is of Christ Colos 2. 16 17. Now they that do not go into the observation of the Sabbaths cannot be Judged in them by any man mark that but the Apostle Judged some among the Galatians saying Ye observe dayes and moneths I am afraid of you least I have bestowed my labour in vain Gal. 4. 1â— for his labour was to bring them out of the observation of dayes and outward things to Christ within who is Lord of all days yea he is and shall be known Lord of all and therefore it is his right to Rule over all when he comes and therefore be not offended when he would arise to Rule and Reign in you for blessed are they that are not offended in him who hath born the iniquity of us all and he lighteth every man that cometh into the world and that light is the Law of the Spirit which is of him and this Law is their Teacher that love it and are guided by it out of darkness unto Christ which is the Law-giver that taketh away the sin and fulfills the righteousness of the Law in man and then man is at the end of the Law with Christ who brings in Grace and Peace and everlasting righteousness within them that first become obedient Gal. 3. 24. unto the Law which is light within which was our Schoolmaster and the Apostles Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ who fulfilled those visible things in which he was in and passed through for in the time of Circumcision when eight dayes were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child they called his Name Jesus Luke 2. 21. and he was baptized of John in Jordan for so he came unto John to fulfill that Ministration as well as Circumcision but John would not a had it so yet Christ said suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousnes when he was baptized then was not that fulfilled mark straight way he went out of the water Mat. â— 16. then began Johns Baptism to decrease and Christs Baptism to increase which was more excellent and so after Christ haâ— been in the Synagogues and Temple made with hands and in water Baptism he came Mat. 23. 38. out of them and said behold your house is left unto you desolate and he came straight way out of the water and left them there that would not leave that and follow him the fulfiller of all thâ—se things into the Kingdom of rest and peace Joh. 3. 15. Pet. 4. 7. for ever Mark then they that abode in the Temple-worship cryed the Temple of the Lord yet were in envy against Christ the Lord of all who left their Temple desolate and they that were baptized after a little time ran into contentions because Christ was not among them in the water to keep them out of the contention but then he had left both Temple and water and they that did not leave those things to follow him who is the Prince of peace they were and are in the contention in and about those things wch were fulfilled because 1 Cor. 1â— 11. 1 Cor. 3. â— Christ the Prince of peace was not with them then to keep them out of the strife contention and envy which they were in that did not follow Christ who went straightway out of the water and out of the Temple and Synagogues and left them desolate But if any of you tender hearted ones should be â—uâ—stioning whether Christ did not command water Baptism afterwords unto his Disciples when he sent them forth to Preach and Teach Now be low with your minds turned in to the light waiting in the fear of the Lord that you may be the siâ—â—er to understand my answer which shall be unto you according to the Scriptures and I hope shall be plain to satisfie all reasonable moderate people concerning water Baptism For verily I say unto you I had never any command from the Lord to be baptized with outward water neither to Baptize any creature in outward water but the Lord hath commanded me to do that which is far greater and much more harder to the creature but by the power of his Spirit in the light was I made able to do it yet of my self have I nothing to boast of because the work is the Lords and the power by which it is done and I his servant have said unto some of those Baptists Teachers if they could prove water Baptism to be a command of Christ in this day I should own it but they could never yet bring me any Scripture that would serve for a plain proof without wresting and also I have searched the Scriptures in which I find written how Christ sent forth many Disciples then as now also and I do not find any where in the Scriptures that he sent them to Baptize in water after Johns Baptism decreased there is in Matthew the 10. Mark 6. Luke â— and 10. Chapters how Christ sent forth many Disciples and commanded them what they should do in his Name but water Baptisme is not mentioned there but if any should say he baptized then himself for he was not crucified then I answer and say he did baptize but his Baptism was not with water but with the Holy Ghost and with fire Mat. 3. 11. and Christ said verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go unto my Father John 14. 12. and so it doth appear Johns Ministry of Baptism was with water but Christs with the Spirit for he both Circumcised the heart and ears and baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire which were spiritual things and the Apostle said therefore seeing we have this Ministry as we have received mercy we faint not for they were believers 2 Câ—r â— 1. and were to do the same works that Christ did and so as he did so were they to do by the power of his Spirit in them and all those that believed and came to be of the body after Christ Ascended up on high they were all baptized by one spirit into one body the first of the Corinthians 12. 13. And the spirit was with them and they with the spirit did bring or baptize into the one body by the power and sword of the spirit which is the Word of God which they handled so it is plain their works were spiritual and their weapons were not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. 4. and they Ministred spiritual things 1 Cor 9. 11. and consider rightly that place of Scripture the 28. of Matthew which the Baptists so often hath brought to prove water Baptism to be a command of Christ to his Disciples but that Scripture doth not at all speak of water and they are not onely wrong in putting water in the room of the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost but also
in their not going forth into all the world to Preach the Gospel to every creature for so was that command Mark 16. 15. And it is said go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28. â—9 Mark there is nothing spoken at all of water but there Christ commands them to teach and baptize in the Name of the Father Son Holy Ghost which Name saveth for his Name is exalted above evety name and is a strong Tower the righteous flee unto it and are safe and so they Pro 18. 10. Phil. 2. 9. were to bring into or baptize in that which saved and kept them safe that believed through the Preaching of the Gospel in the Name and power of God but the Baptists say they that believe should be baptized with water as if there were no difference between the Name that saveth and a little water which can do no more then the Hypocrites did which made clean the out-side but were as filthy within as the Baptists are that are against the spirit and life it self for it is not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. and the Apostle said there was one Lord one Faith Eph. 4. â—â— one Baptism the spiritual Baptism is the onely Baptism wch by the power and the operation of the spirit that was in the Apostles they brought people into the one body which Christ was the head of they baptized them in the Name and there would Christ be in the midst of them that met in his Name to keep them in unity and peace for he is the Prince of Mat. 18. 2â— Isa 9. 6. peace but those Baptists that are in contention among themselves and in confusion some for one thing and some for another some observing one day for a Sabbath and some observing another they may perhaps have been baptized in water but I am sure they are not baptized by the one spirit into one body and Name of Christ for then would Christ be in the midst of them to keep peace among them but there is bitterness strife and contention in the midst of them and Christ said unto them that were baptized in his Name and were to baptiâ—e in his Name whatsoever they ask of the Father in his Name they should receive it and now let all the tender hearted Baptists be awakened to search and examine themselves whether they be in the faith and have asked of God in the Name or out of the Name of Christ They surâ—ly do know whether they have received that which they have asked for or not and so may they come to know whether they have been baptized as Christ commanded in Mat. 28. or as the Baptists teachers hath imagined and so they have wrested that Scripture as they do others to their own destruction and thereby hath deceived many others making them believe water is there included or that is a command for water when water is not so much as mentioned there but the Name which saves all that are in it mark how plain the Scriptures proveth a great difference between water Baptisme and the Baptism in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for there were some in the Apostles days that after they did believe were baptized into Johns Baptism but they had not heard of the holy Ghost mark how they might have bin deceived with Johns Baptism had not they come to Paul who examined them about the matter and found how they were led back into Johns Baptism and then he taught them and then they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus for it is said concerning Paul when he came to Ephesus and finding certain Disciples he said unto them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed and they said unto him we have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost and Paul said unto them unto what then were you baptized and they said unto Johns Baptism then said Paul John verily baptized with the Baptism of repentance saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus when they heard this they were baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19. from the first to the fifth verse and now see whether the chief Baptists have not need to be taught and baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus for all their water Baptisme which was Johns Ministration and now concerning other Scriptures which hath been brought by the Baptists as the 10. of the Acts where Peter asked a question indeed about water but commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord and Philip Baptized the Eunuch in water but the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is not mentioned there see Acts 8. 38. so it is plain there is a destinction and great difference between water Baptism and the Baptism of the spirit or in the name that saveth but some may say there was water spoken of and practised by some I say yes they did in their freedom use water baptism which was Johns Ministration and Paul who was not behinde the very chiefest Apostle for he said he laboured more then them all yet not I said he but the Grace of God which was in him and he did Baptize Crispus and Gains and also the houshold of Stephanus he baptized but yet he thanks God he baptized no more of them for he said Christ sent him not to baptize but to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1. 17. and now it is plain if it could be proved that some of the Apostles were sent to Baptize with water that would be nothing to them now that speak of baptizing with water for what would that be to those Baptists which dippeth in water now seeing Paul who after them that Christ spake to in Mat. 28. was made an able Minister of the Gospel by the Revelation of Christ in him and Christ sent him among the Gentiles or heathen not to Preach up water Baptism and so to bring them into the water mark but to Preach the Name of Christ among the Gentiles and to bring them into the name which saved them and so all people that doth understand those things may see all that ever the Baptists have done is but by immetation according to their imaginations for if that which the Baptists bring for the proof of their command to Baptize did not reach unto Paul who was so eminent surely it doth not reach unto these Baptists but Paul did Circumcise and baptize by permission for a time as it doth appear that he might win the more out of those old things which was to passe away unto Christ that maketh old things away and then the new creature is witnessed which availeth for it is said neither Circumcision nor
desire to walk in the way of truth unto Zion the City of the living God where Peace is to be enjoyed for evermore FIrst the Baptist affirmed That the Eternal Spirit that was in Christ was not the Saviour of the world Answ Here they deny the true God to be the Saviour of the world who was in Christ the Authour of Eternal Salvation the ground and foundation of all truth who is a Spirit and is Eternal and God the Father and Christ the Son whose Name is called the Word of God and the Eternal Spirit or Holy Ghost are one and the Father was in the Son and the Son was in the Father John 14. 11. and he that hath seen the Son hath â—oh 10. 30 seen the Father and God who is the onely Invisible and Eternal Spirit saved all the holy men of God in the dayes of old since the beginning and when the old world was drowned God saved Noah 2 Pet. 2. 5. and the Eternal God said by the Prophet Isaiah Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. there is no God effectual besides the Eternal Spirit that is a Just God and a Saviour vers 21. and this Saviour said I even I am the Lord and besides me there is no Saviour Isa 43. 11. And the Apostle said The Lord is the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17. and this Eternal God who is a Spirit was he that saved all the holy men of God and they both Prophets and Apostles called God their Saviour 1 Tim. 4. 10. Titus 7. 3. and this Everlasting God and Eternal Spirit that was the â— Pet. 1. 1. â—ude 25. onely Saviour of all the holy men of God the Apostle said to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. and Christ was in God and sometime the Apostle called Christ Lord and Saviour and they also called God their Saviour for they were one in the beginning before the world was but the Baptists doth not see how Christ â—ut the boâ—y without â—he Spirit is dead â—am 2. 26. and God are one as one of them said and therefore denies the Eternal Spirit that was and is in Christs body to be the Saviour and so blaspemously hath denied both the Father and the Son and there is no Saviour besides the Eternal Spirit which was God manifest in the flesh and if any should read this and not perceive the things of God and so not believe the Words of truth read the 13th of Hosea and 14th verse were God saith Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt and thou shalt know no God but me for there is no Saviour beside me and all those that readeth this with a right understanding may see and perceive the Baptists to be ignorant of the Power of God and also of the Scriptures which doth so largely speak of that God that was in Christ to be the onely Saviour but time might fail us to bring all those Scriptures which doth speak of God to be the Saviour Baptists Affirmed That Christ was not come to them yet the second time nor yet to any man upon the face of the earth Answ Here the Baptists hath manifested themselves openly to be Reprobates according to the Scripture and therefore it is no marvel why they oppose the light in others so much seeing they deny Christ the light to be come to them the second time and there were such in the Apostles dayes that sought a proof of Christ speaking in the Apostle Paul who said unto them Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. and now you may see the Baptists yea the very chief among them are Reprobates out of the Faith the Saints were in who preached Christ in them the Hope of Glory and said He is come that is true and they were in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so they that did receive him at his coming to dwell in them he gave them an understanding how to preach him up in others and also in Heaven at the right hand of God but they that do not know him come to them they do not know him in any other Creature in Heaven or in earth and where the true Christ the Son of God who is a quickning Spirit doth not Rule there the Antichrist ruleth the son of perdition ruleth the old man of sin reigneth in them and over them and he maketh them subject to sin and now Antichrist is come up very high in these Baptists and he doth appear very bold in them insomuch that they deny the true Christ to be come the second time to them or to any other Creature but the Scripture is so far a witness against them that all the moderate people may see that they are ignorant of the things of God and also of the Scriptures and so altogether unfit to preach unto others for how can any truly preach Christ to come to others that doth not know him come unto themselves Paul was a persecutor before he knew Christ revealed in him but after it pleased God to reveal his Son in him then he was fit to preach the manner of his coming in others Gal. 1. 16. and Christ said unto his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14. 18. and John in his Epistle said We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5. 20. here John said he is come but the Baptists saith he is not come and so are out of the Faith and Doctrine that the Apostles were in and John spake of such false prophets that were entred into the world as these Baptists are who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist 2 John 7. Mark he doth not say there he that denies that he was come or shall come but he saith who confess not that he is come in the flesh Mark that for both Papists and other Priests and the Baptists and we do all believe that he did come in the flesh and was crucified without the Gates of Jerusalem and also that he shall come at the last day to Judge the quick and the dead according to the Scriptures but this is the great controversie which we have with all those about this matter that is whether Jesus Christ be manifested or come in the flesh now according to the Scripture but all that resist the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world they resist the true Christ which the Apostles and we say
power thereof 2 Tim. 3. â— and John said in his first Epistle 2. 1â— Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know it is the last time and John said Many false prophets are gone out into the world 1 John 4. 1. but first they came unto the Church but they resisted them and overcame them and then they went into the world and the world heard them vers 4. 5. and so hath the world been deceived ever since the Apostles dayes in the night which Christ spake of to come wherein no man could work but if I should undertake to declare as much as might be spoken of both of the true Apostles and Prophets and false apostles and prophets surely time would fail me but this is a sufficient proof for this particular also the Disciples were to see Jerusalem compassed about with Armies and then was there wars and the Sun and Moon was to be darkned and there was to be earth-quakes and there was darkness for it was said from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the Land unto the ninth hour Mat. 27. 45. and when Jesus cryed with a loud voice and yielded up the Ghost behold the vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the rocks rent and the graves were opened and many bodies of Saints arose Mat. 27. 50 51 52. And Christ said the Gospel should be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mark and then shall the end come And when Paul questioned whether the Gospel had been so preached he said have they not heard yea verily their sound went into all the earth and their Words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. and then came the end of all those things according to Christ his Words but the Baptists call that Blasphemy The Baptists affirmed That neither Abraham nor Isaac Peter nor Paul was redeemed from the curse nor out of the fall nor are not yet neither is Abraham Isaac nor Jacob in the Kingdom Answ The fall of man was into transgression of the righteous Law and Command of the righteous God of Heaven and earth and so man fell from God out of that state which he was created in into sin and iniquity which separated between God and man yet God had an eye of pitty unto man in that fallen sinful separated condition and God made a Covenant with man whereby man might come again unto himself out of the fall and the Covenant was that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head which tempted and led away into sin that so man might come again unto God out of sin and so the Seed or Word of God which was with God before the World was made became as a Gen. 14. 19. Gen. 15. 1. Gen. 22. Gen. 17. hammer unto the head of the serpent to bruise it and God talked with Abraham when he appeared unto him as a man talketh with his familiar Friend and God blessed him and made a Covenant with him and changed his name from Abram to Abraham for a Father of many Nations have I made thee said the Almighty whose everlasting Covenant was with Abraham and his Seed for ever and the Covenant was to be in their flesh Gen. 17. 3. and Abraham the Father of the faithful was perfect and did see Christs day and he rejoyced to see Christs glorious day who said before Abraham was I am John 8. 56. 58. And Noah was perfect and God saved him and Enock was translated by Faith that he should not see death Heb. 11. and they were redeemed out of the fall and from under the curse up to God who blessed Abraham the Father of the faithful and they that were of Faith pleased God were are blessed but they that were of the wicked one and did alwayes resist the holy Ghost they were and are under the curse in the fall and the wrath of the just God comes upon them but Enoch and Noah walked with God Gen. 5. 22. Gen. 6. 9. and David said Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth Psal 3â— â— Now the Baptists in the envy and bitterness of their spirit hath manifested their ignorance of the â—criptures and also of Redemption out of the fall in saying those notable holy men of God were not redeemed out of the fall But now thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by my name thou art mine Isai â—3 â— Isai 63. 9. and the Apostle paul when he spake even to this very thing concerning himself and they that were redeemed from under the curse mark that he saith Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law c Gal. â— 13. and Peter said they were not redeemed with corruptable things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish without spot 1 Pet. â— 18. â—9 and so it doth appear they were redeemed unto God the Judge of all by the blood of the Covenant or Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Saints and Elders which were in heaven were redeemed unto God out of every kindred and and tongue and People and Nation and they sang a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast-redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. and the Saints conversation was in heaven and are in the Kingdom of Heaven although the baptists say neither Abraham Isaac nor Jacob was in the Kingdom neither are they yet in the Kingdom saith the Baptists who shuts up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for they neither go in themselves neither suffer they them that are entering in to goin and so are found in the Pharisees and Hypocrites practices see Mat. 23 â—â— there was entering into the Kingdom then and there was those that did hinder men from going into the Kingdom then and as it was then so it is now as it doth appear by these Baptists that say neither Abraham Isaac nor Jacob was in the Kingdom and so are found out of Christs Doctrine and altogether contrary to his words as they are in the Scriptures of truth which are profitable for correction of such unprofitable talkers as these envious ignorant Baptists are and for instruction of the simple now when Christ spoke of Abraham Isaac and Jacob he said they were in the Kingdom but the Baptists say they are not in the Kingdom Now when you have read the Baptists words and Christs words then let the witness be Judge who is the lyar And I