A55748:52
The mystical match between Christ and his churchThe mysticall match between Christ and his church
The mystical match between Christ and his church by the late learned and reverend divine, John Preston ... The leading sermon to that treatise of his called The churches marriage.The mysticall match between Christ and his church by the late learned and reverend divine, John Preston ... The leading sermon to that treatise of his called The churches marriage.
London: printed for Francis Eaglesfield, 1648
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again consider, whether thy affection be fixed ⟨p. 22⟩1on his person: for the affection of an harlot may be towards her husbands goods, and toward the commodities and benefits by him; but art thou able to love the person of Jesus Christ, so as to delight in him, and desire his presence, and seekest him, so that thou carest not for any thing so thou mayest have him? this is to have a wedding conjugal affection: but this is not all that makes the marriage garment.
Againe consider, whether thy affection bee fixed ⟨p. 22⟩1on his person: for the affection of an harlot may be towards her husbands goods, and toward the commodities and benefits by him; but art thou able to love the person of Iesus Christ, so as to delight in him, and desire his presence, and seekest him, so that thou carest not for any thing so thou maist have him? this is to have a wedding conjugall affection: but this is not all that makes the marriage garment.
- 12 To look to his person.2 To looke to his person.
Consider besides what boldness thou hast in his presence, for perfect love casts out fear: now by 1perfect love, is not meant only love in the perfection, that is grown to a height, (such we shall not have, till we come to heaven) but by perfect love is to be understood sincere love: therefore if thou wouldest know if thou have the wedding garment, whether this conjugal affection be wrought, thou shalt know it by the boldness thou hast with thy husband: wilt thou say, thou art married to him, and yet darest not speak to him, but lookest on him, as on a Judge, as a hard Master, or a stranger? that thou darest not ask any thing of, or if thou dost, thou knowest not whether thou shalt obtain it? there is a certain boldness and familiarity goes along with this, is there such a disposition put into thy heart?