Baptism, as dispensed in apostolic simplicity, is a most significant ordinance; but the original rite was soon well-nigh hidden behind the rubbish of human inventions.  The milk and honey, the unction, the crossing, the kiss of peace, and the imposition of hands, were all designed to render it more imposing; and, still farther to deepen the impression, it was already administered in the presence of none save those who had themselves been thus initiated. [481:3] But the foolishness of God is wiser than man.  Nothing is more to be deprecated than any attempt to improve upon the institutions of Christ.  Baptism, as established by the Divine Founder of our religion, is a visible exhibition of the gospel; but, as known in the third century, it had much of the character of one of the heathen mysteries.  It was intended to confirm faith:  but it was now contributing to foster superstition.  How soon had the gold become dim, and the most fine gold been changed!

CHAPTER III.

THE LORD’S SUPPER.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper may be regarded as a typical or pictorial summary of the great salvation.  In Baptism the gospel is exhibited subjectively—­renewing the heart and cleansing from all iniquity:  in the Lord’s Supper it is exhibited objectively—­providing a mighty Mediator, and a perfect atonement.  Regeneration and Propitiation are central truths towards which all the other doctrines of Christianity converge, and in marking them out by corresponding symbols, the Head of the Church has been graciously pleased to signalize their importance.

The Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation and thoroughly furnished unto all good works; but we are not at liberty to adulterate these records either by addition or subtraction.  If they should be preserved exactly as they issued from the pen of inspiration, it is clear that the visible ordinances in which they are epitomized should also be maintained in their integrity.  He who tampers with a divinely-instituted symbol is obviously to some extent obnoxious to the malediction [483:1] pronounced upon the man who adds to, or takes away from, the words of the book of God’s prophecy.

Had the original form of administering the Lord’s Supper been rigidly maintained, the Church might have avoided a multitude of errors; but very soon the spirit of innovation began to disfigure this institute.  The mode in which it was observed, and the views which were entertained respecting it by the Christians of Rome, about the middle of the second century, are minutely described by Justin Martyr.  “There is brought,” says he, “to that one of the brethren who is president, bread and a cup of wine mixed with water.  And he, having received them, gives praise and glory to the Father of all things....  And when he has finished his praises and thanksgiving, all the people who are present express their assent saying Amen, which in the Hebrew