[2.] Because there the relation holdeth of both sides. Christ is born of a woman, and they are born of God, John i. 13 ; and he is a kins- man doubly, ratione incarnationis suce and regetierationis nostrce, as Macarius. He taketh human nature, and we partake of tbe divine nature, 2 Peter i. 4. They that have not this new birth,' the kindred is not reckoned to them. It is between sanctifier and sanctified. Tiiere is a conformity between bead and members of the mystical body ; an unity of nature spiritually as well as outwardly. The sanctified are of one, as well as the sanctifier ; they are of the Spirit.
[3.j Tiie captain of salvation and the heirs brought to glory are an holy society, whereof he is the head and they the members. He sancti- fieth, and they are sanctified. A living head and rotten members will not suit. As a prince instituteth a noble society (suppose of the Garter), whereof he is head, all the members that call one another brethren are in their degree of answerable nobility with himself ; so Christ hath instituted a society where all shall be brethren, but he the head. He gave himself for it : Bph. v. 27, ' Christ is the head of the church, and saviour of the body.'
[4.] These suit with Christ's ends of coming into the world and assum- ing human nature. Two ends there were of his humiliation and mean condition in the world —
(1.) One by way of merit, to procure the sanctifying Spirit, to restore us to a state of holiness, and to purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, Titus ii. 14, Eph. ii. 25, 26. The Spirit begets us to the image of God, and it is by Christ that we are possessed of the Spirit, and renewed according to his image, injighteousness and true holiness.
(2.) His mean condition, whereby he became our brother, and did partake of flesh and blood, because his brethren did partake of the same, is a testimony against the pride, carnality, and worldliness of men, which is the true impurity of their souls. He was in the form of a servant, and made himself of no reputation, Phil. ii. 7-9, to draw off deluded men from over-loving the pleasures and riches and honours of the world, and so to cuie them of that perverse love wherein impurity and unholiness dolh consist, and 1o te;ich us a settled con- tempt of all these vanities in conii)Mrison of God and heaven, and that inclination and affectcthiess we should have lo him.
SEPvMON UPON HEBREWS II. 11. 441
[5.] These are qualified for the inheritance, suited to the everlast- ing^ glory and happiness which belougeth to the brethren : Mat. v. 8, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,' God is an holy God, and heaven is the place where his holiness dwelleth. If God will be now sanctified in all that draw nigh unto him, surely they must be sanctified that dwell with him hereafter. Unless we be washed by the blood of Christ, and sanctified by his Spirit of grace, how can we dwell in his sight ? we must be consecrated before we can minister iu his heavenly temple. God will not divest himself of his holiness to gratify impure and unholy creatures, and admit them to dwell in his presence upon other terms.
Use 1. To press you to labour after holy hearts and holy lives. The more you increase in holiness, the more you increase in the favour of God : Prov. xi. 20, ' Such as are upright in the way are his delight.' A man is made truly amiable by holiness the more God loveth him ; and it is the greatest testimony of God's love to us to give a new heart and a right spirit within us : Kom. v. 5, ' The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given to us.'
Use 2. It shows who they are that may take comfort in that Christ calls them brethren, even the sanctified, such as have the Spirit of Christ dwelling and working in them, and do purify themselves yet more and more. They that have not this double union and communion with Christ are not brethren, though they be men, as Christ was; for though Christ assumed their nature, yet they do not assume Christ's nature. Though he was the Son of man, yet they are not the sons of God, Therefore try — (1.) Are you sanctified ? Is there a principle of grace set up in your hearts ? Another spirit than the spirit of the world ? Is there a new spirit as God has promised ? Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. (2.) Does that work go on ? It is complete in parts at first, but are you growing in degrees, as an infant doth ? Is there more love, more zeal, faith, fear, reverence, watchfulness ? Is your love more fixed ? Are you more fixed, more cleansing yourselves ? 2 Cor. vii. 1 ; more humbling yourselves for outbreakings of sin ? Is tliere more fitness and suitableness to God's will ; more pressing towards the mark, as it was with Paul ? Phil. iii. 14.