The Twelfth Proposition.
Concerning Baptism.
As there is [18]one Lord and one Faith, so there is one Baptism; which is not the putting away the Filth of the Flesh, but the Answer of a good Conscience before God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And this Baptism is a pure and spiritual Thing, to wit, the Baptism of the Spirit and Fire, by which we are buried with him, that being washed and purged from our Sins, we may walk in Newness of Life; [19]of which the Baptism of John was a Figure, which was commanded for a Time, and not to continue for ever. As to the Baptism of Infants, it is a mere human Tradition, for which neither Precept nor Practice is to be found in all the Scripture.
[18] Eph. 4. 5.; 1 Pet. 3. 21.; Rom. 6. 4.; Gal. 3. 27.; Col. 2. 12.; John 3. 30.
[19] 1 Cor. 1. 17.
The Thirteenth Proposition.
Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ.
The [20]Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ is inward and spiritual, which is the Participation of his Flesh and Blood, by which the inward Man is [21]daily nourished in the Hearts of those in whom Christ dwells; of which Things the breaking of Bread by Christ with his Disciples was a Figure, which they even used in the Church for a Time, who had received the Substance, for the Cause of the Weak; even as [22]abstaining from Things strangled, and from Blood; the [23]washing one another’s Feet, and the [24]anointing of the Sick with Oil; all which are commanded with no less Authority and Solemnity than the Former; yet seeing they are but the Shadows of better Things, they cease in such as have obtained the Substance.
[20] 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17.
[21] John 6. 32, 33, 35.; 1 Cor. 5. 8.