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

3. There is a motive to press this, implied, while he saith, take us; Which words insinuate, that it's service both to him and her, and that Ministers are his servants, and the Churches for Christ's sake. It shows also his sympathy, in putting himself (as it were) in hazard with her (at least mystically considered) and his love in comforting her, that he thinks himself concerned in the restraint of these foxes, as well as she is.

3. There is a motive to presse this, implyed, while he saith, take us; Which words insinuat, that it's service both to him and her, and that Ministers are his servants, and the Churches for Christ's sake. It shews also his sympathy, in putting himself (as it were) in hazard with her (at least mystically considered) and his love in comforting her, that he thinks himself concerned in the restraint of these foxes, as well as she is.

4. The direction is amplified to remove an objection, (say some) all heresies, or all Heretics are not equal, some comparatively are little to be regarded, and it's cruelty to meddle with these, that seem to profess fair. No (saith he) take them all, even the little foxes; for, though they be little, yet they are foxes, though they be not of the grossest kind (as all scandals in facts are not alike, yet none is to be dispensed with) so they are (saith he) foxes, and corrupt others; for, a little leaven will leaven the whole lump (often small-like schisms, or heresies, such as the Novatians and Donatists, &c. have been exceedingly defacing to the beauty of the Church) therefore, (saith he) hunt, and take them all. How small a friend is our Lord to toleration? ⟨p. 147⟩and how displeased is he with many errors, that the world thinks little of? Magistrates, Ministers and people may learn here, what distance ought to be kept with the spreaders of the least errors, and how every one ought to concur in their stations, for preventing the hurt that comes by them.

4. The direction is amplified to remove an objection, (say some) all heresies, or all Heretiques are not equal, some comparatively are little to be regarded, and it's cruelty to meddle with these, that seem to professe fair. No (saith he) take them all, even the little foxes; for, though they be little, yet they are foxes, though they be not of the grossest kind (as all scandals in facts are not alike, yet none is to be dispensed with) so they are (saith he) foxes, and corrupt others; for, a little leaven will leaven the whole lump (often small-like schisms, or heresies, such as the Novatians and Donatists, &c. have been exceedingly defacing to the beauty of the Church) therefore, (saith he) hunt, and take them all. How small a friend is our Lord to tolleration?