§. 106. Of Christ and Saints being Brethren.
IN that which is here inferred, one thing is taken for grant, another is expressed as a consequence following thereupon.
The thing taken for grant is a relation betwixt Christ and Saints: namely that they are brethren.
Of the divers acceptions of this word brother, see Chap. 13. §. 3.
The relation betwixt the Son of God and sonnes of men, is a mixed relation: partly naturall, partly spirituall.
Naturall, is, that the Son of God became a son of man, descending according to the flesh, from the same stock that we do, even from Adam, Luk. 3. 23, 38.
Spirituall, is, that sonnes of men are made partakers of the Divine Nature. For in that very respect wherein he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified are of one, they are also brethren.
Thus this relation is properly betwixt Christ and Saints: For though Christ as∣sumed the common nature of man, yet all men are not made partakers of the Divine Nature. This is proper to the Regenerate, who are born again, and that of God, (John 1. 13.) and adopted as children into Gods Family, which is the Church.
Of such as these saith Christ, Behold my brethren, (Matth. 12. 49.) Tell my bre∣thren, (Matth. 28. 10.) Go to my brethren, (Joh. 20. 17.) and more generally at the last day Christ giveth this title Brethren, to all his Elect, whom he setteth at his right hand, Matth. 25. 40.
As this gives evidence of the low condescention of the Son of God, so also of the* 1.1 high exaltation of sonnes of men. For the Son of God to be a brother to sonnes of men is a great degree of humiliation: and for sonnes of men to be made brethren with the Son of God, is an high degree of exaltation. For Christs brethren are, in that respect, sonnes of God, heirs of heaven, or Kings, not earthly, but heavenly, not temporary, but everlasting Kings.
Behold the honour of Saints. Men count it an honourable priviledge to be allied* 1.2 to honourable personages. Such matches are much affected. But all alliance with men are but basenesse to this. Who can sufficiently declare the excellency of the Son of God. Besides, this is no titular, but a reall priviledge: By vertue hereof God is our Father, (Iohn 20. 17.) we have a right to all that is Christs, (1 Cor. 3. 22) and we are coheirs with Christ, of the heavenly inheritance, Rom. 8. 17.
Herewith we may uphold our selves against all the scoffs and scorns of the world, and against all outward meannesse.
Quest. May we, by vertue of this relation, call the Son of God our brother?
Answ. We have no example of any of the Saints that ever did so. They usually* 1.3 give titles of dignity to him, as Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, &c. Howsoever the Son of God vouchsafe this honour unto us, yet we must retain in our hearts an high and reverend esteem of him: and on that ground give such titles to him as may manifest as much. Inferiours do not use to give like titles of equality to their superiours, as superiours do to their inferiours▪ It is a token of love in superiours to speak to their inferiours as equals: but for inferiours to do the like, would be a note of arrogancy.