VER . 18. éphefianf, Chap.z: 30; him, and tvitb beleevers, before we can be reconciled with him; for we being one body with Chrift, and his members, come tobe reconci led. Though fome think , that this body is to be underttood of Chrift his perfonall body, they are millaken ; for it hath reference ro one man, and is the fame with that ocawan ch0.3.6. and chap.4.4. ezpd, col. 3. r5. He would have then faid, his body ofhis flab and his croffe, is put for his body crucified. Whofoever comes to falva- tion, and taftes the fruit of his favour,muft firft be in this body; for he is the Saviour ofhis body, Ephef. 5.23. For though we by natureare Traytours, and the vengeance of God is in part onus, and hanging over us , yet when we come into union with Chrift, the Son of his good pleafure, and with the multitude of his beloved ones in Chrift, all our defaults are covered, and anger ceafing, the good will of God is inclined co us, his righteoufneffe, the head, Ihining through every member, as the righreoufnefFe.of it now in him. We fee then by this, the neceffity of conning to be of this body; if ever we have God reconciled, or any fpiritualt bleffing from him, we muff come to it in this body. We chufe to be offuch Corporations, in whichwe have moft immunities: Strive then to be of this Cor- poration , If we walk in light, we havefellowfhip with Chrifl, and one with another, and the blood ofChrift cleanfeth tea from all fin, r John i. 7. Secondly, it letteth us fee what is the conditionof all fuchwho are not ofthis body,whomayaffure themfelves they are not of this body: The head bath nothing for any thing out of the body, no influence of life,or cômunicationofany faving good.Whcrfore,asyou would have any benefit by Chrift, labour to come into this body ; not to be as Wens,&woodden legs,but to be living members,fuch as have Chrift living in you, teaching you by his Spirit to think, fpeak, anddo all things. It is good being members of good Corporations, which have great endowments, privileciges, patrons; but there is not a body like to this; IN hich bath all the unfearchableriches ofJefus Chrift given it, inwhich onely there is falvation. Laflly, obferve the dignityof the faithfull, and near conjunflion with Chrift, they are the body of Chrift, not the naturall bodyunited to thefecond Perron, nor thefacramentall body, but a myflicall body; fuchwho by force of Chrift his Spirit are knit tohim, and receiveall things from him proportionably, as the bodynaturali doth fróm the head: Many other'comparitìms, as of vine and branches, man and wife. etc. do fee it down ; but none more lively then this, which is molt frequented. This alfo may affure us of Chrift his love ; Who ever hated bic own flelh ? Ephef. 5. 29. He that toucbeth you, toucbeth the apple of my eye, Zech. z.8. Ir letteth us fee the fearfulneffeof abufing the godly, that are truly faithful! ; they lift at mill- ftones, prevail not, bat mutt be crufhr topieces,chap.sz.3. By his croffe : ] The meaning of which is, himfelf crucified, as cal. Vfe Get tobeof this Corpora- tion, z. Mifcry of thé that are no members of this myficall body. Dignity of men incorpo- rate into Chrüt: 4. s
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