Spurgeon: November AM
* 11/18/AM
"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed."
--Song of Solomon 4:12
In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a
believer, we have very plainly the idea of secrecy . It is a
spring shut up : just as there were springs in the East, over
which an edifice was built, so that none could reach them save
those who knew the secret entrance; so is the heart of a
believer when it is renewed by grace: there is a mysterious life
within which no human skill can touch. It is a secret which no
other man knoweth; nay, which the very man who is the possessor
of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text includes not only
secrecy, but separation . It is not the common spring, of which
every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved from all
others; it is a fountain bearing a particular mark--a king's
royal seal, so that all can perceive that it is not a common
fountain, but a fountain owned by a proprietor, and placed
specially by itself alone. So is it with the spiritual life. The
chosen of God were separated in the eternal decree; they were
separated by God in the day of redemption; and they are
separated by the possession of a life which others have not; and
it is impossible for them to feel at home with the world, or to
delight in its pleasures. There is also the idea of
sacredness . The spring shut up is preserved for the use of
some special person: and such is the Christian's heart. It is a
spring kept for Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has
God's seal upon him--and he should be able to say with Paul,
"From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body
the marks of the Lord Jesus." Another idea is prominent--it is
that of security . Oh! how sure and safe is the inner life of
the believer! If all the powers of earth and hell could combine
against it, that immortal principle must still exist, for He who
gave it pledged His life for its preservation. And who "is He
that shall harm you," when God is your protector?