LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN THE KING OF GLORY!

"Thy Maker is thine Husband." —Isaiah 54:5 [KJV]

All marriages are, or ought to be, founded in mutual love between the contracting parties. This is the chief ingredient to produce happiness in the conjugal state. Where this is wanting, true comfort is not enjoyed. When a person of noble birth and great fortune marries a woman poor in circumstances, and involved in debt, we justly conclude he chose her out of pure love and affection to her person: and surely such an one is under the most endearing obligations to love and chastity. She can never call to mind her former indigent state and her present affluent circumstances, but it must tend to inflame her with the most ardent affection to her husband.

This is somewhat the case between Christ and His church. Pure love in the heart of the heavenly Bridegroom caused Him to betroth His church unto Himself, in loving kindness. Though she was in the most abject state and despicable condition, yet He secretly loved her person from eternity, and openly espouses every member in time of conversion, one by one. So saith St. Paul, "I have espoused you to one Husband, Christ."—II Corinthians 11:2.

Canst thou, O believer, call to mind thy natural state of poverty and distress; over head and ears in debt; writs issued from the law, which justice might have executed; liable every moment to be cast into prison, where thou must have lain everlastingly with nothing but rags, filthy rags, to hide thy shame and cover thy nakedness? Canst thou think of this without humility? And dost thou now see the kindness and love of thine Husband? Has He paid all thy debts, cancelled every bond, put in a plea against every accusation, and perfectly fulfilled the holy law, and satisfied divine justice? Art thou "blessed with all spiritual blessings" in thine Husband— enriched with heavenly treasures? Hath He "clothed thee with the garments of salvation," and adorned thee with "the robe of His righteousness?" and doth God thy Father say of thee, "Thou art all fair, My love; I see no spot in thee?"—Canticles (Song of Solomon) 4:7. O what purity of affection! what ardency of love! what chastity of behaviour is due to such a lover, to such an Husband! Christ took thee at first "for better, for worse;" His love to thee is ever the same, affectionate and constant: full of complacency and delight: sympathizing with thy troubles; ever nourishing and cherishing thee here. Shortly the Lamb will in the most open and public manner appear as the bridegroom of His church, and celebrate the marriage in a blissful eternity. O then it shall be said, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."—Revelation 19:7.

William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)