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

How then may we join in these? Ans. 1. We sing not our own sense, and experience only, but what may attain the end of praise, which is attained, in our acknowledging what others have reached, though we our selves come short. 2. Not only our own case, as particular members, is to be sung; but in public we take in the praises of the whole body. 3. That expression, Chap. 1. 6. Mine own Vineyard, &c. holds forth the sense she had of her negligence, not as if she had no way done her duty, but she confesseth her failings in it; which she sings to the praise of that free grace, that had pardoned her. Again, the other expression, Chap. 8. 12. My Vineyard which is mine, is before me, expresseth her sense of her sincerity, blessing God for it, and refreshing her self in the acknowledging of it: and both these may agree, as to some measure, in the Believers experience, at one and the same time; though, when the Believer sinneth more grossly, they do not so well agree to him, except in respect of different times and cases.

How then may we joyn in these? Ans. 1. We sing not our own sense, and experience only, but what may attain the end of praise, which is attained, in our acknowledging what others have reached, though we our selves come short. 2. Not only our own case, as particular members, is to be sung; but in publick we take in the praises of the whole body. 3. That expression, Chap. 1. 6. Mine own Vineyard, &c. holds forth the sense she had of her negligence, not as if she had no way done her duty, but she confesseth her failings in it; which she sings to the praise of that free grace, that had pardoned her. Again, the other expression, Chap. 8. 12. My Vineyard which is mine, is before me, expresseth her sense of her sincerity, blessing God for it, and refreshing her self in the acknowledging of it: and both these may agree, as to some measure, in the Believers experience, at one and the same time; though, when the Believer sinneth more grostely, they do not so well agree to him, except in respect of different times and cases.

In praising then, we would neither simply look to our frame, nor to the matter in it self, which is to be sung, nor to the cases we are in, as if these were the warrant of our singing, or the rule to regul•• s in it; but unto these three things. 1. The end wherefore singing is appointed. 2. The command. 3. The notion