DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL;

PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO THE
: COVENANTS.

BY SAMUEL AUSTIN, A. N.
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

“ HIS KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM."

S6 AMICUS SOCRATES, AMICUS PLATO, SED MAJOR AMICA VERITAS."

WORCÉSTER :
PRINTED BY THOMAS & STURTEVANT,
For the AUTHOR ; sold by him and by ISAIAH THOMAS, Jun. in Worcester'; by
THOMAS & WHIPPLE, Newburyport; and by THOMAS & TAPPAN, Portsmouth,

1807.

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

160792

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILIEN FOUNDATIONS.

1899.

District of Massachusetts, to wit :.

.

s.) Be it remembered, that on the sixteenth day w of April in the thirty first year of the Independence of the U. States of Americà, SAMUEL AUstin of said District, has deposited in this Office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as authors in the words following.th/wit:

6 A View of the economy of the Church of God, as it ex.
isted primitively, under the Abrahamic Dispensation, and. the
Sinai Law; and as it is perpetuated under the more luminous
dipensation of the Gospel ;, particularly in regard to the Cove,
nants. By SAMUEL AUSTIN, A. M. Minister of the Gospel in
Worcester, Massachusetts,

**HIS KINGDOMTISC AN EVERLASTING KINODOM.”
“AMICUS SOCRATES, ANICUS PLATO, SED MAJOR AMICA VIRITA's."

In conformity to the Act. of the Congress of the U.
States, entitled, ** An Act for the encouragement of Learning,
by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts. and Books, to the Au.
thors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein
mentioned ;” and also to an Act entitled, “ An Act supplemen-
tary to an Act, entitled, an Aoti for the encouragement of
Learning, by securing the Copies of 'Maps, Charts and Books,
to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times
therein mentioned ; and extending the benefits thereof to the
Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching Historical, and other
Prints,
WILLIAM S, SHAW, &

v 2 Clerk of the District of

Massachusetts.

INTRODUCTION.

SEVERAL works have been published within a few grears, both in Europe, and in this Courtry, concerning the Church of God; particularly, the qualifications which are requisite for membership in it, its institutions, the persons to whom they ought to be extended, and the discipline which its

officers, and ordinary members are to maintain in it. The 'Boptist controversy, in which all these subjects are more or

less involved, has been lately revived. Books are multiplied, without bringing this controversy to a close. Difficulties still remain, to perplex the humble enquirer, and keep up the vehemence of debate. Much truth is exhibited. But a clear, consistent scheme, disembarrassed of real difficulties, seems do.be wanting. Such a scheme the Bible undoubtedly contains. To elicit this scheme is the only way to bring honest minds to an agreement. Whoever will candidly review the most ingendows Treatises which have been published in the Baptist coni troversy, will perceive that the Pædobaptists have a great pre

ponderance of evidence on their side of the question. It will, at the same time, be perceived, that they are not as united as could be wished in the principles of their theory. Some rest the evidence that the infant seed of believers are proper subjects of baptism, almost wholly upon the covenant which God established with Abraham. Others have not so much respect to this kind of argument ; but prefer to rest the defence of their opinion, and practice, upon what they apprehend to be the clearer intimations of the Gospel, and upon the re. cords of history.' Different views are entertained of the nature of the Abrahamic covenant. It is debated whether this Covenant was strictly, and properly the covenant of Grace ; what was the real import, and who were the objects of its promises. Different opinions are entertained, and contrary,