Practical truths tending to promote the power of Godliness wherein several important duties are urged and the evil of divers common sins is evinced : delivered in sundry sermons / by Increase Mather ...

Baptised Persons are under Sacred and Awful Obligation to the Lord.

GAL. 3. 27.

For as many of you, as have been Baptised into Christ, have put on Christ.

THe Apostle having declared that men are justified only by Faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law, he doth obviate and answer some objections, which certain self tea∣chers who troubled the Churches in Galatia, af∣ter Pauls departure from amongst them; would be ready to make: one of which was, that then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was an useless thing; and that if life could not be obtained thereby, it was given in vain to the children of Israel. He therefore sheweth, that the Law was of great use. 1. To convince of sin, ver. 19. 2. To lead unto Christ ver. 24. The moral Law doth convince of sin;

and so help men to a sight of their need of a Savi∣our: but especially, the Ceremonial Law, was a Schoolmaster to lead unto Christ. All the Ceremonies did one way or other po••nt at Christ. Every S••c••ifice told the Jews that they deserved Death; and that if ever they were saved from eternal death it must be by the Blood of Christ.

Having cleared the Truth, and given a s••tisfa∣ctory Answer unto Objections proposed; he pro∣ceeds further to confirm his Assertion, that the Ceremoni••l Law is abrogated, and that Belie∣vers are not now bound to observe it. And this he proveth from the consideration of their A∣doption, ver. 26. It is true, that Old Testament Believers, though under the Law, were never∣theless the Children of God. But they were like Children in minority, who are under School-masters; whenas now Believers are like Chil∣dren come to Adult age, that need the help of a School master no longer, A Child in minority, though his Fathers Heir, is under Tutors and Governours.; but Children grown up to Ma•• estate are not so. Thus the Church before the ••oming of Christ was in its minority, and there ••re might be under such a severe and grievous School-master as the Law was: But now the Church being come to greater perfection, is not so. Believers under the Gospel are to be estee∣med as the Adopted Children of God; and that

no•• as Children u••der age, bu•• fit for the enjoy∣ment of high priviledges. And that is evinced in this verse ••rom ••he consideration of that Bap∣tisme into the Name of Christ▪ which his Ser∣vants a••e t••e Subject, of. The, that ••re incor∣porated into Christ, and made one with him; must needs be the Children of God. S•• ••re you (saith the Apostle) witness your Baptisme. Men may be said to put on Christ.

1. When they have an interest in him, and in his glorious Righteousness; as a garment to a∣dorn their Souls.

2. When they imitate his graces, have re∣ceived his Spirit, and follow his Example. Not that all Baptised persons do thus really; but they are all under the deepest and most sacred and solemn obligation so to do. They profes∣sedly put on Christ. They are under engage∣ment by their Baptisme to look after Salvation from Christ, and to obey him in all things, to follow him as the Captain of their Salvation.

The Doctrine which may therefore be insisted on from these Words, is;

That Baptisme doth bring those that are Baptised under Sacred, and most Awful Obligations to the Lord.

There are two things that may be enquired into for the clearing of this Doctrine:

1. How it doth appear that Baptised persons

are under sacred and awful Obligations to the Lord?

2. What those Obligations are; or, what things Baptisme doth oblige the Subjects of it unto?

Q. How doth it appear that Baptised persons are under Obligations to the Lord?

Ans. 1. The truth of this Doctrine is evident, in that Baptisme is a sign and seal of that Covenant which God hath through Jesus Christ, graciously established with the children of men.

It hath seemed good to the wisdome of God, to appoint some visible signs, to be for tok••ns and intimations of the Covenant which is between himself and his people. When he made a ••o∣venant with Abraham, he did institute that ordi∣nance of Circumcision, to be for a sign of the Covenant? Gen. 17. 11. H••nce we rea•• of the Covenant of Circumcision, Act 7. 8. because the Subjects of that Ordinance, did by their sub∣mission thereunto; declare and testifie that they became the Lords Covenant servants. The New-Testament hath only two Seals or Sacraments annexed to it; the first of which is Baptisme. Hence the Apostle in 1 Pet. 3. 21. speaking of Baptisme, he speaketh also of the Answer of a good Conscience, which expression alludeth unto ••tipulation or Covenan••ing with God, implying that in Baptisme, men do come under a sacred Obligation to be the Lords. When it is pro∣pounded

to a man, wilt thou promise to be the servant of God, and of Jesus Christ? if he an∣swers again▪ I will be so and doth make this pro∣mise in sincerity, thats the answer of a good Con∣cience, and then his Baptisme doth (as a sign and seal of the Covenant) save him. The Co∣venant a one binds unto du••y: but when s••aled, that a••deth to the Obligation. The ••ond is made the stronger thereby.

2. Baptisme is in holy Priviledge. That which only some have a right unto; viz Those that are amongst the number of the Lords visible people. Baptisme doth of right be••ong unto all and only such. To Christs Disciples, Joh 4. 1. To Belie∣vers, or such ••s do v••sibly belong unto Jesus Christ, as his sheep, o•• as his lambs, Mark 16. 16. It is the mark and livery whereby Christs Servants are distinguished from those that wor∣ship other Gods. We know that amongst men, the Servants belonging to great personages, use to wear such a Livery, by which Cognizanc••, they are known to be the Servants of such a Master. And the Lord Christ hath commanded that Bap∣tisme shall be the Livery, whereby his Servants shall be distinguished from others in the world. Now priviledges are alwayes attended with ob∣ligations unto duty. Inasmuch then, as Baptism is an holy priviledge, it leaveth a deep Obligati∣on upon th•• souls of those who are made the Sub∣jects of it that they approve themselves in all respects as becometh the Lords Servants to do.

3. Glorious things are signified and sealed by Baptisme. e. g. Union with Christ As that ex∣pression in the Text, of being Baptized into Christ doth import, our incorporation into Christs mysti∣cal body, is signified by Baptisme. There is an external Ʋnion with Christ, which all th•• Lords visible Covenant pe••ple concerned in. Hence we read of branches in him, which do not bear fruit, Joh. 15. 2••. Men and women who are Members of the visible, bu•• not of the invisible Church and body of Christ, are such; and h••i•• external union and relation unto the Lord Christ is by Baptisme sealed unto all who are by div••ne institution the subjects of that or••inance. There is also, a real saving union with him, which is sealed to the true believer in Baptisme. As sure∣ly as he hath been Baptised, so certain i•• it, that he is become one wi••h Christ. Also, communi∣on with Christ in respect of his death and resur∣rection, is thereby signified and sealed, as the A∣postle sheweth, Rom. 6. 3, 4. Know ye not that so many of us, as were baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptised into his death, therefore we are buried with him, by baptisme into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, evenso we should walk in newness of life. When water is put upon the person Bapt••sed, thats a sign of his communion with Christ in respect of His death and burial, and when he is brought from under the water again, thats a sign of his Communion with Christ in respect of

his Resurrection. And hence, Baptisme doth signifie un••o Believers t••at Communion which they have with Christ in respect of all t••e saving benefits procured by his death, and by his resur∣rection, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptisme doth save us, ••y the resurrection of Jesus Christ; it is unto us a Sacrament, signifying that we are saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Justification by the righteousness of Christ is held forth there∣by. And so indeed Circumcision did declare that Justification was to be obtained through Faith in the Rig••teousness of Christ. For which cause the Scripture saith that it was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith, Rom. 4. 11. The remission of sins is signified by baptisme, Mark 1. 4. Act. 2. 38. Therefore Ananias said unto Paul Arise, and be baptised, and wash away thy sins Act. 22. 16. Baptisme doth intimate, that the guilt of sin is washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is likewise signified thereby. It is therefore said that the Lord did sanctifie and cleanse his Church with the washing of water, Eph. 5. 26. When the body is subjected unto water in Baptisme, those pure waters of the Spirit of Grace, wherewith the so••ls of Gods Elect are sprinkled and washed from the filth of sin, are thereby sign••fied. Yea, and Glorification is there∣by assured unto the true Believer in Christ, that he is admitted into the number of Gods adopted Children; and therefore is become an Heir of that Kingdome which doth belong unto the

children of God. All these mysteries are signi∣fied a••d sealed unto sincere Christians pos••••tively by their Baptisme; and unto all that are bapti∣sed conditionally, h. e in case they do repen••a••d believe. Now if such glorious things are signi∣fied and sealed by Baptisme, the Souls of men must needs be brought un••er, a deep and holy Obligation unto t••e Lord thereby.

4. The dreadful Name of God, is put upon those that are Baptised. Therefore they are said to be Baptised, not only in, but (••is To onoma) into the Name of t••e Father, a••d of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Mat. 28 1••. because the Name of the only true God, who ••s Father Son, and Spirit; is put upon th••m. Which expression, doth imply, that baptised persons, are adopted into Gods Family; and that therefore they are bound to walk worthy of that great and holy Name which is put upon them. Men are also baptised into the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Act. 8 16. & 15 5. according to the Hebrew stile, to be Baptised into the Name of another, is to become wholly devoted unto his service; and to yield ones self in all things to his direction. Thus Baptised persons, are devoted and dedica∣ted unto the peculiar service of God, and of Je∣sus Christ, who is become their Lord; and there∣fore they are under engagement to acquit them∣selves accordingly ••he consecration of God being upon them, they must needs be un••er

great Obligations unto Duty.

We come therefore unto the second enquiry, viz. What things Baptisme doth oblige the Subjects of it unto?

Ans. 1. Baptisme doth oblige unto Faith in God, and in Jesus Christ.

The subject of it, are bound to believe in that only true God, into whose alone Name they have b••en baptised. It doth oblige not only un∣to an Historical Faith, or to believe that every word of God is true; but unto a Faith of adhe∣rence and dependance upon God for life and Sal∣vation; and this as to every one of the persons in the Sacred Trinity, according to their distinct personal Relations. We are (as a judicious ••n•• exc••llent Preacher well express••th) obliged by our Baptisme to depend upon God the Father, as the Fountain of all our good, and alsufficient happiness, and to rest upon the Son of God, as our Redeemer, expecting life and salvation through his merit and ••ediation, and to believe in God the Holy Ghost, as our Sanctifier, Com∣forter and Guide in the way to Glory.

2. All Baptised Persons are obliged by their Ba∣ptisme, to make an open Profession of the Name of God in Christ, though exposed to never such hazards and outward miseries on account thereof. It obli∣ge••h us, ••o: to be ashamed of our Religion, and holy profession; but to be willing that the whole world should see and know, that we are the ser∣vants

of the only true God, and of his Son Je∣sus Christ. It is noted concerning the Lords Sealed ones, that they had the Fathers Nam•• writ∣ten in their Forehea••s. Rev. ••4. 1. Th••se are thereby in ended, who make a hold and open pr••fessi••n of the Name, and ••ure Worship of God, during the r••••gn of Ant••christ; notwith∣standing their bein•• exposed to dangers and suf∣ferings on that account. It is no•• enough for me•• to believed at there is one God distinguish∣ed into three persons; or that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; but they must openly confess the Name of this God in Christ, owning themselves to be his Servants, whatever the event of such a profession, as to sufferings in the world may be. Now by Baptisme men do thus. Hence it is said, Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is bap∣tised shall be saved, h. e. he that doth both in∣wardly and sincerely believe on Christ, and that shall by his submitting to Baptisme, declare be∣fore all the World, that he is a Believer on Christ, is o••e unto whom the Gospel doth promise Sal∣vation. And indeed, in those times of persecu∣tion, if a man did subject him••el•• to that Institu∣tion of Christ, it was a great sign of his being a true Believer, inasmuch as be did thereby expose himself to all sorts of dangers and miseries from the world, for Christs sake. For then, if a man did consent to be Baptised into the Name of Christ; immediately his Estate, Liberty, Life.

and all was in danger to be taken from him.

3. Baptised persons, are bound to renounce, dis∣own, and forsake those things which would keep them from serving God and the Lord Jesus Christ. e. g They are under solemn engagement to re∣nounce all Idols; to ser••e them no longer; for thats inconsistent w••••h being the Lords servant. T••e Ge••tiles before their Conversion, did ser∣vice unto them which by nature are no Gods, Gal. 4 8. but when they had submitted unto Ba∣ptisme, they were un••er the strongest obligation tha•• could be, never to serve Ia••ls any more not to worship any one, besides that Go•• who is Fa∣t••er, Son and Sp••rit. And they are bound to forsake the service of sin, and not to live under the dominion thereof, Rom. 6. 2, 3. Shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? so many of us as were baptised, &c. The Apostle doth not affirm, that it is impossible for men that are in resp••ct of their Baptisme professedly dead unto sin, to live therein; but that it is very unsuitable for th••m so to do; and that they are under the greatest and most sacred obligations to the con∣trary. An•• hence another Apostle speaketh, as 2 Pet. 1. 9. He hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Which words may well allude unto baptisme, importing that men by subjecting thereunto•• profess and engage unto God, that they will forsake their sins & former evil wayes, and walk no more therein, Also the baptised

person doth renounce the World, so far as it stands in opposition to Christ. He is under in∣gagement n••t to be (in spiritual•• ••espects and as to matters of Faith and Soul concernments) the servant of any man in the world, 1 Cor. 7 23. And therefore he may n••t call himself after the name of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sect master, as Papists are wont to do, who call th••ms••lves, Scotists, or Th•• masts, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, o Francilcan••, &c. This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against the Scripture, and against that obl••gation which baptisme brings men un∣de, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof baptise•• persons, are, ••n∣ly af••er the Name of Chr••t, to c••ll themselves Christants. H••d the C••rinthians, called them∣selves Paulites, or Petrites, or Apo••lonists, a••••er the Nam••s of those ••amous Mini••••ers of Christ, they had g••eatly si••ned against their baptisme, 1 Cor. 1. 13. Yea, and the baptised person is bound to forsake all vain, worldly Comparions, so far as society with them, is an hindrance to com∣munion with God. And to renoun•• he things of the world also, so▪ when they stand in opposi∣tion to, or compe••ition with the things of Christ. If a man after he is baptised shall set his heart inordin••tely upon Ear••hly van••ties, he breaketh his baptismal vow an•• covenant with God, Mat. 6. 4.

4. Baptised ones, are under obligation to approve themselves, holy persons. They are bound to live a sanctified life. If they have been washed with the

holy water of Baptisme, that signifie••h to them that now th••y must approve themselves, as those that have the consecration of God upon them ought to do, in all holy conversation and godli∣ness, Eph. 5. 26. They are now bound to live, as becomes the Servants of such an Holy Lord, as God is, and as Christ is, for to do. There are two things in Sanctification; unto both which Baptisme doth in the most solemn manner oblige those that are the Subjects of it.

1. To mortifie sin. The baptized person hath vowed the death of sin, and that he will never be reconciled to that Enemy, but will maintain wa•• with the Amalikites for ever. As Christ hath died for sin, so the person that is baptised into his Name, is under a most sacred Obligation, to en∣deavour to be continually dying to sin, Rom. 6. 3.

2. Another thing in Sanctification, is Vivificati∣on, or the living a new life to the honour of God. Thus the baptized p••rson, is under the most so∣lemn engagement unto new obedience, to walk in newness of life. As Christ rose out of his Grave, and liveth for ever to the glory of t••e Father, so baptised persons are under engage∣ment, to rise more and more out of the grave of sin, and to live such a life as that God may have glory from them, Rom. 6. 4, 5. In Baptisme, there is an intimation, that the subjects of it, are pro∣fessedly and visibly now creatures; and that

therefore they are bound to li••e like new crea∣tures, Tit. 3. 5. Hence in the primitive times, baptised persons ha•• t••e n••me of Regenerate••••ons! given to them, because t••ey were under oblig••∣tion not to li••e to themselves ••r to the world, but unto God and u••to Jesus Christ. They are bound ••o live •• new and an••ther k••nd of life, th••n that which un••eg••nerate sinners are ac∣qua••nt•••• with. He••ce is that exp••ession in the Scripture of baptizing unto R••p••ntance, Ma••. 3. 11 becau••e the subj••cts of that ordinance are bound to repent, h. e. to ••••rsake the wayes of sin, and to walk in the contrary w••yes of ho••iness.

5. Baptise•• persons are under obligation to ob∣serve all the holy Institutions of the Lord Jesus. As the subjects of ci••cumcision were bound to observe all Mos••ical Laws and C••remonies Gal. 5 3. So a••e baptised ones to a••t••nd un••o all the Institutions of Christ. When the Lord saith un∣to his Ministers, Baptise persons, teaching them to obs••rve all things whatsoever I command you, Mat. 28. 19. 20. That plainly sheweth, that such are by virtue of their baptisme, under a religious ob∣ligation, to observe whatever the Lord hath commanded. Yea, and that expression of being baptised into his Name, doth imply no less. There∣fore whatever hath the Name of Christ upon it, is to be duely respected, and so have all his insti∣tutions. And if any of th••se be rejected or neglected, the Name and Authority of Christ, is

so far disowned, which is a direct violation of that which baptisme requireth.

6. Baptisme doth oblige Christians unto unity a∣mongst themselves. It is a Seal of that spi••i••ual union which be••ievers have, both with Christ, and also through Christ, one wi••h another, 1 Cor 12. 13. We are all baptised into one body. ••t doth declare the Subjects of it, to be servants b••long∣ing to the same Master: and that therefore they ought to be at unity amongst themselves. Hence the Apostle use••h t••at Argument to perswade Christians to endeavour to ke••p the unity of the spi••it in the bond of peace, because there is one baptisme, Eph. 4. 5. They are all baptised into one and the same N••me▪ dedicated and dev••ted to be the Servants of one and the same Lord Je∣sus. Therefore b••und to be and continue one amongst themselves; and ••o beware how they make a Schisme in the body, or amongst the member, of Christ.

7. Baptisme doth oblige men unto constancy in the way of obedience. It is an everlasting bond, A mark of the Lord, w••ich leaveth an eternal obligation unto duty upon the Souls of men. The Covenant is perpetual, Jer. 50. 5. Let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant, which shall not be forgotten. The Covenant is everlasting Isai 24. 5. They have broken the ever∣lasting Covenant, i. e. that Covenant which ought never to have been broken by them.

Therefore Baptisme confirming the Covenant, c••rrieth with it the force of an everlasting obli∣gation. The person that is baptised, is bound to s••rve God not for a while only, but for ever. He is bo••nd to ••old ••ast the profession of his Faith wi••hout wavering. He i•• bound to pra∣ctise (as well as to profess) the thing that good i••, all his dayes. He is bound to continue i•• his observing of divine Institutions, he is under ob∣ligation to be constant in his love to Saints, and to ••he Truths, and Worship, and Ordinances of God, even to the end of his dayes.

Use. 1. Here is matter of Conviction and A∣wakening unto those that rest in external baptisme, without coming up to that which they are obliged unto.

Alas! there are many that do thus: yea, as for the generality of baptised persons, this is sad∣ly true concerning them. How few are there, that ever had serious thoughts with themselves, about this matter? If they and their Children may be baptised, they look no further, as if that were all that the Lord requireth of them. And hence i•• is, that many who are unholy and pro∣fane, having no right to baptisme in sight of God nor of men neither for themselves nor for their Children are very desirous to have that ordi∣nance administred to them; it is partly for that they suppose the reproach of Egypt will then be

rolled away from them: it being esteemed a dis∣honourable thing to be un-baptised, where the name of a Christian is in ••re•• it with the world: but chiefly, because they are not aware of that dreadful Obligation which th••ir Souls are brought under by baptisme; and the a••oni••hing curse of Heaven, that w••ll at last most c••rtainly come up∣on them, if they viola••e their baptismal Vow and Engagement unto the Lord.

I desire an•• solemnly charge such persons as in the fear of God, to consi••er of two things.

1. That ••x••ernal baptisme al••ne will n••t save them. Will you say of your baptisme a•• the Is∣raelites said of the Ark? It shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Sam. 4. 3. O dec••ive not your own Souls ••he A∣postle having said, baptisme now saveth us, ha•• no one might mist••ke his mean••ng he••••d••s, not the putting away the filth of the fl••sh, not (saith he) a meer external washing of the body, but there must be the answer of a good Conscience, you must make Conscience, to answer the Obligation, which bap••••sme hath brought you under, or it will be no sign of Salvation to your Souls, 1 Pet. 3 21. ••you shall be as far off from Salvation as if you had never been baptised, if you rest there 1 Cor. 7. 19. Circumcision is nothing but the keep∣ing of the Commandme••••s of God. So baptisme is nothing▪ if there be not that care to keep the Commandm••nts of God, which baptisme obli∣geth unto. Rom. 2. 25. For Circumcision verily

profiteth if thou keep the Law, but if thou be a breaker of the Law, thy Circumcision is made un∣circumcision. So I say, thy baptisme will profit thee, if thou dost remember the aw••ul obliga∣tion, which thy Soul is brought under thereby; but if thou shalt be unmin••ful of thy engage∣ment to be the Lords, thy baptisme is made ••o bapti••me, as to any spiritual and eternal benefit, to be from thence expected, Is it not said, con∣cerning the Children of Israel, that they were all baptised in the Cloud, and yet with many of them God was not well pleased, 1 Cor. 10. 2, 5. Outward baptisme alone, will make no man, wo∣man, nor child, acceptable unto God.

2. Baptisme will be so far from saving, as that i•• will ••end to the aggravation of their eternal con∣demnation at the last day, that do not remember how they have thereby been ingaged to be the Lords.

They have prophaned the Covenant, and ta∣ken the dreadful Name of God in vain; there∣fore he will not hold them guiltless. They will one day wish that they had never been baptised, Eccles. 5. 5. better it is that thou shouldest not vow, then that thou shouldest vow and not pay. So it were better for thee not to be baptised, then that thou shouldest be baptised, and yet not be mind∣ful of that baptismal vow which thy Soul is un∣der; for thou wilt receive the greater damnati∣on. The water of baptisme will be turned into blood: Think awfully on that Scripture, Jer. 9.

25. 26. behold the dayes come saith the Lord, that I will p••nish the ci••cumcised with the unci••cumci∣sed: Egypt, and Judah, and Edom &c for all those Nations are uncircumcised, and all the ho••se of Israel are uncircumcised in heart. E••en so▪ God will punish not only Heathen, and Je••s▪ a••d Turks, an•• In••ians; fo•• all these a••e unbaptised, but also professed Christ••an, yea•• prote••••ant people, so these are generally u••b••p••i••••d in heart; their heart is not washed from their fil∣thiness. It shall be easier for So••om an•• Gom••r∣rha at the day of Judgement, then f••r impen••tent baptised persons. Consider this you that are un∣baptised in heart. You•• b••ptisme will ris•• up••n Judgement against you at the last day. ••t is re∣porte•• conc••rning a man, whose name was Elpi∣dophorus that a••ter his baptisme Ap••stasing from the truth & wayes o•• God; the Minister who had administred that Ordina••ce to him shewed him the vestment wherein he had be••n baptised say∣ing this shall accuse the•• at the last day: so I say to thee, the place where thou wast baptised, and the Minister of God, that baptised thee, will be a wit∣ness ••g••inst th••e at the last day, if thou dost not live and practise according to that sacred obliga∣tion which thy soul is under.

Use 2. Let those that have been baptised into Christ; be exhorted in the Name of the Lord this day, to improve their baptisme.

Consider, they are blessed that do thus. They that answer the obligation which by being made subject unto such an Ordinance of Christ, they are brought under, shall have all the grace and good which is signified thereby, most certainly performed to them. All that is contained in that comprehensive word, Salvation, shall be vouchsafed to them, 1 Pet. 3. 21. As sure as they have been baptised, so surely shall they be saved with an everlasting Salvation. They that have the inward as well as outward Baptisme, have re∣ally put on Christ, who will be a blessed Garment, to ••ide their nakedness, and cover their shame, a glo••ious Robe, to adorn their Souls with. The Wedding Garment, the righteousness of Justifica∣tion and Sanctification is theirs.

Q. How should Baptisme be improved? unto what ends should we make use of our Christian Bap∣tisme?

Ans. In general unto all those ends which the Lord ha••h appointed it for. We are to impro••e our Baptisme for our help and furtherance in those things, which that Ordinance doth put us in mind of. Concerning the obligations, which Christians are brought under thereby, we have already spoken. Let me here add.

1. That Baptisme should be improved unto un∣feigned Humiliation in the Lords sight. For it puts us in mind of our natural defilement by sin. That our Souls need to be washed, in the Blood.

and by the Spirit of Christ. And when we see Baptisme administred unto any; we should hum∣b••y, and with an holy shame reflect upon our selves, in that we have lived no more according to that baptismal Engagement to be the Lords, and his only, which we should most frequently remember and consider, that so we might there∣by be re••trained from sin, and quickened un••o duty.

2. Baptisme should be improved unto thankful∣ness and admi••••tion at the grace of God in Christ Jesus. How wonderful, is that Grace, that such a•• we are, should be of the Lords Family? ••hat the mark appert••ining to his sheep should be set upon us; and that our Children with us, have been solemnly owned as visibly belonging to God and to J••sus Christ, having the mark of ••is lambs on them! That Christ should put in for our Children in the first place, and by commanding his mark to be set upon them, bring them under engagement to be the Lords, before ever the Devil hath had any oppo••tunity to tempt them unto sin. O we should admire th••s Grace of God.

3. We should improve our baptisme as an help a∣gainst Temptation. If tempted unto any wick∣edness. we should remember that we are Bapti∣sed into Christ, and therefore may not sin against him. I have read of a godly person, that when tempted unto that which was evil in the sight of

God, would reply and rep••l t••e Temptation, by saying, Nay, Sa••••n, I may not, 〈…〉〈…〉 thing, because I have been baptised ••nt ••he Name of Christ. If we be at any time temp••ed to des∣pair of Gods mercy; we should t••en ••••••k of our baptisme. Luthe•• sa••••, th••t ••hen he was molested with temptations of that na••u••e, he used to consi••er with ••imself Ba••tiza••••s ••••n & credo in crucisi••um, I am b••p••ised, and I believe in him that was cruci••••ed, so would the temp••a∣ti••n vanish. In drowning times when our souls are r••ady to sink under discouragemen••s, we should ••emember and improve our bap••isme con∣sideri••g that thereby our rising from under the waters of affliction, (as well as the Resurr••ction of our bodies out of the grave) is signified and seal••d, 1 Pet. 3. 20, 21. Therefore:

4. Baptisme should be improved as an encourage∣ment unto Faith and Prayer. Believers should from the consideration thereof, take heart; and not only pray, but Believe sin to death; and that they shall be made more and more h••ly, and en∣abled to live to God, inasmuch as Communion with Christ, in respect of his death and resurre∣ction, hath been sealed and confirmed to them in baptisme. Go before the Lord in secret, and say,•• Lord, hath not Christ dyed that so his ser∣vants might die to sin: and is he not risen, that they might live unto God? Hath not communi∣on with him in respect of the benefits procured

by his death and resurr••ction been sealed by my baptisme? O then, let me become more and more dead unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ.

And baptisme, should be improved as an en∣cou••agemen•• unto Par••nts to b••lieve as well as Pra•• for their Children, that God will ci••cum∣cise their hearts making them partakers of the washing of Regeneration, that as wate•• hath been poured on their bodies in the Name of Christ so converting grace shall be po••red down from Heaven upon their Souls. A••d Chil••ren who have been baptised into Christ, should from that consideration, be encouraged to pray for Grace. Children hearken to this wo••d. O let not your baptisme ly by you, as a useless thing: G•• to th•• Lord, and say, Lord, thou art a God in Covenant w••th my Father, and with my Mo∣ther, and with me also; hast not thou promised to give a new heart to the house of Israel; and to sp••inkle thy Holy Spirit on them? Am not I of the house of Israel? hath not this promise been sealed to m•• in my Baptisme? O then give me a new heart. And if you thus seek unto him ea••nestly and sincerely; the Lord will be found of you.