3. To be a pledge and symbol of the most near and effectual communion which Christians have with Christ. †the Cup of blessing, which we bless, is 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? This union is calledb abiding in us, cjoining to the Lord, ddwelling in ⟨p. 317⟩our hearts: and set forth in the holy Scriptures by divers Similes. 1. Of the †Vine and branches. 2. Of the* head and body. 3. Of thea foundation and building. 4. Of oneb Loaf, confected of many Grains. 5. Of thec 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 Christ's 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, in 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. 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 Union (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 St. Paul doth most lively express:10 I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. How can ⟨p. 318⟩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 duly receive the Lord's-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 be a pledge and symbol of the most near and effectual communion which Christians have with Christ. †the Cup of blessing, which we bless, is 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? This union is calledb abiding in us, cjoyning to the Lord, ddwelling in ⟨p. 317⟩our hearts: and set forth in the holy Scriptures by divers Similes. 1. Of the †Vine and branches. 2. Of the* head and body. 3. Of thea foundation and building. 4. Of oneb Loaf, confected of many Grains. 5. Of thec 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 Christ's 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, in 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. 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 Vnion (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 St. Paul doth most lively express:10
- †1 Cor. 10. 16.
- bJoh. 14. 16. 23.
- c1 Cor. 6. 17. [Greek or Hebrew].1 Cor. 6. 17. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- dEph. 3. 17. [Greek or Hebrew].Eph. 3. 17. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- †Joh. 15. 5. Eph. 3. 6. [Greek or Hebrew].Joh. 15. 5. Eph. 3. 6. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- *Eph. 5. 23. Col. 1. 18. Rom. 12. 4, 5.
- aEph. 2. 19, 20.
- b1 Cor. 10. 17.
- cEph. 5. 31, 32.
