N01720:78
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.
How does the CHURCH Love her SAVIOUR! None in all the World so dear unto her! How loth is the CHURCH to Be or to Do any thing that may be grievous, to her SAVIOUR? How grieved if any thing in her have been so? But, Oh! the Pleasure that she takes in every thing that gratifies Him! How ready is the CHURCH, to comply with the will of her SAVIOUR? Delighting to do thy will, O God! What Contentment has the CHURCH, with whatever Condition her SAVIOUR does order for her? How tender is the CHURCH of what belongs unto her SAVIOUR? what her tenderness for all that He sets a value on! ⟨p. 46⟩In-fine; If the CHURCH has entertained any Jealousy, about the Love that her SAVIOUR bears unto her, & said, My God has forgotten me; how ready is she anon to see her error in it!
How does the CHURCH Love her SAVIOUR! None in all the World so dear unto her! How lothe is the CHURCH to Be or to Do any thing that may be grievous, to her SAVIOUR? How griev'd if any thing in her have been so? But, Oh! the Pleasure that she takes in every thing that gratifies Him! How ready is the CHURCH, to comply with the will of her SAVIOUR? Delighting to do thy will, O God! What Contentment has the CHURCH, with whatever Condition her SAVIOUR does order for her? How tender is the CHURCH of what belongs unto her SAVIOUR? what her tenderness for all that He sets a value on! ⟨p. 46⟩In-fine; If the CHURCH has entertained any Jealousie, about the Love that her SAVIOUR bears unto her, & said, My God has forgotten me; how ready is she anon to see her error in it!
Now go do likewise.
A Marriage carried on, with such a Regard unto the Second Adam in it; what a Rare Course is herein taken, to abate, and prevent, much of the Curse, which every Marriage in this World, is likely to be more or less Encumbered & Embittered withal! What a Rare Course is taken, that instead of cause to have it said, It is Good that a Man should not touch a Marriage, it shall still hold Good, It is not Good for Man to be alone!