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

Vers. 5. Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me:—

The first part of the fifth verse contains the amplification and heightening of the Brides lovely▪ terribleness, and the great instance and proof thereof, is held forth in a most wonderful expression, Turn away thine eyes from me▪ and as wonderful a reason, for they have overcome me, saith the beloved: Wherein consider, 1. That, wherein this might and irresistible terribleness of hers consisted, It's her eyes, which are supposed to be looking on him, even when she knew not, to her sense, where he was: By eyes, we show, Chap. 4. 9. were understood her love to him, and saith in him, whereby she was still cleaving to him under desertion, and in the present dark condition she was in, seeking to find him out. 2. This phrase, Turn away thine eyes, is not so to be taken, as if Christ approved not her looking to him, or her faith in him; but, to show the exceeding great delight he had in her placing her faith and love on him, which was such, that her loving and believing looks ravished him (as it's Chap. 4. 9.) and (as it were) his heart could not stand out against these looks, more than one man could stand out against a whole army, as the the following expression ⟨p. 354⟩clears: It's like these expressions, Gen. 32. 28. I pray thee let me go, and, Exod. 32. 10. Let me alone, Moses; which shows, that it's the believers strength of faith, and importunity of love, exercised in humble dependence on him, and cleaving to him, which is here commended; for (saith he) they have overcome me: This shows, that it is no violent, or unwilling victory over him. But (in respect of the effect that followed her looks) it holds forth the intenseness of his love, and the certainty of faiths prevailing, that (to speak so with reverence and admiration) he is captivate, ravished and held with it, as one that is overcome, because he will be so; yea, according to the principles of his love, and the faithfulness of his promises, whereby he walks, he cannot but yield unto the believing importunity of his people, as one overcome. In sum, it's borrowed from the most passionate love that useth to be in men, when they are so taken with some lovely object, that a look thereof pierceth them: