---

I. COMPARING THE CHURCH TO A DOVE.

1. The dove is a beautiful bird, especially in Eastern countries, where their plumage is so dazzling, and in this particular typifies the Church (Ezekiel 16:14).

2. The believer's righteous beauty is from Christ alone (Psalm 90:17).

3. The dove is remarkable for her cleanliness; so the Church is both clean and cleanly (Hebrews 10:22).

4. Doves will feed only on pure grain; so true believers can only live on Christ (Psalm 119:140; Titus 1:15; John 6:35).

5. The dove delights to be fed by her own mate; so does the Church by Christ (Song of Solomon 1:7).

6. The dove is remarkable for its love to its mate; so is the Church to Christ (Psalm 73:23-28).

7. The dove is remarkable for its deep grief when separated from its mate (Ezekiel 7:16).

8. Doves are sociable creatures, and delight in each other's company (1 John 4:7).

9. Doves are fearful and timid birds (Matthew 8:96).

10. Doves are swift on the wing; so David wished for the wings of a dove (Psalm 55:6).

II. THE ONENESS OF THE CHURCH.

1. The Church is but one in respect of the world (John 15:19).

2. One in respect of unity and communion with herself (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 2:2).

3. She has but one faith (Ephesians 4:4, 5).

4. One in her conduct and practice (Hebrews 12:14).

5. One in the spirit and object of love (1 Corinthians 6:17).

6. And one in Christ their living Head, by whom they are saved (1 Corinthians 12:12).

7. And because Christ has no other spouse than the Church (Leviticus 20:24).

III. WHY SHE IS CALLED HIS. She belongs unto Him by right of creation, donation, redemption, predestination, regeneration, or baptism, sanctification, and salvation. And as such —

1. She will never be lost while residing in the wilderness, for the Spirit is her guide.

2. No creatures of prey shall ever rob her of life, because Christ is her Protector.

3. Nothing shall keep her from glory, for Christ is in heaven to secure her entrance there.

(T. B. Baker.)

---

---

KJV: My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.

WEB: My dove, my perfect one, is unique. She is her mother's only daughter. She is the favorite one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.