Page:Short illustration of the commission given by Jesus Christ to his apostles.pdf/7

 of analogy and inference to ascertain, or , it is to be observed? It is absurd to bring forward parts of Scripture which do not treat of baptism of all, and urge them as the ground of Infant-baptism. They are of no avail to warrant it. Baptism is, clearly, a positive ordinance; not like or  duties, which may be inferred from the nature and relation of things, but depending entirely upon the will of Him who instituted it.

At a very early period in the history of the Christian Church, we find an attempt was made to engraft Jewish Institutions among the commands of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the 15th chapter of Acts we have, a remarkable instance of this, and the decision then given has happily done away all idea of the rite of circumcision being a condition of Salvation; but still, this Judaical rite has nevertheless obtained a strong hold over the minds of many, and something analogous, as to its subjects, has been supposed necessary in the christian rite of baptism; and the warm appeals to the feelings and affections in behalf of infants, have doubtless tended much to confirm the idea, (more especially in the minds of those who have made little enquiry on the subject) that Baptism has, as to its subjects, come in the room of Circumcision. This, however, is a mere gratuitous assertion, to which the Scriptures give no support whatever. It has indeed been with much seriousness urged against those who hold adult baptism, that they “cut off their infants from the everlasting