Matthew Poole and continuators on John 6:56

56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood , dwelleth in me, and I in him .

He that acknowledgeth and receiveth me, tho he seeth me as a Man, consisting of Flesh and Blood, and that particularly applyeth himself to me as dying for the sins of the World; and committeth his Soul in all its concerns for Life and Salvation to me,

is united to me, and I to him: He is united to me by Faith and Love, Ephes. 3.17. 1 Iohn 3.23, 24. and 4.16. And I am united to him by a mutual Love, Chap. 14.23. and by my Holy Spirit, As our Bread and Meat, which we are nourished by, doth not dwell in us, and nourish, unless we eat it: So neither doth Christ do good to any Soul, unless such a Soul as by Faith receiveth him, and believeth in him. Wh[illegible: 1 letter]t is said in this Verse maketh it evident, that these Verses cannot be understood of any Sacramental eating, for it is not true, That Christ dwelleth in every Soul, or that every Soul dwelleth and abideth in Christ, who doth Sacramentally eat the Flesh, and drink the Blood of Christ. A[illegible: 1 letter]l Unions are either Natural or Political Vnions. The strictest Natural Union is that of the Head and Members; the Vine, and the Branches. The strictest Political Vnion ▪ is that of the Husband and Wife, Gen. 2.2[illegible: 1 letter]. The Union betwixt Christ and a believing Soul is set out by all these, Chap. 15.[illegible: 1 letter]1. Ephes. 5.30, 31. Col. 1.18. For the Nature of this Union, see Divines, who have wrote on this Argument.

Marginal references: Or, abideth. [illegible: 1 word] ▪