Circumcision, What It Was a Type Of

    I. CIRCUMCISION was the cutting off the foreskin of the flesh; signifying the cutting off the lusts of the heart and life, or parting with the corruption of nature, which rebels against the Spirit, Col 2:11.

    II. Circumcision puts the body to pain. So those who come under the Circumcision of the heart, are sensible of much spiritual pain upon the account of sin, Ge 34:25.

    III. As that part cut off was never set to the body again, but was taken quite away, so in this^spiritual Circumcision, sin must not be parted with for a time only, but must be cast off for ever.

    IV. The Circumcised person was admitted into the Church and family of God. So he that is spiritually Circumcised becomes a fit person for baptism, and so to be admitted into the Church of God.

    V. Such who were not Circumcised, were not to be admitted to the privileges of the Church, and outward worship of God. So the Uncircumcised in heart and life ought not to be admitted unto the spiritual privileges of the Gospel, and communion of the saints.

    VI. The Uncircumcised person was looked upon by God's people as an hateful person; see with what contempt David beheld Goliath upon this account, "This Uncircumcised Philistine," &c., 1Sa 17:36. So those who are not Circumcised in heart, are hateful to God.

    VII. Circumcision was a sign of the righteousness of faith: so the spiritual Circumcision of the heart, i, e., putting away the body of sin, &c., is a sign of the truth of grace, and of an interest in the righteousness of Christ Jesus.