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° T R E A* T I S E

ON THE

NATURE And IMPORTANCE

OF THB

SACRAMENTS,

IN THREE PARTS.

Part I.—On Sacraments in general: Show-
ing their Natur«, Necessity and Importance.

Part II.—On BAPTISM. Attempting to illus-

trate what the religious meaning and design of

it are.—Who are the proper subjects.—And

what is the proper mode.

Part III.—On the Sacraments, as connected

with the COVENANTS.

With A Summary ; And Appucatory

CONCLUSION.

ALL FOUNDE D ON THB *

SCRIPTURES.

. All is compofed on a Kiwplam.—No Author is referred to,
fro. or con.—Nor any Perfon or Party disputed through the
whole Treatise.

By EBENEZER CJhsAPLIN, A. M.
. —jHt#^>HWM

Thus faith the Lord, stand ye in the Ways, and fee, and
a/k for the old Paths, where is the good Way, and walk
therein, and ye (hall sind rest for your Souls. Jer. vu 16.

Make Straicht Paths for your feet, lest that which it
Uroe be turned out of the Way, but let it rather be healed.

Hib. ru. 13.

COPY RIGHT SECURED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS. 7V0

JjP^INTRO DUC TIO AC

I SHALL make no Presace, Advertisement or Apology, for writing what is here offered ; otherwise than giving a few hints, in tfaii my Introduction.

I Have not gone in the track of any Publica. tion, I have ever seen on the subject; nor of any opinion or hypothesis, I have ever heard advanced. Neither do I undertake to oppofe, or controvert any Author. I have theresore, no occasion to make any Apology on the one hand for occupying; nor on the other for obstructing, the Paths of others.

Taking the Scriptures for my guide, I have searched after the Old Paths, the good Way, and have endeavored to clear it, so that all may walk therein. And it appears to me so straight, that the lame need not be turned out of the Way.

And though the Old Paths, are what I here enquire aster, and endeavor to clear; yet thofe an. cient Paths have so long been unoccupied ; and by various means become so incumbered, that the clearing of them, seems properly Nsw at the pre. sent Day. And I doubt not, that thofe Old Paths which I here esfay to clear, will appear New to all who occupy or survey them.

In going straight, it unavoidably intersects the Paths of others ; yet I leave every one unmolested; I theresore fee not, why I may not justly expect to be unmolested myself- However, is any should molest me; is I should live, and have toler. able health, I shall endeavor to desend myself.