Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker…Certaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker…

Respect 1 1. As it is a sign and a seal of our Adoption. For our Regeneration whereby this Righteousness is restored, wrought and begun in us, doth ratify and seal up our Adoption unto us. Since that^h none are the Children of God by Adoption, but those that are so also by Regeneration. Andⁱ all that are so by Regeneration, are by Adoption also such. The least and lowest degree therefore of sincere and sound^k 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. Now^l 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: yea^m 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 crazy, 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 we are wont rather to be the^o 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,