101. That the Church is the Lord's, and that on account of the spiritual marriage, which is the marriage of good and truth, the Lord is called the Bridegroom and Husband, and the Church, the bride and wife, is known among Christians from the Word, particularly from the following passages. John said of the Lord:
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom is he who stands and hears him, and rejoices because of the bridegroom's voice. John iii 29. Jesus said, While the bridegroom is with them, the sons of the marriage cannot fast. Matt. ix 15; Mark ii 19, 20; Luke v 34, 35.
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. xxi 2.
The angel said to John, Come and I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife (and from a mountain he showed him the holy city Jerusalem). Rev. xxi 9, 10.
The time of the marriage of the Iamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready . . . blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Rev. xix 7, 9.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. xxii 16, 17.
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