Christus in corde, or, The mystical union between Christ and believers considered in its resemblances, bonds, seals, priviledges and marks by Edward Polhil ..., Esq.

TO THE Christian Reader.

THERE are three admi∣rable 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 Belie∣vers. 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 Dei∣ty 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 Alsuffi∣cient

righteousness and merit; but he communicates himself only to those that are in union with him, All our righteousness, grace, peace, salvation depends on that Union. If we are in him, then his satisfactory righteousness covers us, his Holy Spi∣rit 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

Believers, and they in him; he abides in them, and they in him: which ex∣pressions point out a mutual inex∣istence of him and them. But, (be∣cause 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 Sub∣jects; by the Love-union of an Hus∣band and Wife; by the Artificial union of the Foundation and Build∣ing; 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 My∣stical 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

upon Christ, as being the universal capacity to take in Christ into the Soul; the Holy Spirit is primaria commissura, the primary ligature, which knits us to Christ: That Spi∣rit (which is, as St. Austin speaks, Patris & filii communio) brings us into union with Christ; that Spirit (which united the two natures in Christ) unites us to Christ: Hence we become mystical parts of him, of his flesh and of his bone; nay, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one spirit with him. The Seals of this union are Baptism and the Lords Supper. Baptism is called by an Ancient, Christianismi investitura, in it we are said to be buried with Christ, and to be risen with him; which is notably adumbrated by the baptismal immersion into the water, and eduction out of it. In the Lords Supper the body and blood of Christ are really, though spiritually, pre∣sent to our Faith; we may eat his

flesh and drink his blood unto life eternal; we are (as St. Cyprian speaks) united to him spiritali tran∣sitione, by a spiritual transition or passing into him; and (as St. Chry∣sostom hath it) we are united to his body as that is to the word. The priviledges of this union are so great, that they are worthy to attract all men into conjunction with Christ; the marks of this union are so plain in Scripture, that Believers reflecting on themselves may have the comfort of their being in him. These are the things that the ensuing discourse offers to the Reader, with this only request, that he would agnoscere quod Dei est, and ignoscere quod hominis est; If any glory may come to Christ, or comfort to his members by this Treatise, it is enough, and as much as is aimed at by him, who is

A Lover of Truth, Edward Polhil.

Notes

• Caput & membra sunt quasi una perso∣na mystica, ideò satis∣factio Chri∣sti ad om∣nes fideles pertinet. Aqu. 3. pars. quaest. 48. Art. 2. Fiant cor∣pus Christi, si volunt vivere de Spiritu Christi. Aust. in Joh. Tract. 26. In 3. part. Thom. qu. 49.