" (Chap. 2:1-3.)

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." What a wondrous thing grace is-the grace of God to sinners ! What mighty changes it effects in those who know it, as to their thoughts, objects, desires, and affections. It gives us the mind of the Lord as to what we are in His sight, and to His heart. Mark it well, and meditate thereon, for the fountain is deep. To know grace is to know God and His full salvation by Jesus Christ, through the teaching and power of the Holy Spirit.

But a little while ago, the bride was confessing, " I am black-black as the tents of Kedar ; " and now, through grace, she can say, nothing doubting, ' I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys "-the ornament of Sharon, and the beauty and sweetness of the valleys. And mark that she speaks not in general terms of her attractions to the Bridegroom, but in the most definite way-not vainly boasting to others of what she is, but addressing Himself directly, in the happy consciousness of the place she has in His heart. There is full communion, for He immediately adds, "As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." And further on in the book, He says, " My dove, my undefiled, is but one ; she is the only one of her mother ; she is the choice one of her that bare her." Such is the distinguishing love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and such is the special place which the bride has in His sight. He always goes beyond her in the expression of affection.

There are many who say, when they hear such truth, "Oh, I am not worthy of such a place." Quite true if you think of your own worthiness. But what place do you think you are worthy of ? If not this one, an inferior one, I suppose. But is this humility? No, friend, it is pride, rather. We are worthy of no place at all in His presence. Consequently, any place must be of pure, sovereign grace. To be within the threshold, would be as pure grace as to be on the throne.

The prodigal son, no doubt, thought that it would be very bumble in him to say, " Make me as one of thy hired servants." But this was legality of heart, not humility. All such thoughts spring from the natural heart, which is essentially proud and legal, and utterly ignorant both of its own condition and of the grace of God. True humility is seen in confessing that we are not worthy to lift up so much as our eyes to heaven. The prodigal had no more title to be received as a servant than as a son. He had forfeited all claim on the ground of righteousness. He had but one plea to offer ; namely, his pressing need. He could only be met in grace. Had he been met in righteousness, he would have been condemned for ever. But grace reigns ; nothing is said about his sins. He could not have answered for one of a thousand. The question of sin was settled between God and Christ on the cross. And now, grace shines, and shines in all its heavenly brightness. The Father's heart is the spring, and He has His own joy in it all. He acts from Himself, and as Himself. The prodigal's premeditated speech is interrupted :he never gets to the part which says, " Make me as one of thy hired servants." How could he ? Grace prevents ; the Father ran to meet him, fell on his neck and kissed him. Reconciliation is expressed and accomplished the moment they meet, and he receives the kiss of peace at once. God having received the atonement on the cross, we receive the reconciliation the moment we meet Him in Christ.

And now, being reconciled through the blood of the cross, the once lost, ruined, and degraded one is made a son and heir-an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ. This is grace-the grace of God in Christ Jesus, to all who believe in His name. And, further, the same one shall shine in grace, and be the vessel of its display throughout eternity. Those who have been the subjects of that grace in time shall continue to shine in it for ever. Oh what a place for the once poor, friendless, homeless, outcast to occupy, and that for ever ! But God is establishing His character for grace, and such are the suited vessels for its glorious and eternal display in the house of many mansions. " That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus " (Eph. 2:7).

"As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste" (ver.3).

Learned men have searched to ascertain the particular kind of rose and lily that are referred to in the first verse, and the particular kind of tree in the third. Most say that what is here called, " The rose of Sharon," belongs to the lily family, and should be translated, " The Narcissus of Sharon." Learned men have thought that in the first verse we have the voice of the Bridegroom, not of the bride. And many have