N01720:52
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.
There was once a Marriage proposed, wherein the Person concerned, had it said of him, Ruth. III. 18. The man will not be at rest, until he have finished the thing this Day. The Mystical Marriage now proposed should have such a Dispatch given to it. Oh! Be not at Rest, but on this very Day let the Thing be Finished. Here, Here, if ever, Happy is the Wooing that is not long a doing! To forward the matter, Oh! that these EXPOSTULATIONS may have their Efficacy!
Expost. I. The SAVIOUR who so kindly stoups as to say, I Marry my self unto you; Is He not a SAVIOUR infinitely worthy to be Adored and Embraced! Infinitely ⟨p. 29⟩worthy to be with a Soul full of Loves, & Wonders, and Praises, accepted of? What can there be Desirable in any Person, which you cannot see in the Glorious Person, that now does be speak your Espousal to Him? Is He not Fairer than the Children of Men; Yea, Altogether Lovely! Are there not all Treasures of Wisdom & Knowledge in Him? Is He not the Heir of all Things? Can any thing be so Good as this Lamb of GOD! Oh! How Great is His Goodness, and how Great is His Beauty! Is He not a Great Kings, whose Name is Venerable? Is He not gone into Heaven, where He is on the Right Hand of GOD, Angels being made subject unto Him! And is there any Number of His Armies? Is He not the SON of GOD; and the Creator whom an Eternal Power and Godhead must be ascribed unto? Has He not with a Condescension forever to be marvelled a• already Married Himself unto our Nature? Verily He took not on Him the Nature of Angels; But He has taken our Nature, when He took the Man JESUS, to be One Person with Himself. And Oh! the L•ve by which He has Commended Himself unto us, in that while we were Sinners He has died for us! Ah! Perishing Soul; ⟨p. 30⟩Has thy SAVIOUR so Loved thee, as to Give Himself for thee; And wilt thou not so Love Him, as to Give Thy self to Him? Has the Love of thy SAVIOUR to Thee been Strong as Death; made Him willing to Dye for thee? And hast thou not so much Love to Him, as will make thee willing to Live with Him? How, How canst thou Resist the Overtures that such a Glorious Lord makes for thy Espousal to Him!