Page:Best-match, or, The incomparable marriage between the Creator & the creature.pdf/7

( 7 ) him: ſhe muſt keep the chief room for the Son of God. Again, on his part, he contract,

1. That he will make over himſelf to her; all he is, all he hath, ail he hath purchaſed, all he hath promiſed: he will make over to her all the bleſſings of the everlaſting covenant. O this is a ſweet ar- ticle, and a large charter indeed!

2. He contracts to perform all the glorious offi- ces of a huſband to her; to provide for her, protect her, direct her, pity her, clothe her, to encourage and comfort her; and to do all for her ſhe needs. This is the ſum of the contract; for, to ſpeak pro- perly, Chriſt is all, and does all in this matter; and our part is done by him in us, Hoſ ii. 19 20. "I will betrothe thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betrothe thee unto me in righteoulneſs, and in judgment and in loving-kindneſs, and in mercies; I will even be- trothe thee unto me in faithfulneſs, and thou ſhalt know the Lord.” Chriſt ſigns the contract for him and her both “I will betrothe thee unto me in righteoufneſs;"I will fulfil the law,, and ſatisfy God’s juftice. "I will betrothe thee unto me in loving kindneſs" though there be nothing in thee to invite my love, but much to challenge my averſion, yet I will overcome all thy imperfections, and ſet my love upon thee “I wi11 betrothe the unto me in mercies:’’ in pardoning mercy, ſanctifying; mercy, ſupporting mercy, comforting mercy. But left the bride think, that when ever The ſins, there may be a divorce, ſhe may break and go away, there- fore it follows, “I will betrothe thee unto me in faithfulneſs.” He pledges his veracity for fulfilling the articles on her part and his both. But then, godly, What are the properties of this marriage?

1. It is a very myſterious marriage, that the Cre- ator ſhouid take the work of his hands for a bride; not only when in its primitive and virgin integrity,