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

The petition is, Draw me, a word used in the Gospel, to set forth the efficacious work of the Spirit of God upon the heart, engaging the soul in a most sweet, powerful and effectual way to Jesus Christ: None can come to me (saith Christ) except the Father draw him, Joh. 6. 44. It is used here, to set forth the Brides desire to be brought into fellowship with Christ, by the power of this same Spirit, that as she desires a visit from Christ, so she desires his Spirit, that he may by his powerful operations draw her near to him. And although a Believer be not at a total distance with Christ, and so needs not renovation, as one in nature doth; yet considering what a Believer may fall into, a deadness of frame, as to the lively exercise of grace, and a great distance, as to any sensible sweet communion with Jesus Christ, and that it must be by the power of that same Spirit (without which even these that are in Christ can do nothing) that they must be recovered, and again brought to taste of the joy of his salvation (as is clear from David's prayer, Psal. 51. 10. to have a clean heart created in him, &c. See vers. 12. of that Psalm.) And that there are degrees of communion with him, and nearness to him, none of which can be win at without the Spirit's drawing, more then being made near at the first in respect of state: I say, all these things being considered, it's clear, that this petition is very pertinent, even to the Bride, and doth import these particulars: 1. A distance, or ceasing of correspondence for a time, and in part, betwixt Christ and her. 2. Her sense and resentment of it, so that she cannot quietly rest in it, being much unsatisfied with her present case. 3. An esteem of Christ and union with him, and a desire to be near, even very near him; which is the scope of her petition, to be drawn unto him, that she may have (as it were) her head in his bosom. 4. A sense of self-insufficiency, and that she had nothing of her own to help her to this nearness, and so a denying of all ability for that in her self. 5. A general faith, that Christ can do what she cannot do, and that there is help to be gotten from him (upon whom the help of his people is laid) for acting spiritual life, and recovering her to a condition of nearness with himself. 6.

The petition is, Draw me, a word used in the Gospel, to set forth the efficacious work of the Spirit of God upon the heart, ingaging the soul in a most sweet, powerful and effectual way to Jesus Christ: None can come to me (saith Christ) except the Father draw him,