Clavis cantici, or, An exposition of the Song of Solomon

We come now to expound the words more particularly: And first, we conceive it is out of doubt, that they are mystically and spiritually to be understood, That is, by Solomon, Christ is meant, and by the Vineyard, the Church, &c. for, so the strain and nature of the Allegory throughout this Song, and the manner of speaking all along doth require; And there being but one Solomon that is spoken of in this Song, his having of a Vineyard must be understood as his making of a Chariot, Chap. 3. 9, 10. which being paved with love, could not be a piece of work framed by Davids son: We are not therefore, curiously to enquire here, what place this is, called Baal-hammon: Or, whether Solomon had such vineyards or not, let out at such a rent? these things make not to the scope.

Again, that they are the Brides words, is clear not only from the scope and matter thereof, but also from these things, 1. She not only speaks of Christ (by the name of Solomon) in the third person, vers. 11. but to him, Thou, O Solomon, &c. in the second person, vers. 12. It cannot therefore be the Bridegroom that here speaks, but the Bride, as personating a believer. 2. She is differenced from strangers and hypocrites, in this, that she hath fruit to give him, and hath that proposed to her self for her end: and she is differenced from the keepers of the vineyard, the Ministers, vers. 12. they get from her two hundred; It must therefore be the Bride, as personating a believer, who was speaking in the former verse, and continueth here in speaking. 3. The expressions, vers. 12. where she applieth to her self what she had in the general asserted, vers. 11. agree well to her, as the opening of them will clear.

Again, that they are the Brides words, is clear not only from the scope and matter thereof, but also from these things, 1. She not only speaks of Christ (by the name of Solomon) in the third person, vers. 11. but to him, Thou, O Solomon, &c. in the second person, vers. 12. It cannot therefore be the Bridegroom that here speaks, but the Bride, as personating a believer. 2. She is differenced from strangers and hypocrites, in this, that she hath fruit to give him, and hath that proposed to her self for her end: and she is differenced from the keepers of the vineyard, the Ministers, vers. 12. they get from her two hundred; It must therefore be the Bride, as personating a believer, who was speaking in the former verse, and continueth here in speaking. 3. The expressions, vers. 12. where she applyeth to her self what she had in the general asserted, vers. 11. agree well to her, as the opening of them will clear.