Page:Best-match, or, The incomparable marriage between the Creator & the creature.pdf/6

( 6 ) 3. The Bridegroom is the Heir of all things: He hath all riches, the unſearchable riches of Chriſt. But what is the bride worth before he match with her? She is worſe than nothing, poverty itſelf; and not only a beggar, but in debt, and Chriſt is willing to pay her debt.

4. The Bridegroom is comely and glorious. All the ſeraphims and cherubims above, all the ſons of men in the world, all the crowned heads on earth, in all the circumſtances of glory, are but little black pieces of earth, compared with this glorious Bride- groom. On the other hand, What is the bride, before he match with her? Even as black as the devil can make her. Not only a leopard, Spotted here and there, but an Ethiopian, wholly black and ugly. When caſt forth in the open field, to the loathing of her perſon, ſhe is a ſpectacle of horror and miſery! yet then it is a marriage-day, and a time of love.

5. What are the terms of the marriage? the articles of it on his part and her part? The turns on her part, through the whole belong to Chriſt, yet, to ſpeak of terms in an improper ſenſe he requires of her what he worketh in her; namely,

1. That ſhe be devorced from all other huſbands, and give up with all other lovers and idols; parti- cularly, that ſhe be divorced from the law, that ſhe may be married unto Chrift: ſhe must not obey the law from a principle of her own ſtrength; nor as a covenant of works, that, by obedience, she may purchaſe a title heaven; nor to gratify a natural conſcience; nor merely to eſcape hell, and make a righteonſneſs of her obedience: ſhe muſt be divorced from that huſband.

2. Upon her part it is required, that ſhe be ſatiſ- fied with this Huſband alone, as the great portion of the ſoul; that he may have no rival, no competi tor in her affections, none to ſit on the throne with