N01720:18
A glorious espousal. A brief essay, to illustrate and prosecute the marriage, wherein our…
A glorious espousal. A brief essay, to illustrate and prosecute the marriage, wherein our great Saviour offers to espouse unto himself the children of men. And thereupon to recommend from that grand pattern a good carriage in the married life among them. : An essay proper and useful in the hands of those who travel on the noble design of espousing the souls of men unto their Saviour. But more particularly and seasonably to be presented, where a marriage is upon a celebration.
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland for B. Gray, 1719
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 Church Universal is to be first of all considered, as thus Married unto the Son of GOD. Even that whole Body of People, who come into the Hands of our SAVIOUR, that so they may glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. There is a COVENANT, which GOD our SAVIOUR has made with His Eternal FATHER, concerning a people, which he has chosen, to be the Vessels of mercy in Glory forever. In this Covenant of Redemption, GOD our SAVIOUR has engaged, That He will recover this His People out of the Ruins, which by their departure from God they are fallen into; That He will therefore make Expiation for their offences, by the Sacrifice of Himself, and so reconcile them unto God: And that He will then put the Fear of God into their hearts, and show them the path of Life, and Quicken them to live unto God, and at last ⟨p. 7⟩raise them from the dead unto Everlasting Life. In every Age, and in every Place, the Almighty Spirit of God, finds out these Elect, and makes them willing, that GOD their SAVIOUR should accomplish these His Engagements for them; willing to be Saved, and Led, and Ruled by this mighty SAVIOUR. The method of Grace, which the Covenant of Redemption has laid out, for our Salvation by a Glorious CHRIST, is brought unto us, in the Gospel of our Salvation, as a Covenant of Grace, which we are to come into. The Gospel is the Covenant of God; it brings to us a Covenant of Grace. By being made willing to have our Saviour do for us, what He has promised His Father to do for His People, and be concerned for us, as our Peace-maker, our Instructor, and our Governor; we come into His Covenant. The People brought into this Covenant is the Church of God. Now, unto this whole People does our dear Saviour say, I Marry my self unto you.
The Church Universal is to be first of all considered, as thus Married unto the Son of GOD. Even that whole Body of People, who come into the Hands of our SAVIOUR, that so they may glorify God, and enjoy Him forever. There is a COVENANT, which GOD our SAVIOUR has made with His Eternal FATHER, concerning a people, which he has chosen, to be the Vessels of mercy in Glory forever. In this Covenant of Redemption, GOD our SAVIOUR has engaged, That He will recover this His People out of the Ruins, which by their departure from God they are fallen into; That He will therefore make Expiation for their offences, by the Sacrifice of Himself, and so reconcile them unto God: And that He will then put the Fear of God into their hearts, and shew them the path of Life, and Quicken them to live unto God, and at last