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slain; tossed to and fro, but not entirely wrecked. "In all things they shall be more than conquerors," through the great Captain of their salvation.

9. King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.

10. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem.

11. Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Here is a description of the "covenant work of redemption," and the glories that shall flow from its full and final accomplishment.

The "chariot," is that covenant of grace and love which the Almighty Father made with His well-beloved Son, on behalf of His Church, which He purchased with His own blood, and, in due time, will gather unto Himself, "without spot or blemish, or any such thing." In this, as in a royal "chariot," Jesus, the Head and Lord of the covenant, doth ride, displaying the glory of the triune

1 Rom. viii. 37.

God, in the sovereignty and wisdom, and fulness and freeness of Gospel grace and love.

In this "chariot," too, His people are carried; being borne along through all the dangers, temptations, and difficulties of the way (as Jacob was to Goshen) until finally they are carried triumphantly to Glory, with an abundant entrance into the Kingdom.

As this "chariot," was contrived and planned in the eternal will and counsel of the triune Jehovah, we may be sure it was well built, well devised, both for the glory of Jehovah, as well as the comfort of His Church. "It is "ordered in all things, and sure."1 Man had no hand in its construction.

2

"King Solomon," ie. King Jesus, the " Angel of the Great Council," was the Author of it." He made it."

Its materials are as lasting as the "wood," and immovable as the mountains of "Lebanon.” The wood of Lebanon never decays, and the mountains of Lebanon abide unto this day. Even so the words of the covenant are sure and steadfast. Its "pillars are of silver," i.e. its promises, are "yea and amen. Jesus will not break His Word, nor alter the thing that is gone out from His lips. His covenant promises are "exceeding great and precious,"

"3

4

1. 2 Saml. xxiii 5. 2. Isaiah ix. 6. 3. II. Cor. i. 20. 4. Psm. lxxxix. 34.

of more worth han housands of it and Ter," and tumble as he sure mercies of Dari The more they are handled by hith, he brighter their

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"fold." he most lasting, and the nost precious ful metais.. This marks it as everlasting and most sare. There's no danger of any åling rough. It has such a strong and immoveable bottom as can never be broken.

La covering is or “purple,” which is the blood of the everlasting covenant. Beneath this covering, Christ's Church is sure. Not one single drop of the Father's wrath against sinners shall ever drop on the heads of those who are once seated in this glorious chariot," in the midst of which, and on all sides of it are displayed that "love of Christ which passeth all understanding.”

When souls join themselves to Jesus (being drawn by the Spirit to see His grace, and behold the glory of His covenant) this is the day of " His espousals." By a mystery of Grace, He is joined to them, and is one with them, and they with Him.

They go forth out of themselves, and out of the crowd of the world; and dwell with joy and delight on the glorious prospect which Faith sets before them, of that Glory which shall be revealed in the day when the "voice of the great multitude,

1. Psm. lxxxix. 35.

and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings," shall be heard, saying, "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

Let him that readeth understand, and remember the Word of the Lord-" Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

1. Rev. xix. 6-7.

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CHAPTER IV.

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves eyes within the locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.

Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one

bear twins, and none is barren among them.

#y lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is wely: thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks.

4. Phy met is like the tower of David builded for an ary, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers,

all shields of mighty men.

B. Thy two breasts are like two young roes, that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

0.

Until the day break and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the

hill of frankincense.

7. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

Those who honour Christ He will also honour.'

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