12 Objection. There were washings also in the old testament: Baptism is a washing: Baptism therefore is a sacrament of the old testament. Answer. The washings in the old testament, were not a sign of the receiving into the church, as is Baptism. They signified Christ to come. They did bind the Jews only: Baptism extendeth and belongeth to all nations, or to the whole church. They were also instituted to wash away a ceremonial uncleanness: Baptism, to wash away a moral uncleanness: and hence is it, that Baptism is called in the scripture a laver or washing, to wit, in respect of that washing of the moral uncleanness, that is, in respect of that inward or spiritual washing, whereby we are washed or cleansed from our sins. Now this washing is of two sorts.2 1. The washing of blood, when we are washed by the blood of Christ, which is the remission of sins, for the bloodshed of christ. 2. The washing of the spirit, when we are washed by Christs spirit, which is our renewing by the holy Ghost, that is, the changing of evil inclinations into good, which is wrought by the virtue of the holy Ghost in our will and hart, that we may have a hatred of sin, and contrariwise, a purpose to live according to the will of God. That this two-fold washing from sins, is signified by the sacrament of Baptism, is apparent by this place, Mar. 1.4. He preached the Baptism of amendment of life, for remission of sins. Wherefore Baptism is a Symbol and sign of both washings, or of both benefits (namely both of remission of sins and amendment of life) not only because this sacrament hath some similitude and correspondence ⟨p. 719⟩with both: but also because these two benefits are ever joined together, & neither can be without the other. Roman. 8.9. If any man hath not the spirit of Christ, the same is not his. In sum: to be washed by the blood of Christ, is, to receive remission of sins for the blood-shed of Christ. To be washed by the holy ghost, is, to be regenerated, that is, to have our evil cogitations in us changed into good, and also to have in our will an heart, a desire, and endeavour to obey God. Now then our justification and our regeneration differ; in that our justification is a washing by the blood of Christ, our regeneration is a washing by the holy Ghost, as hath been already said.
12 Obiection. There were washinges also in the oulde testament: Baptisme is a washing: Baptisme therefore is a sacrament of the old testament. Aunswere. The washings in the oulde testament, were not a signe of the receiuing into the church, as is Baptisme. They signified Christ to come. They did bind the Iewes only: Baptisme extendeth and belongeth to al nations, or to the whole church. They were also instituted to wash away a ceremoniall vncleannesse: Baptisme, to wash away a morall vncleannesse: and hence is it, that Baptisme is called in the scripture a lauour or washing, to wit, in respect of that washing of the morall vncleannesse, that is, in respect of that inward or spiritual washing, wherby we are washed or cleansed from our sinnes. Nowe this washing is of two sortes.2 1. The washing of blood, when we are washed by the bloode of Christ, which is the remission of sinnes, for the bloudshed of christ. 2. The washing of the spirit, when we are washed by Christs spirite, which is our renewing by the holy Ghost, that is, the chaunging of euill inclinations into good, which is wrought by the vertue of the holy Ghost in our wil and hart, that we may haue a hatred of sinne, and contrariwise, a purpose to liue according to the wil of God. That this two-fold washing from sinnes, is signified by the sacrament of Baptisme, is apparant by this place, Mar. 1.4. He preached the Baptisme of amendment of life, for remission of sinnes. Wherefore Baptisme is a Symbole and signe of both washinges, or of both benefits (namely both of remission of sinnes and amendment of life) not only because this sacrament hath some similitude and correspondence ⟨p. 719⟩with both: but also because these two benefits are euer ioined together, & neither can bee without the other. Roman. 8.9. If anie man hath not the spirite of Christ, the same is not his. In summe: to be washed by the bloode of Christ, is, to receiue remission of sinnes for the blood-shed of Christ. To be washed by the holy ghost, is, to be regenerated, that is, to haue our euil cogitations in vs chaunged into good, and also to haue in our will an heart, a desire, and endeuour to obey God. Now then our iustification and our regeneration differ; in that our iustification is a washing by the bloode of Christ, our regeneration is a washing by the holie Ghost, as hath been alreadie said.
- 1The differences between Baptism and the washings of the old Testament.The differences betweene Baptisme and the washings of the olde Testament.
- 2The washing of Baptism is of two sorts. 1 The washing of blood. 2 The washing of the spirit.The washing of Baptisme is of two sorts. 1 The washing of bloud. 2 The washing of the spirite.
