INTRODUCTION. hypotheses advocated also, respecting the Sinai covenant, the dispensation by Moses generally, and the constitution and character of the community of Israel, Some very respecta- . ble and learned divines among the Pædobaptists have adopted the idea, that this community was of a mixed character, and have called it a Theocracy. Among the many advocates of this opinion are Lowman, Doddridge, Warburton, Guise, and the late John Erskine. These Divines supposed, that the legation of Moses could be best defended against the cavils of unbelievers, by placing God at the head of the community of Israel, as a civil governor, surrounding himself with the regalia, and managing his subjects with the penalties and largesses, of a temporal sovereign. The Antipædobaptists have found this hypothesis so convenient a refuge from the attacks of their opposers, as to incore porate it, with great affection, and as a radical principle, into their system of reasoning. They have gone farther, and entirely accommodated the hypothesis to their peculiar notions. They insist, that this community was not, either in fact, or in the original plan of the institution, spiritual, and religious; but civil and carnal; and that, of course, the christian church is specifically different, and an entirely new society. It is the opinion of the Author of the following Treatise, that this hypothesis has been adopted unwarily ; and not on. ly without, but against evidence. In view of this diversity of sentiment, and the obscurity which seems yet to lie over these subjects, it was his opinion, that a distinct and accurate view, if one could be given, of the Hebrew economy, as established by Jehovah, from its rise in the call of Abraham, and the covenant entered into with him, to its consummation in the Christian Church ; deduced, not from the fallible theories of men, but from the Bible it. self, was a great desideratum in the science of theology. Such a view he has attempted to furnish. Of his success the public must judge. Though he cannot but entertain the hope that he has succeeded, as to the main principles, he would be ad. venturous indeed to avow a confidence, that his work is with. INTRODUCTION. out error. Circumstantial errors however, whether they 16. spect the matter or the manner, the reader is requested to remember, will not invalidate the truth of the leading principles. If these principles can be shewn to be wrong, the writer will be constrained to confess he has altogether failed of his object. Respecting the charaEter and relative state of ABRAHAM, prior to God's estab- lishing with him that covenant, which is generally called the Covenant of Cir- Respe&ing the Covenant of Circumcision. In this chapter an attempt is made to analyse this covenant ; to shew the nature and extent of its promises ; who the seed are ; in what sense they are covenantees ; and to prove its perpetu. Exhibiting a general view of the Community of Israel, from the administration of the Covenant of Circumcision, to that of the Covenant of Sinai. CHAPTFR VI. Respecting the Covenants of Sinai and Moab. In this chapter it is enquired in what respects the Covenant of Sinai is distinguishable from the Covenant of Circumcision, and the new Covenant predicted by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and mentioned by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, as taking effect under the Gospel Dispensation ; whether the Covenant of Sinai was the Covenant of Works; and whether it was designed to form the Hebrew Community into a Civil, or to continue them a Religious Society Giving a general view of the a&ual character of the Hebrew Community, from Respecting the coincidence of Prophecies and Facts in regard to the advent of the Messiah to his people the Jews, his treatment of them while conversant among them, and the conclusions which are to be drawn from this treat- 236 Respecting John's ministry and baptism, and the baptism which was adminis. Refpe&ting the Lord's Day, the Lord's Supper, and Christian Baptism. In this Chapter it 'is attempted to fhew, that these ordinances are to be observed by Christian believers, as seals of the same covenant, of which the Jewith Saba bath, the Pallover, and Circumcision were scale. Respecting the membership of infants in the Jewish and Christian Church, the application of the seals to them, and the manner in which they are to be treat- ed by the officers and adult members of the Church. Respe&ting the abrogation of the Sinai Covenant, and the difference between the dispensation which preceded, and that which followed the advent of the Perfecting the conversion of the rejected' Jews, their restoration to the land sea cured to them in the covenant, and the insgathering of the fulness of the Genro tiles, which events are to introduce the millennial glory: Containing several interesting deductions and addresses, The reader is referred to the Postcript for ferieral oxplanations fuggested by a review of the fears, afuar brey came from the press, On a review of this work, several typographical errors are discovered. The greater number are to be found in the forepart of the book. Here also the punctuation is moft incorrect. So far as the accuracy of the Author seems to be im. plicated, he has an apology in an indifpofition, of which he was subject while ihis part of the book was passing through the press. The errors which the reader is requested to correct are these. 44 Sixth line from bottom, for convenant read covenant, and in the second line below, for interpratations read interpretations. Here are two omissions gear the bottom, his, and ed, which the reader will supply. 220 |
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