§. 92. Of bringing sons to Glory.
IT is said of those many sons, that by Christ they are brought to glory.
The Verb translated a 1.1 brought is diversly used, a•…•…
- 1. To go of ones self, even upon his own voluntary motion; as where Christ saith, b 1.2 Let us be going, Matth. 26. 46.
- 2. To be led by another, but willingly: thus Andrew brought Simon to Iesus,* 1.3 Iohn 1. 42.
- 3. To be brought forcibly, as men use to bring malefactors to execution. There were also two other malefactours d 1.4 led with Iesus to be put to death, Luke 23. 32.
- 4. To bring such as are no way able to go of themselves: thus the good Sa∣maritan e 1.5 brought the man that was wounded and left half dead, to an Inne, Luke 10. 34.
That we may the better discern how this word bringing is here used, we are to take notice that the sons here said to be brought, are neither able nor willing of themselves to go to glory. Christ therefore bringeth them thither by certain degrees.
- 1. He quickeneth them that are dead in sins, Eph. 2. 1, 5.
- 2. He sheweth them the way wherein they may come to glory. For he is the true light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world, John 1. 9. Thereupon he thus saith of himself, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not fall into darknesse, but shall have the light of life, John 8. 12.
- 3. He goeth as a guide before them: for he is that good shepherd that goeth before his sheep, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice, John 10. 4.
- 4. He communicates his Spirit unto them, whereby they are so inlightened, as they discern the way wherein they should walk, Eph. 1. 8, 9. and enabled and per∣swaded to walk therein, For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made us free: and, As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sonnes of God, Rom. 8. 2, 14.
Christs bringing sons to glory, informs us in these two principles.
- 1. Man cannot of himself go to glory.
- 2. Christ can and will bring all the Elect to glory. We have no sufficiency of our selves, but our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cor. 3. 5. As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me, saith Christ to his sons, Iohn 15. 4.