In prosecuting this design, I will,
I. Endeavour to shew, what must pass between JESUS CHRIST and our souls before we can say, “that our Maker is our husband.”
II. The duties of love which they owe to our LORD, who stand in so near a relation to him.
III. The miserable condition of such as cannot yet say, “their Maker is their husband.” And
IV. I shall conclude with a general exhortation to all such unhappy souls, to come and match with the dear LORD JESUS. And O! may that GOD who blessed _Abraham_’s servant, when he went out to seek a wife for his son _Isaac_, bless me, even me also, now I am come, I trust, relying on divine strength, to invite poor sinners, and recal backsliders, to my Master JESUS!
And _First_, I am to shew, what must pass between JESUS CHRIST and our souls before we can say, “Our Maker is our husband.”
But before I proceed to this, it may not be improper to observe, that if any of you, amongst whom I am now preaching the kingdom of GOD, are enemies to inward religion, and explode the doctrine of inward feelings, as enthusiasm, cant and nonsense, I shall not be surprized, if your hearts rise against me whilst I am preaching; for I am about to discourse on true, vital, internal piety; and an inspired apostle hath told us, “that the natural man discerneth not the things of the spirit, because they are spiritually discerned.” But, however, be noble as the _Bereans_ were; search the Scriptures as they did; lay aside prejudice; hear like _Nathaniel_, with a true _Israelitish_ ear; be willing to do the will of GOD; and then you shall, according to the promise of our dearest LORD, “know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of myself.”
I would further observe, that if any here do expect fine preaching from me this day, they will, in all probability, go away disappointed. For I came not here to shoot over people’s heads; but, if the LORD shall be pleased to bless me, to reach their hearts. Accordingly, I shall endeavour to cloath my ideas in such plain language, that the meanest negro or servant, if GOD is pleased to give a hearing ear, may understand me; for I am certain, if the poor and unlearned can comprehend, the learned and rich must.
This being premised, proceed we to shew what must pass between JESUS CHRIST and our souls, before we can say, “our Maker is our husband.”
Now, that we may discourse more pertinently and intelligibly upon this point, it may not be amiss to consider, what is necessary to be done, before a marriage between two parties amongst ourselves, can be said to be valid in the sight of GOD and man. And that will lead us in a familiar way, to shew what must be done, or what must pass between us and JESUS CHRIST, before we can say, “our Maker is our husband.”