CHAP. XVI. Of the personall vnion.
ANd thus of the birth of Christ of a Virgin. The personall vnion may serue both for information, and for consolati∣on.
[ 1] For information, concerning the maruellous glory of Christ, especially of the exaltation of the humane nature. Heere is an vnion singularly wonderfull, and wonderfully singular. Nay, what say I, a vnion? Why? there bee so many vnions in Christ, that worthily all may bee said to bee gathered together in one in him. There is a naturall, perso∣nall, mysticall, and sacramentall vnion in Christ.
Page 187The naturall vnion is with the Father and the holy Ghost, in one nature or essence.
The personall vnion is this of the diuine nature with the hu∣mane in one person.
The mystical vnion is of Christ with the Church, in one body.
The sacramentall vnion is of the body and blood of Christ with bread and wine in one or∣dinance. This vnion is not a v∣nion of inhabitation, as God dwels in the Saints: nor of con∣sent only, as the faithfull are one in the Father and the Sonne: Nor of commixtion, as water and wine are one: nor of combinati∣on, as two boords fastened toge∣ther are one: nor of compositi∣on, when of two things is made some third thing in one. But it is (I say) a personall vnion, the hu∣mane nature of Christ being assu∣med Page 188 into vnion with the person of the Sonne of God.
From whence ariseth:
[ 1] A speciall manner of subsist∣ing in the humane nature of Christ, differing from other men. For soule and body make a per∣son in other men, but not so in Christ. For his soule and body are borne vp and subsist in his di∣uine nature. As the luie or Mis∣seltoe growes without a root of it owne vpon the body of ano∣ther tree; so is it with the hu∣mane nature of Christ: As soule and body in vs make one man: so God and man make one Christ in him.
[ 2] A communication of propri∣eties; so as that which is proper to one nature, is attributed to the whole person: so the Sonne of God was crucified, & bought the Church with his blood, Page 189 1. Cor. 2.8. Act. 20.28.
The collation of gifts vpon [ 3] the humane nature after an vn∣speakable manner: In respect of which the humane nature of Christ doth excell all creatures for wisedome, goodnesse, holi∣nesse, power, maiesty, and glory, in as much as the God-head dwelles in him bodily, Col. 2.9. For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily; and so the second Adam doth farre excell the first.
It was needfull Christ should be God and man in one nature.
- 1. That so he might reconcile or make God and man one a∣gaine.
- 2. That so hee might bee a meet Mediator, as being a kin to both parties.
- 3. That he might pacifie God by his death, which he could nei∣ther Page 190 feele as God, nor ouercome as man.
- 4. That the works of redemp∣tion done in the flesh, might bee sufficient price for sin, by which the infinite God was wronged.
Here is also consolation in this doctrine: for hence ariseth ma∣nifest reason of hope of pardon, and peace with God; and be∣sides, out of his fulnesse wee may now all receiue grace, and a sup∣ply for all our wants. Heere wee haue all the treasures of wisdome and grace in Christ-man; and hee is now able to be a fountaine of more good to vs, then euer the first Adam was of euill.
