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

These words contain a case of the Brides, different from her case in the former words; there she was in Christ's arms; here she sees him afar off; there she was endeavouring to keep him still; here she is sensible that he is away, and, vers. ult. is praying for his return. Observe then from the connection, The most satisfying and comfortable conditions of a believer, while upon earth, are not abiding; even the Bride must experience distance, as well as presence. 2. Sometimes sensible presence will not continue, even when believers are most careful to retain it, as we find she was in the words before.

These words contain a case of the Brides, different from her case in the former words; there she was in Christ's arms; here she sees him afar off; there she was endeavouring to keep him still; here she is sensible that he is away, and, vers. ult. is praying for his return. Observe then from the connexion, The most satisfying and comfortable conditions of a believer, while upon earth, are not abiding; even the Bride must experience distance, as well as presence. 2. Sometimes sensible presence will not continue, even when believers are most careful to retain it, as we find she was in the words before.

Her distance hath two steps, 1. There are some views of Christ, and some intercourse with him, though afar off, in this Chapter: Then, 2. she is deprived even of that, in the first part of the Chapter following: And readily distance once begun, doth proceed from a lesser to a greater degree, before it be removed.

More particularly, we would observe here, 1. What is Christ's carriage, when the Bride doth not enjoy sensible presence in so lively a way; and that in two things, 1. What he is doing; he is co•ing, leaping, standing behind the wall, looking through the lattice, &c. 2. What he is saying, he is speaking to her, and, as it were, writing kind love-letters to her at that same time: Christ is both doing and speaking kindly to a believer, even when he is away to sense, if it be well discerned. 2. We may see what is the Brides carriage suitable to his, in four steps (worthy to be imitate by believers, for their own peace, in their disconsolate condition) 1. She observes what he doth, though it be but a twilight discovery she hath of him. 2. She records what he saith, and reads his Epistle often over. 3. She comforts her self in keeping the faith of her interest, and the hope of future enjoying of him, clear. And, 4. prays in