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

Having put by her observation of his carriage, she comes to speak to the second part, namely what was her carriage; and it was to read over, or think over with her self, or to tell over to others, what Christ had said unto her: This is a main piece of spiritual ⟨p. 133⟩wisdom, to fill Christs room in his absence with his word and call, and to read his mind only from these, the best interpreters of it. These words prefaced to Christ's Epistle or Sermon, my beloved spake, and said unto me, are not idly set down, before she tell what the words which he spake were, But, 1. It shows she delights in repeating his Name, for she had made mention of it before, vers. 8. 2. It shows what commended Christ's epistle or words to her, it was not only the matter therein contained (though that was warm and sweet) but it's come (saith she) from my beloved, it was he that said this, it was he that sent me this word. 3. It shows her discerning of his voice; and her assurance, that the word, call, and promise (she was refreshing her self with) was his word, and no devised fable. It's a notable ground of consolation in Christ's absence to believers, when they are clear, that such and such gracious words come out of Christ's own mouth to them. 4. It says, that fellowship with Christ, is no dumb exercise; these that are admitted to fellowship with him, he will be speaking with them, otherwise then with the world. And, 5. That a believer hath an ear to hear, not only what the Minister saith, but also what Christ saith. 6. It's the word as from Christ's own mouth, that hath any effectual impression; and a believer will receive it as such, that it may leave such an impression upon his heart. 7. When Christ quickens a word, it will be sweet; and such a word will be retained, so that these who have been quickened by it, will be able long afterward to repeat it: It's our getting little good of the word of the Lord, that makes us retain it so ill. 8. It affords much satisfaction to a believer, when he can say, Christ said this, or that to me, and that it's no delusion. 9. What Christ says unto the spirits of his own, in communion with them, it may bide the light, and is, on the matter, that same which he says in the Word and Gospel, as we will see in the following discourse, which for this end, and for the edification of others, and honour of the Beloved, she tells over.