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

In the sixth verse, she proceeds to her second petition, wherein she is strengthened from her former experience: The suit is in two expressions, to one purpose; and it is pressed with several reasons, in the end of the sixth and seventh verses; whereby she shows, that less could not be satisfying to her, and this much she behoved to have granted her. The first expression, holding forth her suit, is, Set me as a seal upon thine heart: The second is to the same purpose, in the words that follow, and as a seal upon thine arm. By Christ's heart is signified his most inward affection; for, it is frequent in Scripture by the heart to signify the most inward affections; So, Matth. 6. 12. where the treasure is, there the heart will be: And, Chap. 4. 9. Thou hast ravished my heart, &c. A seal is used for confirming evidences, or closing of letters: They have some peculiar engraving on them, serving to distinguish the deed of one man from the deed of another; wherefore men use to have a special care of their Signet or Seal: (for both are one upon the matter and in the Original) Thus Ahasuerus kept his Seal upon his own finger, Esth. 3. 10, 12. So then, from this we may see, that a Seal, or Signet, signifieth, 1. What one hath a precious ⟨p. 439⟩esteem of; and therefore, Jer. 22. 24. the Lord saith of Coniah, though thou wert the Signet on my right hand, &c. And, Hag. 2. 23. the Lord expresseth his love to Jerusalem in this, that he would take Zerubbabel and make him as a Signet. 2. By Seal is signified something that makes an impression, and leaves a stamp thereof behind it, that doth not wear out again, as a Seal doth on the Wax. Next, by Christ's arm, may be understood, his care of his people, outwardly expressed in the effects, wrought by his power for their good: So, Isa. 40. 11. it's said, he will gather the Lambs with his arms, &c. Thus then, to be set as a seal on his heart, doth imply, 1. Exceeding great nearness to Christ, e•en to have a special room and seat in his heart. 2. It imports, a settledness in that condition, that she may be set there, as the Lord saith of Jerusalem,