Wesley Corpus

Yea, “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned” actually “according to the simili tude of Adam’s transgression.” This, which can relate to infants only, is a clear proof that the whole race of mankind are obnoxious both to the guilt and punishment of Adam’s transgression. But “as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men, to justification of life.” And the virtue of this free gift, the merits of Christ's life and death, are applied to us in baptism. “He gave himself for the Church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word;” (Eph. v. 25, 26;) namely, in baptism, the ordinary instrument of our justification. Agreeably to this, our Church prays in the baptismal office, that the person to be baptized may be “washed and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and, being delivered from God's wrath, receive remis sion of sins, and enjoy the everlasting benediction of his heavenly washing; ” and declares in the Rubric at the end of the office, “It is certain, by God’s word, that children who are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin are saved.” And this is agreeable to the unanimous judgment of all the ancient Fathers. 2. By baptism we enter into covenant with God; into that everlasting covenant, which he hath commanded for ever; (Psalm czi. 9;) that new covenant, which he promised to make with the spiritual Israel; even to “give them a new heart and a new spirit, to sprinkle clean water upon them,”-(of which the baptismal is only a figure,) “and to remember their sins and iniquities no more;” in a word, to be their God, as he pro mised to Abraham, in the evangelical covenant which he made with him and all his spiritual offspring. (Gen. xvii. 7, 8.) And as circumcision was then the way of entering into this covenant, so baptism is now; which is therefore styled by the Apostle, (so many good interpreters render his words,) “the stipula tion, contract, or covenant of a good conscience with God.” 3. By baptism we are admitted into the Church, and conse quently made members of Christ, its Head. The Jews were admitted into the Church by circumcision, so are the Chris tians by baptism.