N01667:78
Practical truths, plainly delivered
Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is showed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]Practical truths, plainly delivered: wherein is shewed, I. That true believers on Jesus Christ, shall as certainly enjoy everlasting life in heaven, as if they were there already. II. That there is a blessed marriage between Jesus Christ the son of God, & the true believer. III. That men are infinitely concerned, not only to hear the voice of Christ, but that they do it, to day. IV. The work of the ministry, described, in an ordination sermon. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Seven lines of Scripture texts]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1718
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.
The words before us to insist on are a Similitude or Parable in which there is.
1. The thing compared, Namely the Kingdom of Heaven. By the Kingdom of Heaven here we are to understand the Church of God; Especially under the heavenly dispensation of the Gospel. The Church is a Kingdom and an heavenly Kingdom. It is under the Government of a heavenly King, and ruled by heavenly Laws.
2. There is that unto which this Kingdom of Heaven is compared, Namely, to a King that made a Marriage for his Son; by the King understand the God and King of Heaven, and by his Son our Lord Jesus Christ. The Marriage feast spoken of in the Parable, has respect to the benefits of Christ which are preferred to Sinners in the Gospel on condition of their consent to the Marriage. In a Marriage there is the Bridegroom and the Bride, the Bridegroom is Christ, and the Bride, the few that are chosen, or the Church of true Believers.
DOCTRINE. That True Believers are Married to JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD. Or, That there is a blessed Marriage between CHRIST and His Church.