What this union with Christ is. The scripture often speaks of Christ’s being, or abiding in his people, and they in him; and assigns it as an evidence of their interest in the blessings he has purchased for them: and, indeed, it is from hence that all internal and practical godliness is derived. This privilege argues infinite condescension in him, and tends to the highest advancement of those who are the subjects thereof. Now that we may understand what is intended thereby, let us take heed that we do not include in it any thing that tends to extenuate it on the one hand; or to exalt those who are made partakers of it above the station or condition into which they are brought thereby, on the other. It is not sufficient to suppose that this union contains in it no more than that his people have the same kind of nature with him, as being made _partakers of flesh and blood_; he having _himself taken part of the same_, Heb. ii. 14. He is indeed allied to us, as having all the essential perfections of our nature: and this was an instance of infinite condescension in him, and absolutely necessary to our redemption: nevertheless, this similitude of nature; abstracted from other considerations, accompanying or flowing from his incarnation, contains in it no other idea of union, between Christ and his people, than that which they have with one another; nor is it a privilege peculiar to believers, since Christ took on him the same human nature that all men have, though with a peculiar design of grace to those whom he came to redeem. This I the rather take notice of, because the Socinians, and others, that speak of this privilege, inasmuch as it is often mentioned in scripture, appear to have very low thoughts of it, when they suppose nothing more than this to be intended thereby. Again, this union includes in it more than what is contained in that mutual love that is between Christ and believers, in that sense in which there is an union of affection between those who love one another; as it is said, _The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David; and Jonathan loved him as his own soul_, 1 Sam. xviii. 1. In which respect believers are united to one another; or, as the apostle expresses it, their hearts are _knit together in love_, Col. ii. 2. _being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind_, Phil. ii. 2. or, as he adds, _Let this mind also be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus_, ver. 5. I say it includes more than this, which is rather the fruit and consequence of our union with Christ, than that wherein it principally consists.