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

So jealousy in this sense is applied to both God and men, but properly it agreeth only to men; for, there are no such passions in God, though he, condescending to our capacity, speaks thus of himself, after the manner of men. Now this jealousy is said to be cruel, or hard: It's called, Prov. 6. the rage of a man; and this was the jealousy, or zeal that did eat up David, Psa. 69. and so it is compared to the grave, which, Prov. 30. is the first of these four things that are never satisfied, but wastes all the bodies that are laid in it: So (saith she) this love of mine, being at a height, torments me restlessly, as if it were cruelly persecuting me, till it be satisfied with a good answer from thee, O! my beloved. In an evil sense, jealousy signifies not a simple fear of missing the thing men desire, or a suspicion of their own short-coming in attaining of it, but a groundless suspicion of them whom they love, as if they did not entertain their love as they ought; and thus, jealousy is called the rage of a man, Prov. 6. 34. and so here, this cannot be altogether excluded; jealousy thus taken, having in it some unbelief, which torments believers horribly, when ⟨p. 442⟩the suspicion of Christ's not taking notice of them grows; and this is frequently to be found in the Saints cases, in times of desertion; they are then very apt to suspect God's love, and this exceedingly disquiets them, the want of the faith and sense of his love being a death unto them, Psal. 77. 8, 9, 10. And so the reason runs thus, let me be admitted to thy heart, for my love will be satisfied with no less; and if this be not obtained, jealousy and suspicion of thy love may steal in, and that will be torturing and tormenting: And therefore, she puts up this suit, that she may be set as a Seal upon his heart, to have that prevented; for, she cannot abide to think of it. 3. She compares this jealousy to coals of fire (the coals thereof are coals of fire) for their vehement heat, tormenting nature, and consuming power; all which are to be found in this strong and jealous love, it is vehement for heat, painful and destructive as fire is: yea further, it is compared to coals that have a most vehement flame, or as it is in the Original, the flame of God;