both about what baptism is, and to whom it is to be adminiftered, no term fo fully and comprehenfively expreffes this difference, as the term Baptift.

But others accufe them of contractedness of mind, and narrownefs of fentiment; because they generally admit none to the Lord's table, but fuch as they conceive to be baptized. This fen. timent they avow; but at the fame time reply, that the fame fentiment is held by their opponents; only they differ as to its application. Is not baptifm a line of feparation between the world and the church? Is it not that ordinance in which the Head of the church hath commanded his difci. ples to profefs their faith in his name? You do not hold the principle of that person, who denies the obligation of baptifm, and calls it a weak and beggarly element? who would as foon be circumcifed, as baptized? nor do you wish that baptism were abolished; nor, like Dr. Prieftly, modeftly ad. vise your brethren to baptize in another name than Jefus enjoined, left the belief of the doctrine of the trinity should be perpetuated? No: you believe the perpetual obligation of baptism to the end of the world-nor would you receive into your church, nor admit to the Lord's table, any per. fon whom you look upon as unbaptized.

This is the

the very principle, fay the Baptifts, which we hold. We differ from you as to the subject, and mode of baptifm, &c. but we agree that none but the baptized must come to the Lord's table. Why then condemn us for a principle which you hold in common with us, and the greater part of the chriftian church?

There are others, who alledge, that the Baptists are too confident in this matter, fince fo many wife and good men have been on the oppofite fide of the question, and that many who have made very gener ous conceffions, both concerning the subjects, and mode of baptism, have still retained their former connections. To this they reply, that though the reafons of their practice were never fairly refuted, which, were their opponents fufficiently prudent; they would never attempt; yet it seems matter of triumph to them, if they can advance such things as may tend to damp their zeal, abate their confidence, and render the doctrine of baptifm fo dubious, as to keep every perverfion of it in countenance. The Baptifts grant that they are confident, and very confident, but not over confident; except their opponents can make it appear, that the gospel is not to be received with the full affurance of faith, or that the Baptists have more than full affurance in this matter; which they think will not be attempted. They add, we believe, and are no

lefs

lefs convinced that Chrift is the Lord of his church, than that he is commiffioned to fave her; and are as firmly perfuaded, that there is but one baptifm, as that there is but one Lord; and that baptism is immerfion, as that the river Jordan contained the element of water, and not milk or honey, though in a land that flowed with both; and that it is as much required, that the fubject of baptifm believe before it, as that he obey it. Their confidence in this matter, is not the confidence of enthusiasm and bigotry; but of men who have heard for themfelves, feen, and believed. Under the influence of fuch principles, more especially when they recollect the errors which have prevailed concerning bap tifm, it may be reafonably expected, that when they preach upon the subject, or adminifter this ordinance, they will speak freely on the subject, as all who attend their miniftrations know they frequently do. It is the language of manly zeal, the warm effusion of an honeft heart. They are men, Englishmen, chriftians. While, therefore, they honour good men of all denominations for their piety, talents, and virtue, they dare call no man LORD, or MASTER in religion, but JESUS CHRIST. If the Baptifts were not confident in this matter, or acted with lefs confidence than

they

they do, their fincerity might be justly fuf-pected.

8. His Continuance at Hamsterly for one Year.

IT was Mr. Slee's intention, when he came to Hamsterly, to continue there for fome time, at leaft for two or three years, and apply himself to reading and study. But as the people and their paftor, with whom he was now so closely connected, judged it would be very improper for his talents to lie hid, they with much perfuafion prevailed on him to preach on the Wednesday evening following. This he did from Rom. viii. 28. His difcourse was very judicious and fpiritual, edifying to his hearers, and encouraging to himself. The church being called together, after a little deliberation, came to the following refolution: *

"That as Mr. Slee is, in our judgment, well qualified for the gospel miniftry, we now unanimoufly call him to it.-We are thankful to "God for the difcourfe which he has preached, "and hope to be happy under his occafional la"bours among us-and efteem him eligible for "the paftoral office, either in our own church,

* Hamsterly, Records of the Church, 1779.

or

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or any other." "Also that the pastor of this "church be requested to print his sermon preached at Mr. Slee's baptifm-And Mr. Slee to print along with it his farewell fermon at Plumpton." With these requests the respective parties complied; and on September 18, at a church meeting preparatory to the Lord's Supper, after an addrefs from the paftor, prayer was of fered up to God on Mr. Slee's behalf, now called by them to the public ministry of the gospel. Mr. Slee ftayed at Hamfterly one year. During this period he applied himself to the study of the Hebrew language, in which he foon made confiderable progrefs, fo that in a few months he had great pleasure in reading the Hebrew bible. And as the minifter at Hamsterly was generally from home every other Lord's day, he always preached in his abfence, and every communion fabbath in the afternoon.

As opportunity offered, he likewise preached in feveral places with great acceptance. His firft excurfion was into Cumberland, and the northwest part of Lancashire. In the neighbourhood of Penrith he preached in feveral villages, and was well received. Many who had been averse to his refignation were now reconciled. His parents received him affectionately, and attended where he

preached