God. In his after days, the recollection of it served as an incitement to newness and vigour of life, and to maintain the honour of his Lord in every department of his ministry. And, as ministers, I am persuaded, that we also, may reflect upon our baptism for the most valuable purposes, and especially to promote a happy ministerial union among ourselves, as well as with the people of our respective charges.

I shall close this discourse with a few addresses.

It is possible that there may be some in this assembly who may have been in the habit of attending the administration of baptism for no other purposes than to gratify a vain curiosity, or to indulge their ridicule. Too much like some in the days of Job, They say unto God, Depart from us: for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him. (Job xxi. 14, 15.) This is that spirit of infidelity which pervades the minds of too many in the present day; and although they would not dare, publicly thus to set their mouths against the heavens, yet their disdain and ridicule of the word, and worship of God, sufficiently indicate that the same criminal and unhappy spirit prevails in them, though exhibited in different shapes and colours. Should there be one such person present, all that is necessary for me to say to him on this occasion is, that, the next time you attend the adminis tration of baptism, you will bear in remembrance that Christ hath taught us to baptize in water, because it is the most expressive emblem of his death and resurrection to save us from our sins, and to deliver us from the wrath to come. The person baptized, therefore, testifies the guilt of his sins, and that he has fled for refuge to the arms of his Saviour, and, from gratitude, publicly devotes himself to his honour and service. Do you despise this Saviour, and are offended at him? Then, when you again attend a baptism, let the water remind you of the wrath of God against sin and sinners. This, I say, is only an emblem, through which the person passes, and is raised up again. To a man who dies finally impenitent, the

scriptures declare, that the wrath of God shall burn like fire; not to be endured by the condemned sinner for a while and then raised up again: but there to abide in misery, as long as the righteous shall enjoy the felicity of heaven. Good God! Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isa. xxxiii. 14.) Thoughtless sinner, let these reflections find a place within your breast; and may powerful grace lead you to the feet of Jesus, before you are summoned by death to stand before the throne of his judgment! As ministers it is our impe rious and delightful duty to proclaim from the gospel, that Jesus is able to save to the utmost, all them that come unto God by him. Paul acknowledged himself to have been a blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious; but he obtained mercy, because he did it ignorantly, and in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord Jesus was to him exceeding abundant. May the Saviour bestow the same grace upon you, change your heart, prevent you from destruction, and direct you into those paths which will conduct you into everlasting felicity.

As Christian persons may be present, who choose to differ from me, on the subjects, and the mode of baptism, I presume they may not be displeased on hearing a few sentiments on the reasons for our difference. I am compelled to confess, that, on the subject of baptism, the acrimony of controversy, on both sides, has been much sharper than on most other subjects which might be named. What I know, and for many years have professed in this article of my faith, has been derived alone from the pure Gospel, independent of men, or religious denominations. And although, for conscience sake, I am obliged in this instance to differ from many valuable Christians; yet for them, I possess the warmth of friendship. The Bible is as free for you, as it is for me. The right of search, and of private judgment, are sacred. We live in a happy country, where every man is at free liberty to profess. his faith, and to worship in that manner, which he thinks, is most agreeable to the will, and to the word of his God, without molestation. You have this morning sat with candour

and attention, while I attempted to direct my brethren in the different ways in which they are bound to improve their baptism; and which, you must be convinced is a part of my duty. In the point in which we conscientiously differ from you, we confess that it by no means arises from a principle of neglect to infant children. We love our children with tender affection. It is our labour, as parents, to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and, we are confident, that as they advance in life, their morals are by no means worse than the children of others. By prayer we carry our children to the throne of Jesus, pleading that he may lay his hands upon them, and bless them. As their As their age and reason advance, we lead them to the House of our God, where they hear the rich Gospel of his grace; and to many of them, it has become the power of God to their salvation, and to the joy of our hearts. But, from a firm persuasion that the institutions of Jesus Christ are both rational and spiritual, and therefore must be spiritually discerned, we deem our children improper subjects for baptism until God, by his Spirit and truth, shall enrich them with faith and love in the Lord Jesus. We also consider a profession of religion as a personal act; and as we cannot find a command from our Lord, that we should baptize our children, or promise therein to God on their behalf while they are destitute of active reason and faith; we think it would be criminal in us to impose a sacred rite upon them without their knowledge or consent. For, indeed, they could not afterwards know it, but either by record, or by hearsay; consequently, they would be incapable to improve such baptism to their personal advantage. Besides, if we introduced our infant children to baptism, and afterwards by catechism, or other ways, instructed them that they, in their baptism, became regenerate, and were made the children of God; we should have no confidence to assure them in the words of the Saviour, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; for there cannot be two spiritual births.-These are some of our candid and firm reasons, why, in conscience

we differ from you, who maintain a contrary opinion and practice. With Norman therefore we assure you, that

""Tis not as led by Custom's voice

We make these ways our favour'd choice,

And thus with zeal pursue:

No, Heaven's eternal sovereign LORD
Has, in the precepts of his Word,
Enjoin'd us thus to do."

I impose not my principles upon you. Judge, and act for yourselves. On all sides it is acknowledged, that frequently the beauty and harmony of divine truth, let it be upon what point it may, lies concealed from our eyes, either from prepos session, the habits of education, or for want of search and investigation, under the teachings of the Holy Spirit. As this is a possible case, I cannot better conclude this address to you, than by expressing my affectionate wish, that you make your Bible the subject and standard of your faith and practice; and that the Spirit of God may guide you into the knowledge of his truth, and then act accordingly in the sight of HIM to whom alone we are accountable.

My last address will be to you, my brethren, who this morning were BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE Father, and OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST; and who, in the afternoon of this day, are to be received into the Christian fellowship of this church. On your breasts, the words of my text should make the most indelible impression. In the presence of God, angels, and men, you have professedly been baptized into Christ, and have put on Christ. What a privilege! What an honour! What obligations have you laid yourselves under to serve your Lord, in body, soul, and spirit through the rest of your days. As his disciples, you have now taken np your cross to follow him as your example, shepherd, and friend. The journey of life, at the very best, is arduous. Pray that God may help you to Keep your hearts with all diligence, for out of them are the issues of life. What enemies may hereafter assail you: forget not, that your great

est foes lay within your own breasts. Bishop Hall, in his contemplations on the baptism of your Lord, very justly says, "No sooner was he led up out of the water of baptism, than he was led into the fire of temptation." In your measure, you must expect the same; for the disciple is not above his Lord. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; and, for your encouragement, keep in remembrance, that his banner over you is LovE. Those who by advanced age, and long combat, have borne the heat and burthen of the day, cannot, but upon such an occasion as the present, have the most tender feelings for young disciples. Take therefore my admonition as from a Father. Some of you may be spared many years for public usefulness; and others, cut down by death in the very bloom of your profession. Both the world, and the church, will have their eyes fixed upon you. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Thus, like the baptized Eunuch of old, may you go on your way rejoicing, until you pass the valley of the shadow of death, and join the celestial throng in heaven, who, in the highest strains sing unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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THE END.