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

This 6. vers. contains five particulars of the Brides experience in this case: The first of them, I opened, &c. is the last effect following upon his putting in his hand vers. 4. This work of grace left her not in an indifferency, whether to open or not, but having given her to will in the former verse, now he gives also to do, and actually determines the will, or makes it determine it self to receive him: but now Christ is found to be absent, whereupon follows the other steps of her carriage, and the disappointments that she met with in seeking of him. This opening is the very thing called for by him, vers. 2. which (considering the words following) is especially to be understood of her exercising of faith in him, whereby the heart is delated to receive him, hence believing is called, a receiving of Christ, Joh. 1. 12. And it being a heart-receiving, it must be the very thing understood here by opening. Now although faith according to it's several acts, may be several ways considered, yet that act of faith whereby the heart consents to receive Christ, and to rest on him, is that which is mainly here aimed at, 1. Because this opening, is opposed to refusing, Psal. 81. 10, 11. It must therefore be consenting. 2. It's not giving of consent, that mainly keeps Christ at a distance from souls, or keeps them without interest in him, as opening to him, or receiving of him entitles them to him, Joh. 1. 11, 12. and Acts 16. 14. 3. This opening is both different from conviction, resolutions, repentance ⟨p. 277⟩and what may be supposed to proceed; these were in the words going before: and is also distinguished from sense and the fruits of believing, which follow after: It must therefore be the hearts yielding to Christ's call, and submitting thereunto, Rom. 10. 3. as actually consenting to be his: Yet all these acts would not be looked on as distinct in respect of time, as they proceed from grace (which puts all together) but in nature, and in respect of the distinct uptaking of the same grace, in it's effects: In a word, saith the Bride, the Lord having applied the work of his Spirit to me, it effectuated one step after another, and left me not until I yielded my self to him to be his, as a mansion for him to dwell in. Which shows, 1. That grace doth not only work upon the understanding to enlighten it, but that it doth also immediately work on the will, and determines it;