3. Because the Lord hath set apart every one that is espoused to the Lord Jesus, only for the fruition of Christ, and use of Christ, 1 Cor. 3. ult. You are Christs, and Christ is Gods. A Woman that is not chosen, nor set apart for the fellowship of a Prince, she may go how she will, and do what she will, any base drudgery work; but she that is chosen to be next unto him, and only to behold and love him, she is not to plead she hath so much business to do, and so many Friends to speak with, that she cannot make her self ready: she is set apart for a better person, and for more noble employment. So here men of the world not loved of God, nor chosen and set apart for him, may do what they will; but when the Lord hath chosen and set you apart of purpose for this end, Ephes. 1. 4. Chosen to be holy ⟨p. 44⟩before him in love, i. e. to stand ever in his presence before him, with a spirit of dearest love unto him. Hence the Lord hath taken the care of all things else, 1 Pet. 5. 7. that we might mind and do this thing; It in danger, he will deliver, if in want, he will provi•e, if weak, he will strengthen, only no• be ready for the Lord, Psalm 45. 10. Forget thy Country, and thy Fathers house, so shall the Lord desire thy beauty. You are not now free to love and follow whom you please, the Lord hath bound you to himself by love, and you have bound your self by promise to the Lord again: Therefore now a christian after once espoused to Christ, is better than all the world, being the Bride of the Lamb; and he hath a better and greater good for to enjoy: therefore he should scorn and abhor to march himself to, or to do any thing for any other creature; and therefore methinks should sit as one upon a watch-tower, looking out, and telling the clock now day is near, waiting only for Christ, Oh let it be so: If in Heaven, you shall have only Christ▪ Oh prepare for him much more now. As a Woman that is Ma•cht to a rich man, all the servants attend on her, and follow her, she is wholly and only for her Husband: so it should be here.
3. Because the Lord hath set apart every one that is espoused to the Lord Jesus, only for the fruition of Christ, and use of Christ, 1 Cor. 3. ult. You are Christs, and Christ is Gods. A Woman that is not chosen, nor set apart for the fellowship of a Prince, she may go how she will, and do what she will, any base drudgery work; but she that is chosen to be next unto him, and only to behold and love him, she is not to plead she hath so much businesse to do, and so many Friends to speak with, that she cannot make her self ready: she is set apart for a better person, and for more noble employment. So here men of the world not loved of God, nor chosen and set apart for him, may do what they will; but when the Lord hath chosen and set you apart of purpose for this end, Ephes. 1. 4. Chosen to be holy ⟨p. 44⟩before him in love, i. e. to stand ever in his presence before him, with a spirit of dearest love unto him. Hence the Lord hath taken the care of all things else, 1 Pet. 5. 7. that we might mind and do this thing; It in danger, he will deliver, if in want, he will provi•e, if weak, he will strengthen, only no• be ready for the Lord, Psalm 45. 10. Forget thy Country, and thy Fathers house, so shall the Lord desire thy beauty. You are not now free to love and follow whom you please, the Lord hath bound you to himself by love, and you have bound your self by promise to the Lord again: Therefore now a christian after once espoused to Christ, is better than all the world, being the Bride of the Lamb; and he hath a better and greater good for to enjoy: therefore he should scorn and abhor to march himself to, or to do any thing for any other creature; and therefore methinks should sit as one upon a watch-tower, looking out, and telling the clock now day is near, waiting only for Christ, Oh let it be so: If in Heaven, you shall have only Christ▪ Oh prepare for him much more now. As a Woman that is Ma•cht to a rich man, all the servants attend on her, and follow her, she is wholly and only for her Husband: so it should be here.
