BAPTISMAL

REGENERATION

by C. H. Spurgeon
Unabridged and Unedited e!i"ered on
#une $t%& '()* At t%e
Metropo!itan Taberna+!e& Ne,ington.

-And %e .aid unto t%e/& Go ye into a!! t%e ,or!d& and prea+% t%e go.pe! to e"ery
+reature. He t%at be!ie"et% and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed1 but %e t%at be!ie"et% not
.%a!! be da/ned.- Mar2 ')3'$&').
In t%e pre+eding "er.e our Lord #e.u. C%ri.t gi"e. u. .o/e !itt!e in.ig%t into t%e
natura! +%ara+ter o4 t%e apo.t!e. ,%o/ %e .e!e+ted to be t%e 4ir.t /ini.ter. o4 t%e
5ord. T%ey ,ere e"ident!y /en o4 !i2e pa..ion. ,it% u.& and needed to be rebu2ed
e"en a. ,e do. On t%e o++a.ion ,%en our Lord .ent 4ort% t%e e!e"en to prea+% t%e
go.pe! to e"ery +reature& %e -appeared unto t%e/ a. t%ey .at at /eat& and upbraided
t%e/ ,it% t%eir unbe!ie4 and %ardne.. o4 %eart& be+au.e t%ey be!ie"ed not t%e/
,%i+% %ad .een %i/ a4ter %e ,a. ri.en1- 4ro/ ,%i+% ,e /ay .ure!y gat%er t%at to
pea+% t%e 5ord& t%e Lord ,a. p!ea.ed to +%oo.e i/per4e+t /en1 /en& too& ,%o o4
t%e/.e!"e. ,ere "ery ,ea2 in t%e gra+e o4 4ait% in ,%i+% it ,a. /o.t i/portant
t%at t%ey .%ou!d e6+e!. 7ait% i. t%e +on8uering gra+e& and i. o4 a!! t%ing. t%e /ain
re8ui.ite in t%e prea+%er o4 t%e 5ord1 and yet t%e %onoured /en ,%o ,ere +%o.en
to be t%e !eader. o4 t%e di"ine +ru.ade needed a rebu2e +on+erning t%eir unbe!ie4.
5%y ,a. t%i.9 5%y& /y bret%ren& be+au.e t%e Lord %a. ordained e"er/ore t%at ,e
.%ou!d %a"e t%i. trea.ure in earthen "e..e!.& t%at t%e e6+e!!en+y o4 t%e po,er /ay
be o4 God and not o4 u.. I4 you .%ou!d 4ind a per4e+t /ini.ter& t%en /ig%t t%e prai.e
and %onour o4 %i. u.e4u!ne.. a++rue to /an1 but God i. 4re8uent!y p!ea.ed to .e!e+t
4or e/inent u.e4u!ne.. /en e"ident!y %one.t and .in+ere& but ,%o %a"e .o/e
/ani4e.t in4ir/ity by ,%i+% a!! t%e g!ory i. +a.t o44 4ro/ t%e/ and !aid upon
Hi/.e!4& and upon Hi/.e!4 a!one. Let it ne"er be .uppo.ed t%at ,e ,%o are God:.
/ini.ter. eit%er e6+u.e our 4au!t. or pretend to per4e+tion. 5e !abour to ,a!2 in
%o!ine..& but ,e +annot +!ai/ to be a!! t%at ,e ,i.% to be. 5e do not ba.e t%e
+!ai/. o4 God:. trut% upon t%e .pot!e..ne.. o4 our +%ara+ter.& but upon t%e 4a+t t%at
it +o/e. 4ro/ %i/. ;ou %a"e be!ie"ed in .pite o4 our in4ir/itie.& and not be+au.e
o4 our "irtue.1 i4& indeed& you %ad be!ie"ed our ,ord be+au.e o4 our .uppo.ed
per4e+tion& your 4ait% ,ou!d .tand in t%e e6+e!!en+y o4 /an and not in t%e po,er o4
God. 5e +o/e unto you o4ten ,it% /u+% tre/b!ing& .orro,ing o"er our 4o!!ie. and
,ea2ne..e.& but ,e de!i"er to you God:. 5ord a. God:. 5ord& and ,e be.ee+% you
to re+ei"e it not a. +o/ing 4ro/ u. poor& .in4u! /orta!.& but a. pro+eeding 4ro/ t%e
Eterna! and T%ri+e Ho!y God1 and i4 you .o re+ei"e it& and by it. o,n "ita! 4or+e
are /o"ed and .tirred up to,ard. God and %i. ,ay.& t%en i. t%e ,or2 o4 t%e 5ord
.ure ,or2& ,%i+% it +ou!d not and ,ou!d not be i4 it re.ted in any ,ay upon /an.
Our Lord %a"ing t%u. gi"en u. an in.ig%t into t%e +%ara+ter o4 t%e per.on. ,%o/ %e
%a. +%o.en to pro+!ai/ %i. trut%& t%en goe. on to de!i"er to t%e +%o.en +%a/pion.&
t%eir +o//i..ion 4or t%e Ho!y 5ar. I pray you /ar2 t%e ,ord. ,it% .o!e/n +are.
He .u/. up in a 4e, ,ord. t%e ,%o!e o4 t%eir ,or2& and at t%e .a/e ti/e 4orete!!.
t%e re.u!t o4 it& te!!ing t%e/ t%at .o/e ,ou!d doubt!e.. be!ie"e and .o be .a"ed& and
.o/e on t%e ot%er %and ,ou!d not be!ie"e and ,ou!d /o.t +ertain!y& t%ere4ore& be
da/ned& t%at i.& +onde/ned 4or e"er to t%e pena!tie. o4 God:. ,rat%. T%e !ine.
+ontaining t%e +o//i..ion o4 our a.+ended Lord are +ertain!y o4 t%e ut/o.t
i/portan+e& and de/and de"out attention and i/p!i+it obedien+e& not on!y 4ro/ a!!
,%o a.pire to t%e ,or2 o4 t%e /ini.try& but a!.o 4ro/ a!! ,%o %ear t%e /e..age o4
/er+y. A +!ear under.tanding o4 t%e.e ,ord. i. ab.o!ute!y ne+e..ary to our .u++e..
in our Ma.ter:. ,or2& 4or i4 ,e do not under.tand t%e +o//i..ion it i. not at a!!
!i2e!y t%at ,e .%a!! di.+%arge it arig%t. To a!ter t%e.e ,ord. ,ere /ore t%an
i/pertinen+e& it ,ou!d in"o!"e t%e +ri/e o4 trea.on again.t t%e aut%ority o4 C%ri.t
and t%e be.t intere.t. o4 t%e .ou!. o4 /en. O 4or gra+e to be "ery <ea!ou. %ere.
5%ere"er t%e apo.t!e. ,ent t%ey /et ,it% ob.ta+!e. to t%e prea+%ing o4 t%e go.pe!&
and t%e /ore open and e44e+tua! ,a. t%e door o4 utteran+e t%e /ore nu/erou. ,ere
t%e ad"er.arie.. T%e.e bra"e /en ,%o ,ie!ded t%e .,ord o4 t%e Spirit a. to put to
4!ig%t a!! t%eir 4oe.1 and t%i. t%ey did not by +ra4t and gui!e& but by /a2ing a dire+t
+ut at t%e error ,%i+% i/peded t%e/. Ne"er did t%ey drea/ 4or a /o/ent o4
adapting t%e go.pe! to t%e un%a!!o,ed ta.te. or pre<udi+e. o4 t%e peop!e& but at
on+e dire+t!y and bo!d!y t%ey broug%t do,n ,it% bot% t%eir %and. t%e /ig%ty
.,ord o4 t%e Spirit upon t%e +ro,n o4 t%e oppo.ing error. T%i. /orning& in t%e
na/e o4 t%e Lord o4 Ho.t.& /y He!per and e4en.e& I .%a!! atte/pt to do t%e .a/e1
and i4 I .%ou!d pro"o2e .o/e %o.ti!ity=i4 I .%ou!d t%roug% .pea2ing ,%at I be!ie"e
to be t%e trut% !o.e t%e 4riend.%ip o4 .o/e and .tir up t%e en/ity o4 /ore& I +annot
%e!p it. T%e burden o4 t%e Lord i. upon /e& and I /u.t de!i"er /y .ou!. I %a"e been
!oat% enoug% to underta2e t%e ,or2& but I a/ 4or+ed to it by an a,4u! and
o"er,%e!/ing .en.e o4 .o!e/n duty. A. I a/ .oon to appear be4ore /y Ma.ter:.
bar& I ,i!! t%i. day& i4 e"er in /y !i4e& bear /y te.ti/ony 4or trut%& and run a!! ri.2..
I a/ +ontent to be +a.t out a. e"i! i4 it /u.t be .o& but I +annot& I dare not& %o!d /y
pea+e. T%e Lord 2no,et% I %a"e not%ing in /y %eart but t%e pure.t !o"e to t%e
.ou!. o4 t%o.e ,%o/ I 4ee! i/perati"e!y +a!!ed to rebu2e .tern!y in t%e Lord:. na/e.
A/ong /y %earer. and reader.& a +on.iderab!e nu/ber ,i!! +en.ure i4 not
+onde/n /e& but I +annot %e!p it. I4 I 4or4eit your !o"e 4or trut%:. .a2e I a/ grie"ed
4or you& but I +annot& I dare not& do ot%er,i.e. It i. a. /u+% a. /y .ou! i. ,ort% to
%o!d /y pea+e any !onger& and ,%et%er you appro"e or not I /u.t .pea2 out. id I
e"er +ourt your approbation9 It i. .,eet to e"eryone to be app!auded1 but i4 4or t%e
.a2e o4 t%e +o/4ort. o4 re.pe+tabi!ity and t%e ./i!e. o4 /en any C%ri.tian /ini.ter
.%a!! 2eep ba+2 a part o4 %i. te.ti/ony& %i. Ma.ter at t%e !a.t .%a!! re8uire it at %i.
%and.. T%i. day& .tanding in t%e i//ediate pre.en+e o4 God& I .%a!! .pea2 %one.t!y
,%at I 4ee!& a. t%e Ho!y Spirit .%a!! enab!e /e1 and I .%a!! !ea"e t%e /atter ,it% you
to <udge +on+erning it& a. you ,i!! an.,er 4or t%at <udg/ent at t%e !a.t great day.
I 4ind t%at t%e great error ,%i+% , e %a"e to +ontend ,it% t%roug%out Eng!and >and
it i. gro,ing /ore and /ore?& i. one in dire+t oppo.ition to /y te6t& ,e!! 2no,n to
you a. t%e do+trine o4 bapti./a! regeneration. 5e ,i!! +on4ront t%i. dog/a ,it%
t%e a..ertion& t%at BAPTISM 5ITHOUT 7AITH SA@ES NO ONE. T%e te6t .ay.&
-He that believeth and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed1- but ,%et%er a /an be bapti0ed
or no& it a..ert. -he that believeth not .%a!! be da/ned3- .o t%at bapti./ doe. not
.a"e t%e unbe!ie"er & nay& it doe. not in any degree e6e/pt %i/ 4ro/ t%e +o//on
doo/ o4 a!! t%e ungod!y. He /ay %a"e bapti./& or %e /ay not %a"e bapti./& but i4
%e be!ie"et% not& %e .%a!! be in any +a.e /o.t .ure!y da/ned. Let %i/ be bapti0ed
by i//er.ion or .prin2!ing& in %i. in4an+y& or in %i. adu!t age& i4 %e be not !ed to
put %i. tru.t in #e.u. C%ri.t=i4 %e re/ainet% an unbe!ie"er& t%en t%i. terrib!e doo/
i. pronoun+ed upon %i/=-He t%at be!ie"et% not .%a!! be da/ned.- I a/ not a,are
t%at any Prote.tant C%ur+% in Eng!and tea+%e. t%e do+trine o4 bapti./a!
regeneration e6+ept one& and t%at %appen. to be t%e +orporation ,%i+% ,it% none
too /u+% %u/i!ity +a!!. it.e!4 the C%ur+% o4 Eng!and. T%i. "ery po,er4u! .e+t doe.
not tea+% t%i. do+trine /ere!y t%roug% a .e+tion o4 it. /ini.ter.& ,%o /ig%t
+%aritab!y be +on.idered a. e"i! bran+%e. o4 t%e "ine& but it open!y& bo!d!y& and
p!ain!y de+!are. t%i. do+trine in %er o,n appointed .tandard& t%e Boo2 o4 Co//on
Prayer& and t%at in ,ord. .o e6pre..& t%at ,%i!e !anguage i. t%e +%anne! o4
+on"eying inte!!igib!e .en.e& no pro+e.. .%ort o4 "io!ent ,re.ting 4ro/ t%eir p!ain
/eaning +an e"er /a2e t%e/ .ay anyt%ing e!.e.
Here are t%e ,ord.3 ,e 8uote t%e/ 4ro/ t%e Cate+%i./ ,%i+% i. intended 4or t%e
in.tru+tion o4 yout%& and i. natura!!y "ery p!ain and .i/p!e& .in+e it ,ou!d be
4oo!i.% to troub!e t%e young ,it% /etap%y.i+a! re4ine/ent.. T%e +%i!d i. a.2ed it.
na/e& and t%en 8ue.tioned& -5%o ga"e you t%i. na/e9- -My god fathers and
godmothers in my baptism; wherein I was made a member of Christ, the child of
God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.- I. not t%i. de4inite and p!ain
enoug%9 I pri0e t%e ,ord. 4or t%eir +andour1 t%ey +ou!d not .pea2 /ore p!ain!y.
T%ree ti/e. o"er t%e t%ing i. put& !e.t t%ere .%ou!d be any doubt in it. T%e ,ord
regeneration /ay& by .o/e .ort o4 <ugg!ing& be /ade to /ean .o/et%ing e!.e& but
%ere t%ere +an be no /i.under.tanding. T%e +%i!d i. not on!y /ade a /e/ber o4
C%ri.t-=union to #e.u. i. no /ean .piritua! gi4t=but %e i. /ade in bapti./ -t%e
+%i!d o4 God- a!.o1 and& .in+e t%e ru!e i.& -i4 +%i!dren t%en %eir.&- %e i. a!.o /ade
-an in%eritor o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en .- Not%ing +an be /ore p!ain. I "enture to
.ay t%at ,%i!e %one.ty re/ain. on eart% t%e /eaning o4 t%e.e ,ord. ,i!! not ad/it
o4 di.pute. It i. +!ear a. noon day t%at& a. t%e Rubri+ %at% it& -7at%er.& /ot%er.&
/a.ter.& and da/e.& are to +au.e t%eir +%i!dren& .er"ant.& and apprenti+e.&- no
/atter %o, id!e& giddy& or ,i+2ed t%ey /ay be& to !earn t%e Cate+%i./& and to .ay
t%at in bapti./ t%ey ,ere /ade /e/ber. o4 C%ri.t and +%i!dren o4 God. T%e 4or/
4or t%e ad/ini.tration o4 t%i. bapti./ i. .+ar+e!y !e.. p!ain and out.po2en& .eeing
t%at t%an2. are e6pre..!y returned unto A!/ig%ty God& be+au.e t%e per.on bapti0ed
i. regenerate. "Then shall the priest say, !eeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that
this child is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christs Ch"rch, let "s give
thanks "nto #lmighty God for these benefits; and with one accord make o"r
prayers "nto him, that this child may lead the rest of his life according to this
beginning." Nor i. t%i. a!!& 4or to !ea"e no /i.ta2e& ,e %a"e t%e ,ord. o4 t%e
t%an2.gi"ing pre.+ribed& "Then shall the priest say, $e yield thee hearty thanks,
most mercif"l %ather, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this infant with thy
&oly !pirit, to receive him for thine own child by adoption, and to incorporate him
into thy holy Ch"rch."
T%i.& t%en& i. t%e +!ear and un/i.ta2ab!e tea+%ing o4 a C%ur+% +a!!ing it.e!4
Prote.tant. I a/ not no, dea!ing at a!! ,it% t%e 8ue.tion o4 in4ant bapti./3 I %a"e
not%ing to do ,it% t%at t%i. /orning. I a/ no, +on.idering t%e 8ue.tion o4
bapti./a! regeneration& ,%et%er in adu!t. or in4ant.& or a.+ribed to .prin2!ing&
pouring& or i//er.ion. Here i. a C%ur+% ,%i+% tea+%e. e"ery Lord:. day in t%e
SundayA.+%oo!& and .%ou!d& a++ording to t%e Rubri+& tea+% open!y in t%e C%ur+%&
a!! +%i!dren t%at t%ey ,ere /ade /e/ber. o4 C%ri.t& +%i!dren o4 God& and in%eritor.
o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en ,%en t%ey ,ere bapti0edB Here i. a pro4e..ed!y
Prote.tant C%ur+%& ,%i+%& e"ery ti/e it. /ini.ter goe. to t%e 4ont& de+!are. t%at
e"ery per.on t%ere re+ei"ing bapti./ i. t%ere and t%en -regenerated and gra4ted
into t%e body o4 C%ri.t:. C%ur+%.-
-But&- I %ear /any good peop!e e6+!ai/& -t%ere are /any good +!ergy/en in t%e
C%ur+% ,%o do not be!ie"e in bapti./a! regeneration.- To t%i. /y an.,er i.
pro/pt. 5%y t%en do t%ey be!ong to a C%ur+% ,%i+% tea+%e. t%at do+trine in t%e
p!aine.t ter/.9 I a/ to!d t%at /any in t%e C%ur+% o4 Eng!and prea+% again.t %er
o,n tea+%ing. I 2no, t%ey do& and %erein I re<oi+e in t%eir en!ig%ten/ent& but I
8ue.tion& gra"e!y 8ue.tion t%eir /ora!ity. To ta2e oat% t%at I .in+ere!y a..ent and
+on.ent to a do+trine ,%i+% I do not be!ie"e& ,ou!d to /y +on.+ien+e appear !itt!e
.%ort o4 per<ury& i4 not ab.o!ute do,nrig%t per<ury1 but t%o.e ,%o do .o /u.t be
<udged by t%eir o,n Lord. 7or /e to ta2e /oney 4or de4ending ,%at I do not
be!ie"e=4or /e to ta2e t%e /oney o4 a C%ur+%& and t%en to prea+% again.t ,%at
are /o.t e"ident!y it. do+trine.=I .ay for me to do t%i. >I <udge ot%er. a. I ,ou!d
t%at t%ey .%ou!d <udge /e? 4or /e& or 4or any ot%er .i/p!e& %one.t /an to do .o&
,ere an atro+ity .o great& t%at i4 I %ad perpetrated t%e deed& I .%ou!d +on.ider
/y.e!4 out o4 t%e pa!e o4 trut%4u!ne..& %one.ty& and +o//on /ora!ity. Sir.& ,%en I
a++epted t%e o44i+e o4 /ini.ter o4 t%i. +ongregation& I !oo2ed to .ee ,%at ,ere your
arti+!e. o4 4ait%1 i4 I %ad not be!ie"ed t%e/ I .%ou!d not %a"e a++epted your +a!!&
and ,%en I +%ange /y opinion.& re.t a..ured t%at a. an %one.t /an I .%a!! re.ign
t%e o44i+e& 4or %o, +ou!d I pro4e.. one t%ing in your de+!aration o4 4ait%& and 8uite
anot%er t%ing in /y o,n prea+%ing9 5ou!d I a++ept your pay& and t%en .tand up
e"ery Sabbat%Aday and ta!2 again.t t%e do+trine. o4 your .tandard.9 7or +!ergy/en
to .,ear or .ay t%at t%ey gi"e t%eir .o!e/n a..ent and +on.ent to ,%at t%ey do not
be!ie"e i. one o4 t%e gro..e.t pie+e. o4 i//ora!ity perpetrated in Eng!and& and i.
/o.t pe.ti!entia! in it. in4!uen+e& .in+e it dire+t!y tea+%e. /en to !ie ,%ene"er it
.ee/. ne+e..ary to do .o in order to get a !i"ing or in+rea.e t%eir .uppo.ed
u.e4u!ne..3 it i. in 4a+t an open te.ti/ony 4ro/ prie.t!y !ip. t%at at !ea.t in
e++!e.ia.ti+a! /atter. 4a!.e%ood /ay e6pre.. trut%& and trut% it.e!4 i. a /ere
uni/portant nonentity. I 2no, o4 not%ing /ore +a!+u!ated to debau+% t%e pub!i+
/ind t%an a ,ant o4 .traig%t4or,ardne.. in /ini.ter.1 and ,%en ,or!d!y /en %ear
/ini.ter. denoun+ing t%e "ery t%ing. ,%i+% t%eir o,n Prayer Boo2 tea+%e.& t%ey
i/agine t%at ,ord. %a"e no /eaning a/ong e++!e.ia.ti+.& and t%at "ita! di44eren+e.
in re!igion are /ere!y a /atter o4 t,eed!eAdee and t,eed!eAdu/& and t%at it doe.
not /u+% /atter ,%at a /an doe. be!ie"e .o !ong a. %e i. +%aritab!e to,ard. ot%er
peop!e. I4 bapti./ doe. regenerate peop!e& !et t%e 4a+t be prea+%ed ,it% a tru/pet
tongue& and !et no /an be a.%a/ed o4 %i. be!ie4 in it. I4 t%i. be rea!!y t%eir +reed&
by a!! /ean. !et t%e/ %a"e 4u!! !iberty 4or it. propagation. My bret%ren& t%o.e are
%one.t C%ur+%/en in t%i. /atter ,%o& .ub.+ribing to t%e Prayer Boo2& be!ie"e in
bapti./a! regeneration& and prea+% it p!ain!y. God 4orbid t%at ,e .%ou!d +en.ure
t%o.e ,%o be!ie"e t%at bapti./ .a"e. t%e .ou!& be+au.e t%ey ad%ere to a C%ur+%
,%i+% tea+%e. t%e .a/e do+trine. So 4ar t%ey are %one.t /en1 and in Eng!and&
,%ere e!.e& !et t%e/ ne"er !a+2 a 4u!! to!eration. Let u. oppo.e t%eir tea+%ing by a!!
S+riptura! and inte!!igent /ean.& but !et u. re.pe+t t%eir +ourage in p!ain!y gi"ing
u. t%eir "ie,.. I %ate t%eir do+trine& but I !o"e t%eir %one.ty1 and a. t%ey .pea2 but
,%at t%ey be!ie"e to be true& !et t%e/ .pea2 it out& and t%e /ore +!ear!y t%e better.
Out ,it% it& .ir.& be it ,%at it /ay& but do !et u. 2no, ,%at you /ean. 7or /y part&
I !o"e to .tand 4oot to 4oot ,it% an %one.t 4oe/an. To open ,ar4are& bo!d and true
%eart. rai.e no ob<e+tion but t%e ground o4 8uarre!1 it i. +o"ert en/ity ,%i+% ,e
%a"e /o.t +au.e to 4ear& and be.t rea.on to !oat%e. T%at +ra4ty 2indne.. ,%i+%
in"eig!e. /e to .a+ri4i+e prin+ip!e i. t%e .erpent in t%e gra..=dead!y to t%e
in+autiou. ,ay4arer. 5%ere union and 4riend.%ip are not +e/ented by trut%& t%ey
are an un%a!!o,ed +on4edera+y. It i. ti/e t%at t%ere .%ou!d be an end put to t%e
4!irtation. o4 %one.t /en ,it% t%o.e ,%o be!ie"e one ,ay and .,ear anot%er. I4
/en be!ie"e bapti./ ,or2. regeneration& !et t%e/ .ay .o1 but i4 t%ey do not .o
be!ie"e it in t%eir %eart. & and yet .ub.+ribe& and yet /ore& get t%eir !i"ing. by
.ub.+ribing to ,ord. a..erting it& !et t%e/ 4ind +ongenia! a..o+iate. a/ong /en
,%o +an e8ui"o+ate and .%u44!e& 4or %one.t /en ,i!! neit%er a.2 nor a++ept t%eir
4riend.%ip.
5e our.e!"e. are not dubiou. on t%i. point& ,e prote.t t%at per.on. are not .a"ed
by being bapti0ed. In .u+% an audien+e a. t%i.& I a/ a!/o.t a.%a/ed to go into t%e
/atter& be+au.e you .ure!y 2no, better t%an to be /i.!ed. Ne"ert%e!e..& 4or t%e
good o4 ot%er. ,e ,i!! dri"e at it. 5e %o!d t%at per.on. are not .a"ed by bapti./&
4or ,e t%in2& 4ir.t o4 a!! t%at it seems o"t of character with the spirit"al religion
which Christ came to teach, t%at %e .%ou!d /a2e .a!"ation depend upon /ere
+ere/ony. #udai./ /ig%t po..ib!y ab.orb t%e +ere/ony by ,ay o4 type into %er
ordinan+e. e..entia! to eterna! !i4e1 4or it ,a. re!igion o4 type. and .%ado,.. T%e
4a!.e re!igion. o4 t%e %eat%en /ig%t in+u!+ate .a!"ation by a p%y.i+a! pro+e..& but
#e.u. C%ri.t +!ai/. 4or %i. 4ait% t%at it i. pure!y .piritua!& and %o, +ou!d %e +onne+t
regeneration ,it% a pe+u!iar app!i+ation o4 a8ueou. 4!uid9 I +annot .ee %o, it
,ou!d be a .piritua! go.pe!& but I +an .ee %o, it ,ou!d be /e+%ani+a!& i4 I ,ere
.ent 4ort% to tea+% t%at t%e /ere dropping o4 .o /any drop. upon t%e bro,& or e"en
t%e p!unging a per.on in ,ater +ou!d .a"e t%e .ou!. T%i. .ee/. to /e to be t%e /o.t
/e+%ani+a! re!igion no, e6i.ting& and to be on a par ,it% t%e praying ,ind/i!!. o4
T%ibet& or t%e +!i/bing up and do,n o4 Pi!ate:. .tair+a.e to ,%i+% Lut%er .ub<e+ted
%i/.e!4 in t%e day. o4 %i. dar2ne... T%e operation o4 ,aterAbapti./ doe. not
appear e"en to /y 4ait% to tou+% t%e point in"o!"ed in t%e regeneration o4 t%e .ou!.
5%at i. t%e ne+e..ary +onne+tion bet,een ,ater and t%e o"er+o/ing o4 .in9 I
+annot .ee any +onne+tion ,%i+% +an e6i.t bet,een .prin2!ing& or i//er.ion& and
regeneration& .o t%at t%e one .%a!! ne+e..ari!y be tied to t%e ot%er in t%e ab.en+e o4
4ait%. U.ed by 4ait%& %ad God +o//anded it& /ira+!e. /ig%t be ,roug%t1 but
,it%out 4ait% or e"en +on.+iou.ne..& a. in t%e +a.e o4 babe.& %o, +an .piritua!
bene4it. be +onne+ted ne+e..ari!y ,it% t%e .prin2!ing o4 ,ater9 I4 t%i. be your
tea+%ing& t%at regeneration goe. ,it% bapti./& I .ay it !oo2. !i2e t%e tea+%ing o4 a
.puriou. C%ur+%& ,%i+% %a. +ra4ti!y in"ented a /e+%ani+a! .a!"ation to de+ei"e
ignorant& .en.ua!& and gro"e!!ing /ind.& rat%er t%an t%e tea+%ing o4 t%e /o.t
pro4ound!y .piritua! o4 a!! tea+%er.& ,%o rebu2ed S+ribe. and P%ari.ee. 4or
regarding out,ard rite. a. /ore i/portant t%an in,ard gra+e.
But it .tri2e. /e t%at a /ore 4or+ib!e argu/ent i. t%at the dogma is not s"pported
by facts. Are a!! per.on. ,%o are bapti0ed +%i!dren o4 God9 5e!!& !et u. !oo2 at t%e
di"ine 4a/i!y. Let u. /ar2 t%eir re.e/b!an+e to t%eir g!oriou. ParentB A/ I
untrut%4u! i4 I .ay t%at t%ou.and. o4 t%o.e ,%o ,ere bapti0ed in t%eir in4an+y are
no, in our goa!.9 ;ou +an a.+ertain t%e 4a+t i4 you p!ea.e& by app!i+ation to pri.on
aut%oritie.. o you be!ie"e t%at t%e.e /en& /any o4 ,%o/ %a"e been !i"ing by
p!under& 4e!ony& burg!ary& or 4orgery& are regenerate9 I4 .o& t%e Lord de!i"er u. 4ro/
.u+% regeneration. Are t%e.e "i!!ain. /e/ber. o4 C%ri.t9 I4 .o& C%ri.t %a. .ad!y
a!tered .in+e t%e day ,%en %e ,a. %o!y& %ar/!e..& unde4i!ed& .eparate 4ro/ .inner..
Ha. %e rea!!y ta2en bapti0ed drun2ard. and %ar!ot. to be /e/ber. o4 %i. body9 o
you not re"o!t at t%e .uppo.ition9 It i. a ,e!!A2no,n 4a+t t%at bapti0ed per.on.
%a"e been %anged. Sure!y it +an %ard!y be rig%t to %ang t%e in%eritor. o4 t%e
2ingdo/ o4 %ea"enB Our .%eri44. %a"e /u+% to an.,er 4or ,%en t%ey o44i+iate at
t%e e6e+ution o4 t%e +%i!dren o4 God& and .u.pend t%e /e/ber. o4 C%ri.t on t%e
ga!!o,.B 5%at a dete.tab!e 4ar+e i. t%at ,%i+% i. tran.a+ted at t%e open gra"e& ,%en
-a dear brot%er- ,%o %a. died drun2 i. buried in a -.ure and +ertain %ope o4 t%e
re.urre+tion o4 eterna! !i4e&- and t%e prayer t%at -,%en ,e .%a!! depart t%i. !i4e ,e
/ay re.t in C%ri.t& a. our %ope i. t%at t%i. our brot%er dot%.- Here i. a regenerate
brot%er& ,%o %a"ing de4i!ed t%e "i!!age by +on.tant un+!eanne.. and be.tia!
drun2enne..& died ,it%out a .ign o4 repentan+e& and yet t%e pro4e..ed /ini.ter o4
God .o!e/n!y a++ord. %i/ 4unera! rite. ,%i+% are denied to unbapti0ed inno+ent.&
and put. t%e reprobate into t%e eart% in -.ure and +ertain %ope o4 t%e re.urre+tion to
eterna! !i4e.- I4 o!d Ro/e in %er ,or.t day. e"er perpetrated a gro..er pie+e o4
i/po.ture t%an t%i.& I do no read t%ing. arig%t1 i4 it doe. not re8uire a Lut%er to +ry
do,n t%i. %ypo+ri.y a. /u+% a. Popery e"er did& t%en I do not e"en 2no, t%at
t,i+e t,o /a2e 4our. o ,e 4ind=,e ,%o bapti0e on pro4e..ion o4 4ait%& and
bapti0e by i//er.ion in a ,ay ,%i+% i. +on4e..ed to be +orre+t& t%oug% not
a!!o,ed by .o/e to be ab.o!ute!y ne+e..ary to it. "a!idity=do ,e ,%o bapti0e in
t%e na/e o4 t%e .a+red Trinity a. ot%er. do& do ,e 4ind t%at bapti./ regenerate.9
$e do not. Neit%er in t%e rig%teou. nor t%e ,i+2ed do ,e 4ind regeneration
,roug%t by bapti./. 5e %a"e ne"er /et ,it% one be!ie"er& %o,e"er in.tru+ted in
di"ine t%ing.& ,%o +ou!d tra+e %i. regeneration to %i. bapti./1 and on t%e ot%er
%and& ,e +on4e.. it ,it% .orro,& but .ti!! ,it% no .urpri.e& t%at ,e %a"e .een t%o.e
,%o/ ,e %a"e our.e!"e. bapti0ed& a++ording to apo.to!i+ pre+edent& go ba+2 into
t%e ,or!d and ,ander into t%e 4ou!e.t .in& and t%eir bapti./ %a. .+ar+e!y been .o
/u+% a. a re.traint to t%e/& be+au.e t%ey %a"e not be!ie"ed in t%e Lord #e.u.
C%ri.t. 7a+t. a!! .%o, t%at ,%ate"er good t%ere /ay be in bapti./& it +ertain!y doe.
not /a2e a /an -a /e/ber o4 C%ri.t& t%e +%i!d o4 God& and an in%eritor o4 t%e
2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en&- or e!.e /any t%ie"e.& ,%ore/onger.& drun2ard.& 4orni+ator.&
and /urderer.& are /e/ber. o4 C%ri.t& t%e +%i!dren o4 God& and in%eritor. o4 t%e
2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en. 7a+t.& bret%ren& are again.t t%i. Popi.% do+trine1 and 4a+t. are
.tubborn t%ing..
;et 4urt%er& I a/ per.uaded that the performance styled baptism by the 'rayer
(ook is not at all likely to regenerate and save. Ho, i. t%e t%ing done9 One i. "ery
+uriou. to 2no, ,%en one %ear. o4 an operation ,%i+% /a2e. /en /e/ber . o4
C%ri.t& +%i!dren o4 God& and in%eritor. o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en& %o, t%e t%ing i.
done. It /u.t in it.e!4 be a %o!y t%ing trut%4u! in a!! it. detai!.& and edi4ying in e"ery
portion. No,& ,e ,i!! .uppo.e ,e %a"e a +o/pany gat%ered round t%e ,ater& be it
/ore or !e..& and t%e pro+e.. o4 regeneration i. about to be per4or/ed. 5e ,i!!
.uppo.e t%e/ a!! to be godly people. T%e +!ergy/an o44i+iating i. a pro4ound
be!ie"er in t%e Lord #e.u.& and t%e 4at%er and /ot%er are e6e/p!ary C%ri.tian.& and
t%e god4at%er. and god/ot%er. are a!! gra+iou. per.on.. 5e ,i!! .uppo.e t%i.=it i.
a .uppo.ition 4raug%t ,it% +%arity& but it /ay be +orre+t. 5%at are t%e.e god!y
peop!e .uppo.ed to .ay9 Let u. !oo2 to t%e Prayer Boo2. T%e +!ergy/an i.
.uppo.ed to te!! t%e.e peop!e& ")e have heard also that o"r *ord +es"s Christ hath
promised in his gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for, which
promise he, for his part, will most s"rely keep and perform. $herefore, after this
promise made by Christ, this infant m"st also faithf"lly, for his part, promise by
yo" that are his s"reties -"ntil he come of age to take it "pon himself. that he will
reno"nce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe Gods holy $ord, and
obediently keep his commandments." T%i. ./a!! +%i!d i. to pro/i.e to do t%i.& or
/ore tru!y ot%er. are to ta2e upon t%e/.e!"e. to pro/i.e& and e"en vow t%at %e
.%a!! do .o. But ,e /u.t not brea2 t%e 8uotation& and t%ere4ore !et u. return to t%e
Boo2. -I de/and t%ere4ore& do.t t%ou& in t%e na/e o4 t%i. +%i!d& renoun+e t%e de"i!
and a!! %i. ,or2.& t%e "ain po/p and g!ory o4 t%e ,or!d& ,it% a!! +o"etou. de.ire.
o4 t%e .a/e& and t%e +arna! de.ire. o4 t%e 4!e.%& .o t%at t%ou ,i!t not 4o!!o,& nor be
!ed by t%e/9- An.,er. -I renoun+e t%e/ a!!.- T%at i. to .ay& on t%e na/e and
be%a!4 o4 t%i. tender in4ant about to be bapti0ed& t%e.e god!y peop!e& t%e.e
en!ig%tened C%ri.tian peop!e& t%e.e ,%o 2no, better & ,%o are not dupe.& ,%o
2no, a!! t%e ,%i!e t%at t%ey are pro/i.ing i/po..ibi!itie.=renoun+e on be%a!4 o4
t%i. +%i!d ,%at t%ey 4ind it "ery %ard to renoun+e 4or t%e/.e!"e.=-a!! +o"etou.
de.ire. o4 t%e ,or!d and t%e +arna! de.ire. o4 t%e 4!e.%& .o t%at t%ey ,i!! not 4o!!o,
nor be !ed by t%e/.- Ho, +an t%ey %arden t%eir 4a+e. to utter .u+% a 4a!.e pro/i.e&
.u+% a /o+2ery o4 renun+iation be4ore t%e pre.en+e o4 t%e 7at%er A!/ig%ty9 Mig%t
not ange!. ,eep a. t%ey %ear t%e a,4u! pro/i.e uttered9 T%en in t%e pre.en+e o4
%ig% %ea"en t%ey pro4e.. on be%a!4 o4 t%i. +%i!d t%at %e .tead4a.t!y be!ie"e. t%e
+reed& ,%en t%ey 2no,& or /ig%t pretty .%re,d!y <udge t%at t%e !itt!e +reature i. not
yet a .tead4a.t be!ie"er in anyt%ing& /u+% !e.. in C%ri.t:. going do,n into %e!!.
Mar2& t%ey do not .ay /ere!y t%at t%e babe shall be!ie"e t%e +reed& but t%ey a44ir/
t%at %e doe.& 4or t%ey an.,er in t%e +%i!d:. na/e& -A!! t%i. I .tead4a.t!y be!ie"e.-
Not we .tead4a.t!y be!ie"e& but I& t%e !itt!e baby t%ere& un+on.+iou. o4 a!! t%eir
pro4e..ion. and +on4e..ion. o4 4ait%. In an.,er to t%e 8ue.tion& -5i!t t%ou be
bapti0ed in t%i. 4ait%9- t%ey rep!y 4or t%e in4ant& -T%at i. /y de.ire.- Sure!y t%e
in4ant %a. no de.ire in t%e /atter& or at t%e !ea.t& no one %a. been aut%ori0ed to
de+!are any de.ire. on %i. be%a!4. But t%i. i. not a!!& 4or t%en t%e.e god!y& inte!!igent
peop!e ne6t pro/i.e on t%e be%a!4 o4 t%e in4ant& t%at -%e .%a!! obedient!y 2eep a!!
God:. %o!y ,i!! and +o//and/ent.& and ,a!2 in t%e .a/e a!! t%e day. o4 %i. !i4e.-
No,& I a.2 you& dear 4riend.& you ,%o 2no, ,%at true re!igion /ean.& +an you
,a!2 in a!! God:. %o!y +o//and/ent. your.e!"e.9 are you /a2e t%i. day a "o,
on your o,n part& t%at you ,ou!d renoun+e t%e de"i! and a!! %i. ,or2.& t%e po/p.
and "anitie. o4 t%i. ,i+2ed ,or!d& and a!! t%e .in4u! !u.t. o4 t%e 4!e.%9 are you&
be4ore God& /a2e .u+% a pro/i.e a. t%at9 ;ou de.ire .u+% %o!ine..& you earne.t!y
.tri"e a4ter it& but you !oo2 4or it 4ro/ God:. pro/i.e& not 4ro/ your o,n. I4 you
dare /a2e .u+% "o,. I doubt your 2no,!edge o4 your o,n %eart. and o4 t%e
.piritua!ity o4 God.:. !a,. But e"en i4 you +ou!d do t%i. 4or your.e!4& ,ou!d you
"enture to /a2e .u+% a pro/i.e 4or any ot%er per.on9 7or t%e be.tAborn in4ant on
eart%9 Co/e& bret%ren& ,%at .ay you9 I. not your rep!y ready and p!ain9 T%ere i.
not roo/ 4or t,o opinion. a/ong /en deter/ined to ob.er"e trut% in a!! t%eir ,ay.
and ,ord. . I +an under.tand a .i/p!e& ignorant ru.ti+& ,%o %a. ne"er !earned to
read& doing a!! t%i. at t%e +o//and o4 a prie.t and under t%e eye o4 a .8uire. I +an
e"en under.tand per.on. doing t%i. ,%en t%e Re4or/ation ,a. in it. da,n& and
/en %ad ne,!y +rept out o4 t%e dar2ne.. o4 Popery1 but I +annot under.tand
gra+iou.& god!y peop!e& .tanding at t%e 4ont to in.u!t t%e a!!Agra+iou. 7at%er ,it%
"o,. and pro/i.e. 4ra/ed upon a 4i+tion& and in"o!"ing pra+ti+a! 4a!.e%ood. Ho,
dare inte!!igent be!ie"er . in C%ri.t to utter ,ord. ,%i+% t%ey 2no, in t%eir
+on.+ien+e to be ,i+2ed!y a.ide 4ro/ trut%9 5%en I .%a!! be ab!e to under.tand t%e
pro+e.. by ,%i+% gra+iou. /en .o a++o//odate t%eir +on.+ien+e.& e"en t%en I
.%a!! %a"e a +on4ir/ed be!ie4 t%at t%e God o4 trut% ne"er did and ne"er ,i!! +on4ir/
a .piritua! b!e..ing o4 t%e %ig%e.t order in +onne+tion ,it% t%e utteran+e o4 .u+%
4a!.e pro/i.e. and untrut%4u! "o,.. My bret%ren& doe. it not .tri2e you t%at
de+!aration. .o 4i+titiou. are not !i2e!y to be +onne+ted ,it% a ne, birt% ,roug%t
by t%e Spirit o4 trut%9
I %a"e not done ,it% t%i. point& I /u.t ta2e anot%er +a.e& and .uppo.e t%e .pon.or.
and ot%er. to be "ngodly& and t%at i. no %ard .uppo.ition& 4or in /any +a.e. ,e
2no, t%at god4at%er. and parent. %a"e no /ore t%oug%t o4 re!igion t%an t%at
ido!atrou. %o!!o,ed .tone around ,%i+% t%ey gat%er. 5%en t%e.e .inner. %a"e
ta2en t%eir p!a+e.& ,%at are t%ey about to .ay9 5%y& t%ey are about to /a2e t%e
.o!e/n "o,. I %a"e a!ready re+ounted in your %earingB Tota!!y irre!igiou. t%ey are&
but yet t%ey pro/i.e 4or t%e baby ,%at t%ey ne"er did& and ne"er t%oug%t o4 doing
4or t%e/.e!"e.=t%ey pro/i.e on be%a!4 o4 t%i. +%i!d& -t%at %e ,i!! renoun+e t%e
de"i! and a!! %i. ,or2.& a nd +on.tant!y be!ie"e God:. %o!y 5ord& and obedient!y
2eep %i. +o//and/ent..- My bret%ren& do not t%in2 I .pea2 .e"ere!y %ere. Rea!!y
I t%in2 t%ere i. .o/et%ing %ere to /a2e /o+2ery 4or de"i!.. Let e"ery %one.t /an
!a/ent& t%at e"er God:. C%ur+% .%ou!d to!erate .u+% a t%ing a. t%i.& and t%at t%ere
.%ou!d be 4ound gra+iou. peop!e ,%o ,i!! 4ee! grie"ed be+au.e I& in a!! 2indne.. o4
%eart& rebu2e t%e atro+ity. Unregenerate .inner. pro/i.ing 4or a poor babe t%at %e
.%a!! 2eep a!! God:. %o!y +o//and/ent. ,%i+% t%ey t%e/.e!"e. ,anton!y brea2
e"ery dayB Ho, +an anyt%ing but t%e !ong.u44ering o4 God endure t%i.9 5%atB not
.pea2 again.t it9 T%e "ery .tone. in t%e .treet /ig%t +ry out again.t t%e in4a/y o4
,i+2ed /en and ,o/en pro/i.ing t %at anot%er .%ou!d renoun+e t%e de"i! and a!!
%i. ,or2.& ,%i!e t%ey t%e/.e!"e. .er"e t%e de"i! and do %i. ,or2. ,it% greedine..B
A. a +!i/a6 to a!! t%i.& I a/ a.2ed to be!ie"e t%at God a++ept. t%at ,i+2ed pro/i.e&
and a. t%e re.u!t o4 it& regenerate. t%at +%i!d. ;ou +annot be!ie"e in regeneration by
t%i. operation& ,%et%er .aint. or .inner. are t%e per4or/er.. Ta2e t%e/ to be god!y&
t%en t%ey are ,rong 4or doing ,%at t%eir +on.+ien+e /u.t +onde/n1 "ie, t%e/ a.
ungod!y& and t%ey are ,rong 4or pro/i.ing ,%at t%ey 2no, t%ey +annot per4or/1
and in neit%er +a.e +an God a++ept .u+% ,or.%ip& /u+% !e.. in4a!!ib!y append
regeneration to .u+% a bapti./ a. t%i..
But you ,i!! .ay -5%y do yo" +ry out again.t it9- I +ry out again.t it be+au.e I
be!ie"e t%at bapti./ doe. not .a"e t%e .ou!& and t%at the preaching of it has a
wrong and evil infl"ence "pon men. 5e /eet ,it% per.on. ,%o& ,%en ,e te!! t%e/
t%at t%ey /u.t be born again& a..ure u. t%at t%ey ,ere born again ,%en t%ey ,ere
bapti0ed. T%e nu/ber o4 t%e.e per.on. i. in+rea.ing& 4ear4u!!y in+rea.ing& unti! a!!
grade. o4 .o+iety are /i.!ed by t%i. be!ie4. Ho, +an any /an .tand up in %i. pu!pit
and .ay -;e /u.t be born again- to %i. +ongregation& ,%en %e %a . a!ready a..ured
t%e/& by %i. o,n -un4eigned a..ent and +on.ent- to it& t%at t%ey are t%e/.e!"e.&
e"ery one o4 t%e/& born again in bapti./. 5%at i. %e to do ,it% t%e/9 5%y& /y
dear 4riend.& t%e go.pe! t%en %a. no "oi+e1 t%ey %a"e ra//ed t%i. +ere/ony do,n
it. t%roat and it +annot .pea2 to rebu2e .in. T%e /an ,%o %a. been bapti0ed or
.prin2!ed .ay.& -I am .a"ed& I am a /e/ber o4 C%ri.t& a +%i!d o4 God& and an
in%eritor o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en. 5%o are you& t%at you .%ou!d rebu2e me/ Ca!!
me to repentan+e9 Ca!! me to a ne, !i4e9 5%at better !i4e +an I %a"e9 4or I am a
/e/ber o4 C%ri.t=a part o4 C%ri.t:. body. 5%atB rebu2e me/ I a/ a +%i!d o4 God.
Cannot you .ee it in /y 4a+e9 No /atter ,%at /y ,a!2 and +on"er.ation i.& I a/ a
+%i!d o4 God. Moreo"er& I a/ an in%eritor o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4 %ea"en. It i. true& I
drin2 and .,ear& and a!! t%at& but you 2no, I a/ an in%eritor o4 t%e 2ingdo/ o4
%ea"en& 4or ,%en I die & t%oug% I !i"e in +on.tant .in& you ,i!! put /e in t%e gra"e&
and te!! e"erybody t%at I died -in .ure and +ertain %ope o4 t%e re.urre+tion to
eterna! !i4e.-
No,& ,%at +an be t%e in4!uen+e o4 .u+% prea+%ing a. t%i. upon our be!o"ed
Eng!and9 Upon /y dear and b!e..ed +ountry9 5%at but t%e ,or.t o4 i!!.9 I4 I !o"ed
%er not& but !o"ed /y.e!4 /o.t& I /ig%t be .i!ent %ere& but& !o"ing Eng!and& I +annot
and dare not1 and %a"ing .oon to render an a++ount be4ore /y God& ,%o.e .er"ant
I %ope I a/& I /u.t 4ree /y.e!4 4ro/ t%i. e"i! a. ,e!! a. 4ro/ e"ery ot%er& or e!.e
on /y %ead /ay be t%e doo/ o4 .ou!..
Here !et /e bring in anot%er point. It i. a /o.t 4ear4u! 4a+t& t%at in no age since the
0eformation has 'opery made s"ch fearf"l strides in 1ngland as d"ring the last
few years. I %ad +o/4ortab!y be!ie"ed t%at Popery ,a. on!y 4eeding it.e!4 upon
4oreign .ub.+ription.& upon a 4e, tit!ed per"ert.& and i/ported /on2. and nun.. I
drea/ed t%at it. progre.. ,a. not rea!. In 4a+t& I %a"e o4ten ./i!ed at t%e a!ar/ o4
/any o4 /y bret%ren at t%e progre.. o4 Popery. But& /y dear 4riend.& ,e %a"e been
/i.ta2en& grie"ou.!y /i.ta2en. I4 you ,i!! read a "a!uab!e paper in t%e /aga0ine
+a!!ed -C%ri.tian 5or2&- t%o.e o4 you ,%o are not a+8uainted ,it% it ,i!! be
per4e+t!y .tart!ed at it. re"e!ation.. T%i. great +ity i. no, +o"ered ,it% a net,or2
o4 /on2.& and prie.t.& and .i.ter. o4 /er+y& and t%e +on"er.ion. /ade are not by
one. or t,o.& but by .+ore.& ti!! Eng!and i. being regarded a. t%e /o.t %ope4u! .pot
4or Ro/i.% /i..ionary enterpri.e in t%e ,%o!e ,or!d1 and at t%e pre.ent /o/ent
t%ere i. not a /i..ion ,%i+% i. .u++eeding to anyt%ing !i2e t%e e6tent ,%i+% t%e
Eng!i.% /i..ion i.. I +o"et not t%eir /oney& I de.pi.e t%eir .op%i.trie.& but I /ar"e!
at t%e ,ay in ,%i+% t%ey gain t%eir 4und. 4or t%e ere+tion o4 t%eir e++!e.ia.ti+a!
bui!ding.. It rea!!y i. an a!ar/ing /atter to .ee .o /any o4 our +ountry/en going
o44 to t%at .uper.tition ,%i+% a. a nation ,e on+e re<e+ted& and ,%i+% it ,a.
.uppo.ed ,e .%ou!d ne"er again re+ei"e. Popery i. /a2ing ad"an+e. .u+% a. you
,ou!d ne"er be!ie"e& t%oug% a .pe+tator .%ou!d te!! it to you. C!o.e to your "ery
door.& per%ap. e"en in your o,n %ou.e.& you /ay %a"e e"iden+e ere !ong o4 ,%at a
/ar+% Ro/ani./ i. /a2ing. And to ,%at i. it to be a.+ribed9 I .ay& ,it% e"ery
ground o4 probabi!ity& t%at t%ere i. no /ar"e! t%at Popery .%ou!d in+rea.e ,%en you
%a"e t,o t%ing. to /a2e it gro,3 4ir.t o4 a!!& t%e 4a!.e%ood o 4 t%o.e ,%o pro4e.. a
4ait% ,%i+% t%ey do not be!ie"e& ,%i+% i. 8uite +ontrary to t%e %one.ty o4 t%e
Ro/ani.t& ,%o doe. t%roug% e"i! report and good report %o!d %i. 4ait%1 and t%en
you %a"e& .e+ond!y& t%i. 4or/ o4 error 2no,n a. bapti./a! regeneration& and
+o//on!y +a!!ed Pu.eyi./& ,%i+% i. not on!y Pu.eyi./& but C%ur+%Ao4A
Eng!andi./& be+au.e it i. in t%e Prayer Boo2& a. p!ain!y a. ,ord. +an e6pre.. it=
you %a"e t%i. bapti./a! regeneration preparing .teppingA.tone. to /a2e it ea.y 4or
/en to go to Ro/e. I %a"e but to open /y eye. a !itt!e to 4ore.ee Ro/ani./
ra/pant e"ery,%ere in t%e 4uture& .in+e it. ger/. are .preading e"ery,%ere in t%e
pre.ent. In one o4 our +ourt. o4 !egi.!ature but !a.t Tue.day& t%e Lord C%ie4 #u.ti+e
.%o,ed %i. .uper.tition& by .pea2ing o4 -t%e ri.2 o4 t%e +a!a/ity o4 +%i!dren dying
unbapti0edB- A/ong i..enter. you .ee a "eneration 4or .tru+ture.& a /odi4ied
be!ie4 in t%e .a+redne.. o4 p!a+e.& ,%i+% i. ido!atry1 4or to be!ie"e in t%e .a+redne..
o4 anyt%ing but o4 God and o4 %i. o,n 5ord& i. to ido!i0e& ,%et%er it i. to be!ie"e
in t%e .a+redne.. o4 t%e /en& t%e prie.t.& or in t%e .a+redne.. o4 t%e bri+2. and
/ortar& or o4 t%e 4ine !inen& or ,%at not& ,%i+% you /ay u.e in t%e ,or.%ip o4 God.
I .ee t%i. +o/ing up e"ery,%ere=a be!ie4 in +ere/ony& a re.ting in +ere/ony& a
"eneration 4or a!tar.& 4ont.& and C%ur+%e.=a "eneration .o pro4ound t%at ,e /u.t
not "enture upon a re/ar2& or .traig%t,ay o4 .inner. ,e are +%ie4. Here i. t%e
e..en+e and .ou! o4 Popery& peeping up under t%e garb o4 a de+ent re.pe+t 4or
.a+red t%ing.. It i. i/po..ib!e but t%at t%e C%ur+% o4 Ro/e /u.t .pread& ,%en ,e
,%o are t%e ,at+%Adog. o4 t%e 4o!d are .i!ent& and ot%er. are gent!y and ./oot%!y
tur4ing t%e road& and /a2ing it a. .o4t and ./oot% a. po..ib!e& t%at +on"ert. /ay
tra"e! do,n to t%e net%er/o.t %e!! o4 Popery. 5e ,ant #o%n Cno6 ba+2 again. o
not ta!2 to /e o4 /i!d and gent!e /en& o4 .o4t /anner. and .8uea/i.% ,ord.& ,e
,ant t%e 4iery Cno6& and e"en t%oug% %i. "e%e/en+e .%ou!d -ding our pu!pit. into
b!ad.&- it ,ere ,e!! i4 %e did but rou.e our %eart. to a+tion. 5e ,ant Lut%er to te!!
/en t%e trut% un/i.ta2ab!y& in %o/e!y p%ra.e. T%e "e!"et %a. got into our
/ini.ter.: /out%. o 4 !ate& but ,e /u.t unrobe our.e!"e. o4 .o4t rai/ent& and trut%
/u.t be .po2en& and not%ing but trut%1 4or o4 a!! !ie. ,%i+% %a"e dragged /i!!ion.
do,n to %e!!& I !oo2 upon t%i. a. being one o4 t%e /o.t atro+iou.=t%at in a
Prote.tant C%ur+% t%ere .%ou!d be 4ound t%o.e ,%o .,ear t%at bapti./ .a"e. t%e
.ou!. Ca!! a /an a Bapti.t& or a Pre.byterian& or a i..enter& or a C%ur+%/an& t%at
i. not%ing to /e=i4 %e .ay. t%at bapti./ .a"e. t%e .ou!& out upon %i/& out upon
%i/& %e .tate. ,%at God ne"er taug%t& ,%at t%e Bib!e ne"er !aid do,n& and ,%at
oug%t ne"er to be /aintained by /en ,%o pro4e.. t%at t%e Bib!e& and t%e ,%o!e
Bib!e& i. t%e re!igion o4 Prote.tant..
I %a"e .po2en t%u. /u+%& and t%ere ,i!! be .o/e ,%o ,i!! .ay=.po2en t%u. /u+%
bitter!y. @ery ,e!!& be it .o. P%y.i+ i. o4ten bitter& but it .%a!! ,or2 ,e!!& and t%e
p%y.i+ian i. not bitter be+au.e %i. /edi+ine i. .o1 or i4 %e be a++ounted .o& it ,i!!
/atter& .o !ong a. t%e patient i. +ured1 at a!! e"ent.& it i. no bu.ine.. o4 t%e patient
,%et%er t%e p%y.i+ian i. bitter or not& %i. bu.ine.. i. ,it% %i. o,n .ou!:. %ea!t%.
T%ere i. t%e trut%& and I %a"e to!d it to you1 and i4 t%ere .%ou!d be one a/ong you&
or i4 t%ere .%ou!d be one a/ong t%e reader. o4 t%i. .er/on ,%en it i. printed& ,%o
i. re.ting on bapti./& or re.ting upon +ere/onie. o4 any .ort& I do be.ee+% you&
.%a2e o44 t%i. "eno/ou. 4ait% into t%e 4ire a. Pau! did t%e "iper ,%i+% 4a.tened on
%i. %and. I pray you do not re.t on bapti./.
-No out,ard 4or/. +an /a2e you +!ean&
T%e !epro.y !ie. deep ,it%in.-
I do be.ee+% you to re/e/ber t%at you /u.t %a"e a ne, %eart and a rig%t .pirit&
and bapti./ +annot gi"e you t%e.e. ;ou /u.t turn 4ro/ your .in. and 4o!!o, a4ter
C%ri.t1 you /u.t %a"e .u+% a 4ait% a. .%a!! /a2e your !i4e %o!y and your .pee+%
de"out& or e!.e you %a"e not t%e 4ait% o4 God:. e!e+t& and into God:. 2ingdo/ you
.%a!! ne"er +o/e. I pray you ne"er re.t upon t%i. ,ret+%ed and rotten 4oundation&
t%i. de+eit4u! in"ention o4 anti+%ri.t. O& /ay God .a"e you 4ro/ it& and bring you
to .ee2 t%e true ro+2 o4 re4uge 4or ,eary .ou!..
I +o/e ,it% /u+% bre"ity& and I %ope ,it% /u+% earne.tne..& in t%e .e+ond p!a+e&
to .ay t%at 7AITH IS THE INISPENSABLE REDUISITE TO SAL@ATION. -He
t%at believeth and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed1 %e t%at believeth not .%a!! be
da/ned.- 7ait% i. t%e one indi.pen.ab!e re8ui.ite 4or .a!"ation. T%i. 4ait% i. t%e gi4t
o4 God. It i. t%e ,or2 o4 t%e Ho!y Spirit. So/e /en be!ie"e not on #e.u.1 t%ey
be!ie"e not be+au.e t%ey are not o4 C%ri.t:. .%eep& a. %e %i/.e!4 .aid unto t%e/1 but
%i. .%eep %ear %i. "oi+e3 %e 2no,. t%e/ and t%ey 4o!!o, %i/3 %e gi"e. to t%e/
eterna! !i4e& and t%ey .%a!! ne"er peri.%& neit%er .%a!! any p!u+2 t%e/ out o4 %i.
%and. 5%at i. t%i. be!ie"ing9 Be!ie"ing +on.i.t. in t,o t%ing.1 4ir.t t%ere i. an
accrediting of the testimony of God +on+erning %i. Son. God te!!. you t%at %i. Son
+a/e into t%e ,or!d and ,a. /ade 4!e.%& t%at %e !i"ed upon eart% 4or /en:. .a2e&
t%at a4ter %a"ing .pent %i. !i4e in %o!ine.. %e ,a. o44ered up a propitiation 4or .in&
t%at upon t%e +ro.. %e t%ere and t%en /ade e6piation=.o /ade e6piation 4or t%e
.in. o4 t%e ,or!d t%at -5%o.oe"er be!ie"et% in %i/ .%a!! not peri.%& but %a"e
e"er!a.ting !i4e.- I4 you ,ou!d be .a"ed& you /u.t a++redit t%i. te.ti/ony ,%i+%
God gi"e. +on+erning %i. o,n Son. Ha"ing re+ei"ed t%i. te.ti/ony& t%e ne6t t%ing
i. to confide in it=indeed %ere !ie.& I t%in2& t%e e..en+e o4 .a"ing 4ait%& to re.t
your.e!4 4or eterna! .a!"ation upon t%e atone/ent and t%e rig%teou.ne.. o4 #e.u.
C%ri.t& to %a"e done on+e 4or a!! ,it% a!! re!ian+e upon 4ee!ing. or upon doing.& and
to tru.t in #e.u. C%ri.t and in ,%at %e did 4or your .a!"ation.
T%i. i. 4ait%& re+ei"ing o4 t%e trut% o4 C%ri.t3 4ir.t 2no,ing it to be true& and t%en
a+ting upon t%at be!ie4. Su+% a 4ait% a. t%i.=.u+% rea! 4ait% a. t%i. /a2e. t%e /an
%en+e4ort% %ate .in. Ho, +an %e !o"e t%e t%ing ,%i+% /ade t %e Sa"iour b!eed9 It
/a2e. %i/ !i"e in %o!ine... Ho, +an %e but .ee2 to %onour t%at God ,%o %a. !o"ed
%i/ .o /u+% a. to gi"e %i. Son to die 4or %i/. T%i. 4ait% i. .piritua! in it. nature
and e44e+t.1 it operate. upon t%e entire /an1 it +%ange. %i. %eart& en!ig%ten. %i.
<udg/ent& and .ubdue. %i. ,i!!1 it .ub<e+t. %i/ to God:. .upre/a+y& and /a2e. %i/
re+ei"e God:. 5ord a. a !itt!e +%i!d& ,i!!ing to re+ei"e t%e trut% upon t%e ipse di2it
o4 t%e di"ine One1 it .an+ti4ie. %i. inte!!e+t& and /a2e. %i/ ,i!!ing to be taug%t
God:. 5ord1 it +!ean.e. ,it%in1 it /a2e. +!ean t%e in.ide o4 t%e +up and p!atter& and
it beauti4ie. ,it%out1 it /a2e. +!ean t%e e6terior +ondu+t and t%e inner /oti"e& .o
t%at t%e /an& i4 %i. 4ait% be true and rea!& be+o/e. %en+e4ort% anot%er /an to ,%at
%e e"er ,a. be4ore.
No, t%at .u+% a 4ait% a. t%i. .%ou!d .a"e t%e .ou!& i.& I be!ie"e& rea.onab!e1 yea&
/ore& it i. +ertain& 4or we have seen men saved by it in t%i. "ery %ou.e o4 prayer.
5e %a"e .een t%e %ar!ot !i4ted out o4 t%e Stygian dit+% o4 %er .in& and /ade an
%one.t ,o/an1 ,e %a"e .een t%e t%ie4 re+!ai/ed1 ,e %a"e 2no,n t%e drun2ard in
%undred. o4 in.tan+e. to be .obered1 ,e %a"e ob.er"ed 4ait% to ,or2 .u+% a
+%ange& t%at a!! t%e neig%bour. ,%o %a"e .een it %a"e ga0ed and ad/ired& e"en
t%oug% t%ey %ated it1 ,e %a"e .een 4ait% de!i"er /en in t%e %our o4 te/ptation& and
%e!p t%e/ to +on.e+rate t%e/.e!"e. and t%eir .ub.tan+e to God1 ,e %a"e .een& and
%ope .ti!! to .ee yet /ore ,ide!y& deed. o4 %eroi+ +on.e+ration to God and di.p!ay.
o4 ,itne..Abearing again.t t%e +o//on +urrent o4 t%e ti/e.& ,%i+% %a"e pro"ed to
u. t%at 4ait% doe. a44e+t t%e /an& doe. .a"e t%e .ou!. My %earer.& i4 you ,ou!d be
.a"ed& you /u.t be!ie"e in t%e Lord #e.u. C%ri.t. Let /e urge you ,it% a!! /y
%eart to !oo2 no,%ere but to C%ri.t +ru+i4ied 4or your .a!"ation. O%B i4 you re.t
upon any +ere/ony& t%oug% it be not bapti./=i4 you re.t upon any ot%er t%an
#e.u. C%ri.t& you /u.t peri.%& a. .ure!y a. t%i. Boo2 i. true. I pray you be!ie"e not
e"ery .pirit& but t%oug% I& or an ange! 4ro/ %ea"en& prea+% any ot%er do+trine t%an
t%i.& !et %i/ be a++ur.ed& 4or t%i.& and t%i. a!one& i. t%e .ou!A.a"ing trut% ,%i+%
.%a!! regenerate t%e ,or!d=-He t%at be!ie"et% and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed.-
A,ay 4ro/ a!! t%e tagArag.& ,a6 +and!e.& and /i!!inery o4 Pu.eyi./B a,ay 4ro/ a!!
t%e gorgeou. po/p o4 PoperyB a,ay 4ro/ t%e 4ont. o4 C%ur+%Ao4AEng!andi./B ,e
bid you turn your eye. to t%at na2ed +ro..& ,%ere %ang. a. a b!eeding /an t%e Son
o4 God.
-None but #e.u.& none but #e.u.
+an do %e!p!e.. .inner. good.-
T%ere i. !i4e in a !oo2 at t%e +ru+i4ied1 t%ere i. !i4e at t%i. /o/ent 4or you. 5%oe"er
a/ong you +an be!ie"e in t%e great !o"e o4 God to,ard. /an in C%ri.t #e.u.& you
.%a!! be .a"ed. I4 you +an be!ie"e t%at our great 7at%er de.iret% u. to +o/e to %i/
=t%at %e pantet% 4or u.=t%at %e +a!!et% u. e"ery day ,it% t%e !oud "oi+e o4 %i.
Son:. ,ound.1 i4 you +an be!ie"e no, t%at in C%ri.t t%ere i. pardon 4or
tran.gre..ion. pa.t& and +!ean.ing 4or year. to +o/e1 i4 you +an tru.t %i/ to .a"e
you& you %a"e a!ready t%e /ar2. o4 regeneration. T%e ,or2 o4 .a!"ation i.
+o//en+ed in you& .o 4ar a. t%e Spirit:. ,or2 i. +on+erned3 it i. 4ini.%ed in you .o
4ar a. C%ri.t:. ,or2 i. +on+erned. O& I ,ou!d p!ead ,it% you=!ay %o!d on #e.u.
C%ri.t. T%i. i. the 4oundation3 bui!d on it. T%i. i. the ro+2 o4 re4uge3 4!y to it. I pray
you 4!y to it no,. Li4e i. .%ort3 ti/e .peed. ,it% eag!e:.A,ing. S,i4t a. t%e do"e
pur.ued by t%e %a,2& 4!y& 4!y poor .inner& to God:. dear Son1 no, tou+% t%e %e/ o4
%i. gar/ent1 no, !oo2 into t%at dear 4a+e& on+e /arred ,it% .orro,. 4or you1 !oo2
into t%o.e eye.& on+e .%edding tear. 4or you. Tru.t %i/& and i4 you 4ind %i/ 4a!.e&
t%en you /u.t peri.%1 but 4a!.e you ne"er ,i!! 4ind %i/ ,%i!e t%i. ,ord .tandet%
true& -He t%at be!ie"et% and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed1 but %e t%at be!ie"et% not
.%a!! be da/ned.- God gi"e u. t%i. "ita!& e..entia! 4ait%& ,it%out ,%i+% t%ere i. no
.a!"ation. Bapti0ed& reAbapti0ed& +ir+u/+i.ed& +on4ir/ed& 4ed upon .a+ra/ent.& and
buried in +on.e+rated ground=ye .%a!! a!! peri.% e6+ept ye be!ie"e in %i/. T%e
,ord i. e6pre.. and p!ain=%e t%at be!ie"et% not /ay p!ead %i. bapti./& /ay p!ead
anyt%ing %e !i2e.& -But %e t%at be!ie"et% not .%a!! be da/ned1- 4or %i/ t%ere i.
not%ing but t%e ,rat% o4 God& t%e 4!a/e. o4 %e!!& eterna! perdition. So C%ri.t
de+!are.& and .o /u.t it be.
But no, to +!o.e& t%ere are .o/e ,%o .ay& -A%B but bapti./ i. in t%e te6t1 ,%ere do
you put t%at9- T%at .%a!! be anot%er point& and t%en ,e .%a!! %a"e done.
THE BAPTISM IN THE TEET IS ONE E@IENTL; CONNECTE 5ITH
7AITH. -He t%at be!ie"et% and i. bapti0ed .%a!! be .a"ed.- It .tri2e. /e& t%ere i. no
.uppo.ition %ere& t%at anybody ,ou!d be bapti0ed ,%o did not be!ie"e1 or& i4 t%ere
be .u+% a .uppo.ition& it i. "ery +!ear!y !aid do,n t%at %i. bapti./ ,i!! be o4 no u.e
to %i/& 4or %e ,i!! be da/ned& bapti0ed or not& un!e.. %e be!ie"e.. T%e bapti./ o4
t%e te6t .ee/. to /e=/y bret%ren& i4 you di44er 4ro/ /e I a/ .orry 4or it& but I
/u.t %o!d /y opinion and out ,it% it=it .ee/. to /e t%at bapti./ i. +onne+ted
,it%& nay& dire+t!y 4o!!o,. be!ie4. I ,ou!d not in.i.t too /u+% upon t%e order o4 t%e
,ord.& but 4or ot%er rea.on.& I t%in2 t%at bapti./ .%ou!d 4o!!o, be!ie"ing. At any
rate it e44e+tua!!y a"oid. t%e error ,e %a"e been +o/bating. A /an ,%o 2no,. t%at
%e i. .a"ed by be!ie"ing in C%ri.t doe. not& ,%en %e i. bapti0ed& !i4t %i. bapti./
into a .a"ing ordinan+e. In 4a+t& %e i. t%e "ery be.t prote.ter again.t t%at /i.ta2e&
be+au.e %e %o!d. t%at %e %a. no rig%t to be bapti0ed unti! %e i. .a"ed. He b ear. a
te.ti/ony again.t bapti./a! regeneration in %i. being bapti0ed a. pro4e..ed!y an
a!ready regenerate per.on. Bret%ren& t%e bapti./ %ere /eant i. a bapti./ +onne+ted
,it% 4ait%& and to t%i. bapti./ I ,i!! ad/it t%ere i. "ery /u+% a.+ribed in S+ripture.
Into t%at 8ue.tion I a/ not going1 but I do 4ind .o/e "ery re/ar2ab!e pa..age. in
,%i+% bapti./ i. .po2en o4 "ery .trong!y. I 4ind t%i.=-Ari.e& and be bapti0ed& and
,a.% a,ay t%y .in.& +a!!ing on t%e na/e o4 t%e Lord.- I 4ind a. /u+% a. t%i.
e!.e,%ere1 I 2no, t%at be!ie"er:. bapti./ it.e!4 doe. not ,a.% a,ay .in& yet it i. .o
t%e out,ard .ign and e/b!e/ o4 it to t%e be!ie"er& t%at t%e t%ing "i.ib!e /ay be
de.+ribed a. t%e t%ing .igni4ied. #u.t a. our Sa"ior .aid=- T%i. i. /y body&- ,%en
it ,a. not %i. body& but bread1 yet& ina./u+% a. it repre.ented %i. body& it ,a. 4air
and rig%t a++ording to t%e u.age o4 !anguage to .ay& -Ta2e& eat& t%i. i. /y body.-
And .o& ina./u+% a. bapti./ to t%e be!ie"er repre.entet% t%e ,a.%ing o4 .in=it
/ay be +a!!ed t%e ,a.%ing o4 .in=not t%at it i. .o& but t%at it i. to .a"ed .ou!. t%e
out,ard .y/bo! and repre.entation o4 ,%at i. done by t%e po,er o4 t%e Ho!y
Spirit& in t%e /an ,%o be!ie"e. in C%ri.t.
5%at +onne+tion %a. t%i. bapti./ ,it% 4ait%9 I t%in2 it %a. <u.t t%i.& baptism is the
avowal of faith; t%e /an ,a. C%ri.t:. .o!dier& but no, in bapti./ %e put. on %i.
regi/enta!.. T%e /an be!ie"ed in C%ri.t& but %i. 4ait% re/ained bet,een God an d
%i. o,n .ou!. In bapti./ %e .ay. to t%e bapti0er& -I be!ie"e in #e.u. C%ri.t1- %e .ay.
to t%e C%ur+%& -I unite ,it% you a. a be!ie"er in t%e +o//on trut%. o4
C%ri.tianity1- %e .ait% to t%e on!oo2er& -5%ate"er you /ay do& a. 4or /e& I ,i!!
.er"e t%e Lord.- It i. t%e a"o,a! o4 %i. 4ait%.
Ne6t& ,e t%in2 bapti./ i. a!.o to t%e be!ie"er a testimony of his faith; %e doe. in
bapti./ te!! t%e ,or!d ,%at %e be!ie"e.. -I a/ about&- .ait% %e& -to be buried in
,ater. I be!ie"e t%at t%e Son o4 God ,a. /etap%ori+a!!y bapti0ed in .u44ering3 I
be!ie"e %e ,a. !itera!!y dead and buried.- To ri.e again out o4 t%e ,ater .et. 4ort%
to a!! /en t%at %e be!ie"e. in t%e re.urre+tion o4 C%ri.t. T%ere i. a .%o,ing 4ort% in
t%e Lord:. Supper o4 C%ri.t:. deat%& and t%ere i. a .%o,ing 4ort% in bapti./ o4
C%ri.t:. buria! and re.urre+tion. It i. a type& a .ign& a .y/bo!& a /irror to t%e ,or!d3
a !oo2ingAg!a.. in ,%i+% re!igion i. a. it ,ere re4!e+ted. 5e .ay t o t%e on!oo2er&
,%en %e a.2. ,%at i. t%e /eaning o4 t%i. ordinan+e& -5e /ean to .et 4ort% our
4ait% t%at C%ri.t ,a. buried& and t%at %e ro.e again 4ro/ t%e dead& and ,e a"o, t%i.
deat% and re.urre+tion to be t%e ground o4 our tru.t.-
Again& bapti./ i. a!.o %aiths taking her proper place.It i.& or .%ou!d be one o4 %er
4ir.t a+t. o4 obedien+e. Rea.on !oo2. at bapti./& and .ay.& -Per%ap. t%ere i.
not%ing in it1 it +annot do /e any good.- -True&- .ay. 7ait%& -a nd t%ere4ore ,i!! I
ob.er"e it. I4 it did /e .o/e good /y .e!4i.%ne.. ,ou!d /a2e /e do it& but
ina./u+% a. to /y .en.e t%ere i. no good in it& .in+e I a/ bidden by /y Lord t%u.
to 4u!4i! a!! rig%teou.ne..& it i. /y 4ir.t pub!i+ de+!aration t%at a t%ing ,%i+% !oo2.
to be unrea.onab!e and .ee/. to be unpro4itab!e& being +o//anded by God& i. !a,&
i. !a, to /e. I4 /y Ma.ter %ad to!d /e to pi+2 up .i6 .tone. and !ay t%e/ in a ro,
I ,ou!d do it& ,it%out de/anding o4 %i/& :5%at good ,i!! it do9: C"ibono/ i. no
4it 8ue.tion 4or .o!dier. o4 #e.u.. T%e "ery .i/p!i+ity and apparent u.e!e..ne.. o4
t%e ordinan+e .%ou!d /a2e t%e be!ie"er .ay& :T%ere4ore I do it be+au.e it be+o/e.
t%e better te.t to /e o4 /y obedien+e to /y Ma.ter.:- 5%en you te!! your .er"ant to
do .o/et%ing& and %e +annot +o/pre%end it& i4 %e turn. round and .ay.& -P!ea.e&
.ir& ,%at 4or9- you are 8uite +!ear t%at %e %ard!y under.tand. t%e re!ation bet,een
/a.ter and .er"ant. So ,%en God te!!. /e to do a t%ing& i4 I .ay& -5%at 4or9- I
+annot %a"e ta2en t%e p!a+e ,%i+% 7ait% oug%t to o++upy& ,%i+% i. t%at o4 .i/p!e
obedien+e to ,%ate"er t%e Lord %at% .aid. Bapti./ i. +o//anded& and 7ait% obey.
be+au.e it i. +o//anded& and t%u. ta2e. %er proper p!a+e.
On+e /ore& baptism is a refreshment to %aith. 5%i!e ,e are /ade up o4 body and
.ou! a. ,e are& ,e .%a!! need .o/e /ean. by ,%i+% t%e body .%a!! .o/eti/e. be
.tirred up to +oA,or2 ,it% t%e .ou!. In t%e Lord:. Supper /y 4ait% i. a..i.ted by t%e
out,ard and "i.ib!e .ign. In t%e bread and in t%e ,ine I .ee no .uper.titiou.
/y.tery& I .ee not%ing but bread and ,ine& but in t%at bread and ,ine I do .ee to
/y 4ait% an a..i.tant. T%roug% t%e .ign /y 4ait% .ee. t%e t%ing .igni4ied. So in
bapti./ t%ere i. no /y.teriou. e44i+a+y in t%e bapti.try or in t%e ,ater. 5e atta+%
no re"eren+e to t%e one or to t%e ot%er& but ,e do .ee in t%e ,ater and in t%e
bapti./ .u+% an a..i.tan+e a. bring. %o/e to our 4ait% /o.t /ani4e.t!y our being
buried ,it% C%ri.t& and our ri.ing again in ne,ne.. o4 !i4e ,it% %i/. E6p!ain
bapti./ t%u.& dear 4riend.& and t%ere i. no 4ear o4 Popery ri.ing out o4 it. E6p!ain it
t%u.& and ,e +annot .uppo.e any .ou! ,i!! be !ed to tru.t to it1 but it ta2e. it .
proper p!a+e a/ong t%e ordinan+e. o4 God:. %ou.e. To !i4t it up in t%e ot%er ,ay&
and .ay /en are .a"ed by it=a%B /y 4riend.& %o, /u+% o4 /i.+%ie4 t%at one
4a!.e%ood %a. done and /ay do& eternity a!one ,i!! di.+!o.e. 5ou!d to God anot%er
George 7o6 ,ou!d .pring up in a!! %i. 8uaint .i/p!i+ity and rude %one.ty to rebu2e
t%e ido!A,or.%ip o4 t%i. age1 to rai! at t%eir %o!y bri+2. and /ortar& %o!y !e+tern.&
%o!y a!ter.& %o!y .urp!i+e.& rig%t re"erend 4at%er.& and I 2no, not ,%at. T%e.e
t%ing. are not %o!y. God i. %o!y1 %i. trut% i. %o!y1 %o!ine.. be!ong. not to t%e +arna!
and t%e /ateria!& but to t%e .piritua!. O t%at a tru/petAtongue ,ou!d +ry out again.t
t%e .uper.tition o4 t%e age. I +annot& a. George 7o6 did& gi"e up bapti./ an d t%e
Lord:. Supper& but I ,ou!d in4inite!y .ooner do it& +ounting it t%e ./a!!er /i.ta2e
o4 t%e t,o t%an perpetrate and a..i.t in perpetrating t%e up!i4ting o4 bapti./ and t%e
Lord:. Supper out o4 t%eir proper p!a+e. O /y be!o"ed 4riend.& t%e +o/rade. o4 /y
.trugg!e. and ,itne..ing.& +!ing to t%e .a!"ation o4 4ait%& and ab%or t%e .a!"ation o4
prie.t.. I4 I a/ not /i.ta2en& t%e day ,i!! +o/e ,%en ,e .%a!! %a"e to 4ig%t 4or a
.i/p!e .piritua! re!igion 4ar /ore t%an ,e do no,. 5e %a"e been +u!ti"ating
4riend.%ip ,it% t%o.e ,%o are eit%er un.+riptura! in +reed or e!.e di.%one.t& ,%o
eit%er be!ie"e bapti./a! regeneration& or pro4e.. t%at t%ey do& and .,ear be4ore
God t%at t%ey do ,%en t%ey do not. T%e ti/e i. +o/e ,%en t%ere .%a!! be no /ore
tru+e or par!ey bet,een God:. .er"ant. and t%e ti/eA.er"er.. T%e ti/e i. +o/e
,%en t%o.e ,%o 4o!!o, God /u.t 4o!!o, God& and t%o.e ,%o try to tri/ and dre..
t%e/.e!"e. and 4ind out a ,ay ,%i+% i. p!ea.ing to t%e 4!e.% and gent!e to +arna!
de.ire.& /u.t go t%eir ,ay. A great ,inno,ing ti/e i. +o/ing to God:. .aint.& and
,e .%a!! be +!earer one o4 t%e.e day. t%an ,e no, are 4ro/ union ,it% t%o.e ,%o
are up%o!ding Popery& under t%e preten+e o4 tea+%ing Prote.tanti./. 5e .%a!! be
+!ear& I .ay& o4 t%o.e ,%o tea+% .a!"ation by bapti./& in.tead o4 .a!"ation by t%e
b!ood o4 our b!e..ed Ma.ter& #e.u. C%ri.t. O /ay t%e Lord gird up your !oin..
Be!ie"e /e& it i. no tri4!e. It /ay be t%at on t%i. ground Ar/ageddon .%a!! be
4oug%t. Here .%a!! +o/e t%e great batt!e bet,een C%ri.t and %i. .aint. on t%e one
%and& and t%e ,or!d& and 4or/.& and +ere/onie.& on t%e ot%er. I4 ,e are o"er+o/e
%ere& t%ere /ay be year. o4 b!ood and per.e+ution& and to..ing to and 4ro bet,een
dar2ne.. and !ig%t1 but i4 ,e are bra"e and bo!d& and 4!in+% not %ere& but .tand to
God:. trut%& t%e 4uture o4 Eng!and /ay be brig%t and g!oriou.. O 4or a tru!y
re4or/ed C%ur+% in Eng!and& and a god!y ra+e to /aintain itB T%e ,or!d:. 4uture
depend. on it under God& 4or in proportion a. trut% i. /arred at %o/e& trut% i.
/ai/ed abroad. Out o4 any .y.te/ ,%i+% tea+%e. .a!"ation by bapti./ /u.t .pring
in4ide!ity& an in4ide!ity ,%i+% t%e 4a!.e C%ur+% a!ready .ee/. ,i!!ing to nouri.% and
4o.ter beneat% %er ,ing. God .a"e t%i. 4a"oured !and 4ro/ t%e brood o4 %er o,n
e.tab!i.%ed re!igion. Bret%ren& .tand 4a.t in t%e !iberty ,%ere,it% C%ri.t %a. /ade
you 4ree& and be not a4raid o4 any .udden 4ear nor +a!a/ity ,%en it +o/et%& 4or %e
,%o tru.tet% to t%e Lord& /er+y .%a!! +o/pa.. %i/ about& and %e ,%o i. 4ait%4u! to
God and C%ri.t .%a!! %ear it .aid at t%e !a.t& -5e!! done& good and 4ait%4u! .er"ant&
enter t%ou into t%e <oy o4 t%e Lord.- May t%e Lord b!e.. t%i. ,ord 4or C%ri.t:. .a2e.
Ta2en 7ro/3 Metropo!itan Taberna+!e Pu!pit @o!.'F& No. $GH