August 19

"I am married unto you." Jeremiah 3:14.

MARRIAGE is the nearest and the most intimate of all human relations. It is surpassed only by the union between soul and body. Here are two persons meeting together, who perhaps never saw each other some time before; yet coming under the power of this ordinance, are united in a connection that exceeds the claims of nature, and the wife becomes dearer than the dearest parent. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh."

Thus Christians, though once strangers and far off, become the people of God, a people nigh unto him; yea, one with him, in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. He is not ashamed to own the relation, "I am married unto you." What is supremely and essentially included in this relation, when properly established?

In such a marriage, there is mutual love. This love regards the person, and not the endowments. And such a love there is between God and his people. It commenced on his side much earlier than on theirs, and his love to them produced their love to him. For love begets love; and we love him, because he first loved us. Yet their love is mutual, and he says, "I love them that love me."

The same may be said of mutual choice. In a proper marriage, the parties freely elect each other. God has chosen his people, and they have chosen him. For though once averse to him, as their Lord and portion, they are made willing in the day of his power; and this power is not violence, but influence, the influence of wisdom and goodness. He works in them to will and to do of his good pleasure. He draws them, and they run after him; and they can all say from the heart, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee."

In this connection, there is also confidence and communication. Where this is wanting, the spirit of it is materially injured, and the relation is very defectively maintained. It is readily allowed, that the woman should not carry on designs concealed from the husband; but is not every thing here reciprocal? And is he justified in treating her with reserve and silence? Yet there are many wives who have had no intimation of the state of their husbands' affairs, till they have found themselves plunged into a condition overwhelming them with surprise, as well as calamity. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant. And they, in all their ways, acknowledge him. They pour out their hearts before him; they hide nothing from him.

There is also in this alliance, fellowship and community of goods. However poor or mean the wife was before, she is now raised to a participation of the husband's rank and affluence; and however free and independent he was before, the husband now enters into all the condition of the wife. And thus the believer dedicates himself to God with all he is and has. He feels his cause his own; he deplores its reproaches, he rejoices in its success. And God gives himself, with all he is and all he has, to the believer. In all his afflictions he is afflicted, and he that toucheth him toucheth the apple of his eye.

Finally, there is a complacency and delight. As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. He will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will rejoice over thee with singing.

How wonderful is this, and yet how true.

How blessed are the people who are in such a case.

Art thou in this happy, this glorious condition? All hail! Thy Maker is thy husband. There was joy in the presence of the angels of God the hour thou gavest thy consent to the proposals of the gospel.

Art thou willing to be united to him? His ministers invite and woe thee. Come, for all things are now ready. Resemble not Israel, who would have none of him, and so were given up. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.