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

Having illustrate her answer, in the 4. place she applies it, ver. 6. Look not on me (saith she) because I am black, seeing I am comely as well as black; look not on me only as such, and think it not strange that I am so: Looking here, implieth indignation and disdain. And so, Look not, is here to be taken, 1. As being a caveat against indignation or disdain: Look not, &c. that is, disdain me not, as if nothing desirable were in me; for, sin often waiting on the affliction of God's people, obscures the beauty of grace, and makes them to be disdained and undervalued in the world. 2. This Look not, is a caution to dissuade them from gazing, or curious wondering at any cross that was on her, or sin that was in her: It should not be the object of their curiosity, much less of their delight, or contentment to see it so, Obad. 12. It's condemned in Edom, Thou should not have looked upon the day of thy brother. Next, while she saith, Look not upon me because I am black, she doth not dissuade them from looking on her blackness simply, but from looking only on it, that should not be the alone ground of their search into her condition, but they should take notice of what good was in her, as well as what was wrong: So then, her blackness, should not be the only cause of their looking on her, it should not be their work to ask after her crosses and infirmities, and no more; this she suppons may affright and terrify them; And so it's implied here, that on-lookers often pore more on Believers infirmities, than on their graces; and this is the fruit which follows, they procure a stumbling and fall to themselves.

Having illustrate her answer, in the 4. place she applyes it, ver. 6. Look not on me (saith she) because I am black, seing I am comely as well as black; look not on me only as such, and think it not strange that I am so: Looking here, implyeth indignation and disdain. And so, Look not, is here to be taken, 1. As being a caveat agaist indignation or disdain: Look not, &c. that is, disdain me not, as if nothing desirable were in me; for, sin often waiting on the affliction of God's people, obscures the beauty of grace, and makes them to be disdained and undervalued in the world. 2. This Look not, is a caution to disswade them from gazing, or curious wondering at any crosse that was on her, or sin that was in her: It should not be the object of their curiosity, much lesse of their delight, or contentment to see it so, Obad. 12