64 SECOND SERMON repentance unto which John baptized them. Whence arose the grave form of the ancient churches, where- in questions were proposed to the person baptized touching his faith and repentance, renouncing the world, the flesh, and the devil, with a solemn answer and stipulation obliging thereunto. Which custom seems to have been derived from the practice used in the apostle's time,whereinprofession of faith,unfeigned and sincere repentance was made before baptism, Acts ii. 38. viii. 37. xvi. 3. xix. 4. This is the first dedicating of ourselves, and entering into a covenant with God, which we may call in the prophet's ex- pression, the subscribing, or giving man's name to God, Isa. xliv. 5. Now the covenant between us and God being perpetual, a covenant of salt, Jer. xxxii. 40. 2 Chron. xiii. 5. as we are to begin it in our baptism, so we are to continue it to our life's end, and upon all fit occasions to repeat and renew it for our further quickening and remembrancing unto duties. So did David, Psa. cxix. 106. so Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 20-22. so Asa, and the people in his time, 2 Chron. xv. 12.15. so Hezekiah, 2 Chron. xxix. 10. xxx. 5. 23. so Josiah, 2 Chron. xxxiv. 31, 32. so Ezra, and Nehe- miah, Ezra x. 3. Nehem. ix. 38. The reasons enforcing this duty may be drawn from several considerations. I. From God in Christ, where two strong ob- ligations occur, namely, the consideration of his dealing with us, and of our relation unto him. For the former, he is pleased not only to enter into covenant with us, but to bind himself to the per- formance of what he promiseth. Though whatever he bestows upon us is all matter of mere and most free grace, wherein he is no debtor to us at
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