(2.) They enjoy the plentiful provisions of God’s house, and therefore Christ is called their _shepherd_, Psal. xxiii. 1. not only as leading and defending them, but as providing for them; _He shall feed his flock like a shepherd_, Isa. xl. 11. As all grace is treasured up in him, and there is a fulness thereof, which he has to impart to the heirs of salvation, that is sufficient to supply all their wants; so they shall never have a reason to complain that they are straitened in him; the blessings of his house are not only exhilirating, but satisfying, and such as have a tendency to make them completely happy. (3.) They are admitted to the greatest intimacy, and have sweet communion with Christ; _the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him_, Psal. xxv. 14. he deals with them as with friends, and in this instance in particular, (as he tells his disciples,) that _all that he has heard of the Father_, John xv. 15. that is, whatever he had a commission to impart for their direction and comfort, he _makes known unto them_, which must needs be reckoned a very great privilege. As the queen of Sheba, when beholding the advantages that they who were in Solomon’s presence enjoyed, could not but with an extasy of admiration, say, _Happy are thy men; happy are thy servants, which stand continually before thee, that hear thy wisdom_, 1 Kings x. 8. much more may they be happy who are admitted into his presence, in whom _are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge_, Col. ii. 3. (4.) Another privilege which they enjoy, is access to God, as a reconciled Father, through Christ; they have a liberty to _come boldly to the throne of grace, that they obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need_, Heb. iv. 18. Whatever their straits and difficulties are, God holds forth his golden sceptre, invites them to come to him, asks, What is thy petition? and gives them ground to hope that it shall be granted, so far as it may redound to his glory and their good. And, inasmuch as they are often straitened in their spirits, and unprepared to draw nigh to him; they have the promise of the Spirit to assist them herein; upon which account he is called the _Spirit of adoption, whereby they cry Abba Father_, Rom. viii. 15. This privilege is said to be a consequence of their being sons; _Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father_, Gal. iv. 6. By this means they have becoming conceptions of the Divine Majesty, a reverential fear of, and a love to him, earnest desires of communion with him, and of being made partakers of what he has to impart. They have a right to plead the promises; and in so doing, are encouraged to hope for the blessings contained therein.