which words it is plaine that some did not discerne the Lords Body but did take it as common eating and drinking and that the Lord was angry for so practising that Ordinance but the faithful Souls that come rightly qualified discerne the Lords Body and eat the Lords Body and drink his Blood and therefore for to say that shall perish to wit the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ is Blasphemie it is my Souls desire that as the Lord hath made me sensible would make me more and more sensible of the Wretched Blind and Lame condition of such Souls that speak evil of the Body and Blood of the Lord Oh that my words might be acceptable that I might perswade some poor Souls from perverting the right way of the Lord that the Body of Christ doth not perish see Psal 16.10 Neither thy Holy one to see Corruption which all agree is ment of Christ and that the Blood of Christ doth not perish 〈◊〉 1. Pet. 1.18 Where the Apostles doth oppose the Blood of Christ to corruptable things as things that perish with the using Oh that private Indignity Emulation and Hatred they have to the Blood of Christ which I have cause to say not only from what is here said but from an other Testimony from one Rob. Gresinham who I am sure they do own said he doth thou think that the Blood of Christ that thou mightest have taken up in thy hand can wash away Sin there is one besides my self to testifie this if out of the abundance of the hearts the Mouth speaketh then surely there is very Low and Contemptable thoughts of the Blood of Christ in the heart of that Person that dares speak such Contemptable words surely the Fountaine from whence such streams do Flow is not a pure Fountaine and is much contrary to what the Apostle Peter beleeveth he calleth it pretious Blood consider this you that forget that Fountain that you was washed and cleansed by if you was ever washed Who hath washed us in his Blood Revel 1.5 I would fain know of thee oh thou high Flown talker whether the Apostle Paul Gal. 2.21 22. When he exhorteth from whence I suppose you borrow your Expression Notto Touch Taste Handle which all are to perish with the using whether he meaneth the Ordinances belonging to Moses house as the Ordinances belonging to Christs house or those that God did command by Moses surely I beleeve have ground so to do that they are those that was commanded by Moses for saith the Apostle they were such that were against us such as Christ nailed to the Cross and if so then is it not wresting the Scripture to apply it to the Ordinances of Christ in the Gospel and whereas you say we rest in shaddows it is possible it may be true in some that profess the Truth they may hold it in unrighteousness as the Apostle saith some did in his time but this I can say that those that the Lord hath intrusted with the work of the Ministry do Perswade Exhort and Entreat poor Souls that have laid a good Foundation That they goon to Perfection according to that Heb. 6.1 2. And this there Exhortation in the fear of God hath not come in Word only but in Power and Strength upon our Souls so that many can say with the Apostle Paul Phil. 3. From the 10. To the 15. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after c. And further I press towards the Mark of the high Calling in Christ Jesus and therefore I would perswade all that own that Paper that if they know any that are in such Condition to be perswading them not to rest in it for it is dangerous to hold the Truth in Unrighteousness likewise not to lay it as a general Aspertion upon all that walk in the way of the Lord and are as much for purity of Life as purity of Ordinances and do desire to keep the Forme and Power together and not to disjoyne that which God hath joyned lest they be found Sinners I would have no Soul to think because I am upon this Subject that I am not for purity of Life as well as Obedience to the Ordinances of Gods House I am as free to bear a Testimony against an evil Conversation as corrupt Principles yet not to let them pass but to contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints he further saith We are in the true Water and Blood which washeth the Soul and Baptiseth Dippeth and Plungeth the Conscience and cleanseth it from all Sin which leads into the Heavens where God dwelleth and we eat and drink the true and real Body and Blood of the Lamb hereby we know it because it nourisheth us and giveth us Blessed growth in the Life and Inocency of the Lamb which was with God before shaddows were and henceforth we in it have passed and left them all as Images of Gold and Silver to be cast to the Moles and to the Batts for ever It hath made me affraid to speak sometime against such a People that should declare such things as being washed from Sin as being lead and having Blessed growth in the Life and Innocency of the Lamb and such like expressions but upon consideration I am confident both to speak and to Write although I desire to own any thing of the Lord in any profession whatsoever becauss I find the Apostle Paul prophesing there should be a people Declaring things that are not so concerning their own State and Condition 1 Tim. 4.2 Speak Lyes in Hypocrisie having their consciences seared with an hot Iron Speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie That is declaring they have Communion with God and are washed from Sin and have Growth in the Innocency of the Lamb such like when it is not so that Persons may have a high Estemation of them when it is not so neither is those things found in them and I will prove he speaks Lyes in Hypocrisie although I do remember that Water is put for the Spirit as John 7.38 39. He that beleeveth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water but this he speaks of the Spirit But when John speaks in that place that he alludeth unto 1 Epistle of John 5.8 There are three that bare Record on earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood That it cannot be the Spirit not that I beleeve he hath the Spirit no for this I â—estifie that he that hath the Spirit of God saith not that he hath cast the Ordinances of God to the Moles and to the Batts for evermore my reason is this because the Spirit is one of the other two and therefore it is undoubtedly Truth that it is not the Spirit therefore it must be Water that is used in Baptisme and if so is not his words a manifest Lye when they disown make void and declare as useless that Ordinance of Baptisme nay say themselves here passed
come in the flesh as this precept hath to continue unto the end of the World yet they did believe it was their duty as hath been proved But surely Jesus Christ did foresee that men in the last dayes should question his Commandements and that some should think that antiquity did wear out the verity of them he makes such provision to shew it to be a duty that those that are not wilfully blind may see and now according to what the Apostle Peter saith 1 Pet. 3.15 To give a reason of my faith I shall reason from the words of Christ to clear the duration continuation of Water-Baptisme take this reason or argument That which Christ hath commanded to be taught and preached in all Nations and in all Ages and hath promised his presence with his people in the Administration of to the end of the World that is to be taught practised unto the end of the World but Christ hath commanded Water-Baptisme to be taught and practised in all Nations and all Ages and hath promised his presence with his People in the due Administration of it therefore Water-Baptisme is to continue remain unto the end of the world that which some will question is the middle proposition that it must be practised in all Nations is clear and evident saith Christ go you and teach and Baptise all Nations what can be more clear Secondly that it was to be in all Ages that is as clear for all Nations was not in being in that Age therefore it is clear that he intends succeeding Ages for saith he teaching them with those that was to follow and so every Age after another whatsoever I command you and that this was the mind of Jesus Christ that it was to continue in all Ages he takes away all doubts and doth promise his presence not only to them but to all succeeding Ages Loe I am with you to the end of the World Which is reason sufficient that his people is to be found in the practise of unto the end of the World you may see Mark 16.16 Where he commandeth the Gospel should be preached to every Creature upon tearms of Faith and Baptisme go and Preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned Every Creature that is in a capacity to be saved was not in being then this I say to all such as kick at the Ordinance of Water-Baptisme that it cannot be proved by the subtillest deceiver at this day that Christ hath promised his presence to any thing longer than the thing or command is in being if not which doubtless is true whether Baptisme in water doth not continue unto the end of the World seeing Christ hath promised his presence to his People in that very Ordinance unto the end of the World Read meditate and let your souls tremble at the word of the Lord Loe I am with you to the end of the World I shall answer Objections anon I shall give you an other reason which I would have you consider of That which is an instrumental cause of Remission of Sin or washing away Sin that is to continue unto the end of the World But water Baptisme is an Instrumental cause of Remission of Sins or washing away of Sin therefore it is to continue to the end of World That Baptisme is so see Acts 2.39 Repent and be Baptised for the Remission of Sin and that it washeth away Sin see Acts 22.16 And arise why tarry thou and be Baptised and wash away thy Sins What can be more plain then this that their Sins was remitted washed away by repentence and Baptisme and not by repentance only for that Paul had wrought upon him yet was to be Baptised to wash away his Sins so that the birth of the Spirit and the birth of the Water was to go together see John 3.5 1 Pet. 3.21 Some will cavil at the word Instrumental but there is no reason so to do for if the Spirit of God in Scripture doth reckon one thing to two several Causes as it doth about Remission of Sin then it is to be understood two several wayes for Remission of Sin is rackoned to the Blood of Christ Revel 1.5 Who hath washed us in his own Blood And therefore I am necessitated to make this Distinction and therefore that the Blood of Christ is the officient Cause of Remission of Sin and Baptisme is an Instrumental Cause with those Companions as I may say Faith and Repentance let not the meanest of the Ordinances of God to carnal reason hinder any Souls being fitted for them to obey and practise them Read 2 Kings 5. Chapters Concerning Naaman and the Syrian and consider of it in the fear of the Lord and know this that what was written aforetime was written for our Learning to shew the foolish things of God are wiser then men and that God will bring about great things by small and contemptible means to reason see Gal. the 3.27 What the Apostle saith of Baptisme As many as have been Baptised into Christ hath put on Christ That which brings unto Christ is needful at this day and must continue unto the end of the World but I have exceeded already what I intended therefore I shall apply my self to answer the Objections hopeing what I have said will be profitable to some conviction to all but those Whose consciences are seared with an hot Iron as the Apostle saith some say that it is not water Baptisme but the Baptisme of the Spirit this Objection hath hardly the colour of reason but some are confident and say where is Water I answer for as much as the Disciples could not Baptise without water water is implyed but that it is not the Baptisme of the Spirit it is plain for it was such a Baptisme that his Disciples were to Administer saith Christ Go yee Teach Baptise and therefore not the Baptisme of the Spirit but that was never in the Power of the chiefest Disciples of Christ to do it was is ever shall be only in the power of the Lord to Baptise with the Spirit see Luke 9.13 Your heavenly Fether will give his Spirit to them that aske him Turn at my reproofe I will pour my Spirit upon you Pro. 1.23 The holy Spirit which God hath given to them that obey him Acts 5.32 and 2 Cor. 5.5 Who hath given us the earnest of his Spirit multitude of Testimony might be given for this but I cannot stand upon it now and therefore see what John saith I Baptise with water well but doth he not also Baptise with the Spirit No for saith he speaking of Christ He shall Baptise you with the Spirit with the Holy Ghost and with Fire And so the Apostle Peter did practise it even to Baptise with water after Christ had given out that Commission Acts 2.38 Acts 10.47 Who can forbid water that those should not be Baptised seeing they
now I have with as much speed as I could come to the end of what I promised only I have a short word or my mind in shortness to speak unto two sorts of People to the People called Quakers Secondly to those that are under the profession of the Truth according to the mind of God contained in Scripture First then to the People called Quakers if any of you answer what I have writ in writing do not wrest my expressions for I have dealt ingeniously with you in answering that Paper though it would be better for you to be silent then to speak evil of the way of God if you do I shall not promise you to answer truly friends God is my witness that what I have written is in tenderness of Spirit towards you I beseech you to consider of it and do not please your selves with airy conceits but meditate in the Law of the Lord that so you may hold fast the form of sound words I do hope and beleive the Lord hath a remnant amongst you that fear the Lord and do what you do in the integrity of your Souls which that prophesie shall be fulfilled upon Isa 29.24 They also that erred in Spirit shall come to understanding and those that murmured shall learn Doctrine This I have faith in shall be accomplished upon some of you when many amongst you shall discover themselves what they are now privately then you that have erred in Spirit shall understand that is you shall see that the Devil can and hath transformed himself into an Angel of Light and you that murmured at the way of the Lord shall then learn Doctrine Dear Souls whom I love that have no corrupt ends but only have the honour of God in your eye have respect unto al the Commandements of the Lord and be not lead by the errour of the wicked be no longer deceived by false Teachers who as much as in them lies makes the Commandements of God of none effect read and consider of that text of Timothy that thou maist have such an esteem of the Scriptures as holy men had of old 2 Tim. 3.15.16 and you that are called the Ministry I do exhort you from the Lord who hath made me sinsible of the losse of Souls cease from perverting of the way of the Lord Oh be careful what you say and Preach lest the Lord lay the blood of poor Souls upon you I am not unsensible of that high confidence that you have of your selves aâ— being such that canno err Let me perswade you to lye low in your selves and tremble at the Word of the Lord his saying precepts and Commandements contained in Scripture lest what I have said be as a witness against yâ—ur in the great day of the Lord when persons shall not be judged by what they have supposed light but by the Words of Jesus Christ content not your selves with morality but worship God in Spirit and not only so but in Truth and trust in nothing below the blood of Christ to make attonement for sin this I speak not to stir up prejudise against you but to warn you of the danger which will come upon you if you repent not and shall continue my prayers for such of you that are in the lemits of a Christians duty to pray for And unto you my Brethren and Sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ do not make a wrong application of what I have said do not think you are in a safe condition barely because you are in the profession of the Truth of the Lord no friends do not trust or lean there for know this if thou hast been Baptised and if thou eat and drink at Christs Table yet if thou work iniquity thou wilt be shut out of the kingdome Oh my Friends do not hold the Truth in unrighteousness as some did in dayes past but answer the end of the Ordinances of the Lord it is possible that some may be in that condition that professe the Truth as the professing People of the Lord wherein the 7 of Ier. who was punctual in the observation of outward things and yet gave way to several evils do not rest in such a condition but remember from whence you are fallen and do your first work Oh my Friends let your lights shine before men that they seeing your good works may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven and let not the enimies of the Truths of God have no just accasion to speak evil of the way of God by reason of you but study to adorne your profession and unto you my Friends which are a pressing after the Mark of the calling in Christ Jesus go on in that work until you perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord and esteem of the Ordinances of the Lord never the worser because men that seem to have outward holiness upon them speak against them see the 2 Cor. 11.13.14 15. but do and say as the holy David in Psalm 119.126 127 128. I love thy Commandements above gold yes above fine gold Therefore I esteem thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way which that we mâ—y all do is and shall be the prayer of him that is willing to serve you in the Gospel of Christ according to the Tallent the Lord hath given me faithful is he that hath promised who hath began a good work in us and will carry it on to the day of the Lord. THE END ERRATA EPistle Page 2. l. 10. r. and for him Epistle Page 2. l. 11. r. him for and Page 8. l. 22. r. arreyes for errour Page 14. l. 1. r. that for what