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"The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s" (chap. 1, verse 1).

"A greater than Solomon is here"-even He by whom kings reign and princes of the earth decree justice; whom men and angels worship as God and Creator-the Son of God-the Wonderful-the Counselor-the Prince of Peace! Who, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of God-who is passed through the heavens by His own blood-exalted far above all principality and power, having a name above every name, not only in this world but also in that which is to come.

By Him are we taught a new song, which makes the eternal music of heaven. This holy song, the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, is the glory of God-the delight of angels, who stand to listen and to learn; to whom, by the Church, is made known the manifold wisdom of God.

To the redeemed from amongst men, the purchase of the Lamb’s blood, it is given to know the Lord through the Spirit of God. In the midst of the Church will Jesus sing His own song of praise.

And has He not given thee, O my soul, thy "harp divine"? He could not do otherwise, since He loved thee and gave Himself for Thee. The Spirit given to Him without measure is come down upon thee, who art less than the least of all saints.

But, Lord, I know that even to Thy feet runs down the precious ointment; and Thy least member has Thy whole heart-Thy whole self.

Here a sojourner, happy am I, for Thou art my portion, O Lord-I am glad of heart, for I dwell within the vail. I rest in Thee who sittest, Prince of Peace, upon Thy Priestly Throne, showing Thyself there for Thy Church’s admiration and praise.

Open Thou mine eyes, therefore; delight them with Thy beauty; and let me be filled with Thy glory! Sprinkle my heart with Thy blood, and let no evil have power over body, or soul, or spirit-let no ignorance or guilt within cause me to hang my harp on the willows, but let me, in faith and love, make constant melody in my heart to the Lord! Lord, Thou hast taught me so to do in the midst of suffering, grief, temptation; because Thou restorest my soul, forgiving all mine iniquity, and thus healing all my diseases. Thou anointest my head with oil, and preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Art Thou King and Priest, thou Son of David?-so am I.

I charge thee, then, my soul, consider, and hold fellowship with thy Lord, the Prince of Peace. Be it thy business to wear the crown, and never put it off. Thou canst not be too bold in the faith. Triumph, thou, and shout! "The sting of death is sin; the strength of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Be content and glad to bear shame and spitting with Jesus-to war a good warfare-to deny thyself-to mortify the old man in all his members-and for thy new man to get daily strength in the fountain of the Lamb’s blood.

Watch thy lips, thine eye, thine ear; keep thyself pure for Him who is the Husband of His Church, and who rules her by His righteousness of blood, His peace, and manifold grace and love.

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; for Thy love is better than wine" (chap. 1, verse 2).

Thou "King of kings and Lord of lords," freely may we speak with Thee, for Thou art the Lamb that was slain-Thou art our Friend-our Beloved; Thy Church nestles in the bosom of Thy love. We are Thy bones and Thy flesh. In love eternal with tender pity dost Thou rejoice over us, and cleave to Thy Church, which is Thy body; many members are we, Lord; the body one. Thou sayest, in a manner, we are Thy very self.

Lord, Thy glory doth not confound us. Thou art our Great High Priest, bearing the iniquity of our holy things. Therefore, poor and needy, we draw near; and Thou dost sprinkle us with thine own blood, and raise us to yet greater and greater boldness of faith.

O my soul! The bolder, the humbler. Consider with whom thou speakest. He loves not to keep stately distance. The Son of Man, the Son of God is He; the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother": acquaintance with Him shall beget worship, reverence, confidence, love.

His heart yearns over thee, my soul; and He takes it well, and a kindness, that thou dost long after Him. He counts it the honour due unto His name, when thou dost with joy and love and all holy confidence cry out: "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth."

He forgets not that He is thy Husband. Art thou weary of all things but Him? Happy soul! This was light from Himself: He gave it thee. So is thine own darkness felt, and all things under the sun to thee are vanity.

Yet He has not spoiled thee of idols to leave thee portionless: He would fill thee with Himself.

Thou mayest command Him; thy weakness hath power and shall prevail: and if He seem not to answer for a while, or so much as give thee a good word or kind look, make sure of His truth and tender heart.

Hope against hope; in good time He, by the powers of the Paraclete, the Comforter, shall so fill and overwhelm thee with His love, that thou shalt find thy heart too narrow for the full tide of His kindness and consolation!

"Because of the savour of Thy good ointments, Thy name is as ointment poured forth" (chap i., verse 3).

Fragrant is the name of Jesus! This thou knowest, O, my soul! For He Himself put within thee His Holy Spirit, to testify of Him and to glorify Him. In thee will He dwell as in a temple-holy to the Lord-because His habitation.

His name is Immanuel-God with us. He is "the Child born, the Son given," "made of a woman." He stoopled low, in humiliation infinite, that He might be "God with us."

"The mighty God," unless "made flesh," could only have terrified the sons of Adam. Guilt seeks a hiding-place from God, not in God.

Now we behold the Babe, the Son of David, in the city of David; and there is the hiding of His dreadful power and consuming majesty-Immanuel and Jesus, whom His God and Father anointed to be a Priest for ever, a Prince and a Saviour!

He is "God with us," and can hide His whole Church in His own wounds; by His own offering of Himself He purged our sin, and perfected His Church for ever.

He is Immanuel for all of His, and for each one in particular-for thee, my soul-for thee, among the rest! He is wholly thine and thou art wholly His!

He bought thee, my soul; and, though now thou art but small and despised, He has it in His heart to fashion thy clay tabernacle, after the likeness of His own glorious body. Thou hast borne the image of the first and earthly Adam; thou shalt also bear the image of the heavenly.

His eye is now upon thee-thou art dear unto Him as the Father’s Gift, as His own kinsman-for he was partaker of flesh and blood, and now glorified, is still the Son of Man.

He sees also in thee of the travail of His soul; and shall not He, who gave thee life in His own blood, uphold and guide thee? Shall He not teach thee, and keep thee as the apple of His eye?

In very deed He performeth all things for thee daily. He marks thy weakness and weariness; He causes thee to rest; washing the feet of the spent traveller, and reviving thee with the fragrance of His name.

He stirs thee to seek Him; whispering in thine ear some good words of promise and invitation, and helping thee, in kindness, by some stroke of His rod; and then does He keep His truth-Harken, my soul: "I love them," saith He, "that love Me, and they that seek Me early shall find Me;" "If a man love Me, he shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself unto him;" "If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will pray the Father, and He shall send you another Comforter, who shall abide with you for ever."

Lord, Thy Spirit teacheth me all things, for He teacheth me the knowledge of my Lord; and where is wisdom, where is knowledge, but in Thee? That indwelling Comforter gives light, and rejoices the heart-wounding and healing-leading me to Thee by speaking of Thee-opening the Word, and causing me to see Thee in heaven and in earth, by night, by day, at home and abroad!

The mystery of Thy name, which is as ointment poured forth, He declares to me; and He searches all things to find fitting words and titles to show me Thy manifold grace, and love, and glory.

Thou hast allured me by the savour of Thy good ointments-and out of Egypt have I come. I hold on my homeward way, in the wilderness, content and happy, my every step ordered of my Lord.

O keep me abiding in Thy love, following hard after Thee; let me indeed be manifest-not to myself alone, but to Thy Church-that I am of the virgins that follow Thee: and to the world likewise, that I am of Israel, "the people that dwell alone, and are not reckoned among the nations."

"Draw me: we will run after Thee" (chap. 1, verse 4)

Lord Jesus! My soul longeth for Thee! Thy beloved, having one Spirit, is but one. Many the members-the body one. I join with all Thy Church, when, with one voice, out of weakness, she entreats Her Head, her Husband: "Draw me-we will run after Thee."

Thou, Lord, art my joy and heaven; and here in my pilgrimage I am a stranger and sojourner with Thee. My soul followeth hard after Thee, allured by Thy beauty and excellency, O Lord Jesus, who art altogether glorious, altogether lovely.

Grived and afflicted am I-this Thou knowest-but welcome tribulation and every storm, since Thou art my hiding-place and haven of rest.

In my earthly house of this tabernacle, I groan, being burdened; for being my Lord’s freeman, dead to that which held me once, and married to another, my soul makes loud complaint at any check or hindrance to my perfect liberty of communion with Thee.

Lord, Thou dost pity me in my sore distress because of sin that dwelleth in me. Thou dost commend Thy mourners who fight in the midst of defeat; who pray and faint not in the midst of fainting. Thine heart is moved, while from the height of Thy sanctuary and Thy glorious throne Thine eyes behold my warfare, and Thine ears attend to this my complaint: "Who shall deliver me?" Thou givest me to say: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." "With the mind I, myself, serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin."

O my Lord, "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty;" Thy Spirit testifies of Thee, teaching me, while my soul longeth for Thee, to eat Thy flesh and drink Thy blood; even to partake of Thee, the slain Lamb. O let me, then, be truly dead to the law, and alive to God, by Thee! So shall I delight in the law of the Lord, dwelling in Thy love, and walking in fellowship with the Father, and with Thee, the Son of His love-so shall I purge my conscience from guilt, and behave myself as a child-duteous, meek, and lowly before the Father, and as a brother, friend, and servant, a redeemed one, of my Lord and Saviour!

"The King hath brought me into His chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee; we will remember Thy love more than wine" (chap. 1., verse 4)

Surely, Lord, Thou art not slack concerning Thy promise. Do I cry, "Draw me?" Before I call, Thou dost answer, and while I am yet speaking Thou dost hear.

Thou hast subdued me to Thyself, O Thou King of Righteousness! Thy grace, great and rich, and the power of Thy love, bring the once rebel into willing subjection; and Thou dost open mine eyes to admire Thee, casting down high imaginations through Thine own glory. Thy throne is everlasting, Thou great and Royal High Priest! My Surety and Redeemer! Thou, seated far above all principality and power.

By Thine own blood hast Thou entered into the presence of God, and heaven is Thy temple not made with hands. There dost Thou ever live to make intercession; Son of Man, subject to the Father, and having all things under Thy feet. Immanuel upholds and governs what His own hands have created.

In Thy blood of redemption am I justified; Thou dost present me in Thyself. Forever am I accepted before God, Thyself my robe of righteousness.

My soul! How free and glorious thine access within the vail, whither Jesus, thy forerunner, is for thee entered, by the new and living way. His heart is toward thee and set upon thee; and daily is thy salvation His employ; a business and burden too great for any but Himself, yet light to the shoulders of His strength, and to His heart of love most sweet. He has received His kingdom for thee; and under His shadow thou art safe.

Thy "chambers," Lord Jesus, are both Thine and mine: in Thee, and with Thee, my soul dwells. Thou art now in the bosom of the Father, which Thou dost inhabit; and art the admiration of Thy saints that are with Thee, and elect angels around Thee; I see Thee now as through a glass, darkly; yet the first-fruits of the Spirit enable me, as it were, to join the family in heaven.

For a season, in bodily presence, I abide in the lower chamber of earth, but all my heart is with Thee, and mounts upward, climbing into the habitation of my Lord and place of His glory.

Thy peace and joy, O my Lord, make glad my heart, and I know Thy words are good words: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice:" "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as having nothing, yet possessing all things."

As I behold Thee, I delight in Thee, my chief joy. What things were gain to me, are now loss-"yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus my Lord." "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content;" only, Lord, I covet and crave and hunger and thirst for more of Thyself; that, while yet I am on the way homeward, I may, betimes, be skilled in the Songs of Zion, the songs of the eternal world to come.

"I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem; as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon" (chap. 1, verse 5).

Lord! I am Thine-and in Thy blood I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of Thy grace! The name Thou givest me is new and wondrous-a child of adoption and grace am I, and friend and brother of my Lord! By the light of Thy grace I see that in me strange opposites do meet-beauty and deformity; all things good, all things evil-all things lovely, all things hateful.

Once, alas! I was in mind and heart altogether at enmity with Thee, and hating Thy name with yet greater malice than I bore to God’s holy law: now I know what once I was, not only by memory of the past, but I see a law in my members warring against the law of my mind; and what is this law in my members but the enmity of the flesh bound in chains of grace.

As for this my former man, his name is Legion: he is one, yet many. Once I loved his abominations, caressed, admired them; and what conscience reproved, I could excuse, or hide, or justify. Now Thou hast given me a law of the mind, a new man, that sees and hates the old.

And yet can I or any creature search out all the depths of sin that dwelleth in me? Ah, no! But, Lord, I give Thee thanks that I was crucified with Thee, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that I might no longer serve sin.

Thou knowest, Lord, I hate with perfect hatred this host of inward foes; they rise up against Thee, and I count them both Thine enemies and mine.

Chiefly, Lord, I hate and dread the pride and spiritual wickedness of the fleish, its worship, faith, repentance, prayers, and praises.

Oh, succor me! And behold the oppressions and treacheries of these foes within the city, which would bring me into captivity. And Thou dost hear me; for Thou knowest Thy servant cannot endure a lukewarm heart nor a proud spirit; and in his hours of temptation Thou knowest his custom-he crieth aloud to Thee, and Thou dost sprinkle his heart with Thy blood, and loose his bonds by Thy peace.

Thou showest him the power of Thy resurrection, and givest him to know the fellowship of Thy sufferings; making him to hate and loathe the flesh, while he walks at liberty with Thee.

And, Lord, while to myself I take shame, yet I say with good conscience, "’Tis no more I, but sin that dwelleth in me." Moreover, as I ponder the cunning and power of the foe, I say, "By grace I am saved." Thou, Lord, makest me to differ; of the same lump was I with the vessels of wrath.

Lord, Thou art my keeper, and therefore I am not consumed; and I rejoice and triumph, because while every thought and motion of the flesh is worthy of the curse, yet am I accepted and glorious in Thyself, my robe; my beauty is perfect in Thee, and Thy Spirit dwells within me, having fashioned me after Thine own image.

Thou, the Holy One of Israel, callest me fair; the blackness of indwelling sin Thou hast no eyes to see. Lord, I will speak to the glory of Thy grace: "I am black, but comely-as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon."

"Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun has looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept" (chap. 1, verse 6).

The entrance of Thy words, my Lord and Saviour, giveth light; Thou art the Sun of Righteousness, and wherefore this? Because Thou art the Lamb of God, Thy blood speaks peace, purging the conscience.

To the mourner Thou sayest, "Be of good cheer," and for such as cast themselves at Thy feet, Thou hast looks of love, of pity, and condescension, which turn all sorrow into joy.

But, Lord, when Thou lookest upon me, I see and hate all within me which is mine. Thy work within me is good and lovely; but the flesh I loathe, with all its deeds, be they foul or fair.

My soul is self-abased as Thou shinest upon me-my faith knows nothing, boasts in nothing, but the Cross of my Lord.

The offence of the cross has not ceased; no sooner did I know Thee, and confess Thee, than I became a stranger to the sons of Hagar, who genders only to bondage, whose child I was by nature.

Thy love drew me aside from the path of the worldling, whether wicked or devout; I became an offense to those I forsook, even those of my own flesh and blood.

And wherefore were they angry? Because in taking up my cross I became witness against them by my boasting only in Thee, and counting all who are of the works of the law to be under the curse.

Thou knowest, Lord, their revilings were loud and bitter; their tongue was like a sharp sword; but Thou wast with me and I said, "Let them curse, my Lord hath bidden them."

Reviled, I reviled not again; I was dumb, because Thou didst it. They moved me not to anger; my bowels yearn over them; I besought Thee to forgive them; taught of Thee, I returned blessing for cursing; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

They thought to turn me away from following after Thee, but Thou makest the wrath of man to praise Thee; they did but drive me to Thee for wisdom and strength, for grace, peace, and joy.

They, walking in their own pride, would be their own keepers, and would have me also abide with them who are of the works of the law; but, Lord, my heart cries out, "Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe;" lead me, teach me to go, taking me by the arms; compass me about with Thy grace and glory; be a wall of fire round about me; gather me in Thine arms; in time of my sorrow carry me in Thy bosom, and let Thy cross be my boast and song all the day.

In very deed all this Thou performest for me tenderly and faithfully. I know my safety; and this causes me to delight in Thee, and to cleave still more steadfastly to Thee, counting all things but loss that I may win Thee.

"Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest: where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" ( chap. 1, verse 7).

Lord Jesus, my soul loveth Thee! My heart locks Thee within it, as its precious jewel, and rejoices in Thee as those that find great spoil. Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love Thee.

The flesh lusteth against the Spirit! The Canaanite yet in the land-the foe that I would slay and utterly destroy, but cannot; Thou, Lord, Thyself, beholding the war, art moved with compassion, and sayest, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

I am bold to say, I love Thee, Thou gracious, glorious, and lovely One! And Thou, hearing me, dost approve my words. Thou art my portion, O Lord, and gladly will I lack anything to gain Thee.

My thirsty soul desires no fountain but Thyself, and is full of longing to drink yet more abundantly.

She crieth out for Thy pasture, O Thou Shepherd of Israel! who hast infinite love towards all and each of Thine: Thy blood was their ransom, and Thou sittest upon Thy throne a Royal Shepherd.

Those that are departed to be with Thee abide in the light of Thy countenance; no shades of ignorance nor guilt hide from them Thy face.

Thou carest for us also, Thy flock in the wilderness. Thou art unto us a shadow from the heat, the shadow of a great rock in this weary land.

All our case is before Thee; to ourselves but little known-to Thee naked and open-and great is our peace, perfect our safety.

Thy power defends, Thy wisdom guides Thy flock; thou leadest them beside still waters, and makest them to lie down in green pastures.

Truly this world is altogether a barren wilderness and a dry land. Alas! Then, my foolishness, that I should ever hew out to myself any broken cisterns! Oh! Why turnest thou aside, my heart? Wherefore stray from the pastures of Jesus?

Lord, I call to mind my ways and am filled with indignation against myself, and commit myself afresh to Thy guidance.

O let me not be as one that turneth aside while Thy people follow Thee, hearing Thy voice, drinking the wine of Thy love! They are Thy companions; for is not she Thy companion who is Thy sister, Thy spouse, Thy fair one, Thy dove, Thy undefiled!

Thou dost grant her freest access to Thee, happiest friendship with Thee, closest fellowship of the Spirit, such as angels admire, and, standing by, rejoice to behold.

Then hear me, O my Lord, tell me where, in this noontide and fierce heat, Thou dost refresh Thy flock! Through temptations manifold, through persecutions and afflictions, I will seek Thee.

Thy grace upholding me, I will tread any path where first I see the print of Thy feet, for great is the prize I aim to win-it is Thyself! And losing all, but having Thee, I am rich, possessing all things.

"If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents" (chap 1, verse 8).

Thine heart, O my Lord! inclines Thine ear to hear. Thou hast compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.

Thou knewest no darkness of error; Thou wast holy, and art the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Thou art our near kinsman; Thy love and grace made Thee stoop; Thou wast made flesh, and art the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Thou lovest to show us the bosom of the Father, all whose counsels are in Thee fulfilled, and whose utmost glory is manifest in Thee.

Thou art my Prophet, thou Lamb of God! I love to learn, because of the lesson, and because of the Teacher. Lord, my soul hangeth upon Thy lips; I cannot know my path but by Thy light, nor pursue my way but as Thou dost sustain my feebleness and check my wandering.

My need compels me, Thy love constrains me, therefore I draw near; I boast no wisdom; I confess my foolishness, and Thou upbraidest me now; rather dost Thou commend me, for by my poverty Thy riches are manifest, and Thou delightest to show me all the lovingkindness of Thine heart.

Behold me, Lord! The work of Thine hands-not Thy creature only, Thy new creature also, quickened when dead in trespass and sins, without will or power to take hold of Thee, to look unto Thee, or to touch even the hem of Thy garment.

Now, by Thy Spirit quickened and created anew, behold me, wrought by Thyself after Thine own image. Forsake not, then, the work of Thine own hands! Thou wilt not leave me; Thine eyes look with joyfulness upon me, as with a heart above a mother’s; Thou, abiding in Thine own peace, dost consider me, and watchest over me with tenderness divine.

Thou dost in equal truth and love entitle Thy sister-spouse the fairest among women; each member fair and lovely in Thy sight, and I, among the rest, can say: "Though black, I am comely." But, "Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest." I know Thou hearest me; what then is Thine answer? Hear it, O my soul; thy Lord, thy Beloved, bids thee go thy way by the footsteps of the flock.

Hast thou dreamed a dream of a bed of roses and path of flowers? Through much tribulation must thou enter the kingdom. Start not aside; see the footprints of thy Lord.

Such was His cup as only He Himself could drink and drain, full of gall and wormwood of thy sin and curse: and now, thou art forever free.

He, for thee, was taken from prison and from judgment; He, for thee, stood surety. Be of good courage, shout aloud: "I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Cry aloud the cry of faith: "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

Thy case, my soul, stands not alone; the same afflictions have been accomplished at all times in each member of Christ. Of old was it said: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous;" "The Lord trieth the righteous." In this present time of peace-when persecutors are held in with bit and bridle, so that the earth is not drunk with the blood of the saints-even now, go join thyself to the flock, draw near the shepherds’ tents; thou wilt see the poor and afflicted people still poor and afflicted, though rich and blessed, for they trust in the name of the Lord.

And, indeed, thou lovest the temple and dwelling-place of Jesus, which is His body, the Church; He entered and sits there upon His throne, high and lifted up, and is the glory in the midst. There He shines forth, not confounding us, but giving light and life to all; all eyes wait upon Him, and He satisfies us from His fullness.

My soul, consider thy profit and blessedness in dwelling by the shepherds’ tents, for it is thine both to hear in the Church, and, in fitting time, to speak. Seek humility from thy Lord, and thou shalt be able both to learn and teach, to give and receive, to weep with them that weep, and to rejoice with them that do rejoice. So wilt thou sweetly beguile the time until thy brief course be fulfilled, and shalt daily grow up into Christ, thy Head in all things.

"I have compared Thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots" ( chap 1, verse 9).

Lord, thou knowest my custom to consider Thee, and meditate Thy triumphs in my behalf. I hear Thee sayings: "I am He that liveth, and was dead, and am alive for evermore." I call to mind that by Thy own blood Thou hast perfected me forever, having spoiled principalities and powers of darkness; that by the same blood Thou wast raised from the dead, and art seated in glory a Prince and a Saviour, for Thy blood did speak, saying: "Lift up your heads, O ye gates," and all the perfections of Jehovah opened wide the everlasting doors.

Moreover, while Thy Spirit draws me near to Thee, and I say: "My Beloved is mine, and I am His," in the multitude of such thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul, and I long to depart and be with Thee. To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain; for to depart and be with Christ is far better, in the balances of my love and admiration of Thee, than to abide on earth.

But patience and submission whisper in mine ear that waiting my Lord’s time is His will, and best for His glory. I know, Lord, Thou dost commend my longing, as also my patient waiting-both Thine own work within me.

Thou dost gird me for the battle; Thy Church can fight the good fight of faith. Thou givest Thy Spirit’s power to the "company of Thy horses;" they paw in the valley, rejoicing in their strength, and are more than conquerors. We are both Thy soldiers and Thy chariots; Thou dost fight in us and for us, that we may fight for Thee. Lord, teach me but my weakness and Thy strength, and I triumph in the fiercest heat of battle! If sore afflicted, and beset with hosts without and hosts within, though thousands encamp against me, yet will I not fear-though war rises against me, yet in this warfare will I be confident: for, Lord, I cannot be too bold if I but cast aside all weapons of the flesh and every piece of the armour of Saul; content with my staff, which is Thy righteousness and strength-with my stone of the promise in the sling of faith.

O teach me, Lord, to be ever obedient to bit and bridle: turn and wind me at Thy pleasure, and at all times, and in all things, triumph Thou by me, Thou King of Righteousness and King of Peace.

With mine eye fixed on my Captain, I find nothing too hard for me. I rest in Thee, Lord Jesus, and rejoice to suffer with Thee, knowing that I shall also reign with Thee. My wounds are for Thy binding up, and are only gain to me, for by them I better know what manner of love is Thine-what Physician art Thou, my Lord and my God.

"Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels; thy neck with chains of gold" ( chap. 1, verse 10).

Thou, Lord, art wise in heart and tender! Thou knowest, in this our ceaseless warfare, our weakness, our drooping and fainting; and art skilful to encourage our hearts and revive our spirit.

The adversary’s fiery darts are sharp and dreadful; his power is great, and His cunning deep in stirring the filth of the flesh. Thou canst, without him, reveal to us all foul things and abominations of the chambers of imagery.

The battle is sore, and needs one exercised and by use expert to hold the shield and handle sword and spear, to stand and hold on to fight.

Lord, Thine eye is upon us! And while we see and feel the flesh and its motions, Thou dost behold Thy Church’s beauty. Glorious her clothing! For in Thee, her Husband, is she made the righteousness of God.

Our debt became Thine. Thou, the Son of God, made under the law, was made a curse for us, to be the end of the law for righteousness to every on that believeth.

Thy beauty and Thy glory, Thou mighty God and Prince of Peace! Are upon Thy Church, and upon me, who boast of Thy grace as one of Thy redeemed. Thy spouse is of fair countenance; for though once cast out to the loathing of her person, and from the womb foul and hateful, Thou hast washed her, and wrought and fashioned her anew; so that now Thine eyes rest for ever upon her comeliness, her "rows of jewels and her chains of gold."

Thou dost always sever the precious form the vile. We may confound the flesh with the Spirit; not so Thou. How great soever the deformity of the flesh, Thou canst not forget that we love Thee and delight in Thee whom man rejects, whom the nations despise and abhor.

O, my soul! Thy Lord calleth thee Hephzibah, for He delighteth in thee, rejoiceth over thee; He admires Thee, folds thee to His bosom, holding thee up for the admiration of elect angels, who see His masterpiece in His Church.

Be thou of good courage, for thou art come to excellent ornaments; let His praise embolden thee and make thee strong and patient for battle. Only be a "worm" and "thou shalt thresh the mountains;" so shalt thou please Him who bought thee with his blood and chose thee to be a soldier, and who is glorified by the much increase of thy faith and love.

For what thou hast of the fruit of the Spirit, be thankful. Yet count not thou hast attained anything; but while thy gratitude owns the gift already bestowed, turn not aside from Jesus, nor boast in anything, save Christ and Him crucified. O, my soul! Be thou ever growing up into Him in all things.

"We will make Thee borders of gold with studs of silver" (chap. 1, 11).

Thou, Lord, art our portion, and we are Thine! Thou art a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty unto us; and we, in turn, are these to Thee. Lord, not unto us, not unto us, but to Thy name, give glory. What Thou art to us (and Thou art our all), that Thou madest Thyself: for Thou gavest Thyself for us, and also to us: it was Thy own will to become our Brother and our slain Lamb. But did we of our own will yield ourselves to Thee? Ah, no! Thy grace we hated; Thy very cross and blood, which is our life, was an offence to us.

We hated the holy law of God, and yet more spitefully did we reject the gospel! By Thy word the dead were raised and quickened-our enmity was slain by the blood of sprinkling-and by Thy wisdom to win souls, we, Thine enemies, we reconciled.

Now, therefore, our shout of joy is: Grace! Grace! And all its glory, be ascribed to Thee, our sure Foundation, Head of the Corner! Thou art the Son of God, the giver, the object and the pattern of faith, working in us by the Spirit, both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure.

Behold, then, our heart’s desire! Are we made alive by Thee, by the blood of Thy cross? Are we crucified with Thee and risen with Thee? We would live to Thee, since we live by Thee: we would be the girdle which Thou causest to cleave to Thee for glory and for beauty-Thy jewels by Thine own hand shaped and polished!

O let our eye be single-let it ever suffice us for honour, that we serve the Lord Christ! In the fires we will glorify Thee, and take pleasure in necessities, distresses, for Thy sake; saying, in the midst of sorrow and tears, that every bitter cup is sweet, since Thou in love dost mix it, and since in patient endurance we are conformed to Thine image.

If Thou sittest by the furnace, though no eye but Thine be upon us, we are content. O Thou Brother born for adversity! Who canst succor the tempted, who never forsakest Thy Church! At Thy feet we cast ourselves, with our burdens. There with our ignorance we sit and wait for the grace of Thy lips, and would be sweetly nothing that we may delight in Thee, and admire and exalt Thee, Lord, alone! So shall we, Thy Spirit’s workmanship, be ever wearing the garment of humility; our oneness with Thee its golden brother; the life-giving death its studs of silver; and by Thy glory and ornament of grace, even as Thou art our diadem of beauty and crown of glory.

Lord, our desire is before Thee-our aim a grateful offering! Nor vow nor covenant can we make, for all our strength is gone; but our hungering and thirsting are Thy good work; do Thou, who gavest the desire, Thyself fulfil it.

"While the King sitteth at His table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof" (chap. 1, verse 12).

Happy Spirits! Ye who banquet above with Jesus, we give you joy! Your joy is ours, and our sweet comfort when ye quit our company, departing to be with Christ; we also see our Lord’s chariot, sent to bear us home, as it were at our very door! ‘Tis but an hour or two of waiting; if He come not to receive us to Himself He will compose our body of humiliation to sleep; and pleasant our bed in the grave, while our spirits mount aloft, to join the Lamb and the ransomed above.

Thou, Lord, hast proved me by taking to Thyself many a lover and friend; but Thou preparest for me a table in the wildnerness, Thou anointest me head with oil, my cup runneth over.

In the presence of mine enemies, my Lord will have me sit down with Him at His table. Many are they which rise up against me; they would cut me off from meeting with my Lord: in His presence, and at His table, I am more than conqueror.

While by the power of my Lord I keep me there, that evil one toucheth me not. My foolishness and my guiltiness are as a quiver full of sharp arrows in the hand of mine enemy. Pride, unbelief, ignorance, are his sword and spear: my faith cries out, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin," and the victory is mine. I deny not my debt, but flee to Thee-to Thee, my Lord and Surety! And behold the bond of the Law, the handwriting that was against me, nailed to the cross. In Thee my great strength lies; and, as I hear Thy voice of invitation, of entreaty, Thy voice of power and love, the cords of mine enemies are as green withes-an host flees before me-before the presence of my Lord! My apparel, I see, is meet for His banqueting house and table-the robe of righteousness; the garments of salvation! I am melted and self-abased as I enter and sit down. Thou, Lord, dost gird Thyself and serve me! Thy flesh is meat indeed, Thy blood is drink indeed; and Thou fillest my soul with joy unpseakable and full of glory! Access to Thee, my Lord, emboldens me; for Thou hast all to give, and no heart to withhold aught that is good-and Thou art well pleased with my confidence. Thou holdest forth the golden scepter, and sayest, What is Thy request? I answer, "Lord, that I may behold Thy beauty, sit at Thy feet, and banquet with Thee." So shall my lowly, contrite spirit be spikenard, fragrant and precious to my Lord.

"A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me: He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts" (chap. 1, verse 13).

My Soul! Is the night season wearisome! Art thou like a sick man, full of tossings to and fro, because of sin that dwelleth in thee, and because of longing to behold thy Lord face to face?

Thou art not of the night nor of darkness, but of the children of light and of the day; and made meet to be partaker of their inheritance. Be content awhile, my soul-let thy longing be tempered with patience-remember that wert thou this moment with Jesus thou wouldest still be longing for His glorious appearing and the gathering of the Church, His brethren and thine unto Him!

The darkness of guilt would indeed be utterly removed from thee didst thou quit thy house of clay; but the mystery of God would not be finished-thou wouldest still be looking for the manifestation of the sons of God, their appearing with the Lord in glory.

He knoweth the thoughts of His heart towards thee, and means thee nothing but kindness-the kindness of eternal love and wisdom infinite! Trust Him, then-fight the good fight of faith, and count not thy life dear to thee, if only Thou mayest finish thy course with joy-be jealous of thy Lord’s good name-grieve not His Spirit-keep thy heart and conscience clean and pure by the blood of sprinkling, and as thou dost daily listen to the voice of thy beloved Lord, and do His will, He will surely make thy heart glad with His words.

He will abide in thee and cause thee to abide in His love; if He prove thee with manifold temptations for a season, as thou needest, He will cause thee to rejoice and glory in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon thee.

Nor shall thy joy be carnal, or thy boasting presumptuous! For thy shout of triumph shall proceed from a humble, contrite spirit, and the steadfastness of faith.

Thou shalt worship within the vail with Jesus, thy Forerunner and Royal High Priest; and, holding the balances of faith, shalt call afflictions light, because thou dost weigh them against things eternal and unseen: so shall thou cheer thy heart and beguile the night watches, thy Lord giving thee songs in the darkness.

And these things thou knowest, not by hearing of the ear alone; thou hast tasted and handled them; but count not thyself to have already attained any thing, nor esteem thyself already perfect-it shall be thy wisdom and perfection, if, forgetting the things that are behind, thou reach after things before thee, and press toward the mark for the prize; that thou mayest know thy Lord Jesus, whose love passeth knowledge and whose riches are unsearchable.

"My Beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi" (chap. 1, verse 14).

In this wilderness, O my Lord! Thou hast planted Thy vineyard-the Church, for Thy name, and Thou hast fenced it and enclosed it; Thy glory is round about us. We have walls of salvation which all our enemies cannot overthrow.

O glorious security! Shining forth in the midst of the adversary’s fury and mischief and cunning!

What thanks worthy of the benefit canst thou render, O my soul! Because of thy safety, in the midst of manifold dangers, within the fence of thy Lord’s grace and power.

Those above-dismissed from battle-do they boast any other keeper than Jesus, who is thy boast? If left by Him, they would unassaulted fall, and sink into destruction: now they stand in the Son of God, the Shepherd of Israel; and thou, my soul, dost stand in Him, and by Him prevail over thine enemies!

He not only maketh thee safe, but showeth thee also thy safety. Thank Him for faith-thank Him again for assurance of heart before Him! He has separated thee unto Himself, and would have thee dwell alone while in the midst of His enemies.

Seek, then, no rest nor abiding city here, but retreat into the bosom of Jesus; there lodge and rest.

Lord! I know it is Thy will and joy that so I should do; and since Thou hast given me Thy Spirit, and taught me to walk in the Spirit, my soul counts all things but Thyself as the small dust of the balance.

Man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: I marvel at the grave folly of the wise, and the childish strife of the great ones of the earth. My heart pities them, prays for them; for I know they are but as hewers of wood and drawers of water to the congregation of the Lord. They sink into brutes, while they would be as gods.

O Lord, I leave them their portion in this world, and fine my rest and peace in Thee! O teach me to sit at Thy feet, and keep me there! Let me dread the proud look, and every high thought; ever let Thy mind be in me.

Thou didst humble Thyself out of love; and in Thy grace, being rich in Thy Godhead, Thou becamest poor. And shall not I sink with Thee? Lord, open to me Thine humiliation and poverty; Thy low estate, when Thou was a "worm and no man," and let me be fashioned after Thine image, as I behold Thy stoop of love; so shall my heart be contrite, my spirit meek and lowly, and Thou shalt be unto me daily a cluster of camphire, that revives the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite!

"Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair: thou hast doves’ eyes" (chap 1, verse 15).

What though the law in my members be vile and corrupt? Thou, Lord dost teach me to hate the evil I do, and love the good I do not. Thou dost sprinkle me with Thy blood, and purge my conscience from dead works; and I can say before Thee, who knowest all things, it is no more I, but sin that dwelleth in me. Sweet is my liberty, and holy and good, notwithstanding the flesh within me.

Mine outcry, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver?" betokens my freedom-slaves bend the knee and flatter; freemen fill their land with complaints upon a bare word of tyrrany and while oppression is yet far off.

Lord, I comfort myself with double comfort. I say within me, Consider, my soul, how that in thy weakness thy Lord’s glory is manifest, His strength made perfect! In this I rejoice! Yea, and will rejoice.

Moreover, my soul, know thou the day makes haste to come when that which is in part shall be done away; this body of death is not for ever; but the workmanship of the Spirit of Christ shall endure for ever; for "The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and the days of the mourning shall be ended."

O my soul! In the first man, Adam, thou wast, with him, earthly, sensual, and devilish-in the Second Man, the Lord from Heaven, thou art quickened and justified, and body and spirit shall be made like Him, free of infirmity and all pollution; thy conscience shall be ever pure-thine affections only love-thy body, once a house of clay, shall be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Thy Lord, and all thy members, once instruments of unrighteousness, shall for ever be the instruments of love; they whole understanding, wondrously enlarged, shall know the riches of Christ, thy Lord, to be unsearchable!

O my Lord! while yet at home in the body I long after the deep humbleness of mind which shall beautify and be the holiness of thy glorified Church!

Thou canst look on me as if I were already glorified with Thee. Thy love moves Thee to say, "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair: Thou hast doves’ eyes."

Lord! Thy words are strong wine; Thy mouth is most sweet; Thy commendation stirs my desire! Lord! Humble would I be, having doves’ eyes of meekness and lowliness! O give me what I seek! And reveal Thyself yet more, and yet more abundantly, to my sanctified soul!

"Behold, thou art fair, my beloved; yea, pleasant: also our bed is green" (chap. 1, verse 16).

It moves my joy, sobered with sadness and grief for sin, to hear Thee, my Lord, commending what Thou seest in me. Thy work and Thy resemblance within me, I know, is lovely. O give me wisely to hear Thy word of praise! Let me try my ways by Thine, and I shall be yet more vile in my own sight, and yet more sweetly occupied with Thee!

Thou, Lord Jesus! Dost fix Thine eyes upon me, that mine may be ever set on Thee, who gavest Thyself for me, and also unto me, and art my light and my salvation, my portion and my joy.

Thou seest Thyself in me. Wert Thou not Jehovah my Righteousness, justifying and washing me in Thy blood, I should for ever have dwelt in the shadow of death, and loved my filthiness: therefore it is but reason that Thou shouldest call me fair and pleasant, since in me Thou seest Thine own image.

Thou art my surety; I was crucified with Thee, and made to sit together with my Lord in heavenly places.

This earth was Thy field of labour; in heaven Thou dost rest, having finished the work the Father gave Thee to do. Having suffered first Thou hast entered into Thy glory, which is ever new, and cannot fade-Thy bed is green! Thou art full of joy with the Father’s countenance, and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore.

I rejoice because all things the Father hath are Thine, and I am joint heir with Thee. Therefore Thou sayest, "Our" bed; the glory given Thee Thou hast given me!

I follow on to know the power of Thy resurrection and the fellowship of Thy sufferings. In Thee and with Thee my souls rests, ceasing from my own works; and dead to the law, I live; yet not I, but my Lord liveth in me; and thus to die daily is my work.

Herein do I exercise myself, knowing that sin takes occasion by that old husband, which held me in bonds; and that no fruit could I have brought forth but only the wild grape and dead works of the flesh, unless I had been dead to the law by the body of my Lord.

O teach me, then, to watch, and stand fast in Thee! Sprinkle me with Thy blood! Let me ever abide at Thy cross and triumph in the power of Thy resurrection, sitting down and resting with Thee in heavenly places! So shall I set foot on the neck of all enemies; so shall I keep myself pleasant to Thee, and that wicked one shall not touch me. I shall be for my Lord-my Beloved-and none shall divide my heart with Him!

"The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir" (chap. 1, verse 17).

The everlasting covenant standeth fast with Jesus my Lord. With Him, and with me in Him, is it made. A sure house, according to the promise, is built for us. My Lord is the Son of God, by the word of His power upholding all things which by Him at the first were made.

Of Him-the mighty God-the Word made flesh, was it said, "Behold my Servant, whom I uphold; mine Elect, in whom my soul delighteth: He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, until He have set judgment in the earth."

He could say, "I live by the Father;" and again, "The Father is greater than I;" because the brethren partook of flesh and blood, He likewise partook of the same.

O my soul! Thou dost join with the angels to worship the Son of God; but far above angels’ worship is thy song of triumph and faith!

Thy Lord and God calleth thee brother and kinsman, and is not ashamed! And this thy faith credits, delighting itself in a sea of eternal love and manifold grace! Art thou upheld? So is thy Brother that was born for thy adversity.

His throne and crown are made sure to Him by the oath and promise of God: "The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec;" "Once have I sworn by My holiness; I will not lie unto David: his seed shall endure for ever." A sure house is built for Him, and also for me: as the Lord is loved, so am I-"Thou hast loved them as Thou hast loved me."

And this, my Lord, Thou speakest, that I and all saints might have Thy joy fulfilled in us. In this Thy own heart is glad.

And now Thou wouldest stir up my soul to remembrance of the sure dwelling-place wherein Thou and I, with all Thy brethren, rest.

Thy glorious power and majesty are verily our beams of cedar and our rafters of fir.

I know it, O my Lord, my heart hath seen an end of all perfection. All things under the sun are vanity and corruption; but I look above, and see Thee gloriously exalted; having a throne and kingdom, by the gift of the Father, which can never be moved.

Daily Thou dost say to Thine, "Peace be to ye;" and as my faith harkens to Thy voice, I worship within the vail by the blood of sprinkling.

New wonders come to view shining forth from Thy perfection of beauty. I know that my inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and such as cannot fade away-laid up in heaven for me; and, Lord, Thou, who knowest all things, knowest that where my treasure is, there my heart is also.

Lord, show me daily the glorious foundations of Thy throne; and as my faith shall gain strength, so shall hope thrive-love wax fervent-and shall triumph over the powers of darkness, and this present evil world; so shall I behave myself according to my high calling-a stranger and a sojourner, whose shifting tent is here, whose sure dwelling is above!