A66097:29
The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…
The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and proved together with several other sermons / occasionally preached and now published by Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston, New-England.
printed by Samuel Green, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now among Men persons come to bear the denomination of Sons in two ways; viz. either by natural Generation, or voluntary Adoption. After the former of these ways God hath but one Son, begotten by an eternal and undeclarable Generation: after the latter he hath many Sons, even as many as believe in the Name of Christ, Joh. 1. 12. So that by the Sons of God we are to understand all those of the Children of Men, who, by Gods free Adoption are made ⟨p. 6⟩to bear the relation, title and privileges of his Children. It is a word borrowed from the customs among Men, who when they Adopt one to be their Heir, do give him the title of their Son, and although it differ from that in two main points, viz.
Now among Men persons come to bear the denomination of Sons in two wayes; viz. either by natural Generation, or voluntary Adoption. After the former of these wayes God hath but one Son, begotten by an eternal and undeclarable Generation: after the latter he hath many Sons, even as many as believe in the Name of Christ, Joh. 1. 12. So that by the Sons of God we are to understand all those of the Children of Men, who, by Gods free Adoption are made ⟨p. 6⟩to bear the relation, title and priviledges of his Children. It is a word borrowed from the customs among Men, who when they Adopt one to be their Heir, do give him the title of their Son, and although it differ from that in two main points, viz.
1. That God was not put upon it thus to Adopt any because of the deficiency or want of a natural Son, which is the main incentive to it among Men, that so they may have one to Heir their Estates: nor yet because his Son had given him any just provocation to reject and disinherit him, for which Men do sometimes abdicate their own Children, and adopt a Stranger: No, God had an only begotten Son, in whom he placed his delight from all Eternity, who had never given him any displeasure in the least, but had afforded him everlasting satisfaction; yea, then when his Father put him upon the highest proof of filial obedience, calling him to do and die for sinful man, he cheerfully replied, Lo I come to do thy will Oh God: