The Best Match, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Wherein an Introduction is made into our intended Diſcourſe, the Foundation thereof laid, and the Matters to be inquired into in our procedure therein propoſed.
ANew Covenant-relation to Chriſt, is certainly a concern of the greateſt weight, and higheſt importance to the Sons of Men of any in the World: 'tis what lies at the foundation of all true happineſs both in Time and Eternity; without it (as a Learned Divine hath well obſerved)*A Chriſt, ſi ſejung a…ur, non ſu…us Chriſtiani, ſed cadavera tanturn Chriſi morum. Davenant. we are not Chriſtians; we are only the carkaſſes of Chriſtiants; nor may we expect any ſaving advantage by any thing that Chriſt hath either done or ſuffered for poor ſinners: And this relation, of ſo much weight and importance to us, the Scripture repreſents under various Notions and Expreſſions to us: 'tis repreſented to us, ſometimes under the notion of a King and Subjects; hence Chriſt is called King of Saints. Sometimes under the notion of a Father and his Children; hence he is called the Everlaſting Father; and they are his own words unto God the Father: Behold I, and the Children which thou haſt given me. Sometimes under the notion of Head and Members; hence Chriſt is ſaid to be the Head of the Body, the Church: and on the other hand, Believers are ſaid to be the Body of Chriſt, and Members one of another. And to mention no more; ſometimes (as in my Text, and frequently elſewhere) 'tis repreſented to us under the notion of Husband and Wife, Bridegroom and Bride, or the Souls eſpouſal to Chriſt, as its one and only Husband; and under this notion I ſhall (God aſſiſting) ſpeak a little of it, and but a little, no more than to make way for a practical Deſign I have in my eye, which is to woo and allure poor. Souls into an eſpouſal, or Marriage-Covenant with this Bleſſed Husband, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
That then which is before us to be treated of, is the Marriage or Eſpouſal between Chriſt and Believers; and the better to make way hereunto, you may obſerve, that there is a three-fold Marriage, as relating to Chriſt and us.
1. There is the Perſonal Marriage, and that is between the Perſon of the Son of God, the Second Perſon in the Trinity, and our Nature: This Calvin calls, Verbum Incarnatum, the Incarnate Word; or, as the Evangeliſt expreſſes it, the Word made Fleſh, John 1.14. this we generally call the Hypoſtatical Union.
2. There is the Myſtical Marriage; and that is between the Perſon of Chriſt, God-Man, and the Perſon of Believers, as Militant here on Earth; whole Chriſt, and the whole Believer being made one: this the Apoſtle calls, A being joyned to the Lord, and being one Spirit with him, 1 Cor. 6.17. and this we uſually call the Spiritual Union.
3. There is the Heavenly Marriage; and that is between Chriſt and the Church Triumphant above; which indeed is the conſummation of the two former; and this I would call the Glorious Union: and what that is I can't tell, but do hope am going to ſee, — In the firſt of theſe lies the foundation of all our happineſs; by the ſecond, we are brought into an initial participation of it; by the third, we are put into the full poſſeſſion and enjoyment thereof for ever. Now 'tis neither the firſt, nor laſt, but ſecond of theſe that the Apoſtle here ſpeaks of, when he ſaith, I have eſpouſed you to one Husband, even to Chriſt: Which accordingly I ſhall make the Subject of my enſuing Diſcourſe; which, as alſo the ſum of the Apoſtles intendment, you may take in this ſhort Poſition, viz.
That there is a bleſſed Eſpouſal, or Marriage-relation between Chriſt and Believers; or that Believers are married or eſpouſed to Chriſt, as their only Husband.
I have eſpouſed you, ſayes the Apoſtle, to one Husband: not to many, but to one; and who is that? why Chriſt, God-man: So the next words declare, I have eſpouſed you to one Husband, that I may preſent you as a chaſt Virgin to Chriſt. The ſame is alſo h…ld forth in other Scriptures, John 3.29. He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom, ſaith John Baptiſt concerning Chriſt and his Church: And again, Rev. 21.9. Come hither, ſayes the Angel to John, and I will ſhew thee the Bride, the Lambs Wife: That is, the Church, which is the Wife and Spouſe of Chriſt; but I forbear.
What this Eſpouſal, or Marriage-relation between Chriſt and Believers is; as alſo how 'tis made up and accompliſht, are the principal things to be enquired into, for the clearing of what lies before us; which therefore I ſhall addreſs my ſelf unto.