II. WHAT IS BAPTISM itself A FIGURE OF ? life and consistent walk; and in this deter1. Of the depth and universality of the suf-mination, in the strength of the Lord, pastor ferings of our Lord, as in the case of Noah's and people are one; not desirous of meddling ark, the fountains of the great deep were bro- with those who are given to change; but to ken up, and the flood of water encompassed pursue the beaten path our fathers trod-the the ark, on every side. So the wrath of God good old way-let men say what they will. descended upon Christ; he was immersed in This is not the time to parley with the enemy, the sea of Divine indignation; all God's waves but to shew him the face and earnestly (yet and God's billows went over him. His was a not angrily) contend for the faith, and order baptism deep indeed. 'O'er side, and, feet, of God's house as once delivered to the saints. and hands, and head.' And this will we do, if God permit. 2. Baptism is a figure of Christ's death. In baptism, for a short moment, the breath is suspended, and therein we have a representation of the death of our Lord. 3. It is a figure or representation of his burial. When we bury anything, we conceal or cover it over; so the whole body is covered over or immersed in water. 4. The doctrine of the resurrection is here, in a lively figure, set forth; as there is a coming out of an immersion, as well as immersion of the candidate. And 5. It is a figure of our union and communion with our Lord Jesus Christ. III. WHERE AND HOW MAY BAPTISM BE SAID TO BE SAVING? 1. Negatively. Not the putting away the filth of the flesh. If the candidate goes into the water unregenerated he comes out the same. We are still favoured to say we are at peace among ourselves, and owe it all to the Prince of Peace, who deigns still to hold his throne here, swaying his sceptre over all our internal foes. We have had our trials, sorrows, discouragements, and afflictions; but the work has progressed certainly and secretly. As a God of providence and a God of grace, hitherto we have had no lack, and are therefore cheerfully laid under obligation to our gracious God to say, 'Ebenezer, hitherto he hath helped us. called to her eternal rest. She went home on As we have one Christian brother in America speaking in the Lord's name—and a sister removed some time since to Australiaand many friends elsewhere who will feel interested in our welfare, we are glad to avail ourselves of this medium of letting them know our state as a church and people. Our dear aged sister Akerman, fifty-three years a tra2. But by the answer of a good conscience. veller in this vale of tears, has just been In order to this, it must be a personal matter; Lord's-day, October 3rd, resting all her weight hence the absurdity of godfathers and sponsors. It must be a conscience purified with upon the Rock of her salvation, on whom she atoning blood; sanctified by the Spirit of God, had lived and leaned so many years. Her The answer of such a conscience is a prayerremains were deposited in Abney Park, when ful one; it must possess a living faith in the our pastor spoke from those words, It was Deity of Christ; in the Trinity of the God-founded upon a rock,' alluding particularly to head: it must be actuated by love as the answer is given before an heart-searching God; all which an infant is incapable of, &c. his work in Zion, by the outpouring of his HIS ADDRESS ON THAT OCCASION. Now, where this is the case, it asserts an influence on the mind; and thus the ordinance saves typically, professionally, and sometimes instrumentally; and it also saves us ritually. This is the only appointed way into the visible church of Christ; the ri- MR. J. A. JONES'S JUBILEE : tual dress he has appointed all his followers to wear. Baptism is not therefore a nonessential, a minor point, the authority is from heaven. We have the example of our Lord and Master, and all his apostles; and the sanction, approbation, and blessing of Father, Son and Spirit, in whose sacred name the rite is administered. As a church, the Lord has done and still is doing great things in our midst; and many striking proofs have we had of the needs be of the gospel standard being reared here; many of the Lord's jewels have been found; Satan's kingdom has fallen in many a grace-elected soul, by Immanuel's conquering power; and from east, west, north, and south, the people of our God come, and are on richest dainties fed. We bless our God that his servant has been enabled to stand fast and firm in his adhereance to, and constant proclamation of the great doctrines of sovereign and distinguishing grace; the absolute necessity of a saving knowledge of them, in the soul by a vital experience; and the fruits and effects in a holy In our November number (page 262,) we gave a report of Mr Jones's Jubilee service. For want of space we were then obliged to omit the address which Mr. Jones delivered on the occasion. It is as follows: My esteemed brethren in the Christian ministry, and dear friends assembled. This is a solemn day to me. I am indeed a monument of mercy. The Lord has done great things for me: he has borne with my manners in the wilderness very many years. The experience of the Apostle Paul, has been mine; for the Lord has shewed me how great things I have had to suffer for his name's sake. (Acts ix. 16.) Every man who is a sent-servant of Jesus, has his allotted work to perform, and he is suitably qualified by his master accordingly. And that man is immortal until his admeasured work is accomplished. I think I may style myself a thorough-bred old beloved brethren, please accept my heart-felt Gillite, with one or two exceptions. I have thanks for your cheering presence this evenmaintained one creed from first to last of my ing, my day is all-but over; I can look back fifty year's labours. I have honestly endea on the past with solemn review. The Lord, voured to ascertain, and then to declare the preserving me, I have feared no man's frowns, Lord's meaning in his sacred written Word, I have courted no man's smiles. O may each in relation to doctrine, experience, ordinances, of you, in your day, do the work of an Evanand the Scriptural order of the church of gelist, and make full proof of your ministry. Christ, even as the same is set forth More than forty one years ago (August, 1817) the late Mr. John Stevens wrote me an invaluable letter. It is now in my hand, and concludes as follows. "Your work is measured, and must be done by you; your cross is weighed for you, and cannot be borne by proxy; your comforts are numbered and secured, nor can another drink your portion. Every man must tread his own ground, as well as eat his own bread, and wear his own clothes. Be thou faithful unto death, and thou shalt receive a crown of life. Go thy way, Jones, till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.' Again my brethren, I pray the Lord to be with you, and bless you; anoint you with fresh oil, give you the tongue of the learned, make you very useful, and keep you very humble. Amen. Jireh, for the VESSEL, and gave an abstract of my [The friend who took notes of our Jubilee at life and ministry (as published by myself two years ago) omitted one eventful stage in my ministerial journey. From Ringstead the cloud went before me (Num. ix. 17-23) and rested on the Church of Christ at Brentford, where I became the pastor. There the Lord blessed my labors to many precious souls, and also to the establishment of the church in the truth, I spent seven years in that eventful station, and then removed, in the year 1838, to a larger sphere of usefulness in London; succeeding the late venerable Thomas Powell in Mitchell-street, who had been the pastor of that church forty six years, and was considered to be one of the soundest and most judicious ministers of the gospel in his day. With that church I am now, until the Lord shall call me home ] in the New Testament. I have read a little in my time, on Theological subjects; and have brought what I have read to the sacred touchstone. Isa. viii. 20. I have chewed the cud,' and feel rooted and grounded in what I hold. The great and glorious fundamental doctrines of the gospel, united with vital experience, and the ordinances as they were delivered,' have been my uniform theme. I have aimed to shew the house to the house, and to mark well the entering in of the house. Ezek. xliv. 5. I am well known to be what is termed high in doctrine;' but not higher I trust than the Scriptural standard. I am by no means a duty-faith man,' as the phrase is. Yet holding firmly with free-grace, and full duties. Open or mixed communion, I consider as altogether unscriptural, and I deeply deplore its alarming spread. In a word, ministerial declensions, in doctrine, experience, and practice, are assuredly much on the increase. Like old Eli, 'I am sitting by the way side watching; and trembling in heart for the ark of God.' 1 Sam. iv. 13. Still it is our mercy that the Lord's cause remains firm in the Lord's hands.' 'His counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure.' Isaiah xlvi. 10. The atmosphere of the evening is cloudy; there are not many ministerial stars brilliantly shining; but, the morning cometh.' Isaiah xxi. 12. If I may give my views of the prevailing fashionable divinity of the day, it is as follows. The face of the times is extraordinary; religion is running wild like the unpruned vine. The outer-court is every where enlarging; but I fear but few of the multitude, comparatively, ever enter within the veil. While the rudiments of christianity are spreading on all sides, pernicious HERESIES are also dissemina- MY GOOD THEOPHILUS-I now proceed to ting. The doctrines of sovereign grace, notice next in order, the four beasts, or more which alone can bring right knowledge to properly rendered, the four living creatures.' sinful man, are shuffled out of doors, and the These, no doubt, are the same living creatures, ordinances of the gospel, with the discipline seen by Ezekiel, as recorded by that prophet, of the Lord's house, these are assailed on all in his first and tenth chapters, though some sides by a host of crucifiers. The world and have absurdly enough told us, that Ezekiel's church are becoming one common field: and four living creatures are the angels, and that the fences ordained by our Lord, and main- the wheels of which Ezekiel speaks, are the tained by our forefathers in his name, are general or universal providence of God. But destined to destruction, and, general benevo- Ezekiel's four living creatures came from the lence to man is hastening to occupy their north; and what is this north, but the wintry place. I would drop one remark on what I curse of a violated law. Here was also a call'dead duty-faith, that is, ministerial ex- whirlwind-this is the whirlwind of sin; our hortations to all men indiscriminately, to ex- iniquities, like the wind, have carried us ercise precious faith, as the condition of their away. Here is also a great cloud-what is salvation. How any persons who maintain this, cloud, but sin in its results? Darkthat Christ did not die for ALL, can yet invite ness is the result of sin, even a great cloud of all men to come to Jesus, except by a thought- eternal darkness. Here is also a fire infoldless inconsistency, I am unable to conceive. ing itself, and a brightness was about it; that General invitations can only be maintained on is, there was no sign of its dying out-it is the ground of general Redemption; and is the fire of Almighty wrath, and will burn as the alone footing on which duty-faith can be brightly after the lapse of countless ages, as placed. But I would draw to a close. My 'it does at the present moment: out then from EPISTLES TO THEOPHILUS. LETTER LA this northern blast, out from this whirlwind, out from this great cloud, out from this consuming fire came these four living creatures, and they came before God, even to his throne of grace. The throne adorned with the rainbow-the token of peace; they were reconciled to God, and were without fault before the throne; Christ being unto them the end of the law for righteousness.' This brings them out of the north; Christ stayed the rough windsat Calvary's cross; there he held the winds in his fists; and so here these living creatures can be carried away no more for ever; Christ went into the thick darkness of the guilt of sin; and penally and substitutionally did bear the blame thereof, and sets the prisoner free.' Christ quenched the otherwise unquenchable fire, and so these living creatures show that they are as brands plucked out of the fire.' Is it any wonder that these four living creatures (Revelations v. 8, 9,) should fall down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, (gospel testimonies,) and golden vials (pure hearts) full of odours? What a delightful experience is this-the heart full of the name of Jesus; full of faith and love; full of longings to honour and praise the God of all grace. Is it then, I say, any wonder that these living creatures should thus fall down before the Lamb, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.' Here, then, my good Theophilus, the matter is decided, as to who these living creatures are; for none but the redeemed can learn redemption's song. They are called four living creatures. In allusion, first, to the encampment of Israel in the wilderness. You will see in the second chapter of the book of Numbers, that the Israelites were ranged on the four sides of the tabernacle, and that the three tribes on each side, is represented as one living creature. In allusion, then, to this, you will see that the church is compared to four living creatures, living in contrast to their state by nature, and in contrast to those around them, and also in contrast to eternal banishment from God called the second death. Called living creatures also, because they are new creatures, and live with God, to God, for God, and by his neverceasing care of them. And they are said to reign on the earth; that is, though they are as yet on earth, yet they, by faith in Christ, and by oneness with him, prevail over all, and cannot be separated from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Our best Greek scholars prefer rendering the preposition 'epi,' over, and then it will read, we shall reign over the earth.' Now, mind, this is not an ecclesiastical or political reign, nor indeed a temporal reign at all; but areign infinitely (only men do not think so,) better than all other dominions put together: it is a reign of reconciliation with God, over all the enmities of the earth which are against him: it is a reign of peace by the blood of Christ, over all the earth's wars against the perfection of his atone ment: it is a reign of joy over all earth's sorrows: that it is a reign of righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Now, the Lord has been pleased to set forth the church emblematically, or, to use a finer word meaning the same thing hierogliphically; and therefore, we must not take these living creatures in a literal sense, seeing no such beings literally exist. But we must take the several parts of this emblematical representation, as expressive of certain qualities of these living creatures; a few words upon which, I shall give you presently, after just observing, that as these four living creatures are called four, not only in allusion to the square encampment in the wilderness of the Israetites, but also as the Word of God explains, they are gathered from the four winds, of every kindred, tongue, people and nation. Well then, what can the mystic and majestic wheels, which accompany them, as spoken of in Ezekiel be, but the truths of the everlasting gospel? These wheels were high and dreadful; and so are the truths of the gospel, they are the highest of God's ways, and everything in heaven and in earth, and under the earth, must be subservient to these endless testimonies; and, to meet the blessed God by these blessed truths, will cause us to understand the meaning of the Patriarch Jacob when the Lord so met him, and he said-'how dreadful is this place, this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' And these wheels would not separate one from another, nor will the truths of the gospel- ancient and eternal election, mediation, regeneration, and future glorification, are for ever inseparable. These wheels united, and formed a kind of living chariot, which carried the living creatures along, and the wheels would not go without taking the living creatures with them. And is it not so? Are you not carried along towards God and with God, by the truths of the gospel? And the wheels were full of eyes; so the truths of the gospel are not blind; they see what has been, what is, and what is yet to come: no guess work with them; the Scriptures foresee all things; and these four living creatures were full of eyes before and behind; that is, a knowledge of the future and the past-looking forward for that kingdom; which was prepared for them, from the foundation of the world.' But they are also full of eyes within, or among themselves, so as to know and recognise each other; and that their knowledge is heart knowledge, not mere observation knowledge. The spiritual meaning of the four faces, and six wings, is so simple and clear, that I scarcely need trouble you with any remarks thereon. The face of the lion you will at once see, means strength, and Christian boldness. The face of the mantheir likeness to the Man Christ Jesus. The face of the ox - their patient labour in the cause of God. The face of the eagle their love of light-their upward course-their altitudinal progression-their ultimate habitation of the rock that is higher than they.' These are mere hints at the meaning of these faces, for each face will bear a physiognomical investigation, or, if you like theological investigation; and we have, no doubt, in our Zion, some laborious, well-taught men, who could give us a good sermon upon each of these four faces. But we must not tarry here, but must get on towards the seven seals as fast as we can; yet, in closing this letter, I would just give a word upon the six wings of these living creatures. With twain he covered his feet. Keep thy foot (saith the wise man) when thou goest to the house of God.' Here then, is their cautiousness of approach to God-with twain he covered his face,'-here are their modesty and humility before God. With twain he did fly,'—here is the rapidity of the soul's obedience to God. There are the wings of faith and love, called further on in this book of Revelation two wings of a great eagle' these wings enable the soul to do wonderful things. Yes, my good Theophilus, faith in, and love to God, will carry you through anything, such is the persuasion of A LITTLE ONE. COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE LATE MR. THOMAS BIDDLE, A Faithful Minister of Christ at Brockham, Surrey. MY DEAR FRIENDS-As you have several times asked me to let you have in writing, an account of a remarkable dream which I had many years ago, and to which you and several of my friends have often heard me refer or relate, I feel some pleasure in now attempting to comply with your request, as it was a circumstance that could not fail deeply to impress my memory. I had been for some years under convictions of sin, and at times was much troubled about my past life, and present conduct, often forming resolutions of amendment, and as often breaking them, and plunging deeper into iniquity than ever; this brought heavy loads of guilt upon my conscience, and the fear of hell added to my distress, while in this state, which was but the beginning of sorrows, one night on retiring to rest, I dreamed as follows: That I was in a very large city, surrounded by walls, very high, and very thick, the inhabitants of which were exceeding wicked, and given up to all sorts of iniquity, among whom I was a ringleader. Now I thought for the abounding iniquities of the place, God was about to destroy this city by fire from heaven, and that while I was meditating on this, and what would then become of me, the heavens gathered blackness, and became over spread with thick darkness, the lightning began to flash, and the thunders to roll, so that never before beheld such a storm. After this had raged for a time, the fire began to fall, and the whole city was thrown into the greatest confusion, the inhabitants rushing through the streets screaming, crying and howling widely, or running into the churches, and other public buildings, struck with terror! But then I stood bewildered, and as if fixed to the ground, feeling a desire to escape, yet could see no way. While I was thus musing and standing with my feet somewhat awide apart, the earth opened, and vomited forth a fiery stream, which ran all round me, and yet never touched me, and then formed a stream of liquid fire, which rushed down the streets, bearing away thousands of the people, yet still I stood unhurt, with an increased desire to escape, feeling sure that if I fell, I should go to hell. I therefore, to make an attempt to leap over the high wall, moved backwards, and then ran forward, and leaped, but without success, this I did again and again, till my strength failed, and I fell down exhausted, and gave up all hope of deliverance. While I lay upon the ground, a voice whispered in my ear, try again,' I replied, it is of no use.' But it whispered again, 'try again." So then I arose, in order to make another effort, yet without the least hope of success, and ran backwards to make another desperate and final leap; when in the act of leaping a narrow breach opened in the wall, and a hand laid hold of me, and thrust me sideways through it, and in so doing prest me flat and grazed my back, and bowels, and set me outside the wall of the city: at that instant, multitudes rushed after me, but the breach closed up and shut them all in. I stood at the spot where the hand placed me, and looking up I saw a vast multitude of people of all stations in life, of both sexes, and of various ages; but this I noticed, that there were no infants in arms, nor any very young children; some were in robes, some even in rags, and they ran on in a road that was broad, and smooth, and on an easy descent, and they moved on without difficulty, laughing, skipping and singing, while I looked at them wondering. I concluded that they had all escaped out of the city by a way I knew not, and were hastening from the destruction. So I thought I would remain until the vast multitude had passed, and then follow in the rear, as I did not know where they were going; they took not the least notice of me, and when they had passed, I followed behind, and ran with the greatest ease, wondering that I felt no weariness; I saw that they rushed on, until they came to the end of the broad smooth road; and every one of the vast multitude fell headlong into hell, and I was left standing on the brink, as on the edge of a fender, and so firmly fixed that I could neither fall in nor move away from the horrible pit. I saw the fiery billows roll over and over, and heard the awful screams and groans of lost souls; I saw the infernal spirits stand, and as the miserable wretches rose upon the waves of fire, plunge them down again into the depth, and then I stood looking as it were into hell, unable to turn away from so awful a scene for some time. At last I found that I could move my_head, so I looked on the left hand, and there I saw the smoke of the city ascending to heaven. I then looked behind me, and there was dense darkness. I looked before me, and there was the pit of destruction. At length, I looked on the right hand, and saw an amazing high hill, and on the top of it, a very large tree, an evergreen, and full of foliage, with wide Dec. 1, 1848. which confusion, I awoke, and behold it was Mr. B. labored for near 30 years as the pastor of the Baptist Church, Brockham Green, near Dorking, Surrey, where his ministry was much owned the faith, and others living can testify of the grace and blessed to many souls who have departed in received by his instrumentality. He was a fluent and energetic preacher, even to the last, and evidently spoke out of the fulness of his heart of what he had tasted and known of the precious truths of God, in their wholesome doctrine and much affected his health and spirits, and at length rich experience. In 1857, he lost his wife, which he was laid aside from his work, by a long and painful affliction, which was the means of remov. ing him from this world of sin and sorrow, on 8th Feb, 1858, aged 61 years. He was happy in his end, as noticed in our pages. WORK DONE, BY MR. JOHN ANDREWS JONES. MR. EDITOR-Your querist, G.,' of Rochdale, I find has given me some "more work" to do. It is true that "John Andrew," as he terms me, has never been an idler in the vineyard, still extra work ought not now to be required of him ing into his octogenarian year of human life, He is just upon enterbut, as through mercy, his mental faculties are still tolerably good, so he feels somewhat able, and also quite willing, to do a little more work in the gospel field, ere the Post comes with "a true token." spreading branches, over this tree the sun was shining in all its meridian splendour, and beneath its shadow, I saw a little company of people, who seemed to be exceedingly happy, their countenances were beaming with joy, as if they united in their praises to the Lord. From this tree, there was a narrow zig-zag path, which led to the foot of the hill, and at the entrance there was a wicket gate. I saw a few persons in this narrow path-some a little way up the hill, some higher up, and others nearly at the top, under the tree; now I thought within myself, this is heaven,' and wished I could get to where they were, and as soon as I felt this desire in my mind, I found that I could move my feet; so I left the brink of hell, where I had been so long standing, and walked direct to the wicket gate, which was not far from the pit's mouth. I extended my hand in order to open the gate, but it opened of its own accord, and I entered in, made much progress in ascending the hill, and was glad; when all at once, to my great dismay, I slipped, and slid down to the bottom, but was astonished to find that in sliding, I fell not out of the narrow path. I felt much discouraged, and made another attempt to ascend, walking as before, when after having proceeded some distance, alas, I slipped again, but not so far; I then, instead of walking up, crawled on my hands and knees, assisting myself by laying hold of the tufts of grass and small twigs that grew on the edge of the path. I crept along in this way, and was glad to find that though my progress was very slow, it was more sure, so that sometimes walking and Now before I set to work, I would glance sometimes creeping, I at length, with much at the position in which G. places me, difficulty and many fears, arrived at the top of "amongst the advocates of adult immersion." the hill, under the shadow of the tree. I was no I am not an advocate for adult immersion sooner there, than I lost all my troubles, and merely; certainly I do not hold with infant joined in the song they were singing, and feeling so happy, I concluded I was in heaven. be immersed, is not so much my enquiry, as sprinkling. The exact age of the person to After being there for a long time, (as I thought,) I saw a most majestic person ap- whether the person is alive or not; having no proaching me, he was clothed in a long white inclination to immerse dead things, I should robe, and a golden girdle about his loins, and like for them to be born first. I mean "born his head was encircled with a rainbow, his again." (John iii. 3.) I have immersed. eyes were very intently fixed upon me, and persons that were very young and would he drew near with a smile upon his counten- gladly do so again, old as I am; for I am ance, and laid his right hand upon my shoul- very partial to scriptural infant baptism. I der, saying, young man, I commission you to sometimes read in a favourite old book of go forth and preach my gospel to my saints.' mine, some delightful historical matters, such I replied, "Lord, thy saints are all here.' But he answered, 'no, I have others yet to bring, the day they were born; also of others that as 3000 children being immersed in water and I command thee to go forth.' I hesitated, raised objections, and made excuses; but he were born in the night, and immersed before still expostulated, I drew back, and he follow-morning; and of one who although only ed me, smiling and expostulating; I moved three days old, yet there seemed a sort of backwards till I came to the tree, and threw reproof for "tarrying." (Acts xxii. 16.) So my arms around it, clinging to it, and refusing that, in a sense, I am an advocate for infant to comply, when he put forth his hand, and baptism; only let the child be born first: i.e. laid hold of me and forced me away, and put born, not of blood, nor of the will of the his right hand under my arm, and led me on, flesh, nor of the will of man, but, of God." till we came to a place where were two massive John 1. 13. In another sense I would end iron gates, which opened of themselves, and the controversy at once, by declaring, there we entered, and he led me through one street is no such thing as infant baptism. That is, until we came to another, where he gave me a thrust, and said 'go forth!' whereat I went if the New Testament is to be the touchstone. on and began to preach. This was no sooner It came from Rome. It is a part and pillar the case than an army of soldiers appeared, of Popery. But the time is hastening when with drums beating, colours flying, swords it will be no more practised, but wholly drawn, and bayonets fixed, in the midst of removed. But, if I may venture to form a |