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

First, If the Doctrines be suitable to the scope, and matter contained in this Song, then they are sure and solid, and weight is to be laid upon them: But the Doctrines concerning Christ's love to, and care of, his Church, and concerning her exercising of faith, repentance, &c. are suitable to the scope, and agreeable to the matter of it. Or thus, If the scope and matter of this Song, do agree with the Gospel (I call the Gospel what in the New Testament is more fully holden forth and more clearly) in the scope and matter of it; Then must the Doctrines which arise from it, be the same with these that rise from the Gospel: but the first is true, as is formerly cleared, therefore must this last be so also. And what is the scope of the Gospel, but to set forth Christ's love to his Church? to show her duty, &c. and is not that same the scope here also? Only what is preceptively, or doctrinally delivered there, is here as it were acted in a sort of Comedy, and compiled in a Song, but still for the same end.

First, If the Doctrines be suitabe to the scope, and matter contained in this Song, then they are sure and solid, and weight is to be laid upon them: But the Doctrines concerning Christ's love to, and care of, his Church, and concerning her exercising of faith, repentance, &c. are suitable to the scope, and agreeable to the matter of it. Or thus, If the scope and matter of this Song, do agree with the Gospel (I call the Gospel what in the New Testament is more fully holden forth and more clearly) in the scope and matter of it; Then must the Doctrines which arise from it, be the same with these that rise from the Gospel: but the first is true, as is formerly cleared, therefore must this last be so also. And what is the scope of the Gospel, but to set forth Christ's love to his Church? to shew her duty, &c. and is not that same the scope here also? Only what is preceptively, or doctrinally delivered there, is here as it were acted in a sort of Comedy, and compiled in a Song, but still for the same end.

2. If the same Allegories in other places of Scripture, will bear solid Doctrines concerning Christ, his covenant, faith, &c. even such as are in plain Scriptures; then must this Song do the like, seeing it is the word of God, tending to the same scope with these. But it's clear,