The Lambs Spouse, Section 3
The third Section.
Then, they that were ready &c.
IN these wordes the solemnization, and consumation of the mariage betwixt Christ, and the wise Virgins, (or true Church) is contrayned, and it doth deuide it selfe into foure partes, viz. First what this solemnization is. Secondly the place where; Thirdly, the priui…dges and prerogatiues of it. Lastly, the vse, and application of it.
The so…emnization, or consummation of the marriage is the glorious, and perfect state of the elect after the resurrection, when they in the highest Heaues shall with their eyes behold CHRIST, hauehave fellowshippe and liue with him, and raigne with him for euermore, being perfectly conformable vntounto him, and to his will, both in body, and soule. Phil. 1. 23. Mat. 25. 34. 1. Thess. 4. 17. Apo. 7. 15. 17. 21. 2. 3. 4. Iohn. 17. 21. In this description two points are to be explained and expoū ded, first the dignity, and comfort of this communion, and coniunction with Christ in glory. Secōdly the perfestion, and glorification of the Bride, and Virgin both in soule, and body.
First touching the coniunction, and marriage, and the excellency of it, the continuall sight▪ & company of Christ, the Sonne of right cousnesse and fountaine, of all fellici…e, shall minister perpetuall, and vnspeakeable ioy and comfort to all Gods Saints, for they shal no more walke by faith, (as in this life) but by sight: they shall no more darkely behold GOD in the glasse, and ministery of the worde…, or in the spectakle of the creatures, but see him face, to face, they shall in the Imperiall, and Maiestica…l Court, and Pallace of Heauen see God, as he is. 1. Ioh. 3, 2. 1. Cor. 13, 12 namely they shall so farre forth behold Gods Maiesty, and the perfection of his glory, as a finite creature, albeit glorified, is capable off; they shall see him as hee is, but not how infinite hee is▪ 1. Timo. 6. 16. And as for Christ Iesus their redeemer, husband, and head, they shall (as Iob speaketh,) see him with these same, and no other eyes, Iob. 19. 25. 26. They shall follow him wheresoeuer hee goeth. Apoc. 14. 4▪ they shall see his face, and his name shalbe in their for-head, Apoc. 22. 4. Finally the tabernacle of GOD shalbe with them, and hee will dwell with them, and they shalbe his people, and GOD himselfe shalbe their GOD with them, Apoc. 22. 3. Now if the sight, salutation, and company of man, and Wife, Father, and Children, Kinsfolke, and acquaintance, friends and welwil…ers, that are farre distant, and hauehave beene long absent one from another, bee so admirably gratefull and so wonderfully delightsome, how much more desirable, maruelous, and vneffable will the continuall sight, and fruition of GOD the Father,2. Cor. 12 Christ the Sonne our redeemer, and the Holy Ghost our comforter bee vntounto vsus in the Parliament, and Throne of Heauen? And if Moyses that onelyonly talked, and had conference with GOD in the Mount but fortie dayes, was so glorious in his face, at his discent, and returne, that the Children of Israell could not, or durst not behold it, Exo. 3. 4. ver. 3. 5.how much more vnspeakably Maiesticall, and glorious shall they bee that hauehave fellowish, (not as sinners with GOD on earth for a fewe dayes) but as perfectly sanctified in the Pallace of Heauen for euermore?
Herevnto in the second place, I may well adioyne the mutuall, ioyfull, and vnutterable communion with all Angells, Archangels, Patriarks, Prophets, Fathers, Apostles, Euangelists, Confessors, Martirs, and all the true Saintes of GOD, of all degrees for euermore, who, by how many degrees, and in how many properties, especially in knowledge, in Holinesse, and louelove, they exceede, and excell all mortall creatures: so much more rare, and incredible comfort shal they by their mutuall fellowshippe, communicate one to another. They shall not be ignorant one of another, nor strange, and suspected one to another, much lesse, false, and hollow; as in this worlde, partly by reason of ignorance, partly by reason of hypocrisie, and partly by reason of humane infirmities it commeth oftentimes to passe, but they shalbe all one, in will, and consent, liuing, and louing together in perfect harmony of concorde, and charity.
Vse. The consideration hereof must cause vsus to shun, decline, and abhor ill, and contagious company, (what in vsus lyeth) and to hauehave our hearts, and mindes inflamed, and possessed with a longing desire to bee dissolued, in the time appointed, and to enioy the most blessed fellowshippe of GOD, of the Lambe, and of all the Saints, and Angels in glory for euermore.
The second partickle to bee made lightsome, and vnfolded is, the perfection, of the glorified soule, and the body.
Touching the soules iust and perfect men, they now after their dissolution from the body, are replenished with infinite ioye, and triumph in the Heauenly Ierusalem. Luke. 16. 25. Hebre. 12, 22, 23. Math. 25. 21. 23. but their ioye shalbe much more encreased, when the soules shalbe reunited to their bodies, Phil. 3. 20. and when the whole number of GODS elect Saints are accomplished, and come in, Apoc. 6. 10. 11. Heere they shall in Quires, and companies, mutually, and eternally magnifie, and praise the Lord (as afterwards I will more fully shew (when I come to speake of the rest of their prerogatiues.
Secondly in the minde, & vnderstāding their shalbe no error, ignorance, dulnes, but cleere iudgemēt & perfect wisedome, 1. Cor. 13. 12. for wee shall be in perfect light, and the wisdome of GOD shall manifest it selfe vntounto vsus: secondly in the will and affections, there shall bee no extasie or distemper, but perfect righteousnesse, integritie, perfect louelove of God, and his saints, a…d Angels, and absolute conformity to Gods will. Lastly the body it shall be a bright, glorious, beautifull, strong, nimble, perfect, and in…orrupt instrument, habitation, and receptacle of the glorified soule. It shall be so bright and glorious, that it shall shine forth as the sunne, and shall send forth beames of light, Math. 13. 43. It shall rise a glorious bodie, 1. Cor. 15. 43. It shall bee like to Christ his body, ergo, no doubt most glorious, Phil▪ 3. 20. Some glimpse, taste, and representation hereof, wee hauehave in the transfiguration of Christ, whose garment was white and glist… red▪ Luke. 9. 29. it was very white as snowe, so white as no Fuller can make vponupon the earth, Marke, 9. 3. In Moses and Elias that appeared to our Sauiour in glory, Luke 9. 31. and in the sundry and glorious apparitions of Angels in the old, and in the beginning of the new Testament. It shall bee a strong body, for it shall rise againe in power, and not in weakenesse, as 1. Cor. 15. 43. It shall be a nimble body, as well able by the proper forme of it, to ascend, as to descend, as may be collected out of 1. Thes 4. 17. Math. 22. 30. Phil. 3. 20. compared together; It shall bee a beautifull and goodly body, because it is and shall be a vessell of honour, as Rom 9 33. Lastly, it shall bee perfect, and incorrupt, because as there is no fault, defect and deformitie in it, so it shall be a spirituall body, 1. Cor. 15. 44. spirituall, not because the substance shall bee changed, for glorification taketh nor away the trueth, and demensions of a naturall body, but because it needeth none of these outward and earthly supplyes, and helpes of meate, drinke, apparell, sleepe, rest, mariage, Phisick, light, &c. for Christ shall bee in steed of all these vntounto it, and supply all. 1. Cor. 15.
Vse. 1. The first vse that ariseth from the consideration and meditation of the body and soule ioyntly glorified is, a notable comfort for Gods children, that for the time present, liue obscurely, and in great contempt, in no regarde and reputation, traduced and troubled in eueryevery place, for they shall see the Lord, & hauehave immediate fellowship with him, and shall shine as the sunne in a cleare skie.
Vse. 2. In any bodily defect, weakenesse, sicknesse, ache, paine, vlcers, deformitie, lamenesse, and maimednesse, we are not to be discontent, and offended, but endure them patiently; For first they are but fatherly corrections, and trials, Heb. 12. 7. and 8. Secondly they are but temporary. Thirdly, the dearest and holyest of Gods children, are as well subiect to them, and beare their portion in them as much as any, yea much more then other, Psal. 73. vers. 5. & 15. Lastly, they shall be taken all away, and eternall glory, and perfection shall succeed in their place.
And thus much of the explanation, and description of the mariage: what it is.