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

I grant it hath a literal meaning, but I say, that literal meaning is not immediate, and that which first looketh out, as in Historical Scriptures, or others which are not figurative, but that which is spiritually and especially meant by these Allegoric and Figurative speeches, is the Literal meaning of this Song: So that it's Literal sense is mediate, representing the meaning, not immediately from the Words, but mediately from the Scope, that is, the intention of the Spirit, which is couched under the Figures and Allegories, here made use of: For, a Literal sense (as it is defined by Rivet out of the School-men) is that which floweth from such a place of Scripture as intended by the Spirit in the words, whether properly or figuratively used, and is to be gathered from the whole complex expression together, applied thereunto, as in the Exposition of Parables, Allegories and Figurative Scriptures is clear; And it were as improper and absurd to deny a Figurative Sense (though Literal) to these, as it were to fix Figurative Expositions upon plain Scriptures, which are properly to be taken.

I grant it hath a literal meaning, but I say, that literal meaning is not immediat, and that which first looketh out, as in Historical Scriptures, or others which are not figurative, but that which is spiritually and especially meant by these Allegorick and Figurative speeches, is the Literal meaning of this Song: So that it's Literal sense is mediat, representing the meaning, not immediatly from the Words, but mediatly from the Scope, that is, the intention of the Spirit, which is couched under the Figures and Allegories, here made use of: For, a Literal sense (as it is defined by Rivet out of the School-men) is that which floweth from such a place of Scripture as intended by the Spirit in the words, whether properly or figuratively used, and is to be gathered from the whole complex expression together, applyed thereunto, as in the Exposition of Parables, Allegories and Figurative Scriptures is clear; And it were as improper and absurd to deny a Figurative Sense (though Literal) to these, as it were to fix Figurative Expositions upon plain Scriptures, which are properly to be taken.

For there is a twofold Literal sense of Scripture. 1. Proper and immediate, as where its said, Solomon married Pharaohs Daughter. The second is figurative and mediate, as when it is said,