The question returns, are our sins washed away in a stream of water?  No.  Where then?  Ans.  Through death and the resurrection, for that is the real baptism.  And it is certain that the reality must embrace all that the figure in water teaches.  We then solemnly ask the reader,—­if baptism in water is a figure of our death and resurrection, and if that water baptism signifies the washing away of our sins, will not then our sins be washed away through death and the resurrection?  Yes; otherwise the figure in water has no meaning.

Thus we perceive that being born of the water is no objection to our views of the new birth, but affords them an unshaken support.  If any one contend that the sins of our race are not to be taken away through death, we would then ask, where will the christian’s sins be washed away?  The scriptures declare that there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not,—­and if there is no change through death then there will not be a just man beyond the grave that doeth good and sinneth not.  But the baptism “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” in all its solemn and interesting reality will take place in death and the resurrection, and to exercise a living faith in that truth, so as to influence our life and conduct according to the spirit of the gospel, is what the scriptures term being baptized with the spirit and with fire in this life.  But this present enjoyment is not the reality, but an antepast of that reality; because “we walk by faith and not by sight.”  It is immaterial whether the scripture speaks of pardon, of justification; of sanctification, of redemption, of regeneration, or baptism “with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” it simply means that those facts in the divine counsels unchangeably exist, and will burst upon the whole groaning creation in the resurrection world, while the believer only enjoys them in this state of being through faith, which baptizes him into the spirit of Christ.  But if there be no resurrection, and nought is presented to our anticipation but the dreary prospect of a beamless eternity, then “preaching is vain,” “faith is also vain,” “christians are yet in their sins,” “and they that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”

The taking away the sin of the world by the Lamb of God, who is the resurrection and the life, is through death.  Through death, to our faith and hope, he has destroyed “him who hath the power of death, that is the devil.”  The washing away of all sin, by the power of God, is through death and the resurrection. Then and not till then shall the song of triumph be sung by redeemed millions—­“O death!  Where is thy sting?  O grave!  Where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law”, &c.