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

2. It carrieth the Authority of the Holy Ghost engraven upon it, as evidently as any piece of Scripture, not only as to its Matter, manner of Expression, Divine Style; but mostly in that Divine power and efficacy it hath on hearts and spirits (especially of the more discerning, who best know Christs voice, as his Sheep) whereby it relishes so sweetly, and elevates them to such an holy ravishment, that it obtaineth the testimony from all, that there is something Divine in it, and more then can be in Humane Writings, even though they cannot particularly tell the meaning of it; That holding true here, which one said of a Book which was something obscure, That which I understand (said he) is excellent: therefore I judge, that which I understand not to be so also, though it exceed my reach. And that its Christ who speaketh, and that it is the Language of the Holy Ghost, and can be applied to no other, is by a Divine conviction extorted from the Reader, and Hearer of it; so that confessedly and deservedly, it beareth this Title, A Song of Songs.

2. It carrieth the Authority of the Holy Ghost engraven upon it, as evidently as any piece of Scripture, not only as to its Matter, manner of Expression, Divine Style; but mostly in that Divine power and efficacy it hath on hearts and spirits (especially of the more discerning, who best know Christs voice, as his Sheep) whereby it relishes so sweetly, and elevats them to such an holy ravishment, that it obtaineth the testimony from all, that there is something Divine in it, and more then can be in Humane Writings, even though they cannot particularly tell the meaning of it; That holding true here, which one said of a Book which was something obscure, That which I understand (said he) is excellent: therefore I judge, that which I understand not to be so also, though it exceed my reach. And that its Christ who speaketh, and that it is the Language of the Holy Ghost, and can be applyed to no other, is by a Divine conviction extorted from the Reader, and Hearer of it; so that confessedly and deservedly, it beareth this Title, A Song of Songs.

This Song must either be attributed to the Spirit, as the chief Author of it (though Solomon was the Penman) or we must say, it was not only Penned, but Indited merely by some Man, (Solomon, or whoever he be) led by his own spirit, or some other spirit, without the Spirit of God: But none of these last can be said. What other spirit can so speak of Christ and the Church? What other Song (even of the most holy Men) can be compared to this? Was it ever equalled? Or can it be equalled? And if it cannot be