Song 3:1-5 It was hard to the Old Testament church to find Christ in the ceremonial law; the watchmen of that church gave little assistanc to those who sought after him. The night is a time of coldness darkness, and drowsiness, and of dim apprehensions concerning spiritual things. At first, when uneasy, some feeble efforts are made to obtai the comfort of communion with Christ. This proves in vain; the believe is then roused to increased diligence. The streets and broad-ways see to imply the means of grace in which the Lord is to be sought Application is made to those who watch for men's souls. Immediat satisfaction is not found. We must not rest in any means, but by fait apply directly to Christ. The holding of Christ, and not letting his go, denotes earnest cleaving to him. What prevails is a humble, arden suing by prayer, with a lively exercise of faith on his promises. S long as the faith of believers keeps hold of Christ, he will not be offended at their earnest asking, yea, he is well pleased with it. The believer desires to make others acquainted with his Saviour. Whereve we find Christ, we must take him home with us to our houses, especiall to our hearts; and we should call upon ourselves and each other, to beware of grieving our holy Comforter, and provoking the departure of the Beloved.

Song 3:6-11 A wilderness is an emblem of the world; the believer come out of it when he is delivered from the love of its sinful pleasure and pursuits, and refuses to comply with its customs and fashions, to seek happiness in communion with the Saviour. A poor soul shall com up, at last, under the conduct of the Comforter; like a cloud of incense ascending from the altar, or the smoke of the burnt-offerings This signifies pious and devout affections, and the mounting of the soul heaven-ward. The believer is filled with the graces of God' Spirit; his devotions now are very lively. These graces and comfort are from the heavenly Canaan. He, who is the Peace of his people, the King of the heavenly Zion, has provided for the safe conveyance of his redeemed through the wilderness of this world. The bed, or palanquin was contrived for rest and easy conveyance, but its beauty an magnificence showed the quality of its owner. The church is wel guarded; more are with her than are against her: believers, when the repose in Christ, and with him, though they have their fears in the night, are yet safe. The chariot here denotes the covenant of redemption, the way of our salvation. This is that work of Christ which makes him loved and admired in the eyes of believers. It is framed and contrived, both for the glory of Christ, and for the comfor of believers; it is well ordered in all things and sure. The blood of the covenant, that rich purple, is the cover of this chariot, by whic believers are sheltered from the wind and storms of Divine wrath, an the troubles of this world; but the midst of it is that love of Chris which passes knowledge, this is for believers to repose upon. Christ in his gospel, manifests himself. Take special notice of his crown Applying this to Christ, it speaks the honour put upon him, and his power and dominion __________________________________________________________________

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