As yet, the "Francs or ins word.” is ma frady Emited z = the cast town under our et right hand of God" in gory, de Lari Jesus condescends a iwel ʼn he hears of His people, and like a mile of ným,” which by Jacno was esteemed a worthy rit ir a Prince and by Moses required as an ingredient ir the holy anointing oil and by the wise men of the east, brought as their chcicest present to the Holy Child, Jeans,) "like a bundle of myrrh”—fill of "sweet smelling odours-celebrated alike for its healing properties, as weil as its cleansing power and pleasant perfame, So is Christ to His Church, during the "night of her bridegroom's absence. "To them that believe, He is precious.”— "They love the name of Jesus, Emanuel, Christ the Lord; His name abroad is poured.” "By His stripes they are healed." By His blood they are cleansed (the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.) By His Spirit they are made acceptable and meet for the presence of their King-" being clothed upon with His glorious body whose garments smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia." They who have thus found Christ-" their wisdom, sanctification, and redemption"-value and esteem His presence above all else. 1. Gen. xliii. 11. 2. Ex. xxx. 23. 1 They desire His presence, in their hearts, during the long "night" of their pilgrimage. That which is nearest and most precious, we place in our bosoms both for greater safety, as well as greater honour. The Church desires, that under every dispensation which may befall her, during the "night" of her sojourning here-Jesus would dwell nearest and closest to her heart-" He shall lie all night between my breasts." 14. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire All the choicest and most costly productions of nature, are nothing, in comparison with His excellency, who is the "chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely." Nevertheless they serve, by way of comparison, to set forth the delight and pleasure the Church took in Him, whom she again calls her "beloved,” and compares to "a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi." As to the perplexing, and in some measure, unedifying interpretations which the learned have suggested, in reference to the particular shrub, ("copher”)—" camphire :" it is unnecessary here to speak. Suffice it to say-that whatever the precise nature of the shrub was, to which Solomon referred —it was one notable for its excellencies. Its virtues, like the Sun in the Heavens-were peculiarly suitable to set forth the glories of Jesus, in whom was exhibited all the treasures of the Godhead bodily. It is however, worthy of consideration, that the Hebrew word-" copher," also signifies "atonement,” or “ propitiation.” In that sense, the Christian Reader will readily see its application to Jesus, who "bare our sins in His own body on the tree," and made "propitiation for our sins,”—and thus made us as one with God, through "the blood of His Cross." The observation of Bishop Patrick, is most striking and precious. He says the ancient Jewish Doctors, by dividing the Hebrew word "Eshcol," (a cluster) and reading the words thus "ish-col, copher,"—learned that mystery which their degenerate children afterwards rejected—the mystery of a suffering Messiah. The words read thus in connexion with the whole of the passages, make the sentence "my beloved is unto to me as one that expiates all things." One would almost have thought that the explanation of this verse, as given in the Talmud-had been written by a Christian, rather than a Jewish Doctor. It is this-" He, whose all things are, has atoned for my iniquities." Blessed, happy, Believer-who can thus lay hold of the cluster of those divine blessings-which the atonement of Jesus purchased and His ascension to His Father's Throne in Glory-has secured to all them who by faith, through grace, believe the record of God's eternal love! 15. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. Here we have reciprocal expressions of admiration and fondness between Christ and His Bridethe Church. We notice it, both here and towards the close of this mysterious Song-that both Christ and His Church become more particular and special in their description of each other's excellencies. A significant intimation of that same truth which the growing Christian invariably finds-that, as he ripens in Christian experience-the excellencies of Christ seem to ripen and increase too—as well as his own spiritual powers of taste and vision to appreciate and enjoy them. Addressing this Church, the Lord twice affirms, she is "fair," and then singles out one special instance of her comeliness, one upon which He makes a special remark—“ Thou hast doves' eyes.” The Church seems abruptly to interrupt the praises thus lavished upon her: "All my comeliness is from Thyself. Behold it is Thou who art fair, my beloved, yea also pleasant:" Also "our bed is green,"-(i. e.) the Church, upon earth is green, flourishing: abounding-both in new converts, as well as in Godly Saints. Trees of righteousness which "are planted in the house of the Lord," and continually watered with the rich dew of His grace" flourish in the courts of the House of our God." The meaning and connection of the whole passage is plain, except in that one expression-" Thou hast Doves' eyes." The Lord commends her "Behold thou hast Doves' eyes?" She refers all her comeliness and fruitfulness to Him and tells Him that His Church was in a flourishing condition." Our bed is green.” What are we to understand by this figure"Doves' eyes?" What part of the Church is here referred to? And what connection is there in the Church's reply-" our bed is green!" "Thou hast Doves' eyes." Dr. Gill remarks, with great justness, that minis |