it had been before told John that he would see it; and this was to be to him the evidence, the signal by which he might know that Jesus was the Son of God.-John i. 32-34. The Spirit of God came down upon Jesus to qualify him for the work on which he was entering; to teach; to work miracles; to endure reproaches, afflictions, persecutions; and to suffer death for man. This was a fulfilment of ancient prophecy.-Isaiah xi. 2-5, also Ixi. 1-3. This prophecy Jesus himself acknowledged to be fulfilled.-Luke iv. 18—21. Thus did the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus at his immersion. But this is not all. Lo, a voice from heaven." It was the voice of God -the voice of the Father, testifying the Messiahship of Jesus. Thrice did the Father bear witness of his Son by a voice from heaven-at his immersion, which was a representation of his sufferings; at his transfiguration, which was an emblem of his glory; and at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus said, "The Father himself who hath sent me, hath borne witness of me." And what was the witness which he bore? "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God thus testifies his tender affection for him, and his perfect satisfaction in him. "The Father loveth the Son." He had dwelt in his bosom from all eternity. He had been by him as one brought up with him; daily his delight; rejoicing always before him. He loved him because he was his Son. He was well-pleased with him because he had undertaken the work of redemption. "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life." He was well-pleased with him because he had just put honour upon his Father's laws, by being immersed in water, in accordance with the divine commission of John, his forerunner; and because in that very act he had manifested his resolution to fulfil "all righteousness;" and thus had set an example before all his followers, that they should do as he had done. He was well-pleased with him because he always did the things which pleased him. Thus did the Father shew his delight in his Son; and thus did he put high honour upon the ordinance of immersion. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were thus present upon this solemn and interesting occasion; the Son there to be immersed, the Holy Spirit to descend, and the Father to bear witness. Let us indulge a few reflections on this delightful narrative. What an interesting ordinance is immersion. How paltry, how insignificant, how unmeaning, is sprinkling! The one is mere trifling; the other is awfully solemn. The one is human; the other Divine. Immersion is from heaven; sprinkling is of men. Which then ought we to obey, God or man? Whose way shall we prefer? Will either do? men may think so, but God does not. "See," said he to Moses, "thou do all things according to the pattern shewed thee in the The mode is no indifferent matter, to be left to our humour and pleasure. In this ordinance there is but one mode. There are not two ways of immersing. mount." Let us be ambitious to do exactly as Christ did, following his example; and we all know that Christ was immersed. Hesitate not, then, Christian believer, to follow your Redeemer, by being "buried with him in baptism." Let the example of your Lord have its due weight and influence on your conduct. LORD, we thy precepts would obey, In thy own footsteps tread; Would die, be buried, rise with thee, We conclude by earnestly entreating every one to search the scriptures on this important subject; to call no man master; remembering that one is our master even Christ. The enquiry therefore is what is the will of our Lord and Master? for to him we must at last render up an account. May we do it with joy and not with grief. One smile from Him, in that day, will be worth more than worlds to you, and richly compensate for the frowns of the world. Remember what Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels." FRIEND, read, reflect, and pray seriously over this matter, and GOD will lead you into all truth! LEICESTER: BAPTIST DEPOSITORY FOR TRACTS AND SABBATH SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS. PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. F. WINKS, HIGH STREET. Catalogues Gratis, on Receipt of One Postage Stamp. LAW AND TESTIMONY CONCERNING BAPTISM. "TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY," as the final appeal in all matters concerning Christianity and its institutions. In the New Testament alone are we to look for the law and testimony concerning baptism, both as respects the subjects and the mode. Here follow all the passages which have reference to the subject. Read, pray, judge, and decide. "JOHN did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."-Mark i. 4, 5. "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were haptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan, unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness; then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."-Matt. iii. 5-17. "I indeed have baptized you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."-Mark i. 8—11. "The word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness, and he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? Now, when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, like a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age."-Luke iii. 2, &c. baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men?"-Matt. xxi. 25; Mark xi. 30; Luke xx. 4. "And he confessed, and denied not: but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but "The there standeth one among you whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me. These things were done in Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me. And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God."John i. 20, &c. "After these things came Jesus and bis disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them and baptized. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all men come unto him."-John iii. 22-25. "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples."-John iv. 1. "And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there, and they came and were baptized.-John iii. 23. "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."-Luke vii. 29. "And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."-Matt. xxviii. 18. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."-Mark xvi. 15. "Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."-Acts ii. 37, &c. "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”—Acts viii. 5, &c. "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house: and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."-Acts xviii. 8. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water, and the Eunuch And said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."-Acts viii. 35-39. "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."-Acts ix. 17. "And now, why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."Acts xxii. 16. "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized."— Acts ix. 18. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision, which believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord."-Acts x. 44-48. a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed."-Acts xvi. 13, &c. "Sirs what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."-Acts xvi. 30-34. "Paul having passed through the upper coast, came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then, said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Jesus Christ. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; and when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve."-Acts xix. 1-7. John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."-Acts i. 5. "For as yet he was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."-Acts viii. 16-17. 'Beginning from the baptism of "For |