The helmet of hope, distinguished from the hope of hypocrites. And published to prevent the danger of false hope, and to promote the duty of living in true hope of glory. With an appendix of the grounds of hope, collected in a catalog of promises and experiences. / By A.B. ...

Quest. 1. How, and in what sense, is this Doctrine to be understood?

Answ. 1. Negatively: It's not to be under∣stood of his personal bodily Presence, his Body is now a Glorified Body and abideth in Heaven, and there is to abide 'till he come to Judgment. The Romanist tell us, that Sacramental bread is changed into his Body, and after Consecration, every Wafer is the Body of Christ, and is not to be eat∣en but to be swallowed, and upon swal∣lowing it, Christ is within them: but if Paul had been of their mind, he would not have tould us that after Consecration it remains still bread; and that it's bread that we eat, and not the very body of Christ, 1 Cor. 11.26.27. And our senses assure us it is bread, we see, feel and taste bread; and yet they are so senseless as they will not believe their own eyes. Nor is it to be understood of the Pro∣vidential presence of Christ; it is true, that Christ is with us by the presence of his Pro∣vidence, ordering our affairs, and disposing of us and our concerns according to the Coun∣cel of his good Will and Pleasure, but the In-being here spoken of is of another Na∣ture, therefore I answer:

2. Affirmatively: That it is to be under∣stood of his Spiritual presence, viz. that Christ is in his Spouse, and in every particular Mem∣ber that belongs unto him, by his Spirit and Grace, Rom. 8.9, 10. If any man have not

the Spirit of Christ he is none his, and if that Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin: viz. If by his Spirit he be in you. It im∣plies the Mistical union that is betwixt Christ and his Members. A Mistery that is too won∣derful to be made manifest to Mortals: And it signifies to us our dependance upon Chriist for Light and Life: What the Soul is to the body, that Christ is to the Soul, he abides in it by his spirit to supply its needs: And is all in all to the Soul: And all things else are just nothing to the Soul, for they can afford it no satisfaction, nor any one supply of its needs: Alas, what relief can Honour or Riches afford a Christless Soul? none at all: They oft prove snares to the Soul, but never give any succour to it; but Christ by his Spirit is in every true Christian, and this is his Happiness, and his hope of Glory.