116 SERMONS UPON ROMANS Vllt. [SeR. XXIII.
3. Whether all that live under the new testament dispensation, have the spirit of adoption ?
Answer. No ; But take these considerations :
[1.] This sliowetli what the doctrine of tlic gospel can do. and should do : But it dotli not always do it, because many come under the profession of the gospel, but not under the power of it. But this is the Spirit that came down to accompany the gospel, and the ministry of it ; and if it be not received and entertained by men, they may blame themselves. The gospel is serviceable to this end and purpose, to produce such a spirit. If men carry it as if they knew not whether there be a Spirit of adoption, yea or no, there is no fault or defect in the gospel, but they are wanting to themselves, strangers to the grace of the covenant under which they live, by their own negligence and folly. If maima fall about the tents of Israel, and the people will not go to gather it to fill their oraer, they may starve, tliough the bread of heaven be dispensed by such a liberal provision. ' The Spirit is ready, but they are lazy ; the Spirit, by accident, is a cause of servile fear ; but these motions are his proper effects.
[2.] A superficial Christianity is rewarded with common gifts, but
the real Christianity with special graces. All that profess the faith,
and are baptized into Christ, Gal. iii. 26, 27, are visibly adopted by
God into his family, and are under a visible administration of the
covenant of grace. So far as they are adopted into God's family, so far
they are made partakers of the Spirit. Christ giveth to common
christians those common gifts which he giveth not to the heathen world ;
knowledge of the mysteries of godliness; abilities of utterance and
speech about spiritual and heavenly things ; some affection also to them,
called ' tasting of the good word, the heavenly gift, and the powers of
the world to come,' Heb. vi. Tliese will not prove us true christians,
or really in God's special favour, but only visible professed christians.
[3.] Among the sincere, some have not the spirit of adoption at so
full a rate as others have ; neither so pure and fervent a love to God ;
nor such a respectful obedience and submission to him ; nor such an
holy confidence and boldness, becoming that great happiness which they
are called unto, who have the right and hope of the blessed inheritance ;
and so not so much of that son-like disposition, which the Spirit worketh
by revealing the love and mercy of God, contained in the gospel, in
the hearts of his people. Some do more improve their privileges than
others do ; now they cannot rationally expect the best and richest fruits
of this gift, and to be enabled and enlarged by the Spirit, who do not
give such ready entertainment and obedience to his motions, as the
more serious and fruitful christian doth.
4. But do all that have it, know that they have it ? I answer, — [1.] The spirit of adoption is in some weak, and therefore not so perceptible as it is in others ; for small and weak things are hardly discerned. All God' s children have the s])irit of adoption in the eifects, though not in the sense and feeling of it. Tiiey have the spirit of comfort, though not the comfort of it ; for ' if any have not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of his,' Rom. viii. 9. The witness of his Spirit is spoken of, as distinct from receiving the Spirit, ver. 16 ; there is a child-like inclination and impression left upon them, though they know
VeH. 15.] SERMONS UPON UOMANS VIII. 117
it not, own it not. There is n. difference between tlie thing itself, and the degree ; we cannot Sciy we liavc not the spirit of adoption, because we have not so much of tiiis spirit, cahuing our hearts, rebuking our fears, and filling us with joy and peace in believing. The Spirit was given to Christ without measure, but to christians in a different measure and proportion, as they yield up themselves more or less to the conduct of his grace, and overcome the enemies of their peace, the devil, the world, and the flesh. The impression is left upon some in a smaller, upon some in a larger character ; all are not of a growth and size ; some are more real christians, others only eV oi'o/j.arl : eminent grace will more discover itself, than a little grace under a heap of imper- fections ; a fervent love will be felt, and a lively hope of heaven demon- strate itself", and an exact obedience less liable to dispute, as we increase in love, and heavenly mindedness ; so the Spirit discovereth his presence in us.
[2.] Where the Spirit of adoption acteth at the lowest rate, there is something to difference it from the spirit of bondage.
(1.) They are carried on to wait upon God upon gospel grounds, though they cannot apply the comforts, and enter themselves heirs to the privileges thereof ; some know they are of the truth, and can make out their title with clearness and satisfaction : 1 John iii. 14, ' And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him;' others depend on God's general offer, while their claim and sincerity is as yet questionable. God offereth to be a father in Christ to all penitent believers, and so we are encouraged to come to him by Christ ; the apostle telleth us, Heb. vii. 19, that the gospel brought in a better hope, by virtue of which we draw nigh to God. There is a child-like inclination, when there is not a child-like fami- liarity and boldness; the soul cannot keep away from God, but will come to him that he may pardon our sins, and heal our souls, and save our persons. Now this is the spirit of adoption in the lower, or more obscure way of addressing ourselves to God as a father.