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7.2 KiB
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<p>Here, I. The spouse wishes for a constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus. She was already betrothed to him, but, the nuptials being yet not solemnized and published (the bride, the Lamb’s wife, will not be completely ready till his second coming), she was obliged to be shy and to keep at some distance; she therefore wishes she may be taken for his sister, he having called her so (<a class="bibleref" title="Song.5.1" href="/passage/?search=Song.5.1">Song 5:1</a>), and that she might have the same chaste and innocent familiarity with him that a sister has with a brother, an own brother, that <i>sucked the breasts</i> of the same <i>mother</i> with her, who would therefore be exceedingly tender of her, as Joseph was of his brother Benjamin. Some make this to be the prayer of the Old-Testament saints for the hastening of Christ’s incarnation, that the church might be the better acquainted with him, when, <i>forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood</i>, he should also himself likewise take part of the same, and not be ashamed to call them brethren. It is rather the wish of all believers for a more intimate communion with him, that they might <i>receive the Spirit of sanctification</i>, and so Christ must be as their brother, that is, that they might be as his brethren, which <i>then</i> they are when by grace they are made partakers of a divine nature, and <i>he that sanctifies, and those that are sanctified, are both of one</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Heb.2.11" href="/passage/?search=Heb.2.11">Heb. 2:11</a> It becomes brethren and sisters, the children of the same parents, that have been nursed at the same breast, to be very loving to and tender of one another; such a love the spouse desires might be between her and her beloved, that she might call him brother. 2. She promises herself then the satisfaction of making a more open profession of her relation to him than at present she could make: “<i>When I should find thee without</i>, any where, even before company, <i>I would kiss thee</i>, as a sister does her own brother, especially her little brother that is now <i>sucking the breasts of her mother</i>” (for so some understand it); “I would use all the decent freedom with thee that could be, and <i>should not be despised</i> for it, as doing any thing unbecoming the modesty of my sex.” The church, since Christ’s incarnation, can better own him than she could before, when she would have been laughed at for being so much in love with one that was not yet born. Christ has become as our brother; wherever we find him, therefore, let us be ready to own our relation to him and affection for him, and not fear being despised for it, nor regard that any more than David did when he danced before the ark. <i>If this be to be vile, I will be yet more vile</i>. Nay, let us hope that we shall not be despised so much as some imagine. <i>Of the maid-servants of whom thou hast spoken I shall be had in honour</i>. Wherever we find the image of Christ, though it be without, among those that do not follow him with us, we must love it, and testify that love, and we <i>shall not be despised</i> for it, but catholic charity will gain us respect. 3. She promises to improve the opportunity she should then have for cultivating an acquaintance with him (<a class="bibleref" title="Song.8.2" href="/passage/?search=Song.8.2">Song 8:2</a>): “<i>I would lead thee</i>, as my brother, by the arm, and hang upon thee; I would show thee all the house of my precious things, would bring <i>thee into my mother’s house</i>, into the church, into the solemn assemblies (<a class="bibleref" title="Song.3.4" href="/passage/?search=Song.3.4">Song 3:4</a>), into my closet” (for there the saints have most familiar communion with Christ), “and <i>there thou wouldst instruct me</i>” (so some read it), as brethren inform their sisters of what they desire to be instructed in. Those that know Christ shall be taught of him; and <i>therefore</i> we should desire communion with Christ that we may receive instruction fro
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