Wesley Corpus

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. If infants ought to come to Christ, if they are capable of admission into the Church of God, and conse quently of solemn sacramental dedication to him, then they are proper subjects of baptism. But infants are capable of coming to Christ, of admission into the Church, and solemn dedication to God. That infants ought to come to Christ, appears from his own words: “They brought little children to Christ, and the dis ciples rebuked them. And Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. xix. 13, 14.) St. Luke expresses it still more strongly: “They brought unto him even infants, that he might touch them.” (xviii. 15.) These children were so little that they were brought to him; yet he says, “Suffer them to come unto me:” So little, that he “took them up in his arms;” yet he rebukes those who would have hindered their coming to him. And his command respected the future as well as the present.