The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 40

cahnot command, by a mere volition or a mere resolve, that our love shall flow out. So the only way to intensify our love is by coming into fuller contact with his. Only life can generate life, and only the love of Christ can stir into activity the principle or true love in us. Therefore we pray, "Draw us into nearer fellowship, into more vital union ! " 3. Our love desires a prompt obedience. " We will run after thee." W c love to walk in his footsteps, and when we discover where his haunts lie, we run to seek him there. So sincere is our love, that we long to do his will promptly and l1eartily. We wish to hear every whisper of his commands. We deprecate that anything on our part should chase the smiles from his face. We long that his thoughts may be our thoughts, his dispositions our dispositions, his purposes our purposes ; so that between Christ and us there may be perfect concord. As said Ruth to Naomi, so my we, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou dwellest, I will dwell." We can do without food, we can do without friends, we can do without health, but we cannot do without Christ. Wrote Samuel Rutherford to II friend, "If hell-fire stood between you and Christ, you would press through in order to reach him." All serdce is delight when the feet are winged by love. 4. Love brings us into the best society. "The upright love thee." The love that draws the best men near to Christ likewise draws them near each other. As the spokes of a wheel get near to the hub they get into closer proximity to each other. '!'he more love we give out the more substantial good we get. The friendship of the pious is a precious treasure; their wisdom enlightens, their piety stimulates, their love enkindles, ours. In their society we are elevated and gladdened. The story of their experience inspires us for new endeavour; their triumphs awaken our most sacred ambitions. With Moses, we learn meekness; with Elijah, we learn bow to pray; with Job, we learn endurance; with Martin Luther, we learn courage. The society of saints throws into the she.de the society of sages or of kings. 5. Love treasures up tlie recollection of past favours. "We will remember thy love more than wine." What Jesus Christ has done for us in the past be will do again. Since his love is infinite, he has not exhausted his love-tokens in the past; he has more costly things yet to give, richer dainties yet to place on his banquet-table. Still, there are times when we cannot realize a present Saviour, when the conscious possession of his love is suspended, and at such times it is a cordial to our spirits to bring out the memorials and tokens of past affection. Our memory is a vast chamber, hung round with ten thousand mementoes of Immanuel's love. Thus, in a dark hour of depression, King David sang," Yet will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the hill Mizar." In winter's dark days we will !east upon the fruits of well-remembered summer. 6, Love creates the purest joy. "We will be glad and rejoice in thee." Joy arises when a felt want is satisfied; but so long as we are sensible of needs and cravings for which no supply is at hand we are miserable. A thirsty man upon a scorching desert, leagues removed from any well, is a stranger to gladness. 'l'be misery of lost spirits, doubtless, arises from passionate cravings for which there is no supply. On the other hand, when we can feel that Christ is ours-ours in bonds which nothing can sever-we feel that every want is met, every ambition is realized, every aspiration fulfilled. "Then shall I be satisfied, when I awake, in thy likeness." 'l'berefore, although outward surroundings may tend to depress, we can always find in the fulness of Christ sources of hope and joy. "With him is the fountain of life."-D. Vers. 5, 6.-Low estimate of self. A genuine Christi.an will take a modest esUmate of himself. "He has learnt not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think." Many Christians undervalue themselves; and though this practice is not so obnoxious in the eyes of others as over-valuation, yet this also is a fault. It is better to pass no judgment on ourselves; it is seldom called for; it is often a folly, • ·----. L EXTERNAL BLEMISH. "I am black." 1. 'l.'his blemiBh (if it be one) is very •wperficial; it is only skin-deep. A strong comparison is employed to convey more vividly the impression-" black as the tents of Kedar.'' These were manufactured from camel's hair, and, from long exposure to sun and dew, were in colour a diogy black. So when a Christian views himself as be appears externally to others, be sees, perhaps, his ignorance, his poverty, bis imperfections, his obscurity, the contempt with which he is regarded by others. If the heavenly Friend should view him orily in hiit OH, L 1-17.] THE SONG OJ!' SOLOMON. 29