: Christ in his human nature is the Son of covery of any great excellence in an object. It has by some writers been used as synonymous with surprise and ADOPTION, an act whereby any wonder; but it is evident they are not person receives another into his family, the same. Surprise refers to something owns him for his son, and appoints him unexpected; wonder, to something great his heir. 2. Spiritual adoption is an act or strange; but admiration includes the of God's free grace, whereby we are idea of high esteem or respect. Thus, received into the number, and have a we say we admire a man's excellen- right to all the privileges of the sons of cies, but we do not say that we are sur-God.-3. Glorious, is that in which the prised at them. We wonder at an extraordinary object or event, but we do not always admire it. ADMONITION denotes a hint or advice given to another, whereby we reprove him for his fault, or remind him of his duty. Admonition was a part of the discipline much used in the ancient church: it was the first act or step towards the punishment or expulsion of delinquents. In case of private offences, it was performed according to the evangelical rule, privately; in case of public offence, openly before the church. If either of these sufficed for the recovery of the fallen person, all further proceedings, in a way of censure, ceased; if they did not, recourse was had to excommunication.-Tit. iii. 10. 1 Thess. v. 14. Eph. vi. 4. ADONAI, one of the names of the Supreme Being in the Scriptures. The proper meaning of the word is "my Lords," in the plural number; as Adoni is my Lord, in the singular. The Jews, who either out of respect or superstition do not pronounce the name of Jehovah, || read Adonai in the room of it, as often as they meet with Jehovah in the Hebrew text. But the ancient Jews were not so scrupulous; nor is there any law which forbids them to pronounce the name of God. saints, being raised from the dead, are at the last day solemnly owned to be the children of God, and enter into the full possession of that inheritance provided for them, Rom. viii. 19. 23. Adoption is a word taken from the civil law, and was much in use among the Romans in the apostles' time; when it was a custom for persons who had no children of their own, and were possessed of an estate, to prevent its being divided, or descending to strangers, to make choice of such who were agreeable to them, and beloved by them, whom they took into this political relation of children; obliging them to take their name upon them, and to pay respect to them as though they were their natural parents, and engaging to deal with them as though they had been so; and accordingly to give them a right to their estates, as an inheritance. This new relation, founded in a mutual consent, is a bond of affection; and the privilege arising from thence is, that he who is in this sense a father, takes care of and provides for the person whom he adopts, as though he were his son by nature; and therefore civilians call it an act of legitimation, imitating nature, or supplying the place of it. It is easy, then, to conceive the propriety of the term as used by the aposADONISTS, a party among divines tle in reference to this act, though it and critics, who maintain that the He- must be confessed there is some differbrew points ordinarily annexed to the ence between civil and spiritual adopconsonants of the word Jehovah are not tion. Civil adoption was allowed of and the natural points belonging to that provided for the relief and comfort of word, nor express the true pronuncia- those who had no children; but in spition of it; but are the vowel points be- ritual adoption this reason does not aplonging to the words Adonai and Elo- pear. The Almighty was under no him, applied to the consonants of the obligation to do this; for he had innuineffable name Jehovah, to warn the merable spirits whom he had created, readers, that instead of the word Jeho- besides his own Son, who had all the vah, which the Jews were forbid to pro- perfections of the divine nature, who nounce, and the true pronunciation of was the object of his delight, and who which had long been unknown to them, is styled the heir of all things, Heb. i. 3. they are always to read Adonai. They When men adopt, it is on account of are opposed to Jehovists, of whom the some excellency in the persons who principal are Drusius, Capellus, Bux-are adopted; thus Pharaoh's daughter torf, Alting, and Reland. ADOPTIONISTS, the followers of Felix of Urgil and Epiland of Toledo, who, towards the end of the eighth century, advanced the notion that Jesus adopted Moses because he was exceeding fair, Acts vii. 20, 21; and Mordecai adopted Esther because she was his uncle's daughter, and exceeding fair, Est. ii. 7: but man has nothing in him that merits this divine act, Ezek. xvi. 5. | In civil adoption, though the name of a son be given, the nature of a son may not; this relation may not necessarily be attended with any change of disposition or temper. But in spiritual adoption we are made partakers of the divine nature, and a temper or disposition given us becoming the relationship we bear, Jer. iii. 19. 66 Much has been said as to the time of adoption. Some place it before regeneration, because it is supposed that we must be in the family before we can be partakers of the blessings of it. But it is difficult to conceive of one before the other; for although adoption may seem to precede regeneration in order of nature, yet not of time; they may be distinguished, but cannot be separated. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name," John i. 12. There is no adoption, says the great Charnock, without regeneration. Adoption," says the same author, "is not a mere relation; the privilege and the image of the sons of God go together. A state of adoption is never without a separation from defilement, 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. The new name in adoption is never given till the new creature be formed. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God,' Rom. viii. 14. Yet these are to be distinguished. Regeneration, as a physical act, gives us a likeness to God in our nature; adoption, as a legal act, gives us a right to an inheritance. Regeneration makes us formally his sons, by conveying a principle, 1 Pet. i. 23; adoption makes us relatively his sons, by conveying a power, John i. 12. By the one we are instated in the divine affection; by the other we are partakers of the divine nature." The privileges of adoption are every way great and extensive. 1. It implies great honour. They have God's name put upon them, and are described as his people, called by his name," 2 Chron. vii. 24. Eph. iii. 15. They are no longer slaves to sin and the world; but, emancipated from its dreadful bondage, are raised to dignity and honour, Gal. iv. 7: 1 John iii. 1, 2.-2. Inexhaustible provision and riches. They inherit all things, Rev. xxi. 7. All the blessings of a temporal kind that are for their good shall be given them. Psalm lxxxiv. 11. All the blessings of grace are treasured up in Jesus Christ for them, Eph. i. 3. All the blessings of glory shall be enjoyed by them, Col. i. 27. "All things are yours," says the apostle, "whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, 1 Cor. iii. 22.-3. Divine protection. "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge,” Prov. xiv. 26. As the master of a family is engaged to defend and secure all under his roof, and committed to his care, so Jesus Christ is engaged to protect and defend his people. They shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings and quiet resting places," Isa. xxxii. 18. Heb. 1. 14.-4. Unspeakable felicity. They enjoy the most intimate communion with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. They have access to his throne at all times, and under all circumstances. They see divine wisdom regulating every affair, and rendering every thing subservient to their good. Heb. xii. 6-11. The laws, the liberties, the privileges, the relations, the provisions, and the security of this family are all sources of happiness; but especially the presence, the approbation, and the goodness of God, as the governor thereof, afford joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Pet. i. 8. Prov. iii. 17. Heb.iv. 16.-5. Eternal glory. In some cases, civil adoption might be made null and void, as among the Romans, when against the right of the pontifex, and without the decree of the college; but spiritual adoption, as it is divine as to its origin, so it is perpetual as to its duration. "The Son abideth in the house for ever," John viii. 35. "The inheritance of the saints is incorruptible, undefiled, and never fadeth away," 1 Pet. i. 4. "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is," 1 John iii. 2. In the present state we are as children at school; but in heaven we shall be as children at home, where we shall always behold the face of our heavenly Father, for ever celebrating his praises, admiring his perfections, and enjoying his presence. "So_shall we be ever with the Lord." 1 Thess. iv. 17. The evidences of adoption are, 1. Renunciation of all former dependencies. When a child is adopted, he relinquishes the object of his past confidence, and submits himself to the will and plea sure of the adopter; so they who are brought into the family of God, will evidence it by giving up every other object so far as it interferes with the will and glory of their heavenly Father. "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" Hos. xiv. 8. || through Jesus Christ. Eph. 1. 5. ApOther lords have had dominion over plied to believers by the Holy Spirit, us; but by thee only will we make Gal. iv. 6. Rom. viii. 15, 16. A blessing mention of thy name." Is. xxvi. 13. of the greatest importance, 1 John iii Matt. xiii. 45, 46. Phil. iii. 8.—2. Affec-1, and lays us under an inviolable oblition. This may not always apply to gation of submission. Heb. xii. 9; imitacivil adoption, but it always does to spi- tion, Eph. v. 1; and dependence, Matt. ritual. The children of God feel a re- vi. 32. See Ridgley's and Gill's Body gard for him above every other object. of Div. art. Adoption; Charnock's His own excellency, his unspeakable Works, vol. ii. p. 32--72; Flavel's goodness to them, his promises of future Works, vol. ii. p. 601; Brown's System blessings, are all grounds of the strongest of Nat. and Rev. Religion, p. 442; love. Whom have I in heaven but Witsii Econ. Fed. p. 165. thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee." Psalm lxxiii. 25. "Thou art my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in thee." Lam. iii. 24. Luke vii. 47. Ps. xviii. 1.-3. Access to God with a holy boldness. They who are children by adoption are supposed to have the same liberty of access as those who are children by nature; so those who are partakers of the blessings of spiritual adoption will prove it by a reverential, yet familiar address to the Father of spirits: they will confess their unworthiness, acknowledge their dependence, and implore the mercy and favour of God. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. iv. 6. Through Jesus Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. ii. 18. Having such a privilege, they "come boldly to the throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv. 16.-4. Obedience. Those who are adopted into a family must obey the laws of that family; so believers prove themselves adopted by their obedience to the word and ordínances of God. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John xv. 14. "Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked.” 1 John ii. 4, 5.—5. Patient yet jouful expectation of the inheritance. În civil adoption, indeed, an inheritance is not always certain; but in spiritual adoption it is. "To them who, by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life." Rom. ii. 7. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. iv. 18. Rom. vi. 23. Heb. xi. 26, 27. From the consideration of the whole of this doctrine, we may learn that adoption is an act of free grace ADORATION, the act of rendering divine honours, including in it reverence, esteem, and love: this is called supreme, or absolute. The word is compounded, of ad, "to," and os, oris, "mouth ;" and literally signifies to apply the hand to the mouth, "to kiss the hand;" this being in the eastern countries, one of the great marks of respect and submission. See Job xxxi. 26, 27. The attitude of adoration, however, we find has not been confined to this mode; standing, kneeling, uncovering the head, prostration, bowing, lifting up the eyes to heaven, or sometimes fixing them upon the earth with the body bending forward; sitting with the under parts of the thighs resting on the heels, have all been used, as expressive of veneration and esteem. Whatever be the form, however, it must be remembered, that adoration, as an act of worship, is due to God alone, Matt. iv. 10. Acts x. 25, 26. Rev. xix. 10. There is, 2. what may be called adoration human, or paying homage or respect to persons of great rank and dignity. This has been performed by bowing, bending the knee, falling on the face. The practice of adoration may be said to be still subsisting in England, in the ceremony of kissing the king's or queen's hand, and in serving them at table, both being performed kneeling on one knee. There is also, 3. adoration relative, which consists in worship paid to an object as belonging to or representative of another. In this sense the Romanists profess to adore the cross not simply or immediately, but in respect of Jesus Christ, whom they suppose to be on it. This is generally, however, considered by protestants, as coming little short of idolatry. See IDOLATRY. ADVERSARY, one who sets himself in opposition to another: one of the names of Satan. See SATAN. ADVERSITY, a state which is opposite to our wishes, and the cause of sorrow. It stands opposed to prosperity. See AFFLICTION. ADULTERY, an unlawful commerce ed. King Edmund in this kingdom, ordered adultery to be punished in the same manner as homicide. Canute ordered the man to be banished, and the woman to have her nose and cars cut off. Modern punishments, in different nations, do not seem to be so severe. Britain it is reckoned a spiritual offence, and is cognizable by the spiritual courts, where it is punished by fine and penance. See Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy, p. 309, vol. i. 12th edition. In AERIANS, a branch of Arians in the reign of Constantine, who held that there was no difference between bishops and priests; a doctrine maintained by many modern divines, particularly of the presbyterian and reformed churches. The sect received its denomination from Aerius, who founded his doctrine on 1 Tim. iv. 14. See EPISCOPACY. between one married person and ano-and in the woman by the loss of her nose. ther, or between a married and an un- The Greeks put cut the eyes of the married person.-2. It is also used in adulterers. Among the Romans, it was Scripture for idolatry, or departing from punished by banishment, cutting off the the true God. Jer. iii. 9.-3. Also for cars, noses, and by sewing the adulterers any species of impurity or crime against into sacks, and throwing them into the the virtue of chastity. Matt. v. 28.—4. sea, scourging, burning, &c. In Spain It is also used in ecclesiastical writers and Poland they were almost as severe. for a person's invading or intruding into The Saxons formerly burnt the adula bishoprick during the former bishop's teress, and over her ashes erected a life.-5. The word is,also used in an-gibbet, whereon the adulterer was hangcient customs for the punishment or fine imposed for that offence, or the privilege of prosecuting for it.-Although adultery is prohibited by the law of God, yet some have endeavoured to explain away the moral turpitude of it; but it is evident, observes Paley, that, on the part of the man who solicits the chastity of a married woman, it certainly includes the crime of seduction, and is attended with mischief still more extensive and complicated: it creates a new sufferer, the injured husband, upon whose affection is inflicted a wound the most painful and incurable that human nature knows. The infidelity of the woman is aggravated by cruelty to her children, who are generally involved in their parents' shame, and always made unhappy by their quarrel. The marriage vow is witnessed before God, and accompanied with circumstances of so- AETIANS, those who maintained lemnity and religion, which approach that the Son and Holy Ghost were in all to the nature of an oath. The married things dissimilar to the Father. They offender, therefore, incurs a crime little received their name from Aetius, one of short of perjury, and the seduction of a the most zealous defenders of Arianism, married woman is little less than sub-who was born in Syria, and flourished ornation of perjury. But the strongest apology for adultery is, the prior transgression of the other party; and so far, indeed, as the bad effects of adultery are anticipated by the conduct of the husband or wife who offends first, the guilt of the second offender is extenuated. But this can never amount to a justification, unless it could be shown that the obligation of the marriage vow depends upon the condition of reciprocal fidelity; a construction which appears founded neither in expediency, nor in terms of the vow, nor in the design of the legislature, which prescribed the marriage rite. To consider the offence upon the footing of provocation, therefore, can by no means vindicate retaliation. "Thou shalt not commit adultery," it must ever be remembered, was an interdict delivered by God himself. This crime has been punished in almost all ages and nations. By the Jewish law it was punished with death in both parties, where either the woman was married, or both. Among the Egyptians, adultery in the man was punished by a thousand lashes with rods, about the year 336. Besides the opinions which the Actians held in common with the Arians, they maintained that faith without works was sufficient to salvation; and that no sin however grievous, would be imputed to the faithful. Aetius, moreover, affirmed that what God had concealed from the apostles, he had revealed to him. AFFECTION, in a philosophical sense, refers to the manner in which we are affected by any thing for a continuance, whether painful or pleasant: but in the most common sense, it may be defined to be a settled bent of mind towards a particular being or thing. It holds a middle place between disposi tion on the one hand, and passion on the other. It is distinguishable from dis position, which being a branch of one's nature originally, must exist before there can be an opportunity to exert it upon any particular object; whereas affection can never be original, because having a special relation to a particular object, it cannot exist till the object have once, at least, been presented. It is also 66 do any more with idols?" Hos. xiv. 8. || through Jesus Christ. Eph. 1. 5. Ap"Other lords have had dominion over plied to believers by the Holy Spirit, us; but by thee only will we make Gal. iv. 6. Rom. viii. 15, 16. A blessing mention of thy name." Is. xxvi. 13. of the greatest importance, 1 John iii Matt. xiii. 45, 46. Phil. iii. 8.—2. Affec-1, and lays us under an inviolable oblition. This may not always apply to gation of submission. Heb. xii. 9; imitacivil adoption, but it always does to spi- tion, Eph. v. 1; and dependence, Matt. ritual. The children of God feel a re- vi. 32. See Ridgley's and Gill's Body gard for him above every other object. of Div. art. Adoption; Charnock's His own excellency, his unspeakable Works, vol. ii. p. 32--72; Flavel's goodness to them, his promises of future Works, vol. ii. p. 601; Brown's System blessings, are all grounds of the strongest of Nat. and Rev. Religion, p. 442; love. "Whom have I in heaven but Witsi Econ. Fed. p. 165. thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee." Psalm 1xxiii. 25. "Thou art my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in thee.” Lam. iii. 24. Luke vii. 47. Ps. xviii. 1.-3. Access to God with a holy boldness. They who are children by adoption are supposed to have the same liberty of access as those who are children by nature; so those who are partakers of the blessings of spiritual adoption will prove it by a reverential, yet familiar address to the Father of spirits: they will confess their unworthiness, acknowledge their dependence, and implore the mercy and favour of God. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. iv. 6. Through Jesus Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. ii. 18. Having such a privilege, they "come boldly to the throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv. 16.-4. Obedience. Those who are adopted into a family must obey the laws of that family; so believers prove themselves adopted by their obedience to the word and ordínances of God. "Ye are my friends, ye do whatsoever I command you." John xv. 14. "Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked." 1 John ii. 4, 5.-5. Patient yet joyful expectation of the inheritance. In civil adoption, indeed, an inheritance is not always certain; but in spiritual adoption it is. "To them who, by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life." Rom. ii. 7. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. iv. 18. Rom. vi. 23. Heb. xi. 26, 27. From the consideration of the whole of this doctrine, we may learn that adoption is an act of free grace if ADORATION, the act of rendering divine honours, including in it reverence, esteem, and love: this is called supreme, or absolute. The word is compounded, of ad, "to," and os, oris, "mouth;" and literally signifies to apply the hand to the mouth, "to kiss the hand;" this being in the eastern countries, one of the great marks of respect and submission. See Job xxxi. 26, 27. The attitude of adoration, however, we find has not been confined to this mode; standing, kneeling, uncovering the head, prostration, bowing, lifting up the eyes to heaven, or sometimes fixing them upon the earth with the body bending forward; sitting with the under parts of the thighs resting on the heels, have all been used, as expressive of veneration and esteem. Whatever be the form, however, it must be remembered, that adoration, as an act of worship, is due to God alone, Matt. iv. 10. Acts x. 25, 26. Rev. xix. 10. There is, 2. what may be called adoration human, or paying ho- . mage or respect to persons of great rank and dignity. This has been performed by bowing, bending the knee, falling on the face. The practice of adoration may be said to be still subsisting in England, in the ceremony of kissing the king's or queen's hand, and in serving them at table, both being performed kneeling on one knee. There is also, 3. adoration relative, which consists in worship paid to an object as belonging to or representative of another. In this sense the Romanists profess to adore the cross not simply or immediately, but in respect of Jesus Christ, whom they suppose to be on it. This is generally, however, considered by protestants, as coming little short of idolatry. See IDOLATRY. ADVERSARY, one who sets himself in opposition to another: one of the names of Satan. See SATAN. ADVERSITY, a state which is opposite to our wishes, and the cause of sorrow. It stands opposed to prosperity. See AFFLICTION. ADULTERY, an unlawful commerce |