The child's portion

2. How we come to be his Sons.

A. That we are his by Adoption we heard in the former: here therefore we are to consider of the way in which we are brought to partake in this Adoption: for although this (as every other Grace) is rooted in the Decree of God yet it is communicated to us in his special Providence, and particularly in the work of Application. Here therefore let us observe in general, that when God bestows the Grace of Adoption upon any, he doth, in order to it, and together with it, put the heart of a Son into him; which is more than Men can do for such as they choose, who can do no more then express their kindness to them in external things, and in this respect, although, to express the difference between the Relation which Christ, and which Believers have unto God, it is represented under the notion of Adoption; for Believers are not, as Christ is, his Sons by eternal Generation; yet as to the way in which they are brought to a participation in this privilege, it is resembled by natural Generation, whence they are not only said to be Adopted by, but also to be born of God, 1 Joh. 5.4. Whatsoever is born of God, John 1.13. Which were born: to be begotten, Jam. 1.18. Of his own Will he begat us: and this is called Regeneration or the new-birth, John 3.3. Except a Man be born again, which, how it is ⟨p. 12⟩wrought, the Apostle briefly tells us, Gal. 3.26. Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus: and we may take up a guess at it in these three particulars.

A. That we are his by Adoption we heard in the former: here therefore we are to consider of the way in which we are brought to partake in this Adoption: for although this (as every other Grace) is rooted in the Decree of God yet it is communicated to us in his special Providence, andparticularly in the work of Application. Here therefore let us observe in general, that when God bestows the Grace of Adoption upon any, he doth, in order to it, and together with it, put the heart of a Son into him; which is more than Men can do for such as they chuse, who can do no more then express their kindness to them in external things, and in this respect, although, to express the difference between the Relation which Christ, and which Believers have unto God, it is represented under the notion of Adoption; for Believers are not, as Christ is, his Sons by eternal Generation; yet as to the way in which they are brought to a participation in this priviledge, it is resembled by natural Generation, whence they are not only said to be Adopted by, but also to be born of God,