But the passage must also be explained,
II. In reference to the Christian Church —
We do not approve of limiting to the Church of Christ a multitude of prophecies which belong pri- marily to the Jewish Church. On the other hand, we must not rob the Christian Church of that interest which she has in them. It is observable, that the very first verse of this chapter is cited by St. Paul as applicable to the Christian Church f : and at the close of the chapter all the rich promises contained in it are said to belong to her : " This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (whoever they may be) ; and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lordg." Now,
The Christian Church stands in the relation of a Spouse to Christ —
[So it is represented through the whole Book of Canti- cles. So it is declared by the Psalmist11. The same is affirmed by our Lord himself1, and by all his Apostles k ]
But too often does she provoke the Lord to hide his face from her —
[How often have the Church at large, and every member of it in particular, alienated their hearts from God, and adul- terously placed on the creature those affections which were due
rt Ezek. xxxvii. 1, 2, 10.
e Jer. xxxi. 35 — 37. andxxxiii. 23 — 2G.
f Gal. iv. 2(5, 27. & ver. 17. h Ps. xlv. 10, 11.
1 Matt. ix. 15. k John hi. 29. Eph. v. 32. Rev. xxi.9.