room at Rugby (see 'Tom Brown's School-days'). And such courage is yet needed, 1md, thank God, is yet found. 3. The eo;quisite symmetry of form for which the choicest Arabian ~t.eeds were famous tells of that moral symmetry and harmoniousness of ch11r11ct-<'r which will one day, and should now, distinguish his Church and people. It is the 811me idea 11s in St. Paul's image of the symmetry of the perfected Church. Hence be tells of its "breadth, and length, and depth, and height," which "all saints" are to "comprehend," because they shall share in and exhibit it. 4. His people's unity is also ianggested by the comparison with "a company" of horses. 'l'he Church is militant here upon earth, and therefore the idea of a war-chariot is appropriate. But the company of steeds who draw it, are they not so esteemed because of their ordered obedience? Not struggling hither and thither as each wills, nor each struggling to get its own way and so pulling in different directions. Alas I it is a sarcasm to liken the Church of our day to "a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariot." Would to God it were not., and that what is may not much longer be I TIT. TrrEY ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH .ADORNMENTS. (Ver. 10; cf. Prov. i. 8, 9, "My son hear, . . . For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.") What, therefore, these adornments are is evident. 'l'hey are the graces wrought by the Spirit; what St. Paul calls, "the fruits of the Spirit "-love, joy, peace, etc. These are the golden links of the chain, added one by one, each connected with nnd dependent on its fellow. Frequently is the adornment of the soul set forth in Scripture under the imagery of the adornment of the body. We read of" the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," etc. And thus Christ will array his Church and each individual believing soul. IV. THEY SHALL RECEIVE "GRACE FOB GRACE;" that is, grace upon grace-grace in addition to grace already given (cf. ver. 11, "We will make thee," etc.). And this is so. ·we are bidden" grow in grace;" and the soul does thus advance, does receive more and more of those beautiful adornments which are the Spirit's workmanship, those good works for which we were created in Christ Jesus. V. THE LOVELilIESS OF THE HoLY SPmIT 1s SEEN IN THEM. This the suggestion of ver.15, "Thine eyes are doves'." We read of the "evil" eye (Matt.x.x.15); of ., eyes full of adultery" (2 Pet. ii. 14); and of the "high look and proud heart" (Ps. cL 5). But what a contrast to all these have we here! Eyes of gentleness, of purity, of heavenly-mindedness; eyes through which the Holy Spirit-whose chosen emblem is the dove-looks and is seen. What a description! Would that all we who profess and call ourselves Christians corresponded to it far more than we do !-8. C. Ver. 12.-Holy Communion. The form of expression in this verse has suggested thoughts on this theme to so many devout students of this book that, whilst not admitting their interpretation as correct, we may nevertheless avail ourselves of such suggestions in order to set forth some precious and important truths concerning it-the soul's communion with Christ. And we note- 1 THE ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL ABE CHRIST'S TABLE. (Of. Rev. iii. 20, "If any man will open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.") In such communion we have the "feast of fat things full of marrow" of which the prophet speaks ( cf. also our Lord's words, "Come, for all things are ready; my oxen," etc.). Now, such communion is had: 1. In prayer, Not mere saying prayers, but in true prayer. 2. In the wor6hip of the Church. How often have we found this to be sol On the sabbath, and in the sanctuary, how often we have there found that
"The cares which infest our day Have folded their tents, like the Arabs, And as silently steal away I"
3. TJ,e taUe ef the Lord is especially the King's table. Hence to our service there the name of "holy communion" has been pre-eminently given. All these are oppor- tunities of such communion, and were designed so to be. But- II. THEIR V ALlDITY AND VALUE DEPEND ON THE KING'S PRESENCE. " While tho King sitteth," etc. How poor and wretched are our prayers if there be no realization of the presence of Christ! And the worship of the Church, what an empty form I And Oit, I, 1-17.] 'l'HE SONG OF SOLOMON. 25