§. Sect. 5 Thirdly, as it is our restipulati∣on in the Co∣uenant of grace.
Thirdly, it is a meanes to helpe vs forward in all duties of godlinesse, as it is our restipulation in the Couenant of grace, whereby hauing receiued from God the promise of the remission of our sinnes, grace and glory, we for our part promise vnto God againe, that wee will receiue Christ and all his benefits by a true and liuely faith, bringing foorth the fruits thereof in vnfained repentance and amendment of life, and that vtterly renoun∣cing Satan, the world, and our owne sinfull flesh with the lusts thereof, we will wholly dedicate and consecrate our selues, or soules and bodies to the seruice of him who is our Creatour and Redeemer. The which our vow and Couenant made vnto God, is a powerfull bond to restraine vs from all sinne, and to tye vs vnto the performance of all duties of Gods seruice, seeing if we doe not performe the condition of the Couenant be∣tweene him and vs, we can haue no true ioy and comfort in our liues, be∣cause we can haue no assurance that we haue any right and interest vnto any of Gods gracious promises made vnto vs in Iesus Christ. So often therefore as we haue occasion to call to our remembrance, our vow and promise made vnto God in baptisme, and especially when wee are present at the celebration of this holy Sacrament, and heare it againe repeated and made in the name of infants admitted vnto it; if wee conscionably labour to make a right vse of our Baptisme, it will put vs in mind of our Couenant then made with God, and renew our desires, resolution, and in∣deuour of performing that seruice in the duties of a Christian life, which we haue vowed and promised vnto him, lest wee should be found Coue∣nant-breakers, and dalliers with God, who will not bee mocked, thereby deluding our selues of all blessings and benefits, respecting this life and the life to come, which in the Couenant of grace are promised vnto vs. Where, by the way we may obserue, that those who withdraw themselues, and depart out of the assembly when the Sacrament of Baptisme is admi∣nistred, doe not only thereby sinne against God, the Church, and the party baptized (as I haue before shewed) but also are very iniurious vnto them∣selues, in that they lose a good opportunity of calling to minde and re∣newing their Couenant with God, and depriue themselues of one speci∣all helpe, whereby they might bee inabled to performe the duties of a god∣ly life.