A funeral-sermon for the reverend, holy and excellent divine, Mr. Richard Baxter who deceased…

Before I proceed, it is fit to observe the Excellence of the Evangelical Adoption above the Civil Adoption among Men.

(1.) Adoption is a legal Act in imitation of Nature, for the Comfort of those who are without Children. But God had a Son, the Heir of his Love and Glory. His adopting Love is heightened by considering our Meanness and Vileness: we are but a little breathing Dust, worthless Rebels. The Apostle cries out in a rapture of Admiration and Joy, Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God! If we consider the natural Distance between God and us, as he is the Creator, and we are the Works of his Hands, 'tis truly infinite; but the moral Distance between the holy righteous God and the guilty polluted Creature, is, if it were possible, more than infinite: Love inconceivable! That releases us from ⟨p. 12⟩Bondage, and adopts us into the Line of Heaven. If we admire any thing of this World in comparison of it, 'tis a sign we have no share in this Privilege.

(1.) Adoption is a legal Act in imitation of Nature, for the Comfort of those who are without Children. But God had a Son, the Heir of his Love and Glory. His adopting Love is heightned by considering our Meanness and Vileness: we are but a little breathing Dust, worthless Rebels. The Apostle cries out in a rapture of Admiration and Joy, Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God! If we consider the natural Distance between God and us, as he is the Creator, and we are the Works of his Hands, 'tis truly infinite; but the moral Distance between the holy righteous God and the guilty polluted Creature, is, if it were possible, more than infinite: Love inconceivable! That releases us from ⟨p. 12⟩Bondage, and adopts us into the Line of Heaven. If we admire any thing of this World in comparison of it, 'tis a sign we have no share in this Privilege.