A55302:158
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.
The after-influences are those which serve to perfect the Believer; as in the Old Creation Light was the first-born, and then the other parts of the world were made; so in the New, the first thing is the Light of Faith; and then follow those Graces which make up the new Creature: Love, Mercy, Meekness, Zeal, Obedience, Patience, are the fruits of the influencing Spirit, the Rivers of living water in the Believer: all of them are derived from Christ the Head through faith (which is called the Churches Neck, Cant. 4.4.) into the mystical body; after this manner are all Graces formed; without these influences there would be in Believers no Graces or Conformity to Christ; no fit Temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. Again, there are influences not only to form these Graces, but to actuate them. As natural Agents live and move in the God of Nature; so Believers, who are spiritual Agents, live and move in Christ their Head: the gracious Principles in them do not go alone, but the Holy Spirit stirs them up, and then the spices flow out: Love and Joy, and all other Graces show forth themselves in suitable Operations. St. Paul excellently describes this, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, saith he, Gal. 2.20. Take a Believer burning in Zeal, or melting ⟨p. 136⟩in Charity, or sweating in Obedience, or doing ought in an holy manner; still Christ lives in him; the effectual working is from the Head in Heaven; without these influences, Graces do but sleep in the principle, and not go forth into act.
The after-influences are those which serve to perfect the Believer; as in the Old Creation Light was the first-born, and then the other parts of the world were made; so in the New, the first thing is the Light of Faith; and then follow those Graces which make up the new Creature: Love, Mercy, Meekness, Zeal, Obedience, Patience, are the fruits of the influencing Spirit, the Rivers of living water in the Believer: all of them are derived from Christ the Head through faith (which is called the Churches Neck, Cant. 4.4.) into the mystical body; after this manner are all Graces formed; without these influences there would be in Believers no Graces or Conformity to Christ; no fit Temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. Again, there are influences not only to form these Graces, but to actuate them. As natural Agents live and move in the God of Nature; so Believers, who are spiritual Agents, live and move in Christ their Head: the gracious Principles in them do not go alone, but the Holy Spirit stirs them up, and then the spices flow out: Love and Joy, and all other Graces shew forth themselves in suitable Operations. St. Paul excellently describes this, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, saith he,