N01667:85
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.
For,
1. The Scripture does declare that there is a Spiritual Conjugal Relation between the Lord and his People. Jer. 3.14. I am Married to you, saith the Lord. Isai. 54.5. Thy Maker is thy Husband, the God of the whole Earth shall he be called. That Implies that his Church shall be among the Gentiles; that he would be not only the God of the Jews, but of the Gentiles also. The Lord directs his Church to call him Ishi, the English of which word is, My Husband, Hos. 2.16. And Christ calls his Church, His Spouse, Cant. 4.10. And the Church is called, The Lambs Wife, Rev. 21.9.
2. This holy Truth was Mysteriously signified by several Types which did Figuratively represent it to us. As now, The Marriage God made between Adam and Eve was a Type of this. Eph. 5.32. They two shall be one flesh; this is a great Mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. That Marriage had a Mystery in it as respecting the Relation that is between Christ and the Church. Adam was cast into a deep sleep, and Eve taken out of him and given to him▪ Christ has been cast into the deep sleep of death, and by means of this the Church is produced. And Solomons Marriage was a Type hereof. The Song of Songs is an Epithalamium, in Praise of Christ and his Church. It was the manner among the Jews, that when Persons of Quality were Married they had Songs in Praise of the Bridegroom and the Bride. The Song of Solomon, is such an One; it shows forth the Praises of Christ and his Church: And the XLV. Psalm is like it. Solomon Married Pharaohs Daughter who was a Gentile, and thereby was signified that Christ should be Married to the Gentiles, that is, have his Church among them.