068. An Allegorical Prayer Of The Church.

An Allegorical Prayer Of The Church. The Prayer as recorded.—Solomon’s Song of Solomon 1:2-7.

(There is a continuation of the same prayer in the fourth chapter of Solomon’s Songs, and the Church still keeps up her imploring song for God’s love and favor in Song of Solomon 1:16.)

We would call the attention of the believer to the prayer in the first of Solomon’s Songs. We would have him remember it is the Holy Spirit speaking by the “wise man.” It is full of that love which brought the Son of God to bleed and die for man, and of that love which he entertains for his chosen people, towards whom he manifests himself as he doth not unto the world. In the prayer the Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, desiring earnestly an evidence of God’s love, and close fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. As we advance in the prayer the strain becomes still more ardent, and, as if not satisfied, the Church begs repeated expressions of God’s favor; she would be led as a flock, be guarded from those who would lead her astray, and be continued steadfast in that love which was now more precious than wine. The force and beauty of this allegory can only be appreciated by the truly spiritual—those who are the humble children of God, who have struggled and striven with sin, and whose hearts are the abode of the Holy Spirit.