Selected quad for the lemma: life_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
life_n	believe_v	jesus_n	lord_n	8,211	5	3.8236	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91515	Aqua genitalis a discourse concerning baptism. First delivered in a sermon at Alhallows Lumbardstreet, Octob. 4. 1658. and now a little inlarged. Into which is since inserted, a brief discourse to perswade to a confirmation of the baptismal-vovv. / By Symon Patrick, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Battersea.	Patrick, Simon, 1626-1707.	1659 (1659)	Wing P747; Thomason E2142_2; ESTC R210125	49,818	131

them the Answer will be easie That there was no need for him to express every particular subject of Baptism seeing it was so well known before by the common practise of the Jews and by the former Covenant and therefore his chief intent in those words was to tell them in what manner and form they should now baptize viz. in the name of the Father Son and H. Ghost which had not been yet used but now was to be every where practised I have no mind to add more but beseech the Lord that all those who dispute against Infant-baptism may behave themselves like men baptized and remember that humility modesty and peaceableness of spirit are great Doctrines in the Christian school and that if so many good and learned men have erred as they think then so may they A few words concerning the third general Head of our discourse may perhaps lend a little further light to this business and manifest that there is not so much required as some imagine to qualifie and capacitate a person for Baptism For 3. It is said here that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 straight way immediatly without any further proof he was baptized If you look back you shall find that Paul and Silas being close Prisoners at Philippi there was about mid-night a great Earth-quake that made both the Prison and the Jaylor also shake and opened both the doors of the Prison and of the heart of the Keeper for this strange trembling of the earth it is very likely caused him to apprehend that these were divine persons for whom such a wonder was wrought and so to come trembling before them and inquire what he must do to be saved They told him Vers 29 3. that he must believe on the Lord Jesus and accordingly spake to him the Word of the Lord Vers 31 32. i.e. proved to him that Jesus was the Son of God and taught men the true Religion and way to life The very same hour he took them and washed their stripes and then was washed himself in the name of Christ By this it will appear that though a Profession of Faith be required yet not a distinct belief of every thing in Christs Religion for that could not in the space of an hour be comprehended He therefore having a general knowledge that Jesus was the Son of God and a Teacher sent from Heaven to do men great good and professing a readiness to be taught by him was received by Baptism into Christs school to learn of him That such a knowledge together with a repentance of their fore-past evil life did sufficiently qualifie for Baptism you may see by consulting these places Acts 2. All the Sermon of the Apostle tends to no other purpose but to prove that Jesus whom they crucified was the promised seed which he demonstrates from his resurrection and the effects of it that abundantly declared he was made Lord and Christ Verse 36. When this was cleared to them their hearts were pricked to think what they had done and he exhorts them to repent of it and receive Baptism which three thousand of them immediatly did as you read verse 41. And continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine Verse 42. i.e. learning of that Religion to which they saw so much reason to addict themselves So Acts 8.35 We find that Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch and required only this profession of him Verse 37. That he believe with all his heart that Jesus is the Son of God and then he went down into the water with him and baptized him And again cap. 18.5 Paul was pressed in spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ and then verse 8. Crispus believed on the Lord with his whole house and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized So in all other places you will find there was so little space between their preaching and baptizing that they could not well be taught more then this that he was the Messiah or Christ that was expected and that all must be obedient to him So that this washing did admit them and ingage them to be his Disciples to be taught and instructed by him and to learn the way of God perfectly which they could not but believe he would acquaint them withall being a messenger sent by God unto them And this is most plainly intimated in the words of that commission Christ delivered unto them Mat. 28.19 20. Go and teach or disciple all Nations c. Where there are two teachings the one before the other after Baptism the first can be no more then a perswasion of them to become the Disciples of Christ and put themselves into his school because he was the Son of God and then after they were baptized follows a more accurate and full instruction of them in all the parts of their Duty which is meant by those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Where the word for teaching is different from that in the former verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and signifies a larger knowledge of Christs Doctrine which they had ingaged themselves to observe being assured the Son of God could teach them nothing but the Truth And this I take to be the reason why so many fell off again from this profession when the displeasing Doctrines of Christ came to be practised They had not considered what it would cost them to be Christians but only as I said were in general convinced that he was Gods Son and that they must be his Disciples and so they liked no longer to be his followers when their carnal Interests came to be touched and when they saw that he was such a Master as would not let them have their own will nor enjoy this present world nor in one word serve two Masters God and their Mammon too Though they did in gross as I said profess to forsake their sins and lead a holy life yet when they came to be informed in the particulars of self-denial and such hard lessons they returned rather with the dog to the vomit 2 Pet. 2.22 and the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire That I may put an end to this Discourse let me shew you a little how it will be usefull to you and have an Influence upon practise and if you be believing and obedient I shall be confident I have not made you mispend an hour in perusing what I have represented Vse 1. TAke notice of the great Wisdom of our Lord that though he have left us an outward Ceremony still in his Church yet it is such an one that signifies not one thing but the whole Religion and not only signifies but ingages us unto our duty You have seen that Baptism expresseth the whole Covenant of Grace between God and us and whereas the Jews had several Rites and usages to set forth and represent several duties Christ hath left us only this together with

Repentance Mat. 3.6 8. Mar. 1.4 and likewise accompanied with an Exhortation to bring forth fruits meet for Repentance and in refusing of which the Pharisees are said to have rejected the counsel of God against themselves Luk. 7.30 but also by the exhortation of the Apostle to the new Converts Act. 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you c. i. e. make profession of your Repentance by Baptism to the remission of your sins the sense of which had pricked them in their hearts And it is further manifest from all the circumstances of Baptism For they put off their old cloaths and stript themselves of their Garments then they were immersed all over and buried in the water which notably signified the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh as the Apostle speaks Col. 2.11 and their entring into a state of death or mortification after the similitude of Christ according to the same Apostles language elsewhere We art baptized into his death Rom. 6.3 4 6. we are buried with him in Baptism knowing that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we might not serve sin All which was rendred still more significant by the Antients who baptized only on the last day of the week at night i.e. on the even of two Lords dayes in the year called therefore by Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because Christ then say in the grave and was about to rise again In conformity to whom they by this Rite did profess themselves to be dead and coming out of the water there to leave all their sins drowned and buried in that grave never to revive again There is one thing more not to be forgotten which makes it more clear that it was intended for a profession of Repentance that is the Renunciation which they made to the Devil the world and the flesh or the open declaration upon the question propounded which they made against all Gods enemies the form of which so many antient Authors do record that it is vain to cite any but the sense of it was this Do you renounce or do you forsake the world and all the vanities follies and wickedness thereof I do forsake them said the person to be baptized Do you forsake the Devil will you have never any thing to do with his works I do forsake him and abhor them all c. unto which the Apostle is thought to have reference 1 Pet. 3.21 when he speaks of the answer of a good conscience as the Baptism which saves us and not the outward washing or putting away of the filth of the flesh This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this question What shall I do to be saved and consequently the hearty answer to all that is proposed as requisite to salvation is that which makes Baptism to be valid and of force unto us The Jews say in their tradition that Adam stood a whole week up to the neck in water begging of God to accept of his Repentance for what he had committed Whatsoever he did I am sure this Washing with water doth most fitly represent both our acknowledgements that we are worthy to die and be swallowed up in the water and our profession that we will forsake all our filthiness if we may but be accepted unto life Thirdly It is a Profession of faith in the Father Son and Holy Ghost For we are baptized into their name and so it signifies either first that we heartily accept of the Father for our God and happiness to love him above all and of the Son for our Lord and Saviour as the way unto the Father and of the Holy Ghost for our Sanctifier Guide and Conductor to the Son or secondly which comes to the same that we embrace that Doctrine for our Rule which is delivered unto us from the Father through the hands of his Son by the Power of the Holy Spirit to fear all his threatnings to relye upon all his Promises and to yield obedience to all his Commands as long as we live That this profession of Faith was made in Baptism is plain not only from Acts 8.37 where Philip saith to the Eunuch If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayst be baptized and he answers I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God but likewise from this that the word Baptism is put for the whole Doctrine which he preached who did baptize as you may see Acts 18.25 knowing only the Baptism of John Acts 19.3 Into what were you baptized and they said into Johns Baptism By which it appears that being baptized into such a name though one should speak nothing expresses a consent to embrace that word which he preaches and declares to be the Will of God Yea Baptism is an open profession and Declaration to all that we are of such a faith for it is not enough that we are perswaded of the Truth of Christs Religion but we ought also publiquely to own it and manifest to the world our belief of it which seems to me to be the meaning of that place Mark 16.16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved i. e. He that owns the faith of Christ in Truth and makes a profession of his belief by receiving this mark of the Christian Religion he shall be accepted of God to life For that was required by our Saviour of his Disciples that they should not be ashamed of him before men nor be afraid to let the world know that they were his disciples by using all those things whereby they were distinguished from the rest of men 4. It is a profession of holiness and obedience and an engagement we thereby lay upon our selves to maintain all purity in body and soul which is the immediate consequent of the two former and seems to be alluded unto by the Apostle when he saith 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but you are washed but you are sanctified c. i. e. you have betaken your selves by receiving of Baptism to a holy and pure Conversation And it is more plainly expressed by him Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ In token of which and that they intended all Purity like those in the Reavelation who are said to follow the Lamb in white they were presently cloathed with white Garments when they came out of the water From whence that day was called White Sunday which was one of the principle times when the Antients did admit persons to Baptism and they all professed hereby that they hated the grament spotted with the flesh and would never return again to the dirty pleasures of the world wherein they had wallowed An antient Christian Poet doth excellently express it Fulgentes animas vestis quoque candita signat Lactantius Firm. El groge de niveo gaudia pastor habet A bright garment was cast over shining and glistering souls and the Great

must not only make a face and spit when we hear the Devil named but we must abhor his works and defie all his filthy lusts and have our very stomack rise at all that comes from hell And so men would were they not jugled into a belief that they defie the Devil while he embraces them in his arms I remember a story in the life of a Romish Religious S●or Maria Ma●dalena de Patsi how that she should see one day in a vision the soul of a sinner dragged to hell and beyond the mercy of purgatory for not having in account the spiritual treasures of the Church but despising both indulgences and all other graces which she grants her Children So doth the Devil labour to nurse in mens hearts a perswasion that outward things can save them and that he can do them no harm if they be baptized keep the Church say their prayers and receive the Ministers blessing which is all they think that Baptism ingages them unto and they make the same use of Christ that others do of the Pope thinking to buy a pardon if they have not one already by the profession of such a holiness as the Devil if he were incarnate need not be afraid of but might swear he would maintain O what pitty is it that Christ should be thus abused and his institutions perverted and souls undone when it is so plain what he would have us to do that we may be saved But will not some little sprinklings of holiness serve the turn may some say May we not allow some place for self-pleasing and gratifie our own desires sometimes seeing we wallow not alwayes in filthiness No Baptism though only upon the face signifies the washing of the whole man from spiritual pollutions and though only once administred puts us into a state of purity which must not willingly admit of any defilement And let those men know that have their good moods their cold fits of Repentance and their hot fits of zeal that use Religion as the Papists do holy water when they are entring into the Church and going to perform some devotion that Christ owns no such Disciples They were not baptized in luke-warm water but were ingaged in a state of mortification and entred into Christs death and he expects a constant performance of obedience Aelian l. 4. var. hist cap. 1. There were a people in Illyricum that were washed but three times in all their lives at their birth at their marriage at their death And they may be a picture of most Christians amongst us who in their Infancy are washed in Christs nam and then perhaps against some solemn time when the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is near they begin to put away their sins and perhaps baptize themselves in tears and deck up themselves as though they would meet the Bridegroom and be married unto him and of this you shall hear no more unless at such a time as that till death tell them that he can stay no longer and some sickness arrests them then they begin to slubber and cry to sigh and groan as if by tears they could wash away their guilt and by a few sighs and good wishes blow away the black cloud of wrath that hangs over their heads They make Religion to be a few strong pang● of devotion at certain times of their life and Christ to be pleased with any thing glad of any company and heaven to be an empty void place that wants Inhabitants much like to the new found world whither we send the most rascal people But Christ will shortly appear to all the world to confute all such men and he will drench them in seas of fire the floods of his wrath shall overwhelm them and they shall never rise again But is there such great danger then may some say Will not God be something more favourable to us then other men and will not the waters of Baptism a little quench and cool the flames Cool them No they will be like water upon lime which will make it burn the hotter Even this will be pleaded against you that you were baptized If a Souldier sworn to Caesar should forsake his Camp and flie to the Turks would he not be punished more then a stranger when he was taken and suffer as a false and treacherous fellow as a Run-agate and a perjured person Who would admit of such a plea from his mouth I am no forsworn Wretch I never denyed Caesar nor renounced my Allegiance to him no man ever heard me speak a word against him Might it not easily be returned to him but thou didst deny him in thy Actions thou hast more then forsworn him for thou hast fought against him yea thou hast joined with a Tyrant with the greatest enemy the Emperor hath and the sworn foe of all Christians if such a Fellow should live who should die What is the Ax and the Gibbet made for if not for such trayterous Villains The Gallows would think much if thou shouldst be reprieved Thou readest thy own case O Christian if thou livest in sin and fidest with the Devil and takest thy share with the world whom thou hast renounced in word but not in deed What though thou dost not call the Lord Christ a Deceiver What though thou dost not revile the holy name whereby we are called thou dost a great deal worse thou bendest all thy forces thou hast against him as if he were a thief and a Robber thou labourest to destroy his Kingdom thou tramplest under foot the blood of the Covenant and makest Christ unto thee of none effect Which is the worst enemy he that speaks thee fair and with a kiss stabs thee to the heart or he that bids thee stand upon thy guard and declares himself resolv'd against thy life I will assure you Turks are not such enemies to Christ as those that pretend to him and yet do him all the despight they can in their lives Better had it been for them that some band of souldiers had ravished them from their mothers breasts and listed them under Mahomets banners better had it been for them to have been Janizaries then to own and acknowledge the Christian Profession and live so prophanely without God in the world Heathens may sin at a cheaper rate then we because they never made any such Promise unto God They may do evil with a better front and more confident countenance that never received any such mark in their forehead But a Christian face which is besprinkled with clean water in the name of Christ should blush methinks at any impurity and the mark of Christ that is upon him should make him more modest then to sin But if he will besmear himself again and have the impudence to out-face Christ he shall pay dearly for it For he breaks his vow to God and thereby comes under the curse which is annexed to the Covenant as well as the Promise And all these terrible