"The outward administration of this ordinance considered materially, extends only to the washing away the filth of the flesh; but it signifies the answer of a good conscience; a conscience purged from sin, and quickened by virtue of the resurrection of Christ to holy obedience, Heb. ix. 14; Rom. vi. 3-7."

"Regeneration does not consist in a participation of the ordinance of baptism. This is all that some will allow to it, to the utter rejection of the grace of Christ. The vanity of this presumptuous folly, invented to countenance men in their sins, and to hide from them the necessity of being born again, and therein of turning to God, will be laid open, when we consider the nature of the work itself; for the present, the following reasons will serve to remove it out of the way.

Regeneration does not consist in those things which are only outward signs of it; or at most, instituted means of effecting it: for the nature of things is distinct from the means and pledges of them, such as baptism is, with the profession of the doctrine of it. The apostle Peter states this case, 1 Pet. iii. 21. "In answer whereunto even baptism doth also now save us; not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The outward administration of this ordinance considered materially, extends only to the washing away the filth of the flesh; but it signifies the answer of a good conscience; a conscience purged from sin, and quickened by virtue of the resurrection of Christ to holy obedience, Heb. ix. 14; Rom. vi. 3-7. The apostle Paul also plainly distinguishes between the outward ordinances and regeneration, Gal. vi. 15. "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." By circumcision, he intends the whole system of Mosaical ordinances; and by uncircumcision, the participation of all gospel ordinances among the professing gentiles. But from them all he distinguishes the new creation; as that, which they may be without: and being so are not available to salvation. Again, if baptism were regeneration, then all baptized persons must of necessity be regenerate; but this we know to be otherwise. For instance, Simon the magician was baptized by Philip the evangelist, yet he was not regenerate; for it is said of him, "he had no part or lot in the matter, his heart not being right in the sight of God; but was in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity," Acts viii. 13, 21, 23; which surely is not the description of a person newly regenerate."