MODERN. The like figure, namely, circumcision, whereunto sprinkling doth now save our children, (not the putting away the filth of their flesh, but the answer of our conscience towards the Parson) by putting on them the seal of his cov enant. THIS modern text contains the belief of those who have their children sprinkled, they have a belief that it does something towards their salvation, or that on this account they are entitled to salvation. Many people when their children are like to die will send for a minister to come and sprinkle them, thinking that the child will be lost if it is not christened, because the law said. those who were not circumcised should be cut off. This sentiment led the church of. Rome to make a law, that if a child was like to die soon after it was born; if a priest could not be obtained to christen it, the midwife or nurse might do it, rather than the child should be damned; and if they could not obtain water, they might use sand. People who do this, 1 answer their consciences, but it is towards the minister; it cannot be towards God, for God never commanded it. When they have done it they feel easy, because they have done as the minister said; he says, baptism is a seal of the covenant, and they believe it. ANCIENT AND MODERN THINGS CONTRASTED. III. CONCERNING CHURCHES. ANCIENT. And upon this rock I will build my church, BY the Rock mentioned is meant Jesus Christ, the stone laid in Zion for a foundation, that whosoever believeth on him should not be ashamed. Christ is a foundation of his church as a sacrifice for sin, and as king and lawgiver. This foundation remains unmoved, and will throughout all ages, world without end. The church built on this rock, means the same as his kingdom. This H means men who are subject to his laws, being redeemed from among men by his blood. Jesus Christ has but one way of building his kingdom, and that is the way he begun it. No natural men are members of his church or kingdom; he say's, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; and except a man be` born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." To be born of water is a natural birth: all children are born of water, as every person must know if he considers the nature of it. To be born of the Spirit is to be brought out of darkness into marvellous light, by the Spirit of God, and by that to be made a spiritual man. Whenever a man believes in Christ with all his heart, and submits to him, bowing his knee at his name, he is in his kingdom. Submission to Christ makes him a member of his kingdom; yet he does not manifest himself to the world as a member of Christ's kingdom, only by submitting to the laws given by Christ, for every one to obey who is born again. The first law given to a person born again, is baptism. This is the first thing Christ requires of a believer, and he does not require it of any others. This is to shew the person's faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; that he is dead to sin, buried to it, and risen to newness of life, and that he is devoted to him only. By this he shews that he believes that though his body must die; yet his King will raise it up again at the last day by baptism he puts on Christ, and names his name, declaring himself to be for the Lord and no other. Paul says, Gal. iii. 27," For as many of you as have been baptized unto Christ, have put on Christ." In this way Christ built his church in the days of the apostles; they called on men to repent, and promised them the Holy Ghost as the consequence of repentance. Having the love of God in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking bread, and prayers. Their form of doctrine and church government is contained in the New Testament. Those only are Christ's church who are built in this way. Though a person is a member of Christ's kingdom when he believes on him, or is born of the Spirit; yet he does not manifest himself to the world as a member of his kingdom, unless he is buried with him in baptism, and walks in newness of life. It is thought by many that the New Testament is not a sufficient rule to walk by, unless there is some platform, creed, or covenant besides; if it is not, then this kingdom is imperfect, and is dependent on some of the subjects for part of the laws to govern it. Supposing that after the constitution and laws of this State were completed, some one should say, This is not enough, we must have a particular platform drawn from this, for each town to be regulated by: What would be the consequence? Surely it would be confusion, and every evil work. This is the consequence concerning platforms. In the days of the apostles, the churches had one uniform rule of faith. They continued stedfast in the apostles' doctrine. As soon as this was left, and confessions of faith, creeds, and platforms |