Chapter 12: Of Adoption

1. God has vouchsafed [graciously granted] that – in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ – all those that are justified shall be make partakers [sharers] of the grace of adoption.¹ On account of this they are taken into the number of the children of God and enjoy their liberties and privileges:² they have God’s name put upon them;³ they receive the Spirit of adoption;⁴ they have access to the throne of grace with boldness; they are made able to cry, “Abba, Father;”⁵ they are pitied,⁶ protected,⁷ provided for,⁸ and chastened by him, as by a father;⁹ yet they are never cast off¹⁰ but are sealed to the day of redemption,¹¹ and they inherit the promises of everlasting salvation as heirs.¹²

¹ Eph 1.5; Gal 4.4-5 ² Jn 1.12; Rom 8.17 ³ 2Cor 6.18; Rev 3.12 ⁴ Rom 8.15 ⁵ Gal 4.6; Eph 2.18 ⁶ Ps 103.13 ⁷ Prv 14.26 ⁸ 1Pt 5.7 ⁹ Heb 12.6 ¹⁰ Is 54.8-9; Lam 3.31 ¹¹ Eph 4.30 ¹² Heb 1.14; 6.12