The Mystical Union of Believers with Christ, Table of contents
A Table of the Contents of the Book.
CHAP. I.
The Context opened. Believing
1. That Jeſus is the Chriſt page 3
2. Jeſus Chriſt p. 4
3. On the Lord Jeſus Chriſt p. 5
What it is, for a Believer to have the witneſs within himſelf. In three things p. 6
How unbelief makes God a lyar. 1. Negatively. 2. Poſitively p. 8
The Text explained. What is meant by eternal life p. 10
Eternal life the gift of God, in a fourfold reſpect p. 12
Eternal life is in the Son, on a threefold account p. 14
The manner of the conveyance of Eternal life p. 15
Qu. What is meant by having the Son? Anſw. In three things p. 16
Doct. In order to an intereſt in Eternal life, and participation of the bleſſings, which are given forth by the Son, in a tendency thereunto, it is of indiſpenſable neceſſity, That we be united to Chriſt p. 18
CHAP. II.
Concluſions introductory, to the handling this Myſtery of Union.
Concl. 1. The grace of a Chriſtians Oneneſs with the Lord Jeſus, is for the intimacy and cloſeneſs of it, one of the deep things of God. p. 20
This needful to be premiſed, on a fourfold account p. 21
Concl. 2. Although the Ʋnion of a Believer with the Lord Jeſus, is in it ſelf a Myſtery, not eaſie to be attained, as to right apprehenſions of it, yet it is a point of great concernment to be ſtudied. p. 24
And that for three Reaſons p. 25
Concl. 3. Inſtead of curiouſly prying into this Myſtery, and the manner of this Ʋnion, further than is revealed in the Scriptures, our principal deſign ſhould be, to ſecure it to our ſelves, that we are ſharers therein p. 28
This Concluſion backt with three Arguments p. 29
CHAP. III.
Ʋnion with Chriſt diſtinguiſhed into that which is, By way of
1. External Adherence only.
2. Spiritual Implantation p. 31
The firſt member of this Diſtinction opened, in four Poſitions p. 32
Poſ. 1. The principal Bonds or Ligaments whereby this Union with Chriſt, by way of outward Adhaeſion, is wrought, are four.
1. An approbation and acknowledgment, of the doctrines of Chriſtianity p. 34
2. A profeſſed ſubjection to the Ordinances of Chriſt p. 35
3. Some common workings on the heart p. 36
4. A meaſure of reformation in the Life p. 37
Poſ. 2. It is a great priviledge and mercy, conſidered in it ſelf, for a man or woman to be taken thus neer unto Christ, and in this ſenſe to be in him, by way of external adhaerence p. 38
The advantage of it diſcovered in four things p. 39
Poſ. 3. When perſons are thus only in Chriſt, by external adhaerence, though they may abide with him for a time; yet at laſt there will be made a ſeparation betwixt them, and this Union will be diſſolved p. 42
Three ſpecial wayes, how this ſort of Union is diſſolved p. 43
Poſ. 4. The ſtate and condition of ſuch as are thus only in Chriſt, by outward adhaeſion, and do not improve this priviledge, that they may be indeed, what they profeſs to be, is a wretched and miſerable eſtate p. 46
The miſery of their eſtate ſet forth, in four things p. 47
CHAP. IV.
Ʋnion with Chriſt, by way of ſpiritual ingrafture deſcribed, and the branches of the deſcription explained p. 55
1. Branch. The general nature of the grace of Union; it is a perſons relation to Jeſus Chriſt p. 56
Under this head three things to be obſerved p. 57
2. Br. A note of difference whereby it is diſtinguiſhed from other relations. It is the ſpecial relation which Chriſtians have to the Son, as Mediator of the Covenant of Reconciliation p. 61
A threefold Relation betwixt Chriſt and the children of men p. 62
3. Br. The Sub…ects of this Union, to whom it doth appertain, viz. Believers. And that on a fourfold account p. 66
4. Br. The foundation of this Ʋnion, on which it is bottomed. On a Believers intimate conjunction with Chriſt p. 69
5. B…. The bleſſed effects or conſequents that flow from this Union. 1. Hereupon they are accounted as one with Chriſt. p. 70
This appeareth in four reſpects p. 71
2. Hereby their ſpiritual eſtate is fundamentally changed p. 73
This doctrine of the change of a mans ſpiritual ſtate, of great concernment to be ſtudied. For three Reaſons p. 74
This point opened under ſix Heads p. 78
3. The third conſequent of Union, is, An effectual application of all the Benefits of Redemption p. 87
A threefold Application of thoſe benefits
1. External p. 89
2. Internal, but conditional p. 90
3. Effectual, and ſaving p. 92
CHAP. V.
The manner how Chriſt and a Believer are united in eight gradual Propoſitions
Prop. 1. The children of men by nature are ſeparated from Chriſt, and ſtrangers unto him p. 94
Prop. 2. Over and above their ſeparation from Chriſt, they are actually joyned to ſuch objects, as are utterly inconſiſtent with their Union with the Son of God p. 95
They are
1. In convenant with ſin p. 96
2. Contracted to the Law as a covenant of life p. 98
Prop. 3. The firſt work that is wrought upon the ſoul of a man, in order to his conjunction and oneneſs with Jeſus Chriſt, is the withdrawment of the ſoul from thoſe objects, to which it hath been joyned in oppoſition to Chriſt. p. 99
Prop. 4. The divorce and ſeparation of a perſon from ſin, that he may be united to Chriſt, is principally accompliſhed by a fourfold work p. 101
1. Conviction p. 102
2. Conſideration p. 105
3. Compunction p. 106
4. The grace of Repentance p. 108
Prop. 5. To deaden a ſinner to the Law, and to take him off from ſeeking juſtification thereby, that he may be united to Chriſt, God is pleaſed to make uſe of a twofold ſpecial means. 1. The Law it ſelf. 2. The body of Chriſt. p. 109
1. The Law it ſelf doth deaden a ſinner to the Law, by miniſtring knowledge p. 110
Of
1. The terms of juſtification by the Law p. 111
2. The ſpiritualneſs of the Law p. 112
3. The rigour and ſeverity of the Law p. 114
2. The ſufferings of Chriſt in his body, deaden a ſinner to the Law, by making a threefold diſcovery p. 117
1. Of the ſinfulneſs and damnableneſs of ſin. p. 118
2. Of the inexorableneſs of Gods juſtice p. 119
3. That there is no other way, to make reconciliation p. 120
Prop. 6. The way of actual conjunction betwixt Chriſt and his people, when they are thus divorced from ſin, and deadned to the Law, is to be conceived thus. 1. The Lord Chriſt by his Spirit, taketh poſſeſſion of them, and dwelleth in them. 2. Believers through faith take hold of Chriſt, and get into him: And ſo they are knit together, and become one p. 121
From hence ariſeth a twofold union
1. Natural.
2. Legal.
CHAP. VI.
1. The Natural Union betwixt Chriſt and Believers. The bond whereof is the Spirit of Chriſt, dwelling in them p. 123
This Natural Ʋnion opened, in five particulars p. 124
Four Reaſons, why the Spirit of Regeneration is called Chriſt in us p. 132
2. A legal conjunction, and oneneſs thereupon: whereof juſtifying faith is the bond. Opened in four particulars p. 134
1. The Scripture mentions a fourfold faith
1. Hiſtorical p. 136
2. Temporary p. 138
3. Of miracles p. 140
4. Juſt…fying p. 141
2. Juſtifying faith hath Chriſt himſelf, for the ſpecial Object, upon which it is exerciſed p. 142
3. The ultimate, compleating act of juſtifying faith, is a fiducial reliance upon Chriſt p. 143
4. Whereſoever there is this fiducial reliance upon Chriſt, in a ſaving way, there is alſo as a neceſſary concomitant thereof, an univerſal ſubjection to the will of Chriſt p. 146
P…op. 7. From the Myſtical Union of a Believer with Chriſt, doth flow another ſert of Ʋnion betwixt them, whereof love is the Bond, and is commonly called, A Moral Union. p. 148.
That this Moral Union may be improved as an evidence of the former, our love to Christ muſt have four properties.
It muſt be
1. Sincere p. 153
2. Serviceable p. 154
3. Superlative p. 156
4. A love of complacency p. 157
Prop. 8. The Myſtical Union of Believers with Chriſt, and all the bleſſings which are the conſequents thereof, do originally flow from the merit of the death of Chriſt; which in purſuance of the eternal covenant with the Father, he ſuffered in their ſtead, and whereby he gave ſatisfaction to divine Juſtice p. 159
This laſt propoſition explicated under five heads p. 161
CHAP. VII.
The properties of a Believers Union with Chriſt.
1. It is an immediate Union p. 168
2. It is a ſpiritual Ʋnion p. 169
3. It is an inſeparable Ʋnion p. 170
The inſeparableneſs of this Union, built on ſix foundations.
1. The Enchangeableneſs of the purpoſe of God p. 172
2. The nature of the covenant of Grace p. 173
3. The charge given to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and his faithfulneſs p. 175
4. The Advocateſhip, and interceſſion of Chriſt p. 177
5. The mighty power, by which Believers are preſerved p. 178
6. The durable nature of the new creature p. 179
Thoſe things which are moſt likely to make a ſeparation betwixt Chriſt and a Believer, ſhall not be able to effect it.
Not
1. The remainders of ſin p. 181
2. The violent aſſaults of the devil p. 183
3. The allurements of the world p. 185
4. Falſe Teachers, the devils inſtruments p. 187
5. Troubles and perſecutions for the ſake of Chriſt p. 188
6. Death, which is the great ſeparating providence p. 190
The doctrine of the inſeparableneſs of the Saints Union with Chriſt, vindicated, in two Rules.
Rule 1. This doctrine is ſo far from being an enemy to holineſs, that if rightly improved, it will be a notable incentive, and provocative thereto p. 192.
This evidenced, by four conſiderations p. 194
Rule 2. The many counſels and warnings, which Chriſt hath given to his people, to take heed that they loſe not their hold of him, are no proof at all, that this Union may be diſſolved p. 198
CHAP. VIII.
The ſpiritual bleſſings enumerated, which flow from the grace of Union with Chriſt, and have dependance thereon. p. 200
1. The grace of juſtification in the ſight of God p. 202
This particular opened, under ſix Heads p. 203
2. Adoption, or inrollment amongſt the children of God 214
3. Participation of actual grace, or the ſupplies of the Spirit p. 215
This, a point well to be conſidered, for three Reaſons p. 218
This doctrine explained, in three things p. 220
Seven ſorts of actual grace inſtanced in p. 222
4. The fourth bleſſing ariſing from union with Chriſt, is, the gracious acceptation of all our duties p. 226
5. A title to the promiſes of the Goſpel p. 228
6. Union with the Father, and intimate acquaintance with him p. 229
7. Peace and joy in the holy Ghoſt p. 230
8. Deliverance from the ſting, and conſequently the fear of death p. 232
9. A glorious Reſurrection of the body p. 235
10. Boldneſs at the bar of Judgment p. 236
11. Actual admiſſion, into the kingdom of Heaven p. 237
CHAP. IX.
The ſpecial Scripture ſimilitudes, whereby the mystery of union with Chriſt is illuſtrated p. 238
1. The firſt ſimilitude taken from the natural union, betwixt the head and members of the body p. 239
1. Chriſt the head of Believers, in a fivefold reſpect p. 240
2. The way of union with Chriſt, is, by being quickned through his Spirit p. 243
3. Believers muſt be in ſubjection to Chriſt, and follow his conduct p. 244
4. This ſimilitude holds forth alſo, that unity, love, and concord, which Chriſtians ſhould maintain amongſt themſelves p. id.
5. As Chriſt is the head of the Church, ſo he is conſtituted head of all things, for the good of his Church p. 245
2. The ſecond ſimilitude drawn from the corporal union, betwixt the Vine, and the branches graffed into the Vine p. 246
This ſimilitude holds forth four things
1. A Chriſtians whole dependance is upon the Lord Jeſus p. 247
2. The union of Believers with Chriſt, is a cloſely compacted union p. 248
3. In order to union with Chriſt, we muſt be taken off, from all other dependances id.
4. A Chriſtians glory lieth in practical holineſs, or being fruitful p. 249
3. The third ſimilitude, taken from the nuptial union, betwixt the Husband and Wife p. 250
1. This union is with the conſent; and according to the pleaſure of the Father p. 251
2. Chriſt doth woo and intreat ſinners to come unto him p. 252
3. Our faith in Christ is the conſent of our hearts to take him p. 253
4. This conſent muſt be a Marriage-conſent. In three reſpects p. 254
5. A Chriſtians obedience muſt be ſervice mingled with love p. 258
6. There is a mutual complacency and ſatisfaction between Chriſt and his people p. 259
4. The laſt ſimilitude taken from the artificial union, betwixt the Foundation, and Building, erected thereon
1. A twofold Foundation
1. Doctrinal. 260
2. Perſonal. 261
2. Believers muſt be conformable to Chriſt. On a fivefold account p. 262
3. Our faith in Christ, is a reſting on him p. 265
CHAP. X.
Inferences collected, from the doctrine of Union
1. Inf. True believers are the moſt excellent perſons p. 268
This Inference amplified, in five reſpects p. 270
2. Inf. God hath a ſpecial regard to Believers, and their concernments p. 276
The peculiarity of the providence of God towards them, in four things p. 278
3. Inf. Chriſtleſs ſinners are in a ſtate of death p. 281
In reſpect of
1. Abomination, in the ſight of God p. 283
2. Putrefaction, and rottenneſs p. 284
3. Impotency, and inability, to what is ſpiritually good p. 286
4. Damnation, and liableneſs to eternal death p. 288
This point preſſed, by two conſiderations p. 290
5. The abundant evils, incident to that eſtate p. 294
Exemplified in five things. p. 295
Obj. To what purpoſe are the unregenerate commanded to turn themſelves, and to walk in wayes of holineſs, if ſpiritually dead? p. 299
Sol. In five things p. 300
CHAP. XI.
Uſe of Trial, whether we are united to Chriſt p. 306
Self-examination neceſſary to attain the knowledge of our Union p. 307
1. Elſe we cannot pertinently apply the word of God to our ſelves p. 308
2. 'Tis the means which God hath appointed to that end p. 310
3. Hereby we may find out the deceits and falſhoods under which our ſpirits are apt to hide themſelves p. 311
Wherein the work of ſelf-examination conſiſts. In ſix Concluſions
Concl. 1. Self-examination is a compounded duty, made up of a threefold ſpiritual, and reflexive action p. 314
1. Inſpection, or Retroſpection, into our ſelves p. 315
2. Probation, or Trial, of our ſelves p. 316
3. Concluſive determination, or paſſing ſentence upon our ſelves p. 318
Concl. 2. The ſpecial faculty, by which the work of of ſelf examination is performed, is the practical judgment or conſcience p. 319
Concl. 3. This work cannot be done effectually and ſucceſsfully, without the concurrent influence and witneſs of the ſpirit p. 321
Concl. 4. The way of procedure in the buſineſs of ſelf-examination, is by conſulting thoſe marks and ſigns, which are the evidencing properties of union with Chriſt p. 323
Concl. 5. The marks and ſigns to be conſulted are of three ſorts p. 326
1. Excluſive, or Negative p. 327
2. Incluſive, or Accumulative p. 329
3. Adaequate, and proportionate. Theſe principally to be minded p. 330
Concl. 6. Such marks and ſigns, of whatever ſort, whereupon a perſon may confidently reſt, in paſſing judgment upon himſelf, muſt be clearly deduced from Scripture, and bottomed thereon p. 332
Motives to quicken to ſelf-examination, as to our union with Chriſt p. 335
Eight Rules of direction, by way of gradation, for guidance in this work of ſelf-examination p. 340
Dir. 1. The firſt and fundamental evidence of union with Chriſt, to be enquired after, is whether a ſound converſion have been wrought upon us, or the grace of regeneration poured forth into our hearts p. 341
Dir. 2. In order hereunto, we muſt be ſure to be rightly inſtructed in the nature of converſion, and what a change it makes upon the ſoul p. 343
Several ſorts of counterfeit & feigned converſions p. 344
Dir. 3. The grace of converſion, is not ever diſcerned, in the firſt planting of it in the ſoul; and when it is diſcerned at firſt, it may afterwards be queſtioned, as to the ſoundneſs and ſincerity of it. And therefore enquiry ought to be made, into the fruits and effects produced thereby p. 348
Dir. 4. The fruits that will evidence a ſound converſion, are not ſome particular duties of Christianity diſcharged: But the main bent of the ſpirit, as to the things of God, and the whole tenour of the converſation, must be conſidered on that account p. 351
Dir. 5. That obedience, which will prove a ſincere converſion, muſt not only be right for the matter, what is done: But rightly qualified alſo, in reſpect of the manner, how it is done p. 353
Dir. 6. For the right qualifying our obedience, that it may be evidential of converſion, and union with Chriſt, it muſt be
1. Spiritual. And that in a three fold reſpect p. 355
2. Univerſal. A threefold univerſality of obedience p. 358
3. Evangelical. Which conſiſts in 4 things p. 363
4. Sincere. Wherein ſincerity lieth p. 367
5. Of an increaſing nature p. 369
6. Stedfaſt p. 371
Dir. 7. Self-examination, if performed ſucceſsfully, muſt be ſolemnly undertook, with the beſt intention of the mind and ſpirit p. 373
Dir. 8. If a perſon, upon moſt the ſerious and deliberate examination of himſelf, be ſtill in the dark, as to his union with Chriſt: four things to be done in that caſe p. 374
CHAP. XII.
Exhortations grounded upon the doctrine of union with Chriſt
1. To the unregenerate. 1. Dare not, in any ſort, to oppoſe the Saints p. 381
This Exhortation branched into 4 particulars p. 382
Motives to preſs on this Exhortation p. 388
2. Do not build your hopes of eternal life, upon any priviledge or attainment, which falleth ſhort of union with the Son p. 393
Exemplified in nine ſandy foundations, whereupon ſinners are apt to build their hopes p. 395
3. With unwearied endeavours, labour after this grace of union p. 403
Directions. 1. Deſpair of being ſaved upon lower terms p. 404
Three caſes, wherein we muſt not deſpair p. 406
Four caſes, wherein deſpair is the way to ſalvation p. 410
Dir. 2. Get the Spirit of Chriſt. What muſt be done in order to it p. 413
Dir. 3. Endeavor after the uniting grace of faith p. 414
Five encouragements to believing, or coming to Chriſt p. 415
Dir. 4. Lay it ſeriouſly to heart, That if you periſh in a state of ſeparation from Chriſt, you are in the fault, and guilty of your own deſtruction p. 424
2. Exhortations to believers
1. Bleſs God for this ſignal grace of your union with Chriſt p. 425
2. Improve it. Six caſes, wherein it ſhould be improved p. 426
Exhortations to all
1. Learn the Leſſons, which are from this point to be learnt p. 430
Two ſpiritual Leſſons, of a momentous nature, inſtanced in p. 431
2. Diſcharge the duties, that are on this account to be diſcharged p. 434
1. Bleſs God for the manifeſtation of this myſtery id.
2. Adore the condeſcenſion, and grace of our Lord Joſus Chriſt p. 435
3. Labour every day, more and more, to clear it up to your ſelves, that you have the Son, by being united to him id.
Three further evidential properties of this union p. 435 436, 437
1 John 5. ver. 11, 12. And this is the Record, that God hath given us eternal Life, and this Life is in his Son: He that hath the Son hath Life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not Life.