A64978:30
Christ the best husband
Christ the best husband: or An invitation of young women unto Christ Delivered in a sermon to young women. By Thomas Vincent, minister sometime of Maudlins Milkstreet, London.
London: printed for George Calvert and Samuel Sprint, 1672
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. If you be espoused unto Christ, then you have been drawn to him by the spirit, Joh. 6. 44. No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and the Father draweth by the Spirit. You have had external calls of the Word to come unto Christ; have you been called effectually, and drawn powerfully, irresistibly, and yet most sweetly by the Spirit, unto Jesus Christ? Have you had a discovery by the Spirit, not only of your necessity of, and lost estate without an interest in Christ; but also of Christs beauty and transcendent loveliness, His excellency, and great willingness to give entertainment unto you in this relation? and have you been moved and drawn hereby unto him?
2. If you be espoused unto Christ, then you have been drawn to him by the spirit, Ioh. 6. 44. No man can come unto me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and the Father draweth by the Spirit. You have had external calls of the Word to come unto Christ; have you been called effectually, and drawn powerfully, irresistably, and yet most sweetly by the Spirit, unto Jesus Christ? Have you had a discovery by the Spirit, not only of your necessity of, and lost estate without an interest in Christ; but also of Christs beauty and transcendent loveliness, His excellency, and great willingness to give entertainment unto you in this relation? and have you been moved and drawn hereby unto him?
3. If you be espoused unto Christ, then you have laid hold upon him by faith; the spirit doth draw unto Christ, by working the Grace of Faith, and enabling persons to believe in him; by Faith Christ is received, Joh. 1. 12. To as many as received ⟨p. 13⟩him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; even to them that believe on his name. By believing on Christs name, persons do receive Christ in this relation, Faith is the hand of the Soul, which layeth hold on Christ, and by this joining of the hand with Christ, the knot is tied, and the Soul is united to Christ in the relation of a Spouse; have you this Grace of Faith wrought in you with power? have you received and applied Christ unto your selves? have you received him upon his own terms? and do you by Faith draw quickening and strengthening influences from him?