degree change its gracious provisions'1. In truth, the Mosaic covenant, so far from superseding that which had been made with Abraham, was intended rather to be subservient to it, and as a schoolmaster, to educate persons for it, and to bring them to a participation of its blessings6. Consequently Christ, with whom, as well as with Abraham, the covenant of grace was madef, having now come, and fulfilled in our behalf all that was required by that covenant, we, of whatever nation we be, have nothing to do but to believe in him ; and then all the blessings of the covenant will become ours. Being united to him by faith, we shall be regarded as one with him ; and be made partakers of all the benefits which he, as our Great Surety, has purchased for usg.
This is, in few words, the general scope of the Apostle's argument in the chapter before us. But, for the more particular elucidation of the words of my text, I will shew,
I. What, in the judgment of chanty, we possess, the very instant that we profess ourselves to be Christ's—
The covenant of grace made with Abraham and his seed is that under which we live : and we are admitted to a participation of its blessings now by baptism, as, previously to the coming of Christ, men were by circumcision. To be " baptized into Christ," is to be baptized in the name of Christ ; and by bap- tism, to be initiated into his religion. As the Jews were "baptized unto Moses" by passing through the sea and being sprinkled with its spray, and so be- came his disciples ; so do we, by descending into the water in baptism, or by being sprinkled with it in the name of Christ, become the followers of Christ11. Now, respecting persons baptized into the religion of Christ1, the Apostle says, " They have put on Christ."
d ver. 15—18. e ver. 19—24.
f ver. 16. g ver. 25 — 29.
h 1 Cor. x. 2. See the Greek, which is precisely the same as in my text, and determines, with exactness, the meaning of my text. ' Compare Matt, xxviii. 19. and Mark xvi. 15, 10.