N34404:471
Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses
Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses. / By Mr. Thomas Boston, late Minister of the Gospel at Etterick.
United States : s.n. Printed for the booksellers., M,DCC,LXXXVII. 1787
State 3 › Part 2: HEAD II. The MYSTICAL UNION betwixt CHRIST and Believers.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
HEAD II. The MYSTICAL UNION betwixt CHRIST and Believers.
JOHN xv. 5. I am the Vine, ye are the Branches.
HAVING spoken of the change, made by regeneration on all those that shall inherit eternal life, in opposition to their natural real state, the state of degeneracy; I proceed to speak of the change made upon them, in their union with the Lord Jesus Christ, in opposition to their natural relative state, the state of misery. The doctrine of the saints union with Christ is very plainly and fully insisted on, from the beginning of the 12th verse of this chapter; which is a part of our Lord's fare-well sermon to his disciples. Sorrow had now filled their hearts; they were apt to say, Alas! What will become of us, when our Master is taken trom our head? Who will then instruct us? Who will solve our doubts? How will we be supported under our difficulties and discouragements? How will we be able to live without our wonted communications with him? Wherefore our Lord Jesus Christ seasonably teaches them the mystery of their union with him, comparing himself to the vine-stock, and them to the branches.