CHAPTER VI..

The Design of Baptism more fully expressed by Immersion, than by Pouring or Sprinkling.

WITSIUS." It must not be dissembled, that there is in immersion a greater fruitfulness of signification, and a more perfect correspondence between the sign and the thing signified; as we shall show, when we come to that part of our subject." Econ. Foed. 1. iv. c. xvi. 13.

2. Alstedius." The rite of immersion, which is intimated by the very word baptism, certainly bears a greater analogy to the thing signified." Lexicon Theologicum, cap. xii. p. 223.

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3. Mr. John Rogers." I dare not deny my judgment to teach thus far for dipping, above the other forms of sprinkling or pouring; that were it as orderly in our church, and used, and no offence to weak souls, I would sooner be induced to dip one that was never before baptized, than to sprinkle one; for to me it would be more significant, and full, and pregnant with former practices." In Mr. Crosby's Hist. Bap. vol. iii. Pref. p. 53.

4. Heideggerus." Though the rite of immersion be more ancient, and on account of its more fully representing a death and burial, more expressive, (Rom. vi. 4;) yet it appears, from what has been said, that aspersion makes no alteration in the essence and mystery of baptism." Corpus Theolog. loc. xxv. § 35.

5. Estius." Though the ceremony of immersion was anciently more common, as appears from the unanimous language of the fathers, as often as they speak about baptism; and in a more expressive manner re

presents the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, and of us; whence St. Thomas affirms, that the rite of dipping is more commendable; yet there have been many reasons, for which it was sometimes convenient to alter immersion into some other kindred ceremony. Hence, therefore, the ceremony of pouring, as a medium between dipping and sprinkling, was much used; which custom, Bonaventure says, was in his time much observed in the French churches and some others; though he confesses that the ceremony of immersion was the more common, the more fit, and the more safe, as S. Thomas teaches." Apud Knatchbul. Animadvers. in Lib. Nov. Test. p. 181.

6. Dr. Clarke." In the primitive times, the manner of baptizing was by immersion, or dipping the whole body into the water. And this manner of doing it was a very significant emblem of the dying and rising again, referred to by St. Paul, Rom. vi. 4." Expos. of Church Catechism, p. 294.

7. Mr. W. Perkins." A question may be made, whether washing of the body in baptism must be by dipping, or by sprinkling? Answer: In hot countries, and in the baptism of men in years, dipping was used, and that by the apostles; and to this Paul alludes, Rom. vi. 3 and dipping doth more fully represent our spiritual washing than sprinkling." Works, vol. ii. p. 256.

8. Pictetus." It was usual in ancient times for the whole body to be immersed in water-and it must be confessed, that such a rite most happily represented that grace by which our sins are, as it were, drowned, and we raised again from the abyss of sin." Theolog. Christ. 1. xiv. c. iv. § 17.

9. Mastricht." Immersion was used by the apostles and primitive churches, because it is not only more agreeable in the warm eastern countries, but also more significant, (Rom. vi. 3, 4, 5.)" Theologia, 1. vii. c. iv. § 9.

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10. H. Altingius.-After briefly stating the arguments for plunging, and for sprinkling, he adds: "We confess, first, that immersion was the prior rite; because it was first used by John the Baptist and the apostles. Secondly, it is also more expressive, on account of the distinct acts, (Rom. vi.)" Thelog. Problem. Nov. loc. xiv. prob. xi. p. 657.

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11. M. Morus. — “ Baptism was formerly celebrated by plunging the whole body in water, and not by casting a few drops of water on the forehead; that representing death and the resurrection much better than this." In Mr. Stennett's Answer to Mr. Russen, p. 149.

12. Vossius." All the particulars that we have mentioned, concerning the signification of baptism, will appear with sufficient perspicuity in the rite of immersion; but not equally so if mere sprinkling be used. It should not be supposed, however, that all analogy is destroyed by it." Disputat. de Bap. disp. iii. § 10.

13. Daille, speaking of a twofold effect of baptism, says: "In the primitive church, this double effect of baptism was more clearly represented in the external action of the sacrament [by immersion] than it is at this day." Serm. on Epist. to Coloss. on chap. ii. 12, p. 245.

14. Buddeus." Though immersion is to be preferred, yet baptism administered by sprinkling, or pouring, is not therefore to be accounted unlawful.... Immersion, which was used in former times, as we have before declared, was a symbol and an image of the death and burial of Christ: by which we are taught, that the remains of sin, which are called the old man, should also be put to death; that is, as Paul elsewhere speaks, our flesh, with its affections and lusts, should be crucified. For in that way, we, as it were, die and are buried with Christ; which Paul expressly shows, Rom. vi. 4. An emersion out of the water follows, (Matt. iii. 16,) which

exhibits a most beautiful image of the resurrection of Christ; and at the same time it affords matter of instruction concerning that spiritual resurrection, which is effected by daily renovation, (Rom. vi. 4.) Now though all these things are a little more clearly exhibited by immersion, than by pouring or sprinkling; yet, nevertheless, in the latter some likeness of them is beheld: seeing, even by pouring, especially if it be performed by a remarkably large quantity of water, the infant is in a manner covered and buried in water; like as it emerges thence, when the water poured upon it is all run off." Theolog. Dogmat. l. v. c. i. §5, 8.

15. Dr. Cave." The party to be baptized was wholly immerged, or put under water; whereby they did more notably and significantly express the three great ends and effects of baptism." Primitive Christianity, part i. chap. x. p. 203.

16. Dr. Wall."I had the disadvantage [in defending the common practice] to plead for a way of baptism, of which the best I could say was, That it is sufficient for the essence of baptism; but could not deny the other (except in the case of danger of health) to be the fittest....The immersion of the person, whether infant or adult, in the posture of one that is buried and raised up again, is much more solemn, and expresses the design of the sacrament and the mystery of the spiritual washing much better, than pouring a small quantity of water on the face. And that pouring of water, is much better than sprinkling, or dropping a drop of water on it. If it be done in the church, in, or at the font, and the congregation do join in the prayers there used; it is much more solemn than in a bedchamber, out of a basin, or pipkin, a tea-cup, or a punchbowl; and a bed chamber is perhaps not quite so scandalous as a kitchen or stable, to which things look as if they would bring it at last.... We have reason to give God thanks, that the present orders and rubrics of our

church are all calculated for the reforming of these abuses, and preserving the dignity of this holy sacrament; and that there wants nothing but the due execution of them, and our conscientious performing of that which we solemnly promised before God and the bishop, when we had the charge of souls committed to us, that we would conform to the Liturgy of the church of England, as it is now by law established....I know that some midwives and nurses do, on the christening day, (which they think is observed, not so much for the sacrament itself, as for their showing their pride, art, and finery,) dress the child's head so, that the face of it being hid deep under the lace and trimming which stands up so high on each side, the minister cannot come at the face to pour water on it, so as that it may run off again; but what water he pours, will run in among the headcloths, which really is likely to do the child more hurt than dipping would have done." Defence of Hist. Inf. Bap. p. 404-408.

REFLECTIONS.

Reflect. I. From these quotations we learn, that immersion, compared with pouring or sprinkling, has the honour of priority, in respect of time, No. 4, 10, 14;that it is more significant, No. 1—16;—that it is more safe, or certain of being right, No. 5;-and that one of these learned authors, who had well studied the subject, felt by painful experience the disadvantage under which a Pædobaptist labours, and the arduous task he has to perform, when he undertakes to defend any mode of administration short of dipping; because the best he can say of it is, that the essence of baptism is not wanting. No. 16. See Chap. III. Reflect. IV.

Reflect. II. I can hardly forbear supposing that the attentive reader anticipates my reflections here, and is ready to exclaim: What! practise a mode of administering baptism, that is rejected by one half of the world;