Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Abrenunciasti Diabolo & operibus suis, abrenunciasti ⟨p. 373⟩seculo & voluptatibus ejus; Thou hast renounced the Devil and his works, the World and its pleasures, forget not thy Baptism. And the reason of this bond is, because Baptism is an Ordinance of Stipulation, called by St. Peter [Greek or Hebrew], the stipulation or interrogation of a good Conscience towards God, 1 Pet. 3.21. It is an entry into Covenant with God, and binds the Conscience. Were it no Ordinance of God, there would be no Stipulation, and so no Obligation upon Conscience. But when the Believer finds his Baptismal Vow pressing there, he knows that Baptism is of God. Again, he knows it by the inward strength and power which he receives from thence. The virtue of Baptism follows the Believer, as the water of the Rock did the Israelites, in all the travels of this World even to his dying hour; at which the oldest highest Saint may refresh himself by running back to his Baptism. When temptations come and assault the Believer, when Satan casts in his fiery darts to inflame the Corruption of the Heart, the Believer is the stronger to repulse them, because of Baptism. A pious Virgin, as Luther relates, used to oppose this to every Temptation, Baptizata sum, mhil facis Satan; I am Baptized, O Satan, thou canst do nothing. In the African Persecution under Hunericus, one Majoricus a fine young Man, being brought forth to suffer for the Truth, was thus confirmed therein by his Mother Dionysia; Memento, mi silly, nos in nomine Sacro-sanciae Triadis in Ecclesia esse Baptizatos; ah! ne perdamus illud preciosissimum indumentum, ne veniens, ⟨p. 374⟩qui ad nuptias nos vocavit, non reperiat vestem nuptialem, & in tenebras exteriors ejiciamur; Remember, O my Son, that we were Baptized in the Name of the Sacred Trinity; let us not lose this precious Garment, lest when he comes who called us to the Wedding, he find no Wedding garment, and we be cast into utter darkness. This so strengthened the Young Man, that he suffered as a glorious Martyr for the Truth.

Abrenunciasti Diabolo & operibus suis, abrenunciasti ⟨p. 373⟩seculo & voluptatibus ejus; Thou hast renounced the Devil and his works, the World and its pleasures, forget not thy Baptism. And the reason of this bond is, because Baptism is an Ordinance of Stipulation, called by St. Peter , the stipulation or interrogation of a good Conscience towards God,