CHAP. VI. CHAPTER I. WHAT THE CHRISTIAN PROFESSION IMPORTS. A PROFESSION of Christianity is the most solemn engagement on earth, and he that makes it, is either one of the best or one of the worst members of society. Much then does it become all who call themselves by the name of Christ, to inquire with the deepest anxiety, whether they are sufficiently aware of the nature and obligations of the act which they performed, when, by entering into fellowship with the church of God, they publicly said, "I am a Christian." Being apprehensive that there is much ignorance on this subject, and much neglect even where there is not ignorance, I most earnestly entreat the serious and prayerful attention of all professors who may read these pages to what may now be stated, as to a matter personally and individually applicable to them. To "profess" means "to declare publicly and solemnly something that we believe, or that we intend to do;" so that a "profession" of Christianity signifies, a public, solemn and emphatic declaration that we believe the truths and submit to the obligations of Christianity. The translators of the Scriptures have given in our English version, two renderings of the same original word, sometimes construing it profession, and sometimes confession. In this they have conformed to a difference which modern use has established, and by which profession means, the declaration of our religious faith in the ordinary and tranquil circumstances of the Christian Church, without any reference to persecution; while confession means the avowal of our belief, in times of danger, and before persecuting rulers. A confessor is synonymous with a martyr: while a professor means simply a person publicly declaring himself a Christian. Still, however, it must be admitted that as there is no difference in the original Scriptures, so there is none in reality; for he who makes a profession of religion declares, if he be sincere, his intention to seal his testimony, if required to do so, with his blood. It may not be amiss to present the reader with some of those passages of holy writ in which the two words are employed. Speaking to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells him that he had "professed a good profession before many witnesses." -1 Tim. vi. 12. This refers to the declaration of his faith before the Church: while in the next verse he is said to have witnessed or testified a good confession before Pontius Pilate. Jesus Christ is called "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession."—Heb. iii. 1.; and in Heb. iv. 14, it is said, Seeing we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." The passages in which the other term is used are still more numerous; only a few of which need be given. "Whosoever" said Christ, "shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."-Matthew, x. 32. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."--Rom. x. 10, 11. "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” -1 John, iv. 15. E Let us now consider, FIRST. What the Christian profession includes: It is a public, solemn, and emphatic declaration to this effect, "I am a Christian; I wish to be considered one; and I mean to live as one." Or, to use the comprehensive language of Christ, it is confessing HIM before men. It is important to remark that whatever be its import, it has special and explicit reference to Christ; it is not a declaration of belief merely in the existence, attributes, and purposes of God, as the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the universe; an avowal of Theism, as opposed to idolatry; no, it is a profession of CHRIST: whosoever, said our Lord, shall confess ME, I will confess him: whosoever repeats the apostle, "shall confess that he is raised from the dead shall be saved; to him every tongue shall confess." This is both instructive and impressive, and contains a strong presumptive proof of his true and proper divinity. The Christian church is a collection of witnesses for Christ; a public embodied testimony to Christ: a spiritual temple, bearing on its lofty front the inscription “TO THE GLORY OF CHRIST." Every thing under the New Covenant refers to HIM; the Sabbath is to honour HIM, it is the Lord's day; the Eucharist is to commemorate HIM; the Christian profession is to testify of HIM: so that if Christ be not divine, we are under a dispensation which seems to shut God out. Religious worship and obligations are diverted from God, and directed to a creature. There was nothing like this under the Old Covenant. Moses was but a servant of the house under that economy, and is not held up as receiving the honour of a proprietor; but Christ is a Son over his own house; and this is our profession, that we are CHRIST'S. But what is it concerning Christ that we declare when we make a profession of him? We profess to believe in him and receive him as the Son |