The Best Treasure, Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
Adoption-Grace prov'd to be the Fruit of Chriſt's Purchaſe: The excellency of this ſtate opened in ſeveral particulars.
I Come now to a fifth Fruit of Chriſts Purchaſe, and diſcovery of that glorious Redemption-Treaſure procur'd by his death; that is a ſtate of Adoption, thoſe whom he ſanctifies he adopts, and brings into a new Relation to himſelf; to God the Father, Son, and Spirit: The work of Sanctification doth change their Nature, Adoption changeth their ſtate; they are really alter'd by Sanctifying Grace, and relatively by Adoption-love. God now becomes their Father, and they are his Sons and Daughters, 2 Cor. 6. 17, 18. Come out from amongſt them, and touch not the unclean thing: Here's a change in their Nature and Life: And I will be your God, and you ſhall be my Sons and Daughters: there's a change in their ſtate: Adoption is the taking of perſons that are ſtrangers, and undeſerving in themſelves, into a ſtate and Relation of Sons and Heirs; bringing them into a new Family and Condition: And ſuch is the Adoption of the Sons of God, 'tis a Tranſlation of called and ſanctified Souls out of the Family of Satan into the Family of God, Col. 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and tranſlated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Joh. 1. 12. To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, 1 Joh. 3. 2. Now are we the Sons of God: And this Adoption-Priviledge is the Fruit of the Death of Chriſt, Gal. 4. 4, 5. When the fullneſs of time was come God ſent forth his Son made of a Woman, made under the Law; to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption of Sons: For though this Adoption be an act of Grace in God, to take Souls into Sonſhip with him; yet 'tis by Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 1. 5. Having predeſtinated us unto the Adoption of Children, by Jeſus Chriſt: That is, To be redeemed, and made fit for it by Jeſus Chriſt. Now in the Adoption of Sanctified Souls into the Family of God there are theſe five things.
A change, 1. of Relation. 2. Of Obligation. 3. Of Diſpoſition. 4. Of Condition. 5. Of Duty.
Firſt, There's a change of Relation; they were the Children of the Devil, Joh. 8. 44. Heirs of Hell, and under the Power of the God of this World, Eph. 2. 2. Who rules in the Children of Diſobedience. They were of the kindred of Hell, of that Family whoſe Head and Ruler is Satan. This was their ſtate, when Redemption-grace found them. Now Adoption alters this relation, and being taken out of this Family by effectual calling, they are by Adoption entred into a new Relation, and made the Sons and Daughters of God, Gal. 4. 4. Now they can call God their Father, Chriſt their Husband; the Saints their Brethren, verſe. 5. Eph. 2. 19. Ye are no more Strangers, and Forreigners, but Fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the Houſhold of God.
Secondly, A change of Obligation; they were bound to the Law of Satan, under the Law of Sin, and Slavery of the World, led Captive by Satan at his Will, Col. 1. 13. But when Adoption-grace comes, it delivers them from this Obligation, and they are brought under the power of God, and Scepter of his Kingdom, Acts 26. 18. Rom. 6. 14, 17, 18. Heb. 1. 8.
Thirdly, a change of Diſpoſition; they have the Nature and Spirit of Children, Gal. 4. 6. Becauſe ye are Sons, God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts, &c. They were by Nature Enemies, but now are Children; they have a diſpoſition to love God, to honour and obey him, 'tis their Meat and Drink to do his will, Joh. 4. 34. Mal. 1. 6. To ſerve Chriſt before was burdenſome, but now delightful: The Love of Chriſt conſtrains them: 'Tis as natural for them now to obey Chriſt, as ever it was to rebel againſt him; they are never ſatisfi'd but when God is well pleas'd.
Fourthly, A change in their State and Condition; they are brought into a ſtate of Glorious Priviledges, in reſpect of, 1. Liberty, 2. Rights and Intereſts. 3. Boldneſs. 4. Inſtruction. 5. Correction. 6. Proviſion. 7. Protection. 8. Inheritance: And by theſe the ſtate of an Adopted Soul appears to be a glorious ſtate.
Firſt, They are brought into a ſtate of Freedom, Joh. 8. 36. If the Son ſhall make you free then are you free indeed (foreign) The word Imports that Freedom that is oppoſed to Servitude, as it appears alſo by the word, ver. 33. Chriſt tells them, ver. 32. The truth ſhall make them free; And they anſwered him; We be Abrahams ſeed, and were never in bondage to any Man: So that by freedom here, Chriſt intends a delivering of them from that bondage they were in by reaſon of ſin and Satan: and he tells them that this is that freedom that comes by him; all that are the Children of God are free Men and Women. 1 Cor. 7. 22. 2 Cor. 3. 17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty: The Apoſtle tells them, ver. 8. That the Miniſtration of the Spirit is much more glorious than that of the Law, or letter; that is, the Miniſtry of the Goſpel is far more Excellent than that of the Law, which he proves by ſeveral arguments: And here he tells us that the Lord is that Spirit, that is, the Lord Jeſus is the Author of that Spirit, or Spritual Miniſtration, under the Goſpel, and where that Spirit or Adminiſtration is, or where the Soul is brought into this Goſpel-ſtate, there is liberty, Rom. 8. 21. Now this liberty that all the Children of God are brought into is a two-fold liberty. 1. A liberty from Servitude. 2. A liberty to ſervice. Or as a Reverend writer expreſſeth it: A liberty from the Family of Satan, and liberty in the Family of God. There are ſome things which all Adopted Souls have a liberty from, and ſome things they have a liberty in or to.
Firſt, All that are Adopted in Chriſt are ſet free from that ſlavery they were in under the Law Sin, Satan, and the World. They are freed from Bondage under the Law, from Bondagework, and Bondage-wrath: All that are under the Law of Moſes, as all are who are out of Chriſt, are oblig'd to Bondage-work, to the work of ſlaves, not of free Men.
Firſt, they are bound to do work that is above their ſtrength, which they can never perform, Rom. 8. 3. The Law was weak through the fleſh, that is, there was an impotency in fallen Man ever to fulfil the Law, or attain life by it: The Law required perfect, and perpetual Obedience; but this could never be performed by ſinful Man, and therefore legal-work, was hard work, work never to be done by fallen Man, and this is bondage-work.
Secondly; Legal-work is mercenary work; Do this and live. Gal. 3. 12. The Man that doth them ſhall live in them: Like a Servant, if he doth his work he ſhall have his wages, if not he muſt expect nothing; and this is hard indeed, that the poor weak Creature that is utterly deſtitute of all ſtrength, worth, and ability, muſt have no more than can deſerve.
Thirdly; 'Tis rigorous work, preſt by arguments of ſeverity, threatnings of death and Hell to all the Tranſgreſſours of it. Gal. 3. 10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the Law to do them.
Fourthly; 'Tis fruitleſs work, works that cannot make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb. 9. 9. 'Tis Labour in vain. Heb. 10. 1.
Fifthly; 'Tis work without Wages, no reward at all could ever be received from it. Gal. 3. 21, 22. For had there been a Law which could have given Life, verily Righteouſneſs had been by the Law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under ſin. &c. There is no Life, no Crown, no Kingdom at all is the reward of all ſuch labours.
Sixthly, 'Tis work that will ſurely end in death: Let men work never ſo hard yet they muſt dye, and be damn'd at laſt for falling ſhort, and this is bondage-work indeed; but the Children of God are freed from this work, Rom. 7. 6. But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we are held, that we ſhould ſerve in newneſs of Spirit, and not in oldneſs of the letter.
Again, As they are freed from bondage-work, ſo are they freed from bondage-wrath: The wrath of God is upon all the Children of diſobedience; all Chriſtleſs Souls are Children of wrath, bound over to an Inheritance of wrath, Eph. 5. 6. Chap. 2. 3. Becauſe the Law worketh wrath, Rom. 4. 15. It brings all its Servants under wrath, under the curſe, and under death. Rom. 6. 23. But from this alſo are all the Sons of God freed, Heb. 2. 14. And deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is the Devil. And not only from the Devil, but from the works of the Devil. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Rom. 6. 14. Chap. 8. 2. Gal. 3. 13.
Again they are free from all yokes of bondage laid on their Conſciences by Men. Gal. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 7. 23. Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the Servants of Men: Do not give up your Faith and Conſcience to their Commands, obey not them contrary to the Command of Chriſt. Gal. 1. 10, 11. if I yet pleaſed men I ſhould not be the Servant of Chriſt. This is the firſt part of liberty the Children of God are brought into, even a liberty from Servitude.
Secondly, They have a liberty to ſervice in the Worſhip of God: Their ſervice of God is free and ingenuous Service; their offerings are free-will Offerings. Pſa. 119. 108. Accept the free-will offerings of my mouth. That is, thoſe offerings or vows which my mouth hath freely offered. The Children of God are a willing people, Pſa. 110. 3. They ſerve the Lord freely from the heart, Rom. 6. 17. They obey from the heart that form of Doctrine deliver'd to them; They delight in the Law of God after the inner Man, Rom. 7. 22. The ſtricteſt Service of God is to them the moſt deſired liberty, the Commands of God are no wayes grievous to them; that is, to their inner Man, indeed ſo far as fleſh and Corruption get head, they drag heavily to duty, when the ſpring of their motions, even their child-like love to God is abated, and all the Indiſpoſitions of a child of God flow from decaies of love to God, and ſome abatement of the Adoption-Spirit in him: The Children of God are never in their Element, or as they would be, but when their hearts ſlow out after God, and they can run the paths of his Commandements, this they pray and labour for, Pſa. 119. 32. I will run the way of thy Commandements when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart. So ver. 69. I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their hearts move naturally after God when in their right temper: As the Waters run towards the Sea, and the Sun runs his race: Their ſervice of God comes from a new Principle, even from Faith that works by love, and is directed to new and higher ends, than all the ſervices of Hypocrites: The ſenſe of divine love conſtrains them to duty, that they cannot but chuſe the things that pleaſe God, further than they are bound back by Corruption, and Temptation; their works are wrought in God from a Principle of life, raiſed and revived by grace; They have no mercenary aimes in their Duties to attain any carnal ſelfiſh end below God, but their Motives are high and heavenly, pure and ſpiritual, as the Love of God, and care they have to pleaſe him: They ſee a beauty in Holineſs, and a pleaſantneſs in the ways of God, and find a ſutableneſs in their hearts, to love theſe though under never ſ… great diſcouragements, and diſadvantages a… to fleſh and blood; hence 'tis a Child of God cannot caſt off God and his Worſhip, though he ſee nothing of good or comfort coming in by them, nor be perſwaded to conſent to any thing that is ſinful, though to ſave his purſe, perſon, yea life it ſelf: All the threatnings of Men, or viſible dangers in his way, can't bring his heart to comply with ungodlineſs, or ſpeak or do any thing againſt God, his people, or wayes, 2 Cor. 13. 8. We can do nothing againſt the truth. None but a Judas can come with a Band of men and Officers againſt Chriſt to apprehend him, or his people for owning him: Micaiah would ſpeak nothing againſt the truth, though to pleaſe a King. 1 Kings 22. 17. Nor Jacobs Soul enter into the ſecret of the wicked in their ſinful enterpriſe: A fearful Peter may forſake the profeſſing of Chriſt for a time, but he will not be ſeen on the ſide of thoſe that do oppoſe him; no, this is far from the true Spirit of Gods Children: We read of the Chriſtians in the primitive times, that left their preferments, rather than they would be ſeen againſt Chriſt people; and the whole Legion choſe rather to lay down their lives, than to oppoſe their fellow Chriſtians: Such ſhufflings and Compliances are oppoſed to the Spirit of the true Children of God; they can run after God in a Wilderneſs, but cannot be drawn againſt God by all the World.
Secondly, They have new Rights and Intereſts: Believers being once entred into the Family of God by Chriſt, are preſently inveſted with new and Glorious Rights whic… they never had before, nor any beſides the Chil…ren of God have or can ever have; which will appear in theſe fix things.
Firſt, They have a right to the ſpecial and bleſſed preſence of God the Father, Son, and Spirit. Pſa. 140. 13. The upright ſhall dwell in thy preſence. The upright, that is, the faithful, the Children of God, theſe ſhall dwell in thy preſence, in thy ſpecial preſence, for all Men and Devils are in the general preſence of God, but the Saints ſhall be in Gods ſpecial preſence; and not ſtep into it only as ſtrangers may, but continue for ever as Sons. Joh. 8. 35. The ſervant abideth not in the houſe for ever, but the Son abideth ever, Pſa. 26. 6.
Secondly. They have a right to the purchaſe of Chriſt, to all the fruit of his Obedience, and ſufferings: His blood is theirs, with all the procurements of it. Iſa. 53. 5. He was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our Iniquities, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and by his ſtripes we are healed: whatever Chriſt dyed for according to the agreement betwixt the Father and him, is the Right of his Children, Joh. 17. 9.
Thirdly, They have right to the Promiſes, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promiſes. Whereby, that is, by the knowledge of him, as ver. 3. Or through Faith in him, that is, by Jeſus Chriſt we come to have right to the promiſes, for all the promiſes are in him Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1. 20. The promiſes of this Life and of that which is to come, all are theirs, 1 Tim. 4. 8.
Fourthly, They have Right to Communion with, and to the bleſſing of the whole Family of Chriſt: Being entred into Gods Family, they have a Right to fellowſhip with all his people, 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we baptiſed into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. The great deſign of the Apoſtle in this chap. is to ſhew that all Believers are brought into neareſt Union with Chriſt, and each other, even into one body; this he proves in this ver. by the end of the Ordinances of Baptiſm, and the Supper, both which do ſignifie and ſeal up Believers into the neareſt Union and Communion, by reaſon of which they have equal right to one another, and the whole body, they have right to Communion with Angels and Saints: All the Sons and Daughters of God, have right to his Houſe; to his Church, and all the priviledges of it, Iſa. 56. 5. Ordinances and Miniſters are theirs, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. Yea, they have right to the bleſſings of God on all: Pſalm. 3. 8. Thy bleſſing is upon thy People, Eph. 1. 3.
Fifthly, They have a right to all the good things of this Life, Rev. 21. 7. He that overcometh ſhall inherit all things: Even the good things of this Life, Pſ. 37. 9. They that wait on the Lord ſhall inherit the Earth. They are Heirs with Chriſt, who is Heir of all things, Heb. 1. 2. They have through Chriſt a Right to all the good things of this world, ſo far as God ſees it beſt for them; they have their right in the Second Adam, who is Lord of all; this is a New-Covenant-Right; not over other mens rights to invade or break the civil properties of any, but to thoſe Creatures God gives them, and to the good of all things, even wants and enjoyments, and have a ſanctified uſe of them, which none but the Children of God have, Tit. 1. 15.
Sixthly, They have Right to the inheritance of Glory, Tit. 3. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. Heaven is the Country, Home, and Inheritance of all Saints: Their Title is founded on the Purchaſe of Chriſt, and Adoption of Grace: not upon their Merit or Holineſs; and therefore 'tis called on the account of Chriſt, the purchaſed poſſeſſion, Eph. 1. 14. Which is the earneſt of our inheritance, until the Redemption of the purchaſed Poſſeſſion. That is until we are actually redeemed from Corruption, and put into the poſſeſſion of purchaſed Glory; yea their Reverſion in Heaven is ſo freely procured for them, without any of their money or price, duties or obedience, further than 'tis the way to walk in to Glory; that Eternal Life is ſaid to be the gift of God, Rom. 6. 23. Death comes by Man's merit, but not Life and Salvation: and is not this a glorious ſtate, and bleſſed condition, to be made Heirs, and Coheirs with Chriſt? Rom. 8. 17. And if Children, then heirs, and Joynt-heirs with Chriſt: partakers of the ſame Rights with him, Heirs of the Righteouſneſs of Faith, Heb. 11. 7. So was Abraham, and ſo are are all Believers; they have a right to Juſtification, by believing; and a right to the Kingdom of Glory, Jam. 2. 5. Heirs of the Kingdom: They have as good a Title to this by Grace, and through the purchaſe of Chriſt, as any man to an Inheritance here on Earth, yea, and far more ſure of it; for men may be turn'd out of their Rights and Properties here; but Believers cannot be deprived of their Title, and Inheritance through Chriſt.
Seventhly, They have an intereſt in Gods love, they are upon his Heart at all times, Joh. 16. 27. For the Father himſelf loveth you: He loves with an infinite Love, a Love paſſing knowledge, and tranſcending the love of all Creatures, Iſa. 49. 15. A Mother may forget her Child, but God cannot forget his: He loves at all times; Eternally, and unchangeably: He loves his Children ardently, when they have but little love to him: He loves them notwithſtanding their unkindneſſes and provocations, Pſal. 89. 31, 32, 33. He loves them when he ſeems to be angry with them, and is forced to correct them, Heb. 12. 6. He always thinketh on them for good, Jer. 29. 11. I know the thoughts I think towards you, ſaith the Lord, thoughts of Peace, and not of Evil. He is very tender of them, and hath the bowels of a Compaſſionate Father towards them, Pſal. 103. 8, 13. Mal. 3. 17. And I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his Son that ſerv…th him.
Eighthly, They have a right to the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit is put into their Hearts, Gal. 4. 6. Not the ſpirit of Bondage, but of Adoption, Rom. 8. 15, 16. They have union with the Spirit never to be ſeperated more, v. 11. they have the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, Zach. 12. 10. To quicken, teach, influence, aſſiſt in Duty, and make interceſſion for them, Rom. 8. 26. O what a bleſſed priviledge is this to have the Spirit of the Son, whereby they can go to God as a Father, and to have the Spirit working in them the diſpoſition, and working for them the actions of Sons.
Thirdly, They have holy and reverential boldneſs to come into the preſence of God through his Son, Pſ. 26. 6. I will waſh my ha…ds in innocency, and ſo will I compaſs thine Alter, Eph. 2. 18. For through him we both have acceſs by one Spirit unto the Father. They can come to God at all times, and behold his Face in Righteouſneſs, unleſs their ſins do cauſe him to hide himſelf for a time, Eph. 3. 12. And plead their cauſe through Chriſt with boldneſs, Heb 10. 19, 20. And they are not only free to come, but ſure to ſpeed, Joh. 16. 23, 24. 1 Joh. 5. 14, 15.
Fourthly, Inſtruction is another Priviledge of Sons, They ſhall be taught of God, Iſa. 54. 1…. He will teach, inſtruct, and ſhew them things they know not: He will lead th…m into all truth, Joh. 16. 16. The Spirit ſearcheth the deep things of God, and revealeth them to the Saints, 1 Cor. 2. 20. He wll teach them all things which they are able to bear: They ſhall have the openings of Chriſts mind, to ſteer their courſe whiles in this Wilderneſs of the World, and ſhall receive the revelation of all truths neceſſary to Salvation.
Fifthly, They have choice and delicate proviſions, and rich maintenance; this is the duty of Parents to provide for their Obedient and indigent Children, 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any man provide not for his own Houſe he hath denyed the Faith: He cares for his Children, Mat. 6. 31, 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. He that gives his Son, how can he but with him freely give us all things, Rom. 8. 32. Phil. 4. 19. My God ſhall ſupply all your wants: He that gives a Kingdom at the Journeys end, will not deny Bread and Water in the way: He will provide for their Bodies and Souls, for their Perſons and Families.
Sixthly, Correction is theirs, Pſal. 89. 32. Heb. 12. 8. Correction is the Saints Priviledge, and great advantage; they have need of it, 1 Pet. 1. 6. Though for a ſeaſon, if need be, you are in heavineſs, &c. And they have advantage by it, Pſa. 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, Heb. 12. 10. But he for our profit.
Seventhly, Protection is another priviledge of Children: He will keep them as the Apple of his Eye, Pſa. 17. 8. He will hide them in the ſecret of his Tabernacle, Pſ. 31. 20. He will keep them Day and Night, Iſa. 27. 3. He gives his Angels charge concerning them, Pſa. 91. 11, 12. Heb. 1. 14.
Laſtly, The Kingdom is theirs: O think what reſt, what joy, what holineſs, what perfection, what immutability, and Eternity of Glory is in Heaven! and ſay, all this is my Eſtate by Adoption; I ſhall one day be poſſeſſed of it; here I am poor, but there I ſhall be rich, here I am empty and hungry, there I ſhall be full: here I am deſpiſed, there I ſhall be honoured; here I have not a houſe▪ lay my head in, there I ſhall have a Manſion to all Eternity; here one and another ſays, come ſit at my Foot, there ſhall I ſit on a Throne, and be a Crowned King for ever: Here my Comforts go, and my troubles ſtay; worms breed in all my enjoyments, but thereis no Ruſt, nor Moth; no Decay, nor Death. O bleſſed ſtate indeed that Believers are Adopted to in Chriſt!
Fifthly, The laſt conſiderable thing in Adoption is, the Duties that flow from ſuch a ſtate, and this is part of their priviledge alſo, as being the Fruit of an Adoption-ſtate, and that which they are purchas'd as well as oblig'd unto by the blood of Chriſt; all the filial duties of Believers are the fruits of Adoption-Grace, Gal. 4. 6. Becauſe ye are Sons, God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts. The Spirit of his Son to make you really ſuch, and to form in you the Nature, and work you to the duty of Sons. So that Adopted Souls are not only choſen of God to be heirs with Chriſt, but are alſo begotten of God into the Nature and Image of Chriſt, Rom. 8: 29. Whom he did foreknow, them he did predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son; that as Chriſt carryed himſelf as a Son, ſo ſhould the Children of God in their meaſure, and time and that by the ſame Spirit. Now theſe duties which Gods Children are ſpirited and engaged to, are,
Firſt, To love God as their Father, even from a ſenſe of his Fatherly love, 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him becauſe he firſt loved us. Deut. 6. 5. Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy Soul, and with all thy might: The Lord thy God, becauſe he hath pleaſed to make thee his Son, and to place thee in ſo near and high relation to himſelf, Pſa. 31. 23. O love the Lord all ye his Saints: You that are ſet apart for him, and Sanctified by him; O you of all Perſons from the ſenſe of this relation ſhould love him. This is a filial duty, and ſo eſſential to Sons, as that 'tis put for the ground of all their Obedience. Joh. 14. 13. If a man love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him; that is, manifeſt his love to him as a Father. This is not a forced but a natural love to God ariſing from that new Nature and Spirit of Adoption in them; ſo that a Child of God may as well ceaſe to be a Child, as ceaſe to have a diſpoſition to love him: Indeed a gracious Soul may not alwayes actually love God, but he hath a diſpoſition to love him, and can appeal to God that he knows he would love him, and there is nothing in all the World he can value like him.
Secondly, To obey him, 1 Pet. 1. 14. As obedient Children, not faſhioning your ſelves according to former Luſts. 'Tis a great duty of Children to obey their Parents in all things lawful, and ſo they that are Gods Children are much more oblig'd to obey God, whoſe relation much more binds them, being ſo far above all other relations, whoſe love conſtrains them, 2 Cor. 5. 14. whoſe Laws invite them, they being holy, juſt, and good, Rom. 7. 12. Whoſe rewards alſo encourageth them, there is a reward in keeping them, Pſa. 19. 11. and a reward upon thoſe that keep them, Rev. 2. 10. Now this Child-like obedience differs from all other obedience; in that, 1. 'Tis the fruit of faith, Joh. 8. 47. He that is of God heareth Gods word, that is obeyeth Gods word; but what an Obedience is this, ſee the former ver. It is an Obedience from faith, ver. 46. If I ſay the truth why do ye not believe me? 2. 'Tis the labour of love, 1 Theſ. 1. 3. Remembring without ceaſing your work of Faith and labour of love. 3. 'Tis delightful Obedience, Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inner Man.
Thirdly, A fear of offending him, Hoſ. 3. 5. And ſhall fear the Lord and his goodneſs in the latter daies. This is a filial fear ariſing from their relation to God as their Father, 1 Pet. 1. 17. And if you call on the Father, &c. paſs the time of your ſojourning here in fear. This is a fear ſpringing from and conſiſting with love; there is a fear that love caſteth out, 1 Joh. 4. 18. perfect love caſteth out fear, that is ſlaviſh fear: 'Tis ſuch a fear as keeps the Soul cloſe to God, and not drive him from him, Jer. 34. 40. O how fearful is ſuch a Soul of offending God, Job 34. 31. He will do all he can to prevent ſin, Pſa. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not ſin againſt thee.
Fourthly, A zeal for Gods glory, Pſa. 69. 9. The zeal of thine houſe hath eaten me up: That is, the zeal which I have for thy houſe or for thy pure Worſhip, againſt them that would corrupt it, hath like fire conſumed me. Zeal is the burning fire of love which will not bear any thing that diſhonours God: So Phinehas could not endure to ſee God diſhonoured by the whoredomes of his People, but in his zeal executes the Law upon one of the higheſt offenders, Numb. 25. 11. The want of the zeal made Laodicea in danger of being ſpued out of Gods mouth, Rev. 3. 16. and therefore God calls her to Repentance, and to this zealous Spirit in his Worſhip, ver. 19. Be zealous and Repent. This zeal was that Child-like temper that God commended in Epheſus, Rev. 2. 2. Thou canſt not bear them that are evil: A zealous Soul cannot ſuffer any reproach on Gods Name, Pſa. 69. 20. Reproach hath broken my heart. This Child-like zeal in Craeſus dumb Son open'd his mouth when his Father was in danger to be ſlain.
Fifthly, A fiducial dependence on his care and faithfulneſs, Pſa. 23. 1. The Lord is my ſhepheard, I ſhall not want: Rom. 8. 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Caſting all your care upon him, for he careth for you: This was the Child-like confidence of Job in his God, Job 13. 15. Though he ſlay me yet will I truſt in him: This dependence on the Fathers care quieted Muſculus, when he was forc'd to labour in the Town Ditch for his Maintenance.
Eſt deus in Coelis qui providus omnia curat,
Credentes nunquam deſeruiſſe poteſt.
Mat. 6. 32. Your Heavenly Father knows you have need of all theſe things.
Sixthly, Humble Submiſſion to him; Heb. 12. 9. Shall we not much rather be in ſubjection to the Father of Spirits and live, foreign, The word notes an orderly ſubjection, according to that order and place in which God hath ſet a Man, that ſubjection that is in an Inferiour to a Superiour: The ſame word is uſed of Chriſt, Luke 2. 51. And he went down with them to Nazareth, and was ſubject to them, that is, ſubmitted himſelf to that place duty he owed to them as his Parents.
Seventhly, A carefulneſs to pleaſe him, Iſa. 56. 4. That chuſe the things that pleaſe me, to them will I give within my houſe, a place and a Name better than of Sons and Daughters. That is, ſuch will I own for my Family, my Sons and Daughters, that chuſe the things that pleaſe me. So did the Lord Jeſus evidence his filial duty to his Father, Joh. 8. 29. I do alway the things that pleaſe him, 1 Joh. 3. 22.
Eighthly, An endeavour in all things imitable to reſemble him, 1 Pet. 1. 15. As he that called you is holy, ſo be ye holy in all manner of Converſation. Luke 6. 36. Be ye merciful as your Father in Heaven is merciful. Mat. 5. 48. Be ye perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect; that is, In the grace of love to Enemies. Eph. 5. 1. Be ye followers of of God as dear Children.
Ninthly, A labouring to walk worthy of ſo high relation, and nearneſs unto God. 1 Theſ. 2. 12. That you walk would worthy of God who hath called you to his Kingdom and Glory: Worthy of ſo high a Calling, like the Children of a King; like Gideons Brethren, who all reſembled the Children of a King; Judges 8. 18. Your duty is to live above the Children of this World, who only are wiſe in their generation, Luke 16. 8. But be ye wiſe in the things of God, evidenc… your higheſt wiſdom to be in keeping …he Law of the Lord, Deut. 4. 6. Live like them that are Adopted Heirs of a Kingdom, even the Heavenly Kingdom, that fadeth not away: O live above the ſnares and fears of this world.
Laſtly, A maintaining a real Love to your Brethren, and an endeavour to live peaceably with them, 1 Pet. 3. 8. Love as Brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, &c. 1 Joh. 5. 1. Every one alſo that loves him that begetteth, loveth him alſo that is begotten, 1 Joh. 3. 11. Gen. 13. 8. Let there be no ſtrife, I pray thee, between me and thee, between my Herdſmen, and thy Herdſmen, for we be Brethren, Chap. 45. 24. See that you fall not out by the way, 2 Cor. 13. 11.
ƲSE. Thus you ſee what a glorious Treaſure Adoption-grace is; view over this Inventory (Believer) and tell me what thou thinkeſt of it: Is it not a Treaſure indeed, which all the Gold of Ophi… cannot equallize? Nor all the glory of the World worthy to be compared with? And ſee all this procured by the Sweat and Blood, the Obedience and Death of the Son of God; and then ſay, whether Chriſt be not precious indeed: Look upon the Children of this World in all their Glory; view their priviledges in their utmoſt latitude and extent; and anſwer me whether a Believer in rags doth not far ſurpaſs them. Chriſt ſpeaks of Solomon, that he in all his Glory, was not to be compared to one Lilly in the Field. So one Saint, and Child of God infinitely excels the Great men of this World, in all their Grandure, and Advancements. O then admire the Lord Jeſus on this account alſo, for procuring Adoption-grace.
1. Queſt. But how may I know whether I have obtained this Adoption-grace?
Anſw. This is a point worth the enquiring into, and ſatisfaction in ſo fundamental a point is very neceſſary: But 'tis the Office of Gods Spirit to ſeal us up to the day of Redemption, and bear witneſs with our Spirits that we are the Children of God, Rom. 8. 16. Men may lay down marks, but 'tis God muſt determine the Queſt. yet notwithſtanding for thy reſolution, (Believer) conſider,
Firſt, Such are partakers of the Divine Nature, and are really Sons, as well as Relatively, 2 Pet. 1. 4. They have the Image of God inſtampt upon their Souls: They have the ſeed of Holineſs, Faith, Love, Hope, Patience, and Humility in them, 1 Joh. 3. 9. Rom. 8. 29. And they have received of his fulneſs, Grace for Grace, Joh. 1. 16.
Secondly, Such prize nothing in all the world like to Relation to God, Pſ. 73. 25. 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath beſtowed on us, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God.
Thirdly, Chriſt is exceeding precious to ſuch in whom they are choſen, and by whom this Grace comes, 1 Pet. 2. 7. To you that believe he is precious. None in Heaven or Earth that they value like to Chriſt, they account all things but droſs and dung, in compariſon of Chriſts excellency, Phil. 3. 8.
Fourthly, Such will employ their greateſt care to imitate God, Eph. 5. 1. 1 Joh. 3. 22.
Fifthly, ſuch have a Spirit of prayer and ſupplication, Rom. 8. 15, 16. Gal. 4. 6. Becauſe ye are Sons, God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father: Not Parts, not Light, not the gifts of Prayer only, but ſuch a Soul hath the Spirit of Prayer, very ſtrong ſtrains of Faith and Love run through all his Duties: He hath a Spirit of boldneſs whereby he comes to God as to a Father. O how earneſt and unwearied are his breathings after God; what wreſtlings with God in ſecret hath he, what pourings out of ſtrong cries to him as Chriſt did in the days of his Fleſh, Heb. 5. 7. O the ſtruglings! O the wreſtlings! O the ardent breathings of ſuch for the pardon of their ſins, for the mortifying of their luſts, and for the reviving of their graces: Now where the Spirit of Adoption is, there is the ſtate.
Sixthly, Such are enabled to bear, and profit by affliction, Heb. 12. 7. If you endure chaſtening God dealeth with you as with Sons.
Laſtly, Such have endeared affections to the people of God, 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know we have paſſed from Death to Life, becauſe we love the Brethren.
2. Queſt. What muſt we do to obtain this Adoption-grace.
Anſw. This is an act of Sovereign pleaſure, and Free-grace, Rom. 9. 15, 16, 18. It cannot be purchaſed by any thing in, or done by the Creature. You cannot with Simon Magus buy this Relation, Act. 8. 18, 19. yet there are ſome ways in which Adoption grace may be obtained; as,
Firſt, Get your Souls ſeparated from ſin, 2 Cor. 6. 17.
Secondly, Get juſtifying Faith, Eph. 2. 13, 19.
Thirdly, Beg the Spirit of Adoption, Gal. 4. 6.
Laſtly, Open the door of thy heart to the Spirit, Pſa. 24. 7. Rev 3. 20.