Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5:1

At thy request, believing soul, I vouchsafe my special presence in my church and ordinances. I have, with pleasure, observed the lively preaching and cordial application of my precious and soul-nourishing truths. I have particularly observed and accepted the graces and services of my people. Let them also feast abundantly on my gospel provision, and take the comfort of their graces and works, as evidences of their election and eternal salvation. BELIEVERS

Song of Solomon 5:2

Alas! the dull and lukewarm frame in which Jesus often finds his churches when he comes to bless them! And how slothful and secure my inward corruption had made me, even while my renewed part endeavoured to hear and entertain him! Amidst much deadness and unconcern, I felt some impressions made upon my heart by his word, Spirit, and rod; while he, in the kindest manner, besought me to exercise my faith and love, and to remove whatever hindered his most intimate approaches, as he was closely related to me, had suffered much for me and from me, had waited long for my opening to him, and was much grieved with my neglect of him!

Song of Solomon 5:3

In the most pitiful manner I evaded compliance with his kind invitations, as a thing I was not at present fitted for, and which I could not do without crossing my corrupt inclinations and troubling my flesh

Song of Solomon 5:4

By the immediate power of his Spirit, Jesus touched my heart through his word, and kindly stirred up my affections to a concern for my former slighting of him, and to an earnest desire after his presence

Song of Solomon 5:5

Repenting of my former stupidity and indifference, and actuated by his influence, I prepared myself to entertain his visit: my faith, and other graces, put themselves into actual and vigorous motion, for the removal of everything that tended to hinder his access to my soul

Song of Solomon 5:6

Notwithstanding my vigorous actings of faith upon his self-giving promises, and panting desires after him, I did not obtain any sensible manifestations of his presence. My heart was then filled with pain, grief, and shame at the remembrance of his slighted invitation. I carefully attended his ordinances, public and private, in order to seek and find him; but met with nothing but frowns and disappointments

Song of Solomon 5:7

When ministers touched my case in their discourses, they but razed my hopes and increased my anguish: by their harsh reproofs, ealumnies, and persecutions, they wounded and distressed my soul. They, whose duty it is to prevent every thing tending to disturb the peace and estimation of the church, questioned the truth of my profession, and charged me with the vilest hypocrisy

Song of Solomon 5:8

O, my fellow professors, I beg and charge you, that if this my Lord Jesus allow you any sensible intimacy with himself, you will represent to him the distressed case of my soul, and entreat him speedily to visit me, who earnestly desire him, and am at the point of death for want of his sensible presence. DAUGHTERS

Song of Solomon 5:9

Distressed, but precious and lovely, saint, what means this so solemn charge? What singular and transcendent excellency is in this Jesus, the beloved of thy heart? BELIEVERS

Song of Solomon 5:10

Boundless and incomparable is his excellency! A glorious Godhead and a suffering manhood, a holiness of heart and life and a bloody suffering, a glorious exaltation and a humbled debasement, mercy towards his people and vengeance against his enemies, concur to render him in every respect a miracle of beauty! He is infinitely more dignified, kind, rich, and glorious, than all the ten thousands of created beings in heaven and in earth; and, as the great standard-bearer, he goes forth, attended by angels and saints conquering and to conquer

Song of Solomon 5:11

In his divine nature, and as he is the Head of government and influence to his people, he is pure, precious, substantial, glorious, useful, enriching, and unchangeable! Lasting and immutable is his comeliness. Beautiful, mysterious, and majestic, are his well connected purposes and providences! And ever fresh and comely those societies of saints which are rooted and grounded in him!

Song of Solomon 5:12

Pure, penetrating, pleasant, beautiful, and comforting, is his all-seeing knowledge, and his tender pity and care!

Song of Solomon 5:13

Delightful the manifestations of his love, glory, and grace! His words are gracious and comfortable, continually refreshing, quickening, and supporting, to the souls of his people!

Song of Solomon 5:14

Perfect, glorious, and lasting, and all managed with infinite skill, are his munificent liberality, almighty power, and marvellous works, particularly of grace! Sincere, lasting, and wisely ordered, for the good of his people, are his secret purposes of love, his tender bowels of mercy and compassion, and his sympathizing intercession

Song of Solomon 5:15

Sufficient and wisely exerted are his strength and power to bear or act in the work of our redemption! Skilfully contrived, and firmly fixed on the precious and durable foundations of his grace, are the dispensations of his providence! Elevated, stately, and pleasant, always verdant and refreshing, is the full manifestation of him in all his excellencies!

Song of Solomon 5:16

Pleasant is his word, and the sensible communications of his love! Nay, all that is, in his person, offices, relations, names, blessings, and ordinances, is inexpressibly desirable; and nothing is truly desirable but as in or connected with him. This, this, O fellow professors, is my spiritual husband, and my constant and sympathizing lover and benefactor

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. V.—Quickly, when entreated, does Jesus come to comfort the hearts and supply the wants of his people; and brings with him for their refreshment the fulness of promises, grace, and joy. Enlarged appetites, after spiritual blessings, are necessary for gospel hearers. But it is strange that even saints should refuse his gracious visits, for which they had earnestly prayed and patiently waited. Hard is the heart that remains untouched by his affectionate calls; base is the temper which renders men careless about him and his influences; and shameful and frivolous are the best excuses which can be made for evading his visits. It is indeed impossible for saints wholly to exclude 3 him from their heart; and they procure for themselves great grief and toil by neglecting to entertain his offered kindness. But it is base for ministers to act imprudently and untenderly toward those whose spirits the Lord has wounded. More dutiful and profitable is it to strive in prayers for one another. And how pleasant when, even under desertion, saints maintain the most exalted views of Jesus’ person and fulness, and the most assured faith of their interest in them; and when even curious enquiries concerning him draw forth the warmest commendations of him!