But suppose Cornelius had possessed every thing essential before baptism to constitute him a complete saint under the new testament dispensation, why would he still have been baptised with water ? Could it have been beneficial to him ? Cornelius, although being miraculously gifted, yet submits to be baptised with water. How highly this dignifies water baptism ! He must have received something thereby which exceeded all the miraculous gifts of the spirit ; for if he had not, he would have been baptised in vain, though justified before by the faith in Christ to come : but when Christ was really come, he is not to see him any more at a distance ; for he now, by baptism, puts on the Saviour come in the flesh, whom before he saw afar off–" For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ." Gal. 3, 27. This is infinitely more valuable to the soul than all the miraculous gifts, although they completely answered the end for which they were designed.

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