John Trapp on Song of Solomon 8:12

Verſ. 12. My Vineyard which is mine, &c.] And therefore moſt dear unto mee:Seneca. for ownneſs makes love. Patriam quiſque amat: non quia pulchram, ſed quia ſuam. Every man loves his own things beſt. The Church is Chriſts own by a manifold right; by donation, conqueſt, purchaſe: not with ſilver and gold: but with the deareſt and warmeſt blood in all his heart, 1 Pet. 1.18. No wonder therefore though ſhee be alwaies before him; though hee look carefully to her that coſt him ſo dear; that hee truſt not others with her (as Solomon was forced to do) but whomſoever hee employs about her (for wee are labourers together with God, ſaith the Apoſtle, Yee are Gods husbandry, 1 Cor. 3.9.) himſelf is ever one: Ipſe adeſt & praeeſt, hee is preſent and preſident: Feed my ſheep, ſaid hee to Peter, but do it for mee, as the Syriack Tranſlatour (reſpecting the ſenſe) addes there, John 21.15. Take not unto thee the inſtruments of a fooliſh ſhepheard, Zech. 11.11. that is, forcipes & mulctram, (as an Ancient ſaith) like thoſe that are more intent, attonſioni gregis quam attentioni, fiſco quam Chriſto. Peter muſt not do any of this: much leſs muſt hee Lord it over Gods inheritance, as his pretended ſucceſſors do; with whoſe carcaſſes therefore Chriſt ſhall ſhortly dung his Vineyard, and water the roots of his vines with their blood: Hee muſt look to lip-feeding, and, when himſelf is converted, ſtrengthen his brethren: neither muſt hee intervert or take to himſelf any part of the fruits, as Solomons farmers did. Hee may not ſeek his own things, but the things of Jeſus Chriſt. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but, ſith it is God that gives the increaſe, let God reap all the glory: they ſhall alſo reap in due ſeaſon, if they faint not, if they grow not weary of well-doing, Gal. 6.9. See the Note on verſ. 11.