The Mystical Union Between Christ and Believer, Table of contents – Errata
THE CONTENTS.
CHAP. I. MIllions in the Church miſcarry for want of Ʋnion with Chriſt: This is cleared from the two Covenants, of Works and of Grace; from the two heads Adam and Chriſt; from the two ways and periods of mankind. Two Ʋnions with Chriſt, one in appearance, another in truth: this latter is a myſtery, it carries a reſpect to the Ʋnion of the Sacred perſons in Trinity, and to the hypoſtatical Ʋnion of two natures in Chriſt; it depends on them, it reſembles them, it is that the hypoſtatical Ʋnion aims at; it is not to be meaſured by human Reaſon, but by Scripture.
CHAP. II. The Scripture uſeth Metaphors to expreſs holy Myſteries by, becauſe the myſteries are ſublime; becauſe it would make us ſeek the things above. It ſets forth the myſtical union by reſemblances. There is an analogy between it and other unions; an excellency in it above them. It ſets forth the myſtical union by that between a King and his Subjects. The myſtical union exceeds in the worthineſs and nearneſs of the perſons united; in the rightneſs of Laws and Adminiſtrations; in the intimacy of the union; in the benefits of government; particularly in protection and rewards.
CHAP. III. The Myſtical Ʋnion ſet forth by the Conjugal one. There is a mutual conſent between Chriſt and believers. The believers conſent imports a right knowledg, a free choice, and a preſent compliance with Chriſt. Chriſts conſent is purely gratuitous; believers purely ſupernatural. Chriſt and believers mutually make over themſelves each to other. The Emphaſis of that phraſe (one ſpirit) opened. There is an intimate love between Chriſt and believers: he put on an humane nature for them, they put off a corrupt nature for him. He died for expiation, they die in mortification. There is a communication of good things from Chriſt to the Church; the Church propagates in Believers and good works. The myſtical Ʋnion ſet forth by that of a foundation and a building. Chriſt laid, and Believers built on him by Divine Art. The double cement of faith and the holy Spirit. Chriſt is a large and ſtrong foundation; he bears up the Church by Divine influences.
CHAP. IV. The Myſtical Ʋnion ſet forth by the Vine and the Branches. Chriſt hath one nature with Believers; they are as branches in him, and receive juice from him. The myſtical union ſet forth by the natural head and the body. Thoſe two famous Texts, Epheſ. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. conſidered, which import more than when Chriſt is called Head over all things, Head of principality and power, Head of every man, Head of the Heathen, or Head of the Church as an Husband. Chriſt as an Head hath the ſame nature with Believers; but exceeds them in order, as being firſt and higheſt; in perfection, as being full of Grace; in virtue, as influencing into the Church. The neceſſity, matter, and way of this influence. Chriſt an Head above all other heads, as making of no member a member; and as having virtue enough for a world.
CHAP. V. The myſtical union ſet forth by that between the food and the body. Chriſt is the true food. He ſtrengthens againſt the curſing Law. He ſtrengthens unto all duties. He is united to Believers. He is food by way of eminency. Several concluſions drawn from the reſemblances, viz. That the Ʋnion between Chriſt and Believers is not meerly a political one. That it is not meerly a moral one. Several reaſons to prove the ſame. That this Ʋnion affords ſupport to Believers. That it gives a vital influence to them. That it is a very intimate Ʋnion. That it hath a great myſtery in it. That it is very laſting and durable.
CHAP. VI. There are two Bonds of this Ʋnion, Faith and the Holy Spirit. Faith ſees and preſentiates Chriſt to the Believer; it puts the ſoul into an apt poſture for him; it gives a right to him; it intimately unites to him. The Spirit it ſelf is in ſome ſort communicated to Believers; he is ſent to them; he is given to them; he dwells in them; his ſpecial, operative, immediate preſence is with them; he forms Holy Graces in them; he actuates and preſerves thoſe Graces; he ſheds abroad Gods Love in their heart. In all theſe Operations, two things are noted, viz. ſomewhat of Ʋnion with Chriſt; and ſomewhat of the Inhabitation of the Spirit.
CHAP. VII. The Seals of the myſtical Ʋnion are Baptiſm and the Lords Supper. Baptiſm is a Seal of Ʋnion, not to all, but to Believers. Some Infants are in their infancy in union with Chriſt; ſome come to it afterwards: ſome never attain to it. The Lords Supper is a Seal to confirm and exhibit Chriſt to us. The preſence of Chriſt in the Euchariſt is not a corporal one. The Bread and Wine are not (as the Papiſts ſay) turned into his Body and Blood. His Body and Blood are not (as the Lutherans ſay) in, with, and under the Bread and Wine. The preſence of Chriſt is ſpiritual. He is preſent objectively to our Faith, and virtually in the communicate Spirit. Alſo the eating of Chriſt is not oral, but ſpiritual.
CHAP. VIII. The Priviledges of thoſe that are in Chriſt are great. Chriſts righteouſneſs is imputatively derived upon them, to deliver them from wrath, to intitle them to life eternal. Chriſt is their Advocate above; he pleads for them, that they may have pardon; the ſpirit, acceſs to God. They are adopted in him; as ſons they have a freedom in holy things, a continual indulgence from God, an heavenly inheritance. They have the Holy Spirit in them, it lives, breathes, moves, operates in them. They have communion with God; their ſervices anſwer to his call; his communications anſwer to their ſervices. They are happy in every condition; in proſperity their mercies are pure; in adverſity they have God with them; and admirably appearing to them. Our great work is Ʋnion with Chriſt.
CHAP. IX. The Marks of Ʋnion conſidered. In general, the marks are internal, no meer outward thing is a mark; the marks are cordial, no meer notion is a mark; the marks are ſupernatural, no meer moral virtue is a mark. In particular, The firſt mark is poverty of Spirit; the ſecond is an high eſtimation of Chriſt; the third is a tender reſpect to the Bonds of Ʋnion, the Spirit and Faith; the fourth is a conformity to Chriſt; a conformity to him in Graces, in the riſe of them, and in the kinds; a conformity to him in Sufferings, in the mortification of Sin, and in bearing of the Croſs; a conformity to him in his reſurrection, in heavenlineſs of mind, and newneſs of life in matter and manner. The concluſion in two words of advice; one to thoſe that are not in union with him, the other to thoſe that are in union with him.
ERRATA.
PAge 8. l. 5. read foreign. p. 9. l. 4. r. arcanum. p. 10. l. 20. r. viventes. p. 48. in Marg. r. pignus. p. 70. in Marg. r. vinea. p. 72. l. 17. r. foreign. p. 75. l. 16. r. Inſititious. p. 78. in Marg. r. palmitibus. Ibid. r. moventem in ſe habere Chriſtum & movere in Chriſto. Ibid. r. Arauſ. p. 95. l. 15. r. ſecundum. p. 110. l. 26. r. niti. p. 112. l. 19. r. Capernaitical. p. 121. l. 20. r. forinſecus. p. 123. l. 12. r. foreign. p. 146. l. 5. r. venit. p. 168. l. 16. put a, at ſelf, and dele, at waiting. p. 176. l. 18. Marg. r. unum. p. 184. l. 10. r. niſi.