S. JOH. i. 12.

But as many as receiv'd him, to them gave he Power to become the Sons of

God.

I. DOCTRINE.

B

Elieving is a receiving of Chrift.

1. Under what Notion fhould we receive. Chrift?

As our Mediator, Ifa. Ixi. 3, 4.. whereby He took upon Him the Office of being

1. Our Prophet; and fo we are to receive
the Doctrine he deliver'd,

1. By Himself, Hebr. ii. 2, 3. and i. 2.
2. By His Prophets and Apostles, Hebr.
i. 1. S. Matt. X. 40.

3. By His Minifters, 2 Cor. v. 19, 20.
Hebr. iv. 11, 12.

2. Our Priest, Hebr. vii. 23, 24, 25, 26. and fo we must believe,

1. His Satisfaction for our Sins, 2 Cor. v. 21. Hebr. ix. 28. 1 S. Joh. ii. 2.

1. To the Justice,

2. To the Law of GOD, Gal. iii. 13. 2. His Interceffion for our Souls, Rom. viii. 34. Hebr. ix. 11, 12, 24.

3. Our King, Pfal. cx. 1, 2. fo we must
1. Acknowledge His Sovereignty, S.Matt.
xxviii. 18.

2. Obey His Laws, S. Luk. vi. 46. S. Joh.

xiv. 15.

2. Submit

3. Submit to His Penalties, Coloff. iii.

249 25.

2. How fhould we receive Him?

1. Penitently, A&t. ii. 36.
2. Willingly, Pfal. cx. 3.

3. Affectionately, S. Luk. xiv. 26.
4. Conftantly, Rev. ii. 26.
5. Only, Act. iv. 12.

II. DOCTRINE.

Believers are the Sons of GOD.

Ἐξεσίαν ἔδωκεν.

1. In what Senfe are they the Sons of GOD?

1. Not by Generation, 1 S. Joh. iv. 9.

2. But by Regeneration, S. Job. iii. 3. and i. 13.

1. Man loft the Favour of GOD, Rom.

V. 19.

2. The Son of GOD undertakes his Re

demption.

3. He therefore becomes Man, S. Joh.

i. 14.

4. By His Death, purchases all Believers to Himfelf, to be Members of His Body, I Cor. vi. 20. Tit. ii. 14.

5. And fo from Himself the Head, conveys His own Spirit into them, Tit. iii. 5,6.

6. The Spirit regenerates and makes them new Creatures, 2 Cor. V. 17.

7. Being new Creatures, they are again receiv'd into the Favour of GOD, Rom. viii. 15. and made His Sons, Rom. viii. 14.

2. What Privileges have they, by being the Sons of GOD?

1. Priva

1. Privative.

1. They are freed from the Slavery of Sin, Rom. vi. 14.

from flavish Fears, Rom. viii.

from Condemnation, Rom.

from the Curfe of the Law,

viii. 1.

Gal. iii. 13.

2. Pofitive.

1. They have free Accefs to GOD, Gal. iv. 6.

2. They are interested in GOD's Providence, Rom. viii. 28. 2 Cor. vi.

18.

3. They can rejoice in the Lord, Phil. iv. 4.

4. Have GOD to rejoice over them, Zeph. iii. 17.

5. They have a fure Title to the Inheritance of Glory, Coloff. i. 12, 13.

6. They have this Inheritance witnessed to them here, Rom. viii. 16, 17. and fealed, Ephef. iv. 30.

7. They have a Pledge of it here, Ephef. i. 13, 14.

3. How may we know whether we be the Sons of GOD?

1. By Prayer, Gal. iv. 6.

2. If we reverence Him as a Father, Mal. i. 6.

3. If we obey Him as a Father, 1 S. Pet. i.

14, 15.

4. If we avoid all Sin, 1 S. Joh. iii. 9.

5. If we be conform'd to the Image of GOD,

Rom. viii. 29.

6. If we believe in Christ, Gal. iii. 26.

USES.

USES.

1. See the Honour of Believers.

2. Live like the Sons of GOD. 1. By defpifing the World.

2. patiently enduring all Chastisements, Hebr. xii. 6, 7, 8, 9.

3.

longing to come to your Inheritance in Heaven, Pfal. xlii. 1, 2.

[Vid. Vol. VII. Serm. IV. of this Author.]

S. JOH.

1.

S. Jo H. i. 14.

And the Word was made Flesh.

WHO is the Word?

1. The Son of GOD.

2. GOD.

II. How made Flesh?

1. Not by changing His Divinity into Humanity, but by affuming the Humanity into the Divinity.

2. Not by confounding the Divine with the Humane Nature, but by uniting the Humane Nature with the Divine Perfon.

III. Why made Flesh? To be our Mediator, that He might,

1. Reconcile GOD to us.

2. And us to GOD.