2. The excellency of this Song is expressed in this, that it's A Song of Songs, A most excellent Song, this being the manner how the Hebrews express their superlatives. While it is called A Song of Songs, it's compared with, and preferred to, all other Songs: And we conceive the comparison is not only betwixt this and humane Songs; But, 1. It's compared with, and preferred to, all these which Solomon wrote, and it's preferable to all these 1005 mentioned, 1 King. 4. 32. 2. It's compared with all other Scriptural Songs, such as is recorded, Exod. 15. and Judg. 5. &c. Of all which, this is the most excellent, as being, 1. Purposely intended to treat of the most choice and excellent subject, to wit, Christ and his Church; which is not done upon particular occasions, as in other Songs, but is the great purpose that is only designed and pursued. 2. It treats of Christ and his Church, in their most glorious, lively, and lovely actions, to wit, his care of, and his love unto, his Church, and that in it's most eminent degree; and also, of her love to him, in it's various measures and workings. 3. It's in a most excellent manner composed, by way of conference and sweet Colloquies betwixt these two parties, having in it many excellent expressions, and variety of them, well interwoven with sundry cases of several sorts, to make the whole draught the more taking and excellent. 4. It's set forth in a most lovely, excellent, majestic stile and strain, which exceedingly ravishes and captivates affections, making the love contained in it, sweetly savour and relish through the beautiful garment of borrowed expressions, which is put upon it. 5. It's a most excellent Song, in respect of it's comprehensiveness; here is an armoury and store-house of Songs in this one, where there is something treasured up for every case, that may be edifying and comfortable, which will not be so found in any other Song; there being something here suiting all sorts of Believers, under all the variety of cases and dispensations, wherewith they are exercised; and also, all the relations under which ⟨p. 45⟩the Church standeth: All which, should commend this Song unto us.
2. The excellencie of this Song is exprest in this, that it's A Song of Songs, A most excellent Song, this being the manner how the Hebrews expresse their superlatives. While it is called A Song of Songs, it's compared with, and preferred to, all other Songs: And we conceive the comparison is not only betwixt this and humane Songs; But, 1. It's compared with, and preferred to, all these which Solomon wrot, and it's preferable to all these 1005 mentioned, 1 King. 4. 32. 2. It's compared with all other Scriptural Songs, such as is recorded, Exod. 15. and Iudg. 5. &c. Of all which, this is the most excellent, as being, 1. Purposly intended to treat of the most choise and excellent subject, to wit, Christ and his Church; which is not done upon particular occasions, as in other Songs, but is the great purpose that is only designed and pursued. 2. It treats of Christ and his Church, in their most glorious, lively, and lovely actions, to wit, his care of, and his love unto, his Church, and that in it's most eminent degree; and also, of her love to him, in it's various measures and workings. 3. It's in a most excellent manner composed, by way of conference and sweet Colloques betwixt these two parties, having in it many excellent expressions, and variety of them, well interwoven with sundry cases of several sorts, to make the whole draught the more taking and excellent. 4. It's set forth in a most lovely, excellent, majestick stile and strain, which exceedingly ravishes and captivats affections, making the love contained in it, sweetly savour and relish through the beautifull garment of borrowed expressions, which is put upon it. 5. It's a most excellent Song, in respect of it's comprehensivenesse; here is an armory and store-house of Songs in this one, where there is something treasured up for every case, that may be edifying and comfortable, which will not be so found in any other Song; there being something here suiting all sorts of Believers, under all the variety of cases and dispensations, wherewith they are exercised; and also, all the relations under which ⟨p. 45⟩the Church standeth: All which, should commend this Song unto us.
