Eighteen years ago,—in a catechetical treatise on “The Church of God, its Constitution and Order,” from the press of the Presbyterian Board of Publication,—the author enunciated the essential principles which are developed in this volume. In 1870, they were further illustrated in a tract on “The Bible History of Baptism,” which was issued by the Presbyterian Committee of Publication, in Richmond, Va. The reception accorded to these treatises has encouraged me to undertake the more elaborate disquisitions of the present work. The questions are sometimes such as require a critical study of the inspired originals of the holy Scriptures; and occasional illustrations are drawn from classic and other kindred sources. It has been my study so to conduct these investigations that while they should not be unworthy the attention of scholars, they may be intelligible to readers who are conversant with no other than our common English tongue, the richest and noblest ever spoken by man. The circumstances and manner of the introduction of the rite of immersion into the post-apostolic church presented a rich and inviting field of further investigation. But the volume has already exceeded the intended limit; the Biblical question is in itself complete, and its authority is conclusive. To it, therefore, the present inquiry is confined. The fruit of much and assiduous investigation and thoughtful study is now reverently dedicated to the glory of the baptizing office of the Lord Jesus. May he speedily arise and display it in new and transcendent energy; pouring upon his blood-bought church the Spirit of grace and consecration, of knowledge and aggressive zeal, of unity and power; baptizing the nations with his Spirit, and filling the world with the joy of his salvation and the light of his glory. COVINGTON, KY., Feb. 8, 1882. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION, Page 15 BOOK I. OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY. PART I. _BAPTISM AT SINAI._ SECTION I. _Baptism originated in the Old Testament._—It was familiar to the Jews when Christ came. There were “divers baptisms” imposed at Sinai, 21 SECTION II. _No Immersions in the Old Testament._—None in the ritual. None in the figurative language, 23 SECTION III. _The Old Testament Sacraments._—1. Sacrifice. 2. Circumcision. 3. The Passover. 4. Baptism, 24 SECTION IV. _The Baptism of Israel at Sinai._--Scene at the mount. The covenant proposed and accepted. A great revival. Baptism of the converts. The feast of the covenant, 25 SECTION V. _The Blood of Sprinkling._—It was a type of Christ’s atonement, 30