N01720:45
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.
That ONE WORD, the Hearty speaking whereof, will Espouse thee to thy SAVIOUR, and secure thy Eternal happiness; I will set before my Hearers the Dispositions which it is to be spoke withal.
And, First; Shall not thy Mind be struck and filled with Admiration at the Grace of thy SAVIOUR; That ever such an One should say, I would Marry my self unto thee! The Handmaid of the Lord said; Luk. I. 43. Whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me! But how much more mayst thou say, Whence is this to me, that my Lord and SAVIOUR should Espouse Himself to me! Who, Oh! Who is the LORD, that would Espouse Himself unto thee? A LORD, who is Lord of Lords, and Lord of all! The LORD of Hosts; and One who has All Power in Heaven and Earth given unto Him! A LORD, who is King of Kings, and the King of Glory! A LORD, who is Worshipped by all the ⟨p. 22⟩Angels, and who Humbles Himself to behold the Things in the Heavens; What then, to Espouse Himself unto sorry things upon Earth? Yea, a LORD who is Equal with GOD, and very GOD; No less than the Being who is Over all, GOD Blessed forever. For such an One to say unto us, I would Marry my self unto thee! O Peerless Goodness! O Matchless Mercy! O Unparalleled Condescension! But, then, who art Thou, O Despicable Creature, who art Thou, That ever this Glorious LORD should Espouse thee unto Him? A sorry, silly, sinful Creature! For such a Monarch to Marry such a Beggar; One so wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked! For One so Beautiful in all Perfections, to Marry one full of such loathsome Infirmities, and shocking Deformities! For Him to see thee cast out unto the Loathing of thy Person, and yet now be the Time of His Love unto thee! Oh! When and where can we find a Parallel! Soul, Admire the Grace of thy SAVIOUR. With the Transports of an Admiring Soul, Cry out, O my SAVIOUR, That ever Thou shouldest Espouse unto thy self, a foolish and a filthy Creature, ⟨p. 23⟩worthy of nothing but the utmost Abhorrence, and a Condemnation to a Devouring Fire, to Everlasting Burnings! I am amazed! I am amazed!