The Church Compared to a Virgin

    THE CHURCH COMPARED TO A VIRGIN

    "I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ"' 2Co 11:2.

    A chaste Virgin. This simile alludes to the legal type of the High-priest, who might marry none but a Virgin, Le 21:15.

    Note. The Church, or a gracious soul, is by the apostle compared to an espoused Virgin: "I have espoused you," i.e. I have been an instrument or spokesman in the hand of my blessed Lord and Master herein.

    SIMILE

    I. A Virgin is a person that is not defiled, one that hath been kept pure from fornication and uncleanness.

    PARALLEL

    I. The Church of God and every sincere Christian, is kept pure from idolatry, viz., the inordinate love of the world, and all antichristian worship. Hence the forty-four thousand upon mount Sion are said to be Virgins; "Those are they which were not defiled with women," that is, with the mother of harlots, mystical Babylon, nor with any of her daughters; for they are Virgins, that is, true and chaste to Christ. Re 14:4.

    METAPHOR

    II. A chaste Virgin, that is espoused to an husband, is greatly beloved by him.

    PARALLEL

    II. So the Church, and each sincere Christian, is dearly beloved by the Lord, who is said to rejoice over his people, "as a young man rejoiceth over his bride," Isa 62:4-5.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Virgin espoused to an husband, longeth for the wedding-day.

    PARALLEL

    III. So the Church longeth for the return of the Bridegroom, when Christ will take her to himself. "The marriage of the Lamb is come," &c., Song 8:14; Re 19:7-8.

    METAPHOR

    IV. A Virgin espoused, greatly prizes every kind token of love from her friend, and delights to hear from him.

    PARALLEL

    IV. So all sincere souls wonderfully prize every precious token of Christ's special favour to them, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for his love is better than wine," Song 1:2.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Virgin espoused is a man's wife.

    PARALLEL

    V. So is the Church the wife of Christ.