ANCIENT PICTORIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST, BY JOHN, IN JORDAN. THIS picture is copied from the door of the Church at Beneventum, which was one of the first cities in Italy where the Gospel was introduced. It is rudely executed, and extremely ancient. THIS is a representation in Mosaic of the Baptism of Christ in Jordan, preserved in the Church, in Cosmedin, at Ravenna, which was erected, A. D. 401. In the centre is Christ our Saviour in the river Jordan. On a rock stands John the Baptist, in his left hand is a bent rod, and his right hand holds a patera, shell; from which he POURS WATER on the head of the Redeemer; over whom descends the dove, the symbol of the Holy Ghost. with expanded wings, and emitting rays of glory and grace. . 1893 From the Library of Prof. A. P. PEABODY 72. 741 ARMSTRONG ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by CHARLES SCRIBNER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York, W. H. TINSON, STEREOTYPER, GEORGE RUSSELL & CO., PRINTERS. PREFACE. In the following treatise, the author's aim has been, to give a discussion of the subject of Baptism: FIRST.-Purely Scriptural.-Every passage of Scripture, in which the words "baptize" or "baptism" occur; or which in the author's view, or that of prominent Baptist writers, can properly claim attention, in a full and fair Scriptural examination of this subject, is considered, and a correct exposition of it attempted. In order to avoid frequent repetition, these different passages have been classified; and hence, they will not be found in the order in which they occur in the word of God. But, by means of the Scriptural Index at the end of the volume, the reader will be able to turn to the exposition of any particular passage, at his pleasure. The Word of God, and that alone, can bind the faith of the Church; and in the following treatise, to the Word of God, and to that alone, is the appeal made. Hence, the title |