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

4. Any Scripture is to be accounted Allegorical, when the literal sense agreeth not with other Scriptures, and is not repugnant to the analogy of Faith, or rules of right manners: As, when we are commanded to heap coals of fire upon the head of our enemy. Now, it were against the command of not avenging our selves, if literally and properly understood: It must therefore signify some other thing.

4. Any Scripture is to be accounted Allegorical, when the literal sense agreeth not with other Scriptures, and is not repugnant to the analogie of Faith, or rules of right manners: As, when we are commanded to heap coals of fire upon the head of our enemie. Now, it were against the command of not avenging our selves, if literally and properly understood: It must therefore signifie some other thing.

5. When a literal sense answereth not the present scope of the speaker, and the speaker would be thought impertinent, if his words were properly taken, then it would seem necessary to expound it as an Allegory; So Matth. 3. 10. when John is pressing repentance, he saith, The axe is laid to the root of the tree, &c. And that Parable of Christ's, Luk. 13. 7. speaking of the husbandman that spared his tree three years. If these places were only properly understood, they would not enforce repentance, which is aimed at; they must therefore be expounded, as having something more in them, of a deeper reach, which may conduce to that scope.

5. When a literal sense answereth not the present scope of the speaker, and the speaker would be thought impertinent, if his words were properly taken, then it would seem necessary to expound it as an Allegory; So Matth. 3. 10. when Iohn is pressing repentance, he saith, The axe is laid to the root of the tree, &c. And that Parable of Christ's,