A55302:143
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.
In Scripture our union with Christ is not only set forth by the resemblance of a Kingdom, but by many other; none of which are or can be thought to be in vain; all of them have their significancy, and that to different purposes. The conjugal union imports love, the architectonical one shows supportation, that of the Vine and the Head speak vital influence; that of food expresses a very intimate conjunction: These significancies are not forced, or strained, but natural and genuine, such as run into our minds at the first sight. The holy Scripture, the best interpreter of its own resemblances, assures us, that they are used to this very end and intent, that we might firmly believe that those things which are genuinely in the outward patterns, are really and after an eminent manner in Christ: He is an Husband for his ⟨p. 118⟩dearest Love, Ephes. 5.25. a foundation for his never failing support to his Church, Mat. 16.18. a Vine and an Head for his vital influence, Joh. 15.4, 5. Ephes. 4.16. aliment for his near and intimate conjunction with believers, Joh. 6.56. Such is the natural tendency of these resemblances, such is the interpretation of them in Scripture; but now if our union with Christ be merely Political, how can these things stand? what tolerable account can be given of them? It is certain, that nothing in all the lower world is so apt and proper to declare that union as merely Political, as the resemblance of a Kingdom; nothing is so significant and fully expressive of it as that; when therefore the Holy Ghost had set it forth by a Kingdom, why did not he stay his hand and rest in that resemblance? why would he go on and set it forth by the love of Espousals, by a building cemented to its foundation, by the incision of branches into a root, by the copulation of members to a vital head, by the incorporation of food with the body? What analogy is there in an union merely Political, to these things? Which way shall the Scriptural interpretation of them be maintained? a Political union cannot do it. Were our union with Christ no more than so, these