Ycrs. 2-4.-Tlie soul's quest rewarded. The romantic incident. here poetically related has usually been regarded as a picture of the experiences through which many a soul is permitted to pass during this state of probation and Divine discipline. I. THE sour.'s SEAROH. 1. The appreciation of Obrist involved in this quest. Men seek for gold because they value it; they dive for pearls and dig for, precious stones. Multitudes are indifferent to the Saviour because they know him not; because their spiritual susceptibilities are not awakened. But those to whom he i11 chief.among, ten thousand cannot be satisfied until they possess him and enjoy his fellowship.· ·2. The quest may be both earnest and prolonged. The desire for highest good is amongst the noblest and purest of all human characteristics. And seeking is good, even' though finding be better. A search which is sincere and patient is in a sense its,owil reward. And there are those whose spiritual experience can only thus be justly described. It is a low view of human nature which looks upon such high quest with contempt; which takes for its motto, .}lil admirari-" Not to desire or admire." The young and ardent will do well to make the search after God's truth, after God himself, the occupation of their life. . . , . . . : II. THE soUL's DISTRESS. 1. Seeking does not always issue in speedy.finding. The soul may seek wit-h a mist.aken purpose, or in the ·wrong way, or with a misguided aim, or at the wrong time, i.e. too late. 2. The absence of the sought Saviour is the cause of distress and complaint. • ... This is the way I long had sought, And mourned because I found it not.'1 There is no repose for the heart until Christ be found; "Cor n:ostrnm inquietum est, donec req uiescat in te," says St. .Augustine-" Our heart is restless till it rests in thee." There is something of mystery in the providential arrangement that the lot of man should so often be one of seemingly fruitless search and disappointed endeavour, Yet this is discipline for which many have had reason to give thanks; it has called forth courage, it has braced to patience, it has stimulated aspiration, it has sweetened success. IIL THE soUL's DISCOVERY, 1. A delayed discovery. The soul, has followed hard after him. The moment of revelation has been again and again deferred, The call has been loud, but has met with no answer but the· echo. 2. A promised discovery. The word bas gone forth from heaven," Seek ye the Lord while he may be found." 'J'he promise has been proclaimed by Christ himself, "Seek, anJ ye shall find." He does not say," Seek ye my face in vain." 3. A gracious .discovery. ·,"!.. found hilll whom my soul loveth." How condescending the revelation I How joyful the sight, the apprehension, the hope's fulfilment I 4. .A .discovery which the soul uses for its own lastina satisfaction. As the bride in .the poem" held" her spouse, grasped him by the ar::i in the fulness of her joy, and "brought him into the house," there to eujoy his society, so when the soul finds Christ it finds in him One who $a.tisfies every deep craving of its nature. And to find him is to retain.him, not as a wayfaring man who tarrieth for a night, but .as an inmate never to be displaced from the heart, a friend to go no more out for ever,-T. Vers. 6-11.-Tlu: bridal entry. The pomp of Oriental .poetry is npwhere. -more dazzling and imposing than in this passage, where is depicted the pNc011sio~ of the royal bride, who is escorted with maanificent accompa.niment11, and welcoJ;D.ed lllto the metropoli~ with universal .and corJial joy. Expositors .have seen in cthi11 gorgeous Picture a descriJJtion of the dignity and beauty of the. Church, the bride of, Cbdst. OH. IV. 1-16.] THE SONG OF SOLOMON. !"Jl
'l'ho incense rising in perfumed clou<ls heraltls the approach of the britlal proce,rnion. 'l'he palEJ.nquin which contains the bride is of the ce<lar of Lebanon; silver pillarn support Its canopy of gold, and the hangings and (lrapery are of costly purple. 'l'he palEJ.nquin itseir is the provision of the king's munificence, and the ornaments arc the gift of the wealthy ladies of Jerusalem. Accompanying the festive proce3sion is au escort of armed and valiant warriors, not only for security, but for state and dicrnity. 0 'l'he royal brirlegroom meets and joins the cortege, having upon his head the cro wn of fostivity and happiness, for it is the day of his gladness of heart. 'l'he daughters of Jerusalem go forth from the city to join in the welcome, and to swell the number an,] add to the dignity and attractiveness of the bridal train. "Which things are an allegory." J. 'l'HE CHURCH IS SUMMONED TO QUIT THE WILDERNESS OF THE WORLD, A:,iD BECOME THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. II. 'l'HE CHURCH is INVESTED BY DIVINE LIBERALITY WITH ALL THA.T CAN co:,. TRIBUTE TO HER SPIRI'l'UAL GLORY. III. 'l'HE C:iroRCH IN HER PASSAGE THROUGH EARTH IS ACCOMP.l:,/IED WlTH THE INCENSE OF DEVOTION AND OF SERVICE, IV. THE CHURCH IS .. ENVIRONED WITH DIVINE PROTECTION, V. THE' CHURCH JS THE OBJECT OF CmusT's AFFECTION AND THE OCCASION OJ' HIS JOY, VI. 'l'HE CHURCH IS REGARDED BY ANGELIC INTELLIGENCES WITH THE DEEPEST INTEREST AND SATISFACTION, VII. 'l'HE CHURCH IS ASSURED OF AN'. ETERNAL HOUSE IN THE FAVOUR AND CO!II- HUNION OF THE DIVINE KING.~T.