that bapto goes into a secondary, which is a *confequential sense, namely, to wet or wash (dye or stain, if the liquid be fuch as will communicate a stain), and in this sense is not confined to the act of dipping?

Now, fuch being the meaning of this primitive verb, when the derivative, baptizō, is produced, it may be expected to point to the consequential sense of its primitive, holding the liberty of the first act of that verb, as well as the liberty of any other act, performed under the secondary sense of the primitive. Hence baptizō may, by analogy, be defined, to wet or wash wholly or in part, with or without the act of dipping eith. er wholly or in part. This appears to be the fum of the definitions contained in those Lexicons we have confulted. And it may be observed that, while Profeffor Stock de fines baptizō, he begins with the consequential fenfe of the primitive (lavo), "to wash." In which, it is obvious, he acted according to the nature of the verb.

い

Hence, from the definitions in those Lexicons cited and from analogy, it appears to be in vain to attempt to confine baptizo, merely, to the act of dipping, to that of pouring or sprinkling, to that of wetting or washing. Though either of those acts may be, performed under this, verb, as well as under its primitive, bapro; yet it is not to be confined to any one of them in particu lar, but there is liberty for either, from

Ja

the act of wetting in part, to the immers fion of the whole body.

Now, having thus far traced this subject, let us, in the next place, turn our attention to the ufe of the word in the New Testament, in some instances, in which the ordi nance of baptifin is not intended.

For this purpose, see Mark 7 chap. at the beginning." Then came together unto him the Pharifees, and certain of the Scribes, which came from Jerufalem. And when they faw some of his difciples eat bread with defiled (that is to say, with un-washen) hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups and pots, brafen vessels, and tables. Then the Pharifees and Scribes asked him, why walk not thy difciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?" And in the eighth verse, Chrift faith, "For laying afide the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other fuch like things ye do."

Here let us observe that, when the Pharifees and Scribes saw some of Christ's difciples cat bread with unwashen hands, they

:

found fault. It appears this had become a custom among the Pharifees, and indeed among all the Jews, to wash their hands. oft, or eat not. Such a tradition they appear to have received of the elders. Therefore, when they saw some of Christ's disciples eat bread without washing their hands, that is, as preparatory therefor, they were ready to find fault, feeing the tradition of the elders was thus neglected.

Had there been a divine injunction, that men should wash their hands directly previ, ous to partaking of their common food and had those disciples neglected it, there would have been just occasion of finding fault. But, as the practice depended on a tradition of the elders, instead of being. founded in a divine injunction, it appears those disciples were not criminal in Christ's view. But it appears he disapproved the conduct of the Pharisees and Scribes, who were so tenacious of their traditions. And this should be well.confidered by all who are favoured with the light of the Gospel.

But further; let us notice particularly what is faid in the 4th verse." And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. Here baptizō is used, that is, in a declined state (ean mee baptifontai ouk esthiousi), which may be thus rendered, "unless they baptize, they eat not;" that is, unless they wash, they eat nor. And, from the information afforded

4

in the preceding verses, we may perceive what they deemed as requifite previous to eating, namely, to wash their hands. But if any fuppofe they made it their practice to immerse themselves wholly in water every time they returned from the marker, to this it may be observed, it is not impoffible that they should purfue fuch a practice, though many may think it unlikely. But, in the latter part of the 4th verse of this 7 chap. of Mark, it is faid, "And ma-ny other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups and pots, brafon vessels, and tables." Here the Evangelift mentions a diversity of household utenfils, fome of which, no doubt were finall and fome large. It is well known that, in washing such a variety of vessels, it is common to dip fome of them; that is, those which are small, in a larger veffel of water, while it is alfo common to apply water to those of a larger fize which are cumbersome to handle. It is also fre-quently the cafe, that the application of water, in washing those which are large, is only to a part of them.

Hence we may with propriety believe that, in the cafes prefented, there were washings both with and without the act of dipping, and the Evangelift could term thefe washings (baptifmous), the baptifms of cups, &c.

Ez 3

4

In Luke Lt chap. we find that Christ, at a certain time, was invited by a Pharifee to dine with him, and Christ went in and fat down to meat. In the 38th verse, it is faid, "And when the Pharisee law it, he marvelled that he had not first washed* before dinner."

Here in the original, the word which is rendered washed is ebaptifthee, which may be literally rendered baptize. But in this instance it is fufficiently evident the Pharisee marvelled, because Christ did not wash his hands previous to his fitting down to meat. And it is obvious, he might wash his hands without dipping them, or with. The washing of them was what the Pharifee appears to have expected, and according to the custom related in Mark 7. 3. which has been already confidered.

۱۳

1

In Matt. 15. 2. we may likewise see this custom of wathing the hands, previous to the partaking of fd, was zealoufly adhered to by the Scri. Pharifees. They observed the cor suct of Christ's, disciples, and faid to him, "Why do thy disciples tranfgrefs the tradition of the elders?for they wash not their hands when they

*Luke 11 38. The Ethiopic translation expreffes the idea of washing the hands thus, "And the Pharisee therefore seeing him, wondered that his hands were not washed for dinner."

The Perfic thus, "But when the Pharifee faw him, that he washed not hands before he ate, he was moved."