one, in the fulness of time, who should do that really which these sacrifices could do only typically. The persons therefore who presented a sacrifice protested against atheists, idolaters, irreligious persons, and self-justifiers.— Thus, again, circumcision was a confession of depravity as derived by natural generation from Adam, a brand of guilt on our fallen nature, an acknowledgment that the old nature must be put off by the circumcision of the heart to love God; and that such sinners could not be justified but by the righteousness of faith, of which circumcision was the seal. All in covenant with God must have this seal; for without righteousness imputed, through faith, and the change of heart by the Holy Spirit, none of Adam's race can be taken into covenant with God. We are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.-Baptism under the new testament professes all the same truths, together with the doctrine of the Trinity. And this appears to me a strong recommendation of infant-baptism, which powerfully tends to keep up the knowledge and belief of these great truths in the world; is a protest entered against all opposite doctrines; is therefore of use to the church at large, whether it be to the infants themselves or notthough it surely is as likely to be so as circumcision to the Jewish infants; puts honor on God and Christ; and therefore answers the end of a divine institution.-And thus also does the Lord's supper most explicitly declare many most important doctrines, and protest against many delusions. And, though numbers, both among professed Jews formerly, and now among professed Christians, mistook the intention of their own ordinances, and attended on them in for-. mality, hypocrisy, and self-righteous pride; still they were and are fitted to answer the end for which they were appointed; [and whenever any reformer has arisen, this has, given him great advantage in pointing out and enforcing the truths implied in them;] and a great part of our confession of Christ, which he requires of us, consists in a stated, serious, and reverent attendance upon them, accompanied with an explicit avowal of our intention in so doing. -This was what Jesus did when on earth. Being no sinner, he was incapable of the thing primarily intended in the ordinances he attended on; nor did he need them as means of grace, in the manner sinners do. Neither born in sin nor a sinner by practice, he needed not the circum

cision of the heart, nor any atoning offerings: and of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins he was incapable in its primary meaning. And the temple service, the passover, and other observances may be considered in the same light. But, as they were appointments of God, he submitted to his authority in them: as they were confessions of faith, he bore testimony in them for the truth, and against error: as they were acts of worship, he honored God in joining in them. And in so doing he is not only our righteousness but our example.-Nor ought it to be overlooked, that he is a standing example in proof that those may, and in some cases ought, to join in divine ordinances, who are incapable of some of the ends of the institution. He was baptized with the baptism of repentance, who was incapable of repenting.

"I cannot but be astonished, that so many Christians should consider these things as matters of indifference: and that, because a man may be saved without being baptized or receiving the Lord's supper, they should conclude that using these ordinances may be treated as a matter of mere discretion.* Doubtless all commands of God are binding on all to whom they are given: and the moral law requires obedience to all institutions of a ceremonial nature so long as they are in force: yea the first sin was the breach of an appointment originally indifferent, but made binding by a divine command. Although a man may be saved, who for want of opportunity complies not with a divine institution, or even who ignorantly and erroneously neglects it; yet the slothful or presumptuous neglect of it is equally sinful with the like neglect of any other duty, and as much requires to be repented of; being a refusal to submit to God's authority, a contempt of the divine wisdom and good-. ness in the appointment, the forbearing to make a required confession of Christ and his truth, and to worship God in his own prescribed manner: and he who does thus neglect presumptuously, slothfully, for fear of men, or from any motive of this kind, has little scriptural reason to conclude himself a believer. Nay he who from diffidence, unwarranted suspicion, or any like cause omits a divine ordinance,

There is scarcely an error more prevalent, or one which is employed with greater effect in the present day, than one nearly allied to that which is here censured. Various denominations of Christians all agree in the essentials: therefore it is of no consequence to which we attach ourselves. That is, if any thing is not essential to salvation it is of no importance, at least of no materiai importance, at all! If a man has but a head and a heart, his wanting a leg, an arm, or an eye, is a matter of no moment!

would do well to consider the ingratitude and folly of his conduct, and how he not only neglects a means of grace, but refuses God the glory due unto his name.

"First of all, every one should inquire what ordinances are now, under the Christian dispensation in force, and what abrogated which once were obligatory. Each one in these things must judge for himself; and, seeking God's teaching, after due deliberation be satisfied in his own mind, and not rashly judge those who differ from him. Then the manner of the administration of any ordinance should be considered, and the persons whose duty it is to attend upon it. And we should not merely ask, What good may I get by it? which thus exclusively put is a selfish question; but also, Is it my duty? What glory may redound to God from it? what advantage to the truth? what good to men? And certainly the regular and serious attendance on all public ordinances, and the reverential regard paid to all religious institutions, are exceedingly honorable to God, recommendatory of true religion, and profitable to others, as an example of godliness, a reproof of ungodliness, and a profession of the truth: and, on the other hand, the neglect, and disregard, and disrespect shewn by many religious professors to the public duties of instituted worship, are exceedingly dishonorable to God, reproachful to religion, and hurtful to the souls of men.

"Let then that professor of religion who would bring forth fruit to the glory of God, the ornament of religion, and the good of souls, make a conscience of such things as these. Let him carefully and seriously sanctify the Lord's day, as set apart especially for the delightful exercises of religion. Let him shew that religion is delightful to him, by cheerfully detaching himself on that day, as much as possible, from worldly cares, employments, company, and conversation; banishing sloth, self-indulgence, and levity; carefully redeeming his time, and diligently employing it in the secret, social, and public duties of religion. Let him be constant and early at the place of public worship: not admitting any excuse either for wholly absenting himself, or for coming even a minute too late, which he cannot confidently urge at the day of judgment. Nothing is more grieving to my mind than the procrastination so common in this latter respect among persons professing godliness, of every denomination. It is certainly very dishonorable to God whom we worship, and very

irreverent, and a very bad example to others, for such persons to be constantly, or frequently, or without sufficient reason, too late at the place of worship; to the interruption of others, and often (I speak feelingly,) of him who leads the worship. Undoubtedly there are cases in which it is unavoidable: the state of some persons' health, the necessary incumbrances of families, and other things, require 'allowances: but that it is so common, and almost general, and often most remarkable among persons professing to be religious, arises, it is to be feared, from other causes. Indulged sloth on the Lord's day morning; indulged disinclination to public worship-which, though the more spiritual and important part of the business for which we assemble, is not so well calculated, by means of novelty, as the sermon may be, to keep awake attention in a mind either totally or prevailingly carnal; if not sometimes contempt of the duty itself: these things and such as these too often, it is to be feared, have an influence in this matter which is very awful. But let that Christian who would adorn the gospel beg of God a spiritual mind, that he may delight in public worship; rise early on the Lord's day, according to his necessary avocations, that other things may be done with, and he may be at leisure to attend at the appointed time punctually; that he may not only have benefit himself, but honor God in the whole of his public ordinances, and not interrupt, but promote the devotion of others, and especially that of his minister, There is nothing that with me tends so much to make our public worship formal, as the continual interruption which arises from persons coming in after the service is begun.

"Let one who would thus glorify God not only collect his own mind in remembrance of the glory of the Object of his worship, but express his reverence by a solemn serious gesture and posture, whether kneeling or standing. Surely religious professors in our day are so afraid of formality that they are running into the opposite extreme. Can it be for the glory of God, the credit of religion, and the edification of others, for such persons to be irreverent in public worship, some in one posture, some in another, with vacant countenances, and inattentive looks; or more attentive to those who are coming in than to what they are professedly doing. I have often been shocked at the appearance of a worshipping congregation in this respect.

Let every true Christian, therefore, for the honor of God and the credit of the gospel, protest against such conduct by a reverent behavior.

"Let every such person too, as soon as he is satisfied that his dependence is on God's mercy through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that he desires by God's grace to live to his glory, make public profession of his faith, submit to Christ's authority, thankfully remember his dying love, and join himself in communion with his people at the Lord's table. And, though he be not always alike comfortable there, yet let him be constant in this attendance as long as he lives, making a point not to absent himself without absolute necessity; for excuses will ever be multiplying upon him: and, so long as he is conscious that he comes in submission to Christ's authority, and with desire of his blessing, though humbled, let him not be discouraged if he do not always find sensible benefit therein: for what is honorable to the Lord must in the issue be good for our souls:”

8. ZEAL FOR RELIGION.

"Christians in general are required to glorify God and do good by a prudent zeal in endeavoring to bring others to receive and obey the blessed gospel, both by their own edifying conversation or correspondence, by bringing them to hear faithful preaching, or by any other means which God has put in their power, and which consists with the relative duties of their station. Much prudence is allowed to be requisite in this matter, and many mistakes are made by those whose zeal outruns their discretion, experience, or humility; and young converts often thus hurt the cause they would promote. But I believe the Lord does vastly more approve, and will much more bless, even their imprudent zeal, than the lukewarmness and indifference of many who censure them: which is loathsome and abominable to him. A young zealous Christian will be sure to meet with so many mortifications and disappointments as will abate his too warm zeal, and probably he will not be long before he gets into the opposite extreme. But, if his heart be right with God, and true religion abounds in his soul, his love to God and man increasing, while he is continually asking and receiving from God true wisdom, he will daily gain experience and humility, will advance in the knowledge of his own heart, of human nature, and of Satan's