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

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.

The words do contain the proof of a believers sincerity and reality in the Covenant of God, made out by two things put together, 1. By laying down distinctly the nature and terms of the Covenant, vers. 11. 2. By comparing her self exactly and impartially therewith, vers. 12. The general doctrine of the Covenant, vers. 11. runs on three heads; The first looks to the sum and end of all, that Christ had a Church or Vineyard, committed or given