vassals'*? Our Lord himself declares, that all such persons are, not merely the friends, but the property, of the world®.]
3. To Satan —
[Satan rules in all the children of disobedience *^; he leads them captive at his will^. Hence he is called the god of this world '' : and who amongst us has not fulfilled his will ? This then manifests us to have been his children' ; and, if we be not converted by divine grace, it may still be said to us, as it was to the Jews of old, " Ye are of your father, the deviP."]
By conversion, however, we are brought back to our rightful Owner, II. Whose we are —
Christ is the heir and sovereign Lord of all things. Both men and devils are subject to his controul ; but believers are his in a more peculiar manner. They are his people^, his bride"", his very members" —
1. By donation from the Father —
[The Father, from eternity, chose a people for himself". These he gave to Christ to be redeemed by himP; and secured them to him by an everlasting covenant^. To his eternal pur- pose we must trace the distinction made between them and others'", and ascribe all our salvation to him alone ^]
2. By his own purchase —
[Though salvation is freely given to us, it was purchased for us at a most invaluable price. Christ gave his own life a ransom for us : the price he paid was no less than his own blood*. This is the great subject of praise in heaven": nor should it ever be forgotten by us on earth.]
3. By the drawings of the Holy Spirit —
[No man, of himself, would go to Christ for salvation : all who are his, are di-awn to him by the Spirit''. It is the Spirit who quickens and renews our souls : to him alone must we ascribe the power and the glory y.]
4. By their own voluntary surrender —
1 Rom. vi. 16. ' John xv. 19. ^ Eph. ii. 2.
K 2 Tim. ii. 26. ^ 2 Cor, iv. 4. * 1 John iii. 8, 10.
k John viii. 44. ' Tit. ii. 14. "> Rev. xxi. 9.
n Eph. v. 30. 0 Eph. i. 4. p John xvii. 6.
q Ps. Ixxxix. 34—36. ^ 2 Tim. i. 9.
» 1 Cor. XV. 10. ' 1 Pet. 1. 19. " Rev. v. 9.
* John vi. 44. > Zech. iv. 6.
1950. J BELIEVERS ARE CHRIST's PROPERTY. 141
[All Christ's people are made willing to be his'': they willingly renew their baptismal covenant, and give themselves up to him at his holy table. This they consider as their rea- sonable service'' : yea, they rejoice in it as their highest privi- lege. This is the peculiar character of all true Christians''.]
Learn hence,
1. What an exalted character the Christian is —
[He is Christ's, he is Christ's property, and " purchased possession." He is so united to Christ, as to be even " a member of his body*':" yea, he is so entirely one with Christ as to be " one spirit with him"^." Amazing! one would be almost ready to account this blasphemy. But it is altogether the very truth of God. Compare him, in this view, with what he was : how marvellously changed ! There are changes in the natural world, which are truly wonderful; from an acorn to an oak ; from a chrysalis, immured in its cell, to a butterfly, with all its gaudy plumage : but the Christian far surpasses them : for they had in their very nature the elements of what they afterwards display: whereas the Christian had the very reverse ; a carnal and earthly nature, which is changed into one that is heavenly and divine. Methinks, scarcely would Beelzebub himself, if restored to his former state, be a greater monument of grace than he. Brethren, I charge you to keep this in mind. And, if any imagine that such a reflection will generate pride, tell them, that what you was is all that you can call yours; and that what you are, is the gift of sovereign grace, to the praise and glory of God alone.]