CHAPTER III.

TESTIMONY FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

SECTION I. The Baptism which followed Peter's Sermon

II. Baptism of Simon Magus and others, at Samaria

III. Baptism of the Eunuch

IV. Baptism of Paul

V. Baptism of Cornelius

VI. Baptism of Households

VII. The Disciples at Ephesus

CHAPTER IV.

TESTIMONY FROM THE EPISTLES.

90

93

95

100

141

SECTION I. Circumcision

-

II. Jewish Proselyte Baptism

III. Children of Believers "holy."-Children blessed

by Christ." So shall He sprinkle many Na-

tions"

CHAPTER VI.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.-MODE OF BAPTISM.

SECTION I. On the right use of Church History

147

160

IV. The "Ordines," or Ritual Regulations for the

Administration of Baptism

V. Invariable and unaltered practice of the Greek

and other Eastern Churches

SECT. VI. Origin and progress of Pouring and Sprinkling

VII. Admissions of Pœdobaptist Ecclesiastical Histo-

rians and Divines

CHAPTER VII.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.-SUBJECTS OF BAPTISM.

SECTION I. Importance of fidelity in Historical Research-

Distinction between Inspiration and Tradition

II. Religious and moral character of the early ages

191

197

209

215

226

IV. Baptism in the Apostolic age, or First Century 230

V. Baptism in the Second Century

VI. Third Century-Infant Baptism first discovered

in Africa

VII. Baptism in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries

VIII. Baptism as practised by the Churches never in-

volved in the Great Apostacy

CHAPTER VIII.

236

258

267

281

SECTION I. Preference of Forms to Spirituality

II. Doctrines of the necessity and efficacy of Baptism

to regeneration, and remission of original sin

III. Doctrine of the damnation of unbaptized Infants

CHAPTER IX.

CEREMONIES ASSOCIATED WITH INFANT BAPTISM.-INFANT COM-

MUNION.

SECTION I. Ceremonies used in the Baptismal Service of the

CHAPTER X.

THREE BAPTISMS. BAPTISM OF THE APOSTLES, OF THE

PHILOSOPHY OF BAPTISM; OR MORAL TENDENCY OF BELIEVERS'

AND INFANT BAPTISM COMPARED.

SECTION I. Moral influence of Baptism on the evidence and

character of Christianity as a system of Divine

II. Moral effect of Baptism on the individual bap-

353

PREFACE.

THE author of the following pages lays no claim to skill in the apologetic art; and is therefore happy that its exercise is not required on the present occasion.

The volume now offered to the public has been urgently demanded. This demand has been made by the people of his charge; to whom, under Christ, (and to whom alone,) he owes spiritual obedience: it has been also urged by his brethren in the ministry by whom he is surrounded-primitive episcopi; primitive in the extent of their labours-the simplicity of their living— and the devotedness of their sacrifices; and to them he offers these pages as the best proof of his high esteem and fraternal affection.

The author is aware that the impression exists in the minds of some of his brethren, that the baptismal question has been adequately discussed, and is in all its important evidences and bearings well understood by the members of our denomination generally. He apprehends, however, that this impression is not well founded. The learned works of those venerable men concerning whom we have to say, "The fathers, where are they?" testify to the enlightened and laborious zeal of a former age. Their valuable works are, however, in possession

of very few; it is long since they have been reprinted,* nor have any volumes been issued, calculated to supply their place in the polemic literature of the denomination. They are indeed too voluminous and expensive for general circulation; and it is the design of the present volume, to place within the reach of every member of our denomination, and every inquirer after truth, in a condensed form, and with a lucid arrangement, the information the treatises of those able advocates of the truth contain, as well as to disperse abroad the important additional light which recent investigations have thrown on this interesting branch of ecclesiastical history.

In numerous local contests, very valuable "Sermons” and "Replies" have been issued from the press; as the productions of his highly esteemed brethren, Elders W. F. BROADDUS and R. B. C. HOWELL, and many others with whom the author has not the pleasure to be personally acquainted, testify. The following pages will also show that the author has not been unmindful of the acute and talented Replies of PROFESSOR RIPLEY and the late MR. JUDD. Nor would he omit to mention the admirable tract of PENGILLY, which has been extensively circulated. The reasons for their change of

a The re-publication of some of them has recently been commenced under very respectable auspices.

Letters to the Rev. Mr. Slicer, in reply to his Appeal on Infant Baptism.

• Three Sermons on Baptism.