The Mystical Union of Believers with Christ, Title page – Dedication
THE Myſtical Union OF Believers with CHRIST. OR, A TREATISE WHEREIN, That great Myſtery and Priviledge, of The Saints Ʋnion with the Son of God, is opened; In the Nature, Properties, and Neceſsity of it. The way how it is wrought: And the principal Scripture-Similitudes whereby it is illuſtrated. Together, with a Practical Application of the whole
By Rowland Stedman, M. A. and Miniſter of the Goſpel (lately) of Ockingham in Berkſhire.
John 14.6. Jeſus ſaith unto him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Si vis vir virtutis appellari, indue te Chriſtum Dominum qui eſt Dei virtus, & Dei ſapientia: Et in omnibus adjunge te Domino, ita ut unus cum eo ſpiritus fias: Et tunc vir virtutis efficieris. Orig. hom. in cap. 31. Num.
London, Printed by W. R. for Thomas Parkhurſt, at the Golden-Bible on London-Bridge, under the Gate, 1668.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. TO The truly Noble, and worthily Honoured Lady, Dame Eleanor Roberts of Neeſdon in the County of Middleſex.
MADAM,
THE whole deſign of this Treatiſe, and the Authors ambition is, that it may become ſubſervient to the good of ſouls. And in teſtimony of that Honour and Obſervance, which is deſervedly due to your Ladyſhip from me, I have taken the liberty to prefix your name unto it. Nor indeed do I know how to make a better return to all your love and reſpects, than by preſenting and commending theſe Evangelical Truths to your moſt ſerious peruſal. Truths they are, of the higheſt importance; upon the right improvement whereof, lieth the whole ſtreſs of a Believers comfort and ſalvation. If an error be admitted in theſe things, it may end (unleſs timely rectified in utter and remedileſs ruine. Let them not be therefore deſpiſed, becauſe they tender themſelves, clad in an homely dreſs. I am conſcious of mine own weakneſſes and imperfections: But our God is pleaſed to convey the richeſt of his Treaſures, in earthen veſſels; and to make uſe of the meaneſt Inſtruments, that the excellency of the power may appear to be of God, and not of man. The cloſer view you take of, and the greater intimacy of acquaintance you get with theſe, and ſuch like Divine Leſſons; the more ſweet refreſhings, and ſoul-ſatisfaction will they miniſter. It is the nature of all Terreſtrials, to be fairer in appearance, than reality: and to promiſe more at a diſtance, than ever is to be found in them. Like the Apples of Sodom, they ſeem glorious and beautiful, when beheld afar off; but upon a neerer approach, and handling, they crumble into duſt and rottenneſs. Goſpel-doctrines and excellencies have a contrary property; like ſome wholſom herbs, which the more they are preſſed, yield the ſweeter juice, and are of greater fragrancy. The deeper you draw out of theſe Wells of ſalvation, the more Chryſtalline, and cordial, will the waters be, and contribute more ſanative efficacy, to exhilarate and ſtrengthen the vital parts. Only be ſure to keep the paſſage open, and free from obſtructions, that goeth from the head to the heart and conſcience; that the influence of every divine instruction may reach to the quick.
The main objects of a Chriſtians care and ſtudy, do for the moſt part, concenter in three things. 1. To make a right choice of the chiefeſt good, and pitch upon the true principal end of man: which is nothing elſe, but the glorifying of God in the enjoyment of him. This only can allay the hunger and thirſt, and ſatisfie the perplexities of the ſoul. For, alas, what are all created beings, and ſublunary vanities, to content the infinite deſires, of an immortal ſpirit? Theſe terrene poſſeſsions are only proportionate to the body; and can the ſoul feed upon the bodies portion? 'Tis poor ſupport can be drawn from the abundance of this world, when the ſpirit is departing, to enter into an endleſs eternity. 2. To ſelect and determine upon the ſure means, in order to the compaſsing of that end. And this is only the righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt; applyed and made over to us, by vertue of our union with him; to be ſought after in the wayes of Gods inſtitution; and evidenced by the holineſs of our converſations. 3. The ſincere, ſpiritual, and vigorous purſuance of ſuch means. And, I hope, your Ladyſhip will find, in the reading of this Book, what may be of ſpecial uſe, to direct and quicken, in each of theſe: But more directly, in relation to the two latter. It is matter of ſad lamentation and ſorrow, to behold how many, that go under the name of Chriſtians, do miſerably faulter in theſe ſo weighty affairs. The multitude do little elſe, but labour in the fire, for very vanity: And ſuch as are, ſome times at leiſure, to think of their ſouls, do for the moſt part but ſtudy to find out the eaſieſt and cheapeſt courſe, a little to palliate and skin over thoſe wounds and grievances, which the Apoſtacy of man hath brought upon them: without endeavouring after a perfect cure. Your Ladyſhip hath learnt better: Not only to give ſoul-affairs the preheminence; but likewiſe to know, how needful it is, to be intent, and induſtrious, in the buſineſs of ſalvation; and of what dangerous conſequence, to do that work by halfs. It is not my meaning to trouble you with a large preambulatory diſcourſe. Neither is it my way, nor doth your Ladyſhip expect it, that I ſhould ſtuff up this Addreſs with your commendations. They who moſt deſerve, leaſt deſire to hear their own praiſes. You know to whoſe judgment, you ſtand or fall. My deſign is, only to incourage your Ladyſhip to hold on, and to be faithful, in the good wayes of the Lord, wherein you are ingaged. That our gracious God may preſerve you, to be a continued comfort to your Relations, and to be further uſeful in your Place and Station: That he may mercifully pleaſe to grant you divine aſſiſtance and counſel upon all occaſions, for the right ordering your affairs, with Chriſtian ſincerity and prudence: That his bleſſing may be upon you, during your abode on the earth, in your Perſon, Family, and every concernment: And that you may have real comfort, in the day of the reſignation of your ſpirit into the hands of God that gave it, is the unfeigned prayer of
23. July, 1668. Your Ladyſhips much obliged Servant ROWLAND STEDMAN.