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

It hath a covering, and that of purple: A cover is to preserve and save from any thing that may fall from above; and Purple or Scarlet (for in Scripture both are one, as may be seen, Matth. 27. 28. compared with Mark 15. 17.) sets out the excellency and efficacy of that cover, it's not of every thing, it's of Purple; and this in Scripture was made use of to be dipped in the blood of the Sacrifices, Heb. 9. 14. which was called, vers. 20. the blood of the Covenant, typifying the application of Christ's blood: This is the cover of the Covenant, the worth and efficacy of Christ's satisfaction, whereby all in Covenant (as it were riding in this Chariot) are preserved from the wrath of God, and their sins hid, and so covered by that blood, that they are never called to a reckoning for them, Psal. 32. 1, 2. Jer. 50. 20. 8. The midst thereof is paved with love: What can this be? Gold is much, but love is more; what workman but Christ can make this pavement? and what piece of work of his, but the Covenant of Redemption, is so lined and stuffed with love? The midst thereof is the inward of it, as great men in their Chariots and Coaches, have their pillows and cushions of Velvets, &c. to repose them; But here there is a far other thing, to repose and rest upon, love lines all this Chariot, so that there is none in the Covenant, but love is still next them, the Word speaks good to them, and all the Promises run like pipes, with streams of love to them; God's dispensations toward them breath out love, they walk on love, sit on love, rest on love; it must be good to be here: And love is reserved for the midst of it, to show, that though it's excellency and beauty may some-way shine, and glister to these that are without; yet, none knows or can know the heart and bowels of the Covenant, (to say so) and the love that is there, but these that are within. 2. Love is put over the bottom of Gold, and made the pavement, 1. Because love in this Covenant condescends lowest to us, and there can be no lower stooping imaginable, than that to which the love of Christ hath made him bow. 2. It's love that ⟨p. 187⟩