First, the union that the Saints have with the Deity, 1is a nearer union then that of the Angels. First, ⟨p. 511⟩the humane nature in general, that is advanced to an higher dignity then all the glory of the Angels put together: Because there is an Hypostatical union between the humane Nature and the Divine in Christ. Again, we have many expressions in Scripture of the union of Saints with the Deity; whereby it appears, their union is nearer then the union of the Angels: They are called the friends of Christ; They are said to have fellowship with Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 9. They are the Brethren of Christ, They are Co-heirs with Jesus Christ; There are no such expressions of the Angels. And yet, there are nearer expressions of their union; they are the Spouse of Christ, the Bride; the Angels are but as the servants. They are the members of Christ, and are made one with Christ: They are those that are to be one with the Father, as the Father and the Son are one: John 17. 21. Christ there prays, As thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: he never prayed so for the Angels. Lastly, they are said to be loved of the Father, with the very same love wherewith he loved the Son: now though God loves the Angels, yet it is not said that he loved them with the same love that he loved his Son: These are the expressions we find in Scripture, concerning the near union that the Saints have with the Deity in some respects beyond the Angels; but of the union of the Saints with the Deity, we shall speak of more when we come to speak of the reward positively. And then the righteousness wherewith they stand righteous before God, is greater then the righteousness of Adam in Paradise, or the Angels; because it is the righteousness of the second Person of the Trinity; and that ⟨p. 512⟩is of an higher nature, and a more glorious righteousness, then the righteousness of any mere creature. Now the righteousness of the Angels, though it be perfect in its kind, yet it is not a righteousness of such an high nature, as that righteousness which is the Son of God. And thus of this recompense of reward comparatively.
First, the union that the Saints have with the Deity, 1is a nearer union then that of the Angels. First, ⟨p. 511⟩the humane nature in general, that is advanced to an higher dignity then all the glory of the Angels put together: Because there is an Hypostatical union between the humane Nature and the Divine in Christ. Again, we have many expressions in Scripture of the union of Saints with the Deity; whereby it appears, their union is nearer then the union of the Angels: They are called the friends of Christ; They are said to have fellowship with Iesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 9. They are the Brethren of Christ, They are Co-heirs with Jesus Christ; There are no such expressions of the Angels. And yet, there are nearer expressions of their union; they are the Spouse of Christ, the Bride; the Angels are but as the servants. They are the members of Christ, and are made one with Christ: They are those that are to be one with the Father, as the Father and the Son are one: Iohn 17. 21. Christ there prays, As thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: he never prayed so for the Angels. Lastly, they are said to be loved of the Father, with the very same love wherewith he loved the Son: now though God loves the Angels, yet it is not said that he loved them with the same love that he loved his Son: These are the expressions we finde in Scripture, concerning the near union that the Saints have with the Deity in some respects beyond the Angels; but of the union of the Saints with the Deity, we shall speak of more when we come to speak of the reward positively. And then the righteousness wherewith they stand righteous before God, is greater then the righteousness of Adam in Paradise, or the Angels; because it is the righteousness of the second Person of the Trinity; and that ⟨p. 512⟩is of an higher nature, and a more glorious righteousness, then the righteousness of any meer creature. Now the righteousness of the Angels, though it be perfect in its kinde, yet it is not a righteousness of such an high nature, as that righteousness which is the Son of God. And thus of this recompence of reward comparatively.
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