matter for earth or hell to attempt to destroy that work which has been wrought in the soul by the power of God; for the work of God shall prevail; and all the saints shall overcome, for many waters cannot quench their love to their divine master, neither can the floods drown it, for it hath a vehement flame.

Verse 8.-We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for.

The pious Jews of the Church of old may here be considered as pleading for their little sister, the Gentile nation, who then had no breasts of consolation from any quarter; being "without God, and without hope in the world." The right minded in all ages are concerned to know what is to be done for her. This is the cry of the spouse for a nation that has no divine revelation, no gospel, no breasts of consolation, no consoling hope beyond the grave. Alas, are there not nations in the present day thus destitute, having no breast to suck any consolation from? But the cry of the Church is gone up for her, our little sister. Such is the yearning of the bowels for the gathering in of the saints of our God, from amongst the ruins of the fall; for all his children are betrothed to him, in the everlasting covenant of grace.

Verse 9.-If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.

If this our little sister of the Gentile nation be a wall, called of the Lord, we, the Church, will build upon

her a palace of silver;" or in other words, we will recognize her as one with us in the everlasting covenant of grace; engrafted into our Mother Church of the living God, who shall with us be built up a spiritual house unto the Lord. See Eph. ii, 21, 22. "If she be a door we will enclose her with boards of cedar." Thus we may be instructed to learn that all the saints of our God are for ever enclosed in his holy mountain.

Verse 10.-I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

“I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour." Such may be truly said of the Gentile world; once lost to all the blessings and privileges of the Gospel; but who are now raised up through unmerited love and mercy to enjoy all its privileges. See Jer. i, 17, 18, 19; and xv, 20, 21; and Isa. xxv, 4; and St. Luke xv, 32.

Verse 11.-Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

Solomon, a most blessed type of Christ, speaks of a vineyard he had at Baal-hamon; or in other words, he had a kingdom in his own possession; but in the midst of a multitude of people. So is Christ's Kingdom or Church on the earth, amidst a multitude of people; and from this kingdom, vineyard, or Church, the Lord is daily seeking to gather the fruit of his own vine from

the hearts of his people; and all are called to work therein, that they may render their fruit in due season, as the Lord may enable them to cultivate the graces of the spirit; and enable them to bring forth abundantly, even the "thousand pieces of silver," to the praise of the great husbandman; being the pure and sincere offerings of the penitent redeemed soul, which is more pleasing in the divine sight than thousands of gold or silver.

Verse 12.-My vineyard, which is mine, is before me thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Here again we learn the watchful care of Christ over his Church and people: mark the expression, “my vineyard, which is mine, is" ever "before me;" and the Church owes a thousand thanks to God; yea ten thousand times ten thousand we owe unto him. The Church is sensible she can never pay that debt of love; but blessed be the name of Israel's God, that Jesus has paid the debt and set the prisoner free; and continues to be a rich rewarder of all those who diligently seek him.

Verse 13.-Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

In this portion of the word it appears as though the Bridegroom was addressing his spouse as situated in the garden or wilderness of this world, but we may

infer from the last clause of this verse that he was about to depart for a season, saying, cause me to hear your voice, your heavenly conversation, that I may keep a book of remembrance for all who speak one to another of heavenly things: cause me to hear it. See Mal. iii, 16, 17.

Verse 14.-Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

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Such are the longings of the saints of our God for the return of their Lord; crying, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand" elsewhere. O Lord! we look for thee, we long for thee, we wait for thee, with great longings of soul; and at times we are almost impatient, and ready to cry, why are thy chariot wheels so long in coming?" Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly" over the "mountains of spices." Come Lord Jesus, come, even so; Amen and Amen.

THE END.

R. EDIS, printer, Huntingdon.