-(2) Only renewed and regenerate persons love Christ. The carnal mind enmity against God, and so against Christ. The heart renewed and circumcised in order to love God and His Son (Deut xxx. 6). The stony heart taken away and a heart of flesh given instead (Ezek. xxxvi. 26). (3) All renewed souls love Christ. Christ the magnet that attracts renewed hearts. A natural affinity between Christ and renewed souls. Such able both to see and appreciate His excellence, both in Himself and in relation to sinners. The language of renewed and enlightened souls: The love of Christ constraineth us (2 Cor. v. 14). (4) The glory and honour of Jesus, that He is loved only by pure and sincere souls, and by all such.

2. Young converts, more particularly. First love of believers often warmest. The kindness of Israel's youth tenderly remembered by the Lord (Jer. ii. 2). The believer's young love often damped by the power of corruption within, and the influence of the world without. The main charge which the Lord Jesus brought against the Church of Ephesus, that it had left its 'first love' (Rev. ii. 4).

3. Men in general,-especially, men of single and sincere hearts. Christ the suit able object of human love, both as a perfect man and as a loving Saviour. Men of honest and sincere hearts the most likely to love Christ. Hence the attachment of a Nathanael and a Cornelius, of a Nicodemus and a Joseph of Arimathæa. Men who are 'Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile,' readily drawn to Christ. Christ the Desire of all nations,' fitted to be such, and actually to become such. Men only prevented from loving Christ by the blindness of their minds and the depravity of their hearts. Love to Christ the test of a man's character. Men worthy to be accursed' who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. xvi. 22).

4. Angels, who have never sinned. Christ the object of angelic love. His sufferings on earth and His glory in heaven lovingly contemplated by angels (1 Pet. i. 11, 12). Angels rejoiced to minister to Him, and still minister to His members for His sake. The first to announce His birth, and the companions of the redeemed in celebrating His praise.

II. The Love itself. Christ the object first of a sinner's faith, then of his love. True faith in Christ, a 'faith which worketh by love.' Men's love desired by Christ: 'My son, give Me thine heart.' The love of the woman of Sychar refreshes Him more than meat and drink. Nothing without men's love satisfied Christ. If a man would give

all the substance of his house for love, it would be utterly contemned' (chap. viii. 7). Christ infinitely worthy of men's love—(1) For what He is in Himself; (2) For what He has done for them. Observe

1. The character of a believer's love to Christ. It is (1) Natural and reasonable. (2) Ardent and sincere. (3) Paramount and supreme. (4) Undivided and admitting no rival. (5) Active and practical. (6) Self-denying. (7) Pure and holy. (8) Permanent and abiding. (9) Unconquerable and unquenchable. (10) Divine in its origin. (11) Self-evidencing.

2. The evidence of this love. Shews itself-(1) In obedience to His will. (2) In devotedness to His service. (3) In love to His fellowship. (4) In imitation of His spirit and conduct. (5) In affection to His people, His cause, and all that belongs to Him.

I. The REQUEST. Draw me.' Christ the magnet of renewed souls. The desire of all such to be drawn to Him. The request the result-(1) Of acquaintance with Him; (2) Of love to Him; (3) Of desire to enjoy and follow Him. Implies-(1) Perception of Him, as the One Pearl of great price; the Treasure hid in the Field; the chief among ten thousand; the Altogether Lovely. (2) Desire after Him. Renewed and saved souls not content to be at a distance from Christ, or to sit still in such a condition. Their desire to be near Him, lean on His bosom, rest in His arms, sit at His feet, hear His voice, look on His pierced hands and side. (3) Conscious inability. The soul unable of itself to come to Christ, run after Him, or follow Him. The renewed soul conscious of that inability. Hence the prayer: Quicken us, and we will call upon Thy name.' 'My soul cleaveth to the dust; quicken me according to Thy word.' 'Turn me and I shall be turned. The soul conscious of Divine help in following hard after God (Ps. lxiii. 8; cxix. 32). Grace, teaches us both Christ's worth and our own weakness. Christ the Author as well as the Object of our faith. The soul kept from Christ, and from following after Him, by a three-fold hindrance-(1) The flesh; (2) The world;

(3) The Devil. Christ first draws souls to Him, and then after Him. Observe in regard to

The Saviour's Drawing.

1. The MEANING AND IMPORT of it. A threefold drawing of the soul by Christ(1) In conversion to Him; (2) In following after Him; (3) In communion with Him. The last here especially intended. The desire in verse 2, followed by that in verse 4 as a means towards it. To enjoy Christ's kisses we have to be drawn to Christ Himself. Christ draws-(1) Our attention, keeping it fixed on Himself; (2) Our desire and longing, as in the case of the woman of Sidon (Matt. xv. 21—28); (3) Our affection; (4) Our resolution; (5) Our self-surrender; (6) Our confidence and faith. Implies not only faith, but perseverance in it (1 Pet. i. 5).

2. The MEANS by which He draws. Christ draws by showing-(1) His own love, loveliness, and preciousness; (2) Our entire and absolute need of Him. The Holy Ghost the effectual agent employed, The instrumental means, the Word, however communicated, which reveals Him in what He is in Himself, and what He is to us and has done for us (John xii. 32). Christ draws (1) By the Doctrines He teaches; (2) By the Promises He makes; (3) By the Providences He employs (Hos. ii. 14; xi. 4; Rom. ii. 4).

The

3. The MOTIVE AND GROUND of the drawing. His own free love. He draws with loving-kindness because He has loved with an everlasting love (Jer. xxxi. 3). bands with which He draws, "the bands of love" (Hos. xi 4). His love to and choice of us before ours to Him (John xv. 16; 1 John iv. 19).

The personality of the request to be noticed. Draw me.' Salvation and true religion, the possession and enjoyment of Christ, a personal thing. The believer's first desire is to be drawn himself. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that Thou bearest to Thy people; visit me with Thy salvation' (Ps. cvi. 4). We can only be the means of drawing others to Christ when we have been drawn ourselves.

II. The RESOLUTION. We will run after thee.' The words may indicate-(1) The object of the request; (2) The argument used to enforce it: nothing sweeter to Christ, than a soul ardently following Him; (3) A purpose formed; (4) A hope entertained, Viewed as referring to the speaker, a purpose or resolution; as referring to others, a hope and expectation. Notice

1. The Action. Run after thee.' Implies eagerness, earnestness, and haste; rapidity, perseverance, and strength (Isa. xl. 31; Dan. viii. 6). Opposed to former deadness and sluggishness, whether absolute or comparative. Believers, when it is well with them, not content with mere walking after Christ. Good to walk, better to run. The Psalmist's resolution (Ps. cxix. 32). The promise of the Father to Christ in regard to the nations (Isa. lv. 5). Not only walking but running promised as the result of waiting upon the Lord (Isa. xl. 31). Running, rather than mere walking, pleasing to Christ. Luke warmness his great dislike (Rev. iii. 15). Christ worthy not only of being followed, but run after -followed and sought with the energy of the whole soul. A blind world run after

the creature; enlightened believers run after Christ. Christ first run to, then run after. Run to as a Saviour; run after as a Friend and Beloved. We run to Him as sinners; after Him as saints. The believer's duty and privilege not to run before, but after Christ; not to make a way for himself but to tread in His steps (John x. 4, 5, 27). The running ours; the power to run, Christ's. Effectual grace consistent with personal diligence, and a strong encouragement to it (Phil. ii. 12, 13; Ps. cx. 3). The request to be drawn not made from indolence but from helplessness. Believers to be not slothful in business-least of all in the business of religion-but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Rom. xii. 11). Progress always to be made towards Christ and in the Divine life. The Christian life a running (1 Cor. ix. 24, 25; Gal. ii. 2; iv. 7; Heb. xii. 1, 2; Philip, iii. 13, 14). The believer's leet made like hind's feet. The Word of God made plain, that those that read may run (Hab. ii. 2). Christ to be run after(1) As our Chief Joy and Highest Good, Christ the Desire of all nations, and worthy to be the Desire of all hearts. All in Him that is lovely and desirable; and all lovely and desirable that is in Him. Christ the Fountain of living waters. All else broken cisterns. The language of the soul running after Christ, 'Whom have Iin heaven but Thee? and there is none on the earth that I desire besides Thee.' There be many that say: who will shew us any good: Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us' (Ps. lxxiii. 25; iv. 6).

"Thou, O Christ art all I want;

More than all in Thee I find.”

(2) As our Pattern and Example. He hath left us an example that we should follow His steps. I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you'

The

(John xiii. 14, 15; 1 Pet. ii. 21). same mind to be in us that was in Him. The believer to be as He was in the world (Phil. ii. 5; 1 John iv. 17; ii. 6; iii. 3). To run his race, looking unto Jesus (Heb. xii. 3). (3). Our Leader and Commander. Christ given for this purpose (Isa. lv. 4). The Captain of our salvation. Believers to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The picture of Christ and His saints on the day of His appearing to have its special verification now, Christ as King and General on His white horse, followed by the armies of His people also on white horses (Rev. xix. 12-14). Fulfilled in the calling of the Apostles (Matt. iv. 18-22; Luke v. 27, 28; John i. 43). And of every believer (Matt. xvi 24). "The sacramental host of God's elect.'

2. The persons. 'We will run after Thee.' The singular changed for the plural. Draw me: we will run. We,-I and others with me. Me, the individual believer; we, he and others influenced by him. Or; me, the single believer; we, the Church of which he forms a part. Both individuality and plurality in the Bride. The Bride both an individual and a community. The Church one and many. The drawing of one member followed by the running of others; so the Primitive Church at and after Pentecost. The drawing of the woman of Sychar followed by the running of many of the inhabitants (John iv.). The language of a lively believer that of Moses to his father-in-law:

We

are journeying to the place of which the Lord hath said, I will give it you; come thou with us and we will do thee good' (Num. x. 29). The believer not content to enjoy or follow Christ alone. Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. Philip, after finding the Saviour himself, does the same with Nathaniel (John i. 40-45). None drawn to follow Christ alone. One drawn by means of another. The believer's duty and privilege to be instrumental in drawing others to Christ; and his great joy to see others running after Him along with himself. The lively Christian a missionary everywhere. The love and life of one believer the means of quickening and stirring up others. On the other hand, one dead Christian often the means of deadening others. One lively member of a Church a blessing to the whole.

Bride's Recorded Experience. 'The King hath brought me into His chambers.'

Shulamite recalls and records her experience of the King's kindness and her own happiness. Good to remember and thankfully to record the manifestations of Christ's

favour. The Lord's will concerning His people. He hath made His works to be remembered. The believer's duty,-Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. A gain to ourselves as well as to others, to remember and mention the loving kindness of the Lord' (Is. lxiii. 7). The favour in the text recorded apparently as an answer to the prayer: 'Draw me.' Answers to prayer to be especially remembered and mentioned for the Lord's honour, and for the encouragement of others as well as ourselves. Earnest longings and entreaties for spiritual blessings never disregarded. "The vision is for an appointed time; though it tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, and will not tarry' (Hab. ii. 3).—Observe, in regard to the favour in the text,-introduction

into

The King's Chambers,

The

I. THE CHAMBERS themselves. King's chambers his more private apartments. Admission only for favoured persons, those nearest and dearest to the King. The especial privilege of the King's Betrothed. Shulamite rejoices in being admitted to this high honour. Christ not only makes believers His Bride, but admits them to the privileges of such a relation. Admission into Christ's chambers implies-more than ordinary manifestations of Himself; personal nearness; intimate fellowship; sensible enjoyment; confidential communication. The fulfilment of the promise: 'I will manifest myself to him' (John xiv. 21). The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant (Ps. xxv. 14). The privilege of believers to enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus (Heb. x. 19), and to sit with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. ii. 6). Special nearness to Christ and sense of His love at times realized by the believer. Such realisations not confined to time or place; but more usually enjoyed in secret prayer and public ordinances, more especially in the Lord's Supper. Such experiences the believer's high festival days, and foretastes of heaven. Ordinarily for but a short time together. At present, the believer's place in general only the antechamber. Permanent abiding in the King's chambers reserved for a higher and better state. Meantime, the happy privilege of believers to be at times admitted into the King's chambers. No place on earth so honourable and so blessed. No place so humble and unattractive to the eye of sense but grace can convert it into the King's chambers. Jacob's experience on the stony plain at Bethel not confined to local habitation: Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not: This is none other but the

experience of the King's chambers, and her high esteem of the King himself. Implies both anticipation and resolution. Observe on the words thus viewed, in regard to the

Believer's Joy in Christ,

I. The Joy itself. Intense joy. The language emphatic: We will be glad and rejoice. Two words employed for emphasis. Not mere joy, but exultation. Not a mere rejoicing, but a shouting for joy. An inward joy outwardly expressed. A believer's joy in Christ a joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet. i. 8). Believers at times in heaviness through manifold temptations; but their experience anything but a gloomy

one.

The ransomed of the Lord enabled to return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads (Isa. xxxv. 10). Have joy here, and the hope of more hereafter. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.' Cheerfulness and joy disposing to praise, both the privilege and duty of believers. Sadness in the presence of an Oriental monarch an offence to the sovereign and a peril to the subject (Neh. ii. 1, 2). God graciously meets those that rejoice while they remember Him in His ways (Isa. lxvi. 5).

II. The OBJECT of the joy. Christ himself. We will be glad and rejoice in Thee. Not in the creature and its attractions; not in the world and its pleasures; not in self and its doings or feelings. Christ and God in him the object of truest and highest joy. The duty and privilege of believers, both in the Old and New Testament, to rejoice in the Lord (Ps. xxxiii. 1; Phil. iii. 1). Enough in God to fill a universe of intelligent creatures, and enough in Christ to fill a world of believing sinners, with joy unspeakable. Christ opens up sources of joy outside of Himself; but the deep and living fountain is in Himself. The Psalmist's words especially true of Christ: All my springs are in Thee' (Ps. lxxxvi. 7). In Him are both the upper and the nether springs,'-the joy of the Church triumphant in heaven, and of the Church militant on earth. All the attractions and charms in the creature concentrated and summed up in Him, the Creator and Saviour. In Him all love and loveliness, all sweetness and excellence, in their perfection and without alloy. Believers able to rejoice in Christ not only as their Redeemer and Saviour, but as their Beloved and Bridegroom (Matt. ix. 15). To a renewed soul, everything in Jesus such as to afford matter of joy,-His person, aames, titles, offices, relations, work; His oirth, life, sufferings, death, resurrection, as

cension, second coming; His miracles, discourses, doctrines, promises, precepts, warnings; His word, worship, day, table, people, cause; His salvation, grace, kingdom, fellowship, love; His blood that washes them, His righteousness that clothes them, His spirit that anoints and sanctifies them, and His ordinances that comfort and strengthen them. In His present salvation they rejoice; still more in that which is to be revealed at His coming. In His salvation they rejoice; still more in Himself. Good to have and enjoy the King's gifts; still better to have and enjoy the King himself. Thy gifts precious; but 'We will be glad and rejoice in Thee.' Joy in an unseen Christ unspeakable; what then in a seen one?

The text the language of resolution. We will be glad.' The duty of believers to rejoice in Christ, and to resolve by Divine grace to do so. Especially on any fresh enjoyment of His presence and love. Holy resolution the fruit of Divine grace, and to be freely made in dependance on it. Need of resolution. Much to oppose such rejoicing: remembered sin; inward corruption; buffetings of Satan; outward trials. These not to hinder rejoicing in the Lord. though the fig-tree shall not blossom, &c., yet will I rejoice in the Lord,' &c. (Hab. iii. 17, 18). Joy in Christ often greatest when joy from the creature is least (Hos. ii. 14;' 2 Cor. i. 5).

Al

The language of faith and hope. The same ground of rejoicing in the future as in the past. Christ a well that never runs dry. The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us' (2 Cor. i. 10). 'Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice' (Ps. Ixiii. 7).

We

Observe the party who shall rejoice. will be glad and rejoice in Thee.' Another change from the singular to the plural. The King hath brought me, &c.; we will be glad, &c. The Bride herself, and others along with her. The believer speaks for himself and his fellow-believers. The joy of one to become the joy of many. The part of believers to rejoice with them that rejoice. The body of Christ one with many members. 'If one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it' (1 Cor. xii. 26). One believer rejoicing in the presence and love of Jesus, the means of influencing others to seek and obtain the same happiness. Man a social being. Inclined to act in numbers. One constantly influenced by another. Sympathy a powerful principle in man's nature. Its operation in revivals of religion. Employed by the Spirit in the great advancement