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

There is first an Analogy between them; somewhat in the earthly unions resembles the mystical one; somewhat in the mystical union answers to the earthly pattern; there is a correspondence between them. This must needs be so; because in all Scriptural Metaphors touching this or any other mystery, the Holy Ghost always speaks aptly. and truly. When there is no propriety in the words, there is an aptitude in the things to shadow out the mystery; when there is no truth in the proper sense, there is a truth in the metaphorical one, because of the similitude which is between the earthly pattern and the heavenly mystery. If the Scripture say, that the internal work of grace is a new birth, or a resurrection, or a new creation, it is sure, that there is some act ⟨p. 28⟩of power which makes good the resemblance; if it say, that Christ is to believers a king, or an husband, or a foundation, or a root, or an head, or spiritual meat and drink; it is sure, that there is somewhat of law, or love, or supportance, or vital influence, or intimate conjunction which makes good the Analogy. Two things may be noted touching the Analogy; the one is this, there is a necessity of it, otherwise the holy Spirit in such Metaphors should not speak aptly or truly: not aptly; there being no proper aptitude in the very words, the aptitude must be in the things or no where; take away the Analogy, and there will be no aptitude at all, the words (which cannot befall so wise a speaker as the holy Ghost is) will be insignificant and to no purpose: nor yet truly; there being no truth in the proper sense, the truth must be in a metaphorical one or no where. Take away the Analogy (which makes the Metaphor a Metaphor) and there will be no truth at all; the words (which cannot befall so true a speaker as the Holy Ghost is) will be false and delusive. For instance, our Saviour saith, I am the bread of life, Joh. 6.48. I am the door of the sheep, Joh. 10.7. The first words are apt and true, because by him believers are spiritually ⟨p. 29⟩nourished to life. The second are so, because by him believers go in and find pasture of comfort; but take away these things in which the similitude consists, and the words will not be apt or true. The other is this; there is a very good use of the Analogy to be made;