BAP 



251 



BAR 



Baptists, might have been tempted to imitate their example, 

 v ' than the sect appeared to return to reason and to 

 common seni". This happy change was principally 

 effected by Menno Simon, a man who, from being a 

 popish priest of the most infamous character, became 

 a baptist teacher, equally distinguished for the mild- 

 ness and humanity of his disposition, as for the pu- 

 rity and rectitude of his conduct. By his prudent 

 counsels and unwearied diligence, were their socie- 

 ties reduced to form, their discipline established, their 

 doctrines defined, and a spirit of union and of mode- 

 ration infused into the whole mass. The obligations 

 which they owed to their amiable and disinterested 

 leader inspired them with the warmest gratitude, and 

 the deference which they paid to him bestowed upon 

 them the appellation of Mennonites, which they still 

 bear. Their situation, however, was still far from 

 being agreeable. Unacknowledged by any of the 

 powers of Europe, and dreaded from the remem- 

 brance of their late fanaticism, they owed their secu- 

 rity to the generosity of the rulers, and not to the 

 protection of the laws ; and the imprudence of a few 

 of their own members, as well as the interest, the 

 caprice, or the bigotry of the magistrate, might at 

 once have overwhelmed them with all the evils of 

 persecution. It was to William prince of Orange, a 

 name illustrious in the annals of civil and religious li- 

 berty, that they were indebted for the first legal to- 

 leration which they enjoyed. His son Maurice imi- 

 tated his generous and enlightened example ; but the 

 influence of their protection was not only confined 

 within the boundaries of their dominions, but was 

 even defeated, within that narrow circle, by the op- 

 position of many to whom the subordinate offices of 

 their government was committed. We may add, that 

 in England, in 1538, some of this sect were burnt in 

 Smithtield, and even in the seventeenth century they 

 were not exempted from the storm of persecution 

 which was raised against the reformed churches. 

 They are, however, now protected in Britain, by the 

 act of toleration, 1689; and they enjoy equal secu- 

 rity in many other nations of Europe. 



It must have already occurred to our readers, that 

 the baptists are the same sect of Christians which 

 we formerly described under the appellation of Ana- 

 baptists. It is but justice to acknowledge, that they 

 reject the latter appellation with disdain ; and main- 

 tain, that as none of the forms adopted by other 

 churches are consonant to scripture, the baptism of 

 these churches is in reality no baptism. Hence, in 

 their opinion, they do not re-baptize. Indeed, this 

 seems to have been their great leading principle from 

 the time of Tertullian to the present day. Accord- 

 ing to them, something essential to baptism, either 

 in the subjects, or in the administrators, or in the mode, 

 was omitted, which rendered the rite altogether nu- 

 gatory j and hence they asserted, that their baptism 

 was the first that was administered to such as were 

 proper subjects of it. 



Though the Calvinistic and Arminian baptists are 

 by far the most numerous at the present day, yet there 

 are many baptists who adhere to the dogmata of Arius, 

 Pelagius, and Socinus. Hence it is, that this 6ect may 

 be said to be divided into a number of lesser sects, each 

 distinguished by its own name, and by its particular 



opinions. To specify all these would be inconsistent 

 with our plan. We may, however, be allowed to 

 remark, that the following opinions, though not 

 adopted by the whole body of baptists, have yet 

 pretty generally prevailed. 1. That our Saviour's 

 body was not derived from the substance of his mo- 

 ther, but was created in her womb by the Holy 

 Spirit. 2. That during the Millenium, Christ will 

 personally reign over his church on earth. 3. That 

 private Christians have authority to preach the gos- 

 pel. 4'. That the gospel supersedes all those civil 

 institutions which men have established for the sup- 

 port and regulation of society. 5. That true Chris- 

 tians ought not to exercise the offices of magistracy. 



6. That war, even in self-defence, is unlawful. 



7. That no Christian should confirm his testimony 

 by an oath. 8. That the Sabbath was not changed 

 from the seventh to the first day of the week. 

 9. That a community of goods was established by 

 the gospel. And, 10. That Christians, in imitation 

 of their Lord, ought to wash the feet of their guests. 

 But the opinions which are acknowledged by all the 

 baptists, and which may be accounted characteristic 

 of the sect, are, 1. That the church of Christ upon 

 earth is an assembly of real saints, and must be kept 

 pure from the wicked. 2. That no man is born a 

 member of any particular church, but must volunta- 

 rily choose for himself. 3. That baptism ought only 

 to be administered to adults, upon a public profession 

 of faith and repentance, by immersion. 4. That ci- 

 vil rulers have no authority to enact laws, or to en- 

 force obedience in matters of religion. 5. That the 

 ministers of religion have no power over the opinions 

 or consciences of their hearers, but are to be ac- 

 counted mere teachers. And, 6. That the religious 

 establishment and form of worship, in Christian 

 churches, ought to be congregational or independent. 

 See Tertulliani de Baptismo. Cypriani Episto/w. 

 Optati Op. lib. ii. Baronii Annates An. 321. Al- 

 baspinaci Observat. in Optat. Labbei Condi, torn, 

 ii. can. 8, 19. Binii Not<B in Conc.Nicen. Bossuet, 

 Histoire des Variations des Eglises Protestantes. 

 Hermanni Schyn, M. D. Historia Christianorum. 

 Jo. Henrici Ottii. Annales. Anabapt. Mosheim** 

 Church Hist. Robertson's Charles V. Robinson's 

 Hist, of Baptism, (n) 



BAR sur Ornain, formerly Bak le Due, is the 

 chief town of the department of the Meuse, in France, 

 The articles of the commerce of this town, are hemp, 

 wood, and wine. The hemp is very abundant, and 

 is employed in the fabrication of coarse linens. The 

 wood consists of planks of oak, and deal boards. 

 The Marne, into which the river Ornain discharges 

 itself, facilitates the intercourse between this town 

 and Paris. Bar sur Ornain is celebrated for its con- 

 fectionaries of fruit, and its wines are reckoned equal 

 to those of Champagne. All kinds of steel goods 

 are manufactured in the suburbs. Population 6961. 

 East Long. 5 11', North Lat. 48 46' 5". (n) 



BARABA, a steppe or extensive plain on the 

 western verge of Siberia, situated between the rivers 

 Irtish and Oby. This steppe exceeds 600 versts in 

 length from north to south, and 400 in breadth from 

 east to west. The whole of this extensive region is 

 a continued flat, diversified only by forests of birch- 

 2 



Baptists 



I! 



Baraba. 



