a Covenant with him by Baptifm, it evidently imports, that by this facred Ordinance, every true Believer is made a Member of Chrift. 2. From hence it follows, that every fuch Believer is also a Child of God. For if any Man be in Chrift, he is a new Creature. God doth fend forth the Spirit of his Son into his Heart, whereby he cries, Abba Father. And by this (Spirit of God and Chrift) he is regenerated and born again, not of Blood, nor of the Will of the Flesh, nor of the Will of Man, but of God. John i. 13. And accordingly God accepts him, and refpects him as his Child. For as many as received him, (i... Jefus Chrift) to them gave he Power, that they fhould become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name. Johni. 12. And being made the Sons of God by Adoption and Grace, 3. It hence farther follows, that they alfo are Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Forif Children,then Heirs,yea Heirs of God, and Joint-Heirs with Chrift. Rom.viii. 17. And this Inheritance belonging to them, is fuch,as answers to their Relation,even an Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, referved in Heaven for them. And then that gracious Promise will be eminently fulfilled to them, 2 Cor.vi. 16. I will dwell in them,and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my People. And here confider what a Being this moft Glorious God is, who in Heaven will be the Portion and Inheritance of all Believers. He in his Nature is univerfal Goodness. All All the scatter'd Excellencies that are in all the whole Creation, the Beauty of Flowers, the Fragrancy of Spices, the Light, Heat, and Influence of the Sun, Moon and Stars; the Reason, Grace and Glory of Men, Saints and Angels,are all but little Rays and Emanations of his Perfections, and are eminently contained in him. Wherefore the Heirs of Heaven, in enjoying God there, will enjoy all things in him, in their Orient Perfections. And accordingly it is said, they fhall inherit all things, Rev. XX. 7. Qui habet Deum habentem omnia, habet omnia. In having him, in whom are all things,it is neceffarily imply'd, that they have all things in him. And when the perishing and poor Creatures,with all their Comforts,fail them, fuch as Father or Mother, or Wife or Chil dren,or Houses or Lands, &c. they shall enjoy them all in God,in an eminent and tranfcendent Manner, and He will be all in all to them for ever. The Questions and Answers. Q. Is there any great Benefit to be obtained Baptifm fan by Chriftian Baptifm? A. Yes. Baptifm faveth us. 1 Pet. iii. 21. Q. What is that Baptifm which is faid to fave us? Is it the outward Sign or Ceremony, called External Baptifm? veth us. A. No. Tho' Baptifm faveth us, it is not Not Exter the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh nal. that do's fo. Q What then do you understand by the Bap D tifm But Inter- tifm that faveth us? Is it not the Inward Baptifm, viz. the Wafhing of Regeneration? nal. Tet outward Baptifm is neceffary. A. Yes. According to his Mercy he faved us, by the Washing of Regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghoft. Tit.iii.s. Q. Is this then, which you call Internal Bapsifm, the most neceffary and prinsipal ?.. A. Yes. For as it was truly faid of the Jews and Circumcifion, Rom.ii.28,29. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly, neither is that Circumcifion which is outward in the Flesh; but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumcifion is that of the Heart, in the Spirit, and not in the Letter, whose Praise is not of Men, but of God: The like may be faid alfo concerning Chriftians and their Baptifm. Q. Is it not then unnecessary to receive the External Baptifm? ¡¡ A. No in no wife. For this is Chrift's Ordinance. And we must observe and do whatfoever he hath commanded us. Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. Q. What then is the Advantage or Benefit of outward Baptifm? Is it not the fame to us, now under the New Teftament, as outward Circumcifion was to the Jews of old? A. Yes. For as they by Circumcifion were admitted into the Church and Covenant, fo are we now by Baptism. And as their Outward Circumcifion entitled them to outward Privileges; for to them pertained the Adoption, and the Glo ry, ry, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the Service of God, and the Promises. Rom. ix. 4. So by Baptifm we have Right and Freedom to the Ordinances and Means of Grace in the Houfe of God, his Church; and are at least in the trueWay for our Converfion and Salvation. Act. ii. 47. The Lord added to the Church fuch as fhould be faved. Q. You have heard that Chriftian Baptifm is both External and Internal. Are these two diftinet Kinds, or only several Parts of Baptifm? A. Eph. iv. 5. There is one Lord, one Bapri Faith, one Baptifm. But as the Body and but one. Soul of Man are not two but one Perfon, fo the outward and inward Baptifm, both by Water and the Spirit, are not properly two Sorts, but only two Parts of Baptifm, confifting of both these together; and is that which is here meant in this Part of our Catechism. Q. What are the Benefits which we receive by this Baptifm? A. In general it entitles us to all the The Benefits • Bleffings of the New Covenant, efpecially to of Baptifm. these three, namely, to be made thereby, 1. A Member of Chrift. 2. A Child of God. 3. An Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. Q. Can you prove from Scripture that a Believer is made, by Baptifm, 1. A Member of Chrift? A. Yes. For by one 1. MemberShip with Christ. A. Yes. Gal.iii.26,27. We are all the Children of God by Faith 2. Adop- 2. A Child of God in Chrift Jefus. For as tion. Applica tion. Heaven? of many you as have been baptized into Chrift, have put on Chrift. Catechift. And now,what is the Use that we should make of these Premiffes? Why, having these Promises, we fhould cleanse ourfelves from all Filthinefs both of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God. And this we fhould do, if we did thoroughly believe them. For our Affections and Actions are all anfwerable to our Belief. If Grace but difcover to us what is our true Good and Happiness, we should earneftly pursue the fame by even a natural Neceffitation. Let us pray therefore, that God would increase our Faith; that believing what he hath promised, and doing what he commandeth, we may be meet to receive the Forgiveness of our Sins, and |