had been nullified When the House of Israel was so gone a whoring in that Idolatry that it was death for a man to be knowne that hee would not bow the knee to Baal Yet the Circumcision of men in that time is neither faulted nor they prohibited but invited to come to the Passeover and for their Purification according to the Law care was taken and want in that bewayled and healing sought But for their Circumcision fore-passed it is not faulted at all 2 Chron. 30.6.20 And surely had errour in such things made a nullity of the Ordinance of Baptisme that when professedly done in his name yet such errours of men baptizing should make it no Baptisme Then would our Soviour have set his choise Ministers to that work but he set his Disciples to it and so did the Apostles their Attendants Nor is there any prescriptions what manner of persons for Gifts Office Grace or Demeanour they must be that baptize others in the name of the Lord Jesus with water Nor although we read in the writings of the Apostles of divers false Teachers and divers evill Livers and have there reproved both false Doctrine and evill life Yet is not the outward Baptisme of any of them any where faulted much less affirmed to be null And could the Testimony of Scripture or the Ordinance of Baptisme be made null in it selfe by being in the hands of Idolaters or by the addition of their inventions therewith as they are made voyd and ineffectuall to such Idolaters Mat. 15.1.9 Rom. 2. Then could not the outward Court of the Temple be left in the hands of the Gentiles nor the man of sinne sit in the Temple of God as is affirmed Rev. 11.2 2 Thes 2.4 Nor could such as are in Babylon and have fellowship therewith be called Gods people if they had not fore-had his Baptisme If the Baptisme had beene Antichrists and the Whores then it might have been said Yee Antichristians and Babylonians separate from your fellowes and become my People But the Baptisme being the Lords it is said Come out of her my People Rev. 18.4 So that in professing Jesus to be the Christ as a witness of the truth of that profession to baptize any that refuse it not with water in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is outward Baptisme indeed and a medium of baptizing into Christ And such as have beene so baptized with water in that name are outwardly baptized indeed and so engaged unto Christ that they might be baptized into Christ by being farther baptized with the word the Holy Spirit and affliction 3. The Holy Spirit in and with his light and operation comming from the Father and the Sonne in and with the meanes used is the principall medium of baptizing into Christ And so John taught that Iesus Christ should Baptize with the Holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.33 And Jesus Christ promised the same Acts 1.5 And in that Acts 1.4.5 Our Saviour gives us to understand what baptizing with the Holy Ghost is In the fourth verse he bids them wait for the promise of the Father which they had heard of him which is express in the same councell Luke 24.49 And the encouragement and ground of hope he gave them is vers 5. in these two First that Iohn truly baptized with water he had his Commission from Heaven preached truth which he testified by baptizing with water and then told them that Iesus Christ should baptize with the Holy Ghost And secondly Christ himselfe had promised to send forth spirit to them and endue them with Power from on high and this he assures them they shall receive saying Yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost In which two verses compared with Luke 24.45 to 49 John 7.38 39. appeareth First that there is a Baptizing with the Holy Ghost that is the work and belongs to the Office of Jesus Christ glorified with Gods right hand Mark 1.7 8. Secondly that Jesus Christ his sending forth Spirit into the hearts of Beleivers enduing them with power from on High operating in and teaching and leading them is Baptizing them with the Holy Ghost John 7.38 39. Acts 1.4 5. Thirdly that though this promise of the Spirit in performance whereof is baptizing with the Holy Ghost was first and primely to the Apostles and first witnesses of the Resurrection of Christ Yet it was also made to all that through Grace beleeve on him and to their Ministration yea not onely in and through the promise made to them but expressely to all Beleevers to be fulfilled after the Ascension of Christ So that baptizing with the Holy Ghost and communication of the Holy Spirit to Enlighten Teach Comfort c. is still abiding in the Church of God as appeares in Prophesie Isa 44.4.8 Joel 2.28 c. Covenant Isa 59.20 21. Promise John 7.38 39. And in the Commission Mat. 28.19 20. And the ground rendred of exhortation to be baptized Acts 2.38 39. Fourthly that this Baptizing with the Holy Ghost containes in it two things 1. Jesus Christ his sending of the Holy Ghost into the heart of Beleevers 2. His baptizing Beleevers with in or by the holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24.49 1. Jesus Christ his sending the Holy Ghost into the hearts of Beleevers to dwell and keep a residence therein Isa 59.20 21. Ezek. 36.27 28. John 7.37 38 39. First To minde them of the sayings of Christ in those things which he by himself or his Servants had fore-taught them opening their understandings to conceive the things of him and so teach them Luke 24.45 46. John 14 26. Isa 54.13.14 Secondly To bear farther witnesse and give in more evident testimony of Jesus Christ what he hath done what he is and will do so firming them in confidence in him and with courage to bear witnesse of him John 15.26 2 Tim. 1.12 Thirdly To write his minde and law in their inward parts enclining their heart in faith and love acording to his minde and so leading them Heb. 8.8 10. 2 Cor. 3.3 17 18. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly To be an Advocate within them to teach them how to pray to God and how to speak to men Joh. 14.16 17. Rom. 8.26 Zach. 12.10 Mat. 10 19 20. Mark 13.11 Luke 12.11 12. 2. Jesus Christ his baptizing them within or by the holy Ghost by his divine light and power in his minding them of and witnessing in them the things of Christ effecting in them a new and Christ like Spirit or disposition Ezek. 36.26 1 Cor. 2.16 He washeth purgeth and cleanseth them with pure water of the love of God commended through the blood of Jesus Rom. 5.1 8 10. Heb. 9.14 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 10.22 First Bringing them into the hearty acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ and their Lord Saviour Propitiation Life Wisedome Righteousnesse c. and the All and in All to them 1 Cor. 1.30 Coll. 3 10 11. as before page 3. Secondly Uniting them so to
Christ in the beleif of his Death and Resurrection that they begin to partake of the benefit thereof being through faith dead with him and raised with him so as they are thereby and therein in some measure conformed to him dead to sin self and world and alive to God loving and living to things above Rom. 6. Coll. 2.12 to 3.1 2. 3. Filling them with the love of God he sheads abroad in their hearts Rom 5.5 and with the vertues of Christ and some usefull gifts with spirituall strength that they might walk out in the same 1 Cor. 1.12 Ephes 4 4-16 1 Pet. 2.9 and in some more abundant filling some are led to work miracles and some to speak with other tongues which as they are for unbeleevers that never beleeved Jesus to be the Christ to convince them 1 Cor. 14 22. so they are rather the fruits of some abundant baptizing then simply the baptizing it selfe but this forementioned is the baptisme wrought by the Spirit Col. 1.12 4. Afflictions and Sufferings for the name of Christ are a medium of Baptizing into Christ which afflictions and sufferings are called The Fiery Triall that is to prove and try the Faith Love and Patience of the Beleever 1 Pet. 4.12 13 14. 1.6 7. To melt subdue purge and cleanse the Beleevers Iob 33 15-30 Isa 27.7 8 9. And to make them partakers of Gods Holinesse and the quiet fruit of his Righteousnesse Heb. 12 7-14 And as he hath chosen them through the Furnace of assliction Isa 48 10. So hath he appointed them through manifold Afflictions to enter into his Kingdome Acts 14.22 As Iesus first suffered and then entred into his Glory Luke 24.26 That we may this way also bee conformed to him in the fellowship of his death and experiment the vertue of his Resurrection Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. And thus as Christ called his owne Tryals by suffering a Baptisme with which he was to be baptized Mat. 20.22 Luke 12.50 And with which even his are in some sort to be baptized Even so though wicked men as instruments doe afflict and persecute the Beleevers yet because of his ordering and sanctifying hand in trying purging and doing good therewith he is said to baptize his even with fire Mat. 3.11 Luke 3.16 And so affliction a medium of baptizing Now of these foure Mediums Word Water Spirit and Affliction there are but two put on the Ministration of the Church or servants of Christ namely that of the Word which they are sent to teach open Apply Mark 16.15 1 Cor. 1.17 2 Tim. 4.2 And that with water in his Name Iohn 1.33 Mat. 28.19 As for that with Spirit it is his owne work Iohn 1.33 And that of Afflictions is his ordering and sanctifying the evill works of wicked men to beleivers good Rom. 8.28 And as all these tend and work together for effecting and accomplishing one Baptisme which is into Christ there being no other baptisme of any kind approved but this one that is into Christ Yet the severall Mediums as they are Mediums of baptizing into Christ are in that sense called Baptismes And though but two of these that with Word and that with Water are to bee used or minstred by the Church or servants of Christ yet the Doctrine of them all belong to the Church and servants of Christ to teach what they be and what be the Ground End and Vses of them and how to be accepted and received And the Ground and Foundation of this Doctrine and teaching thereof is the same that is the foundation of Repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Heb. 5.12 to Ch. 6.1 2 3. And as this Foundation is Jesus Christ So the Doctrine of it or as some call it the Doctrinall Foundation is That as through the disobedince and fall of the first Adam all fell in him and became under sinne and death in him and were convicted and sentenced to death in the conviction and sentence that passed upon him Gen. 3.6.11 17 19. Rom. 5.12 18. And this though without the knowledge or motion of the Individuals or particular persons that were to proceed from Adam yet so verily vertually and indeed that all that came forth from him by propagation doe then and in that birth and there-through partake of sin and misery and in their own persons beare the Image of the first Adam as he was in his fall Gen. 5.3 Rom. 5.17 19. Iob. 4.1 to 4. Psal 51.5 Rom. 9.8 Eph. 2.1 2. Even so by and through the obedience and righteousnesse of the second man or last Adam the Lord Jesus Christ who as the publique man in the room of all men by the will and appointment of the Father and in onenesse of will with him therein hath by the grace of God tasted death for every man and so hath dyed for out sins in which the truth of the sentence Gen. 2â— 17. is fulfilled and that curse denounced suffered Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 13. and by the power of God hath overcome death and is risen for our justification 2 Tim. 1.10 Rom. 4.25 1 Cor 15 3 4. and hath through the eternall spirit by which he rose offered up his own spotlesse and righteous body yea himselfe a sacrifice to God in the Heavens and so hath obtained an eternall Redemption Heb. 8.3 9 12 14. And is exalted at the right hand of God and filled with the Holy Spirit in the man to send forth to men Psal 68.18 And ever liveth being the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2.5 Thus in Jesus Christ as the publick man a new Creation is made and he hath so dyed for all men and made the Attonement for them that by interpretation according to Gods acceptance of it in him as in the publick man all have dyed and are risen and Peace and Righteousnesse and Life compleated for them though in respect of their particular persons they know it not nor partake of it nor can partake unlesse by regeneration they be made in Christ in whom it is Rom. 5.18 2 Cor. 5.14 to 17. 1 Iohn 2.2 5.10 11 12. Iohn 3.26 Yet it is so verily vertually and indeed in him for all men and unto all men that whosoever of them in the appearance of this grace come in beleeving into him shall verily and indeed in his owne person receive and partake of this Peace Righteousnesse and Life in Christ and shall beare his Image Iohn 1.12 13. 3.14 15 16 17 18. Acts 10.43 Rom. 3.22.24 25 26. 5.1.5 11 19. And this with the love of God here-through testified to men as it s held forth in the Gospel now not only as it was in the promise at first as a thing to be done in its season evidenced by testimonies of his goodnesse and though not so fully opened yet vertuall to all Beleevers Gen. 3.15 Heb. 11.6 No nor yet alone added to this the fuller pointing him out to come and the everlasting Covenant confirmed in him Gen.
children to keep Christs commands by engaging them thereto by Baptisme So that as the Gentiles come to be fellow-heires with the Jewes and as children have formerly been a part of the Jewish Nation and Church and are now a part of the Nations according to the scope of the Gospel and the words of the Commission given by Christ there is an expresse command for the baptizing of them 12. But yet as the Gospel is rightly understood beleeved and in the heart of any there is yet more to be said for little children as namely 1. That though they be conceived and borne sinners yet while they are not come to the use of understanding so as they have chosen no Idol nor are yet capable of the meanes that should bring them to beleeve he that is the father of the helplesse hath them in his protection and he that will not gather where he hath not sown will not charge them with unbeliefe and so not with their other sinnes And so in a sense of Christs account they may be said to beleeve Mat. 18.2.6 with 19.13.14 And though beyond our understanding how yet it s as beleivable as that there should be an carnest expectation of the creature Rom. 8.19 But if God will accept it as so who are we to fault him and if he will account our bringing our children to him their comming let us accept of it 2. That it flowes from the word of grace in the heart of a beleever and the Law of God and commands of Christ written therein to disciple their children for the faith they have in beleeving the love of God to them and the Redemption wrought for them leads them to take them as the price of bloud put in their hands to bring up for God as Jacob took his children And the love that hath sprung up from Gods love in them leads them to love and accept whom God accepts and to reckon according to his judgement and so to receive them by Baptisme into his Family to bring up for him having his allowance And thus much about this medium of baptizing As for objections against baptizing children I have purposed to avoyd contention and so shall meddle little farther then what is already done As for the demand of an example of children mentioned to be baptized they are enclusively mentioned in the word Nations the word Housholds in types mentioned But it s enough it is commanded and was fore-mentioned and there was reason of small mentioning them because the writings were at the first calling of the Churches And it would have broke the Jewes in peices to have seen their Circumcision at first to thrown downe which they yet so esteemed and even the Apostles saw not the largenesse of the extent of their Commission at first Acts 10. and 11. As for that is said Children understand it not It s answered As much as they did curcumcision and though they doe not understand it when baptized yet as Christ said to Peter they may afterward John 13.7 The pervertings of the Text abuse of single examples to limit with c. I will omit nor will I presse any to more speedy baptizing their children then according as by the light they have in the Gospel they see cause As for such as beleeve not the report of the Gospel in the extent of it I pitty them because I see not how they can go upon any certaine grounds to baptize any children at all seeing they are not certain whether Christ dyed and rose for them or not but though I see not I hope some of them do or else they would not do it But I will proceed no farther in this beleeving it already proved that all of as that were baptized in our infancy in the name of the Father and of the Sin and of the Holy Ghost professedly we have been baptized and had there been some more errors then were of mens mixtures in the administration thereof though they were evill and to be repented yet they made not the Lords Baptisme null as is shewn pages 9 10 11 16 17 18. So that I looke at my selfe and all so baptized as engaged in the very acceptance of this Baptisme as in the greatest and most solemne row To beleeve and yeeld to the sayings of Christ to wait for and yeeld to his spirit for conforming to the Douth of Christ that we might not live to our selves but unto Christ So that other baptizing with elementary water we need not but such a remembrance of Gods mercy and our engagement in that Baptisme that we yeeld to all the operations of his grace in his sayings in afflictions and motions of his that the Baptisme into onenesse with and conformity to Christ may be more effected in us But for men that have been baptized in the name of the Lord in their infancy after they come to beleeve to be pressed again to be baptized with water I cannot but look at as evill and sinfull because there is nothing in Christs Commission for it no precept or example for it nor promise to it in all the Scripture nor yet have I ever met with any place aledged for a baptizing again with water any that were once professedly baptized so in the name of the Lord Jesus before but only that one place Acts 19 4 5. Where if that were true as they conceive and granted as they would have it namely That those twelve were fore-baptized with water to Johns Baptisme and then baptized again by Paul in the name of the Lord Jesus Yet makes it nothing for their purpose for then it would follow That those who formerly baptized them did not themselves understand what Johns Baptisme was though they named it and baptized unto it and so they were not before in words or professedly baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus or in the Name of the Father of the Son and Holy Ghost And then it was not baptisme that is the ordinance of the Lord and so it Paul did baptize them in the Name of the Lord Jesus It was because they were not so baptized before at all as we in our infancy were and so it makes nothing for baptizing again any that were professedly baptized in that name But indeed there is no such saying as that either Paul baptized those Twelve or that they were baptized again the contrary rather appears For Luke in his story telling of Pauls journey to Ephesus And that he found certain Disciples there In the second verse tells us of Pauls Question and their Answer And in the third verse of Pauls Reply to or Demand on their Answer Vnto what then were ye baptized and their returne of Answer unto Johns Baptisme And then Luke tess us again of Pauls returne of Answer and instruction therein to them verse 4 and 5. And then of his Action towards them in verse 6 In verse 4 Paul first justifieth Johns Baptisme as our Saviour Acts 1.5 John verily baptized with the
Baptisme of repentance Then Paul describeth Johns Baptisme both in the doctrinall and practicall part thereof verse 4. Saying that is John said unto the people that is those John preached too That they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Ghrist Jesus And then in verse 5. he deseribes the practicall part of Johns Baptisme by 1. The Time 2. The Action 3. The Manner of it 1. For the Time He stayed not till the people could testifie such and such a worke of grace in their hearts But when the people that is Johns hearers heard this that is did attend and were willing to heare Johns ' Doctrine and be baptized 2. That is the Action Then they were baptized John baptized them with water And 3. For the Manner It was in the name of the Lord Jesus So hath Paul shewn Johns Baptisme to be right And that he did truly baptize with water as Acts 1.5 And so if Apollos or other baptized these twelve with Johns Baptisme it was right and enough for the outward and they needed no more for that nor doth Luke say Paul baptized these But in verse 6. Luke tels us Pauls Action and Gods Blessing on it he saith not when Paul had baptized them But when Paul had layed his hands on them which is not Baptisme but another ordinance of God called imposition of hands In which men praying to God for any as in confidence they lift up hearts and hands to God so in testimony of that confidence they layd on their hands on the party prayed for Heb. 6.2 like the same done by Peter and John Act. 8 15 16 17 and the same blessing there was here so that all the way here appeares no second baptizing with water and however taken nothing to the purpose of such urgers of it indeed it is a greife that there is found so much Antichristianisme and so many corruptions in Ministers and ministry and such additions of mens superstitions in any Congregation or Church of professed Christians to dishonour God and as should make the Lords people to abhor the Lords Ordinances yea this of Baptisme yet surely This is also a greife to many that some of the Lords people doe not discern to put difference between the corruptions and superstitions of men and their posts set up by the posts of the Lord and the ordinances and posts of the Lord himself so as for want of discerning in abhoring mens corruptions they abhor also the ordinances and posts of the Lord in which they doe verily transgresse 1 Sam. 2.17 24. Though indeed those evill doers are the cause thereof And indeed for such as on such occasions have been troubled about their Baptisme received in Infancy and thought in their Ignorance and rash Zeale to better it by a renewing though their practise be not justifiable yet I rather pitty them then judge them and desire they may not be led into farther inconveniences but that they may walke in the faith of the Lord Jesus and love of their Brethren according to that name into which they were at first baptized But for such as have once been outwarldy and professedly baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus that is In the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost though in their infancy to renounce that Baptisme as null as vaine as Antichristian and Antichrists Baptisme that they may have and receive another Baptisme and put the Title of the Lords Baptisme upon that This is surely more evill then the former and much more to be lamented As may appeare in three things in which oh that I were mistaken that is to say 1. The evill they intimately and unknowingly they do in this businesse 2. The evill courses they are constrained to take to accomplish this business 3. The evill fruits that do follow the accomplishment thereof 1. For that they intimately and unknowingly do let it be considered what was professedly done in the Baptisme they renounce as null and Antichristian And there will be found That in that Baptisme they were received into and engaged unto the acknowledgement even as now of First The Name of the Fater and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost or of Christ as set forth in the Gospel Secondly The obligation or covenant to be the Lord Christs his own and to own his Lordship Thirdly The hope of and waiting in use of his ordinances for his holy Spirit to enlighten teach c. The Commission and promise of Jesus Christ Matth. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. being of as large yea of a larger extent and as sure as that of God by Moses Deut. 29.9 10.15 and 30. with Rom. 10.4.8.10 And the ordinance being the Lords could not be null in it self by mens failings Now then was not the dipping in or washing with water man or childe that made it Baptisme but by vertue of Christs Commission given the Doing in that Name And surely when this baptisme is renounced they have not another Name of God another Gospel in which is truth to declare and into which to baptize again Nor have they another Jesus that is the Christ and Jesus a Saviour indeed to engage unto by baptizing again Nor have they another Spirit That is the Spirit of the Father and Son to set in hopefulnesse for their baptized to waite for If these things could be done in a second baptisme it might be borne 2 Cor. 11.3 4. If not Then the first that was with water in that name being renounced what is the second for a Church order and such or such a called Minister to baptize or such an Age of the man or such a word of grace in the man are not of the effence or being of outward baptisme as is foreshewed is it not in the receipt of it upon the renouncing of the first A secret Hidden and intimate denying of First the name into which they were at first baptized and so the Gospel and Scripture setting forth that Name and so leading to set loose from heeding Scripture Testimony Secondly the obligation in which men were in that baptisme engaged unto Jesus Christ to own and acknowledge his Lordship and walk in his way which when they came to understand If they renounced not the name Christian they have also accepted But now in denying that first Baptisme They deny all that continue that Baptisme to be obliged or engaged by any Covenant or Vow on their part to own the Lordship of Jesus Christ To beleeve his sayings to attend his Word and Odinances and to walk in his wayes and so set men loose from their obligation to the Lord and so far led to deny him that bought them And also to deny Thirdly That hope of the Spirit which was set before them in that Baptism And that this evill lurketh in the denyal of the Lords baptisme once received And that it is a dangerous evil is evident by the Commission for the ordinance and all fore-writ about the grounds
Christ And so of his dying for our sins and rising for our justification and offering himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us and sitting in Heaven to appeare before God and mediate for us as but a Figure a Type a Shadow and of no farther profitable use to us And with this a slighting of all the operations of the Spirit that testified of him and effected Faith Love Union Conformity from that appearance of him All which they count but fleshly and knowing Christ after the flesh how neer this is to that sinne mentioned Heb. 10.29 the very mentioning it doth declare And for those that after knowledge and warning persist in this evill they soon come to deny the very being of the body of the man Christ and the resurrection of the bodies of men that dye I suppose all that have any spark of grace remaining will look at this as a fearfull evill and it might warn to shun that practise which gives occasion of 〈◊〉 But in this I desire none to mistake me as if I affirmed such as receive a second Baptisme are necessitated to this nor yet all such as renounce the first to accept the second or that only such doe fall into this evill Not so far be it from us so to thinke or judge But in observation this some discerne that for the most part such as fall into this evill are of those that were never baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Death Resurrection and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the extent and vertue of it for all men and so were either zealous opposers of it or if in some sort acknowledging it a truth yet counting it but a common and light matter which yet is the Foundation as is shewn pag. 18.19 Yet mostly those of these that fall into this evill are such as before they fall into it come to renounce their first baptisme and accept a second though when they fall into it they count themselves above all ordinances and so slight their second also in respect of themselves or else such as in their judgment come to be snared with that practise and to approve it as good But conceiting Miracles of right to be done by such as Baptize they wait and seek for such like things till they conceit themselves above ordinances and then not needing it both sorts of them still approving such a practice for others it being the way to set them loose from that name into which they were at first Baptized that so slighting Scripture they may beleive them And yet still farther I desire to be noted that there are two sorts of men that maintain this practise of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second First such as doe not beleeve Jesus Christ to have dyed and given himselfe a Ransome for all men or that there is any gracious life in him for them all But that Christ did this only for a certain company elect in Gods hidden Counsell from Eternity and that shall infallibly beleeve on him in time and so oppose the testimony of Scripture that saith He gave himself a ransome for all men These I know not how they can with a good conscience walking in their Faith baptize any till upon good grounds they be perswaded that they doe in heart beleeve in Jesus Christ and so are apted for renouncing their first Baptisme and taking a second though being brought to beleive they might enjoy the use of their first Baptisme and have no good grounds to renounce it and take up a second But it is meeter to reason with them and informe them about the truth of the Scripture in the extent and vertue of the Foundation Acts 18.2.3 than to contend with them about the ordinance of Baptisme in which it is no marveil though they be mis-led But there are some that doe professe to beleeve and hold forth the extent of the Ransome Oh that they would seriously without prejudice or offence-taking consider the things written for it is marveilous to me and others that any rightly understanding that businesse should deny the Baptizing of Children by Gods gracious providence put into the Tuition of such as beleeve and professe Jesus to be the Christ But yet more marveilous that any I hope there are not many will say A horse may as well be baptized as an Infant surely they will deny that to be true for a horse that they will acknowledge to be true for an Infant that Jesus Christ took their nature and dyed for their sinnes and rose for their justification and that such as we treat of are by gracious providence put under the Tuition of Christians to be brought up for God in his feare And that as John 13. They may be instructed after in this ordinance they now understand not all or any of which I hope none will say of a horse And thus have I shewn the cause of feare and griefe in such a practise yet not to cast aspersions on the person of any but to shew the evils that are so incident to such a practise neither yet to unbrother any because of such a practice unlesse such in whom the last mentioned occasionall evils appeare 1 Cor. 16.22 For it belongs not to me or others to judge any in observance of an outward Ordinance who through some appearance in Scripture to their understanding Doe that which they doe unto the Lord Rom. 14 1. to 10 Yet this I wish that in this businesse the Tenour of the Gospel and the Commission of Christ be considered and that in reasoning they would state the question right not whether Beleevers may be baptized for that none denyes but whether Beleevers that were fore-baptized in the name of the Lord are after they come to beleive to be baptized with water in the name againe and then whether children in Beleevers Tuition may not he so baptized and till they can prove the one and disprove the other by that Gospel and without taking the foresaid evill wayes cease pressing their practise on others And such as are not yet entangled to consider what is said and not suffer themselves to be snared If any say we doe and may run into as many evils I confesse we are as weak as others and so I will neither justifie my selfe nor judge them but pray for the healing of their follies and mine But whatsoever evils through weaknesse or violence of temptation I or others may be overtaken withall yet this I affirme that the remembring minding and retaining the Lords Baptisme we have received leadeth not to but preserveth from such evils For it leadeth us to acknowledge the great Love and mercy of God in the gift of his Son and testified and tendred to us in the Gospel of his Sonne into whose name we were baptized and so to count our selves engaged as by vow and solemn Covenant which since we came to use of understanding we have accepted To be the Lords to live to him to beleeve his sayings and wait for his Spirit and walk in his wayes as is fore-shewn pag. 23.24 If any say we plead thus to save our selves from trouble among men I answer what through frailty we may doe we desire to acknowledge and seeke preservation from or if overtaken healing of it But it will be no comfort to suffer for that we have no command in the word for but in our apprehensions much against it But although wee shun that practise yet if we hold forth the word of life in word and conversation acknowledging the sayings and ordinances of Christ and our Brethren witnessing against the Idolatry and evill wayes of men we shall suffer as much as they yea and with them while we acknowledge that truth which some of them with us doe hold though we urge not a second Baptisme as of old some did Circumcision to glory in the flesh and boast of another mans line withall which in our judgments would befall us in that practise Wherefore I say no more to this but the Lord make us so mindfull of him in whose name we were baptized that we may in beleiving his sayings attending his Ordinances and accepting to beare his reproach wait on him for his spirit to baptize us more and more into union and conformity with Jesus Christ in his Death that we may experiment more the vertue of his Resurrection So shall we be more separate from the world in the Idolatry Pride carnall Reasonings Superstitions Customes Fashions Vncleannesse Covetousnesse and Oppressions thereof and be found more Loving Tender and Faithfull to one another and fruitfull to the Spirit And so will our differences be healed which God of his mercy grant that we may not bite one another that so there be not a devouring nor turning any out of the way But that we may all grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Your Loving though Vnworthy Brother THOMAS MOORE FINIS
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
that it al the way appeareth that since the ordinance of baptising with water was given from heaven the name of baptisme was put on the preaching the Doctrine of the Gospell Yea surely however the word baptizing is oft used for baptizing with elementary water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ yet its hard for any to shew and prove that the word Baptisme in any place doth not enclude also baptizing or instructing with the word which is likewise a spirituall water Was not their comming to his Baptisme a comming to hear and be instructed by him as well as to be baptized with elementary water Math. 3.7 And was not their being baptized with the Baptisme of John a being instructed by him as well as being baptized with elementary water how else came that fruit of it that in hearing Christ they justified God Luke 7.29 But to proceed a little farther Sixthly One end and efficacy of Baptisme yea the end is affirmed to be wrought by the Word or Doctrine of the Gospell as the instrument and medium displaying the name of the Lord and so our Saviour said to his Disciples John 15.3 Ye are clean through the word that I have spoken to you And so the Apostle saith to beleevers 1 Cor. 6.11 Yee are washed yee are sanctified yee are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God And is not the setting forth Christ in Gospell preaching affirmed to be for such ends Acts 3.26 and 14.15 and 17.30 31. and 26.17 18 22 23. So that its clear That the Word or Gospell is one medium of baptizing and by which Baptisme into Christ is effected and encluded in the name of Baptisme and so called as other mediums or means are yea to say no more but as the truth is the plain and full preaching the Gospell setting forth Christ and him crucified is the chief the most necessary profitable and constantly usefull of all outward means for baptizing into Christ and so into his death c. as appears by the plain evidence of Scriptures By this faith Rom. 10 14.17 By this the Spirit received Gal. 3.1 2 3 5. In this the power of God extended Rom. 1.16 and through this the Baptisme is by Spirit effected 1 Cor. 6.11 Acts 26.18 And the receit of this testimony hath present blessing and future hope 1 Thess 2.13 2 Thess 1.10 Yea Paul that blessed God and counted it great grace that he preached Gospell to many yet thanks God that he baptized few with water 1 Cor. 1.14 But I shall for bear to say farther of this medium 2. Water elementary water to be applyed by being dipped or plunged in or washed with as a testimony of the truth of the Gospell taught in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ which also is the name of the Father and the Son and the holy Ghost That it is to be in or rather into that name is evident by the Commission given by Christ Mat. 28.19 and the practise of John Baptist the fore-runner Acts 19.4 5. and the Apostles and followers of Christ Acts 3.38 and 10.48 and the end which is for baptizing into Christ Rom. 6.3 That it was with elementary water is evident Mat. 3.11 16. Mar. 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.31 3. and 3.22 23. Act. 8 36.39 and 10.47 48. That it be by dipping in or washing with is evident by the Word and all the places cited But how often to be dipped or washed whether the whole body or what part and how much or in what manner there is no plain and expresse type either by command or example and the word baptize signifies washing as well as dipping and is so used in evangelicall writings though also there be another word rantizing used for rensing besides that at which it aimeth and to which it instructeth even the main businesse is called washing Rev. 1.5 and sprinkling Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 A baptizing into Christ into his death so as one be risen with him and have put him on through the faith of the operation of God Rom. 6.3 4 5. Coll. 2.11 12 13 14. Gall. 3.26 27. Now precisely to limit an outwaard businesse to a certain measure where the spirit hath left freedome to necessity safety and conveniency is to streighten the wayes of the Lord more then himself hath done which is much to be reproved with that in Job 4.17 But this that one be baptized with water by being put in or under water by dipping in it or washing with it as a Testimony of the truth of the Gospell report and so in the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost This is an ordinance of the Gospell A Medium of baptizing into Christ And being professedly done in the name of the Lord it is verily outward Baptisme and an ordinance of the Lord whether it were done by a Minister of the Gospell or any attendant of such Yea and though it be very evill and sinfull in him that administreth it unholily and mixeth mens Traditions with it and evill also in such as accept and approve thereof Yet if the baptizing be as is said the Baptisme is Baptisme still and the evils of men and not the Lords Baptisme to be repented of As may also be seen in that former and first outward Ordinance given for testifying the truth of the Gospell and admitting into the Family of Abraham even Circumcision that did precede Baptisme I suppose it will be confessed by all to be a wrong and an exceeding evill end that Jacobs Sons had in perswading the Shechemites to Circumcision c. Gen. 34.13.17 c. Yet when good old Jacob cursed their cruelty and murder in killing them he faulted not the Circumcision of them but intimately acknowledged it in that he saith They digged downe a wall or houghed the Oxe Which implyes that had they not been slain they had been one People with them and a defence and help Gen. 49.5 6. And if there could have been an errour in respect of the persons acting then surely it might have been in the Shechemites circumcising themselves Gen. 34.24 Or in Zipporah circumcising her child in her Husbands presence Exod. 4.25 Yet was that true Circumcision And for distemper of mind dissembling in word and blasphemy while one is exhorting to acting or using any Ordinance of God it is grossely evill I am sure and to be reproved and repented Yet the dissembling of Jacobs Sonnes Gen. 34.13 c. nor the blasphemy of Zipporah did not make null Circumcision then used Exod. 4.25 26. And for time whereas Circumcision of the home-born should have been on the eight day after birth yet by occasion being neglected by some neere thirty eight years Yet was their Circumcision then approved of God himselfe Josh 5.5.9 And indeed if any corruption of manners in Administrators could make null such an Ordinance of God done outwardly or professedly for or according to his command Then Circumcision used by them that worshipped Baal
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
Spirit all his sufferings may be in vain Gall. 3.4 So as if a man be not overcome by the grace and spirit of Christ in and by these mediums to onenes with Christ and conformity to him in some measure he is yet short of that which is Baptisme indeed in which happinesse and to which the Promises belong Truth it is God may be said truly to have baptized because he hath done it by his Servants and these mediums and made them efficatious in opening their eyes to see and moving their very heart but they closing their eyes and hardning their heart in not yeelding up to the power and opperations of his grace so as to have the scum cast off and to be closed with and conformed to Jesus may yet in respect of the receit and blessing be truly said not to be baptized as is foreshewn in the first and second pages And thus I have as plainly as I can with so much brevity shewn what the Baptisme is that is so much commended in the Scripture and what the mediums of baptizing are and of what use that we may not mistake one for another nor confound all in one without distinction and so make a confusion but that knowing all aright we may know how and when we are baptized into Christ and how far and not rest short of that But though the knowledge hereof might be usefull many wayes yet that for which I have written this is principally at this time for information about one of the mediums of baptizing about which it is greivous to consider the differences and diffentions among brethren yea what judging unbrothering and separating from one another and that is about baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus or which is all one In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost which is before shewn to be an ordinance of Jesus Christ as a medium of discipling to and baptizing into Christ and so called Baptisme And now minding what hath already been said of this and all the other meniums and so of the one Baptiime effected by them all I will put to consideration in this 1. What this Ordinance of Baptizing with water in the Name of the Lord is 2. Vpon what ground it is to to be administred 3. To what ends it is to be administred 4. Who are the subjects of of it to whom it may be administred 1. For the first What this Ordinance of Baptizing with Water c. is It is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Annexed to the ministration of the Gospel as it s now declared since the Death Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus Christ and his sending forth the Holy Ghost for testifying the truth of the Gospel and engaging the Disciples to attend to the Gospel and Ordinances thereof waiting for Christ to baptize them with the Holy Ghost and so receiving them into the family of Christ by Baptizing them with water In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And this appears in the Commission given Matth. 28.19 That it is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ is there expresse vers 18 19 That it is annexed unto the ministration of the Gospel is evident in that the Commission is for Gospel Preaching vers 19.20 with Mark 16.15 and Luk. 24 46.47 That it is annexed to it as it is now revealed since the Ascension of Jesus Christ c. It is evident in that they were not to go forth with this Commission till they received the Holy Ghost and were endued with power from on high Luke 24 47-49 Acts 1.4.5 That it was for testifying the truth of the Gospel and engaging the baptized c. is evident In that it is to be in or into the Name of c. and so before John truely baptized with water Acts 1.5 So circumcision before was a seale of the righteousuesse of faith which Abrabam had before received That in Preaching it he might testifie by circumcision that he might be the Father c. Rom. 4.11 That it be done with Water is also evident in the Commission For though water be not named yet it appears to be encluded and meant That Baptisme with affliction is not meant as given in Commission to his Disciples to administer though afflictions are Metaphorically called water also But his Disciples are to serve one another in love and not to bite and aflict they are either the providence of God bringing correction as need is Heb. 12. or the enemies of truth that afflict and persecute Mat. 10. And it is the gracious work of Christ himself to order and sanctifie them and make them means of humbling purging baptizing and conforming to Christ as is foreshewn parge 12 13. Also for baptizing with the holy Ghost though that also be pure spirituall and living water yet is it not meant in the commission as given in charge to the Servants of Christ to administer for that is Christ his own work as is foreshewn page 12 13. And endeed Baptizing with the holy Ghost and blessing afflictions that they may help to baptize into Christ is encluded in the promise to the Servants of Christ discharging their commission in those words vers 20 And lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world as is evident comparing it with Mark 16.16 17. Luk. 24.45.49 John 14.16 18. But baptizing with the Word and Gospel which is spirituall water is meant as that which is principally given in charge in the commission as is foresnewn page 6 7 8. And yet that water is encluded is clear but not alone from Johns baptizing with water for that might have been though in the Baptisme given by Christ after his resurrection no clementary water were used but only Word and Spirit wherein also that might be fulfilled Mark 1.7 8. Acts 1.4 5. So that the allegation of Johns baptizing with elementary water would be forcelesse to urge it meant in this commission if there were no more to prove it nor would it make it cleer and evident that baptizing with elementary water is meant in the commission if there were no more to prove it but adding to the Baptists practise the example of the Aposties baptizing with elementary water after the ascension of Christ for so for a time they did use circumcision also and why not the ordinance given to the fore-runner of Christ for a time though it had not been for continuance more then circumcision nor will this help or add to the force of the argument to alledge that Mar 16.16 For 1. That is not the Commission the Commission is given vers 15. Go preach the Gospel c. Now the beginning of vers 16. is the Promise and hope set before the Preachers of the Gospell viz. That he that beleeveth to wit the Gospel and is baptized shall be saved so that is promise not precept 2. To baptize with water is no more mentioned in Mark 16.6 then in Mat.
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