{"product_id":"2940148923459","title":"The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 24: Canticle of Canticles","description":"SOLOMON'S CANTICLE OF CANTICLES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the most\u003cbr\u003eexcellent of all canticles: because it is full of high mysteries,\u003cbr\u003erelating to the happy union of Christ and his spouse: which is here\u003cbr\u003ebegun by love; and is to be eternal in heaven. The spouse of Christ is\u003cbr\u003ethe church: more especially as to the happiest part of it, viz., perfect\u003cbr\u003esouls, every one of which is his beloved, but, above all others, the\u003cbr\u003eimmaculate and ever blessed virgin mother.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCanticle of Canticles Chapter 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe spouse aspires to an union with Christ, their mutual love for one\u003cbr\u003eanother.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:1. Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are\u003cbr\u003ebetter than wine,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLet him kiss me... The church, the spouse of Christ, prays that he may\u003cbr\u003elove and have peace with her, which the spouse prefers to every thing\u003cbr\u003edelicious: and therefore expresses (ver. 2) that young maidens, that is\u003cbr\u003ethe souls of the faithful, have loved thee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:2. Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured\u003cbr\u003eout: therefore young maidens have loved thee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:3. Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The\u003cbr\u003eking hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in\u003cbr\u003ethee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDraw me... That is, with thy grace: otherwise I should not be able to\u003cbr\u003ecome to thee. This metaphor shews that we cannot of ourselves come to\u003cbr\u003eChrist our Lord, unless he draws us by his grace, which is laid up in\u003cbr\u003ehis storerooms: that is, in the mysteries of Faith, which God in his\u003cbr\u003egoodness and love for mankind hath revealed, first by his servant Moses\u003cbr\u003ein the Old Law in figure only, and afterwards in reality by his only\u003cbr\u003ebegotten Son Jesus Christ.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:4. I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents\u003cbr\u003eof Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI am black but beautiful... That is, the church of Christ founded in\u003cbr\u003ehumility appearing outwardly afflicted, and as it were black and\u003cbr\u003econtemptible; but inwardly, that is, in its doctrine and morality, fair\u003cbr\u003eand beautiful.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:5. Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my\u003cbr\u003ecolour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me\u003cbr\u003ethe keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:6. Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou\u003cbr\u003eliest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy\u003cbr\u003ecompanions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:7. If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, and\u003cbr\u003efollow after the steps of the flocks, and feed thy kids beside the tents\u003cbr\u003eof the shepherds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf thou know not thyself, etc... Christ encourages his spouse to follow\u003cbr\u003eand watch her flock: and though she know not entirely the power at hand\u003cbr\u003eto assist her, he tells her, ver. 8, my company of horsemen, that is,\u003cbr\u003ehis angels, are always watching and protecting her. And in the following\u003cbr\u003everses he reminds her of the virtues and gifts with which he has endowed\u003cbr\u003eher.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:8. To my company of horsemen, in Pharao's chariots, have I likened\u003cbr\u003ethee, O my love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:9. Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:10. We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:11. While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the\u003cbr\u003eodour thereof.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:12. A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, he shall abide between my\u003cbr\u003ebreasts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:13. A cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of\u003cbr\u003eEngaddi.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:14. Behold thou are fair, O my love, behold thou are fair, thy eyes\u003cbr\u003eare as those of doves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:15. Behold thou art fair, my beloved, and comely. Our bed is\u003cbr\u003eflourishing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1:16. The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress\u003cbr\u003etrees.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lost Leaf Publications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47111678918896,"sku":"2940148923459","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940148923459_p0.jpg?v=1763710264","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940148923459","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}