Of the application of Christ, ΙΣ Queſt 30 Of our union with Chrift,
An Exposition of the Affembly's Catechism.
Q. 10. Whatelſedoth itteachus?
A. The righteouſneſs ofGod in the deſtruction of all unbelievers ; John v. 40. Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, ſhall beſaved ; buthe thatbelieveth not,ſhallbedamned.
Queſt. 30.H Of our Union with Chrift .
OW doththe Spirit apply to us the redemption purchaſed by Chrift.
A. By workingfaith in us, and thereby uniting us to Chrift in our effectual calling.
Q. 1. Can none have ſaving benefit by Chriſt, but ſuch as areunitedto him ?
A. No, for as Adam's fin could not hurt us, except we had been inhim ; ſo Chriſt's redemption cannot profit us, except wearein him ; 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him areye in Chrift Jefus, who ofGod is made unto us wisdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption.
Q. 2. What arethe bonds ofthis union ?
A. The Spirit on God's part ; 1 John iii. 24. And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth inhim, andhe inhim; and hereby we know that he abideth inus, bythe Spirit which he hath given us. And faith onourpart; Eph. iii. 17. That Chriſt may dwellin yourhearts by faith .
Q. 3. What is the firſt property of this union ?
A. It is an intimate union ; Eph. v. 30. For we are members of hisbody, of his fleſh, and ofhis bones.
Q. 4. What is the ſecond property?
A. It is an union never to be diffolved ; Rom. viii. 35, 38.
Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt ? Shall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perfecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword ? For I am perfuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeparateus from the love ofGod which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord.
Q. 5. What is the third property ofthis union ?
A. It makes Chriſt, and all that he hath purchaſed, become ours ; 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23. All are yours, and ye are Chrift's ; and Chrift is God's .
Q.6. What is the fourth property ofthis union ?
A. It is the foundation and root of all our ſpiritual and acceptable obedience ; John xv. 4. Abide in me, and I inyou.
Asthebranch cannot bear fruit ofitſelf, except it abide in the vine; nomorecan ye, exceptye abide inme.