The Badges of Christianity, Book 2 · Chapter 11
Chap. 11. Of the foruth inward part of baptisme.
THe last inward part of baptisme is the soule aThe soule clensed is the last inward part of baptisme.clensed; most liuely represented by the body that is washed. For as the outward receiuer giueth his body to be washed: so the saithfull receiuer doth consecrate himselfe to God with ioy, and forsake the flesh, the world, and the diuill, and feeleth the inward washing of the spirit, as Tit. 3, 5, According to his bTie, 3, 5 Eph. 2. 26, …mercy he saued vsus, by the washing of the new birth, and the renewing of the Holy-ghost. And the same Apostle, Eph. 5. Christ gaue himselfe for the church, that he might sanctifie it, and clense it by washing of water through the word, that he might make it vntounto himselfe a glorious church, not hauing spot or wrinkle. Wherefore, this outward washing of the body commaunded by Christ, fignifieth vntounto me, that I am no lesse assuredly clensed in his blood by the working of his spirit from the spottes of my soule, that is, from all my sinnes, then I am outwardlie washed by water, whereby the staines of the body vse to be washed away: and it bindeth vsus that we ought euer afterward by our workes and deeds to declare newnes of life and fruites of repentance.
Let vsus now come to the vses of this last part of baptisme. Vse. 1.Doth the washing of the body represent the clensing of the soule? And doth the soking vp of the filthines of the flesh signifie the remouing of the remnants of rebellion? Then we are all by nature vnwise, vncleane, …, vnregerate, vnholy, disobedient, disordered, deceiuing and being deceiued: we are the vessels of wrath, the children of death, the bond-slaues of Sathan, the heires of damnation, we hauehave our part and portion in the offence of Adam, cRom. 5, 19 & 7, 23, 24as Rom. 5. By one man sinne entred into the world: and ch. 7. I see another law in my members, rebelling against the law of my minde, and leading me captiue vntounto the law of sinne, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer me from the body of this death. Heereunto also commeth that which the dIoh. 3, 5, 6. 7Euangelist setteth downe in the conference betweene Christ and Nicodemes, Ioh. 3 That which is borne of flesh is flesh, and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit: marueil not that I said vntounto thee, ye must be borne againe. For this cause are infants baptized, because they are conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquity, and cannot become spirituall, but by a new birth wrought by the spirit, which is sealed vp by the water in baptisme.
Againe, this serueth to strengthen our faith when we behold Vse. 2.the outward washing, pouring out of the water, and baptizing of the body, it assureth the inward clensing of the soule by the blood of Christ offered to all, and receiued of those that are elected to eternall saluation. This then is the right and holy vse of baptisme. Doest thou feele inwardly in thine heart, that through the corruption of thy nature and strength of concupiscence thou art moued, tempted, and prouoked to commit sinne? And doest thou feele thy selfe ready to yeald to Satan, and so to fall from God into euill? Beginne to hauehave some holy meditation, of that solemne vow which thou madest to God in baptisme, when thou didest consecrate and giuegive vp thy selfe wholly to his seruice, and didest renounce obedience to the suggestions of Satan, to the allurements of the world, and to the corruptions of the flesh. For baptisme is the eBaptisme is a christian mans ensigne to fight vnderunder it the battels of the lord.Christian mans ensigne giuen of God to vsus, that we should fight as it were vnderunder it against all the enemies of our saluation and ouercome. It is the badge and bannerofour captaine, that wee shrouding our selues vnderunder his colours, should not cowardly turne our back in the skirmish, but coragiously looke the enemy in the face, nay tread him vnderunder our feete for euer. Moreouer, hast thou through weakenes and infinnity, … once or twice into some sin to the dishonour of thy god, to the wounding of thine own conscience, to the slander of the gospel, or to the scandal offence of thy weak brother? hauehave recourse to thy baptisme as vntounto a board after shipwracke, as vntounto a medicine after sicknesse, as vntounto a plaister after wounding, or as vntounto a staffe after falling, that thou maiest receiue strength, courage, and comfort to thy soule. For albeit baptisme be once only administred for the reasons before alleged, chap, 1. of this present booke; yet it being once deliuered and receiued, testifieth that all our sinnes past, present, and to come are washed away and shalbe forgiuen. The fruite or efficacy of the Sacraments is not to be restrained and tyed to the present time of receiuing, but extendeth it selfe to the whole course of our life afterward. And thus much of the fourth part of baptisme.