John Gill discusses the historical context of baptism among the Jews, asserting that the practice of baptizing proselytes, including infants, predates John the Baptist and Jesus. He references several learned scholars who support the idea that baptism was a well-known rite of initiation within Jewish tradition, which explains the lack of explicit mention of infant baptism in the New Testament. Gill emphasizes that this Jewish custom served as a foundation for the Christian practice of baptism, suggesting that it was not a new concept but rather a continuation of an existing tradition. He argues that understanding this background is crucial for comprehending the significance of baptism in Christianity. The sermon ultimately seeks to validate the practice of infant baptism by linking it to Jewish customs.