In your opinion, persons being baptized when young, and outwardly joined to the church of JESUS CHRIST, makes no difference.' It surely máy make as much difference as circumcision did. Neither of them has any virtue in the sight of GOD. But infant circumcision is entitled to a communion, in the ordinances of GoD under the law; and no man can prove that infant baptism has not done, aud may not do, the same in every age under the gospel, save where an offender is cut off by church authority.

True it is, that our discipline is greatly relaxed; and this affords our adversaries one of the strongest pretexts for separation. But what if those, whose office it is to judge and punish, be unfaithful to their trust? What is that to you, save a cause of grief and humiliation, and a motive to intercede with the Lord in their behalf, as well as to endeavour to convince them of their great and awful responsibility? If, in the mystical body, the eyes or the hands neglect their duty, shall "the feet say therefore, We are not of the body?" Who made you a judge or a divider in such a case? Is the fault of the rulers your sin, or a warrant to you to separate? Where is it so written? Is there any thing like it in the whole word of God? If there be, let it be produced-this would be the only solid ground for you, on which to found your opinion. If it cannot be produced, then you are

that solemn call, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not "partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. xviii. 4.

guilty of acting in a matter of high importance, and of judging others, without a scripture warrant.

From Paul's example, in returning thanks in the ship, or praying before Publius, I wish to draw no arguments. The cause I am advocating needs no such weak supports. You judge' separation to be the most unequivocal way of declaring to men, while under the power of unbelief, that their prayers are actual idolatry.' If it were necessary to convince them of this, I am inclined to think, separation would no more effect it, than our remaining amongst them.-Beside, I feel no anxiety to tell them that their prayers are actual idolatry; as I see no warrant for such an expression in the word of GOD. I believe the sacrifices of any Israelite, when professedly offered to JEHOVAH and on his altar, are no where termed idolatrous, though they are often positively declared to be abomination to the Lord. The way in which they were offered was their sin, but never would have proved their excuse for not offering them at all. Such a neglect would only have been to proceed from bad to worse, and have added positive rebellion to all their other sins.

It is enough for me, that I am enabled to declare these things to men, in order to cut off from sinners every hope, save that one which is presented to us in the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, dying the just for the unjust, to bring sinners unto God.

I have now gone over that part of your letter which relates to the establishment. I have written,

perhaps, too much already, considering that in many things we offend all.

I love not controversy concerning what appear to me but beggarly elements, compared with faith and love which are in CHRIST JESUS.

If I have written aught in a wrong spirit, or in error, may God forgive me, and teach me his right and good way! And be assured that nothing of what I have advanced, is intended to be contrary to that esteem and love which I entertain towards you, as one who has obtained mercy of the Lord to be found faithful.

I think some things which I have advanced have probability on their side, and others more than probability. The Lord grant that you may consider what I say, and give you and me a right understanding in all things.

I am, my dear friend,

Yours, I trust, in gospel bonds,

W. ATTHILL.

No. VII.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER

From a highly respected Clergyman, in England, to

the Editor.

MY DEAR SIR,

Jan. 5, 1814.

THERE needed no apology for writing to me on a subject so interesting as yours to every minister of Christ. I will endeavour to answer you as briefly as the subject will admit.

It will always be found, that objections are more operative on the human mind than answers. An objection that is contained in a sentence may require many pages to answer it fully. An objection, too, flatters our pride; whereas the answer, how satisfactory soever it may be, only leaves us where it found us. If there be objections against our church, so are there against every church under heaven. Let objectors first agree among themselves what the true church is. "T is mine,' says the Presbyterian.— 'No: 't is mine,' says the Independent.-'No: 't is mine,' says the Baptist.-'No.: 'tis mine,' says the Quaker, &c. Mr. -- himself has given the best antidote to his own poison. What has he not been? Are we then to follow him? Was he not equally positive at every successive step? How do we know what he himself will think to-morrow? I believe

that he now is of no church. It is of importance that you point out the spirit of his followers. Though I know them not, I have no doubt what their spirit is, with perhaps a few exceptions. At the same time it is necessary to show what spirit that is which alone is pleasing to God, and which characterizes his people, of whatever church they be. It is by that that all his people are to be known. There is no book of Leviticus in the New Testament: much is left to be regulated by man according to his views and circumstances: and if our spirit be right, we shall be accepted, whether we be of the church of England, or of any other church; whereas, if our spirit be wrong, no church under heaven will save

us.

Happy shall I be if these hints be of the smallest use. That God may render them a blessing to your people, is the earnest prayer of,

My dear Sir,

Yours faithfully,

&c. &c. &c.

It seems plain to me, that our holy religion, with respect to rites, ceremonies, and church-government, is a law of great liberty: for, if there had been a design to bring all Christians ⚫ into one uniform method of divine worship, these things, it is probable, would have been accurately described in the New Testament, and guarded with as proper sanctions as was the ' ritual of the Mosaick service. But it is evident they are not so; and it is plain that our everlasting King hath blessed, and doth still bless, persons of different practices in these matters: which consideration should beget in all, that invaluable grace of love which is the bond of perfectness."