testimony of my heart's affection, but it is that a Person is more to me than anything here, and that I can readily leave everything I have known and valued, as Rebekah did for Isaac. The One who is my stay and only comfort on this earth has left it, hence I am running on to heaven, for "He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry."

Now we come to the third measure of His love in which every measure is fully learned. In this measure we know the exceeding greatness of the power that wrought in Christ: we know that we are united to Him by the Holy Ghost. The One whom we know as our Saviour and High Priest is our Head, "from whom all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." It is from this altitude that we can acquire some apprehension of His love "that passeth knowledge." For it is when we know our calling that, as in Ephesians iii. 14-20, we know "the love that passeth knowledge," that we

"might be filled even to all the fulness of God."

The knowledge of union, which is the consummation of love, has an effect on us entirely different from any previous measure of His love. True it is, that then the greatness of His love in giving Himself is fully known, and hence, as I have said, His giving Himself to death is ever the sure ground for His doing anything.

Now let us try to gather from scripture some of the effects which spring from the knowledge of union with Christ. I believe the first great effect is restfulness of heart. Surely as united to Him I know that as He is, so am I in this world. See the effect on Mary Magdalene as a pattern, when she heard His words, "I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." The everlasting bond of union is the climax of affection. There cannot be more, and there never can be less. The heart rests in an indissoluble tie to its object. It cannot be made surer of what it loves. When

the heart has not learned this, it is ever to a great degree occupied with itself, with relation, I admit, to the Lord, but then there is not complete restfulness; hence I believe this is its first effect. Stephen knew it in power when he, through the Holy Ghost, "looked up steadfastly into heaven."

Now, restfulness being the first effect, the next is, that I am in spirit where He is; His place is my place, an enjoyment and reality which I could not know here, if I were not united to Him. My joy is full. I am in fellowship with the Father and the Son. An immense field of blessing is now opened out to me, which is embodied in the prayer. (Eph. iii. 14–20.)

Next, as down here, I am devoted to His pleasure; I know in whom I have believed, and like the disciples, though I am where He is not, His words are now the one thought of my heart. "If any man love me, he will keep my words." It is evident one is now in quite a new line. It has been said that a relationship generates its

own affections, hence there is now an entirely new experience to the heart. As one Spirit with the Lord, I feel I am entirely under His control. The church is subject to Christ. I have now but One to please. It is both my duty and my joy.

If the entirely new position in which I am set through union with Christ be not seen, we shall not be able to understand the drawing of heart to Him which springs from that relationship.

Obedience is ever connected with dependence. Next to obedience, or keeping His words, I get the sense of His confidence in me. My heart looks for His confidence. "I call you not servants, but friends." "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her." There is no greater confirmation of His unhindered love than that He confides in us; no greater joy to my heart, as He said to Peter, "Feed my sheep"-"Feed my lambs." He failed because of confidence in himself, but the Lord would have confidence in him. What joy to my heart when this is known!

We are next in concert with Him, an experience of untold blessedness when I can share with Him in His interests. If I am not enjoying union I could not be in company with Him in His present work, even to "sanctify" the church. This is His present chief interest, and the nearer I am to Him and the more subject I am to Him (like Sarah) calling Him Lord, the more He leads me into what His heart is set on. If the heart of the Queen of Sheba was entranced when she saw all the personal interests of Solomon, how much more is mine, when the Holy Ghost glorifies Him to me; as He said, "He shall take of mine and shew it unto you." It is not easy to describe the sense of His love-the intimacy of affection-known to the heart as it is thus associated with Him in service. Hence only now is true service entered on; and, as I am serving Him according to His pleasure, my heart knows the truth of His words, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do

them."