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

The more particular explication and commendation of her parts follows; where we would advert, 1. That bodily members or parts, are not to be here looked unto, but believers have a inner-man, as well as an outward, a new man as well as an old; and so that inner-man hath, as it were, distinct parts and members as the natural body hath, which act in reference thereto, with some analogy to these members in the natural body. 2. As the new or inner-man sets forth the new natural and habitual grace in the believer; so the particular parts, eyes, lips, &c. signify distinct graces of faith, love, &c. which are parts of that new nature. 3. These parts may be looked on as useful in the new man, as the external members are in the body, or as they are evidences of something in the renewed disposition. 4. They set forth the disposition, as they are qualified in the commendation, and not simply. 5. Although we cannot satisfy our own, or others curiosity, in the particular application of these parts, yet there is a particular meaning of every several part here attributed to her, as well as of every part attributed to him, Chap. 5. 11, 12 &c. and he giveth no idle words, nor useth any vain repetitions: We would therefore beware of thinking all this needless, seeing he knoweth best what is needful. 6. Being clear of the scope, that it is to commend graces, and to evidence the beauty of her several graces, we must regulate all the application by that scope, and what is subservient thereto, cannot be impertinent. Yet, 7. There is much need of sobriety here; therefore, we shall be short and not peremptory in particular applications. 8. There being a connection amongst all the graces of the Spirit, it must ⟨p. 200⟩not be thought absurd that some of these graces be signified twice in different respects, and that one part respect moe graces (which are nearly linked) especially when the commendation gives ground to infer it. 9. We take this commendation to set forth especially the invisible Church, or true believers, which are the members thereof, as the scope and application do clear.

The more particular explication and commendation of her parts follows; where we would advert, 1. That bodily members or parts, are not to be here looked unto, but believers have a inner-man, as well as an outward, a new man as well as an old; and so that inner-man hath, as it were, distinct parts and members as the natural body hath, which act in reference thereto, with some analogy to these members in the natural body. 2. As the new or inner-man sets forth the new natural and habitual grace in the believer; so the particular parts, eyes, lips, &c. signifie distinct graces of faith, love, &c. which are parts of that new nature. 3. These parts may be looked on as useful in the new man, as the external members are in the body, or as they are evidences of something in the renewed disposition. 4. They set forth the disposition, as they are qualified in the commendation, and not simply. 5. Although we cannot satisfie our own, or others curiosity, in the particular application of these parts, yet there is a particular meaning of every several part here attributed to her, as well as of every part attributed to him, Chap. 5. 11, 12 &c. and he giveth no idle words, nor useth any vain repetitions: We would therefore beware of thinking all this needless, seing he knoweth best what is needful. 6. Being clear of the scope, that it is to commend graces, and to evidence the beauty of her several graces, we must regulatall the application by that scope, and what is subservient thereto, cannot be impertinent. Yet, 7. There is much need of sobriety here; therefore, we shall be short and not peremptory in particular applications. 8. There being a connexion amongst all the graces of the Spirit, it must