Lectures upon the three first chapters of the RevelationLectures vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation

And as the spirit of Christ createth in us faith, so it knitteth us also to Christ our head really, though mystically: now from this mystical conjunction between Christ the head and us the members, proceedeth eternal life, thus. First, he which is joined and knit to Christ in this life, and receiveth him, he beginneth by this conjunction to live an eternal life, in dying to all his sins, and to live to God, to live as Christ liveth, a spiritual life. And this I may call the first benefit of our spiritual union with Christ. Secondly, man thus united shall rise to glory in his body. And so the second fruit of this mystical conjunction with Christ, is the resurrection of the body: for this conjunction with Christ after it is begun, it is perpetual, it is never broken: so that though a man lie in his grave many thousand years, yet he is then united to Christ, is in the grave a member of Christ, & by virtue of this mystical union he shall be raised at the last day. As we see the sap of trees in winter time is in the root, and the branches seem to die: but in the spring, when the heat of the Sun cometh, then it creepeth out into the branches, and ⟨p. 116⟩they bud and bring forth fruit: so man hath his winter time in the grave, but in the last day because he is joined to Christ the root, he shall have his Summer, and be raised by the power of this mystical union. Thirdly, man so united shall live ever: therefore the third benefit is eternal life and happiness. By this mystical union we shall have eternal felicity and everlasting life in heaven, there we must possess it, but it cometh from this mystical union with Christ our head. In this life it is begun, and is never broken, in regard of the root and ground thereof, but lasteth for ever, and by it Christ conveyeth eternal life to us.

And as the spirit of Christ createth in vs faith, so it knitteth vs also to Christ our head really, though mystically: now from this mysticall coniunction betweene Christ the head and vs the members, proceedeth eternall life, thus. First, he which is ioyned and knit to Christ in this life, and receiueth him, he beginneth by this coniunction to liue an eternall life, in dying to all his sins, and to liue to God, to liue as Christ liueth, a spirituall life. And this I may call the first benefit of our spiritual vnion with Christ. Secondly, man thus vnited shall rise to glorie in his bodie. And so the second fruite of this mysticall coniunction with Christ, is the resurrection of the bodie: for this coniunction with Christ after it is begunne, it is perpetuall, it is neuer broken: so that though a man lie in his graue many thousand yeares, yet he is thē vnited to Christ, is in the graue a mēber of Christ, & by vertue of this mysticall vnion he shall be raised at the last day. As we see the sappe of trees in winter time is in the roote, and the branches seeme to die: but in the spring, when the heate of the Sunne cometh, then it creepeth out into the branches, and