The Baptizing of the Eunuch, Sermon 3

The Baptizing of the Eunuch · Sermon 3

p. 39THE THIRD SERMON.

WE are now come to the Account it ſelfe, and to the matter of the Eunuchs confeſſion. I beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt is the ſonne of God. The plaine doctrine here is,The 1. doct. That the beleeuing of Ieſus Christ be the ſonne of God, is the very ſubstance of that Faith which is required to ſaluation. This is plainly to be gathered hence. The Eunuch deſired Baptiſme, (the badge of a Chriſtian:) Philip enquireth of him, whether hee hauehave that Faith, which maketh a Chriſtian, he anſwereth, I beleeue ſo: This anſwer is approoued and taken for ſufficient; ſo that to beleeue that which this Eunuch heere acknowledgeth is the very life of ſauing Faith, it is the ſumme of all that is required to ſaluation, and without it there is no ſaluation. And this collection is iuſtifiable from hence ſo much the rather, becauſe the chiefe confeſſions and abridgements of the Chriſtian faith, which are in the new Teſtament, conſiſt vponupon this point chiefly: as, that memorable one made by Peter in the name of the reſt of the Apoſtles aaMat. 16.16.Matt 16:16Thou art the Christ the ſonne of the liuing God: then that in Iohn, (which it may be is the ſame with the former, in effect I am ſure it differeth not) We belieue and know that you are the Christ, the ſonne of the liuing God bbIoh. 6.69.John 6:69: thirdly that of the blind-man, Doest thou beleeue in the ſonne of God! Lord I beleeue ccIoh. 9.35.38.John 9:35John 9:38: fourthly, that of Martha, I beleeue that you are the Christ the ſonne of God, that ſhould come into the world ddIoh. 11.27.John 11:27. Theſe ſolemne declarations p. 40of the Faith required to ſaluation doe all concurre in this one generall point, Ieſus Christ is the ſonne of God. The doctrine of the Scripture is called, the word of Faith eeRom. 10.8.Rom 10:8; it is therefore committed to record that men might beleeue ffIoh. 20.31.John 20:31. Now the pith of the whole Scripture is, Ieſus Christ; He is the end of the Law ggRom. 10.4.Rom 10:4, to him giuegive all the Prophets witneſſe hhAct. 10.43.Acts 10:43, and the ſumme of the Goſpell is, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him ſhould not periſh but hauehave life euerlasting iiIoh. 3.16.John 3:16. If then Chriſt be the ſubſtance of the Scripture, needes muſt the building vponupon him be the ſumme of Faith. Faith goeth no further then the word, and the word hath no more to teach but this, that God hath giuen vntounto vsus eternal life, and this life is in his ſonne kk1. Ioh. 5.11.1 John 5:11. Thus for a generall opening of this doctrine. To the end it may be the more profitable, we muſt conſider ſomewhat more exactly, what it is, to beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt is the ſon of God: Firſt in general to beleeue, betokeneth two things. 1. To hold a matter to be a truth, and ſo it is an action of the vnderſtanding power. 2. To truſt to a thing, or to relie vponupon it, and ſo it is an act of the will, and iſſueth out of the former. Secondly (according to this) to beleeue that Ieſus Christ is the ſonne of God, comprehendeth two things. 1. To apprehend this as a ſound and vndeniable truth, that Ieſus Chriſt is the ſonne of God. 2. To conceiue it as a doctrine into which a mans ſelfe hath ſome intereſt, and ſo to relie and reſt thereupon for a future benefit. Firſt that this propoſition, Ieſus is the ſonne of God, is an abſolute and vndeniable Truth, it muſt be reſolued: It is the ground worke of Faith, and the foundation without which it cannot ſtand. It was the errand vponupon which Iohn Baptiſt ſent his diſciples vntounto Chriſt, that they from his owne mouth might bee made ſure, that it was He that ſhould come, and no other to be looked for llMath. 11.3.Matt 11:3. The certainty herein is gotten by the Scripture: and indeed (to beleeue) as it is an act of the vnderſtanding,Auctoritati debemus quod …redimus. Auguſtin. is properly to aſſent vntounto a matter and to take it as a truth: vponupon the report and credit of another. So then a man muſt be poſſeſſed p. 41with this truth, by the authority and teſtimony of the Scripture, that he who is called Ieſus Chriſt, is the very ſon of God, whom God of old promiſed to ſend being made of a woman, to be the Prince of our ſaluation, and to make peace betwixt God and man by his blood. This is one neceſſary principle to be appehended vntounto ſaluation, neither can any report ſettle a mans knowledge in this, but onelyonly the report of God himſelfe ſpeaking to vsus in his word. Secondly, this muſt alſo be laid hold on, as a matter more particularly concerning the beleeuer. For a bare aſſent vntounto this propoſition, (Ieſus Chriſt is the ſonne of God) cannot ſaue. I know who thou art, (ſaid the euill ſpirit therein he ſpake as he thought and was perſwaded) euen the holy one of God mmLuk. 4.34.Luke 4:34. And ſhall we thinke that this was all, was intended in the Eunuchs acknowledgement, that hee gaue credit vntounto the Scripture touching Ieſus Chriſt to be the ſon of God? God forbid. He might hauehave done ſo and yet neuer hauehave beene ſaued. He had not beleeued with all his hart, if he had done no more; It was neceſſary there ſhould bee alſo a relying, a reſting, a caſting himſelfe vponupon Chriſt, a truſting to him, an expecting ſaluation by his means, a fitting of this general truth touching Chriſt to his owne particular for the diſcharge of his ſoule in the ſight of God. And indeed this is ſo neceſſary a part of Faith, that as it cannot be without the former (for a man cannot rely vponupon Chriſt, vnleſſe he be certaine, he is the perſon to be relyed vponupon) ſo the former is not rightly and truly apprehended vnleſſe this latter be attained to, or at the leaſt endeuoured for. For, firſt generally it is true that the points and articles of Faith, are ſo contriued that the failing in one, ouerthroweth all. Then, ſecondly, a man cannot properly bee ſayd to beleeue the report of the Scripture touching Chriſt, vnleſſe he doe apply it to himſelfe. For how doth a man giuegive credit to this, that Chriſt is the ſonne of God, and a Sauiour, if he himſelfe doe not rely and hang vponupon him for his owne ſaluation. So that indeed it is no full and p. 42compleate aſſent, where there wants an application of that Truth which is aſſented vntounto, to a mans owne particular. How can I beleeue Chriſt to be my Sauiour, except I know him to be the promiſed Sauiour? and how doe I beleeue him to be the promiſed Sauiour, if I dare not truſt him with my owne ſoule, and am backeward to depend vponupon him for my ſelfe. And therefore in this truly ſaith the Apoſtle, that he maketh God a Lyer, that doth not proceed from the generall doctrine to the point of particular application, that God hath giuen (vsus) eternall life nn1 Iohn 5.10.11.1 John 5:101 John 5:11. If then we yeeld (as we needs muſt) that the Eunuch did more then aſſent to this generall truth, as it is reuealed in the Scripture, and did lay hold vponupon it as a matter into which himſelfe had intereſt, it cannot but follow thence, that the Faith required to ſaluation, hath in it, beſide the acknowledgement of the Truth in the vnderſtanding, an embracing it alſo in the will, and a dependance thereon, for the perſonall good of him in whom it is. And thus of this doctrine touching that matter and obiect of Faith, Ieſus Christ the ſonne of God, apprehended by the authority of the Scripture to be ſo, and laid hold vponupon as a Sauiour.

The vſe.The vſe is, principally to moue vsus to a due and diligent enquiry, whither we who ſpeake of Faith, and doe alſo make full account of being ſaued by Chriſt, doe ſo beleeue, as hath beene deſcribed, and as out of all doubt this Eunuch did; namely, how we be grounded and ſetled in this by the teaching of the Scripture, that Ieſus Christ is the ſonne of God, in whom only god is pacified, and then next, how we doe depend vponupon him in particular for our ſelues, with what warrant and vponupon what tearmes. This is a matter that deſerueth ſcanning in the cloſet of eueryevery heart that would be ſaued. Certainly it will appeare vponupon inquiry made, that if this be to beleeue, ſurely then the number of beleeuers is exceeding ſmall. For firſt, how raw, how confuſed, how vncertaine (generally) is mens knowledge in this fundamentall point, touching the perſon, and office p. 43of Chriſt Ieſus? How few are able to prooue vntounto their owne hearts out of Gods word, that this Ieſus Chriſt whom we ſo often name, is that very perſon in whom all Gods promiſes touching life and ſaluation are yea and Amen oo2. Cor. 1.202 Cor 1:20, hauing in him and by him their full accompliſhment; that it is he whom God the father hath ſealed ppIoh. 6.27.John 6:27to ſaue his people from their ſinnes. qqMath. 1.21,Matt 1:21If a man ſhould come to many, who are belieuers by profeſſion, and ſay, Oh, thou that makest thy boaſt of Christ, and thinkest vnderunder his wings to be ſhrouded against the wrath of God, how knowest thou that this is the perſon in whom God will be reconciled to thee, what warrant hast thou, in him to finde fauour, and acceptance with the Lord! How quickly would they be foyled, and how eaſily graueled in this neceſſary particular, without certainty wherein, all a mans Faith is but meere preſumption. Verily I am perſwaded that it is not the tenth of our ordinary hearers and profeſſors thar can tell how to make this point good againſt ſathans cauils, with which he will vndermine and batter it in the euill day, that, Ieſus Christ is that perſon vponupon whom he that deſires ſaluation must rely. For ſhame let vsus not be more remiſſe and careleſſe for our ſoules, then we would be for our outward ſtate. What wiſe man, will take the word or bond of another, vnleſſe he be ſure of his ſufficiency to make that good for which he offereth himſelfe, either by word or writing to be engaged? wherein is a man the neerer to hauehave his bond for many pounds, who (it may be) is not worth ſo many groates? Heere therefore let vsus firſt begin in the matter of faith, let vsus labour to ſee this point well prooued out of the teſtimony of Gods word, that Ieſus Chriſt is the chiefe ſtone elect and precious, put in Sion, vponupon whom who ſo beleeueth, ſhall not be aſhamed rr1. Pet. 2.6.1 Pet 2:6, that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that as no man can come to the Father but by him ſſIoh. 14.6.John 14:6, ſo hee which commeth by him cannot be repelled. If we would be ſound in the Faith ttTit. 1.13.Titus 1:13, and rooted in Chriſt, let vsus looke to this. It is abundantly cleared in the Scripture: Search the p. 44Scriptures, they are they that teſtifie of Christ uuIohn 5.39.John 5:39. Well, now as I hauehave diſcouered the ſcarſity of Faith, by the common defect in this maine ground of Chriſtianity, ſo may I as eaſily doe it in vrging the other part touching the particular application of the generall doctrine of Chriſt Ieſus. For in it there is as great an errour as in the other. I know there is an ordinary making account to be ſaued by Ieſus Chriſt; but yet, though therein there is a kinde of fitting the doctrine of Chriſt to particulars, yet it is not that application which is the life of faith, and which (out of all doubt) this Eunuch had attained to. For to the Application of Chriſt there is more belongs then this, to ſay, Christ died for ſinners, and I hope by him to eſcape damnation: Many ſhall goe into Hell, with as much as that commeth to, in their mouthes. Application of Chriſt is a matter of greater conſequence, and hath more going to it then ſo. There muſt be firſt a particular conceiuing of a mans owne neede of Chriſt: ſecondly an vnderſtanding how that fulneſſe which is in Chriſt may ſupply the particular wants of him that deſireth to apply him that ſo the ſoule may ſee how the turne thereof may abundantly be ſerued by reſting vponupon him: thirdly a diligent noting how the preaching of the word fitteth the particulars of Chriſts fulneſſe, to the ſoules particular wants, that ſo a man may not be (as it were) his owne caruer heerein, but may feele how the hand of the Lord worketh in the buſines: fourth, a carefull working how the ſoule is acheered and inwardly refreſhed, by that warmth, which it feeleth itſelfe to receiue by cumming ſtill neerer vntounto Chriſt, how it hath more boldneſſe to come to the Throne of grace, how it findes more ſweetneſſe in the doctrine of ſaluation, how it hath more life in holy ſeruices, how it is furniſhed with more alacrity and greater deſire to walke with God in new obedience? Thus the application of Chriſt is another maner of thing then a ſudden conceit, that if I and I, ſhall be ſaued by his death: ſo much is common, but to apply Chriſt p. 45is a thing which few attaine vntounto. Thou ſaieſt thou art perſuaded that Christ Ieſus the ſonne of God is thy ſauiour, I demand of thee: who did tell thee ſo? what is thy warrant ſo to thinke? Art thou come to this perſwaſion by due courſe, by being first nurtured in the ſchoole of humiliation, to bring thee to ſee what neede thy ſoule hath of the leaſt drop of the bloud of Ieſus Chriſt? hath this apprehenſion beene begotten in thee by the preaching of that word, in which thou haſt been taught to whom only ſaluation doth belong? hath it been long in getting, and haſt thou had much adoe to attaine to this meaſure? or is it ſome ſuddaine and raſh conceit vponupon which thou hast aduentured? Take heed and be well aduiſed; To apply Christ, is excellent, but it is not ordinary, neither is it eaſie, and he that neuer taſted the difficulty that is in it neuer yet knew what it ment? Thus I muſt deale with thee, thus I muſt aduiſe thee, that profeſſeſt an application of Chriſt vntounto thy ſelfe. And now (for a further opening of the matter) methinkes that title of a Rocke giuen vntounto Chriſt xxIſa. 28.16. Math. 16.18.Isa 28:16Matt 16:18, is worthy the conſidering, to make this plaine. Chriſt his being a Rocke of ſafety, argueth, that man in himſelfe is plunged into a Sea of Hazard with which he is euer ready to be ſwallowed vp. Now, ſuppoſe we a man ſuffering ſhip-wracke vponupon our Coaſt, and at the laſt after much driuing too and fro, eſpying a rocke, which if he could recouer there were ſome hope of eſcape. To this he beginneth to direct his courſe, thither he beares with the vtmoſt of his might: the waues hinder him, the wind and weather are againſt him, yea oft times when he is come euen cloſe to, and is ready to touch it and to lay hold vponupon it, a guſt commeth, or ſome ſtronger waue, and carieth him into the maine in deſpight: Nay, it may be when againe he is come yet neerer, and is euen in a manner gotten vp, yet there is ſuch an heauineſſe in his garments oppreſſed with water, ſuch benummedneſſe and weakneſſe in his ioynts through the extremity of colde, that he cannot keepe that which hee hath gotten, but againe looſeth his hold, and is euen about to giuegive ouer his hope, and to reſolue p. 46with himſelfe that there is no remedy but he muſt needes periſh in the ſea. Well, yet at the laſt hee renueth his courage, purpoſing now to make his laſt attempt, he recouereth the Rocke, to the top he is gotten, where he may looke about and ſee where hee was toſſed: But behold, before he can throughly collect his thoughts, heere beginneth a new feare: the water ſwelleth, and threatneth to couer euen the higheſt part of the rocke, the wind helpeth it forward, and aduanceth the pride thereof, and it beginneth to encounter as with an open mouth ready to deſtroy: What is now to be done? Surely nothing but this: He reſolues to keepe his ſtanding with his vtmoſt might his hold he determines not to forſake, here (thinketh he)' I will abide, and if I periſh I periſh. Heere is that true eſtate of a man labouring in this painfull buſineſſe of applying Chriſt. Firſt he is toſſed long on the waues of much inward perplexity, and crieth out with Dauid, I ſticke fast in the deepe mire where no ſtay is, I am come into deepe waters and the ſtreames run ouer mee yyPſal. 69.2.Ps 69:2. O God, all thy waues and thy flouds are vponupon mee zzPſal. 42.7.Ps 42:7. The ſnares of death compaſſe mee, and the griefes of the graue hauehave caught mee aaPſal. 116.3.Ps 116:3: At the laſt by the pointing of the finger of the Goſpell preached, the Rocke is eſpied: Ieſus Christ the righteous bb1. Ioh. 2.1.1 John 2:1, that Rocke, which Dauid calleth, The Rocke that is higher then I ccPſal. 61.2.Ps 61:2, that rocke which was reſembled by that, into the cleft whereof Moſes was put, that he might ſee the Lord as he paſſed by ddExod. 33.22.Exod 33:22. For as Moſes could not hauehave ſeen the Lord without death vnleſſe he had beene hidden in that Rocke: ſo can no man ſee the face of God and liue, vnleſſe he be put into the cleft of this rocke that vnderunder the ſhelter thereof he may behold him. Well, this rocke being once deſcried, the ſoule longeth greatly after it eePſal. 63.1.Ps 63:1, and thinkes it ſelfe ſhould be moſt happy, if it might arriue at the ſmaleſt Hole ffCan. 2.14.thereof. To this therfore it aymeth and laboureth with the vtmoſt endeuours: (I endeuour myſelfe, and follow hard ggPhil. 3.13.14.Phil 3:13Phil 3:14. But (alas) much a doe there is to get neere it, there be many ſwelling p. 47ſurges of much doubting, many bluſtering ſtormes of great diſcouragements. Ofttimes is the ſoule ready euen to claſpe vponupon the Rocke, but ſomething or other puts it backe, and then there followeth euen a wofull drooping, and a kind of deſpaire, euer againe to be in ſo faire a poſſibility: Oh, then commeth in, I am caſt out of thy ſight hhPſal. 31.22.Ps 31:22, thoſe that told me of ſaluation by Chriſt, and of his redineſſe to receiue thoſe that ſeeke him are all Lyers iiPſal. 116.11.Ps 116:11: yet at the laſt, this agony is ouercome, and the ſinner beginneth to rebuke his ſoule for this faintneſſe. Why art thou cast downe my ſoule and vnquiet within me kkPſal. 42.5.Ps 42:5, trie yet againe, ſurely there is an end and thy hope ſhall not be cut off llPro. 23.18.Prov 23:18. So with much ſtriuing, euen (as it were) to the loſſe of breath (I opened my mouth and panted mmPſ. 119 131.Ps 119:131, the former feeling is regained and the ſoule is come once more vnderunder the ſhadow of this Great Rocke nnIſ. 32.2.Isa 32:2, yea and the feet are ſet vponupon it ooPſal. 42.2.Ps 42:2, and the ſoule beginneth to triumph in ſafty, (Returne vntounto thy rest ô my ſoule ppPſal. 116.7.Ps 116:7, I know nothing ſhall be able to ſeparate from the louelove of God which is in Christ Ieſus qqRom. 8.39.Rom 8:39, yea it falleth to a diſcourſing vponupon the ſtrange manner of her eſcape, Come I will tell you what God hath done for me rrPſal. 66.16.Ps 66:16. But (behold) ſuddenly a new feare interrupteth all, I ſaid I ſhall neuer be mooued, but thou hidst thy face and I was troubled ſſPſal. 30.6.7.Ps 30:6Ps 30:7. My well beloued was gone and past, I ſought him, but I could not finde him ttCan. 5.6.. What is now left, but to reſolue to ſticke faſt, whotſoeuer ſhall betide. My ſoule cleaueth vntounto thee uuPſal 63.8.Ps 63:8; my fleſh fayleth and mine heart, but it is good for me to keepe me cloſe xxPſ. 73.26.28.Ps 73:26Ps 73:28; either heere I muſt be ſafe, or no where. Thus hauehave I giuen you a taſte of the trauill of the ſoule in the application of Chriſt. Chriſt being (as he is called) a Rocke of ſafely, there is no fitter thing to deſcribe it then this caſe that I hauehave named. Hee that hath not had ſome experience of this in himſelfe, or at the leaſt ſhall not now vponupon the hearing thereof make conſcience to finde it true by his owne particular, name faith he may, but hauehave faith he cannot, preſume he may, but beleeue he cannot. Hee that thinketh it an eaſie thing p. 48to reſt vponupon Chriſt, and to ſettle vponupon him and to apply the ſaluation offered in him to a mans owne particular, I may boldly ſay, he doth vtterly deceiue his owne ſoule, he is yet farre from the Kingdome of God. Thou art vponupon the Rocke, before euer thou knoweſt what it is, to be toſſed on the maine, thou art in the hauen, before euer thou waſt in hazard in the deepe; verily thou art miſtaken in the coaſt, beare out againe with ſpeed, this Rocke will caſt thee away into a gulfe of ſecurity, this is not the Cape of Good-hope, Gods good ſpirit neuer lead any man this way into the land of Righteouſneſſe yyPſ. 143.10.Ps 143:10. I wiſh all you that heare this, the ſweet and comfort of this point. An aſſent to the report of the Scripture touching Chriſt, is neceſſary to ſaluation, but not ſufficient; neither was it all that the Eunuch had. Application of Chriſt is neceſſary, My well beloued is mine and I am his zzCant. 2.16.Song 2:16, that is the life of all: But in this the Diuell counterfeiteth as well as in other things, and he can be content men ſhould apply, yea he himſelfe will helpe ſo to doe; but his application is a little to quicke like the Heritage that is haſtily gotten, but the end not bleſſed aaPro. 20.21.Prov 20:21When Chriſt is much valued, but not by and by feelingly enioyed, when he is much deſired but very hardly reached vntounto, where the ſoule longeth for him, and ſometimes cometh to ſee him, and againe looſeth the ſight of him and is oft-times, almoſt out of all hope of recouering him, there is application of Chriſt. This is not the worke of a day or two bbEz. 10.13., When I tell thee of labouring to belieue that Ieſus Chriſt is thy ſaluation, if thou ſay vntounto me as Peter ſaid to Chriſt about forgiuing his brother. How oft, ſhall I ſet about it, vntill ſeauen times: I muſt anſwer thee as there, yea vntill ſeauenty times ſeuen times ccMath. 18.21.22.Matt 18:21Matt 18:22, Why ſhould I beguile thee or my ſelfe? If thou be not euen eueryevery day more or leſſe at this buſineſſe, that thou mighteſt win Christ ddPhil. 3.8.Phil 3:8, ſtill conſidering how thou art faſtened on him, and what hold thou haſt, ſtill labouring that thou maieſt not looſe him, ſtill looking for a new ſtorme that may put thee from p. 49him, ſtill graſping cloſer about him, ſtill crying with Peter Master ſaue me eeMat. 14.30.Matt 14:30, ſtill harkning to this come of the Lord, the preaching of the Goſpell, by which he pulleth thee to him, neither I nor any Miniſter of God will dare to promiſe thee any hope of ſaluation. If we take a leaſe, or buy a purchaſe, we will hauehave the matter firſt drawne vp into articles, then digeſted into a forme, then peruſed and enterlined, and aduiſed vponupon with the beſt counſell we can get, eueryevery word ſhall be waighed, as in a paire of ballances, and we will not ſuddenly engroſſe it, as it muſt be. Why will we that be ſo prouident for our earthly things, be ſo ſimple and ſo careleſſe about heauenly? If we hauehave got but a kind of looſe and generall apprehenſion of Chriſt that he is ours, there we reſt. Oh let vsus looke vponupon it againe, let vsus beware while we liue of a falſe title, aske a little more counſell, if we let it alone vntill the Hearing-day, a writ of error will not helpe it. Methinkes, I cannot ſpeake to much againſt our great ſecurity. EueryEvery man ſeemeth to be ſure of heauen and yet few men euer knew, what it was to be in hazard of heauen. Worke out your ſaluation with feare and trembling ffPhil. 2.12.Phil 2:12. Thus much of the Eunuchs confeſſion. EueryEvery man muſt be able (as he) to giuegive account of his Faith: EueryEvery man muſt be willing (as he) to giuegive a reaſon of his hope. EueryEvery man muſt beleeue (as he) that Ieſus Christ is the ſonne of God. How hee belieued this, and how wee muſt beleeue it, hath beene ſhewed: God make it profitable.

Now followeth the Baptiſme it felfe, Then commanded he the Charet to ſtand ſtill &c. The words are plaine, and the ſenſe is euident to be this; The Eunuch being found meere for the ſacrament of baptiſme, there was a commandement for the ſtaying of the Chareot, in which the Eunuch rode and Philip with him, whereupon they both went into the Riuer, and there by the miniſtery of Philip the Eunuch was baptized. The principall things conſiderable heere, are theſe two. 1. The place where this Sacrament p. 50was adminiſtred.The 2. doct. 2. The action it ſelfe. Out of the former this doctrine ſprings, That ſince the cumming of Chriſt in the fleſh there is no betterneſſe or precedence of one place aboue another for the administration of holy things. Loe ſee heere, is Baptiſme adminiſtred by the high-way ſide, and that in an ordinary Riuer: the ſacrament had beene no whit better to the Eunuch, if he had receiued it in ſome hollowed place, or in ſome conſecrared veſſell. In the former times that publike worſhip of God was limited to a certaine place, There ſhall be a place which the Lord your God ſhall chuſe, thither ſhall you bring all that I command &c. ggDeu. 12.11.Deut 12:11, neither was there any lawfulneſſe (ordinarily) for any Altar but at Ieruſalem. There was the Paſſeouer only to be ſolemnized, there only the firſt borne to be preſented to the Lord. But Chriſt being manifeſted in the fleſh who was the body of all former ſhadowes hhCol. 2.17.Col 2:17, the diſtinction of places is aboliſhed, and neither is Gods worſhip tied to the Iewes Ieruſalem, nor to the Mount Garizim of the Samaritans iiIoh. 4.21.John 4:21, but now, in eueryevery place incenſe ſhall be offered to my Name ſaith the Lord kkMala. 1.11.Mal 1:11, Therefore Chriſts fore-runner exerciſed his miniſtery openly in the Wilderneſſe, and baptized in the Riuer of Iorden llMath. 3.16.Matt 3:16: and our ſauiour preached in Mountaines mmMath. 5.1.Matt 5:1, by the Seaſide, and out of Boates nnMat. 13.1.2.Matt 13:1Matt 13:2, any where, where the audience was according. So the Apoſtles, after, preached in houſes, in fields, and baptized in any vſual riuer which came next to hand. For which cauſe by all of any ſound iudgement, that of Conſtantine the great, that famous Chriſtian Emperour, worthely renowmed for many things, is notwithſtanding taxed, as ſomething ſuperſtitious, that after he was conuerted from Paganiſme to the Chriſtian faith, yet he differred his Baptiſme, looking ſtill for an opportunity to goe to Iordan it ſelfe, where our Sauiour was baptized, as if there had been ſome more vertue in that place then in another. Whereſoeuer two or three are gathered together in my name &c ooMat. 18.20Matt 18:20, there is no exception of place, ſo that in other things the due p. 51forme be obſerued.The Vſe. This might be vrged againſt the ſuperſtition of Popery, which is much deuoted to hallowed places, as if ſome worth were added thereby to the ſeruices there performed; and beſides, that ſimplicity which in the firſt adminiſtration of Baptiſme, they hauehave adulterated and corrupted, with intermixing ſalt, oyle, ſpittle, creame &c, with the ſacramentall water, and then (forſooth) the people muſt imagine there is more in this confection, and in this compounded ſtuffe, for the benefit of the baptized, then if the matter were performed with the naked element as it commeth from the brooke. This ſuperſtition is not yet throughly purged out of many hearts. It is well known what a vertue many thinke to be in places, and in veſſels &c. The Diuell knowing that it is a thing which cannot be rooted or razed out of mans minde, that when he hath to doe with God, there muſt be ſomewhat done to grace and ſanctifie the action, leadeth him away with falſe ſurmiſes, and by perſwading him that places, and times, and ſuch like complements and circumſtances doe giuegive worth to the buſineſſe, maketh him to neglect that which indeed ſhould make it acceptable. As for example, if a child be brought to the Church and baptized in a Font, all is well in opinion, and there is Chriſtendome inough; but the maine thing, as to learne what that Sacrament is, and wherefore it ſerueth, and vponupon what tearmes it may be a meanes of comfort to the ſoule, the people (generally) deſire not to know, it is a trouble to them to be taught, and to inſtruct children, when they come to be of yeares, wherefore they were baptized, and what the receiuing of that ſacrament bindeth them to, who (almoſt) maketh any conſcience? Thus we are all for forme, and looſe the ſubſtance, we eſteeme the gift (as Chriſt ſaid of the blinde Phariſees) but ſet at naught the altar which muſt ſanctifie the guift ppMath. 23.19.Matt 23:19. This is not ſpoken to draw men to a contempt of theſe outward conueniencies: For albeit I know, that the place it ſelfe bettereth not the buſineſſe, neither is baptiſme p. 52(ſimply) better adminiſtred out of a Font, in a Church, then out of a Riuer by the High waies ſide, yet it were a wickedneſſe for any now vnderunder that pretext to forſake the places put a part for holy vſes, or to goe out (in a humour) to preach and to pray, and vſe the ſacraments in the fields, that were, to auoid one extremity by running into another as bad, and indeed it is true which is ſaid, that if a man hauehave not good diſcretion in running from a miſchiefe he may fall into an inconuenience. In auoiding ſuperſtition,In vitium ducit culpae fugaſi care…arte. Horet. a man may ſoone become either ſchiſmaticall or profane. Well are they that can finde and keepe the meane. I will not imagine any infuſion of vertue into my praiers, or vponupon my other deuotions, by the frame and building where the yeare performed, becauſe I will not be ſuperſtitious, and yet I wil repaire to the places deputed to ſuch ſacred actions, I will not run to Riuers to baptize, I will not flie into corners to communicate, becauſe I muſt not forſake the fellowſhip, which wee ought to hauehave among our ſelues qqHeb. 10.25.Heb 10:25, and all things muſt be done in order rr1. Cor. 14.1 Cor 14, neither is God the author of Confuſion ſſV. 33.. So much touching the place: This water was as good as Iordan, or as if it had been one of the riuers, which iſſued out of Paradiſe, and as well, here vponupon the way as in the Temple at Ieruſalem.

The action it ſelfe is in theſe words, He baptized him: that is, he waſhed him with water in the name of the father, the ſonne, and the holy Ghoſt: So muſt we conceiue it, although ſo much be not heere expreſly ſaid. We may not thinke Philip would or did tranſgreſſe the order ſet downe by our ſauiour to be obſerued in the adminiſtration of the Sacrament ttMath. 28.19. The 3. doct.Matt 28:19. Heere this Doctrine: That in the Chriſtian church the Sacrament of Baptiſme must accompany that preaching of the word. Vnderſtand me aright. I meane not by this that whenſoeuer the word is preached the ſacrament of baptiſme muſt be miniſtred (for there is not alwaies occaſion of both at the ſame inſtant) but this I intend, that in the p. 53Church of Chriſt there muſt be a vſing of this ſacrament, as well as a deliuery of the doctrine of ſaluation. And ſo much I gather hence: For we may not thinke this an arbitrary ſeruice, that Philip baptized the Eunuch when hee had taught him, but we muſt thinke it a matter hee was bound to, that he whom he had by teaching conuerted to Chriſtianity, ſhould from him alſo receiue the badge of Chriſtianity. This is confirmed by our Sauiours owne edict, Goe teach and baptize &c. uuMat. 28.89.Matt 28:89, and the Apoſtles kept that order xxAct 2 38.41. Act. 8.12.9.18.10.48.Acts 2:38Acts 2:41Acts 8:12Acts 8:9Acts 8:18Acts 8:10Acts 8:48. Baptiſme was ſtill an attendant vponupon the doctrine, their commiſſion was equally for both; and this courſe muſt continue ſo long as God hath a people vponupon earth; ſo much is proued by the promiſe, Loe I am with you alwaies to the end of the world yyMat. 28.20.Matt 28:20, which as it argueth a bleſſing to be beſtowed vponupon others beſides the Apoſtles (to whom the words were perſonally ſpoken) euen to ſuch as ſhould be emploied in that ſeruice to the end, ſo it declareth what courſe is to be held to the end, Preaching, and Baptizing. And whereas Paul ſaith hee was not ſent to baptize but to preach zz1. Cor. 1.171 Cor 1:17, we muſt not take it as ſpoken ſimply, as if Paul had no commiſſion at all to baptize, for how then did he baptize Criſpus and Gaius, and the houſhold of Stephanus aaVer. 14.16., but it is ſpoken comparatiuely, namely, that his maine errand on which he was ſent was to preach, and thereupon he was chiefly to attend, leauing the adminiſtration of Baptiſme vntounto others. Such a kinde of ſpeakeing we ſhall finde in the Prophet, I ſpake not vntounto your fathers, nor commanded &c. concerning ſacrifices bbIer. 7.22.Jer 7:22; did not God ſpeake at all touching thoſe things? yes, but that was not all he ſpake, or the chiefe thing he gaue charge off. So is this place of Paul to be expounded. Let vsus a little conſider why this ſacrament and ceremony of Baptiſme was ordained by Chriſt to accompany the preaching of his word. There are two maine ends of it. 1. To ſtrengthen faith. 2. To be a teſtimony of profeſſion. Baptiſme ſerueth to ſtrengthen faith two waies. 1. By repreſentation. p. 542. By aſſurance. Firſt the thing it repreſenteth, and the thing it aſſureth are all one, namely, a waſhing away of the guilt of ſinne by the bloud of Chriſt. Baptiſme ſhadoweth out this faith. Water well reſembleth the purging power of Chriſts bloud, It clenſeth from all vnrighteouſneſſe cc1. Ioh. 1.7.1 John 1:7. Againe, the outward waſhing of the body repreſenteth the inward purging of the ſoule by the ſpirit, which ſtandeth in iuſtification before God, and ſanctification before men. Hence the ſcripture ſpeaking of thoſe things, vſeth the tearme of Waſhing dd1. Cor. 6.11.1 Cor 6:11, and Regeneration is called the Waſhing of the new birth eeTit. 3.5.Titus 3:5. Further, that manner of Baptizing which was in vſe in hotter countries and in baptizing men of yeares, and which was heere vſed in baptizing the Eunuch was a rite of worthy ſignification. The going downe into the water ſignified mortification or fellowſhip with Chriſts death: the ſtaying vnderunder the water, the buriall of ſinne; the comming out, the riſing from ſinne to newneſſe of life. Theſe were excellent ſignifications and to theſe Paul hath reference, in thoſe words, Know ye not, that all we which hauehave beene baptized into Ieſus Christ, hauehave beene baptized into his death? We are buried then with him by baptiſme into his Death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed vp from the dead by the glory of the father, ſo wee alſo ſhould walke in newneſſe of life ffRom. 6.3.4.Rom 6:3Rom 6:4: And we may conceiue a Reſemblance of theſe three, in our ordinary baptizings: in the putting on of the water, in the letting it to remaine a time, and in the wiping it off. Thus Baptiſme ſetteth before our eies the benefit by the bloud of Chriſt and the good that commeth by being ingraffed into him. Now as Baptiſme repreſents, ſo it aſſureth. For the ſacraments are not naked ſignes & bare ſhadowes of ſpirituall things, but they are appointed of God to be pledges vntounto vsus of heauenly grace: and ſo is Baptiſme, a pledge to a beleeuing ſinner, that as he doth ſee the waſhing of water to purifie the body; ſo certainly is his ſoule clenſed from the guilt of ſin by the bloud of Chriſt. Thus is the firſt end of Baptiſme, to ſtrengthen faith. It p. 55is alſo a witneſſe of profeſſion. Firſt, the common nature of a Sacrament, is to be as a ſolemne oath vndertaken for the performance of ſome important matter. Secondly, the being baptized, in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost; ſignifieth an admittance into the houſhold of Faith, and the addicting of a mans ſelfe to the ſeruice of him, whoſe name is called vponupon, ouer him in baptiſme, and ſo teſtifieth his couenanting with the Lord, to deny vngodlineſſe and fleſhly lusts ggTit. 2.12.Titus 2:12, and to beware of returning after this waſhing to a wallowing againe in the mire of old vncleaneſſehh2. Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22. Therefore is it that Baptiſme is called the Baptiſme of Repentance iiLuk. 3.3.Luke 3:3, becauſe it remaineth as a witneſſe of a promiſe of repentance, with which the baptized hath bound himſelfe to God. This it is plaine. Baptiſme is of perpetuall vſe in the Church of Chriſt, and that for good ends, namely to ſtrengthen our faith, and to be a continuall remembrancer vntounto vsus what wee profeſſe.The 1. vſe. Now for vſe, firſt this may further thoſe that are ignorant in this matter, how to behaue themſelues in the vſe of Baptiſme as men of knowledge. A generall vſe there is of baptiſme amongſt vsus, but the warrant of vſing it, is not ſo well knowne, as the thing itſelfe ordinarily is receiued: and the moſt, in offering their infants vntounto baptiſme, are more led by cuſtome, and caried with the ſtreame of common practize, then guided by any certaine rule from him, who is the law-maker of his church. This maketh this ſacrament to be vſed ſo ignorantly, ſo ſuperſtitiouſly, ſo vnprofitably. It ſhall not be amiſſe therefore for thoſe that be to ſeeke herein, to learne hence, whence it cometh, that ſuch a water is in vſe. That which is not done in obedience, though it be done neuer ſo formally in he eie and outward appearance is of no account with God. Secondly,The 2. vſe. this may teach vsus all, or at leaſt put vsus all in minde what vſe to make of our Baptiſme. 1. To eueryevery one of vsus ſo often as we thinke vponupon our baptiſme, it ought to be a ſpurre to holineſſe. A ſeruant to a great man, when he looketh p. 56vponupon his liuery, cannot for ſhame if he hauehave any common honeſty, be an enemy to him, of whom he hath receiued it; the ſight of it is rather a continuall caller vponupon him to be faithful to him, into whoſe ſeruice he is entred. So Baptiſme is the cognizance of a Chriſtian, and by it we hauehave taken on vsus to weare (as it were) the colours of our grand Captaine Ieſus Chriſt; the very thought thereof ſhould reſtraine vsus from doing the buſines of Sathan, and worke vsus by all meanes to the willing obeying of the Lord, to the ſtudying, learning, and preaching of his will. How excellent were it, if in doing of many things, which we ruſh vponupon without any ſcruple, we would ſay to our ſelues, Is this according to promiſe, is this agreeing to the vow of Baptiſme? 2. To thoſe that thus make vſe, baptiſme as a motiue to Obedience, it is a ſtore-houſe of much comfort. When mens titles to land be in queſtion, they fall to peruſing their ſealed euidences; and ſo a Chriſtian muſt often looke to the will and deed of his heauenly father ſealed vp in Baptiſme and by it he ſhall hauehave comfort. We ſeldome looke backe ſo far as baptiſme, and we limit it onelyonly to the preſent vſe, conceiuing it as an entry into Chriſtianity, but as a ſpurre, to walke worthy our profeſſion, and a meanes to build vsus vp in Chriſt, we doe not vſe it, and ſo we depriue ourſelues of worthy comfort. *⁎*

End of the text · Samuel Hieron, The Baptizing of the Eunuch (1613)