N04634:78
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.
3. Let it be considered, that if we faithfully acquit our selves in our Office, in the Manner that hath been represented, we shall surely hereafter be Partakers of the Joy, when the Bridegroom and Bride shall rejoice in each other in perfect and eternal Glory.
3. Let it be considered, that if we faithfully acquit our selves in our Office, in the Manner that hath been represented, we shall surely hereafter be Partakers of the Joy, when the Bridegroom and Bride shall rejoyce in each other in perfect and eternal Glory.
God once gave forth a particular Command, with special Solemnity, that it should be written for the Notice of all professing Christians through all Ages; that they are happy and blessed indeed, who are called to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb: Rev. 19. 9. And he saith unto me, write, Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true Sayings of ⟨p. 36⟩God. But if we are faithful in our Work, we shall surely be the Subjects of that Blessedness; we shall be Partakers of the Joy of the Bridegroom and Bride, not merely as Friends and Neighbours that are invited to be occasional Guests, but as Members of the one and the other. We shall be Partakers with the Church the blessed Bride in her Joy in the Bridegroom, not only as Friends and Ministers to the Church, but as Members of principal Dignity; as the Eye, the Ear, the Hand, are principal Members of the Body. Faithful Ministers in the Church will hereafter be a Part of the Church that shall receive distinguished Glory at the Resurrection of the Just, which above all other Times may be looked on as the Church's Wedding-Day: Dan. 12. 2,3. Many of them that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake; some to everlasting Life.—And they that be wife shall shine as the Brightness of the Firmament, and they that turn many to Righteousness, as the Stars for ever & ever. They are Elders that are represented as that Part of the Church triumphant that sit next to the Throne of God,