1Secondly, Nay, my Beloved, they are not only Adopted Sons and Daughters of God, who believe in Christ; but they are all espoused to Jesus Christ also: Believers see that their first Husband is dead, viz. the Law, by the body of Christ; and they also are become dead […] that;2 Wherefore, my Brethren, ye also are becom• dead to the Law by the body of Christ, that y• should be married to another, even to him that i• raised from the dead, that we should bring fort• Fruit unto God. Jesus Christ espouseth all true Believers, •very Soul that rightly ascends up this ⟨p. 61⟩Ladder; I have espoused you to one Husband, 3••at I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ. Our union with Christ is commonly expressed in ••e Scripture, under the notion of a Marriage:4 How to be married to the Prince of Princes, to •he Prince of the Kings of the Earth, is a wonderful elevation: Should an earthly Pri•ce set •is heart upon, and marry a poor Virgin one ••at was but a Scullion-maid, or a Beggar, clothed with filthy Rags, what an advancement would this be, for such a one to become a Queen, and save a Crown of Gold set upon her Head, and be embraced in the Arms of a great Monarch, or mighty Prince, and to lie in his Bosom, and to have the attendance of his Servants, or Noble retinue! But alas, what a poor Advancement is that,5 to this; Man in honour abideth not, but is like ••e Beasts that Perish: Alas that Honour may be but for a Day, and besides, to be advanced to earthly grandeur may prove the ruin of the Soul for ever. Christ is the Heir of both Worlds, Heir of God, Heir of all things;6 Upon his Head are seven Crowns: Seven is a number of Perfection; elsewhere it is said, upon his Head, were many Crowns; all earthly Crowns are his, and at his dispose; but they are little valued by him, he gives them sometimes to his Enemies, even to the vilest of Men; the Crowns that are on his own Head are Celestial, loaded and sparkling, and heavenly Jewels, and Diamonds, far brighter than Ten Thousand Suns, amazing for Glory, and are also Eternal: And it is likewise said, That as his Saints are clothed in white Raiment, 7so they have on their heads Crowns of Gold; which doth denote that state of Dignity, and Glory which they are advanced unto: Upon his Right-hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir.
1Secondly, Nay, my Beloved, they are not only Adopted Sons and Daughters of God, who believe in Christ; but they are all espoused to Jesus Christ also: Believers see that their first Husband is dead, viz. the Law, by the body of Christ; and they also are become dead 〈…〉 that;2 Wherefore, my Brethren, ye also are becom• dead to the Law by the body of Christ, that y• should be married to another, even to him that i• raised from the dead, that we should bring fort• Fruit unto God. Jesus Christ espouseth all true Believers, •very Soul that rightly ascends up this ⟨p. 61⟩Ladder; I have espoused you to one Husband, 3••at I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ. Our union with Christ is commonly expressed in ••e Scripture, under the notion of a Marriage:4 How to be married to the Prince of Princes, to •he Prince of the Kings of the Earth, is a won•erful elivation: Should an earthly Pri•ce set •is heart upon, and marry a poor Virgin one ••at was but a Scullion-maid, or a Begger, cloath•d with filthy Rags, what an advancement would this be, for such a one to become a Queen, and save a Crown of Gold set upon her Head, and be embraced in the Arms of a great Monarch, or mighty Prince, and to lie in his Bosom, and to have the attendance of his Servants, or Noble retinue! But alas, what a poor Advancement is that,5 to this; Man in honour abideth not, but is like ••e Beasts that Perish: Alas that Honour may be but for a Day, and besides, to be advanced to earthly grandure may prove the ruin of the Soul for ever. Christ is the Heir of both Worlds, Heir of God, Heir of all things;
- 1Rom, 8, 17,
- 2Rom, 7, 4,
- 32 Cor, 12, 2,
- 4Isa, 62, 4, 5.
- 5Psal, 49, 12,
- 6Rev, 19, 12,
- 7Rev, 4, 4.
