mother; the choice one of her that bare her. Whether Jew or Gentile, they are one in Christ. He hath made both one. He gathers together in one the children of God which are scattered abroad. He prays that they may be all one; as the Father is in Christ, and he in them, so they may be one in both. (John xvii. 21.) Nor are they one only in point of number. They are one in state, spirit, and design. They are all included in one covenant; bought with the same blood; justified by the same righteousness; led by the same Spirit. They all see their sin; all trust in Jesus Christ; all love his name; all walk in his ways; all press on to his kingdom. They are but one. Saints before his coming; saints when he appeared; saints since his appearing, are all one. They form one body; one flock; one company; one church; one people. Blessed unity! May it be largely verified, and visibly increase more and more! (v. 9.)

How lovely does the church appear when thus arrayed in her spiritual unity! Bright as the morning; fair as the moon; clear as the sun; and terrible as an army with banners, does she appear in the eye of her Lord, and stand forth in the face of all beholders! And when the Lord is pleased to visit his garden, how often is the soul enlivened with his presence, and enraptured with his beauty and love! Oh, may he make our soul like the chariots of Ammi-nadib! May he set us on the chariot of his willing people; and enable us to ride on speedily and triumphantly in our appointed course; till, at length, the chariot-wheels of his grace stay their progress, when they reach the confines of eternal glory; and our happy souls are landed safe among the redeemed multitudes on high!

3 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

4 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.

5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.

6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;

9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.

10 ¶ I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

11 Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.

12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth there will I give thee my loves.

13 The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.

THE description of the graces of the church, as given and commended by Christ, in the preceding portion, is carried on still further in this chapter. Connected with this descriptive commendation is their professed faith and desire. Let us examine this subject more closely for our own advantage and improvement.

Is there any thing, in any of the Lord's people, arising from themselves, which can call forth either the Lord's approval, or praise? Certainly not. In us dwelleth no good thing. We are a people of unclean lips; and we dwell among a people of unclean lips. The leprosy of sin hath utterly tainted our soul and polluted our nature. From the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, there is no soundness in us. (Is. i. 6.)

Is there any thing, done by any of the Lord's people, arising from themselves, which

can command his approval, or praise? Certainly not. Before their conversion takes place, all their works are sinful. After they After they believe in Christ, there is so much evil mixed, even with the best they do, that, if the Lord were to enter into judgment with them on that score, they could not answer him one of a thousand.

How, then, can the Lord ever commend or praise, either themselves, or any thing that is in them; or any thing which has been done by them? It arises solely from what the Lord hath done for them, and wrought in them; from what he hath put upon them, and given to them. It is his work, which is commended. They are his gifts and graces, which are approved. If the prince's daughter's feet are beautiful with shoes, it is because she has been shod by him with the preparation of the gospel of peace. If she be clothed with jewels, they are the ornaments which he hath put upon her. If she be espoused to his royal person, it is because he hath taken her into that near relation to himself. Take any blessing received; any grace of the Spirit exercised; any fruitfulness brought forth; and you will find, that it is he who hath given all; granted all; wrought all. If the king be held in the galleries, it is under the reflected gracious manifestations of himself, which he hath made to her soul. In short, all is from the Lord. Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. The apostle thus expresses this truth in these words. "Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open faces beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. iii. 17, 18.)

The same might be said of all that blessed assurance of the soul's interest in Christ, and of Christ's love to the soul, which forms so great a part of that secret of the Lord which is with them that fear him. If they can say, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me," it is because he hath manifested his love to their soul; given them to see their interest in him; and drawn out their desire towards him. So, also, if they feel pleasure and delight in his ways, and long to know

more and more of his salvation, it is because he hath made them willing in the day of his power, and drawn them with the cords of love to himself; that they may both participate the blessings of his grace, and dedicate themselves to his service.

The doctrine of gracious imputation, and abundant impartation, is absolutely needful to be known and received, in order to see how Christ can approve, or commend, any thing in any of those who hear his voice, and follow him as the Shepherd of their souls. In short, every giving forth of his love, every new and old fruit brought forth in the life of faith, and all the stores laid up for the beloved of his soul, are all from him. So that in this respect, also, Christ is All and in all; and to rest short of this, is to fail in the truth; to deprive our soul of peace; and to rob Christ of the glory due to his name.

Have we not, then, a great deal yet to learn in all these respects? Is the Saviour thus viewed; thus lived upon; and thus honoured, by all who bear his name? What mean such passages as these? "It hath pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell" and "of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." (Col. i. 19; John i. 16.) Oh! that we may live upon that Saviour; draw out of his fulness; and experience, in the full assurance of faith, more and more the efficacy of his full and complete redemption; his present and everlasting salvation!

wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

:

6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal thine arm for love is strong as upon death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found 'favour. 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

(1) Heb. they should not despise me. (2) Heb. why should ye stir up, or, why, &c. (4) Heb. peace. (5) Heb. Flee away.

(3) Heb. hard.

But

WHAT were the exact views, which the Old Testament saints had of the promised Redeemer, may not be easy to determine. That they knew him as their Saviour, and rejoiced in his salvation, is beyond all doubt. whether they were favoured with such distinct views of his incarnation, suffering, and death, and the glory that should follow, as we enjoy under the clear light of the gospel, is not so apparent. Possibly there might have been as great a difference between the views of some matters among them, as there still is between many among ourselves; though our position is far superior to theirs. The earnest desire here expressed, in the opening of this chapter, seems to denote more what believers hoped might be the case, in regard to the glorious Immanuel, than what they knew upon the

distinct assurance of faith. (Eph. iii. 5.) Still they saw and knew enough of his glorious person and great salvation, as to rejoice in the prospect of his day; to esteem all things as nothing compared with him; and to exult and triumph in his salvation. (John viii. 56; Heb. xi. 26; Is. xii.)

Now, what they longed for, we enjoy. Christ is as our brother. He did, as it were, suck the breasts of our mother. He is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. He was born of a woman. He was suckled and fondled at his mother's breast, as we were when we were born. He partook of our infirmities, such as hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness; and was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, as we are. may then approach him in the confident and affectionate manner, which is here described; and be assured that, thus approaching him, we shall not be despised; nor rejected.

We

Does the incarnation of Jesus thus encourage your soul? Does the interesting fact, that he was born, and lived, and died, in the form of man, though without sin, inspire you with hope in seeking the blessings of his salvation? Surely it should have that effect. The glorious Immanuel, God with us, should draw the heart; and lead us to trust in him, as the Prince of peace. Be it also remembered, that love to Jesus is the best proof of your knowing his person, or tasting his salvation. And when you are stayed, and upheld by his tender arm, you will not be backward in testifying your attachment to his person, and your devotion to his ways.

Who, then, "is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" To whom is Christ all their salvation, and all their desire? Who is this, that leaves the world; and seeks for heaven? Who is this, that separates from evil; and follows the Lord? Every one, that leans upon the beloved, thus comes out and is separate. Every one, that thus comes out from the world, and presses towards heaven, leans upon the beloved. But, who is it? Is it you? Are you among this happy number? Are you coming up from the world leaning upon Christ as the beloved of your soul? Say, where and when were you born again? Where and by whom were you brought forth,

and brought up? When were you led to make this happy choice, and to take this decided step? What led you to seek the Saviour; to take him as your all; to set your affection on things above; and thus to press on toward the mark?

Consider another inquiry. Whose love is so fervent towards Christ, as is here set forth? Who longs to be set as a seal upon his heart; as a seal upon his arm ? Who feels his love as strong as death? Who cannot endure the thought of another saviour, or another hope, than Christ alone? Who finds that no waters can quench that love; and that no floods can drown it? Who see that, in comparison of the object so beloved, all other things are utterly to be contemned, and esteemed as dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ the Lord? Are our hearts sound in these matters? Have we an approving conscience in all these respects? Even if we see how we fail and come short, are we still panting and breathing after higher and more distinct enjoyment of that "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge?" Sensations of this kind cannot be unknown, where they exist. Who, then, can adopt Peter's reply, and, looking to the beloved of his soul, say, "Lord, thou knowest that I love thee?" (John xxi. 15-17.)

Such love as this will compassionate others; as well as rejoice in Christ alone. Who, then, feels for others? Who pities and prays

May they not Do they not need

Read over the See the yearnings

for them; and seeks the conversion of the poor Gentile race; and the family long since cast off? Cannot others be brought to love the Saviour as well as we? be saved as well as we? salvation as well as we? latter part of this chapter. of the true church of God, towards others, who have not as yet found grace in his sight (v. 8-11). Are there not vast multitudes of our fellow-men, little esteemed by many, and low in their degradation and abasement, who may yet become our brothers and sisters in Christ; who may form a large portion of the redeemed family of God; and who may yet become the loving, faithful, and devoted followers of the Lamb? Then, how do we regard them? How do we feel towards them? Oh! thou most blessed and most compassionate Redeemer! thou that dwellest in the various gardens and sections of thy church! to whose voice our companions in the kingdom, and patience of thy kingdom, hearken with the greatest delight! cause us and others to hear that voice, and to follow thee! Oh, do thou make haste, thou beloved of our soul; manifest the riches of thy grace; unfold the stores of thy love; gather in thy redeemed to the fold; remove every hindrance out of the way; subdue every enemy; leap over every difficulty; and fulfil all thy good pleasure to the glory of thy

name!