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

First, We look on them as distinct from mothers children, mentioned in the following verse, as a party different from the Daughters ⟨p. 76⟩here spoken to; and so they are not to be accounted amongst the profane embittered heart-enemies of Godliness, who yet live in the Church: They are not the worst then of them that are in the visible Church. 2. We take them also as distinguished from the Virgins and upright, who loved and delighted in Christ in the former vers. For, chap. 5. 8, 9. and 6. 1. we will find them very ignorant of Christ, although they have some affection. In a word, we take them to include two sorts of Professors: 1. Such as are weak and scarcely formed, yet are docile, and respective to outward Ordinances, and Godliness in the practice of it: So their respect to the Bride, and the question propounded by them, chap. 5. 9. doth clear. 2. They comprehend such as are formed Believers, really honest, and who have some sound beginnings, yet mixed with much weakness, ignorance and infirmity, and so not come up the length of grown Christians; such who need milk, and cannot endure strong meat; so their question and undertaking, chap. 6. 1. doth evidence; they were Daughters, while yet they were really very ignorant of Christ, and were ready to provoke him before he pleased, (as the often repeated charge the Bride gives them throughout this Song imports) and they were Daughters still, even after they were something better taught and engaged. We find, 1 Joh. 2. 13. the Apostle speaks of three sorts, 1. Fathers, that are grown Believers, rich in experience, such we esteem to be understood by the Bride in this Song. 2. Young-men, who are strong, well-advanced Believers, such were the Virgins and upright here made mention of. A 3. sort are styled little Children, that is, some who (as it were) are yet on the Breasts, and that in knowledge, practice, or experience, had not come to a consistence, or to have their senses exercised to know good or evil, as it is, Heb. 5. 14. such we account these Daughters of Jerusalem, and so may comprehend under them Professors, who stand not in the way of their own edification, though they be weak.

First, We look on them as distinct from mothers children, mentioned in the following verse, as a party different from the Daughters