Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ... Selden and Ijightfoot down to Dr. Adam Clarke, have considered the testimony to the fact as abundant and conclusive. history, we find that under the ministry of the apostles, who were all native Jews, and had, of course, been long accustomed to this practice, the same principle of receiving and baptizing families on the faith of the parents, was most evidently adopted and acted upon in a very striking manner. When " the heart of Lydia was opened, so that she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul," we are told that " she was baptized and her household." When the jailor at Philippi believed, " he was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Thus also we read of " the household of Stephanas" being baptized. Now, though we are not certain that there were young children in any of these families, it is highly probable there were. At any rate, the great principle of family baptism, of receiving all the younger members of households on the faith of their domestic head, seems to be plainly and decisively established. This furnishes ground on whicli the advocate of infant baptism may stand with unwavering confidence. And here let me ask, was it ever known that a case of family baptism occurred under the direction of a Baptist minister? Was it ever known to be recorded, or to have happened, that when, under the influence of Baptist ministrations, the parents of large families were hopefully converted, they were baptized, they and all their's straightway? There is no risk in asserting that such a case was never heard of. And why? Evidently, because our Baptist brethren do not act in this matter upon the principles laid down in the New Testament, and which regulated the primitive Christians. 8. Another consideration possesses much weight...