may justly conclude, that the Church of Ephefus was a covenanted church; yea, the profeflion of faith in all the Apoftolic Churches was a covenanted one,-a profeffion by which they vowed to abide,-a profeffion unto which they engaged with every folemnity, that of an oath not excepted. This fenfe of the term is as agreeable to the fcope of the place as to the ufual acceptation of it. It was extremely proper to put the Hebrews in mind of those folemn engagements into which they entered at their firit admiffion into the Gospel Church, when they were about to be expofed to hazard on account of them, left at any time they fhould fall from their own fteadfaftnefs.As to the feafon of this duty, It was performed prior to their admiffion to fealing ordinances, and fpecial privileges of the Gospel Church: It was the foundation of fellowship among her members: They entered into thefe engagements even prior unto their admiffion to baptifm; and, for this reafon, the ancients termed it the BAPTISMAL COVENANT. The greater part of those who were admitted into the Gofpel

venifle. Et cum infinitivo. Ifeus, nai ei μèv vò övoμa auts ὡμολόγουν εἶναι το Νικοτρατου. Demofthenes, άνευ άντε ὁμολογησαντα μὴ ἀποδώσειν.---Ομολογώ Spondeo, Roganti promitto. ut Budæus exponit in hoc Libanii loco, y su cüráμodéγηκα προς ἐκεῖνον ὡς πάντως ἂν παρὰ σου τύχοι.”. "Sic dicitur oporosiv motor, pacifci mercedem." Thefaur. Ling. Grac. in vocem.Alfo, confult VALESIUS in notas ad HARPOCRATIONEM, p. 250.-LAMBERT Bos Anim adverfion. ad Scriptores quofdam Græcas, p. 24.

Church

Church being adults, they were capable of making this folemn declaration, to found co1 fidence in the minds of thofe who received them.

The fyftem to which they affented was probably drawn up by fuch officers in the Church as received the candidates who offered. Thus, Paul drew up a FORM OF SOUND WORD S for Timothy: Said he, "Hold fast the form of found words which thou haft heard of me, &c.

"

THIRDLY, I fhall enquire if these engagements were, on fpecial occafions, renewed by the members of the Apoftolic Churches, and that with divine approbation. I conclude in the affirmative, for the following reafons.

I. THE Churches of Macedonia were brought into great trials, which they bore with cheerfulnefs and joy; and, at the fame time, to exercise their liberality for the relief of the faints, which they did with readiness: But how did they atchieve thefe things? "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own felves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." This folemn dedication is not that which obtained at the admiffion of the members of thefe churches unto baptifmn; but fuch as took place a long time afterwards. It will not be improper, however, to take a more narrow furvey of this text.The duty performed, "They gave their own felves unBbbb 2

to

to the Lord." The foundation of faith in fuch a duty lies in that, or the like promise, "One fhall fay, I am the Lord's." They dcdicated themfelves unto him as his people. This is the only fenfe in which perfons, already in a church ftate, can be faid to give themfelves unto the Lord.The Apoftle adds, "And to us, by the will of God." Learned men haye viewed this teftimony in various lights, Some understand it of fubjecting themselves

to

The folemnity of this profeffion Dr OWEN treats, EX PROFESSO, in another work befides his Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. It may not be improper to make a few extracts from it in this place, as it is not in the hands of every reader: "The way whereby per fons enter into a church state is, by MUTUAL CONFEDE RATION, or folemn agreement for the performance of all the duties which the Lord Chrift hath prescribed unto his difciples in fuch churches; and in order to the exercife of the power wherewith they are intrusted, according to the rule of the word. The things enfuing are clear and evident: 1. The Lord Chrift, by his authority, hath inflituted this church ftate. 2. That, by his word, he hath granted powers and privileges unto. this church; and prefcribed duties unto all belonging to it. 3. That he doth require and command all his difciples to join themselves in a church relation; warranting them fo to do by his word and command. Wherefore, 4. This JOINING OF THEMSELVES, whereon depends all their intereft in church powers and privileges, all their obligation unto church duties, is a voluntary act of the obedience of faith unto the authority of Chrift, nor can it be any thing else. 5. Herein they GIVE THEMSELVES UNTO THE LORD, and to one another, acvarding to the will of God. 6. TO GIVE OURSELVES ENTO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is, exprefsly to engage to

do

to fuch as are over them in the Lord, to be guided by them in all the ordinances of the Gofpel. Others understand it of giving their contribution into their hand, to be diftributed according to their wifdom. The former, which is the most natural connection of the words, is moft generally received.

THE perfons who performed thefe dutics are, as the connection intimates, the Churches

do and obferve all that he hath appointed and commanded in the church; as the phrafe every where fignifieth in Scripture; as alfo, JOINING OURSELVES UNTO THE LORD, which is the fame. 7. This refignation of ourfelves unto the will, power, and authority of Chrift, with an exprefs engagement made unto him of doing and obferving all his commandments, hath the nature of a covenant on our part; and it hath fo on his, by virtue of the promise of his fpecial prefence, annexed unto this engagement on our part, Matth. xxviii. 19. 20. 8. There are three things required unto a covenant between God and men: (1.) That it be of God's appointment. (2.) That, upon a prescription of duties, there be a folemn engagement unto the performance of them on the part of man. (3.) That there be a fpecial promife of God annexed thereunto (I would rather fay prefixed), in which confifts the matter of confederation, whereof mutual ftipulation is the form; all concur herein."--" 11. There are many mutual duties required of all who join themfelves in church focieties, and powers to be exercifed and fubmitted unto, whereunto none can be obliged without their own confent. They must give themselves to one another by the will of God; that is, they must agree, confent, and engage among themfelves, to obferve alt thofe duties, to ufe all thofe privileges, and to exercife all thofe powers which the Lord Chrift hath prescribed

and

Churches in Macedonia. There were more than one church in Macedonia; and all of them feem to have concurred in this duty. The dedication was folemn and focial; and the practice appears to have been univerfal.

THE feafon in which they performed this duty. This was not at their firft erection. Independents have pleaded for church-covenants to conftitute single churches, of no greater ex

tent

and granted unto his church, Jer. 1. 4, 5."-" 14. Now, whereas thefe things, in themselves, and for the fubftance of them, are known gofpel duties, which all believers are indifpenfibly obliged unto, the more exprefs our engagement is concerning them, the more do we glorify Chrift in our profeffion, and the greater sense of duty will abide on our confciences, and the greater encouragement be given unto the performance of mutual duties; as alfo, the more evident will the warrant be for the exercise of church power. 15. The Lord Chrift having inftituted and appointed officers, rulers, or leaders in his Church, to look into the discharge of all church duties among the members of it, to adininifter and difpenfe all its privileges, and to exercife all its authority, THE CONSENT AND ENGAGEMENT infifted on, is exprefsly required unto the conftitution of this order, and the prefervation of it. 16. Wherefore, the formal caufe of a church confifteth in an obediential act of believers, in fuch numbers as may be useful unto the ends of the churches edification, jointly giving up themfelves unto the Lord Jefus Chrift, to do and obferve all his commands. refling on the promife of his fpecial prefence therein, giving and communicating all the rights, power, and privileges of his Church unto them; and, in a mutual agreement among themfelves, jointly to perform all the duties required of them in that flate; with an especial fubjection