I answer, that they are children full of wrath, or enmity against God, whilst in unbelief: and in that sense they may be called children of wrath, as they are of disobedience. It is therefore true of them in an active sense. Farther, I grant that they are also children of wrath in a passive sense, or that they are under a sentence of condemnation by the law before regeneration. Zanchius well observed, in his excellent book
De Natura Dei, that the wrath of God is to be taken in different senses:
"First, it signifies the certain and most just will, and decree of God, to avenge or punish the injuries done to Himself and His church; thus with John 3:36. He that believeth not on the Son, the wrath of God abideth on him: that is, just vengeance against him is confirmed by the decree of God." The elect are not objects of God's wrath in this sense, but "are vessels of mercy, which God has afore prepared to glory" (Rom. 9:23).
Secondly, it intends the threatenings of punishment.
Lastly, it imports the effects of wrath, or penalties, and the avenging of injuries." Book 4, c. 6, p. 407.
Now the elect are secured from the punishment due to their sins, by God's decree; for "they are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5:9): and also by Christ's satisfaction, "who has made peace for them by the blood of his cross" (Col. 1:20). Therefore it is only in the second sense that they are children of wrath; which is perfectly consistent with their interest in God's love and delight, as they are in, and members of Christ, and with their complete Justification in Him, their federal head.
The law doth not consider men as elect, or non-elect, but as transgressors; and, as such, condemns them. But as God put the elect into Christ, or united them to Him in eternal election, He views and considers them in Him, and so justifies them, and takes infinite pleasure in their persons as members of the Mediator, in whom He always had the fullest satisfaction and delight; though they are under a sentence of condemnation by the law, as violators of it while in unbelief.
