place, to make to stand,"-and as the Greek word (Barrisw) which is used by the apostles, ranges in its meaning from drowning, suffering shipwreck, dipping, wading, washing, and pouring, to the gentle falling of dew,* so that meaning should be chosen, which best sets forth the design of baptism, which is a symbol of purification.

And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.-Acts xxii. 16.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.)-1 Peter iii. 21.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.-Titus iii. 5.

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.-John iii. 25, 26.

2. The actual baptism of the Spirit, which was promised by Christ, and is represented as having been poured on the disciples.

And being assembled together with them, commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me,-For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.-Acts i. 4, 5.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy.-Acts ii. 17, 18; cited from Joel ii. 28, 29.

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath SHED FORTH this, which ye now see and hear.-Acts ii. 32, 33.

*In the Septuagint the root of this word is used in Dan. iv. 33, "His body was baptized with the dew of heaven."

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost FELL on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was POURED OUT the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter.-Acts x. 44-46.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost FELL on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.-Acts xi. 15, 16.

3. The description given of the baptism of the Israelites.

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.-1 Cor. x. 1, 2.

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.-Exod. xiv. 22, 29.

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid; the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. -Psalm lxxvii. 16, 17.*

4. Various rites of purification which were performed by pouring or sprinkling, are reckoned among Jewish baptisms.

Which (tabernacle) was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience: which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings (in the original "divers baptisms") and carnal ordinances imposed on them, until the time of reformation.-Heb. ix. 9, 10.

And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel : and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave: And the clean persons shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the the third day and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify

* Vide President Edward's Notes on the Bible.-Psalm lxviii. 8, 9.

himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.-Num. xix. 17-19.

And he shall take of the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat.-Lev. xvi. 14, 15.

And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.-Lev. xiv. 7.

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.-Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26.

Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath injoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. -Heb. ix. 18-21.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh.— Heb. ix. 13.

5. Baptism was always administered immediately after preaching during the days of the apostles; and as pouring is a mode perfectly safe-expeditious-and universally practicable, it was most probably employed.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.Acts viii. 12, 13.

:

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.—Acts

ii. 41.

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptizedwhich have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he

commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.-Acts x. 47, 48.

And he (the jailer) took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his STRAIGHTWAY.-Acts xvi. 33.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.-Acts xix. 5.

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

This ordinance was appointed by Christ, to be observed by his people in commemoration of his death, as a fact in which they are deeply interested; was intended to exhibit and encourage union among his followers; and is to be perpetuated until his second coming.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks he brake it, and said, Take, eat this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do show the Lord's death till he come.-1 Cor. xi. 23-26.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are one bread and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.— 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

1. The celebration of this ordinance consists in partaking of bread and wine, which emblematically set forth the broken body and shed blood of Christ.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

2. The persons who are entitled to enjoy this privilege are such as understand the nature of the ordinance—and give satisfactory evidence of their love to Christ, by their obedience to his commands and attachment to his people.

Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.-1 Cor. xi. 27-30.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. -1 Cor. x. 21.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.-Acts ii. 42, 43.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.— 1 Cor. xii. 26, 27.

3. The periodical observance of this institution, which, in the days of the apostles, seems to have been weekly, appears, from the absence of direct precept, to be left to the zeal and wisdom of the church.

And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.-Acts xx. 7.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.-1 Cor. xi. 26.

4. Diligent self-examination and earnest prayer are necessary to prepare for a right and profitable enjoyment of this means of grace.

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.-1 Cor. v. 8.