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

First, If the intent of this Song be to set out the spiritual carriage, amongst spiritual Parties, and the spiritual love which each hath to other, then it must set out Christ's love to his Church, and Her's to Him: The reason is, because there are no other spiritual Marriage-parties known, but Christ and His Church; There is no other spiritual Marriage, or spiritual Marriage-love but this: But this Song in it's scope is to set out a spiritual Marriage, of spiritual Parties, and their spiritual Love, Therefore it must set out this.

2. The scope of this Song must be agreeable to the matter contained in it. Now the matter contained in it, can agree to no other parties, and be approven in no other love; Therefore these descriptions given to the Bridegroom, can be given to no other but Christ; and these given to the Bride by him, can be given to no other but the Church, and must speak out no less love, then that love of Christ's, the expressions being far beyond ⟨p. 12⟩the love of all others: This will more fully appear in the opening up of the Song:

2. The scope of this Song must be agreeable to the matter contained in it. Now the matter contained in it, can agree to no other parties, and be approven in no other love; Therefore these descriptions given to the Bridegroom, can be given to no other but Christ; and these given to the Bride by him, can be given to no other but the Church, and must speak out no lesse love, then that love of Christ's, the expressions being far beyond ⟨p. 12⟩the love of all others: This will more fully appear in the opening up of the Song:

3. What is the scope of these Allegories, in other Scriptures, as that of