A55302:156
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.
4thly, The union between Christ and Believers is such, that he doth influence into them. The resemblances of the Vine and ⟨p. 134⟩the Head do naturally teach this: A Vine communicates to the branches, an Head influences into the members; Christ could not be (what the Scripture calls him) a Vine or an Head, unless he did influence into his branches and members. There are two sorts of influences; some are first and fundamental to our union with Christ, others do in order of nature follow after.
The first fundamental influences are those which work the unitive Grace of Faith. Men are not native branches or members of Christ, but insititious ones. Faith, which implants and incorporates them into him, is not from Nature, but Grace. The ancient Council tells us,1 that it is per infusionem & inspirationem Spiritûs Sancti, by the infusion and inspiration of the holy Spirit: Christ therefore sends out the Spirit with its inward teachings and tractions to work faith in men, to gather them into union with himself: thus the union begins from him. Faith, the first Grace that touches upon him, is wrought by his Spirit, and upon account of his Merits;To you it is given [Greek or Hebrew], for Christs sake to believe, Phil. 1.29. Were it not for this influence, there could be no union, no branches or members in him.
The first fundamental influences are those which work the unitive Grace of Faith. Men are not native branches or members of Christ, but insititious ones. Faith, which implants and incorporates them into him, is not from Nature, but Grace. The ancient Council tells us,1 that it is per infusionem & inspirationem Spiritûs Sancti, by the infusion and inspiration of the holy Spirit: Christ therefore sends out the Spirit with its inward teachings and tractions to work faith in men, to gather them into union with himself: thus the union begins from him. Faith, the first Grace that touches upon him, is wrought by his Spirit, and upon account of his Merits;To you it is given , for Christs sake to believe,