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

The second qualification is, Let us lodge in the villages: Villages are rural, or land-ward places, by that name distinguished from Towns or Cities; In these, men travelling, or continuing a time in the fields for their recreation or business, do lodge, as retired from their ordinary vocations in Cities. Her desire, Let us lodge in these (or, as the word is, Let us night or dwell there) shows that she desired him abroad with her, not for a piece of a day, to return at night, but for a greater length and continuance of time, as loving rather to lodge with him in the villages, and to take what might be had in his company, for lengthening their retirement, than to return hastily to the City, or businesses whereby she might be distracted, and in hazard of an interruption of her communion with him. Obs. 1. True desire of communion with Christ in the enjoyment of his presence, as it presseth for retiredness with him, so is it desirous to have that lengthened, and cannot endure to think of parting with him, when it gets him in a corner. 2. A back-side, or a corner alone with Christ's company, is good lodging to a lover of Christ: Solitariness with his presence, is more frequented and delighted in by such, than more public fellowship and societies.

The second qualification is, Let us lodge in the villages: Villages are rural, or land-ward places, by that name distinguished from Towns or Cities; In these, men travelling, or continuing a time in the fields for their recreation or businesse, do lodge, as retired from their ordinary vocations in Cities. Her desire, Let us lodge in these (or, as the word is, Let us night or dwell there) shews that she desired him abroad with her, not for a piece of a day, to return at night, but for a greater length and continuance of time, as loving rather to lodge with him in the villages, and to take what might be had in his company, for lengthning their reteirment, than to return hastily to the City, or businesses whereby she might be distracted, and in hazard of an interruption of her communion with him. Obs. 1. True desire of communion with Christ in the injoyment of his presence, as it presseth for retirednesse with him, so is it desirous to have that lengthned, and cannot endure to think of parting with him, when it gets him in a corner. 2. A back-side, or a corner alone with Christ's company, is good lodging to a lover of Christ: Solitarinesse with his presence, is more frequented and delighted in by such, than more publick fellowship and societies.