established and he joyns none with him For so hath the Lord commanded us saith he saying I have set thee saith the Lord to be a Light to the Gentiles that THOU mark not Thou and Iohn nor Thou and Moses but in the singular Term Thou that Thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth Isai. 49.6 But again in Iohn 1.2 26. The People came to Iohn and asked him saying unto him Why Baptizest thou if thou be not that Christ neither Elias nor that Prophet Iohn answer'd them saying I Baptize with Water mark but there standeth one among you whom you know not He it is who coming after me is preferred before me whose Shoes Latchet I am not worthy to unloose These things were done in Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn was baptizing The next day Iohn seeth Jesus coming unto him and faith Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World This is he of whom I said After me cometh a Man that is preferred before me for he was before me and I knew him not but that He might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come Baptizing with Water Mark The End of Iohn's Baptism was That HE might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with Water So then this was the Service of Iohn's Baptism and it served for this Purpose and to this end That Christ might be made manifest And so Iohn bare Record of him and Preached him and not himself but cryed Behold the Lamb of God look not at me behold not me nor the Lamb of God and me no he never joyn'd himself to Him but said I am sent before Him and now he is come behold Him the Lamb of God He taketh away the Sins of the World But look not now at me I am not that Light but am sent before a Witness and am come Baptizing that He might be made manifest and if He were manifest to Israel then were my Desire answered and the End of my Labour in Water-Baptism accomplished so that they might believe in him Iohn bare Record saying I saw the Spirit descending like a Dove and it abode upon him and I knew him not but he that sent me to Baptize with Water said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost And I saw and bare Record that this is the Son of God See how plainly Iohn preached Christ and his Baptism and all along put this Distinction I Baptize with Water He with the Holy Ghost and Fire I must Decrease He must Increase But they might have said Why John why must thou decrease Why Iohn might have said Because my Baptism is but of Water that he might be made manifest But his Baptism is with the Holy Ghost and Fire a Baptism that exceeds mine as far as the Light of the Sun exceeds the Light of the Moon So it 's clear that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and Christ was sent to Baptize with the Holy Ghost and Fire And Christ fulfilled Iohn's and the Law and all the Righteousness required by them and then was himself alone established a Priest for ever of an Unchangeable Unalterable Priesthood But further for I am desirous to clear my self of this matter at this time from all Opinions concerning this thing I have already made it appear that Iohn himself was on my side and his Record is clear to prove That the Baptism of Christ Jesus is that of the Holy Ghost and that he himself was sent to baptize with Water And he no where makes mention of any other that was sent to baptize with Water but himself I say that was sent In the next place I shall bring the Testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who also at all times ascribeth Water-Baptism unto Iohn Acts 1.5 And being Assembled together with them commanded them That they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me for John Truly or might he not have said or is it not all to one Sense had he said so Iohn it 's True Baptized with Water But mind he doth not say Do ye so too or I will baptize with Water also No Iohn said he Truly baptized with Water but Ye mind Ye Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many Days hence This is the Baptism they were to wait for and to be by Christ baptized withal no Water at all injoyned to it by Christ Jesus tho' he owned it in its time and fulfilled it as aforesaid But mark now was the time of Promise at hand Not many days hence saith Christ ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost So also Peter in Acts 11.16 saying Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost Still Water Baptism is ascribed to Iohn by himself â—nd by Christ Jesus Let us hear what the Apostles say concerning it In Acts 1.22 Peter in his Declaration to the Disciples concerning Iudas and choosing another in his stead makes mention in Vers. 22. on this wise Beginning said he from the Baptism of John mark unto that same day that he was taken up from us must one be ordained to be Witness with us of his Resurrection Here it is ascribed unto Iohn Again in Acts 13.23 24 25. Paul speaking of the Promise God hath saith he according to his Promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Iesus when John had first mark first preached BEFORE HIS COMING mind before his Coming the Baptism of Repentance to all the People of Israel and as John fulfilled his Course Mind here Paul still ascribes it to Iohn Again in Acts 19.1 2 3 4. And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth Paul having passed through the uppermost Coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain Disciples there he said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed And they said unto him WE HAVE NOT SO MUCH AS HEARD WHETHER THEâ—â— BE ANY HOLY GHOST And he said unto them Unto what then were ye Baptized They said Unto JOHN's BAPTISM Mark Had Iohn's Baptism been in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost then how should they but have heard of a Holy Ghost So that here before I proceed any further I shall take notice of this place a little Water-Baptism is still ascribed here to Iohn I indeed baptize with Water said Iohn John indeed baptized with Water said Christ and said the Apostles Iohn verily baptized with the Baptism of Repentance saying unto the People That they must believe on Him that was to come after him that is said he on Christ Iesus So I shall yet bring no more Proofs for this Point these being sufficient But before I leave this Place take notice That tho' they had been baptized unto
18. Even as Peter said In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk so the Lord was with them and wrought mightily and manifested his great Power in them and with them So the Apostles declared the Work was done by the Lord Chap. 14.27 When Paul had bidden the Impotent Man Stand upright on thy Feet he leaped and walked and came and rehearsed to the Church all that God had done with them and how he had opened a Door of Faith unto the Gentiles And likewise in Chap. 15.4 when they came unto Ierusalem were received of the Church there and of the Apostles and Elders they declared all things that God had done with them so the Lord being with them as he is at this Day with his Ministers who is the strength of his People it is Christ the great Power of God that reaches the Hearts and Souls of People through his Vessels or Instruments and Servants so the Work is the Lord's done by him and carried on in and by his Spirit Power and Wisdom so the Glory of the Power is due to him For Men as Men are not sufficient for these things nor of themselves are able to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 Nor without Christ who hath all Power we as men can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 Neither can any Man receive any thing but what is given him from above Iohn 3.27 So all Boasting is excluded for it is the Power of God that is with Men rests upon Men and works in Men for Men and by Men and is sufficient to all and for all in every Work and Service the Lord requires So that all that live and abide in the Name of the Lord and do what they do in it they do it to his Praise and Glory By this time I hope it 's clear that the Name is the Power and that the Lord that sent them to teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name c. did go with them and according to his Promise he is with them that are sent forth of him and will be to the end of the World and is the Baptizer of Men into his own Name Spirit Life Light and Love and it 's also clear that those whom he thus Baptizeth he sends them forth goes with them and makes them Instrumental in his own Name Power Spirit Life Light and Love for the Baptizing of others into the same so that all those that do run to preach and teach before they be Baptized with this Baptism of Christ Jesus they run before they be sent and therefore they cannot nor do not profit the People at all neither do they know Christ or his Name nor have heard his Voice or seen his Appearance to their Joy Object But some object and say There was some method to be used or means for the effecting this Baptism Answ. I Answer Yea and if we observe Christ's words Go teach all Nations Baptizing them c. So whilst Men are teaching in the Name there is a baptizing into the Name Experimentally witnessed and felt by such as hear the Word believe it and receive it in Love Oh blessed be God there are many at this Day can Seal to this Truth that whilst Men stand up and teach in the Name of God behold the Name of Christ the Power of God comes over many sometimes most if not all in the Assembly and are so deeply dipped or plunged into it that they are much tendered melted shaken and broken and laid very low before the Lord whose Power alone makes his people a willing People in the Day of his power for it 's he that works all his own Works in us and for us both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure Therefore let all Flesh be silent before the Lord for the Flesh profits nothing it is the Spirit that quickens the words that I speak unto you said Christ they are Spirit and Life and all that have received him who is a quickning Spirit and are alive in him and in his Spirit these know his Words and his Voice from the Voice of Strangers Oh what is Man then out of the Name Power and Spirit of Jesus Or wherein is he to be accounted of All the Power is Christ's and the Baptism is Christ's and Baptized Men are made Instrumental in his Hand for the carrying on of his Work that without him can do nothing For all that is done by them is done in the ability that God gives and the Praise is due to God not to Man To God over all be it given for ever Now Christ being Head of the Body the true Church and the Life Light Power Wisdom Righteousness yea all in all in every Member it 's he that brings every Member into it's right place and service in the Church or Body of Christ and their Faith stands in his Power and Name and is one in every Member so they know one Head or Lord and one Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and one Baptism by one Spirit and one Body or true Church of Christ and all are made to drink into one Spirit and are all fed and nourished by the Head Christ Jesus the true Vine in whom every Branch is nourished fed and kept living faithful and fruitful to his Praise and Glory Object But say some The word Baptize signifies to dip or plunge into Water Answ. I grant Iohn's Baptism was with Water but Christ's Baptism was with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 and of a purifying Nature and Christ spoke of the Spirit being in those that believe in him as a Well of Living Water and elsewhere it is called the Spirit of Judgment and of Burning and saith the Apostle Our God is a consuming Fire And Men as before asserted are Baptized into Christ and put him on And let me ask my Reader Is not God that 's said to be a Consuming Fire and Christ and his Name and Spirit all one And doth not the Apostle direct his Epistles to the Church which is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ see 1 Thess. 1. and 2. Thess. 1. And if in God then in Christ if in Christ then in the Holy Ghost and if so then in the Name yea in the Life Light Love Wisdom and Righteousness of God But do these Men think a Man cannot be dipped or plunged into any thing but Water And are not many plunged into great Sin Misery and deep Bondage Captivity and Thraldom So that few think or believe they can ever get out whilst they live yea too many lie here But what were they of old plunged into that were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and Sea Pray where was Moses then Did not he abide in the Power of God and in Faith And was not the Israelites got out of the Faith and out of the Power of God when they looked back at the Host of Pharaoh And who Baptized them unto Moses Was
your Power and Authority in this matter that you both Preach and Baptize Whereas Paul says He was not sent to Baptize but to Preach And we say and know what we say to be true that we are not sent to Baptize into Water but to Preach the Gospel and our Authority came not by Man of Man nor from Man but by the Grace of God we are what we are and his Grace is sufficient for us and ever hath been since we were a People and so will be to the End And we further say We know that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and we own him in his Day but where did Iohn Baptize using those words Father Son and Holy Spirit For they that had been Baptized into Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost So that this Baptism ye practise cannot be Iohn's nor Christ's it cannot be for he never had Water ascribed to him But Iohn who was a true Minister in his time of Water-Baptism said HE meaning Christ shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire So then if not Iohn's as it 's clear it is not for Iohn's was a Type of the True Baptism of the Spirit and when the Types Figures Vails and Shadows were ended and HE the End and Beginning First and Last was arisen and had rent the Vail from the top to the bottom I say when the Sun of Righteousness did arise the Shadows fled away and gave him place over his own House to rule whose Right it was Then was the true Baptism known then came the Holy Ghost â—â—on them then did the true Light shinâ—â—â— and the Darkness fled away then were they inwardly washed and their Understandings opened then was the Circumcision of the Heart known then was he entered into that within the Vail into the true Tabernacle which God pitched and not Man And so Iohn went before as a Type but willingly gave place to the Substance So that it 's clear the Baptism you use is not Iohn's and it is much more clear that it is not Christ's Baptism and so it must needs be your own done by you in imitation of the Holy Men of God gone before who did what they did in Obedience to the Lord and in his Power and were sent by him But Oh! whoever sent you Baptists in this great and notable Day of the Lord It will one day be said Who hath required these things at your hands Either shew us your Commission or else acknowledge your great Error and Repent and come unto the true Light and walk in it prize it and obey it that ye may be saved by it For it is not a fair Outside of the Cup and Platter but the Inward Washing of Regeneration by the Spirit and a Living in the Spirit and the whole Worship of God say we and the Scriptures the same That the True Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth But that your Water-Baptism is Spiritual I deny or that it ought to be observed in the Worship of God you cannot prove But Iohn's was ordained to be used as a Type before the Spirit 's Worship or the True Worship in the Spirit was fully Established and of it self a thing that I believe none of you dare say doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the Soul And if it be of so little Effect unto the Soul why what necessity is there for the Continuance of it to the World's End since also ye cannot prove it so commanded For once more let me tell you that that Baptism commanded in Mat. 28. was INTO the Name of the Father Son and Spirit or Holy Ghost But I say this was not Iohn's for they that had been baptiz'd unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost Acts 19.1 2 3 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost But further you acknowledge your selves that it is but a Type Well I ask you then What doth it type forth unto us Or what is it a Type of If it be a Type of the Baptism of Christ then I ask you What further need there is of it when the thing signified by it is come Or do you think that Type and Substance must remain together to the World's End Was it not always from the Foundation of the Law that when the Substance came then the Shadows fled away But altho' you should still say Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit 's Baptism was accomplish'd I Answer as before The Apostles had Power over it after they saw beyond it and could submit unto the Weakness of Believers Capacities in many things as above is mentioned but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear but then they spoke of the One Baptism of the One Lord and of the One Faith And so Iohn himself when he saw Jesus walking he said unto his Followers Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World And Iohn's Disciples left Iohn mark they left Iohn and walked no more with him For Iohn's Baptism could not wash them from their Sins But behold the Lamb of God takes away Sin puts an end to Sin finishes Transgression and brings in Everlasting Righteousness he makes every whit whole and fully saves to the utmost them that come to God by him and makes clean them that he washeth And if I wash thee not saith he thou hast no part in me He satisfies for he is the Bridegroom himself but Iohn was not He it 's true was the Bridegroom's Friend and would not rob him of his Prerogative or Honour but rejoyced to hear his Voice and when it was heard said This my Ioy therefore is fulfilled So we own Iohn in his Place and Time But we own the Bridegroom above Iohn although Iohn was his Friend and did what was commanded but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him And so my dearly Beloved Friends it is in much Love to all but chiefly to you called Anabaptists that this is written as I can truly testifie in the Manifestation of that true Light spoken of in the Scriptures of Truth Unto which I once more beseech you to turn your Minds and believe in it and come to walk in it and obey it and then will you have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus by whom we have always received the Attonement and in whom we live out of whom we cannot live for he is our Life To whom be Glory for ever Iohn Gratton Written the 7th of the First Month 1674. The Conclusion GReat hath been the Travail of my Soul for the Prosperity of Sion and for her establishment above the Top of all the Mountains and blessed be the Lord my God my Eyes behold her and see her Beauty to exceed all the Glory of the Earth and her coming out of her Wilderness-State is come I say the time is come And many have lyed or lain in the Way-side to have drawn her aside and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her Beloved and gladly would have had her turned aside unto other Lovers and have cryed out unto her What is thy Beloved unto anothers Beloved And have spoken against her and when they could not prevail with her have evil entreated her and Persecuted her for her Beloved's sake And many have been her Troubles but the Lord hath delivered her out of all And great is her Joy at this day and her Glory exceeds all the Glory of the Nations Her Beauty is Perfect She is a Virgin and never was defiled but is all Glorious The King's Daughter is all Glorious within her Garments are all wrought Gold wholly pure she has no Blemish she is all fair without spot the only beloved of the Lord Glory to his Name He hath remembred her in Love and her Sorrows has he seen and will plead her Cause and subdue Kingdoms for her sake and make her Way plain before her Oh! Come unto Sion all ye that desire her Prosperity and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her her City is free her Gates are open by Day and by Night she has no need of the Sun by Day nor of the Moon by Night but the Lord God and the Lamb are the Light thereof Her Light will never grow dark her Sun will never set Night shall be no more upon her for her Sun is arisen and as one to run a Race is marching on his strength is as a Lyon his Voice is heard to roar and great Fear is fallen and a falling upon the Beast of Prey O! Who would not live in her Her Gates are paved with precious Pearls her Inhabitants are all Kings and Priests unto God she is altogether comely and her Glory shall never have an end Amen Oh! Who who would not dwell here Come Come unto Sion all ye that are sincere to what ye know Turn ye turn at her Call and embrace her Counsel Why will ye bestow your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Oh! come unto me saith the Lord my Voice is near you How often have I called and ye regarded not nor have not answered my Requirings but are imitating them whose Life and Power you are out of But now turn ye unto the Lord with all your Hearts believe in his Light and Life will you know that never can have an end but if you still refuse you will one day know that you were Warned and Invited by one that truly seeks not himself but earnestly travails for the Wellfare of all Men and is become Servant to all for Jesus's sake To him be all Honour Praise and Dominion for ever and for evermore J. G. THE END
Sanctifier and Purifier of all his Brethren and Members of his Body or Church and People and nothing else can for as the Work is his so the Power is his and the Glory of the Power is due to him who is Greater than Iohn c. So if Christ wash thee not thou hast no part in him John 13.8 And without Blood there is no Remission Heb. 9.22 It 's the Blood of Christ that cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1.7 9. Rev. 1.5 Now it 's clear from that full and clear Declaration of Christ to this Apostle of the Gentiles what he sent him to do and what Christ's Mind was to have done and did he send the rest of the Apostles with any less Authority Or to do any other Work And is not this a more excellent Work To turn People from Darknnss to Light and from Satan's Power unto God than to turn Men into Water or to sprinkle Water in the Faces of Infants and then say They are Sanctified and Changed Regenerated and Born again made new Creatures yea Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and promise to deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the Desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them And also that they will believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the Days of their Life Doth not this set Christ aside and render him useless and ascribe that to Water-Baptism nay to Sprinkling that 's all wholly due to Christ as before is proved Oh where had you Commission for these things Who sent you that run into these things Shew us one tittle of any Command or Example for Sprinkling in all the Scripture how dare you say all these things are done by sprinkling Water in the Face of Infants and yet say there is none free from Sin on this side the Grave Are not New Creatures the Children of God Members of Christ Inheritors of God's Kingdom and deny the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World the sinful Lusts of the Flesh with all the desires of the same so that they will not follow nor be led by them and believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and keeps God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all their days I say Are not these free from Sin that begin thus when they enter into the World and continue to their Lives end Oh consider these things People you that read and see how you are led and how the same Men that lead you thus to promise and avow teach you all your lives long to say You do those things you ought not and leave those things undone you ought to do and are miserable Sinners or Offenders having no Health in you Can Children of God Members of Christ be miserable Sinners then when they are in a Child's State and Members of Christ What Rule what Title of a Word can be shewed for these things in all Holy Scripture Is it not sadly to be lamented that People should be fed with Husk when there is Bread enough in God's House and to spare But Paul was sent upon a more profitable Work and all that are sent of God are sent to Turn People from Darkness to Light and from Satan's Power unto God Oh how few appear to be thus turned amongst the Professors of our Age So it 's clear what Christ sent Paul to do for Paul saith He sent me not to baptize 1 Cor. 1.17 but to preach the Gospel Now if Paul was not sent to Baptize as it 's clear he was not how then can we think in Reason that others were For he was not behind the chiefest of the Apostles as he himself affirms But he must needs be behind them if their Commission was larger than his but if not then it 's strange how Paul could miss of having a share in that Commission Matt. 28. If it was a Commission for Water-Baptism to them it must needs be so either to him or else he had no share in it and if he had no share in it then he was behind the other Apostles in that Now that that in Mat. 28. was a Commission for Water-Dipping and Sprinkling I deny neither did Paul understand it so at all for had he he would not nor could not have said as he did but I say if it was and he had no share in it how comes Men in our times to have Power from Mat. 28. to Dip and Sprinkle For Paul had none therefore let them tell us plainly or cease from deceiving the People But again we find that Paul Preached the Baptism of Christ and shews what it is very plainly in Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were Baptized into mark into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together into the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is Crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin for he that is dead is free from sin And verse 17. God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered you Vers. 18. Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of Righteousness Vers. 22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the end Everlasting Life for the wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Come People all you that read this see if you yet know this Baptism into Christ into Death to sin and know the Old Man Crucified and put off and Christ the New Man put on that sets free from sin and makes Men Servants of God in Righteousness This Baptism is effectual to Salvation this is that we have all need of to be baptized with and if this Baptism be not known by us we fall short of freedom from sin and then the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ so in Christ is Life Eternal and they that are Baptized into Christ puts him on abides in him are alive unto God in him and dead to sin as the Apostle saith in the 2d verse How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein There is surely a vast difference betwixt those that live in Christ and those that live in sin This is a fanning Baptism a cleansing purifying Baptism this
with the Affections and Lust thereof so are Holy and Righteous People in all Conversation and Godliness in Christ Jesus and so bring Honour to the Name of Jesus in whom they live being Baptized into him and so into his Power or Name and are what they are in him who is all in all But alas for Men to talk or make mention of the Name of the Lord who instead of departing from Iniquity do drink it up as the Ox drinks Water and are in the Power of Satan and are Instrumental to plunge one another into sin and urge their Neighbours to drink in excess until they be Inflamed drawing one another into Oaths Whoredoms Pride Malice Envy Covetousness Strife Contention Fightings Bloodshed and what not that 's Evil these do highly dishonour the Name of Christ before all Nations and give both Iews and Heathens occasion to Blaspheme that Holy Name of Jesus which they make Profession of these can say well but alas they do ill pretend unto great things but live ill talk yea may be preach against Pride yet live in it against Cruelty and Oppression and yet live in it in a Word against Sin Iniquity and Transgression yet live in it and so strengthen those in it that hear them talk and Preach against it by their living in it these have Words without good Works yea Faith without Works say well and do ill have a form I do not say a form of Godliness but deny the Power so are like those of old who said they were Iews but were not with whom God was highly displeased Revel These are Enemies to the Name of Christ do not know it nor what it is to be Baptized into it no it 's a Mystery hid from those Wise and Learned Prudent Ones but made known to Babes who are Born again of Incorruptible Seed the Word of God that lives and abides for ever these are Children of God in Christ Jesus have love to God and one to another yea to all Men do good to all but no harm to any prays for all in the Love of God and are as Candles upon Tables as Lights in the World who live worship and walk with God in his own Name and are taught of God so they meet in his pure Name pray preach sing and rejoyce in the Name of the Lord and in the Power of his Might and so are saved sanctified justified kept and preserved in his Living Name a Living People to praise him who is God of the Living not of the Dead These know Christ to be with them and make use of them and in his own Power makes them Instrumental for to Disciple People and Baptize them into the same Power And so the whole Life of Christ's Apostles Disciples and Messengers is of a preaching teaching Nature and those that are not called to Preach or Declare Verbally in Meetings are also in the same Power enabled to preach and teach in Life and Conversation and so all the people of God are Baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and so into one Body by Christ the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven a Quickning Spirit and are all one in him Now this Baptism is beyond the reach of all Babylon's Merchants they cannot Sell this they have no part nor lot in this no more than Simon Magus had who thought the Gift of God might be bought for or purchased with Money no it is Christ's Baptism done alone by his own Arm and Power To him be praise for ever Object But because the word Baptize doth signify to dip or plunge 't is generally thought by many People that therefore it must be Water Ans. There is a Spiritual Baptism and a Temporal or Outward with Water which in the New Testament is called Iohn's Baptism which Temporal or Outward Baptism Men can imitate but the Inward Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire none knows but them that have it And this throughout the Scriptures is call'd the Baptism of Christ. And as Iohn's Disciples were enabled to carry on his Baptism in his Time and Season so Christ enables his Disciples by his Power to be instrumental in his Baptism to the end of the World So that as there was an outward Dipping or Plunging into Water by the Servant Iohn spoken of in the Scriptures so there is an inward Spiritual Dipping or Plunging by the Son into his own Name Power and Spirit c. as before is shewn And it 's only Ignorance that causes Men to think there can be no dipping but into Water or some liquid thing but our Lord Jesus Christ was deeply plunged into Sufferings and Death for us and he calls it a Baptism saying I have a Baptism to be Baptized with and how am I straitned untill it be accomplished Luke 12.50 And when the Mother of Zebedee's Children came to Christ to desire that one of her Son's might sit on his Right Hand and the other on his Left in his Kingdom he answered and said Ye know not what ye ask are ye able to drink of the Cup that I shall drink of and be Baptized with the Baptism that I am Baptized with They said they were he said They should indeed drink of the Cup and be baptized with the Baptism that he was baptized with c. Mat. 20.22 23. Oh this Cup was a Cup he prayed to the Father that if it was possible might pass from him nevertheless says he not as I will but as thou wilt And again Oh Father if this Cup may not pass from me except I drink it thy will be done Mat. 26.39 42. And in Luke 22.43 44. there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven strengthening him and being in an Agony he prayed more earnestly as his Sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground Oh consider this Baptism all that read this and see if you have been Baptized with it and have drunk of this Cup yea or nay for you may plainly see this was a Baptism that neither dipped our Saviour into Water or any other outward liquid thing but into deep Sorrow Grief and Bitterness of Soul And I desire my Reader to take notice that Paul to the Romans Chap. 6. speaks of being Baptized into Christ and into his Death and I declare it all those that are Baptized by one Spirit into one Body they are partakers with Christ and his Body the Church of his and it's Sufferings but said the Apostle further If ye suffer with him ye shall also reign with him c. Now see how deeply our Lord Jesus Christ was plunged into deep Sufferings Agony and Sorrow so that he Prayed earnestly and swear drops as it were of blood falling down to the ground and much more read all his Sufferings on the Cross and elsewhere is not this rightly called a Baptism a deep dipping or plunging when he said My God my God why hast thou forsaken me So he was Baptized for the Dead
admitted but after a short time they left their Flocks fled away and were silent Then in came the Surplice-Men and they were for having all to come and take Bread and Wine with them but the other sort were only for admitting such as they upon Examination judged worthy But some of both cry out against the Quakers so called because they do not come under their Ministry of this Ordinance so called and say we deny the Lord's Supper or coming to the Lord's Supper and therefore do they rage against us very sore And I see many People are too willing to lye at ease in a dead state in sin and are not concerned in Heart to seek unto the Lord for Wisdom and Understanding yet for the sake of all such as truly desire to know the things that do belong unto their Peace do I send forth these Lines And First I affirm we do mightily rejoice in Heart Soul and Spirit to meet one with another at the Lord's Table where we meet with the Lord and receive at his Merciful Hand the true and living Bread that comes down from above tho' we are not in Communion with them at that which is called of Men the Lord's Supper and sold by the Priest as such for these Reasons 1. We find that our Lord Christ took Bread at Supper blessed it broke it and gave it to his Disciples but that he said This is a new Ordinance which I now Erect instead of the Passover that shall be observed to be eaten at after the Priest hath done his Forenoon's Preaching before you go to dinner this I find not no nor that those that would stay and eat some of it should pay Two-pence and those that would not should pay likewise eat or not eat pay you must this we find nothing of We find Matthew Mark and Luke calls it the Passover and the Passover which was kept or held seven Days must needs admit of Suppers as well as Dinners and if it was the Passover how then doth it belong to us or enjoin us to keep up a small part of the outward Iews outward Passover This I cannot understand seeing Christ our Passover as the Apostle said is sacrificed for us and so we have no occasion to use the Type because the Antitype is come and has given us a Mind to know him that is true and we are in him But to make it appear that all the Apostles call it the Passover let us hear them speak themselves Mat. 26.17 The Disciples came to Jesus saying Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover And he said Go into the City to such a Man and say unto him The Master saith My time is at hand I will eat the Passover at thy House with my Disciples and the Disciples did as Jesus had commanded them and they made ready the Passover And Verse 26 27. As they were eating Jesus took Bread and blessed it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body and he took the Cup gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of Sins but I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this Fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Now from all this that Matthew saith it 's very clear it was the Passover which is here spoken of and so plain that he that runs may read Mark 14.12 13 14 15 16. The first day of Unleavened Bread when they killed the Passover his Disciples said unto him Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou may'st eat the Passover He sendeth two of his Disciples and saith Go ye into the City and there shall meet you a Man bearing a Pitcher of Water follow him wheresoever he shall go in say to the Good Man of the House the Master saith Where is the Guest-chamber where I shall eat the Passover with my Disciples And he will shew you a large upper Room furnished and prepared there make ready for us and they went and found as he had said and they made ready the Passover and as they did eat Verse 22. Jesus took Bread and blessed it broke it and gave to them and said Take eat this is my Body and he took the Cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it and he said unto them This is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many Verily I say unto you I will drink no more of the Fruit of the Vine until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God here it is also called the Passover and Luke 22.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. thus far the same with Mark but in Verse 15 Christ said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer Verse 16. For I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and V. 17. He took the Cup and gave thanks and said Take this and divide it amongst your selves for I say unto you I will not drink of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God shall come Now these three are full to the Matter concerning the last Time Christ was with them at the Passover and their last eating of it was at Supper And now seeing Christ said that he would eat no more of it until it was fulfilled in the Kingdom of God nor drink any more of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God should come pray let me ask this Is the Kingdom of God come yea or nay Doth Christ reign rule and sit as King over all Or is Moses and Iohn's Baptism yet in place yea or nay And if the Kingdom of God be come which the Apostle saith stands not in meats Drinks and divers Washings but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost then I ask Is the Passover fulfilled yea or nay If it be then he is worthy and ought to have place that fulfilled it for he viz. Christ is our Passover Is he Then Moses's Passover that had the Paschal Lamb Unleavened Bread and the Cup of the Fruit of the outward Vine is not our Passover no that was the Iews outward and was Temporal but Christ the Lamb of God the Bread of Life that gives Living Water and new Wine of the Kingdom that 's Spiritual he is the Passover of the inward spiritual Iew that hath no confidence in the Flesh but worships God in Spirit neither doth he know Christ after the Flesh but after the Spirit who is the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven a quickening Spirit so Christ's Kingdom is come and set up and will come more and more Oh! thy Kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and the least
Implacable Unmerciful who knowing the Iudgment of God that they who commit such things are worthy of Death not only do the same but have pleasure in those that do them Rom. 1.27 to the end These and all such as live in Lust Pride Lying c. shall not inherit the Kingdom of God and Christ no unclean Man or Woman must enter that Kingdom So the Devil he hath a Table to feed these at where in the World therefore all these love the World But the Love of God is not in them neither do they love one another but love self and are self-ended and love to obtain their worldly Ends and when they shew in appearance to love one another it is for some selfish worldly End So the Devil feeds them with worldly things for he knows they love the Dainties of this World worldly Honours Pleasures Profits Riches and Vanities so the World is very taking with bad People of all sorts Now the Devil would have prevailed with our Lord Jesus Christ to have fed at his Table and he shewed him his finest Dainties the World and the Glory thereof and offered to give it him if he would fall down and worship him but Christ fasted all the Forty Days he was in the Wilderness and did eat nothing mark that Mat. 4.1 to 11. So it 's clear they whose Minds are feeding here are Carnally-minded live in the Flesh to the Flesh have their Affections set on things here in the World love the World these love not God cannot please God nor feed nor know what it is to feed at the Table of the Lord nor do they believe the People of God have such Pastures to feed in such a Table so spread such a Banqueting-house so full of Sweet-meats and Divine Spiritual Drinks as they have where they sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus who hath compelled them to come to the Wedding-Dinner of the great King and the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb every one having on the Wedding-Garment Oh! the things of God are good and precious Things durable lasting Riches yea Everlasting and they that are come to partake of them these look not at things that are seen which are Temporal but at things not seen which are Eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 For the Alpha and Omega is come the First and the Last the Beginning and the End Pray what is he the Last or the End of if not of all Shadows Types Figures and Changeable Things as well as of Sin For if Sin had never enter'd these had not had place in the Church And now he is come that takes away Sin and where Sin is taken away there he that was before Sin was comes to be again in Man as he was in the beginning And how was he then Was there any Types Figures or Shadows then whilst Man kept his State in which he was made whilst Christ the Word the Incorruptible Seed was Head Lord King and all in him Then there was no outward Law of Moses but that was added because of Sin until the Seed Christ came again to put an end to Sin and finish Transgression and bring in Everlasting Righteousness again Gal. 3.19 So to him must the Types Figures yea and the Law that was added give place and he only be exalted for he is worthy who not only bore our Sins on his own Body on the Tree but the Curse of the Law likewise But some may say Paul speaks of the Lord's Supper in 1 Cor. 11.23 that what he received of the Lord was that which he also delivered unto them What was that Why it was this That the Lord Iesus the same Night in which he was Betrayed took Bread and when he had given Thanks he broke it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same manner he also took the Cup saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord's Death till he come Wherefore whosoever shall eat this Bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ but let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup for he that eateth unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body Now I desire to know if any thing can be more plain than that the Passover did shew forth the Lord's Death till he came and as before the breaking of Bread the slain Lamb without blemish and the Cup was not all this in the Passover and shewed the Lord's Death till he came But now he is come and and hath tasted Death for every Man was dead but is alive and lives for evermore Death hath no more Dominion over him he died unto Sin or for our Sins once but he liveth unto God yea is God and lives for evermore So that except Men like the outward Iew believe he is not come how can they now live in the use of that Figure which shewed forth his Death till he came well then but did not this Apostle and the Church of Corinth come to the Lords Table and Supper Answer They did some of them but those that did Sup with him must needs do it in the Kingdom of God for he ate no more nor drank no more as he said he would not till it was fulfilled in the Kingdom and till he drank it new in his Father's Kingdom so he is not to be Supped with in the Figure out of the Kingdom but they that Sup with him Sup with him in his Kingdom and if Men Sup with him they must have him to Sup with and are with him where he is and behold his Glory as the only Begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth and so he is with them according to his Promise to the end of the World and if so how then can they run from him to the Figure that was in use and shewed forth his Death until he came But now he is come and is with them and in them and they in him for this Apostle said Know ye not that your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 How often doth the Scriptures speak of Christ's being in his People and they in him Iohn said The Son of God is come and hath given us a Mind to know him or an Understanding that we may know him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 Iohn 5.20 So that it seems contradictory in it self to say Christ is come and yet to eat the outward Passover which did but shew forth his Death until he came and to do a thing in Remembrance of him and yet be with him and he with them for he gives his People to
inherit Substance and as the Apostle said Heb 9.24 Christ is not entered into Holy Places made with Hands which are Figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us so that Christ is not now in the Figures and if Christ be not in them what Virtue Power or Nourishment is in them For he hath all Fulness dwelling in him and if we partake not of his Fulness what is it we can partake of that can do us any good And if all Fulness dwell in Christ as the Scripture saith then what is there in Figures Types and Shadows Surely these must needs be empty if all dwell in Christ and that he be all in all Well might the Apostle say Let him that glories glory in the Lord so that all the Testimonies of the Apostles point and direct to Christ and testifie of him and his People at this Day preach him For after all his Sufferings Passion Resurrection and Ascension Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door to me I will come in unto him and Sup with him and he shall Sup with me Rev. 3.20 Open therefore ye Everlasting Doors and let the King of Glory enter in for he is Lord of Hosts great and mighty and if God be with you who can be against you He is come to teach his People himself therefore hear his Voice and open the Door of the Soul and let him in that ye may Sup with him and he with you for it 's he that giveth Living Bread and Living Water and his Flesh is meat indeed and his Blood is Drink indeed they that eat his Flesh and drink his Blood dwell in him and he in them and therefore these must needs know he is come for they Sup with him where there is Bread enough and all things are ready the Marriage of the Lamb is come his Beauty and Glory is beheld the Day of his Espousals is come and his Beloved is come up out of her Wilderness-state in a great measure and is made ready for her Beloved for he is adorned with his Wedding-garments O she is the fairest amongst Women no Church nor Woman like her Her Glory is within she feeds on hidden Manna and hath Meat to eat that the World knows not of therefore she tramples upon all Transitory Things and hath the Moon under her Feet she seeks not after the Glory of the Night fine Titles great Honours and rich Benefits Places of outward Profit worldly Gain earthly Treasure and fading Riches no no her Beloved to whom she is joined and made one Spirit with never valued these things or sought after them yet the World hated him and therefore it hates his People because they are not of the World for if they were of the World then the World would love her own but because they are not of the World Christ having chosen them out of the World therefore the World hates them even as Cain hated Abel because Abel's Works were Righteous but Cain's were Evil Oh! therefore be intreated all you that read these Lines to leave the World that is to say be dis-jointed from it and and cleave not to it in your Hearts Minds Souls and Spirit and return unto the Lord with your whole Hearts Mind and Might Souls and Spirits and acept of his Blessed Invitation All you that thirst come unto me said he and drink this was in the last and great Day of the Feast that Christ said after this manner And as the outward Feast drew then to an end so the inward lasting Feast of Fat Things was proclaimed and as the Figure or Type was near its period so the Substance or Antitype Christ the Bread of Life the Passover of the Spiritual Iew was proclaimed And had many known the Gift of God and who it was that gave this free Invitation and proclaimed it himself for all to come that thirsted surely they would have come then and now also But alas there is too few that knows him or thirsteth after him especially of the Wise and Prudent of this World nor of the Great Rich Mighty Noble Learned Disputers of this World who seek their own things their own Honour their own Exaltation yea their own Praise and Glory not the Praise Honour and Glory of God nor the Things of Jesus Christ. But come Remember before this he proclaimed by his Servant Isaiah Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and drink and ye that have no Money come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Wherefore do ye spend your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness Incline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David 〈◊〉 55.1 2 3. Oh! what a tender Invitation is here proclaimed unto every thirsty Soul even such as have no Money These are Invited very sweetly But the Lord is grieved and very sorely displeased with Babylon's Merchants who have Traded long and have made themselves Rich Great and Mighty and have taken Money for that which is not Bread and the People have been so unwise as to give it them tho' they have been empty of Living Refreshment of Peace with God and true Satisfaction and have been kept in Bondage have lain in Captivity doing the things they ought not and leaving undone the things they ought to have done O the long Complaints that have been put up towards Heaven And though they say they believe that Christ is come that hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth and gives Power to all that receive him to become the Sons of God even them that believe in his Name who are Born of God But alas People do not come to him tho' they be so very tenderly Invited and Reasoned with as Why will ye give your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which doth not satisfie What Advantage is this to your Souls What Wisdom is there in doing thus to give Money and Labour for that which is worth neither As by long Experience many know Oh then Let the Wicked forsake his way and the Unrighteous Man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have Mercy upon him and to our God saith the Prophet and he will abundantly pardon Seek the Lord therefore whilst he may be found call upon him while he is near for he is come near who is given for a Leader and Commander to the People Read all the Chapter through and consider it and compare it with Chap. 53. and whilst Time is embrace Christ Jesus open the Door of thy Heart and let him in hearken to him learn of him be led guided commanded and ruled by
him and follow him in order to know him and where he feeds and causes his Flocks to rest in this Glorious Day of God at Noon that thou may not be as one that turns aside from the Flocks of his Companions I. G. POSTSCRIPT IT hath often grieved me to hear and see how poor ignorant People are carried away by their Blind Leaders to feed amongst Swine that wallow in the Mire and Dirt of Sin and are content with dry husky Shells of Empty Profession and are Zealous for that which they have no Scripture for nor do Profit by So these Two Things viz. Water-Baptism and Bread and Wine I find are greatly Adored as though by these the People had great Benefit but if we look into their Lives and Conversations it doth not at all appear So it fell weightily upon me to write what the Lord would please to enable me about these things For as they are used now they are not so much as rightly imitated by any of those that use them neither the Lord's last Supper at the outward Passover nor yet the Baptism of Iohn but as to Supping with the Lord and being Baptized into his Name this I find few that know what it is Therefore was my Desire a little more Earnest to set Pen to Paper and in plainness shew what the Name of Father Son and Spirit is and what they do that Baptize into it and also what they are who Sup with Christ not now seeking him in Figures but can say they have found him elsewhere I heartily pray it be may of Service to all that read it and of Hurt to none for God doth know I desire the Wellfare of all Mankind who am a poor despised Servant of Jesus Christ Iohn Gratton IOHN Baptist's Decreasing and CHRIST's Increasing Witnessed Being a Treatise concerning Baptism in the Type and Baptism in the Mystery TO THE Friendly Unprejudic'd Reader Friend IT is no Desire in me that because so many have appear'd in Print that therefore I would be one also that should be accounted Eminent But having been a great Sinner and therefore have through infinite Love and free Grace much given me my Love is so much to him that is Lord of all that I am not a little grieved to see his Pure and Precious Truth so strongly on all hands encountered with and fought against in its Comfortable and Glorious Appearance in the Lord 's poor despised People called by the scornful World Quakers And seeing that this of Water-Baptism hath been and is a Thing they that are not only Adversaries to Truth but to their own Souls have so publickly made use of it to fight us with I having both been an Eye and Ear-witness of the same have been not a little exercised in Mind about this matter but have seriously considered and tried all their Arguments that I have been acquainted with for this thing and I find them so far contrary to Truth and the mind of Truth that a Necessity fell upon me to write what it pleased the Pure Eternal God to Communicate unto me by his Spirit So that what is according to Truth and sound Iudgment thou wilt find here written as to the Tenor and Substance of the matter from the Spirit of God in me and so is not mine but his To him be the Glory wholly given for ever But if there be any Circumstantial Defect for want of Heed or Exactness which may either fall upon me or the Printer charge it in its right place and lay it not upon the Spirit of God Having given thee this Caution I desire thee to observe in the next place my End in the Publishing this little Treatise which is First To clear Truth of Scandals in this point laid to our Charge 2dly To strengthen the Owners and Lovers of it 3dly To acquaint or inform them that are mistaken about it And lastly That I might so answer that Love so greatly bestowed upon me as to be clear of all Men and stand single unto God whose Servant I am through Mercy and might bring Glory Honour and Praise unto his Holy Name for ever So now before I leave thee I shall only acquaint thee of the great Differences amongst Men about this thing and then take leave The Presbyterian saith Water-Baptism belongs to Children of Believing Parents and therefore they examine the Parents of their Faith Now if the Parent be an Vnbeliever then the Child is not to be accepted to this Ordinance as they call it From which I shall only now observe this That if this be so then is the Child a Sufferer for the Sin of the Father's Vnbelief which God hath said shall never be The Child shall not suffer for the Sin of the Father nor the Father for the Sin of the Child but the Soul that Sins it shall die 2dly The Episcopal saith The Child is by this Regenerated and Born again Sanctified and Changed and made a new Creature and therefore if a Child be in danger of Death great haste is made to get it Sprinkled And if this be true What farther need of a Saviour 3dly The Baptists say Believers only have Right to Water-Baptism I grant Believers are only they that are Truly Baptized but that they are injoyn'd or commanded to observe this Water-Baptism they now so differently observe I find not But I hope if thou readest what follows with a single Eye thou may'st come to see all these Dippers and Sprinklers and their shortness in this and gain some acquaintance with the Lord's Mind as thou waitest in his pure Light which makes all things manifest to which I beseech thee to turn thy Mind and believe in it that thou may'st be a Child of Light and then thy Fellowship will be with us who are Children of it and so we may Praise the Lord together who is Light To whom be all the Honour and Glory for ever and ever Written by one of the Least of all yet one of the Lord 's Chosen Ones unknown to many yet known by the Name of Iohn Gratton Monyash the 4th of the 3d Month 1674. A Treatise concerning Baptism THey that are Baptised into Christ have put on Christ live in him and are One Spirit with or in him are all united by One Spirit into one Body and are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones and of his Fulness receive Grace for Grace and know One Lord One Faith One Baptism and are One in him and he in them and so are come into the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last He whose Name is called The Word of God by which all things were made in Heaven and in the Earth to him be Glory for ever Now the Baptism of the Spirit is One in all and all that are Baptized by the One Spirit are Baptized into One Body and are all made to drink into One Spirit and these have no Confidence in the Flesh but are
they that Worship God in the Spirit and are truly led and guided by the Spirit hear and know his Voice and are acquainted with his Operations Life Power and Vertue and can do nothing acceptable to God but what they do in it and so it rather may be said as in Truth it is That it is the Gift or Grace of God in them and by them that works both to Will and to Do of his own good pleasure Now all other Baptisms whatsoever that are not in the Spirit are of no profit for the Substance of all is come I say of all those Shadows Figures and Types which had their Day and in their Day were appointed to be used according to the appointment of the Father but were but for an appointed time until the Seed came to whom the Promise was made who is the Heir in whom all Fulness dwells mark that that in all things he might have the Preheminence For he alone of himself is sufficient and able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him and him only without the help of any outward Washings legal Offerings and Oblations or whatever may be named or hath been named below himself either of things in Heaven or in the Earth they are all to give place for him only hath God highly Exalted and given him a Name above every Name that at his Name every thing though it hath been never so highly exalted should bow and that in all things he only who is Heir of all should rule as a Son over his own House For all these were but as Servants and were not to abide for ever I say all those Types and Shadows and whatsoever came before him tho' useful in their place and to be observed in their time yet were all to give place and pass away and not to abide for ever in the House for they were but as Servants and the Son is over all and hath Power over all and alone hath Right singly to Reign of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no end So Moses was faithful in all his House as a Servant and did faithfully Minister in the Law which was added because of Transgression until the Seed came but when the Seed came to whom the Promise was who was and is the Heir He as a Son over his own House was and is established I say when he was come then the Servant's Services ended in that Nature gave place and were taken away he took away the First that he might establish the Second and that for ever which will never be removed into a Corner To him be all Glory wholly for ever So Iohn was also faithfull in his day as a Fore runner or as one sent to run before him whose Way he was to prepare and he cryed for he was that One foretold of whose Voice was heard in the Wilderness saying Prepare ye the Way of the Lord make his Paths straight But the Lord's Voice which is nigh in the Heart cryeth This is the Way walk in it I am the Way the Truth and the Life No Man can come unto the Father but by ME mark ME said Christ I am the Way it self walk and live in Me and abide in Me in Me ye shall have Peace He doth not â—â—y IN ME AND JOHN nor I AND JOHN AM THE WAY No no But I am the Way the Truth and the Life I am the Light Or am come a Light into the World He that believes in Me shall not abide in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life mark Not a Lifeless Changeable Shadowy Light but an Unchangeable Pure Living Light for his Life is the Light of Men He that hath it hath Life he that hath it not hath not Life but is in Darkness under Wrath. So Iohn testified and said I am not that Light but am sent before to bear witness of that Light that true Light that enlighteneth every Man that comes into the World I am not the Way but a Fore-runner or one sent to run before to make preparation for the Way of the Lord and he that sent me sent me to Baptize with Water But GREATER IS HE THAT SENDS THAN HE THAT IS SENT For tho he came after me yet he is and ever was preferred before me the Latchet of whose Shoe I am not worthy to untye he shall Baptize with the Holy Ghost and Fire I indeed Baptize with Water He with the Holy Ghost and Fire I must Decrease He must Increase That he might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come Baptizing with Water as I was sent to do for this end that he might be made manifest to Israel AND WHEN He is made manifest to Israel then is the end of my Baptizing with Water ACCOMPLISHED then must I Decrease but He must Increase for of the Increase of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no end Now the day dawned the Sun appeared and all lesser Lights were overtopped and all Shadows fled Now it 's true Iohn was a Burning and Shining Light but John received all from above but He that is above all and gives to all Men Life and Being is the fulness of Light and Life and as he arises and ascends in his Glory He gives to all Men liberally as it pleaseth Him Glory to his Name for ever Now that Water-Baptism or Baptizing into Water was only ascribed unto Iohn as having Commission both by our Saviour Christ and his Apostles and by â—â—hn himself see Matt. 3.11 15 16. Where Iohn affirms I faith Iohn I mark I indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentance but mark here all ye Water-Baptists of all sorts mind this but HE that COMETH AFTER ME mark What then Iohn Thou must depart it seems if He must come after this word After signifies Iohn's going away or giving place to him that was to come after him What then Iohn thou art but for a time No I must Decrease for He is mightier than I whose Shoes Latchets I am not worthy to unloose Well Iohn And what will He do for us Will not he Baptize with Water I tell you I Baptize with Water that that He might be manifested to Israel but He will exceed me or my Baptizing into water for He shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire whose Fan is in his Hand and he will throughly purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into his Garner and burn up the Chaff with Fire unquenchable Well they might still have said Iohn This is a great Work but will he not own thee and thy Baptism and establish it with his for ever or to the end of the World mind Yes to the first part might Iohn have said for in effect he did say he will own me for GOD SENT ME BEFORE and for this end that Christ might be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come to the Second He will not establish my Baptism with his for I must decrease
Iohn's Baptism yet they had not heard whether there was ANY Holy Ghost Which doth clearly manifest that altho' it should be granted that Iohn's Baptism was still of Necessity which far be it from me to do yet how doth it thwart all the Water-Baptists of our Age who Baptize with or into Water using the words Father Son and Holy Ghost which they cannot bring Precept or Example for For tho' the Apostles did by permission Baptize it was but in Condescension unto Iohn's Baptism for Commission they can no where bring from Christ nor that they did use the words now used by you saying I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost So that your Practice all of you Water-Baptists is contrary to the Holy Scripture for in this place Paul baptized those in the Name of the Lord Jesus And Peter in Acts 10. commanded to be Baptized Repent and be Baptized in the Name of the Lord Iesus But no where can they find that either Iohn or any of the Apostles used to say I baptize thee in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost So that your Practice in this is grounded on a Sandy Foundation and will undoubtedly fall Prop as hard as you can and take ye altogether ye Water-Baptists of all sorts and work never so hard with both hands your Babel-Buildings will all fall and great will be the Fall thereof and all your Props and all your cunning Work will be broken to pieces and you shall never be able to raise your Building again but the chiefest of your Workmen shall be ashamed of their own Doings and you shall gather Paleness in that Day Oh therefore be intreated in tender Love I beseech you to return Return out of Babylon unto the Gift of God the true Light that makes ye all manifest and in which ye are all seen and comprehended I say in the Name of the Lord my God and in much Love to your Souls be intreated to return unto it it 's near you to instruct you and to make all things manifest to you if you will come unto it O turn your Minds How oft have you been reproved by it And you never found Guile in his Mouth tho' he hath told you all that ever you have done yet you regard him not but prefer fading finite and unprofitable things above him Oh! haste haste out of Babylon tarry not the Day of Vengeance is near and then will you come to know the true Baptism is not into Water but into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit and that Christ in Mat. 28.18 19. when he sent his Apostles out to teach all Nations and that the Baptism there spoken of and commanded by Christ was not into Water but into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit neither is there any such a word as Water mention'd in his Words there spoken to them but into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost he bad them Baptize But some may say It must needs be Water there intended because that none can Baptize with the Holy Ghost but Christ. I Answer True None can but He and by his Power only therefore he tells them in the first place That All Power is given unto me saith he both in Heaven and in Earth and they now must not go in their own Strength or Power but in his Power and it was his Power in them and by them that did the Work he sent them to do and so he saith unto them Without me ye can do nothing But lo I am with you always even to the end of the World And all Power is mine And now you Water-Baptists let me ask Now where is Iohn's Power Iohn hath now no Power nor Moses hath now no Power in a way of Administration if all be given to him and be his as I am satisfied it is And it is plain He only is here established Now it must not be admitted for any other to have a Tabernacle standing or building with his No Though Peter would have had three one for Moses one for Elias and one for Christ That Elias was already come mind and they have done to him whatever they would And is it not plain to you that this was Iohn the Baptist here spoken of and intended And yet mind neither Moses nor Elias must have a Tabernacle built with his but a Cloud came and took them away mark and Christ only left and a Voice from Heaven came saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him Oh! what would you have How clearly is it manifest unto all who walk not in Darkness that he only is by himself established to be heard in all things And saith the Apostle He that refuseth to hear this Prophet shall be cut from off the Earth And again See ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not that refused him that spake on Earth even Moses how shall ye escape if ye refuse him that speaks from Heaven whose Voice then shook the Earth But now says he Yet once more will I not shake the Earth only but also Heaven mark that those things that cannot be shaken may remain Mind what must remain and how he alone even Christ is above all established And it 's said again by Paul God saith he who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in Days past to the People by the Prophets hath in these last Days spoken unto us BY HIS SON mark not by his SON and JOHN but by his SON whom he hath appointed Heir of all things mind So All Power is given unto me saith Christ Go ye therefore teach all Nations baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit or if you had rather have it Holy Ghost teaching them to observe whatever I command you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the World but tarry at Jerusalem till ye have received Power from on High for without me ye can do nothing So 't is not saith Peter by our Strength or Righteousness that this Man is made whole Why stand ye gazing upon us as tho' by our Power and Holiness it was done Be it know unto you that by the Name of JESUS whom ye Crucified even by Faith in his Name is this Man made whole And said Paul I have laboured more abundantly than ye all yet not I but the Gift or the Grace of God that 's in me And so it was in his Strength that they were more than Conquerors and could do all things through Christ that strengthened them but before they could not before I say that they went in his Strength So there was need for them to wait at Ierusalem till they had received of his Fulness of which they all received Grace to help in time of Need. But now mark they had not Need to have stay'd at Ierusalem for Poâ—â—r to have baptized with Water for they had been doing that
before and were Able enough for that Baptism But now they were to enter upon a greater Work and it is not they must do it but the Gift of God in and by them or the Power they received so saith Christ Lo I am with you and as many as received him to them he gave Power for All Power is given to me saith Christ ALL mark So though the Apostles as Men could not Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit no more than we as Men can do yet mark Christ in and by them can or us either and in and by them did And when the Apostles laid their Hands on them that Believed the Holy Ghost fell upon them and sometimes when they were Preaching unto them the Holy Ghost fell upon them Yet it was not them that could so much as Preach as they ought but Christ in and by them God speaks by his Son through his Vessels of Honour fitted for his Use So it 's not them but Christ who also raised the Dead opened the Eyes of the Blind healed the Sick cleansed the Leperâ— and many great and good Works did they yet not they but the Gift of God in them and by them And so they went in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and Preached Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God the savour of Life unto Life IN THEM mark in them that are saved and the favour of Death unto Death in them that perish But they never cried out Water-Baptism is the Door for Christ Jesus said I am the Door by ME mark not me and Water nor me and Iohn but BY ME if any Man enter in he shall be saved O he is of himself sufficient and shall go in and out and find Pasture The Apostles never called it as you do An Initiating Ordinance and say you A Command of Christ But who says so besides you Where do you prove it Prove Friends whoever you are I challenge all the whole World to prove that Christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his Ministers as by way of Command as Water-Baptism but said as abovesaid Ye said he shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost And Go teach all Nations baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Say not We cannot Be not â—â—â—mayed for Lo I am with you And All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth therefore without me ye can do nothing But abide in me and then ye shall bear Fruit In me ye shall have Peace But though it were so that he had meant as you Baptists say he did Water-Baptism and that that Commission belongs to you say you The World is not yet ended therefore say you it is still to be observed Suppose this were granted you then I ask you How missed Paul of it that he had no share in this Commission For Paul saith in 1 Cor. 1.13 That Chriâ—t sent me not saith he to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel mark How comes it to pass that you are greater sharers in this Commission than Paul And how must we do to know it For if it did not reach Paul who was Converted and one not behind the Chiefest of the Apostles how can it reach you And though you may say All are not sent to Baptize Then I ask you How must we do to know who are and who are not But say you Paul means NOT ONLY Oh Friends Would you have this Hole to creep out at It 's a little one too litâ—â—â— to get out at 'T is your Meaning but we must not take your Meanings when the Lord lets us see he means otherwise for Paul said not so nor dare any true Christian say that Paul meant so but said what he meant and meant what he said Well but say you Baptists He did Baptize It is true he did some few but he thanks God they were so few But it seems though he did he did not do it by Commission For Christ sent me not to baptize saith he but to Preach the Gospel How then Why by Permission as he also Circumcised Timothy by Permission because of the Iews but not because Christ had commanded it for he had not Paul himself said If ye speaking to the Galatians be Circumcised Christ shall profit ye nothing yet took that Liberty for a particular End because of the Iews to do that particular Act. He also observed the Law and went under seven days Purification and had an Offering brought according to the Law but not because it was commanded by Christ for Christ had not commanded it but because of the Iews Yea and had had he not another time his Head shorn and was under a Vow Much might be said that was done by the Apostles that was not commanded by Christ nor that they left no Command to after-Ages to observe But it 's also clear in Acts 26.15 16 17 18. that Paul had no such word in his Commission as to Baptize into Water For I said the Lord have appeared unto thee for this end or purpose To make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Delivering thee from the People and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee Mark What to do Not to Baptize into Water he mentions no such thing No But To open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance amongst them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in me This was Paul's Commission if we may so call it as he himself tells the King Agrippa but here is not one Word of Water-Baptism or Not Only to Baptize as you Baptists say But if you have no better Weapons than these these are too short to save your Heads But to proceed You still say The Apostles did Baptize Peter said in the Second of the Acts REPENT and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the NAME mark of Iesus Christ for the Remission of Sins and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost this Baptism being for the Remission of Sins upon Repentance was necessary to Salvation but so is not yours for the PROMISE mark is unto you But the Promise was not WATER-BAPTISM but Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost said the Lord Jesus by way of Promise And this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to pass in the last Days saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh mark Was not this the Promise of God to them and their Children and to all that are a-far off and so on And in Verse 21. Then they that gladly received the Word were Baptized and THE SAME DAY were added unto them Three Thousand Souls mark ye The same Day It was a great Number to be Baptized
of his Government and Kingdom there shall be no end And therefore saith the Apostle LEAVING which word therefore seems to entail the foregoing words in the Chapter before where he had been telling them of their Childishness he mentions the Doctrine of Baptism which cannot prove the Imposing of Water-Baptism any more than all the rest and was now for bringing them on to a further State where they might know Perfection and have Meat that would satisfie true Bread that comes down from Heaven and impowers to be Sons of God And it seems clear to me that there was some need for those things they had so long lain like Children weak and like Babes in to be left Therefore LEAVING these let us go on to Perfection and faith further this will we do if God permit But if they had been commanded by Christ to have been used to the Worlds end then why should Paul for so I call that Author have been so earnest at that day which was soon after Christ's Ascension to have had them then to leave them and to go on to a more Manful Powerful Perfect State So that it is very clear to all whose Eyes the Lord opened that though the Apostles had by reason of their weakness submitted to their Childish Capacities rather than they would lose their hold they had got of them yet this or these things were not the thing they were driving at But the Aim and End of all they did both in Circumcision Passover Vows and Seven Days Purification and Water-Baptism yea and all those things concerning Meats and other things that they did by Permission and not by Commission from Christ I say their Intents in all these were never to establish them with Christ Jesus to abide as long as the World lasted No but after they had held them in hand in order to get them on they took all occasions they could to bring them on further till they all come in the Unity of the Faith unto a perfect Man in Christ Jesus unto the measure of the Stature of Christ Jesus and so these became useless and all gave place to him who is alone by himself established a Priest for ever of an unchangeable Priesthood Glory is wholly due unto him And so now they came to speak of One Baptism One Faith and One Lord as aforesaid and that by One Spirit they were all Baptized into One Body mark they were ALL he saith ALL Baptized by One Spirit into One Body and had all been made to drink into One Spirit But none can prove that ALL were Baptized into Water for Paul was instrumental in the Lord's Hand for the convincing and converting of many But he saith he Baptized none but Crispus and Gaius and the Houshold of Stephanus beside saith he I know not whether I Baptized any other but many were convinced by him doubtless very many yea multitudes yet no Man can prove that all that were convinced and converted by the gift of Paul were also All Baptized into Water yet saith he Ye are all Baptized by One Spirit and have been ALL made to drink into One Spirit and there is One Lord One Faith One Baptism Well but say you Baptists He doth not say There is but One Baptism No nor doth he not say There is but One Lord must we therefore say There are more Lords than One God forbid For to us there is but One Lord And he doth not say There is but One Faith must we therefore say There are more Faiths than One So he also saith There is One Baptism and so say we too and that One was Promised and Accomplished and Commanded For we believe as Christ said The Works that I do mark ye The Works that I do shall ye do and greater Works than these shall ye do But it 's plainly said That Christ Baptized not I say Not with Water but with the Holy Ghost And do you think that he used One Baptism to them and commanded them to use Another to them that believe in him Do you think that he Baptized them with the Holy Ghost and then sent them out to Baptize with Water I know whatever ever you believe you have said no less but you can never prove it For the Works that I do shall ye do But Christ Baptized not into Water nor never said that they should that you or any other can prove for Peter in Acts 11. declares what the Lord said when the Disciples were talking with him about his going unto the Gentiles Then said he I remembred the Word of the Lord how that the Lord said mark ye Christ's word The Lord said John Baptized with Water but you shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost But he no where mentions Water by way Commanding them to use it in Baptism But said Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Go ye teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and Lo I am with you But farther I remember you Baptists have said That your Baptism into Water doth signifie Death Burial and Resurrection By which words you acknowledge it is but a Type And you farther say That no Man ought to be buried before he be dead Now I conclude that the Dead you mean are such as are dead to Sin and if so how can ye that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Know ye not saith Paul in Rom. 6.2 that so many of us as were Baptized INTO mark into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life And in Vers. 7. For he that is dead is freed from Sin Well let me ask you Are you thus Dead Buried and Risen with him by your Water-Baptism Or can any Man conclude that Paul here speaks of Water-Baptism Is it not plainly said Into Christ Not into Water but into Christ into Death And in Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ and they that are in Christ are new Creatures behold all ye Water-Baptizers all old things pass away and all things become new a new Heaven and a new Earth in which dwells Righteousness And we say That the Sons of God inhabit in the New and Living Way that which is pure and changeth not but endures for ever and in Righteousness are they Established and Act not by the Power of a Carnal Commandment but in the Power of an Endless Life not in Imitation of the Letter but in the Demonstration of the Spirit For although it should be so as ye would have it That Christ had commanded the Apostles to Baptize into Water as he never did nor can it be ever proved yet if it had been so what is that to you Who Commanded you Shew us your Commission Where did you receive