1.1 As it is a sign and seal of our Adoption. For our Regeneration whereby this righteousness ⟨p. 82⟩is restored, wrought and begun in us, doth ratify and seal up our adoption unto us. Since thath none are the children of God by adoption, but those that are so also by regeneration. And iall that are so by regeneration, are by adoption also such. The least and lowest degree therefore of sincere and soundk sanctification being an effect and fruit of regeneration, is a certain sign of adoption, and may minister a sure argument to him that hath it, that he is the adopted child of God. Nowl as parents love their children, not so much for their wit or comeliness, or the like qualities, as because they are theirs; So doth God love his Children, even because they are his Children: yeam had he not loved them before they had any good quality in them, for which he might affect them, they had never come to have any such. And as Parents affect as well, and* delight as much in their little young ones as in those that be well grown or at mans estate, as well in those that are not able to earn the bread that they eat, as in those that are able to do them the best service:n nor is any father so unnatural, that because his child being weak and wearish, sickly and cra•ie, as being full of bleach or some other such like troublesome infirmity, is in regard thereof somewhat waspish and way-ward, especially being a good natured and a dutiful child otherwise, will for that cause the less either regard or affect it: no, ⟨p. 83⟩we are wont rather to be theo more affectionate toward them, and the more tender and chary of them, when it is so with them. Yea, I say not, what infirmity, but what disease almost is there so loathsome, as will keep a mother from tendering and tending her child? In like manner is it with our heavenly Father, whose love and affection to his goeth infinitely beyond the love and affection of any earthly father or mother whatsoever. For,p as a Father, saith the Psalmist, is pitiful unto his children; so is the Lord pitiful to those that fear him. Andq the most natural mother, the kindest and tenderest parent that is, may sooner forget or not regard the fruit of her own body, than he can forget or not regard them. And,r I will spare them, saith he, that fear me, and think on my name, as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him.
1.1 As it is a signe and seale of our Adoption. For our Regeneration whereby this righteousnesse ⟨p. 82⟩is restored, wrought and begun in vs, doth ratifie and seale vp our adoption vnto vs. Since thath none are the children of God by adoption, but those that are so also by regeneration. And iall that are so by regeneration, are by adoption also such. The least and lowest degree therefore of sincere and soundk sanctification being an effect and fruit of regeneration, is a certaine signe of adoption, and may minister a sure argument to him that hath it, that he is the adopted childe of God. Nowl as parents loue their children, not so much for their wit or comelinesse, or the like qualities, as because they are theirs; So doth God loue his Children, euen because they are his Children: yeam had he not loued them before they had any good qualitie in them, for which hee might affect them, they had neuer come to haue any such. And as Parents affect as well, and* delight as much in their little young ones as in those that be well growen or at mans estate, as well in those that are not able to earne the bread that they eat, as in those that are able to doe them the best seruice:n nor is any father so vnnaturall, that because his childe being weake and wearish, sickly and cra•ie, as being full of bleach or some other such like troublesome infirmitie, is in regard thereof somewhat waspish and way-ward, especially being a good natured and a dutifull childe otherwise, will for that cause the lesse either regard or affect it: no, ⟨p. 83⟩we are wont rather to be theo more affectionate toward them, and the more tender and charie of them, when it is so with them. Yea, I say not, what infirmitie, but what disease almost is there so loathsome, as will keepe a mother from tendering and tending her childe? In like manner is it with our heauenly Father, whose loue and affection to his goeth infinitely beyond the loue and affection of any earthly father or mother whatsoeuer. For,
- 1Respect 1.
- h1 Joh. 3. 1, 3, 6.1 Ioh. 3. 1, 3, 6.
- iJoh. 1. 12, 13.Ioh. 1. 12, 13.
- kRō. 8. 13, 14, 16.Rō. 8. 13, 14, 16.
- lPatriā amat quisque, non quia magna, sed quia sua. Se. epist. 66. Sic & prolem.Patriā amat quisque, non quia magna, sed quia sua. Se. epist. 66. Sic & prolem.
- mEzech. 16. 4, 5, 6. Si non dilexisset inimicos, m•nquam possedisset amicos: sicut nec qu•s diligeret, essent, si non dilexisset, qui nondum erant. Bern. in Cant. 20. Qui neminem bonū invenit, neminem salvat, nisi quem praevenit, Idē de grat. & lib. arb.Ezech. 16. 4, 5, 6. Si non dilexisset inimicos, m•nquam possedisset amicos: sicut nec qu•s diligeret, essent, si non dilexisset, qui nondum erant. Bern. in Cant. 20. Qui neminem bonū invenit, neminem salvat, nisi quem praevenit, Idē de grat. & lib. arb.
- *Fructuosior est adolescentia liberorum, sed infantia dulcior. Sen. epist. 9.
- nQuis tam iniquam censuram inter suos agit, ut filium sanum quàm aegram magis diligat? procerumve & excelsum quàm brevem & modicum? Foetus suos non distinguunt ferae; & see in alimentum pariter omnium sternunt: aves ex aequo partiuntur cibos. Sen. epist. 66. Pater liberos non rejicit, quod aegroti, claudi, debiles, deformes sint; sed chariores habet & mollius tractat, imperfectiis infirmitatisque intuitu. Spin. de. Justit. Christian.
