given, not only to them, "but unto all them also that love Christ's appearing."