Now, by believing in Christ, we become perfectly one with Christ —
[This is affirmed in my text : " We are all one in Christ Jesus." It is also frequently declared in other places. I will specify one, where the union which is formed with Christ in baptism is represented as equivalent to that which subsists between the head and members of the same body ; so that the persons baptized are actually called by his very name, as being altogether identified with him : " As the body is one, and hath many members ; and all the members of that body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ;" that is, so also is the Church of Christ. " For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be
bond or free" " We are indeed many members, yet are
we but one bodyr." Thus it appears, that, inasmuch as we become one with Christ by faith in him, we become in and with him the seed of Abraham, and heirs of all the promises that were made to him.]
And being united unto Christ by faith, we need nothing to be superadded to us by the works of the law —
[The natural descendants of Abraham, as such, have no title to these benefits : for " all are not Israel who are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children ;" for it was said to him, " In Isaac shall thy seed be called : that is, they which are the children of the flesh are not the children of God : but the children of the promise are counted for the seeds." Now, by union with Christ we become the children of promise, and consequently heirs of all that God has promised. But how is this union effected? It is effected simply by faith. No work of the law can contri- bute to it. Even if we were of Abraham's natural posterity, it would avail us nothing : nor, if we were to keep the whole law, would it avail us any thing. We must believe in Christ, and by faith be made one with him ; and then the benefits are ours : nor shall all the powers of darkness prevail to rob us of them. Only let these two things be remembered, and our whole argument will be clear. First, no want of external privileges can deprive us of these benefits; and next, no observances whatever can augment our title to them, if only we believe in Christ : for " if we be Christ's, then are we Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."]
Now let me address myself,
1. To those who are Christ's in profession only —
r 1 Cor. xii. 12, 13. s Rom. ix. 6—8.