Christ's Banqueting House for His Spouse
John Collinges, D. D. Songs 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 1. Jesus Christ hath from the beginning of the world entertained His Church with various dispensations of providence, and doth so entertain every true believing soul. 2. Though all these dispensations be proper means in relation to the great end of the soul's salvation, and profitable to the Church and the soul in reference to that end; yet, some are more sweet and pleasant than others, and so more fitly compared to Christ's banquet. 3. The dispensation of the Gospel to the Church in general, and the enlightening, quickening, strengthening, consolatory influences of the Spirit of grace to patient souls, may be fitly compared to a banqueting, house or to a house of wine. 4. As Christ did of old entertain some of His people s souls, under the darker dispensations of the covenant of grace, with these refreshing dispensations, which were like a banquet of wine to them; so under the latter and more full dispensation of the Gospel, He doth still entertain some of His people's souls with these gladdening dispensations. 5. It is Christ, and Christ alone, that can bring the soul into the house of wine. (John Collinges, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. WEB: He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love.