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

Quest. 1. Wherefore is this subjoined now, after so large a commendation in the words immediately preceding. Ans. The former commendation shows Christ's love to his Bride (to say so) immediately after their marriage, or on the back of some agreement, after an out-cast; but, this is added, to show what is Christ's ordinary way of carriage to his people, and what are his usual thoughts (to say so) of them; he is not kind only at fits (as men sometimes use to be, and do not continue) or, when he was surprised (as it were) with a sudden gale of affection, Chap. 6. 12. no, he is constantly kind; and therefore, these expressions are •ow renewed, to show that such are his ordinary kind ways of dealing towards them, even when there is no connection betwixt his dealing and their present condition, nor any thing in them that can be looked on as the immediate rise thereof: Our blessed Lord is a most fair, loving and friendly speaker unto, and converser with his Bride.

Quest. 1. Wherefore is this subjoined now, after so large a commendation in the words immediatly preceeding. Ans. The former commendation shews Christ's love to his Bride (to say so) immediatly after their marriage, or on the back of some agreement, after an out-cast; but, this is added, to shew what is Christ's ordinary way of carriage to his people, and what are his usual thoughts (to say so) of them; he is not kind only at fits (as men sometimes use to be, and do not continue) or, when he was surprized (as it were) with a sudden gale of affection, Chap. 6. 12. no, he is constantly kind; and therefore, these expressions are •ow renewed, to shew that such are his ordinary kind wayes of dealing towards them, even when there is no connexion betwixt his dealing and their present condition, nor any thing in them that can be looked on as the immediat rise thereof: Our blessed Lord is a most fair, loving and friendly speaker unto, and converser with his Bride.

Quest. 2. Why is this commendation enlarged beyond the former, having moe particulars in it? Ans. Thereby the Lord shows, 1. the sovereignty of his love, in making the intimations thereof, less or more as he pleaseth. 2. The last commendation is most full, in expressing the riches of his love, to show that Christ never speaks so kindly to one of his own, but there is more behind in his heart than hath yet vented it self, and that there is more which they may expect from him, than they have yet met with, however that may be very much. 3. It's to make it the fresher unto them, when by this it is evidenced to be a new intimation of his kindness, although it proceed on the same grounds, on which former intimations did; and this may be a reason also of the third difference, and question following, which is,