02. Editor's Preface
EDITOR’S PREFACE.
Mr Shirreff was, for many years, one of the most learned, popular, and impressive Preachers in the Church of Scotland.
He devoted himself much to study, and eagerly perused the writings of the Fathers, to which, besides those in his own valuable collection, he had access, through the Library which Archbishop Leighton had established at Dunblane, when he presided over that diocese. So much was Mr Shirreff engaged in this study, that it was a common remark, when he was absent from the meetings of Presbytery, "He is at home with his Fathers." In the progress of his researches, he became satisfied that the attempted union of Church and State is AntiChristian; and he was not disobedient to the heavenly oracle, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate." He resigned the charge of the parish of St Ninians, in the Presbytery of Stirling, which he had held during thirty-five years. He then removed to Glasgow, where, for upwards of nine years, he labored in word and doctrine, as the Elder of a Christian Church
He was convinced that Infant Baptism was the key-stone of the arch on which National Churches have always rested, and will rest, so long as they continue to scatter the flock of Christ. He naturally wished to exhibit those arguments from which he had himself received the fullest satisfaction on this most important subject. The result was, the preparation of these Lectures, which he delivered weekly, on Wednesday evenings, in Albion Street Chapel.
They would have appeared to greater advantage, had he lived to carry them through the press. This was not permitted; but the Editor has endeavored to correct any trifling inaccuracies, which can hardly fail to occur in a manuscript not expressly written out for publication. Had the Author superintended the press, he would probably have expunged some passages of Scripture, together with the remarks to which they gave rise, which may be considered as repetitions; but the Editor did not feel himself at liberty to expunge what had appeared to the Author, and might appear to others, important to the argument. Indeed, the plan of considering all the passages in the New Testament in which Baptism is introduced, unavoidably led the Author occasionally to touch upon the same ground. The Reader will, it is presumed, recognize in these Lectures the vigorous actings of an acute and powerful mind; he will feel that he has to do with a man who was mighty in the Scriptures; and who endeavored, by manifestation of the truth, to commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Mr Shirreff commenced a History of Baptism, — a work for which he was eminently qualified by his extensive acquaintance with the writings of the Fathers: he was, however, removed from the world before he had brought it to such a state as to be submitted to the public.
It appears to the Editor the mark of a superior mind, that, with the learning which Mr Shirreff possessed, as he did not intend to deliver critical Lectures upon the subject of Baptism, he has almost entirely avoided referring to the original, (almost the only exception is, what he says upon the untranslated word baptize, the meaning of which, with every scholar, Mr Shirreff held to be immerse; the unlearned reader, who observes that baptism is repeatedly described as a burial and resurrection, can be at no loss to see that such is the signification of the word) and has adapted his reasoning to the acquirements of those who, although well versed in the word of God, have never studied it in any language but their own. On every occasion, the Author stands forth the zealous and uncompromising vindicator of the truth of God, but never attempts to derive advantage from his superior knowledge of the original. A few Notes have been subjoined, for which the Editor is responsible. The publication of the following pages is not connected with any prospect of pecuniary advantage. Its sole object is to promote the knowledge of the will of Jesus. The expenses have been all defrayed; and whatever may arise from the sale is devoted to the Education of Young Men for the Work of the Ministry, under the Direction of the Glasgow Baptist Educational Society.
Edinburgh, March 31, 1845.