may have been baptized (as no doubt they were,) in the words appointed by Christ for that purpose. All it implies is, that they were baptized into the faith and Gospel of Christ; as by comparing the passages of Scripture together, it will evidently appear. See Acts, viii. 16. For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. x. 48. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. xix. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Acts, ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sins. 5. Q. Are then the words appointed by Christ so necessary, that to use any other will destroy the efficacy of this sacrament? A. That I don't say for as persons of all countries are to be baptized, so there is no doubt but that the form of words may be translated into the language of every country; and baptism be effectually administered so long as the sense is preserved. That which we insist upon is, that every person who is baptized, by what form soever it be done, ought to be baptized in the name, as well as to profess the faith of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 6. Q. What is the inward or spiritual grace? teousness: for being by nature born in sin, and the children of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace. 7. Q. Are all men by nature born in sin? A. They are ever since that, by the transgression of our first parents, sin entered into the world: nor was ever any exempt from this unhappy state, but he only who knew no sin, the Lord Christ Jesus. PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Psalm li. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin hath my mother conceived me. Rom. v. 12, 18. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justifica tion of life. 8. Q. Are all men by nature children of wrath? A. Being born in sin, they must of necessity be also children of wrath: seeing all sin is both hateful to God, and worthy of his punishment. PROOF SUBJOINED.-Eph. ii. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 9. Q. Have the children of believing parents in this case, no privilege above others? A. Yes, they have; for being descended from those who are members of Christ's church, they have a right to baptism, as the children of the Jews had to circumcision: and are also heirs of God's promises: and therefore should they chance to die before they have received it, yet this being no fault of theirs, we do charitably hope that God will receive them to his mercy, through Jesus Christ. PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Acts, ii. 39. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Rom. ix. 8. They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the chil 1 Cor. dren of the promise are counted for the seed. vii. 14. Compare Mal. ii. 15. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Mal. And did not he make one? yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? that he might seek a godly seed, 10. Q. How are those who are baptized, made thereby children of grace? A. As by baptism they are taken into covenant with God; are regenerated by the Holy Spirit; are sanctified and cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ; are entitled to God's favour; and made heirs of his heavenly kingdom: so that should they die before they commit any actual sin, we are assured by God's word, that they should certainly be saved. PROOFS SUBJOINED.—Mark, xvi. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Acts, ii. 38, 39. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. xxii. 16. And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Eph. ii. 4, 5. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. (By grace are ye saved.) v. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth now also save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Christ. 11. Q. Are all who are baptized made partakers of these benefits? 4. They are all thereby put into a state of salvation, and become children of grace. But those only continue in this state, and hold fast their right to these benefits, who take care to live according to the Gospel of Christ; and to fulfil those promises which either themselves made, or which were by others made in their name, and on their behalf, at their baptism. SECT. XLV. Of the Dispositions for Baptism; and of the Capacity of Infants to receive it. 1. Q. What is required of persons to be baptized? A. Repentance, whereby they forsake sin, and faith, whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that sacrament. PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Matt. iii. 2. Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark, xvi, 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved, Acts, ii. 38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. viii. 12, 37. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.-Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (be baptized). And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. xviii. 8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized. 2. Q. What repentance is required to prepare any person for baptism? A. The same which is required to qualify him for God's forgiveness after baptism. For baptism, if duly received, washes away all sin: and therefore no one can worthily come to it who does not heartily repent of all his sins, and firmly resolve never more to return to the commission of any. Acts, ii. 38, 41. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. iii. 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 3. Q. What is the faith which every one ought to bring to this sacrament? 4. A firm belief of the truth of the whole Christian religion; but more especially of all those articles of it which he is solemnly, at his baptism, to profess |