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

The third part of her care is in this verse, when she hath prevailed with him, to give his presence and countenance to her mothers house, then she turns to the Daughters of Jerusalem, the visible professors and members of the Church, charging them, that now seeing Christ is returned, they would be careful to entertain him well, and not to provoke him to withdraw. These words were spoken-to in the former Chapter, vers. 7. where they have the same general scope, which is to show her care of having Christ retained; but in this they differ, there they look to her particular enjoyment of Christ; here they look (as the scope and connection with the former words show) to his presence in the Church or her mothers house, lest that should (by the daughters •ault) be interrupted: The first shows a believers care, conjuring all (as it were) that nothing in her might provoke him: This shows what should be the Churches care in reference to his visible presence, and blessing (to say so) in his Church: Now (saith she) Christ is amongst you, O ye who are of my mothers house, beware of putting him away; and in this she deals with them, as considered in their visible Church-state and relation, and not as real believers; the charge being to all: And therefore in the following verse, and chap. 8. 5. The Daughters return an answer, which they do not, chap. 2. 7. because here she directs her words ⟨p. 171⟩