SERMON XV.

MEETNESS FOR THE HEAVENLY INHERITANCE.

COL. i. 12.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

THIS text abounds with matter for most important consideration; every expression, and almost every word, is full of meaning and force. In explaining and applying the passage, it will be convenient to take the clauses in an inverted order; commencing with the end of the verse, and proceeding upwards to the beginning for before we can properly enter into the apostle's exhortation to

give thanks unto the Father, we must understand the nature of the benefits, for which our thanksgivings are required.

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The latter portion of the text speaks of "the inheritance of the saints in light;" next we find, that the disciples were partakers" of this inheritance; then, that they were "made meet," or fit, to partake thereof; and for this they were called to "give thanks." Each of these particulars I purpose, through God's assistance, to enlarge upon and enforce.

The figure of light is frequently used to denote the state and privileges of the gospel, and the manifold blessings which it is the means of procuring for mankind; and it may also include a reference to their complete felicity in the future world of glory. When the good tidings of salvation were proclaimed to an ignorant and sinful people, it is described as a "calling of them from a state of darkness into the marvellous light of God:"* bringing to them the knowledge of their

* 1 Pet. ii. 9.

sinful condition; of the ruin in which they lay, both of body and soul; and instructing them in the means of an entire and everlasting deliverance; bringing to them the knowledge of that God, from whom they had woefully departed, and restoring them to His family and favour; removing the enmity betwixt them and their Creator, the cause of all their error and their misery, and reconciling them to Him by the blood of Jesus; and thus bringing truth and comfort to their souls. Our blessed Lord is represented as a "light to lighten the gentiles," as "the true light," which "light-. eth every man that cometh into the world;"* (or which should come into the world, for the light of all men,) offered to all without partiality or limit, and enlightening all that will receive Him when offered; all, who "love not darkness rather than light." Thus again, the glorious truth of the gospel, shining in the characters of the faithful, is described by the same figure; "Let your

* John i. 9.

light to shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."* The passages indeed are too numerous to be mentioned, in which the happy effects of the gospel upon the understanding and heart, upon the condition and life of man, are set forth in similar terms. I would only further observe, that the joys and glories of the heavenly kingdom, that noblest and best portion of God's redeemed people, that great and final object of all their hopes and desires, are also represented by the same beautiful and significant figure. It is a city of light, beyond the splendour of the sun; the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." +

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"The inheritance of the saints in light," therefore, denotes a right and title to all the privileges and benefits of the gospel covenant; to an admission into the holy family of heaven, to a state of perfect reconciliation and friendship with the most

* Matt. v. 16. † Rev. xxi. 23.

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High God; to all the comfort arising from the communication of His blessed Spirit; to the exalted views and hopes and assurances afforded to the true believer; nay further, a right and title to the glories of the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour; to a bond of holy union with "just men made perfect," who are gone before to their rest; with the angels and archangels around the everlasting throne.

Of this great blessedness the disciples had been made actual "partakers:" not indeed, as if they "had already attained"* their ultimate object; but as being placed, by their vital faith, and their sincere embracing of the gospel, in the actual possession of present comfort and peace; and with a title to future happiness, of which no enemy could rob them: how far their title might be forfeited, was another question; it could not be wrested from them against their will; and since their entire will was to be saved, *Phil. iii. 12.