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

Here Obs. 1. Christ the Bridegroom is a King. 2. It makes all his condescending to sinners the more lovely, admirable and comfortable, that he is so excellent; that he being such a King; sitteth at the Table with poor believers, is much; Love in Christ, brings his Majesty, as it were, below it self, to feed and feast his poor people. 3. There is a way of most sweet, and comfortable communion to be had even with the King, in his own Ordinances. 4. There is a great difference betwixt an ordinance or duty, and Christ's presence in it; These are separable. 5. It's Christ present that makes a feast to a believer, and makes all Gospel-ordinances and duties so refreshful. 6. Believers may, and will observe, when Christ is at the Table, and when not: and it will be empty to them when he is absent. 7. All the provision wherewith believers table is furnished, and they are •easted, is Christ. 8. Christ should have a continued dwelling in the believer, and they a continual conversing with him, as these who diet ordinarily at one table.

Here Obs. 1. Christ the Bridegroom is a King. 2. It makes all his condescending to sinners the more lovely, admirable and comfortable, that he is so excellent; that he being such a King; sitteth at the Table with poor believers, is much; Love in Christ, brings his Majesty, as it were, below it self, to feed and feast his poor people. 3. There is a way of most sweet, and comfortable communion to be had even with the King, in his own Ordinances. 4. There is a great difference betwixt an ordinance or duty, and Christ's presence in it; These are separable. 5. It's Christ present that makes a feast to a believer, and makes all Gospel-ordinances and duties so refreshful. 6. Believers may, and will observe, when Christ is at the Table, and when not: and it will be empty to them when he is absent. 7. All the provision wherewith believers table is furnished, and they are •easted, is Christ. 8. Christ should have a continued dwelling in the believer, and they a continual conversing with him, as these who dyet ordinarily at one table.

The effect (namely the flowing of her graces) and it's connection with his presence, as the cause, shows, 1. There is a stock of grace, and Spikenard in them, with whom Christ useth to sup, and there is no other but such admitted to his table. 2. The graces of the Spirit in believers, may be in a great part without savour, void of lively exercise, almost dead as to it's effects. 3. It is exceedingly refreshful to believers, to have their graces flowing and acting. 4. Christ's presence hath much influence to make all things lively and savoury, where he sits, all things that are beside him (as it were) blossoms and savours; The graces of his people are then very fresh and lively. And, 5. though grace be savoury in it self, yet in Christ's absence, that savour will be restrained, and not sent forth; For, it's implied, that when the King sat not at his table, her Spikenard did not send forth it's smell. 6. Christ's company or fellowship with him, will not only be prized by believers, as it brings sensible comfort to them; but also as it revives their graces, and makes them lively.