Song of Solomon 8

Song of Solomon 8:1

Blessed Redeemer, O that that happy period were come, in which thou shalt assume our nature, and be a member of our visible church, and, in consequence thereof, admit us to the most intimate fellowship with thee! Then, without regard to reproach or persecution, should I openly profess my reverence, subjection, and affection, to thee

Song of Solomon 8:2

Instructed by thy Spirit, I should spread abroad the knowledge of thee in the extended gospel church, and all my gifts and graces should be employed to serve and glorify thee

Song of Solomon 8:3

O the infinitely transporting, the intimate, the endearing, the strengthening and supporting, fellowship that I should enjoy with thee! Nay, already the believing views of it till my soul with the joys of my Lord!

Song of Solomon 8:4

Let me therefore once more charge you, my fellow professors, to do every thing in your power to continue this my delightful communion with Jesus Christ, and do nothing to interrupt it. DAUGHTERS 5. What admirable person is this, who, forsaking all worldly 80. 88. things for Christ, and delivered from her distressed condition, mounts up heavenward, by faith resting on him to bear her up under every burden, and forward through every duty and difficulty? BELIEVERS.—O Jesus, animated by thy own delightful influence, I have, by importunate prayers, obtained the most sensible manifestations of thy love; as others, in whose hearts thou art formed by faith, have also done. 6, 7. O let thy most endeared esteem, remembrance, and love of my soul, appear remarkably in all thy dispensations towards me: for so vehement and irresistible is my desire after intimate fellowship with thee, that nothing else can afford me satisfaction: no, not death and the grave are so dreadful to me as the fears of thy withdrawing! Kindled by thy love shed abroad in my heart, my love to thee melts all my inward powers, and burns up my corruptions. No affliction, temptation, desertion, or persecution, can extinguish or abate it. Would the richest on earth tempt me from thee, with all his wealth, nay, with ten thousand worlds, I would utterly contemn and abhor the proposal

Song of Solomon 8:8

But, Lord, we have many fellow sinners, chosen in and redeemed by thee; particularly among the Gentiles, who enjoy no ordinances, and are yet unripe for their spiritual marriage, being destitute of faith and love; what shall we do to promote their conversion, when the offers of thy grace shall be made to them? CHRIST

Song of Solomon 8:9

When, according to my unchangeable purpose, they shall be united to me as their foundation, I and my Father and blessed Spirit will endow them with manifold gifts and graces, and render them, in their hearts and church state, a firm tower and beautiful temple and palace for God. When the door of access to me shall be opened to them in the gospel, and the door of their heart opened to receive me, we, notwithstanding their insignificance, weakness, troubles and temptations, will thoroughly beautify, strengthen, and protect, them. BELIEVERS

Song of Solomon 8:10

Indeed, blessed Redeemer, by thy infinite favour, I have been united to thee, and stand firm on thee as my foundation, and am come to some maturity and perfection in grace

Song of Solomon 8:11

Thou, Lord Jesus, the infinitely wise and wealthy Prince of peace, hast purchased by thy blood, planted and purified by thy grace, sown with thy word, and protected and managed by thy providence, the large vineyard of thy church. This thou hast committed to the care of thy Gospel ministers, that they, by instructions, warnings, reproofs, and censures, might endeavour to their utmost to render the members fruitful in the works of righteousness, to thy praise and glory

Song of Solomon 8:12

And, while the whole concerns of it are under thy special care, I have in charge the vineyard of my own heart, to watch over, defend, purge, and render, it fruitful in holy habits and exercises. Thou, Jesus, must have the principal honour of all that I am, have, or can attain to, and thy faithful ministers their subordinate share of my love and regard. CHRIST

Song of Solomon 8:13

Believing soul, who lovest and frequentest the assemblies of my people, and ordinances there dispensed, thy fellow members regard and listen to thy instructions and warnings for their edification. Let me, when withdrawn from thee, particularly in my bodily presence, often hear thy prayers and praises, and the publication of my gospel in the world. BELIEVERS

Song of Solomon 8:14

And O my blessed Husband and Saviour, not only maintain frequent and familiar intercourse with my soul, and with thy church on earth, in the instituted ordinances of thy worship, but hasten, hasten, thy glorious appearance without sin unto our salvation; when we shall be caught up to meet thee in the air, and shall, in one complete body, enter that happy, that eternal state, in which God shall be ALL IN ALL. 7 X