Satan, and believes in Christ. Thus no such person can give this answer of a good conscience: or lawfully receive the ordinance of Baptism.

The case of Infants will be more particularly considered hereafter. It will be sufficient to observe at the present time, that, although God has required believing parents to dedicate their children to him in Baptism, he has no where promised, that they shall be regenerated either in, or by, the administration of this ordinance. Accordingly, a great multitude of the circumcised children of the Israelites, and of the baptized children of Christians, in every age and church, have plainly lived, and died, unregenerated. It may here be added, that very high evidence is necessary to convince a sober man, that God has, in this manner, placed the salvation of mankind in the hands, and under the control, of their fellow-men. To me it appears evident, that the Clergy of the Romish Church taught this doctrine, supremely, if not solely, to extend their own domination, and to place mankind at their feet. He, whose agency becomes indispensable to the salvation of others, he, who can confer salvation on others, will, so far as this power is admitted, bring them universally under subjection to his pleasure. No man in his senses will question the decisions of him, who can give, or refuse, salvation. Is it credible, that such stupendous power should be placed in human hands?"

But, although Baptism neither ensures, nor proves the regeneration of the person who receives this ordinance, it is still an Institution of high importance to the Christian Church; and that in a great variety of respects. Particularly,

1. It is a solemn visible exhibition of these two great Scriptural doctrines: THE EXPIATION OF SIN, AND THE CLEANSING OF THE SOUL BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST; AND ITS RENOVATION BY THE SPIRIT OF God.

When these doctrines have been learned, and understood, by the reading, or preaching, of the Gospel, so that the mind has become well acquainted with their nature and importance; it is prepared to discern the real import of this ordinance. In this situation, the ordinance of Baptism becomes, in a high degree, subsidiary to the preaching of the Gospel. It now teaches the same inestimable truths which were before taught by the preacher; and teaches them with a force, peculiar and pre-eminent.

It is a truth, known to all men, that the objects of our senses make an impression on our minds, far more striking, influential, and enduring, than those of the understanding. When these objects are made symbolical, and are thus employed to declare Evangelical truths; especially when the symbols are near and obvious, and therefore disclose the truths in a clear and indubitable manner; the truths, actually disclosed, are invested with all the force of sensible impressions. When an adult is the subject of Baptism;

the great truths which I have specified, are brought home to his heart with supreme efficacy; and he is enabled, at least in ordinary circumstances, to feel the glory and excellence of forgiving, redeeming, and sanctifying love, in a degree, and with a benefit, which no words can accomplish. What is true of an adult, in these circumstances, is true, probably in a still more affecting and profitable manner, of parents, dedicating their children to God in this solemn ordinance. Perhaps there is not in the world a sight more interesting, than that of an infant, offered up by believing parents to God in Baptism. The helpless circumstances of the child; the peculiar tenderness of the relation, existing between it and the parents; the strong expression of their faith in God, in giving up their beloved offspring to him, devoting it to his service, and engaging to train it up for his glory; the exhibition of their reliance on the blood of Christ, and the agency of the Spirit of Truth, to cleanse it from its original pollution; the affecting manifestation of divine mercy and goodness in permitting us thus to of fer up our children to God; united with the solemnities of the day, the place, and the occasion; form a combination of facts, and doctrines, and duties, scarcely paralleled in the present world. On the minds of the parents, particularly, the impressions made cannot fail, unless through very gross stupidity, or gross wickedness, of powerfully persuading them to the duties, involved in this dedication. Of the same nature are the impressions, which will very naturally be made on those who are present at the administration. Persons, heretofore dedicated to God in Baptism, will naturally feel anew their own baptismal obligations: while those, who have dedicated them, will realize, also, the privileges, to which they and their offspring have been admitted; the engagements which they have made; and the duties, which in a peculiar manner they are required to perform.

In all these points of view, the ordinance of Baptism is of high importance to the Christian Church; and fitted to impress the great truths of the Gospel upon the mind in the happiest manner. It is here to be remembered, that, as religious education is constituted in the Christian Church a primary mean of salvation, so the ordinance of Baptism is invested with a peculiar importance, from the intimate, and acknowledged, connexion between the act of devoting a child to God in this manner, and the duty of educating him for the service of his Maker, and the attainment of eternal life. No two religious employments are, in this country at least, and probably in most others throughout Christendom, more universally understood to be inseparably connected, than the act of giving up a child to God, and the duty of educating him for his service. The most solemn sense of the obligations which we are under to train up our children for God, is probably derived from the administration of this ordinance.

2. When children die in infancy, and are scripturally dedicated to God in Baptism; there is much, and very consoling, reason, furnished, to believe, that they are accepted beyond the grave.

We are taught in the Scriptures, that praise is perfected out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. It is, perhaps, improper to say, that praise is perfected on this side of Heaven. When little children were brought to our Saviour; He said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. This seems to be a plain declaration, that children are admitted to this kingdom, and constitute not a small part of the persons, of whom it is composed. The promise, said St. Peter to the Jews, is to you, and to your children. If this promise is extended, in any sense, to those who die in infancy, and conveys to them any blessings; they must be found beyond the grave.

There is, I think, reason to hope well concerning other children, dying in infancy. But there is certainly peculiar reason for Christian Parents to entertain strong consolation with respect to their offspring; whom God has not only permitted, but required them to offer up to him in this ordinance, pointing so extensively, and so significantly, to their purification.

3. Those, who are baptized in infancy, are placed under the guardianship, and discipline, of the Christian Church.

The manner, in which this discipline is to be conducted, will be the subject of a future discussion. It will be sufficient to observe at the present time, that children, to whom this ordinance has been dispensed, are by these means doubly assured of the certain, and inestimable benefits of religious education; and are entitled, in a peculiar manner, to the counsel, the reproof, the conversation, the oxample, and the prayers, of Christians.

The importance of these blessings, every Christian will understand. Nor can those, who believe the declaration, that he. who walketh with wise men, shall be wise, fail to acknowledge them as blessings of inestimable value.

4. Baptism is, also, the public Sign, by which the disciples of Christ are known to each other, and to the world.

All societies need indispensably some mark of distinction; some mode, in which the respective members shall be known to each other; so that each individual shall feel, that he himself is required, and that he is invested with a plain right to require others, to perform the several duties, incumbent on him, and them, as members of the Fraternity. This Sign ought always to be publicly known; definite; unequivocal; solemn; significant; safe from being counterfeited; always the same; acknowledged by all the members of the body; and, therefore, established by authority, which cannot be disputed. The power of such a sign to unite the members of such a body in affection to each other, in a common interest, and in corresponding pursuits, is incalculably great. A mere Name

often forms a party in politics, and in religion; and engages those, who often have very imperfect conceptions, if they conceive at all, of the party purposes, for which they are embarked, in a harmony with each other, and in a course of zeal and violence against their fellow-men, wonderful both in degree and continuance, and productive of effects, usually great, and often dreadful. Here the Sign is the Seal of God; set by his own authority upon those who in this world are visibly his children. It has all the properties, mentioned above: and is possessed of more efficacy, than can be easily comprehended, and incomparably more than is usually mistrusted, to keep Christians united, alive, and active, in the great duties of religion, and in the great interests of the Church of God.

5. Baptism, as a symbol, holds out in a very forcible manner to those, who have been instructed in the Christian religion, a great part of those doctrines, and duties, which are purely Christian; or which belong to Christians, as such.

Of this number, particularly, are the doctrines of Regeneration; Justification by the righteousness of Christ; Adoption; Sanctification; the Gratitude, Complacency, and Obedience to God; the Faith in Christ; the Hope of salvation by him; and that love to the brethren, by which all are known to be his disciples; which together form so great a part of Christian doctrines, and the Christian character. The doctrine of Adoption, particularly, is presented to us in this ordinance with peculiar clearness, and force. Concerning this subject, however, I have had occasion, heretofore, to make all the observations which I thought necessary.

With all these doctrines is intimately connected that of the Depravity of our nature. A serious observer is, perhaps, hardly ever a witness of the administration of this ordinance, without strongly realizing the existence of that moral pollution, which is symbolically washed away by Baptism. The Baptism of infants, particularly, exhibits this subject in the strongest light. Here we see, that our race, in the view of their Creator, indispensably need the cleansing which is accomplished by the blood of Christ, and the renewing power of the Holy Ghost, antecedently to their possible commission of sin by voluntary acts. Their original corruption is, therefore, taught by this ordinance in language, which cannot be misconstrued; and is impressed upon us with singular force by its solemn and significant symbols.

Many other doctrines, duties, and blessings, are evidently, and impressively, presented to us in the administration of Baptism. But to expatiate upon these, and even to point them out, is the business of a treatise, and not of a single sermon.

6. The ordinance of Baptism, as a memorial of the death of Christ, exhibits powerful and immoveable evidence of that great fact to the Christian Church, throughout all the successive periods of its existence.

As I shall have occasion to resume this subject, when I come to discourse upon the Lord's Supper, I shall defer my observations. upon it for the present, and shall conclude this discourse with two

REMARKS.

1. It is not a little to be regretted, that this ordinance is so rarely made a theme of discussion in the Desk.

It is not unusual for a minister of the Gospel to devote twentyfour sermons annually to the consideration of the Lord's Supper; twelve delivered at what, in this country, is commonly styled the Sacramental lecture, and twelve more on the several Sabbaths, consecrated to the administration of this sacrament. On Baptism, at the same time, ministers rarely preach. Perhaps it is no unreasonable supposition, that the subjects of this discourse are now, for the first time, brought out in the desk to the consideration of a great part of this audience. Why such a difference is made between two Institutions of Christ, invested with the same authority, solemnity, and influence, I am unable to determine. But, whatever may be the ground of this distinction, I am satisfied that it cannot be a good one. There is but too much reason to believe, that not only the persons, particularly the children, who have been baptized, but the Parents, also, are, in many instances, lamentably ignorant of the nature of this Institution, the truths which it declares, the duties which it involves, and the privileges which it confers. Were these things made more frequently subjects of preaching; were they clearly illustrated, and solemnly enforced; there is the best reason to believe, that it would become a far richer, and more extensive blessing to mankind.

2. Persons, baptized in their infancy, are here solemnly reminded of their own peculiar duties; and severely reproved for their negligence in performing them.

How many persons are now in this house, who have been dedicated to God by Baptism in their infancy, and who yet never thought of a single privilege, realized a single obligation, nor performed a single duty, created by this ordinance! It is perhaps questionable, whether some of them are not now ignorant, whether they have been baptized, or not. How melancholy are these facts! How full are they of shame, and sin! How productive ought they to be of remorse, contrition, and amendment! God has called you, my young friends, into his visible kingdom in the morning of life. He has publicly sealed you as his children; and planted you in the nursery of his Church. Remember that this interesting event sprang not from chance, nor from the will of the flesh, nor from the will of man, but from God. He gave your parents the disposition, and the right, to offer you up to him, and to consecrate you to his service. He has publicly acknowledged his particular relation to you; and given you this illustrious token of his kindness and mercy. Think then, I beseech you, of the guilt of disregarding, or