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

for he is the only natural Son and Heir of the most high God. For thy further quickening, He is thy near Kinsman, bone of thy bone, and flesh of thy flesh, Gen. 24.4, 5. and so hath right to thee; God hath given his Stewards a command (as Abraham his servant) not to take a Wife to his Son (of the Daughters of the Canaanites) from among the evil Angels, but to go to his Sons own Country, and kindred and to take a Wife for him, among the Children of men. Friend, thou hast heard the errand about which I am sent to thee. I hope there is such an Arrow of love darted into thy heart from the gracious eyes and looks of this Lord of glory, that thou art wounded thereby, and beginnest of a sudden to be taken with him, and to wish, O that I might have the honour and happiness to become the Bride of so lovely a Bridegroom, that this King of Saints would take me a poor sinner into his bed and bosom; Thou sayest as Abigail when David sent to take her to Wife, Behold, let thine hand-maid be a servant to wash the feet of the Servants of my Lord; I am unworthy to be his Spouse. If it be thus with thee, I see that thy affections are already entangled, ⟨p. 75⟩and for thy comfort, know that he is not of the number of them, who when they have gained others good will, then cast them off. Only it will be needful that thou understand what he requires of thee, to avoid all future jars and differences; plain dealing is never more necessary then in Marriage; those that by daubing have huddled up Matches in hast, have found cause enough to repent at leisure.

for he is the onely natural Son and Heir of the most high God. For thy further quickening, He is thy near Kinsman, bone of thy bone, and flesh of thy flesh, Gen. 24.4, 5. and so hath right to thee; God hath given his Stewards a command (as Abraham his servant) not to take a Wife to his Son (of the Daughters of the Canaanites) from among the evil Angels, but to go to his Sons own Country, and kindred and to take a Wife for him, among the Children of men. Friend, thou hast heard the errand about which I am sent to thee. I hope there is such an Arrow of love darted into thy heart from the gracious eyes and looks of this Lord of glory, that thou art wounded thereby, and beginnest of a sudden to be taken with him, and to wish, O that I might have the honour and happiness to become the Bride of so lovely a Bridegroom, that this King of Saints would take me a poor sinner into his bed and bosome; Thou sayst as Abigal when David sent to take her to Wife, Behold, let thine hand-maid be a servant to wash the feet of the Servants of my Lord; I am unworthy to be his Spouse. If it be thus with thee, I see that thy affections are already entangled,