Question 69

THE ARGVMENT.

The application of the former doctrine of Sacramentes vnto Baptisme. 2 Of spirituall Baptisme. 3 And of the confirmation thereof.

How art thou put in minde and confirmed in Baptisme, that thou art partaker of that onely Sacrifice of Christ?

Because Christ hath commanded the outward washing with water, adding this^a promise, that I shal no lesse assuredly bee^b washed by his blood, and by his Spirit, from the spottes of my soule, that is, from all my sinnes, than I am outwardly washed with water, wherewith the spots of my bodie vse to be washed away.^c

The vse.

The vse of the sacrament of Baptisme, is declared, to wit, that the water is not onlie a signe, whereby the misterie of saluation is more plainly expressed vnto me, which Christ hath purchased for me, by the sheding of his blood: but also a seale, whereby is sealed vnto me, that my soule is purified from al vncleannes, as surely as the element of water hath power to wash mens bodies, and to clense them from al their spottes. Nowe how these things are imputed vnto vs, is here declared, but more fullie taught in the next question: namely, in respect of God, that giueth them by his spirit alone, who woorketh freelie in the elect, yet so, that the matter both of our clensing and of our regeneration, must be required and sought in Christ alone, by whose blood and spirit we must be cleansed and washed.