N04634:65
The church's marriage to her sons, and to her God
The church's marriage to her sons, and to her God: a sermon preached at the instalment of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Buel as Pastor of the church and congregation at East-Hampton on Long-Island, September 19. 1746. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton in New-England.
Boston: printed by S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1746
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. The Things that appertain to that forementioned Union of a faithful Minister and Christian People, are the principal appointed Means of bringing the Church to that Blessedness that has been spoken of. As Abraham's Servant, and the Part he acted as Isaac's Agent towards Rebeckah, were the principal Means of his being brought to enjoy the Benefits of her conjugal Relation to Isaac. Ministers are sent to woo the Souls of Men for Christ, 2 Cor. 5.20. We are then Ambassadors for Christ; as tho' God did you by us; we pray you in Christ's Stead, be ye reconciled to God. We read in Math. 22. of a certain King, that made a Marriage for his Son, and sent forth his Servants to invite and bring in the Guests: 'Tis Ministers that are these Servants. The Labours of faithful Ministers are the principal Means God is wont to make use of for the Conversion of the Children of the Church, and so of their Espousals unto Christ. I have espoused you to one Husband, says the Apostle, 2 Cor. 11. 2. The Preac•••g of the Gospel by faithful Ministers is the principal Means that God makes use of for the exhibiting Christ and his Love and Benefits to his elect People, and the […] Means of then […] sanctified, and so fitted to enjoy their […]. Christ loved the Church, and gave him […], that he might sanctify and […] of Water by the Word (i. e. by the […] Gospel) and so might present it to himself, […] Church. The Labours ⟨p. 30⟩of faithful Ministers are ordinarily the principal Means of the Joy of the Saints in Christ Jesus, in their Fellowship with their spiritual Bridegroom in this World; 2 Cor. 1. 24. We are Helpers of your Joy. They are the Instruments that God make use o• for the bringing up the Church, as it were, from her Childhood, 'till she is fit for her Marriage with the Lord of Glory; as […] brought up […], or Esther, whereby she was fitted to be Queen in Ahasuerus's Court. God purifies the Church under their Hand; as Esther, to fit her for her Marriage with the King, was committed to the Custody of Hegai the Keeper of the Women, to be purified six Months with O of […], and six Months with sweet Odours. They are made the Instruments of clothing the Church in her Wedding-Garments, that fine Linen clean and white, and adorning her for her Husband; as […] Servant adorned Rebeckah with golden Ear-Rings and Bracelets.