Caesarius of Arles

In his own words on Song of Solomon

• Song of Solomon 1:5

  It is said concerning the church of the Gentiles, "I am dark and beautiful, O daughter of Jerusalem." Why is the church dark and beautiful? She is dark by nature, beautiful by grace. Why dark? "Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother conceived me." Why beautiful? "Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

  SERMON 124:1

• Song of Solomon 1:13-14

  For this reason it ought to be clear to your minds that the fig tree was an image of the law, just as it is certain that the cluster of grapes prefigured the Savior, as the church declares in the Canticle of Canticles: "My brother is for me a cluster of henna." Christ, indeed, cannot exist without the law or the law without Christ, for we have said that the law is evidence of the gospel, and the gospel is the fulfillment of the law.

  SERMON 106:4