t

tized with the baptifm of repentance, fay ing unto the people, That they should believe on him who fhould come after him." It would: feem that, Paul then explained to them Jefus Chrift; for "When they heard this" (that is, as we must fuppofe, Paul's "expla nation of Chrift), "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jefus."

Though John, the Baptift informed the people that, there was One coming after him mightier than himself; yet he did not tell them, in fo many words, "That perfon is Jefus Chrift." While he gave information to the people that, the perfon of whom he spoke "was among them," he obferved, whom ye know not." John 1. 26. And it appears from the 31 ver. that the Baptift himfelf knew not Chrift till he went to be baptized. And hence, as neither John, nor the people knew that Jefus was the perfon of whom John was the harbinger, previously to the baptifm of Chrift, there is no foundation to conclude that John, when he went out preaching and baptizing, taught the people that they fhould believe on Jefus of Nazareth.

It is true, John taught the people to re pent, and taught them to believe on him who fhould come after him; ftill though by baptifm at the hand of John they fealed their profeffion of repentance, and their belief that there was a Saviour to come, or that he was near, even among them, all this

H

could not render it improper for them to be baptized afterward with an evangelical bap tifm, fealing bereby a particular faith in Fefus Chrift, as the Saviour who had been foretold, and who had then actually appeared.

And, though it is probable Chrift's Apoftles had been the fubjects of John's baptifm, yet we find that Chrift, before he left them, washed them himself, previously to his fending them forth to spread the Gofpel in the world, in the organized ftate of his gospel kingdom. In the 13th chap. of the Evangelift John we find that, after the Redeemer had attended to the paffover, with his disciples, the "Supper being ended, he laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. After this, he poured water into a bafon, and began to wash the difciples feet." And when he came to Peter, that difciple faid unto him, "Lord, doft thou wash my feet?" Chrift replied, "What I do thou knoweft not now; but thou fhalt know hereafter."

Peter objected, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." Here we must not charge Peter with ftubbornefs; for no doubt, he confidered that too humiliating an act which his Lord was about to perform. But Chrift let him know it was a matter of confequence that he fhould fulfil the work on which he had entered. And therefore faid, "If I wafh thee not, thou haft no part with me.” A folemn reply. Upon this, Peter faid, "Lord, not my feet only, but alfo my hands and

my head." Peter, now perceiving it was fo important an act which Chrift was performing, was all willingness therefor; yea not only that Christ should wash his feet, but alfo his hands and his head. But the great Head of the church did not need Peter to inform him, how far it was requifite the washing should be extended. He was the judge of that himself, and informed Peter, as well as others then prefent, and also all those to whom his word is conveyed, "He that is washed needeth not fave to wafh his feet, but is clean every whit."And he added, "And ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore faid he, Ye are not all clean.'

Now, in this act which Chrift performed, it is evident he taught his followers a leffon of humiliation, which they should carefully improve. Befide this, we may perceive it was a matter of confequence for him to wash them... But let it be observed,

* Some choose a different conftruction of this pafsage, "He that is washed," and add "He that has been washed." But this is unnatural, if we look at the original. Still if any prefer the past tenfe in the former claufe of the fentence, let them retain the fame in the latter, and it will then ftand thus, "He that has been washed needeth not fave to have washed his feet." It therefore makes but one washing; and imports this, at the time of washing, the fubject need only to walk his feet as a fign of fpiritual cleanfing, but is altogether clean. Hence, a partial washing only is implied.

The Syriac, and Genevan French Verfions give. the fame meaning of this paffage.

he held a fpiritual cleanfing in view, while he performed the outward washing, which is an emblem of the fpiritual, and he gave this, his infallible fencence. "He that is washed needeth not fave to wash his feet, but is clean every whit." As much as to fay, The washing of a part of the body with water is fuffi cient, as a fign of a complete fpiritual cleanf ing.

Now, as there is but one baptifin as well as but one Lord, but one outward washing appointed of Chrift for his church on earth, it is evident there is nothing for us to apply this fentence of our Redeemer to, but that ordinance.

*

Baptifm is an outward fign of cleaning; that is, a fign of a spiritual cleanfing. And, as the Judge of all the earth informs us that, the washing of a part of the body with water is fufficient, as a fign of a complete fpiritual purification, let us reft in his decifion, and avoid judging and cenfuring each other, for ufing that liberty, wherewith Chrift has made us free. .If one choofes immerfion, he is not to be prohibited. If another prefers -affufion or fprinkling, and that in part, he is not to be compelled to. immerfion.

Therefore, let all who name the name of Chrift, while they warrantably improve the liberty which EMMANUEL affords, difplay their veneration of the Lawgiver, and treat each other as brethren in Chrift, and members of one and the fanie body.

FOR

DECLINING TO ADOPT

THE

BAPTIST THEORY AND PRACTICE:

IN A

SERIES OF LETTERS

TO A

BAPTIST MINISTER.

BY NOAH WORCESTER, A. M.

Pastor of a Church in Thornton.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A QUESTION CONCERNING BAPTISM.

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

SOLOMON.

Not he that commendeth himself is approved; but whom the Lord commendeth

ST. PAUL.

And he spake this parable unto certain, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.—

ST. LUKE.

THIRD EDITION.

Charlestown, (Mass.)

PRINTED BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG.

....

1809.