A64978:35
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.
Use 2. For reproof of all those that refuse or neglect Christs invitation of them, to be his Spouse.
1. This is your great sin, hereby you highly affront Christ, and you exceedingly offend him: I suppose it would offend and highly displease your selves, should you make love to an inferior, and have your persons contemned, and your love slighted by them; Christ hath made love, and made suit unto you, who are infinitely inferior unto him, He calleth upon you, and his great desire of you is, that you would be his Spouse; by your refusal of him, and neglect of his invitation, you contemn his person, and slight his Love; yea, you prefer his inferiors before him; even those that are not worthy to be named with him: and can there be a greater indignity offered? If Christ should contemn you that are so mean, and slight your Love, as unworthy of any regard, it would not be so much wonder; It is no great wonder to see a Prince slight the aspiring conjugal Love of a Beggar; but for you that are beggarly sinners to slight the person and love of such a Prince, this is a great sin and provocation.
1. This is your great sin, hereby you highly affront Christ, and you exceedingly offend him: I suppose it would offend and highly displease your selves, should you make love to an inferiour, and have your persons contemned, and your love slighted by them; Christ hath made love, and made suit unto you, who are infinitely inferiour unto him, He calleth upon you, and his great desire of you is, that you would be his Spouse; by your refusal of him, and neglect of his invitation, you contemn his person, and slight his Love; yea, you preferr his inferiours before him; even those that are not worthy to be nam'd with him: and can there be a greater indignity offered? If Christ should contemn you that are so mean, and slight your Love, as unworthy of any regard, it would not be so much wonder; It is no great wonder to see a Prince slight the aspiring conjugal Love of a Béggar; but for you that are beggarly sinners to slight the person and love of such a Prince, this is a great sin and provocation.