we (who had no righteousness) might be made the righteous- ness of God in himg."]
2. Spiritual —
[Very much is spoken in Scripture respecting the spiritual union which subsists between Christ and his people. To mark that they stand by him alone, it is compared to a foundation and the superstructure11. To shew that he is the one source of vital influence to them all, it is illustrated by a root and the branches'. To intimate that one Spirit pervades both him and themk, it is set forth under the image of a body ; he being the Head, and they the members1. To convey some idea of the tender endearments with which it is accompanied, it is shadowed forth by a marriage union. This is the representa- tion given in the text. He is our husband™; and we are his bride": and, as Adam said of Eve when she was brought to him, " She is flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bones0," so may we say respecting the Lord Jesus Christ, " We are mem- bers of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."
Whatever beauty there is in all the other figures, methinks there is a peculiar propriety in that which is now under our consideration, because it marks that volition, yea, and those means also, whereby the union is effected. The Lord Jesus Christ displays before our eyes his excellency and glory, his suitableness and sufficiency ; and, by the constraining influence of his love, inclines us to leave all that has hitherto been esteemed by us, in order to connect ourselves with him, and enjoy his presence1*. We accept that gracious proposal, " Thou shalt not be for another man ; so will I also be for thee0-:" and being thus engaged by a solemn covenant, we surrender up ourselves to him, whether it be for better or for worse in this world, determining through grace to " be faithful unto him, even until death."]
We prosecute the idea of a marriage union no fur- ther at present, because it will be more fully opened, while we shew, II. The blessings resulting from it —
It is needless to expatiate upon the comforts and benefits of that relation among men : but we cannot be too minute in specifying the blessings that result from an union with Christ. The chief of them will come under our review, while we observe, that,
s 2 Cor. v. 21. h Eph. ii. 20 — 22. » John xv. 5.
k 1 Cor. vi. 17. l Eph. iv. 15, 16. m Isai. liv. 5.
n Rev. xxi. 9. ° Gen. ii. 23.
p Ps. xlv. 10, 11, Markx. 29, 30. a Hos. hi. 3.