214 SERMONS UPON EPHKSIANS V. [SeR. V.
Christ there is no entering into the kingdom of God. These two are not contrary, but the one is subordinate to the other ; namely, the kingdom of Christ is derived from God, and referred to him. The supreme right of governing is still in God, and our subjection to hiin is preserved : Phil. ii. 11, ' That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' And Christ doth redeem us that we may serve him : Luke i. 74, ' That he Avould grant unto us that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.' And besides, it is impossible that we can perform the duties that belong to the kingdom of God, or enjoy the privileges thereof, without entering into the kingdom of Christ ; for he healeth our natures, and giveth repentance as a prince. Acts v. 31, or a new nature, as the foundation of a new obedience. Nor can we enjoy the privi- leges, pardon and life. Pardon we have not till we be Christ's subjects : Col. i. 13, 14, ' Who hath delivered us from the power of Satan, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son ; in whom we have redemption through his Ijlood, the forgiveness of sins.' As soon as we are brought into his kingdom, then we have remission of sins. Then for life : There is no access to the kingdom of God in glory but by Jesus Christ as mediator : John xiv. 6, ' Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life ; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.' Christ first took possession of it in our name : John xiv. 2, 3, ' In my Father's house are many mansions ; if it were not so, I would have told you : I go to ])repare a place for you ; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto my- self, that where I am ye may be also.' And so in due time we get possession also, and reign for ever with him : Kev. iii, 21, ' To him that overcometh I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame and sat down with the Father in his throne.' After we have a while resisted the devil, and approved ourselves to Christ, we attain that immortal glory, a part of which is reigning with Christ, and dominion over the creatures.
3. The title or right to the privileges of Christ's kingdom is by way of inheritance. This Avord is solemnly used in this case ; as Mat. xxv. 34, ' Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you ; ' and Acts xxvi. 18, ' That ye may have remission of sins, and an inheritance among the sanctified.' So Col. i. 12, 'Made meet to l)e partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ; ' and innumerable other places. Those excellent things which are prepared for us in another world are of the nature of an inheritance, not purchased by us, but freely l^estowed upon us, by virtue of our adoption and sonship. God adopteth us in Clu-ist, and receiveth us into his family. What followeth ? ' If a son, then an heir of God through Christ,' Gal. iv. 7 ; and Rom. viii. 17, ' If sous, then heirs, joint heirs with Christ.' Our right to the heavenly inheritance cometh to us by virtue of our sonship and adoption, which is begun in the kingdom of grace, and perfected in glory. God, of rebels, at first maketh us sons, before we can lay claim to heaven and glory as our portion and inheritance. All the business then will be, who hath a right to sonship ? If you search the scriptures, you will find that it belongeth only to those that
YeR. 5.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 215
* believe in Christ,' wlio recovered our lost and forfeited privileges : John i. 12, ' To as many as received hira, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' Well, then, thus far we have gone. Inheritance depends upon adoption and sonship ; sonship upon the grace of the Redeemer ; and a right to the Redeemer's grace we have b}' faith. But will every faith serve the turn ? No ; none but such as produceth purity and obedience ; for the property of faith is to purify the heart, Acts XV. 9 ; and without purity of heart no man shall see God, Mat. V. 8. Again, faith produceth obedience ; for the mystery of the gospel is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, Rom. xvi. 26, and none but such have a right : Rev. xxii. 14, ' Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life/ Those that obey and fulfil the will of God have a right to be admitted into heaven.
4. By the tenor of the christian doctrine it plainly appeareth that whoredom and all uncleanness excludeth men from this inheritance ; therefore unclean persons, and men given to unnatural lusts, have no right, and cannot, without usurpation, pretend to any hopes of this blessed estate. It appeareth plainly by these particulars —