1. For first, the Apostle 'tis true excludes Circumcision, but 'tis upon another account, viz. by showing Circumcision was a Figure of the Circumcision of the Heart, as Rom. 2. 28, 29. Phil. 3. 3. and since they had the same signified thereby, the Rite or Sign ceased. And as I have formerly replied in Answer to this Text, so I must say to you, all that can well be asserted from this Scripture, where the Apostle brings in Baptism, is no more than this, viz. That where Baptism is rightly administered, upon a proper Subject, it represents the Spiritual and Mystical Circumcision of the Heart, i. e. That the Soul is dead to Sin, or hath put off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, by the Circumcision of Christ; which may refer to the Power of his Death in the blessed Effects thereof, by the effectual Sin-killing Operations of the Spirit on the Heart. And as being dead to ⟨p. 90⟩Sin, we are buried with Christ in Baptism, both in Sign and Token of Christ's Burial, i. e. covered all over in the Water, which is a clear Symbol of his Burial; also in Signification, i. e. that we being dead, and buried with Christ in Baptism, so are to rise with him by the Faith of the Operation of God; and both these are held forth in true Baptism. The Apostle doth not mention Baptism to come in the room of Circumcision, but to show that these believing Colossians had through Christ by the Spirit obtained the Antitype thereof, or thing figured out in the Circumcision of the Flesh, which Baptism did clearly represent. But since this is so strenuously urged afresh, tho so often answered, I will be at the trouble to transcribe once more what Dr. Taylor, late Bishop of Down, hath said to this Argument of yours, and others before you, about Circumcision, viz. That Baptism is the Antitype of it, or that it came in the room thereof.
1. For first, the Apostle 'tis true excludes Circumcision, but 'tis upon another account, viz. by shewing Circumcision was a Figure of the Circumcision of the Heart, as Rom. 2. 28, 29. Phil. 3. 3. and since they had the same signified thereby, the Rite or Sign ceased. And as I have formerly replied in Answer to this Text, so I must say to you, all that can well be asserted from this Scriptare, where the Apostle brings in Baptism, is no more than this, viz. That where Baptism is rightly administred, upon a proper Subject, it represents the Spiritual and Mystical Circumcision of the Heart, i. e. That the Soul is dead to Sin, or hath put off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, by the Circumcision of Christ; which may refer to the Power of his Death in the blessed Effects thereof, by the effectual Sin-killing Operations of the Spirit on the Heart. And as being dead to ⟨p. 90⟩Sin, we are buried with Christ in Baptism, both in Sign and Token of Christ's Burial, i. e. covered all over in the Water, which is a clear Symbol of his Burial; also in Signification, i. e. that we being dead, and buried with Christ in Baptism, so are to rise with him by the Faith of the Operation of God; and both these are held forth in true Baptism. The Apostle doth not mention Baptism to come in the room of Circumcision, but to shew that these believing Colossians had through Christ by the Spirit obtained the Antitype thereof, or thing figured out in the Circumcision of the Flesh, which Baptism did clearly represent. But since this is so strenuously urged afresh, tho so often answered, I will be at the trouble to transcribe once more what Dr. Taylor, late Bishop of Down, hath said to this Argument of yours, and others before you, about Circumcision, viz. That Baptism is the Antitype of it, or that it came in the room thereof.
