Baptism for the Dead. A SERMON preached before the LORD MAYOR, AND The Court of Aldermen OF THE CITY of LONDON, On JUNE the 5th 1692. By SIMON FORD, D. D. and Rector of Old-Swinford in Worcestershire. IMPRIMATUR. June 15. 1692. RA. BARKER. LONDON: Printed for A. and J. Churchill, at the Black Swan in Pater-Noster-Row. MDCXCII. Wherefore, if it do,( according to my hopes,) answer my end; I thought fit to let the World know, whom they are to Thank for its Publication, by Dedicating it to You, who have therein, not only obliged those who shall receive Benefit by it, but also the, Author, and ( My Lord, and Gentlemen) Your Servant, In our common Lord and Master Jesus Christ, SIMON FORD. 1 COR. XV. 29. Else, what shall they do, who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? IT is evident to every one that shall with any Attention red this Chapter, That the whole Design of it is, to confirm that great Article of the Christian Faith,[ The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead,] by several cogent Arguments; and to explain the manner of it by several apt Similitudes. Now among those Arguments here used, my Text contains one, of that sort which Logicians call[ ad hominem], i. e. such a one as is peculiarly adapted to conclude what is intended, from the Notions, Concessions, or other Circumstances of the Person that we argue with. For the Apostle endeavours to convince those among the Corinthians,[ who said, there was no Vers. 12. Resurrection of the Dead] of the absurdity of that Heretical Doctrine, from a generally-known practise in the Church; and that allowed at least, if not approved and practised by themselves also; that of[ Baptizing for the Dead], which could not rationally be done by them, or any else, with their approbation: except upon the supposal of the belief,( or profession, at least, of the belief) of that very Doctrine which they oppugned,[ That those very dead should rise again]. For( saith he) to what purpose is that practise to those that are so baptized, if there be no Resurrection of the dead? &c. This Argument of our Apostle is undoubtedly strong, and was unexceptionably constringent to those he had to deal withal: but cannot to us appear such, except we can clearly make out what that Phrase of[ baptizing for the dead] in those Primitive times does import. Which therefore I shall spend some little time to inform you in, that I may make a clearer way to that, which from thence I have to recommend to you for your Instruction and practise. And here, I will not undertake so tiresome a task, both to my own strength, and your patience, as to recount to you particularly all the several Interpretations given by Expositors of these words: which owe indeed the difficulty they are noted for, rather to their contests, than to their own obscurity: whereof, I hope to convince you by and by, when I have given you that which I judge most rational, and the grounds withal why I judge it so. And in order thereto, I shall make bold to use the common Rule for the Interpreting of Holy Scriptures, which forbids us, to hunt after figurative or mystical senses in any Text, where without evident inconveniences it may admit of a literal one. And I am greatly mistaken, if this will not do so in every word thereof. And first, the word[ Baptized] though others interpret it metaphorically, I judge, properly denotes that Instituted Rite, by which our Saviour requires all to be admitted into the Christian Church, Mat. 28. 19. 2. By the {αβγδ}, or[ the dead] I know no reason why we should not understand those that were naturally dead, for whose Resurrection the Apostle( as you were before told) does in this Chapter so strongly argue: but still with a special reference to those of them who died as Martyrs for the profession of Christianity. 3. And that those who are said to be baptized[ for] them, are here affirmed to be so, as that word[ for] signifies[ in the stead] of them; I will here content myself to assert, hoping in what follows, to demonstrate it. For in this sense, the apostles Argumentation( considering the constitution of those times, in which the {αβγδ}, or Christians already dead, were generally brought to their ends; and those that were not so, endangered to be so, by Martyrdom) is very strong, and very aptly fitted, to make this verse coherent with those that precede, and follow it. For according thereunto, the apostles Argument here used, runs evidently to this purpose. The Christian Faith is to be propagated in the Jewish and Heathen world, by the blood of dying Martyrs. In which service, divers are alread● dead, and those that yet are not so, do yet die daily; that is, look upon themselves continually as like to die, being in jeopardy of life every hour, v. 30, 31. yea, I myself, have on that account been exposed to death by the teeth of savage beasts at Ephesus, v. 32. And yet, 'tis notoriously known, that a succession to the deceased Professors, of so hazardous a Religion is continually kept up in the Church, by admitting others, in great numbers, to fill their places so vacated by Baptism. But, if there be no Resurrection of the dead:( and so no such plenary reparation, or recompense for the loss of so dear an enjoyment as life is, when lost in Christ's service, as the Doctrine of the Resurrection imports:) How vain an attempt would it be, for us to persuade any intelligent Persons to be listed as his Soldiers into the vacant places of those that are so cut off? For on that supposition, well may those whom we by our Preaching invite to Baptism, ask,( as I do on their behalf) {αβγδ}, what they shall do: or rather, What benefit or advantage can be propounded to induce them,( for so the word {αβγδ}, is frequently used in Classical Mat. 25. 16. Luke 19. 19. Greek Authors, and in Scripture too) to embrace a Religion, constantly attended with such extreme dangers. And against this sense of the words, I cannot foresee any thing material that may be likely to be urged, but only, these Two Objections; which therefore I must, before I proceed any farther in my Discourse, encounter, and rid my hands of them. The First is, That it seems too strictly to confine the word {αβγδ}[ the dead] to the dead Martyrs. To which I Answer, that, though I do not exclude Sol. from the compass of it, all others deceased in the Christian Faith altogether; for indeed there is no reason to oblige me so to do, seeing the apostles Argument is very good in that general sense; it being,( upon supposal that there is no such Resurrection of the dead as Christianity professeth,) but vain to persuade any intelligent considering Person to embrace a Religion wherein the main inducements thereunto are built upon a Doctrine so false, as to render them fallacious: Yet I apprehended, I have ground enough mainly to restrain the word to such in special as suffered for Christianity. For( besides the countenance, which I before told you, the two following verses give to my notion:) it appears to me; that the Apostle in this Verse, does resume and tie again the thread of that Discourse which he breaks off( from v. 20. downward to my Text,) by a Digression, intended to give an account of the Reason both of the thing, and the circumstances of our Resurrection, as derived from Christ's; and when that is done, therein farther pursues the consideration of the absurdity of that Heretical Doctrine, which( as in v. 18, and 19. he says) if it be admitted, must not only infer the utter perishing of all that are fallen asleep in Christ already,( which in the judgement of many learned critics, is but a Periphrasis of Martyrdom for Christ): but also casts the imputation of folly, or madness rather, on all those that would adventure all the dearest concerns of this life, to an hazard beyond that of all other men, by the entertainment of a Religion, which made them of all men most miserable here, without any hopes of reparation in another world. To which, the words of my Text, and the Two following verses, are so very apt to be knit, that I can no way doubt, the Apostle intended the connection of them to those from which he had,( upon the design before mentioned) so digressed. The Second is, That I seem to put upon the Preposition {αβγδ}, which we render[ for] a sense wherein it is very rarely used: by making it equivalent to our English Phrase of,[ in the stead, or room] of another. Against which Objection, I have this to say in Sol. my own defence: That though such a sense of that word be not so common as others: yet there is nothing more common to be found in those Authors who writ concerning the proprieties of the Greek Tongue, than the observation, that {αβγδ}, is therein frequently used for {αβγδ}; and that, I am sure, does not only serve to express the acting for, or in the room of another, but also succeeding in his station, when removed: as it does frequently in the LXXII Interpreters, where succeeding Kings are said to Reign in the stead of their dead Predecessors. And this word {αβγδ}, I crave leave to take,( till any one better informs me) to correspond fully with {αβγδ}, in both senses: both as it serves to express any one deputation for, or representation of another, whilst both are in being: but also as it denotes succession of the living to the dead; which brings it down to the use the Apostle( by my Interpretation) makes of it in my Text. In the former of these senses, I am not apprehensive of any great opposition I am endangered to meet with, from those that are versed in the Greek Language: Or, if any be doubtful hereof, I only refer him to a Text or two for satisfaction. 2 Cor. 5, 20, 21. Se also Judith 8. 12. But in the later, I should indeed, lye more open, but that,( besides the Conformity which this word bears with {αβγδ}, in other respects, which renders it not unlikely it may do so in this), I find in a Greek Historian, both Ancient, and of good Repute, this very word used in a sense of Succession: To wit, for the recruiting of an Army, by Listing New Soldiers {αβγδ} in the room or stead of those {αβγδ}. Dionys. Halicarn. Edit. Rob. Steph. Lut. p. 408. c. 8. that were slain; the very parallel to this Phrase in the Text, of being Baptized, that is, Listed into Christ's Service, in the place of those that died for his Religion in the Holy Army of Martyrs. And thus, I hope, that( without straining, or forcing of words, to Figurative or Mystical Senses), I have in most of your Judgments, fixed the plain and literal sense of this Controverted Text, beyond Contradiction: and therefore may take myself to be at liberty, to raise Observations from it. Which, shall be only these Three that follow. I. That the Church of Christ,( being an holy Society, ordained to consist of Members, existing in several successive Ages); ought to be maintained by the constant care of every preceding Age, to preserve the succession in those that follow them. II. That whoever are to that end successively baptized into the Christian Religion, ought to be well grounded in the belief of the special benefits and advantages that are to be obtained thereby; and the way how they are to obtain them III. That the rational assurance which succeeding Christians have of their Predecessors interest in a future Resurrection, to a blessed Immortality, conduceth much to the Confirmation of them, in the belief and practise of Christianity, even under the severest Circumstances. Of all these, I intend to discourse at this time, briefly, and plainly. And begin with the first. That the Church of Christ, is to be maintained as a successive Body or Society, by the care of each preceding Age, to admit new Members, into the places of those that die, For this, the Apostle here intimates, was the Common Practise of the Church to Baptize others, to stand up in the room of the Dead: that the Commonwealth of Israel might not be( as the Historian tells us, that Flor. c. 1. of Rome, in its Plantation by Romulus, was like to have been,) Res unius aetatis, a short-lived Corporation, not to endure beyond the Age of man; but to expire with its present Members. And herein they do( as they ought,) comply with, and render effectual, as much as in them lies, the intention and design of the first Founder thereof, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who therefore Commissioned his Apostles to Disciple all Nations, Baptizing them into the Profession of his Religion; with the promise of his Presence, to assist them in this work, to the end of the world, Mat. 28. 20. and took care, at his Ascention into Heaven, That after their Death, that work might be carried on by others: appointing a perpetual Succession, by Ordination, of such Pastors, as 2 Tim. 2. 2: might perpetuate his Religion to all Posterity; till his Body mystical in all its Members should be perfected. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. And by the same provident care for Succession, all good Christians effectually also fulfil the Promises of God to his Son, that his name shall be remembered to all generations: That he shall be feared, that is, Religiously Ps. 45. 17. 72. 5. worshipped,( as long as the sun and moon continue; and that of the increase of his government, there Is. 9. 7. shall be no end. For, as he hath himself( in order to the carrying on of these Promises, to their designed issues, ever since he had a Church in the World) taken care, to engage the Seed of the Faithful in a Covenant with himself, and obliged himself to be a God to them in all their successive Generations: So hath he enjoined this Task to Jewish Parents, in conformity to their Father Abraham, whom he commends for so doing, Gen. 8. 19. To make his Laws known to their Children, that the Generations to come might know them, even the children that should be born; who should arise also, and declare them to their children. Psal. 78. 5, 6. and has as strictly also required Christian Parents successively to bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,( Eph. 6. 4.) i.e. the Christian Religion, revealed by the Lord Christ. And indeed, there seems nothing more naturally planted in the hearts of all Mankind, than a solicitous tender care for Posterity: which induceth them to endeavour to derive to them all the good things that are in their Possession or Power; whereto also they have farther inducement, that hereby they likewise provide for themselves a kind of Immortality, in the grateful remembrance, which by that means, they obtain from their Descendants; when they look upon such Estates, Benefits, and Privileges, as procured for, or left to them by their Ancestors. And because Religion is that, which( in the common judgement also of Mankind, as being the only means of settling a Friendship and Correspondence betwixt Heaven and Earth; God, the Fountain of all good, and Man) carries in it eminently all that may make men every way Happy: It is no wonder, if all Persons,( according to the persuasions they have of the Truth of their own Religions) are desirous, by all means possible, to perpetuate them by an entail, never to be cut off, to all their successive Posterity. So that certainly, Christianity( the best Religion,) must needs be granted to be the most unworthily, and indeed, most inhumanly treated, of any in the World; if in any Age, it should chance to fall into the hands of such Professors, as( through Ignorance, Inconsideration, or any other worse cause), should think it a Legacy not worth the bequeathing to those that come after them: And if, whiles every People else, walks in the Name of his God,( i.e. keeps constant to his Religion), those only that are called {αβγδ}. by the worthy Name of Christians, should refuse to do the same for their God, for ever and ever; that is,( as the Learned Grotius interprets the Text,) ipsi, Jam. 2. 7. & posteri, they, and their Issue, to all Generations. Mic. 4. 5. And now,( to bring home all that has been said on this Head, to our present Circumstances,) let us of the present Age,( as we have any of us, and I hope there is none here, but has a value proportionable for the excellent Religion we profess,) look with that serious Concernedness which becomes us, according to the import of this Doctrine; upon its state and condition in this Nation,( as Janus was fancied to do among the Ancient Romans,) backward, and forward; and improve that view accordingly. 1. Backward; so it offers us occasion to remember the Dead, in whose stead we are Risen up to fill their places, in the Profession of the Reformed Christianity which they left us. From whence 'tis a Consideration naturally consequent; How much cause we have to thank God, and his Gracious Providence, who put it into our Ancestors hearts to take care to derive to us so pure and holy a Religion, and so well settled, both by Ecclesiastical and Civil Sanctions, both in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, as may justly render us the envy of all Christendom besides. Also, that he hath so ordered the times and places of our Habitation, as to entitle us by Descent from them to all these great Mercies: For we are by our Birth and Baptism, in this Church, entred into their labours: and what cost them so many Prayers, Tears, and bloody Persecutions to purchase; we at an easier rate have hitherto enjoyed. And very ungrateful are we to God and them, if we do not highly value both them and it; and keep that good thing which is committed to us by them: If we, in our Generation, shall corrupt that Religion, or weaken those wholesome Constitutions and Laws, by which it is settled among us: which too many of late have been too forward to do. 2. Forward: and that both towards the remaining time, till this Generation shall be gathered to their Fathers; and that, of our immediate Successors. And first as for 1. The remaining duration of our present Age, our Duty is, to hold fast that which we have, in this Hour of Tentation, which is come upon all the Christian World, to try us: Keeping the word of God's patience, and continuing in the Faith, and enduring to the end; after we Act. 13. 36. have( with holy David,) served in our own Age the will of God, we may, when we fall asleep both be sacred in our Persons; and also leave behind us a precious Name, and memorial unto all succeeding Generations. 2. And as to the Generation that is to come after us, it is true, that we have( in comfortable Prospect) the Generality of these Three Nations baptized into the room of the Dead; so that our places are like enough to be filled, with Nominal Christians in abundance, when we are laid in our Graves. But to consider, under what hazards we are like to leave them as things now stand, hath somewhat of a prospect melancholy enough; and which may deserve, and excite our utmost care, to prevent, and secure them against those evils which too visibly threaten them. One of which is from the busy and restless activity of Jesuitical Incendiaries; and their too much influence( though at present much kerbed) upon all the Romish Courts in Europe; in pursuance of their declared Design of rooting out by Force and Arms, that which they call the Northern Heresy,( that is, indeed, our reformed Christianity,) out of the Earth, that the Name of Protestant may no more be had in remembrance: and we know, by sad experience, how near they lately were amongst us, to the accomplishing their cruel and bloody Intentions, after the pattern of our Neighbour Kingdom; where I need not tell you what proof they have made thereof. It is true indeed, that God hath, for a little space shewed us the favour, to leave us a nail,( as Ezra. 9. 8. Ezra 9. 8. says of Israel in his days) in his holy place: a little lightning of our eyes, and a little reviving to set up the house of our God, and repair the ruins thereof,( occasioned by our long continued divisions and dissensions,) under the Protection and Government of Their present Majesties: a Mercy, which one would think, none that has any true sense of Religion, should undervalue; seeing it is, under God, the greatest security we can likely have; for the perpetuity of the Gospel in its purity and power, in these Nations. But yet, I must needs say, I cannot apprehended the danger totally over, when I consider farther the great Numbers among ourselves that are( some through dissatisfaction at the late Revolutions; others, through a longing appetite after the garlic and onions of Egypt; and others, out of a little present uneasiness under the charges our circumstances necessitate us to;) so far exasperated; that they are even willing to join again with the men of their late abomination, in a confederacy; to enable them by fine force to effect that which they could not do by all their fine, or rather foul, Devices. And yet, one would think, that the least that could with reason be expected, from all conscientious and considering men, however they stand affencted to the present Government, and though their principles will not permit them to assist the Instruments which God's Providence hath raised for( our preservation;) should be, that they would but be contented to set themselves in a quiet Posture, to stand still, and see the salvation, which the Lord is working for us: and seeing in the present Juncture, he has no need of them to fight on his side, they should take heed of fighting for his Enemies, especially when the consequence thereof in all probability can be no other, than the bringing their own Necks, and those of their Posterity also, as well as ours, once more under that Romish yoke; which neither our Fathers nor we were able formerly to bear. A desperate Adventure to be run by men that pretend to conscience, at any time: but most desperate, surely, at this time; which is,( in all human probability,) the very critical moment, that must decisively determine either the death, or the recovery of the whole Protestant Interest in Europe, and that, for ever. So that if we,( like Jerusalem,) in this our day, see not the things that belong to our peace, we may justly fear, they will be, for the future, hide from our eyes; because we knew not the time of our merciful Luk. 19. 41, 42, 43. visitation. For who, when that lofty Nebuchadnezar, whose hand is now( like that of Ishmael) Gen. 16. 12. against every man, and every mans against him; shall have accomplished his design; removed all the bounds of this Western World to enlarge his own; Robbed all their Treasures; found as a Nest Is. 10. 13, 14. forsaken, the riches of all people, and gathered them as one gathereth Eggs that are left: who will there,( yea, who indeed can) there be, so much as to move the wing, or open the mouth, or so much as peep towards the least attempt to rescue us? Nor is the prospect of our Posterity, much more comfortable; when we consider the unaptness of the younger sort( the spes gregis) to stand in the gap against the attempts of such subtle Adversaries, upon their Religion, by Argument: Seeing the generality of them are so grossly ignorant as they are in the Grounds of the Protestant Faith, and yet withal, so fond conceited of their knowledge as to scorn catechizing in them, that they might understand them. So, that 'tis to be doubted, they would, even in whole shoals, be caught in their nets, if ever that Generation should obtain the liberty, without the control of our Penal Laws,( and that they will surely, if they ever come in with that that silemceth all Laws, the Sword in their hands) to set them for us. Considering also, what a loose hold we have, of the most of them, who( partly, through scruple, partly, through faction, but chiefly, through Atheistecal Principles, and monstrous profaneness,) refuse to embody themselves with us, in the participation of the Holy Communion of the Lord's Supper( that Ordinance in which all Christians anciently were contesserated, and made( as the Apostle saith) one leaf, and one body:) 1 Cor. 10. 17: So that they are( like scattered Soldiers separate from their Troops) easily to be picked up, by every Party that pursues them. And, reflecting( lastly,) upon the just cause of displeasure given to Almighty God, by such neglect, if not contempt of his sacred Institutions; which may justly provoke him( as he threatens Jerusalem in a like case) to take away his Kingdom from those who so little value it; and give it to a nation that will bring forth better Mat. 21. 43. fruits thereof, than we hitherto have done. I expect now, that all that hear me this day, should( as the People to whom our Saviour denounced that sad judgement,)( in their hearts at least,) Luke. 20. 16. say, God forbid; and hope,( yea, wish,) that herein, I prove a false Prophet. And I assure you, I am as ready to join in that wish, myself, as any one present: Though withal, I must profess, my hopes cannot be so sanguine, as some mens, herein are, except I could see those effectual courses taken among ourselves, to prevent that danger, which more hopes and good wishes are too weak to encounter. Which, what they are, will fall under the next Proposition: Which was this▪ II. That whoever are Baptized to maintain the succession Prop. II. of the Christian Church, ought to be well grounded in the belief of the special benefits and advantages that Christianity contains in it; and well instructed in the way to attain them. For( in which sense soever of the two before suggested, of the words[ {αβγδ},] we understand them,) it is apparently implied, that the {αβγδ}, those that are Baptized for, or instead of the dead, might, and ought to inquire, what they are to do, to make that advantage by the Christian Faith they are Baptized into; which may balance the hazards they run, by undertaking so perilous a Profession: And 'tis as evident, that the Apostle takes a great part of the pains he bestows upon the opening and confirming the Doctrine of the Resurrection, for their Instruction therein. And 'tis known, that the Questions anciently propounded to those that were to be Baptized, related to the fundamental Articles of the Christian Faith, and they were,( by all Baptized at years of discretion,) to be professedly owned: Of which the Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting were two, which contained in few words, the main hope of the Christian calling, Ephes. 1. 18. and the riches of the glory of the inheritance of Christ in the Saints. And the same Questions, we have reason to believe, were asked of the sponsors for those that were Baptized in infancy, whenever that practise began,( which, seeing none can assign any particular Age wherein it first entred into the Church, we have reason to believe, is, as Ancient as that of the Apostles themselves, seeing we find upon undoubted record, that they Baptized whole housholds together; in all which 'tis unlikely, there were no Infants:) And the Parents, and other {αβγδ} or Teachers,( as they grew toward years of capacity,) instructed them in the Principles Luke 1. 1. of the Doctrine of Christ, of which the Apostles catalogue tells us, that of the Resurrection was one. Heb. 6. 1. They thus brought them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; acquainted them with the Baptismal Covenant, Ephes. 6. 4. the precious promises sealed to them therein together with the Duty, which was incumbent upon them, to entitle them to the great benefits which Baptism so sealed to those in Infancy, that rendered themselves capable of them at riper Age. We therefore do very well, that we generally take care to tender our Children to Baptism in their Infancy; for by this initiating Rite of Christ's own appointment, we list them in his Family, we put on them his Livery, and dedicate them to his service. And herein, we take the course, which God himself took to perpetuate the Jewish Religion, in that chosen Nation, making their children, his children, and marking them( in their tend'rest Age,) as those that( in his own language, Ezek. 16. 20.) were born to him; as such, by Circumcision. And 'tis of great use, certainly, thus to anticipate our childrens election of their own Religion, whilst they are in our power to dispose of; as knowing how great an Argument it usually is, to sway our own choice, in the disposal of ourselves, in any sort, when we arrive at years of election, that our Parents have predestined us to some one way of living, calling, or Profession, rather than any other, which is then offered to our Election. But then, it is as necessary, withal, that we train them up in the way wherein they ought to go; show them what, and on what grounds, they are to believe, and Prov. 22. 6. do, who are Baptized into Christ; even to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded; and lay our injunctions Mat. 28. 20. upon them, as faithful Abraham, did on his Children, to keep the way of the Lord: And then we Gen. 18. 19. may hope, that after we are dead, they will keep alive themselves, whilst they live, and when they also come to die, deliver the Lamp which they have received at our hands, alive, yea, bright, and clear, to their successive Posterity, through all Generations. But then, we must take heed, that we deliver it to them no otherwise than as we have received it from the Lord, and the generality of those, that before us, have died in him. For the Faith, we are all Baptized into, ought to be understood only of that, which all Christians have owned before us. For we are not Baptized into the name of Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, much less that of his pretended successor, but only into the name of Christ; into the profession of that Religion which is truly catholic, and has been the Religion of that Church, which is in our Creed known by that name. A truth, which even the Romanists seem tacitly to acknowledge, by one remarkable practise of theirs: to wit, that though P. pus. 4th. and his Council of Trent, have made a new Creed for the Adult; containing all the points wherein they differ from us, and requiring them to be believed, as necessary to Salvation: Yet, they never dared to impose that novel Faith upon those Persons which they themselves Baptize, as a condition of Baptism: but still content themselves with that which bears the Name of the Apostles, Vid. Rituale Romanum Pauli V: and contains the abstract of all Primitive Christianity. And this practise,( by the way) is an apparent Confession, that( whatever they talk,) they do not indeed believe themselves, that those supernumerary Articles are really de fide, and of necessity to Salvation. Seeing their own public form of Baptism admits such Proselytes into the Church, by Baptism, without them: It seems plain therefore, that( by consequence) they cannot,( without a gross inconsistency with themselves,) exclude us from the catholic Church, for not believing the Articles themselves dispense with, in those which they make Members of it. But,( to return from this short digression to our main design,) let us, who engage our Posterity by Baptism, to fill up the vacancies made by death in the Church of Christ; take a proportionable care of their Education; ground them thoroughly in all true catholic Principles, and enure them constantly to the practise of the undoubted duties of Christianity, from their very Infancy: For we are told by God himself, that is the most probable way to keep them from apostasy. A child so trained up in the way he should go, will not when old depart from it. Prov. 22. 6. But, especially, let us not only by verbal, but also by real instruction( I mean, holy example, in living and dying well, confirm them in the belief of the Rewards and Punishments of the world to come; together with an assurance, that we do firmly believe them ourselves. For,( as my third observation tells you,) The rational assurance which succeeding Christians have Prop. III. of their Predecessors interest in a future Resurrection to a blessed immortality, conduceth much to the confirmation of them in the belief and practise of Christianity. For the apostles Argument in the Text, is plainly founded upon this supposition, that those that are baptized for the dead, would be apt to waver,( as those that were at a loss what to do;) except they were rationally assured, that those in whose places they succeed, should rise again, to that blessed immortality which in this Chapter he doth so industriously assert, and illustrate. And( by consequence) intimates, that the belief hereof would contribute much to their settlement. Wherein he makes use of a motive, which is,( in its due place) so rational in itself, and so agreeable to humanity to be influenced by: That it hath always and in all Ages of the world, been highly prevalent with those of all Religions: Men every where having been concerned for their several ways of Worship, according to the persuasions they had imbibed,( whether true, or false,) of the happy future state of some at least, that had been founders, or eminent Professors of them. For though indeed, it be but a weak Argument, alone, for any man to choose a Religion upon; that his Forefathers lived and died in it, and he has such, and such Reasons which prevail with him to think them translated to an happy estate in another world:( a fallacy wherewith all the Romanists a while since fixed divers of this Nation that were wavering, to their Communion, and prejudiced them, against the Reformation:) Yet it may be an inducement of great force to be used together with, and in subordination to, those other grounds and motives, which upon diligent inquiry into the nature of any Religion, do principally sway his Election; that he hath as good evidence, as matters of that sort will bear, of the felicity of those,( at least some of those) who have died in it. Wherefore, God himself, knowing how much Instances and Examples tending to our rational satisfaction in this particular, are wont to influence the generality of mankind,( as I but now told you:) hath in all Ages of the world,( more or less,) condescended to recommend his true Religion to men, by some indubitable attestations concerning the Eternal blessedness of divers Persons, who have eminently professed it, lived as great Examples, in conformity to it, or dyed as Champions for it. Thus in the old world, before the deluge, he dealt with Enoch; whom, having walked with God above Three hundred Years,( that is, been an eminently good and holy man for so long time on Earth,) God took( as says Moses) Gen. 5. 24. Translated,( i.e. to an happy estate in another world) without seeing of Death,( says the Apostle) Heb. 11. 5. having before his translation attested, by some Divine Testimony or other, that he pleased God: and that Testimony such,( as in the Verse following it is expressed,) as might give grounds of belief to mankind, not only that there is a God, but also that there is such a God, as is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, as Enoch had done. I will not positively assert, that he dealt in the same manner with Melchisedek afterward; but it may( I think,) deserve our consideration whether that Phrase of the Apostle concerning him, that he was one that had no end of life, Heb. 7. 3. may not admit of a like Interpretation with that of Enoch not seeing of death before mentioned. But sure I am, that in reference to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God's known owning them in a special manner whilst they lived, gave all the Jewish Nation such an assurance of their felicity after death, as yielded our Saviour the occasion of mentioning it as a thing generally believed, describing that felicity too which good and holy men of all Countries in the world shall enjoy in Heaven, by the Periphrasis of sitting with them in the Kingdom of God, Math. 8. 11. The ground of which assurance, God himself farther strengthened, when he owned himself to Moses to be their God, so many years after their Deaths. Which attestation of his, included not only the blessedness of their separated souls; but also the certainty of the future Resurrection of their Bodies; and was certainly so understood, by those before whom our Saviour quoted that Text for proof thereof. For otherwise that Argument he draws from that Text, had been too weak to silence the cavilling Sadduces, as St. Matthew says it did, Mat. 22. 34. nor would the Scribes,( the most critical Text-men among the Jews) have approved his arguing in these terms. Master thou hast well said, as St. Luke tells us, Chap. 20. 39. The many attestations which God gave to Moses as his faithful Servant whiles he lived; and his sending an Archangel( as St. judas intimates) to inter judas 9. Deut. 34. 6. his Body, when Dead, in a place unknown to men,( and probably, to the Devil himself, which might be the ground of that Contention that Apostle speaks of, betwixt them;) gave the Jews a like assurance of his happy end: as also did God's taking up Elijah in a fiery Chariot, give them an ocular Demonstration of his removal to an estate of blessedness without dying. 2 Kings 2. 11. These great Instances, to the end before mentioned, were given by God to Mankind under the Natural, Patriarchal, and Jewish Religions. But because such, before the Publication of the Gospel in the World, were but rare: therefore our Saviour is said,( partly, in this respect,) to have brought life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. 1. 10. which comparatively to the light they were shown in under the Evangelical Administration, had in a great measure, till then, lain in the Dark. For our Saviour Christ did not only promise eternal Life to his Followers, from God, with the Testimony of a very great variety of Miracles: but also gave them, and all to whom his Gospel was to be preached, from them, an unquestionable instance thereof, in his own Person raised from the dead, and visibly received up unto the Glory; of which he had before given to some of them a representation, in his transfiguration upon the holy Mount, Luk. 9. 28: and withal, assured his Disciples, when he was about to depart from them into it, that in those blessed Mansions he was going to, he would prepare a place for them, Joh. Heb. 6. 20. 14. 2. as their Forerunner; and would again come thence to receive them, and conduct them thither; that where he was, they might be also; and that, in the high Dignity of being even his Assessors in the Regeneration, for so he calls the Resurrection, Math. 19. 28. And the same Felicity( as it was exemplified in his own Person,) he also faithfully promiseth to all those that should in any Age believe in him through their word. John 17. 2. but especially, to those that suffer with him, that is in conformity to him, and for his cause, 2 Tim. 2. and for their greater encouragement to believe these promises, took care to represent to St. John the numerous Host of preceding Confessors, and Martyrs, a multitude which none could number, in their glorious Robes of Triumph, Rev. 7. 14, 15. and caused the same holy Apostle to enter it for an holy Record, by Writing, as a thing in his hearing proclaimed from Heaven, concerning all others that die in him, that they were from thenceforth blessed, Rev. 14. 13. Upon all which assurances, so exemplified, 'tis no wonder, if such multitudes as we red of, crowded into the Church to be baptized, {αβγδ} in the room of the deceased Martyrs, even in the midst of those Persecutions and Deaths, accompanied with the cruelest Circumstances which attended the first Plantation of Christianity for some hundreds of Years: Of whom many offered themselves, when unsought for, even to be baptized with that baptism of Blood, with which our Saviour( according as himself expresseth it, was Math. 20. 22. baptized: that they successively ran with patience the race of Martyrdom that was set before them: seeing they had not only the Lord Jesus,( both in his humiliation and exaltation) but also, so thick a {αβγδ}, or cloud of Witnesses, or holy Martyrs for their Heb. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4. encouragement, set before them too. And were therefore not wearied, nor fainted in their minds. No wonder, that( according to the advice of the same Apostle, Heb. 6. 12,) they followed them, who, they were assured, through Faith and Patience already inherited the promises: and embraced and maintained the Faith of those guides that had spoken to them the word of God,( i.e. set before them the glorious Promises of the Gospel,) as men that considered again and {αβγδ} Heb. 13. 7: again, the glorious end of their conversation; and being assured, that Jesus Christ is the same faithful Rewarder of his faithful Servants, both yesterday, to day, and v. 8. forever,: i.e. in all time past, present, and to come: and by consequence, if they followed their holy Predecessors steps, he would bring them also to the same end, to which they had happily arrived. And the same Use,( Beloved,) we ought all to make, of the same Consideration. We are, generally, {αβγδ}, listed into Christ's Troops in the rooms of our deceased Christian Ancestors; very many of whom, have not only professed, but also greatly credited the Reformed Christianity of these Nations, both with Learned Pens, and Holy Lives, and Comfortable Deaths: and of whom we no way doubt, but that they are,( though without Romish Canonization,) Glorious Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven: as having lived and died with those Characters, which the Scripture gives of those, who( by the Attestation of the Holy Spirit therein) have in all Ages of the World, gone thither before them. And I should think the wish of Balaam, on such an occasion, should be natural to all mankind; That they may die the death of the righteous, gone before them, and that their latter end may be like theirs: for the Wish( tho a bad man's) is good; provided, that it be accompanied with an industrious use of the means by which it is to be effected. But surely those do not take the way to it, that live too much like him, going astray, and loving the wages of unrighteousness,( as St. Peter says of him, he did, 2 Pet. 2. 15.) and yet( with him) hoping that God will indulge them in those practices in which, contrary to his declared Will, they allow themselves, so as to fulfil the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, and like brute 1 Pet. 4 3, 4. beasts, walk in all manner of lasciviousness, excess of wine, and riots of all sorts, reproaching withal, and speaking evil of those that will not run with them in the same race of extravagant debaucheries. Such persons certainly, must expect to part companies with them at death, whose Examples they refused to live by: and it will be one of the greatest aggravations of their calamity for ever, which our Saviour threatens the degenerous Jews withal, that they shall see their pious Ancestors in Luke 13. 28. the Kingdom of God, and find themselves thrust out. Let us, therefore, who wish, and hope to sit down with them in that Kingdom hereafter, follow the tract of their steps here; and then we may warrantably expect, that at the Resurrection of the just, we shall partake with them in all those happy circumstances in which they shall then, in conjunction with all holy men of all ages, for ever be. This, the being baptized for our dead Predecessors in the general Profession of Christianity( according to the larger sense of my Text,) calls for, from us all. But, considering what a thick cloud of those our Predecessors, in this very nation, were also Confessors, and Martyrs for our holy Religion, in which they died; and of whom, I think I may say, that in holy Courage and Resolution to die, and encouraging comfortable circumstances in the manner of their dying, they were not inferior to the most Primitive Martyrs: It will not be amiss, in the close of this Discourse, farther to tell you; that it is not impossible some of us may also be called to those Trials, wherein we may in those particulars too, which relate to suffering, stand in need of setting before us their Examples. I am sure, it was no long time since, that the most of us had before us,( in human probability,) no other Prospect, than that, of succeeding them in their Chains, their Racks and Tortures, and cruel Executions: And surely we had done so before this time, but that God by an unexpected Providence, raised us up a Deliverer, who,( to his own irreparable hazard, if he had miscarried in the Attempt,) has yet saved us, all, beyond our hopes, and many of us even against our wills, from the hands of those that hated us: and hitherto respited us from the Fiery Trial. By which, if there be any, who, being prepared for it themselves, may think it an injury done them, that they are thereby defeated of an opportunity of witnessing to the Truth of that Doctrine of Allegiance and Passive Obedience, which beyond others they have contended for, by a signally Loyal Martyrdom: yet one would think they might without difficulty be prevailed withal, to forgive him this wrong: as considering, that to those many others who were not so well 1 Cor. 12. 23. disposed for present suffering as they,( 'tis to be hoped,) were, it was certainly a very seasonable kindness, to procure them such a reprieve from it, as might give them a larger time to provide for it: and that they themselves, though hindered from being Martyrs actu, yet,( being such, voto, in a ready disposition to have been so, if God had offered them the opportunity,) are endangered to lose nothing of the weight of their Crown, from that good God, who accepts the will,( where men can do no more than will) for the dead, and rewards it accordingly. However, I think, I may presume to predict, that our Posterity will hardly be of their mind, if the success of the present Agitations in all Europe fall not much beneath expectation: for they will then find themselves secured in the peaceable Possession of their Holy Religion, and all their other dearest Enjoyments, which surely they will value the more, because recovered from so desperate an hazard; and in the grateful Sense thereof, rise up to call him blessed( whatever we think of him) who hath wrought so great a Deliverance for our Israel, at so needful a Season. But yet, I would not have any of us to look upon ourselves, as so far secured from all Danger; that we may say( with Agag) surely the bitterness of Death is( totally) past, as being taught by Experience, not many weeks since, how unexpectedly new occasions of just fear may return upon us; such as none but an All-seeing Eye could foresee, and no Hand but an Omnipotent one could deliver us from. Which occasionally minds me, and calls on me to mind you, how much we all are obliged to a grateful acknowledgement of the mercy of that Divine Providence, which, when we were almost surprised at unawares with a dreadful Invasion from those, who,( having been bread to the practise of such Barbarities in our Neighbour Nations,) would( in pursuance of the Principles of their blind Devotion,) have thought it a meritorious Service to God to have exercised the same upon us: hath broken that design,( 'tis to be hoped, for some years, at least,) by breaking their Ships( as those Psal. 48, 7. of Tarshish in the Psalmist;) and that in the same manner too, wherein that Text expresseth it, with an East Wind: and given them cause to howl, because their Isa. 23. 14. strength is laid waste. A Providence, by which we are indeed for the present, safe: but yet ought not to be tempted thereby, to be secure. It is wisdom, to prepare for the worst that may come, though it never do come: and to arm ourselves,( as St. Peter, in this very case of being called to suffer) adviseth,) with the same mind with the holy Martyrs who have gone to Heaven in a Fiery-Chariot,( the Flames, I mean wherein they suffered) before us: as being assured, that God( in answer to that devout Petition which in our Liturgy we offer to him with relation to them) will, if we follow their Examples make us partakers with them of his Heavenly Kingdom. But if( to draw to a conclusion,) by God's tender and indulgent Providence continuing to watch over us for our Protection, all those Fears with which we dread the Oppressor-general of all Europe, shall in the Issue be proved vain, and we of this Generation shall( after all these dangers,) be permitted to die in our Nests, and be gathered to our Graves in Peace: We ought nevertheless to make it our great care, that by living holily, we may die comfortably, and finish our course with that Joy and Consolation in the Lord, which may justly give those that are baptized to fill our rooms, encouragement to follow our Examples, with a well grounded Assurance, that in so doing, they shall at the last, enjoy with us, all the consummate Happiness of a blessed Resurrection. Which God grant us all for his sake, who is the Resurrection, and the Life; and who hath by our Baptism, begotten us again to a lively hope of ours, by his own Resurrection from the dead. Amen. FINIS.