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

The commendation follows, vers. 9, 10, in which the Bridegroom hath respect to two things, which afflicted her most in her condition. 1. That she was in hazard to be a prey to every sin, and to every enemy. 2. That she lay under many blots, and was ⟨p. 94⟩made black by her own miscarriages; Therefore the Lord, that he might comfort her against those, is brought-in speaking thus: Thou art neither so weak, nor so black and unbeautiful as the world thinks thee, and as thou esteems of thy self, my testimony of thee is better to be believed, than either the worlds, or thy own; and I assert thee to be stately and strong, beautiful and comely.

The commendation followes, vers. 9, 10, in which the Bridegroom hath respect to two things, which afflicted her most in her condition. 1. That she was in hazard to be a prey to every sin, and to every enemy. 2. That she lay under many blots, and was ⟨p. 94⟩made black by her own miscarriages; Therefore the Lord, that he might comfort her against those, is brought-in speaking thus: Thou art neither so weak, nor so black and unbeautiful as the world thinks thee, and as thou esteems of thy self, my testimony of thee is better to be believed, than either the worlds, or thy own; and I assert thee to be stately and strong, beautiful and comely.

First, Vers. 9. He sets out her stateliness, strength and courage, by a similitude taken from horses, are (saith he) Horses stately and strong? For so in Job is the horse described, Chap. 39. 19, 20, &c. and is not a Company of them much more stately, especially a company of Egyptian horses, which were the best in the World? 2 Chron. 1. 17. Isa. 31. 1. And if any in Egypt were beyond others, certainly Pharaoh the King had such in his own Chariots. Now (saith he) if these be lovely, strong and stately, then thou art so; For, I have compared thee to such: This expression, I have compared thee, bears out the confirmation of the assertion; for, it's not men that thinks thee so, but I who knows where true worth is, and who can be surety for my own assertion, I have said thou art as strong as these, I have likened thee to them, and made thee like them. This holds forth these things, 1. That there is an excellent courage and boldness, wherewith the believer is furnished beyond others, he is bold as a Lyon,