The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 43

Vere. 12-11.-Reciprocal esteem, Love, manifested and known, will always beget love. As every plant has in its womb seed of its own kind, so, too, love has within itself generative power. If any human heart does not love our Immanuel, it is because that heart is iii;norant of him, its eyesight is. blurred, its vision is obscured. No sooner is Jesus known as a t:-ue and substantial Friend, than love in some form springs up. In the form of gratitude it first appears; then in the form of admiration; then in delight; then in intimacy; then in passionate devotement. Jesus known is Jesus loved. i. OBSERVE THE CHRISTUN's LOVE FOB JESUS CHRIST. 1. The soul !3Steems him as its Sovereign King. As love is the mightiest force in the human breast, love's object is at once promoted to the supreme place. No elevation is too great for our Beloved. It •would be a restraint upon our love-yea, a pain-if we did not give to Jesus the highest throne. We perceive that he has all the qualities of a king, and that it is for our own advantage that he should rule within. And when we make the experiment we find such rest, such security, such triumphs, that we would fain exalt him to a hi!!;her place. To be the servant-ay, the slave-of such a King is honour infinite, joy ineffable. 2. The renewed soul desires to have the closest friendship with Jesus. Where the heavenly King comes, he always spreads a feast for the soul. Out of his fulness he freely bestows. As a fountain spontaneously sends up its limpid waters, so doth Christ our Lord. To be in his presence, to listen to bis ripe wisdom, to realize all the advantage of his friendship, this is a spiritual feast. 'l'he wisdom he has, he gives. His everlasting righteousness he.,shares with us. His heavenly peace he conveys to us. Eis own love is shed abroad in our hearts. .All the wealth of his kingdom he conveys to his chosen. We are" heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ." The friendship of Immanuel is a perpetual feast. '!'hey who daily eat at the same table enjoy the closest intimacy with each other. 3. The presence of Jesus Glirist draws out our hidden graces. "My perfume sends forth its sweetest odours." Just as the summer sun draws out the essence of our garden flowers, so the energy of the Saviour's love stirs into activity the hidden forces of our souls. In every man is a principle of imitation. If we see a splendid deed of generosity, we are impelled to copy it. When the heart is free from sinful bias, it aspires to imitate every ex.cellence it beholds. So, when the glories of Christ's nature are unfolded, like graces begin to unfold in u,,;. Repentance, gratitude, humility, faith, patience, devoted love, are drawn out in the sunny atmosphere of Jesus' presence. Fragrant flowers and spicy herbs, which had lain lung hidden in the frozen soil, spring up and send out a rare perfume. When Jesus dwelt in the house, Marv was constrained lo break the alabaster box, and io set free the delicious odour; aud ·when Jesus dwells in our hearts, every restraint gives way, and the essence of our graces yields a sweet perfume. 4. We esteem the love of Jesus for its constancy. 'l'he bundle of myrrh abides with us "all night." Our beloved Friend is not easily offended. "He hates putting away." In darkness as well as at noon, in times of pnin and calamity ns in days of prosperity, his love remains unchnnged. If for II season we should neglect hiw, and be absorbed in other pursuits, he does not nbandon us. He may visit our folly with chastisement, and to the soul there may be temporary night, yet the remembrance of his love will be a sweet and reviviug cordial. lt will have a healing efficacy. Wo shall bo touchell with a sense  32 THE SONG OF SOLOMON. [OH, I, 1-17,