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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,
