Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

If it be the very Nature or appointed Use of the external part of Baptism it self (yea, essential to it) to signify and profes• (among other things) the saving faith and Repentance of the Baptized (being at age;) then true Baptism cannot go without such a Profession. But the former is true: Ergo, so is the later.

If it be the very Nature or appointed Vse of the external part of Baptism it self (yea, essential to it) to signifie and profes• (among other things) the saving faith and Repentance of the Baptized (being at age;) then true Baptism cannot go without such a Profession. But the former is true: Ergo, so is the later.

The Antecedent (which only requireth proof) I prove thus: 1. It is of the Instituted Nature of Baptism to be in general, a Professing sign, as well as an Engaging sign de futuro: this I promise, as granted by all Christians that I know of, that have written of Baptism. And then let us consider of the several parts of the sign or external Ordinance, with the signification of each. That it is essential to it to be significant, and Obligatory on our part, as well as on Gods part, is commonly confessed. And 1. The Minister doth baptize him into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and the party doth (by himself or Parent) consent thereto; 1. Voluntarily offering himself to be so baptized; and then 2. Voluntarily Receiving that Baptism. And his offer of himself hereto, goeth before the Ministers baptizing him; and his Reception of that Baptism is Essential to it: so that Baptism essentially containeth ⟨p. 69⟩on his part a Signal Profession of consent to that which is meant in the form used by the Minister [I baptize thee into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:] And that is, that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be mine, and I be theirs, in the Relations in which they are offered in the Gospel to Mankind: For all confess that it is a Covenant that is here Sealed, and so a mutual consent which the Signs are Instituted by Christ to signify. Christ offereth himself to be Related to me, as my Jesus Christ; and by offering my self to Baptism. and by voluntarily receiving it, I do actually profess my Acceptance of his Offer, that is, of himself so offered. God the Father offereth himself to be my God reconciled in Christ, and so my chief good; and by voluntary receiving Baptism, I do signally profess my Acceptance of him so offered. The Holy Ghost is offered to be my Sanctifier and Guide; and by voluntary Reception of baptism into his Name, I do signally profess my Acceptance of him so offered (Of all which I shall say more anon:) And if this be not the Faith which is Justifying and saving, then I know not what is; yea, I may boldly say, then there is none such: so that it it a most clear case, that baptism as baptism, according to its Instituted Nature and use, doth contain the Persons actual signal Profession of present Assent to the truth of the Gospel, and Acceptance of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as therein offered.