Secondly, With respect to our first Entrance into this relation, when first converted to God, or upon our thankful, broken-hearted, willing acceptance of Christ for Lord and Husband. All Marriage is uttered into by a consent; Christ giveth his Consent in the Promises, and we by Faith, which is a broken-hearted, willing and thankful acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the ends for which God offereth him. Where note, that Faith is an Acceptance of Christ, John 1.12. To as many as received him: Next for the mode and manner of this Acceptance, 'tis Broken-hearted, because we are undeserving and ill deserving Creatures, altogether unworthy to be taken into such a near relation to Christ; as Abigail when David sent to her to make her his Wife, debased her self, 1 Sam. 25.40, 41. Let thine hand-maid wash the feet of thy Servants. Alas, who are we? A poor trembling Soul is afraid of being too bold, but Gods offer encourageth it. And as 'tis a broken-hearted, so 'tis a Willing acceptance of Christ; for Christ will not draw us into this Relation by force, or bestow the Privileges of it without or against our consent, Rev. 22.17. Whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely: If the will be to Christ, the great difficulty is over. Christianity is but an hearty consent to accept of Christ and his Benefits; but the Creatures Will is not soon gained, Math. 23.37. I would, but ye would not; he inviteth and clucketh by the renewed messages of his Grace, but we will not be gathered; Isa. 65.2. I have spread out my hands all the day long to a rebellious People. The ungodly careless world knoweth not the worth of Gods greatest Mercies, and therefore despise them, yea take them for intolerable Injuries and Troubles, because they are against their fleshly Appetites; but when the will is once thoroughly gained to God, the great work of Conversion is drawing to a happy Period; the consent of the Will is the closing act: When we yield our selves to the Lord, resolving to become his, and to be disposed, ordered and governed by him at his own pleasure; I entered into Covenant with thee, and thou becamest mine, Ezek. 16.8. And as 'tis a willing acceptance, so 'tis a thankful acceptance of Christ;
Secondly, With respect to our first Entrance into this relation, when first converted to God, or upon our thankful, broken-hearted, willing acceptance of Christ for Lord and Husband. All Marriage is utered into by a consent; Christ giveth his Consent in the Promises, and we by Faith, which is a broken-hearted, willing and thankful acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the ends for which God offereth him. Where note, that Faith is an Acceptance of Christ, John 1.12. To as many as received him: Next for the mode and manner of this Acceptance, 'tis Broken-hearted, because we are undeserving and ill deserving Creatures, altogether unworthy to be taken into such a near relation to Christ; as Abigail when David sent to her to make her his Wife, debased her self, 1 Sam. 25.40, 41. Let thine hand-maid wash the feet of thy Servants. Alas, who are we? A poor trembling Soul is afraid of being too bold, but Gods offer encourageth it. And as 'tis a broken-hearted, so 'tis a Willing acceptance of Christ; for Christ will not draw us into this Relation by force, or bestow the Priviledges of it without or against our consent, Rev. 22.17. Whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely: If the will be to Christ, the great difficulty is over. Christianity is but an hearty consent to accept of Christ and his Benefits; but the Creatures Will is not soon gained, Math. 23.37. I would, but ye would not; he inviteth and clucketh by the renewed messages of his Grace, but we will not be gathered; Isa. 65.2. I have spread out my hands all the day long to a rebellious People. The ungodly careless world knoweth not the worth of Gods greatest Mercies, and therefore despise them, yea take them for intolerable Injuries and Troubles, because they are against their fleshly Appetites; but when the will is once thoroughly gained to God, the great work of Conversion is drawing to a happy Period; the consent of the Will is the closing act: When we yield our selves to the Lord, resolving to become his, and to be disposed, ordered and governed by him at his own pleasure; I entered into Covenant with thee, and thou becamest mine, Ezek. 16.8. And as 'tis a willing acceptance, so 'tis a thankful acceptance of Christ;
