3:9, 10. "King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem."

A splendid object dazzles our admiring eyes. The Eastern Monarch plans and constructs a chariot for his bridal procession. It reflects the treasures of his vast empire. Skill and the resources of wealth are employed for its embellishment. Lebanon contributes its choicest cedar--the mines supply their dazzling wealth. The pillars shine with silver. The bottom is resplendent with gold. The curtains are rich in materials of splendid hue. For the flooring which sustain the feet no suitable substance can be named. Therefore it is sublimely said, Love is its pavement.

In this instructive picture, we may vividly discern the plan and arrangement of the Gospel-scheme, and the provisions of the covenant of grace. To form this structure, heaven bestows its choicest possessions. But the pavement for the feet claims first attention. It is Jehovah's love. The thought baffles all power to express--but faith delights to contemplate the reality.

The FATHER loves and designs a scheme to rescue His beloved ones from their misery, and to bring them in triumph, thoroughly fitted for His heavenly home. JESUS loves, and accepts them, as His bride--His jewels--His choice treasure--the sheep of His pasture--the delight of His heart. He comes to save, flying on the wings of love. He strides in love over every opposing barrier. In love He vanquishes their every foe--bursts the prison, which immured them--pays their every debt--works out for them vestments fit for His bride. In love He woos them--takes possession of their hearts, and rests not until He presents them pure and blameless in the presence of His Father.

The HOLY SPIRIT loves. In the plentitude of His grace He condescends to seek them in their low estate. By His sanctifying power He cleanses them from inward filth. He opens their eyes, that they may see Christ's finished work. He unlocks their ears, that they may listen to His inviting calls. He wins their hearts, that Jesus may be welcomed to occupy the throne. Such is the love, which constitutes the basis of this bridal chariot.

Let us gaze on it until our every faculty be melted into responding love, and until we can in truth exclaim, "Lord, You know all things; You know that we love You."

Every portion of the Gospel-scheme shows all heaven employed in using its riches to carry out the plan. It is the exhibition of unbounded wisdom. All the intelligence of angels and of men--all the resources of intellect and of mind could never have contrived a scheme, in which God and His every attribute should be infinitely glorified, and man eternally redeemed. God's highest WISDOM arranges this glorious plan.

What His wisdom designs His POWER executes. The pillars of the chariot are of the choicest metal--beautiful and durable. So God's power in its perfection consolidates the scheme. In vain is the might and malice of hell. In vain is the resistance of infatuated man. Every loved one by Him, is rescued from opposing foes--not one is lost. Divine power makes them more than conquerors. The chariot is for the 'daughters of Jerusalem'.

His PROVIDENCES, also, are employed to secure their heavenward course. Often is their path perplexed and perils seem to threaten ruin. But all harmonize at last, to give them safety and deliverance. Thus heaven constructs this glorious chariot. Happy they who through the riches of God's grace have been raised to a seat in this chariot! How can they utter praise sufficient! Once they were groveling in the mire of earth. Now they move onward with the heavenly Bridegroom to heaven.