such a manner as he purposed should be followed with the existence and entrance of moral evil in the system. And that the introduction of sin, is, upon the whole, for the general good. Here is Mahomet's belief under the name of Hopkinsianism! This, that God proposed to have sin in the world, and that it is for the general good, is the same as this; God has for his own glory foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. See Catechism divinity in the Primer.

IV. The Arminian plan is this, 1. That God has not fixed the future state of men by an absolute unconditional decree. 2. That Christ has made an atonement-for the sins of the whole world; yet that none but those who believe in him can finally be benefited by it. 3. That mankind are not totally depraved, and that depravity does not come upon them by virtue of Adam's being their public head. 4. That there is no such thing as irresistible grace, in the conversion of sinners. 5. That those, who are united to Christ by faith, may fall from their faith, and forfeit finally their state of grace.

These yea and nay sentiments åre embraced by different denominations at the present day, and this makes the confusion among ministers; these things are certainly different from the doctrine of Christ, as mentioned before under ancient. I think it certain that the Mahometan predestination, embraced by many in this day under the name of Calvinism, Hopkinsianism, &c. leads to licentiousness as much as it does among the Mahometans or among the monks in Germany.

Mahomet made great use of his predestination to propagate his faith. He encouraged his followers to fight without fear, telling them every thing was predestinated, and that not only the time but the manner of their death was unalterably fixed from all eternity. When people believe all is fore-ordained that takes place, they are encouraged in unbelief, saying, If I am to be saved, I shall be, and if not, I shall be lost.

I here propose a question to be answered by the candid :-Was Mahomet right in believing, as many ministers do, concerning predestination in this

day? or are many ministers of this day wrong in believing as Mahomet did concerning predestination in his day?

ANCIENT AND MODERN THINGS

CONTRASTED.

II. CONCERNING BAPTISM.

ANCIENT.

Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized. Acts ii. 41,

THIS text contains the first account of the conduct of believers after Christ's ascension to glory, and the descent of the Holy Ghost. Peter preached Christ's death and resurrection to a great multitude, according to his master's orders; those who heard were "pricked in their heart, and cried out, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you." Can any one think that those people were taught to sprinkle their children? Surely no. They gladly received his word, they believed it with their hearts; they first repented I

of their sin in putting the Son of God to death. After this they received the Ho

f

ly Ghost, which made them believers, by which they were suitable subjects of baptism. This was the Apostle's direction, "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved." As soon as they believed in Christ, they saw the propriety of his commands, and loved them as his, and manifested their love to him by submit-' ting to what he had commanded. This baptism was appointed by Christ for believers to submit to, as an evidence of their belief in his death, burial and resurrection.

MODERN.

Then they that ignorantly owned the covenant, had their children sprinkled.

THIS modern text contains an account of the manner of baptizing among those who reject the Those who own the not what they do." of the covenant they it is an human affair.

Scriptures of truth. covenant, "know They are ignorant pretend to own; Many have told

me that the minister has told them they must own the covenant, after they are propounded, and then they may have their children christened; but, say they, I knew not what it meant, only that I must stand in the aisle as others did, and make a bow or curtesy, after the minister had read over something to me which he called the covenant. This is what some call the covenant of grace, (or, more properly, the covenant of ignorance) for after they get into this, they are generally confirmed in their ignorance and opposition to the gospel. After, this is done, their children

brought in, and before the whole assembiy are sprinkled in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and thanks returned to God, that another child has received the seal of their covenant, which thing is an abomination in the sight of God. I asked a man, not long ago, why he had his children sprinkled? "Why," said he, said he," because it is the "This witness is true."

fashion."