And this life is not another, but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate, which the Saints enjoy in Heaven, though different in degree. Again, when first we believe, then we are entitled to life everlasting, and so have the accomplishment of glory in respect of right and propriety.1 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, 2by the death of his Son: much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. They which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, 3shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ. To an earthly inheritance title followeth upon the birth; to the spiritual upon our Adoption. But when we believe in Christ, we are then made the Sons of God by Adoption, yea, sons accepted. To as many as received him, 4to them gave he privilege to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God. Beloved, 5now are we the Sons of ⟨p. 258⟩God, 6and it doth not yet appear, what we shall be. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, &c. And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 7When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that are under the Law, 8that we might receive the adoption of Sons. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; 9and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, 10&c. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. And for this cause the faithful• are called the Church of the first begotten, whose names are writt n in Heaven.
And this life is not another, but one in substance with that blessed and glorious estate, which the Saints enioy in Heauen, though different in degree. Againe, when first we belieue, then wee are intituled to life euerlasting, and so haue the accomplishment of glorie in respect of right and proprietie.1 Blessed bee the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope, by the resurrection of Iesus from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away. That being iustified by his grace, wee should be made heires according to the hope of eternall life. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, 2by the death of his Sonne: much more being reconciled, wee shall be saued by his life. They which receiue abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousnesse, 3shall raigne in life by one Iesus Christ. To an earthly inheritance title followeth vpon the birth; to the spirituall vpon our Adoption. But when wee belieue in Christ, wee are then made the Sonnes of God by Adoption, yea, sonnes accepted. To as many as receiued him, 4to them gaue he priuiledge to become the Sonnes of God, euen to them that belieue on his Name. Behold, what manner of loue the Father hath bestowed vpon vs, that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God. Beloued, 5now are wee the Sonnes of ⟨p. 258⟩God, 6and it doth not yet appeare, what we shall be. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus, &c. And if yee be Christs, then are yee Abrahams seed, and hei•es according to the promise. 7When the fulnesse of time was come, God sent forth his Sonne made of a woman, made vnder the Law, to redeeme them that are vnder the Law, 8that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes. Wherefore thou art no more a seruant, but a sonne;
- 11. Pet. 1.3.4.
- 2Titus 3.7.
- 3Rom. 5.10. Verse 17.
- 4Ephes. 1.6. John 1.12.
- 51. John 3.1, 2.1. Iohn 3.1, 2.
- 6Gal. 3.26, 29.
- 7Gal. 4.4, 5.
- 8Verse 7.
- 9Rom 8 14.
- 10Verse 17. Heb. 12.23. Therefore we must believe it.Verse 17. Heb. 12.23. Therefore wee must belieue it.
