Preface.

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in her outward beauty and form, which is revealed according to whether she remains with her Bridegroom In traditional Christian theology, the "Bridegroom" is Jesus Christ and the "Bride" is the Church., enjoys his presence, and clings to him, or wanders away from him. And so it goes again with the Church, just as with the Moon; for just as the Moon, standing directly opposite the Sun, has its full radiance, but when it turns slightly aside, immediately has less light; so too the Church, while she keeps her eyes fixed with the gaze of faith upon Christ and his word, has her full clarity, luster, and beauty; but deviating even a little, she immediately loses part of the radiance, luster, and beauty that she previously possessed. This matter, being proven through examples, shall become more plain and clear.

1. How glorious and how beautiful the Church has shown herself, as long as she remained in the simplicity of the Divine ordinances, practicing religion, faith, life, and conduct according to the instruction of God’s word; this is proven by various times, and especially her status under Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and the Kings. Among others, one sees this in what is found of her condition when she enjoyed her rest in the land of promise: under Joshua. Joshua 23, Judges 1, etc. In the time of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1, 2, 3. Under David, 2 Samuel 6, etc. Under Solomon, 1 Kings 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. And being beheld in this state, she is also praised for this beauty of hers, Psalm 45:14. Also Psalm 84:1. In the New Testament, in the time of the Apostles and in the first century, especially as long as the Church knew, heard, and followed no other ordinances than the Divine, no other word than God’s word, and no other voice than that of her Bridegroom and Shepherd. For at that time, faith and love were flourishing in her; then the multitude of believers was of one Heart and Soul; then she was outstanding in simplicity and godliness Acts 4:32; then she was like the Sun, Moon, and Dawn in the midst of the darkness of the Earth: showing herself as a light of the world, that is lit and placed upon the candlestick Matthew 5:14, 15 and is shining and lighting before men.

2. How, on the contrary, the Church has been stripped of this light, clarity, and such ornamental beauty whenever she turned her eyes away from her bridegroom and partially followed other strange lovers; this is proven by the examples that show her not as an ornamental, beautiful bride, but as a defiled one. Numbers 25:2. Israel clings to Baal-Peor A local deity of the Moabites; 'Baal' means lord or master..

Judges 10, 11, 12, 13. Israel does not know the Lord, does evil before the Lord, serves Baalim The plural form of Baal, referring to the various local pagan manifestations of the deity.. Abandons the Lord [of] their Fathers...