When the Lord in mercy passed by and saw us in our blood, the first word he spoke was "Live!" He had to speak life first, because without it, we are utterly incapable of partaking in the things of God's kingdom. Life is absolutely essential.

Now hear this: The life that grace gives to saints at the moment of their quickening is nothing other than the life of Christ himself! Like sap flowing from the vine into the branches, his life runs into us, establishing a living connection between our souls and Jesus. And faith—faith is the grace that perceives this union, springing from it as its firstfruit. Faith is the very neck that joins the body of the Church to her all-glorious Head.

"Oh Faith! You bond of union with the Lord! Is this not your office, your perfect name in God's grand design? You are the Church's neck, identifying her in will and work with him ascended!"

Faith lays hold upon the Lord Jesus with a firm and determined grasp. She knows his excellence. She knows his worth. And no temptation can induce her to place her trust elsewhere! Christ Jesus is so delighted with this heavenly grace that he never ceases to strengthen and sustain her by the loving embrace and all-sufficient support of his eternal arms.

Here, then, is established a living, sensible, and delightful union which casts forth streams of love, confidence, sympathy, satisfaction, and joy—from which both the Bride and Bridegroom love to drink! When the soul can clearly perceive this oneness between itself and Christ, the pulse may be felt as beating for both, and the one blood as flowing through the veins of each. Then is the heart as near heaven as it can be on earth, prepared for the enjoyment of the most sublime and spiritual fellowship.