October 13

“Love is strong as death.** — Solomon’s Song viii. 6

THOSE love can this be which is as mighty as the con-Mffu-h queror of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? A¥ould it not sound like satire if it were applied to my poor, weak, and scarcely living love to Jesus ray Lord? I do love Him, and perhaps, by Ilis grace, I could even die for Him, but as for my love in itself, it can scarcely endure a scoffing jest, much less a cruel death. Surely it is my Beloved’s love which is here spoken of — the love of Jesus, the matchless lover of souls. His love was indeed stronger than the most terrible death, for it endured the trial of the cross triumphantly. It was a lingering death, but love survived the torment; a shameful death, but love despised the shame; a penal death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken, lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid His face, but love endured the curse, and gloried over all. Never such love, never such death. It was a desperate duel, but love bore the palm. What then, my heart? Hast thou no emotions excited within thee at the contemplation of such heavenly aflPection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I pant to feel Thy love flaming like a furnace within me. Come Thou Thyself and excite the ardor of ray spirit.

“For every drop oi crimson blood
Thus shed to mnke mc live,
Oh. wherefore, wherefore have not I
A thousand lives to give.’”

“Why should I despair of loving Jesus with a love as stiong as death? He deserves it: I desire it. The martyrs felt such love, and they were but flesh and blood; then vihy not I? They mourned their weakness, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace gave them all their unflinching coDitancy — there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of ray soul, shed abroad such love, even Thy lovfl in my heart, this evening,