A Vindication of Infant Baptism. with a Review of Dr. Gale's Answer to Dr. Wall and of Dr. Cox's Work 'on Baptism'. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1829. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. Examination of Dr. Gale's "Reflections on Mr. Wall's History of Infant Baptism" and of Dr. Cox's Book " On Baptism." Having treated this subject with as much detail and minuteness as was necessary to give a clear view of this very interesting and important question, the reader will now be able to accompany me, without difficulty, in a review which I mean to take of two works which have obtained much reputation among the Baptists, as giving a powerful, and, as they think, a successful defence of their tenets; and it is for this reason that I have selected those volumes for a particular examination. The work of Dr. Gale is considered as the most elaborate production that has ever appeared on that side, and is certainly a shrewd and able performance. The work of Dr. Cox is the latest book which I have met with from the pen of a Baptist writer; and as that author has handled the question in what he is pleased to think a new and improved manner, I cannot deal more fairly with the argument than by making his work the subject of my investigation. It is but fair to let the reader see in what manner the Baptists defend their own cause; and it is but just to the writers, too, to let them state their own arguments in their own words. The former part of Dr. Gale's book is wholly occupied with etymological criticisms, illustrative of the meanings in which he understands the words paVwo and fiairnZw, which I have already observed signify to proselyte and to baptize: Concerning the signification of fiaStrrtva) I have already written at some length; of /3a7m w, I shall speak at the close of this volume. My present object is to consider the animadversions of Dr. Gale upon Mr. Wall's general argument. In doing this, it shall be my endeavour to omit nothing...