_I am. The spouse compares herself to a lily, as she is the fairest flower on the bed, (Calmet) or Christ may here speak. (Worthington) (Isaias xi. 1.) (Origen) --- He praises himself first, that his spouse may hear her own eulogy. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thorns. The bridegroom enhances the praise of his spouse. The Church, surrounded by infidels and persecutors, maintains her beauty and station. Heretics, &c., are no better than thorns. (Origen) (Calmet) --- The Church excels all other societies. In her communion the innocent are preferred before s... [ Continue Reading ]
_As. The Church praises Christ, resting secure under his protection. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cellar. This was not under ground. Homer (Odyssey b. 237.) places the wine near the nuptial bed. (Calmet) --- In me. Hebrew, "he brought me to the banquetting-house, and his banner over me was love." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- He has shewn me the greatest tenderness. Only the religion of Christ la... [ Continue Reading ]
_Flowers. Hebrew, "bottles." --- Languish. Septuagint, "am wounded." (Haydock) --- Those who enter upon the paths of virtue, are often deprived of consolations. (Calmet) --- They must support themselves by reflecting on the words and sufferings of Christ. (St. Ambrose, psalm cxviii. ser. 5.) (Bossue... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hand. After peace comes affliction: grace is followed by glory, Proverbs iii. 16. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_I. Christ permits not his Church to be persecuted, till she be able to bear it. (Worthington) --- Roes. Septuagint, "armies and power;" the angels and apostles, who have spread the gospel through the world. It would seem that the Jewish women loved hunting, (Calmet) like those of Ph\'9cnicia and La... [ Continue Reading ]
_The. Feeling the protection of Christ, the Church preacheth boldly the truth against pagans and heretics. (Worthington) --- She knows the voice of the shepherd, (John viii. 47., and x. 2.) and keeps at a distance the wolves in sheep's clothing, or pretended reformers, who would scatter the flock. -... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hart, (Proverbs v. 18.) which is swifter that the dogs. (Xenophon, Cuneg.) --- This animal is said to destroy serpents, as Christ did the power of the devil. (Theodoret) --- Wall. Under the old law, Christ was only seen in figure. He manifested himself in the new. Yet our sins separate him from us,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arise. He sings under the window, to ver. 16. --- My dove, is taken from the Septuagint. (Calmet) --- Christ invites his spouse to approach, though he shews not himself as yet; and orders his pastors to root out heresies, ver. 25. (Worthington) --- She is ever faithful, and rejoices in him, 2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Winter. The rigour and darkness of the old law give place to that of light and love. (Origen) --- After persecution had ceased, pruning became more necessary. (Calmet) --- The Israelites and the world were redeemed in spring, and the ceremonies of the law were abolished at the same season. (Menochi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pruning. Protestants, "singing of birds. " (Haydock) --- But the former version is better. (Septuagint, Symmachus, &c.) --- Turtle. Which returns in spring, Isaias viii. 9. (Calmet) --- It denotes the preaching of the gospel, (St. Cyril, ador. 15.) or rather the sighs of a holy soul in exile._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rock. Wild pigeons retire thither. (Varro, iii. 7.) Greek: Koilen eiseptato petren. (Il. 20. Ser. xlviii. 28.) (Calmet) --- Holy souls seek protection in the wounds of their Saviour. (St. Gregory; St. Bernard, ser. lxi.) --- Wall. In the holy Scriptures, which defend the Church. She is brought to l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Foxes. They hurt vines, (Theoc. 5.) and denote false prophets, Ezechiel xiii. 4. (St. Augustine) (Psalm lxxx.) --- For. Hebrew, "and our vines of Semadar," ver. 13. (Calmet) --- Foxes breed in spring, and greatly infested the country, Judges xv. 4._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER II. _ Feedeth. "His flock." (Septuagint) He still retains the fragrancy of lilies. As married people are two in one flesh, (Ephesians v. 31.) Christ and his Church are irrevocably united. (Calmet) --- She reposes in him. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Break. Or "yield a refreshing air," ( aspiret) in the morning, (Haydock) and evening, when she begs he will return, (Theodoret) as she could not enjoy his company in the day-time, chap. i. 1., and iv. 6. --- Bether. Or the lower Bethoron, near Jerusalem. These short visits in the night, shew the vi... [ Continue Reading ]