“ In the character of the sinner's substitute, he obeyed the law in all it precepts: he magnified it and made it honourable, and brought in an everlasting righteousness, in which Jehovah is well pleased, and by which the ungodly are justified. The Lord knew the hearts of his disciples, he knew how readily they might forget him and his work,—and be knew also, that unless they kept them in memory, they neither would live by him nor to him; therefore he appointed this ordinance, not for any complex or mystical design, but, simply as a remembrancer of his dying love. ”

“ To seek for the mode of baptizing where it is not so much as spoken of, is a strange way of establishing a plain institution, and shows the sophistry that is necessary to support an unfounded practice.
Having considered the Mode and Subjects of Baptism, we come now to shew what is its import and design,—and this is a branch of the subject but too little attended to. The universal practice of sprinkling infants, with the arguments used in support of that human inventions have, in a great measure obscured its signification ”

“ Prayer is also a solemn service, inasmuch as it is an address presented unto God in the name of Christ, the great High-priest and Advocate, through whose mediation alone there is access unto the throne of grace with acceptance. ”

“ Christians are members of civil society, and ought to be useful and exemplary in the discharge of their duties which belong to their different stations and relations therein. But the separation from the world which the word of God enjoins Christians, is to break off all religious connection with such as do not appear to be real believers in Christ, and subject to his authority, — having a form of godliness but denying its power. ”

“ That it is a solemn institution no believer will question; for every service connected with the duty and worship we owe to God as our Creator, our preserver, and merciful redeemer, must be solemn and important; but it will be found, that in so far as we exalt any particular religious duty, we are very much in danger of depreciating others. The Lord's Supper has been distinguished as the most solemn approach to God, as a sealing ordinance, or devoting ourselves to the Lord, Nothing of this kind is indicated in the Scriptures. ”

“ Jesus says, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God." From this it is argued, that since the infants of believers belong to the kingdom of God, they must have a right to baptism. But this passage; does not distinguish the infants of believers from those of infidels, nor conclude for the baptism of the one more than the other. The kingdom of god to which little children are declared to belong, is his real invisible kingdom, which will not truly appear until Christ’s second coming ”

“ If we consult the word of God, we shall find that this divine ordinance is intended to be a sign of regeneration, or that the person baptized is born of the Spirit. Jesus says to Nicodemus,—Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Water here undoubtedly means the water of baptism for it is distinguished from the Spirit; so that to be born of water, is to be baptized, even as to be "born of the Spirit," is to be regenerated ”

“ Those who through the Spirit believe the gospel of the grace of God, are furnished with the most solid grounds of thankfulness, gratitude, and joy; and singing is not only the natural expression of these happy and devout affections, but also the appointed means of exciting and strengthening them; and in so far as believers attend to this and every duty He hath commanded, in the way appointed in His word, in so far will they experience the accomplishment of the Promise, "Lo I am with you alway." ”

“ This language is borrowed from the law, and is designed to shew that in Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth, every prefiguration of him is fulfilled; that the Israelites had the shadow, but that christians have the substauce. To contend that the mode of baptism is to be sought for in the language of the law, figuratively applied to the sacrifice of Christ and its glorious effects, is as absurd as to seek for the living among the dead. ”

“ They not only held fast the doctrine which the apostles taught them, but constantly attended to their public ministry, that they might be further confirmed and edified in these things connected with the faith, hope, and practices of the Gospel; and to this end the Scriptures were regularly read in their assemblies. Preaching and expounding the world was another means of edification, and was the proper work of elders or pastors ”

“ As the unbelieving party is sanctified, or made holy, only in respect of her being a lawful wife to the believer, so the children can have no holiness in consequence of this, but that of being a lawful issue, which affords no argument for their baptism. ”

“ Philip and the eunuch had already come unto a certain water, we are told, "they went both down into the water," that he might baptize him; and when this was performed, "they came up out of the water." Now there was no need for much water, or going down into it, in order to pour or sprinkle a little of it on the face. [2]
We shall now briefly enquire to whom this ordinance is to be administered. That only believers of the gospel are the proper subjects of baptism, appears evident from the words of the commission given to the apostles: There you will notice, that teaching precedes baptism ”

“ Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together; but exhorting one another. [51] None of the members who have any gifts are exempted from this duty, except women who are enjoined to keep silence in the churches. ”

“ In their fewness and simplicity they correspond with the spiritual nature of the Messiah’s kingdom, and with its designed universality. Few and simple as they are, however, they have been much misunderstood and grossly perverted by the greater part of professing christians, This has in a great measure arisen from not seeking information as to the mode and import of christian ordinances in the New Testament, but in the Old; and this has been particularly the case in respect to Baptism. ”