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by James Durham

Verse. 4. He brought me to the banqueting house: and his banner over me was love.

She proceeds in expressing her cheerful condition, by shewing the way of her access to it, verse 4, 'He brought me,' &c. Wherein, 1. She sets out the sweetness of the enjoyment of Christ's sensible love, by comparing it to a feast, or house of wine. 2. She tells who it was that brought her to it, 'he brought me.' 3. The manner how she was brought to it; it was by the out-letting of his love, 'his banner' (saith she) 'over me was love.' The first expression sets forth three things, 1. The great abundance of satisfying and refreshing blessings, that are to be found in Christ; such abundance of provision as useth to be laid up at a feast, or in a banqueting-house, 2. His liberal allowance thereof to his own, who for that end hath laid up this provision for them. 3. The nature of the entertainment; it is a feast of the best and most cordial things, a house of wine: the second is, 'He' that is Christ, 'brought me in.' It shews, 1. Believers' impotency to enter in there of themselves, and their want of right, that may give them access to the blessings that are laid up in Christ. 2. That it is Christ who makes their access; he purchased an entry by his death, he applies his purchase by his Spirit, and dispenseth it by his office, and so brings them in. 3. It suppones a freedom of grace in the bringing them in: they are brought in by his mere favour. 4. It contains a thankful remembrance, or acknowledgment of this deed of Christ's and an holding of this favour of him. The third holds forth the manner how she is brought in; it is under a 'banner of love:' a stately manner; it was love that brought her in: the expression implieth, that not only it was love that moved him to bring her in, but that he did it in a loving manner which amplifieth and heightens his love; She comes in marching, as it were in triumph, having love like a banner, or colours, adorning this march, and making way for her entry; so that even in the manner of her being brought in, the general predominant, visible thing (as it were) that appeared, was love. Observe. 1. Christ will sometimes bring his people into the sense of his love, exceeding lovingly and kindly, even as to the manner of engaging them. 2. Believers should observe his way with them. 3. This loving manner, in the way of his dealing with his people, doth exceedingly commend his love, and is an heightening consideration of it. 4. Christ's love is in itself a most stately and triumphant thing. 5. It is only the love of Christ that secures believers in their battles and march, against their spiritual adversaries; and indeed they may fight, who have love for their colours and banners.

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