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

There are three ways he maketh use of, to press it; 1. By excellent, loving titles, my love, and fair one; which are given here, especially to let her know he loved her, and thereby to encourage her to follow the call. The faith of his love, hath no little influence upon our acting faith in particulars on him. 2. To show that he is no rigid, nor severe censurer of a discouraged believer; no, my fair one (saith he) even when she hath many spots; Christ will raise no ill report on his own, whatever be their failings. 3. He presseth it from the special relation he hath to her, my love, and my fair one; which makes all his words very kindly, and shows an obligation on her, by the Covenant-relation that stood between them to be his, and to subject her self to his directions, according to that word, Psal. 45. 10. Hearken O Daughter, &c. Forget thy fathers house, &c. And therefore she ought to leave all, and cleave to him: Christ requires nothing from us, but according to the Covenant, that ties us to communion or co-habitation (to speak so) with Christ; and it's a most binding obligation; if this prevail not in pressing us to duty, that we are Christ's, nothing will prevail: It's no little practic in a believer, to be like the relation they stand in to Christ; what, my love (saith he) becomes it you to be so strange? Rise and come, &c. Some other thing is allowed to you than to others, and some other thing is called for from you, than is to be found in the way of others.

There are three wayes he maketh use of, to presse it; 1. By excellent, loving titles, my love, and fair one; which are given here, especially to let her know he loved her, and thereby to encourage her to follow the call. The faith of his love, hath no little influence upon our acting faith in particulars on him. 2. To shew that he is no rigid, nor severe censurer of a discouraged believer; no, my fair one (saith he) even when she hath many spots; Christ will raise no ill report on his own, whatever be their failings. 3. He presseth it from the special relation he hath to her, my love, and my fair one; which makes all his words very kindly, and shewes an obligation on her, by the Covenant-relation that stood between them to be his, and to subject her self to his directions, according to that word, Psal. 45. 10. Hearken O Daugher, &c. Forget thy fathers house, &c. And therefore she ought to leave all, and cleave to him: Christ requires nothing from us, but according to the Covenant, that tyes us to communion or co-habitation (to speak so) with Christ; and it's a most binding obligation; if this prevail not in pressing us to duty, that we are Christ's, nothing will prevail: It's no little practick in a believer, to be like the relation they stand in to Christ; what, my love (saith he) becomes it you to be so strange? Rise and come, &c. Some other thing is allowed to you than to others, and some other thing is called for from you, than is to be found in the way of others.