him strengthen him in repentance hatred of sinne bringing forth the contrarie fruites c. Neyther this assurance the roote of all courage in temptations and will to fight manfullie against sinne doth pull away from vs care to please God and bring vs to securitie but doeth strengthen vs and will make vs nourish good workes as the fruites whereby we feele and are assured that Gods seede is in vs Neyther can anie haue a feeling of Gods grace when he shalbe by this meanes encouraged vnto euill Thus we see the first pointe of being sett into Christ Nowe the fruites followe First that to the glorie of one God in three persons we seeke to haue fellowship with one God in three persons and that is the point which is giuen vs to vnderstande plainely in these wordes We are baptised into the Name of the Father c. For as we haue expounded afore this doeth teach vs that we are consecrated dedicated and ioyned to God that we may carie his name as his wife that we may haue fellowship as Saint Iohn sayeth with the Father and the Sonne 1. Iohn 1.2.3 that this one God in three persons may holde as his own to be glorified in vs for euer which offreth such strong consolation such great excellencie to a Christian man as can not be expressed hereby our profession is sanctified to God that it may be acceptable The next ende is that we may from this fellowship with God haue fellowship with the Church in the benefites which God doth bestowe vpon the Sonne and are sealed vp in baptisme First therefore let vs beholde this fellowship and then the benefites This fellowship is fitlie expressed of the Apostle when he sayeth We are built vppon the foundation of the Prophetes and Apoststles JESVS CHRIST beeing the corner stone in whom all the building is coupled togither and groweth to an holy Temple in the Lorde in whom also wee are buylt togither to bee the inhabitation of God by the spirit so that as wee come by Christ vnto God so to his Church that wee may haue fellowship with it and in it in whiche alone all wee haue saluation for none is saued out of the Churche but in Sion the Citie of the liuing GOD we are partakers of all blessednes Therefore this is a pleadge of our beeing one body though many members 1 Cor. 12.13 and this is the signe that wee are begotten of one God and Father haue one clothinge by faith of Christ his righteousnes one life euen his life in vs all Ephe. 4.1.2.3.4.5.6 and therefore this is a firste entring into publike societie and as it were our solemne inuecting into the Church house of God The benefites and priuiledges that are here is the washinge of our newe birth which is so called of the Apostle in that place of Tit. whiche doeth spread it selfe into two especiall branches iustification and sanctification according to that sayinge but you are washed you are sanctified in the Name of JESVS CHRIST and the Spirite of our God 1. Cor. 6. Which washing in generall hath the liuelie proportion with the outwarde worke but in speciall wee must see these benefites and their speciall proportion whiche is to bee seene in this that as in washing the water doeth couer the filthe doeth soke it vp leaue all cleane pure and vnspotted so the merite of the death of Christ who satisfyed the wrath of God for our sinnes by giuing him selfe a sacrifice for sinne doth not onely couer as the Prophete sayeth our sinnes and hyde them from God but so drinke vp the guiltines of the same that God imputeth no sinne according to the saying of the Psalme Blessed is the man whose wickednes is forgiuen and to whom God imputeth no sinne Neyther onely is hee made sinne for vs that is by imputation of sinne vnto him but also an offeringe on the crosse for sinne and this is that wee might haue the righteousnes of GOD in him That when as no fleshe can bee iustified in the sight of God wee might obteyne the righteousnes of faith which is free without all respect of workes euen the righteousnes of GOD whiche he doeth giue vs inherent not in vs but in Christe that in him we may be holy and without blame here therefore by faith commeth iustification from whence peace of cōscience standing in the grace of God deliuerance from the wrath to come and full certaintie of eternall life proceedeth And this as it carieth full proportion with the washing and order of it so it is saide to seale vp the full remission of our sinnes Be baptised sayth Peter into the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes Act. 2.38 Act. 10.43.48 so sayeth Ananias Be baptised and washe away thy sinnes in calling on the Name of the Lorde Iesus Act. 22.16 Which also is conteyned vnder the other poynt seeing the forgiuenes of sinnes was to iustificatiō for it sealeth vnto vs the forgiuenes of all trespasses originall other and hath put away the hand-writing against vs. The other also concerning sanctification is vrged in many places of Paul but prosecuted especiallie in Rom. 6.2 where we are saide to bee baptised to the similitude of Christes death being drowned as it were vnder the water our sinne beeing made cleane by Christes death Also we are baptised to the similitude of his buriall as lying rotting in the water in the tarying of the water till it doeth soke vp the filth and carie it with it So that wee haue not onely the power of Christ his death to kill sinne but to burie it and more and more to rott it and not onely that but as he dyed for our sinne rose for our iustification declared by this that all sinne was answered for vs seeing he rose agayne so likewise we doe by his resurrection rise to righteousnes and holines of life which is also signified by the washing which doeth leaue vs cleane white And although it be true in deede that this holines can neuer be perfecte and in that full measure it ought to be in this life according to the lawe and that it be as the Prophet sayeth as a filthie clothe and the fleshe rebell against the spirit and that in nothing we can doe the good we would so that if God enter into iudgement with this holines of ours wee can neuer stande before him yet this worthines wanting in it selfe is accepted of God through Iesus Christ 1. Pet. 2.5 so that beeing washed in his blood we be Kings and Priestes vnto God and our workes are acceptable and this is also sealed vp in this Sacrament as is plain Rom. 6.5.7.8 and so wee see that in this Sacrament wee are sett into the body of Christ into the fellowship of God and his Church all the priuiledges of the same and that here is strong comfort against all temptations our sinnes be forgiuen for euer Gods wrath appeased and wee absolued before Gods
water by the worde Ephe. 5.6 Therefore the bread of blessing which we breake and the cup of thanksgiuing which is it thus blessed is the cōmunion of the body blood of Christ 1. Cor. 10. and not he that eateth that breade but he that eateth this breade that is thus blessed and made holy c. eateth and drinketh his owne damnation And here we must learne against the Papistes that it is no magical witchcraft whiche by the vertue of one worde murmured in an vnknowen tonge cleane abolisheth the naturall substance of thinges but it is the playne and fruitfull declaration of the promise of God and his institution which with their prayers doeth giue these creatures another propertie then they had although they keepe their former properties and substance stil euen that they might be such instrumentes as haue bin spoken of before So wee doe not as they belye vs put no difference betweene these creatures thus dedicated to God his seruice others We doe not denie a chaunge onely wee allowe that chaunge which is accordinge to Gods worde and hath fruite and commoditie with it that is that it doeth not onely nowe nourish or washe the body but is an effectuall instrument of farther and more excellent things vnto the soule Here also we must further note that although this dedicatinge of the creatures to their vse onely bee required of the Minister as that beinge of such necessitie as if it be omitted it destroyeth the Sacrament yet the Lorde requireth a further thing of him in regarde of the greater glorie beautie power c. of this whole worke whiche is the liuelie preaching of his worde For when the right order of the Lord hath bin kept the Church hath not bin wont to shut vp her solemne prayers without this worke So that Solomon sayeth of his time When thou goest into the Temple looke vnto both thy feete and be more readie to heare then to offer the sacrifice of fooles Act. 15. We see it hath bin a custome from olde generations that euery Sabboth when they prayed and Moses was read there should be preaching in their Synagogues and the Apostles haue obserued this Act. 2.42.46 Wee must not maruayle then if in this solemne worke when the outwarde things are more effectuall by the vnderstandinge of the worde this be required very straightlie As I sayde before it hath bin the continuall order of Gods Church therefore in the Passeouer the firste day and seuenth day were dayes of holy conuocation or assemblies wherein we haue shewed this worke was obserued and may further appeare by Nehe. 8.14.15 16. c. Therfore when the Apostles celebrated Baptisme Act. 8.12.38 Act. 9.17 10. 16.15.32 and when they celebrated the Supper instituted by Christe Act. 20. this order was obserued And S t. Paule expreslie noteth it in Iohn Baptist that he first preached that they should beleeue in Iesus Christ that was to come they hearing it were baptised c. Act. 19.4 Where wee may note also the duetie of the Churche whiche ought to giue especiall good eare and heede to hunger and thirst for it and to be quickned by it And this playnely meeteth with a common error that many desire often to come to the Lordes Table but care little for the preaching of the word of God which is as great madnes as if one should looke much vppon the sealer of certaine writings but neuer care to know the conueighances of estate the couenantes and seuerall bondes conteyned in them the way howe to come to the possession ratified and sealed vp by those seales The Ministers other workes are that he must offer deliuer and applye accordinge as is prescribed the outwarde creatures so that the water he must applie to washinge the breade he must deliuer to be eaten not to be worshipped kneeled vnto c. so that herein they must keepe the order whiche they haue receyued from the Apostles as they receyued it from Christ therefore we see the Apostle 1. Cor. 11. shutteth out all abuses in the Church of the Corinthes with this reason that whiche J receyued J deliuered and that whiche is grounded on our Sauiour his commandement Doe this teach them to obserue whatsoeuer I haue commaunded Mat. 28. in the ende And therefore here all additions of newe signes especiallie as crossing spitle milke salte oyle of newe actions as lifting vp adoring sacrifyzing c. doe all abhominably pollute these holy Sacramentes of GOD whose whole honour is that they remayne vnto the Church of God in that simplicitie hee left them And when no action here is worth any thinge but by reason of Gods worde whiche is sanctified to a profitable vse and made an instrument of the working of the holy Ghoste it followeth that to bring in such additions of orders with their significations and vses or to bring in other actions or vses of the outward partes of the Sacramentes is to commaunde the holy Ghost to be at our becke to blesse our instrumentes c. whiche is to make our selues at the least equall to him in wisedome cleane contrarie to that in Nomb. 9. We should not followe our owne wayes and eyes after which we goe a whoring The other outwarde persons are the Minister and the whole Church who must ioyne in prayer quicken their faith by cōsideration of the couenant of God For god hath not prescribed the former workes of the Minister that the Churche in them should be idle which we may vnderstande euen by this that the Scripture giueth the worke of prayer prophecying sacrifizing and so nowe of administring the Sacramentes vnto the Church because in the prayer their hartes ioyne in the opening of the ordinance and couenaunt they are taught and in remembrance they are confirmed their hartes allowe the worke In the action about the creatures they make their vse In the putting aparte the water they beholde the blood of Christ crucified yea him self and al his deseruing put apart as for a fellowe member so for them selues and their Baptisme receyued long ago nowe commeth freshe and quickeneth a freshe for as the Scripture teacheth vs the fruite of that work is not to be for a time but daylie Rō 6.1.2.3 so no doubt when our hartes ioyne in this worke one for another it shalbe then verie fruitfull vnto our selues In the parents this is yet more who receyue after a sorte the couenaunt of God especiallie concerning one parte ratified in the fleshe of their children In the Supper all this is more liuely to all they ought to haue their faith stirred vp prouoked confirmed c. by the putting aparte of the creatures by the breaking notinge out the bruising as Esay saith of Christe for our sinnes The vse of the deliuering receyuing c. hath alreadie bin spoken of and shalbe further hereafter Here therefore especiallie we must take heede that we account not our selues free to leane our mindes to other matters then are done of
iudgement seate that we haue here grace to forsake our sinne to die vnto sinne and to burie it cōtinuallie whiche benefites when they are sealed vp here to be with vs for euer how wicked is that distinction of the papistes that baptisme is for remission of sinnes life sanctification but confirmation for corroboration and strength to fight against spirituall enimies as though there were any sanctification without strength to fight against spirituall enimies and as though when wee haue hence comfort against terrours and temptations 1. Pet. 4. we are not strenghtned against them when Paul sheweth that by the power of Christ sealed vp in bapti we are made able to kill sinne to burie sin yea in righteousnes to cleaue vnto God Is it not most intollerable boldnes to saye We haue strength in sanctification to fight against sinne we kill it yea burie it yea rise vp to all newnesse of life Doeth not Saint Peter make it a piece of sanctification whē he sayeth Sanctifie the Lord God in your hartes and be readie alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1. Pet. 3.15 And if this be a piece of sanctification howe can they separate this from spiritual corroboration and strengthening and can they denie this to be sealed vp in baptisme where wee are consecrated to confesse one God in three persons the religion seruice of the same God and to haue fellowship for euer with him Let vs cast away therefore these fantasies and let vs knowe that we are by faith in Christ for euer put into possession of all his merites and benefites whiche is sealed vp in baptisme and also we shall euer hereafter be nourished and kept by the same faith and that which is sealed vp in the next Sacramēt Thus much of Baptisme Now of the right vse of the same according as it is proper to it in which as there is diuersitie in those who must vse it so there is diuersitie of rules prescribed vnto them in the word of God The persons therfore are of 2. sortes the baptised infantes men of discretion others the parents of the infantes the whole body of the Cōgregation OF infantes in their infancie nothinge is required but that they be borne vnder the couenant of God as hath bin shewed before after when they come to discretiō they are to make that especiall vse which others doe For those of discretion it is prescribed that they besides their preparation in generall ought to haue this especially that they feele Christ to be there for euer and in him to be begotten to an euerlasting fellowshippe with God and his Church a communion of all benefites with them and this preparation S. Peter being asked teacheth Act. 2.38 39.40 and so the nature of this Sacrament requireth In the worke it selfe they are by faith liuely to behold and applie in the outwarde and inward relation of washing Christ giuen to washe them in their newe birth for euer vnto iustification and sanctification as is cōmaunded to Paul Act. 22.16 In the vse they are alwayes afterward to be strengthened that they are one with God for euer that in their temptations they shall not fall away that they shall stand that their seruice to God is acceptable c. and this Paul vrgeth to the baptised Rom. 6.2.3 c. and 2.2.11.12.13.14 this therfore must alwayes be before vs to comfort vs. The parentes of the infantes before they bring their children to be baptised must call to minde the merciful couenant of God toward them and their seede and by their experience they must assure thē selues of their childe and they must also remember the ordinance of God who they hauing brought their children in his couenant and holy seed by grace will haue it also sealed vp in their fleshe for which cause they must earnestlie desire it and with all speede that may stande with order publike assemblie of the churche to hasten it Gene. 17.10.11.12 and the wrath of God against Moses for deferring it doeth shewe this duetie Exod. 4.24.25.26 In the worke it selfe they are reuerentlie to offer it to God his Church and by his Minister with the publike prayers of God his Church receyue that seale in the fleshe of their childe as is prescribed and in the mother tongue giue such a name as may stande with the reuerent worke of baptisme the solemne inuecting of the childe into the fellowship of the church Luk. 1.59.60.61 c. after they are to applye this work vnto them selues to make them diligent in catechising nourishing vp their children in discipline fit for children and admonitiō of the Lorde because they haue once receyued that seale which doeth seale vp that God will circumcise the hart of their childrē as well as theirs Gen. 17.13 Deu. 30. The whole body of the Church ought with knowledge of Gods couenant and ioy of a member to be added to the church adresse them selues to this work Luk. 1.59 In the work it self they must with attentiō to the worke ioyning also earnestlie in prayer receyue assurance of a fellow-member so receyuing him with one cōsent and harte in which respect they were said to circumcise and may be now to baptise Lu. 1.59 Afterward it must stirre them vp to all loue vnitie fellowship and cōmunicating of giftes and priuiledges with the partie receyued Ephe. 4.1.2 3. c. ¶ Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11.23 c. For J haue receyued of the Lorde that which J also haue deliuered vnto you to wit that the Lorde Iesus in the night that he was betrayed tooke bread and when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my body whiche is broken for you This doe you in remembrance of mee after the same maner he tooke the Cup whē he had thanked saying This Cup is the newe testament in my blood this doe as often as ye drinke it in remembrance of me c. In this text concerning the Sacrament we must consider howe Paul here setteth downe 2. thinges First he setteth downe generallie what he deliuered which is declared by relation of Christ Then the particular that hee receiued is repeated where the Sacramēt is set forth by the circūstance of time in the night by the partes of it in Christes work the bread 24. the cup 25. That which J receyued out of this is gathered that nothing in the matter and forme of administration and order of the Sacraments should be altered nothing added nothinge taken away but all done as Christ hath prescribed as hath bin declared further afore The circumstance of the time was in the night he was betrayed and this was vpon especiall cause because the supper of the Lord was to be administred after the Passeouer in steede whereof it came that being abolished then ceassing at the death of Christ now this being done vpon a particular occasion
thankes-giuing praying to GOD as wee haue seene the Euangelistes mencion of our Sauiour Christe and when GOD doeth liberallie preserue and defende vs c. Howe can we bee vnthankefull euen at this present for his merites The other end is that we applye him to spirituall mutuall and continuall nourishment and growinge in grace with the whole Church For this is in deede that same which giueth a moste liuelie difference betweene Baptisme the Lordes Supper For in baptisme we are set into the body of Christ are washed with the washing of our newe birth in him and haue an assurance of all priuiledges are sett into the right tytle of possession of them with the rest of the Churche But here Christ is so applyed and his benefites as wee doe growe encrease and waxe strong more and more in the forgiuenes of all our sinnes as assured more and more we feele the righteousnes of Christe ours our consciences more and more appeased our peace greater also our killing and burying of sinne our quickening and freshing in obedience greater and that not onely in our selues but in communion and fellowshippe with the whole Church Therefore Paul sayeth As in baptisme we haue bin set into one body so we haue bin made to drinke into one spirite that is spirituall nourishment So he sayeth we haue togither communion of the body of Christ and of his blood we are at his table and fed togither we come one body togyther so manie as are partakers of one bread 1. Corint 10.4.16.17 We come togyther in vnitie of fayth of ioye of obedience as the household-seruauntes of one maister and Citizens of one God and Lord. So we daylie increase and growe against all our temptations and daylie wantes Where we see againe the wickednes of the papistes who as before by their confirmation they derogated from baptisme so hence more from the Lordes Supper seeing as strength is there giuen so here mainteyned nourished and increased as spirituallie we growe fatt and in good liking Therefore Paul teacheth that this must make vs cast away all shew of idolatrie ouercome all temptations serue God soundlie 1. Cor. 10.13.14.15.16.17.18 and this is that which answereth to the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine which is more then receyuing for it is not onely to take it into one but being receyued so to applye it as it be digested and turned into good nourishment for the body So I doe not here onely receyue Christ by faith but so applie him and his merites receyued by my faith as I feele my selfe to growe with the Church in all the former benefites vnto the assurance of immortalitie and eternall life And hitherto of the Sacrament it selfe Nowe followeth the vse First all the whole Congregation euen as many as are able to come and examine them selues ought afore hande not onely to examine generallie as hath bin taught generallie in the Sacrament but here they must see and feele their faith not onely to receiue Christ but to applie him for increase of strength and growing in repentance Likewise what bee their seuerall wantes weaknesses of faith terrours of conscience weaknes to resiste sinne and followe obedience so here to seeke increase of strength and comfort for this is the examination vrged of the Apostle as answerable to the nature of this Sacrament 1. Cor. 11.26.27 In the worke it selfe mens hartes must bee occupied in the whole varietie of the workes mencioned and opened aboue and so must feele strength and comfort to bee ministred to stirre vs vp with the whole Church in the fellowship of this banquet sweetlie to offer prayse to GOD in Psalmes and spirituall songes 1. Corint 10.13 Mar. 14.24.25.26 The continuall profit after is alwayes hence to haue encreased strength and spirituall might and here in all fruites to haue refreshing that euen as Elias well refreshed went in the strength of that nourishment a long time So here wee beeing refreshed must walke forwarde in spirituall comfort by the strength thereof whiche we haue receyued sealed vp by this seale alreadie 1. Cor. 10.3.4.5.6.7.8 and further bicause we are so incōpassed about this profit must make vs to come often to this banquet to seale vp our daylie nourishement in CHRIST daylie FINIS Mat. 23.25 Mat. 15. Marke 7. 1. Cor. 12. Rom. 4.12 Exod. 13.9 Act. 8.37 Act. 19.4.5 1. Cor. 11. Matrimonie Orders Penance Confirmation Extreeme Vnction Act. 19.4.5 Eze. 16.8 Ier. 32. Hos 2. 1. Iohn 2.19 Psal 51. Galat. 2. 2. Cor. 5.21 Rom. 4. 1. Pet. 5. See their note on Act. 8.17 The others not thē baptised but before and first of the parentes Mat. 26.26 Mark 14.22 Luke 22.19 Exod. 13.8.9.10 12.26.27 See the note Iohn 6.32