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

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.

This union is such, that no distance of place or time can break or dissolve it.

No distance of place can do it. In merely Political or Moral unions, distance of place hinders not, but vital influence appertains not to them. In the natural Vine or Head there is a vital influence, but then there must be a local conjunction, the Vine doth not communicate juice to a distant branch, nor an Head to a distant member; but though Christ be in Heaven, and believers on earth, yet he influences life and strength into them. The reason is, because he doth it by a spirit which is infinite; a finite spirit cannot at once move and actuate distant subjects; yet an infinite one, which is every where, can do it. The same holy Spirit which is in Christ above, is communicated to us here below, to move and actuate us; the vital influence is not at all hindered by local distance. When our Lord discoursed of eating his flesh, and drinking his blood,