his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n be_v promise_v as_o also_o remission_n of_o sin_n mark_v 1.4_o yea_o salvation_n also_o tit._n 3.4_o by_o this_o ordinance_n we_o give_v up_o ourselves_o unto_o christ_n rom._n 6.34_o now_o what_o be_v the_o end_v thou_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o ordinance_n when_o thou_o present_v thy_o child_n to_o be_v baptise_a be_v it_o the_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o the_o privilege_n thou_o regard_v do_v thou_o enter_v he_o into_o the_o covenant_n with_o a_o intent_n to_o dedicate_v he_o to_o the_o lord_n and_z train_z he_o up_o in_o his_o fear_n to_o bring_v he_o into_o god_n family_n and_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n 1_o cor._n 1â—_n 13_o for_o by_o one_o spirit_n we_o be_v all_o baptise_a into_o one_o body_n to_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n gal._n 3.27_o that_o he_o may_v be_v holy_a to_o marry_v he_o unto_o christ_n &_o c_o it_o be_v well_o if_o only_a custom_n not_o conscience_n move_v thou_o thy_o end_n be_v bad_a and_o thy_o action_n sinful_a 4._o direct_v rest_v not_o in_o the_o common_a privilege_n of_o this_o sacrament_n take_v not_o up_o with_o common_a favour_n but_o lay_v hold_v by_o faith_n upon_o the_o main_a benefit_n what_o privilege_n will_v it_o be_v to_o be_v list_a into_o christ_n army_n when_o we_o neither_o fight_v his_o battle_n nor_o receive_v his_o pay_n or_o to_o be_v enter_v into_o his_o school_n if_o we_o be_v not_o teach_v nor_o instruct_v by_o he_o to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o worship_n god_n when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n to_o make_v a_o visible_a profession_n without_o the_o practice_n to_o have_v a_o name_n to_o live_v and_o be_v dead_a or_o to_o have_v a_o name_n to_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n without_o the_o privilege_n of_o child_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o no_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n to_o adhere_v to_o the_o vine_n and_o not_o be_v plant_v in_o it_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o without_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n as_o jew_n and_o heathen_n and_o not_o from_o rot_a member_n as_o hypocrite_n and_o dissembler_n to_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n without_o the_o power_n and_o practice_n of_o holiness_n alas_o these_o thing_n be_v common_a to_o good_a and_o bad_a as_o circumcision_n do_v difference_n the_o jew_n from_o all_o other_o people_n yet_o most_o of_o they_o be_v stranger_n yea_o enemy_n to_o god_n for_o all_o be_v not_o israel_n that_o be_v of_o israel_n but_o it_o be_v the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o heart_n that_o difference_v they_o from_o the_o world_n so_o it_o be_v here_o baptism_n difference_v christian_n from_o other_o but_o it_o be_v the_o baptism_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o difference_v the_o good_a from_o the_o bad_a yet_o these_o external_n privilege_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v as_o the_o apostle_n argue_v at_o large_a rom._n 3.1,2_o etc._n etc._n yet_o ought_v they_o not_o to_o be_v trust_v to_o or_o rest_v in_o the_o main_a thing_n intend_v in_o this_o ordinance_n be_v that_o christ_n and_o all_o his_o benefit_n be_v seal_v up_o unto_o the_o soul_n therefore_o lay_v hold_v by_o faith_n upon_o these_o thing_n or_o thy_o labour_n will_v be_v lose_v this_o sacrament_n be_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n rom._n 4.11_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o covenant_n gen._n 17.11_o lay_v hold_v therefore_o upon_o christ_n in_o the_o ordinance_n yea_o upon_o whole_a christ_n as_o he_o be_v offer_v in_o the_o sacrament_n for_o righteousness_n sanctification_n and_o redemption_n and_o with_o he_o grace_n and_o glory_n be_v to_o be_v have_v but_o if_o thou_o take_v up_o any_o thing_n under_o christ_n the_o ordinance_n will_v be_v of_o little_a worth_n to_o thou_o when_o thou_o bring_v thy_o child_n therefore_o to_o the_o ordinance_n take_v not_o up_o with_o common_a benefit_n lay_v out_o for_o christ_n and_o satisfy_v not_o thyself_o without_o he_o the_o ordinance_n of_o itself_o be_v but_o a_o dry_a and_o empty_a husk_n christ_n be_v the_o kernel_n it_o be_v as_o a_o well_o christ_n be_v the_o water_n and_o what_o good_a will_v a_o dry_a well_o do_v thou_o it_o be_v but_o a_o break_a cistern_n if_o trust_v to_o it_o can_v hold_v no_o water_n what_o be_v a_o little_a cold_a water_n apply_v to_o the_o body_n if_o the_o water_n of_o life_n be_v not_o apply_v to_o the_o soul_n be_v thou_o real_a in_o thy_o dedication_n of_o thy_o child_n to_o god_n and_o real_o act_n faith_n upon_o the_o promise_n that_o god_n may_v bestow_v his_o son_n upon_o he_o thou_o may_v find_v in_o scripture_n foot_v for_o thy_o faith_n many_o divine_a and_o precious_a promise_n make_v by_o god_n consider_v such_o scripture_n as_o these_o rom._n 6.38_o as_o many_o as_o be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n be_v baptize_v into_o his_o death_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o we_o be_v dead_a with_o christ_n we_o believe_v we_o shall_v also_o live_v with_o he_o 1_o pet._n 3.21_o the_o like_a figure_n whereunto_o even_o baptism_n do_v also_o now_o save_v we_o etc._n etc._n mark_v 3.11_o heb._n 1.9_o john_n 3.5_o heb._n 10.22.24_o gal._n 3.16_o luke_n 3.3_o act_n 12.16_o &_o 22.16_o eph._n 5.26_o titus_n 3.5_o 1_o john_n 1.7_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n cleanse_v we_o from_o all_o our_o sin_n which_o blood_n be_v here_o signify_v by_o this_o baptismal_a water_n here_o thy_o faith_n may_v find_v a_o foundation_n sure_a and_o steadfast_a take_v up_o with_o nothing_o short_a of_o christ_n bring_v the_o word_n of_o promise_n along_o with_o thou_o to_o the_o ordinance_n press_v god_n with_o his_o word_n he_o can_v deny_v it_o but_o without_o the_o promise_v the_o ordinance_n be_v of_o little_a efficacy_n but_o thus_o do_v thou_o will_v find_v it_o a_o refresh_a ordinance_n christ_n and_o all_o his_o benefit_n may_v be_v find_v in_o this_o baptismal_a water_n yea_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o soul_n persuade_v thyself_o therefore_o that_o see_v such_o scripture_n expression_n hold_v forth_o the_o sacrament_n to_o be_v the_o laver_n of_o regeneration_n and_o the_o new_a birth_n to_o wash_v from_o sin_n and_o be_v instrumental_a to_o our_o salvation_n and_o seal_v up_o the_o covenant_n yea_o christ_n and_o all_o his_o benefit_n to_o the_o soul_n no_o doubt_v it_o will_v be_v so_o to_o thou_o and_o to_o thy_o child_n if_o the_o fail_a be_v not_o on_o your_o part_n when_o thou_o see_v the_o minister_n apply_v the_o baptismal_a water_n to_o the_o body_n of_o thy_o infant_n do_v thou_o by_o faith_n behold_v god_n the_o father_n apply_v christ_n his_o merit_n his_o blood_n and_o benefit_n to_o the_o soul_n and_o as_o very_o as_o thou_o see_v the_o one_o do_v sacramental_o so_o very_o do_v thou_o believe_v the_o other_o to_o be_v do_v real_o and_o true_o it_o be_v the_o come_n to_o the_o sacrament_n without_o faith_n and_o without_o the_o word_n of_o promise_n that_o make_v it_o seem_v so_o empty_a and_o vain_a but_o doubtless_o there_o be_v a_o rich_a supply_n to_o be_v have_v if_o we_o suck_v we_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v the_o well_o indeed_o be_v deep_a and_o faith_n be_v the_o bucket_n if_o we_o have_v no_o bucket_n we_o be_v like_a to_o have_v no_o water_n 5._o direct_v that_o this_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n be_v right_o administer_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v do_v agreeable_o to_o the_o mind_n and_o will_v of_o god_n express_v in_o his_o word_n for_o god_n will_v have_v his_o own_o work_n do_v in_o his_o own_o way_n he_o have_v not_o leave_v it_o to_o man_n to_o use_v his_o own_o will_n in_o his_o worship_n but_o we_o must_v follow_v the_o pattern_n and_o example_n he_o have_v leave_v we_o and_o obey_v the_o precept_n and_o command_n he_o have_v give_v we_o and_o be_v direct_v by_o scripture_n light_n and_o perform_v the_o duty_n in_o a_o right_a manner_n and_o form_n as_o well_o as_o to_o a_o right_a end_n it_o be_v necessary_a therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o it_o be_v administer_v by_o a_o lawful_a minister_n it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o commission_n and_o we_o find_v not_o any_o commission_n seal_v unto_o any_o other_o than_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n the_o minister_n of_o christ_n set_v apart_o by_o god_n and_o the_o church_n for_o this_o and_o other_o holy_a duty_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n that_o this_o be_v part_n of_o their_o commission_n we_o may_v read_v mat._n 28.19,20_o go_v teach_v all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o command_v you_o and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o
be_v also_o necessary_a that_o thou_o understand_v what_o thou_o read_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n as_o the_o sense_n thou_o shall_v look_v after_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o tell_v you_o have_v great_a care_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o count_v the_o word_n syllable_n and_o letter_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n and_o yet_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o sense_n and_o miss_v of_o the_o meaning_n when_o thou_o read_v a_o dark_a passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n rest_v not_o till_o thou_o understand_v it_o to_o this_o end_n divine_n have_v give_v several_a direction_n such_o as_o these_o if_o thou_o be_v able_a compare_v the_o original_a and_o translation_n together_o and_z perhaps_o this_o may_v resolve_v thy_o doubt_n every_o language_n have_v a_o peculiar_a elegancy_n and_o some_o word_n be_v of_o so_o hard_a a_o signification_n that_o they_o can_v full_o be_v express_v in_o a_o translation_n now_o know_v the_o original_a will_n abundant_o help_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o art_n and_o science_n be_v also_o of_o great_a use_n let_v the_o enemy_n to_o learning_n say_v what_o they_o will_v to_o the_o contrary_n if_o this_o help_v thou_o not_o look_v into_o the_o context_n observe_v the_o circumstance_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n and_o receive_v no_o interpretation_n which_o cross_v that_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v compare_v this_o place_n with_o other_o the_o like_a and_o admit_v not_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v other_o scripture_n especial_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n those_o plain_a doctrinal_a conclusion_n gather_v out_o of_o other_o plain_a scripture_n of_o which_o no_o doubt_n be_v make_v and_o if_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o this_o reject_v it_o for_o truth_n itself_o can_v oppose_v itself_o we_o must_v reduce_v dark_a place_n to_o those_o that_o be_v plain_a and_o not_o force_v those_o that_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o dark_a one_o if_o this_o help_v not_o read_v some_o learned_a exposition_n upon_o the_o place_n if_o this_o fail_v seek_v assistance_n from_o god_n for_o as_o the_o sun_n can_v be_v see_v but_o by_o its_o own_o light_n so_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o his_o own_o spirit_n he_o that_o faithful_o and_o careful_o observe_v these_o direction_n may_v through_o god_n blessing_n come_v to_o know_v as_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a 5._o direct_v if_o thou_o will_v profit_v by_o the_o word_n thou_o read_v careful_o observe_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o what_o design_n god_n be_v aim_v at_o and_o what_o end_v he_o aim_v at_o in_o it_o and_o prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o mark_n that_o he_o do_v for_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v for_o our_o instruction_n now_o if_o we_o heedful_o mark_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o end_n which_o god_n drive_v on_o in_o the_o main_a be_v to_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o the_o world_n in_o his_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n that_o man_n may_v own_v he_o as_o their_o lord_n owner_n and_o benefactor_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n for_o their_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n that_o he_o may_v get_v himself_o glory_n in_o their_o salvation_n now_o in_o thy_o read_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n that_o god_n do_v and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o end_n which_o he_o do_v and_o this_o be_v the_o likely_a way_n to_o profit_n the_o scripture_n in_o general_n set_v before_o thou_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o thyself_o what_o god_n be_v and_o what_o he_o have_v do_v what_o thou_o be_v by_o nature_n what_o by_o the_o fall_n and_o what_o by_o thy_o restauration_n and_o also_o what_o god_n require_v at_o thy_o hand_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o end_n the_o scripture_n handle_v those_o point_n which_o conduce_v hereunto_o as_o first_o in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n thou_o may_v see_v god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n for_o none_o else_o can_v make_v the_o world_n of_o nothing_o yea_o every_o creature_n will_v point_v out_o god_n to_o a_o understand_a man_n for_o it_o pass_v the_o power_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n to_o make_v the_o least_o fly_n especial_o without_o pre-existent_a matter_n nay_o the_o creature_n do_v not_o only_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o also_o sâ—…_n forth_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o eternity_n wisdom_n power_n majesty_n goodness_n and_o perfection_n these_o clear_o shine_v forth_o in_o these_o his_o work_n the_o least_o creature_n if_o you_o follow_v he_o home_o to_o his_o original_a by_o divine_a meditation_n will_v point_v out_o a_o omnipotent_a arm_n for_o his_o creator_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v of_o his_o work_n of_o providence_n these_o also_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o lesson_n the_o wonderful_a work_n and_o miracle_n he_o have_v wrought_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o his_o people_n the_o rule_n and_o government_n which_o he_o have_v set_v in_o the_o world_n the_o preservation_n of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o frequent_a deliverance_n he_o have_v give_v to_o his_o people_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n bespeak_v to_o we_o his_o power_n wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n when_o thou_o read_v of_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n this_o bespeak_v christ_n the_o lord_n the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v witness_v from_o heaven_n by_o angel_n by_o saint_n by_o enemy_n by_o devil_n all_o which_o give_v testimony_n to_o his_o divinity_n and_o that_o he_o be_v true_o man_n be_v also_o evident_a by_o his_o incarnation_n birth_n growth_n action_n passion_n death_n and_o burial_n and_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o evident_a by_o scripture_n light_n here_o thou_o may_v find_v that_o all_o the_o prophecy_n that_o go_v before_o of_o he_o be_v clear_o fulfil_v in_o he_o and_o no_o other_o and_o such_o miracle_n wrought_v and_o such_o mighty_a work_v do_v and_o such_o gracious_a word_n speak_v that_o make_v it_o plain_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v indeed_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n again_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o command_n threaten_n punishment_n etc._n etc._n know_v these_o be_v to_o deter_v thou_o from_o sin_n and_o to_o drive_v thou_o home_o to_o god_n thy_o benefactor_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o promise_n invitation_n and_o encouragement_n these_o be_v to_o draw_v the_o near_a to_o he_o therefore_o careful_o observe_v what_o ever_o thou_o read_v and_o some_o way_n or_o other_o it_o will_v conduce_v to_o bring_v thou_o near_o to_o god_n this_o be_v god_n end_n in_o write_v the_o word_n and_o shall_v be_v thy_o end_n in_o read_v it_o 6._o direct_v will_v thou_o profit_v by_o read_v then_o meditate_v upon_o what_o thou_o read_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v what_o thou_o read_v thy_o own_o it_o be_v this_o way_n that_o david_n get_v more_o understanding_n than_o the_o ancient_n and_o become_v wise_a than_o his_o teacher_n psal_n 119.98,99,100_o and_o 66.11_o now_o meditation_n be_v a_o studious_a art_n of_o the_o mind_n wherein_o a_o man_n search_v out_o some_o hide_a truth_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o profitable_a heart-enriching_a duty_n thou_o can_v perform_v this_o will_v fetch_v in_o provision_n like_o a_o bee_n from_o every_o herb_n and_o flower_n yea_o from_o every_o weed_n thorn_n and_o bramble_n will_v yield_v some_o honey_n this_o will_v store_v thy_o heart_n with_o treasure_n new_a and_o old_a there_o be_v no_o creature_n so_o barren_a but_o will_v yield_v some_o fruit_n nor_o dead_a tree_n or_o hard_a stone_n that_o be_v so_o barren_a but_o it_o will_v yield_v some_o increase_n no_o creature_n but_o will_v yield_v a_o help_a hand_n no_o fowl_n but_o will_v lend_v a_o feather_n to_o mount_v the_o soul_n aloft_o a_o christian_a skill_v in_o the_o divine_a art_n of_o holy_a meditation_n can_v never_o want_v a_o object_n fit_a to_o work_v upon_o and_o if_o the_o creature_n thus_o furnish_v we_o doubtless_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v be_v fruitless_a the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o itself_o be_v mysterious_a and_o dark_a at_o least_o some_o part_n of_o it_o the_o well_o be_v deep_a and_o meditation_n be_v the_o bucket_n hereby_o divine_a mystery_n be_v draw_v out_o and_o the_o water_n of_o life_n pump_v in_o cursory_a read_v many_o thing_n pass_v by_o without_o regard_n which_o by_o meditation_n be_v fetch_v back_o and_o make_v use_n of_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o help_n to_o the_o understanding_n but_o the_o memory_n also_o it_o leave_v a_o deep_a impression_n upon_o it_o what_o in_o cursory_a read_n be_v soon_o forget_v be_v press_v hard_o upon_o and_o imprint_v to_o the_o memory_n by_o meditation_n hereby_o the_o heart_n