Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its…

Further, There are not only influences to actuate Graces in Believers, but to make them grow up into Christ in all things; the Believer doth not stand at a stay; no, the first little dawn in his heart increases into a morning; the small grain of mustard seed becomes a tree; the little Embryo or Babe in Christ grows to be a man of spiritual stature; his humility is every day lower; his holy desires rise higher than before; the vitals of Faith and Love become warmer than ever: and all this increase is from the effectual working; it is no other than the growing up of the members into their influencing Head; the flourishing and spreading of the new Creature under the dews of the Spirit. Without these influences Believers would be at a stand, and never arrive at any statures in Grace. Thus it appears that these influences are excellent and necessary. Were it not for the first influences, Christ would have no members, and so not be what he was ordained to be, an Head to the Church. ⟨p. 137⟩Were it not for the after-influences, he would not carry himself as becomes an Head, neither would his members be such as they ought to be in the point of holy graces.

Further, There are not only influences to actuate Graces in Believers, but to make them grow up into Christ in all things; the Believer doth not stand at a stay; no, the first little dawn in his heart increases into a morning; the small grain of mustardseed becomes a tree; the little Embrio or Babe in Christ grows to be a man of spiritual stature; his humility is every day lower; his holy desires rise higher than before; the vitals of Faith and Love become warmer than ever: and all this increase is from the effectual working; it is no other than the growing up of the members into their influencing Head; the flourishing and spreading of the new Creature under the dews of the Spirit. Without these influences Believers would be at a stand, and never arrive at any statures in Grace. Thus it appears that these influences are excellent and necessary. Were it not for the first influences, Christ would have no members, and so not be what he was ordained to be, an Head to the Church. ⟨p. 137⟩Were it not for the after-influences, he would not carry himself as becomes an Head, neither would his members be such as they ought to be in the point of holy graces.