August 16

Therefore do the virgins love thee.—Sol. Song of Solomon 1:3.

The virgins. Similitude and conformity of nature beget friendship: pure affections delight in a pure object, and it makes them such. For the truth is, Christ doth not find men naturally suitable to himself, but as he took on our nature, so he washeth away the sinfulness of our nature, which he took not on, and makes us that way conformable to his nature. And they who are so changed, though they were formally lovers of sin, yet, by conversion, which is called regeneration, they are born again, and so become not only chaste, but even virgins, spiritually.

These virgins are such as be truly holy and pure in heart and life, who, though they are not perfectly free from all sin, yet have affection to no sin. These are singularly delighted with the smell of Christ's name and graces, while the voluptuous person, and the profane worldling, dislike and despise it! The virgins, they bestow their affection whole and entire upon Christ.

The virgins love thee. Grace destroys not the natural passions of the soul, but corrects them only, by destroying their corruption, and so they become not merely not contrary to grace, but are made the subject and seat of grace. This of love, which is the chief of them, we see, it abolisheth not, but rectifies it, recalling it to its due object, and turning it into the right channel, by which it may empty itself into the ocean of goodness.

The virgins love—But whom? Thee. And it is as reasonable a love as it is pure; Therefore they love thee, because thou hast made them in some measure apprehensive of thy worth, which commands the love of all that know it: not a cold and indifferent affection, but a superlative, ardent love, far overtopping all other desires. And with good reason, since Christ doth infinitely, and beyond all comparison, surpass all other things desirable. Ask your own hearts, if you love Christ thus: for if not thus, you love him not at all. The apostle Paul's love was of this size. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ. This love will not only undergo difficulties and sufferings for Christ without either repining or fainting, but it will even be glad to meet with them, as opportunity is, to exercise and testify itself. Hard things will seem most easy for his sake, and bitter things exceeding sweet. In a word, to him that loves, scarce any thing is impossible. Love is the leading passion of the soul: all the rest conform themselves to it, desire, and hope, and fear, and joy, and sorrow.

If, then, you love Christ, the desires and breathings of your soul after him are strong and earnest. If he withdraw himself, or appear angry, if either you see him not, or see him look discontented, your grief will be so deep that it can not be allayed by any worldly employment. Yet upon some former tokens of his love, which is known to be unchangeable, hope will uphold the soul, till the beams of his grace scatter the cloud, and break through. Though our Joseph seem strange, and speak roughly for a while, he can not long refrain discovering his affection.

Again, love you him, unspeakable will be your joy when he smiles upon you. As great will be your delight in possession, as your desire is in pursuit; and while you have his presence, it will be too hard a task for any affliction to dismay you. Have you indeed heard Christ speak comfortably to you in his ordinances? How will this enable the soul, and arm it against dangers, and distracting, distrustful fears! Perfect love casteth out fear, saith St. John: that is, all base and servile fear; but there is one fear that is in no heart but where love begets it, fear to offend. You know how wary and loath men are naturally to displease those they love; therefore it is, that love to Christ, and a careful observing of his commandments, are inseparable companions. Yes, love itself is the fulfilling of the law, for it gives up the heart to God, and consequently the whole man. Then there is no return of duty which your receiving of Christ calls for, (and what doth it not call for?) there is none, I say, but is comprised under this one of love. Do you owe him praises? Yes, surely. Then love him; that will stir you up to praise him. You never knew, but where much love was in the heart, it made the tongue ready and active upon all occasions to praise the party loved. Love will entertain small courtesies with great thanks; much more where the benefit so far exceeds all possible thankfulness. Ought you to serve and obey him? Doubtless: he hath for that purpose redeemed you with his precious blood.

And truly there is no obedience or service so full and so cheerful, as that which flows from love. Should you study conformity to Christ, and labor to be like him? Yes, for this is to walk worthy of Christ. Then there is nothing assimilates so much as love. Men delight in their society whom they love, and by their society they do insensibly contract their customs, and become like them. These virgins who love Christ for his graces, they love to converse with him, and by conversing with him, they receive of his graces, and have a smell of his perfumes. Not only do they, by the smell of his garments, or such imposed rites, obtain the blessing, but they likewise smell like him by the participation of sanctifying grace, of his widson and holiness, in a pure and godly conversation, abstaining from the impure lusts and pollutions of the world; so likewise of his meekness and humility. Never think that one and the same soul can have much pride and much of Christ. Ever, the more grace a man hath, the more sense hath he likewise of his own unworthiness, and God's free mercy, and consequently the more humility.

By these and the like evidences, try whether indeed you love the Lord Jesus Christ. And by these fruits, you who profess to love him, testify the sincerity of your love; and be assured, that if you be now found among these virgins that love him, you shall one day be of the number of those virgins that are spoken of, Revelation 14:3, 4, who sing a new song before the throne of God.