Question 70

What is it to bee washed by the blood and Spirite of Christ?

It is to receiue at the handes of God, forgiuenesses of sinnes, freelie for the blood of Christ, which he hath shed for vs in his sacrifice vppon the Crosse: and next, to bee renewed also by the spirite of Christ, and being sanctified by him, to become a member of Christ, to the end wee may more and more die vnto sinne, and^a liue holilie, and without blame.^b

The vse.

A Double fruit redoundeth to vs by the Sacrament of baptisme. For first, we are not onlie by Baptisme assured, that al our sinnes are forgiuen vs, so that as often as wee sinne of infirmitie, we neither may, or ought to doubt of it, vnlesse we wil call the truth of God in doubt, and be enemies to our owne saluation: but also, we are by the same put in mind, what wee owe vnto God, that, forasmuch as by the spirit of sanctification he hath made vs his members, we doe more and more die vnto sinne, and do labour for vprightnes & inocencie of life, that so Baptisme may serue to order and rule our whole life, which is the second end of Baptisme.^c