With joy can the believer say, "My Beloved is mine, " and I am his," happy for me, we are but one person in the eye of the law, and our interests are but one. Blessed state this! Christ gives himself freely to the believer, who also gives himself up in faith to Christ, Christ as the believer's surety has taken his sins upon himself, and the believer takes Christ's righteousness: for Christ makes over all that he has to the believer, who by faith looks upon it and makes use of it as his own; according to that express warrant for his so doing, in 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23. All things are yours, because ye belong to Christ.

66

This vital union, between Christ and the believer, is largely treated of in scripture. Christ thus speaks of it in his prayer for his people, John xvii. I pray for "them who shall believe on me through their word, "that they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, " and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. I in "them, and thou in me, that they may be made per"fect in one." And in John vi. 56. he says, "He that "eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in 66 me, and I in him ;" and this indwelling is by faith, as Eph. iii. 17. "That Christ may dwell in your "hearts by faith." And it is the office of the Holy Spirit to manifest this union to their hearts, as John xiv. 20. "At that day, when the Spirit of truth is come, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and you in "me, and I in you." And besides these and many other plain words, this union is also represented by several striking images, such as that of husband and wife, who are in law, but one person, the husband being answerable for the wife's debts, and the wife sharing in her husband's honours and goods. It is set forth by the union between a building and the foundation upon which it stands secure; between a tree and its branches, which live because they are in the tree, and grow by the sap which they receive from it; between the head and the members, which by holding under the head live and grow, having a supply of nourishment administered

66

to every part. Under these beautiful images the scripture sets forth the reality, and the blessed fruits of this union. The Holy Spirit makes it known to the believer, by enabling him to rely on God's word, as infallible truth, and to receive Christ's person as the almighty Saviour, and he strengthens it, by enabling the believer to make use of Christ's fulness, and to live by faith upon him in all his offices, for the partaking of all his promised graces and blessings.

That faith which is of the operation of God always produces the knowledge and the fruits of this blessed union, and enables the soul to give itself up to Christ, that it may be one with him, not in a figurative metaphorical way, but as really and truly, as the building is one with the foundation, as much one in interest, as husband and wife; one in influence, as the root and the branches, the head and the members. So that this is not an empty notion about Christ, or some clear knowledge of him, or a mere approving of his way of salvation, but it is an actual receiving of him into the heart for righteousness to justify, and to dwell and reign there to sanctify; a receiving him as a perfect Saviour, and living upon him and his fulness; waiting upon him to be taught daily; trusting wholly for acceptance to his blood and righteousness: resting, relying, leaning upon his promised strength to hold out unto the end: and hoping for eternal life as the free gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The saving faith thus receives Christ, and thus lives upon Christ.

Now, reader, examine and prove thyself, whether thou hast this faith. Dost thou believe with thy heart unto righteousness? Thou canst not live upon Christ, unless thou art first in Christ. Thou must be first persuaded of thine interest in him, before thou canst make use of it, and improve it; and therefore the knowledge of thy union with him must be clear and plain, before thou canst have a free and open communion with him. There must be faith, before there can be the fruits of faith; and strong faith before there can be much and

ripe fruit. Little faith will receive but little from Christ. The weak believer is full of doubts and fears, and when he wants comfort or strength, or any other things which Christ has promised to give his people, he is questioning whether he has any right to expect them; and therefore he does not receive them; because he has not boldness and access with confidence to God by faith in Christ Jesus. From hence appears the ne cessity of being established in the faith. The believer must have clear evidence of his interest in Christ, before he can live comfortable and happy upon Christ: therefore he must look well to the foundation, and see there be no doubts left about his being settled upon it. Christ being the sure foundation, how can he safely build thereon all his salvation, unless he be first satisfied, that he is upon it? The peace with God in his conscience, every act of spiritual life, and the whole walk and well ordering of his conversation, depend upon the settling of this point. It ought to be finally determined, and brought to this issue: "Christ is mine, "I know it from the word of God. I have the witness "of the Spirit of God, and Christ allows me, unworthy 66 as I am, to make use of him and of his fulness for "the supply of all my needs; and I find I do make "use of him, and thereby I know from daily expe"rience, that I am in him, because I live upon him." According as this point is settled, so in proportion will be the life of faith. If the believer be thoroughly grounded in it without any doubt or fear, then he may, and will with confidence improve his interest in Christ; but if he still leave it in suspense, his faith can be but little, and therefore he will obtain little comfort or strength from Christ.

Reader, art thou one of the weak in faith? Dost thou feel it? Dost thou mourn for it? and dost thou know, from whence thy faith is to be strengthened? Who can increase it, but he alone who gives it? O pray then to the Lord God to give thee the spirit of wisdom and revelation, that the eyes of thy understand

ing may be enlightened to see the infinite sufficiency of Christ's person, as God-man, and the everlasting merit of his life and death to save his people from their sins. And whatever hinders thee from seeing the fulness of Christ's salvation, and resting comfortably by faith upon it, earnestly entreat the Lord to remove it. If it be sin, beg of God to make thee more willing to part with it. If it be guilt, pray him to ordain peace in thy conscience through the blood of sprinkling. If it be much corruption, it cannot be subdued, until it be first pardoned. If thou hast got under the spirit of bondage, look up to the Lord Christ for that liberty, wherewith he makes his people free. Whatever it be, as soon as it is discovered to thee make use of prayer, believing God's word of faithfulness; that what thou asketh thou shalt have, and that he will so establish thee that thou shalt go on from faith to faith. May it be thy happy case. Amen.

Reader, if thou art an awakened man, convinced of sin by the word and Spirit of God, all thine enemies will try to keep thee from the clear knowledge of thy union with Christ. The reason is plain; because then thou wilt not be able to depend upon Christ's promised strength, and to make use of it by faith, which is almighty to defeat them all. Hearken not therefore to any suggestion, nor be afraid of any opposition, which would hinder thee from seeking to be fully convinced of thine interest in Christ, and of thy being a branch in the true vine. Satan will use all his wiles and fiery darts; and all carnal professors will be on his side, and they will have close allies in thine own breast, in thine unbelief, in thy legal spirit, and in thy lusts and corrup tions. Consider why do these enemies fight so hard against thy being safely settled, and comfortably grounded upon Christ by living faith? Is it not because thou wilt then be an overmatch for them, through the strength of Jesus? And does not this plainly shew thee the absolute necessity of knowing, that Christ and thou are one? Till this be known, thou wilt be afraid to

C

apply to him and to make use of his strength, and till thou dost use it, all thine enemies will triumph over thee. O beg of God then to increase thy faith, that thou mayest be fully convinced of thy union with Christ, and mayest live in him safe, and on him happy. Hear and read his word, and pray for the effectual working of the Lord the Spirit in it, and by it, that faith may come and grow by hearing, until it be finally settled without doubt or wavering, that Christ is thine, and thou art his

After the believer is thus grounded and established in the knowledge of his union with Christ, it behoves him then to enquire, what God has given him a right to in consequence of this union, and the scripture will inform him, that in the covenant of Grace it has pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in his Son, as the head for the use of his members. He has it to supply all their need. They cannot possibly want any thing, but it is treasured up for them in his infinite fulness; there they may have it, grace for grace, every moment, as their occasions require, and they have it in no other way, and by no other hand, than faith, trusting the word of promise, and relying upon Christ's faithfulness and power to fulfil it; as it is written, "the just shall live by his faith," Hab. ii. 3. having received justification to live by faith in the righteousness of Christ, he depends on Christ to keep him alive, and makes use of Christ's fulness for all the wants of that spiritual life, which he has given. He trusts him for them all, and lives upon him by faith for the continual receiving of them all, and according to his faith so is it done unto him.

Let this be well weighed and considered, that the justified person lives and performs every act of spiritual life by faith. This is a very important lesson, and therefore it is taught in scripture as plainly as words can speak. Every thing is promised to, and is received by faith. Thus it is said, Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and if children then heirs according to the promise, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom,