The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened…The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened…

¹Because the Messiah being then come (who was the chief blessing of the Covenant, yea, the very substance of the Covenant, and is therefore himself called the Covenant, Isa. 42.6. and 49.8.) He, I say, being come, it was necessary, that they who relied upon the Covenant of Abraham, (as all the Jews and Proselytes did) should hold forth also their reliance on Christ, in whom the Covenant and the promises thereof, were confirmed to them and their seed. For then was the Axe laid to the root of the Tree, even to the stock of Abraham, and to all the branches that grew upon it, and were engrafted into it. So that now, if they did not bring forth this good fruit, to believe in Christ, who was then come, they and their Children were cut off from the Covenant of Abraham, and must say no more, We have Abraham to our Father. But if they did hold forth Repentance and Faith in Christ, then the Covenant and Promise which was made to them, and to their Children before, did still continue unto them, and to their Children. And that is the very ground and meaning of Peters exhortation to the Jews and Proselytes, Act. 2.38, 39. Repent, saith he, and be Baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus, &c. For the Promise is to you, and to your Children, &c. as hath been opened above.

¹Because the Messiah being then come (who was the chief blessing of the Covenant, yea, the very substance of the Covenant, and is therefore himself called the Covenant, Isa. 42.6. and 49.8.) Hee, I say, being come, it was necessary, that they who relyed upon the Covenant of Abraham, (as all the Jewes and Proselytes did) should hold forth also their reliance on Christ, in whom the Covenant and the promises thereof, were confirmed to them and their seed. For then was the Axe laid to the root of the Tree, even to the stock of Abraham, and to all the branches that grew upon it, and were ingraffed into it. So that now, if they did not bring for•h this good fruit, to beleeve in Christ, who was then come, they and their Children were cut off from the Covenant of Abraham, and must say no more, Wee have Abraham to our Father. But if they did hold forth Repentance and Faith in Christ, then the Covenant and Promise which was made to them, and to their Children before, did still continue unto them, and to their Children. And that is the very ground and meaning of Peters exhortation to the Jewes and Proselites,