Christ the best husband

2. In this espousal there is mutual affection, this doth accompany the choice; on Christs part at first he doth bear a love of benevolence unto them whom he doth espouse; and doth desire the nearest union and conjunction unto them, and therefore doth make suit to them for their Love: On their part, their hearts are drawn forth in desires after Christ: None but Christ, none but Christ, is the language of their hearts, when they are made throughly sensible of their need of him; and however his dowry at first is most desired, yet afterwards, as they get more acquaintance, they are most taken with his person.

3. In this espousal there is mutual Union; and herein most properly doth the espousal lie; in this union Christ and souls are contracted, and the knot is tied so fast, as no power can untie; which union is by the Spirit, on Christs part, and by Faith on their part; by the Spirit Christ doth lay hold on them, and by Faith they lay hold upon Christ; by the Spirit Christ doth draw them, and knit them to himself, and by Faith they come and join themselves unto him, and so the match is made; Christ becomes theirs, his person, portion, and all his benefits theirs; and they become Christs, their persons, their hearts, and all that they have is resigned up unto him.

3. In this espousal there is mutual Union; and herein most properly doth the espousal lie; in this union Christ and souls are contracted, and the knot is tied so fast, as no power can untie; which union is by the Spirit, on Christs part, and by Faith on their part; by the Spirit Christ doth lay hold on them, and by Faith they lay hold upon Christ; by the Spirit Christ doth draw them, and knit them to himself, and by Faith they come and joyn themselves unto him, and so the match is made; Christ becomes theirs, his person, portion, and all his benefits theirs; and they become Christs, their persons, their hearts, and all that they have is resigned up unto him.