Now, can it be imagined, that the Lord Jesus, who hath taken a people unto himself in such a relation, loves them with such a dear, intense love; gives himself to them, is obliged by ⟨p. 29⟩Virtue of that relation, that he hath taken them unto himself into, to care for, watch over them, should when in some singleness of spirit they are testifying their love to him (though with many infirmities, weaknesses) in subjecting to his appointments; so holding fast his name, and bearing a testimony to him in the World; I say, can it be imagined, that he should at once reject, cast them off, unchurch them? credat Apella! Is this the manner of Husbands (poor mortals, of weak love, finite bowels) to those, whom they take as Brides to themselves? Hath not this Lord said, that 'Tis not lawful for a man to put away his Wife, but in case of Fornication, Mat. 5.32. and shall it be supposed that he who is infinite in bowels, choicest love, will reject his, when they are not to be charged with such wickedness. God once took Israel for a People unto himself; and though actually guilty of spiritual adultery, worshipping in a way that never entered into his heart to prescribe, serving Idols, offering their Children to Moloch, persecuting also the Servants of the Lord, that laboured to recall them to primitive institutions; yet how long did he bear with them? He woe's them after they had committed whoredom with many lovers, to return again to him; with promises of pardon, reception, new embraces, as if they had never so offended him, Jer. 3. 1, 12, 22. & 4.1. And when he hath thoughts of giving them up, with what seeming regret is it, Hos. 11.8. Nor did he totally do so, till he had sent his Son, whom they by wicked hands took, cast out, slew, Mat. 21.37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45. And are the bowels of the Lord dried up? Hath he forgotten to be gracious? Is not his Covenant-Relation with his People in a Gospel-Day, as strong, efficacious, as in the times of the Law? Besides, hath he any where in all the Scriptures given us the least Iota, or syllable, upon which we may conclude, That this his relation, with at least some particular Churches, should cease, or expire? En tabulas! let the Scriptures, Prophecies thereof be consulted.
Now, can it be imagined, that the Lord Jesus, who hath taken a people unto himself in such a relation, loves them with such a dear, intense love; gives himself to them, is obliged by ⟨p. 29⟩Virtue of that relation, that he hath taken them unto himself into, to care for, watch over them, should when in some singleness of spirit they are testifying their love to him (though with many infirmities, weaknesses) in subjecting to his appointments; so holding fast his name, and bearing a testimony to him in the World; I say, can it be imagined, that he should at once reject, cast them off, unchurch them? credat Apella! Is this the manner of Husbands (poor mortals, of weak love, finite bowels) to those, whom they take as Brides to themselves? Hath not this Lord said, that 'Tis not lawful for a man to put away his Wife, but in case of Fornication, Mat. 5.32. and shall it be supposed that he who is infinite in bowels, choicest love, will reject his, when they are not to be charged with such wickedness. God once took Israel for a People unto himself; and though actually guilty of spiritual adultery, worshipping in a way that never entred into his heart to prescribe, serving Idols, offering their Children to Moloch, persecuting also the Servants of the Lord, that labour'd to recall them to primitive institutions; yet how long did he bear with them? He woe's them after they had committed whoredom with many lovers, to return again to him; with promises of pardon, reception, new embraces, as if they had never so offended him, Jer. 3. 1, 12, 22. & 4.1. And when he hath thoughts of giving them up, with what seeming regret is it, Hos. 11.8. Nor did he totally do so, till he had sent his Son, whom they by wicked hands took, cast out, slew, Mat. 21.37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45. And are the bowels of the Lord dried up? Hath he forgotten to be gracious? Is not his Covenant-Relation with his People in a Gospel-Day, as strong, efficacious, as in the times of the Law? Besides, hath he any where in all the Scriptures given us the least Iota, or syllable, upon which we may conclude, That this his relation, with at least some particular Churches, should cease, or expire? En tabulas! let the Scriptures, Prophecies thereof be consulted.
