Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

sinned he lost his conformity to this nature; he lost the image of God in
which he was created, and became unholy, impure, and imperfect.
2. To restore him, the way of adoption only was left; and that could not
have taken place had not a previous adoption taken place, namely, the
adoption of human nature by Jesus Christ.
3. This adoption, therefore, supposes, and absolutely requires, that he
be cut off from the old stock, and grafted into the new; leaving behind
him all his sins, sinful habits, sinful companions, and sinful dispositions;
being no longer of his old father the devil, nor in any respect doing his
lusts, performing his will, or associating with his followers; and that, as
the old consanguinity is changed, he now stands in relation only to God,
holy angels, and holy men; and that he is bound to maintain, in every
respect, the honour, dignity, and respect of the divine family into which
he is adopted.
4. In being adopted by God he is no longer his own, he is God's right;
body, soul, and spirit belong to his heavenly Father. He is ever to feel
himself absolutely at the disposal of God; and is bound, if he would enjoy
the privileges of the family, to take God's word for the rule of his life, and
God's Spirit for the regulator of his heart and affections.
5. And this obedience to the will of the Father, and conformity to the
Ruler of the family, are founded on the state of salvation into which he
is brought, and the ineffable privileges to which he has now a right—he
is an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ Jesus.
6. That, as by this adoption he acquires a new nature, so he has a new
name—he is called after God; a son of God, a child of God, an heir of
God. But, properly, the family name is saint, all the adopted children are
called to be saints; for holiness becomes God's house and family for ever.
Where there is no saintship, there is no adoption, and consequently no
heirship, and no inheritance.