Leander of Seville

In his own words on Song of Solomon

• Song of Solomon 2:6

  He who has joined you to his company will not sadden you. With his left hand, in which is honor and glory, under your head, with his right arm, in which is length of life, he will embrace you.

  THE TRAINING OF NUNS, PREFACE

• Song of Solomon 6:3

  So long as Christ wishes there to be one church of all nations, whoever is a stranger to the church is not considered a part of the body of Christ, even though he uses the name of Christian. That heresy which rejects the unity of the Catholic church is to him a concubine and not a wife, in that it loves Christ with an adulterous love, since Scripture says that there are actually two in one flesh, that is, Christ and the church, in which there is no third place for a harlot. "One is my friend, one is my bride, only daughter of her mother." Of whom, likewise, the same church speaks, saying, "My lover belongs to me, and I to him."

  HOMILY ON THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH

• Song of Solomon 6:3

  He is, indeed, your true bridegroom. He is also your brother. He is likewise your friend. He is your inheritance. He is your reward. He is God and the Lord. You have in him a bridegroom to love: "For he is fair in beauty above the sons of men." … He is a friend of whom you need not doubt, for he himself says, "You are my only lover." You have in him the inheritance that you may embrace, for he is himself the portion of your inheritance. You have in him the reward that you may recognize, for his blood is your redemption. You have in him God by whom you may be ruled, the Lord to fear and honor.

  THE TRAINING OF NUNS, PREFACE