The rules of a holy life. Or A treatise containing the holy order of…

First, in the case of doubting and fear of the ⟨p. 160⟩forgiveness of our sins, or of the salvation of our souls: for Baptism saveth us, that is, effectually assures us of our salvation; and we do not offend in trusting Gods promise made in his Word, and signed and sealed in Baptism. As certainly doth it save our souls, as the Ark saved the bodies of Noah and his household; so as we cannot miscarry, if we leap not out of the Ark into the Seas of waters. Let us stick to our Baptism, and then we are safe: The washing in Baptism did assure the washing ⟨p. 161⟩of our souls by the Blood of Christ for our sins. If I be tempted to doubt of my salvation, I must say to my own soul, Hath not the Lord provided me the Ark of Baptism to preserve me from the seas of his wrath? And if I doubt the forgiveness of sins, I must say, Hath not the Lord washed me from my sins by the blood of his Son? Did he not show me so much in Baptism? We sin shamefully, in that we do not make this use, but neglect the confidence Baptism should work in us, ⟨p. 162⟩as if the Lord had but dallied with us, or that Baptism were but some idle Ceremony, 1. Pet. 3. 21. 1. Cor. 15. 29. Act. 22. 16.

First, in the case of doubting and feare of the ⟨p. 160⟩forgiuenesse of our sinnes, or of the saluation of our soules: for Baptisme saueth vs, that is, effectually assures vs of our saluation; and wee doe not offend in trusting Gods promise made in his Word, and signed and sealed in Baptisme. As certainely doth it saue our soules, as the Arke saued the bodies of Noah and his houshold; so as wee cannot miscarry, if wee leape not out of the Arke into the Seas of waters. Let vs stick to our Baptisme, and then we are safe: The washing in Baptisme did assure the washing ⟨p. 161⟩