John Trapp on Matthew 3:6

Verse 6. And were baptized of him in Iordan.] Baptizing of [illegible: 1 word] was in use among the Jews, before the daies of Iohn Baptist. From this custome (saith Broughton) though without commandment, and of small authority, Christ authoriseth aIn Daniel 9. seal of entring into his rest, using the Jews weaknesse as an allurement thither. As from bread and wine, used with the Paschall Lamb, being without all commandment of Moses, but resting upon the common reason given by the Creatour, he authoriseth a seal of his flesh and bloud. In Iordan] At Bethabara, Joh. 1. 28. that is, at that very place, where the people of Israel passed over Jordan, and [illegible: 1 word] the Land. Baptisme then was there first administred, where it had been of old fore-shadowed. Here also we see, that the acts of [illegible: 1 word] and Iesus took their happy beginning, at one and the same place. And like as the people, after they had passed over [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] circumcised, before they received the Land by lot of inheritance: So, after we have been baptized, and thereby enrolled among the Citizens of the new Ierusalem, the [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word]. 1. [illegible: 1 word]. sinne, and super fluity of [illegible: 1 word] must be daily pared off by the [non-Latin text not transcribed]. [illegible: 3 words] to the [illegible: 1 word] and [illegible: 1 word] of the [illegible: 2 words]. practice of mortification ere we can come to the Kingdome of Heaven. Confessing [illegible: 1 word] sins] In token of their true repentance. For as only the man, that is wakened out of his dream, can tell his dream; so only he that is wakened out of his [illegible: 1 word], can clearly [illegible: 1 word] them. [non-Latin text not transcribed] And this confession of sin, joyned with confusion of sin (withoutEst [illegible: 1 word] & clara [illegible: 2 words]. [illegible: 1 word]. the which, confession is but winde, & the drops of contrition, water) is that which in baptisme we restipulate. Not the putting away [non-Latin text not transcribed]. of the [illegible: 1 word] of the [illegible: 1 word], but the [illegible: 1 word] answer of a good conscience toward God, 1 [illegible: 1 word]. 3. 21. A [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] conscience, a heart [illegible: 1 word] from wickednesse in this [illegible: 1 word] of regeneration, the baptisme of repentance, the washing of the new birth, the being baptized with the holy Ghost and with fire, this saveth, saith S. Peter. Not as the efficient cause of salvation, for that is Christ alone: nor yet as a [illegible: 1 word] instrument, for that's faith alone: but only as a [illegible: 1 word] of the saved, and a pledge of their salvation. As on the other side, God will not own a viperous brood, though baptized, that bring not forth fruits meet for repentance. To such, baptisme is not the mark of Gods childe, but the brand of a fool, that maketh a vow, and then breaketh it, Eccles. 5. 3. For the font is Beersheba, The well of an Oath: and there we swear (asPsal. 119. 106. David did) to keep Gods righteous judgements. Now, if Zedekiah Isa. 10. and [illegible: 1 word] paid so dear for their [illegible: 1 word], for their fast and loose with men; how will God revenge the quarrell of his Covenant? The Spanish converts in Mexico remember not any thing of the [illegible: 1 word] enquiries [illegible: 1 word] Ben. promise and profession they made in baptisme, save only their name, which many times also they forget. In the Kingdom of Congo in Africk, the Portugals, [illegible: 1 word] their first arrivall, finding the people to be [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] God, did enduce them to a professionArchb. Abbots. Geog p. 179. of Christ, and to be baptized in great abundance, allowing [illegible: 1 word] the principles of religion; till such time as the Priests prest them to lead their lives according to their profession: which the most part of them in no case enduring, returned again to their Gentilisme. Such renegadoes we have amongst us, not a few;Augustin. that give themselves up to Christ, Quoad Sacramenti perceptionem, by externall profession, but when it comes once ad [illegible: 1 word] sanctificationem, to [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word], there they leave him in the open field, forsaking their colours, renouncing their baptisme, and running away to the enemy. Now for such there is but one law, and it is Martiall law, Heb. 10. 39. If any with draw, or [illegible: 1 word] [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Heb. 10. 38. from his Captain (as the military [illegible: 1 word] there used importeth) he doth it to perdition; he is even a son of perdition, as [illegible: 1 word]; who was [illegible: 1 word] indeed, as well as Peter, but better he had not.Mark. 14. 21. As it had been better for him, never to have been born, so, being born, never to have been circumcised, and thereby bound to the Law. Unregenerate Israel is as [illegible: 1 word], Amos 9. 7. And it had been happy that font water had never been spilt on that face, that is afterwards hatcht with impudent [illegible: 1 word], Ier. 3. 3, 4. 5.