N01720:21
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.
But as an Appendix, to this Contemplation, it is to be added; That a particular Church, is also to be considered, as Married unto the SON of GOD. A particular Church, or a Company of whom our Saviour says, Gather my Saints together unto me, those that have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice: Even to such a company combined in the Evangelical Church-State, our Saviour says, I Marry my self unto you. Of such a Church, He who gathered it, said, 2 Cor. XI. 2. I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a Chaste Virgin, to CHRIST.
O Church of the Lord; Remember thy Marriage unto thy Saviour. Do nothing to grieve Him; Do not Incur His Frowns; Do not provoke Him to withdraw from thee. Be faithful in His Covenant. Observe His Institutions, with a due ⟨p. 11⟩Loyalty and Purity; preserve them from Violations. Be mindful of that Charge; Psal. XLV. 11. He is thy Lord, and Worship thou Him. Thy Title shall be, An Elect Lady; yea, Thou shalt be a Kings Daughter, if thou Hearken to such Admonitions of GOD.
II. To every Individual Person, coming into the Church of the Living GOD, and Laying hold on His Covenant, our SAVIOUR also says, I Marry my self unto thee. As it is in the Metaphor of a Temple. The Church in general is a Temple of GOD. And every Individual Believer is also a Living Temple; An Habitation of GOD through' the Spirit. It is the same in the Metaphor of a Marriage. Our SAVIOUR does Marry Himself unto the Church in general. But He does also Marry Himself to every Individual Believer, and say to every Soul that receives Him as a SAVIOUR, what we have,