66

of a Believer's spiritual condition. It is full of Christ, whose excellencies and mercies, and compassionate long-suffering are set forth under the most lively figures, to encourage and sustain the weary disciple in the midst of his manifold infirmities. Certainly no spiritual reader of this portion of God's Word can rise up from his meditations upon it, without feeling that its words are sweet unto the spiritual tasteyea, sweeter than honey to his mouth." What can be more encouraging than the picture here presented to us of that Saviour, who "loveth unto the end," who, notwithstanding all the infirmities and failings of His beloved ones, is yet unoffended, delighting to win back the "spoiler of his own peace" and the would-be destroyer of his own happiness, to the full enjoyment of that love which passeth understanding?

What can be more precious to the weary soul of the tempted and afflicted child of God, than to contemplate the unwearied grace and love of Jesus" the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever?" Who, notwithstanding all his own faithlessness and inconstancy; wanderings and mistakes; luke-warmness and backslidings, finds Him always constant in His love-ever mindful of His covenant-always indulgent to weakness— ever ready to forgive the waywardness of His

Beloved, though feeble Disciples. In these days of hot controversy and religious activity, one fears the hearts of Believers have waxed cold in that kind of love for the person and presence of Jesus which drew forth the tears of Mary, when she said" they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him:" or the earnest longings of the spouse, in this Song of Songs "I sought Him, but I could not find Him; I called Him, but He gave me no answer.” But in this sweet Song, attachment to the Person of Christ "ardent love for Him, without danger of excess or disproportion are commended and enforced." Here the Believer is taught how to preserve his communion with Christ: how to think of the Person of Christ: how to estimate his own perfection (though conscious of many imperfections) in the perfect righteousness of another, Who was without sin, and yet endured its penalties, that His people might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Reader, if you are a child of God by adoption and grace, I beseech this one thing of you at the very threshhold of my humble endeavour, to shew that this "Song of Songs sets forth the love of God in the person and work of Christ Jesus. It is this that you will offer up a brief prayer for yourself, and every other reader

of this volume" that the Almighty God, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, will pour down His blessing upon the reading of this Book by whomsoever it may be perused, to the setting forth of the preciousness of Christ, and the riches of the grace of His glorious Gospel!

2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

This is the breathing of a devout soul for nearer and more full manifestations of Christ's love. The language is abrupt, but it is just that very style of expression which suits the heart under strong emotions of earnest and deep affection. It is the genuine, unformal expression of deep feeling-careless how it declares itself, except to make its affection intelligible and attractive to the object, whose increased tokens of love it so ardently desires. It is the language of a soul conscious of a certain amount of favor in the eyes of her beloved. It clearly implies and gratefully acknowledges its acceptance with Him. It is the language of one who has found Christ mighty to save and pardon: who has believed to the forgiveness of sin. They are words of one like him who could say, "this one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, but now I

See "1

“I know whom I have believed."2 The speaker is the Church, or Bride of Christ; or, in the singular and individual character, the true Believer in Jesus. All such as can take this language into their own lips, do testify that, having found Jesus, and by God's grace been drawn to Him, and by faith have laid their sins on Him, and thus realised their forgiveness and acceptance in Him-now desire more close and blessed fellowship with Him whom they love, "because He first loved" them. This is carefully to be observed. Throughout this Book, it is not "coming to Jesus" but communion with Jesus. It is not the finding Him for the first time, but returning to Him again and again, after spiritual sloth or careless forgetfulness, or worldly compliances. It is not the cry of one whose soul is pierced through with many sorrows, and presses hard the entreaty "God be merciful to me a sinner," but the repentance of one, whose language is "My soul cleaveth unto the dust, quicken me O Lord according unto Thy Word."3 This is the very soul and meaning of this Holy Book. The very first verse gives an insight to the remainder. "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth." Full of her own need, and full of fervent desires after Christ, the

I. Jno ix. 25. 2. I. Tim. ii. 1.

3. Psalm cxix. 25.

speaker here, like Mary Magdalene to the supposed gardener, omits to mention Him by name "if thou have borne HIM hence "--both meaning Jesus, but neither naming Him. Their hearts were inditing good thoughts of Jesus, and filled with intense, longing desire after Him; and so ready were they to think others were like them in this respect that they forget to mention even His name. They had before time "tasted that the Lord was gracious," and both were agreed in this "Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison with Thee "1

"Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth." Kisses are tokens of love among near relatives, expressing intimate, familiar and sensible affection. Believers are a "people near to the Lord." "Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Kisses too are tokens of reconciliation. Esau when reconciled to Jacob "kissed him." And so the Apostle tells the "faithful in Christ Jesus" that they by the cross are reconciled unto God.3

These blessed privileges belong to the children of God. They only can realise or enjoy them. But, if for a season they loose their relish of them, or through neglect and carnal security 1. Psalm lxxiii. 25. 2. Eph. ii. 13.

3. Col. i. 21.