Gentle and compassionate, not breaking the bruised reed nor quenching the smoking flax. 'Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. (2) In His words. Gracious words proceeded out of His mouth. 'Never man spake like this man.'

The

Gospels a repertory of such golden sayings as never before had fallen from human lips. (3) In His actions. He went about doing good.' Even in His outward actions, acknowledged to have been the greatest benefactor the earth had ever seen before or has ever beheld since. His earthly ministry one continued display of self-denying beneficence to the poor, the suffering, and the distressed. (4) In His sufferings and death. In these, peculiarly distressing as they were, a picture displayed of the most perfect patience and submission. His dying breath a prayer on behalf of His persecutors and murderers, while His only complaint was that poured forth to His Father in the words of the Psalmist My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Ps. xxii. 1; Matt. xxvii. 46).

2. In their effects. Ointments or perfumes valued for their refreshing fragrance. Hence poured on the head of guests at table. The graces and virtues of Christ's character all such as rendered Him a Benefactor and Saviour to mankind. Fitted by the Holy Spirit's anointing to preach glad tidings to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, &c. (Isa. lxi. 1, 2.) The poorest, lowest, and guiltiest attracted to Him by His gracious and loving spirit, as well as by His heavenly and healing words (Luke xv. 1). Even little children drawn to Him by the savour of His 'good ointments.' In the graces and virtues of His character, as well as the sacrificial surrender of His life, Christ a sweet-smelling savour to God. His words quickening, reviving, comforting and gladdening as well to sinners as to saints.

the object of their warmest affection and their most entire confidence. The name or names by which He is known indicative of what He is in Himself, and what He is and becomes to us. His names all significant and suggestive of His character and work. Their meaning such as to commend Him to sinners, and to endear Him to saints. Each name an exhibition of Him in some special aspect of loveliness and preciousness. Examples :

1. EMMANUEL. (Isa. vii. 14). Its meaning, 'God with us' (Matt. i. 23). Full of sweetness. God for our salvation become one of us-a partaker of flesh and blood-in order to be our Redeemer. God manifest in the flesh. The Eternal Word made flesh and dwelling among us. The name a reviving revelation of boundless love, pity, and condescension on the part of our Maker. The Beloved of the Church one who is both God and Man. "The man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts' (Zech. xiii. 7). One with the Father, and yet one with us. The bright reflection of the Divine glory, and yet bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. Possessed of all the attributes of the God-head, and all the sympathies of humanity. Sustains the glory of Deity, and is touched with the feeling of all our infirmities. The Creator and Upholder of the universe, and yet tempted in all points like as we are (Heb. i. 2, 3; iv. 15). Hence (1) His infinite power as a Saviour. Able to save to the uttermost. Mighty to save. Able to raise both the dead soul and the dead body to life. (2) The infinite efficacy belonging to His sacrificial undertaking. His suffering and death that of God manifest in the flesh.' God purchased the Church with His own blood-a sufficient price for the ransom of countless worlds (Acts xx. 28). The blood of Jesus Christ, because the blood of God's Son, able to cleanse from all sin (1 John i. 7).

His name in prophecy

2. JESUS. Given, at the direction of an angel, as the equivalent of Emmanuel' (Matt. i. 21-23). A name full of exquisite sweetness. Denotes-Jehovah the Saviour;' or, 'the Lord will save.' God Himself becomes our Salvation. 'Jesus,' a Divine Saviour; hence equivalent to 'Emmanuel.' A Saviour needed by man, and a great one Such found in Jesus. Hence His name. Saves, as was necessary, both from sin and sin's consequences; not only from its guilt and punishment, but from its power, pollu. tion, and presence; saves from a blinded understanding, a depraved will, and a corrupt heart. Saves from sin and Satan, from death and hell, and from the power and influence of a present evil world

Saves at once, and saves for ever. Saves now by the invisible operation of His Spirit; saves hereafter by His visible and glorious appearing (Heb. ix. 14, 28). Able to save even the chief of sinners (1 Tim. i. 15). To save the lost the object of His coming into the world (Luke xix. 10; 1 Tim. i. 15).

3. CHRIST, or THE CHRIST. His official name. Both a name and a title. Like the Hebrew term 'Messiah,' denotes the Anointed. A name also full of sweetness. Marks Him out as anointed by the Holy Ghost as the Prophet, Priest, and King of His Church. Anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows (Ps. xlv. 7). Anointed by the Spirit to preach glad tidings to the meek, &c. (Isa. lxi. 1). Jesus the Christ, as filled with the Holy Spirit, and so fitted for man's salvation.

His 'name' may include (1) His Titles: as; Son of God,Son of Man, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Prince of Life, Lord of Glory, Plant of Renown, the Word, the Word of God, our Hope, our Peace, our Life. (2) His Offices: as; Prophet, Priest, King, Mediator, Redeemer, Captain, Physician, Teacher, Witness-bearer, SAVIOUR. (3) His Relations: as; Husband, Brother, Father, Friend, Shepherd, Surety, Master. (4) His Attributes: as; Merciful, Faithful, True, Almighty, Everlasting, Unchanging, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. (5) His Character: as; meek, lowly, loving, holy, just, wise, and good.

The

No name mentioned in the text. name deep in the heart. No name like His in a believer's ear. Remembered when every other name is forgotten. The name which is above every name. Known truly to none but Himself and those to whom He reveals it. Wherever known, accompanied with love and trust (Ps. xci. 14; ix. 10).

1. As ointment' or perfume. Indicates its sweet and reviving nature. To a believer the very mention of Jesus accompanied with joy and comfort. Every name of Jesus fragrant to the spiritual senses. The name of a loved one sweet because calling up the person himself. The name of Jesus makes the sad heart it enters leap with joy. Is honey to the mouth, music to the ear, and comfort to the soul. Everything insipid to a believer that carries not the savour of that

name in it. "All spiritual food dry, if not pervaded with this oil; and tasteless, if not seasoned with this salt." What is written has no relish to a believer, if he reads not there the name of Jesus. Conversation has no pleasure if the name of Jesus is excluded.

Nature with all its loveliness only pleases when associated with the name of Jesus. His name suggestive of all that is most beautiful, lovely, and excellent. "Contains in it all the excellence scattered throughout creation." The best, sweetest, purest, noblest things associated with it. Embraces whatever is noblest in truth, honour, faith, love, meekness, humility, self-denial, generosity. All tenderness, sweetness, benevolence, centred in the name of Jesus. Gentleness, moral courage, disinterested love, identified with it. In His name, more sweetness, beauty, love, than ever human heart conceived. To a renewed and spiritual mind, the most joyous and exhilarating name on earth. "Touches all the chords of gratitude, enthusiasm, and devotion." Under the Holy Spirit's revelation, fills every avenue of the soul with joy, wonder, and adoration. A day coming, when it will fill heaven and earth with its sweetness and fragrance.

2. As 'ointment poured forth.' Indicates(1) Abundance, as well of the ointment itself as of its fragrance. The perfume abundantly diffused. An infinite fulness in Jesus, and an infinite sweetness in His name. 'It hath pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell.' 'God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." His glory that of the only begotten of the Father, 'full of grace and truth' (John i. 14: iii. 34; Col. i. 19). Christ a full Saviour for empty sinners. A fountain ever full and ever flowing. His riches without a bottom. A mine never exhausted.

Enough for each, enough for all,
Enough for evermore.

(2) Impartation. A perfume poured forth yields up all its fragrance for enjoyment. Enclosed and sealed up in the vessel, it affords little sweetness. Mary broke her alabaster box, or its seal, and the whole house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Christ's name not only ointment but ointment 'poured forth,' for the benefit and enjoyment of others. Christ to be manifested

Externally. Christ and His name was a perfume in heaven while shut up in the bosom of the Father.' A perfume to God and angels before man was created. Shut up as to men till the day of the fall. The first promise of a Saviour made in Eden broke the seal (Gen. iii. 15). The seal more and more removed, and the fragrance made more and more to flow forth, as time rolled on. The promised Saviour more and more plainly and fully revealed through the prophets, till He Himself appeared. The ointment then poured forth-(1) By

Christ Himself: (a) in His life; (b) in His preaching; (c) in His miracles; (d) in His death. The seal of the casket containing the perfume that was to fill heaven and earth with its fragrance fully broken on Calvary when Jesus said: 'It is finished,' bowed His head, and died; (e) in His effusion of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. (2) By the Apostles and the Church after Pentecost. Till then the 'name' shut up among the Jews: after that, to be carried by the Apostles to all nations. The ointment streaming forth more or less over the world during the last eighteen centuries The calling and commission of the Church at large, as well as of Apostles, ministers, and missionaries, to make manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place (2 Cor. ii. 14).

Ye are My witnesses. Every believer, by his lips and his life, to be a bearer of the fragrance of Christ's name in the neighbourhood where he dwells.

Internally. This ointment to be poured forth in the soul in order to the perception of its sweetness. Mere external diffusion not sufficient. A spiritual fragrance to be spiritually perceived. A spiritual power of perception needed; or, what is equivalent, an inward spiritual revelation of Christ by the Holy Ghost. It pleased God to reveal His Son in me.' 'Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.' Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes.' God hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. iv. 6; Gal. i. 16; Matt. xvi. 17; xi. 25). Without the inward diffusion of the fragrance by the Holy Ghost (John xvi. 14, 15), Christ a root out of ary ground, without form or comeliness' (Isa. liii. 2). A man's greatest blessedness in having this precious ointment poured forth 'in his heart (Rom. v. 5). The perfume of Christ's name to be poured forth externally by the Church, through the lips and lives of its members, to the world at large; internally by the Holy Ghost to the individual soul. The Word and Sacraments the instituted means through which the Spirit pours forth the ointment, both externally and internally. Sinners saved and believers refreshed, revived, and sanctified only as Christ's name is thus revealed and the ointment poured forth. The Scriptures, a preached Gospel, the Bread and Wine in the Supper, these the casket containing the perfume; the Holy Ghost the agent who breaks the seal and pours forth the fragrance.

Important questions for each: Have I known this precious name? Is the name of

Jesus to me as ointment poured forth?' If so, what am I doing to diffuse its fragrance for the benefit of others? If not, why so? Have I given proper attention to that name? Have I seriously thought of Christ? The whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick:' have I realized my spiritual sickness ? Have I seriously considered and really known what it is to be a sinner, and so realized my need of a Saviour? If not, how can I expect the name of Jesus to be sweet and precious to me? Lord, let me not rest till I have done So. Give me now, by Thy Holy Spirit, to realize my need of Christ, and to see His preciousness.

The Effect of Solomon's Excellencies.

"Therefore do the virgins love thee."

The report of the king's excellencies and attractions had reached Shulamite, as it had done the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings x. 1). The effect of these excellencies was that the virgins loved him; among the rest Shulamite herself. So the excellencies of Christ render Him, as they may well do, the object of love to all sincere and rightly disposed persons who came to hear of them. In reference toLove to Christ,

the text suggests

I. The PERSONS who love Him. The 'virgins' representatives of

1. Believers, or renewed persons in general. Virgin-souls-those whose hearts are given entirely to God and Jesus Christ. Those who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth (Rev. xiv. 4). Believers to be presented to Christ as a chaste virgin (2 Cor. xi. 3). The true members of the Jewish Church so called (Jer. xxxi. 4, 21). Believers virgins'-(1) From their pure and undivided affection to Christ; (2) From their chaste and faithful adherence to Him and His cause; (3) From their true and Scriptural_views of Him and His religion; (4) From the purity of their worship and general conversation; (5) From their meekness, modesty, and tenderness of conscience; (6) From their moral beauty and comeliness of spirit. Observe(1) Christ only loved by virgin-souls, whose hearts are detached from the world. cannot serve God and mammon, or love Christ and the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father and of Christ is not in him. A divided heart cannot love Christ. Those only His true lovers who are willing to leave all and follow Him. Hence

Men

-(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 suitable 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 Arimathea. 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.

Christ

I. The REQUEST. Draw me.' 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;

6

(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).

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). The 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 feet. 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 I in 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'