N01720:63
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.
I have done.
And now, a Soul come into an Espousal with a Lovely SAVIOUR, most certainly will above all things desire & study to Please Him. O Soul Espoused unto the SON of GOD, By this Mark, Thou shalt know that thou art so; Know that thou art passed from Death to Life. There will nothing in this World so powerfully deter thee from every thing that the Light of GOD in thee shall condemn as an Evil thing, as this, My SAVIOUR will be offended at it! Nothing will be unto thee such a powerful incentive & persuasive to Patient continuance in all well-doing, as this, My SAVIOUR will be gratified with it!
And now, a Soul come into an Espousal with a Lovely SAVIOUR, most certainly will above all things desire & study to Please Him. O Soul Espoused unto the SON of GOD, By this Mark, Thou shalt know that thou art so; Know that thou art passed from Death to Life. There will nothing in this World so powerfully deter thee from every thing that the Light of GOD in thee shall condemn as an Evil thing, as this, My SAVIOUR will be offended at it! Nothing will be unto thee such a powerful incentive & perswasive to Patient continuance in all well-doing, as this, My SAVIOUR will be gratify'd with it!
Yea, The Espousal will oblige thee, to ⟨p. 39⟩press after the most Consummate Union with thy SAVIOUR, and thou wilt never be at ease in thy mind, until thou art entirely ONE with thy SAVIOUR; ONE in Will, ONE in Aim, ONE in Interest; until thou feel the Blood of thy SAVIOUR warming thee into a Resemblance of His Holiness in all manner of Conversation, and running warm in thy Veins; until thy SAVIOUR become All in All unto thee, and thou being Dead with Him, and unto every thing but Him, HE ONLY shall be thy Life; the Strength of thy Heart, and thy Portion for ever.