Will Not Let Him Go

" I found him whom my soul loveth ; and I held him and would not let him go "Song of Solomon. 3:4.

There are two very diverse senses in which men will no let the Saviour go , carrying with them very different meanings , and very different issues . And how marvellous , how startling the extremes which they reveal -- extremes of deadliest sin and deepest piety .
Caiaphas ! Thou Priest of the Most High God , thou hypocrite ! Thou wilt not let Christ go . Thou wilt not let him go until thou crucify him . Nor wilt thou , O worldling until thou crucify him afresh . (Hebrew .6:6)
   Jacob ! thou prevailing prince with God ! Thou wilt not let him go . Thou wilt not let him go until he bless thee . . Nor thou , O Israelite indeed , until he bless thee too.
   In which of these two senses would you have the Christ declare that you will not let him go .?
Hugh Martin

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