[NOTE 3]: *The following examples of the above general rule illustrate its value and certainly: - "Let us offer up the sacrifice of praise to God, confessing to his name." Heb. xiii. 10. "Let us go forth to him out of the camp, bearing his reproach." Heb. xiii. 13. "Be an approved workman, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. ii. 15. "Guard the precious deposit, avoiding profane babblings." 1 Tim. vi. 20. "Observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality." 1 Tim. v. 21. "Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands." 1 Tim. ii. 8. "Walk in wisdom to them that are without, gaining time." Col. iv. 5. "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God." Col. iii. 17. "Speak the truth, putting away lying." Eph. iv. 25. "Be not vainglorious, provoking one another." Gal. v. 26. "convert the nations, baptizing them," etc., etc. Now, do not all these participles define their respective imperatives, or show the way and manner in which this command should be obeyed? Many similar examples may be found in all the sacred writings.

This rule has passed through a fiery trial. I have only been more fully convinced of its generality and value. There is no rule in the English syntax more general in its application. I would only add, that the participle does not always express every thing in the command: but it always points out something emphatically in the intention of the imperative, and without which the injunction can not be suitably and fully performed.

We have, however, no need of this rule, nor of any thing not generally conceded, to establish the point before us; for the new Testament and all antiquity teach that, so long as the Apostles lived, no one was regarded as a disciple of Christ who had not confessed his faith and was immersed.