known to have been ordained by the divine founder of the Christian church. Yet it is as well known that baptism or lustration by water had been practiced many ages before the Christian eral and that immersions, and ablutions and aspersions had been used from times immemorial in Pagan temples; that these rites were regarded as necessary preparations for those who were to be admitted to certain religious privileges. If such ideas had not pre-existed in the opinions of men, the ordinances of baptism by John the Baptist, and by our Lord, would have been devoid of all meaning and effect of those who witnessed or underwent the performance of it. The fact is, as we well know, that lustration by water was already connected with the idea of inward purification. Hence it was a fit instrument for producing a moral effect.
The case is similar with respect to circumcision, on the hypothesis that it was a prevailing custom previously to the time of Abraham. It was regarded with feelings of solemnity, and as the type of a religious engagement. No new rite could then be so proper or so efficacious as the seal of a solemn covenant.
