HOLY BAPTISM.

Section I.

THE ARGUMENT.

God employs external means in the distribution of his blessings. Man cannot rationally expect to receive his blessings without the use of the proper means: Upon this ground the utility of holy baptism is inferred, &c.

God gives life and breath to all living creatures ; for " in him we live, more, and have our being :" Acts 17, 28. Our spiritual, eternal life, we also possess in him, " who only hath immortality :" I. Tim. 6, 16. In short, from him flows every good and perfect gift, whether it be spiritual or temporal. But he is a God of order ; hence it pleases him to bestow his blessings on man in a proper order, or in a wisely ordered chain of means. Out of this order, man cannot expect to receive the blessings, unless a miracle takes place. Our temporal support we can only expect to receive, when we use the ordinary means. For instance : if the husbandman will enjoy the fruits of the earth, he must tear open her bowels with a plough, or some other instrument ; plant or sow seed, and afterwards cultivate it ; then the sun-beams and rains may vivify the seed, and promote its growth to perfection. In a similar manner God bestows his spiritual blessings, in the kingdom of grace. I mean, there are certain external means to be used, without which men in vain expect to receive the grace of God.

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