A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

2 There is a further being in Christ by a participation of some Graces, though not sanctifying Graces; yet such as may fit them for many Christian Offices, as may fit for Magistry, as Jehu, Ministry, as Judas, Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, he taketh away; as who should say there may be a branch in Christ, and yet bring forth no fruit, but no man can be thus in Christ, but he must suck some sap and juice from Christ; but this is not here meant of common Graces, as Jehues zeal, Felix his trembling, Herod's joy, &c.

2 There is a further being in Christ by a participation of some Graces, though not sanctifying Graces; yet such as may fit them for many Christian Offices, as may fit for Magistry, as Jehu, Ministry, as Judas, Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, he taketh away; as who should say there may be a branch in Christ, and yet bring forth no fruit, but no man can bee thus in Christ, but he must suck some sap and juice from Christ; but this is not here meant of common Graces, as Jehues zeal, Felix his trembling, Herods joy, &c.

3 Men are said to be in Christ, when they participate of such Graces as accompany salvation; such as make them true Members of Christ, as Faith, and Humility, and Hope, and Patience; and of such St. John here speaks, by such fruits we know that we are in Christ.

And thus we are said to be in Christ, partly from all eternity, in the purpose of God, Ephes. 1.4. not actually, but vertually, non actuali inexistentia, sed virtuali continentia, God looked at us as Members, in time to be in Christ, and notwithstanding this decree, yet these may not live in obedience to any Commandment, have as yet no Fellowship with Christ.