A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Thirdly; But what are the Evidences by which our Adoption may be cleared up to us? How shall we know that we are taken into a Child-like State?

1. Consider, how it is brought about. How do we come to be related to God by Christ Jesus? ⟨p. 98⟩By receiving Christ, as he is offered in the Gospel. John 1. 12. To as many as received him, to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God. It is a Prerogative, and special Grant, those which receive Christ, even those that believe in his Name, (that is) those who out of a sense of their own Need, and Sight of Christ offered in the Promise, do really consent to take him, for the Ends for which God offereth him, to wit, as Prince and Saviour, that he might give you Repentance, and Remission of Sins, not in pretence, but in your Hearts: These have full liberty to call God Father, to come to treat and deal with him; tho they have not a sense of the Blessedness of their State, for this followeth Believing: After you believed, you were sealed by the holy Spirit of Promise. Ephes. 1. 13, 14.

1. Consider, how it is brought about. How do we come to be related to God by Christ Jesus? ⟨p. 98⟩By receiving Christ, as he is offer'd in the Gospel. John 1. 12. To as many as received him, to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God. It is a Prerogative, and special Grant, those which receive Christ, even those that believe in his Name, (that is) those who out of a sense of their own Need, and Sight of Christ offered in the Promise, do really consent to take him, for the Ends for which God offereth him, to wit, as Prince and Saviour, that he might give you Repentance, and Remission of Sins, not in pretence, but in your Hearts: These have full liberty to call God Father, to come to treat and deal with him; tho they have not a sense of the Blessedness of their State, for this followeth Believing: After you believed, you were sealed by the holy Spirit of Promise.