assembly of the redeemed from among men, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"—" These are they which came out of great tribulation," &c. &c.b The columns of smoke which are noticed, as if ascending from the burning of myrrh and frankincense, and all the aromatic powders of the merchant, and which first attract the attention of the virgins, is emblematical, I conceive, of the prayers and praises of the saints, as offered in the name of Christ, with the memorial of his death-and in reference to his atoning sacrifice-ascending, to use the Scripture metaphor, as a sweet-smelling savour before the mercy-seat of the heavenly tabernacle. "And another" angel "came and stood by the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it, with the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand "." To relieve the tiresome way, through which his bride must pass, to shelter from the parching sun by day, and to defend from midnight robbers, King Solomon, it seems, had sent a magnificent palanquin, attended by threescore valiant soldiers. The virgins recognise the equipage, and perceive, of course, whose bride it conveys. "Lo, it is the pa lanquin of Solomon! Sixty valiant men surround it, of the valiant of Israel." So he, who is the peace of his people, the King of the heavenly Zion, has carefully provided for the safe and pleasant conveyance of his redeemed, through the wilderness of this world, to the mansion prepared for them in his Father's house. 66 They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time." This world in itself is a comfortless desert; yet they, through his care, enjoy many comforts in passing through it." In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace.” "In the time of trouble," says one," he will hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me." Compare too the remarkable declaration in the prophecy of Isaiah: "Hearken to me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: and even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you." If we inquire particularly respecting the armed attendance which guards the royal couch, the Scripture affords an easy solution: "He shall give his d1 Pet. i. 5. e John, xvi. 33. f Ps. xxvii. 5. h angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways, they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone ";"-" The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Of the angels again we read, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation"." 66 We come next to consider the description of the bridal palanquin itself. King Solomon has made him a palanquin : he formed it of the woods of Lebanon. Its supporters he made of silver; its mattress of cloth of gold; its hangings are of purple; its inside is spread over with love by the daughters of Jerusalem." The vehicle, we observe, was contrived for rest, and easy conveyance; but its beauty and magnificence bespake, at the same time, the quality and riches of its possessor. The emblem well applies to the provisions which have been made in the scheme of redemption for the present peace, safety, and happiness of the objects of the divine compassion and love. Their comfort, and the relief of their many infirmities during the toilsome and perilous journey of life, have been graciously considered and provided for by their all-wise and powerful Saviour; so that, notwithstanding the dreary scene around them, and the inconveniences necessarily incident to travellers h Ps. xci. 11, 12. iPs. xxxiv. 7. k Heb. i. 14. in a desert, the followers of Christ shall not fail to find the words of the heavenly wisdom true, that "her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace'." 66 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in theem." The God of mercy has bid them “cast their burden upon him, promising to sustain them"." -"To be careful for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to let their requests be known unto him." Remarkable are the words of our Lord, even when comparing his service to a yoke: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls"." The believer, therefore, relying upon a Saviour's promise, and so far placed above the cares and troubles of life, and secure from harm, while passing through this world to a better world above, fully answers to the emblem before us. This palanquin, or travelling couch, which Solomon had sent to convey his bride across the desert, could not indeed, from its very nature and purpose, display all the rich magnificence of that Prince's court; yet still, we see it displayed, in its minor ornaments, the royal munificence of its owner. The cedar, the silver and gold, the purple and rich emn Ps, lv. 22. 1 Prov. iii. 17. m Isai. xxxvi. 3. P Mat. xi. 29, 30. broidery, were, so to speak, the decorations of a palace on a smaller scale. On the occasion which supplied the exterior of the allegory, this beautiful means of conveyance, we may easily conceive, would exhibit to Solomon's chosen an encouraging pledge and specimen of her splendid entertainment, when she should once arrive at the residence of her royal Bridegroom. In like manner, the state of grace, as entered and enjoyed by the people of God here below, though it cannot be thought to bear comparison with that glory which is to be revealed-with that 66 inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, which is reserved in heaven for them;" yet does it exhibit, in its rich provisions, and in the present joys which it affords, an animating specimen of the munificence of the King of Glory. It contains that which is to the believer an earnest and a foretaste of those pleasures that are at God's right hand for ever. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him, but God has revealed them to us by his Spirit " The silver, and the gold, and the purple, therefore, we consider as emblematical of the true and more durable riches of faith, of the heavenly joy that hope can realize on earth, and of those mani 91 Cor. ii. 9. G |
