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

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 ⟨p. 157⟩keep up the form of duty, is but like the sluggard, Prov. 26. 14. turning themselves upon their beds, as the door doth upon the hinges; not lying still, nor altogether daring to give over the form, yet little better on the matter, because they make no effectual progress, not can they say their soul is in and with their service, which they perform. 3. Her success as to this step, is, but I found him not, that is, I was nothing the better, these sluggish endeavours did not my business: Every form of seeking will not obtain; and one may seek Christ long in their ordinary formal way, ere they find him; yet it's good not to give over, but to observe the form: Life and love is not altogether gone, when one discerns absence, and their own laziness with discontent.

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 shews, 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 waill 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, lifelesse 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