3 To be a pledge and symbol of the most near & effectual communion which Christians have with Christ. The cup of blessing which we bless, 1is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? that is, a most effectual sign and pledge of our Communion with Christ. 2This union is called, abiding in us; joining to the Lord; dwelling in our hearts: and set forth in the holy Scriptures, by divers Similes. First of the Vine and branches, Secondly, ⟨p. 690⟩of the head and body. Thirdly,3 of the foundation and building. Fourthly, of one Loaf confected of many grains. Fifthly, of the matrimonial union twixt man and wife, and such like. And it is threefold betwixt Christ and Christians. The first is natural, betwixt our humane nature, and Christs divine nature in the person of the word. The second is mystical, betwixt our persons absent from the Lord, and the person of Christ God and Man, into one mystical body. The third is celestial, betwixt our persons present with the Lord, and the person of Christ in a body glorified; these three conjunctions depend each upon other. ⟨p. 691⟩For had not our nature been first hypostatically united to the nature of GOD in the second person; we could never have been united to Christ in a mystical body. And if we be not in this life (though absent) united to Christ by a mystical union; we shall never have communion of glory with him in his heavenly presence. The mystical communion (chiefly here meant) is wrought betwixt Christ and us by the Spirit of Christ apprehending us, and by our faith (stirred up by the same spirit) apprehending Christ again. Both which, Saint Paul doth most lively express, I follow after, 4If that I may apprehend that for ⟨p. 668⟩which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. How can he fall away that holdeth, and is so firmly holden? This union he shall best understand in his mind, who doth most feel it in his heart. But of all other times this union is best felt and most confirmed; when we do duly receive the Lords Supper. For then we shall sensibly feel our hearts knit unto Christ, and the desires of our souls drawn by faith and the holy Ghost, as by the cords of love, nearer and nearer to his holiness.
3 To bee a pledge and symbole of the most neere & effectuall communion which Christians haue with Christ. The cuppe of blessing which we blesse, 1is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we breake, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? that is, a most effectuall signe and pledge of our Communion with Christ. 2This vnion is called, abiding in vs; ioyning to the Lord; dwelling in our hearts: and set forth in the holy Scriptures, by diuers Similies. First of the Vine and branches, Secondly, ⟨p. 690⟩of the head and body. Thirdly,3 of the foundation and building. Fourthly, of one Loafe confected of many graines. Fiftly, of the matrimoniall vnion twixt man and wife, and such like. And it is threefold betwixt Christ and Christians. The first is naturall, betwixt our humane nature, and Christs diuine nature in the person of the vvord. The second is mysticall, betwixt our persons absent from the Lord, and the person of Christ God and Man, into one mysticall body. The third is celestiall, betwixt our persons present with the Lord, and the person of Christ in a body glorified; these three coniunctions depend each vpon other. ⟨p. 691⟩For had not our nature beene first hypostatically vnited to the nature of GOD in the second person; wee could neuer haue been vnited to Christ in a mysticall body. And if wee be not in this life (though absent) vnited to Christ by a mysticall vnion; wee shall neuer haue communion of glory with him in his heauenly presence. The mysticall communion (chiefly heere meant) is wrought betwixt Christ and vs by the Spirit of Christ apprehending vs, and by our faith (stirred vp by the same spirit) apprehending Christ againe. Both which, Saint Paul doth most liuely expresse, I follow after, 4If that I may apprehend that for ⟨p. 668⟩which also I am apprehended of Christ Iesus. How can hee fall away that holdeth, and is so firmely holden? This vnion he shall best vnderstand in his minde, who doth most feele it in his heart. But of all other times this vnion is best felt and most confirmed; when wee doe duely receiue the Lords Supper. For then we shall sensibly feele our hearts knit vnto Christ, and the desires of our soules drawn by faith and the holy Ghost, as by the cordes of loue, neerer and neerer to his holinesse.
- 11 Cor. 10.16
- 2Joh. 14.16.23. 1 Cor. 6.17. [Greek or Hebrew]. Eph. 3.17. [Greek or Hebrew]. Joh. 15.5. Eph. 6. [Greek or Hebrew]Ioh. 14.16.23. 1 Cor. 6.17. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Eph. 3.17. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Ioh. 15.5. Eph. 6. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 3Eph. 6.35. Col. 1.18. Rom. 12.4.5 Eph. 2.19.20. 1 Cor. 10.17 Eph. 5.31.32 Apo. 21.2.
- 4Phil. 3.12.
