The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 77

because he first loved us," 2. This /J(JITl,ner means devotement. We adopt it as our own. We have sworn to serve our Master under this peaceful banner. At the banquet wo enlist ourselves on the side of the righteous King. Constrained by love, we freely devote to him all we have, all we are. We must be trained and disciplined for this noble warfare in the school of love. 'l'he love that has conquered us shall, through us, conquol' others. Love is the heavenly steel from which we fashion all our weapons. Love moulds and inspires our life. "The banner over us is love." 3. This banner means security. If I am the object of Immanuel's love, I am safe; no harm can befall me. The brood under the wing of the parent hen cannot be pierced by foeman's al'row, unless that arrow pierce the parent's wing; so the blow which falls on me must strike my Protector first. Whatever apparent evil fall upon me, it is by the permission of infinite love; therefore is only apparent. It is simply disguised blessing; a 0weet kernel in a rough shell. If over me floats the banner of Immannel's love, I have a charmed life. Every foe, visible and invisible, is disarmed, "And so, beside the silent sea, I we.it the mnllled oar; Assured no harm ca.n come to me, On ocean or on shore." D. Vera. 8-13.-0hrist's coming makes a new epoch in our history. Nature is a mirror in which God is seen, and all the processes of nature are samples of God's works in us. Such analogies we ought to expect, because all the forces in nature are the projections of God's thoughts and purposes. The same God who works so mightily in the material world works with mighty grace in us. If, in the visible creation, he gives life to dead matter, so does he likewise give life to dead souls. The sun which rides in royal majesty across the heavens is a picture of the great Sun of Righteousness, who arises on the soul " with healing in his beams." As the coming of spring makes a new epoch in the material world, so the coming of Immanuel is the opening of a new era to the soul. It is nothing short of a spiritual evolution. We pass out of winter into spring ; out of death into life. I. THIB LANGUAGE IB A PICTURE 01" CHRIST'S INCARNATION, "The voice of my Beloved I behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains," etc. 1. He overleaps all difficulty. Principles of eternal righteousness stood in the way of man's redemption. The interests of Divine government stood in the way. The peace and welfare of the heavenly hosts seemed to be obstacles. Man's enmity was a tremendous barrier. But the Son of God was deterred by no obstacle. Although the temporary renunciation of his glory and dignity was required, he did not hold back. Immeasurable condesceosio11 was demanded; yet to this he cordially submitted. In view of the splendid result, he triumphed over every hindrance. 2. His coming was afoyful act. "Leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills." With the affectionato purpose to save men strong in his breast, he felt a joy in self-humiliation; a delicious pleasure in self-sacrifice. "His delights were already with the sons of men." Lo ! '' said he-" lo ! I come to do thy will, 0 God; yea, thy Law is withiu my heart." When our globe was fashioned, there was new gladness in heaven; "the sons of God shouted for joy." And when the Son of God appeared on earth as its Redeemer, a multitude of the heavenly host broke upon the midnight silence of Bethlehem with the song," Glory to God in the highest ! " Although to execute his task he was "the Man of sorrows," nevertheless in his heart there glowed the fire of sacred mpture. "For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, and despised the shame." As a noble Bridegroom " he rejoices over his bride." In his completed work "he shall be satisfied." 3. His coming was discerned only by his chosen. The bulk of men knew nothing about his coming; cared nothing about it. To Herod it was a perplexity a11d a terror. "He came unto his ow11, and his own received him not." Yet a few chose11 ones" waited for the hope and con- solation of Israel." Andrew and Simon Peter and Nathanael had been pondering the old prophecies, and ltere looking hither and thither for signs of fulfilment. Old Simeon's heart overflowed with gratitude "'.hen, embracing the holy Child, he said, "Lord, now !attest thou thy servant depart m peace." Not to the eye of man was be revealed. Outwardly," there was no beauty in him that men ahould desire him." To BONG OF SOLOMON, F  66 THE SONG OF SOLOMON, [cu. II, 1-17.