The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-02-13

OIL one great natlOn. In the CIRCUMCISION
covenant he was to be father of many
nations; and "all the families of the
earth were to be blessed in him. In
reference to the latter covenant, Gal. iii :
90, says: "And If We be Christ's then are
We Abraham's seed, and heirs according
to the promise" But we are not" heirs"
to the Canaan covenant. Yet in Rom.
iv: l6, Abraham is declared father of
us all in the faith. In the covenant of
circumcision he is called father of all
them that believe" Rom. iv: IL. And
here, also, circumcision is declared to be
a seal of the righteousness of the faith.
1t was given to Abraham upon his "pro-
fession Of faith" as we now give baptism
to one who is received into covenant with
God. Thus the Bible speaks. Others
speak differently, denying all this. What
is to be believed? Which is greater :?
Again, If circumcision was the seal Of
promise for Canaan, why, after its neglect
in the wilderness, was it reneWed Josh
W by divine command, after the people
had actually entered the promised land
and continued as long as they dwelt
there? No need to seal again promise
which had been fulfilled. The carnal
idea about circumcision does not come
from the Bible If any-even branch
of the Church-calls it carnal mark,
we simply ask, Bible or Church-which !?
Now ponder this The Bible never speaks
of circumcision as being other than spirit
ual in its significance See such pas
sages as Duet. x: 16, Circumcise your
heart" Xxx: 6; Jer. iv: 4 Acts XIV
Is; Rom. ii %, %, 90 XIV 8, 9. 1t
is not once spoken of in the Bible as
carnal mark nor as the seal of the prom
Use for Canaan The Bible always gives
it spiritual ignifcance-never other
wise Is the Bible to be trusted?
"But it has not been abolished; and
baptism has not come in its stead" says
some one, q because the Jews say so, and
still practice circumcision.
Answer-Is Christ the Head and law
giver in His Church? Yes. When He
had reformed His Church did He COM
mand baptism? Yes. Then baptism
commanded, sets aside circumcision. If
Jews still practice circumcision their dis
obedience to Christ, does not make His
command of none effect Did Paul adj
minister baptism under Christ's com
mand? Yes. And the Jews prosecuted
him because of the report that he had
told the Jews, which were among the
Gentiles, not to circumcise their children.
See Acts XIV 81. What would he put
in the place of circumcision for infants,
but baptism One must be hard put
to it" to find reason against Bible
teaching in Jewish disobedience
But why give baptism to all, then ?
Circumcision was confined to males, only"
Answer-Even SO, Lord Jesus, for so
it seemed good in thy sight Paul ex-
plains this matter in Gal. Iii 26-29,
saying that all distinctions, once existing,
are abolished in Christ. So speaks the
Bible. But some say otherwise. What
then, Bible or Church-which?
" But why give an ordinance to uncon-
scious babes ? 1t is folly We don't be-
lieve in it, 1t is sinful and hurtful T.
Answer-Suppose all the world should
say that; what would it amount to 2
Criticism of God Cavil against God s
wisdom For He did it, He did, and
does believe in it He gave circumcis-
ion to unconscious babes and did it
without asking their consent But a
branch of His Church objects. Which is
greater, God, or branch of His Church =?
But, if this is all so, you ought to
give the Lords supper to these same
babes also. For the circumcised infant
received the Passover, of which the
Lords supper is the successor"
Answer-Q) Where is the Bible
teaching that "infants" partook of the
Passover without any qualifications be-
yond the fact of circumcision Some
say the circumcised ate the Passover at
twelve years Of age. If so, at that age a
child is also capable of faith. o. But
Christ's law is that in order to partake
Of the Lords supper one must examine
himself" agd thus decide that he is Z" in
the faith" Compare l Cor. XII %, and
2 Cor. xiii: 5. That explodes the cavil
most effectually.
Very boldly, persistently, and publicly,
Presbyterians are charged, by INNER
sionists, with error in all this matter.
But Presbyterians only follow the Bible
in their faith and manners, as here shown.
Reader, which ought you to follow, the
Bible or the commandments of men ?
The Bible says one thing, these say an
other. Which is law?