N01720:61
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.
A very Prudent Constitution once made in the Low Countries, That none should be Married, until they could recite all the Answers in the Catechism used in the Churches there, produced as Well-Catechized a People as ever was in the World. Oh! How well would it be for Thousands of Souls, if they would order it for Themselves, Never to Marry any one until they are first Espoused unto their SAVIOUR!
Such of you as are not yet Married unto a Neighbour; yea, Such of you as are not of the Age for Marriage; How Wisely, How Justly, How Reasonably would it be done of you, to take up this Purpose; I will be first Married unto my SAVIOUR, ⟨p. 38⟩before I will allow any other Marriage to be talked of! It may be, if you so Sought first the Kingdom of GOD, you might have Other Things added unto you, in better Circumstances. This then is the Demand with which I come unto you; Jer. 3. 4. Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, Thou art the Guide of my Youth? In becoming thy Husband, O Soul, He becomes the Guide of thy Youth. With a Consenting Soul, Now Oh! make Him so!
Such of you as are not yet Married unto a Neighbour; yea, Such of you as are not of the Age for Marriage; How Wisely, How Jus•ly, How Reasonably would it be done of you, to take up this Purpose; I will be first Married unto my SAVIOUR, ⟨p. 38⟩before I will allow any other Marriage to be talked of! It may be, if you so S•ught first the Kingdom of GOD, you might have Other Things added unto you, in better Circumstances. This then is the Demand with which I come unto you; Jer. 3. 4. Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, Thou art the Guide of my Youth? In becoming thy Husband, O Soul, He becomes the Guide of thy Youth. With a Consenting Soul, Now Oh! make Him so!