Part 16
_Another objection_ against the holy ordinances of the New-Testament, baptism and the Lord's Supper, is taken from our Lord's _washing His disciples'_ feet--_Paul's circumcising_ Timothy--St. James directing that _the sick be anointed with_ oil--and the _decrees of the first_ Apostolic council met at Jerusalem.--These several instances of conduct are recorded John xiii. 4--to the 12, Acts xvi. 1--to the 4--xv. 29--and James v. 14. The objection from these things, against the two standing sacraments or ordinances of the Gospel, _baptism_ and the _Lord's Supper,_ is very easily obviated. Our Lord's washing the feet of his disciples is described as an extraordinary instance of humility, and is a representation of the cleansing efficacy of his blood soon to be shed by wicked hands--calculated to teach us to love one another--to be meek--ready to do any kind office when needful, though mean--and that we should not assume any Lordship or dominion over one another's consciences. And at the close, he expressly tells them he had set them a pattern of meekness and condescension, and not ordained an institution to be observed in his church to the end of the world. There is a material and essential difference between _setting a pattern_ of a virtue or giving a remarkable display of it, and solemnly _appointing a holy Ordinance._ We cannot argue from the one to the other.--We are to follow the Redeemer, in all his doctrines and ordinances, but not to perform the same extraordinary PERSONAL actions--any more than to imitate him in his exterior manner, air, and habit.--As to Paul's _circumcising Timothy,_ there was a very plain reason for it. It was necessary for his reception, at that time, among the Jews. The ordinance of circumcision was not then DECLARED to be abolished. When the time had come, when there was to be an open declaration of its abolition, no one of the Apostles practised it, upon their converts. Moreover, Timothy was circumcised as _born of_ a Jew, and not as a _christian convert._ As a convert to christianity he was _baptized,_ as of Jewish lineage he was circumcised. And St. Paul's example to us, in this is, to exercise condescension, forbearance, and humility. As to the _anointing the sick_ in the name of the Lord, James v. 14, it was an appointment for the _miraculous cure_ of such, Mark vi. 13. But since those extraordinary gifts are ceased, as being no longer necessary for the confirmation of the Gospel, our faith in the common course of things has no warrant for using that ceremony; much less doth what is here said about it, give any countenance to the Papist's Sacrament of _extreme Unction_ which they administer not for the recovery of the sick, but for a pretended purgation from the sins of those that are in the very article of death, or past hope of recovery.
As to _the decrees of the_ famous Apostolic council met at Jerusalem, they were adapted to the then existing case and circumstances of the Gentile converts, and not of perpetual obligation in Christ's kingdom, except one article of a moral nature, _abstinence from fornication._ The others are not described as binding on all Christians. There is nothing, in the result of that council, which can possibly signify that the practice of Christians, in all ages, should be conformed thereto. It was wholly adapted to the then state of the Gentile Converts.----Thus it most manifestly appears that these instances of actions above cited and commented upon, are not binding on Christians, in the common ages of the Church; and were never intended to be;--nor can any argument or objection be raised from them, of the least weight or plausibility, against the two PLAIN, EXPRESS, and POSITIVE Institutions of the Gospel, to be observed, in all ages, to the END of the world, _baptism_ and the Lord's Supper.----
We will now make some improvement of what hath been said.--And what are the great and special uses or purposes of this Ordinance? Some affirm that it is a vain and unprofitable ordinance. Let us enquire, is it so then indeed? Did Jesus Christ impose on his church a rite useless and absurd?--The profit of it, however, appears to be great every way. But were we convinced, that he had actually appointed it, we ought to observe it, even if we could not discern any moral uses, or religious benefit resulting from it--trusting in his love, faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness.--It is of great use and importance as it teaches us, in a striking and affecting manner, our defilement and pollution by sin, one of the foundation-doctrines of the Christian Religion. It teaches us this more affectingly than words can do.--It is a clear and lively emblem of the need of the renewing of the holy Ghost. Baptismal water points out the need of a spiritual baptism--or that we must be cleansed from sin by grace divine, and a Saviour's atoning blood.--The very form of words prescribed by our Lord, and always used, teach us where all our hope, our love, our trust, our dependence for salvation must center, in the Father, and the son, and the holy Ghost--a triune God. Baptismal water, as a visible sign, represents our need of having all our sins, as to their guilt, washed away by the blood of Jesus--_Be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins._--Baptism, as a sensible sign, signifies our obligation to renounce sin, and to put on the temper and character of Christ--to put away the filth of the flesh, and to put on newness of life--to renounce the vanity and pomp of the world--and to become clean in heart and life. And when we are baptized, or have our children baptized, we bind ourselves to love, to live to, to obey, and serve the one true God as set forth in his own word.--Can the ordinance, then, be useless?--Does it answer no important ends, no moral and religious purposes?--Is it also recognizing our engagements to be the Lord's we and ours. And teaches some of the greatest and most important doctrines, truths, and duties of Religion.--Does it then, as the deniers of it affirm, keep us FROM GOD--FROM CHRIST--FROM THE SUBSTANCE--FROM THE POWER of religion?--No: it brings us, in its tendency, to them. How unhappy that any, under a christian name, should set themselves to vilify--reproach, and deny, it!--May the scales of ignorance and prejudice fall speedily from their eyes; and that Jesus whose ordinances they reject, commiserate and forgive them; and not suffer them to be the means of spreading irreligion!--
2dly. We may enquire for the improvement of this subject, who may, according to scripture, enjoy the ordinance of baptism? The answer is, all who confess that Jesus is the Christ--who profess to believe in his religion--and have a desire and disposition to honour him in it,--and live a regular, pious and religious life. Such may enjoy it for themselves, and infant seed.----
3dly. As another observation for the improvement of the subject, we may ask how is it to be administered? _Water_ is to be applied to the subject by sprinkling the face, or by immersion, in the _name of the father, son, and holy Ghost._ The quantity of water is a mere circumstance. And immersion is as valid as sprinkling.--Mere circumstances are left to the wisdom, prudence, and convenience of the observer. Some prefer immersion as the most scriptural, and others, sprinkling. Both are valid. Both are right? All that is essential is the application of water, _in one of these ways,_ to the meet subject, as the form is prescribed. Some admit, others exclude infants, but this need be no bar to christian communion. Had the various denominations of christians entertained these catholic and charitable sentiments, there would never have been any dispute about the mode, and much evil would have been prevented--I hope and expect the day will come--and O that it might not be far distant, when these reconciling and compromising sentiments will have a general diffusion; when all real christians will be united, though practising in different forms, and bend their whole force and zeal against error--vice--and irreligion.
4thly. Let all Christians feel a due and unshaken attachment to public worship, the Sabbath--and all divine ordinances. All of them ought to be dear to Christ's disciples. We should esteem them. We should love them. We should diligently and constantly attend unto them. We are, at the same time, to take care that we do not place our hope in, or dependence on them, instead of the God of ordinances, the Saviour's all-cleansing blood, and the spirit's sanctifying operations. Means and ordinances are the helps provided by a wise, gracious, and holy God. In the appointment of them we see, in a most wonderful manner, his love and grace, goodness and patience, wisdom and condescension. Let our eye, then, be to the God of grace to bless and sanctify unto us, all means and ordinances. By the power of the holy Ghost we are; and we must be renewed. But we ought nevertheless to prize and esteem all divine institutions, as means of holiness and pious instruction. We should be grieved when any neglect them, revile them, or deny them. For they are the ways prescribed by God, to uphold religion, in the world, amid the floods of error, ignorance, fanaticism, and infidelity, which threaten the existence of all serious godliness.
5thly. We hence infer the duty of all people to prepare themselves without delay, to enjoy the ordinance of baptism. It is a precious ordinance. It is divinely appointed to teach us, the great truths of Religion, and to help forward our salvation. All parents should see that they lose no time in preparing to enjoy it for themselves, if unbaptized, and for their Children. And what, my dear friends, is required of you, is to seek and know God:--to desire to do your duty: to honor your Maker and Redeemer in the ways, which he has so clearly appointed.--Permit me with all tenderness and affection as a Minister of Jesus Christ to urge you to give no rest to yourselves, till you have rendered yourselves meet for the enjoyment of Gospel-ordinances.--How mournful is the idea that so many, in our Land, live in the total neglect of this holy sacrament of baptism.--Unbaptized Children! Unbaptized Parents! Unbaptized Youth!--How affecting the thought to all the lovers of Gospel-ordinances.--What impiety prevails!--what neglect of religion in general--of prayer in families in particular, and of public worship.--Will not a holy and righteous God visit for these things?--Many boast of this, as the age of reason--of our land, as the land of reason--and talk of the complete downfall of superstition, and bless themselves, at the thought of the diffusion of sceptical principles, and are as zealous to propagate irreligion, error, and infidelity, as if the salvation of our country, their own salvation, and the salvation of others depended on the abolition of christianity, against which the most virulent attacks are made, under the name of superstition, or a sectarian religion.--
But some seriously inclined people are objecting, perhaps, and saying we wish to enjoy _divine ordinances,_ but you have made the way _too strict,_ more so, than God has made it, in his holy word.--Consider a moment, before you draw up a conclusion so unfounded, and so much to your disadvantage. All that is required of you, is to give yourselves up to God and the duties of Religion.--Can less be required? Can any lower terms be rationally desired? We must never profane an ordinance, or prostitute and abuse it to worldly designs and ends.--Often, alas! have this, and the ordinance of the Lord's supper been perverted and profaned; and so have the holy Oracles of God, which are the only Oracles of reason, and of eternal truth, and of all religion. Let us see that we are not among the number of those, who profane and abuse, or neglect and forsake it.--Come, then, and take the vows of the Lord upon you, and give yourselves up to the duties of our holy Religion, and enjoy all its ordinances and special privileges.--Defer not--procrastinate no longer the concerns of your souls and of Salvation.--Behold now is the accepted time! Behold now is the day of Salvation! To-day, if ye will hear his voice. There may be no to-morrow for you--no more time--no more seasons of grace. A small space of time will end all your days, and open to us an everlasting state.--Hear, then, the call of God, of reason, of virtue, and of Religion. Delay:--O! delay no longer. _Come and take Christ's yoke upon you, and learn of him, for he is meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall have rest unto your souls._
6thly. For what hath been said, let all who have enjoyed the ordinance of baptism, feel the sacred bonds thereof, and seek divine grace to enable them to live up to their baptismal vows. Let parents who have come forward and had baptism for their Children, and have devoted them, therein, to God, to be his, and for him, bring them up in the ways of Religion--teach them to pray--and pray with, and for them in their houses:--instruct and govern them for God--set a pious example before them--and teach them their baptismal dedication--the meaning and import of it, as above explained, and as a peculiar privilege binding them to be the Lord's.--And let such parents, farther examine their own hearts and ways, and see if they gave up their Children, in the baptismal dedication, in outward appearance only, or in sincerity and in truth, hoping and trusting in God's mercy and truth for them.--And let parents who never prepared themselves to bring their Children to God, in baptism, when they look on their dear infant flock, feel a deep sense of their sin, in the neglect of their duty to them: and _so pity,_ and _so love_ them, as to come forward, and give them up to God in baptism.--And Let unbaptized youth realize their duty, and never give themselves rest, till they have dedicated themselves to God, in his covenant and baptismal institution, to be his in life, his in death, and his forever.----And let the whole Congregation that now hear me, old and young, esteem, rightly improve, and highly value all the institutions of the Christian Religion; endeavour, by all the light and advantages, which you enjoy, truly to understand them:--to place them on their proper foundation; and to look to the God of all grace, for his powerful, purifying, and all-cleansing influence, and to Jesus Christ that the guilt of sin may be washed away:--and make it your grand concern to _walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless._
DISCOURSE XI.
It is the will of the Author of Christianity that, in the New-Testament dispensation, there should be particular Gospel-Churches.
1. THESSALONIANS i. 1.
_Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ._
Thessalonica was the Metropolis of that part of antient Greece, now Turkey in Europe, called Macedonia. It was built by Philip of Macedon, Father to Alexander the great, so famous in history, and called Thessalonica, in honor of his victory over the Thessalians. In this renowned City, Paul preached a considerable time, and was greatly successful in spreading among its inhabitants, the truths and glory of the Gospel. From the Jews and proselytes to their faith, and the idolatrous heathen or Gentiles, he collected a Christian Church. The people of this large city were principally heathen, who worshipped them which are by nature no Gods.
This Epistle to these Christians gathered into a Church-state by the labours of St. Paul, assisted in the arduous and important work by Silas and Timothy, was the first Letter, we are told in ecclesiastical history, which he ever wrote as an inspired penman to any of the Churches. And he begins it, in a very modest manner, with the words of our text, which may be thus paraphrased----"Paul, together with Silas and Timothy, his assistants in the work of the Lord at Thessalonica, send greeting to the Church of Christ, which has lately been planted by means of our Ministry, and ordinarily assembles for religious worship and discipline at that renowned Metropolis of Macedonia, and consists of believers in God the Father, in distinction from the idolatrous Gentiles, and of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true Messiah, in distinction from the unbelieving Jews, who denied him: and so we regard you as persons that are in union, and have fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.--May all the riches of divine love and favour which is the fountain of every blessing; and as the fruit of this, may all manner of prosperity inclusive of every desirable sort of peace with God and others, and in your souls, be multiplied to all and every one of you, according to the scheme of salvation from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Mediator and peace-maker, who has purchased all blessings for us by his blood; and freely communicates them to us by his spirit in an inseparable concurrence with the Father." The salutation of the inspired writers, in their Letters to the various Churches, are exceedingly tender and affectionate. They wish them every blessing: that the peace of God may be with them: that the mercy of God may abound towards them: that the peace of God may dwell with them. The Apostles in all their Epistles appear most friendly and cordial; anxious to guard the Churches from error--to warn them of heresy, unsound doctrine, and false Teachers. They lay before the Converts to Christianity, the subtlety, the arts, the divisive efforts of impostors. And the need of such things is experienced in every age of the Church. Deceivers and scoffers, more or less, every where, abounded since the days of the Apostles. And by them, the glorious cause of the Gospel and of the Redeemer has been greatly injured.--This Christian affection, displayed in the salutations of the Apostles to the Churches, does great honor to them as men, and as Christians; it shews, at the same time, the amiable and pleasing temper of the Christian Religion. It is a religion of benevolence and kindness. It is a religion of goodness and philanthropy. One of the most surprising objections against it, ever made, is that it is defective in point of friendship. This is the last thing that ever I should suspect would be spoken against it. Such as thus object, it is to be feared, are totally unacquainted with its nature.--For every one, who possesses the temper of the Gospel, not only loves God with all his heart, but his neighbour as himself--is willing to do, as he would be done by--and wishes the good of all.--His wish for others, is like that of Paul to the Thessalonian Church, _grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ._
After thus introducing the words of the text, what is proposed, is to state the scripture-evidence in favour of the institution of a Gospel-Church.--What is before us, is to prove that it is the WILL of the author of Christianity that, in the New Testament dispensation, there should be particular Gospel Churches.