of the net, and gives him the victory over all that hate him, yea, prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies.

Out of the depths of sufferings, brought about by their own sin and disobedience, the saints cry unto God. So prayed Jacob to be delivered from the hand of Esau; and when disobedient Jonah was in the belly of the whale, the depth closed him round about, the weeds were wrapped about his head; when his soul fainted within him, he remembered the Lord, and cried unto him, and the Lord heard the voice of his supplication. The children of Israel are brought low for their iniquity: nevertheless, he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry. (Psalm cvi. 43, 44.)

Out of the depths of priestly sorrow and sympathy God's people cry to him. Thus did Jeremiah and Daniel humble themselves, on account of their guilty nation, before God, and confess their sin, and supplicate mercy. They were in the depths of sorrow and grief. Thus did Paul, the servant of the Lord, weep for the ungodly: he felt great heaviness and

continual sorrow in his heart on account of his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh; and the supplications which ascend out of the depths of Christ-like zeal for God's glory and compassion towards sinners bring down the answer of the Most High in power and blessing.

While we are in this valley of our pilgrimage, compassed about with sorrow, temptation, and a godless world, and have within. us sin and unbelief and selfishness, contending not merely with flesh and blood, we shall have to cry out of the depths. In heaven the prayers will be changed into songs of deliverance; but even now the child of God knows not merely ex profundis, but a hymn of joy and gladness, for he is "in Christ."

He was once against Christ, crucifying him like the Jews of old, persecuting him like Saul of Tarsus; he was once without Christ, ignoring his offers and invitations, destitute of his righteousness and strength; he was once only near Christ, admiring his holiness, his life, his death, his love, wish

ing to please and serve him, trying to obey and trust him; but now he is in Christ.

This union is of God (1 Cor. i. 30), it is of Christ (Eph. v. 25), it is of the Spirit (1 Cor. vi. 17).

This union is necessary and essential to salvation. Know ye not that ye are in Christ Jesus, except ye be reprobates? Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. But what is meant by being born again? If any man be in Christ, he is

a new creature.

This union is mysterious, and yet can be compared to many things which all understand. Jesus calls himself the Bread of Life. He gives us his body and blood to be the strength and life of our souls. We feed on him. The Father sends the manna; the Son gives us his body to eat and his blood to drink; the Spirit enables us to receive and to partake by faith.

Jesus calls himself the Vine, and us the branches. His life is ours; we are dead and barren without him. If we abide in him, it is he who lives in us, and brings forth fruit

through us.

The Father is the Husbandman: his is the glory. The Spirit grafts us into the Vine: faith is the connection between us and Christ. Christ is the Head, There is perfect union and sympathy between the Head and the Christ is the life, the wisdom, the

the Church the body.

members.

guide of his people.

Christ is the foundation laid by the Father: we the building, resting and depending upon him.

Christ is the Bridegroom, the Husband of the church. He loved us, and gave himself for us, that we may love him, yield to him all our affections, lean on him at all times, and find our joy in his presence and fellowship.

These comparisons are to help us in understanding and believing that there is a real and intimate union between Christ and his people.

See, then, O believer! thy safety. Thou art accepted in the Beloved. If Christ is safe, thou art safe. Why was Christ crucified? He was delivered for our offences.

Why was Christ raised and glorified? Because of our justification. Christ ascended; Christ sitteth now at the right hand of God; and, if Christ is our head, if we are in him, we are safe.

See your danger. Only one danger exists; that is to leave Christ. As long as you abide in him as your only hope and confidence, as the supreme object of your love and gratitude, as your Guide and Example and Sovereign, you are safe: his grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. To lose sight of him, to be unfaithful to him in your heart, unmindful of him in your life, — this is the only real evil.

See your happiness. "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” If we are in Christ, what infinite love of the Father is resting upon us! One with the Beloved of God, how near and dear are we to the heart of the heavenly Father! What a contrast is