[1.] There is a mutual resignation, or making over
of their persons one to another. This is the first act of communion, as to
the personal grace of Christ. Christ makes himself over to the soul, to be
his, as to all the love, care, and tenderness of a husband; and the soul
gives up itself wholly unto the Lord Christ, to be his, as to all loving,
tender obedience. And herein is the main of Christ’s and the saints’
espousals. This, in the prophet, is set out under a parable of himself and
a harlot, Hos. iii. 3, “Thou shalt abide for me,”
saith he unto her, “thou shalt not be for another, and I will be for thee.”
— “Poor harlot,” saith the Lord Christ, “I have bought thee unto myself
with the price of mine own blood; and now, this is that which we will
consent unto, — I will be for thee,
and thou shalt be for me, and not for another.