Poimen
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
I was hoping that someone like Matt or Scott could explain the following to me (or anyone else for that matter):
When the Reformers talk about the adoption of our covenant children, of what are they speaking of? Would they make a distinction, for example, between the adoption of Romans 9:4 (corporate) and the adoption of Romans 8:14-15 (individual)? I assume they would since being part of the body of Israel or the NT Church does not ensure regeneration and conversion.
If they did make the distinction, could you point me to some passages in their 'works' (Institutes etc.) that I could look up and research myself? Thanks.
Also, why I am at it, what is a "seed faith"? (as per Beza et al.) Is this something that every covenant child has, or only the elect and therefore, if so, we presume that our children have though they may not all have it? If so please provide citations from the Reformers.
For example Matt says in his catechism:
http://tinyurl.com/6mx6q
I just want to make sure I understand these concepts rightly as I study this/these issues.
When the Reformers talk about the adoption of our covenant children, of what are they speaking of? Would they make a distinction, for example, between the adoption of Romans 9:4 (corporate) and the adoption of Romans 8:14-15 (individual)? I assume they would since being part of the body of Israel or the NT Church does not ensure regeneration and conversion.
If they did make the distinction, could you point me to some passages in their 'works' (Institutes etc.) that I could look up and research myself? Thanks.
Also, why I am at it, what is a "seed faith"? (as per Beza et al.) Is this something that every covenant child has, or only the elect and therefore, if so, we presume that our children have though they may not all have it? If so please provide citations from the Reformers.
For example Matt says in his catechism:
Question 13: In presuming that infants of believing parents are regenerate, does this mean they have an active and actual faith whereby they do good works, understand the Word of God, and meditate on it?
Answer: Infants do not have actual faith, but habitual faith, or faith of habit; for as an acorn possesses in it all the properties of a giant oak tree, so infants possess all the properties necessary for faith as "œseed faith" (a faith implanted in them by God and dormant until they reach an age in which they are able to rationally think); infants are unable to discern between their left hand and right hand, [24] not capable of acts of faith, [25] and not capable of hearing or meditating on the Word. [26]
http://tinyurl.com/6mx6q
I just want to make sure I understand these concepts rightly as I study this/these issues.