no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing," John xv. 4, 5.

It is compared to the union of our meat and drink with our bodies. Thus, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me," John vi. 56, 57.

It is frequently compared to the union of the body to the head. Thus, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love," Eph. iv. 15, 16.

It is sometimes compared to the conjugal union. Thus, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the church, and he is the Saviour of the body.-For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones," Eph. v. 23. 30. "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4.

It is likewise compared to the union of a building, whereof Christ is considered as the foundation, or chief corner-stone. Thus, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to

offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious," 1 Pet. ii. 4-6.

I might add, that this union is sometimes represented in scripture by an identity or sameness of spirit. Thus, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit," 1 Cor. vi. 17.

It is sometimes represented by an identity of body. Thus, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ.-Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular," 1 Cor. xii. 12. 27.

It is also represented by an identity of interest. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," Matt. xxv. 40. Christ and believers have one common Father; "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God," John xx. 17. They have one common inheritance; "Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ," Rom. viii. 17. And they have one common place of eternal residence; "And if I go and prepare a place you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also,” John xiv. 3.

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From this brief and general view of the scriptural representations of our union with Christ, I now proceed to consider something distinctly, what is the special nature of this union, and what we are to understand by it.

1. It must be considered as a mystical union. This, says the apostle, is a great mystery, Eph. v. 32. So great, as to admit of no clear and full illustration, at least in this imperfect state. The reality and certainty

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of this union is clearly revealed, and the blessed effects of it are experienced by all the children of God; but the manner of it (like the Divine Person, God incarnate, to whom we are united) is not only above our knowledge, but above our search and inquiry. This may perhaps be matter of prejudice in the minds of some, against the doctrine before us, that it is inscrutable and unintelligible; but the same objection lies against the most important articles of our faith and hope, and even against many undoubted certainties in the kingdom of nature, as well as of grace. There is the same reason to doubt of the union of the three Persons in the Godhead, of the union of the Divine and human natures in the person of the Son of God, and even of the union of our own souls and bodies. We may have reason to believe what our reason cannot search out, nor inquire into; and when that is the case, the more mysterious and unsearchable is the modus of any thing which God hath revealed, the more should it be the subject of our acknowledgment and admiration. Thus, in the present case, because "this is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes,' therefore we should adore the wonderful dispensation of grace, and rejoice and be glad in it.

2. I must also observe to you, that this is a spiritual union. Such an union whereby, being joined to the Lord, we are one spirit with him, 1 Cor. vi. 17. By which we may understand, that believers partake of the same Divine Spirit, and the same Divine influences and operations, with our biessed Mediator and Master; this difference being excepted, that we have only lower degrees of the Divine communications; but "to him God giveth not the Spirit by measure." We partake of rays; he of the full sun of Divine light and grace; and in him are all the treasures of grace, as in

the repository or fountain, from whence we derive those supplies which we are partakers of. The blessed Spirit, who is in Christ an infinite fountain of all grace, communicates some emanations of the same grace to us, whereby we are (though in a low and imperfect degree) conformed to the Divine will, made "partakers of the Divine nature, have Christ dwelling in us, and we in him." I confess, I am afraid, in this mysterious depth of Divine wisdom and grace, of darkening counsel by words without knowledge. I shall therefore not venture to inquire into the modality of this unity of Spirit in Christ and believers; but only endeavour to consider it in a scriptural and practical light; in such a light as it is necessary it should be considered and understood by all that would obtain a sure foundation of hope, and needed supplies of grace and strength, for a holy and spiritual walk with God. Let it then be, first, observed, that by this union believers have all needful supplies of grace treasured up for them in Christ. In which respect, it is said, "all things are theirs; for they are Christ's, and Christ is God's," 1 Cor. iii. 21. 23. "In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and we are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power," Col. ii. 3. 10. By which means believers are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ," Eph. i. 3. And "Christ is made of God unto them wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. By these, and other like texts of scripture, believers have matter of great consolation, even in their sharpest temptations and lowest frames; in that how dead soever their affections may be, and how dark soever their circumstances may appear, they have an inexhaustible fountain of grace treasured up for them in Christ; and

by virtue of their union to him, they have an interest in his person, they have an interest in his graces, and are secure of all necessary communications of grace, as he shall see their case require. The believer's refuge, therefore, in all his trials, in all his prevailing darkness, deadness, temptation, and imperfection, is to exercise faith in Christ, for grace to help in time of need. There is a sufficient stock laid up for him in the hands of Christ and if he will reach forth the hand of the soul, and, by a believing view of the fulness of Christ, be ready to receive, he shall surely find the grace of Christ sufficient for him, and the strength of Christ made perfect in his weakness. If he will eat Christ's flesh, and drink his blood, that is, if he will exercise a lively faith in him, he shall, by virtue of this communication of

the Spirit of grace, "dwell in Christ, and Christ in

him," John vi. 56.

Hence also believers, by being joined to the Lord, are one spirit with him in another respect. They have the same mind in them that is in Christ Jesus. They have the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom at heart, as their own interest. They have their wills, in some measure, subjected to the will of Christ.-They who abide in him, do carefully endeavour to walk even as he walked, to make him their exemplar, in the regulation of their affections, appetites, passions, and of their whole conduct and conversation; in their aims, desires, delights, love to, and zeal for the service of God; in love to the brethren; and in their diligence and activity in doing the work he has appointed them, while it is day. "He that thus keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us," 1 John iii. 24. But "he that hath not thus the Spirit of Christ, is none of his," Rom. viii. 9.