The scriptural law of baptism, or the design of baptism presented and applied, leading to an examination of its form, its subjects, its authority, and its relative position

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850. Excerpt: ... SECTION VII. THE SAME ARGUMENT CONTINUED.--ROM. IV; 9-18, A REFUTATION OF PEDOBAPTISM. THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION NOT OF FORCE IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Among the few passages in the New Testament from which it is supposed the right of infants to baptism and church membership may be inferred, is Rom. 4: 9-18. Dr. Chalmers, after giving a general exposition of verses 9-15, observes, " The first lesson we shall endeavor to draw from this passage is, that it seems to contain in it the main strength of the scriptural argument for Infant Baptism." This argument as usually stated is briefly this,--As circumcision was to Abraham, so it was to his descendants, and so i3 baptism to christians, a seal of the righteousness of faith; and as Jewish infants were circumcised, those born of christian parents should be baptized. In this argument several things essential to its validity are taken for granted, which will appear, upon examination, to be opposed to facts. It is assumed that circumcision was to the posterity of Abraham, no less than to himself, a seal of the righteousness of faith. The groundlessness of this position will readily become apparent. Circumcision was a " token" or indication that its subjects were interested in the covenant blessings promised to the Jewish nation as such. It was, indeed, an indispensable condition of enjoying those blessings. Gen. 17: 14. But that it was ever considered in the case of all who received it, a seal or attestation of the acceptance of their faith as a justifying righteousnesses, certainly, an unwarrantable assumption. Connexion with the Jewish people was in all cases regarded as a sufficient reason for its application. With Abraham it was otherwise. He had exercised faith in the divine promises, his faith had been ac...