The best match, or, The souls espousal to Christ opened and improved by Edward Pearse.

CHAP. VI. Being a Call to and Treaty with Souls, in order to an Espousal between Christ and them.

WEll, and what is the meaning of all this? Surely it should have a migh∣ty influence upon the Spirits of men to draw and allure them to Christ, to induce them at least to look after an acquaintance with this blessed espousal to him; and indeed I would take occasion hence to treat with eternal Souls in order to a Match between Christ and them: And oh that I could do it effectu∣ally! Look, my Beloved, as David sent his Servants to Abigail to commune with her, in order to his taking of her to Wife, 1 Sam. 25.39, 40. so has the Lord Jesus sent me, his poor unworthy Servant, to you this day to commune with you in order to the espousing of you to himself; and oh that you would do in this case as she did in that; for she hasted ('tis said) and arose, and went to Da∣vid, and became his Wife, vers. 42. Oh that you would all arise, arise out of your sins, arise out of your unbelief, arise out of your

carnal security, and go to Christ, and be∣come his Spouse: And not only so, but, as she did make haste in the business, close speedily with him in a Marriage-Covenant, even to day: O blessed day, might I succeed as they did! How happy would it be for you? how comfortable for me? and how joyful for us all in the day of the Bridegrooms coming! Sirs, let me say, Oh that I might say of you, at least some of you, as Paul of his Corinthi∣ans here, I have espoused you to one Husband, even to Christ: And why should it not be thus? Why should you not arise, and go with me to sweet Jesus, and be espoused un∣to him? Can you make light of all that Love, that Comfort, that Sweetness, that Happiness, that blessed Union and Commu∣nion, that Delight, Solace, and Complacen∣cy of Soul which this Espousal carries in it? Or, is there any thing can make up the loss of these? Can Sin and the Creature afford any thing comparable hereunto? Surely there is more sweetness, more happiness, in one kiss of the mouth of this blessed Lord, in one imbrace in his Bosom, one moments com∣munion with him, than in all the delights of Sin and the Creature: If you doubt it, come and see, experienced Souls will tell you, that one descent of love from Christ, one beam of the light of his Countenance, one turn with him in his Galleries, is infinitely beyond all earthly delights whatsoever. Again, can you be content to die, and perish eternally, rather than live, and be made happy in such a

sweet and desirable way as this of being espoused to Christ is? A more sweet and de∣sirable way of being made happy than this of an espousal to Christ, surely neither Men nor Angels could ever have thought on: And can you, O eternal Souls, be content to die, to perish, to be damned and miserable for ever, rather than be saved and made happy this way? If you get not Union with, and a Marriage-Relation to this sweet Lord, you must die and perish for ever; Know you not (sayes the Apostle) that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates, 2 Cor. 13.5. If Christ be not in us we are certainly repro∣bates, we are rejected of God, and out of his favour, and then surely we must perish. Naturally we are all dead, all lost, all con∣demned; Judgment is come upon all men to condemnation, Rom. 5.18. and we are all the children of wrath by nature, Ephes. 2.3. And if ever we be justified and saved, it must be by a Marriage-Union and Relation to Christ. There is no condemnation, (sayes the Apostle) or as the words are, nothing of condemna∣tion to them that are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8.1. But, as is there implyed, there is nothing but condemnation to them that are out of Christ Jesus. Once more, can you be con∣tent to be shut out from the Marriage at last for ever? Think of that Scripture, and bear the dread of it if you can, Matth. 25.10. And they that were ready went into the Marri∣age, and the door was shut, shut against o∣thers who then would fain enter: To be

shut out from the Marriage-Supper at last, is to be shut out from God, from Christ, from the Comforter, from all the Saints and An∣gels, from all happiness, yea, and from all hopes of happiness for ever: and thus you must expect to be shut out from the Marri∣age at last, if you come not into an espou∣sal to him here: And can you bear it, think you? Can you be content to hear Christ say unto you at last, Depart from me, depart? You would have none of me on earth, though I wooed and besought you with tears; and therefore now you shall have none of me in Heaven: you might have been happy in a union and communion with me, and the arms of my love were open to have received you; but you would not, therefore now depart from me, I know you not: And can you bear this? Besides, what is it that keeps your Soul from a close with Christ in this Marriage-Relation? A vain World, a filthy Lust, a painted perishing Pleasure, a sensual Appetite: And are these better than Christ? Are these indeed things to be laid in the Ballance by you against Christ, yea, and to down-weigh him in your values? O monstrous stupidity! In short, Sirs, the Matter I am treating with you about is no trifle, 'tis of no less moment and importance to you, than eternal Life or Death, eternal Salvation or Damnation comes to; your eternal All depends upon it, for you must live or die, be saved or damned eternally, ac∣cording as you do, or do not close in with

Christ in a Marriage-Union and Relation here: Why then should you stand off from him? Yea, why should not this be the day of espousals between him and you? Oh, be not shie, be not coy to Christ, but embrace his love: surely his Arms are wide open to receive you, his Heart is upon you, and his desire is towards you; Lift up therefore the everlasting Doors, and let this King of Glory in: Give up your Names and Souls unto him for ever. Some of you are young, and have your Affections green and fresh: Oh that you would now go with me to sweet Jesus, and become his Spouse; you cannot love him, nor be married to him too soon: Oh, let him have your hearts before this World hath defiled and debauched them: Others of you are older, and have outstood the Calls and Offers of Christ long; yet loe, he once more tenders himself to you: Oh now close with him, and all will be well yet. But for the better succeeding of this Treaty, I shall, in the managing of it, speak to three things. (1.) I'le shew you what manner of Husband the Lord Jesus Christ is, and how he is qualified to render him desirable in that Relation. (2.) I'le shew you what great things he does for all his Spouses. (3.) I'le shew you how much his heart is upon a Match with you. And now as Abraham's Servant, when he was to get a Wife for Isaac, Prayed saying, O Lord God of my Master Abraham, send me good speed this day, Gen. 2.12. So would I, up∣on

the bended knees of my Soul pray, O Lord God, the God and Father of my Royal Master, Jesus Christ, send me good speed this day, that I may win, through thy Grace, a Spouse for him.