Christ in the beleif of his Death and Resurrection that they begin to partake of the benefit thereof being through faith dead with him and raised with him so as they are thereby and therein in some measure conformed to him dead to sin self and world and alive to God loving and living to things above Rom. 6. Coll. 2.12 to 3.1 2. 3. Filling them with the love of God he sheads abroad in their hearts Rom 5.5 and with the vertues of Christ and some usefull gifts with spirituall strength that they might walk out in the same 1 Cor. 1.12 Ephes 4 4-16 1 Pet. 2.9 and in some more abundant filling some are led to work miracles and some to speak with other tongues which as they are for unbeleevers that never beleeved Jesus to be the Christ to convince them 1 Cor. 14 22. so they are rather the fruits of some abundant baptizing then simply the baptizing it selfe but this forementioned is the baptisme wrought by the Spirit Col. 1.12 4. Afflictions and Sufferings for the name of Christ are a medium of Baptizing into Christ which afflictions and sufferings are called The Fiery Triall that is to prove and try the Faith Love and Patience of the Beleever 1 Pet. 4.12 13 14. 1.6 7. To melt subdue purge and cleanse the Beleevers Iob 33 15-30 Isa 27.7 8 9. And to make them partakers of Gods Holinesse and the quiet fruit of his Righteousnesse Heb. 12 7-14 And as he hath chosen them through the Furnace of assliction Isa 48 10. So hath he appointed them through manifold Afflictions to enter into his Kingdome Acts 14.22 As Iesus first suffered and then entred into his Glory Luke 24.26 That we may this way also bee conformed to him in the fellowship of his death and experiment the vertue of his Resurrection Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. And thus as Christ called his owne Tryals by suffering a Baptisme with which he was to be baptized Mat. 20.22 Luke 12.50 And with which even his are in some sort to be baptized Even so though wicked men as instruments doe afflict and persecute the Beleevers yet because of his ordering and sanctifying hand in trying purging and doing good therewith he is said to baptize his even with fire Mat. 3.11 Luke 3.16 And so affliction a medium of baptizing Now of these foure Mediums Word Water Spirit and Affliction there are but two put on the Ministration of the Church or servants of Christ namely that of the Word which they are sent to teach open Apply Mark 16.15 1 Cor. 1.17 2 Tim. 4.2 And that with water in his Name Iohn 1.33 Mat. 28.19 As for that with Spirit it is his owne work Iohn 1.33 And that of Afflictions is his ordering and sanctifying the evill works of wicked men to beleivers good Rom. 8.28 And as all these tend and work together for effecting and accomplishing one Baptisme which is into Christ there being no other baptisme of any kind approved but this one that is into Christ Yet the severall Mediums as they are Mediums of baptizing into Christ are in that sense called Baptismes And though but two of these that with Word and that with Water are to bee used or minstred by the Church or servants of Christ yet the Doctrine of them all belong to the Church and servants of Christ to teach what they be and what be the Ground End and Vses of them and how to be accepted and received And the Ground and Foundation of this Doctrine and teaching thereof is the same that is the foundation of Repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Heb. 5.12 to Ch. 6.1 2 3. And as this Foundation is Jesus Christ So the Doctrine of it or as some call it the Doctrinall Foundation is That as through the disobedince and fall of the first Adam all fell in him and became under sinne and death in him and were convicted and sentenced to death in the conviction and sentence that passed upon him Gen. 3.6.11 17 19. Rom. 5.12 18. And this though without the knowledge or motion of the Individuals or particular persons that were to proceed from Adam yet so verily vertually and indeed that all that came forth from him by propagation doe then and in that birth and there-through partake of sin and misery and in their own persons beare the Image of the first Adam as he was in his fall Gen. 5.3 Rom. 5.17 19. Iob. 4.1 to 4. Psal 51.5 Rom. 9.8 Eph. 2.1 2. Even so by and through the obedience and righteousnesse of the second man or last Adam the Lord Jesus Christ who as the publique man in the room of all men by the will and appointment of the Father and in onenesse of will with him therein hath by the grace of God tasted death for every man and so hath dyed for out sins in which the truth of the sentence Gen. 2â— 17. is fulfilled and that curse denounced suffered Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 13. and by the power of God hath overcome death and is risen for our justification 2 Tim. 1.10 Rom. 4.25 1 Cor 15 3 4. and hath through the eternall spirit by which he rose offered up his own spotlesse and righteous body yea himselfe a sacrifice to God in the Heavens and so hath obtained an eternall Redemption Heb. 8.3 9 12 14. And is exalted at the right hand of God and filled with the Holy Spirit in the man to send forth to men Psal 68.18 And ever liveth being the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2.5 Thus in Jesus Christ as the publick man a new Creation is made and he hath so dyed for all men and made the Attonement for them that by interpretation according to Gods acceptance of it in him as in the publick man all have dyed and are risen and Peace and Righteousnesse and Life compleated for them though in respect of their particular persons they know it not nor partake of it nor can partake unlesse by regeneration they be made in Christ in whom it is Rom. 5.18 2 Cor. 5.14 to 17. 1 Iohn 2.2 5.10 11 12. Iohn 3.26 Yet it is so verily vertually and indeed in him for all men and unto all men that whosoever of them in the appearance of this grace come in beleeving into him shall verily and indeed in his owne person receive and partake of this Peace Righteousnesse and Life in Christ and shall beare his Image Iohn 1.12 13. 3.14 15 16 17 18. Acts 10.43 Rom. 3.22.24 25 26. 5.1.5 11 19. And this with the love of God here-through testified to men as it s held forth in the Gospel now not only as it was in the promise at first as a thing to be done in its season evidenced by testimonies of his goodnesse and though not so fully opened yet vertuall to all Beleevers Gen. 3.15 Heb. 11.6 No nor yet alone added to this the fuller pointing him out to come and the everlasting Covenant confirmed in him Gen.
Israel of God indeed Exod. 19.4 8. And this work is since baptising in use called a baptising unto Moses and so gives us to understand That baptising into Christ signifieth A bringing into such an acknowledgement of him as at first said Namely 1. To bring in to the understanding and acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ the Son of God the Gift of God the man the Mediator That having once dyed for our sins and risen for our justification and offered himself a sacrifice to God hath obtained redemption and received spirit to send forth and so is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world the Saviour of the world the Prophet and Mediator of the new Testament Joh. 4.10 42. and 6.62 69. 1 Joh. 5.1 19 20. 2. In that understanding and acknowledgement of Jesus Christ to cleave to him in faith and love and so to depend on him and yeeld to him for teaching guidance comfort preservation c. Joh. 6.68 69. 1 Pet. 1. ver 21. 3. In that understanding of and adhering to Christ to be wrought on to more onenesse with and conformity to him and imitation of him 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Ephes 5.1 2. And so is this baptising a washing with or plunging or putting into Christ and so into union and fellowship with Christ yea and with the Members of Christ Rom. 6.3 4 Gal. 3.27 Col 2.12 with 1 Cor. 12.13 So that in this baptising into Christ it 's plain by Scripture There is First An ingrafting or putting into Christ by spirituall evidence and power effecting faith in and love to Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.21 1 Corinth 1. verse 30. Secondly A washing with his blood or in his love commended through the blood of Christ in which he washeth and cleanseth from their sins Rev. 1.5 Zach. 13.1 Rom 5.8 10. Tit. 3.4 5 And that both in respect of the guilt of sin in conscience Act. 10 43. Rom. 5.1 1 Cor. 6.11 as also in respect of the corrupt disposition in nature Ephes 5.26 Tit. 3.4 5 6. Thirdly A sprinkling with the vertue of his blood 1 Pet. 1.2 Heb 12 24. and that both in respect of speaking peace and freeing from the law of sin and death Heb. 12 24. Rom. 7.4 5. and 8.2 as also of sealing to the day of redemption Ephes 4.30 And all this is contained in being baptized into Christ Compare 1 Cor 10.1 2. with Rom 6.3 2 For the second thing What this Baptisme comprehendeth in it and it appeares by that already said That it containes in it An ingrafting into Christ and Vnion with him and Conformity to him And so a Being cloathed with him and under his Government and protection Rom. 6.3 Gal. 3.27 And so it is evident that it comprehends in it 1 All that Circumcision did formerly for testifying the faith or righteousnesse of God for admission into the family of Christ for instructing to spirituall Circumcision and spirituall Circumcision it selfe with all Son-like priviledges appertaining thereto And hence the Apostles affirming beleivers compleat in Christ takes away all that might be objected for want of Circumcision saying In whom yee are also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sinnes of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buryed with him in Baptisme wherein also you are rison c. Col. 2.10 11 12. with Phil. 3.3.10 2. The whole scope of the Comission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles for discipling with word and water for admission into the family of Christ in the name of the Father and the Sonne and the Holy Ghost instructing in the wayes of God and his presence with them therein as appeares by comparing Mat. 28.19 20. with Mark 16.15.16 Luk. 24.45 46 47 Act. 26 17 18 22 23. 3. The new Birth it selfe that is from above of water and the spirit it being the same mentioned in Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4. Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.12 13 14. That is set forth Iohn 3.3.5 Rom. 5.8.10 Tit. 3.4 5 6. 4. It containes in it all that was typed out in the washings cleansings and purifyings in the Law by which men were fitted to come to and partake of the holy things as Temple Altar Sacrifices c. Levit. 15.31 22.6 2 Cor. 30.17.18 So in this baptizing or washing are men made meet to enter the Kingdome c. Ioh. 3.3.5 Col. 3.12.13 2.12.14 1 Cor. 6.10.11 5. It containes in it the Sealing or marking to the day of Redemption which was typed in that sprinkling Exod. 12.7.13 Ezek 9.4 Ephes 4.30 6. It containes in it that very work in discovery of emptinesse and vanity reproving vaine confidences leading to selfe-deniall and dying to earthly and fleshly desires conteuts c. all by displaying the excellencies of Christ So that in yielding up thereto men are preserved raised and quickned And in offence taking thereat and rebelling ther-against men perish and in passing through this work men come into Christ and are baptized into him 1 Cor. 10.1 2. And such as stumble and rebell are overthrowne as the Egyptians in the Sea Pro. 1.22 23 24. Ezek. 24.9.13 Joh 3.19 20 21. Phil. 3.3.9.10 Rom 6.3 4. 7. It hath in it that hope that will as Noahs Ark carry above all waters in temptations and troubles 1 Pet. 3.22 Mar. 16.16 In a word to be baptized into Christ is to be made in him and partaker of the benefit of his death and resurrection and conformed to him so as one be indeed dead to sinne selfe world and alive to God through Jesus Christ And so Baptisme is indeed that fore-mentioned work of Grace in a Beleiver comprehending all that aforesaid 3 For the third thing Why or upon what occasion this name Baptisme is put upon this work of God and how long it hath been so called And this appeares in Scripture to be from an outward ordinance given by God for baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as a testimony of the truth of the Gospell preached and an instruction to submission to Christ confessing of him and waiting for spirituall baptizing into Christ from him And since that ordinance given the worke of grace in the heart hath been so called In the beginning the work of God in the heart was called Faith or a seeing the promises afar off being perswaded and embracing them and confessing thâ—mselves strangers Heb. 11.1 2.6.13 And these withall under their tuition and joyned with them in profession were called sonnes of God Gen. 6 2.4 And those that were upright or through amongst them were called righteous or just Heb. 11.2 4. 2 Pet. 2.7 but not Israel But after Jacob had with weeping and supplication prevailed with God and was by him called Israel and a people come forth of him or by proseliting brought in to him Hos 12.4 Gen 32.28 Then all of that Family were called Israel Israelites and the house of Israel Though they were also still called the sonnes of God
them and theirs yet then those and onely those that were borne of the promise were the Israel of God and Israelites indeed Rom. 9.6.8 Joh. 1.47 And yet these also called just and righteous still also So also the work of God in the heart was never called Circumcision till after God had given an ordinance of Circumcision to Abraham and that it was administred on that Family to testifie the truth of the faith Abraham taught to admit them into his Family and to instruct them to attend on God to circumcise their hearts to love him Gen. 17. Deut. 10.16 30.2 6. Yet then the people of Israel they and all theirs were also called circumcision Rom. 15.8 Though the work of grace in the heart to which the ordinance instructed was Circumcision indeed and from thence so called Rom. 2.28 29. So since Jesus Christ hath suffered in the flesh and overcome death and carried our nature into heaven remaining there the Christ the great High Priest Prophet and King who will one day come againe and take his great Power and Reigne now making those that beleive on him spirituall Priests c. Those that believe on him have been called Christians Acts 11.26 26.28 1 Pet. 4.16 Not but they are also called the Sonnes of God and Israel and Gods people still but now also Christians And all outwardly baptized in and professing the name of Christ are so called But those that are borne a new of water and the spirit that beleive with the heart unto righteousnesse these are the Christians indeed the children of the promise the seed of Abraham the Israel of God indeed Joh. 3.3.5 Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.26.29 6.16 Even so since the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus was in use the work of Grace in the heart is called Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col 2.12 13 14. Gal. 3.26 27. Not but that it s still also called Faith new Birth Circumcision c. but it s also called Baptisme 4 For the fourth thing That this gracious work of God in the heart this inward and spirituall Baptisme though it hath had its denomination from the use of the outwand Baptizing yet is this inward and spirituall work the Baptisme indeed that which profiteth which hath the priviledges in it and promises to it as appeareth plainly and plentifully in the Scriptures 1 By the Apostles Testimony of Circumcision which was an ordinance given of God to Abraham when he made the ever lasting Covenant with him and gave him the Gospell to preach as Baptisme given of Christ to the Apostles when he commanded them to preach the Gospell to all the world And the Apostle speaking of such Jewes as were circumcised when Circumcision was in force and profitable to the keepers of the Law yet he saith Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew that is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God And the same may be said of Baptisme For 2. Whereas Baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus putteth away the filth of the flesh or outward slain of Gentilisme as outward Circumcision did put away the reproach of Egypt Josh 5.8 9 The Apostle saith plainly of it 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Agreeing with that mentioned Col. 2.12 which is wrought by the faith of the operation of God 3. It appears also That this spirituall baptisme was the end of the Apostles preaching Gospell and calling on their hearers to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus both in that they counsel to it for the remission of sins and that they might in beleeving on Christ receive remission of sins and also the gift of the Holy Ghost As likewise in that saying at one time Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins He saith the same at another time in these words Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out c. 4. It yet further appears in that the Apostle writing to the Churches of whom there is no doubt or question made but they were all baptized with water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and none blamed for want of that yet the Apostle speaks to them with a caution and distinction Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death c. And again Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Which as it leaves a jealousie of some so it evidenceth All that by faith are not become the sons of God and be not baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and risen with him through the faith of the operation of God and have so put on Christ They have not yet been baptized into Christ and so have not the baptisme which is the Baptisme indeed and so set out by the Apostle Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27 29. Col. 2.10.11 12 13 14. 5. It yet further appeares in that as the Apostles have set forth this baptisme to be into Christ and that into the Death of Christ for participation of the vertue of his Resurrection and this by the faith of the operation of God so as a man is become dead with Christ to the world c. and risen with Christ dead to sin and alive to God and so one with Christ and in him that he is one with the Members of Christ baptized by one spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 Even so hath the Apostle plainly affirmed That as there is one Body and one Spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one Faith one Baptisme He makes no more kinds of Baptisme then of Faith yea then of God and Christ And thus we see what Baptisme is and that there is but one Baptisme though the things or mediums are waies by which it is effected are many and in that sense may be called Baptismes of which I will treat a little now to shew 2. What the Mediums Means or things used in this Baptisme and by which it is effected are These appear to be four 1. The Word 2 Water 3. The Holy Spirit 4. Afflictions 1. The word or Gospell which sets forth Jesus Christ and him crucified Gal 3.1 In opening of which Jesus Christ is lift up and set forth as the Son of God and the Son of man that hath dyed for our sins and is risen for our justification and hath received Spirit to send forth and is the propitiation for our sins the Saviour of
12. 15. 17. And so the setting him forth in Types Sacrifices and Prophesies of which Circumcision was a witnesse yet so as but one Nation partooke of those priviledges Psal 147.19 20. And the Ordinances given them made a partition wall between that Nation and other Nations in respect of nighnesse to partake of the priviledges But now is Jesus Christ set forth as he hath already come in the flesh and hath done and compleated all that fore-mentioned concerning him and so slain the enmity made peace for all Nations and made them nigh by his bloud and in the Gospell came and preached peace In which Gospel the Lord Jesus with the things in him concerning our peace are more fully set open than ever before the ascension of Jesus Christ in our nature and more abundance of grace and spirit promised to all that beleeve on him and this to be declared without difference to all Nations Mat. 28 19. Mark 16.15 And this that Jesus Christ hath done by his Death Resurrcteion and Ransome-giving and Mediation-making for all men is rendred in the Gospel as the ground and reason of all his Lordship over all Rom. 14.7 8.9 Acts 2.36 And also as the ground reason and proofe of the Resurrection of all men 1 Cor. 15. to the end And also as the ground reason and proofe that God will at the last day judge all men by Jesus Christ and cause all to confesse him Lord Acts 17.31 Phil. 2 10 11. And this given as the reason why God hath made him a Prince and a Saviour and filled him with spirit to give repentance and remission of sinnes and to rule all John 5.27 Isa 53. to the end Phil. 2.7 to 11. Acts 5.30 31. And indeed this is the foundation of repentance and that whereby all are admonished to repent Luke 24.46 47 Acts 17.30 31. And the foundation of Faith and that which men are callssd on to beleeve and there-through to beleeve on him Acts 13.38.48 16.31 And all this appeares plainly to be meant Heb. 6.1 2. if it be considered with Chap. 5.12 and other places of Scripture as Acts 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 And so likewise that the very same word of the beginning of Christ is the foundation of the Doctrine of Baptismes or of teaching Baptismes or the Foundation Ends and Vses of the Mediums of Baptizing and so Baptisme it selfe the Doctrine and End of all being one and tending to one Baptisme and so 1. As the knowledge and belief of the death resurrection and ransome giving of Christ to have been for all men is the ground why the Apostles did preach remission of sinnes to all in his name and beseech them to repent and be reconciled c. Luke 24.46 47. 2 Cor. 5 14 15 19.20 Act. 13 32-37 38 48. So likewise it was the ground of their baptizing with the word and so discipling by the Word all such as were hearing and did not turn away from the tender of the Gospell 2 Cor. 3.14 Acts 16.31.32 2. The same knowledge of the redemption wrought by Christ for all men and his lordship over them and having spirit to send forth to them was the ground of their baptizing with water in his name and so discipling those that refused not the Gospel when brought to them Acts 2.41 and 16.14.31 32. 3. The same knowledge and belief concerning Jesus Christ was the ground of their acquainting men with the baptizing with the holy Ghost and directing men to look up to and wait on Christ for that and to yeeld to the Spirit as in the means he should be vouchsafed to them Mat. 3.11 Acts 2.39 Mat. 28.20 John 14.16 26. and 16 7-16 4. And on the same ground did they exhort to receive correction from the hand of God and to be willing to bear the Crosse of Christ directing them to look to Christ and consider his sufferings in patience to possesse their souls and wait on him for profitable use and issue assuring them they shall so receive it from him Heb. 12 2-12 1 Pet. 1 5-7 and 2.21 And thus did they teach all these as Mediums of baptizing tending to one Baptisme even into Christ But they never taught these meanes or mediums of baptizing to be either the foundation on which men were to be built or to ground their hopes nor yet to be the end in respect of attainments as if life were had and the true baptisme effected where ever these mediums are For they alwayes set forth Jesus Christ to have dyed for our sinnes and risen for our justification to be the foundation and thereupon built and bottomed their exhortations to repentance faith love and use of the ordinances of Christ and accepting of and yeelding to the mediums of baptizing as is seen in the places fore-quoted and throughout their writings And they have put the mediums of baptizing in their right place as Posts and Gates to be waited at and waies to be walked in to meet with God according to that Exod. 20.24 Prov. 8.34 35. Isa 64.5 Mat. 18.20 and 28 20. Heb. 10.25 But union in and with Jesus Christ and conformity to him have they set forth as the true effect and compleating of Baptisme and that in which life is had Rom. 6 3-6 1 Cor. 1.30 John 15.1 John 5 10-12 and without which life is not enjoyed nor Baptisme indeed received and enjoyed what mediums soever passe on a man 1. A man may be baptized with the Word the Ministers instructing and he hearing it and yet not partake of life unlesse united with Jesus Christ The Word that is preached by faith in him Heb. 4.2 2. A man besides his hearing the Word may be baptized with water in the name of the Lord Jesus and so have the filth of the flesh in the stain of Gentilisme put away and yet is not purged in conscience by the spirituall application of the blood of Christ so as there be in him the answer-of a good conscience to God-ward by the Resurrection of Christ he is yet short of spirituall and eternall salvation 1 Pet. 3.21 3. A man besides his hearing the Gospel and being outwardly baptized by the Servants of Christ may also have from Jesus Christ some supernaturall illumination and inspiration with spirituall force in reproving perswading and moving so knocking and calling for entrance with promise of farther favour yet if the heart be not overcome at his reproofs and open not at his knocking 's to let go other holds and accept of and rest on him the man remains in danger still Rev. 3.20 Prov. 1.23 24. Ezek. 24.13 Gen. 6.3 whence that Ephes 4.30 4. A man besides his hearing and receiving outward Baptisme and partaking of some motions of spirit so as in some sort he beleeveth and maketh profession of Christ may also come to suffer some things for the name of Christ and yet if he abide not till Christ be formed in him that he may be perfected by Christ and his