For as many as are led by the Spirit of God
Not by the spirit of the world, or of the devil, or by their own
spirits: the act of leading ascribed to the Spirit is either in
allusion to the leading of blind persons, or such who are in the
dark; or rather to the leading of children and teaching them to
go; which supposes life in those that are led, and some degree of
strength, though a good deal of weakness; and is a display of
powerful and efficacious grace, and is always for their good: the
Spirit of God leads them from sin, and from a dependence on their
own righteousness, in paths they formerly knew not, and in which
they should go, in the paths of faith and truth, of righteousness
and holiness, and in a right, though sometimes a rough way; he
leads them to the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and
to the fulness of grace in him; into the presence of God, to the
house and ordinances of God; into the truths of the Gospel, from
one degree of grace to another, and at last to glory; which he
does gradually, by little and little he leads them to see the
iniquity of their hearts and natures, to lay hold on Christ and
salvation by him, into the doctrines of grace, and the love and
favour of God, and proportionally to the strength he gives: now
such persons,
they are the sons of God:
not in so high a sense as Christ is; nor in so low a sense as
Adam was, and angels are; much less in such sense as wicked
magistrates be; nor merely as professors of religion in common;
but by adoption, not national, such as that of the Jews, but
special; and which has some agreement with civil adoption, it
being of persons to an inheritance, which they have no legal
right unto, and it is done freely: though there is a difference
between the one and the other; for in divine adoption there is no
need on the adopter's side; nor no worth on the side of the
adopted; proper qualifications are conveyed to them for the
enjoyment of the inheritance, and which is enjoyed, the father
and firstborn being living, and is an inheritance which vastly
exceeds all others: now this blessing of being the sons of God,
is owing not to ourselves, nor to our earthly parents, but to
God; to the Father, who predestinated to it, and fixed it in the
covenant of grace; to Christ, it is by him, as the Son of God, it
is through him, as the Mediator, and it is for him, it is for his
glory; and also to the Spirit of God, who manifests it, works
faith to receive it, witnesses to it, and seals up to the full
enjoyment of it. This favour is an instance of surprising grace,
exceeds other blessings, makes the saints honorourable, is
attended with many privileges, and lasts for ever: such who are
in this relation to God, ought to ascribe it to his grace, to
require him with thankfulness, and a becoming conversation, to be
followers of him, and to love, honour, and obey him.