The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-02

universal as circumcision was in the com
monwealth of Israel"
The same fallaciOus reasoning is found il
the recent works of the Rev. A. A. Hodge
"Outlines of Theology" Con the Confe8
sion of Faith, and "On the Doctrines Oi
the Presbyterian Church" Like DR.. Mil
Ter, Professor Hodge presents, as strongly
as could be done, the premises which 1 have
laid down, so far as they regard the visible
! Church under the Old Testament Economy,
and also as they regard the essential identity
of that Church with the visible Church un-
der the New Testament Economy; and has
demonstrated in opposition to Anti-ps
Baptist Congregationalists the right of m
fants under the Old Testament Economy Of
the Church, one of whose parents have been
circumeised, and thus made members of the
visible Church, to the initiatory ordinance
of circumcision. And has explicitly stated
(see On Confession of Faith, page All, y that
sail the IsraeItes, even those only accord,
ing to the flesh PROGRESSED to BELIEVE" and
were of course outward and visible members
of the outward and visible Church. "For, u
says Professor Hodge, Gas the Church is now
the same Church; and as baptism has taken
precisely the place of circumcision, it follows
that the Church membership of the children
of PROFESSORS should be recognised now, as
it was then, and that they should be bap-
tized. But when afterwards he distinctly
shows what children are to be baptized, he
avoids the conclusion which is logically ne
cessary, namely, that children have now the
same right to baptism, which they had to
circumcision; that is, that the children of
parents one or both of whom have received
the rite of baptism as initiatory to the visi-
bic Church, are themselves members of the
visible Church, and have right to baptism
he introduces an entirely new qualification
for baptism, and in direct opposition to what
is true of children under the Old Testament
Economy, restricts the right of children
under the New Testament Economy of the
visible Church to children of parents one
or both of whom give credible evidence of
being members,-nOt only of the visible
Church, but also of the invisible Church.
And what is this but the very doctrine Of
these Congregationalists who base the right
of baptism upon credible evidence of mem
bership in the invisible Church?
1t remains that I should more distinctively
prove that the teaching of the Assembly is
Anti Presbyterian and is purely Congrega
tional, and, had I time, that it is also dan
gerOus to the very existence, and purity and
charity and design of the visible Church Of
Christ. In doing this must condense mat
ter which would require as many more arti-
cles, if possible into two, and to do this l will
combine the two propositions and proceed to
show, 1st. What is the Presbyterian doc.
trine of the visible Church? 2nd. What is
the Congregational doctrine concerning the
visible Church And 3rd. What is the
doctrine of the Assembly as most distinctly
propOunded and defended by the Rev. Pro
fessor A. A. Hodge in the above named
works.
1st. What is the Presbyterian doctrine o.
tho visible Cburcb of Christ
The visible Church consists not of the
elect or true believers, but of all those
throughout the world who profess the true
religion TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN
The profession of the true religion is tha
which is the essence and only true and dis
tinguishing mark of the visible Church o.
Christ. This, and this alone, distinguiShe
it from all other associations and constitutes
it the Church of Christ. "The profession
of the true faith, says DR.. Bannerman
: (Vol. l, page ~ Gas it makes Christian
Church, so also is it the single element tha
makes a member of the Church, giving {
right to its privileges and place in its com
munion \ visible profession of belief il
the Gospel, eomprehending under the wOrc
profession not only the confession of tn
, lips, but also corresponding life and conduc
is the single qualification necessary to ranl
man member of the visible Church o
Christ" Dr. B. proceeds to show the con
trast between this doctrine to that of RO
manists on the one hand and Congregation
f aHsts on the other. "We have," says he
/, Vol. /, page IS, (that is, we Presbyterians,
e visible Church, standing in outward rela
= ton to Christ distinct from the inward an
b spiritual relation in which it stands to Him
S and made up of members complyin
:. with His external call, entering into
d Church state, and receiving in return out
:, ward privileges, and the fulflment of out
e ward promises from Him-(see his author
), ties, page ~ This outward relationship c
: the visible Church to Christ is covenant Q
r federal one. 1t has the two distinguishin
S characteristics of covenant, first outwar
/ conditions enjoined, and secondly, outwar
n and external privileges promised in its mil
e istry, ordinances and administration-(s
S DR.. B., page IS, and DR.. Hodge Essays an
/, Reviews, page 175.( "In short, says D
, B., page TO- "we," (that is PresbyterianS 3
1t opposed to Congregationai8t8,) shave vi
a ible or outward Church DISTINCT from ii
r, invisible or inward; and we have member
b admitted to that Church upon diFerel