The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 79

At conversion the change was so great, the contrast with the former state so striking, the deliverance so welcome, we could not restrain our joy. But the festivities ,,f marriage do not remain perpetual. The rosy hues of dawn do not continue all the day. So the rapture or the new birth does not remain all through the pilgrim- age. 2. The Christian, too, lias seasons of dark desertion. 'fhere are seasons when dark clouds gather round him, and the face of his best friend is hidden. Doubts, like malignant spirits, haunt his mind, and rob him of his peace. Satan entanales him in his enchantments, and lures him into the thickets around Doubting Cast!:, They "cannot read their titles clear to mansions in the skies." They miss the warm sun- shine of Immanuel's face. And they are perplexed. If they are the Lord's, why this painful discipline? Why this loss of conscious favour? And in sad despondency they a~k, "Will God cast off for ever?· Will he be favourable no more?" 3. Then the return of the Bridegroom brings new life and ;'oy. "He restoreth my soul." Possibly there was some fault in us that required chastisement, or some rival to our best Beloved may ha,e appeared in the heart not to be tolerated. Whatever was the cause of this temporary eclipse, certain it is that the reappearance of the sun will be a festive day-a jubilee, a resurrection-morn. While under that dark cloud, there may have been some needed preparation of the soul for higher service, as with the fields of earth under wintry skies. • Larger fruitfulness may result. The friendship of Jesus will be more prized. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Where silence and sadness just now reigned, mirth and music have stirred the e~hoes. Despondency has given place to hope. The dark shadows of night have fled before a. new dawn; a.nd a.gain we can sing, "For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone."-D. V~r. 16.-Mar!'iage jointure. Marriage is a mutual identification of persona.I interests, therefore it fully represents the mystic union between Jesus and the believer. ,ve may not have always the conscious sense of our Friend's nearness to us, still we can' always say, "My Beloved is mine." , For this is an established fact-a fact revealed-and this fact is ascertained by faith, and treasured in the memory, whether we experience it at the moment or not. If dark clouds hide the face of our Sun of Righteousness, we know still that ho is affording us light and heat and life, and still we say, "My Beloved is mine." I. TBE HEART'S CHOICE. The door has been opened to Christ, and he has been admitted to· tho innermost shrine. He has become the soul's Husband and King by ~acred covenant. 1. This cltoice is an effect, not a cause. "We love him, because he first loved us." Said Jesus to his first disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." His light has shined into our minds. His spirit has given sensibility to our conscience. He has made us sensible of our need. He has restrained us from fnrthern•bellion. He caused us to walk in the King's highway. "By the grace of God I am what I am." 2. This clioice of 01.rist is our supremest wisdom. To have made Je,us our soul's Portion is an act of pure wisdom. It is the only right thing to do. He has a right to the chief place, and it would be sacrilege to give our best luvo to another, Yet, alas! many do. Thero are men who make money, or social rank, or fame, or pleasure, the best beloved of their heart. The world is their beloved, or theit children occupy the placo which should be Christ's. We may sincerely congratulate ourselves ifwe can say, "Jesus is my Portion." 3. <Jllrist has been. chosen because of his excellence. Who, in heaven or on earth, can be compared for worth with Jesus? .A person is always more precious than a thing. A man is "more precious than the gold of Ophir." And among all persons Jesus is superlatively precious. Who can comp~re with him for wisdom? Who has dominion over nature and over the lower world like the Sun of God? Who can impart strength liko him? Can any one convey life but Immanl.\el? Or who has such influence for us in heaven as our gracious Intercessor? " Infinite excellence is thine, Almighty King of grace." 4. <Jllrist has been chosen by vfrtue of his loue. Even if he did not possess so many excellences, we should have chosen him for his love. His condescension is wonderful. llis sweet compassion has captiv&ted our souls. As soon as we realized his tender, ,trong affection for us, wo folt that we must have his friendship. As the echo responds 68 THE SONG OF SOLOMON. [on. II, 1-17,