An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 4. But how is Christ himself physically received? That were easily known, if you knew how he is physically given. But for a Gift of Christ's person by physical attingency, we can say nothing of it by Scripture-warrant, that I know of: It is no matter for our Disputes. But in two senses Christ is said to be given to us: 1. In Relation, as a King to his Subjects, or a Husband to his Wife: And so we physically receive those Relations, as aforesaid: That is, we are made related to him. 2. In the real Communication of the Spirit of Christ to us: And so we physically receive the Spirit in its operations; that is, He worketh them on us: This is the first sense of Receiving.

§. 4. But how is Christ himself physically received? That were easily known, if you knew how he is physically given. But for a Gift of Christ's person by physical attingency, we can say nothing of it by Scripture-warrant, that I know of: It is no matter for our Disputes. But in two sences Christ is said to be given to us: 1. In Relation, as a King to his Subjects, or a Husband to his Wife: And so we physically receive those Relations, as aforesaid: That is, we are made related to him. 2. In the real Communication of the Spirit of Christ to us: And so we physically receive the Spirit in its operations; that is, He worketh them on us: This is the first sence of Receiving.

§. 4. But morally to receive Grace, or Christ, is but to consent that Grace and Christ be ours: As a Subject, a Servant, a Wife, consent to their Relation; and this is our Faith, and not the former.

§. 5. Where note, That moral Receiving (or Consent) is but a Means of physical Receiving (or Having) and a means which maketh not the thing ours▪ any otherwise, than as the Will of the Giver doth appoint, and give it its Power thereunto. ⟨p. 269⟩