Great Themes of the Bible (continued)
among all them which are sanctified". The word of God's grace gives it, not only as it gives the knowledge of it—for life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel—but as it gives the promise of it, the promise of a God that cannot lie, and which is yea and amen in Christ. And by the word, as the ordinary vehicle, the spirit of grace is given (Acts x. 44) to be the seal of the promise and the earnest of the eternal life promised. And thus it is the word of God's grace that gives us the inheritance. Heaven is an inheritance, which gives an indefeasible right to all the heirs. It is an inheritance like that of the Israelites in Canaan, which was by promise, and yet by lot, but was sure to all the seed. Again, this inheritance is entailed upon and secured to all those, and those only, who are sanctified. For, as those cannot be welcome guests to the holy God, or the holy society above, who are unsanctified, so really heaven would be no heaven to them. But to all that are sanctified, that are born again, and on whom the image of God is renewed, it is as sure as almighty power and eternal truth can make it. Those, therefore, that would make out a title to that inheritance must make it sure that they are among the sanctified, are joined to them, and incorporated with them, and partake of the same image and nature. For we cannot expect to be among the glorified hereafter unless we be among the sanctified here.
6. FairH THE Key To GRACE "We have access by faith into this grace,'' by which we are justified and sanctified (Rom. v. 2). And we note:
(a) The saint's happy state. It is a state of grace, God's lovingkindness to us, and our conformity to God. He who has God's likeness and God's love is in a state of grace. Now unto His grace we have access—''an introduction"', which implies that we were not born in this state. We are "by nature children of wrath'', and "'the carnal mind is enmity against God''. We are brought into a state of grace. We could not have got into it ourselves, nor have conquered the difficulties in the way. We have a manuduction, a leading by the hand—are led into it as blind, or lame, or weak people are led—are introduced as pardoned offenders—are introduced by some favourite at court to kiss the King's hand, as strangers, that are to have an audience, are conducted. "'We have had access.'' Paul speaks of those that have already been brought out of a state of nature into a