_In those days came John the Baptist, preaching._--It will suffice for
our present purpose, if by these[147] words we direct the attention to
the origin, or at least first Scriptural record, of BAPTISM, and to
the combinement of PREACHING therewith; their aspect each to the
other, and their concurrence to one excellent end: the Word unfolding
the Sacrament, and the Sacrament sealing the Word; the Word as a
Light, informing and clearing the sense of the Seal; and this again,
as a Seal, confirming and ratifying the truth of the Word; as you see
some significant seals, or engraven signets, have a word about them
expressing their sense.
But truly the word is a light and the sacraments have in them of the
same light illuminating them. This _sacrament_ of Baptism, the
ancients do particularly express by _light_. Yet are they both nothing
but darkness to us, till the same light shine in our hearts; for till
then we are nothing but darkness ourselves, and therefore the most
luminous things are so to us. Noonday is as midnight to a blind man.
And we see these ordinances, the word and the sacrament, without
profit or comfort for the most part, because we have not of that
Divine Light within us. And we have it not, because we ask it not.