[Under this idea he is frequently spoken of in the Old
Testament6 The same is also frequently applied to
him in the New Testament11 In some sense indeed it
is the espousal only that takes place in this world1
The consummation is deferred till our arrival in the world above k ]
In this relation we should cordially receive him —
[Our former husband being dead, we are at liberty to be married to another. And where shall we find one who is more worthy of all our love and obedience ? If Jesus so loved us when enemies, as to lay clown his own life for us, what will he not do for us, when we become bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh; yea, when we become " one spirit with him1?" To him then let us unite ourselves by faith, and devote ourselves to him as wholly and exclusively, as the most faithful and affectionate of women does to her newly-acquh'ed lord.]
We shall then have the honour and happiness of bringing forth fruit unto God —
[By our connexion with the law, we have brought forth fruit only unto sin and death : but by the mighty operation of divine grace, we shall be enabled to bring forth fruit unto God, and holiness, and life1". We shall no longer live under the influence of a slavish spirit, aiming only at the mere letter of the commandment, and regarding even that as an irksome ser- vice; but we shall aspire after the utmost spirit of the command- ment, and strive with holy ardour to make the highest possible attainments, longing, if possible, to be " holy as God is holy," and to be " perfect as God is perfect." Our services will resemble those of the heavenly choir, who look, and watch, and pant, as it were, for an opportunity to testify their love to God, and to execute, in all its extent, his holy will.
How should the prospect of such fruit stimulate our desires after Christ ! Let us bear in mind, that the bringing of us to such a state was the great object which he sought in giving up himself for us"; and let it be also the great object of our soli- citude in devoting ourselves to him0.]
From hence then it appears,
1. How concerned we are to know the law —
s Isai. liv. 5. and lxii. 5. Ps. xlv. 10 — 17, is, as it were, a cele- bration of the heavenly nuptials.
* John hi. 19. Eph. v. 25—27. « Hos. ii. 19, 20. 2 Cor. xi. 2.
* Rev. xix. 7, 8. and xxi. 9, 10. ' Eph. v. 30. 1 Cor. vi. 17. m Compare Rom. vi. 21, 22. with our text and context.
n 1 Pet. ii. 24. ° Rom. xiv. 7, 8.