SERMON XVII.

THE NATURE, END, AND NECESSITY OF À REAL UNION WITH CHRIST.

JOHN, XV. 5.

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.

TRUE Christians stand in a peculiar relation to Jesus Christ, and there are many comparisons and similitudes used in Scripture, which, while they explain this their relation, point out also by implication their dependance on Him, their duty to Him, and their interest in Him.

But there is no comparison which makes this matter more plain, or gives a more full and comprehensive view of the Christian's relation to Christ, than the one in the text; for it shews that this their relation to Him. is in reality an union; and not an union merely, but a vital union; such an union as subsists between a tree and its branches.

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"I am the Vine; ye are the branches." Christ is the root, the stem, the trunk of the Tree. True Christians are the branches united to it. And we know what sort of an

union this is.

It is such an union as makes the branch a living part of the Tree. The branch is so united with the Trunk, as to derive from it life, and sap, and fruitfulness. It lives by reason of its union to the Trunk, and only by reason of it. If we destroy this union, the branch withers and dies. Its life is gone. Such is the union of Christians with Christ. It is a It is a living union. They live only in virtue, and by means of this their union with Him. They derive from Him all their spiritual life and fruitfulness; and, separated from Him, they have no life in them, and can do nothing pleasing and acceptable to Him.

It is this union, then, of which our Lord speaks so fully in the text, and in the passage connected with it; and some of the chief particulars of which, as taught us by the comparison here used, I will endeavour, in the present discourse, to explain and apply. May the Lord Himself be with us, and by His Spirit enable us to comprehend this mysterious, but most important and salutary doctrine!

First, then, we are taught by the comparison used in the text, that the union of

Christians with Christ is a real, living, and spiritual union. This point I have already stated; but it may admit of some further explanation. And I think it the more necessary to explain it further, because it is a point of so much moment, and one oftentimes so much misunderstood. It is a subject on which very defective views are frequently entertained. Persons who believe and profess their belief, that Christians are united to Christ, yet sometimes fall very short of the truth in their apprehensions of the nature and efficacy of that union. They suppose, for instance, that every Christian is indeed an individual part of the Church of Christ, and is so joined to Him, as, with the rest, to make one great whole; in the same manner as every single stone in a building is a part of that building, and so united to the whole. But though this view of the subject be just, so far as it goes, and the comparison here employed is in fact a Scriptural comparison; yet it gives only a partial, and not a full representation of the case. The Christian is united to Christ, not merely as a stone in a building, but in a far more intimate and living way. And therefore, when St. Peter makes use of this very comparison, as descriptive of true Christians, he addresses them" as lively stones, built up a spiritual house." Again, persons suppose that this

union of Christians with Christ consists in their being upheld, supported, and protected by His power, mercy, and providence; or, perhaps, to express the matter more clearly, in that outward relation, to which He admits them by covenant, and by which he engages to save, defend, and provide for them. But neither does this view of the case go far enough. The support which the branches of the vine receive from the wall to which they are fastened, or from the elm round which they are twined, is of a different kind from that which they derive from the trunk and the root. Their union with the wall and with the elm is of essential importance to them; but it is not of the same nature as their union with the trunk and the root. The former is merely outward and relative; the latter is inward and vital. It is from the latter alone that the branches derive their life. Hence is the sap communicated to them. Hence their capability of fruitfulness arises. Such, then, is the nature of Christ's union with His people: it is inward and vital. "Their life is hid with Christ in God." They have in them a secret supply of spiritual life drawn from a hidden source, which cannot be intercepted, and which really distinguishes them from all other persons.

It is asked, by what means this union is

effected and maintained? The text informs us. Christ abides in His people, and they abide in Him. He abides in them by His Spirit, which He puts into their heart; they abide in Him by the faith which He enables them to exercise on His person, word, and promises. Observe how St. Paul describes this mysterious but glorious state of the true Christians. Speaking of himself, he says,

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life, which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Secondly, we are taught by the comparison in the text, what should be the end and consequence of this union with Christ, namely, fruitfulness. From a vine we look for grapes; and if the branches bear not fruit, we regard them as useless, as doing no credit to the tree, deriving no benefit from their union with it, and only occupying a place which might be better filled by others. In the same manner what is looked for from a true Christian is Christianity. This is the fruit which he is expected to bear, a Christian temper and disposition, a Christian life and conversation, Christian devotions, and Christian designs. He must honour God, and do good in his generation; he must shew forth the excellence and efficacy of his principles;