The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 126

when we have but one desire, viz. the desire t6 have the Giver with ue rather tbo.n bis gifts. A wife highly prizes the love-tokens she receives from her absent lord, but she valne~ far more highly his personal return. So, if we are wise, we shall more desiro to ha ,·c Christ in our hearts than any gift oflight or strength. "Let my Beloved himself come." To have the source of life is better than having the streams. If Christ is with nw I shall want nothing. I. THE CmrnCH's INVITATION TO RER Lonn. 1. She addresses him by an endeai·ing title, "ltfy Beloved." In dealing with Jesus we need make no re8erve of our affection. He will never resent our largest confidence. The mere sucro-estion borders on the profane. If we know anything, we know whether wo love th~"Saviour. Love to him i8 1hc same thing in kind, as love to an earthly friend. We may stand in doubt whether Jesns has love to us personally, although such a doubt is sin. But we need never be in doubt whether love to him glows in our hearts. Many tests are available; an<l when love, however scanty, is found, Jesus delights to hear himself thus addressed, •· My Beloved!" Then is he King within, firm seated on the throne. 2. She recognizes the garden to be his property. Yes; and not only is the garden his, but each particular tree, each separate fruit. Every holy principle within 'us he himself planted. It was planted by his own right hand. It has been trained and pruned by his watchful care. Every blossom has been under his protection. The fruit has been stored with juice from his treasuries. It is a delicious joy if I can feel that every grace in me is the handiwork of Jesus. Am I prayerful? Jesus has been teaching me. Am I meek and self-forgetting? Jesus has been busy in me, and has gently moulded my nature. Much trouble has he taken to bend my proud will. No earthly gardener has such labour to produce fruit in his trees as Jesus has to make us fruitful in holiness and love. And the more abundant our spiritual fruits are, the more readily shall we ascribe all the praise to him. 3. Here is a strong desire to give our Master pleasure. "Le.t him come; let him eat his pleasant fruits." This is spoken after the manner of men. It is a peculiar joy for a man to walk. in his own garden, and to eat the ripe fruit he himself has carefully nurtured. A similar joy our Lord tastes.' But is any virtue or goodness in us so ripe and sweet that Jesus can find joy in it? What generous condescension does he show in partaking of our meekness, and patience, and faith, and sacred zeal! Just as a father finds peculiar pleasure in listening to the first imperfect lispings of bis child, and hears sweet music in the broken words, so Jesus sees in our imperfect graces the promise of future good, the promise of illustrious sen'ice, the promise of high attainment. Never did a friend show such generous appreciation of our loyalty. To be fruitful in Christian graces is in itself an ample reward, but to know that every attainment in goodness we make adds to our Saviour's joy is a hi11:her reward still. Who will not brace every nerve to bring new pleasure to Immanuel! We seek our joy in the heavenly paradise; Jesus seeks his joy in us. "I am glorified in them." . II. THE BRIDEGROOM'S PBOMPI' RE&PONSE. "I am come." 1. Observe how swift is the reply. No advantage, in this case, will come from silence or delay. The Church has asked the best thing, and she shall at once ho.ve it. Here he has acted up to his own promise, "Bdore they call I will answer." 'fbat selfsame desire to have Christ's presence was a desire planted and nourished by himself, therefore he answered the de~ire before it developed into spokeri prayer. Already he had visited that garden, au,l sowed the seed of noble ambition. Now it has grown to fruitage, and he has come w enjoy it. We have never to wrest •this gift from a clenched hand; it is a gift waitinO' our acceptance. Before the invitation is despatched he is knocking at the cl"or. 'i', I am come." 2. Mark the harmcny of feeling and purpose between Christ and his people. The Church has learnt a lesson of unselfishness from her Lord. .Afor?time sh~ had desired him to come for her profit, or for her pleasµre; now she asks him to come for his own gratification. She thought that he would find delight in the graces nnd excellences which flourish in the Church, and her spiritual instincts wero true to fact. This is a delightful discovery. When our thoughts harmonize with Chris_t's thoughts, when our dispositions are the counterpart of his, when one mjnd, one ~11_1, one aim, dwells in the Saviour and the saint, then is heaven begun on earth. Tins lll joy unspeakable; the foretaste of beatific rest. This is the completion of the sncreci C'J'·1,na11t. This is l,is seal iropre:;sed on us. 3, Note the rntisfu.ction wMch Jesus finds OP, IV. 1-lG.] 'fIIE SONG OF SOWMON. 115