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who, to make way to this match, undertakes by his father's appointment, to make full satisfaction to his father's justice in her behalf, and to make her every way fit to be a daughter to a king. And for effecting this match between them, the son, with the consent and appointment of his father, sends his chief servants a wooing to this unworthy woman; making offer of marriage in their master's behalf, with the clearest proofs of their master's good-will to her, and with the greatest earnestness and entreaties, to obtain her goodwill, that may be. This woman at first, being a bondwoman unto this king's mortal enemy, and being in love with base slaves like herself, companions in her rebellion, she aptly sets light by this offer; or, if she consider well of it, she may doubt of the truth of this offer, the match being so unequal and so unlikely on her part; knowing herself to be so base and unworthy, she may think the motion to be too good to be true; yet, if upon more advised thoughts, she does take notice of the danger she is in while she stands out against so powerful a king in her rebellion, and does also see and believe, that the king's son is in earnest in his offer to reconcile her to his father, and that he would indeed match with her; thereupon she considers also that it will be good for her to forsake all others, and take him; and that especially because his person is so lovely, and every way worthy of her esteem. Now when she can bring herself to believe this, and resolve thus, though she comes to it with some difficulty, yet if she give a true and hearty consent to have him, and to forsake all other, and to take him as he is, to obey him as her lord, and to take part with him in all conditions better or worse; though she come to this resolution with much ado, then the match is as good as made between them; for hereupon follow the mutual embracing of, and interest in each other.

The application is easy throughout: I will only apply so much as is for my purpose, to show the nature of justifying faith.

God offers his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, yea, Christ Jesus by his ministers offers himself in the gospel,