assertions can only influence the ignorant, or those whose passions are stronger than their understandings. Of their prejudices, or rectitude of conduct, we are not the judges-God is their master, and he will deal justly and graciously with them, and with all men. Our own principles and conduct are matters of more serious consequence to us; and, as we have the precious privilege of entering into Christ's church, by the washing of regeneration, secured, not only to us, but to our infants; let us devoutly thank God for it, and religiously make use of it, by dedicating them to him in holy baptism, the first opportunity his providence shall give us that being regenerate, they may also be renewed by the Holy Ghost,* and sanctified in body and mind to hear and obey the gospel of Christ. To this end, be it our care, as their capacities open, to instruct them in faith and knowledge; that they may understand what their baptismal vow and profession oblige them to believe and perform. And, let us remember, that our work does not end here; but, as they have been sanctified in baptism, they must be confirmed in faith, that they may be perfected in all divine graces. That passing their life here in holiness and obedience to Godin worshipping and serving him in the unity of his holy church, they may, when this life is ended, receive the heavenly inheritance, through his mercy and bounty who hath adopted them to be his children, and the heirs of all his gracious promises. • Titus iii. 5. DISCOURSE V. OF CONFIRMATION, OR LAYING ON OF HANDS. HEB. VI. 2. And of laying on of hands THE whole sentence from which the text is taken, stands thus: 'Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment and this will we do, if God permit.' In the foregoing chapter, the apostle had reproved the Hebrew christians for their negligence in acquiring christian knowledge; in which, it seems, they were so ignorant, that he was apprehensive they would not comprehend what his subject obliged him to say on the nature of the priesthood of Christ; nor see the force of the argument which he was about to adduce in favour of it, by proving that the priesthood of Christ was of the same order with that of Melchisedec, and consequently superior to that of Aaron. He compares them to children who must be fed with milk, because they cannot digest strong meat; and complains, that though, for the time they had been in the school of Christ, they ought to have been able to teach others the great doctrines of christianity, they had need themselves to be taught again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God." Not discouraged however by their negligence or dulness of apprehension, he was resolved to do his duty; and, with the permission and help of God, endeavour to instruct them in the nature and efficacy of the priesthood of Christ, lest their ignorance in those articles should prevent their reliance on his atonement for the remission of sins; and occasion their return to the law and institutions of Moses, as the surer ground on which to expect the mercy and forgiveness of God. 'Therefore,' saith he, leaving the principles, the elements or rudiments, of the doctrine of Christ'-those things which are the foundation of all future instruction, and therefore first to be learned, let us go on unto perfection, to the consideration of the higher mysteries, or sublimer doctrines of our holy religion. Not laying again the foundation'-not stopping now to inculcate first principles, such as are the doctrine ' of repentance from dead works'-works which deserve death, and will subject us to final condemnation; 'and of faith towards God;' and ' of the doctrine of baptisms, for the remission of sins, and a new birth into the kingdom of God: 'and of laying on of hands, for the conferring of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit of God; 'and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment,' the great engines by which the hope of a heavenly inheritance is supported, and holiness of life enforced on christians. It is common to all arts and sciences to have some first or fundamental principles on which to build: And, whoever wishes to become well acquainted with any science must make himself master of those first principles; because, on them his further progress depends. The fundamental principles of christian knowledge, the apostle has mentioned by name. They are six ; repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment. To speak in his style, these are the milk of the word-proper food for novices or beginners in christian doctrine; but without which as a foundation, + DISCOURSE V. OF CONFIRMATION, OR LAYING ON OF HANDS. HEB. VI. 2. -And of laying on of hands THE whole sentence from which the text is taken, stands thus: 'Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment and this will we do, if God permit.' In the foregoing chapter, the apostle had reproved the Hebrew christians for their negligence in acquiring christian knowledge; in which, it seems, they were so ignorant, that he was apprehensive they would not comprehend what his subject obliged him to say on the nature of the priesthood of Christ; nor see the force of the argument which he was about to adduce in favour of it, by proving that the priesthood of Christ was of the same order with that of Melchisedec, and consequently superior to that of Aaron. He compares them to children who must be fed with milk, because they cannot digest strong meat; and complains, that though, for the time they had been in the school of Christ, they ought to have been able to teach others the great doctrines of christianity, they had need themselves to be taught again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God.' Not discouraged however by their negligence or dulness of apprehension, he was resolved to do his duty; and, with the permission and help of God, endeavour to instruct them in the nature and efficacy of the priesthood of Christ, lest their ignorance in those articles should prevent their reliance on his atonement for the remission of sins; and occasion their return to the law and institutions of Moses, as the surer ground on which to expect the mercy and forgiveness of God. 'Therefore,' saith he, 'leaving the principles, the elements or rudiments, of the doctrine of Christ'-those things which are the foundation of all future instruction, and therefore first to be learned, let us go on unto perfection, to the consideration of the higher mysteries, or sublimer doctrines of our holy religion. Not laying again the foundation'-not stopping now to inculcate first principles, such as are the doctrine of repentance from dead works'-works which deserve death, and will subject us to final condemnation ; 'and of faith towards God;' and ' of the doctrine of baptisms, for the remission of sins, and a new birth into the kingdom of God: 'and of laying on of hands, for the conferring of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit of God; 'and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment,' the great engines by which the hope of a heavenly inheritance is supported, and holiness of life enforced on christians. It is common to all arts and sciences to have some first or fundamental principles on which to build : And, whoever wishes to become well acquainted with any science must make himself master of those first principles; because, on them his further progress depends. The fundamental principles of christian knowledge, the apostle has mentioned by name. They are six ; repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment. To speak in his style, these are the milk of the word-proper food for novices or beginners in christian doctrine; but without which as a foundation, |