The like figure whereunto, &c.— And that which is the antetype, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting off the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience) to God, by, &c. Sir Norton Knatchbull would join the words δι υδατος, 1 Peter 3:20 to the beginning of this verse, and would have us read thus: By water also, baptism, which is the antetype, doth also now save us. For this he alleges, that the preposition δια will then have its usual and proper signification: and as to the trajection of the words, he endeavours to confirm it by other like instances, both from the scriptures, and some the best Greek writers. The word Τυπος, strictly speaking, signifies a type, or original model; and the word
'Αντιτυπον, the copy which is made after that model; but here it seems to signify no more than some similitude or resemblance in the two things compared. It may be inquired, "What are the two things compared? and wherein does the resemblance lie? That is, Is the water of baptism compared to the waters of the flood? or baptism itself compared to Noah's ark? or the being saved by baptism to the being saved in the ark?"—The last appears tohave been St. Peter's design; namely, that the salvation by the ark, in this particular, resembled our salvation by Christian baptism: for as those righteous persons, Noah and his family, were saved in the ark from perishing by the deluge; so Christian baptism, if followed by, or accompanied with, righteousness, or a good conscience, will be a means, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, of saving Christians from perishing with the wicked world.St. Peter had observed, 1 Peter 3:18 that Jesus Christ being put to death in the flesh, was brought to life again by the Spirit; and he seems here to refer to what he had said there: and by speaking of the resurrectionand the glory of Christ, he means not only to represent him as the object of our confidence, but likewise to intimate, that if, through grace, we imitate him in his courageous fidelity, we may hope to partake with him in his