A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice

Secondly, and observe it; One Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism (not of Water, for by one Spirit are we all Baptized into one body) one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and ⟨p. 87⟩in you all; is a sufficient rule for us to hold communion by, & also to endeavour the maintaining that communion, and to keep it in unity, within the bond of peace against all attempts what soever. Eph. 4.1 6. 1 Cor. 12.16.

Thirdly, I am bold therefore to have communion with such Heb. 6.2. Because they also have the doctrine of Baptisms: I say the doctrines of them; For here you must note, I distinguish between the doctrine and practise of Water-baptism; The Doctrine being that which by the outward sign is presented to us, or which by the outward circumstance of the act is preached to the believer: viz. The death of Christ; My death with Christ; also his resurrection from the Dead, and mine with him to newness of life. This is the doctrine which Baptism preacheth, or that which by the outward action is signified to the believing receiver. Now I say, he that believeth in Jesus Christ; that ⟨p. 88⟩richer and better then that, viz. is dead to sin, and that lives to God by him, he hath the heart, power and doctrine of Baptism: all then that he wanteth, is but the sign, the shadow, or the outward circumstance thereof; Nor yet is that despised, but forborne for want of light: The best of Baptisms he hath; he is Baptized by that one spirit; he hath the heart of Water-baptism, he wanteth only the outward show, which if he had; would not prove him a truly visible Saint; it would not tell me he had grace in his heart: It is no Characteristical note to another, of my Sonship with God; Indeed 'tis a sign to the person Baptized, and an help to his own Faith; he should know by that circumstance, that he hath received remission of sins; if his Faith be as true, as his being Baptized is felt by him. But if for want of light, he partake not of that sign, his Faith can see it in other things,