Reflections against the Baptists refuted : a sermon delivered at the dedication of the Baptist Meeting-House in New-Bedford, Oct. 22, 1829

REFLECTIONS AGAINST THE BAPTISTS REFUTED.

SERMON,

DELIVERED AT THE

DEDICATION OF THE BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE

NEW-BEDFORD, OOT. 22, 1829.

BY DANIEL SHARP,

PA»TOR OF THE CHARLES-ST. BAPTIST CHURCH, BOSTON.

55313

ad. \

REFLECTIONS AGAINST THE BAPTISTS REFUTED.

SERMON,

DELIVERED AT THE

DEDICATION OF THE BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE

NEW-BEDFORD, OCT. 22, 1329.

BY DANIEL SHARP,

PASTOR OF THE CHARLES-ST, BAPTIST CHURCH, BOSTON.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

Second Edition.

SSostou :

PRINTED BY LINCOLN &, EDMANDS, WASHINGTON-STREET.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2011 with funding from

Princeton Theological Seminary Library

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\
SERMON. <*<„

ACTS xxviii. 22.

BUT WE DESIRE TO HEAR OF THEE, WHAT THOU THINKEST :
FOR AS CONCERNING THIS SECT, WE KNOW THAT EVERY
WHERE IT IS SPOKEN AGAINST.

NO wise man thinks it necessary to refute every
insinuation which may be made to his disadvantage.
Conscious of the rectitude of his motives, and of
the habitual correctness of his deportment, he will
trust to the impression which his conduct leaves
on the community, in preference to personal expla-
nations. Nor will he, pursuing a course which his
conscience dictates to be right, be diverted from it
by unkind remarks. If, indeed, some grave and
weighty charges should be alleged, which may de-
stroy his good name, or bring into disrepute princi-
ples which are dear to him, then he will consider
himself called upon to defend his reputation, and
to show that his sentiments have been unjustly as-
sailed.

We see in the case of an individual the wisdom of
such a procedure. And we believe its adoption
by a church, or a denomination of Christians, is
equally proper. It is generally best to be heedless

of indefinite censures ; and to show by pureness, by
knowledge, by Christian charity, and by faith un-
feigned, that our good is evil spoken of, and that the
reproaches which are cast upon us are undeserved.
Should it appear, however, that by misconception
or misrepresentation our doctrines and practice are
likely to be neglected, or treated with contempt,
then we owe it not only to our blessed Master, but
to ourselves, to exhibit our views of them clearly
and explicitly, that if others will traduce either them
or us, they may be left without excuse. But in do-
ing this, we should avoid all bitterness and invective.
We should " speak forth the words of truth and so-
berness, and in a spirit of meekness, and by manifes-
tation of the truth, commend ourselves to every
man's conscience in the sight of God."

We have regretted extremely, that very mistaken
opinions have prevailed, and that very incorrect state-
ments have frequently been made, concerning the
sentiments which distinguish us as a Denomination.
We have been accused of attaching an unreasonable
importance to the ordinance of baptism, and of in-
flicting a great injury on our children by withholding
from them a rite which would introduce them to a
participation of covenant blessings, and render more
certain their receiving that religious instruction,
which would make them wise unto salvation.

It is probable that many have given currency to
these accusations without due consideration. They
have relied too implicitly on the representations of
others without making suitable inquiries for them-
selves. Perhaps many, without being conscious of

it, have been influenced by the prejudices of early
education, and have too readily taken for granted,
that all the unfavourable reports they have heard of
us were true. So strong have been their antipa-
thies, that they have been unwilling to listen to an
impartial and full disclosure of our views : And a
few, it is to be feared, in their opposition, have been
actuated by less worthy considerations.

If incorrect impressions of our denominational
views, involved no other consequences than what
might be deemed personal, namely, some reflection
on our ignorance, credulity, or bigotry, we might go
on, unmindful of the censure, having the testimony
of a good conscience in the sight of God ; but so
far as these impressions cause any to slight an insti-
tution appointed by the Saviour, a regard for his au-
thority should induce us to remove them, if possible,
by a candid exposition of our sentiments.

The Dedication of this neat and commodious
House to the public worship of Almighty God, seems
to be a suitable occasion for the discharge of a duty,
which we think we owe to ourselves and to the
cause of truth. I trust, my friends, that you feel the
same magnanimity which the " chief of the Jews"
displayed, when Paul requested permission to explain
to them the principles for which he was bound
with a chain. They replied with a spirit worthy of
Rome in its best days : " We desire to hear of
thee, what thou thinkest : for as concerning this sect,
we know that every where it is spoken against."
Be assured, my hearers, that it is not my intention
to use the language of recrimination. In reviewing

the charges which have been brought against the
denomination, it will not be for the purpose of excit-
ing unpleasant feelings in any one, but simply to
show that they have no just foundation.

With this explanation of my feelings and motives,
I shall now proceed to consider some of the allega-
tions which have been made, concerning our views in
relation to baptism.

I. Our restriction of this ordinance to believers
only, has been represented as fraught with danger to
the salvation of our children. Plausible attempts
have been made to sustain this charge by referring to
two causes.

It has been said, that parents who do not ded-
icate their children to God in baptism, are not so
deeply impressed with a sense of their obligation to
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord ; and that unbaptized children are left to the
uncovenanted mercy of God. These, my friends, are
statements of serious import, and demand our special
attention. If they are true, it behoves us immediate-
ly to abandon our present limited practice, to extend
the rite to objects that are so dear to our hearts, and
to imitate our brethren who have acted more piously
and kindly towards their offspring.

But in reply to what has so often been reiterated
against us, we must remark that we do not admit its
truth. In confining the rite of baptism to believers,
we do not feel, on that account, the less obligated to
promote the present and eternal welfare of our
children. Nor can we conceive how we possibly
should, unless we believed that this ordinance, when

administered to infants, first calls into exercise pa-
rental affections, and constitutes the basis of paren-
tal obligation. Neither of which opinions can by us
for a moment be admitted.

The hour which brings a child into existence,
brings with it parental love. The associations which
its entrance into being awakens, call forth a mother's
tenderness, and a father's care. Its tears of help-
lessness, and its smiles of innocence, do but strength-
en the new impulse, which its first appearance pow-
erfully excited in the breasts of its parents. Our
beneficent Creator has not left the welfare of our
children to depend on an outward rite, but on the
affections of our nature deeply seated in the heart.

We must know, if we are Christians, that our
obligation to bring up our children in the fear of
God, cannot rest on any external ordinance whatev-
er, but on the close and endearing relations in which
we stand to them and to our Maker. Our duty to
provide for the wants of our children, to pray for
them, to give them religious instruction, and to re-
strain them from evil, rests on obligations which are
immutable. It arises from the nature and fitness of
things, and can neither be diminished nor increased
by any formal or public dedication of them to God.
We believe that every parent should "train up his
children in the way that they should go ;" but we
believe also that this duty is not founded on what
has been denominated " the mere form of a cere-
mony," but on our natural and moral relations.

There are, no doubt, too many instances of pro-
fessors of religion among us, who neglect the reli-

8

gious interests of their children. Alas! my hearers,
I am afraid that we who are parents come far short
in this duty. But what I insist upon is, that it is
not the withholding of baptismal water from our
children, which occasions our neglect, but the want
of a more deep, enlightened, and habitual spirit of
piety.

But it is said, that in not bringing our children
to the holy ordinance of baptism, we leave them to
the uncovenanted mercy of God.

If there is such a covenant, and baptism is the
seal or confirmation of its blessings, then we are
verily guilty of a great dereliction of duty. Let us
for a moment examine this subject. A covenant is
an agreement by which a person engages either
conditionally or unconditionally to perform certain
things, or to bestow certain favours. Before then
we can claim a title to certain and special privileges
by virtue of a covenant in our favour, we must prove
that such a covenant has been made, and that its
provisions extend to us. When a person dies and
leaves a testament or covenant, his possessions must
be distributed according to the specifications contain-
ed in that covenant. If no such instrument can be
found, then the law provides for the distribution of
his wealth.

In the case before us, good men have taken a fact
for granted of which there is no proof. The Al-
mighty has made no covenant with the infants of
believers. We have carefully examined and re-exam-
ined the sacred writings, and can find no such docu-
ment. After all our search, and we have not been

remiss, for we have children in whose salvation we
feel as deep and tender an interest as do our breth-
ren of other denominations, we can discover no such
instrument, much less its specifications or conditions.
Nor is there, so far as we understand the register of
heavenly deeds, the least intimation, that baptism is
the seal or ratification of its blessings. If there is
such a will or covenant for the children of Christian
parents, we have yet to learn that it has ever been
produced, or set up, or approved, by the Judge.

But we are told, that this covenant was originally
made with Abram, and ratified by the rite of circum-
cision, that it is still in perpetuation, and ratified now
by baptism in the place of circumcision. It is true,
that the Lord did make a covenant with Abram and
his posterity, in which the blessings entailed are
distinctly specified. He promised* that he would
multiply him exceedingly ; that he should be the
father of many nations ; that his descendants should
be honourable, for kings should come out of him ;
that they should have the land of Canaan for an ev-
erlasting possession, and that he would be their God.
But in this covenant there is no promise of spiritual
blessings to his posterity, except so far as external
religious privileges may be deemed such. There is
no engagement that his natural descendants as such
should be heirs of eternal life. We need no other
evidence of this than the fact that some of his im-
mediate posterity died in impenitence and guilt, and

* Genesis xvii. 1 — 8.

10

that the Jews as a nation were finally rejected for
their disobedience. He promised to the patriarch
that he would be a God to his seed after him ; and
he was so, as he was their lawgiver and protector,
and revealed to them his will, and established among
them the ordinances of religion. But he was not
their God in such a sense as necessarily includes the
bestowment of divine pardon in this life, and bliss in
the world to come. We think the apostle has clear-
ly established this point. When urging on the Jews
the necessity of internal piety, or " the circumcision
of the heart," and assuring them that without this
the outward circumcision would be of no avail, he
meets the objections which he knew would be made.
Rom. iii. 1,2. "What ad vantage then," he asks, "hath
the Jew ? or what profit is there in circumcision ?
Much every way : chiefly, because that unto them
were committed the oracles of Goof." Here he plainly
states that the chief blessing resulting to the Jewish
nation from circumcision was their possessing the
oracles of truth.

If, however, the Lord had actually made a cove-
nant with Abram which contained the promise of
spiritual blessings to all his posterity, this would sup-
ply no evidence whatever that similar blessings are
promised to the children of believing Gentiles, unless
it should appear that there is a special grant in that,
covenant which includes them. Where then, we
ask, is the covenant made to the children of Chris-
tians ? On what page of inspiration is it to be
found ? What are the blessings which it promises ?
Are they conditional, or unconditional ? And are the

11

supposed blessings realized ? How does it happen,
that a majority of those who are said to be in this
covenant, and have had the seal of baptism impressed
upon them, are among the children of disobedience ?
What has this covenant done for them, more than
for those who are represented as being left to the
uncovenantcd mercy of God ?

There is, my hearers, no such covenant. It is one
of those fictions of theology, appertaining to a darker
age, which are fast passing away. And we rejoice
that some of the most learned and pious of our Pedo-
baptist brethren have candour to acknowledge in
their intercourse with us, that the covenant made
with Abram, and the rite of circumcision, have no
bearing on infant baptism, and that the latter ordi-
nance has not been instituted in place of the former.

" There is," says Dr. Emmons, no evidence in
the New-Testament, that believers are now in the
covenant of circumcision ; but clear evidence to the
contrary. For they are neither under obligation to
perform the duties of that covenant, nor entitled to
any of its peculiar blessings. The bond of that cov-
enant does not lie upon them ; for they are not re-
quired to circumcise either themselves or their fami-
lies. And it is equally evident, that they are not
entitled to any of the peculiar blessings of that cove-
nant. In that covenant, God promised to give
Abraham a numerous posterity ; but he makes no
such promise to believers under the gospel. In that
covenant, God promised that Abraham's seed should
possess the land of Canaan ; but he makes no such
promise to believers under the gospel. In that cov-

12

enant, God promised, that Abraham's seed should
enjoy great temporal prosperity ; but he makes no
such promise to believers under the gospel. In that
covenant, God promised, that the Messiah should
descend from his family ; but that promise was fully
accomplished at the incarnation of Christ."

Even those who still imagine that they can see a
striking resemblance between the sign of circumcis-
ion and that of baptism, and who confidently assert
that great benefits accrue from the latter, are not
agreed as to what they are. It is the opinion of
some, that " baptized children may, in a very impor-
tant, though a qualified sense, be considered as infant
members of the Christian church." Others, on the
baptism of a child, feel themselves authorized in say-
ing, without any qualification, " We yield thee hearty
thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased
thee to regenerate this infant with thy Holy Spirit,
to receive him for thine own child by adoption, and
to incorporate him into thy holy church." Such is
their confidence in the virtue of " the laver of regen-
eration by baptism," that they say, " it is certain by
God's word, that children which are baptized, dying
before they commit actual sin, are undoubtedly sav-
ed ;" thus intimating, that the eternal happiness of
infants dying unbaptized, is uncertain. With the
Bible in our hands we think it strange that the ap-
plication of water in any form should be viewed as
affecting the salvation of infants. We believe in
their glorification after death, not because there is
any moral efficacy in baptism, which makes them
meet for heaven, but because God is just, and good,

13

and merciful, and because there is a plenitude of
grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

But why is there such a diversity of opinion, as to
the blessings which God has provided for the bap-
tized children of believers ? Why all this uncertain-
ty as to the nature and extent of the privileges to
which they are entitled ? Why cannot learned and
pious men, who believe in the existence of this cove-
nant, agree as to the blessings it bequeaths ? It
would be considered strange in human affairs, if those
who were interested in the testament of a person
who had left large possessions, should acknowledge
that they could not understand its import. If, after
the most diligent and learned investigations, they
should form extremely different conclusions, it would
be fair to infer that the testator did not know the
meaning of language, or that he intended to mock
their hopes. But no one will thus dare to impeach
that infinitely wise and faithful Being, who estab-
lished the covenant of circumcision with Abram and
his posterity. Why then, we repeat the question,
do good men, who believe in the existence of a cov-
enant which, they say, confers special favours on the
children of Christians, on whom its seal has been
affixed, differ so widely in opinion as to its charac-
ter ? We answer — Because there is no such cove-
nant, no such privileges, no such seal.

We feel it our duty to say more. It does appear
to us, that a belief in the existence of such a cove-
nant is not only unscriptural, but injurious in its ten-
dency. We think it is calculated to quiet the con-
sciences of young transgressors. Should they feel

14

conscious that their ways are displeasing to God,
and experience momentary apprehensions of future
wrath, may they not cling to the hope, that as their
parents placed them in infancy within the limits of a
covenant of mercy, they will eventually be saved ?
We speak from facts which have come under our
own observation, when we say that there is danger,
lest the young should depend on receiving the favour
of God from some imagined privileges of descent, in-
stead of earnestly seeking it for themselves. Many,
it is feared, instead of forsaking their sins and believ-
ing in the Saviour, have trusted to what the supposed
covenant with its seal would mysteriously effect for
them, to the undoing of their souls. Religion is a
personal thing. Whatever, therefore, withdraws the
attention from the necessity of personal efforts in
seeking salvation, by directing it to the fancied priv-
ileges of natural descent, or to what others have
done for us at an unconscious period of our exis-
tence, is of dangerous tendency. Such we solemnly
believe is the tendency of the doctrines which attri-
bute " to baptism itself a mysterious inherent effica-
cy," and teach that the children of Christians are in
a "covenant — spiritual, gracious, and immutable."

II. We have been accused of believing that bap-
tism is a saving ordinance. And as we have reason to
fear that many have given credit to this accusation, it
is proper to say, that no representation can be farther
from the truth. We do believe that baptism was
instituted by the Saviour, to be observed by all his
disciples. We therefore submit to it as an expres-
sion of our regard for his authority and of our love-

15

to his name. But every one, by acquainting himself
with our practice, may know that we hold no such
sentiment as has been ascribed to us. Our churches
invariably require satisfactory evidence of all candi-
dates, that they are in a state of salvation, before
they receive them to this rite. Like the harbinger
of the Messiah, they ask for fruits meet for repen-
tance ; or with the evangelist they say, if thou be-
lievest with all thine heart, thou mayest be baptized.

Besides, we do believe, that a multitude of Chris-
tians, which no man can number, who never were bap-
tized, will enter the kingdom of heaven. We know
that education and early attachments , the opinions
of respected friends, and the authority of great names,
may either prevent persons from inquiring concerning
this duty, or give to their investigations a wrong direc-
tion, and yet they may manifest such unaffected piety,
and exhibit so much loveliness of character, that we
are neither able nor willing to withhold our cordial
affection from them as the disciples of Christ. Nor
have we the least doubt concerning the future glory
that, awaits them.

Nay, more — we are fearful that some who have
been baptized will be found on the left hand, in the
day when God shall judge the world in righteous-
ness. If, soon after his baptism, Simon Magus was
declared to be in the gall of bitterness, and in the
bonds of iniquity, we have reason to fear that others
who have put on Christ in this ordinance, may be in
a condition equally awful. If any have been influ-
enced merely by secular motives in making such a
profession, if they have only attended to the external

16

forms of religion while they were destitute of its
power, they will find that the waters of a flood
had no efficacy to cleanse them from their trans-
gressions. It has never been a part of our creed,
that baptismal water could possibly purify any one
from moral pollution. We have always maintained,
that if a person went down into the water, the slave
of sin, he would come up out of it in the same mis-
erable bondage, except with the increased guilt of
having added to his other sins that of formality or
hypocrisy.

III. The charge has often been made, that we sub-
stitute baptism for personal piety — so often, indeed,
that many really believe we lay more stress on this
ordinance, than on a holy life. It is said that even
" gospel ministers have been actuated by such an
intense zeal in favour of one particular form of this
external rite, that they have seemed almost inclined
to make it the sum of all religion." We can only
say that we know no one to whom it would not be
great injustice to apply these remarks. If there
have been persons either in public or private stations,
whose conduct has merited this censure, they cer-
tainly have acted inconsistently with their baptismal
engagements.

We view baptism itself as a public and solemn
declaration, that we are dead to sin, and that we
are determined henceforth to live unto righteousness.
" So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death. Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death ; that, like as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the

17

Father, even so we also should walk in newness of
life-"* We have always avowed, and in our church
discipline have acted on the principle, that no exter-
nal rite ever can be a substitute for a pious and moral
life. We require of those who unite with us, proof
of the sincerity of their profession, by adding to
their " faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and
to knowledge, temperance ; and to temperance, pa-
tience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godli-
ness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kind-
ness, charity." For we are persuaded, " he that
lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar
off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from
his old sins."

Where the works of the flesh are manifested in the
life of one who has been baptized, and in the exer-
cise of Christian charity received into the church,
he must, according to our practice in the exercise of
Christian fidelity, be excluded. It is a faithful say-
ing, and these things we would affirm constantly,
that they who have been baptized should be careful
to maintain good works. We do hope, therefore,
that we shall not again be unkindly charged with
" subsituting an excessive zeal for an outward rite,
in the place of pure love to Christ, and to the im-
mortal souls of men."

IV. Perhaps no censure of us has been so generally

believed, or operated so much to our disadvantage,

as the imputation that we are an extremely bigotted

people. This is a stigma from which we would vin-

c

" Romans vi. 3, 4.

18

dicate ourselves. Bigotry is a blind zeal ; an un-
reasonable attachment to certain opinions or prac-
tices. As we do not like the name, so we pray that
we may never exhibit the character of bigots. We
think, however, that an honest attachment to prin-
ciples, and a conscientious conformity to the laws of
Christ, are not bigotry. It seems to us that a strict
observance of the order of Christ's house is not only
reasonable, but perfectly consistent with the mani-
festation of the kindest and most respectful feelings
for those with whom we do not walk in church fel-
lowship.

The charge of bigotry is chiefly founded on the
fact, that we do not receive to the Lord's table,
Christians whom we consider unbaptized. Our rea-
sons are these. We believe that in the days of the
Apostles, persons were invariably baptized before
they were admitted to the Christian church ; and
that this arrangement should still be sacredly observ-
ed. This belief has led our churches to require that
all who participate with them in the supper, shall
have been baptized. Our conduct in this case does
not originate in prejudice or caprice. We claim no
authority to impose such a regulation ; but we be-
lieve that our Lord has imposed it, and that we are
bound to carry his regulations into practice.

We trust then we shall be credited when we
say, that in not receiving our unbaptized breth-
ren at the sacramental board, we are not influenc-
ed by any unkind feelings. For many of them we
cherish sentiments of unfeigned affection and respect.
But we love our Master more, and we feel persuaded

19

that we should depart from the established order of
his church were we to admit to his table those who
have not previously been baptized.

If, my friends, we err on this point, we certainly
are not alone. With few exceptions, all Christian
denominations practise on the belief that baptism is
a prerequisite to a participation of the Lord's supper.
They admit none who have not in their judgment
been baptized. The principle on which we and all
other denominations act in this instance, is precisely
the same. We may all be in an error. But until
other Christian sects shall have discovered that the
omission of baptism does not disqualify persons for
suitably partaking the memorials of the Saviour's
death, we must say, that they cannot censure our
practice without condemning their own.

Besides, we are prepared to commune with all
Christians in the noblest and most scriptural import
of that expression. It has often been significantly
remarked, " you will not commune with us now, but
we shall all commune together in heaven." We re-
joice in the blissful anticipation. But we are not
willing to wait until that period. We would enjoy
here an earnest of that sublime and celestial inter-
course. We plead for a communion on earth, with
Christians of every sect, which shall bear a resem-
blance to that of heaven. We do not suppose that
the communion of " the just made perfect," consists
in partaking of the symbols of Christ's death, but in
high and spiritual intercourse ; in mutual expres-
sions of admiration and gratitude while reviewing
the dispensations of providence and grace towards

20

them in this world ; in mingled songs of praise to
Him who hath washed them from their sins in his
own blood ; and in exalted converse concerning the
glorious scenes which the revolutions of eternity will
be continually unfolding to their delighted gaze. In
such communion as this, although of a more humble
character, we would gladly participate with all good
men.

It would seem from observations which are fre-
quently made, that there is no such thing as Chris-
tian communion, except at the table of the Lord.
This we conceive is a great mistake. There is un-
doubtedly a communion of saints in this rite ; but
this is an incidental circumstance, rather than the
special design for which it was instituted. This will
more fully appear, by considering attentively the
language of the New Testament on this subject.
" Take, eat," said Jesus, " this is my body which is
given for you : this do in remembrance of me. After
the same manner he took the cup, saying, This cup is
the New Testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft
as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often
as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show
the Lord's death until he come." The Apostle Paul
states most distinctly the particular object of this
feast, when he says : " The cup of blessing which
we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the
communion of the body of Christ?"* Here is no in-
timation, that our Lord appointed the supper as a
token of the communion which Christians have with

* 1 Corinthians x. 16.

21

each other. It was evidently intended for other and
more important purposes. It was to be a perpetual
memorial to his disciples of his bleeding and dying
love, conveying the assurance, that although absent
in person, yet he is ever mindful of their interests.
And while it represents in appropriate and affecting
emblems his unparalleled compassion, it gives vigour
to their faith, animates their hope, and increases the
ardour of their devotion and love. Hence the " cup
of blessing which we bless, and the bread which we
break," are not mentioned as means by which saints
are to commune with one another, but by which
they are graciously assisted to commune with Christ
in his sufferings and death.

It is greatly to be lamented, that the controversy
concerning the prerequisite for suitably communi-
cating at the Lord's table, has given rise to incor-
rect views. The attention of Christians has been
diverted from the chief design of the institution, that
of " discerning the Lord's body," and fixed almost
exclusively upon it, as the divinely constituted medi-
um for manifesting their fellowship with each other.
Thus weakening its legitimate effects on the heart,
by considering that as its leading object which, at
most, is only incidental.

But, my friends, if we are sincerely desirous of
living in communion as becometh saints, there is a
more excellent way, than even assembling together
at the Lord's supper. It is better enjoyed, and
more nobly illustrated in kind Christian intercourse ;
in abstaining from all unnecessary causes of strife ;
in bearing with each other's errors and imperfec-

22

tions ; in mutual disclosures of our fears and hopes,
our joys and sorrows ; and in affectionately aiding
each other onward in the path to heaven. Should
such be our conduct, then will ours be the com-
munion of saints, although we may be connected
with different sections of the church universal.

If the remarks which have been made in this dis-
course are just, we learn the importance of constantly
guarding against a hasty and uninformed judgment
of other denominations. We should never substitute
suspicions for facts, nor ascribe to others sentiments
which they uniformly and publicly disavow. As the
consequences may be more extensively injurious, so
it is far more censurable to circulate evil reports
against a whole sect, than it is to take up a reproach
against our neighbour. In the latter case only one
may suffer, in the former the religious character of
thousands is involved. Nor should it be deemed a
sufficient apology, that we thought we were speak-
ing the truth. We should be sure that our repre-
sentations are true.

Let us, my friends, cultivate that " charity, which
thinketh no evil ; which doth not behave itself un-
seemly ; which rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoic-
eth in the truth." If we should hear any thing said
to the disadvantage of another denomination, let us
think it possible that it may be untrue ; and if
necessary that we should form our opinion, or act in
relation to such a statement, let us do it understand-
ingly, impartially, charitably. Our text furnishes us
with a laudable example of candour. The Jews

23

were strongly prejudiced against Christianity ; but
when in Rome, Paul sought an interview with the
most eminent among them, and they said, " We de-
sire to hear of thee, what thou thinkest ; for as con-
cerning this sect, we know that every where it is
spoken against." Their conduct is worthy of our im-
itation. Let us, then, never attempt to promote
truth and piety by bitterness, and wrath, and evil
speaking. Such a course is directly adverse to the
benignant and peaceful spirit of Christianity. It
widens the divisions which unhappily exist among
good men; and what is still worse, it confirms unbe-
lievers in their prejudices against the gospel : For,
instead of being compelled to exclaim, " See how
these Christians love one another !" they point with
triumph to their dishonourable quarrels.

We also learn that popular opinion is no test of
truth. The first Christians were every where
spoken against. To the Jews, the cross of Christ
was a stumbling-block ; and to the Greeks it was
foolishness. The doctrines which the Apostles
preached were spoken of as the babblings of ignorant
men ; and their practices brought upon them the
charge of an unnecessary singularity. They were
esteemed fools for Christ's sake. They were " buf-
feted, reviled, persecuted, defamed, and made as the
filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things."
But amid all this clamour, and ridicule, and opposi-
tion, they were right. They had the truth on their
side, and were approved of God.

If you are desirous of knowing whether the views
and practices which distinguish our denomination

24

from others, are correct, neither ask the many nor
the kw, the learned nor the ignorant, the rich nor
the poor, but search the Scriptures. " To the law
and to the testimony ; if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light in them."
We are willing, nay, we are anxious, that our senti-
ments should stand or fall, as a just investigation of
the Bible shall determine.

Let it be your concern, brethren, to show by a
kind temper, and a godly conversation, the excellence
of your principles. " If ye be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above. Put off anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out
of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that
ye have put off the old man with his deeds ; and
have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge, after the image of Him that created
him." We trust you will need no "epistles of
commendation," to exalt you in public estimation.
Let your conduct so speak for you, that you shall be
known and read of all men, as " the epistle of
Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of
the living God ; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly
tables of the heart. Ye have received the Lord Je-
sus Christ, therefore walk ye in him. And as you
have been buried with him in baptism, show also
that ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the
dead. Then, although we may be absent in the
flesh, yet we shall be with you in spirit, joying and
beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your
faith in Christ."