3. The objection implies an _ungrateful_ reflexion on the Institutor’s wisdom and goodness, contrary to what it pretends to avoid. And this it does, by counteracting and vilifying those natural dictates of reason, prudence and common sense, that our all-wise and beneficent Creator has given us—his _goodness_, in not suspending their operations, but leaving them in full force, as to these circumstances of positive duties—his _wisdom_, in grafting what is positive of his laws on these common principles—and finally, the favourable circumstance of his diminishing the degree of positiveness in New Testament institutions, as well as their number. Let us now recapitulate what has been said in this chapter—From an investigation of the _nature_ of positive precepts and duties, as distinguished from _moral_ ones, together with their _comparative_ obligations and importance, we have seen, that, in any case of supposed competition, the _latter_ claims an undoubted _preference_. We have also seen, that nothing but absolute, decisive, _discernible authority_ can turn the scale in favor of the _former_, or, indeed, place any law or duty in the rank of POSITIVE. Moreover, it has been shewn, that every duty resulting from any discernible _moral relation_, must needs be classed among _moral duties_; that some things appertaining to the very _essence_ of baptism, on our opponents’ own principles, are of moral consideration; particularly the qualifications of proper subjects; consequently, that baptism is an ordinance of a _mixed nature_, partly positive and partly moral. Of all which an unavoidable consequence is, that our opponents’ outcry against all _moral_ and _analogical reasons_ in our enquiries respecting the subjects and mode of baptism, is impertinent and absurd, and to a demonstration contradictory to their own avowed principles. DR. WILLIAMS ON BAPTISM. Footnote 77: The commission to disciples _baptizing all nations_ is both a positive and express authority for the baptism of the infants of such as are themselves discipled. Footnote 78: _See his works: vol. II. pag. 1129, 1132, 1133._ Footnote 79: _Vid. Just. Martyr, Quest. & Resp. Quest. CII. & ejusd. Apol. II._ Footnote 80: _Vid. Cyp. in Epist. ad Fid. Lib. iii. Epi. viii._ Footnote 81: _Vid. Iren. Lib. ii. xxxix._ Footnote 82: _Vid. Ejusd. Orat. xl._ Footnote 83: _Vid. Augustin. de peccat. merit. & remiss. Lib. i. Cap. xxviii. parvulos baptizandos esse concedunt qui contra autoritatem universæ ecclesiæ proculdubio per dominum, & Apostolos traditam venire non possunt; and in Sermon. x. de verbis Apostol, speaking concerning infant-baptism, he says, Nemo vobis susurret doctrinas alienas. Hoc ecclesia semper habuit. semper tenuit; hoc a majorum fide percepit: hoc usque in finem perseveranter custodit._ Footnote 84: _Vid. Tertul. Lib. de Baptism, Cap. xviii._ Footnote 85: