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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour fttre reproduit en un seul clichd, ii est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. »y errata sd to int ne pelure, ipon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 A FTOTHER ATTEMfT T9 Of AMD OV SPRINK ii^ f JM4 lieRIFl-VIlAL MODE OF AMiN|ffW»iN» TttlV SBlllJES 0F*5|f*«lM, 1 ■ ■ t AODBESSED TO TttE ULEY. WYLIAAML MittMk INTENDED AS A REPLY TO HIS LETTERS^ ENTITLID «^ INFANT SPRINKLING, WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE OF THE SANOTtlARY, AND FOUND WANTING." 9m BY GfiORGB JACKSON. Ami tkey broagbt yonnf children to Wwi, thit he aliould touch ihem : end hi* dleeipte* rebuked Uioie who brong ht thettu Bftt wbea Jetns mw it, he we* MKdi displeased, end stid ante them, ** Mnffcr the little children t» ooaie noto m$f end furfaidthea not t for of such is the kingdom of God."— And be took Iheii np in bis arms, put bis bands upon then and blessed tbeai^ St, Umk. Let nt draw near ftttk a ^ue heart in the full assurance of faitb, faaving our tearis 9friiUtU4 ttom an evil conscience, and our bodies muuhti with pure wnter, ^ ^Y. Huut, , .,11 ' , 1- \ I ." f I II |l,i,JL HALIFAX, NOVA-SCOTIA : #«I1IT«|| mr ?. J. UOLXiAND, At Fits Ort ICtyMOLLli-ITRIBT, JiaATB #F THK P«PTKVf!!U BVItBIlff. Til- " £j -• ?-mmUl)I^J'^ ran ^f.(dm^Udff/g '■^'" fi> lsi£Ci:'M.ai ■ ^'- "^'/^m: ■fr'. •■«' it r „ . ■'•■•( V t!Vl')»« ^utiif: * « ifi*-' ismi «•»«■♦ fe wifilt, . » «.>-gi..H! < i >i i> ii < >'«««miwmwwi»b|>ii, ■.:.";„. ,,„ rpHE c( ■*- proo subjects. very gener poIeiQicul ^ men differ, j Christian h »jay doubt, nearly a st Lc{ier.s bo< W'lifjuL'on employtiJlif knowo, wii subject ne< aiico. The nnlty of oui of years, be who, not tc seal with because t!i,!| ceediogs, h f.heai by t.'ij tbey have j| because w( every infau| our prjvctii tojii^asqu i| asan ar^ui w.iih an iosi sncc«f.sg| tlie nieirihpl versy b<'{MJ f^.cffnco a] ¥- *j 7«i»*r M( ftj "»s;.o->i^ "ivra^rarKA'y^ >«i™^ ♦'***''^^' "*•'**'*'" ■•^-^* rjJ'^HS controTer^ial Epiitlos of tbf: great AjiA&fle to the a€ntn«», ar« Ifuflm^ -*- proofs ^f tJic lawfulness of coiitroverfetal wr tings on reiigiouh subjects. A» what is U.tlijl however, is not always cxpething but " Popery" and " Superstition" in our pro- ceedings, have i>othiu pu'oWc and in private been in the habit of characterizing tbcm by tJiese illiberal epitbete. These miaisiers, with a number of those whom ibey have instructed, have refused to give ns credit even for sincerity, and because we do not preach a '•Baptising Sermon" on occasion of the baptism of every infaut we baptize ; it is v«ry generally remarked by them, that we know our prjvctices cannot bejustlfifd by the , Scriptures, and therefore we choose topiji^qn in silence. Thus the very peace of our Missionaries, has been urged as an argument against »heir pmcctdings ; and thf=y have been brasded with w,i'J» an iusincerity which I Iinr»» tntv abhor.' In aodition to these things, a snccssgiyij of covert attacru (rb'"fiy in family and' prVvate comverseilions with tile members of our societies, and l>y landing of Jiooks on the points in coqtro* versy between them and us) have been incessantly rrjieated, and at length self- (icffuce appeared indispc-nsible. Th's was, uHde'"*ak€n in "An Kf.nibltf fi,1 •: I 4, Atl«Mpt tOittUtlinflftte the Legitinacy of lufaut Baptiiu, and of Sprinkling Mft Scriptural Mod* of adminiatcrinK iliat Ordinancp. In three Letten •ddreeitd to tbe R^r, Mr. Priestley, Wraleyan Methodist Missionary and Chairman of the Nova Scotia District." To tliese Letter\two replies havt htten made, one " By a Mechanic of New Bruoswicli" and the ether •By" the Rer. *anied, too lightly esteemed by ail. Ignorance ou the one hand, and. a criminal neglect f«f duty ou the other, have certainly furnish' c4 our opponents witlt some Qf their mavt plausible and snccrssful objections to the practice. May the Lord help us to " roil away this reproach from" us, undmaywenot bring ^ jonng immortal to the temple as tl\e Jews would have brought a Lamb to present it tQ the Lord, and then abandon it to its Cate ! But may we accompany and follow pnr oflerings by our most fervent prayers, and may it be our anxiety at all times, ** to traip up" oar rising offspring,** in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." To the truly pmus of all parties, I have to prefer one rei^nest. While we f(e»e is charily.** If ever we are in danger of losing sight of this, it is when we are studying controversial divinity, and when the ctremoniet of religion constitute the subjects in debate : we are then in equal danger of forgetting that the pne thing needfnl is that •* Faith which worketh by love." I mmi also bespeak the candour afid forbearance of my readers in general, by observing, that the following Letters have been written under bnt ttffi of thtMe advantages, nhicb give sp high a degrep of perfection to noden^ productions. Th'eir slightest claims on tha charity of th« public, are, that they are the hasty prodnetions of a jAvenile antbor, wbpse ahjiUterial dutiee refd«|r it impossible, that he should spend much of his tima in controversy o^ any subject ; and should be have credit for not having disgraced the causa %Hfch he has If en amploytd ta 4*f*n<1, every re««onabla exr<<^Ut>09 w)^ bft gratified. A fair •tatemeut of t1i« evideoM on wbicli onr prtelUoi art fonnded, has been the chief o)>ject of hit attention ; and in tha laognaga of Lord Bacon he must express a hope, that those into whose hands the foilowing |)a{«s may fall, will'* R^ad not to contradict and confnto; nor to lielioft and lake for granted ; nor to fin J talk and discourse ; but to weigh nod consider." N. B. The rradi>r will find many excelleni quotations In the following lettorsf from '* A Treatite on theMode and ijnbjeets of Christian Baptism. By tho Rev, £ Pond, A. M. of Ward, Mabsv;" In reply to the Sermon of tho Rev. A. Jud. son,A. M.on ChristianBaptism. I received both these woifks by the nnsolicited kindnevsofa veaerabic friend, when I had almost eonolnded my remarks oa the subject of Baptism. In copying what I had wriiien however, I have madn some extracts, especially from the work of Mr. P. This part of the di^cnssion, which in addition to their coi.firmiog my ov«n remark.*, have greatly increased my obligations to this antbor, and the fritud who transmitted me his very excellent tuatise. Its bting a Reply to the Sermons from wbieli Mr. Elder has given such a number of extracts, is the reason which hat iadneed me t* make snch copious citations. It wonid have given ma sioeero pfcatnro t# have made more extensive use of an snonymont " Essay on tnlitttf Baptism," by the Rev. Dr. Ilurns, from whicli I have given a few qnotttiont. Thb very able work however did not come to band nntil I had entirely conelnd^ thii following Letters, and had made some progress in copying thenp for |h9 presf^ These works, with the Candid Reasons of Mr. Edwards, aroweil worth tVa perusal of both the ndvoeates and opponents of Infant Baptitm. Bcdei|ue, l^ince Edward Island, Deo. 3,18aB. • * ■_ . I ^ '.''■' ' . ■■ .. ■^Mt$ %^u».v n*tjfii«v ti-^j^;; 'iif^.-a ii^n . ,-' .' ^''l ■•^ '^"^ * V i-'.U ■ )'» '.«::| 1^'- I. i I ift:f ^t Ih ^^•..•.♦! ,. Ue-.J ■ -x y..: .- t (iJii. i t »jm»**m , 11;; i.;V. 1 ' n : •', ' ^'t .- .n^TSR I, rr.^lifr\!nary 01>'iervnt'on'. r-i -, Rc^wrks 03 Infant C'o.'ijioui.iion. -.i ,/! fl »..< »*i«;tt>'»i ^^'^'^'•'•'*^ *^ substiiuto for Circunic'sion •imci vcd Obaorvulionti (wi the Abrahnnic Covenanf. -^ " .>i «;< •>.!» s •« .•*-|; |S.»<« ""^Ht ', ^(.u^ij *ti. iRom-irki^ on inf)riit Chnrch-iiTCialjersiilp- kill \' ^^2f;.rviUionr, on 1(10 Apostolical CommUsl Oil. ■.,.}*',,, ,iM 9t* I'Si op Acj.:<, ii, o'}. .ti), ft-fH-n.A 'I5 Uoinarks ou the Bu[)ti«m 01 Households. ' '^^t.'u.n •— r-— ,— otilhat oi John and oui Blesr'fid Lord. >?•"?.»? j*'/aj .1 JK*-"* V* ' ^ ' •* cn Christ's bies^insj littlf> Children, '^ * '' ''*^ j *.i ttf ^s.*>' **■ ,u___^ on the j'^ti^lcnt'^n of Infnnts. >(<«>•« *'-i« •<-'i'./i --W, *:..:■ 4i i.-; M ™«..", Ol3scrvritIb^.'^^ on f.iic dodicatioa of Infanis unloGod — ; — o!i L CorinihLan, vn. 14, .^ , ,. . . on Ephesian.s vj, 1-3, aa-l Coios. ui. ^,. ■r An-^veri! to common Orjectio)}?, — • ", rr;tmtU'G iii^lory oi'Intkil Dnpl.i'^m. — ' Z, Moanlnq^ ^jftJu-; v/ora V^iv^i'dz?.. Komnrks ':n the baptism of Ihr; Disciple* oa tha ci-iy oi' j"*or:*c*:o.-t. ' t, - cn ths !i.ipti«:;m cf John cn iltc r>a]'.t;r.m oftije Fainuch , — rn ir"-- hftptjj^m of tho IsraolUo-. - — - on Ibo r.rdivia o'' tbt! JaUer. — " Ou ;!;;' ^7uiboiit;;^l lar'ntiin,^ of the ordinance of .uij>i— lit. ,1,^ :\ Opi'^tovv- of ti:o Aixleot- on the irnlr ot Bnpti-m. :\o vnU;! iJ;q>i:?ri 'atiiii I'o^hl ai^coroii-;; {o tVie opinioiii 11' * % " ' ' *' * '' J *• ' • * ■ '' . , „ . 1 i • I ■ . Ji.ttER i DEAWSIR, . ' 1 ,i>Ti; u: * 'tin ,x, r .4, U) j>'> l»'»^- '» I'.ttil-i^aifcJi; ,» » S '* . • t: V •• - ,f • -^ .;-'.[ - ,, id ».l0'n- j.» • >"..!♦« J M r'. >Vn,!?.^i 1 vVr (ut "So iij J IT i-^ «om»! time since a variety of lepovls stis'gncd me an opi«ojiept ow i'.tti aubjeci of Inlaut Buptisui.atid ;bat v»Siicbli«e(l my attenuon upcu yon, xk-^m of all others the aiP.it gratifyicj:. it is tru^', that the only aci^uaiotnnte I Ljva with you IS by itycrt ; but I was happy, thfat this gave yon rredif for pOh.nri)i;,» both true pitiy uud native (abut. I was pitaved wiih iLo pfa?pt'ctoi apiuj* op[iOT»cuch a degree, an git-atly to molify, if not entirely to overpovkOi^ tho*-* reftentments which have too Jrf(|uevitly dlAgraced religious crintvoverhfesv^ an^l led the ci 'ircb to sigh,and^the iufniel to fj'jijicc\ As jjj ttj-nftcEamenceuifr^t t>#* yonr Letter* you say, ihat yon " trust yon wiJi be able to oficj your fe?nr differing frurw ine in a christiRa spirit ;" yoa probably flatter yourself,»Ji||tyoii have scarcely arfbrded me the shadow of a roaseo foV altsviug iny ophyjon li is true, you coacludo by adniittlng the poB.sihility of havinpin some*' 2nstan«-« manitesieda wrong spirit," and il you have, you with iny (orgiveiaipss. Udt jt% I do not approve of prayera for forgivecess, uniei^s acionjpanied by a cujaitLi'n oi crime, you mubl excuse nre, if i attempt (oshcw you whtrciu 1 havd icea disappointed. , . ..... ..vt^.. ...i. ..•. t.^-. ^ *...,.,„*. » I was not a little surprise;! at the evldrnt want of c'iArity,so mauifett in ibe choice of yonr Motto. We havo no soonef lifted the bacit 0! your phiBiiLieu than Inevitable, eternal desuucilnn stares n^ in the face. You luvc a pi<3- dilectioH in favour of'a scriptural motto which ! do not coudcuju ; yov. ask toe vby /did net make thcice of one, and strinjg logethar tbrte paMsi^gea of aciip. tore, that in the light in which you ijuei;d U8 to view them, it' ihey huve aiy uieahiog, employ ouv bk-ssed Lovd in the uiioharitabJe v»ork of iufajuiiug ilivi vorld, tl«t *' If any aiun" administe*" briptioua to any, except '* uicuaiu! v;ometij," or by any other mode than by Immeraiou, ** God shall add to 'lirn -he plagues ihat are wr'ttcn m ihi« i ock ;" t\i&i is ihe " Book" of " K!^vel^.{k!5." We tberefojo are to haveonr " {larr in that lakii which bui;u';h ^'viih fire ani brinastooe^ which is tfat> second deaits." (Chi.p Ksi, viii.) I allow that m several parts cfyowr '' LetteiV yen rciiko reuiaiks v.hicU would lead uy j appose, that you do hot Ihiok our salvation Juipo^siblf. Bi*t :his ccuunot only iucveaaes our difticuity, and Rheu connected with that on wliich I have jajit ramarked, reduces U3 to the disagrcteMble necessity of concluding, that 70a ar« tUhcr destilato cf that charity v.hich will au'iajt rS the possibility >/ M\ u . i ^t I '1, i ! ■■!. t- i -^ '^'H or iilf atfoo, or, of tho Ability to be coniUtrKt with yoor^elf. I »f Ir eied my Ifottftf boctnio It osproMvd my neutimentt, and eooccded til I could In con- leloact coacede to oar oppoaenta, and Ibcn proceeded to ftiipport tlion* •ptnloDS by a raferesce to tlj« Bible : and I hope to convince ili« randid part of aiy readeri, that few perHOBR liavr IcM reaion ilian yoiiisclfio cliaige me with **eoailnf to yoa with a well poliibed coat of mail, fmniiilied by nten bf great aanei aad diitiitsntbbed abillltoi" initead of 'akiag * the word of Ood a» lay aapport." Du not lioweTer allow the •« rcmarki to l<>ad you to aupposf , that I qaettioD eilber the iiiocerity,«r the degref of your piety. I only with to coof Ince yon, that while irnf aged in ihii cootroverty, it hai not bad lie I ordinary inflneuct ; tind that you not only nred luy fornivcncDo, kut aliio Oiat •f tena •fthouiati'i* of tlioPXcHlent of ilieearth, ^nd Itkewlite that of your Father and their Father, ot yonr Ood and their Ood. But again, I have bee-ii much ditappoinied, by your appateot want of mO' j de«ty,whentakin(r a view of tbeBeniimen*! and conduct of ycur rp|ioD«nli^ ThiB is evident in your Y«ry Title. After all ihe conteot^ which have been between the greateat and beat of men on the onbjeet of '* Infant Sprinkling/' •a yoa io conienlpt l.ave called Infant Bapti«ui, yon come forward, and «* Wei g h i t *|,|be Balance of the Sanctuary and 6nd It M'anting !'* Hence alao imHUpMLare to frequently informed of the ** abanrdity"of onr v\p\tn, and alao of im'^'aapcraiition of oar ideaa," and hence the confidence with which hey are oppiMtr to every thing held sacred by the rea»oo of man, and the faith of (|ir*cbriatiaD. Yon make youraelt quite merry wiih my aupponed ** korror^ at the appearance of wat«r, and observe, that it would almost lead one, to aappose, that I liad caught the bydrophobia. And are ** absurdity,^ " »apcrft1tlon*'and "hydrophobia," the only sontcra to which yon ran trace the ptoceedlnga of yonr opponents? Ttiei of yonr letters are persor.nl, and the te^idency of this, if it have nay, is to propsgate an untruth, that is, that my opjiosition to immerrion arises eitbrr in whole or in part, from a** horror" at the appearance * of water." Y on may b^ lieve me however, when 1 deny this aupposilion, and «vhen I iiiCorm you, that I believed my sentiineots to be sopported by the Bible, and from conscience both advocated and practised Infant Baptism by Sprinkling. I mutt also be allowed to say, that I have an insuperable objection to the maoner in wbicb yon have treated the aubjecla in disputf • Bccauae I wait ed my In con- randld cbaiga mtn tf God M iipposp, \j tvUh bad iit \no tliat tf your to the itdt 10 coiillJeiii ■» DAvid, be6ao«« I aiNiiled niynetf of ibo ttip o^ tli« 4rl\tbi|b>, ui' toy |M«d«G«»>oi!« aod coiiiruiponii i«», «ad crateftilty ackabwtedg«d m^ ubIigAtionit ; you appear to have pr<'auined, ibat I bad takeu reave of nay Biblo^ and bud become ibe vlavc uf lucu of great iiuint>s and dUtiuguifthoU abUIUoi^ aod if^em to b.kve tbon^bl^ tbat in mo»t casm It wuiild bo abumiaully lufllclouly to fiirniith itie with a numboi* of (|iiotat!ous from the comaientariea of Uara^d tiieiscbitfiy p(C JobaptUtl, >^li«i eutrrtaiopd dittereiit views from tb« eqaaliy letirneJ iileu wboNe worlit I bad quoted on tbe subJMtt in coutroveriy. Now^ Allow hio to a'«k, what good end e«n ibii aiiftwer t ts it tbe way to come at » dectsioii on any sultjeci ? All tbat our readeri knuw, Mrbeo tbfiy bavo rea4 all ilm learned lore i», tlut ibere have been nien, all equally sreat, who bav« had diflfeient opiniou^on these Hubjecm. It may uni«t>tile^ but it will nevor As thalt opinions. It may make sceptics, but it will nrvor m»ke believers } auJM* ^ iuloimed, tbat they ate tiequuutl), not only ai vuiiauce with ^ which^ with'' Mr. J (idsou's Sermon ."compose almost tbe wboleof your ** Balance/' W'hi-n learned nu u disagree, tbe Bible alone determines me wliich side of tlt« dispute toembiace; ind I feel my gratitude and confidence increase, in pro- i>ortion ai I think in com|:auy with great and good men } and I hoo*. I ahallr always feel divpofted lo *' Render honour to whom honour is due." As yoti po«sessajustifiable veneration for tbe scriptures, and are so greatly indebteit to the labours of tbe leained, I suppose this line of conduct will at least be' pardonable in your estim.tion. By some fatality or other, which seems td have aittuded yon in the multitude of tbe comments by which you have been attracted, you have very generally neglected mine, on tbOse passages which f d. Ixv. 23 ) and of *( Jaeob," that is the Jews, that fjod's "spirit— and 1. word— shoold not ileparf ontof therocnthof hisseed,nor out of the month of his seedf's seed— tbenceforth and forever i" (Ch. lix. 21 ) from which I infer that the privileges pf that (fispensation wrrr immntnble : and in conformity with this idea, I find St.Panf sayifig of the rhildren of believprs, that they are " holy." I am then oOQVinced ihnt If this meati ** that tltev b>'long to that thurch which is holy," that we shall find proofs of thec1tnrrh>tnembership of children in the christian f bnrches ; and I find those in the chnrches, who are to be trained " up in th« linrtnr^aifdadmonitioooftheLcNrd." It is then impressed on my mind, that it is reasonabli' to expect some indications of this slate of things from early eeclflSHMiiicai bnitory ; and i meet with indisputable proofs of the churcbBsil)l*iiy, "but niigh\ ifnatlHI i«f(eii«d irM^Nife'?'*^ •od in trarcbiDg the Bible, I find a repetition of baplfoOi, i« W'^1 iw afl f^ltef' •* first principltf»" forbiddeo^aod " one baptism^' inndt^Mdrtf e*lin#irAii witft' «• cue LortV' and " one faitU" aud by a refeterice to «*rly 4 0«etv«:' that this is aueiiitume of »y fit st two Letters} mMllU}p«fit%tmiig'\ir4§9iikti' to yott bere» will give yuu to see, that you Mt sigbt of the (ioiibeiiOtt #bjf^H W here ekiiibitvd, in yoar reply ; ami as U'atleastat>pean bottr t^m^hUHte' iif4'' scriptural, it will ubuin tor our caiH< a iho^e patient h»ai1i»g>, arid a grtatfef " sbareof your charity an Hotbearanca. Anyuiadt h Jiiirrfied ih atVerttAthiri' with a chain, what it would be absurd to attempt with a single link ; aud 1^^ connected tbeiie arguments t^geiiier and presented them tu the public, aaV , coostiluting a chjiu ol cviitencu, which Hatlsfied my mind ; and I understand it has bad the same effect on (be niindii of otberM. Your design watt to destroy it ; and lanJk awih-e ihik the moAt proper ra<'tliod to destroy a chain, is to destroy each indiviilnal link ; which is tbe plan you have attempted : and as though I had made the cauitc which I advocate, to rest on each individual argument which I advanced, you sildom flatter yoorsry that you have destroyed on«, with* ■ out exulting over its " absurdity," as though yon had actually destroyed the whole. As 1 question the propiiety of your design however, and cannot help disapproving of tbe manner in which you have attempted its accomplishment, I shall not apologize for attempting to restore this rather remarkable chain of evidencp, to its pristine condition. i ^ It appears ajso pecesssry to inform you that on the subject ot " infavt sprinkling," I continue to be of my former opinion. Thta necessity originates in your having begun to write, with *' some hopes of renioviug my objections, and bringing me over to your side." As your charity however, expired, and you began to think me possessed of more zeal than ggod policy," and destitute of both "prudence" and " honesty," (for you modestly employ Dr. Wall to tell me so) these hopes expire also, and yon are *' alnost compelled to give it np/* (p. 3.^) Perhaps, though liie causes were not very good ones, the eff-ct* were in some degree desiiable ; for had your hopes brightened as you procited* ed,or had you only concluded your Letters, with the same degree ot hope with which you commenced them, yoor disappointment would only be the greater, when you are informed that I have neither more '^irudence*' than ** honrsty,** nor am I purged from any former ** saperstitions,** " prejudices" nor " absuidi- ties ;" nor have yon remcved my ** horror of water'' in the way in which you use it, iiy all that yon have said. I shall attempt to give yon a few reasons for this, on which you will probably pour your usual contempt. I would assura you however, tbift though I am in general opposed to changeti, oxcopt " from m to baliuaas, aad frti* iht pt war of salan auto Q'od/' I hopo I am, in lome;, IS m-A IM >,: : 12 U ' 4#||r«i open (• eoaviction,»4l bave not made any detrmiinalion not to dian^f> ; nd omch Merer I disapprove of jonr mrlhod of pfoeeedhif; in yonr attempt! to* .. -«'l?l;^iJ<^>»0' . 'jii t '£ ii II.. fr.u GEORGJE /ACKSON. • mi '«" ' ■"■' ' u'Vj; i«»': '>Vivt11Ji JUTJN^ HO,; rMii'V ttf ifJiliifcJ J»iH "Srljini «'iH••■S^-:v■■ , ^"i >*-j f;.?.lT ' .«'«!<.}'-.;r» »->tM'«it fltt^ti "jj li.' «*f,;u', (Uii'f-i '\j(*>. •> ;j9*-l»«i; '*,t.^;l'6':|-fettj|pi.-+f ^ {/-.lis' r5 •.■'.V.J •> V* f*''>»>ft.'' s;' )'a«'ai*ti .^'■:^^i|4*'t^'ttir»C€k'«o|>i»t)'VTt*^if--^ •*'>tM :"«> <;♦ *|W<*ftrtv w%Vr*l^?te-4-4**i r.ii ON. , , . It ■••■ •*>. - 't . • fttHW ^ij>;#4(«*'i.»*,"v **■<»* '«aj^<».^>;)5 ,"fi?ib'*-Utng (hf Rdvocates of Infant Kaptlnni with a variety of argniaents in Iheir favour. Some of lhe!«e I took the liherty of stating in my Letters ; and left ibem with the arpnmrntx contained chirfly in the first lettrr, to ^tand or fall. Yoti reply, " Yo'.ir first letter does not seem to have any immediate bra rint; oo thenuh* ject, except an it htaieti that baplisin is a i«nhi»tifnte for rircnmi:i!»ion. ' It is thot'oht, that it not only »tate» but jtroten thix, and yon have 90 little to object tere, that yon observe," I have no hcAitaiion in affwiitins that there in a gen- eral resemblance between circnmcision and baptism, aw they both draw a visible line of distinction between the prof, s&ins; people of God and the world ; but I conceive Ibnt we cannot discover from the law of oircnmcision, who ara» fit snbjects of baptism, a!« the covenant of circomcisioo baa waxed old and Vanished away, and a new and better covenant bas bpen hiontrht In which embraces l>elieving Jew and Gentile : and it Is fiom this new covenant that we are to learn who are interested in it, and what laws they are to obey." (p, p. 3,4.) By the expressions " The law of clrcnmcision," and "The covenant ofcircnmcision," as opposed to the ** New covenant,*' I think I reasonably Infer, that yon mean the Gospel and its observances, in opposition to the Law and its rereinoiiies. But allow me to a<«k, what has ihs to do with the rase iu band? Had I wished to sobstiinte the burdensome ritnal of the Jews, for the simple ordinances of ihe gospel ; or circnmrision for bipti»«m ; yon would have argued both fnlly and conclusively, when you said, that the tormer *' Cove* nant has waxed old and vanished away, and a new and better cuvenant has been brouifht io i"bpf,asyon are not arguing with a Jew, but a Christian, von h'lve here beaten the air. Yon have allowed, that I am writing on Kap< lixm.aiid that as " a snbstilnte for circnmcision," and of couise, that I am not pleadiug for that which has *< waxed old and vanished away." I believe that yon love your Itib'e too Well to deny, that the great end of the old covenant was, to prrtigure the n''W ; nor will yon controvert St. Ptnl, when be informs •«», III refurrence to " the covenant of circnmcision," which Chrlut " N«il«d fa hu cross," that it was a " Shadow of things to come." (*f cirenjrc'fiop, ns to |(s (!rMgn '» u tIkU light, ta Si. Paul lias taujshtlliem to do. Ccl. ii. 11, IS. And ai by tbe 4iviiM command, this ordinance wa» always adiiiiuiKterfd toinfuuls, «xee|)t ia a few easts, they suppose, that ii vitber prefigured Infant bjptiitm, or contrary |o the evident raeaninf; of-St. Paul in the passages above mentioned, it did not prefigure baptism at all ; and of course, failed of accomplishing one of the *nds> and were to " eat it In baste," (Bxod. aii. 11.) which I presuma yon will not think very applicable to the stale of auinAmt: and though thia part of the ceremony was perhaps never repeated, there can be no doubt, but that the peraoBs who partook of it in the first instance, would be coni'idercd as fixini^ tlie ages of those who were to partake of it afterwaide. - Dut agaiu ; oui Lord's first aitenilance appeal » to have been, wheir he wan abunt 12 yeai's of agi>. Lake. 11.4l»49. The following quotation on this subjeof, is from a work, which you have quoted as an authority on aoothei^ subjrct, 'and may probably comniaud a portion of yonr respect : ** ThoMgb tbe law reqntrea all the males to appear before the La^d; in the plwce he should choosa pt tbe three feasts, no donht it wari' to be midett-tood with some rfstrictiou; it not being likfily that yoiing children or decrepit eld men could give their ptitemhiare ;- but if according to the Rabbins, cbitdreo came Under the obliga" tionof t!i« law whf o they weie twelve years «ld, this perhaps wan the age of their attendance at these festivals. Which opiuiou is somewhat countenaoded frith ths history ef^eaaagoiNftvitk hit parfBts to Jerttaaieqt at the paAtoner 15 wli«n he wai twelve yetr« eld. Lnke ii. 49. Bnr I take tke more pr*be%t% opinion to b^, lliet ell thp malen meaot, «U tbet w«re eipebtc of tekhsK 1W jonrney, end of attending tliv ft ants ; wkicb some were al>le tode teener, «nd some later io life ; and thrreforr by the law no age wm fixed, bnt it wm kf t ta be determined by every one's prudence and rrligtons seal : only none ihtgbt absent themneWee witbont viifRclent reanon.** (J^nnlngo JeW. Ant. pp.33t,3i}8. Rdin. 1808.) Hyrcanui in Jo^epliuii. *'Tlie law forbids t be son to eat of Hie sacrifice, before he has come to the temple, and there presented an offering to Ood" See Mr. Pond 'a " Treatise/ p.p. 134, 135. where the opinion tjiat twelve years was the tixed |i«rio(l,iB confirmed by quotations from the works of Calvin. Bp. Patrick, Poolf , Stackhoose and Doddridge. Drs. 4 Gtarke,and Coke, Whitby, and Wotton espouse the same opinion. My last object^pa •W4>s Its existence entirely to yourself. In order to make infant baptisoi appear as " absnrd" as yon think it i^, yon yoke it with infant eommnnion, andt relate »he following story from the ** History of the Chnreh by an impartial hand." **Iu tl*e time of Cyprian (254) it was nsnal fur children and sncklug infaotA to receive the sacrament. And therefore when a little sucking girt refused to ta«t« the sacramentui wine, the deacon violently forced it down her throat.** Wiihont questioning thn truth of this anonymous piece, allow mei» ask, how frequently do yon think the Jews would be reduced to the neeeseily of imitating the rotidnct of this *< Deacon*' if tlieir infants were required to eat the passover ? Do yon think that a little sncking Jew would be more diapoecA to eat a piece of the pascal lamb, and a piece of unleavened bread ** with bitter herbs** than this'* little sncking girl" was to ** taste the sacramental wine T or do yon tiiink an infinitely wise God wonid reqnire them to '* force*' a piece of each of these ingredients down (he throat of '* a little sncking'* Jew of «4|b« days old to be to it ** for a memorial ?*'(Exod. kii. 14 ) This you know wa» tho aj;e at which tfiey were circnmcisfd ; and if as yon suppose, all who were clr< cn'ncised were to eat'the passover, many of them must have eaten it at tbif age. This must have been your meaning, or you could not intend to defeat nsj argument at p. 12; because I was pleading in favour of infant baptism. This view of the snbject, Dear Sir, leads me to conclude, that yon imposed a rather nnnecessary tnok upon me, when yon required me to '< defend infant commnnion." It cannot be dednced from any part of the Bible ■ot even that which you have seleried, either by analogy or inference, as ww prove infant baptism from circnmciMion ; and of course vre can . maintain the consistency of our procer4ini;;s, without either " defending'* or practising it. We beg leave to be excused also for another reason. Like the passover, the sacrament is purely a commrmmorative rile, and isof conrs* entirely inapplicable to the state of infants. This however is not ihe ease with Baptism. Like circumcision it is an initiatory ordinance, and as we believe infants to be capable of chiircb.nie0iber8hipy and cvnsequeutlj ofiniti^tio% if' •I fit' - * i r.v I I 10 liito(k« cUuicU»»('!0aJ;^«>uj^p«>8« ouiseIvc«j«»"'*-i*Wa in refiniiie llieiu ib« Ofi(Q, wbiid we (tt\ bouod to aduiiiiitter lUe other. Ky eecl«Kia»iie4l bUtory, us w«H as ywnrown Ittiern, I siiitt Mid to donbt ili« ptoptieig of Dr. Prie«(l«y and yoitrneif making (*i«h« t«o practicen «:o<«iii»iuiit- Ktritb eacboiber hi ibepiiuiitivt; cimrcheA : (|». 33.) ami I bvpc 1 h-«ve alrteady CQUViuccil you, that yoii wore a little too hu»iy wlieu you Ktaeried, that ** Every iirgiiui«nt made rte of io support of lutant Bavti»m^ will opefifte with equal foice infavoHrof iufaiit coiuinuuiou."(ib.) Dr. Wall in his *' Coiifereuce on liifaiit Bapti»in"iutroduc«s the foUuwiug couvtrt«aLiou belweeu au Auabaptiil and a J»aidobapti»i, on this bubjeft. , _ , , . . _ ,._ .^ ,,,, .^ ^ „^^^ , ^.i.^t A. Did uot tbt&e aucieut cbiiktiaiiS give the couimaiiion to iufa»t%a» well ••haptinn? , ^_^,_,-^ » . rt. .,.,^>.v >«• »"A»i ^»"m uti»t.}Sir n^t^rv P. No. None of the tnost aucieiif. lii St. CypriaoN tiiitC) ihere was 4 CQsioMi o( giving it in hia church to young boyH or girls of about ft^ur or five y^ars old. And after u aids Ui«ie inlunis leocivfd it in «v«(r cbuubes. But not till afiei the year 4U0, a^t far as I can (iud. I believe that I'o^.e Innocent, wboui DauveismakOi the flisidecJter of Infant Udttittti*, wan leiilty iL«( fiist' thatdtcteed thai they must receive the coininutiiun." ([.' 77. liiat. 1*4 ix ^ 15 17.) ** It is true," i«ay% Mr. Pond,'* that by Konie churches infant canimuuiou hat Iteen practised, and by some paiticular peisunsil lia;i btcu aJvucaie»i, tioih iu anci youHgef Ihun hudbeen ordinanj to the ccmmunton.'^ (Wall) lu later poiioiis, wlieu, fiom a iniat^pteseutaiiou of our bavioui'ft word*— John vi.5;i it wa.'t bt^lievcd that a |>ai taking ot the supper \\a.-> esem- tiatto ttalvaiioii, iulaul comouuuuiun uiaic g^'iieiuity ;irek4.iea."(|'p. 1^7, 138.) As the qtiotution which you have given tiue.** not utfurtu Us that it was au bifant whith '* It fu.^ed loiutcthn sacinineiiial \v ne" but ''a liitle »nckii>{{. girl," I ill uk (he '* Imcaiiial Hand" ami Di. Wall may be eniily reconciled, Ui it wa»'kiut iiiii'0>sibie to iiie< t M.ihitrhiM ot'fuiir yintsoid who had nut be«i[| Meaurd,uiid lAiio auk oiniiriotiiy o.'«»(uiaii: tu rcAise the '' ta>le of the sacra, meutul wiui'." *' \V'*>i(r i,,t;4it( bjptsMU fuiaid^d on meie hislur.cal evidence,^ bayv Mr. Pond/' .«n.i vide tills Ciidtnre aschur iu fuvoiir ot it.f.tiii c> inmu* nrotf ai ot ti.t lit ha, u>iii, the piaiticcA would thul Kiuund. But liuhe'Oi dii,s :» iMi* . 'I'iii- ha, UMit of iilutab i.<> fi/und- d on hcii|itnie : th} ^Cliptule. Nur i?. ll«e atgii* Hteiii ('i..iii L4.MU1) I;) ai<> nuaiit' tijt.al. \Vl- d.^cuvii chat intimations of intttiii i>..fiti..iii, txei. in the iiiiddie of thv «(:o»;utic'k agi>. We discover ua lniiUiui.i>4.s ol iniant con in union, till ih< initfdie of the third centni-y. We have the iitooi coinitaMig e\in« net tk.ut inl'unt bat)li»rii was univetbaily practised in lUr )i lUitivc iLuuh. \\v huirt uu sueh <;vidvucc Uiat infant coumi^ffuioir was) em lb* l>r ti»« ilready Every • I eqiltti tsuce on i,Ak well, ■ ♦ ■ 01' five 8. but lUloceitt, lli«t ^tii 4 ix ^ lo uiou iittt , bulb iu u^toiualy he sick/* id oU« n aviotw'k u7, 138.) was ai» »iickiii|{. ut betji) : nacia- lei»c»',* lUilllo |e : lltv ai|;u- Uou6 of Iver U0 L'e kav* iUcd in' )tr wavi »t»V^«r»erMl. Tb« ftlher»«iiMk wiih tHeritinost cd6ftleac« liiflnniilt lMlpltii)iij| that It ^»« banded dovkrn d'lreeily from t1ie Apo'itfei. iiiBie who inakil mention of Iwfattt ieoThnnmlfto, n«Ter tpeak of it, that I can learn, after thb mamk^r." "Dr. Doddridge ipeaking ofPierce'a learned essay in favour of iofMI coiiiWinnidn, says" His proof froito the more aheieiit fatbers If very df- feetlte.'* Mt. Cdwlfen bbiervcs/* that, ibbagh infant commnnion might be piactirfediftibalecbarcHes/iitaeVer wm an universat practice; neither it it assert^ by the ancient writers to be derived from the apoi^leSrMiBfil«t baptium was." < See the vi. of this series of letters.) Infant Baptlsp |b«iifa iofaUiblf markU of its divine original. Infant communion has ever^ featiBre.9^ an innovation intheehnreh. On what groiiikd, tlien, Is Infant conmnnioii iutrodnced,aslBvalldatlBg theevtdeuce, either f^din 16 ript'ttrc or irndhibn, itt wvoor of infant baptisito?" (pp. 186, 18l».) ' ,^ _.„,..; ,. , .„.. You ha»e here a history of the Ibtroductfofa of l^fan^ commtinion nto tbt" church ; and when yon Wis giv'en ns A history of tft^introiiuctloh of infant l>iip- lisn, you will bavejnstified the vonnekion which you have atrca^pt'ed to ettab'^ii^ between theni, for the purpose of their ihntoal dingrace and destruction. I mustn«# hVailnlhysOlf iof the inference I drew from ybnr words : and as it i# evident that the Jewish InfAdts did not partake of the passovet, I most tbi^k that the argnoient d«awn from infant Icircnmcisioil, 'must hMlre"%«ifbt*^ 111 favour of infant bapihm. Sbifkr fhom having ««ilct«id, it has gained '<<..^ >.> -^ ' > This in tty opinion, is an ixeellent comment oo the passage to wlilcb''yon have ailiided : "Acts »1." The *to expect in a delicate case of wfj m «'4)4»i'»® 3yn» "S'^i ■ ** «* '^* ^ y i ♦ -i 19 ikUkfud ; «t1itr« ibc) bad 1« oppose "false brethren Witboat ofTcBdtBf itMie ««ho wete sinctrt ; tb«y ere rather atlusiooi than debates. Dir.Wall |*ik^Ws Irom scripture, thtt baptism is appointed to as in the pla** AU the ancii-ait' cbrisliansi'lie observes, call baptisai, '* the spiritual ciicuniehloa ; the clrctin^clsion db^e without liabds ; the christian circumclsiob ; our circomeision, did." 1* Aia Is done by Juntht Martyr ; whoni you sti|^p6se to hsive been an caciny ib infl'ot baptism ; •od'*'Ol-1gen," whose tf^siiinoaies yon attempt to InValidiite, iiijpfnt- \y declarirs, that,** Cbri&t gives us circumcision by baptiim.** (8e^ Or; Corns' ** Essay." p. S3) From these iinoialions you will pericelve, that oor comnsMnt on the passage ucderconsidKration is 'not a modern ''fieilon invented to serve a turn," which is the opinion you have of some of onr comiiients ; and tbinif «hcw (hat these primMive oppoueuts to infant l)ai>tisn, as you 'wo'itrd fath ebtt^ldcr them, felt none of that reluctance to allow thAt l^aptlsm was a svbstitttt^ flSr ciicumcisionj which is ro evident in ail the writlugs of the ' Bapiisis. ' They allowed what you deny, (wcaiise it is t-iie destrndtion of your sy tteiii. I maKt beg leave to think (ba( fbia is a proof that they were not distresled by slmitpK' aniitties. S^J .»)•*. *»i»aLt«it 1 •;» sliif:i - On this subject allow me to trouble yon with another argnment frdm Gal. iii. Sr, 2A Yon must remember that in this chapter the ai^ostle is contending with the Jndaizing cbrislianii, as in the passage already ecnsidered. In order 40 defeat their edbrts,ihe proves the immttHbiHtyof \\m Abrshamic tofventnt, wh^di'^The law, which was four hundred and thirty yrars after, conid net 'disanDttif;'*(v. 17.) and be opposes iliiscovemuit to the law, which consisted In " carnaljafdMiances/' and which was .imposed on them only until the times of tftfeimAtiuot to seelc to be JHftified by keeping ilie cerenciiiial law^ and to be initiated ^by eircum- cition, as tbe apostle's opponents maintaSaed: ; (4cts sr. l.),bQt tsere to seek to bejnstjfiedby faini,:as Abraham was^ while in unoironmeision^^ four ^hnno -dred and thirty years before the law was given : and^ Wh6n ** the gbSpel wtl«. preached to him" and'he believed. It tind his'faittt "niit ceniitcd' fii^hrni fotr 'Hghteeni>' Itavinr^^* Moeiv^d the Spirii-* i m> I- W Ifl.lM ll««^iP| aW^" v. !•») " tbtn «n) y0 AbraUi|i> mii —4 .fafeiVftaccoid^ If •«#!( tbU r«l«mr^H ^p^, l||» paowle,. and l^ Abrfbam •f ^Qoprtt, ,tb«, app«M« >Mcf» tbfii^ !«i»heraiQ ilif biw^ and tl^ |«^K!*)| •!>' ^|r^Vipci^qn» aA4 bpptU/n «gr«| ut confine our , inqjn|rie« I9 i|ip; ,laU«\r, at wf are conccnied ooly with Iban, Circumcif ion and bnpliMU Hf** In ibeir t^lll| bolh|ioitia^iBj|«irfiii^i|cei. <' T|ie. lavr (including circumcition ,of courHf) w^l t^t. sebpoliBftter of the Jew, to bring bim unto Cbriit." (v. 24.) Con«e« wJo and feaaale ; tbei formetr were circtuncised; the falter were. not ; Ipt aH tbeve^isf ipettoue are done away by baptism, as it makM to diktinctioabefweeB eilhct.natio% ^tate or sex." That thlsreafonlnf't'l"'** <^ flirenmcision is.evidtpt, beoK^te it was not in charch flMmbembip ev tbe blei< sings of thecovenaat that th^ npysle differed from the female ; and as this difler» encetwas removed by tbe gospel^ K must be. baptism lo which the apostle all»d« «d)as remo«in([; these difereni^s,: andtoiisequeQ.tly, baptism is here consider*. ed hs . a 4nbiaitMte.ior. circnmciaiod* What wM done for tho fathers tlt^bet ., |b/ey were nol to revert to, th^eir ^ old " Sihoohfa^te?" in Ofdfr.to, be led; tn -Christ, bat tocopie;totMgospe), aibich b»f •vifCA-eded il> madibe jn||i6e4 by faith in hltt» a», their fethea had been* ** If are:l>e Cl)«i»t's . enyejthie «poetle# thisn are yo Abrahem'a leedp and hfUrt accordtngi to the promise.**. 8ee Tersei-Sfi^'ifi end e w 39.: yi»iu4'^i 4*1 ••..»*» w-m ^^"i;:J^< ».>;,! .j*;.:**.^ ; I.'iiritlconcliidetbiie6aiment;by tw» ofaa^nratfomr First, bpd there, hftfi^^ tl tnttk ft i9.a<«crlal! <)!•'•■«« d» yoM »>ppM0,, ti !• (W iftljMit bttwMi- W^fMi •ltd cUcumciaiOD, I prciuue w« tliooM bnv* Iwil It ifMcHM lltr«. ' TMt »IH>*U« fp.«citiM tJ^riB* cams !■ wbieb tb« on* difftrtfd •• to iW tniiiMU IHsn th« aiMr i opeof wbioh it ** aialc»" mod ^ fAawlM*" Now Itf' tb»ff« went •» nalerUlft difi«rtoc0 •• ibftt b«t«fMa lofftftlfiftBd ftdnltf^ wbieh in lb* •ttiPMl- lionof Ui« Jtevvi». ^foiild b«ft grfaicr, and would, of eourM 4>ccfttloo ■•*• drbatM Iban-any of iboM laaatioDcd, ttm ]p«« aatigBar reason wby liU not •paclfitd^ Tbara b in tbit cbapter an avMaot paralM drawn b«t#««n tbb tUelaw and tba gospel ; and if yoa inako Iba ap«wtl«*i coniratt in favonr of tba fotpel.to eoavint in Iho Oalatian* bHnf^.all'tho oblld^aa of -God by ftflrh In J^tttl ChriM," and " Ibi*^ faitb eonflaod to tb«igOi|itl:di«>potiMtion, and tb« only thinf wliicb would qiwlify for baptism, yon oppose whit' thfe apostU says, (v. 14.) sod mal(0 the fathors to have been jnsilfied *' by. the deeds of the law," ita opposition to ilie manifest design of the apostle in the WMe of this epistle ; which is to coufouiid the Judalcers, by shewing, as he does in many parts of this epistle, and eiippoially in this chapter, v. S4, that their fathers borore tbem^ were*' jrtslified by faith." because, prior to the gonpel dispen«ation, ** the law ws!i'' their ** scboolmiister to bring" thvm ** nnto Christ, (who bad , been ^preached iimo Abraham v. 8.) that they mixbt be ju^tilied by faitb.** Thus he opposes lliosewlio v^ished them to ** be circnmeised and keep the law," in as direct a niauuer as the natnre of the snbject would admit, by tbewiug that faith and baptism have the same places noder tlie gospel dispen* sslioo, which faith and circumcision had, in the days of Moiies and Abraham.—* Secondly , the apostle is here opposing the Judaisers who were pleading for. circumcision. This was to lie admiuistereU at eight days oid ; and of coursn Ihey wished botb the Gentile converts and their infant oflfspring to be circuoit cised. (Acts xti. 91.) Now if infant baptism bad not succeeded to infant cir« cumcisiou, do you think it would aot have constituted a complaint with tbd;^. Jews in general, and with th^ Judaixeis in particular ? Would they not bavaV^ made it an objectipn to the gospel, and a gronna of complaint against tha- apostles, that they excladed infants from church-fmemberhip, and thereby .., deprived them of a privilege .g^antod by God hiinsflf ? But where is there tbarH<. slightfst indication ofsncb ft Mntiment in the whole of the apos<|e> coutrover* sies with th«;Jii^^isers in .any of bis epistles ; and especially where it was tha- most rea«ouat)le. to ejtpect it ^in those to the Romany, tho Galatians and thft Colos^ians? la.tlit!p«!epistlisa you way in eve ij case collect the objections o^ hi* opponents frum. the apostle's anr wetw and argiimtntSi Bnl be never eitbenr anticipates or roaieves thb objectify n, though tbey k9pt >>ii^ employed Jn contro^ vtTsy almost as Jong a& be livedt. finch was their apposition to Christianity afr« It was preached by the apoatlee^ that thi-re is not a single instaoce ip which i^ d«f«red in any dof^ree from Judaism^ of wbicit we bave^noi the fnUe^t proolf ^ M.K:%fl «fab|e£fe<«idebate |aiwa«« tlift indiy«tfrs Ml4^li>«ll0Mle«' ^9^ 9m H^^ 39 mpfi |dw««tr UMlt4iic«(i,^]r •iiift llia'v!<»4i« I .iti^ui-iHinau^ »«•» , **AstotliocMBf«il«'lf,''Myt£4wardi,*Mibad a ttiHlMoy to affect in a ^•ry Motibl* part And iki* m a claar oa»«, wiMilivr w« eooi ider tba t«iidar •goof ika sub) celt— oiT lUair iiaaibor— or ilia privilega to which tUay wara adaittad^er ih« l«D|lb of iiiua through whicbiha prac Ilea bad beau earriad —or laftljr, tfeeiivina «tttboriiy which gava rba to Iha practiaa. Kara ia a f raetiea of iwo Iboaiand yaam aiaading. *f ba priviiega waa thai •f admiltlDr jui'autt to mambarahip iu tba chuich o/ God : th**!** infaoii farmed a oami/ar |o IiirMi aKvaadiogly graft } aud tbU f ^actica did not laiia Its riie, fram looia dark verbal or writ tan tradition; but stood anppoited b> lha lively oracles of Oad. SjiiU waa the. cuttoin irhicb the Bapiims auppoiewaaanniUlcd about tbi» lime. '* Ou tba ^tber hand, if yve take iotp cooilderatioa the diaracter of ihoie p«r«oos among whoin thi* cpittoiu prevailed, and amoog whom it it iinppoted fa have ceaH«dtW«»ball have aplScieu t lewtoo to ih'P^ it iuipoMible thata cuotoni of this nature ehoold be a|>roj(ul«d, and ibey not oppose a single wprd. Ai (p their character, it is certain, that, a few only excepted, iliey were upon ih^ .w^le, the deadly enemies of Chrjst and his dpclrioe. They vver« atrougty attached to the forms and ceremonies of rfligion. They would wrangle, for a rite, qnarrttl for a fast, and Alinosf fight for a new moon. Every one knows what disiorbance tliey made iu the church of Qo(i, »bout s.ucb things as ^ ** Now, is it positible that such a change eontd ba brought aboot, and jimoug .#uch a people, in a manner so silrol, that iu all the New TestODieut we do not f Cftd, that they ever said a word about it, for or against ? No priest nor publi. cau; no phArisee, lawyer nor libertine; neither pious nor profane; neither ^eaboii, moderate nor lukewarm, in all the laud of Israel, opposes a single aentence, nor asks a rr.ason why. Unt f>ince this must have been a change so remarkable ; and iliey.among «vhom it is supposed to have happened, not the most modest ; how came tb^y to be so silent, or ally? What mada them »o passive, so peaceable, so coniplyiOK ? Nothing. They were neither Complying, passive, nor peactable ; nor slow ta s))e»k, cior'ilbw lo' wrath, when any old ioiia* were invaded ; but they were very much.so about the charge in (juestion: and the true reason is, it never took place." Edvyardft* "Candid Reasons for ranonuciu^ the principles of Antipo^dobapttsm." (pp.60, Gl. -^-V-;^^*' t As infant bapti«m aud infnnt church member ship stand or faH together dpuder the gospel dispenaaiiou, I think that 4hes« arguments indispniably {•rove that iufaols must have been admitted into the apostolick. churches ; and ireiiseqneuily, baptism was a substitute for circnuicision. In addition to this yt may he observed, that it is ihonght very probable," that " tba castom of nainin;! the child at baptiam might arise from the practice of the Jews at thejr i^.'c»Micisiot»^-|.oka4. .^V; Ott. ii. I^U"— and thi« from tba AialigbtyT4^1\»vjJtg §3 rbangtd the niines of Abram nnd Hwni at Iti IntHmtiM. (1m T^it\4^^ hte. Prop. clii. Corol. 7. aud WliitViy*ii Com. on Lake. I. M.) T«>awM*t tmi*' lition of Bvia't New T««ttm«ni (|trlnt«d in 1S90.) with Notcii; lltt lb* follow, iuf iinto ill Gill. iii. ar. <* Hr feitrib Baptism M«rHl7 agabtt (ay " To preserve thn [ Jews from the contagion of idolatry," to divide them from the Gentilen, and t« b« a mark which woutd distinguish the ponseasor is a Jew from all other peo< , pie," were fcome of the great ends of circumcision. Here, |ike the Abrabamie covenant as yon have described it, it assumes a motley appearance, and I ran , Scarcely tell whether to consider it a political, a domestic, or a religions cere. , mony. As it wan to preserve the Jews from Idolatry, however, I incline to snp- pose that yon think it a religions, thongh ** a family and national mark." Now, . allow me to ask how it coiilJ accomplish this purpose unless it was by uniting. tb# Jews in charch'fellowship ? If this was its design, does it not prove it to be . what I proved h to be—the initiatory orilinaace into the cbnrch of God, and a proof of chnrcli.membership? and to what dors this Omonut either in opposition to my reasoning, or atr distinguishing it from wkat yon sny it was, when yon inform us thst it** drew a vinible line of distinction between the professing people of God and thc^ world?'' Von introduce these ideas, it is triie, by saying." But I would forihfr obnerve ; eirciimrision wan a national niaik," ke. from which I infer yon mean it was something hesiden a visible line of d^s* tinetioo between the professing people uf God and the world.*' Now if by this yon mean it wss a political mark, T heg leave to lUny it. The Almicbtv xays it vfls** A token* of the covenant between him and Abraham and his children.". * ** And it KhalLbe a tolipn, both for a sipn of Kiiiritual tliincs : (sav« T>r, A Clarke) for thi> circmnri^ron made in the fl<>!)h «vns rl(>»ji;ti*>(l to tiien tvjtnt that is the J wUoli h Hm idra i^ltgeated above : and so tM\te^y dfti 1m co Cfsed becaaM a^lektor.to the whtrte law :" (GaL V. 3) ind is Jndaism »ai Christianity were, as to their otnervaneett, Apposed to each other after the eslabllshneat of ihe latter^ *'' if OB national principles. Infants of this ac:e could not mix with idoUtors, a«r conld thf j b« sobjected to any national disabilities, for want of (his mark ; •or ran yon famish a sini^le proof that an niicircumcised Jew would have been ssbjectcd 10 any tnch disabilities. But '* there was(alsoj a propriety in its being performed in iofariev,l*ecaos«; then it caused feas | ain and iroabl<>."(p, 10 ) Now, Dear Sir, I ho^e I shall l>e ekcnsrd by my readers in general, if net l>y yourself. 'i U w»« • M^I of that rigliti'oinjnf »«, or justification, !bat comes by faith. Rom. tv. M. 'Iliiit soniT.r the Jf ws had a jnst notion of its spiriiiiai intention, is plain frftm mnnj ranages in the Chaldee paraphrases, and in hi" (Job iv.9 ) btcause 4lie seal of the holy blessid God was not kept. But if he b^ worthy anrt keep it, the Holy Glu>st is not scparfttcd fw^a *u»." See ?.l«o Hrrry on the passi)ge. if Isaj tliatalllbitthevrs a full detfLibinatioii (no doubt through ni(fltak«>) to ]uak« it appear any ihiag oat what it really was. Why did yoa not bring ■• oaepaisagaofjcriptare in anppori of all Ihene coojecujiries ^ Acedrding t^ your idean, I coaM he conti»tent, and pay very little attfotion to myBlUc; hut you caunot- To »ay the least, it is a little unfortnoato, that after all your respect for it, yon should have so effeciually taken leave of it in your accouist of circuoifiision iaud it is equally nnferiunat*, though nothing strange, that inthosame proportion you have opposed the troth, and bewildered both vourself and ose ; for I can »rarcely tell jour meaning. Yon .first aHow thai it was a*' visible line of diittinction between the professing people of Ood ao^ the world ;*' (p, t ) which is the proper view of the subject. But probAblj foreseeing that I should take nouie advantage of thin, it is ue«t made ** a family ta. 10 } But having atill some doubts, I suppose, whether I should be satisfied, yon give me more than sufficient, and the propriety of Its being admiitistered in infancy, next depends 4>rt its. ** causing less pain and trouble." If all this be true, ran you tell me wby it was ever administered to adults, eitlior among the Jews or other nations ? CircniMBisioti you know was adoptf d from the Jews by other nations ; and it is a little Strang* en your piinciples, thatnow that it hasceaMrd to be the initiating ordioani« into the church of Ood, it has ceased to be administered io iufancy. Th6 Arab* and Turks circumcise to this day : and circumci«ioa is considered * religious ceremony, though it is not commai>ded io the K,oran : but ** th*y bava 00 fixed time for it, and it is rarely performed til the child be at least fiva or six y«ars of age; and in the time of Josephus it was adniiuistered ** after tbtt tbirtecnth year, because Ishniael,the founder of their nation, wjss circiimrised at that age." Gibbon, speaking of the descendants of iHhmael ''abstaining from the use of swipe's flesh," and ptactising circnmcisioo at this age, observes ; ** Jh ?ame customs, without the censure or the precept of lb* Koran, have been silently transmitted to their posterity and proitelytes." For two reasons it could not l>e intended as a " mark of national distinction.** First, it was known only to the man who bore it, and there could be no mor« reason for him to be circumcised to know that he was a Jew, than there waa forme to bear the same nai k, to know that I am an Englishman- A man knows his own Nation without any mark. Those marks whirh are intended to be national, are scarifications in the face, and other visible parts of the bodjr : and a great variety of them may be seen in Africa ; where, according to historians, circumcision also has prevailed. 8ecoudly,'^iiil(twTen 'lays: (Lev. xli. 1,3) and so was the child by touching her, abd theiefore he wa^ not fit to be admitted ifito cotenant. Moreover, till tbnt 4me be was weak, and could not welt eildure the pain." 'IheLord intended ihfieert-mony to continue the initiating ordinmice into bis church, u^der the iiosaie covenant, and appointed the ei||>hili day so doubt with a reference ; thereto ; and this shewsa determinaiion onbis part, that all the Infant off* -iipring ot the nkembers of bis church, who were capable of bearing the «ign of rihe eovenailt, should not be excluded from bis church a single day longer "^aneeesslty required. This necessity has now ceased to exist ; and ** there 'is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus/' This being the nature of the ifbftpel dispensation, tbe changing of the Initiatory ceremony was a case of ^ircessity : for the male aloi;e could bear the sign of the covenant under the Toriner dispensations ; and the females were interested in its bleskiugs, stood -{n the same lelation to God, and were rharch members without it. (8ee'^ Exek. ^kvi.20,Sl,and Dent, xxlx. 11,12.) If you object that Abraham's slavea **bought with bis money," were circumcised, and as Ibis is not the case iiiider the gospel dispensatiou in reference to baptism, therefore the one cannot be a ittbstitute for the other,— I must reply, that uuder the present dispeaiation, ** Ihere i» neither bond nor free,— male nor female : for all are one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. iii.'28.) These are the very senses iu which the apostle infotrm* ns that baptism ditlers from circumcision, when he shews that the one 'was a sobstitutf lor the other. W.- cau therefure have no doubt on this subject ; and where the in!«pired wrileis have made a difference, we make one, and we dare iioi proceed any further. On this subject, see POnd's "Treatise," p p. You wish to make it appear, (p. 9 ) that rircUnlcision was not the same to the offspring; of Abraham, which it was to Abraham himself. Yoa tery pro. perly maintain that to Abiabam it was ** A 8fe I copclvdciMf rtnmfhe.otf^ttul *' Letters." (See (be IV of this series of letters.) 'I bat ll naiJMtthekdfsifi. g4 God that it should ever be ^ administered to an Mnb^lif v|Bg.;adnit»'! 1 ilhtwk is evident from your own account of the design; oft circhuicisiou. Yeii> 'very properly si^, V To all others it w«ii a »iga or token of the cuvvuaot ;V:aiid. refeff •s to Oen. xvii' 1 1. as a preof. By ilits yow defeat your own deitigii ;: tortliit chapter certamly proves that iiy^m* **!! 4igo or tokeu.of thf.covtjnaiuTi la Abiabam aud his need^ and to all toi v^henhit wascpn^nianded.f^be adiniaM(e|'« t(i. Uo >ou suppose thaji it was ever. ibe.d^stgp of Ci(i! " juul#eliavi|^ «diiUs"iuto coveu^it with hiwselti ^ or that they shouid ;C«ccive|i^As|guol, t^ eoveuant, intir which he OQiered, with the fathmcf the faithiu^jf; ,i:h(|i:tl^ was not the case, will appear indisputable %y a censideialiau |i»f .thie.uatiire ^f thai cav.«iuint, ot which vircuincMiuu W4» the se»l ; aud laio, lue. blessi^t^ q| which it was ibe mumiory cerenuiny. ttbfore I enter upon lUis pmt ot tha discussiou, however, i must t«iLe some riotice ot oue auy part oi th« former covenant *' waned old aud vapislied a^fty!' at the crucifixion of Christ, it was that which led to the practice qf pefWa ceremonial observances on certain specified days; Asiseou as the Qalananf began ta** observe days, and mouths, and times, aud yeais," i>t. Ifaul w«f( **atraid of them, lesi he should have beatowed upon khtui la.b9U|r ip. yata*" (Gal. iv. 10, l«.) and the same apostle places Jewwh '* Uolydajs}. a^d new moons, and sabbaths," which the Colo»siaus w«>ie begi|ipiag . to obsfive a^ essential to a performance ot** iheiriiniy,*' among ihMsy. tMug^ which ^l^fiat "Nailed to bis Cross:*' aud wtntb «ieie oulv *' •u^o>mS oj ihtvgo to cou> /' (See Col. ii. 14,16^ 17.) Now, when this u theuatuce of tha g«M»pel disi>«^|ia* tioo^ what reason have you to suppose, that uudei ihis di«»peu(iaii«o, a chnsMaa eaniHH*^ know his duty!' without haviuga day sp.<«cified ua whivu ii.uughi. lo be perfoimed? If these Jewish days had bt^eu uaukofUUbd lo us, U w^nld bf eur** dn(y"to observe ihem ;. but ibt^y are toibMi^eo — th« l«^ >» ahaha^4i and you know who has said ibat *' wbeie mere is uq law there is uo trauogres^ tion.'* You have cbusidered the Sacrament of the LurdV- sapper as having succeeded in the place of thc^ Passover ; or eli.e yotrr argument^ page IS caiild not be intended to confute mine. This was observed ona^crtaie ipeiffied day^the foarieeuih of ibe mouth Abib. Oh tblft day onr Lord insiitnted the Holy Sacrament. Bht ybh khttv^ be did not confine as to the saaeday itt rorei^ ixg it. Thongb He einjdioedibe ^ dutyj^be left ns in cbristiaa lilieity as to tba day ;and we ** know" the fbrmer withont any eommand about the latter x and wehave tbecxan^pleaf thaapotUei» for adai'mhtering' aitber ba^Hisiaor tba |§. r^ Iiar4'kia|^«r,^tlidiiltiiy)rt|ardtotha4ayson wbich cirdaaraUion aod Ike ipaM«onrer'^«»«»r0'*bs*'rv«4 • >kfi,n\i tv ''^i ut-r i*-".'} ' »tiMi^-* ]Ur'd«!noi» by a reftrenee to th« Ribl« •ilcmpt toaKcertaia whethtrit b« «einaily irue, ibat ** lh« covetianl ot fircumciiiMiii lia» waxed old and vauttbad sway .f- By Ibis yoa evidently ni»au tbat tb*- gosiai disproMiiion bat iutrodoc* M ftorb a malfrial alrrration Into ib« cboirbof Ood, as to aflect ita members ; ao tbai tboseHwbo were proper snbjecMg for admiMioii under tbe former dispan* aatioiM, are eotirelydesiiiute of (be tfeeesitery i|fial»firations under tbe pr«s^Bt 4is|tiett«tition. Tbis idea affects tbe ideittity Of tbe chnrcbes under tbe former and ibe present dispenoations ; and nirlll lead yoo lo pit ad for as many diflereut cbuieheii as tbere bave been differmtdispensai ions. Now, dear ? witb ibe chnrrh ol Isiael. John tlie Baptist predicted ot bim (t4»risi)uot that be shonM destroy, but ^ throughly purge his floor.'' (Matt. iiL 13.) Christ did indeed pniif> his church but he never destroyed it. Tbe period ot Christ's advtnt is spoken of by tbe apo«tle Paul, as the time of reforma* tion. (Heb .i>, 10) (i)n the theory we oppose, tbis must have been to tba ancient iburcb a time, not of reforiraiion, but destruction. Beformatioa necessarily implies tbe continnanre of tiie thing reformed. Our Saviour pre* dieted Ukatman;) ahould ** cone from tbe cast and from ib« west, and ait dew» ,» '•» ) tvith Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob id th» kingdom of Heatea,** wbUo ** \hk cktl* dreu of liie kiagdom ahould be ca»t into outer durkntas." (^att. vUi, 11. 19(>)— ' By ibe pbnue, ** kingdom of Heaven" wo cannot here uatlersuiid tb« kingdom oltatnre glory ; for none of the children of tliat kingdom will ever ** be catt', into enter darkness. " The phrase, then, most demote in this place, as It doer in many others, the visible church. ' Hence the prediction of our Saviour was,' ihttt wUCn the Jews, "the natural branchei," wera broiien off, the Oen tiles tihuuld come, and sit down in tlie same visible chnrcb ** with Abrahdm, litaac and Jacob." In tlie parable of Ibe viueyardj Christ clearly foretold that the' same vineyard or cbnrch, in which tiie Jews bad done wickedly ,<«ibould bn- talien from tlitm, and given toothers. ** The kingdom of God shall betnkOi^ from you, and given ^o a nation bringing f'oiih the fruits thereof." ** In proof of the same point, we might adduce a mnltitnde of <|QCtationa from the prophecies ot the Old Testament. Whoever will candidly peruHC the' liktieth chapter of Isaiah, and iudued all theaucieni predictiuuit of the iaga- tkffiiugof the 6«uliles, will be satisfied that they lelaie not to the building up' of a new church under the goetpel, but to the eulargimrnlof the very sami cburcb which then eiinted in Israel. The force of this part of the argument ^ »t Mt Judson endeavours to evade. **Sotne of these prophecies," says h«, ** relate to the final conversion and restoration of the Jewish people." Snppose they do ; will the converted, restored jews, b« dUtiiicl in thotr chinch siaitdiog from the converted (DeniileH ?" diherH,*'headt the other, shall say again in thine ears, (he place is too strait for me — give pUce to me, that I may dwell. Thi n thou shall say in ihiuc heaitj who haih begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children j and aiu desolate, a captive, removing to and fro ^"(shx. 20, 21.) Will Mr. J. prtteiid, that Ibis prediction belongs to ihe rea^as distinct from the visible chuichof God i **It cannot be denied that this prediction relates to the visible chnrch of Israel ; and estabUshes the fart, that converted Gentiles under the new dispeo* sation, are children and members of this very rhnrch. ■ I inuHt novi he permitt<'d to offer a few remarks on the nature and durability of the Abri|liam>c covenant. Jf God make a revelation for religious purposes, ,, >t mqst bciniended ** to lead men from darkne»s unto light, and from the powar- of Satan unto Oud ;' (Acts. xivi. 18.) for he inuHt be sincere in all his comitoU' - oications. If he make a revelation which i« intended to answer these pnrposee, it mutt be calculated to answer them ; for whatever he willn, be ba^ both wisdom and power to perform; anl has always been unwilling that any kbeuld > |M>ri8h (Eaek xviii. 21,23 II. Peter, iii 9.) We know that God did mak* religious revelations** to the faiheiM«(siiudry tinuia and in divers maoners.f' ^?' : . 3a i(Bck. i. 10m4 of eonrM, God wii cither in«ia«cre In makiag ilvtu rcvelalioiia, •r iImj wer« both intmded aod calculated to shew them, that " if lhe> coDlttaed their liBt, God waa laithfol and jmt to forgive thm their aina, and to cleanse them from all norighteoaaoesa." That Ihrte revelationa did in Hom^ iQ»t8U'*ea fvedaoe theaa effects, we luiow on the best authority,; aod we who lite onder ai far brighter dUpensa.tioa, are osbortod to be ** fellower» of, ihrm who through faith and patience inherit the promifiet.*' (hieb. vl, 12.) Bot it has ever beeoamatim,that**witbontsbedding,of blood in no r«niiAHicn" of siii : (H»b. is. f2.)and ithas alwaya been e^nnlljr trne that" wUboiit f^iib it Ih impossible te please God.*' (eh. siv 6;) As thki is Ood'M way of saKati^D to all to whom he las given a revelation, those who i» former times were saiied, most have beeu saved in this way ; and if saved in this way, God mu»t have revealed it to them : and of course all the former dlspeosatioos must have befsn the same as the presentjas to their duties, their bless.ngs,and their design. Howevei^ ih« medium of communication, the means of instruction, and the officers and cere, monies of religion have l^en changed : there bus always been " one mediator between God and Man ; the man Christ Jesus :** religion has always been the aame ;; and God has always had n chnrrh on earth. Tlieoe changes are all that is intended by the different covenants or agreements which have been mtde with man; These covcosints were as admirably suited to tbe minority of the •huicb, u St. Paul considers its state prior to the present dispeoHation, (Gal. jiv. i, 4 ) and the genias and circumstances of the people and the times ;.aft the present covenant is suited to the maturityof the chnich, and the genius and eircumstances of the people among whom the gonpel was to be preached i otherwise they were not wortiiy of the wisdom and goodness of God. All these covenants have been made with man in bis relation to God as a being who has sinned and come short of the glory of God : aod their comparative merits ere not to be estimated by their design ; for this under eai'h dispensation was the aame : but by the ability of their sacrifices to ** purge ibe couMcience Irom iead worlit,** and the degree of assistance which they afforded to tboite who loved the law of God, and wished ** not to walk after the fl«>sh, but after the Spirit.'* In these seutes the former dispt-nsations or cov*-nantft wb«n com pared with the present*' bad no glory, by reason of the glory that excelletb." In these senses ** the law made nothing perfect.** (Heb. vii. 19 ) Its sacrifices tonid not atone for sin ; its ** diverse washiogit* could 'oafly ** sanctify to the purifying of tbe flfsh." (cb. ix. 10, IS.) But tbiA doeii'nf>t prove that they were Intended to be spiritually nseles8,for if this had been the case they ^tv unwor- thy of Infinite wisdom. Tbey were intended as ** shadows of sbings to come/ {Uh. a. 1, «.Vc.) and as such tbey were vatnable, and they only failed o/ accon* pliitbing the best of purposes through tbe ** blindness*^ of those" as the means of "mIioso Mlvation they were appointed, and** because they eoniinned not in the covenant" which the Lord made with them** and he r lediator e«n tht ill that Oltdt of the , (Gal. ;.a» tha liua and cached i od. Ail e'lDg wha e meriu tioa was mce Iron bote wha but after luen coin Kcelletb." sacri6c«f fj to the they were re aawor< to cone/ at accon* a nteans •( aot in the atot." {jck< 1 gmt^iii • fill. 0.^ Fieai the day* of Abel to the abolition of the Jewieb laeriflcee %y t&» dt'atli uftlifir great Antitype, all the sacrfirer prefigured binii and laid ia ilfi oificant laniriiaRe,<* Behold the Lamb of Qod, which taketh away iba ain of tlie world." IMs remarkable, and certainly not accidental, that the original Hebrew word Reriib, tmnMaterf covenant, signitlet a purifier ; a covenant, or agi eeincot ; nud the saci ificei whiita were entered when these covenants itti^ DH'te : and it is a^tptied 10 the great sacrifice Himself, Isa. xlli. O.kiix.8. aid Z logy of ibe Old Tentaraent united with the sacrifices ** to bring" the Jews <' iiiito Clirlttt, (bat ihey might be jn^tifii d by faith.*' That the dnTereot di»r«nsa(ion9, agreements or covenanis, did not diflTei in tboae things which yoji iiipposr dUqnalify infants for chuich«mrmbership under the present dispensation. wrill,! presume, b«< made plain to a demonstration by considering the commaods. the (tntie«,and th« promiseH of tliene covenants, and (he hopes and rewards of thn pions nndet etirb dis{r>entation ; and also the repfoofs which were adninistered In ''a^'BofdiRobedieDne. Let us consider these In connetion, through the diff rent dispenf*ationR, beginning with Abraham and ebding with Christ. * 1. 'rite commands. Ood says to Abraliam, ** I am the Almighty Ood ; Wllk before me and be thou perfect." (Gen. xvii. 1 ) Moaes,sayt to the children of Israel " Thou shait be perfect with the Lord thy God." (Deut. xviii. 19) Jesna Christ commands : ** Re ye perfect, even as your Father which is In heaven la perfect." (Mattb. y 48.) ^ Hear O Israel, says Moses, the Lord oor God ia one Lord : and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soni, and with all thy might :**(Deiit. vi. 4, 5, x. 13.) ** Tboa shalt lofo thy neighbour as thyself." (Lev. xix. 18) Jesus Christ says ; "'Tbou shalt leva the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.* -^**> Thnn shalt love thy neighboisr as thyself.'* (Mat th xxii. S7j 89 ) St. James observes; ** If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt loveihy neighbour as thyself, ye do well." (ch. ii. 8.) Thus yon perceivo the choicest and most difficult commands of the present dispensation were,- by i ofatUble wisdom, selected from the old Testament. 2. The Duties. The patriarch Job : " I have heard of thee by the hearing ofihe «-ar : but now my eye seetb thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ai«Ues."(Cb. xili. 6, 8 ) this^ and the account of the pro* ceedingH of the ti inids of Job, (v. 7, 9.) are remarlcable instances of repeutanca in pati.iaichai times: which duty was always implied in the sacrifices they e for mercy only ihrongfi ChrUt 'Who wa^ preaclrd to tliem by IV7o»e»: And jou n>ay observe, that St. Pani, In Rom x, 6, 7, 8 when he isicoini; to qii'»te snrae pasiiages ont of ' that very recital of tlie covenant in Drul. xxx (r« •Dtertd Deot. xxla.) premises to the qnotafion these wordu : *' Bnt the righteousness which isot faith speaketb on ihinwise :"a»d ihpn having reritedl those passages, he a«ldn, "this is the word of falib, which we preach.*' Peter also when opening the christian dispensation, exhorted the people to" Re- pent, and he baptized, in the name of Jesns Christ for the cemission of sins ; the same as Moses exhorted tlie Jfws to *' Circumcise llie foreskin of their kearts, and to be no mare stiffnecked." (Dent, x 16 ) The relative duties of each dispensation are the sam^ ; of which, as more immediately connected with the present dtsenssion,! hball notice only those of Parents and Children. The duties of parents, which followed tlie initiation of their offitpring ioto tb« «bnrch,are tangbt in the following pa9Aas;es : ** For I know him, (Abraham) aaith the Lord, that he will command bis child ten and his household after him ; and they Khali krep the way ot the lord ; to c^o justice uod jiidgmeat, that the Loid may bring upon AbrHham that which I have spoken of bim " (Gen. xviii- 19.) Moseasays: ** And ihvse woid.4 wliUli I rommand thee this day, aball be in thine beait : aid tbou sbalt tc«rh tbem diligently unto thy «hildren,''lk5>%«^^ * !.>'«*««. ii S. The Promises. Those premises, ** I will be a God nnto the* and thy teed affor th^e ; and in thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," (Gen. xvii. 7. rh. xviii.) certainly implied the necrii»ary assiMtance, to enabla Abraham and lHsaf>fd to ol*ev tlie ctinmaiidm^nts of God. (See Ch. xviii 19.) The latter piomi^a is said by St. Paul lo bavo bee« *< the gospel proacbad to di .i A Abrthftn t" (Oal. iii. 8 ) tnd whtn the name goiptl w^• prtaehed nils Jin Geotilei, mid ** thn bleaainf of Abraham came on tham through Jeaua Chrla^i" they received the pvomUe of (be Spirit through faith." (v. 1<^ ) Thil piomiaa Moses made to the Jews Dent, xxx 6. ** And the Lord thy Qod will ciircum* else ihy heart, and llie heart of ihy Mced, to love the Loid thy God with ail thy heart, aud with all thy too I, that thou mayeat live." John the Baptist promised tbatChrist sliould " Baptise" thone wiio came to bin baptism/* with theHolyOhost and with fire :" which certainly coutaioed the promise of the ordinary aa wel. as the extraordinary inHnences of the Spirit ; a^ he made it to the Bultitndcg who came to bis baptism without restriction : and bad they not all believed, they would not all have partaken uf the ordinary influences of the 8pirh» (Compare Mattb.iii. 11, with Acts ii. 43. and 1. Cor. xii. 13.) The promise of Mos«8 and that of John the Baptist are beautifully and Ktrtctty paiallcl. The one promises the gitt of (be Holy Gbont under the figure of ciri omcision, and the other under that of baptism. "The apostle Paul, sa}s Mr, Pond, fr«> ^nently quotes the promise^ madeto the ancient church, and applies (hem to (lie christian church. See particularly 2 Cor. vi. 16. 18, and vii. 1. Having (|noted, in the last of th« sixth chapter here referred to, some of the promises made to the ancient church, be begins the seventh by raying— " Havlngt tiierefore, these promises, let us clt^anse ourselves," Ste, How could he represent the Corinthian church as having these promises, and. as being under cpuoeqnent obligations to cleanse themselves, unless he couHidered them the same body with ibe ancient cbnicb, to which these promines were made?" (pp. 69, (>0.) In those glorious days, when the Jews with the fulness of the Gentiles sbull be gathered in, aud when we nball not need to '* teach every man hit brother, saying, kuow the Lord, i>ut all ohiil know bim, from^ the teasi to the greatest," ih aposlle Paul, quoting from the profht-cy of Jeremiah, informs «!), that the Lord " will make a new covenaut with ,ihe bouse of Israel, and with (he bouse ot Judah :-aud will put h>s laws in (Ceir mind, and wri(e tbesi in their hearts : ani will be to (hem a God, and they shall be to bim a people." ^neo. VIII. s, I2.y -- yi -i*-ii-,. .;;.,---. ,.j^ ,j^ =,-..j.i.,,, i,., ,r.i,r,,v 1 ..-'i '■.■..'/ a-tvi^ ^ "We shall introduce, in this counexioo, but one passage more. Writing to the Hebrews, the apostle says-" When God ip^de pioiKise toAbiaham, because be couM swear by no gveater, he swate by bimnelf, saying, surely blessing I will bless thee, and muliiplyinir, I will muliipty thee (bat by two imoiutable things, in which it is imiOHsiblf 'or Gud to lie, we m gbt have a •tr«ug consolation, who have fled for refuge, to lav hold upon (he hope set before n8."(Heb vi. 13, 18 ) -On (his i assage, we oflfer th^ following remarks. 1. Here is explicit reference to a prom se of (he cuveiiaiii wiib Abraham, recorded in (lie seventeenth chapter of Genesis. 2, Thesf promises, and (lie «ovi^nant to which they belong, being atutr a put of the covenant which the Lord has made with Cbrisilan*, it is snpposed toeonstitnte the differener which incapacitates infants for baptihm. Heaco it Is that we have beard so moch about a temporal covfoaoi, and a carnal aeed ; and bene*', ai thongh circnmcisiou Imd never had the l(>K*>t connexion witbsplrittial blfsstngstoany entept Abraham, it has been made to aignify one thing iM admiaistered tohimiand another, as ;.M}miBislered to his posterity. But why wu the hmd of Canaan promised to Abrabum and Lis seed i- Becaosit the Lord had called him out of his owB land, and {>romisedto ^' ■(»•.« him a great nation :" and to satisfy his mind as to their futare sabsistenee when that mnltipMed, he made bim thla promUe ; that is, the covenant which Li made with him aad bis seed, comprised both temporal and Bpiiito»l Llessiugs. In that declaration, ** 1 will be a God unto thee and to thy seed af*^r thee,*' the promise of spiritual blessings is either contained, or these bicssinga wereoever cither promised or enjoyed ; ** And I wilt give unto thee,and |o thy •eed aft«'r thee, the land wbereia tbon art a stranger," cr t/ained the promise of temporal blessings. And why did not the Lord make the premise of the land of Canaan to the Ofutiles? I hesitate not to say, that it was aot because there (a ffaesbidowofa difference between the biesaiags ef the two tnvenaali, aa to their nature; bnt becanse the land of Canaan would net accommodate tha whole world. The promise of temporal good is mude to our children oa eondi* tiocofobediei)ce, the same as it was to the children of Abraham. Compare Gen. x.viii. 19. (which promises to Abraham's obedient seed, both the temporal aiid i|)iritual blfssjngsof the covenant) with £xo4us xs. 12, and Epbesiani vj. i, 3. In the la«t cited passage, tbe.apostle quotes fioro the one which; precedes it, and applies it to children ttuder the gospel dispensation, tiiough a promided only temporal blessings. " Honour tby father and thy mother., (xays Moses) thai ih> da>s may br long in ttae laud which the Lord thy God ^iveth thee." Ht, Paul savsy *' Houuur ih> lather and mother ; which is tb« first command* mem with promise." This promise was that of a long life in tbe laad of Ca* naan : and I would asl(,bow eau it be appiicabie lo our cbildrcaauy otherwise than as coutainmg the promise ot temporal blcMiogs oo>w.? These they cannot iaharit in the laad of Cauaao ; and of course must vojny them each In the Ian* 95 m In which h« dwell* t for, thtl tbty ar* promiitd, It tndUpvtabIc: tad that th«| aifi promined in Itnuaagt which wan originally applicablo to those only wha inhf I iiod the promised laud, as a part of the covenant aiada with Abiahaa^ ia equally Indisputable : and therefore, our not being in that land , but still haviof (hf »anie promises, inrontrovertlbly proves the sameness of the two eoveaanta in every respect. That thi* is a scriptural view of ihr inlijoct, is abundantly, proved by the apestle having accommodated tha language of Moses to onr circiim«tt(oce«,and situation :— '* Hooonr tby father and mother; which it th« fimt commandment with promise ; that it may be well with thee, and thoa niayest live long on the earth." Nor is the promise of temporal bletsiup na9e thiDgA stiall be added unto'' uit. (iVlatt. vf. 34, Si. Phil. iv. 6 ) Thoa ** GudlineM is Mill profitable unto all things ; having promise of tha lite that new ii,aiid of iliat wiiicbis to come." (I.Tim, iv. 8.) Our Heavealy Father is no more inditfereni to the temporal subsistence of believers and thair seed iioW| than lie was in the dnys of Ajiraham. , ; «^ ,, ^:, „^ ,. . ...» ,j ^ . » . Tlie promises of eternal life, which were common to both dispensations, ara bri*^fly set forth in the following quotation from Dr. Wiili't ** Coaferenee," p- p* ** Anabap. But do yon think that the covenant made with Abraham, inia wH^ich the little ones were admitted, did contain any enfl[ai;emenl on Ood'ii part, to give an eternal life after this ; which is the chief thing ia the gospel C0V«>Oan't ? "■"""' "WWR- W- 7-»,r,'t'if .',4^: U»* y,.?;t ^ ** Poedobap. Not onljr do I think so ; but all christians, except the Sociniant. And it is plain by our 8avioai's words. For lie, at Matt. axii. tl, proves ta tbe iiadduc<:es the rcsuirecttou of Abraham to eternal life, ft ooi tlieso wordsl lam the Ood'of Abraham. And thone very words had been part of the cava* oaut sealed by circumcision. These ifadducees were the oiily men in the Jaw* Isb cuurch that denied the resurrection : and our Saviour here tells them, thef eir, net knowing the scnpiuies. But all tiie orihodoa Jews believed and expected it; asifv« peiccive by St; Paul's api^eal to ihcniselvcs. Acta XXIV. 15. Audit was fiom this covenant (which was sealed by citcumcision) that ihey expected it* " A. It is,yoo know, disputed between the two parties, whether Abrabam't covenant was the same with ours: tha Autifpmdobapti»ts, many ot thetnsay^ Ko : for ours is called, (Heb. viii. 6.) A better covenant establitbed apon batter promises. / ^P. I know it it sa dispiuted. Birtthat in which they ara agread, tad III-;. k-\ 11 ' I .1. 50 which ti p1fetn,ii raoofhYoroDr parpoie, nameljr,that In both adinioUlraliMf, Iklth 10 God, tud obrdienee to him, ii (are) rrqnirerf, tod » r«iib »Uo Id th« Messiah ; the Jewt bclieviog him ti to come ; we ai already come : and that in both there are delivered promiies, both for thia life, and for that which ie to come. On which acconnt St. Paul, Gal. ill. 0, calls the former by the name of the fowpr I preached to Abraham: and at ver. 17, the covenaot confirmed be. fore of God in Christ And that in both of thrm there it granted thv direction and at«i8iauee of the lame spirit.— •* They are also agreed on the ollter side; that now, since the actual rominf of Christ, there are more clear revelaiiuiis of fntore glory, greater and mroiiger motives to faith and obedience, (which, if we neglect oi despiae, we nhall be aiihject to greater condemnation) a fiiiler and mi»r. paiticuUr Imowlrdge of the nature and offices of Christ, and ofhia wolk of I e'iemption wrought for us, Ac. On which account onrs may be called, In aume aen*e, a ue« an*l belter eovwHaui :* iliough ihe substance of the things declared, revealed and enacted, be the a«me.— •* But the only thing that con. oerns our piefteut puipoae, is this ; tliat an infant was entered into a covenant coutsiniiig iu it au engag^iufni to auch apiiitual Ihtngs, as lie could no more nnderwtiiiid, ihdu an intant can now understand these things covenanted at ba)jt>Hm " ' 4. Tiie Hopeit and RewardM of the pious nudei each dispensation. Job : *' I know thvt my Reaiih : And though aftfi my skin worms destroy ihia body, yet in my flcHli »^iiall I aee Gcd" Acv (rli xix. 26, 27 ) What the hopes of Abraham and his pious iinc(;e'4«orH wrf, we iearnfrom the eleventh chapter ot the Epistle to the Hebrews. '\i\» rhipfer is a history ol the triuinphs of faith ; contain s a apeciinen of the rpliKion rf every disprnsation ; and was written to prove to the Jews,frih,noi bavipig lec ived the promises, but having sren them afar oflr,and been pemu'tded of them, and embraced them, and confrssed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the ear tb." (v. 13.) Now, had this covenaot under • *I would here observf*, that tlie presrnt covf nant is not called a ** new" and " better'' rovenani, a» diMiingnished from Ihe Abrahamie covenant, but from tb«t which tbe Lord >* made with their (atbers in the day w ben he took them by the hand to lead tbem ont uf the land ot Egypt," (Heb. viil. 9j that is the Sinai covenant wh«rb cnnsixt'd of" carnal ordinances," ^c. (ch. ix .10.) Both the officeisand *>acri(irea uf thix cov< nant have foiMKl their antitype in Christ, and, ofcoursf, have ^ waxed old a d vaniHhf d away." The covenant made with Abraham, liowevfr, is still referred to for *^ strong eonaolation," (ch. vi IS, 18.) and that wbieh affords '< consolation," must, of tt arse, cxi^t. 37 ivhicb tilt pitritrclii lived, been ont which contained Infatior ** promiiet*' t« the pieieiit, (which ronst have been lh« cma if the nrw covenant have '*|i«tt«r promites" than the old) it would iiovrr have inspired them with thCite hopriaad pronpfctt ; Df' her would it have led tliem to tlieie proeacdiniA. Like ibei Mo!> a type of lb4t .'* real vthicii rcmameih to the people of Gohecy ofl-aiah.it will »»o doubt bring to yonr remembrance a Dno)ber of parrallel i assageb in bot»» I t t t. i!" ' 1 lit Old and N«w Twtamtnts ; in all of iwbich they arA raproarfapd bj oir XiOrd, when he gave them credit for beini; ncrnpuimufy attenlive to the cere* ponial part* of their religioD,but charged then with a ne|;lect of the ** Weight!* •r natteri of the law, jiidgnent, mercy, faith," and *• the love of God." (Mattb. xxiii. 2S. and Lake xi. 42.) f)t. Stephen also hrin«« thf« same a cru«atioB Against thrm :<-" Ye »tttfii«ciied,aod nHclr aud obedteuce, were the. duties oi the Jewish Jlspcpisatioo, and the influences of the Spirit coiDuiuincaied to eiiabi*; tliisiii ifl) •bey, I hope is sufficiently plain from these quotations. This is also equal Ijr •vident frpi^ what .St. Paul has said lu the eieveutii ch ipter of his E^isile to Ihtb Romans. He there informs ns that the JewsM were bioKenuff" tiom ** tlio good olive tree**— the chnrch of God-" because of nnbelicf." (verses 19,20.) This being the case, it must be impious to say that it never wa^ the design of Oo'i that they should believe. This part of Holy writ ceriaiuly hhews that Ilis design was to afford all the posterity of Abmham an opportunity of becom* jngthe imitators of the fkith of their father Abrai am ;and it was ** liecauAP of •nbelief,''aod not because the covenant was for a time esiaiiluhtd in the posterityof Abraham, aad was then to be taken from them aud given to tho deutiles ; nor yet because it was to ** wax old and vanish away," and " a new and better covenant^ to be ** brought in," that they were ** broken odf." In this s<>n8e we must nnderslaod the Abrahamic covenant, nnles!* we suppose that the Almighty intended ihe greater proportion of the posterity ot Abraham to act in the nnbelieviiig inatiiier in which they did act, that for this purpose lie withheld the influences of his Spirit ; ** without" whi :h they could do iwthing :"ai.d then when, they were " broken off," ho reproached them for*" resisting the Holy Ghest," with whose influences they had never been favoured; and then attributed their being '* broken off^' to an ^ uubelieP whirh was foreordained, and was cunsrquenily unavoidable. Thus, we must •ttribnte their damnation as individuals, and their being "biokenoff"' as a nation, to the decrees of God, in opposition to Ihe declaration of the a^^ostle . where heiaysit was" becanoe of unbelief ;" and we most al«o charge hint with assigning this as the rvason, merely to save appearances. Now, let us fMp. f ose that Ike design of God had been answered, and instead of " resisting the Holy GhoMt," and of course continuing in" unbelief,''tbfty bad yielded to his •acred inflneucef, and exercised faith,— would the sred-of Abraham after the fleiih have tei-n " broken off ?" Certainly not. Instead of being judicially blindt-d or hardened, (Compare v. 1, 10 with Matt. xiii. II, 15, and xix. 34, 39.) and " The kinirdom of God being taken from them, aud given to a nation brinfting forth liue fruits thereof,"— they would have coo'inned in the land of Canaan, and the covenant would ip every part bave remained Ihe same ;~they would now haveh^d the ordinances of the gosprl, under the present dispensa* lioii, administered to them in their own land. This is indisputably implied ia t?er^ I assage which assigns the reaioas of the transfer of thtir cbuicb privi* •: v^ l«g«fttol1ieO«nti1«8, andof the desttaciion of thetr polity! rod Ititaltd (k« docrriie of all those texti which speak of the reitoration of the Jrws i» ihei# own laDd, when they thall he grafted in again. See Rom. xi. 29, 27, Isa ]i«« ao, 21 ;Eiel(. xaxvi.si, &c. xxxvii. 21, dte. and Jodson's << Sermon," p. 39^ Note. No part of God's covenant with his ancient people, either temporal or spiritHai,is diHaniioilled; it is only in a state of snsp«'osion, which is no new tb'ng,as this was tbec»e in refer(>nce to the tem) oral part, and their cbnreb privileges, every lime they were carried into captivity. Tbe blessings of th« foipel pr»anbe:i to Abraham, and (be pos«ession of the hind of Canaan, that ia ipirifiial and temporal blesMtngs, coBfltitiited the covenant, made with him aii4 his seed afier tli« flenh : when standing be similar to that of the converted Gentiles ?--In short, if Mr. J. will Consistently follow his owo eoo* eeBsion respecting the AbraUamic covenant, we will ask no nsore." (TreatiaPn p. 70, Note.) On this subject, »ee aho Edwards, p. p. 49^ 52. " We have referred to thepromiee— ' In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed'- first made to Abraham at the time of his call, and first recorded ia tlie twelfth chapter of Genesis, as constituting a part of the covenant with Abraham. Mr. J. has followed Dr. Baldwin, and others, in asserting that thi* * promise is not contained in the covenant of circnmcisioo, but in a eovcnafiC made with Abraham, twenty four years before.' Thin promise, he allows, to tk *gotipel promise,' and * the ever memorable charter of all the blessings, whfc^ Jewish and Gentile believers enjoy through Christ.' (p. 24.) It would seem, th(^n, that the controv<;rMy, so far as the covenant with Abraham is conceraed* is here brongjht within narrow limits. Were ibis promise to be abandoned, :C would hot indeed follow that the covenant vi^ith Abraham vi^as abandoned. But if Ibis promise ran be retained a» a part of the covenant, it can never again h« disputed that this covmaui cuiuprists the Cvvenaui of grace. It vtriil be ^lovcd that the covenant with Abraham is Miie ever iiiHiiurBbie chartfr of all tha blessings, which Jewish and Gentile believeri* enjoy through Chi Ut.** < t'-' :• 40 iii ** It is manifett that God nade but one covenant with Abraham. Hia traii*. tctionii wiUi this patriarch arespoiieu of throughout the ticripturf • in the tiugUr lar rorm. (And that whether the alliuiou he to thi* covenant, as cootaioing the pfomitte of tempo) at or spiritual blessings, for it contained both.) '''IheLord th> God will not forget the covenant of ihy faihei:i." (Deut. iv. 31.) *' To remflmher his holy covenant, and the oath which he aware to Abraham." (|:^u)(e i. 73,73 ) "Ye are the chliuieu of the covenant which God made with oar fathers." (Acts iii. 25.) „ > >>.»v i .Uix ;*' »» » ^'i 'Jil; vf.^i'f,,.mjh'r^^ /' There is as much riason to auppote, that God mfide eight covenants with Abraham, as (hat he made more than one. H«! certainly appeared to him, and addiessed him in covenant laaguagcy at cigbtdifl'erent limes. (Geo. xii. 1 and 7, i xiii. 14 ; xv.I; xvii. xviii. xxi 12 ; and xxii. 15 ) But there is nothing in the subjects on which be addressed him, which wonid lead m to "ix on t«ro cove- nants, rather than on eight. Tho^e, therefore, wh9 do not htlieve that h« made eight dittiiiict covenants vTith hiiu,haveuo reason to suppose that bemaile with him more than one. , I*' It is evident, from ihe similarity of those pi omi«es which at different times were made to Abiahaui, that they belong to one and the ttaine covenant. The promise of a nnmeious posterity was made and repeated to him, at no less than seven different periods. (Gen xii. 2; xiii' 16; xv. 5; xvii. 2; xviii. 18; xxi. 13. and xii. 17.) -The promise of the land of < anaan was made and repeated to bim, at foiu differrut periods, (xii. 7; xiii 15; xv. 7 ; and xvii. 8.) The premi-te of Gi>d for his fiottiou waf also made to iiim tniplieiily O0 exprefcsly at four diff^^rent pf lioJs. (xii. 2, 3 ; xv. 1 ; xvii, 7, 8, ; and xxii. 17.) And the promise, ibal in biui ail nations and fainilie> should bt- blessed, was expressly repeated at lh*ee different lime.o. (xu 3; xviii. 18; and xxii. 18) Can proiiiihes so similaiiy ifpeaied, and sti iusfpaialily interwoven^ be eousideied as belonging; to mote than oue covennni ? And ia it possible to fornt more than one covenant, from them, without putting asuu(ter things which God hath joined iuf;eiher, and doing the utmn>it violence to the tacred text? |t will be ^skcd it these proiniseiii,m/idt: at difftMewt tunes, comfuise but one covenant, why tbe> were not all of thfm uttered at ouet? Kvidently they were Uttered at d.ffere;it times, for the trial an.i coit6 first iUKtance, we see the bleifsinf coiifirined to Alnaham and his see.^ by i romise (Gen. xii. 1, 3) Secondly, this promised Idessiug is confirmed by covenant (Gen xv. 18.) TUkdly, this cov«. nam Mesning is confirmed, by aunexmif the token ofcirrumcision (Gen xviliO) Ai!mei»bership, you cannot prove that ihey are required now ; and of course, you canuot prove that tbey onght DOW, on the grouud of incapacity, to be denied tbe privilege of initiatiOD iuto the church of God. In the course of this discnssiou, we have arrived at a knowledge of two covenauts. One was made with Abraham, and is properly called ''an everlasting covenant:" (Gen. xvii. 7.) tbe other was made with Moses, and has been properly called the" Sinai covenant." It" was a figure for the time then pVetient ;*'(Heb. ix.9.)— it did " not disannul" tbe one made with Abraham ; (Gal. iii. 17.) it was to continue only until tbe coming of Christ ;(ch. iv. Heb. ix.9, 10) -and then it " waxed old and vanished away." (cb. viii. 13.) To (his covenant, circumcision and sacrifict* evidently belonged ; for, though they were appointed before i(, they were ordained with a reference to it, and existed under it : and as they soantituied the observance of that law which " could not disannul" the covenant made witb Abraham, tbey have ** vanished away," and left it more immutable, than tbe pillars of Heaven, Under this coveuant," the gospel was preached to Abraham," and he " believ* «d" it, and" was justified by faith." (Oal iii 6, 8.) Of course the church in those days was a gospel church, and of this church Abraham's mfant children, and those of auy believing Gentile whowiKhcd to join it, were members ; and consequently, instead of circumcision being a mark of national distinctipn„and of an iDtere»t in temporal blessings, as you have wished to make it appeur, it fc;. y^- ;»«--. it Ml wai tha iDUiatory ceremony into the gospol cburcli, to infaDts ofeigbt days old, wbether Jews or OentHeR. This tiugla idea is fatal to the eans^ which im advocate. If the Jews were cat off «* because of unbelief/' the Gentiles lirarenot. The Gentiles, who were admitted under the former dispensations, wen the " first fruits" of that glorious harvest, which was gathered in whea <* the kingdom of God was taken from" tlie Jews (because of their nnbelieO " and given to'Mbe Gentiles : and yon know on what authority I aanert, that, ** If the first frnit be holy, the lump is also boly : and if the root be holy, so are tlie branches." (Rom. xi. 16.) It appears tliat Mr. Judson saw the force of this argument, and has attempted to avoid the consequence which be saw his opponents would draw from the infant offspring of Gentiles, as well as those of Jews, being members of the church of God, before the coming of Chrisr; and his objections are both stated and replied to in the following quotation from \ht** Treatise" of Mr. Pond, p. £8. " Let ns here stop one moment, to consider some of Mr. Judsoo's assertions respecting the qualifications for membership in the church of Israel. *' To bo descended from Abraham in the line of Isaac and Jacob, was sufllcient to introduce the subject into this church." (p. 30.) If It was sufficient to iotrcduee bim,it was not snfficient to continue him there. The Jews were not broken offbecanse they were not the « descendants of Abraham in the line of Isaac and Jacob, but " because of their unbelief."--'' Persons of Gentile extraction," lie adds, *' who were purchased by Jews, or wished to enjoy the privileges of Jews, could be introduced into Ibis church by circnmcision. Whether any other requisite for admission was appointed by God, we are not informed." (p.30.)— Does Mr. J. believe tbat a Philistine^ for instance, who continued a professed worshipper of Dagon, could become a regnlar member of that chnrch which he admits, ** professed to rest in Christ/* merely by receiving the external mark of circumcision ?-'In a word, the visible church has been snb* ject to essentially the same requirements, nnder both dispensations. Is net this good evidence that it has ever been the same ?'* This chnrch, blessed be God, neither has been, nor can be ** disannnlled ;" and the changing the initiatory ceremony, because it was inapplicable to the maturity of the church, in which there is now " neither male nor female,** can ■o more exclude infants from the church, (unless they had been by express law forbidden) than the changing of the diet of a man's children, as they arri? e at maturity, excludes the infants from his household. This view of the subject leads as to a knowledge of the nature and design of both the former and the present covenants or dispensations. The Mosaic covenant was, in the time of the minority of the chnrcli,(Oa1. iv. 1, 4.) " a schoolmaster to bring (or ralhtr *Mr. J. concedes tbat" the Jews professed to rest in Christ." (p. 29.) Dr. Baldwin does the same. See his works on Baptism, p. p. 240 and 242." Pond, p. 57, Note. UaJ tbem uato Christ, that they night be justified by fatlh.** (v. 14.) Tli word here reutlcred " schpolmastef is compounded of two Greek words ; od«> of which signifies «• a Child/* and the other a ** Leader." The aliusion is to the " pedagogue, or serf ant/' generally employed by the ancients, ■< who had the care of children, to lead them to, and bring thrm bacic from school ; and had the care of tbem out of schooUbonrs ;'' and the law being thus made the leader, or pedagogue of the Jew^, " to bring them unto Christ, that they might Ite justified by fAitl),"liy an easy and familiar figure, leads us to the design of the Jewish economy, in tlie minority or childhood of the church. (S9e Park* buist, under the word Paidagogos ; and Dr. A. Clarke, and Drs. Whitby and Coke oh the passage.) We have already seen that in the cases where it failed of accomplishing this design, the failure was to be attributed to the Jews. Had their *' eyes been single, their whole bodies would hate been full of light :" but instead of this, they were ** evil," and their ** whole body was full of darkness." And '* bow great was that darkness !" " They continued not in the Lord's covenant, and he regarded them not. (Heb. viii. §.) They were ** stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, and did always resist the Holy Ghost :'* ; (Acts vii, 6i.) in consequence of which they could not sto its spiritual design ; | took up with the means instead of the end ; abuved the ** talent" which the I Lord committed to their trust; and forfeited both the priTileges of th« church on earth, and the joys of the church in Hnavcn. (Matt. xxv. It, ^c. kxiii. 37, S9,aud x\\. 43.) . , t . i If you think proper to reply, I hope yon will pay rather more attention to theseargnmentsaod reference!!, than you did to those in my former letters; and not tell ns merely in general terms, that *' the covenant of circumcision has ' wasfd old and vanished away ;" (p. 3.) and smile at the" absurdity," and talk j about the '* folly" of those who you snppose ** confound circumcision aMd baptism, the old covenant and the new together." (p.p. 10 and 17.) Pray, Dear Sir, who are these i To attempt to infer baptism from circumcision, and f to substitute one for the other, as we do, is to separate them ; and to separate can never be to " confannd.** With as much propriety might you charge the apostle to the Hebrews, with " confounding" the priesthood of Christ with timt of Aaron, "and the eld covenant and the new together;" because he shewed that the Jewish priesthood prefigured that of " our Great High Priest ;" and that the latter was a substitnte for the former, (chap. iil. x.) ' You tell ns that " the new covenant embraces believing Jew and Gentile;" and make this a roaAon against onr " learning from" the former covenant " who ; are interested in this, and what laws they are to obey."--I reply. It was in ' especial reference to the " believing Gentiles," that « the gospel was preached f' to Abraham," and the covenant established with him ; and hence, in proof of the immutability of the doctrine of justification by faith, the apostle observes ; " Abraham believed God, and it wsii counted to him for righteousness. Know }p, iherefoie, that they which arc of falthjtbe »tme are the chilUrfn of Abra. h Li- .r\ ".w»;i»> Htl f>^ ;':t 44 ,. i- "i-i ■■■', i,-**! t?'*t ban. Aod the scripture foreiieeing (bat God wniild justify the headien throngh faitb, preached before (be gospel unto Abiabam, saying, *' In iby seed ■hall all nations be blessed." (Gal.iii. C, S.) As "(he law, therefore, which was fonr hundred and thirty years aft«r, could not dioannnl" (his •• covenant, (v. 17 ) it Is from this covenant that we »re (o learn," both *• who are interf sted io it, and what laws we are to obey " The proceed! iig« of God with Alirabam, ** the father of the faithful," are proposed as a precedent of his proceedings with believers, whether Jews or Gentiles," to tlie ecd of (ime ; and when he received Abrahair. into his church, andconnrmed (be covenant witb him by circnmcision, he received his infan( offspring aiKo: and a^ in the e8tima(ion of God, the faith of Abraham not only entitled him, hu( also bis infant seed to initiation ; and " the covenant -could not be disannulled," and of (onrne still continues ; what reason can you assign wby, in the (estimation ot an uncl.^nge- able God, it should not be the case now? -If yoM ask what covenant it is which'* has waxed old and vanishfd away," I leply, that winch was typical of tilt priesthood of Cbrist ; and wbich was given to iVloies in the wilderness. This is the meaning of the apostle, Heb, vii. 12, <' For the priekthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law." This passage shews that the law which Christ '* abolished io his Hesb," was " the law of command- ments contained in ordinances ;" (Eph. ii. 15.) and which was connected with the priestboed ; which, of conisc, fell into disuse when the priesthood was dissolved. On this passage Dr. A.Clarke has the foliowin;; very appropriate note : '^ The priesthood, therefore, keing changed, Jesus coming in the place of Aaron, the law of ordinances and ceremonies, which served only to point out the Messiah, roust of necessity be changed also. (See abo Edwards, p. p. 91 103.) These are the reasons why the christian covenant is called *' a new and better covenant," and why it is said to differ fiom the one which the Lord << made with their fathers in the day vvlienhe took them by the band to lead them out of Egypt.'' (Heh. viii. 9, 13.)— You may see the^e id^-as confirmed by the Westminster Divines' "Confession," chap. vii. See III. VI. They con' elude by saying ; " There are no: not therefore two covenants of Grace diiTor- ing in substance, but one under Tarious dispensatioiu." With this view of the suhjrct, Dear 8ir, let us now contrast that which would reduce the fornir-r covenants into mere political constitutions; the promises ot those covenants to those of mere temporal blessings ; and make the Almighty into a mere •* political sovereign," txciting his suljects to " li* bour for the bread that perisheib." It this be the difference between (he former covenants, tbt first consequence which follows is, (here could be no aalvadontoanyof the pos(eri(y of Abraham. For, however Intimat 'beir communion wKh a » political sovereign ;" however great their interest in I temporal bleshings; however strict they might be in the obiervancesofa carnal ^ temporal covenant ; it could not futHlsh (hem with spiritual blessings : and ot course, n to them" a be perft'Ofj' that he mg j.,.m. wiii. 1 niift >vith !*ll jfi hem vei ^)P^lowrd a nnd thirty y the Jews aft God had uo li'hed after on the day < 1926 years a apostia exhc inherit the ( be realized. <* the ssed o by death, ai Turks : and labour for tl life." And made only a and destgne( I hope t( system, is ni ~« What ni was their pe himself, abo Abraham ail tbere is new of tlie p«opl ediy, or in c to whicij yo parents had ant with hir (iispensatioi same as the to what bati by saying : following \K Then the y God ;— Yoi of course, not wUh a prf laratlon (or tlie kiriRfl.im of God. Rfccndly. C-t] v|» to lliem" a liaid Master;" for lie rrqi'ireit ihem 'o " Walk before !• '•», .i w be perfcrf/'aud to " keep the way of iljf Lord ; ro do jutiire .md j i !;,n.ii«,' (hat be ni gbt bring upon thr.iii lljat whifh be bad (*j<»i(eh :" (O^'n. >.v 't. I coin, xviii. 1,9 ) and to •* Love him witb all iber iiearJs, wi»h all l!rit sonU, and M/ilh i*U th' ir niifsht," and to'' lo»'e iheir nviu|l»i)ft»r as thpmseJv" , :"* aoil ypt tieiit ver »• j»ut his Spirit wilbiiMlief.! ' to Assif thrm, nor otte i vor bp^towrd a corresponding rewaid ; -Abra'ii'n's p-^-triitv tor " four linTnl'**!! and thirty years'' did not rereiv** shv reward eidnT tt'mv'»ril or ctcn!;i', ^nd the Jcwsaf'terwardu, only t-mi^ori! b'«^s Mn^s in f*»e lam' o( Canaan, 'ii^ rdtr, God bad uo church iu the world, u.iii lilt' cluisdiii du^ien.'t.itiuii w i- <;>- li«hed after the days of Abraham ; whii*!i, ;? <'" i"rk:)ii tins to bav(.> r< r niei»r/'d on the day of pentecost, and follow ihp co'npKta. ions 0' ,'•.'),'. l.^her, v.!*l bj* . 1926 years after cireumciHion was enjoined on Vbia^iatn. Foniiiily, wli-.-n j!ie apostle exhorts n» to be" Followers of those wlic» through faith anJ j)aher.c» inherit the promises," be exhorts ns to follow aftor a [>hanfO'n whic!i c»»iii' t be realized. For if the promises and the inheritance were merely temj.o.al, " the ssed of Abraham after the flesii" were dispossessed of them indiviiliia>iy by death, and nationally by tiie Romans ; and they ar«i now in tiiehacds oi the Turks: and be also opposes our blessed Lord, when he exhorts us *' N?t to labour for the meat (bat pertMheti), biU tor that wh)(di eintiiieth unto o-.ercal life." And lastly, all this was accordiiifi; to (he evident de«iigii of G';d ; \v?ia made only a temporal covenant with " the seed of Abraham after the ll.b^''- and designed to be only their political Sovereign." . I hope to conviuce yon, Dear Sir, that this, tiiongh surely an i nn^imnrg system, is not of my drcating. You ask, when speaking of Dent. x\i?;. lu. cj. — " What oation do you conceive iias succeeded to the pint-" of the jt^vt- ; {; jrf was their political Sovereign ; he had takeu them to be a people :i< iir uu o himself, above all the people of the earth. But that covenant in4d<> u-ith Abraham and his seed after the Hesh, has been long since done H'tiM, a;:d tbere is new no nation on the eaiih that has any ri; ( h.) Then the passage follow.^: " Ye stand thi.^ d.iy all otyou before the Lvr i your God;— Your little otes, your vivics, and tlie stiariger that is in tl.y (smj-: — 46 tbat tlioa sbftuldeittnler into eofeuant with tlo Lord tby 60 J,— That be may cilablish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto tbte • Ood."(Deui.x]ilx. 10,13) The coveaant, which in this chapter they were called to enter into, U that which God made with Abraham, (v. 15 ) which be renewed to them by Moses, though under different obdervaiicei,aDd the design •f which I attempted to prave to be tiie same ai ihe pr0;i«nt, I have done iu the above observations, by shewing that Moses called upon them to ** circum* ciie the foreskin of iheir hearts, and to be no more stiff-necked." Now, if in Slaking thiacofcDantwitUtlie Israelites, God is to be looked upon as ** iheir Political8overeigu,"tht relation between God and his people was a political relation; and the agreement or covenant was poUtlcal, and its duties were political, and its rewards wer of course earthly and temporal: aad if jour argument were intended t o be destructive of mine, >oa matit have meant that they were" political," and '* political" only, because mine was intended to prove the contrary. How can a Church, which is a purely religions society, have its foundation in a covenant which is only " political ?'' and that when God is only the " ?ohtical Sovereign" of the members of that society ? If you •ay that God was " their" religioun, as well as" their political sovereign," which is the only answer by which yon can avoid destroying the church of God under the foriner dispensation, yon will allow me all I require ; because you will then admit that parents had a right to enter into a religious c»veuaBt io behalf of their *' littlb ones ;" and that this was the case with ** the •tranger that was in the camp,*' as well as with the Israelites, and conseqaently that this covenant was made with Gentiles at well as Jews, like the c«ve> nant under the present dispensation ; and as they entered into this covenant in coneeqnenee of their faith in God, and as Mr. Jodson and Dr. Baldwin allow, *^ professed to rest in Christ," they must have been ** believing Jews and Gentiles ;"aod therefore, the only difference be tween the Jewish and Christian churches is, the oae was composed prinefpally of Jews, whom the Lord " had taken to be a people near unto himself above all the people of the earth," and the other is composed principally of Gentiles, in consequence of a similar choice on the part of the Almighty ; (See Matthew ixi. 43.) and it will theu be incumbent on yoa to show, when this privilege was withdrawn, and this right disiinnnlled. Now, allow me to ask you a few questions. Could not the people whom God " had taken to be near unto himself above all the people of the earth" enter into a religious covenant with him i Could he not be their religious sovereign ? Because it was a national act, does it follow that it was a ^ political" duty ? or that God was •' their political sovereign ?" or that the covenant must be a political covenant ? and must therefore " wax old and vanish away," when that nation ceases to be the pecoliar people of God ? From various parts of your Letreri), and especially from page 17, I am led to expect snch answers to these qaejtioQs, as will make the whole a " politipar haaincss. Now, if these are 47 yonr ideal of (h« covenant whicb (jod made witL^' the eeed of Abraham af^n the flo»h,"you have to enconoter the consequences which I have drawn from then iD th« above itatemcnt i if not, you must allow that ft wai a covenant which wai spiritual in its design ; that parents had then a right to enter into a spiritual covenant with God and his people, on behalf of their children ;~ that circnmcision was the rite by which tiiis was ordinarily done, inasmuch as like baptism, it ** drew a visible line of distinction between the profrssinf people of God and the world :" (Letters p. 3.) and then you will have allowed the church* membership of infants of eight days old, nnder a dispensation, which, like tht present, was spiritnal in its design, and requirt^d repentance and faith of thoi* who were justified; (unless *' the seed of Abraham after the flesh" could b« jastitied without these) and that to these they skonid add the love of God and their neighlmnr. (Deot. vi. i. Lev. xix. 18 ) Hut have you not already allowed (he church membership of infants, where you say " that there is a general resemblance between circumcision and baptism, as they both draw a visibit line of distinction, between the professing people of God, and th« world ?"(p> 8) And when yon wish to make us appear worse than the " Jewish Church," for altering ihe ordinances of God, you tell us in so many words, that " the Jewish churcii had the painful rite of circumcision enjoined npoo them." (p. SO.) Thus the Almighty becomes their '* politicar or their religions ** sovereign ;*' the Jews a religious or a ** political" society ; a " church," or a commonwealth ; and circumcision a " family and national mark," and an ordinance of th« *< Jewish church ;" which ** draws a visible line of distinction between the professing people of God and the world,*' at best suiti* your purpose ; or affords you an opportunity ot Btigmatiiing and exposing the opinions of your opponents. Now if circumcision was an ordinance of*' the Jewish chnrch," and drew a visibit line of distinction between the profei^sing people of God, and the world, (and who can doubt whether this were the case) it must certainly have been, lika baptism, the initiatory ceremony into ** the Jewish church ;" which was " the ahurch of the livinf Ood ;" for this and this alone e«nld make it *< a visible line of distinction." CIrcnacislon itself, as separate from its design, was not a sign of any thing; and of conrse it could not *'.' .»( If a4Mi\«iily a'^'iiitif'J vsl.ai I rhif»li it is it'.rossib!^ Burcfssfiilly to t^c'v, il ir la, l!ip ('t)nvrli o;t niNpit>liip ot itilHins, \ni'l' i (hf Alialiani.c diK)i(-n- HA I II i .thall fniylny n hicixi l» f>iovf ihut iImh |)rivil(>|{<^ han iifver b^'fu vr(t!idi•'<>' v*)«ii own AVMlera, yon will h« ^av<4fi ili«> ntuiiitirMiion uf comiilctiiip Ir. 'Mis (pfni it Mr. Peter EHwardft; ulin wait for mnnv yeari* a Kaptint m^n'isi'T, on-^ 'dt'trn^-rir'U lit c»ii)t< a Puedohnpiit! : and he wrote a book agaiiiit «i))i« 41. K -IIS, v>i)irh if you will luily aniwer, you will coiit't-r a lastiiiK advan. <.M> <>•• j*> '<' ('<»>• c, and ui!(ju)ie uo sirall dryrer oi repniutioii io yourHClf. 'lh:t., you :«''•; ilirit ail llie (liaii^ft arc iioi in yoiir tavuiir ; iuid it ibvHe ar« to ij«'-it'i< .V :()r<-t* 'i: (lit- prestiit coiitiuvt rsy, (and fui- (biH puipohe you itav« rii.i.'Uf * til Miose AbuU liavl^<^v. , ih,ii t)y liie f'uicb of imili/^ be was ol)lii;e'l to viv<> iii» infuiit gpriitki'it.', iH) I l.ici'me M t»a;iiis«." (i». 34.) It aiifcaii* that yon know only at* iniM-ii'*i tilt* ftriuii, huwvf.vet, ^m one may teanoniibly supi.iutii', is^retiy ciitrent aii.iK.^if )<.n\ (■(lUKiiuiiity ; atui as y'uor favuiit,y suiup inu jii>;)ri<'tirs of rotiH''Mii>ei foiloMihiK - gii^at d.Hjat..>:aiMiun WtiH exiiie^stifd t>y »-v«iy fiit-iuiiPt iueM»^iit, Hiul it beo.uni' a ^ ••ry .i^iiniM qnostio'i wMellu* 'Tr. 'iids.r. Worcester li.iys lu uWdlbtr Iftter on the !tul»j''rt, ' rH-nt.iaiivit'd in solemn toini ') 'I'iie aMiiJiiitiiu was accordingly adiuitM-t«'i<'d ii. iiresience of liie Boaid. Mr, jMel.H.ji) WHS much MtF«'cted a-'j^edred lo yield to tb** admonition —made con- c'-i* oi,-<, iiid jirtvi* aisuiatices -an. I wa.^ couiiniic-ri uiidet the paiiona^eof the Foi't'f. - Yei altfr all this, utid pven alf^'r a pas-at**? lia:? be* n etr/aced for bun «':i!ii>e !''ebii udI with uit .\,'ieni bt'avineiis 4)J •■fnii.many fears, and jiaitinilar, but tender cant oiis, not to him only, but to (!>:■ I ill r iVlissioiir'.iie'. roriprct dk tiini, ih^i' tK' was finally .'•ent out. He and li:s i-'iii li'nions airivid at Cai'.uttaon tie 19 !» ./I Jimc, 18!2: and wiihont a sii'jLiiir void to any of hit uri titrrii on ih • *u|.jt'«M, on tbi 27tb of August, he l(iiil!*-iu to t;o (o Scraaieivtd ibeir fiist in <::,:(• iM-.e from Dr. .Marsitin.in, :i H i■^)^ h: ''Ussi.iiiai-) . Wtieii bi8 cbaiiKe of (iO(iii:^>(iii was re^iurted in Anieiiin, it v-ris, of oonr.se, more ^u8}>ected, ibat lb s I ii,..ii;e bad been Mi^ii'iinJuced iiy luorti^caiion and revenge. These 11. rii. 4.^ leacbed the eas of Ali .1, and bo winte a Ittlerto the Rev. Dr. K>.i - »», F.ditor of the Baptist M<4t!a7nie in Amerira, dpnyingthat ever "the li .lid i;a\ebim a reprimaiid. I > );i:.iof ot liits, coHiiiines he,I can appeal to a I */' iiu'. niembcrs. Fm thfiiiioir, I never b=d the most distant idea that the h '.(( ,v iit»lil ine descrviUKofa lepriinani!," Ac. (Baj>. Mag. vol. iv. p. 346.) 'J Ii - »)>; <'.il be;:)a; tbn* p(i!>boi\ in»>li\anti beniiyr '* baeked by an earnest and r ■.-. ',^1.1 rbatleiik;e o»i Ihv | uri ot hi* liiMiii?," exloited » letter fiom ibd l; I I .hiout;h tilt niediuJt of ibur ^■el•^elary, Dr. NVorcester; which wa» i"Mt r*'.'d HseKjiianatory of tins disgracetnl ciir.iir; from which the above is an evuaci. It appt^ais, tuei'i.toie» ibai tor the f ur^o-^e of nakiug Ui» change %f. 49 i(» Infant r onty a» t current ,iii>iun, Bit e koowii. 1 Wore*-*' y »• V e I y \, thil t»« KorceMtT •) T.ie d. M«'. afie rou- ge ot I he d for him Hch, \hat mini «>«♦•. oi)lyJ>ut H« mid ithoiit a lit;«st, he heir fiist l;haii>!e of ted, ilat ev. Dr. er **iUe ppeal 10 tbat tbe .p. 346.) nest and jfiom tlid hich wa» lovt' is itA [haoK^ •' \IUlf rat«,)'« •*»=»"'^ ""* •** co»c«*leJ, that Ibe worki written, and tkt argiiiB«aU hied «>yi»>« BaplUli, had apiluclpal tliare In the change which look placo ia iiU ientla»«nt» and proceadUifi. Ho hai reasoned againn hi» former vpio. ions with equal |>laliuie8fc and farce ; but toiuetiaiei, under the Influeaee of UioM feelinii which are bnt loo apt to ariae when inert are refleotlag ou tbo argumeul* »ud practices of ihoao by Mrbom they suppose they have been held ill bondage. U any of this aplrit should appear in any of my quotations from this wori(, I would observe, once for all, tbat I do not wish it to apply to yottrsalf. It was directf d against Mr. Abrabanl Booth ; v^hoie IncdnslstenciM, conoecttd wiib bitt abililios, certainly wade ii in «ome degree juatiflable. Hi» re^iarka «^ iofant cburcbmeniberahip are, iu my opiuion^ well worthy of yoor regard ; and 1 am sorry that my li/)AiU forbid my transcribiiitg llie Whole. A part of them i» ajfollowi:- I .:. . i ••. ,- ^ ui . „;, '^ These two parts of the pirdposition being evinced ; namfly, 1, The cbiirch* membership of infants ; and 2, Their admission to it, by a religious rite; (which 1 have attempted to prove in the prectdiog remarkn) the whole prupositioa which t dndertake to maintain, and to lay as a gronnd work, from which Id conclude the baptism of iofants,is this ; Ood has constituted in his chiirch the i^embership fif iofants, and has admitted ibem to it by a religibbs rite. B«for« I pass to t|ie, neat, argument,. I will niake a remark on each part." .1. .^1 iu r! ** I. From this fact, we learn so much of the i^iud df Ood, as to enable «s ip (oucludr^ that ^herels oothiogrina staici of infancy, idcompatible with church* neittbersbip. The rea«on iaavident ; for had there been auy thing bntnitablo io siich a pra6tice„Godi who is an intinitely wise judge of decency and fitness, irould never liaya ordained it. This conduct of the infinitely wise Ood, and tiio practice of about two thousand years,, stand in direct repngnancy to tbe weak pre^adictf^f Baptists; who, from lb? sentiment they have adopted, ara led to suppose that there is nothing in nature more ridiculous, than the idea of infants being church-men^bers. This is one Instance of human depravity ; wbereby the weakne^s.of roan sets Itself up against thf wisdom of Ood. And a* this is the more to be, admired in thpse persons, who in other respects are dnirons of submitting to the whole will of Ood, so it serves to show, what A very unhappv influence the admission of aii erraiitoas sentiment may gaia over the mind. , > . ■ . ., . ;• , ^ « (Hy^. - ^ • . *' II. It appears from this part of the dlvliie coqdocti^iD plain opposition to tentiment appear as disinterested as.yqu have represented it, he, as Mr. Pond expresses it, ** eudeavotired to hide" his haviug reteived this *' reprlMiand" iroiD his.former^mpioyers, by denial 6f the truth. ** Those who have atten- ded to, and who credit, the preceding representation," ('and td deny the yoHllest particular,^ says Mr, P., ' would be to contradict a body of men, which yields to none in America, in point of respectability and worib,') *■'■ will tear that Mr. J. pcissessen naturally a proud, unstable, aipiriug temper; aUd Aooe need beiinfoimied, tbat mortified pride and cramped ambition ^t«^ power- fui NtiMiulents Iff revenge.-' However, as tbe public now posHoss the facts, we Hvf) tlinm to their own conclusions. Those who know Mr. Judsou best, will doubtless decide with their own correctness." . For a more ^etailffd Icconat sea Pond's "Treatiie," p.p. fi, 13. G '.' i • 1 .1 60 (be vleni of Btptiitt, thit A« Ifoorwce, -nd M4MI of r^ilh, iimejai able from n •late of Infancy, are no Impediments to the adminlMrarlun of a rfUglous «rdl nance : And ihi« trnthi1»oiiId bo tlie more regarded l»y u«, aw it i.iHnd« iKpiiori. ed by the high authority of Ood ; and U an a thotinand arguments agnintt all thooe ulea« whioh are drawn from the Incapacity of infanti. lor, while w c sec thoie declared fit knbject.of an ordinance, fvho could kiK)w nothing of its ii«, with what prudence or piety can any man ptctnme to affiim, that infants are Incapable of snch an ordinance ? Hut if any one should take so much antho. rity npon himself as to arbitrate agaiuM the wisdom of God, he wonid do wHI to consider, that Ood Is trne, and *very man a liar, i. f. that judge* differently." Having ibus concluded his first argument, ha spates the second thus : - " Tl>t cburcb-membership of infants was never set aMdc by God or man; but roi.ii. Dues In for^e, under the sanction of God, to the present day." In pioceeding to demonstrate the truth of this position, he observes :- • ■' i -^ ' '^ ' " "The force of this and the preceding argument, taken together, may bs comprehended by any man of common reasoning powers. Evcr> ene knowp, that what is oner don«, and never undone, must of course remain the sam<> ; and that what was once granted, aud never revoked, must needs continue as a grant. 1 here can he no fallacy in all this. Tiicse arguoieots therefore, being fairly maintained, will carry us forward to a dilemma: and that dilcm- ma will bring ns home to a cancluHlon. " In good theory, the proof of this argument shonld not lie upon the Pocdo. baptist. For If I affirm, and prove, that God did settle a certain plan respect. ing church members, and another should come and affirm that that plan wii now altered, It should lie on him to produce his proof that snch an altrratioD has taken place ; and the reason is, that whatever God has established, should be supposed to continue, though we contd bring no proof of its continuance, noless we ara plainly told that he h^s ordered it otherwise. And theni since there is not a bingle text of scripture, to prove that the chnrch> nicmber«bi)> of infants is annulled, this argnment rhould remain In force without further proof. However, I shall wave this privilege, which I might ju*tl) claim, and proceed to evince ihe ar^ummt I have laid dowH."-~ "Tiiercii* only one point of time, In which it is even supposed the cburcb ineniberMiip of infants was set aside ; and that was, wlien the Gentilos were 'taken into the visible chnrch state. In that period seveial institutioni did cease, and some new ones we're ordninrd. Our only question is, whf tht r tie church'mcmbrrship of infants did erase atthesamo time. It Im evident iliitt the mere change or cessation of ir.stitntes couli? work no change npon'member ship, any more than a man's having his clothes changed, can produce a clianuf •upon the man. All institutes, whether typical or ratifying, that is, all insti 4itfs of every kind, are to be con^itlered, in resprct to cburcb>roembers, ai means of grace, and nonrishments for faith, respecting Clirist the Mediator, aod the nnsearchable riches of Christ : and then a change taking place is these things, will, in itself prodoce do more alteration in the mcnbers of tb* Al nl4iircli. Ibana cliaage in a man'* di«t will deitroy tUa idetttlly of theMia."-^ 'lata now to prove ilie chnrcli*merob«rtkip of infant*, wbich baviflg been oidainetl ofOod, wai never annulled, but carried forwaid into tbe Gcaiila church : and to, couteqaeutly, is in force at the preieut tlaie. And thit I shall tlo,— from kcriptural views of Ooil's dispeuKation towards the Oantilee."— • •' >Iuch light iiiigbt be ihi own Ufon this subject, bj considering those yrophe* ric!i of the Old Tesiament, which relate to the callioK in of tbe GeniiUi. This Dr. Williaint his done to great advantage : But wy design being brevity, t ihall coitfme R)ys«if lo ^'MSKages ou that xuljfct in the New Testament." Mr. fi. lii< n argues with great force from a variety of patsaues, on some of which I fth^ll have occasion lo comment in the cenrse of this discussion. See" Candid Kelsons" p. p. 46, b3. 1 shall (rouble you with his reniaiks ou only oae pas* rage, that \»t '* Uoni xl. 17. And if some uf ihs branchrs be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakes! of the loot and fatness of tho olive tree ; b)u<>t not ihy.^etf agaiunt the branches." I, Tbe olive tree, ad before uuticeJ, is the church slate, 2, The blanches aremrmbersof the vi»ibie chur(h. 3, Some of these were broken off, anil looie rf maiutd. 4, I'be Gentiles who were callt d of God, were united to ibis lemnant ; fur they were grafted in amouj them. From this view of tbe pa&- »a|{e, Idraw three eoiicluiiions : " , '^.. .<>.*.. •ia„'i. i.i ...^. .. I, That there wa* no dihconiinuaiice of the ancient church state; in its «jjt«^uce, it remained tbe same as it had aUays been. That thin is a true con- , elusion, appears from lience ; the text informs us that some of the branches were broken olf ; and if only some, (ben not all ; and that remnant, contiuuiu iu their t'oimer state, cousdtuted the siill existing chuich of GoJ. Au'l then it follows, that as the chnrch state cvntinutd as before, tbe memberthip of infants must likewise continue : because the meruberbhip of infants was a part , •f that church state. And this is the ria on, that no new regulation, respect. inginfAUto, was made, or was necchsary tobemede: for all, who knew what, God bad ordained respecting membership, knew very well what to do with their infants, without any further infoimatiou on the BUt>jeGt. This is the lint coucliisioii, viz. that the ancient church state was n^l tiitssuived when the Gen* tiles wer« called in, and beut e it followf, *' 2, rhn the Gentiles were called in, thej became members of the church already constitutid : "They were grafted in amoug them,*' and so became one body, one fold ; that'* with them they might partake of the fatness of the dive tree." The first Gentiles of v hose calling we read, ate said to have been added to the church ; but there was no church existing to which they could be added, but the ancient Jewis!i church, of whiih tbe a|i08ilesof our Lord weie aieiu!>(r9. If ih« Gcutilee, therefore, weie add«'d to the old chuich, or, a (lie leM Las if, wtre grafted iu amorg tbt m, and with ■ * ' v ■ V . 99 fltfttrdidplrtiikeoftlierootandrctDeisof ihe oIitc tree ; then it l« evMcift, that the ancient clmtch coDtinotd to exist, and no new ont wai formed at tha tMlng ofifie Gentile*. And then I conclnd^ * *'*'"•' <* •"* ^' '"'^'^ ** 9, That infantu were in a state of menfberttitp, in that very cbnrch t fant ;so to the Gentile church, together with these there is, by the exl>i:es8 order •fGod,thesuperadclition of femsiles."— " I would observe further, that the addition of females Kermslome to be very favourable to the argument I am upon ;beraUse it is a new provision aiinexed to en old law. Now an alteration niade in a law, gives an additional firmriens to all those parts which are not altered. And the reason is, it suppokes that all the unaltered parts are perfeict* ly agreeable to the leKiolal or 's mind. And so when the Lord expressly took away the partition between Jew and GeBtil»,and male and female; and passed over infants without making the least alteration in their case ; he hereby gave a superadded ron6rmation, tl>at the cbnrcb memhership of infants, which had before been established, was in every res|d Willi their parents ? Would the christian parent rest all his property ill the common stock, and cast his infant children on this mercy of the worl^l'' The ideals revolting. It is beyond «ll controversy, tbat in ili«8« earfy dayi^ clilldrrn were associated and connectedf wfih the visible chnrc6 of'Christ.^'-n *< Another fact which deserves notice is, that the J ewish converts continned^ for many years, to circnmcise their childri>n, nnder the immediate charge and direction of the apostles. This Is expressly admitted hy Mr. Jndson, ({>. 26.). and is indeed too evident to be denied. Nearly thirty years afier the asccnsloa efChritt, the great Chnrch at Jernsalem, which consisted of ^ many tbousaads^ and was nnder the pastoral charge of the holy apostle Jame% w«re not a littla disgusted when they were informed of PanI, that he had taiight the Jews * not tocircNMcise theirchildren.'(Actsxxi. 20, SI.) Wliat does this fact prove f Uodoubtedly, lli«t the children of these believing Jewish patent were memlietlp^ with them of the visible church of Christ. Had the Jewish and christian churches been distinct ; had their covenant and ordinances been distinct ; ami had it been the intention of the apostles for ever to separate cliildren from tht church of God; they wonid never have been instrumental in the circumcisioti of these children. '•They would as soon have encouragnd the converted Gep^ tilest to persist in the worship of their idol gods." *' TieatiKe" p. p. 95. 96. " The evident result of the whole is, that infants, according to divine af^ poiutinent, have a right 10 church membeit»h4p to tlie pir.s«iit hour. Then, the only question that remains, aud by the answering of which, I ^'lall b# brought to the close of the enqniry, is this : Have infants (any infants, for I take them indefinitely) any right to christian baptism i To ihi« I reply, 1, That tliose persons who h^ve a right to be members, should certainly be admit* ted to m'jmbership ; i.e. solemnly rrcognired. And the reason ih, because everyone should have his right. 3. |f persons, who have a right to be merahers| should be received to meroberihip, then they Ate to be received, either without baptism, or with it. I suppose none v»i|l sity, titey are to be received without baptism ; fpr then, if one may be so received, so may all, and thu roa ' I H^ %.\i ■\ i ytraon ]« la ^« rcciWtd to membeisliip witliont haptUm, ibcn every ooe «b» •boi^ld b« received, must of neetssily Le Laptized. AiiU so the coiiclu»ioD of the whole will be this: Since iofaots, tberefore, have a rij;Ut to meaibeisbip, aod afl.wbo have saeh right maat be received us iiiembprii, and none should bjB . received without being b»ptiied, iben it follow;, lUutarf iulatits have a ri(tht to be received, they niu«t have a right to be ba^i zed ; bt cau»e they cau^ot be received without kapti»ni." Edwaids, pp. 82,83. Connected with the c burchmenibert.h»p of infants, is that of our blessed liOrd while an infant. That he was a member t>f thecbuich of Ood in his infancy, I presunae yon will not deny. Here we have au example, which wa thuik worthy of our regard. You press adults to ''follow their Lord into tho liquid grave ;*' by which yon think yoo plead example. We also in our tura preiss then to brinK their children into the church on the ground of example ; supposing that their children may at lecst with safety be placed iu a similar relation to the church with their infant Lord ; and their parents with equal safety imitate the conduct of Joseph and Mary.— You will prubab!y reply, that he was not baptized in infaocy. To this I aii»wtr. First, in his infaucy, baptism was not the ceremony of initiation into the chuich, but circumcision ; and to this he was subjected. Luke ii. 21. Secondly, baptism (exce^it titnted outil our Loid had arrived a t that state. John the Baptist was only six months older than our Saviour; ( Luke ch. i.) and as soon as be was ready to enter ou his publick miuiotry, ha cimeto be baptized. (Mark 1. 9) Were we therefore to allow yoa Ibat the baptismof John was chribtian baptism, and the initiatoiy ceremony into tha ahristiaa church, both of which ideas I hope successfully to controvert from the Bible, Christ's being baptized whin an adult, it no luoie oppoiied to infant bh^ttiiim, than the baptitiui of any other adult en his conversion raeutiooed in the Srriptiiras ; becatise it was not as a piivate, but as a |>ui)lic cbaiaclcr thai he was baptized : and lie certainly could not be properly baptised belora' kv a»sumtd his office of Great High Piiest over the bouiteot QuJ. See this idea further con oboraled Letter IV. We wish our children to follow their Lord into the church in infancy : (iheageat which ho was admitted)— You wish to exclude all infants, and that your children ihoiild follow their Lotd iuto tb« church in adult age. I leave our rtaders to cqticlude, wiio pays the grtattt' deference to the example of Christ. You must not oltject, tiiut l)at)li);m is uot a substitute far ciicumdsiou. Wht iher thisbe the career not, hapti-^m is ibn ttreuiony of iuiiiitiou iuto the chuich ; and our children can no more follovy thtir Lord into the church without lapti»m, than be could gain admission without liicumciAiuu. Nor can you piupeily objtct,as you do p. 17, that you h.we 110 qu!r«nent*' of 11ioid, where the apoMlle alladen to tlie snbstitution of baptism in the place of circnmcision, and Informs nstliat *' there it neither bond nor free ;— male nor f<>maVe." And if tbift be tlie case in these histancen, why shonid It not have been th* «ame in that of infants, if like slaves tbey were not to l)e baptired?-! think it htn bieen proved in the foregoing remarks, that "the |?o!»pel rhnrth" has esiMted ever since the days of Abrahan, Htlpa«t; and that tlip prenent church i« only a conlinnation of the preceeding one; and yon say," if if could be proved that onr LortI or his apostles ever brought an infant into the ^jus'^e.l rhnrch, 9r that they ever bad a right to If then It wonld U' nccc5«ary to show wlren that right was abrogated," (p. 26) This npcessMy has in my opinion boen already laid npoo yon with some degree of" weigDt : "and in the following letters I shalUttempt to bind i^ ^o so fast, that I hope yon will not be able to disencnmber yonrtelf by all yonr cries of " absurdity,^' however loudly or frequently they may be reiterated. If a proof of right to admission will snpercede the necessity of express precept or evaropkp, and I think yon have here admitted that it will, it is no wise ** eqilvalentlo giving np the point" to admit, that we have not the latter, while we are able to prove the former. Thongh I nhonld not have proved tbia in what I have already advanced, I do not despair of snccess before I conelnde. I think} however, that the sameness of the church and covenant, and the. substilntiou of baptispi for circumcision, incontrovertibly prove the ** right" of infants to admissioii ** into the gotpel church/' and consequently to Baptism. For, as Dr. Burns bae very properly observed," Until it be clearly shewu tliat baptism did not come in the room of circumcision, the two institutions are supported by an K lity, and coBieqneotly by an equality of evidrnce." , ,.r, . i.iu.t.; i/.-yy *'... . ^■"n* . .lit" r,'3'. v.rv*f Dear Sir, p I ;•: I. . f 1 I p »a «.V' A''*^'/ •■*V t-i Voni'i very afTeeliooately, GEORGE JACKSON. ft:* <*t,'Ji:i 3.1. i V V}^ iO J j.: •^•* '• »' ■1 -l If ' f. •». ft Ut i.J. ::m M* 1)W t, ..V4 :f *-'"^,VV"i^ #»i. 1 ttx- ,(|i.«?. 1- r . 'f 1i v . ■'':> ,./ .fj r ''"f ■■'■ ff'f ■■ V • , ^" > ' » . LETTEll III. ..,..,:,,, .>,:•: J THERE ia« pithy lenteucc in yonr first Letter, of wliicli you aeerai •carct^jr to h«v« lott fight io lb« wbole of your proceediaga :->" Uiiiforniity is beautiful in .ail ihingt, and especially in religion." Aa you malte it a point of conscience t0,di0er from ne on tbe subjects iu debate, it was expected that you wouiji be aiQ^crately ** nnifortf " in opposing nfy opinions. As it constitutes qe part of ** celigion", bowevefr, todo manifest injustice tean opponent, it was scaicely suspected, thai you would be etjually unifom, In either directly or indirectly fharging me with resting my arguments on^fauman authority," w6en I attempt* ,fd to support them by the. word of God. Tbisyou.have done on the subject of proselyfC baptism, no doubt, through neglecting to pay more attention to |he manlier in which I conducted that. argument. Yon evidently suppose ■ that this practice rests on noother than Babbinical authority : and this affords .jroaan opporUinity, of indalging yonr favourite propensity of attempting to' make U appear that our opinions and practices are supported ooly. by the aiitbority of man ; apd that we place *Mhe plain unlettered christian amid«t insuperable difficulties, and render ii necessary, that he should" learn Hebrew, Mid oonsitit the Jewish Rabbins, before he van obtain satisfaction respecting , a gospel ordinance :" and then you ask ; ** Is it because there is no Ood in Israel that we must be sent to the god of Ekron for counsel i" Now all this would havet 'been very proper if I had taken no notice of Uiy Bible ; and it would have breu •tl very coasisteiit if yon had never ** sent" yonr readers ** to the god ofEkron for counsel," aod taken dcHtruotive notice oi the arguments which I had adduced from the word of God. When I qtrote the sentiments of MaimonideHOuProselyto baptism, you call him and his brethren culle* tively ** the Ood ofEkron." When you call in his assistance on the subject of imraeision, you preface your ^uotaiidn by calling him a learned Jewish Hsbbi." (|» 23 ) Liiili: did he think when bo took bis departure from this state of probation, that after his dcaih he would have been thus quickly metamorphosed by the ptfwer aud at Ike caprice of a man of like passions with himself. I was aware of the eaisteoce of " various aud discordant op inionK" among *' the learned" on the subject of proselyte baptism ; tlmugti 1 was aUo aware that those who denied its enisieuce wero wry greatly with the minority : and not being able to reconcile contradictionr any mure than yoarself ; nor yet willing to go with the majority without somf' resikou ; lik« a plain unlettered christian/' I had recourse to my Bible, to um whteli side of the dispute it would justify me in embvuciug : aud I furnished yot with five argnmeats; four of which are drawn directly from the Bible, and thi other ia justified by thjt abhorrence of the chrinlianH and their practic«fl, whicll waA atvrayo entertainsd by the Jews; of which we haveio abundant proof iu the word of Ood. See p. p. 7, 8. Instead, however, of takinn^ the least notice of these argunitfnts, yon a^ UKiial give n^ several quotations from those ** equally learned with my informant;" (p. p. 17,4, 5.) and then Hearch your Bible for what I never suifipected to exist; that is, a direct command for proselyte baptism. Now, Dear Sir, allow nie to ask, if tht* Jews were so very •tcrnpnlons, that th-.*y never added any " traditions" to the commands of God, that you cannot give them cf^^dit for practising any thin^ bnt what yoa find there commanded, can yon give a command from the Bible for the addU tionof the cnp tothe passover ? Thi« wai a Jewish addition to one of the ordinances of God, for which there was far Ifss reaonti in the tlld Testament tha(» for proselyte baptism : or rather, there wa« no reason at all : and yet our bl«'S«ied Lord adopted it in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Dr. Gill, a prophetof yonr own.in allusion to St. Paul's calling the cnp, "the cnp of blessing," observes : " Tl»i> cup is so called, in allusion to the cujj of wine used at meals, or at the pa»sover among the Jews ; which they nsed to take and bless God with, and give thanks for his mercies. It was commonly called '* the cup of blessing" '' Thongh the words or our Saviour, recotdftd iu Matt. 28, 19, (gays Mr. Jones, another Anii-| oedobaptist,) are allowed to be the foundatioa of this ordinance, yet various opinions have been entertained respecting it* origin. Whilst some maintain, that it was never practiced before the mission of John the Baptist, others affirm, that we ought to look for its origin among the ancient ceremonirs of the Jews. Without entering the barren field of contro- ver! rtnced into theJewisb church by wahhing as weila» circnmcision. The condnct ot Christ) in the institntion ot ibe suppti, also, curresitouJs with his conduct oo this occasion, for as the Jews concluded their pasiover, by giving to rvry i^'l il . ,«-!• - -^ m V' ■ i' > = 58 i I periona picceof bread and a cnp of wiuo, so Christ, tboiigb he set ««id#, a« the D&tnre of bi8 office required, the riles enjoined by Moses, in that ordinance which he had been then commemoratinie, yet he retained the bread and lup added by the Jews." See Jones's Biblical Cyclopedia. Art. Baptism, ijee also Lightfoot, as quoted by Dr. A Clarke on Matt. xvl. ' Dr. Wall, in bis "Conference" on "Infant Baptism" ioforois ns, that it appears from a late book by Leo Modena, and by some other accounts, that they have the same custom still, if any proselyte comes over to them. And tfa£t he fonnd, that though there was a dispute between Dr. Ham . ^nd on one •ide, and Mr. Selden and Mr. Tombs (who was tli« most learned ' iie Anti. pfledobaptisls) on the other side, concerning the children of natural Jews ; yet tbeyallagree, that the infant children of proselytes were baptized; and that it was a common phrase with them to rail such infants, Proaetyteaf as well as their parents. For they have snch sayings as thene: If with a Proselyte, hit aons and his daughters be made proselytes, that which is done by tbei r father, redound! to their good. And again : A Proselyte that is under age, is baptized upon ihe knowledge [or profession] of the house of judgment, [that is, the synagogue or church of the place] and they become as a father to him. And again : An Israelite that takes a little heathen child, or finds an heathen infant, and baptizes bim for a Proselyte; behold be is a Proselyte. (Maimonides) For it seems that it was their custom with infant children, whom tbey either took in war, or found exposed in the htghuays by their heathen parents. Of which you may see more in the aforesaid books." See Hist, of Inf. Bap. Int. ^ 1, 3, &r. ■1", *.' As you attach so much importance to the '* concessioBs" of Pcedobaptists, consistency will lead yon f J pay a more than ordinary degree of attention to the above qne'tations, which are admitted by the most learned of year own persuai^inn. I du not introduce them (lowever by way of retaliation, for I pay very little regard to either the concessions or the argumeuts, of either friends or foes, any laitlier than tliey are either direrlly, or by legitimate inference supported by tlie word of God. This I tbiuk is the case with proselyte baptism. In addition to the iudicatious which I gave of the existence of this practice ia the days of our Saviour, and which are alluded to above ; let us apply the ideas of your 'Mearntid Jewish Rabbi," to a passage which you allow applU\ able, if we consider with yourself that our Lord here alludes to Baptism, and do not consider the phrase " the kingdom of God*'— as having an allusion to the church on earth, as well as to that above. But considering it in this twofold sense, all ia consistent, and baptiitui is made essential '' to an authorized entranct into" the one, and " the new biith" by the Spirit, necsssary to a qualification for the other : and it perfectly accords with Matt. xvi. 16. This exposition takes for granted, howpver, that Nicudemus and our blessed Lord knew, as your ** learned Jewish Uabbi" has informed us, that baptism was to proselytes an ordinance of initiation into the church of God; and that when they were baptized they were said to be " born again." This use of prosnly le baptism, in commenting on this text, might be suiiported by the authority of a cloud of the most eminent commentators that ever wrote. Hitherto I have proceeded upon the ground, that there is no foundation for proselyte baptism in the Old Testament. But it is no more than justice to the Rabbins to say, that they attempt to establish it in the very way in which you attempt to destroy it. Yon quote Exod. xii. 49, " Ooe law shall be to him that is home-born and to the stranger :" and because baptism was not enjoined on " the home>born," you conclude, it could not be enjoined on '* the stranger." This however was before the giving of the law ; and yon will not deny, that what was commandtd at the giving of the law, as binding on ** the home'born,'' \Tttuld be so on ** the stranger" also, " 1 ho Jewish expositors of the law," says \t:' Aa , d: Dr. Jarvis, « amert, a* wllli one mouth, that the whole conerefjation of IsiafI vrerr baptized jiiot b«>>ore tb^ law waH piven on Mniiot Sinai. Thih thpy con* aider as ^on)DIiind^d hv Gud, in Kxndnrt xix '* And the Lord Kaid unto Moses, Go unto tt e people ai d sanctify them today and to*morrow, and let them vash their riotlies. Sanctify then) : Hebrew kiddanhtem, LSX. kai uenison autonf, pnrifv them. Omnare Lev. xlv 8. 9, xvil 0, &c. Numb. vlli. 7. S. Kin^s, V. 14. The sanctifiraiion or purification her*', and mherever eUe it is used in connexion with the wasbinf of their clothes/ Is invariably understood by the Jews, as denoting the baptism or waHhinti^ of their bodies. From Exod. xix. iiO, connected with Numb. xv. 15. they inferred the necessity of baptizing proselytes"— '* By three things," says Maimonides, **did Israel enter into covenant : by circumcision, and baptism, and sacrifice. Ciicumcision was in £?ypt ; as it is wrif t(>n ; No u»circura ised per»nn sli»ll eat th«>reof, &c. (Exod. xlx.lO) Baptism wa* in the wilderness just be fere ihe giving of the law ; as it is written ; Sanctify them to-dav snd to morrow Arc. (Exod xix. 10) and •acrifice; as it is s^iid ; And he sent young men of ihe sons of Israel, which offer^'d burnt ofiVrinesi, *c (Exod. xxiv. 5.) And so in all ages, when a Geutile Is willing to enter into covrranf, and rather himself under the wings of the majesty of God. anH take u-on himself the yoke of the law, he mnst be cirrnm* Ci8ed,and baptized, and bring a saciitice :or if a wouiau be baptized and bring a sacrifice." (.See Jarvis' Sit. Note B ) You inform us, (»>. 4. "I hat the Je>s» had diverse imnx rsions or ba^livnifi ei joined on them by (he law of Moxes, in CBsesof crremonial luicltaiiitrKs, istvidenh" Without atttmpting ti- convince yon here, huw uiurb }ou op|'u^e *' ihe law ut .Moset" b> Wt!>ltii.g to 0i2.ke it appear iha> all these*' bapli^m^" were " imuieistuus ;" allow me to ask, oh this WHS the cas**, it you tbiiikti either jrubabie ot |:o»6tb:(' that ili(\ would admit the heathen, wh< m of ull oihtis ihi-y ccnhidcied as "iincltut)," (Acts x. U.) without baptism ? And as }ou know **iheltitle onpear(t for a moment to have escaped it, viz. that *' The pltiin uult'iter- cd christian," if he he diKposed, nmv *' consult the Jewish Rahbiiis" without 'M*^arning Hebrt>w." All that is worth knowing, and indeed probably all that cau be known, on this sabjecl, has be n hruu^iu within the reach of ihA plaineni understHndinK bv thf labours anil testimonies «t those truly Uaraed m^^n, who-te nam* 8, were I to iDeniiou them, would lorm a longer string thau any of Mr. Jud^ou's, all in luvour ot proselyte baptuui Itisleud of five, ilie number which you have advaiiK'd Hi;aji8t it, I could probably give you fifty iu its favour. You should rtrincmlier a!so tbht Ihuy huvve not recourse to proselyte baptism from neve:4»ify, or as th^J only meau» by whitib they *'caa obtaiu satisfaction on a Ko»p«'I ordinance ;" but only as coiUttral, corroborative evidence —Here you have aUo, " the God of Ekrou'^ulmiittiKg himself to the God of Israel ; 3«ic^ thus keeping your poor Ic'olatrous opponent in counttu* ance, and assistii.g him to put you to the blush, for a»(*eniui» that my " fi«Ht trjiumeut in favour of infant baptism is drawn from human aaihority."(p.l7.) On this subject, as on many others, you m<»ke a very unsuccessful attt^mpt to shew that your oppontntti are inconsistent: "It appears tome,'* you ob- serve, " that in rei»oriing to il:!" arf;umeut, you give up the argument drawa from circumcision. If christian baptism be uuiy a coutitaiatioi of JewisU proselyte baj«tism, it cannot be a Sbtistilule lor cirinnkci»ton : thcretoie, one or the other of ihtse ai|;iimt;ni.s must be gtvfu up." Liui vhy u^ay not boih argnuieuis be good, if pro.selyte bapiiMU be continu<.d by the &ame authority which abolished circumcision r It Christ bi^d not continued the one, it would have fallen into disuse with the other. I3i't he contiuucd it, and ms he has '* fail power boiii in h«a\cn and en earth," he could give it what plate Le thought proper : and as Dr. Lightfoot obsMves; '* It isv.oiihy of observation, that our ;i^aviour rejected circuimisiun, and rttaiued the appendix baptism : and when all the Gentiles were now to be iutroductd into the true relipun, he prefer led thispioselyticaJii-troductory (iaidcu the fxpit&.Moii)uit" tl« ^iatia- meutof entrance into the gospel." 'J his being liie pUce wLicij ciitumcision had iu the Jewish church before " the kingdom of God was taken from" the Jew»,aud given to the Gentiles, it both" can be" and is" a fMibstitute for cir, ctimcision "— From this subject,! dr« w the following itifeienc« in my former Letters : " As tbprefore, baptism appi-amtu hsve been adopu o by our Lord from the Jewish church, without any restriction as to the sabjccts, in hi» coaimand to his disciples, Matt. 28 18. we InUr, tliat infants are proper sub- jects for christian beptism." If the above proof* a»e considered satisfactory, aud I cannot conceive how you can deny that they are, I am not dtnied 'A f i 6S , l! ibis iaference ev«o by yoiirielf. For yon ol inve ; "If it conld bo made appftar that the Jews did praclisti baplixm in tbo case of proselytos fiom the tine of Moiei, and that tliey baptized iofantu an well as adults, there would be aome force in your inference; for we should thui coaclude, they bad a divine command for it, ihoagh not recorded."— The icMiimonies of jour " learned Jewish Rabbi" have certainly been ronfirmeJ by " ihe law oflMose^" as explained by yourself, and by plain indications Iroto the New Testament, and hy the most learned of the Antipoedobapiitts ; and I thiulc yon uinst allow, that Ibere is a "force in my inference," which, if it be ot any us*', should be deci< «ire of the dispute. This is evident from the following 4|iint'ttioB from an author yon have called '* the celebiated Wbitsius :" which, as it contains additionalproof of the identity of christian and proselyte bap tiitm, 1 make no apology for introducing here :" After the wound of circumcision was per* fectly belled, he (the proselyte) was led to baptism ; which was not performed, but in the presence of triumvirs, three men, wko were the disciples of the wise, who could exercise judgments : that is, Israelites of the purest blood. It was their business not only to lake care that every thing was duly perform* ed, and to testiTy concerning this due performance, according to the practice of their ancestors ; but further, to instruct the person to be baptized, and already placed in the water, coucerning seme more , and some less, important precepts of the law. Such triumvirs are generally in scripture called £lohim. Christ in like manner declarer, that, in the baptiHui of the New ToHcanient, the Elohim are present, Matth. xxviii. 19. who are eallt'd the three wituessts in heaven, I. John, v. 7.->Bnt we arc esprcinlly to otstrrve, that evrn little chil* dren were baptized generally at the sitme time with their parents. For thus it is said in Talmud Babylon, tit. Erub. fol. II.cI. "They baptize a little young proselyte, in couseqaence of tlie mind of the sanhedrim." (Whitsiiis' Kcon. Cot. B. iv. c. xvi.) II>>w could it be otherwise, when, according te ** the law of Moses,*' the children, with tlie parents, were both circumcised and admitted into the chorrh : and prior to this time^ th*^y were alike considered common and unclean !" Had I been disposed to doubt your desire to produce a change in my senti* ments, and " bring lue over to your side,' your nictiiod of proceeding would nndonbledlyhave rtuoved the last and least remains of scepticism. Like a genuine casuist, when you think I am innocent, you anxiously assume the office of" a comforter :" Hud wiien you .suppose me ai«loep in my siii», yon are equally solicitous to distui b my repose. In the capacity of a " son of thunder," you addre.«8 me " on the apoMolirk commission" in the following words : *' This rnnimission is what every gospel minister professes to act under ; and I ihinic every one v^ho practises infant baptism, should seriously enquire- by what auihoriiy do I apply this gospel ordinance to those who are incapable of j.rofRasing faith in the Saviour ?"(p 7.) And do you think that I have hitherto'* practised infdnt baptism" withont "seriously enqtiiring by what authority" I wm pioc«f'tIni/» ? or do you not rather think, with loany of your Irelbrcn, that I ran tiehiicr s'jft-^ why nor wherefore ? I have /or some time be converted in (he pio^ier sense of th» word, until he has repented ot his Biiii» : " liepeut uud be luuvprted that yonr bins may be blotted ^i * Can either Mr. Judson or yourself iufarm ns, why Di. C. rendered the •ricinai word map P'»'pfl rnnrprniiiR which it 14 Haid, "he Ihiit kelieveth ohaM he «Avr(l," hnt '* all lliinu;* whainorvpr Cliriit ha.i cjinmandcd ;" and enjtecially, when wecoiiHider that the comminitioii has resprct to ih>* heaihen who knew very liii>, if any more conceriiin|( goH|Ml morality, Ihtfii ibey did lespprtinK thrdoctrioen of thr Koxpel. Conversion, in referooce to ih<>Np aNo, Implied bapiiitni. It drnoted that comp?pta chanRR which took place In iboni, when, from beini? the worMhippern of idols, they became the public profeniiorfi of the religion of the trne God. (I Thp^t. i, 5, 10 ) This is what ihe evangelical prophet in<>ai)8, ulien \u adilreee and flow totjethrr ; and thine h«>art Hhall f;»"" manifestly"" enjoin- ed" in thf text, they ate enjoined only ascanse and effect, that is : baptizing and teachini;a« the meinsof runverHion, In order to keep Dr. Campbell's ccmment in cttnn^rnanrc, you have, in conformitv with onr translation, and in opposition to that uf Dr. C. with as much confiJcnce as thonch you had been quoting a p<«ss:tqe from the Kihte, given ns a ri>mm»*nt of your own ; and divided the" teacliinK''into two parts ; ihat wjiich was tu be " believed," iu order to " be saved "an:l " that further iu. 6.) I think, however, that I h«ve already proved (hat it convists in their tearliin*;, not ns \on suppo«e, a part before, and a part after their convcrsirn, bnt " A'.l things whatsot ver Christ had commanded," (that is, certainly, both tiiedortiines and dutie!« of Christianity) before their conversion and in o'der to It. According to your comment, they were to teach the nations sumething, one uoulii be led to suppose, vthich Christ had not "com* manded" tixni. 'I'liis was to bo the means of their conversion; and their " teaching ih«iM all things wiiaiMOfvt r" ( linst had " commanded" them was to be the means of " their prnwth in grace," lation be not tautological ; it the duties be ihref diHtinei dutie", as Dr. Campnett has main* tH4ned ; and two <>t thtse tu teaihing, as you bavt a»ferted, one to be p«>rforraed b«^fore convtrsmi), and the other alter it, the aposTles did not obey the com' mands otonr Loni, in reierence to either teaching or baptizing, nntil after they had lOiiv* rieit or discipled the nations : and then, of course, these were not tlonc in ordc r to their conversion, but to " their growth in giace." That th y would uccj this 'Meaching," there cannot be the least doubt; but otir f.-- - ». ^»-^- & '»^AhE^^^ »Mfe* *flni?f3fc^«ff -m^9i^^ 65 Lord U here •np«kin« of that which wa« eMmtUI to th«ir eonvemton. What thi* wan St. Lnkc infurmN na, chap, xxlv 47 ; ** That n pmtancff and remimioa orKintihonld h« prrarliH in Chn collated with those of Mark and Lnke,) e-tn never he made t« snpporf. Mr. Hudson's translation is," Gove, ihere'ore, and teach (or rather dincipic) all nations." The word which in our translation is r«iidereil 'Mfach** comes from the nonn maf Af ** to Iratn;** and when it'* governs an accnsative," as in the pasfagM, yon have qnoted, it dignifies " to make a disciple." Keo Fat khurst, nnder the word mnfMsno Tbns yon mnst discover, that instead of th«* original word being significant of Ike act of teachioir, w> yc nnderstnod ail these thing* ? They say unt» him, Yea Lord. Tlien said he nnto them. Therefore every scribe which ia infitrncttd nnto (th'> knowledge of) the kingdom of Heaven is like a man that is an houseliflidcr, who biiog«;tli forth out of niH treasure things new and old, (torp«>d hi* Family ; for, so must you produce from Moses and ilie Fiophets, and from the doctrines belonging toths heavenly kngdum, what you see upeiilnl to leeJ OoCs fiimily and houNeboid.") (Whitby's Para)ihra'>f.) If the original word «ignify *' to teach," can yon teil me whv our Loid <1id not make use ot the itaiue word 'U tbe la^t ciau»e wUicu he u>e, > , .,. »• I have now removed the cause of complaint, by informing you what I nnder* standby discipling the nationo; and kave shewn you, that the inconsistencies with which yon have indirectly charged me, are nothing more than so many Ideal existences, which your own fertile genius has created ; I suppose for the sole pleasure of seeing tbem destroyed. When I do not tell yon what I mean, as yon confesA was the case on discipling the nations, (p. 7.) yon will oblige mr b> rxercfsing a little patience; and I will here promise you, as ranch as possible to avoid *' vain tamology, and seuseltss repetition." , ,, As I have acknowledged tracbinir to he neces^arv to the conversion of tbe n'ationii, I iihiiill no doubt be charged with having vjefeited my own design : and yon will, with your nsnal confidence, assert that this forever forbids tbe baptism of ail persons, older yoonir, who are not converted, disclpled, or taugbl." (i>. 7 ) I must here be allowed to Ray, his com be gatlteird fn.m any negative arguments which can be drawn from a positive ccmmnnd, iiut from th| usages of the church, the word of God, and tbe signification of the words used in the commission. This eoqulry, theiefcre, is iose|>aiably couneMed with infant church ueubeisbip : 67 and if the apontlvi knew that thU was to be contlnaed, (and I think It haiteM prnvpd, and it will he more folly proved that thi>y did) we cannot br at a hMi to know what constinction thry would pot on the ceromistiioa ofo^r bleoM^ Lor«t. Tti<*ch»rrb-niember*hip of infants had at this time existed for nearly 3000 yrars : ii had n(>ver hern abrogated; bat on the contrary, expresily taugbt- bv our Lord : (as 1 will nnderlake to prove before I conclude) Oar Lord and hisapo«tle!i had l)fen menibem of the church of God in infancy ; and tbf Jewfi had always admitted the infant children of proselytes to church member* ship : and ifprosHyte ba^Miwrn existed and of this T think, with Dr Doddridij^, th<>rp ought noi to be a doubt, they had baptized th*m also, and d<>nomlnated thpm proselyte*, a^ well as their narents : and, as Dr. Hall observes, ** Pnttiof the '.ase, that it waii customary to baptize infants, and call them Pro«elvte8, and they were nsnaHy said to be made Prnnelytes (whtch is much the same word as d|Rciple«) onr Saviour's command in these wordf — *• Go disciple, or make disriples of all nations, baptizing tliem - would seem to inclu'tc the infanlsas well as others. Foramen is to take words in (hat sense, in which (bfx were cnrrrnt at the place and time in which they were supposition that infant prosoJyte baptism existed, yon have already a11ow(>d that '^ there would be some force in this arg nmcnt/ •' Onppose onr ^avionr had bid the aitostles. Go disciple all the nations, and [inxtead ofhapiizinir.bad said] cJrcuntctM th«>m; must they not have circiun* clued ihe infants of tb'' nations, as well as the grown men, though there bad keen no mention of infants in the commission? Then what is the reason that in caHc cirrnmcision had b'>en appointed to (he Gentile nations, it must nf coarse have been given to infanta i" Yon miitit cenainly, with Pr. W. reply ; ** Because (he apostles kufw of theroHelvps, that citcuynCiSiop WM Uiittaiiy given to mfants.— Draw the same coniiequence from what the apostles must kuow of baptism given to infants " 8ee Wall's " Conferenee," p. p. S3, flS. These considerations combined,! think will mtke it appear that instead of tbia commission ** forbidding," it would be understood at comqianding infant baptism. The following quotation from Edward's *M'aodid Reasons" will skew that this is not ** forbidden" by the words nued in the commiision. " It is to be observed, that onr Lord uset a terra, which will apply to an infant as well as to an adnit ; for (he word malheelun, a scholar, of which the word used by onr Lord is the theme, docs not necessarily intend previous tratoing, but only learning in design. We call tho»e scholars, who have done learning ; and so we do those who are now at their studies ; and m> liiiewis« those who have not yet began to learn, provided they are entered for that purpose; so that the idea of learning does not necessarily at:nex itself to the tf im wMlheeleei, scholar, any further tliau to denote ?. person who is eitered l|ito iischeoi wiib a view to learn.—'* But here it may be gilud, wliit pm^rie. I • 68 ty can tk*re b^, in calling a parson a disciple or scholar, who is yet incapable of learning? I reply, he is so called, because he it euteriid with that dc»ign. e. g. Numbers iii. 28. "In the nniuher of all the maleo, from a month old and QpwardM were right ihonaand sis handredjkreping the charge of thesauctiia' ry.** Cao any body tell me how a child of six weeks old could be a lieeprr of tb** charge of the sancniary i Certainly hpoinied to that service. With just the same propriety, an infant, who by circumciaion or baptism, was or ik publicly entered 4UI0 a religious hchool, may be calind a diKri) le in a religious sense* And it IS a very gftiier^l o,*inion, that inf«nis are actually so c«lled in Acts xv. 10. " Why tempt ye Gud to put a yoke on the neck ot the di«ctples?" That inUuts are »o (ailed, will appear ^'Uio, itwe a«k, ou whose neck wa» this yoke to have come i Enery one knows, wh«» kuowi» tue manu«r ot Mose»,respt'Ciing ciicumcisioc, that it would have come on aluliH, but chiefly on inlantu ; and then It is evident, that thone lufauts were called diHciples. But whether this be so or not, thr* word made u^te of by our Lord will aijrce to infants as well as adults. ** ihe apootles me to make disciples— ihdt i» all matluleusate imports. But HtJI the quesiion, i8,how are they to make ih*-m ? I answer by tearhine ; for neither aUult nor infaut can be made a disriple without. And brieiii the Ba»iii»t<« are very right, and I agiee with iht-m that adults «ud inlailt^ mii»i Le u.aite dl^c*|>lei« by t«achiig, or ihey will not be so at all But then how can an >uiai)t be iiiatiea diseiple by teaching i I reply not diiecrily ; that is, th patents being won over by teacLiuK to embrace the truth, they present their intauts to ih« chitsuau school to be tiaiued up in the same tiuih ; pud thus they become duciples. u. g. Joel is to s.inetify a fast, and call a aoiemu atMiembly : to gather the people, eldeis, cbiidieo, aud tiioutt that suck the bieas.s. But how in he to assemble them? He is to blow >: trumpet iu Zion. But what does a sucking child kuow About the souud of a tiumpei i I answei, he knows uoihiti{; at all about it. How then are suckiun chitdien to be bioiigbt together by the sound of a trumpet, seeing thiy kuow nothing of tbr iiumpei 01 its sound i I reply, in the same way ait intantn are made (lisci> pie* by leaching. But how u that ? Every one knows bow it is, who knows any tbing ; and this I have already explained, li the trumpet bad not ben •oiiudf d, the suckliugb would not have been collected, and it men were not taught, lutduts wwutd uot b< come disciples : so then infants as welt as men are made disriple» by teaching, as elders aud sucking childienare brought lothe tast by the sound of a trumpet." (p p. 171, 172.) A few bold assertions, and a list of great names from Mr. Jodson*s sermon, enable yon to dismiss *Mhe words of Peter on the d«y of Pentecost'' with great brevity. You info* m us that ** The promise" alluded to by Peter, ia that 'Sifpoaiinir out of the Holy Sitirit in his extraordinary influences and mirai olous opeiations "— Then the desire of Moses is more than fulfillrd i for •ot only are ** ail the Lord's people piophets," but they caa all vrork mh 69 racks ; for ihr Lord "ayi by the month'of Joel ; ** Aud I will pour cot of a>y spirit upon all fl<-i»b.'*(Joel. ii. 28.) St. Feier (and I think Joel also) la certain* ]y syesikiuK of wliai was to take place, not only on the day of Ps?ordid they cry** for the remisHion of their »ins?" Let Peter answer tl^ese questions;'* Repentant) be baptized every one of you^for the remis> BioQof «ins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghott. For the promiHO ii unto yon and your childrfD," &c. Now if all that St. Peter inteiiJed by the gifiof the Holy Ghost to their children, an yon suppose, were the ** ettraor* ilinary iu!ln<>nce» and miraculous operatioiiN" of the Spirit, ihesf were all Uiat lie promised to the dintessed and anxious parents; for the promii dividualo, I presume St Peter was a miserable comforter— a physician of no Tslue. His promise, however, must have related to their necessities; and hit declaration to their entiuiiies. And these certainly draw our attention from III* *' extrani ilinary," aud fix it u<>ou the ordinary influences of the Spirit. Ha promises that they Mhould *> receive the gift of the Holy Gliost*' if they would " repent and (>e baptized— in the name of JeHU» Chii!e consisted :i'- • ' w •f a repetition of Joels prophecT, Jot! mntt have prophented of Mmethiog more than ibe nero " extraordJDary iafloeac«« aod miraculoiw eperaiioni" of tho Spirit, " to that tbey miglit pro^'heoy." Having limited tbe blessings of the goipelf 1* was to be eipecled that joa ivotild limit tbe subjects itlso. You observe: "The p«'r4oos upon nborn be was to be poured oat were thfoi, aod their tons and daughters, and tboKO who w6re afar off, via. the Jews srattered in foreign conutries,~ilie Jew» who were afar off, and their children, ••veu an msny ofth^roasGod should citll by his grace." I should have felt at least grarifled if yon bad furnished m* with •nt* proof that the calling here alluded only to *'a«m<«ny" oMhe Jews "as God should call by his grace." That this is the cast*, is a mere giatnirnus aswnmption, ftestitnie of the shadow of a proof; and, a* I h'>pe tn i rove, opposed to the evident d^'sign of every passa(*<- whii-h relatcH to (hi« dav'a proceedings; and especially to the dexien of St. Peter. Djck, in his " TfC* tok'fts," has the following passsag**, which I itnppose will prubabty ronrirand as much attentioa as the ssHvrti'in which you have here advanced : " The J< ws were plainly given to ondersiand, that the new dispensation, in whirb ibey were required to aoqnirsre, wasofan eniarg.d and liberal nature. Ititam|>l« treasury of grace Wat opened to enrich ibem and their tae admitted to a share, when, in bss own good time, tiir Lord their God should call tb*-m." (p. 51,) This was evidently the imprfssiou whicli the adUiei>^ of tit. Peter was intended to convey. Bat you ndeas contract thiA au-|)f nation. All the Jews, both adults and infants, had always b^en included iu Oud's church, and the covenant which be nade with Abraham ; and had of course access to the blcsnin^s of each ; but you mike St. Peter to inlornt thrm on the day ot pentecost, that none were to be beo-iited by Ih*^ new dispeiisitioo, but acertainelectonmbcr of adults eveuoftlieir own nation, whom Ood should call by bis grace ; and that their children were entirely catt off, except a few adults who sbirUid be " called by God's giace, and be enabled :o |>ropbecy. You then es,c!aim ; ** But what has this to do wiib in ant baptism { Nuihing at all. We do not read of God's calling infants by biy grace, and «nabiin:{ them to prophecy.'' (p. 8.) 8o according to your ideas, ail that Pttcr saw under the presfnt dispensation, even when tilled with that Spirit which was promised to ** lead" the apostles" into atl truth," were, the aiixiouit Jt;ws enabled to " piophecy,"with iheir " sons and dangbters," a few riect Jews called by God's grace, aud enabled to propbery, and a frw ot their favourite adult children inlieriting the saaie biesxings. Let us hear Dr. Uoodiidge, on this |>art ot the passagf, a(i you have oiRutioned his name in connexion with this If xt : " For the promise of ibe Spirit is made, as yoa see in Ibe fore cited pabkage fioni Jod, (v*r. 17, 16.)lu yoii,aod to } our children, whom Ood ia ready lu attmii le the same piivilege with yen ; and not only to; Mijtt ii oatfodi 71 I:'' to tlie rrmotrat nations, to til ili.it are »Ur off, as well as tken that af« near, •fen to at munv a* tbe Lord onr God iih»ll call by the pr4>achini{ ofhiii gospel ; which 9h> II t)ft pro|>n«ated to the eiidd of the rarth." Dr. Hammond't parA* )>hrai«e is (iirailar to this.-- Yon tell U8 that ** It does not appcRr that the apOHiie«y I uudersiood thai the Gttniiles were to be vallftd." (p. 7.) But why not i Is there any ihiiig tio *qiiivocalor obscnre in our Lord's commissloo^ (Luke xniv. 47.) that liiey could not un iersiaiid it ? He first " Opened their nndemtandioierfi that they might nndemt^nd the acriptnres," and (then) said ante thetn, '* Thns it bchov«d Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead fhs third day : And that repentance and reninsioDofitinHshonld be prpached in his name among nil nations, beginning at Jernsaleot." The commission in St, Murk'* Oonpelis; Go ye Into all the world and preach the gospel to every errafn'-e *' (rh. xvl. 16.) This is langnage which placed it past the po«slbility of theapnstles brh g ignorant of the calling of the GentilfS ; and it is langnage which must have directed their minds to something a little more liberal than a few elect Jews being " called by God's grace," and enabled to ** prophecy ;'* it mii«t hav e directed them rather to the great end for which the Spirit was now given, an J for which it had fnabled them to speak with tongues, viz. to assist them in eal ling mankind by the preaching of the word. They had now began to preach the gospel in .fern sale m, in obedifnee to tbe command of Christ : and had their memories been no belter than yonr's or mine, an aaaeci* ation of ideas would have prevented the possibility ot the other part of the words of onr Lord escaping their observation. But this was far from being the case. They were ** filled with tbe Holy Ghost" which was prom* ised to '* Bring all things to iheir remembrance whaisoevrr Christ had ni«: anto them ;" (John, xiv. IS) and was also to" Guide them into all truth :** (eb. xvi iS )so they could neither be ignorant of any of tbe ** sayings" ofChrist* nor yet of their meaning. For this spirit he had commandtd them to wait at Jerosaleu) ; and had told them that it was to empower them to call " every creAtore" by the preaching of the word : " Ye shall receive power, after that tbe Holy Gbns t is come npon yon : and ye shall be wiinesseti unto me both in JeruMilem, ami in all Jiidea, and in Samaria, and unto the uliermost parts ot the «>artn " ( \ct<, «, 3.) This pa-iitaife (larticularly specifies all whom the a|)Oi>tieH (ibfy being Jewii) had nsnally looked npon as " common or unclean ,** and It inaiiiiestR an anxiety on the part of onr Lord to rruioveall ideas of r«»(i't«'(ions ; which conldnot be lont n;fon the apostles, nnles» they were the aortt ftin^Md ef all mortals ; and especially after they were filled with the Holy OtiOHt 1 will trouble you with another pasxage, wliich will prove that God hitd design* of rourcy not onty (owanli a few, bnt towards all the Jews on cocditicn of repentance and retormHtion ; and by a refeience to i(,and the history of which it is a uart, yon will (iisrover (hat it is strictly paralletl with the one under co:i« sideratlon ; and aho, that it proves that St. Peter ** understood that the Gen< tHn" were* to he called. Exhorting the Jt^a to repentance on another f 1. M. 7« •ecasioo, he obaerven ; " Unto yon firnt," (which certainly implifn that hn know that JeiwA wa* aftrrwariig to h(» preached to the Orntilc*)" God havinf rai*«d np his snn Je^nn, ticnt biin to Hem yon, in tnrntngaway every one of yo« from your iniqaitien.'' (ch iii>'ir> ) The doubt which waa derided in the viiiion of ^e.ter,^rh. x.) wli'ch I snppojie led yoa to nay that " it dae« not apn^^ar that the aj;»o«tles yet nnderstood that tlie Gentile* were to be called ;" could not be wheth*>r they wrre topreach the iprospel to the Gentiles. Ot Ibis, they conld not be, oor w«re tbey ignotant. " It in worthy of remaik, ihal the only S'rnpie which Heter waid wa» icniov»d trom hiii mind by this vimon, was thai of ** keepini; company with those of another nation ;" which was in perfect unit*on with the namie of the vision (Nee verses 11, 1G. and 28, 29 ) Th« xame chart 6 was broniiht agamst biin by the circunirii?in." (ch. xi. 3.) it W3» not ignorance, theietor<>, but prejndice whicli w** removed by thia itiaion. This prejudice was common to all the Jews; eiiist«d a long I mr afii-r this ; and caused HetT, after thi*, with o'her Jews, to" dissemble ;" and Pawl to vvithctand him to bis face, becaose be was to be bUmrd." (Gal. ii. 11,13.) _ , , ^ . ,# . , ..:,,. .,...,,. , 't > ■..>,../..••;«•'>"• Itkhonld not he forgotten, that this was the opening of a new dispensation of the Covenant of gr»ce, ihn ppcnU«r glory of wtich was that the G^niika were to have an nnlimited lender of its blessings. The g^orioit* sound of salvation through Christ whs under this dispennaiion to reach th** ears uf " every crea> tnTO."' And are we to suppose that it would difft-r so wiib'iy from the other disT'-ensations of the same covenant, at the openme of which those who were partipularly >nterest<'d woreso cNaily «pecifi«>d, (Gen. avii. Deut. v, /k*-.) as that the Gentiles w nid not he once m> ntinned when it was opened by thos« who *' were all fill«d with the Holy Ghost ?" If th«»y are not mentioned, however, in that passage »>n which you have pivfn us what I consider a lather frie*d romment, they are not mcuiioned at itll ; and this I think amonnts to a Mrone p.-csMmplicn, were w<> in pui4M«>itsinn of no other evidence, that yotir id<>as are not correct. It is grnerally supposed that infi'.iite wisdom m^de ch.Ncr of thp day of Feutrcost, as a proper time to ou(>n this glorious dispensa- tion, that tlie ixws migiii be carried into the different parts ot (lie earth Irom which ihe p«'0(!e w^ore collected ; (hat iliey luieht on their return betome the liai binders of ihe gospel, and pr*-pare the way ot those v>hohad to preach it ; and it is as peneially nnptoscd, (hatchuiclieh w«>re actually planted in difierent *aitiitiies h\ tlio^e wlio were coiivrrft! on tlecay ot Peiiiecoft; andespecaliy at r^omf : »Li<-h Mr. Markwight snppni-es to be *' one ot the first planted Gentile rhurcheN'(ch hv. 23. xi. 13; in the woild; and in ghthave been planted by ** tho^e «ho bfard i'pter tu the day of FenK'tost ; and who were coDveited by him ; a« among tliem Mirangets of Rome are mentioned. (Acts ii. 10. 41.)* See Aluckwight's, and Ur. A. Clarke's, pre.'acis to tli«e):istle totl|B Uoma^S is •' -m. It ii « inatly r<>ni^rk«b1e and ijraUfyinc, lh«l^tlieiie snppniiltiont are eonflrmed by tho very pUcas (iir>iit)(iii<>J !)y (li>* Bvaonrfiist in the Art* of tilt ApoMl^t.; being mentioned by r«rt«illiaa in hi* ac'oujt of tb« fprnad of th<> fo»pel in thnteetrlv tiDM. Sfo'Mlr. PriUief** '{I'tttrictl Col1#etinnii," an quot«>d io the M«th. Maf(. for I83t, p. 69) If the strange rt collected from Europ« AMaand Africa at \h\n time at Jftn^alem, an nomff sopposa Qwing to Uaoi^'rv seventy WRrlm haviuir enpired, an I ihe ift^Mah bi^in^ exneeied, (Sen Coke an^ Henry on lh4i paNn^se) Wfre to lie ihe harhincersof ilie ijosp**! io thfir diffvieot countries, init probittle tb«t they wonUi be left ifnordot of the design of Ood to send It to the h-atben anonic wlitm they resided ? I* it uot nnch nor* probable that to let every on»knt«r th»t it wa* bis duty to further the i;o»p«ly d to shew the Jews that they need not despair, for that the gospel under th«, new dispeusation wontd be pr arhed even to the Genlilen^ >t. Peter was Ie4 to make this declaiaiion : *' The promise in unto you and to your children, aad to all that are afar oft evpo an manv a« the Lord yonr God shall call"— 'bf the prearhiiig ot hit> iion pel ."—Again, when the apuntl^npeaksof " the promise" *' of the Holy Ghost," which wan tor the healing uf the dintMse of tlie 8onl,ia it the more probable that he wontd speak of the distance of the body Irom J*^ta* salem in consequence of tli«'ir being scattered in foreign coontries," as yott, inppose, or of the distance of the soul ** frvmGiid" in consequence of siat^ When the aponilen are speaking ot spiritnal bleiisiogs under the cosnel dispea-t' sfttion«tbey are not iif the habit of limiting their opeiaiiopn by tbe distance of ''the Jews" from Jeiu«alem; but of extending them to all mankind, who need them in cousfqneoee of their distance from Oud. When St. FanI coogiata*. lated the Kihenians, who had he* n'* sealed with this Spirit of proniie." h» a(idre!4!>e» them in the toilowmg langnaiee: *' Bui now in Christ J<-sn*,ie who ' •oineiimeci were tar off are made nigh by the iitood of Chust/' (ch li. 13 ) and I Bii^t have nom* mo«e powei fill reaiton than your barr ai»»>eriion will nitpply^ foraiiderMaiidiut; lb- pannage nu'Wr consideration in anv other sense. When the apontles Apakeof th tse who were ** a'aj oflT'as dioiineuiHhi'd trnm ih** Jews which it ilie case with Fet«^r on tbe day of prnieconi, 0<*' *" ba'i already addre*8fd ihej*wn) ibey mst therein as of favour onl> ; but wbo^ wbeu Christ bad " broken down the middle wail of partittob between" tiK'm and the J»'WH, weie iiuw * maden^kh by the blood of Christ/' (Epb. ii. 12.18.) anii (ouid rlamiau ii«iere»t tiieiein asof riibt »■■'..• Let us now luppone whtt is not true, «iz that all those great men whose names you have given ns, bad given up ihm laiwag^ uudtr tbe iii6ueiice of tboiie ideas wb.cb you enieciaiuot .t, >o what would ibiH amount; seeing that ^i^eo a IS properly ondeiniood, ii turniKliex ho powerlul an argument io ^avoor •fintant bapti»ro,a« Dr. Duddndg*- confesses? Because be supposed the K 74 % « Mnrilfvlnif Infln^neon of the S'i«lr!l mnut li«ve l.een rrcf IvfH, 1o prf par*- thrn for Mitfriin 'mo the chnrrh bybaptlum," lie MippeMeil iliat "il»e promije" was that of th-* extrattrdinarv InfliipnceR of th« Spirit. Will yon believe that these Infliiocen had bemslven before repoiitanre? St. Peter exhorted the Jew» (o *♦ repent and be taptieed for the rerrls«lonof sins ;" which prov«'« that thfse inflifDreo had not been given; and '♦t. Peter's ** promise," an we have neen, referred to ihfse influences ; and therefore we liave to take np the other of Dr. DoddrM«e*fi commpnn : (for he ha» given m two)—" Bnt, if thp promise be Interpreted an refer rini; to a remoter rlau<«e, the forglveneM of their sinp, thin whole verR«> mnnt be taken in a greater latilnd", an rerening to the enronrae^'ment wl>ich all fntnre converts, and their rhildri^n, had to ext*ort the benefiin of ibe goipel : In which view, I think it wonid much famur infant baptUm ;a" manv writers on the snbject have largely whown ' (Fam. Expos, on Ai^t"li.80) Whether Dr. Hammond hsH given np this pasnage in anv other work, I cannot Riiv, but he ha» not in either his paranhrase or his annotations on the verse : and as he has said nothinir of children, either Jewish or christian, and says ;" The snrest wav wMlbe, not to define of either, fihe ordinary or •jrtraord''nary inflnencesof the Spirit,) as toexrinde the other, bnt to compre* hrnd both nn«ter this rhra«e." I cannot see any reason for his riving it np, and am certain that ho ennid not give it np as yon say : becanse, <*wedo not read of God's railing infants by bis grace, and leading them to prophecy ;" for he does not confine the promise- as yon have done, to th« se in6nences of the Spirit. I wHI now give yon a reason for my scepticism on the snbject of Mr. Jadson's qnotations, in a quotation from Whitsins, who Mr J. has led yi'Dt o assert has given up this parage, snd which qnotation makes me, as I believ* it woald von in the sansf circnmstances, sincerely wish that I conid follow him closely tlirnneh all his either real or pretended resf^arches. 1 want many of the works, however, to which he refers. ., ,; , „.. /' r<>ter snpplle* IIS," says this *< C('lebrafef|''anthor, with another argnment, Actsii 38.39 Where the apostle argues thus: They to whom the promise of grace was made, are to be baptized, we subsume ; bnt the promise of grace waH made not only to pennts.bMt also to their children: it therefore follows, that not only parents, but also their cbild:enare to be baptiied : both propo* siiious are theapostle Peter's. Now the whole difficulty consists in this • Wtioare we htre to underHtand by the children, who partake of the promise of grace; whether adults only aclnatly called, who arc making a profession oi' their faith, or aUo younger children and infants ? The orthodox justly affirm the last : not onlv because mention simply Is nidde of children, without dis tine lion ot »ce ; ttnt also because God expressly promised to Abraham, to be the Gud of hiH seed, which he applies to ao infant eight days old. Gen xvii. 7, i'i We add, that C-irist permitted little children to come to bim, laid hii* bands upon th»'m, and declared, that of such was th« kingdom oi heaven, Matth. kvt. 1^. lb. Bui whom Matthew calls punfta, little children, Luke 75 (chap, xviii. IH,) calls 6ref)he, infant! ; which word, •eeording to Eoitathlw, prap* rt> 8)gi>ifi«» a new bain chud ai the breast. Hence also l*eierka>s, es uriiKenetit hrefthe, an new born babes, I Pe t. ii. S. And here it appears we are* . by all means, (o keep to the proprieiy <»f the terms, both in the noan brepktf nn) ihf v^^rti, itro^iihenitit when it is said, pronphtrein de auto to brephe^ aud they bii>iii(hi untj him al«o inlauts, lliry appear to have beirn carried in aima- It is ttieteiortf cviJfiit, that toindtnli aUo are made the promises of giace aud 8it vaiion." (Econ. Cov. U. iv. cxvi.)- I Irave yon lo di»iue what conid lead Ml JikIhoii to plac^ Whiisiiis among those who have given np this passage* I Imv*^ hitherto proceeded on the ground which you have assumed, «ii tba^ , " th>' promise" of Heter is (hat whirb be quoted from Joel to prove that the. elfiixfoii ot ihe S^iirit, which (he Jewn attributed to *' new wine,' was in reality what had been profiienied of by Joel. He qnoteJ that prophecy, not for the encouraKeinent of tlie distressed Jews, but to disprove the asperaioiis of the uii!)el>evers. /\nd I am fully persuaded that thi» wan not the promise to which he referred. Thi5 I ihiuk Is evident from Ihe proceeding* of holh pro(>hets and a,>08ile9, when they wished to encourage either Jew« or Gentiles* 111 tlie«e casei* they did not refer to ihe promise by Joel, but to that of God 'o AlMdhaiu, when h* erttabltsheU bi'« covenant with htm and his ** aeetl after hun 111 then geueiation», furaneveila<»tingcovenaut,to be unto them aOod;" and promised that in h«s'* seed shoiiia all the nations of th« eanh bo blessed.* The Jews had no doubt been taught to look npon this, as einphiitically *Uha itwitUe." When the covenant wast fust made with Abraium, the father of l!ie faithful, it was given. When this «'ovenant was renewed under the ol)i of the Sinai law, this promise was repeated. (Deut. xxis, 12, n ) Whenever any special promise was made, it was always considered a implied in ibiH, and this waH referred to as containing the si.m total of of both temporal and spiritual blesHings. (Exod. id 6. 15, Itt^and vi 7,8.) When Z.u-liar«a9prophe!iied of the coming of Christ, and the glory that should follow under the enspel dLspensation, he quoted this promise «s containing the promise of the whole (Luke 1. 67,75) and lo ihi» he was imitated by the apostles They quote i( aa containing tbe promise of" remission of sins," (A^ts iii.25. 26.^ 'Mhe pioinise of the Spirit through faith, '(Gal. iii. 14.) and all necessary " stroiii; consolation :" (Heb. vi. 13, 18.) aud by our Saviour and St. Paul it is lefprrod to, in conliiting the Saiiiiucees aud unbelieving Jews, an containing the promise ot <-ternal life(iMatt. xxii. 31,32^ At ts XKvi. G) It ih referred to by Pau| as containing tbe promise of tlie reunection of Christ, aud itsatteodant bless- ingi ; (Acts xiii. 82,41.) and is used in the emphatic sense for which I here ffoiiiend. (Rom ix. 8, and Gal. iii. 20.) "The children of the promise are counted for the need ;"—'* and heirs accoidiug to the promise." L<-tnsnow refer to what may be called St. Peter's use of th!s promise, when he wUhed to excite his countrymen to* repent" and se-k the" renissionof nns,'* as in the P%::sage aader consideration. This ho did by sayiug ; " Ye are the children of '■Tl (be f rofli'lk, tnd oftli» rovrnmit vbWh God mid* vhb onr fiUiHi, ••yii)| Qiitn Ahrtbtn*, '* anfl inlli>-ftftH ■liall»|| th« nitioDit of ilie cartb br bleuMd.** " Vtitt yrii flrnt God.hafirt ra urd O)' liis Xon Jftnn, unit bim to I'losk yon, in tnrnlnff away f very tie of yon fruoi bit iuiqiiilipi." (Art* iii. 10, and 25, 86.) Tbia prutntiie ii o^^lrrted in i>refe rnee to «ll othem which th« Old Tentamenf contained ; as in evident foiin vrrsei 21 21 ; in whi' b the apoiile r*>ferii to al| tbftthadb^en ^a'd lif all the prophet* frnin Moves to tbecoaiiny of Christ* llie ea4« a h'>r^ ate •>sa tlv paraltfl. Ihe »aine si*f>i>kfr U exbonins to tba •ame dntien, fnr ibe nani^rnd, at)d i* sreakipf to the Rame people ; and bad juef be docM not refer to the pr<>aai4«> of Joel or of any othfr prophet, hnt to thst of God to Abraham : '* And in tl>y s#ed shall all the nations of the eai'h be blesned'* wh*ch is evactly r>aral*«l with, '* The uromise fs nn>o yon and >onr children* and all ihai are afar off." Tb<>re was a piO) Mpost<<> had charged the Je«s with **den>iog and deliverinp; ni^to berrnnfied, d ihMi nm ds, was it i.it lainia' for them to snppose that they bad toifeitid t\>t both fli'mUi>!)and their children, ill intertxt in the covenant inad«> with Ahiaham, and in iliai |>irmi»e which rontainrd all Ihev cunid need ? And in thii* iiiH^nce wan it not ceiiain il} had cmofivd, altuu'ion ih(iaii? This was evitimtiy the «ase wih the disliessed J« wi on the dcrion aezpdiheii raiudfl that t'lev hai *' by wirlced hands rnictfied and slane,"of wbwin David prophesied they cried ; *' Men and hre. tbr* n what s>'all we do?" an eKclamalion which indicates the depth ot their coniernand perplexii>, and ceriaiiily aiear that the> had forfeited iheir title to ibone bit 8»iuK'< which God b^d covenanted to them and liter ibildrt^n. aa tbi- seed ot AbiahAm. In thia state otmind what cooid be more proper than lot Peter to ad(ir«sii iliem in covenant lanf^itaite, and lell them, that if they ccAupiied wHb the if^uisitious ot ibe coveuaui* under ibis new dispensation, V -.fftftn *'thet Daniel, sieaklng of th*-|rieat reltiimation whirh ohould take place dm Hg ibohe »e\eii }(ai*<, 'ii th n>Mli>i i'lwhi«b ifie M M I . Pond, ** ha» ears,be Kliali roifiun or accoidinf to the iiiipma) Heltrew, make strong^ or r^nohoraie- witi nanv Itaii^ai 'kiu ht- preiiictioif that itwasthe covenant with Abiahan*, wlxcb vas r«nfiriieu will, tlton*- innliitndes, who were added to (he disri| If h «n the amy of P«>itiecooi, and in the fiist sueceedifif yeaib ot lite )rDsaiiin. Ihe Mfvhah ei.n»tiotuled ibe covenant with Abraham, inii'ead of tffWr'^iN/r it." For tniiher proofs of this, set tltf ^erds ei Maty, Lokc 1. 64, i6 j and those ol Zacbai las, verses 70, 76. ■ ' ' • li— M-j « 4' ■<.-*■-■ ib«ir lini itanalJ h« rcmltlH : ** Pur thw promUe w»ii(ttU1) tpwards both tli«« tnd their rhtMr#>D," as it had ever been ? In a siniilar way he rneouraged those •Irrady alluded to, by a reprtition of ** ihf pronilie," and a refereoee to the eovritaot. Hut thU proini*e was frequently relerr ed to, as cnnlaininf the protniie of " tb- remi«Hton of Kins/' Wf havr already seen. The promitte from JoH, as qiinted bv l»ct»»i, wns qiiolcd onlv a^ applyInK to the extraordinary uiflii«nce» of ih^ Mnint, «nd ntrnnrs^ vrun innptUrable to their case, as it waa nor thesp, but the*' ienii«Ainn nfu'wn*' tlmt thov waired, and a« St. Peter referred to amp pnrpoAP, as ritiHtetl m ili*> very next cha;)ler, I tbinli thee are iO'UsMntahle noofs that the uromise was lliat in which St. Panl telle a»'' the (oxpel wat urf>arhe(l to Alirahaai.'* (Oat lii. 8.) In one case, llie pro* ffliie is tti " \ b< a'lam and lii* seed ;" in the other it is to the children of Abraham <*snil ilii>ir childieii," wh tUer leart trum iho ^ra-tice of bis prt-decessois, and cotemporaries, by inaliiug use of any other lauKnage than that in which tbe covenant had always b'en i>ro^ounded to tbe ciiilUien of ibrabam, and was so frequently repeated Slid refeirnd lo, boib by biiniitiif atid ottaer*, as conianing ail (hn blessings of the gospel i l\ is certainly liie inoitt reaHonable as well as the most scriptural, to jiii)|-o»e, ihat at the opening of a new dinpensaiion of ** the gospel, which was preaoiif ihiougb JtMU Cbi i!r tlu-f." The reKomblance between. llies*' two hen in these two things; 1. Each stands connected with an ordinance, by which perftons were to be admitted into church fellowship; the one by circmiictHion,tbe other by baptism. 2. Both 4gree in phraseology,tbe one is *'io thee and to thy seed" the other is, "to you and your children." Now evny one knows that the word seed means children: and that tbe word children means seed ; Hid that they are precisely tbe same. From these two stronsly n>s«-mbliiig featares, vie. tbetr cenitnxion with a similar ordinance, and the »aioenc»s,ef tbe ' I 78 ♦ phrttteology, I iufer, (h»t ilie sul'Jerti ai« tlie aame. And ti it U certain that parrnuaud infanii w«re iatenJed by ibtone; it must be equally ceitaiii tbat both ar<> intended by the oiber. **%. ThfMoteia wbicb ibtf speaker mu»t liava iintleritood ibetrnienee ta queatioo. The promise is, to yon and to your children. '* In order ta know tfaio, w« munt cous der wbo ihr speaker w:i», and from what source be received liis religions kiiowMf^p. (And ibai be bad m rei^ri nee bcre to the promiite of God to Abraham, as ha» be»n pio^ed.) Tb« Apostle, it ia evident, was a Jew, and broDitht up in the Jewish cburcli. He kn«'W ibe practice of that church, with respect to ibose wlio wete admitted lo bf iis nembers. He knew, thit he bims'lf bad been a'iniitted lu inUucy, anu ibat 'l was Ike oidiuary practice of the church lo admit luiauts to lunnbfisbip. And hr bkewise knew, ibat in ibis they acted on me au(b'>tity ut iliitt plaie, where God promises to Abiabam, '* to be a dod unio bmi, and lo li s orfU.'* Now if the Apostle knew all this, in what sense CwUld be uuticrsiaud ilie ivnii cbildren,as dislinguisbed from tlieir partsnts i I have said, liai ttknu cliiidteo, and 9/;ffrma sevd, mean the same ibing. AuJ ai ihu Apusile welt Kut'W that the term seed intended infants, though not mere iniautH amy ; and liiat infants were circumcisted, and received into Ibe cburili, as ijeiLg ibr sted ; what else could he understand by tbe term children, wbm nicntioned with tbe parents? Tbone who will ha«e ibe Apostle to m»'an, by the term cbildri'u, adult posterity only, have this iufeliciiy atieudtig ibeui, thai ibey understand the term differently fiora all oiImt men ; and tbiK athuidity, that they attribute to the apostle a sense of the woid, wnicb to bim must bave been tbe most unfamiliar and iorced. And, tbereioie, tbat '•euse ot the wnid for wbirh ibey ::ontend, is ibe most unlikely of all to be the true one ; bfi* vu^e it IS utterly improbable that a psrsou should use a word lu ibat sense wtiich to biot end all tbe world besides, was altogether uufaiailiai ' (And esiec.aliy as be has uoi added a word by way of oxplauattou, to lead bis b«arei» tu any other sense iKah that in which ibe.y bad all bt«u lu the habit of uudtistaudmg *' 3, In what sense bis bearers must huve understood bim when be said * Tbe promise is untu you, and to your cluiditn." " Tbe cuotexl iu'orms us, that many of St. I»et«r's heart is, p . be himhclf was, wereJuWd. They bad bet'n accnstonied for many bundled yt-ais tu receive iofauisby ciicumciMou— iutu the cburcb ;aud ibis luey did as Uetuie observed, bvcuuse GuJ bad pioroised to be a Gud to Abraham, and to bis seed, 'ibey Lad underbtood (Lis piomist-, lo iman pareutsitud ibeir in ant ofl^^iing ; and this idea btd become famdiar by tbf praditf^ uf many ctnlunrs. What tbeu mii6t bave been (heir view;), vibcu one oflbeir ovin conironnity say.« to theai, **'liie promise is uuto yon, and to your children ?*' If their prHCtice of rereiv- int' iuUiiis Mus founded on a promise exactly similar, as it certainly was, bow could they possibly understand bim, bi.t as meaulugthe same ibmg, since lie n \ 4 liirnnH' iiMcf thr «aini> mo 1<* nf^jx^^ch ? Tliis mint have bflnn the cano, «q1«m ^r A'Imit ibio nl>Kiirme -Dr O'ddrid^e having Mated timiiar objeelionii and com* nif'ittH to tho»- which von have advuncrd. proceeds : " Thonfh I ahnnid rather tliink ItrtHp/fer'antlonnfSt. Peter) Hicnifipi, " to (hone «mnnn the QAntUea wbiHi ultaU he rmtverted %% well an to yon." It In aI«o to b« contiderej, what Interitr^ration a ,hw woiiM natiirnlly pi«t on thene words "—That in th« wordg on which Rdwardr infant baptism?"— An Mr. Huie in opposition to Mr. M*Lcan,ha8 observed : ' If the promise being to the bearers be a rea.ruiittiug to be ')aptized,it must also be a reason for btipiiaiiii; ih« rbiUien, siuce the promi-itf ' I i s . '''J' ri ■1 ■t, U eqiially to both ; iind tlii« U in«tiied." \1^orks. vol. <. p.66. ' ^ •■■' " ' We shonld not forfet thit this, as von have allowed, U the lanen^i^e of CBeotiragement. Ili^ promise being made to the children as w>'ll as the parents, is here a^isicned as a reason why the pRr<>nts shonld repent of iheir sins, aoft be 6Nptiti>d, ih<«t is, why ihey should continue interested in the covenant made with AbrHh^m under the new di«pen<(alion. Now had it been St.Petier'sd«aid ; ** llepcut aud be baptized every one oJF 3 on in the name o( Jf^us Christ, lor the proiuiie is to yon.*' Insteadoftbis, however, he add I esses thfm in C'Veniint language, as I hop* has tieen proved i aud by including the children, a» ihe Almighty at first, and every one ahetwaidk,had don*', he shews that the same covenant continued ; and that their interest in it, an well as that ot their children, was just the same as it bad ever been. Thus encouraging them, h>> falls in with their known Vltws and fieiiniiS, and auticii>ates all the objections which they might have raised,if he had merely ronfimd his answei to th<>mselves, which would have l^f en a constant and proiiaiily an insnperahl* ohj«>ction to their r ceiving the gospel. In this he also proceeds, AS the Almiithty bad ever proceeded in uM his covenant dealtngH with nmrkiiid,via. included (he children with the parents. Allow me now to ask, did you and your brethren *-ver assiirn as a reason for adults to **ie}>enr an«t be baptized :".-** Tlie promise is onto you and your children, and nnio all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call?" Whai could Peicr (ostilily me-^n by thi* declaration, but that the covenant under the new diHpensation oflered its bitssings to all its former snhjects, aid was a^o to be »i freely offered to (be G*'ntile> ? I shall clo6« this Letter wiih (he following citation from the comincDt of Mr. Henry on this, disputed psssane : - " Your children shall still have, as they have had,sn interfrst in the covenant^ and a title to the exieinal seal ol it. Come over to Ci.nst to receive those inestraawle bei>elii!« i tor iht- prumi«e of the leinntsion of sins, and the gilt of the Holy Ghi>»t is loyoa and your (hildreu. (ver. 39.) It is very express, Isaiah xliv. 3. *' I Mill pour my S|iiiit upon thy seed." And Isninh lix. 21. ** My spirit and mv wuid HliaM not dart from (by seed, and thy seed's seed." When God took Miniliam imo civenant he <«aiil,** I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed,*? Gen. xvii 7 U'i arcoidinKly evtry Israelite had his f^on ciicnincified at eight d4>s old ; noji it t* noper tor an Israelite, whm he is by baptism to come iott^ « new' ili«|»vn«atiou of this coveuaut, to ask, what lauil be done writk my chl^ 81 irtn i BinAt they be tbrowa oat or taken in with me ? Tektn Ip, (leltli Peter) by ill means ; for the premise, that ffreet promise of God's beloK to yon e Ged, is as much to yon and to your children now as it ever was — Tboafb th« promise is still eatended to your children, as it has been, yet it Is not, as it haa been, confined to yon and them, but the benefit of it is designed for ell IJbet art Jar of we may add and their cAtMrea, for the blessing of Abraham comes npoB tbe Gentiles, throngh Jesns Christ : Gal. ill. 14." That we " and onr cbiMreB" may largely partake of ** the bleBsing** to which we are mercifally entitled ** tbrooih Jesns Chrtet," is the sincere prayer of, Dear Mr, . kI.^v Yonr'svery afiectienately, GEORGE JACKSON. . 1 ;.*. •.A *'M.<^vi9i t*-4> >»•(> ill '• » Ui •*! If '..♦■♦fc-,: ^fHf* V' ;>,%,■ ,»■ li fH 'H' r* ft n • • ( . V -♦■ .«■.•{ '" t , |...»» iii ■'•I J ». n »»;•<»> » ^ li*'t (i ■ ■•)* •1. t •j1W(Kf| H,' *!■;.»•' »»!' 1, r I e '^ V .1 , ' »> 'OlJl f ,1! a « :\ ' ' i f^iV t>» i'Vu ji) »A • • •f j."»f*TT* ■;;« , ,v,''-"t:fM i.ri!' t I » -■ffi -rf'tt' V* ttf '■'* l"^'" f .1 'R < ■»/•■ •« * 1', 'u- ;Tft. iJ-'^ii T'/H ,l'l <■». . /<• ;!!,'. ■>"-' ->< 1|M ■«<' < •«•^ I «.»' .'t' f; ! u'y " 'i? >hrt 'H'ji- "r • I M .» ).. , -,i»»r'! / •» * '.(!;••> Til H ■••;i|A J* '> " h It t .M' I ■! t«H"-i » .4 1 , , I . I I* , • '• • I -:« fi. -f h; ■ i .fl ■'■'1 f I ' I •» « .U • 'p«-»-« 'im 4>'>* '/'' w .»« .♦<*! V.» »f I't- ■*'»' nn.fcgi';.. t«fr ■1 (*== .8 i'^lfitai ,8 .j^t« k, i.t ^^^»^lJ *!«»;• •J* l«u ??•"*'» ^ n)ff«» Mf.'v ^ *ain<«*.»|? ft, $2 m Iff • .••An 14. ;ui » .' li t »1- "♦til -J •' »»i I I. I U >. ». lkt].ti f) m I III *, ;»n ^. ■' ■' .^> -i*" .i'f /';. ^„' LETTER IV. • J -J .--i' •» ;h to expect, on the supposition that our ideas are true. In accounts of tlic immeditite and unexpected baptism of rouititudes, where (heir infants could not reaHouably be expected to be preseul, and where the histoiian spealts oiil> of the immediate effects of the preacbinf of tbe gosvel, we of course ieaour par(icular attention.— As I have Btade no pretentious to infallihiliiy,! am under no temptations for tbe sr tie of conH'iiienc> to deny, that a* tw the i umher of these, 1 was originally mistitlien. This mistaXe you very pro|erly rorreri, and aH ibougb yon were desirous ol keeping me in cuuniename, iu>'.cioiiniabty ri\, witat I auist atia'ii lepeat ; " Th .t it is rather inipro* bable that there Hhi>ul>' not liave be^u inia>.ts in some of them." You reply; " Bat we have a similar ra<'e in the Old TeKiament : there were four honseholdi io tke aril and yet but eight persons.'' This Dear Sir is also a mistake. Then 85 was only one attd that consisted of Notb, **mi bis lont, and his wir«,Md Vk'. »0M»'wlvi8.''(Gen. vi. 18.) And when they were called Into the ark, •* Iha- Lord said unto Noah, cone tboii and all thy house into the ark." (ch. vii. 1.) You never read of the houtthold ot either Sliem, Hain, or Japheth; andaa the Lord railed the iiihabitao^sof the ark Noah and his boose, it had been better If yon it»duotmad«tbeni iDio<«/9ur." As you have mentioned this circomstaneo however, I will make a remark or two upon it. First, It appean It is a commoa, luy it in by far the most comnon case for the Almighty and the insf>ir6d writers, by a roan aud liis house to mean, a niai and his ehUdm. SeeoMHy,' ia hII iiis covenants with true believers (and this ag:reenient is said to beom of ibeiu,cb. vi. 18.) he never appears to h^ve lost sight of tbeir cbildrtn. Tlies* ibings may be profitably kept in view, and connected with the foAowing^ remarlLS on the households baptized by the apostles. Suppositions iad vomiD. nis, and additions to the text, conntiiute the whole of your strength on this subject ; and tb'?y may very prup^-rly be opposed by the comments of others. The tollowing is from Mr. Edwards' «iorli| and possesses ia my humbia opioion intrinsic worth : . -^ ' ^ < •' •< • >< ''i* r. .; ;. .* .j " The instances of this kind are three : The family of Lydia, Acts avi. 15 ; thefamily of the j 'tiler, Acts xvi. 31. and that of 8tephanu!«, 1. Cor. i. 16. The cane of the Jailer is thus dencnbid : " Aud he toakthem the same hour of the Dii{bi, and waithed their strip i«, and was baptized h« au>« all his, straitway. Ad4 wbcu he had brought th«m into his bouse, he -et meat before ibein, and lejuced, beite VI ug in God, With ait hitt house, regultiiUMto ^uaei/ti prpuleuhn to Tkeeti He tejoiced domesitcally, believing ill God; i.e. he, believing in God, rejie»sed by tilt phrase, *'ali ain, or allot his," it explains the K^iui Oifcos, boust'hotd or family, which is used lu ilie two other iu»uiictiHi no theu, to baptize a man's bounebold, is to baptize alibis. A'hit iUdy serve as a pattern at primitive piaciice -be aud alibis weie baptized. But whether ail believed, or <(v«ie capable of believing, is not said ; uu mention liviug madt of any oue'e taiih but liitovro. And though I do nut couHider this historic account as having lorte snoughof itself to eviuce the baptism uf inlauts, yet there are iwu cousidera* tionii which give it weight ou that side. "1, IiH agreement with that practice, in wuich we are sure iiirants were iocluded : I mean tf:e uractice of Ahiaham, aid the Jew*, with respect to circnmcision. This agreement may be considered, 1, In the principle which hd to the practice. Cirrnmcisiou was founded on this promise of God, ** I will be a God unto thee, and to thy seed." Baptism precreds on this, that the piomise is to yen and to your children. And in this tb»y are both aUke. 2, In (lie prsctice itself. When Abraham received circumcision, his household were circumcised with him : so the jailer; when he was baptised, all his wera b*r!ixQd likewise. Now when %i« discern two cases ahke in principle and ; , i 84 f raetlM, and are rare that infiuits were InelndeJ fn the one, we then very aatorallv are led to conclade, that infants mnit be intended iu tbe other. ** 2, Its concordance with the hypothesis of infant baptism. Such accounts as th^'se, have a favonrable aspect on tbe sentiments of Poedobaptista ; becaoke leottbe N. T.*' as well as "in tbe most approved and piieht Creek writers," tbe pronoun "is frequently redundant." See raikhnTM iindei ibe word Avto$ It in also justified by the consideration, that the at oHtles would rertainly rot confine their inHlroctions to the meDibers of the jailer's tamiiy, when tbey could preach also to their fellow lulsoners. 1^ 85 Ae 34lli vcrst Ibe vierd •ifcoi, house, mentu « all bis," tbat is, ilte jailer's fMiiily. The SSd verse appears to sepaiate the apoMl«s fiom their hearers, aotl to confine the baptiziog to the jailer and bis ramiljr : *' And he took them th« saone itonr of the uigbt, and washed their stripes ; and was baptiicd, he aud all hu ftiraiiway." As the common tianslatiuu of thi» |>aitsage isiuctssautly uijed, tliungh the im))ropriety of its repetition has been ho (ret]ueotly evinced as a proof that the whole of the jailerV family ** believed" and '' rejoiced," 1 must be cxrnHed giving yon a quotation containing ibe con^mtnls of Dr. Giii&eand Mr. Henry on this passage. '* Dr. G., in a note upon the place, ohHcrveK ; That it is evident that the words E^alliusit* peptstuuxo$ (he having believf d rejoiced) eiprestfe'i his own only, and not bin familv's faith and joy, AiiJarcoididg to Mr HenryV obHervation,tbHt it may be read, He believing inGud, rejoiced all ihs honse over. (Panoiki) He went to every apartment expressing bis joy." See Mnuro's Treatise on Baptism, p. p. 185, 180. Mr. Pond in reply to Mr. J ndHon, confirms these translations in an appeal to Mr. J : **The Jailer, it is said, rejoiced, believing in God, with nil kii Aovse." (p. 16.)— If there is an amhignity in this English phra'te, there is none iu tha original. It i% there positively determined, and Mr. J. knows it, that the faith and joy which are here expressed, can refer to the jailer only." p. 119.— I tbink that some light may be also cast on this subject by a consideration of the promise of the apostles: "Believe on the Lord Jesos Christ, and thou kbalt he saved, and thy honse."(v. 31.) H^re the apostles promise salvation to the jailer's '* !ion8e,"as wi>ll rs himselt on condition of his own personal faiih. Conid they have done this in any sense if thny had been adults i each would have had to believe for himself, yourself being Jiidg»'. There are three passages of scripture which I think will explain this promise ; and whick will ithew when properly considered, that there was a senKP, iu whiih baptism MAS contideredas havioga part in the salvation of the first chrlsiians and their families. The apostle Paul oays ; '* According lo h;s mercy be saved us, by the washlug of regeneratieu, and the renewing ot the Holy Ghost '* (Ttt. iii. 5.) St. Peter speaks of baptism as now saving us, (when accompanied by the au.swer of a good conscience) as Noabaiid hin family were saved in the >irk : and he makes the salvation of Noah and \m family an a^tiiype of our salvation by baptism. It therefore ccrtaiidy sf<>in« the most natural to sap* posp that a,s A^ouA and ikis/amt/y were )>aved in the ark, so a believer and his iiuuse or family were considered as being saved by baptism : that is, faith brought •' the answer of a good conscienre" to the adnlts, oy which they were ^'•ived from sill, and consequently fioin wratli; heranse they obtained "the renewing of the Holy Ghost :" and bnptism, like its prpcnrxor circumcision, bro^i^ht them into the church, and ih«ir households also : and by thl« they were saved from idolatry, and eiililled to tYc^tiuction In the plan of nalvatioM. Ho that, as hpii»i; in ibe aik was ib» means prt'sciibrd by the AtmiKhty for the <*lvaiion of ,\o(tli md his fiimthj, no being in lb*- rhurcb was the means pre- w 1 ■' i. 'K . > 1 • i 85 n •cribrd for the MWallon rfa bellevei nod "u\\ IiW (f^om.I. Petrr,iii. Jl, Acltxvi. 81.) In eonforinity wiib tbe«e ideas, u bait been nhewo, the i«anie apoatle on tbe day of Pentrcoat dfclar^d ; " th« proniito is onto you, and to yoor cbililrirn :" and on this ** promise" be fonadeil rbrUtian boptism. Ex« I aetly parallel, in my estimnfion, is the promise in the text unto this Opniileand ** ftll bis :** " Believe ou the Lord Jeans Cbriat, and tho» shalt bn saved, and thy boose." For** the blessing of Abraham came (also) on the Gentiles tttrougbJesQs Christ ;" and, ir that which ia hero emphatically deoominatrd *< the promise," it was declaied, that 'Mn bia set-d aliould all the fimilies of '. the earth be blessed." I think we have here arrived at a aenae in which a ' beKever and his family were said to be sa^ed by faith on the part of (he adult, ami baptism as adminiatered to all. This aalvaiion agreea best w:«h the ■ dechiration or answer of the apoatles as it was made 00 condition of the faith of the jailer alone, and the promise contained in this anawer being falfilled in the baptism of the jailer" and all bis straitway," constituted the subject of hi«joy,aud,a8Edwarda translatea the passagf, *^ He rejoiced domestically, beKeviog in Cod ; i. e. be, believing in God, rejoice I over bis family." You have rather :iofortnnatf ly strengthened Mr. E's. comment in the abova I remarks. You observe ; " We do not read that Paul bad made any cenvrrta at Philppi, but the family of the jailer, and tbatof L>dia." (p. 8.) Supposing the apostles to have been Antipaid*»buplUts, is it not a litt le strange llMt according to your own idvaa, the only persons who apprar to have be«u baptized, abould have b<>eo two beli«vtra and their houst* hold^ ? Is it yonr prHctice, or that of your oppoiienta to baptise bousKliolda ^ You will not meet with many circumstances of this natuie in my opinion, in ** a brief hi'^iory" of (he aiiti^iffidobapiiat'' churches" for the abort*' spare of tbiity yrars," and muib l^sa for ilie few weriiti wbieb the itpoytl<;s appear to iiave spent at Pbiiippi inor will you meet wiib many aucb ciicumttlancts in " the Journal* ofntodern" BaptiNi *' Misbionariea." How many families baa Mr. Jodaon baptized, t'itht>r in ihe" water tank" in the prison yard in Calcutta, or any oilifr waiei, MMie '* he vtah ul)lig.aiiuiii, iikt^ lite biaih to (licir cuiiinvd, fighting a^aiuiit iniaut |i^^ riO'^'o g r' &»(' «•( lu (0 hu(ie itiiif' light 18 iiicicdMUg lu ibtt woiul" auil that it wilUi.;dl;) ^irvnii on }oiii «idf." Now Deal Sir aiiuw melo a^k. it you tbiuk Viiu ilic ii at< r> uf tite proceedings ot Haul and Siliis at PhiIiPP>> and eapeci* all) «■ laii.to by y(iUrMll,nuiiie iipuii y^ .r practice? i uuftt beg leavo to 87 ttiiitk, " /iod they spake uoto him the word of t>* hnuse/' Yo^ inform us in one part of y onr letters thsu yon « place no great confilence in human auilioiity." Pray then Dear Sir whj did ynu quote Dr. Whitby'd part to ascertain whv Lvdia alone is »aid to have licen iii»sriictri ;urived a! the place where prayei was worn io he mad' (>»rol)<»hly an oiaiojy viliivvii aiiii yyhi.e nuto the Women wliicli ieNone«i ihiih- r." 'l'tit> ifiiitDu th(-;<'''o wUv it <\ ur c«M»vMieJ by I ■ !: . / 1 ' ^ • '\'\ 88 1^ n f .!.;■ ;■ ! '4. 'I* J! il. Ai to Lydia alone being mt n:ioned aa carrying on tiade, the nasun h iomnA in the history of the times. Dr. A. Claikf, wlio knows seroething of liicHe matters, informs ns.that this *' parple wa« a very costly stuff." It was dy<>d with tlie liqnor of a Mhrit fisli, which Parlihnrst informs us was highly estepuied by the ancients," and which Pliny says theTyrians procured " by taking off the •bell of the larger |)urpnrz,and by breaking the smaller in olive presHes." This liqnor, it appears, they used for dying those choice cloths mentioned by the prophet Ecekiel,ch. XI vii. 16. Either this or 8omf8tlc, and the Lord, be opened her beart,^ she sawitaduty, witli which blic could not innocently dispense, to b^ baptised he rself, and have lur rhiUhen baptized also : and probi?.bly not knowing bow long the apostles would rera»iu,8he obtained baptism on the tipot without any de* lay: and then at the conclusion of tiie service and the ceremony, she invited Paul and biscomparnooa home to iter house. ThiH seude of the passage is also con- fiiniod by a consideration of what bas been said above, of the mi*nuer in which the apoRtle preached to the jailer in the same city, and bis baptizing him and all his, straitway. He said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thon shalt be saved and thy houf>e/' The probability is, that he would make the samn declaration Jin Li« preaching to Lydia ; aud on her *' attending to the things which vierc i^poken of Paul," she would be "baptized and all be r.'a 89' siraitmiy ;** «k I hw above inpposed. As nothiof is«aMI of any one eicift' liprttelf, ootil ilie aceonut of ike baptinm ofbir '< and her houiebdld," I b*«i certainly mneh mora reason to saiipoite that ber hinsehold eonsUted of thou* who were nader ber control, and were bapliif d on her faith, than you hat* to sappoM, that tt cosHisted of those who were assistants to her businesi, aiid wbOyifihey were bapiizod, must ha vif been baptiKed on their own faith, and got on that of Lydia.^** The Syriae has it, tke ekUdr'^H of her tviu$e, war* baptized ; which shews at leao((iU!» employed ihemsrlvei^ when they attended those places, (it*e Acts xvii. 2) And you know also thpkt ill those early times they never preached for ** many days" In vain. That tliose whom they were the means of converting woulhreii ;" and con* seqoently that these brethren did not coiisiHt of Lydta'» household. The relation ia ab follows : ** And tbey went out of the prison, and entered into the bouse of Lydia : and when tbey had seen the brethren, they comiorted them and departed-** That Ih, they either came to the apottUs, or tho apostlea wen» to them, and '* coa)forte>l them and de^ arted ;" whether the foriner,or the latter, la not specified in the relation. There is such a simlliarity between the baptism of ** the household of 8tephanus," mentioned ICor.i. 16, and those already explained, that it feni'A.rs it almost unnecessary for ne to do»r; more than just mention tbt circumstance. Peihaps there might be some adults in this family, and perhaps not. Epenetus, mentioned Rom. xvi. 5, is by some supposed t» be one of the family, because he, and ** the household of tttepbaniw," are both said to be ** the first fruits of Achaia.** There are however so many of the tMicient maniucjripts and versions which read^lsia in Roffl«xvi. 6> that Ories- A^'l '.';■■! iii^-' barli hHHa<1niitled it into tlie tfxl initeaii o( Achuvi. 8«!A Dr. A. Clmke oi the text. But be Ibit at it may, we linow that lii'' liouviivid of Stfiilmnnn' ^aH ilipfii, accnrdiiiff to vonr idras and |irnc«eding». ThoKO (amilieA muKt have differed greatly fiom theiie in our days, if th'To were no iorauts iu thein.->*' That each of tbpse bntisebo'ds was composed of adults,'' «Bys Mr. Poud, ** who weie all converted and baptized together, on a pergonal proffitaion of f saints," uule»8 they bad all been baptised on their own personal faith. As Mr. Pond properly rtfmaiks ; '* When the apostle wrote this, they had been baptized a number of years.— It is not at all incredible, that tbe household of Stephanos, who were baptized on his account, should in a few years be made tba silbjects of special grace, and " addicted iheinMelves to the ministry of tbe saints." Do yon think, Dear Sir, that tiiose who were refreshed by tbe kind attention ot your parents and their children, a« they were able, could not huveboine the same testimony to the kindness of Mr. Elder, aud (>aid to tbe church it ihey had writieu epistles to it ; ** Ye know liie house of Mr. £— — , that tlify have addined themselves to the ministry of the saints ?" And do you xoppose ihitt ihdt man would have aigned conclusively, who, meeting with these cpiittles above 1700 years nt'tcrward*, supposing them to have survived, should have concluded from tbix putiSHge, tbat your father bad no infant ebil* dren in his household, and that you were not baptized in your infancy P If he bad reasoned thus, you know tiiai ho would liave rcasoued in opposition to facts ; and tins proven at least the possibility of those truly learned men having done the same. A bou»emay be said'* to have addicted themselves to tie ministry of the saints, when the heads of it, fiom the fi( of the gospel, and others, when they, have needed their kind attention ; and tbe children, as they became capable, have imbibed tbe same principles, and all been libtrvl and charita^tle in their distributions to those who were in need. And when such a family as this was the first that was baft ized on the head of it professing faith in the gospel, it night c«rtamiy with propriety be taid tu b« " tho first fruits of Acbaia." I 91 ■iiiNt now Ufa Vav« to ask, ifyonr ownobtcrvatloD eannot fnrnlili yoa wtth ftoof, itiaf till* is not a ** mere fiction Invented to serve a turn i" Ifael iratefiil that I coiild oanif tbovo families wliose kindnrsi both yoa and I liavt oxpTifnreil. RmI " t4t« lioiHehold of Steplianna ;'' -<' Lydia and b«r boiita> bold i^aod the J4|l«r<* and alllilR," could not hn said to be *' baiitiaed iitrait* vrav,"uiilp^4 boili the heads and thrm^inbeit of which ttie^ fmnj^fh^ldii were (i)iiii>o«ed were admitted into tbecburcb by baptism, according to (be appoint* nirnt of <*>ir hle^Mfti Lord. Yoii conclude by obKerviu^ ; " Here we find learned pvedobaptiits, wheti tlirir systum was out of vigUt, a<1miilinj( iliat these houneholdii were. all |»rote8s* er lose »ight of your « systom," when you either write or preach on tbeoesubjicis? If you do not, why ithould Drs. M'Kni^hi, Whitby, Ouiie, or the WestminMer Divines ? Thirdly, a pnsHa^e of this kind, unlew th^-re were a Ibnodatiun in the Bible lor the opinioiM of these learned men, ou«bi not to have a place in an argumentative workiu support of truth 8uch as 5ourHoui{ht to be- lt consists however chiefly of (he real or pretended concesstons uf learu*'d pa:>iobaptist8, culled by Mr. Judson and others; and some of them not with the most scru;iulou<> exactness, from one work or another ; and wht>i| all gather* edintoa focus, as in your Letters, they make it appear toth)SH who are ignorant of their writings, tluit our syittem is abandoned by its most nhle a-ll n% iu your title pat;c, and again in your letters, ibat you have ** Weighed Infant Sp; inkling in tlie Balance of the Sanctuary." By this I suppose yOH intended us to hearcb for seriv^uru/ evidence of the invalidity of '^ Infant sprinkling." With what Consistency then, can you supply ihe place of scriptural evidence by q notations from Mr. Judson's Sermon, or the writings of any other man } Ifbissermun form the '* BalancA" of your ''Sanctuary," yon i^hould have told as kO, in the lillepage of^our Letieis; which would have picvented surprise when we fcand M. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Aro, and thus give an example to bis diaciplet to the «nd of timeu Yon have not told ns however where it is written that ** onr Lord w«a baptifd-as an evsmple for his followers." .And this you cannot do. Theit ift not a paraaffe in the whole bible which rithvr directly or indiRttctlif r«fer;i ns to the baptism of Christ, as an example for our fipitaUan, Jobii the Baptist however^ happily Kives us all ,the inforaMiioBuvhicJk' |s,nfed|nl •n the baptism of onr blesstd Lord. Acoording to him it ^as tint Cbrjst as tiie Son of God should •• be mauifeitlcd to ..Israel ; vtbeifl^i* be came baptizing with water {"and ;this manilcstation look plao« wheii «* the Spirit deKCended from Heaven like a dov«, and abode npoo him.1 (John i. SI, S4) This was the dengo of John's bai'iiam, as far as it personally concerned our Saviour. A« far as it concerned tbo people, ia addition to their witnessing this manifestation, it was to iuitiate them into an expectation of the Messiah, and to lay them under an obligation 4o believe in him wbeu be made his appeaiance ;.aud thus ** to make lejtdy afie^pie prepar* cd for tbe Lord.;"Xcompare Mat. iii. 11, 12, with Acisxtx. 4 and see Luke i^ 17..) and I must still maintain that the baptism of John was net t-hristiao baptism. This is plainly dedncible from the hiHtory ot Paul's ptoceediinga at Ephesns. (Acts six, 1, 6.) When be met with " certain disciple* ** there. M asked thtm ; ** Have ye received the Hoi> ^bust since ye believed ?" Tbey answered ; " We have not so mncii as beard wbetber there be any Holy Ghojt.* From this it i« evident that they bad not if reived chcistian baptism. For the tery essence of that baptism consisted in Ibe per-sons being baptised '* in 4lie name ot tbe Father, and of the Son, and of tbe Holy Ghost :" and ot coor«e^tho*e who had received this baptism knew that the Holy Gbost wa» given, of which both these peraons and Apollos their teacher w< re iftooiant. St. Kaal was conscious of this, and therefore, on their sayinir they had not tio much as beard whether there were any Holy Giiost, he in snrprioe ai>k«(t ; *' Unto wist then were ye bapticed f* and thty answered ** Vnto J*>bu'H baptihm." I'he apostle then observes;** Jobn veiily baptixti>^ia oi John, under the title of tbe baptiiim of repentance, to that wt.icb ^ave its recipients a knowledge efihedescenl of the Holy Ghost; and it folio wi>, h^ heimg ju n»tial niodp of cxpresninj; iht adminUtraitioaofcbyistian baptitm io the script iir<>i«. If word* iherefore havf any meanlnf, the rtawobs why St.* Pant rebaptizcfl tliese pcisuiiH were, that John's bapliinn was neitbcr inteud«d nor calcuiatcii to answer the purposes of ahrlitian baptism. It was called ** the baptism of repentance," becauRe JoIiq Always -rcqoired repentance of those who came to his* haptiam, and did r.ot nqnire any other than ao eoifaf eraent to believe io tiM IVIeit^iaii when be came ; ao that it was oot ao Initiation into the faith of Christ. This John did not preach, bat only hito an expectation of his appearing ; for this wo* the «nb' atanee of John'l preaching in respett to the Messiah : " I indeed baptize yon with water uoto repentance : blithe that concth after mp is mightier tban I, ^bpse shoes I am not worthy to bear : he shall bautiz* yon with the Holy Ghost and wttb fire/' Thus lie taught: '* That tbey^ shonid believe on him who should come aftir him, that ij, on Christ Jesns."— Peter also led (ho»o who bad been baptised by John to expect to partake of ** the gift of the Holy Ghost," on condition that they bhonid '<oat pnrilyiug" or baptiaiug. (John iii. 25.) • The applicants iiaid Io hmi ; " Kabbi, he that was with tbee beyond Joidan, tu viliuiu thou bareKt witues.% behold, the same tiaptizeth, and all »u'n cente to htm. John uiisweieJ and said, A pihn can nceive nothing, i^xcept it be g>ven hiiufiom heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witues^ that I said lainuot the Christ,, but that I am arnt before hiro.-rHe must increasp, but I mutit dicreaite." (versest 2G,27, 2B, and 30. When wc consider that the answer rousi have a reiaiiun to the (|u«8tion pro* po<*'>d : il*at it was Chrints havinc hegun to Unitize Uw disci('les, which occasioned tl:is di.s}iiite ; that the. comparative nteiiis of the two baptisms appear to have h»-e!) iii«) suhjerts ill debate, and on wliirh they axKed the opinion of John; fjfther it wab persoDAl or by bit disciples ; bccaoie tlM latter wa* Knperior to the /oiiuer. • ;» •< The baptism of Joltn, was" alito '< from heaven, tisd not of men :** and it vas an ordinance of God, to which it becama the dntjrof alltosabmit wh* wfre sntijerl to the ordinances of God. >That Christ was that subject, it evident from hi* having been circnmclsed ; and he therefore thought ithls ,. dnty to snbmit to thif ordinance: and when John refused to baptize bimoU acconnt of \m ** baptiHoi of rfpentance" beiny inapplicable to the Savioni^ " JesHK answering said nnto him, ^nifer it to be so now ; for thus it becometh no to fnltil all rightnnusnei^s :"(!Vlatth. iii. 5') or, a« pmm dikuioiunen mlKbi be properly translated, <ne)'s,'* by submitting to every law which God had ** delivered by Mcsex or afters wards," observes ; ^* In this sense, John might understand our Lord's wordii; bt*( be .leems t« have had something besides in hts eye, which woitld not no readily occur to J^ba. Itii avident, that tlie priest of the law coiil(| pot ^.Mt<^r o!i the tu«oa« '■■J I mm I «•■ ',■ U 96 lidD of bin •ffie«, until be bai ivashi>d at tbe door of tbe Uberoaele of the cod. gvifftlhm. J«tt«i8, tbo hiffh prieat ot onr profeuion, was now aboni to ent«r oo thf diieharf# of his sarrH function ; and it certainly became bio to enter upon ilt ofBee aceordinf to the law. Thongh be wan not of ibe order of A^ron, yet IIW bw propbenied of his prienthood, and that be would magnify tho law aue manifested to Israel" he subtnlitted Mb be hhptiaed. Now Dear Hir, when you Imve proved that Christ's followers 01*0 •tlto** be made manife«ito Israel, each as a Messiah smtof God', for tbe fnrpoat of actinf in tbe capacity of a high prieM to make reconciliation for she sins of tbe people, yon will have substantiated your unsupported assertion, •hat ** He bad been bapused of John in Jordan, as sn example to his followers ;"* but until then, yon should be quite silent on tbe subject of believers" foltowiiig ttieir Lord into tbe liquid grave," /kc. What, allow me to ask , fa there in John's baplisns, when we have taiieo this scriptural view of it, which bears anj similar* Ny to ebristian baptism? Even when it vras administered to the inbabitaniii «f Judea, it was only n ceremony whiay his baptism at all after John bad began to baptise ? and especially) iffbydidbedehix lt,u Xjia auat believe according to your Ideal nf th«^ 07 duration of .Tahit'Hininiiitry, at lenst (hree ycar4 i Were your ideas correct, I . Lave DoUeMtation in !iayinp;lhat Christ would have been the first, indifidaal to ttnbmit to the baptism of John a 33.")— Lastly, the new dispe!i<«:iti3n conld not yet b« opened. It y* always the design of God (hat the Gentiles should have a principal share in the blessings of this dispeuRation. Hut nniilour Lord gave his disciples their coiDmiMion they preached only Uke the Baptist, that " the kingdom of heaven was at hand" or near, and that only ** to the lo<)t sheep of the bouse of Israel ;** and the commission of the apoHiles was enlarged, and christian baptism istablitihed at the same time.* See Matth. xxviii. 19. and Acts ii. 38, 39. , .'. Yon have only three objections I believe on this subject, which have not been replied to in the above remarks.— First, you say that if John's baptism were not christian baptism" it would contradict wliat Mark says,Chap. 1. That the beginning of the gospel of JesusCbristytbe Son of God, was when John did bap- tize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of rrpentance,for the remission of m%" I most be excnsed if I ask, does Mark say this i Yon have here omitted two verses, joining the first and the fourth together, without any mark to denote the omission, and supplied their places by two words which are not Maik'a bul your own ; and these words make the passage just serve your own pnrpose, aod make him say what be never intended. By the word ** gospel" in the first verse you have evidently understood him to mean the present dispensation ; and you of course thonght yon could very innocently supply the words " was when," which make him say that this began " when John did baptize," &c. If ;ou look again however, you will see that the word " gospel" in that verse means the history of our blessed Lord, and his proceedings including, like all the rest, as moch of that of his forernnner as was necessary to prove him to be the Messiah. Secondly, yon observe ; " we do not find that A polios was ;i ,|, fV'i 1 •';:■■ I I I * Mr. Judson admits this in the very firat sentence of bis Sermon t '* When onr Lord commissioned his diiiciples," say» he, **to proselyte all nations, tie tn9(t(u(Mf the sacred ordinance of baptism." How tlion could John's baptiitin 1^? chrlstliJB bapiiim, 4C tMIl ^c* instituted by our Lord ( «,' te-fiip^ ^<". M iiCt rebtptUed, when he was taught the way of God mora perfectly.'* Allow me to auk, how could we find this? Neither Acquillaoor Prisciilahad .Mitliority in baptlie bim, and they were his instiuctors. That his disciples were rtlia^itlzrd udotherof John's disciples also, I think has been proved; and had A^nlln. been at Ephesas, I have no doubt but he would have lieen baptized aUo, and likewise mentioned in the relation. Thirdiy,yoa obterve, ** If John'** baptiiim were not christian baptiom, neiiher was thatof iheapo»tles previous to the day of pentecost : eonxequently, they would have to rebaplise those dtticipies whooi they had made before our Lord's death."— To this I reply, that I think it capable of demonstration that onr Lord's apostles did not foaptiEe at all; but that onr Lord baptited,and that he baptised none except the twelve apOHtl«>2, 26, and iv. 1, 2. In the latter passage we are informed tbai "Jesus himself baptized not, but hhi disciples ■" and by this passage it has been generally understood that Christ did not himself baptize at all, which is your opinion. I must certainly however beg leave to think, that Christ did actually baptize, and not his disciples This I think is proved by the former passage, where we are iofurip. ed by the evangelist, that then ** came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Jodea ;and there be tarried with them and baptized." This is aho confirmed by V. 2(t, where the disciples of John make it the subject of complaint that Christ did baptize and a1| men came to him. I think the latter passage^ooght to be as it certainly might be translated ; ^'Though truly Jesus hinself baptized Roae.but (or except) his disciples " See Parkhursi under the words ftat«Dd that the otlieri ctme to Joho and were b«ptite4/' Onitiare ch.lv 2, with iii. 23. That is,«s I anderMand the paasage, Jetai bimocir baptized noiiee%c«pt the twelve disciples who were with him in Jadea, and with whom be tarried there until this false report of his having baptised the mnititiideB htid raised tbf envy of the Pharisees, and led hiu to remove into GiliJte to avoid their meditated opposition ; lor " Ite kutm #bat was in" tkem. .s«ech. iv, 8. But again, had Jesus baptized "ail men," tbi* would have set John's baptism entirely aaide; and as soon as Christ began to bftptiae, John would h»ve had to desist. Christ's baptism was evidently considered superior to that of John, pven bjr the Baptist himself, as I think ban been proved : and of course John's baptism was useless if Christ baptized ** all men" in bis owo uame, and thereby made them bts disciples. The Evangelist, as though he had heru cunscions that this would be the impression which the account of Christ*! having b(>gun to bai)tizd would produce on the minds of his readers, unless he sad Howething to prevent it, in the very next verse informs us, that *' John alto was baptizing in £non near to Sulim, because there was much water there : and they ctone and were baplizedf for Juhu was not yet cast into prisou " (ch. ia. 23,24.) From thiii paA8ag<> I inf«r,tbAt John's rommisAion was to end only with his hberty; and that so long as his liberty was continned, be was to contiuue to baptize the people ;aad haviug fiui»hed his labours in the vicinity of Jordan, he removed to Ibat of i£/ion ;*< and they," the people,*' came to him and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison :" and '* Jest^h himself baptized none except hisdisciples."— If it beaslied,*' whyjobb's disciples said that ** all men came to" Jesus to be baptized?'' I answer, it was a false report, (as is evident from what has been said above) which owed its origin and its propagation to envy. This is so evident on the (ace of the conduct of John's disciples, as to leave no possibility of doubt. See v. 26. They had beard that Jesus bad begun to baptize; which report I suppose to have hud its rise in his.bavinir baptized his()isciple8. As he had begun like John to baptize, it was very v^^^ual for them, and indeed for every one, to conclude, that he would continue ';>o to do : ami as great numbers always attenrted our Lord's ministry, they concluded that a« he had gone in'O the same parts that Johu had but just leit, he had, like their master, gone tor the purpose of rebaptizing all who came to him ; and very readily concludtd that Jesus had doubtless baptized them. These sup* posiiious evidently led them in opposition to plain matter of fact to say, that Chrifti hud baptized all men ; and to address John in the language of complaint : "Rabbi, he that was vith thee beyond Jordan, to whon thou. barest witness, be* hold the same baptlzeth, and all men come to him :" an expression of surprise at the supposed arrogance of the Savioar.of their envy at his supposed 6ucces8,and of tbpir sympathy with their MaHter,whose honour they supposed to beatstalie. This report reaching the ears of ihePharisee8,wonId be very eagerly believed by tbenaiso, as It furnished them with a very plausible pretence for oppoiiD||[ our & Jth m im ' 100 blemedLord. Tliisvrasthe nf« which thfy made of it ; and '* when tlurefor* the Lord knew how tiM Pharisees had heard that Jt>iii!i made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though truly Jenu^ himselt baptized none hat, or •xcept,his discipl*'*,) He left Jiidta and di (ariedinto Galilee." (ch.iv. l,\i.\ —That the diKciples of Christ did not baptize, I think is also evident from both the ronimisiiion of our Lord, whcu he sent them foilh to preach, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and from their (Joccedingsuhile ihun employ. ed. Wlien he sent them ou this errand, he gttve ih«>ro ibeir toiumiMsion in very specifie term% without ever mentioning baptism. Hee Matth. ch. x. And in the history of their proceedingft.the evangeiiMis are equally siknt ou the sitbjec t. In short, there is not a siagle word on the subjt^ct ofeiiher Christ or his disciptf« ^baptizingonany other occabion than this, and this ; I think coald be only the baptism of the twelve apostles, for ieasouvS ali«<>d th<»n/' would have eoustitnted (be reason why be would not have baptized thprn, had the parents made application for baptixm to be a>iniinisiered, whicli l.twf V4>r II lb«>y did not, nor was there any reason why (hey slionld. The lea-^on which he assigned for bis conduct was (his: ** Of snrh is the kiiij^iioin of Heaven/ This declaration I uuderHtand to signify, that tliey weie (he hiiI>J' rts of both his visible, and invisible kingdom, or n.rnihets of his ciiurch on eanb, and through the merits of t!ie Lamb slain from the fonrdaiiou of the world,ebtiiled to a place in his church in Heaven. Tbis he dfclaies wait th^ rea.v>n why they were entitled (o his blessing. The former privilege- (hey enjuved by citcum* ciaion, which was one of the ordinances of God, and consequently he wonid nrt attempt to invalidate it, as it was still to continue in force by anothiT, which «a« not yet legal, and tbeiefore not applicdble to tl»oir case. They received kin blOKsing, because he merdfally considered tiiem entitled to it, for this is certainly implied in that «'xc!araation: '* Suffer thelitiie childreu lo come luKo mr Mut loi bid them not : for of suah is tite kiugUmi of God.'V- You infoim uy, that «♦ had our translatois rendvrtd the passage " Sutler .teud to (h« meaning of the " direction" and say, h wottid have made ir " paiticniai" and not *• geucral,"as it would bave confin- ed it lo •' ilwse ihildrtn wfiose afprocich the dis<:ij/lf s were preventing." Now al)«>w iiiC lo Bsk, il.uiir Lord's address does not manifestly consist of two parts— a '* i,ef>iiit<," and a reason f«r that «* rei)iike ?" The <* rebuke" is ** particnlar" as It luimf he; iM-ranKe onr Lord vias " rebnkiug" the disciples far preventing *• timeihtlU en" bi ing brought to bira. The retmn however b <* geperal" a»< 109 ■ppHen to fiff itillren : " r>irnt\j/f/k(iiot of ihrie in*' pariirnlar**) Ut(i«)ki«f« doiD of Oo, aDil therefore it becomes " an exani(«le to thoeiiJ of time;" and if all the world posucMcd a diAponilloa 14 bring ibcir Infant rbitdreu to CItiistfor bis hletisioK, tliey oit^ht not to bi •> rebuked ;"for ills certainly still true, that '* of «nch is the kiu);dom ^f Hiek- trn." You Ask ; " Duett h<> mrao of such in age and sixe,or of snch io huoiifily and docility (fdiHiiONitlon ?" And then in answer yon proceed ;"Htssnb«»i ^ncnt remark ilctfrToiiies in favour of the Utter meanlni^ : ** f'jrio Markaad Liikf it foIlowH," Whoitoffer Hhail not receive the kinKdom of God as a lUtM chilli, he (thall not cntfr therein "^ If you wilt only allow our blessed Lordio haveMpokGU nn fhis occanion with his unual wisdom,! presume there caa h% 00 liiiiii'tilty iit slirwii),^, that the pansaKr has no iiuch meaning as you wish !• attach to it You mii<>t have perceived, that the words, *' of such it the kinf* doiD of God " contain our Lord'H reaion why iheu chUdren fthiuld be brongblto him. Now whHt reason would it be for our Lord's complyiuj; with tbe reqacat ofihejte parent!i,aHd putting bis hands on their children by way of coiiseeratioD, (for this is always the meaning of this ceremony hi tbe bible) and praying iu them, that aduHa of similar dispositions compostd his* kingdom? Whni yoQ a'e seeking a reason for haptiiiag and receiving an adult, do yon Mek it in an infant ? or in a compiny of infants ? or in any other adult ? or in lh« prrMon hiinself ? If I were to hear you lebukiug a person for oppoaiuf tlie rereptioa of a oandidate, wbo was recommended for that pnrpaan i aud you were to lay ; " Suffer him to come :~ for of such is tbe kiogdoai of Heaven,** I should suppose that you intended us (o understand, that tilt person whose reception bad b^en forbidden, was in yoar estimation posseaaad •f the necessary qnalification for rhurch*memb*rship, and entitled to admission of course ; that he belonged to the ** spkitnal kingdom of God," and oaght therefore to be admitted into his church. Let qn now suppose, that you wero for the instrnction of such as stood near to say ; ** Whosoever shall not receive thf kingdom of heaven as this candidate, shall not enter therein." Would not you he offended with any one who should wioli from this to infer, that yoawero not speaking, in the reason that you assigned of the raadidates in quesiioo? I have no doubt but yon would think it an insult to your reason, for any person to suppose that you wore seeking reasons in aay other but the peixon concerned. Now Dear Sir, only allow that our Lord had as much wiriilom as yourst-lf, a,.d| that he eagerly embraced every opportunity of m-dkirig a!i o<'CMirences subservient to the instruction of his hearers, vtliirh reruiirtly witi not huallowhug toomoch, and all will be plain and easy, and the reason assit^neJ wtii Ue worthy of his infinite wisdom and gbodnesi. As Mr. EdMarHs oUsriv^n; '' I'o cay adults belong to tbe kingdom of Gad, Is no guod leaian for bg luiaau to I ! 104 Christ. Itis a miieb hotter ooe to say: Snffer these little children to come, becaoae these little cbildrsn and others like them, beJong to th>.' kingdom of God.'* Mr. Podd in reply to yonr objection, as fonnd in Mr. JiidKoit'fi sermon aays ; " In order to evade this argnment, ^Ir. J. contends that the |>iirnHeolaey will admit of another constraction. '' Of sneh is the kioij^doroof God."Nut, lays he, of sncb in age or 8iz«> ; but of such in moral temper of heart ; in hnmility and docility oiT disposition," Suppose we admit this interpretation; Little children tkieu, have a " disposition," a ** moral temper of heart," vi hicU fits them for heaven, and witbont uhich none can be titled for the kiof Jom of heaven. Will it not follow that they are lit for the churth on earth P In the chnrch below, holier tlian that above? Tiiit interpretation however, is not admitted. It fixes tlie ntmost abtinrdiiy on our Savionr'H conduct. " Why sbu'ild he be very angry with his diftciples for forbidding intants in years to be brorght to him/' because an humble disposition was necessary in grown persons, to tit them for the kingdom? Dr. Gale, a diKtingnihhed Bapt. ., LoDCStly concedes, that the phrase, " of such,'' reftrs to iutauts in years* Reflections on Wall, p. 421." *' Mr. iieury says," the word taioulon generally •i^nifies not similitude, bat identity ; nor can any one instance be found where i< excludes the persons or things mentioned." Other auiiiorities might be added. Dr..Stenoet understands it of little children in general," especially those wb J^ in infancy, (Answer to Dr. Addiugion, p. Gl.) and IVli. Booth remarks, that tal8 passage wears a smiling 3':.pect on the final state of wnch (children) as die in in- faocy : and that without any referenretocarnti descent, which seems tc be a Jewish tenet. Pcedobap. Exam. p. 350.''— Mr. Edwards observes: "The Baptists in general anderstaod this (passage) of a state of glory, an« allow iufi.nts to belong to that, but deny that they belong to the church. This (ide^d, UgraatlDg the greater, and denying the less ; and theiefoie an argu' nt may be taken from what they grant, to destroy what they deny ; t it is, an argument a majore nd mhins. If infants belong to a state of glory, bich is the greater ; then ranrh move do they belong to a church>ctate, whii is the less. Besides, as tiie institution o/ a cburrh is a dispensation of God, whicti^eads to gLry, it is absurd to graif t persons a } sense in wb'cb I have understood this passage in the «l»ovp reraark*", I think it not Irarrop* r to ob'erve, that it agrees perfectly with the coTcuaut relation iit which children are d«claied to stand to God, In tb.* 105 O! ' To'ia^Tient. At liit» psf:\!»llsh nent of the covenant with Abraliam, the Alini<'lity inH<<(> the t'o'.ltiwin!; Hoclarations ; '* I will eatablisii my coveoant between iii*'! xul thee ami (liy se.od afiei- tiiee i.i tlieir generations for ao iver. 1 i,tiiisj covenant, to be a Go J uuti> thee and to thy seed after thee,-~aq<] I will | hi their Go I. Tiii!« is my covenant which ye shership : ttnd it is Cf course incumbent on you " to shew when this riglii was ahiogated." N ^ ' > ' I, 106 In readiof jevr Letters, Taeveial timvs saw reaxon to complain of ibt> maniipr iu ^vbiface them by saying : " you inform n8,&c. which malceH the whole look lilt a mere assertion. This you do Io your remarks on my note on the passage und«>r consideration. Tour observations are ; " Yon inform us in a note thai our Lord's kingdom iH ■piritnal, that bis subjects are spiritual, and tbat Ihe^io intant^ wet** spiritual." My Imbrmalion, if such it is to be considered, was as loliows ; " Ue (onr Lord) always taught tbat his kingdom was spiritual : tiiese (iiitaitt») h« «)• ciaris wvia the subjects of that kingdom : therefore thty must be " spiritna)" as are all tha subjects of that kingdom.— Gal. 6, 1.— tbat is in a stale ot ju^itificitiiou." Mow I Dear Sir, instead of talking about the "wonderful confusion ol my ideas on this subject," you should have disproved this reasoniujr. Is it not a truth that •or Lord** always spake of his kingdom as a spiritual kingdom i>" as **notof Ibis world "&c. And is it not a truth, that be declared infimts to be the subjects of this kingdom i If yoif cannot dispiove these propositions, and I must think this Impossible, ;. on certainly cannot deny me the inference I drew Trom them, for any one knows that a subject of a spiritual kingdom, must be ''spiritual.*' A proper regard to the expressions used, and a lefeience to the passage quoted, would have saved yon all your speculations, and have shewn yon the futility of those charges and contradictious which you have heaped upon my head on this subject. If infants be the spiritual subjects of a spiritU' aV kingdom, they are in a state of Justification, which state is always ACcowp4' Died with a degree of the influences of the spirit : and tbat infants are in this state through the interest which they have in the blood of Christ, and not as you make me suppose, through " regeneratibn in baptism," I &hall attempt to prove. As lelated to the first Adam they are both ''guihy and depraved creatures, " and " the children of wrath eveu as others ;" but as related to the second Adam, they are not guilty, and though they aie of course depraved fallen crea tures, they inherit what an able divine c«lls "aseed of life," which is the *' light which cnlighteuetheveiy man eomiag into the world." (Paikhuisi's tran. of John 1.9) That infants at the time of their birth are in a state of justification, Is evident from all those passages which speak of the condemnatory effects of the original transgression, as they affected Adam's posterity, and as graciously done away by the interposition of Christ, (See Kom. v. 18, and II Cor. v. lO. and in which God is said to have been ** in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not impnting to them their paraptemata or ** fall," as the same word is translated Rom.xi. 1 1, 12. Parkhnrst, when speaking of the sense in which this word is to be uderstood in II Cor. v. 19, observes ; In which view it is particularly 107 ipok«n of Ad^m'i tmn^Krrssionorfall;" and he reftrs to Rom. ▼. 18 18,m » piialiel |>aM»i;e Jn the former passage the Almighty ig represeoted a» 'traau ing with man in the way of gracP. because he « was iu Christ reeoneiliog thJ' world nmo himself," and this reconciliation is declared to be his" not impaUog to Iher,," ,his •« offence"-ihat is the « fall." or •• Adam's transgression." If |» be.sk.d. i, this all th.t is intended b, the doctrine of recoocillallon ? I anmer, No. There Is, in the pasjag^s und.r consideration, mention indis. putably made of a twofold reconcillaUon. One is onr being « reconciled to God by the death of bis Son" without any condition on our j.arr, the other ia our belDj reconciled to him after having committed actual sin « by frith" in *' hit blood." See Rom. v 10, and com. v 1, with v. 9. In II Cor. v. TO, ^|, fhe apostle n^akes the first, the ground of his exhurtatfon to the second: «« 6od was in Christ reconciliitg the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses (or '< fall") unto them ; and hath committed unto us tire doctrine of recoiicilia. tion. Now then (or therefore) we are ambassadors for Christ, as though 6od did beseech yon by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled nnl6 God." This is as though the apostle had said ; '* In cousequenccf of the iierd* fill interposition ot Christ, the second Adam, God does not impilte to tile World the iiuilt of the sin of tli9 fii st Adam. The sin which separates between yon and God, is actual sin ; and this also liaving been atoned for by Christ, aud God having committed to us the doctiineof reconciliation, we therefore pray you in Clirisi's stead be ye reconciled unto God," by " receiving the atonement.** Tiie second argument liierefore is ; " For he hath made him to be sin (or rather *' a sin offering" fur us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the rigliteons. ness of God in him "—The same doctrine is tanghr by the same apostle Rom* v.vi^here he shews, that the effects of Christ's death extended beyond the for. giveoes of the original offence, and also reached to the *' many offences" wbich tonstitute actual sin ; and that in each sense, they were as to the nuul>erof individuals, commensnrate with the effects of the fall: *^But not as theeffence so also is the free gift : for if ticrongh the offence of one (jthe) many (o« polloi) be dtad, much more the grace oi God, and the gift by grace, which i» by on& reao, Jcstis Christ, hatji abounded unto (jibe) mauy, ^**i. o., says Parkhurst) tho multitude, or whole bulk of mankind.*' See also Dr. Macknight. "And not a^, it was by one that sinned, lo t« the gift: for the judgment (or " sentence") was by one (" otfenc<;") to |condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justifacalion." We see therefore that the effects of Christ's death, equal those of Adam's sin as to the number of individuals, and they exceed thim as to the number of sins, as he not only atoned for the original sin, hut for all those actual " offences'* wbifh Sow from it.oBut a passage which is if possible more in point ic, verses 6 It) : "For wbeu we were yet v ithout stiength, in due time Christ died for the ongoily.— But God commended his love towards us, in that, while we were yet limitN, "'^-^fttdled for ui. Al^cb more then, being now Justified by his blood| w« ifalU j it; ' I ]0S be saved fiom wrath through hioi. For if, viLin we were eiicmifs, we itere reconciled to God by tht detiih of his Son, muclnikoie beint; recouciI«d, ue •ball be ttaved by his lite." In these verneD, the apostle is evideutly coiitra»tii)g two didferrnt states of the same persono, at two different periods, The first be denoniiaates their being **■ without iiireDgih''--li)eir beivg enemies (or lejected of God, See FarlihniNt under the word Echthos,) aud thtir beitg sinners. When they were in this state Christ interposed: ** In due time Christ died for tite ungodly." A contiequence of this was a change in their relative condition : -'I'hcy were " reconciled to God by ihe death of his Son.' (v. 10.) It is iudibputable, that af(«^r thiH they underwent another change, by which their actnal sins were removed. This change is called a ** being now justified by his blood ;"(v. 9.)and uUoa " being reconciled," and that by having "now received the atonentcnt/'or " recoociliatioii" •* 6y fuilh" See versei*, 0, 10, 11, aud 1. Th» former ncouciliation was accomplibhtd " by the death of bis son" without faith on the part oi' the reronciled ; itie latter '* by faith in '* his blood'" wliich is culled their ** receiving the aloneox it." Notwithstand* ing the former reconciliatiun, they continued in a state ' death, owing to the depravity of their hearts, (v. 15. {) bat by the latter, they wire blessed with * Peuct^'—y. 1 ; with " access" to God— v. ti ; with eslablisliing grace — ib j and were enabled to ** rejoice in hope of the gloiy of God :*' aud *' tlie love of God wan shed abroad in their htart« by the Hol> Ghost given unto ihero ; verges 2, 5. The first reconciliation, whicli was a ccnscqnence of the death cf Christ, without any condition on the pan cf the r«ct>uciled, tit. Paul dedans exteiids to the siinie nunibei of individual -as are atlected by the fall, aud is of course enjoyed by them uuiil they commit actual kin, by which it is dibsolvcd. *' As by the offence of one (or as in the maigin : " l>y one offence :'' See also Macknight) judgment came uf on ell nien to condemnation ; even so by the righteouf^ness of one (or by oii« riphieonsufss:" See Margin) The free gift came npcn all nun nnio jii5i;fic»tiou of life." (v. 18, 19) Tlie latter reccnciliation. vtbich was al.so a eoiixqufnce of the death of Christ on condition of belie ving.wes of course ccnfintd to believers ; and " therfforc being justified by faith they had ptare with Gcd through our Lord Jesvs Chii>t."(v.l.) The former tcconriliation without faith, is suited to the stale of infants who cannot believe, and must be er.joTcd by them. For if Christ died for any sin, he certainly died for original sin. (v IS.) If be died for it, its £U(lt is certainly rither cancelled, or else the malignity of the ein of the first Adam, is superior to the virtue of the blood of the second Adam— the Lord from heaven— and consequently he is no Saviour. If it is cancelled, no child of Adam can possibly be condemned for it, and therefore it h, that the consequences of Christ's inti'rposition are called "reconciliation," and that this reconciliation is said to extend to the same number of individuals as are affected by the fall (v. 18.) Consequently* either "judgmcni eame upon"iu* 109 ruti7i» ^ to (Lcil- cotulemnation," and iu this ca8<> the '* free gift" has also " eonie luioii thpin uiiiojuMifieation ol liJ'e;" or jlse " j«ulpir.ent" never did *< come ii)H>u tlteui to coiuleniiiatioii/' and cunsf({u«;iiily, there was no neccssSity for ' the A«e gift to CUIII& upon tiiiiir, (or they never were io a sUte of condemua* tidii, U iticy Mtitu not iilf'^'Cted by the tail. The altttruative which yo.u will ctiouitH, is liiu rotiuer, i. 6. thelh you to iiduiU, that iu coiis< (jiiciice of (heir relation to the seooud Adam, the laut gt-neial iL>i>reteiiiat>vi^ vi' mankind, they are not in a i\,iU- o>'coiir, iVlackiti^ht. Could we tonsidcr ihe cffsjaii;g of \diim as merely related lu liiiii, we should uudttnnntlin j lor the veiy IdtM of liin being their repreunla- tire wonld imply this. Bui this ilie ton i ■, y»v tj-.t -4, .- u,^,^ *.,«. " The force of thij observation wonUstfikeonr Cai'vinlst brethren, if ib«y considered that we weie no ksa in Adams loins, when God gave bis bun tvi Adam in the grand, original gospel promise, than when Eve prevailed upoii him to eat the forbidden fruit. As all iu him were included in the covenant of perfect obedience, before the fall; so all In him were Ukewise interested in th# .4 ■ i 110 cevMwnt ofji^nice and merry 8''ter fhe fall : ami wa have fiiU »% much "easoa to believe, that some of Adam'rt cliiidren never f«ll with him fioin a state of probation, acfording to Hie old covenHiit ; an to suppoK'*, ibat Koroe of them ne»er rose with him to a state of prolmtion, upon the t^i mx ot' the n<*w covenant^ wblch stands iipoa belter ^promi»e!i." (Works volume III. p. p. 250, 251. Oct. Ed.) .: ; " ■ „ ,,.> ■•■.,,„ ^;. :• '"v ■ '^^ ,, ...c ^v,*'" „,'i \h-^^^ To what de|;ree infants are under thn inflnenros of the Spirit, 1 Miall not attempt to determine. I must however be allowed to tny, that 1 can srarrolv coaceivean idea more horrible on this side of the bottomless pit, than that of a hitman being bow yonng scever, bfing de^tltnteof some degisc of the infiufnct* of the Spirit of promise." Such a beiug must be given np to the dominion of 8atan,who would in uiy opinion inalie a powertol ag«i!t of mischief, as u^eil as an AWful picture of wretchedness, evt-n of an infant ctiild ; to prevent which, I presume some degree of the Spirit's inlluenccH iuust be comniuni;'atekl. CbitKi jssaidtobe " The true light which enli{;hteoelh every man coming into ilin world," and to this light I believe, we, in every stage of our existeuce, owe every thing by which wc differ from iii«-ar»a'e fiends; and it is disco veied iii those re]entinii,'8 on the cousciciHucs!* of crime, and that shame which is con. nected with a con virtiou of its cominiitsion, as soon ast reason begins to dawn. This is what Mr. Fletciit-r, I think very properly calls, *'an nnivrrsal sped of ]ife," which " ('iiritit brin(;s upon all infauis." Calvin pleads even for ilie regeneration of all elect infants, in the following words ; ** If we havt- in Christ a mostpeif^ct pattern of all the grates which God continually ebeuvih to chil- dren, verily in this bf half also we have a proof unto m, that the age of infancy is not so far unfit for sdnctification Batliowever it be, jet this we bold out of controversy, that none of the elect (of which number he had jnst considertd fome infants) is called out of this life, which is not first made boly and regen. erate by the Spirit of God." In answrrin;^ an objection of the AnabaptiilSy that the ♦* incorruptible seed" of the word was the m^ans of regeneration, and that infants could uoi r« ceive this word, and iheiefoip could not he n generated, be observes ; '* But we d«ny that it ought tht-ienpfn to be gathered, that infanif' cannot be regenerated by the power of God, which is to him as easy and re»!eoplH of (iod." p. 10^) This must be b> the iufluencea of the " Spirit of promise," and of cout>e, infants are capable of those influences, and if in order to the e(ij<>\jiitnt of heaven^ why sot tnordci to .Uy4 o{| earth ? I do not ill kowever wKsh to ftdvoeit« thin tloctrin«>,nor do [ prooonnee it iinlrite. I wavAA rather lay tliat the ^*«eedt" or fiiHt priiici)»l««i uf piety are planted in their hearts ; and this I think coufirned in ** acriptnre and experience." Tiiat theso- were enjoyed by Jewish infants nnder a former diipennation, and were to be eootinued to tbeiB under the pr««ent, I tbinlt evident from luaiah aiiv. $ and lix.ai ; tpd that" the biessing of Abraham wa» to comeoo the geutiicfi tlirongh Jesiu Christ" I thiak hat been already proved, and St. Peter on liie dey oi Teutecuiit, declared the promise of the Hely Ghost to betiuto the 4ewi and " (heir children/' without any restriction, and also unto those who were '* afiir otf," aud as tlie same blessings have now come oo the Oeutiles, this ^uwis* must be to our*' -children" also. Our blessed liOrd also dieclared lespeeting ini'anis ;" Of such is the kingdom ol Heaven," and this he as«igned as hi* reasou for *' blessing" and " prayiug for them /'and as he" bks«f.4 Uiejw/' they were blessed indeed 00 doubt with the blessings of his grace. Let as now appeal to experience. From what source do you suppoite, we derive Ibeae lacred intlucuces, which, with gratitude we remember to Itave operated on our minds ever Hince reason began to dawn, and which, as is the case with the apostate, gradually subside as man proceeds in iniquity, and are only revived * ))y Die renewing of the Holy Ghost." Wire they any o( the effects of the fail? Or were they some latent remains of original pnrity? Yon will not bplieve the former, and if you suppose the latter, yon mu»t deny the doctrine of the total depravity of human nature, a thing to which I believe yon are no inor<3 inclined than myself. T.h^ truth it), the etfects of the fall '>are only evil, and that contiuusili>," and " «!very good and perfect gift dctcendeth from the Father of lights," and (hat infants partake ot his sacred infliu'nces, is evident, ost only by what has already be, being sensible of the least sin, and crying and refusing to be comforted, when he thought he had in any thing displeased God: that a few days &ince he broke oti: into prayer aW>ud, and then said, ** Mamma 1 shall go to Heaven soon, and be with the little ans'^li). And yoSi will go there tco, and my papa ; but you vtrill uoi ^o no soon :" that the da/ before he went to a little girl in the house and said, '* Polly; you and 1 must ;;«> lo prayers. Do not mind your doll. Kneel down now. I niusi go to pravem : Ood bids me." Wbf o the Holy Ghost leaciies there is no detav in learning i this child was then jtist thiee years old. A year or two after, she died in |:«ace. " Tuesday, 8.— Tbrotigh much hail, rain, aod wltid, \vo got to Mr. B.'s »' '< I * < 119 Hi>ffeUI,aboat five io Uie aftpmnan. His fdyourUe datig1tf?r »!5ftt »ofn'? !i«iir» before we came : »uch • child as i« scarcity hi-ard of in a centnrv. All ili.* family Informed me of many remarkable circiinintancei, which, cImp, would hnvc seemed iocredible. She 8|»ake e«ce«din(,'ly ptuio, yet very seldom ; and ihou •uly a few word». She was srarcrly ever neen to laugh, or heard to uttei a ligbl or trifling word. She coald not bear ai»y that did, or any that behaved i;, « ligbt or unsetious manner. If any »nch offered to kUs or t«Mich her, she would torn away and »ay, " I dont like ynu." If htr brother or sinter nycVe angrily to each other, or behaved trifllngly, she either nharj.ly leprovoJ, fwhe«that seemed ni-edful) or tenderly iutreated them to give over. Ifslie bad spoken too sharply to any, she would hnmble herself to them, and not rtst till they had forgiven her. After her health declined, she was particularly pleased with hearing that hymn snng, '* Abba, Fathrr :'^ and wrril 7, without a struggle, «he' fell asleep, having lived two years aud m months." , •'• w*r»ttm«ni|.i^ These accounts Dear Sir, lead me to pray that I may daily "receive the kingdom of heavpn" more like these ** little children." Yon will perLa|j object, that these are extraordinary cases. I admit it ; bnt at the !as<> <.«. These are sometimes through surprise, or the power of tomptaiion discovf rfd in adults, whom we should very erroneously conclude were not even in » reerenerated slate. The truth is, all are liable to them, so long as they areiict " sanctified wholly.** ••This ace,'' >a>.san able writer, «* indeid frnilful with absurdities, hath produced an antlior capable of asserting that iuCants sin " in a very stioit space after they are born,"— eveti while baiijjitig" at the bftjast," and scripMiie haib been pressed into the defence of this most ridiculous hypothesis. Tbt Vjodinlst says "The wicked are estranged from the womb.*' This is their eriginal depravity. '* They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies: This is the way in which (heir devraviry i» generally first di)»covered. But this language is to be taken with some latitude, unless any person wisli t« prove that children speak as soon as they are born. The expression means I ^aod cauouly mean) that cbildieu stuasaoonas they are cai>able of siuiiiMK iii ind Uj4t lyihi; iit eominoiily iIir firnt vice to whioh thoy ar« addicted. (Pi. " It woiiM M payi4it( too s(ti loil* an attention fo such reycriei to ai|swev th|B arguiQeut ilerived from Itie aii^er ofiufautf*, and the tear* (if sod^Unga. ifht •rriniute dfMcribes iiifantf , an .oiicit, as have '^ no knowledge iMitWevii good and ffvil.'' (See Dent. i.3U,(Ha. vii. lti.)"—*'bliould I beatfkedto at^tgn the age al wiiicli cbiliiren begin to be accoiintalilefor actnal sin/' I ninst be {v^^ittftted (b'iajf v.tl) tlie excellent Kev J. Nrwtun, wlios« w«rdA in Ibis nentence I am^dfTH]^^^ *' I: Wtfulil give me no paiu to contess my ignovniire. The Lord klioweHl."*' ' \iia icUus tbat tbis'Jociriisc i.s '' tlaiigeiuiii) to the sou U of men." BAtwby? •\!c tlicsr lives so innoceitt uid (;ure h^ (o lay no foundation for vopHtttUtB^ uiili and bolin^jiti? Alas ! lu). 'ihcf are uooe who afrivi at a'isttte ^C tnatiiiity, without aflfoidin^' ich tTHuuiurd instances in proof of thenefid ofibtiti *' licing boin again," in on^er i!)>u tiiry may enter into (hv kingdomiof God.' |i wouid be no more dao^eroiv^ to the soul of a wicked tban to li^fbfililiimi' riutbe was oncv while ati iufiuit in a state of favour with God, tbati h is fo I) I each the same doctrine to an nposta'.e, when yon wish to give liini to raiii the t.rce88ify4>f his ** repenting; and doing bis first works." (Rev.li. t,) On the contrary, to lay the fomuUtion of the necesi^ity «if repentance and justifj^iMjf faitb ill nctuals'»\, anu' in Ibp slnnt-r having " resisted the Holy Ghost/' is td I'rocerd according to apostolic exauiple, and must conviet the sinner til udilition to alibis other sins, ofibe beinoii9 sin of ingratitude. But to lelt a jiicner that he wa; borv^'t a Miu'te of condemualion on account of the sin 'of Vdam, because iie.bad-nuA.vi interest m ilit} deaib ot Christ, the DCCOkid Adaw ; Hiid that he wasndtipbsKMicd ot i he talent of divine grace,--'* the light which cnlighteneib every man coming into tiie world/'— is to furnish him With im af)o)ogy for both his state, and his vices, which arc known in too many cases to have b«en awfully " destructive to the souls ot men." It is mndh better io mjr »)tinion to preach tbat," as by tlie offence of one, judgment came npon all meil tocoDdemuatiOD ; even so by the rigbteonsness ot one, the frer gift came npon all men unto justification otlife ;** and that'' God was in Christ reconciling Iht ttwfd uiuo himself, not imputing their ("fall" or original "offences") nnto them, and baith committed onto as the word of reconciliation ;" and to " pray them in Christ's stead to be reconciled," from a consideration that Christ has alio died for the " many ofTeoces which constitute actual sir ; ioasmncbas ** he *For these quotatiuns, and the one contatmnsf the fs^imonlesof viessrtii' Henry.Sfennei, and Booth, in the pr^* sent ItttT, see an anonymous*' EH*ay"o« ^' Infant Salvaion," Mublished '* For Bution andSon, Paiemoster Uovr^ London, ISflS." Tite author 1 understand is a Culiinisl ot thn name o( William!<; and.dE think his pamphlet, of only 42 pact's, onght to be in theitHndsof all who hold Uie awful doctrine of Non ekct Infant damnation ; and eHpecinlly ibos*}, who are mourning the loss of infant children bv deatb, for vrli3$«" (;on»oUUon" i^U tiariiculaily intended. i? I- I • ! f ■i •■ Iv ' ■ i J ■•■'■;■ 1 m' i .J .m O litl mmSt kUi l» hi ila for n» wlKo knt w bo tin ; that wo in1|^t be noite tbp« it has been proved is tbo very rcasOv' vvhlcll'be asBtgned in thk ease under ooBslderatloai If infants are '' reconciled niito Ood by the death of his Souj'' they are his (com. Rom. v. 1». Ezek. xvi. 30. MCKk x. 14 .) ; if they are his, they of coursedonotbeUrngto oither ** the Gddof this vrt^rM*" or " the world" of which ho is^ the- bod f^ If not) they belong to itft churchy which is the "lamily" of God, i«nd of centso they ought to' bo^idmltted : and if they ought to bo adnutted, of necessity they mlAt bo baptized. I must thcrofort iBooclude, that instead ofany part of this passage being 8« you have been led ttf pronounce It ; ^ tn every eircomstance unfavourable to infant baptism ;" It is jii-. -u. JA. *You d^iijr that tspeiakn»f'tbettece their scviptnrnr order (Mark i. I.V) in the following pasMge from p.. IS : *' If^ vhereforo, it be trhe, Sir, th*t principles, and arguments, and inotives.are of u»% ita tteligio6, as Ineentives to' |wr ema'nce, faith, and ItbiitiesH ; 1 prrstioie We niav ^edtore te i^rm, that >be designs of chriHtian bautiKni are more liK^ely to be atisWered by^ ititantfhanby adnh bapitHOt; fieeirigtha^ its otli|!aticin» im> lie eiSifereed in' Infancy ;are binding on the' child al soon as be arrives at year« of lta«tiiriiy ; are sanctioned by both divlnt &»<] pater<(a1 amiUorny and aSe^iion'; and are no loss binding on every pions tnan who does not donbt its validity, th»ii if Mptism bad hktn admll&islered tohitn by his own desire Wiiehhe 6r8t began to '- COnfiNS Christ before m^n.'* The apfcttle kn^w;' no donbt, what mbtiVes Oilitn tt» b^flrgrd : ahd in ftbmTtri. chap, be refers al»o to initiation by bip'tisitf as^ifreksAtfwLv^lbe'baptized ebonid be ;*«dfad to sin,** add bot *» live any iob^ theltein/' V. t,il* Yliii padBkge wiiPalsa answer yorir qujeiTdoili p. 6S ;— . - padoage wiif aisa answer your qujeiiiionp. , « WMfdntiesVorobligrflloli^of prWfciei''baptlsiij cre'atei r sk. Pint »fci*trmtl.*«t*Ml,;?^> %Jt*lf^'*^t :«»4l^^f':^ iiMK^^|«l?^ \^ MUtf9rf,»t.<»i,^«f ■ '■\>it;i."">tW -41111?,'^?^'=; -i«»W-^S?^-'i%*/' ■/'*Si)' rfM'W^j^^^ Ofi-I*'^ • ; 1'»«t!»#»4^:4 I if ' ,:,j5)„.,fj,fv *;..j*j « >.A-| .-,i.«»*' «f^i<> s/ ftl K ,iiiM 116 h'ljlutlif If* tnr .l.-ti|k?» ♦*•;«« ^l.'i' ♦;/«,,•..( •,. |8',tti*| >*> ''• ,11" . '* .■ " i« , ; • > •. ' LETTEIl V. DEAR SIR, lajbc^iiecodiiigifltltTi, I presttibeit ban bfeii pviueed that infanls are iii« froperty of Gad -redernied unto him by the blooJ of hU Sun It thi<< lic 0,if cue, 1 tbink it ii equally cousistent with srri|itiire and reason, to Niippoif, that be would in afipointiug ceremonies In \m riturrh, by which hi.^ aubjects were to be soltmuly recognised an hi**, appi'iit thnse ccrcmoiiiet with « reference tobi»iiiraotaswella8bisadult»u'>ject9,and hereby mukeit the duly of parents, not only to give up tbemsclve*, but alito their children unto bi*n. Thene suppoiitionit ate happily tupported by th'> diviio* procedure under the former dispensations of the covenant of grace, and unless a change conid bn proved, by which he had relinquished his right, and di!«8olved his original relation to inftuts ; I can see no reason why it ohuuld not be the same under the present dispensatiun of (he k<*nae covenant, and enpecially with the forego. Ingargnmcmsin view. ()( conr^e, I siipjvose that Pmdobaptists are at least consistent with ihpm»elves in .supposing baptism to be a ceremony, wliprcby the subject is claimed by the Lord a* his ; aud by the parties couacineii, dedicated unto him. And without the It-aHt disposition to question the piety of those who are of an opposite opinion, 1 cannot suppres:* a conviction, that there is something in such an appointment on th« partofth ir covenant God, ivhich is particularly congenial with the feelings of pious parents. The joy of tlie jailer on himself and ail his, being solemnly recognised as the properly of God, and members of his chnrcb, by an ordinance of divine appointment; appears so perfectly in nnison with these feelin,gB and ideas, that were it not revealed that be '* rejoiced over bis family" on this occasion, I should as by instinct take it foi grained. This view of the subject is also coofirroed by the condnctof the parents who came to our Lord presinting their children onto him, and by his procctdings in dedicating them unto God. I must therefore brg leave to pursue a difltrent oider to that which we have hitherto observed with onr discussion, and as there is a connection between the two subjects which shonid certainly be regarded, I shall begin this letter with some obser* vations on dedicating onr rbildren unto God. You obsei %e ; " If I nia> speak it without giving offence, I most say that I think there is a ipnch greater share of superstition, than of either good atnse or piety iu your ideas oa this subject^-olf yon cam *' speak" such fliiiiffS ItliAl- I'O II I tad) I ;i)t; w.i nioit) I Jl.'W,\itliritl HMpiOVt'r weie so :\\t\( mm invuy ; " l!iuii^lit tor dtsC..: H'.-iigned < (ii8ciplcj« ; uiio pifcly' ill wliirii I liit'i Jaeie iif- llead fur a our Savioiii Willi " 8Up« and sealing went.*— W •"Thee tkvrch. Of ( by God hii b»pti«m, an bas been m the fsisitir to wemnst dp the «r/eriMt both to eact inltrnat $ign Circomci H.iiicfi vlHioMl ofr«iii«cti.!« (or wl,icU I ji-nd, beiiiui f Ihiuk It in loiinHrd on Mm Wild of Otfd ;andof8ii(li« peciUar roMMiiciloii i« my luiiid, ilui itm mom [e^alniue my Bible, Uie more •' uip.isi.ioMi" I Income, homr ol tlit • Jfcwsin tlie days of our .Savioin were a* *' *iijeriHitioiu"a« lam, and *Mli<:y biuii{|{lit ili«ir iiirMiii children liiai lie migUl |iu. bm kaiid> on them *wi pray :" i '• Mill knowing" as yon coufew" that die piay.m of a rlghtPO«» mao avaUeih^, Riucii, ihty nulnially dciiied his i>ia)(>iHin lehalf of Iheir chddmn." Voa . iiiiijtt alloM- that our bleated Lord nt-w their luotivci, and also that be wafto Mithfiil »>noii,{h 10 lep.ove thtat » •• ilji*iijjlit»"liu\v<-.(«r oui -^avi.iui ciiroui.jgftJ, and ♦' rebuked" hi« diociyiks <« fir u.!.c..:"agiiig (iieiii, and " i^itsit".!'" ihfi tlitlilivii " brought lo him," aod ;;; assigned as hi>t reason fo) lux ovvji. romltict and /or dinapproving of thai uf his .^ «; " O/'tnrli is tiic kui;vtninuf heuvtu ,'' vrhicli both **comiiiOU seni« . Mild pitiiy" unite lu lea'i tis \o sup^io o miiHt li'tvot, does not alter tbe casp, m- ., lie kntw liimHtW. Jle wat the (}irat Mii;li .Priest over the house of God^ and 4^ what hn laid his han>i' oti ^ii'l prcsnuted nnto God in piay^r, wan coiiMcraled ? to Guil ; aud when ;)• ji:e Hnad ufihe chuicli you hear uf bin *< blftssiog*' \ " little childreo," and tliat at tlic r'-quest ot'tho*" who were troubled with the ' same "superstitious" ''thoughts" as inyi^cli, ynu should I think suppose, that_ hetanctioned infaut-diurch membership,Hnd if so, be sanctioned infant baptism, as they cannot be mcmUers williont it. I must presume, that we may claim and plead for a privilege whicb.Gud appointed, which he never revoked, and wbicU ii ■ our Saviour sanctioned in these proceeding's, without, being very jnstly brandod '* with " superstition " that is, the privilege of dedicating our childr<*ii onto God^ ny and sealing them with the seal of the covenant according to divine appoint-^ ^^ ment.*~We have certainly in the conduct of onr blessed Lord^a proof tkatv**? .'» !'■* "" The covenant with Abraham," says Mr. Pond, " it itiU the covenant of tlu'^l" chvrch. or ihi« covenant, circumcision was formerly Ihe token. This is decided ,, by God himi«<*lf. (Grn; xvii. II.) Bnt clrcnmclsioo is now abolished; and ^'^'s baptism, an ordinan^t^ of the same chnrch, and of courie nnd*r the Muie cbrewtnt ^. bas been inMimtf^d. lias not baptism, then, takeh the place of elrirnmcison, as ".^ the ti$ibie token of the covenant with Abraham? In drd*r' to sblte thfs enquiry '.^ *e must drtermine whether these ordinances ar(- of a' fimnafimpoi't. .Merely ^ • the sar/jsriMl ceremony is of no consequence in eithet. TWb relation they ijold, ,^. both to each Otb«r and to thiR cdvenfeht, mnst be determhied entirely by iheir ,^ Mtenat tignifieation^ ;. ■ " * - • ■' "^'. CircoiQcitiiou, as a token of the covenant, waf both a «i|il and a>«(ra/.(fti»m. iv. .|nf|n(8 m&jr bft4>let?td Id aniwerto pr»jer. In the pri:<>eedingsK)f OdA niif M^t tbcy may prepi>rly be i\\$ fnbjbcts of an ordinanpttVhich ii a repreneotafioo of the nIioice«t bleqaings of kis |race, wi;boiit any of tboae enditionn wbir.b i^re rpqnired of adnlts ; and tint t||iey jnay be members of a chnrch the atliilt mcmberB of which like Abri^aini mnst either have faith cr they cannot he jtiAfitied ; aod t)iat this wa^ indicative of tb«ir r^ation tgi hin^ |^i|d a claiming them ao bis ^s/fn : $pd as God |loes not hastltnte noipeaniofr, f ^bsnrd/' *S ridiculon^," *' si^perittUions,'' ^erenifloifs and r^i|(ion(i, I think ive have indi»piitali1e proof' thjitajcefemony of recogDition on the part of God, tod of dedication on the p^trt of tbo«e eon« •erntd, performed by a rjifhteoi^q qan," (and such alone ought t?. peirfprm it,) ot| the application of pious ps^eiits, tiay be a real *' blessing" to infants. By •neb "anordhianro/'' as D.r. A. Clarke observes, *' no soul living cap prov« that they pemntt be profitedr" <<. Tboqgh tittle children, they were cppabia of receiving hit ble^st&f . |f Ckmt efo^-rnd lliem why shoultf not his chunk embrace tbrm f That the ch:urc^ onv'C did thi", there can >be no dispate. That it was sanctioned Uy onr St^vieur I (Iiink is rquaily indisputable ; and if it were a duty to dedicate their ebildreo to Qod, and constitute them meml^ers of his chnrch under the fbrravr dispentiation, it was & privilege ; for such are •11 the ordinances atidapppintnients of (^d : aud I now ask, §8 19 my former letters oi| this subject: «Doe»it belovg to that dispensation, copipared with ^IP^tch, (hotie which have pi^ceded it have '.* no giofy" ri^mainipg> '* by reason of •f the glory which excelletb,'* to ^bridge our priyileR«s, and deprive the chri9< fian of the opportunity of ** presenting bis children unto (he %A>rd^** by present- ing them for admission iiitp hia church, and tberej^y laying «ach nnder "aa^ ^bligpttipQ to fulfil bi« di^ty »* IT', E: |l.; AsattfR, it was embl^m^Hcal of the circumcision of theheart, or regenera; lion. *' Gircnmcisioais oftlie heart, in th« spirit, i|ud not in the letter. (Ro^. ii. 29.) As a^hl, U ronfirroed <.* the righteonsness of faith,** or the covenant of grace. |t protclf^oied to the world, that all who hud v^lipujNirily submitted to it, With snitable feelings of heart, were entitled to every favonr promised in this fovenant, and esitecially that their faith wax imputed for righteousness. Such was the import of circuipcinion. U not that of t^aptisin pxefcist^^y similar ? Tbit too, is both a st'ta and a aeal. An a li^n, it is an eii^blem of the washing of regeneration, ar the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It therefore signifies the fame as circumcision. U,oes it not also eeal the ^ame ? Tho^e whosiibmit to fAis ordinance with snitable f«elini*s of hearty miy h(> hnmbly snro that their fait(i is imputed for righteo^nsness, apd that tliry are entitled to all the blessings of the covenant of gr^e. We have new ^heiifrn, that when the ancient token of the covenant with Abraham was abolish«dV*Q ortl^^ynce was. established in tha fhnrch, aud appended to tb^ Mine, covepani, of fi very similar import, fIow,il|en, is it possible to resist the conolpsian, tb«t thiftlM^ei n Kubfiiitoted for the former ? How #hall vfe avoid eonclqding,that baptisaa ia now,whait circumci* fjon formerly was, the token of the covenant with Abraham I" For replie" to what Mr. P. calls the*< cf^vi'is" of Mr. Jndson on this subject see Pond pp 9% 4*[>0-— Yoq must either admit i^e force of this reasoning, or else maintain, 'that «".. far,, . .„, , ,„,, j- «puc. ..„„.. «.dj;"„,e;iS;,:;;°'' *-/"■'» ■"•"■"«''" -^ «"""' f'-Wio .1,61, beliair... A. < k! r.. f • °^ ^''^'•" ■"' «•"•■ i"8 " W.- »->««.,««. .„., dertica,! ;;' 1',:'! "r '""*-" -0. J a u,,i,„>, ■••« »«»!..«■ keen dWicudlht." '"'"°"''" ""«« «■••'■ *•/>. < I ' 1 i 120 in performing their duty toiardn thiem. In ibis opinion ^oii cannot &;!:^r^r, n^ jfoasfP.no fonndatinii for itjHtiinripture; und itappearii fo be cuntradictid l\ jPJtperi^rnM',. If God U^kPnt^ed into-a covenant wiili al} bellpvfr.i(ynn ptoi'.vfv) m to save their cbijdron uj)on/erfaincondli>oii!), then, where thp.^e conditiotis arr! perrnrmed, tbflr cUildrf n «^il beainuiitlhiiiy saved. But we «ery seldom see mi iustaocevidier inscrjptnreir by our own observation, where all the children, even ofiiious paTent8,aretrH^ uioiis." Von shonid have rpinemhered that you iiie here giyint; ihe supposed ontiKtn3t>t'oiip,*Thi> does not lllce yourself believe tlut God gives one kind of grace ttion<'J4tulHnuthei kind to aiiother,arid titat wherever " saviuiyi grace" is given/* i4ailit>i(; salvation" follows of coarse ; bnt of odq vbo, believes, tliat a" talen" ot "savinsf pract" is jsiiveu to " eveiy man" by that Saviour who is *' the ligit which enli^'iiieuPth every man CMiuin,; into the W'lid;" and who bf>tieves ihat larger or iosser dc^rrees of this grace ar« cou)miinl'eving " prayer iu their bchilf." Is the Saviour's ear heavy that he cannot uow-liear,or bis arm shortened that he cannot now save i If not, why shoniH he Qflt bless onr children as well as thoxe already alluded to? As for GcJ Laving entere>l into any covt-nait to fcave ail tbe children of pious parenti 4>n certain conditions, and all 'ne chifdreo bein^* infallibly saved when theve conditions are perthrmi-d ; tie.^e are puiely ideas of yonr oMn, and ideas for which, »» you very fioperly say, we Lave no fonndation in lb« scriptnieo. Wij»r Dr. C. said v^a^ ihii ; " Wiiuiever ii« solemnly consecrated to God, at>iiip^r\tnc* ; i^or by^ ^ki^rtf %H9n ; ftai tkoftp ai^fi^ rti« " i^fihh af (*od will At>t alwayt Htrive with" ihoin, and instcjU of '* wQrk,u[i]( »ai> (lietr o^q ««|viM^w vUil Its* and nembiifig." ihey win'Mrfj^^ifivenp iiii(olbefi)«^Iv.?s wra^b MtaiQil- I'jft -dij orwiatli." Tl;at pioin pArtnt:) liavp a greater lUMilAej* o£ piotia[ fiHl^Mir <|f«/f those wh>t deny. WUatyoli Ji«d t«profe.i« order to overtnrn br. Clark«'» aeiitimeDts waij that (he rliJdrcn of tiiocetween the children pf l'«eloha9jn|; of Abraham which iKrome 00 theGes« tilies thi>!iighJe9|i»fC^rixt,"Uiati9 "the promise of the Spirit ;" aful ibia mv«;t »be8ong|it ijidedinatioa unto ni-<>oti4 icusirad of his discii^leis if tbey had gongbt a te»(tporal '* lilessin^^ "foi th<»ir cliiMrei/' or*' infaiitSj" and as bo hJtflsed liiege chilr ot litcjr parent*, I think we liav** encouragement to 8ee|c this rtjiuedy, by deiJu^iiun w> God in i»f»iM!y, and «» he Met«^a toi' inianc baptism you bivc connected it, and vrUo you *;vid*iitiy roiiMidcred as pleading (or it wjfJi ail its al>U!!Ps. Yoa Inform »*i *' Mi.^-'CO,it (author of fhf commentary) in his iif'e lately pnbliHhed, niejuiioos lil< win^n* mmey from ata/ty itt carHr!>tp«<* m<' to ask what tiViiaiguiiu;iviov< s? DV>t?s tde iibuf.evinjy tbiiif* ar^u ' H^ainsl \\* ii.w? Saj'pone ffoiUB or tike Je\V» had " sat dy wi u U) a JqshiuuaUle amAisemcai" after fh«jy had ■l\ '< 1 » I ^ 422 ' ■- . • Yoo farther inforsi lis, tliat " vre i-oaJ (hat our first pareols had two soiix, Coin aud Abel ; one wai a child of God, and Ihe other a sinner exceedingly. To ivhat(yott demand) sliall we attribute this, to a (lifTeicnce of instroctioQ, ^kateple &c. or to the sovereign grace of God, which alone constitutes ns heirs of Salvation? So yon would ra«herattrilute the difference between two chiN tires" oue of which is a child ot God, and the other a sinner exceedingly,*' •t to the sovereign grace of God ;"cf contrse given in the one case, and withiield in the other; than to the onfaithfnlneRs of parents! I think we have some proofthatGodis as much the Sovcreis:n of one soul, as another ;>for "all sonTs arehls.*' See Ezek. xviii. 4. Thin chapter will ulso give you to see that when they have arrived at years of discretion, the obstinacy of children, the Ame 18 of parents, alone makes the diflerence. See \ci» vi|. Si. " For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, oaith the Lord God ; wherefore inn yourselves, and live ye." (v. 32.) ^an you inform me how he coulJ be t^a God of truth" and make this dtclaratioD, if it were as much his " pleasure" to withhold " Sovereign grace" from Cair», as it was his delight to commnoicate that grace to Abel ? I allow that ** the sovereign grace of God alone constitutes us heirs of salvation;" but I must also maintain, that if this " sovereign grace" be sot equally ccnimunica- ted to all, and equally free for all, his " sovereign" wrath ^* alone constitutes'* thesMCcessorse/ Cuin the " Acttso/" derm nut »n, for without this grace, they cannot be any other. " Sovereign grace," in the sense -in which you have here n&ed that phrase, always impiie« sovereign wrath, and it wonid In my opinion have hren much better to have allowed the Almighty to answer for himself on ttiia subject, than to have answrrt-d for him in the manner in which cirrumci«i«d a rhiid, and thereby " pt'ofcstied to initiate it into the church of Christ," (and I an not sure that tiiey did nor,) wonId this have proved that circumcision wa^ not an ordinance ofGed ? or that it was not lU^' initiatory cere* mony into his chin rh ? Tbt "christening'' which yon liave mentioned, lean assure von is no ** specfinen" of tiiose wliicli either Dr. C. or iiis brethren "conduct" They are not card playing Farsons any ol ihtMn, and I (telieve sucii circnuistances a»« tliis are less *' frequent'' ainon^ mist bodies of Focdobap* tist^Unn vou KUppose. Why above all the partH of your Li^tters did yon mention this in connexion with Dr. C.'s observations j* You might in my opinion luve b*>en l)oih more honoiirably aud usefully employed, than in mentioning sorh a circnmdtauce in connexion with the name ota boaiy headed veteran in the cause of Christ, who is venerai<>d as far as bin name has beeu extended fur his sterlins; piety ; bis extraordinnry talents ; his long and ex ten- Mve uiiefulness in the cauxe of Cbri^t ; and for his almost aova< alelied learnini; of almost every kind. Infant ba^'tinm when properly performed is, like uifartt circnmcision,"a beautifnl and significant ordinance, and has" the same slgnifi* cation and tb«> siime "giacious premise annexed to it,' as I bave already proved : " The covenant never was" disauHuilcd/ and " tlie proiui>e" wa» gfacioucly continued. When mtant circumcision was ordnined the Almighty &aid to the fatter of the faittifol, *' I will be a God unto tbee snd (o thy seed after Ibee i" and when the apostles appointed chriHtian Imptifim in obedience to tlieircom* mission, St. Peter being " filled with the Holy Ghost" declared, " the promise ts unto yon and to your children," and thus whbt you have said of the haplism of adults, is I think equally applicable to that of iufaots you have anAwered. It appe«ra that the vr retched Caia bad tonia id«M «f " fovereiKii grace" and vovereigii wrath, and he concluded that the ro.ruMr shone in favour of hit brother,^ ai»d the latter frowned on hmtelf, «vfaco Abel'a offeriog was accHiited^^'aitd his rejected. Like many a one who supposes bioiielf to be a reprobate, be supposed tbe cau^e to be in the decrees of O.o4, instead of in himself ; was DOjt very well contented with the decree*, of bi» goverei^n ; and was wroth both with God and hi« believing brotli^r. The Lord coudesci^uded 10 justify hinitclt however agauast his high thoughts^ and ibi« be did in the following language ;*' Why art thcugb wiotb?and why is thy countenance fallen ? ifthou doest well «batt not though be accepted? and if nor, sin lieih at the door."OM«d «lk>, (baf they ^er#. i« or ilW oilier ofthe.e *ttmi la itaUpaflHi^e ; and I preferred rii(* iiittef. l /odntl §i^o Uiat iJie liesitifn ptaetiH«dsueti aboitoiisable rit«s in ili» dedlcWtiou if their chlldreti lo idcl^, «k I.wiiHc«naittfl«cbrisiian woold atree t« observe : and I supposed that iii a n-Higio^* dispute betwpeu n cbilstlaii and a h^atli^o, ihis wauM not he lont •f|)nof;iror woiild it be iinltnbwii io tbr apostIi>: »ud if a li«aib(ii were «>ltaWed td d'vi'HI %vitlj"'aclirlKiMn, that ofrouVse tbiit |.raciice must be fiivpa ap^otd (be children dedicated tutlie Hue God, iu oi^po.^itioii to the practices oi llip ueAibfeO : and thus made relatively " holy " 'Vo tl»js cowhk tit you bi*ve 8everaroi>jeclioii6; ibeiuost u)iiii»iiaiot wiiictiar^, that it in oovrl aiid. '* mi* tirely wiibaut pioof " An.J do yoii re illy liitiik that I have no wont r,g}*n| (o •it'tt'er Aiy own re^^ut'dtioH or the (inlli, lU^a to t.iiy that a praciice »a!> <• vifi; lihowD," wbicii** is ei» without piool?" Ifyoii do, 1 niui< beg have to int'orw you that you are tuVstakeq : auif t will here us>nrc you once for all, titAi I Rin not in the habit uf iming uufouuded aHKcrt.uiis, or of viclaiing the truth. If the canH« which 1 advocaic wiil not aland without th««e di'tf^ta'ble proceediiigii', it shall full lor any help I will affoid it: aud I will ilbandon not only ibe deiruceof tbib cau.se, but (l« canse itsoli ; and go.*^ over to your sidf." The fuiiowing quotation however, writ Mbew that I cap ^roriut.? proof that " the piacticcs or the hcatbeu wore by vaiioiis cereouiniej to dedicate their children lo idols before thoy weie born:'' and both this p«oof, and nyy cofflpnint fortunately come front one wit;) yen iiirorni ita wart * the oldest of tbe JUatia ratb^i'«," and opposed iptaiit baptism : that is TeMulJ an. I lakiojt hot^Dt, A. Ciatke's Cowmeutarv ; ta which w.oYk I referred in my !asi l^tierf foK a proof of ibe assertion, the truth ot which yon bav? lhouj>[it ^repcfr Urdtffty* ** A child/' oaya Tcituili^n^ <' «a<« fiom Us very conception d«dtr«t<4 to the idola and flseinous they w^r&hi^iped." He, then gives an Meonn; o| the cer«pnfAnif«> with wbicb I wiU not defile my jiagfi*,and pro* c«edi»; *V>o cbi'd,iini«ibg the heatbeu waajtorn >n a sia^e of purity ; and it is prt lo be wondeied at, that d»;nionapos&(.'sa thf^ni from th^Jr yontb, jteeing that they iire thn» tnrjjidediC&M t<* ilieir seivicc/' *' lu refcrenre to jlhis," says li^rj CI." b(< Uiiuks St. rupl apeahit iu ibe yei^t before us. The nnbrlicviug liintiratid,is,sanc. e. " A^ tbeparuftts wrre converted to tb« Christian faith, the ch'id cftineKini^ ii>e i»c)r)d witlont i)>«fit imvnre and unhalloaed i>tes; and.iir, jlr^fR tt$ infiuni$i€i>n^outfd to tiu irve Goi." (Tr^9Ua« De ^arne Cbristi, rha|.<<- 87, 8U") '^Itnhyoii bait tbc eldem ot ihi Laiiniatheto, vbo vav b^t.' lUout tb' year *fy) aid floyrniifd at f wiitn 108, and whona )ou MippoB" to have hffnMOfn«ni> to iitf.>i>T baiitiAOi. hueaknig of a holiness as avplicabl<* to infants tr a iytoio'it i.arjif, %i2. FiiKt ite{ia''^'C),or ihei< not being dedicated nn o idolf*; iwi r>Hcondiy poMtivr, or tbt-iv licini? ron-fcrated to ibc irneG«id. How '\\it aio aud bUptrstitiona twt au Auii| oewuba^iisi tu vpcak m thia niattuer j Aud }95 intri'rmU.v oo lire )ni»9a{;e Ulidw i'jifi»eJ, " I^Idi•^'t:UliIJ the wJy c«renyoiiyi pl•fws€^I^Jr cf « 4i<«<1raiory iMstiue, a«kiiA^i*'ti|[ed anioiig ihristianH," t Hiouglit f eoidd "Wtkib lonift dfgret of M'^'I'i'^^'y P''**"'^© ^''>>in «I)i» .st«*iw iVKtriDf/ny, that inf»iHi( ^e»* *• dedicuretf lo ihu Huly Tniiiiy-the true God- by bui>ttaiu." You u«k ; '* Ta iiutthiis- iiiftie be^iruigtbn (]UA!t4lon ?" I Hriti'A*^^, intfnt m bapfism h tnarrK tbe Ceremaoy u'^'lcdhcatiou it is; iht hk t-ar a« (^f^ffirutioii rtuflf i» conreruetf, it is not : Tor ibiM M t>r(>v«d by tli« |'a»(«ut;e abi^c quoted ; to whitrb yon Ooglit (o bavii iui'eiKd- beiWi- yuH ctMi«x«d nitt vtiili «>fibHr adViViijciMg '^uMiritf^itk aMffrely. wiihottt pFoolk" AT Willi * iiPtruiiv^ iti«<< qafftion." • ]>t:}0n caii;d utrt r^fer-to' ,1 iiu v>uik ti) witicU i ti«ti<>it('d yo(i .^^lionld liav(>> bt'lieycd itt^t prodt* aaiM^i uj
    ^>«>''^*^*'^K<^()m( til itii»i«i? fbis v.'an doav by bafp*> iixiii, 1 had ass'imieii' lor tiu- })!< >'4{ 1 h'j'^^'i atterwaids' to {rtove /fiv^' aat" Tbls(»!tt!ir4t(f.oi.)'u't*'ivMh'ii/j lo »hv iii-*j*>^(« of itte pi'iuiifi1r« cftrnthnf cburohes was |u>ft'orfn'fd tiy b,»jvf'!»»o.'\Sr^ r-l©'-) 'l'ljn« ynx mmt fittCHitvd (and I '.'aitiii^tcpiictuvv Im.v joii cvci* «'\t,f<^ sieMig' il Ikefaut) iir4t 't had -ao UH^in (lei«4fcri Iha^i '^^^^r^tH^^o dr^fwt my ■jpail'Mj, «»itbvr hv iifdviincDg "assi'r* iwiis " ehCH fly 'ivKjjoii' proof,'' 01- W-^ '*- Up'jrutui; ili« quentiou." I mUst now asl', wliettiep you »tii'V<»»«' it raoK!** "ai>!itner of your cliaryerf ii^jiiiiisi iJils Ci.nui't'ivr) tu|- a hra lir-tii in.iii i-. L-<;u.%«i)t '0)i u ('hiist'.iUi vvoniaii to coiiiPiil (b uu'tierj^o a ti4iDut'aL-tfiU'iiiaiil« i't'n ni)/n;r» lii t'iu- titi.e of {Mir I'Dancy, iti ui ler lb iter' child j)>i»Mng that site ve'in '* not »s>di»r boudag*r in 8«icb it icaso ;" km! U:u^ tit^llt^ botfi the *' peace" fd" heV nvnn niilid anti tii&t 61 h«r i^atmf} ; to viiiit^i "i)od Iras caiJed" every rtnistian. * But «i>^iin rdo you illink iliat a hf-aiiun «n>«ld '*b« plvatied (o dv.tir wItV a '•1iri«'ti>ui,»f lie looked «^»ou ifi' Ciiiifclians M ** (iie'dt-uiii attd off scon riifi;' Of* alP 'irfig8,"a8 yoii i^up^tose ; aod of oc-iiviie budtitr^ o)tiu\oii dCiiiit vvife ainong' thti' "I i(!it?I fbiiik ft railif r iiiOiV iiro1ii'.t.i> titat in tbi's case he V^mld ftirtn»Ii' yioof, that il'oitfir he continued » It iiiu, Le had a ratiur bitdi optfiloo of liie Cbri«t att« thau thi»; ai-^ ihii n. ,:!it fiiinreh sonje hopes of the po<»rbi1ity tff bis roatemun to iil6;siimv fitiih : and I thiiik it far fiom betnu impirobabfe tli^t i}>islK iilUidtd tiiin the 17th verwe, whnr thf aiostk mv,f'a tht^M to eontinne united, if the. ttiib>'lieviii|E> party w«ie *' ideaf^ed lo dwell wtb'iiia belle er. from a bor« that ih> continuance of liie union iniiihl letrtiiuate in conv. rstoti ; " For vbai fcix.wefi ih»« »*^^'^bo^^ i>!;i'ni wh''l»»r iboH >bv>lt savr liiy wiic?" — Tin^vviUihe is cvidei)ti> a piiiely religio(t»d'(8^^ii« t^ubitiltwd to the a(io»He Ift II : It im I! bttt capacity &» a feligie us (ractipr : suit the words unrd by liioirouat alt have , a rtli|(ioa« aud cat a natural iiigmticaiiuii : aud I kavt no be!>itatioii in saying, lltat Ihii lignifieatiow i» foiiud in ih« I'oliowiug cvuniu'ur, a |>ait of wUicli ia Gompoaed of tbe paraphrase of that ar>le Ut Vina vvhoiii yuu have su justly oailcd "• the uuiabitt aud candid Doiidiidtjc." vSec ()ok«*s Com. ou the paasage. " The wordAaanotified, holy, and unclean, are MHed h«re by the Apot^ilf in the. Jewuib sense. rbcJews called all iliat were Jews holy, anU all otIictH imclean. Thua prvles gfnila extra nmclitiuteiiif }\a\ ** a cliild begottca ity pareuta, while they were }et heatheDf>." Genila intra nindiluUm, w:u <' a <;hiId.begatt«M by parents after they weie profiely tea/' . The ;Neauiug uf i bin vcrae iaas follows ;*' For, In «uch a caKe as tbi.i, th^ tinbclieviug hnHband is ao sanctified to the wife, and the nubeiieviug V7ife ir so eanciifled (o the busbauU, that their niairimonial coo veise is as lawful, as i^ they were both ofihe same faith j otherw>»e your childuii, in these mixed ca^tn. wcie UQclcao, aud must be looked upon nn unfit to be admitted to thobe pcculini- oidinaDces, by which the fteed uf God's pco|ei>, is decided by this prevailing practice.*' (Uoddridge.) This oue passage ts of great force to establish the use of infant baptism, and prove it even an apos> tolick practice j «ud this is the sense io vrhicb the aocient Cbiistiatis under, flood and explained the text. Should those who are against infant bap i ism think this explication to be a modern invention, merely lo support a tysieiu > the commentaries of St. Augiistin, and.others who lived long before tht rise of the people called Baptihts, will be a sufficient refutation of such a suspicion. Shoa *'So Clemens AlcxaodriDUs" (who wrote A. D. 204) " inttrs, saying, I sup- pose the seed uf those that are holy is holy, accordiug to the saying oftiie Apostle Paul, the uube!ieviu|* wife is saiiCtifiud by the husband, f.:c. li«nice then the at gumout fur Infant Baptism runs thu», If the holy seed aiuoii^ tlie Jevirs was therefore to be ciicuracised, aud be Oi^ide federally btily by receiving thei«iguof the covenant, and being admitted into the number of God's holy people, because they were born in Sanctity, or were semioally holy ; for the root befiig hol)i so are the branches aliio ; then by like reason the ha!y »««d of Clirlltlani onglit to be udmlttcd to baptism, tnd reeeive tb^ »igu of th« cfbrlo. tian Covenant, the Lover of Regeneration, and to be entered into the Society of the CbrUtian Church. The Mibitance of this argument is in TertulHwi tfi Anima, tp. SO, and in th« miiltor of the Qoestions td Anchioelinm, qn. Ill* • I mast now beg leave to propose a queition or two, which nalurali/ avist from tlie preceding comment".— How do you account for yonr supposed prf, decesrfors. In opposing Infant baptismi, putting the very same corometits on thOM pMsages from which ic« argue infant baptism, ibat ve put «p«n them ; and which ynn oppose by every possible mi^aas as destructive of your eysteai ?-• Did they lo«e«' sight" of " ihelr system" at (he time, nnd Inadvertently alide into the tniiii P C^n vi have a more powerful argnment against the supposed siitiqiiity of ynur ssuti-uent? and practice!^ or against that often reoeated «Mer* (Ion, Ibat Tertuliian opposed Infant Baptism ? Your ob««rva(ion (liat •* The apo»tk's aHovrlioo with respect to the state of the cliiiffren refers just as much to ttiose who were both belie^«ra^ mentioned verne 10, a8 (o tho^e where one party was a heathen," it rerlaiitiy o|t|>oged by (be whole drift of the apostle's reasoning. In the I2ih verae !:• h*g\»* a netp subject which bad not born decided by our Lord, and whirh refers exclusively to thooe who were ^'unequally roked," ia consequence of ono of (he parties having boeu roMverlcd after their roairiaf*c; audio satisfy them that such unions weie not as under the former dispen«atloa untawiol, wbich was (he subject in dispute, lie argues it from the liobneNs of Ibe cbilit'rev. Now if (his meant (he legitimacy of (heir children, as y^u suppose, it rauft iiave been astrangp meiiiod of reasoning. What ma^A in bis senses ever brgaia to prove the lecitimary of a marriage by thf legitimacy of (be cbiblren ? Any one in Ibis case would be able to convict him orbeijinning at the wrong nid of hisnrgumcnt ; because (be legitimaev of (be children natural!) flows from f!ial of the marriage ; and not that of ibe marrtage from (bat of the cbildien. Th« apostle was deciding; a cbmch difference which appeni-s tobjve originated i« Jewish prejudices; and be proves the propriotv of the unbeliever being allow* c(t to continue to live with the believer in a .state of matrimony, from (be state in which the apostles and tbeohiireh'sliaft always considered the f:bildrpn of inch persons; and bis nrjjnraent is «•« thonRh be had snid ; •* If your uiiTanh:id i)een considered nnUwful by u«. as the union of a Jew and a heutben forccrJy \»a»,wc should have iej«cieu yonrciiildren, as wa« (he case under the Jewish dispensation. Bit instead oftbi^, you know that we hsve alwaj's received them into (he ehurrh as" holy ;" and this shews )cn that your contincing to live together in your present state its con^idt'iej perffcJly propfir in out CMiraatioo." Unto these perso'is /» I that he had the Spirit of Gr.d,'' And of conrge bis decisions were ns infjllibls as those of his Master. On the ground on which I have proceeded, (he verse wilt ^aaJ.asyon contend it ought ;" For the utibtlidving butliuud if. (or has been) ii •.'» ■ . i«. V, ISS f\ ■ill' tbe liiMliatid : vUe ware yom <;hiiiJicn «tii«-'oan ; hut no& eidiftr au iitti riul ui i'xtctii»), » leAl nt a rrUtivw hoiineM.'' S«,« aUo Du*l«lniJgeV l»ect. |»»op. CLIV. Aig. V. fiec. 1 j aaj S^^rkbuut nniUi tbe Aord /tu/fia )t|ii.« ii'iKifieti '* iioly." .< '.ir.' < .< .ri: ** Hut ASi. Jitdaoii oluccta, ilut lit« ^aux* )iQl;iit<»rt ^^U>.r\l UfUiiie paieni. lit "U i*u'\'>Civt\" by il>e bel)ev(i'. (f^.Sl.)— Youbave iheiaoMJ objfciiou, p. U.—ftlr. J'oml rpivlifts; « I«ilii« cbe rane? The wordholy l» an aljectivi^— -a pwrt ofHfuccb whiob cbHiacipdrei iltft (lasisive verb, " i» Daiictifud," i» cniii« ly iiiUt'ieut. Tbi«,.to l» nMe, eipresaeH au tiffct ; but it n*y nut exl«tiMJ to cbjiacUM. One or two ex8Dipli>s WilliivAke tbo idea /aoiiiiar. WcolKn pray I'lai aitl.ciiotiH migbi be Modified. Tbo intonilon in nnt ibat tbry KboiiWi be luade holy a^icitons. "12«ery if:(ealiire of G^d U go«d, and noibiHg lo i/c nttui^td, if it be rnrsivod with thankafciying.; Cor it m i>a»ciififd by \W waijd vf Cl.)d.ij>nl prayer ." (1 7'.»n iv 4,5) Evpry crcatnre of God docs not in ibi« way Im-cojao a boly m-'fttjjip. Neiib«r docs ibe iinbelievioi; (>aient bccQuie a lio!y pni'oi)i,i(i any lf|.-i*!m9le arceptation of tbe tf rm,, by beim* united m niatrimnny witli one wbo bclir v.'«. He imancufied by or (♦Ml) (o ihe bplirvrr, as •^vciy rroa'uio is saiir.iiGrd by' Ibe word of God and prayer; biil tbe vib-le dihr;»nr»#> ni llip aposfU; procrfdi on tbn snppo.oitiop, that be still i* both inriy end xiib'V iiiiholy." lor a rcfotatlonoi Mr. J.'s intcrprrftiioHof ih'^ ; a-i-a!;**. Src 1\ -tcI. j». p. 9jjj pj, __ In thf pawaf:* nnder ro.n8iderHtii)ji tliovoi!) " i^ oi-ivc'triFd' is «p,piifd to an nnlwli<*vingbca(hen ; awd ibi? t-bews ilia« m v.^^t in^an ir»nly a bflng •' set aiail'' in consrqutncp of a marii^ge <;oi:!i.t;c!ion wiih .i fhrixtluji fm Mie bringinc f«»nli of" a Holy Rn tancMnrf I vso'ilc} oh-'r>»-e, \hnt your Klt'a< of tlie conversion, and baptism lifrbiMfrri c:\ t!;»'ir o*n p'^rsnna! fdijli,' of " {(■» or t«>lve years'* old, ar» nn're jirc?;»irr-pt!r.tis Df,' «r»;,>^o^ted i»y tiMi word of Cvl. Yon never read of a single iM«»ance ofliie k nn ; ntc! yorr projifn'^itj to argue fr«n) tbe silence of tli< IIii)Ie on otber sM«>j«-cis roiiit'-rrpd wilb tbi? d'snissinn sJionSd have brcnaJlewci! »f>« ihiaotorlfM i,.lo Le i by U; procrfdi Jy." I'or a r. 02, ri- ll ^. I ini to an ♦' Bel ai ait'' Iherefors- tlic |ultan ; but [(lor rp»i V.' of ilio Ml Ld anratten. I atid liavti!^'^* f(|d,ai» nirre J of a ptngl* |pnce of ♦'>« ^ren allewci! , a atnrte '^ '* From tl.? Unt of tb» (jiiuvHihion of chilJrcn of'* ten or twelve year/' old ; Mtd of eoifM no aect tint ot their batiiiiiu. Among tlit; *' &UUO on th« day ofptotecoat/'they are " pasi* i J over iu •tieuce." ** Again w« are told tbe number of them that bellevtd vrut. QOUO '" »till (here h "■ no uieution made of tbe baptlim of tbeae cbildroD. And again, in SAUiaria, *' rUili|) baptised both men aud women." "ButM** iliPHe ciiildren are '< not mt-utioned, what is the nattiral infcreooe, butthal ' tittfyliad ito«uchca»loiit, nnitiitfr the chnrchea of God."* Tbe Acta of thl( ApoHtIo " contains a brief iiiatory of the church for about 30 jears after tho (italhuf our Lord ;" and ** yvi no uieniiou in made of the baptism" of cbildreii of' ten or twelve years" of ugt! : *< is it not surprising that it should be passed over iu niience i" You know who hss reasoned in this manner on the baptism of infants ; and can perhaps tell the reason why he did not reason In tho lame way on that of children of *' ten or twelve years" old. As an argumenie against their being ^ little children" in these churches, instead of attending to th« particular addrrsn delivered to the children to which I confined, my remarks, you comment oa those which have a general bearing, and which a Padobapttst might use with as much propriety as yourself; provided by spoHtolic disciplioe hq kept his church from degenerating into formality: and which yon cannot dony to be possible. You inform ps, ** llie epistle ta tho Ephesians was addressed" * to the saints which are at E^hesus, and to tho faithful hi Christ Jusus:'" and again, "Grieve net the Holy Spirit of Ood, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemptibb ;" And ye were sometiaieii darkness, but now are ye light in tbe Lord :" and then yon enq^irf, " With what propriety conid such things be said to infants, or to all penona who h.\d been sprinkled in their infanc y ?" Now allow me to ask, vvho aupposot the apottolick churches to have been composed either of " infants" or of *' all perilous who had been sprinkled in their infancy i" You are here contending with a phantom of your own creating. UTe believe that the apostles baptised adults as well as you ; and of cotirsie thiit there were in those churches, those whom they conId address in the language you hitve here qnoted, as well as either you or I, when we are either writing or speaking to our chorcbes. Wo do not suppose, either that a few churches in heathen cities were ** composed of the whole population of the land," as you make us to suppose, if yottf argn< meuts have any meaning, or that it ought to be so now. We are Padobaptists ; and our chnrches are not '* composed of the whole population oi the land." When the children of our members arrive at years of discretibn, if thtry niani* feat a concern for tbeir eternal welfare, we teach them the uecesnity of repeii. tauce, faith and holiness, and of seeking a remedy for their natural depravity aod their actual sins in tbe blood of Ciirist, and tiie sauctifymg tofluences of tlie Spirit ; aud if not, they are considered ai having forfeited the priVilei^sof the church, though they h»ve been baptized. But this, notwithstaudfibg, is not repeated on repentance aud reformation. Though we baptise our cHll. • m ' » I 132 tlititled to the ibieilslfigs of the covenant. Yon mnst uPow that the addrf».« to the parents. Is of the same (lipHfiration «l ill, and ythy RhonM not thin bo th«> case with the addrefis to their children ? Thisaddresn evidently prov«>ii that the covenant ia not in the least altered, for if it were, thif* old covenant promixp of temporal bleisings, wonld not have been in the leant applicable to the ca^e cf onr children. Bntas it h accooimodated to the children of Genti^en in auy country {* that thon mayest live long on the earth") of conrse, ** carnal deicent" connected with obedience, entitles at lea^t to the temporal bless in^rs of the Abrabamic Covenant nnder the present iltRpen»ation, and >hu)( when " the blessing of Abraham came on the Gpntiles," it brought on both them and thoir children, both temporal and spiritnal blessing*. That the Ephesians (and all other Gentiles of conrse) were interested in the same covenant, and made members of the same chnrcli, is indispntable from the apostle's address, rbH{>t(«r ii. verses 10, 13. Christ is there described as ht"ing " broken down th? par- tition walP whf^h kept them separa:«>d from thi* church, and in conseqnenf<> those who were" aliens from the common weaUh of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise— were now made fellow citizens with the saints and of the horisehold of God." Now, as yon (to keep your system in conntenance no r: 1 dont>t becanse yon snpposod it to be of God,) have divided this covenant into two- A temporal covenant and a ^ sptn7tta/one ; and made circnmcision to have a twofold use.— That is a spiritnal ordinance as applied to Abralidm, tind a carnal one as applied to bis 8«>ed— and have made the pioprieiy of infaut circumcision to consist in its bring a sign or token of the temporal covcnaof, (or else your argument is destitute of force) can you give a single reason wliy I ahould not do the same by the covenant and baptism nuder the present di^ptn. sation ?— and give yon some such" wise reasons" for infant baptism, as ynii baVe given me for infant circnmcision? St. Paul boing judge, neither teni- poralnor the spiritnal part of the covenant has been disannoUed, and the covenant is in every part the same, and if it were consistent with the wisdom ofGbd, either on temporal or spiritual grounds, to connect an iostitntion to be adiuioistered to infants wi'.b the covenant under the former dispensation, the aame nnehangeable and unerring wisdom wonid no doubt do the same under the present dispensation, and if infant circumcision can be defended by ** wise reasons" of any kind, infant baptism is nut only capable of, but entitled to • similar defence, for it has indisputably the same place under the present dii* pensation, which circumcision had under those which preceded. The covenant; the church ; (though under different observances ;) the duties ; the blessiugi ; and the promises ; have all been transferred fronp the nnbelieving Jrws " because of their unbelief) to the believing Gentiles : th'jse were all founded OB a covenant relation to God imder the former dispensation ; aqd this relation gave the children of bis covenai^t servants a right to the privilege ot initiation Into the church ;and this bound them to fulfil the duties of their dispeosatioo : and what better proof can we have than the transfer of which we have jn«t 1S3 spukPii, thitt tlirse relations and privileges still continoe the sameV All tliiogt I'OMSiilf leJ, Icaniiut ie!*iflt the coovictioii,that the relation of the cbildren of the >Mlif vt>rs ot EpIiesHs and Colosse, to the church and covenant nnder the present .i;S)}(>t)A:itiooi» incotitrovertibly recoj^nised in the addresses of the apostle to the citii.irfii ot iliose chiirchc!«,aiid that tbediitiesenjoiued^and the promise made are t iindf-J ou this relation as nnder the former dispensations^and that it confirms liie roniment given above on the holiness of the children of the helieversof roiinili: '* For if the first frnit l!»« holy, the Inmp is also holy: and if the iDui ht holy HO are the braucbcs.* From Dr. A. Clarke's Comraeniary, I (| ioted the fulluwing passage in my former letters on the subject of their infant children being equally with themselves considered as members of these c!iiirrhe« : ** There is no shade cf difference indicated. They come in at RiMiiplote compeers with the classes which prec<>de and follow. Included thus ill tho church, without the ^lightest note of distinction, what can be more I'viiierity than that tiiey nivtde a part of the church in the mind of the includt^r V VoH ri>ply, that it thiii b>; the case, " They ceriaioly have a right to the LoriV« Hupper, and to h»ve a vuice id all the aflFairs of the church." I hope I have «1isprovpd the propriety uf the foraier of tiiese assertions already. On the laMpiI wvinld ol».«prve, you should first have proved that the adult members of ilin primitive chnrcheR, ** had a voice in all the afiairsof the chnrch," and '''.pt-riHily thiit your imaginary converts of l i 1S4 ^ ' I have bilherto coofiued my rftiiiaiks chiefly to your object iocs to iny rearon. iogs, and the passages fiom which we ptove the right of Infants to baptiim. I must next proceed to cjuitider thoie of a more geoeral uaiiire, some of which are urged against tlie practice iiseif, and oihers against tbo reasoning by which it is established. Your first objection is, yon ** find $ui'h thing!* leqntrcd iu scripture as qua lifications for baptism as caunot be discuvtied lu iiifaois, viz. repentance aod laitb." (p. 24.) I must here ask, of whom are lepenlauce and faith required ? Ofinfants or adults i I cannot sup pose that you will say of infants, for this is contrary to scriptore. Iufant« are not required either to repent or believe and a want of ability to perform what is not ihe^v dt|ty oauooi create an incA* pacity for baptism, any more than it can create aa incapacity for salvation. Repentance and faith being then required of udu^^s only in order to bapi|8«n, ^l| that jou can prove from these passages which mal^ics these requisitions is that an impenitent unbelieving adult, has no right to be baptized, and here w? aie perfectly agreed. We wtli maintain with as much zeal as you can require, tbst such a character ought uut to be baptised, and with equal zeal wiU we maiutata that a penitent believing adult who has uevar been baptized, ought to be hap> tt^sed, £0 soon as he professes faith in the iiaviour. The Lord has made it bis duty, and he ought to obe>. Hut wiiai have iofants as such to do with ihi», The apostles wero not seut to pie4ch the Gospel and require repentance and faith of them, and tiiey have uo mare to do with the rrquirements of tnu gospel thau tiie Jewish infants, as such, had to do with those of the law, or with ibe ckburtations of Moses, when that law was given ; and there is not a single argument which >cu eititer have biougbi,or cau bring on the ground of iucopa. City, which will not equally disprove the rights of Jewish infauts to circum. cirtion, and couseqiieitt chiircii memi)eriiliip,and your method of argument by luakiug thaiapiiear wion^; wljicb Gud iic), aud couM-quentiy tlvey were as much the duly of every adult s'-ho v. us a cautiidate for Ckrcumcisluu, as they now are fur adults wiio betAtue cauiitdateii fur baptiiiiu; and if duties wh;ch are only liiiuiii){; on adults caniucapaciiate iutantt for baptism now, ihey mudt have cieated tlte pome incapacity then, and coiigcqurxtly your meOiod uf reasoning reflects ou the wiijdomof God, for appointing an ordiuance which initiated iutanis into the church, wher re^ientance and latth were h* mucit the duties of those who were members of that church, as tiiey aie of the memtiers of tiie church now. Tbe question to be decided between you and your opponents is, simply this; '' Are iuf.iii!s lit Kut>jecls for baptism ; or are Ihey nut i The simple question t>eing ?is I iMve now 8t«ltd it -it will clearly follow, that all those placts which relate to biii'eiieveth not shall be damned." Wonid you suppose tha! these answers related to the qnestion proposed ? Yon shall answer this qaestion jioitrseif from th? lOiU page of youf Letters : ** We believe that the command to " teach all nations" is equivalent to the command to ** preach the gospel to every creainff ,"ai)d the meaning of it is to teach or preach the gospel to every ind?vi« dual of the human fa'nily irhobas arrived at years of understanding. We do not believF that the gospel was intended to be preached lo infants, or that tbry can be saved by believing it, or damned by not beJiieving It. Hence we believe that when it is said ; ** He that believeth and it bnptiaed sliall be saved, and ha that believeth r. t shall be damned ;" It bai rtspectonly to those who bear the gospel." That is in plain English, this text, and all those which reqnire repeii* tance and faith will not decide the doctrine of infant salvation, became they " only have respect to those who bear 1b« gospel" and it ** was not iutf aded to be preached to infants." Pray Dear Sir, can yon tell me then, why ihesa passages are resorted to, io order to decide tlt« question of infant baptism, whea it ishereadVnitted that they '^oniy respect those who bear the gospel," awl it *' was not intended to be preached tc infants ?" Thns yoa must perrelve that by maintaining what is actually the truth, that *' this reasoning brings in ita trabail tlie horrors of infant damnation' wc compel yon to admit that (he method of reasoning by ^hlch those passages which reqnire repentance and faith ava made to bear on the point iii dispntr, is inconclusive ; if we only shift yoar ground yon immediately reason Hkeonrselve?, that is conclnsively by declaring in 80 many words, when it is said, ** Ttc that believeth and is l»apiiaed shall be saved, and he that believeth not Khali be damucd : it Ii^s respect oaly to those who hear tho gospel" and you « do not believe that the go'»pflwaa intended to be preached to infants." Only reason i« the ^•all)f way on infant baptism, and yon cannot deny that this ought to he tism, bas no rrhitinn what^vrr to iafaots. In this is certainly implied, that when we r«a»oo on it, on the sitbJArt oftheirsa/ea I i ■ \ I. li JS8 Lord did not say, He that bclieveiU shall b^ baptized ; nor did he « say, 11^ that dotbuot believe shall not be baptized ; but*' He ilui Ueiievcib and is baptized sAu// be iaved, Reiieutauce and faitii wrre therefore required of those il^bo were to be baptized, because baptism was the initiatufy ordinance into the church, and the church ii suppoAod to consist of thuse who are iu the «tdy Of yalvation* Repentance and laitb are required of adults, because they are the appointed means to actual sinners of their obtaining an interest iu the Blood of Christ, In order to iheir ju^tificaUon. Compare Acts ii. 38 ; Rom iry instance in which the church under the present, difttred from (hat under the foimer dispensation, created a necessity for, and was,liad it existed, likely to be the sutiject of a specific relation. As we are not informed that tli«re wa«any difference between the Jewish and the Aposto- lic churches and as novelty always {;ives occasion for historical narration, i ihinii we have much more right to avail oursplves of the silence of the New Testament than yon have, and on these accounts to conclude that Infant church memberHhip (and con«eq!tently infant baptism) wai^ continued by the apotiiles. Hod this been set aside with circumcision, I think it is hardly possihie that one should bo mentioned and the other omitted. You tell ns that ^' The Acts of the Apostles '^couiains t^ brief history of the church for about 30 years" and yet contains no account of tlie baptism of an infant. The time ttiHt elapsed from the institution of circumcision until the clqsing of the Old Testament by the prophecy of Malachi, embraces a period of 1501 years, and we at far as I cm\ i-eniember meet with only one account of the circnnicisioa of an infant anki that w^as a;i extraordinary child, viz. Inane. (Ocnxxi. 4.) Whethrr is the mpst extraordinary eyrnc i This ose excepted, it i« not possible to tell by the hintoriesof circnmcision in the Old Trstament, whether the Jews circnmciied iufants or not. Those who were circumci'f history of the church of God for about SO years," and compare it to the ''Jonrnalsef modem Pcedobiiptist misMionarir9"in which ** they generully noto how many infitnts, and bow many adults 4hev have baptized." You then ask ; ** Is it not surprixing thnt the sacred liistorians should have been kss correct than modern missionaries are, if indeed infants were baptized as now." (p. 2.^.) Allow me to ask what simiiariiy there is bf iween '' a brier history of the chnrch for 30 ]fears," which is not larger than your psmphter, sn.1 '* thejonrnai of a modem ailssionary" in which he is so particular as to ** mention bow many adults and ho'v many infants he has baptized. ' A journal of this kind in the eonrse ot 30 veari would in all probability amount to 28 volumes instead of 28 chapters. Yon may find many "journals" much larger than the Acts of the A|»ostles in which liieie is no vnention of infant baptism. Again can yon see no ditference between a hi.vtorian beini^ panicnUr, and his being ccrrect ? Because th« sacred historian U not so vo|umiuou9, does it follow that wc mu»t concludehim £ *la I. ■H no BOt bring lliem, (for it is incredible (liat thi'y nlionld liave them on the »pot) and as he never in any one passage protesneft to give ns au accotint of " the materials of which tbfse churebes were compo!ie cost ; another of tliose histories which you have mentioned i Do you suppose (' the 3000, who the same day were added to them," and whose baptism cumti. tntesthe snbject of that relation, tmd their infants with tbem ready to be bap. tiled when tbey themselves lioew nothing of what would transpire when they c&me to hear the apostles ? If they were not there, how could tliey be baptiz. ed ? And if they were not baptized on this day, why should tbey be inentiooeJt when the acconnt of baptisms in the history contained in the second chapter ot the Acts of the Apostles is confined to the baptism of the 3000 on that dsyp There is no mention of the- baptism of wotnem and as the relation embraces those who 'V received the word gladly" it is certainly much more reasonable to expect an aecoant of iconicn thau of in/ants as some of them must have been among the happy number ; and especially as the same historian has mentioned the baptism of Samaria, and the relation is in the present confined to those who ** Repented" at the exhortation ot Peter ; and " gladly received the word" which he preached. You will not believe, I presume, that " this can be said of infants."— " Again, we are told, Acts 4," you inform us, ** that the number of *Mess correct" than ** modern missionaries?" A history of 28 chapters may be as correct as far as it xoes as a journal of so many volumes. The difiereoce is, in order to b« " brief/' Kome things are omitted in the one which are •atentioned in the other. And an according to your ownaccoui^t,^tli(; Actsqf the Apostles is "a brief history," why should not thin be the case with it? C«n1d every thing that transpired be mentioned in " a brief history ?" 141 ilirtw t»ho b(df«veJ «r» 5«f>o ; sHll Jh«r»» in no m«ffttoii of Ihfanti^." Tl»« Mmm I think in, there were do inf'eDt ** man" in ihono ^ayi. The pusMage rt%M ♦Howbeit m«ny of tbem that heaid the word, beli«rert; aittl tiM nnmher of the men vitn about five thoiiiiaiid.'* I^liat \* a« I irtid^rstaAii ir.thpre werein ihedmrch this number of mfii (iwrfroa) " beildes women and chiWii-pn." Bnt 8till the relation ha» fur itR subject the effects which were pre. diiced on the minds of the people by pieacbins; unto (hem Jesns and th« rPHunrction, and their believing rhiii word.— llile same rf mark is appUoabk: to (li<- CitM' of (he people of Samaria, an is evident from the lii^toi^ which is as follows : *< But wiien they believed IMiilip preaching the things conceraing the kingdom of God. and the oanie of Jeons €hri»t,fhcy w«>re liaptiaed) both oipn and women." By looking at tiie connexion yon will discover, that <^e hi^toriitn is bete shewing tlie powerful effects of the preaching and roir«eles of Philip, in saving the Hiimaritans y al*. gave heed, from the h>asl to the greatest, (that b high aiiii low; for mrauts could no more re{(ard a Sorcerer than an AjH>slle) saying, tliinnian is the gre»t powrr of Go(*. Ami to him they bad regard, hecatt^e thrft of long time he h-vl hewiinhcd tlicm with sorceries. But wken lh«y htlin' ttl VUiliit pleaching the things ronceruing the kingdom of God, they wert baptiied both men and' womtn." (Acts viii. 10, 12.) Tiie raaniieHt de»iga of th«> Kvangt liAt Ia to shew, that liio^ie who bad ouce been the fol'owers of an epostle ot Satan were in oonifteqnence of believing the gospel become iJba follow^ers of Je^ns Christ and that it had inf'iiipoced " both uieu and woroon."- BiK unless you can provt that in/nnh \\»C given heed to Simon, and conlde Mved tioni bisiuiLience by " bttirviiig IMilip preai;Uing tiie th ngs concern* in^ the kingdom of God," yun certainly cannot give a shadow of a rea!«oa, why we should expect an account of the b;iptiMn of infants in connexion with »hat of the pfople of Samaria. Indeed in every case, yon liave only to consider what appears to be perfectly natntal and easy when it serves your purpose*-- that" the gospel wus not intended to be preached to infants, 'and tlien all will be plain and easy, and yon will like ourselves, cease to expect to find accounts of their baptism, when the apostles and historians of the New Testa- nieui are only speaking of the immediate e iecis ot .the word being gladly received by the multitudes to whom it is preached ; that i«>, that they believed it and were baptized, and added to the Loru and the church. Fiom these (general cases, only descend to particular instances, and 1 think yuii wil! find ))toof of infant baptism in the historical parts of the New Testament. As soon ns you meet witliarcountv of the apostles baptizing individuals seperafe from . the multitudts, you find ihembaptiKtug tiieir households also, without a sing'e word being said abotivafiy one's faith except the head of the house; and I roust again' observe that as they bad to baptize the pari^nis as wpII as the cbildr«n H was mnch more reasonable to" esjitrt accounts of the baptism of hoiMciolds than of that t>f iiidiv!< aevcr baptiied any children ; hot on the enntiary only men and women : and I think yon will eeane to threaten w with " fir^ and brirnKtonc** (or baptizing* cbildrra as well an aien aod women. Were the " «'«>»'' on witirh the clMirf1t«4 •f EpheiDB and Colosse were converted, " days of greater grace'' than the dav •f Pentecost, a ad that an which Samaria received the word ? U it Roie likf ly that children of*' ten or twelve years" of age shoold be found >n the chin rlirs ar the fotmar, than the latter? How ran yon couslntently avoid the concl)i< •ion, that Mane of thcia children Krou'd be cotiiverted by the apostles anJ Philip } And if they wcra, why are tbey not mentioned in the accounts of die Baptism*? Are children of** tenortwdve )ears,".olJ **nirn and women?' TheacconntsofSt. (.ukeyoa see are defective on yonr principles, z% well an enoor't^and I mnst beg leave to conclude this part— of the subject by a»k!ng ;" If children of** ten or twelve yt-ars" old ** were haptiied, can any person tell ns why it ia passed over in total silence ?" and also, by baiobly adviftiog yon in fntore to argne from the sajingi, and not from the iitena of tbe biarortcal writers of the New T<'8tamcnt. st,4^_ ., . Thirdly. BecaniteJobn the Baptist refused baptism to the hypocritical aui nnbelitving Phari infants wiihadnVs. Let us for thesak;> of argnment allow, wh^t I Miink I have disproved, viz that John'sbapt'sm was the initiatory ordinance into wkat yon call '*ihe gospel;" that is tbe cburrh under the prtsent dispensation. Does i* follow that because impenitent Pharisees and Saddncees could not gaiu admis- sion without*' brineing forth fruits meet for repentance," that therefore ilie Infant oif-priDg of Abraham or any other believer would have been forbidden andreKnked,had they been brought to him? I iiust beg leave to think i.'ia' our blessed Lord has annwere.l Ibis question better than either you or I csn aps'cf r It, Of Scribf p and Pbarisses and Saddnrccs such as John rejected he pv.d, ihai *• hi«rlots and publicans ulioiild enter into the kingdom of heavm vhile iliey Miouht be ihrnst out ;" but of " infiants" he said : *' Of snch is the k'ujidHm of God" and though ho rejected and lefnsed to ** blesa^the forigcr ^ became of thieir nnbeliaf ;" be** bleeped" th« latter, becaaso be tbooght tliftn the •poktolif iewtil in tlie I contrary t« thft apottt(>4 women : aiiti Tor baptizing il)« cliiir(1t«4 than the dav t more likely the chiiirlics J the cnnclii' apostlra anJ oiintn of tlie in*) women f' I, a% well a<> •object by leJ, can any », by bninbly I tileuct of tbe lOcrittCK) aui end oil beis; R rsa material inrrhf^, ibd a descent from the privilcKPi irabam wonltl e»t freinaiiy of reaHoninc, confouiiitii);* It I Mi ink I c inio what tion. Does i* gain admix' there fore the n furbidilei) thiok l^at ou or I csu r*»jectfd ho of heaven snch i« ihc "the forimr booght lllfm us millet tohis <*bleMloK/>lf<»adficeoifioiii Abraliaa waa the very \U«f tKhtcbrutitleil loriicuDiriMOD, trdaM tbe privileget of th« JcwUb church," ran you iufuroi us why a» ni«o> Oruiitei as winhed to enjoy these privikfea could 00 eoodition of obedience to the duties of that ditpensalioD, gain admit* lance into the Jetaikb churcb i Attain, do yon suppose that if these Pharisees, and Sadducecs had had to seek atliaissiou io adttlt age, at which age they applied for LaptiAm that a minister sncb as Jjbo would have circumcised Ibeaa in their sinK and io tbcir blt)o>l,merely on aceount of Ibeir being " the children of Abraham i" Do you ihiuk that bad auy ninister proceeded thus, he would bavt answered the (tcbign uf God io tbe institution of adali ciicumcisioD,andca|icci* ally when we couMder iliai it denoted as baptism doet now, that Baptiam of thft Spirit which U nect>6>aiy to the existence of the love of Oodf See Dent. a. 10; XIX. 6 i Rom. ii. 25, liD. The only iRdispntable praofs that I remember ofadidl circumcision heinx aiimiitlstered to** tbecbildrea of Abraham," are, when thejr caK« oatoi Egypt with Moses, and when they were circomcised by Joshua after it bad been neglected in the wilJeroes8,as recorded Josh. v. chapter. la tbo first inataoce, the Luid himielf tettifiea his approbation of them, Jer. ii. t, S, Hos. ai. 1. aud he repropihfs them with the awful change which took placo afterwards. And in tbe latter case their children were not circnmdaed natil their backiliding parents had been cut off in the wilderness, ** hecaaae of their aubelief,*' See Josh. v. 6; I. Cor. x ; Heb. iii. He kept them ** walking la the wilderness, till all the people thai were men of war, which came out of Kgypt, were consurat^d, because thty obeyed not the voice of tbe Lord,** and a race was raised up in their steal, which were influenced, at least in aome degree, by faith and obedience, 'i bat their fathers ** Could not enter in becanso ofaobelief," proves that the chilf^reu had faith because they did cater in« Hence St. Paul ttlU us that it wa3 " B^ /ailk that the walb of Jericho ftU dovin^aiter they were cootpa^seU about eetrn days." (lieb. xi. 30.) 'lUc covenant into which they entered with Joklma, as recorded chapter i. 16.18, appearA to have been regarded by a!l, for not an individual opposed Jttshua. The peculiar circnmstaoces in which the Israelites were placed at this time, shew that the command to ciictimcisie was *' tor the trial of their fuid perhipK scarcely be found in numbers of protesjedchiistiaoH ; and the Lutd kuowiug tbetr bfa;ts, awi liaving strength* iued their fa:(h by diyiug up the waters of Jofdaa, and ihej t^viug kvpt their covenant by following Jotdiua: *' At that time the Lot J said unto Joshua, Make thee »harp knives and circamcise a^aia the childiec of Liaei, (he sccmmI time."(cb. V. 1.) This command was ob yed, and consideriug the tlnie at which tbey obeyed it, and that without a disobedient word, ibfv must like (heii; fither Abraham have been ♦' strong io faith." Lveiy circnin*»auce of 4hc ca>e. I ( ' i :v i lU ftiid «very iiasniige mvUIcIi lelutr.s tu the Hflfair, proves that it' ibey liati lt#f u nnbelieviiig and diMbctlieiil like ihcir t'Mihem, tb«y would like ibeoi have periibcd iu the wildi'mfsii, and ibiit hi a »iate of unuirciiiueiMioii. lu aiiditioii t9 tUiii me luiuit reweiijb«r, that Ibe deicendauu of the ** mixed oiiiliiiiiUi'," were amoiig ib« Dumber (Cxod xii. 3H.) aitd ibat adiiUa o( auy n^iioo could uu ptofe»tlug tb« Jewiftb religion, lay claim '* tocircumciHion^ and ull ilie privtlH^. ea of the Jewish church;" aud ever after their iui'aiit children, (he name ai tboso of Ibe desceudaoU of Abralwua wrie entitled to Ihrso '* priviJegea ;" and therefore Uiore w«i oot tbat ditfeieuce lor ubicli you couteud. Kuturat (IvutieiU was a iitU l» infuntt but to ada/ts whetbei- Jews or Geutiles a ytofetsmu of fuith^ aud (Atff elone gave Ibis tide, mnd t4ke vase of Abraham was iu every case of •duK ctrcumeisioB, a piecedviit aud example in all futnie cases. TbouKb it waa -for their father's sake tbat ht* remembered the desc«udaui« of the Patri- irch as aitttd'oN, the citcunistauces of tbn cases considered, abundantly prov«» tbat their interest in the coveoaut, and their iniiiatiou into '.lie church which waagoiog to beestabliHbed in the promUed laud, depended on their own per. sooail faith aud obedience. As soon as a siugle uubrlieving disobedient indivi- doal'-Achan—'* transgresfted God's covenant.— Tlie children of Israel could not stand before their enemies :" and until they had " tauctificd thnmselves" by hi^ destrtictioo, the Lord declared that he would nut '' be with ibem any more." See Josh. ch. vii. Hypocritical Phariiees and Sadducees and their thildren instead of beieg cii-cumciHcd here, by the command of God, would in my opinion have been *' cousuuied" lu the same 6re which purified the camp of Israel, by burning *< Achan, and his soiis and daughters," and thus both they and their children have beffu denied an interent in both thechuichand cove- nant *' because of their unbelief," tor certainly if AcLau had *' transgressed the Lord's covenant" before the circnmciHiou of the people, the camp wonid have been "sane tilled" before that ev»ut transpired ; and he and his would tiol have been circumcised. St. Paul tells us, that Abraham '* Received the sign of cireumcibion, a seal of the righteousness of the faiib which fie hud yet being uncircumcised : that he might be the father of them that believe, though they be not circnmci*««id ; ihat lighifeousnessmkbt be imputed to them aUo : and the faiberofciroumoisinu to them that arc not of the circumcision only, but who also walic in ihe Kieps of that faith of our father Abraham, which ht had being yet nncireumci«e«i."(Uom iv. 11, 12.) When this was its desi/^n, when ap^li>d to Abraham with wlt.it propnuly allow mu to asi(, could it ha ve been applied tt> these Pli^r'scts and Saddupoes, v^ho were refused the baptism of John ? Fourthly. Anothei common objection to the evidence addnced iu favour of iiitaiit ba;»tis:r!, '\a f'ouiid in the followiut; wor(b ; ** Haplism is a positive insliui- lifn, not di»cuvt)ub)e by (be li^'litof reason, nor tobe in-ferred. fi'om th« titnc!>s of ihin^si ltl(e Dioral liuties, but is entirely dependant upon the Will ol the insti* luiiou (iuitiituioi) : coiisequcntly it is the duty only ot Mich persons, and under poniUvt loMl'tutloim nnder the Uw, it U mtalo It ii cbltrtjtf 4e*tiinte of force when ftppUed to those under the present dUpenittion, m tb* right of femalen to iheLord's uttpper.miiit either h« eiit«blish«d hyinfertneifir they must he deprived of ihe prltllefr of commemorating tlie deitb of Chrl«t, in thit holy ordiiianre. Yoa will no doubt admit, that lliis, lilce haptism, li a poiltlv« inMitution, Can ynn then gWr n* one paaitf e, in which It ia eommandod that women shall partnlie of it, or in which we are informed that they ever received it. Yon pr^s^ the example of onr Lord against infant baptism, and s^y ; " We never read (hat onr Lord baptiied ato infant." This I thinlc hai been ac« Roaoted for. Can yon on the principle on which yon proceed, (vii. that it il nnly express precept or example that ought to ratisfy ns on positive Instita- tions,) account for onr not rrading that he gave the Lord^ssnpper to females? He bad female disciples at the time, and why on yonr principles, should he not lie expected to give os an example for female communion, as well as for infant ksptism? Yon say; ** Give as a command or an example from the New Tes* tiineot,and we will cheei fully present our children to the Lord." (p. 17.) I sluo malie the «ame de nuiuds on yonr own principles in justification of year condact, in administering the Lord's snpper to females. There are rnanf pasiages from which it may be inferred that they ought to receive it, and en the strength of th6*e passages both you and your opponents are agreed, that they ought to receive It, and administer it accordingly, and in proceeding thus yoii art an inconsistent part, and defeat the very argument which yon have her* advanced to destroy the right of infants to baptism ; for if it be proper iO proceed on the ground of itiferena€ in the eiwcase, it is in the 9tker, as both baptism and the ford's snpper are positive institutions. That you may disco- ver the snccess with which yon may attempt to give ns an explicit waiiUnt ftfr feinsle communion, I ranst for the salce of brevity, beg leave to refer you to Mr. Edward's examination of Mr. Booth's defence of female communion, at contained in his " Candid Reasons," p. p. 11, 23, and 104, 132. The whole maf be couHiderrd as epitomised in the following short chapter, to whi«h Mr. E. prefixes a title, which he properly supposes Mr. B. would have prefixed, had he pursued the subject systematically. He founds his defence on I Cof. Xi.28. *• N.B. An explicit warrant for females U oile whereih tlieir spx :» speciifiptf . sad iff opposed to all tmplication, analogy^ and inference.— Navr fcr the Chapter. " Does not Paul, when he bays ; ' Let a man examine himself, and so if t Mm eat,' enjoin a reception of the sacred supper ? Does not the terra », without regard to sex ?" [This is presumptive proof] '♦ Have we not the anthor- ity of lexicographers and, ubich is incomparably more, th« Hanction of common »«nse,for understanding It thus In this passage ;" [This is inference.] *• Whets the sexes are distingnisked and dpposed, the word for a man is not oiR^^rr;?^^ 8 ik Rti m bot aiwer.'' (Tliis ia fal«e>] '* Wheo tlieapo^Uo deliverea lo the cliurch at Co- rin(b srhat he bad rectivedof the Lord, did be not deliever a commaad— a C9inpand to the whole chnrch, consisting of women as well at men?" [This at best Is iin^lication or presnmptioo.] ** When he further says, " We, being many, are one bread aod one body, for we all are partakers of M signify a femde, by considering it as the same of the species t la order to make it explicit however, yon will not need to be convinced, it ought to be so translated as that would dtsiingMtiA the K*ei, In this Case it signifies the manf to the exclosioa of the uwmim, as much as tbc English word man, and thiis it opposes the doctrine for which he contended, and exclndfs fetnales from the Lord*s table ! ** It is the nature of an explicit warrant to shew itself to the mind of the reader ; and its own evidence Is the strongest it can have: The conse* qnence is, that be who really produces one, neither can, nor does be need, to strengthen it by any reasons he can aldvance: e. g. Were I called upon to produce an explicit Warrant for /«Mafe baptism, I wonid only alledge those words in Acts viii. 12. " They were baptized both men and women." These words strike the mind at once, and no reason whatever can add any thing to their strength or evidence ; but Mr. 1^., by introducing six particulars, shews * In proof that this assertion "is false,*' Mr. E. produces niiiete^n instanefs la Opposition to it, from the iieptuagint bbiI the New Testament, where " the word for a mtnjs aNiJbrojfos.** m V ,,a„.l, U.t;t oeUber of ,Ue« U explicit, «d that it Mot in M. po^^^ C^HCU .a..„t .t aH : For had any oneof ^'IJ"^;;;;:^,^ , ,om»Hinlo«. he might very weH have U.rown awa, all tb, "^ ^^^^ M Lnreofaoexplirit warrant, the «.«im«deofar,ua.ent., ^-^J^-^^^^f^J ^^^ «f.b.chMr.B;» defence lscompo.ed,a.Mr.E. ^l^servea. « eap^a l..lt,J^* ....eoirvictlon." The word, tbem^lve. coo.titate an '-^^^;;;^'^ ,he,ealone.andlfyo«ha.eto n.ea aingl— u^ or -^f-^^Y'^J'^'^Z Ihted to inference or analogy on. pcitive ^-»'»««;»' ^^^ ^f/^f^^^^^ yon are forced to rea.on on those l„.Utntion., when on.tl»e.pr»nc*ple*vFl^t^.>P liave assumed, you ought only to have to believe and obey. ^ ^ In order to ebvlate the objection to^hicbl a« here replyiitg; 1 <»J>s«^lWM^| my last latter; that « Infant bapVism was in a slmilat r»'»dica»i^t^ *'«'>:*. christian Sabbath," on whicU we can only obtain « satisfactory P''*"^^^'*''^ ence,froni several passages of scripture, that the »postle» BppFopr»»* ot day in seven, to the worship of God," and that tlief »* ob*»gad iljeSttStt*** .^ f,o, ihe seventh to the first day of the Week." Yoo refer me td tliese fV i^g^^^- ^ ^ j iheexampleoflhe Apostlfsaiid primitive cbrisiians." "Van'must k^oW^Uowtvcrl! 1 prestiilie,that it is only by infermee that w o can obtain^ this < break bread, Pi^jtreacbtid ittitii {< tbem." From this, with a propriety which I ^liail not dispuiey.jou in/er that it ' was tbeir custom to do this on every first day of the week. And again I. Cor. ( xwi.2, St. Paul gives the church thefoHbwing exhortation; "Upon ,tbe (iret [' May of the week let every one of yon lay by him in store, as God Itatb prospered N . ■ ■ -' 'I him, that there be no gatherings when I come :" and from tlrm you. ififtK. that if ■ ' ■■" ' ft' I they met together on the first day of the week. This is tbe way iti whieb yon ' , argne on the observance of tbe christian Sabbatb, which like bafrtism " is a poMtive institntion, not discoverable by tbe light of reason, nor to.be inferred from the fitness of things, like moral duties, but is dependant entirely on the will et the iustitutor." Let us now suppose what ia not impoasiiile, via. that a certaiu '* Mechanic of New Brnnswick'* were to assert that be is "not so ignorant as not to know that the Sabbath in a human institution, and were to request you to defend it on Scriptural principles : what would you say to this sagacious individual, when you deny an inference to be conclusive on apoRitivc institution ? If you bei*an to 8ay '* I ittfer" wonld.be not immediately cut you short by saying, Stop ! no inferences on/' a positive institution," Ate. I am not this objector however: I think you argue conclusively on the christian Sabbath, becatise it is not a command of God ; but a mere i Jea of Antipoedobsiptists that wp are not to argne by way of inference and analogy on a positive iuMtitutiou. On the contrary, God has necettilated us, eilh<>r to argne in this way pn the positive institntioos of the present dispensatioo, or otherwise deprive females t^K' I !i' < I Vi \. us •(tb« Lord's aoppcr, and glv« up the cbriitUn Stbbath ; «lDil M «e t|ik it liiMr. ly to go and do Ukewueoo boptuai alto, aod thu« t»e causiatent with outselvea. Under the former dbpomationt, all wat iilain anJ clear^ a&to thti ages and acxosof tboM who were to observe tbe po«it4ve iostiluiioni, or to whoni ibey were to be admiDlsfered ; uader the present disp«n>ation tbis is imI tbe case. From this fact I tbinli the following things are dedacihie. First, as the infeihod of proceeding which the Ahmighty has always adopted „ has been to restrict the subjects at the institution of positive ordinaocca^ when be iiitendrd them to be confined to certain ages and sexes, (no donbt froth a knowledge of the propen- sity of mankind to consider those commands which are not ie«tricted, as i utea' ded'to be of.nniversal obligation,) nothing can be moie plain, than, that it wa» not his design, that, any such rettrictioq sboold eaiHt under tbe present disveii* Mtion, otherwise, tbe same unchangeable wisdpiii, would doubtless have pro- ceeded in tbe same manner at tbe institution of christian baptism. Cousis. tently with this idea, the apostle without any regard to age, informed hb hearers that the promise on which be laid tbe foundation of this institution, was to them and their children, and St.Paul observes, that now there is neithrr male lior female. H^ docs not iu this passage make use of the same words as St. liOke when speaking of tlie effVcis of Pnilip's labours at Samaria— andrtrs kui gunaikUf** tnen mnd uwnwa"— but uraem kai guntikeSt " uuiU nor faMU"— without regard to age. In the former of these cases, the historian's design led him to confine his remarks to adults ; but iu the latter case, where St. Paul alludes to tbe subktitutiou of baptittm for ctrcuuicision, be uses words which iuciude infants as well as adults; for which I can see ito other reatous, thau what have lUready been assigned in the remaiksonthe substitution of ope ordiuance for tbe other.— Secondly, m the Ahnighty has left us to argue ;be right of a large proportion of tbe undisputed members of his body the church, to the privilege oftbeLcrd's supper by ioference. Is it not consistent with bis n-etbod ofpro* qeeding, under the present dispcnsation^Jto suppose that wesbonid be left in tbesamesituation in the kindred institution of baptiim? Thirdly, those who argue by inference in favour of infaut baptism, are certainly acting more agree< iibly to both analogy and scripture, than those, who with to destroy, or disprove their right by the saihe method of reasoning. It is by inference and by that ulone that yon prove the rig^t of adults, as opposed to iufauts to this ordi nance ; for the Lord has not in any ooe passage declared tliat adults alone should be bap. tiied,nor has he declared that baptism shonid be cea/lned to those who possess the qualifications found in adults. A command of this kind, was, I thiuk indisputably necessary,to prevent liifant baptism under tlie new dis pensatioo,be' cause nnder those which preceded,lnfants had always had a right to the initiatory ceremony into the chnrch,and if no declaration were made to prevent the conthi< nance of this idea, what could be more reasonable when baptism was made tbe ceremony of initiation, than for them tosnppose that their infants were to be bap* f lead ? Biit when we coiiiider iht nollmited dcclaratjion of Peter already couti i49 d«re(l,tb« troidiof of thU idetf^d the (iractice coiiM<)neDt upon il,tppeart tb M •Uolutely impossible. If the Almighty did not Intead infants to be initiated IttKl tbe cbristian cbarcb,cao yon inform as why he did not abrogate thit right nthlt^ he liiuself ordi{iied,aud which h»d bithterto existed by d«liVeriog toine retirib* live command against them, as he bad doue in their favour under the former dtspeosalions of thi»kit we might not expect* on the contrary supposition. lu order to d«Uir> atiiie what we might, or might not, txttoct of Clirut Mud his apostlea, i% will be u«cessary to keep in mind tiie evtabiisbed eustoms of that period, in regard- to the subject iteiurc us. Iti the Jewr»b cluiiib childieu bad been uoifiBrmly siiuuected with their parents. They were t>ariy given up tu O^d, and recoived ilie »e«i of bis everlasting covenant. Aluo ilt«i children of proselytea entered Mtiii (beir parents, and were entitled to tU» initial lites of ciicumcisiou and tMpMsm.— What, tbor., wight be expected ufCtuist and hit* apostles, ou sup* position ibey intended to put an end to these customs? Nptttileueey certainly { /iiieucemust b^ve b^eu a vii luat approbation of them. Tbey would have loit m opportunity of pressing a reform. They would have constantly cottdemned liieu in the sevei«i>t terms. Did titey evt-u pursue such a course i Scarcely need we answer, Nev«>r, in any instance. But what might be expected of tiie Saviour and bis apostli'ii, ou supposition they intended the established customH should 1)0 continued ? Nut, iudet-d, that tliey should enjoin them by express precepts. This would bo to enjdiu expressly what every one under* stood and practised. Tbey would be likely to allude frequently to the accustomed connexion of children with the church, as a thing which mt. d Slid received their approbation. They would be likely, from time to time, as occasions occurred, to baptize houHebolds, on a profession of the parents* fsitb.— Need it be said, that this is the preui»e course thfy pnrsued /—Our Saviour directed bis disciplfs to speak peace to that boui»< or family, over wLicb a son of peace was fonnd to preside. (Luke x. 0.) He affirmed thai salvation bad come to the honseor family of Zaccheu*, when he became a real child of Abraliam. (xix. 9.) He applauded the practice of bringing infants to receive his blessing, and declared tbat ** of such is the kinitdom of God." (Luke xviii IS, 16.) lu his last conversation with liix Hposiles, be commanded tbem to feed not onl> the sh«-ep, but the liyubs of hi* flock. (John. xxi. 16)i Peter taught converted parents that the promise was still tO/ tbeni and their cliildren ; (Acts ii. 80.) and tbat as the faoiily of Noah were prt-s^rved on his account, so baptism, by "a like figure duih now sia«*>us." (I. I^«^ter iii. tl.) Paul represents the whole church of Israel, parents and ebiiJreo, to havt btifip baptixed together) by the miracnloiis interinMiticD of Jehovah. (^ Cor. »♦•!■ V m (•; 150 i^9')> tl« frfirmt ihtt ** the btoraiug of Abnhui," an Inportiot part of wbidi ||^pi»Ujtfid in the eofcnuit coonexioa of his cbildrtn^ ** bat eomoi on the V^OBtUes ibron|b Je«us Chriet." (Gal. iii, 14.) He denominate* the children of bKeUevenbol7,addreMe8tbeai as «aint«;apd considers them in some sense beloved for their falber's sakos."* He repeatedly bapUwd booseholds, on aceonnt of the faitb and ptofession of the parents. Lordia believed, and she and her honsehold wens baptised. The Jailer believed^ and be and all hit were baptised. (AcU >vi. 15, 3S.) He also baptised the honsehold of Stepha. adf. (rCor.L16.>- « We hnvfrgiven a specimen of tbe manner in which Christ and hit apostles tnated the covooant connexion of children with their believing parents. They flinghl and practised precisely as ws might expect, on supposition they dnsigned to perpetuate the custom of baptising hifants." Treatise pp. 116,12(1.. Those ^'^ objections againtt** onr *' practice** v»hicb are contMoed in yoor liicoiitd Letter, and which I pass over without a direct reply, ar* not disregarded Veeansetbey are unanswerable. So for from tbb, they are not deemed irapor- taut' enough to require a distinct reply. Tbey Want even the prete.xe of being foejaded on scripture : nay more ; they are virtually tmdcvMid by it. There l^nof one of the objections- to which I here allude, which }on might not with Oquai-prepriety and with the same success have nrged against infant circumci> ehMi.andcoosequeut church nKmbership, which we know were iustitntions of God. "Circumcision was that of the heart, in the spirit and net of the letter ; whose praise was not of men but of God." When yon have informed me bow this ordinance could be thus denominated, on the ground on which you proceed when administered to infants of eight days old ; I will inform yon bow baptism caiKbe termed, ** the answer of a good conscience," " as administered to ao itafant" nuder tbe present dispensation. I think it has been proved in these tetters that infant baptism is an ordinance of God ; and I hope your objections have been obviated. If these tilings be admitted, though I could not assign a single rea^op on the ground of utility, and you conld furnish a volume of objections of this kind, they would not in the least affect the practice for which I plead, but especially when we consider as every one must observe, that ynnr objectloDs are either fbnoded on inconclusive reasoning, or on the abnsM of infant baptism which can never affect its use. As to objections of this kind, I would give you the good advice of Gamaliel ;«* Refrait. from them, aod let tfarm alone :-lest haply you should be found even to fight against God.*' That this is not yonr design, I am fully persuaded,bnt as an infant institution, and lufant church membership bad onc« the sanction of God, it is on icriptural grounds ulone that they ought to be opposed, and as I hope it has appeared that * I Cor. vii. 14 ; Epb. vi,,Gompared with i,J ; Rem^ xi.28,dia fevs ptttcrat.* 151 they have never been either explicitly or implicitly disannnlled, I omit inppeM that tliey ttill cootiniie ; <* for of aiich is tlie kiogdooi of God." That we anj '' /rove all things and hold fast that which is good," is the sincere prayer of, Dear Sir, Your'svery affectionately, GEORGE JACKSON. «^vSt*i • r-. i^ 15f Vi BDi LETTER VI. -^ DEAR 9IR, The pracediog letier» contaiD a lar^e proporlion of the matter, wbleh Podo* iiaptittt derive from the Scriptnresin favour of their practice ; and it is certain* ly Mhsonable to soppose , that if (he apostles received infants Into the piimitive flhnrches, some intimations of this wonid be contained In early Ecclesiasiical History. It will be the province ot this letter to Rhew, that this expectation ii fally gratified by an examination of the writings of those from whom we expect the evidence in qnestion, and to free that evidence from the ohjectloos by which 'yon have endeavoured toobscnre it.— This, yon as nsnal brand with that hack- neyed and perfectly harmless epithet—" Hnman anthority'* and a« though there were all the difference imaginable between yonrselves and yonroppo, nentt, yoa Inform ns by way of contrast, that you ** place no great confidence" in thbkicd of evidence, and think, that as the scriptnre is the only standard of the christian's faith and practice, God has given him snfficieat means of knowing his will from that, and especially io a point which is the dnty of every believer." AnJ pray Dear Sir, who believes the contrary f Becaase we have BOt ** in onr haste*' concluded ** that all men are liars," and call in the teetimo> niesof aninspiredmcn, as well as divinely inspired apostles and historiann, does it follow that we have abandoned our Bibles ? and must we be charged with resting on " human authority,'* which hss been called the last resort of Poedobaptists ?" Bpcanse divinely inspired historians have ceased to write, does it follov ifr^t historical faith is to cease from the earth, except so far as it has their writings for its object i In your Letters you have given us an account of a Baptist min*<«(er,<' immersing 66 persons in the space Of 40 minutes. '' Now did yon intend ns to believe this aecooiit, or notr .Suppose we were to exclaim, this is nferely hnman authority, and we place no great dependance in this ! Wonid you snpi>ose that we were adopting a commendable method of extricating ourselves from the ditficnity in which yon suppose you have placed ns, by giving that relation i My opinion is,that men though uninspired, who have their eyes and senses, and who are as truly pious as were the primitive fathem, and who rather than deny the troth would seal it with their blood ) possess all the necessary qtialifications for detailing matters of fiict, and I do not think «e are doing any great credit, to either onrjndgnents, onr piety, or onr religion. to cry down their testLmonies as ** bumajn ^utbority^** which is not worthy o' maul ' ' Ollg , i and - can whi give ' -*i ? fit y it. :V- ■« '. . the ^' ^ • •< .'••t %jf - .'k«« " ,. ,.'■'. . - . the! ii' • 4 ^» i^r. < ', f'U 1^ ■ i ;i • VA i ^'d • ^n 1 r- il ' <4 ■j 153 "^ any ffreel i^onAileiice boing pUc»d" Id it. Christianity «!oet vei^ Ultlf for i ibaii, if it dopR not malie tiim a man of truth, and I tliluk it* InBnence on m ought to b«' snfRcienily powerful to cure us of that scepticism so natural to ni, and lead ns to ** plarn great couti4encfl in** e? en ** human aufhority, unless w^ can prove onr fellow chrintians to hare violated (he trnth, or " given us r«tationa which are either impossible or abHard.** The writings of the primitive fathen give n» an advantage over tlie infidel, as to the anlHentldty and antiquity of tlie Bible and the christian religion, which blvssed be God is the death blow of their system, were we pos»e«sed of no other evidence ; and I tbiuK no real chrb* tian can read the wrUlng« of those truly great men who have defende d tho Bible and Chrintiauity from their writings, and other *' human anlhorftif your own, on the importance which may at least with propriety be attached, te (he example ot the primitive christian ehurdbet^whioh succeeded theapostoUd age. His words are as follows ; »(?^> i- »4 .f't- ** I will grant it is probabl(>, that what all or moat of the churches prictisejf (;: iminediately after tht apostle's tidies, hiid been appointed or practised by \h^ 1'^ apostles themselves ; for it is hardly to be imagined, tLat any codsiderable body ^ '• of theiie ancient ctiristiann, and much less that tho whole, should so soon deviato from the customs and injunctions of their venerable founders, l^rboso authority* they held so sacred: New opinions or practices are usually introduced by degrees, and not without opposition. Therefore in regard to baptism, a tiling^ of such (tniversal concern and daily practice, I allow it to be very probable, that the primitive churches kept to the apostolic patte rn. I verily believe, that ibe primitite church maintained^ in this case, an eaact cobformity to tlie prae. tice of tiie apostles, which doubtless agreed entirely with Christ's inslitntldil.** (Pond, pp. 114,125. Reflec.dn Wall p. 308.) Having here attended to that part of your Letters in which yon cry dovm ** human authority/' merely because I had nsed it, (though as T hope I have eonviuced yon 1 did not depend on It alone;*) I will now attend to tha't part U *<* The grounds for this**— infant baptism— says <* the celebrated Whltsiui**—^ " and those beyond all exceptions, are to be met with in scripture : so there Ii no necessity, with the Papints, v»l|o shameinlly prevaricate ill i Mod cause, to' have toc«|Brirt« uess does not so mncb depend on its coming thronth the medinm of the * Baptists, who have had an opportnnity of con«nltlng the writings of tbe early ages of Christianity,** as yon seem to snppose. The following conversa- tion from Wall's "Conference/' does not contain a norei charge against thn writers of this class: *< Anabap. Let ns comn to the second thing, Which Mr. B. told yon was so «sefnl to five light in this natter : namely, the practice of the priniUive nhrlstians, who lived so nigh the times of the apostles,^ that they mn^t needs iHipw whether inAints were bapticed In the apostles'time, or not. If 1 conId ^any ways come at a trne account of the practice of those ancient times, I ghonid he mnch swayed by it : sin<;e these men could by a little enquiry know with ease and certidnty, the matter of fact, about which we are in the dark ; aa wtt> Englishmen cannot but know what was done in England in Qneen EliiAbeth's time, ij a practice so public and notorious. And since onr qneslion now is nbont ansatter of fiiet (what the apostles did in the case of infisnts) let some si^ what they wiH in siighting bnmab anthority, it never can, nor ever shnll sink Into my bead, but that they whose fathers and graudfatbers lived in this [•postles'.tiake, must know what the apostles did in this matter. And where the scripture is short or donbtfuily eipressed, these men's looks are^ it seeMs» 1 larger: so that one would think that learned men might be agreed concerning the practice of the times I now spmk of. But 1 find so much contrariety in the accounts giveU) that there, mnst lie on one side or on the other, great disingenn* ity used by them. You, I perceive, are confident that the ancient practice was wholly on your side : aod some books that I have read, do give the accounts Iso. But then other, bring in those ancient fathers, speaking ell On the other jaide. What verdict chu one give npon such contrary evidence f " Poedobap. I am aflrald you have read Daovers. Th&t book did lie dfiiJe |a great deal of hurt. ** A. And I thought !( did me a( great deal of good. For it leads one throngli hestimony Is perhaps with as much as that of the" Bishop of Meenx," quoted by "Mr. Judsot), pi 3S. Ol this subject see POhd, p, 1«4, Note. 155 •11 the first eentnriei with quotations, ■hewing, tha,: Molt baptlaa^ pnlj wat th«n io use. <* P. Yon must of neccasity read Mr. Bast«r's Coqfi|tation of th« Mi^Mfff Forgeries of Mr. H. Danvers. Or, Mr. Will's two boqfis on tbat iiibj»pt ; witli- bi4 Appeal to the Antiiioedobaptists tbemselvei, Ibat tbf j ough| Ip renonncfl Biich a man. Or, Mr. Wbistoo : or, Tbe Hibtory of Ipfant Bap.ti8i|i (WaU> <* Pan II. ch. Land all over tbe book.*') You will find, tbat boo^ (wble^ Mm beeu BO ni»gnifieil and handed abont amongihose i^epple, and ha* Vfhs^f^ *I9**'^ of theoi) to b« a great shame and discredit to their cause. And in thit reiRfc^ I may say, that afterwards it did me good too : for it gave n^e an i^vfrsfp^ tti tbat cause which was thought to need such forging i|nd gervertiof oC ttlflPUlT. flies to even tbe Papists dp seldom use," •,:•"'. This qnotation contains the awfnl char((e of ^'forfKery' against one of th» writers on your side of the question, in dispute; and the following from Mr^ Munro's Treatise, contains tbat of " perverting testimonies," from which I eaq* neither exculpate Mr. Judson nor yonrself. Vou are however, bat the innoi:tt.fi'*ii^iMt a «i^'M^' i; **It iscommon.for Aittipct^ch'iptist writers, to quote socb passages as the fore part of this Letter would be by itself as testimonies, tbat such autbora ailowed no baptism to infants, because they require those prepacatory eaereisea- ot all that are to he baptised. This, sagrs iTe, I have seendone rut bundrpA lioies, when the author that is quoted does sometimes in the s^mp Treati^p an here, and in some other part of his works skew, that infants are to be baptixed, as being a case tbat is eaempted from the general rule, which requires faith, prayer, repentance, and other persotml preparation ; and adds, *' No wonder that tbey do it with other books when they can hardly forbear doing it with thp Church of England's catechism, which requires repentance and fkith of persona tw be baptized; bnt shews by the next words, that the ease of Infhik^ is an exempt case. Doing so wiih any anthor is dealing unfairly, and doing (he author injustice whatever he be, and doing themselves hurt when discovered* which it will be sooner or later, to their shame, and will greatly injnre their caose in the eyes of those by whom it is discovered." pp. ,120, 121.) 1 can assure yon, Dear Sir, that it gives me sincere pa'^, t^e4, an invidious, though indirect comparison between yoar praeee^ngs, indtlkijifi. <^f your oppopents, «ii4 1 s^ppoip, t^t j.«tm;^«^99«rft. GApp«niii^y umpstoM iW' ^ \m 7 1" i t r ■If m i) 7 1. i. ltd tbaD W€yM to tUt ** eorr«ctMM"«f th« evidf iv* ou which 5011 rent your pur- ceedingi, and that th« iwtinnoniM of** BaptUiii" are mure ** tvrrect" tbao ikgie af their oppoBCDtD. ThU Inaitthiok U exireiueljr |>robl«uiiilivii!, aud th« further wa proceed, the more ad It will appear. Yoa observe **Baptiiit» who have bad an opporfiiiiily of cooBulling ibe wih. iage of the early agea of chrUtfaoity.iiifora* ut, (bat ibfie i» no lueniiou in.
    . <.t lofaot baptlMB in chrietiaB writers ol the fimtoeniui}, ibcugh they fiequendy mention that of beilevere : and that tbeie n nonientiau oMt, tilt jntt at ilie clobe off thoMCond centnry. If this be the case (what! do yon doubt also,) it looks very ^rk upon the practice.** This ** dailioess" way properly be trrmed a rtarkuess «f Ignorance, When those who have no ai-ijnaiotancc wiib Eccieaiastical History meet with such objections as this, they are ready to exclaim ; ** What ! No mention of infant baptism fdr the flmt 150 years after rhrist !" and to con> elude, that therefore it must lie a mere innovation of later rimes, and this they do from a supposition that eccit istical writer* perhaps alwunded in tboHS days, Ui proportion to the spread ef Christianity as they do in these, aud that many booths exist in the present day, which were written then. Now Dear Sir, how mauy uoolis have survived " the wreclc of ageii," which w«ie writieii in the first century ? Dr. Wall who has made this part of primitive bihtory bi» particular study, and has given you some proofs ibat be was a candid mau, answers ; ** In the first century (which is the age of Cbrist and his apostles) there are, beside* the books of scripture, but two or three short pieces lelt."* The work here alluded to is the Pastor of Hermas, in >/f(iich Mr. Poud iiif'ormf tts, from Austin's view of the Church, p. 841, the churcb>membersb»p of cbil< dren with their believing parents, is asserted : ** He saw certain stones, whir h had been taken out of the deep, and fitted into the building the ehnrch ; aiid waatold by an angel, that these presented members in the fir$t or M(/aNl age. *** Amonc the writers of this century," says Dr. Grrgory, ** the mont distin* gnished place, after the inspired penmen, is doe to Cleui«'ns, the friend and fellow labourer of 8t. Paul* who describes him as having ** bis name written in the book of life." Ther*' are extant two epiotles to the Corinthians, which are ascribed to bim ; but the latter is generally reputed not genuine. The e|>i8tle which is accounted genuine, is written in a truly apostolic spirit, and with great simplicity of style." Several spurious composiiious were faloely attributed to Clemens. ** The epistle he ascribes to Barnabas was probably written by an noknown author, who assumed the name of that apostle. Of the writings of Papias, the diftcipleof John,and the first propagator of the doctrine of the Millenniua, nothing remains but the fragments of an historical performance. ** Tlw Pastor of Hermas Is generally allowed to be genuine, and It is proba> ible that it was the work of that Hermas' who is spoken of by8t. Paiil,tbough some have ascribed it to a certain Hermas, or Hermet, brother to Pius bishop of Rome, who lived in the sncceedfaig century. The work is entirely allegorical, consisting of vteioos and similitudes. Like all works of this nature, it is extremely. nne<|i»l as a eompositlon, and I confess but little satisfactory to my judgment. It was however in high, estimation in the early ages, and is spoken of In scripture both by Irenens and Tertnllian." (Christian cb. vol. 1. pp. G3,Gi.) These are the only pleoea routed gennine in the whole of this centnry. 157 I your pi9- «i, nyd th. i.f r fiequeiiily t at ilie clobe I looks wry I a rtarkuMg Iccltiiiaatical II ; ♦♦Wh*it and tocoft- nd this they ed ill thoH< ise, aud (hat Now Dear tvtfie wriiieii e history hU candid mau, bis apostles) ieces lett."* oud iiiform« bitp of ciiil* tones, vtbich lurch ; and infant age. mont distin* friond and written in , which are The e|>isile , and with attributed noknown 'api«s, tlie lilleuniuai, It is proba* |ouf h soma bishop of illegorical, jtnre, it is |ory 10 my is spoken Ip. 63, €S.) '•^ All inraniSy** sa>s be/' are in honour with the Locd, ar.J are esteened ftr$t ^f >.U'\v^. 00, 07.) He also obiervrs ; ** The baptism of water is uecesnary to uU.** '' Dofs he mean that walisr baptism is nacennary to a/f /ktmns.*' savs Mr. P. *• or to all connecled with the chuich? In either case be mnxt have included inftffits ; ninre we have shewn that he considered tV«n<» connected with the church."— The epistle of Clemtns I have before uie, and can assure you that I . can »>ee no reason to expect ihe mention of infaut baptism, even on yoiir ow« principles, for he does not once mention that of believers, though I pereeiva thst Mr Jiidson ha* cluMfd him with the apostolical fathers," who ** ffequtnilif iiieution the baptism of b«>lievertt.'* (See p. 33 ) To the work ol Papias, nseii* lioned by l>r. Gregory he does not refer, and ail things considered, I caubot conclude that the writings of the tiisi century ** look very daik upon the prac* lice" of infant baptism. • • ■ . Before I proceed to the second ct-utury. I will consider your objection iSCaiiiAt our method of** daiini; evidences :"** 1 observe," you proceed," thatybu (oilow the practice of ouost wi iters, in favour of infant baptism. You data yoiii evidences, not from the hirtit of Christ, but the death of the apostle Joho, wlio 4ied A. D. too. The unwary reader is in danger ot'losing 100 years, not iioticiuf^ but that you leckon time in the nwual way, viz. from the death of €tiri»i." (p. 18.) Allow me to say thai I think a ** reader" would be somethinf tnoreihM " MNu>ary," if he uydersiood us to itay Ihe oppesile of what we do say * and also to cungraiulate siirli *' uuiPHry re»tdet$,''* if the) esist, that there are some i)uciii0(iry ti;rtth sexes, thai were disciple^ :1 i: W\ H U r I i I' • I i. 158 f Chrif t in thair childhood, do continuo virf lot/' flc alio says ; ** W« havt ■of reeeifod this caro»l circiimcUion, but the tpiritaal circnmcisiaa ; •ad «• hava received it Ay baplUm, It in ailoweii to «(/ p«rioa«— infant* and •dalta— to receive it iu liie aame way." (See Pood, p. 102.)— I eonnected theae ^eatimooieetogeiher in ray former If tter^y aoppoeing that i hey bad a mntu«l in^aepeo oa, and a natural eonneetioD with each other, and (I suppose, not lihlof that the baptiam of prinitive timet ehooid be considered by Juaiiiiaca aabstitute far cireomeition, beeaoio this wae administered at eight days old) yoQ have separated ihena, and as thong h the latter did not eaiat, yon quote the former alone, and say, you" can see no proof of infant baptiam in it." Just for a i|i9i|iept however allow mo to reqoest, that you will unite them : and renteuiher as I told yoo that " Jnatin Martyr, in his dialogue with Trypbo the Jew, page 59, pUinly speaks of baptism, as being to christians instead of circumcision ;"and then in his apology, that Iher a caihtcd in his day," aevrrs] who were discipled (or made disciples) in their childhood" or infancy ;OJtft ^itdoN euMtketnUhtwn ;) and that he osea the same word used by onr Lord in bis commission, when he sent the apostles to diaciple the nation ; and see if you cannot when these testimonies are considrred in connexion with what ban already been said, see iomo proofs of infant baptism in them. In proof of the contrary yon quote a part of onr Lord's commission, and say that ** dlscipling the nations was something which was previons to baptism." I ihinlc however I proved that it was by baptism, as one means and that infants can be diactpled by baptism as well as adults. You further observe ;" Onr Lord mads and b»ptis<>d more disciples than John ." And what has this to do with Ilic subject und«r consideration ? Justin does not say that thete children were first made disciples and then baptixed. He simply says they were *< discipled," which word certainly in his estimation implied their baptism.— In the paasags from which tliis testimony is taken, Justin is speaking of tiie effects ofcbris* tianityon mankind. These be describes in a twofold mannipr. First, he shews how many it bad preserved uncorrupted, 6r saved from profligacy, as in the passage qnoted ; and Secondly, how many it bad converted, wiio were once profligates, and the following quotation from ** Reeves' Apolokieit"(p 39.) to which I referred in my last letters, gives a good sense of the passage. " This passage I think is hardly capable of being wrested to signify less than the baptism of Cllildren ; for the Martyr speaks of such as had been discipled noto Christ from their childhood, and this discipliog we know was by Bap> tism, Malt. 28. 19. where we have the same word matheteut and these Disciples he says aUo continued virgins all their time, which is anoiher argument tor their being i>apiized in their childhood ; but above ail, tbe oppos. jog these children losncSi as bad changed from intemperance, and coosequeutiy were men, and converted and baptized upon a due consideration of the christiau ' Hociples : This opposition, I say, makes it plain to ma, tliat be meant such y» i " W« havf clrcnincisitQ ; I— iofantu aiHi mnectad these h*d • mntual I siippOK^, not >>y Juatiiiaca |IU dayii old) ton quote the I In it." Jnsi « tbcm : «Bd wrilh Trypbo Of instead of day," sevfra] iftncy ; Oi tk r Lord in his diee if yon h what has proof of the ** discipling link however »nt» can be r Lord made do v'iih ilie ildreo were ^discipled," the passage :t8 ofcbri*. First, he rofligacy, a* wlio were Iiles"(p39.) lage. J59 I P'...n« f, ..,, ,„. "* "•"••" •«•««' .f .1.. *«ipCf .Md,™/*,; ""' •*•• ** ""« »* M.h.„.dc«...„,.„„.;.: ;^j^'»" *.cipi,d,„ taf„e, ., rtj: ■"'".•...dhCpW „„, u„ d..d tZ 1 -"'•' "■•« ""o*""" '*• -. -m. ... i. . U.C: o!L' r.^!!' "' "»' ""• -.»•<« ... b. '•«>".Mb.„w.,.,,^..^„,^;«'-., -k..«. back f„„ .»., „„. ,^- .,» multitude, a great number, who, &c. If' k' i m iil^y ty cSeAth ti dlien^f as^ii t think we may klthoiii kttng uniUy of ttiy f l^at dei^ree of pr^tininptfoN »nppoHe, that jiiliitio is here deseribhiK aorae of the ^lwi«4 vfiectjii of iiifafatu tieini; diiiciplfd hy tiiis apoaile*, and trained •« np aeeording to their direction lo the nnhur^ and adnionitloo of the Loid ;** and ^ipeeiallj as these ckM» existed in snch n'umbers In ** every nitiou." ^ ^0 oppoaition to the Infnreaees which have been draWn frotiB thn testimony of (liitliD^yon make m eomlnondablei but an eqaalty unsnceeisfttl attempt to ftntsbnllar cases Irt tbo Bibl», and flatter ytfntself that ydn have iHihid one, jerfeetlyparillellBthatprTimothy. This you preface by observfn^/ that ^t)nr Lord also Informs o* that except a man take np his cross and Ifollow him he cannot be bis disciple,** atid then an nunal yon « thinl( that this cannot he aaid«rhifnntSy''and wish year readers to infer that infants cannot be diitciplcrf, because tbey cannot ** take np their cron\ and follow** Christ. What biii ntready been said en the snhject of applving those reqnisitlons to 'infant!), wUdiwere only delivered to, and intended for ndnlts, will snpersede tlie necesisity of my saylof any thinf more thanjtistto ^nqnire, if he ever naid fi^s of an lofkai^ and rrinesting y6n to look at Afatthew ic. 33, 37, where \oti will discover that this address viras delivered to those who were in danget nndertheinfinence effiear, of ** denying Christ before mm,** and * ho were iniHtnaetf. khat ** He ibat loveth father or Mother ^-or son or. daiifhrer moie tbHn lie. Is not worthy' of him.'* These things I nnpitoso ** conld not be said uf in- fants ;** ain^ conseqiienlty the re<|oisition is not applicable to their cite; Yon ** have no donbt bol Timothy was baptiaed nt an early ai;e ; it was bowf>Ter not nntil he had been made n disciple .pt;«nd^ao no doubt it vviis niih !|heao^diiit;iplet mentioned by J uMln.** ,Now,;pftar fiir alldw me to auk. who to^ yon alt this? Wbere do yon read |itber of Jtmothy'a baptitm. •r of Ma being discipled before he vras bapticed, or that tfiere can Iw* no donbt jint so it won with both hifn, atMl thesf; ,dfl(^pfots IniHatioiieil by Jmltn r By a reference to |||e sc^nd l^pistlo to this youug ■aan, Ch. U v.«, yon will find that he was o pHtns >ottlh, pbo had a pioix mother pnA gitiidmoiiier : and from Ch^iii. |i, ' 1% appearii^that they bad taofbt him the nesifteretes early as V «?enld i#aro Ihcln { andihe e]ic«ilency •f Mm hook anA ihAAAiection whiek ht h*#f»r Jtis leaobors, are nif*d by iht •pofetloit reaaons wliy tienhoold^' continue in the iliinfs wkfeeli be hiMi learned." I f>Bia6t.|tn«l*egratiiudc •t|iathi»d^ff^^ In the faHk biefore Mm, (bet leave to think (as wo a(« to doal In mn^iUlJ^) that it ii eocy furoUhlt that it was a provide4 b« did not contiuue lu the ibiogf ^h\eh be btd learned.** He beklg calleil tlie eiHtsUeVown son in the feitb/ does not apjienr to lU^y that be was convened by bis preacbinv, bnt tbat ** as a son witb tbe fatbWr lie served liin in tbe gospel.'' (Compare I. Tim. 1 . 1, witb Phil. ii. 2t.)~0D tbe snlject tifjont icmarks on tbe word disciple so often repeated) I Wonid fn cdlichiUdil )on thts subject remind yon, that those whom the Jadaiiers wished to drcnnk* dse, are railed, and bad rons^qnently- been **made disciplfs." (Aets >v. 10.) Do yon tbiak I should argoe conclasively, if from this I were to cenclnde, tbat these Jndaiking teachers woahi not have- circnincisrd their chtldreir, if they bad succeeded in their designs! These Oentiles liad beeii ** made die* cipleay^and tbat by *' teacbtog and baptiilng,** and it was intended to circva* cite tbem. A conse^nenee you know would have been, tliey woaM have circnmcised their infants also, so that inftead of the one forbidding, it necee* sarily implied the other— and this we believe to be tbe rase with baptism, for reasons already assigned, which 1 mast tbink stand nnaffeeted by any ot yonr objectioijs, and especially by those which yon derive from the requisitions of Ihr scriptures, which w^e only intended for adnlts, yourself being judges Your quotation froin the Monthly Magasioeof 1784 informs as, tbat ** therii ts a pa«sage in Irenteus, more t6 the purpose, (than the one friHtt Jnstin,) bnt it is equlvecal.** The passage is as followi; ** He (Christ) came to save all persons -by himself: all I mean, ¥rlio by him are regenerated nnto Gtod ; infairts, ind little ones, and yontlis, ted dderly persons, " Stt, There can be nothing "equivocal" here in the word applied to "infants/* as they are die* tingiiisbed even from '* little ones." Mor can there be any thing equivocal In tlie term here translated ^* regenerated," 7f we only consider Its meaning ii» the days, and in the wriitlngfe of this fiither and his contemporaries. Instead of saying that I '* contend that fn this place it means baptiied/' it would bave been no mote than doing lie jnstice, if yon had told your k^saders that I had atleastafffnvicd to pVwreit. " br. Wall says, as I informed yon, that thia *word, ** partienlarfy in the Writin|^ of Ireomus, does signify baptiiiog : and bemeationssome placet #hich expressly declare, that Cbriit was regenerated by John; meaning (of cours^ lliat he was baptiaed by hiin.*' Clemens Alex* andriuns, aW^ ** near the same tiitte expressly declares, " the word regenera- tion is the name of baptism.'* Dr. W. in his ** Confcremie'* observes, that thia word ** does with him, and all the old writers signify bapttim, as pecaliarly at iht word cArtsleatnf does with us.**— Dr. Waferland also declares ; ** It has been proved at Urge, beyond all reasonaUe contradiction, that both the Greek and Latin Fathers not only used tbe Word regeneration for baptism, hot so apprc^ ^listed it also to baptism, as td exieldde ady other conVersioii or repentance aot considered with baptism, from being signified by that name ; lotbat accor- ding to theanieients, regeneration or new birth wa« cither biptiiim itself; inUcr* dingbotb sign and thing;) or AduMftgeof ■sM's iiplriinal Mkth considered as wrdngtat by the Hpirit lu addthrongh baptifa.*'— Mr. Pond observes; "Tkn V ,i J 4 '■> i I > >• m wbeBhiesty1adit **tbewasbfQf of regenera- tb^ (Xtii Jil. S/)-~Tfaat IreasMis restgos a being born of water or baptism - is evitfeaitften tb» Tory aatareotfHbe case. lofiiuts could give evidence of do otber raipuMnlloiK The eaa»was>s« clear in Ibe-mind of Dr^ Wall, wbo better und»r* s4«ad ttto'pfanuBobHHr oflba primitHro dinreb In rehtion to Ibis snbjbrt.than any other Biodenii that ha does notbesitatoto call it-an'*^ftilher transteted'*' regeaerated** in the present day, there was noth&ig'eqaivocal' in its meaning in the days of Irenasus, any more than there kiailkateCtbe English wonlGhrtstening^ at the present day. This will mora clearly appear, if we atteAd to another thought suggested by this passage. Tkiefiitberdiduot consider this the state of al< infants. He supposed none lebasa^ed by the coming of Christ, but those wbo were "regenerated" unto 6od/ Now if it were something by which these particular infants were na«le to differ from others, what else coiUd it be but bapUBm,t including the thing a^ified as these Athers supposed f Baptism, esoept in particnf r cases where iteottldnotbebad, wancouildered by them as cssmiial to salvation, becanae in their estimation, baptism wa« the oidiiiance la which both Infants and adults ware regenerated by the Spirit of God. They supposed that whan infants were baptised, original sin was wa«hed away by the influences of the Spirit, as wilj be more fully proved before (lie ^enclusio^of Ibis letter. On this acconut, the word r^g^nei^alied, was applied to, the state ef a persqn after baptism, because U included both the sign and the thing signified, and Ibis accounts for iw iiiiwi m PW«" ' *Isitttot a'lititf>Mrange, ihat botbrJastMiand Krenatus should wake oia of the very wor^s wliich they uned in our Lord's commission, and apply them to Infant*, and yet it should be dispnted whether ihry speak of their baptifm. tTheawfiil docliine of EIrction and Reprobation, as the ground of the diffnreiiee hrtwReu;«beregrne>»if and tbf unieK«a«iat«i.dt4 uot ealMi e^^n i* tliecaie.ofadulis, and much less of iQtanis, until the da^rs of St. Austin ; as is evident ffom almoi>i innumerable quctations from the writings of the falber«, pnxlticed bj Dr. M'hilby ; Diie^ on tl*e Five Points ; f^pecially Dis. I. ck. a. Its being itid io b€ 4oim ** kj ChrUt,*! m JtifM thc.irii»wMe|i.wit t tii Wte iw i to apply the merits of his death in the ordlDaoee ef baptism. .* i •«|Niiis»as wrote wilhin 67 years ef the aposMUo'agc. iH«4s«ftM'by'1>a>i«elI to have been bora before the death of John. -Be ««afrfef««DiAly-a^t|aArihtdl with Polycarp^ the disciple of JfthOfaadhad a» |))f ibAtilie' was hero of cbristiap ^fiaieits^aad baptiacdreo iniabcyiiearry^baak bis testiaaeny within a- voryfewiyearsof the d»y»»gs ho» apOrtles. Another objectjlon reiMdas .to.b.«.mov«d. ICctn iDforiii.n« of limpiuu^ftam Ireo«us that *VChapio observes, it Js fcierally viewed hy iheJearaat^ as ipurious." I bt;g, leave to think however^ Utat.yoiiK iutdrnant ia jni<;lalMai«s to tbia beiqg ** f (iaerelfy ". the. case. That tins oJ^ectionAas. tse^eA iBar. . Jimdaf n, ill Uiiok no mean proof tliat it is Qnly v«r> .pari»al4y ibe .Qas«iiand^««nutitt tliest instances not very well (banded. Those wih4 look imU theiiiMergHi («f U« Sermon, will see that hr has " It tt not stone nntttroed'^i■.!or4•rtlo>obtain)•l)||llA• tioes in every. ca«e< wliere it>wias.po4slble i-andtWoaMvoiikiiibtJtaxeeiiiatlodilMs •bjeetion also, if be had badaii/ prospect of •eitabiisbvig. it. **.'Xh« I«fi«i>ned" with whom I am acquainted, all, prodnoe . it an nnqnestiooahtf, wilboot >«Mr gnnrdingit agtinst Ibis objectioii, among whom is.Dr. Wall. ,tl» dOAs gnard the qnotalioq from Jnsiin in the following -words, in his ..Conference; ** The qtiotatioo is genuine ^and the book nnqnestioned." Bu t the. onatf rant, IsenmM^ be appears to consider nnqnestlomble. Ithasbeea^quMtione^ by. aoflaeyjad there is scarcely a, pafsage in all antiqolly (hat Jias r^it. Aad what is> ihero more easy than to raise donbt on these snlyfcts i It .U.pnly necessary fbrono whose fancy or interest may lead btan so to dp, to suppose ihat a pauage has fallen into the hands of spme.person who ha« interpolated the teat, and sr.eh a snpposition will cause a. world to doubt, and make years of controversy for the learned. In Wall's Defence against Gale's Refleclions, yon may probai>l]r obtain satisfaction on this subject. What be advanced, I make no doubt he was able to defend, and bis own credit, and th'^ good of his otuse would have led him. in his Conference, (which is an Abridgment oi his History of Infant Bspti4m,)to guard the qnotations if the objections of his opponent had been well fopnded ; and they wpuld.also hana prevented his repeating any quotation which his opp«n«nt.bad«ncceeded in prpvlogto be spnrions." Doddridge.refer8 also taWallis's Defence,*, siii. p.i)8a».S8i9,and,3l£,35C. Mr.Pond i^sovwell.saiisficd II to theaathenticity of the passage in. question, that, as^jfonbave already per* c«ived,h«»ayfi*VTA<«» the plaraseology of the times, their baptism was necessarily implied in, and cousequenti} expressed by these expressions ; why should we make use ofthoiraileufe, to destroy their sayings. The sole attention of the primitive Ihdiers, like that of tbe apostles, was occupied with convening or discipling tbe parents, by teaching apd bapiising, and rejoicing in the conversion of souls when they sncceeded ; what cons litnled the subject of their joy, would of course constitute that of their relations ; and these relations would consequeDtly appear to have an exclusive refpreuce to those to whom they preached, and who on hearing were comforted and baptised. Let us instance Justin's Apolo* gy, the only worii which I po»sem of primitive limes in which there is expreas mention of the bapti»m of believers, from this work,an account oi the baptitn of infants bas been expected, peihaps with as much apparent reason as from any other. In order to ascertain the reasonableness of this expectation, we will briefly attend to the design of the Apology, and that of Justin in thiiit paiticolar passage In which ha givM his account ct the l»aptism of believni." :ti«nlbft«i 105 FirHt tli« desif n of Ibe work. It was addrMsctf to (bo Cwporor AntOttlot Pins in the bofinninf of bit reign : ** To lay bfforo blm and Ibo Monttc, and tlic |>eopl«/'as Rmvm observea, 'Mbo imuitice of fbcir proeoodings agaimt tli« ChrlHtiao soct." Tbe Emperor* potirieuted tbe ebrittiaii cbkfly apou pollttcal groilodt; and in a Meoodary soote, b«i.auM Ibey looked upon Ibeir religion •» mere unperiitition, and abominably wicked a» it wm freqnently and geaerally represented. Wbat au Apologist bad to do in Ibis ease, was loahew, tlmt cbibilianity was not dangerons to ibe state, and tbat wbrn contrasted wiib beatbeoium it was ter more wortby of ibe regard oi rational and immortal crtattir«s.and tbat its tmdency was to lead tbose wbo reeeived It, to '* bononr*^ and** pray for*' tbe reigning ** powers," and to ** perfei^t holluest in the f«ar of Ood." Tbe cbarges preferred against ebristianily audits adberouts, did not affi'Cttbe state of iufsnts, eiiber politically or religiounly, and why sboa((l tba Apology be expected to mention tbeir baptium? Secondly. His account of Bapiiim^be prefaces In tbe following manner :.** I slull now lay before yon tba fflAnner of dedicating onrselves to God, tbrougb Cbrist. upon our conversion f for sbeuld I omit tbis, I might seem not to dral siucerrly io this account of Ibo Ciiristiaa Religion." Why should an account of infant b4pti4m be expeoted in •ticii a pr«dM0iion as tbiH, when this i» bis prefiice io bis account of baptismf snd «ben his evident design throuKb the wboie^ is lo shew its blessed effects on tbose wbo w«ie converted, and to w«rd off ib» charges of wickedness, with which the adultcbjristiaiu were charged by their inalicioiis heathen Keigbbourt i When he speaks of the etfeciK ot chiistiauiiy however, Mud particularly of our Lord's dedaratious, Matthew v. 29 aud %ix. 11, 12. be spraksof iis efgtUt on both those wbo bad been discipled ill adult ag«, and. ihoav vk ho bad been disci, pled in infancy, as we have alread; w«u aud wiieu ii« argues with a Jew, whrie be might be expected to mention iul'aut b4 consequfLtly ,»bat infants wtre disciplcd by baptism^ If; V I mi H i. ^^t• 446 The writloga oCptlmMfpMtViMWt are in^ay opiplpn, what reason ivpqid IfM at to exprct, on the suppositioo iJiaiiofant baptiim, prtvailed. While it was swallowed op of ibat of adults ; as Jn fbe 0r«t,i|fe« of ^cbristiwmty, it, is ratli^ltl.t<».exp«c:t ^bat Jt woqld bea^lUoVniMid bat ineidenially ineottioned. Wlieo adult bapliaa became alaiost lost in |taot of iofiints, the alltfsious . ginaryjaud the atgnmeuia of friends, aud the supposed opinions of the ancienti, and the real a'ssertioDS of the moderns, Popes and Councils ; Papists and Protei* tants, Socinian* and Antl*Moc>niao8; have all been presented to public view ; and instead uf diitmissiDg your oppoailian in about eight lines, on the meregronnd of * l>r. Wall having spoken of the evidence of the third century ohnrrvei ** Aa for the n^xt centurjr,it is endless to repeat iheir sayiiigs: but I have here anoie»f4lieir naniRs. The council of Bliberis (year af|er the apostlea 205 Qptatus2$0, Greg. Naiiaqien 200. St. Ambrose S74. Siricins 281. St. Aniitiii i'.IO Panlinns S93. Council of CarthaK** 2fi7. Another 300. Another 301. IrMioceoiinn 30i.-> I here are a great many more uf them. They do »U of them (^ome in several places of their wvtics, St Austin in above 1000 pli^ca shew (»y their wortis, this uoi one ican of them tliat pleads lur it,. or K«»ea abont :o prove it,a8a tiling denied tty any christian, except tho » ^ i»»'.fj*i * *•*■»?.;.;. 4 ended, have 167 tspedieMy* 00 this sabjcet y«n biive given nii atilio«t •I>tff i^ftadiv tfet wbol6l4 octavo pagM. - Lot n* foromomeat view one of TeriaUlMB'i.MrgiimtoBta i** Joaat ClHrtotia:r*in'c*d» Hinder not Ultlechildiren from coaiDf litit which the Paraclete has done by the ministry of Meatapus. (Nothing cau excuse him, for he not only sa}8 that the taw i|nd thf tropliets were fo^ be, looked npojn as the infancy, and the gospel, as it ware tbo jdieth, but that there was no complete perfection to bv found but in the instrnt^ lions of the Holy Gbostj who spake by MontanuH.— He maiMained several 'Apiniofis expressly against sciipiore, as the nnlawfuiness of second marriages', r p08ed the baptism of infhnts, ifft had'been at that tiiue an <:>k(Ml>iii»beii cn»tom of the church; for be was very tetiacious of tradiiious ; and had it been a tradition be would not hav« failed to ntention it " Mow yon must perceive from one of hill own woriis that iiis opinion was, that <* matters relating to , be not only It alxo that of II persons," •• y or eotirely grave, or were **for 00 lew idOWM,*' tbsD ssor Veneoit »f Tertnllian. baptism of the cbnrch ; a tradition rcelve from i relating to nee with this ersons, (and partiealarly revealed t* i« ! Fonrthly^ Its. as eiilier |os*d tbat of ir exclusioo Ion the other. and becoBi^ i Baptist;' he appears aluo to have bora " forced to" prevent the teatioiMiy of Tertullian; by tioni, is certainly mnch mori* prot>aM«>,*han ibat Ihe opinions ihould originate in,\Teknownot what, and tlien give rise lo practices which bad never been known, and ihe*e prevail all over thn christian world in a i«horl time, without a word b«iog spoken of ilieir iiitroduciioo Into any one chnrch, by a singia writer, either frlmd or foe, .1. • ; • » ' '••-' We have obtained in the passage from Tertnllian, what we are bnth agreed is i/ircci proof of the existrnce of infant bapiism in Africa in ilio year of niir Lord 302. You snppose it originated berp, and infant communiuu with il : for you tell us; "Those two practices wrie found cxIsMng tofjetber in ancient times ; tliey were suppoited by the 5nme argumeots ; vnd what reason, you ask,can bo given why tliey should not be laid aside together." Now Dear Sir, will you bavo the goodness to furnish us with diVcd proof of the eximencr of infant oommnnion in the days of Tertnllian ? This you know yon cannot do. As yon cannot, I must now request a reason why, if yonr ideas be correct, Tertnllian did not do as you have done— yoke infant baptiroi and intent com. muniou together, as two *' absurd" iDOOvations ; as things which were oo* existent, and " snpported by the same arguments ;" and ought to be " laid aside together/' This I think it the plan he wonid have aon proved, ihat iht? roannrr in wbicli be d'd thi.«, {'lo^rs il to have Ikmii an iiK(ti.H|>nifrH, we have ^i>'Ci-f proof oftlie existence ef 'lifaot baptism, yonrielf being jiK^ge ; aud an indirect proof, that infant coa^ > 171 ttiiiiiion did not txhl In bU day*; tnd allowing yon all yen can claim, vii. that yo»r qiiolatlou from lAe History by an Impardal Hand \n correct, we bave evidence from your own Letlen, that It did not eiii«t nntil above ball a century aflri tbe exitieoee o( infant baptism ; and the real bittorical facl appeari to be» that it did not exitt in any cburcb until tlie year 400 ; that it nearly ISO years r/ier tbe days of CyprUn, and 290 after iafant baptism was " mentioned" by Tortullian. f . ' < la the list of learned modern divioeii, who apprar to be purtialty diMalhfied with ibe evidvitcn in favonr of iiifaut baptikm in the flrtt ISO yean of tbe christian era, you luive placed Dr. Doddridge, and you give us the following i|Uutalion from the Leclur^s ot this " amidble and candiil" divine : " It I* indeed surprising that nothing more express is lobe mat with iu antiquity on this subject." Allow mfr to pteseiit you in return with the remaining part of tli« soiitence which is only separated from this by a semicolon : *' but It mu»t be remembered, tlmt when infant bsptism is first apparently mentioned, we read of no remonstrance being made against it as an innovation { and that as we have no instance of persons expressly asiuerted to have been baptized Jn tlieirinfanc«,snnFither of any children of rlirisiian parents bapltxedat yeais ordiscrt'llon ; tor it is certain Constantioe's fdither did not profess himself a Clitisliau, till long after he was born.'* iw;* i :,• 4j/ , ; Let ns now »uppos<> that this Is a "surprising*' circumstance. U it tbe only one wiib which yon have met in tbe conrso of your studies ? Do you on other Mihjocts become n iceptie, or rather an unbeliever, ns soon ns you bfcome " Mirpriied ?" If yon had, you would ere this have forsaken all religion and l)«roine an Atheist, and in this rase yon would have found more to surprine yon tliau you fiud in your present situation. Considering that the apostles had bscii always in the hahit of He«iirg infants received into the church, and bad jtrohably never seen any children of *• ten or twelve years" old convened and r ceivcd ; whether do you suppose it would have l/ecn more surprising tu ihein, In liavo wilnesiied the baptism of the former, or tiie latti r P and as writers are iti theh:ihit of^vasstR^r over ordinary and nulicing extruordinary circnin«tiincet( ; whether is it more reasonable to expect to meet with accounts of the admtssiou ofchi'dicn of" ten or twelve years" old by bnpticiiif; according to your ideas ; orofiut'aut!«,accorilin;; to those of your oppoueiiis? In (he interim bctwren liiy proposing and yo'jr answering I he»e qufetiuous, I tniisi lag leave io suppose diat yon ar« placed in circumstances io whicU you have mucb stronger leaHons for "surprise," than thoso which are su^iposed to have affltrted Dr. Doddiid^je. That infant baptism is not an innovation in the church, it is hoped will b^ mide more fully to appear by the fjliowio(* con<(iilur«tions. It there were a iQsii in all antiqnity to whom this innovaiion, suppotiing it to have existed, woniri have been known, it wasrcrla'niy Origfu. He' flonrisbcd, acrording to Dr. WaP, only Icn years after Tcit*.il!ian ; wa? born of christian parents* I h n i :r i%: ! i i . tn mmI EoMbiiuobiWfu^ Uial hU foftfiithfrs had bMo ehrUtiiai for »«?* ral ptMrtlloas. HU ** Father, Laooldtc, was a Martyr ; and cafffirvd in tha ttnth year of Saverot. An. ChiUtl. Sot, at which tlaM Orif ao wai 17 ytau •f aga, and wrota to hit flithar whila is piinoo in tha foltowlug trmt : ** Taka baad, O aiy father, that for aar laliM you do oot chaoga year mind." Tbia lirovaa that at thic tima ha was a cbriiiian. " From a dilld he had reli|{ion>ly obtervcd the Rale and Canon of the ehnreh,** and *' There never was perbapd a greater genin»,a man mora riehly fnrniihed by nature, aad perfected by Mvere etndy than Origan wai,ba had a prodigious capacity of mind, with a praportlonabki beat, and an inaatlable tbir«t after univeroal knowledge^ and an nngoremabla paition to r«ach into the mo*! abetrnee and Ineompreheniilble nyeteries of Divlnlly." (Reevri? Apol vols II pp. SfO, 321 ; S28, Notes; Enseh. Ec. HI*. Lib. vl. C. 9.)^" He wan born at Alexandria, and had lived in Or«eeet and at Rome, and in Cappadocia, and Ar«bia, and epent the main part of hi« time in Syria and Palestine." (Wesley's Works vol XIII. p m Oet. Ed.)— Such were the opportnnitlM with which Origrn was favoured of knowing tha minds of the apostlee, and the practice of the different primitive churches In reference to inf«nt baptism ; and he has made declarations on tke inbj<>ct which prove in an irrefragable light, that !ia considered it an nndis- pnted apostolical praetico. His references to infant baptism are chitfly, if not wholly as a nmtter of fact for the confirmation of points of doctrine, and in this instance a man must either know tliat the fact it indisputable aad in considered such or else he mnst be a fool. In cases o^ this nature, tite defence of a man's cause, and his own reputation, depend solely uu the facts being of ihU nature. For instanee. In our argnments with infidels, we refer to the nninterrnpted practice of the christian church in the administration of the ■aeraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, as proofs that our religion was established by our blessed Lord. On what in this case do we depend for the defence of this glorions cause ? On our knowledia that It is impus«ibie for man to prove that these practices are innovations. Conld they prove that they are such, they wonld defeat the arf ument, and did we know or even suspect that they could do this, we should never refer to these practices in defence of our cause. Thus it was with Origen. He appealed so early aw the beginning of the third century to infant baptism, as an established apostolic practice, in defence of the opinions which he maiutained. The following quotatiouf are & few of the proofs : ** Let It be considered, what is the reason* that artiereas the baptism of the Church is given for the forgivenets of sins, infants are also, by the usage of the church, baptised ; when, if there was nothing in infants that wanted forgiveness and mercy, the grace of baptisai wonld be needless to them." In another passage he says ; ** For this alM it was, that the church had from the apostles an order to give baptism to infants. For they to whom the divine mysteries were G«maiitted, knew that there wst 173 iotll p«>y lb« Ifarocd ibiit Ibc qiioltllont from IbU fatbci lit fkvonr of infant boptuin,are taken from a corriipi Laiiu f crslon by RulBttU» ; and that |t it no inter|io)atvd aud cliauged a« to be of no antbority In tbia eoo- trov«rKjf."—'*Tliia Utile objecliuu olMi. Judtuu; and ibe follewiug i« Mr. |*aod'» reply ; '* Mi. J. baa no nictbod of fieeiiig biraiclf fton tbii tettimooy, bill by fiudiiig fikuU witb Uufliuu*' tiaualutiou ol totiu of OrigCD'a worki. Hap* p.iy many ol ibt puihagea wbicb are nuubually bruugbt from Ongcn, bate no couiiexiou wUh tbia tianalaiion. Tbi y aie lakeu iu pari from a tranalation o^ Jeroai«>, aud in part from ilio original Greek. (See Doddridg't Lect. P. IX, rta|«. chv.) Tbe anibviiticity of the pAMMgen v^e bave cited above, baa bveu vindicated iiy Dr. Wall, to tbc eotiie halmiatiiou of all impartial mlndi. Boo bit Defence. A(c. pp. S72, 38S i lieed'a Apolugv, pp. 268,273. Pond'a Treatiae* p. 127, Note. ** 'IVitH f itprt-HMoua in ibo wiiiiii|;« of Origco/' aayi Dr. Uurni, "biive bonietimiK bem iei;ardt{d an iulerpuUtiuiia, but tliey bave b*en viewed iatbialigbt, out) by Ibohti «vbu ^%i^b to eaiabii.Ii a favorite ayatem. Tbeir geuuiueiieait bait been kaiibfuciorily )>ruved, by a writer to wbon we have alreaify bad ocuasiioii lu refer.*" (\Vuir« Hia. of Iu. Bapt.vol. i. p. 5S.Def. «f above.) From ibe»« quotaiii/n* and otbrra wbicb uiigbC be produced yon way discover tbe credit witb wblcb you may expert to follow <^ the Learned" who iDform ynn,ibaf ibrqiitiiaiionk n»ade from iiih father in favour of iafant baptiam* arc taken from a con upt Latin vpraion by RiiffiiiiiH." Tlioae who can inako Hiich aiia«rtiona> are either too designing, or too ignorant to wrilo ; and Ibey ought not iu my opioion to etcape with impunity. • « ( m- y < t On tbe »ubj««ential." The (|uotHiion which 1 ;;iivc (;rnvt>8 that FiduA waa troubled like many beforo and ainrv with Jewi>h iMs, on lite au^jccl of the cfremonieii of tbe goape), and kuowint; thnt bapt'" n wan by all eoui>i«^ "red a t>u!»Atitute fov circnmcision he tboneht that it would he the nmsi proper for it to be a^uiiiiiii icicd on tbe aaiue day. In abort, likv yotirKelf, hf ihoa^ht, thar, even urdtr I \ I 3 i'v ; - i •Thin will rertaiitly ifffivi' sil/'nai)) fioni thf rf»'it?'feit'oriued. His doubln uccor* diog to the usage ot tlie limos, were submitted to a ccuocil whlrli Dr. Wall •ayi ** vere occasioualljr aaapmbled." This council co fD|io»i>d of 6G Bi»ho|«it, detormined ^ that tbe spiritual circiiuici»iuu (b4i>tiaiii)oiigbt uot *o be restiaiu- ed by tbe circHwcifitoQ that wan accurdarg to the Uiwib," because tliey coiistdvr. td the day on wbicb tbis wan adiaiiasteicd ** lypicul," aud like uihei t^pes it ** ceased wbeo erlorined tl^o aobject of bis enquiry, would not much rather have ccqiiired an to the otdi« nance itself, if it had been as ycu maintain *' a new ihii>g,noi MttieU (7 any law, human or divine r" It certainly lequires no great degree of sagaciiy to discover, that wlien a person merely enquires as to tbe time of doing any tbiug it it by all taken for granted that the thing h to bedoue, and ot'cotiiec that there mubt Ls lome law by which tbis is asceriaiucd. You say, the Oonncii did *^ nut say a word about Infant baptism being a tradition of tb6 church." And v.liy should they i Was this the subjfct an which thoy had to decide ? When a person asks yon when he is to do a thing, do you enter into a defence of the praciice } or determine merely the question proposed as to the liiite ? Both the question •f Fidns and the reply of the Council take this for granted, and had the iHtter gone out of the way to give ns any obitei va dons on the Kultject of liie traditiun of the church, it would have made an ubjsciiou in m\ mind which does not nuw exist, and whtch I beh^"" would not have escaped }ourO»ipriiotUt, both tetl you that it was a tradition o( the church aud dciivcd from ihtf apo<«U(>8 tiiemseivei), and instead ufconfutiug lh<^ni you atleutpt to t/riiij|( tUeir ivMiuio. liicM iuto cuiiteiu|tt, by ({uoiaiioi.s which arc a di»gru(:e to ihuse Uy v.lioui iii«y were peuned. 1'iie |irocfC«>ingi4 of thi« Council iud)i»puui>l} i>tul;li»h two poii]t% of whirh we have theiailieAi intnnations inali paiist ot the wo:iiu(^ei'nuil»d to leudM- ihi^ Couitcii ridiculous, l>y lug you to assert that antung oiltcr *' uiguniuiisiu | luve (liut inSauts laiyltt he haptizcd before the eighth 4iay, iKty aiguiMhat iiHania coiue intoihc woilii, hrgs[iti(; for hitpti«oi by thH from which yon quote. You will then rra»»e to rfitail snch ac('u»- .] 'm tu tolicws ; " IJy iheir ct Wa and lears at their fir*t eultance Info lite wt'ililjtli'*y do inimwte nit!>tdcr« a t} pes it 10 waa 80 iorined tKo > lh(! oti)i« iy atiy law, discover, ; it is by all re mubt be '* not say sboutd 1 a person i practice 7 lie qiieetioD ) ilie iHtter he iradition 0U8 not ni8 leir ivhiiuio. v'.tiuiii tli«y tuLlisk two lUe vtu:l«i. ud Hccoud* lO(-ei)d;iig4 iU Coiiitc'il |.iove lliut taniu cnioe -.iir'H " h:«^a!ii»{;" on ** iufaut^," which they now employ io distorting and Nmilini; at iheojjiniuns cf the ancients which they tbemielvea are rendering ritficulciH. '' Here,"aaya Mr. Milner, 'Mr anasjtetiibly ofvixty six pastors, men of ap> proved fidelity and gravity, who liave stood the fiery trial of some of the leviiefttpcrsccutioiiH ev-r kii'iwa ; wiio have testified their love to the Lord /eMis in a moie striking; iitanner than any Aotipcedobaplisls have had aa opportunity of doiiiK In our days; and who seem not to have been wauttug in aay fiindamcotal of Godliness. Before ihisholy assembly a question is brought, not whether inl'ants Minnid he baptized^- none contradicted this— hot whether they should he baptized iuiinediately, or on the eighth day. To a man, they determined to baptise them immediately. Let the re«.der consider." Anong all those pastors, there were nndoubtedly some who were advanced in age ; whose parents or Inland parents lie«c lived in the first century, and were weH arqiiainted with the practice of tho apostles themselves. Is it possible to conreive, were infant baptism an innovation, that not one of these men should he acquainted with the fact i or, if acquainted with It, that none should havs the fidelity and fortitude to oppoxe the erronr ? See Miltiei's Ecc. Hts. Vol. I. p. i02 ; Towgood on Inf. Rap. p. 35 ; Reed's Apology, p p. 'J73> 277 :" Pond'a j Treatise, p. 120. After yon have made yoar remarks on the Council of Carthage, a^ *<^ *''** ^^^^ page, in order to convict you and your infnra^.ant of i^con!dst^ncy ; you imitate the conduct of Mr Jiidson in quoting from £pi.»eiipMis, to shew, that '' Ptedobaptism was not accouitled tx ncceithaiy lue until the iMelevitan council held iuihe year 418."~-Wtt9 it not "accounted a iiecossary rite by" that of Carthage, A. D. 2;i3 ? In order to >ts heint> ''accounted nvcfSK^ti y," did it reqiiiTH that itkhould be eid'urrcd by an »nu1hemii ? i'lif dt'crcf ut (he IVlrlvvtiaii t!>i,nril aN ynii h;ive quoted i>, i.'of.N iiot 4}>pcrtr ui>ieveo itiu in CcMsily ut' the I'Mciiccat all. It seeing to me to be only like that of ihe council o( Caitba|;e, in rci'er to the tiii'te, and take for granted that the practice was ^tcknuwli'dgeil to lift legal :" It in the pleaitiie of the bishopi tu oider ihiH whoiioe^or : I ? t 1-^ 178 denieth that ioranisDtwl> born of their mctlier are to be bapliied— IaI liim ht bi^plised— letbinbe accursed. Youf qaotatloo fropi l>aillp, like that from TertiiMian, make* as mncli against adnit baptism as that of infanta, and proven the exiit'enre of the latter as indispnfably S8 that of the former. Can >on inform me how tbey coitid be said to'* deter the baptiiiug of infants and oilier people in ancient times," if it were not the practice to baptize thi>m ^ Can any man be said to'* defer'* that which is not in nsc ? Yonr citation from Grotius is of the same natnre. If it were" more freqnently practised in Africa than in Asia, or other parts of tItB world" (which however rpqnires proof) it was certainly practised in one part as well a« the other. Only consider what has been said hy Ori{;en, and in connection with this, by Jnst in and Irenaens ; and also how mnrh more lational it appears to be, that the primitive chnrches sbonid in tho.<«e early days be nnanimous, than at variance with each other on the snhjert of baptism* and I think yon will see no rea^^n to snppone that baptism ()i«l not *< prevail tn any other parts of the world (except Africa) for a considerable time after" the year 253. The whole of ancient ecclesiastical history, does not fnrnish one instance of a single individual in any part of the world who arf^upd againn infant baptism, either on apostolical anthority, or on that of tratUtion ; and when this is properly considered, I think yon will see some propriety in my proposing a qnestion which I think deserves an answer.— •Whrth*»r «To yon think it more probable that infiint baptism should prevail, for, we will snp^exe even two centuries, in the conrse of which they would mmiil.v Hav«> to iMjitizo the children with their parents, and very few bookie are preMeiv«il, uud tlieHe contain no direct testimonies as to the bapti»m of inftoti* ; oi- liiut after tlii^ time, when wrltsrs began to abound, and rontruvcriiies to tiii-iraHe,it nhonl.I be introdnred without a wnid beini; said of its intioduciion by a single wri'cr, who either smiled or frowned upon the prHftici- P An enuVli!*li*'d practice might easily appear to us to be pHssMed over in «tlrnee for ilic fc|'e f>nrvived ; but when wc suppose that novelty aflfori^s m'dteria!>< for the cniiosily of the historiau in bis relations ; the Hrmncv» i*i itie lailiifitl fhn^lian in iiii r.>p|>osiliou to nov<>l practices ; and the rii introtiiit tien of infant baptism into the church in an 4t;R v^iien veiy voluTHiuoii.* uiilhor.t bo^'un to writp, appeaM to me to lie absolnt«>ly iiicr« ; and f s^ierially as Teitiillian has opposed it on vhai Le coni>i)if leJ priidenriut (;ioniiil>, uii«l wu» reriionly a» uiuch inchned to do it oiMittiei leroiutd^ aUo xs vou ai^, coutd he h-tvc dune it with success. Whciuver l)ttpii.<«tn w,ts difcirnJ, it was nut on account of lU l»«iini? opposed, on either ficnpturai );ruiii;d!i or oit iliat ut tradition, but under the influence of mi." taken Idtas, ns to " \\\v '.v»-i^|it of baj»ti>ni ;"nnd these cases are no niOie sigtuninls <«|2ainM tl.t- |taLt>, bis Idsta wiibont restraint, knowing tliat^ if be conid get himself hAptiaed befoi-e death* he wa« UN re of a full remission. Others would ilrlay baptism u4til they hail attained the tbirtif th ye*r, be«:anse Christ wast iiaptited at that period ef lifn Oh a similar pretpilce Constantiue the Oreai wowld not be baptised l»ut in the river Jordan ; and hence, as be never caiue \o that place, he only subibitted to baptism on his death bed. Some, moreover, deferred baptism till tbey could lisve acisess to be bapticed by some eminent bishop. All these opinidns, and the refntations ol each of tbem,are to be fonnd in the writings df Baail, Gregory, Matianten, Chrysontom^ Aogostin's CoofeftKion^ and En.licl( answer before wf Conclnde. Let Us now bear ibe others 2<* iprume.** Ir Infantsjte nol biipti*ed,termined and itiiter eiinaiy tuqUrkitiaoity, perhaps liFI bU sod bac! hfcome ot' age. He belonged tc a " 8cr* vffiflt r99f«ibliDg tb« SanaritiiiB, wiio i^rofessed a mixtntre of Jndaii^in and ]^llC»«i"ii' To (his opinion be was extremely devoted," and was not eonvr rted tfi_ t)i^ lUbristiao failb, till he bad been married many years. He wonid, with* CQlp4|Qubt,|>robibit the baptism of biH son in tnfaocy. (Milner^sEec. Hi4 vol. ii. p. 2G7J As to Ambrose and Ciirysostom, their parents, according to Dr. ^«ll, vere biathen, at the lime of their biltb, and for many years afterwards. BiSApeciUeg ibe insiance of Austin, on wbi-cli Mr. J oeems to rely with the greatest iN>nfidence, this loo is entirely against him. That Austin's father was a!Ghiriatia(i,is Hot pretended. And tkmt bis mother wm not at least a profp>i<)ar of>rilligioa,inihe''had arrived at manhood, is certain from his own wnnlj^. H« says of her, io his confessions, tint when he was le&rnini; oratory at Oarthage, ^* she had lately bpgnn to feel God's holy love, tind haid been wasbeii ill the laver of baptism." (*' Confess. Book if. inMiliicr's £cc. vul. ii. p. 801." Pond'a Treatise, p p. S8S, 534.) Yon cnnnar expect with consistency, that had it even been proved, that Amtln't uiotber was a christian any of her children would be baptized ; becan«e "-It appears to you highly ahsurd to expect such a thing. Let us suppose,'' yoti proc^d," thebntband to be the unbeliever; can any person suppose be wottld giVe np the government of hix family to his wife, and permit her to have their cliildrien baptized, when the chriiitians were considered the i»ciim and oiisconrihg of air things." T think it very probable, however, that where the bH^sband wasiiot '* a determined ard biiler enemy to Christianity," and "ex- tremely devoted*' to paganism, the children micbt be baptized ; but in cases of ibis kind it Would be " highly absurd to expect" it. Ofrases in which it is pleaded that ** a great many particular christians let their children grow up nribaptized," Dr. Wall observes; "I have seen faurteen such instaners brought : but T have seen thirteen of tbem shewn to be mistakes, or to fail of proof: ahd the 'fourteenth proved to be a disputable cas». But none of thosa more puipnble mistakes than ^hose of Constantino and Austin. Did not you read iu those books of St. Austin, ;,hat bis father was a heather',, and did ppt tnrn christian till n little before bis death i" (Con. p. 70 ; His. Part II. oh. iit ) Let us now for the sake of r.rgnmcut suppose wh^t is \]\e o^po&it^ of fact, vis. that all these cases mentioned by Mr. J. and yourself could be proved ; wouM this prove that infant bapti<«m was not instituted by our Lord, and uplveriaily practiced by the apostles and Ibe tirat christians notii the propaga- tion of the absurd opinions of Tertnllian ? The firstand earliest instance that ismejitioTicdisibaf of "Gregorv T5^«zt;jinni,"r— '* born in the yc^r three hlH^f^d iinU eiKb(«-ci),'' a.s Mr. J. has . ratory at I wanlieti p. BOl." ved, that ; because suppoite,'' ippose lie !r to have tciim and there the and "«x* I case* of ich It U grow lip instaners to fail of >of Ihosa not you did Qpt oh. iil ) of fact, proved ; ord, add propaga- mce tliat hundred io iii* that }on tglect of iaiiesof this kind in t lie days of which Mr. J. ban writi«n, this iathe ntmoit tbat they can be made to prove. In a qautation from Daiile, yon refer Ms tb •< the boniilies and orations of Gregory and St. Uaail npoa this subject," to |>rovp, that "in ancif nt tiraen they ofu n deferred the baptizing of both ^afanto snd other people." Tliose who deferred their own baptism, would liAve no cisini on the chiircli to baptize their children if thiiy wishe d it, and if they pnt in a claim it would doubtlcsit be rejected, so thnt. their children wonid of Deci'ssiiy remain unbaptized so long as they themselves did ; but I think it proliiibletliiit those who defrrred their own baptism would d»fer that of ihri)'' cbildien. But then bupposing what does not appear to be true — that tlieris were any of these ca^es, the queolion if, did they dp it by the authority of the church or the consent of its «uiniKtersr Or did ihcy even pr«><«iid to be dtting; it ouapoiitoUchl authority ;' TliAse questions are aiiiwered againivt Mr JudHOU l>y ihevory btiolcH to which he refers, as is evidfnt ftnm the qnotat4en from Pirie (iliven above. '* All the opinion*/' under liie influence of which baptisiu VIM in any ca^e deferied, and re()Utaiiou»ot'eai;hof them, are to be found in tho writing* of Bazil, Gregory, Naiianzen," A:c.^Dr. Ceve also informe ut* tliat" 'twab very ui>ual in those time* tor personn to d«fer iheir being bapticey were near their death, out of a kind of Novatian principle," ** notwiiU* Mandini; the fathers did solemnly and smartly diaclaini against It." (Priat* (liirisry. p. 206. 6tb Kd.) Adult cases arc here aiuded to, and these alone ara tiipiiitoned in ronnexion with the pai>»ajte. In.- tances of adult baptism being (iefrrred in the same age prove.*, that baptii^m oould not be deferred on aposto* Heal authority, for you yourself will not pretend that there nre scriptural r«>a8ons for tliis and every case to wbi<:h Mr. J. Iian referred will jn»*t provf with equal Rtrenplh and clearness '• iJiat, evm in the third conMuy, adult hap(i<)ni vftiis not the universal prHClice offh" fhurcb." My opinion of quolu' tiiHisaiui references of thsH kind im, thiit they are resorted to io qases of nec^s. Mtyaiitt prove (hat (he man who nsc^ them has no better iit hand, and tht^t in «oJuii)^ he dtfeau hiK own dtMigmi. Canes of baptism dtfiiied certainly prove Uui bapti. in cjiined, and ai* tkeHC . a-^es were *• siuanly disclainwi'l against" by the ujiniiteis of the cbuvch, ttiis ciTtaiuly proves that they Vfif« •rluiiiwl inuovatious nj>on o^tal)li«l:i t! i-i.>'wM!C<'?, ;'.» tlif^- v.anM be in tillu'r ' I I »i 180 Vttd«baf tUI ir AotipodobiptUt cborcbek in modem day*. If wc allow that ^ Awtin's Bother wai a chrisiian, at the lime of hit birih, and ordfred iliose Mreoitiiiefl, w!iich it wai then enstomary to perform on the children of chrii. (luie,*'aiM;i.J. mainiaiosy^ie waicertaiuiy a christian who wm deterring hor baptiin ; and had not experienced *\Ood'» holy love." It lian been proved from kit own works that neither of these ciicnmstancrs occurred ** until be had •rrivetf at nanhood,*'apd was Muilyiof ^ oratory acCariliage ;" and thm miffi. dently aeeonnts for the deby of his baptiaui, if we entirely lose »ight of his fiither being a heathen. In order to diaentangl' yenrseU and your canse from the trstioiooy of Anstia yon have atteapted to destroy his authority on any sobjrci liy a quotatlnn Iron the History of Bapthim by thehenrriious M,r. Kobinnon ; which malies bia in the estimation of this writer worse than *' Bala«ra, who, though he loved the waf{esof onrighteon8ueiis,hBd respect enough for the Deity to «ay, ** Mow shall I curse whom God has not curbed." I liavc for toinw time beeu convinced, that this author could, from Ibe bitterness of his heart, and not merely from the custom of the times, aniii>m, were, in the estimation of Mr. S. capital oflfeuces ; and hence ihe Faiheis, who may always be effectually appealed to in coutroverciesou tbeike subjects, have been branded by bim with every thing that is ridicolon*, impious, and " barharons." I will just ask yoo one question. ** Can you, a* a believer in the divinity of our bleiise *< iu order lo tt<>e the lull force, not only of tb had any sin, bnt beriiusetbey were bapiizt^d into tbe tbuich Mbfre fwrgiv<•||e^» was to be bad. (See Wail's Hist, of Inf. Kap. vol. i. p 280.) fiiuch weir tbo Dtraits to which these acute Heresiarchs were reduced, iu tader to r^coucitR theiropinicns with infant baptism. How eaHily b^d all \Ue»e tJy ie|ioi ted that be had actually made it. It is morally certain that he would biivt! made it, if, with all bis learning and all bis tiavi ls,bc haddisroveied tlif* shxlKest evidi>nr« tojnstify hucti acourHe. Yet be never did. ll«,on )br cone, u» li I denied the sacrament of baptism to iufaHtM. 1 never heaid oi any. ii>i( eveu (be most impious heretic, who dented baptiKm to infants. For who can be no impioust'tis to hinder infants from being baptised and boru again in tJhrist, and so make them miss of the kingdom of God"— " IVlugius aud Cek^^ituc wei« ootemporary, and flouriithed about 300 yeais hubsecjuewt to tlif apostU n. Tn^> were distinitmhed for their learning, acnteness, atid sabiilly i and were ton ■ i 189 ^Ji 1} Vri^Wiib «Te^y fiirt b the chiiMUn iVAirld." (PondT'* Tt^'atPAe f»p. 13^, 1^1.)— Or ifturhlt ipMkiof ^^I'l^f^i^i'" obn^rveM ; ** He wiua man fkfiiiipfiibr laUm*/' '^i«WaIi bufii in jftrit^tn) <* a'tid likvin^ rpent ttiiiub tiiaiie in Roi'of, Afri' yooraelf Hiuong lite ren, that infaiu haiiiitm is a'^relick of Poptry." Were ibis tiiu t-axe it would ot cour»e ouly ba\e prevailed io those churches wbicb were iiwder the power of the I'o^e. But ii thUthe fact ? Mr. Weuley huviug leOrieJ to the tCHiimoiiius alivudy uddiic^J, proceeds: ''If Deed were we n\\^X cite likewise Aihui'.aAiui>, ihryHoatoui, and a cloud of witnesses. Nor is there one in^tence to be fottud in all auHqni. ly, of any orthodox christian, who dcitied hiipiisui lo ihiidrto when brought to be baptized : nor any one of the faiherii, or ancient writers, fur tho first eiKlit hundred years at Irasl, who held it uuiawfat. And that it hai been the prHc> lice of' ail regular churches ever since is clear and liuuitest. Nut only iMir own ancestors when first converted to Christianity^, not only all tbo Loropeau churches, but thsAfiican too and the Asiatic, evtn ihuse of Sr. Tijoinas in the indies, do and CTcr did baptize their children. Ttm (avt boini; iIiiih clearcdi that infant baptism has been the geuiral practice ot ihe Cbrihtiau cliurch lu all places and in all ages,thiit it l;&s continned wiihont iniei t upiioi) in ilie ohnrcii of Gud for abovtt sevnilreu huuUted ^eaiH, we mny »»('< ly uonciud)*, it was hamled down from the apostlep.who best kii«w liie ntit; I of Cljiist." (VVurkrt vol. XIII. pj>. 407, iOSO-Mr. Jiidsou (p. 3.3.) tells iib that " Tliii* practice, no' doi;!)i, commenced in the Kbcoiid century j" on wliicli Mr. Pond leinarkn ; *' Tl>i<( coti' Iradicts thVr asieilitidui is *' a relick of popery." (Bfcausp nosiicli ihmjj a» jKi;»fry existed nt the time here 8|.oken of.) " The Natiio i« contwdlMnl by the faiT, ihat flic .Syrian ("hrlstiaos, who have hnd no connexion vt;h ihc i'ttpa, have always practised iiitabt (japtiain." ^p. 1S9, Note.) " How hiiail thi:i birtze of eviderjce," nays Mr. Pond," ic^prciibg the praciico of the p(tiiiitt*e chuichr he ur)'l<>iu viriu'is, ri».s auopiuiuu tliit»,"iii u»*miii-.fc t;m. <,iati(s were baptized l.utailr.u" (You h.4V."! lf;{.«llJl^^ile^i Uis i]«oiaiiuu»; i» t(rtiiii'|ituou to thes*-, we niigiit biin^ forward a h'vsi o> jnoderiis,. We niijilu iiitioJucr CtxHui, saying, that «• w!i«re&s tcrtaii. pf i^ok- spread ahioiJ amoD- aim^la people, ibat there packed a long sriies ot year;, afJer thf resnri faction of Cbii.t, in wl»icli infant haptism was unknown, tbcreiu they lie inont abominably ; tor there ib no writer so ancient, that doth not ««riainly rHer the »>eguiiiiii({ thereof to llie apastlfs." We miglil Introduco the Icaiijcd Brown, tesiifvij.jf, thai no.te can wiiiipiit the most aflFronting impo- *muuai;.^^o, jliat ihfunt baptism was not commonly allowed in the primitive ^>§e8 cf f b: (.siianitj ." V^t mi^'lit introduce the cautious afld Judrtlttris .tSliLk' IP3 toH'inlis, mirUt$/'A\irchHVo,f' jUofl." \Va miglit iotr.oduc* witqro^et tp ^|il» elieel, uitJiouttiiMl-biit wcuqoU not. TUroiiqh the three firM rentuilcisi^. (•'i|ueiii to (Iiea|i04:ltfs^^ i> apf*iov(jtJ au^<(*rba;iN inc,«'^i*.io)i,siy, drurptd »ii Q|Mf)iuii, iJusl iffS^i'i baptiim was lipl (irHrtisi^d in \hv pitmtiivor!i!ircU. W^o bliall be believed i" By what rale of riiiidoiii or pqnrnou !«niieitie Oiedoiib:!* t»t a few nioclvrns to eonaterbalenee i!iete8iii0OM.ic»ut tlie wU'»l« •uiiJiiiudtf .ifihc auciriitit, who bad certainly far b<'!l«» o|>|i«rt«»rtUi*'"» «bao tU-y po'^rsM'd ot bsing ucqiuinted with the practic* oflhechtirrltm? Or uiiv « ten IIi»p» ilie impibtr ^f cut«)9i)>or^rie» and ki^ccm. ^or^,w|loate both f^ipully ^mu* aiul (-ciualiy learned with tb,eiif,^elye«, and tha |»H«rotwbow have certainly bid briKsr oppprtnnjiir? 9/ pblaJtiing eyidecc* ihaii ^hpy comI.4 bavf i Toti d.iKrii.<«hionti of pipdern ti.i^eq bifve njott a^Hiiredly l-ouglit 401/M evident > to viirw, m^iuIi, Iwr wi^nt of the worliH of which we aro poiisvsflfd, ronst have been bid cvea fiom \he Learned bm fi f^ w cfOlarie,8 |g«t« Willi BO able %viitcr of yuiir own we tony adopt it «« a imi^im that •* I'j-fith ^e bmi iMtially elicited iiy conlroverity.'* Von imitate the conduct of Mr. Judioo iu oppoaing the current Afe^clAii^fv I tical iiistory^ by pleading for the antiqiiity of AntipoedobapliaDi, io the wioiidd ^f tbe" PreAidrnt of llie Coniicii oi'Tient/' froin which itaftpearR that AnabaptUlff I hail existed for twelve iiimdted years prior 10 the holding of that eouncii. AimI |.ijy D«ar Sir, wliat are Anabaptists? Tbvy are those who as &kOsheini iaforms hoii in tlie qnoialion which DJr. Juditon briiy^s from hi^ history, and which you )i:t\pqnoted " adtniuitter anew the rite of baptism to those who come over to ibeir commanioii." This is the import of the very terra applied to them, and of this Mr. Jud^on could nut be ignorant. Snrh wctft the Dooati«ils who rebap* lized those who went over to their church from that of Kome. Unt they were not Antipiedobapilsts ; that isthrydid not oppose infant baptism. They Kfvf both Anabaptists and Pa!d*jl2a|>tl«t» as I piovrd in my la^t letiern. There* (ore in the African Code it is decreed; " Tbal the) only of the Donatsts who wrre baptized in their infancy by ihrm, be not iiicajiablfr of h«>iiii; promoted to Ithp miniHtry of the altar when convpticd." Havine qnoted the words of Car- hinal Hosino 00 which I hav« here romar) ;f ' I 184 (Vfia tU« •leTrnlh (o lh« ffonrlti cetttiiry." (Pond, p. tao ) T|,U u pfcoUely itie ptrlod of which I wai ipraklnf, iiid to wimh your qn»ition teferi. Ot iho t'tfftr prrcedinf c^Dtnrle* tatKcioiii has be«*n itiii in ihe above rcn.«rk», and if ^•tt can give ii« a biMory of a racicty of AiiilpfledobitptiHU before iU«t »buit lived »eet which aro^e among I li« WaldeitHety yon will dixprove what 1 origin, altj advanced, and discover a penetration 6f which none of yonr predRcritiier* have been | oweiifd however eminent lor their Irariting and ahilitien. The real hiitoriral fact U, yoiir aentiments never b<>i'aine permanent until the riHe of the German AnilpoBdobaptUts I" the year 1522. Von think*' thU argument would Int much moro romintent from a meml*^# ofthachnich of ttoroe, than from a ProteHant, who profeMe* to ]trlii>ve. the HIble to be ilie standard of the chrlHtinn'* faith and practice. Wonid not fhii «rgament, yon aitk/'liavo condemned John IIuss and Jerome of I sgne, a« wHI aa Iho baptists ?* 1 answer, no. Tlifse lioly men conid refer lo the New Testament and all christian aiitlqnity as proofs of the fallaey of the dortrinei and practice* which they oppn«c«f,and that with iindispntable snccess. This 1 mnM think yon havofortiinalely failed to do. I will now ask yon one or two qncslions^and answer me. Why did not John Hiisshnd Jeromrof TraKue oppose Infant baptism, If It were as yon and youi brethren so frequently assert, u Invention of the chnreb of Rome ? Were they like onrselves snpersiitionsly •ttaehed to the " relics of popery i" Yon »hall have tite privilege of answering these qnestions yourself. In the next member of the sentence yon inform nN *< they certainly preached nnpopniar doctrines, and were burnt for it by the conncll of Constance." This rertsinly proves that It wa^ not from a prinriptr <«f revtronce for the snperstkms of the chnrch of Rome, nor yet from a principle of fear that they did not " preach the nnpcvular ductrinrs" whicl*' the Antipn>- dobaptlsts preached afterwards. Ami a« tiioy and the other C,aformer», whs were the instruments lo tUn bands of ih^ Gtid ofih* light we now et^oy, did not discard iiilan< baptism wIimu they discarded the abominations of the rhnrch of Rom**, ought in my opinion to fiiove toyuii, that it wm supposed to have a rather l»«*tter (9iMidstion than tito>e (>o^Milar things which they discarded, and for the di«cardmg of whirh tirey so many of them suffered martyrdom. Tills consideration should in mv op'nion also trad yon to bn rather more sparing in thu^e rrmsiks whiih have a tendency to class your 0)»po»ents wMh the'* roeral»<^ in all a^e* been held by those who have sealei thelrnih with tbeii hloodySiuI who bad certainly no other ini«rest in adhering lo it, but that w bicb led them to adlipre to the other doelriuM and practice"' of the apoMtes. Yoa have attempted to idfuiify >otir cause with that of tlie Waldeoses^ That they*' were generally l)a|)liat»," you observe, *' is generally admitted by iliose who are acquainted with thiir history." This as I Informed yon in ray loroar Utters ii ditipntcdby thosa vtho a' c initch belter acquainted vtrltklhfllfr cew. ThiH | 183 Riitory tiicn eiiHrr yon or I. Dr. Wall informi ni,tbal<* ono MOt of ttM Waldta* tftn dfclarfd aff«in«t tlie baptiiing of infant^ a* beiag Incaptble of Mlfttioo, ili« iDnin body of that p«opl« rejected that opinion: and tbono who held that opinion, quickly dwindled away and diiiii|ipear«d,'* and nntil you have dia* ptovt'd thin by wril aniheoiicaied hiHtory, I cannot promite to pay any regard fo (>i(li^r your aMertionn as to f h«*ir bimory, or your donbU,at to their opinlona on the naUatlon of infants. The injury which either ** Collins** or any other man of niMllar srntiments may have vnstained, tnerely proves what no man In hisnenses will dispute, thati",that a man's sentimentk may be miMakeo under the inflnence of prf jndiee. Ii does mt prove that this has been the ciM with the Walden«es. . A« Dr. Gill has admitted, that he was "not able to find one Instance of tm epposer of infant baptism" from the elev<>nlh to the fonrth eentnry," whatever obscurity may be mpposed to attend the origin of the Baptists by fome writers, few I fnppOMO will be disposed to allow that their origin ** is hid in the rtmote*t depths of antiquity i'*and I must be allowed to anppose thai the follow- (Rf quotation from iiieTrra(i*e of Mr. Pond will more fully demonstrate, that yon have not all therrason which yon supposed to eai^t when making yonr «inotation from Dr. Mosheim, to*' fairly infer, that the origin of this pemiciona sect is to be found among that people who were every where spoken against and who began with the baptism of John.** *' On the principles of onr opponents/* eaya Mr. P. " the npostlet every where established chnrches npon the plan of adnit baptism only. They uniformly r«»;ecled infnnts, and exelnded them from the ordio4nee. At what period, (brn, we ask, was infant baptism introdnced ? Mr Jodson fupposes it conmcrccd in the latter part of the second century ;" which Is within less tbani a eentnry of tlieapoitolic age. ** But, says Mr. Towgood, bow must tko persons who first attempted to introduce it b« received? Would not alt their brethren immediately cry ont upon the innovation, and demand, * By wbat authority do you presume to perform this rew, this unheard of, mad strange ceremony of baptiiing an infant ?— Suppose th»m to have urged, id siipportoflbispractice, th<* fame scriptures with us; would it not presently Lave been replied upon them with unanswerable strength-^* Did not the apostles and first preachers of Christianity understand the true eensr and force oftbe*e scriptures? Vet we all perfectly know, and .jon cannot but own,- thatnotone oftli^mever baptiied an infant. Look into all the churcbtfsr tbrongbont the whole eartb, and yon will find that there never was sncb a thing known, or heard of before among chrisilaas.'—Wbat linder these' circumstances, could the first bapticers of infants possibly reply? Couldi they pret4>nd that it was an apostolic injunction and practice ? Every chria* tian then living could have stepped forth, and borne witness to the falsehoodf ♦>f such an accooot. Conid they hope to establish this invention of their ewny wdwa&it actaatly established, in dir*»ct oppoaitien to apoitoHe aothoriry'^ X I- 1 |i ;H IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^Kfi tSi Itt 122 122 2? 144 ^ I.I £ US. 12.0 J," Hiotogiaphic Sciences Corporation ^^* 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTER.N.Y. MSSO (716) •72-4903 4^ 7.. ^ 186 Imp«»iblet9 imagine !-What then, I aalc again, (if ail thecbnrehe* in the ^orid w«re constitdted by the aposties upon a directly opposite plan,) wiiat CQn\,d t|ie first bapiiaers oi iafaoti nrge in fovonr of their practice ? Qr, how w#a it poMible itibpnld be teceived,ye» prevail, yea, to uoiversally prevail, tlial the very learned and accnie Pelagins, about three hnndrrd years after^ nwfierheardofachurcbi amongst either Catholics or hereti(;i, who did not adi9in|st«;r baptism to infants ?—Conld we suppose a few persons of so odd a tu;ni of /mind, as to run into this quite novel kod unheard of practice ; can it be imacined that wh^ churches would be led blindly away after them ? Or, if v^hole cbuTchfs might be thus seduced, could whole nations be so too ? Yea, if whole nations might, can Itenter into the heart of any reasonable being, that all the oatioas of th« christian world, would iu the course of a few years, fall in i^versally ^nb tbts anttapostolic and new Invented cere niony of religion, and apeitattiE« fibm tbe primitive and pore doctrine of Christ ?>-The extravagance oitiic iinpposi^OQ is griitiy increased, by rememWring that the church wt» early liiviiied into Atfuliber ^f scitb, %bo mUtk severe and watch'nl spies upoo OMli <4^f^8 i6(iti, 4S.) I opjuid more easily account (uiiaccp'nbtable as the snppbsliion may Ib^) JTdr tbte inir^ucddn and nnivcrMl spread dfinfint baptist^ tvlrb PrUhVee centuries, thaniconid for its in'tro'disetion, witlbiit diiiput'es and cohtrbver'si^ii, aittouf clhrutiians. ** '^o bo^y or bodiies of iben ever changed citber tbeir pofitlcAl or thieir rbligibus sentibiehti ktl at once, vHtbPnt warm albd feJ^gthy dhphtifs. j|ijl if Vafant baptism bad beeii an innovation— a corruption ofonfeofthe peculiar ori^inJinces of ibe gd)fpel->it Would riot bav« been introdneed ih the early days ofcliriMlanity, witbontc'onimottoii'R, cou'troversies and dtvlsVdm. BuUitriiuge tb {e\il tisk ^n of mmf Mn ribt It^hku^VttVid to Us HKe leMt iirtiiitttiMi ^f aby cbntrbversy about it ; thbbgh it tfes retorded a dispute of far l«^s ^dbte^itence— respecttnl iWj^ojikr tm'e ofbApil^itig iafimxi r (Dr. fidltfand'i »er. on Bilp. Add to all this ; that caialngnes of all the sects of professing christians In the four first centuries (the very period when infant liaptism roust have becA introduced, if it were not of divine origi::.aI) were early written, and are still extant. 'jThe auihnrKare Ir«t)reii'«,Epl|;banins,Plii!aHirionp, AiisUn andTheo- doret. In thef>« iievei'al('af|iir a f\^:fi,'9( the coinM^MiMe merits ot our respa^itM^a cansrt on the a#!lu«ctf of |^aptii«n,pis | am ,i:apAb|^ of preseuMVff M'^,- ■.;■-■.'■- v ,■; ' lam, • « OearSir, ^,^. yours, fatjF affsatiaiiataljf, • '■'j'j-^f , ;S .^AifV^fe " ■ ..I ' l^l ' rlJ ... U-. . ■ . ' G£ORG£ MCKSON. .. I . 1 " . ' 1 . 1 -. ' ..... ...)...>■.. . ' -J. ... ■ J^-.iUir t 'V '7i'At-. I J !?) ^ •] I' , \tt\ . I * ** Tbis^assertiooils made with the pertr^t reCpllectian of the wkolf tlAtilMIIY ^ ' of Ter^nlllan. He did not consider infant baiti|sm .nn|i^wfnt,,nnanil|orM2pr in many cases unimportant, tie advised the d'efay of it on tne^roundlif OKpedieuoy,and in -view of retMHii which would discredU anjy jdiuse." Ifi<# y/sqd> TB«f#ie, pp, ^^, lis. . ■ . ';:•*"'■"",', t \" ■■■ y ■5":; I O. ..,-■■ '\v""^. „■ -' ^ "■, ■ ' "' ■ " ';■-'■♦■ V, ill i l| ■I ,1 |i| ■ ; ■ '■ 'i'i * • i .». 'U » r ■V » a LETTER VII. DEAR SIR. '^,.,„..;^ :,,,.,:.. ... \.'. :''. \_C' I have already lomachexcerded my iolended limits on Ibe sutjeeit of Baptiim, that coald I do jnsiice to what I cooaider the cauiie of Truth and be ■ilent ai to the mode,! would oot trouble you with a single remark on the •abject. My reluctance (o enter on this part of the discnuion is al»o greatly Increased, by the manner in which you have treated your opponents, and the oonteiopt which you have poured upon their arguments and proceedings. Oa this subject Dr. A. Clarkti's ideas are '< lidicuiuua ;'* the luasoniugs of Dr. Dwight arc ** learnrd sophistry, "^ and his charges against your proceedings ** m»nifest nothing but the mo«i inveteiate prejudice :" and his commrut uu I Cor. %. 1, 2, when united with those ol other learned pcBdobaptist*, ^* ttie aiere fictions, invented to serve a turn, and will be burnt up with a great deal more of the wood, hay, and stubble, which have been brought to prove that •priukling is baptism." Thest- are chargrs, which in the plentttude of your modesty aud charity, yon bring against the dcterutiuations of some of the b«st of men, and the greatest scholars who have ever ** adorned,** either *' the doctrine of God their Saviour," or the literary societies of the present, o^ of former days. Now, Dear Sir, | will give you my bbmble opinion on these lubjects. I think it requires a man to be, wh«t I would call, so superlatively wicked, to ** invent fictions to serye a turn,** or to make mr of either *' learned* or unlearned *' sophistry*' on religious subjects ; thai uuli-iis f could eilhei" read liis heart, or had proof, that yoti do not possess, that he was thus employed, I jfould not prefer ipncb charges, against the ptost contemptible writer that ever •ngag*-^ fo defend, what he copsidered a doctrine or practice of Christianity. As fur your poor i^norfnt opponent ^hose ideas have so long been " highly sbsur^*," it appears thai on this part oi the subject they are ** very absurd," and lie is destitute of Iplh *f prudence and hoiiesty." All this is because we cannot lielieve with yon, that ** bapiisin and imwersiop are words of exactly the ^amo Import.** (p. 38) This I never did believe, and I presume 1 never shall; for the more I examine the evidence on both side^ of t|iis long agimted questiiiu, f he more fully I am confirmed in the opposite opipion. In your reasonings, as ia yonr confidence, on this part of the dibcnsslon also, } on are clii< 0y indebted to Hr. JodsoB's Sermon, and I shall take th^ liberty qf presenting yon as ()i^ 189 ordtr«r proceediagoiay deumod, with lome able extract* from Mr. Pond's yeply. Id liis worde discoMrd : ' *> ^^ ** Before auy thing be ofleted ou either side respecting the mode of baptism, jt is importaut that the point iu controversy should be precisely ascertained* While this r«maiDs undetermined conviction is ituposMbli*. \^::\"'''^ * " The qiieittion at 4s«ne iu tlii» part of the subject, is not whether iinnterslon h a valid mode of baptism : this we may admit. Nor is it whether this, inpile is preferable to all oibirs : for we are willing that tho«e who prefer immersion, even in our own churches, shenld b« indulged. Nor is it wbetker immersion. was frequently practi«ed in the primitive church Christianity : this we have no necessity or disposition to deny. We do not say that neither of these points is q«ie.Hlioiiable ; but neither of them is the precise qurstioo iu dispute. The paint at issue is in few words this— Is immersion essential? Mr. Judson con< 4ends,4iiat the id^a of iuNnersiou enters into the very uauire of baptism ; that the terms hn\AuM and imiMrsioM are equivalent and iiiterchdugeable." (In thia he Is Imitated by youreelf.) He evidently supposes immersiou essential to the ordiuance. This, then, is the poiut to which ail his reasouiogs ought to tend. All he cau offer, to shew that iotinersion is a xndiA mode ; or even Hie moj< profit node ; or that it was frequently practised iu Mucieut tiiuea ; caines no jonvic. tiontous. Let him prove, what we deny, that iinmersion is essential to, baptism, aud the controversy i> at au end. ' - .^ / *" The buideu of proof, in this case, manifestly lies on him. His is the labour- ingoar. ** It is not necessaiy for us to urge one argumeut," to prove tbet iMg'aftce of the proposition in debate. It is iucuinbtnt on him to prove the INMiltrtf. We are willing, however, to waive every advantage which might.be derived, by subjecting htm to snchan arrangement. We wish to enamiue tho subject fairly.**— Attending to your summary, therefore, at page 60, let us consider— -'^t^^^^vtv »■* . .;iiji.,;.. .v,.^.,. *' 1. The meaning of the word Uapiht^* . This yon say ** is precise and definite :**and according to your opinion this ^ precision" cousosts in the word being exclnsively applied to the mode ; this mode is only immersion ; wd all other senses in which the word ta used either in religion or in common life, are only *" figurative." Here we are most nnfortnoat«ly, completely at hisne. For I still maintain that the word baptise is exclusively applied in its primary acceptation to the etit, and that when it is at all applied to the mode it is only a secondsry idea,ana in the ordinance of baptism, is only a circumstance.— «* We agree with Mr. J.,"sayB Mr. Pond; *' that the whole controversy respect, lag the mode of baptism rests very materially on the meaning of this word. ** Had the Greek word Bopiise been hers^euerally,bftvecboseB to transcribe, rather than translate Ibis word, is proof conclusive that they have «et eoiisidered it as wuformly implying iminersion. *V There are thref sources from which light nay he gained, in regard to the Unification of disputed terms, vi^i. etymology, authority, a.nd general use/' I would here observe that yon have incumbered the discussion with, and founded eeme ol your most plausible and coofidenr questions and lieavi«'8t «ha^e8 upon averb, wMch for the sake of brevity I could have wi6hed to bo omitted, any further than mere derivatioa is concerned, because it is not ia •oypwrtof the ecriptares applied to the ordinance of baptism. What I h«re viHudo to is the verb iieple; wbkh you very confidently maintain signifies to •f*di;»"aaoppoied to every other acceptation, and especially as opposed to •ponriag and eprinkUag. (pp. S8, 44 ) Whether thie be the case or not, let our peaders judge from the foNewiag qaotatioBs. from both saered and profane |ittthocs,jmd which wiil embrace tbe>lr«< soorceof kiformation,that isctfmpfivy. ** It is certain from the etymology of the Greek word bnptiso, that y tnut«< ivery ofle at best. The d leiucogif* (hit wordy it |ly iniitlyiug tgard to the era! uae.'' m with, and and iM'ttvifSt I wi«h«d to bo It i« not ia What I here a signifies to I opposed to irnot, tetoar and profane is ely*nologfi> that 'it dots rom the word Md author of >j| principles is no;t used in ly of washing aniNttiMr of e it find the Wted in the niialdcent — «- loot the idea< iten." W« t)i« body ofNebnehidartMr imraorserl wiili dewr or was it obt rttbeffiprltiVI«|i niihit ? ** Other Greek writers Aimlsh ns with many iastancce wtwrt io hapto caitnot denote a tothl immersion. "Homer. "The lake wa9itN^ed(i!6«p prndueed, to prove ilmttfais term intejid«d immersion, total iq^fn^rsl^n, fUid nothing else.** To the al)ov« authorities I mast now beg leave to add that on wj|i,c|i yoia. have fonaded so many plausible questions, and expatiated so largely, p 4t. Dr. Campbel informs us that Tertullian the oldest of the Latin falh«rs» reu* fl«rs it tiitgeref the teim used for dying, which was by immerson." N<»w if tha primary and only literal acceptation of thia word bo to dip« can yon ififj^f ■»■»# fvhat reduced so eminent a scholar as Dr. C. to the necessity of infe^r^g thi« acceptation from its proper use i Do mei arrive at theprjoiper primary acf«p^ ation of a term by inference from that use of it i Let us instance in thefifiglMb word to Dye. Siippose ypn wi^nted to know the primary meaoii^g of ihla word, would you infi^r it from the mode of dyipg ? Ifevar vse were to wisjr 4a apply this word to the mode of doing apy thing, apd were, a» wa cet^ainly »u»t, to arrive at this anode by Inference as Dr. C here ban di.ne, this very fircwnisiance would afford an indispntable proof 1 bat this acfeptaiion was not ,ln' primary acceptation, bm on'y the kecoudaiy and oKoasional sense; aod^as wc can dye or stain in a variety of modes, it would also prove that this word when thus applied ct^uld pat be limited to any 9»^ •igniicttioo. That this is >i f, ' 'I ' i ' J, « m tbe ctM with the Oreok vtoril htptaX muit ilitikk hat beed atreitdy proved and tliiit proof will certainly rreeiveMtrength by a reference to the Latin word by wJiicti tbe oldi'iitof the r^tin*r4'liert certainly think that if the difinition of the former liad been under the tini«ediate inspection of tbe latter (and I am not sure that it was not) he could not have done greater juKtice to it, in any description ot its roeaoiitg, than in tbe one which I originally quoted from that very able divine. See p 24.* Yon arenotsnch a rigid etyniolosiot I presume,a8 to ma'-ntsto that in order tio baptite we must actually dye mankind. Of course we have to resort to tbe other of Dr. D.'s acceptations, that is to cleanse or wash. For the fact tbat it cannot be confined to any mode, as I think has been sufiiciently proved, shew'* that it can onljf be rendered '* definite" by applying it to tbe end This contid«'r the scriptural use of the verb bapliio; which is tbe verb used in ibe Mew Testaroent to express christian baptism. I attempted to prove tins m ■ylatt letters, and notwithstanding 1 referred yon to two passagea in the Bible, you assert that " The only authority I bring for this use of tlie word is Dt. Dwight." I ref>>rred you however to Mark vii 4. where the word is trans.^ •iMk-jLte • Dr. Owe», a nmn perhaps not inferior fo Dr. C. In learning, oHserv*-*; "That 6ap« coiifidereil thin tiensf, it ii» i< not ili« nifie«, in thiK B the decioion deferoni* to ve been deter' '*aken by thn )her, a Divine h, Tertiilltan spponents. A I'M, alter the to tprtiikle" or iii and inimer- r what rate »t' i|lbt l I nin&t th4> iininedjate )uld not bava in in the oo« that in order » resort to the le fact tbat it >raved, ahew and This bused in «be rove tins in sagea in ilie tlie word is word is trans.^ f, oh("rrv»'«; bo X iii. 26. i» 'e dipped iu nd ail tbesa t plnnfin^." 193 l^tad wash, with a propriaiy which must coovinc* •v«ry ImpirtUl oVierf«r. Let (be nodes of those ceremonial washings or baptisms b« what thay Bight* wasbiogor ceieuiDuirtI pariOcation iftthe ideaconvajed by the word aa nicd in this paNsage. Another passage to which I referred yon for tbia aecepiatioa f; *On this subject, you have oopoRed the id<»as of poari^f and spHaJrfinjr by two methods. First, a few learned names ; to which I could easily oppose a cloud equally learned, uf an opposite opinion. Secondly, you refer m« to Lee. 11. 3!2. to find what I have looked for in vain, aud what ia in fact opposed by thti pasKaRe,vis ; '* That all vessels wbich were defiled, were to be pal taioHMteror immerud." (p. 29.) The passage says, ** ress«(s e brokm. On the neat page you inform me ; ** It must be remembered that tbey (these ceremonial washings) were traditions of the Jewish Elders, and therefore were something more Ihao tlie law required : hence the practice of Elijah having water poured on hia bands, for the purposes of cleanliness has nothing to do with these superstitions washings or immersions which ourLord censured." And is not this true of ''the washiagof cups, and pots, biaaeu vessels, and of tables?" The sopersiitious washings of these also, ** they received to hold" of the **tra«iition of the elders." Mark vii. 84.) And if tbey *' were something more than the law re^iuired," why should yon refer to the law for a proof of your opinions, when the causes of un- cleanness are not 6imilai,and this law informs you that some of those vessels were ftrollMii,wbich "the tradition of tbeElders" informs you were preserved,and**wBsb> rd*' cleansed.or ** baptized;" f *'ttd touched some polluted thing or person." .See also Qrotins, in Pool's )iyno^\m, in Luke ai. S8 ; and Stackhouse's Hist Bibte, vol. 5. p. 440. Yen will doubtless remember, that on the subject of " the baptism of ciips^ • and pots, brasen vessels, and tables," I also referred to a passage id the law— the six chapter of Nnmi>ers— and which refers not merely to the cleansing of** vessels of wood," in cases of ceremonial uncleannt'sii, but of <* the Tent, and uU the vessels and all the persons that were there.*' (v. 18.) If** the traditions oY the elders" were derived from the law, (a thing which I think exceedingly probable,) whether is it more probable that they would be derived from a passage which retersonly to one kind of vesselsr- those of wood— or from one. which alluded to all the kinds of vessels in 'use ** and all things made of .^ wood ?" (ch. xxxi. «0.) These traditions, I think, very probably consisted of their carrying something like the extrsordinary purifications prescribed by the law into the ordinary occupations of life ; and in the passages here referred, to Hire ba^e the very articles mentioned as being wanbrd by sprinkling, which^^ iiccot-ding to the traditions of the elders, we are informed wirfe baptiaed. . Their fear that they had touched some luiclean persons, &c. seems t» refer to> this chapter. On the subject ol these porifieations. See Edwards^ pp. 146, 1 47 7 Pond, pp. 11^34. -i ' U ¥/il :t'il •ff «M % ■ ■! f » W f iif t'* WlfvoM llMMfvel of Hhe LUtuvy i» ;llkM««an W on ^sdM iHtt It wovM fc«-«i« k«N|«by *e iMrii*^ «iiitnm, cMtfhndi «» Hm mmq, Mid «• «i!I»ct w«fd w*««d yvmnafHaj «• infona f ««r ivadert .thii I ^* wW tnM,«ii4«Hly W |ir«iM4 M^'byaa tabait* «««b«r«r p«!iM|;e«.*'(p.ai.) VUt kifiiW fif fM|Cf> tinw «h«f< f«« Imw vmI taC^ hn. I f>reMi«Hi ittey -ttv f«MBfM«#«eele»!a«li«a]kift«rjr H pntvc *< 1%at Hmer^iM ■»«« lire (ittrric^ #f |ydartl»w li m nh C «8 the «mm ^••utia* .mcim t« ittckat/c. if i>r W. «eaat pAMafca af aeriftare i« f«««4 Ibat kntei mm ««■ tka pri^ciicn «i !%• • nart a M c dMidea, k« «•• «• 4e«4i«ale ^f feetk praicaee atid keanMy m Iaa,ft«fO««rinpci«aive bf tke fWewing ]«i««f«. la tiii cvifcrenM lie atwervca ; ** Tke ««f4, te baptke, i« acrtpt«r«« m ttte^ ;for any vvasibiNC l^^^fM whale «« i« part; wheArr iu « aacrMacaial aray, or r for tbat«*'(pp78,79. See aho bis Hist, of Inf. Bap. ^. it C. siii. S.t..9. n9.)-The same wordXiManCe*) is osed Ads ix. 37, sad applied to the wasbiag of the dinid body of Tabitha : and as Ur. W. says or the aposfle's stripes, Dot ^Mrbpdies, '^no ana will tbiak tiiattliey pat tb^ body into water for tbis," and especially that tlieyput it entirely aoder ii Hereyovpereeive, the.apoitUa {lave' applied a word to the o^^naoeo of baptism, whirb ii you attempt to apply it to the mode of doiai; anj' tbiogf ts, if possible, more equivocal than the verb tspfittf, u^ it applies to the washtng of the stripes of living apoatiesy and the bady of a desd mairoaiand which like its «ynooym«iaa applied to the ordinance in qnestion ia Older to reouer it** precise and definite*' mnKt be applied to the end, aad bo aMMie to signify ceremonial wa«tiiag. As the passages X bare joiit qilotcd are neither ** the laugaage ot pro^>hecy'* nor ** figurative laugaage/' tliey aiiist. caavuice you tiiai it i» ope tiuu* <<• dkai in «tyoioK, apd affirm at yaar tavorita authoi; has daoe i and aoothcr (o (tike tip tlie wiord ot O^d, aiid; ■ ,S.^->ti*» =.^') vf V j.^;* ,f|r 1S6 "m/ m> «h» iUnk tkftt it will staptitt •<»• niMi viiM* «» ftf 5*w « «nMitr».re«Fctit)i»'^to ci>o«i«t m.ol «- •h«ir«t]r, fcrmMtfaf «»m«bf ^ it* Irvre iIn* mtm^ UpHtfi t* i}»MkttrM> hm jrH !• caB is tW aatiwiiy •! ik« ^wwNy* Tlki»X«bftIld»mtli*«Me»*rWr.P*Ha. • « «*Mr. JadKM>«nppM»> thftt(ftn]i«ix»)tli» wwddciMliiifp fmp^lim, h 4tm^ f JOC tiM V nbat •( iW» yriimtfvt ^»oi« ffayH^) W « cteog* tT ito Itrr^toffM «>Urb«»««raSm>b«primr]rM*K"' »e Mppmr*, i%rrHW*, liai ««^fc» •» strwiffy ii»pli«« faMMf MAO M 0(i)il«> (pp. 8,4L> We Uvir prtt«*J tiaf Bm^m aw»tt«H«!««y»»iKnifjF iometse. Kesce, w*r* «• t»Mliiillktj«Mier*rti0 miieiMBs tW cosclKNMfi weotU b* cMiit«S]i n» mw fig*o»n li il*ttMlf b* ^•♦vtd iiml tepti3»^tk» mvrd dvMoHBe bfeptMOi^ ^mI sal mtihraOt mt^^ immHiin, Very Isr, Itowiever, mv isrefrMs Mhwttiflf tlii«« W* 4» Ml kli^U tibt lhi« pfimtivr 8imI tl<>riv«tiTe »3re »7MiqrxBtMit T» MppMeit, as 1* li«i 4dia^ ii/ to Infect MkTfrittny thff first pitoetpte* •nBDfttoc*. Baptw* {» ttftt Mlf • ift>iir«. ti«n tt f« » ()tmNi»»}ve. It cMt«]r» the Mea •fa talid im^stiem'H s» •trwiclV Aw its pvtuitrf e, baptA. 1» piroarafifcift we citb lb* f«1lM»l»f f«i|»M^i«ble ntlwrititff. *^nr.Jktiit\6ig6, "IvtMs Jimtmitivaawl aevWativd fev», ltCbapti*e)ma7 Dr. tfcatt. «* The wev4 bapiiM cetlafaily b Mt •jrnMjnwnt !• Vap !• ; but fcetaf a «mtn«tive frana It, i»ajr, aerontins t» Ika aaaleey aTtha laagM^fa !>rS>»fy taplaase ia,»r tobadew with water, witboat aoy esaci diatiaetiatt.'* Dr. Raad. ** Bapiiso iaa derifaliva, teHBinating ib iao, asd tlkarel^' ai^i4 . las to gniaMuarwB»» a dimhiaf ire.** ** Mr. C. Back. ** thm term baptiiaia dnljr a dativali^e hpm Wl*f «l4 caastqneatHy aiaet b» tomewkat le«» in iia •i^iicatiea." Dr. Warce^ter. '^Baptiaa i»aderivatlte frao^ liaptO( but it i» aj{;cnera piiaciple ar rale ia tbe Greek laBgtta«:e» that derteatim io im aie net linited taiba original aieaiUDg af tb«ir primitivet, butbav* tUj^foinU^ a^ e^|cB(lcd ■teanias.** ** We have proved ^bat Uptp «|oe# net alwaja npuff iniaerie. .We^av^ BOW proved that t^i^tiso U a diaaiitaiive from it, aod ^m stroagly imjtMi^* UBBwraioD, tbao doc» its |Mrimi|tyf ^Ji^apl^. We ba«e ceriaioty proved, tbcrefore from tbe etymology of Ibia word, tbat it cannot nniformly denote ft total ** Ijet ut f ^ the &e;tt place bare reconrse io aothfl>rity» £#1 the tettifl|«By •# the learned be od^ced $^ proved .tlm\ baptisaa do^i nol' lin^ioryhr i immeruea. I j' i\ -J t 'I I ' I. V. ^'.* 1 M *iAbtflli». ' titm, that it cannot bo duly performed by ponriag water all over, or by aspersion." ** Calvin. '' Whether tha person baptised bo wholly immersed, and wlietbar thrice or once, or whether waicr be only poored or sprinkled upon hiniy is of ao iaportaoco." **Dt. Pweo. <* Baptita Is any kind of washing, whether by dipping ov •prlnkllng.*** ** Fiavffl. ** The word baptl8e,sigQlfying as well to w««b as to plnnge,ja parson nay be truly baptised that Is not plangrd." ' ** Dictionary of the Bible. <* To baptise is to sprinkle or wa»h one's body sacramentally." " Seo also Brown's and Calmet's Die. of Bible, in art. Baptism.* ** Glas '* Immersion cannot be called baptism, any otherwise than as it is a node of washmg with water." <* Ainsworlh. '* To baptiao is to wash any one in the sacrad bap|Umal point or to sprinkle (iiuperger*) oii him tha consecrated waters." ** Sot^t^ Cole's Lat. Die. and 8chre velii Lexicon Gi « Latinim, in art. Bap.** Dr. Scott. '* Some contend that baptism always signifies i^. i and *This emment scjiolar, having spoken of its nse in some paassges af sprtptnre, as quoted above, proceeds ; ** In other authors, it signifies lis|r»,{Maicrft^iar«, . oMmo ; bnt in no author it ever signifies to dip, bnt only in ordar tf^l9aahil»g,or othaaaiinofwashtog. Itidflay'sBod.Div.;p.eo7. \ . ,-\ ■•■■ ■ •■ m *««rnfi1 m^n who btvt ri>gir(l«'r i%t iangntfcof (cripturtor ihcOicrk Idiom, tr« v«ry tlMm, la 4a incorrect •• lo my immeraiou in nono. 8neh »aMrtionii tro «< nnebrlatlao •• thry aie aofbaritahl*. Tboae wbo are dipped in water in ihft nnme of ib^ Tiiaity, I believo to be baptized. Tboae wbo are waabed or sprinkled with water in the name of ibe Trinity, I believe to be rqnally ao ; and the repetition of'Qcb a baptiOi, I believe to be profane. Oih«rsbave a rinbi to beiievo t«a ronUMry if they aee food.** For a nnmber of refereucea to namea equally learned, tiee Pond p. 20, N. "Tbia liatof qnotationn need not be enlarged. The authority of men can do DO more in proving thai Ibe word, denoting baptitm, duea not ooiformly aif nity imTreraion. " Bnt it wHI be aaid,thatMr J. (and Mr.E.)plea«1 anthoiity nn'*tbvir ** a(l^r. Jodnon'a, copied by Mr. E.) qnotatiovt^ generally from Poedobaptiits autbora, we l>eg leave to aubmit the following remarka ; *,'-s",.- • » ' -*' '* Mr. J. doea not aeem herein to have treated either the pnhli c or bia witnea* •et fairly. In aelect^nc "mall qnotation* from lar^e worka, whore aavhte clanae»,qnatifyinfnentencea.A{f>.ar<* omitted, aniborit may eaatly be made to •peak a lanftnace which tbey never intended, and niifair impreaaion* may be Wtonthepnbliemtnd. Mr. J ban left the impreanion, and we frar that be intended to leave it that tboae leamrd men, wb^fie teatimony be ban adduced, really anppoaed immeralon the only valid haptiam. He ought to have known and to have acknowledged the contrary. We certainly know that a nnmber of bia witneaaes, and we aerionaly bf>Iieve that all of tliem conoidered baptif>m perfectly valid, when performed by poorineor aprinklinf, ax well as immsraion. Ur. Booth, from whom nearly ail the quoialiona of Mr. J. in tbia place aa well as otbera, are servilely copied, |iNrticnlaily '^dexiredbia leadera to oltaeive, that no inconaiderahle part of the!«e learned authors have aAaerled, that the word baptism siirnifiea pouring and sprinkling aa w«>ll as in>m<>r8ioo.** Mr. Sooth'a treatment of bis witnesses had been generally reprobate<1 aa nn'air;! '1 ^ M ■'■ I 'i| 1 1 1 ♦iTils will be found the ca«e «vifh Himrn'V'ifl, Whitby. iOn tbia anbjert Mr. Edw^id* has <\\' t >il.>vsii*|; observation*: " Mr. Booih, iaatearf of paymgadne ati«>iitio.j to tbis Irxu'ott (the Bible) itas adovtcd a' aMtbod which, when properly adveited to, will do no cre«iit to him or hin booir^ Hia professed design ia to prove that the term " baptiie** means imnieraion, immeraion only, Ofl nothing else. Bnt how does he do it ? Why, he quotes a^ nnmber of authors, who, aa he bimseli »a.vs, unrteratood the ternntoineao ira- ittornoB, pouring, and K|'iinli%^ JSS I|i#n»m>pa»orai»«MlllMiit •f Sfr. 1,1^ mm ttmJfnm ifrMfC TVk- ttMtr b»«SS«>. a|Mfta» (afcMi«p> Ihew^itiafi oftli* dlrai, s«pMtat tottft^^ . fo« Uwin*(ri>M» to^mttr » li«i»gtta|;t» wkidk ihc^y Mves iutf ndied. St be lf» Iftra* ifr^Mlwie «rb«> ttiiey CMMidneil' ih« tmtlfr^ hc^ ho* not ailawftj ktotfftcfacr mlMt tike; MBi^idiir^it tfa» mitoitt ti^utlK.— Wi«k) tlMM tbiBi{» a '»iwiM^ y» » t' »M W af KrJMiMd 4»f t«ttr»* your »wu)p» wlucb k* mcism. to ttftt« i RKed^ hkvv |»»t fti(tk«iB fore*. Tfte qpention lietwetw kitt »d4 ii«^« co/I »'»»•• be bafitiMnv •** 'v^lkefrbei th4e »oilc b» pr«£«BaUe Mt itajr ' ; Wl^w It eMCBtiaVf Wii& wmt*^ v«4«*yhi» «riitaeMa*> wUI tMrwcr* N«» ^ »ide, * Bl^. 1. wi|»pMC» Rifr %n«r»tioR» ^«( ae«* co««{am»B; ao^ ft«cfUe» bc«uii»» ^ faw b«ei> f bf^tjr talLeii . -»» <*^ P«iie6«|»li»(» ftttr^MtK"— '^ thmt cott. rvMicH^frt" Mryobe,"^cottl^n«( Ityve bfi>«» Mbvseetfe bf stivetaiettt t» tk«»» of itnth akH^." 4nra« bavt p»«etfttll]» avgeii thetawe pkasiy |». 4S) Wttbi ei^ntal jMttiiee, W ■ri^&ftttr«aia»e«lfa«tl»er» rl* i^icM ba«a mmI witbm hini«»»t'-'*Th<'t« lKir««<{ aBefr^ BalwithstaucTtsf n^ieii ca4)ce«»iM», pevM»( i» the ^ta«ttre ef •ilavt h»|^H«Mv antJ ra kA])tiMn(r athet!*^ t|^» bf iBUSfien.iw>. The; n tut I* •vppceti to kare rratteae wfti«b 8atwfy theMr ari^i^ They ■§»»» be siiif»p«M«i t«baveMaa|»i»a!)oa»wbi«i Aeit eaoff »»i9aft cEo' net aff«$r«. 'rbf>y mafit be ft.id&Kd teeooM^ Pwdob ptUt jprtacipleaita MliA(« fouuitiSy tbat tb*f f»fii f^fHy tjtvp itp to f«» MMtiegk tuiil tltaa we kvdi reati4w> t«» a»iie»(tate. A ad nre v«t lE»fe Eearaed eharacte callable aMetctmiaiaff whefb^r th«ir prineiptfe amr aol'Jiy fa<|a m'atliiry did not^. l^baK Ibe i«iitii%briz4'8tKiHti»:^ iimnersiea oa^y, wliai itm>'-3ty rontd thete be li»}»re< 4b»4^rt>tf r7!Vf»»l( t* IVf r. B^V tttii^nt t»qtrotatioR, ttad^ fhfret'ore he aiii«4r re()fn.ti'('A>t : foir what el»>a i« ii bnt atMnlng an tatbar, wbrn |£a i» CH «»>.«)!< I rtrcf An v>i)i!tin^ (b)t which in tact be never did frant.** pp» \^^ Ij^^*) ttra<»r y»«ii;^vrv uD^ one aliroba» rrad Mr. Jadaoa't Sernitfu, to detetniui^y If tbtt'W H-»ii;e^ *\v not aV appHcaNe l» bint ; wirb the addition af not pu\A i«itdtr«« jti a).i4rt* tlKis gaitid^aa AU, ft. itidlu»,bj tbaalvafe ewftulea* » not «!!)»««<} •eenM-to ikM« -"•Tlbwi! e*!ii. tt«ttt t» titf'sr Tkey BriMt ftt key mnDt b* tb«t tb*f rtft « a» ho miiibs ' BO, be dimIo Rid nof^. t,baK pe be ta|>r*- tKt (}tt6te.; |, ^114 it ilk » N»i-, when ISk litteraiuie* If It }>iiUiac)i;b l%e f«»de of t>apti«ing, h •o tfa* ifittw ibeiai^t ^^xrecne aix^^Mmite" iofa«imit«f ■««iiuitt«i'«iB*i"M 3r«Mba*« lieea 4H to m4itrtai«, HhM like ««ry o|)|M8it« 4* dbs fac«t ev^R wben ^4 -cviKfioe 4ni4r e««Buaftt'ioa ^«MaQe> whrdi >'«« r«|)cieiy beiittwtiated 40 mtiw oe<*f An»bai*ti0t pfM»ljr ocuwdM (ika( 11 imww u**ed m <4w ^|>t4ift|siot iu im^ «»e\yUet^ w^bctv tb« i^ry ^«ifma^ c«u*!»«Ny «f waibing 4be mitvAt tody '•ci.'ui •/'* la «u« 4if IImi .paaMfet ««ndk tyiHt have ifueieti, U 4ioe8 not «•$»!:'} even a jNMriial SMBeJtku^biUva ift« <«mU«* r f , to Im; fr|) I ifik led w i tb l)i« dew iaUiog dow« {row iieai^4ii. To^jMsait «• yam ' 3mv« done, tfaiit OM «iM «bole«ttcrea4 «f ^i^nK^og^, aod witb wery 4«w exeeptiiuM plit'* in cemnotiial p«r1» (ftcitiofis. fleeottdly^^ie word t«/»«tnpar8 Act« i. ^, wifli H. I7,as and see Heb. Ix. 8, U. •* This word >e/rf«o," rays Mr. Edwar.^s, iwfd ft>v tliis ortfiiranc*, measw VaAhlng only, bnt not any n»oH#of w«»!il»in'f»: it i*x>an>^nr in the New Testament or the Septuagint where immersion took place. The New Testa- ment I have examined ; I will here jo»t notice the two places where it occurs in lite Septuagint. 2 King*8,v.14. Kai kaUhte Saimun kui ekaptiuttu e» lia Jmrdawee^— ■^nd Saamau went down and baptised in Jordan. The Englifth haw it '* dipped,'* and this ia the only place where baptize is translated" dip;" but whether there was an immersion of the whole body, or any part of it, is altogrthrr nncertain. All we can be certain of is, that thepropliet ordered him to wath, his servant ordered him to wash, and he went down, and tbupiitatokata tnretma tliuiU, Ikaptized according to the word of Elishii. Now there are two reasona which induce some to think he applied water to one part of the body only i I. As be oxpectf d tho prophet to strike his hand over the place nnd recover tbe leper, tbey conclude be was leprous only in one part of bis body, and that the water «as applied to that part. 2, Tbe command to wakb seven timet tbey consider as referring to that part of tke law of cleansing la whirh the leper is ordered to be sprinkled •* but for my own part, I think it impoitsible to say in what manner be baptized. The other is merely figurative, expressive of a sense of God'k angfr,and occuiaiu Isaiah, axi. 4. kai eanomia me baflixei^Aai sin baptizes me {meaning the punishment due to. siu, which is expressed by the pouring Outanger, fury, ^i(C. on a person. From these premises the uuforied conclu* sionistbis: That, on the one band, as the word baptize i« expressive of no particular mode, notbtug can be concluded from it in favour of oiie more thaa another ; so on the other luiid, as itit* word has certainly been u»ud for pouring and sprinkling while there i» no proof of its ever being nsed in scripture for imiuersioiuit does more naturally associate itself with affusion and aspersion." It should not be forgetten, that the question is not, what does tbe word bapl* ■lean, when applied to the wetting of tbe finger of Lazarus? or tbe sop of Juda8?or in any other passage? nor even, what does this word meaD vrhea applied to the staining or sprinkling of the "vesture" mentioned in the book of Revelation ; but, what do the wordK Baptiza, and Lomo mean when applied, to the ceremony of christian baptism ? As it is only reasonable to allow tbe author of christian baptism to be, as we may exprfss it, bit own Lexieographer, it i* certainly a question which ought to he decided by the New Testament *Unless we can suppose that the prophet wonid oppose Ood by prrseribiag • new metbud of cleansing the leper ; (and as be ordered him to wasD the same immber of times ;) wb^ ibonld we aot coitsider this at tbe OManlBfOf tka «Ofd in thit yastage 2 • w • »y n tefttrcnreto thiiBnok then, WD find tlies* two tormt appUed to tJij^ oidioaiice in qtibiithn. Tiiey iiiiist of course be applied as interobangeable aod KynoDymoiis, an J the one will ilhifttrate themeatting of the other. We have alread} te«>n, that the word Lotto mignifies '* to wash)" and as the word btptizd is consi«1»-red as having more acreptntions than one> ^nd one of these is to wash, what can better fix ItH meaning in the present case, than, a reference to its synnhynt A as nned by the apostles? In this sense it becotiies Indicative of the washing of the «onl from tin, and answers to wliat you lay is ode of thi " principal things" intended by haptixm. (p 3S.) It has also becO proved thai the word Lorn in the Bible means a partial washing, and is tbereforb applied to the waOiiog of the apostles stripes. And if the anthorily of our JLord will determine the case, I think it ^uay he provfd not only that, when ceremobiarif used, a partial washing is meant, but that a partial washing is preferable to alt others. When Ptter wished to be washed from head to foot, bis Master answered ; " He that is wa»hed {lehumenofi) needeih not to wash save bis feet, bat is clean every whit." (John aiii. 10.) The Washing here riientioned la that of the soni from sin, and nof that of the body by water. This is evident from the consideration, that it was a washing in conseqnence of which the eleven disciples were *' clean," which cleanness was opposed to the wickedness of Judas the traitor, (v. 9, 10.) If it were, as many eminent commentators have «nppo8ed,a washing of the body, prior to their partaking of the Passover, how could Christ say that bis disciples were spiritually clean, in consequence of being thus washed ? A ceremonial washing does not cleanse the soul. Agaus, if it were a washing of the body, why should our Lord say that Judas was not dean ? He had doubtless washed in this way as well as the eleven, if they had thus washed, and in a bodily, ceremonial sense, he was as clean as they were* That for which Judas was now distinguished from the rest of the apostles,was,hit wickedness ; and the difference between the rest of the apostles and the traitor was,they were clean in a spiritual sense though yet in but a partial degree, while he was in the gall of bitteiness, and in the bonds of iniquity. The eleven tieing thus spiritually clean, there was no necessity for any of them to b« washei from head to foot, as Peter desired in order to their interest in Christ being properly represented, they only needed to wash their feet, that is a partial washing was vnfficient. Dr. Hammond on this passage observes ; ** The Hebrews had their Lou$ti$t and their Bopf ttrnovs or KipMi's, the former washing of the whole body— The other two of the bands or feet, of one part alone^ either by immersion, or pouring on of water which they call sanctifying." Peter no doubt knew this ; and therefore when he heard his Master say " If I wash thee not though hast no part in me," wishing to have a full interest in the Saviour, he wished that the whole of his body being wanbed, the interest or part which he desired in the Saviour, might, in his estimation, be perfectly represented. In this, however, be wa» opposed by onr Lord who informed him that, a partial washing was svfficipot, aod as he preferred it« z p\ 'A % ■■■'i n > M ill ■.* ij i»4| 809 ft «Mof covrie preferable: ** He thetls (fpiritnelljf) washed (•• ye eleven ar«\ needeth not save to we«b (eJ^ilAci) Ai« fret ; but Is clean every wbit." Tbe reason wby Cbrlst mentioned tbe fert rather than any othei pait of the body appears to be that, at this tine, by washing tbe feet of bis dliciples/ be was teacbinK (hem a lessotf of hnmility. *Mlf|Mn washing bis disciple's feeCiaysMr. Pirie, b.e,(onr Lord) takes oc Cision to ji^troflnce.a MP* oSfPkWf important wa»biog,which he wonld perform on all bit people : ** If I viaih t^e not, thou baot no part in me.** The washing Itere fnen^ipQ,^, ^s soph a one as gives a part with Christ, or in Christ. New» it is evident that, there are two washings which give a man a |;art with Chriot, the washing with water.applied to the body in baptism, and tbe washing of ni|eii^n|tj[on,,by the reiifwing of tbe Holy Spirit. By tbe former, one obtains aj^art in tbje visible state of the church of Christ ; and without this washing, po i||n can be admitted to ber fellowship. By tbe latter, we are admitted to a a|l||tii«l comD|innion wilb Christ, or to be members of bis charch invisible, vitally united to him. Baptism, then, most be the washing he here intends, aincethereLv wo obtain a part in him, and by no other washing at alli The complete b^}, sm f>f Christ sprinkles tbe heart from pn evil conscience, by faith iil th|B resnrrection of Christ, from the dead ; and washes the body with ppre water:** He that belioveth and Is baptized shall be saved," or have a part in Christ.— But must the whole body be pinnged in water, when Christ thus watb^t U9 ? So Peter imagined, *' Lord, not my ffet only, but also my hands and m^ ^tiA'* But what sa^s bis matter ?•-<* Ho that is washed, oeedeth not, ^v(^tovasft bis f(pet,but Is clean every ybit." |]ere,I think it evldeiit, ha cannot be speaking of any common wa«biag ofaoonclean body, eincsin this M|e,wailiing the ieetconid not possibly cleanse tbe whole body from pollution, it remaiiis, then, to conclude, that he is speaking of baptism ; ^d, as if bo bad foreseen the mighty stress that would 1^ laid ^pon dipping the whole body in water In future periods of b« churrbybe gives them tbe strongest caveat *|?^"5*"*«n?,Moia.by WJiog tiffin tbfit WMbi«g apart jpabee tb« i»holt clean,"(yol.v.pp.«,il.) I igpould now ask, ooald our Lord's disclples'from this time, possibly sitpposo any olber thau that a partial washing wat a complete representation of a part, •r fakterest in Christ I Certainly not. Whether onr Lord was iMre allnding to christian baptism or not it must, be remembered that it was a baptllm teas* mieh as this word signifies to wash j and the sense for which I her* eon(end,>is faadisptitably the doetr iae of this history of o«r Lordta proeeedtngs. To the passage quoted from Heb. is. yon object that « Had there been no immersioiis under the law, there wonid have been neme force ill the objection.** ->(p. 90.)-^nt in order to tviiice what you have undetialitn to prove -vis ; that** the meaningofthe word if precise and definite" and that ** baptism apd inaNnion art worda«f tbe same import,''y«a shenM Iwva shewn that they 203 «r«r« all Immersioos. You htve attempted It aake it appeir tb«t sueb ttau* •t ? referred lo by tbe epostie b y iDformiof us tbat ** Grotiot, Wbltlby,* tiidf Me Knigbt, sll eminent critics, and all Pfltdobaptists, are of opinioa tb4t theM wixdi sbonid be translated ** diverse inmersioui." I bave nomctlMM foond that «« eminent critics" have boib erred thcmselve* and led me to err al90,lnd I hei* tdiididly confess to yon that tbii. In my opioioo waa once the cane on the passive under consideration. Paying rather more altenlioo to them than to ihe connexion oflbispassafe I thonght with many that St. Panl referred to tliS immersious as well as tbe sprinklings onder tbe law; and that tbeae wcire th« ** diverse washings'* or baptisms alhided to. Let nsnow cooftolt this adther aloae. He has in my opinioa those verj qnalifieations in which you af piear ti» gtory. Hi! was an ** eminent critic/' bi^oogbtnp at the feci of GemallMi I believe bim alM> to bave been a << Paedobapti«t.'' What ia fir better fhlta either be was a divinely Inspired apo»tle. Only layaMde Mr. JodicMl Sermoti 8Hd, like <' a pihila unfettered cbrlstltin,'' take npyetir Bible ahiid yon. will there discover tbat, tlie baptisms of which St. Paul ie bere speaUnf are tNofe which, nffdef tbe law were perfdriMi'd by " tbebl66qnjnt1j parCicipated' in the' pollritton oci;asi'oilt!d by death, phi^tHcipeVed a10 hi tbe eus'toinarjr int«rmetit of the dfatt. De^ib^as as it sirere implied to bWi ; tiM be continued' in a' Atat^ of seclftsioh fron^ society till thb third dmy ; ott'thi thttni day he vrasbed'bimseTf tho'ronghly wtt6 wafer,and iMiti lifai^fDii^d by tbift^prtllk- lingortb^'asbe* of (be redbefl^r, tlilfi batttism rest6red>bii to his pM4i% aiiMMf the living ; and was to liim a i-elease'frbiii their aepiflii 1b«y were made use of ia ** diverse'* ca^es : acd tbe«e *' sprioktingk" were Yepresrntations,and ijrpesof die appHcatioo of the blood of Cbrist to the conscience by the Inflnences oftbe Spirit of Holiotss : and they appear to faave been the only baptisms made use of mider the )«w, to vibich the apostte referred, because tb«y were the only oues whicb would properly reprtseut (be application of that blood^and the cleaosivf iiifliieofesoltbat spiiit wbicli,io8tea() of being pointed out by types and figures uuder ibc |>re8eni di»pentaiivii, arrto plainly made known to us ** by the foolishness of pre acbinK,'* " ibat a way faring man, though a fool needs not err therein." This is evident from the following irerses:'* For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an beifer aprinkling (or bapticing'^tee v. 10, in the Greek—) the uoclean, sanciifieih to the purifying of the flesh : How much more shall the blood of Cbiist, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to Ood, p«irge your consciences from dead works to svrve the living God." (ifeb. ix. 13,14.)— "iliose eminent critics therefore who would trsottiate this paosuge ** divtiHe immersions" Lave this iufdiciiy to couteud wiib that iLt>y oppose an inRpir«d apostle; and whether Poedobaptistsor Aiitiieedebaptists we luake no apology for opposing them. If St. Paul had had to translate his own words, and like these critics had confined the word ** bapti»in»" to the mudr, bis translation ironld indisputably have been-—*' DiverKe sprinklings." Do you, D«ar Sir, ifcally believe that the apostU was so iudvfiiiite iu the o»e of language us to jumble together under one term a variety of modes of baptism, or, accoidiug toyon.r ideas of baptism, a variety of baptisms some of which are to be nad«-r* stood as literal, and others onlj as figurative baptibms, and above all others select the figurative baptisms as significant of the greatest lttes«aigs which the gospel of the Son of God provides for fallen man, which blessings you Inform us '* baptismal waters represent?*' When you have a choice of the termsimmersion, pouring, and sprinkling do you make choice of the latter in preference to the former ? Your Letters will return an answer to this question, vrhichwilLalmost make the conduct of $t. Paul appear as ** absurd" as yon have represented that of your opponent. According to tbesr Letters every baptism that is not a total immersion can only be i figurative baptism, and being tho Hebrew method of reckoning three days. It is evident that b^ aympathized with the death of the party who occsHioned his pollution, by syin* bolisiiig with bis interment and with bis wafihing ; and if the Jews understood the symbol, and attached to the subsequent baptiKm the idea of au illustration of a national hope of a rcsurrtrction (Acts xxiii. 6.) then the. Apostle's argument is extremely cogent on that people : What shall they — the Jews— do, who are baptized for the dead [literally, instead of the dead, as Hubstitntes for the dead mA^toh— plural.] If there is not, if there cannot be any such thing as a resurrec* tiouof the dead, why do they undergo a ceremony tbe very pnrport of wlicfa is a prefiguration of a resurrect ion ? Why are they baptized n^ (tubstiinies for—as represeniatives of— this dead ?" See the New ]^dition of Cala>et*s Die. Art. Baptism. 205 3>hn iLe Baptist Oiutt ht called « John the Diitpcr." If ibe apostlei of Mr Lord be tliiis looite in ibe me of language, ynho shall inform ua which i« th« literal, and which the figaraiive acceptation? Shall we refer to Johotton** Dictionary and consult a pansage from Miltou'i Poem's, as Mr. Jndson ban done, to know the sense in which onr Lord and his apostles used the Greek word baptizo i I can see some little difference between a Poet and an apo«lle if Ml*. J. cannot. The former writes under the inflnence of caprice, and by the ruleH of his art, availing himself of the poet's licence, to use wards in almost any seuflc, (and in general Ibe more ** fi){arative" the better,)a9 best suits his metre or his fancy. The other has written under the inflaenceef the Spirit of Truth ; when therefore he has niied a word in a figurative senne we ran certainly '* know" it, and discover conse qnently ** onr duty** without the aid of Milton's Porms. }icr«ps of poetry and passages of scripture are in my estimation qnlte different things, and (be man who substitntes the one for the other, is not worthy of the confidence which you have placed in him, while bis conduct is mtich leiis worthy of your Imitation. Mr. J. uintti be extolled however under the titleof* the learned ;"bnt one who like " a plain unlettered cbiistiau' refers to his Bible'* to know wliat baptism i»,ninst be branded with "absur- dity f P.M.) Yon also have caught (he infection. For by yoking two passages of scripture, and two scraps of hymns together, and rvfening to Act ft ii. 3, you presume that you have very effecliially overtorned my asseition that, we never read of being imnnersed in «itber the blood ot Christ, or the infliieLces of ibe 8piiit, of the application of which I supposed baptism to be symbolical. You refer to Zecb. xiti. 1, where the blood of our Great High Priest is compared to a (ountsin, and then you quote your poetry to prove, that we must ** plunge" and '* Lathe" in (his fountain. After (his, you very paihetically exclaim ** Do not, my dear sir, in your Zeal tor sprinkling, attempt to close that fountain, which baptismal waters represent, and which the redeemed of the Lord ceivbritte when (hey sing, *< Unto bim who loved us and gave himself for us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." (p. 36.)-Do not be alarmed, my dear sir, we cannot keep open that blessed fountain better than hyjusing scriptural language, and this is the language for which 1 contend, but which you indirectly and no doubt nointentionally contemn by calling my « xeal" for this language, a " aeal for sprinkling." The word in the last cited passage is not baptized, immersion then, even on your own prii»ciples is not intended. It is the other woid which is applied to christian baptism— lousaafi-and which is properly trans- fated " wash," for St. Paul being judge, the redeemed of the Lord did not either" plunge" or" bathe" in that blood " which baptismal waters represent He tells ns that it is to be •• sprinkled" on the « conscience" in order to its being" purged from dead works." From this I Infer, (absurdly enough accor. 4ing to your ideas,) that the more" aeal" I have " for spi inkling," the less pro^ babU it isjthat I sho»!d close" that fountain wbieh baptismal waicra represent,'* » M :: I i. ' 4 in 8l. Paul bai certainly d«eid«d that, tlie nittmed of the Lord w«ire " waibed" l»y ** iprlnitiag,'* and if ** b^ptiival waters reprcMot" ihii ** walking," can jioo gife any ■criptaraireaMO more forcibre, than tbe iiae of tbewordby St. PanI intbhiien8efiirniihei|agabi«t tbete " waleri" being applied by •prinkling* Shotttd'uot tbto aigtf aoiwer to tbe tbiog •ignified i I^iuotiid three paraliki passages from tbe New Tentanient, wilbotbera from ibt Old (betides some to wbieb I referred in tbe expreuioo,) and observed tbat, when talien collectively tbey were tbe ** Scriptural language of propbecy,biBto. ry, and promise." Tbcse yoa unaccountably designate " Tbe figurative language •f propbecy wbere baptism is not alluded to." (p. 35.) and making, an attrmpt to be witty, you obftcrve : " Among tbe propbetic passages wbicb you bave brought to profe, that pouring and sprinkling are baptism, I find tbe following : " And I will put my Spirit witbin yon.'* You tben exclaim : ** What ! are we to infer from this tbat drinlrtng is baptism ? Drink is tbe only method tbat I ksoiv of to put water witbin us ; and it is just as good a proof tbat drinkiogi^ baptism, as your other quotations are that pouring and sprinkling we baptism. I should think a moment's refleeiion would convince you of the absurdity of resorting ta such passages to iiod out what baptism is."— I have sometimes thought that the more ready a man is to charge others with a want of ** reflectlMf" and with ** absDrdity" th»mero piobaUe it is, that 1m wHl furnish inotaneesof a want of the former, msd ft dcgi-ee' of the latter himself. Yonrsoccess i» this part of your Letters kMiiot altered my o)>iniou. The passage in question fs only a paBtoftbflon» which* I quoted, aad was among tbose"sptritaal'«)ipre»B^avii" I cited in. favanr of" pMrriHf and sprinkling^' io coairadhiinetren^toimmeision asithe authorixed laode of baptism^ A* these paseages were ineluded between ibelettersof reference I mustconfera my«eif at alos« to conceive how you could overlook the connection. The former part of the vassage is'tlrib : ** Then will I sprinkle dean water upon yon, and ye shall be clean :'' wMch is Immed!. ately followed by tbe words yon have cited : '* And I will put my spirit within yon and cause you to walk in my statutes." Allow me now to ask, who taught you to call such passages as Heb. x. S2, <* tbe figurative langnege of prophecy where baptism is not alluded to ?" Did yon learn this of St. Paul or of Mt. Jttdson? I cannot help regretting, the fact that, you furnish aa inetanee of the extent to which a regard for particular opiniona will lead even those who most profess to be directed by the truth. For,to obtain your end, like one who hasa purpose to serve, you very indecprously, by a change of terms hold np to ridicule, I will not say lutentionilly, one of the most important truths of tbat book by which ^» the word of God you profess to form yonr opinions. When tbe Almighty proinises to *^ pnt his Spirit witbin" ns he promises to give us one of those glorious gospel blessings," which baptismal waters represent.*^ This was dojpe lit tbefrimiUv^ttmics hy ** fiMiriag" and <* shedding forth" that i» sprinkliug-i^ with dew or rfMnand these were called baptisnss (Acts i. 5, a* i^^em* withcl^ X. 19, 17^Vid «v. 7,9) tnd BCithet your witticisms, «r S07 yntir chtrg«» of* abAvrdlly," shall dcttr «• from Marching my blblv," to iaA oHt what baptisn U ;** or y«t lead me to tappoM that ibU pasMf c, ovan aftti yon have Mparatod it from the conlf at, and tboao pawag ta to which I rtfarrtd in my forjiier Icttori, are only ** the flguratUo liltgna|e ofprophrcy wbev ba))iUm i« not alluded lo." So far is this from being the case that some f f Ibem are pauaitM from the New Teiktament, which coniist of citations fmp the OH in which baptUm Is Indispotabiy spoken of, and in which the sopc^y. ing influences of the Mplrit by '* pouring" and ** sprlnhling** arc absolnlelf termed « BaptUros." To a man who wishes to know ** what hnptitm.ii," opfi pssMige of this kind is worth a volame of qaotatione from «ilhc>r Orotini Whitby, M'Knight, or Mr. .fudson ; and especially when^.UMt^ .of oxplninlog they oppose the meaning of the apostle. I think It h,M jbfvn.proffld by both etymology and auiliority, that we cannot by the meanjng of the wotd alone •< find ont what baptism is" inasmach as when we eoofloe it to the mpde it dooe not signify either to immerse or to sprinkle. From these sources of ipfn^Dii' tion we have next tnrned onr attention to that ** mora sure word" nnio which in all onr enquiries it is ** well to take heed." Hero we find oar Lord and fuf apostles makinv! nse of that word alone (bnptixo) which according to its g^tim* mstical construction ought to ** have uniformly an extended jpcaaing ** ^nd when they supply the place of this word by apother, it is by on** whiclitwply signifies to wash, certainly withott,t being copfined to imqpij^riiioif. When aUhor of these words are nsed In connexion #ith ihjii ordinance, and the bloMhigi of which it is symbolical, the reference is eaclnpivf ly agajms t immersion, and to fSYOur of eiiher pouring or fprinkiing. The exeeBency of this aonree of information, and the riesnlt of the enquiry may, in my opinion, be very pn>perly stated in tLe following words of Mr. Edwaitds as opposed to Mr. Booth ! ^^ ** Had Mr. B. consulted, as he ought, the lexicon I am speaking of, (the 9iblf> it might have saved him from the necessity ^fusing that little art which ono cannot observe in a disputant with any degree of pleasure. The authort ho has consnlted, if they had all (lecn on his side, (apd I question whether any oaf was beside the Qqakers ( could Anly have told him how men nnderstond the word ; but this lexicon would ha^ve showed him how Ood himself uses it : And if we receive the witness of men, th» witnens of God is greater. I ask» What does God witness concerning the term baptizn ? Answer.— From the passagf « before cited li is evident he witnesses this^that the term strictly and properly loeans to wash, to pnrlfy. What does God witness concerning the mode of applying the purine matter ? Answer— It comes upon, faJJs upon, is shed forth, isponF^dont.— Tfljy ih«n. «i» '»«»prb»pti>»ni|is»n eifiblemof this apd as the niode.offfpplicatiainin both cases is expressed In the same way, we have a wiinata on th? fl^oof ponring and sprinkling in baptism infinitely more certain than all the lexicographers and critics in the worKi. What are Mr. B's (or Mr, JTs.) eighty abused critics,evensappo8iug they 'lad all been on his side, 1 ri I I i i f 'I J- I "t so^ Ihoagh 1 donbt wbetb^r ho h*i ooe out of the eigbty ; and «veu .iiippoac he ha4 »i|ht hnndre J more, what, 1 lay, are all theae when corojiartfd lu Ibe all>«vU« Ood envtoiioding and definiof bis own wordn ?''(p. 100 )--Lpt im runsidcr "i The eiaiDple ofonr Lord, bia apofitleii, and primiiivo hf>hever!t."(p. SO.) ** It ia evident,'* you nay, " that immeraion la more diffi'u It to be performed th» 3 ponring or aprlnkling ; and if pouring or aprinkling anawered the dlvio« t'ommand, we have no reaaon to tbink, that a river would bavt* hern cboarn as enilable place for baptlam^or that we should have ever heard of person* going down into the water.*'— That peiron* v. nil down to the water we allow ; bat that they went down into the water remains to h«f proved. Tbin yon yonraelfbave allowed in yonrqnotaiion Trom Dr. Campbell ''I should not lay much atreaa on theOreek preposition «n, which may denote tvith, aa well an in." In reply to the enphaais which this able scholar has laid on the word ^ «M«ft«Netii, to arise, to emerge, or ahceuern in the water when he is described as coming up ont of it as ioour trantlation ; but when wr hear of his having *' ascended," or gone op' from the water, as in the oiii; iirtl, it rather impiiis that he was only on its brink, or that he only went down to the water to be baptized. On this subject let ns hear Mr Edwards. And allow mn to requent that yon will not designate hi' remarks as you do those of Dr. 1). on the Haine Hubject : ** \ profnsion of criti cism." Those who look at the mari^ln of Mr. Jiiilsou's Sermon, and other work* on your nde of the present question, will easily discover that ** aprofnsion of criticism" is not peculiar to PiedobaptistB ; and a person who could rei^d iii* work with patience, aod quarrel with the few criticisms which are advanced on thls-snbject in less t|ian a page of my third letter, conid scarcely he prepared to review it with candour. Mr, B.'s remarks are as follow : »■!• " it eaiiBotbe proved with ccrltlDty thai mm thoMwho were baptliHl Ur, «rat Jortlao, Kuoii, Ac. were<-I will not My tolaMy imnirrMtl, but lhat,th«y wf rA ao much as io the water ai all. Whoever ii arqiialoted with the imlettr* ininate lense of the prepotUion't, «ii, t{t^ tk and' a/M, on which this proof aoft depend, will be very tetivlble of thiK. Thete occur in the following Scriptures i' Matt. HI. 6, They were baptlied of him,fii ' *' * John XX. 4, 5. came first to (eit) the sepulchre— Yet went be not in. From whtch it is evident that sis signifies in as well as into; and thereAyre to pretend to detennbettie mode of haptisipftoai the signifi^t^oa pf that weld i».tti(UQf,^^ ' li ? ' ' r or brook. lo • hinlory of thcie events it wonid of coarie bf taid, that I, aud ihs p«t«on to bob«ptl«e«t, «r«nidown to, or Into the «*^t«-r at the rate hapfoaod to be, aitd that I biiMt««d him. Now woold a p«rw»a argue coadaaivfsljr who mectinf with this aeeonni ithould conrlude (bat 1 made choice of thi« river (or iIm |inr* |to«e of iamiernioa i My gainf to th« river or water would he 9ta4ixtHl$ not of dMt*^ anil a eoowNiacnei' of nj aiination. I hofie to m»kt> it appear at leaf t probaido, titat this was the caie wiili the barbiagar of onr Lord^and (ht Kv 4i)ge* list Philip. Yon never md of riterf, or water* of any kind, iteing resorted to in nny one ca»e bnl wbeie the p«r«ooa to be hnptiacd reentved the word iu the •pen air, and whern it wan of conrte neeeaaary , that tbe f >eraon to bn bapt kind hnnir contalred in th« history of that day's proceedings, a perM>n of onhiasfd jiidfin^nt readinc the account, wonid not anppose that tbey ever w«>nt out of the plac< had ea> plained hit mtwion, (**farHli men accounted that John was a prophet/') yon findi* necestary, that ht ahould make choice of a river for tbe pnipoae of immersion, when the peraona he had to baptise were many of them, (no doubt the grratett part of them,) ** tbe inhabitants of Jerntalem," and that, at a time **' Scarcity of water makes the Eatteiot careful to take up their lodgings near some riv^-r, fountain, or well. Thn« the men of David waited for him by th# brook Brsor 1 Mam. x\x 2]. According to Dr Pocock,it is usual for thdD to bail where they find a spring." Fowler's. East. Mir, No. 13S. 911 WK«n Ikirre wi»f« iK»aM« thM tb« waiwry takaVtwitt of Ikt tttf, vliM oT ()i>HrMi thrr« tttrnr g»«ittr com*— i—ciw liir i»««Mr«i««, llMO «ht« Ika cli j wtft crowtlvd Willi fsrMcnera. Il«t mi tbt 4a7«a»l al i^ fraM •# PieaiMMl, «h«» Ihtre vera o«i*«ty ww* Umu Ikt orJnMry nwmkmr ti ttrntti inlMbltaalt to iht ricy, ;for al Ik* fta^i af pr alrroily JiiMfkat iafanM as ** ika lav af tk» Jt«» dtJ iioi a*l*w ikoai tatnif«l*)bBi «li'a It wis cnmded wiib Mvaagart ftmm atl f«ri*artbt wwrlil, wlitj Cbvl»i ha# jii»l U«o craeificd at tka iMifgaiiaa af lk» lanRrtaa* iewi^ *■<* *l*rtr travioat ftalam.awl wlica ikry wtfa ■• appaMi tv clnristianiir that ib> aa2»tK«v(nK Jew* werv atlribatiaij ilie iaaaaaartaftka •t^lMl iaflruuk«a»«>*, >aa ran fiailatMBiaoca of ayparinnJttM far laiacning Ihre* tbc^aMVMl ebrblUn* In iIip ooarta af aboai half a day at iht rate of ** 66 in the tp*Kf> of 40 aKoateft !** Th» pnhti« aatl ptlvato hatha, aad «^a Ika Motlr» S«a.aiKi ikr levari for dippiag tht prlast*. are all at fht cesMMnd af the ckriMlaaa II (p 'Si.) Uliere vra* the rage of the people, and the aMlico af the Pficstt, ^ribM, Phariaee% and Haddaeeeii all ihb lioM f Aad what ««• tk« 9aper»litloa» Jews doiai al a lime, at which abo? a all olhen, it was aaeci. 9*1 J for theai/a^rotdiAg ta yoar klea« of Ibnir laNneraioat,) lo osa the lAikt, lo give up every plaen io vrbirb a person eoald lie ioMnersed for the servioa af tka chrisliaD^. Tbo^f who can believe sach iaeousisteoeie*. aad aUvocata the ranse which Trqniie»tb it they skaald be advanced, are wetcone to all tiia credit and cuaooUiiaii they adford. 1 nnst caii4id)y eoofes* aay Bind vevoUs at tkem. Yon seem to liava been a littla con^cioas that, IbAf woald reqairo sometbiHg raiher aiore pUuitb^e to gain tbeai acceptance, and iberafore inform «», thai ** The disciples had favour wtth all the peoitle." I s»k wben i On tba d«rf ,■■,►:> «ni if rJ. « «' lis •lo ..forf«B«w*:!AB,<'liiio~Jirf«acIt7ui'«raM^^ ootanptar to have a mach better fonndation. Waters which were eommoo to all persons, were Ipiproper for their teligioot immemions, and iostead of beiny itatlonary bathiof placei of any kind, wlien tWy were neccM«. fft they were |»repared for the purpose. This ia evident from the following qaotatton from Potter, as found In Fowler's Eastern Mirror, Nc. fi88. ** Washings and purifications werf frequently performed by the Jews, and the people of the East io general. The water used on these occasions wss ^teqniredlo be very pure, and was therefore fetched from fountains, and rivers. The waters of lakes, or standing ponds was unfit for this purpose; so remony should be performed to about sia hours. For a» it was the*< third hour of the day" when the apostles begao to preach, that is nine o'clock ; and, besidvi the discourse of which we have aa epitome in the Acts, it is said they " testified tnd eahorted with many other words ;"(ch.ti. 40.) and «♦ three thoueaod wera awakened,conyinced, converted, and professed their faith in Christ, and con* eluded to be baptized : I thiuk it almost impossible that the ceremony coiiid be commrnccd before twelve at noon ; perhaps not even then. Yon tell me yon are " not sure*' neither am I, " that they were all Ibaptiaed the same day, "and for a proof thai, they might be 'added to" tb« disciples ••the same day" without being baptised, yon refer me to the caee ot Saul's attempt to join himself to the disciples as related Acts ix.2(i. Yon intorm me*< He is said to juin himself to the disciples of Jesus." Witiiont attempting to account for your having omitted the very words which make the two causes to differ, I will tell you how the passage reads in my Bible : *' Aad ^hrn Saul came to Jerusalem, he assayed (that is attempted) to join himself to the disciples : but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple." Now, when yon have shewed me the similarity which exists betMieea the unsuccessful attempt ot Saul to join the disciples, occasioned by Ihei; dying from him as a wolf in sheep's ctoalhiDg,aad the succesfnl attempt of tbe«e converts, who had ** received the word gladly," been ** baptised, and the same day were added to" the disciples, I will trouble yon with- a few asore of my remarlisoa this subject.* I will not say that this comment is ** a mere r: -<■«: ». -J.', i f *Mr. Pond, in answering this oMection as found in Mr. Judsop's Sermon, eays; ^Iq order to avoid these difficulties, Mr. J. observes, in the first plfce, lit is »M roeordttd tJiat.the three ihffossnd V wf^a. haptiifji the .same day, but Iftet they ware added to the distiples." It is recorded that <* they who gladfy tid ^mion, in« entfld to ««rvc a turn ; ** but wUbont plollicsiKriif «' pVoph^tii ipirit, I think I can fdretHI iti Aitft, when the ** wtod/bky, a^d it Abble" of wJiirh yom employed, (another of yonr ebjettioii!),)aMd a»Mr. Jiidson «iipposc», the whole of the one hundred and twenty, blr. Pond niaken ibe following remarks, which I think are worthy of your regard : '* He farther Nugiecsts, that, were tbe y all ba|)tized the name day, itwonid not be impunsible for tbe twelve, as«i«ted by (he seventy, and perhaps by lh« bniidred and twenty, to administer the ordinance by immersion." Where, then, the whole bnndied and twenty, females as well as males, officially qual- ified to administer baptism ?~Tbe whol^ chapter makes it evidont, that, none were employed in this matter bnt tbe twelve apostles. When Peli^r lifted op bis voire and preached, it is said he stood np with the eleven." (Acts ii. 14.) And when tbe nultitnde *' were pricked in ibeir bi-art," they sought for direction *• to Peter snd the rest of the apofftieB." (v. 37 ; See also, 42, 43 ) There cannot, therefore, remain a doubt, iliat tbt* three thousand were bipticed tbe same day they believed, and by tbe bandi W the twelvtf apostles. They were undoubtedly baptized in tiie bonse where they first aisembled, and probably by affusion or sprinkling" ^ee Whttseus* Econ. of Cov. vol. iii. p. 302 ; Keed's Apology, pp.* 16, 219 j and Dr. T. Scott, in Acta ii.41. '' * All the objections originally proposed against the idea of immersion, in tbe case of the three tbohnand on the day of pentecost, still remain, aiid have received indeed additional force from tbe unaccountable ideas, which yon have been necessitated to advance, in order to their solution. Were we to allow that'* tbe christians were not excluded from the public bathmg places," (among whiclb you seem to have included the private Ones, every means which w* necessary for immersion, and even the Molten Sea, and the Lavers, as yon •ay, for the dipping the priests,) which we are by nd means disposed to do. the eonconrieofpeoplein Jerusalem at the time, the coiiRequent demand which there would be for those baths, and tbf'ktoovm scarcity ot water in the city, render it, in my estimation, absolutely impossible that they should have aufficient con veniencies at Command, for the immeraion of so large a number of persons, in the coinrse of the few hours wbfch remained after they wert prepared for baptism. That different kings w«re under the necessity of bring* log water'into the city by Aqueducts^ proves tl)a( there was ft natural scarcity { m. b M ' i ■ i' • 1.1 «i teceived the word were baptiaed." And were any addrd to tbe disciples wit* did not gladly receive the word? If not, none weii added to tbe disciples who pirtBot baptiied." iU §ad arlifietal nctlfiidt #f kriogisg water for (Im tO|>p}« ottb htgt t e!*7» ice m •rdittiirilji wipply faeilitic* lor iniueisiMi, m ta tkcir cwes^ it l» avcesNiiy for It to be dikinboted io simUl qti:uituie» ta llie ditt«i«iit pMt» of ibe vi(jr. Bc»ide»lkeabofeftOpp«MdGtNivcni««c«c,yoM Mttaiootbe |io«)s ot lt»rb«Mf» MdSiKMinr**tre«n frwB tb* latter kappliad tbc himtt : (iea Ctaivba ai» Jobv ix.7.)bat ibbiioolyaceordtof to tbe ^asta^e lowbicbyou b«ve leieriod^wt^is iMdo aie of for uiracaious cares, and tnoald probably bt iu««l toi ibi» i^ui^une aloM. ** Siloam was w faaataiB auiler the «alt» ol icrn^aieaiy toward* tbt Baat, betwcea tbo city aad the brook Kidroo. ' CalaiPi ibioks ibt» wm tLtr aaiee with EmrogtlyOr tbe FalterV fooDtaio, wbl. h h nentioutd m Jotb av.7. Ae. lit waters were eelleeied in • great reservoir for (Ibe iiho of the eity." (lb) Tbi& beiog tbe ca»e ie it probable tbat it wasat aU nsed lor baibias^^ Are penom peraiitled to sake tbte ase of water* ibns collrcicd for for tbe lue of a large city ? Let a* sa^pese iktd tbey bad the»« two pools at their conaiiDJ, and reoseuber ibat, iu order to fitiil tima Ibr tbe cereoMey jea hare eaipbyvd tbe seventy rfisciples to baptize. Aceor* duBgiotbb bypotbesis yon willbaveto believe tttal, there vtete tbiriy fiir |)er«0BS employed in dipping one thoosaad five bnudred at racb of ibesr pMt« ! lor they are the only piaees to wbicb it appears even possible^ tbat the cbriMi ana sbenld have areess . Query. What room would there be lor tbe canverti wrbcBcaeheftheadiwi*i»trator« had taken bis staikm in the roo)?^li we eacept tbe cases of tbe Bunocb, and John tbe Baptist, (and even in tbe^e caset yonr caose owes all its sappoit to onr traaAlatien, ar, has been ali'eady proved,) it is imporstble for yon to prove» consistent w^ib ibc other relatione iu the tstm TeNamcntytbat iaimer»ioii was in aoy owe case pracii4«d by the opostlfs. So far are they from c*uatenancin«; tbis idea tbat it re(|aiies tbe almost violcDce to be done to ibcse histories to muketbrn rouristent witbil. Let n^now see whether this be the case with those hiotoriea «bi«h are (i«tptd<'a«> >t wa« one thing for tbe ennacb to go down into tbe water^ and another ibiug ><>' liim to be bitptiaed when b« got liiere. It going down into tbe water tb«» i> not immersiooy and dues not necessarily imply immersion, would it not be w^il for this supposedly eotphatie phraseology to be abaadoned, especially as it has been so often pioved^ikud a» aliaott any bo> kuow«,wbo is anqoaiulod with a syl- l4bleofOrepk,thaioui- traaf>t)itioi», in tbe exclusion of tbe one for which we con* tend, canunt in any one case^be fairly supported by the original. If instead of *Tbe blind man »enr by our Lord to ** wai^b in" this pool, appears only to biiv«> iM><>n Kent tniva^b ib<; cby, tsiib wbicb bd bad been annointed, from bia «v«s. JobH|x.7> ' ,. u tt«cv»MW)i for lU of lUe Kuy. «l» of li«irb«M>a Ctavke ftu Jt)b« Hy toward* tb« :'(t lu Joib 11V,7. we ot the ciiy." IS cvUrcicd for tbey bad thcM »r to fimi time Ixaptise. Aceor* viete tbiciy 6\t >b of tbesr pMt« > r, tbst Ihe cl>»»Mi r for Ibe coitverti be rooJ?— If «« «eD In tbeb« casei alr'eadjt ^iiDved,) ioa» itt tbe ^ew be »po»Ue»> ho •most violeocs Let w»iiof K« icd to favour i(i» and ba|^>«i*in««^ t witbtbe iiQiis t»70«r iJ<-aff,H iDotber ibibs,>(>f Ibe watrr tb«R i> lid it not be «*(• it peciaUy at it ha» liuted witb a lyl- >r wbl«hi«*^«>n» |i. If instead of Happ'aw onntty rFi!>«aiif)i« • (etr f.nKlifth prepoftition*, wbkh aiglit wiib t^ajit) fiftfl^ft^fj^ ')« martr to fnvor >o«r iit«a<* and llmte of vonr opponeatf. Jobs Hm ATe odU' allowed to upcak for tiimtelfi I think he would set the matter at ifjt : ''I Indeed/' sa^s he, bvptice yon with water :— but he that ro«ieth a*ter mr in water, or in Jordaa ; but teith water^ which water was that (ifJoi«Uu. If yon wub in tliis t*'S''i{' ^<* loo*^'* itae pre pooilioa ia instead Q(witk^ in order iobnt he-« fhali baptize yon in tiic iloly Ghu&t and ju fire. The spirit was pouTibd out, or fhi (i foith «ipoti tiie 4{>oMf <«*«!( «e84(;e under ronsidf ration, as well ai in others in a similar manner, as wilt be (troved before we «oHClude. In this pasvage John is evidently informing the fieople (biit, in the name aianuer as they had seen him baptise with water, Ciiri8i t4iould*'bapiice With the Uei> Ghost and with fire^** And how was tbi8donef We haveaiready proved that ii wa» by pouring out the spirit upon liiein. As one baptism tb«u was figuiaiive of the other, to what coaclasloB 4ues ibis lead ui«, but (Itat Johu baiitiaed with witer by pouniig it oat npoot the people, lu the sante «i«uiier at tire hearts of believers are really washed clfsoted, or baptized by the outpourings of the Spirit, so were the people optemoniHiSy vrashtd, cleansed, or baptised by John the Baptist. You will probably wi«h to confine thi8 baptism, atid the promise of John to the day of peuteco8t, and therefore argne in favor of being immersed in water, as yon inppose the disciples were in the Spirit, or in tho sound witich you say was the «3fi!ibol of the Spirit. This is (he argument you have used on this subject p)i|;es Ji and 3^6. lb the formrr page you obkerve ^om <* Pre»ume tb<»t I will HOI lay, (but the apostles were titeraMy waalied or cleau»ed in the Spi when {luiired out iipou (beiM." I will however say (bat ihey could not be ^filled with" il without being spiritually cle^ nsed, or washed in consequence. And if you read the lives of tite apostles i»efbro this event, and compare them with tbeir lives a*tcrward», I presume you will couclude that, on that ever m(*fuo« rs))ie day, thty received ont of ChriH's fulness, not only the extraordinary influtDces, and mirsciilon* op'trari^jos of the ITnly Qliost ; but alno *' more S'^oc,'' ill rotneiqneuie of which tbey partook of more purity. As for saying that ib<>y were '* cleansed in the Spirit," I kay the contrary. This Is a comment of your own and a consequence ef those principles, which yt/U have In imitatlcn ofMr.Jaditen,audotlwitf, strangely b{ ought (his i^^a^na^e to support. Tliey a'' ■'! "' i| il Ml in ■ It In n A t 2\& w«re n4)|t imuaAi'tied,|ior Wf re they waHbed in theSpIrit; but cleanaf s,and other passages in which it is so evidently applied to sprinkling, Mr. Pond pro* pases a few qnestiooa to Mr. Jndjson, which, a« you have toMowed his example, it is incumbent on yon to answer : ** In what way shall the literal . signifiratioB of a word be ascertained, if persons are allowed to pronounce evpry signifiration figurative, which does not precisely sqnare with their pre conceived opinions? Is not this the manner in which the Socinian clt-ars himself of ths divinity of Christ ? Is not this the very course which the lter«tiek, and thn schismatic have uniformly followed; And admitting (he propriety of this course, wtU it be possible, at this day, to eittabli»h any oue doctrme of revealed religion r (p. S5) You have recourse to this supposed fignrative acceptation of >the word, to f reveot yon opponents from inferring the mode of baptism from the history ihider review. But when yon wish it to favour your system it all beome * literal enongh,and '* the hoiue where the disciples were sitting," being " filled' with *' sound," blinds them into (he same state as a person who is baptiird by Immersion. NTow certainly if it be literal enough for your purpose, it ought to he cnnsidereii literal enongh for ours aUo. By what mode therefore were the disciples brought into (his condition? According to your ideas of baptism it does not consist of a man being under water,liut of one person dipping another into wa< ter,tbat i8,it is descriptiv*- of \h^ act of dipping. This is evident from the whol* tenor of yourLetters on this part of the subjects in di8pnte,and especially in your Objections to proselyte baptism. In thene you intimate that, if it ever existed, It differed materially from christian baptism ; be canse the Jews ar« said only *i to make ihjP proselytes wasb themselves,"-" which is a veiy different thing fieiB baptiim, or oiw person's being wuhe<|, by a^^ 4, §.) Now if the baptinni of tJt« disciple* on tl|f ^^f, of' gtotfUMBt w^, !»1^l|L %, ^^^t|^p baptism, '* a maiMiita reOection, will m^vioc^** ux fil^i; "of thf ubiard Itj^ of rc«ortiu9 to: this pftsMff, to 6ud out yiht liaptiim is/' becAVS^ it c«iiiot4«ei^ to fa«aWM the ca8e,|ou liave iiow^ver wished to m^ke tbis nse of It. Let n» see how, accordiiig, to y,Qvr (^n id^a;^ of ^at^iisnii^ yon a^r« likely, to snccMd. Yon Iielicvy t|iat whan a. person ia bafitiMd he is plopi^ed or dipped , for yon malntala that thf words ara sjinonyqipuh Wi^cf tb^ disciples then afctuallximniersed iu this hoiise. fnll of soand P T^e sori^inriil answer i« : lyo : It was ppnred vpon thenm, into the hoii^e where they wer^ sUtini;; and, as it is ttw mode in which the baptizing elensf-ot is nsed, which iu yonr estimation constitutes baptism, the conB«'q»ence is, that ppuring is baptism. There was therefore nothing in the baptism of the disciplei oa the day of pentecost, which hears the smallest degree of similarity tq baptism, accordiaij to your ideai of that ceremony, werv we disposed to allow tliat, the sound was that by which the disc iplea were baptized, or that it was '* the «>mhol of the Spirit." This howefer we arrnot disposed to allow. To suppose that either of these were the case; iirta oppose every passage in which this event is spoken ot According to both th« prp(ihe^iea!„t|nd bMtooicfl.parts of the Bibifr.U wm" tii|c T{<)|y Ghost, and fif^, with" which the <|isci|^les we^^ <' baptiard." T^e sonnd v^\y preceded the l^tiamxta prepf re thpir n^ii^ds jjof^V '^*^'"' i "^^^ ^f° ^.^^ baptlspi folf^f ^d» wl)ich con^^edof tJ^ Holy Ghost being *' |ionjre49iU^"ar'< al^ed forth" apo^ th^npostle^ f od disciples. ** The fyinabpl of the Spirit" was th»t which accom* paiiiM It, and ^y which i^ ep)|fttt«niov* ?i?iC;^i^f». «p4 pljef^vMiig inf nencni wAre po|pte4 ont ; tb)|t istJie. ^' firo^ with which, also. it waa foretold that tb9| sj^quM h« ^ptized ; ^d thia<< sju iqion e|cb of ti^eip ; ^ t|iat tfiey ifr^re not imofefse^ In fiither pije or the other. This ^ptism p| the Spirit was oqe of the p»-e»t &«lj<'1=^f of Jfphn's pifachjlug : anxl a sin^ilar h^ptisni pny l^lesifd LpT# CKnerienced when he came np. froip t%e %Tatjer« for " t^e Spirit like jikdov^ dejiccnieil ppon hjm." As the baptism o£ John waacectaiuly a ayq^bolicaf e«>rQ««l with water ; aa Jo!.ii osrt this word a% dencripiive of the manner iu which he baptizcid ; and aa we find the word ba;tt!ze a}ip)ied by Christ and hit apostles. Thi« is il»e only idea *hlth will accord wiih the expre«»ioii of John, and with bis indisputable allusioo to the pouring out or' the S|iirt( ; it isa senile of the word which dofs not cr(>ate the least difficulty in any one bistory iu the New Testament ;«n'i it perfectly agrees with liie ideas ku^'ccstcj by the account* of the places, in which baptism is said to have been adroinis* tered ; with the state of the persons who are said to have been baptized ; with the vaitt numbers lo whom the oidiuAnce im said to have been applied ; and the shortspaceof time in which, and the hour of the night at which, the hisioriau iuformb us the ordinance was performed. . Nay more : it entiiely solves ihoRe othei'wise insuperable diSculties, wliich aie created by ttte idea of baptism by immersion in the cases here aHudcd to. One objection however remains to bo removed. In John lit. S3 we are informed that ** John was baptizing in Enon near to Sktim, because iltere wa» innch water tliere." As it does not require " much water" to baptize a pernon by ponring or sprinkling this passage has hi en frequently urged as decisive in favour of immersion. You are not onconscious however that this passage has by many eminent critics been translated : ** because there were many waters there." " The plain unlettered christian" will of course itsk :" Who is to be regarded? Those who tell ns that there was" much nater," or tho«e who tell OS that tbero were *• many waters there?" A refcrieuce to tlie original scrip- tores and the history of the country will, I presume, give ns the necessary information. Whitby says the word jEiion signifies " The place of springs : ' ahdaslie believed that J«.bii pi actiised immersion, yon will not su^iiose that this definition was " a mere fiction invented to serve a turn." Whether it is likely to be destroyed ainung " the wood, hay, and Mubb'e," aud other combus- tible matter, wh.n** every man's work »ball be tried by fiie" may poobably be ascertained by Ihe history of the country. Wood in his Dictionary of the Bible informs ns that the place here spoken of wa^ •• A place wheie John Uptizea, because there were maby springs or r.vulet* of water there ;" and that « It is between Salim and Jfvrdan, about eight milrs south of Bethslian and 53 northward oif Jeinsalcm." iv)/. Munro observes : *• Every person who knows any thing of the Greek language, knows tiiat in the original it is, adaf* poMa, many waters. Now it iscar'tuUy to beobscrv jd, that iu commrn there atP not many i>lar.rR of watrt coi.^g.ions to oi^e «,ioiImt ot any rontiderahle depth, or that would be fit for immersing a peison. TLeie were many springs and rivnlets of water there, as travellers have related : for ibiy Lave told w «ld ili»i !hf»r« arr onl5 tpriggs tad rivoleU to be fonad in that place. And a» mtilt'tndes reoorted to John, a place that was w«li watered, or had springt and rivolMis as EiiiNi tteeau ta to b4ve bad, woald be mokt convenient ^or tefrcahiog tkt; people with drink, as wella» for baptztiig such an dedrfd il ; and this mighw be ibe chief reason why Jobn baptixad in Ennn,* thougb it doe9 not appear» Uut Ibwre wa^ fliiub a depth of water in these spring* ami rivulets as would atiinit of iniinerHiiii; a p^-rnon ; nor doth it appfar, neither is there any certainty, tiut any of the people were iininerved in their being bnptiied at this place." As hciiptiiralOeogiaphy is in inodern liiots perhaps rather ao uncertain science, and in many casesit isditficnil to a»cert»in the precise sit nation of ancient placfd, the opinion, or, rather testimony, of the eminfnt Fie ury on the waters of this country, will probably not be considered eaperflitons : " The Jordan,'* (isys he ** almost the only river in the lioiy Land ; the others are rather broolia or rfvulets." ' " Dr. Shaw in his Travels, p. 373, describes the Jordan thns, Though all those fountainsand rivnieis which I have jn!*t now mentioned, together with the Kardaneh, the I\ 8hou,the brook of Hycheot, and other lesser ones dispersed over the Holy Land shonld be united together, they would not form a stream in any degree equal to the Jordan, which, excepting the Nile, is by far the itiost considerable river I have seen in the Levant o) Barbary. However, I could notcomi'Ute it to be more than thirty yardH bread, though this is in a great roessure made np by the depth, wiMch even at the briitk I found to he thiee;" — (* Mr. M&undrel in bis Travels, p. 81," observes : ** Tlie water of Jordan is too rapid to be swam against. Its bieadtb is about twenty yatdf), and m depth it tar exceeded ray heigiit." :^-''Y-^-i---'------r--'^'''^iwiHf''^ "^* / Dr. Mackni{;ht says: **The part iculur pan of the river where John baptiz* ed, was called Keihabara, or tht House of the Passage, either because the Isra* elites anciently passf d ov«i in this place or because i t was the common fording ocfeuying place to and from Jiidea. If it wa^ the then common " ferrying place, we may snppose that the Baptist citosie it for the sake of makinghiiuseU better known ; and that lie might have an opportunity of addressing great numbers of his countrymen, as they travelled from one part of the cou ulry tc another." See Par, and Com. Sec. XIV Note ; connected with which is an able reply to your ol>jectiou8 on the subject i/fJrwiiih proselyte baptism. " That this gie.it reformer and prophet baptized at Jordan andEnon," says Mr. Pond, <* is no conclusive evidence that he practised immersion. The con* veoience of those mitltitudes which constantly thronged him, made it necessary that he should leside in the vicinity of " n;uch water ."t— Many circumstan* .) I I *This idea is corfiimpd by the acrount of the manners of the Eastei us a! * civ en from Dr. Porock 'u the Note on Johu's baptism at the River Jordan }i .See also llrnrv on Jnhn 3^2. t* Much waier does not necessarily imply deep water. See 2Chroo. araei1sod:inmievsion. But by what ipeaiis do they arrive at tliis conclusion? Chiefly by tbe very means which you have deprecated in another part of this '^iscu'ssibn, viz oinMiltiVi'g** ihe Ood of Cikron," and vtMching i« <||r(>«t impar. •thneeto ^'hdmsn anihoriiy." They study chiefly the monner in which prose« lyte baptism was .perfoi^ed and the ecclesiastical history of the secoii^ and ancceeding centuries. An attnoft 'infinity of «irieciM«its ^f this method of rea* mdhinglit^t.be addneed. The following is from the Comment of Or. Whf'by : " For in this manner only,saye he^ was Jewish baptism perforihedl" That is they stood in' th(\ifatpr, were instfnctOB. and then they Immeirsed tbemi^eives, iFor the Bike of consistency, and in order to find time fqr the ceremony, it has been supposed that this was actually the manner in which Jbhn b'aptixed his chscipies. Yon "have, bowrver, in ihiy opinion, very prb|>erly opposed this idea. 1 think there can be little donbthut that the baptism ofJobn.and that of the pri> (Pnitivrapostolic chnrcb,consisti>d inone person washing or baptrzinrtmotber. In rtbir. it differed from proselyte bbp'^ism : and as John's baptism bdfore itnd that of the apostles after the edniiug dfCh^rstwere intended le repviesent'the baptism «f the Spirit it was not only necessary, that there should be an action bat aa agent: and these agetfts, as Itbink'bas'V^Cti'proved, baptised with water, by fonringor iprinkling. ^ ^ /. , ^ . -^ ^. in which tm afeilb* ih« Acta of iht Af oefird r«ltte that th« fiiionch at f^i«en t!andice waalnptircdlrerebynillp/''— Hrrel tbhfik5»n 'hivo 0rm -m » prdd<^ihkt th^ peeoliarities df a man's |Airas«oIo'i^-lf ad liToi tometimes iiniilT«rt* atilly.Cfftr 1 (iakinot alippote that youdiil it wnfitlljr,') to «ioMt« ih« ririfta o^ Oi'amBiar,ana inUcotiatrue (he aaihor froin wbifthhr qiotea. By iutrotttitciBf yonr favouriia word^ *' io which,** yon bav« made Jerome Apeak the ediiiraty of what Ihe qnotalion would oiherwise any. Thisiiiform!* na that ** The Acta of the 4poa(ie4 relate thait, ilbe Eunuch oT the Oiieieii Cdiidace waa baptllftd berr by f'hiUp."— Not *< in which." Thia expr«-8«ion duea not very well a^rre with the word ** here/' which followa, nor wlib the word '* fonntaia'* Whir h precedrn. Uid you ever hear of a person beinc immeraf d in a ^oHuinin ? Or do you make ciiotce of fountains '* aa 8uiia1>Ie placea for ionraeraioii V* A fc»un> tain lb properly the eonree or apiing Itead of water*. %m Joel iii 19. A man may be immersed in ibe walera of a fountain if collected. Kui lifis appeara to he quite a diffmenl thing from that of which your author wheH both iiolti>d they unly fomi wbgf ii ciktM « brook. (Sfe Judgc^xvi. 4 Margin.) the one whirh yon mnitioit cmu but b« u wr j Incoiittddriible at ream .la ailditioD to what bait boea Hdid abuvo od liie wat« r« uf the laud io Vihich wt musi^ccorUini to yoar idebs.bciieve »o luaiky io>iner»;oii» were perroroird^lei uh anain hear **Jeroiue,who resided iiiFaleHltnv." He *^rrpip. lent* that coitutiy ai very Ut supplied with w^ter^iiid rulijvct togrfaidioti^lit.*." ^Pond,p. 17.) With ail llie lielp ilieiclore wliiuh w« can ubUto t'lOin the tiibin btstorlea, travel*, or eveu yoar own letter*, ibeie i» iiut the siiadow »l a ri-a>co to lappoie that there wa» lu th.s pari of the louutry a wuter of vtifiii-iMii diineuiioos for the iiniDersioti ol a hoiiiiii body, aud i*oukei|ueDtly uu r« aro» to auppoie that the eUMtiih wan iiuiiieucd. lu ipeakiug of the (itble, of courae I speak of the original scripture*, and oot of oar traitslatioii. This is the only ihiug which in ihi» ca^e, and the iidptiBni oi' John favoart your ideuit, and I hope it hat already been proved th-it tho^e «f|uivocal particles not only mijiEht bo but onglrt to have bef>n otherwise trani*liited. In these casfH however yon think it no '^ evident upon the tirot fead';!>g«f our tran«lal ion," that immeiKion was I'laitisrdithat you ^ are wiUit.S that coininonsun;»e »h;>ul I j(uf({«! whether our tianitlalionit have oot rendered thefte particles right in the instance* ailnded to.'* (p. 43.) Bnt bow ranrommoo >cnse decide tbiH case ? It i)> oot < (..'ase which can be decided by inttiiiiou, and (hat ca!nm.0D senHe ftbonli bf a'pen' d to in any other than a case of this k ini, to decide on the^first readina:, i» ct>rt»i:)ty a novelty in tite.science ofar.siaraenta- tion. Before comaion sense cm decide 'ii to rhe correctness of any transiniion, it mu*t be furnished with data to direct itn dfciftions. Thene have ^ern fnrn!i.(i- ed in the above r« nnrks and io onr turn we also a.opeal to cptnmoo sense, and are willing that it ahonid decide whether these particleo are*' rendered right m the instances alluded u>.'' In every cise where lohn dencribes ibe intnofi; of bis owo procceddigs \\f. sayK h^ " bapii/r be Haiihfactorily solved. In (hr ca«e of the enonrh.thrre i» not tiie tiliadow of a reason t9 suppose that thtTf' were aoy fiJtvHti)>s for imTiitr^ion, and ccnjirc^urutly none to lead U'i to rrfiicluiie that h<^ and I'hilip wi'ut down iiitn the wat> r. Only consider the proper iiitau ingof ih;? wotd bavtizft- let ih^inodf of U»p»5rtin be decided by the Bible -give lip onr (•»)n«!aiinii of th^se fjieek parli<'l«^«, v.hich is absolutely opposed by every lii^tiirv of (he New I'e^4tr«(nBnt-~g'> to the original scriptures, and take i'lto ttiH ««:rouu» the h'8t<>i V of the count ly, Jsud the iusupeialile difficulties which thf ife4 of im »ier,«»on cieat'S in «he a;r« atcst n.ir>nber of the bistorits »i ».u)»ti,xm» M> ill? New 'tVstoJu»'i)t,and I tliiuk yon will not 6\id the least rrason tr» h'iievt; th^t iijuusision wiis in iiay cas^, the j'l^clice qf Jobo. cut bl^sstd 2^3 wbitf i" catlcif a iu bat b«u vvrj DO lUf watiii«r«ioii8 ««." He^rppir. gr»*itidiou^lit!i." I t'luiD the Biblft [!ow ol M l'ca^oa er of »ufi\L*i*iit u\y uu r« Ufun to ptiire% and not I the i)»i|>tiBni 0/ »ved ttm tliote be«>i) otherwise lit upon the tirit oa " are will i.S e Doi i«ii(lei(;() Itow can f omnioo »y intnliiou, aiiit ise uf this ktnJ, ;e ofar^araenU- any tranAiHlion, ve hten furnish- nmoo.^ert^f, and odered right la •f ibe intitQiri; n( eof «x|i>'f»8icib iter, nr coik.iug 8, bib allii!«ion la adhciii'g ro this i<>ii^biii)i;!< ill its 111 thf ca«e vt' tojie that ihfttt tw to C'r.iitiude he proper iiitau the Bible -give ely oppo>ed by iires, and take able difficuUit'S tbR bistorirft »i the leaHt rraM)n he J cur b!s»»ti I.nfd 01 hi 4 ^i>oii;Ic)i ; but, on th<> contrary, that lh«y all bapliz«tl by pcitrj(><*tof ih<> Iiita«lit<» h*\t\^ bapiSnotl into Mo^ft* A* lueotioned, I Cor. X 2 I aei(-« with ynu that, ** ihey patted th'oueh Mutneiliing which was fi;;uiali\e ui' lta->tl«in " Thi diiiiif>ii!>aiiiMi of wh rlond. (v. 2.) Oiir translation rntdn " /nlh« cirwl aiMl i» tio «f;i" Tlie word in thr original is that of wiiirh so niurl)h;'R aIwhvk b«ii'>t<>(itlv (••iiiMl.iifJ r;i, hif^ wUh, ike. A* has been proved above. Vnn are ot* o(niit«* enitUriJ to n-y uasonn for irttn^liitii)^ it l/y in the pavson^e under ronsider. idion. r»ly fi^t rpd«)n is takni from fbe lii'fct v^-rse of »he charKC in which ve aie lufoniH'd ihat tliry w«>rflrlond"aud if they wrre bapttz»?d hy lb" clond w b*n lliey w( in in th«* sra, a« the npo^tips calls tbeir t>ar<' not baptized l>y imneriiirn for instead of heing **■ In tlie cloud** asour tiaiiotatoiK htvtt r«>ndered the pn«saf;e they hereunder it, 1'hns.St Panl gives asii^ricnt icason axainst immerKioo in tbiicasc. They were baptised " by tlifi cloiiii" wlieiijlu'f wcriein" the sea," aad ponring or itpriniding being the only proper »«MiouH of a cloud in emitting water, they were baptized by |i()urin^kOr sprinivlint;. This you reniember iHDr.DwIglit't opini(*n,vi|iich I oiigrit* ttlly advanced nn this )ia>t.HH;;e ; nud whfn united «»i(h oliieis, which in my opin* i(iii,ai-e tur lesn •iciiptiii, yon >>UKht to pay rattier nsore respect, and attention to thf wofl of (iod,on which I think this opinion it incontrovertihly fonaded. Dr. 1). ref«ried you to /be 77ih l'«Rlm for \\iU nense of tlie text, where it Is said "When the waters haw'' ilie Alniij^bty " and wfic afia d r'ar.d Mbrn ^ the depths^were troubled, the clouds (ourrd out water" ' Krcm this INalm I isaihcr the second reason in favour of (be al>ov«? iranslatiou. Bnt this Psalm, lilie the xlx chapter of Numbers, Is of no ioic^ against ^onr eninions. As thoi^b ibey were not «u the Bible, yun n«v*r iiifniiun eihpr, not even to aiteuipt to leinte the argumentH wiiich we bung fiuin tiicin in favour of our opinions. The fai.cUal ideas of iHr Jiirfsan an.l oiln-r " learned nien'''aiT in your estinnaiinn, of far more inipo ta ;ce tl.un ei«d iu it ; and wken they cmerr;, d ont of It ii to «en I, ed a if r«iiirr«ctlfn) ; Mid ta «li«n niidtr ibe cIoimI tbpjr, mifibt be ukUl lo b« bnricdt or i«ini«rMd In it." So tli«n evaii linmAmiao Itiielf in la b« conaid«rrd.oi)ly a 6(riirati«« icr«pt«iioi)r>C iIm' word tmittivt ;mn6 lbon|h yon lmv«hire majnuintd ilioi ih'-y «*«ie iiuinomed, or hnrirtl, in itoili (lie sea unU (lie oluiid, ii «• ouly AflCiMaiivo ba|>tisiii .'* Ii' iiuineitioo b« ba^iiiin, u yon b< li«v.r,.aiid (h good of yoiir own ransr, allow thai, tbii yi»% • literal ba|itiiiai. Hy refer, liof lo thit oaie^it yon kavt here done^yoii evidently Wf\fon it literal tnotiRbt fiyr •owe aiKUneats to b« diMnn from it, Id favour of ib«* iDo«te of bav^bmi. Wbotiiilii*. tbeioioiie, 14 tUesnbject in (M»nir<>v«i«y,, why tpHak o< ii beiii|{, Iji aiiy »vn»e fijpuaiive i II ibi.> be ;he. ca»e, it w]] otsiibec aiwi^et ywtir purpoite Hor *Yon niitkc timilar rcniarknon St.Petfr'oarronni of the hai'ti*"^ of Noah, and hi* b'>niie,in the a«lt ; anltliey are of couisr, lialde to die NMine ulij^rtionit. Yon r%ii **TUf> WHV in-wbittU tli«* i>a(v»ttoii.ul i)ie y wcr( figuraiively burifd in tbf ark, and in ih4> water for a timp, and ibey ibni'rmtrited from confinement wliicb wa<« a kiiidof reiinrreclion ; and thus the brirever iiitMined in baftiiMiMl water, ajid lisen again- to newneMs of life, m iniiiation of, and coronuiiiion wiib, bu Lord and >1a**ter."— U it not astomshini; ibat.inoi'di'r to make the B*blo fiivo'tr yourftyst^in yooohouUl bi* compelled in i»M«uaiH,iitKi' ibea|>«ttiieita^way«uH<*«* liie word Imfitim in n '* fiifnraiive'' HeDne ckce|it in tb« (>assaff lo which yoo have referred and ii« |)ar«i|l*l Col ii 12. in bnrhioif winch, yonr eni}thttiic'wui-d** (Mine^d'M^ no anquesiiionably '* fi'^naa- i»v«." 'VUi» is evident troQi the ul«H» wlkMchv far the »!vk«) of conaiHteocy, yon have here attached to ibe word *'re»iinertion,"and by which yoMbave aittibnifd 10 timtrerition a vnitie of which I fear it i* nev«»r poM"*»od ;— that of" br.nieiii» ib« )>entou wbw i* iiumeMMl. infn eoinn»nnuin' wMthhaw Lord and INfaeier ;'*and tuablinghnn lu ** rike in newi.ie«« of lite." Yon Mie hero »pcakiOi^ ^ (be Immertton, and reonrreetibn-ot ttie body :uf coarse we miiHt stippoHe that when ibr bodry riseit horn the liquid gra-ve it rtffeK ro newnesii ot hfe and in '*' comma' iitou with its Loi>d and Masteir!" What can make it mora ««id«nl that your comment opposes the meaning of the text than that, it involves these conne* %neiic«»? Thr apostle was nudonbtedty upeaking of a spiritual resorrection, and theKefore the r.es4trrectioii of |the soal — As to tbe manner io wbieb the inhabitants of the aric were in Ibe water for a time, you aay : ** Tbia-hn^e vessel, with the enormoos weight of menr, ammalii, aod provisions wliiah it contained, mu8t ha.ve sunk into tire water ne»irlv lo the lop; and l^iobably,the billows would sometimes rollover it ;''|iud tbat,*^ ^t waa certainly Htpear iInu, they were as nearly ivimfrsad in Ibe waters of the Hood, dS tlicy could puH»«bly be, lo escape with life. Mtill however it was not an imniei-sitisi. and coii««> on a beiiei foundation might I nut here exclaim '* What I are we to t»fer tirom ti«is that" swimming 'S:* (>sptiHm !" Vnch comments as this will certainly fail to convince as thai "llaptiswand imiiMrsioB are wtMrde ttf the san0 import." You ai7-, 1 Miink, inncii nearer the truth in oayiug that,** Tba apostle kere t«acbeonrin|[ or aprkokliiif. These paaaaf •'a, when thnaeollect*d,foraia clond of evidenra in favoor «(f pourlnr, or spnnkllnir, whieb will never be dispersed by rbose roaiment*, which oppose the Bible ;thongh they may have the Sanction of hati the learned mea on earth. Every other comment ndt only opposes the Hibte ; but cten your own Ideaa of baptism. These are Ibat, the very essehceofrhe ceremony fcod. aislsin Ibeactofdippinf. U this be ihe'meanin«ol tbe wWd| the Israelitea were not baptifed at all : for they were Mtki friim being dipped, or imm« rsed in the clond, that,tifc« the sound on the dKciples before apoken of, the cloud came over there ; and whether it wea the etond, aayon snppoaoj or the water from the cloud, accordiing to the ideas oi your opponents, , which baptiaed the Israelitea, it could not possibly ne by immeision. I quoted (be comment of Dr, JDwightin myfarnaer Ifttera, in preference to anjr other that I had s«en»' because lie adopted a plan lo commenilngon acriptqre, to which I confess mj* self atiacbed. When the apostles refer to ■ passage in the Old 7c3tament„it4l certainly the moat proper method In all our eommente,to refer id the aamepaa* sage, tu ascertain their meaning. This was the method adopted b> Dr. D,' And, in addition to its having the sanction of <* common Sense,'* ii h«» that ol^an espresa .declaration of scriptore. This is,*'Speakingnot in the words Whidir mao'a wisdom teacbeth, but which the Holy Ghost teaeheth ; compariittf spiritual ihingawith spiriioul:" and yon will not be' nble rifiectoally to dlsen* tanffle yourself from the embarrassment snrperlndaeed by comments of this' nature by calling tJiem *' mere fioiioas invented to serve a tnm;"nor will they ** be bqmt np with wood, hay, and stubble" of any kind. On the contrary they will standee long as that '^word,** which '*endtfreth for eVer.'' When yotf have proved thai, the children of Israel eontd not be baptiaed in the manner here described, without iheir Cloalhes being as wet, and coose- ^aently their liven an much endangered, as thoseof the disciples on ibe day, of pentecost,4^rovided they had been baptiaed i^ imm^rsiov,- yod will have jastified your exclamation on this 8Ut>jvct,— *' O prejudice^ how strong an infiitence dost thoo eaert over the minds of aseu !''(|»« 34.) Yon assign fher irarmthof the country, and ib«t of the siason of the year, as reaoonri why ilie disciples would not need a change of clothes after immersidn. W^fe It necessary, I could assign a fei^ physical reandos, which would salitify the generality of nnnkittd, that, niider theisi cirared to satisfy his brethren, both in the East Ii>dies, *0n this rase and that of the EHniieh, and indeed on ihr subject of immersion generally see Law He's ," loquiry, proving Infant Baptism lobe Untenable." pp. 307, 812. ^ ' 287 and America that, h«t has acted «(ige!jr to change bis leotimenti, byfoniaViD^ ^ iofao^ Hprinkling, and becomiug a bar list." I »Im li>ve seen a Tank in a bot coiiiiiry, and hav« been grateful for tbe sigbt. Not bowever, became like Mr. J., I warned tojastify aebaiigeuf opinion, or yet to practise immersion j bat because I was dtpendaiit upon it, for a daily sui^ply of water : and bad I wi-ibod to baptize hi it by immersion, tbougb tbe people, of course, coald not bave thought th4t, I " bad caught tbe by d re phobia/' tht y would have concluded that I waA afflicted with one ot its coucomitaots. To a man, who is eiib'trby experience, or history, acquainted with tbe necessitieii^ and cu«tomsof warm cliniAtes, the very phrase ui><>d by Mr. Judson, renders it impoftsible that, he should believe ibar, these Tanks of water are for ihe purpo8«> of immeriiion f pariicularlj in the town of Calcutta, where nature has provided" arlver,'*^— tbe Gaogf>8,-> whose waters the Hindoos consider sacred, and in which, they piactise iheir reliieious immersions. Though it dolts not, in Mr J^.V estimation, require sacred waters for tbe purpose of christian baptism, bowever gravely he mav t»lk about (his Tmik of water, I piesume he will nott resort to it, when he witthes to baptize ; and were he to do this, I sincerrly question wlietbt>r the Jailer would all;)W him tbe use of it, ev.<;n in case be wished to receive baptism himself, with all his. Do yoit suppose u luore probable ttiai, a lank of water, ia a prison yard, is for tbe purpose of bathing or immersion ; or, for the supply, log the prisoners with water i My opiniou is that the soppostid force of Mr. J.'s information, in these countries, owes its existence to the ambiguity of his phraseology. He has not told us the use of those water Tanks, or cuterns i and his argument directs the mind to the idea of their being used tor immersion only, which, I think, it may be made lo appear, is not ttie case. Couvruteucies for immersion are piocurtd at too great an expense, to be " usually" touud lu ** the prison yards, and gardens of private houses," in any couniry ; and are, it is much more probable, only touud, in those of ibe private houses of the epuleut. That the " Tauks, oi cisterns of waier," spoken of l>y Mr. i,, are more likely to be those, for the presirvatiou of rain water, in those countries, for the ordinary uses of a family, and to give fertility to their gardeue, may bb made to appear from a variety of sources. Harnier, speaking ot ** the wells of salvatioD," supposes the allusion to be to those Tanks or cisterns, and brings the following testimony in favor of bis opiuiou : Josepbus says, that, at Massa^ da, there were some hundreds ot the partiiaiis of Herod closely beseiged, whof forwantof water, were about to quit their posts; but the ram, wblnb fell iu one night was so abundaut, as to fill their cislerns, by which means, they were enabled to continue their defenftive operations. With what joy, must those Herodians, b^^ve drawn water out of their wells or cisterns! with propriety they might be called the wells of salvation, becau. they were the mtans, through tbe interpositions of Providence, of saving them out of the bands of their enemies. "Sir J. Cbardin says, be has known the Easteitis lock up their wells or cisterns, when water has been scarce." These do not look very like cisterns for tbe purpose of immersion ; aiid with as much propriety, ia my t,*n ^ ^ti -I !•> trO'^^ntfn TyficHjt't^t;? 'ii /•r !!•>.!'!'.' ojpIaloB.^niKbtyoiygoiato tbe jrwdi, an^ fa*.^iiiry,and the climate. The soil, parched and thirsty, dfuiands moisture to aid vegetation: hence tliey occur, not only in. ihc towni>, and villages, but in ^e fields AQd gardelDSi by the sides of the roads, and ifie beaten tiacks in the Bonniains !)|auy of Ihpmare ibe douatiou* of h^p>aue p^r^q^s while tivipg,or . lijive 0(^11 bequeathed as loj^apirs oo. their decease. The Turks cs^eemihe ;f reeling of < thorn ,fiieritoripas, and seldom 80v«yv^»,aiteir, per.fjf)|raMng t^^ir ~ abliilious. OF drinking, wiibaut gratefully blessing tbc name aad memoiy pf the ..|0«ud«rr citis ooQiason to find a cup of tin or iron j hung up b^ f fhain i^ear ■Stmn CHteriM,Qra wooden scoop^ with a boudle, pUced in a.nicli^in.ibe w^ll." ■ -Rurdorqnotesthisipassage to iUustrate ibei words of onr Lord, Mark ix 41. 'aud*pfetac«8 it by saying : *\ To tumish iravelkr^ with wat«ry is at this time, ^thought a kiwtter of torkconslderationi ibatauiBy of the Eastern people have ireen sit a considerablo eapense to procQro this refreshment." ** A cup of cdld watr^,* says I>r. A. Clarke, ** in the Eastern countries, was not a matter of sttail worth. ' Iil India, the Hindoos go a great way to fetch it, andihen bull ■ it, tbit it mtght do the less hurt to travellfrs, when they are hot; and after t)iat, they stand froai morning lo night in some great road, where there is neither pit nor rivulet, and otfer it in houor of their god, to be drunk by all passengers. Tbia necessary workof ebarity, to those hot countries, seemt> to have i^en pr.^ctiHed bj the more pious, and hiiiUane Jews; ind our lord assures them, that it tbey do this In his name they shall not lose 'their' idward.'* ^ , *' Dr. bhaw says, the Moorish women in liarbary tie their sucking children behmdthvin,' and travel waii their pittiher or goat »kin, two or thive niiies lo got wat^r. This ciistom prevails in ancient Gieece, and in other places."— ^romall these testimonies X caii see no reason to suppose tbat, fveu allowing that there was a Tap|( of water in the prison yard at Pbilippi, it ceuld have been s^mI lor the ttaptum of the Jailer, and alt bis, without depriving tbem, ot ,, ciprhat was necessary, tof their sosteaance, as this appears to having been their • «sOy where they, eaMtjed,,and ao| to fiirpish conveniencies for immersion. Nor r .cau Jjee tbo laast f easop for the existence of any artificfail means of this kind. . li The Jailor of eour se was neither a Mahqmedan, or a Jew, and if he wished oo ' 'aayoceasion to bath* or ipmerse bimseU, tf^e river on which the city of ^fhMipi wao buUt, furnished .hin, I should suppose, wi|h the means, which ""eHherti«,or yonr««i|f, or Mr. Jodson would have chosen in pretoFOOce to a « I Jkak of water. And bad Sr. Paul beeoa V ,^ippjectionViigaiWW taut bapt'iiiia is : **'It has a UbdeiiiB^ to preiliin" peoii^iit* '•^fiom piil>lirly cohretsi'iigCirlsttMfor^daen, Wli. 18.) St. Paiil'g pkO^'^tfdtdts'ln the ease of ihd Jailer are liable to the same objeotion. Whin thU re|)caMiiu, 'grateful individual tooii him, and his poor lacerated couit^auiou, huih of wht/m had received ** stripes abeveiiirikiiore,''aiid iafaiercy, iht iauie itoAr of the uif bt^ wanlied ibeirstrij^cf^ ;i>i',ateordii()g to tbi^ t^anAlattdni'Of Or. A. Clarke, **\iiaM iiuai tlieil' »t^ipeit;"h'e, in niercy alsoibaplided thejaiUr^^kud aM'tfigsiirtitway/ This is a conduct, wiucb vrbiild' not 'bate teen pttrntred by erthsr^-ydii or yi>iiff bieJbivn, if the priton yard had bfru fiil«d i»iih lauki* of water. You tell me. it in tiue, tliai, you do not suppose, it nMlies any differeuce, 'wbelber baptism is performed in the dayiinie,or at ui^^bt. But, how does it happen that, we never hear of any of those midnitEht bvptisnis among those o^your commnnity f Would you in 8t. Paul's condition, or in any cuudition go into a tauk^ or cistern ot vkaier at midniglit lo baptize a iuan, and ail Uis/aud'Viius make' Clieiii' ** pdb« liclyoonfesh Christ befoie men" in a prison yard, wbt'O, in 'all' pidbibili'ty, there mmh liot an individual present but ihose to wboth you' were kdmiiiisMfiog the ordinance? Dr. A. Clarke observes on Ihi8 case : '* He wa«&ed from'lthiiir stripeki i.e. he washed the blood from' the WouudH;iLnd this Vbiild ildiHft^nii* pntting iibeni into ■* pool or bath, as stfnie haVe riillcoIoAsiy (niagiib^d." ""'It is by no means likiely thati there was'^ainy immWsiod'in' the 'c'ase; indeed, all the circnmstancesoft'be case^ the dead oNbe bight, ihe i^enefal agitation, the lie. cewity ofdisiwtrb/and iheWords ofihe t*«l ttUt^Uptove i». The apostlto, therefore, had anuiber meWod of'ad1hioi»t«r1ng-*aptliim, btsides iiumersion, which, lif practised aiBcordlngto'lhe J^ewishV^and,! ma) Add thw BapUst,) for- maiitief, must have required considerable time, in* not a Kltle pttWicHy." Unfli yon have answered the above questions in ibe aflfirmative, *n*ltnlltated, what you suppose to have been, the conduct of St. I>anl, by going' Into a " vrater tank or cistern,*' to liwrnerse a faiuily at midnight, I must beg leave 10 think that, yoor ideasand thoseof theaj.osile»,on th« Subject of baptism, hre as much opposed to each other, as are your prbcieedings, ^nd thor^, whith are already described. I am' fully persuaded that, you^ opinions of a ** pnWic"^ profession at baptism, are as nnsuppo>t«*rf by every history of the New Tesia- ment, as are tbose on the sdhject of immeriilon. That ihe disciples of John made such a profession, or were baptlaed before a innliiiude,! allow. Buiin addition to this not being cbrUtlan baptism, it was only a consequence . f the habits of' tbe Baptist who prtached, Md rok.-eqoei.iJy bapuzed in the open air. in every case, lb which th<> apostles ttiiuMUi^ttied baptism, they uev^r deferred tbe ceremony a single' second,' feliher on atconnt of the want ef a suftclenc^of water. ot in order that'thrit- dt*cJp!feH,or eobverts miKht make a i»Bblic profe«i»io8 before cither a greaur, or «:ri; these uloue Meia required to attend, and, weie alone yiuseut on (he occasion. Though your opinions are so raaDifestly opposed by the bUtories of the New Testament, you seem determined to mai^e it appear, even at the expenne of consistency itself) tbat^thry have the couotroance of (be 8crip(ures :^ and tberrfore, when you fail to liud support in (he New Testament you tly (o the old, and (hough you have told us that,** all attempts" of the i^ind must *' hooo fall through," and ** chargr" (hose who make (hem ** wi(h folly," you aUo *< confound circumcision, and baptism ; lUe old coveuaut aud (he uew (o* gether." From the deierriug ot ciicomcision by tbe Jews, lu the wilderuei's you argue for the deferring ot baptism, in cold uonberu ciiinates, as luilows : ** God requires every believer tj be baptized ; but, if our climate is so cold, (or a part of the year, as to r ruder baptism dangerous, ht it be deferred (ill a suitable time : iu such a case Cod will have mercy and not sacritice." 6ic, (p. 39.) - Oa your reasoning, in this pa^e, I mubt make a few observaiiou«, aud found a few qneslious. Fiist, you must perceive bow exceedingly natural it isi for a christian to consider baytuoi.a substitute for circumcision. You must, either have looked upon it iu (his bghi, iu writing this page, or, you could not consider your own riasoniug couclusive. Tbe reasouing, which you have here adopted, is that which is kuowu by the tame ol uauio^UM/, tbe torce of which entirely de>ieuds on the analogy between the ca;>e8, vibicb are supposed to be parallt'l. iiut with what consistieitey CdU you refer to circuuicisiun for any arguuieutsoo the sultjccts in dispute, wheu you bdve charged ua >Ai(h lolly for so doing? aiecoudiy, lio-v ua(ural it is ior meu to argue by way of iii(e7eiice, even on *' positive instiinlions ;" a thing which, wheu you tire opposiiig Pcedobaptistsou the subjects of baptism, jou braud withabtturdity. Will cousisieiicy bear )ouout in this mt'thod of leaftou* iug f Give U4 an example from ihe New Tedtainent, aud we will defer baptism, wheu It is piovtd iliat it cau ouly be perluimed by immersion, uutil it can be done wiiliout danger. You will rrply, that there waH no necessity for this in (he wariu dimafe ot JudcK. We luusi tlt<'n aiik,ii He, who sent bis apostk^ out *^ iutoHll the world to preach tb;>! gospel to every creature," aud to ^ baptize fUui 111 lue uuuir of iLe FuMier, and of the Sou, and of the Holy Ghost," did m koowo. The io (lie place, iy ; Corat)liu(, fare Aonanias, ere tiie Loid You taunot liou watt ever I wa» io auy iraoiis iutendid >!»e uloue weit •s of the New be expeotie of :riptures ;. and you tiy to the I must *' Hoori II J," you aUo id (Ue uew to* the wiid«>i'iieKS >!), as lullows : :e is 80 cold, Tor flefM-red till a sacrifice." 6ic. itervaiious, aud agly ualoral it iniciiiioD. You page, or, you ing, which you Uulf the totce see, which are I you ret'er to heu you hdve it is D it is dangeroint to baptize? Why, instead of d«iai; (hit, did he reduce tliotte enemies to all infererenee, and analogy on |iosi(ive in«ttiiition»^, to the R(?c«itsity, in the coitrse of a omall v&ixphlet, of being ^o incorpistent us to have lecourse to the very meiins, which they coD- denm, iu si d^t- tUat iii«> children of God " may know their duty }" 'I'hirdiy : it '* mercy" rfquiieH that, l>aptism should be deferred inoni climate, for a part otihtt year, aud if God scquireji mercy rather (ban saciifice/'by^bat authorU ty du your oreibiru oppose the will of the God of mercy, by cutring the ice, hi thedepiiiof Miiitcr, loi ihepniposeoi tnim«r»iDg iiieir converts ; a thh»f whicU you have h«i«adniiiied, to bf opposed to the requisitions of that God,; who *< wililiave uit-rcy.and not8istently nerform the rite, whtl« travelling from place to place i" (p 39,) The atithor of the Book of Joshna does not refer the neglect of circumcision to mere convenience. If this had been the cause, would they have been commanded to circnrociKe, at the most critical of all junctures, that i«, when (hey had just arrived on the other side Jordan, and, w!ien nnlent wrath of tl^e AloBighty. Wheir those wicked iDharacters were dead, God entered into a covenant with their eb1ldreo,«nd this was sealed by circnncision. See Jofh. i'V. The wick^ •dnesis of thHr fathers owed its existence to their love of Egypt ; "»<) the with* drtwing (be seal of the covenant from their children, as a rrark of his di«- pleasure was called, I think, the reproach of Egypt* (v. 9 ) and this reproach is »aid to have been rolled away, when they were circHm- ci«ed. In confirmation of these ideas allow me to a«k if yon think that, so faithfol a servant in the faoniie of doA a>> Mom>«, would' have permitted the people to neglect circnmcixioii/ merely on the gronnd of inconvenience, at tbar Age, wheo, yon inform ns, it was " attended with the lea^t trouble, and pain "if lie had not been commanded by God. And do yeti snppo«e that , the wisdom •f Oodwonid Irave led him to dispense with it in the$e mms, and command ittn lAal(if«du(l<,when they were in the state of jeopardy already advened to? These queitions are, in my bnmble opinion, answered In the negative by the history above quoted. I cannot therefort; see any reason in this hiMiory for deferring baptism even on the principle of those, who allow baptism to be a Mbstitntc for circumcision ; and: much less on that, of a man, who makvs one o^ tSiem purely a religions rite, and the other <• also a family and national aiark ^'* ^i^t fellies the.substitnlipn of one ordinance for the other. Yon also argue thst, " On the sume principlps,'* on which a departnre front tome of thr forms of the xacrament, at its first in^titntion, is allowed ** we may allow of some variations l)ere,-^anH espeiially as the coldness of onr «riinate,aod the general disuse of bathing among us seems to require it.'*(p 37.) Here 1 think, «• the amiable and dndid Doddnge'* haH led yon td allow ns all we can require. If" the g«Miern1 'iiviis^ of bathinv among us," and the coldneis iof the climate, are rfasons why. we honid allow of nome variation, from what was practised at first, were we to allow that thiH nvas immersioa, as von can. not give o« either a conrnatid, or an example for deferring baptism in any climate, onr only enquiry 1^ to what extent, do these reasonx urge n?, to carry this variation. Decency, safety » and the desigu of the iuxtituiion must there- fore direct onr enquiries. I speak oii the first of these with some degree of reliictan«»e, Iterance, when commenting on Dr. Dwigbt's views of the indecency of pnbl!c and promi^rnnnw immf>rRtou«, in a comitry where bathing in not familiar, you candidly confess that }>oa Were *' moved, perhaps naiore iban yoo 2S3 «tii;ht/' Yaii Qiiul bawev«r, in my opiuion, allow that raueb depcndi %\k bailiiiig being familiar, iu any coiiotry, in order to prevent public immeriion, tu tbe ca.te of the female wen, and fspecially promiseuoas^ pnblic immersiont from being accunnted indecent. Only a hiAtory, lor instance of tbe country of whicb Mr. JndtfOns^eakd -the GiiRt Indies— would pnt an Cnglisbman to the btusU to read ii, and much more, would thifl be the ca4e,to witness their daily promiitractice. Xt cannot be administered with prudence, and convenience, it indeed it can be administered at all, In every situatioq. and to all persons.- Places bavebpen discovered which are already Inhabited, where coileetioni of WBt.tr % «S4 •ttfidkllt h7 thii mod* of baptitm would oot oiieo oeenr, in trtvelliiig perhaps luindredi 6f milet.*— There are other places, ivhich iwara wkh Inhabitanti, frlMreyMiMetniionntaiBsof ice,aadalinoAt perpetaal snow, immersloni rauct ^i laeontenieuri impradeot, aod often impracticable. Yet the religion of Chript will one day penetrate those arid, and these froson regions. Their aiiembie iobabitanti (cheering thought I) will yet be bapiiaed, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Will they be immersed i Were three tiieus nd to eone forward at once, in eitlier of the siiuatioua to which we have aUaded, (and «ttch a scene hat been once witnessed under the gospel dispeusa* tlon») «>^oald they, eoald they be immersed P—The thing speaks for itself." ** In beaiflgod cities,** says Dr. Austin, <* where there are thousands, and huudrfds •f thontanda of people; in sandy d^seifts, like those of Africa, Arabia, and Pnlmtiae ; in the northern regions, where the htreams, if there be any, are shut fpwith impenetrable ice ; and in severe aod estensive dronghts, like that which took place in the time of Ahab ; sufficiency of water for animal subsiiiteoce !• scarcely to be procured. Now suppose God should, according to the frndictions of the prophets, pour out plentiful effusions of bis Spirit, so that all tftelnhakitants of one of these regions or cities shall be bom in a day. Upon tilt Bapti«t hypotiietu, there is an absolute impouibilitythat they should be born into the kingdom while there i* this scarcity of water ; and this may last as long ■a they lite. . And these thousands and hundreds of thousands of Christhuis nnst remain all this while, and perhaps die, without having the consolation of professing their faith in Christ, or once supping with their Divine Redeemer.** •*** We may take another very common instance/' say « Mr. P. ** A person is ill a. low and declining . state of bealib. He toves his Saviour, and wishes to oiiey his commands. He wishes to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesni^ lUulfln remembrance i»f him, to come to his table. But to be immersed, he if Nnslblrf would be little better, than self murder. Must he then be debarred from the ordinances of the gcspei i Oa the scheme we oppose, this most inevitably be his lot. Can this scheme, lhen,.be couiiistent with the truth ? Has the Lord Jesos« who des[igned his religion to be universal, appebded to it, and made essential, a rite which is so ill fitted for universal, practice ?'* ^ liiave already furnished you with our opinions of Uie daign of the ordinance •rintiant baptism, and'im bappy that tbey are not altogether opposed by yoitrseU'. Yoa inform us that that it ** is intended to be a sign of regeneration, or that (bo P«raon baptiied is born of the sipiiit.*' *' B> one spirit wt are all baptized into on« body," says Ht Panl, ICor. xii. 13 ; and as Mr Pond very properly observes: ** Mei(Mr. J.) must prove, therefore, that every believer has been overwhelm* •d with Divine influences— has been immersed in the Spirit, as he shrewdly enough snpposAfl Hin favoured mnitttnde were on the day of Pentreost ; or he *Sh** Campbeir* Travels across the Continent of Africa ;" and the U«M which rafbr to Pai^tinoand the East given above. reltiiig perhaps >h inhabitanii, nertloDi rouit the religion of 'fiona. Tbeir in the name of re three tlioiii hicb we have ofpel dispeuaa* roritieif."''In aud hnudrfdt a^ Arabia, aud »e any, are shut ghfs, like that nal subsistence M»rdiug to the »irit, so that all a day. Upon should be born nay last as long sof Christiaos consolation of ne Redeemer/f ** A person it , and wishes to he Lord JesnH mmersed, he to en be debarred »f, this most the truth? Has ded to it, and ftheordinanee 8f.d by yourself, lion, or that ibo ill baptised into perly obser? es: i?n oterwhelm* B he shrewdly ntreost ; or he and the quota> has done notliing towards Invalidating the argonent he biS ««llo4 In qneiUM.** Tiiis baptism of the Spirit as we hate alrrady sren is «/ir«yf spoken of i»t lionring or spriniiling. Again yon obs«rve ** It ropresenta to the repenting believpr, the remission or wnshing away ofhis sins in the blood of Cbrlat." Tbia^ St. I'aiil being judge, is accomplished by the conscience being sfrs'aAM with tbo blood of Chi iflt, as those who were considered legally Impure under the law wpff sprinkled, or baptized with the W4ter of ** purification for sin" called alan the " water of separation.'* , But again, we are told, " It represents Ibe wasbing away of the tilth or pollution of sin, both from the heart and future lift of « chriMian by the word and spirit of God ; Eph. ft. 25, fO .** The washing bj tbf Spirit, aH has been proved, is entirely in our favour, and that by tbt word it eqnally so. It is, by the evangelical prophet Isaiah, compared to tbe watering ot the earth by the eominf down of** the rain and the moie from heaven {"and lest you should call this '* the figurative language of prophecy where baptiim it not allnded to," I must request you to remember that St. PanI, Ibe anlbor of tbe words of that text on which you have founded this idea, and in wbicb bapliain is indispotabiy alluded to, yourself being judge, has described it by tbe very same figure, I Cor. iii. 6 : ** I have planted, (churches) Apollos loelcrcd ; (Ibea by the woid,)but God gave the increase." Is it not equally astoniabing^ and unfortuDate that, according to your views, the apostles should always, on the snbject of baptism, have spoken in ** figurative laugnage," and Iherebj opt*osed immersion ; and that tberofore whtHiever we tefev to the Bibfrf ** to find out what baptism is," we should always arrive at Ibe opposite idea to that for wiiich yon so strenuouily contend ? I must ttaerelore of necessity oppose your assertion, where you maintain that pouring or sprinkling, ** cannot represent a wuftbing.'' (p. 50.) Whenever the inspired writers apeak ofitiat washing, *' which baptismal waters rtspieseut," it is invariably under either one or the other, ol these ideas. I must also oppose your aaaeriioa tbat " Baptism was iuteuded to represent— a death, a burial, and rcsurrcciion.^ Tuat" pouring and spriukiing,''whichyonBay, '* cannot repreivui" HieaOf are both called baptism by John, our blessed Lord, and his Apostles, liat aireadjr been abuudauily proved. It cannot be proved however that, thia is tbe case with those things which you say it is intended to replisent. Our Lord's death or his burial, or his resurrection are not called bis bapusm in any passai^e of the Ne w restauent. In tbe language of Mr Pirie on another subject, I may fieie wy : " 1 know it will be objected, that sufierings aie called Baptism, when our Lord says to tbe eons of Zebcdee^ Ye shall driek-of my cup, and be baj^iaed With the baptisni that I am baplixed with. "Matt.xx. 21. To understand tbeae words, we must observe thai, they arean anbwcr to a petition presented bj tbeee two disciples, deeiriag admission to the dignified office of chief ministera in tbeIr master's kingdom. To this request onrLord replies, by pointing out ikeiaiiktey lorvires, which must be submitted to by candidates fo? so bighan ofllce.— Set yon can enter to so high ot&etB in my kingdcm, you nnit drink of my cnp, a^^ S30 • be biptifed with my bapiUm, or pus tlirnitgli the introductory MifTerliigi. BaptiiiBytbeiijiD tkii paitage,— deiiolet inili>tlhn to a vocieiy or oDive. It i» «ODoected with aufferiogs iudeed,biii ibe siifleiini;^ are called Baptiitm, not with respect to theirnature, but with regard to Ibrir denign. *' Ought not Christ to bave suffered theie thing*, and enter into his glor) ?" The ideas ot bapiiitui and suffering are totally dislinrl. <* It may be added, th4l in this passage there is no rtferenre to plunging at «I1, but to the mode of initiating a prophet, prieitt or Iting into his offinc, according to the law ; which whour strength, viz. Rum. iv> 8, 4 i Col. ii. 12. On this snbject I wrote a long Note in my formet Letter*, of vrhich yon have not taken the least notice; and I must in your own Ungnage, aay that I think yonr neglect, *' displays more zeal than good policy." Every man has a right to reiterate bis arguments, and consider them conclusive, until lie sees them confuted, and in yonr case tiiis was particularly to be expected. Where *' common sense," is wanting, and its place supplied by prejndice, superstition, and absurdity ; and where a man *' wants prudence as veil as honesty," yon may generally expect that Insincerity and vanity will prevail in a more than ordinary degree. These will seldom fail to lead a man to repeat, what he has once advanced withpnl regard to consequences. As you evidently ^iipposed these the disorders of yonr opponent, yon will probably, on reflection, imagine that, he is at iea^t actiiig a consiittent part, when be informs you that, his former arguments stand unaffected by either the opini* *«• To nnderstand this clearly, we must observe that, es Aaron was first baptized with water, then with oil, and finally with blood, after which he was ^ully consecrated; so Jekus wss tir«t bapliz»d with water, then with the .Spirit, the holv oil ; and now, oay* he, I am anxious to !'"*'e my last baptidm performed, which ninst be by my own blood. He was made perfect by itnfieringR. This finished his consecration."—*' 'J he body ot the blessed Jesus," »avs Mr. t^ond, was truly and literally baptized. He was wet and washed With his own tears, and sweat, and blood, when in the garden, when scourined, and when nailed to the truss. This was his baptism, and in this.sensr the passage furnishes decisive proof, that it may be performed otherwise than by Immersion." I have no liesitation in saying, that Mr. Pirie has in the above ri-rnarks, caught the very spirit of the texf. Compare Luke %\u 50^ with Het{, 937 j i, «n.< of Mr. Jii(J«on, or any of Ibose comiocotalorfl niib whone virwi be iii«> have riirtiiitlied you. I uni not a flave to authority, ad tbe nan that it iiiiMi nerve at leant two masters; but especially on the points in dis pnto ; i mid when 1 d.tt'er from thote who talie ** yonrside" of tbe eonlroveisy, I^ball neldom fail to give »9meihing in ilie shape of reason, la return lor the coaa* nientA wiih which yun have turuinbed tt!e, from Mr. Jndton's Sermon, on the I'aitxa^teK jntii quoted, and in confirmation of my former argnmeuti(, allow me to give yon a quotation from the «am« work in which, ilo author liy a conimrnt vnone of those pussageo, and a reierrnce to tho olhei, entirely abandon* both a^ l>t>ing si|;ui(icaut of '* CKternai linjit sin." 'I bi« is when h» is opposing l'(cdot>apti»l8 iu their attempts to diaw an argiimriit from Col. ii. 12, in favour of the snbHiilutiuu uf baptism iu the place of circumcisiou; aud yet as like %ouiself, wiirn he needed the aid of ttione pafxH^e^ on ih« mode of t>apiism, with an audacity peculiar to those, wiiu care not (or couti'^dicling even them- \ .selves, he draf>qed them into tbe coutrover»y ! The quotation to which 1 allude is as follows : ** In this passage (Col. li. 12.) we are taughi, that, tbe i ColoKsians were spiritually ciicuiuci»ed, iu putting off the body of the sins of tbe ilt>»h, and tpiiitualiy baptised, by being buritd with Christ, and being ^ raised to n<>wuf>8n of life. (Sre Rom. vi. 4) 'Ibns they are iepie«eoted, at ' having passed ibe whole process of death, burial and resurrection." He then ' mdeavors to nialie it allude to ihft mode of baptihm,by uukhij^ ** circumcision" lepreseiit the dfath and baplii*ui, the burial aud thb resuneciion : aud thus il oppo6e» you whomake iiniu>isiun lu i'eprr»«ut the whoir. Iu cunclution h« i H»ys," Hut though some other explanation of the pat^ngv should be adopted, i\ ii it posHibl, to make out an inference, i\ that external baptism has come in the place of external circumcision ?" (p- 28 ) M Kow I beg leave to ask yon one q^iestiou. If the apostle is here speaking <^ ,i spiritual baptism, and that as opposed to external baptism, what connexion can } these passages have with rxle ma! hnpti^ni P Again, if these passages speak A only of spiritual bapiixni, bow t an cither Mr. J. or ynnrvelf, n.tike nst of them | in future as proofn that, the |riiuitive (hiistiina wei« iMfiatiy buiied with A Christ in liapti»m, and externally baptlctd into his death, or in the liktoessof J his death? Mr. J- wpealcs of an allusion to (lie nature of that rite. Ihit ihii« | use of these passages takes for granted the very points which }on brought | ihem to prove. 'J hese are, First : that baptism "reprtsriKs it burial, and a J] resurrection ;" »nd iSccondly : ihftt for thiit rcaaoD, U ^'caniiotbe dont by pouring or Fpiiitklin^." As for it repicsenting, oreven aUmling to death, such. ' an idea does not appear to have entered into tbe mhad of Mr. J. Tiiih ib the A use to which he puts cirrtimeision. Ak it is onlysu||OMd th.'.t tlicro i^ j an allUiiion to pcnie of the things which, ,>cn say, lapti.>n) ci ininicihioii, U represents, the picol ct tapiifni bcirg iu;m<;inion, and of its itpittcntiii: iht»e .^| eels of wJiich you have spoken, most ceilainly depend,ou sotre other ^lassagei ^< J58 fcr ftti »ppMtd •HimioBa take the eilMence of tiM ritr* for |rftolc4, »mi Ihii ttket for frant«(l Ibat, the riUteoee of intnetBlon hat bren proved. Henne it it tluil,«H alinsionii to EaMern cniiooM in lh« Bihlo^ iMvr to be proved, not Iroai tbe WUti iinelf ; bat from tbe hUiorieA of tlie inannera of (be people. Tbal tbep«!>MS« noUer counideratlao liAS beeu propvrly iHnMraird by Mr. J., a* far ie**deatb, burial aud retiirrcction,** are coocfriud U certain. Thai U only 4eacribea a spiritoal duatb, burial and resurffciioo, it evident fton tba conek* ieration tbat, tlie '* putting off,** tbat i» ibe dealb, in taid tobeibator ** tbe body of tbe sint of (be tleiUi" aud tbe renarrectieii i« Haid to be accouipii»bc4 ** tbrongb tbe failb of tbe operation of Ood." (v. IS ) Now U tbii laugtugc to ke<,/liedto putting off tbe budy of Cbritt, or tbe body of tbebh««eri« kaplitm ? Does be tben literally pnt off tbe body i Ag»in, la tbe kiter clauM to be applied to tbe resurrection of tbe body from t^ water after iminereiou, aa yowoittstbavr intended us to uoderttand, pai ticulaily by yoor Motto ? !• llio lody raised from tbe water ** tbroogh a laitb of tbe operation of God i" Wbat •an be more evident than tbat, hotb tbe death and tbe reinrraction, aro •piritnaland refer excioeiveir to the aonl? It i> tbie death aud reanirectio* alone wliith are accomplhbed, *< through the faith of the operation of God.*' 1 now auk, what wan the hnrial ? This mnet certainly be that ol (h« body, vbicb wai dead, and tbi» body was tbat " of the tins of tbe flesh," wbiih n*Ukt be buried, before, according to thr apoatle's figure, there conid be a ** rtsnrrec- tion to liewness of life," " tbiougb tbe iaitbol tbe operation of God.'' The baptbun however, is certainly external iMptismyaoo (be ** old man 'or principle •f sin is said to be spiridially raised witbiiiui in baptism ; because at rbis time, they professed to exercise faith in Christ, and doubtless many of tbtm received tbe power to pxerci«e saving faith in the set of being bnptiaed. In the generality of ca^es the iirst chrisliatis heard the woid, believed it and were baptised; and like theenrmch and the jail«r, went on their way rejoicing, in censeqnence of the bleising of God accompanying tbe use of tbe mfaus. This was generally, probably wriversally, alorost inetantaneons. This waa in perfect kccordancr with scriptural aceouHls of baptism. It is aa initiatory nrdiuancr : hence, tbe tir^t^cbrittiaus are «ttid to be *' i»aplised into ibrisl^" and, as loaay as had betn tiMii ** ba|)ttaed into Christ," are said to have** put on Christ." At the time of tlrvir baptism tbey all put off their foimer sins, and pat on (be virtueH o^Chriotf ai>d to as ttiauy as attended to tke ordinencc in faith, it vran not only ibc (H-dinauceof iniiiation into tbe ibnrcb; but ulao a ineanHof tlivir initiation ioSe Chrikt, and tbtrffore St. Paul, inOal. iii. 26, 27, arg«^8 (li^ir hating" (xinii v>iib tlie blrrsiigs which, w«re charitably (vppusi'd, 'v HCooiitfianyitA cdrthrsiion. 8t. Frrei in a similar way, connects tb(> R^rartt with the rnd' f*n thr day of Pentvcost; and cshorta the penitent) la *** I(f (rut auit bi lap tiefd'-in the uame of Je»tta Christ, for the remi»aiou« of S59 I. Hesce it prot«d, not it*pl«. Ttial Ml. J.fiM I'm That U only on Ibft coiwl- Umi •! ** ib» tccoui|>li»bc4 I lAugiugc t^ M> b< b«vttr im klter ei«iiM mwersMu, m »tto i U tt)» 304?" Wbat rr«cliM, ar* te»»trcciio» ti«ii9l0ud." •t tb« body, ' wbith o'Nkt • *• rtrsnrrec- God." Ibe ' or pruicipt* utrbu iiiuc, \*m r«c«ivitd ed. lu ibo It and »•!• rejoicing, in ttfau*. TbU Tbis wa» aa iniiialory iaio ibrifti^" lave** put oa leroiui) and ordiiiaiicc in but klto a I. ill. 26, 27, a |iiOol ibat c^^dinaacc U e charitably By,COllD«Cl» penitrnt^ la nlMioua of fin*," aadpra«t<*ii (bat tlity ** ibtttkl meeivo ibA gift of tbe Holy Oboot** The paMAdo from Rom. vi. on which yon lay lo raticli atrets, is lo ptrfecUy parallol with tlMono j>iAt C4ii»iJl'iyed, (o tfaeh the flame ■piritnal truth*; that it, that .b«li« vera art apiritnally united to Chri«f, aa aieniliera to (h«? body, which wn« a coaaeqneac« of their b«ing baittited into bio, and that in coaaequoBoe of tbia nnbn, they were apiritualiy d«>Hd unto flin," and rai^eJ again with Cbriat. Hereby the^ were ohli«&t4>dy and enabled, tu " wallc In newnoM af life." The first metaplior It baptUm, or initiation by ba|i(i»ni. The aecond i* Plenttng, iocalcatlng tb« tame idee : and the third iaCrnealiicioa. Relievers are aaid to be '* biptiaed iato hU deiib ;" to b« *< planted In tbe likeness of bii di>ath ;** and their ** oM rnan'Ma said to Im* " erucified with him." That thete are all allasioos lo their «piritnaldeaar Sir, does the burying of tbe body in water, in immersion or baptidm, poHsess the virtue of naking the person who is immersed *< drad unto vin V If it do, thin toay be here alluded lo ; but if not, can you tell me .nhy, our ioitiatiuo iuto the church, Ity l>apiisai,sluMild <*rfpresent;a:deatb,.a burial, and reKUTrcction,"r.ny more (ban m a planting aihi a Cracifixiou, when (hUi« tliA chapter from- wUieli yoa eoltttt Jroar opinion! oa thin sabjeol ? I canuot eoucdive how (he act of immersing « lnkmaD body, wbidi you tell n» is baptUia, can possibly " represent a death." BIr- Jndson appears to bate Uboared nnder the same disability ; and tbereforo lre«88igued tbU office to eirevaieision, which wi»s » <* rotting off." It may ** nepretent a borial," and the raisinf ofthe body front the water may ** repre* aentft retnrrectioo." like death of Christ wars by criicitixioo, and this bemg what, yon ■atiitain, baptism ought to represent, the act of b«ptizio| the body •nghty according to yonr ideas, to repreaeot the crocitixion of the body. But 4f the act of ba(»lisiog should ** represent the bariti, »nd tbe rehurreeiioii'' of Christ, it tiannot' also* represeitt hh crnci&xioD, or bis deatb; Itecamsc the actions are «oopifosed to each other, that they cannot lie repreiieirted by any 4lae mode of batrt1«tfii, which the j^renitt^ of man can Invent ; unless however a •(person were dipped actnatly nailed to a cross. The difficulty is greatly ia> creased by a consideration of theotherthings, which, yon inform us, b«pti»n^ • ought to represent, viz. *Mhe washing of refreneration," '* the washing «way of the guilt of ^< sin in the blood of Cttiisr,"^ aud of " tbe pollution of sin from tbe heart, and fnture Itfe of the christian by the word, and spirit of God if' .because all these are done by ponring, shedding forth, or sprhikliog. One mode of baptism can certainly never represent both this "washing,** "a death, a burial and a resnrreclion." But, if tbe figurative Taognage of tbe sixth chapter ofthe Epistle to the Romans, is to be nteraUy nnderstood, as yon have maintained, we mnstlmve some new mode of baptism invented, which will ambrace both your ideas, and those of yonr opponents. We must have a mode of b«|ttism->wbich will represent a rianfine ami a Crnfiffxion : for they too are applied, as figures, to TepreseDt tbe same spiritnal bit* ssings : that is, initia* tlon in(o the hiesvlngs of Chriirt> death, spiritnal death nnto sin, a rrsnrrectlon to newness of life, and dominion over sin in conkequeiicc. It is aet (he bnrial of the body in tlie ** liquid grave** as yon, in the characteristic tang»iage of yonr commnnft),call it ; but the crncifixion, and death, and resnrrection of tbe body of our bleosed Lord,w1iich are here nsed, as flgnr«s,of the spilUnal state t>f tho«e,whoh4d'■'■-•. . toreproMnt tha cleansing of ttaoaoul froiii tin, by tho Ottlpoanog ef tk4 kplHt of G|: 6«t ii miMt frankly acknowledge that, I am far lew inclined than I originally ,wai»; t». believe that, Immenion was, in any case, the practice of the !ap(ntlat. iMi;'* baptism and immersion are wards 9f thtmmn import.'' In the flMn|^» lime* ' -'.rtis t*' fc*'*,«"ii' ■u^itflp. t; ,'■ ' ' ' ■' lam : ' • ' ■' .; iH*iT-5t^v. 'I*' ^Jl^■. ■•- .f. Dear Sir, 'f ^«i , Yoan, very aflsetionalely^' / >.Ort MiC* « *ii» I J '* ■■■m > m,t' • ■ S.' ,• .3t»,|pui ?i n lio H If i\ ;< m ■ifii.ii-ftiMlf >. .;. ; .. .- ... ... ■ ■ .- .. ..■ B LETTER Tin. ■•^' • fui\ 'tf ■• 1. -^ ^ 'AlPl!4i«ilMiiltieU Historjr U • subject on %hidi tbe •dvacitti' of irameiilon MMbltfiMl* 16' cAlktiti, notwithitandiDf tbcljr plaice so' li(t(e*«eoiifi(leoc^ in MMiii iiilliorlly f^ mm to bo extiteted that, yon woi^lil b« moderately emphatic #kAt| ^1 of Aho didenaaion. la tbii our o.xpectatiHn» have not bo hod i Or were their bodies merely lii^cd or weUtd with it i ** Irenmus mentions a sect of Cbrisiiaos, who baptised **by an effiuin of vflft ■iiiodwith oil. ** TkrtollfaiOytht oMoat of tho Latin fathers^" rendered this word «* »y ttntre^ "'■*{ ns «b« t«rn wed foe djrc^|.;VMd wliioh, whcoappUftd to <|K'ir«4iflf, •iHDiScf, '* Ta spriuKle, to Jmbfii«.^ .. . : V' :. o ; Ori^ll,«He«kiof to Uie PbarUeiM ^Ib^wqadoaHf imff^ tftritWdl ifHs, profusely j>oiirod Mt the cpi|iipitii|)i of ]iiy»|),(|^« S jain|MWiU,4l,)ifia»Vf«r> »3; IW *»«•« V'V T994 f ••>wKife4. Tf^» .t«ri|i«x(f 0,^,^^ «flt4 bfiQlifMi Mto^ of the earliest Chri«tiai» fathers 10 figplfy.poqrfpg," (Jpo«^»yp«9M0kdi¥O (M ciiiircb ai^reed jnUh these ideas, |jy t^ tbf( upe^ji^^n.of Mi^ yc9(4. A^ jr9«;JlMr«; on this subject qnoted f^om,. Mn Jaffiiop^ Sf woBt Lsb»U.fMif ^tji^ Ji|MW|y^ quoting ffooi Mr, Pond's reply. . Before I ^o^ ^ hfiHimfh^h^^ .kH »ll«Ft ) 10 a»k, if the •Dcient christiaps did uotofu^i^rjfptif^^f^tj^j^i^ USkptisiu ? Or wbj did they not taamersc in eases of ,^m r«eov6.rj.of,tj|.(^^|f^^ > t*9: e spriiikied when they wore sick ? If a spriokliM Wtfen no crime, t^, have imilatiklyotir c<^iid^ct|M [ immerst'dtbose wbo bad enlj been ^prin^lej. ,TjU$ WM ifjfj^firp^y^^fff^f^ ' necMMry by what, yi>ii inform as, w«re O^o o^ini^O!)!^ of ^^^^^^ orieio of spriuklinf . You say it yas introduced when It .bo|^,to be ^fuMqr* cd that bapttstn waf essential to si^lvation. . T^Uf. in ipy ,,fij[^|iii^ wia^^^,^^,, others, the most, improper time, to introduce sometbiof wfdicli^ waii^Jt,ba|^tl^iii. : forjr thffy supposed the salvation of the soul t^ dfpjBPd oi| ibifpfi^^fjii^r;^!;^. spmetbiug «f hich. wns not baptif mi,, T**« iv tb^ir 9W^ ,es)timition ^ to dj^im;; Ibe . sonN of men ; and this does not very wellagree with the viU«fMM|M'»wb|D|i^«|:{t; , todesiromofthe salvation of sonla that, rather tban;tli«y sbovld., b«i< .ipeV j tbf y would haptiRe them in their last momenti. . It it aUttilo« mneli .at HHfifMe > withr th§ rigid adherence to every Iota of a cerefnony , which. |s a^ay^^i^tbM(^ i\ 1^ those, who suppose salvation to dfirend npQnit,,to ni^speet i|ia^,^:i[^ . w,^^ld^ha!^e.l)«glec;ted ^mmerilon,. in ,i?afes of th^ ntoyry of tboee,. w^^ bjjrf^ been sprinkled when sick, and when r ipportonity Otfarid of immersing' those < This biiwever ° even ecclesiuUcJir ^ II who, on other aceonnts, had been baptised by any other mode. iktw never did. Yon have not the sanotion therefore ^ of ev "^ history for rrbaptiaing those, who have been baptisod Ij sprmkliog. That clinick baptism was considered baptism, ii evidcni from the very episile frdal '' wiiich' Af r \ Jo^lMD U ^o^«lU f^ g»t»led q^il^la^, ^ibi W&i^ y«^it>il9^ \ > I ' I fiir 'ij< »-i furniah^d uo,,to proTt the contrary. Coroelins writes: **Thia good (Novatnii,) forsook the church of God, wberebi ho was baptlie'lt and where *| also he took the priesthood upon *ia, by fiivonr.of ihe Blebop, whif b throagb '< leyjDgJ»Oi»£ bifidf jlSOfd hJlhjher^ (Enseb Ecc, His. Lib Oj^ip. 4$.; ', The following ^notetlon from M^r. Popd cpiitains ,some exceilcnt ieu«tks «i| '.• this so|iti«^. .\ ''"., ■ . ■'^*> ' ** Ieidkefilor#a«ii«yeTcobiidfer«d essciftbll to Iteptlsiii, till ibe ipp«eiWoe~ \ orAe^^i^ffptjtfif, tbf,,f^ii|f,ee,i^li centoiy.* Tl^at ifitiperiaoos,>ve>Niit 1 -**— .fc. ■ ^— — — . — — .,iV ) . ■ ! I ». I "»* »^TnnTTTT?^"WRff^*HRt!^*!tr^^TTr^P ***Mr. J. quotes the venerable President of tiie Conncil of Jwet, ■ AOIiifallnV tb tbe esisttecc i^f the AMbapailtsas cerly as the foerth ctatniy.— An Amum^ m .iMPtcHieil In evtry age of tb« dirUtlin iebiircb^Mid that c«rally prefaiM at mnot formor perioda, flian thoydidio thofonMrdijsand nnderthe niniitry of iha apoatloa. Persons .liaire Mt aiifreqnently b^kea ready to overdo in the extcrpaU of reHgion, while' they^lil(Ve^dooe Httle-or nothiipg in rctptet to rriigbn ittelf. llie Fbarlsees, not' liOldl^d with the yoke of the ceremonial law, most add to it** the iradittooof the AMf iii." Petei- not satisfied x»lth that degree of washiug «hich bis maiitrr jaw praf**/i teethiaNd^'* Not vy.feet only, bat atso m^r liaiidi and my head,'^ (Johe iM, 0.) And some cif thv ChrhtiaBs in past age», ni»t iia(i»lS«d to be bap* tliked by aUnlioa, or sprlnliling, wltich i» as miiclp a« tbeir Savioar rrq^iiirc^, nMi«t Imb plunged cdhipletely uuder water. .Y«a, id some fteriods of the,churcbf pexnoas havenoibeen biiisfied even. with tbis. Tuey must be immersed tbiee limes. They must be immersed nalied. Tbey mii»t lta>9 water appUed to their faclir» snbs^^aeilt iio iihm'eisi'idb. 'Ifhey ain«i be aitired yn wbtie, lur a certain number 9f days afterwards, iV foiieo of their purity. Tlieie facts are adduced, to shew' tills propensity there nib man to perfoimmorc than isne?dfui in tiie eaternals of religion. It is owing to this pioprifMty, that Immeisiont- have, io some ages, more generally prevAited than, it can be made, tu appCiir, they did under the miniitry of Ch'rist and his apostles. ** Wf.propotfeit, however, as an indispntable fact, that immiirsioB never haa beeif' cOD«lderi no longer a ball. Bemove hardness from« stone, and it is no longer a aione. And, on- the same prindplOjif immersion, is esseuiial to baptism, fibrre there is up immenion there if no b>|>tism. Accordingly, if the primitive Cbtistiai»i»hod eonsideied, immeraion .essential to baptism, when ilbey |rp,!ild.not have pracfieed immetsiciif they would have prsctUed nothing. Pid ihey ever piirane this^ourre i Kerer— if we may credit the witnesses of Mr. J. . He , quotes Vtiiema, where speaking of the third, aitd fourth centuries, he sa^a V aapf raion was used io the, la't momrntsof lifV ; where theie was not aaiittritiicyofwaiei ;*'and** In cases of tist is one who re haptires. ^e frevly admit, then, that there were these In the toorrh centnry, snd Lave b*en others at difl'ereut periods, who haveadmiiiisteied % second liapiisni. ^ome have been >re.b8rttced, because they dcnhted «!>« pw^y <^tk€ church iu whieli they first received baptism. This was particularly tbrcase witli the Donatiafs.- Dnt I ffiid no imtanee of a stcond baplMm ~?anse thtjlra imi wtimmtnlim, till the appearance ortlit Aoal>apti8i«,iu the ••"ith century." ;».'• 4JA -vv • : ■■ *\iarn>:.' ■ 2i5 » o • httn more eammit th« do 1 >e« «■/ lerioda, Hian 1. Penont tgio«, wliilo* bar1seef,iu)t' ' iraiditloa of >h liit auDiirr i my heail,'^ d 10 be bap* q^uirc^y ttkatt rebyP«xiioa« tbieo limes, o their facc» tain number eedy to siiew •0 eaternal« D Romeagofi id onder the OB nertr baa t time. We itpritc. iicp, in ibft wbich Mr. y.^it Is n authig, thn iigcr a balU u- ibe MUM immenion contideicd, immottiuif jrespqibitig in tbe, la9t y In cases of ihoce In tlin Jmiiiisieted Icnbtod tii«i [articnlariy Id bapUfttn list»,ii> tjie 'uticesMly.^ Ho qndtet .Salmbifna, teiiifiring that,*' pertoni eouflnfd to tbete beds woro bajitited in a mabtier of vtfticb tbey were capable ; lb« «*holo body bad \vat«r poured npon it.** Hire « bishop of Rome,t~and not be caltrd a diihtfao? But the ctinieke wem «f(er«^aid« rinof»iciily prohibited the priesthood. Why? Mr. J. haa. not explfrltly anOwered this finest lon ; thonfrh he iscsrefnl, Wf ch^Mild oiider Ptand that it watf bec«ui>e they had not been immersed. He certainty had the mraos of being better iofot^med. Tiie reason why they wtte prohibited. tbe priesthood WM, their sincerity was donbted. They had not ma(}e that, open profession, which wiis deemed necessary. I'bey bsd not gone foi ib in tbe (ace / of a perseciittng world, ao'l taWenupun |bcm the Christian u.um. * Baptism^ bi that ^fe of the world, ex|M>»ed ptrsoits to the n^an dirad>iil per- seciitiotiit ; «»peetaUy if tiiey oiider(Ook tbe work of the goopvl ntinistiy*. If, therefore, any person iirgiecUd baptism nutil Tiuied viit^i akknc^s, lhis\ ne^lfct of duty rendered iiis character iiabl*f to suspiciou.' Accpidisgty tbe conuoti of NjeorflRjiarrA decreed the following, viz. *IIe nho ja kaptised-, wtieir sick, ought' not to be OMde a priest ; for his coming to (he faith is not volDn|ary« bnt from necessity i unless bia diligence, and jSd<:lity do afterwaidf • prove'Cominrud4bie,uritteKcarcity of men tit foi tue otKce du if^uiicit.* As I have thecpistle of 4]orneliiis before me, from which Mr. J. g«ve you on* ^t>l /lis ({Mptiitfons,! will give yo» that mIso which, fur revpous sntiici«ni>y appareo^ In tbongbt proper to con cial : ** UrjCNovatiim,; telllMto a dangerona diseaseif. Slid because be was very likely to die, was Imptrzed in the bed where he lay4 if it may be termed e baptirm which he received. For he obtained soty after bis ncovery, that which he Ihonid hive donr ar.coiding nnto »lie canon of tlie chtirrh, to wit confirmation by the hands of ilie Bikhofiu In so mnrh then w he oiitainodnot that,how eanie hei>y the Holy OIiokI?*' (Eiiiteb. Ere. Misy Lib. p. Cap. 43 ) This ^notation lve«tM me, ami 1 ihhik it will also lead yon, to conclude that, Cornellnl did not aitrilnte thr invalidity of Nova* the history of this ceniory. Vr. Gr»gu>^ obnerves : ** Courtnunt>na immedialoiy followed the rr crptinn o( baptism. Tkii tertmony consisieU in anointing them with holy oil, and the imposition ot lands; the former bf which prweiiees, was pinbably in*rodiieed ahont the b^sinniug of <^^centnry ; and to this unetinn was ascribed the effect uf ^ufinulng tiu,> iif\}\ 1 d 'J I r III I' $46 ^ ^ . ^■■- of a ^^l^rbtlfa, «fi ^ fiurlof isifa. 13if UnrofariDn of tbf Sfdrlt i» Ihit rHo Ht rappoMd to add wM^^,l|n4 tlraMtli^ tooMoMi^ oiiii te Iomcomo, at tho ii^W.b'|rt|^o^bap|iiipiJi9|iarlaw )For lo far if .be fVon qiiestiooiog. ibe i^l^dUy of Novatjai»>bi|it^i«^ooac^<^'"*^^^^*^^'"S tmpjrijukN/' tbat he a.i|iaiadfart> aply pb'bi^.oot bafiug received C4»ni|RaMt4Oii,0».bi»/tcqv«Yyi and fl^oji! ^ 19. (^matitatt 00% of 4baaggr^va|ioftleat«re«,or biaN«bMJbat,ba '>Forfook.tbacb9rcbof.God^b0fainba,w4s6iip^itrtf. , '••I cao find no evidenea/'My* Mr. Pand; ** tblt eitfairr Ilia ta|Wf tftllMi; of tiMdtty ofcliBidl*^baptiim» wa« ever -diipnted. Tbt cikl' of iba ctiai«ki, tbaaefero, and tho Miaa of tifo qdOtarions wa' faataadopted froni'^Mr; J. iosteid' of proving^ wttal be Intended, tliat inibierlloti'witi io priinittvo tfiues cOntbttrrcd cHeaHal to baptUn, ineootestably pi^ove the cdolrary. KJfr. i. bas tbc fdlUnrhig qndtatlon froni BUbop Taylor. **'lt was a foruAal mafi solrain* ^■Mtioo Bsada by Magaos to Cyprtert, wbetber tbey are to bo asl«ira»ad right ofcristian^wbo are oirty spHdlib!)^ with wat«h», and notVasbrd or dipped.^— It waa no qaestidii, tb*o^ in tbe early daya of MftgoiA Wtd Cypriab, Wll^tber woirtngbea lawtql and valid mode oflMpthniV A1»d wft^ #iM|' it a quelritioo wbetber tbose sboald be esteemed rigbt cbristiaos, wfto wire onty sprin&led frftb' water oi^esa tbero wci« perseOe- tKieo, i^bO ciaiftied' to b# Mie«neid right cbrifltlaas^ wbobad beev bapliai'dby sihrinlrtibgf fiiit let nl heih' tbo aniii>«r of Cyprtai» ab also quoted by Mr. J^ ** In the- MVfng ' sadiaaautk, tvHirp •aaaasity oUigev, and Ood graoti hi» . jmliiigenee, ^'tffeiaa ^ctfdljMiidlRi,^ 'tb^' ihoftafi iUiy>of-trMMao(iog diviita mattor»1( eoul^r lfa«w4iola oir* hdltt^erst^'— .< *** To tbift easrem of Clii^icf PapUsn," lays Dr. t^ave^^, aaaia not.laiprtpf r.Iy : 4blnk the apostie has a reference lu that fiiuiont pLce, wDiere be'speakt of ihooft wlaojaro ba|»tiaed lor ibedrad, vimt(lmk) a«4a'^wliitb -tbey «kpottiid With* - jreference to the atate of ib&dead, and that Mia oieaal of. j^Mcb^ J»)>o,i|R- danger of , daaik would b» baptised, that it migbt fare well wUb tlieni aiflor death. Tbis SaipbaniuB.ihiBkHibe trueai: int«r|>tatalioB^tbat itHi'flsChnt ofCttt^lhfm^iw ; ' who l^iaf spddeoll sarprjfted with biahep or MotamiK HI Cyprus; born SW, diod'40i' ffrvids%i>f^'eoliyeV«aiit W ecileiiasUcal ant rqtjt^tiaa, oil, which aciBonHt h« i* cbN>fly cogafdadi^^ His fasti. aMuy in. ilieiefore, to^ say tbe leaHt,a proof, ib^t clioick baptisas. was copabtOfod lo^be^of apofl«oiirel HOtiqaiiy. SU Paul IIMMtttr«^'ar1kbpttt^dWfilft'siok]X^^ 9,19. Seo also Poud, pp. 80, 40. V*^ Ibis is tbe traoslatiob adopieii bj Dsetdrs Latbrop aud Raad/* w Had w* no oth«r pant of Cyprian** Answer bnt thii ainilo wntenca, wt ^ilKI«ctore«ly with for naMct toiwll 4«c«ni«ilon, Mm hk Md iM ewUdlBr InNMf ratou Mientlal. B^^r tM^^> iv* lmt« iMM df kit lntfr«r at'fcittit ** I wnnid n»e," wiyi !!«,"•♦ ni**»r aodeity and bnaMHy, n< not"^* pNMBflbl^ to peiftlvfAf, bnt fbat itvcry ^niof tboiild bate ttUi ti^edbai dfifs dvifii dMd|bt% and do at b« tbink* baiir'. For tbe cotftaiion of dU U bdt, in tWiAcfihbdtft of falHliM.'^'aiihwf ofl^bt tboiadl^ bieki^Voii an HUI* diVk^iBfib^ •btb.Hllff 1»rtbo bod]f,to watbed a^ay. Tb«r« It no neecMlty of hoap, or of aHar^i p^t'K' 6jih'poiM; It ln'ln another way 'ibalt Ibo moI V a beU« Wli wbited ; after »tit^*r mHAtitt tbai' IlirintMdf of nian itf' by failb creamed. Here fbllowi tber •cntence wbicb Mr. J., and jonrself, hare qnoted. Cyprian afterwardf pvMcndf m ar|de IW fd^ottr of nspe^Bloil, by qAonng 4)rid' applying Omsc words offliap^phctt I will' v'''*'^^'^'*^*^ ufibayoo, and'yesbalVbeclfan'.^\ {BMtki nxti. ai.> Affer tbfi' accoiint' of the 'matter, Mr. J.' It weleoaae In etrery advantage he ean potiibly derive froi^ the tcttlmony of tlilt learned fafber.— And It n^bV to be noticed, that Cyprian it nearly the only antbor o# aniy eontlileytblar aritt^i^iiy whom he bat quoted jini t£ii part of hit woi k. He> flojiritbed «(itbin 160 yen^lTf ^ tbe,iMi«|lolif!k afe| . ' « Ifitberlo we e^fiil^ tlut tllj^i^ct cbi«l|y by.th% belp^Mr. Jndtedb* qnotatlMia. We have proved that bnmenlon wai not, In the piiaiMve*qfair dMmed et^tjal^by tUot^v%ig.vitpflMt whpAirhA addncwd t»^plto.v«!tbe coi^trary. ' ^T^eVotf[ow|||g^^^ ^ini t^tiflWll^vtil,i|p«i>iblet pl«eei4>apt|aadfln{.priteifi (A:t>/m)' ':,',' V ^'■- -'■'. " CeiittatttiiiMbe Great * being ,ckMi(bed with e ,wbH« gff^ent, knd la»4 upeip^.s bit bed, iTat'baptiited iii a toiemn maaner by Eosebina,. biijb^ lOf .Nicooedia.t ** Antiqnity tttrnitbeit a«,wUb,J^jioiit^f of engraved cepre»(eiu«(tDnt of bap- tiim, in which the ordiuanf;^ evidently watadniinM*tered by a^u«i«n» , *• Ettini, referring I9 tUnef jofg ^(^ff^J^.^^i ^«'4««n H^AmA, »?i>net»ei|^. ■ tbar ponring had bten pnc^ in. •AV« ' S . ' ; ? I -.il.t I . W -. I'^i mi | l i |" * Bo ma nni ha d liit- t aa ga e pn ile d e•i » :and'^eaeet^»ggtgi^^K:' D,'^V, ETiiiiS: E»;c.Hlt.Llb.8.ctD.aO. ^_ ^^_ , ., , .,....; ^„.;, - • a I! u ■M .-*• 1 ►IV «I8 • iytt ^^ty^.^imkot'fitlAmn toBMiap il»adte9,«l«traiid •■()'pr«r(^«4 ll«f»tiff^ ^ *' 31r, UaUiaitfn,«lM atl«arn<4 Ba|»tbt, fidaiti timt < befotc IM lafoiiMtlon^ lIpriiiUiQg w«s.N<< yj»lio:|iio4« The •ulHtaace l>el«g!irri«i|iod, the cbarth. fcoiu the begimiiDg epjojfed a liberty of, Ming soaiowbal dijftirent ritei.* ^ Zelenna. * t>ip|»iaK wa* formeidy more aited, enpecially la tho,bet conn. trlaaod'Jttde^;. but tbia mode was not ttai«er*ally practised, or aicMtUal to . ftaplitiB.' ** Zancblas^ * At In a malt^ff of' liberty and lodifi'eireocj, tho cfaaroh , ■■mat t me e followed mw eoromoay and soflMiimee tkt «ther, a% she judg^ maat exfwdloBt.' <*Dr. WnlL ' In ealraotdlaary oOaslon, bapfiim by aft'osion of water on Ike fhee, was |»y the, ancients coanted tufficloat baptism.' Ot this, says lie tlwrte araaMny proofb.* *In the ifihr.reninry baptism was admiaistcrsd lu jTraacalndiArenlly, hyiaMnorsionnnda»porsioo/ . •^ \if» Doddsldgejsyienkiaj of^tho iirimiiino ages, says, * I suppose lapmerdon . -fiat often, thongh not eonalanlly foilowod.* '< Prrt. WIHard. * Though in the pflmitiVe .times' the eeremeiiyaflwmeraloD , iihMilB#is«*t frri|nently nsedvyot In thd «oldrr region* whore religion wa«. entertained, they ns«d aspersion." '■ <* l>r. ibed. * We do know that dipping md sprinkling , were ^th prac. tlMd in the lecdnd eerttnry ; and each jpraelii^ |mlh been cobtinne^ f|tom that pel iod to the present time.** ' i*» Dr. Lmhinp. *8o fhr ns ihe praoti^e of the anek^its is of wfigbt, it . proves all we ront^nd fur. Wo don't say that , imn^ersion Is nuhiwfol^pra mifennllity. We My it Is not necessary; that affnsienlssailBdfnt ; andfl» jaid the niieieot i!b%iehi* "^ ' ^' ' << 1 1t .vioiRr of these aathonties, the pn^te Will U able to ^odgf cf jh^ oplnfou . of the saints of'o^her times, in Iri^speet to bnpiism. Thatthey have fr«^i (hi^Ohay 4? or have. 99niidered this mode essential, we podtivaljr deny. ^lo short we have po acroimt rhntlnm^rafon was, In InV h|e, or ITy snyHMrat, soppbsed cWential to ■■ fc'ihj i ,. I II I •• •< I •f"*- ■ y, 'I » ;> *»■' - t . ^ i * i <\n j Nw x ii m itii } ■■ ) > ) » < i .i i i i M i .>r»»!l. I L I " ^ ^^ ^ *Peilup8 Ihe preceding Letter will .hew, which has the tho stroogrtt olaijii fo •.divioonrigjoal. Ihts ta a aQi^atioti wh4cbilie bible aioae caMoternOti.e, S49 III* rtt/otaMti«n; btptiom, till Ui^ nppearnnrp of the Ani«1>nch an opinion in reip^ct |o this ordinMieef ig not coDforiii»bt« t« the H«y A<;rlptMret.- From ibe above qnoUtlons ^imI ob»pr»atloovT Ihiok w« iiinst coocM«i th«t. af!«r an the a»«i till ^«on to which the opinlous of the aDcientt have been subj«ct< cd by i1io»e who hav* fnrnU1«pd you with yoor qnotafiftui., thne quQiftioiw them»«lvrthafe failed to prove that, " bi^ptism and immnflion are wpf4» ofthe Bame import ;*and that" sprirtklinj? is not baptiftn." T^e (|ii|Btat|qii ffopi Salhm^nn \k, lb my opinion, vni-y obji>ctionablr, aod ii oppoaed by OfMy work which bus eOnte nndrr ita'r ohaci vation,- the work from wbicb it Uf rofeseedljf taken not exc«ptftd. Iii tbefse vrords as quoted by Mr. Jodson and yonrjelf^tha words bnpria.'id and b^iprinkteri are opposed to eacbolbvr ; '* being besp;-ip^e4 not bapt'if'dt'' Thin Iran.tlation in opposed to that of Dr. Wall, ■■ given by; Mr. J.-1t i» opposed by tli« original, ^s be baa gi^eu it in his quotation (torn Dr. W.-rrltM opposed ..by lbs Englisb tianslation of iEust-bins.— Aiid it it o)\i^08«d |>>v .th4^9f Wi4lsiu8f invtb«e very section to whicb(4« hat referred. The qaot^tifku |[i^i, Ibis wo/)^, ^ it ^ppvi|i> in Mr, J.'s8eimof »;i8 in inverted comowl ?i» it appF^rs ii».(\Vbil^ins i hutas/a appears Iherf, ihft«lau«« to whiclil •bjeet, is f s > llp.wf, :, *\T!>%i^!V«i« >Jovjijtt»,i4>i#^i!chpe«»»fborived baptisas, lie Wat but bespi^iukled all oypr" The. prig\i^ i«. pot at.ji{l> inserted aa in Mr J.^ qn^t^t^on.; n first churifif that ever cajjlfd in qu^i^iou thp validity of anyci^ther mode but ImmerMbi/ T|^ia w^B.at the time that Npv^tQf nade a P>esby ter. ** For all the cl^rg^ and a great many of the laity, were against hllu being ordained Presbytei liiecan^e.jit wm nnt lawful^ they saf4«(i«r ai^y oaniwholiad been baptised in bed iu i^e ^nse o^nipkmssa as.ha ^d l^fegt^ bff admitted to any office of the elefr^^j £ ee Jikdsoii's S/eungjp0on for a Bishop of Rome. And 1»; wM,o«n? Py Novatus* viectioneet ini^ dpj^Ottont, Pope Cornitlins, wbo evidrntk iid not beiievo that he was af i^ji ^i||qf^|iftrd, even for the office of a Presbyiej in consequeoce of his having been hut tesprinkled." ' fie only retails a somi thing wbieh ** tbey said, that iJi,.Y,iEj{V, :djf rgy aiid some of the latty of Kom' When be gives his awn opinion it sea* that bis opponent ** bad be«n baptist d; and owed his want of qnalificatiou to his not baying been confirmed. It ' evideiit therefore that tho only disabilities inherited by this poor unfortonf Novatns, w<:re that in the estin^aiiqn of tbeclirgy, and spme of the Inity 4 iUme, ha was not qn^iifiadi for being mada presbyter, beeaust^ be hid' on' F2 Utt beiprioktod io th« time of •iekntii ; and, In the titimttlon of bic opponent , h« wM not qaalifled for th« office ofa Bitbop, bocaoie bo bod not received OonfiruMtion on hit r«eovery. Wb«D elibfr Mr J. or yonriolf hat proved that •11 wbo are uprioklcd, are«priakled oo a siippoied deatb bed, and will want to beatadePreabytertofRome; and ibatjf they •lioold recover tbey mait be ttonfirned iu order to qoalify them for the office of a Pope, or otberwise tbeir tbitaii when urged will be rejected, tbin will be a moderately good prefltdent ia all sach cases, but certainly in no other : aod yon will alto have proved ibat, the lo6uence of all such quotations as this, onglit not to be very poworlul nor yet very eatensive in a protestaot community. Are we to be sent to either tbe I Popes, the Clergy, or the people of Rome, to koow whether aprlnkling bo ibapUsm? If we are wo mu|t beg to bt excused for at leaal two reasons. JFirst : ** we have a more sure word of prophecy ^" and secondly : we have som« Ireaion to suspect that, this would be one of tbe worst sources of ** human lotbority." I must beg leave to think, that it is rather a credit than a disgrace ^tism by sprinklfaig, to be called in quest ioc by snob a people, noder such Biroumstances ; and that at a time tirben, in order to aceoaniodate the Pagans, Did ceremonies were asade as burdensome as possible, and new ooea were ihnost endlessly created,'whcn inconsequence the simple ordinances of the {oipel were becoming a yoke grievous to be borne. See Gregory's Christian Jbnrch Century 8, Chapter 2, where yon will meet with a number of ridicn* Ions ceremonies appended to baptism, which would disgrace any thing but an irdinance of God. If either of the practices for which I contend depended, ^ke th^ oppoiition to sprinkling, npon a tolitary instance* in the course of tho lird century, yon shon!d not be troubled with « single word from xne, on ither subject. In order to ouike the most of ibis ca^e Mr. J. has referred to and quoted it no lest than Ibnr times In the course ofa single page,, in bia lotatlons from different authors, and yon htve republished three of hit clta« [ons in a lest space of your Letters. Mr. JndMO is imitated by yonrself, in ** nddudog the practice of the Greek [bnrch, '* who certainly understand their natlTe language better than foreign. rs,*' as proof that immersion ii essential to baptism .—The signification of |*By the advocates of immersion, among both Poedobaptists, and Antipcedo* Miti»t**, we are referred also to tbe decree ot the council given above as uiotber' Hitance of oopoHition to sprinkling in tbe primitive Church. This council, [cording to Eusebin», sat in the year 811 ; and decreed, that " He who is httiaed whed sick, ought not to be made a priest;— unless his diligence and [elity do afterwards p<'ove commendable, or a scarcity of men fit for the offico require it" The decree of this conncil, inttead of proving that sprinklinf not eoDdidered baptism in tliose days, certainly rroves the e<^nf mry. for inknowled^es, that ihoAe who had been ** besprinkled." Itud h<'tn.'' baptized ^en sick ;*' and makes their incapacity to depend on tiieir roiniH^ to the th" beins ronsidered ** not voluntary, but from neceasity." IVben Mr. J. ' yourself will adipit the same, van will cease to rebaptiae those who liava. ^n baptized by tiprinkling What you ought to bring, is a decree to juatif/ • practice. A thing which all antiquity does not furnish. •••< reffcived • proved that «* ^»l want la ''oy mill be »'wIm their »«* prtflfdent f proved that, •warlal nor to either the prink ling be *• re«sooe. i^e have •oni* •' ** httmao « • disgrace » noder toeh the Pasint. «oe« wer« Acee of the • Christian r of ridiea. ling bar an depended, mm of the w XiEiOy oa eferred to r«« fn hit fbit eitn. rh« Greek n A>reifn. ication of kntjpeedo- •» aiiotb^r ' conncily p who ie -»ce and the offico Hinklinff fy. For •>ap02ftd : 'o iiiQ ,Mr. J. i|o have > jnstif/ •ordt/'MytBfr. Poad • trice in rverjr »ge.* Tbii remark If so commoDf and »« obvieutljr true, that lu«tencei to Juatif> it nevd not be addaced. The word h'8 Diet. A ihonsand instances might.be -pr> duced^n proof of the truth of ihia remark. "Language,** says the learnc jihuckford,** fvill always be in a flnctuating condition, according to the humoi of the age." « >^- •^o-^' i*'- tSee P. Clark's Scrip. Gronnds of Inf. Bap. p 126. tit ought not to be forgotien that Cypriitn, who is Mr. Jndson's authority < IhissubjectfObservt^stljat" God grants iudolgence" in this case. U'hat ci this expression mean, hut that, in his estimation, the mode of baptism was n dtelded by divine authority. See Calvin as above. 1958 to be tppliod exdujively to (lie node, tho icripturct Would csuitrain iii« MtMtftaliBgiy to deckro agtiott the practice of iuimer»ioD, for reaioji* wbich be^ebeeo already eMigned. ...,,..,.„ .«.<.*«k^ AiBOBg the ideal eilatCDcec to ubicbj'ou ba«e given birtb, I find tbe fellow iiig eounected with year objections against infant baptitai. Having suppeaed I t^t il le«d< Padobaptist parents to prevnai tlieir «hiidrMi» from ** o^eu;/ profesiiDg (he gosp«l, by " pnbliely coafeMing Christ before men •" wldcb, in iyoorestiaiatioDyit appears th«y cannot do but by joining your cooinitinity ; yuu represent tbeni as reanouiog wiib them to prevent their '* profMUii^i^ (he naina |«r the Trlntiy'by beirtg relMptised by the Baitiisis, and ^ay : ** TtinM »a^ne are ikeptio bondage by this reasuiiing all tlietr lives, ^nd. pievonted fruni acting jaccording to the dictates of tbrir own consciences and the word ofOtidL Some I^Uipioaiise the matter, and are immerspj in the name ofibe '{i'liaity, by a ^erion who never was imraersed himnelf, and who does not believe that it is the scriptnral mode of baptism." (p 28.) And pray, Dear Sir, where do you Idd those, who are snfficiently impious to ** iniiuerae another in the name of the ['riuity/' when they '^donot bnlieve" immeiHron to be a auripttiiul mode ^f tptisn f* If those persous to whom yon allude " do nut b«lieve it to be Ike trlptnral mode," they may believe it to be a " acriptoial mode of baptlHO ;" jlbaf is, they may belif ve that the apostles sometimes practised one mode and >metimes another, ab circumstances might require ; and you cannot prove that leir ideas are not correct : uor can you prove that such persons take the name ^C the Trinity in vain, when ihey ** immerse anolh«r" by proving ** ihat4nmer. fion is the scriptural modr of baptism /' or that, in order to imraeHw wiiltont ting guilty of the crime, a man ought to believe this, As to yonr idealrof iti< Mng necessary for a- person to be immersed himsrlf, in order tobii being laalified lo immerse others, I see nothing so difficnit in the case, that' a- young ^onvert most *' compromise the matter," with his own eonseieiice,. in order *o [is being profterly Immersed by a person who liad not beeu..ii|Li.uert|fd himaelf. [j*r bably if he had a little more light, and bad been baptized in infancy, bis mscicoce would be completely atrett: and if he had not, he might in my [pinion, very jnstiiiably be immersed by one of those, supposedly u'oqualified pdividoals. The idea which you have here advanced would makeit necessary It there sbo«ld'bave'be«n-a rpgnlar chain of adult immersions froib the days r^John the dipper," The antheicity, with which you snppose yourself ioVestcd tpvobliMyofankoredioderndate. ' fsiiali' rake the Uberty of repljring t6 tbTs irt'ofyopr^tters, rather more at large tb»»l!once intended. In a passage im Mr. PoKd,*" >r which we sHalt probably dircoVeV th]^'f<|phdat)6nof your ili(ic«ti6o toadmlififfer ** tbe scriptnral baptism." and froBt/vehlcb it wiH ipear that there is, in (he opinion of an authority of your owq, a cpaJHlririn thi^ ain of succession, v^ich certaiftly should exist unimpaired, ip order for fvnr ^hority to b,« to, of at l^afet'i^ten hundred years! The queUtion H4i lllowi.. ,0:; f'i «-i<' **» * ••*'^ "1" •J.- 1. *. - - •tti ('1 ii«||f>tll 953 <* Accdr.Iini< lo the |>riociplea of ADli))Qe«lol)ftptUti, tber« li »t preient no valid bapi inn III »ii« woHJ. That ittfitiil btplitiH l#i uAlKly, iUd tl»t tkoi*' vrlto h«v« retdiVfd no better ba^rtUm are oiiqhalifietf i« l^ayttia othcr% aiv* vrincipl^H whicb tbflte chriititniconi^ider MbtntUl to tbetr tytl^ia. II HdBdo* bii{*iiiitii niiniirmi tnot»ote to iaiBiCrHe cti»dfd»i(6« for eodinittBioO) tHKa* tmf> atK>r \tha pri^f iliin modf, Anti}i<«dubMr|rti8t(« alMiott ifivanablf re|iiy— '* Ydr o iiavr ifo'ii^iit to b)i|it{te— yon liav« oroi bieu ba|MisudfOitiA«W«*/' WiihtlMiia.* ill «iew,!»i MS look backontbe cbiirdli of Ood. Ueoi^diDf only a^faw' ceiiturlef^ and ii'oi a rlirHtiuti^vh bf) itiMctovcTfd en «aith, vtbo does not adlAir««id'|itiifc« liitf iDiMut iM)u »m. Dr. Gill acknowledges, ibal he was'* not able lo find outf laaiaiifo »i an opptoier of lnf«nt baplitin" iromtbe eleventh to the lottr^- ceniMiy. I iieiiupi>osilion,ib«refwte, ib<«t theie has been an unbroken ttiiamof- Mdult iiniiit^iiiitma, lioiii the ag? or ibe apoatles down to (he piesini, is jjerfecilj iaa(iiii:»»ibu.— 'ibf i>iiucI|>lesot our opponents Uia> now be readily tciiedy by an af^v'l'^'^''''" lu ilivt'tal*^** TUe U«ptiala in India ufford a taU exvai^l^* Tbtke ciiiisi.Hita have bec0 inini«'.r6«ti uu a piolftaiou o< tbeit taitb, and. by pe moiia vnUo were tbtiumelvea iinuteiked, on a atiniiar piolessiiou. i be> su^poaa lUerelurr, ibai (bey have b«s«n (inly ('aifdaed. But is thta ibt fuel r iUcvuiuK iu tt feUCccMtiuu, (bey luaittuiiy urrive a( a panud, wbeu, li ibtir iii>Ui«i-»tuu« aif uu( luiti, iliey wne adniioisif icd by (buar vtboiiAd iiu beiai ba^)(i6iu (ban (bat wbicb (hey received in int luauuily aiiive at a period^ wben^, acctfidtitg to tbeii- piuu:ip;fc9, ilicie vim tto %ttiid bapdaiu on itatib. Who, tbeiui La« repaiieo (be biuken cimiu^ Who bus nsiuieU (lie Iomi oidiuance ut Cb^ii^l^, How u he au(buriii«d (u bapiiae others who was never bapiiied bimscli i Aud il^. ha baptize uiberi witbuut autbority, niiiai not ibeir baptibin b«i as iitv%ltd aa bt&uwu.' — ia »bui-( ilitar piiiici^i«A destroy ibeiu.utvea. JiiK.y k|,4io u^illter iiieud noi loe. Ibtry uuctauicb not outy tiie rtkitiuc ut tUt cbji^iaiiwurld, bj( Ibe vtry peiiouk wbu pioiet>8 to enibiace ibens. Act ui ding to theae p.rin^ LipleMyCbriHt ban not bevn liaiibiul to bis woid. Me iiuiuiatd tu be alwa^a^ with bis uiinidteis in the adnnuisiiaitou ot btt^itiHui '* iVtn tu the endoftb^, wurlU." (Match, kxviii. 20.) 'ibe worl4 atill iciuaiits, but bapii6UJ bas cea«eti. 'l'b« oidiuauce in loht, and nu msu can rfAture it. it ntwr lau be again. adiuiuiiii«it-d III! ibe irud ot (lutf, imititb iite iitad at' (bt cuuicii u fitaatid tu ap^var again, audgiaui n uvmh i:on»iUi»kt\tu to Uib aiuuaatiauuii* uu caiiii.-~V^«/4f^ se^iteucub bO awlul evince (be falteLuud ut (ii<<8e piiiicipieti tiuiu vb.cb ibiy, are dctivtd. 'ibey teacb ut (be uectabity ui atiiieiiiig lu lue pfuprieti lOt aud vahduy of infant l>aiiiiani. ^^ ^ •* j -v v •-. -.*.,.,. " The force of (bis aigiiiuent sttu.s, at one time, to hb\e teen particularly felt by tlip celebrated Mr. Ruger Williams. It is well known, that after the, arrival of t>>i8 pM«un at Providence, he lenoucted bis baptioni— wa» le uap. tiatd by one ul hit) company— livliu in reiniu, together wiib a unuibei of olheis, was baptized by hiin. This was the origia of the first Bapr^t ^nu.. , ^ukh probably everexlsied in America. But Mr. Williaiusdta kj hn^t i«.iiiain •atibfied with these proceeding!. He told hia bretbtew, <♦ iL«i h« >a» out of S54 tlM way ktoiMlf, tod k>d oiiileiftheu ; for be clid not find thai tbere wu any vpon earth that could admioUter baptUm ; and therefore their laat baptiim wa« » nnllity aa well as their first ; and ibey iBu«t lay down all, aod watt for ibe tfoniDgof new apoAtlet.' (New Enghiad'i AKmorial. ttce aUo UiitcbUea'a Hiat.of Mats, vel.i.p. 42 ;" Pood pp. 120« 1X8.)— Query. Was not this (be •rigbiofthe Baptifet Cbarches Id these pioviuces, aud cousequeatly of your boasted aatborily to admioister ** the scriptural bsptiniu ?' ■ Year reowrhs on the cpocludiug pans of my Lu iters in the language of Dr. Pwight arc certainly not of sufficieut iniportauee to occupy our atteutiou with * particular review. I was, in his language, reasouing with Hosdubapiisti, aud if thry cannot, at leaet to their own satistaction, trace iutaot baptism to the same ranrce to which they trace the Lord's supptrr, they are insincere, not (o aay criminally impious in their proceedings. *' Whatever may be the ground •f the distinction" which some of them make betwe«n the two ordinances, it is not owUig to a want of a conviction of it^ divine origin aud auibentifc)« Infancy."— Mr. E then « iila»trate« lliit by (akinf • rttw ofrircotncition,and ofonr tiori^'tcdininaBd (obit apottiM, to nake di»e|pt«t^ Mholarn, or learn^rn, of all nations ; by (he latter of which ba tays ba was led ta tiiin view of (he inbjeef.— *' Aeeordinj; to It, and to (hl«Jie obierveg oar Lord'a words na(nrally refer, there appearfinot ortly a grandenrof detifD, but likewlM an exact dymmetry in (he different dl4i»rns»({on« of Oo^; I nean that attentioo to the rinini; off^prin;, which bad ihewn itself ia a forawr diapoDsatioo, antf no donbt in nil. <* Viewing bap(l«m as IntrodnclnKinfandimo a visible itata of 4i«elpleablp^ wp are (o con«ider others an tearbem and overlookers of theio diselprcs : Aad— If our views terminate (here, alas ! what is it ? Infaat sprink* Hng only, the baptism of a habv. Things that are little io thensolves, beeooia greet by thnir ronnezion with, and relarion to, others. We aee ao infant baptized.-* What does it import ? He is received into disciplasbip, i.e. to be a •ebolar in a christian school— Now carry yonr views Into (be depar(ment of parent*, paHlor^, deact^ns, and members ; and listen to the silent langoage of (his iostitntion. Parent^.paitors, and people pray for os ;dnrlnf.onr tender infancy, pray for ns.4od when matured by age, eanse the doctrino which yon profetf to drop noon us 04 the ralo.to distill asdew,as theiinall rain npoiitho tender barb and as the showers npon the grass. Watch over n* with ooited care, and bring n* np in the nnrtnre and admonition of the Lord." It is a dispensation grand and merciful, and is calculated more powerfnily to tnrn the attention of men (0 the eoncernn of those who are rising into life, and posting into eternity. *' There U one fanit among otheri in the Baptist system, that 't places (he riding Kcneration so entirely out of sight I do not mean that r them, whii r<»<»f»*'rt (o ih«»ir p»rtrn?<, niu) Iikfwi«tf tiieir ciirinlian l«*arniii!;. Tn slioit tiio wtiole t«)iOiiie 41 ctiiiicti business, tngnlated )n the manner of doing accordiog to the wiixlom of each chHstiaii •ociety. For a^ the infant is received by the church as a disciple iu its baptism , ^hechnrch becomes bonnd to regard the infant as such ; and to see (bat It is 7 J I"'..;; - 256 tr(>»tfd«iiiM^^I«r,ofphri9t, To all fliis, It Ji R**'tt,M»-e.>* lecoroe» grtmly ioiporti^t, as iiji tf.a4^pcy in iip.iir^^vr ^luiCMref ;|n«|j^ir»ye^s^o/ (V.* wM^'.cUri^sfiiia church t9w«|-,<}» Jbe r^ijugKj;«yeia. UflH." rh, you take np my argnnienfa, repr^Mnt them fairljr to tlie world, an-d then attempt their refatation : — prantie<>a which von have hnt too mnch nee^ectod in your reply to ^f former Letters. Another thing which appeam d<>»iraMe ia that, ntfie^ yncy of comtnon senae, to' lead them to con'cTnde in yonr favour wit'/iont iirrferring those ehargts, and nsing tiione words, whi«1i have only a tevlency to evcite onchristlah dispositions In the minds of both friends and foea. On these terms I shall have no ohjeetions to oontinqe the controversy, aq I am neither destitute of that good opinion of the cause which t advocate, or of foipe dejrree ofthat disposition to defend it, whicl: whicl^ you have rxpre*/ie.d, ip the UegiiMiiug of your firMt Letter, in rvferenc^ to tjhe canse which yop h^ire ct^pouHed. I b&ve also to request tbkt you will not accouu,troe'*y9.ur enemy i>«cause I teVi| yo^i" what I consi'ler'' the troth'.'* I feel \\n\ I love all wbQ lovf our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and belitving jfon to. be OLict of ttie lipni^er,! beg leave to subscribe niystslf Dear Sir, Your., very affectionalelvj 5 M»fwt#tfnu i;f:ORGB J\CK80N. *ln Komeof ihf qiiuiations wliirli I have ititipduc^d %au will .^itd a foiK S'lnilar |>br4i>es to ttiosc to wb'Cii I ber«> ailiide I have inyi(«lf a^ aver)>ion to •very thing ot ill* i^iitd in all c()utrovei<«ie4, anri espectaily (lioKe on re)iii|ict!i. It wa» only « wiiib, to.give the ••'utiroeiit* of liie Hiitliots ftom wtraia 1 quoted entiie, ^ud in llieir own UiittiMij'^ whuh led me lu inam iliuse e^prefftipnv. 1 bavf eiideitvouied tu avo>4 t(ie>." m my own i>iirAfteoiogy,«Hd I ho^e you will not ciierg^t n(<> with tlie fnulin nf nil»«-ra. On the subject ut'garbied qnotNttoni*, I oteattall (but i liavf said, e)iti.i.wn I^UKuage or i^yt of oiiiers. A le^atd j^p truiU requires tliat th * ^ractici) bUoolii ba censured, au^d forsaken, FINIS. ',/ - ' of ilis^c:^!««li|p f^intfitwi ♦' j. .■ it.,I-writ« " la M iiv4cir«i|P« of i« being kaown . bur tifte pMge, r if, Ittttcad of u takr np my :)ieir refaution : 1y to \ki former yon (^h snc- im^lt of your f! aftPO to I nam iliusc lirnHeolon.v,""'! J jnbjcct otgarbJed 11110490.01 i^«t of ' be c«n»uied, ai^l » (I ii It (( « a (I «« It i( it ti (t it (t ti u It ieotly not only at varUia<*o, read thoytro oat only-freqnentiy ut variance, fte. 30, omit tbe word wbick. S6, omit tbr word tbat. ST, tor are, read were.- t(, for e&pire, read expired. S7, tor tban, read nor. 4,tromtb«' bottom, tor, the covenant of elrcumeifioo, rtid tk* covenant. 13, line 20, for tbat yon ai#>an. read tbat yon ought to mean. ^ 14. last line, for witb the biatorjf, r^ad bv th*- history. 29. first line, oi tbe note, for bath, read leoth. SI, line 6, lor debtor to tb« whe^ law, re«d debtor to do, Ac 2f, " 4 'ram the bottom, for mntt be calculated, r<^d it aina^AQ. 30, ** %(Mor, These covfuanta, read l^f Corner covenants. 36, lines 9 and 10 from the bottom^ ft^r tjiey err, thfy did orr. -^^ 37, last line, OQiit thi word-both. ^" 38, first lint, fir, the Old and New T^ttament, read the New Testament. 43, l>n<- 14, tor body wss, rr«d bcdies were. 44, *' 5 trom tbe bottom, for the former covenants, read the fonper and the Kiesent roveuanis 45, lines 1 1 and 12, for until tbe christian dispensation was established aftei the days of Abrah«m, read aft<;r the days ot Abraham, until the christian dispensation was established. "' 40, Iltie 6, for I have doue, read ai» I hav<» dope. .- u . 47, '* Sa, for an ordinance, read as aa ordinance. >^- 48, Note, tor more susnccted, read more than snspacted* 3, Note, for by denial of the tratb, by adenialof ihetrath. 1 1, Note, for ihrir own, read the most. 3, from tht bottom, tor la, read On. i, for rested, read vested. 0, tor rest, read vest. at, for that state, read a state of malnrify. I, for petty, read pithy. 3, tor so, 7ead such, i 1, for fi'4(i there commanded, can yon giv*, /ad ^od then oon* mauded i Can you give, Ac. 5, for Matt, read Marii. 28, for Matt, rrsd Mark. ^ ■ 6. t'oraotuns, riad Kslous. . ., >., >' 9,fromibeboilom,tbr bis, read this. .://.' ., f 4, from the bottom, omit the words, wbiek eSI^ he, 11, tor Hall read Wall. 22, aid, hot indirectly, 26, for addresseo, read, addressed. 119, for ibese, rrari, the extiaordiiiary. 48, •• 49, *• t. t( 5«, " 63, « vi 64. 60, 67, 58, 69, 60, 66, urpr>sed It being requested to correct tbe above errata. It is tea>ed tbat this sise of Itbi type, will, a-* on a former occasion, form a grouud of complaint : but the priDter did 001 possexs a sufficiency of a larger site, and therefore the author'a deiirr to gratify his readers iu this narticalar, could nut he complied with. Aq entire want of Greek types, has rendered it necessary tw prim th« Orffii words, which oecasioaaily oocnr, la their corraspandlog JBaghsii chn* ^icters. 1'^ I'age 79, line 27, read, for If n«rf nts «««♦, (berAfer* , be circnmrinf d, bf caose they ntp ii)(Tlii«i«(i in tii'^ |m .^nme, (hrn, a.4 infant* are alio incin ieJ in tlie )iroini4'. ihey 'o » miiBt be circamcisftcl.'''^ > 16, for that a. tootles, roati, thai )he apoBtles. f . (< iifSR, 29, f'»r iiron-lvie, read, |»r<»«ely (esR. frM h", read, Mad 89, 16 line for PviboHess, read Pythoness, 23 " foraid.rrpd, r ad Midict. '•«' ^ '«»* • 1^ «i Hi! i-j I*'- !• 9(». 91, 12 •' 29 ■ .*♦,. "^ '"'f Hi' <'I •* *•' VJ0 fin* k>.v «( (i « (I «l <( <: <( >( *t i< •( «( It (1 i( *( oniH the w'nds, b'H onlv in the exj>er bai>ii2'itg ot jubn'si diAr iole» u<n*^'i . for thfir, read there. for neither tfinppral, read neither the temporal. tram the bcittoni, for tlie bantiftni of samaria, read the bapliMmut the women of Samaria. !;.-.,, from the bottom, tor is, read was. * •»''? rivi; t. , j t. for follows, r ad follow. J'w ' wi'«M'|,«iu . o> noW, for with, re.»d worth.' 15 5, l-if>t line, for, aitd I snppose, read to lead vonr readers to suppose. 15«, 23 ' * ' . .. - . " i\9, 10 '« 102. 8 *' ina. 9 ** 100, 6 *• 111, 3 " 112, U " 113, 9 " 111, 12 " 129, 14 " r.;;J. 27 ** 140, 4 « lii. 10 " 153. 34 151, 1 If (( i( (( t{ t( ' K (( a it <( « It « " 2 162 9 Kit, 20 His. !7 172 173, 17t 17(i, 177, for r-Kistii*, read defliens. in't.u^ for vrhicb the, read which that of the. i/f et- from the botioif.,for Fourthly, read Thirdly,. ' . 11 " for reHoh, read aeareh. « " for nnc^^naliy, lead nsually, < i.;,^^, ..»,, ,;,on ,.i, 22 " for made, read rai.sed •' ' 'f/.-.i , 1 " omit the word>, let him ba bapi:;ed. 8 " of note, for even, read ever. '* 3 " from th« bottom ot note, for RiidoMa, ren •• Endonia. 17S, M ** from the bottom, for piitpahie, read palpable. ^* 2 " do do fur proft^niRionai, read biogia|thic«L 179, 20 " for repntations, read refutations. 191. 12 " for battle, read bottl*". ,». 198, 9 ** from the l-.oitom, for snifered, read supposed. '.,; 203, 6 *< 01 note, for antbor, read editor. 20K, 14 ** for Drink, read DrinkiUK. '< lant line for or, read nor. •' 207, 2 " *' 216, 2 «♦ '< 220, 17 *' 225, 10 '•. 240. 15 " 228, 9 u .« g " 238, 24 " 24r>, 7 '• 24«, 8 <« « it it tl for or, read nor. .{i**' ^|f•tt i!^!^ ,,.' ,{| nf»euood paragraph, for you, re^d your.()' «» » .ti Vv for ottonld, i«'a .'Ati '. . for or, read nor. from thf tioMom, for having, read have. from the botroin, for or^ read nor. for raUed, read dead for rliiiirk, read cliuirks. from the bottom, lor or, read uor. 1 4 ioi tJJe i« » *«iii «■. at..nM,« Mt, .n..t>: -rf* tH«,;.a!*, t ,5,^; « .o^»•)«^jaiiti^it* .Mt?: - •"'"■''^■♦l 4i|ll tU iilbM*; ,t'/t y»i #»«i. »rt)tn «?M .fi»»- v »« ; t»»»i* »»t*o tlHi3i«4^)|aii,tt»v«'»''d^JJi 'I! 1MB ?1i: 3 l« iriii«d, became ifant* are also ircomcisfed. if '^ *♦... ■■*' n •» .•• «• of bin apjvearing. ht, read, The re- tiziDg. '' ^ date. ^- ' -T, ^ '-- » .- .; i'\ poral. amaiia, read the :? fcfiv I • 'f. .if leri to suppose. ^i •»«>■ J) 'T ■ "■ ' '!4 •jr>%^',iJf ' -f C54- ; ■ t ■t^" -^ ly, * ,8 ■' _ *-' .-..t.^-;!' ' •*\ ■ ;r- ■ ' ' t .-v. : *: * "'^' ■^" A- ^- ; ■• . <^ i t'V i- • «» ?> •rV- ^ Endoxia. able. ogiajthical. '« it ■^ ' V. osed. A ,'< V-, ' ."'M*V'»'>'t <^ >■ '(^ ' ■ »'' J uffe . * ,1- <. ■' *H '«;. J 1..'- * id'. »•*-««,«$: tr ,. •Uta< us <» ;?^T' ' 'iii iy' .f 's; ' M t-?^ \ -._v_^ 's • *♦* i«Mv'«^ » -ilrtiiiitt "- *•' t: .. -'»»** » •»■< M i< * <■• . '! - ft '-"SMQ s ft> . 6 i»", »i 3j*}>1. 1 .fci-if!