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

3. Therefore we say, It was with Solomon here, as with other Prophets, (as Isaiah, and others) who spake many of the ⟨p. 36⟩Gospel-truths, which in particular they might not so fully know, as we do now, when these Prophecies are fulfilled; yet was it never doubted, but the most deep mysteries of the Gospel, were contained in their Prophecies.

Yet, 4. We say there is no ground to think, but Solomon knew much of the mind of the Spirit in this Song, yea, more than many Learned Men now a-days. For, 1. He was not only a Believer, but one eminent for gifts and knowledge; and none will say but he was so for divine knowledge, as well as humane; as his Books, particularly, Prov. 4. 8, 9. Chapters, in his description of Christ, the substantial wisdom of the Father, &c. do show: And can it be thought, he wrote this Book, without any sense of what he wrote? 2. Can it be thought, but he levelled what he wrote here at a scope? and that afterward himself made use of it, for his edification and comfort? which could not be done, if he had not understood the most of these Gospel-mysteries, upon which all this sweet conference betwixt Christ and Believers, is founded. 3. His writing in such terms shows, that the words were not ignorantly fallen upon; but he, having knowledge of all Herbs, Spices, &c. and how to apply them to spiritual things, pitched upon these as the most pertinent similitudes, which are therefore by the special wisdom of the Spirit, made use of in this Song, as in other his Writings; yea, certainly his knowledge, how spiritual mysteries are couched up in these similitudes, and represented by them, was beyond what we can reach unto now; and therefore we dare not insist, or be peremptory in the particular application of these similitudes. 4. The subject of this Song not being Prophetical, but Narrative and Doctrinal, containing such exercises, as might be, and certainly were found in Believers, even then, and such dispensations as they used to meet with, will any say he was a stranger unto them, seeing there was access to know these much better, then Prophesies of things which were to come? Yea, 5. Is there any thing here, but what in other Scriptures of the Old Testament (and especially Songs and Psalms) is to be found, where the cases and exercises of Gods people are set down? And it needs not be thought strange, if we equal him in knowledge with others of his time, or before him;