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

Obs. First, There is an excellent union, and peculiar tie betwixt Christ and believers, which none other can lay claim to but they: It's excellent, as will easily appear, if we consider these properties of it. 1. It's a near union, they are one flesh, Eph. 5. 27. as man and wife; they are flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone. 2. It's a real and not an imaginary union (though it be spiritual and by faith) it makes and transfers a mutual right of the one to the other, and hath real effects. 3. It's mutual on both sides, Christ is wholly hers, and she is wholly dedicated to him. 4. It's a kindly union, such as is betwixt husband and wise, and followed with the fruits of a most sweet relation. 5. It's an union which is some way full; whole Christ is hers, and she by consent and title is wholly his. 6. It's an indissoluble union, there is no dissolving of it by any thing that can fall out, otherwayes the consolation were not solid. Again, Obs. 2. That this relation, which the believer hath to Christ, is the great ground of his happiness and consolation, and not any sensible presence, or any dispensation, or gift communicate by Christ to him. 3. That believers may attain assurance, and clearness anent their interest is him, and may come to know really that Christ is theirs: and believers should aim to be through in this, that their calling and election may be made sure to themselves. 2. Pet. 1. 10. 4. Believers when they have attained clearness, should acknowledge it, and comfort themselves in it, and not raise new disputes about it. 5. This clearness may consist with absence and want of sensible ⟨p. 150⟩presence, and there is no case wherein a believer should stick faster to his confidence, than in such a case, when under desertion and absence, as the Spouse doth here.

Obs. First, There is an excellent union, and peculiar tye betwixt Christ and believers, which none other can lay claim to but they: It's excellent, as will easily appear, if we consider these properties of it. 1. It's a neer union, they are one flesh, Eph. 5. 27. as man and wife; they are flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone. 2. It's a real and not an imaginary union (though it be spiritual and by faith) it makes and transfers a mutual right of the one to the other, and hath real effects. 3. It's mutual on both sides, Christ is wholly hers, and she is wholly dedicated to him. 4. It's a kindly union, such as is betwixt husband and wise, and followed with the fruits of a most sweet relation. 5. It's an union which is some way full; whole Christ is hers, and she by consent and title is wholly his. 6. I'ts an indissoluable union, there is no dissolving of it by any thing that can fall out, otherwayes the consolation were not solid. Again, Obs. 2. That this relation, which the believer hath to Christ, is the great ground of his happinesse and consolation, and not any sensible presence, or any dispensation, or gift communicat by Christ to him. 3. That believers may attain assurance, and clearnesse anent their interest is him, and may come to know really that Christ is theirs: and believers should aim to be through in this, that their calling and election may be made sure to themselves.