divine nature" (2 Pet. i. 4) and, in an inferior sense, even gods, according to the expression of the Psalmist, " I said ye are Gods, and all of you the sons of the Most High." (Ps. lxxxi. 6.) By this adoption we partake in some degree of the divine perfections — such as wisdom, fortitude, justice, charity, and God's other attributes, which are His by His own nature, and communicated to us by grace. Learn, then, duly to appreciate a benefit, which assimilates you in some respect to God.
III. The benefit of adoption makes us heirs to the kingdom of heaven, according to the expression of the Apostle, " You are heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ." (Rom. viii. 17.) Consider heaven, therefore, as your inheritance, and say with the philosopher whom the light of reason instructed in this truth, " I am born for greater things than to be the slave of my own flesh." Direct your thoughts and affections, therefore, to heaven, where your eternal treasure exists; contemn mortal things, and surrender your mind to such only as are great and everlasting, and "do" not degenerate from the lofty thoughts of the sons of God."
WEDNESDAY
The Benefit of Adoption.—III.
I. We have contracted many obligations, in consequence of our adoption by Almighty God. We are bound, in the first place, to love tenderly, and from our whole hearts, so affectionate a parent. If earthly children naturally love their parents, from whom they have received only what is temporal, with how much greater ardor ought you to love your God, " who is your Father, that hath possessed you, and made you, and created you?" (Deut. xxxii. 6.)
