Section 792
I. The title and appellation given her by Christ, is, "Thou that dwellest in the gardens"
Or, "O thou in habitress of the gardens!" Where by the gardens, must be understood particular congregated churches, as has been observed on chapter 6:2, of which the church universal is made up, and wherein it may be said to dwell; the Jewish[4317] writers interpret them of the schools and congregations where the law was taught. Now her dwelling in those gardens is expressive, 1. Of the work she is employed about there; she does not dwell there idle; there is work for her to do, which is the reason of her dwelling there; and that is, to plant, water, prune and dress the gardens, which she does by her ministers: her business here also is to attend upon the ministry of the word, and all other ordinances of the gospel, where she frequently meets with her beloved; for "he feeds in the gardens, and gathers lilies." 2. It denotes her diligence, constancy, and assiduity, in attendance on public ordinances: she not only attended now and then, but always; she dwelt in the gardens; and like the first Christians, "continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers," (Acts 2:42). 3. It shows the delight she took in being there, seeing she had taken up her dwelling there: "the tabernacles of God were amiable to her; a day in his courts was better than a thousand elsewhere: this was the one thing she desired of the Lord," (Psalm 27:4), and what, with a great deal of application she sought for; namely, to "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of her life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple;" because, with the disciples, she judged it was good for her to be there; where she enjoyed the presence of Christ, had the assistance of his Spirit, and the discoveries of his love. 4. It also appears evident from hence, that she made an open profession of Christ; she did not creep into those gardens now and then, as it were by stealth, but she dwelt in them; she was not like Nicodemus, who came to Christ by night; nor those other Jews, who believed in him, but were afraid to confess him, for fear-of being put out of the synagogue; nor like many in our days, who will not enter into church communion, because of being exposed to the reproach of the world; "though with the mouth confession should be made unto salvation, as well as with the heart man should believe unto righteousness," (Romans 10:10), for as the one is necessary for the comfort of the believer, the other is as necessary for the glory of Christ. 5. Her dwelling here expresses her steadfast adherence to the profession she had made, as well as her constant attendance on gospel-ordinances; she was not as many who "forsake the assembling of themselves together;" but cleaved unto the Lord and to his churches with full purpose of heart, having an affectionate concern for them all; and in this respect she dwelt in them: it may be said of her on some accounts, as the apostle said of himself (2 Corinthians 11:28), that "the care of all the churches was upon him;" as appears from chapter 7:12 and 8:8.
Moreover, from Christ's giving her this title, may be observed, 1. That her dwelling in the gardens, was what he approved of, and was well pleasing to him; it is his will that saints should incorporate into churches, and those who are converted, give themselves up to them and continue with them; as appears from his blessing of them, when they are there, with greater measures of grace, light and knowledge, larger supplies of his Spirit, and sweet enjoyments of his presence, 2. That this is a title of honor, and is expressive of what dignity she was advanced unto; and indeed it is no small honor which saints have, to "have a name and a place in God's house, which is better than sons and daughters:" David thought so when he envied the very sparrow and swallow, which had made their nests, as he says, "even near thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God!" and then adds, blessed are they that dwell in thine house, they will be still praising thee (Psalm 84:3, 4), their work, their employ-merit, as well as their place, is honorable and glorious. 3. That it was for her profit, as well as for her honor, to dwell here for these gardens are stored with all manner of precious fruits and above all, there stands in the midst of them the apple-tree, Christ Jesus, which is richly laden with a variety of excellent fruit, mentioned chapter 2:3, under the shadow of which the church frequently sits with great delight, and plucks and eats, and the fruit thereof is sweet unto her taste. 4. That she should always continue and abide there; he does not say, "thou that didst dwell, or shalt dwell in the gardens;" but "thou that dwellest," denoting her continued abode there: there is no fear of her being turned out of these gardens, as Adam was out of his Eden, "so he drove out the man," (Genesis 3:24), nor are there any cherubim, nor a "flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life;" but all free and open, and nothing terrifying and menacing: it is true, every plant which Christ's heavenly father has not planted, shall be rooted up; all those who are in churches only by a mere visible profession without the truth of grace, shall be turned out, with a "Friend, how earnest thou in hither?" but as for all true believers, they shall continue and abide, until they are transplanted into the heavenly paradise above;