A64978:56
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.
3. Christ's invitations of you to be his Spouse, are Frequent; Some will ask you once and twice, but if they be denied they will ask no more; especially ⟨p. 25⟩if they be of superior quality, and it would be for your advancement to hearken and consent; but the Lord Jesus Christ doth invite not once or twice, but very frequently; he stretcheth forth his hand all the day long, and though you have been a gain-saying people, he doth still invite you; He hath been a Suitor unto some of you for many years together, and he is still a suitor; and though he be so much your superior, and you will be infinitely beholding to him to take you into this relation; notwithstanding all repulses and unkindnesses, he doth invite you again by me this day, to be his Spouse.
3. Christ's invitations of you to be his Spouse, are Frequent; Some will ask you once and twice, but if they be denied they will ask no more; especially ⟨p. 25⟩if they be of superiour quality, and it would be for your advancement to hearken and consent; but the Lord Jesus Christ doth invite not once or twice, but very frequently; he stretcheth forth his hand all the day long, and though you have been a gain-saying people, he doth still invite you; He hath been a Suiter unto some of you for many years together, and he is still a suiter; and though he be so much your superiour, and you will be infinitely beholding to him to take you into this relation; notwithstanding all repulses and unkindnesses, he doth invite you again by me this day, to be his Spouse.
4. Christs invitations of you to be his Spouse, are Earnest; He is very importunate with you; He doth not tacitly signify his mind, and willingness to accept of you, which would have been an infinite condescension, and sufficient encouragement for you to apply your selves unto him; but he doth call upon you, and not only call, but he doth call carnestly; yea, he useth many arguments to persuade you; and he addeth entreaties to his invitations; He giveth us Ministers a commission to beseech you that you would be espoused unto him; He is very loth to take any denial, he is very unwilling to be put off; He knocks and knocks hard at the door of your hearts, for entertainment: and as earnestness and importunity in Prayer doth prevail with the Lord for audience and an answer; so the Lords earnestness and importunity should prevail with you for acceptance of him in this desirable relation.