(2.) Tliis expression shows how the divine persons glorify one
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another. As the Spirit glorifieth the Son, John xvi, 14, so here the Son glorifieth the Father, and referreth all to him ; he doth not say, My redeemed ones, but ' Ye blessed of my Father,' they are not less beloved and blessed by the Father than by the Son who redeemed them ; blessed in the Father's love who elected them, gave them to Christ, sent Christ and accepted his ransom, declared his will in willing their glorification.
2. The invitation, in two words, Sevre, KXrjpovofiijaaTe ; both have their emphasis and proper signification: the one signifieth our en- trance upon the glorified estate, the other our everlasting possession of it.
[1.] Aevre, 'Come.' To the wicked he saith 'Depart,' but to the saints, ' Come.' As the quintessence of all misery lieth in the one, so the consummation of all blessedness in the other. He had said before. Mat. xi. 28, ' Come to me all ye that are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest;' but that was but an acquaintance at a distance, and some remote service we were called unto. But now. Come into my heart, my bosom, my glory. Our nearest communion with Christ is not till we be translated into heaven. Come, draw near to me ; be not afraid of my majesty. This was it the saints longed for, and now they enjoy it : ' When shall I come and appear before God ? ' saith holy David, Ps. xlii. 2. You that had a heart upon my first invitation to come to me, and seek after me in the kingdom of grace, come near to me now in the kingdom of glory. The godly do not so much desire to come near to Christ, as Christ desireth to come near to them. Where have you been all this while ? Come, come ; I am ready to receive you ; you are welcome guests to me : we have been too long asunder. Oh ! how ravishing will this be to every gracious heart that loved and longed for tliis day !
[2.] KXr]povofji,i]aare, ' Inherit.' Our happy and blessed estate we have and hold by inheritance : 1 Peter iii. <J, ' Ye are called to inherit a blessing.' That noteth a tenure free, full, and sure. This heritage —
(1.) Is free. We do not possess it as bondmen or servants only ; we do not come to this happiness by our own earning and purchase ; but as heirs of Christ. Adam's tenure was that of a servant ; the blessings he expected from God were mere wages. We hold promises in another manner. Our title is by adoption, which we have imme- diately upon closing with Christ, John i. 12, by virtue of our sonship, Kom. viii. 17 ; not by merit, but free gift, Eom. vi. 23.
(2.) A full tenure. As children under age differ but little from a servant ; but we come then as heirs to our full right. A child, though he be an heir, and owner of all his father's inheritance in hope, yet as long as he is a minor, or under age, he diflfereth little or nothing from a servant in point of subjection, and as to free government and enjoy- ment of his rights and goods. But now, to this inheritance we come as meet heirs. They distinguish of jus hereditarmm, and jus aptitudinale — an hereditary right and an aptitudinal right. Now, when we have believed, suffered, and been exercised enough, we shall receive our full inheritance, ' being made meet for it,' Col. i. 12.
(3.) A sure title. It was given us by the Father, and purchased by the Son ; and we hold it by this tenure for ever. God the Father gave
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it : Luke xii. 32, ' Fear not, little flock ; it is your Father's pleasure to give you a kingdom.' And Christ hath purchased it, Heb, ix. 15 ; it is left us as a legacy by him, John xvii. 24 ; and he liveth for ever to be the executor of his own testament, Heb. vii. 25 ; so that now we are past all danger when once admitted into possession.
3. Here is the description of that happy estate we are invited unto. Where observe —
[1.] The notion by which it is expressed ; it is ' a kingdom.' What can be thought of more magnificent and glorious than a kingdom ? It is called a kingdom —
(1.) Partly with respect to Christ, who is our head and chief ; in whose glory we shall all participate and share, in our places and capa- cities. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and we shall reign with him as kings ; for he hath made us a royal priesthood, 1 Peter ii. 9 ; and Rev. i. 6, ' He hath washed us in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God ; ' and Rev, v. 10, ' And hath made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign with him.' It is begun on earth spiritually, but it is perfected in heaven gloriously, where the saints shall be as so many crowned kings.