Christ And so of his dying for our sins and rising for our justification and offering himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us and sitting in Heaven to appeare before God and mediate for us as but a Figure a Type a Shadow and of no farther profitable use to us And with this a slighting of all the operations of the Spirit that testified of him and effected Faith Love Union Conformity from that appearance of him All which they count but fleshly and knowing Christ after the flesh how neer this is to that sinne mentioned Heb. 10.29 the very mentioning it doth declare And for those that after knowledge and warning persist in this evill they soon come to deny the very being of the body of the man Christ and the resurrection of the bodies of men that dye I suppose all that have any spark of grace remaining will look at this as a fearfull evill and it might warn to shun that practise which gives occasion of 〈◊〉 But in this I desire none to mistake me as if I affirmed such as receive a second Baptisme are necessitated to this nor yet all such as renounce the first to accept the second or that only such doe fall into this evill Not so far be it from us so to thinke or judge But in observation this some discerne that for the most part such as fall into this evill are of those that were never baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Death Resurrection and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the extent and vertue of it for all men and so were either zealous opposers of it or if in some sort acknowledging it a truth yet counting it but a common and light matter which yet is the Foundation as is shewn pag. 18.19 Yet mostly those of these that fall into this evill are such as before they fall into it come to renounce their first baptisme and accept a second though when they fall into it they count themselves above all ordinances and so slight their second also in respect of themselves or else such as in their judgment come to be snared with that practise and to approve it as good But conceiting Miracles of right to be done by such as Baptize they wait and seek for such like things till they conceit themselves above ordinances and then not needing it both sorts of them still approving such a practice for others it being the way to set them loose from that name into which they were at first Baptized that so slighting Scripture they may beleive them And yet still farther I desire to be noted that there are two sorts of men that maintain this practise of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second First such as doe not beleeve Jesus Christ to have dyed and given himselfe a Ransome for all men or that there is any gracious life in him for them all But that Christ did this only for a certain company elect in Gods hidden Counsell from Eternity and that shall infallibly beleeve on him in time and so oppose the testimony of Scripture that saith He gave himself a ransome for all men These I know not how they can with a good conscience walking in their Faith baptize any till upon good grounds they be perswaded that they doe in heart beleeve in Jesus Christ and so are apted for renouncing their first Baptisme and taking a second though being brought to beleive they might enjoy the use of their first Baptisme and have no good grounds to renounce it and take up a second But it is meeter to reason with them and informe them about the truth of the Scripture in the extent and vertue of the Foundation Acts 18.2.3 than to contend with them about the ordinance of Baptisme in which it is no marveil though they be mis-led But there are some that doe professe to beleeve and hold forth the extent of the Ransome Oh that they would seriously without prejudice or offence-taking consider the things written for it is marveilous to me and others that any rightly understanding that businesse should deny the Baptizing of Children by Gods gracious providence put into the Tuition of such as beleeve and professe Jesus to be the Christ But yet more marveilous that any I hope there are not many will say A horse may as well be baptized as an Infant surely they will deny that to be true for a horse that they will acknowledge to be true for an Infant that Jesus Christ took their nature and dyed for their sinnes and rose for their justification and that such as we treat of are by gracious providence put under the Tuition of Christians to be brought up for God in his feare And that as John 13. They may be instructed after in this ordinance they now understand not all or any of which I hope none will say of a horse And thus have I shewn the cause of feare and griefe in such a practise yet not to cast aspersions on the person of any but to shew the evils that are so incident to such a practise neither yet to unbrother any because of such a practice unlesse such in whom the last mentioned occasionall evils appeare 1 Cor. 16.22 For it belongs not to me or others to judge any in observance of an outward Ordinance who through some appearance in Scripture to their understanding Doe that which they doe unto the Lord Rom. 14 1. to 10 Yet this I wish that in this businesse the Tenour of the Gospel and the Commission of Christ be considered and that in reasoning they would state the question right not whether Beleevers may be baptized for that none denyes but whether Beleevers that were fore-baptized in the name of the Lord are after they come to beleive to be baptized with water in the name againe and then whether children in Beleevers Tuition may not he so baptized and till they can prove the one and disprove the other by that Gospel and without taking the foresaid evill wayes cease pressing their practise on others And such as are not yet entangled to consider what is said and not suffer themselves to be snared If any say we doe and may run into as many evils I confesse we are as weak as others and so I will neither justifie my selfe nor judge them but pray for the healing of their follies and mine But whatsoever evils through weaknesse or violence of temptation I or others may be overtaken withall yet this I affirme that the remembring minding and retaining the Lords Baptisme we have received leadeth not to but preserveth from such evils For it leadeth us to acknowledge the great Love and mercy of God in the gift of his Son and testified and tendred to us in the Gospel of his Sonne into whose name we were baptized and so to count our selves engaged as by vow and solemn Covenant which since we came to use of understanding we have accepted To be the Lords to live to him to beleeve his sayings and wait for his Spirit and walk in his wayes as is fore-shewn pag. 23.24 If any say we plead thus to save our selves from trouble among men I answer what through frailty we may doe we desire to acknowledge and seeke preservation from or if overtaken healing of it But it will be no comfort to suffer for that we have no command in the word for but in our apprehensions much against it But although wee shun that practise yet if we hold forth the word of life in word and conversation acknowledging the sayings and ordinances of Christ and our Brethren witnessing against the Idolatry and evill wayes of men we shall suffer as much as they yea and with them while we acknowledge that truth which some of them with us doe hold though we urge not a second Baptisme as of old some did Circumcision to glory in the flesh and boast of another mans line withall which in our judgments would befall us in that practise Wherefore I say no more to this but the Lord make us so mindfull of him in whose name we were baptized that we may in beleiving his sayings attending his Ordinances and accepting to beare his reproach wait on him for his spirit to baptize us more and more into union and conformity with Jesus Christ in his Death that we may experiment more the vertue of his Resurrection So shall we be more separate from the world in the Idolatry Pride carnall Reasonings Superstitions Customes Fashions Vncleannesse Covetousnesse and Oppressions thereof and be found more Loving Tender and Faithfull to one another and fruitfull to the Spirit And so will our differences be healed which God of his mercy grant that we may not bite one another that so there be not a devouring nor turning any out of the way But that we may all grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Your Loving though Vnworthy Brother THOMAS MOORE FINIS
the world That Whosoever beleeveth in him may not perish but have everlasting lise Joh. 3 14 15 16 17. In this also is the Name of God even of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost displayed Psal 138.2 Deut 32.2.3 And this is the prime or chief Ministerial way of baptizing into Christ As appeares plainly in these things First That the Commission given Matth. 28.19 20 where Baptizing is given as the medium of Discipling and there onely put in that name in all other places it is given in these tearms of preaching the Gosp l Mark 16.15 and declaring his Name to such an end as the effecting of that which is Baptisme indeed Acts 9.15 18 17 18 22 23. Secondly When Jesus Christ opened the understanding of his Disciples to understand the things in the Scripture that concerned himself Luk 24.27.44.45 which they were to declare Act. 26.27.18 22 23. Was not then this That which they were helped to understand that Thus it is written and Thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and so to enter into his glory Luk. 24 45 46.25.26 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations and this expressely said to be that which Christ and his Apostles were witnesses of Luk. 24.47 48. And to which witnessing the promise of the Spirit is given Luke 24.49 and so the same that is in that Commission Mathew 28. verse 19 20. Thirdly The Apostles did performe the Commission given them in so preaching Christ and repentance and remission of sins in his name Acts 2. and 3. and 8. and 10. and 13.38 46. yea not only when they baptized with water but also when they did not that themselves 1 Cor. 1.14 17. Fourthly As Jesus Christ set forth in the Gospell is the Fountain set forth to wash in for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And the love of God extended in the gift of him and through his bleed is pure water John 3.5.16 Rev. 5. with Ezek. 36.25 26. And the streams of spirit and grace proceeding from him is as a river and streams of pure water Psal 46 4 5. Rev. 22.1 2. even so the Word and Doctrine of the Gospell is compared to water Deut. 32 1 2 3. Isa 48.1 2. and 55.1 and by that men prest to wash and cleanse their hearts and wayes Isa 1.16 17. Jer. 4.14 Yea it being put to the question Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way It s answered Psal 119.9 By taking heed thereto according to thy word so that the Word or Gospell to be one mean of baptising is clearly held forth in the Scripture and Commission given by Christ If any object and say But this hath not been called baptising I answer It was the same thing for washing and cleansing first but not so called till the ordinance of baptising with water was given from Heaven and so God is nurtering the people to the acknowledgement of Moses Exod. 14. was never called Baptising them unto Moses but being the same businesse in effect and for such an end since the ordinance of baptising with water was given even that work is called baptising 1 Cor. 10.1 2. But yet to be plainer Fifthly The Doctrine of the Gospell with the teaching thereof is encluded in that word Baptisme and also called Baptisme in the writings of the Evangelists so Mark 1.3 John did baptise in the wildernesse and preach the Baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins And Luke 3.2 3. The Word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wildernesse and he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins It is plain to such as shut not their eyes of purpose to cavill That the word of the Lord which came to John that he received and that he preached and what that was is laid open both in the prophesie of him Isa 49.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. and both Prophesie and explication of that former Prophesie by his father Luke 1.76 79. and also in the affirming of his own performance Math. 3.1 2. In those dayes came John the baptist preaching in the wildernesse of Judea and saying repent yee for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Search the places and all the Scriptures speaking of this businesse and is it not plain that he declared Christ to be come in the flesh to be the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and so that the Kingdome of God was nigh and he that is John was not the Christ but that he the Christ was to come after him in ministration and on that ground exhorted them to repentance and to believe on him that should come after him in whom they should receive forgivenesse c. And then baptising with water as a testimony of the truth of his Doctrine he did after preach and call for amendment and fruits meet for repentance promising That he that came after him should baptize with the holy Ghost and with fire and purge his floor c. Though the Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation of Christ he did not so fully set forth as it is since set forth nor set forth the person of Christ who and which man he was till Jesus was baptized and Johns own Ministration towards an end Mat. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. and 3. Acts 13.24.25 And this his preaching the Gospell and baptising with water was called his baptisme and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins And so when our Saviour Christ did question the cheif Preists and Elders of the Jewes whence the baptisme of John was They reasoned with themselues saying If we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did you not then beleeve him Mat. 21.25 which beleeving must needs have reference to his Doctrine And thus Paul affirming John verily to have baptized with the baptisme of repentance he describes it in both the parts The Doctrine thus saying unto the people that they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus and his baptising with water thus and when they that is the people heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19.4 5. And so it is said of Apollos that was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord being fervent in Spirit he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the Baptism of John and surely that he spake and taught was that which he knew even the Baptisme of John and Aquilla and Prescilla expounding to him the way of God more perfectly doth evince that they shewed him the way of the Lord as it is more fully revealed since the ascenscion of Christ by his Spirit in the Doctrin of the Gospel then it was in the baptisme or preaching-Gospel before by John so
had been nullified When the House of Israel was so gone a whoring in that Idolatry that it was death for a man to be knowne that hee would not bow the knee to Baal Yet the Circumcision of men in that time is neither faulted nor they prohibited but invited to come to the Passeover and for their Purification according to the Law care was taken and want in that bewayled and healing sought But for their Circumcision fore-passed it is not faulted at all 2 Chron. 30.6.20 And surely had errour in such things made a nullity of the Ordinance of Baptisme that when professedly done in his name yet such errours of men baptizing should make it no Baptisme Then would our Soviour have set his choise Ministers to that work but he set his Disciples to it and so did the Apostles their Attendants Nor is there any prescriptions what manner of persons for Gifts Office Grace or Demeanour they must be that baptize others in the name of the Lord Jesus with water Nor although we read in the writings of the Apostles of divers false Teachers and divers evill Livers and have there reproved both false Doctrine and evill life Yet is not the outward Baptisme of any of them any where faulted much less affirmed to be null And could the Testimony of Scripture or the Ordinance of Baptisme be made null in it selfe by being in the hands of Idolaters or by the addition of their inventions therewith as they are made voyd and ineffectuall to such Idolaters Mat. 15.1.9 Rom. 2. Then could not the outward Court of the Temple be left in the hands of the Gentiles nor the man of sinne sit in the Temple of God as is affirmed Rev. 11.2 2 Thes 2.4 Nor could such as are in Babylon and have fellowship therewith be called Gods people if they had not fore-had his Baptisme If the Baptisme had beene Antichrists and the Whores then it might have been said Yee Antichristians and Babylonians separate from your fellowes and become my People But the Baptisme being the Lords it is said Come out of her my People Rev. 18.4 So that in professing Jesus to be the Christ as a witness of the truth of that profession to baptize any that refuse it not with water in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is outward Baptisme indeed and a medium of baptizing into Christ And such as have beene so baptized with water in that name are outwardly baptized indeed and so engaged unto Christ that they might be baptized into Christ by being farther baptized with the word the Holy Spirit and affliction 3. The Holy Spirit in and with his light and operation comming from the Father and the Sonne in and with the meanes used is the principall medium of baptizing into Christ And so John taught that Iesus Christ should Baptize with the Holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.33 And Jesus Christ promised the same Acts 1.5 And in that Acts 1.4.5 Our Saviour gives us to understand what baptizing with the Holy Ghost is In the fourth verse he bids them wait for the promise of the Father which they had heard of him which is express in the same councell Luke 24.49 And the encouragement and ground of hope he gave them is vers 5. in these two First that Iohn truly baptized with water he had his Commission from Heaven preached truth which he testified by baptizing with water and then told them that Iesus Christ should baptize with the Holy Ghost And secondly Christ himselfe had promised to send forth spirit to them and endue them with Power from on high and this he assures them they shall receive saying Yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost In which two verses compared with Luke 24.45 to 49 John 7.38 39. appeareth First that there is a Baptizing with the Holy Ghost that is the work and belongs to the Office of Jesus Christ glorified with Gods right hand Mark 1.7 8. Secondly that Jesus Christ his sending forth Spirit into the hearts of Beleivers enduing them with power from on High operating in and teaching and leading them is Baptizing them with the Holy Ghost John 7.38 39. Acts 1.4 5. Thirdly that though this promise of the Spirit in performance whereof is baptizing with the Holy Ghost was first and primely to the Apostles and first witnesses of the Resurrection of Christ Yet it was also made to all that through Grace beleeve on him and to their Ministration yea not onely in and through the promise made to them but expressely to all Beleevers to be fulfilled after the Ascension of Christ So that baptizing with the Holy Ghost and communication of the Holy Spirit to Enlighten Teach Comfort c. is still abiding in the Church of God as appeares in Prophesie Isa 44.4.8 Joel 2.28 c. Covenant Isa 59.20 21. Promise John 7.38 39. And in the Commission Mat. 28.19 20. And the ground rendred of exhortation to be baptized Acts 2.38 39. Fourthly that this Baptizing with the Holy Ghost containes in it two things 1. Jesus Christ his sending of the Holy Ghost into the heart of Beleevers 2. His baptizing Beleevers with in or by the holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24.49 1. Jesus Christ his sending the Holy Ghost into the hearts of Beleevers to dwell and keep a residence therein Isa 59.20 21. Ezek. 36.27 28. John 7.37 38 39. First To minde them of the sayings of Christ in those things which he by himself or his Servants had fore-taught them opening their understandings to conceive the things of him and so teach them Luke 24.45 46. John 14 26. Isa 54.13.14 Secondly To bear farther witnesse and give in more evident testimony of Jesus Christ what he hath done what he is and will do so firming them in confidence in him and with courage to bear witnesse of him John 15.26 2 Tim. 1.12 Thirdly To write his minde and law in their inward parts enclining their heart in faith and love acording to his minde and so leading them Heb. 8.8 10. 2 Cor. 3.3 17 18. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly To be an Advocate within them to teach them how to pray to God and how to speak to men Joh. 14.16 17. Rom. 8.26 Zach. 12.10 Mat. 10 19 20. Mark 13.11 Luke 12.11 12. 2. Jesus Christ his baptizing them within or by the holy Ghost by his divine light and power in his minding them of and witnessing in them the things of Christ effecting in them a new and Christ like Spirit or disposition Ezek. 36.26 1 Cor. 2.16 He washeth purgeth and cleanseth them with pure water of the love of God commended through the blood of Jesus Rom. 5.1 8 10. Heb. 9.14 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 10.22 First Bringing them into the hearty acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ and their Lord Saviour Propitiation Life Wisedome Righteousnesse c. and the All and in All to them 1 Cor. 1.30 Coll. 3 10 11. as before page 3. Secondly Uniting them so to
what grounds this ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord is to be administred And this appeares in the Commssion with the ground thereof Mat 28.18 19. And the Tenor of the Gospel John 3.14 15 16 17. Mark 1.16 with the residue of scripture to be these viz. 1. The certainty given in the Gospel of a peace reconciliation and redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered to God for all men and his good will to have it made known and tendered to thema ll This is the ground both of preaching Gospell to them 1 Tim. 2 4-7 And of baptizing any of them with water Acts 18.8 1 Cor. 2.13 15.4 as is already shewne in pag. 14 15 16. And he that hath not certainty in this runs at an uncertainty in his ministration which Paul would not in any thing 1 Cor. 9.26 2. The perscription of such as are to be baptized with water to be subdued or brought into or under the instruction or tuition of such as have accepted the Doctrine of the Gospel and make profession of it which men of understanding and at their owne dispose be not nor can be so judged till they be found willing to heare and to be instructed in the Doctrine of the Gospel Mat. 3. John 4.1 2. Acts 8. 18.8 But children not come to the use of understanding are so and so to be accounted from the gracious providence of God putting them in the Family and into the charge and under the care and tuition of such whether by birth or other providenciall way Gen. 17.12 13. Acts 16.15 But of this more anon 3. The command of Jesus Christ in his Commission given to his Disciples to goe disciple all Nations baptizing them baptizing being both with word and water neither to be prest violently and where the tender of the Gospel is not rejected the baptizing with word and water are of the same extent And so the report of the Gospel the work of God in putting under the uition of such as have accepted and doe professe the Gospell and the command of Christ to disciple all Nations baptizing them is the ground and bottome upon which this baptisme is to be administred As for such as are to be baptized to confesse their sins and professe their faith it is good in such as are come to the use of understanding before they be baptized Yet though it be an encouragement it is not the ground and to them that think it so it is but partiall and fallible But that set down before is the Ground and whole and constant and sure to administer one as will yet more clearely appear anon 3. For the third thing considerable viz. To what ends this ordinance of baptizing with water is to be administred and that is 1. To be an outward and sensible Testimony of the truth of the Gospel preached both in that there in affirmed to be already done by Christ for men and also in the hope set forth therein for beleevers and so of the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost set forth thereby Jesus his giving this ordinance to be administred is a testimony of his faithfull mind and the truth of the faith and Gospel given to preach And so when John preached the Gospel baptizing and preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes Mark 1.3 4. He is said to have truly baptized with water as witnessing verily the truth Acts 1.5 And so as all the Scripture Moses the Law and all Types foregoing so all the ordinances of the Gospel doe testifie of Christ John 5.39 to 44. Rom. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 As Abraham received the signe of Circumcision as a seale of the righteonsnesse of the faith he had c. that he might be the Father Abraham his receiving the sign was not simply his being circumcised for so were all his family but his receiving that or dinance to administer as a seal of the righteousnesse of the faith it s not said which all he circumcised had nor of the truth of his own beleeving but of the righteousnesse of the faith that is the Gospel God preached to him which he had to preach to his Family and so to be a sensible testimony that he might be the Father of all that beleeve Gen. 15. 17. with Rom. 4.11 Even so also the Apostles received this ordinance to testifie withall to such an end and so it is given as the Medium of discipling in the Commission Mat. 28.19 2. To receive into Gods Family or the Family of Christ or Abraham and so to engage the baptized to yeild up to and wait on God in the acknowledgment of his great name and observance of all his ordinances and the things he hath already commanded by Jesus Christ to his Apostles And so as Circumcision discipled into Abrahams Family and bound to the Law after given by Moses baptisme disciples into the same family of God and binds to beleive and observe the sayings and commands of Christ fore-given in the Gospel and this is cleare in the Commission Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 1 13.-15 And in that baptisme is into his name and no other 3. To set or lay before them the hope that is set forth in the new Testament confirmed by the death of Christ for his baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and so sending forth spirit to teach and write his sayings and Law in their hearts Mat. 3.11 Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24 46 to 49. c. as pag. 11.12 And so by witnessing the truth of the Gospel accepting and engaging them into the Family of God and setting such hope before them they may disciple them that so in beleeving they may throughly repent and lay hold on Christ and therein receive remission of sinnes and spirit to lead a new life And thus is this baptisme unto repentance and to be received for the remission of sinnes Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Neither as some vainly glosse it causaliter that it should cause it nor declaratively as if it did verily declare remission of sinnes received But as a Medium of comming into Chrrist that in beleeving it may be received And these are the ends of administration and not such as in which this ordinance is made like the Types of the Law to have a sensible and visible figure or resemblance of Christ in the manner of his death and resurrection and conforming us to him for which no word that conformity being the work of his Spirit by word and afflictions 4. For the fourth thing considerable viz. Who are the subjects capable of this ordinance of being baptized with water in the name of the Lord and so may have it administred to them And that is expresse in the command and commission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles Mat. 28.19 To be all Nations that were not fore-discipled and refuse not in the tender of the Gospel to them
then that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Neither is there Salvation in any other For there is none Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.11 12. To this though nothing be opposed yet not yeelded but waved That it might not weaken another opinion About the necessity of the outward Ordinance of Baptizing with water which is implyed by the reasoning of many and affirmed by some To be as necessary as Faith though our Saviour would not so affirme of that which without controversie was true Baptisme and more then outward baptisme sure Mark 16.15.16 Fifthly By Interogations and Queries to put men to a mislike of their first Baptisme As were you so dipped and plunged in water when water was thrown on your faces Did you so coufesse your sinnes and confesse your faith Had you such and such holy ends if not then your Baptisme was no Baptisme And so urge them to renounce it whereas though such things had been good and commendable in the Fathers of Families proselited from the Nations when circumcised yet not required of all under their tuition so one may say of Heathens when discipled such things are commendable in those of understanding when baptized but not required in all under their tuition yet notwithstanding there is no precept enjoyning any to such or such a plunging or a particular and verball confession of sins or such a confession and declaration of Faith and such holy ends to be aymed at in all that are received to be Baptized so as to put a necessity in such a case more then God hath is but mans Doctrine and yet also an error in the manner is before shewn not to null Baptisme done in his Name Sixthly By urging when other meanes prevaile not to returne to Rome for say some your Baptisme binds you to be faithfull to that Church into which you were membred when baptized whereas this is not only without but against Scripture For first we were not baptized into the name of a man or Minister or any order of men or any Church or Church order But into the name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 1.12 13. c. Secondly in Baptisme we were reduced into the outward Church or Family of God that professe his name and not into a Church Order or membred into this or that particular Congregation no such thing in the Commission The Eunuch was baptized rightly sure and yet received into no particular Congregation or Church Order Acts 8.38 39. Yea there were many baptized and that Churches also before set in the outward order as is evident by comparing Acts 13.14 with 14.1.19.21 22 23. That is not the end of Baptisme to member into a particular Congregation or into an outward Church-order such a businesse rather leads to the faulted 1 Cor. 1.10 11 12 13. 4.6 No nor to give the liberty of acknowledging Brotherhood Ananias rightly called Saul Brother before he was baptized Acts 9.17 18. Seventhly by taking advantage when by these means men are made doubtfull of their first Baptisme and incline to think well of that they hold forth to urge them while they are yet in their passion to receive their baptisme presently pressing thereto Acts 22.16 2.38 39. Which was not to such as were in any sort or at any time baptized in the name of the Lord before And now why tarriest thou were rather words of encouragement to take away feares then of pressing to the suddennesse simply Acts 9.11 to 17 18. And surely for such as had vile thoughts of Jesus judged him not to be the Christ but persecuted and crucified him and were never fore-baptized in his name It was meet on sight of their sinne they should repent by changing their minds into right thoughts of Christ and testifie the same by being baptized in his name and what is this for any so fore-baptized to be baptized so againe But for men that were fore-baptized with water in the name of the Lord and have since been enlightned in the knowledge of his grace and so come to high thoughts of him as the onely he the Foundation the Peace Life c. So as they rest on him and submit to him would any have them to repent and change their minds in this to more base thoughts of Jesus and to testifie it by renouncing their first Baptisme and taking up another I hope not though the evill Spirit may secretly have such an aym to produce it afterwards The Lord keep us all from this and I verily beleive all they in beginnings will say Amen 3. For the evill consequences that follow on the practice of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second They are such as are more ordinary and usuall and in a sort necessary or such as are occasionall though not so ordinary The more necessary and ordinary evils that flow from this practice are First by pressing the necessity of and magnifying the outward ordinance c. A baptizing rather into Baptisme or the name of Baptisme then into the name of the Lord though words carry it so whence many in change of their opinion and Congregation are baptized the third time Secondly A slighting of the Lords ordinance of Baptisme fore-administred and contending against it and in magnifying their new Baptizing an intimate slighting of the gracious operations of the Holy Ghost in the hearts and appearing in the lives of Beleevers retaining their first baptisme and not accepting theirs Yea I have it under the hands of some that all was Antichristian and of the world before their second Baptisme received and so to be disclaimed on receit thereof Thirdly A separation from Brotherhood and Fellowship in the Gospel and ordinances of Jesus Christ with those they have had even spirituall fellowship withall and tastes of his goodnesse in Before Fourthly A judging despising and censuring deeply all those that maintain their first Baptisme and approve not theirs The occasionall evils which are not indeed so ordinary are the springing up and appearing of that evill which is foresaid to be intimately and knowingly done in the renouncing of the first Baptisme and taking up another as page 33. when in zealous justifying of it after followeth in some such a magnifying of that obedience as they conceive to the ordinance of Baptisme as they even put that Baptisme in the place of Christ and that obedience in the place of Faith and so ground and bottome the justification of themselves and others and their hope of life on their own works as their Declarations declare But in some others in a contrary and more fearfull extream A slighting of the Gospel which is written that declareth the name in which at first they were baptized as a Dead a killing Letter yea as a Fable in the words whereof truth is not but in some misterious or misty imagination of an Allegoricall sense And with this ere long a slighting of the personall body of the man