C B R I S T A E R I D E G R 0 0 M. Book !1. METAPHOR. Ill. When a Man hath fixed upon an ObjeCt that he intends to efpoufe unto himfelf, he contrives · the Way and Method of his Pro– ceeding, in making known his Mind, and to bring about his De– i!gn; and many times will chufe to fend Meffengers, to treat with the Perfon about the Bulinefs, and dif– cover his AffeCtion, before he goes himfelf in Perfon. PARALLEL. Ill. Jefus Cluilt having fixed his Eye upnn Jolt and perifhing Man, agreed with the Father upon the Way and Method of Proceedina, what he mult do and become, in order to the ~\ccomplifhment nf this glorious Enterprize : And ac– cordingly the Father was pleafed, out of his abun– dant Grace, in a fit Seafon, to make known his eternal Countel, and propofed Jefus Chrilt, the Seed of the Woman, to the Sinner, as an ObjeCt of Love; and not only fo, but alfo before he came himfelf, he fent his Meffengers, the Prophets, rifing up early, and fending them, to offer Terms of Love and Friendfhip, and reveal his Purpofe to them, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 15. IV. After this, a Lover ufually IV. Jefus Chrilt after this, fuch was the Great- (His Heart being enflamed with nefs of his Love, and Strength of his Affeftior>, Love and ardent AffeCtion to the refolved to take a Journey to give poor Sinners a Perfon though fhe be in another malt gracious vifit; the Journey he took was Country, very far off) takes a Jourlong, as far as it is from Heaven to Earth. And ney refolving to give her a Vilit; that he might accomplifh his bleffed Purpofe, he and in order thereunto he fuits himfits himfelf with a Garb accordingly, laying aftde felf in a fit Garb, and Cloathing, his heavenly Robes, he cloathed himfelf with our that fo he-might every way render Flefh, or did affume Man's Nature, that fo he himfelf 'a Perfon acceptable, and might every way be come ameet ObjeCt for the meet, likely, and capable of win· Sinner, and likely to come and enjoy him at !aft. ning and enjoying of her. V. If the Perfon or Suitor be a Prince, and known, commonly at his Arrival he is much congratulat· ed and welcomed, by the Nobility, and Perfons of Honor. V. When the Lord Jefus came into the \¥orltl, the Angels of God, who had knowledge of him, in an heavenly Way of Congratulation, magnified the Moft High : And fuddmly there was wit-h the Angel a Multitude of the heavenly Haft, praifing God, and faying, Glory to God in the Highe.ft, and on Earth, Peace, good Will to Men, Luke ii. q, 14. But how ungratefully was he welcomed and entertained by the Generality of Mankind, for whofe fake he came into the World? VI. A Lover, when he goes to vilit a Perfon he intends to efpoufe unto himfelf, ufually fends his Friend, or takes him along with him, to lignify, not what only what and who he is, but alfo his Inten– tion and Purpofe in coming. VI. The Lord Jefus, when he came into this World, to efpoufe poor Sinners in a fpiritual Way, fent John the Baptift to prepare the Way before him, and make ready a People for him, who bore wimefs of his Majelty, and declared the Ex· cellency of his Perfon, as alfo his gracious Inten– tion: He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whofe Shoes I am not worthy to bear, (in another Place unloofe,) Matt. iii. 11. 'John i. 27. He jha/1 baptize you with the Holy Ghoft, and with Fire. Ye yourfelves bear witmfs, that I faid, I am not the Chrift, but I am fent before him. He that bath the Bride is the Bridegroom ; but the Friend of the Bride· groom, which ftandeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly becaufe of the Bridegroom's Voice: <£his my Joy therefore is fulfilled, John iii. 28, 29. VII. A Man propounds ~trfVII. Jefus Chrift propounds Q,teftions in his tions to the Perfon he loves, to dif- Word to poor Sinners, thereby to d1fcover how cover whether fhe be pre-engaged it is with their Souls, fhewing the Danger of be– to any other; and if he perceives ing in love with Sin, or to rely upon :hetr own fhe is entangled through great FolRighteoufnefs, or to have thetr Affecrwns mor– ly, and in Danger to be utterly undinately fet upon Things of tillS World; he ftnves done thereby, he ftrives to undeto undeceive them. Why do you not underftand my ceive her, and fave her from Ruin. Speech ?-He that committeth Sin, is the Servant of Sin, faith he. Unlefs a Man deny himfelf, and take up his Crofs, he cannot be my Difcip/e. He that loveth Father or Mother more than me, __ tS :not worthy of me, &c. Un!efs ye believe that I am he, ye foal! die in your Sins, John vu1. 22. Jefus anfwered, and faid rmto them, Suppofe ye that thofe Gah\eans were Smners above
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