SERM.newness of life. This Argument the A-
III. postle pursues at large, through the

whole chapter. And
And in Other of his
epiftles; Col. ii. 12. Buried with Him in
Baptism, wherein alfo ye are rifen with
him, Gal. iii. 27.
As many of you as
have been baptized into Chrift, have put
on Chrift. And Eph. iv. 22. That ye
put off, concerning the former converfa-
tion, the old man, (that is, your antient
manner of living,) which is corrupt ac-
cording to the deceitful Lufts; And be re-
newed in the spirit of your Mind.

THE Application of what has been faid upon this Laft General head, is; that, at the first Preaching of the Gospel, the perfons brought to Baptifm being fuch as had been converted from among the Jews or Heathens; whereas Now they are generally fuch as have been born of Christian Parents; 'tis always to be understood, that all the fimilitudes and comparisons, all the reafonings and arguments, drawn in Scripture from the nature and Form, from the defigns and obligations of Baptifm; muft Now be applied

applied to Chriftians, at fuch time asSER M. they profess themselves to be Difciples of III. Christ, and followers of his Religion, with understanding, knowledge, and choice. Which matter, if duly duly confidered, would have a great Effect upon the Hearts and Lives of all reasonable perfons, And that it may have fuch Effect, God of his infinite Mercy grant, &c.

SERMON

SERMON IV.

Of being baptized into the Name of any Perfon.

T

I COR. i. 13.

or were ye baptized in the

name of Paul?

HE Apoftle is in this chap-SER M.
ter reproving the Corinthi- IV.
ans, for their unreasonable
Animofities and Divifions a-
mong themselves, fo con-

trary to the nature and obligations of
their Holy Profeffion, fo unbecoming

the

SER M. the Name and Character of Chriftians.

IV. They had all been instructed in one and

the fame Faith; They had all been baptized with one and the fame Baptifm ; They had all profeffed themselves Difciples of One only Lord and Saviour, Jefus Chrift: And yet afterwards, falling into Parties, and laying ftrefs upon particularities, and valuing themselves upon adhering, one to One Form or Method of teaching, and Others to Another ; they by degrees forgot the Great and Fundamental Obligations of Chriftianity, and departed from the Simplicity of their common Religion. One was for following Paul, Another for Apollos, and a third for Cephas. This Beginning of

Foolish Divifions and needlefs Animofities, This Breach of Chriftian Charity and univerfal Love, the Apostle very largely and feverely reproves in This and the following Chapters: And no where with greater elegance and more affectionate sharpness, than in the words of the Text: Is Chrift, fays he, divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye bapti

zed