A Dissertation on Christian Baptism

rise and take their place and be pillars in the sanctuary of God. To you these thoughts are submitted in humble hope, that they may engage your minds to the service of him in whom alone is everlasting life.

ADDRESS III.

TO THE WAVERING AND ANXIOUS.

IN these few words of address to you, I hope to be strictly guarded against the use of an undue influence to bring you prematurely to embrace the sentiments contained in the preceding sections. Every direct address to the passions ought to be discarded as improper on a subject. of so much moment as the one before you. It is far from my wishes that you should adopt the principles advocated in these sheets you have now perused, unless you are convinced from cool reflection of their agreement with the sacred scriptures. The endeavor, it is hoped, is to aid and not to injure you, to relieve and not perplex you.

The request which is particularly made of you, is, that you would make up your minds on the subject, not from partial, but from patient, deep and prayerful inquiry. You have an indubitable right, which you are bound to hold most sacred, and which no man in justice can contest with you, to think and judge for yourselves, For the truth, you are inquisitive and this is worthy of your research..

In determing on the great points before you, you are to be governed by the scriptures wholly. To these you are to look as to one glorious fountain of light in which there is no darkness at all.

If the sentiments advanced are supported by the word of God it is of infinite moment, that they be cordially received. God can be pleased with us, only as we are found walking in the truth. Is the covenant of God as has been represented, it is of vast importance that you understand it. The blessings annexed to covenant-faithfulness are too inestimable to be sacrificed to prejudice and unbelief. It is not enough for you to read the several sections of this treatise cursorily, and then dismiss the subjects, you will carry them to the word of God for trial. If they abide the test of scripture, then hesitate no longer.

Remember that in forming your opinions, you act not merely for yourselves; but for others and to all the extent of your influence. If you build on a false foundation, you will probably be a lure to many more.

Balanced between two opposite opinions, you will do well to avail yourselves of the arguments for and against each, and of their respective consequences. It is too often the case that men seize eagerly at some certain parts of a theory and imagine they are surely on safe ground, whereas if their minds should extend to every branch of the subject & should notice the necessary results, they would be differently impressed. Though on this subject to determine hastily is unsafe and injudicious, yet it is of too great moment to be met by indifference and delay.

It will readily be perceived, that in case this treatise be correct and scriptural, that infant-bap

tism holds a place of immense importance, and not the less, because of its multiplied abuses. To omit or neglectit, is to undervalue God's authority, and reject his holy covenant.

If you should become fixed that the doctrine. of infant-baptism is scriptural, you are intreated to embrace it with adequate conceptions, and not on those low principles, which reduce it to little more, than an unmeaning ceremony. To pervert a doctrine is not less criminal, than to deny it. To awake up to this subject is infinitely interesting to all. Its claims are as extensive as the light of the gospel. It will be of vast account in the judgment of the great day. Then it will be known to the assembled universe who had been faithful in God's covenant and who had set it at naught.

We have but one life to live, and when its sands are out, they can be gathered up no more. As our future destinies are in God's hand, let us be solicitous to conform to his will in consecrating all that we have and are to his service and glory, Walking according to God's holy covenant, may you be so happy through grace, as to be admitted at last to that kingdom of permanent bliss provided for the faithful.