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

The tenth verse may be taken as the expression of his own esteem of her, and so it begins the second proof of her excellency, that not only they, but He esteems of her. Or, the words may be looked on as the continuance of their praise, and be read thus, They praised her, saying (as often that word is to be supplied) who is she, &c? If they be thus taken, the scope is the same, holding forth their esteem of her; and his repeating of it, shows his approbation thereof: and we incline to take the words in this sense, because it continues the series better, and shows their concurring in their thoughts of her, with what were his thoughts, vers. 4. which is his scope. This is peculiarly taken notice of by him as well grounded praise, upon this account, that their thoughts were conform and agreeable to his. It will also difference the two confirmations better to begin the second, vers. 11. than to take the words simply as the Bridegrooms words, wherein the same thing for substance with what was said, vers. 4. is repeated. However, in these words, her loveliness is set out, 1. In the manner of expression here used, who is she? Like that, Chap. 3. 6. which was spoken by the daughters, and so this looks the liker to be spoken by them also, as wondering at her, What is she? this she must be some singular person, and so it proves his scope, laid down, vers. 9. 2. The matter of the words, sets out her loveliness in four expressions or similitudes, tending to one thing, namely to show the lightsomeness (to speak so) of the Church, and her ravishing-beauty: The first similitude is, that she looketh forth as the morning: The morning is lightsome, compared with the night, and refreshful; so the Bride is like the morning, compared with the world that is darkness, and she is ⟨p. 364⟩