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

The eighth and ninth particulars of Christ's commendation, are in vers. 15. The first of them here commended is his legs: The word legs, comes from a root in the Original, that signifieth to walk; and so takes in things and feet, which are also useful in motion. In Scripture, and by Analogy, they are made use of to signify these two, 1. A mans way in the series of his carriage and deportment, as ordinarily his life is called a walk: So, Eccl. 5. 1. Take heed unto thy feet, that is, to thy carriage; Hence the iniquities ⟨p. 321⟩of the heels are spoken of, Psal. 49. 5. to set out mens defects, that cleave to them in their conversation, as their feet leave prints or footsteps behind them in their walking. 2. This metaphor signifieth strength and activity, as Psal. 147. 10. The Lord delights not in the strength of an horse, nor in the legs of a man; wherefore (very probably) Eccles. 12. 3. they are called the strong men, because they sustain or bear up the body: Here being applied to Christ, we conceive they signify his way, or administration of providence, which he useth with his people, it being by his dispensations that he walks amongst them. Hence the series of common providence is so often in Scripture called the way of the Lord, as Ezek. 18. 25. The Lords way is equal, his carriage in his dispensations is still just, opposite to their way, or walk, which is there called unequal: And the dispensation of grace is called a way, Rom. 11. 33. How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out; which take-in the contrivance, and administration of his grace, as the scope there doth clear. His way is more general and comprehensive than his works, and takes-in these three (for which it is called a way.) 1. His design and end, that he proposeth to himself. 2. His wise and powerful plot in contriving and applying means suitable thereunto, for bringing it about, especially the principle (to say so) by which he walks and works, to wit, his wisdom, power and love. 3. His convoy of, and the progress which he makes in, these, by which he is ever proceeding towards his end, as a man doth in his way by walking with his legs: In all these respects, the Lords way of carrying on his design is said to be unsearchable: