A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

Seventhly, It is a seal and pledge to assure, that God will provide for us in this life, raise up our bodies unto life at the last day of Judgement, and bestow upon us that everlasting Kingdom and Inheritance, which he hath prepared.¹ For in Baptism the Lord doth promise to be our God, that he will provide us of all things necessary for soul and body, turn all evils which do befall in this miserable life, to the furtherance of our salvation, raise up our bodies at the last day, and receive us unto himself to dwell with him for evermore. In all which respects Baptism is of great force to strengthen faith, and ease the heart in distress. For when the repentant sinner feels himself heavy laden with the burden of his sins, when Satan tempts him to doubt or despair in regard of his corruptions: when his own corruption moveth him ⟨p. 425⟩to sin, and he is even now in the combat, the Spirit lusting against the flesh, and the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and when he is deeply perplexed with fear of falling away: then the consideration and remembrance of what was promised, and sealed in Baptism, will serve to stay, support and comfort the soul. For there he shall find that his name is written in the covenant of God, that God hath promised to give Christ to be his Redeemer, to accept of Christs satisfaction for him, to wash away all his sins, as certainly as the water washeth away the filth of the body: and having such a faithful promise confirmed by seal, wherefore should he be dismayed? In Baptism also God hath sealed unto him the mortification of his sin, by the power of Christs death; which is the ground of confidence, that God will enable him to overcome the rebellious lusts of his heart, and crucify the old man more and more, until the body of sin be utterly destroyed. True it is, that man by nature is dead in sin: but in Baptism, God of his mercy hath sealed unto the believer, his rising from the death of sin to newness of life. True it is, that of our selves we are prone to fall away from grace received: But God of his rich grace sealeth unto the faithful in Baptism a Resurrection unto immortal life, which shall grow daily, but never decay.² If the faithful be afflicted, and despised of men, persecuted and forsaken, cast out the visible Congregation, and banished from the ho•se of God: