\0^ > *• ^ \^ \\ 5r i^-. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) !> JB V ^ /; 1.0 I^Kiiii ^ L£ 12.0 U M!^^ M V Fhotographic Sdmoes CarpoiBtion as VnST MAM STRHT WnSTII.N.Y. 145M (7U)t7a-4S03 ^ •"^^t^ CIHM/ICMH Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Inatituta for Hiatorical Microraproductiona / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona hiatoriquaa ^ \ Twhnical and BibNograpMc NotM/NotM MchniquM M bibHographiquM Th* Institut* has •ttamptMl to obtain tha boat original cofiy availabia for fiiming. Faaturaa of tliia copy wtiidi may ba bilMiograpliically uniqua. which may aitar any of tha imagaa in ttia raproduction. or which may aignificanthr changa tlM usual mathod of filming, ara citaclcad balow. □ Colourad covart/ Couvartura da coulaur r~~| Covart damagad/ Couvartura andommag^a □ Covars rastorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura rastauria at/ou pailiculAa ryi Covar titia miMing/ Iv I La titra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad maps/ Cartas gAographlquas an coulaur D Colourad Ink (l.a. othar tlian blua or black!/ Encra da coulaur (l.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) |~~| Colourad platas and/or illustrations/ n n n Planchas at/ou Illustrations an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ RalM avac d'autras documents Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along intarior margin/ La reliura sarrto paut causar da i'ombra ou da la distortion la long da la marga intiriaura Blank laavas addad during rastoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar possibla. titaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II sa paut qua cartalnas pagas blanchas ajoutAaa lors d'una restauration apparaissant dans la taxta, mais. lorsqua cala Atait possibla, cas pagas n'ont pas «t4 filmAas. Additional comments:/ Commantairas supplAmantairas: L'Inatitut a microfilm^ la maillaur axamplaira qu1l lui a §tk possibla da sa procurar. Las details da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-Atra uniquas du point da vua bibllographiqua. qui pauvant modif iar una Imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dans la mAthoda normala da f ilmaga sont indlquis ci-dassous. |~~1 Colourad pagas/ D Pagas da coulaur Pagas damagad/ Pagas andommagAas Pagas rastorad and/oi Pagas rastaurtes at/ou palliculAas Pagas discolourad, stainad or foxai Pagas d*color*as. tachatias ou piquAas Pagas datachad/ Pagas dAtachAas Showthrough> Transparanca Quality of prir QualltA inAgala da I'imprassion includes supplementary materii Comprend du material supplAmentaire Only edition available/ Beule Mitlon disponlble I — I Pages damaged/ I — I Pages restored and/or laminated/ r~3 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ r^ Showthrough/ [^ Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ pn Only edition available/ The cop to the g The imi posslbli of the filming Original beginnii the last slon, or other oi first pai sion, an or illust The last shall CO TINUEC whichat Maps, f differen entirely beginnii right an require! method Pagas wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ l.es pages totalement ou partlellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. una pelure, etc.. ont At* filmAes A nouveau de fapon A obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Co document est filmA au taux da rAductkin indiquA ci-dassous. 10X MX 1BX 22X asx 30X D H 12X mx 2«X 28X 32X lair* dAtailt |UM du It modifiar igar una filmaga Tha eopy filmad hara haa baan raproduead thanka to tha aanaroaitv of: to tha ganaroaity of Unit«d Chureh of Canada Arahivas Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaalbia conaldaring tha condition and laglblllty of tha original copy and In kaaping wKh tha filming contract apaciflcatlona. L'axamplalra film« fut raproduK grica A la gAnAroait* da: Unitad Church off Canada Archi«a« Laa Imagaa auhrantaa ont 4t* raproduita* avac la plua grand coin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axamplalra film*, at an conformit* avac laa condhiona du contrat da filmaga. / Original copiaa In printad papar covara ara filmad baglnning with tha front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion. or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copiaa ara filmad baglnning on tha f irat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- aion, and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraaaion. Laa axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura an paplar aat ImprimAa aont filmto an comman^nt par la pramiar plat at an tarmlnant aoit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatratlon, aoit par la aacond plat, aalon la caa. Toua laa autraa axamplairaa originaux aont filmto mt commandant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatratlon at •» tarmlnant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una taila ampralnta. Tha laat racordad frama on aach microfiche ahall contain tha aymbol — ^^ (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha aymbol V (moaning "END"), whichavar appliaa. Un daa aymbolaa auivanta apparattra aur la darnlAra Imaga da chaqua microflcha, aalon la caa: la aymbola — ► aignifia "A SUIVRE". la aymbola ▼ aignifia "FIN". lira IMapa. plataa, charta. ate, may ba filmad at diffarant reduction ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba antiraly included in ona axpoaura ara filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa required. The following diagrama illuatrate the method: Lee cartea, planchaa, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A dee taux da rMuctlon diffArenta. Loraqua la document eat trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un aaui clichA, 11 eat filmA A partir da Tangle aupArieur gauche, do gauche A drolte, et do haut an baa, an prenant la nombre d'Imagea nAceaaaire. Laa diagrammaa auhranta illuatrant la mAthoda. by errata led to •nt ine pelure. Of on A 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 STACIC > .1 ) '> AN I1UMBLB ATTEMPT t 9 TO SUBSTANTIATE THE LEGITIMACY OF AND OF * •^ AS A SCRIPTURAL MODE OP ADMIN ISTEHlko THAT ORDINANCB. IN THREE LETTERS, ADDBEMB» TO THE REVEREND MR. PRIESTLEY, WESLEYAN METHODIST Bf MdlONARY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE iMNta SCOTIA DISTRICT* By George Jackson. *< It it BO wonder that the great imm of chiMrea are so wicked, whea so hm arr pat andcr the care of Chritt by haable, piajrieg, believiof parenti. Lit over* parent that fcart God, briog ap hb childrea in that fear ; ami by baptlii let each be dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Whatever i» aolea»ly ceMoentei to God, abide* nnder hii protection and bleuiog. ** llioee who are dj^wd or MwacrMd in water in the naae of the Holy Trinity, I believe to be evangelically baptised. Those who are washed or sprinkled wilk water hi the name of the Father, and ofihe Son, and of Ibe Holy Ghent, I believ* to be e^oaily so: and a repetilioa of tacb a baptisoi, I believe to be prdfaae.* Tkt Rmi, Dr. 4. Ctmkt. HALirAX, HOLLANI> ft CO^rAiMTESf, 1899. ANNEX STACK iiiU~ tlVTV 0^ * ^ MAY 2 7 1358 J Letter I. Ueverend and verjf dear Sir, '* W Caprnon addreMC* lh« pnblieoa a controvcrled qneition, II r«f|nlr<* •uMe aiKtlogy to nerMn bim from the imputationt which nay orifinal* in those »aspicioot and pasniont to which human nature is tahjcct, and which will Mliiom fail «• eaH iu question, both the purity of his motWe* , and the |»ro* priety of hi« procredings. Under these eircumstaocfs, I feel peculiarly happy at least to subserve the cause of charily.* I. Tbofe whose raune I am engaged to advocate, look upon baptism as an Initiatory rite, or a ceremony essential to a person's becoming a member of Ike visible Cliurch of Christ, litis they attempt to piove as follows : 1. Bai>ii»in under the gospel, is a snbsiilute for eircumcinion under the patrl* •tcbfti and ntosaic dis|ton*ations, which, both to Jewish inl'aots, and to heathen fironelyies and tlieir children, was an initiatory ceremony .(a) That iiapiiiim is a subxiitnte for fircumeision it is presumed, is evident from Gal. %. 27. Ill the context tlic apostle shrws the inxnfiicipney of the law to give rigbieouf>ness.(h) In the 24th verse he shews, however, thai it was not useifsn, iNring a sihoolmaster to bring them to Cllrist, lor a proof of which be appeals to their own esperience ;(e) and thru, in the following verse, he adds, '* for an nia> iiy of you OS have been baptited into Christ have put on Christ ;" and showing tlieir privilegca in consequence, he subjoins, *'and if ye be ChriNt's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promi«e.'Xd) When we coui«idir that ii was against the Jewish law, and agaiuitt circumcision us iuiliatory to its observance, that St. Haul principally pleads in tbisepistle^e) tliis paVsage i«pe> cnliarly striking ; for he proves, that without it, by the ordinance ol° baptism, they Were initialed into all ibe privileges of Christianity, which he comprises in that expressiou-*'* Ye aro Abraliam's seed, and heirs according to llie promise.* (a)Oen. IT, II, 14, S4, 15,24. Exed. 12, 48. Jennings' Jewi-h Ant. p. 6i.— . Ediu. 1808. Plenry'a Maiiiiera of the Israelites, by Dr. A. ClArt^e, p. 371, |j^< ' 401^1819. (b)v.91. (c)v,SO. (d)v.29. (e>NCh.A.8.di(c. < '* Tkb MWttl* •»•• "Howi, tkat St. P««I eomhl^red the fn»|»e» •« Hnt • eonilii*- •f th« Abrabaaie covenant TImi Abrabam wan fuBllflH by lailb, and Mt kjf Iha 4t«d« or ibe law, m hi* emit aignment a(ain^t ihe Jadaiifm in hia •fhtin to the Raman*, and to the Oalaiian* ; and «ib«n wn call to mind, thai kreoMidcrs Ike iiromiM of God as ibe rlijcet of AhrNliam'* faith, and ibai lie call* hclif VRM » tho eblluren of Ike promise," ami " Abntham'N need arrordiaf t» Ike premiM," •! in evident tlwt be did not ro'imd^rike covenant, in any *euiie, cba»(|ed iit iu nalnrr, faith, and failb aloiir, beinc, in each di«pen>aiioii, ibe conditloq ofjattifiraiion^t) 'I'bal be eonnidered ibe inHiMior> rrrrtnuiiy rlmuc. •d, w« 8n|>po»e lo be already i>raved t*y ibe |tasi«»|;fl above qnuteit : for be CiMds airaimt cirrnmciiion, and derUren that the G bMi ** piii unCbrial" y beinf *>i/if»fdiafo Him, and b«ileviBf in Him.Vbirb, at adulu. wa« lb** only troiirr i|n«liflration for baptlain. Ky* fiitb ibey were WMde |iariaki-rs oi iho tr»ain(8 uf ihi- gofpel; by baptism they wt-re iniiiated into ibe rbri«tian churck. We find aKimilar modcafargumenlaiiwn piiriiued in tbe ■|>otii>'« etiMie lo the Cobwaian*, eb. 9. II and IS ver»e«. lnot»|>P»ition tn lb*> pbiioaopbiKine and jndaiiifig teacbeia witb whieb Ibiachnich wa* infeated. and «Kalu^t wlM>in ilia apaelle warned tbeai, veraeg, he infomed lbe■^ that lb y were " eonipl*-iei« kim whiek i» ihe k*adaf «ll prinripatily and imMcr." The prorrM li> whieen nwde ikn« " connplete in biin," wan n«*t by beinc literally f Irriim cinad, km by beiac the bapp^ partak«*r» of Itiat rban^*) denoted, or fii(Hied, by cirrantrbiM), ealM *' ihit fticnniriitnifr made wiihont band*," ami wliirbcon- ale.l ** infaiilagofftha body of ttar oiiM of tiie tl«'ith t»y the riiriiiiiciHioii of liiat," Ihraaiika ** faitlL«f Iha ofieratian of Gua, who baib lained bun (Jesnii) from Ike dewi ** ** A«Mi ymi, eintiniiea the apAnilv, tieiiig dead in >)mu riiik and thraacireiuiiciaioooryoviNBeitk, katb be i|niclieiied togetber wuh bmi, having Ikfgivan yea all lrea|>as>es.*'(fl) Thia ia evidently one argnment by which h« SMvenjlttt Ibey oagbt not to " tourb, tante, or handle," wbai he callit ** ihe ru< iaMniaof Hte world, ^'ta a |ibn, by," orio be **aiil>j<-ct io'*(Jewiiili/'oiaiiian- , Ma ;" k) ike firat of wkieb waa i-ircnmriaion, and ooMCpraing wbi< h, the Jnd.iii- •ffa langhi, " UaleM ye ba cire«Hiciaed, and k«>ou ike law of Muavs ye v*mboi be Bat Ihi- apft-tl<* a w* ce li^eu wiib bm •kroiiKk tbe faitb of Ike opeiaiina ol' God." Cir- CMKCtsieswak itirreloie iinii»c«aHary for iheat, becanae ibev had |«aili«ken buih •f lbeoalw.iid and vinittla sign, and llic. inward and apiriinal gracr, or, to use Htf laagNafe uf the ^atwur, ibey were bora both" of wai«r and of tbe spirU," and we-e eons' qiimily krirs of ** the kiugdAm of God." S. Tkat kaplwiii4« aa initiatory eeremony ibey aiiratpl lo ffAve fnr(ber,1)y a eanaideialien of the eoaunand of our Kavionr,aud the proeeedinxa ol bis apoatlea. Wki>n '-ar LokI ^ave hi* diaeiples Ikeir eemaiiwnn, prior le kiaaarenaion tnta keav< n,be comnianJed ihein lo " Go and tearb f dist*i/ alt nations, baplixing tbeaa lu (nio) tb» tianio ofthe Fathei.aud of tbe Son, and ui the lloiy.';(j) T'ti»m an iiiiiia* tory eert moiiy, thry snppo*e evident Iront ibe luliowing ronaidaraiiooa. Wh*-u •• Ike day vf PeutrciMt, iba»e who " wt le prirl(«-d in ike heart," cried ** men and brt-tbren what ^liall we do f" Peter tisiHweied, ** Repeat and be haptiiicd every one of you :" and we are infoinied, iitat ** they that gladly received tbe iroril were bapiiKod : and the same day ibvie were added unto Unm abunt iloulfi."(k) Tbe scndiir.i of tbe aam*- ajioatie was similar, in the case uf Corncbiiti ant) hits tamily. U bvn ik' y iiad '* ri*i-ui vad tha Hoty Otiest," k« a*tked, ** ran any n an forbid water, dial ike»e »hoiilil not be biptiaed, wkieb have Twreived the Hol«CTlN»»t at well as wf i and he comntanded tbcBi lo he bapiiacd in ihe name o( ih« iMtM J*sn».'XI) (0«- St.and rh.t. 6. 14, 17; and also Rom ll.lT,fte. where tbea(>osile iiroves tb«l tbe iKl'evingCieiiiilcs bad aue'ctfded. to tbe privileges of tbe niibelieving J»w«, by beiaggtatted into the .good olive tree, (g)vertcs 12, 13. (ii)v- itO.— (i)Aet8lft.l. (i)>tali S8. 19. 7k>Aria 2.16^41. (I)\cts 10. 47,4l». Se. alsu abrt the caac of ^ajit, ch. t. II. 4^ the Eunacb, ch. S. iO, 18, aud of the Jailer, cb. 16 as. ■■ t- » J I b^m lr«v« t»eloM Mjr rmrnirks oa Ihia part of «ar tabJMt by • brief txtract Ami Dwigiit't Body «! Divinity, on Jolio I. S. ** Cirept a man M born of watvr antf of Ibc npirit^hr canaot »oi«r into the liingdoa of Ood." ** To be bora of water/ Dr. D obMirve*, •< it to be bafttted. To be born of the spirit is to ba regent rated. The Itingdnni of 0prcbeud, that all the anfonnded objections of nii|»elievers to the observances of the Jewish ritual, are entirely inappliiiable tn the ceremonies of the Konpel, which have bet u so Justly celebratrd for their «m|ili<>ity. W* have nothing ceremonial.biit the Sacrament of ttaeLord's supper, and Baptism. In the former, we commemorate his meritorions saffeiincs as the price of onr redemption ; and the latt< r reminds us ot that pnrlty," and '* holi* ness, wiihnnt which no nun iball see the Lortl." litis will net be disregarded by an cnlighteued and sincere adult, when he partakes of this otdiaanae. Ha wilf remember, th«t, so many as are llaplited into Jesus Christ, are hfptiied inta bis death ;" and that as Christ after his death was '* buried," so he, b) baptism,^ takes upon himself tlie obligation to be dead and buried unto sin ; ** timt like aa Christ was raised np from llie dead by the glory of the Father, even so ha also, (as one spiriiaallju'aised,) should walk in newness of life (n) That a iMlieving parent, who wa» convinced that it we« his duty, would present bis child nnto Ood, nnder the influence of similar veniimenis, and »ecAiid bia oiTering, by using every endrnvour in his power lo inttil into it's mind a souse of (m)vol. 6. p. asr. Baynes' £d 1819. (n;Rom.O. t,4. To be " baptiied into the death of Jesns ChriM," Is to b« initiated into the blessings procn'red l>y bis death ; (Gal. S. 27.) and a* he**vma 0ianife«ted to destroy the works of the devil," those who are thun mterenled la' his death, are ** dead imteed utttosin, bat alive nnto Ood tbionirh^esus ChiisI onr Lord :" (v. 1 1 .) atiti m all who believed, and were baptiaed, ** received th% gift of the Holy QliO't," (Acts V, 38.) a coriaeqiiencc of which wa«, that they were spiritually ** dead to sin," they are said, verse '4, to be *' buried with him by baptism into death.'* As the death tlien is spiritual, and not an eftbet of baptism, but of recciyiug ijie Huty Ghost, so is the burial, as is also the resurrec* tion.aiid the death, iinrial and resurrection of Je*M i:kri$t, are the flcureii ker« introduced by ihe apooile, lo bring to the remruibrance of the Romans 'be ob. liiCationM which thqy bad taken upon tbemselvm, when they were " hauiized into Christ's deHth." Therefore we are buried with him by bai'iiKin iiilu deaths that lik» a^ Christ was raised np from the dead by the glory of the i-'ail«er, even so we alfO should walk in newness of life. That the»e expreitsioiiA aie to be fig- nrativfily understood, I think is evident from the S and G verses—** For if we have been a/ealed togethtr in tbe Ukeoexa of his death, yen shall al»o he in the likenesHof bis leHUriection. Knowing this, that our old man in crucified .with biin, that tiie body of sin might be desiro>ed, that hcncefurth we i>nould not serve sin." >Vitb no more propriety can the word " buiied** be rensirned to signify immernion, tliau the worils '* planted" and " crucified," which wnuM certainly be veiy improperly applied thu^, but whirhare tignrafively npplieii by St. Paul, t9 denote the same great change, vis : the death and bnrial of (lie old man, or prliicipl«- of sin, which be here ifersonifies, and the cousequtut spititual resiirrt-etion of ihe Romans to *' newuesH of life." . I trjist, .Sir, that these lemfrks wl> nvemmry l« |trov». TliU •nxiciy for lis •pirilnal welfare, tad • ■riiit* ol it's Mny Ills daly to train it ** ap ia the nariara aad sdnMnillMi •f til* Lard," would null* to stiaiulate hiai to this, aud liw iaagaaga af liU itaarl neuld hp, " as for me aad my ii'iUKt we will serve tUv Lord." 'IImi iIip apostles of oar Lord viewed tiaritUm as a cereaiony of dedicatiaa. I think in already {trovrd ; especially by the remarks on Rom. 6. t,'4. Hboakl •ny doubt r»main, however, it amy proliably lie removed by a coiisideratioo, that it appears to have been under the influence of this eonvietioa, lliat it was. at all UMpd by them as an Incentive to holiness of life. Again, it appears to ba •wiag lothi* apostles looking apon it in ibis liglil, that Ibey itromisau the (iA of Ibe Holy Mhost to iho«e aitolls who repeated and were baptitrd, for this bltn> ingisonly graoiad to tbos^ who '* present tbcmseivet a living saeriAca aata Ood."(«) . Bni again ; when we conoider liaptism as a snbstiinie for cirenmcisioa nador fhrlsw, wlticb, it is lieped, has been proved ; not the least doubt can i4>maia^ for it was the ceremony in wliich the Jews received ilia seal of the covenant made briwpen Ood and them, in which hr engaged lo " be their God, aad that ihey should be bis pro|>le.''(pj 'I'liey were by ilieir rircnmeii>ion eeaieit a< Ika Lord's, and by their parents given np to Him. 'I'lie above passage Hi. Ptnl f notes, la prove to the Coiinliiiaus, tlie neceisiiy of a separaiioa Iroin Idalatare, which plainly evinces that he viewed ibf »ubji>et in ibe same light ; lor seeiag tlial weimve lo do wiib a Being " with wkom tbeion liieordi* ■anceol'bapliHin in any other (Mints of view than ibasa in which I have bert* at' ^milled lo represent it, via. an an initiatory and dedicatory ceremony ; but 1 med not inform yon. ibsi they oppoch I biivtt •Kiler will I iisernl to idvantagQ > God, «ra eaMBabi* ON. «.». H Letter U. Revereod and very dear Sir, AVINO, In the prrfiidinR Itlter.altriaptrd a rfpr^aontation of Ilia doitm «f bapiitai, at fiir at it rulatt* to infant*, and to prove liiat it aceorda with that of Christ and liit ^^potttlea, I •h.ill, in llii*. ali«m|>l to provr, III. . llMl il hi with propriety mat we eouiider tlie iofaiit cliildrrn of balUvcn MfitidVjecu for bapiitM. Betbre I proceed, iiowcver, il may not bi inprop^r, lo Iwapcak both th«all«iM lion and tbe candour of tbone who are nnarqiiatntcd wiiii the nalnre oi'ihiadla- cwaiou. by oliMrviov ; that, at it* comnrnccmeBi, ai it regardii ah*oinio ear* tainly Iroai tbe •eripinrea, boib the advocate*, and the opponent*, ot Infant llaptiaM,aree»aclly(inalevcl. For as tliey contain no enpreM d«elaraiionn •iiher far or afainst the practice, while we coadiio onr Inanirlet lo the evidciMa which they fnmiili ; our d«ci«ion must, of neceuiii v, turn in favonr of tbeae whe preduoo Uiai which is the oMMt ptobnbio. This being dene, I proceed in eb* aerve, I. That the ordinanre of baptism does net appear to have originnted with nnr Lord nod his apostio, bat to have been adopted by them from the JewiihCbnreh. The tciiplnrca appear lo eoatain plain lutimslions of it* bring in use nmong thn Jews, prior in its bring nractised by John tb« Baptist. The qnesUen of those who were sent by the Jews to inqnira whether no were tbe Meiwinh f plainly iutimaies this.' 1'hey n*hed him ** Why be baptised if bo were not that Chrlar, nor £l.a«, aeilhcr that prophet r(q) In this qneslion, they fvi«lrntly ap«nk ot the ceremony withont siirprise. which would not have been tbe ca»e, had it ba^ novel, nod tbe only thing which they queilion, is John's right lo baptise, seefaif he OSS ''neither the Christ, nor that prophet." Here they evidently allow, tbnc It wa» right that mee sbonid be baptiied, and, if John taaiffe Dr. A. Clarke's Com'y. on John 1. 9«. (a>Joba 4.lgl, ii>4lnctitt4al«'a Mtbknu Die arlicle *• bat^iMH^'* li kfMlv mhimmmI up, by nm EMt\i»U |ir«lale, in tit* fo ihftt caiiir av«r t« them Atmb tiM iwlioa*. And ihu baptltm, it ha« b«f« kU* wii by lho»« b««t iikllird in J«wttlimtl«ni«, wm «d»iiiiUl«rcd la iniaiiln m wril •« lo grown pntoiir." Cln lh« Mbji-nt of UpticM balogM evrauivny wMrtM ik« Jews, Dr. Dodtlritlie ai>. MffVM, * Itto •lirnnf* to UM Ibol any abould doHbl of lM«,««bmi it i* pbln, riom OKfiroMMMagrt in iIm J««i«b low, tkot no Jrw wbo bad livod liko a GmliU fbr.OMday, coald b« rcatorod to tko eo«m«nio« of ikii cbarcb witbowt it.— CoMiioro ntiaib. 19. 10 an mi«iorod ineapaMo atap* MiMrlag bofero Ood In tho Ubomaele or toaiple, till iboy wtro wa«bod either by bntitbig or ■•rInkUnff.'' ,. Ab, thoroforo, Itappoan lo havo l»«on adopted by onr Lord fVom tho Jewiah Chnreb, witbootany roatrietion a« to the iinlije«t«, in h|s eowmand to hi* di«eh plaa, Matt. SA. 1ft. wo infbr^hai miaou are proper auiijeeU for ihri4iiai»J(^ piiMB . I aai wall aware, Sir, that it ha» been olijartrd, that ihia eomaiand makes loaohteg proparatory to bapliiing, and ihai in Am la being incapable of b«ing laaght, aro thorfforo iarapable of beinit bapiiied. A proper traothitfon, however, happily provoa tho contrary ; aud to ihi* we are compelled, to avoid what Mr. Wraloy call*,** vaia taniolof y ; fooaeleaa roueiition." The origioal ■wrd,aMibeioaMlo, it ia well known, ought to b« readnrrd, >* Make di«cipl«i •K oil;* or proaoly to,aad the paaaago nboold bo tranalalod—** Go yo and Hieii>k aN ■altaM, baptising them in the name of tho Father, and of tlm Son, and of the Holf Oboal. Teaehhic them to observe all thinga whaltoovor I have rommati- dlvdyon."(tt) It, therefore, appear*, thai tb«> command to ** m 'ho diacipica •f/'or to prooalyio, ** all tho world," eatendcd tho eommiHioa of tho apoaile «, M tho Ooatilea, wharooa prior to tbia, it bad bron confined to tho loat aheep of Ihohooaaof Ismol,(v)and their dicciuling naecevded to tho oroaclyting nndf^r Ihn law, a« it waa to ha performed in ilio aaaw manner ; and or conme, when the > pa w nta war* hoptiicd tho children were aluo to be admittrd by bapliam, aa WW thoenao in tho Jewiah ehnrch. In conformity «^ih ihia idra, it ia, that w« land, that P«'t»r oahortod tho adnlti to •* reucwt and be baptiied," and at ihA enmo thne doelara d , ** the promiao waa onto them and tlieir children,*' aud of Iho hoaaoholda* of holiovora being baptised bylbe apoatl«a.(w) Thia expla> ■atbHi,in my hnmUo opinion, aaiufactorily accoiinta lor ttiere lieing noeaproaa iiemmand, either for, or againat infant baptiam, in ibo •eripiOTca. Thv ceromo* •y hoing adopted fram the Jrwiah church, reniier'd it entirely nnneceaaary lor onr Havionr to aay any thing on the anbjvcl, and created a neeratity for him Jo farhid infant bapiiam, if ibay wcrr not lo teeeive it, owing to ita b«ing •Iwi^a implied in the prokrlytmg or diaripling.of the natioaa. Infant itapliam «pponra to bo juat in a »iiHilar predicament with the cbriatian Vabbaih. There la ,dmoommand,in ike New Twlameut, for the obaervanco of tho Sabbath, nndcr 4w«eapel diapraaalivn,on Iha lirat day of the week. Bat that tbf> apoetlea •ppoopriatod on« day in aevcn, to the worahip of Ood, thoagh they changed it from tho acveoth to the irat day of ibe week, we have aaiiafactory prt>of%)r Inference from aevnai paiiMgea of acriplnrc, and we have alto ihe direr\ tea* timonieaoftheeariieateccleaiaatical wriiera; an«l I hapr lo make it ap)i«ar, tiwi the inl'ereiicca, fram the aeripturca, in fkvonr of infant liapliam. are atf for* icihio aa liioae in favour of Ihe obaervanpc of the firat d«y of the week aa a cun- Jtant and perpetual day of real aud worahip among cliriaiiana. ». " *On thoaabjectofthohonaeholda OMntioued in the acriplarra, which w«-r4# •ftnpiited by tb« apoatlca, it may bo ob«i-rved ; tii«v were five in noHi^r, vii^ ' tho^ofCornelins, the jailer, Lydia.CriapuH. and Steplianus; and (hat it is r»> .' ther improbable ihat there ahoald not have beeu iufanu in aome of ihem. It idoeanot reat with as, however, aahaa been anpponed, to prove ihtt lher« were, hni thal,if there were, the probabilities are in lairour of their being b«ptised by tho Apoailok. (n>Soc Parkhnrat on the word ; Wesley's Notes, and his worka, vol.IS, p.4M, U.I ISIf. (vJMatt. M. 1, 0^.(w)1«e Acta a, W, a9» M^T, «8, 14 is.'M.ld.ft. Ui> ful ia r.» lu in It U b li el '.? \ •»." On •In, flora > Omtil* Jiowt It.— ITMioiiiai •ilhcr by |his di«eK ^^ piioiB. makfln r bHnr •UiHmi, to avoid •H(iiMi ••^«N I V r- Bat aiaia. The o^)«ction iliii a waut oTfallb, hMapaeitalM Maalii for m. U»m, iltffirwya ilwlf by |>rev>ng too much. Fir»i, it eterfa* lb* Akalgklf ,viU|i fully ia ordaiuinf ctroamcttioii, wbieh wm ^ a •«•! af iIm riabteiaMMM artitlb,'' ta ht aduiiniticrad to Jawtfb iiifaiiu at algbl dnya old„ at wUeli ilaia Hmv i«f i;* (tftiainly iaraiiablr of aaerritinc I'aitb. And Mcondly ; thU re«iioaiag arlMi» lu its initn, all tbo borrort' vl* iuMut damiialioii. For if our Lord's eoMaiioIni Inclndo inranii, aaik forbid their boiaa ba(»t<«'d, boeaaM tbay hava not Ajlta, •iii>ni >iippoiw,ibat tboae wha arc ackaowlodf^l by drill a» >*•• t>itfv«'r siiijec ii* uf hit iiinctoiii, are aiitltled to baptiam •• t^a lito of initiation, and llie wtl uf ili« covenant. '■"brca of thr evangvliMts hwe intuiinnd m of persoiM who <* bro<|gbt littta ehildrea nato Ciirist ibal he •hould pnt lii* hand* en ihem and pray : and tba diaciploa rabiiii«d tlwin. Hut J«»un »aid *uti«^r liiile cbildreti, and forbid tltofl aat to coaM uuto at* : for of tiich i« liie kuigitoin of heaven. And be laid bja baiid« oa tbeoi «nd departed tk«uce.(y) Ou iliis pauage it ii preiaaad ti|a follo«»inR obaei vaiioae may, with pro,>riel>, be niiide. (1) Tlia parpnl* of llieie chihiren wcf eviiiently bf licvers in Christ as'tb* Iflestiab ; for th«y hrongbt ihi^ir children ih«t tiiey might receive bia bleseion : thatyoccot^big to (be form ofeunsecraliuf children unto Ood in those days^a) ".he alight put b«s bauds on litem «nd pray." (S ) The dineiiilet rebuked ihose who brought them, and for so dohl|««ra toproved by Christ. (S.) I'bat pare nU are at Irsst permitted, but we tbiak, eoouaaadad, to )NrfaM their children, and the apMlies to suffer then to be broiigbt, unto Cbriit. (4.) The leasens wbich lie asfigned for thi« was, that they are iba prepar anbjects of bis kiogdom ;— " of sneb is the kingdom of heaven."* (5.) I'hat onr Lord considered It his doty lo comply with tbe wiahaaaf 4|ia paicnts of these children ; and having anigucd this as Ua reison ** Ha look lliam up in bis araa, pnt bis hands on tliam, aad blrsaed tbem." ffecra then, the apostles bad C^briHt'ii command, bis example, aad bis raaaans, fer da«licaiUig childraa uoio God ; »nd iball wr suppose that these wanid hava BoindaoBceontbeir eoudnci in fature life? Ood fprbid ! Tbay woaM M d|Mbt ever afterwards, eoniider such as beiag proper Hnbjecis for «|«dieati#B to iOHLjmd fbr admission into bis church. W« have already seen,! trust, tiMtt, tiM e JMW bt t iatoty ceremony is baptism } and I beg leave to suggest, lirtlliatjia m^madile opinion, the transition from these proceedings of oar tlav|a«r, to infaiit baptism ou th« part of iiis apostles, after they received their C0B>witstou, wa.1 necessary, and unavoidable. I have exceeded the limitK, which I bad prescribed tomysalfoo tbia passajr ( niider tba influeace of a cooviciion of its importance ia this ease. For irin* fttnis have that interest in the meiciQii iiilerposition of tbe Saviour ia behalf of mankind, which coustitntes ihem the proper sabjeeisof ** the kingdom of kaavcn," it is certainly Ui« duty of every miniilir of the Gospel to sJence every one who wouM forbid their being baptised, io tbe memorably lauguage of bu (x)See Mark 16. 16 ; Marknight on Matt. t8. 10, and Wesley's works, vol. IS. p. 400. (y)Matt. 10. IS, 16. (s)See Dr. A. Clarke's Comnsent oa Matt. 10. IS. aodGen. 48. 14— 16. •*I beg leave,8ir,to snggeft,that I cannot look npon this declaratian as rapra« aentiog *' infants," as St.Luke terms these childtrn,a« merely types or 6gore« of those who should " raeaive the kingdom of heaven," as in v. S ; and also in Lake 18. U. which is aothing more than our Lord's improvement of thm circamstaDC<> for the bfoefit of bis dtsciples. This implying no real excelit^ncy, could not have fumishvd Christ, who always spake of his kingdom a« a R|)ir:j \ • . 10* tMlnr-'~''^«Vcr little cbiMrra to come onto me md forbid Ihrra not, fur t/ Mt^ Ulk» ld»Ki*m V AMnm." It'tliey lire entiiM to the bles*i»gM »t'lli« c«Veii*nt,itlMy tav«a« mnrb ri|tbt |o the xeel el tbe novenant, and Ikr ordin. •iieivf iititiatiuii,** tbe Jewl»b inttbtn li«d lo ciicnmeision, and tiif priviie);« •r brlK^** prearoied unto the Lord,"(s) »h«1 lbi>> I >»k, Ik t'lirtber tvldeni, rroiii -a'Vemarkabie i>a»Mii!;eiD tbeaikiy flnb cli*p. of the prophecy by ihp Prophet iMidi, in twbicb hr foret.h tbic calliuff of ilie 0«'ntile< into tbe Guspel Ctiuich. **¥»T r^4>y^Myi be, are tbe teed ot the biesied ol itae Laid, and Ihe'vr offtpring t^ From what bas been advanced it ia only rrasonable to inquire, whether 'tbe apottlen of our Lord loolirdupon tbe c!iUd*<-n of believers «s in any tenae, different from those ot the heathen. \Vb9n 8t Paul wrote lo the Corinthiana on tho »iibj«<^ of the iawfniness of a ehriatiaa and a bea(hen coo'iiiuiuK to .>ive with earli other, as himband and wiff,oue of tbe pariiea having' bren cou verted after their union, be expreiised Umaelfaafollpwii. "For the iinlHirving husband iaxaMCtilind by the wife, •ltd the utsiyelievingwifeia lauciilied by tbebuabund : elite weieyour children unelean ; bnt now are they boly.'l(i) I beg leave to anggeal, air, tliat 1 tbliiV it anfTiriently evident, on the fiice of tb's paaaage, that fh« diffirnlty which :he apoHtle Mtlved, had ori|;itiated in the ata .'. of the children, provided one party rontinm d a lietilien. The praciieee oftbt (*'-*'ien,itiit well Jiiiown, were by vaiiona fejreinutiies to dedicate ih^ir children to idola before they were b(tru.(j) Under thOKe circiini»lance«, no con« aeitBtious ebriai:an could live with a hea'lien, aa they uiade it a point nt' conaei* ence to dedicate their children unto the Holy 'I'l imty— the true Uod, by bap> tism. But if the party which continued in hraiheiiiMii, wonld (no doubt 00 the conditions pretcribad by the chriatiau party.) coutioue to live Wiib lh« other, Mt. Panladvirad it, ashy theae eiMilinna, Ibey were both ai^reeabio that tb^ir offupriug aboii'.d be ditiHian, aeparated from th<> heathen, debated totlie trne6od,aiid eonaequetitly holy, in the aen«ein which I apprrheiid, the ' word it here nRed,a8op|iosi<«i to niiclran. So far the heathen party was"i||inc- lifiedi^or aeparated for tbe bringing fotiha holy a(«'d, by the cbrikiiai.|Mlriy, ■ lie hailing preacrlbed the terma^to ,|vhfch tiie other Kubmitted. Tbe a^tle\ infcreiice ia, ** Elae were your children unclean, but iiowareth«^y boly,'^;a1id ' therefore^ th^obfetacle being removed, I adviae the continuauce of the iwiidit' ' TMs ■ir, I auppose to be the true aiKuification of this confaaaedly diffljjil*; KM^efbr the following reasont. I'iial thv apostle reuuirea tlie conMNHflHa, Ihea party, certainly to some condiiiona prescribcit by the otliertf^^M^ <■■ to the eontisnaiice uf the union. ^Secondly, tbia being obis* ; eev*nch apower; nor dfd the apoMic auupoae that they «^'d ; fiirheeonaider* rd it doubifnl whe|t»er the l)eli<^v«r WAld lie tbe lueaim of Mvinii the unUeiiev* cr.(k.) Thirdly, he makes ilie hoii:>e*H of tli* children conse<|uewt ou-the nanc* lifieatiou of the UMlHtlieviDg party: fur hehajs, " EUe were iliey n.lrlean " — ' Aim! foartbly, conaistcnt with ihiii, beeiiviNva; " If the nnbelieving depart, let him depan, a brother or a ai!>tet- is not iindei boKdage iuanch caoea : but God .jath called us to |ieace.*'(l,) Ifiliiabetbesiaailication of this pasaage, it ia xufRciently f«yident, that tbe . Jiffiprence between the cbiMien ot Jlu heaitteii,aud those e( the cbnotiaa con. aiated in tbe former being dedicated in idols, and the latter to the Holy Trini- |y,--the living and trueiGod. Iti tb(8 A)i{>oaition,'I am not i^wnre, that there iaaay thiagaaanmed,lkiMwli«t, I ifnat, will be pio^^ji Iteforr the coiiciuaioa • of tbia letter, vie : that (hi*, aucerdiog to tlie usageaWiiiie pri^ttive cluisliau ' chorrh, waa performed by baptism, which is, .indiapuiatly, tlidPWy ceremony, Ifrdft-aaedly of a dedicatory nature, ackuo«le(i«;ed among chiiai^tpt |f tbia be not the weaning of this paasaire, I^o(>e it will appMUTi that il ia still ■Mfefikvonrabletoour (MN6e : foriu tbe^toye comrtieiit,Ilia«e lakrn tlie«-«rd ** Holy" in Jta lowcDj aensA, i.e.foff.uueaetiat»tedv>rom tbe heathen, and ** pre- ,% f '(g)CoflipMr« Lev. la cli. wiib LilKei 9i> 24. (li) verse 2S. y) Hae Dr, A. Clarka'a Cemmcut on this jwtaage. (k) v. 1«. (i)lCor.T.,14.— (l)f.U. *:t t'. .Si 11 •CBtcd to lh« Lord." If it \tr (« he tiiki>n in « r«al ssnte, it tnpport* tho doetriaii' '•Ireail y «d, gf conrite.liad a ri|{bt to the errenony of iiti. tiatioiHiito the rbi inlian chnrrh, whith ii« called a ** holy prieslhood," and to tlie ceal of the rhrtntian rovvnent. For, " oonldany man forbid water, tlia^ tlieiif; nhunld not he bapthed, wkiiA had leaittd ttlt fiafy GAotI «u wtU «i ikt, apotlkt." 4. Thi* view of Iheontjeri very natiiially It-ads n<« to inqnire, whether 'iIm' a{)0«tlf» roiisideif •! tiiA children of j^lievern a!> me^hers of the rhrisiian chnreh, I i>rc»iMne. Sir, that ^n impartial (onuid t ration of the langi»ire of St. Paal to the children in the rhiirrb«« o( K|vliei mnrt O^plaMf, cannot iio««ibly leaver ^ doiiitt on our minds uii ihiw fluhjpct (in) He rvidenf ly eonKidfired thjem meniiwm of tbeiif* chnrcbf-M, inKtrnrted ihem anHnch, and • roi>oKed ihoje nioiitrfs to com* pliaiire which he conld not expect wnnid be eff«et»«l with any bat those who paid a di ference to his antltority, and the a|i|>roi>aiion of God. (1) H« considered them membcrj* of thoAechnrcheo.. In addities t* the fact, that iheve epistles were addietord to the chnrcliet, itnd to be read in the asRein^ bliesjf the christians, iliisiniiRt appear by the considerstion, that they' are men* tiou« h«>, obey ydte parents ia the Lnrd. How eoiil<| thi-y ol»ey their p^ftonts in the Lord, It' r^yrhemielv^s >»ere not in the Lord ?-^ In «vfry instance, this "xpreNKioh.marks incorporation into the chrisliiin bod/. For esHiitpfe ; when St. 1'hmI diaiineniii' >« those of the family of NarcixMns, wh^ were rl)ii«n8, hiv laii|t(naKe >!• : " wm .' are in the Lurd." In like manine^, ()ne»inius, the i coAcil«>ii,t') Itedonb.;- dear to his master, "in the flenli. and in ihoLord :" **in lb* . Ih;iih," !iom bavli^ been formerly domesticated withPhiltmon ; ** in tlieLord,** as being now Ms fellow «|iristiMn.(u) '* Rei>Pands of that God, to whom as the offspring of christians, they <• had been dedicated, and wlioxe coinmandments they were, no do'nbt, daily tancht to reverence. " Children ohfy yoifr parents in the Lord," saynhe, **for this is righl."— '* Hoiionr thy latlieriand mother, which iis the first comoiaitdmciit. with prvnuse.'Yp) * •*" (3) He prnposrd those motives tp cowplianec.which he could not reasflnabfy expert would lie effectual with any, but those who \ aid a fl^tertuce to liii tif^. thoriiy.nnd tlieappioiiatinnof God. In the passages aiiove qnoted, 8t. PaiiP^ tak^s II for |( ranted, that thfy were tint heatlteu') ; but believed, as they liiMb ^ been taught, in^e true Gt>d, and Jesns ( IwisI whom be had sr-nt. This %\dm' could give eweiry to tlie motives whicii he urges,—** This is well pleasing nnto tlie Lord."— " Whit h is the first coiiinianrttnrnt with promiM." He evidently r«'Ststbaeffect.sof his instmctiotis on these motives, in connexioii with hisoWa 1^ inflnenct and HUtbority : hence he doet not reason tlie caxe with ihrqi, to pio<0 that what he coiuniaAded wa< just and •-qnitable, bnt. as becanre one who wM iistriirtine Utile ^ildren, simply asset ts—" this is right." From these conai* . der«iiuii<>, I hoviejit appears evident, that the apostle Pnnl crnsidered thi-chiK dr^n u| tile Epliesian<,»nd the Coioasiatir, ai members of the mystical body of Clirist— " t«i (l\e l,h and Mary, wlio brpagbt the Holy child Jesua Into the teniple,and " presented him to the Lord;"(r) •rMtnose parent* whose conduct we have alrtady admirrd, who bron«(ht " in> fhnt* mio Christ that he would touch them"— or '* pat iiis liaitds on them and ptjajuTO And why should not our diildren he " prfnented tnii6 the Lord" in fcntfsb f -lloes it belong to that dispf-nxalioii, eompar*d with which, those ^^- ■• • " ... -- ... .^,^j^j nnl« Hion jduii have jpreceded it,Jiave ** No glory" rrniaining*' by reason of the g] Ibis fscolietb/ to abridge onr privileges, and deprive the christian of the to of ** presenting his cliildrennnto the Lord ;'* by prenrotinc them for flip bis church, and thereby laying escb party auder an obligation io laty? Snrely not But I beg leave hnmh'y, yu confidently, to aiaaiitain ; mat if we deprive onr childien of infant baptismjn-r deprive onrsehfps'of ihit f fbrilege, (for we have no other ordinance in w|pii it can be peHbmiedl) and that, I presume, in direct oppoMtioiiU> iheevi(teii| design of the daviout #men, and die poenliar friend of ** infantli^^o has comiilnlrd btetliWtt the ibiintory ceremony into his church, and eompiffided Ui^ ministers ^'"au^er liltil» chil' jdren to ba brought by their pac|»nl« nnto H^m.for of s6cl^2He'kingi|||ib of heaven." A privilege ihi«,^. Sir, of which, I thank mf^uA f believe Mither yon nor I would be deprive'!, for the world. € . ft, Wesappoxe infant,to ha\e. an a(lvaiitsge,oVer,adnlt baptism; bdrause in •d^iion to other motives, it more elfectuaily pteNseM Utial amsciidn jknd rever> *ncc into the service of religion, and by this means' niMtCs mW th#)ii08t pow. arfal principles in nature, to the luont powerful' pipicipffll in retij|ion;—la%« and reverence for our pareats, to love andtev^Hnce to flie Kupfeme Being ; Md that at a time of Ufe, wbt-n the heart is nMft susceptible of theriiuei'feelinga dToar natare, and least overclouded and benaKbed by sin. When a child has been taught to uvertnce and obi-> its parent*, i^d trained ■p hidic nurture and admonition of ihe Lord ; and oi course frequently remind* ' «d of Its baptiomal obligations, it la reasonable to suppose, that it ,tlt^ill feel, the Hsffct of ibcte obligations in a greater degree, owing to its ^tadiaati'on (6 ficld^ ^ ceedinily prol sar ■ Iwptisai haviag boea the act of pyents who have folio theirinstruetions,tbeirte.ar8,and their prayers. It ^ that this was oae of the designs of circumcision nnde^^e law. 'k was not, as haabcca freonenlly asserted, merely initiaory to tempdpl privileges, and carnal Ofdina^ces, bnt 4p baptism, ** A aidl tf the rigktummm ^ fvUh ;"(%) and why "asaalof the righteousness of faith" should ]ie set on'iBMnfant or eight days was to give^ with the. aid, I am at a loas to conceive ; unless, as in tne case of b^hjjsm, it wa Ike parent an opporlnniiy of offering the chi d to God, oj^eaiing it oeal of the covonaat ; to give htm a kind of a religions, in addTlk| iq blj^^tnraVl ■ aathority over it \ and to lay the parent under the necessity bfiMMicmig the child la the nature o> the oovenant, and the child under the obligaTTon of obe- dience, in itaspiritnal, as weU as its temporal concerns. Certain it Is ; fhat it:~ •Dly profited, in proportion us it produced these effects^ '* For he was^ not a Jefv who wa* onooatwardly ; neither was that Oircualtttyiir which was outlaid la the flesh : bnt he was a Jew who was one Inwardlklr|in4 elrcamcliion was tfHrt of tut heart, in ihei^Mrit and not intfce letter ; wmi^ praiite is not of men Mt «f Ood." Of this the Jewa were apf^^sed by 'HnNffI in a most pathetic ap- Cial to their filial affection, in which he infohns them, that it wait owing to ih« r» wbirta the I>»rd bad to their ** f(4lkrs.\ Hint ha had *< rhoMen' their seed . ■ ■! ■■ II ' > y . I . I " ' '' ' ' ' to I.I (^Epii.4.s. Cain*, a. IS. «ke 18. \i. •'I id / [rd,on«raitb, i>n»M«railoD, 1 admonition leofdnty to n itiipt-rf'eet Hire; would 't «nd ihfrr. brine would 'tyot'achria. wlio feelfi at ' Mary, wlio the Lord;'Yr) •ronijbt " in* >«• litem and the Lord" in hicli^ tliose >« CM||that !« oiVtoni. o^ iiHnHion lioilfllbiii o tiAiaiH ; lek^fa'ot I hit i>ni|«d^ and b« ibiiAtory er Iil4|l chil. ,king#i| of Ueve l^iiher ; bcs'aiinR in I iknd rt!ver« iflf^liiaat pow. 'iilion;-io«« i^me B<>tn|ir ; iuei'feelinga mid trained Illy remiodi. mili <;pel,th« D flS<2o4 diration] y pro! was not, as ) and carnal t) and why eight day* wa» to give it with the'. fe<*V'"raVI iiicflbg th« ton of obe-. Wat noi a R* out^afd iciiiuo wat >ot of imia a«bf.t»c ap- riair 'o iba ihrir seed Rpel.tho ■ 1 / f »kt 18. ^#. ^ «fti*r HfMni, abovo all people, U it wu that day.** <* Ciremielie fUmtftrtJ^ .%vf^ k* <• the foretkix of ^mt ^ri^ and t« no mnw i»iffiHekti"(t) But again. It furnnb^the paroDi with additional argniMala, to pranpt tW child to a life or obedieuee to God. He may inforai it, when it conea to year*, that in contei|ii«ne<' ol the antbority.vMted in bimliy tiM Almighty, and iii4 formitv with whar he consiar to it,— by paternal anlhority and affeetioa, . and " by the mrrriet of God, to prrteM ItH body a livinf tarriire, holy, aeehff> taMe nnloGodp which iwiu reaHonable service." Nf r will any naa wiio ia IM frirnd of either pareuis or children, for a moment, doubt, whether a parent K0!tsei>8«A this authority ; a* it it indispntably established by Iwth the Old a«fl lew Tesiaoienla. I irntt it has already appeared, that the duty eojohied te the followinK words nf Mose*,is not to he confined to the Mosaic dispenMsliaa.— ** Ye siaiid this day all of yon liefore the Lord your Gnd ;— urmr HUU «*<•, jaar wives, aiMi thy stranger that is hi the camp ;- that ih nam with the Lurd ihyGod,- iliai lie may eNtablish thre to 'day for a pcopla onto himself, and that be may be unto tbce a God."(n) ' lf,therefore, it be lrne,sir, that priiieiples, and argumenis, and motieer« are of me ia Religion, as incentives lo repentance, faith, and boiiness ,* I pveiiumef we may venture to affirm, that the designs of^fbii«tian baptism, are mere liliely to be answered by infknt than by adnli baptism, seeing that its obligationa BMjr l»e enforces We have oiiH>to give thrm ereilit for that verarity which wesbonlit not deny to any of our historians nnlens be waH Ituown to violate the troth, or to give ns rela- tions which are impossible and abitui-d. This premised; 1 liex leave to transcrilie, from JVlr. Waiiley's works, the best epitome of erciesiaslicai history on lhissub> ject, (together with the auilior's remarks) which 1 remember to have teen^. , **(\.) Justin Martyr, who wiote abool forty years after the apostles, in Ins dia- logue with Trypho the .lew, page 59, phiniy speaks of bapliAm, as iteing to €hi|4ltia9f hi the stead of circnmciftion. And in hu ai>oloKy for the chriatiaas, pey tli||ji|^§|§ij|ing,( v) he says, Several persons anioug hs of sixty and seventy > ea^ix^dll^or both sexes, were disciplrd," (or made disciples,) to Christ in or /' fMM^iieir chiifltiood." FieMx* to oliserve, that Jiwtiii's word— *'eniatl(eieM* "Unwifrwei-e disci|tled, or made disciples, is the very same word that bad beea iisc^my St. Matthew, 28. 19. in expressing the Saviour's commaiul, niaiheteu tntPy disciple all n.ttit>ns. And it was done to these pernnns, Justin says, in or Iroin their childliood. A||d be wrote that apology within loily yearn nf the death of ihf aposilec; and seventy years leckoiied back from thai time,de leacil into the niiilst of the apostles' lime. " 2. lreiiacus,born about the time of St.John's death, (and " well aeqnaioted. with Folycarp who wasjohu's disciple,") speaking ol Chri«>t,sa> s, " Not disdain* ing, nor eoing>in a way above buroan nature, nor bieakiug in his own person the litw-whicb he liad set for mankind : but sanctifyiiig every several age by the likeneMt it had to bim. For lie came to save all person* by himself : all, I mean,- who by bim are regenerat*d unto God ; infant*, and littl*- onei>, ntid children, and youths, and tlderly persons. Tiierefore he weist through the several ages : for infant*, briug mede an infant, sanctifying infantH, \c. *' This toRtiraony, tshich teckoiii> infams among ^tbose that aie recenciated. ia plain. and lull. Dr. Mall has laigely shewn, llwl^ tlie word regenerating deeprts«ljr ^rehire, tlial (&ri»t «u rcgtnenited by John ; n^anitiK that hn «ni» b*pliM< by btm. '* Mmt ih« line tint Irtnr ut wrote" Ihn treafine. from which ibr above ex* tract it rnado, ** Cl«inrna Ah>x«aiirinnii wrote liis foedaeog, wherein he expre»t< ly Mys,**tho w^rd refoneraiioa is the nime of bapiinm." " Fleate ib tako notice how near ihi* man was to tho Apoelleo' timo. ItraaknB Umadr says, that th* revelation made to Si. John in Patmot. was bnC aliltle befbra Ua time, and that revelation wa* five or tiK v«art before 8t Jeho** death. In an age »o nigh the apoiitlfK, aud in a place wipre pn<> of ibea ae bitelj lived, the Christiana ennid not be ignorant, what had b'-eo done Id their tlni«,Jnamatter aopnbiie, as the baptising, or not baptisintr, of infants. **SrOrigea is not only expresN for the baptizing of ia/aots, bni gives his f s as oa s far it." One panaag* ont of many *hail •office. ** For ibis also it was, that the cfanreh had, from the apo«tlea an order to give baptism to tofant». Per they to whom the diviiir my.at there is?i« aU persons theaatnral pollntion'of sin, which must be done away by water aad tke spirit." ** The reader is desired to observe, that Origen not oaly says, tbal it was the eastern of the church to baptize iatants, but he enpressly atfiinn, ** that iba •harch received an order from the apo!tizcd in adult age ; 'bfcansr they were of Hi-atbco pareat*. But Origeo's fiither wa» a martyr for Christ In the |tcrsfcoiion under Nrvrrus, the year after the apostles, lOS. And Enitebius assures nsi, that bis foiefathors liad been christian* for sevi>ral generations. ** Now sinee Origen wa« bom in the eighty fifth year after ihe aiNwties, (fur he was seventeeo years old when tiis fiilher suffered martyidotii,) hn giantita- ther, or at leae b*d lived in Greece, and at Rome, and iirCJappadocia^ and Arabia, aud spent the ■ain part nf bits . mt: ia Syria aud Palestine. ** 5. What 1 .1. p.ehead very mnrh strengthens tbe tmth nf Mant bsplism, that It isof divxii* riginal, is this, ** About one baadrrd ami Sfly years after ihc dealhof ^t. Joi:-> :*.e Apo«fle, there was an asscmbiy of'ixty six biiibops, who spoke of infiini l>i.ptismas a known, esiabliMhrd, and nnconte«ted ptnciiae." One Fidns i|npsttotied whether infants wcr«> lo be baptised, as soon m% beiwrtn two and three day* after ilieir iiirtlt; and whetlter it wnnid not be brtlcr to d>-t«r their baptircuatcis:«iu ; which scruple* he propOKod lo thisasKembly, wd in which h« droired liieir resolution, wh'.cb tbry vent in a letter to him." . Every memlM-r ofibe as^'nibiy wis, however, of a contrary opinion; and wbiiC ibry ackenwledgffd that ImptiMU wa:« " the svii^itial riicouicision,'' yet iliey say it ** onehi not to be i rKirainrd hy tlir circuniciMon thai is acconlinK to the fleiih,"sn«i d ftffeelioiwte lo ail, which inle,'* ih^y ]irocet>d, as it " lioidit g'od iur nil, so we ihii>k it is more especially to be oli«'r»«d in rcf-renee to inliinDi newly l»<>rn :" ' From ibis piiee of history it njipears tliai,l)olh the persons who moved the d^^nbt. viid .".it flie perxni*«i «iiioi«ai>lved it. uiiaiiimonsly agieed in ihii, thit ir>riitt>« «-<>rp ti) be lisi«iis<-'< and ihni it was tlie settled cnsiom ot the church lo imi.iize ilM-in. |l Hie a*iienil>iy liad l>^ii°agaiiiht infant baptism, tbey woold have in^wer.^l;'! |, {,^„ tar from beiiSieccssary to haptiss children on lb* Vighihday a'ter ihfir biilh. that the) oni;fit not to be baj'tizedaf ail, till tbey ir« tf »!• to judge and «ci Iur tl^Msatv«9|" &pt fo^e ef ilie#tt«ipntinH«t. Tli#y all iMked upon it ii « thtog vMMitMtad, tbattoftatC vrer* to be iMi|>tixed. *^ If wf- look back from thi* timo tA thA apiiee tint had pasMHl flr«Ji the apst* tlra' lime, wiii(i iu tbaffgi-, when tltev tliemselvea were tome eflhoae iafaMta. And a« ilieie watt im diN)>iite or difference of opiaioo, (a« there laiut have beea ainoni; no many, it .inv iunovatioa had been made ; lor it b expreialy said, there wa« iii>t one of Fidii"'* nnnd,) that infant bapliMU mutt be delayd till the «i);liib li'ty ; iniirii Icm were there any of opiuion, that it waaiMt to be ad«iii«« teiedaiall."(w) *' From iheyeiir 400 to 1130, no Micifty of men, in all that pertod of 7M year», ewr preieiuieil to !hrdiii the year I9ii, that advised the delay of ioftint baptism," (*' eaeept where their lives were in danitt'r,") and one Gregory, who nourishra in toa year370, who** advised to d«fer it till thter years old," and) ** did perhapa piartice such delay iu the ra-^e of hit own children,' bat no society ol men aa thiakiuK or ao practioiiii; ; so in the next seven bandred yeais, there is not M much as one man to be f'onnd, that either spoke fdr or practised aarh delay. But all the contrary. And when one aeei of the 'Waldenses declared against the bapiiziiigof infant*, as being incafiable of salvatioti, tli4> main body oif tbat people rejected tbeir opinion : ami ili»i>e of them Ihtft Iteld that opinhm, qntak* iy dwindlfd away, and disappeared ; there being no more hear^ of boMiug tiut tenet, till ihe riitiui; of the German anti|>sid(>baptista in the year ISO." 'llie contrast h,irc. Sir, is sullicienily striking Whenever an uppeoeot of in* fant bni made his ajipearaiire iu the primitive chuirh, he laaid always to oppose ilio tide«t <-usiom as esiahlialied irom the earliest periods ; aid in the annals of ibnanc'cut chnrrhea of i>ver> auarter, appears «s singular as ibosa muiiatvrs whirli are ^ccasiurally met with m both ibe world of nature, aad that of iotellei-i; anti whose siitgnlaiiiieb of iomiation and procedure, we certainly mor<- properly pity and depfore, than envy and imitate. To my. mind, it a|»- pears exceetliagly piobahlo, thai even ao btteasthe aixleenth c4nl»ry, they, would not have bC' n at>!e to farm a party sufBciently stroni; to attract the at*' tentiou of either the chuirh or the world, bad nut this sentiment been afsocia* tfd with a contempt tor all laws, both human and divuie ; which cave its pro|iii« gatorsauinftiinoiis po|ininriiy,and itiew thoil^aud« to iheir stMndard who era * **kuovin by ihfir fruiiK," ui have possessed no sincere regaid cither forchriiti* nuity orits cereaiOiaet.(}) («J " Thonghls on infant hapli<«m, extracted from a late writer," by Mr. Wes- ley : works, vol. 13. p. 410 •4«4. See also Csve's " Piiroilive cliriUiauity." p. M2. Edition ICOtf. (!«)Mariindale's Bib.DicArt. " Baptism." (>)1ee historv •if .Socimauism from Monsieur L'Amy, by VI. Webster, M.A. p. T3,\c. Ed. 1748: and Givgory'a chriattanjoli vol. a p. 42ttikc. Cd. I70S. This ia only 9t4t» aad honesty." • , 16 •l AfllM •liWffVMM* •finfiuitlMpdani aa«ag cbrUtiany McesMrily stipec< •»4w adatt k«ptiMi,MilrM iht ordimiice ba repealed, it will not kc (oreija to Mjr dMiipi M In^air* vkMher ths Mieitnli were rounisuiat with Iiieni4elve4, h^ iMbMdiaf iboM vbaJUkd beca b^iiseil ia iofauey, lo b« rebaptised «liea llwy arrivrd at ycara af accoaalal»iiiiy aud disrrniian. > I bag iaava, Mr^to iiraflMM, that I apprebaad lh« very aainre af baptism, it latalf aAiaitiatory.ccraMMy, aMkrt lit repeiitiea improper: aad if it be aa iaitialary earesMvy appaiatail by the AlmiRhiy, a», I iruat, we aiay presame it lt,lti N|«tiiiaii ia protiMic,aa It aiati be profaae la repeal wja^ebaa ordained ihaaM aaly he once adiaiatetered. 1 leave it tor yoa, sir^aiuMy readers in gea< «tBl,la4atcr«riM, hew fiirat.Faal ha« establwhcd ibis in ikal well known pansage tatha BplWilaai,— ** Oae Lord, ane fiiiib,ew kmntitm.'' (t)YoH need not )»e ia> iifad,tbat,iB Aa pracedhm coateat Jie prewes upon iheaibeneceiiaily of^En- dbaaaarag ta kaep the aaity of the spirit ia the itoad of prac« ;"(a) and the aritn* ■Mats by which he enforces this exhortation are,—** There is oae lHMly,and ona ahiri^TM aayaara called iaoaehopeof yonr cailiaf ; •Nii'f.fsrd,eac/«iilA,MM A«p* fMa»'*4ie. Thaashariation then is to anion. The arcnaent* by which it is ea. flieed ara; ihay were differcat members componinf "one bMdy;**— tiial body was aiiad by ^^ae," aad the same, ** spirit ;*'— they were animated by ^oae hope;" ail aabaritlad ta **«a*.L«ird;"— ^toaseiiacd *' mme fmitk ;" and bad i>een initiatejl iMo that faith, aad all.tbe other blessinss of the gospel, by *- ume £w^l j**." 'lo latiadacoa plaralily,iaaay sense, destroys tiie lorre of the a'fOMileV reasoniug, •ad defeats his parpaoa; as they are suspendeJ om lUe identity, or samouevii, of Iha chf istiaa's •* Lard,** his ** fisith," and his « baptism," tie, A% tlien ibey were aaly ta hava aaa parpaaa or design, becaase among other things, tbey bad ** ona haptla*;''^aad, as. I hapa it has appeared, it was lawful for that it »haold be adariaktcrad ia iafimcy, I beg leave hamUy to sagiteat, thai I ibiak this paMaga darbiiis the repatilioao^the cor*aK>|iy, where it liaHOiiee been adniaistetcd. Wa aMel with a siauhu- passage in the episile lo ibe HebrewH,wbere ibe apoe* dkasharta them, ** Leaviag tha^C" first") •* principles of the doctrine of Cbri>«t, gaga aa ajita parfectiaa; not laying agitin the foundaiimi of repentance frum Jead works, imd af faith towards God, of the doctiiue of baptii>mii,''d(c.(b)^ Whea we caiMider these wards as addressed lo tbMC who were so ** anskitfiil," thatwhea they aagbt ta have bena aiea and leachers, they were only chiMreu, aad aecded to be laaght, and that for the pMvpoiie of enforcing progiess^c) they cartaialy vary forcibly forbid the Kpetition of aay of the ** fiist principles af Iha doctriaes at Chriat," among which *< the doctrine af baptisms" is ineinded; iad.I presaaM, that, in order to prove that these passages are aot directly in Miatfit mast ba proved ; that noae af thoica pvUcokrl/ f cnei IS, i8» ^f 17 RniMirtb not, Mve in w«tli hi« r«>et, hut in clean every wliit,1(«) •!>•»? M— " F«r iiiiii ci-iniioiiy of initiaiion «a<« iipver re)ieat«>d, xay (be Jewiab writers." TIm t««l' iiiit ivnhnony in tU« prcitent cmm, di>|)«iMii( of coorte, eo cbrialiail Imiitioii h«>»ii|; it continnaiioii of that of the J'Wii, e itnbjeet on whicli I belie«« %jiMi anMiiUy katistivd. Tlie flr*t montion wliicli it«ni>i(le, \h itbriitiian ercle»ia*tirel history^of rebe|H tiitiiixaHy wbuhad Imvii h'tis«><)iit the iianif of the Holy Trinity, isiatiieee*- trtivt-niy which orivinated heiW4vn Cy^uiaii BUhopof Garlbafe, end Ste^eia Hi.'|i of Kiinie, in the y4>ar2'>6, or acruidinii to Bi«liopBeveridge,iniSt. The niimRrniaiiitaiiicd (hat lh> r«> whs no trite hupilMii out of the church, end, of rnnrnr, that ail «h(i,1ia(l'l)^ipii baplispd by Ui'ieti stronKibrn bin cause, not ouy by arKnnienis from Scripinre, but l>y railing a vunncii ai Carthage of 87 Afiieail KishopH, who ail roQclnded for his opinioit. tlow truly Cyprien maintained I his, I am not concnned rn inquire ; otily I take notice of two things which he and hiH fulluwom pleaded byway of abtteinrnvof (Ire rigour of their opioioos* Firxt, that hereby they did not assert ri^bapiizaiion lb be lawful, Ihii they eg* |ire«sly deny to rrreive any patronefoie their going over to tiieni, these they received at their relnro williout any otiier ceremony than imposition of hands. (0 ConsiMent with ibis is the S9lb of tbeapestolicdl canons, atlrihuted to Cypritw; wbirhdecrees—" If a bishop or priest do again baptiie one who ha* really received baptinni before, ur if be do not liapiiae one that has been polloted by wicked mmi, (heretics) let biin be deposed as one that derides the Cross end Dea-h of Chrisl,and nialieii no disiini-iiou betwixt priests and false pretenders.*Yg) The following, accordiuK to Reeves in his " Apologies," was in substance tlw ** determination" of three of the primitive councils on iMs subject, vis. that of ** Ailes,sonic years before that of Nice ;"— *• The first Nicene council ;"—>** And h«ily that of Caribage, nndt- r Gratus Buhop of that city, in the year 348. For the fir>«t *' thing theie proposed, was, whether that man ought to he rebaptlg<*d, who at bis baptism mwie' profession of believing the Trinity ? To wiiieh tba bishops answered, God ibrbid : We detlare, that this rfbaptisation is unlawful, contrary to the orthodox faith, and the ecclesiasitical di4ciplioe."(h) From these testimonies. Sir, I hope it will appear, that it never was the ens* tomof the primitive church to rebaptiie those who had been aaptised before they were eight days old, dfcreed, that baptism might be administered «• seoN OS tketf were born. ** >St. Angnstin assurer ns,wbei'e speaking of his synod* leal determination, that in this Cypiian did not make a new decree,but kept the ftiih of the ehurrh most firm and hure.'Q) Could I flatter myself, Kir, that all my readers would exercise an equal degree (e)ifohn IS. 10. on which see Dr.D wight's excellentremarks, System of Tlieol. Yol. 6. p p. 8fi8-S60. London, 1819. (f)<:ave's Prim. Chris, p. 199 -See also Reeve's Apol. v. 8. p p. 854— asii. 259-262. (g)<* Clergyman's Vade Mecum." irol.2. p p. f4, 25. 8d ed. of ^ ihe A|iOKlolieal Constitutions" Dr. Doddridge nbservts, '* which are allowed to lie an ancient though " not divine book."— (h)Reeves' Apol. vol. 2. p p. 261, 262. (i}CI«r. Vade Mccam, vol. 8. p. Stg.— g/;af •'■ PiiiBk Chris, p p. 202, 3M, C /*'• ii •feudbiiriiidrpatitBMviHiyearMlf, my bopen of •neem wvnid b« amclk ■MM UMgHiaa tku, I eoafMS, tiMy are. I nhmld tk«n «iilici|tiit« (he jirrva- l«Mt of as mmth MtteraetiMi ia tkeir roind*, on the uniijrei of tlie IrfliiinMy of MSut baplbm^atnow provailn tai »j own ; and I showld alao be Tree fr«Ni all a#«ioty a» to tiM fecliagt which may b« axcilcd by th« Iragih, and, p*ihapt, I ••f ht to aHd.tbe ledioataeaa, of ny prewnl eommnnication. 8fnc«rf>ly prayiof , that hoaravor variows oar idrataay b«,eltheras to the legality of infant baptUm, or theatreafth of the argnaMati by which it ia Mpported, we may all ** Receive the kisfdoB of hcavea lUe Uttia chiMna." I am, Bevd. and very dear Sir, Yo«r*c oMit rrflpeetfnily, and affretioaately, GGOHGfi JACKSON, f t taekeMe, WMtmotehad, N. B. I J h ) t ii b ■ . i- ■'i- y.t: I iY ''> *. *■ .J mnelk leyof mall ceive '% '1 Letter «*. t Reverend and very dear Sir, V A S 1 lM>n«ve it liM ■pprarf d fVom the pr«ew reaioaa lor our diffaring ttoxa thooe wbo onaintaln tbat imaiersioa it ih*- nnly Irgal mode of a«imiiii»terii)g tliia ordinaoce, aad far bcUav* iiiK, lh>«t »i>rinliliiiK aad flooring, are ai«o Irgitiiaate. I . A» far an I ta»ve bef n able to gain inrormation an this anbjeet, the arga« ■lenlt drawn from ibv acripturea in favoMr af imoieraioo, are chiefly fouudad oa vaibal rriiit'iim. Argnnents of tfaii natare, Sir, are,lQ my bnmbie aplnion, alwayaof the mOKt QRceitHiakind ; au«l here Ibe uuccnaiuty i» conaidarably inereaacd, aa it haa h«-enahowu, that it ia at Ifaat pmnible, that a coOHld«rable proporiioo of the tahric may be btiilt on a wrong tranvlatioa of aome of tlic araallrsY, and moi«t equivocal, ftarticlea in the Orrek. language. I do not profesn to be an aulliority oil any, and eaperially on thi«, part of onr anbjeci ; and shall tlietefute avail lay aelf of ihr labours of ihoae woo are coafcisedly aneh, and produce a few ^ ao< tationa from Ibeir writing* * " It liaiT been obafrvcd tbat John baptised in Jordan : to this it ia replied, 10 infer alwaya a plnBging of the whole body in water from hia word, wonid, in many iiisiancea, be faiae and absurd : ihe same Greek prepoHition en ia naed when it is aaid they aboiild be baptised with fire ; which fr«» will as»ert tliat they shonfd be plunged hitoic. tiie apostle, speaking of CUrikt, a»y% h« came . not (en) by water only, but(eN) by water wid blood. There ilie fame word e« ^'is* traasUted hg, and with jnstice and propriety, for we know ot no good ' Sriise in which we coald aay he came ta water. It has heen remarked, tliat en U more than a bnndred tinea, ia the New Testament, rendered ** af ;" and in a hnndreU ai(d fifty others it ia trauHlated uitk. If it be rendered ao here, **Jolin bapliitea'af Joritan." or witii the water of Jordan, theta la no proof from theqce •* that fle«pKmKed bia diicipie*" in il."(k) ** It is s^d of onr8av|our,that after he was baptised, he went up straight wty out of the water, mtht ajw t»n vdalot^ be aacended from the water : the word aMaWaoaiinifylngttt'go, or come op ; to ascend ; in whatever manner, lliia passage api^ears to be descriptive, solely of Chriai'a ascending the banks af Jor> dan, after be had received baptlRni. That this ia not the meaning of the phiase, cannot be siiewn ; lior rendered probable. The preposition, e/m, ia crroneonaly rendered eaf «^in our translation. Ila propef meauiag, aa every Greek acholar knowN, ia/rom; ami ««< o/, only by accident : as in Matthew 7, 4. " Let me pnll oat the mote opt of thipe eye." Even here, it wonM be mncb better rauderrd, ** Let me take the mote frolp thine eye." If Matthew intended to express Christ's rising out of the Watvr, be has certainly nsed phraseology of a very pa* cniiar natnr^. ** Another passage often trinrnpliaally alleged for the sanlh purpose, ia Acts a. 9^ ' ' *Thc Greek word*, as in the precadhtg letters, mast he neeesaatily written in th« corresponding Eaglish eharaetat|,aa Greek types cannot, In ibis couutr), bo procured. (k)Buck'sT|)col«'DicArt.«* Baptian." 8aa alaoDitifbi'a Sy H.TbeoL v.ft p.ssc JO ••,M, ' And tb«v weot down bslli into the water, hath Philip unA tho Rnniich ; •M hi) bapliMd Moi ; and when tbirii •f tiM Lord ranflit away Philip. To lh« tranftlalion lirre, ao ntwatk^-if. ohjrr. Hon raa b« nado. I will, Ihtreferc, aol avvil mytrllor what miiht, however, bajntly alleged, to wii,that«i« majr, with equal |irnprtetv, xiKiiiiy fa, and rV, mm i" and, 0/ voorte, the pa*Mge weold read, ** went tlow n" ^i, aini '* were CMM np" /mm Ike water. Ulllll oiyect 10 the e- dim iiction ut' uiy auiagomaiK, Ibrtkea* rrasont. **'Flrit ; llial we a* natnrally lay, thnt ib«y wfiit inin the water, of ihoir wk« wentia to ihedepihof the kii«rs,or cven'uf ibcaukles, as ut tk(*»e «ho kad plunged thenuelvea. ** ^iecoodljr ; The declaration*, here made, are made concerninK ilie EuKtuh and Philip alike. Of both it i* said, thai ib*-y went dowu into the water ; if w« render the word ei«,into. Of both, «Iko, it is Mid, that when they wer«< coma spoilt of the water ; if we render' the wor wliMt will be the trne import of the patsagf, accordtni; to lliii« meibod of cetiKtro^ii^ fh« words in qnestioo. And they went down, boiii, imv the water, both Philip and the Ennnrh : that l«,lhAy weie both plunged. And he bapiixed bin, that la, Philip plnnged ibeEnnneb. And when they wrrc come np ool uf the wa. ter, that i*, when they had both been pinused the second time, and rinen np from ibeir tmm«xsion, the Spirit of the Lord CAnjjhi away Hhiiip. In other worda, both weri^plaiiged twice ; and ihe Eunnch, the third lime. " It i^, I prcaume, unD^eessary to comment on this veriiion of th<> text nnder con«ideral, and in some caite*, with a •aperior, degree of propriety, so as rather to ovfj^ihrow timn to support tiio doctrine nf immersion, will prolmbly appear from the lollowing coan^iltiratiDti. Innn|Nirt of the scriptures is this mode of speech adopted, iiut wher<> tJie relation has for its subject, sone prrton who was convinced of it* propriety in the opfu air ; and where it was, of course, neceanary, that he, uuU the peruin per Aiming the ceremony^ should go to some adjacent water in order to its being administered. Aa the baptism of John was not christian baptism, but that of " repeatancf," •9 ia evident from bis own confession, and trom the apostles rebaptiziug those Wbo bad received it, (m) the only case exactly in poiiit, is the one just 1 eferred i», via. that of Philip and the Eurncb. Here we ar« infurined, that thry went down into, or to the watier. Butitia aOfficieniiy obvioux, tliat owing to •listing circoDistances this was a' case of necessity, and, of course,Van be no linJe, where a cboice ef means presents itsrlf. Philip was sent 10 ilie .Euuucb to disciple him,ou the** way ihatgpeih down from JeiOHalem to Caw, which is d*%ert." In accomplishing his coinmission, he was successful, for by explain* iuf tiie propiiecy which the Enniieh was rending, he convinced hint tiMt *^ jesns Christ is the Son of Ood," and that it was his dniy to be baptiied in bis name. " And *a they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the Eiinurh said, see here is .water, what doih binder me to be bnptiied. And Philip said, lY thou believest with all tii^e heart thou mayest.— And he ca$m< manded the chariot to stand still : and tliey went down both into ihe wpter, both Philip and the Enancb, and he baptized him." Here, then, it evidently appears, that though the baptism of the Ennucfei wu necfUjf ry to bis being constituted a disciple, of which it ia evident by tbb nnestion, be bad beieu apprise J|^ its 4>eingaditoinistercd In the open air, ana their going down to tbe wa^i^o^ao it has appeared the word, may be propcr^r tranalated,) in order tenperlomstlie ceremony, waa putoly aiiecideiHal,nnd consequent on tncir •*t«« •«i««i bMt« Mul ii pbia pru« that (l)Dwighl*a Sya. of TheoL vol. fi. p p. tOI, VO, l«.I-fl. (mySee Matt. t. II. «nd Acu fl wtwiition tf»t, irihpy lia^ aot avaiUtl iliomirlvM •t thin water, FWUp cviiirnlK, liav.e b«rii jUkeo away frttni ihr Eiinudi, wlllwui btptiy^ng lii«iarali| but which, an tbiM opj>oriaiiiiy o'flVred for baptMlBt him, PbiU|> ettriainly woiiM nui think li\iiu4'lt'Jaii|iflriMii 4»tog. 4«HiD ; ffittr me 10 aihw ihai ih«y wrnt down i|ito4ha «ir«l«r»,tiul llyil l^la l»bia«r nigiiifir*, ihai ilta KiiwiM-h wan Itaciix'd by iQimertioa, it would only pruv« ibai ibuwattoiir orihi* fuinu UK»d by (b«atKN^(l«M, (ba| cartatyily 90t thai it wa« ih« only ouf,) and eitfrcially an, I h<}|i«, it will a|>|ir«r from olhar pH«rag«>ii, tliat llirre Mrc, hi kniif, »» itirikin^! evtdeiicrt lu favoar of aonM ptiMr nii)d« of adiuiiiiitM'aiinn, M ihi* in Nni»pui(t>d to Hirnihh in tavoHr/a' iiuMMiabM. And are ««> fiuin tiirk«i-i)H:voral phiai«e»ta intWr Lb<- doctrine of imiiMrtioa ; •imI fiom (h« Kuiiueh't briiifi bai>t»wd at, or «vfn in» • riv«r, |i bro«k, or a |iaol,* which fur any (hin|t ibwl a|>|M!arit on tlirfara of tlie b**.'*''* ^^ ■!<*( roarh n»i to ilifir anklet, to wake Uii» luoda of fdnlr«Mt lliia lolitury <*a*e, wiih,a iiuaiber wbipb ar« Ui)deniabl>,at least of equal impnrtanre; are recofit.ed by ijie i-vne htaturiaa ; a!itle9 in baptiiiag,afd wf4heMiii« liiKtoriau in H'viiii: •!» his rj^laiious of their ir^ndaci, iu.the i(Nru oNHes. Firf i ; IVre does not appepr to ^«« been as niuch ^ater in the city of jei QMlrm, nor even in its virinitik-, nijileM ocontioiMul by ** snddiiii aiid hrpvy rai|is'.°t M wi>ukl have b^eu re«)i4ifr(lfur i1h> purpiHe. For.tbe". e^ty had iiut.a niodciaio supply i and lhou|^i tbe«}.Ufi(^ adja(;eiut wer« wall watirrad, lia ving the lafintaina ^For the fii>llawiBK'r«aMM,.8ir, 1 sMfipoae It probable, that this wan natWag more than aoinc small roiinma or standtiiK water, of which neitber l^iitlip «M>r the £nuuch k»ew any thiisft until it attracted theatteotiea of the 'atter; First ; had It bean a river, ii^ aauMi wwuld in all proliabtliiy have been mautiaiiad, nad it wonid not hawv been c^llod ** A rertaiu water.'' And tlie more fmriicalar our oppoaents halteve \hn bistoria* to have heea in bis ptaiaiteobigy. tlia aoie iuciiml>enl it is on them, eitliar to believe, or refute this. Secondly ; i^lia KuiiiKh ex pieMcs himself «h ihoMph anrprinvH at it>: appearance; wMi-hiia would »earcely.ha*ebaitn.at,(beaM|iearaiiccu} anver wbtrh be had paKsed.ia bi8 way toJerusalom. >'Vheiwer<(»'ib« nscs arc not, " 8«e Arre w water." tt'lwilu a ■ words in Italics areanpuUed J>« our tc^nfhilors. Hir worjl*, when litaiqfiy traiMhued, ar<*, .^evv liebp|d» or Lo I ««ter : mvi Irad u,% la vuppuiie, ilui joshat this lime, Fhiiip wa» inairai tine him in Jhe iiaiiue aod neceitiiity of ctaiislino baptisai ; and, aiirprisad iw^ili the l« ani! atnexpecied upptarautwiof water, he exclaims.-^" llahaM,' vntar ! what doth htnder^me to be baptiiicii ?* Thirdly ; this ix iiot a country in which riverAabonnd. lu uniplure fceogiaphy, and in all the maps of thin eunntry wbieli have come iindei- my ob«ervatioii,. and tbi-y Arf the fn.VAt'POTr«rt;of ,auy publptbf^di I can OKly find^tae in i|bA wbpla dislauca b^tfieait JprHMtbtmnndiOarAt lt!tacalM;8or, that M ia jbut an iacoari^tosabie Mream. Tl># vaUvy ijiraaiib «kicb ilfiM livarur ** Braok,''pa|8aaa, .vi^llifi resid'nce «f PeliUb,(Jiid(;«s 1(1. 4.) vthich by our tranvlatofa, 4n aM Ajlarj^a, if ,MMd lo.be by the " Br«ak." Unless thareiorr :lAcy kappaiied tp l^ju^t.ui thia.'f^acM^vlAi' V'^^c At t|t«-tiinv, the pimbyitii^lji iy» that thera woifld j}Ol, in ^ha.frbola journey, bea^ ep|iOrtiMuty ftAr imiuer^utt the Ennneb, mid perhaps not even tbara, u^^tm$ it bappoitd (o be in «iia. of ibeir raiay»«#)iops. it TbiKiaf hia tfiMialra, and ftoa iW« iolir t tkat we aaght to Im dipped, ara bouad Ibr tlia aaiie ei eoiiaint* aaey to Mippaae, llMt Peter aad tka olbar ditciplea, went at laaal out or«li« eil« , hu I tMuk aat ar tbe f iciaily, of Jeraaaleai, for the laaie reaMn, and e«paAiaUy M diaparek is so ovidtnt oa iIm laea af the lilvtory, for ibcy iMptlMid tOOO uu ** tka MUiw day," wkick wae, uodaablediy the niauMr ia #kick ikev ware added la tka cbarek. If tbay balieva ihit, ibvy oaclit, iu order lo licop theamalvas ia aoaiitaaaiif », to iafana a», wkerr tbey beiiavo ibcy bapiiiad ; la prove tiiat tbey bad tiaMi la rtaiovo witk all Ibo dikriploetand baptiie tliem, iu Ib^ eoorto of oiia 4«y ; a«d tbcn to aacvaat for ibe •itrnco of Ibo aacred bittorian, ootwliliuaad* iw bielavinf, hi every atker proeeediaji of iba day, detailed tba lranMeiia.ia wiib Mrapalaaa aaaetaoM ; aad aeeordioff to their opiMioH,b««N m» aluiiifiraMty apocific la bit datailt, la a Miliary laeiabcr certainly of aiiieli lone imt>uriaiirr luabisioryof tboptiailUvocbrMtUncbuieh. Jtacoudiy ; 'I'boM «bo wfre kapiiaed au ibe day af peatecaet, by the ape«tla», ** cvrtaioly rane lo hear thew witboat havinit prepared any proper %ir1ilch brinca naluat ta tlie timaol' tbetr wheat harvest,' on aeeaanl^f which ihiit f^t waa called alia, ^ the day af tbe-firat fruits"; whereas tha latter rains tnU pt the time the rara were ^iug, and '* it wa« principally ftom them that tbey derived iheir hopes of a fruitful year." . (n)!frc Crqirlhtr'a i}erip. Qas. Articles ^erpialem and VJdroa. (o)8ae Ulatl, f. M. and 1 lliaJk C. tt. (p)Owight'a Sys. Tbcol,v. «. p p, Wh Ml. (a)V»m* ptif4oti9.9p,4mi.|TiMidll,s,Mfttt.MI. ' tlMl tlM«PMili>«,wli«liA««< tilled tho holito, beeMo, iho metaphytiral ahanrrfity, aiid, »• I think, Indcoeaey, of ottriNltiog pteeo oikl citen»ion,. in thi* manner, to the Divine .Siiiril." The other coiten, which IwonId hrg pitrniiNsion to eontrMt ivith tbotof tlM EnnneH,Brethefleol'Oornelin«,8Nnl, and the Jailer, &e. lu ihera>e of't'orneliii*ii lia« i>e«n ohnerveil, iliai Si.Pcter'a^neatloa— " Can any man foibid water iliat ihe«e »heHld not be iioptiaed f " ImpllOf certainlf that the water ' /at to be brou|ht lor the haptitm of ih9 new eouverta, and not; that they wero to $• ont to the water. Dii* itlen will lio the oiore t'orcible.ia iirbporlieii to tho importance which wr allarh i» Wbitby'a OouMnent on tlio brnwr clan4R of the following veri>e,— *' And lie commande'l fhom to be bap* tiiM.'Xr) *^ Whom did he command to do thid ? The (ientileN^? It •eemctb at firtt aiRht ahanrd that they who were not yet baptlied nhonld b«ptlxroiben{or mtn it the J«w« that came with him f their aeem only to It Lay brethren who only were peiialtted to haptiae in eay wero evidently rcwddered prisoners, and considered thevsrlves such, nntil released by the magistrates the next day. I do not think it oaworthy of notice, Snvthnt the Impdam of the jailer and hia honae, is mentioood id connexion with the w aa h ing of the apostie's stripes, aathonghdoneitthe same time, and by a simflar ^naati^ «f water ; and I aoppoac a pewon ao tenderly con* c e wiedfcrihcia' coaafWrt and ease, aa he evidrolly waa, wonid make choice of any other nMans of pcrfsrming this oflke of kindneaa, than thoto which wonid hefami«hoihyawaier,anfllei't 1 bC|{ icavp' lo o|>«erv«, ill thf* w«ii'J.4ol'ihe <>iniiieiir diviii«> bitfnrK mentiuite.l, ••Thm till' boiiy of •«*iirin»d Oriiioi aii'l L^Mrogratihei*, fltclar.-, limr thu •riginal meaiiiiiK of liollt iheftif womIh in in tinge, staiit, i- Hdvio ; >imeri«» of prelienhion evident, that thtt followhtg things are trne : **'rbat the primary meaning of these terms Is Cleansing ; therfieet, not the IB0d«of washiii:! :* **Tbat the mode isnoually referred to infid«Mitally, wlienever ihe wordt aie mentioned ; and that thi^t is always tiiecase,vvhencver tlie orioii ; and in otbei» can- not signify it at all." 1 havc^ already iiad oerasion, Sir, lo inentibu three pas^aces in whirhih'se words cannot lie confined to immerMion. Where w<> ri'Hd oi (lie *' Kapiimt of p^U, copal aiid tables or iieds," — where wk read ut' " Dinr$ //l ism*,"— and jtm. *Tlie following pasiages are particntarly specifi ' on lliis ii«ai).->"\re read •1^ tb« br.ptisiDs, (so it is in the origiitut, Marli7, 4.)of pof«, any tuptizt-d their hands. No one, I preKniiui, will maintain that ih<>He w.eM' .i!i itijip»-(l, in ordtr to tlieir being cleansed. " The enps and pots wete wasii<>.w», to cleau^e those things which could not iio easily wa^lied in any otiter wa) ,Mnd even some things wbicb could, by i*priiikhng, isevident from Num)>erN Itf , where it is command* ed, to cieanse the tent oi a person wlio had «li(-d therein, tbo^e who had been rendered legally uuclean by being in the teut, and the vessels in that lent, by n clean person ia)>ing liyxop, and dipping it in thew^ter of purification, and sptinkLliug them thoiewiih. Ther)*fore, I pre snme iv ii«,uial sense of tht> word. Hence it U that we read also oi " a ijiiesiion beiweenJohnV disciples and lheJewx,^«r, a« BOBie ri!adit,a Jew,) about I'lirifying."— -John 3 2&. But from the scqne i of the history it appears, that Ihe disiMite wds a(>ont iuiplismy proitalily wbedier that of John, or that of ChriHi by the instrnmeuialtly ot* his disciples, was the tuost t'ii'i'ctwai ; for they made appliratiun to John for (he solution ttf (he qnes* tiou,aiid he dfcidtd in favour o< the Messiah, 'i he application ul waior under Ihe Jewish ditipetihation, was lo remove legal nncleanne-'M ; uiidvr the guspel this is not Ihe use of baptism ; and immersion partaking more of (he imtuie oi« bntdritsonie rite tban sprinkliag, which ii« also baptism in a scriptural seu.se, i« certainly the least •uiled, of any otiier mode, to the simplicity of iho n^s^^ol dispeusatien. 85* Ibfjt me 80(1 It tin* word tiur rlie : » enea wh^ie tlin « haptr»n«"or tlio a>)0i't1.'S by th« descent of th uc<;i»iHi*lislie«l bv iltf «* I'Mtinff out of the (pirit." In tbe following passage the fliKuiiitrannu of thm pasfiace appoars evidantly to be confined to spriuKHng. — " Moroovi'i, brtiiliit^ii, i woulii not hitve you iiciiaranT, how that all our fathfrii were nil Jcr tlie
  • iii), and a!i pa^Aed tbrou)>b thenea; and were all baptized tiiito Mo!H in (he rioiid; ami in the sea "(u) Tlie history here referred to, will be found Cxixlii!! 1%. 21,22. anil 14. 19,20, troni which it appears. •' Fiisi ;Tbat Ojd, or the aiteelof Gjd, went before the iHraeliten, from the (ouinieuceineiit of iheir juurney at 8iiccoth, in a pillar of clonrf by day, and in npiiUr urfiic bv uii;l«i, until ihcy were overtaiien by I'harafthand hisarioy, on (hf inarg II oi'thf Ued Hta, beside I'ihaliiioib. » .Sfi-tndiy ; TUrit the aiigel of God, who had hitherto gone before tlie camp of Israel, removed, aud went bthmd tlieiu together with tbe pillar of the i-load. *' Thirdly ; That lite waiters af the Red .Sea were divided, so u to t>« a wall on theiiKhi liaud, aixi i>iiil.e h^ft. " Funrthly ; That the children of Iiirael went into the midst of the eea apoa dry liioitud. '*> In ih« whoW- of this s'.ury, ti is evident, llore is noaecoont whatever of that baptism of Ihe lKrat>li«'<« in«>iiii«>ned by Mt Paul in the passageqnoted from I. Coiiuthiaut. There is not even an aHu.<«ion to this baptism, unless it be in the declaration, that the pillar of ih« cloud went from before the iHraelites, and stood .Ueliind tbeui. By the water* of (he Rfd St-a they were not even rprinkled, lauch le«s immersed, but wi'itt,MS Moses expressly informs us, between two walls of Mater, upon dry ground. N>-ither is there here any account that tkey were baiMised in the cloud: whatever thi« phrawology may mean. '* But wh4t MoKesha'i omitted, Asdph has particnUrly recorded in the seven- ty iieveiith psalm, (IG—'io vt^rses.) lu thisauoaut of tbe paosage through the Red Sett, we have the baptism spokeu of by St. Paul, expressly mentioned ;— TI clouds poured forth water upon tbeni, or descended upon them in rain, wbl they were jouriie)iMg tbrou!;h the sea. Tbe marginal and litoral reading is, clouds were poured forth wiih waters. There ia reason to believe from this de« claratioii, that when tbe cloud passed from the van of the Israelites to the rear, or when in llie language of the psalmist, thty were poured forth from brfore the Israelites to stand bebind them, the rain may have descended from the eIot|d dnring this (lasKage. .Whether this be admitted, or not, it is clear, that this is the ouly accouut of the baptiitm, mentioned by 8t. Paul, which is contained in the Old Testament. Aud it is equally clear, that this baptism was a cleansing, accomplished by lh<> Siiriiikling of raio, and cerlainly nut by immersion. The fancy of my antagonists, that the cloud in some manner or other, embosomed the Israelites, by resting upon them, and thus enveloping them as water eove* lopes a persou immersed iu it, would appear well, 1 think , in poetry ; but has an asprct scarcely serious enonch to claim a- place iu a theological discii«' ^aXI. Cor. 10. 1, 3. (v)D wight's Sys.Tiieul. vol. 5. p p. 331 -331. D tWit'ehareliv jet difre U eertainlya force fn fh« followinf analoiriral rraiion- init, ftsatbe leetarcaoTDr.Doddridg*, which will not !>« easily fvatifd.— **■ M» MnewhoiMtotoatiBaiipnion, allow of a rbange to tome rircaaiRtaiice* M to lb* adaiatelnMioa of the eaeharist, both an to time aad gesture, and Ike fern of the eleneats, we may ou the same principles allow of »onie varia* tien here fvom what wa< ffeiierally practised at first ; cvpecially as the coldness of the cliaate. aid the general disnse of halbing among us aeem to rrqnirc ii ;" and it is in the verj nature of ear reiig ion to require ** mercy ratnrr than ■aenfiee.* t. It will bM Iprnnme beooiuidered either unnecessary or improper to attempt to ascertain, whether Baptism by immersion, as a sacraniont or sign of the thing tlgBified, poHCises any advantages over any other mode of adminis. timtioo. It is, I belieee, very generally allowed. Sir, that, as it is Initiatory to the privileges ofthe christian chnrch, it is symbolical nt' onr interest as depraved •ad gaiity creatures, in the blood of Christ, and ihe cleansing or spnciitying laiMnees of hiaSpirit. These blessings are spolien of in the seriptaral langiiaue of propheey, history, and p'<«mise, under the various ideas of washinir,ponring, aad spriakiing ; wtlhooit any preference being given to any. As washing is a term which does not necessarily imply immersion, it wonid perhaps be impos* aibletopffovo, that it does not frequently sigaify to cleanse, by pom iug or •pfinkHng. Certain, however, it is, that the Messiogs of which baptism is •yaiboiical, are* frequently spoken of in these teroM ; and if the siitn ou||ht to icpresentthe thing signified, they are, of course, at least, legit iaiate uiodos of adasinistfatlen. On the contrary, however, immersion has not even the sane tioii of oae spiritual eapression to keep Jt in countenance ; for we never rea« oi being plunged or immersed in either the biood of Christ, cr the iuflueni-es of the 'it. Immersion, therefore^any farther than rieansiog is occoir.plished there. Mt even the advantage of being a correct si^ of the most trnportant I signified/by christian baptism In favour of penring and spriolding, llowing passagel appear to be very specific-^*' I will |i«Me water npon him is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground : 1 will \fvr my spirit upon thy ed, and my blcuing upon thine ofispring.''(w) ** Then will I jpi iak/e clean waler npon you, and ye shall be clean. And I will pnt my spirit within yon, a^'Oanso yon to waHi in my statutes.'Xx) <* Having our heaits tftimkltd frehi ^a e«ll eoascicnee, and oOr bodies washed with pure water.''(y) '* We have oaawtothobkHid ofiyirnikfJar«that speaketh better things than the blood of AbeUts) * Through sdbciification of the spirit, nnio obedience, and »jw-taft/i«^ of the blood of Jtsus Chvist.''(a) The fellowiagqnotatioa from Dr. Adam Clarke's comment on I. Peter, S, 21, may, in my opinion, both for critical aecnracy, and ptaeiical utility, very pro- perly coneludie the discussion' on the mode of administration. " So the water of baptism, typi^ing the regenerating influence of the Holy 8pirit,iBlhe means ofsalvathm IoshI these who receive the Holy Spirit in its quickening and cleansing eflficacy. Now as ihe waters of the flood conld not have saved Noah add his family, Iwd they not made ase of the ark ; so the water of baptinu saves no maa hot a« it is the means of his getting his heart purified by the Holy Spirit,and typifying to him this parificalion. The ark was not immersed in tae water ; bad it twen so, they must all have perished ; but it was borae npon the water, and sphnkled «iih the rain that fell from heaven. This text, as far aa I can see, sajB nothing in b«ha}f of immersion; but is rather, from the cir- cumstanre mentMMicd alMve, in Mvenr of sprinkling. In either case, it is not the sprinkling, washing, or cleansing of the body, that can be of any avail to the salvation of the soul, but the answer of a good coaseienco towards God; the internal cvidence.and eaternal proof, that the soul is purified in the laver of r»geiieratlou ; and ilie person edabled to walk In newness of life. We are therefore, strongly cautioned hero iMt to rest in the .letter, but to look for the subsiaitce." My knowledge of the motives. Sir, under the influence of which,yon requested me to turn my attention to this sabjeet, supersedes the aecessity of my craving / your if conscif hearth any* every day! -I themd «« V, iBKtit antho may Ther thecl lam"! thedi tbini^ ted beceii III renti onsii W foll«i Xtiw fre^» "1 arop evsr lete toG infki Stan ilav bek for *b« tint up occ all« sioi «r th( wl in til an m tl fc d si b a t t i (w)Isaiab 44. 3. (a) I. Peter 1. 3. (x)Esek. 3fi. 25, 27. (y)Hebtewa 10, 2Si (b)CIi. IS. 94.— 27 I Miion - fiaiicef B, «niJ vsria. re it j" thaa ft lo [igaof linifl. lo the rateit [«"•«• iiriog, ing it mpos. »« or lit to «M of Mnr tUI 01 Oftlio tberc •riant kiiDfr. ^n hint n thy clatn ^ tram ' have Ml Of tkling »,21, pro- Hitcr leansi and ioah tveii loly i in poa far cir- iiot to Id; •of kre the •d Off / your iiflul((enec, while I offer a few practical reflectloa* t aad I tmal that fonr conicifice will be as far from rcproa^liiag yon with aafaitbfnlneM, aayowr heart «U be from charging me with vanity, if, with all hamility, and withoat M>y Mign either to instmct or r«bnke an elder, I commeace with a qnotatioa, rvtry line of which, Lmiist conieis, extorted from me tbe exchmwtion— ** ThU day I jemember my fanlia !** ** I. It is not a little to be regretted, that Ibis ordinance is to rarely made th« tbemcml di«cii8sion in tbe desk. « VJhy tncb a diffierence is made (by miniiters of the gospel) between two iaslitijlions of Cbrikt— BapHsm and Uie Lord's ilapper— invested with tiie saaia authoiiiy, solemnityi and inAnenc«,Iam at a loss to determine. Btft whatever may Ue the ground of this distinction, I am (atisded it cannot b« a good 0Be.~ Ther^ is too mncb reason to believe, that not only the persons, pfertimdarly tbe cUldreii who have been baptiaed.biit the parents,aleo,are in numy InstaQcea, lam'*ilably iRnoraot of tbf! nature of this institution; llie traths which it deetares, ihedpties which it involves, and the privileges wliicb it confers. Were these tbinm made more frequently subjects of preaching ; were tliey clearly illnatra* led.^nd solemnly enforced ; there is the best reason to believe, tliat it woaki Itecotae a far richer, wid morff extensive blessing lo mankind«1(b) III Is i I not a circumstance equally to be lamented, that many of those pa» renti who are certainly well acquainted with its nature and tfhiigations, thoald, en ai subject of encb importance, be so aahappiiy indifferent? Hany, it is believed, there are, who will read their own condemnation in iha following beautiful and faithful representations, drawn by masterly handa, an4 I ttast tliey will al*o see, that Infant Baptism is an ordinance wmch has been: frei|nenily misrrpresented,aud more frequently undervalned,aiHl misunderstood, ** It i^no wonder tbal the great mass of children are so wicked, when aa few areput under ibe care of Christ by humble, praying, believing, parents. Let every' parent that fears God,bi>ing up liis children in that fear; and by baptism, let each be dedicated to tlm Holy Trinity. Whatever it solemnly eonsecraied> to God, abides nnder bis proteelion and blessing." * *' Perhaps ihere is not, in ihe world, a sight more inlerestiug', than that of aa infknt offered up by believing parents la God iu baptism. The helpless eiretim* stances of the child ; the peculiar tenderness of the relation, existing betw<^n il and the parents ; the stroag ex|>re8!(ion of their faith in God, in givisg up Uieir i>»loved offtpring to him, devoting it to his service, and engaging lo train it ap for his glory ; the exhibition of their reliauee on the blood of Christ, and th* a^Mcy of the s|i«rit of iruib, lo cleanse it from its original pollution'; the affM> ting manifestation of the divine mercy and goodness in |iermit,ing us thuatoofer up our children la God ; united to the tolemnitieA of the day, iJie place, and tha occasion ; form a combinatioD of facts, and dociriaes, and duties, scarcely par* alieled in the present world. On the minds of ptreou, paiticnlajrly, the impve*. sions made cannot /ail, nnldii throuKh very grots stnpidityjor gross wickedness, of |»owerfully persuading them to the duties, involved iu thitdedtcatioa. Of the tame nature are the impressions, which will very naturally be made on the** who are present at the administration. Persons, heretofore dedicated to Ood • in Iwptism, will very naturally fieelanew tlieirowD baptismal obligation^: while tliOMe, who Iwve dedicated them will realize, alto, the privileges, to wbieh they and their offspring have been admitted { tbe engagements, which they, have made ; and the duties, which ia a peculiar manner they are required top|rform. III. " Persons, baptized ia their inlancy, are here sotemaly reminded ol their own peculiar duties ; and severely reproved for their ttegligence in per- forming them. " How many puaaot are" there in tha eliristion world, " who have been de- dicated to Ood by baptism in their inlancy, and who yet never thoAgbt of a single privilege, tealized a single obligation, nor performed a single duly, created by this ordinance ! . It is perhaps questionable, wlieiher some of them are not DOW ignorant,. whether they have been baptized or not. How melancholy are these facts f How fnll are they of shame and sin ! . Haw productive ought they to be of remorse, contrition and amendment i God has called you, tny yonug friends, into his visible kingdom in the moraing of life. He has pnblicly sealed ^ yon as his chiMren : and phmted yon in the noniery of his church.^ Redisinbef (b)Dwifbt's8jt. llieoL p p. loi, soa. n that tkitintMCftiof tvent spfug not ftsn ebaaee, nor from the will ef tht Bit At, ■•r tnm tim wiir«f «»■, but from Ood. He gav* yonr par^nu "the di»iMkiiiou •«d th* right, to offer yen np to him, an«l to cnnseenile yn lu kiA aerviA. tt« baa pabHelt aekiwwledfrd hit |rey. Think, ihea, I heM%*li yontof tiw f aUt of disrei^rdinf , or nculeetiuff. thin teatimoiiy efhia marey to yen. 4ll fnen are bonnd volantarily toberoiae his, and tot-onserraleihraicelvmi to binilrvice. Va thft daty yon are ander'f eenliar obligations. By o|i4^ly arknowlcdcilg yon aa bit childito, He haa, it' I may l>e atlvwrd ibr raprcMion. hiid rfaumlo you in B«Maaer, whieh, whilo it demandii of yon the atott iuieoM! gtatiiade, ii|o'irp« of von, alto, to atname the character, wbtch b« ha* exteroally coiiferrMiL aa-t fHiB all 0<< ia >rt to dcvotn yon* td vet in the coveaaot of graoe lo bit •«>r«i^ and glorjr. dtll BMiinader the Go4|*el ar? Immoveably bonnd te the iNrrtotna^rof iMa-dnty. * :-Bnt the obligatiom, incnrobifnt on yon, are peculiar and pit rmi* Ltt MM reqaett yon to ponder tliit snhject with deep and i^olem^ eou* and to hiqnire with ail earnettneM oi mind, whether %<»ii are it>t in tut danger of tharingihedooniot'Cap«rnanm,ChorasiD and lteib!«i<1^.*(e) I antt now beg Iravo, Sir, lo tnbniit to yonr candour and foroearanri ihit h n tbla altenipt on a tnbject contmteilly of much imiiortauce, and whi^i ha* OMfMoyed the pciM of aMOV of ihr Bott dittingnishrd men, for both pieij^ and lcamiii|r, that ever adorned the ehritiian ehnrcb. I have availed n>a««if t* ilie inboraaf Iha dtetingnithed-lew wboio namet 1 have mrntiooed, from a co^tico lion, Ihnt It wo'nld nave been equally prrsnmpliou in me, to ha*« made ibf at* leinpt aioglo banded, and to have obirnded any kind ofa pio'iueuon oiiiho ■ntlce of Uic public wilhont that tanclion which i« properly derived from ade- ferOBOo to great namet, and diminitHiiihtfd abilitiet. Any i(ang wbtcb 1 aiay anpnoac to lie origiml, haa in all probability been h»og ago pretenicd lo tha pnUfe eye, and, ofeonrae, I cantioi flatter m>aelf that any ihing waicb I have advnncrd In thetc bftters will ckcite yonr aatonifthment, eaeopt what amy p«»ti« My excite even yonr dittntl,— the prolixity of my remarks. On tbit anbjict, lenwvcr,! brg leave to tcreen mytelf from ceuanre, nnder liM«n*bority of ytnr udfioi—** Not to omit any thing which I ibeoght ettfniial to the tahjeet," aud lonvai^ mytelf of 4he lenity eonuistted wMi yonr knowledge of ike eaea, with «hicb I ntight ha*e greatly eaceeded even my-preitanl iimiia. Had I regarded the eleganciet of language, there Bii||^c:MMtiUy have bean a latadegfte of ditparity between my own ttyla and that of the eaeelleot rlla* tiona, with which it iamy cliirf contolation, that 1 have beau able lo fortify my eante, and adorn my paget. On thit tubjeci, I trntti ran in tinceriiy obvervo: thaih iaatcontuttent with my preti-otioui, at it it with my acquiaiiiotta ; to adtot the following qnotation trom the preta« e to yonr ** Sermon on the lamtint ed oMiln of hit late Majetty." ** The at) le is tueh as I aaa on ordinary occa« atoak— perhapt in general free from glaring inaccntaciet." • Tocanelnda : tha only thing in wMah 1 can datter mytelf ie, that thoto who wiilditregard, and parhapa deapita,ipy laboart, will', in gHnerai, imva noobjee* llow to an iaterrat iamy praycrtf aad I, iheretoie, pray ihe Falhrrof tho aplrilaof all iievh; tiiat both the opponentt aiid ibe advocatet of Infant Baptiam ^ Sprinkling, may ** Iwve their iMarlt tprinklrd from an evd c on a cicnee , na ihair badi«a ha«« been wa»had with pore water.^ May we all be Avonmd Witt theabnadant iufluencea of that Spirit, of wbone gtaciant opomtiont we all agree, that Baptiam la nmrely aymbolical, and be thereby enaUad to ** walk la ■ew n eyofiSfe T Being (ully peranaded that whatevaraiay bo yotvopinien of aay laboatc, yoa wiH heartily aoiia iu my prayan. I am, Revd. and very dear Sir, Yonr'a moat rrapeetfally, and affactionaMly, . GEOUGfi JACKSON. SaekTffle, WeataMitlaad, I May Slat, 182a. 5 («>Dwishi'a Sya.Thcol. Toi.». p p. SOT, S«8— tOt. FINIS.