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

Yet, 3. We say, every thing in this Song, is not to be applied to all within the Church, or to the Church, under every consideration, in the same manner; what agreeth to the Church as visible, will not, at least, in the same manner agree to her, considered as invisible, & contra; nor will every thing which agrees to a Believer in one case, agree to all; nay, not to that same Believer always. Therefore, there is great need of wariness in application, that the word may be rightly divided, and the diverse cases of the Church and particular Believers would be rightly taken up for that end: Every place is not to be applied to all (though sometimes a place may be taken up under diverse considerations, as from other Scriptures, and the formerly cited Epistles, is clear) but what agrees to every one, would be so applied, and sol•ly upon that consideration, and under that notion, as it agrees unto such a person, or such a case.

Yet, 3. We say, every thing in this Song, is not to be applyed to all within the Church, or to the Church, under every consideration, in the same manner; what agreeth to the Church as visible, will not, at least, in the same manner agree to her, considered as invisible, & contra; nor will every thing which agrees to a Believer in one case, agree to all; nay, not to that same Believer alwayes. Therefore, there is great need of warrinesse in application, that the word may be rightly divided, and the diverse cases of the Church and particular Believers would be rightly taken up for that end: Every place is not to be applyed to all (though sometimes a place may be taken up under diverse considerations, as from other Scriptures, and the formerly cited Epistles, is clear) but what agrees to every one, would be so applyed, and sol•ly upon that consideration, and under that notion, as it agrees unto such a person, or such a case.

For helping us in this distinct application, it is necessary that we lay down these following Rules: