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

When this doth not reach her design, she proceeds to a more lively step, vers. 2. and that is, to get up, and seek him in a more active stirring way: Which says, 1. She observed the continuance of her distance, and what came of her prayers and seeking; which is a good beginning of ones recovery, and wining to their feet after a fit of security and decay. 2. It says, it's often good for a believer, as to their rousing, and their recovering of spiritual life, that sense is not always easily obtained; this activity had not followed (readily) had not Christ constrained her to it, by cross-dispensations and disappointments. In this step we have, 1. Her resolving to fall about a more active way in seeking him. 2. Her performance. 3. Her success. First, Her resolution is, I will rise now (saith she) and go about the streets, &c. In which there are these three, 1. What she resolves to do, not to give over (for that should never be given way to) but to bestir her self more actively in duty, I will rise and go from the bed to the streets of the city and seek him there. By city is understood the Church, whereof all members are fellow-citizens, Eph. 2. 19. It's called so, 1. For it's order and government, so the Church is as a city, that hath watchmen and laws. 2. For it's unity; it's one Common-wealth and Incorporation, Eph. 2. 12. This Jerusalem is a city compacted together, Psa. 122. 3. 3. For it's privileges, whereof all believers (who are the burgesses and fellow-citizens) are partakers, Eph. 2. 19. and unto which all others who are without, are strangers. Her going into the city, suppons a communicating of her case to others ⟨p. 158⟩for help, and her using of more public means, opposite to her private dealing within her self on her bed, vers. 1. even as rising imports a stirring of her self to more activity in the manner of performing these duties, opposite to her seeking him formerly while she lay still on her bed: The thing then resolved upon is to this sense, What am I doing? are there not moe means, in the use of which I may seek Christ? Is there not another way of inquiring after him, than this lazy formal way? I will up and essay it. There are many means given for a believers help, and when one fails, another may be blessed; and therefore, believers are still to follow from one to another;