THE DOCTRINE OF THE Two Sacraments. EPHES. V. 26. That he might fanctify and cleanse it with the Wafbing of Water by the Word. HÉ Holy Sacrament of Baptifm, as it is our Solemn Entrance and Admission into the vifible Church of Jefus Christ, so is the Doctrine of it, with very good Reafon, fet as an Introduction to that farther Account of Chri B Christian Faith comprised in our Publick Catechism. And indeed, it seems but Reason that we should begin our Christian Profeffion where we began our Christian Race; and that the Doctrine of Christianity fhould commence at the fame Holy Institution where we first took upon us the Name and Title of Chriftians. I fhall therefore, through the Affiftance of Jesus Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith, endeavour to explain the Principles of our Religion contained in that brief Summary, the Catechifm, beginning with that of Baptifm; wherein (as it is there expreffed) we are made Members of Christ, Children of God, and Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. There are high Encomiums of this Ordinance, and inestimable Privileges con ferr'd by it, and to fome may poffibly feem too lavish; yet I doubt not but to make it appear, that all these Privileges do appertain unto us according to the Phrafe of Scripture, by our being baptized into the Church and Faith of Chrift. I have chofen this Portion of Scripture, to fhew the great Influence that Baptifm hath upon our Sanctification, by which it is, that we are made Members of Christ, vitally joined by an holy Band to an holy Head. The Words are brought in as a Demon Demonstration of the Love of Chrift to his Church, which the Apostle gives as a Pattern for Conjugal Love and Amity. He loved the Church, fo as to give himself for it, as it is in the precedent Verfe. And the End of this unfpeakable Gift we find contained in this Verfe, He gave himself for his Church, that he might fanctify and cleanfe it with the Washing of Water by the Word. Not to fpeak any Thing of the Context, nor to make any laborious and critical Explication of the Words, here be Two Things worthy of our Observation: First, That one End why Chrift was given to the Church is, that he might fanctify it. Secondly, That the Means to fan&tify the Church, is Baptifm, and the Word. As to the former of thefe, being alien from our present Purpose, let it fuffice to note briefly, that Chrift hath purchased for us not only Eternal Glory, but prefen tGrace. He who hath called himself both the Way, and the Life, gave himself for us, not only to purchase Life, but to lead us in the Way tending to it. He died to procure Heaven for all, if they would B 2 would believe; but he died to procure Grace for fome, even his chofen Ones, that they might believe and attain unto Heaven and Happiness. For their Sakes, as he tells us, John 17. 19. He fanctified himfelf, that is, he devoted and separated himfelf to undergo the cruel and accurfed Death of the Crofs: And for his Sake, God fanctifies us from our Filth and Pollution, thereby preparing us to enter into thofe Manlions which he is gone before to prepare for us. But that which more concerns us at this Time to obferve, is the Means for effecting this Sanctification; and they are Two, the Washing of Water, and the Word. By the former I fuppofe none will doubt but that Baptifm is meant ; or if they fhould, yet so many other parallel Places might be produced, where Remiffion of Sins, Juftification and Regeneration, are afcribed to this Holy Ordinance, as the Effects of it, that it may be fufficient Conviction that Baptifm is likewife in this Place understood by the Washing of Water. So Acts 22. 16. Arife, and be baptized, and wash away thy Sins, faith Ananias to Paul: which is no other than being fanctified and cleanfed with the Washing of Water. So likewife, Acts 2. 38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jefus Christ, for |