Section 754
II. The next thing in the words, is the church's resolution to kiss Christ
Whenever she found him without: in which may be observed, 1st, The resolution itself, to kiss him. 2dly, The time when she would put this into practice, "when I should find thee." 3dly, The place where she would do this, and that is, without.
1st, We may consider the resolution itself, which is to kiss him; which is no other than what was her duty to do, and what is enjoined all believers; Psalm 2:12. "Kiss the son, lest he be angry." Which may be understood these several ways: 1. There is a kiss of approbation; in this sense the word is used (Proverbs 24:26), "Every man shall kiss his lips, that giveth a right answer;" that is, shall approve his sayings, and highly extol and commend him for them: Christ is a person to be liked and approved, being "altogether lovely, and the chiefest among tea thousands;" and so he is by every believer there is none in heaven or earth, that is so much valued by them as he is; they count all things but loss and dung, in comparison of him; they approve of him as their surety and savior, and esteem him in every character and relation he stands in to them. 2. There is a kiss of love and affection, which is used by friends and relations, and that either at meeting or parting thus the prodigal's father fell on his neck and kissed him, when he met him; as did Paul's friends, at parting with him; which kiss of charity, or love, was much used among the primitive saints; and with such a kiss as this, the church kisses Christ, whom she dearly loves, and has the strongest affection for, arising from his love and loveliness: as Christ's kisses, in chapter 1:2, are the lettings out and manifestations of his love to the church; so the church's lips are the lettings forth and manifestations of her love to him: with such a kiss as this, the poor woman kissed Christ, in Luke 7:38, who "began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment; for she loved much," much being forgiven her. 3. There is also a kiss of faith and dependence; and then may souls be said to kiss Christ, when they, as perishing creatures, come and venture their all upon him, give up themselves to him, resolving to have no other savior but him; when they can roll themselves on him, relying on his grace, trusting to his righteousness, when, whilst they are coming out of the wilderness, are leaning upon their beloved; and more especially when they embrace him in the arms of faith, and say, with Thomas, My Lord, and my God. 4. There is a kiss of homage and subjection; so kissing the king's hand, as it is an instance of his grace and favor to his subjects to permit them to do it, so it is a token of their subjection to him; thus Samuel anointed Saul, and kissed him (1 Samuel 10:1), which former act was a declaring him king, the latter an instance of his subjection to him: thus souls may be said to kiss Christ, when they acknowledge him to be their Lord and King, and submit to his laws and ordinances refusing subjection to sin, Satan, and the world. 5. There is a kiss of worship and adoration: the custom of kissing idols very early prevailed among idolatrous people; thus Baal's worshippers kissed him (1 Kings 19:18), as did also the worshippers of Jeroboam's calves (Hoses 13:2), so kissing the hand at the sight of the sun or moon, was esteemed an act of adoration of them in Job's time, chapter 31:26, 27, in the same sense it may be used here; for as Christ is the believer's Lord, he ought to worship him; and that not with a mere civil worship, which may be given to creatures, but with that religious adoration which ought to be given to the most high God; for "all men should honor the son, as they honor the father." When therefore the church or any believer signify their love and liking to Christ, exercise faith upon him, subject themselves unto him, and give him all due worship and adoration, as well as make an open profession of him, then may they be said to kiss him. But,
2dly, She declares the time when she would do this; and that is when she found him: From whence may be observed, 1. That Christ may be sometimes absent from his church and people, which is a very great affliction to them. 2. That they cannot be easy without him, but will be earnestly desirous of his company, and seek for him until they find him, as may be learned from the case of the church, in 3. 3. That finding Christ, is the comfortable enjoyment of his presence; it is the soul's having nearness to him, and sensible communion with him; which is the time that they can come so near to him as to kiss him.
3dly, The place where she would do this, and that is, without: by which may be meant, either, 1. The Gentile world, which was without the land of Judea; the inhabitants of which are said to be "without, afar off aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, and without hope, and God and Christ in the world;" so that it may be expressive of her desire to find Christ in the Gentile world, and how much her love and affections would be drawn oat to him on that account. Or, 2. By without, or in the street,[4243] as it may be rendered, may be meant the public ordinances, where wisdom cries (Proverbs 1:20), and where the church sought Christ, chapter 3:2, and where finding him, she owns him, gives him homage and adoration, and lets out her affection to him. Or, 3. It may point out the way, and manner in which she sought him, as well as the place where, which was by going out of herself: Christ is not to be found within but without; believers "go in and out," and so find pasture, food and comfort. Or, 4. By it may be meant any open or public place, where she should not be ashamed to own his person, gospel, ordinances, cause and interest; for those who are ashamed of him and his words before men, he will be ashamed of before his Father and his angels (Mark 8:38). Or, 5. By her finding him and kissing him without, may be meant her going forth to meet him, claiming her interest in him, and signifying her affection to him, before men and angels, at his second coming (see Matthew 25:6).