Seven Sermons from the Song of Solomon

Extract

Seven Sermons from the Song of Solomon
Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Christ and the Believer
“As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 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 unto my taste” Song of Solomon 2:2, 3.

If an unconverted man were taken away into heaven, where Christ sits in glory, and if he overheard Christ’s words of admiring love towards the believer, he could not understand them, he could not comprehend how Christ should see a loveliness in poor religious people whom he in the bottom of his heart despised. Or again, if an unconverted man were to overhear a Christian at his devotions when he is really within the veil, and were to listen to his words of admiring, adoring love towards Christ, he could not possibly understand them, he could not comprehend how the believer should have such a burning affection toward one unseen, in whom he himself saw no form nor comeliness. So true it is that the natural man knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. There may be some now hearing me who have a rooted dislike to religious people, they are so stiff, so precise, so gloomy, you cannot endure their company! Well, then, see here what Christ thinks of them: “As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters.” How different you are from Christ! There may some hearing me who have no desires after Jesus Christ, who never think of Him with pleasure; you see no form nor comeliness in Him, no beauty that you should desire Him; you do not love the melody of His name; you do not pray to Him continually. Well, then, see here what the believer thinks of Him, how different from you! 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.” Oh that you would …