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

which, as it implies her case, that her heart was in a great measure shut upon him, and that by some carnal indisposition he was kept out of it, and was not made welcome; So it requires the removing of all that stopped his way, and the casting open of the heart by saith to receive his Word, and by love to receive himself: and in these two especially, this opening doth consist, 1. In the exercise of faith, Act. 16. 14. The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, and that is expounded, she gave heed unto these things which Paul spoke. 2. An enlarging and warming of the affections towards him (which ever comprehends the former) as, Psalm 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it: What that is, the refusal following declares, my people would not hear, (that is, believe) Israel would none of me, or loved not me (as the words in the Original import) they cared not for me, they desired me not, and would not quite their Idols, as in the foregoing words, vers. 9. is mentioned. 3. There resulteth from these two a mutual familiarity, as Rev. 3. 20. If any man will open, I will ⟨p. 258⟩come in and sup with him, and he with me. This opening then, imports the removing of every thing that marred fellowship with Christ, and the doing of every thing that might dispose for enjoying of it, as awaking, rising, &c. all which follows in the 4. vers. and while he commands to open, he calls for the entertaining of fellowship with him, which now is by her drowsiness interrupted: Which two parts of the verse put together, hold forth, 1. That Christ's own Bride may shut the door on him, and so make a sad separation betwixt him and her. 2. Christ's word is the great and ordinary external mean, whereby he knocks at mens hearts, and which he makes use of for begetting faith in them. 3. That in a believers secure condition, there will be sometimes more than ordinary convictions, stirrings and motions by the Word. 4. That the Word of God, backed with power, will reach the securest heart and affect it. 5. That believers will discern Christ's voice and call, when their condition is very low. 6. It will be refreshful to them to have him knocking; she looks on it as a kindly thing, even to have his knock bearing-in convictions, challenges, or somewhat else on her; though it please not her flesh, yet in as far as she is renewed, it will be the voice of her Beloved to her. 7.