A brief exposition of the whole book of Canticles, or Song of Solomon lively…

I have washed my feet:] Not with the laver of regeneration, for that would have been no impediment, but a furtherance to the pure worship of God; but she had washed her feet, she had freed and cleansed her conversation from defilements of secular affairs: she had taken up a devout regard of virginity, or hermitish or monkish solitary retiredness; she being cleansed and washed in these devices, cannot betake herself to worship the Lord in his simple ordinances, and in the ways of her calling, without some defilement: Thus marriage and worldly business (though both allowed by God, yet) seem a defilement, in comparison of more strict superstitious devotion.

I haue washed my feet:] Not with the laver of regeneration, for that would have beene no impediment, but a furtherance to the pure worship of God; but shee had washed her feet, shee had freed and cleansed her conversation from defilements of secular affaires: shee had taken up a devout regard of virginitie, or hermitish or monkish solitary retiredness; shee being cleansed and washed in these devices, cannot betake herselfe to worship the Lord in his simple ordinances, and in the waies of her calling, without some defilement: Thus marriage and worldly businesse (though both allowed by God, yet) seeme a defilement, in comparison of more strict superstitious devotion.

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,¹ and my bowels were moved for him.

1. 1Verse 4.

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door;] Or, My beloved put down his hand by the hole of the door.] Either of which imply, that Christ did at first use means for himself to open the door, when she would not; attempting to remove the impediments which hinder him from enjoying his spouse: First, put his