Song of Solomon 2
SIBCHRIST. Ver. I. I am indeed glorious in my person as God-man, and in my mediatorial relations, estates, and works; and am infinitely comely, refreshing, and medicinal, to every believing soul
Song of Solomon 2:2
And, partaking of my comeliness, righteousness, and grace, thou, my church, art incomparably more excellent and useful than all the societies; and ye, my people, than all the persons on earth. BELIEVERS
Song of Solomon 2:3
But infinitely more my beloved Jesus excels angels and men in every thing gracious, glorious, and operative. Often have I, under the covert of his righteousness, love, power, and providence, fearless of danger from heaven, earth, or hell, believingly viewed, admired, and applied to my soul, his person, offices, and relations, with all the pardon, peace, acceptance, adoption, sanctification, comfort, and endless glory, which flow therefrom!
Song of Solomon 2:4
Powerfully has he admitted me to partake of his fulness, in the most ravishing manner in his word and ordinance. And the manifestations of his love have effectually protected me from enemies, and encouraged and animated me to my spiritual work and warfare
Song of Solomon 2:5
Ye ministers and fellow professors, often have I needed your sympathy, direction, and comfort, under my sad perplexity and desertion. But oh, if you could now help me to bear up under these ravishing discoveries and communications of Jesus’ love! O for further and unspeakably more enlarged enjoyment of him, to strengthen me for supporting under, and improving, what I have!
Song of Solomon 2:6
But why do I ask your assistance? While I enjoy the safe, the delightful, and intimate, embraces of an incarnate God, and have the secrets of his covenant imparted to my soul, his promise, power, and grace, marvellously uphold, delight, and invigorate, my heart
Song of Solomon 2:7
I therefore charge you, my fellow professors, by every thing kind, pleasant, or delightful, that ye disturb not my fellowship with him, nor do, nor cause me to do, any thing which may provoke him to withdraw this sensible visit of his love
Song of Solomon 2:8
Lo! though he had withdrawn, yet I now hear his voice, in the ministry of his word and motions of his Spirit. Behold, he comes removing and triumphing over every hindrance of my fellowship with him!
Song of Solomon 2:9
Behold, in the most lively, lovely, and affectionate manner, he comes forward in the influences of his grace, and unto 4 actual assumption of our nature! Behold he, the substance of all our ceremonies, manifests his glorious and gracious excellencies through them, and vouchsafes some obscure and transient glimpses of himself in every ordinance!
Song of Solomon 2:10
In what a heart-melting manner he said to my soul, Rouse up thyself from thy partial deadness, sloth, and security, and disentangle thyself more fully from the snares of the world and thy own lusts. Exercise thy faith in the most active, bold, and assured, degree, in partaking of the most delightful fellowship with me: 11. For all impediments, arising from the wrath of God, the guilt or dominion of sin, or from terrible troubles, are now removed
Song of Solomon 2:12-14
Now are come the days of power, and times of love, in which the dispensations of the gospel are attended with almighty influence, and multitudes are, to their everlasting joy and comfort, converted to me, and rendered fruitful in good works. Arise, therefore, my poor, meek, chaste, but often persecuted, bride; let no despondency, no sense of thy unworthiness, deter thee from approaching my presence in prayer and other holy duties; for both thy person and services are accepted by me, and are inexpressibly amiable in my sight
Song of Solomon 2:15
And, while ecclesiastical rulers take pains, both by doctrine and discipline, to free my church from false teachers, even those who have but begun to vent their errors and irregularities, as they greatly mar her purity, peace, order, and beauty, and are especially apt to mislead weak believers, let every one be careful to search out, and mortify his own inward lusts, as these, if indulged, exceedingly mar the work of grace in their hearts
Song of Solomon 2:16
This kind inviter is my glorious Husband and Mediator, given of God to, and accepted by, me; and I am his, by the Father’s donation, his own purchase and conquest, and by my surrender of myself to him. And O the infinite delight he takes in his people, and to converse with them in his ordinances!
Song of Solomon 2:17
Till the gospel day, in its pleasant light and powerful influence, break, and the shadows of Jewish ceremonies flee away; nay, till the day of perfect glory dawn, and all the shadows of desertion, temptation, and trouble, are fled; do thou, blessed Jesus, often surprise me with the discoveries of thy glory and communications of thy grace, notwithstanding whatever hindrances, guilt, and wickedness, are found with me
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—O the unbounded glory and infinite usefulness of Jesus Christ, and the glory and usefulness of his people as connected with him! What must be the immediate enjoyment of God and the Lamb, when the imperfect and mediate enjoyment on earth is sometimes so transporting? Devoted for ever be that heart which would change one hour’s fellowship with Christ for all the pleasures, honours, and riches, on earth. Tenderly should it be managed, and carefully improved and maintained. A small thing may interrupt it; and with the greatest reluctance and grief should the believing soul mourn over its want. Strong as death must be the love of our Redeemer, which makes him come to his people over every mountain of distance, darkness, wrath, provocation, and pollution. How earnest and affecting are his invitations to familiar intercourse with himself! And what a change in the world is made by his oracles, ordinances, and influence! But wicked ministers in a church, and carnal lusts in a heart, are our greatest plagues, and should be carefully 79 87 removed. And the assured faith of our relation to Christ will make us effectually to long and cry for frequent and familiar fellowship with him