Ver.>l5. the Epiflle to the Romans. 275 ' TiM> Is there any other ufetobe made of this former point S r L. Yea, theft three; Firft, they that bad never any portion of this Le- gall feare,have juft reafon to feare and miftruft their owne conver6on.Second- 1y,ifany be under this difcipline of the Law(having their confcience feared and troubled with the confidcration of the condemnation due to their fones )let them not be much difcouraged,for they are in a good way to true converfion. Laftly, let fuch as have the fpirit of feare, not reft there, but paffe on till they have the fpirit of Adoption, left it fare with them,as it fared with Efate, Caine,and Indic. T r M. What is the next degree of a Cbriffians Couverfion ? S r L. To receive the Spirit o f Adop- tion. T t M. What are we to confider in thie third degree? S s L. There three things : Firft, of Adoption what it is. Secondly,what is the Spirit of Adoption. And Thirdly, what it is to receive the Spirit. T r M. What it Adoption,and bow may it be declared? S r L. Adoption is the making one a &ually a fount by grace, which is no fonne by nature, Ephe.2.3. Gal. 4.4, 5. For thisword [Adoption] is borrowed from the eu(lome of men, who being childlefíe, do adopt and take to them of favour the child of another to be their bonne. This benefit of Adoption, may be declared many waies; firft,by the per- fon of him who adopteth;to wit,God, who having a naturali Sonne,yet wan- ting Tonnes in our kind,hath Adopted men and women to be his children; which is not the wont among men, but quite contrary. Secondly,by the perlons of us who are Adopted,being both beg- gerly, and void of all goodneffe, being alto his enemies,full of all unrighteouf nefs,Rom.5.6,7,8.Thirdly, by the dig- nity ofthe thing, it being a matter of wondrous excellency to have fuch a tonne- fhip,more a thoufand times then to be the fonofa molt mighty Prince. Fourthly, by the manifold and exceed- ing benefits which' cone by Adoption, namely,to be heire ofthe world, and of heaven. Laftly,bythe duty of Adopted ones,being briefly touched in Malachy, 1.6. and more largly in i Peter s. i 4. r5. T t al. What k meant by the fpirit of Adoption? S r L. A fpeciall grace of the Spirit, certifying our Adoption unto us. A grace which fiowes from Adoption,and is proper to Adopted ones, (crying to witneffe their Adoption, and therefore fitly called the Spirit of Adoption. T i M. What be the two ffeffi and fruits of the fpirit mentioned in this Text ? S i i. The firft is, to Peale or affure in the hearts of the cleft children of God,the witneffe of their Adoption by Chrïlt: hence it is called the fpírie of Adoption, and in the faire fente alto it is termed the earneft of our inheritance, Ephef, r .14. The fecond is,to open their mouthes with childlike confidence and godly fervency,to pray unto God,as to a moil loving ! father. Hence it is called by the Prophet Zachary, the fpirit of grace and ofprayer,Zach.ia.io. T Hew doe the dell receive the fpi- rit of Adoption? S s L. By the miniflery and prea- ching of the Gofpell, as the fpirit of feare and bondage is given by the prea- ching of the Law. Hence the Gofpell preached, is called the Miniftery of life, ofrighteoufneffe, and of the Spirit, be- caufe through the Miniftery of the Go- fpell, the Spirit is effe&uall to quicken the dead hearts oftheelect,throughfaith in Chrift, thereby to be made righteous before God, and to become his Tonnes, and heires ofeternalllife.This is proved by the word of the Apofile, Gal. 3.2. This would I know:receivedyeiheSpirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing faith preached?th a t is,by hearing the do&rine of the Law, or by the do&rine ofChrift apprehended by faith? T i at. But bow and after what fort dab God worite in the Gofpel,wben by it be will works in his Children the fpirit of Adoption? So L. The fpirit of Adoption is recei- ved into the hearts of the cleft by there degrees,
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