LUTHER, the great German Reformer, says: "The term _baptism_ is Greek; in Latin it may be translated _mersio:_ since we _immerse_ anything into water, that the whole may be covered with the water." _Works, Vol. I., p. 71. Wit. ed., 1582._ MELANCHTHON, the most scholarly and able co-laborer with Luther, says: "Baptism is _immersion_ into water, with this admirable benediction." _Melanc. Catec. Wit., 1580._ CAVE, in his able work on Christian Antiquities, says: "The party to be baptized was _wholly immersed,_ or put under water." _Prim. Christ., P. I. Chap. X. p. 320._ BEZA, the learned translator of the New Testament, says: "Christ commanded us to be baptized, by which word it is certain _immersion_ is signified." _Annot. on Mark 7:4._ MEDE, the distinguished English scholar and Divine, says, "There was no such thing as _sprinkling_ used in the Apostles' days, nor for many ages after them." _Dis. on Titus 3:5._ GROTIUS, who his biographer calls one of the most illustrious names in literature, politics, and theology says: "That baptism used to be performed by _immersion,_ and not by pouring, appears by the proper signification of the word, and by the places chosen for the administration of the rite." _Annot. on Matt. 3:6; John 3:23._ ADAM CLARK, the great Methodist commentator, says: "Alluding to the _immersions_ practiced in the case of adults, wherein the person appeared to be _buried_ under the water as Christ was buried in the heart of the earth." _Com. on Col. 2:12._ FREDERICK MEYER, one of the ablest and most accurate exegetes of the present age, says: "_Immersion,_ which the word in classic Greek and in the New Testament ever means." _Com. on Mark 7:4._ DEAN ALFORD says: "The baptism was administered by _immersion_ of the whole person." _Greek Testament, Matt. 3:6._ BISHOP BOSSUET, the celebrated French Catholic bishop, orator, and counselor of state, says: "To baptize, signifies to _plunge,_ as is granted by all the world." See _Stenett ad Russen, p. 174._ DOCTOR SCHAFF, the well-known church historian, says: "_Immersion,_ and not sprinkling, was unquestionably the original form. This is shown by the very meaning of the words _baptizo, baptisma,_ and _baptismos_ used to designate the rite." _Hist. Apos. Ch., p. 488. Merc. ed., 1851. Also see Noel on Bap., Ch. 3, sec. 8._ DEAN STANLEY, the distinguished scholar, and historian of the Oriental Church, says: "The practice of the Eastern Church, and the meaning of the word, leave no sufficient ground for question that the original form of baptism was _complete immersion_ in the deep baptismal waters." _Hist. Eastern Church, p. 34._ PROFESSOR FISHER, of Yale College, the accomplished scholar and historian, says of the Apostolic age: "The ordinary mode of baptism was by _immersion._" _Hist. Christ. Church, p. 41._