It is also to be observed, that such as deny that baptism is the means of regeneration, teach that we only are initiated into the visible church by baptism ; or, otherwise baptism is the door to the visible church, and for this purpose mostly they administer baptism. But I consider it necessary to contradict this sentiment, though imbibed by many. The scriptures, as far as I can learn, do not call baptism the door to the church. Our Saviour saith " I am the door," John 10 : through Christ we get into the church, because he is the door ; but through baptism we get into Christ, for we are baptised into Christ, yea, we are baptised into his death. The apostle does not say that we are baptised into the church, nor into the death of the church ; but positively, that we are baptised into Christ and into his death. Christ is not the church, nor did the church ever die for us. So it appears contrary to the apostle's declaration, to teach that we are only brought into the visible church by baptism. We are brought by baptism into the Lord Jesus himself, into his death and burial, and we also rise with him. O what happy news this is to the baptised ! Notwithstanding, I readily admit, if we are in Christ, we must certainly also belong to his church, for by him we get into the church. But that nothing more is effected by baptism, than merely to be brought into the visible church, without being thereby first initiated into Christ, is what I deny.

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