*It was noted on a like ground to this, that of all other persons 2the transgression of a wife against an husband is most heinous. What then are the transgressions of the Church against Christ? As we are much more bound unto Christ for the privileges we receive from him as an Head and Husband, and so our Saviour having made with us an everlasting covenant of marriage, then for those we received from him as our Creator, Lord and Master: so are the rebellions now committed against him more monstrous. To Adam that broke the first covenant whereby like a rebellious child and servant he sinned against his Father and Master, mercy and pardon was given: but to such as now break the bond of this everlasting covenant, and make a total and final desertion, utterly renouncing this Husband, or by their adultery cause him to give them a bill of divorce, there remaineth no more sacrifice 3for sins; but a certain fearful looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries. This is to be noted, to make us the more circumspect over our ways, resisting sin in the beginning, and looking diligently lest any 4man fall from the grace of God; and giving no place at all unto 5the Devil. Satan will most endeavour to dissolve the nearest ⟨p. 124⟩bonds that God maketh. This then being the nearest of all, we ought to be the most careful in preserving it.
*It was noted on a like ground to this, that of all other persons 2the transgression of a wife against an husband is most hainous. What then are the transgressions of the Church against Christ? As we are much more bound vnto Christ for the priuiledges we receiue from him as an Head and Husband, and so our Sauiour hauing made with vs an euerlasting couenant of mariage, then for those we receiued from him as our Creator, Lord and Master: so are the rebellions now committed against him more monstrous. To Adam that broke the first couenant whereby like a rebellious childe and seruant he sinned against his Father and Master, mercy and pardon was giuen: but to such as now breake the bond of this euerlasting couenant, and make a totall and finall desertion, vtterly renouncing this Husband, or by their adulterie cause him to giue them a bill of diuorce, there remaineth no more sacrifice 3for sinnes; but a certaine fearfull looking for of iudgement, and fierie indignation which shall deuoure the aduersaries. This is to be noted, to make vs the more circumspect ouer our waies, resisting sinne in the beginning, and looking diligently lest any 4man fall from the grace of God; and giuing no place at all vnto 5the Deuill. Satan will most endeuour to dissolue the neerest ⟨p. 124⟩bonds that God maketh. This then being the neerest of all, we ought to be the most carefull in preseruing it.
- *§. 84.
- 21 Cor. 6. 17. & 12. 12.
- 3Heb. 10. 27.
- 4Heb. 12. 15.
- 5Eph. 4. 27.