Commentary on the Song of Solomon by George Burrows
The above volume is a reprint by the Banner of Truth Trust. It was originally issued in the USA in 1853. Dr Moody-Stuart, who issued his own commentary on the Song, was not satisfied with the division favoured by Burrowes. On page 539 of his volume, he gives an account of Burrowes and of his division of the Song. All the same, he highly commends the verse-by-verse commentary. The work should be very edifying for personal reading. Burrowes did his utmost to ascertain the meaning of the oriental illustrations, and to use them for evangelical purposes. The commentary should be refreshing to one who is, by the Lord’s grace, in heart-harmony with the Song, as being an enlargement of Psalm 45.
The following is a quotation from the analysis of the Song, and is given to encourage any reader to get a copy for oneself —
“This love . . . carrying with it true wisdom gives us a correct knowledge of ourselves, as the offspring of the humility to which this divine love leads . . . realising that while, black like the tents of Kedar, we are darkened by native depravity — grace is working in us virtues more beautiful than the curtains of Solomon.
“This love so captivates the heart with the Lord Jesus, while keeping it thus humble, that we are anxious, not only to enjoy His society in the blessedness of private communion, His chambers, ver. 4; but to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth; to be with Him in labours, fatigues, and dangers, no less than in the delights of His service . . . It prompts us to inquire — where we may labour with this gracious King as a shepherd, — and makes us unwilling to be satisfied with any inferior love . . . unwilling to have any person or thing coming between us and Jesus. ver. 7.
“Such inquiries He answers, by assuring the soul . . . that he may be always found by our following in the footsteps of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises; and by activity in His service . . . and by labouring to train up the young of the flock, ‘feed the kids,’ in co-operation with the ministers of the gospel — ‘beside the shepherds’ tents’ ver. 8.
“If asked, How precious is your Saviour? . . . We can do no better than reply, Can you tell what is the sweet and refreshing influence of a bundle of myrrh in the bosom, or of a cluster of camphire in bloom, such as is in the vineyards of Engedi? Ver. 14. The presence of Jesus produces an impression on my spiritual faculties, far more delightful than the effect of these perfumes on the bodily senses. Ver. 13.”
This notice of the volume of Burrowes on the Song may be concluded with a note from Romaine’s ‘Life of Faith’, namely, “Hast thou a warm heart for the Person of Christ? . . . If this be thy present happiness thou wilt find many powerful motives to increase it in the 45th and 72nd Psalms. If thy heart is thus enamoured with His love, then thou hast got a key to the book of Canticles.”
D. A. Macf.
Sermons and Biographical Note of Pastor Ernest Roe. Price £2.00 post free.
We are very pleased that this book has appeared, for we considered Mr Roe one of the most evangelical and faithful preachers we have listened to. The volume under review is but a sample of his preaching for over sixty-five years among the Gospel Standard Strict Baptist denomination. During that time his faithful preaching made many enemies but at the same time made many friends. These friends were truly the salt of the earth, and they knew what it was to be in the depths and what it was to be raised out of the depths. Many a time they got an uplift under Mr Roe’s preaching. The volume before us contains twenty-five sermons, and are but a few of the many sermons which he preached. His labours were numerous. According to a record which was found after his death he preached no fewer than 10,312 sermons and ministered in 139 strict Baptist Chapels during his life.
He had the example of godly parents and also their instruction, but it was the work of the Holy Spirit, which was very evident in his preaching and in his walk and conversation, which turned him from darkness unto light and from the power of sin and Satan unto God. His was a severe struggle. Of that period he said in after years, “My dear parents would cry to see me in that sinful condition, but even a tender father’s words and a loving mother’s words could not soften my hard heart and change my stubborn will.” After an extraordinary deliverance he was constrained to enlist in the service of Christ as a preacher of the gospel. His labours were used much by the Holy Spirit, both to strengthen and direct the Lord’s people who were already in Christ, and to gather in those who were still on the mountains of vanity, and to raise them up as living monuments of free and sovereign grace.
Mr Roe’s comment on Muckle Kate of Lochcarron is well worth reading. He is preaching on the Woman of Samaria and says with reference to the tract on Muckle Kate, “I am glad our Scottish friends have re-issued this little trophy of grace as it is called. It is a touching but powerful reminder, if you and I need one, that we haven’t sounded the depths of grace yet. We haven’t got to the bottom of the ‘manner of love’ that God has bestowed upon us in Christ. It is a bigger gospel than you or I know of.”
The book may be had from Mrs Grace Patterson. “Bracadale,” The Avenue, Amphill, Bedford MK45 2NR. Mrs Patterson is a daughter of Mr Roe, and is well known to a number of our Free Presbyterian Congregations.
J.C.
Commentary on 1st John by Robert Candlish. £1.65. Banner to Truth Trust.
A startling, discriminating volume is this Commentary of Robert Candlish on the 1st Epistle of John a Commentary, yet not such in the strict, or should I say in the normally accepted sense of the term. The contents appear to me rather like a series of discourses with an underlying golden thread of thought and doctrine running throughout the whole. The subtle depths of the human heart and conscience are laid bare by questions raised relative to the truths declared, while the answers and the reflections provided bring to the surface the greater depths of the Divine truth. The links by which the several parts of the Epistle are all welded together are well used by the author to gain and give a deeper insight into the Apostle’s doctrine, yet, on certain points I find a perplexing, almost disturbing ambiguity of expression which leaves much to be desired.
His style is unique and may indeed lack that simplicity of argument and expression which generally makes such a strong appeal to the average reader, yet it is forceful, penetrating, arresting and in parts even challenging.
However, we fear that we cannot give to Dr Candlish the unstinted praise lavished upon him by Spurgeon and his contemporaries. In our view, his naive acceptance of the rejection of I John 5:7 mars this work. Any statement of theory with the remotest tendency to undermine our faith in the divine inspiration of scripture, we strongly deplore.
F.M.