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

The titles are two; one of them, namely that she is his Spouse, hath been spoken of; but his repeating of it, shows a kind of glorying in it, as being very much delighted therewith. The other title, my sister, is added, and it doth import these five things, 1. A condescending upon Christ's part to be thus joined in kindred to the believer, and so it takes in his incarnation, whereby he was made in all things like to his brethren, Heb. 2. 17. Our blessed Lord Jesus is man, believers are his brethren and sisters, they are bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh; and for his Brides consolation this is asserted. 2. A privilege whereto she is advanced upon her part, and that is, that by Adoption believers are become sons and daughters to the Lord God Almighty, not only friends but children, and so heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, Rom. 8. So as now they are his brethren and sisters, which is an unspeakable advancement. 3. It imports a change of nature, as well as of state in believers, so that they partake of the divine nature and Spirit with Christ Jesus, as it is, Heb. 2. 11. He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are of one; which is a special ground of his sibnesse and kindred to believers, not common to others, but special to them, and founded on their sanctification. 4. It implies sympathy, friendliness, and a kindly esteem in him, that takes her up, and speaks of her, and to her, in all the most sweet relations of mother, sister, spouse, &c. Matth. 12. ult. 5. It shows, his owning of all these relations, he is not ashamed to call believers, sisters and brethren, Heb. 2. 11. Obs. 1. There are many wonderful, near and sweet relations betwixt Christ and ⟨p. 227⟩the believer. 2. Christ is the most faithful owner of them, and is in a most friendly way forth-coming to them, according to them all.

The titles are two; one of them, namely that she is his Spouse, hath been spoken of; but his repeating of it, shews a kind of glorying in it, as being very much delighted therewith. The other title, my sister, is added, and it doth import these five things, 1. A condescending upon Christ's part to be thus joyned in kindred to the believer, and so it takes in his incarnation, whereby he was made in all things like to his brethren,