2. From hence it follows, that the sonship of believers, and their right to that inheritance, which God has reserved for them, depends upon the sonship of Christ, which is infinitely more glorious and excellent. As God’s adopted sons, they have the honour conferred upon them, of being _made kings and priests_ to him, Rev. i. 6. These honours are conferred by Christ; and, in order thereunto, they are first given to him to bestow upon them: thus he says, _I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me_, Luke xxii. 29. Christ is first appointed heir of all things, as Mediator; and then his people, or his children, are considered as _heirs of God_, as the apostle expresses it; _and joint heirs with Christ_, Rom. viii. 17. Not that they have any share in his personal or mediatorial glory; but when they are styled _joint-heirs_ with him, we must consider them as having a right to that inheritance, which he is possessed of in their name as Mediator: and in this sense we are to understand those scriptures that speak of God’s being first the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and then, to wit, in him our Father; accordingly he says, _I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God_, John xx. 17. And elsewhere, God is styled _the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ_, and then _the Father of mercies_, or, our merciful Father, 2 Cor. i. 3. And elsewhere the apostle says, _Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places, in Christ; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, to himself_, Eph. i. 3. compared with 5. and inasmuch as he designed to _bring many sons to glory_, as being _made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light_; he first _made the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings_, Heb. ii. 10. compared with Col. i. 12. In this respect our right to the inheritance of children, is founded in the eternal purpose of God, relating hereunto, and the purchase of Christ, as having obtained this inheritance for us.