A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice

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, ⟨p. 89⟩exceeding great and precious promises. Yea as I also have hinted already, if he appear not a Brother before, he appeareth not a Brother by that, And those that shall content themselves to make that the note of visible Church-membership; I doubt make things not much better, the note of their sonship with God:

Thirdly, I am bold therefore to have communion with such Heb. 6.2. Because they also have the doctrin of Baptisms: I say the doctrins of them; For here you must note, I distinguish between the doctrin and practise of Water-baptism; The Doctrin 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 doctrin which Baptism preacheth, or that which by the outward action is signifyed to the believing receiver. Now I say, he that believeth in Jesus Christ; that