Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 34 – Question 35
Of Adoption.
Quest. 34. WHAT is Adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's Free-grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a Right to all the Priviledges of the Sons of God.
Q. 1. How many sorts of Sons be there?
A. There is one by Generation, and another by Adoption. Iohn 1.12, 13. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his name; which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Q. 2. What moves God to adopt any man?
A. Nothing but his Free-love. Iohn 3.1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Son of God.
Q. 3. Is this priviledge common to all men?
A. No; it's peculiar to them that receive him. Iohn 1.12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God.
Q. 4. What is the first property of Adoption?
A. It is a costly Relation. Gal. 4.45. When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his S…n, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law▪ that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Q. 5. What is the second property of Adoption?
A. It is an high and honourable relation. 1 Iohn 3.1… Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, tha… we should be called the Sons of God.
Q. 6. What is the third property of Adoption?
A. It is a free relation on God's part. Eph. 1.45. Accord…ing as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Hav…ing predestinated us unto the adoption of children, by Iesus Chri… to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. And … makes us free. Iohn 8.36. If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Q. 7. What is the fourth property of Adoption?
A. It is a permanent relation. Iohn 8.35. The son abideth in the house for ever.
Q. 8. What is the first priviledge of the adopted?
A. They have an interest in God as Children in a Father▪ 2 Cor. 6.18. And will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Q. 9. What is the second Priviledge?
A. Being God's Sons, they are Heirs of God, and joy… Heirs with Christ. Rom. 8.17. And if children, then heirs, Heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Christ.
Q. 10. What is the third Priviledge?
A. Seasonable and sanctified afflictions. Heb. 12.6. … scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Q. 11. What is their fourth Priviledge?
A. The Attendance and Ministry of Angels. Heb. 1.1… Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister for th… who shall be heirs of salvation?
Q. 12. What is their fifth Priviledge?
A. The assistance of the Spirit in Prayer. Rom. 8.15. Fo… we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but y… have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba father… And God's audience of their Prayers. 1 Iohn 5.14. A… this is the confidence that we have in him, That if we ask any t…ing according to his will, he heareth us.
Q. 13. What use should we make of this?
A. It teachech us to carry our selves as Children to our …eavenly Father. First, In our imitation of him. Eph. 5. …. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children. Secondly, In …ur submission to him. Heb. 12.9. Furthermore, we have had …athers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence▪ …hall we not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits, …nd live? Thirdly, In our dependance on him. Mat. 6.32▪ …or your heavenly father knoweth that you have need of all …hese things.
Of Sanctification.
Quest. 35. WHAT is Sanctification?
A. Sanctifitation is the work of God's Free-grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man, after the Image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q. 1. What are the parts of Sanctification?
A. Dying unto Sin, and living unto God. Rom. 6.11. Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, througe Iesus Christ our Lord.
Q. 2. Who is the Author of Sanctification?
A. God only. Iude ver. 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father.
Q. 3. What is the instrument of it?
A. The Word of God. Iohn 17.17. Sanctify them throug… thy truth; thy word is truth.
Q. 4 What part of man is sanctified?
A. Every part, both of the Soul and Body. 1 Thes. 5.23. And the very God of peace sanct…y you w…olly, and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body, be pr…served blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ
Q. 5. Is Sanctification perfected at once?
A. No; but by degrees. 2 Pet. 3.18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ.
Q. 6. VVhen will it be made perfect?
A. When we come to Heaven, and not before. 1 Cor. 13.10, 11. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Q. 7. What are the signs of true Sanctification?
A. When it runs into all parts of our Conversation. 1 Pet. 1.15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Secondly, And continues to the end. Rev. 22.11. Let him that is holy, be holy still.
Q. 8. What is the inseparable companion of Sanctification?
A. Righteousness towards men. Luke 1.74, 75. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness, and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
Q. 9. What is opposite to Sanctification?
A. All filthiness of Flesh and Spirit. 2 Cor. 7.1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Q. 10. What is the priviledge of the sanctified?
A. They are all elected, and shall be glorified. 1 Pet. 1. 2, 4▪ Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the father, through sanctification of the spirit—to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
Q. 11. What is the case of them who live and die unsanctified?
A. They shall never see God. Heb. 12.14. Follow peace with all men, and boliness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Q. 12. What differenceth true, from pretended Sanctification?
A. True Sanctification purgeth the heart from the love of sin. Rom. 7.15. For that which I do▪ I allow not. And the life from the dominion of sin. …om. … 19. As ye have yielded your members servants to …, and to iniquity, unto iniquity; even so now yield you… members servants to righteousness, unto holiness.
Q. 13. May great sinners be sanct…fied?
A. Yes, the Spirit of God can sanctify the vilest heart. 1 Cor. 6.11. And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified.