Preface.

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...shines like the dawn, Beautiful as the Moon, Pure as the Sun, Terrifying as battle arrays with flying banners? original: "Verschrickelijck als de Slachordens met vliegende banieren." This is a quote from the Song of Solomon 6:10, used here to describe the Church as both beautiful and a formidable spiritual force. This question seemed appropriate for me to use as an introduction to address Your Honors with reverence regarding this same History. In this saying, there are two principal things to note: 1. That which is asked and spoken of here, namely the bride. 2. That which is said of her, namely the radiance she possesses and gives off.

The one being asked about here is the same who, among other titles in the Song of Solomon, is called the beloved Bride.

Song of Solomon 5:1, 6:9.

Under this title, one understands and addresses the Church of Christ on earth, which Christ has chosen for eternal life from the entire human race; which He gathers, protects, and maintains through His Spirit and Word in the unity of Faith, from the beginning of the world to the end. She is called the Bride not without reason. Seeing that just as a bride is loved and cherished by her bridegroom, so too is she loved by Christ her husband, to whom He has betrothed himself with an unbreakable and everlasting marriage-vow. For it is to her that it is spoken in Hosea 2:18-19 In modern Bibles, this is usually numbered as Hosea 2:19-20.:

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in grace and in mercy. Yes, I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.

With this address, the close connection and unbreakable unity between Christ and His Church is specifically expressed through the words betroth and entrust; for it is certain that marriage promises and vows are held as the most binding of all. Indeed, it is assured with the promise of righteousness and justice, indicating that He intends for these to be upheld by both sides—namely, that He would keep and protect His church in righteousness and justice, and on the other hand, that the Church would cling to Christ her Bridegroom with Faith and Trust. And because these parties are very unequal—the Church being entirely unworthy of such a union—the cause is shown to be God’s mercy and grace. And therefore, because this is a very wonderful and great marriage, the Apostle Paul says of it in Ephesians 5:32: This mystery is great, but I speak of Christ and the Church. Indicating that the physical marriage between Man and Wife is a [reflection of] this great mystery...