The Godly Man's Picture

In this life is but the contract; the Jews had a time set between their espousals and marriage, sometimes a year, or more: in this life is but the affiancing and contract, promises are made on both sides, and love passeth secretly between Christ and the soul; he gives some smiles of his face, and the soul sends up her sighs, and drops tears of love: But all this is but a previous work, and something tending to the marriage, the ⟨p. 348⟩glorious completing and solemnizing of the Nuptials, is reserved for heaven; there is the marriage-supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19. 9. and the Bed of glory perfumed with love, where the souls of the elect shall be perpetually solacing themselves, 1 Thes. 4. 17. then shall we ever be with the Lord; so that death doth but begin our marriage with Christ.

In this life is but the contract; the Iews had a time set between their espousals and marriage, sometimes a year, or more: in this life is but the affiancing and contract, promises are made on both sides, and love passeth secretly between Christ and the soul; he gives some smiles of his face, and the soul sends up her sighs, and drops tears of love: But all this is but a praevious work, and something tending to the marriage, the ⟨p. 348⟩glorious compleating and solemnizing of the Nuptials, is reserved for heaven; there is the marriage-supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19. 9. and the Bed of glory perfumed with love, where the souls of the elect shall be perpetually solacing themselves, 1 Thes. 4. 17. then shall we ever be with the Lord; so that death doth but begin our marriage with Christ.