The second thing in marriage, is the mutual consent of the parties themselves that are to match 1together, wherein we are in the first place to consider, the consent of the Son, the Husband, because we know that the man is the suitor, he begins, and if he had not, who could have known the mind of the LORD JESUS, that he would match so low, that he would match with sinful dust and ashes, except himself had declared it, his Church seeks not first to him, not because modesty forbids it, but because she knew no such thing, that there was such an Husband for her; she indeed had most need to seek, because she stood in need of such an Husband, Christ matches with her, not for any need he had of a wife, but only for the need his wife had of him. Now his Father from eternity had ordained this Wife for his Son, and therefore he must have her, ⟨p. 3⟩and he could have no other. Therefore, first see if 2the Son be willing, for this he hath declared it plainly in his Word. We are Ambassadors, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5. beseeching you in Christs stead, 3to be reconciled to God, and in Matth. 22. you see all were invited to the Marriage, and all those speeches; Go preach the Gospel to every creature under heaven, and Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden: and that in Revel. 22. Let whosoever will 4come; this I say, declares the consent of the Son that he is willing.
The second thing in marriage, is the mutuall consent of the parties themselves that are to match 1together, wherein wee are in the first place to consider, the consent of the Sonne, the Husband, because wee know that the man is the suitor, hee begins, and if hee had not, who could have knowne the minde of the LORD IESUS, that he would match so lowe, that hee would match with sinfull dust and ashes, except himselfe had declared it, his Church seekes not first to him, not because modesty forbids it, but because shee knew no such thing, that there was such an Husband for her; shee indeed had most neede to seeke, because shee stood in neede of such an Husband, Christ matches with her, not for any neede he had of a wife, but onely for the neede his wife had of him. Now his Father from eternity had ordained this Wife for his Sonne, and therefore hee must have her, ⟨p. 3⟩and he could have no other. Therefore, first see if 2the Sonne bee willing, for this hee hath declared it plainely in his Word. Wee are Ambassadors, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5. beseeching you in Christs stead, 3to bee reconciled to God, and in Matth. 22. you see all were invited to the Marriage, and all those speeches; Goe preach the Gospell to every creature under heaven, and Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden: and that in Revel. 22. Let whosoever will 4come; this I say, declares the consent of the Sonne that he is willing.
- 12 Consent of parties.
- 21 Christs consent.
- 32 Cor. 5. Matth. 22.
- 4Revel. 22.
