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

Therefore afterward she prefers rising and seeking, to this woeful rest. It shows, 1. That believers distance and darkness may grow; for, in the former Chapter, Christ was absent, yet, as through a window or lattice, there were some glimpses of him; but here it's night, and there is not so much as a twilight discovery of him. 2. Often, distance with Christ, and security and deadness (as to our spiritual life) go together: When Christ is absent, believers then usually fall from activity in their duty, Isa. 64. 7. No man stirreth up himself to lay hold on thee, and the reason is, thou hast hid thy face, &c. Matth. 25. 5. While the Bridegroom tarrieth, even the wise Virgins slumbered and slept.

Therefore afterward she prefers rising and seeking, to this woful rest. It shews, 1. That believers distance and darknesse may grow; for, in the former Chapter, Christ was absent, yet, as through a window or lattesse, there were some glimpses of him; but here it's night, and there is not so much as a twilight discovery of him. 2. Often, distance with Christ, and security and deadnesse (as to our spiritual life) go together: When Christ is absent, believers then usually fall from activity in their duty, Isa. 64. 7. No man stirreth up himself to lay hold on thee, and the reason is, thou hast hid thy face, &c. Matth. 25. 5. While the Bridegroom tarrieth, even the wise Virgins slumbered and slept.

Her carriage, or way that she takes in this case, is set out in four steps: The 1. Is in these words, I sought him, whom my soul loveth. Consider here, 1. The title Christ gets, him whom, &c. Christ got this name before, and now several times she repeats it; And it holds forth, 1. The sincerity of her love, it was her soul and heart that loved him. 2. The degree and singularity of it, no other thing was admitted in her heart to compare with him, he bears the alone sway there, in respect of the affection she had to him, it's he, and none other upon whom her soul's love is set, otherwise, this title would not suitably design him; Christ loves well to have such titles given to him, as may import the hearts special esteem of him. 3. It shows, that even in believers lowest conditions, there remains some secret soul-esteem of Christ, and that in their judgement, he is still their choice and wail above all the world. Yet, 4. That their practice while security prevails, is most unsuitable to their convictions and judgement. 2. Consider her practice and carriage, while Christ is absent, her practice is not altogether a laying by, without the form of Religion; for, (saith she) on my bed I sought him, that is, I prayed and used some means, but in a lazy way, not stirring up my self vigorously in it. Obs. 1. Believers in a secure frame, may keep some form of duty, yet their duties are like the frame of their heart, lifeless and hypocritical. 2. There is much of a believers practice, such as themselves will find fault with, when they come to look rightly upon it; yea, even much of their way, while they