THE GREAT MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: JESUS CHRIST our Lord GOD and MAN, and MAN with GOD; One in JESUS CHRIST our LORD. By Mr. ERBURY Minister of the Word. 1 COR. 2. 6, 7, 14. We speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the Princes of this world that come to nought; But we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. Gal. 3. 28. Ye are All, One, in Jesus Christ. LONDON, Printed by M. F. for ROB. MILBOURNE, in little Britain, at the sign of the Holy Lamb. 1640. THE mystical Union of CHRIST and his CHURCH; Grace, Mercy and Peace with all spiritual and special blessings of Heaven be multiplied upon you and in you, by the blessed Spirit from God the Father through CHRIST JESUS our Lord. Amen. Q. WHat must you do to be holy here, and happy hereafter? A. Two things; First, Know CHRIST, John, 17. 3. Secondly, Be knit unto him, John●7. 21, 22, 23, 24. Q. By what means may we come ●o this? A. First, Outwardly. 1. In the Word I am taught to know him Joh. 17. 8. 2. In the Sacraments I am tied and knit to him, 1 Cor. 10. 61. Secondly, inwardly 1. By Faith on my part, Ephe. 3. 17. Gal. 3. 27, 28, 29. 1. Grounded on the Word wherein I receive him. 2. Growing in the Sacrament wherein I am received into him. 2. By the Spirit on God's part, 1 Cor. 6. 17. and 12. 13. 1. Assuring Christ unto me in the Word, Eph. 1. 13. 2. Sealing Christ unto me in the Sacrament, Rom. 4. 11. This is my Body, so the Word says without, when the bread is given in the Sacrament, and so the Spirit speaks within, assuring, yea, making 1. The Body of Christ as verily present to the faithful, as the bread is to the receiver, 1 Cor. 11. 24, 26. 2. The faithful partaker of Christ's Body as verily as of the bread which he eats, 1 Cor. 10. 16. 3. The faithful one with Christ's Body as verily as the bread received & eaten is one with his body that feeds upon it, 1 Cor. 12. 12. PART. I. Quest. WHat is it to know Christ? A. To find 1. The want of Christ, Phil. 3. 7. 2. The worth of Christ, Phil. 3. 8. 3. A willingness in me to receive Christ, Phil. 3. 9, 10, 12, 14. First, when I feel the want of Christ in respect of the guilt and filth of sin in me. Secondly, find the worth of Christ to pardon and purge my sin. Thirdly, feel and find a willingness in me to receive, Christ, that is, to accept of him on his own conditions. 1 Not only to be my Priest and Jesus to save me by his blood, Heb. 2. 17 2 Nor only to be my Prophet and Christ, to teach me by his Word, Act. 3. 22. 3 But also to be my Prince & Lord to rule me by his Spirit, leaving my old lust, and living by his laws, denying myself, and delighting to do whatever he commands, Act. 5. 31. Then I know Christ, and this is to believe in him. Read 1 Joh. 1. 6, 7. and cha. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4. So Mat. 28. 20. Mar. 9 from v. 43. to the end. Luke 6. 46. Joh. 15. 14. §. 1. Q. HOw do you know the want of Christ? A. 1 I am far and for ever in myself separated from God by my sin natural and actual, Isa. 59 2. Psal. 58 3. Ephe. 2. 13, 14. 2 I am foully stained and stinking with all sin in my whole nature, soul and body, Psal. 14. 3. and 51. 5. Rom. 3 from ver. 10. to 20. 3 There is no power in me to think a good thought, or to keep any one of God's commandments once in all my life, 2 Cor. 3. 5. Rom. 3. 9, 10. James 3. 2. 4 There is no plague but is upon me, and for the sinfulness of my nature & sins of my life, every curse of God is on my soul and body in this life, and that which is to come, Deut. 27. 26. & 28. 16 Mat. 25. 41. 5 There is no good dwelling in my flesh, nay not only an emptiness of all good, but an enmity against it, Gen. 6. 5. Rom. 7. 18. & 8. 7. 6 I have no power to please God in any good I do, Rom. 8. 8. Prov. 15. 8. Heb. 11. 6. 7 I have no hope to go to heaven when I die, 1 Cor. 15. 50. Rev. 21. 27. O how miserable and wretched is that man or woman that lives and dies (as many do, Mat. 7. 13.) in this corrupt and cursed condition without Christ! §. 2. Q. what worth do you find in Christ? A. 1. The excellency of his person, being the only begotten, beloved Son of God, the heir of all things, the head of his Church, Angels, Principalities and Powers, being subject unto him, Eph. 1. 21, 22. Col. 1. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Heb. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1 Pet. 3. 22. 2 The exceeding riches of his grace freely offered, and fully given unto me in the Gospel, Eph. 2. 7. & 3. 8. isaiah 61. 1, &c. 3 The blessings that he brings, Acts 3. 26. Eph. 1. 3. 4 The graces that he gives, John 1. 14. 16. O how happy is that man or woman that is made one with the Son of God (how few are they Christ knows, Mat. 7. 14.) yet thrice happy is he or she that have him for their head and husband, who hath all power in his hands, all heavenly blessings to bestow upon them, all spiritual graces to give unto them, and an unsearchable riches of grace to endow them to eternal glory. Q. What is the grace of Christ? A. It is an honourable, holy and happy condition that Christ hath called me unto by the Gospel; who being the second Adam, received my nature unto himself, restored it with himself into favour with God again from whom I fell, and raised my fallen nature into a higher favour and grace with God the Father than it was in the first Adam before his fall, Eph. 2. 5, 6. 1 He hath taken my nature separated from God, and hath now united it to the Godhead for ever, Joh. 1. 14. Heb. 2. 11, 14. 2 He hath sanctified my nature sinful in me, but perfectly holy in him, Luke 1. 35. Joh. 17. 19 Heb. 7. 26. 3 He hath in my nature fulfilled the whole Law for me, which I could never do, Rom. 10. 5. & 8. 4. 4 he hath for my sin in my stead suffered the whole wrath of the Lord, the curse of the Law which I could never suffer, Isa. 53. 4, 5. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Gal. 3. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 5 He filled my nature in himself with all grace, God gave him not the Spirit by measure, but being made flesh, we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, John 1. 14. and 3. 34, 35. 6 He fulfilled all righteousness that was to be done or suffered in life or death by me, in my nature, in whom God was well pleased, Mat. 3. 15, 17. Mat. 12. 18. 7 He reigns in my nature glorified above all in heaven, Ephes. 1. 20. §. 3. Q. why are you so willing to receive Christ? A. That I may be knit unto him, gall, 3. 26. 28. PART. II. Q. what is it to be knit unto Christ. A. To become one with him by his Spirit, and my faith looking up and laying hold on my nature in him, that as he took my flesh and made it his, so I take his flesh and make it mine, that thus I might be one with him and he with me. I dwell in him and he in me; he dwelleth in me by faith, and I dwell in him in my flesh; that as my nature is become his, so all his might be mine, Joh. 17. 21. and 6. 56. Ephes. 3. 17. Cant. 6. 7. Q. How are you one with Christ Jesus? A. 1. Not one in conceit and imagination. 2 Nor one in consent and affection. 3 Nor one in substance and transfusion, as if the Godhead or manhood of Christ were mixed with any substance. 4 But one in spirit, or rather one spirit, that is more, the selfsame spirit dwelling in him, dwells in me: so uniting me unto him, that through his manhood from his Godhead, it conveys, and I receive all spiritual life in soul and body for ever, 1 Cor. 6. 17 Rom. 8. 11. 1 Joh. 3. 23. John 6. 60. Q. What union then is this that is between Christ and you? A. The nearest that may be imagined: for there is an union, first, of lineage or flesh; thus many kinsmen are one. 2 Of love or friendship; thus many men are one, Acts 4. 32. the soul of Jonathan was knit to David, and this union of Spirits is nearer than the first of bodies. 3 matrimonial; thus man and wife are one, and this union is nearer than both the former, seeing married persons are not only one in flesh, but in highest love and friendship; besides a man must forsake father, nearest flesh and friends to follow and cleave to his wife. 4 mystical, thus Christ and his Church are one by a nearer union than all the three; for Christ is not only, first, partaker of flesh and blood with us, Heb. 2. 14. Secondly, We are his friends, John 15. 14. Thirdly, he is our husband also, isaiah 54. 5. Fourthly, But also he is our head, and we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bone; and this union is called mystical, because it is more than any, unconceivable in thought, and unutterable by tongue; kinsmen, friends, and married ones must die, and then their union ends. But Christ hath so taken my flesh as never to be divided from it; such a friend as not life nor death can divide me from him, whose love passeth all knowledge and time, loving me unto the end, and after all; and not only beloved, but I am betrothed and married to him for ever, and not only betrothed, but I am of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, nay, by faith I eat his flesh and drink his blood, what nearer union can be? Q. What is it to eat his flesh? A. 1. To apprehend, apply, and partake of his flesh as my own, as the meat I eat is mine. 2 To believe that I am truly and really (though spiritually) united unto him, and one with him, of his bone, and of his flesh, as the meat I eat becomes one with my substance. 3 To expect in faith for all grace and growth in good strength in his services, quickening and comfort, and eternal life from the flesh of Christ: as the meat I eat maintains life, gives nourishment and enables me for all natural actions, so doth Christ, for spiritual bread strengthens man's heart, and wine cheers it, so, and more in me doth Christ's flesh and blood. Q. How shall I make this knowledge of Christ effectual, and the knot fast for ever? A. 1. By a faithful humble meditating on the grace of Christ, Joh. 6. 43, 44, 45, 55, 56. 2 By an affectionate hearty thanksgiving to God the Father who hath blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ, Eph. 1. 3. 3 By a fruitful diligent growing in all the graces of the Spirit, Joh. 15. 3. 4 By fervent daily prayer to God the Father through Christ Jesus by the Spirit to enlighten and lead me to the love of God unto eternal life, Eph. 1. 17. and 3. 19 2 Thess. 3. 5. §. 4. Q. HOw do you meditate on Christ? A. I desire to know Christ, not as one far from me, but as one with me, and I in him, and from him, or rather through my flesh in him, receiving all things from God the Father for my salvation. This is the meaning of that, Joh. 6. 56. spoken of before, to eat the flesh of Christ (i. e.) by faith to apply and truly to partake of Christ's flesh as mine own, and being out of myself, in it to have life, and through it to have all things that concern grace and glory. This is that S. Paul determined to know, only Jesus Christ, and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2. 2. Gal. 2. 20. for this excellent knowledge S. Paul counted all things but dung, that he might win Christ; what is that? That I might be found in him not having mine own righteousness but his, not myself, but him, Phil. 3. 8, 9, 10. Q. What do you meditate of in Christ? A. 1. I find my nature, soul and body united to God in him, and therefore feel myself reconciled, and at one with God the Father; his Father, my Father, his God my God, Joh. 14. 20. 21, 23. & 20. 17. 2 I see my nature sanctified perfectly in his person, from which I seek a power to sanctify mine more and more in my person, Heb. 2. 11. John 17. 10. 3 As he hath fulfilled the law for me, so 1 In him God accounts me righteous, Rom. 3. 22. 2 Cor. 5. 21. 2 In me God accepts of my upright purpose to please him in all things for perfect righteousness, Psal. 119. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 3 From him I receive a power to perform the whole law in every point, though not perfectly in the highest pitch and purity that the Law requires, yet (seeking and striving to perfection) pleasingly as God accepts in Christ Jesus; who fulfilling the Law for me in my flesh, which he took, writes the Law in me by his Spirit, which he gives, making me to delight ●n the Law of God in the inward man, to be ready to do his will, to have respect to all his commandments, to refrain my feet from every evil way, to purge myself from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit, perfecting holiness in his fear, Jer. 31. 33. & 32. 40. Heb. 8. 10. Rom. 7. 22. Psal. 40. 8. & 119. 6. 101. 2. 2 Cor. 7. 1 Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14, 15. 4 He hath satisfied God's justice in suffering in my stead, being made a curse for me, and in his own self bearing my sins in his own body upon the tree; so I look for 1 Peace in myself from above, being crucified with Christ, Gal. 2. 20 2 Power over sin within, being crucified with Christ in my corrupt nature, Rom. 6. 6. Christ stood on the cross as my surety in my stead. 1 As a sinner; for he was made sin for me, 2 Cor. 5. 2. 2 As accursed, for he was made a curse for me, Gal. 3. 13. So being one with him. 1 As he in my nature is full o● grace, so out of his fullness I look to receive grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. Col. 1. 9 & 2. 3, 9, 10. 2 My best duties are in me damnable, but in Christ Jesus, God and Man, my Mediator and Master, my person is accepted, and all my actions pleasing, Eph. 1. 6. 3 I see myself shut out of Paradise, I have no hope of heaven in myself, a dead dog, a damned creature, an heir of hell; but God which is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he hath loved me when I was dead in sin, hath quickened me together with Christ, and raised me up with him, and made me sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. So then in Christ I rose, and in Christ now I reign in heaven being now on earth, (i. e.) I see by faith my own nature in Christ sitting at the right hand of God, who is my good and great high Priest, In 1 Presenting my person to the Father and making me pleasing unto him, Heb. 4. 14. 2 Perfuming my prayers, and praying for me to his Father, Heb. 7. 25. Revel. 8. 3, 4. 3 Preparing a place for me, and me for that place by his Spirit, John 14. 2, 16. Col. 1. 12. §. 5. Q. what are the blessings that Christ Jesus brings? A. First, eternal election to life in his father's love, Eph. 1. 4. 2 Adoption to become the son of God with himself, Eph. 1. 5. 3 Acceptation of my person, and all my actions in him, Eph. 1. 6. 4 Redemption of my soul and body by his blood; and justification, whereby I am fully cleared from God's judgement, freed from God's wrath, my sins forgiven, and I freely accounted as just, Eph. 1. 7. 5 Vocation, whereby I am the called of Christ Jesus, Rom. 1. 6. in the Gospel, wherein he hath abounded to me in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto me the mystery of his will, Eph. 1. 8, 9 6 eternal salvation, and an immortal inheritance in heaven with all Angels and Saints that ever were or shall be, Eph. 1. 10, 11. And all this to the praise of the glory of his grace, Eph. 1. 6, 12. §. 6. Q. what are the graces that Christ Jesus gives? A. 1. Knowledge, Col. 2. 3. to understand, 1 The Word of God and meaning of the Scriptures, Luke 24. 45. 2 The will of God, John 15. 15. and the mind of Christ, 1 Cor. 2. 16. 3 The mysteries, of the kingdom of heaven, Mat. 13. 11. 4 The misery, wretchedness, blindness, poverty, nakedness of my naughty nature, Rev. 3. 17, 18. Rom. 7. 18. 5 The graces of the Spirit in me, and the good things which are freely given unto me of God through Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 2. 12. 2 Faith, with the beginning and increase thereof, Mark 9 24. Luke 17. 5. Eph. 2. 8. 3 Repentance with a mourning melting spirit, Acts 5. 31. for every sin in myself and others by Christ's look on me, Luke 22. 61, 62. and mine on Christ, Zech. 12. 10. 4 Love to God and men, good and bad, Deut. 30. 6. Rom. 5. 5. 1 Thes. 4. 9 Mat. 5. 44. 5 The fear of the Lord God, Ier. 32. 40. This covenant is made in Christ, Heb. 8. 8. therefore he gives it, working it in me by his Spirit, and warning me of it by his Word, Luke 12. 5. 6 Hope of my inheritance in heaven, Rom. 15. 13. 2 Thess. 2. 16. 7 In a word all other graces springing from the Father, the fountain of grace, conveyed in Christ, through his flesh by his Spirit into my heart, shed abroad and streaming on to everlasting life, John 4. 14. & 7. 37, 38. Gal. 5. 22, 23, 24. §. 7. Q. what must you do on your part to continue your communion with God the Father in Christ Jesus by the Spirit? A. 1. Generally. 1 Fly for my life every sin open or secret, and every appearance of evil that may separate between God and me, or make me fail of his grace in Christ, or grieve his holy Spirit, Esay 59 2. Heb. 12. 15. Eph. 4. 30. 2 Follow after holiness, and in all holy occasions, company and courses, commanded by God and commended by good men, continue and increase in all goodness & all good duties, cleansing myself continually from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in his fear, 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2 Particularly. 1 I give all diligence always to make my calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. 2 walk humbly with my God hourly, with a reverend awful respect of his presence, fearing to offend his Majesty in any thing, Mich. 6. 8 Psal. 139. 2, 3. 3 Renew my repentance daily for my hourly offences or frailty, confessing them in particular, and craving pardon, and purging, 1 Joh. 1. 9 4 I humble myself weekly in fasting for some special sins and daily slips in his service, or my calling; put aside some hours, if I cannot a whole day, Mat. 5. 20. and 6. 17. 5 Remember to covenant monthly with my Lord in the Sacrament of the Body and blood of Christ Jesus, or as oft as it is administered, 1 Cor. 11. 26. 6 Once in the year cast up all my accounts, see how my Communion is increased, and my corruptions lessened, and how far I am gone and grown in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ, Lev. 16. 34. Once a year Merchants cast up their whole accounts, and Husbandmen know their increase of corn and cattle; So they who are wise Merchants and working Christians, may observe in themselves a change or increase in a years space, what cannot be so sensibly perceived in a short time. 7 The Christian Sabbaths and Saints must be my delight, holy and honourable, when, and with whom I have more opportunity and time to have communion with thy God, Isa. 58. 13. Psal. 16. 3. 8 The Word of God must abide & dwell in me richly, wherein I may acquaint myself with my Master's will, my father's love, and communicate both to my fellow servants and brethren, Col. 3. 16. 9 Take heed of omitting any occasion of doing good, or receiving good in conference or company with men, or my good duty in public or private before God, Mal. 3. 16. 10 Beware of careless and customary performance of any holy duty, but do it in love of Communion with my God, that by every prayer I make, every word I hear, &c. I may come nearer to him in Christ Jesus, Jer. 48. 10. Psal. 73. 28. 11 wean myself from the world, use the world as not using it, entangle not myself in other men's matters nor mine own, draw heavenly thoughts from earthly things, deny myself not only in indifferent, but in lawful, yea necessary things, 1 Cor. 7. 31. & 6. 12. 12 Watch my heart with all diligence, the rising of my lust, the checks of my conscience, the motions of the Spirit, etc▪ Pro. 4. 23. 13 work out my salvation with fear and trembling, striving harder▪ running faster, and pressing on to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2. 12. and 3. 14. 14 Observe still my present estate▪ the tempter of my soul, my spiritual decays, deadness, dulness, hardness of heart, security, strangeness from God, I suffer not these to stay long upon me, but stir up myself by repentance and prayer, and strengthen the things which remain and are ready to die, Rev. 3. 2, 17. and 2. 4, 5. 15 go forward in good duties, fruitful in good works, fervent in spirit, zealous in God's cause, sensible of the least sin, and above all things beward of barrenness and back-sliding, and an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Col. 1. 10. Rom. 12. 11. 1 Thes. 5. 22. Heb. 10. 16 Stir up my faith continually, seek to the Lord, strengthen it, study the promises, apply them perfectly, and in them Christ to thyself, stick very fast unto the Lord, cleave unto him, cling about him, depart not from him, depend upon him, delight in him, and be thankful to him, believe and live in the light of his countenance, and of his commandments, Isa. 64. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 13. Act. 11. 23. 17 In my nearest approaches, and dearest embraces by him, I am not too bold, but in my strongest feelings, sweetest refreshments, spiritual consolations in Christ, comforts of the spirit, joy in God's face and favour, I fear and tremble before him, Psal. 2 11. 1 Pet. 1. 17. 18 fear the Lord my God all my days, a fear not of distrust but of diligence to work, & jealousy to watch myself, a fear not servile only of his justice, but sonlike of his goodness, a fear not to drive me from God, but to draw me to him; we cannot believe or love the Lord too much, but yet God doth not cocker his children, therefore when thou most beleeves● that thou liest in the arms of his love, fear the more, lest then thou fall asleep, secure and sweetly sin: Satan seeks but this, to find thee thus, he cares not then, but rocks, sits by, and sings, and keeps thee fast asleep, with the sweet sound of faith and assurance Pro. 28. 14. Oh the slights of Satan, the methods, mysteries, and depths of the devil, in our nearest communion with God to cast us farthest from him! 19 Continue constant in prayer, watching thereunto with all perseverance, present myself oft before the Lord upon my knees, in my Closet, or some corner, if it be but a word or two, 'twill increase my acquaintance and my communion with him; have my heart ever upward, heavenly and humble, sending up sometimes strong groans, sudden sighs, short ejaculations, petitions or praises in the midst of worldly affairs, callings and company, &c. when they think not of it, steal a secret thought to the throne of grace, and my Father which seeth in secret, &c. Luk. 18. 1. Eph. 6. 18. Col. 4. 2. 1 Pet. 4. 7. Neh. 2. 4. §. 8. Q. what should you especially pray for? A. 1 That the God of our Lord ●esus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; The eye of my understanding being enlightened, that I may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believes according to the working of his mighty power. In 1 pardoning all my sins against him, Num. 14. 17. 2 Subduing the power of every sin in me, Mich. 7. 19 3 Sanctifying me more and more in spirit, soul, and body blameless, 1 Thes. 5. 23. 4 Strengthening me in all hi● services, Isa. 40. 29. 5 Supporting me in all my sufferings, faintings, fears, Isa. 41. 10 6 Supplying all my wants exceeding abundantly above all tha● I can ask or think, Eph. 3. 20. 7 Saving me to the uttermo●● from all evil, Heb. 7. 25. 8 Preserving me to salvation, tha● I fall not from good, 1 Pet. 1. 5▪ 9 Presenting me faultless before his glorious presence with joy, Jude 24. 10 Raising me at the last day, and changing my vile body that it may be like unto his glorious Body, according to his mighty working, &c. Phil. 3. 21. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church; which is his Body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all, Eph. 1. 17, 18, &c. 2 That God would grant me according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, that being rooted and grounded in love, I may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that I may be filled with all the fullness of God, Eph. 3. 16, 17, 18. 1 The fullness of the knowledge of his Will, Col. 1. 9 2 The full assurance of his favour, Col. 2. 2. 3 The fullness of all grace in Christ Jesus. 4 The fullness of all joy in the holy Ghost, unspeakable and glorious, not only in the feelings of faith, but of afflictions, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 8. Rom. 5. 3. 5 The fullness of glory in his haevenly kingdom at his right hand, when he sits to intercede for me and his whole mystical body, to reign in us his members, and over his and our enemies, till the last day, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, 1 Cor. 15. 28. Then God shall be all in all, when we shall be filled with the fullness of God, and see him face to face. Now we see God the Father mediately in the face of Christ, than we shall see him immediately face to face with Christ: yet without a Mediator; now we are filled with the fullness of Christ only, than we shall be filled with the fullness of God alone. 1 We are the fullness of Christ who being his members, he accounts himself but maimed without us, Eph. 1. 23 1 Cor. 12. 12. 2 We have the fullness of God, in Christ, who being our head, supplies by his Spirit all things unto us, that can be had in God the Father, or from him, what ever can make us: 1 Holy in him here, 2 Happy with him hereafter. Ephe. 3. 19 1 John 1. 3. Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us: unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Amen, Eph. 3. 20, 21. In him (that is Christ) we actually are by our actual incorporation into that society which hath him for their head, and doth make together with him one body (he and they in that respect having one name, 1 Cor. 12. 12.) for which cause by virtue of this mystical conjunction, we are of him and in him, even as though our flesh and bones should be made continuate with his. Hooker pag. 123. Ergo gratulemur & agamus gratias, non solumnos Christianos factos esse, sed etiam Christum. Intelligitis, fratres, gratiam Dei super nos; capitis, admiramini, gaudete. Christus facti sumus; Si enim ille caput est, & nos membra, totus ille homo & nos. August. in Iohan. tract. 31. Let us rejoice and give thanks, that we are not only made Christian men, but also made Christ's Brethren; ye understand the grace of God, that is upon us; ye understand it, ye wonder at it. Rejoice ye, we are made Christ. For if he be the head and we the members, both he and we are one whole man. The Mystery of JESUS CHRIST, Emmanuel GOD with us. The Mystery of Incarnation. God with us: receiving us into himself, uniting our nature with his into the person of his Son, Mat. 1. 23. Ioh. 1. 14. Heb. 2. 16. 1 Tim. 3. 16. God with us. The Mystery of Reconciliation. God with us: reconciling us unto himself, accepting our persons, not imputing our sins by the blood of his Son, 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19 God in Christ. The Mystery of Regeneration. God with us: renewing our natures to be like himself, partakers of the divine nature, changing us into his own Image by the Spirit of his Son, Col. 1. 27, 28. 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Christ in us. The Mystery of mystical union. God with us: uniting our persons to his Son by his Spirit and our faith, whereby we are members of Christ's body, of his bone, and of his flesh, which we feed on, finding life, grace, and spiritual strength, conveyed through it by the Spirit from God the Father, Eph. 5. 30, 32. Ioh. 6. 56, 60. We in Christ. The Mystery of the Gospel. God with us: who were without God, without Christ, without hope or mercy, no people, strangers from the commonweal of Israel, and covenant of promise, enemies of God, children of his wrath, in the power of the Devil, sitting in darkness and shadow of death, dead in sins, and the damnation of hell, at that time we were thus, being Gentiles, till Christ came in the flesh: and at this time we are thus, being as Gentiles, till our effectual Calling by Christ's Spirit, Eph. 2. 12. & 3. 3, 5. We with Israel. The Mystery of the first Resurrection. God with us: in calling home his old people Israel (who are now as we were) into one Church with us to confess, profess and praise Christ Jesus our Lord, together on earth, Rom. 11. 25. The Jews restoring a resurrection, Rom. 11. 15. (that is) the first resurrection, Rev. 20. 5, 6. Israel with us. The Mystery of the second Resurrection. God with us: In calling us all up by the sound of a Trump, at the second coming of Christ, changing our bodies and carrying us up both body and soul to meet the Lord Jesus in the air, where and when the whole Church militant and triumphant, the family in heaven and earth, both Jew and Gentile, and all the Israel of God shall meet at once, and so we shall ever be with the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 51. 1 Thess. 4. 17. All Israel, and we with God. The first Mystery was God with us, The last Mystery shall be, we with God, And God All in All. 1 Cor. 15. 28. Though I understand all Mysteries, and have not love, I am nothing, 1 Cor 13. A plain trial by the Word of God of man's spiritual estate whether he be in Christ Jesus, or no. In The state of Nature-Damnation— or In The state of grace— Salvation. Flesh. Spirit. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to— — them that are in Christ Jesus. Who walk not after the flesh— — but after the Spirit, Rom. 8. 1. They that are after the flesh do mind the things of flesh.— But they that are after the Spirit, mind the things of the Spirit, v. 5. The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject unto the Law of God, neither in deed can be: so than they that are in the flesh cannot please God, ver. 7, 8. But to be spiritually minded, is life and peace, v. 6. but ye are not in the flesh, but the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you; but if any have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, v. 9 Now then Brethren we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh, but yet if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die, ver. 12. But if through the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live, v. 13. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such shall not inherit the kingdom of God, Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law; and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof. If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit, Galat. 5. 22, 23, 24, 25. 2 If any man be— in Christ, he is a new creature— Old things are passed away,— — All things are become new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. If we say we have fellowship with with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, 1 Joh. 1. 6, 7. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, as he walked, 1 Ioh. 2. 7. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar 1 John 2. 4. But who so keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him, 1 Ioh. 2. 5. He that committeth sin, is of the devil, 1 Joh. 3. 8. Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not, 1 Ioh. 3. 6. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do, he also is a liar, Joh. 8. 44. Whosoever is borne of God, doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him, so that he cannot sin, because he is borne of God, 1 Ioh. 3. 9 Cain was of the wicked one, and slew his brother; and wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's good, 1 John 3. 12. Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you. We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren, 1 Ioh. 3. 13. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God, upon the sinners, he will rain snares, fire, and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion for ever, Psal. 9 17. and 11. 6. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, (Christ Jesus our Lord) and enter in through the gates of the City, Ioh. 20. 14. The hypocrites hope shall perish, and the eyes of the wicked shall fail, their hope shall be as the giving up of the Ghost, John. 8. 13. and 11. 20. But the righteous hath hope in his death; and he that hath the hope purifieth himself as he is pure, Pro. 24. 32. 1 John 3. 3. 3 Shall I take the members of Christ, and make— — them the members of an Harlot? God forbid, 1 Cor. 6. 15. Shall I take the tongue of Christ and make it— — The tongue of a swearer? &c. Psal. 12. 4. Mat. 5. 37. He that yields any one of his members to— — Sin, is no member of Christ Jesus, but— — a limb of the devil, of the mystery of iniquity,— — and has no part in the mystical union of Christ and his Church, Rom. 6, 13. 14. FINIS.