AS DELIVERED TO THE

CHURCHES,

BY THE

Evangelists and Apostles,

IN THE

NEW TESTAMENT.

IN A

LETTER TO A FRIEND.

Second Edition.

BY THOMAS BALDWIN, D. D.
MINISTER OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN BOSTON.

BOSTON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY LINCOLN & EDMANDS,

No. 53, Cornhill.

REPEATED applications have been made to the writer of the following Letter, since publishing his last work on Baptism, to draw up a brief summary of Christian Baptism," for the sake of such, as have not leisure to read more lengthy and argumentative discussions of the subject. Yielding to the solicitations of my friends, I consented to attempt to prepare this little Tract, of which notice was given in the last Minutes of the Warren Association.

My first design was to have published my remarks in a different form. But in attempt

ing to write a letter to a particular Friend, I was led to notice the principal facts recorded in the New Testament, which so exactly comported with my previous design, that I concluded to enlarge the Letter, and publish it: Hoping by the blessing of God it may prove useful not only to one, but to thousands.

BOSTON, MARCH 28, 1812.

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.

My very dear Friend,

KNOWING something of the perplexed state of your mind respecting baptism, I have for a considerable time wished an opportunity to converse freely with you on the subject. But particular circumstances have rendered it improper for me to introduce the subject when at your house: and not knowing whether an opportunity would soon offer to converse with you according to my wishes, I have concluded to address a few lines to you on this interesting concern, not doubting but you will receive them with kindness, and read them with candour.

When I first began to write, I intended nothing more than a private letter to you; but finding it impossible to lay before you a fair statement of Christian Baptism, as given us by the Evangelists and Apostles of our blessed Lord, without exceeding the limits of an ordinary letter; and believing that others might be profited as well as you, I have now concluded to transcribe and publish it.

I am encouraged to hope, that by the blessing of God, these friendly remarks may prove beneficial to you, and that you may hereby be enabled to discern with clearness and satisfaction, what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God ;and what the Lord Jesus requires of you in order to keep his commandments.