SERMON VI.

ROMANS IV. 11, 12.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had, yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also; And the father of circumcision to them, who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised. HAVING endeavoured, in the preceding discourses, to illustrate the gracious covenant, which God made with Abraham, and the design of circumcision, as its seal; to point out the duty of walking in the steps of Abraham's faith, with a particular application to Christian parents; to prove, that the infants of believers ought to be baptized; to answer some objections against infant baptism, and against the reasoning of those, who argue in favour of it; and to show, that sprinkling is a proper mode of baptism; I now proceed to some inferences and reflections.

1. We infer from this subject the vanity of all attempts to destroy the church, built on the everlasting covenant, which God made with Abraham, on the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and on Jesus Christ himself.

It is the church of Christ. It was given to him "before the foundation of the world," as a recompence for his sufferings. He hath loved it "with an everlasting love." God "created all things by Jesus Christ; to the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."* For the sake of the church, "God executeth his decrees, in the works of creation and providence." He called Abraham, established with him a gracious covenant, continued his seed a distinct people, and reproved kings for their sakes; and in the fulness of time Christ came, and purchased the church with his own blood. "All" authority has been "given unto" Jesus "in heaven and in earth."t The Divine power was manifested in the salvation of the ancient church in Egypt, at the Red sea, in Babylon, and in various persecutions. The LORD said, "But thou, Israel, art my

*Eph. iii. 10, 11. † Matt. xxviii. 18.

servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend.-Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."* In supporting the Christian church in times of great persecution, in establishing and continuing the church in this land, especially, in remarkable effusions of the Holy Spirit, in different parts of the world, God has manifested his power and grace. Thus has he performed "the mercy promised," and remembered "his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to" "Abraham," and his promise and oath to his son Jesus Christ.‡

1

The church stands on a firm basis, even the promise and oath of Jehovah. The Divine counsel concerning the church is immutable; and "the heirs of promise" have "strong consolation."

The standing church, including all, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, is an olive tree of the planting of the Lord. At no time has it been destitute of living branches. Christians now partake of the root and increased fatness of the ancient olive. They live by faith in the promises, which supported the Jewish

*Is. xli. 8-10. Luke i. 72, 73. See Ps. cx.

church, and the promises of the New Testament Scriptures. In vain are all boastings against this tree, or any of its living branches. Its enemies are but an ax. The ax is not able to lift up itself. Why then should it boast against the life of the tree?

The standing church is God's vineyard. If some of the vines are impure, bearing grapes of gall, and bitter clusters, the vineyard must not be destroyed; "for a blessing is in it." If the Owner, for a time, "take away the hedge," "and break down the wall," and "lay it waste," he will again build the wall, set up the hedge, and repair the old waste places. Though the church be greatly afflicted, though, in some instances, stated pastors be removed, the regular enjoyment of Divine ordinances interrupted, and false teachers be suffered to bring in heresies, yet God will overrule all this for good. His vineyard will not be perpetually over-run with briars and thorns; though they set themselves against him in battle, he will go through them, and burn them together."

The standing church is God's holy mountain, the mountain of the Lord's house. Though mountains of opposition may seem to rise high, they shall flow down at the presence of the Lord. "And it shall come to pass in the last

days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills."

The standing church is the spiritual Jerusalem. Its enemies say, " Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation." But it stands on an everlasting foundation. It "is mount Zion," "the city of the great king," "which cannot be re

moved, but abideth forever."

in her palaces for a refuge."

"God is known

The certain and final fall of the standing church is predicted by many, as they wander from village to village, professing to be teachers of religion. They tell their hearers, that stated ministers and ordinances are coming down; the standing church is falling, it is falling. One builds a wall, and lo! others daub it with untempered mortar, and say, Lo! here is a true church! Lo, here is the temple of the Lord! The enemies of truth gather around, and listen with avidity, hoping, that the time is near, when regular churches, and stated ministers, will Who can but bewail their delusion and folly? What Christian can but pity their blindness, and pray, that their eyes may be opened?

cease.

The church must stand. Though it is to be afflicted, it is not to be destroyed; in vain are all attempts for this purpose. The enemies of the church are a rod in the hand of the Lord