[Jan. 8th, 1854.]
The relation of Christ to the Church is variously presented. 1. He is the head of the Church, as his body. 2. He is the vine. 3. The foundation or corner-stone. 4. He is her prophet, priest and king. 5. He is her shepherd. 6. He is the Bridegroom.
This is intended to express,
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Intimate union. a. Sameness of nature. b. Common life.
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Peculiar love. a. This love is exclusive. It has no other such object. b. Peculiar pride, delight. c. Strength of affection.
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He adorns the Church with graces; clothes her in the robe of righteousness and the beauty of holiness; honors and exalts her, making her partaker of his own glory.
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He cherishes, provides for and protects her from dishonor, from misery.
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He enriches the Church. Not his honor only, but his possessions are shared with her. This is variously and frequently presented in the Scriptures. This wealth includes, a. The Holy Ghost. b. All needed means of grace and good. c. Heaven, or eternal life.
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He uses towards her the language of endearment, gives and requires assurances of love. He has communion with her, not as a stranger, nor as a (slave), but an intimate associate.
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He takes her to his Father’s mansion with great honor and rejoicing, and abides with her in an indissoluble union forever.
Her duties.
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Love. This again must be exclusive and supreme, without a rival, without an associate.
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Obedience. His will must be her law, because it is his will. This obedience should be, a. Cheerful. b. Universal. c. Constant. d. Selfsacrificing.
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Fidelity. The want of this violates and vitiates the union. The transfer of affection to any other object is the greatest sin against the relation which can be committed.
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Dependence. She must look to him for protection, for support, for happiness.
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Delight in his presence, longing for the manifestation of his love.
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Zeal for his honor. Identified with him, what honors him honors her.
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