Body of Divinity, Book 7 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Of our Union with Christ.
HAving handled the work of Redemption in the Nature and Person of it,
Now I shall speak of the Application of it by the holy Ghost.
That is a special part of Gods Providence whereby those things which Jesus Christ hath purchased are by the operation of the holy Ghost made effectual to all those for whom they were appointed.
Four things are considerable in it:
1. The foundation of it.
2. The efficient cause or worker of it.
3. The persons who shall be made partakers of it.
4. The parts of this work:
1. Union and conjunction with Christ.
2. Communion with him.
The ground work of it lies in three things:
1. The donation of God the Father, Iohn 6. 39. All that my Father hath given me shall come to me.
2. The intendment of Christ in all the work he wrought, Iohn 17. 19. For their sakes do I sanctifie my self, that is, separate my self to the work I undertook.
3. The Fathers accepting it done for them as heartily as if they had done it in their own persons, 2 Cor. 5. 19.
2. The efficient cause of it the holy Ghost, that is, the third Person in the Trinity, who is equal to the Father and the Son. The making of man was in some respect appropriated to the Father, redeeming him to the Son, the making it effectual and applying it was the work of the holy Ghost, 14, 15, and 16. Chapters of Iohn. I will send the holy Ghost, The Comforter, he shall lead you into all truth, Convince you of sinne, righteousnesse and judgement. There is no one branch of our partaking of Christ, but what is totally ascribed to the holy Ghost. The sending of the Gospel is by the holy Ghost, they are the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost, Faith, Union with Christ, and Communion with him in all his Offices are from the holy Ghost, the Spirit teacheth, governeth, comforteth.
Reason, Because no inferiour person could effect it, Ephes. 1. 19, 20.
Thirdly, The Persons to whom this work of application belongs, or who shall be made partakers of Christ, but the Decree of Election and Reprobation have been handled already. There are a certain number whom God hath appointed to come to life by Christ, the Spirit of God will make the means effectuall to all his.
Fourthly, The parts of this work:
1. Union and conjunction with Christ.
2. Communion with him, 1 Ioh. 5. 12.
I shall first speak of our Union with Christ.
Christ is said to dwell and abide in us, and we are said to be Christs, to be partakers of Christ, to be cloathed with Christ, and abide in him.
The Spirit of God sets it out in five similitudes:
1. Of food made one with the body, Ioh. 6. 5, 6.
2. Of Head and Members, Ephes. 1. 22, 23.
3. Of the foundation and building, Ephes. 2. 20, 21, 22. 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5, 6.
4. Of the stock and branches, Ioh. 15. 4, 5, 6, 7.
5. Of the Husband and Wife, Ephes. 5. 31, 32.
We must be one with Christ as we were one with the first Adam (say some) two wayes:
1. Naturally, as we bore his image.
2. Voluntarily, as we consented to his Covenant; so with the second Adam,
1. Naturally by receiving of his Spirit.
2. Voluntarily consenting to his Covenant; Though it is not easie to conceive, how we can be said to have consented to his Covenant, but as being in him, and so his consent did include ours.
The Union begins on Christs part, he layes hold on me by his Spirit, Rom. 8. 9. Phil. 3. 12. Gal. 4. 5, 6. 1 Iohn 4. 13. This Spirit works a principle of faith in us that layes hold on Christ, and accepts him for our Head and Husband for ever, Iohn 1. 12. Ephes. 3. 17. He will take Christ:
1. With all his Offices, for a Lord as well as a Saviour.
2. With all his graces.
3. With all his inconveniences, Christ with poverty, with disgrace, with the stake.
There is a three-fold Union between Christ and a Believer:
1. Mystical with Christ as a Head, the fruit of that is intimacy.
2. Moral with Christ as a patern or example.
3. Judicial with Christ as a Surety, whereby we are concerned in every act of Christs mediation, the fruit of this is interest.
This Union between Christ and us is wrought by the Spirit, Ephes. 4. 4. He unites God and us, and us one with another. He works it by the Ministery of the Word, 1 Cor. 1. 9. Iohn 6. 44, 45. and a religious use of the Seals, 1 Cor. 12. 13. Rom. 6. 3, 5. 1 Cor. 10. 16.
Some make our Union with Christ to be only a relative Union, others an essentiallThe Fathers hyperboles this way, followed by Luther, gave occasion to this. personall Union, as if we were Godded with God, and Christed with Christ.
I aDr. Hill on Ephes. 4. 15.would not be too bold with those expressions of Nazianzen, because I see they are abused, foreign.
First, There is more then a relative Union, as that place 1 Cor. 6. bThat is, partaker of one and the same Spirit, and so united by the Spirit. There is a union between Christ and his people, 1. In reference to imputation, so that what Christ did is accounted theirs. 2. In reference to inspiration, they have the Spirit dwelling in them. 3. In reference to compassion. 4. In reference to vindication, what injury is done to them is looked on as done to him.17. forcibly proves. 2. These Reasons.
1. This Union is set forth by similitudes which shew a real Union, Iohn 15. 1. 1 Cor. 12. Head and Body.
2. Because our Union with Christ is compared to the Mystery of the Trinity, and is like to the Union of the Persons in the Divine Nature, Ioh. 6. 57. & 14. 20. & 17. 21, 22, 23. We are one not in the same kinde or degree of Union, nor in so high and glorious a manner.
3. Because it is not a Union founded only in terms of Scripture, but really wrought by the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 12. 13.
4. Because there are real effectual comforts and graces derived to us from hence, Rom. 6. 4. Phil. 3. 10.
Secondly, It is not an essential Union:
1. Because the Union is mystical not personal; the two Natures in Christ are essentially united, because they are made one person, it is a Union of persons, our persons are united to Christ, yet not a personal Union, we make not one person, but one body with Christ, and not one body natural but mystical, 1 Cor. 6. 17.
2. Those that mingle and confound the persons make the mystical Union higher then the personal, the personal Union did not confound the Natures, make the man God.
Object. The whole Church is called Christ 1 Cor. 12. 12. and we are made partakers of the Divine Nature.
Answ. We must not apply that to Union which is proper to Communion, Communion is the common union of all the members with Christ. It is folly to apply that to one part which is proper to the whole body, Head and Members is ChristSome say, the actions of the Saints are of infinite value, as the obedience of Christs humane nature, because of the hypostatical Union, and that they are so one with Christ that they can sinne no more then Christ can sinne. mystical, the parts are of the body, but not the body. There is a great deal of difference between the Divine Nature, as it was in Christ, and as it is in us, Col. 2. 6. compared with that of 2 Pet. 1. 4. He had the fulnesse of the God-head, we are only partakers of the Divine Nature, the God-head dwels in him personally, in us spiritually, 1 Iohn 4. 16. there is a likenesse wrought in us to the Divine Nature.
This Union between Christ and us, isNot imaginary, Ephes. 5. 30. We reade of Christs being in us, & our being in him, 1 Co. 1. 13. Col. 1. 27. Rom. 8. 10. of Christs dwelling in us, and our dwelling in him, 1 Ioh. 3. 24. of Christs abiding in us, Ioh. 15. 17. and our abiding in him. Christs living in us, and we in him, Gal. 2. 20.
1. Real, though he be in Heaven we on earth, because the same Spirit that dwels in him dwels in us; it is not only notional nor moral as betwixt friends.
2. Mutual, I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine: and total, whole Christ God and man is ours, and the whole man soul and body must be his, Psal. 45. 10. therefore we are said To eat his flesh, Drink his bloud.
3. Spiritual, Christs Spirit is communicated to us, and abides in us.
4. Operative, where Christ dwels by his Spirit he casts out Satan, and takes possession of the soul, and furnisheth it with his graces, repairs his Image in us, communicates his life to us, gives us strength to bear crosses.
5. Intimate, Iohn 17. 21. Cant. 8. 12. it was not enough to say, My vineyard, but my vineyard which is mine.
6. Strong and inseparable. Death dissolves marriage, not this Union, Rom. 8. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. It brings us nearer Christ, by vertue of this mystical Union with Christ the dead bodies of the Saints are raised up at the last day.
This Union with Christ is one of the deep things of God, one of the great mysteries of the Gospel, Ephes. 5. 30, 32. Our Saviour in his preaching began with the Doctrin of Repentance. Mat. 4. 17. then went to that of Sanctification in general in the fifth, sixth and seventh Chapters of Matth, then he proceeds to the Doctrin of Faith, sixth, seventh and eighth Chapters of Iohn, and lastly to his Union with the Saints, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth Chapters of Iohn.
There are three mystical Unions not to be understood by a creature;
1. The Mystery of the Trinity, wherein three distinct Persons make but oneThe hypastatical union. A spiritual or mystical union This union non mutat naturas nec miscet personas, sed confoederat mentes & consociat voluntates. I may know that I am one with Christ also by my faith, Ephes. 3 17. I may know I have that by two principal effects of it, 1. It purifieth the heart, Act. 15. 9. not only the wayes and outward man. 2. It is an operative vertue, Gal. 5 6. sets all graces awork. From our union with Christ flows, 1. Spiritual life. 2. Spiritual acting. 3. Spiritual growth. 4. Spiritual duty, Ioh. 15. 5. Col. 2. 19. Eph. 4. 15, 16. God, Deut. 6. 4.
2. Wherein two distinct Natures make one particular person, so there is one Christ, 1 Cor. 8. 6.
3. When two distinct Natures and Persons are united by one Spirit; so there is one Church, Cant. 6. 8.
How to know whether I am united to Christ.
I have then received the Spirit of Christ, 1 Iohn 3. 24. Rom. 8. 26. He walks in the Spirit, lives by the Spirit, is led by the Spirit.
Two Rules to know that:
Christ is then, first, A Spirit of Mortification, he
1. Helps thee to subdue thy darling sins, 1 Iohn 3. 8.
2. Helps thee to overcome thy secret spiritual sins, the power of natural conscience may keep under grosse sins, but what power have you to subdue contempt of God, impenitency, hardnesse of heart, pride, envy?
Secondly, Christ is also a Spirit of Sanctification, 1 Pet. 1. 2.
1. In renewing the inward man, That which is of the Spirit is Spirit.
2. In transforming the outward man:
1. He is willingly ignorant of no truth.
2. He lets it break forth into practice.
3. Layes out whatever is dear to him for Christ, as Nehemiah, Esther.
Benefits which flow from our Union with Christ:
1. Reconciliation, God looks not upon us as enemies, Luk. 2. 14.
2. Union with the holy Trinity, God the Father, Christ dwels in God, and God in him, 1 Thes. 1. 1, 2. The Spirit, he is said to abide in them, and they in him.
3. He hath an interest in all Christs relations, Iohn 17. I go to my Father and your Father, my God and your God, this gives boldnesse and accesse to the throne of Grace.
4. The Promises come to be yours by your union with Christ, 2 Cor. 1. 20. they are made with Christ and with you in him: he is Primus foederatus, say some; yet others say, Christ is Mediator of the Covenant, but not a party with whom the Covenant is made, I will forgive their iniquities, &c. this they say is not made with Christ who knew no sinne. Besides they urge that it is expresly said, I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel, &c. And all spiritual priviledges, 1 Ioh. 5. 12. this is the ground of all imputation of righteousnesse.
5. We are presented to the Father through Christ, he not onelyonly presents your services, but persons, Exod. 12. 29. Heb. 7. 24, 28. Eph. 1. 6. Phil. 3. 9.
The end or intendment of this Union.
1. To be the highest exaltation to his people that their persons are capable of, the Angels are not so united to Christ as the Saints, they are his servants not his members.
2. That this might be the foundation of all Communion betwixt Christ and theOmnis communio fundatur in unione. Christ will do nothing unlesse we be united to him, whatever he doth he doth as a head, a root, Ioh. 15. 4. As by the personal union he meriteu all things for us, so by this union of persons he dispen…eth all to us. We should labour, 1. To get into Christ. 2. To grow up into him. That consists, 1. In being emptied more and more of our own righteousnesse, and going to Christ for acceptation of our persons. 2. In going to him for strength in duty, and acceptation of our services. 3. In doing all for Christ and his glory. 4. In going to Christ for a rule in all our actions. 5. In doing all out of a principle of love to Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 14. 6. In making Christ the reward of our services, to serve Christ for Christ. soul; he is the head we the members, by vertue of the hands union with the head are all living operations.
He is the foundation, we the building; He the stock, we the branches; He the Husband, we the Spouse; by vertue of this conjunction he looks for duties from us; there is a living in him, a bearing fruit in him; and we for priviledges from him, we partake with him in his Righteousnesse, Victories, Graces, Inheritance.
Directions to preserve our Union or Conjunction with Christ:
He is united to us by the in-dwelling vertue of his Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 13. 1 Iohn 3. 24. & 4 13. and by faith, Iohn 1. 12.
1. Do not grieve Gods Spirit, Ephes. 4 23. Delicatares est Spiritus sanctus. Tert. if he counsel, rebel not.
2. Maintain thy faith, beleeve strongly against all doubts and apprehensions of thy own unworthinesse, the Spirit comes by faith, Gal. 3. and it is kept by it; faith is the bond of union on our part, as the Spirit on Gods.
3. Use the Ordinances, Iob 22. 21. in every duty and act of worship look to enjoy God. Get some excitements to grace, resolutions of obedience, displeasure against sinne, use a holy boldnesse in thy addresse to God, Heb. 10. 9. Ephes. 3. 12. we come not to a tribunal of Justice as malefactors, but as friends and favourites to a throne of grace, Iob 22. 26. Use
1. Prayer, Psal. 86. 11.
2. Attend on the Gospel, reade it, meditate on it daily.
3. The Sacraments, make use of thy Baptism, we were baptized into Christ, and frequently use the Lords-Supper. We should praise God when he meets with us in duties, and repent his with-drawing himself, Lam. 3. 44.
4. We should be one with all believers, because we are one with Christ. Christ seldom speaks of his peoples union with him, but he speaks of their conjunction one with another, and seldom presseth them to brotherly love, but from this union with Christ, 1 Cor. 12. per tot. & 1. 10. Ephes. 4.