The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

Reader, to conclude this Use and sum up these two particulars, which are more worth then the whole World, that thou mayst see how willing I am to be instrumental for thy welfare. I shall come up a little nearer and closer to thee. O that I did but know what savoury spiritual meat thou lovest most, if possible, I would provide it for thee, and set it before thee, that thou mightest eat, and thy soul might bless God before thou diest.

In order to thy eternal good, I have a special offer to make to thee from the blessed God, and that is of a Marriage with his only Son the Lord ⟨p. 73⟩Jesus Christ. I am this day sent to thee as his Ambassador with full instructions to woo in his behalf, that I might present thee a chaste Virgin unto Christ; thou needest not doubt of my authority, for in the Scriptures thou mayst read my Commission, and credential letters which may give thee full security and satisfaction against all jealousies and suspicions, which can possibly arise in thy breast. Thou needest not question Gods reality in the tender of so great a fortune to thee (notwithstanding all thy unworthiness) for he sent his Son so great a journey, as from Heaven to Earth to marry thy nature, on purpose that he might be Married to thy person; and hath caused him already to be at infinite cost in providing glorious attire, and precious Jewels out of Heavens Wardrobe and Cabinet, that thou mightest be adorned as is fit for the Spouse of so great a Lord; nay he himself hath sent thee his picture (of greater value then Heaven and Earth) drawn at length, and to the life in the Gospel, in all his royalty, beauty, and glory, to try if thou canst like and love his person. Friend, look wishly on him, consider his person; He is fairer then the Children of men, he is the express Image of his Fathers person; Thy beloved (O shall I call him so) is white and ruddy, the fairest of ten thousands, he is altogether lovely; nothing but amiableness, none ever saw him, but were enamoured with him; View his Portion; He is Heir of all things; All power is given to him in Heaven and Earth. I know thy poverty, but there are unsearchable riches in Christ, yea durable riches and righteousness. Thou art infinitely in debt, and thereby liable to the arrest of Divine Justice, and