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"I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys" (chap. 2, verse 1).

O say, my Lord-for Thou revealest secret things-the rose and lily, what their voice concerning Thee? Surely they join their scent and beauty to be a memorial of the Lamb of God

O Thou Redeemer of Israel! Upon Thy work of love Thy heart was set in the beginning-from everlasting!

When Thou didst plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, Thou didst show forth Thy power to create. In Thy manifold wisdom also Thou didst fashion them to shadow forth Thy grace.

And now these flowers of the earth, the rose and the lily, are heard to speak Thy name, and show forth Thy salvation.

Surely the rose tells me of Thy Cross, whereon Thou was made a curse, and wast stained in Thine own blood.

O Thou Lamb of God! Give me now to stand and look upon Thee whom I pierced; yes, my soul, the Lamb whom thou didst pierce! Not for Himself was Messiah cut off. He was spotless, or He were not the Lamb of God.

Elect angels are holy and undefiled, yet is their holiness bounded by the creature’s narrow measure, and in itself is liable to change. When their companions fell they were sustained and preserved-God in them providing His Church a goodly train and needful safeguard.

But who or what is Jesus? Mark Him! He travels in the greatness of His strength-no servant by nature, but the only begotten Son! Immanuel, the Lord Jehovah our Righteousness! And the Word that endureth forever; that was with God and was God.

All the acts of the Son of Man have the glory, the unsearchable glory, of His Eternal Power and Godhead in them. Our Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

If creatures serve and worship God, they do but take their true place-whereas the Son thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Yet He, the Son of God, took on Him the form of a servant!

He to whom all worship was due from angels and men became a worshipper and servant of the Father.

Lord Jesus! Thou art the Rose of Sharon! Thou art the Lily of the Valleys! For our sakes Thou becamest poor. Thy poverty was as deep as the glory of Thy Godhead is high.

This earth-under a curse-was Thy choice, where, in Thy low estate, Thou wouldest take root and grow up to scent all heaven and earth with the sweetness of Thy name!

Angels were passed by, and Thou becamest the Son of Man-a partaker of flesh and blood, like unto Thy brethren!

Thou Son of God! Thou hast known hunger, weariness (Thy body fainting, not Thy heart). Thou didst bear the drought of day, the dews of night! At Thy birth Thy cradle was with the beasts. (O, unkind world! But O kind and gracious Savior!) Persecuted wast Thou, betrayed, denied, reviled, blasphemed, spit upon, mocked, scourged, buffeted, crucified and slain!

O, my Lord! My soul pants with longing for Thee! Teach me Thy ways. Let Thy blood purge my conscience of guilt, my understanding of darkness, my affections of idols!

Give me to search the mystery of Thy wounds-Thy sweat of blood-Thy crown of thorns! Mournful and outward show-deeper things were in Thy soul.

That cry of Thine, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"-That cry, Thou Lamb of God, tells Thine agony, and declares Thee bearer of Thy Church’s sin and curse!

Thou wast cast out of earth and of heaven. It pleased Thy Father, Jehovah Thy God-who delighted in Thee-to bruise Thee and put Thee to grief: "He spared not His own Son!"

The ever-during fragrance of Thine atoning sacrifice gives Thee prevalence above: Thou the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valleys, art the heaven of heaven!

Men of this world walk in condemnation; I stand rejoicing before God in Thee, my robe of righteousness! O my Lord! I have learned before Thy Cross that the joys of earth are cankered!

Thorns and thistles, sorrow and shame, this evil world brings forth!

Content, yea, glad am I, my Lord, with Thee to be a worm and no man-with Thee, Thou Rose of Sharon, Thou Lily of the Valleys! Yea, my whole heart cries out, "God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

"As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (chap. 2, verse 2).

Thou, Lord Jesus! Dwellest in us; therefore, dost Thou esteem Thy Church honourable and lovely. Thine eyes can search all the chambers of the soul; yet not all the blackness of the flesh can hide from Thy gracious view the comeliness of Thy people: only our iniquity is covered (by Thy robe is it hid!) and never shalt Thou deny Thy Bride her title: "the lily among thorns."

It is Thine own image we bear! For Thou Thyself hast wrought it in us. Thou dost purify our hearts by faith, unto unfeigned love of Thyself, and of the brethren.

And, O, my soul! For trying Thy frame let these by thy chief questions: Believest thou? Lovest thou? These two jewels, faith and love, how precious in the eyes of Jesus!

Faith exalts Him, receiving Him, and resting in Him as a Saviour: to be such is His glory; Love delights in Him as the soul’s portion, friend, and husband.

O my Lord! Sweet is our mutual love! Thine to me is infinite, eternal, manifold: mine to Thee-Thine own work-(hindered though it be through the flesh,) is yet sweet to Thee.

In none but Thine is love of Thee: they are Thy temple, Thy garden; and while all the earth beside lies waste, Thy Church has Thy blessing.

Thy lily grows up among thorns. Am I reviled and hated? O let me rejoice if as Christ’s lily I suffer!

Is it not thine honour, O my soul, to be like Him who humbled Himself and dwelt in humiliation among us? Shall not I, too, bear my cross.

Great the gain of my sufferings! For Thou, Lord Jesus, dost succor me, and whisper in mine ear Thy love; Thou fillest me with tokens of Thy favour and of Thy delight in me.

I look into Thy heart, O my Lord, which opens to me; I see it full of love, full of compassion, towards me!

I know that every frown, each angry or scornful word of the wicked, Thou takest to heart, saying to the ungodly, Why persecute ye Me?

O my Lord, purge me; turn Thine hand upon me, I beseech Thee! Let me, while abiding here be as Thy lily.

By grace teach me to purify myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to walk in white with Thee; that so Thine image may be seen in me; and what though the world hate and revile, all is well if Thou commend and bless!

"As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons" (chap. 2, verse 3).

A waste land, O my soul! Is this earth to thee-a forest full of briars and thorns, in which once thou wast a wanderer in darkness "such as might be felt"-no path for thy foot of peace or safety, thine heart was brought down with labor! Then madest thou thy supplication, and thy cry was heard, for Jesus became thy Light of Life, thy Guide, thy Defense and Shield!

O my Lord! Mine enemies are strong and lively; at times they roar against me in the way; they would have me credit their proud boasting, that I am their prey. More often theirs is the serpent’s guile, the poison of asps is under the adversary’s lips: Satan transforms himself into an angel of light.

O teach me, then, to watch and pray, lest I enter into temptation! I ask not, Lord to be taken out of the world ere the set time; rather, gird and furnish me, by the Comforter, with the whole armor of God; and give me out of weakness and poverty of spirit to be strong, and to wax valiant in fight-looking ever to Thee, Thou Lamb of God and Captain of my salvation!

Ah, Lord! Thou lovest to hear from Thine own the song of triumph which Thy Cross and Throne teach them while yet in the midst of the battle!

The blood of Thy Cross took out of the way the handwriting that was against us-the holy law, whose glory is terrible in condemnation-chiefly in condemnation of Thee, my Sin-bearer, Surety, Redeemer!

Thy blood hath spoiled principalities and powers of darkness; and I also am conqueror, more than conqueror now-even now! I overcome by the Word of Thy testimony, and by the blood of the Lamb!

But, O my Lord, bow down Thine ear! Safety from destruction cannot content my soul, but rather enlarges desire, and gives room for burning and vehement love!

Be Thou my Tree of Life, and let Thy fruit, Thou beloved of my Soul! Be my heart’s strength and my spirit’s joy, for what may this earth yield me since I have tasted Thee! Once I fed on ashes; now I love by Thee, O Thou who didst humble Thyself and wast made flesh!

Thou art fairer than the children of men. Thou art meek and lowly; they are fierce and proud. Thou art true, yea, truth itself; while they speak with double heart. They change like the wind that whirleth about continually; but Thou art He that was, that is, and is to come; the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Thou camest in the likeness of sinful flesh-infinite Thy humiliation and poverty! And yet in Thy poverty Thou wast infinitely rich and great! In the light of Thy countenance I have joy, for which I give to the winds all joy beside!

I claim Thee-in Thy poverty and riches-for mine own. Thou callest me brother, and I call Thee my Lord and my God, and-in all boldness of faith and confidence of love-my Friend, my Brother, Guide, Companion, all in one!

Thou art now gone forth out of the forest of this world, in which once Thou wast an "alien to Thy mother’s children." I would be a stranger and sojourner with Thee, knowing that by Thy help and guidance I shall one day see Thee face to face, and go no more out.

"I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste" (chap 2, verse 3).

Mercies are graven upon the lowly heart! Sweet is the memory of former joys, the joys of communion with Jesus, and profitable likewise, if the remembrance cause thanksgiving and praise; if it confirm faith and hope; quicken desire, make sin hateful.

Lord Jesus, when all strength is gone, and when, through manifold temptations, hands hang down, knees wax feeble, Thou art wont, in the fierce heat of battle to make me sit down beneath Thy shadow!

By faith I rest in Thee; at the voice of Thy rebuke mine enemies take flight. Then is there holy stillness within me. I set myself to meditate on Thee, my Lord and Saviour, on Thee, my own Immanuel! I behold Thy glory, and ponder Thine eternal Godhead.

As I look abroad, all things speak of Thy power, and talk of Thy praise; I see, and hear Thee, and trace Thy footsteps everywhere.

I know Thou art the Word that endureth forever, that was with God and was God, the Son that came from the bosom of the Father. For me Thou camest forth, and Thou hast persuaded me of Thine everlasting love; of the counsel of peace and of the covenant that standeth fast with Thee forever and forever.

I see Thee, Thou Lamb of God, my Great High Priest, who art highly exalted. Thou hast an unchangeable Priesthood, given by the oath and promise of God the Father, that I might have an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast, that enters within the vail.

I own Thee for my Rock to build on; to build so securely that storm and temptest shall but prove the building. I drink of Thy love with large desire, which grows by each new draught, and aims to comprehend the uttermost of Thy glory and Thy grace.

How comely Thy fruit; how sweet and refreshing; and Thy shadow, how pleasant-the shadow of the Tree of Life.

Ah, my Lord, wherefore do I grieve the Comforter, by whom Thou dost thus satiate my soul? Alas! In me (that is, in my flesh) there dwelleth no good thing.

By grace, by grace, am I saved. But, O Thou beloved of my soul, hold Thou me up, and teach me to sit at Thy feet, and in the midst of richest cordials of Thy smile to grow in poverty of spirit and contrition!

Let me abide at the blood of sprinkling, to which I am come; and while of no account in mine own eyes, in thee will I boast and magnify my Lord and God and Savior evermore.

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love" (chap. 2, verse 4).

"Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love" (chap. 2, verse 5).

Hadst thou been left, O my soul, to thine own will, and the way of thine own wisdom, couldest thou ever have known Jesus, or even desired to know Him?

It was the Spirit of God that led thee, opening thine eyes, convincing thy conscience, drawing thee to Christ, whose grace He showed thee and caused thee to believe.

Lord Jesus, Thy grace is grace indeed. In Thee my soul makes her boast; and while Thou dost gird Thyself, and make me sit down in Thy house of wine, a sweet sadness steals over my spirit. I was sometime darkness, sometime an alien and enemy, while yet Thy love was set upon me and my name was in Thy book.

These solemn remembrances mar not my joys; they are needful so long as I dwell in this earthly house, to give me the richer communion of Thy love!

O Thou crowned King, Thou Jesus of Nazareth, Thou abased and exalted One, Thou mighty and glorious One, who madest Thyself of no reputation, Thou dost rule me with Thine Almighty love.

For were not Thy scepter a scepter of grace Thou couldest, indeed, by a word destroy me; but my heart Thou couldest not win.

Now Thou showest me Thy wounds, and sayest: Peace be to thee. Thou holdest me with the cords of Thy love.

Lord, Thou openest to me the gates of glory, bringing me into Thy banqueting house, to sustain and cheer me on my way; and the wine of Thy house fills me with longing after those things which are above.

My soul surveys Thy glory, O Thou King of Zion, Thou beloved One, and altogether lovely! I sit down with Thee upon Thy throne-sin, death, the law, hell, and the world under my feet. Thy fullness satisfies me.

In Thee I see the Father’s heart; He is Thy God and my God; Thy Father and my Father. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

Thou, Lord, sittest down with me at Thy own table, delighting Thyself in my soul’s affections toward Thee and admiration of Thee, and in my song and triumph of faith.

Thy love to me is my soul’s strength and joy; it engages Thee to take up spear and shield against mine enemies, draws me to my hiding place, and leads me to the Rock that is higher than I.

In the light of Thy love I see my foes, hate their baits, and avoid their snares.

To idols I say: Depart, my soul is the temple of my Lord.

Lord Jesus, Thou hast said: Behold I come quickly. O keep Thy word! Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, and let my soul, with Thy gathered saints, without enemies to vex us, repose in Thy presence, be filled with Thy glory, and banquet forever on Thy love.

"His left hand is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me" (chap. 2, verse 6).

Tenderly, my Lord, dost Thou deal with me; in love Thou dost cherish me, even as a man loves and cherishes his own body; for in very deed Thy Church and Thyself are not twain, but one Spirit. Yea, Thou dost account me of Thy flesh and of Thy bones.

By the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, am I joined to my Lord; and sweet and melting thoughts have I of Thy Holy Spirit’s love, as Thou revealest Thyself to me, Thou Son of the Living God, embracing me in Thine everlasting arms.

And as I ponder Thy majesty and Thy glory, Thou strengthenest my heart, showing me that Thou art the mighty God. My Maker is my Husband; Jehovah Jesus is His name.

Be glad then, O my soul, and rejoice with holy triumph, because of thy Husband’s arm of power embracing and defending thee!

Who shall separate thee from the love of Christ? He is Jehovah, the Son of God, the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of His person, thy Lord and thy God.

He has all things under His feet. He finished His work in His own blood on the tree, ascended up on high, and led captivity captive, having slain the enmity of the law, and blotted out the handwriting that was against thee, nailing it to His cross.

And how, my soul, shall the cancelled bond be enforced? A bare word of my Lord scatters and confounds all enemies; and my enemies are all Thine, O my Saviour.

Be thou strong then, my soul, in the Lord, and in the power of His might, and be thou melted, my heart, because of His kindness, which knows no change.

He lays His left hand under my head-His left hand of gentleness and consolation; He makes me safe in His power, and gives me rest in the bosom of His love.

I charge thee, O my soul, behave thyself as becometh the Bride, the Lamb’s wife. Yield thyself to Him, for thou art His, and He calleth thee Hephzibah, for His delight is in thee. Reverence and love Him; yea, be thou swallowed up in Him, for He bought thee with His blood. Let no idol have part in thee with Him.

"I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my Love, until He please" (chap. 2, verse 7).

Thou knowest, my soul, how good and how pleasant it is to lay thee down at the feet of Jesus-as Ruth at the feet of Boaz-covered with the skirt of His love.

In this sweet reverence and humbleness thou dost obtain precious tokens of His favour: He blesses thee, and takes it kind (in His wondrous condescension) that thou shouldest regard Him, and suffer Him to captivate thy heart, while thousands around thee count Him "a root out of a dry ground, without form or comeliness."

He found thee poor and naked; but in His blood He washed thee, He adorned thee, he presented thee to Himself.

And how amiable, how glorious the smile of Jesus! Truly in the light of the King’s countenance is life, and His favor is a cloud of the latter rain.

Thou, Lord, while I sit at Thy feet in shamefacedness and poverty of spirit, dost make my cup to run over; and then my heart trembles within me, fearing lest any misbehaviour of mine should grieve Thy Holy Spirit.

Thyself I cannot lose-for my life is bound up in Thine-neither wilt Thou part with me.

Let me, then, since Thou art so faithful and tender in Thy love; let me, my Lord, be jealous over myself with godly jealousy! Keep Thou my heart Thine own self, or it will not be kept; but some base idol, some vanity of word or deed, will grieve Thy Holy Spirit.

If indeed, for trial of faith, Thou hide Thyself, not in displeasure at my ways, but to purge a fruitful branch that it may be yet more fruitful-be it so-at what time soever Thou dost please, awake and rise up from Thy rest in the bed of my soul!

Send me forth to encounter temptation, for Thou art with me; my heart is fixed, and boasts that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

Lord, hear my prayer! Thou sayest: "What is thy petition, and what is thy request?" Let not pride rise up within me, let not Thy cross at any time be hid, and let me never cease to triumph in Thee, my robe of righteousness.

Then, though desertion come, all shall be well: there shall be no loss but of things whose loss is gain; and temptations shall prepare me for yet richer communion with my Lord.

"The voice of my Beloved! Behold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills" (chap. 2, verse 8).

I know Thy voice; Thou, Lord, Thyself hast made me know it: Thy good Spirit gave me an ear to hear!

It is by grace I differ from those whom the god of this world has blinded, lest the light should shine into their hearts.

Once I, with the rest, was his slave, his faithful servant, his captive; I hugged my chains! I would not-could not-hear the voice of Jesus!

But Thou, Lord, didst teach me by Thy strong hand! Gentle and gracious the still, small whisper of Thy love! And yet mighty! For it broke my bonds and melted my heart! The lawful captive was delivered, and the prey of the mighty and the terrible taken from him.

Other chains than once I wore are now upon me. Lord, I am Thine! For with bands of a man, with cords of love, hast Thou bound me to Thyself.

Thy voice, O Thou beloved of my soul, brings heaven with it. To hear it-to believe it-to ponder it-to store it in my soul-to hide it as my treasure in my heart: this is my business.

Give me, then, O Thou who hast all grace and wisdom in all fullness! Give me to do this my work.

And let me evermore be wise to distinguish Thy word and voice, for many are the wiles of Satan, who would beguile me of the simplicity which is in Thee; would bring me again into bondage unto the weak and beggarly elements of the law; and would puff me up with philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world-after the doctrines and traditions of men, and not after Christ.

O, then, may I harken diligently to the Bridegroom’s voice, keep His commandments, and walk in the way of the covenant of His love.

Lord, keep my heart and my understanding; keep me, body, soul, and spirit.

I tremble, O my Saviour, at the subtlety and snares of the enemy; be Thou, therefore, nigh unto me.

I know Thy step is swift; Thy love and compassions add wings to Thy feet, when Thy trembling ones cry unto Thee, for Thou art touched with a feeling of their infirmities! Mountain and hill Thou dost overleap; before Thee they become a plain! The load of our iniquity was once laid upon Thee; by Thy blood Thou hast finished the transgression. Thou hast cast all my sins into the depths of the sea!

While I take my place with her who washed Thy feet with tears and wiped them with her hair, Thou sayest, "Be of good comfort; thy sins be forgiven thee."

In Thy days of flesh this power was Thine, now art Thou exalted a Great High Priest-a Prince and a Savior; and Thou dost sweetly move me to roll my burden upon Thee.

As I behold Thy wounds, Thou showest me Thy love, and magnifiest Thyself within me, by the Comforter whom Thou didst send from the Father.

Let me ever listen to the voice of my Beloved; and in all tribulation patiently wait until Thou come, leaping upon the mountains, skipping on the hills, to turn my mourning into joy, and for the spirit of heaviness to appoint unto me the garment of praise.

"My Beloved is like a roe, or a young hart: behold, He standeth behind our wall, He looketh forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice" (chap. 2, verse 9).

The heavens have received my Lord! By His own blood He passed into them, and is set down at the right hand of power, waiting for the time when His enemies shall be made His footstool.

My soul, triumph thou because of Him! For His triumph is thine, as Thy sins were His! No cause-no room for unbelief! He hath all things under His feet, and his Head over all things to the Church.

Lord Jesus! I thank Thee for my security in Thee, and for Thy word of promise, "Behold, I come quickly." Soon shall I sit down with all my gathered brethren, at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Already I know in part what I then shall be; for Thou canst bear witness, O my soul, that Jesus thy beloved is mindful of thee.

The heavens have received Him out of thy sight; yet he can, as it were, make windows in the wall of separation, and show Himself through the lattice.

Thine absent beloved One, O my soul, thou seest-Him that is invisible thou beholdest-the Comforter brings to remembrance the words of Jesus! The sight of Him, thy Lord and Friend and Brother, how precious! Filling the heart with holy admiration and joy unspeakable.

How glorious is He at the Father’s right hand! He had right by creation to be Lord of all: now He rules by a more excellent title-Immanuel-Head of the New Creation-King of Righteousness-the Lamb of God-and King of Peace.

He is the glory and the delight of the Father-and He rejoices daily with the Father, in Him and before Him! His Spirit, which He has without measure, anoints me, and I sit down in heavenly places, knowing that I am, with all saints, blessed with all spiritual blessings, in Christ exalted!

With Him I am crucified, and with Him risen! Who shall cast me down from this my seat with Christ?

But, Lord, let not fleshly boasting spoil me of my armor; let me be sober, and wisely consider wherefore it is that my Beloved beforehand shows me His glory.

Thou wouldest by Thy smile win my heart, and have the flower of my affections.

Jesus would remind thee-forget it not, my soul-that to Him thou art for ever betrothed! Let not idols, then, defile thee, but keep thyself pure for Him-be thou only for Him, and not for another; awake up and be doing-fight thou the good fight of faith-His compassion fail not, and He is swift to succor!

While I decline not the battle, O my Lord, my heart longeth for Thee! And this pleaseth Thee well. My soul desires Thy glorious appearing, and would see Thee face to face; and now to me to live is Christ, to die is gain. But, Lord, Thy first fruits cause me to long and thirst. I count not myself to have apprehended.

Hear, then, my prayer: fill me with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Thee! Let Thy word be as the window where Thou wilt show Thyself; thus let me soul grow in sweet fellowship with Thee, and acquaintance with Thy beauty and glory.

"My Beloved spake, and said unto me: Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (chap. 2, verse 10).

Hearest thou not, my soul, the voice of Jesus, the voice of the Beloved! He is able to speak in thunder-His word can shake heaven and earth; and canst thou despise His gentleness, His tender tones of love and grace?

Fie upon thee, sluggish soul! What hinders thee rising up at His call, upon eagles’ wings of faith and hope? Art thou cumbered with much serving? Are idols of clay set up within thee, whereas thou shouldest be for thy Beloved, and for Him alone?

If now thy heart be divided and cold, consider what is the heart of Jesus toward thee! It is full of the love He bare thee before the world’s foundation, when he rejoiced in His Church, and His "delights were with the sons of men." He is the same Jesus that took thy place and died for thee on the tree! What bowels of mercy are His! What yearning in His heart over thee! What pity and multitude of compassions!

Canst thou defile His temple with idols? He sees thee all fair! He found thee foul and made thee clean by His own blood! He presents thee to Himself without spot, or wrinkle, or blemish, or any such thing.

Let such love, then, of thy glorious Immanuel, thy God, and thy Brother; let such love stir and awake thee; fill thee with repentance and self-loathing! Go, humble thyself unto thy Friend, and make sure the communion of His love.

"My love, my fair one;" so speaks my Lord Jesus to thee. Doubt it not. O, my soul! Know thou ‘tis thy cunning foe that whispers in thine ear suspicions of thy Lord.

The liar would cause thee to wax feeble in faith, that he may poison the spring of thy peace, joy, and love. But I will confound thy unbelief! I tell thee, Jesus, thy "Breaker," is gone up before! He is risen, and in triumph ascended; thy Head and thy Forerunner. Flee to the blood of sprinkling with all thy pollution! Betake thyself to Him; and He shall surely wash thee, bind up thy wounds, pour in the oil and the wine, and cause thee to rest in His love, and by faith to dwell together with Him in the bosom of the Father.

"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone" (chap. 2, verse 11).

Lord, I remember Thy dealings with me! When Thy hand at first arrested me, and Thy Spirit convinced me of sin, my cup was bitter with my guilt and the fruit of my doings; my joy was turned into mourning; my soul was like a salt land, accursed of God; the hail and storm swept away my refuge of lies! I was alive without the commandment, once; ignorant of the holy law of God, while yet I was under it; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

Then all was dreary winter within, and therefore was it winter without. Sick was I of the world, hating it in vexation of spirit, while yet I was unable and unwilling to cast it out. I found no city to dwell in-I wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way.

In the good and set time Thou spakest to me, saying, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing." And how sweet Thy words: "Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee."

How precious in the sight of the Lamb of God! And how glorious the robe of righteousness, hiding from the holy eyes of my Judge all my sin and pollution!

Then did the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb did sing. In Jesus crucified-in Thee, my Lord, my soul found rest, and in the bosom of Thy love.

Still indeed I have griefs, and still the tears stand in mine eyes; but, Lord, I love my griefs, and welcome my tears: for now I know Thee, my Brother born for adversity! And when, O when, art Thou so near, as when Thy tender heart takes part in Thy peoples’ sorrow!

Nor would I barter my bitter cup, which my Lord’s love makes so sweet, for a world of carnal joys.

Ere I knew Thee I had no stay to my soul; my every cistern proved broken. I had no kind and faithful Friend, almighty, all wise, unchangeable, to soothe my grief and bear my burden.

But in all that dismal path I now see Thy hand! I was under the curse, but Thy truth has made me free. The winter is past, for I am in Christ Jesus: walking no longer after the flesh, but after the Spirit-the rain is over and gone.

I grieve not as once I did, for Thou showest me Thy hands and feet! Thou makest me to mourn not with terrors and hopeless sorrow, but for Thee whom I pierced, and for sin which made for Thee Thy crown of thorns! I am troubled in the troubles of my brethren, and because of the transgressions of the wicked.

Moreover, I ponder the unbelief of Israel, the seed of Abraham, Thy friend; and look onward, with living hope, to the morning without clouds-to the day when Israel shall say, "Lo! This is our God; we have waited for Him;" and Thou shalt say to Zion, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." How Long, Lord? Thou wilt hasten it in Thy time.

"The flowers appear on the earth; and the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land" (chap. 2, verse 12).

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted! And Thy people, Lord Jesus are all mourners, but their sorrow is turned into joy. Thou dost pursue Thy lost ones in love to their soul; dost wound them: Thine arrows are sharp in their heart.

Then is their groaning not hid from Thee; their cry, because of affliction and hard bondage, entereth Thine ears, and Thou comest down to deliver! Thou hast obtained eternal redemption for them! Ah, Lord! Thy prisoners of hope are but slow to conceive aright of the grace which is in Thee, of the unsearchable sea of Thine heart’s love.

To their drooping spirits the heavens gather blackness, and desolation is round about them. But Thou dost observe Thy set time, appointed of the Father, "to favor Zion."

Soon as Thy needful arrows are spent, Thou bindest up the broken in heart. Thou doest not wound to kill, but to heal; Thy bowels yearn over Thy mourners; Thou waitest with longing for the good time to speak peace; Thine heart breaketh with desire ot make Thyself known to Thy brethren, to fall upon their necks, and give them the kiss of Thy love.

Thou sayest, "Fear not, I have redeemed thee; thou art mine." Thou multipliest words of condescension to our weakness, saying, "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. Cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, her iniquity pardoned."

How glorious the revelations of Thy Spirit! When He declares Thy name to mourners, Thy cross becomes their joy and salvation. And shall they not sing and be glad, and take their harp from the willows?

For Thy coming by Thy Spirit turns earth into heaven; Thou makest the wilderness like Eden. Nor would we exchange our Paradise for the garden of the first Adam; for in Thee we have the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven: Thy grace exalting us above earth, and giving us to sit down with Thee in heavenly places.

Thou puttest a crown upon our heads, making us kings and priests unto God and Thy Father! Thou dost impart skill to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb; and whether sung by travelers on earth, or by those with thee in heaven, the song is melody in Thine ears.

Thou Thyself dost join us; singing praises in the midst of Thy Church. And the Father listens, resting in His love: delighting in Thee and in Thy members, who by His Spirit are one with Thee.

Lord! Be Thou ever the fountain of all my joys! Daily may I behold Thy glory, and see how it springs from Thy shame and spitting, from Thine agony and cross. So shall I keep myself pure from carnal joys and carnal griefs-so shall the Dove which sat on Thee, sit likewise on me!

And though I be small and despised, and do not lift up, nor cry, nor cause my voice to be heard in the streets, yet shall my ways and my spirit please Thee, and Thou shalt incline Thine ear while I sing the Lord’s song in a strange land!

"The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away" (chap. 2, verse 13).

My soul, how watchful is Jesus to mark any good thing in thee! Whatever thy growth in the knowledge of Him-be it much or little-whether He see thee as a fruitful branch laden with full ripe fruit, and as corn waiting for the sickle, or whether as yet there be nothing come to maturity, the work is the work of His own hands! He esteems it precious beyond heaven and earth!

"The King’s daughter," saith He, "is all glorious within." She is created anew in Christ Jesus, whose image within her is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God.

She sees herself comely, by the comeliness the Spirit has put upon her; yet black, because of sin that dwelleth in her.

The eyes of her King and Husband, meanwhile, are fixed upon her beauty, and He says, in the gladness of His heart, "Thou art all fair, my love!" He labors to cheer her by His praises and admiration of His good work within her.

Lord Jesus! Thou hast bowels of compassion never failing; Thou sayest, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." Upon the weak, the young, and the tender, Thou dost, like some nursing mother, bestow Thy gentlest care!

Thy lambs, Thou Shepherd of the sheep, Thou dost gather with Thine arms; Thy fainting, halting ones, Thou dost carry in Thy bosom: and Thou wouldest have them to know, that all their sighing after Thee is sweet to Thine ear; their groaning is not hid from Thee, and all their desire is before Thee!

When their heart by the power of Thy Spirit is full of zeal and love, Thou dost smile graciously, with condescension infinite, saying "The fig tree putteth forth her green figs." Thou delightest in the kindness of their youth, the love of their espousals!

Should hoar hairs but lightly esteem the little ones, not so Thou. Thou wilt not discourage them, yet give them that wholesome counsel: "Be sober, and watch unto prayer."

Thou knowest, Lord, I cannot endure to think of my love waxing cold, while Thy heart is ever constant-Thy mercies new every morning! Cast down, I pray Thee, all my vain and high imaginations, and fill me with wisdom and understanding! May I be sober and patient in Thy service! But, O my Lord, above all these, give me to grow in love!

Must afflictions manifold, and temptations, prove me? Whate’er the storm and temptest, be it so, Lord: my heart consents to all Thy discipline. Take Thou the way of Thine own wisdom. Who teacheth like Thee? One thing do I desire, let not love decline, but make it grow and burn more brightly and steadily day by day!

Let my soul long after Thee as the hart brayeth for the waterbrooks; wean me from myself and from all things seen, that I may prize Thee alone and things unseen!

"O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely" (chap. 2, verse 14).

Dost thou make thy moan, O my soul, complaining, that, while Jesus calls thee His dove, thou shouldest still be so like the beasts of the forest-the men of this world; who, like their father, Satan, are full of pride, envy, self-will, discontent, and coveting? These things, to thy grief, hurry thee away from Jesus; and so fickle art thou, so movable thy ways, that when He banquets thee with His smile, then art thou most nigh to forsaking Him! Fie upon thee! fie upon thee!

Yet be not cast down, O my soul; neither be thou disquieted within me; for, hark! The voice of thy Beloved! Though in thine own eyes like some fierce wolf or filthy swine, thy Lord calls thee His dove! And never will He take away His Holy Spirit from thee.

Think not, because He will prove thee, and open to thee the secret chambers of thine heart, that He will, therefore, cast thee off. He hateth putting away; He bids thee call to mind thy safety in the clefts of the rock.

I charge thee, dishonour Him not by unbelief, as though He were capable of change! Behold the mountains, they may depart; and the hills, they may be removed that seem to stand fast for ever, bidding defiance to the power of earthquake and tempest, yea, even of time itself! But Jesus! He is the mighty God, and His kindness shall not depart from thee.

He is Alpha, Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending. His name is I AM! Behold thy Rock, smitten by the hand of God the Father, whence gushed out the waters. Of these waters drink thou ever, O my soul! The wounds of Jesus are thy everlasting life.

The blind world knew not thine access within the holiest of all, for they came not to the blood of sprinkling: but, O be not thou unmindful of thy high calling! Jesus Himself invites thee! He delights not only in the songs of those above, who see Him face to face: He would have thee humbly bold to speak with Him, who says, "Let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely."

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes" (chap. 2, verse 15).

I am troubled and ashamed, as this warning strikes the ear-this precious warning voice of my Beloved! Alas! My neglected spirit, what has it not cost me! When I should have been watching my affections with all jealousy of love to my Lord, I have been cumbered with much serving; I have been of doubtful mind; and the keeping the heart with all diligence has been forgotten.

How much of the proud Pharisee cleaves to me still, who washes the outside of the cup and the platter, heedless of that which is within!

O my soul! Art not thou ashamed? Bethink thyself, that, as Jesus is the Church’s Husband, so is it the chief duty of the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, to give Him her heart! Watch, therefore, against those things which spoil Him of Thy love.

Thy Husband, who His own self did bear thy sins in His own body on the tree, is now in heaven to present thee to the Father: so that thou art holy and unblameable before Him in love! Forbear not, therefore, to search for those little foxes-those subtle sins which cheat thee with a flattering smile-those foxes that have their holes in the depths of the heart.

Jesus Himself is the light to show thee these little enemies that do thee so grievous mischief.

Beware, I charge thee, of descending without His lamp into the dark caverns. Thou wilt only be bewildered there, unless Jesus go with thee: thou wilt be terrified, not humbled; confounded, not instructed.

Therefore, let Jesus be wisdom to thee in the blood of His cross-that precious blood, which blotted out all thine iniquities, shall bring to light thine hidden evils! By its sprinkling, thou shalt discern the humble cloak of pride-thou shalt see how the heart can be puffed up with wind, and feed upon the east wind of empty notions, instead of Christ!

Thou wilt see the guilt of neglecting the whispers of the Lord’s love-of self sufficiency in thy dealing with little matters without the help and fellowship of thy Lord-of ungentle behavior toward brethren-and of thy lack of tenderness toward the ungodly.

These things, and others numberless, thou shalt perceive and hate; and if the tender grapes of thy inward grace and consolation have suffered loss, and Jesus have withdrawn Himself, thou wilt justify Him and say: Lord, my heart sins have grieved Thee, and in all thy corrections Thou art holy and wise and full of love.

"My beloved is mine, and I am His: He feedeth among the lilies" (chap. 2, verse 16).

How large thy pasture, O my soul! Fair and pleasant! Jesus Himself is thine! In Him all fullness dwells!

Immanuel is the express image of the Father, the brightness of His glory: Jesus’ name, how excellent!

The heavens and the earth are the work of His hands: they all shall wax old as a garment; as a vesture shall He fold them up; and they shall be changed by a word of His power at the last day.

He Himself is the same, and His years have no end! This glorious One-this treasure infinite, is mine by title everlasting! My Lord, the Lamb of God, has bound me to Himself in everlasting bonds!

He delights in me: His Church is His garden of lilies, whither my beloved continually resorts. It pleased Him to set His heart upon me! He counts me His jewel and I am His eternally.

O my Lord, quicken me! When wilt Thou manifest Thyself unto me! I know Thou art mine! Thou art my Beloved, Thou Holy One! Thou eternal Almighty One! My portion!

O give me to see Thee-to be filled with the knowledge of thee-obedience to Thee, worship of Thee, delight in Thee: these fruits of Thy Spirit shall be sweet to Thy taste-a banquet to my glorious Lord.

"Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my Beloved, and be Thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" (chap. 2, verse 17).

Thou, Lord, hast brought me out of darkness into marvelous light! In Thy light have I seen light! Old things have passed away, all things have become new! My soul, admiring the glories of Thy grace, beholds a new heaven and a new earth, which once I had no eyes to see!

What shall I render to Thee because of Thy rising upon my benighted soul? Calling to mind my former time of ignorance and enmity-saith my soul, it is now no more night, but noonday!

Thou art the brightness of the glory of God! Thy light is infinite! No clouds surround Thee, nor shadows of the law. I come not now to Sinai-the mountain of blackness and tempest, but to Mount Zion, to God the Judge of all, and Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel!

The way into the holiest is now made manifest, and I have boldness of access thither by the blood of my Lord! But-if I take account of my profiting and knowledge of Thee-alas! I am of yesterday, and know nothing.

I chide thee, my soul, and ask, Why so dull of understanding-Why so little known to thee of that glorious One and altogether lovely? O pity, Lord! Thy needy one! Yea, Thou knowest my frame, and dost pity me!

Thou seest, that while caged in this house of clay, I could not endure to behold Thee face to face: at such a sight I should, like him who once leaned on Thy bosom, fall at Thy feet as dead!

So long as I sojourn here (detained a little while for Thy glory), Thou wilt not oppress me with Thy brightest beams-the shadows still hide Thee in part, and I see as through a glass darkly.

Lord! I wait for the time-I wait for it more than they that watch for the morning-when I shall behold thee face to face! I long for Thy glorious appearing; but my waiting is patient, for Thou art indeed swift to succor me: as a roe and a young hart overleaping the mountains of separation.

Thy Spirit makes me now to triumph in Thee, and to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory! And I know, when the vision shall come, I shall say, "it tarried not and did not lie."