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

From the title ye may see here, 1. Much humility in the Bride, and also much reverence and respect to Christ, which is the reason why she will not let the commendation lye upon her, but puts it back upon him: Love to Christ, and estimation of him, aims always at this, that whatever is commendable in the believer, should ultimately resolve upon him. 2. Here is much familiarity, notwithstanding of her humility, in that she calls him my beloved, as he called her my love. Humility and reverence, an high estimation of Christ, and confidence in him, and familiarity with him go all well together in the believer; and the believer would labour to have all these in exercise together, and would never let one of them part from another. In a word, it is a humble familiar way in believing, which we would aim at. 3. One special thing that makes Christ lovely to believers, and ⟨p. 109⟩natively stirreth them up to commend him, is when they are clear anent his love to them.

From the title ye may see here, 1. Much humility in the Bride, and also much reverence and respect to Christ, which is the reason why she will not let the commendation lye upon her, but puts it back upon him: Love to Christ, and estimation of him, aimes alwayes at this, that whatever is commendable in the believer, should ultimatly resolve upon him. 2. Here is much familiarity, notwithstanding of her humility, in that she calls him my beloved, as he called her my love. Humility and reverence, an high estimation of Christ, and confidence in him, and familiarity with him go all well together in the believer; and the believer would labour to have all these in exercise together, and would never let one of them part from another. In a word, it is a humble familiar way in believing, which we would aime at. 3. One special thing that makes Christ lovely to believers, and ⟨p. 109⟩natively stirreth them up to commend him, is when they are clear anent his love to them.

If it be asked, why she turns over this commendation to him in the second person, Thou art, &c? Ans. She doth it, 1. To testify her sincerity, that she was not flattering nor complementing, but she durst make him witness of what she said. 2. To show that there are many spiritual conferences, and sweet soliloquies between the souls of believers and Christ, wherein they are very familiar with him, which none knows, nor can know, but Christ and they; for, she is speaking to him when no body knows, and he to her. 3. Because there are many divine experiences of believers, that are scarcely communicable to any other, but Christ: and therefore she will tell them over to him.