The Badges of Christianity, Book 2 · Chapter 8
Chap. 8. Of the first inward part of baptisme.
HItherto we hauehave handled al the outward parts of baptisme now we are orderly to proceede to the inwarde partes. The inward parts of baptisme are such as are represented by the outward. Those are aMath. 28. 19 20.foure in number: first, God the father: secondly, the spirit: thirdly, Christ: fourthly, the soule clensed, as we see Math. 28, 19. Teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, of the sonne, and of the holy-ghost: he that beleeueth and is baptized, shall be saued. Heer we see these foure inward parts bFoure inward parts of baptismeare named and expressed. This is also euidently proued Math, 3, in the baptisme of Christ, where the Trinity cMath, 3, xiof persons was manifested.
These inward parts do directly and fitly answeare to the outward. The father is represented by the Minister: the spirit worketh by the worde: Christ is sealed by the water: and the soule clensed is signified by the body that is washed. Now, dThe agreement betweene the outward and inward parts.there is a notable agreement, a singular vnion, and fit proportion betweene these partes, where the minister hath relation and reference to the father, the word to the spirit, the water to Christ, and the body dipped to the faithfull clensed. For euen as the minister by the word of institution, taketh and applyeth the water to the washing of the bodye: so God the father, through the working of the spirite offereth and applyeth the blood of Christ, to the clensing of the faithfull.
Hauing seene the proportion of the parts between themselues, let vsus consider of them particularly and in order. The eThe first in vvard part of baptisme is God the Father.first inward part is God the father, represented by the minister. The minister calling vponupon the name of God, vseth the water to wash, and washeth the party baptized with the element of water, which sealeth vp gods incorporating and ingrafting fGal. 3. 27.of the baptized into Christ, and our spirituall regeneration. Hence it is, that when Iohn baptized, the father was present, as president of the worke, when loe, his voice came from heauen, saying, This is my beloued sonne in whome I am well pleased. Now let vsus come to the vses.
This … first of all, to strengthen our faith in the remission Vse. 1.of our fins, in imputation of Christs righteousnes, in mortification of sinne by the force of Christs death, and in sanctification through Christs resurrection. Wherefore, although the Minister doth nothing, touching or towarde the clensing of the soule: yet in regard of Gods ordinance and our benefit, the ministery of man is somewhat, which whosoeuer despiseth, doth despise God the author of it. For whensoeuer the eye of the body seeth the minister powring on the water, and washing the body: we must behold by saith god the father, offering the blood of his own son, to be water of life to our soules. And let vsus all make this vse of the Churches baptism to the comfort of our own harts, so often as we see it administred: let vsus not rest in it, as in a work done to another, and nothing concerning our selues, but euermore helpe our inward affection by the outwarde action: and alwaies as the eye of the body beholdeth the Minister, let the eye of the faith, be fastned firmely vppon the Father, who maketh the Sacramentall rites auaileable, which are openly done before vsus for our edification.
Again, it teacheth, that we must not rest in the outward Vse. 2.washing, nor in the externall actions of the Minister: but euer consider what is offered to our considerations therin, and when the father offereth to vsus his sonne, let vsus not refuse him. For, he that satisfieth himselfe with the outwarde work, is as he that catcheth after the shadow, and regardeth not the substance; or as one that maketh much of the garments, but respecteth little the body it self, which ought to be had in greatest price and estimation.
Lastly, is God the father an inward part of baptism? then Vse. 3.we must take heed, we giuegive not that to the Minister which is proper to god the father, whereby hee is robbed of the honor and glory due to his great name. The Minister may wash the body and clense the flesh, but can goe no further: he medleth not with sanctification of the conscience from dead workes, which is not in the power of mortall man to do: so that god giueth the thing, and men giuegive the signe, yea while the Minister offereth the one, God the father giueth the other.