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

There is that in this union which answers to all the resemblances; the Holy Ghost in setting forth this union, did not stay in one or two earthly patterns, but useth many, going on from one thing to another, from Politics to Economics, from Economics to Artificials, from Artificials to Naturals of divers kinds, that so from each, somewhat might be borrowed to illustrate it. In the Political union we have Law and Power; in the Conjugal one, love; in the Architectonical one, support; in that of the Vine and Head, vital influence; in that of food, nourishment and intimate conjunction; but in the mystical union we have all these. It is said of Manna, that it suited to every palate; it is certain of Christ the true Manna, that he is All to the Church. That union therefore which fully answers to so many resemblances of different import, must needs be a very mysterious one.

There is that in this union which answers to all the resemblances; the Holy Ghost in setting forth this union, did not stay in one or two earthly patterns, but useth many, going on from one thing to another, from Politicks to Oeconomicks, from Oeconomicks to Artificials, from Artificials to Naturals of divers kinds, that so from each, somewhat might be borrowed to illustrate it. In the Political union we have Law and Power; in the Conjugal one, love; in the Architectonical one, support; in that of the Vine and Head, vital influence; in that of food, nourishment and intimate conjunction; but in the mystical union we have all these. It is said of Manna, that it suited to every palate; it is certain of Christ the true Manna, that he is All to the Church. That union therefore which fully answers to so many resemblances of different import, must needs be a very mysterious one.

There is that in this union which highly exceeds all the resemblances. In them there is but a shadow, but in that is the substance; in them one creature is united to another, but in that believers are united ⟨p. 141⟩to God-man. The Mystical union is built upon the Hypostatical; in each of them there is some import, but none of them can reach the perfections of Christ. Never was there such a King as he; he is the most excellent one; his subjects are all Saints, and of the seed Royal; his Throne and Laws are within; he inspires, as well as commands his people. Never such an Husband as he! he took an humane nature, that he might espouse us; nay, he died on a Cross, that his Spouse might come forth out of his bleeding side. Those who are joined in spiritual marriage, are made one spirit with him, and have admirable communications from him. No foundation is like him, who is laid not by humane art, but divine; and bears up the weight of the whole Church, not as dead matter doth, but by his Spirit of life. He is a Vine, whose juice is the holy Spirit, filling every branch; an Head, who makes those who were no members, to become members; and afterwards actuates them by the influences of his Spirit. He is such food as turns the eater into himself, and nourishes him unto life eternal. Every way he hath the preeminence over the earthly patterns. That union therefore which doth not only answer unto, but far exceed all the resemblances of it, must needs be a mysterious one.