*f:- CIHM Microfiche Series ) (Monographs) 'i, . .t ,v 4 1, < iCMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) ^ Cainadian Ihstitute for riistorical MicrorAproduct'ioris/ Inttitut canadien da microraproductiona hittoriquaa '#> TactiniMl arid Bibliographic Notts / Notts ttchniqiMt et bibliographiquts ^. TKt Institutt has atttirtpttd to obtain tht btst original copy availabl* for filming. Ftaturts of tfiis copy which may bt bibliographically unitqiilt, which may altar any of tht imagts in tht rtproduction, or whi^ may significantly changa tht usual mtthod of filming, art chackad btlow. Colourtd covtrs/ ^ I Couvtrturt dt coultur D D □ n Covtrs damaged/ Qouvtrturt tndommag4|t Covtrs rtstortd and/or lamiiiatad/ Couvtrturt rtstaurAt tt/ou ptiliculit Covtr titit missing/ Lt titrt dt couvtrturt manqut ' Colourtd maps/ Cartas gtegraphiquts an coultur Coloured ink (i.t. othtr than blut ^r black)/ Encrf dt coultur (i.t. autrt qut bitut ou noirt^ Colourtd plates and/or illustrations/ Planches tt/ou illu^rations tn couleur Bound with other material/ Relie avec d'autres documents L'lifistitut a microfilm* Ic mti/ltur exemplaire qu'il lui a kti possible dt st procurtr. Lts details dt HAMILTON: rRlNTEU AT THE CUUISriAN AriVpCAti! HOOk A.NL) JOU UI t It P., JOllN SlIlJtEI ' ■ At 18/>7 V ; ■ ■ " . < ■ ... "■ . ,„pB#- P U K F A C K >••- Tub following discourse hoiog writt)en amid tho preflRuro of other important duties, tlie reader wiil, therefore, please pArdon any defect which may appear in its literary arrangement. The apologioH oflered for presenting to the public the ensuing pages, are (1), a request from various friends, members and ministers of the AI. E. Church ; (2), a hope that some may be profited by a perusal of tho same. THE AUTHOR. V Original, Dtctmber, 1806. >■■ ■■ ■.■\-vVi;;-jii.-.-.-ti ii. i\ :w.,^ : ■N. CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. ■■••«^ ro of fdon ining and ly be R. Christian Daptihm Is a tlioinn which liaH engaged the care- , ful (ittentlon of the most profound Intellect. It has been ably considered In the ntudy, the pulpit, and the social circle. The pm has been wielded, and huge volumes have been written, as expositions of the doctrine. Yet, there are many who have but obscure views of this subject, while the minds of others are wavering in the matter. A consciousness of this fact leads us to a consideration of this topic at the present trmo. And, as we approximate this great and worthy theme, we earnestly Implore the enlightening and directing influences of the Holy Splflt.that our remarks may perfectly accord with the Truth of God. As there Is not so great a variety of opinions In regard to the nature of Baptism, we deem it profitable, at present, to discuss but casually that branch of the subject, and confine our remarks* more especially, to tho *«i;■ w« coiii>lu(t« ttiut thoru Ih not ono Kvnton(^(> coiituincd iherelit that. forbhlH tho olTorlng of Irtfantw to Mic- liord In thiM onll nanqio. The Now Tpxtanxuit nowhero dccUrofl that .lolin tho DaptiMl, or any of (hn ApoitloN* ove/ rejected nn infant or rained IiIh voiuu iiRninNt tlio validity of infantllo Daptiam. Neither Ih it liint<>d ill, Hint \\\\m lliu child of a bidittving parent had rcaohod (ho yeara of niiiliirily, hu was.liaptr7;i>d upon a profoHiion of fuith. Neither can any individual lay Ida flnirer upon a noil- tnry portion of tho Word of (Jod, that declaroa, either directly or indirectly, thot adult persona alone are to i'coolyo the Imniu- niticH of thia Nn(;rainen|. (Niuld thiu lio done, the matter ^ould he forever aeltiod. If the Hcripturea exhibit T)0 prohlblthm 16 thla doctrine, do they contain ^anything faroraiile to the Hanio 1 We anawer. They do. Every reader of I4>e Old Te8tainet\t niuat \te aenaihie of the fact tlrat infu\ils enjoyed an indisputable right to church membership. And it cannot bo shown that tboir right to thla baa ever terminated; or, that the blooaed Saviour haa over olpaedjtho door against them. Woro tho Now Testament entirely mute in regard to jnfanta* what would bo, the great result 1 It would not in (bo leaat affect their position or privileges. It would only be leaving them to occupy the same place and enjoy tho samo privileges that they always hud. For what God has once ostaMishcd, must Inevitably remain in full force until he supersedes or disannuls it. Qod constituted infants members of tho visible church, in tho days of Abraham ; and we oan'^t find that he has ever repealed that constitution ; there- fore, it is evident thut Up i^onsidors them members of his church ||t the present time. But the Now Testamont Is In no wise silent upon thla matter. It gladdens our hearts with tho discovery that tho blessed Saviour remombors littlo infants. And he exhibits that remem- brance in such a manner as to convince us that he has acknow- ledged and confinnod their standing in the church. Hark x. 13, 14, iG, — •• And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them ; and bis disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jcsiisi saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, " Suffer tho little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God- And ■ - ■ »-''■: '> " . ■ ■ ■ ■ ■' ■ ■ •_ ■ .^V, ■ ; . . * 1 ,. . .4.^w^" — -- -^r- ^.1 - ,tta. .^ -■ r • J^-^ _ . L_ it H J II - «1. ^. b« l«ok lIuMii up III hlH urn.H. ami |MiM.lh ».uiuIh ..|«ui II.u.i. t^t^t ^l«iii»«a tliPHu" Wo l<«*ho1d lU'fp. - \ J. The Sftflour recolvlnn In UWjinuH il..< llHlf nm.- Hmt w^n- hrougiit to hlin* ' 8. Wo find him dlH|)loM<'d wllU Mh dl-Hple* for r«buklr»g thoHw who brought thcin. • 3 I{« tU'olftrc'H. Ihnt of Kuch h th« klrijfdom of (Un\. Now. If it h«. riKhl forthfl Kavlpur l^» op<'n hlMMirmn «ml rmhrMo Infant*. U It not porforM> conHblrnI for ll.ucl.oroh fo ml.rnoi.. th«m 1 In fact. hat. tho ^roh Wm lonst rh'M to r.Jc.a h.f .^tn, «o lonK nH her Founder aWlhnu\ rtc.lyi-H thoin? Wo an»l^or. she ha8 not. . And If ChrlHt wan dt«plcnn«d. nnd lnfor!o«.d hl« dhclplOH of their error, whon thoy rebuked the p.M)ple who brought the Infants unto him. Hhoubl not every true foUnwer of Christ labor to show those who would keep InfnntH from the church uf Ood. their error? Again : neolng that OhrUt has declared them proper aubjocta for the kingdom of (Jod. or In other wordn. tho vlHiblo church, baa any person \\cmH*^ to 8fty they ari^ not (lunllficd for the aame 1 Let us be cuutlous how we act In thin nmtter. Do not leiua presume to cIoho a door which Otunipotcnoo has thrown; open. Christ has opened llie door of the (church to infants, and no man can^hut it. ' \ It may here i)e remarked, that tho phraHO." kiogdoni of (iod.*. io the above passage, ^l^'nlficH the church triumphant.^ We reply that, if wo accept thlH signification of the phraHe,.it fur- nishea us with a still stronger argument. For, if Christ has asserted, that of suclv is heaven, nvo may be assured that they are worthy a situation in the visible clmrch ; because no one i» qiVilified for the church triumphant, who is not for the church militant. " Some may here plead.^iat the persons received by the Savi- our, were adults who were but infants in the cause of Cod. This could not be the case ; for the Saviour took ihcm up tnhix arms ; or, in other words, ///?crf them up. It appears very unreason- able to" suppose that he NYOuld //// nduhs vp in hxs ortm \o bless them.. Were he about to impart Lis l^lc«slng losuch, it X - ,1 ."- « ■ ^., •^ '■ . ' \ *J- ■ .- . .. ■ .i \ i ,. . . ,: • ■ ^ "i ■ • / •i « ,i,ijk .-,- «i^ -s^ d ■ * seems quite probable that. Instead of li/ling them, ho might slm- ply place his hands upon them ; and, In fact, he frequently con- erred great blessings upon jj^ults without even doing this He spake and it was done. But the evangelists tell us, they were younff children^ little children, iii/antt: &c. ^^The great objection which is here presented by many, that these Infants were not brought to Christ to be baptized by him and that he administered to them no such sacrament, is altogether Idappjicable. For we do not presume to contend for the validity of infant Baptism, because we fancy that these infants were baptized by Christ; but we argue it from the fact that we be- lieve the Saviour acknowledged them members of the visible ohurch ; and if they are members of the church. It necessarily follows that they are proper subjects for Baptism. For no one isworthy to be considered a church member, who Is unfit to receive ba,pti8m. _. ^ The^nterrogation may be made, " if those lildren were pro^ per subjects for Baptism, why did not the Saviour administer It 7 lo Winch, we answer; we kiiow^not but they had prevK ously been baptized. The^criptures do not speak otherwise. But of what import is it to us, whether or not they had, antece- dently, been baptized? Did not Christ exhibit as sure a token of heir ohurch membership as Baptism itself, when he took the little lambs m his arms, and tendered to them his blessing, at ^ same period declaring that "of such is the kingdom of ' We acknowledge th^ silence of the Saviour upon the subieot of infant Baptism. But this silence does not testify against the doctrine. Although ho docs not speak in express terms in favor of the practice, yet he does not say one word against it any more than against the Baptism of adults. . But the subject in consideration is, whether they were, by the Saviour, considered church members, or not. Which, we think, appears quite evi- . dent, from what we have already stated. If it can be made to • appear that the Abrahamic and Christian Covenants are the same, the validity of infant Baptism will be cleariy discernible It must here be remembered that the Abrahamic Covenant em- braced infants. Therefore, it will necessarily follow that if the cov- enant under wliich we live, be the ^ame, infants 'are included in \ ■ ". . . ■ " ■ ■ ■ ■ . ■ " ■ ■. •i^: ■■||- ■ / ■' / in it. Gen. xvll. 7, dtc— •' I will establish my covenant betweett me nod thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and tf thai promise, that God would be to them a ^odj so that, if God had ^ot designed and prepared this, he would have been ashamed to be called their God ; as we find implied in Heb. xi. 16. To this covenant was attached the seal of circumcision, 9 and 10 verses, " And God said to Abraham, thou shalt keep my covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed after thee, in their generations. This is my covenant which yo shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee: Every man-child among you shall be circumcised." We here discover a gracious cove- nant enwrapped in most cheering promises, touching both tem- poral and spiritual blessings, and made secure with the seal of circumcision, which seal was an act of faith in its promises, and a pledge to perform its conditions on the part of his descendants. Now, it is very evident from the writings of Paul, that the bene- fits of this covenant are extended to the believing Gentiles, as well as the Jews. Gal iii. 14.— " That the blessing of Abra- ham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ." Some strive to confound the Abraharaio Covenant and the t: ".'Si'?~ ,. ,„,t as dear a distinoHon bow „ ^^^ ,je cone- Mar and white. I'«»l ""f '^'V *J,t tcUtW. the law »Wob wM four hundred and thirty year ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^ugut ^hSd make the pro™^«--»-«^tLed.rG^ that the Abrahamio OovenaDt «« ceremonial Law ! that ta heW not the least f 'f °»f »>" ,»»„ "f"' *« '^T I ■ ■ the I*w «a. four hundred ""^ 'h'rty \ ^^^^^ ,„ tawa- also a temporary affair, b"' ^ j^,_ b„t,„„ld • tm^ it could "trth?S^"f(Sem.nles was »o more. remrin pe™*"'"'' ''"' h^T.hed Christ has offered him- TrCe«"'0»W Law '» "7;'^ f ' j^t the Covenant remain. JeU. onoefor all. a ''"f °»^°; .r„toh oan never pa«aw«y. „ firm a, the word of «od '•^"•.;"!',t foundation, it mo. ». the Covenant had Christ for its^ gr ^ ^ ^^^^^ than ever. AgaW "« f °~'^^„'„;eision for the truth of ^d Christ w«. a PW^'" t ' ad unto the fathers." . ThB t»t t. oonftrm the promi.es ".de u^^^^.^^_ j^^y^^^^^^^^^^^ teaches us that, instead of out on ^ ^^^ ^f Q(,4, bat S for Christ came not to m.lcevoiatnep^^^.^^_^^^^^„ .eo'nffmtbem. ^''-^'^irogtrto make more firm, to weaken-, but rather, to add st«ng ^,^,^5,^,4^ b, express That the covenant '»! Pf';,i^.. Be ye mindful always ^riptural testimony, 1 0'"°;^"^, e„„,m.nd.d to a thousand ^fl oovenant; tbej«aj^^^: ^bi^b he m^de with Ab«. c:^ - -^^^Lentrtv:^^ :^Smea the same unto J.eobfor^a_law^^^ Whatl^guag. «erlasting covenant. »«»f,^°;J'iue perpetuity of this cove, ^lexpMt could be -f^;jZ,^^lLnU declared to be - "aotl It is here t""™"* " Xt„ f^„„" made certain by the • ..commanded to a *o««»'!«'"''^ ... :- «}■ oath of pmnipotenoe. " by whicb God bath shown the immu- Ublllty of bis opauMl." Now, we wish to impresBupoltt your nilnda, that this ooTetiant is " oomnianded to a thousand generations." How then oan it have ceased t For you will readily peroeire by referring to the firsit chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, that hut forty-two genera- tions intervened between Abraham and Christ. Oonsequently, wo conclude that the Abrahamio Oovenant must continue nine hun- dred and fifty-eight generations after the birth of Christ; which term may, possibly, place -a period to time. We are apprised of tJie fact, that a definite number is sometimes used by the Al- mighty for an indefinite one. But can we imagine that he would say " a thousand generations'* when he intended \i\kt forty-two I When he expresses himself in a definite number for an indefinite one, he should be understood to signify the full definite number, if net'more. He proclaims the cattle upon a thousand hills, to belong to him. Now are we to understand him to mean less than a thousand hills? Or is it limited to a thousand? No. We are to understand hero that all the cattle upon all the hills of our earth belong^ him. So when he speaks of the oovenant being>'Vcommanded to a thousand generations," it il^ very evident that he intends not less than a thousand. In short, he means all the generations down to the end of time. Paul compares the church to an " oliv6 tree." And he gives us to understand that th|g tree has never been plucked up ; but that some of the branches (the unbelieving Jews) have been broken off, and the believing Gentiles grafte'd in ; which grafted branches, he declare, partake " of the root and fatness of the olive tree;" which signifies that the unnatural branches (the believing Gentiles) enjoy the same immunities as the natural branches, or believing Jews, enjoy. Hence wo learn that the tree has not been cut down or plucked up. The trunk has remained steadfast. Some branches have been severed from the parent body, but others have been selected to occupy tbe^ vacancy.- .; ■■ '._/': What we have st^d, sufficiently proves that tlie Abrahanuo Oovenant was a Covenant of grace; that curoum^sision was its seal; that it iucluded infants; and that the Covenant under :,i r '■:•■■; ■■-.■•■ ^^ •■■■ ■'■';■ .■ • ' ■.■■ which we My. I. tbe same. It wHl theftore ibUow that B.p- UBinooouplefl the place of ctroumoWon. ^ rt.„-,haTeno If Baptlsifl doe. not succeed circumcision, then ^J»»r* " - the sacrament ot admission mw „„v«nftnt of grace, olsio. ,.» i. reality a «ga»d...Wt>^^»X.^^^ oumcision? ';ir«i«i«*rAtiott of the two sacra- taenhi, presents l**^'- 7"3i,4it«„,e top«.s.«..t «. gaTe-hto » nam'- !'«'»'•»»• ."V^ the ohttd, and they , L eighth day. they «.m. U, d«»mol»^ *f_ ^ ^ ^^^ called him Zaoharia.^' Ag»^ I-^*'^^- „( tteohttd, hi. kJi i»Bttt»t.d,.' Whence originated^a.^»tom^_o^^^^^^ : p^n'. n«ne in the admimatratien »' *« ^™ "^d ItoeeU. k an^w.ihat the curtom^a. ^ngm'^^^^ , When hi iBstitnted fti. """""^f ' '"J'^' c"n«qn»tly, » ' ■ „a d» U> his i^e. Gen. «n 6^^ « 1 the enstom ha. God *'>" «"P^*• X2Z» pamge. hare those «,aina.cs,i. saored _^^^°" f,°Xe.yerth.^ It is stated by some that circumcision made a visible mark In the flesh, by which the standing of a person might be recog^ nized ; but Baptism leaves no such mark, therefore it does not answer to circumcision. We answer, that it was not by tb« visibility of the mark that the standing was proved ; but by the registry of the oiroumcision. The mark would avail bi^t little, : if the oiroumoision were hot registered. Ezra, ii. 624-7-'vi!heie BS^?f|J!»^(^.'**^-.^- *-^«v~-;-pf ■• ■£■ I I ■*l ■ -^ ■■ ■ ■•1 ' ■ ^ J^. Ai'- ■>■ , ■■',1 . 4 ■'■^r ) ■'li' 't-^". , ■ ^ '■ 1 . f !1- . put from the prte.thooa." AB«1».N^;^^' „,„,,, .id th. 5,t it into mine »•"'' ^J"*"„*^!h 'b" eckoned b, g™».- „l,r., «i.J tk" P«»P'«' *?'/'■ J, rte Lnealogy of them wbloh , OK,. And I found a register of the «™«";°Ky„ • h„„ Se op .tth. «r,t and f»f J^^f ;*7 lo Z«.d not be ■ t.„gbt th.t the m«k was b»^^»/^^»' «„Son. wore required to ' rrfi:s:i!:rt«r.rf.b..ia.v.^^^^^^^ .honld be ad-nlnlstered upon be e^« day , ^^J ,^,i. vdld. B«t*«8«''t" Fxxr/s-'And^hena.tr.ng.r^^^^^^^^- ^tatet.red upon any day. Ex^*^^ ^„ j^,^,a. shall sojourn with thee, anif bontejcpplate, II. The mode of Baptism. . Some affirm thai there is but one mode of Baptism, and that is immersion. Th^s they attempt to prove from the language of Paul. Eph.iv.5f" One faith, one Lord, one baptism. Now, let us strictly observe the reading of this text-" One faith, one Lord; one bapiim:' The Apostle here says, one Bapt^ .^ not one Tnoie of Baptism. I believe just as firmly in one Baptism, as any perion can. And that Ib Christian Baptism-wate^ applied to ^hesulyect in the name of the Father. Son. and Holy ther dd«* h Twtul- iptized, \f jond cen- c Ilaptiflin About th« iH the Bap- ear to the leenChrii- ■aries with 9 praotioe, ventlon of I practiHed wa« never ^ear 1030, liat infftnts luld not be on became ect termed t the Abra- the same and seal of ntB proper be praotioe throughout the present (uent. im, and that le language ism/' Now, ae faith, one \aptum ) not )ne Baptism, itism — watejc )n, and Holy ■ ■ n ' Obo.il. Oreat %ixv%n U laid by Nuoie uuon the kiKDiAoatltfn of the term " baptize." Rut the word itR«lf proTet nothing, be- oauNM liH meaniiifi; is ho various. The verb " bnptize," with Itn dertvurivflR, Hignifleii to di|), to Htain. to W4 1, to paint, to be over- whelnifd, to l»« drowned, to nlnli, to IriiinorBo, to pltingo, to be d>ed. tinged, and imbued, to wuhIi hj eflfuHiuii of wutur, tu puur. to ffprinltle, &o. We h«ro diHUOver the term to be of extensive application. It HignlfieH, to tptiiiklr, ns well an to immerse. Therefiiro the uignincntion of the word proves no partioular mode of Huptirtni. The religion of JeNUH Ohriiit U designed to i)e univerHal. II«4nce we find Christian ministers ot the present day liilioring in botli frigid ttnd torrid ciiniates. We ounnot fur a meinint buHHV^ that iin all-wise and grueious (jod would pr«>- fforlbe and render imperative a modtt of Haptism which could not with prupriftA' bn practised in all climates, and under alt clrcunjHtanceM. The .mi^rK w X«"d PTtlcularfy notice than that of baptl/hiK- V?!?< V i i... »«.ntl/«d udth water. Mat. lUtltltlnvjrlablvHt^cathatJ^^^^^^^ John I. aa.-- «ut h. f ;at HH.t^ ^^^ ^.Wer K^w. If Joh.'t iS^vhn HayH, he waH H.nt »'»P»^« "'''^^J^he prepoHltlon in. In- r7,;idc, waH InunerMion. why b we n )t tm e j j- ^ ^, ^ j^^^ 'Head of the prt'Poftlon ... ? i.at L you i« the Holy GhoHt ' tlzo you i« water, but he nhall »»» 'f* y^^y^; „„,««« the SatU and ?« firel" 'A'lu; name wor here Ihu.uI to exp^^^^ ^^^^.^ our'B mode of .l.lrUua Hap hu . J^^«/J«J,,,,j J,a the Holy mode of water IJaptUn. Jff"Jj^"'^J y applying the pefHons Ghott, and u^iVA fire. He did «. ""^j'^ ^'^J ^ i,Jt by causing M or nlunclni; them J« the Spirit or tne iir«, / „^l be Spirit aucl tire to descend upon l»em^ ./"fit and itnat upon there'appoared unto then. ^^o^-^X.Uh the Holy Ohcf caohoflhcm. jM^^J^m ofilyfi Spirit perfectly accord ,., All the acoounrf^MUffP">',y,,%au i^ald to be - from with wbat 7»JgnBr ... 3P?our out my Spirit." &o. above." AgaWi^Wl. i wnr l ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^. When Christ received the .l^apt «m oi ine^ ^, J^^ Cornellut ,c«irf.(iliko a dove. and,^*ij;^..yi", S the Holy Ghoat/.W and bis family received ^^e ^^P'"^^^'. Jj^J.^, ode of spiriiual B.p- on them who heard the ^^^^'JJT 'emblem of effusion, that ilsmlH exhibited to ^^^J'^^ Now?!* John's t.a/.r Baptlim is either sprinkling or mtins. ^^\'^ jj ^ism, ^en ▼f Uf was ft shadow pf the ^av'our s y»na.at ^ Savi*r't It U .upi)080d by some, ""''°5°»?''5i,° because there wm r«utt4 nlitry r, h»d rh»T«» • was • luuh ilm to a very rpoMif notice, Mat. ze you [1 thotii » truly 3hott." " Here _ JohB'a J in, In- • Ibap- ^ GhoHt le Bavi- I JohD'n lie Holy perHuiis oausiog — " And Hat upon Ghoit." y accord »e '• from IrU." «co. b. It •• de- rornellus >hoat/W/ tual B«p- gion, tha.t - Baptism len wily Saviflttr'a plying the ed at Jor- there was . But ve Lord bap- ithey ever appear tiitt ti , •f er p«rptiif o4 ttf Want of a iitfltfllim nf water fact, It doM nut «pp««r ilittt John alwuys m^ it Jordan, or tt Enont for It fa taM that he b«Kan to haiw " In )\ei\mf hara hri/oml Jordan." And tti« Bible doeii not \nmm m of at] rlTer being there. Mu«b ttreaa li laid upon the HnptiNni of Christ, 1A John, In Jordan. Hut for i»hat rt^ason wan th<* Hiivlonir **«ptiii»4^ He could not have li«?«n baptl/itd " tiiilo rivpenittiidk ' nor " for the remiiitilon of Rlna." J)#c;auN« he had coniiwircd M^n- ttegivM the reaM)n of hh ttaptism—" fo/uf/it all ri§hftoHim»*' ll^at are we to undersUnd bv tiie (^xprenHion, " to fuVftI all rlghteoiifllietwt" Our Havlour iindoubliidly Intended that to Hlgrilfy.^lit he muat perform everv Iota of #ie righti'ouu law of (iod, an alon Intrusted to bint, What law required liin muat have been the (/onemoniui, for no othor law about baptixing. The truth <»f tbo matter h Christ appeared as a gr«^t If Igh Pr(«Ht to offer a Hae for all, for the sin« of the people. Th© (-erenmnt Siulred that overy priest sKiould be purified with wal ore, Ghrist must submit to this ordenl. And, for Rone, John was the most suitable pcrHon to bnpti/.o iioc- Tbla Is why he was baptized. We are informed in Num. Iv. 113. that they entered upon the work«f the priesthood at the age . »r thirty. Consequently, that ho fuMli the law. ho must wait until ho arrive at thirty, beibre bo fi^mmenee his ministration. jUike iii S3. — " And Jesus himself began to be about thirty yejl of •ge." The mode of baptizinf thofriests, under the Ceremonial Law, was aprinkling. Kx. xx\x. Mmmta- mf Tt ne word ly this: OMIOO- aw re- There- i!8 rea- )frtt tie 40: 12.— "And Aaron and his sons tfiou shalt bring unto tie door of the tabernacle of the ooilgregation, and thou shalt wash them with water." Num. vtil. 7.— " And thus thou shall do unto them to cleanse them { wrinkle woter of purifying upon them." This law required the Baptism of Christ ; and wi^ mast conclude th^t, m his Jiaplism, he submitted to th^ mode prescribed by that law, which was tprinkUng' Therefore, because it is said, that Jesus, when he. was baptized, went up straightsway out of the water, it is no proof that he was immersed. Wolfe, the missionary, tells us of' » certain sect of Christians in Mesopotamia, who style them- •elvee " followers of John the Baptist, who was a follower of Christ." Their method ef baptizing is as follows : " They carry the children after thirty days to the river, the priest says a prayer, the godfather takes the child to the river, while the priest sprinkles it with water." Thus we have, in modern times, ri'v^ Baptism, with «/>mA;^tn^. f^ We have shown that it appears quite probable our Saviour was baptized ytM\k tprinkUng. But no matter what mode John practised, his was not the Christian Baptism. And, if it was not I >. ^ *0 I I ibe Obristian Baptiam, bin tmde of baptbing was no precedent for aa. •'• The Baptism of John differ* esaentially in all the Im- {>ortant circumstances and cbi^raoters of it, from the Baptism nstituted by iJesus Ohristk " 1. The Christian Bapl ism originated in the dommlssion given by Jesus Christ to his apostles after bis resurrection, to go info all the world, to teach, or disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holv Ghost; whereas the Baptism of John bad no such origin, but commenced full four years before, and even before John had any acquaintance with Jesus. 'And I knew bim not,' says the Baptist— John i, 31. Surely, then, the Baptism of John eould not be the same with that administered by the Apostlt-s after the resurrection of our Lord. " 2. The Baptism of John was the Baptism of r.epentancc, or reformation, ias a preparation for the approaching liingdom of God. The Baptism instituted by Christ included an acknow-, ledgeraent of a particular person, as the Lord of that kingdom already ' deliv«red for our offences, and raised again for our jus- tification.' — Rom. iv. 25. Hence those Baptisms could not be one and the same. "3. The Christian Baptiam was invariably administered |n the name of Jesus ; while there is sufficient eyidehco that John'ft^was not performed in that name. That it was not during the first stage of his ministry is certain, for he tells us himself that he did not know him at that time ; and, if the Christian Baptism includes an acknowledgement of the J^aviour actually crncffied, he could not at any subsequent period baptize in the «ame of Jesus, as he was beheaded long before Jesus Christ was cru- ■ oified. :.\ •; ''],--" " 4.*The case of the twelve disciples at Ephesus, menioned in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts affords demonstrative evi- dence of what I am now contending for. , For on what principle could St. Eaul have baptized them, if they had received the same Baptism before ?" , "WTe think this sufficiently ^shows that John's Baptism was not the same with the Baptism administered by the Apostles ; conse- quently, whatever his practice was, it is no example for Chris- tians. The great objection to sprinkling, brought from the Sorip- »_tBre8, is found in the Acts of the Apostles, viii. 38, 39, " And they went down both into the water, botli Philip and the Eu- fljich, and he baptized him ; and when they were come up out of the water,*' &c. We find nothing in these passages that should lead us to decide that the Eunuch was immersed. For wbatisfaidof one, is stud of the other also. They 4o^* went m ■♦• m^^ down into the water, and Ihey both oante up ovt of the water. K H **'?. **"t* P*''"? baptized him. But I have no reason to I !?^M!. L ^"^^^f"*^^ him; but I have good reason to con- clude, that the mode practised was that of *«»;«;t/jW. BiUip found the JIunuch in his chariot, with the Scriptures tBih Bandit' reading^ a certain prophecy concerning Christ, llz.. I«a. lii and lui. "At this Scripture. Philip began and preached Uhristtohim.— Aetsviii. 35. In the last three vorses of th> mty-second chapter, it was foretold that Christ should instiinte Baptism by *^rm^/iV,^. "Behold my servant ehall dfeal *p>tt- v"ii u' «"«" be exalted and extolled, and be very high. So jbalhe sprinkle many nations." Now, it is very evident that I'hilip must have conversed with the Eunuch upon the subject or Baptism ; because, as they were travelling along, the Eunuch exclaimed. " See here is water ! what doth hinder me to be bap • f *i . ' Pbilip's text taught the mode of sprinkling, and n& other mode. " So shall he sprinkle many nations." Conse- quently we conclude that Philip spiinMed \\\f» Eunucfi. Had He attempted to immerse him, is it not probable the Eunuch would have objected to the m6de, and referred Philip to his owh text which taught j|;>ri«M»^ / But it is quite probable that they went down to the brink of the water, whi-re Philip might , take some m his hand, and sprinkle him according to the pro- phecy which he had been expounding. Much weight is Ijud upon the words " into'* and " out of." Ihey went down into the water, and they came up out of the water. But these terms do not prove that either Philip or the Eunuch was immersed under the water, or that either of them entered the water to his knees, or even to his ancles. Ex. xxiv. t*' \^'^^'~~" -^nd the Lord said untx) Moses, Come up to niA into the mount. And Hoses wont up into the mount of God." Also Ex. xxxiii. 1.— " And when the people saw that Moses ^-' , lnyed to come down out o/'tho mount," «&c. Now, will ■#fls: person presume to say, that the phrases " up into the mount," and , •♦ doum out of the mount," prove that the body of Moses Was im- ^nersed under the surface of the mount? Or that he entered the earth which composed the mount to his knees, or even to his ancles? Again, Mat, v. l.^"And seeing the multitudes,' be went up into a mountain." Now, does this passage teach that any portion of the Saviour's body,'wa8 under the surface of the mountain? It is evident that neither Moses nor Christ entered into the element composing the'inountain, but rather remained upon its surface. Therefore, the phrases, "dam, into the water,' and "up out the water^" do not prove that either Philip «r thfl Eunuch stepped into the water, to the depth of one inch. The terms " into" and ?' out of," have various significations. "Into,," in the original, pyoperiy signifies "a/" or "'^o." WMki Tout of" signifies "//-ow.'' Consequently, it would be correcti;* read the %'. ' . (ext thuHT And they went down both to or at the vetgf of the water, and when they were eome wpfrom the water. Some may say that those prophecies which speak of «Ji>rtffA;- ling do not intend Baptism. But it is evident there is no dther ordinance in the Ghuroh of fifod to which they can reffen If they signify Baptism, then the Scriptures are not fulfilled, .un- less this saorament be admini8ter«d by sprinJding. These are safficient reasons for believing, that Philip sprinkled the Eunuch. Another supposed scriptural objection is found in Rom. vi. 4. •• Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into his death." - Also, Col. ii. 12.—" Buried with him in baptism." After quot- ing these passages in full, we shall endeavor to explain them. "Therefore, being buried with Christ by baptism into his death,, » that, like as Christ was raised up by"tfjfc'lory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of iJM|"For, if we have been , planted together in the likeness oC^ft^^Ath, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection ; WM^ t|»J8» that our old man is crucified with him, that the body df sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should no more serve sin;" Col. ii. 9— V2.— '•For in him dwelleth all-the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete, in him which is thelieadof all prhioipality - and power : in whom also ye are circumcised ^ith the circum- cision made without hands, in putting oflF the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcisiop of Christ ; buried with him in bap- tism, &o. We have here the terms " planted," " crucified," and " buried." They are.figurtitive expressions ; consequently, they do not intend the sign, but the reality,; not the shadow, but the flubstanoe. "We are buried with hUn by baptispj," signifies that "our conformity (to Christ), Is complete. We are in pro- fessiott quite cut off from all commerce and communion with sin, as those that are buried are quite cut off' from the world ; not only not o/'the livijSg, but no movit among the living, have nothing more to do with them. Thus must we be as Christ was, separate from sin and sinners. We are buried in profession and obliga- tion ; we profess to be so, and we are bound to be so; it was our covenant and engagement in Baptism; we are sealed to be the Lord's, therefore, to be cut off" from sin." thus we discover that the phrase, "buried with him in Baptism," has notthe/r least allusion to the mode of baptizing. The circumstance of* the Baptism of the Philippian jailer, is ima^ned by some, a strong, proof against sprinkling, and in favor of immersion. But we cannot discover one word that affords the weakest evidence that immersion was the mode. We.find in examination of that ' ^portion of Scripture, that Paul and Silas were confined in the inner prison. And at midnight there was an earthquake— the jailer became affrighted— assembled his family— received instruc- non from Paul— became convinced that the doctrines of the Christian religion were truo— washed the apostles' stripes—" and i ^ 2.1 (Miud, that the keeper of the prison was answerable with his own life for the safe-keeping fi' of the prisoners. Gonsoquently, when he awoke and found the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had escaped, he drew out his swdrd, and would have killed himself, lie won Id rather take his own life, than have it taken by others for neglect of duty. Now ft does not appear reasonable, that he would accom- pany the apostles away from the prison, .whence they might make their escape, and leave him to suffer the penalty.. But the apostles were well acquainted with tlie stringency of the law in respect to prison-keepers. And we Tiave too great cpnfi- dence m their integrity, to fancy they would attempt to encour- age him to leave the prison, and thus expose himself to difficulty. And, furthermore, Paul and Silas being unlawfully imprisoned, ; were firmly resolved to have recompense, i'of, tl>e next day, when a request was sent them to leave the prison, they would not move one step until those same magistrates who had ordered t,hem to be imprisoned, " would come themselves, and fetch them out." It appears very satisfactory, froW these statements, that ine^^lQT-^&s sprinkled. . ' Let us next examine the inode used in baptizing the three r thousand npon the day of Pentecost. The apostles were all in'' an upper room, " and there they continued with one accord in prayer." At the close of this exercise, Peter stood up and S reached to the company assembled. After the close of the iscourse, and the election of Matthias, to occupy the place of Judas, while they were all with one accord in one place (pro- bably in the same upper room, as we do not read that they had yet left it,) the Holy Ghost descended upon them, and they talked in other ton'gues. This very remarkable occurrence was immediately advertised in the surrounding vicinity, and caused such great excitement that the multitude flocked together. We should here bear in mind that the apostles seem to be yet in the same "upper room." Therefore tlio 'multitude must have assembled m and about the hmse. m©r standing up, preached to^tbem.^ They were pricked in their hearts, and inquired, " Men and brethren, what shallwe do ? Then Peter said, repent and be baptized every one of you in the hameof Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. And ye shall reiseive the Holy Ghost. Then they gladly received the word, and were baptized ; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand." Now, in all this, we have no account of their 'leaving tjie / ■■■'•'1 i:^mM \^>r 1%, # .»fmmmmm^^^^^^mm 24 hons* In rtiHst of s..ni« s(r.'aH.or poiul. in which thoy might im- /nerfe Lin At a»y rate, wh n.i.at confess that, they Were n Jerusa en • apd When w. c.onsi,ler that that city was so scantily .uTplieiVfth water. as.toohli,e er. While, on the c.>ntrar>-. a single well would fi>.nish a competent supply to ''r^^^f^'l^'- We understand that'they ware all baptized m about bu'f f/ay- For It was nine in the marnlng when Peter eon.tnenoed his dia- Lurse and nndoubiedly it was quite lengthy , fV)r he treated m.on various subjects, and. as a matter of course, exphnned to r people the nature of Christian Baptism. Therefore, we con- elude that it must ha-ve bA-n about noon wh^n they commenced to baptize. And we deem it preposterous to inf«»' »'f- ^^^^J.^";- rnersed three thousand in the short space of one t'f ^J^r'^X- ing that all the apostles wer* engaged in ^»'f- ^^^^l;. B^t ^^^ we once allow that they were HimnkUily^W difficulties m the "^S'l^W the Israelites WreWi-^^ Sea isXthy our notice. 1 Cor. x. 1. s.-" Moreover, brethren. " I wiildnot tLt yeshould be ignorant, how. that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. and were Til baptizea unto .Moses, in the cloud, and m tl^«.««f;. ^ow. here wereB20,0W) Israelites in this company. "And the Lord caisjthe sea fo go backhy a strong east wind all that n^ and made the sea dry land, and the waters wisre thvid^tT^ Ex xiv. 21. Again : "By faith they passed through f e Eej Sea aTbV dry land:" Dry land was before, betmd, anA under- Sf'ifSrswerepilid up Jt a great^d^taj^e «|Kjn ea^^^ side while the cloud was far overhead. And the Psalmist, while ^peaS of this very event,. says: "The c buds ^p«re^ o^^^ water— Ps Ixxvii. 17. Our own experience, has long since taught us that God's mode of pouring out, or, in other. words, ^«7*^ 'a' y ■ -i. %\ --M, A •^. i^V ■\k^* > • / ^* '? '^ T 6-- , .» s "^' <*■ / <;^. -'<* /