If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock.
Christ’s answer unto His spouse
I. His supposition.
1. The faithful servants and saints of Christ walk in much blindness and ignorance.
2. Christ takes not advantage from the sins or from the ignorance of His people to upbraid them, but doth rather help them against their infirmities (Hebrews 2:17-18).
II. His compellation.
1. Christ doth win the affections of His saints by sweet insinuations.
(1) To assume them of His goodwill, love, delight, and acceptation.
(2) To cause them to take notice of His grace and love.
2. The Church is exceeding fair and beautiful in Christ’s eyes (Ephesians 5:25-27).
(1) This beauty is not natural, nor do we receive it from nature (Ezekiel 16:3-6).
(2) It is supernatural (Ezekiel 16:7-10; Ezekiel 16:13; Ephesians 4:24).
3. The saints are most fair in Christ’s eyes, when they are most deformed in their own (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
III. His directions to her.
1. Where she should go.
(1) Out of former evils of blackness and ignorance unto purity and saving knowledge.
(2) From one degree of grace to another.
(3) From all kind of superstition and idolatry to pure worship and sanctity.
2. Where she should feed.
(1) He doth tend and take care for young Christians.
(2) Those that are strong should strengthen and feed those that are Weak.
(3) Young and tender Christians must be fed with wholesome food. (John Robotham.)