CHAPTER II.

Concerning the Signification of the Terms, Baptize and Baptism.

[N. B. To prevent mistakes, the reader is desired to observe, that many of the following quotations are to be considered as concessions made by these learned authors; no inconsiderable part of them asserting, notwithstanding what they here say, that the word baptism signifies pouring and sprinkling, as well as immersion.]

WITSIUS." It cannot be denied, that the native signification of the word βαπτειν, and βαπτίζειν, is to plunge, to dip. So that it is, doubtless, more than OλAČEIV, which is to swim lightly on the surface; but less than Suve, which is to go down to the bottom and be destroyed.... Yet I have observed, that the word karadvois is frequently used by the ancients, with reference to baptism." Econ. Fœd. 1. iv. c. xvi. § 13.

2. Salmasius.-" "Baptism is immersion; and was administered, in ancient times, according to the force and meaning of the word. Now it is only rhantism, or sprinkling; not immersion, or dipping." De Cæsarie Virorum, p. 669.

3. Gurtlerus." To baptize, among the Greeks, is undoubtedly to immerse, to dip; and baptism, is immersion, dipping. BaTтioμos ev IIveνμatı ayı, baptism in the Holy Spirit, is immersion into the pure waters of the Holy Spirit, or a rich and abundant communication of his gifts; for he on whom the Holy Spirit is poured out, is as it were immersed into him....Banтioμos EV TUPI, baptism in fire, is a figurative expression, and signifies casting into a flame, which, like water, flows far and wide; such as the flame that consumed Jerusalem....

The thing commanded by our Lord is baptism, immersion into water." Institut. Theol. cap. xxxiii. § 108, 109, 110, 115.

4. Danæus." Banтioμos, baptism, is derived año του βαπτεσθαι, οι βαπτίζεσθαι : the former of which properly signifies to dye; the latter, to immerse, especially in water. But, as that which emerges out of the water appears to be washed, and fair, and clean; so the term baptism is frequently used in the holy scripture, for washing and cleansing." In Leigh's Critica Sacra, under the word, Banτioμos, edit. 2nd.

5. Gomarus.-"Banтioμos and Barrioμa, signify the Βαπτισμος Βαπτισμα, act of baptizing: that is, either plunging alone; or immersion, and the consequent washing." Opera, Disputat. Theolog. Disput. xxxii. § 5.

6. Buddeus.- - The words βαπτίζειν and βαπτισμος, are not to be interpreted of aspersion, but always of immersion." Theolog. Dogmat. l. v. c. i. § 5.

"

7. Dr. Bentley." Banтioμous, baptisms, dippings -Βαπτισον σεαυτον εις θαλασσαν, dip yourself in the sea. Remarks on Disc. on Free Thinking, part ii. p. 56, 57, edit. 6.

8. Bp. Reynolds." The Spirit under the gospel is compared to water; and that not a little measure, to sprinkle, or bedew, but to baptize the faithful in, (Matt. iii. 11; Acts i. 5,) and that not in a font, or vessel, which grows less and less, but in a spring, or living river, (John vii. 39.).... There are two words which signify suffering of afflictions, and they are both applied unto Christ, (Matt. xx. 22.) Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, or be baptized with that baptism that I am baptized with? He that drinketh hath the water in him; he that is dipped or plunged, hath the water about him: so it notes the universality of the wrath which Christ suffered." Works, p. 226, 407.

9. Calvin." The word baptize, signifies to immerse; and the rite of immersion was observed by

the ancient church." Institut. Christ. Relig. 1. iv. c. xv. § 19.

10. Beza." Christ commanded us to be baptized; by which word it is certain immersion is signified.... Βαπτίζεσθαι, in this place, is more than χέρνιπτειν ; because that seems to respect the whole body, this only the hands. Nor does Barre signify to wash, except by consequence: for it properly signifies to immerse for the sake of dyeing....To be baptized in water, signifies no other than to be immersed in water, which is the external ceremony of baptism....Banтig differs from the verb duval, which signifies, to plunge in the deep and to drown; as appears from that verse of an ancient oracle, Άσκος βαπτίζῃ, δυναι δε τοι οὐ θεμις εστι: in which these two terms are distinguished, as expressing different ideas." Epistola II. ad Thom. Tilium, (apud Spanhem. Dub. Evang. pars iii. Dub. 24.) Annotat. in Marc. vii. 4. Acts xix. 3; Matt. iii. 11.

11. Meisnerus." BanтICE and Barтe, are geΒαπτίζειν βαπτειν, nerally found used for plunging and a total immerApud Spanhem. Dub. Evangel. pars iii. Dub.

sion."

xxiv. § 2.

12. Danish Catechism.-"What is Christian dipping? Water in conjunction with the word and command of Christ. What is that command which is in conjunction with water? Go teach all nations,' and so on, (Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. 15, 16.) What is implied in these words? A command to the dipper and the dipped, with a promise of salvation to those that believe. How is this Christian dipping to be administered? The person must be deep-dipped in water, or overwhelmed with it, in the name of God the Father,' and so on." N. B. The gentleman who favoured me with this extract, observes; that BaTTi is translated, by the Germans, teuff; by the Dutch, doop; by the Danes and Swedes, döbe; all which signify, to dip.

13. Spanhemius." BaTTie and Barтe, are geneΒαπτιζειν βαπτειν,

rally found used for plunging, or a total dipping." Dub. Evang. pars iii. Dub. xxiv. § 2.

14. Vitringa." The act of baptizing, is the immersion of believers in water. This expresses the force of the word. Thus also it was performed by Christ and his apostles." Aphorismi Sanct. Theolog. aphoris. 884.

15. Beckmanus.-" Baptism, according to the force of its etymology, is immersion, and washing, or dipping." Exercit. Theolog. exercit. xvii. p. 257.

16. Bucanus. "Baptism, that is, immersion, dipping, and, by consequence, washing. Baptistery, a vat, or large vessel of wood, or stone, in which we are immersed, for the sake of washing. Baptist, one that immerses, or dips." Institut. Theolog. loc. xlvii. quæst. i. p. 605.

17. Bp. Patrick.-"I may say of him [Mr. John Smith] in Antoninus's praise, he was Sikaιoovv ßeßaμMEVOS ELS Babos, DIPPED into justice, as it were, over head and ears; he had not a slight superficial tincture, but was dyed and coloured quite through with it." Funeral Serm. for Mr. J. Smith of Cambridge, subjoined to his Select Discourses, p. 509.

18. Zanchius.-" Baptism is a Greek word, and signifies two things; first, and properly, immersion in water for the proper signification of BanTiw, is to immerse, to plunge under, to overwhelm in water.... And this signification properly agrees with our baptism, and has a resemblance of the thing signified." Opera, tom. vi. p. 217. Genev. 1619. N. B. Mr. De Courcy tells us, that the opinion of Zanchius' is worth a thousand others."" Rejoinder, p. 261.

19. Hoornbeekius." We do not deny that the word baptism bears the sense of immersion; or that, in the first examples of persons baptized, they went into the water and were immersed; or that this rite should be observed where it may be done conveniently and without endangering health." Socin. Confut. 1. iii. c. ii. sect. i. tom. iii. p. 268.

20. Stapferus." By baptism we understand that rite of the New Testament church, commanded by Christ, in which believers, by being immersed in water, testify their communion with the church." Institut. Theolog. Polem. tom. i. cap. iii. § 1635.

21. Burmannus.— Βαπτισμος and βαπτισμα, if you consider their etymology, properly signify immersion. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water,' (Matt. iii. 16. Compare Acts viii. 38.)" Synops. Theolog. loc. xliii. cap. vi. § 2.

22. Roell." Baptism, from ẞаTтw, signifies immerBanтw, sion." Explicat. Epist. ad Ephesios, ad cap. iv. 5.

23. Mr. John Trapp.-"Are ye able to-be baptized with the baptism;' or plunged over head and ears in the deep waters of affliction ?" Comment. on Matt. xx. 22.

24. Limborch." Baptism is that rite, or ceremony, of the new covenant, whereby the faithful, by immersion into water, as by a sacred pledge, are assured of the favour of God, remission of sins, and eternal life; and by which they engage themselves to an amendment of life, and an obedience to the divine commands." Complete Syst. Div. b. v. chap. xxii. sect. i. Mr. Jones's translation.

25. H. Altingius. "The word baptism properly signifies immersion; improperly, by a metonymy of the end, washing." Loci Commun. pars. i. loc. xii. p. 198.

26. Hospinianus.-" Christ commanded us to be baptized; by which word it is certain immersion is signified." Hist. Sacram. 1. ii. c. i. p. 30.

27. Casaubonus." This was the rite of baptizing, that persons were plunged into the water; which the very word ẞanтiew, to baptize, sufficiently declares; which, as it does not signify duve, to sink to the bottom and perish, so, doubtless, it is not exiñoλage, to swim on the surface. For these three words, επιπολάζειν, βαπτίζειν,