Song of Solomon

Use 4. Admire the love of Christ our mediator; that he should humble himself, and take our flesh, that he might redeem us. Believers should put Christ in their bosom, as the spouse did (Song of Solomon 1:13): "lie between my breasts." What was said of Ignatius, that the name of…

This joy is hidden manna, hid from the eye of the world; he has still music which others hear not; the marrow lies within — the best joy is within in the heart. 3. Spiritual joys are sweeter than others, better than wine (Song of Solomon 1:2). They are a Christian's festival; th…

The Spirit where it is, stamps the impress of its own holiness upon the heart: It embroiders and bespangles the soul, and makes it all glorious within. 2. Have we had the attraction of the Spirit? (Song of Solomon 1:4). Draw me, we will run after you. Has the Spirit, by its magn…

1. An unfeigned desire is ingenuous; we desire God propter se, for himself, for his intrinsic excellencies, and the beauty which shines from him. The savor of Christ's ointments — that is, his graces — draw the virgins' desires after him (Song of Solomon 1:3). A true saint desir…

Use 1. See what is the main thing a Christian should look after, namely sanctification; this is the Unum necessarium. Sanctification is our purest complexion, it makes us as the heaven bespangled with stars: it is our nobility, by it we are born of God, and partake of the divine…

If we quench the Spirit by our neglecting and resisting its motions, we cut ourselves off from salvation. The Spirit of God has a drawing-power (Song of Solomon 1:4); the blessed Spirit draws by attraction, as the lodestone the iron. In the preaching of the Word the Spirit draws…

Verse 17 The beames of our house are Cedar, and our rafters of firre. Cant. 1. verse 1. The Song of Songs, which is Solomons. Verse 2 Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better then wine.

Now, (as we go along) because that many a gracious soul may be at a loss, and unable to find their love to Christ, and thereupon be discouraged; we shall mention some things, in which, it usually discovers itself, and may sometimes be found, when persons cannot look directly on…

He that is graceless is worthless (Proverbs 10:20). The heart of the wicked is little worth: but righteousness makes the heart like the heaven bespangled with stars: the graces are compared to chains of gold, for their value (Song of Solomon 1:10), and to myrrh and cassia for th…

8. Consider in how many notions Mercy is represented to us: God's Mercy has many names; a distinct consideration of them yields an advantage in believing: for though they express the same thing, yet every notion begets a fresh thought, by which Mercy is more taken abroad in the…

O Christians, I fear your zeal and strength have run in the wrong channel. I fear most of us may take up the church's complaint — Song of Solomon 1:6: 'They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept.' Two things have eaten up the time and strength…

Jer. 14. 9. Thou O Lord, art in the midst of us. The Church of God hath not only enemies without her, to conflict with, but within her, such as are Hypocrites and Apostates; she complains that her own sons vexed her Cant 1. 6. That is, those who had been bred up in her bosom, an…

If God's will had suited with his, he would have done what he would have had him to do: your trial is when you must offer up your Isaac, when you must part with those things that are most sweetest to you. Thirdly, dead men are senseless, like idols that the Psalmist speaks of: t…

To open the words a little, we shall first consider the matter of this reason, and then the consequence of it; or what influence it has on men's offending at Christ, and continuing in their unbelief; only we shall premise two or three words to both. That which we premise first i…

There is no prejudice at all in this way, but many advantages; doubtless salvation will not fail them that believe: indeed, we may add from the words of the Text, for encouraging to this, that the man or woman that is sensible of sin, and afraid of wrath, has the covenant to loo…

2. We should take on us to steward and husband the kisses and embracements of Christ, better than he can do himself; and should quarrel, because the Lord has not thought fit to make heirs and minors, that are yet under nonage, masters and lords of their own young heaven; this we…

Assertion 1. Dispositions going before conversion come under a fourfold consideration: 1. As [reconstructed: efficient] causes, so some imagine them to be. 2. As materially and subjectively they dispose the soul to receive grace. 3. Formally or morally, either as parts of conver…

Answer. Position 1. Drawing is relative to running and walking (Song of Solomon 1:4). Now this is rather in acts of Sanctification, and in running in the ways of God's commandments (Psalm 119:32), than in Justification, though coming goes for an act of believing and approaching…

Now it can be no gospel truth that Christ draws by the lifting of himself on the cross, and by his death, all and every man to himself, even thousands and millions of the sons of Adam, that never heard one letter or the least sound of the gospel, or of his lifting up on the cros…

To show you that sometimes when Christ cannot be had but we must forgo the very ordinances of God, because we cannot have the ordinances without impure mixtures of human invention — then let them go, rather than defile our own hearts and hands with sin against God. And so, (Song…

Alas your interest and influence reaches but a little way to mend a wicked world, (though you must seek to perform as far as your place and calling extends;) but go your way to your God in your closet, bewail your sins, and the sins of others plead with God for your own soul. Bu…

For a man cannot recover himself when he will. We do not the good we can, unless God makes us do it (Ezekiel 36:27) (Song of Solomon 1:4) (Jeremiah 31:29). Therefore it is an error to think that we may repent and turn to God when we will, as many suppose.

The last, is Excitation, whereby the spirit stirs and still moves the will and mind; after they are regenerate: because for the time of this life, the grace of God is hindered and oppressed by the flesh. Therefore after regeneration, there must still be new inclining (Psalm 119:…

Having spoken of the Kingdom of Israel; he comes now to speak of the Tribe of Judah, and shows, that in the midst of this so fearful a judgment of God, he will always cause his mercy to be felt. So that however the ten Tribes were gone and lost; yet the Lord would reserve a remn…

So speaks the Bridegroom to his spouse in the Song of Solomon, chapter 4: Your two breasts are like two twins of young roes. Between these ought there to hang a bundle of myrrh, as the spouse there says (Song of Solomon 1): A bundle of myrrh is your lover to me, which lies betwe…

As new born Babes, desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Canticles 1:3. Because of the Savour of thy good Ointments, thy Name is as Ointment poured forth; therefore do the Virgins love thee; compared wit…

Hence is that Direction, Be harmless as Doves. So also the sharpness of its sight or eyes, as Cant. 1. 16. Chap. 4. 1. is fixed on, to represent a quick and discerning Understanding, such as was in Christ from the resting of the Spirit upon him, Isa. 11. 3.

Hence it is said of the Lord Christ, That he is fairer or more beautifull than the Children of Men, and that because Grace was poured into his lips, Psal. 45. 2. And when the Church is furnished or adorned with his Graces, he affirms her to be Fair and Comely, Cant. 1. 5. chap.…

And for the same cause, in the parable of the field, Mat. 13. 24. is the same ministry of the Gospel called expressely the kingdome of God. And therefore when the Church demaunds of Christ, where shee shall finde him; he bids her follow the steps of the flockes to the tents of t…

Indeed, we should sing, for cheering our disposition, and mitigating and sweetening our crosses. So does the Bride here sing her sufferings (Song of Solomon 1:6; Song of Solomon 5:7) when she was smitten. Indeed, her desertions, she puts these also in a song.

The scope shows, that it is a night of [reconstructed: desolation] she is under, through the want of Christ's presence whom she loves; His presence, who is the Sun of Righteousness with healing under his wings, makes the believer's day; and his absence, is their night, and makes…

The bride's words, and his also are set out by their lips, and it's not likely, that that being spoken of, verse 13, is repeated here. Again, the mouth, and its sweetness especially, may be mentioned to signify friendliness and love, or rather the sensible manifestations of thes…

By gardens, in the plural number, are understood the subdivisions, and particular plots of that one garden, formerly mentioned; the Jews had their synagogues, where the people did meet, and the law was read (as we have our distinct congregations) as, (Psalms 74:8) and (Acts 15:2…

But alas, what comfort can you find in the name of God in your greatest necessities, since it is the same name you have used and worn out before in the meanest and most trivial concerns: you have already talked away the strength and virtue of it, and will hardly find more suppor…

The servants of God are like to the Tabernacle under the law, whose outside was rams skins, goats hair, and badgers skins, coarse stuff, but the inside was gold, silver, precious stones, and curious workmanship. Just so are the saints, compared therefore to the Tents of Kedar, t…

Some can frame to some easier duties, not to more difficult, but the treasured soul can frame to anything which God in the word has made his duty, and hence it is that he is complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12). The law of God in his heart carries an aspect to every…

New-covenant mercies, are the sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3), and they are always fresh and green. Hence says the Church in (Song of Solomon 1:16) — Also our bed is green, that is, our mutual delights in each other are lively, sweet and satisfying, never glutting, as earthl…

The Spirit of God has a magnetical virtue. Corruption draws the heart from God; the Spirit draws it to him (Song of Solomon 1:4): Draw me, we will run after you. The Spirit, by his omnipotent grace, draws the heart to God suavitèr, but fortitèr — sweetly, but powerfully.

Saul governs, and leads the armies of the Lord by a gift; and David governs, feeds, and leads the armies of the Lord by the grace of God, and the same word of command lays an obligation upon both; false Apostles preach Christ from a gift, and labor by a gift, but Paul labors not…

Psalm 119:32. I will run the way of your commandments, and press my self to willing and hot obedience if you shall, or when you shall, enlarge my heart. 2. To this purpose we are to meet his actings of love (Canticles 1:4). The King brought me into his chambers, with extolling a…

9. What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so charge us? The charge by an oath is given to the daughters of Jerusalem, of whom the Holy Ghost, (Cant. 2:7; Cant. 1:5). If you find my be…

6. Especially in bowing the free will, and determining all the actions of evil angels (1 Kings 22:21, 22, 23; Job 1:6, 7, 8; Job 2:1, 2, 3; Genesis 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Matthew 8:29, 30, 31) and good (Luke 2:9, 13; Matthew 28:1, 2, 3; Acts 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7) leading and dete…

Luke 24:32. Did not (say the Disciples) our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while the opened to us the Scriptures? Cant. 1:4. When the King brought me into his chambers: we will be glad & rejoyce in you, and remember your love more then wine. Sure w…

Quest. How is it then that the soul is under sweet dispositions and plenty of means, and yet wants influences? Answ. This is to shew the absolute freedom of grace, as Cant. 1. the Spouse is in a sweet condition, Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth, for his love is bett…

And it is an obliging and an endearing of the heart to God, to come daily under new debt, and multiplied free gifts, and it renews acts of love in us, as fresh actings of salvation flow: whether it be new deliverances (Psalm 18:1, 2, 6, 7; Psalm 116:1, 2, 3, 4), or new acts of k…

We see what works and actings of the Spirit is in the Spouse sick of love for Christ, which are in that song of songs to be seen, comparing (Canticles 2:5; Canticles 5:8) with other places of the song: these works of the Spirit are seen, 1. A desire to be kissed with the kisses…

2. True it is, to have or to want the influence of God, falls under no command of God laid upon man, as a man is by the law of nature forbidden to cast away his coat in a cold season; but in virtual yielding to have influences of God, conjoined with doing evil, and in virtual yi…

Now certain it is the Spouse is not ever sick of love for Christ, as Cant. 2. Nor is there such a flaming of love dispositions, as when the Spouse says (Cant. 1:5), "A bundle of myrrhe is my beloved to me, he shall lodge all the night between my breasts." When a sleepy drowsines…

As 1. No husbandman can help the clouds; no art of navigators can create fair winds, nor can our seeking create influences of sensible and feeling finding of him whom the soul loves (Canticles 1). 2. No excellency of means, were it an Angel, and the man Christ preaching, so as a…

Canticles 5:6: I opened to my beloved, and my beloved had withdrawn himself. 2. She tells his saving actings upon the soul be like to the virgins (Canticles 1:4): The King has brought me to his chambers. Canticles 2:4: He brought me into his banqueting house, and love was his ba…

3. It is intense and ardent; true saints are seraphims burning in holy love to God. The spouse was Amore perculsa, in [reconstructed: fainting] fits sick of love (Song of Solomon 2:5). Thus to love God is to glorify him; he who is the chief of our happiness, has the chief of our…

They are of the blood-royal of heaven (1 John 3:9). The Scripture has set forth their spiritual heraldry; they have their escutcheon or coat-armor: Sometimes they bear the lion for their courage (Proverbs 28:1), sometimes the dove for their meekness (Song of Solomon 2:14), somet…

This is the blessed dove which brings an olive branch of assurance in its mouth. 4. Let us lie at the pool of the ordinances, frequent the Word and Sacrament (Song of Solomon 2): He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. The blessed ordinances are t…

No better sign of our having an interest in God, than by our standing up for his interest. 5. We may know God is ours, and we have an interest in him, by his having an interest in us (Song of Solomon 2:16). My beloved is mine, and I am his.

The holiness of the saints will not excuse them from sufferings: Christ was the Holy One of God, yet he was in the iron furnace. Christ's spouse is a lily among thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2). His sheep, though they have the ear-mark of election upon them, yet may have their wool…

3. Love to God must be flaming; to love coldly, is all one as not to love. The spouse is said to be amore perculsa, sick of love (Song of Solomon 2:5). The seraphims are so called from their burning.

When we think God's church is as it were in the grave, and there is a tombstone laid upon her, God's wisdom can roll away the stone from the sepulchre. Christ comes leaping over mountains (Song of Solomon 2:8). Either his power can remove the mountain, or his wisdom knows how to…

By Anointed, is meant the children of the High God, who have the unction of the Spirit, and are set apart for God. 4. God delights in their company, he loves to see their countenance and hear their voice (Song of Solomon 2:14). He cannot refrain long from their company: Let but…

On this day a believer's heart is melted, that is, quickened, enlarged in holy duties; and how can all this be, and not a secret delight go along with it? On a Sabbath a gracious soul can say as (Song of Solomon 2:3): I sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was…

This cordial desire and real endeavor God esteems as perfect obedience (2 Corinthians 8:12): If there be a willing mind, it is accepted. Let me hear your voice, for sweet is your voice (Song of Solomon 2:14). Though the prayers of the righteous are mixed with sin, yet God sees t…

verse 17 Untill the day breake, and the shadowes flee away: turne my beloved, and be you like a Roe, or a young Hart upon the mountaines of Bether. Cant. 2. verse 1. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lilly of the vallies. The estate of the Church from Josiah's repaire of the Temp…

As who should say, when all things are thoroughly and fully reformed and settled: Why should you go about any innovation? This manner of charge was never uttered before, Canticles 2:7 to the end. (Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?) I raised…

Neither did the prophets themselves see into the depth of their own predictions (1 Peter 1:11, 12). Hence the believing Church waited with earnest expectation, until the day should break, and the shadows should flee away (Canticles 2:17; Chap. 4:6). They longed for the breaking…

(1.) In a diligent enquiry into the mediation and ministry of Christ with the glory which it was to be accompanied withal (1 Peter 1:10, 11). (2.) In earnest desires after the enjoyment of what they saw afar off, and which was obscurely represented to them (Canticles 2:18, chap.…

This gives a continual sweet savor to God from his oblation, and renders acceptable all the worship of the Church in their approaches to him (Revelation 8:3). These things did God instruct the Church in by types and figures, to prepare their faith for the receiving of him at his…

He will not be wholly a stranger to you, he will sometimes let you see something of his face, and sometimes more than at other times. Sometimes you shall sit down under his shadow, if not with great, yet with some delight at least, as (Canticles 2:3), and his fruit shall be swee…

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. A sinner's praying is howling (Hosea 7:14), but the prayer of a righteous man is music in God's ears (Song of Solomon 2:14). Let me hear your voice for sweet is your voice.

The first relentings of the creature work upon the bowels of mercy: love's pace is very swift, it runneth to meet a returning sinner. Christ cometh skipping over the mountains (Canticles 2:8). He thinketh that he can never be soon enough with us: he would fain have the company o…

Most men need patience to die — but a saint who understands what death admits him to should rather need patience to live. Methinks he should often look out and listen on a deathbed for his Lord's coming, and when he receives news of his approaching change should say: 'The voice…

1. Because God has a mighty delight in the prayers of his people. The prayer of the upright is his delight, and he loves to hear the Church's voice (Song of Solomon 2:14): "O my dove, let me hear your voice, for sweet is your voice;" [Chaldee] "your voice is sweet in prayer." In…

Exod. 20. 24. In all places where I record my Name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. This is that presence the Saints desire in the Ordinances, Gods quickning, sanctifying, comforting presence; the smiles of his face, the kisses of his lips; nothing is so delightful…

Have you the Word as wheat with chaff, it tries not; but the Word coming with authority, and not as the Scribes; when Christ's voice sounds in the Word, see how you are affected: if you hear not you are dead. Christ's coming is compared to a spring time, wherein the flowers appe…

And in (Leviticus 2:14) there you read, that the Lord is so eager to have the first things? (as a longing woman) that he will not stay till they be ripe, he will have the green ears of Corn dried in the fire; as many women that long they will not stay until the thing be ripe, bu…

Christ desires to hear the voice of his Spouse, that is in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs; in a low and obscure [illegible], driven into secret corners: He only waits for this, in order to put an end to her state of affliction, and cause the day to br…

For, first, a clearer and fuller explanation of the ancient promise was given to him, and that promise was repeated on various occasions (Genesis 12:3, 7; 12:15, 16; 15:1, 5, 6; 17:1, 2, 9; 22:17, 18). XIII. Christ now began to look forth through the windows, and to show Himself…

A Christian recreation, is an exercise of some thing indifferent, both for the nature & use of it, only for the necessary refreshing of the body or mind, or both. So are allowed in the Scriptures the use of the Bow (2 Samuel 1:18), of Music (Nehemiah 7:67), of hunting (Canticles…

A second evidence of love is, the heart's longing and panting after the enjoyment of Him, and after the enjoyment of Him, as the most excellent object, quite surpassing all other objects. And when the thirst and longing of the soul is so carried out after Him, as it cannot be sa…

And the same sad fruits follow from the sins of the saints under the New Testament, as may be cleared from (Revelation 2:5, 16, 22; Revelation 3:3, 17, 18; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 7:5-7; Revelation 3:20; John 14:1). Nor can we think, that the stric…

The father's running says, that the love of Christ has need of haste to prevent a sinner, and that he is eager and hot in his love; when Christ runs to save, he would gladly save; he draws with good will, when he runs and sweats to come in the nick of due time to save. So (Song…

1. We come to him as to our home, the man that comes to Christ is in a friend's house; Christ will not cast him out (John 6:39). The man may throw down his loads and burdens, and cast himself and his burden on him, and find rest for his soul; he does not stand, nor run any more,…

10. Would you not be suitable to God's dispensations? When the Lord our God puts us to silence, and into solitary places, he expects that we should visit him there (Song of Solomon 2:14). Oh my Dove that is in the clefts of the rock, in the secret place of the stairs, that is, i…

The same that is said of Christ, Chapter 6:12. 'His Eyes are as the Eyes of Doves.' And the Church is frequently compared to a Dove in Scripture, Song of Solomon 2:14. 'O my Dove, that art in the Clefts of the Rock—.' Chapter 5:2. 'Open to me my Love, my Dove.'

In some places he is called a Man of War and the Captain of our Salvation; in other places he is represented as a bridegroom. In Song of Solomon 2:1 he is compared to a rose and lily, sweet and beautiful flowers; in the very next verse he is compared to a tree bearing sweet frui…

(2.) Doth Communion with God in Ordinances, melt the heart into love to God? Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5. Why, so does the observation of his Providences also. Never did any man convers with Gods works of Providenc aright, but fnd his heart at some times melted into love to the God of his…

It is just with a soul as it is with the plants and trees; how would it be with them if the Lord did not command quickening life to them after the winter? The believer has his frosty and winter days, and woe be to them that think they have always a summer; the believer at times…

Upon the giving of that Promise, with the Call and Separation of Abraham, wherein the Church became in a special manner visible, there wanted nothing to confirm the faith, and fix the expectation of those that desired his coming; but only the determination of the time wherein he…

But the words themselves, with the denotation of the time for the accomplishment of this prophecy in the end of the verse, will allow of no application to any other; and plainly discovers his mistake who would wrest this text also to Zerubbabel. Hosea 14:8: Targum, They shall si…

So when there was no wine, the solemnity and glory of the feast was thought to be blemished, They have no wine, says the mother of Christ to him at the marriage feast in Cana (John 2:4). And when the Spouse would set forth the wonderful fullness of spiritual delights, which she…

If you would come to stability, and a comforting perswasion of an Interest in forgiveness by the Blood of Christ, improve the least Appearances of him unto your souls, and the least Intimations of his love in pardon, that are made unto you in the way of God. The Spouse takes not…

The second part of the commendation is, they feed among the Lilies: as Roes would not maintain their pleasantness long, if they did not feed; indeed, if the pasture were not good: so, these must needs be pleasant and useful, because they feed, and that not in a wilderness, but a…

The third lovely effect of Christ's presence, is in the ninth verse; and 1. the effect itself is set down: then its commendation is amplified. The effect, or advantage of Christ's presence, is in these words, The roof of your mouth (or your palate) shall be as the best wine: the…

That it's for a speedy return, the scope, her love that expresses it, and the manner which she uses through the Song, does make clear; and there being two comings of Christ spoken of in Scripture, 1. His coming in grace, which already she had prayed for, and it's promised (John…

The rest of the world is a waste wilderness; all other places, however pleasant, in respect of their natural amenity and delights, are truly enough called, the dark places of the earth; dismal, solitary cells, where Ziim and Iim, bitterns, cormorants, and every doleful creature…

Christ casts in a praying disposition on Saul, Behold he prays (Acts 8), and casts in a mourning disposition on the woman that washed his feet with tears; and a disposition of love, she loved much, so she wept over Christ's feet, and kissed them, and wiped them with the hair of…

Keep communion with God in praying, hearing, reading, conferring. He who is much and daily among the ointments of the apothecaries, smells shall cleave to him whether he will or not (Luke 24:34; John 7:45, 46; Canticles 2:4, 5, 6, 7). Mind much, seek much the things that are abo…

9. What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so charge us? The charge by an oath is given to the daughters of Jerusalem, of whom the Holy Ghost, (Cant. 2:7; Cant. 1:5). If you find my be…

4. Some are frequently taken into the house of wine, and to the King's chamber. And what changes there be, Cant. 2. cap. 3. c. 4, 5, 9. 1. v. 6. may be seen it is clear, and he that runs may read; felt love is not heritage to any. There is a huge difference between Cant. 2:6. Hi…

9. It would be observed that influences of the Spirit are contempered with the actings of grace, with which they concur; the spirit of adoption acts in the grammar of prayer, to cry Abba Father; and he comes down to the language of children learning to speak, and to say Abba; an…

Here is a soul in love, longing to be embraced and kissed, smelling Christs precious oyntments, taken in to the Kings chamber; yet the prayer to be drawn, and to be instructed where to find him, teacheth, that some are at the well-head, and yet thirsty, and in Christs banqueting…

3. We are to pray under deadness, as David does (Psalm 119): Quicken me in your way; quicken me in your righteousness; quicken me according to your word, &c. v. 37, 40, 88, 107, 156, 159. Deadness, when David had much of the fullness of God, has been creeping on seven times, and…

Plutarch reports of the Gauls, an ancient people of France, after they had tasted the sweet wine of Italy, they never rested till they had arrived at that country. He who is in love with God, never rests till he has gotten a part in him (Song of Solomon 3:2): "I sought him whom…

When he has been sick, the Word has revived him; (2 Corinthians 4:17) Our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. When he has been deserted, the Word has dropped in the golden oil of joy into his heart; (Song of…

Seventhly, vain distracting thoughts rob us of the comfort of an ordinance. A gracious soul often meets with God in the sanctuary, and can say as (Song of Solomon 3:4) I found him whom my soul loves. He is like Jonathan, who having tasted the honey on the rod, his eyes were enli…

But upon the new creature is a spiritual glory: As if we should see a piece of clay turned into a sparkling diamond. Song of Solomon 3:6 — Who is this that comes out of the wilderness, like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh and frankincense? That is the natural man coming out…

verse 11 Goe forth, O you daughters of Sion, and behold King Solomon with the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals: and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart. Cant. 3. ver. 1.By night on my bed I sought him whom my soule loveth, I sought him, bu…

Sixth, it causes them to prize the light of God's countenance the more when they again obtain it, and to set a higher price upon it, and to endeavor by close walking with God as children of light to keep it — to prize it more than grain and oil. In Song of Solomon 3, at verse 2…

'I create the fruit of the lips, peace' — he does it by some promise or other. If the want of the sense of communion with God and absence from him disquiets a man, then the heart rests not until it has found its Beloved (Song of Solomon 3:1-5). If doubts that no grace is in the…

Here then we see, what is the Lord's dealing with his servants; He lets them alone for a long season in temptation and pitiful distress: and at the length, when it comes even to the extremity, and when the knife is (as it were) at the throat; then he shows himself, and brings co…

And it is not ordinances, and duties that will satisfy the soul, but Christ in them; this is an evidence of love. Canticles 3:1: I sought him whom my soul loves; that seeking shows love. You then that wait on, and attend to these and those ordinances, and duties of God's worship…

2. Desertion sets the soul a seeking after God. When Christ was stepped aside, the Spouse pursues after him, she seeks him in the streets of the City, Canticles 3.2. And a non inventus being returned, she makes a hue and cry after him, verse 3.

But also, thirdly, it is so in these two respects further: sinners coming to Him, resting on Him, and getting good of Him is His delight. First, in respect of the honor that is done to Him: when a sinner believes on Him, He counts it the putting of the crown on His head, as it i…

Better for us it is that Christ bear the key of the well of life, than children have it; and if the government of the higher and lower family be upon the shoulders of Christ, the leading of this or that single person to heaven is worthy Christ's care. 3. And consider, that Chris…

Love is an undivided thing; there are not two loves, or three loves in Christ, that which begins the good work, promotes it, even the same love which Christ has taken up to heaven with him, and there you find it before you, when you come there. 2. Some love-sickness goes before…

Christ shoots not at the rovers, to come short, or beside the mark; his arrows of love are sharp and conquering. The Spouse is out of her own element, and sick, and pained with love, when she lacks his presence, and cannot dissemble, nor hide it, nor command herself (Song of Sol…

He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. 2. Christ cannot shoot at the rovers and miss his mark: I should desire no more, but to be once in Christ's chariot paved with love (Song of Solomon 3). Were I once assured I am within the circle and compass of that love…

I mean if he desire him as his chiefest good, the having of any blessing does not so rejoice his heart, nor the want of it so afflict him, such a soul has Christ. Object. But the church in (Song of Solomon 3:1) she wanted Christ, and yet earnestly desired him, therefore a soul m…

Whether is your heart more set upon Christ, than the gifts of Christ; whether do you labor more for gifts, or for Christ himself. And if you find this, that in the truth of your hearts, you come not to the ordinances, but to find your beloved there, not out of unclean and wanton…

And finding your hearts unsatisfied is an evident sign of life, for you came to an ordinance, and desired to find Christ there, and there he was not. What then (Song of Solomon 3:1-3)? To the bed of the ordinances, the church goes to seek and to find Christ; by night I sought hi…

And private or secret duties are notable ways of communion with God. Indeed sometimes a soul may miss of Christ in public ordinances, and find him in secret; so some interpret that place in (Song of Solomon 3:24). The soul had sought her beloved in the bed of temple worship and…

There must be joint prayers and separated prayers together and apart: let not Christians be content to find Christ in a corner for themselves, but let them do what they can that others also may enjoy him. This was the frame of the church or believing soul (Song of Solomon 3:4):…

Yet for this damnable oblation many stand: and the reason is; because they are bewitched, and enchanted with pretended shows of Fathers, councils, antiquity, succession, etc. Lastly, here we learn, what is the duty of all believers; namely, to behold Christ crucified (Song of So…

So Psalm 73. 25. and 143. 6. and 130. 6. Song of Solomon 3. 1, 2. and 6. 8. Such a holy Desire and Thirst of Soul is mentioned, as one of those great Things which renders or denotes a Man truly blessed, in the Beginning of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5. 6.

Let us see the frame under consideration exemplified in another. We have an instance in the Spouse, Song of Solomon 3:1, 2, 3. She had lost the presence of Christ; and so was in the very state and condition before described, verse 1.

This faith puts the soul on all: So it did the Spouse in the parallel to that in hand. Song of Solomon 3:2, 3, 4. Now what supportment may be hence obtained is easily apprehended; supportment not from them, or by them, but in them, as the means of entercourse between God and the…

So, says he, do we wait for mercy; not in a slothful neglect of duties, but in a constant readiness to observe the will of God in all his commands. An instance hereof we have in the Spouse, when she was in the condition here described, Song of Solomon 3:1, 2. She wanted the pres…

The second thing commended, is the beams of the house; the house is of a larger extent than the bed: it signifies the Church, wherein Christ dwells with his Bride; the beams of it, are the ordinances, Word, sacraments, promises of the covenant, etc. whereby the house is both com…

Beside this, I say, this direction must take place in all times, whenever the Church has such a trial to wrestle with, otherwise it were not suitable to Christ's scope, nor commensurable with her need: Now for many hundreds of years the Church wanted Magistrates, to put this dir…

That this verse points at her going about the public ordinances, the scope makes clear, that being the next ordinary means used for inquiring after an absent Christ, when private diligence has had little success. The matter of the words, as was cleared in Song of Solomon 3:3, do…

4. Christ's familiar presence, both gives believers the occasion, and also the fitness and disposition, for giving him this honorable attendance; she speaks here, as if one would say to another whom they respected, If you were in our quarters, I would wait on you, and think it a…

Their solitude in the night serves them to think on, contrive, and delight in all that iniquity which they intend by day to practise, according to their power. And on the other side, the work of a gracious soul in such seasons is to be seeking after Christ (Canticles 3:1), to be…

Love makes room in the heart for more grace, he that loves much, because much is forgiven him, shall have more given in: indeed that expression in (2 Corinthians 5:14) seems to denote the contracting nature of love, the love of God constrains us [illegible] — straitens, keeps us…

They sought Heaven by their own merits; whereas we are to seek the kingdom in Christ's strength, and in his name. 3. They did seek lazily; as the spouse sought Christ on her bed, and found him not (Song of Solomon 3:1). So many seek Christ in a supine manner; they seek, but they…

OBSERVATION. AMong all earthly joyes, these four sorts are noted in Scripture, as the most excellent and remarkable, (1) Nuptial joyes, the day of Espousals is the day of the gladness of a mans heart, Cant. 3. 11. (2) The joy of children. Though now it seem but a common mercy to…

But could we in conscience, and in reference to God, while we are yet in the state of unrenewed nature attend our callings, we might lie neerer to the Son of righteousness and his influences of grace: a sluggard spirituall may fear spiritual and judicial want of grace. Ass. 2. T…

4. There is a formal holy violence offered to him, the Angel Christ wrestles with Jacob, which is a sort of fighting and opposing his strength to Jacob's strength, and he opposeth trying and tempting reason to Jacob, Let me go, for its dawning; and Jacob opposeth his violence on…

If they bind me with ropes, I shall be weak as another man. Hence it implies languishing pain, through want of the feeling and enjoying of Christ's presence (Cant. 2:5; Cant. 3:1, 2, 3; Cant. 3:6, 8). 2. It implies sickness and weakening of the person, as in Amnon's love to his…

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and withal an acknowledgment of his sovereignty, we are the clay and you our potter. When the Lord withdraws, seek again and again, be sick after him (Cant. 3:1, 2, 3; Cant. 7:6, 7, 8; John 20:1,…

Shall we thus requite Christ for his free grace. 6. Though there be no merit in diligent seeking and hearing the preached Gospel, it is good to lie near the fountain for all that; as motion begets and augments vital heat and activity to move, frequent seeking brings home influen…

1. Rain and sweet showers poured upon the dry ground, make the growing the more easy and connatural; and when a strong habit of the love of Christ, stronger than death and the grave, which many waters cannot quench, was fixed and rooted in the heart of the Martyrs, the acts of s…

4. Take a right view of heaven, how it lies in length and breadth, and a right impression of the fire that is never quenched, and the habitual knowledge of the Lord's name, wants not influences for trusting in God (Psalm 9:10). Knowledge where to find God in Christ, has actings…

15. The Spouse's desire of his company (v. 17): Turn my Beloved, and be you like a Roe or a young Hart upon the mountains of Bether: a desire of being with him for ever in glory, as (Revelation 22:17, 20). 16. The Spouse's careful seeking of Christ, and spiritual restlessness ti…

Then the heart-working of Christ will leave histories behind it; as what is much of Solomon's Song, but a narration of the daughters and virgins one to another of Christ's actings upon the soul, or a chronicle of Christ's love, and the Spouse's sin. 1. Of Christ's dispensation i…

Backdrawing in spiritual works proclaims much carnality; but who had the anointing above measure, was all will, and all heart, and all spirit to obey and suffer (John 10:17, 18; Psalm 40:8, 9). 2. The leading and drawing of the spirit, when it brings forth running, and is strong…

Another instance of the glory of Christ which we are to behold here by faith, and hope that we shall do so by sight hereafter, consists in the mysterious communication of himself and all the benefits of his mediation, to the souls of them that do believe, to their present happin…

This hiding of the face of God, is the hiding of the shining of his glory in the face of Christ Jesus, and therefore of the glory of Christ himself, for it is the glory of Christ to be the representative of the glory of God. The Spouse in the Canticles is often at a loss herein,…

A meek and quiet spirit is such an ornament, which has not that gaiety that is agreeable to the humor of a carnal world, but that real worth which recommends it to the favor of God. It is one of those graces which are compared to the powders of the merchant (Song of Solomon 3:6)…

God is in them, and lets out himself unto them; now the quintessence of all good put together, is in every beam of Gods face, and therefore when God shall let out himself, and be thus the portion of a soul, it must needs be a great deal of delight. Seventhly, ways of godliness a…

Of the way and manner whereby the saints hold communion with the Lord Christ, as to personal grace: the conjugal relation between Christ and the saints (Song of Solomon 2:16; Isaiah 54:5, etc.; Song of Solomon 3:11) opened. The way of communion in conjugal relation (Hosea 3:3; S…

Of communion with Christ in a conjugal relation in respect of consequential affections. His delight in his saints is first considered — Isaiah 62:5, Song of Solomon 3:11, Proverbs 8:21. As an instance of Christ's delight in believers: he reveals his whole heart to them, John 15:…

He knows what it is to enjoy the favor of Christ, to have a sense of his love, to be accepted in his approaches to him — and perhaps has sometimes been at some loss in this, and knows therefore what it is to be in the dark, distanced from him. See the conduct of the spouse in su…

Response 1. He grows Vigore, in the exercise of grace; his lamps are burning and shining; therefore we read of a lively hope (1 Peter 1:3). Here is the activity of grace; the Church prays for the blowing of the Spirit, that her spices might flow forth (Song of Solomon 4:16). 2.…

If you would not have the cask have a bad scent, put good liquor into it: so if you would not have your tongue run out sinfully, let it be used to good discourse; speak often one to another of Christ, and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The spouse's lips dropped as…

Time spent unprofitably is not time lived, but time lost; if there be any such here who have misspent their golden hours, they have not only been slothful but wasteful servants, how had you need now, redeem the time, and press forward with might and main to the heavenly kingdom;…

O blessed privilege, to be reputed in the sight of God righteous as Christ, having his embroidered robe put upon the soul. This is the comfort of every one that is pardoned, he has a perfect righteousness; and now God says of him, You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot…

verse 16 Awake, O Northwind, and come you South, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Cant. 4. 1.–6. Behold, you are faire my love, behold you are faire, you have doves eyes within your locks…

A Wife espoused to an Husband, gives him such a love as she hath for none else; she doth not part with her conjugal love to any, but her husband: So a Saint espoused to Christ, gives him a peculiarity of love, a love incommunicable to any other, namely, a love joined with adorat…

And so our Savior Christ in giving to his disciples the Holy Ghost, does the same, to show to them, that the same person that gives life, gives grace; and also to signify to them, that being to send them over all the world to preach his gospel, he was as it were to make a second…

This was hieroglyphical, to set forth the radiancy of the church's glory; and verse 5, Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me; as if Christ had said, Oh my spouse, such a resplendent luster is in your visage, that I have much ado to bear it: I am wounded with the…

The Scriptures do every where record the entreaties of God: he draweth us with cords of love; cords that are woven and spun out of Christ's heart and bowels. In one place thus (Canticles 4:8): Come away from Lebanon, my sister, my spouse, from the lions' dens, from the mountains…

That Christian seldom misses his mark in solemn duty who shoots up many of these darts in the intervals of duty. It is an excellent commendation Christ gives to the spouse (Song of Solomon 4:11): 'Your lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb' — upon which a commentator gives th…

His Spouse, Cant. 5. 2. His Orchard of Pomgranates, Cant. 4. 13. His glory, Isa. 46. ult.

Yes, when that glorious day comes, that I am speaking of, before they call, he will answer them, and while they are yet speaking, he will hear; and in answer to their prayers, he will make the wolf and the lamb feed together, &c. (Isaiah 65:24, 25). When the Spouse prays for the…

Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings: Behold, we come to you; for you are the Lord our God, that is, The backsliding children shall say, Behold, we come to you, &c. And in Canticles 4, last, and 5:1. Let my Beloved come into his garden, and eat his…

But there's no lack in love; the love of Christ was not private, nor mercenary. Christ the buyer, commended the wares before he bargained (Song of Solomon 4:7): "You are all fair, my love, there's not a spot in you." Christ judged he had gotten a noble prize, and made a heaven's…

God must strew thorns and briars in our love-bed, and take Ephraim off his idols (Hosea 14:6), and from riding on horses, and make the soul as white and clean paper, that Christ may print a new lover on it. Therefore it's young mortification in the blossom, to give half a refusa…

Psalm 110:3. So shall the King greatly desire your beauty. Psalm 45:11. You have ravished my heart, (says Christ to his Spouse) Song of Solomon 4:9, my sister, my Spouse. Verse 10. How fair is your love, my sister, my Spouse; how much better is your love than wine, and the smell…

For when Doctor Taylor objects to Antinomians, as a limb of their fleshly divinity, No action of the believer after justification is sin, Mr. Town answers nothing at all but of the way, no action is sin, the disorder and disorder of the action is the sin. But Doctor Taylor meant…

Therefore, I beseech you, Sirs, beg the Spirit, yield to its motions, improve its operations; say when you are going to duty, Lord, now stir up yourself, and stir up your grace in my heart. Awake, oh North-wind, and come; you South, blow upon your Garden (Canticles 4:16). [My So…

For that which is the end of God's laws, must also be the end of all good laws in all commonwealths and kingdoms, namely, to shut up the people into the unity of one faith. The Church of the Jews, is called a fountain sealed, a garden enclosed (Song of Songs 4:12), a vineyard he…

And by this, much is signified: namely, that the Church is the garden of God. Cant. 4. 16. that teachers are planters and setters. 1. Cor 3:9. that believers are trees of righteousnes.

This first they call Messiah Ben Joseph, because he is to be of the Tribe of Ephraim; the other Messiah Ben David, of whom afterwards. Both of them are mentioned together in the Targum on Canticles 4:5, ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩; Your two Deliverers which shall deliver you, Messia…

But this sense has a perfect inconsistency with what is spoken immediately before, and what follows directly after in the text. And the most proper sense of the word is to cover or conceal, and from there to seal, because thereby a thing is hidden (Canticles 4:12). Now to hide s…

The excellency of his eyes (or omniscience thereby pointed out) is held forth under several similitudes. 1. They are as dove's eyes, such as were attributed to the Bride (Song of Solomon 4:1), that is, eyes that are quick, lovely and loving, having much affection in them to his…

The place where he is, is set forth by two expressions: 1. He is gone down to his garden, which implies the similitude formerly expressed, of a man's retiring from his chamber, or closet to his garden. This garden signifies the Church, as, (Song of Solomon 4:12, 15) and here, as…

Verse 2. Your navel is like a round goblet, which lacks not liquor, your belly is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. In the second verse, the Lord proceeds from the thighs, to the navel and belly: which parts, were not touched in her commendation, (Song of Solomon 4). T…

By spiced wine, and the juice of the pomegranate, is understood the most excellent entertainment; as in these countries, it's like (as we may see from Proverbs 9:2 and Song of Solomon 5:1) they used to mix the wine they gave their friends, that it might be the more savory. Now t…

4. A treasured soul is God's delight; a full treasure in the heart, of the good things of heaven is the pleasure of the Almighty: God takes delight among the sons of men, and among men the believer's heart is the Lord's highest throne, next to that in the highest heavens: and am…

But when the Christian has fallen thus, the Lord helps him to improve his falls for spiritual good; but much more all dispensations of providence, sweet and severe, if it go well with the treasured soul, it is drawn nearer to God by these cords of love: if ill, it is whipped fur…

A gracious heart freely pours out holy expressions; Solomon says, the heart of the wise teaches his mouth: that inward spring feeds these sweet streams; and tips the tongue with divine rhetoric. So (Song of Solomon 4:11): Your lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb, honey and…

1. A treasured heart is ready for duty, like a well-stored house-keeper, you cannot take him unprovided; a well-accomplished scholar that's never nonplussed; and a watchful soldier, that's always fit for service: The Christian has prepared materials to build the house, and wants…

In short, truth is Ecclesiae praesidium, the bulwark of a nation (2 Chronicles 11:17): it is said the Levites (who were the antesignani, the ensign-bearers of truth) strengthened the kingdom. Truth may be compared to the Capitol of Rome, which was a place of the greatest strengt…

The rest of the world is a waste wilderness; all other places, however pleasant, in respect of their natural amenity and delights, are truly enough called, the dark places of the earth; dismal, solitary cells, where Ziim and Iim, bitterns, cormorants, and every doleful creature…

Much more is God delighted, in beholding the flourishing graces of his people; it pleases him to see his plants laden with fruit, and his valleys sing with corn (Song of Solomon 6:2): My beloved is gone down into his garden, into his beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and t…

How many wonder, and despise, and persecute (Luke 4; Mark 7; Mark 9; Matthew 12; John 11; Acts 3; Acts 4, &c.)? 2. Influences of the spirit saving and lively are called by the names of the Father's drawing, of the Bridegroom's drawing (John 6:44; Canticles 1:4), the Spirit's lea…

Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoak, perfumed with myrrhe and frankincense, with all powders of the Merchants? Cant. 4:10: the smell of her oyntments is better than all spices. V. 11: The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.

Rejoice to stand within Jerusalem (Psalm 122), for the Church is his vineyard: love a room in his Church, for it lies near to the Sun, and is under the watering and showers of grace. So Christ speaks to the Spirit (Canticles 4:16): Awake O North-wind, and come you South, blow up…

And as saving grace is from Christ the fountain, so also the saving influences of Christ as Mediator, and of stirring us up to will and do (Philippians 2:13), and to stand and persevere in the state of grace, must be dispensed covenant ways (Jeremiah 32:3, 37, 38, 39, 40; Isaiah…

Sure when the influences of Christ are fiery and live coals, it is no wonder they leave lively warmings upon the heart. Cant. 4:16. Awake, O North wind, and come you South, and blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow out. It must be a speech to the Spirit to breath…

87. I forsook not your precepts. 93. I will never forget your precepts; for with them you have quickened me, &c. all which hold forth, if you would have showers of influences of grace, be in love with the Word, and let it dwell plentifully in you; for look as influences of vigor…

Unless he fall as dew and showers on our dry and barren hearts, unless he causes our graces to spring, thrive and bring forth fruit, unless he revive and increase faith, love and holiness in our souls, our backslidings will not be healed, nor our spiritual state be recovered. To…

Who among the sons of the mighty, can be compared to the Lord (Psalm 89:6)? He himself out of his infinite love and ineffable condescension, upon the sight and view of his Church, and his own graces in her, wherewith she is adorned, does say; "You have ravished my heart, my sist…

Paul found his spirit wrought upon, and refreshed, so that the Text says, when Timotheus was come, Paul was pressed in spirit. Fifthly, it is good being with Gods servants, though it be in suffering affliction, because God takes so much delight in them; if God takes delight in b…

But herein lies the excellency of his love to us: that he takes care to take away our filth and stains, that he may delight in us; and seeing we are so defiled that it could no otherwise be done, he will do it by his own blood (Ephesians 5:25-27). He leaves not his spouse until…

Hence is that prayer of the spouse that she may have something for his entertainment, when he comes to her. Song of Solomon 4:16, Awake O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his…

Let not your spirit be cast down at the weakness of your supplications, let me yet hear your sighs and groans, your breathings and pantings to me, they are very sweet, very delightful: and your spiritual countenance, your appearance in heavenly things, is comely and delightful u…

They are his garden; the rest of the world a wilderness. Song of Songs 4:12: A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Isaiah 43:3-4: I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

There is no such purity in any, as in the Church. For true and perfect beauty is only in the body of Christ, which is the Church, of which it is said, You are all fair, and there is no spot in you (Song of Solomon 4:7). 1. Question: Is it possible that neither God nor man should…

Mildness in a wife has respect also to the ordering of her countenance, gesture, and whole carriage before her husband, whereby she manifests a pleasantness to him, and a contentedness and willingness to be under him and ruled by him. Excellently is this set forth in the spouse…

The young and weak Christian, or the elder at weak times, when they are big and heavy with some inward exercise of mind, which shall bring forth advantage and peace afterwards to them: Them he leads gently, and uses them with tenderness that their weakness requires. And generall…

1. They are Jewels for their sparkling quality. Their Holiness shines and sparkles in Gods eyes, Song of Solomon 4:9. You hast ravished my Heart with one of your eyes, that is, one of your Graces.

The flowers in the garden die, but a man's portion remains: So outward things die and change, but (Psalm 73:26) you are the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 2. In case of sadness of spirit, when God seems to cast off the soul in dejection (Song of Solomon 5:6), "My…

She that is in love, will commend her lover. The love-sick spouse extols Christ, she makes a panegyrical oration of his worth, that she might persuade others to be in love with him (Song of Solomon 5:11). His head is as the most fine gold.

Thus let us be as doves for sanctity, cleansing ourselves from all pollution both of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). Christ's dove is pure (Song of Solomon 5:2): "My dove, my undefiled." Let us keep pure among dregs.

When the light is withdrawn, dew falls: yet we may see a rainbow in the cloud, the love of a Father in all this. 1. God hereby quickens grace; perhaps grace lay dormant (Song of Solomon 5:2), it was as fire in the embers, and God withdraws comfort to invigorate and exercise grac…

This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Cant. 5. verse 1. I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my Myrrhe with my spice, I have eaten my honey-combe with my honey, I have drunke my wine with my milke: eate, O friends, drinke…

Answer: This place favors not universal grace, for these at whose door Christ knocks are chosen which believe and are converted: and he knocks at their hearts, partly by his word, partly by afflictions, that he might stir up their languishing faith, and increase and confirm his…

As the neglect of holy duties in which God offered to draw near to us — as the sacraments, etc. So in Song of Solomon 5:4-7, Christ stood at the door and knocked, that is, moved the heart of the church there to pray or perform the like duty in which he is accustomed to come into…

Christians who do not enjoy communion with God, yet if they think they have not lost him are secure and lazy in prayer. But if they once apprehend that he is gone or that they are in danger of losing him, then they will seek him the world over until they find him (Song of Solomo…

Yes, and we must so follow Paul (as he followed Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1) in reforming the abuses crept into the Church of Corinth, reducing all things to the first institution: with a what I received from the Lord, that I delivered to you (1 Corinthians 11:23). We condemne no…

When persons are generally uncompliant with such outward means as they cannot but acknowledge do contain warning from this, and invitation to another frame. So the Spouse acknowledges, that it was the voice of her beloved that knocked, saying, Open to me my Spouse, my Love, my D…

What resemblance there might be therein to the divine person of Christ, which sustained the humane nature in its duties, that Bread of Life which was provided for the Church, it may be is not easie to declare. Howbeit the Head of Christ is said to be as the most fine gold (Canti…

But what is the true believer's comfort here in this World, for the present, so far as he is, and acts like a believer, like himself? Answer: One main thing in which it lies, is this: namely, in what he can get and enjoy of God here: hence let his hopes stand never so fast, he c…

He sees so much of his heart that he dares not trust it. 2. A righteous man is wise to know Jesus Christ: the natural man hears of Christ by the hearing of the ear, but he does not know him (Song of Solomon 5:9). What is your beloved more than another beloved?

In one place thus (Canticles 4:8): Come away from Lebanon, my sister, my spouse, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of leopards: Christ's love is hot and burning, he thinketh we tarry too long from his embraces. So (Canticles 5:2) Open to me my sister, my spouse, &c. Chris…

His Turtle-dove, Psal. 74. 19. His Spouse, Cant. 5. 2. His Orchard of Pomgranates, Cant. 4. 13.

Nor do we 2. mean, that every common operation of the Spirit, whether illumination of the mind, or a touch on the affections (such as may be in temporaries and apostates, as is clear in Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 6:4 and downward) is conversion; there is a great difference betwee…

4. It's set out under the similitude of standing and knocking at a door, because the gospel brings Christ a knocking and calling hard at sinners' doors (Revelation 3:20), Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to h…

A seventh expression is, (2 Chronicles 30:8) where, when Hezekiah is writing to the degenerate tribes to come home again, he bids them, yield themselves to the Lord, in the original it is, give the hand to the Lord, even as two men who have been at odds and variance, or have bro…

For when we speak of love to Christ, it is not a pretext or apprehension of love, that will be taken for love, but such love as has these qualifications. First, if Christ be loved, He will be esteemed of, as the most excellent thing, or person, the most excellent bargain, the mo…

Let all mutinous thoughts about his dealings with you, be silenced with, It's the Lord; let not too much dwelling on the thoughts of your affliction, to the filling of your heart still with sorrow, incapacitate you for, nor divert you from, humble asking the Lord, what he aims a…

It's a heart of Flint and [reconstructed: Adamant], that spits at Evangelic love: Law-love is Love; Evangelic love is more than love, it's the Gold, the flower of Christ's wheat, and of his finest Love. Song of Solomon 5:6 — I rose up to open to my beloved, but my beloved had wi…

But it was not Scripture-light, but wild-fire; for the method of Christ's drawing in the Scripture is not Enthusiastical, up at secret election at first. There is no doubt we put Christ away from us after conversion (Song of Solomon 5:1), and that so Christ saves us against our…

1. When Christ cannot obtain and win the consent and good-liking of the sinner to his love, he ravishes, and with strong hand draws the sinner to himself, when invitations do not the business, and he knocks, and we will not open, then a more powerful work must follow. (Song of S…

(John 11:26): He that lives and believes in me, shall never die. 5. What greater reason than to hear this (Song of Solomon 5:2): Open to me, my sister, my dove, my love, my undefiled. And wisdom's voice is sweet (Proverbs 7:14): Hearken to me therefore, O you children, and atten…

Indeed, the Head over all things to the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). The Chieftain of ten thousands, indeed, of all the Lord's millions, and hosts in heaven and earth (Song of Songs 5:10). When all the created expressi…

If a man be a husband, yet not a father, or a brother; but Christ is all: no one relation being sufficient to express his love, with which he loves and owns us. And therefore he calls his Church both Sister and Spouse (Song of Solomon 5:1). 3. He is the pattern and exemplar of a…

First, in our minds, we then indeed worship Christ, when we have him in high estimation. The worship, and honor that we owe to Christ, is to have him in high esteem (Song of Solomon 5:10). She, the Spouse there may well call him her beloved, Christ is my Christ, when he is to me…

Here the spiritual banquet does not always last, Heaven is a perpetual feast, but we must not look upon earth to be feasted always with spiritual suavities. There is no permanency, but perpetual vicissitudes in our enjoyments within time, we have clear and cloudy days in the wor…

He waits at the door of our hearts, and stands knocking to be let in (Revelation 3:20). Nay he calls to us standing without, Open to me my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is full of dew, and my locks with the drops of the night (Song of Solomon 5:2). Woe to y…

We may fully indulge our spiritual appetite after these holy pleasures. Christ will then say, as in Song of Solomon 5:1: 'Eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.' And this shall be our entertainment to all eternity!

2. All regenerating, quickening, sanctifying, assisting grace is his: 1. John 5:21: he quickens whom he pleases; he walks among dead souls, and says to whom he will, Live. And 2. he sanctifies by his Spirit whom he pleases (John 4:14); all the living waters of saving grace are c…

When God at any time draws nigh to a soul by his Spirit, in his word, with gracious words of peace and love, giving a sense of his kindness upon the heart by the Holy Ghost, so that it is filled with joy unspeakable and glorious thereon; for this soul, upon a temptation, a diver…

These it fills the mind with in many and various thoughts, still representing him more and more amiable and more desirable unto the soul. So does the Spouse upon the like occasion, as you may see at large, Song of Solomon 5:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. being at some loss for h…

Indeed, we should sing, for cheering our disposition, and mitigating and sweetening our crosses. So does the Bride here sing her sufferings (Song of Solomon 1:6; Song of Solomon 5:7) when she was smitten. Indeed, her desertions, she puts these also in a song.

Beside this, I say, this direction must take place in all times, whenever the Church has such a trial to wrestle with, otherwise it were not suitable to Christ's scope, nor commensurable with her need: Now for many hundreds of years the Church wanted Magistrates, to put this dir…

The scope shows, that it is a night of [reconstructed: desolation] she is under, through the want of Christ's presence whom she loves; His presence, who is the Sun of Righteousness with healing under his wings, makes the believer's day; and his absence, is their night, and makes…

2. As it respects believers, who are called Lilies (Song of Solomon 2:16, and 6:2) and so it says, 1. That all believers have one pasture, they feed together as a flock does. 2. That one believer loves and delights in the company of another, they are the excellent and the lilies…

8. It is sometimes useful to suspend explicit following of our own case, (especially when those who are present seem strangers to it) and to condescend to insist upon the case of others for their edification; thus does the Bride with the daughters. More particularly, in the word…

The second part of the commendation is to the same scope, The joints of your thighs, &c. It's the coupling and turnings of them, as the word bears; they are also useful in motion, and help the feet to stir, the same thing is intended as in (Song of Solomon 5:15) by his thighs or…

The third motive or reason (which depends on the former two) is, yet I should not be despised, or, they should not despise me: that is, although I found you without, and were seen kissing you, and by confident boldness delighting in you; yet, if you were familiar with me as my b…

They are cited as having authority, and not to get it; and therefore there are many scriptures in the Old Testament, which were never cited in the New: although it may be said, there are many near resemblances (at least) in the New Testament, to diverse passages in this Song; as…

Now if we will for instance, consider some such places as these, My beloved is mine, etc. I called, but he gave me no answer, they yield plain doctrines, as other plain Scriptures do: and therefore, seeing it's one continued Song, and each of these dark and plain places answer o…

Through your precepts I get understanding. This looking-glass of the Word clearly represents Christ: it sets him forth in his person, nature, offices, as most precious and eligible (Song of Solomon 5:16). He is altogether lovely; he is a wonder of beauty, a paradise of delight.

1. He suffered great poverty, so that he had not "where to lay his head," Matthew 8:20, and commonly used to lodge abroad in the open air, for want of a shelter to betake himself to; as you will see is manifest, if you compare the following places together, which I shall but nam…

Christ speaks and opens the Scriptures to them, and their hearts burn within them (Luke 24:32). Every word of Christ casts in a fiery coal of love: every sitting down under the apple-tree brings sweetness; he has influences by which he brings on love-sickness (Canticles 5:7, 8).…

3. To wait upon the flowings of the Spirit, which out of holy sovereignty comes in a larger measure, than is ordinary, as an high spring-tide; as my heart is confirmed or prepared, my heart is confirmed or prepared. Is 1. To welcome and adore the Lord in these high manifestation…

2. We often suffer the heart to cool and obey not the Spirit in his heavenly disposition, and let the fire die out, and the furnace cool. 3. It were good if we did not counter-work heavenly dispositions by refusing and shifting (Canticles 5:3) of God, and the actings of his Spir…

18. Of spiritual savouriness. Cant. 5. v. 8. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am sick of love. 9. What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved, th…

And whatever be the kind; for even Christ had so much the more sorrow, at the withdrawing influences of the comforts that immediately flowed from the Godhead personally united, and this was Christ's hell in part; therefore we are to look upon desertions in the Song of Solomon as…

2. Because a natural heat in literal stirring does preparatively work upon the soul (though not by way of any Gospel-promise) to make it ready to receive an influence of believing. Moses his wondering at the bushes burning, and it was not consumed, made him draw near to see more…

The husbandman loves his thriving plants; the thriving Christian is God's Hephzibah or chief delight. Christ loves to see the vine flourishing, and the pomegranates budding (Song of Solomon 6:11). Christ accepts the truth of grace, but commends the growth of grace (Matthew 8:10)…

As it were the company of two armies. Cant. 6. 1. Whither is your beloved gone? O you fairest among women, whither is your beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with you.] The Church's affectionate describing and praising Christ, stirred up many then to look after religion…

Yes, and we must so follow Paul (as he followed Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1) in reforming the abuses crept into the Church of Corinth, reducing all things to the first institution: with a what I received from the Lord, that I delivered to you (1 Corinthians 11:23). We condemne no…

A good Christian has some idea and resemblance of that sparkling holiness which is in the Deity. Christ is infinitely taken with the spiritual beauty of his Church (Song of Solomon 6:4). You are beautiful, O my love as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem.

3. God does not call every one in a like violent and sensible manner: some men's conversion is more gentle and silent; whereas to others Christ cometh like a strong man armed, and snatcheth them out of the fire. Some are drawn they know not how, and love by a gentle blast sweetl…

The consequence of the proposition is plain in reason; for there is no marriage but by way of covenant; no woman becomes a man's wife, but by way of bestowing herself in covenant upon such a man: neither does a man become a husband, but by the same means; and therefore the Scrip…

And in (Leviticus 2:14) there you read, that the Lord is so eager to have the first things? (as a longing woman) that he will not stay till they be ripe, he will have the green ears of Corn dried in the fire; as many women that long they will not stay until the thing be ripe, bu…

A civil union, or an harmonious agreement among men in the management of their secular concerns, is amiable; but much more a pious union, and sweet agreement in the great business for which man was created, and had powers given him beyond the brutes; even the business of religio…

Song of Solomon 7:12: "there I will give you my loves." Song of Solomon 6:2: "Your loves are better than wine." Verse 4: "We will remember your loves, more than wine."

The spouse must in Christ's heart have a high respect, when he says (Song of Solomon 4:1): Behold you are fair, my love; and that cannot content him, he adds: Behold, you are fair. In Song of Solomon 6:9: My dove, my undefiled is but one, she is the only one of her mother, she i…

"You have ravished my heart, my sister, my Spouse, you have ravished my heart, with one of your eyes, with a chain of your neck." It is much love that ravishes Christ; indeed it so overcomes him, that he professes it is above him, he must desire his Spouse to look away (Song of…

Many fail in this point, when they come to the Lord's table, they profess themselves to be citizens of the city of God, but in their common dealings in the world, they play the stark rebels against God, and his word, and live according to the lusts of their blind and unrepentant…

Without this they are but a confused Multitude. But an Host or Army with Banners is beautiful and terrible, Cant. 6. 10. Before things were cast into this Order, the Universe was as it were full of Confusion; it had no beauty nor Glory, for the Earth was void and without form, G…

1 Corinthians 7:23. You are bought with a price, be you not the servants of men. Cant. 6:4. You are beautiful O my love, terrible as an army with banners. 1 Pet. 3:15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness…

First, we look on them as distinct from mother's children, mentioned in the following verse, as a party different from the Daughters here spoken to; and so they are not to be accounted among the profane, embittered heart-enemies of godliness, who yet live in the Church: they are…

2. It is ordinary upon this ground, thus to join them in other Scriptures, as when an epistle is written to a church, some things are said of it, and to it, as visible, some things again are peculiarly applicable to believers, who are members of the invisible church in it; as by…

For he that does righteousness, is righteous; indeed, it is he that moves heavenward, from a living treasure of gracious principles, and not from external compulsion, as clocks and such dead artificial, yet self-moving engines do. Hence the Church (and a believing soul) says, My…

But the church is the Paradise of the earth, a garden enclosed (Song of Solomon 4:12), in whose hedges the gospel-birds chirp and sing melodiously (Song of Solomon 2:12). Its beds, are beds of spices (Song of Solomon 6:2), and between its pleasant banks, a crystal river of livin…

Husbandmen are much delighted, to see the success of their labors, it comforts them over all their hard pains, and many weary days, to see a good increase. Much more is God delighted, in beholding the flourishing graces of his people; it pleases him to see his plants laden with…

Believing adds to believing; praying begets more praying; and we see motion breeds warmnesse, and that stronger motion, and cold hearts that are dead, and almost frozen, by one smiting of influences grow hotter, and by two or three or seven actings of the spirit, grow yet hotter…

Another instance of the glory of Christ which we are to behold here by faith, and hope that we shall do so by sight hereafter, consists in the mysterious communication of himself and all the benefits of his mediation, to the souls of them that do believe, to their present happin…

Yet on the other hand, it is sometimes as the Sun when it shines in its brightness, and we cannot bear the rays of it. In infinite condescension he says to his Church, Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me (Canticles 6:5). As if he could not bear that overcoming…

He asketh that question concerning his Church, What will you see in the Shulamite? Whereto he answers, as it were the company of two armies (Canticles 6:13), or the two Churches of the Old and New Testament, in order and beauty. We may enquire, What shall we, what do we see in h…

If God delights so much to see the resplendency of that glory that shines in his works, surely it must be a great delight to those that have any work of grace, to see grace shining in others. Besides, there is a blessed fragrancy of graces in Gods people: as the eye is satisfied…

Let us walk so, as to manifest and hold forth the beauty and amiableness of godliness in the eyes of all, that they may see it whether they will or no, and to force esteem from the consciences of men. Cant. 6:4 it is said of the Church, She is terrible as an army with banners; A…

First, in the general, take heed of those sins especially, that those which you converse with are guilty of, that they be not able to spy the same sins in you, which their consciences accuse themselves of: take heed of the pollutions of the world. Cant. 6:10 Who is she that look…

Why is my Soul held any longer with this Earthen fetter of my Flesh? When the Daughters of Ierusalem had conversed a while with the Spouse, and had heard her describe Christs admirable beauty, their Affections began to be enflamed, and they would seek him with her, Song of Solom…

Act as you would expect. 7. There is a supply that comes in before we are aware (Song of Solomon 6:12). Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Aminadab, in the very work.

Deborah found her heart dull to be awakened, so much as to utter the song, which she had prepared by the Spirit for her and Barak to sing together (Judges 5:12). Awake, Awake, (says she) Awake, Awake Deborah, utter a song, that fourfold ingemination, Awake, Awake, Awake, Awake,…

Thus, a good man has a transcendent beauty in him. To such an one, it was said in Canticles 6:4, you are beautiful. There is a lustre on the face, and a lustre in the walk of such a man; he has even the splendor of a light in the world.

Weeds spoil the walks; Christ will not walk in a heart overgrown with weeds and briars. Christ was sometimes among the lilies (Song of Solomon 6:3), never among the thistles. Poor sinner, you complain that you have no communion with God; a time was when God made himself known to…

When a spark of fire from flint falls on water or green timber, there is no firing from there. But when actual influences fall upon a heavenly habit, as the Lord can cast in a coal, or a lump and flood of love (Song of Solomon 2:5-6; Luke 24:32; Song of Solomon 6:12), there are…

And their noble one shall be of themselves, and their Governor shall proceed from the midst of them, and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach to me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach to me, says the Lord? The love eternal here in JEHOVAH loves an…

What is it that we see in Christ? What do we behold in him? He asks that question concerning his church, "What will you see in the Shulamite?" Whereto he answers, as it were, the company of two armies (Song of Solomon 6:13), or the two churches of the Old and New Testament, in o…

And a great rebuke it ought to be unto us, when Christ has at any time in a day been long out of our minds. The spouse affirms, that before she was aware, her soul made her as the chariots of Amminadib (Song of Solomon 6:12). It so fell out, that when she had no thoughts, no des…

Another instance of the glory of Christ which we are to behold here by faith, and hope to behold by sight hereafter, consists in the mysterious communication of himself and all the benefits of his mediation to the souls of those who believe, for their present happiness and futur…

Yet on the other hand, it is sometimes as the sun when it shines in its brightness, and we cannot bear the rays of it. In infinite condescension he says to his church, "Turn your eyes away from me, for they overwhelm me" (Song of Solomon 6:5) — as if he could not bear that overw…

When the heart is bowed down and is listless to duty, the Spirit of God lifts it up, it puts a sharp edge upon the affections; it makes love ardent, hope lively; The spirit takes off the weights of the soul, and gives wings, Song of Solomon 6:12. Or ever I was aware, my Soul mad…

Sometimes, no doubt, but with all that are true Believers it is so. Or ever I was aware, saith the Spouse, my Soul made me as the Chariots of Amminadab, Cant. 6.12. Grace in her own Soul surprised her into a ready willing Frame to Spiritual Communion with Christ, when she was in…

By them do we hear his Knocking, know his Voice, and open the door of our Hearts to give him entrance, that he may abide and sup with us. Sometimes indeed the Soul is surprized into Acts of Gracious Communion with Christ, Cant. 6.11. But they are not to be expected unless we abi…

Gaius: Forbidden fruit will make you sick; but not what our Lord has tolerated. While they were thus talking, they were presented with another dish, and it was a dish of nuts (Song of Solomon 6:11). Then said some at the table, Nuts spoil tender teeth, especially the teeth of ch…

It oftentimes ingenerates and brings forth a holy spiritual frame in the heart and mind, when we have had no previous rational considerations to work them thereunto. And this manifests it to be an habitual principle prevailing in the mind: So (Canticles 6:12) Or ever I was aware…

Now this exchange lies in these four things chiefly. First, give away yourself to him, head, heart, tongue, body, soul, and he will give away himself to you (Canticles 6:3). Indeed he will stand in your room in heaven, that you may triumph and say, I am already in heaven, glorif…

First, it adorns it with incomparable ornaments, which are of great price in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4); indeed it reflects such beams of glory in the soul where its seat is, that Christ himself the author, is also the admirer of it (Song of Solomon 4:9): 'You have ravished…

Lovely in the womb, the Ancient of Days became young for me; lovely in the cross, even when despised and numbered with thieves; lovely in the grave; lovely at the right hand of God; lovely in his second appearance in glory. Indeed, all desirable (Song of Solomon 6:10): his count…

2. Sometimes Christ is long before he manifests himself; it is long before some do seek Christ, and it is long before such do find him: Christ waits long to be gracious to them, and Christ does often make them wait long before he manifests to them his loving kindnesses; indeed s…

Q. 1. What is the communion of Saints? A. An holy conjunction between all God's people, wrought by their participation of the same spirit whereby we are all made members of that one body, whereof Christ is the head (Canticles 6:9; Jeremiah 32:39; John 17:22; 1 Corinthians 12:12;…

Q. 1. What is the Communion of Saints? A. An holy conjunction between all God's people, wrought by their participation of the same Spirit whereby we are all made members of that one body, whereof Christ is the head (Canticles 6:9; Jeremiah 32:39; John 17:22; 1 Corinthians 12:12;…

And we must bear much fruit, it is muchness of fruit that glorifies God; if you bear much fruit. The Spouse's breasts are compared to clusters of grapes (Song of Solomon 7:7), to show how fertile she was. Though the lowest degree of grace may bring salvation to you, yet not so m…

Secondly, because it is he alone (and not we) that works all our works for us. Canticles 7:6—verse 4 of chapter 8. How fair, &c. In these verses the Holy Ghost goes on to describe the second estate of the Jews' Church, as is spoken above (chapter 7, verse 1), in verses 6, 7, as…

2. We advance Gods glory by being fruitful in grace, John 15.18. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit. Barrenness reflects dishonour upon God; then we glorify God, when we grow in fairness as the Lily, in tallness as the Cedar, in fruitfulness as the Vin…

Did he ever move you to go aside into the closet, that you might be solitary and serious, and consider of your condition? Usually at our first call we are moved to go aside, that God and we may confer in private; as (Hosea 2:14) God calls into the wilderness, that he may speak t…

And so in (Canticles 2:12) The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, the Fig tree puts forth her green Figs; and in (Canticles 6:11) I went down into the Garden of Nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the Vine flourished, and…

It was said of Judah in their captivity, in Zechariah 7:5, 6, they did fast, and eat, and drink to themselves; all that was done it was nothing but to themselves; whereas the fruit that they should have brought forth, it should have been to God, and not to themselves. There is a…

2. Because they have life from Him efficiently, as He works it in them, and by the gospel begets them; therefore He is said (1 Timothy 1:10) to have brought life and immortality to light, through the gospel, which was not known in many parts of the world, till Christ brought it…

He loved us, and showed mercy on us (Ephesians 2:4), [illegible], for his great and manifold love. Song of Solomon 7:12: "there I will give you my loves." Song of Solomon 6:2: "Your loves are better than wine."

The third drawing thing in Christ, is honor. The Church is a princess's daughter (Song of Solomon 7:1). A king's daughter (Psalm 45:13).

It is much love that ravishes Christ; indeed it so overcomes him, that he professes it is above him, he must desire his Spouse to look away (Song of Solomon 6:5). "Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me" (Song of Solomon 7:5). "The king is held in his galleries";…

'My Soul shall be satisfied as with Marrow and Fatness, and my Mouth shall praise thee with joyful Lips; when I remember thee upon my Bed, and meditate upon thee in the Night Watches.' Christ calls forth his Spouse, away from the World, into retired Places, that he may give her…

He who presided in it was called [in non-Latin alphabet], or [in non-Latin alphabet], the Father of Judgement, or Father of the House of Judgement; and sat at the right hand of the [in non-Latin alphabet], or Prince of the Sanhedrin, next to him, to whom belonged the execution o…

The commendation is, that it is of cedar. 1. Cedar was a durable wood. 2. Excellent and precious (Song of Solomon 3:10). 3. It was typical of Christ, and therefore used in the ceremonial services: so this commendation holds forth the excellent nature of the ordinances, and promi…

2. There can be no history to which it can relate, to which the things spoken in this Song can be properly applied, as is said. 3. Solomon's marriage was at least twenty years before this Song was written; see on Song of Solomon 7 concerning the Tower of Lebanon, and compare it…

Prayer, reading, singing Psalms, the word preached, the sacraments administered, you may get good by baptism, and the Lord's Supper, faithfully used, believingly improved. Some apply those two metaphors in (Song of Solomon 7:2). To these two seals of the Covenant, your navel is…

But he contemns the costly sacrifices of a graceless soul: he cares not for their thousands of rams or ten thousands of rivers of oil; no, a soul stored with graces is better than a house full of sacrifices; the honeycomb of human infirmities is dispensed with, where there's sto…

It was very observable, that for the most part the more they persecuted the church, the more it increased; insomuch that it became a common saying, The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Herein the church of Christ proved to be like a palm tree; of which tree it is…

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and withal an acknowledgment of his sovereignty, we are the clay and you our potter. When the Lord withdraws, seek again and again, be sick after him (Cant. 3:1, 2, 3; Cant. 7:6, 7, 8; John 20:1,…

Your lips, O my soul, drop as the honey-comb: honey and milk are under your tongue, in regard of the precious promises of the Gospel in the sound ministry of the Church, and the savoury influences of the spirit that go along therewith; therefore he adds, the smell of your garmen…

2. Spread out the sails and give them to the wind; resign the heart to the Spirit: obey that, My son, give me your heart. Give Christ your loves, as (Cant. 7:12). Keep none of your heart or love to yourself, but quit fully both to the leading Spirit of Jesus.

Herein would I live; herein would I die; hereon would I dwell in my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, to the crucifying all things here below, until they become to me a dead and deformed thing, no way meet for af…

Wherever he is graciously present with any, these things are never wanting in a due measure and degree, unless it be by their own fault, or for their trial. In these things does he give the Church of his loves (Canticles 7:12). For if any man (says he) loves me, I will love him,…

And a great rebuke it ought to be to us, when Christ has at any time in a day been long out of our minds. The Spouse affirms, that ere she was aware, her soul made her as the chariots of Amminadab (Canticles 7:12). It so fell out, that when she had no thoughts, no design or purp…

The ways of wisdom are either the ways of Gods Ordinances, or the ways of exercise of grace, or ways of obedience; all these are the ways of pleasantness. How amiable are your Tabernacles, O Lord! they shall be satisfied with the fatness of your house, the beauty of holiness; An…

As the Sun-flower, when the Sun shines, the flower is open, but when the Sun is down, it shuts: So here when Gods face shines, their hearts are open to God, but often they lose the shine of Gods face, but in Heaven Gods shine shall be always upon them, and their hearts shall alw…

You are in a wandering condition, (as the Israelites of old) among lions and leopards, sins and troubles; come from there unto me, and I will give you refreshment (Matthew 11:27). Upon this invitation the spouse boldly concludes (Song of Solomon 7:10) that the desire of Christ i…

It is the aim of grace to cure the disorders of the will, and to bring us to a stricter bond of duty and service to God. And indeed if grace has had its fruit and power upon you, you will give up yourselves to God: Song of Solomon 7:10: I am my Beloved's. You are your Beloved's,…

For comforts and manifestations of God, we have them many times in our recess, and the privacy of our retirements, in a more plentiful manner than elsewhere. The spouse invites the Bridegroom (Song of Solomon 7:11): Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field. Upon which Be…

First, have all at his command — all the graces, all the abilities we have received, all the blessings of this [reconstructed: life] we do possess; they should all be laid up and reserved for the Lord's use, that they may [reconstructed: be] at hand in [reconstructed: readiness]…

3. It is a glorious house, and that in a threefold respect: 1. It is glorious in respect of inward glory brought to it of God in the face of Jesus Christ: being beautiful, through the comeliness that he puts upon it: Hence Christ speaking of it, says, How fair are you O love for…

Satan shall not devoure whom he will. The dust is his food, which seems to restrain his power to the wicked, who are of the earth earthy, meere dust; but for those who are of a heavenly extraction, their graces are reserved for Christs food, Cant. 7.13. and their souls surely ar…

Wherever he is graciously present with any, these things are never lacking in due measure and degree, unless it be through their own fault or for their trial. In these things he gives to the church of his beloved (Song of Solomon 7:12). For "if any man loves me," he says, "I wil…

Herein would I live; herein would I die; hereon would I dwell in my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, unto the crucifying all things here below, until they become unto me a dead and deformed thing, no way fit for…

So he deals with them, Cant. 4.5, 6. These are the Gardens and Galleries of Christ wherein he gives us of his Love, Cant. 7.12. Those who are humble and sincere, know how often their Souls have been refreshed in them, and how long sometimes the Impressions they have received of…

Now I beheld in my dream, that they talked more in their sleep at this time than ever they did in all their journey; and, being in a muse thereabout, the gardener said even to me, Why do you wonder at the matter? It is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards, “t…

It seems to me, here one may, without much molestation, be thinking what he is, from where he came, what he has done, and to what the King has called him. Here one may think, and break at heart, and melt in one's spirit, until one's eyes become as the fish-pools in Heshbon (Song…

Him whom we love best, shall have of the best. The Spouse delighting in Christ, will give him of her pleasant fruits, Song of Solomon 7:13. And if she has a cup of spiced wine, and full of the juice of the pomegranate, he must drink of it, Song of Solomon 8:2.

The schoolmen and some of the fathers place this image or resemblance of God, in the natural faculties of the soul, namely the understanding, memory and will; which is a shadow of a Trinity in Unity: but it rather consists in the renovation of the faculties by grace; for in this…

It was but a little that I passed from him, but I found him whom my soul loved. She numbered all the miles she traveled while her Lord was absent: Joy will speak, it's not dumb (Song of Solomon 7:9). The roof of your mouth is like the best wine for my beloved, that goes down swe…

5. There is violence offered to God in fervent prayer (Exodus 32:10). Moses is answered when he is wrestling with God by prayer for the people: Now therefore let me alone, that my anger may wax hot against them. Let me alone is a word of putting violent hands on any: there are b…

Our hearts must not be like the heart of a wicked man, little worth (Proverbs 10:20). But keep hearts of worth within you — I mean prepared for the presence of the Lord, as the Church says (Song of Solomon 7:13), "In our gates is all manner of pleasant fruits." The gates of a co…

This is the first work of faith, as it purifies the heart, it watches over the whole frame of our hearts and ways, and takes some course daily to set the heart in order before God; as preparing us for such a solemn meeting, that God may see no iniquity in his people (Amos 3:1-2)…

A great revival of religion is expressly compared to this gradual production of vegetables (Isaiah 61:11): "As the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring f…

That a very great sense, of the right kind, of the importance of the things of religion, and the danger sinners are in, should sometimes cause an almost irresistible disposition to speak and warn others, is agreeable to Jeremiah 6:10-11: 'To whom shall I speak, and give warning,…

Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand by that marriage supper of the Lamb, the stately magnificent festival the saints shall have in Heaven; they shall feed on the tree of life (Revelation 22). They shall have the heavenly nectar and ambrosia, the spiced wine, and juice of…

And this love is: 1. Exuberant, not a few drops but a stream. 2. It is superlative, we give God the best of our love, the cream of it (Song of Solomon 8:2). I would cause you to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

2. Recumbency: the soul casts itself upon Jesus Christ: [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; faith rests on Christ's person. Faith believes the promise, but that which faith rests upon in the promise, is the person of Christ: therefore the spouse is said to lean upon her beloved (Song o…

But our love to God must be above father and mother (Matthew 10:37). We may give the creature the milk of our love, God must have the cream: The spouse keeps the juice of her pomegranate for Christ (Song of Solomon 8:2). 6. Our love to God must be constant, like the fire the ves…

When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel. Image worship enrages God (Proverbs 6:34). Jealousy is the rage of a man: It makes God divorce a people (Exodus 32:7). Your people, lo-ammi (Hosea 2:2). Plead with your mother, plead, for she is not my wife (Song of…

We love our Father in heaven above all other things; above estate or relations, as oil runs above the water (Psalm 73:25). A child of God seeing a supereminency of goodness, and a constellation of all beauties in God, he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure: As G…

Now Christ takes the soul up into the mount, and gives it transfiguring sights of glory. Now Christ leads his spouse into the wine-cellar, and displays the banner of his love; now he gives her his spiced wine, and the juice of the pomegranate (Song of Solomon 8:2). The Lord does…

How can we but love him, who has given his life a ransom for us? Love is the spiced wine and juice of the pomegranate which we must give Christ (Song of Solomon 8:2). Our love to this superior and blessed Jesus, must exceed our love to other things; as the oil runs above the wat…

(Numbers 28:7): In the holy place should you cause the strong wine to be poured to the Lord for a drink offering. The Jews might not offer to the Lord wine that was small, or mixed, but the strong wine, to imply that we must offer to God the best, the strongest of our affections…

And one grain of it will have more force to purge out sin, to constrain and strengthen to obedience, than a pound of terrors. And say that though you have indeed a stubborn and self-loving heart, yet he can make his loving-kindness overcome it, for it is stronger than death (Son…

He engraves them upon the Palms of his hands, Isaiah 49.16. He sets them as a Seal upon his Breast, Canticles 8.16. He will give Kingdoms for their Ransom, Isaiah 43.3.

2. Love quickens desire (2 Peter 3:12), Looking for and hastening the coming of the Lord. See (Canticles 8:14; Revelation 22:20). An harlot would have her husband defer his coming, but a chaste spouse thinks he can never come soon enough, they that go a-whoring after the world,…

Consider these two things. 1. God has a peculiar love to this very relation, and often mentions it with delight, as if he loved to hear the sound of it in his own lips: (Song of Solomon 8:12) My vineyard which is mine, is before me. Me, My, Mine.

The people of God are called a peculiar people, 1 Pet. 2. 9. The World lies in Common, and is as so much waste ground; but the Church is Gods Vineyard and Enclosure, therefore he will hedge it in with protection: Cant. 8. 1. My Vineyard which is mine is before me. The Saints are…

God he is to have all our fruit. You shall observe in Canticles 8 that Solomon let out his vineyard, and mark, in letting out his vineyard, he must have a thousand pieces of silver, and the husbandmen must have two hundred. If God does afford to us some wages for what we do, let…

An empty spirit is fit for the Devil to come to possess (Matthew 12:24); he found his place empty, and then he comes in: where the Devil sees an empty spirit, there's a fit place for him to come. It is an evil thing for you to grow upon God's ground and to cumber it, to cumber a…

2. We may clear and confirm it from these similitudes, by which the offer of this gospel is, as it were, brought to the doors of people, and there are several similitudes made use of to this purpose; I shall name but four. 1. It's set down under the expression of wooing, as (2 C…

4. This sorrowing must accuse the free, holy, and innocent love of Christ, as if his love were proud, nice, humorous, high, passionate; whereas infinite freedom, infinite majesty, and loveliness and meekness of tenderest love, do all three concur admirably in Jesus Christ. Love…

4. Love draws strongly and irresistibly: Christ never wooed a soul with his free love, but he wins the love and heart. Death and the grave and hell are conquering things for strength, and have subdued huge multitudes, since the creation; but the love of Christ is stronger and mo…

4. And by faith I live not, Christ lives in me, and I am crucified and mortified; that is, by faith I know that I did live the life of God, and was crucified to the world; whereas I was dead in sins, before I believed. 5. And because believing is somewhat more than a naked act o…

Grave-deep, or rather hell-deep, touching his grave linens, what became of them when he rose from the dead, and the chestnut color of his hair, and the wood of his Cross, and the three nails that wedged him to the tree, and the adoring of anything that touched his body, either w…

Or how without money? It is true, should a man offer his house full of treasure for Christ, it would be despised (Song of Solomon 8:7), and when Simon Magus offered to buy the gifts of the Holy Ghost for money, it was rejected with a curse (Acts 9:8-10), and if the gift of the H…

2. A fervent love arising out of the sense of our obligations to God, that we do with all readiness of mind set ourselves to do his will, levelling and directing our actions to his glory. Love is strong as death, and many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown i…

Seals anciently had engraven on them two Things, namely The Image and the Name of the Person whose Seal it was. Therefore when Christ says to his Spouse, Canticles 8. [...]. Set me as a Seal upon thine Heart, as a Seal upon thine [...]; it is as much as to say, Let my Name and I…

This is one end of Christ's taking upon him man's nature, that his people might be under advantages for a more familiar converse with him than the infinite distance of the divine nature would allow of. And on this account the church longed for Christ's incarnation: 'O that you w…

Yes, all kings were to bow down to him, and all nations to serve him (Psalm 72:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17). These poor Gentiles were the little sister of the Judaical Church which were to be provided for in the love of her Spouse, the Messiah (Canticles 8:8, 9). For in the last…

We find that phrase often, A man of God, the Hebrews say, to call one a man of God, is as much as to say, he is an extraordinary man, a man of an excellent spirit, a Prophet, a holy man: In that Psalm where the Church is shadowed under the similitude of a Vine, It is said, She d…

We are ready to suppose that we have all the reasons in the world; every one supposs he has those that are more cogent than any other has, to question the promises of grace, pardon, and forgiveness; and therefore the questioning of them is not their sin, but their duty. But pret…

Answer: By this Song, all, at least most part of believers, are made to sing many things, beyond their own attainments possibly. Indeed, Song of Solomon 8, that phrase, My vineyard which is mine, is before me, is of that same extent, with that, Psalm 18:20. Yet will not any thin…

Beside this, I say, this direction must take place in all times, whenever the Church has such a trial to wrestle with, otherwise it were not suitable to Christ's scope, nor commensurable with her need: Now for many hundreds of years the Church wanted Magistrates, to put this dir…

Verse 3. Your two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins. The two breasts (which is the fifth part here commended) are spoken to in this third verse: They were spoken of (Song of Solomon 4:5) with the same commendation, and we conceive the same thing hinted there, is aim…

Thirdly, jealousy as it is searching and inquisitive, so it is an angry and revengeful passion: and therefore Solomon calls it, "The rage of a man; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance" (Proverbs 6:34). And (Song of Solomon 8:6), "Jealousy is cruel as the grave; t…

But upon payment of this sum to justice, the elect (who only are intended in this purchase) pass over into God's right and property, and now are neither Satan's (Acts 26:18) nor their own (1 Corinthians 6:19), but the Lord's peculiar (1 Peter 2:6). And to show how much they are…

When shall I see him? Come, even so come; there is much paining impatience in that prayer for the marriage day in such as long for his appearance (Canticles 8:14), Make haste my beloved, and be you like to a roe, or a young hart upon the mountains of spices. So as the song began…

Unbelievers are men who cannot be persuaded; the Gospel leaves as little impression on the heart as a ship on the Sea, or an Eagle in the Air, where the light of faith leaves not a spiritual capacity for receiving the impressions of the Spirit of grace, and where unbelief reigns…

The proposition is false. The Lord by casting an ague of love-sickness in the soul, moves the free-will of the Spouse, and of the Martyrs to die for Christ, rather than deny him, because love of itself considered as separated from the Lord's physical motions on the soul, works u…

Nor can the word, if [illegible] could [illegible] and an earth of the gold of [illegible] of Christ, and the strong influence thereof. So true is that (Canticles 8:7): Many waters cannot quench love. That is a strong fire which all the waters in the sea cannot quench.

Carelessness, in the enjoyment of Christ pretended, is a manifest evidence of a false heart. 2. The spouse manifests her delight in him, by her utmost impatience of his absence, with desires still of nearer communion with him (Song of Songs 8:6). Set me as a seal upon your heart…

But though it go mourning never so long, it will have nothing but Christ to lean upon. When the soul is in the wilderness, in the saddest condition, there it will stay until Christ comes to take it up (Song of Solomon 8:5). This is what he who has communion with Christ does: he…

I cannot look upon my own hands, but I must remember you: and your walls are continually before me. This is that the spouse seeks for: set me as a seal upon your arm (Song of Solomon 8). Now a little more particularly to consider the expressions and their scope here: how is it m…

There are two mystical Scriptures, which do express all the intercourse which passes between God and the Church in the world, and they are both closed up with a desire of Christ's coming. The Canticles is one, which declares the communion and intercourse which is between Christ…

4. Let us get love to Christ. Love is an holy transport, it fires the affections, steels the Courage, carries a Christian above the love of life, and the fear of death, Song of Solomon 8:7. Many waters cannot quench Love: Love made Christ suffer for us.

God knows our frame, that we are imbecil and weak; our flesh is not as brass, Job 6 12. And the Lord will not try us above our strength, he will not lay a Giants burden upon a Childs back. God will not stretch the strings of his Viol too hard, lest they break: if God strike with…

2. Love to God is necessary to confirm and strengthen this resolution in us; for that overcomes all terrors: (Romans 8:37) Indeed, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. And (Song of Solomon 8:6-7) Love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel a…

Oh how should this make us to take heed that we don't abuse any part of our time, I shall never have this time again! When once our time has taken wing, what is said of love in (Canticles 8:7), that may be said of time, If a man would give all the substance of his house for it,…

2. Love. When God smiles upon us, it is not much to love him; but when he seems to put us away in anger, now to love him, and be as the lime, the more water is thrown upon it, the hotter it burns, this is love indeed. That love surely is strong as death which the waters of deser…

Jacob's love to Rachel, made him almost hazard his life for her. Many waters cannot quench love (Song of Solomon 8:7), no not the waters of persecution; love is strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6). Death makes its way through the greatest oppositions; so love will make its way…

He who is best will be served with the best; when we give him the soul in a duty, now we give him the flower and the cream. A soul inflamed in service is the cup of spiced wine and the juice of the pomegranate which the spouse makes Christ drink (Song of Solomon 8:2). Without th…

Now, if you do not bring God your fruit, you shall never taste his fruit; you who do not bring forth the fruits of righteousness shall never taste the fruits of paradise. Oh, present Christ with your sweet spices — give him your myrrh (Song of Solomon 5:2), your spiced wine with…

THE last thing that we did was to show you what were the properties of true love, that by them you might try your selves whether you love the Lord Jesus or no: we went through five in the morning, we now proceede. Another property of love is this, it is full of heate: therefore…