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

that he would cast their minds into the mould of the Gospel! this is all their expectation, to meet with him in his ways. Here is the first correspondence.

On Gods part there are such divine Communications, as do in a way of Grace answer to their Services; as they draw near to him, so he draws near to them; as they come to Ordinances as Ordinances appointed by him, so he comes down into Ordinances as his own Institutions, to fill them with his gracious Presence: there are such spirations and influences of the Spirit; such openings of Evangelical Glories and Mysteries; such deep and intimate impressions of Truth; such delights and spiritual suavities in holy things; such prospects of rectitude and beauty in the commands; such sweet tastes and favours of Grace in the promises; such sheddings of the divine Love and Favour; such a Shechinah, a presence and glory in the Ordinance, that they can do no less than break out, and say, God is in it of a truth. Before, they did by the word know the Ordinance to be of God: but now they know it by experience; God shows a wonderful respect to their services; I may add, to the pious mode of them. The more low and humble they are, the nearer is the high One to them; their humility and penitential frame sets his Mercies a melting and working towards them; when Israel was repenting, his Soul was grieved for them, Judg. 10.16. When Ephraim bemoaned ⟨p. 259⟩himself, the divine bowels were troubled for him, Jer. 31.20. The more upright they are, the more doth his countenance behold them; With the upright he will show himself upright; their pure intentions shall have a Crown of pure Mercies; while they are serving him in heart and spirit, he will do them good with all his heart and soul; they lift up their faith and love towards him; and the issue is, Mercy comes down upon them in greater riches and plenty: Love appears in clearer and higher manifestations than before; they lift up their eyes to the great Author of Ordinances, and it is not in vain; he manifests himself to them in every duty; in Prayer they meet with gales and divine Enlargements; they have a free access and manuduction to the Mercy-seat; they have sweet returns of their Petitions; if not in specie, in the very thing desired, yet in something else fitter and better for them; there is an inward support, which is tantamount to the blessing desired; or else there is a wise transmutation of the blessing into something more profitable. In the hearing of the word, they have an effectual working in their hearts;