A Treatise of Faith, Part 2 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
How to liue by Faith in the vſe of Gods Ordinances, the Word and Saments.
There be many promiſes of Gods bleſſing his ordinances to his peoples good. Eſay 55.1, 2, 3.IN Scripture wee reade many promiſes made to ſuch as ſhall conſcionably hearken vntounto the Word, and receiue the holy Sacraments, the ſeales of the couenant of grace; that God will bleſſe his owne Ordinances to their edification, comfort, ſtrengthening in grace and euerlaſting ſaluation. Ho, eueryevery one that thirſteth, come yee to the waters, and hee that hath no money: Come yee, buy and eate, yea come, buy wine and milke without money, and without price: Wherefore doe yee ſpend money for that which is not bread? His Word.and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Hearken diligently vntounto me, and eate yee that which is good, and let your ſoule delight it ſelfe in fatneſſe. Encline your eare, and come vntounto me: heare, and your ſoule ſhall liue. The law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the ſoule; Pſal. 19.7, 8.the teſtimonie of the Lord is ſure, making wiſe the ſimple. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right reioycing the heart: the Commandement of the Lord is pure, inlightning the eyes. A wiſe man will heare and will increaſe learning: Prou. 1.5.and a man of vnderſtanding ſhall attaine vntounto wiſe counſels. Take faſt hold of instruction, Prou. 4.13.let her not goe; keepe her for ſhe is thy life. My ſonne, heare thy fathers commandement, and forſake not the law of thy mother; Binde them continually vponupon thy heart, and tie them about thy necke. Prou. 6.20, 21, 22, 23.When thou goeſt, it ſhall lead thee; when thou ſleepeſt, it ſhall keepe thee, and when thou awakeſt it ſhall talke with thee. For the Commandement is a lampe, and the Law is light: and reproofes of inſtruction are the way of life. Iohn 17.17.Sanctifie them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Mich. 2.7. 1. Pet. 2.2. Eſay 9.2. Math. 4.15. Deut. 32.2. Zech. 14.8. Ezek. 47.9. Cant. 2.5. Eſay 55.1, 2. Acts 5.20. Acts 13.26. Acts 20.32.Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly? As new borne babes deſire the ſincere milke of the Word, that yee may grow thereby. This is confirmed by the compariſons, which are vſed to ſet forth the vſe and profit of the word; as it is reſembled to the light, raine, deaw, liuing water, wine and milke: By the titles which are giuen vntounto it; as it is called the word of this life, the word of this ſaluation: and by the paſſages of Scripture, which teſtifie, that the word is able to ſaue our ſoules. And now Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you vp, and to giuegive you an inheritance among all them which are ſanctified. For after that in the wiſdome of God, 1. Cor. 1.21. 1. Tim. 4.16.the world by wiſdome knew not God, it pleaſed God by the fooliſhneſſe of preaching to ſaue them that belieue. Take heed vntounto thy ſelfe; and vntounto the doctrine: continue in them: for in doing this thou ſhalt both ſaue thy ſelfe, and them that heare thee. Iames 1.21.Wherefore lay apart all filthineſſe, and ſuperfluitie of naughtineſſe, and receiue with meekneſſe the engrafted word, which is able to ſaue your ſoules. This alſo is manifeſt of the Sacraments,And Sacraments. which be truly called a viſible word, becauſe that which is ſpoken in the word to the eare, is in viſible ſignes repreſented to our eyes, and ſealed to our hearts, that wee may bee the more aſſured of them to bee ours: And were purpoſely ordained of God to helpe our weake faith, that hauing his word and ſeale, wee might be put out of doubt, that wee ſhall as certainly bee made partakers of Chriſt himſelfe, and all his benefits, as we are of the outward ſignes of his couenant. What the Apoſtle ſaith of Circumciſion, that is true of Sacraments in generall,Rom. 4.11. They are ſeales of the righteouſneſſe of faith, or of the couenant of grace. And for the better aſſurance of the belieuer, that receiuing the outward ſigne as he ought, hee ſhall be partaker of the thing ſignified, very oft that which properly belongs to the thing ſealed, is giuen to the outward ſigne; as that Baptiſme ſaueth, 1 Pet. 3.21. Acts 22.16. Col. 2.12. Rom. 6.3.that our ſinnes are waſhed away in Baptiſme; and that wee are buried with Chriſt by Baptiſme: And the like of the Lords Supper, when our Lord Ieſus did ordaine it, he ſpeaking of the Bread ſaid, This is my Bodie, Math. 26.26, 28and of the Wine, This is my Bloud of the New Teſtament. Theſe promiſes are firme grounds, whereupon the faithfull ſoule may build this affiance, that by the ſincere and conſcionable vſe of Gods holy Ordinances, the Word and Sacraments, he ſhall be made wiſe vntounto ſaluation, confirmed in faith, ſtrengthened in grace, refreſhed with ioy and comfort, and perfected vntounto euerlaſting happineſſe. And the ſerious meditation and remembrance of theſe things, is exceeding profitable to quicken and encourage vntounto chearefull and conſtant attendance vponupon God in his ordinances, that ſo wee may in due ſeaſon reape the ſweet fruit thereof.Prou. 8.34.35. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me: watching daily at my gates, waiting daily at the poſts of my doores. For who ſo findeth me, findeth life; and ſhall obtaine fauour of the Lord. Did Chriſtians oft and earneſtly breathe themſelues in meditation on thoſe great things, that God offereth in the Goſpell; and his truth and faithfulneſſe to make good whatſoeuer he hath ſpoken: Did they ſet before them, both the merciemercy of God in ordaining the Sacraments for the ſtrengthening of their faith, and his grace and faithfulneſſe in beſtowing vponupon them freely, that which hee offereth and ſealeth vntounto them in theſe outward ſeales: Did they conſider what he graciouſly promiſeth in both, and expect to be made partakers of them in the vſe of thoſe ordinances; it would maruellouſly comfort, and quicken to the diligent vſe of all holy meanes ordained of God for our preſent comfort, quickening, and ſtrengthening, and for our euerlaſting ſaluation.Its neceſſarie to liue by faith in the vſe of Gods Ordinances.
This faith is neceſſary; for it auaileth not to liue vnderunder the Goſpell, and to be preſent at the adminiſtration of the Sacraments, if they be not vſed in faith. The word profiteth not,Heb. 4.2. vnleſſe it bee mingled with faith in them that heare it: And the ſame may bee ſaid of receiuing the Sacraments. Faith is the eye, the hand, the mouth, the ſtomacke of the ſoule: by it wee ſee, receiue, feed vponupon Chriſt. Looke as at a feaſt, though the Table be neuer ſo richly furniſhed, yet if a man hauehave neither hand, mouth, nor ſtomacke, he is not fed thereby: ſo is it here. Nor is it ſufficient to hauehave faith, but it muſt be exerciſed to receiue that grace which the word of God doth reach vsus with the ſeale. It is not the hauing but the new exerciſe of faith, which maketh vsus profitable hearers of the word, worthy receiuers of the Sacrament. Looke as a man may hauehave a hand, and yet, if when a thing is reached forth to him, he doe not put it out, nothing is receiued: ſo we may hauehave the grace of faith, and yet, if when God reacheth vsus the body and bloud of his Chriſt, we doe not then awaken it, to lay hold on the grace God offereth, we ſhall goe away without receiuing it. Or looke as at a feaſt, though wee hauehave a mouth, and there be plentifull prouiſion, if we will not open it, and take downe the ſuſtenance before vsus, we ſhall riſe emptie; ſo though wee hauehave the mouth of faith, yet if we doe not open it to God now offering to feed vsus, we ſhall not get a crume of grace.
The Acts of faith be theſe or the like.The Acts of faith in the vſe of Gods Ordinances.
Firſt, It teacheth to worſhip the true God purely: to eſteeme approue and exerciſe that worſhip, and that alone which hee preſcribeth: for faith looketh to the reuealed will of God, as the rule of all acceptable ſeruice, and to the promiſes, as the grounds of comfort, and good ſucceſſe. It tenders vntounto God, what he requireth:Eſay 8.20. and looketh vntounto God to receiue what he is pleaſed, & hath promiſed to giuegive. But God will not accept that worſhip,Deut. 12.32. Eſay 29.13. Math. 15.9. Ier. 7.31. which he hath not appointed, nor worke effectually by the diuices of men. No pietie, comfort, or true deuotion is, or can be ſtirred vp by hum…ne traditions: for as they are deſtitute of commandement for their rule, ſo are they of promiſe, that God will kindle or quicken by them any ſparkle of knowledge, faith, inuocation, thankfulneſſe, or other ſauing motions of heart.
Secondly, It delighteth greatly to behold the face of God …n his ſanctuarie.Pſal. 102.4. 1. Chron. 16.11. Pſal. 27.8. Pſal. 42.2. Pſal. 63.1.2. When thou ſaideſt, Seeke yee my face, my heart ſaid vntounto thee, Thy face, Lord will I ſeeke. When ſhall I come and appeare before God. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeeke thee: my ſoule thirſteth for thee, my fleſh longeth for thee, in a drie and thirſtie land, where no water is: To ſee thy power & glory, ſo as I hauehave ſeene thee in the Sanctuarie. How amiable are thy tabernacles, Pſal. 84.1.2. Verſe 3.O Lord of hoſts? My ſoule longeth, yea euen fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart, and my fleſh cryeth out for the liuing God. Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy houſe. The Leuiticall worſhip was as a glaſſe more dimme, in which they beheld the face of the Lord obſcurely: the word and Sacraments are to Chriſtians as a cleare glaſſe, in which as with open face we behold the glory of God in Chriſt.Reu. 4.6. 2. Cor. 3.18. Chriſt is preſent with vsus, as long as we hold his publike worſhip: he is found, when wee recouer it hauing beene loſt. Then doth the face of the Lord ſhine vponupon vsus, when he offers himſelfe vntounto his people to bee ſeene in his publike worſhip, the pure and vndefiled exerciſes of pietie. And from hence ſpringeth the willingneſſe of the Saints,Pro. 8.34. to waite continually at the poſtes of wiſdomes gates, to heare her words, their earneſt contention and ſtudy to preſerue, maintaine, vphold and ſet forward the pure worſhip of God, and to ſaue, or free it from the droſſe of ſuperſtitious vanities, which obſcure the cleare light of the Lords countenance, and to reſtore it according to the patterne, if once it fall: and their diligent enquirie after Chriſt, if his face bee hidden from them, or his worſhip be polluted with Idolatry.Cant. 1.7. Tell me (O thou whom my ſoule loueth) where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy flocke to reſt at noone: for why ſhould I be as one that is vailed, amongſt the flockes of thy companions? Why ſhould I bee as a wom…n waſting her ſelfe with ſorrow and griefe, while I ſ…eke thy preſence in thine ordinances.
Thirdl…, It ſeeketh acquaintance with God, and the knowle…ge of his will in Chriſt Ieſus.Rom. 10.19. Without ſome knowledge of God in Chriſt, and of his word going before, there can be no faith: but faith endeauoureth the encreaſe of knowledge: It cryeth after knowledge, and lifteth vp the voyce for vnderſtanding: It ſeeketh her as ſiluer, and ſearcheth for her as for hid treaſures.Pſal. 119.20. My ſoule breaketh for the longing that it hath vntounto thy iudgements, at all times. Verſe 27. Pſal. 9 10. and 40.16. Pſal. 105.4. Eſay 58.2.Make me to vnderſtand the way of thy precepts, ſo ſhall I meditate or talke of thy wondrous workes This is implied in the phraſe of ſeeking God, which ſignifieth to bend all their ſtength and power to know, …nowledge and worſhip God aright. Knowledge is pleaſant to the belieiung ſoule, and wiſedome delighteth the heart. Children couet ſweete meates, becauſe they pleaſe the taſte; and the belieuer deſires the knowledge of God and his word, becauſe it is ſweete and deare vntounto him. God in Chriſt is the obiect of faith; the matter, whatſoeue i… reuealed of God to be receiued or beli…ued; and faith it ſelfe is more ſtrong, and the operations of f…th more liuely and comfortable, as theſe are bet…e… knowne. And f…om this deſire it commeth,Act. 16.14. Luk. 2.51. Heb. 2.1.2. that the belieuer doth …pply himſelfe to attend vntounto the word of truth, ponder it ſeriouſly, and treaſure it vp ſafe, that it might not ou…rſlip him.
Fourthly, It giu…th the heart cloſe to the word, receiueth and poſſeſſeth the good things promiſed, and changeth the diſpoſition of ſoule into the nature of the word.Pſal. 63.8. Deut. 10.20. and 13.4. Pſal. 63.5. Ioh. 6.51.53. Pſal. 119.31. Iam. 1.21. Faith followeth hard after the word till it be made our owne, and its liuely Character ſtamped vponupon the ſoule: It feedeth vponupon eueryevery part of the word, getteth intereſt in eueryevery promiſe, …nd ſucketh vigour and iuyce out of it. By faith wee ſt…k… cloſe vntounto the word, and the word doth ſticke, or is ingra…ed into vsus. And to the end wee might poſſeſſe the pearle of the Goſpell, and be ſeaſoned with the doctrine of grace throughly, faith renounceth all intereſt in the luſts of the fleſh, and things of this life. It earneſtly pondereth and meditateth vponupon the great things of the law, to worke the heart to an holy eſteeme of the excellent and heauenly things contained in it, and to a gratious affectation to eueryevery duty therein required. And it importuneth the Lord by true prayer, without hypocriticall halting or ſtarting aſide, that he would be pleaſed to write his law in our hearts, and keepe vsus ſtedfaſt vntounto him, that wee may neuer depart from his feare. For by faith we cleaue faſt vntounto God; but it is God that knitteth vsus vntounto himſelfe:Ier. 1.3.11. As the girdle cleaueth to the loynes of a man, ſo hauehave I tyed vntounto mee the whole houſe of Iſrael, that they might be my people.
Fiftly, It quickneth to ſerue God in the vſe of all his ordinances with diligence, cherefulnes, and beſt endeauour.Gen. 4.4. Heb. 11.4. Pſal. 4….4. By faith Abel brought of the firſtlings of his flocke, and of the fat thereof an offering to the Lord. By faith Dauid went with the multitude vntounto the houſe of God with the voice of ioy & praiſe: faith can neither be cloyed with Gods preſence, nor account any ſeruice too good for him. The voyce of faith is, I will ſing and giuegive praiſe with the beſt member that I hauehave. How ſhould he be negligent in the vſe of any ordinance, who ſeeth God in his whole worſhip, and findeth comfort, taſteth ſweetneſſe in eueryevery part. Wee ſee by experience, the deſire of gaine drawes men to riſe earely, reſt late, toyle hard in any buſineſſe that may bring in commoditie: But faith begetteth an vnſ…tiable, operatiue, conſtant thi…ſt and deſire of ſpirituall things, which makes the belieuer induſtrious in the vſe of all meanes, whereby his tre…ſure may be encreaſed. Looke as the Mearchant takes paines to enrich himſelfe,…ſay 64.4. Com… with …. Cor. 1.9. and encreaſe his ſubſtance; ſo doth the faithfull ſoule to get poſſeſſion of the true treaſure. Liuely faith and bu…ning louelove towards the Lord, lodge both together, which bring forth pa…nes and forwardnes n the workes of holineſſe, willingneſſe and delight to pleaſe him in all things.
More particularly it may be inquired how parents in faith ſhould preſent their children vntounto baptiſme.Parents ſhould in faith preſent their Child to God in Baptiſme. What …ſe Chriſtians ſhould m…ke of their baptiſme, when they come to age and diſcretion; and how we are to receiue the Lords Supper in faith. The dedication of a childe to God, is a worke of ſingular and great importance, one of the weightieſt ſeruices we can take in hand, though (we may feare) it is conſidered of few. For to ſay nothing of the ignorant and profane ſort, who ſauour not the things of God, and therefore can hauehave no reuerent regard to the ſeales of the couenant; how many be there of better hopes, well inſtructed in the principles of religion, diligent frequenters of Gods Ordinances, and carefull to beautifie their profeſſion with an holy conuerſation, who did neuer diſtinctly, and in good earneſt conſider of this matter? when yet they muſt needs acknowledge, that it cannot be well done as it ought, if it be not done in faith.
The acts of faith in this particular be theſe,The acts of faith in this particular. and ſuch like.
Firſt, It calleth to remembrance the free and gratious couenant, which God hath made with the belieuing parents and their poſteritie. I am thy God, Gen. 17.7.9. Act. 2.39.and the God of thy ſeed. For the promiſe is made vntounto you, and to your children, and to al that are a farre off, euen as many as the Lord our God ſhal call: which couenant, as it is made with the parents and their ſeed, ſo doth the faith of the parent apprehend the promiſe of the couen…nt for himſelfe and for his ſeed. And this is the ground of that tender, which a Chriſtian m…kes of his Child vntounto holy Baptiſme. For by naturall generation the Children of belieuing parents are defiled with ſinne, and ſo vnderunder wrath: but the are holy by couenant and free acceptation, the belieuing parent embracing the mercifull promiſe of God for himſel…e, and for his poſteritie. Infants are not borne Chriſtians by naturall birth, but made Chriſtians by vertue of the couenant, God promiſing to accept them, vponupon offer made vntounto him by the parents.
Secondly, By faith the belieuing parents muſt giuegive themſelues vntounto God, chuſing him to bee their portion, and reſigning themſelues in all things to be guided by his word, in all eſtates and conditions. Hee that would giuegive his childe vntounto God, muſt giuegive himſelfe firſt. Is it probable, that Father can truly deſire, and long after the preferment of his childe in the Kingdome of grace here, and of glory he…eafter, who will not enter himſelfe, nor ſubmit his will to the commandement of grace? The promiſe is made to the faithfull; and that faith only, which drawes a man to yeeld vp ſoule and body, as a liuing ſacrifice vntounto God, pleaſing and acceptable vntounto his Maieſtie, doth quicken a parent truly, ſincerely, freely, and as he ought to make tender of his childe vntounto God.
Thirdly, It prouoketh parents to offer their children vntounto God by heartie and vnfained prayer, aſſoone as euer they hauehave receiued them from him. Gods promiſe to accept our children, calleth for prayer and ſupplication on our part, that he would be pleaſed to make good his mercifull and free promiſe. Thus Dauid reaſoneth, Thou, O Lord, 2. Sam. 7.27.of hoſts, God of Iſrael, haſt reuealed to thy ſeruant, ſaying, I will build thee an houſe: therefore hath thy ſeruant found in his heart to pray this prayer vntounto thee. And ſo ſhould eueryevery Father, O Lord, thou haſt couenanted to bee my God, and the God of my poſteritie, therefore am I bold to intreat thy fatherly acceptance of my poore Infant.
Fourthly, It conſidereth what a ſingular prerogatiue it is, to be actually admitted into couenant with God, receiued into his family, and to hauehave his name put vponupon vsus: to be partaker of the ſeale of regeneration, remiſſion of ſinnes, adoption, and euerlaſting inheritance: ſolemnely to be made free of the ſocietie of Saints, and weare the Lords badge and liuerie. And what an high and incomprehenſible merciemercy it is, that God hath promiſed, and doth vouchſafe theſe great and ineſtimable bleſſings, not only to himſelfe a miſerable and wretched ſinner, but alſo to his poſteritie, who by naturall generation are enemies to his Highneſſe, dead in treſpaſſes, and in bondage vntounto the curſe of the law. With theſe or the like meditations of faith, belieuing parents muſt preſent their children vntounto Baptiſme, that they might receiue the ſeale of regeration, remiſſion of ſinnes, and ſpirituall libertie; that the Name of God might bee ſet vponupon them, and their names regiſtred amongſt the free Deniſons of the heauenly Ieruſalem. And feruent effectuall prayer doth accompany this admiſſion, that God would bee pleaſed to accept the partie baptized for his childe by grace and adoption, releaſe him of his ſins, and make him partaker of his euerlaſting kingdome. Faith belieueth what God promiſeth, as hee promiſeth it: and beggeth feruently, what hee giueth freely.
Fiftly, It ſtirreth vp heartie reioycing in the Lord, that hee hath vouchſafed in tender compaſſion to looke vponupon them, and their poſteritie, and thus to honour and aduance them: for the trueſt Nobilitie is to bee made a Chriſtian, and to liue in fauour with God. A worldly Father would much reioyce, if his childe ſhould bee preferred to ſome chiefe Office in the Princes Court, aſſoone as it was borne: A Chriſtian Father hath much greater cauſe of ioy, that he is admitted, not as a ſeruant, but as a ſonne and heire, into the Court of the great King of Heauen and Earth. If parents can compaſſe but a Leaſe of ſome Farme for …hemſelues, and theirs, they are glad: and ſhall they not reioyce, that God hath by couenant and ſeale paſſed the grant of the Kingdome of Heauen to them and theirs?
Sixtly, It ſtirreth vp parents to be diligent and carefull to bring vp their children in information and feare of the Lord, being inſtant with God to bleſſe their endeauours for the good of their children, and the glorie of his name. For thus faith perſwadeth: Thy childe is not thine, but the Lords: thou haſt dedicated him vntounto the ſeruice of his Maieſt…e, and he f…om whom thou receiuedſt him at firſt, hath committed him to thy charge, to bee trained vp in his feare. It is a great honour to bee truſted with ſuch a ch…rge, and it is a fearefull ſinne to neglect ſo great a truſt. Wilt thou conſecrate thy childe to God this day, and leaue him to the Deuill for euer after? Wilt thou teach him a trade, that hee might liue as a Man, and not teach him the way of godlineſſe, that he might liue as a Chriſtian? Didſt thou not vndertake for his education in the true Religion, and wilt thou neglect the pe…formance of that ſolemne oath?Mar. 10.25, 16. Chriſt commanded the children of Chriſtian parents to be brought vntounto him: and wilt thou preſent them vntaught, and ignorant of the Chriſtian faith? The ſame conſcience which moued parents to offer their children to Baptiſme, will quicken them to endeauour their education in the true faith, and ſeruice of God.
By faith wee ſhould make right vſe of our Baptiſme.Baptiſme is a ſeale of the couenant betwixt God & vsus, of Gods promiſe to vsus that he will be our God: and of our promiſe to him, that we will be his people, repent of our ſins, belieue in Chriſt, & walk before him in ſincere obedience. For ſignification, force, vſe & fruit it continueth, not for a moment of time, but for the whole courſe of a mans life. It doth reſpect not only the time paſt and preſent, but that which is to come; yea, that whole time a man hath to ſpend, from the very act of his Baptiſme, to his death. For as it is the ſeale of a free, euerlaſting, vnchangeable couenant, ſo is the force and vſe of it perpetuall. Baptiſme is the true Sacrament of repentance, for remiſſion of ſinnes, and ſpirituall renouation, which being once receiued, remaineth a perpetuall teſtimonie and pledge of the euerlaſting Couenant of God, and continuall waſhing away of ſinne by the bloud of Chriſt, and the Spirit of ſanctification. By ſingular appropriation it repreſenteth and confirmeth ou… eng…affing into Chriſt,The vſe to bee made of our Baptiſme is two-fold. but withall it ſealeth the whole Couenant of grace.
The vſe of Baptiſme is twofold. Firſt, It ſerues to be a pledge and token of Gods fauour, and that diuers wayes.
Firſt, In that it is a ſeale of our regeneration by the holy Spirit, whereby a diuine qualitie is infuſed into vsus, in the roome and place of originall corruption. And therefore Baptiſme (as the text is ordinarily expounded) is called the labour of regeneration; Titus 3.5.it being an vſuall thing to call the principall cauſe, and the inſtrument by the ſame name.
Secondly, It ſealeth and confirmeth vntounto vsus the free pardon and forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes.Acts 2.38. Repent and be baptized eueryevery one of you in the Name of Ieſus Chriſt, Acts 22.16.for the remiſſion of ſinnes. Ariſe and be baptized, and waſh away thy ſinnes, calling on the Name of the Lord.
Thirdly, Baptiſme is a pledge of the vertue of Chriſts death, and of our fellowſhip therein.Rom. 6.3. Doe yee not know that all wee, who hauehave beene baptized into Ieſus Chriſt, hauehave beene baptized into his death?
Fourthly, It is alſo a pledge of the vertue of Chriſts life, and of our communion with him therein. The life of Chriſt is the life of eueryevery belieuer, who liueth in Chriſt, and ſhall liue for euer with him, and in him: a certaine pledge whereof he hath giuen vsus in this Sacrament.Rom. 6.5. For if wee hauehave beene planted together in the likeneſſe of his death: we ſhall be alſo in the likeneſſe of his reſurrection. Buried with him in Baptiſme, Col. 2.12.wherein alſo you are riſen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raiſed him from the dead.
Fiftly, B…ptiſme is a pledge of our adoption in Ieſus Chriſt. By nature we are the children of wrath: but by grace and adoption the ſonnes of God, through faith in Chriſt, which is ſealed in Baptiſme, wherein the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Spirit is put vponupon vsus. When Iacob bleſſed the ſonnes of Ioſeph, Ephraim and Manaſſes, Gen. 48.16.ſaying, Let my name be named on them; hee adopted them for his ſonnes, to hauehave inheritance with them in the land of Canaan: and when God putteth his name vponupon vsus, hee ſignifieth and aſſureth that wee are his ſonnes. Yee are all the children of God by faith in Chriſt Ieſus. Gal. 3.26, 27.For as many of you, as hauehave beene baptized into Chriſt, hauehave put on Chriſt.
Sixtly, Baptiſme is a ſolemne teſtimonie of our communion with all the liuely members of Chriſt Ieſus. It is a ſeale of the bond of mutuall louelove and fellowſhip, both of Chriſt with his members, and of his members one with another.1. Cor. 12.13. For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one bodie, whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles, whether wee bee bond or free: Epheſ. 4.5.And Baptiſme is one of thoſe things whereby the vnitie of the Spirit is preſerued in the bond of peace.
Seuenthly, It is a ſeale and pledge to aſſure, that God will prouide for vsus in this life, raiſe vp our bodies vntounto life at the laſt day of Iudgement, and beſtow vponupon vsus that euerlaſting Kingdome and Inheritance, which hee hath prepared.Marke 16.16. Titus 3.5, 6, 7. 1. Pet. 3.21. For in Baptiſme the Lord doth promiſe to bee our God, that hee will prouide vsus of all things neceſſarie for ſoule and bodie, turne all euils which doe befall in this miſerable life, to the furtherance of our ſaluation, raiſe vp our bodies at the laſt day, and receiue vsus vntounto himſelfe to dwell with him for euermore. In all which reſpects Baptiſme is of great force to ſtrengthen faith, and eaſe the heart in diſtreſſe. For when the repentant ſinner feeles himſelfe heauie laden with the burden of his ſinnes, when Satan tempts him to doubt or deſpaire in regard of his corruptions: when his owne corruption moueth him to ſinne, and he is euen now in the combate, the Spirit luſting againſt the fleſh, and the fleſh luſting againſt the Spirit, and when hee is deeply perplexed with feare of falling away: then the conſideration and remembrance of what was promiſed, and ſealed in Baptiſme, will ſerue to ſtay, ſupport and comfort the ſoule. For there hee ſhall find that his name is written in the couenant of God, that God hath promiſed to giuegive Chriſt to be his Redeemer, to accept of Chriſts ſatisfaction for him, to waſh away all his ſinnes, as certainly as the water waſheth away the filth of the bodie: and hauing ſuch a faithfull promiſe confirmed by ſeale, wherefore ſhould he be diſmayed? In Baptiſme alſo God hath ſealed vntounto him the mortification of his ſinne, by the power of Chriſts death; which is the ground of confidence, that God will enable him to ouercome the rebellious luſts of his heart, and crucifie the old man more and more, vntill the bodie of ſinne be vtterly deſtroyed. True it is, that man by nature is dead in ſin: but in Baptiſme, God of his merciemercy hath ſealed vntounto the belieuer, his riſing from the death of ſinne to newneſſe of life. True it is, that of our ſelues wee are prone to fall away from grace receiued: But God of his rich grace ſealeth vntounto the faithfull in Baptiſme a Reſurrection vntounto immortall life, which ſhall grow daily, but neuer decay.Rom. 6.9, 10. If the faithfull be afflicted, and deſpiſed of men, perſecuted and forſaken, caſt out the viſible Congregation, and baniſhed from the ho…ſe of God: yea, euen in the agonies of death; the remembrance of the promiſes ſealed in Baptiſme, will afford comfort. For if men hauehave forſaken, God hath receiu…d them; If men ſcorne and contemne, the Lord will acknowledge them. Hee hath long agoe ſealed them for his owne, receiued them into his family, vndertaken to prouide for them, and adopted them as heires apparant to the Kingdome of Heauen. If God had giuen them his word alone for ſecuritie, it had beene ſufficient; But hauing confirmed it by ſeale in Baptiſme, they hauehave great cauſe to reſt aſſured. True it is they may be caſt out of the viſible aſſembles, but they can neuer be cut off from the inuiſible Communion of Saints: they muſt die, but God hath ſealed vntounto them their riſing from the graue to euerlaſting life, by the power and vertue of Chriſts Reſurrection: which is a comfort of all comforts, able to vphold the ſoule of man in the houre of death.
II. Ʋſe.The ſecond vſe of Baptiſme, it is a ſeale of our dutie promiſed, and ſo a ſpurre and prouocation to repentance, faith, new-obedience, brotherly louelove, and vnitie.
Firſt, It is a ſpurre to repentance and mortification: for Baptiſme doth ſeale remiſſion of ſinnes to them only that repent,Marke 1.4. and by Godly ſorrow come home vntounto God. And as we expect the bleſſing, we muſt looke that we faile not in the condition. If wee bee buried with Chriſt in Baptiſme, it is our dutie to mortifie the fleſh w…th the affections and luſts, that it may liue no longer, to bring forth fruits vntounto death. For a dead man cannot liue. By ſolemne oath wee are bound to crucifie vnruly luſts, which fight againſt the ſoule: and ſhall we falſifie ſo great a promiſe? Againſt whom ſhould we fight, if not againſt Satan? or what will hee bee willing to ſpare for the Lords ſake, who will not part with his ſinnes? Why ſhould wee feare the ſtrength of Satan, the power of ſinne, the rage of perſecutors, the loſſe of earthly things? or deſpaire becauſe of the wrath of God iuſtly kindled againſt ſinne. If we turne vntounto God by vnfained repentance, wee hauehave his faithfull promiſe confirmed by ſeale, that he will bee mercifull vntounto our ſinnes, enable vsus to ouercome our corruptions, fortifie vsus againſt the powers of Hell, ſupport vsus vnderunder, or deliuer vsus out of all trials, and gratiouſly prouide whatſoeuer ſhall be needfull for vsus.
Secondly, It is a prouocation vntounto faith, and a pledge thereof. We hauehave the promiſe of God v der his hand and ſeale, that he will waſh vsus f…om our ini…ities, receiue v… for his children, remember our neceſſities, beſtow vponupon vsus the Kingdome of Heauen: wee ſhall doe great wrong and diſhonour to God, if wee doubt or make queſtion, whether hee will performe promiſe freely made, and confirmed by couenant and ſeale. Wee are bound by commandement to belieue in Ieſus Chriſt, and to commit our ſelues wholly vntounto him, as vntounto a faithfull Sauiour: And we hauehave bound our ſelues by promiſe, couenant and ſeale, that wee will belieue and cleaue vntounto him, as our only Sauiour: ſhall wee then goe backe, grow remiſſe, or giuegive way to doubting? If doubtings ariſe, through the ſight of ſinne, or want of ſenſe and feeling comfort, or the world begin to creepe into the heart, and diuide it from Chriſt, let vsus then remember, wee hauehave troth-plighted our ſelues to Ieſus Chriſt, and by faithfull promiſe, neuer …o bee called backe, giuen our ſelues wholly to reſt, and ſticke cloſe vntounto him: and therefore muſt admit no thought, whereby we ſhould be drawne aſide, or diuided, …rom him.
Thirdly, It is an incitement vntounto new obedience, and a pledge thereof.Rom. 6.4. We are buried with him by Baptiſme into death, that like as Christ was raiſed vp from the dead, by the glory of the Father: Euen ſo wee alſo ſhould walke in newneſſe of life: in which Chapter the Apoſtle diſputeth of our actions, that wee ſhould abſtaine from euill and follow thoſe that are good. Wee hauehave ſolemnely ſworne to fight againſt the Deuill, the World, and the Fleſh; and hauing taken the preſſe-money of Ieſus Chriſt, it were an immortall diſgrace to accept of truce with Satan. Wee carrie the badge and liuerie of Ieſus Chriſt, and ſhall we forſake our colours, and fight for the Deuill? It is ſtrange, that children ſhould leaue their parents and take part with their enemies: Wee hauehave giuen our ſelues vntounto God, and were once dedicated vntounto his ſeruice; ſhall we now turne backe, and offer our ſelues vntounto Satan? Honour is due vntounto parents: If God bee our Father, wee muſt freely ſubmit our ſelues to his will and pleaſure. God will ſtrengthen vsus to obey, and accept of weake, if ſincere obedience: and that ſhuts forth all place of excuſe. If wee bee engrafted into the ſimilitude of Chriſts reſurrection, wee muſt expreſſe by our actions the power and likeneſſe of Chriſts reſurrection; which is done, when we walke in all-pleaſing before God, and ſet our affections vponupon things aboue. And this, as it is commanded on Gods part, ſo it is ſealed on our part in Baptiſme.
Fourthly, It is a pledge or pawne of louelove and vnitie. Wee muſt keepe the vnitie of the ſpirit in the bond of peace; for we are all baptized into one bodie. We muſt not iarre, for we are brethren: Wee muſt not quarrell nor contend, for we are members of the ſame bodie, and hauehave beene ſealed into the ſame bodie.The new exerciſe of faith required in the worthy receiuing the Lords Supper. It goeth ill with the naturall bodie, when the ioynts are diſſolued: it is vnnaturall that the members of the bodie myſticall ſhould bee diuided.
It is not the hauing faith, but the new exerciſe of faith, which maketh vsus worthy receiuers of the Lords Supper. The Corinthians had faith, yet receiued not the grace of the Sacrament, becauſe they receiued not in faith.
The acts of faith in this ordinance.The acts of faith in receiuing the Lords Supper are many.
Firſt, By it wee diſcerne the Sacrament to bee the holy Ordinance of God, inſtituted for our ſpeciall good and benefit, ſealing vntounto vsus the promiſes, which God of his free merciemercy hath made vntounto vsus in Ieſus Chriſt. By faith wee vnderſtand what promiſes God hath made, for what cauſe, in whom he hath made them, what hee requireth, and how hee hath ſealed his free promiſes in the Sacrament. And the certaine, diſtinct, cleare, effectuall knowledge of this point, is a matter of ſingular and great importance. For if worldly men make good account of a ſufficient mans ſecuritie for ſome great ſumme of money; in what eſteeme will a Chriſtian hauehave this pledge of Gods fauour, when hee certainly vnderſtands what it doth ſignifie and aſſure?
Secondly, By it we ſee what the Lord doth offer vntounto vsus therein, how excellent and precious it is, with what aſſurance it is freely tendered, and may be receiued. The outward ſignes in the Sacrament are viſible to the bodily eye: but the inward grace ſignified and ſealed thereby, which muſt ſeriouſly be conſidered and minded of vsus, is not manifeſt, but to the vnderſtanding enlightened by the Spirit, and ſeaſoned by faith, which only can iudge diſtinctly of it worth and excellencie.
Thirdly, It ſharpeneth ſpirituall appetite, and ſtirreth vp hungring and thirſting after Chriſt, and his benefits. By faith we ſee our want, by faith we taſte how good the Lord is, how ſweet and pleaſant the dainties he hath prepared; which raiſeth an appetite of deſire, and complacencie. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeeke thee: Pſal. 63.1.my ſoule thirsteth for thee, my fleſh longeth for thee. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a great and ſpirituall feaſt, whereunto the faithfull are inuited: and faith whetteth the ſpirituall appetite to long after, and relliſh the fatneſſe and marrow, which is there prouided.
Fourthly, It earneſtly contendeth for merciemercy, confeſſing ſinne with griefe and hatred, iudging and condemning it freely, vnfainedly begging pardon with ſtrength of grace to withſtand ſinne for the time to come. Whenſoeuer faith commeth to receiue the ſeale of pardon, it pleadeth guiltie, humbleth for tranſgreſſion, and intreateth forgiueneſſe of vndeſerued merciemercy, that grace might be magnified in forgiueneſſe.
Fiftly, By faith wee receiue Chriſt offering himſelfe freely to be contracted vntounto vsus. Chriſt maketh louelove as a ſuiter, and hath giuen the Sacrament as a token of his louelove and faithfulneſſe: faith apprehendeth the miſerie of the ſoule without Chriſt, the excellent dignitie, honour and beautie of Chriſt, and the happineſſe of the ſoule which is vnited vntounto him; and thereupon humbly embraceth his offer o… louelove.
S…xtly, By faith wee reſigne vp our ſelues vntounto I…ſus Chriſt, and willingly yeeld ſoule and bod…e vntounto him. This the natu…e of the matrimoniall contract, which paſſeth be…wixt Chriſt, and the belieuer, requireth: for as Chriſt promiſeth to be a Sauiour, Head and Husband vntounto the belieuer: ſo doth hee troth-plight himſelfe vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, to cleaue vntounto him as his only Sauiour, and in all things to bee obedient vntounto his will and pleaſure. Wherefore my brethren, Rom. 7.4.yee are alſo become dead to the Law by the bodie of Chriſt, that yee ſhould be married to another, euen to him who is raiſed from the dead, that we ſhould bring forth fruit vntounto God.
Seuenthly, Faith feedeth vponupon Chriſt, and ſucketh vigour from him.Iohn 6.55. His fleſh is meate indeed, and his bloud is drinke indeed. Meate to bee eaten, not with the teeth, but by faith. Meate indeed, not in nature, but in effect, becauſe it nouriſheth the ſoule, and giueth eternall life to them that eate thereof. And by faith wee ſpiritually eate the fl…ſh of the Sonne of Man, and drinke his bloud. And as he that eateth wholſome food, is ſtrengthened thereby, and made fit and able for the actions of this life; ſo hee that feedeth vponupon Chriſt ſpiritually and by faith, is ſtrengthened to the actions of ſpirituall life, and made able for the exerciſes of pietie and holineſſe.
Eightly, Faith aſſureth of that ſpirituall contract which hath paſſed betwixt Chriſt and the Chriſtian ſoule, and is ſealed in the Sacrament;Cant. 2.16. ſo that he may truly ſay, My beloued is mine, and I am his. As a couple, who hauehave lawfully giuen faith to each other, and confirmed the ſame by pledge or token in the Congregation, are aſſured of each other: ſo when we hauehave contracted our ſelues vntounto Chriſt, and receiued the pledge thereof, we come to be aſſured by faith, that Chriſt is ours, and that wee hauehave commun…on in all the benefits of his death and paſſion. Th…s faith reaſoneth, God the Father hath freely promiſed the pardon of all ſinnes in and through Ieſus Chriſt: Chriſt doth offer himſelfe as a Redeemer to deliuer them from the power of darkneſſe, and to bring them into perpetuall grace with his Father, to waſh them from their ſinnes by his bloud and ſpirit, and to preſerue and nouriſh them vntounto life eternall, who will receiue and belieue in him. And being ſo louingly called and inuited, I hauehave receiued the mercifull promiſe, and …eſigned my ſelfe vntounto Ieſus Chriſt; why then ſhould I ſtand in doubt? I heare the word of promiſe, I ſee and hauehave receiued the ſeales annexed to the Word of grace, the true and faithfull teſtimonie of God confirmed by oath, and I may not queſtion his truth, nor draw backe from mine owne promiſe, to reſt vponupon and cleaue vntounto him for euermore.
Ninthly, It ſtirreth vp ioy and thankfulneſſe with ſerious remembrance of the manifold benefits and bleſſings which in Chriſt Ieſus are vouchſafed. When men hauehave a leaſe of ſome good bargaine ſealed, they are merrie and glad; much greater cauſe of ioy hauehave they, who hauehave receiued from God, who cannot lie, ſuch a pledge of his louelove, the ſeale of an euerlaſting inheritance. Ariſe, O my ſoule, and ſing for ioy, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is riſen vponupon thee. Thou didſt ſit in darkneſſe, forlorne and miſerable, guiltie of ſinne, in bondage to the curſe, in feare of eternall condemnation: but now God is appeaſed, Chriſt hath ſatisfied iuſtice, pardon is proclaimed, thou haſt receiued the free gracious promiſe, and eternall bleſſed peace is concluded. And for thy greater aſſurance, God hath added his ſeale to his free grant of pardon: holy bread is added, and giuen to thee for a Sacrament and diuine teſtimonie, that the body of Chriſt was crucified for thee: bleſſed wine is added, and giuen to thee, for a certaine pledge and token, that the bloud of Chriſt was ſhed for thee, that righteouſneſſe purchaſed by that ſacrifice is thine, that eternall ſaluatio… procured by that price is thine by an irreuocable title. Praiſe the Lord, O my ſoule, and forget not the g…eat …oue of God in giuing his Sonne to die, that thou mighteſt be deliu…re… from the feare of hell & death, forget not the LoueLove o… Chriſt in ſ…ffering death, that thou mighteſt b… ſe… f…ee from the curſe of the law, and burning wrath of God deſerued by ſinne; forget not the grace and fauour of God in calling thee to feaſt with him, and giuing this pledge and earneſt of his perpetuall louelove. Thou canſt not forget …heſe, but thou forgett…ſt thy ſelfe: thou canſt not neglect theſe, but thou hateſt thy ſelfe. What canſt thou deſire more, then to hauehave God to be thy God, Chriſt to thy Sauiour? What wouldſt thou remember if thou forget the louelove of Chriſt in ſuffering death for thy redemption, and the earneſt of his louelove, whereby hee doth aſſure, that his body was crucified, and his bloud ſhed for thee?
Meanes to ſtirre vp our ſelues to receiue the Lords Supper in faith.Now the better to ſtirre vp our ſelues to receiue this Sacrament in faith.
Firſt, Wee muſt bewaile our vnbeliefe, dulneſſe, earthly-mindedneſſe, the diſtemper of our ſpirituall taſte, and conceite of ſpirituall fulneſſe, labouring to quicken the ſenſe of our miſery, and raiſe the ſoule to an high prizing of Chriſt, and hungring after him. Emptineſſe prepares to receiue meate, and hunger giues it a good relliſh; and if wee ſee our miſerie and nakedneſſe without Chriſt, and thirſt after him, wee ſh…ll eate his fleſh, and drinke his bloud with ſweete comfort and refreſhing.
Secondly, Conſider how freely the Lord doth tender Chriſt to bee recei…ed in his Word and Sacrament. The Lord, I ſay, faithfull in his promiſes, plentifull in m…rcies who hath authoritie to giuegive what he promiſeth, off… reth Chriſt withall the benefits of his death and p…ſſion, to eueryevery poore, deſpiſed, thirſtie, afflicted ſoule, who doth deſire and will receiue him.
Thirdly, weigh and conſider the bleſſed ſtate and condition of them, who bee reconciled vntounto God, contracted vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, who are eaſed from their ſinnes, waſhed from their filthineſſe, and ſeparated vntounto glory: and ſo quicken our ſoules to receiue and lay faſt hold vponupon theſe ineſtimable benefits offered vntounto vsus by name.
Fourthly, Hauing troth-plighted our ſelues to Ieſus Chriſt vnfainedly, wee muſt awaken and rowſe vp our ſelues to reioyce in him. What can I deſire more? God the Father hath giuen his onelyonly begotten Sonne to be my Sauiou…, and I hauehave receiued and am betrothed vntounto him: a firme peace is concluded, an euerlaſting inher… tance is aſſured vntounto mee. I hauehave a good legacie bequeathed vntounto me in the promiſes, whereunto I ſticke; ſealed vntounto me in the Sacramēt, which I may produce as an euidence to ſtop the mouth of Satan, if he ſhall contend and ſeeke to robbe mee of my priuiledges beſtowed of grace. If I bee hunger-ſtarued in my ſelfe, the bodie of Chriſt is true meate, nouriſhing me to life eternall; If thirſtie and deſtitute of the ſappe of grace, the bloud of Chriſt is true drinke, nouriſhing mee to life eternall:Iohn 6.65. and eating his fleſh, and drinking his bloud, he dwelleth in me, and I in him. Thus we muſt quicken our hearts to reioyce in beliefe of the promiſes made and ſealed, waiting vponupon God, till he be pleaſed to giuegive the ſence and comfort of it.