1Secondly, Consider Gods clemency and condescension, in tendering thee so great a fortune: Kings on Earth will not stoop so low (unless necessity force it) as to match their only Sons with their Subjects, though he and they are of the same make and mould, if they do, it is with the highest Families, with such among them as sparkle most with the Diamonds of birth, breeding, beauty, riches and glory; but (hear O Heavens, and be astonished O Earth) wonder O Reader, at this low stoop of the infinite God; He is willing, nay earnest that his only Son and Heir, the King of Kings should marry with his creature (between whom and him, there is an infinite distance and disproportion) nay not with the Noblest House among those creatures, not with Angels those heavenly Courtiers (He is their Head, not their Husband) though by matching with them he had matched somewhat more like himself, but with ⟨p. 77⟩sinful polluted Dust and Ashes. That our spiritual souls should be joined to our earthly bodies is much, yet here is some proportion, (both are limited, created beings) but that God should marry with Man is infinitely more. Its said of the King of Babylon, that he lifted up the head of Jehojachin out of Prison, and spake kindly to him, and changed his Prison Garments, and set his Throne above the Throne of the Kings that were with him, (2 Kings ult. cap. 27, 28, 29.) Man was a poor Prisoner, bound and fettered with his own corruptions, kept up close by the Devil his Jailer; and condemned to suffer the pains of eternal death, but lo the Philanthropy and kindness of God, he sendeth his only Son to open the Prison Doors, (having first satisfied the Law, for the breach of which they were cast in, and removed its curse which was as a Pad-Lock on the Prison Gate to to keep it fast,) set the poor captives at liberty, change their nasty Prison weeds, and to exalt their nature above the nature of glorious Angels, by marrying it to himself. Canst thou find in thy heart Friend to abuse such Matchless Grace and Favour? Is not that beggar mad that should refuse the real offers of a Match from a Gracious Emperor? Shall Majesty thus stoop to Misery in vain? I must tell thee, its infinite abasement in God, thus to make suit to thee, but its the highest preferment thou art capable of (nay, such as it had been blasphemy to have desired it, had not God offered it) to close with him.
1Secondly, Consider Gods clemency and condescention, in tendering thee so great a fortune: Kings on Earth will not stoop so low (unless necessity force it) as to match their onely Sons with their Subjects, though he and they are of the same make and mould, if they do, it is with the highest Families, with such among them as sparkle most with the Diamonds of birth, breeding, beauty, riches and glory; but (hear O Heavens, and be astonished O Earth) wonder O Reader, at this low stoop of the infinite God; He is willing, nay earnest that his onely Son and Heir, the King of Kings should marry with his creature (between whom and him, there is an infinite distance and disproportion) nay not with the Noblest House among those creatures, not with Angels those heavenly Courtiers (He is their Head, not their Husband) though by matching with them he had matched somewhat more like himself, but with ⟨p. 77⟩sinful polluted Dust and Ashes. That our spiritual souls should be joyned to our earthly bodies is much, yet here is some proportion, (both are limited, created beings) but that God should marry with Man is infinitely more. Its said of the King of Babylon, that he lifted up the head of Jehojachin out of Prison, and spake kindly to him, and changed his Prison Garments, and set his Throne above the Throne of the Kings that were with him, (2 Kings ult. cap. 27, 28, 29.) Man was a poor Prisoner, bound and fettered with his own corruptions, kept up close by the Devil his Jaylor; and condemned to suffer the pains of eternal death, but loe the Philanthropy and kindness of God, he sendeth his onely Son to open the Prison Doors, (having first satisfied the Law, for the breach of which they were cast in, and removed its curse which was as a Pad-Lock on the Prison Gate to to keep it fast,) set the poor captives at liberty, change their nasty Prison weeds, and to exalt their nature above the nature of glorious Angels, by marrying it to himself. Canst thou find in thy heart Friend to abuse such Matchless Grace and Favour? Is not that begger mad that should refuse the real offers of a Match from a Gracious Emperour? Shall Majesty thus stoop to Misery in vain? I must tell thee, its infinite abasement in God, thus to make suit to thee, but its the highest preferment thou art capable of (nay, such as it had been blasphemy to have desired it, had not God offered it) to close with him.
- 1Gods clemency in its offer.
