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Unquenched, unquenchable!
(J. C. Philpot "Love
in its Priceless Value
and
Unquenchable Strength", 1862)
"Many waters cannot quench love; neither
can floods drown it." Song of Solomon 8:7
The bride uses a figure which shall express the
insuperable strength of divine love against all
opposition; and she therefore compares it to
a fire which burns and burns unquenched and
unquenchable, whatever be the amount of water
poured upon it. Thus the figure expresses the
flame of holy love which burned in the heart of
the Redeemer as unquenchable by any opposition
made to it.
How soon is earthly love cooled by opposition! A
little ingratitude, a few hard speeches, cold words
or even cold looks, seem often almost sufficient to
quench love that once shone warm and bright. And
how often, too, even without these cold waters thrown
upon it, does it appear as if ready to die out by itself.
But the love of Christ was unquenchable by all those
waters. Not all the ingratitude, unbelief,
or coldness
of His people could quench His eternal love to them!
He knew what the Church was in herself,
and ever would be . . .
how cold and wandering her affections,
how roving her desires,
how backsliding her heart!
But all these waters could not extinguish His love!
It still burnt as a holy flame in His bosom,
unquenched, unquenchable!
"Many waters cannot quench love; neither
can floods drown it." Song of Solomon 8:7
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