This has been the way of mankind, to fly from one extreme to the other; and where a doctrine has been perverted, to reject it. This, Dr. Hop kins considers, to have been the case with respect to the doctrine of the millennium.

2. Another thing that might have influence, is, that there is a great cross in the sentiment, attended with answerable practice. In regard to most parents, in admitting this sentiment they must admit, that they have been guilty and unfaithful; which is disagreeable to corrupt nature. So that there is, perhaps, no christian practice that would be attended with a greater cross. Parents would feel greatly tried to have their children dealt with and rejected. It would expose the church to great censure from those without, and would bring a great task on the church, which nature recoils at. So there is a great temptation to embrace baptist sentiments, as this gets rid of all their cross; or to suppose it is only a family matter, and so shift off all the burthen: This is, in one sense, an easy way of getting along. I make no doubt that the inconsistencies and neglects which have attended those, who profess to believe that the covenant extends to the seed of God's people, have, perhaps, done more to promote the baptist profession than all that has been written on the subject.

Improvement.

1. We see from this view of the covenant of grace, that it is a rich display of mercy. It is a great mercy, as holding out free pardon; eternal personal salvation for such infinitely unworthy creatures. We cannot but adopt the words of David, "and yet this was a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God, but thou hast also spoken of thy servants house." When we feel the weight of the salvation of our children and house,and especially, when we are called to view them about to leave this world, we

are greatly comforted when we consider how freely mercy is offered: "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not."

When the Christian, under such a weight, has the covenant opened, he views it as all his salvation and all his desire. Let me, Dear Brethren, invite you to this blessed refuge: You, doubtless at times, feel a great concern for your children.O bring them to Christ!

2. We see what a solemn thing it is to be a parent, to have such a charge. If we had reason to think the salvation of our children not dependant on what we might do by our prayers and endeavors, the weight of concern, in this view, would appear different-But much depends on us. You, who have never given up your children even in pretence, may find the door as open to you, as to any. The assembled universe will, one day, witness that you have rejected great mercy, as it respects your children: How can you meet them in judgment-What a day it will be !-How solemn it will be with such parents as have professed to give up their children; yet are dealing falsely with God; betraying solemn trust!

3. If the doctrine to which we have been attending, be true, in regard to the offspring of God's people, we see that there is a great neglect: We need not wonder why there are so few conversions. There is great neglect in parents in the education of their children: They do not dwell on the great truths of religion, when they are by the way, nor restrain them from vice and folly : How great the defect as to example -How little appearance of feeling the weight of those things! We see a great neglect in the church. They treat the matter as though there was nothing to do with respect to the children of the

church. How little do we watch over each other in this respect! What do we know about each othcr's families, whether restrained or instructed!

4. We see what a special mercy the children of God's people enjoy, that they have been dedicated. You are greatly distinguished : Though your parents, no doubt, have reason to mourn; yet you have many great advantages. You are, in many respects, under great obligations to take baptismal vows on yourselves. Consider what instruction you have had; what prayers have been put up for you by the church; how often your pas rents have been to the throne of Grace for you.

These advantages, if not improved to a saving purpose, will sink you lower in Hell; however lightly you may treat the subject at present, it will appear no trifling matter at the great day. I shall close

5. With a word of exhortation to heads of fami lies.

1. I address such as have never, even in pre tence, dedicated either themselves or their offspring. I would request you to consider in what light your conduct must appear. You have an open door, but you neglect and undervalue the most wonderful grace!.

You plead that you are not prepared; but will such an excuse serve your turn? All your advantages will rise up against you.-What examples are you setting before your children!

2. I address those who do make a profession, and have professedly given up their children to God. How do you discharge your duty to them? Do you daily pray to God for his blessing upon them? What examples do you set before them? Let me entreat you seriously to weigh the subject to which we have been attending. Remember that if true, it is of vast importance...

DISCOURSE XXII.

MATT. XVI. 18.

I say unto thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

THERE are, perhaps, no subjects in divinity less thoroughly understood, than the order, membership, power and government of the church. I am sensible myself of the want of a clear light and thorough understanding in many things, which relate to these subjects; yet, as a public instructor, I think it my duty to bestow attention on them at this time; especially, as the church expect soon to give their opinion, as to what are the proper gospel rules and principles of the government of the church.

The occasion on which the words of the text were. spoken, appears to have been this. Our Lord had enquired of his disciples, what the opinion of men was about him. Peter relates the different opinions which prevailed about him, among those who thought favorably of him; that some thought him to be Elias, and others Jeremias. Christ asks

them, "but whom say ye that I, the son of man, am?" Peter replies, "thou art Chris the Son of the living God." Christ, among other things, observes to Peter, "thou art Peter," (which in the original signifies a rock or stone) and adds, " on this rock will I build my church."

There have been different opinions, as to what is meant by the rock, on which Christ would build . his church. Some read it thus, thou art a rock,, or stone but on myself, as a rock, will I build:

my church. But in another place, Christ is rep-.. resented as the chief corner stone in the building. Christ appears here to be holding up to view an infallible spirit of prophecy, that should be confer red on his Apostles. To them were to be entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven, &c. By the rock then, on which Christ would build his church, I understand Peter, with the other Apos tles under inspiration; or, in other words, on inspired truth. The Apostle seems to allude to this passage, when speaking of the church, he says, "built on the Apostles and prophets, Christ him self being the chief corner stone." The church then, we may consider, as built on the great truths promulgated in the gospel. It is circumscribed within the limits of the covenant of grace.-The powers of hell may unite to undermine the church; but, being built on eternal truth, it rests on a sure foundation.

I propose

I. To make some observations respecting the church of Christ..

II. Enquire where the power, left by Christ for the good of the church, is lodged?

III. What are the rules of discipline?

IV. On what principles, and in what sense, the children of God's people are included within the limits of the visible church:

V. Attend to a number of questions which re-. spect this subject.

VI. Consider the extent and import of the promise, that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

I. I shall make a few observations respecting the church of Christ.-The church of Christ is styled the kingdom of God and of heaven. The members of Christ's church on earth, do visibly. belong to the kingdom of grace: And, therefore,

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