The Holy Arbor, Chapter 6 · Section 8
VIII.
A Doption ariſeth from our Union with Chriſt, and is that whereby they which are juſtified are accounted of God as his own children; it is annexed to Juſtification, and thereby all ſuch as are predeſtinate to be Adopted, receive power to be actually accounted the Sons of God by Chriſt, Eph. 1.5. from whoſe Obedience, whereby he ſtood in ſubjection to the Law, this Adoption ſprings. Hence it is that we are freed from under the Law, and have given unto us even the Adoption of Sons. And this alone is that whereby we ſtand before the Tribunal Seat of God, which alſo we are to oppoſe to the Judgement of God, to Hell, Death and Condemnation. In this Grace of Adoption there be two Actions of God; the one is Acceptation, whereby God accepts men for his children; the other is Regeneration, whereby men are born of God, when the Image of God is reſtored in them in Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs. The outward means of Adoption is Baptiſm; not Baptiſm alone, but Baptiſm joyned with Faith: for the Scripture ſpeaking of Baptiſm, comprehends both the outward and the inward Baptiſm, which is the inward Baptiſm of the Spirit, Mat. 3.11. & 1 Pet. 3.21. Now this Adoption gives us Aſſurance of Salvation; for he that is the Adopted Son of God ſhall undoubtedly be ſaved, Rom. 3.2. Moſes had an higher eſteem of this Grace of Adoption, when he choſe rather to be the Childe of God, then the Heir of an Earthly Prince, Heb. 11.25. So did David, who though a King, yet regardleſs of his Royalty, ſetteth it at nought in regard of the Bleſſing of Adoption, who otherwiſe could never have ſaid, That the Lord, not the Kingdom of Iſrael, was his Portion, Pſal. 16. And ſo alſo muſt we have an high eſteem thereof, if we hope to have Heaven thereby.
Two Teſtimonies of our Adoption, whereby we may know that we are Adopted; viz.
1. The Spirit of God dwelling in us, and teſtifying to our Spirit that we are the children of God.
2. Our Spirit, that is, our Conſcience ſanctified and renewed by the Holy Ghoſt.
Six Notes of our Adoption out of the ſix Petitions of the Lords-Prayer; viz.
1. An earneſt and hearty deſire in all things to further the glory of God.
2. A care and readineſs to reſign our ſelves in ſubjection to God, to be ruled by his Word and Spirit in thought, word and deed.
3. A ſincere endeavor to do his Will in all things, making conſcience of every evil.
4. Upright walking in a mans lawful Calling, yet ſtill by Faith relying on Gods Providence.
5. Every day to humble a mans ſelf before God for his offences, ſeeking his favor in Chriſt.
6. A continual Combat between the Fleſh and the Spirit, for otherwiſe Corruption would prevail over the whole man.
The Benefit the Children of God have by Adoption, viz.
1. The Elect childe of God is hereby made a Brother of Chriſt.
2. He is a King, and the Kingdom of Heaven is his Inheritance.
3. He is Lord over all the Creatures, except the Angels.
4. The holy Angels miniſter unto him for his good, they guard him and watch about him.
5. All things, yea grievous afflictions and ſin it ſelf turn to his good, though in its own nature it be never ſo hurtful.
6. Being thus Adopted, he may look for comfort at Gods hand, anſwerable to the meaſure of his afflictions, as God hath promiſed.
7. God will provide all things neceſſary for the Souls and Bodies of his Adopted ones, Mat. 6.26. So that they who drown themſelves in worldly cares, diſtruſting the Providence of God, live like fatherleſs children.
8. In that we are children, we have liberty to come into the preſence of God, and to pray unto him, Eph. 3.12.
9. Nothing ſhall hurt them that are the children of God, Pſal. 91.13.
10. God will bear with the infirmities and frailties of them that be his children, if there be in them a care to pleaſe him, with a purpoſe of not ſinning, Mal. 3.17. Let not any man hence ſin, 'cauſe Grace doth abound.
Duties from Adoption; viz.
1. If ye be the children of God, then walk worthy your Profeſſion and Calling; for if we live according to the luſts of our fleſh, as the men of the world do, whatſoever we profeſs, we are in truth the children of the Devil, Joh. 8.44. & 1 Joh. 3.
2. We muſt uſe every day to bring our ſelves into the preſence of God, and we muſt do all things as in his ſight and preſence, preſenting our ſelves unto him as Inſtruments of his Glory in doing of his Will. This is the honor the childe of God owes unto him, Mal. 1.6.
3. Our care muſt be, according to the meaſure of Grace, to reſemble Chriſt in all good Vertues and holy Converſation; for he is our eldeſt Brother, and therefore we ſhould be like unto him, 1 Joh. 3.2, 3.
4. We muſt have a deſire and love to the Word of God, that we may grow thereby in Knowledge, Grace, &c. This is the food whereby God feeds his children, 1 Pet. 2.2.
5. When we are under the Rod of Correction (for God corrects all his children) we muſt reſign our ſelves to the will and good pleaſure of God. This is childe-like obedience, and herewith God is well pleaſed.