Paul speaks of again in 1 Cor. 12.13 By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body and have been all made to drink into one Spirit this makes all People in Christ Jesus one and this Paul saith again There is one Lord one Faith one Baptism Eph. 4.5 Now Paul wholly ascribes the initiating or bringing in of all Men whether Iew or Greek Bond or Free Male or Female into the Church or into the Body of Christ which is the Church unto the Baptism of Christ by his own Spirit and tells us again in Eph. 4.4 5. There is one Body and one Spirit even as you are called in one Hope one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all Now had Paul looked upon Iohn's Baptism to have been Commanded Mat. 28.19 and so must have been in place to the end of the World how could he pass it by and only say there is one Baptism For Iohn did baptize into Water and it was a Baptism a real Dipping or Plunging into Water and so a real Baptism was Iohn's And Christ's Baptism is a real Baptism a real Dipping or Plunging into his pure Name Power Spirit yea into Christ so as to put him on and to be as Branches in the Vine and to walk in him in his Spirit in his Life Love Light c. yea to be what we are in Christ and to do whatsoever we do in the Name of Christ so then is not here two Baptisms And if one be not the Figure Fore-runner of the other and gave place to it but are both Figure and Substance Servant and Son continued together to the end of the World How could Paul miss saying There is one Lord one Faith and two Baptisms But it 's clear he said otherwise who said He could do nothing against the Truth but for it And both Moses and Elias or Iohn the Baptist were suddenly taken away in the Mount upon the Motion made for three Tabernacles and Christ only left and the word was This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him so here Christ alone is Exalted over all and hath all Power Objection But say some He doth not say there is but one Baptism Answer Nor doth he say there is but one God but one Lord but one Faith but one Hope c. What then May we say there is any more God forbid No doubt but Paul knew what he said and that Iohn's Baptism was but a Figure and was observed in it's time and place but when the Substance came the Shadows were decreasing and passing away though I do not say that the Apostle did see all Figures Shadows and Types actually at an end so soon as it came no more did they immediately see that in Mat. 28. Go ye therefore teach all Nations did take in Gentiles as well as Iews For it 's clear from Acts 10.11 that neither Peter nor the Apostles at Ierusalem did all fully see until then that God is no respecter of persons that in every nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him and when Paul clearly saw he had a mind the People of God should see also viz. that the fulness of time was come pray what fulness was this Was it not the Figures Shadows and Types of the Law which had their full time when Christ was offered up and must now have place no longer but give place to the Son the Heir that redeems out of all Bondage and gives us to receive the Adoption of Sons even the Spirit of Adoption into our Hearts by which we cry Abba Father And the Son abides for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood and is Heir of all things and we in him being Sons are Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ so no longer under Servants Tutors or Governours but are by Christ redeemed unto God to walk with him and worship him in Spirit and in Truth But saith this Apostle again Verse 9. Now after you have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye a-again to the weak and beggarly Elements whereunto ye desire again to be in Bondage Can outward Water be excluded out of this Sentence Is it not as weak and beggarly as other Elements are And if this had not been in his Eye as well as others would he have been so general in that word Elements and take no care to preserve Water in use if it was to be used to the end of the World For it is no more than an Element Object But some may object these Galatians were for entangling themselves with observing days times months years circumcision c. Answ. I answer It 's very plain to unbyassed Men that this Apostle of the Gentiles never used one word to shew any more regard or respect to Water-Baptism than to any other Figures and Shadows and it is no more nor ever was any more than a bare Figure and why it must have place with the Substance and not give place now as all other Figures must I see no sound Reason for But he tells these Galatians further Chap. 4.4 When the fullness of time was come what then God sent his son well then ye are no longer under Servants Tutors c. for God hath highly exalted his Son and given him all Power both in Heaven and in Earth that in all things he may have the Preheminence It 's true but is Christ only without any thing else being joined unto him all in all unto all Mankind I answer Yea and Paul tells these very People Chap. 3.26 27 28. Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ there is neither Iew nor Greek Bond nor Free Male nor Female for ye are all one in Christ Iesus and if Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and Heirs according to promise And in Ephes. 1.7 to the 12th Verse We have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his Grace wherein he hath abounded towards us having made known unto us the Mystery of his Will that in the Dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him Here Christ is preached and Christ only in him it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell and him only hath God Exalted to be both King and Priest to give repentance and remission of sin Oh! did Men know God know Christ Jesus know the Holy Spirit of Life that was before all Types Figures and Shadows were they would not turn from or desire again to be in Bondage unto weak and beggarly Elements that cannot make such as come thereunto perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but now here is one come that can and hath by one Offering perfected for ever them that are Sanctified by him and saves to the utmost all
in the Kingdom is greater than Iohn well and was Iohn more than a Prophet Yea and Moses was a Prophet how then is the least in the Kingdom greater than Iohn and so consequently greater than Moses How Answer In relation to their Ministry or Service for both Moses and Iohn served with outward Ordinances Observations Types and Shadows Ceremonial Rites and Figures but the least in the Kingdom which stands not in Meats c. their Ministry and Service is in and by the Power Spirit Life Light Love Wisdom and Divine Vertue of Christ Jesus and those that eat and drink now with Christ they are such as know their Kingdom come and are in the Kingdom of Heaven under the Command of Christ Jesus who is King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace and is to be heard truly followed and obeyed in all things But as I said these three viz. Matthew Mark and Luke speak much alike in this matter and it 's worth noting that Iohn the Beloved Disciple neither begins nor goes throughout in his Testimony as they did but was more Spiritual and Mysterious and when he comes to speak of the Supper he passeth it by thus Iohn 13.1 2 4. Now before the Feast of the Passover when Jesus knew that his Hour was come that he should depart out of this World unto the Father having loved his own he loved them to the end and Supper being ended Verse 3 4. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his Hands mark that and that he was come from God and went to God he riseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and so goes on to shew how he washed his Disciples Feet and what he said unto them was very much for enjoining them to wash one another's Feet but saith not one word further at this time about the Supper that I find which I believe Iohn would not have omitted had it been so that he had known that his Beloved Master had intended it should have been observed to the end of the World but it 's very clear it 's called the Passover by them all and therefore fulfilled and passed away and gives place unto him that fulfils it and all the whole Law concerning Ordinances and outward Observations 3. It 's very clear this Supper was a part of the Passover and so the Bread here spoken of must needs be Unleavened Bread Passover-Bread pray have those that sell Bread now any of this Bread to sell or give for this was that Bread and that Cup that had figured out his Body to be broken for them and his Blood that was shed for them And as that Bread was broken and given to the outward Iew so is his Body broken given to the inward Iew and as that Wine was poured forth into the Cup and given to the outward Iew so is his Blood poured forth and given to the inward Iew to the making of his Heart glad So as the outward Iew who came out of outward Egypt and Bondage fed on the Paschal Lamb so the inward Iew who comes out of inward Spiritual Egypt and Bondage feeds on the Lamb of God as their Passover and as Israel's Enemies were washed away in the Red Sea so are the Christians inward Enemies viz. the Sins of the inward Iew washed away in the Blood of the Lamb of God who washeth his People with or in his own Blood 4. When Iohn comes to speak of what Christ spoke to the Iews and the People that he had fed with Five Barley Loaves and Two Fishes he relates how Christ bade them not to labour for the Meat that perisheth but for the Meat that endureth unto Everlasting Life which the Son of Man said he should give mark should give not sell unto you for him hath God the Father sealed and V. 32. My Father giveth you the true Bread from Heaven but Moses gave them not that Bread from Heaven Again the Bread of God is he that cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the World Again V. 35. Iesus said unto them I am the Bread of Life he that cometh unto me shall never hunger and he that believes on me shall never thirst Again If any Man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever and the Bread that I will give is my Flesh for the Life of the World and except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the last Day for my Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed he that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him Now consider that Bread that Moses gave they that ate it died but he that eats of the Bread that Christ giveth shall never die Pray let me ask What is the Bread that you break is it Living Bread Or is it Unleavened Bread Passover-Bread If it be not Unleavened Bread it is not Passover-Bread and if so then not the Bread that Christ at Supper broke bless'd and gave and if not that Bread then where 's your Foundation for your Bread 5. If it be not that Bread are you sure that Christ's Blessings goes along with it For I am sensible many live very wickedly that eats of the Bread the Priest sells and drinks of the Cup the Priest sells both before and after and there 's no Appearance of Eternal Life and if it were Unleavened Bread such as they eat at the Possover such as Christ bless'd brake and gave them yet it is not Living Bread nor can it give Life Eternal to them that eat it And therefore in the last and great Day of Feasting of this Bread and Wine Jesus stood up and cried If any Man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believes on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water But this spoke he of the Spirit not of Elementary Water which they that believed on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not then glorified 6. But now Jesus Christ is glorified and the Holy Ghost is given then whither must we now go Must we yet run to Moses for the Bread that perisheth or to Christ for the Bread that endures to Everlasting Life Must we that believe on Christ and know the Holy Ghost is given even the Spirit of Adoption by which we cry Abba Father and that God hath glorified his Son Jesus Christ I say Must we now go to Moses for Water Or to Iohn either Did any but Christ or can any other than Christ give us this Living Water If not then let us go unto him who is Faithful that promised that we may drink of the Water he gives all drink into or of one Spirit Oh that Men did know this Living Bread and this Wine or Living Water Then they would say
can be shown for the laying it wholly aside and upholding their Dipping into or Sprinkling with Water Altho' we find not one word in all the Holy Scripture that ever our Lord dipped or sprinkled any with or into Water or that ever he commanded his Disciples to dip or sprinkle either Men Women or Infants But to see Men leap over this of washing of Feet that was both done by Christ Jesus and commanded to be done by his Disciples telling them They ought to do as he had done unto them and yet this to be laid wholly aside and Dipping and Sprinkling in or with Water pleaded so highly for as a Gospel-Ordinance in the Church to remain to the end of the World without either Precept Example or Command from Christ Jesus to be found in all the Holy Scriptures This indeed is cause of Admiration Grief and Sorrow of Heart For he gave them many precious Commandments one of which he calls a New Commandment That they should love one another as said he I have loved you that you also love one another For by this shall all Men know that you are my Disciples if ye have Love one to another And if ye love me keep my Commandments Again Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me Abide in me and I in you as the Branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me Without me ye can do nothing If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you As the Father hath loved me so I have loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my love and this is my Commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you and these things I command you that ye love one another After he tells them of the Coming of the Spirit of Truth saying He shall testifie of me and ye also shall bear witness and said Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my Name Ask and ye shall receive that your Ioy may be full In all this here is nothing said much less commanded for Water-Baptism nor doth Matthew Mark and Luke make mention of Water-Baptism being either commanded or practised by Christ Jesus Nor can we find that ever our Lord took notice of it at any time so as he himself to Baptize or to command any Man after Iohn to Baptize into Water And in Acts the first Chapter the Apostle begins thus The former Treatise have I made of all that Iesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up and yet not one word in all this that Jesus did ever baptize any or said to any of his Followers Baptize into Water So that we cannot find that amongst all he began to say and do until the day he was taken up he ever said or did that The Apostle goes on farther saying After he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandment to us to whom he shewed himself after his Passion speaking to them of the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God And what not one word of Water-Baptism nor one Command given for that Let the Apostle answer And Christ being assembled with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which said he you have heard of me For John verily baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence But he doth not say Iohn baptized with Water and do you so also No such word But Verse 8. Ye shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the Earth So that it seems clear to me that Iohn's Water-Baptism did not impower them to be Witnesses unto Christ through the whole World therefore there was need of such a Baptism as would fit them or impower them for the Work the Lord had for them to do No Iohn knew that when he said I baptize with Water but there comes one after me who is preferred before me he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost c. His Fan is in his hand his Power is in his hand thorowly to purge his Floor to gather his Wheat into his Garner and to burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire But there is not that power in Water to fan and throughly purge nor to impower Men to be Witnesses to Christ to the uttermost parts of the Earth Well Iohn baptized with Water not with the Holy Ghost Acts 19.2 3. They that had been baptized unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard whether there was any Holy Ghost But Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost not with Elementary Water Iohn 1.26 33. but tells them Iohn did Acts 1.5 But do not find that ever Christ did or commanded his Disciples so to do but tells them they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost but did not command them at all to baptize with Water either before or after his Passion Methinks Reason it self tells us that had our Lord intended Water-Baptism should have continued unto the end of the World he would have said so when he spoke of it to them at such a Juncture as this was Acts 1. But instead of that he tells them of another which he knew far exceeded Iohn's for Iohn's was but the Type and Figure this the Substance and would fit them for the Work of God which is a Spiritual Work and is only done in and by the Spirit and Power of God For when they were baptized with the Holy Ghost they received Power and did stand up true Witnesses unto Christ Jesus Oh! It 's worthy our Observations how Christ tells them They should receive Power after the Holy Ghost was come upon them and should be Witnesses c. So it 's clear Iohn's Baptism left them short of Power and of the Holy Spirit also but Christ's Baptism impowered them to be Witnesses after they had it And all that fall short of this Baptism of Christ fall short of Power to be Living Witnesses for Christ. Therefore the Apostles tarried at Ierusalem and waited as they were commanded for the Baptism of Christ and did not run in their own Will or Wisdom or in their own Name or Strength to bear witness to him or to preach him to all Nations but stay'd until they were made able to go in the Spirit and Power of God and with words the Holy Ghost gave them Object But it 's objected from Matt. 28.19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them in or into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and says some this is Water-Baptism Answ. But for the sake of the Honest Enquirer let us consider First Here is no Water mentioned in this place therefore no ground for such an
them that come unto God by him so that now in Christ Iesus we who were some times afar off are made near How By the Blood of Christ Ephes. 2.13 So it 's in Christ Jesus that nearness to God is known even by his Blood Read that can Blessed be God many at this day can read experimentally and knows a being near unto God in Christ. O that many could For he is our Peace who hath made One both Iew and Gentile having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity the Law of Ordinances to make in himself of twain one new Man that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross. And came and Preached Peace unto them that were afar off and unto them that were near so that through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father Now here is plainly Pointed forth the Way to God the Truth and the Life no Man comes unto the Father but by me said Christ so neither Iohn nor Moses nor any other but Christ can bring Men to God Nor doth Christ Jesus need any of them all for all Power is his There is no other Name given under Heaven by which we can be saved but by the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Mark this The Name of Iesus what if he had said the Power of Jesus But can any be saved by his Name except they be in it Salvation is in it those that are Baptized into the Name of Father Son and Spirit are in that which saves and it is remarkable that Christ did not say go teach all Nations and Baptize them in the Name Father Son and Holy Ghost but Go teach all Nations Baptizing them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the name of mark the Father Son and Holy Ghost Is it not plain from hence that by Name is meant the Power of the Father Son and Spirit Again Christ told his Followers Mat. 18.20 That where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them what else is here intended but them that meet in his Power and are exercised in his Power And Pray how can any meet in his Name or Power if they be not in it Oh that Men would meet in this Name they would not want power to Pray Preach and Praise God nor need to make ready before-hand what they intend to say no this bows Men in Spirit and brings them to wait in hope and the feeling of this Living Name makes Men true Worshippers in Spirit for they feel it to be a Heart-changing melting Power and a Soul-sanctifying Enamouring Name far excelling all other Names or Powers and these reverence his Pure Name and extol it in their Hearts are true Worshippers and Adorers of it and of him whose Name it is But what Benefit can those have that meet out of this Name and carry on a form of Godliness and Worship but deny the power and content themselves to go on in a form without the power all the Days of their Lives and pray what are these These are such as the Apostle bids us turn away from 2 Tim. 3.5 For they name the Name of Christ but do not depart from Iniquity but live in Sin all their Days and in the Power of Darkness by which they are kept in Bondage because they come not to know the Name of Jesus and Faith in his Name and being Baptized thereunto these say and do not like the Pharisees these are Enemies to Christ Jesus their own Souls and all Mankind These love the Wages of Unrighteousness and go in the way of Balaam for Gifts and Rewards Paul said He sought not theirs but them 2 Cor. 12.14 But these seek theirs but not them Paul laboured that their Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Man but in the Power of God or Name of God is it not all One or Name of Jesus 1 Cor. 2.5 But these come in the Wisdom of Man and with words Man's Wisdom teacheth and brings People no further than that wherein themselves stand and so the Faith of People stands in the foolish Wisdom of Men and not in the Power of God and therefore these Men get power over People by their Wisdom and leads them away from the appearance of Christ in themselves Who is the only Potentate Lord of Lords and King of Kings 1 Tim. 6.15 So the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous runneth into it and are safe Prov. 18.10 The true Church knew it in old Time that this holy Name of Christ was sweet and said Thy Name is as Ointment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee Cant. 1.3 And so the Apostle testified how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power Acts 10.38 This is that Holy Name unto which every Knee must bow both in Heaven and in Earth for it is above every Name Phil. 2.9 10. So the Apostles were Baptized with the Holy Ghost into this precious Name And when the Holy Ghost was come down upon them and sat upon them as in Acts 2.3 then they appeared boldly in the Power or Name and Spirit of Jesus and Verse 4. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Now they spoke with new Tongues that was touched with a Coal from the Altar so they went out in this Living Power and Spirit and in this they preached the Gospel and taught all People that heard them in every Nation where they came and the Name of Christ was mightily glorified many being so reached in their Understandings that they came to see their own state and condition inwardly and were pricked to the very Heart and cried out Men and Brethren what shall we do to be saved Yea they spoke so that many believed both Men and Women yea great multitudes both of Iews and Greeks Acts 14. were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which Stephen spoke Acts 6.10 And with great power the Apostles bare witness of the Resurrection Acts. 4.33 So they stood in the Power of God preached prayed and praised God in his own Power and in Acts 4. they lift up their voice with one accord and prayed unto the Lord that he would grant unto his Servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word by stretching out thy Hand to heal and that Signs and Wonders may be done by the Name of thy Holy Child Jesus Verse 30. And Paul preached boldly in the Name of Jesus Ch. 9.27 And what did they preach They preached Jesus Christ Ch. 2.36 Ch. 3.20 Likewise in the Name of Jesus Christ the lame Man was made able to leap walk and praise God It was not by their own Power or Holiness that he was made to walk no it was by the Name of the Prince of Life Christ Jesus and the Faith that comes by him gave the lame Man perfect soundness Ch. 3.6 12
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
it not the Lord's Work or Power that brought them to Moses that stood in the Power of God and in the Living Faith And they were Baptized unto him and dipp'd into the same Power and Faith in measure that he stood and abode in after they had been out of it through unbelief and fear of Man Now he that brought them out of the unbelief then unto Moses into the Living Faith and out of their own weakness into his own Power that abides for ever is the same that brings his People now that have been in unbelief and in great weakness into the Living Faith and Power of God and so unto our Spiritual Moses Christ Jesus that goes before his People and leads them out of spiritual Egypt Bondage Captivity and Thraldom and saves his People that follow him from their Sins and delivers them out of the Hands of their Enemies so they are with him and he with them according to his Promise and are Baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost unto him who is all in all and hath all Power given him in Heaven and in Earth Mat. 28. Object But says the Priest What outward Act did the Apostles use when they Baptized with that Baptism into the Name c. Ans. I answer Freely they did as Christ commanded them teach and as they were bidden When the Power got hold of any and came over them they went on teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ commanded them and they laboured in the work of the Ministry chearfully and as they preached the Holy Ghost fell upon those that heard them as in Acts 10.44 And the Power of God came over many and they felt it and believed in the Lord Jesus so they came to see the Name and Power of Jesus to be above every Name or Power and they believed in it and stood up in it being baptized into it they came to witness a Living in his Name Spirit Life and Power c. and in him viz. Christ Jesus were made new Creatures by his Name was he made whole that had been lame living that had been dead yea the Blind came to see the Deaf to hear the Dumb to speak Lepers were made clean Devils were cast out and his Name is the same at this Day tho' few believe in it or know it Glory be given to him whose is the Power who sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever Obj. But some may object and say Is there nothing to be done in order to Baptize Men into the Name but to Teach Ans. The word Teach is a great word and so is the word Teaching and signifies all they did as Preaching in the Power as the Spirit gave them utterance and ability and praying in the Spirit and Power or asking the Father in Christ's Name as he bade them and singing Praises to God in his Spirit and Power as Paul and Silas did in Prison and living Holy Righteous Godly Sober Lives and Conversations and other Workâ— aforesaid done in the Spirit Power or Name of Christ so their Teaching sounded far and near for what they did they did it in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. So the word Teach and Teaching is of a large extent for there is very good and effectual Teaching besides preaching verbally and the Disciples of Christ taught so then and do so teach at this Day as none other can because God enables them so to do for they are all what they are in Christ and in his Power they do what they do as first to love as Brethren indeed and in truth is very teaching to all that behold it Secondly Not to have a Beggar amongst them is very teaching and a certain manifestation that they do love one another For by this said Christ shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples c. and gave a new Commandment that they should love one another which Command no Man can obey but as God who is love doth enable him Thirdly Humility and Meekness teach well and such seek not their own to become great and high in the World but the things of Jesus Christ And this plainly shews those are like unto him who are Meek and Lowly but Pride is hateful in all especially those that pretend Commission to teach for that teaches a wrong thing and strengthens people in that which is bad yea hardens them in it like unto the Pharisees who were proud and loved the Chief Seats in the Synagogues and the Highest Rooms at Feasts walked in long Robes loved greetings in the Market and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi these were Enemies to God and all good Men would neither enter the Kingdom themselves nor suffer those that would to enter And surely those that are in the same Spirit and walk in the same Steps and bring forth the same Fruits are no better than they Fourthly Men that are what they seem to be that speaks the truth to their neighbour and are not Double-Tongued do not Dissemble nor lie nor respect Mens Persons but do justly and good to them that hates them and loves Enemies Prays for them that Persecutes them and Despitefully uses them this is very teaching and are such things as none can do but those that are enabled to do them in the Name of Jesus Christ and by his Holy Name but the contrary is very bad and tends to hurt and â—inders all Nations from coming to be baptized into Christ's Name Fifthly In true Compassion to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Afflictions and to Relieve the Poor and Needy to suffer Wrongs forgive Trespasses against us to visit the Sick and cloath the Naked feed the Hungry and such as are in Prison to Visit Feed and Cloath shews forth Christian Love and Charity Tenderness Kindness Pity and Compassion such preach well and is very teaching before all Nations but the contrary highly provokes the Holy Just God and declares Men to be born after the Flesh and not of the Spirit whose Fruits are all good Oh! how have the Sprinklers manifested themselves in our Day by laying many in Prison making Wives like Widows Children like Fatherless taking their Bread-Corn from them and other things by force and though they pretend to be sent of Christ who said freely ye have received freely give yet these have given nothing freely therefore ought to receive nothing but notwithstanding they will receive and take by force of them they do nothing for and no People nor Nation can in reason look upon this to be of a right Nature neither doth it nor ever can bring Honour to the Name of Christ Jesus but the contrary But they that are in the Name Power and Spirit of Christ they injure no Man defraud no Man but are good Examples to all Mankind and shew forth the Fruits of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Meekness Soberness Temperance Purity Chastity and Truth and have Crucified the Flesh
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