Question 34

How many ways may we be said to be the Children of God?

We are the Children of God. 1. By Regeneration. 2. By Adoption, whereby we differ. 1. From Christ, who is Gods Son by eternal Generation. 2. From the Angels, who are Gods Sons by Creation.

What is it for men to Adopt Children?

Men Adopt Children when they take strangers, or such as are none of their own Children, into their Families, and account them their Children, and accordingly do take care for them, as if they were their own.

What is it for God to Adopt Children?

God doth Adopt Children, when he taketh them which are strangers, and by nature Children of wrath, into his Family, and receiveth them into the number, and giveth them a right to all the Priviledges of the Sons and Daughters of God, And were by nature Children of wrath, even as others.^a Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God.^b And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty.^c

Is there any motive in any of the Children of Men to induce God to Adopt them, as there is in those that are Adopted by men?

There is neither beauty, nor any lovely qualification, nor any thing in the least to move and incline God to Adopt any whom he doth Adopt, but it is an act only of his free grace and love, Behold what manner of love is this the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sons of God!^d

Are all the Children of Men the Adopted Children of God?

No. Only such Persons are adopted as do believe in Christ, As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name.^e For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Jesus Christ.^f

What are those priviledges which the adopted Children of God have a right unto?

The priviledges which the adopted Children of God have a right unto, are, 1. Gods Fatherly protection of them from temporal and spiritual evils The Lord shall defend them from all evil.^g 2. Gods Fatherly provision of all needful things, both for their Soul and Body. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.^h 3. Gods Fatherly correction of them, For whom he loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth.ⁱ 4. Gods audience and return to their Prayers, And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us; and if we know that he heareth us whatever we ask, we know that we have the Petitions we desired of him.^j 5. A sure title to the Inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, And if Children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joynt-heirs with Christ?^k