e; and every act of obedience enjoined
on them, and to which by solemn vow they should become engaged, as
secured by the seal of his approbation and acceptance, thus were they
assured, they should by his grace endeavour to perform. But under the
New Testament dispensation, instead of circumcision as a sign and seal,
has been instituted the ordinance of

Baptism. All that the other was, as a sign and seal of God's Covenant
under the former dispensation, this is under the present. To these two
ordinances, as symbols each of newness of life, and of the forgiveness
of sin, the apostle in writing to the Colossians, makes the
reference,--"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ; buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are
risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath
raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him,
having forgiven you all trespasses."[691] And writing to the Church of
the Romans, who were not circumcised, but had been baptized, he declares
of Abraham,--"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."[692]
Was that enjoined by Divine authority? So was this. "Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,"[693] is the Saviour's command. Was he
circumcised according to the law? At the hand of his servant John, he
received baptism. And baptism along with repentance and faith was
preached by the apostles. To the enjoyment of other outward privileges,
as circumcision was, this is the first step. When any acceded to the
offers of the gospel, baptism was administered to them. The cases of the
Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia and her household, many of the Corinthians, and
others, are instances; of spiritual blessings in all their extent this
is a sign and seal. This the apostle Peter adverted to, when he said,
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost."[694] And this truth, no less emphatically these words
declare,--"Ye are all