A glorious espousal. A brief essay, to illustrate and prosecute the marriage, wherein our…

Great is the Honour which the Glorious GOD has put upon the Married State. He Honoured it, when He Appointed it in Paradise, and made it an Institution for our First Parents, while they were yet in their sinless Integrity. He Honoured it, by doing at it the First of those Miracles, wherein His Divinity shone forth under the Eclipse of His Humanity. He has Honoured it, in the Desirable Effects of it, and the Glories of Mankind, which it has produced in Successive Generations. On such Accounts Marriage is Honourable in all. But we have no small Addition to the Accounts on which it is ⟨p. 3⟩so, In that our GOD has made a Marriage to be the Figure, by which He will have to be livelily described unto us, the marvellous Relation, and Affection, which He bears unto His Chosen People.

Israel, Backsliden from GOD, is advised and Exhorted unto a Repentance: which being obtained, they shall be returned from their Dispersion among the Nations; tho' there should be but One to be found in a City, or Two in a Tribe dispersed among the Nations, yet they shall be brought back unto their Ancient Sears, and God will show wonders to the dead. The COVENANT between the Glorious God, and His Backsliding People, is brought as an Argument for the Repentance that is called for. And the Nature, the Import, of the COVENANT is declared. It is a Covenant of Marriage; I Marry my self unto you saith the Lord. It is thus Actively, to be expressed, I Marry my self, rather than I am Married. Indeed the Argument here used, is urged with a Compassion scarce to be found among the Hard-hearted Children of Men. Adulterous violations of the Covenant between ⟨p. 4⟩the Married, especially, if Repeated, if defended, if long persisted in; These render all Accommodations between them forever hopeless. An Everlasting Divorce is all that can be hoped for. The word Return, is never heard any more. But, my Thoughts are not your Thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Our compassionate God says unto a People in Covenant with him; Thou hast plaid the Harlot with many Lovers, yet Return again unto me. And the Marriage that has been so horribly Violated, is made the Argument for this Return. Our God will yet own the Marriage; and go on with all the Testimonies of Love that can be agreeable to a Marriage; and all former offences will be forgiven and forgotten, and be as if they had never been at all. How Unchangeable the Love of our God! Because I change not, Therefore says our God, O Sinners, you are not consumed. A Goodness, at which, O Sinful Children of Men, how can we but be astonished! But with our Astonishments, how much is a Repenting Soul, having such a Marriage in view, to be encouraged! Well, who is the Lord that says, I Marry myself