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…

First, It is a spur to repentance and mortification: for Baptism doth seal remission of sins to them only that repent,¹ and by Godly sorrow come home unto God. And as we expect the blessing, we must look that we fail not in the condition. If we be buried with Christ in Baptism, it is our duty to mortify the flesh w•th the affections and lusts, that it may live no longer, to bring forth fruits unto death. For a dead man cannot live. By solemn oath we are bound to crucify unruly lusts, which fight against the soul: and shall we falsify so great a promise? Against whom should we fight, if not against Satan? or what will he be willing to spare for the Lords sake, who will not part with his sins? Why should we fear the strength of Satan, the power of sin, the rage of persecutors, the loss of earthly things? or despair because of the wrath of God justly kindled against sin. If we turn unto God by unfeigned repentance, we have his faithful promise confirmed by seal, that he will be merciful unto our sins, enable us to overcome our corruptions, fortify us against the powers of Hell, support us under, or deliver us out of all trials, and graciously provide whatsoever shall be needful for us.

First, It is a spurre to repentance and mortification: for Baptisme doth seale remission of sinnes to them only that repent,¹ and by Godly sorrow come home vnto God. And as we expect the blessing, we must looke that we faile not in the condition. If wee bee buried with Christ in Baptisme, it is our dutie to mortifie the flesh w•th the affections and lusts, that it may liue no longer, to bring forth fruits vnto death. For a dead man cannot liue. By solemne oath wee are bound to crucifie vnruly lusts, which fight against the soule: and shall we falsifie so great a promise? Against whom should we fight, if not against Satan? or what will hee bee willing to spare for the Lords sake, who will not part with his sinnes? Why should wee feare the strength of Satan, the power of sinne, the rage of persecutors, the losse of earthly things? or despaire because of the wrath of God iustly kindled against sinne. If we turne vnto God by vnfained repentance, wee haue his faithfull promise confirmed by seale, that he will bee mercifull vnto our sinnes, enable vs to ouercome our corruptions, fortifie vs against the powers of Hell, support vs vnder, or deliuer vs out of all trials, and gratiously prouide whatsoeuer shall be needfull for vs.