The Doctrine of Baptisms, Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Shewing the use of the Doctrine of Baptism.
HAving already spoken of the Doctrine of Baptism, we shall now make the Use of it.
First, to them that are unbaptized.
Secondly, to them that are Baptiz'd.
First to them that are unbaptiz'd;
Take heed of rejecting this Truth against Light, or of having low thoughts of Christs waies and Ordinances how contemptible soever they may appear to the wisdom of this world, or to thy carnal reasonings.
Was it not as strange under the Law, that the Priest must dip the Tip of his right Thumb, and the Tip of his right Ear? What reason canst thou assign for this, but the Will and Pleasure of the Law-giver? But now Baptism hath many excellent, holy, spiritual Designs, and ends in it as, to dy to sin, to be dead to this world, to rise again to newness of Life, and points out our Resurrection at the last, &c.
Were not many of the Ceremonies under the Law, as ridiculous to flesh and blood, as to Baptize Believers under the Gospel?
Remember Naamans case 2 Kings 5. (beginning,) who when the Prophet bid him, Go wash in Jordan seven times, that his flesh might become who…e again, and be clean, went away in a rage and said, Are not Abana and Pharpar, Rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? I only allude; that thou mayst learn this, That Gods waies and Institutions, are better than mans Traditions and Inventions.
Some Arguments to presse thy duty upon thee.
First, that tis a Principle and a part of the Foundation of Christian Religion, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Therefore leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto Perfection not laying again the Foundation of Repentance from dead works, and of Faith towards God, of the Doctrine of Baptism, &c.
Secondly, Remember Christ's example, Matt. 3. 16. Jesus when he was Baptized, went up straight way out of the water. And as we would be accounted his Disciples, let us follow him, as we have him for an Example.
Thirdly, Consider his Commission or Institution of this Ordinance. Matt. 28. 19, 20.
And that 1. as the very last thing he did before he went to Heaven.
2. The Authority or Power whereby he gives this forth, who had all power in Heaven and in Earth, verse 18.
3. He joyns nothing but Teaching with it.
4. No Ordinance so solemnly administred as this was, viz. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
A fourth Argument. No Ordinance in all the New Testament was ever grac'd with such a presence as this was; Father, Son and Spirit, being so wonderfully present at it, Matt. 3. latter end.
Fifthly, Peter commanded such to be Baptiz'd, as had received the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Acts 10. latter end.
Sixthly, Our Obedience in this Ordinance, holds forth the answer of a good Conscience, 1 Pet. 3. 21.
Seventhly, It is call'd a justifying of God, and our disobedience herein, rejecting the Counsel of God against our selves, Luke 7. 29, 30. And the Publicans justified God, being Baptiz'd with the Baptism of John; But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves, being not Baptiz'd of Him.
Eighthly, The Water in Baptism represents, and holds forth the bloud of Jesus Christ for the Remission of sin; And if joyned with Faith, our Salvation, Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is Baptized, shall be saved, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptism doth also now save us. Acts 2. 38. Repent, and be Baptized for the Remission of Sin, and 22. 16. Arise and be Baptiz'd, and wash away thy sins. From such expressions, as these are, the Ancients have attributed Regeneration unto Baptism, though unwarily, and that it washes away Original Sin.
Ninthly, It represents our cleansing by the Spirit. So some take these following places to be spoken of Baptism, to wit, John 3. 3. Except a man be born of [Water] and the Spirit. So Titus 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Spirit. So Mr. Mede in one of his Diatribae carries this place. See more of him there. So some do sense Eph. 5. 26. That He might sanctify & cleanse it, with the washing of water by the Word. Pemble says, Water in Baptism notes Justification by the blood of Christ, and sanctification by the Spirit. So Heb. 10. 22. Our Bodies washed with pure Water.
To conclude: consider, all the Churches in the New Testament were Baptiz'd.
The Church of the Hebrews, Acts 2. Heb. 6. 2.
The Church at Rome, Rom. 6. 3. &c.
The Church at Corinth, Acts 18. 8. 1 Cor. 1, 13: &c. and 12. 13.
The Church at Galatia, Galat. 3. 27.
The Church at Ephesus, Acts 19. beginning, Eph. 4. 6.
The Church at Philippi, Acts 16. 12, 14, 15. 33.
The Church of Colosse, Coloss. …2. 12.
I had almost forgot to put you in mind, that Jesus Christ entred not into his publick ministry, till after his Baptism, Mat. 3. compar'd with Mat. 4. And that he avoucheth his Ministerial Authority from his Baptism. Mat. 21. 23 24, 25.
And the Apostles when they were to choose another into the room of Judas, to make up their number; they have a …pecia… care and eye, that he be one under Baptism, Acts 1. 21, 2…. Read the…e places at large.
Seriously consider these Arguments, and we doubt not but by the blessing of God, they will be as so many Motives, and spurs to inforce thee to this so much neglected duty.
And now Arise why tarriest thou? and be Baptized▪ as Ananias exhorted …aul, Acts 22. 16. And though he had eaten no meat for three daies and three nights, yet streightway he was Baptiz'd, before he had eaten any thing, as you may see in this Chapterr.
And of the Jaylor 'tis said, Acts. 16. 33. That he and all his were Baptiz'd [straightway.]
Consider Psal. 119. 60. I made haste and [delay'd not] to keep thy Commondements.
He that hath time to day; may have none to morrow. How sad then will it be to have withstood a Truth, or delay'd the time? How sweet and comfortable on the other side, if thou ha'… been found obedient to the Heavenly will in all things, so far as thou hast known. Then shalt thou not be ashamed, if thou hast had respect to all Gods Commandements. Psal. 119, 6.
Use the second, To such as are Baptiz'd. To consider the Holy ends of your Baptism, and to li…e up to them. This should make you in love with this Ordinance, because none engages mo…e unto Holinesse than this doth, to both parts of Holinesse to wit to mortification of sin; and to vi…ification or newnesse o… Li…e. B…ri…, signifies mortification o… the Old M…n; Rising again vi…ification of the New Man. Rom. 6. 4. Tha… we should walk in newnesse of Life, ver. 6. That the Body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin. You have dec…ated hereby to be as persons dead and buried …o sin and this world. So Col. 2. 12. and 3. 1, 2, 3. The very Common Prayer-Book tells us, we are engag'd hereby, to forsake the Devil and all his works, the Pomps and vanities of the wicked word, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and to keep …o…s holy Will and Commandements▪ and walk in the same all the daies o… our life.
'Tis to be fear'd one great Argument, that keeps many from submitting to this Ordinance, is the disorderly walking of many that are under it.
I have read of one being tempted to sin, answered the temptation, I am Baptiz'd. When you are tempted, think of your Baptism, and of your engagement therein.
Secondly, Consider the great Profession you have made in Baptism▪ hereby you have put on Christ, Gal. 3. 27. As many as have been Baptized into Christ, have put on Christ; have made a publick profession of Christ before God, Angels, and Men; and if thou walk not up to, and in some measure answer the ends of thy Baptism, all these will be a witness against thee. To put on Christ, is a borrowed speech from putting on a Livery. As Servants are known by their Livery, and who i… their Master, so we in Baptism: 'tis as it were our Livery, whereby we own Christ for our Lord: therefore live to him, and serve Him. So in the Institution, we are Baptiz'd in, or into, the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that is into the Profession of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
All Masters have some peculiar mark, badge, or Character, by which their Disciples are known; Moses's Circumcision, Christ's Baptism. And as Christs Disciples are distinguish'd from Moses's by his Institutions: so they are also distinguish'd from the rest of the men of the world, by living up to his Institutions.
Especially, take heed of Apostacy after so publick a Profession of Christ, as many in these daies have done: let this be your warning, their backsliding.
The Ancients reserv'd the white Garments of such as were Baptiz'd to be a witness against them in the day of Apostacy.
The …ad Apostacies in this day, of Baptiz'd persons, is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation.