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glories of the heavenly Bridegroom; and the latter celebrates the praises of the Church, which is his bride. Into this relation to Christ every Believer is brought".

Now, as every change of situation brings with it correspondent duties, so that of marriage in particular requires a sacrifice of all other attachments. It binds each party to renounce whatever habits or practices may be found inconsistent with their mutual happiness. Such sacrifices are more eminently necessary for those united to Christ. To this effect, God addresses the Church in the words of our text. We may consider,

I. The direction given to the Church

The Church is, by adoption, by regeneration; and especially by her union with the Lord Jesus Christ, become the " daughter of Almighty God"." She is here addressed by him under that affectionate appellation. Nor is it possible for a father to give more salutary advice, or to deliver it in more persuasive terms; "Hearken, consider, incline," &c.

The direction itself is of a very peculiar nature—

[The Jews were permitted to marry the heathen virgins whom they had taken in war; but they were to allow them the space of a month to forget their own relations. Thus the captives, weaned from former habits, might become loving companions, and obedient wives. In reference to this law, the Church is exhorted to forget her former friends. She has been taken captive by Christ, who makes her the first overtures of marriage; but his union with her is incompatible with carnal attachments. She can never love and obey him as she ought, till her heart is weaned from all other lovers.]

It is given to every individual in the church of God

[Every wife is to forsake her parents, and cleave to her husband: much more is it needful for the soul to forsake all for Christ. To him we are espoused by our own voluntary surrender; nor will he be satisfied with a divided heart. Ungodliness and worldly lusts must be entirely renounced":

a Isai. liv. 5.
d Gen. ii. 24.
g Tit. ii. 11, 12.

b 2 Cor. vi. 18.
e 2 Cor. xi. 2.
and 1 Pet. iv. 2, 3.

c Deut. xxi. 10-13. f Hos. x. 2.

the companions of our unregenerate state must be forsaken. Our very parents, yea, even life itself, must be hated, when they stand in competition with him. The change in our actions and affections must be entire; and we must subscribe from our hearts the terms proposed to us'.]

This injunction will not appear harsh, if we attend to, II. The arguments with which it is enforced

God deals with us in all things as intelligent beings, and labours to persuade us by rational considerations. 1. It is our highest interest

[Though the Church is vile in herself, she is complete in Christm: he has given orders for her thorough purification". When she is presented to him, she is cleansed from all the filthiness of her former state. Hence she is exceeding beautiful in his eyes; and he feels a longing desire after communion with her. No bridegroom ever so much rejoiced over his bride, as he over her. More especially is he delighted with her when he sees that her heart is whole and entire with him. How powerful an argument is this with an ingenuous soul! What can influence a wife more than to know that her conduct will conciliate the esteem of her husband? And what can delight a regenerate soul so much, as to please the Lord Jesus Christ? Let this hope then animate us to renounce all for him, and to address him in the words of holy David'.]

2. It is our indispensable duty

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[The husband is to be considered as lord over his wife": to him she owes an humble obediential reverence. Christ also is the supreme Head and "LORD” of his Church. No limits whatever are to be set to his authority. We must "worship" and serve HIM" equally with God the Father'. Let us then at least shew him that regard, which we ourselves expect from a fellow-creature. A husband will not endure a rival in his wife's affections; shall we then "provoke the Lord himself to jealousy" by carnal attachments? Let us not dare in such a way to violate our nuptial engagements. When any thing solicits a place in our hearts, let us utterly reject it; and let us exercise that fidelity towards him, which we have ever experienced at his hands.]

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1. Those who are endeavouring to unite the love of the world with the love of Christ

[The interests of the world, and of Christ, are altogether opposite. Our Lord declares them to be absolutely irreconcileable. St. James also represents even a wish to reconcile them, as an incontestable proof of enmity against God. As Jesus deserves, so he demands, our whole hearts". Let us not then "mock him, and deceive ourselves." If the Lord be God, let us not serve Baal, but him; and let us unite in imitating the repentant Jews.]

2. Those who are desirous of uniting themselves to Christ

[It is a great honour indeed which ye aspire after; yet is it offered to the vilest of the human race. But you must get a change of raiment, that you may not dishonour your new station. Labour then to " purge out all remains of the old leaven." Be on your guard, lest, after having escaped the pollutions of the world, you be again entangled with them and overcome." Remember Lot's wife," that you may shun her example; so shall you enjoy the sweetest fellowship with Jesus, and live in the fruition of him to all eternity".]

z Matt. vi. 24.

a Jam. iv. 4.

e 1 Kings xviii. 21. d 2 Chron. xv. 12. f Zech. iii. 3-5. Rev. xix. 7, 8.

b Prov. xxiii. 26.

e Ezek. xvi. 3, 4, 5,8. 8 2 Pet. ii. 20.

h This subject, and all others of a similar nature, must be treated with extreme care and delicacy. The passages from the book of Canticles are cited rather for the reader's satisfaction, than for use in a public discourse.

DLXXVIII.

THE CHURCH'S BEAUTY AND HAPPINESS.

Ps. xlv. 13-16. The King's daughter is all glorious within : her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work: the virgins, her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee: with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the King's palace.

AMONGST the schoolmen of former days, there were many disputes about works of condignity, and works of congruity, as contributing to effect the salvation of men. That in no point of view whatever, did works render men deserving of God's favours is the avowed sentiment of our Church; yet to the full

attainment of salvation, it is quite necessary that every man be holy, and possess what the Scriptures call "a meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light."

The Church is here represented under the character of a Bride that is to be joined, as in the marriage union, to her Lord. For this she must be prepared: and a preparation shall be given her suited to the occasion. In the former part of this psalm, which is penned on the occasion of her marriage, the excellencies of her Lord are set forth in this latter part, her excellencies also. Let us consider,

I. Her transcendent qualities

In the words which we have read, we see, 1. The internal qualities of her mind—

["The King's daughter is all glorious within." She once, in her unconverted state, was corrupt even as others: but she has been "born again," and " renewed in the spirit of her mind," and made altogether "a new creature." Once, being born only after the flesh, she had nothing but what was carnal: but now, having been born of the Spirit, she possesses a truly spiritual nature, or, as St. Peter expresses it," she is a partaker of the Divine nature";" and is progressively "changed into the image of her Lord himself, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord"." Hence "the mind that was in Christ Jesus is found in herc." She has the same views, the same principles, the same desires, the same delights. There is indeed still a corrupt nature within her, "the flesh lusting against the Spirit, as well as the Spirit against the flesh:" but she longs to be holy, as her Lord is holy; and strives to be "perfect, as her Father which is in heaven is perfect." When compared with what she was, she differs as light from darkness: but in comparison of what she will be, she is only as the dawn to the meridian sun; for "her path is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."]

2. The external habits of her life

["Her clothing is of wrought gold." This refers to the outward conversation, which is often in Scripture represented as a putting off of the old man, and putting on the new: "Put off, as concerning the former conversation," says the Apostle, "the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and put on the new man, which after God is created in right

a 2 Pet. i. 4.

b 2 Cor. iii. 18.

c. Phil. ii. 5.

eousness and true holiness 4." To the same effect is that other expression of his, " Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ:" that is, let your whole deportment be such as his was; so that any one who beholds you may be constrained to confess, that you "walk as he walked," and that, " as he was, so are you in this world." Such is every true Believer; nor will the heavenly Bridegroom acknowledge as his, any one, whose spirit, and temper, and conduct do not accord with his. "The raiment of needle-work" may fitly represent the assemblage of all the diversified graces which adorn her. All her dispositions being duly chastised, harmoniously tempered, and opportunely exercised, she shines in every department, and in every act; and at once approves herself faithful to her obligations, and meet for the ulterior honours that shall be conferred upon her.]

Suited to these qualities is,

II. The felicity prepared for her—

In due time" she shall be brought to the King's palace," there to be united to him in indissoluble and everlasting bonds.

Whilst she is here, she is to be employed in making herself ready

[In royal nuptials, much time was spent in preparing the bride for her husband. In the purification of the virgins from amongst whom King Ahasuerus was to select a wife, a whole year was occupied: "six months in purifying them with oil of myrrh, and other six months with sweet odours of different kinds" after which they were presented to him. In like manner we are told, that the Church also is dealt with, in order to prepare her for her heavenly Bridegroom: for it is said, that "Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

This process is going forward through the whole of this life. Every work of Providence, every communication of grace, every afflictive dispensation, and every joyous occurrence, is intended to advance it; that so at last the soul of the Believer may be altogether "worthy to stand before" the King of kings, and to be admitted to the closest fellowship with him for ever and ever.]

This work completed, she is introduced "into the palace of her Lord”—

d Eph. iv. 22, 24. g 1 John iv. 17. VOL. V.

e Rom. xiii. 14.
h Esther ii. 12, 13.

A A

f 1 John ii. 6.
i Eph. v. 25-27.

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