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

In her observation of Christ's way with her, vers. 8. Consider, 1. his practice, which she observes. 2. Her observation of it. 3. How she is affected with it. And lastly, her expression of it.

The first of these is contained in these words, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. There are four things here to be taken notice of, 1. A supposed distance, for when he is said to be coming, he is not present: This distance is not in reality, as to the union that is betwixt Christ and a Believer, that is alway the same; but it is to be understood as to the sense of his presence, which may be interrupted. 2. It's said he cometh; Coming imports his drawing near to remove the distance, as being already on his way. Obs. 1. It's his coming that removes the distance between him and his people: The first motion of love is still on his side. And, 2. even when Christ is absent, if he were well seen, he is making way for our nearer union with him, and is upon his way coming again, Joh. 14. 3. Even when he is away he is still coming, though it may be afterward the distance seem to grow greater, and the night of absence darker. The third thing is, That there are mountains which he comes over, that is something standing betwixt him and us, marring our access to him, and his familiarity with us, till he remove it, as mountains obstruct mens way in travel; and so difficulties in the way of Gods work are compared to mountains, Zech. 4. 7. Who art thou, O great mountain? &c. So here, as there are difficulties to be removed, before the union betwixt Christ and us be made up.

The first of these is contained in these words, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. There are four things here to be taken notice of, 1. A supposed distance, for when he is said to be coming, he is not present: This distance is not in reality, as to the union that is betwixt Christ and a Believer, that is alway the same; but it is to be understood as to the sense of his presence, which may be interrupted. 2. It's said he cometh; Coming imports his drawing near to remove the distance, as being already on his way. Obs. 1. It's his coming that removes the distance between him and his people: The first motion of love is still on his side. And, 2. even when Christ is absent, if he were well seen, he is making way for our nearer union with him, and is upon his way coming again,