A55302:138
Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its…
Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its resemblances, bonds, seals, privileges and marks by Edward Polhil ..., Esq.Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its resemblances, bonds, seals, priviledges and marks by Edward Polhil ..., Esq.
London: printed by A.M. and R.R. for Tho. Cockerill, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It's true, God dwells in the sincere lovers, but he dwells in them as in parts of Christ, partakers of the atonement; were they not such, the spots of guilt and imperfection upon them would make the holy one wave dwelling in them: Christ is united to us as aliment, enlivening and strengthening us; but God is not as such united to us; though the fountain of life and virtue be in him, yet are these derived down unto us in and through Christ, of whose body and blood we do by faith participate. We are (saith Bishop Usher) by a mystical and supernatural union as truly conjoined with Christ, as the meat and drink is with us, when by the ordinary work of nature it is converted into our own substance.
It's true, God dwells in the sincere lovers, but he dwells in them as in parts of Christ, partakers of the atonement; were they not such, the spots of guilt and imperfection upon them would make the holy one wave dwelling in them: Christ is united to us as aliment, inlivening and strengthening us; but God is not as such united to us; though the fountain of life and virtue be in him, yet are these derived down unto us in and through Christ, of whose body and blood we do by faith participate. We are (saith Bishop Ʋsher) by a mystical and supernatural union as truly conjoined with Christ, as the meat and drink is with us, when by the ordinary work of nature it is converted into our own substance.
3ly. Christ is food by way of eminency: Food above all food; other bread is comparatively but a shadow or mere figure; but he is the true bread, [Greek or Hebrew], living bread, which makes men live for ever; other bread comes but out of the earth; but he is that bread which came down ⟨p. 115⟩from Heaven. The Son, very God, came down into our flesh, and in it was broken upon a Cross, that his body and blood might become bread for us. He hath (saith Bishop Usher) by his death made his flesh broken, 1and his blood poured out for us upon the Cross, to be fit food for the spiritual nourishment of our souls, and the very well-spring from whence by the power of his Godhead, all life and grace is derived unto us. Thus that excellent man. Other food being inferior to the body, is changed into our substance; but Christ the spiritual food being infinitely more excellent than our souls, turns believers who feed upon him, into his own likeness. Christs blood may be read in their serene consciences, his death may be seen in their continual mortifications; his Spirit shows it self in their holy graces; as they live at an higher rate, so they live in a more divine manner than other men. Their humility, meekness, love, zeal, obedience, patience, tell us that they live upon him; who turns the eater into himself; the eater so participates of him, as to be assimilated to him.