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

In the first petition, we may consider these two, 1. The thing sought. 2. The end wherefore that which she seeks and prays for, is held forth, as it were, in three steps or degrees, in three expressions, awake, O north-wind, come thou south, blow upon my garden. For understanding whereof, we are to look, 1. What these winds signify. 2. What this garden is. And, 3. What these act, of awaking, coming and blowing are. By winds often in Scripture is understood the Spirit of God in his mighty operations, as Ezek. 37. 3. and 14. And the special work and operation of the Spirit is compared to wind, 1. For it's purifying nature. 2. For it's cooling, com•orting, refreshing power and efficacy. 3. For it's fructifying virtue, winds being especially in these hot countries, both exceeding refreshful, and also useful to make trees and gardens fruitful. Lastly, for it's undiscernible manner of working, as, Joh. 3. 6. the wind blows where it lists, &c. yet hath his operation real effects with it. And it's clear that the Spirit, is here intended, because it's the Spirit's blowing that only can make the spices or graces of a believer to flow, as the wind doth the seeds and flowers in a garden. Next, by north and southwind, are understood the same Spirit, being conceived and taken up in respect of his diverse operations (as it's, 1 Cor. 12. 6, 7, 8. &c. and therefore called the seven spirits of God, Rev. 1. 4.) sometime cooling and in a sharper manner nipping, as the Northwind, sometimes working in his people more softly and warmly, and in a still and quiet manner like the South-wind; yet, as both winds are useful, for the purging and making fruitful of a garden; so are the diverse operations of the Spirit, to the souls of believers. In a word, hereby is understood, the different operations of the Spirit, whether convincing and mortifying, or quickening ⟨p. 244⟩and comforting, &c. Both which contribute to make her lively and fruitful, which is the scope of her petition.

In the first petition, we may consider these two, 1. The thing sought. 2. The end wherefore that which she seeks and prayes for, is held forth, as it were, in three steps or degrees, in three expressions, awake, O north-wind, come thou south, blow upon my garden. For understanding whereof, we are to look, 1. What these winds signifie. 2. What this garden is. And, 3. What these act, of awaking, coming and blowing are. By winds often in Scripture is understood the Spirit of God in his mighty operations, as