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Still our apostle pursues his metaphor, in comparing Christianity to a building, and the first rudiments of principles of the Christian religion to a foundation which supports the superstructure. Next he summarily declares what these fundamental doctrines, and first principles of the Christian religion are, namely, these six.
1. Repentance, or a turning from all singul works, called dead works, because they end in death; dead, because deadly; they proceed from death spiritual, and end in death eternal.
2. Faith towards God, or faith in God; that is, in the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Particularly, faith in the first original promise of God, to send Christ into the world to save us from our sins, and granting remission of sins by him.
Here not, How closely repentance and faith are united and knit together; where the one is, there is the other; and where either is not, there is neither. He repenteth not, who hath not faith towards God, who repenteh not.
3. The doctrine of baptisms: that is, of both the Christian sacraments, as also of the covenant of grace, of which the sacraments are seals. Persons admitted into the church by baptism, ought to be well instrusted, as soon as capable of it, in the nature, use, and end of the sacraments; acquainting them not only with the nature of the outward sign, but with the necessity of the inward grace.
4. The doctrine of laying on of hands, to confirm the baptized persons in the faith, and to oblige and enable them to keep the covenant they entered into with God, when they were baptized; which was done before their admission to the Lord's table.
Imposition, or laying on of hands, was on ancient and veverable rite, used in the primitive church upon several occasions; particularly, in ordination, in absolution of penitents, in healing the sick, in conferring the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Act_8:17.
And lastly, in confirmation, when baptized persons were brought before the church to acknowledge, confirm, and renew their baptismal covenant with God; and to receive the benefit of public prayer and episcopal benediction, in order to the further endowments of grace to perform their vows, adorn their profession, and be admitted to the Lord's table, as complete members of the visible church of Christ.
5. The ressurection of the dead, a doctrine denied by the Sadducees, derided by the Athenian phiposophers, and perverted by heretics; but is a fundamental principle of the gospel; the faith whereof is indispensibly necessary unto our consolation, and has a peculiar influence upon our obedience. This is the animating principle of gospel-obedience, because we are assured that our services shall not only be remembered, but rewarded also.
6. The eternal judgement, which wiil doom men to everlasting rewards and punishments in a future state. The ministers of the gospel ought to dwell much upon this fundamental principle of religion, to represent the dread and terror of that eternal day to all men, to the intent they may be excited and stirred up to take effectual care that they fall not under the vengeance of that fatal day.
These six principles being laid down by the apostle, he tells them his resolution, to endeavour the carrying of them on to a more perfect degree and measure of knowledge in the mysteries of the gospel; in order to their becoming skillful in the word of righteousness; "Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; which we will do, if God permit."