that_o he_o give_v himself_o for_o it_o that_o he_o may_v sanctify_v and_o cleanse_v it_o with_o the_o wash_n of_o water_n by_o the_o word_n eph._n 5._o 25_o 26._o upon_o which_o account_n we_o may_v well_o be_v call_v the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n of_o his_o flesh_n and_o of_o his_o bone_n vers_fw-la 30._o the_o church_n be_v as_o it_o be_v take_v out_o of_o his_o crucify_a body_n as_o the_o woman_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o man_n as_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v reconcile_v the_o gentile_n that_o be_v take_v they_o into_o his_o church_n in_o the_o body_n of_o his_o flesh_n through_o death_n col._n 1._o 21_o 22._o because_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o receive_v gentile_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n be_v seal_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o the_o church_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o crucify_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o in_o the_o mystical_a sense_n answer_v to_o the_o woman_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o man_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o that_o place_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n christ_n own_v himself_o our_o friend_n joh._n 15._o 14._o you_o be_v my_o friend_n if_o you_o do_v what_o soever_o i_o command_v you_o which_o do_v not_o signify_v such_o a_o equality_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o we_o as_o there_o be_v betwixt_o friend_n nor_o encourage_v any_o rudeness_n and_o unbecoming_a familiarity_n in_o our_o address_n to_o he_o but_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o government_n that_o he_o will_v rule_v his_o church_n with_o the_o same_o care_n and_o tenderness_n which_o one_o friend_n express_v to_o another_o so_o that_o all_o this_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o our_o lord_n and_o master_n be_v our_o shepherd_n our_o head_n and_o husband_n our_o friend_n and_o saviour_n who_o have_v redeem_v and_o purchase_v we_o with_o his_o own_o blood_n who_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n in_o the_o most_o surprise_a and_o astonish_a goodness_n and_o exercise_v his_o authority_n in_o all_o the_o method_n of_o love_n and_o compassion_n upon_o which_o account_n god_n also_o have_v now_o lay_v aside_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n that_o severe_a name_n of_o a_o king_n and_o call_v himself_o our_o father_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o his_o fatherly_a care_n and_o government_n and_o to_o signify_v that_o liberty_n of_o son_n we_o now_o enjoy_v under_o the_o gospel_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o bondage_n and_o servitude_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o then_o we_o must_v observe_v far_o that_o though_o christ_n be_v our_o lord_n and_o governor_n he_o do_v not_o govern_v we_o immediate_o by_o himself_o for_o he_o be_v ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n where_o he_o powerful_o intercede_v for_o his_o church_n and_o by_o a_o vigilant_a providence_n superintend_v all_o the_o affair_n of_o it_o but_o have_v leave_v the_o visible_a and_o external_a conduct_n and_o government_n of_o his_o church_n to_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n who_o preside_v in_o his_o name_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n christ_n confer_v such_o extraordinary_a gift_n on_o man_n as_o qualify_v they_o for_o so_o great_a a_o office_n eph._n 4._o 8._o etc._n etc._n but_o though_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n cease_v when_o the_o gospel_n be_v full_o publish_v and_o sufficient_o confirm_v yet_o the_o office_n still_o continue_v for_o the_o instruction_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n though_o manage_v in_o more_o ordinary_a and_o humane_a way_n christ_n now_o govern_v his_o church_n by_o man_n who_o be_v invest_v with_o his_o authority_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o what_o i_o discourse_v above_o that_o the_o union_n of_o particular_a christian_n to_o christ_n be_v by_o their_o union_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o consist_v in_o their_o regular_a subjection_n to_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o ruler_n and_o in_o concord_n and_o unity_n among_o themselves_o for_o if_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o our_o subjection_n to_o he_o as_o our_o lord_n and_o master_n our_o head_n and_o husband_n and_o this_o authority_n be_v not_o immediate_o exercise_v by_o christ_n himself_o but_o by_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o can_v be_v unite_v to_o christ_n that_o be_v can_v own_o his_o authority_n and_o government_n till_o we_o unite_v ourselves_o to_o the_o public_a society_n of_o christian_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o public_a instruction_n authority_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n as_o no_o man_n can_v be_v say_v to_o submit_v himself_o to_o his_o prince_n who_o deny_v subjection_n to_o those_o subordinate_a magistrate_n who_o act_n by_o his_o prince_n commission_n for_o the_o union_n of_o body_n politic_a such_o as_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v consist_v in_o order_n and_o government_n when_o all_o the_o member_n keep_v their_o proper_a place_n and_o be_v knit_v to_o each_o other_o by_o a_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o their_o several_a office_n and_o trust_n schismatic_n be_v in_o the_o church_n just_a as_o rebel_n be_v in_o the_o kingdom_n not_o as_o part_v of_o it_o but_o as_o open_v and_o profess_v enemy_n but_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o wherein_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o eph._n 4._o 16._o christ_n be_v the_o head_n from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_a by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n to_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n that_o be_v the_o supreme_a power_n be_v invest_v in_o christ_n as_o head_n to_o who_o the_o church_n be_v obedient_a and_o subject_a but_o to_o make_v this_o union_n firm_a and_o last_a there_o must_v be_v a_o regular_a subordination_n of_o the_o several_a member_n and_o a_o mutual_a discharge_n of_o all_o christian_a office_n which_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o advance_v their_o spiritual_a growth_n in_o all_o christian_a grace_n and_o especial_o to_o increase_v that_o love_n and_o friendship_n which_o be_v the_o very_a life_n and_o soul_n of_o the_o church_n this_o indeed_o suppose_v a_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o visible_a society_n as_o it_o may_v happen_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n or_o some_o great_a degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n alter_v the_o case_n our_o union_n to_o christ_n then_o consist_v in_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o subjection_n to_o his_o law_n which_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n though_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a church_n to_o communicate_v with_o but_o when_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a church_n we_o be_v under_o the_o necessary_a obligation_n of_o a_o visible_a communion_n because_o herein_o our_o subjection_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o consequent_o our_o union_n to_o he_o consist_v and_o this_o by_o the_o way_n give_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o only_a cause_n that_o can_v justify_v our_o separation_n from_o any_o society_n of_o christian_n for_o our_o union_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o medium_fw-la of_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n while_o the_o church_n we_o live_v in_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o it_o because_o this_o unite_v we_o to_o christ._n when_o nothing_o be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o communion_n which_o be_v express_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o supreme_a lord_n we_o acknowledge_v his_o authority_n in_o our_o subjection_n to_o our_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o we_o disowne_v his_o authority_n in_o disow_v and_o affront_a they_o as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o apostle_n he_o that_o hear_v you_o hear_v i_o and_o he_o that_o despise_v you_o despise_v i_o and_o he_o that_o despise_v i_o despise_v he_o that_o send_v i_o luk._n 10._o 16._o but_o when_o any_o church_n prevaricate_v in_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n corrupt_v his_o religion_n and_o undermine_v the_o fundamental_a design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v to_o make_v man_n good_a and_o virtuous_a when_o we_o can_v obey_v our_o spiritual_a ruler_n without_o disobey_v the_o express_a law_n of_o christ_n the_o reason_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n cease_v because_o it_o do_v not_o answer_v nay_o contradict_v the_o end_n of_o christian_a society_n which_o be_v to_o have_v fellowship_n with_o the_o father_n and_o with_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ._n for_o in_o this_o case_n we_o can_v own_v their_o authority_n but_o we_o must_v
he_o that_o bear_v not_o fruit_n hence_o to_o distinguish_v all_o true_a christian_n from_o such_o hypocritical_a professor_n he_o add_v and_o i_o in_o you_o that_o be_v my_o word_n abide_v in_o you_o ver._n 7._o if_o my_o doctrine_n and_o precept_n take_v fast_o hold_v of_o your_o will_n and_o affection_n they_o will_v make_v you_o fruitful_a in_o good_a work_n thus_o you_o see_v that_o the_o union_n of_o particular_a christian_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o their_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o ancient_a father_n interpret_v all_o those_o metaphor_n which_o decipher_v the_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o christian_n to_o signify_v the_o entire_a love_n and_o unity_n of_o christian_n among_o themselves_o thus_o st._n chrysost._n expound_v eph._n 2._o 19_o 20_o 21._o where_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o that_o spiritual_a building_n which_o be_v erect_v on_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n to_o signify_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n that_o both_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n be_v unite_v in_o christ_n as_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o building_n be_v keep_v together_o by_o the_o corner_n stone_n and_o st._n ambrose_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n tell_v we_o duos_fw-la populos_fw-la in_o se_fw-la suscepit_fw-la salvator_fw-la &_o secit_fw-la unum_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la sicut_fw-la &_o lapis_fw-la angularis_fw-la duos_fw-la parietes_fw-la continet_fw-la in_o unitate_fw-la domûs_fw-la sirmatos_fw-la i_o e._n that_o christ_n unite_a two_o people_n in_o himself_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o make_v they_o one_o in_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o corner_n stone_n unite_v two_o wall_n in_o a_o building_n and_o make_v it_o but_o one_o house_n which_o be_v the_o plain_a design_n of_o the_o place_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n have_v take_v away_o the_o enmity_n and_o distance_n which_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o have_v reconcile_v they_o both_o to_o god_n in_o one_o body_n by_o the_o cross_n ver._n 16._o thus_o st._n chrysost._n observe_v on_o 1_o cor._n 3._o 9_o that_o the_o apostle_n to_o dissuade_v they_o from_o schism_n and_o faction_n tell_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n that_o they_o be_v god_n building_n and_o if_o they_o be_v god_n building_n they_o must_v not_o be_v tear_v asunder_o for_o than_o they_o be_v no_o long_o a_o build_n and_o if_o they_o be_v god_n husbandry_n they_o must_v not_o be_v divide_v from_o each_o other_o but_o they_o must_v be_v one_o enclosure_n hedge_v and_o wall_v in_o by_o unity_n and_o agreement_n and_o add_v let_v we_o therefore_o be_v build_v on_o christ_n and_o cleave_v to_o he_o as_o to_o a_o foundation_n and_o as_o a_o branch_n to_o the_o vine_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o distance_n between_o christ_n and_o we_o to_o interrupt_v this_o union_n for_o if_o there_o be_v we_o immediate_o perish_v for_o the_o branch_n draw_v nourishment_n and_o fatness_n from_o the_o vine_n by_o its_o union_n to_o it_o and_o the_o building_n stand_v firm_a by_o the_o strong_a adhesion_n of_o its_o part_n which_o plain_o signify_v that_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o our_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o when_o we_o divide_v and_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n we_o be_v break_v off_o from_o christ_n as_o a_o branch_n be_v from_o the_o vine_n we_o be_v then_o like_o a_o building_n who_o stone_n fall_v asunder_o and_o destroy_v the_o whole_a fabric_n thus_o the_o same_o father_n argue_v on_o john_n 14._o 21._o to_o persuade_v christian_n to_o peace_n and_o unity_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n for_o he_o christ_n unite_v we_o to_o each_o other_o by_o many_o example_n and_o pattern_n of_o the_o close_a union_n he_o be_v the_o head_n and_o we_o the_o body_n and_o the_o whole_a body_n by_o the_o union_n of_o its_o several_a part_n must_v be_v firm_o unite_v to_o the_o head_n he_o be_v the_o foundation_n we_o the_o building_n he_o the_o vine_n we_o the_o branch_n he_o the_o husband_n we_o his_o spouse_n he_o the_o shepherd_n we_o his_o sheep_n he_o the_o way_n we_o those_o who_o be_v to_o walk_v in_o that_o way_n we_o be_v a_o spiritual_a temple_n and_o he_o it_o be_v who_o dwell_v in_o we_o he_o be_v the_o first_o bear_v we_o his_o brethren_n he_o the_o heir_n we_o fellow_n heir_n with_o he_o he_o the_o life_n we_o those_o who_o live_v by_o he_o he_o the_o resurrection_n we_o those_o who_o rise_v with_o he_o he_o the_o light_n and_o we_o be_v all_o enlighten_v by_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o these_o metaphor_n describe_v the_o near_a and_o close_a union_n of_o christian_n to_o each_o other_o and_o of_o all_o to_o christ_n which_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o least_o distance_n and_o separation_n so_o that_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o holy_a man_n particular_a christian_n be_v unite_v to_o christ_n by_o mean_n of_o their_o union_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n otherwise_o i_o can_v understand_v how_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n can_v be_v a_o argument_n to_o unity_n and_o concord_n among_o ourselves_o if_o we_o be_v immediate_o unite_v to_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n without_o be_v first_o unite_v to_o his_o church_n which_o i_o wish_v those_o man_n will_v serious_o consider_v who_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o their_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o yet_o rend_v his_o church_n into_o a_o thousand_o little_a faction_n tear_v the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n from_o each_o other_o and_o yet_o pretend_v to_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o head_n make_v new_a enclosure_n in_o the_o husbandry_n and_o vineyard_n of_o god_n and_o when_o christ_n have_v break_v down_o the_o middle_a wall_n of_o partition_n and_o make_v jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o one_o church_n do_v now_o erect_v more_o partition_n wall_n in_o the_o christian_a than_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a temple_n but_o we_o need_v not_o depend_v on_o authority_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o this_o notion_n that_o the_o union_n of_o particular_a christian_n with_o christ_n consist_v in_o their_o union_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o those_o sacrament_n our_o saviour_n have_v institute_v as_o symbol_n of_o our_o union_n with_o he_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o it_o our_o first_o undertake_n of_o christianity_n be_v represent_v in_o our_o baptism_n wherein_o we_o make_v a_o public_a profession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o baptism_n be_v the_o sacrament_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v deny_v this_o we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o 1_o cor._n 12_o 13._o for_o by_o one_o spirit_n we_o be_v all_o baptize_v into_o one_o body_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o allude_v to_o baptism_n which_o confer_v the_o same_o holy_a spirit_n on_o we_o all_o and_o thereby_o make_v we_o all_o member_n of_o that_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v his_o church_n but_o more_o express_o in_o eph._n 4._o 4_o 5._o there_o be_v one_o body_n and_o one_o spirit_n as_o you_o be_v call_v in_o one_o hope_n of_o your_o call_v one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n that_o be_v the_o christian_a baptism_n be_v but_o one_o and_o be_v a_o sacrament_n of_o union_n make_v we_o all_o the_o member_n of_o that_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v call_v be_v baptise_a into_o christ_n i._n e._n admit_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o a_o public_a profession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o christ._n thus_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v a_o sacrament_n of_o union_n and_o signify_v that_o near_a conjunction_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o mutual_a fellowship_n of_o one_o christian_n with_o another_o hence_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o cup_n of_o bless_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o bread_n the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n for_o we_o be_v many_o be_v one_o bread_n and_o one_o body_n one_o body_n represent_v by_o this_o one_o bread_n for_o we_o be_v all_o partaker_n of_o that_o one_o bread_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 16_o 17._o for_o the_o intention_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n in_o what_o he_o do_v and_o suffer_v for_o we_o be_v not_o mere_o to_o reform_v and_o save_v some_o single_a person_n but_o to_o erect_v a_o church_n and_o to_o combine_v all_o his_o disciple_n into_o a_o public_a society_n to_o unite_v they_o by_o holy_a mystery_n and_o to_o engage_v they_o to_o a_o mutual_a discharge_n of_o all_o christian_a office_n whereby_o the_o whole_a body_n may_v edify_v itself_o in_o love_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o own_o any_o relation_n to_o particular_a man_n as_o
scripture_n mention_n whereby_o our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n and_o christ_n in_o this_o world_n be_v express_v hence_o it_o be_v call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 16._o the_o cup_n of_o blessing_n which_o we_o bless_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n the_o bread_n which_o we_o break_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o why_o he_o call_v it_o the_o communion_n appear_v from_o the_o follow_a verse_n first_o because_o it_o signify_v the_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n of_o christian_n with_o each_o other_o that_o they_o be_v all_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o be_v all_o the_o child_n of_o the_o same_o father_n as_o be_v entertain_v by_o he_o at_o the_o same_o table_n vers_fw-la 17._o and_o second_o it_o be_v a_o communion_n also_o as_o it_o signify_v our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n vers._n 18._o behold_v israel_n after_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o they_o which_o eat_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n partaker_n of_o the_o altar_n the_o meaning_n of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v offer_v upon_o the_o altar_n be_v reckon_v as_o god_n meat_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v his_o house_n and_o therefore_o those_o that_o eat_v of_o the_o sacrifice_n be_v entertain_v at_o god_n table_n which_o be_v a_o signification_n of_o their_o fellowship_n with_o he_o that_o he_o be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o his_o people_n thus_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v a_o feast_n upon_o a_o sacrifice_n even_o that_o great_a and_o stupendous_a sacrifice_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v offer_v upon_o the_o cross_n and_o therefore_o to_o eat_v the_o consecrate_a bread_n and_o drink_v the_o wine_n which_o be_v the_o figure_n of_o his_o body_n and_o blood_n be_v to_o eat_v of_o that_o sacrifice_n that_o spiritual_a food_n god_n have_v provide_v for_o we_o thus_o god_n entertain_v we_o at_o his_o table_n as_o his_o own_o child_n who_o be_v of_o his_o household_n and_o family_n as_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v a_o right_n to_o all_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n which_o be_v seal_v with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o true_a interpretation_n of_o all_o feast_n upon_o sacrifice_n such_o as_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n be_v that_o it_o be_v to_o eat_v of_o god_n food_n and_o to_o be_v entertain_v at_o his_o table_n which_o be_v such_o a_o argument_n of_o our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n as_o eat_v and_o drink_v together_o be_v among_o man_n always_o allow_v for_o that_o infinite_a distance_n which_o be_v between_o god_n and_o we_o this_o be_v the_o only_a act_n of_o religion_n which_o in_o scripture_n signify_v communion_n and_o fellowship_n because_o it_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a signification_n of_o our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n and_o with_o each_o other_o but_o prayer_n and_o meditation_n and_o such_o like_a act_n of_o devotion_n be_v no_o where_o call_v communion_n with_o god_n though_o a_o prevail_a custom_n have_v in_o our_o day_n almost_o whole_o appropriate_v that_o name_n to_o they_o fellowship_n with_o god_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o transient_a act_n but_o be_v a_o state_n of_o life_n that_o relation_n we_o stand_v in_o to_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o there_o be_v no_o act_n of_o religion_n which_o do_v proper_o signify_v this_o fellowship_n with_o god_n but_o only_o eat_v at_o his_o table_n for_o you_o will_v not_o say_v that_o a_o poor_a man_n enjoy_v communion_n and_o fellowship_n with_o his_o prince_n when_o he_o put_v up_o a_o petition_n to_o he_o to_o beg_v his_o charity_n or_o praise_v he_o for_o his_o clemency_n and_o bounty_n to_o pray_v to_o god_n be_v a_o act_n of_o homage_n which_o we_o owe_v he_o as_o he_o be_v our_o maker_n and_o father_n it_o be_v a_o duty_n which_o result_v from_o our_o relation_n to_o and_o fellowship_n with_o god_n but_o it_o be_v not_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n a_o act_n of_o fellowship_n and_o communion_n which_o expression_n i_o purposely_o avoid_v not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v improper_a and_o have_v thrust_v out_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n and_o not_o only_o the_o notion_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o too_o for_o certain_o do_v man_n understand_v what_o our_o fellowship_n with_o god_n be_v they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o neglect_v the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v the_o only_a act_n whereby_o our_o communion_n be_v express_v but_o also_o because_o man_n have_v abuse_v it_o to_o great_a irreverence_n and_o familiarity_n with_o god_n in_o their_o address_n to_o he_o while_o they_o fancy_v that_o they_o be_v now_o act_v the_o part_n of_o god_n fellow_n and_o therefore_o may_v talk_v to_o he_o with_o such_o freedom_n as_o they_o use_v in_o common_a conversation_n i_o have_v discourse_v these_o thing_n at_o large_a because_o they_o be_v too_o common_o mistake_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n have_v be_v represent_v as_o a_o riddle_n and_o mystery_n which_o no_o body_n can_v understand_v the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o which_o must_v be_v reserve_v for_o the_o next_o world_n or_o the_o come_n of_o elias_n and_o the_o mistake_v about_o it_o have_v have_v a_o bad_a influence_n upon_o all_o religion_n not_o only_o to_o confound_v the_o notion_n but_o to_o debauch_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v be_v this_o that_o those_o phrase_n and_o metaphor_n which_o represent_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n signify_v our_o visible_a society_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o our_o sincere_a practice_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o we_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o live_v in_o a_o regular_a subjection_n to_o our_o spiritual_a governor_n and_o a_o mutual_a discharge_n of_o all_o christian_a office_n when_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o law_n of_o our_o common_a saviour_n than_o we_o be_v visible_o unite_v to_o christ_n as_o subject_n to_o their_o prince_n and_o member_n to_o their_o head_n and_o when_o this_o profession_n be_v sincere_a and_o hearty_a when_o we_o real_o be_v what_o we_o pretend_v to_o be_v than_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n be_v real_a and_o spiritual_a too_o a_o visible_a and_o real_a union_n to_o christ_n differ_v as_o a_o visible_a professor_n and_o sincere_a christian_a the_o one_o be_v a_o christian_n only_o in_o show_n the_o other_o be_v what_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o this_o union_n to_o christ_n entitle_v we_o to_o his_o peculiar_a care_n and_o providence_n to_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o grace_n to_o the_o power_n of_o his_o intercession_n transform_v we_o into_o his_o nature_n and_o likeness_n and_o make_v we_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o delight_v to_o dwell_v all_o this_o may_v be_v understand_v on_o this_o side_n heaven_n and_o without_o send_v for_o elias_n to_o unriddle_v it_o and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o of_o our_o union_n to_o christ._n sect_n ii_o of_o our_o union_n to_o the_o person_n of_o christ._n i_o know_v not_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o man_n love_v to_o make_v plain_a thing_n obscure_a and_o like_o nothing_o in_o religion_n but_o riddle_n and_o mystery_n god_n indeed_o be_v please_v to_o institute_v a_o great_a many_o ceremony_n and_o many_o of_o they_o of_o very_o obscure_a signification_n in_o the_o jewish_a worship_n to_o awe_v their_o childish_a mind_n into_o a_o great_a veneration_n of_o his_o divine_a majesty_n but_o in_o these_o last_o day_n god_n have_v send_v his_o own_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o make_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a and_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o publish_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o may_v approve_v itself_o to_o our_o reason_n and_o captivate_v our_o affection_n by_o its_o natural_a charm_n and_o beauty_n and_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a injury_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o to_o render_v it_o obscure_a and_o unintelligible_a and_o yet_o too_o many_o there_o be_v who_o despise_v every_o thing_n which_o they_o understand_v and_o think_v nothing_o a_o sufficient_a trial_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o what_o contradict_v the_o sense_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n i_o may_v give_v you_o too_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o but_o our_o present_a argument_n may_v serve_v instead_o of_o many_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v than_o our_o union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n and_o it_o have_v certain_o continue_v so_o have_v not_o some_o man_n undertake_v to_o explain_v it_o who_o have_v now_o make_v it_o more_o than_o mystical_a that_o be_v a_o unintelligible_a union_n though_o indeed_o that_o be_v the_o least_o fault_n that_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v for_o as_o they_o have_v