and therefore, when you are received into the Church, it is fitting that they that bring you fhould give you your Name as Chriftians, Luc. i. 59. Impofition of Names, is an Argument of Power and Dominion; and therefore Mafters used to give new Names to their Servants; as Jofeph, Gen. xli. 45. in Egypt; Daniel, Dan. i. 7. in Babylon; and fo the Three Children. In Baptifm we are admitted into Chrift's Service. The Jews had alfo a Godfather at Circumficion, called FD, Sufceptor. Queft. 3. What need is there of Godfathers and They were always ufed in the Christian Church. Tertullian, Lib. de Baptifmo, makes mention of them as univerfally practifed: He calls them Sponfores. No Church but ufeth them at this Day, 1. As Witnesses. 1. De Jure. Of the Right the Child hath to Baptifm by being born of Chriftian Parents, and fo within the Pale of the Church. 2. De facto. Of what is done. That they were really and truly Baptized, as in all Contracts of any Value; tho' there be Twenty People by, you will have Two or Three in a particular Manner to be Witneffes to it, 2 Cor. xiii. 1. 2. As Sureties; giving Security to the Church, that the Child fhall be brought up in the Chriftian Faith. The Parent is bound to do it by Nature, they by Promife. He is as Principal, they as Sureties, Sponsores, Safceptores, Fidejuffores. 3. As Proxies or Subftitutes, by whom the Child promifeth to keep the Law, 2 Pet. i. 4. They Promife in the Child's Name, Heb. viii. 10. As by the Civil Law, a Guardian may fwear in the Name of a Minor, and both by Common and Civil Law, a Child is bound to perform many Contracts made by its Guardian. A Guardian may contract for his Pupil for his Benefit. Queft 4. What Ufe to be made of this? 1. Hence we learn, That to be a Godfather, is not only a Kindness to a Friend, but a great Act of Piety towards Chrift: An honourable Thing. 2. How much we are bound to ferve God, when we fo folemnly vowed and promised it at our Admiffion into the Chriftian Religion by our: Proxies, 2. Cor. v. 17. Rom. vi. 4. III. The Effects of Baptifm. Wherein I was made a Member of Christ, a Child of God, and an Inheritq; of the Kingdom of Heaven. I. A Member of CHRIST: Queft. 1. What is it to be a Member of Chrift? It is to be of the Church which is his Body. Chrift hath a Twofold Body: 1. A Body Natural.: 2. A Body Mystical: Which is the Church whereof he is the Head, Col. i. 18. Eph. i. 22, 23. Eph. iv. 15, 16. Queft. 2. How are we made Members of Christ in Baptifm? By By being then admitted into his Church, Rom. vi. 5. By Baptifm alfo we all come to be acted by the fame Spirit that is in the Head, and are fo made living Members, 1 Cor. xii. 13. Queft. 3. What use is to be made of our being 1. It is a great Comfort to us: For by this it 2. We fhould hence learn to Love one another, 1 Cor. xii. 12, 25, 26. 3. We should learn from hence to live Soberly and Chaftly, 1 Cor. vi. 15. Yea, wholly devoted to God, 1 Cor. vi, 19, 20. II. A Child of GOD. Queft. 1. How are we made the Children of God in Baptifm? 1. Not by Generation. Only Christ was fo, μονογενής. 2. But by Regeneration. Because we are then born again of Water, and of the Spirit, who is God. Therefore we are faid to partake of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. i 4. Hence we are called Sons of God, Job. i. 12. And call God,Father, Matt. vi.9. Joh. xx. 17. Rom. ix. 4. Gal. iv. §. Queft. 2. What Ufe are we to make of this, that we are made the Children of God?. 1. We should hate and avoid all Sin; becaufe offenfive to our Father, and contrary to our Natures, 1 Job. iii. 9. c. v. 18. E 4 2. Ho 2. Honour and revere God as our Father, Mal. i. 6. 1 Pet. i. 17. 3. We fhould truft on him for his Care of us, and Provision for us, Matt. vi. 31, 32. And therefore fubmit to his Will and Pleasure in all Things, Heb. xii. 9. We should imitate our Father in all Acts of Love and Kindness to one another, Matt. v, 44, 48. 5. We fhould ferve and obey God from a Principle of Love and Affection, and Delight, Rom. viii. 14. Job. viii. 47. Queft. 3. What Privileges have we by being the Children of God? We can call God, Father; which is an extraordinary Privilege, Rom. viii. 15. And fo partake of the Spirit of God, Gal. iv. 6. 2. All Things fhall work together for our good; for our Father difpofeth of them, and he hath promised they fhall, Rom. viii. 28. 3. We are hereby made Heirs of God, and Coheirs with Chrift, Rom. viii. 16, 17. Gal. iv. 7. Hence is the Third Benefit we receive from Baptifm, we are made Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven : That is, We are put into a State of Salvation, have a Right and Title to the Crown of Glory, are Heirs of Heaven; and unlefs we difinherit our Selves by the wilful Commiffion of known Sins, we shall moft certainly hereafter be admitted into the actual Poffeffion of it. Then They did Pzomise and Vow Three Things in my Name: First, That I thould renounce the Devil and all his Wozks, the Pomps and Danity of this wicked Wozló, and the finful Tufts of the Fleth. I. Baptifm being the Seal of the Covenant of Grace, Rom. iv. II. Hence it is fitting and neceffary that fuch as are Baptized do promise and engage to perform the Conditions of that Co venant. 2. Children are not capable of making fuch a Promife in their own Names and Perfons. 3. Hence the Church hath always thought it neceffary they should do it by their Proxies or Sureties. 4. Hence in Baptifm we demand of the Godfathers and Godmothers Four Things efpecially: I. Doft thou, in the Name of this Child, renounce the Devil and all his Works, the vain Pomp and Glory of the World, with all covetous Defires of the fame, and the carnal Defires of the Flesh, fo that thou wilt not follow nor be lead by them? 2. Doft thou Believe in God the Father Almighty? 3. Wilt thou be Baptized in this Faith? 4. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's Holy Will and Commandments, and walk in the fame all the Days of thy Life? Hence, Laftly, It is the Child here fays, his Godfathers and Godmothers did in his Name promise these Three Things. 1. To renounce the Devil and all his Works, &c. Queft |