sed out of the water signified his resurrection from the cold
Jordan of death to immortal life in the kingdom of God, where the
victory shall be sung over _death and sin_; and over the _law_ which
"is the strength of sin." Having passed in figure through his own
death and resurrection, and having manifested to man that he was
baptized by the Holy Spirit into the faith and "powers of the world to
come," he perfectly lived up to his obligation, by never committing
one sin. He went through life free from transgression as though he
were already in eternity. When his crucifixion hour approached, he
said, [Luke xii:50] "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am
I straitened" [Greek--pained] "till it be accomplished." Here he had
reference to his being buried in death, (which was to be attended with
extreme sufferings) and rising again from it, which would be the
_reality_ of which his baptism in Jordan was but a _figure_.

To be put under water signifies our _death_, and to be raised out
again signifies our _resurrection_. A person, who is baptized, ought
therefore, to endeavor, as much as in him lies, to live as though he
were already in his resurrection state. Enjoying in faith the baptism
of the "Holy Spirit and of fire," he ought to consider himself as dead
to the world and alive to God walking in newness of life.

Let us introduce Rom. vi:3, 4. "Know ye not that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into _his death_? Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life." Here we perceive they were baptized
into his death, and were rejoicing in hope of the _resurrection_,
having their hearts purified faith in the reality, Acts xxii. 16 And
now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
&c. Now, it is not only a scripture doctrine, but all denominations
acknowledge, that baptism in water is an _emblem_ of the washing away
of our sins. We then ask--are our sins to be wished in a stream of
water? No. Where then? The objector says, our sins are taken away _in
this life_ by the baptism of the "Holy Spirit and with fire." This
cannot be; because Paul told the believers that if there were no
resurrection, their faith was vain, and they were _yet in their sins_.
[See I. Cor. xv. 17.] This proves that believers receive the
forgiveness of their sins i