+I. Is the sublime outcome of the Divine will.+--"According to His
will" (ver. 5).
+II. Is a signal display of joyous benevolence.+--"According to the
good pleasure of His will" (ver. 5).
+III. Demands profound and grateful recognition.+--"To the praise of
the glory of His grace" (ver. 6).
Ver. 5. _The Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ._--Explain the
nature of the privilege.
+I. Its greatness.+--1. From the Being by whom it is conferred.
2. From the price at which it was procured. 3. From the inheritance
which it conveys. 4. From the manner in which it is bestowed. The new
birth.
+II. Its benefits.+--1. The spirit of adoption. 2. Divine care and
protection. 3. Divine pity and compassion. 4. Overruling all trials
for spiritual good.
+III. The evidences of its possession.+--1. The image of God. 2. The
love of God. 3. The love of the brethren.
+IV. Its appropriate duties.+--The children of God ought--1. To walk
worthy of their high vocation. 2. To be subject to their Father's
will both in doing and in suffering. 3. To be mindful of what they
owe to their spiritual kindred. 4. To long for their heavenly
home.--_G. Brooks._