Lord God brought her unto him: And though there was a deep sleep upon him, when she was built from his side, yet when he saw her, he said, she was flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone; alluding unto the former truth, and not unto any thing which was to follow. For they were not made more one flesh, by that, mutual, matrimonial embrace which followed, than they were before: The latter, as a fruit or consequence, being only declarative of the original truth, always apparent to God, and in itself, with him, perfect, and per manent. Thus the matrimonial bond of Union, was with them a consequence, and fruit of an antecedent Union and kindred. This also is more manifest, where Abraham, when he was old, caused his servant to swear by the Lord God of heaven and earth, that he would not take a wife to his Son of the Daughters of the Land: But that he would take him a wife of his kindred Such also was Isaac's injunction to Jacob. In this particular also, Esau offended; by marrying the daughters of Heth, where there was no Union or kindred previous to the Marriage. From all which, it appears that Adam's speech to Eve, was grounded upon that kindred Union which subsisted between them before their Marriage. When the Apostle had said, that a Man and his Wife should be one flesh; he immediately adds, This is a great Mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and his Church. From whence we may observe, that the Union of Adam and Eve, of which I have already spoken, was truly a figure of Christ and his Church: And again, that this figure, though close and pertinent, is but a figure; an imperfect representation of the matter, which made the Apostle turn from the fleshly marriage, and say it is a great mystery; and pointing to the Union of Christ and the People, as the grand truth or thing signified, say, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. The Union and kindred relation of Adam and Eve, and of the Patriarchs and their Wives, previous to their marriage (the latter being subsequent to the former, and a positive proof thereof) according to the primitive Law: The earthly things being a pattern of the heavenly, represents the oneness of Christ and the Church. Their marriage as a figure, shews our believing or closing with Christ by Faith: And that Union and kindred, which subsisted between them before Marriage, was a shadow of the Union between Christ and his Church, before the Church is brought to the knowledge of her Husband, by believing, or ere they are married unto him, who is risen from the dead. But, as marriage is the consummate end of Union, it is to be considered as explanatory of the blessings contained therein; it shews the Woman under her Husband's name, in a joint possession, and enjoyment with him, of his state and condition. As one flesh, they cannot be insensible of each other's state, but must mutually feel pain, ease, hunger, thirst, joy, sorrow, happiness, and unhappiness; cannot possibly hate each other, because no man hateth hisown flesh. As one flesh they have but one interest, one aim, and end, are not twain in any condition, but constantly one in all things. If this idea of Marriage is true, it is easily perceived that it is only true in Christ. Previous to our Marriage by Faith with him who is risen from the dead, there is a discovery made of his Person, of his being our Kinsman Redeemer, of his right to demand us: hence it appears wrong to refuse him, nor are we under the compulsion of that divine right which he hath to us, only; but he also shews us his Glory, his personal Beauties, his suitableness to our wants, and this he doth, until our Reason is convinced, our objections silenced, and the full consent of all our powers gained, to be his; to bear his name, to commit ourselves fully to him, with all our concerns; until we cease from care, contented and rejoiced that he should Clothe us, Feed us, Instruct us, Protect, Nourish, Guide and Preserve us unto everlasting life. The Conscience judging of Christ (thus revealing himself) that He is pure, accepted of God and lovely, discerning withal the right of appropriation (from Union and relation unto him) joins itself in affinity unto him: yea, puts him on, wrapping itself in him; and thus standing in his state and condition, it is purged from all guiltiness; and retaining no consciousness of evil, it is holily bold towards God, having the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, because that the worshippers once purged, should have had no more conscience of sins,† made perfect as pertaining to the conscience. And that the Church as married unto Christ, is under his name, appears from, § where she is called the Lord our Righteousness, and from, I will write upon him my new name. And that she is a joint possessor with him, the Apostle bears witness, If children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. And, that his state and condition is upon us, John testifies, saying, Because as he is, so are we in this world.** And, that being one flesh, the husband cannot be insensible of our state, but must have a fellow-feeling with us, and that in the tenderest manner, in honour unto himself, and in love unto us, is evident from the Scriptures, We have not an high-priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,†† Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for he that toucheth you, toucheth the ap * 1 Pet. fii. 21. SJer. xxxiii. 16. **John iv. 17. † Heb. Heb. ix. 9. ¶ Rom. viii. 17. # Heb. v. 2. |