Christ. That King of peace, crowned with all the glory of his grace and salvation, is the one object of all his confidence; the one source of all his hope; the one spring of all his joy; and the whole sum and substance of all his salvation!

What, then, shall we say to these things, for our guidance and hope? First, let us

also to participate in this "gladness," and to proclaim his wondrous name throughout the earth?

CHAPTER IV.

1 Christ setteth forth the graces of the church. 8 He sheweth his love to her. 16 The church prayeth to be made fit for

his presence.

these truths. Dark seasons do not exclude the hope of returning day; nor does mental distress prove that the Lord has shewed no mercy hitherto; nor that he will not return in mercy and love in future. Secondly, in all such seasons, let us never forget, that in the Lord alone is our help. We may go about the streets," and inquire of the "watchman," in all the customary means of grace; but these divine manifestations very often suddenly surprise the soul (Is. lxv. 1), is frequently verified in this manner; and when they take place, it is as life from the dead. Thirdly, and lastly, one chief means of bringing the mind back to its former peace and comfort, is, often to take a review of the believer's salvation, and to contemplate the grace and glory of that Saviour, by whom he is saved. Nothing can be more lively or reviving than the language of the verses, from 6 to 11, in this chapter. Well may we ask, "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness," clothed with the Saviour's protection, and interested in the Redeemer's merits, as there set forth? And well may we call upon all the daughters of Jerusalem to contemplate the glories of our Prince and King. What valiant attendants surround his person! All faithful unto death. What mighty weapons do they hold in their hands! Girded with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, they are armed for all occasions; and especially "because of fear in the night." How splendid and glorious is that "chariot of salvation," in which Jesus rides on, amidst the conquest of his grace! and the chief excellency of that chariot is, that the whole is "paved with love!" And who can contemplate that glorious King, crowned with all the glory of salvation, in the whole length and breadth of its blessedness, and not rejoice in the spectacle presented to his view; and call upon others

thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, 'that appear from mount Gilead.

2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.

3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.

4 Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty

men.

5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.

10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

12 A garden 'inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed." 13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

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cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; 14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

16 Awake, O north wind; and come,

WE may form some estimate of Christ's great love for his people, by what he often says, respecting them; as they are viewed in his sight. We may also form some conception of the nature of their love towards him, from the character of those expressions of strong affection and ardent desire, which they breathe towards him. From the one case, we may clearly perceive, that they are a peculiar treasure unto him; and, from the other, that he is a most precious Redeemer unto them. And it would be well, were we to examine our hearts on this point, that we may ascertain in what estimation Christ is held by us. What think ye of Christ? is a question proposed for our consideration by the Saviour himself; and we should often reflect, what answer we can give to it before God.

The chapter before us is of this description. Christ is here setting forth the graces of his people in mystical terms, shewing his love to them. There is also a prayer for the quickening power of his grace, that their souls may be refreshed and prepared for his gracious presence; that they may enjoy his favour, and delight in his ways.

The beauty of the church. "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair." The repetition of the expression denotes the certainty of the fact. How can this be? What is the church of Christ? A company of poor and miserable sinners. How can they be fair, who are so deformed by sin? How can they be comely, who are so polluted with corruption? How can the tents of Kedar be as the curtains of Solomon? The answer is, This gracious comeliness arises from what they are in Christ; and it consists of what they have in, and derive from, Christ.

As they are accepted in Christ, they are all fair. There is neither spot; nor wrinkle; nor any such thing. Clothed with the imputed righteousness of Christ; they have that robe of salvation, by virtue of which there

is no blemish in them in the sight of God. All sin is done away. All guilt is removed. They are accepted in the beloved. They are made the righteousness of God in him. They are passed from death unto life. They shall never come into condemnation. In this respect, what Christ is, they are; because they are found in him. This comeliness the Lord puts upon them all. In his beauty they are beautiful. In his glory they are glorious. They are fair in Christ.

They are also fair and beautiful in respect of what they have from Christ. The graces of the Spirit of Christ are as lovely in their nature and place; as the righteousness of Christ is essential and perfect in its proper use and application. The robe of Christ's merits is not put upon the dead; but upon the living soul: the soul that is quickened and made alive unto God by Jesus Christ is thus adorned. The most perfect or beautiful human form but faintly represents the sanctified beauty of the people of God. They are humble and penitent. They are lowly and abased. They look to him for life. Their desires flow out towards him. They feed upon the living bread. They are cleansed from the filthy ways of sin. They are fruitful in good works. They are not barren professors. They utter their desires, and speak of his praise. Their expectation is directed to him, and all their mercies flow from him. They are steadfast in his ways. They abound in every good word and work. And the loveliest part of all their sanctified character is, they "feed among the lilies." The loveliest spirit of purity, coupled with the deepest spirit of humility, marks their path. At the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense, they feed upon his precious death; and dwell in the living enjoyment of his constant intercession; for their daily comfort and support. In these respects, in the way of gracious commendation, they are all fair; there is no spot in them. For although they have many shortcomings, for which they grieve and lament; yet, being accepted in the Beloved, the Lord is merciful to their unrighteousnesses, and their sins and iniquities he will remember no more. (Jer. xxxi. 34; Heb. viii. 12, and x. 17).

And, oh! how great is his love to them!

Judge of this great love from the language here employed. He calls them his sister; his spouse a garden enclosed! a spring shut up a fountain sealed! a fountain of gardens! a well of living water! and streams from Lebanon! Oh, what wonderful and gracious words are these! Coming from any other than the lips of Jesus, we should not dare to apply them to the people of God; and even as they are thus given, the mind falters in the conception of their gracious meaning, and language fails to utter what they really imply.

Oh! may the Holy Spirit take of these things of Christ, and shew them to us! May the quickening and consoling operations of that gracious Spirit, which are here represented (v. 16) under the emblem of the north and the south wind, blow upon this garden; and cause all the spices thereof to flow out, breathing the sweet fragrance of holy desires and heavenly affections on all around! And may the Beloved come into his garden, view the effects of his own grace, and eat of his pleasant fruits to the glory and praise of his name!

CHAPTER V.

1 Christ awaketh the church with his calling. 2 The church having a taste of Christ's love is sick of love. 9 A description of Christ by his graces.

AM come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, 'yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but

I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7 The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

9 ¶ What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

10 My beloved is white and ruddy, 'the chiefest among ten thousand.

11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and 'fitly set.

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13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

(1) Or, and be drunken with loves. (7) Heb. sitting in fulness, that (2) Or, (as some read) in me.

(3) Heb.passing,or,running about. (4) Heb. what.

(5) Heb. a standardbearer. (6) Or, curled.

is, fitly placed, and set as a precious stone in the foil of a ring.

(8) Or, towers of perfumes. (9) Heb. His palate.

THE last chapter closed with a prayer. This opens with the answer. The prayer was, that Christ would come into his garden, which is, his redeemed church and people; and eat his pleasant fruits. The answer is, 'I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse" (v. 1). In the life of faith there is much fervent prayer; and there are many gracious replies. The presence of Christ is greatly desired. The grace of Christ is richly bestowed. This leads to what is elsewhere called, "Walking with God," and having "fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." (Gen. v. 22; 1 John i. 3.)

Here is a blessed invitation: "Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved." Of what are we thus freely invited to partake? The full provisions of the gospel. These are all prepared. All things

ever.

The

The

are ready. The Saviour has come. The Redeemer has died. The atonement has been made. The law has been magnified. The way is open. The feast is ready. Come and partake thereof; and you shall live for Such is the invitation (v. 1, 2). What is the effect? The heart is touched. The drowsy soul is awakened. This sleep was not the sleep of death. The heart wakes; though the eyes are closed. voice of the Beloved is recognised. knocking at the heart is heard. "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled." Long hath thy soul been destitute of my presence. Long have I stood waiting to be gracious. How wonderful is this scene! Is the soul willing to welcome the Lord? Not fully. Vain excuses are made; nor is it till, by a gracious compulsion, the Lord overcomes the reluctance, that the cordial welcome is given to his love. When his hand is put forth, the bowels are moved for him (v. 2-4). When his power is exercised, the sinner is willing; and when the Father draws, the sinner willingly comes, and feeds, and is blessed for ever. (Ps. cx. 3; John vi. 44, 45.)

But the Lord will sometimes make us feel the folly of our way. As his blessing was not prized when brought near; so, for a season, shall it be withheld, when earnestly desired. Then the soul is greatly distressed. The Beloved is withdrawn; and it cannot be at rest. Every word then fills it with lively apprehension. The soul fails under it. The soul fails under it. It seeks the Lord; but cannot find him. It calls; but there is no answer. The words of the watchmen are more like wounds and rebukes, than tokens of peaceful encouragement. And under the quickening application of their message, that veil of flimsy excuses which were before made, is taken away; and the soul is left in naked discovery to bewail its own folly and sin. Thus the Lord corrects and chastens. Thus he teaches us to value, what we do not prize as we ought; and makes us fear the loss of those blessings, which we have not duly improved, when brought within our reach.

The result of all this is good. The soul's estimate of Christ is enhanced to a greater degree; and the preciousness of Jesus is

often most touchingly expressed under the painful apprehension of his absence and loss (v. 5-8).

Were the question asked, "What is thy beloved more than another beloved?" what could we say? Is he beautiful and glorious? Is he the chiefest among ten thousand? Is he altogether lovely? Is he your Beloved and your Friend? What beauty do you see in him as God? What glory can you trace in him as Man? What loveliness and grace do you perceive combined in him as God and Man, in one Christ? What harmony do you see in his love, obedience, and death? in his righteousness; in his intercession; in his power to save; in his fitness to save; in his readiness to save; in his sufficiency to save? What glory do you see in his covenant; in his word; his oath, and his promise? Is your soul enraptured with his beauty? Does the discovery captivate your heart; and lead you to seek to win Christ, and be found in him? Ah! who can say, "This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem?"

The great

At the same time, take care. danger pointed out in this chapter is, that of making vain excuses (v. 3). You are never so near losing the enjoyment of spiritual consolations, as when you vainly frame excuses for neglecting the pursuit of them. How great is the loss, which many sustain in this way! And how often do they go drooping and mourning, on this account, instead of being able to realise the preciousness of Christ, and to rejoice in his great salvation! Would you avoid this peril; and enjoy this comfort? Then beware of vain excuses. You always need the Saviour. You should always seek his favour. You should always be panting after his grace, and be found walking in his ways.

to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for 'they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.

7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

10 ¶ Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?

11 I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

12 Or ever I was aware, my soul 'made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib.

13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

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In the last chapter, we found the church in a state of partial desertion, mourning the loss of the Beloved; and giving utterance to the most ardent expressions of admiration of his person, and its deliberate preference of hist grace and salvation. Such a frame of mind will not be left long without obtaining the object desired.

In the present chapter, others are introduced, seeking the same object; and uniting together in the same pursuit. How delightful is this! When some are brought to say to others, "We will go with you for we have heard that God is with you" (Zech. viii. 23), it is a pleasing token, that the Lord's salvation is near to come; and that his righteous

ness is about to be revealed. (Is. lvi. 1.) But if you would find the Lord, you must seek him where he is to be found. The manifestations of his love are always vouchsafed to his people. Each one singly, and all of them, more or less, collectively, are the special objects of his gracious regard. In all places, where he records his name, there he comes and blesses his people. (Ex. xx. 24.) And where two or three meet together in his name, there is He in the midst of them. (Matt. xviii. 20.) In this manner often does he go down to his garden. Often does he view the beds of spices. Often does he feed in the gardens. Often does he gather the lilies. In the diligent use of the means of grace, public and private, the soul is visited with renewed manifestations of his grace. And the believer is enabled to say, My beloved is mine, and I am his; and the sweet and lowly lily is the special object of his peculiar delight. The prophet beautifully expresses this truth, in another way, in these words: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (Is. xl. 11.) When the Lord thus manifests his love to his people, Oh! how precious are they in his sight. They are his love; his joy; his delight. In his gracious eye they are beautiful "as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners." The world, that knows nothing of their happiness, and often regards them with an evil eye, views them with wonder and reverence as they are marching on their way to glory; whilst the daughters of Jerusalem, the companions of their fellowship and the partners of their faith, bless and praise them. Happy art thou, O Israel (v. 4-8). "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy