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Perhaps iIjc sentiments and doctrine contained In the following pages are not yet sufllciently fashion- ahle to procure ihcm general favour, since a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial or slij^ht appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable or dreadful out-cry in rt-^f^ ice of custom. See Acts 19. « For a certain tr.aii r.am»d Demetrius, a silvers^Vith, which made fiilver uhrincs for Diana, brought no small gain unto *hc crafsmcn ; vxliom li3 called together with the wori' ^icn of !''k«^ occupation, and said, Sts, ye know that l)y th'-s craft we have our wealth. More- over ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuad- edand urned away much people, saying that they be no god^J, which are made with hands: So that not onlv this our craft is in danger to be set at nought but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, (against this Paul) and cried out, saying Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was fdled with confusion : some therefore cried one thing, and some another. And '^^&M >> w^vsm^ * t I.VTnODUCTIO.t, • -you SCO .1,0 I.:,,,,e«ia„, were L. , he people „ -mo of he,.- ,„ini.„erHu.,K-„ preaching nyouo a -»y. mj- l.-e,hren. don't l.o lo,l au„y fiom , Mi '•-t!.rc,„ „„..,, „„„ ,,,„,, ^^^,^.^, ^ ; " •''.enco. comrnry ,o ,i,. .W,nne whi.h ve h ™d.„n,l .v„i>I,he.„» Ko,n.Tri:n r ct «nch „,i„|.,er.. p,.on.h ,hn .n,„c .loctrlno ^.eu- cong,.e.a,l„.,« „,.t St. Pa,,! .„, „,e I,, """''" •'° '•'^''K'"" or their Faiho-. For .u.h ^. hc.rre..,ah,onn,,,reof,ru,h,,h,.t.ni.,,. : -' ' wants, is the liberty of a,,pcnrins. The „ -d. no ,,eriptio„ ,0 .i.i,,,.,,, ,, c«H, a„.J no .ooncr Will trmh, if it has the liherty -ppear and ,sheu-it.elfto be truth. IV ta.tl i' ; : t:"^' '' "^ ^P"- '^y a child or a Phi,!;. ! p.ier. It can never err— it i^ i;'-„ t,i i >. unalterable- and .1, • /'-'""'•"'' '""'^^^"" Thc.rn, ,■ I '"^ •'""•mamlmen.s are sure. 1 he, stand last for ever and ever, r.aln,,!,,: error ,e b'" "' T"'" ^ ^'""'^ '''^^'^ «">' -«'« erro let h,m recollect that I am not at war ,vith 2:;if-'--'<'^"-'>^"twi,hfai.epri::;? T THE CREED OF COMMON SENSE. Let every body mintl their own business. What is mnn f The olFspring of Cod. Wlial id Gotl ? The falher of man. Who is Jesus Chri^l? He is our brother. What is man in Ivml)nol He is a helpless babf. What is man in pro?,ress1 He is a man. What is man perfecleil 1 He is as Christ 5 and Chiist is as the Father ami ihey all arc one. How many states of existence has mani He has three. What is the first \ It is spiritual. What is the second ? It is tefujioral. What is the thinll It is immortal and eternal. How did man begin to exist in the first? He was begotieri anil born of Cod. How did he bci^in to exist in the second? He was begotten and born of the llesh. How did he begin t.> exist in the third ? By the resurrection of the doail. Wliat is h'.^ final destiny? To bo like God What has God been ? *Like man. What is man without revelation? A vessel in a fog without a compass. What will man be with the aid of revelation t He will be filled with light j and know and com- prehend all things. What is man's spirit ? The candle of the Lord. How shall it be lighted ? By the Spirit of God. ^1 How many Cods arfi there? « There ore lords many, and gods many : but to us there is but ono God." How many heavens are there? They are innu- merable. Where will heaven Iw? On the earlh ; and on all other g'orified worMi. And lliey sung anew song, saying, « 'i'hoii art worthy to take ihe book, and to open the seals thereof: Vor thou wast slain, and fiast redeemed m to G(»d by thy blood out of ©very kindred and tongue, and people, and nation ; And hast made ns utiio our God kings nnd priests : aud wo shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5: 9, 10. What is truth? It is all that Cod has or ever will reveal. What will he do..e to those that disohry it? They shall be ddninciL Mark 16 : l(i. Ho\/ old is truth? Without beginning of days or end of years. What is its destiny? To fill earth and the hea- vens with light and love. From whence is its authority ? From Heaven. What is it sent to do ? To let t!;c oppressed go free, and break every yoke. What kind of success will it meet with? Universal; over the whole world. Y^a. 11:9. Suppose the people try to hinder it? They can- not do it; but will pcri?ili. Why? Because God has sent it. What are the present forms of political govern- ments? Thjy are the image seen by Nebuchad- nezzar. Dan. 2: 36. What are the present forms of Church govern- ment? Spiritual Babylon, or ihc image of mystery, and names of blasphemy seen by John on the Islo of Patmos. Rev. I 1 When will the r"""' '«""'' «<'po""c«' •"'' '^'". giou. ».vernmenlcomo to ... endt In tl>.s p««. I ''bv what mrDns 1 By the kir.p.lom of God ; oml by the nvpcarance of lUc son ol God ; at;a a groat '^WhaS'tho kingdom of Cod t A kingdom co' verncd by direct revelation from God. QUESTIONS ON THE ORIGIN OF MAN. Man! The noblest ii* 'Wtcnt of earth !W'>n- derful in thy physical • "^l^'^'.';";. ' f J-^o o^ wonderful «iill in thy !"«"'»• coostilMion ! Who art To -Whence .hiL o-v,,,, 1 Art tl.ou a ae.;..e ot-chance-of fortuiiou. cngin-the re.ul < tl e onemtiopH of blind unconscious, ond mm. c l,?e... matter! Whci'cc that nol)le iniclligence—th.i. ..>..- TovT g principle of thy no.ure 1 U it the cfTec. « Tganizntion-the ,.roduc. of the -">^-";;;" ^"l nrrangcmenl of imintdligont atr:..s 1 Cnn unMue.- ligcnl\.om« originate n.otiont ^^an they a nil unite or combine ti.cmseUes togcibcrl Ca,. ihey d3ay any Avi«d...n, order, ..r design m then- un>on. Butl as i/nanife.trd in the physi^-.d con.t,lut,on .;?" mn 1 If intelligence is not the effect ..l .uganiznt.- Tl and or^nn-rzation is not .he ellect of chance, does it not follow, that son.e, if not a,l, "e ^en en- ?ary a oms of thy natu.e were in,c!li?.;ntbeforc.he>r unL, while vet in a separate and uncomb.ned •tate 1 Or wilt ihou contend that the.r un.on im« been eternal, without hegmning, '^^^'^.^^^.'^l^^^' existed 8eparaielvan.Umcomb.ned1 If the.r orgnn.- Mtion is not ete.-nal ! Then tell us how s- great a work was accomplisbcd ; howsoskdful, so jiiatvel- ^J^ "^Tr* "^mW^m^mum^^^^^j I &, otw, and bo nsoful a mechanism was produced? Did the elementary atoms hold a council logelher and entor into an ngr-^ement of an eternal union, for each others benefit ami exaltation in the scale of being 1 Did they in accordance with this agree- ment, unite themselves together hy virtue oflheir own intellig'-nre, and sell-moving capacities? or, wast thou, O man, fashioneil from the elements by Iho physical or mental power of some being : him;?eir eternal—without beginning? Or, wast thou begotten nnd born, and ihe scattered elements of thy nature by the laws of generation organized and arranged in their proper poisition ? If so, who are thy father and mother? Whence the first pair? Mas there been aii eternal successicm of father and son ? 0,- is there a first in this grand scale of being, in this golden ch:nn of intelligent existence? Speak, O man, if thou knowest, and declare Ihine origin! Tell us of what thy mental and physical constitution consists? Does it consist both ofintel- ligentaml unmtelligent matter? Ifso, were both these kinds of matter organized at the same time? Or was the intelligent part ororanized first, and allervvards united to the unintelFioeht part? Ifso, Xrhen, and by what process, was the intelligent pari organized? Is God the father of thy spirit? Art thou, indeed, of so noble an origin ?' Ifso Ti-hen wast thou begf)l!en? Wast thou among tho •^ Sons of God " ^vho '' shouted li.r iov," when the foimdations of tho earth weio laid? Didst thou then rejoice in nmicipatiorj of a Aiture residence on !hia earth? On what planet or woVld didst thou then reside? Wast thou acquainted with all the family of spirits— the sons and d:iu!zh'ei-s of thy father/ Canst Ihou tell us tho number of thy brothers and sisters 1 Was Jesus Christ the oldest « The first born oCcvery creature." OF THE CREATION OF GOD. Canst thou toll us, n>an, \vhat period of time censed between thy birtli day, and the hnth day of Jesus Christ, '' the tirst born? " Is the birth day of every spirit recorded and deposited in tlie sacred archives of lioavcn'l What were thy capacities, and what the extent of thv knowledge at that timel What were the rules, regulations, and laws of thja celestial fam'ly of spirits 1 ^vhat were the ewards and penalties,* following obedience or ilisobeihenceT Were there any fainilv quarrels, or contentions, or strifes among them ? 'Did any produce such discord and disturbance, that their Father was under the necessitv of banishing them from the society of the rest of the family, to preserve peace and good order 7 If so, were there anv condition or provisions made for their restoration ] Or were tl>.eir crimes ot that nature and magnitude, as to tc/ally deprive them of any future exaltation in the bcale of tlieir being! Can ihev ever he placed in a condition to proniui- rate tlieir own -pccies, and tlius increase their subiectsinthe kingdom of darkness? Oris the lavv of increase wiselv confined to higher orders of beincrs where the law of righteousness is taught, and where the species shall he early educated and reared up in the kingdom of light? O man Of noble oriiiin ! And princely birth ! Unfold, if thoa canst, the historv of thy first estate ! 1 ell us tho noble acts— the generous deeds— magmficent works of thvself and of'thy kindred spirits! Show us the eplendid scenes-^the miiihty revelations— the grand operations of tho world through which thou hast passed. ■« QUESTIOx\S ON THE PRESENT STATE OF MAN. If then, iiion, thou hast forsaken the world o! spirits, and chosen a hahitation of flesh and bones, and located thyself in this department of the univer^.^ for the grand purpose of acquiring a more extensive knowledge of nriaterial things, and thus to qualify thyself to preside in wisdom over nature's works, and nature's laws— if this be one purpose of thine emigration to this globe, it is a most laudable undertaking worthy of the character of beings springing from so noble a parent. But tell us, ye sons of God, why pain and misery, and death itself besets you so closely on every "hanil 1 Do these evils eminate from God? Is he the originator of pain and death? Docs he delight in the misery of his own ofFspring? Is it a pleasure to Mm to behold his own children bowed down in sorrow and mourning, writhing in pain and anguish, and strug- gling in vain in the horrors and agonies of death] if not, what is the cause of all these evils? Are they the necessary results of the laws and properties of matter? Can there be any organization in which these evils do not exist? VVere not our first parents when formed from the dust, and placed in the gar- den of Eden, free from all evils? Was not their organization perfect— free from sickness, decay and death — capable of enduring forever — unchanged and immortal ? If so, is not this an evidence that material substances are capable of perfect organiza- tion—of an endless duration, entirely fi-ee from pain ? Could God consistently with his character^ 1 I i jil^ ' produce onv other organizotion hut a perfect one, capable of e'verlasting endurance 1 If not, whence then arises our present imperfect, changeable, and unhappy situation ? Is it not the resu t of man » own doings 1 Was it not man, and not God, that brought imperfection, pain and death, into our world? Was it not God that gave to man an immortal bodv 1 And was it not man that changed it to mortality'? Was it not God that gave endless life to man 1 And was it not man that called death unto hin.selfl O unhappy man ! as death is not an ingredient of thy nature, why hast ihou sought after if Tell us ve first progenitor of the human race, why ye chose mortality instead of immortality, _whv pain was preferred to case, why death was desired rather than life'; Didst thou not believe that these evils would be the result of thy transgres- sion t Or didst Ihou prefer these evils for some great and wise purpose i. Couldst thou, while ".mmortal in the garden of Eden, appreciate the blessings aud good with which thou wast then surrounded ? Could t thou know good without experiencing its opno-t ihou lift iho ctirlains of heaven, and behoKl again the smiles of thy Father's counte- nance? Jf not, iiovv rixnst thou he restored to the blessings of Etlen— to the hoauties of Paradise, to that which thou hast lost? How canst tl.oii triumph over death, regain immortality, and dwell again in the abodes of light, life, and love ? Who holds the keys of salvation, and the power to redeem to the utmost ? Who is capaMe of heing intruL^ed with so great and important a work? Js there any among all the heavenly host i)etter qualified than Jesus Christ our eldest hrother? lias he not had a longer experience t!\an any of the rest of the family ? Is it not through his love and nn'rcy alone, that redemption will come? Will not all mankind be fully restored from the elf.^cts of Adam's sin ? And will this universal redemption l:e unconditional on their part? Is any man required to h.^ievc in Christ, repent, and he hnptized for the remission of sins, or to do any other work, lo ohtain resurrection, from the (lend? Is not this blessing obtained by fvee grace alone without works? Is' any man too wicked to be raised from the dead, and be fully redeemeil from the penalty <^f the original sin ? will not all mankind, after the resurrection reltirn again into the presence of God, and there he judged for their own sins and not Adam's? Will not their own sins condemn them ? And will not their own fiins banish them from his presence? Or are there conditions of redemption from our sins? If so, what I nre llicse conditions on the pari of man ? Arc they not failh in Christ, repentance of all our BinP, han1i^Mn for the remission of the tam.^ laying on of Iiands for the ••if't of the Holy Spirit, and a faithful compliance with all the commands of Cod unto the end.'' Wouldst thou attain to a ^loriou-. rcsurrec- tlon, and he exalted among the ju:it, comply with the conditions, and all are thine. BAPTISM FOR TFll!: REiMlSSION OF SINS. '* One Lord, One Faiih, One Ilnptism." Evh- 4 : 5. "John did haptize in the wiUlerncsN, and preach the hapt'.Mn of repentance, for the remission of bins ; and there went out unto him all the land oi Judea» nnd thev of Jem. alem, and were all hapti'/ed ol hini in the river <.f Jordan, confe.^sintr their sins." ^'.ark I • 4, fj. ''-And h",' came iu1i> all the country nhout Jordan,' preachiP'r the hanti-.m of ivpontance for the ,.,niHsion of. ins:" Lnke z^": 3. "Now when nU the r.-()rA> v.vre baptized, it came to pas?, that Jesus ah^o heinor 1 nrti:.»en-d, And'the ilolv Ghost descen-ied in a hod.ly j-.hape like a dove upon him ; and a voice camo from heaven, which said, thou art my heloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3 :'l!l,22. "And all the people that heard hin., and the Puolicans, justified God, heins baptized with the baptism ot John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the council of God against themselves, being not bapti- zed of him." Luke 7:29, 30. " After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; nnd there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in iEnon near to Sahm, because there \vas much water tacre ; and they 'HI "•'^ 10 came, and were baptized : For John was not yet cast into prirjon. Then there arose a question between some of Joim's disciples and the Jewa, about purifying. And they came unto John, and eaid unto him, Rahlii, he that was wilh thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hcarcst witness, hchohl, tho flame bapiizcih, and all men come to him." Joho 3 J ^2 to 26. « When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made aud hapti- zed more ilisciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departedagaininloGnlilee." John 4: 1,2,3. "And now, why tarriest thou .? nrise, and he baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. ' Act^ 2-2: 16. " For ye are all the children of God by hith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have b?cn baptized info Christ, have put on Christ. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abra- ham's seed, and heirs nccorling to the promise." Gal.. 3.; 2.) to 29. "For Christ also hath onco sufTered for sins, thi^ just for tiie unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit : Bv which also ho went and preached unto the spirit's in prison ; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsulfering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also n(,w save us, (not the putting nway of ihe filth of the flesh, but the answer of a goo I conscience toward God,) by the re.sijrrcction of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter ^: 18 to 21. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in (he name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins." Acta 2; 38. 9> 11 if these tefitimonies do not prove that bnplism according to the scriptures, grants the true believers an assurance of the remission of sins, then no pro- position can be proveil by any testim»>ny, for the tc.4imony in this case is positive and divnie. But those who object that it is a mere form, (andean save us from nothing!) have a contest, not with me, but with Jesus and the apostles. For I alFirm that the new T.'stament plainly rev..alsthat baptism from the time of its (w^i institution was for the remission of sins! The question is, of what a.lvantage is bap- tism ? Does it convey any blcs^iingto the obedient? Or is it a mere emp'tv, unmeaning ceremony «^ I say, in it, the state of the believer is changed! and in effect, so say all the popular creeds and fathers. Calvin says, " TJaplism re^'embles a legal instru- ment properly attested, by which he assures us that all our sins are cancelled*, effaced and obliterated, BO that they will never appear in his sight, or come into remembrance, or be imputed to us. For he commands all, who believe, to be baptized for the remission of their sins. Therefore those who have imagined that baptism is nothing more than a mark, or a"" sign bv which we profess our religion before men, as soldiers were the insignia of their sovereign, as a mark of their profession, have not considered that which was the principal thing in baptism; which is, thU we ought to receive it with this promise, '«He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Calvin's institute. John Woslcy, in his comment, r. 350, savs— " Baptism administered to real peni- tent:, is a means, and a seal of pard^m. Nor did God, ordinarily, in the primitive church bestovr this (pardon) on any, unless through this means." ^^1 I -I J n 4 12 Episcopniianp, or rliiirch of EnglatuI people.-— Afl'^r rc;uliri«i; n part of the dircourao with Nicodc- iriuH, they aro orilrrc*! to nuiko the Ibllowing cxhor* latiorK ** Beloved, yc lienr In this ip.ospcl tho express words of our Saviour ('hri>t, that except a nia;i be bora of uater and of the Spirit, he cannot Ciller into the kincih)ni oi G(>»l." Whereby you may * perceive the preut necessity of this sacra nieiit, where ^ it mav be hatl. Likewise, immediately befo*'e his fiHcension into heaven, (as we reail in the hnst ehap- ler of St. jVlnrk's G()s|)el,) lie gwe command to hix | discipU's, sayin^T, "Go ye ir.io a!l ihe world, nnd | preaeh the (io^^Mel to every eroniure. He that be- iieveth, ami is baptized, shall be savoil ; but he that '^ bclieveth not shnll be daninod." Which also | Fhowcth unto us the j'reat Iiencfit v/e reap thereby. For wiiieh cause St. Peter the AjM)si!e, ^\hen tipon his first preaching of the gf^spel many were pricked ot die heart, and said unto him and the rest of the Apostles, *• Men and brethren, what >hall we do .«''* replied, and i-:aid luito tliem, '* lie|«ent and bo baptized every one of you, for th.e remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gilt of the ii >ly (iho^t: for the promise is to you and your children, and to all that arc afar olf, even as ukuiv at? the Ltu'd our God Bhail call. And with many other word-^^ exhorted he them, saying, save yourselves from this imto- ward generation." For, as the Fnmo Apor^tle testi- tjeth in another place, even i)aptism do^h also now fiave us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the an.swer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesiis Ch-ist. Doid)t ye ^ot, therefore, but earnestly believe that he will favour- fit)ly receive these present persons, truly repenting, and coming unto lilm by faith 5 that he will grant gUMt X: grant 13 them r'*TiJ*»fiion of their sins, one! bcFtow upon tlicm the Holy Ghost; ihal he will give theni tlic bleteii g of eternal life, ontl make them porlakcis of hie Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded >'ou ; and lo, I am with von alway, even unto the end o( lliO world." Mat'. 2S: 18, 19,20. And he (Jesus) ^aid unto them, (Apostles) "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, rhall he taved; but he that believeth not, t^hall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that helieve: In my name shall they cast out devils; ihey shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up «crpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall r.<;t lu;it them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and ihcy ghall recover. So then, after the h''n\ had spoken unto them he was received up into heaven, anil *at on the right hand of God. And they went forth, ard preached every where, the Lord working with them, E r1 m I Jk U anil confirming tho word with signs following.^ Mark Hi: 1'), to '20. *S\ow when they heard this, (that God halii mailc that sanie Jc:»ns, whom yo have crucifieil, hoth Lord nn to 38. <^Know ye not, that «o many of us as were baptized into .Tesus Cljrit^t, were baptized into his death ? There- fore we arc buried with him ly baptism into death; 4 For if we have been planted together in the likenesi ^ of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his t resurrection." Pom. 6 : 3. <^Buried with him in > baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through 1 the faith of the operation of God, who iiath raised him from the dead." Col. 2 : 12. "Moreover, • brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, bow that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea ; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea ;" 1 Cor. 10: 1, 2. "Husbands, love your wives, even at Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Eph. 5: 25. " Lei us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkletl from an evil con- t •1 4 'm M\ 16 uritfiice, and our bodies washed with pure water.** Ilcl). 10: 2v^. "Ilocnmo unto hin own, and hit own received h.ni not. But an many as received him, to ihcm gave he power to become the Sonn of (Jod, ovoi» to Ibem that believe on his name: Which were bom, not of blood, nor of tiie will ol the OcHh, nor of the will of man, but of God." .John. 1 : lit 12, 13. Jcsu.s ans'v-ered and naid unto him, verily, vorily, l pay iinto thee, except a man be born again, he can not Hce the kingdom of God. Nicodemut Haith unto him, how can a man be lH)rn when ho IH old? can ho enter the H^^cond time into hi« mother'- womb and be born ? Jesus answered veri- ly, verily, I say unto thee, excej)! a man he born of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into tho kingdom of Ciod." John 3 : 8. 4. 5. BAiTrs;^, LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR CONFIRMATION, AND RECCmON OF THE HOLY GHOST. *^nut when they btlievod Philip preaching the things conciM-ning the kingilom of (iod, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were l)npti...>il both men and women, rhon Simon him.sdf believed also: and when ho was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were -lone. N.-w when the apostle» which were ai Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto ihem Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he wns fallen upon none of them f only they were baptized in the name of the Lord iosua. Then laid ihey their hands on thern^ and •f i I '^m 17 I the IIolv Gho«l. And when Simon oni) \\\w LH'eived SouH of VVhicU ic Octth, 1:11, verily, 1 ognin, otJcmui hen ho nto his e«l veri- borri of into tlio ^ FOR ION ling the and tlio :)th men cJ also: eil with cles and aposlleti aria had im Peter 3 down, he Holy )f them f [he Lord inu and they rcceivcu ,..- .- , i u • •aw, that ihnuiKh laying, on of the opoHllcH handp* the Holy Ghost wan given, he olfered ihcin money, toying, give :nc also thi. power, that >n whomsc ever I lay handfl, he mnv rtvcivo the Holy U host. But Peter said unto him, thy money p('.n«i» with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God mav be nurcha.sed with money. Thou hasl neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy hoait jj not right in the Hi^ht of God. Kopent, therelbrc, of iIuh thy wickedness; and pray God, if perhap« the thought of thy heart may be fonnvcn thee, tor I perceive that thou nrt in the i^Ml of bitterness and m tuc bond of iniiuiity." AvH 8 : 12. to -Jb. "And it came to par=s, that while Apo.os wa« at Corinth l»aul having parsed thrmijrh iheu| pfreoaBti,,, cime to Ephesus; and finding certain dl^cll Icb, He taiJ unto^.hem, ha e ye received the Ih. y Ghost since ve believed? And they Faid unto l.m, we have 'not fw much as heard wUetiicr there be any IIolv Ghost. And he FaUl imto them, unto what then were you bapti/ctn And they Faid, unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily bap- tized Avith the baptism of repentance, taymg unto the people, that they phould believe on him, which Rhould come after him, that i.>', on Christ JeHii^. When lliev heard thir* they were biptr/ed m the name of the Lojd Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them ; and they spake with tongues and prophe- fiied. And all the men were about twelve. Acta 19- 1 to 7. «' Therefore leaving the piincinlef» of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfecti- on ; not laving again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the .# 4- A m ^i A 18 doctrino of baptisms, and of laying on of hands." Heb. (): 1,2. We shall notice in the next place -why John the Baptist emigrated, or came from tfie world of spirits into thin our world : For we read he was sent from God, (John 1 : 6.) And he must have '>cen sent for some important business or God would not have sent him. First then, the sante came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him niight be'ieve. John 1 : 7. " And John bare record, saying, I saw llie spirit descending from heaven like a dove, anrJ it abode upon him," verse 32. This is the record John bare after he had bap- tized our blessed Lord in the river of Jordan. Mark 1: 9, 10, 11. " And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, Luke 3: 23. Second. John came to prepnre the way of tho Lord and make his paths straight. Mat. 3: 3. So it appears that some one had made the paths of the Lord crooked by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, the sanie as they do in this our day. Therefore John came to make the paths of the Lo;d straight again. But for all, they still speak evil of the way of truth just as Peter said they would do. 2 Peter 2: 2. And thev say we will not walk therein. Jer. 6; 16. But Christ saith he that climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:1. Andthird. John came to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1 : 17. Therefore we shall notice, in the first place what doctrine John the Baptist did preach to the people in order to make them ready for the Lord. Matthew saith, « In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven i. tm^ 3. IS a i 19 is at hand;' Mat. 3 : 1, 2. *' And he came into all ihe country about Jordai , pieoching ihe linptii^m of rencntanco for the rcmii-^ion of sins." Luke dl 3. John preached the hapti^'m ofrcpenlance to all the people of Israel. Arts l:^. 2k ^' Saying unto the people, that thev J^houUi I L^lieve on Inm vvhicli bhould come after hirn, that is, on Chri^^ Je^us. Acts 19:4. Let ii.s ob-cive here diat J(.hn liegan preaching and not haptizinis sayir.gunio the people, " repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. But wi'l this conesponu with wliat a great many of the ministers preaeh and practice in this age of the world 1 For thev sprinkle little infants shortly alter they are born into ^hi^ world before they ca\. repent, and ])reach unto tlieni alter th(^y grow up to men and women to repent. Ar.d ihey tay not a word unto them about hnptif-m for the remission ol their sins, accordir? to the scriptures if they have com- mitted ten thourand limet^ ten ihoueand ; which iS ail together contrary to what John preaclied unto the people. Fov he preached that men should repent and then he i aptized for the remi.-sion of s^ins. But thev, the Miiu^ier-, have turned up^:ide down that which John preached. Now which are we to believe 1 John who preached that men should first repent and be baptized? Or the ministers that preach contrary to him ? And s^ay that infants ought :o be sprinkled, and teach ihem to repent afterwards. Cbrist/s answer is, "In vain do ye worship me teaching lor doctrines the command- ments of men." Mark 7: 7. But a great many people replv and say, the reason that those men and women'were baptized was because they were never baptized before. Allow it to be so, that they were never baptized ; yet this is a poor excuse to [ill: 20 keep them from going clown into the river to follow Chrisr.s example, an*.! to Vee\) his commands: For John would never have haptized them, though ther never had heen i)aptized, Imd they not first repented of all Iheir sins. For we read i hat John rehuked Rome r»f the peor'e very sharply, who came to him for baptism, that had not repented of their sins, sec Mat. 3: 3 to II. But a^ain you must allow that those men and women w.hich were baptized by Jo!m hail a great manv children. And yet we do not read any where of John baptizing one. And purely you will allow that their children had souls OS well as vours, and that thev had as much right to be sprinkled as yours. But the question is, who are we to believe, John the servant of God, or the Ministers that contradict him. Let the apostles nnswer. *« We ought to obey GrA rather than men,'* (Acts 5: 29T) And we should do this, let the consequence be what it will, allow me here to ask how can any obey God, while they do contrary to what he has commanded them in his word? "To obey 13 better than sacrifice's." Sam. 15: 22. "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remis- eion of sins." Luk. 3: 3. Now, my friends, our common sense ought to teach us that John wcmlJ not preach repentance and baptism for the remis- sion of sins unto little children. For it is evident that liule children cannot repent of that which they know nothing about. And allow me to say that infants have not committal! sins to be baptized for the remission of them. John preached the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Acts 13: 24. Saying imto the people, that they should believe on him which 1 ■ I f 1 ■■"^^S^f " _^ '^ift our 21 BhouliS come aOcr him, that is, on Christ Jesufl. Acts 19: 4.. Mark, my friciuls, John preached to all the people of Israel, and not to a'* the infants. Therefore he was determined to leave them all without excuse if they rejected him. But lor all, a great manv did not l.elieve what John preached to be true. And who do vou think they were? It was not the Publicans and common people, hut the Pharisees and lawvern— those wise and great men, which ouiiht to haVe known better. But I suppose they thou-ht that thoy had the true rei'irjon ; and Uiat they knew much hotter than what John (t^od 8 servant whom he had sent,) could tell them. Lul for all they had so much learning, thoy were wrong, and John was riaht. See Luke. And all the peo- ple that heard him, and the Publicans lustined God, being baptized with the baptism ol John. 15ut the Pharisees and lawyers .rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized ot htm. Chp. 7: 29, 30. That is, they (the Pharisees and lawyers,) disbelieved and disobeyed the word of truth spoken bv John the servant of the most High God. But what do you think Christ sa.th about those great, w-se, and learned men, that professed to have such a great knowledge of the holy scrip- ture's. See Mat. " But woe unto you, bcnbcs and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut the kingdom of heaven ao^ainst men ; for ye neither go m your- selves, neither sulTer ve them that are entering to coin." Chap. 23: TK Mark this, for this was the case with some of you. " And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusa- lem and were all baptized of him in the river Jordan confessing their sins." Mark 1 : 5. This verse irives us a plain description of the persons whicU f 22 were baptized by John in the river Jordan ; and I fear no contradiclion when I i=ay that l.Seir were no infants baptized by John amongst all the number which he baptizeil in t!ie river Jordan at this time, or at any other time, acconiinv to the history given by the (bur Evangelists, Manlievv, Mark, Luke and John. For 1 l)elicve that they gave us as true an account as any man could give; for they wrote by the influence of the Holv Spirit. But says one, bow do you prove that there were no infants bap- tized by John in the river Jordan? First proof: because John preached that men should repent; and allow me to say, that infants could not repent of the'-r sins before they knew what sin was. Second, John preached that tiiey should believe on him that s-liould come after }»im, that is on Christ Jesus. And common sense tells us thai infants are not capable of believing ucfore they get understand- ing. Thin), they that were baptized by John confessed the^r sics; and common sense savs, in- fants have ni cojumiitod rins to confess them, nor are they ca| a!5l<^ ol' making confession. And as not one vv(;n! is vnid a! out infant children being brougiit, (."• ^v>!^•lig to him, iie certrJnly baptized none, or ^•onle one nl the evangeli>is would have Raid some tiiirg aiitjiit it, a'nl God would never have fluflbred us to be left in the t}A\A on a subject of so great importance. And we are not bound to believe or obey what God has neither made known nor commanded. Rom. 4:5. THE SCRIPTURE ^^ODE OF BAPTISM. The evangelist Mark tell us they were all bapti- sed of John in the river Jordan. But why did ha nor w 23 take them in the river if he only wonted to sprinkle them, seeing he might have done it with greater ejjsc, ami sooner hv the side of the river, than he couUl have done in it, for common sense tell us that it is much easier to walk when cut of the water than it is when in it. And had his commission hiKi to pour the water on those he baptized, com- rnu. sense says, he woukl not have taken the inha- hitants of Jerusalem so (\^r from home as the nvcr Jordan, while there was water sulTicient (or that purpose quite near to Jerusalem ; for the scripture assures us, that the brook Cedron was there, and that the Saviour and his ilisciples crossed it on the n'MM he was bctraved. John 18:1. So I expect there was not water sulVu-ient for John to baptize the people in \\\e brook Cedron ; and knowing that he must follow his Lord's direction and not his own inclinations, he went to the large river Jordan, where there was water sufficient to immerse, or bury, or plunge ihe whole body in. "And John also was baptizing in iEhion near to Sahm, because there was much water there; and they came and werebapti7.ed. John 3: 23. If scripture, common sense, ami present custom are to guide us, we are at once led to the conclusion that lie baptized by immersion: for John, in this passage, says he wim baptizing in iEnon, l)erauso there was much water there. And common sense says there could be no necessity for goin|>: into much water for the purpose of sprinkling. And present custom says they who practice sprinkling always make choice oi little water because thev must have it all in a small ves- sel ; (take noJice'of this,) not to put the child in, but the ends of his fingers only. But who will be- lieve in this new fashioned way of baptizing, whib I •t is ■ '■ ' 24 the scripture bo plainly tells ns that John was bap- tizing in A^^non because there was much water there. " And ihoy went down both inti) the water, imlh Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him." Acts 8: 35 to 3D. Question. If Philip did not baptize the Kunuch by immersion, why did they both go down into the water when a little in a small vessel according to present custom would have ani^wcred the same purpore ] And to have baptized the ImiuucIi in his carriage would have boen paving honour to whom honour is due. But the people disputed not which way baptism should be done in Philip's day as they do now, so they went down both into the water and Philip baptized him. " And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, tliat the Eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." And Annanias said unto Sajl, " Arise and be baptized and wash away thy gins calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22: 1(). And common sense says, that plunging the the whole body in water, looks more like washing than sprinkling a few drops on the face, " And he arose and was baptized and v/ashed away his sins calling on the name of the Lord." Reader, this is the way you mu^ t do if you ever want your sins washed away. " Know ye not that so many of us as were t)aptizetl into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death that like ab Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, t/enso we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of liis resurrection.** Rom. 6 : 3, 4-, 5. ^P ■•!# the 25 To be l,apti'/e-omeg,-cat,hingwo.,ldsttlu>uno bavo do..cit' how mncl. rather then, when he ^ala. to lee VVn h, and he clean 1" So afie.; he i^o over Is ra.' be be-an I s..np.,s-e to tbb.k be bud better .^::fb;messenoerl.ad\.,ldbi,n The.,hevv.m^ down, and dipped hin,>c I .oven t.,r,es .n J . da-w occmlins: to the saying ol the men ol God : a..d lie was dean." 'i Ki.^a^ & = '"^ ,i'> '*•" , .. ., . And thus some of the people now say, and think that .heir own way of baptism is ,pist "Yf;"*"' "^ belter (Naaman like) than the vvay '"^g'j' '^ ^'"^^ and his apostles. And no woncbn- ; f""' ^ '"f ''^l^""^ of their minis.e.-s in Sheet Ila.b.mr ;«>'' J^^f^" preaching to the people, that it d,.l not matter the veightofa featbir which wav tl.ev we.e bap .zed. Like people, like priest. Hosea 4: 9. But it would be much better for the people lo do as Naa- 26 man did, to repent, nnddo as ihey are commanded, and they shall he clean. Acts 2 : 'J8. Question, Do you ihinlc that Naaman would have heen cured of his leprosy, if he had gone and dipped in some of the rivers of Damascus, which he iaid was heller than all the waters of Israel 1 Ansioer, No. Question, Do you, who have been sprinkled for baptism, which is'not baptism, suppose that you will ever he cleansed from your sins, be- cause you say and think that it is as good a way and better than to be buried with Christ by baptism far the remission of your sins'? Answer. N'o ; you can not wiih reason expect this, because you do that which you cannot find in all the word of God. Mat. 15 : 9. Question. Well says one, what will become of all those that died before this •:;ospel came 1 Answer. God has the dead safe enough. Do you try to save yourself from this wicked gene- ration. For all that have died without hearing the gospel will not, and cannot be condemned for not obeying it. But woo unto them that hear it, and reject it. For it will be more tolerable (favourable) for them who have died without hearing the gospel than (or you. Mat. 11: 20 to 24^. " Thcreloro we are buried with him by baptism into death." If the apostle Paul had studied to use a stronger figure to show that baptism was performed by immersion he could not have done it. For common i:cnse tell us that to bury signifies to cover over. And all sects and parties of religion agree, that Christ died, was buried, and rose again. And does not our being buried in the water, and our rising again out of the water, represent the burial a ul resurrection of Christ more strikingly than sprinkling a little water on the face can do 1 common sense says so. 27 For if we have been planted loacthcr in the likeness of his death, wo shall he also in the likeness of his resurrection That is, if wc have been buried with him by baptism (which represents b.is death and l)uriai, we shall be in the likeness of his resurrecti- on,) the same as we would plant, or bi.ry n grain of wheat, which represents his death and burial. See John 12: 24.. "Verily, verily, i say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, ii abideth alone ; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." Question. Does sprinkling a little water on the face of an infant look any thing like planting'? For it reads, if we have been planted (not sprinkled,) in the likeness of Christ's death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Which is as much as if the apostle has said, except ye be planted m the likeness of Christ's death, ye shall not be in the likeness of his resurrection, when you rise from the dead. Therelore it ought to be your earnest desire to find out what is meant by been planted in the likeness of Chri^'t's death. And ifyo) will let cinnmon sense explain it, you will find out what is meant bv been planted in the like- ness of Christ's death : For common sense says you cannot plant any thing in the likeness of his death, unlc^^s you cover it over, or bury it ; for Christ was covered or buried, when he was enclosed in the tomb. St. Paul in his epistle to the Colossians, proves that b&ptism by immersion is the right way. For hesaith, "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sittcth at the right hand of GU." Col. 3: 1. Common sense Ba^'ys we must understand from this, that they must have beta buried with him in baptism, or it could m.A mttrnM^iiiii i. 28 not be soil), if yo be rifiCii with iiim seek thojwj things which are above. Ami the apostle Paul naith in the chapter before this, that ibis is the very thinj^ wherein the CoU>ssians were risen with hinn. Seotol. 2: 12. Ami common sen^e taiih, if the apostle ilo not mean what he say^, he meaus noihinjr, ami no man can tell what he does mean. Ami as Goil is a just (Jtul, can we uppose that ho WouM have loft us his will, or word, in such a dark and mvslcrious v/ay, that he couUl not und';rstand it] anil ihen punish us for n(»t performing Ml com- mon sense ?»iswcrs, no; For the Saviour Kaith, ♦< Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, ••ball enter'into the kiiigtlom^of heaven ; but he that doclh the will o( my father which is in heaven. Thorefore \n hosoeverlieareth these Hayings of mine, ami docth tlwrni, I will lilNcn him uiilo a wise man, which built hi:5 house upon a rock : and the rain descended, and the floods cam'^ and the winds blew, and boat U|)on that iiouse ; and It fell not : lor it was founded upon a rock. Ai\d every one that hcareih these sayin^.s of mine, and docth tbemi m)t, shall be likone'd unto a fyolish man, which buiit his house upon the fc'and : And the rnin de- scended, and the (bnxls came, and the winds blew, and beat upon tliat house ; and it fell : and great was the fall of it." Mat 7 : 21 to 27. Common ncn3C says vou bad better do what Christ saith in his word, and not what men say. But the last and greatest proof, that haptism by immersion is tho rif'bt way is the fact that the Saviour proves it frcmi lire conversation that took place between himself and - icodcmus, who you will recollect came to Jesus by night and acknowledged him to be a teacher come from God ; and Jesus said unto Nico- W-^i^-'^mrr^i^^ ^^"'f^^OT^-l 'avcn. mine, tnnn, :» rain winch I not : V one i them whirh lit; (Ic- i blew, 1 great iiimion aith in ist anil is tlio it from limsclf am»j to 1 be a ) Nico- ** 4 I 29 demu^ "Verily, verily, I fia\ unto thee, Fxrrpl n man be born again, he cannot fco tlie km^'doni of God." And it ia evident f-om the reply that Nicf>. demuH made, that bo understood not wlmt JcauB meant by being born a^^ain, or be never woidd nave raid, how can a man that is old U^ ' ^»rn again] can he enter the pecond time into bis mothcr'a vvomo, and bo born? and Je«UM feeing that he did not understand him, and to sati.-^fy bis loolish curiosity, and to make him undcrHUuul, thnt to be born again wrs n t to enter into the svoUil), (as be had asked,) but into the water, to make the Hul>ject plain, said, " V^erily, verily, I nav unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of' the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3: 5. Common pcnse says this is n settled principle laid down by Jesus himself, which puts all men's religion to the test. No matter to what sect, party, or denomma- tion we belong. Jesus saith, " Except a man he born of water ai.d of the spirit, be cannot enter the kin-dom of God." No matter how often we cry, Lor'd, Lord, no matter how often we go to inecting, no matter how often we do penance, no matter how much we read, study, and pray, in fact, it matters not, how good we may suppose we are, or may be, it is a settled principle laid (' n by the autho- rity of High heaven that, "Except a man, (not a child,) be born of water and of the Spirit, be cannot enter the kingdom of God." For Christ hath said it, and he cannot lie. And he that thinks or hopes to get into the kingdom of God witnout being born of the water and the spir* may just as well think and hope that Christ will tell a lie; which is impos^ «ible. Heb. C: 18. Therefore it is requisite for all who are. or intend to i^trive to get into the kirg- C 30 inm of 0.»c1, to know what is meant by b?lng born ;,f ihc^ water, mul of the spiril, lor on lUis rc«t. hi« R^ur^ Cerrirl salvaf.on. And in oidor lo uac ers and ,vhat it H to bo horn again, wo nmst understand what it ir* to be born llio fu-Ht lime : I or Chnn naith we mo«i be l)ora again. Thoretbic the nccond birth ran-t n «:nhlc ihe first. And common sense says, to be bori the first time nigtiifies to come forth from .vered and hidden state ir.to our proper element t.,»ce. So then to be born uf tie water we iniist fii-t be put into the water, and bo immersed, or covered over in the water. And then we mxiA hp brou^'ht forth from that covered and hid ^tate into our prop*'., element of exisienee again. And then common sense tells us, as well as the scr.pture, that Huch a min or woman is born again of the water and this ih what tiie Saviour means ; l(.r he snith iuat what he mr>nns: hence a man must he born ot the water and of the spirit hefore he can enter the kingdom of God. And common sense say^j t^a to •nrinkle a little water ou the (\ice of an mlant bas no resemblance (twist it which way you will.) ot being born nunin of the vvntor. Common sense eavs! t-. %e born of water, at.d not ot the spirit, vvd avVii nothing. Therefor we shall notice what Chan- takes place in the man or woman that is .born^ofthe water and of the spirit: For the two are ui^ep<^^al)ly connecte^l together. CHRIST'S EXPUCATION OF BFING BORN OF THF. SPIRIT. Chii.4 ^aitb to NicodemiH, " The wind blowcth where it listcth, and thou hearest the sound thereot, bat canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither • 3 91 it eocth : so is every one llmt in born of the Spirit.*^ Though -io inunner in which this now birth i« eflertcd by the spirit !)e incomprehensible, yet wc must not on thi.: ground suppose it imposnib c : * or ,t iH a fact that wo cannot tell from what place the wind conieib and whither it «oeth, neither c«n we 8CC it: But the great etVects it has on dillerent thin^m arc clearly seen. For instance, the noilor sees the creat etVect it produccn when it raises iho sea mountains high, tears hi J sails, breaks his masts, and drives his vessel on ihe lee shore. And wo 'ee its clVect in the niotion of trees, and in the motion of fields of corn, and in fact we feel it on ourselves ; but we cannot discern the wind itselC we only know that it exists by the effect which it produces. So is every one that is born of dio Spirit. Ihat m, the eflect which ihc spirit produces in the man or woman who is bom of God, are as discernible, and as clearly seen, as th ^se of the wind ; but the Spin itself we cannot see. But he that is born ()f God knows that he is thus born. " For the Spirit itselt bcareth witness with our Spirit, that we are children of God.^' Rom. 8: U>. That is, »y the good elL^ct which the Holy Spirit produces in iiim who has experienced the new birth which are as discer- nible as those of the wind, bein§ "love, joy, peace, long-suaering, gentleness, goodne:s, (iuth, meekness, temperance." "And they th^t arc Christ s have crucin?d the nesh with the affections and usts.^ Gal. f): :?• 24.. But lest any that call, and think themselves 'christians, and have not obeyed the fullness of the gospel as it is stated in the scnpturcF of truth by Christ and his apostles, I wdl say to you as Clu'ist said to the young man in the gospel, one thing thou lackest; and that is, emce thoii 32 bolievest thou hast not been baptized for the reniis- aion of thv sins according to the scripture. Christ 9 commancis is, ''Go ye into nil the word, and preach the gospel to every creuture ; He that bchev- U and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16 : 15. Peter. " "Repent, and be baptized every one oi you m the name oi Jesus Christ for the remission of sins " Acts 2 : 38. " And now why tamest ihoul arise, and be baptized, ancl vvash away thy ams, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts ^Zx lb. The advice of Peter and the other apostles is, ' We ought to obey God rather than man." Acts 5 : 5dy. THE DESIGN OF BAPTISM. Concessions by Eminent P^do Baptists, or learned men that are not baptists alloiv or grant that baptism hy immersion is the right loay. 1. Witsius.— "Immersion into the wateris to he considered by us, as exhibiting that dreadful abyss of divine justice, in which Christ for our sins, took on himself, and was fo^ a time ^^bec-beil ; as in David, his type, he co: j^ains, (1 s. bC : J.) I am weary of my crying, my throat is dned ; mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." More particu- larlv, seeing such an immersion deprives a person of light, and of other things pertaining to this world, it excellently represents the death of Christ, while his continuance imder water, however short, de- notes the burial of Christ, and the lowest degree of his humilation ; when being laid in a sepulchre that was sealed and guarded by the Roman .oldiers, he was considered as entirely cut off. Immersion out of the water exhibits an image of his resurrec- tion^ or the victory which being dead, he obtained fW 33 over death in his own dark domains, ^^^^ J!; jj^. overueain ^^ intimates, (Kom b . n!) f£t Newton,-" BapV.m was x.ua - ,0 signify the person's °^;;"/Srecrn to a new Ch.t; represented hi. su W, Kb;';^ r?t"drf''°1 Richr Ba.,er.-" In o«r 5s;r.?at dipped under J--;^r4td i„g our covenant profe^^'""' '»» "f„ "xhey (your for sin, we are dead and hur.ed to mu^ ^;^y^'-> „,.. lusts) are fre 1. J J^^^^^^'J^t ,.„L old man \. water, to s.gn.fy «'^, P'"f^^;,J/t„-holincss, as we dead and buried. W e are rai^ca xo ■ ^.' ,2, .^f.hf. water in baptism, l^ol. ~. n? 'fj ^rSiS:^^rSt{^s'- tJ is ".'"ceremony of wh J ^---"^J^: water, when we J-e £ d, ' ^^-s,^^^^^ ^^^^ died to sin, «"J.*':'\,i''^; ,?.ould no more return immersion, signified that we ivouiu to our disorderly practices, m vvhich we l.%ca ""^^'^BrttVcl -«S; Ohe primitive Christi- !ip!f;SSdelothes^-l.e^^^^^^^^^^ '^11^ in t -5 which notably sign- • --^ " — 1 ~ f -'i^^H 1 «j .**>■ . / reJS;- 34 fiocl the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, as the apostle speaks, and their enduring a state of death or mortification after ihe similitude of Christ ; accordingto the apostle's langno2;e elsewhere, "We are baptized into his death-- We are buried with him in baptism.'* 7. Buddeus.— Immersion, which was used in former times, was a synihol and an image of the death and burial of Christ, and at the same time, it informs us, that the remains of sin, which are called the old man, should be mortified." 8. Dr. Whitby.—" Therefore we are buried with liim by baptism, plunging us under the water into a conformity to his death, which put his body under Ihe earth; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glorious power of the Father, even so we also, thu dead in baptism, should rise with }iim and walk in newness of life." 9. Bp. Hall. — *• Ye are in baptism buried together with Christ, in re- spect to the monification of your sins, repre^ented by vour rising up out of the water ng:>in, through that iaith of your.:', grounded upon the mighty power of God ; who hath raised him from the dead." 10. Pictetus.~"That immersion into, and emersion out of the water, practiced by the ancients, signify the death of the old, and the resurrection of the new man." 11. Bp. Davenaut.— " In baptism the burial of the body of sin, or of the old Adarn, is represented, when the person to be baptized is put down into the water; as a resurrect )n, when he is brought out of it." 12. Dr. Boys.— " The dipping in holy baptism has three parts ; the putting into the water, the continuance in the water, and the com- ing out of the water. The putting into the water doth ratify the mortification of sin by the power of Christ's death, as Paul says (Rom. 6:3.) "Know ye -^5 *&.- 35 „ot that an .. -hWV. hnve been g-J --^^J'-; Chri.., have been ''»P'!f-«'^ .„" !^,^\tf,.:,,nn.nn<-,. old man is cruc.l.c.l vi"-'f-';;;^ ^? 4 '1 co.ni,. Christ's death and bvmal. J «"• J : *;^ ,,.„,vo«uo>> out of the water, hgures o";^!^"'^^',^,, ..or c-i ,nd vivification to newness olhfe, ^^ '^, 1,_. , 1,, Christ's resurrectum." R"'"-..^,; ^ "' fc,, l.apli.m. 13. Grotius.-" B""f - ; ^^,^ un-u^ ot -t Not only -^hc wo,^ baptism n^tth^^^ ,, intimates this. F. 1 f "\„' ,„„„„r beheld, bears body in water, so that .t »";>'"?.;;//„ ^ e dead. Sred i'n fortr times, an image both ol a burU and of r. ret^urroct.oti." ^^^^^ ^^.^^ , 14 Dr. Hanmiond.— " It is o mn •- . i:ro\;:'^;atr];e:;it^'ai burial of Christ.' ancient m^^rirer 'm wlter, and taUin, "•- "^^j^^S-;",,' Ve .econd, i>is *!>-« ^-°.»^'n;:rKraretHfi Christ we ^vent rising again.— Info "'« B'^ ,j ,, be bu- not ; for our bodies were "" ' ^"'' " ^ ^ ynd of ried with his ; InU m °«'' ^P^ "'^„,,- ,, „re under analogy or resemblance, ^vhde our bod , ^.^„ the water, vve may be sa>d to b^^^^^^^^^ Common sense ^^y^^ f^^'^l^n eminent men, scripture, proof given bj these nn ; !„„ who were not t«P^f ' f » .^/f;'^^^ be per- was and is the right way, hey wou ^ ^ g ^ ^ suaded though one rose from the dead. i.ub > it 36 THE HOUSEHOLDS WHICH WERE BAP- TIZKO BY TH'*: APOSTLES EXAMINED AND EX- PLANED BY THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH AND NO Cnn.DREN FOUND IN THEM. « And we were in that city certain days. And on the sa])l)alh we went out of the city by a river Kide, where prayer was want to be made ; and we sat down and spake imto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller, of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, hoard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, ami her houshold, she besought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come in to my house, and abide there. And she constrain- ed us." Acts 16: 12 to 15. Common sense says, the first thing that proves Lydia's household, which was baptized, did not consist of infants is this; infants are incapable of believing the gospel, which is the first principle re- quired of all that apply for baptism according to the scripture and Christ command to his apostles. " And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16: 15, 16. According to the instructions given here by Christ to his apostles no man of common sense can dispute or deny, that faith or a belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, is not required of all that ap- ply for baptism. And common sense tells us that infanta are not capable of believing the gospel of Jesus ( for bapt the inst not, ar of belie lure w< and en at this before he wo guide their i John apostl whats Now tamei wher ve m into ' founi 6ens< nece hav( com gos[ he T tani car fort cor 1 : spi BOl I for II 37 ou • . Thnrpfore thcv are not fit subject* Jeaus Christ. /' "f;"'/ '"^^^s went according to for baptism. And il the * '°^"<'?,; . „,e^ ^ouhl the instruction given f '"^^y S^'^t'^ereTncapable „„t, and durnt not ''»Pl"^° J>3 ^:?o ,he .crip- of believing the go.pc A" ^^-^ =,„ „„ ^^ong, ture we know that t»''."r''"_^ .,„,, ,,.„, „iven them and err in their comnr-ssionvvcl,. as ^^.^^ at tliis time by Jesus ^^'''^'.-'i'lje promised that before he ascended "1^"'^' ^of ,.Si w ch should he wouldsend them f«^P"^^^;f^ 12 things to guide them into aU J^^ ' «^? \,^^ ^^fj unto them." their remenr.brance wba.S'oevcr nt- John 14: 26. Murk, the Sp.t that J*^.u«sa apostles should [--f :/ ^^t:•.^rnembrancl^ ^'"^"rJthrnitt r ad of in the New Te.- Now of all things uiai vvv anostleB, tament, that ever Jesus «« ; "f V, '„„,i u.em, where can we find ,t ''>«;f:»''"V,thev cannot enter ye -r ^^^'tm oIgo Th'e nswer is not to be i.ito the kingdom otU(.a. 1 common found in aU the iWyScg"^^^^^^^^^ sense -y V^ s^ va «" "'^^^^^^ ^^^"* T" necessary for the haivauui , •, gg well as have commanded his ap. sties " ° "', ,. j the • ^, .0 command them to b^^r^^LliAUu po'e that fl^^^^ gospel. And we «--^^*£S^Lh'an impor- he would have le ^« >^^h;„''^,„,, ,ays, surely we tant subject. But C""^""" ^^^ jes„9 would be cannot suppose fV. ^ J;^;"^;' ,hem instructions forty days with his aP°^"f,^^S'Y"g ^ g j (^cts concerning the things of th« ^mg^.^l^ they must l: 3.) and then forget to tell them th. y ^^^.^ Bprinkle little children . it wa^ "«^^^„f j J,„, would bLuIs salvation. It could ""'f ' ^'^^^ / ^^ ^be sal- forget any ttiing that would be necessary J' 38 valion of men or children. For with him the pafll present and the rutiiro was all present. But com- mon ^ense says, the next thing that proves there was no infants haplizeon «en.e says, there can e ' oj^^^ "J„^,,.,„„,d. ,„ by, belore tl-y -ne o the >ca o' ^^^^ ^^,,^„, i„f, to know what law is. ' '^ ' -• ^^^^ a„j be require of them to repent ""' ;^"7,, ^ ,\,, ,,„„e l.apti-/ed for the remnsmn of H'?'" J^' ^^^j ^m to'the year, of ""^'^^f "'SVu-n nrU.c ple« of the ro-iuire of them to obey '>^« |'' J^,I^^'"\^,,,, ,,„p,ism Gospel, which are fa>ih, 7'" "'"^^ ;„",„ ^f „„da f„, I'ho refusion «f ^,"'*' "" 'A'° '^i^'a^i U: 17. for the reception f.^''« "i^'j,, f^^o tr.n^^^ LvJia And the next thing that g(>e^. o puv^ .....^i^gd ia hat no infant, in l- 1'"-^;;^';!, ," J ,'a' luld this •. it cannot be ^^^^^^ t something very at this time, and 1 tl> nK it v.ou ^^ ^^ .trange, if she had a ...^.a-^, ^ ^ "ul ^^^^^^^^ ^.^ go so often to be-- 1 o" e »i 1 lie .^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^ name once. A'.d "] i"*^^ /, ,. > ■ f„r alter she must have thongW very ' J;"^ 7;„, gilas, Bhe was baptized .he ^aid unio » come into my house and a do there Bee she exdndes h.m " ':f^ ^^'^,;;, „; 'e and ahide Nowifshehadsa, cmie to ourh^^ .he had a there, we ""S'" .^ Up Paul nor Silas, ever husband ; but neither ^1>^; / ^"'' ",. g,, i think „,en1ion his "-"^^"■y;"!'.;^^",: foundation to that Lydia's household i. a ^'-'.^'1 ^hat is all ibis build infant ^^l-''"";"? "X^;j ^"Un the word of supposition to the child "^ "i^ ^'^^■^'^^,„,,j „f Lydia's. Griissoptainconcerning^hi h u eb^^^ J For we read (Acts 1^; *";'",. ^.^ ,he house of ..eiit out of£ Ve"; r; 1 rbthren, they S'rt^ftllem" and- departed. Common sense ?.-'l. !l 40 Bays, it ia plain thnt Paul and Silas came out of priBon anil went into the lioiise of Lytlia ; and it is equally plain ihcv r'lw llio brrlhrcn, or lydia'a householil, comfoiiod them and departed. Novvcom- mon sense says that Paul and Silas could not comfort infants or little chiMren by rtdjearriing unto them all the troubles they had underjrono since they last saw them, '' Saying unto them, that the multitude rose up together againened, and every one's bands were loosed." Acts 16: 22 to 26. 'Common sense asks — Are infants called brethren? And co\ild not a mother comfort infants better than Paul and Silasl And was not the place where \\u^y were assembled by the river side, a very convenient place foi immer- eionl Acts 16: 13. THE HOUSEHOLD OF THE JAILOR. « Siis, what must I do to be saved 1 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou phalt be saved, and thy hou^e." Act8 16: 30, 3i. I trust you understand'that Paul and Silas were put in jail for a certain crime which the Romans said they were guilty of, which was this: the preaching of the gospel, and for casting out of a certain damsel an evil spirit, with which she was possessed, whereby she brought her masters much gain by ^oothsajiing, or fortune telling. And when her J mastcra and that Paxil's c caught market tliem to to be 1 and Sil and sin them, fimnda founds in a servar their nvvak< out o And .a.c. e„w ..at ..e cl ^^^^^^^^ and that .heir ^^^V^^J'l^^^^,, of aWmoUon, tbey ca»gM Paul a"<^ Sr/ulor" a-ut tV,e rulers caxmed niarket place unto U.e njc ^^^ ^^,, „ fr, ,he.n to be flogged, on <..-t ,„ij„i hi Paul ,„ be r"t r f'> >t Mhe.t.'cUs,\.cEantopray Bnd Silas vvi;f jV.' ;,-^;,„ ,lu., v^•ho J foundations ol the Jainir. .p„ardlc=^s of Co 18 i„ a sound .^l«^^^I^»V''.^:V.;r,es unto God w.th gervanls praying ami smgn . ^^^^^^^^ how .o ,heir feet in the storks. 1 ut U ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ awake him out of sleep "^^ / „,.t of pnson. out of the stocks, ;" ;';; ,;.„w he ^'as a mnner, And by this mean. < '« J^'"'; ,j he k,>ew that Pau and in a dangerous ^'"''^e. f^ ^r God. So he cr.ed and Silas «erc the ser ants^^^^^^^^ ^ out '• Sirs, what [""^^f 'l^Xe, and he desired to there was ^oniethu^g to « ' ^^,. ,,ied, «Be- know what it was. And tue ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ he lieve on the Lord J^-b Chu.t^a^^ ^^^^^^^ saved and thy ■'<";-^; j ^he whole of the Jailor » dreadful even, had a^^^ji^g, ,„„ ,o a?s.st h.m: house, or famdy, wbo had hke y ^^^^^^^^ for they knew that vf *e P' ^^hen Paul coin- their Father must d.e. r^e^^^^,^ je«us Chr.st he manded him ^oM^^^^^, *\ud on this condtUon commanded aU 1^'« 'f.'^/j;;, ^nd thy house. And Paul said, thou ^Ivaltbe -.a e ^^^^^^, heUeve. common sense ^^V^'.'/f „„ ^j^.ts in the Jailor s Therefore there could Ik, no n ^_^^^ ^^^^ ^, hou9.-hoid, that were baptu,e.i. J I 11 42 algo said in the 32 verse. "And they spoke untohim (ihe Jaiior) the word of the Lord, and to all that were m hia house." Common sense sayw that this verso proves i)cyond contradiction, that there were no in- fants or little children in the Jailor's houje. For it saith, they (Paul and Silas) spoke, or preached the word of the Lord to all that were in his house. And common wmiso says that Paul and Silas could not, and would not preach to infants or little children: For they are not capable of understanding the word of the Lord. And he (the Jailor) took them (Pau. and Silas) the same hour of the ninhi, and washed their stripes; and was l)aptized,he and all his straight- way," verse 33. " And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them, and re- joiced, believing in God with all his house," verse U. Mark this reader ; after they were all baptized he (the Jailor) l)rou;i;ht them (Paul and Silas) into his house and set njcat before them. And common sense savs that this proves they must have went out to be baptized. And if baptism could have been done by sprinkling as it is practised in our day, wha)^ necessi'ty co\ild there be for the Jailor and his famdy to be taken out at the dead hour of the night, to be baptized. I expect Paul and Silas knew nothing about this nev; fashion way of baptizing, which is called sprinkling. But they know where John the Baptist used to go to baptize, and they knew where Christ went to be baptized of John in the river Jor- dan ; and they knew where they had baptized Lydia, and her household a day or two before this at a cer- tain river in the same City Philippi in which the Jailor lived. See verse. 13. For it is plain they went out to some place and got baptized. For it saith, when he (the Jailor) washed their (Paul and Sdaa) str his houtt bevingb mon ficr done w likely ti' at night ihis wa (ants 01 come Can in they l> Then 1 mily. reluse Coi very \ Saa«) stripes and ^^l'^^:^Z^;!:Z:^ ,,o„o with this houHchol . ^i' "-f " .^,,, „,,,ocW ,,ucly they wouM take '>J»"'^^^"^, ,^\ ^.ncn.her that ai night tohapu/c t'^"' 'i'^^>''^Z ,;„„ o. Can iu- ,hiH vvas done at "•!'>"'»' '.,;f God hcforo they fants or little '=1'''^]''^%^^^'^:,", Question 3. come to yearH of ""^f f;'"^ "^.;„ i.^God bcforo Can infant, or little ^InUhen r jo co ^. j.^__ ,Uoy knovv that ^\^^l^l\fZtl>^ ,fc JaiU.c-H Va- ^"'FSairSS-d":. rejoiced, and notono «AndCr.ap>ir. the ^1.' f' \" \ , ^ . and many believed on the Urd w.th »" '^« '^""^„^j' ,,ere bap- of the Corinthians hearing;, believtu, anu tized." Acts 18 ; 8. .„rtainlv plain that Common sense ^»y«'/^^.*'^„a it is equally as Crispus believed on the Lo d am t .s , _ >^^^ ,,,am that his house, or ^^ "£' ^^'jr'b'.v.cvcd, and "'""^ "'.'", ^ rtr^e -e that the npos.leB were bai>ti7.ed. So-incu "'^ , • g ndivi- baptized none ^ ^I'^^her hou^l old - ^^y ^jj .„,» au'als) but »el-.cvers. AnJ '^ -S,i/„t,,.em, as Christ commn.ided then, «nc ^^ ^^^ » Go ye into all »---''', ,e ha-' ^ '-J*'T^ every creature ; "^ ^''V'^'u'iievclh ..ot shall be 44 himself, " Chriat sent mo not to l)apti'/e but to preach the gosnrl." 1 Cor. I : 17. Put common senfC tayii that Pan! iIoch not mean that he wah not to bap- tize any : For ho hapti/cd thi.^ very househoUl. Sec 1 Cor. 1 : 14. '^ I ibank Cod that I baptized none of you, butCii.pus and Gains ;" « Aud han- liz'^dal/o the househoU of Stephanas." So U m evident that Paul meant that he was to preach tlic gospel firritto every creafirc, «»V> ^l»^*" ^^?, H;}''^^ them who ..hculd helieve, junt as Christ gaid. Mark ]() • 15. But a great mnnv that call themselves mm- istern of the gospel dilTer very much from I aul in thiM respect: For instead of preaching the gospel first, and l)aplizing all that believe, they sprinkle fircit, and call it baptism, and preach the f;ospel to them when they grow up to men «"'* ^\^»"^^^; And in so doing they turn upside down vyhat Faul preached. But hear wha* St. Paul saith to such, " But though we, or an angol from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that vhich we have preached unto you, let h-n be accursed. Ah we laid before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which ye have received, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8, 9. And David saith all God's commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever. Psm. Ill : 7, ». STEPHANAS AND HIS HOUSEHOLD BAPTIZED. St Paul. " And I baptized also the household of Stephanas." 1 Cor. 1.16. Mark, a description of this household is not here given to inform us whe- ther they were infnnts that were Iroptized with their parents, or whether they had com. to years of un- derstanding. For it is n.tsaid whether they believed or disbcheved. But you may rely upon U,. that ii i 45 ,hcy all wore Imlievcr., and capable "f ""''f '■'^^^i" She go.pel, which had been preached unU. .hem For 1 1.0 ap^llci. ba|.li/ed noi.o b.il bel.ever«. Hut Eu L- what St. Pa..l naUh "'-ut the ».o.|- .'^J of Siepl.n..aH : for he wan the i*r.on «» » N'^^^J ii ...n And he mmht l« know whether they were r u tha'rl.e''bapl'i-,.ed wi.h their parents .,r whe- ther (hey were belicveri. St. I'a.il « Answer. i Eeed. you, brethren, (ye know the ho«»c o Ste- nlmn'^i .hat it is the lirst frnits of Acha.a, and that £ .avo addicted lho.n«elve8 to .he ..""-.ry of .he lain.s.) that ye subn.it your.elve. u,.to «uch.' 1 Cor. *"Lefus'l!.'ok at 1. and exan.ine H carefully, and «ee i i"das could do as St. Paul .aith the hoHse- h„U o San- did. He sai.h they were .ho f.r.t it"o?AThaia, that i., .hey were J.e '--V -vor.. to .l.risiianilv in Acbaia, ihc fir:^! that obe>ea xne ' i on ">caring which .hey be'ieve, and were baptized. And the next .lung f «>' J"^{,;''^yi„t. di.'.ed themselves to the nunmliy of the saints. liaX .his. That is, they l-lped, assisted, and st.p- plied .he wan.s of .he .amts. Let n.e ask you •onld infants help, assist, and supply the wu .s ol the saints? Common sense says .hey could no., de s the r children we,e son.e.hing superior o " Ulren in our day. And .he next .lung we ought o observe is, .hal S.. Paid beseeches .he Corm.ln- ns t:,submi;«nto .he household Stephanas Now common sense tells us, that the apostle 1 aul wou d non.eteech the Corinthian Chnrch to subm.t un.o ""flniror mile children. Therefore these tlungs Ives to a demonstration, .hat there were no.nfants lap.ized in .he household of Stephanas. As the practice of baptizing n^{Mx% and sprmk '-^^M-. I\u I t(i ■l, ^ 46 «r ana have been for many r,ng r.r baptism, f^«";•^„^,\"Z believed in, and cemuricB pt...t, «^-"",;VcSan world, I shall refer practiced by most «» ^^i^^j^f ^'^j^ ,how when these ^o« 10 Ecclesia«t.cal h'«^"'^«"%;'; f^i^.^ver nothing Erroneous practices ongmated'.^^^^ .^^^^^^^ ^^ in the scriptures to P'-"^f^*',VerCacticed or ta«ght .prinklins for '^P*'^,'^';^'' Xs. Cu cellius, speak- by Jesus Christ, and ^^^^i^^r^^^v .^i^^ of infants ing of infant '^9"'"^";' f^f^'^er Christ,' was altogether in ti>e f;rst two . ontuf'es alter ' admitted nnknown,bulin *« *' Jand fou^^^^^ .^ by some few ; m tl'ef * ani _ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^p. universally re^^'^f " .^^"fthe third century, nor tiam wa. not P»«;'^^'^J^f foj^undred years after enjoined as necessary unt U 'm ^^ ^^^^,, ^^. Cilrist." Lutner says, J.t lU ^^ the sacred s^'P^f^^'^.l^he first Christians after the led bv Chris*, or began by the nrsi ^rament of aposL." Dr. Moshe^m sap^ ^ J^Ventury, with- baptism wasadmmisteredmth^^n ) ^^^j ^^^ out the public assemblies •" P^^^ ?P„,ed by an prepared for that P^T'^f'Xin the baptismal font." Lmersion of the whole body nth^^.^P ^^ ^^^ ^ The same ''«^h° ' S: ^ "J^' andc-remonies 'f '^\'f?^"tized, after they h'.d re- p,,s„ns that were to l^^ ^'^^ '^ renounced the>r Jlated the creed confessed ^^^^^^ ^.^ „, iins, and ?»'"«'^*S*4f under water, and re- allurements, were immersea u invocation ceived into Christ's k.ngom by a ^^^^^^^. of Father, Son, a""* Holy ^ho ^ ^^^ ^^^ express command of »«' Jfj^f,^„r-,,„, in his lastory William Gahan, a Cathohc f^or , ^^^^^^^^^^ tir''ttarb;;Srbed,„otbyimmersion Bse ing or ight ak- ints ther itled was bap- nor after 47 which was then the most usual method, but by Ssion, or the pouring on of water." Common sen" e says, we o^/ght to believe scripture, anO history nroof in favour of the scripture. . •^ Bu the fact is this, some people nre determ.nea not to receive the love of the truth (such as bel.ev- L first, and then being baptized by immersion for hi remission of sins f co««•'g,\^';',^^*^"PC? that they might be saved . See Mark 16:16 ; Rom . 6 VrActs 2 : 38. "And for this cause God shall .end 'them strong delusion, that they ^^'^^^i^f «- a lie- fsuch as infant sprinkling for baptism,) that the? aU might be damned who believe not the tS." 2Tiress. 2: 10, 11, 12. The Jct'S - an snrinkling is not once mentioned in all the Holv scr Mu es, neither by prophets, or apostles ; which sa prooflhat it is nothing but the invention of men established by the false priestcraft to Sft r»«"7 ^^ the people, or as the apostle Peter saith, to make merchandise of you. Hear his own words and Tudge for y-rsel/es, and see if it is not a fact what he iaith. " And thro igh covetousness [or a des.re fo get money] shall thoy (false teachers) with feigned woWor falsi doctrines]make merchandize of you. ' 2 Peter 2:3. As they have done many a time by fn anVsprinkling, when they (the false teachers) make the poor that can scarce live, or as the common ming is, make two ends meet, pay for the spnnk- Z of heir infants, which they (the false teachers) call baptism, and according to scripture is no bantism but a commandment of men ; and Christ 3^' Howbeit, in vain do you worship me teach- ing 'for doctrines the <^7-«"<^'";"*^// X'rk'? laving aside the commandments of God. Mark / • 7,^8. But it has come to pass just as Peter said it. ' 1 s 48 ■ , . ,u « thpre were false prophets also ,!.ould, for he «f *>' '^^j, ^'e «hall be false teach- among the people, even a. me ^^^^^^^ ei-s among you. ^nd m. >iy by reason ot [the false teachers] Pf "'^^ ^'^Vof tru h bViI be evil Uo.ntfaseteache.^h-va_> ot^^^^^ ,,,okeu ol. ^ ^^.^^'A. Peter saith there shall be there can be no mistake , I ete ,^^^j ^, ,,,. teachers,^n^ many^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,,,,„, ,, false ways. 1 "®f' "'? ' f„ue teachers are ; foi "•>■ "^ '"i ""^ Ifib dletuhel.llncl,bothsUaU Chr.st sa>th, Iftl e blmd e ^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^ ,^,, fall into the ditch. ho >" ' . , teaei,ers ; excuse for those who are le^^ '^^*''V'^'„i,,en us the and the reason i^ Jus, because (^odh- ^se^^^^^^^ scriptures to go by. /^'''V^' TnUp 5; 39. And us \o search the «"I}f ^ "eaJc hem, and do as if men and women will «°\^^^7;,, ,,,„' tl.e ditch, thev say, they must f Iff ^V°/^'Lch of England And hear what the art, le^^^^^^^^^^ not re^d in faith declares, ^ "''V'7",'t,„,i thereby, is not to the scriptures nor •"'^y ^e proved here l>> .^^^^^^ be required of «ny '-^^'..'J-^ ^^^ requisite or .le- as an article of faith, ... b tn . ^^^^^ ^^^^ cessarv to salvation. ""'\,^. '''/,• ..^ And it is Chvuch people o -^^g^;^^^ ^ Xnd in 1- confes- the doctrine of the Lhu un oi ,,j „„icha« «""— ;»KS .pi.lo.. of scriptures." 8. 3vil 49 What a pity the Presbyterians do not go by tins confessior, o( faith. But let us inquire into, and see what a false teacher is, and then we w. 1 be ab e to find out who they are. First, we must understand that God is an unchangeable being, fames 1 . 1 i • And if so, it is impossible for h.m to he. lleb- *> • IS. And the psalmist Uavid assures us tha all God's commandments are sure and stand fastlor ever and ever. Psalm 111: 7, 8. And Ghnst Zl it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than God's word to fail. Luke 16 : 17. Now ,f al h he true, which we have no reason to doubt, for it is God's holy word, surely then all that teach or preach any thin" that cannot be read in the scnptures, nor may he proved thereby, must be false teachers. And St 'Pavd saith (and surely we ought to bel.eve h m)" Though vve, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that wh,ch we have preached unto you, let him ^e accursed Gal. 1^ 8. Now surely it is easy to find ou who the fak.. teachers are, if vve will but take the trouWe, and search the scriptures as Christ commanded us, ?John 5: 39.)and see what doctrine the apostles preached in their day to dying men and women in Lder save them from .he powers of sin and satan And then compare the doctrines which are preached by he dilTerent ministers of the different sec^s and pLties in our day, and you wdl ^^^ fi;^ "ut w\o Ihe false teachers are that preach <^ 1^^ ''°<^<™^^- For St. Paul has given us a very good rule to go by, to find out false teachers ; so that_^we cannot make any mistake : for he saith, " Though we or an anjel from heaven preach any -^Iher gospel (or doc- trine) than that which we apos les have preached, it matters not how much it may look like, or resem- i ni ' y \~ r."'r =*?' S mltt^rtl o whtl ^Ict or party they not God. [It 'Tnaticrs uu doctrine of Christ, belong.] He that alndcth " '""' j f there come anv unto you, (vt '"''"': '"".._„ receive him not ,elO and bring not his J"^^^ ^f '^'J' ecd : for he into your house, neither bid >'"^ ^;^;P ^f ^is evil a.at biddeth him God speed .. partaker ^^.^ deeds." 2 Ep'sfe "^ ''t" Vten •! ers) which come .. Beware of false prophets, i^^-^'^'^l^^^ „,em by to you in sheep's f »''^.ng, >e ^haU km ^y^ tljMVuit., (or doctrines which t-eyp ^^ ineu gather g'-ape«.of "'° "^' °' ^^h, „ue doctrine of i„ other words, wdl men gather 'le .,^,^ Christ from f«'«^*«'^:^^°"l„ef in n thorns' or figs -•■' t'^:;'"%''n,fnmKabadmanorahypo- iVom thistles. A man ^-^y . f jg^yg Christ, orile and preach the '•"« ^f ^"^^'^ i^^ teacher But it is impossible f;;^^ ';^'7,;^i„e of Christ, while he preaches the tiue a )c ^^^ Then in the name of common sense, ho know a false teacher from a true one, ^^ ^^^ bath look alike accordmg to tlie sttipvure, 61 by the doctrine which he preachest St. Paul s^th teachers of Christ. Anu nu v> , ^ W^seir •. traasformed mto an ang « g^;,^f ,„ rr the otLr wljen accc-rding \;-;.f ^S both look alike, if It "^? "° And aaain l>ovv wb-.h they would preach ? ^^.d agau 1^^^_ wou.d you know a wolf tiom a M eei , ^g to scripture, the wolf be clothed " W s when the one lives as h"l> a I'le a cordinsto aU appearance ■? Mai. .6 . -', ~o ivi i„ R„t if everv lect and parly is to judge oi MV,Ss teacher?, .".n there cr,n be no such thing each othe * eacher, . ^^^^,^ ^,1^^^^ For in"a ce - Ca hoUc condemns the Protestant !nd the pTot^stant condemns the CatlioUc, and h« H is wUh every sect and party of rebgion : f..r ey al nrlach different doctrines, and m so doing they condemn each other; for they cannot and wdl not unUe together ; for th'ey all think e,ch other wrong. I 4^ ^' 52 Ami common sense tell. «s a;,;-};,;^^;'^,:;^ ture., that they cannot be all v.ght foMhe^e > J o„e true Church one Sp-nt, "neJa.th|^-,„, .'f one baptism. Eph. *• %^- ^ ^^ ^^^ ,„,e common sense, how can we i j, tism, Church, with th3 "''^^I;";J;;^^'! *;Ttruth, .he ,f we do not compare by « ° ««"P^"4j , j^e dif- ftrmSforSr::: ^;:^ n^^ U^^ f lerent mmisters oi corresponds religion, ^n-i Xe sSptur !'a«d with what the exactly with 7« f """jP j pleach any other apostles preached 1 1 ""=>'. ^nd it is a fr'"^\*E C^^^h^ftXS in her confession SraiuatSi that "t>>ej^cjy ^criP^^^^^^^^^ f, riSr or religion. a. U.1^.^-^^^^^^^^^^^ and decrees of councds, «r>'"'""f °^^^,':,'„';,, „nd in and doctrines of "«=" "•".Vio^ost ca be no other whose sen ence we onght to ic^t, tan J^^ but the Holy Spirit «P^«^\"g '" ^^1, •"£ tile Therefore I have shown >" '""J-^^^j, ," 'joetrine '"^'^'h^d .r; John InK iXV^t'es' i'orif what preached l)y J ol>n,anu ^ salvation ol they P'-eached was ncces^ar ^^^^^ ^^^,^ men and women m "\«''^';7'„arv for the salvation the same doctnue must be neces^ary lor was in the fy^ i*lXly Scriptures of truth, that nor proved from all the "«iy ^^•' I . ...^atjon, which God would ever change the plan °f «*';«5'°^;„,„ ^o be laid .lown by the ^PO^Jl^./^^^ But vve read, JO by, in order to save their souls. Dui 53 ever and ever, rr-aim ' ' , „ followine the is so Dlain, a great many people are '"""7 », , IS so pia'"' " B .porhers. by reason of the laise ways of the false te^^e^^. ' ^ ^ ,,^ j„,,trine teachersspeak.ngev.l of the <'"'"' "^ .^ ; g^ouUl of the word of God J«st as St. Pc er sa.u^^^^ ^^.^ come to pass. ^Peteri.^- ai unto Timothy, " I ^^^'r^ '*' t, ha 1 iuage he quick and the L--^ J-'^Chr.^^^^^^^^^^^ ^.^g;>„,^ and the dead at his ''i;P^f''^„.,o„„ut of season; preach the word ; be mstant m ^easo" ^^^^ flhatis, preach ->y;';;^;"^iue" exhort 'witl> all an opportunity,] reprove re. ^ , ^^^ ^,^.^^ p^^,,j longsuffenng and doctrine. L" ' > , ,gN ^iu For the time will <=o'"^.^*'7;S. their „wn lusts not endure sound doctnne ; I'"; »J^ ^'^f^ "^gHehing shall they heap to themselves teacler. hav g ^^ g ears; and they shall turn »;;»/ \^^^^^^^^ Timothy rV tsT i:;^":'uChu:ch people .en to fhe Vait; aSther ,^ple a-"t a >.ung woman who belonged to >'« Church 01 ^ who was living with a ^fj^Sler!^-^ read with *e-he died J ey l.ur,c^^^ ^ ,^^^^^^ prayers of/ 'f [ ' ^" ' hev must take her up and some, and told them t'launey ^^.^^ bury her again, and read ^ ^ Jhurch p ^^^^ her or she could ""\'!^, 'l^P^^.^'^bout a man who Catholics in return tell a ^lo^y «»o ^. belonged to t^e- Church who d,d ma ^.^ and went to hell, an.^ ^.e V „ ^^^ ^^ out of it. And ine "«^ ' ^ heaven and Virgin Mary for this and he went t. ^^^ ^^^ n>ade complaints to God about ^'l] ^^^ ^^ Paul prophesied truly when he saia, ^i^.v- ^■il^jtla^AiiX'M 1 54 eome when they Bhall turn tfeir care from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. 1 he 'act w ini» • when people turn away their ears from the truth. They mu'tturn them unt'o fables, to supp.nt t^em |u d their church, for they ca..not support '^ ^Y ^''^ Jo J of God. An.l thus it m when «"'"% f^J^'^X^ure ask their Ministers from what part of Je ScnfUure they caii r.ad or prove that we ough to have OoU fSers and Godmothers for «"' '^J'! Jen. And aU tint the Minister can say is, it is the rule oi our Church and the children c^annot be a.lmitted in o o„r rhc without it. An.l thus they forget what they Srei:r Sabbath "Thou shalt I- - oi l. j ^^^j any other sect or party 1 ;'-^'' ^,^, ,,,« prophecy thus they a« w<='\»''f "'^' 'nedunto themselves of St Paul : For they »'«;^ "=X/„7other teachers teachers havu.g >f ^-''^ ^^ ;^f ^ ..g ears. And but their own will P'^^-^f "'*'■■ ',, every sect, and thus it is, and ever has been w^lU e t y ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ party of religion, v^']"'; ''J^^;., ''^ " he reformation, another ever s.nce le J»>«,,^ „„j ,,-.„ not unite And why .s ^^'2te^I\^ other's teachers to preach together, ""^ ^ '"'"^ ^''^ "' » tells us the reason, unto them'! ^— ^^^^ v^i: 'feiths, and di.Ver- because they ^" ^^g/^; j.,c,,ines contrary to ent baptisms, ami '^i"\7" , . , .„i,„i,tand prcach- vvhat the apostles "f Je^i'-^Xl-, o"fer to save their ed in their day to Po^^!;';"'^ J," But hear what immortal, or never ^y" § " 'f;,,-„, ,vhich preacli Christ saith to those «ect ^n P»^ «- j,, ,Vu. do contrary to the Joc'""f .''*"; ^^ t^i.-es the com- you worship "-' ,%t k 7 7 And if.hedilVer- niandments of men. ^l-*^^ / ^^ ^llow each ent sects and parties "^ '^''f °" ;,,, 4,,ere would be other's teachers to V^^^^^^'ZlI^,, .!>- -'-^ ,nore d'^^^1"*^'*'^''""',^ fll^e t teachers would not, there are: because l''^/''7"^h-r creeds, preach to and could not according ^" ^^^^'[j^^^ '^^ ^s come to please their itching ears. And tnu^ 56 to pass ns St. Fnul said, " For tl.ey have 1>eaH «» themselves teacliers, «..ch an preach to pleano them , and their teacher- which they have heaped to tllLlveB, ouRht to preach to P'-^e them : for they are hired and th..« Culhl the scripture . for hey p each for hire, a.ul divine for money yet they ( a Ue Teachers) will lean upon the Lord and nay, m not the lL among us, L evil can -'•"« J"p^;;,^; Micah 3:11. But let such take care that St. Fa .8 curse do not fall upon them. Gal. 1 : 8, 9. l-luist s^th, " But woe vmto you, 8cril.e. and ijhar.sees, hypocrites! for ye [who arc the leaders and teachers o^the peopU-l%hut up the kingdom of heaven flgain^a men : for ye neither go in yourselves, neither sufter ye ihem that arc entering to go in. Mat. ..«. 13. Let envy alone, and it will punish itself. An ill-natured d..i laid himself down in a n;«"S" JJ^ „f hay. Presently came an ox to leed ; hut thedog in a surly manner, hid him hegone. Well, replied the ox, thou wilt neither eat the hay thyself nor suller others to eal it ; therefore stay there in this thy envious humour, and keep away every ox, anu then thy envy will hecome ihy i.uni^hraent. 1 he dog did so; 'and by that means starved himself. Thus, we see, some men are content to lose the. kingdom of heaven themselves, that others may not enjoy it. Woe unto you scribes and pharisces, hypocrites! for ye dovour widows; houses, (for salaries) and for a pretence (to deceive and make the widows believe they are doing what is right, and that they are very pious and holy) make long nravers :' therefore ve shall receive the greater dam- nation. Woe unto y(m, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him I i ...foia more the ^^^'^ "^JS,t::j:ZlZ TLuH you «ee, tl>o«o ^f f '^ fif ,Vwl.<,.n ll.e ,he lea.ler« an. S"'''/':. '' '''".."^a -xpccted that they common people looked i , . I ,^^^^,^„^ were loaan.g an.l Ru,a..,' tla. . «-c Y ^ ^^^ ,^^„_ were leading and ,iUuU.j« t la ' m tn ^^ ^^^^^^ And observe, my fr.end^*, »>' "^•;;^^"'^. ,2^u>m '. leader, and «uide. ol the P« i, ^/^.'f.^ eon.mou for the. compa-sed -» ^i' ^ cd .o make eon- sayi..g .=», they -it no o c ^^^^ ^^^, ^ ^^ . verts, not to Cod, bu. »*'"';''.,, ii,e children an.l their converts were t^^o 'Ul o.c t ^^.^^^ ofhell Iha,. t''«"'''•;'^«*^,,)^ Ve U^rn ng, Chrinl guides. Mnrk, reader, w.th "'I'r;!'.^^, ,."':. If the l,\U then. l.r."> J^,^';!/, ,„ ,,enveu about the plan -^ t"'^^ '.IdSl th^ m Therefore better than what ('l'"'-'' \^"> ^ /^ b",. thought the „« Uu-k to ' ;-;- ;;^Llol;ged to was a. good religion wluoh their '■ f;; ,. • = And their con- „,Kl better than «"> ;,;^ ."^^^ 'f.^- « doubt .aid, how gregations tuouuht ''^^ ;■' ^^ %„ ,„„eh learning be can our Mimt'lers tl.at have ^o ,j^^. i^^ wrongs They mu. kno- bet^ie. t,^_^^ ^^_^^ carpenter's son. »**'• ' ,, j^g one faith, and des'pised the one !,^" Cluu h . ^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^ onebaotism, and »" ^^'»"','-'i;„^„ ;„ our day,l rather road to hell, (hue a gre«t r^^l^^o^.J^e tl^.n- than to receive the truin, an ^ . ^^ selves wrong. L'^X'-d P X--, hypocrites ! ;:^r arK;>: whhed sep.dchre. which tndeed t4'' * &6 nppcar beautiful oulwnr.l, but arc wi.i.in full oMeaa ?„^cn'« bonen, and of nil uncicanncs: even .o ye 'aUo" outwardly appear righteous unto men but within vo are lull of hypocrify and iniquity. Mat. 23 o7 28 " Beware of false prophet, or teacher, which 'come to you in sheep'a clo;lu"g, bu^n wa^^^ Iv thev are ravening wolves. Ye filial know mem 1 y^'h'eir fruit., (or'doctrine« which they |>reach.) Do men gather grai.es of thorns, or Ogs o »'■»"«•• Mat 7 • IS. 16. Or in other woidn, will men hear r t'rue doctrine, such as Jesus Christ commanded h U apostles to preach, from false teachers. No ! they may as well look among thorns for g'fF '«; V^I figs^among thistles, as to look or expect to hear the true doctrine from false teachers. Acts 2 . 37, J8 , Mark 16: 15, 16. "Enter ye in »' th° ^^.t gate^- (baptism by immersion for the remission of «'"«) for wide is the gate, the opinions and the com- mai^ments of men and to obey them rather than SodTand broad is the way, that leaded, to destruc S anSmany there be whir.h go in thereat : because s'rait is the gate, (baptism by ™-™/-^ J^ remission of sins) and narrow .s «'« J/'y'j''"^^, leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. mT?- 13, 14. Because thev obey false teachers ^ndfcmow heir ways, (See 2 Pet. 2: 1,2) rather 'ban obey God and his way« ! aud they say they will not walk therein. Jer.6: 16. " Woe unto them (false teachers) for they have gone in th«J^ay />« Cain, (haters of their brethren and by ^''»';"» J'^\V ' '", « t« -h.'ni have the appearance and office of the true 1 .« hut thev 8 ve no rclrc.l.ii.g Hhowcr», t„- S* "hev ha:::^none) they are cloud. -,W. water carried about of wmd« ; or in other woras, ^ev are carried al.out wi 'i^-i^^ \i%ss£St ' •'M M 60 .nrend it about wherever they go, how good, kind, rCg and aflectionale Mr. and Mrs so and so are for they have given so much towards tl^e salary of feir MCstersr And ll>is, with the.r mouth speak- n/areal welling words, they fulfil the words o St. pIter " A^J through covctousness shall hey (false LaWs) with feig'ed words, make -erchanchze o vou: whose judgment "''«• "[ =» '^"^ .^e ImgcrUh net and their damnation slumbereth not. hee •Peter 2 3. Therefore follow not these false Teaol e s, and their corrupt doctrines. "But be loveci^ remember V(. the words which were spoken belore ^ ev told vou, there should be mockers >n the last tl, who should walk after the,r own ungo y lusts These be they who seperate 'hem^tl es from the true Churcl>,) sensual, havng not the ^ Spirit. But ye, beloved, '.uilding up yourselves on vi:;." most hoiy'faith, (no. in prayer books^) pray.r.g in the Holy Ghost," Jude, 17, 18, IJ, ~U. Christ taalldng along the sm coast of Galilee, Itot along the streets of Jcrumlcm, among th^ colU-es and seminaries, where the rich and the 'Earned are, but among thefisMng "o-^s,) where th^ poor i id the unlearned fishermm are, tn. .eJch of hands, to send them out to prefj^ Gospel, or to make them fishers of men. Mark 1 : 17. _, ,., " And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Ardrew h.s b other, casting a net into the sea: for they were fi.und the wise; (College bred Ministers with all their learning t^d authority,) and God hath chosen the weak things of the world (such as tlie unlearned fishermen without power or auihority.) to confound the things which are mighty ; (sucn as the .rribes and pharisees with all their wisdom ol this world) and base things of the world, and things which are despised, (.ucb as the poor ^amts, (bee fames 2: f), 6.) hath God chosen, yea, and to.ngs which are not, (or men whi<."h are esteemed as nothing) to bring to nought thii s tbat are: (such as the miiilitv and the noble) that ..o flesh should glory in his presence." 1 C<.r. 1 : 26 to 29 ; Mat. 1 : 25. '•'\nd when he had called unto him his twelve dis- ciples, he gave them power again«t unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease." Mat. 10 : 1. "And he rje^u'^l goeth up into a mountain, aud he calletti unto him whom he would: and they came unto him And he ordained twf Ive, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, s,rA to have powe^r to heal sickness, anato f^m' 4 If 31' ' t-J m 'fl 62 ,„oney; .either ^^^^ '^^^^"^^ :j;:2l,eX^ whatsoever ">"^.« ^'^^^^ ^ej: '^^i not receiv'e you thence depart. And ^^'>"f ''^^^^ " ,. u g^^ dust when ve go out ol that city, shake otl the very u Lm your'feet for a testimony aga.n.t them Luke ' : tr. a « And he called unto him the twelve, nd he,an to send them forth hy two and two ; and Ana he said unto them, In what place -<^^^^' ^ dust under your feet for a te^t.m y S, ^ ^ ^^^ and anointed vvith on mai y ^ ^^^ healed them." Mark 6: 7, to u. ii^ii ^ *M "^^ ?> 63 came and spoke unto them, (apostles) saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them (the nations) to observe all things whatt?oever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Amen." IVlat. 28 : 18 to 20. " Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe : in my name shall they cast out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them j they shall lay' hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So after the Lord had spoken unto them, he waB received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16 : 14, to 20. Hi ^1 a^St i^btl-^jAii^^fe COMMON SENSE'S PHILOSOPHY. k* » SPACE, DURATION, AND MATTER. SPACE. What is space 1 It is expansion or exter.mn from aiiv Doint in all possiblo directions. What is Us n acnTlude 1 It is boundless in every direction fron, r/givon point. What are llie con--al,le ^rope - ties of space ? Divisibility «nd h!?ure> f" "''-] extent is space conceived to be divisible 1 Beyond «ny aVs^.-mxhle limits. Of how uiany varieties of fi" ore is it .uscepli We ? Of every P-«'ble v;^.nety . lias space anv active properties or P"7<"^V„.,^^^' It is incapable of movins or being moved, of acmp, or bein,\.\ur^s but an eiernal boundless space : but space w '— «»^'«: oHKlnlled^y s'nne beu,,?. or tbinf, in npace ; bu to ::'/ri ...fter »- originated by ......ebeu^g . ^to does this 8o.netb.n« or bemif ^l^,-^''^ , ,, 1' " '^fe ^"j ::i:l:r^r'r^;nr;:;tsa;b!;'o:!fe.ei:^':x;^tence S jtt!berh;Sny =:^f V ;e^£ lr.eL^tl e°lr ^t t^>: "SHy eo„.,, ..ot have ;:: tTo? aulia. It;:n:; it.n.u.t have b- as eterna astlie substance to which .1 belongs. ?«' ' " ' "f""^ mar«""e tluxt ma.erial atoms rece>v^;f f 'f«"'=;. ^by ri'r^';:i^r,r of^'so'e'i;;;'".,:: nt tzt t'i"?' "^^t'l , a"Inre..ige„rbein, i,np>.« S,s ^property to .. -.Iter without acting upon >t, by 67 br.n^in, son.o.hin^ e.Urna, into conUot with it ? U rri^a:.! ;:;:'r:!"':.:.:e,;L:; B..t . .y .hat the ,.ii.>r existence ..f l.einjr " ''I' "'.,, tnlellii-'emre ? Was it .'..rived KV exi>er.«n<-.3, or vva a as the beings use I 1 ' "">. "j,^j „„« acted upon r...n wi.hnnt, which ,8 '•'\"^:" y ^' ; "," e ved rora sition. Therefore .ts ''''«"'»!'■ ";.'^,' ' a^ if Hie in- experience, n.,Ht have ^-^Xli^f' ^ en eternal, uU.ce of one atom -^'^ ,n , , • > c. ^^^^ ^.^^^, analogy wou .1 si.y *>''>'''',"„ Eternal also. And .,„,n8 or beuiirs may haNe een ";"'. „i ,^6 of reason ... •'-•-,'-'1;' . J . ' ,• hlnll;! or else every alom must either ne >Mi" "'' p Siecondlv, be til result of co„uu l ^"^•^''fl^'ZJ^ - U inlell.Ken^e he the res t e ^^^^j^^^,. contact of alo.ns, then t'.'^"* * "'';;' i„tilio-ence ; li^en., most 'l^ve capa.n U- ^^'^'y", ;V„.,,':,„ ,, for "i''-''^^'-^'''*^;;"' ;; :;-V a -r known-, and.t contact, couM not be P^f'*"'., , „,. .,,,,„ti,ies bv would be impossible to f"l"' « ^^^VJen as eler- experience ; '''--''•'■^''r>. "';' ,elonV. i .nay bo argued, that atoms ''^y ^^ circumstances Intent capacines uni I *tM''"l '"^^ the property ''-«'"P^^";Llt;V'rd; .^ e".%ly«"consc.^ or capacity ot leelinsr, ana yei „„„,..y, ,vjtb other ous of feelin,' until they '«">«'"'="",':,;,« „„t „nlv atoms: that, by experience 1''?^, »" ''"^^i^t.nce Jf the existence of ' 'f 'X I;?;,' '■ t lat i.„ atom .nay .ometliin.extcrna lo lemslvs t^^^._^ ^^^^^.^^ possess various capacities, siicn Lling, smelling ''"'' f^ 1"^- .t^ \ i^s 1 e capa- never come in contact with «'j'«'^ " '""''y^,, „„ .,C„m cities will remain "-'e''t."u?lA,md taste s.nell, and xvould be as ignorant ot l.ght, sound, taste, smeii. 41 68 e»en of all thing, external to itself, as though it ha.l none of these capacities; thnt to perceive linl.l, it ni.ist ctimo in contact with some malpnal atoin, by which itself shall be nftecle.l, not by any vibrations move- n.enls or (Icranffcn.ents of its own parts, for this wouUl he iinp..ssil.le in a perloctly soli.l >;>'P"ro«i» atom, but that it must be aireof.l, as a wh..le, by some change of stale or position in »'.'•'■'»<•"" '^ space ; thai the only chanffc-s it can possibly receive f om the contact of atoms are, firsi, a change from a state of rest to that of motion Se<^""''ly' "^ '.""e^ from a state of motion to that of rest, rhirdly, a change of velocity. Ami fouilhly, a change ol di- rection. That .eein?, heavinir, tast.ns an.l smollinfr .re only -lifferont modes of feelin!: ; that these dil- ierent modes of feeling, depend upon the difteren ,„»des and intensKies of the contact ol mate ml atoms will, each olher, and that one kmd of iinpu Ue wnold give an atom and consciousness of ^it - another the consciousness ol sound ; » » "fl- ^\^} "[ Uste ; a fourth, that of smell &c But let us trace this subject a little further; and enquire into the n'uure if these intelligent capacities. W'la a e these capacities ? Are they not a M'-'«Y' ' ^''^'^ j eence, self existent and eternal > If not, how can we account for the comh;,.ation or corjiact ofato'nsi I, this combination fortuitous, resulting Irom the eternal motions of unconscious and passive matter 1 Is there not a force exerted in the acceleration of the velc Ities of these atoms as they approach each other Is there not a force, of no sinall degree which holds these atoms in combination? What hen is the cause of atoms approaching atoms, and adhe ng together with such a va.iety of intensities according to such uniform and general laws? The onl^ sound answer that can be given tot hese .ntr.cate enqniries is, that these atoms must be .ntelll- gent, having self moving powers limited to cer fain spheres and modes of action, according to the 69 nitiiro and Aearcf. of their inlellieonfc , nnd lh»l tl^ inte lifieno« i. not th« eftect, l.ul ll.« cu..«e of combi..atioM-nol derived from e.''P"'«"'-^- *>"' »^ * existent nnd otcrnM. Attraction .s .aul to l>e . pro^ porty of iritittcr. It is suid tl.at every aK.in attratlf Iverv otl>er atom «itl. a forco varyum n.yersly »» the square of the distance. B.;t atlract.on ». .mpoH^ sibic, for an atom cannot act where it is not. 1 hose who believe in attraction, have also assumod inert.ii to be a proportv of matter, timt is, tliey assert that matter il e-.tirely passive, and incapable o cha,^ p its state. Now if an atom has no power lo mne t elf how can it move any thinR «'ernal to itself? It is the vnrv heiijhl of absurdity to sup- lo^eihata helpless passive atom can move every hinVin the umlerse bnt itself. Yellhis is he hypo- he is assumed by the learned, and believed b. mil- ions in our day. But, if attraction is impossible, wbU o her cause is adequate to pro uce the effects which we know are constantly taking , dace, and wh chare commonly ascribed to nllraction? It i» Twdent that intelligent self moving »'-'» ^l'^";-^ in their movements within Uie necessary limits, tan produce all these eflects. These self moving atoms S™laedbv the followini; law. namely : every ImTnoves itself towards every "tl--,'-";,', -i*;/ force varying inversely as the square of the (bstance. Now let us contrast the Newtonian system o a tract- S natter, with the author's system of in eligen, :;r: m tt:"'; '.tntlrer; :-!-" nd .capable of ZZ; i'elf ; but according to 'he au. or s sys^^em matter is active, and capable "f " "V">S 'f« • \^^'\ Ionian s cvm mov ystein-An atom cannot move itself but I can move a universe of worlds «««'-". 'l;,f- J" [ il.nr-Q fivstem— An atom can move itse t, DUi ii c lot ^ovTany thing towards i-lf . N- ->'- .ystem-An atom cannot act where it is, but it cua f M< 70 act in every place xvhere it is not. Author • .ystem "A!,?«t...nVan act where It In, 1ml .1 can- act .n any place where it u not. Newtnnmn «y.tcm--An luJx move* every other atom tow.ir.U itseK with a to" ryinri..vors,.ly .« .he ^lU.rooCthe ,1 .tance. Til .,'h,v en.-An itm.. moves itself lowurds every Mhe .0". w ,„ a .orce vuryi,,. Inversely a. the "nuarc of the .li.tanc. It will be perceived that S two theories are .lirccily oppo-.f lo each other am! vet all the eflVcts 8»..l to be produced by S r t aac Newton'. Theory, can be produced by he Author's Theorv, ..p-.n principles inhnUely more . mile All the ^rand cn.lral foives ol the universe 'rhich world. 'I.nd .y.,en. of -"'<"• -t-, «','":, hound together, and hv wh,.d, <1;«"- « ''"''^ , ' '" wisely maintained can he resolved into the Hell mov- ^^rZ or atom.. All the Cohesive Chemical Magnelic, and ele.irh.l lor.:es. can also be resolved into atomic, self moving loicis. MATEllIALITY. God, the Father is material. Jesus Christ is ina- terial An-els are n.aleri.l. Spirits are material. Men are m-.ierial. Toe Universe Is m^iterMl. Space i, full of materiality. Nothmjt exists which is no late ial. The elementary principles ol the material "niver^e areotern,,!; Ih.y never onjrmated from "oncniitv, and they nev.r can he »nm i.lated^ I,nn,ateri:,lity .. h... another name (or "-^n-'y-^ ;" the n^Kiitivo ol i.ll tl.in-s >.nd hein-.M oUll exislence. Th."e*^is not one p uliele .1 proof to be advanced to islahlish it. evisie„ce. ,< |,as no way to man^e t itself to any int. lli-.'nce in h.a'en or on earth. Net- her God an-reU or m.-n. c.uld possihly conceive of such a substance. beniL' or thins;. It po«s.-sses no pro- per y or power bv which to make ..sell inan.test, to anyinlellisent bei.S in l:ie universe. Keason and analogy never scan U. or even conceive of it. Reve- lat.ou never reveals it, nor do any ol our senses wit- I 71 • •«-,.« II rminot bo fi«<*n, felt. h«»''<'' haul i it c»n noi.Wer "'^JV' "' 7^^ ^ ,.„„ neither act, it c»n exor. n.. •>«"«»^« '''.'j; ',,„,„ ..x,st. it i. „or be actc. upon. An oen •! '« ^,^,.^„,,,„ of no possible nso. It l"'="«;"«^ " ,„ ,„v,i,„mate. property, acl.y »r "««• f « ^^^^j •„ J, licipuled Leaven, l.is i""""''»' '"."t;^' wI,o can perceive O u,..e,,n. 1 O -;;i;; r, "e' ;..tween .he one «n.t the '';^"r'Sv'Vm' r all b„t in n,wne The other 1 1 hey »eeni „„.i„„ |,,,s « (i"-> >""'' or parts.- Here aRa.n bo h «^« ^'■t-^V,,^ „„.! hope arrive at the same l'""'-../..";';,„.V,se.n.y differ- amount to tUo ."me ! ""'y; ^ . ,' *^^^ „,> l,„iven in -t .em... _A;^:;';;: ;Lt ^n.- but H is i.n.n«te- o( all riches and "-'hstances I re a^a.n y ^^^^ equal, and arrive at the sa.. e pn nt A ^^ ^^ .j, envy them the po.se.sn.n ;^ ',,,(,,,, ,„j„v,nenl now' leave then. '" ^« \ . 7,„.„, .'f -nan, ..nd both body and par.s. H*- ';. " . " . j j, a model, iii. t or «vi.iu>re U,rU ol 11.0 Old «..d Now TostaincU, «l..ch »peak lustanco, l.,« lalunt; dinner will, /''l^a "" '• W^*' » ^vay liUo l>i. Father, l.ein« " ll.e '•"^;'!.ly*;' "/„'.', Falhcr-H irloiv. and tl.o express unaffe of Ins 1'^"" ; lie i» a .naleVi:.! inlellinenco. will, body l>ar « passions; po.ssn.s.n.^ i„„norl.l H..1., a"d -n. ...o t»l Lm.cs. llV- en and doe., eat ,''^'f • <=' ,^^' !; rea«..n, •..%«, move, «o, .•n".o, and ... sho.t I'"- ^ all ll.iMir. even an li.e Fa.l.o.;, r''"'"'"'^ ^^Z'jJlZ lit \ I if are i.;tellisr.M,«e9 of tlio '"'""" »I'"";;,„,'^'"L?' tl.em KrootVspiiniiS of Adam and Kv,.. 1 l.«l •=■, t 'ty , e men, wh. l.avo, .ike Enocl. or Lhjal., bron tran.- aled ; o; like Jesus Cbrint, been ra.sed Irom ll.e dead 0* n.e.iuenlly ll.ey possess a n>al..,al body »l flesh ,nd bonecjcan eal,drink,vvalU,conver3e, .eason, love, n!,ht, weslle, sins; or play on ...usu'al .nslr.....cnti^ They can ^o or co.ne on loreion m.-ssions, .n heaven eurih, or hell ; they can traverse space, a.id v.s,. the d ffe enl worlds, with all ibe ease a-.d alacnly w.lh whrch God and 'Christ .io ll.e same, -i''^' P-;---;^ of t^imilar o.^ani/alions, pow.^rs and altr.buieo .n a de-r 'e What are spirits ! They are -natenal ori;«- ntmions i„,«lli,jen -es, possessing body and parU..^ U e 1 Uc"ne of the le... .oral body ; but not co...posed ra'-sha'd hones but ofsun.e .nbsl,. nee loss t»„- gd.le lo our gross senses m our prcsen' ite , but »» 73 UngiMo to ,ho.e in the "-« "'^-"-^.^'jl^r-v'u: i„g 10 cotne inl . tl.n '"'"", ,,, „ ,|,.„i|,, „,.a ih'- «->' "r, , 'TiroV y "> ^'' >'"'*'^"" '" ^''", the 1,-iirre.lion, ley i"«y y Cliri»t, kimI ,au: wrre ."7'^«''' ,„'^''>; , in.erv-ni..^' s,n,oe l.e- »:i.M wc will I'e »fii", 1" ^, ,.„ . tv..e„ .leuth «n,l ll.« ^^^I-.'-aO-r". brother. „| J..S.H. <.l. '•I. .';/',, „,„e will, l.im >•«''»'= '"" wer.-, i.. or.l.T lo ,.»«•< <'"" "f ,,' .;'.„i,,l.. .I.e. per- •,.„ce .u.a «r''';'r;i\vi';i."i-iy ■''<>' '''^''"' j«^"» .vhioi.ii.oywii c...t, '''•;•.,:,'". ;,;,;„o.,i«. «<. .m missions IVh... 1'1»'"-' '"•','",,'■ ("'"i en.l.. vcl will. •-11 ""--« 'r'"f;' '4;;:; ;.'.,%; reIt(a....iv.«iio „n.lc.- on« l.e«.l "^ ' ; ^ , , J^, „u,er, hU bo.- U.e Si...... sp'-'^"'^' 7 .' : „,„,esis svinp«ll>ies «>»' «iroctio..^. '"*'"•!„' /cl. hire of U.e CO., a..d dos.i„.-a K""'^-"'^.'; '•J'^fn^V .' changes, till •.'■•«y >v«y l.y « proK.o«s.^ sen > ,.^^ j,,,„, booome like I .e..' F^'^^c. ui l.e- ^". .,er(ect.1 H m^\ 74 nize people, redeem, and perfect other system, wh ch'IrJno'w in the wo.nb ''^C;.-'. «nd hu, go nn in re^sin^ thfi>- several dominions, till "'^ weak tll^ d'.nHy,\ le noliUty. the titles and honors to 1 il° S Jnf. as.^re. Such are the promises ot welcome to their God, ^'^^^^f.'*'^'."./ . ^u'u ^e fhpir all. Thev claim nothmg but that whicn we hrow awav and we claim nothing' but that which Ihey thr^^/iway . Therefore, there is no grour^d tor quarrel, or contention between us. 1. W3 chose all substance ; what remains, The mystic sectarian gains ; All that each claims each shall possess. Nor grudge each other's happiness. 2. An immaterial God they choose, An immaterial Heaven and hell: For such a God we have no use ; In such a heaven we cannot dwell. 3. We claim the earth, and air, and sky, And all the starry worlds on high ; Gold, silver, ore, and precious stones, And bodies made of flesh and bones. 4. Our God, like us, can hear and see, Feci, taste, and smell eternally ; m J 11 75 Immortal brain through which wc think, Organs to speak, and eat, and drink. 5. With man in earth or heaven he dines, His heart is cheerM with lusciou3 wmes ; Of Ahraham'.s bread and Sarah's calf, He eat, and blessed till Sarah laughed. 6. The foremast in all branches, He, Of useful art or industry; To plant, to build, to dress the field, Or make old Eden's garden yield. 7. A farmer, arcliitect, and scribe A tailor, and all else beside ; He taught old Adam how to farm, And make him coats to keep him waru^ . 8. He taught old Noah to build a ship, And Moses how to records keep ; He introduced the heavenly plan, Of architecture unto man; 9 By which stupendouR worlds were reared, ' And courts on earth for him prepared ; That when from heaven he chose to come, He'd find on earth a heavenly home. 10. Such is our God, our heaven, our all When once redeem'd from Adam s fall ; AH things are ours, and we shall be, The Lord's to all eternity. FINIS . ;^^ ■' < «■: 1 1^1^ ERR ATT A tbc I'oUom, rt^fti' . 10th line (Vom u^c i-vuvw, rij "*• rear.