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

First, by kisses, we understand most lovely, friendly, familiar and sensible manifestations of his love; kisses of the mouth are so amongst friends, so it was betwixt Jonathan and David, and so it is especially betwixt Husband and Wife.

First, by kisses, we understand most lovely, friendly, familiar and sensible manifestations of his love; kisses of the mouth are so amongst friends, so it was betwixt Ionathan and David, and so it is especially betwixt Husband and Wife.

Next, there are several delightsome circumstances, that heighten the Brides esteem of this, the so much desired expression of his love. The 1. is implied, in the person who is to kiss, it's Him, Let him kiss, He who is the most excellent and singular ⟨p. 57⟩person in the world. The 2. is hinted in the party whom he is to kiss, it's me, Let him kiss me, a contemptible despicable creature; for so she was in her self, as appears from vers. 5, 6. yet this is the person, this love is to be vented on. 3. Wherewith is he to kiss? It's with the kisses of his mouth; which we conceive is not only added as an Hebraism, like that expression, The words of his mouth, and such like phrases, but also to affect her self, by expressing fully what she breathed after, to wit, kisses, or love, which are the more lovely to her, that they come from his mouth, as having a sweetness in it (Chap. 5. 16.) above any thing in the world. That Christ's love hath such a sweetness in it, the reason subjoined will clear, for thy love is, &c. That which is here kisses, is immediately denominat loves; It is his love that she prized, and whereof kisses were but evidences.

Next, there are several delightsome circumstances, that heighten the Brides esteem of this, the so much desired expression of his love. The 1. is implyed, in the person who is to kisse, it's Him, Let him kisse, He who is the most excellent and singular ⟨p. 57⟩person in the world. The 2. is hinted in the party whom he is to kisse, it's me, Let him kisse me, a contemptible despicable creature; for so she was in her self, as appears from vers. 5, 6. yet this is the person, this love is to be vented on. 3. Wherewith is he to kisse? It's with the kisses of his mouth; which we conceive is not only added as an Hebraism, like that expression, The words of his mouth, and such like phrases, but also to affect her self, by expressing fully what she breathed after, to wit, kisses, or love, which are the more lovely to her, that they come from his mouth, as having a sweetnesse in it (Chap. 5. 16.) above any thing in the world. That Christ's love hath such a sweetnesse in it, the reason subjoyned will clear, for thy love is, &c. That which is here kisses, is immediatly denominat loves; It is his love that she prized, and whereof kisses were but evidences.