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

Next, it is added; yea, he is altogether lovely: Although she hath spent many sweet words (and indeed there hath been no straitening in her) in commending Christ, and although all her words be sweet, and especially when she draws near the close, her expressions be the more massy and significant, yet as being necessitate to succumb under the great task of describing the excellency of her Beloved, she must give over particulars, and conclude with a general, as if she would say, would ye know him? O, I, even I cannot tell you all his excellent properties; for, he is most justly called wonderful, Isa. 9. 6. but in sum, I may say, he is altogether lovely: The word is, he is all desires, or, all he desires: The word that is rendered lovely, comes from a root that signifieth to covet, as in Joshua 7. 21. It is said of Achan, when he saw the wedge of gold, that he coveted it, so it's such a desire as ardently covets the thing desired: And thus Christ is not simply lovely, but of such an attractive excellency, as makes him the proper Object of the most ardent and holy-cove•ing desires, or after which all desires should go forth, as towards the best and most desirable Object: The words are mean to express somewhat that is not expressible, or rather the unexpressiblenesse of that Beloved she had been commending, lest they should think she were satisfied, as if she had fully described him. We may consider the words several ways, 1. Negatively, as they show there is nothing in him, but what is desirable: As if she said, all he is desires, there is nothing of any other nature in him, but such as I have mentioned, he is a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. 2. Take them positively, and so they show whatever is in him, is exceeding desirable; go through all his parts, qualifications, attributes and works, whereof I have given you but a hint (saith she) and ye will see them all exceedingly desirable. 3. Take them conclusively or comprehensively, and so while she saith, he is all desires, the meaning is, there is nothing truly desirable, but it is to be found in him, the soul cannot rationally imagine that satisfaction ⟨p. 329⟩that is not to be found in Christ, otherwise all desires were not in him; this is sweet, even very•sweet, what idol is perfect? there are many defects in all other beloveds, but (saith she) my Beloved is perfect: