Wesley Corpus

iii. 8.) Now, the same promise that was made to him, the same covenant that was made with him, was made “with his children after him.” (Gen. xvii. 7; Gal. iii. 7.) And upon that account it is called “an ever lasting covenant.” In this covenant children were also obliged to what they knew not, to the same faith and obedience with Abraham. And so they are still; as they are still equally entitled to all the benefits and promises of it. 5. Circumcision was then the seal of the covenant; which is itself therefore figuratively termed the covenant. (Acts vii. 8.) Hereby the children of those who professed the true religion were then admitted into it, and obliged to the conditions of it; and when the law was added, to the observance of that also. And when the old seal of circumcision was taken off, this of baptism was added in its room; our Lord appointing one positive institution to succeed another. A new seal was set to Abraham’s covenant; the seals differed, but the deed was the same; only that part was struck off which was political or cere monial. That baptism came in the room of circumcision, appears as well from the clear reason of the thing, as from the Apostle's argument, where, after circumcision, he mentions baptism, as that wherein God had “forgiven us our trespasses;” to which he adds, the “blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances,” plainly relating to circumcision and other Jewish rites; which as fairly implies, that baptism came in the room of circum cision, as our Saviour’s styling the other sacrament the pass over, (Col. ii. 11--13; Luke xxii. 15,) shows that it was insti tuted in the place of it. Nor is it any proof that baptism did not succeed circumcision, because it differs in some circum stances, any more than it proves the Lord’s supper did not suc ceed the passover, because in several circumstances it differs from it. This then is a Second ground. Infants are capable of entering into covenant with God. As they always were, so they still are, under the evangelical covenant. Therefore they have a right to baptism, which is now the entering seal thereof. 6. Thirdly.