Now it can easily be accounted for why such teach baptism to be an emblem. Such as teach this doctrine, further say, that it would be contrary to the wisdom of God to give or offer his grace in vain ; which would be the case, if he sincerely offered it to any whom he knew would finally perish. Thus, agreeably to the statement of such teachers, God does not sincerely offer his saving grace to those who perish, lest it should be in vain. But it seems he can send his ministers to call them in vain, with an empty, hypocritical call. This, then, is not doing any thing in vain, nor repugnant to the wisdom of God. Astonishing! God calls the sinner, by his ministers, with an empty call ; he calls, when he, in the meanwhile, does by no means wish the sinner to come ! What is this, but insulting mockery ? If God offers no saving grace to those that perish, why does he not withhold the gospel from them entirely ? Would not this be more congenial to wisdom ? Why would he send his servants to them, to do nothing but beat the air with an empty farce-call ? If God offers his gospel to us, but does not with it grant the power that we may receive it, we certainly would be excusable for not receiving it ; and he could justly be accused as " a hard man, reaping where he had not sown." Math. 25, 24. All this cannot be said of a wise and holy God.

Back: There are many...

Next: When the word of God is purely preached...