them and theirs yet then those and onely those that were borne of the promise were the Israel of God and Israelites indeed Rom. 9.6.8 Joh. 1.47 And yet these also called just and righteous still also So also the work of God in the heart was never called Circumcision till after God had given an ordinance of Circumcision to Abraham and that it was administred on that Family to testifie the truth of the faith Abraham taught to admit them into his Family and to instruct them to attend on God to circumcise their hearts to love him Gen. 17. Deut. 10.16 30.2 6. Yet then the people of Israel they and all theirs were also called circumcision Rom. 15.8 Though the work of grace in the heart to which the ordinance instructed was Circumcision indeed and from thence so called Rom. 2.28 29. So since Jesus Christ hath suffered in the flesh and overcome death and carried our nature into heaven remaining there the Christ the great High Priest Prophet and King who will one day come againe and take his great Power and Reigne now making those that beleive on him spirituall Priests c. Those that believe on him have been called Christians Acts 11.26 26.28 1 Pet. 4.16 Not but they are also called the Sonnes of God and Israel and Gods people still but now also Christians And all outwardly baptized in and professing the name of Christ are so called But those that are borne a new of water and the spirit that beleive with the heart unto righteousnesse these are the Christians indeed the children of the promise the seed of Abraham the Israel of God indeed Joh. 3.3.5 Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.26.29 6.16 Even so since the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus was in use the work of Grace in the heart is called Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col 2.12 13 14. Gal. 3.26 27. Not but that it s still also called Faith new Birth Circumcision c. but it s also called Baptisme 4 For the fourth thing That this gracious work of God in the heart this inward and spirituall Baptisme though it hath had its denomination from the use of the outwand Baptizing yet is this inward and spirituall work the Baptisme indeed that which profiteth which hath the priviledges in it and promises to it as appeareth plainly and plentifully in the Scriptures 1 By the Apostles Testimony of Circumcision which was an ordinance given of God to Abraham when he made the ever lasting Covenant with him and gave him the Gospell to preach as Baptisme given of Christ to the Apostles when he commanded them to preach the Gospell to all the world And the Apostle speaking of such Jewes as were circumcised when Circumcision was in force and profitable to the keepers of the Law yet he saith Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew that is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God And the same may be said of Baptisme For 2. Whereas Baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus putteth away the filth of the flesh or outward slain of Gentilisme as outward Circumcision did put away the reproach of Egypt Josh 5.8 9 The Apostle saith plainly of it 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Agreeing with that mentioned Col. 2.12 which is wrought by the faith of the operation of God 3. It appears also That this spirituall baptisme was the end of the Apostles preaching Gospell and calling on their hearers to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus both in that they counsel to it for the remission of sins and that they might in beleeving on Christ receive remission of sins and also the gift of the Holy Ghost As likewise in that saying at one time Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins He saith the same at another time in these words Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out c. 4. It yet further appears in that the Apostle writing to the Churches of whom there is no doubt or question made but they were all baptized with water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and none blamed for want of that yet the Apostle speaks to them with a caution and distinction Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death c. And again Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Which as it leaves a jealousie of some so it evidenceth All that by faith are not become the sons of God and be not baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and risen with him through the faith of the operation of God and have so put on Christ They have not yet been baptized into Christ and so have not the baptisme which is the Baptisme indeed and so set out by the Apostle Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27 29. Col. 2.10.11 12 13 14. 5. It yet further appeares in that as the Apostles have set forth this baptisme to be into Christ and that into the Death of Christ for participation of the vertue of his Resurrection and this by the faith of the operation of God so as a man is become dead with Christ to the world c. and risen with Christ dead to sin and alive to God and so one with Christ and in him that he is one with the Members of Christ baptized by one spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 Even so hath the Apostle plainly affirmed That as there is one Body and one Spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one Faith one Baptisme He makes no more kinds of Baptisme then of Faith yea then of God and Christ And thus we see what Baptisme is and that there is but one Baptisme though the things or mediums are waies by which it is effected are many and in that sense may be called Baptismes of which I will treat a little now to shew 2. What the Mediums Means or things used in this Baptisme and by which it is effected are These appear to be four 1. The Word 2 Water 3. The Holy Spirit 4. Afflictions 1. The word or Gospell which sets forth Jesus Christ and him crucified Gal 3.1 In opening of which Jesus Christ is lift up and set forth as the Son of God and the Son of man that hath dyed for our sins and is risen for our justification and hath received Spirit to send forth and is the propitiation for our sins the Saviour of
the world That Whosoever beleeveth in him may not perish but have everlasting lise Joh. 3 14 15 16 17. In this also is the Name of God even of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost displayed Psal 138.2 Deut 32.2.3 And this is the prime or chief Ministerial way of baptizing into Christ As appeares plainly in these things First That the Commission given Matth. 28.19 20 where Baptizing is given as the medium of Discipling and there onely put in that name in all other places it is given in these tearms of preaching the Gosp l Mark 16.15 and declaring his Name to such an end as the effecting of that which is Baptisme indeed Acts 9.15 18 17 18 22 23. Secondly When Jesus Christ opened the understanding of his Disciples to understand the things in the Scripture that concerned himself Luk 24.27.44.45 which they were to declare Act. 26.27.18 22 23. Was not then this That which they were helped to understand that Thus it is written and Thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and so to enter into his glory Luk. 24 45 46.25.26 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations and this expressely said to be that which Christ and his Apostles were witnesses of Luk. 24.47 48. And to which witnessing the promise of the Spirit is given Luke 24.49 and so the same that is in that Commission Mathew 28. verse 19 20. Thirdly The Apostles did performe the Commission given them in so preaching Christ and repentance and remission of sins in his name Acts 2. and 3. and 8. and 10. and 13.38 46. yea not only when they baptized with water but also when they did not that themselves 1 Cor. 1.14 17. Fourthly As Jesus Christ set forth in the Gospell is the Fountain set forth to wash in for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And the love of God extended in the gift of him and through his bleed is pure water John 3.5.16 Rev. 5. with Ezek. 36.25 26. And the streams of spirit and grace proceeding from him is as a river and streams of pure water Psal 46 4 5. Rev. 22.1 2. even so the Word and Doctrine of the Gospell is compared to water Deut. 32 1 2 3. Isa 48.1 2. and 55.1 and by that men prest to wash and cleanse their hearts and wayes Isa 1.16 17. Jer. 4.14 Yea it being put to the question Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way It s answered Psal 119.9 By taking heed thereto according to thy word so that the Word or Gospell to be one mean of baptising is clearly held forth in the Scripture and Commission given by Christ If any object and say But this hath not been called baptising I answer It was the same thing for washing and cleansing first but not so called till the ordinance of baptising with water was given from Heaven and so God is nurtering the people to the acknowledgement of Moses Exod. 14. was never called Baptising them unto Moses but being the same businesse in effect and for such an end since the ordinance of baptising with water was given even that work is called baptising 1 Cor. 10.1 2. But yet to be plainer Fifthly The Doctrine of the Gospell with the teaching thereof is encluded in that word Baptisme and also called Baptisme in the writings of the Evangelists so Mark 1.3 John did baptise in the wildernesse and preach the Baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins And Luke 3.2 3. The Word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wildernesse and he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins It is plain to such as shut not their eyes of purpose to cavill That the word of the Lord which came to John that he received and that he preached and what that was is laid open both in the prophesie of him Isa 49.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. and both Prophesie and explication of that former Prophesie by his father Luke 1.76 79. and also in the affirming of his own performance Math. 3.1 2. In those dayes came John the baptist preaching in the wildernesse of Judea and saying repent yee for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Search the places and all the Scriptures speaking of this businesse and is it not plain that he declared Christ to be come in the flesh to be the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and so that the Kingdome of God was nigh and he that is John was not the Christ but that he the Christ was to come after him in ministration and on that ground exhorted them to repentance and to believe on him that should come after him in whom they should receive forgivenesse c. And then baptising with water as a testimony of the truth of his Doctrine he did after preach and call for amendment and fruits meet for repentance promising That he that came after him should baptize with the holy Ghost and with fire and purge his floor c. Though the Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation of Christ he did not so fully set forth as it is since set forth nor set forth the person of Christ who and which man he was till Jesus was baptized and Johns own Ministration towards an end Mat. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. and 3. Acts 13.24.25 And this his preaching the Gospell and baptising with water was called his baptisme and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins And so when our Saviour Christ did question the cheif Preists and Elders of the Jewes whence the baptisme of John was They reasoned with themselues saying If we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did you not then beleeve him Mat. 21.25 which beleeving must needs have reference to his Doctrine And thus Paul affirming John verily to have baptized with the baptisme of repentance he describes it in both the parts The Doctrine thus saying unto the people that they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus and his baptising with water thus and when they that is the people heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19.4 5. And so it is said of Apollos that was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord being fervent in Spirit he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the Baptism of John and surely that he spake and taught was that which he knew even the Baptisme of John and Aquilla and Prescilla expounding to him the way of God more perfectly doth evince that they shewed him the way of the Lord as it is more fully revealed since the ascenscion of Christ by his Spirit in the Doctrin of the Gospel then it was in the baptisme or preaching-Gospel before by John so
12. 15. 17. And so the setting him forth in Types Sacrifices and Prophesies of which Circumcision was a witnesse yet so as but one Nation partooke of those priviledges Psal 147.19 20. And the Ordinances given them made a partition wall between that Nation and other Nations in respect of nighnesse to partake of the priviledges But now is Jesus Christ set forth as he hath already come in the flesh and hath done and compleated all that fore-mentioned concerning him and so slain the enmity made peace for all Nations and made them nigh by his bloud and in the Gospell came and preached peace In which Gospel the Lord Jesus with the things in him concerning our peace are more fully set open than ever before the ascension of Jesus Christ in our nature and more abundance of grace and spirit promised to all that beleeve on him and this to be declared without difference to all Nations Mat. 28 19. Mark 16.15 And this that Jesus Christ hath done by his Death Resurrcteion and Ransome-giving and Mediation-making for all men is rendred in the Gospel as the ground and reason of all his Lordship over all Rom. 14.7 8.9 Acts 2.36 And also as the ground reason and proofe of the Resurrection of all men 1 Cor. 15. to the end And also as the ground reason and proofe that God will at the last day judge all men by Jesus Christ and cause all to confesse him Lord Acts 17.31 Phil. 2 10 11. And this given as the reason why God hath made him a Prince and a Saviour and filled him with spirit to give repentance and remission of sinnes and to rule all John 5.27 Isa 53. to the end Phil. 2.7 to 11. Acts 5.30 31. And indeed this is the foundation of repentance and that whereby all are admonished to repent Luke 24.46 47 Acts 17.30 31. And the foundation of Faith and that which men are callssd on to beleeve and there-through to beleeve on him Acts 13.38.48 16.31 And all this appeares plainly to be meant Heb. 6.1 2. if it be considered with Chap. 5.12 and other places of Scripture as Acts 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 And so likewise that the very same word of the beginning of Christ is the foundation of the Doctrine of Baptismes or of teaching Baptismes or the Foundation Ends and Vses of the Mediums of Baptizing and so Baptisme it selfe the Doctrine and End of all being one and tending to one Baptisme and so 1. As the knowledge and belief of the death resurrection and ransome giving of Christ to have been for all men is the ground why the Apostles did preach remission of sinnes to all in his name and beseech them to repent and be reconciled c. Luke 24.46 47. 2 Cor. 5 14 15 19.20 Act. 13 32-37 38 48. So likewise it was the ground of their baptizing with the word and so discipling by the Word all such as were hearing and did not turn away from the tender of the Gospell 2 Cor. 3.14 Acts 16.31.32 2. The same knowledge of the redemption wrought by Christ for all men and his lordship over them and having spirit to send forth to them was the ground of their baptizing with water in his name and so discipling those that refused not the Gospel when brought to them Acts 2.41 and 16.14.31 32. 3. The same knowledge and belief concerning Jesus Christ was the ground of their acquainting men with the baptizing with the holy Ghost and directing men to look up to and wait on Christ for that and to yeeld to the Spirit as in the means he should be vouchsafed to them Mat. 3.11 Acts 2.39 Mat. 28.20 John 14.16 26. and 16 7-16 4. And on the same ground did they exhort to receive correction from the hand of God and to be willing to bear the Crosse of Christ directing them to look to Christ and consider his sufferings in patience to possesse their souls and wait on him for profitable use and issue assuring them they shall so receive it from him Heb. 12 2-12 1 Pet. 1 5-7 and 2.21 And thus did they teach all these as Mediums of baptizing tending to one Baptisme even into Christ But they never taught these meanes or mediums of baptizing to be either the foundation on which men were to be built or to ground their hopes nor yet to be the end in respect of attainments as if life were had and the true baptisme effected where ever these mediums are For they alwayes set forth Jesus Christ to have dyed for our sinnes and risen for our justification to be the foundation and thereupon built and bottomed their exhortations to repentance faith love and use of the ordinances of Christ and accepting of and yeelding to the mediums of baptizing as is seen in the places fore-quoted and throughout their writings And they have put the mediums of baptizing in their right place as Posts and Gates to be waited at and waies to be walked in to meet with God according to that Exod. 20.24 Prov. 8.34 35. Isa 64.5 Mat. 18.20 and 28 20. Heb. 10.25 But union in and with Jesus Christ and conformity to him have they set forth as the true effect and compleating of Baptisme and that in which life is had Rom. 6 3-6 1 Cor. 1.30 John 15.1 John 5 10-12 and without which life is not enjoyed nor Baptisme indeed received and enjoyed what mediums soever passe on a man 1. A man may be baptized with the Word the Ministers instructing and he hearing it and yet not partake of life unlesse united with Jesus Christ The Word that is preached by faith in him Heb. 4.2 2. A man besides his hearing the Word may be baptized with water in the name of the Lord Jesus and so have the filth of the flesh in the stain of Gentilisme put away and yet is not purged in conscience by the spirituall application of the blood of Christ so as there be in him the answer-of a good conscience to God-ward by the Resurrection of Christ he is yet short of spirituall and eternall salvation 1 Pet. 3.21 3. A man besides his hearing the Gospel and being outwardly baptized by the Servants of Christ may also have from Jesus Christ some supernaturall illumination and inspiration with spirituall force in reproving perswading and moving so knocking and calling for entrance with promise of farther favour yet if the heart be not overcome at his reproofs and open not at his knocking 's to let go other holds and accept of and rest on him the man remains in danger still Rev. 3.20 Prov. 1.23 24. Ezek. 24.13 Gen. 6.3 whence that Ephes 4.30 4. A man besides his hearing and receiving outward Baptisme and partaking of some motions of spirit so as in some sort he beleeveth and maketh profession of Christ may also come to suffer some things for the name of Christ and yet if he abide not till Christ be formed in him that he may be perfected by Christ and his
what grounds this ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord is to be administred And this appeares in the Commssion with the ground thereof Mat 28.18 19. And the Tenor of the Gospel John 3.14 15 16 17. Mark 1.16 with the residue of scripture to be these viz. 1. The certainty given in the Gospel of a peace reconciliation and redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered to God for all men and his good will to have it made known and tendered to thema ll This is the ground both of preaching Gospell to them 1 Tim. 2 4-7 And of baptizing any of them with water Acts 18.8 1 Cor. 2.13 15.4 as is already shewne in pag. 14 15 16. And he that hath not certainty in this runs at an uncertainty in his ministration which Paul would not in any thing 1 Cor. 9.26 2. The perscription of such as are to be baptized with water to be subdued or brought into or under the instruction or tuition of such as have accepted the Doctrine of the Gospel and make profession of it which men of understanding and at their owne dispose be not nor can be so judged till they be found willing to heare and to be instructed in the Doctrine of the Gospel Mat. 3. John 4.1 2. Acts 8. 18.8 But children not come to the use of understanding are so and so to be accounted from the gracious providence of God putting them in the Family and into the charge and under the care and tuition of such whether by birth or other providenciall way Gen. 17.12 13. Acts 16.15 But of this more anon 3. The command of Jesus Christ in his Commission given to his Disciples to goe disciple all Nations baptizing them baptizing being both with word and water neither to be prest violently and where the tender of the Gospel is not rejected the baptizing with word and water are of the same extent And so the report of the Gospel the work of God in putting under the uition of such as have accepted and doe professe the Gospell and the command of Christ to disciple all Nations baptizing them is the ground and bottome upon which this baptisme is to be administred As for such as are to be baptized to confesse their sins and professe their faith it is good in such as are come to the use of understanding before they be baptized Yet though it be an encouragement it is not the ground and to them that think it so it is but partiall and fallible But that set down before is the Ground and whole and constant and sure to administer one as will yet more clearely appear anon 3. For the third thing considerable viz. To what ends this ordinance of baptizing with water is to be administred and that is 1. To be an outward and sensible Testimony of the truth of the Gospel preached both in that there in affirmed to be already done by Christ for men and also in the hope set forth therein for beleevers and so of the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost set forth thereby Jesus his giving this ordinance to be administred is a testimony of his faithfull mind and the truth of the faith and Gospel given to preach And so when John preached the Gospel baptizing and preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes Mark 1.3 4. He is said to have truly baptized with water as witnessing verily the truth Acts 1.5 And so as all the Scripture Moses the Law and all Types foregoing so all the ordinances of the Gospel doe testifie of Christ John 5.39 to 44. Rom. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 As Abraham received the signe of Circumcision as a seale of the righteonsnesse of the faith he had c. that he might be the Father Abraham his receiving the sign was not simply his being circumcised for so were all his family but his receiving that or dinance to administer as a seal of the righteousnesse of the faith it s not said which all he circumcised had nor of the truth of his own beleeving but of the righteousnesse of the faith that is the Gospel God preached to him which he had to preach to his Family and so to be a sensible testimony that he might be the Father of all that beleeve Gen. 15. 17. with Rom. 4.11 Even so also the Apostles received this ordinance to testifie withall to such an end and so it is given as the Medium of discipling in the Commission Mat. 28.19 2. To receive into Gods Family or the Family of Christ or Abraham and so to engage the baptized to yeild up to and wait on God in the acknowledgment of his great name and observance of all his ordinances and the things he hath already commanded by Jesus Christ to his Apostles And so as Circumcision discipled into Abrahams Family and bound to the Law after given by Moses baptisme disciples into the same family of God and binds to beleive and observe the sayings and commands of Christ fore-given in the Gospel and this is cleare in the Commission Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 1 13.-15 And in that baptisme is into his name and no other 3. To set or lay before them the hope that is set forth in the new Testament confirmed by the death of Christ for his baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and so sending forth spirit to teach and write his sayings and Law in their hearts Mat. 3.11 Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24 46 to 49. c. as pag. 11.12 And so by witnessing the truth of the Gospel accepting and engaging them into the Family of God and setting such hope before them they may disciple them that so in beleeving they may throughly repent and lay hold on Christ and therein receive remission of sinnes and spirit to lead a new life And thus is this baptisme unto repentance and to be received for the remission of sinnes Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Neither as some vainly glosse it causaliter that it should cause it nor declaratively as if it did verily declare remission of sinnes received But as a Medium of comming into Chrrist that in beleeving it may be received And these are the ends of administration and not such as in which this ordinance is made like the Types of the Law to have a sensible and visible figure or resemblance of Christ in the manner of his death and resurrection and conforming us to him for which no word that conformity being the work of his Spirit by word and afflictions 4. For the fourth thing considerable viz. Who are the subjects capable of this ordinance of being baptized with water in the name of the Lord and so may have it administred to them And that is expresse in the command and commission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles Mat. 28.19 To be all Nations that were not fore-discipled and refuse not in the tender of the Gospel to them
then that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Neither is there Salvation in any other For there is none Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.11 12. To this though nothing be opposed yet not yeelded but waved That it might not weaken another opinion About the necessity of the outward Ordinance of Baptizing with water which is implyed by the reasoning of many and affirmed by some To be as necessary as Faith though our Saviour would not so affirme of that which without controversie was true Baptisme and more then outward baptisme sure Mark 16.15.16 Fifthly By Interogations and Queries to put men to a mislike of their first Baptisme As were you so dipped and plunged in water when water was thrown on your faces Did you so coufesse your sinnes and confesse your faith Had you such and such holy ends if not then your Baptisme was no Baptisme And so urge them to renounce it whereas though such things had been good and commendable in the Fathers of Families proselited from the Nations when circumcised yet not required of all under their tuition so one may say of Heathens when discipled such things are commendable in those of understanding when baptized but not required in all under their tuition yet notwithstanding there is no precept enjoyning any to such or such a plunging or a particular and verball confession of sins or such a confession and declaration of Faith and such holy ends to be aymed at in all that are received to be Baptized so as to put a necessity in such a case more then God hath is but mans Doctrine and yet also an error in the manner is before shewn not to null Baptisme done in his Name Sixthly By urging when other meanes prevaile not to returne to Rome for say some your Baptisme binds you to be faithfull to that Church into which you were membred when baptized whereas this is not only without but against Scripture For first we were not baptized into the name of a man or Minister or any order of men or any Church or Church order But into the name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 1.12 13. c. Secondly in Baptisme we were reduced into the outward Church or Family of God that professe his name and not into a Church Order or membred into this or that particular Congregation no such thing in the Commission The Eunuch was baptized rightly sure and yet received into no particular Congregation or Church Order Acts 8.38 39. Yea there were many baptized and that Churches also before set in the outward order as is evident by comparing Acts 13.14 with 14.1.19.21 22 23. That is not the end of Baptisme to member into a particular Congregation or into an outward Church-order such a businesse rather leads to the faulted 1 Cor. 1.10 11 12 13. 4.6 No nor to give the liberty of acknowledging Brotherhood Ananias rightly called Saul Brother before he was baptized Acts 9.17 18. Seventhly by taking advantage when by these means men are made doubtfull of their first Baptisme and incline to think well of that they hold forth to urge them while they are yet in their passion to receive their baptisme presently pressing thereto Acts 22.16 2.38 39. Which was not to such as were in any sort or at any time baptized in the name of the Lord before And now why tarriest thou were rather words of encouragement to take away feares then of pressing to the suddennesse simply Acts 9.11 to 17 18. And surely for such as had vile thoughts of Jesus judged him not to be the Christ but persecuted and crucified him and were never fore-baptized in his name It was meet on sight of their sinne they should repent by changing their minds into right thoughts of Christ and testifie the same by being baptized in his name and what is this for any so fore-baptized to be baptized so againe But for men that were fore-baptized with water in the name of the Lord and have since been enlightned in the knowledge of his grace and so come to high thoughts of him as the onely he the Foundation the Peace Life c. So as they rest on him and submit to him would any have them to repent and change their minds in this to more base thoughts of Jesus and to testifie it by renouncing their first Baptisme and taking up another I hope not though the evill Spirit may secretly have such an aym to produce it afterwards The Lord keep us all from this and I verily beleive all they in beginnings will say Amen 3. For the evill consequences that follow on the practice of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second They are such as are more ordinary and usuall and in a sort necessary or such as are occasionall though not so ordinary The more necessary and ordinary evils that flow from this practice are First by pressing the necessity of and magnifying the outward ordinance c. A baptizing rather into Baptisme or the name of Baptisme then into the name of the Lord though words carry it so whence many in change of their opinion and Congregation are baptized the third time Secondly A slighting of the Lords ordinance of Baptisme fore-administred and contending against it and in magnifying their new Baptizing an intimate slighting of the gracious operations of the Holy Ghost in the hearts and appearing in the lives of Beleevers retaining their first baptisme and not accepting theirs Yea I have it under the hands of some that all was Antichristian and of the world before their second Baptisme received and so to be disclaimed on receit thereof Thirdly A separation from Brotherhood and Fellowship in the Gospel and ordinances of Jesus Christ with those they have had even spirituall fellowship withall and tastes of his goodnesse in Before Fourthly A judging despising and censuring deeply all those that maintain their first Baptisme and approve not theirs The occasionall evils which are not indeed so ordinary are the springing up and appearing of that evill which is foresaid to be intimately and knowingly done in the renouncing of the first Baptisme and taking up another as page 33. when in zealous justifying of it after followeth in some such a magnifying of that obedience as they conceive to the ordinance of Baptisme as they even put that Baptisme in the place of Christ and that obedience in the place of Faith and so ground and bottome the justification of themselves and others and their hope of life on their own works as their Declarations declare But in some others in a contrary and more fearfull extream A slighting of the Gospel which is written that declareth the name in which at first they were baptized as a Dead a killing Letter yea as a Fable in the words whereof truth is not but in some misterious or misty imagination of an Allegoricall sense And with this ere long a slighting of the personall body of the man