the Gofpel, we become Children of God, according to the new Covenant;-and by outward fenfible Signs, or Sacraments, are confirmed in the Hopes of eternal Life, the free Gift of God, through Jefus Chrift our Lord: But then remember, If you do not endeavour to live in Obedience to the Commands of your Heavenly Father, it will be no Profit to you at all to be called the Child of God. -Laftly, By Baptifm, you are admitted into the Hope of everlafting Happiness, and to a Title to the Inheritance of the Saints, upon your believing, embracing, and obeying, the gracious Terms of the Gofpel of the Blessed Jefus.-God will then treat you, as a Father does the Child he loves:-He will, upon your hearty Repentance, and fincère Return to your Duty, pity your manifold Infirmities, and forgive all your paft Offences. He will correct you in Mercy, when you do what would hurt yourfelf; and will upon your Prayers, for the Sake of his Son Jefus Chrift, give you the Grace of his All-powerful Spirit, to guide, affift, comfort, and support you in the Way leading to everlasting Life. Ind. Had I no Right to thefe Bleffings, before I was baptized?' Mil. Confider what Favours they are, and you will find nothing in yourself that can deferve fuch +. * Gal. iv. 7. Rom. viii. 157 + Rom. iii. 23. Can Can Sinful Duft and Afbes pretend to Heavenly Privileges-The Favour of God, and the Graces of his Holy Spirit?ped haw Can corrupt Nature think of deferving, or be capable of Glory, and Honour, and Immortality? Endeavour to know yourself better, chat, being truly humbled with a Senfe of your own Vileness and Mifery, you may thankfully accept of Help and Mercy from God. For they that are whole need not a Phyfician, but they that are fick * And feeing God has promised to do fo much for You, be perfuaded to do fomething for yourself. Ind. What can fo miferable a Creature do for himfelf?? Mill. You can lament your own Unwor thiness, and pray God to pity you. You can use the Graces he beftoweth upon you, and be thankful for his Favours.You can do your Beft, and his Goodness will expect no more. Ind, Was the Sacrament of Baptism or dained by Chrift himself??, Mil. It was in thefe Words-Go ye, and each all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost + -Which Command the Apoftles of Chrift obferved-They preached the Gofpel, and as many as believed, them they baptized * Matt. ix. 12. † Ibid. xxviii. 19. Asii. 41. By this Sacrament, adding to the Church · Such as Should be saved *. -Holding it ne ceffary to baptize with Water, even thofe that bad received the Holy Ghoft + + Teaching us that this Command of Chrift, where it may be duly observed, is not to be neglected on any Account whatever. Ind. What further Use am I to make of this Sacrament?' Miff. It ought always to bring to your Remembrance, that you are a Chriftian: That you have a New Name, and New Powers, given you, on purpose that you may become a New Creature. If you are indeed a Child of God, you will think what a dutiful Child ought to do. You will fear his Difpleafure, and trust in his Love; you will pray to him for what you want, and be thankful for what he gives; and you will own his Affection when he corrects, as well as when he fmiles upon you. If you look for an Inheritance in Heaven, your Thoughts will be often there: For where your Treafure is, there will your Heart be alfot. And you will not be too eager or anxious for the Things of this World.You will neither be much afraid of its Troubles, nor too fond of its Vanities, remembring that both will foon have an End.. *Acts ii. 47. ↑ Ibid. x. 47. + Matt. vi. 21. And And as you ever hope to go to Heaven, you will endeavour to fit yourself for that glorious. Place: Remembring, That without Holi nefs no Man fhall fee the Lord*. The fure Promife of God will not fuffer you to defpair:And the Joy that is fet before you will encourage you to prefs forwards. You will be thankful to God for calling you to this State of Salvation:And gladly undertake the Conditions he requires of you. What these Conditions are, you fhall know the next time I fee you. But firft, with thankful Heart, say, The PRAYER. Almighty and everlafting God, heavenly Father, I give Thee humble Thanks that Thou haft vouchfafed to call me to the Knowlege of thy Grace and Faith in Thee: Increafe this Knowlege, and confirm this Faith in me evermore. Heal all the Evil Inclinations of my Soul; and create in me an hearty Love unto Holinefs, that, continuing thy Servant, I may attain thy Promises, and be made a Partaker of thine everlasting Kingdom, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Heb. xii. 14. DIALOGUE XI. The Conditions required of fuch as are to be baptized. TH Indian. HE laft Time I waited upon you, you were pleased to promife to inftruct me in thofe Conditions that Perfons are required to know, and promise to perform, in order to be baptized.' Miffionary. I fhall gladly do this.As Chrift will moft furely keep the Promise he has made of many great and valuable Bleffings; So you must on your part promife, To renounce the Devil, and all bis Works: The World, and all its evil Ways and Gufoms: And the Flesh, and all its finful Lufts. And fecondly, That you will receive and believe the Truths and Meffage which God fent unto Men by his Son, which are contained in the Holy Scriptures of the New Teftament, and fummed up in what we call The Apoftles Creed. And lastly, You must promife to use your utmost Diligence, and fincere Endeavours, to keep the Commands of God all the Days of your Life. And |