The new birthThe nevv birth

that is, not alone to bring them to Baptism (which all do as a matter of course), but to bring them to Baptism with an high esteem of the ordinance, & with fervent prayers to God for his blessing upon it, that it may be effectual for their regeneration. Doubtless Baptism is the Sacrament of the New birth: and look what efficacy the Lords Supper hath to feed our souls; the same (I must think, unless I could see a difference in the common nature of these two Sacraments) hath Baptism to the re-begetting. Wherefore it is a most behoofefull duty of the parents (not with those public prayers alone which are made, in, and by the congregation, being very well and fitly prescribed in our Liturgy: but) with most urgent prayers at home, to beg of God, that his Infant may be washed with the holy Ghost, as well as with water. Is not a New birth worth asking, think we? thy child cannot ask; therefore it is thy duty, as to bring him to be baptized, so to strive with God in earnest prayers that his Baptism may become effectual. For my part (brethren), none error seems to me more absurd, then to imagine that the spirit of regeneration is included in water, as a medicine in a box; or so necessarily joined to the water, ⟨p. 155⟩as a sweet smell to something that is perfumed: that all which are baptized, should also be inwardly and actually regenerated. But this I hold, that we should beg the regeneration of each one that is baptized, and presume him to be regenerate; because we see the seal of the new birth stamped upon him. But among other causes of the in-efficacy of this Sacrament, I think one chief, to be the parents little esteem of it; that rather do it as a matter of course, then as a thing that shall be behoofefull for them, and that they expect Gods blessing upon, for the sealing up of regeneration. God is not (for the most part, he is not) importuned as he expecteth to be, for his co-operation with this ordinance. Many, and many parents come to the baptism of their children, or cause their children to be brought unto it, without faith, without fervent prayer, without any care used to have it blessed unto their children. Many a good man would be afraid to come to the Communion himself, without some special calling upon God for his heavenly blessing, without some special care of renewing his repentance;

that is, not alone to bring them to Baptisme (which all do as a matter of course), but to bring them to Baptisme with an high esteeme of ye ordinance, & with feruent praiers to God for his blessing vpon it, that it may be effectual for their regeneration. Doubtlesse Baptisme is the Sacrament of the New birth: and looke what efficacy the Lords Supper hath to feed our soules; the same (I must thinke, vnlesse I could see a difference in the common nature of these two Sacraments) hath Baptisme to the re-begetting. Wherefore it is a most behoofefull duty of the parents (not with those publike prayers alone which are made, in, and by the congregation, being very well and fitly prescribed in our Liturgie: but) with most vrgent prayers at home, to beg of God, that his Infant may bee washed with the holy Ghost, as well as with water. Is not a New birth worth asking, thinke we? thy child cannot aske; therefore it is thy dutie, as to bring him to be baptized, so to striue with God in earnest prayers that his Baptisme may become effectuall. For my part (brethren), none errour seemes to me more absurd, then to imagine that the spirit of regeneration is included in water, as a medecine in a boxe; or so necessarily ioyned to the water,