A Golden Chain

The first is, to offer himself to be baptized before the minister, and that in the presence of the congregation. This signifieth that he doth consecrate himself unto the Lord, and that he utterly renounceth the flesh, the world, and the devil. 1. Pet. 3.21. To the which also the figure which now saveth us, even baptism agreeth, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience maketh request unto God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The first is, to offer himselfe to be baptized before the minister, and that in the presence of the congregation. This signifieth that he doth consecrate himselfe vnto the Lord, and that he vtterly renounceth the flesh, the world, and the diuell. 1. Pet. 3.21. To the which also the figure which now saueth vs, euen baptisme agreeth, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto God) by the resurrection of Iesus Christ.

The second is, to receive the external washing by water: this signifieth, that the party baptized doth receive the internal washing, which is by the blood of Christ, or at the least that it is offered unto him.

The second is, to receiue the externall washing by water: this signifieth, that the partie baptized doth receiue the internall washing, which is by the blood of Christ, or at the least that it is offered vnto him.

Rebaptizing is at no hand to be admitted: for as in natural generation man is once only borne; so must he be in the spiritual regeneration. Therefore they that are baptized of a minister, which is an heretic, not yet degraded from that calling, (if the external form of administration be observed) must not be baptized again of the Church of God: especially, if after baptism they have been made partakers of the Lords Supper: only they ought to be instructed in the true faith. Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 7. c. 8. saith, There was in our Province an ancient professor of the faith, yea before I was created Bishop, nay before my predecessor Heraclas: who, when he was present at the baptism of some, & heard what questions they were asked, & what answer they returned, forthwith came weeping unto me, and humbling himself before me, confessed that he was baptized by an heretic: yet in regard of that administration which he saw in our Church, he accounted that no baptism, in that the confession there used, was fraught with blasphemies. This also he added, that he was for this offence so sore grieved, that he durst not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven: wherefore he most earnestly besought me, that e might be cleansed and purified with the baptism of our Church, and so receive the gift of the holy Ghost. The which notwithstanding, I durst not presume to administer, but said, it was sufficient for him that he had been so long a professor amongst us, & that at the receipt of the Lords Supper, he answered, Amen. These things I told him were of force enough to purge him. And therefore I advised him, to rest himself in his former faith and conscience already sufficiently purified, especially in that he so long was partaker with us in the Sacraments. Aug. lib. 3. c. 2. contra Petil. literas. […]