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

2. There can be no parties mentioned, beside Christ and his Bride, to whom this Song can agree; nor can any proper meaning thereof be assigned, which can make it applicable to these parties: and therefore it cannot be understood properly, but figuratively, and that not of any other, but of Christ and Believers: To Solomon it cannot agree in its application, nor to his Queen, yea, to no man, if it be taken in a proper sense: For, 1. These commendations given to the Bridegroom, Chap. 5. to the Bride, Chap. 4. 6, 7. If properly understood, would be monstrous, blasphemous, and ridiculous; such as to have teeth like a flock of sheep, an head like Carmel, &c. and so in many other things. 2. Some things are attributed to this Solomon, who is the subject of this Song, that were not within Solomon's reach, as that, his presence at the Table, (Chap. 1. 12.) maketh her Spikenard to smell, which influence cannot proceed from one man more then another, and Chap. 3. v. 11. where it is said, He made a Chariot, and paved it with Love, which is no material thing, and so could be no Pavement in Solomons Chariot. 3. That Solomon being the Penman of this Song, yet speaketh of Solomon in the second Person, Thou, O Solomon, Chap. 8. 12. makes it appear that some other was designed then himself; and many such like expressions that fill up the matter of this Song, (such as Spices, Gardens, &c.) cannot be understood properly of these very things themselves, but of some other thing veiled under them: And so also, when she is called terrible as an army with Banners, it cannot be understood of Solomon's Queen, and applying it to the Church, we cannot understand it of any carnal terror, which the external aspect of the Church doth beget in beholders.

2. There can be no parties mentioned, beside Christ and his Bride, to whom this Song can agree; nor can any proper meaning thereof be assigned, which can make it applicable to these parties: and therefore it cannot be understood properly, but figuratively, and that not of any other, but of Christ and Believers: To Solomon it cannot agree in its application, nor to his Queen, yea, to no man, if it be taken in a proper sense: For, 1. These commendations given to the Bridegroom, Chap. 5. to the Bride, Chap. 4. 6, 7. If properly understood, would be monstruous, blasphemous, and ridiculous; such as to have teeth like a flock of sheep, an head like Carmel, &c. and so in many other things. 2. Some things are attributed to this Solomon, who is the subject of this Song, that were not within Solomon's reach, as that, his presence at the Table, (Chap. 1. 12.) maketh her Spicknard to smell, which influence cannot proceed from one man more then another, and Chap. 3. v. 11. where it is said, He made a Chariot, and paved it with Love, which is no material thing, and so could be no Pavement in Solomons Chariot. 3. That Solomon being the Penman of this Song, yet speaketh of Solomon in the second Person, Thou, O Solomon, Chap. 8. 12. makes it appear that some other was designed then himself; and many such like expressions that fill up the matter of this Song, (such as Spices, Gardens, &c.) cannot be understood properly of these very things themselves, but of some other thing vailed under them: And so also, when she is called terrible as an army with Banners, it cannot be understood of Solomon's Queen, and applying it to the Church, we cannot understand it of any carnal terror, which the external aspect of the Church doth beget in beholders.