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

The condition of this Dove is, that she is in the clefts of the rocks, and in the secret places of the stairs: It's ordinary for doves to hide themselves in rocks, or holes in walls of houses; And this similitude is used sometimes in a good sense, as Isa. 60. 8. sometimes in an ill sense, as pointing out infirmity, and too much fear and silliness, Hos. 7. 11. Ephraim is a silly Dove without heart that goes to Egypt, &c. The Bride is here compared to a Dove hiding it self, in the last sense, out of unbelief and anxiety, taking her to poor shifts for ease, and slighting Christ, as frighted doves that mistake their own windows, and fly to other hiding-places; the scope being to comfort and encourage her, and the directions calling her to holy boldness, and prayer to him (implying ⟨p. 141⟩that these had been neglected formerly) doth confirm this: Then says the Lord, my poor heartless Dove, why art thou discouraged, taking thee to holes (as it were) to hide thee, fostering misbelief and fainting? that is not the right way.

The condition of this Dove is, that she is in the clefts of the rocks, and in the secret places of the stairs: It's ordinary for doves to hide themselves in rocks, or holes in walls of houses; And this similitude is used sometimes in a good sense, as Isa. 60. 8. sometimes in an ill sense, as pointing out infirmity, and too much fear and fillinesse, Hos. 7. 11. Ephraim is a silly Dove without heart that goes to Egypt, &c. The Bride is here compared to a Dove hiding it self, in the last sense, out of unbelief and anxiety, taking her to poor shifts for ease, and slighting Christ, as frighted doves that mistake their own windowes, and fly to other hiding-places; the scope being to comfort and encourage her, and the directions calling her to holy boldnesse, and prayer to him (implying ⟨p. 141⟩that these had been neglected formerly) doth confirm this: Then sayes the Lord, my poor heartlesse Dove, why art thou discouraged, taking thee to holes (as it were) to hide thee, fostering misbelief and fainting? that is not the right way.