the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will." Of the incarnate Redeemer, John tells us, (John i. 12.) "To as many as received him, to them gave he power or authority (via) to become the sons of God:" and it is the Holy Ghost who comes and dwells in believers as the spirit of adoption. (Rom. viii. 15.) It is an act of God's mercy and free grace. Even in human adoptions undeserved favour is displayed; though the person adopted may possess lovely and attractive qualities, which will reflect honour upon his benefactor. What then must we say of God's adoption of those who had no loveliness to excite affection; who were polluted, guilty, rebellious? This grace appears both in the general purpose of God to adopt some of the race of Adam; for God night justly have left us all to perish in our guilt; and also in the conferment of this blessing upon each individual believer. Christian, when with holy boldness and sacred joy thou lookest up to God as thy Father; when thou seest the freeness and riches of adopting love illustrated by thine unworthiness; when thou beholdest so many as good by nature as thyself, still at a distance from God; dost thou not with a heart full of gratitude acknowledge, that thy privilege is the fruit of divine grace; and cry, while overwhelmed with wonder at the immensity of that mercy which the most powerful efforts of thy mind in vain labour to comprehend, Behold what manner of love the Father hath showed unto me, that I should be called the son of God!"

Believe it, my brethren, this adoption is not a mere empty name; there is a solemn and a sweet reality in the happiness and dignity it confers.

What felicity to reflect that, as the sons of God,

we are under the peculiar protection, and enjoying the special favour and blessing of Him who, while he rules the universe, feels for us all the tenderness of a Father! What an unfailing source of consolation in our afflictions, which we receive as the corrections of our faithful God, knowing that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth!" What an encouragement to draw near with boldness to the throne of grace in all our doubts, and fears, and sorrows! What a warrant to look forward with composure to the future; knowing that all the vicissitudes of our lives are ordered by unerring wisdom, directed by a kindness infinitely more vigilant, more lively, more tender, than that which ever warmed the heart of an earthly parent!

And it is a relation conferring no less dignity than felicity. What an unspeakable honour to be thus related to the All-Perfect; to belong thus to the family of the God of heaven, and to be numbered with his children! It is a dignity superior, I do not say merely to human distinctions and honours, to the crown of monarchs, the laurel of conquerors, or the fame of philosophers; but to any of which the human mind can conceive! Range in imagination through the universe of God; contemplate "the thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers," which are found among the sublime spiritual intelligences, whose faculties and state are so superior to those of men; after examining them all, you will acknowledge that nothing can be found or conceived superior to this glorious distinction—the sons of God! But this is not all, my brethren; for the apostle teaches us,

II. The blessed consequences of this relation.

Those who are sons, are "heirs of God through Christ."

All our present enjoyments and dignities are only the earnest of our future inheritance; it is not a transient and perishable honour which is conferred upon them; but one which conducts to a glory that is now inconceivable, and that will still continue to shine when this world, and all its splendours, shall be destroyed. Their inheritance is secured to them, not by their own merits; they feel and acknowledge that they deserve it not: not by purchase; they had nothing to pay for it; but by the free gift and covenant engagements of their Father. It is sealed and confirmed to them by the blood of the Mediator; and the Spirit of adoption is in their souls as the earnest, the pledge, and the first-fruits of it. We cannot describe "the greatness of this inheritance, for it is infinite; nor its worth, for it is inestimable; nor its blessedness, for it is unspeakable; nor its duration, for it is everlasting. Here they are as heirs in their minority; but when they are of age, which with God is measured not by years, but by designation and fitness, they are translated into the full enjoyment of their estates. Death strips off the garments of corruption and bondage, and immediately they are clothed upon with life and immortality." [Serle.]

But the text points us to a privilege still more important than their enjoyment of all the glories of thes third heaven: they are "heirs of God" himself, at whose will all the splendours of the celestial paradise sprung into being, and who is a treasure infinitely more valuable than ten thousand heavens. They have an interest in all the divine perfections. The Lord himself is their portion.

Since there are such blessings in reversion for the children of God, why should we repine when our pious friends are taken from us? The voice from heaven has cried to them, "Come up hither!" and they have gone to their true country, to their rich inheritance; they have gone to their Father's house, and they now know, what they so imperfectly conceived on earth, all the value of being "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."

Do you ask whether you will share this felicity and glory? The apostle assists you in answering this important question, by giving you,

III. A test whereby to judge of your adoption. All the sons of God have the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, crying Abba, Father.

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Except we have the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his." This Spirit is termed the Spirit of adoption, when dwelling in the sons of God, he produces in them those dispositions suited to their filial relation.

Has he then wrought in thee faith in the Redeemer? There is no adoption, except through our blessed Saviour. "To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." (John i. 12.) Has he produced in thee filial love to God; hast thou those tender and reverential sentiments towards the Lord that are the characteristic of all his children? Dost thou cheerfully obey him, not with the temper of a slave, but of a son? “ In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God." (1 John iii. 10.) "As obedient children, we must not fashion ourselves according to our former lusts in our ignorance." (1 Pet. i. 14.) Hast thou a desire of communion and

intercourse with God, and filial access to him?. Hast thou deliberately and understandingly chosen God as thy Father and Portion, and dost thou adhere to thy choice? Is there in thee a resemblance to thy Father? Dost thou love thy fellow-heirs? (1 John v. 1.) Hast thou patience under afflictions? Dost thou frequently solace thyself by meditating on thy inheritance?

These are some simple tests whereby we may decide whether the Spirit of adoption dwells in us. I have not spoken of the high joys and the clear assurance which he sometimes communicates; but of those operations which are common to all the children of God. Examine, then, with seriousness and impartiality.

If, after this examination, you feel authorized to hope that you are indeed adopted into the family of God, then,

1. Meditate often and profoundly on the love of your Father, on your present blessedness, and your future glory. Doubtless the first care of a man who had experienced an astonishing and happy revolulution in his circumstances, who, from a state of poverty, was raised to opulence, or who, after being condemned to death for his crimes, obtained the affection and favour of some great and good man, would be to know his benefactor, to whom he was indebted for so great a change, and to inquire into the motives which led him to think of him, and to relieve him from misery. He would often think of all the circumstances of the change, and would especially inquire what he must do to preserve the favour of him to whom he had been so much indebted. And we, my brethren, whom God has adopted for his children, whom the King of kings has delivered from