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

for, so the Hebrews do name any thing that is superlative in it's kind, and this is added, to show the horrible torture that Christ's absence, and love-sickness hath with it, to a tender loving soul, especially when carnal unbelieving jealousy enters and prevails, they cannot abide it, but would choose any rod before that, if it were at their election. Obs. 1. Love to Christ, where it is strong and vigorous, will make strange and mighty impressions on the heart, which others are not acquaint with, and will break out in such expressions, as men of the world may wonder what they mean, none of them having any such feeling or sensibleness of Christ's absence or presence. 2 Where true love to Christ is, it's a most constraining thing, the soul that hath it, cannot but pursue for Christ, and go about all means which may any way further it's communion with him. 3. Where love begins to pursue after Christ, the longer it be in meeting with him, it increaseth the more, where it is real; and the moe disappointments it meet with, it grows the more vehement, till it break out in jealousy and zeal. 4. Believers that have true love, are ready to fall in jealousies of Christ, and to be suspicious of his love, especially in his absence; This is supposed here, that where true love to Christ is, there may be jealousy of him. ⟨p. 443⟩5. Where jealousy enters, is cherished and prevails, it's not only dishonourable to Christ, but exceedingly torturing to the believer: There is not a more vexing guest can be entertained, than jealousy of Christ. 6. Jealousy of Christ's love may be where there is little cause, and often where there is least cause, it is most ready to enter; The reason whereof may be taken from the ardency of the souls love to him, joined with the mistakes they have of his way, So, Isa. 49. 13, 14. For, considering what is gone before, it might be thought, that whatever any other might seem to have, the Bride had no cause of jealousy. 7. Believers would endeavour to prevent all jealousy of Christ and his love, and by all means seek to be established and confirmed in the saith of his love to them, as that which can only keep and guard the heart against these sinful suspicions and jealousies. 8. Though this jealousy be vexing, yet sometimes the believer cannot rid himself of it, it will so prevail, and is so cruel against him. 9.

for, so the Hebrews do name any thing that is superlative in it's kind, and this is added, to shew the horrible torture that Christ's absence, and love-sicknesse hath with it, to a tender loving soul, especially when carnal unbelieving jealousie enters and prevails, they cannot abide it, but would choose any rod before that, if it were at their election. Obs. 1. Love to Christ, where it is strong and vigorous, will make strange and mighty impressions on the heart, which others are not acquaint with, and will break out in such expressions, as men of the world may wonder what they mean, none of them having any such feeling or sensiblenesse of Christ's absence or presence. 2 Where true love to Christ is, it's a most constraining thing, the soul that hath it, cannot but pursue for Christ, and go about all means which may any way further it's communion with him. 3. Where love begins to pursue after Christ, the longer it be in meeting with him, it increaseth the more, where it is real; and the moe disappointments it meet with, it grows the more vehement, till it break out in jealousie and zeal. 4. Believers that have true love, are ready to fall in jealousies of Christ, and to be suspitious of his love, especially in his absence; This is supposed here, that where true love to Christ is, there may be jealousie of him.