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[<^ ns and useless quibbling * , instead of * ir aad manly reasoning ; but let them prae to some open and decisive engage * vent with us ; and if they can achieve he victory , they shall have all the
hoiours of a triumph ; for we will not only > eacefully surrender , but we will unite with them in alliance as auxiliary forces , with all the intellectual weapons ^ and cnoral power we may possess , to aid in extending their conquests . "—Pp . 156—158 .
The origin of the " doubt and denial" of the present obligation of baptism , is traced with singular historic justice and Christian candour in the following words : < c But with whom did the doubt and
denial originate ? Not with plain , common-sense Christians ; but with a few Quaker fanatics ( the Shakers of that day ) on the one extreme ; and with a few scholastic theologians on the other ; who
whiled away their learned leisure in musty libraries with dreamy theories founded on Rabbinical authority : and who were not remarkable for strong sense , sound reasoning , or clear and comprehensive views . "—P . 165 .
Whatever we may think , the Lecturer has in his own judgment put the question to rest for ever . " But enough , —instead of prolonging the argument I ought to apologize for trespassing upon your patience ; but 1 was willing to pursue the exhaustive mode to the utmost with the subject ; that a
question , which is yet new , might be settled once for all , before it shall have become inveterate by duration ; and before the unsound opinion shall have become the badge of faction in the kingdom of Christ , ( for there is no Anti-baptist Denomination yet , ) or the war-whoop of a powerful party . "—Pp . 164 . 165 .
We would seriously ask our Baptist brethren , under whose sanction this diatribe is published , whether they think that such a mode of preaching and writing can really promote the cause of truth and the interests of the Christian Church ? Nay , we would ask them whether such an
attack upon their fellow-christians is likely even to accomplish the lower object of bringing on an useful discussion of the point at issue ? In spite of insinuation and railing , men will still think for themselves , call for evidence and weigh arguments . The Baptists have nobly stood to their consciences amidst worse evils than
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ttie fuln ^ inatiQns , the , pijlpi ^ and from themselves let then ? . ? j vw ^ c ^ of others , and come to the ' , conclusion , that where reasons are not conyincino- l passionate words are useless , or rather are liartnless , except with regard to those from whom they proceed .
The fourth and last Lecturer , on the Practical Uses of Christian Baptism , affords no occasion for censure , but much for praise . We think he sometimes mistakes baptism for the only mode of professing faith , and hence attributes good effects to it which belong equally to every outward form in which the truth of Christian *
ity is avowed by individuals ; but we are pleased with tlie calm good sense and the manly candour with which he explains and recommends his views . The following passage contains a summary of this Lecture :
< c We have observed , that Baptism is connected with an open profession of Christ , with repentance and the forgiveness of sins , with the death and resurrection of Christ , with personal religion and the rights of conscience , and with
the answer of a good conscience towards God : that hy Baptism Christians were called out of and entirely separated from the world , and by which separation tliey became the visible Church of Christ . Had they multiplied and spread themselves over the earth , maintaining their
pure principles and benevolent character , what sufferings would have been spared to mankind ; what scandal would have been avoided ; and what extensive blessings would have been enjoyed ! We have contended , that many and great evils have resulted from the practice of
infant baptism ; c that infants are mere machines and utterly incapable of every requisite to Baptism ; that it subverts the very base of the Christian church , by giving those the name who have not the thing , and by transferring the whole and
cause of Christianity from the wise pious few , to the ignoraut multitude , who , being supposed Christians , interfere in religion , derange the community , invade the offices , and convert the whole into a worldly corporation . ' '—Pp- 200 ,
201 . We have little expectation that this publication will provoke controversy on that branch of the baptismal question that is now chiefly interesting i . e . its perpetual and universal obligation ; but we should rejoice to see it fully discussed by such as have sufficient leisure , talent , learnmff * w
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50 Revieuz . ' r-rlFvxship ^ Street Lectures \ onaBqptisM *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1826, page 550, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2552/page/42/
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