CHAPTER II. Ver. 1. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." ALL the best commentators ascribe these words to the Bride, and not to Christ; since the original rendering is, "I am a rose of the mere field, and a lily of the mere plain," strongly indicating meanness of abstraction. And then the reply of Christ immediately follows-" As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." 66 He The language is most truly applicable to the Bride, but it is no less truly so of Jesus. was fragrant as the rose, and fair as the lily. Yet it is written of him, He shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground” (Isaiah liii. 2). Indeed, both flowers are peculiarly emblematical of him. "The rose delights in shadowy places, and thence has its name in the original;" whilst the lily thrives in "the valleys." So the Lord laid aside the glory of his Divine Majesty for a season, and "though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor," and took on him the form D of a servant" (2 Cor. viii. 9; Phil. ii. 8). For he was "meek and lowly in heart," and had not where to lay his head! "A root out of a dry ground"—“ A rose of the mere field, a lily of the mere plain.” And all this was that he might set us an example that we should walk in his steps" with all lowliness and meekness;" for "not many mighty, not many noble are called," but God hath "chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom" (Eph. iv. 2; 1 Cor. i. 26; James ii. 5). Yet another thought is suggested by the colour of these two flowers : "Jesus, the saints' perpetual theme- As ointment poured forth, it spreads "Meek as the lily too-and white, The Lamb for sinners slain ! With blood bedewed, his own rich blood, Ver. 2. "As the lily among thorns, so is my love What a lovely picture of the Church in the world! "A lily among thorns"-" Sheep in the midst of wolves"—" Lights in the world" (Matt. x. 16; Phil. ii. 15). "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one" (1 John v. 19, Gr.). "So is my love among the daughters." It is true of each individual-" the lily;" each one is, as it were, singled out by Christ from professors around; and, oh! precious truth, he sees the "thorns" which surround us, he knows the opposition we meet with. And he places "the lily" in striking contrast to the "thorns." In Hos. xiv. 5, the lily is spoken of in reference to fruitfulness-" He shall grow as the lily," &c.; teaching us how the fruit-bearing character of the children of God should distinguish them from the waste, barren, fruitless "thorn." distinctive character, this manifested difference, is far too little evidenced by Christians, as separating them from the world around. 66 This But there is yet another thought arising from these words, namely, the electing love of God-" the lily among thorns." "I have chosen you out of the world" (John xv. 19). "I brought thee out of the land of Egypt" (Psalm lxxxi. 10). called but few chosen" (Matt. xxii. 14). love among the daughters." THE BRIDE'S REPLY. Many are "So is my Ver. 3. "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons." If Christ esteemed his Bride as more excellent than all the daughters, so she esteemed him above all the sons. She compares him to an apple or citron-tree, bringing forth delicious fruit, (which may remind us of "the tree of life that bare twelve manner of fruits,") so presenting him to view in the strongest contrast to the sons whom she compares to "the trees," literally, "the wild trees of the wood." 66 Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord" (Psalm lxxxix. 6)? What son is comparable to "the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth ?” "I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." "His shadow." "The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand”. "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat"—" The shadow of a great rock in a weary land"- "Hide me under the shadow of thy wings" (Psalm cxxi. 5 ; Isaiah iv. 6; xxxii. 2; and xxv. 4; Psalm xvii. 8, &c). The wide-spreading and luxuriant foliage of this apple tree provides a refuge for the cool refreshment and quiet rest of the Lord's people; shade from the heat, and shelter from the storm. For it is an abiding shadow. All other shadows are constantly fleeting, but with the Lord "there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James i 17). Therefore we may dwell beneath it. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm xci. 1). Here we may sit down in the sweet repose and quiet rest of faith, even in the midst of conflict. He hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. ii. 6). And there are seasons when it is especially true, that "their strength is to sit still;" as Jesus once said to his disciples of old, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile" (Mark vi. 31). "I sat down under his shadow with great delight." "Great delight."-Religion is no gloomy thing. "In the multitude of my thoughts within me," exclaimed David, "thy comforts delight my soul" (Psalm xciv. 19). "The meek shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Even now, in our partial enjoyment of heavenly things, we can, believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable." Let your soul delight itself in fatness"-" Delight thy self in the Lord" (Isaiah lv. 2; Psalm xxxvii. 4; 1 Peter i. 8; Psalm i. 2, &c.). 66 66 It were impossible to describe the intense enjoyment and delight experienced by the Lord's people in seasons of such near and close communion, while sitting under his shadow! Nor is this passive enjoyment all that is noticed here; there is, further, the hand of faith plucking the fruit from the tree. "And his fruit was sweet to my taste." There is actual feeding upon Christ. "If so be |