A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 13
JOHN X. 28. And I give unto them Eternal Life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck them out of my Hand.
Sermon XI.I Cloſed laſt Day with the fifth Argument.
Sixthly, I ſhall now proceed to my next Argument, to prove, That none of Chriſt's Sheep can ſo fall away as eternally to periſh. And that ſhall be taken from the Nature of that Divine, Spiritual and The Sixth Argument taken from the Soul's Union with Chriſt.Myſtical Union that there is between every true Believer, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
By the way;
Let it be conſidered, that this Union by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, is not a Perſonal Union, that is impoſſible; he doth not aſſume our Nature, and ſo prevent our Perſonality, which (as one obſerves) would make us one Perſon with himſelf: But he dwells in our Perſons, keeping his own, and leaving us our Dr. Owen.Perſonality indefinitely diſtinct: But it is a Spiritual Union, a Myſterious and Myſtical Union, more to be admired, than undertaken fully to be defined by any Man under Heaven. Many Debates there have been about this Union amongſt Learned Men, ſome carry it too high, and ſome too low; for though it be not a Perſonal Union, yet it is more than a Union in Love and Affection, or in Principle, in Deſign and Intereſt, which may be between one Friend and another.
Firſt, It is ſuch a ſtrong Union intenſively, that Chriſt and a regenerate Man become one Spirit: He that is joined unto the Lord, is 1 Cor. 6. 17.one Spirit: One Spirit (ſaith Reverend Charnock) as if they had but one Soul in two Bodies. What the Spirit doth in Chriſt, it doth alſo in a Believer, according to the Capacity of the Soul: The ſame Spirit which was the immediate Conveyer of Grace to the Humane Nature of Chriſt, is ſo to us; Chriſt hath an Eſſential Holineſs in reſpect of his Godhead, but a Derivative Holineſs as Man: and this Derivative Holineſs proceeded from the Spirit's dwelling in him without meaſure, which we have in our Meaſures: And by virtue of this Union, by the ſame Spirit whereby we become one Spirit with Chriſt; not only that Grace which is in us, and in the greateſt Apoſtle, is the ſame; but that Grace which is in us, and in our Bleſſed Mediator the Man Chriſt Jeſus, are of the ſame Nature and Original: As the Light of the Sun, and the Light of the Stars, are the ſame, but they differ in Degrees, not eſſentially. And as we ſay of Souls, Animae ſunt pares dignitate, ſaith Charnock; though the Actions are not the ſame, becauſe of the indiſpoſition of the Organs, and the predominancy of ſome particular Humour. 'Tis the ſame Spirit in Chriſt and a Believer, as it is the ſame Soul in dignity, which is in an Infant and a Man of moſt refined Parts. It is more here, for 'tis the ſame Spirit in reſpect of his Perſon, which makes Chriſt very near of Kin to us; this Spirit muſt either deſert Chriſt or us, before this Union can be diſſolved: Not Chriſt, for he had it in the World not in Meaſures, and he is yet anointed with the Oil of Gladneſs above his Fellows: Not us, becauſe the Promiſe of Chriſt cannot be broken. This being the Top-ſtone of the Comfort of Believers, in ſending this Comforter that he may abide with us for ever. Evident it is, that it is ſuch a Union that Believers are ſaid to partake of the Divine Nature; that the Holy Spirit is promiſed to them, and in a ſpiritual manner is united to them, and dwelleth and abideth in them, and that for ever, cannot be denied. Chriſt ſhews us, that this Union ariſes from our ſpiritual eating of his Fleſh, and drinking of his Blood: He that eateth my Fleſh, and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. But when ſome were offended, and could not Joh. 6. 56.ſee how this could be, he ſaid unto them, ver. 63. It is the Spirit that quickneth, the Fleſh profiteth nothing; (it is not ſuch eating as the Idolatrous Papiſts dream of) it is by the Holy Spirit, by the indwelling of the quickning Spirit, whereby we have a real participation of Chriſt: He is in us by his Spirit, (as a Vital Principle, changing our Hearts, and working in us his own Holy Image, infuſing Gracious Diſpoſitions and Sacred Habits in the Soul) and we are in him by Faith, in a gracious, hidden, and myſtical manner; and this Union cannot be diſſolved.
Secondly, This Union muſt needs be moſt intimate, near and ſtrong, if we conſider by what Metaphors it is ſet forth in God's Word.
1. It is a Marriage-Union; like as a Man and his Wife are ſaid to be one Fleſh, ſo he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit. No Man ever hated his own Fleſh, but nouriſhed and cheriſhed it as the Lord the Church. He that loveth his Wife, loveth himſelf; a Man and his Wife is but one Myſtical Self: and what is in Nature as to the Perfection of it, is much more eminently in Chriſt. Now ſince God hath fitted to our Nature a Care of our Body, this Care be ſure is much more in Chriſt, when the Apoſtle ſhews what the Love of the Husband ſhould be unto the Wife; and that a Man leaves both Father and Mother, and cleaveth to his Wife; and they two ſhall be one Fleſh: Saith he, This is a great Mystery; but I ſpeak Eph. 5. 31, 32.concerning Chriſt and his Church; or of Chriſt and every believing Soul. The Union between Husband and Wife is near; ay but Death diſſolves this Union, becauſe they can be united, or be one no longer than both live: But Chriſt lives for ever, and the Soul of a Believer lives for ever: Nay, Believers have Eternal Life in them, and they ſhall never die; therefore it follows this Union abides for ever: He hath betrothed his Saints, his Spouſe unto himſelf for ever. And can any then diſſolve this Marriage-Contract and Conjugal Union? Is Chriſt able to preſerve his Souſe, or the Soul that is united unto him? Is it in the Power of his Hands? Pray, Brethren, conſider it well. Will any of you that have a Spouſe, a Wife that you dearly love, ſuffer her to be torn into pieces, and baſely murdered before your Eyes, if you could prevent it? And do any think that Chriſt, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, Power over Sin, the World, the Devil, yea, over Hell and Death; will he, I ſay, ever ſuffer his Spouſe to be deſtroyed and murdered by Sin, World, or Devil? Strange! did he die for her, and has he married her, and made her one Spirit with himſelf; and will he leave her to conflict, to fight and war with an Enemy that he knows is too ſtrong and mighty for her, and not come in, ruſh in to her aſſiſtance, to ſave and reſcue her from ſuch bloody, cruel, and barbarous Enemies? No doubt but he will riſe up with Indignation and Jealouſy, to ſave every Soul that is ſo related and united to him.
Thirdly, This Spiritual Union between Chriſt and every believing Soul, is ſet forth by that near and intimate Union which there is between the Natural Body and every Member thereof: The Head and Members make but one Body; even ſo Chriſt is the Head of his Saints, and they being many, are all Members of that one Body. Chriſt and all Believers make but one Myſtical Chriſt: Even as the Body is one, and hath many Members, and all the Members of that 1 Cor. 12. 12.one Body, being many, are one Body; ſo is Chriſt, that is, Chriſt Mystical. Now this Relation of Head and Members, I ſay, holds forth this Spiritual Union between Chriſt and every Believer: We are Members of his Body, of his Fleſh, and of his Bone. And it is Eph. 5. 30.from their Head, Jeſus Chriſt, that every Member receives Divine and Saving Influences of Life, Strength, Government and Guidance, as the Apoſtle ſhews; From whom the whole Body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every Joint ſupplieth, according to the effectual Epheſ. 4. 15, 16.working in the meaſure of every part, maketh encreaſe of the Body, unto the edifying of it ſelf in Love. Our Union with Chriſt brings us into a fixed Settlement, and ſecures us from all Fears or danger of miſcarrying, let all Enemies do what they can. Can the Members be loſt that have ſuch a Head? Our Union with Chriſt cannot conſiſt in the communication of any thing unto us as Members from him the Head: But it muſt be in that which conſtitutes him and us in this Relation, (ſaith a Reverend Miniſter) he is our Head antecedently in order of Nature, to any communication of Grace from him as a Head, yet not antecedent to our Union it ſelf. Herein then conſiſts the Union of Head and Members; that tho they are many, and have many Offices, Places, and Dependencies, yet there is but one living, quickning Soul in Head and Members: The ſame Life that is in the Head, is in the Body and in every Member thereof in particular; and he that offers Violence to one Member, offers Violence to the Body and the Head alſo: And as one living Soul makes the natural Head and Members to be but one Man, one Body; ſo one quickning Spirit dwelling in Chriſt, and in his Members, gives them their Myſtical Union, and makes them but one Body: As the firſt Man Adam was made a living Soul, ſo the laſt 1 Cor. 15. 45.Man Adam was made a quickning Spirit. It is he that quickens by his Spirit, or conveys a vital Principle to all his, by which they live ſpiritually, as from Adam all his live naturally: Becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo. So long as there is Life in Chriſt the Head, there ſhall be Life in the Members; becauſe that Life that is communicated to the Head without meaſure as Mediator, was to this very End, that it might be communicated to every believing Soul that is united to him.
Now then if it be thus, if this be the Nature of the Soul's Union with Jeſus Chriſt, that it is ſet out and opened to us by the Union that there is between the Body natural and its Members; then I infer,
1. That by the Life that is in the Head, the Members live; and becauſe of that Life that is in him, they cannot die: it was by that Spirit that is in him that we were firſt quickned; and Life is in us, and ſhall be continued to us.
2. I alſo infer, That if Chriſt be able, or can do it, he will prevent his loſing of any one of his Members: And for any one to ſay it is not in his Power, is Blaſphemy; and to ſay he can, and will not, is a like Evil to aſſert, becauſe it renders Chriſt leſs tender and careful of his Spiritual Members, than we are of the Members of our Natural Body. Which of us would ſuffer his Hand or Foot to be torn from us, nay, a Toe or Finger, if we could prevent it?
3. Furthermore I infer, That all the Members of Chriſt's Myſtical Body, as they were all given to him, ſo they are all known by him; they are ſo many Members numerically, and no more, as it is in the Body natural. In God's Book are all his Members written, as David ſpeaks of the Members of his Body; which ſome Pſ. 139. 16.conclude refers to Chriſt chiefly, and to the Members of his Myſtical Body.
4. I infer, That if Jeſus Chriſt loſes one Member of his Myſtical Body, then his Body will be an imperfect Body, a maimed Body; for ſo we know it is in the natural Body, though the loſs be but of one of the leaſt Members thereof.
3dly, The Union between Chriſt and Believers, is ſet forth by the Union of a Tree and its Branches: Thou being a wild Olive-Tree, Rom. 11. 17.wert grafted in amongst them, and with them partakeſt of the Root and Fatneſs of the Olive-Tree. Now the Branches have a cloſe and near Union with the Tree; and being grafted into it, partake of the Juice and Fatneſs of the Root, the Tree and Branches being nouriſhed thereby: There is the ſame fructifying and fatning Virtue in the one that is in the other, only with this difference, in the Root and Tree it is originally, in the Boughs or Branches by way of Communication. This is brought by the Holy Ghoſt to open the Union of Chriſt and his Saints, both he and they are partakers of the ſame Fruit-bearing Spirit; he that dwells in them, dwells in him alſo, only it is in him (as to them) originally, in them by communication from him. Take a Cyon, a Plant, a Graft, fix it Dr. Owen.to the Tree with all the Art you can, and bind it on as cloſe as poſſible, yet 'tis not united to the Tree, until the Sap that is in the Tree be communicated to it; which Communication ſtates the Union: Even ſo and in like manner let a Man be bound to Jeſus Chriſt by all Bonds of viſible Profeſſion imaginable; yet unleſs the Holy Spirit be in him to unite him to Chriſt, unleſs he hath that Divine Sap and Life communicated to him, he hath no real Union with him.
Object. But doth not our Saviour ſay, Every Branch in me that beareth not Fruit, he taketh away. And again, If a Man abideth not Joh. 15. 2, 6.in me, he is caſt forth as a Branch, and is withered, and Men gather them and caſt them into the Fire, and they are burned. Doth not this prove, that ſuch who have real Union with Chriſt may eternally periſh?
Anſw. I know this is brought as a grand Proof for final falling away: But to give an anſwer hereunto.
1. Some tell you that there is no need to tranſlate the words ſo, but that it may as well be tranſlated, Every Branch not bringing forth Fruit in me; that is, that have not real Union in me: For though there can be no true Fruit brought forth without real and ſaving Union with Chriſt, yet Men may bring forth ſome kind of Fruit, and ſuch that looks like good Fruit; it is called Fruit: He may pray, hear the Word, and lead an honeſt, moral, and ſober Life; yea, and give to the Poor, and yet not bring forth this Fruit in Chriſt, or from a real Union he hath with him: for all Acts of an External Profeſſion in Religion, may be brought forth without any Divine Principle of Grace, or being rooted and grafted into Chriſt by the Holy Ghoſt; and ſuch a one the good Husband-man will diſcover, for this Man's Fruit will not continue, but wither; Having not root in himſelf, but endureth for a while: for when Tribulation and Mat: 13. 21.Perſecution ariſeth becauſe of the Word, by and by he is offended. Evident it is, that all that received the Seed into good Ground, or were ſincere Chriſtians, brought forth Fruit to Everlaſting Life, though not all the like Quantity. But,
2. Let it be conſidered, that there is a twofold being in Chriſt ſpoken of in God's Word; as Chriſt alſo is compared to a Vine under a twofold Conſideration.
(1.) There is a Spiritual, Real and Inviſible being in Chriſt, by Faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; and theſe are grafted into Chriſt the Vine, ſpiritually conſidered, and ſo have that true Union with him of which we ſpeak.
(2.) There is alſo an External or Viſible being in Chriſt, by an outward profeſſion: Hence thoſe that are baptized in his Name, are ſaid to be baptized into Chriſt. Paul ſaith of ſome, that they were in Chriſt before me. How did he know who were ſavingly, inviſibly in Chriſt? No doubt he ſpeaks of their viſible being in him, by that Profeſſion they made of the Goſpel, and by their being baptized; and in this reſpect Vine is to be taken for the Church, which ſometimes bears Chriſt's Name. Now evident it is, many that thus are in Chriſt, that is, by a Profeſſion and Sacramental Implantation, may bring forth ſome ſort of Fruit for a while; but for want of a real Union with Chriſt, they having not a Supply of Grace, and Divine Sap from the Root, they abide not in Chriſt, that is, in a viſible Profeſſion, but are caſt forth as withered Branches, and at laſt will be caſt into the Fire. But now whoſoever bringeth forth true Spiritual Fruit, who is viſibly in Chriſt the Vine, him will God purge that he may bring forth more Fruit. And that this is the true meaning of this Text, is plain, if we conſider what Chriſt ſaith of all his Elect Ones, (as hinted to you before) viz. That he had not only choſen them, but ordained them, that they John 15. 16.ſhould go and bring forth Fruit, and that their Fruit ſhall remain: And this he ſpeaks to his Diſciples ſoon after in this very Chapter, to comfort them, leſt they might fear miſcarrying, and become like ſuch who are withered Branches. And this is ſufficient to remove this Objection.
Thirdly, The Union of the Soul with Chriſt, as to the excellent, firm, and abiding Nature thereof, is further demonſtrated and ſtrengthened, by the conſideration of the Union of Chriſt to the Father, and them, as it is expreſſed by our bleſſed Lord; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfect in One, foreign, into one: Firſt, the Father in Chriſt, the Fulneſs of the Godhead being in him bodily; then, Chriſt in Believers: ſo that from that fulneſs of Grace, Strength, &c. that the Father communicated to the Son as Mediator, by virtue of his Union with him, (and which is communicable to us) all his Members do receive from Chriſt by virtue of their Union with him. Our Lord prayed, in Verſe 20, That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us, &c. Now though it be hard to underſtand the Nature of this Union in ſome Reſpects, yet this is eaſy to comprehend, viz. that the Union between the Father and Chriſt is an inſeparable Union, it is an abiding Union, or it is a Union that cannot be diſſolved. Why then let us conſider, ſince Chriſt prayed the Father, and was heard herein, that all that the Father had given him, might be one, as He and the Father was one: What can be a greater Argument to prove, that that Union which is between Chriſt and Believers is an inſeparable, an abiding, and an undiſſolvable Union? The Union here doth not reſpect that Eſſential Union that is between the Father and the Son, but in reſpect of Chriſt, as he is our Head and Mediator; in which reſpect the Father poured into him of his abundant Fulneſs, that ſo we having a firm, perfect, and ſetled Union with him, might in a glorious manner receive from him, and be ſupplied with all things we need. And Chriſt being the Medium of our Union with God, both the Father's Union with Chriſt, and Chriſt's Union with us, are for the final Perfection, and compleating that Glorious Work he hath begun in the Souls of his People, until we all come to be with him where he is, and behold his Glory. If therefore we conſider the Nature of this Union, and the Prayer of Chriſt, that it might be perfected and abide undiſſolvable, it muſt follow that it is impoſſible for any Soul that is thus united to the Lord Jeſus, ever ſo to fall away as eternally to periſh.
Fourthly, By this Spiritual Union with Chriſt, we partake of his Bleſſed Image or Divine Nature: So that the Head and Members are of one kind, and not like Nebuchadnezzar's Image, a Head of Gold, and a Belly and Thighs of Braſs, and Legs of Iron, and Feet and Toes, part of Iron and part of Clay: This would be to make the Myſtical Body of Chriſt a Monſter, an Immortal Head, an Incorruptible Head, and a Mortal Body and Members, that may corrupt, putrify and become loathſom. No, this cannot be; ſuch as is the Head (as to Nature and Quality) ſuch is the Body, and every Member in particular, a living Head and living Members; a Head of pure Gold, and Members of pure Gold; alſo a Head that cannot die, and therefore the Members cannot die. For,
Fifthly, It is a Vital Vnion, as you have heard, that is to ſay, the ſame Life that is in Chriſt, is in all Believers: And as it is in the natural Body, the Members have not only Life in the Head, but Life in themſelves alſo; and ſo long as there is Life in the Head, there ſhall be Life in the Members, ſo it is here: And this muſt therefore be for ever; for by the ſame parity of Reaſon that one Member may die or corrupt, the whole Body may die and corrupt alſo. But Chriſt is our Life, and the Spirit, which is the Bond of this Union, communicates Life to every Soul in whom he reſides and dwells; and the Holy Spirit hath taken up his abode in Believers for ever: He that hath the Spirit, hath the Son; and he that hath the Son, hath Life.—I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in Gal. 2. 20, 21.me. From hence I argue;
Arg. 1. If he that believeth in Chriſt, or that hath Union with Chriſt, is a Part or Limb of Chriſt Myſtical; then not one Soul that believes in Chriſt, and has real Union with him, can eternally periſh. Shall a Member of Chriſt periſh or be torn from his Body! Brethren, was it Chriſt's Natural Body only that was concerned in that Prophecy, A Bone of him ſhall not be broken? Or did Chriſt John 19. 36.take more care of the Members of his Natural Body, than of the Members of his Myſtical Body?
Arg. 2. If Chriſt's Love to, and Care of the Members of his Myſtical Body, be greater than any Man's Love to, or Care of the Members of his Natural Body can be; then not one of Chriſt's Sheep or Saints can eternally periſh: But his Love to, and Care of the Members of his Myſtical Body is far greater than theirs can be; therefore it follows, no Believer can ever periſh.
Arg. 3. If the Union between Chriſt and Believers be a Marriage-Union, and that thoſe that Chriſt does eſpouſe, and bring into that Relation to himſelf, he doth eſpouſe for ever; if it is a Union like that Union that is between God the Father, and Chriſt as Mediator; if it be an indiſſolvable Union, a Union which God nor Chriſt will ever break, nor Sin, Satan, nor no Enemy can ever break; then not one Soul that is truly and really united to Chriſt, can ever ſo fall away as eternally to periſh. But all this we have proved to be true, therefore not one Soul that hath true and real Union with Chriſt, can fall away ſo as eternally to periſh.
Arg. 4. If the Love of God, and the Love of Chriſt abides firm for ever to every Soul that hath Union with Chriſt, which is the Spring, efficient and moving Cauſe of this Union; then not one of them who have Union with Chriſt can periſh. But we have proved that the Love of the Father and Son abides firm for ever to every Soul that has Union with Chriſt; therefore not one of them can periſh for ever.
Arg. 5. If Chriſt died, roſe again, and aſcended into Heaven, as the Head and Repreſentative of all thoſe that were given unto him, and have Union with him, then, as ſure as he is now in Heaven, they ſhall every Soul of them come thither: But this hereafter I ſhall fully prove, and clearly (God aſſiſting) make appear when I come to ſpeak to the next General Argument.
Arg. 6. If the Union between Chriſt and Believers is ſo ſtrong and firm a Union intenſively, that Chriſt and they become one Spirit ſo, that as if there was but one Spirit in Chriſt and in them; or what the Spirit is to Chriſt, and doth to Chriſt as Mediator without meaſure, he is to every Believer, and does for every Believer in meaſure, according to each Believer's Neceſſity and Capacity; then this Union ſecures every Believer from falling ſo, as to periſh for ever. But this we have proved is ſo; the Spirit muſt either deſert Chriſt (as you heard) or them, if ever the Union be broken; not Chriſt, that all will ſay is impoſſible; not Believers, becauſe of the bleſſed Union they have with him; and alſo, becauſe Chriſt hath promiſed that the Spirit ſhall abide in them for ever. Nay, this is alſo the abſolute Promiſe of the Father to the Son in the Covenant of Grace: And as for me, this Iſa. 29. 21.is my Covenant with them, ſaith Jehovah, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my Words which I have put in thy Mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy Mouth, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed's Seed, from henceforth and for ever.
Arg. 7. By virtue of this Sacred Union, becauſe Chriſt lives, the Saints (or thoſe that have Union with him) ſhall live alſo, (which Bleſſing beſides he has by a poſitive Promiſe aſſur'd them of;) then no Soul that hath real Union with him can periſh: But this our Bleſſed Saviour doth aſſert; Becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo; John 14. 19.that is, the Life of Grace here, and the Life of Glory hereafter.
Arg. 8. If there is no Condemnation to ſuch who are in Jeſus Chriſt, or have Union with him: if they have Everlaſting Life, Rom. 8. 1.becauſe they have Union with the Son, and are paſſed from Death John 3. 36.to Life, and ſhall not come into Condemnation; then this Sacred Union ſecures and ſaves all that are united to Chriſt from falling John 5. 24.away ſo as eternally to periſh. But that all this is true, we have proved, and it is in plain words aſſerted by the Holy Ghoſt: therefore this Sacred Union ſecures and ſaves them all from eternal periſhing.
Arg. 9. If Chriſt in us is a certain and ſure Ground of the Hope of Glory, and that Hope is the Anchor of the Soul both ſure Col. 1. 27. Heb. 6. 18. 19, 20.and ſtedfaſt, that cannot be loſt; then Union with Chriſt gives all ſuch an aſſurance of Salvation; and that none of them that have Union with Chriſt, or have Chriſt in them, can eternally periſh. But that this is ſo, the Holy Ghoſt doth poſitively aſſert; therefore none of them can ſo periſh.
Arg. 10. Laſtly, If Faith in the Habit of it, through which by the Spirit we come to have this Actual Union with Chriſt, can never be loſt, or ſhall not fail, then none that have Union with Chriſt ſhall ever periſh. But that Faith in the Habit of it cannot be loſt, or ſhall not fail, our Saviour affirms it, being one part of his Prayer when on Earth, and no doubt it is part of his Interceſſion now in Heaven; I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not: Luk. 22. 32.And he never asked any thing of the Father but it was granted him; And I know thou heareſt me always: Therefore they can never John 11. 42.periſh.
I might add here that Communion which flows neceſſarily from this Union, which affords a ſtrong Argument for the Saints final Perſeverance: Union cannot be without Communion, for whilſt the Members are united to a living Head, there will be (as one Charnock.obſerves) an Influx of Animal Spirits whereby they ſhall partake of Life and Motion: and though a Believer, I grant, may loſe the ſenſible Experience of Communion with Chriſt, yet the Spirit from their Myſtical Head, will be working in them, providing for them, and ſtanding by them.
To conclude with this Argument, I argue,
(1.) If our Union be by the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (2.) If our Union with Chriſt be a Conjugal Union, a Marriage-Union. (3.) If it be as near a Union as is between the Body, the Members of the Natural Body. (4.) If it be ſuch a Union as is between the Tree and the Branches. (5.) If it be ſuch a Union as is between the Father and Son, as Chriſt is Mediator. (6.) If it be a Union of Spirits, as if but one Soul was in two Bodies. (7.) If it be ſuch a Union, that Believers partake of the Divine Nature. (8.) If it be a Vital Union. (9.) If it be ſuch a Union that cannot be diſſolved by all the Powers of Darkneſs, the Seed of Grace remaining: Then it is impoſſible for any Believer that hath Union with Chriſt to periſh Eternally. But all theſe things are true; therefore no true Believer can Eternally periſh.
APPLICATION.
Firſt, Theſe things being ſo, we may infer, that our Union with Chriſt is a moſt glorious Spring of the greateſt Comfort to Believers imaginable.
1. From hence, Brethren, comes in your Actual Juſtification: No Man is perſonally juſtified, before he receives Chriſt by Faith, before he has actual Union with him: But every Soul that is in Chriſt, is actually juſtified and diſcharged from all the Guilt of his Sins, and ſtands in Chriſt compleat in his perfect Righteouſneſs, without Spot, before the Throne of God.
2. Such are made near and dear to Chriſt: O how near is the Wife to the Husband, or the Members to the Body! even ſo near and dear is every Soul that hath actual Union with Chriſt unto him.
3. From hence flows our Communion with Chriſt; for by virtue of our Union we come to have our Natures changed: It is hereby that we come to behold, as in a Glaſs, the Glory of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3. 18.and are changed into the ſame Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. It is impoſſible that a brutiſh and ſwiniſh Creature, as all unrenewed Men and Women are, ſhould have Communion with the Holy God, or with the Holy and Bleſſed Jeſus. What Fellowſhip hath Righteouſneſs with Vnrighteouſneſs? Or 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15.what Communion hath Light with Darkneſs? Or what Concord hath Chriſt with Belial? If we would have Communion with Chriſt, we muſt be Holy, and touch not the unclean thing: And impoſſible it is that we ſhould be Holy, until we come to have Union with Jeſus Chriſt, by which means we come to partake of his pure Nature, and have the evil Habits of our vile and filthy Hearts and Souls changed. The Tree muſt be firſt made good, and then the Fruit will be good. Man naturally is united to the Devil, and to his own Sin and Iniquity, and hath Enmity in his Heart againſt God: The Prince of Darkneſs is the Head of this dark and wicked World. The Vnderſtandings, Wills and Affections of all Men are under diabolical Influence, ever ſince Adam betrayed us into the Enemies Hands; and abide ſo, until that Union be diſſolved by the Power of Divine Grace, and the Soul united by the Spirit unto Jeſus Chriſt. We are united to the firſt Adam by a Likeneſs of Nature; and how can we be united to the Second without a Principle of Life, by which another, a new Nature is formed in us? We were united to the Firſt by a living Soul; and we muſt be united to the other by a quickning Spirit. By Nature Man is dead in Sins and Treſpaſſes; and how can he have Communion with a living Chriſt without a Principle of Life? Would any go about to join a ſtinking Carcaſs to the Holy Jeſus? Would not any think it a great Plague to him, if he had a dead and rotten Carcaſs united to him? O remember it is from your Union with Chriſt, your Communion with him follows, yea, and your Communion with the Saints too; you can take no delight in Heavenly Company, nor Heavenly Things, without an Heavenly Heart.
3. By this Union you that are Believers come to have intereſt in, and a right unto all things Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed by his Death; nor ſhall any ever have any ſhare or part in all thoſe Spiritual and Eternal Bleſſings, except they obtain this Union: As the Cyon cannot partake of the Sap and Fatneſs of the Olive-Tree without it is grafted into the Stock, no more can we partake of the Fatneſs and glorious Fulneſs of the true Olive Jeſus Chriſt, unleſs we are grafted into him by Faith, and have the Indwellings of the Spirit; and then all things that Chriſt merited for us, and are laid up in him for us, are ours.
4. It is by virtue of this Union that we have, and may expect a Supply of all Grace according to our Wants and Neceſſities: Like as the Wife needs not to fear Want if it be in her Husband's Hand, (provided he be a loving and faithful Husband) and that by reaſon of that Union ſhe hath with him, and that Relation ſhe ſtands in unto him. Chriſt is a Head of Influence to thee, O Believer; Thou holdeſt the Head, from whence all the Body Col. 2. 19.by Joints and Bands having nouriſhment miniſtred, and knit together, increaſeth with the Increaſe of God.
5. This alſo ſhews us, that we ſhall be fruitful to Chriſt, becauſe we are united to him, have Union with him: We are married to him, that we ſhould bring forth Fruit unto God; even all the Fruits Rom. 7. 4.of Holineſs and good Works, yea, ſuch Works and good Fruit as is acceptable to God: And that becauſe we are accepted in Chriſt, our Perſons are firſt accepted as Abel's was, and then our Sacrifices or Performances. The good Lord help you to weigh well, and ſeriouſly ponder theſe things.
6. Terror. One word to you Sinners, which will be firſt by way of Terror. What will you do that have not yet obtained Union with Chriſt? Tremble, for your State is deplorable! All that are not united to Chriſt, ſtand united to dead Adam, condemned Adam, loſt Adam; and if you die before you obtain Union with Jeſus Chriſt, you are loſt for ever, nay, you are (as you heard juſt now) united to your Sin, and to the Devil; all your Sins ſtand charged upon you, and cleave to you.
But may be you will ſay, Is there no Hope, no Help for us?
Anſw. God forbid; Jeſus Chriſt is tendred to Sinners as Sinners: And thoſe that have now Union with him, once were in your State and Condition; but know this, you muſt labour after Divine Grace, and come to this reſolve, viz. to break your Affinity with Sin. While you ſee not your Folly in keeping your Agreement and Affinity with Hell, there is but little Hope: O throw down your Arms, fight againſt God no more; when once you come to hate your old Lovers, and are reſolved to leave them, forgo them, and ſeek after this Union with Chriſt, there is ground to hope you are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.