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

Follows now in the 11. and 12. verses, the second proof of the reality of the beauty and stateliness of the Bride, which puts all out of controversy; and this proof he takes from his own experience, respecting what was said, vers. 4, 5. and it may be summed thus, That must be stately beauty, that ravisheth me; (that is understood) but hers is such; This is proved from experience, I went down (saith he) to the Garden of nuts (having withdrawn from that sensible communion which was entertained with the Spouse, as a man doth out of his chamber to his Garden) and was looking to the case of my plants, according as the Bride had informed the daughters of Jerusalem, vers. 2. but (saith he) ere I was aware, she did cast an eye after me, that so suddenly and effectually ravished me, that I could not but return, and that speedily, as if I had been mounted upon the swiftest Chariots, and therefore this cannot but be stately loveliness: Which agrees with, and relates to what is said, vers. 5. Thou hast overcome me: And so we may look on the words, as if he therein, for her consolation, were giving her an account of his absence, and what he was doing; and he shows her that even while he was absent, her cries (which Chap. 5. 6. she thought had not been heard) and her looks to him, were not forgotten, nor slighted, even when to her sense she saw him not, yet even then (saith he) they pierced me, and made my affections warm, that I could not but be affected, and return, as now thou seeth.

Follows now in the 11. and 12. verses, the second proof of the reality of the beauty and statelinesse of the Bride, which puts all out of controversie; and this proof he takes from his own experience, respecting what was said, vers. 4, 5. and it may be summed thus, That must be stately beauty, that ravisheth me; (that is understood) but hers is such; This is proved from experience, I went down (saith he) to the Garden of nuts (having withdrawn from that sensible communion which was entertained with the Spouse, as a man doth out of his chamber to his Garden) and was looking to the case of my plants, according as the Bride had informed the daughters of Ierusalem, vers. 2. but (saith he) ere I was aware, she did cast an eye after me, that so suddenly and effectually ravished me, that I could not but return, and that speedily, as if I had been mounted upon the swiftest Chariots, and therefore this cannot but be stately lovelinesse: Which agrees with, and relates to what is said, vers. 5. Thou hast overcome me: And so we may look on the words, as if he therein, for her consolation, were giving her an account of his absence, and what he was doing; and he shews her that even while he was absent, her cryes (which Chap. 5. 6. she thought had not been heard) and her looks to him, were not forgotten, nor slighted, even when to her sense she saw him not, yet even then (saith he) they pierced me, and made my affections warm, that I could not but be affected, and return, as now thou seeth.