108 . CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. [stixM. vII. of this ordinance, and in our reverence for it : We all agree that the children should be .devoted to God, and should be partakers of all the utmost privileges into which scripture admits them, and that they should grow up under all possible obligations to duty ; and since each of us desires to find out the will of Christ, and practise it accordingly, it is a most unreasonable thing, that we should, be angry with each other, because some of us are devoted to God and Christ by this ceremony a little sooner, or a little later than 'others ; or because some devote their children to God in baptism as a claim of privileges and an obligation to, duties, before they can do this for themselves; whereas others let this claim and obligation alone, -till children themselves are capable of acting therein : Or because some of us think this ordin- ance requires much water, and that the whole body be immersed in it; others suppose a little is sufficient, and that he who hath the fate or head washed in this solem- nity, has as true a significancy of gospel benefits and ob- ligations, as he who has his whole body put under water, since our Saviour thought so when he washed Peter's feet : John xiii. 10. In short, where faith in Christ and love to God, and obedience to the sanctifying ope- rations of the Spirit are made necessary to salvation and agreed upon by us all, it is laity that these lesser things should raise such unhappy 'and scandalous contentions among the disciples of theblessed Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. Having given you some account of the subjects of this ordinance, and the manner of performance, I cannot finish this head without adding, that since every thing under the New Testament is sanctified by. the word and prayer, it is generally most proper to administer this ordinance, with a word of exhortation or instruction to men, and a prayer lifted up to God in. the name of Christ, that the blessings of grace may accompany this ordinance, that it may not he a vain or empty sign, but may be at- tended with special and divine graces. I come now to the last thing which I proposed, and that is to mentign a few practical exhortations relating to the point in hand. Exhortation I. " Adore the wisdom of God, and give thanks to his goodness, who bath appointed such sensi-
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