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sults from it, yet by the Lord's hand; for so it follows; "and I will cause you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them."

So when Moses gives his dying charge to Israel, he tells them, "The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.”

Jeremiah also preaches the same doctrine, "I will give them one heart, and one way; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me."

Much people, who are strangers to the work of regeneration, suppose the new birth is only christian baptism; and that every one is born again, who is baptized. Indeed the new birth may be conveyed with baptismal water; and has been conveyed to an infant. We read of John the Baptist, that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his birth; yet the generalty of christians are not born of the Spirit, when baptized with water, because no proof is given of it, in their childhood, youth, or manhood. No appearance can be found of a heart devoted to God, which is the fruit of spiritual birth. The nature of a baptized child, belonging to a churchman, is still as froward and as evil, as the nature of an unbaptized child, belonging to a quaker. Which shews that after water baptism is received, a spiritual birth is wanting still, not merely to moralize the conduct, but to sanctify the heart, and devote it to God.

When Jesus had declared to Nicodemus the necessity of regeneration, he then speaks of the atonement, and of justification by faith; "As Moses lifted

the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the

son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but have eternal life." And so the conference ends.

The Spirit's birth brings a meetness for heaven; it teaches men to offer spiritual sacrifices, but gives no right to pardon, nor any claim to eternal life. These blessings are wholly treasured up in Christ, and are obtained only through faith in him; even as you heard just now, "Whoso believeth on him hath eternal life.” Therefore Jesus conducts the ruler through regeneration to the atonement, and justification by faith, and there ends: ends with what truly finished the christian character, a whole dependence upon Jesus Christ, even after spiritual life is received, and manifested by an holy walk.

Doctor, pray save your breath a little. A small scruple has just popt into my head, and I must be satisfied. Your talk about baptizm, together with the breadth of your beaver, and the scanty number of your button holes, make me suspect you are a quaker. I do not mean to scandalize that people; they are notable men in business; very friendly to one another, and take special care of their poor, but I will not leave my own church, Doctor. Tell me then, and tell me honestly, whether you mean to revile the church baptizm, by what you said concerning it?

No Sir, not at all: I only meant to keep you from relying on baptismal water, without the Spirit's baptism. I have no doubt, that infant baptism is attended with the same blessing now, as infant-circumcision was formerly. Both the ordinances are of God's appointment, and introductory rites into his visible church on earth. The Jews were saved, as christians R *

are, by faith the gospel-covenant belonged to them, as well as to ourselves; only the introducing rite was different. And if Jewish children were received into the church's fold by circumcision; why not christian children too by baptism? Nothing is said to forbid them: Jesus encouraged the bringing little children to him, and rebuked his disciples, when they sought to prevent it. And how can little children now be brought to Jesus, but by baptism.

Long before the law was given, God declares to Abraham, "that an uncircumcised child shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant." These are awful words, and should be well attended to. The covenant here spoken of, is not the Sinai covenant, but the covenant of grace. Circumcision was the outward sign of this covenant to Abraham, as baptism is to us. The outward rite is different, but the covenant is the same. And therefore this awful threat against neglecting infant circumcision, may cast a further look to the sister rite of infant baptism.

I would hate no man, and I condemn no man for thinking differently in this matter; yea, I feel a tender brother's love for many, and can lay them on my heart, though they think differently yet surely it behoves every parent to act cautiously. No harm can possibly arise from baptising an infant, but harm may arise from neglecting baptism. Such neglect may be considered as contempt; so it was considered formerly, and so it may be now.

But enough of this matter: your suspicions drew me from my proper walk; and now, Sir, I return to finish it. When the doctrines of regeneration and justification by faith become despised or deserted doc

trines, the labors of the clergy will prove useless, their persons will grow cheap, their office seem contemptible, and they at length may be ashamed of their function and their livery.

The present age would fain be called a learned age, and the giddy people think themselves a wise people, and they are "wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." Reason flirts at revelation, merit spurns the thought of grace, tapers would outblaze the sun, and human fancies far outweigh the truths of God.-But, Sir, I must be moving.

A word or two more, Doctor, and then we take a friendly leave. Your visit to the grazier will certainly get wind. Every creature will be staring, as you walk through the parish. Your look and gait are primitive; and your beaver would almost fill a bushel A dozen skimming dish hats, such as gentry wear, might be scooped from it. To-morrow I expect the vicar at my house, to dine upon a good fat capon, and he will surely make enquiries after you. Can you put a brief account of faith into my mouth, which may lay at my tongue's end, ready for him when he comes? He will hear what is said patiently; and if he does not approve, he will not revile. He rails at nobody; and has never had a single squabble with the parish, since he came, about tythe-eggs, pigs, or turnips.

Faith in Christ, Sir, implies not only a hearty belief of the Saviour's doctrines, but whole dependance on the Saviour's person, as our prophet, priest and king. It requires a careful use of the means of grace, but forbids all trusting in the means. I must read the word of God with care, yet not rely upon my own ability, to make me wise unto salvation, but wholly

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trust in Jesus, as my prophet, to open my dark understanding, and direct me by his Spirit into all saving truth-I must watch against sin, and pray against it too; yet not rely upon my own strength to conquer it, but wholly trust in Jesus, as my king, to subdue my will, my tempers, and my affections, by his Spirit; to write his holy law upon my heart, and influence my conduct to his glory-I must be zealous of good works, as zealous to perform them, as if my pardon and a crown of glory could be purchased by them; yet wholly trust in Jesus, as my priest, to wash my guilty conscience in his purple fountain, and clothe my naked soul in his glorious righteousness, thereby receiving all my pardon and my title to eternal life.

The life of faith is thus expressed by Paul, "Run with patience the race set before you, looking unto Jesus" looking unto him with a single eye continually; and looking so by prayer and faith, as to receive supplies for every want.

Faith is the master-key to the treasury of Jesus : it opens all the doors, and brings out every store. A heart, well nurtured in this precious grace, finds the gospel rest In time of danger, sickness, or temptation, it flutters not, nor struggles hard to help itself, but stands still, and sees the salvation of God. eye is singly fixed on Jesus, the heart is calmly waiting for him, and Jesus brings relief. Faith calls, and Jesus answers, "Here I am to save thee !""

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Indeed, Doctor, I am quite charmed with this account of faith it is just what our church homilies tell us: it secures the interest of holiness, obedience, and good works, and gives the whole glory unto God. Why, this is right; man is saved, and God glorified ;

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