十一月十八日

禁閉的井，封閉的泉源。（歌4：12）

這一個比喻是講到信徒的內心生活，一見即知其中含著隱秘的意義。是一口禁閉的井：正像東方的井一樣，上建屋宇，除了知道秘密進口的人以外，別人是不能進去的；基督徒的心被恩典更新之後也是這樣！他內心的奧秘生命是人所不能知曉的。他人無從得知其底蘊，就是物主也不能告知其鄰里。這一節經文不但有隱秘的意思，也有分別的意思。它幷非普通的井，路人皆可汲飲，而是被保守、被保藏的，他人不得垂涎；它是一個打了特別印記的泉源——是王的玉璽，衆人盡知它幷非一個普通的泉源，它乃是一個有主的泉源，是專用的。

屬靈的生命也是這樣，神所揀選的人因著遵從神的永命便被分別出來，他們是在救贖之日被神分別；幷且他們因爲有別人所沒有的生命被分別出來；他們在世上覺得不像在自己的家中那樣舒適，也不能享受其中的樂趣。這話也有神聖的意思。被禁閉的井乃是爲一個人所專用的，基督徒的心也是這樣，乃是爲耶穌所保留的井。

每一位基督徒都應當感到他身上有神的印記——他也當與保羅一樣地說：“從今以後，人都不要攪擾我，因爲我身上帶著耶穌的印記。”另有一個意思也是很重要的就是安全。信徒內心的生命是確實而安穩的！就是地上和地獄的權勢，同心戮力來攻擊它，永遠的生命仍舊是存在的，因爲賜生命的主舍了自己的生命，爲要保全那生命。神既保護你，能“有誰害你們呢？”

November 18

"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?