The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 2 · Christ's two natures · Question 55
Queſt. 55. What mean theſe words; The communion of ſaints?
Anſw. Firſt, That all and every one who beleeveth are in common partakers of Chriſt and all his graces, as being his membersa1 John 1.3. Rom. 8.32. 1 Cor. 1.12. 1 Cor. 6.17.. And then that every one ought readily and cheerfully to beſtow the gifts and graces which they have received to the common commodity and ſafety of allb1 Cor. 12.21 & 13.15. Phil. … ▪4, 5, 6..
The Explication.
What communion in generall is. Three parts of all communion.THe Articles following are concerning the benefits of Chriſt, which either heretofore have been, or hereafter ſhall be beſtowed on the Church by the holy Ghoſt. Communion is a reſpect or reference between two or moe parties which have the ſame thing in common. The foundation and ground of this relation is the thing it ſelfe which is common: The relative is that property of the thing, to wit, that it is common: The terme which the community of this thing reſpecteth is the poſſeſſours themſelves, which have common fruition of one or many things.What the communion of ſaints …. The communion therefore of ſaints is an equall participation of all the promiſes of the Gospel: Or, it is a common poſſeſsion of Christ and all his benefits; and a beſtowing of gifts by the head Chriſt on each member of his body for the ſalvation thereof. Your parts therof. 1 Union with Chriſt.It ſignifieth therefore, 1. A conjoyning of all the ſaints with Chriſt as members with the head, wrought by the holy Ghoſt, who dwelleth in the head and in the members, conforming and making them like unto their head; yet reſerving ſtill this proportion, that in the head he worketh all graces, and that moſt perfectly; in the members he worketh thoſe gifts which are convenient for every one, and ſo much as is for every one requiſite and neceſſary: Or, An union and coherence of the Church with Chriſt, and of the members amongſt themſelves: and that union with Chriſt is with the whole perſon of Chriſt, to wit, with both his divine and humane nature. For the communion of the perſon is the foundation of the communion of the benefits, according to theſe ſayings;John 13.4, 5. I am the Vine, yee are the branches. Abide in me, and I in you: As the branch cannot beare fruit of it ſelfe, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except yee abide in mee. By one Spirit are wee all baptiſed into one body. Hee which hath not the Spirit of Chriſt, is none of his. He that is joyned unto the Lord is one Spirit. Hereby know we, 1 Cor. 12.13. Rom. 8.9. 1 Cor. 6.17. 1 John 4.13.that we dwell in him, and he in us, becauſe he hath given us of his Spirit. Participation of Chriſts benefits.The communion or participation of all Chriſts benefits. For all the ſaints have the ſame reconciliation, redemption, juſtification, ſanctification, life, and ſalvation by and for Chriſt. All the ſaints have the ſame benefits common which are neceſſary to ſalvation. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in hope of your vocation, Epheſ. 4.4.one Lord, one faith, one baptiſme, &c. Diſtribution of ſpeciall gifts.The diſtribution of ſpeciall gifts. Theſe particular gifts alſo are common to the whole Church, which are beſtowed on ſome members of the Church for the ſalvation of the whole body,Epheſ. 4.12. even for the gathering together of the ſaints, for the work of the miniſtery, and for the edification of the whole body of Chriſt. But they are ſo diſtributed unto every member, as that ſome excell and goe before otherſome in gifts and graces in the Church: for the gifts of the holy Ghoſt are diverſe, and, To every one of us is given grace, Epheſ. 4.7.according to the meaſure of the gift of Christ. Uſe of theſe gifts to Chriſts glory, and the good of the Church. An errour concerning this communion refuted.An obliging or binding of all the members to imploy or referre all their gifts to the glory of Chriſt their head, and to the ſalvation of the whole body, and of every member mutually. Hence it is cleer how abſurd their fancy is, who contend that the communion is a ſubſistence or perſonall being of Chriſts body among our bodies, or of our bodies blended and mingled with his. The ſame is refuted by that often alledged compariſon of the head and members: For thoſe are co-herent and grow together, but are not in mixture, or mingled one with another. Whence alſo we may eaſily judge of that communion which is in the Sacraments: for the Sacraments ſeale nothing elſe but that which the word promiſeth: But to let this paſſe. The ſame former errour is alſo hereby refuted, in that this communion muſt be continued for ever; for, to this end doth Chriſt communicate himſelf to us, that hee may dwell in us: wherefore, ſuch as is his abiding and dwelling, ſuch is his communion: But Chriſts abiding and dwelling is perpetuall: Therefore his communion alſo is perpetuall. This argument is moſt ſtrong and firm; and therefore for the aſſoyling of it, they have been fain to deviſe their Ubiquity. For,The originall of the Ubiquity. For, to obtain that other communion which they would have, they muſt needs affirm that Chriſt dwelleth alwayes bodily in all his ſaints. The faithfull are called ſaints in three reſpects: 1. Imputatively, that is,Why the faithfull are called ſaints. in reſpect of that Chriſts ſanctity and holineſſe is imputed unto them. 2. Inchoatively, that is, in reſpect of that conformity and agreeableneſſe with the law, which is inchoated or begun in them. 3. In reſpect of their ſeparation, becauſe they are ſelected and ſeparated from all other men: and are called of God to this end, ever to worſhip or ſerve him. By this then which hath been ſpoken, it appeareth what it is to beleeve the communion of ſaints: namely,The meaning of the words of the Article. to beleeve that the ſaints (of which number I certainly aſſure my ſelfe to be one) are united by the Spirit unto Chriſt their head; and that from the head gifts are powred down upon them, both thoſe which are the ſame in all neceſſary to ſalvation; as alſo thoſe which being diverſe, and diverſly beſtowed upon every one, are requiſite for the edification and building of the Church.