m
law, or made atonement for sin, would be blasphemy,) yet by virtue of our relation to him as our Head and Representative, every thing which he either did or suffered, is, as far as respects the beneficial effects of it, considered as though we had done or suffered it : and on this account we may claim, on the footing of justice as well as of mercy, all that he purchased for us, and merited on our behalf"."]
2. By a vital union —
[The union of a member with the headx, or of a branch with the viney, justly characterizes our union with Christ. Separate from him, we can do nothing2 : we can perform no one act of the spiritual life, nor bring forth any spiritual fruit. The body and the soul are not more closely united than Christ and his people: he lives in thema; he is their very life b ; they are one spirit with himc.
Now this, no less than their federal relation to Christ, is known to all true Christians. They do not indeed at all times equally enjoy a sense of it in their minds ; but, in proportion as they live nigh to God in the exercise of faith and love, they " have the witness of these things within themselves*1." Temptation or sin may so weaken the assurance, that it shall be scarcely discerned : but when these obstructions are removed, and the believer is walking closely with God, a holy confidence will almost invariably crown his labours, and fill his soul with peace e.]
We shall conclude this subject with answering two questions :
1. How do Christians obtain this knowledge ?
[The text informs us : It is not from human teaching, or the power of reason, that this light springs up in the soul : it is Christ who " gives us an understanding to know him :" He, who opened the heart of Lydiaf, and the understandings of his own Apostles g, enlightens the minds of believers at this day, and " reveals unto babes and sucklings the things that are hid from the wise and prudenth." If then roe would obtain this knowledge, let us not lean to our own understanding, but pray to him to open our eyes, and to " guide us into all truth" ]
2. What benefit do they derive from it ?
« Rom. in. 25, 26. 1 John i. 9. * Col. ii. 19.
y John xv. 1. z John xv. 5. a Gal. ii. 20.
» Col. hi. 4. c 1 Cor. vi. 17. d 1 John v. 10.
e 1 John hi. 21. f Acts xvi. 14. s Luke xxiv. 45. h Matt. xi. 25.