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

The second thing here, is her success, which is according to her desire, I found him (saith she) when I had pressed but a little further, he sensibly and surprisingly made himself known to me. Obs. 1. Christ is not far off from his people when they are seeking him, whatever they may think when he hides himself. 2. They who love Christ, and conscionably follow all means for obtaining of him, are not far from finding, nor he far from manifesting himself to them. 3. They who sincerely press forward to the life of Ordinances beyond the form, and by faith take themselves to Christ himself for the blessing, not resting on their performances, ⟨p. 166⟩will not long miss Christ; yea, it may be, he will give them a sensible manifestation of himself sooner than they are aware; for, the Spirit is obtained, not by the works of the Law, but by the hearing of Faith. Gal. 3. 2. 4. A soul that sincerely loves Christ, should not, and when in a right frame will not give over seeking Christ till it find him, whatever disappointments it meets with; and sure, such will find him at last. 5. Christ found after much search, will be very welcome, and his presence then will be most discernible. 6. Believers would no less observe, and acknowledge their good success in the means, than their disappointments; There are many who often make regrates of their bonds, that are deficient in acknowledging Gods goodness when they get liberty.

The second thing here, is her successe, which is according to her desire, I found him (saith she) when I had pressed but a little further, he sensibly and surprisingly made himself known to me. Obs. 1. Christ is not far off from his people when they are seeking him, whatever they may think when he hides himself. 2. They who love Christ, and conscionably follow all means for obtaining of him, are not far from finding, nor he far from manifesting himself to them. 3. They who sincerely presse forward to the life of O•dinances beyond the form, and by faith take themselves to Christ himself for the blessing, not resting on their performances, ⟨p. 166⟩will not long misse Christ; yea, it may be, he will give them a sensible manifestation of himself sooner than they are awar; for, the Spirit is obtained, not by the works of the Law, but by the hearing of Faith.