[3.] It is spoken of with respect to its present state in this world. The relation is begun, but it is not publicly solemnised : 2 Cor. xi. 2, ' I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' The church is sponsa, not uxor. Here by the offers of the gospel we are espoused, and by faith engaged to him : it is called a betrothing to him, Hosea ii. 19, 20, ' I will betroth thee to me for ever ; yea, I will betroth thee to me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and mercy : I will betroth thee to me in faithfulness.' The word is not taken generally for marriage, but strictly, and hath a special emphasis in that place ; and so noteth either the goodness of God ; he would not receive Israel as an unchaste prostitute, that had broken covenant with him, but as a virgin, as if never any breach of contract before ; or rather noteth the present state of the church: she is betrothed to Christ, but the marriage is not con- summate. The day of espousals and public solemnities are deferred till the resurrection, when Christ will come as a bridegroom to conduct his spouse into his Father's house, for ever to remain with him.
396 SEBMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SER. VIII.
[4. J With respect to its consummation ; it is perfected at his second coming ; and it is properly called a marriage. It was hut a wooing or betrothing before then, when the queen is brought to the king, and abides with him for ever : Ps. xlv. 15, ' With joy and gladness shall she be brought ; they shall enter into the king's palace.'
Now there are many reasons why this second coming of Christ is called a consummation of the marriage, and Christ may then be said to come as a bridegroom.
1. Because there is a personal meeting and interview between his spouse and himself. Now he employeth spokesmen : 2 Cor. v. 20, 1 Now we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God.' As Eliezer, Abraham's servant, went to get a match for his master's son, so the ministers of the gospel : 2 Cor. xi. 2, ' I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ.' He sends tokens and spiritual refreshings: John xiv. 21, 'He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.' Then he cometh himself, we meet him in person. Here we meet him in ordinances, Isa. lxiv. 5 : ' Present in spirit,' 2 Cor. v. At death our souls meet him, Eccles. xii. 7, but then our whole man shall meet him, Job xix. 26, with these arms embrace him. We are indeed brought near to him by faith, and have some fellowship and communion with him ; but we do not see him as he is, nor see him face to face, as afterwards.
2. For the public solemnisation of the marriage, the bridegroom and the bride do both deck and adorn themselves. The bridegroom cometh in the glory of his Father, with great abundance of the holy angels : Rev. xix. 7, ' Let us be glad, and give honour to him ; for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.' Common garments are not for that wedding : we must be active in the purifying ourselves, but the grace is given by God: ver. 8, 'And to her was granted that she might be clothed in white linen ; the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.' As Esther was supplied out of the king's wardrobe, these ornaments and garments of salvation are purchased and bestowed freely upon us ; by Jesus Christ all is given. We are here but renewed in part, and cleansed in part ; all our filthy garments are not yet put off ; but then we shall not have the least remainder of sin and misery. If we should meet Christ with our de- formities, we should meet him with shame and discomfort ; it would be a dishonour to our bridegroom to come into his presence with our filthy rags ; therefore we come to present his bride with glory.
3. Then there is an open manifestation of his dearest love. Before the last day the match is concluded between the parties ; there is love expressed, but it is secret and hidden : ' Our life is hid with Christ in God.' But then he will own believers man by man, Luke xii. 8, invite them into his bosom in the sight of the world, Mat. xxv. 34, pronounce their pardon on the throne, Acts iii. 19, set them at his right hand, as judging the world together with himself, 2 Cor. vi. 2. Alas ! now all is under a veil ; the world sees us not, 1 John iii. 1 ; now we ourselves question whether he loves us or no, question it often:
VER. 10.] SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. 397