2. On our part they are a Badge and a Bond to oblige us to the Duties of the Covenant: a Badge of the profession, and a Bond to engage us to the Duties which that Profession calls for. As the Apostle speaks of Circumcision, That whosoever is circumcised, is a debtor to the whole Law, Gal. 5.3. binds himself to the observances of Moses. So a Christian by being baptized becomes a Debtor, not to the Flesh, to live after the flesh, &c. Rom. 8.12. And 'tis called an Answer towards God, 1 Pet. 3.21. the answer supposes the demands of the Covenant, and so 'tis an undertaking faithfully to perform the Conditions required of us; a Vow or an Obligation whereby we reckon our selves bound to dye unto Sin, and to live unto Righteousness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 6.11. It bindeth us chiefly to the Duties that belong to our entrance, as the Lord's Supper doth more directly to the Duties which belong to our progress; it bindeth us to a true belief of the Gospel, or an acceptance of Christ, and consent to the Covenant of Grace; to renounce the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and to give up our selves unto God; and therefore the Baptismal Covenant, by which we are initiated into Christianity, is expressed by our being Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Matth. 28.19. which implies a giving up our selves to them in their distinct personal Relations: To the Father, that we may return to him, and obey him as our rightful Lord; that we may love him, and depend upon him, as the Fountain of all our good ⟨p. 197⟩and all-sufficient happiness; and prefer his favour before all the sensual pleasures of the World. We are Baptized in the Name of Christ, that we may believe in him, accept him as our Saviour and Redeemer; expecting to be saved by his Merits, Righteousness, and Intercession, from the Wrath of God, and Guilt of Sin and eternal Death. To the Holy Ghost as our Guide, Sanctifier, and Comforter; that he may free us from Sin, change us into the image and likeness of Christ, and lead us into all truth and godliness, and comfort us with the sense of our present interest in God's love, and the hopes of future glory.
2. On our part they are a Badge and a Bond to oblige us to the Duties of the Covenant: a Badge of the profession, and a Bond to engage us to the Duties which that Profession calls for. As the Apostle speaks of Circumcision, That whosoever is circumcised, is a debtor to the whole Law, Gal. 5.3. binds himself to the observances of Moses. So a Christian by being baptized becomes a Debtor, not to the Flesh, to live after the flesh, &c. Rom. 8.12. And 'tis called an Answer towards God, 1 Pet. 3.21. the answer supposes the demands of the Covenant, and so 'tis an undertaking faithfully to perform the Conditions required of us; a Vow or an Obligation whereby we reckon our selves bound to dye unto Sin, and to live unto Righteousness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 6.11. It bindeth us chiefly to the Duties that belong to our entrance, as the Lord's Supper doth more directly to the Duties which belong to our progress; it bindeth us to a true belief of the Gospel, or an acceptance of Christ, and consent to the Covenant of Grace; to renounce the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, and to give up our selves unto God; and therefore the Baptismal Covenant, by which we are initiated into Christianity, is exprest by our being Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Matth. 28.19. which implies a giving up our selves to them in their distinct personal Relations: To the Father, that we may return to him, and obey him as our rightful Lord; that we may love him, and depend upon him, as the Fountain of all our good ⟨p. 197⟩and all-sufficient happiness; and prefer his favour before all the sensual pleasures of the World. We are Baptized in the Name of Christ, that we may believe in him, accept him as our Saviour and Redeemer; expecting to be saved by his Merits, Righteousness, and Intercession, from the Wrath of God, and Guilt of Sin and eternal Death. To the Holy Ghost as our Guide, Sanctifier, and Comforter; that he may free us from Sin, change us into the image and likeness of Christ, and lead us into all truth and godliness, and comfort us with the sense of our present interest in God's love, and the hopes of future glory.
