In the previous Chapter, (v. 6.) the daughters of Jerusalem had stood admiring the spouse of Christ, which is His Church. But, with true and becoming modesty and humility, she bids them look from her to Jesus, and behold the riches of His grace and the glory of His covenant.

Here the Lord honours His Church-speaking of her beauty and comeliness, which, though all His own free gift by the spirit, He delights in. He reminds her of these, to teach her in what she might glory, as well for her own encouragement as for the attraction of others to her company.

He praises her in seven things-seven being a perfect number, and intimating the manifold nature and perfection of her graces.

"Thou hast doves' eyes;" not eagles' eyes which can face the sun-but the humble, gentle, modest, pure, inoffensive eyes of the dove

Her "hair," is as that of the white goats on mount Gilead, which, says Solomon elsewhere, "are comely in their going," which may mean the "chaste conversation and "the meek and quiet spirit" of Believers, which in the "sight of God are of great price.""

Her "teeth

66 are white as sheep" come up from "the washing." The teeth of the Church are faith and meditation, by which believers eat

1. Prov. xxx. 29-31.

2. I. Pet. iii. 4.

the word of God' as did Jeremiah-feed upon it as David and Job,3-live upon Christ's "flesh and blood," in a spiritual, holy, and most intimate communion.1

ness.

Her "lips" are like a thread of scarlet, purified and washed in the blood of Jesus, from all uncleanWith them, the Church utters her prayers, and speaks the praises of Him who hath opened her lips, to show forth the riches of His grace and the cleansing power of His blood.

Her "temples," or "cheeks," are like a "piece of pomegranate, between her locks," indicating modesty, shamefacedness, and humility.

"Her "neck," i.e. her faith, which is the connecting part and link between the Church and Christ, her head-is like the tower of David, on whose walls hang bucklers, and spears, and swords, for battle; every weapon that is needed for the Church's state militant, here on earth.

Faith obtains the trophies of the Church's victories. They are all "hung up," and mentioned in most honourable terms in the 11th Chapter of St. Paul to the Hebrews.

The ministry of the Word, and the due celebration of the sacraments, are the "two breasts" of the Church, by which the "sincere milk of the

1. Jer. xv. 16.

3. Job xxiii. 12.

2.

Ps. cxix. 103. 4. John vi. 56.

Word," and consolations of the Gospel are given to them who like " young fawns," in simplicity and child-like faith, "feed among the lilies:" those precious doctrines, promises, exhortations and Church ordinances, wherein Christ feeds the sheep of His pasture.

Thus comely and beautiful in Christ's sight are His dear people. It passes our comprehension that creatures so vile and base, can possibly be pleasing in the sight of Jesus. But so it is. If "found in him," and clothed in the rich garments of His righteousness—all Believers are "fair”—there is spot" in them.

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But who that knows himself-his blindness, ignorance, pride, and naughtiness of heart; even when assured of all this-does not "rejoice with trembling?”1

Who does not long for the "mountains of spices," and the dawn of that "everlasting day," when all shadows shall" flee away;" when our eyes shall behold Him, and not another; and when, in the full glorious light of His countenance, not a single blemish, or spot, or any such thing shall be found the face of the righteous ?

upon

1. Phil. ii. 12.

8. Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

The mountains here mentioned were situated in different parts—mostly to the north of the land of Israel.

Lebanon is well known for its cedar trees. Amana was a mountain which divided Cilicia from Syria; the river which here took its name is ' mentioned.1 Shenir and Hermon were one and the same mountains called by different names.2

All these might be called "lions' dens, &c.," not only because they were inhabited by these animals, but also by robbers and cruel, ferocious savages.

What does Christ intend in thus calling His Church from the midst of these mountains and "dens of lions ?"

Generally, this represents the calling of Christ's Church from all corners and quarters of the world. But, in particular, it describes the calling of particular members of that Church; setting forth by the figures employed, the condition and nature of those who are brought nigh to Jesus, and by Him called to a saving knowledge of His salvation.

1. II. Kings v. 12

2. Deut. iii. 9.

Notice (I.) the title Christ here gives His Church 66 my spouse." This is the first time we meet with this name. He uses it to set forth the close union that exists between Himself and His people. What can be more expressive of Christ's love and union with His Church than the figure employed.

"This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and His Church." The same relation which the wife bears to her husband, Christ does to His Church. As the husband conveys certain civil rights to the wife, so does Christ to the Church. All that he has, becomes hers, and all that the Church has becomes Christ's.

His grace and glory is hers, and her sins and debts are laid to him.

He gave himself, his whole self; all that was in God to acquire merit, all that was in man to endure agony, shame, and suffering.

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This, then, is the party called.

(II.) Observe the places whence He called His spouse "_" with me from Lebanon," &c.

These figures point out that the natural condition and disposition of those whom Christ calls, is not such as to deserve his notice; but quite the contrary.

"By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not yourselves; it is the gift of God."

1 Eph. v. 32.

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2 Tim. 12-13.