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

TO THE Christian Reader.

THERE are three admirable Unions noted by Divines; the essential Union of the Three persons in the Sacred Trinity; the Hypostatical Union of the divine and humane natures in the Person of Christ: and the Mystical Union which is between Christ and Believers. In the first we have salvation in the primary fountain of it; in the second we have it in the channel or excellent medium of it: in the third we have it in the application or actual possession of it. The Deity is an Immense Ocean of mercy and goodness, but it flows out to us only in and through a Mediator; Jesus Christ is a Mediator of All-sufficient ⟨image 3⟩righteousness and merit; but he communicates himself only to those that are in union with him, All our righteousness,¹ grace, peace, salvation depends on that Union. If we are in him, then his satisfactory righteousness covers us, his Holy Spirit dwells in us; but if we are out of him, then our case is as desperate as if he had never satisfied justice, as if he had never merited grace and eternal life for us. Most true is that of Medina, Tota ratio nostrae salutis in eo consistit, ut induamus Christum, the total sum of our salvation stands in this, That we put on Christ; who (as a learned man hath it) is in his imputed righteousness as an artificial garment to us; and in his imparted graces, as a natural one. This mystical union (which is of such high concern to our salvation) is very signally set forth in Scripture; There it is said, that Christ dwells in ⟨image 3⟩Believers, and they in him; he abides in them, and they in him: which expressions point out a mutual inexistence of him and them. But, (because this mystery is very deep) the Holy Ghost, in condescension to our weakness, shadows out this Union by many earthly patterns, viz. by the Law-union of a King and Subjects; by the Love-union of an Husband and Wife; by the Artificial union of the Foundation and Building; by the Natural union of the Vine and Branches, the Head and Members; by the intimate union and incorporation of the Food and the Body. There is that in the Mystical union which answer; to all these earthly patterns; and withal, that which as much exceeds them, as a substance doth a shadow. The bonds of this union are Faith and the Holy Spirit; Faith sees, comes to, receives, leans on, puts on, feeds