So testifies the apostle concerning circumcision, Rom. 4:11. and
baptism cannot be called the baptism of repentance; nor are persons baptized for the remission of sins; nor can it be looked on as a seal of the righteousness of faith: all which is evidently against Scripture testimony. And I do not remember it is pleaded by any, though Mr. Fulwood is pleased to say, that persons may be considered to be truly baptized* without respect to saving grace. If it be said they are appointed as means of the conveyance of the first grace; then, 1. Either there are none converted before baptism, which is manifestly false, Acts 8:12. 37; or else baptism is in vain conferred on converts, which is no less false. But surely in vain are means used to confer on any that which they have before. 2. It were unfaithfulness to Christ, and cruelty to men to withhold the sacraments from any person whatsoever. Were it not soul murder to withhold the means of conveyance of the first grace from any, and unfaithfulness to him, who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth? But that the sacraments, and particularly baptism, are not to be conferred on all promiscuously, none can deny. Wherefore it remains, they are indeed appointed for confirmation; which doth necessarily suppose the pre-existence of grace in the soul, seeing that which is not, cannot be confirmed.
2. Baptism is appointed of God to be a seal of the righteousness of faith. So testifies the apostle concerning circumcision, Rom. 4:11. and consequently of baptism, which hath now come into its room, Col. 2:11. 12.—"By the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism." This none but Socinians, and such as they, will quarrel. But now none have right to the seal, but such as have interest in the thing sealed. The being of a thing is pre-supposed to the sealing of it; the contract must be made before it be sealed. No wise man will seal a blank, far less must God's seal be given to him that hath no interest in that which it is appointed to seal. And it is evident, that such as are out of Christ, have no interest in his righteousness, therefore no right before God to the seal of it. "Abraham received circumcision" says the apostle, "a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had before." Where the party baptized is one that hath no saving interest in Christ, the ordinance as to him is abused, and so he hath no right thereto before the Lord. The abuse is manifest from what is said; for, as Witsius teacheth,* God seals nothing, to such a one, that is truly good. The benefits of the covenant he hath neither part nor lot in;