,union and ,communion ,,or ,,thoughts ,,on ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,solomon ,,by ,j4 ,,hudson ,,taylor1 ,m4,r4,c4,s4 ,,foreword ,,by ,,rev4 ,j4 ,,stuart ,,holden1 ,m4,a4 ,,third ,,edition ,,morgan ,,scott1 #ab ,,paternoster ,,buildings1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 ,,china ,,inland ,,mission1 ,,newington ,,green1 ,,london1 ,n4 ,,philadelphia1 ,,toronto1 ,,melbourne1 ,,shanghai ,,foreword ,,this little book1 whose design is to lead the devout ,bible-student into the ,green ,pastures of the ,good ,shepherd1 thence to the ,banqueting ,house of the ,king1 and thence to the service of the ,vineyard1 is one of the abiding legacies of ,mr4 ,hudson ,taylor to the ,church4 ,in the power of an evident unction from the ,holy ,one1 he has been enabled herein to unfold in simplest language the deep truth of the believer's personal union with ,the ,lord1 which under symbol and imagery is the subject of ,the ,song of ,songs4 ,and in so doing he has ministered an unfailing guidance to one of the most commonly neglected and misunderstood of the ,sacred ,scriptures4 ,for how many have said in bewilderment at the richness of language and profusion of figure which both conceal and reveal its meaning1 ,how can ,i understand except some man should guide me8 ,it is safe to say that these pages cannot fail to help and bless all such4 ,to those who knew him1 ,mr4 ,hudson ,taylor's life was in the nature of emphasis upon the value of this small volume4 ,for what he here expounds he also exemplified4 ,if his words indicate the possibility and blessedness of union with ,christ1 his whole life declared it in actual experience4 ,he lived as one who was married to ,another1 even to ,him ,who is raised from the dead2 and as the outcome of that union he brought forth fruit unto ,god4 ,what he was has given a meaning and confirmation to what he has here said1 which cannot be exaggerated4 ,it is inevitable that there are those who will read and reject as mystical and unpractical1 that which is so directly concerned with the intimacies of fellowship with the unseen ,lord4 ,i would1 however1 venture to remind such that the writer of these pages founded the ,china ,inland ,mission6 ,he translated his vision of the ,beloved into life-long strenuous service1 and so kept it undimmed through all the years of a life which has had hardly a parallel in these our days4 ,this is really the commendation of the following short chapters4 ,they proclaim an ,evangel which has been distilled from experience1 and form at least a track through this fenced portion of ,god's ,word1 which will lead many an one who treads it into the joys of ,emmanuel's land4 ,j4 ,,stuart ,,holden4 ,,st4 ,,paul',s1 ,,portman ,,square1 ,,london1 ,w4 ,june #a1 #aiad4 ,,contents ,,page ,,introductory #a ,,the ,,title #g ,,section ,i ,,the ,,unsatisfied ,,life ,,and ,,its ,,remedy #h ,,section ,,ii ,,communion ,,broken--,,restoration #bg ,,section ,,iii ,,the ,,joy ,,of ,,unbroken ,,communion #cg ,,section ,,iv ,,communion ,,again ,,broken--,,restoration #dg ,,section ,v ,,fruits ,,of ,,recognized ,,union #eh ,,section ,,vi ,,unrestrained ,,communion #gj ,,appendix #hc ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,solomon ,,introductory ,,the great purpose towards which all the dispensational dealings of ,,god are tending1 is revealed to us in the fifteenth chapter of the ,first ,epistle of ,paul to the ,corinthians3 ,that ,,god may be all in all4 ,with this agrees the teaching of our ,,lord in ,john xvii4 #c3 ,and this is 7the object of7 life eternal1 that they might know ,thee the only true ,,god1 and ,,jesus ,,christ1 whom ,thou hast sent4 ,this being so1 shall we not act wisely by keeping this object ever in view in our daily life and study of ,,god',s holy ,word8 ,all ,scripture is given by inspiration of ,god and is profitable1 and hence no part is1 or can be1 neglected without loss4 ,few portions of the ,word will help the devout student more in the pursuit of this all-important knowledge of ,,god than the too-much neglected ,song of ,solomon4 ,like other portions of the ,word of ,,god1 this book has its difficulties4 ,but so have all the works of ,,god4 ,is not the fact that they surpass our unaided powers of comprehension and research a sign-manual of divinity8 ,can feeble man expect to grasp divine power1 or to understand and interpret the works or the providences of the ,all-wise8 ,and if not1 is it surprising that ,his ,word also needs superhuman wisdom for its interpretation8 ,thanks be to ,,god1 the illumination of the ,,holy ,,ghost is promised to all who seek for it3 what more can we desire8 ,read without the key1 this book is specially unintelligible1 but that key is easily found in the express teachings of the ,new ,testament4 ,the ,incarnate ,word is the true key to the written ,word2 but even before the incarnation1 the devout student of the ,old ,testament would find much help to the understanding of the sacred mysteries of this book in the prophetic writings2 for there ,israel was taught that her ,,maker was her ,,husband4 ,john the ,baptist1 the last of the prophets1 recognized the ,bridegroom in the person of ,,christ1 and said1 ,he that hath the bride is the ,bridegroom3 but the friend of the ,bridegroom1 which standeth and heareth ,him1 rejoiceth greatly because of the ,bridegroom's voice3 this my joy therefore is fulfilled4 ,paul1 in the fifth chapter of the ,epistle to the ,ephesians1 goes still further1 and teaches that the union of ,,christ with ,his ,church1 and her subjection to ,him1 underlies the very relationship of marriage1 and affords the pattern for every godly union4 ,in ,solomon1 the bridegroom king1 as well as author of this poem1 we have a type of our ,,lord1 the true ,prince of peace1 in ,his coming reign4 ,then will be found not merely ,his bride1 the ,church1 but also a willing people1 ,his subjects1 over whom ,he shall reign gloriously4 ,then distant potentates will bring their wealth1 and will behold the glory of the enthroned ,,king1 proving ,him with hard questions1 as once came the ,queen of ,sheba to ,king ,solomon2 and blessed will they be to whom this privilege is accorded4 ,a brief glance will suffice them for a lifetime2 but what shall be the royal dignity and blessedness of the risen and exalted bride6 ,for ever with her ,,lord1 for ever like her ,,lord1 for ever conscious that ,his desire is toward her1 she will share alike ,his heart and ,his throne4 ,can a study of the book which helps us to understand these mysteries of grace and love be other than most profitable8 ,it is interesting to notice the contrast between this book and that preceding it4 ,the ,book of ,ecclesiastes teaches emphatically that ,vanity of vanities1 all is vanity3 and is thus the necessary introduction to the ,song of ,solomon1 which shows how true blessing and satisfaction are to be possessed4 ,in like manner our ,,saviour',s teaching in the fourth of ,john points out in a word the powerlessness of earthly things to give lasting satisfaction1 in striking contrast with the flow of blessing that results from the presence of the ,,holy ,,ghost 7whose work it is1 not to reveal ,himself but ,,christ as the ,bridegroom of the soul72 ,whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again2 but whosoever drinketh of the water that ,i shall give him shall never thirst3 but the water that ,i shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up--overflowing1 on and on--unto everlasting life4 ,we shall find it helpful to consider the book in six sections3--4 ,i4 ,,the ,,unsatisfied ,,life ,,and ,,its ,,remedy4 ,chap4 i4 #b-;ii4 #g4 ,,ii4 ,,communion ,,broken4 ,,restoration4 ,chap4 ii4 #h-;iii4 #e4 ,,iii4 ,,unbroken ,,communion4 ,chap4 iii4 #f-v4 #a4 ,,iv4 ,,communion ,,again ,,broken4 ,,restoration4 ,chap4 v4 #b-vi4 #aj4 ,v4 ,,fruits ,,of ,,recognized ,,union4 ,chap4 vi4 #aa-viii4 #d4 ,,vi4 ,,unrestrained ,,communion4 ,chap4 viii4 #e-ad4 ,in each of these sections we shall find the speakers to be--the bride1 the ,bridegroom1 and the daughters of ,jerusalem2 it is not usually difficult to ascertain the speaker1 though in some of the verses different conclusions have been arrived at4 ,the bride speaks of the ,bridegroom as her ,beloved2 the ,bridegroom speaks of her as ,his love1 while the address of the daughters of ,jerusalem is more varied4 ,in the first four sections they style her the fairest among women1 but in the fifth she is spoken of as the ,shulamite1 or the ,king's bride1 and also as the ,prince's daughter4 ,the student of this book will find great help in suitable ,bible-marking4 ,a horizontal line marking off the address of each speaker1 with a double line to divide the sections1 would be useful1 as also perpendicular lines in the margin to indicate the speaker4 ,we have ourselves ruled a single line to connect the verses which contain the utterances of the bride2 a double line to indicate those of the ,bridegroom1 and a waved line to indicate the addresses of the daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,it will be observed that the bride is the chief speaker in ,sections ,i41 ,,ii41 and is much occupied with herself2 but in ,section ,,iii41 where the communion is unbroken1 she has little to say1 and appears as the hearer2 the daughters of ,jerusalem give a long address1 and the ,bridegroom ,his longest4 ,in that section for the first time ,he calls her ,his bride1 and allures her to fellowship in service4 ,in ,section ,,iv4 the bride again is the chief speaker1 but after her restoration the ,bridegroom speaks at length1 and upbraideth not4 ,in ,section ,v41 as we noticed1 the bride is no longer called the fairest among women1 but claims herself to be1 and is recognized as1 the royal bride4 ,in ,section ,,vi4 the ,bridegroom claims her from her very birth1 and not merely from her espousals1 as ,,god in ,ezekiel xvi4 claimed ,israel4 ,in the secret of ,his presence ,how my soul delights to hide6 ,oh1 how precious are the lessons ,which ,i learn at ,,jesus' side3 ,earthly cares can never vex me1 ,neither trials lay me low2 ,for when ,satan comes to vex me1 ,to the secret place ,i go6 ,,the ,,song ,,of ,,solomon ,,the ,,title ,the ,song of ,songs1 which is ,solomon's4 ,,well may this book be called the ,song of ,songs6 ,there is no song like it4 ,read aright1 it brings a gladness to the heart which is as far beyond the joy of earthly things as heaven is higher than the earth4 ,it has been well said that this is a song which grace alone can teach1 and experience alone can learn4 ,our ,,saviour1 speaking of the union of the branch with the vine1 adds1 ,these things have ,i spoken unto you1 that ,my joy might remain in you1 and that your joy might be full 7,john xv4 #aa74 ,and the beloved disciple1 writing of ,him who was from the beginning1 who was with the ,,father1 and was manifested unto us1 in order that we might share the fellowship which ,he enjoyed1 also says1 ,these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be full4 ,union with ,,christ1 and abiding in ,,christ1 what do they not secure8 ,peace1 perfect peace2 rest1 constant rest2 answers to all our prayers2 victory over all our foes2 pure1 holy living2 ever-increasing fruitfulness4 ,all1 all of these are the glad outcome of abiding in ,,christ4 ,to deepen this union1 to make more constant this abiding1 is the practical use of this precious ,book4 ,,section ,i ,,the ,,unsatisfied ,,life ,,and ,,its ,,remedy ,cant4 i4 #b-;ii4 #g ,,there is no difficulty in recognizing the bride as the speaker in verses #b-g4 ,the words are not those of one dead in trespasses and sins1 to whom the ,,lord is as a root out of a dry ground--without form and comeliness4 ,the speaker has had her eyes opened to behold ,his beauty1 and longs for a fuller enjoyment of ,his love4 ,let ,him kiss me with the kisses of ,his mouth3 ,for ,thy love#a is better than wine4 ,it is well that it should be so2 it marks a distinct stage in the development of the life of grace in the soul4 ,and this recorded experience gives1 as it were1 a ,divine warrant for the desire for sensible manifestations of ,his presence--sensible communications of ,his love4 ,it was not always so with her4 ,once she was contented in ,his absence--other society and other occupations sufficed her2 but now it can never be so again4 ,the world can never be to her what it once was2 the betrothed bride has learnt to love her ,,lord1 and no other society than ,his can satisfy her4 ,his visits may be occasional and may be brief2 but they are precious times of enjoyment4 ,their memory is cherished in the intervals1 and their repetition longed for4 ,there is no real satisfaction in ,his absence1 and yet1 alas6 ,he is not always with her3 ,he comes and goes4 ,now her joy in ,him is a heaven below2 but again she is longing1 and longing in vain1 for ,his presence4 ,like the ever-changing tide1 her experience is an ebbing and flowing one2 it may even be that unrest is the rule1 satisfaction the exception4 ,is there no help for this8 must it always continue so8 ,has ,he1 can ,he have created these unquenchable longings only to tantalize them8 ,strange indeed it would be if this were the case4 ,yet are there not many of the ,,lord',s people whose habitual experience corresponds with hers8 ,they know not the rest1 the joy of abiding in ,,christ2 and they know not how to attain to it1 nor why it is not theirs4 ,are there not many who look back to the delightful times of their first espousals1 who1 so far from finding richer inheritance in ,,christ than they then had1 are even conscious that they have lost their first love1 and might express their experience in the sad lament3-- ,where is the blessedness ,i knew ,when first ,i saw the ,lord8 ,others1 again1 who may not have lost their first love1 may yet be feeling that the occasional interruptions to communion are becoming more and more unbearable1 as the world becomes less and ,he becomes more4 ,his absence is an ever-increasing distress4 ',oh that ,i knew where ,i might find ,him6' ',let ,him kiss me with the kisses of ,his mouth3 for ,thy love is better than wine4' ,would that ,his love were strong and constant like mine1 and that ,he never withdrew the light of ,his countenance6 ,poor mistaken one6 ,there is a love far stronger than thine waiting1 longing for satisfaction4 ,the ,bridegroom is waiting for thee all the time2 the conditions that debar ,his approach are all of thine own making4 ,take the right place before ,him1 and ,he will be most ready1 most glad1 to ,satisfy thy deepest longings1 to meet1 supply thine every need4 ,what should we think of a betrothed one whose conceit and self-will prevented not only the consummation of her own joy1 but of his who had given her his heart8 ,though never at rest in his absence1 she cannot trust him fully2 and she does not care to give up her own name1 her own rights and possessions1 her own will to him who has become necessary for her happiness4 ,she would fain claim him fully1 without giving up herself fully to him2 but it can never be3 while she retains her own name1 she can never claim his4 ,she may not promise to love and honour if she will not also promise to obey3 and till her love reaches that point of surrender she must remain an unsatisfied lover--she cannot1 as a satisfied bride1 find rest in the home of her husband4 ,while she retains her own will1 and the control of her own possessions1 she must be content to live on her own resources2 she cannot claim his4 ,could there be a sadder proof of the extent and reality of the ,fall than the deep-seated distrust of our loving ,,lord and ,,master which makes us hesitate to give ourselves entirely up to ,him1 which fears that ,he might require something beyond our powers1 or call for something that we should find it hard to give or to do8 ,the real secret of an unsatisfied life lies too often in an unsurrendered will4 ,and yet how foolish1 as well as how wrong1 this is6 ,do we fancy that we are wiser than ,he8 or that our love for ourselves is more tender and strong than ,his8 or that we know ourselves better than ,he does8 ,how our distrust must grieve and wound afresh the tender heart of ,him who was for us the ,man of ,sorrows6 ,what would be the feelings of an earthly bridegroom if he discovered that his bride-elect was dreading to marry him1 lest1 when he had the power1 he should render her life insupportable8 ,yet how many of the ,,lord',s redeemed ones treat ,him just so6 ,no wonder they are neither happy nor satisfied6 99 99 99 99 99 ,but true love cannot be stationary2 it must either decline or grow4 ,despite all the unworthy fears of our poor hearts1 ,divine love is destined to conquer4 ,the bride exclaims3-- ,thine ointments have a goodly fragrance2 ,thy name is as ointment poured forth2 ,therefore do the virgins love ,thee4 ,there was no such ointment as that with which the ,high ,priest was anointed3 our ,bridegroom is a ,priest as well as a ,king4 ,the trembling bride cannot wholly dismiss her fears2 but the unrest and the longing become unbearable1 and she determines to surrender all1 and come what may to follow fully4 ,she will yield her very self to ,him1 heart and hand1 influence and possessions4 ,nothing can be so insupportable as ,his absence6 ,if ,he lead to another ,moriah1 or even to a ,calvary1 she will follow ,him4 ,draw me3 we will run after ,thee6 ,but ah6 what follows8 ,a wondrously glad surprise4 ,no ,moriah1 no ,calvary2 on the contrary1 a ,,king6 ,when the heart submits1 then ,,jesus reigns4 ,and when ,,jesus reigns1 there is rest4 ,and where does ,he lead ,his bride8 ,the ,king hath brought me into ,his chambers4 ,not first to the banqueting house--that will come in due season2 but first to be alone with ,himself4 ,how perfect6 ,could we be satisfied to meet a beloved one only in public8 ,no2 we want to take such an one aside--to have him all to ourselves4 ,so with our ,,master3 ,he takes ,his now fully consecrated bride aside1 to taste and enjoy the sacred intimacies of ,his wondrous love4 ,the ,bridegroom of ,his ,church longs for communion with ,his people more than they long for fellowship with ,him1 and often has to cry3-- ,let ,me see thy countenance1 let ,me hear thy voice2 ,for sweet is thy voice1 and thy countenance is comely4 ,are we not all too apt to seek ,him rather because of our need than for ,his joy and pleasure8 ,this should not be4 ,we do not admire selfish children who only think of what they can get from their parents1 and are unmindful of the pleasure that they may give or the service that they may render4 ,but are not we in danger of forgetting that pleasing ,,god means giving ,him pleasure8 ,some of us look back to the time when the words ,to please ,,god meant no more than not to sin against ,him1 not to grieve ,him2 but would the love of earthly parents be satisfied with the mere absence of disobedience8 ,or a bridegroom1 if his bride only sought him for the supply of her own need8 ,a word about the morning watch may not be out of place here4 ,there is no time so profitably spent as the early hour given to ,,jesus only4 ,do we give sufficient attention to this hour8 ,if possible1 it should be redeemed2 nothing can make up for it4 ,we must take time to be holy6 ,one other thought4 ,when we bring our questions to ,,god1 do we not sometimes either go on to offer some other petition1 or leave the closet without waiting for replies8 ,does not this seem to show little expectation of an answer1 and little desire for one8 ,should we like to be treated so8 ,quiet waiting before ,,god would save from many a mistake and from many a sorrow4 ,we have found the bride making a glad discovery of a ,,king--her ,,king--and not a cross1 as she expected2 this is the first-fruit of her consecration4 ,we will be glad and rejoice in ,thee1 ,we will make mention of ,thy love more than of wine3 ,rightly do they love ,thee4 ,another discovery not less important awaits her4 ,she has seen the face of the ,,king1 and as the rising sun reveals that which was hidden in the darkness1 so ,his light has revealed her blackness to her4 ,ah1 she cries1 ,i am black2--,but comely1 interjects the ,bridegroom1 with inimitable grace and tenderness4 ,nay1 'black as the tents of ,kedar1' she continues4 ,yet to ,me1 ,he responds1 thou art 'comely as the curtains of ,solomon6' ,nothing humbles the soul like sacred and intimate communion with the ,,lord2 yet there is a sweet joy in feeling that ,he knows all1 and1 notwithstanding1 loves us still4 ,things once called little negligences are seen with new eyes in the secret of ,his presence4 ,there we see the mistake1 the sin1 of not keeping our own vineyard4 ,this the bride confesses3-- ,look not upon me1 because ,i am swarthy1 ,because the sun hath scorched me4 ,my mother's sons were incensed against me1 ,they made me keeper of the vineyards2 ,but mine own vineyard have ,i not kept4 ,our attention is here drawn to a danger which is pre-eminently one of this day3 the intense activity of our times may lead to zeal in service1 to the neglect of personal communion2 but such neglect will not only lessen the value of the service1 but tend to incapacitate us for the highest service4 ,if we are watchful over the souls of others1 and neglect our own--if we are seeking to remove motes from our brother's eye1 unmindful of the beam in our own1 we shall often be disappointed with our powerlessness to help our brethren1 while our ,,master will not be less disappointed in us4 ,let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do2 and that all fruit borne when not abiding in ,,christ must be fruit of the flesh1 and not of the ,,spirit4 ,the sin of neglected communion may be forgiven1 and yet the effect remain permanently2 as wounds when healed often leave a scar behind4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we now come to a very sweet evidence of the reality of the heart-union of the bride with her ,,lord4 ,she is one with the ,,good ,,shepherd3 her heart at once goes instinctively forth to the feeding of the flock2 but she would tread in the footsteps of ,him whom her soul loveth1 and would neither labour alone1 nor in other companionship than ,his own3-- ,tell me1 ,o ,thou whom my soul loveth1 ,where ,thou feedest ,thy flock1 where ,thou makest it to rest at noon3 ,for why should ,i be as one that is veiled ,beside the flocks of ,thy companions8 ,she will not mistake the society of ,his servants for that of their ,,master4 ,if thou know not1 ,o thou fairest among women1 ,go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock1 ,and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents4 ,these are the words of the daughters of ,jerusalem1 and give a correct reply to her questionings4 ,let her show her love to her ,,lord by feeding ,his sheep1 by caring for ,his lambs 7see ,john xxi4 #ae-ag71 and she need not fear to miss ,his presence4 ,while sharing with other under-shepherds in caring for ,his flock she will find the ,,chief ,,shepherd at her side1 and enjoy the tokens of ,his approval4 ,it will be service with ,,jesus as well as for ,,jesus4 ,but far sweeter than the reply of the daughters of ,jerusalem is the voice of the ,bridegroom1 who now speaks ,himself4 ,it is the living fruit of her heart-oneness with ,him that makes ,his love break forth in the joyful utterances of verses #i-aa4 ,for it is not only true that our love for our ,,lord will show itself in feeding ,his sheep1 but that ,he who when on earth said1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ,my brethren1 ye have done it unto ,me1 has ,his own heart-love stirred1 and not infrequently specially reveals ,himself to those who are ministering for ,him4 ,the commendation of the bride in verse #i is one of striking appropriateness and beauty3-- ,i have compared thee1 ,o ,my love1 ,to a company of horses in ,pharaoh's chariots4 ,it will be remembered that horses originally came out of ,egypt1 and that the pure breed still found in ,arabia was during ,solomon's reign brought by his merchants for all the kings of the ,east4 ,those selected for ,pharaoh's own chariot would not only be of the purest blood and perfect in proportion and symmetry1 but also perfect in training1 docile and obedient2 they would know no will but that of the charioteer1 and the only object of their existence would be to carry the king whithersoever he would go4 ,so should it be with the ,church of ,,christ2 one body with many members1 indwelt and guided by one ,,spirit2 holding the ,,head1 and knowing no will but ,his2 her rapid and harmonious movement should cause ,his kingdom to progress throughout the world4 ,many years ago a beloved friend1 returning from the ,east by the overland route1 made the journey from ,suez to ,cairo in the cumbrous diligence then in use4 ,the passengers on landing took their places1 about a dozen wild young horses were harnessed with ropes to the vehicle1 the driver took his seat and cracked his whip1 and the horses dashed off1 some to the right1 some to the left1 and others forward1 causing the coach to start with a bound1 and as suddenly to stop1 with the effect of first throwing those sitting in the front seat into the laps of those sitting behind1 and then of reversing the operation4 ,with the aid of sufficient ,arabs running on each side to keep these wild animals progressing in the right direction the passengers were jerked and jolted1 bruised and shaken1 until1 on reaching their destination1 they were too wearied and sore to take the rest they so much needed4 ,is not the ,church of ,,god to-day more like these untrained steeds than a company of horses in ,pharaoh's chariot8 ,and while self-will and disunion are apparent in the ,church1 can we wonder that the world still lieth in the wicked one1 and that the great heathen nations are barely touched8 ,changing ,his simile1 the ,bridegroom continues3-- ,thy cheeks are comely with plaits of hair1 ,thy neck with strings of jewels4 ,we will make thee plaits of gold ,with studs of silver4 ,the bride is not only beautiful and useful to her ,,lord1 she is also adorned1 and it is ,his delight to add to her adornments4 ,nor are ,his gifts perishable flowers1 or trinkets destitute of intrinsic value3 the finest of the gold1 the purest of the silver1 and the most precious and lasting of the jewels are the gifts of the ,royal ,bridegroom to ,his spouse2 and these1 plaited amongst her own hair1 increase ,his pleasure who has bestowed them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in verses #ab-ad the bride responds3-- ,while the ,king sat at ,his table ,my spikenard sent forth its fragrance4 ,it is in ,his presence and through ,his grace that whatever of fragrance or beauty may be found in us comes forth4 ,of ,him as its source1 through ,him as its instrument1 and to ,him as its end1 is all that is gracious and divine4 ,but ,,he ,,himself is better far than all that ,his grace works in us4 ,my ,beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh1 ,that lieth betwixt my breasts4 ,my ,beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna-flowers ,in the vineyards of ,en-gedi4 ,well is it when our eyes are filled with ,his beauty and our hearts are occupied with ,him4 ,in the measure in which this is true of us we shall recognize the correlative truth that ,his great heart is occupied with us4 ,note the response of the ,bridegroom3-- ,behold1 thou art fair1 ,my love2 behold1 thou art fair2 ,thine eyes are as dove's4 ,how can the ,bridegroom truthfully use such words of one who recognizes herself as ,black as the tents of ,kedar8 ,and still more strong are the ,bridegroom's words in chap4 iv4 #g3-- ,thou art all fair1 ,my love2 ,and there is no spot in thee4 ,we shall find the solution of this difficulty in #b ,cor4 iii4 ,moses in contemplation of the ,divine glory became so transformed that the ,israelites were not able to look on the glory of his countenance4 ,we all1 with unveiled face beholding and reflecting as a mirror the glory of the ,,lord1 are transformed into the same image from glory to glory i4e4 the brightness caught from ,his glory transforms us to glory1 even as from the ,lord the ,,spirit4 ,every mirror has two surfaces2 the one is dull and unreflecting1 and is all spots2 but when the reflecting surface is turned fully towards us we see no spot1 we see our own image4 ,so while the bride is delighting in the beauty of the ,bridegroom ,he beholds ,his own image in her2 there is no spot in that3 it is all fair4 ,may we ever present this reflection to ,his gaze1 and to the world in which we live for the very purpose of reflecting ,him4 ,note again ,his words3-- ,thine eyes are as dove's1 or ,thou hast dove's eyes4 ,the hawk is a beautiful bird1 and has beautiful eyes1 quick and penetrating2 but the ,bridegroom desires not hawk's eyes in ,his bride4 ,the tender eyes of the innocent dove are those which ,he admires4 ,it was as a dove that the ,,holy ,,spirit came upon ,him at ,his baptism1 and the dove-like character is that which ,he seeks for in each of ,his people4 ,the reason why ,david was not permitted to build the ,temple was a very significant one4 ,his life was far from perfect2 and his mistakes and sins have been faithfully recorded by the ,,holy ,,spirit4 ,they brought upon him ,,god',s chastenings1 yet it was not any of these that disqualified him from building the ,temple1 but rather his warlike spirit2 and this though many of his battles1 if not all1 were for the establishment of ,,god',s ,kingdom and the fulfilment of ,his promises to ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob4 ,solomon1 the ,prince of ,peace1 alone could build the ,temple4 ,if we would be soul-winners and build up the ,church1 which is ,his ,temple1 let us note this3 not by discussion nor by argument1 but by lifting up ,,christ shall we draw men unto ,him4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we now come to the reply of the bride4 ,he has called her fair2 wisely and well does she reply3-- ,behold ,thou art fair1 my ,beloved1 yea1 pleasant3 ,also our couch is green4 ,the beams of our house are cedars1 ,and our rafters are firs4 ,i am 7but7 a rose of ,sharon1 ,a lily of the valleys4 ,the last words are often quoted as though they were the utterance of the ,bridegroom1 but we believe erroneously4 ,the bride says in effect1 ,thou callest me fair and pleasant1 the fairness and pleasantness are ,thine2 ,i am but a wild flower1 a lowly1 scentless rose of ,sharon 7i4e4 the autumn crocus71 or a lily of the valley4 ,to this the ,bridegroom responds3 ,be it so2 but if a wild flower1 yet ,as a lily among thorns1 ,so is ,my love among the daughters4 ,again the bride replies3-- ,as the apple-tree 7the citron7 among the trees of the wood1 ,so is my ,beloved among the sons4 ,i sat down under ,his shadow with great delight1 ,and ,his fruit was sweet to my taste4 ,the citron is a beautiful evergreen1 affording delightful shade as well as refreshing fruit4 ,a humble wild flower herself1 she recognizes her ,bridegroom as a noble tree1 alike ornamental and fruitful4 ,shade from the burning sun1 refreshment and rest she finds in ,him4 ,what a contrast her present position and feelings to those with which this section commenced6 ,he knew full well the cause of all her fears2 her distrust sprang from her ignorance of ,himself1 so ,he took her aside1 and in the sweet intimacies of mutual love her fears and distrust have vanished1 like the mists of the morning before the rising sun4 ,but now that she has learned to know ,him1 she has a further experience of ,his love4 ,he is not ashamed to acknowledge her publicly4 ,he brought me to the banqueting house1 ,and ,his banner over me was love4 ,the house of wine is now as appropriate as the ,king's chambers were4 ,fearlessly and without shame she can sit at ,his side1 ,his acknowledged spouse1 the bride of ,his choice4 ,overwhelmed with ,his love she exclaims3-- ,stay ye me with raisins1 comfort me with apples3 ,for ,i am sick of love4 ,his left hand is under my head1 ,and ,his right hand doth embrace me4 ,now she finds the blessedness of being possessed4 ,no longer her own1 heart-rest is alike her right and her enjoyment2 and so the ,bridegroom would have it4 ,i adjure you1 ,o daughters of ,jerusalem1 ,by the roes1 and by the hinds of the field1 ,that ye stir not up nor awake ,my love1 ,until she#b please4 ,it is never by ,his will that our rest in ,him is disturbed4 ,you may always be abiding1 ,if you will1 at ,,jesus' side2 ,in the secret of ,his presence ,you may every moment hide4 ,there is no change in ,his love2 ,he is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,to us ,he promises1 ,i will never leave thee1 never fail thee1 nor forsake thee2 and ,his earnest exhortation and command is1 ,abide in ,me1 and ,i in you4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,loves endearments1 caresses4 #b ,the pronoun here and in chapter iii4 #e1 and viii4 #d1 should not be he as ,a4,v41 nor it as ,r4,v41 but she4 ,,section ,,ii ,,communion ,,broken--,,restoration ,cant4 ii4 #h-;iii4 #e ,therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard1 lest haply we drift away from them4--,heb4 ii4 #a 7,r4,v474 ,,at the close of the first section we left the bride satisfied and at rest in the arms of her ,beloved1 who had charged the daughters of ,jerusalem not to stir up nor awaken ,his love until she please4 ,we might well suppose that a union so complete1 a satisfaction so full1 would never be interrupted by failure on the part of the happy bride4 ,but1 alas1 the experience of most of us shows how easily communion with ,,christ may be broken1 and how needful are the exhortations of our ,,lord to those who are indeed branches of the true ,vine1 and cleansed by the ,word which ,he has spoken1 to abide in ,him4 ,the failure is never on ,his side4 ,lo1 ,i am with you alway4 ,but1 alas1 the bride often forgets the exhortation addressed to her in ,ps4 xlv43-- ,hearken1 ,o daughter1 and consider1 and incline thine ear2 ,forget also thine own people1 and thy father's house2 ,so shall the ,,king greatly desire thy beauty3 ,for ,he is thy ,lord2 and worship thou ,him4 ,in this section the bride has drifted back from her position of blessing into a state of worldliness4 ,perhaps the very restfulness of her new-found joy made her feel too secure3 perhaps she thought that1 so far as she was concerned1 there was no need for the exhortation1 ,little children1 keep yourselves from idols4 ,or she may have thought that the love of the world was so thoroughly taken away that she might safely go back1 and1 by a little compromise on her part1 she might win her friends to follow her ,,lord too4 ,perhaps she scarcely thought at all3 glad that she was saved and free1 she forgot that the current--the course of this world--was against her2 and insensibly glided1 drifted back to that position out of which she was called1 unaware all the time of backsliding4 ,it is not necessary1 when the current is against us1 to turn the boat's head down the stream in order to drift3 or for a runner in a race to turn back in order to miss the prize4 ,ah1 how often the enemy succeeds1 by one device or another1 in tempting the believer away from that position of entire consecration to ,,christ in which alone the fulness of ,his power and of ,his love can be experienced4 ,we say the fulness of ,his power and of ,his love2 for he may not have ceased to love his ,,lord4 ,in the passage before us the bride still loves ,him truly1 though not wholly2 there is still a power in ,his ,word which is not unfelt1 though she no longer renders instant obedience4 ,she little realizes how she is wronging her ,,lord1 and how real is the wall of separation between them4 ,to her1 worldliness seems as but a little thing3 she has not realized the solemn truth of many passages in the ,word of ,,god that speak in no measured terms of the folly1 the danger1 the sin of friendship with the world4 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,,father is not in him4 ,ye adulteresses1 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with ,,god8 ,whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of ,,god4 ,be not unequally yoked with unbelievers3 for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity8 or what communion hath light with darkness8 ,and what concord hath ,,christ with ,belial8 or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever8 4 4 4 ,wherefore3-- ,come ye out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,,lord1 ,and touch no unclean thing2 ,and ,i will receive you1 ,and will be to you a ,,father1 ,and ye shall be to ,me sons and daughters1 saith the ,,lord ,,almighty4 ,we have to take our choice3 we cannot enjoy both the world and ,,christ4 ,the bride had not learned this3 she would fain enjoy both1 with no thought of their incompatibility4 ,she observes with joy the approach of the ,bridegroom4 ,the voice of my ,beloved3 ,behold ,he cometh ,leaping upon the mountains1 bounding over the hills4 ,my ,beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart2 ,behold ,he standeth behind our wall1 ,he looketh in at the windows1 ,he glanceth through the lattice4 ,the heart of the bride leaps on hearing the voice of her ,beloved1 as ,he comes in search of her4 ,he has crossed the hills2 ,he draws near to her2 ,he stands behind the wall2 ,he even looks in at the windows2 with tender and touching words ,he woos her to come forth to ,him4 ,he utters no reproach1 and ,his loving entreaties sink deep in her memory4 ,my ,beloved spake1 and said unto me1 ,rise up1 ,my love1 ,my fair one1 and come away4 ,for1 lo1 the winter is past1 ,the rain is over and gone2 ,the flowers appear on the earth2 ,the time of the singing of birds is come1 ,and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land2 ,the fig-tree ripeneth her green figs1 ,and the vines are in blossom1 ,they give forth their fragrance4 ,arise1 ,my love1 ,my fair one1 and come away4 ,all nature is responsive to the return of the summer1 wilt thou1 ,my bride1 be irresponsive to ,my love8 ,arise1 ,my love1 ,my fair one1 and come away4 ,can such pleading be in vain8 ,alas1 it can1 it was6 ,in yet more touching words the ,bridegroom continues3-- ,o ,my dove1 that art in the clefts of the rock1 in the covert of the steep place1 ,let ,me see thy countenance1 let ,me hear thy voice3 ,for sweet is thy voice1 and thy countenance is comely4 ,wonderful thought6 that ,god should desire fellowship with us2 and that ,he whose love once made ,him the ,man of ,sorrows may now be made the ,man of ,joys by the loving devotion of human hearts4 ,but strong as is ,his love1 and ,his desire for ,his bride1 ,he can come no further4 ,where she now is ,he can never come4 ,but surely she will go forth to ,him4 ,has ,he not a claim upon her8 ,she feels and enjoys ,his love1 will she let ,his desire count for nothing8 ,for1 let us notice1 it is not here the bride longing in vain for her ,,lord1 but the ,bridegroom who is seeking for her4 ,alas that ,he should seek in vain6 ,take us the foxes1 the little foxes1 that spoil the vineyards2 ,for our vineyards are in blossom1 ,he continues4 ,the enemies may be small1 but the mischief done great4 ,a little spray of blossom1 so tiny as to be scarcely perceived1 is easily spoiled1 but thereby the fruitfulness of a whole branch may be for ever destroyed4 ,and how numerous the little foxes are6 ,little compromises with the world2 disobedience to the still small voice in little things2 little indulgences of the flesh to the neglect of duty2 little strokes of policy2 doing evil in little things that good may come2 and the beauty and the fruitfulness of the vine are sacrificed6 ,we have a sad illustration of the deceitfulness of sin in the response of the bride4 ,instead of bounding forth to meet ,him1 she first comforts her own heart by the remembrance of ,his faithfulness1 and of her union with ,him3-- ,my ,beloved is mine1 and ,i am ,his3 ,he feedeth ,his flock among the lilies4 ,my position is one of security1 ,i have no need to be concerned about it4 ,he is mine1 and ,i am ,his2 and nought can alter that relationship4 ,i can find ,him now at any time1 ,he feedeth ,his flock among the lilies4 ,while the sun of prosperity shines upon me ,i may safely enjoy myself here without ,him4 ,should trial and darkness come ,he will be sure not to fail me4 ,until the day be cool1 and the shadows flee away1 ,turn1 my ,beloved1 and be ,thou like a gazelle or a young hart ,upon the mountains of ,bether4 ,careless of ,his desire1 she thus lightly dismisses ,him1 with the thought3 ,a little later ,i may enjoy ,his love2 and the grieved ,bridegroom departs6 ,poor foolish bride6 she will soon find that the things that once satisfied her can satisfy no longer2 and that it is easier to turn a deaf ear to ,his tender call than to recall or find her absent ,,lord4 ,the day became cool1 and the shadows did flee away2 but ,he returned not4 ,then in the solemn night she discovered her mistake3 ,it was dark1 and she was alone4 ,retiring to rest she still hoped for ,his return--the lesson that worldliness is an absolute bar to full communion still unlearned4 ,by night on my bed ,i sought ,him whom my soul loveth3 ,i sought ,him1 but ,i found ,him not6 ,she waits and wearies3 ,his absence becomes insupportable3-- ,i said1 ,i will rise now1 and go about the city1 ,in the streets and in the broad ways1 ,i will seek ,him whom my soul loveth3 ,i sought ,him1 but ,i found ,him not6 ,how different her position from what it might have been6 ,instead of seeking ,him alone1 desolate and in the dark1 she might have gone forth with ,him in the sunshine1 leaning upon ,his arm4 ,she might have exchanged the partial view of her ,beloved through the lattice1 when she could no longer say ,nothing between1 for the joy of ,his embrace1 and ,his public confession of her as ,his chosen bride6 ,the watchmen that go about the city found me3 ,to whom ,i said1 ,saw ye ,him whom my soul loveth8 ,it was but a little that ,i passed from them1 ,when ,i found ,him whom my soul loveth4 ,she had already obeyed ,his command1 ,arise1 and come away4 ,fearless of reproach1 she was seeking ,him in the dark2 and when she began to confess her ,,lord1 she soon found ,him and was restored to ,his favour3-- ,i held ,him1 and would not let ,him go1 ,until ,i had brought ,him into my mother's house1 ,and into the chamber of her that conceived me4 ,jerusalem above is the mother of us all4 ,there it is that communion is enjoyed1 not in worldly ways or self-willed indulgence4 ,communion fully restored1 the section closes1 as did the first1 with the loving charge of the ,bridegroom that none should disturb ,his bride3-- ,i adjure you1 ,o daughters of ,jerusalem1 ,by the roes1 and by the hinds of the field1 7,by all that is loving and beautiful and constant71 ,that ye stir not up1 nor awake ,my love1 ,until she#c please4 ,may we all1 while living down here1 in the world1 but not of it1 find our home in the heavenly places to which we have been raised1 and in which we are seated together with ,,christ4 ,sent into the world to witness for our ,,master1 may we ever be strangers there1 ready to confess ,him the true object of our soul's devotion4 ,how amiable are ,thy tabernacles1 ,o ,,lord of hosts6 ,my soul longeth1 yea even fainteth for the courts of the ,,lord2 ,my heart and my flesh cry out unto the living ,,god4 ,blessed are they that dwell in ,thy house3 ,they will be still praising ,thee4 4 4 4 ,a day in ,thy courts is better than a thousand4 ,i had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my ,,god ,than to dwell in the tents of wickedness4 ,for the ,,lord ,,god is a ,sun and ,shield3 ,the ,,lord will give grace and glory3 ,no good thing will ,he withhold from them that walk uprightly4 ,o ,,lord of hosts1 ,blessed is the man that trusteth in ,thee6 ,,footnote3 #c ,see note on p4 #bf4 ,,section ,,iii ,,the ,,joy ,,of ,,unbroken ,,communion ,cant4 iii4 #f-v4 #a ,o ,,jesu1 ,,king most wonderful1 ,thou ,,conqueror renown'd1 ,thou sweetness most ineffable1 ,in whom all joys are found6 ,thee1 ,,jesu1 may our voices bless2 ,thee may we love alone2 ,and ever in our lives express ,the image of ,thine own4 ,,we have been mainly occupied in ,sections ,i4 and ,,ii4 with the words and the experiences of the bride2 in marked contrast to this1 in this section our attention is first called to the ,bridegroom1 and then it is from ,himself that we hear of the bride1 as the object of ,his love1 and the delight of ,his heart4 ,the daughters of ,jerusalem are the first speakers4 ,who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke1 ,perfumed with myrrh and frankincense1 ,with all powders of the merchant8 ,they themselves give the reply3-- ,king ,solomon made himself a car of state ,of the wood of ,lebanon4 ,he made the pillars thereof of silver1 ,the bottom thereof of gold1 the seat of it of purple1 ,the midst thereof being paved with love 7love-gifts71 ,from the daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,behold1 it is the litter of ,solomon2 ,threescore mighty men are about it1 ,of the mighty men of ,israel1 ,they all handle the sword1 and are expert in war3 ,every man hath his sword upon his thigh1 ,because of fear in the night4 ,in these verses the bride is not mentioned2 she is eclipsed in the grandeur and the state of her royal ,bridegroom2 nevertheless1 she is both enjoying and sharing it4 ,the very air is perfumed by the smoke of the incense that ascends pillar-like to the clouds2 and all that safeguards the position of the ,bridegroom ,himself1 and shows forth ,his dignity1 safeguards also the accompanying bride1 the sharer of ,his glory4 ,the car of state in which they sit is built of fragrant cedar from ,lebanon1 and the finest of the gold and silver have been lavished in its construction4 ,the fragrant wood typifies the beauty of sanctified humanity1 while the gold reminds us of the divine glory of our ,,lord1 and the silver of the purity and preciousness of ,his redeemed and peerless ,church4 ,the imperial purple with which it is lined tells us of the ,gentiles--the daughter of ,tyre has been there with her gift2 while the love-gifts of the daughters of ,jerusalem accord with the prophecy1 ,even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour4 ,these are the things that attract the attention of the daughters of ,jerusalem1 but the bride is occupied with the ,king ,himself1 and she exclaims3-- ,go forth1 ,o ye daughters of ,zion1 and behold ,king ,solomon1 ,with the crown wherewith ,his mother hath crowned ,him in the day of ,his espousals1 ,and in the day of the gladness of ,his heart4 ,the crowned ,,king is everything to her1 and she would have ,him to be so to the daughters of ,zion likewise4 ,she dwells with delight on the gladness of ,his heart in the day of ,his espousals1 for now she is not occupied with ,him for her own sake1 but rejoices in ,his joy in finding in her ,his satisfaction4 ,do we sufficiently cultivate this unselfish desire to be all for ,,jesus1 and to do all for ,his pleasure8 ,or are we conscious that we principally go to ,him for our own sakes1 or at best for the sake of our fellow-creatures8 ,how much of prayer there is that begins and ends with the creature1 forgetful of the privilege of giving joy to the ,creator6 ,yet it is only when ,he sees in our unselfish love and devotion to ,him the reflection of ,his own that ,his heart can feel full satisfaction1 and pour itself forth in precious utterances of love such as those which we find in the following words3-- ,behold1 thou art fair1 ,my love2 behold1 thou art fair2 ,thine eyes are as dove's behind thy veil2 ,thy hair is as a flock of goats1 ,that lie along the side of ,mount ,gilead2 ,thy teeth are like a flock of ewes that are newly shorn1 ,which are come up from the washing4 ,which are all of them in pairs1 ,and none is bereaved among them4 ,thy lips are like a thread of scarlet1 ,and thy speech is comely1 etc4 7,see verses #c-e47 ,we have already found the explanation of the fairness of the bride in her reflecting like a mirror the beauty of the ,bridegroom4 ,well may ,he with satisfaction describe her beauty while she is thus occupied with ,himself6 ,the lips that speak only of ,him are like a thread of scarlet2 the mouth or speech which has no word of self1 or for self1 is comely in ,his sight4 ,how sweet ,his words of appreciation and commendation were to the bride we can well imagine2 but her joy was too deep for expression2 she was silent in her love4 ,she would not now think of sending ,him away until the day be cool and the shadows flee away4 ,still less does the ,bridegroom think of finding ,his joy apart from ,his bride4 ,he says3-- ,until the day be cool1 and the shadows flee away1 ,i will get ,me to the mountain of myrrh1 ,and to the hill of frankincense4 ,separation never comes from ,his side4 ,he is always ready for communion with a prepared heart1 and in this happy communion the bride becomes ever fairer1 and more like to her ,,lord4 ,she is being progressively changed into ,his image1 from one degree of glory to another1 through the wondrous working of the ,,holy ,,spirit1 until the ,bridegroom can declare3-- ,thou art all fair1 ,my love2 ,and there is no spot on thee4 ,and now she is fit for service1 and to it the ,bridegroom woos her2 she will not now misrepresent ,him3-- ,come with ,me from ,lebanon1 ,my bride1 ,with ,me from ,lebanon2 ,look from the top of ,amana1 ,from the top of ,senir and ,hermon1 ,from the lions' dens1 ,from the mountains of the leopards4 ,come with ,me4 ,it is always so4 ,if our ,,saviour says1 ,go ye therefore and disciple all nations1 ,he precedes it by1 ,all power is given unto ,me1 and follows it by1 ,lo1 ,i am with you always4 ,or if1 as here1 ,he calls ,his bride to come1 it is still with ,me1 and it is in connection with this loving invitation that for the first time ,he changes the word ,my love1 for the still more endearing one1 ,my bride4 ,what are lions' dens when the ,lion of the tribe of ,judah is with us2 or mountains of leopards1 when ,he is at our side6 ,i will fear no evil1 for ,thou art with me4 ,on the other hand1 it is while thus facing dangers1 and toiling with ,him in service1 that ,he says3-- ,thou hast ravished ,my heart1 ,my sister1 ,my bride2 ,thou hast ravished ,my heart with one look from thine eyes1 ,with one chain of thy neck4 ,is it not wonderful how the heart of our ,beloved can be thus ravished with the love of one who is prepared to accept ,his invitation1 and go forth with ,him seeking to rescue the perishing6 ,the marginal reading of the ,revised ,version is very significant3 ,thou hast ravished ,my heart1 or ,thou hast given me courage4 ,if the ,bridegroom's heart may be encouraged by the fidelity and loving companionship of his bride1 it is not surprising that we may cheer and encourage one another in our mutual service4 ,st4 ,paul had a steep mountain of difficulty to climb when he was being led as a captive to ,rome1 not knowing the things that awaited him there2 but when the brethren met him at the ,appii ,forum he thanked ,god and took courage4 ,may we ever thus strengthen one another's hands in ,god6 ,but to resume4 ,the ,bridegroom cheers the toilsome ascents1 and the steep pathways of danger1 with sweet communications of ,his love3-- ,how fair is thy love1 ,my sister1 ,my bride6 ,how much better is thy love than wine6 ,and the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices6 ,thy lips1 ,o ,my bride1 drop as the honeycomb3 ,honey and milk are under thy tongue2 ,and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of ,lebanon4 ,a garden shut up is ,my sister1 ,my bride2 ,a spring shut up1 a fountain sealed4 ,thy shoots are a paradise of pomegranates1 with precious fruits2 ,henna with spikenard plants1 ,spikenard and saffron1 ,calamus and cinnamon1 with all trees of frankincense2 ,myrrh and aloes1 with all the chief spices4 ,thou art a fountain of gardens1 ,a well of living waters1 ,and flowing streams from ,lebanon4 ,engaged with the ,bridegroom in seeking to rescue the perishing1 the utterances of her lips are to ,him as honey and the honeycomb2 and figure is piled upon figure to express ,his satisfaction and joy4 ,she is a garden full of precious fruits and delightful perfumes1 but a garden enclosed2 the fruit she bears may bring blessing to many1 but the garden is for ,himself alone2 she is a fountain1 but a spring shut up1 a fountain sealed4 ,and yet again she is a fountain of gardens1 a well of living waters and flowing streams from ,lebanon3 she carries fertility and imparts refreshment wherever she goes2 and yet it is all of ,him and for ,him4 ,the bride now speaks for the second time in this section4 ,as her first utterance was of ,him1 so now her second is for ,him2 self is found in neither4 ,awake1 ,o north wind2 and come1 thou south2 ,blow upon my garden1 that the spices thereof may flow out4 ,let my ,beloved come into ,his garden1 ,and eat ,his precious fruits4 ,she is ready for any experience3 the north wind and the south may blow upon her garden1 if only the spices thereof may flow out to regale her ,,lord by their fragrance4 ,he has called her ,his garden1 a paradise of pomegranates and precious fruits2 let ,him come into it and eat ,his precious fruits4 ,to this the ,bridegroom replies3-- ,i am come into ,my garden1 ,my sister1 ,my bride3 ,i have gathered ,my myrrh with ,my spice2 ,i have eaten ,my honeycomb with ,my honey2 ,i have drunk ,my wine with ,my milk4 ,now1 when she calls1 ,he answers at once4 ,when she is only for her ,,lord1 ,he assures her that ,he finds all ,his satisfaction in her4 ,the section closes by the bride's invitation to ,his friends and hers1 as well as to ,himself3-- ,eat1 ,o friends2 ,drink1 yea1 drink abundantly1 ,o ,beloved4 ,the consecration of all to our ,,master1 far from lessening our power to impart1 increases both our power and our joy in ministration4 ,the five loaves and two fishes of the disciples1 first given up to and blessed by the ,,lord1 were abundant supply for the needy multitudes1 and grew1 in the act of distribution1 into a store of which twelve hampers full of fragments remained when all were fully satisfied4 ,we have1 then1 in this beautiful section1 as we have seen1 a picture of unbroken communion and its delightful issues4 ,may our lives correspond6 ,first1 one with the ,,king1 then speaking of the ,,king2 the joy of communion leading to fellowship in service1 to a being all for ,,jesus1 ready for any experience that will fit for further service1 surrendering all to ,him1 and willing to minister all for ,him4 ,there is no room for love of the world here1 for union with ,,christ has filled the heart2 there is nothing for the gratification of the world1 for all has been sealed and is kept for the ,,master',s use4 ,,jesus1 my life is ,thine6 ,and evermore shall be ,hidden in ,thee4 ,for nothing can untwine ,thy life from mine4 ,,section ,,iv ,,communion ,,again ,,broken--,,restoration ,cant4 v4 #b-vi4 #aj ,,the fourth section commences with an address of the bride to the daughters of ,jerusalem1 in which she narrates her recent sad experience1 and entreats their help in her trouble4 ,the presence and comfort of her ,bridegroom are again lost to her2 not this time by relapse into worldliness1 but by slothful self-indulgence4 ,we are not told of the steps that led to her failure2 of how self again found place in her heart4 ,perhaps spiritual pride in the achievements which grace enabled her to accomplish was the cause2 or1 not improbably1 a cherished satisfaction in the blessing she had received1 instead of in the ,,blesser ,himself1 may have led to the separation4 ,she seems to have been largely unconscious of her declension2 self-occupied and self-contented1 she scarcely noticed ,his absence2 she was resting1 resting alone1--never asking where ,he had gone1 or how ,he was employed4 ,and more than this1 the door of her chamber was not only closed1 but barred2 an evidence that ,his return was neither eagerly desired nor expected4 ,yet her heart was not far from ,him3 there was a music in ,his voice that awakened echoes in her soul such as no other voice could have stirred4 ,she was still a garden shut up1 a fountain sealed1 so far as the world was concerned4 ,the snare this time was the more dangerous and insidious because it was quite unsuspected4 ,let us look at her narrative3-- ,i was asleep1 but my heart waked3 ,it is the voice of my ,beloved that knocketh saying1 ,open to ,me1 ,my sister1 ,my love1 ,my dove1 ,my undefiled3 ,for ,my head is filled with dew1 ,my locks with the drops of the night4 ,how often the position of the ,bridegroom is that of a knocking ,suitor outside1 as in ,his epistle to the ,laodicean#d ,church3 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock3 if any man hear ,my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with ,me4 ,it is sad that ,he should be outside a closed door--that ,he should need to knock2 but still more sad that ,he should knock1 and knock in vain at the door of any heart which has become ,his own4 ,in this case it is not the position of the bride that is wrong2 if it were1 ,his word as before would be1 ,arise1 and come away2 whereas now ,his word is1 ,open to ,me1 ,my sister1 ,my love4 ,it was her condition of self-satisfaction and love of ease that closed the door4 ,very touching are ,his words3 ,open to ,me1 ,my sister 7,he is the first-born among many brethren71 ,my love 7the object of ,my heart's devotion71 ,my dove 7one who has been endued with many of the gifts and graces of the ,,holy ,,spirit71 ,my undefiled 7washed1 renewed1 and cleansed for ,me72 and ,he urges her to open by reference to ,his own condition3-- ,my head is filled with dew1 ,my locks with the drops of the night4 ,why is it that ,his head is filled with the dew8 ,because ,his heart is a shepherd-heart4 ,there are those whom the ,,father has given to ,him who are wandering on the dark mountains of sin3 many1 oh1 how many1 have never heard the ,,shepherd',s voice2 many1 too1 who were once in the fold have wandered away--far away from its safe shelter4 ,the heart that never can forget1 the love that never can fail1 must seek the wandering sheep until the lost one has been found3 ,my ,,father worketh hitherto1 and ,i work4 ,and will she1 who so recently was at ,his side1 who joyfully braved the dens of lions and the mountains of leopards1 will she leave ,him to seek alone the wandering and the lost8 ,open to ,me1 ,my sister1 ,my love1 ,my dove1 ,my undefiled3 ,for ,my head is filled with dew1 ,my locks with the drops of the night4 ,we do not know a more touching entreaty in the ,word of ,,god1 and sad indeed is the reply of the bride3-- ,i have put off my coat2 how shall ,i put it on8 ,i have washed my feet2 how shall ,i defile them8 ,how sadly possible it is to take delight in conferences and conventions1 to feast on all the good things that are brought before us1 and yet to be unprepared to go out from them to self-denying efforts to rescue the perishing2 to delight in the rest of faith while forgetful to fight the good fight of faith2 to dwell upon the cleansing and the purity effected by faith1 but to have little thought for the poor souls struggling in the mire of sin4 ,if we can put off our coat when ,he would have us keep it on2 if we can wash our feet while ,he is wandering alone upon the mountains1 is there not sad want of fellowship with our ,,lord8 ,meeting with no response from the tardy bride1 her ,beloved put in ,his hand by the hole of the door1 ,and her heart was moved for ,him4 ,but1 alas1 the door was not only latched1 but barred2 and ,his effort to secure an entrance was in vain4 ,i rose up to open to my ,beloved2 ,and my hands dropped with myrrh1 ,and my fingers with liquid myrrh1 ,upon the handles of the bolt4 ,i opened to my ,beloved2 ,but my ,beloved had withdrawn ,himself1 and was gone4 ,my soul had failed me when ,he spake4 ,when1 all too late1 the bride did arise1 she seems to have been more concerned to anoint herself with the liquid myrrh than to speedily welcome her waiting ,,lord2 more occupied with her own graces than with ,his desire4 ,no words of welcome were uttered1 though her heart failed within her2 and the grieved ,one had withdrawn ,himself before she was ready to receive ,him4 ,again 7as in the third chapter7 she had to go forth alone to seek her ,,lord2 and this time her experiences were much more painful than on the former occasion4 ,i sought ,him1 but ,i could not find ,him2 ,i called ,him1 but ,he gave me no answer4 ,the watchmen that go about the city found me1 ,they smote me1 they wounded me2 ,the keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me4 ,her first relapse had been one of inexperience2 if a second relapse had been brought about by inadvertence she should at least have been ready and prompt when summoned to obey4 ,it is not a little thing to fall into the habit of being tardy in obedience1 even in the case of a believer3 in the case of the unbeliever the final issue of disobedience is inexpressibly awful3-- ,turn you at ,my reproof3 ,behold1 ,i will pour out ,my ,,spirit unto you1 ,i will make known ,my words unto you4 ,because ,i have called1 and ye refused2 ,i have stretched out ,my hand1 and no man regarded2 4 4 4 ,i also will laugh in the day of your calamity4 4 4 4 ,then shall they call upon ,me1 but ,i will not answer2 ,they shall seek ,me diligently1 but they shall not find ,me4 ,the backsliding of the bride1 though painful1 was not final2 for it was followed by true repentance4 ,she went forth into the darkness and sought ,him2 she called1 but ,he responded not1 and the watchmen finding her1 both smote and wounded her4 ,they appear to have appreciated the gravity of her declension more correctly than she had done4 ,believers may be blinded to their own inconsistencies2 others1 however1 note them2 and the higher the position with regard to our ,,lord the more surely will any failure be visited with reproach4 ,wounded1 dishonoured1 unsuccessful in her search1 and almost in despair1 the bride turns to the daughters of ,jerusalem2 and recounting the story of her sorrows1 adjures them to tell her ,beloved that she is not unfaithful or unmindful of ,him4 ,i adjure you1 ,o daughters of ,jerusalem1 if ye find my ,beloved1 ,that ye tell ,him1 that ,i am sick of love4 ,the reply of the daughters of ,jerusalem shows very clearly that the sorrow-stricken bride1 wandering in the dark1 is not recognized as the bride of the ,,king1 though her personal beauty does not escape notice4 ,what is thy ,beloved more than another beloved1 ,o thou fairest among women8 ,what is thy ,beloved more than another beloved1 ,that thou dost so adjure us8 ,this question1 implying that her ,beloved was no more than any other1 stirs her soul to its deepest depths2 and1 forgetting herself1 she pours out from the fulness of her heart a soul-ravishing description of the glory and beauty of her ,,lord4 ,my ,beloved is white and ruddy1 ,the chiefest among ten thousand4 7see verses #aj-af1 concluding with7 ,his mouth is most sweet3 yea1 ,he is altogether lovely4 ,this is my ,beloved1 and this is my ,friend1 ,o daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,it is interesting to compare the bride's description of the ,bridegroom with the descriptions of the ,ancient of ,days in ,dan4 vii4 #i1 #aj1 and of our risen ,,lord in ,rev4 i4 #ac-af4 ,the differences are very characteristic4 ,in ,dan4 vii4 we see the ,ancient of ,days seated on the throne of judgment2 ,his garment was white as snow1 and the hair of ,his head like the pure wool2 ,his throne and ,his wheels were as burning fire1 and a fiery stream issued and came forth from before ,him4 ,the ,son of ,man was brought near before ,him1 and received from ,him dominion1 and glory1 and an everlasting kingdom that shall not be destroyed4 ,in ,rev4 i4 we see the ,son of ,man ,himself clothed with a garment down to the foot1 and ,his head and ,his hair were white as wool1 white as snow2 but the bride sees her ,bridegroom in all the vigour of youth1 with locks bushy1 and black as a raven4 ,the eyes of the risen ,,saviour are described as a flame of fire1 but ,his bride sees them like doves beside the water brooks4 ,in ,revelation ,his voice is as the voice of many waters 4 4 4 and out of ,his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword4 ,to the bride1 ,his lips are as lilies1 dropping liquid myrrh1 and ,his mouth most sweet4 ,the countenance of the risen ,,saviour was as the sun shineth in his strength1 and the effect of the vision on ,john--when ,i saw ,him1 ,i fell at ,his feet as one dead--was not unlike the effect of the vision given to ,saul as he neared ,damascus4 ,but to ,his bride ,his aspect is like ,lebanon1 excellent as the cedars4 ,the ,,lion of the tribe of ,judah is to ,his own bride the ,,king of love2 and1 with full heart and beaming face1 she so recounts ,his beauties that the daughters of ,jerusalem are seized with strong desire to seek ,him with her1 that they also may behold ,his beauty4 ,whither is thy ,beloved gone1 ,o thou fairest among women8 ,whither hath thy ,beloved turned ,him1 ,that we may seek ,him with thee8 ,the bride replies3-- ,my ,beloved is gone down to ,his garden1 to the beds of spices1 ,to feed in the gardens1 and to gather lilies4 ,i am my ,beloved's1 and my ,beloved is mine3 ,he feedeth ,his flock among the lilies4 ,forlorn and desolate as she might appear she still knows herself as the object of ,his affections1 and claims ,him as her own4 ,this expression1 ,i am my ,beloved's1 and my ,beloved is mine1 is similar to that found in the second chapter1 ,my ,beloved is mine1 and ,i am ,his2 and yet with noteworthy difference4 ,then her first thought of ,,christ was of her claim upon ,him3 ,his claim upon her was secondary4 ,now she thinks first of ,his claim2 and only afterwards mentions her own4 ,we see a still further development of grace in chap4 vii4 #aj1 where the bride1 losing sight of her claim altogether1 says3-- ,i am my ,beloved's1 ,and ,his desire is toward me4 ,no sooner has she uttered these words and acknowledged herself as ,his rightful possession--a claim which she had practically repudiated when she kept ,him barred out--than her ,bridegroom ,himself appears2 and with no upbraiding word1 but in tenderest love1 tells her how beautiful she is in ,his eyes1 and speaks her praise to the daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,to her ,he says3-- ,thou art beautiful1 ,o ,my love1 as ,tirzah1 the beautiful city of ,samaria1 ,comely as ,jerusalem1 the glorious city of the great ,,king1 ,terrible or rather brilliant as an army with banners4 ,turn away thine eyes from ,me1 ,for they have overcome ,me4 7,see vv4 #d-g47 ,then1 turning to the daughters of ,jerusalem1 ,he exclaims3-- ,there are threescore queens1 and fourscore concubines1 ,and maidens without number4 ,my dove1 ,my perfect one1 is but one2 ,she is the only one of her mother2 ,she is the choice one of her that bare her4 ,the daughters saw her1 and called her blessed2 ,yea1 the queens and the concubines1 and they praised her1 saying1 ,who is she that looketh forth as the morning1 ,fair as the moon1 ,clear as the sun1 ,brilliant as an army with banners8 ,thus the section closes with communion fully restored2 the bride reinstated and openly acknowledged by the ,bridegroom as ,his own peerless companion and friend4 ,the painful experience through which the bride has passed has been fraught with lasting good1 and we have no further indication of interrupted communion1 but in the remaining sections find only joy and fruitfulness4 ,,footnote3 #d ,the ,church of ,popular ,opinion1 as pointed out by the ,rev4 ,charles ,fox in an address at ,keswick1 as the ,church of ,philadelphia is the ,church of ,brotherly ,love4 ,,section ,v ,,fruits ,,of ,,recognized ,,union ,cant4 vi4 #aa-viii4 #d ,,in the second and fourth sections of this book we found the communion of the bride broken2 in the former by backsliding into worldliness1 and in the latter through slothful ease and self-satisfaction4 ,the present section1 like the third1 is one of unbroken communion4 ,it is opened by the words of the bride3-- ,i went down into the garden of nuts1 ,to see the green plants of the valley1 ,to see whether the vine budded1 ,and the pomegranates were in flower4 ,or ever ,i was aware1 my soul set me ,among the chariots of my willing people4 ,as in the commencement of ,section ,,iii41 the bride1 in unbroken communion with her ,,lord1 was present though unmentioned until she made her presence evident by her address to the daughters of ,zion2 so in this section the presence of the ,,king is unnoted until ,he ,himself addresses ,his bride4 ,but she is one with her ,,lord as she engages in ,his service6 ,his promise1 ,lo1 ,i am with you alway1 is ever fulfilled to her2 and ,he has no more to woo her to arise and come away2 to tell her that ,his head is filled with dew1 ,his locks with the drops of the night2 or to urge her if she love ,him to feed ,his sheep and care for ,his lambs4 ,herself ,his garden1 she does not forget to tend it1 nor keep the vineyards of others while her own is neglected4 ,with ,him as well as for ,him1 she goes to the garden of nuts4 ,so thorough is the union between them that many commentators have felt difficulty in deciding whether the bride or the ,bridegroom was the speaker1 and really it is a point of little moment2 for1 as we have said1 both were there1 and of one mind2 yet we believe we are right in attributing these words to the bride1 as she is the one addressed by the daughters of ,jerusalem1 and the one who speaks to them in reply4 ,the bride and ,bridegroom appear to have been discovered by their willing people while thus engaged in the happy fellowship of fruitful service1 and the bride1 or ever she was aware1 found herself seated among the chariots of her people--her people as well as ,his4 ,the daughters of ,jerusalem would fain call her back3-- ,return1 return1 ,o ,shulammite2 ,return1 return1 that we may look upon thee4 ,there is no question now as to who she is1 nor why her ,beloved is more than another beloved2 ,he is recognized as ,king ,solomon1 and to her is given the same name1 only in its feminine form 7,shulammite74 ,some have seen in these words1 ,return1 return1 an indication of the rapture of the ,church2 and explain some parts of the subsequent context1 which appear inconsistent with this view1 as resumptive rather than progressive4 ,interesting as is this thought1 and well as it would explain the absence of reference to the ,,king in the preceding verses1 we are not inclined to accept it2 but look on the whole song as progressive1 and its last words as being equivalent to the closing words of the ,book of ,revelation1 ,surely ,i come quickly4 ,amen4 ,even so1 come1 ,,lord ,,jesus4 ,we do not therefore look upon the departure of the bride from her garden as being other than temporary4 ,the bride replies to the daughters of ,jerusalem3-- ,why will ye look upon the ,shulammite8 or1 as in the ,authorized ,version1 ,what will ye see in the ,shulamite8 ,in the presence of the ,,king1 she cannot conceive why any attention should be paid to her4 ,as ,moses1 coming down from the mount1 was unconscious that his face shone with a divine glory1 so was it here with the bride4 ,but we may learn this very important lesson1 that many who do not see the beauty of the ,,lord1 will not fail to admire ,his reflected beauty in ,his bride4 ,the eager look of the daughters of ,jerusalem surprised the bride1 and she says1 ,you might be looking upon the dance of ,mahanaim--the dance of two companies of ,israel's fairest daughters--instead of upon one who has no claim for attention1 save that she is the chosen1 though unworthy1 bride of the glorious ,,king4 ,the daughters of ,jerusalem have no difficulty in replying to her question1 and recognizing her as of royal birth--,o ,prince's daughter--as well as of queenly dignity1 they describe in true and ,oriental language the tenfold beauties of her person2 from her feet to her head they see only beauty and perfection4 ,what a contrast to her state by nature6 ,once from the sole of the foot even unto the head was but wounds1 and bruises1 and festering sores2 now her feet are shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of peace1 and the very hair of the head proclaims her a ,nazarite indeed2 the ,,king ,himself is held captive in the tresses thereof4 ,but ,one1 more to her than the daughters of ,jerusalem1 responded to her unaffected question1 ,what will ye see in the ,shulamite8 ,the ,bridegroom ,himself replies to it3-- ,how fair and how pleasant art thou1 ,o love1 for delights6 ,he sees in her the beauties and the fruitfulness of the tall and upright palm1 of the graceful and clinging vine1 of the fragrant and evergreen citron4 ,grace has made her like the palm-tree1 the emblem alike of uprightness and of fruitfulness4 ,the fruit of the date-palm is more valued than bread by the ,oriental traveller1 so great is its sustaining power2 and the fruit-bearing powers of the tree do not pass away2 as age increases the fruit becomes more perfect as well as more abundant4 ,the righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree3 ,he shall grow like a cedar in ,lebanon4 ,they that are planted in the house of the ,,lord ,shall flourish in the courts of our ,,god4 ,they shall still bring forth fruit in old age2 ,they shall be full of sap and green4 ,but why are the righteous made so upright and flourishing8 ,to show that the ,,lord is upright2 ,he is my ,,rock1 and there is no unrighteousness in ,him4 ,one with our ,,lord1 it is ours to show forth ,his graces and virtues1 to reflect ,his beauty1 to be ,his faithful witnesses4 ,the palm is also the emblem of victory2 it raises its beautiful crown towards the heavens1 fearless of the heat of the sultry sun1 or of the burning hot wind from the desert4 ,from its beauty it was one of the ornaments of ,solomon's1 as it is to be of ,ezekiel's temple4 ,when our ,,saviour was received at ,jerusalem as the ,,king of ,israel the people took branches of palm-trees and went forth to meet ,him2 and in the glorious day of ,his espousals1 a great multitude1 which no man can number1 of all nations1 and kindreds1 and people1 and tongues1 shall stand before the throne and before the ,,lamb1 clothed with white robes2 and with palms of victory in their hands shall ascribe their salvation to our ,,god which sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,,lamb4 ,but if she resembles the palm she also resembles the vine4 ,much she needs the culture of the ,husbandman1 and well does she repay it4 ,abiding in ,,christ1 the true source of fruitfulness1 she brings forth clusters of grapes1 luscious and refreshing1 as well as sustaining1 like the fruit of the palm--luscious and refreshing to ,himself1 the owner of the vineyard1 as well as to the weary1 thirsty world in which ,he has placed it4 ,the vine has its own suggestive lessons3 it needs and seeks support2 the sharp knife of the pruner often cuts away unsparingly its tender garlands1 and mars its appearance1 while increasing its fruitfulness4 ,it has been beautifully written3-- ,the living ,vine1 ,,christ chose it for ,himself3-- ,,god gave to man for use and sustenance ,corn1 wine1 and oil1 and each of these is good3 ,and ,,christ is ,bread of life and ,light of life4 ,but yet1 ,he did not choose the summer corn1 ,that shoots up straight and free in one quick growth4 ,and has its day1 is done1 and springs no more2 ,nor yet the olive1 all whose boughs are spread ,in the soft air1 and never lose a leaf1 ,flowering and fruitful in perpetual peace2 ,but only this1 for ,him and ,his is one1-- ,that everlasting1 ever-quickening ,vine1 ,that gives the heat and passion of the world1 ,through its own life-blood1 still renewed and shed4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,the ,vine from every living limb bleeds wine2 ,is it the poorer for that spirit shed8 ,the drunkard and the wanton drink thereof2 ,are they the richer for that gift's excess8 ,measure thy life by loss instead of gain2 ,not by the wine drunk1 but the wine poured forth2 ,for love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice2 ,and whoso suffers most1 hath most to give4 ,yet one figure more is used by the ,bridegroom3 ,the smell of thy breath is like apples1 or rather citrons4 ,in the first section the bride exclaims3-- ,as the citron-tree among the trees of the wood1 ,so is my ,beloved among the sons4 ,i delighted and sat down under ,his shadow1 ,and ,his fruit was sweet to my taste4 ,here we find the outcome of that communion4 ,the citrons on which she had fed perfumed her breath1 and imparted to her their delicious odour4 ,the ,bridegroom concludes his description3-- ,thy mouth is like the best wine1 ,that goeth down smoothly-- ,for my ,beloved-- interjects the bride1 ,causing the lips of those that are asleep to move4 ,how wondrous the grace that has made the bride of ,,christ to be all this to her ,beloved6 ,upright as the palm1 victorious1 and evermore fruitful as she grows heavenward2 gentle and tender as the ,vine1 self-forgetful and self-sacrificing1 not merely bearing fruit in spite of adversity1 but bearing her richest fruits through it2--feasting on her ,beloved1 as she rests beneath ,his shade1 and thereby partaking of ,his fragrance2--what has grace not done for her6 ,and what must be her joy in finding1 ever more fully1 the satisfaction of the glorious ,bridegroom in the lowly wild flower ,he has made ,his bride1 and beautified with ,his own graces and virtues6 ,i am my ,beloved's1 ,and ,his desire is toward me1 she gladly exclaims4 ,now it is none of self or for self1 but all of ,thee and for ,thee4 ,and if such be the sweet fruits of going down to the garden of nuts1 and caring for ,his garden with ,him1 she will need no constraining to continue in this blessed service4 ,come1 my ,beloved1 let us go forth into the field2 ,let us lodge in the villages4 ,she is not ashamed of her lowly origin1 for she fears no shame3 perfect love has cast out fear4 ,the royal state of the ,king1 with its pomp and grandeur1 may be enjoyed by-and-by3 now1 more sweet with ,him at her side to make the garden fruitful2 to give to ,him all manner of precious fruits1 new and old1 which she has laid up in store for ,him2 and best of all to satisfy ,him with her own love4 ,not only is she contented with this fellowship of service1 but she could fain wish that there were no honours and duties to claim ,his attention1 and for the moment to lessen the joy of ,his presence4 ,oh that ,thou wert as my brother1 ,that sucked the breasts of my mother6 ,when ,i should find ,thee without1 ,i would kiss ,thee2 ,yea1 and none would despise me4 ,would that she could care for ,him1 and claim ,his whole attention1 as a sister might care for a brother4 ,she is deeply conscious that ,he has richly endowed her1 and that she is as nothing compared with ,him2 but instead of proudly dwelling upon what she has done through ,him1 she would fain that it were possible for her to be the giver and ,him the receiver4 ,far removed is this from the grudging thought1 that must so grate upon the heart of our ,,lord1 ,i do not think that ,,god requires this of me2 or1 ,must ,i give up that1 if ,i am to be a ,christian8 ,true devotion will rather ask to be allowed to give1 and will count as loss all which may not be given up for the ,,lord',s sake--,i count all things but loss1 for the excellency of the knowledge of ,,christ ,,jesus my ,,lord4 ,this longing desire to be more to ,him does not1 however1 blind her to the consciousness that she needs ,his guidance1 and that ,he is her true1 her only ,instructor4 ,i would lead ,thee1 and bring ,thee into my mother's house1 ,that ,thou mightest instruct me2 ,i would cause ,thee to drink of spiced wine1 ,of the juice of my pomegranate4 ,i would give ,thee my best1 and yet would myself seek all my rest and satisfaction in ,thee4 ,his left hand should be under my head1 ,and ,his right hand should embrace me4 ,and thus the section closes4 ,there is nothing sweeter to the ,bridegroom or to the bride than this hallowed and unhindered communion2 and again ,he adjures the daughters of ,jerusalem1 in slightly different form3-- ,why should ye stir up1 or why awake ,my love1 ,until she#e please8 ,hallowed communion indeed6 ,may we ever enjoy it2 and abiding in ,,christ1 we shall sing1 in the familiar words of the well-known hymn-- ,both ,thine arms are clasped around me1 ,and my head is on ,thy breast2 ,and my weary soul hath found ,thee ,such a perfect1 perfect rest6 ,blessed ,,jesus1 ,now ,i know that ,i am blest4 ,,footnote3 #e ,see note on p4 #bf4 ,,section ,,vi ,,unrestrained ,,communion ,cant4 viii4 #e-ad ,,we have now reached the closing section of this book1 which1 as we have seen1 is a poem describing the life of a believer on earth4 ,beginning in ,section ,i4 7,cant4 i4 #b-;ii4 #g7 with the unsatisfied longings of an espoused one--longings which could only be met by her unreserved surrender to the ,bridegroom of her soul--we find that when the surrender was made1 instead of the cross she had so much feared she found a ,king1 the ,,king of ,,love1 who both satisfied her deepest longings1 and found ,his own satisfaction in her4 ,the second section 7,cant4 ii4 #h-;iii4 #e7 showed failure on her part2 she was lured back again into the world1 and soon found that her ,beloved could not follow her there2 then with full purpose of heart going forth to seek ,him1 and confessing ,his name1 her search was successful1 and her communion was restored4 ,the third section 7,cant4 iii4 #f-v4 #a47 told of unbroken communion4 ,abiding in ,christ1 she was the sharer of ,his security and ,his glory4 ,she draws the attention1 however1 of the daughters of ,jerusalem from these outward things to her ,,king ,himself4 ,and1 while she is thus occupied with ,him1 and would have others so occupied1 she finds that her royal ,bridegroom is delighting in her1 and inviting her to fellowship of service1 fearless of dens of lions and mountains of leopards4 ,the fourth section 7,cant4 v4 #b-vi4 #aj71 however1 shows again failure2 not as before through worldliness1 but rather through spiritual pride and sloth4 ,restoration now was much more difficult2 but again when she went forth diligently to seek her ,,lord1 and so confessed ,him as to lead others to long to find ,him with her1 ,he revealed ,himself and the communion was restored1 to be interrupted no more4 ,the fifth section 7,cant4 vi4 #aa-viii4 #d71 as we have seen1 describes not only the mutual satisfaction and delight of the bride and ,bridegroom in each other1 but the recognition of her position and her beauty by the daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,and now in the sixth section 7,cant4 viii4 #e-ad7 we come to the closing scene of the book4 ,in it the bride is seen leaning upon her ,beloved1 asking ,him to bind her yet more firmly to ,himself1 and occupying herself in ,his vineyard1 until ,he calls her away from earthly service4 ,to this last section we shall now give our attention more particularly4 ,it opens1 as did the third1 by an inquiry or exclamation of the daughters of ,jerusalem4 ,there they asked1 ,who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke1 etc48 but then their attention was claimed by the pomp and state of the ,,king1 not by ,his person1 nor by that of ,his bride4 ,here they are attracted by the happy position of the bride in relation to her ,beloved1 and not by their surroundings4 ,who is this that cometh up from the wilderness1 ,leaning upon her ,beloved8 ,it is through the bride that attention is drawn to the ,bridegroom2 their union and communion are now open and manifest4 ,for the last time the wilderness is mentioned2 but sweetly solaced by the presence of the ,bridegroom1 it is no wilderness to the bride4 ,in all the trustfulness of confiding love she is seen leaning upon her ,beloved4 ,he is her strength1 her joy1 her pride1 and her prize2 while she is ,his peculiar treasure1 the object of ,his tenderest care4 ,all ,his resources of wisdom and might are hers2 though journeying she is at rest1 though in the wilderness she is satisfied1 while leaning upon her ,beloved4 ,wonderful1 however1 as are the revelations of grace and love to the heart taught by the ,,holy ,,spirit through the relationship of bride and ,bridegroom1 the ,,christ of ,,god is more than ,bridegroom to ,his people4 ,he who when on earth was able to say1 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i am1 here claims ,his bride from her very birth1 and not alone from her espousals4 ,before she knew ,him1 ,he knew her2 and of this ,he reminds her in the words3-- ,i raised thee up under the citron-tree2 ,there thy mother brought thee forth4 ,he takes delight in her beauty1 but that is not so much the cause as the effect of ,his love2 for ,he took her up when she had no comeliness4 ,the love that has made her what she is1 and now takes delight in her1 is not a fickle love1 nor need she fear its change4 ,gladly does the bride recognize this truth1 that she is indeed ,his own1 and she exclaims3 ,set me as a seal upon ,thine heart1 as a seal upon ,thine arm2 ,for love is strong as death2 ,jealousy 7ardent love7 is cruel 7retentive7 as the grave2 ,the flashes thereof are flashes of fire1 ,a very flame of the ,,lord4 ,the ,high ,priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart1 each name being engraved as a seal in the costly and imperishable stone chosen by ,,god1 each seal or stone being set in the purest gold2 he likewise bore the same names upon his shoulders1 indicating that both the love and the strength of the ,high ,priest were pledged on behalf of the tribes of ,israel4 ,the bride would be thus upborne by ,him who is alike her ,prophet1 ,priest1 and ,king1 for love is strong as death2 and jealousy1 or ardent love1 retentive as the grave4 ,not that she doubts the constancy of her ,beloved1 but that she has learned1 alas6 the inconstancy of her own heart2 and she would be bound to the heart and arm of her ,beloved as with chains and settings of gold1 ever the emblem of divinity4 ,thus the ,psalmist prayed1 ,bind the sacrifice with cords1 even unto the horns of the altar4 ,it is comparatively easy to lay the sacrifice on the altar that sanctifies the gift1 but it requires divine compulsion--the cords of love--to retain it there4 ,so here the bride would be set and fixed on the heart and on the arm of ,him who is henceforth to be her all in all1 that she may evermore trust only in that love1 be sustained only by that power4 ,do we not all need to learn a lesson from this8 and to pray to be kept from turning to ,egypt for help1 from trusting in horses and chariots1 from putting confidence in princes1 or in the son of man1 rather than in the living ,,god8 ,how the ,kings of ,israel1 who had won great triumphs by faith1 sometimes turned aside to heathen nations in their later years6 ,the ,,lord keep ,his people from this snare4 ,the bride continues3 ,the flashes of love are flashes of fire1 a very flame of the ,,lord4 ,it is worthy of note that this is the only occurrence of this word ,,lord in this book4 ,but how could it be omitted here8 ,for love is of ,,god1 and ,,god is love4 ,to her request the ,bridegroom replies with reassuring words3-- ,many waters cannot quench love1 ,neither can the floods drown it3 ,if a man would give all the substance of his house for love1 ,it would utterly be contemned4 ,the love which grace has begotten in the heart of the bride is itself divine and persistent2 many waters cannot quench it1 nor the floods drown it4 ,suffering and pain1 bereavement and loss may test its constancy1 but they will not quench it4 ,its source is not human or natural2 like the life1 it is hidden with ,,christ in ,,god4 ,what shall separate us from the love of ,,christ8 shall tribulation1 or distress1 or persecution1 or famine1 or nakedness1 or peril1 or sword8 4 4 4 ,nay1 in all these things we are more than conquerors1 through ,him that loved us4 ,for ,i am persuaded that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 nor height1 nor depth1 nor any other creation ,r4,v4 margin1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,,god1 which is in ,,christ ,,jesus our ,,lord4 ,our love to ,,god is secured by ,,god',s love to us4 ,to the soul really rescued by grace1 no bribe to forsake ,,god',s love will be finally successful4 ,if a man would give all the substance of his house for love1 it would utterly be contemned4 ,freed from anxiety on her own account1 the happy bride next asks guidance1 and fellowship in service with her ,,lord1 on behalf of those who have not yet reached her favoured position4 ,we have a little sister1 ,and she hath no breasts3 ,what shall we do for our sister ,in the day when she shall be spoken for8 ,how beautifully her conscious union with the ,bridegroom appears in her expressions4 ,we have a little sister1 not ,i have1 etc42 what shall we do for our sister1 etc48 ,she has now no private relationships nor interests2 in all things she is one with ,him4 ,and we see a further development of grace in the very question4 ,towards the close of the last section she recognized the ,bridegroom as her ,instructor4 ,she will not now make her own plans about her little sister1 and ask ,his acquiescence in them2 she will rather learn what his thoughts are1 and have fellowship with ,him in ,his plans4 ,how much anxiety and care the children of ,,god would be spared if they learned to act in this way6 ,is it not too common to make the best plans that we can1 and to carry them out as best we may1 feeling all the while a great burden of responsibility1 and earnestly asking the ,,lord to help us8 ,whereas if we always let ,him be our ,instructor in service1 and left the responsibility with ,him1 our strength would not be exhausted with worry and anxiety1 but would all be at ,his disposal1 and accomplish ,his ends4 ,in the little sister1 as yet immature1 may we not see the elect of ,,god1 given to ,,christ in ,,god',s purpose1 but not yet brought into saving relation to ,him8 ,and perhaps also those babes in ,,christ who as yet need feeding with milk and not with meat1 but who1 with such care1 will in due time become experienced believers1 fitted for the service of the ,,lord8 ,then they will be spoken for1 and called into that department of service for which ,he has prepared them4 ,the ,bridegroom replies3-- ,if she be a wall1 ,we will build upon her battlements of silver2 ,and if she be a door1 ,we will inclose her with boards of cedar4 ,in this reply the ,bridegroom sweetly recognizes ,his oneness with ,his bride1 in the same way as she has shown her conscious oneness with ,him4 ,as she says1 ,what shall we do for our sister8 so ,he replies1 ,we will build 4 4 4 we will inclose1 etc4 ,he will not carry out ,his purposes of grace irrespective of ,his bride1 but will work with and through her4 ,what can be done for this sister1 however1 will depend upon what she becomes4 ,if she be a wall1 built upon the true foundation1 strong and stable1 she shall be adorned and beautified with battlements of silver2 but if unstable and easily moved to and fro like a door1 such treatment will be as impossible as unsuitable2 she will need to be inclosed with boards of cedar1 hedged in with restraints1 for her own protection4 ,the bride rejoicingly responds1 ,i am a wall2 she knows the foundation on which she is built1 there is no if in her case2 she is conscious of having found favour in the eyes of her ,beloved4 ,naphtali's blessing is hers3 she is satisfied with favour1 and full with the blessing of the ,,lord4 ,but what is taught by the connection of this happy consciousness with the lines which follow8 ,solomon had a vineyard at ,baal-hamon2 ,he let out the vineyard unto keepers2 ,every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver4 ,my vineyard1 which is mine1 is before me3 ,thou1 ,o ,solomon1 shalt have the thousand1 ,and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred4 ,the connection is1 we believe1 one of great importance1 teaching us that what she was 7by grace7 was more important than what she did2 and that she did not work in order to earn favour1 but being assured of favour1 gave her love free scope to show itself in service4 ,the bride knew her relationship to her ,,lord1 and ,his love to her2 and in her determination that ,he should have the thousand pieces of silver1 her concern was that her vineyard should not produce less for her ,solomon than ,his vineyard at ,baal-hamon2 her vineyard was herself1 and she desired for her ,,lord much fruit4 ,she would see1 too1 that the keepers of the vineyard1 those who were her companions in its culture1 and who ministered in word and doctrine1 were well rewarded2 she would not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn2 a full tithe1 nay a double tithe1 was to be the portion of those who kept the fruit and laboured with her in the vineyard4 99 99 99 99 99 ,how long this happy service continues1 and how soon it is to be terminated1 we cannot tell2 ,he who calls ,his servants to dwell in the gardens1 and cultivate them for ,him--as ,adam of old was placed in the paradise of ,,god--alone knows the limit of this service4 ,sooner or later the rest will come1 the burden and heat of the last day will have been borne1 the last conflict will be over1 and the voice of the ,bridegroom will be heard addressing ,his loved one3-- ,thou that dwellest in the gardens1 ,the companions hearken to thy voice3 ,cause ,me to hear it4 ,thy service among the companions is finished2 thou hast fought the good fight1 thou hast kept the faith1 thou hast finished thy course2 henceforth there is laid up for thee the crown of righteousness1 and the ,bridegroom ,himself shall be thine exceeding great reward6 ,well may the bride let ,him hear her voice1 and1 springing forth in heart to meet ,him1 cry3-- ,make haste1 my ,beloved1 ,and be ,thou like to a roe or to a young hart ,upon the mountains of spices6 ,she no longer asks ,him1 as in the second section3-- ,turn1 my ,beloved1 and be ,thou like a roe or a young hart ,upon the mountains of ,bether separation4 ,she has never again wished ,him to turn away from her1 for there are no mountains of ,bether to those who are abiding in ,,christ2 now there are mountains of spices4 ,he who inhabits the praises of ,israel1 which rise1 like the incense of spices1 from ,his people's hearts1 is invited by ,his bride to make haste1 to come quickly1 and be like a roe or young hart upon the mountains of spices4 ,very sweet is the presence of our ,,lord1 as by ,his ,,spirit ,he dwells among ,his people1 while they serve ,him below2 but here there are many thorns in every path1 which call for watchful care2 and it is meet that now we should suffer with our ,,lord1 in order that we may hereafter be glorified together4 ,the day1 however1 is soon coming in which ,he will bring us up out of the earthly gardens and associations to the palace of the great ,,king4 ,there ,his people shall hunger no more1 neither thirst any more2 neither shall the sun light on them1 nor any heat4 ,for the ,,lamb1 which is in the midst of the throne1 shall feed them1 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters2 and ,,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes4 ,the ,,spirit and the bride say1 ,come6 4 4 4 ,surely ,i come quickly4 ,amen2 even so1 come1 ,,lord ,,jesus6 ,,appendix ,,the ,,daughters ,,of ,,jerusalem ,,the question is frequently asked1 ,who are represented by the daughters of ,jerusalem8 ,they are clearly not the bride1 yet they are not far removed from her4 ,they know where the ,bridegroom makes ,his flock to rest at noon2 they are charged by the ,bridegroom not to stir up nor awaken ,his love when she rests1 abiding in ,him2 they draw attention to the ,bridegroom as with dignity and pomp ,he comes up from the wilderness2 their love-gifts adorn ,his chariot of state2 they are appealed to by the bride for help in finding her ,beloved1 and1 stirred by her impassioned description of ,his beauty1 they desire to seek ,him with her2 they describe very fully the beauty of the bride1 but1 on the other hand1 we never find them occupied with the person of the ,bridegroom2 ,he is not all in all to them2 they mind outward and earthly things4 ,do they not represent those who1 if not actually saved1 are very near it2 or1 if saved1 are only half-saved8 who are for the present more concerned about the things of this world than the things of ,,god8 ,to advance their own interests1 to secure their own comfort1 concerns them more than to be in all things pleasing to the ,,lord4 ,they may form part of that great company spoken of in ,rev4 vii4 #i-ag1 who come out of the great tribulation1 but they will not form part of the #add1jjj1 the first-fruits unto ,,god and to the ,,lamb 7,rev4 xiv4 #a-e74 ,they have forgotten the warning of our ,,lord in ,luke xxi4 #cd-cf2 and hence they are not accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass1 and to stand before the ,,son of ,man4 ,they have not1 with ,paul1 counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of ,,christ ,,jesus the ,lord1 and hence they do not attain unto that resurrection from among the dead1 which ,paul felt he might miss1 but aimed to attain unto4 ,we wish to place on record our solemn conviction that not all who are ,christians1 or think themselves to be such1 will attain to that resurrection of which ,st4 ,paul speaks in ,phil4 iii4 #aa1 or will thus meet the ,,lord in the air4 ,unto those who by lives of consecration manifest that they are not of the world1 but are looking for ,him1 ,he will appear without sin unto salvation4 ,printed by ,r4 ,r4 ,,clark1 ,,limited1 ,edinburgh4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,text uses both ,shulamite and ,shulammite4