[The manifestations of God to the soul are a very heaven upon earth ; let them therefore be duly esteemed and diligently improved ; but beware lest you " grieve the Spirit by whom you are sealed : " be looking forward with increasing earnestness to your inheritance ; and while you enjoy the inward witness that you are the children of God, let the world have an outward evidence of it in your lives k.]
k In confirmation of this view of a very difficult subject, the reader is referred to an elaborate and judicious discussion of it in Edwards on the Affections, page 168 — 185; at the close of which that most penetrating author gives a summary of the whole in these words : ' When the Apostle Paul speaks of the Spirit of God bearing witness with our spirit, he is not to be understood of Uvo spirits, that are two separate, collateral, independent witnesses ; but it is by one, that we receive the witness of the other : the Spirit of God gives the evidence, by infusing and shedding abroad the love of God, the spirit of a child, in the heart ; and our spirit, or our conscience, receives and declares this evidence of our rejoicing.'
To obviate any objection that may seem to arise from the term <Tuj.i/j.apTvpe~i, see how the same word is used, Rom. ix. 1.
THE PRIVILEGES OF GOD's CHILDREN.
Rom. viii. 17. If children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that zve may be also glorified together.
THERE are many high-sounding titles among men, which are no otherwise profitable to the pos- sessors of them, than as they please their fancy, and gratify their pride. But the honourable appellations given to the true Christian, are connected with real and substantial benefits, which every one who is counted worthy of them shall infallibly enjoy. Be- lievers are called in Scripture, " Children of God." Now this name is not a mere Hebraism, or figure of speech peculiar to Scripture : for though it is true that the Scriptures speak of children of promise, children of disobedience, children of the curse, im- porting only that the persons so called are of such or such a character; yet the term " Children of God" is of a more determinate meaning : it imports a
1872.1 PRIVILEGES OF GOD's CHILDREN. 287
relation to God as a Father ; and includes all that is comprehended in that relation. Hence the Apostle, having spoken of believers under this term, imme- diately draws this inference from it; " If children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."
In considering these words, we shall set before you, I. The privileges of believers —
It is here taken for granted, that believers are children of God : we therefore pass over that, and notice only the privileges attached to that relation. And here we find them,
1. Briefly stated — [We know what is usually understood by the term " heir." An heir is one who has a title to an estate, not as having earned or merited it, but simply by right of primogeniture. He comes to the full possession of it as soon as he is of age ; and in the mean time he is supported out of it agreeably to the rank of life he is hereafter to sustain.
Now from hence we may see what is implied in the term, when applied to the children of God. They have a claim to heaven itself as their inheritance a. But their right does not at all arise from any thing they have done to deserve or pur- chase it : it is founded solely on their having been born of God through the operations of the Holy Spirit upon their souls b. They come to the full possession of it at the time appointed of the Father: but, while they continue minors, they are educated, and maintained, in a manner suited to their high and heavenly birth : they have the Holy Ghost himself for their teacher0 ; they have manna from heaven, even " angels' food," for their support3; they have the garments of salvation for their cloth- ing2; and angels for their attendants to minister unto themf.