32
Nevertheless, the Puritans teach us a great deal more about spiritual adoption and
its transforming power than has been acknowledged. They teach us the importance of
fleeing from sin and pursuing a conscious sense of our adoption.
126
They show us, as
Packer helpfully summarizes, that our adoption helps us better grasp the ministry of the
Holy Spirit, the power of gospel holiness, our own assurance of faith, the solidity of the
Christian family, and the glory of the Christian hope.
127
The Puritans also warn us of the danger of remaining a member of Satan`s
family--especially while under the means of grace. Many a gospel-call has sounded in
your ears, sinner, writes Thomas Boston; hast thou not come away on the call? Then
thou art yet a child of the devil, Acts xiii. 10. and therefore an heir of hell and of wrath.
When the unbeliever objects, Boston responds: Whose image dost thou bear? Holiness
is God`s image, unholiness the devil`s. Thy dark heart and unholy life plainly tell the
family thou art of.
128
As strongly as the Puritans admonish, so strongly they invite. Willard writes,
What do you think of it, who have been often invited in the Gospel to embrace [Christ]?
Will not [adoption] present him before you as one worth the entertaining? Receive him
by a true Faith, and he will make you, not only Friends, but Children unto God.
129
Above all, the Puritans use the truth of adoption as a sower to transform God`s
needy children through powerful comforts. Thomas Hooker shows how adoption
comforts them in the face of the sight and sense of their unworthiness, outward poverty,
the contempt of the world, infirmities, afflictions, persecutions, and dangers.
130
When
oppressed with sin, buffeted by Satan, enticed by the world, or alarmed by fears of death,
the Puritans encourage believers to take refuge in their precious, heavenly Father, saying
with Willard, Am I not still a Child? And if so, then I am sure, that though he correct me
(and I deserve it, nor will I refuse to submit my self patiently unto it) yet he cannot take
away his loving kindness from me.
131
Willard concludes: Be always comforting of your selves with the thoughts of
your Adoption: Draw your comforts at this tap, fetch your consolations from this relation;
be therefore often chewing upon the precious priviledges of it, and make them your
rejoicing. Let this joy out-strip the verdure of every other joy. Let this joy dispel the mists
of every sorrow, and clear up your souls in the midst of all troubles and difficulties as