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

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, Matth. 22. 2. A certain King made a Marriage to his Son, &c. both have a literal meaning. The first immediate, fulfilled in Solomon: The second is mediate, setting out God's calling Jews and Gentiles, unto fellowship with his Son: and so that Parable is to be understood in a ⟨p. 7⟩spiritual sense. Now we say, this Song (if we would take up it's true sense and meaning) is not to be understood the first way, properly and immediately, but the second way, figuratively and mediately, as holding forth some spiritual thing under borrowed expressions, which will further appear from these things,

For there is a twofold Literal sense of Scripture. 1. Proper and immediat, as where its said, Solomon married Pharaohs Daughter. The second is figurative and mediate, as when it is said, Matth. 22. 2. A certain King made a Marriage to his Son, &c. both have a literal meaning. The first immediat, fulfilled in Solomon: The second is mediat, setting out God's calling Jews and Gentiles, unto fellowship with his Son: and so that Parable is to be understood in a ⟨p. 7⟩spiritual sense. Now we say, this Song (if we would take up it's true sense and meaning) is not to be understood the first way, properly and immediatly, but the second way, figuratively and mediatly, as holding forth some spiritual thing under borrowed expressions, which will further appear from these things,

First, There can be no edification in setting out Humane Love (amongst parties properly understood) so largely and lively; and yet edification must be the end of this Song, being a part of Scripture; it must have therefore an higher meaning then the words at first will seem to bear.