connected with it. Of itself, indeed, it could no nothing ; but, as used in faith, it did much. As appointed of God, it was a sign of the person's believing in Christ, and a seal of the righteousness which he had received through faith e. It was also an acknowledgment on the sinners part that he was bound to serve the Lord in the way of holiness ; and a fledge on God's part that he should have grace and strength to do so, if only he would seek it in the exercise of faith and prayer f. Thus it was intimately connected both with the justification of the soul, and with its sanctification after the Divine image ; and consequently, in the judgment of charity, it might be spoken of as " washing away both the guilt and the pollution of sin." In both these senses it is said to " save" men2: but then we must ever remember, that in the act of baptism there was " a calling upon the name of the Lord" for these blessings, and an exercise of faith in him for the communication of them. In itself, it was only a figurative representation of the blessings sought for and imparted : the communication of the blessings themselves depended on the sincerity of him who sought them : if he sought them with real humility and faith, they were im- parted to his soul ; and if not, they were withheld from him : but, as in that day it could not be expected that persons would apply for baptism unless they were sincere, it might well be hoped that, in the ordinance, they really obtained the blessings which they professed to seek, and that " as many as were bap- tized into Christ did really put on Christ V To this we may add, that God did, on many occasions, accompany that ordi- nance with a more than ordinary effusion of his Holy Spirit, both in his gifts and graces ; according to what is intimated by the Apostle : " Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy God has saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour1." On the day of Pentecost, a hope was held forth to the awakened penitents, that God would so bless this ordinance to themk : and many years afterwards was this very connexion spoken of, as realized in the experience of the Corinthian con- verts. They had been amongst the most abandoned of mankind : yet says the Apostle to them, " But ye are washed (in baptism), but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God1." As enjoined of God, the rite is necessary for all ; but, as performed by man, it is effectual to those only who receive it aright, and who possess the dispositions which the ordinance itself supposes and implies.
« Rom. iv. 11. f Rom. vi. 3. 4. M Pet. iii. 21.
11 Gal. iii. 27. i Tit, iii. 5, (>. k Acts ii. 38, 39.
1 1 Cor. vi. 11.