The Breastplate of Faith and Love

¹For first, the Lord hath made known his own willingness to take you to marriage. There are but two that are to give their consent, the Father to give his Son, and the Son to give his own consent: The Father, you know, hath given his consent,² Isay 9.6. A Son is given: He so loved the world, that he gave his Sonne. Therefore certainly you have the Fathers consent, he hath given Christ, as a father gives his son in marriage. But now whether we have the Sons consent or no, of that we make question; saith the Apostle, He loved us, and gave himself to us, and for us; yea he not only gives his consent, for his part, but he hath purchased his wife with his own blood. And therefore you cannot doubt but that he is willing to marry with you, to take you, and to receive you if you will come in. Why then, what is required now? Nothing at all but thy consent, if thou give thy consent to the Lord, thou needest not to question his favour, thou mayest assure thy self of his unchangeable ⟨p. 145⟩love in Jesus Christ; for he hath revealed it on his part, in his word, you have his sure word for that, heaven and earth shall pass rather than that word. This is the sound consolation that will not fail you, when you come to examination, and think with your selves, upon what ground am I assured of Gods affection towards me, that he loves me: I have his word for it, he hath said it, and he cannot recall it, yea he hath added his oath, that by two immutable witnesses you might have strong consolation; that is, that you might have the greatest degree of assurance that can be. Why, now, why doest not thou give thy consent? why doest thou no more rest on it? You will say, alas I am willing to give my consent, if that would do it.

¹For first, the Lord hath made knowne his owne willingnesse to take you to marriage. There are but two that are to give their consent, the Father to give his Sonne, and the Sonne to give his owne consent: The Father, you know, hath given his consent,² Isay 9.6. A Sonne is given: He so loved the world, that he gave his Sonne. Therefore certainely you have the Fathers consent, he hath given Christ, as a father gives his sonne in marriage. But now whether we have the Sonnes consent or no, of that wee make question; saith the Apostle, Hee loved us, and gave himselfe to us, and for us; yea hee not onely gives his consent, for his part, but he hath purchased his wife with his owne blood. And therefore you cannot doubt but that hee is willing to marrie with you, to take you, and to receive you if you will come in. Why then, what is required now? Nothing at all but thy consent, if thou give thy consent to the Lord, thou needest not to question his favour, thou maist assure thy selfe of his unchangeable