by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit 5. This is shed forth abundantly on us in Jesus Christ 6. In the partaking of Salvation in this Spirituall washing and spirituall renewing we are justified by the Grace of God 7. And being justified by free grace we are made Heirs and have hope of eternall life or according to the hope of eternall life O that we could in this clear discovery of the eternall God behold his Testimony in this place in the clear light and wisdome of the eternall Spirit for then we should not look so low as we do upon earthly and carnall observations of the things of God and especially of the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit the onely Baptisme of the new Testament but then we should look upon it as it is the work of all power in heaven and earth according to its first institution and then we should see the glorious effects of it fulfilled in the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy spirit then we should see the new birth brought forth in souls by this spirituall washing the work of God alone in the operation and renewing of his Spirit or wrought by his spirit in us Here is declared the true Gospel-washing even the saving of souls from sin and all uncleannesse here is the great Gospel-promises fulfilled with a witnesse even opening a fountain of pure living water and pouring it forth upon the barren wildernesse and the dry ground the barren dry and unfruitfull ground of unbelievers are by this Spirituall washing made the Garden of the Lord and being trees of the Lords planting they are watered every moment and refreshed and comforted with the streams of that river that makes glad the City of God This is the true washing that washeth away the fiâ—thines and polluâ—ions of the sons and daughters of Zion coming forth from that eternall fountain the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem making his people a fit habitation for himself to dwell in by washing away their filthinesse in the pure waters of the Spirit of life flowing out from the Lord God and from the Lamb whose habitation they are in the Spirit and spirituall washing Here is the work of all power in heaven and earth in saving souls by spirituall washing and this onely is suitable to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. spirituall washing or baptising in which we are made partakers of the name nature of God being by the presence of the eternal Spirit in us washed renewed regenerated sanctified and cleansed from our own filthinesse sin and pollution which is contrary to God and all appearances of God in Spirit Here is the great Gospel-work of saving creatures from their sin and all iniquity by the love kindnesse and mercy of the Lord Jehovah and here is the way also set forth in which the Lord Jehovah saveth souls from sin it is by spirituall washing and spirituall renewing of them by the work of the eternall spirit and O that we were more sensible of the glorious work of all power in heaven and earth manifested in us in washing and cleansing us from all sin and uncleannesse and bringing forth the pure and divine nature in us which work is of the Lord alone and not of man who is as nothing and vanity it self The Baptism or washing of the New Testament is not like those carnall legal figurative and typicall washings c. which were administred either by Moses or John in which the substance of the great things to come were figured out or declared to come after But the substance it self goeth forth in the Baptisme or washing of the New Testament this washing is to purpose for in it and by it we are washed and saved from our sin and this is the substantiall and onely washing of all washings Eighthly we have another clear Testimony of the true and spirituall washing the onely Baptisme of the New Testament 1 Pet. chapter 3. verse 21. the words are these The like figure or example whereunto 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 c. Here we have the true Baptisme of the New Testament set forth and the people taken off from all outward washings not the washing of water 1. Here the Apostle declares the saving of Noah and his family in the Ark from drowning by water v. 20. and now he tells them of another kind of saving and this is by water of which that was a signe or example or this is an example of that c. Baptisme doth now save us but is it water-Baptisme that doth save us now no saith he not the washing of the filth of the flesh what then why the answer of a good conscience but whereby is the answer of a good conscience brought forth not by water-Baptisme but by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Here is a clear allusion to the Resurrection of Christ and to the power and vertue thereof for then Christ received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of spirituall Baptism or washing and so the power and vertue hereof doth baptise souls into the goodnesse of God cleanse and purifie their Consciences and so the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth in them by vertue of Christs Resurrection by virtue whereof soules are washed and cleansed from an evill and corrupt Conscience whereby all men are naturally defiled by sin and evill The like testimony of spiritual Baptisme or Washing we have declared Heb. 10. 22. in v. 20. the Apostle describes a new and living way by whom we do enter into the holiest place even the presence of the infinitely holy God and in this 22. v. he declares how it is that we doe draw neer unto God in this new and living way it is by having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water So here we see how the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth it is by being sprinkled with pure water but our earthly waters will not nor cannot bring forth such effects in us it is onely the waters of the Spirit that can doe this that river of pure water of life that John saw Revel 22. 1. and this is the onely water that washeth sprinkleth and clenseth hearts spirits souls consciences and bodies from all evill sinne filthinesse and uncleanenesse of the whole man Thus I have faithfully declared the true Gospell baptisme as I have received from the Lord agreeable to the word written in the Scriptures and also the eternall Word written in the hidden man of the heart the two great Witnesses of God in the World And now I know this clear truth of God revealed in the clear light and wisdome of the Eternal Spirit will not with many opposers as it hath already throw mens carnal understanding of the Baptism of
A CRYER IN THE VVILDERNESSE OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Published in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those who are satisfied with truth alone By Edward Punch of Carisbrook in the Isle of Wight Who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the Power of God to salvation Acts 13. 41. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you 1. Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bound or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Acts 11. 16. Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit Acts 1. 5. LONDON Printed by T. M. for Richard Moone at the Seven Stars in Pauls Church-yard near the great North doore 1654. To all true Saints in England and elsewhere who are really partakers of Spirit-Baptisme in the Lord JESVS who is the way into the possession and injoyment of eternall grace and glory in the Lord JEHOVAH FRiends in the truth He that hath set his hand to the Plough and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdome of God And I must here declare unto you that Gods Kingdom that he will bring forth in these latter dayes is another manner of building and work than the world or Churches under Antichrists raign doth think of for God is now pulling down the old building that man hath been setting up this many hundred years and O friends I would advise you not to stand looking back upon the old building in Antichrists Kingdome but with the Apostle look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousnesse Let us who are of the day go toward Zion with our faces thither-ward for looking back hinders seeing what is before us Let us look unto the new Jerusalem the City of the living God that cometh down from God out of heaven and let us not so much as take any notice of the old heavens wherein men would ascend up to God for God hath not bid us look after the old but the new and hath bid us rejoyce for ever in the things that he will create and he hath told us that he that stands upon the Throne makes all things new And this is a clear truth that all the Churches and Church orders of men as they call it are yet in Babel they are all in confusion one with another amongst themselves One saith here is Christ and another saith there is Christ one for one way another for another way one for one order another for another order one interprets Scriptures one way another another way one saith one thing is truth and another saith another thing is truth and many cry out against the clear truth and would if it were possible hinder that from appearing And now how can you imagine that the Churches are out of Babel and yet still in confusion in darknesse and mistakes Christs first coming brought divisions into the world but now it shall bring peace among all Luke 12. 51. Isa 11. Consider a few particulars wherein it doth appear that Babylon is not yet fallen but standeth still even to this day 1. When God brings forth his great work in the latter dayes The wolf and the lamb shall dwell together in peace c. but now we are far from such a disposition for those who look like lambs and are so for ought I know they cannot dwell together in peace and love but are at great difference as well as the lamb and wolf but persecution shall come to an end in the latter dayes and not continue as before therefore look not for such a time now to come 2. In that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord but it is now full of ignorance of the Lord as all carnall principles and doctrines of men do witnesse with their works and actions 3. In that day God will get his people a name and a praise in all lands where they have been put to shame but yet they are a reproach in all Lands therefore that day is not yet come 4. In that day God will turne to his people one pure language wherein they shall all serve him with one consent and God will give them one heart and one way the Lord shall be one and his name one c. But none of this is to be found for we see even among those that praise God there are many languagues and they serve God according to their knowledge or ignorance in many wayes and there is no consenting together therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed so we are yet in the wilderness in Babel Egypt and Sodom where our Lord was crucified c. and as the great difference was between open profannesse and a forme of Godlinesse so now it is between the forme and the power of godlinesse Therefore the loftinesse of man is not laid low nor the Lord alone exalted 5. The promise is that in that day the peace of Gods people shall be great but now it is not so for our divisions are now great and our peace little with men then none shall disturbe nor make them afraid but now there are many disturbers even against the cleare truth Therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed but doth oppose Christ in Spirit and so Babel or confusion is still present therefore not the new heavens and new earth the worke of God in this world as is cleare by many witnesses 6. When Babylon is fallen the kingdomes of the world shall become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ this must needs be in another manner of way then before for all Nations are at Gods disposing still even in the highest of Antichrists raign But we see not this yet fulfilled for the kingdomes of the world are still as they were men are unrighteous unholy without love pity and compassion to their fellow Creatures as they were some have thousands of Gold and Silver and others want food and raiment c. This does not look like the righteousnesse of God in the new heavens and new earth but like the unrighteousnesse of men in the old tyrannical cruell and oppressing kingdome of Antichrist this looks not like the love of Christ but like selfe-love c. as in the Epistle of James Consider farther the Church of Christ was to be droven into the wildernesse of Antichrists kingdome during his reigne and the outward Court of the Temple was given to the Gentiles during Antichrists reigne and I hope you know what this is therefore take not that unto your selves that is given to the Gentiles
God puts the Spirit of life in them then they shall affright all those that dwell upon the earth beware then all those that do live upon earthen principles Doctrines Forms Customes and Traditions of men they shall be all affrighted with a witnesse therefore look to it well that the dispensations you live under be of God and not of man for God will destroy all things below himself though never so excellent and highly esteemed of man So I conclude wishing that we may all live in love now one to another seeing love shall continue to Eternity and let us consider what a low thing it is for believers to live contrary to that which is their life and in which we are all one body and members in particular which is Love A brief description of the particulars contained in this Book 1. The Testimony of John the Baptist concerning his Baptisme and the Baptisme of Christ that was to follow 2. The Testimony of Christ concerning John Baptist and wherein he was greater and lesser then those that went before him and those that followed after him 3. The Testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptism declared in the Commission and in other severall places and what it is 4. Severall dispensations in which God hath manifested himself unto his people at severall times the last being wholly Spirituall 5. That the Baptisme of Christ is to baptise men into the name of God according to the Commission and not into water and what the name of God is into which we are baptised according to the Commission Matth. 28. 19. page 13. laid down in seven particulars 6. Severall Testimonies from the clear word of truth how the Nations come to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit in the Apostles ministry which doth clearly agree with the Commission wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Baptisme was and is Spirit-Baptisme 7. Twenty four Objections for Water-Baptisme answered wherein it doth appear plainly that Water-Baptisme iâ— no more in force now than other Ceremonies KInd Reader observe that I had said nothing in publick if men had let the the truth alone and walked as their light was and waited upon God for further discovery of truth but when I hear and see men so publickly oppose the clear truth I cannot but speak the things I have seen and heard in witnesse to the truth God having made me a witnesse not man A Cryer in the Wildernesse OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome revealed in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the Eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those that desire to be satisfied with Truth alone THE best way to reconcile differences in the things of God is to lay aside all humane and traditionall Doctrines of men and look exactly into the testimony of the word of God alone that being an infallible Rule that whosoever follows it in the light and wisdome of the Eternall spirit they cannot erre And God having taught me not to depend upon man whose breath is in his nostrills but to look unto the Lord a-alone whose work alone it is to bring forth the new Creation I desire therefore not to stand looking back upon the old building in the Wildernesse of Antichrists Kingdome after so long and generall Apostafie from the purity of the first Churches in the Apostles times But my desire is with the Apostle to look for new Heavens and a new Earth according to the promise of God Even such Heavens and Earth where the righteousnesse of God doth dwell and not such righteousnesse as men sets up by their humane Wisdome and Counsel I doubt not but these are the dayes wherein God will bring forth the clear light of truth that hath been hid many generations and let men set up what they will or what man can set up yet nothing shall stand in the bright day of Gods coming in spirit in these latter dayes but the purity holinesse and righteousnesse of God which is suitable to the new heavens and new Earth the work of God alone And now among many other things in controversie in our dayes I find a great deal of difference about Baptisme and all for baptising with materiall water some for Infant Baptisme and others for baptising believers And I have if God hath given me understanding in the mystery of the truth searched to find out the right way of Baptisme and I can find neither of these to be the way of Gospel-Baptisme neither can I find by the Testimony of the word of truth that there is any water Baptisme at all to be used by way of Command in the pure spirituall Kingdome of Christ But that water Baptisme was at an end in respect of the command of it when Christ was glorified and came in spirit as all other Ceremonies Types and Figures were And I can find no other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome to be in force but the Baptisme of the Eternall spirit and this I affirm to be all and the onely Baptisme in the Kingdome of Christ And to go about to set up any other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome is all one as if men should set up any other Ceremony all which will alike prove humane and traditionall not spiritual nor of divine Institution and for the proof hereof I shall lay aside all the Judgements interpretations and opinions of men who do casually understand the Scripâ—ures and refer my self and all others for the triall of this tâ—uth unto the testimony of the word of God alone and so fâ—r as any do see the word in the light of God so far they can beliâ—ve it really and no further And that we may see this to be clear truth from the testimony of the word alone that the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit is the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Let us consider the testimony First of John the Baptist Secondly of Christ And thirdly of the Apostles in their preaching and writing to the people with the Objections of men also for water Baptisme and the answers against it from the clear testimony of the word and not from men in these and severall other particulars according to the word I shall as God enables me proceed in this Discourse for the help of man is vain in the things of God First then we will begin with the Testimony of John the Baptist himself who was the author of water Baptisme and see what he saith for his own Baptisme which was water and what he saith of Christs Baptisme which is Spirit First in Generall we will observe one thing that John declareth and it is this that he was sent to baptise with water Iohn 1. 33. Now let all our water-men in England or in all Nations come forth with their strong reasons and bring one witnesse in the word of truth that saith from Christ that ever he sent his Apostles to baptise
during Antichrist's reigne for you have no example so to doe For the Jewes never set up visible worship nor ordinances in any time of Captivity either in Egypt the Wildernesse Babylon or else where but in Jerusalem the place of worship So let us who are the Lords building within waite for the spirituall Jerusalem comming downe from God out of heavens which God will send forth with visible worship and ordinances such as pleaseth him and not as man pleaseth And as we desire of friends to be the habitation of God through the Spirit so let us desire to be more acquainted with the Baptisme of the Spirit which consists in spirituall washing purifying and cleansing our souls and spirits from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit that so in it we may be made partakers of eternall Righteousnesse purity and Holinesse of God and so builded up together an habitation for God and a Temple for the living God to dwell in through the presence of the eternall Spirit in us in spiritual washing and spirituall burning the true and onely Gospel purifying So I rest wishing the day of God may come upon us all that may burne up all our drosse and tynne and may wash and purge us from all our Idols that we may worship God in spirit A few words to every Reader in general Kind Reader consider a few things in Love BE sure those Ordinances you doe owne and set up in your highest affections be of God and not of man for if they be of man then they cannot stand in the day of Triall when God brings them to triall by the Truth 2. Take heed of setting up Ordinances in the kingdome of Antichrist in spirituall Babylon Egypt or Sodome least it be found that you have noe Command nor Example for your soe doing See Rev. 11. 3. Looke that your Administrators be right in their Calling and Qualifications according to the true patterne of the primitive Administrators both in your Ministry and Ordinances least being tried by the word they should be found liars take heed I say of crying up your selves and waies to be Apostolicall least the truth should prove you lyars Rev. 2. 6. 4. Consider this well that the pure way of Gospel-worship that is truly spiritual will never come out of Antichrists kingdome principles doctrines nor traditions but consider that the bright day of Gods comming in spirit shall destroy the foundation and whole building of the man of sinne and mystery of iniquity 5. Trust not to the old building of man in Antichrists kingdome in these dayes wherin God is rooting up and pulling downe the foundation and whole building of the old heavens and old earth and God is also about to bring forth new heavens and new earth wherein dwells Righteous the work of God alone in which day the Lord alone shall be exalted and the loftinesse of man laid low 6. Look well to your Principles Rules and ends for and in whom you do act in those things you call Ordinances beware of self and ignorant zeal you have heard there is a zeal and that for God too that is nâ—t according to knowledge 7. Look not so much at outward forms as at inward principles look to the inward and hidden man of the heart if that be right in the sight of God then it shall be well with you for ever and you shall never be finally deceived 8. Beware of setting up the bounds of your love to the brethren under any form or opinion whatsoever but let your love be equally unto all where you do see the appearance of Christ in Spirit and power from on high this is the way for peace unity and love among true Saints 9. Look not for the true way of visible worship and ordinances that are truly spirituall and of God to be established in the world till God hath made his people of one heart and when God makes them all of one heart which shal be when they are all taught of God then they shall be all of one way and great shall be their peace then they shall all rest in quiet dwelling places for ever and none shall make them afraid 10. Consider when the way of God is clearly revealed in his people and they endued with divine life and power to walk in it then all by-paths and wayes that are not of God shall be destroyed thrown down and quite forgotten the old heavens and earth shall be remembred no more nor no more come into their minds Isa 66. But now we see there are many wayes in the world even amongst those that professe to know God one cryes up one way another another way a third another way c. But let us remember the command of Christ who saith Many shall come in his name c. Many shall say here is Christ or there is Christ but go not after them If ye consider these three Testimonies of these latter dayes whereby Christs coming shall be manifested unto all who are partakers of his light in spirit and life then you may easily discern the coming of Christ and his light and brightnesse from the false lights and wayes of Antichrist the places are these Isa 11. 9. Matth. 24. 27. 2. Thess 2. 8. 11. As every one doth walk in his own light and thinks his light best generally so take heed you do not imitate Antichrist to confine others to walk in your light Take heed of sitting in the Temple of God it is proper onely to God alone to rule our Consciences and spirits of men â—nd whosoever doth assume this Prerogative doth apparently declare himself to be an Anticrhist who doth oppose himself against God and doth exalt himself above God as in 2 Thess 2. 4. and set in the Temple of God even his people 2. Cor. 6. 16. 12. Take heed of mistaking the coming of Christ now in these dayes wherein Antichrist shall be destroyed lest you should imitate the old Scribes and Pharisees and so instead of being friends of Christ and of his people in his Spirituall coming you should prove the greatest enemies to Christ in his spirituall coming in his people as the old Jews were 13. Take heed of slighting refusing or undervaluing the pure and spirituall waters of life the onely fountain of comfort to spirituall souls and beware you set not up any form or outside ordinances to oppose the clear administration of the Spirit which is truly spirituall for God will assuredly famish and make lean all your empty forms Idols and shadows that you set up to oppose the substance as in the room thereof for the Kingdome of heaven is not outward shews but inward Substances Righteousnesse Peace and Joy in the Spirit 14. Beware in having any hand in slaying of the Witnesses of God that do prophesie though but in Sackeloth lest their resurrection affright you and strike you with terror For consider though they shall be slain yet they shall ly dead but a little while and again when
with water or else where any Apostles do testifie in Scripture that Christ did give them a Commission to baptise with water In the mouth of two or three witnesses every thing is established shew me but one such witnesse from any of the Apostles as from Iohn and I will believe it but till you do so I cannot believe you we have witnesse to the contrary 1 Cor. 1. 17. from the chief Apostle Johns businesse was to declare Christ to come that he should be manifested to Israel therefore am I come baptising with water saith he Iohn 1. 31. Shew me such a testimony from any Apostle or else prove your selves Antichrists declaring Christ yet to come in the flesh who is already present in spirit but now to the witnesse of John concerning his own Baptisme and Christs as Matth. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. We will begin with the testimuny of Iohn Matth 3. 11. I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance saith Iohn but doth Iohn say this Baptism must continue no But he that cometh after me is mightier than I but shall his Baptisme be water too no saith John as he is mightier so his Baptisme shall be mightier too He shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire And verse 12. He declareth the power and efficacy of Christs Baptisme that so none may mistake his meaning for saith he Christ will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into his Garner but shall burn up the chaffe with unquenchable fire Here is a clear testimony of the fire and water of the Spirit that shall be powred out upon Souls in Christs Baptisme it shall throughly purge and cleanse his people from their sin and filthinesse and burn up all the chaffe and drosse with spirituall fire which no combustible principle in the creature is able to quench or put out but it shall destroy those corruptions in the flesh and Spirit of man This is the onely Baptisme that Iohn declareth to come after his Baptisme which was but an outward washing this is that Judgement and Righteousnesse that shall redeem Zion and her Converts from sinne and all unrighteousnesse Isa 1. 27. This is that spirit of Judgement and burning whereby the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion Isa 4. 4. Here is a discovery of the true washing or Baptisme of the new Testament all others went before as we may see in the witnesse of Iohn here and else where with Heb. 9. 10. c. which stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnall Ordinances imposed on them untill the time of Reformation 2. See another witnesse of John Mark v. 4 5 7 8. Here John baptiseth with water and declareth that there is one that cometh after him that is mightier than he c. I indeed saith he have baptised you with water but he shall baptise you with the holy spirit Here Iohn declares what his Baptism was it was water I have baptised you with water and he also declareth what Christs Baptism should be but not one word of water but he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit O that men had but eyes to see how clearly Iohn distinguisheth betwixt his Baptisme and Christs 3. Luke 3. 15 16 17. In this place it is recorded that the People did generally take Iohn to be the Christ There was great reasoning among them whether he were the Christ or no v. 15. John answers them all v. 16. that he was not the Christ and upon what account they should believe it because he did baptise with water Iohn answered saying unto them all I indeed baptise you with water but one mightier than I cometh the latchet of whose shoâ—e I am not worthy to unloose he shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire and so he goeth on to declare the powerfull effects of Christs Baptisme as in Matth. 3. 12. The people were then of the same principle generally that people are of now to look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water but Iohn takes them off from their expectation and tells them his Office and Person was weak not to be compared with Christ and his Office Indeed sath he I baptise with water but one mightier than I cometh c. he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit and with fire Here Iohn layeth himself and his Baptisme low and declareth that he was not worthy to do the meanest thing in Christs Kingdom and then sure Johns Baptisme and Christs was not all one and Iohn doth highly exalt Christ and his Baptisme and declareth as we have shewed before the great effects of Christs Baptisme v. 17. 4. John 1. 15. In this Chapter Iohn still continueth his testimony of himself and of Christ saying this is he of whom I speak c. in v. 19. to the 23. It is recorded The Iews sent Priests and Levites to examine Iohn whether he were the Christ or who he was and we have here Johns answer who he was and v. 24. it is recorded that they who were sent were of the Pharisees verse 25. we have their question unto Iohn that if he were not the Christ c. then why he did baptise and here by the way we may observe that men of a Pharisaicall principle look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water I wish men were not so carnall now But presently John crosseth their conceit and telleth them that he baptiseth with water and further tells them that there standeth one among them whom they know not v. 26. Oh that all who do now professe Christ which is more than the Pharisees did were not so ignorant of Christ in the mystery of his Baptisme as the Pharisees were but to observe Johns Conclusion in the businesse he declareth v. 33. the true Baptisme of Christ from the testimony of him that sent John to baptise with water and in Luke 3. 2. we have a proof who it was that sent him even the word of God came unto him c. V. 33. And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptise with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending from heaven and remaining on him the same is he that baptiseth with the holy Spirit and v. 34. He declareth That he saw and bare record that this is the Son of God So we see the testimony of John that he declareth himself and his Baptisme to be weak and Christ and his Baptisme to be strong and mighty and to follow after his therefore sure the Baptisme of Christ is not materiall water as Johns was but if he could see truth in its own light then they might see it as it is in it self but generally men are apt to look upon the word as men have interpreted it for their own ends and interests I doubt for the most part and so they look not upon it as in it self
but as it seems to be from men in their opinions and Judgements and so what men of our Judgements have set up as truth that we own and what they do cry down that we disown because men say so and think so We come now to the testimony of Christ concerning John which we have recorded Matth. 11. 10 11. 1. Christ declares him to be more than a Prophet 2. He declares him to be The voice of one crying in the Wildernesse c. As the Prophets had prophesied of him 3. He declares That among those that were born of women there had not risen up a greater than John 4. That he that is least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John First it is to be considered wherein John was greater than all that went before him greater then a Prophet or more than a Prophet And secondly wherein it doth appear that John was the least in Christs Kingdome or the Kingdome of heaven First John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because those that prophesied of Christ and those that figured out Christ in these Ceremonies they never saw Christ personally in the humane nature as John did therefore not so great as John for John pointed out Christ present saying Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world which none could do before him because Christ was not present in person and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him Secondly John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because of the rarenesse of his Office his Baptisme was so rare and of so high esteem among the people they thought him to be the Christ Indeed his Baptisme was a more excellent Ceremony than any used before because he did in it represent the greatest work that ever was wrought upon creatures in the world even the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit given out in the name of Father Son and Spirit in testimony of the full discovery of the ministry of God unto the Sons of men in no lesse power than all power in heaven and earth and this was the onely substance that John did represent figure out and declare to be at hand both in his Baptisme and in his Doctrine and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him for the rarer the thing signified is the rarer and more excellent is the Signe But now let us see wherein it doth appear that the least in Christs Kingdome or in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than he 1. The least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John because the least in Christs Kingdome had a sight and could testifie more or lesse that Christ was crucified dead and risen and had accomplished the whole work of Redemption and was glorified which John could not testifie as done Every one in Christs Kingdome was an eye-witnesse more or lesse of the great pourings out of the Spirit upon all Nations Christ was glorified as the Father had promised after Christ had declared and John represented in his Baptisme and in this respect John was lesse than the least in Christs Kingdome because he did but figure out and declare those great things to come but was not an eye-witnesse of them as they were he living but in the middle dispensation which went before for as John was greater than those that went before him seeing they did but figure out and prophesie of the Messiah whom John saw in Person so John was lesse than those that were Eye-witnesses of the great pourings out of Spirit which John did but declare to be at hand not come 3 Those that lived in the Kingdome of Christ were greater than John in this respect because they were partakers of those great things that John figured out in his Baptisme for the dispensation they lived in in the Kingdome of Christ was wholly spirituall and they did partake of the great pourings out of Spirit which was not to be accomplished till Christ was glorified which John did declare to be at hand and figured out in an outward washing for though John had a clear fight of Christ and declared him very clearly in his ministry yet his Office was but an outside figurative washing as other Ceremonies were onely more excellent than others as we have declared before but those who lived in a dispensation wholly spirituall were greater than John because the substance is greater than the shadow and thus we see briefly wherein John was greater and lesser than those that went before him and those that followed after him But now we come to the next thing which is the testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptisme and this we have recorded in severall places of Scripture as in Matth. 28 19. the Commission of Christ to his Apostles the great mystery of God opened to the Sons of men in the third and last dispensation by him who had power in heaven and earth given unto him compared with all other places and now we are to be tryed by the truth alone concerning the Baptisme of Christ and what it is and not by man as mans testimony First Matth 28. We have Christ coming to his Disciples declaring v. 18. all power in heaven and earth to be given unto him and upon this v. 19. gives them the Commission Go ye therefore and teach all nations or make Disciples in all Nations baptising them in or into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world or of an age and here let us observe the Nations are not taught or made Disciples by baptising into water but by baptising them into the name of Father Son and Spirit and further observe a clear distinction in the Commission First the Nations are to be taught or made disciples in their ministry in which they were to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to teach them to observe all things Christ hath commanded them so that first they are to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to be taught to observe all the commands of Christ So here we see Christ gives his Apostles a Commission to go teach all Nations baptising them into the name of God c. and we have another proof Luke 24. 49. when the Apostles must go forth in the accomplishing his great work of baptising the Nations into the name of God it was when they wee endued with power from on high for they were not able of themselves to effect this great work without power from on high and this was the promise of the Father as Christ saith here so that it is clear that the promise of the Father and the power from on high is all one and it is called the Baptisme of the Spirit and is onely suitable to a
the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26. 4. c. In this also the name and nature of God is one The Lord is onely strong and mighty yea strength it self and be alone can work and none can let him Isa 40. But our name is quite contrary God hath called us by our names as we are of our selves nothing vanity and our works nothing we are compared to the weakest things as Grashoppers a drop of water a small dust of a ballance perishing creatures our strength as grasse the flower of the field c. Isa 40. But when we are baptised into the name of God which is power from on high then our own weaknesse rules us no longer but the power of God who is infinitely stronger that takes place in our souls and spirits and the Spirit of God being the Spirit of power brings forth a principle of divine power in us the fire of the eternall spirit is stronger than the opposite fire of Lust stubbornesse sin and rebellion that is in us and the fire of the spirit being unresistable and an unquenchable fire it burns up destroys quencheth and quite puts out the opposite fiery strength that it meets with in our spirits which is but weaknesse it self in respect of the strength of the eternall spirit in us And thus in the Baptisme of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are changed from our own name and nature which is weaknesse nothing without strength c. into the name of God now we are strong and powerfull and can do all things through Christ that strengthens us who before could do nothing of our selves and now God hath destroyed our weapons who are carnall and weak and have pulled down our strong holds of sin the world and Devil 2 Cor. 10. and God hath cast down our imaginations and self-exaltations against God his appearances in spirit and it is indeed proper onely unto God in spirit and power from on high to throw down all our own power and strength that exalts it self against God by his power alone for no lesse power can do it and it is proper also unto God to bring forth a principle of divine power in us and to indue us with weapons from on high that so we may be able to fight the good fight and to stand in the day of triall for we can stand by no lesse power than the power of God and thus we are baptised into the Name and Nature of God which is power from on high Seventhly The name of God is mercy pity compassion c. Exod. 34. and this is agreeable to the nature of God it is as naturall to God to shew mercy pity and compassion as it is proper to the Sun to give light the Scripture doth clearly witnesse to this truth too and every soul that hath obtained mercy of the Lord can witnesse the Lord to be a God full of mercy pity and compassion unto him But now if we look upon our own name and read it in Scripture and in our old and corrupt nature we shall find it to be quite contrary to the name of God for we live in wrath Envy and malice hatefull and hating one another Eph. 2. 2 3. Tit. 3. 3. our very name is Envy and Envious c. But when we come through the mercy of God to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit and are baptised into the name and nature of God which is mercy c. then our envy wrath malice and hatred is destroyed and we are made partakers of the name and nature of God then we are filled with mercy pity and compassion And as we were before envious and hatefull against the truth and all that followed it in sincerity proud lofty and hard-hearted toward our fellow creatures now we are quite changed in our hearts minds and natures now we are kind mercifull full of pity and compassion toward all men willing to do good unto all even from bowels of mercy and compassion within us Now we are humble and lowly in heart and of a meek and quiet Spirit suitable to the nature of our Father that is in heaven and thus the Baptisme of the Spirit brings forth the new nature in us Mat. 5 and makes us mercifull as our heavenly Father is mercifull Much more may bee said concerning the Baptisme of the Spirit given forth in a Commission by him who had all power in heaven and earth but this brief discovery of this clear truth I doubt not but it is sufficient to satisfie those that see truth in its own light Even those that have the two great witnesses to witnesse unto them and to confirm them in the truth which is the word written in the Scriptures and the eternall word written in their hearts and minds by the Spirit of the living God which Spirit is the onely witnesse within them revealing the true ministry in them of that word that is written in the Scriptures without them And without this eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart we are never able to understand the mystery of the word written in the Scriptures but till we have the witnesse in our selves we shall Antichrist like carnally understand the Scriptures And now in conclusion of this point I desire all men seriously to consider in their own Consciences which they do think is most suitable to all power in heaven and earth to give out a Commission to baptise men into the name and nature and image and likenesse of God or into materiall water which was but a figure of good things to come and a fore-runner of the substance as the authour himself of it doth clearly testifie as before is witnessed But I know as flesh and bloud cannot inherit the Kingdome of God so neither can corrupt and carnall Principles in the heart of man receive the clear and bright discoveries of God in spirit till the principles of Antichrist the man of sin and mystery of iniquity be quite destroyed out of the hearts and minds of men for so far as men are carnall so far they will worship the Gods of the earth And this will be till the God of heaven have famished them all which will be in his clear and bright coming in spirit power from on high Zep. 2. 11. 2 Thes 2. 8. But now we proceed to the next part of our Discourse which is to shew the testimony of the word how the Nations came to be partakers of the Baptisme of Christ and that it doth appear to be spirit-Baptisme and answers clearly to the Commission of Christ to his Disciples Mat. 28. wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Commission to his Apostles was as we have before declared to baptise men into the name of God or Father Son and Spirit and not into materiall water as men do carnally understand it First we have a clear testimony in the 11 Chapter of the Acts of the accomplishing of this great
divine power and that God doth accomplish this great work by means this we do also affirm And to this end Christ gave his Apostles a Commission to go forth in the strength of power from on high and teach all Nations and in this Ministery they were instruments in the hand of God to sprinkle the name of God upon the people c. their very Ministery being power from on high for they were not to go forth till they had received power from on high Luke 24. 49. Act. 1. 4 5 8. And so as instruments inabled by all power in heaven and earth they went forth in the Ministery of the Spirit and in this spiritual administration God made them instruments to baptize men into the Name of God the power of God being present in their Ministery for the accomplishing of this great work and so though it be the work of God alone to baptize with the Spirit yet when it pleaseth God to pour out his spirit in such a way and by such means for the effecting so great a work and to give out such treasure in earthen vessels that the power glory and praise may be of God alone what is man that he should oppose it or deny it Oh man remember thou art in the hand of thy Maker as the clay is in the hand of the potter and God hath made his Ministers a savour of life unto some and a savor of death unto others and who is sufficient for these things None but those whose sufficiency is of God alone 3 The same power that enables men to turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God the same power doth enable men to baptize with the spirit and we do read Act. 26. 18. that God sent Paul to turn men from darkness to light c. and why then not to baptize with the Spirit for it is alike unpossible for men to do the one as the other by their own power and if you will deny the one then you may as well deny the other and so turn the truth into a lie but let God be true and every man a lyar who is opposer of truth 4 Paul declares that he had in Jesus Christ begotten the Corinthians through the Gospel Paul was here an instrument in the power of Jesus Christ to beget sons and daughters unto God and so he was their Father in Christ in the Spirit and in the Gospel the Ministery of the Spirit 1 Cor. 4. 15. and why then not to baptize men into the name of God which consists in all good as well as to beget them unto God what difference can you make here here Seeing the substance is all one 5 We have another proof of the mighty effect of the Apostles Ministery 2 Cor. 3. 2 3 Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men Ye are manifestly declared the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart Observe here first the Corinthians were an Epistle written by the Apostles Secondly they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ Thirdly Ministred by the Apostles Fourthly written by the Spirit of the living God in the hearts of the people Here it is cleer that God made men instruments through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit for the writing of the Law of the spirit of life upon their hearts and so herein is the great Gospel-promise fulfilled in this Ministery of writing the Laws of God in his peoples hearts and putting his Spirit in them and causing them to walk in his ways all this is fulfilled by instruments in the hand of divine power and this agreeth with spirit-baptism exactly 5 But that things may be cleared in plain words consider Eph. 5. 26. here is washing mentioned and it is by the word and this hath exact relation to the Commission Matt. 28. the Apostles had Commission to preach to the world and in their Ministery to baptize the Nations into the name of God And here is declared that Christ useth the word in this great work of sanctifying clensing and purifying the Church that he might sanctifie and clense it with the washing of water by the word Now the Apostles were to preach the word and so in the Ministery of the word preached by the Apostles this great work of washing and clensing souls through the power of the eternal spirit was accomplished And so it is cleer to those that have eyes to see that the true Ministers of Jesus Christ who are indued with power from on hiâ—h they are made instruments in the hand of all power in heaven and earth for the effecting the great work of spirit-baptism wherein creatures are made partakers of the name and nature of God and so they are washed clensed sanctified and made pure and holy yea an habitation for the Lord of glory and so they are clensed with the washing of water by the Ministery of the word which is the Ministery of the spirit that giveth life and all good Obj. 18. This baptism spoke of in the Commission cannot be meant of spirit-baptism because the spirit is not given in a precept but in a promise and the Commission is a precept Go teach c. Answ 1. How is it possible men can be so ignorant that they cannot believe there is a promise in all power in heaven and earth and so blinde that they cannot see it or will not for if men could but see they might behold a promise in the Commission for he that gave them the Commission promised them to be with them always even unto the end And if he unto whom all power was given would be with them unto the end then sure a promise would be with them yea and more then a promise for all promises were with them and all power with them seeing he would be with them in whom all promises are Yea and Amen to the glory of God the Father 2 The Ministery they were to go forth in was the whole mystery of God opâ—ned to the sons of men in the depth and heighth and length and breadth of infâ—nite and eternally rich grace and free love unto the sons of men wherein they should â—e maâ—e partakers of eternal life and salvation in God And oh What blindness is here that cannot see a promise in the whole mystery of eternal love and salvation in God freely given and revealed unto men which is that dispensation wherein God doth bring his people out of the ways of the woâ—ld into the possession and enjoyment of himself in light and love 3 Christ who gave the Apostles a Commission to go and teach all Nations he also commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem till they had received the promise of the Father but to wait there till they were endued with power from on high Act. 1. 4 5 8.
which he hath no right to doth this argue that therefore he will throw away all that is his own or any of that he hath right to But do you know what an Ordinance of God is that you do cry out so much for Ordinances if you do not then give me leave to declare some unto you and these are standing Ordinances indeed and those wherein God is glorified among his people in the true and spiritual performance of them First then let us take up that Ordinance of Christ Matth. 5. 16. compared with Phil. 2. 15. Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good works may glorifie your Father which is in heaven I advise those to take up this Ordinance or to walk in it that have the true light of Christ in them let us so walk in the light of God revealed in us that all may see that our light is of God and this you see is a Gospel-Ordinance 2 Observe another Ordinance which is also a command of Christ Joh. 13. 34 35. ver 35. by this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another I also advise all to obey this Ordinance of Christ that have the precious love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts by the spirit of love from the Father and the Son Oh let not us who are all in one eternal love brought out of eternal bondage sin and darkness into eternal liberty light and love let not us confine our love to forms and opinions as it is the ordinary practise of our times But let our love extend unto all and from very love to do good unto all we have an Ordinance for this large extent of love Love your enemies do good to them that hate you c. Do good unto all but especially to the houshold of Faith love the brotherhood but nowhere love for opinion that is carnal love for the true brotherhood lies not in any form but from oneness of spirit in love But many now adays look so much upon carnal Ordinances and outward observations that their love is wholly upon that and those that follow those forms they are undone And they are so far from fulfilling this great Gospel-Ordinance toward all that they manifest more hatred and envy to those that liâ—e in the same love of the Father that they say they do live in though they do not live under the same form as they do then they do manifest to the greatest blasphemer or wicked person in the world and all is from some difference about outside things but they that are joyned to the Lord are one spirit not joyned to one form Here is the cunning of the devil to break in pieces the bonds of love and unity among those that profess the Lord Jesus But I could wish love were more practised among all that do own love and that all would do as they would be done unto but this I must tell you There is no command more exhorted unto and no command more slighted then this is I could wish we had not cause now to say to people as Christ said to the Pharisees that they do make void the commands of God by their traditions yet this is the practise of many now to this very yeer 1653. For they set up fâ—rms and traditions of men and confine all to follow them and to obey these Ordinances that are of men and those that will not or that cannot follow them nor submit to them they must be cryed out against for hereticks and blasphemers and so love that is the great command of God that is made void and the Ordinances of men they are sâ—t up and cryed up let love and Christian fellowship go whither it will 3 We have another Ordinance set forth Col. 3. 16. unto which we do well to take heed Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in the several parts of the great mystery of godliness Let us teach exhort instruct and comfort each other as we are taught instructed and comforted in the Lord that so we may be instruments so strengthen one another against all conditions tbat we may fall into Let those who are indued with power from on high continue in the word and doctrine of truth and righteousness Here is another Ordinance of God God enable us to obey it in sincerity 4 Let us walk wisâ—ly toward all giving no offence to Jew nor Gentile nor to the Church of God that whereas others do speak evil of us as evil coers they may be ashamed by the beholding our sincerity in Christ Jesus But as for those who are offended at the truth let them bear their own shame for the cause of offence is not in the truth but those that oppose it let not this Ordinance be forgotten neither 5 Give no place to the devil nor your own deceitful lusts but abstain from all fleshly lusts that do war against the soul and be ye holy in all manner of conversation acting and shewing forth the purity of the hidden man of the heart that you may appear to be the workmanship of God in spirit and power and that ye have received the spirit of power love and of a sound minde have also a special eye to this Ordinance too 6 Deal honestly with all men and speak truth every one to his neighbour put away lying and all deceit guile and hypocrisie let all your actions speak forth righteousness and act in righteousness and uprightness toward all hate flattery and bribes with all things that are evil do unto all men as you would have they should do unto you Here are Ordinances enough if we could but see them and had but a principle from God to walk in them the Lord bring forth righteousness in our hearts and then our actions will speak forth righteousness indeed 7 Be not partial one to another Jam. 2. Let not the rich slight the poor nor let not their benevolence be tyed up under single forms and remember this that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and widdows in their afflictions and to keep himself unspotted from the world Jam. 1. 27. here are Ordinances enough everywhere in the word of God I could wish they were in our hearts too for here are Ordinances enough for us to practise if water were quite down Remember Rom. 14. that the stong should not slight nor despise the weak nor the weak should not contemn the strong but let all keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace 2 Pet. 4. 2 3 c. You may take them exhortations Luk. 3. from John to the people and also many more in the word of truth onely I thought it good to put you in minde of a few that so ye may see there are other Ordinances besides cold water and such as there is a thousand times more ground to