Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text…Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text…

Thirdly, as in all marriages there is required a double consent, first of the parents, and secondly of the parties themselves: so in this spiritual marriage, there is first the consent of God the Father, who hath given the Church to Christ, that he might redeem and save it; and Christ likewise unto the Church, that he might be the head and husband thereof: the which his consent and free good will, in this mutual donation he hath made known unto us in the Gospel, and doth more and more confirm us in the assurance thereof by the Sacraments of Baptism, and the Lords Supper. So likewise there is a mutual consent between the parties: for first our Saviour Christ took our nature upon him, and was made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted, that he might become our husband, head and Saviour: and this his inestimable good will he hath made known unto his spouse, in that he was content for her sake not only to abase himself, by taking upon him the form of a servant, but also therein to suffer so many miseries, ignominy, reproach, whippings, buffetings, revilings, crowning with thorns, and death it self, yea the cursed death of the cross, and the anger of God more bitter then all the rest, that hereby he might purge his Church from all her sins, adorn her with his righteousness, and so make her a fit spouse for such an husband.

Thirdly, as in all mariages there is required a double consent, first of the parents, and secondly of the parties themselues: so in this spirituall mariage, there is first the consent of God the Father, who hath giuen the Church to Christ, that he might redeeme and saue it; and Christ likewise vnto the Church, that he might be the head and husband thereof: the which his consent and free good will, in this mutuall donation he hath made knowne vnto vs in the Gospell, and doth more and more confirme vs in the assurance thereof by the Sacraments of Baptisme, and the Lords Supper. So likewise there is a mutuall consent betweene the parties: for first our Sauiour Christ took our nature vpon him, and was made like vnto vs in all things, sinne only excepted, that hee might become our husband, head and Sauiour: and this his inestimable good will hee hath made knowne vnto his spouse, in that he was content for her sake not only to abase himselfe, by taking vpon him the forme of a seruant, but also therein to suffer so many miseries, ignominie, reproch, whippings, buffetings, reuilings, crowning with thornes, and death it selfe, yea the cursed death of the crosse, and the anger of God more bitter then all the rest, that hereby he might purge his Church from all her sinnes, adorne her with his righteousnesse, and so make her a fit spoule for such an husband.