Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

As a father might disinherit his son, so might the adopting father
disinherit the adopted. For it must be considered that the adopted son,
while he stood in the state and privileges of a natural child, had no
privilege beyond such.
Without extending the parallel farther than is strictly necessary, we
may observe,—
1. That as a man had lost all the privileges of his natural filiation, to
regain them he must be received into the family by way of adoption. This
was the only mode.
2. This adoption supposes that he is entirely cut off from the old
family, having no longer any legal relation to or connection with it.
3. That he is received into the new family, to be entirely under the rule
and government of his adopter; to be employed as he shall choose to
employ him; and to be entirely at his disposal, in body, soul, and spirit.
4. That as by this transaction he becomes an heir in the new family, so
he is to enjoy those privileges while he acts according to the law in that
case provided; and to the rules and constitution of the father's house.
5. That his old consanguinity is now changed: that he is considered of
the same blood with the new family, standing no longer in any filial
relationship to any other.
6. That he takes the very name of his adopting father, and is to be in
every respect conformed to that; family.
To apply these more particularly:—
1. Man, having sinned against God, ceased to be his son; for, in order
to constitute filiation, it is essential that the child share the same nature
with the father. As God's nature is holy, pure, and perfect, when man