_Mother. The synagogue continues to pray for Christ's coming. (Worthington) --- Her request has been heard, and He has assumed our nature; so that we may receive from him all the marks of tenderness, and none but the carnal will shew any signs of contempt. The spouse wishes to manifest her love with... [ Continue Reading ]
_Teach me economy, on which subject Xenophon represents the newly married entertaining themselves. --- Wine. Mark xv. 23., and Osee xiv. 8. Nectar was of this description, (Calmet) being composed of wine, honey, and odoriferous flowers. The best was made at Babylon. (Atheneus i. 25., and ii. 2.) ---... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jerusalem. Septuagint add, "by the armies and powers of the field," as [in] chap. ii. 7., and iii. 5. (Haydock) --- The spouse presently awakes after the sixth night, and goes out. (Calmet) --- Christ admonishes all not to disturb those who would serve him. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Flowing. Thus speak the companions of the spouse; and the bridegroom, turning to her alone, reminds her of an adventure. The Jews would put this in the mouth of the spouse. (Calmet) --- Corrupted. Hebrew and Septuagint, "fell in labour, there she was delivered who bore thee." (Haydock) --- Christ r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arm. Working by charity, Galatians v. 6. (Haydock) --- Women in the east imprint what they like most on their bosom and arms, or carry bracelets and gems on those parts, with similar inscriptions, Osee ii. 2., and Isaias iii. 20. (Clement of Alexandria, Pæd. ii. 11.) --- Christ must live in us. (Ca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Drown it. As other fires may be extinguished. He who sinks under persecution, has not real charity. Temptation does not weaken a person, but shews what he is, Ecclesiasticus xxxiv. 9. (Calmet) --- He shall. Worldlings will ridicule his parting with temporal delights, for those which do not appear:... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our sister. Christ styles the Church his own and the synagogue's sister, promising her many benefits. (Worthington) --- The relations of the spouse wish to have her married, though she seemed young, Ezechiel xvi. 7. --- Spoken to, concerning marriage, or its consummation, Genesis xxxiv. 6., and Dan... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cedar. Procuring for her a rich and steady husband to protect her. These are the words of the bridegroom. The Christian Church seemed weak at first. But her pastors and martyrs caused her to triumph over all the powers of hell. (Calmet) --- Those who correspond with the first grace, are furnished w... [ Continue Reading ]
_The. The bridegroom, in the character of a countryman, asserts that he would not give his vineyard or spouse (Calmet) for all the king's riches._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before me. I am satisfied with my spouse. --- The peaceable. Hebrew and Septuagint, "Solomon." (Haydock) --- Retain them, and also pay the keepers their wages. I envy not all the treasures of the world; nor would put them in competition with my vineyard, or spouse. The synagogue of Moses and Solomo... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VIII. _ Hearken. The seventh morning is come, and I must depart to the mountains, chap. ii. 17., and iv. 6. Christ, before his ascension, exhorts his Church to present her petitions. He is always ready to hear her, and to grant her aid, in every emergency. See St. Ambrose, de Virg. xvi. 99.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Flee. The Church consents that her beloved should ascend to heaven, as he still remains with her. (Ven. Bede; St. Bernard, ser. ix.) Qui habitat. (Calmet) --- The whole Church militant requests that he would ascend thither, for the good of all his servants, begging for an abundant supply of grace,... [ Continue Reading ]