"Most gracious God! in thy light let me see light; in thy life let me live; in thy righteousness let me stand; in thy strength let me walk; in and by the vigorous and suitable growth of thine image upon my soul, let me have communion with thee; in the savour of thy name, as precious ointment poured forth, let me relish the salt of thine everlasting covenant, and the eternal mysteries thereof; and in thy joy and glory, as Father, Son, ana Holy Spirit, one infinite undivided essence, let me be baptized for evermore. Amen! Amen!" 63 POSTSCRIPT. SINCE writing the above, I have observed that there is strong evidence for supposing that the 37th verse of the 8th chapter of Acts is an interpolation and spurious; I therefore regret that I have quoted it as an authority. My position is too strongly supported by the whole tenor of Scripture, to need any unlawful aid. How clearly did John the Baptist in the outset establish the truth for which I contend. He required Repentance; now, whatever sense be given to this word, this grace really cannot exist without the life of God in the soul. Again, why did he fear that the people would confound his Baptism with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, if there was no connexion at all between them? Belief and Baptism are mentioned together in several passages; and it is plain, without the 37th verse, that the Eunuch believed. We may observe, it is not stated how long he and Philip were together. Faith, it is apprehended, is generally stated as the reason for Baptism, because the profession of it is the readiest, though not the surest proof of the divine life. |