PART I-On SACRAMENTS in general: Show- ing their Nature, Neceffity and Importance. PART II.-On BAPTISM. Attempting to illuf trate what the religious meaning and defign of PART III.-On the SACRAMENTS, as connected WITH A SUMMARY; AND APPLICATORY ALL FOUNDED ON THE All is compofed on a NEW PLAN.--No Author is referred to, BY EBENEZER CHAPLIN, A. M. Thus faith the LORD, ftand ye in the WAYS, and fee, and Make STRAIGHT PATHS for your feet, left that which is WORCESTR R. (Massachusetts.) PRINTED BY DANIEL GREENLEAF. 4-16-36 gron INTRODUCTION. I SHALL make no Preface, Advertisement or Apology, for writing what is here offered; otherwife than giving a few hints, in this my Introduction. I HAVE not gone in the track of any Publica. tion, I have ever feen on the fubject; nor of any opinion or hypothefis, I have ever heard advanced. Neither do I undertake to oppofe, or contro. vert any Author. I have therefore, no occafion to make any Apology on the one hand for occupying; nor on the other for obftru&ting, the Paths of others. TAKING the Scriptures for my guide, I have fearched after the Old Paths, the good Way, and have endeavored to clear it, fo that all may walk therein. And it appears to me fo straight, that the lame need not be turned out of the Way. AND though the Old Paths, are what I here enquire after, and endeavor to clear; yet those ancient Paths have fo long been unoccupied; and by various means become fo incumbered, that the clearing of them, feems properly New at the pre. fent Day. And I doubt not, that thofe Old Paths which I here effay to clear, will appear New to all who occupy or furvey them. IN going ftraight, it unavoidably interfects the Paths of others; yet I leave every one unmolefted; I therefore fee not, why I may not justly expect to be unmolefted myself. However, if any thould moleft me; if I fhould live, and have toler. able health, I fhall endeavor to defend myself. |