In this manner, the apostles understood their com^
mission, and practised upon it When under their
preaching, men pricked in heart demanded, ^ what must
we do to be saved ?'' the answer given was, '^ repent and



be.ba^rtized f ^befieTe, and thou shalt be saved^ AH
the. instances of adult baptism, and of admissioD to the
chtirch, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, proceed
on the ground of a credible profession of reli^on. Ac
cordingly, indiYidual professors^ and churches coUectiTe»
ly, are denomins^ted by a variety of epithets applicable
exclusively to persons of real piety ; and applied tcMhem
with propriety, only upon the supposition, that they.pro-
lessed real religion. They are addressed as '' beloved
of God ;'' ^^ saints, whose faith is spoken of throughout
the whole world ;" '' full of goodness ;'' ^ the sanctified
in Christ Jesus ;" '' children of the promise ;'' those in
whom God has begun a gopd work which he will carry
(HI ;" ^ faithful brethren, who love all saints,^' whose
hope is laid up in heaven ;" " the elect of God ;*' ^ be-
gatten with the word of truth ;" " the sanctified of God
the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ and called."

Whenever instances of immorality, or impiety, or
apostacy occurred, by which the credibility of their pro^
fession was destroyed, they were dealt with first, as fall«-
en brethren, but if incorrigible, excommunicated as de-
ceivers.
