(2.) Having driven this to some issue, the soul appheth itself to the promises of the covenant, wherein Christ is most graciously exhi- bited unto it; considers one, ponders another, to find a taste of him; — it considers diligently if it can see the delightful countenance and favour of Christ in them or no. But now, if (as it often falls out) the soul finds nothing but the carcase, but the bare lettei^ in the promise, — if it come to it as to the gi-ave of Christ, of which it may be said (not in itself, but in respect of the seeking soul), " He is risen, he is not here," — this amazes the soul, and it knows not what to do. As a man that hath a jewel of great price, having no occasion to use it, lays it aside, as he supposes, in a safe place ; in an agony and extremity of want going to seek for his jewel, he finds it not in the place he expected, and is filled with amazement, and knows not what to do ; — so is it with this pearl of the gospel. After a man hath sold all that he hath for it, and enjoyed it for a season, then to have it missing at a time of need, it must needs j)erplex him. So was it with the spouse here. " I sought him," saith she, " but I found him not;" a thing which not seldom befalls us in our communion with Christ.
But what doth she now do? doth she give over, and search no more? Nay; but says she, verse 2, " 'I will arise;' I will not so give over. I must have Christ, or die. I will now arise," (or, " let me arise,") " and go about this business."
[1.] She resolves to put herself upon another course, a more vigor- ous inquest : " I will arise and make use of other merais besides those of private prayer, meditation, self-searching, and inquuing into the promises;" which she had insisted on before. It canies, —
1st. Resolution, and a zealous, violent casting off that frame wherein she had lost her love. " ' I ^ will arise ;' I will not rest m this frame : I am undone if I do." So, sometimes God calls his church to arise and shake itself out of the dust. Abide not in that condition.
2dly. Diligence. " I will now take another course ; I will leave 1 2 Cor. xiii. 6. 2 Isa. Hi. 2, Ix. 1.
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] 30 OF UOMMUNION WITH THE SON JESUS CHRIST. .
no way imattempted, no means untried, whereby I may possibly re- cover communion with my Beloved."
This is the condition of a soul that finds not the wonted presence of Christ in its private and more retired inquiries, — dull in prayer, wandering in meditations, rare in thoughts of him, — " I ^vill not bear this frame: whatever way God hath appointed, I will, in his strength, vigorously pursue, until this frame be altered, and I find my Beloved/'
[2.] Then the way she puts herself upon, is to go about the city. Not to insist upon particulars, nor to strain the parts of the allegoiy too far, the city here intended is the city of God, the church; and the passing through the broad and narrow streets, is the diligent in- quiry that the spouse makes in all the paths and ordinances given unto it. This, then, is the next thing the soul addresses itself unto in the want of Christ: — when it finds him not in any private endea- vours, it makes vigorous application to the ordinances of public worship ; in prayer, in preaching, in administration of the seals, doth it look after Christ. Indeed, the great inquiry the souls of believers make, in every ordinance, is after Christ. So much as they find of him, so much sweetness and refreshment have they, and no more. Espe- cially when under any desertion, they rise up to this inquiry: they listen to every word, to every prayer, to find if any thing of Christ, aiiy light from liim, any life, any love, appears to them. " Oh, that Christ would at length meet me in this or that sermon, and recover my poor heart to some sight of his love, — to some taste of kindness !" The solicitousness of a believer in his inquest after Christ, when he finds not his presence, either for grace or consolation, as in former days, is indeed inexpressible. Much of the frame of such a heart is couched in the redoubling of the expression, " I sought him, I sought him;" setting out an inconceivable passion, and suitably industrious desire. Thus, being disappointed at home, the spouse proceeds.
But yet see the event of this also : " She sought him, but found him not." It doth sometimes so fall out, all will not do : " They shall seek him, and not find him ;" they shall not come nigh him. Let them that enjoy any thing of the presence of Christ take heed what they do; if they provoke him to depart, if they lose him, it may cost them many a bitter inquiry before they find him again. When a soul prays and meditates, searches the promises in private ; when it with earnestness and diligence attends all ordinances in public, and all to get one glimpse of the face of Jesus Christ, and all in vain, it is a sad condition.