Song of Solomon 2

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.'

And there went out a fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Song of Solomon 2:12, 13. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land;

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…

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…

The Spouse once and again speaks of herself as overpowered with the Love of Christ, so as to weaken her Body, and make her ready to faint. Canticles 2:5. Stay me with Flagons, comfort me with Apples, for I am sick of Love.

Tertullian had but spoken two or three words, in favor of Montanus, and the Priests of Rome presently cried him up for a Montanist, and accordingly dealt with him: Quo protinus offensus (says he that wrote his life) prorsus in Montani partes transivit. I confess it is good to be…

The waters were dark indeed, but they were quiet, when the Spirit of God moved upon them, and out of them produced a beautiful world. This calm and sedate frame does very much qualify and dispose us for the reception and entertainment of divine visits, and sets bounds to the mou…

Wind shaking the tree, makes it grow more steady. Thus the tribulations of the godly, and the persecutions they suffer, do oppose their graces, but because they cannot overcome them, they strengthen them: As we read Psalm 45. when the Church forsakes all, when she leaves her fat…

Of the fellowship which the saints have with Jesus Christ the Son of God. That they have such a fellowship proved (1 Corinthians 1:9; Revelation 3:20; Song of Solomon 2:1-7) opened. Proverbs 9:1-5.

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…

He enables them to communicate their mind to him by giving them assistance, a way, and boldness in prayer — Romans 8:26-27. The saints' delight in Christ follows, as shown in Song of Solomon 2:7, chapter 8:6, and chapter 3:1-5. Their delight in his servants and ordinances of wor…

Jesus Christ, being all in all to the soul, faith apprehending him, is all the spiritual senses, it is the eye that beholds his matchless beauty, and so enkindles love in the soul, and can speak of him as having seen him, and taken particular notice of him (Song of Solomon 5:9).…

The Eyes.] This has in it, 1. His love, the propension of his heart towards them: the eye is the servant of the affection, turns readily that way most, where the heart is: therefore thus the Lord is pleased to speak of his love to his own, he views still all the world, but he lo…

3. God takes Notice of the Services of his People, because they flow from a Principle of Grace. God regards the Voice of Faith, Song of Solomon 2:14. O my Dove, let me hear your Voice, for sweet is your Voice.

By anointed, are meant such as have the anointing of the Spirit, 1 John 2:20. 4. God delights in his Childrens company, he loves to see their faces, Song of Solomon 2:24. Let me see your Countenance.

(Isaiah 58:13-14) If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, etc. Then you will delight yourself in the Lord, etc. And (Song of Solomon 2:3) I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit w…

You would force your way that you might get into his heart, you would count all things but dross and dung that you might gain him. It will be sweet to be encircled in the embraces of Jesus Christ, to have his left hand under your head, and his right hand to embrace you (Song of…

When we do but relent, and with brokenness of heart come and lie at the feet of God, love's pace is very swift and runs to snatch us out of the fire, therefore will you not be ready to cast yourselves into the arms of his compassion? Song of Solomon 2:8: Christ is represented as…

The more a man is renewed and sanctified, the more is he tried and buffeted; the more God has done for him, the more will Satan do against him; the more God increases his grace, the more Satan disturbs his peace. In fact, immediately upon the greatest discovery from God, the sai…

That considering the season, it is high time we should awake from the sleep of security, our salvation is nearer than heretofore (Romans 3:11). The Lord now speaks to us as sometimes to the secure Church (Song of Solomon 2:10): Arise my love, my dove, and come away; for lo the w…

They are the saints' festival, their banqueting goods. So sweet are these divine comforts that the church had her fainting fits for want of them (Song of Solomon 2:5): Stay me with flagons. By these flagons are meant the comforts of the Spirit.

The saints are Christ's sheep (John 10:27); the sheep is a peaceable creature. They are Christ's doves (Song of Solomon 2:14); therefore they must be without gall. It becomes not Christians to be Ishmaels but Solomons.

Second, their prayers are precious. Song of Solomon 2:14: O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, let me hear your voice, for sweet is your voice. Every child of God is this dove; prayer is the voice of the dove, and sweet is this voice.

1. What is meant by persecution? The Greek word, to persecute, signifies to vex and molest, sometimes to prosecute another, to arraign him at the bar, and to pursue him to the death; a persecutor is a pricking briar, therefore the church is described to be a lily among thorns (S…

Great love may sometimes be signified by a glance; the offered view of a willing face. Thus our Lord Jesus invites his Church to discover her own love, and answer his, 'Let me see your face,' etc. (Song of Solomon 2:14). Love is not more becomingly expressed, or gratified than b…