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

The scope is, (for her instruction and comfort now in affliction,) that he may make her know himself: The very knowing of Christ is comfortable, and it's one of the most excellent, rare and ravishing things he can show his Bride, to show her himself, or to make her know him: Neither can he choice a subject more profitable in it self, or more welcome to her, to insist on, than to ⟨p. 115⟩display his own beauty, whereby she may see her blessedness in such a match.

The scope is, (for her instruction and comfort now in affliction,) that he may make her know himself: The very knowing of Christ is comfortable, and it's one of the most excellent, rare and ravishing things he can shew his Bride, to shew her himself, or to make her know him: Neither can he choise a subject more profitable in it self, or more welcome to her, to insist on, than to ⟨p. 115⟩display his own beauty, whereby she may see her blessednesse in such a match.

In the first verse then, Christ comes-in commending himself, I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. The rose is a sweet savouring flower, and so is the lily: Sharon and the valleys are added, because these roses and lilies that grew there, were the best that were to be found. He is said to be that rose, or the rose, and the lily, as if there were no other, to distinguish him, as excellent and singular from all others. He thus sets forth himself to show, 1. That Christ Jesus hath a most lovely savour, and a most delightful and refreshful smell, to them that have spiritual senses to discern what is in him. 2. That there is nothing refreshful in creatures, but it is more eminently and infinitely in him; Therefore he is called the rose and the lily. 3. That whatever excellency is in Christ, is singularly and incomparably in him; There is no other rose, or lily but he: and what excellency is to be found in others, doth not deserve the name, being compared with him. 4. That he is never suitably commended, till he be lifted up above all. 5. That none can commend Christ to purpose, but himself; he takes it therefore on him, I am, &c He can indeed commend himself effectually, and none but he can do it. 6. That he manifests more of his loveliness to these who have gotten a begun sight and esteem of it; for, she had been commending it formerly, and now he discovers more of it to her. 7. That it's one of Christ's greatest favours to his Bride, and one of the special effects of his love, to set out himself as lovely to her, and to bear-in his loveliness upon her heart; and this is the scope here.