the ministry of the Spirit in Gospel-times is set forth by a spirituall water-washing cleansing c. and the ministry of the spirit is a spirituall washing of spirituall water by the word as we have clear Testimony from the word written in the Scriptures suitable to the word written in the hidden man of the heart the work of God alone See John 4. 14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life c. Here Christ takes the woman off from all carnal and outward observations of the spirituall waters of his spirituall Kingdome and sets her a looking after the true waters of life that flows out from the Fountain of life Again John 3. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God But materiall water hath no place in bringing forth a new birth for Christ saith That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit but it is unpossible matâ—riall water can bring forth any part of the new birth but if they were old creatures before and dipped or sprinckled with earthly water they are so still It is onely the Heavenly water that hath force to wash away sin and to bring forth the new birth in us as those can witnesse that have this heavenly birth brought forth in them and are washed with pure water of Life Sixthly We have another Testimony of the Baptisme of Christ in the Epistle to the Colossians that they were made partakers of the Baptisme of Christ 1. Col. 2. 12. in vers 8. The Apostle bids them beware of Philosophy vain deceits the traditions of men the rudiments or Elements of the world c. and is not water-Baptisme an Element of this world among the rest as a tradition or carnall Ordinance c. as we may see v. 20 21 22 23. 2. V. 9. The Apostle sets forth Christ to be the onely substance that we ought to look after For in him dwelleth all the substance of the Godhead bodily and all fullnesse being in him see in the next place what doth follow 3. Ye are compleat in him which is the head of all principalities and powers our compleatnesse consists in Christs being in us and our being in him and no part of our compleatnesse can consist in any of the Elements of this world therefore not in being thrown into the Element of water 4. V. 11. He takes them off from that ancient and honorable Ceremony of Circumcision in the flesh and sets them a looking into the Substance which was the Circumcision made without hands and this was the putting off the body of sinnes of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ which is spirituall for nothing but Spirit can destroy Flesh 5. Having now set forth the true Circumcision which is truly spirituall he comes now to set forth the true and substantiall Baptisme which also is truly spirituall vers 12. buried with him in Baptisme wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead c. Now we are not onely buried with Christ in Baptisme but in this Baptisme we are also risen with Christ wherein also ye are risen with Christ but wee may be buried under earthly water and yet never risen with Christ therefore this cannot be the Baptisme here spoken of but in the following words we have the power of God set forth by which this is done even the faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the dead He that hath raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies Here is still relation to the Resurrection of Christ Now we know that after Christ was risen from the dead then all power in heaven and in earth was given unto him of God the Father for the gathering in of his Church that he had redeemed out of every Kingdome People and Nation c. and this was the effect of the Commission Mat 28. Baptising them into the name of Father Son and Spirit So here as the Apostle takes off the Colossions from looking after Circumcision in the flesh so he also takes them off from looking after the Baptisme of water that was but fleshly or in outward washing And as he takes them off from all types and outward resemblances which were in use before the substance came so noâ— he sets forth the substance which is the Baptisme of the Spirit by which they were baptised into Christ and so made partakers of the power and vertue of Christs death and resurrection in which Baptism they were made partakers of the fâ—â—lnesse of God and so were compleat in Christ who is the expresse image and glory of the Father And thus we are buried with Christ in Baptisme and By vertue hereof we are raised from a dead state of sin and evill unto a new life by being baptised into the power of Christs death and resurrection and the power and vertue hereof operating in our souls and spirits changeth and transforms us into the image and likenesse of the Lord Jesus Christ and so the new nature is brought forth in us and we are born from above of water and the Spirit not of flesh and bloud nor of fleshly forms as the world and carnall Church is for it is nothing but Spirit and spirituall waters that can bring forth the spirituall birth in us That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit and nothing but the Spirit Baptisme can baptise us into Christ and his fullnesse for water-baptisme cannot make us partakers of his fullnesse we can onely have unity in a form in this but not unity in the fullnesse of Christ that iâ— onely to be had in Spirit and Spirit Baptisme Unity in forms mâ—kes outside Christians but unity in Christ and the eternall nature in him makes Christians indeed not onely in name but also in nature not in word onely but in power not onely outwardly but in the inward man Seventhly We have another Testimony how Paul and other believers came to be partakers of the goodnesse of God in eternall salvation after they had lived an evil life in the world before it is in Titus 3 4 5. but after that the kindnesse and love or pity of God our Saviour toward man appeared not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit which he shed in us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour c. 1. Here is the kindnesse of God toward man appearing 2. This love of God to us is not from our works of righteousnesse 3. But it is of meere mercy that God doth save us 4. Here is the means set forth whereby God doth save us and that is
that so we should serve sin no longer Let us once more briefly consider of the words of the Apostle here V. 3. Those that were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death therefore not into materiall water for the death of Christ with the power and vertue thereof is not nor cannot be materiall water therefore the Baptisme here spoken of cannot be meant of materiall water V. 4. We are buried with him by Baptisme into death therefore not into materiall water for death and water is not one but by vertue of our being baptised into death with Christ so as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father so we should walk in newnesse of life by vertue of our partaking of the power of Christs death and resurrection in this spirituall Baptisme which consists in power from on high V. 5. The Apostle concludes it must so follow for if we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenes of his Resurrection and here let us observe what he before called baptising into Christ baptising into his death buried with him into death by Baptisme now he calls planting together in the likenesse of his death c. but materiall water cannot plant us into the likenesse of Christs death which is in effect the destroying of sin therefore the Baptisme here cannot be materiall water but it is the Baptisme of the Spirit which onely is able to destroy sin and all evill in us and to bring forth the image and likenesse of Christ in us in our new birth and so we see the Commission was fulfilled in changing people from their own name and likenesse and to bring forth the name and likenesse of God in them 3. Again we have another Testimony of the great effect of Spirit Baptisme upon the Corinthians 1 Cor. 6. 11. v. 9 10. the Apostle reckons up severall works of the flesh that raigns in those that shall inherit the Kingdome of God v. 11. he tells them that some of them were such and he also tells them how they came to be changed but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Here was the work of all power in heaven ad earth wrought upon poor sinfull souls that were full of all abominations and all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit and this was done by washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of him who had all power in heaven and earth given unto him for this very work that souls might be washed cleansed sanctified purified and justified and here is the spirits work also in this great and mighty change wrought in those Corinthians in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the spirit of our God Here is a Testimony of the coming forth of the word spirit of eternal being even from the bosome of eternall love and kindnesse pity and compassion for the eternall God of poor wretched sinfull creatures and here the word and spirit of eternal being coming forth in power from on high is implyed about this great work of wonder in washing cleansing purifying sanctifying and justifying poor undone souls that ly wallowing in their own blood and filthinesse What think ye O ye that have any love to the truth Here you may see a washing but not with material water but a washing in the pure river of water of life clear as Crystall coming forth from the Fountain of all life and sweetnesse and this water is onely able to wash cleanse and sanctifie souls and spirits from all sin and filthinesse of flesh and spirit We can ascribe nothing at all unto materiall water in this great work of washing cleansing sanctifying and justifying of souls in the presence of the infinitely righteous pure and holy God but we do ascribe the whole work hereof unto the mighty God in the Baptism of the eternall Spirit which consists onely in power from on high in spirituall washing in the pure river of living water which continues in us a well of water springing up unto eternall life and I could wish with my whole heart that those who professe to know God would not undervalue the Baptism of the eternall Spirit and set us a poore and beggerly element in the room of so glorious a Baptisme that consists in all power in heaven and earth but now we proceed to the next Testimony Fourthly the next testimony of creatures being baptised into Christ is Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ The baptisers of our times as they say they are do quite crosse the witnesse of the word here for the Apostle saith here that as many of them as had been baptised into Christ had put on Christ but they say none must put on Christ that is professe Christ first and be baptised in materiall water afterward but the Apostle saith no such thing here though this were the practise of Johns Baptisme and used afterward as we shall shew more hereafter when we come to answer objections but to observe a little from the words 1. The word saith they were baptised into Christ therefore not into water 2. As many as were baptised into Christ had put on Christ but all that were baptised in material water had not put on Christ no not in those very times Simon Magus for example c. But now we shall observe what it is to be baptised into Christ and what it is to put on Christ which is the effect of being baptised into Christ those that are baptised into Christ are baptised into the power of Christs death and Resurrection and so our sin evill is destroyed by the presence of the power of Christs death in us and a new life is brought forth in us by vertue of Christ living in us And Christ living in us is in all his divine appearances in Spirit and life Christ living in us in the glory of the Father brings forth in us a principle of divine love light wisdome power righteousnesse holinesse purity truth faithfulnesse c. and thus as we have declared before we are baptised into all the divine appearances of Christ in Spirit and so by vertue of being baptised into Christ in all his goodnesse being that fountain of fullnesse of divine treasures in whom God will make creatures partakers of his own name nature I say by vertue of being thus bapsed into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we walk in the light of Christ and thus we shine forth in the light of God among a crooked perverse people among whom we do live and likewise we do live in the love of Christ this love doth appear unto all men thus we
their finnes and corruptions Matth. 3 12. Luke 3. 16 17. 4. The substance of Spirit-Baptisme consists in the promise of the Father which we have heard of the Sonne Acts 1. 4 5. as he himself hath declared now the promise of the Father doth consist in more than visible gifts as appears by severall testimonies of Christ unto his Apostles let us observe some particulars 1. The promise of the Father was more than visible gifts for it was the eternall Spirit which should be unto them an everlasting comforter that should abide with them for ever John 14. 16 17. now the Spirit of truth that was to abide with them for ever and to be their comforter alwayes was more than visible gifts which continued but for a time Again the Promise of the Father which was the spirit and comforter whom the Father would send in the name of the Son should teach them all things cocerning the great mysterie of God and bring all things to their remembrance that the Sonne had before declared unto them which is more than visible gifts as you say 3. The promise of the Father consists in power from on high as Christ declareth to his Apostles Luke 24. 49. Behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but what is that he bids them tarry in Jerusalem till they were endued with Power from on high here is the Promise of the Father that was to come upon them even power from on high and this spirit and power from on high being poured forth Turned the barren Wildernesse into a fruitfull field c. Isa 32. 15. it enabled the Apostles to do great things besides visible gifts as to themselves and others They were hereby enabled to preach the great mystery of salvation to all the world and there went forth such a power in their ministry that it threw down the whole Kingdome of the Devil in peoples hearts and made it all flee in pieces before it 2 Cor. 10. 4 5 c. It wrought so mightily in them that it comforted them agaimst all affliction they met with either inward or outward it filled their hearts and spirits with abundance of peace Joy and spirituall comfort which the world could not give nor receive John 14. 17. 27. now this and the like is more than visible gifts except you will say the whole work of God in bringing his people into the possession and enjoyment of the great salvation be all visible gifts or the Baptisme of gifts 4. The whole mystery of all doth meet in one and the same things as the promise of the Father power from on high and the Baptisme of the spirit for compare the 14 15 16. chapters of John with Luke 24. 49. and Acts 1. v. 4 5. 8. and all these do agree in one and the same thing namely spirit-Baptisme we need go no further for proof hereof than Acts 1. 4 5. in v. 3. it is recorded that he was seen of them sorty dayes after he was risen and the things he speaks of were concerning the Kingdome of God let us consider by the way what that is and then vers 4. and being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he Ye have heard of me For John truly baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence Here is the promise of the Father power from on high as in verse 8. and Spirit-Baptisme meeting all in one as clear as the light So now from clear testimonies of the word we do conclude that the Substantiall part of Spirit-Baptisme doth consist in the inward work of God wrought in his people suitable to the promise of the Father and power from on high and this consists in comforting supporting giving peace joy and rest of Spirit unto them not in the world but in Christ in whom dwells the fullnesse of God And also in breaking in pieces the Kingdome of Satan and opening the eyes of the blind and turning many from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan to God And in opening rivers in high places and turning the wildernesse into pools of water and giving water to the thirsty and rest to the very souls and binding up the broken hearted and washing away the filth of the daughters of Zion in the eternall fountain of living water pouring out a blessing upon them and his spirit upon their ofspring with many more precious promises of the Father all being fulfilled in the Baptisme of the Spirit as the Father and the Son had promised and so it was fulfilled in Spirit and power from on high Objection 11. All believers in all ages had faith and the works of God wrought in them in turning them from sin to God c. Yet we never read it was called Spirit-Baptisme therefore it is not meant of the great work of God in washing and saving his people from sin c. but it must be something else Answer 1. Here is Nicodemus his ignorance with a witnesse for because the work of God in his people in former dayes was not called the new birth to be born from above to be born of water and the Spirit c. therefore there was no such thing as he thought for he had a carnall apprehension of the great work Christ speaks of And as Nicodemus came to Christ by night so I doubt many do come to Christ in the dark now and so they are ignorant of the great work of Christ as Nicodemus was for you are as much out now that cannot believe there is any spirit-baptisme now because it was not so called before Christ came or that there was none before Christ came because not called so you may as well say there was no Gospel nor born from above nor no spirituall birth c. because not so called and so with Nicodemus discover your ignorance Objection 12. VVater-Baptisme was used after Spirit-Baptisme came in force yea among the Jews and Gentiles and the Apostles themselves did also practise it therefore it is still in force Answer 1. Not so for though the Apostles used it yet not by Commission nor by Command from Christ for there is not one word in all the Scripture more or lesse that is declared by any Apostle either in their Preaching or Writing Epistles to the Churches that they had any command from Christ to baptise with Water Nay further there is not any testimony in the Word that ever Water baptisme was called the baptisme of Christ but of John and seeing we have no proof to call it Christs baptisme why then shall we submit to it as the Ordinance of Christ and commanded by him which is no where called his nor none sent by him to practise it Indeed we read John was sent to Baptise with Water but shew me such a proof from any Apostle or where Christ said Go Baptise all Nations with
A CRYER IN THE VVILDERNESSE OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Published in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those who are satisfied with truth alone By Edward Punch of Carisbrook in the Isle of Wight Who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the Power of God to salvation Acts 13. 41. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you 1. Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bound or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Acts 11. 16. Then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit Acts 1. 5. LONDON Printed by T. M. for Richard Moone at the Seven Stars in Pauls Church-yard near the great North doore 1654. To all true Saints in England and elsewhere who are really partakers of Spirit-Baptisme in the Lord JESVS who is the way into the possession and injoyment of eternall grace and glory in the Lord JEHOVAH FRiends in the truth He that hath set his hand to the Plough and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdome of God And I must here declare unto you that Gods Kingdom that he will bring forth in these latter dayes is another manner of building and work than the world or Churches under Antichrists raign doth think of for God is now pulling down the old building that man hath been setting up this many hundred years and O friends I would advise you not to stand looking back upon the old building in Antichrists Kingdome but with the Apostle look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousnesse Let us who are of the day go toward Zion with our faces thither-ward for looking back hinders seeing what is before us Let us look unto the new Jerusalem the City of the living God that cometh down from God out of heaven and let us not so much as take any notice of the old heavens wherein men would ascend up to God for God hath not bid us look after the old but the new and hath bid us rejoyce for ever in the things that he will create and he hath told us that he that stands upon the Throne makes all things new And this is a clear truth that all the Churches and Church orders of men as they call it are yet in Babel they are all in confusion one with another amongst themselves One saith here is Christ and another saith there is Christ one for one way another for another way one for one order another for another order one interprets Scriptures one way another another way one saith one thing is truth and another saith another thing is truth and many cry out against the clear truth and would if it were possible hinder that from appearing And now how can you imagine that the Churches are out of Babel and yet still in confusion in darknesse and mistakes Christs first coming brought divisions into the world but now it shall bring peace among all Luke 12. 51. Isa 11. Consider a few particulars wherein it doth appear that Babylon is not yet fallen but standeth still even to this day 1. When God brings forth his great work in the latter dayes The wolf and the lamb shall dwell together in peace c. but now we are far from such a disposition for those who look like lambs and are so for ought I know they cannot dwell together in peace and love but are at great difference as well as the lamb and wolf but persecution shall come to an end in the latter dayes and not continue as before therefore look not for such a time now to come 2. In that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord but it is now full of ignorance of the Lord as all carnall principles and doctrines of men do witnesse with their works and actions 3. In that day God will get his people a name and a praise in all lands where they have been put to shame but yet they are a reproach in all Lands therefore that day is not yet come 4. In that day God will turne to his people one pure language wherein they shall all serve him with one consent and God will give them one heart and one way the Lord shall be one and his name one c. But none of this is to be found for we see even among those that praise God there are many languagues and they serve God according to their knowledge or ignorance in many wayes and there is no consenting together therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed so we are yet in the wilderness in Babel Egypt and Sodom where our Lord was crucified c. and as the great difference was between open profannesse and a forme of Godlinesse so now it is between the forme and the power of godlinesse Therefore the loftinesse of man is not laid low nor the Lord alone exalted 5. The promise is that in that day the peace of Gods people shall be great but now it is not so for our divisions are now great and our peace little with men then none shall disturbe nor make them afraid but now there are many disturbers even against the cleare truth Therefore Antichrist is not yet destroyed but doth oppose Christ in Spirit and so Babel or confusion is still present therefore not the new heavens and new earth the worke of God in this world as is cleare by many witnesses 6. When Babylon is fallen the kingdomes of the world shall become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ this must needs be in another manner of way then before for all Nations are at Gods disposing still even in the highest of Antichrists raign But we see not this yet fulfilled for the kingdomes of the world are still as they were men are unrighteous unholy without love pity and compassion to their fellow Creatures as they were some have thousands of Gold and Silver and others want food and raiment c. This does not look like the righteousnesse of God in the new heavens and new earth but like the unrighteousnesse of men in the old tyrannical cruell and oppressing kingdome of Antichrist this looks not like the love of Christ but like selfe-love c. as in the Epistle of James Consider farther the Church of Christ was to be droven into the wildernesse of Antichrists kingdome during his reigne and the outward Court of the Temple was given to the Gentiles during Antichrists reigne and I hope you know what this is therefore take not that unto your selves that is given to the Gentiles
during Antichrist's reigne for you have no example so to doe For the Jewes never set up visible worship nor ordinances in any time of Captivity either in Egypt the Wildernesse Babylon or else where but in Jerusalem the place of worship So let us who are the Lords building within waite for the spirituall Jerusalem comming downe from God out of heavens which God will send forth with visible worship and ordinances such as pleaseth him and not as man pleaseth And as we desire of friends to be the habitation of God through the Spirit so let us desire to be more acquainted with the Baptisme of the Spirit which consists in spirituall washing purifying and cleansing our souls and spirits from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit that so in it we may be made partakers of eternall Righteousnesse purity and Holinesse of God and so builded up together an habitation for God and a Temple for the living God to dwell in through the presence of the eternall Spirit in us in spiritual washing and spirituall burning the true and onely Gospel purifying So I rest wishing the day of God may come upon us all that may burne up all our drosse and tynne and may wash and purge us from all our Idols that we may worship God in spirit A few words to every Reader in general Kind Reader consider a few things in Love BE sure those Ordinances you doe owne and set up in your highest affections be of God and not of man for if they be of man then they cannot stand in the day of Triall when God brings them to triall by the Truth 2. Take heed of setting up Ordinances in the kingdome of Antichrist in spirituall Babylon Egypt or Sodome least it be found that you have noe Command nor Example for your soe doing See Rev. 11. 3. Looke that your Administrators be right in their Calling and Qualifications according to the true patterne of the primitive Administrators both in your Ministry and Ordinances least being tried by the word they should be found liars take heed I say of crying up your selves and waies to be Apostolicall least the truth should prove you lyars Rev. 2. 6. 4. Consider this well that the pure way of Gospel-worship that is truly spiritual will never come out of Antichrists kingdome principles doctrines nor traditions but consider that the bright day of Gods comming in spirit shall destroy the foundation and whole building of the man of sinne and mystery of iniquity 5. Trust not to the old building of man in Antichrists kingdome in these dayes wherin God is rooting up and pulling downe the foundation and whole building of the old heavens and old earth and God is also about to bring forth new heavens and new earth wherein dwells Righteous the work of God alone in which day the Lord alone shall be exalted and the loftinesse of man laid low 6. Look well to your Principles Rules and ends for and in whom you do act in those things you call Ordinances beware of self and ignorant zeal you have heard there is a zeal and that for God too that is nâ—t according to knowledge 7. Look not so much at outward forms as at inward principles look to the inward and hidden man of the heart if that be right in the sight of God then it shall be well with you for ever and you shall never be finally deceived 8. Beware of setting up the bounds of your love to the brethren under any form or opinion whatsoever but let your love be equally unto all where you do see the appearance of Christ in Spirit and power from on high this is the way for peace unity and love among true Saints 9. Look not for the true way of visible worship and ordinances that are truly spirituall and of God to be established in the world till God hath made his people of one heart and when God makes them all of one heart which shal be when they are all taught of God then they shall be all of one way and great shall be their peace then they shall all rest in quiet dwelling places for ever and none shall make them afraid 10. Consider when the way of God is clearly revealed in his people and they endued with divine life and power to walk in it then all by-paths and wayes that are not of God shall be destroyed thrown down and quite forgotten the old heavens and earth shall be remembred no more nor no more come into their minds Isa 66. But now we see there are many wayes in the world even amongst those that professe to know God one cryes up one way another another way a third another way c. But let us remember the command of Christ who saith Many shall come in his name c. Many shall say here is Christ or there is Christ but go not after them If ye consider these three Testimonies of these latter dayes whereby Christs coming shall be manifested unto all who are partakers of his light in spirit and life then you may easily discern the coming of Christ and his light and brightnesse from the false lights and wayes of Antichrist the places are these Isa 11. 9. Matth. 24. 27. 2. Thess 2. 8. 11. As every one doth walk in his own light and thinks his light best generally so take heed you do not imitate Antichrist to confine others to walk in your light Take heed of sitting in the Temple of God it is proper onely to God alone to rule our Consciences and spirits of men â—nd whosoever doth assume this Prerogative doth apparently declare himself to be an Anticrhist who doth oppose himself against God and doth exalt himself above God as in 2 Thess 2. 4. and set in the Temple of God even his people 2. Cor. 6. 16. 12. Take heed of mistaking the coming of Christ now in these dayes wherein Antichrist shall be destroyed lest you should imitate the old Scribes and Pharisees and so instead of being friends of Christ and of his people in his Spirituall coming you should prove the greatest enemies to Christ in his spirituall coming in his people as the old Jews were 13. Take heed of slighting refusing or undervaluing the pure and spirituall waters of life the onely fountain of comfort to spirituall souls and beware you set not up any form or outside ordinances to oppose the clear administration of the Spirit which is truly spirituall for God will assuredly famish and make lean all your empty forms Idols and shadows that you set up to oppose the substance as in the room thereof for the Kingdome of heaven is not outward shews but inward Substances Righteousnesse Peace and Joy in the Spirit 14. Beware in having any hand in slaying of the Witnesses of God that do prophesie though but in Sackeloth lest their resurrection affright you and strike you with terror For consider though they shall be slain yet they shall ly dead but a little while and again when
God puts the Spirit of life in them then they shall affright all those that dwell upon the earth beware then all those that do live upon earthen principles Doctrines Forms Customes and Traditions of men they shall be all affrighted with a witnesse therefore look to it well that the dispensations you live under be of God and not of man for God will destroy all things below himself though never so excellent and highly esteemed of man So I conclude wishing that we may all live in love now one to another seeing love shall continue to Eternity and let us consider what a low thing it is for believers to live contrary to that which is their life and in which we are all one body and members in particular which is Love A brief description of the particulars contained in this Book 1. The Testimony of John the Baptist concerning his Baptisme and the Baptisme of Christ that was to follow 2. The Testimony of Christ concerning John Baptist and wherein he was greater and lesser then those that went before him and those that followed after him 3. The Testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptism declared in the Commission and in other severall places and what it is 4. Severall dispensations in which God hath manifested himself unto his people at severall times the last being wholly Spirituall 5. That the Baptisme of Christ is to baptise men into the name of God according to the Commission and not into water and what the name of God is into which we are baptised according to the Commission Matth. 28. 19. page 13. laid down in seven particulars 6. Severall Testimonies from the clear word of truth how the Nations come to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit in the Apostles ministry which doth clearly agree with the Commission wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Baptisme was and is Spirit-Baptisme 7. Twenty four Objections for Water-Baptisme answered wherein it doth appear plainly that Water-Baptisme iâ— no more in force now than other Ceremonies KInd Reader observe that I had said nothing in publick if men had let the the truth alone and walked as their light was and waited upon God for further discovery of truth but when I hear and see men so publickly oppose the clear truth I cannot but speak the things I have seen and heard in witnesse to the truth God having made me a witnesse not man A Cryer in the Wildernesse OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome revealed in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the Eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those that desire to be satisfied with Truth alone THE best way to reconcile differences in the things of God is to lay aside all humane and traditionall Doctrines of men and look exactly into the testimony of the word of God alone that being an infallible Rule that whosoever follows it in the light and wisdome of the Eternall spirit they cannot erre And God having taught me not to depend upon man whose breath is in his nostrills but to look unto the Lord a-alone whose work alone it is to bring forth the new Creation I desire therefore not to stand looking back upon the old building in the Wildernesse of Antichrists Kingdome after so long and generall Apostafie from the purity of the first Churches in the Apostles times But my desire is with the Apostle to look for new Heavens and a new Earth according to the promise of God Even such Heavens and Earth where the righteousnesse of God doth dwell and not such righteousnesse as men sets up by their humane Wisdome and Counsel I doubt not but these are the dayes wherein God will bring forth the clear light of truth that hath been hid many generations and let men set up what they will or what man can set up yet nothing shall stand in the bright day of Gods coming in spirit in these latter dayes but the purity holinesse and righteousnesse of God which is suitable to the new heavens and new Earth the work of God alone And now among many other things in controversie in our dayes I find a great deal of difference about Baptisme and all for baptising with materiall water some for Infant Baptisme and others for baptising believers And I have if God hath given me understanding in the mystery of the truth searched to find out the right way of Baptisme and I can find neither of these to be the way of Gospel-Baptisme neither can I find by the Testimony of the word of truth that there is any water Baptisme at all to be used by way of Command in the pure spirituall Kingdome of Christ But that water Baptisme was at an end in respect of the command of it when Christ was glorified and came in spirit as all other Ceremonies Types and Figures were And I can find no other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome to be in force but the Baptisme of the Eternall spirit and this I affirm to be all and the onely Baptisme in the Kingdome of Christ And to go about to set up any other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome is all one as if men should set up any other Ceremony all which will alike prove humane and traditionall not spiritual nor of divine Institution and for the proof hereof I shall lay aside all the Judgements interpretations and opinions of men who do casually understand the Scripâ—ures and refer my self and all others for the triall of this tâ—uth unto the testimony of the word of God alone and so fâ—r as any do see the word in the light of God so far they can beliâ—ve it really and no further And that we may see this to be clear truth from the testimony of the word alone that the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit is the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Let us consider the testimony First of John the Baptist Secondly of Christ And thirdly of the Apostles in their preaching and writing to the people with the Objections of men also for water Baptisme and the answers against it from the clear testimony of the word and not from men in these and severall other particulars according to the word I shall as God enables me proceed in this Discourse for the help of man is vain in the things of God First then we will begin with the Testimony of John the Baptist himself who was the author of water Baptisme and see what he saith for his own Baptisme which was water and what he saith of Christs Baptisme which is Spirit First in Generall we will observe one thing that John declareth and it is this that he was sent to baptise with water Iohn 1. 33. Now let all our water-men in England or in all Nations come forth with their strong reasons and bring one witnesse in the word of truth that saith from Christ that ever he sent his Apostles to baptise
with water or else where any Apostles do testifie in Scripture that Christ did give them a Commission to baptise with water In the mouth of two or three witnesses every thing is established shew me but one such witnesse from any of the Apostles as from Iohn and I will believe it but till you do so I cannot believe you we have witnesse to the contrary 1 Cor. 1. 17. from the chief Apostle Johns businesse was to declare Christ to come that he should be manifested to Israel therefore am I come baptising with water saith he Iohn 1. 31. Shew me such a testimony from any Apostle or else prove your selves Antichrists declaring Christ yet to come in the flesh who is already present in spirit but now to the witnesse of John concerning his own Baptisme and Christs as Matth. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. We will begin with the testimuny of Iohn Matth 3. 11. I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance saith Iohn but doth Iohn say this Baptism must continue no But he that cometh after me is mightier than I but shall his Baptisme be water too no saith John as he is mightier so his Baptisme shall be mightier too He shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire And verse 12. He declareth the power and efficacy of Christs Baptisme that so none may mistake his meaning for saith he Christ will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into his Garner but shall burn up the chaffe with unquenchable fire Here is a clear testimony of the fire and water of the Spirit that shall be powred out upon Souls in Christs Baptisme it shall throughly purge and cleanse his people from their sin and filthinesse and burn up all the chaffe and drosse with spirituall fire which no combustible principle in the creature is able to quench or put out but it shall destroy those corruptions in the flesh and Spirit of man This is the onely Baptisme that Iohn declareth to come after his Baptisme which was but an outward washing this is that Judgement and Righteousnesse that shall redeem Zion and her Converts from sinne and all unrighteousnesse Isa 1. 27. This is that spirit of Judgement and burning whereby the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion Isa 4. 4. Here is a discovery of the true washing or Baptisme of the new Testament all others went before as we may see in the witnesse of Iohn here and else where with Heb. 9. 10. c. which stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnall Ordinances imposed on them untill the time of Reformation 2. See another witnesse of John Mark v. 4 5 7 8. Here John baptiseth with water and declareth that there is one that cometh after him that is mightier than he c. I indeed saith he have baptised you with water but he shall baptise you with the holy spirit Here Iohn declares what his Baptism was it was water I have baptised you with water and he also declareth what Christs Baptism should be but not one word of water but he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit O that men had but eyes to see how clearly Iohn distinguisheth betwixt his Baptisme and Christs 3. Luke 3. 15 16 17. In this place it is recorded that the People did generally take Iohn to be the Christ There was great reasoning among them whether he were the Christ or no v. 15. John answers them all v. 16. that he was not the Christ and upon what account they should believe it because he did baptise with water Iohn answered saying unto them all I indeed baptise you with water but one mightier than I cometh the latchet of whose shoâ—e I am not worthy to unloose he shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire and so he goeth on to declare the powerfull effects of Christs Baptisme as in Matth. 3. 12. The people were then of the same principle generally that people are of now to look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water but Iohn takes them off from their expectation and tells them his Office and Person was weak not to be compared with Christ and his Office Indeed sath he I baptise with water but one mightier than I cometh c. he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit and with fire Here Iohn layeth himself and his Baptisme low and declareth that he was not worthy to do the meanest thing in Christs Kingdom and then sure Johns Baptisme and Christs was not all one and Iohn doth highly exalt Christ and his Baptisme and declareth as we have shewed before the great effects of Christs Baptisme v. 17. 4. John 1. 15. In this Chapter Iohn still continueth his testimony of himself and of Christ saying this is he of whom I speak c. in v. 19. to the 23. It is recorded The Iews sent Priests and Levites to examine Iohn whether he were the Christ or who he was and we have here Johns answer who he was and v. 24. it is recorded that they who were sent were of the Pharisees verse 25. we have their question unto Iohn that if he were not the Christ c. then why he did baptise and here by the way we may observe that men of a Pharisaicall principle look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water I wish men were not so carnall now But presently John crosseth their conceit and telleth them that he baptiseth with water and further tells them that there standeth one among them whom they know not v. 26. Oh that all who do now professe Christ which is more than the Pharisees did were not so ignorant of Christ in the mystery of his Baptisme as the Pharisees were but to observe Johns Conclusion in the businesse he declareth v. 33. the true Baptisme of Christ from the testimony of him that sent John to baptise with water and in Luke 3. 2. we have a proof who it was that sent him even the word of God came unto him c. V. 33. And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptise with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending from heaven and remaining on him the same is he that baptiseth with the holy Spirit and v. 34. He declareth That he saw and bare record that this is the Son of God So we see the testimony of John that he declareth himself and his Baptisme to be weak and Christ and his Baptisme to be strong and mighty and to follow after his therefore sure the Baptisme of Christ is not materiall water as Johns was but if he could see truth in its own light then they might see it as it is in it self but generally men are apt to look upon the word as men have interpreted it for their own ends and interests I doubt for the most part and so they look not upon it as in it self
but as it seems to be from men in their opinions and Judgements and so what men of our Judgements have set up as truth that we own and what they do cry down that we disown because men say so and think so We come now to the testimony of Christ concerning John which we have recorded Matth. 11. 10 11. 1. Christ declares him to be more than a Prophet 2. He declares him to be The voice of one crying in the Wildernesse c. As the Prophets had prophesied of him 3. He declares That among those that were born of women there had not risen up a greater than John 4. That he that is least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John First it is to be considered wherein John was greater than all that went before him greater then a Prophet or more than a Prophet And secondly wherein it doth appear that John was the least in Christs Kingdome or the Kingdome of heaven First John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because those that prophesied of Christ and those that figured out Christ in these Ceremonies they never saw Christ personally in the humane nature as John did therefore not so great as John for John pointed out Christ present saying Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world which none could do before him because Christ was not present in person and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him Secondly John was greater than those that went before him in this respect because of the rarenesse of his Office his Baptisme was so rare and of so high esteem among the people they thought him to be the Christ Indeed his Baptisme was a more excellent Ceremony than any used before because he did in it represent the greatest work that ever was wrought upon creatures in the world even the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit given out in the name of Father Son and Spirit in testimony of the full discovery of the ministry of God unto the Sons of men in no lesse power than all power in heaven and earth and this was the onely substance that John did represent figure out and declare to be at hand both in his Baptisme and in his Doctrine and in this respect John was greater than those that went before him for the rarer the thing signified is the rarer and more excellent is the Signe But now let us see wherein it doth appear that the least in Christs Kingdome or in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than he 1. The least in the Kingdome of heaven is greater than John because the least in Christs Kingdome had a sight and could testifie more or lesse that Christ was crucified dead and risen and had accomplished the whole work of Redemption and was glorified which John could not testifie as done Every one in Christs Kingdome was an eye-witnesse more or lesse of the great pourings out of the Spirit upon all Nations Christ was glorified as the Father had promised after Christ had declared and John represented in his Baptisme and in this respect John was lesse than the least in Christs Kingdome because he did but figure out and declare those great things to come but was not an eye-witnesse of them as they were he living but in the middle dispensation which went before for as John was greater than those that went before him seeing they did but figure out and prophesie of the Messiah whom John saw in Person so John was lesse than those that were Eye-witnesses of the great pourings out of Spirit which John did but declare to be at hand not come 3 Those that lived in the Kingdome of Christ were greater than John in this respect because they were partakers of those great things that John figured out in his Baptisme for the dispensation they lived in in the Kingdome of Christ was wholly spirituall and they did partake of the great pourings out of Spirit which was not to be accomplished till Christ was glorified which John did declare to be at hand and figured out in an outward washing for though John had a clear fight of Christ and declared him very clearly in his ministry yet his Office was but an outside figurative washing as other Ceremonies were onely more excellent than others as we have declared before but those who lived in a dispensation wholly spirituall were greater than John because the substance is greater than the shadow and thus we see briefly wherein John was greater and lesser than those that went before him and those that followed after him But now we come to the next thing which is the testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptisme and this we have recorded in severall places of Scripture as in Matth. 28 19. the Commission of Christ to his Apostles the great mystery of God opened to the Sons of men in the third and last dispensation by him who had power in heaven and earth given unto him compared with all other places and now we are to be tryed by the truth alone concerning the Baptisme of Christ and what it is and not by man as mans testimony First Matth 28. We have Christ coming to his Disciples declaring v. 18. all power in heaven and earth to be given unto him and upon this v. 19. gives them the Commission Go ye therefore and teach all nations or make Disciples in all Nations baptising them in or into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world or of an age and here let us observe the Nations are not taught or made Disciples by baptising into water but by baptising them into the name of Father Son and Spirit and further observe a clear distinction in the Commission First the Nations are to be taught or made disciples in their ministry in which they were to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to teach them to observe all things Christ hath commanded them so that first they are to be baptised into the name of God and afterward they are to be taught to observe all the commands of Christ So here we see Christ gives his Apostles a Commission to go teach all Nations baptising them into the name of God c. and we have another proof Luke 24. 49. when the Apostles must go forth in the accomplishing his great work of baptising the Nations into the name of God it was when they wee endued with power from on high for they were not able of themselves to effect this great work without power from on high and this was the promise of the Father as Christ saith here so that it is clear that the promise of the Father and the power from on high is all one and it is called the Baptisme of the Spirit and is onely suitable to a
Spirituall dispensation which is given forth in all power in heaven and earth by him who had received all power for the effecting this work Again Acts 1. 4 5. we have another Testimony of Christ wherein he doth clearly distinguish between his Baptisme that is Spiâ—it and Johns that was water and bids them wait for the Baptisme of the Spirit and being assembled together with them commanded them they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he Ye have heard of me now the next words declare what this promise of the Father was For John truly baptised with water but yet shall be baptised with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence O that men could see this witnesse of the truth in the light and Wisdome of the Spirit how clearly Christ distinguisheth betwixt his Baptisme and that of John and bids his Apostles wait for the fulfilling his Baptisme according to the promise of the Father and himself But here it will be said that this Baptisme was to be wrought upon the Apostles by an immediate power of God and not by man therefore this is not the Baptisme the Apostles were to use by command from Christ but let us in the light of God consider it was requisite the Apostles should be baptised First with power from on high by an immediate power that the promise might be fulfilled and also that they might be able to fulfill the Ministry committed to them and I shall declare one proof that the people were baptised with the same Baptisme the Apostles were in the ministry of the Apostle as in Act. 11. 15 16. c. And as I began to speak the holy Spirit fell on them as on us at the beginning then remembred I the word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy Spirit this is not nonsence as some call it but the clear testimony of the truth the Apostles were baptised in this Baptisme by an immediate power and the people were afterward baptised with the same spirit Baptisme by a mediate power in the Ministry of the Apostles the promise of spirit Baptisme was to them and their children c. Acts 2. 33 39. compared together Let us therefore take heed of wresting the Commission of Christ which is a full discovery of the Ministry of God to the Sons of men which was before held forth in types and shadows but now is given forth in all power in Heaven and earth by him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and whose presence in Spirit and power put an end to all shadows and this being the Substance of all that was figured out before and promised before could not consist in types shadows and outward washings c. as these dispensations that went before did consist in and that this may appear to be a clear truth let us consider times and things as they are First let us consider the severall dispensation of God to the Sons of men at severall times Secondly and then let us consider in this last The Kingdom of God consists in Spirit and power from on high Luk. 17. 20. 21 Rom. 14. 17. not in outward Ceremonies and observations as Pharisees do imagine dispensation what is meant by baptising all Nations into the name of God and what the name of God is into which all Nations are baptised Thirdly let us observe from the clear testimony of the word how the Nations were made partakers of the Commission which was baptising them into the name of God our Father Son and Spirit let us for the proof hereof consider of the clear Testimony of the word it self and not the opinions of men who do carnally understand the great mystery of God in Spirit and life 1. First then let us observe the first dispensation of God to the sons of men after the fall of Adam was generally held forth in the name of the Father and this in severall types shadows figures and Representations of good things to come and many great and precious promises were revealed but not to be fulfilled unto them but unto us as saith the Apostle Acts 13. 23. Heb. 11. 39. to 1 Pet. 10. 11 12. 2. The second dispensation was generally declared and dispensed in the name of Jesus Christ and this was a middle dispensation coming between the Law and the Gospel and it was more Evangelicall than the Law and more legall than the Gospel and this dispensation continued from the coming of John the Baptist till Christ had finished the work the Father gave him to do in his own person here on earth For in this dispensation though John pointed out Christ more clearly than any before saying Behold the Lamb of God c. Joh. c. 1. Christ spake as never man spake Joh. 7. 46. Ps 45. 2. yet very little of the Spirit was poured out so that the Apostles themselves were ignorant of the mystery of what was declared and the clear discovery of truth was reserved unto the time of the coming of Christ in Spirit in the last dispensation for Christ as well as John declares the Kingdome of heaven to be at hand not come Mark 1. 15. as John saith Matth. 3. 2. and the word also declareth that the Spirit was not given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified John 7. 38. 39. 3. But now when Christ had finished the great work of salvation being risen from the dead in testimony hereof now the time is fulfilled and all is accomplished that was to go before now the time is come that the mystery of God shall wholly be revealed unto the Sons of men in Spirit and power from on high now there are no more types nor figures to be brought forth by way of command to signifie the substance to come but now the substance it self is come which consists in all power in heaven and earth which needs no signs to figure it out it being present And as the former dispensations were given out first in the name of the Father and secondly in the name of the Son so this third and last which is to remain was given forth in the name of Father Son and Spirit as the full discovery of the whole mystery of God unto the Sons of men And it is called Spirit Baptisme never so called before unto former Generations nor never so named till John doth call it so declaring it to come after his Baptism Mat. 3. 12. c. now this being the manifestation of the Spirit that is more glorious than all that went before it it hath pleased God in his wisdome to stile it the Baptism of the Spirit wherein creatures are made partakers of the name and nature of God and though believers in all ages did partake of the Baptisme of the Spirit yet God hath reserved the name and title hereof unto the last times as he hath the greatest pourings out of
Baptisme of this nature do onely agree with such a kingdome as this wherein creatures are made partakers of the divine nature their own corruptions being destroyed and washed away in the pure baptism of the eternall Spirit this is the onely baptisme that is agreeable with the pure spirituall kingdome of Christ 5. This interpretation of the Commission is quite contrary to the true Gospel-worship which consists in Spirit and Power from on high for Water baptisme is such an ordinance and such worship as the Apostle speakes of Heb. 9. vers 10. that was to continue untill the time of Reformation but when once the time of Reformation came then no more outward and carnal Ordinance to be set up by command from Christ but when the time of Reformation came which was when Christ was glorified and the Spirit given then all worship was and is spiritual that was and is from God we have two proofs of this that Gospel worship is spirituall John 4. from v. 20. to 24. and Phil. 3. 3. Here is not confidence in flesh nor fleshly worship let it be what it will nor no joy nor delight in it but those that worship God should worship him in Spirit and Truth and spiritual worship is the onely true worship in the spirituall kingdom of the Son and the Father 6. To affirm the Commission to be meant of Water baptisme as quite contrary to the clear Testimony of other scripture both from the testimony of Christ himself and the Apostles and seeing it is clear by other Scriptures that there is another baptisme besides Water baptisme and not one word of water in this place How dare any to affirm the Commission to be Water baptisme This is Antichrist like to set in the Temple of God and so confine Scriptures and mens Consciences to their Carnal and Traditional Interpretations and so to change Times and Laws 2 Thess 2. Dan. 7. 25. or think to do it 1. See those Scriptures that are clear against this Interpretation Luke 24. 49. compared with Acts 1. 4 5 8. Here is another baptisme spoken of by him who gave the Commission and he calls it the Promise of the Father Power from on high and the baptisme of the Holy Spirit Now all this considered how can we safely wring any material water out of the Commission Seeing the Author of the Commission declareth another baptisme so plainly which is infinitely more suiteable to such a Person then an outward and bodily washing 2. See also the witnesse of the Apostles to another baptisme besides that of material water Acts 11 16. 1 Cor. 12. 13. Ephes 4. 5. besides those places spoken of in our former discourse If the Testimonies of John Baptist and the Apostles in their Epistles and as the Word bears witnesse to another baptisme so also it doth bear witnesse to another kind of Water and of baptisme and of washing besides that of earthly water as we have already declared And that baptisme and that water and washing being onely suitable to the Power the Person here giving the Commission and therefore it is also suitable to the Commission given by such a Person in such Power for the accomplishing a work suitable to such a person Power and Administration which is wholly spirituall and from above not carnall nor from beneath nor from the Elements of this world for all earthly things perish with the using as saith the Apostle Coloss 2. v. 22. 7. Paul declares plainly that he was not sent by Christ to baptise with Water 1 Cor. 1. 17. when he is speaking of water baptisme and this were sufficient to satisfie all men if they were not byassed with the erroneous Traditions and carnall Observations and understandings of Scriptures But here the old Objections will come in that Paul was not sent to baptise onely but also to preach the Gospel But I could wish you would not forget the Conclusion of the New Testament Revelation 22. 18 19. and we may as well put in words in other places as here as for example where the word saith salvation is not of works we may put in onely and read it thus Not of works onely but also of Grace and so these words set up Antichrist with a witnesse But now if this Commission had been to baptise with material water then Paul had more reason to have had a Commission to baptise so than any of the Apostles seeing he was to go into all the world where no Ordinance of God had ever been but you will say that others were to do this but yet if it had been a part of his Commission then he would have exhorted others to practise it but we find no such thing in all his Epistles unto any But he gives God thanks that he baptised no more v. 14. lest they should scandall him about it but he was so zealous for all the commands of Christ that he valued not his life so it might be accomplished and if this had been a command of Christ he would not have cared who had abused it or him about it for his work was to fulfill the ministry of Jesus Christ or the Commission of Christ and not to respect what pâ—rsons did say against him in the fulfilling of it But if water-Baptisme were in the Commission of Christ to the other Apostles then Paul had but a part of the Commission of Christ given unto him for he was not sent to baptise with water and so Christ gave a whole Commission to some and but a piece to the rest 8. If water-Baptisme must be meant here then in all places where Baptisme is spoke if it must be meant of water though water be not named as here it is not This is to cheat the people and to tell them this is the naturall signification of the word here do but observe how this doth crosse other Scriptures as Luke 12 50. Matth 2. 1. Acts 1. 5. chap. 11. 16. here one word is used for severall Baptismes we may well say wise men are simple Ob. 10 Spirit-Baptism consists in visible gifts given in an invisible manner c. and so all those places that speak of Spirit-Baptisme are to be understood Answer 1. I deny this upon these grounds First gifts are no where called Spirit-Baptisme but that gifts were a part of it I do not deny though they were not the substance of it 2. The Apostle declares 1 Cor. 12. 13. that all were by one Spirit baptised into one body whether Jews or Gentiles bound or free let them be what they will but all were not partakers of such visible gifts as you would have called Spirit Baptisme as appears in the same chap. 29 30. which is to speak with tongues work miracles as heal the sick c. which all could never do 3. If Christs Baptisme did consist onely in visible gifts c. then John was not out when he declared the Baptisme of Christ to be mighty to the through cleansing of his people from
will give them a new name saith God Rev. 2. 17. God gives his people a white stone and in the stone a new name written that none knows but he that hath it this is the new Name that God brings forth in his people in the new nature written in them by the eternal Spirit And none knoweth this white stone nor the name written in it but those that have received it and this onely is an eternal name that shall never be blotted out it being the name of the living God and written by a divine power in the new man or new name which is the white stone the eternal word brought forth in us in which God writes his own name which is the name of all names and so we do become living and preâ—ious stones by partaking of the divine nature in him who is the foundation of all precious stones being laid of the Father the onely precious stone and chief corner-stone by whose vertue we do become pure white and precious stones builded up together for an habitation of eternal being through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit But the waters of this world can never baptize us into this name nor give us this name nor write this name in us But the name any have by going into water is such a name as all may read because it is an external name and it is no better name then Simon Magus may partake of yea any wicked person is not this giving holy things to dogs I mean the name of God not water-baptism But he that hath the name given him of God in the baptism of the eternal Christ none can read it or know it but he that hath it therefore water-baptism is not that name neither can it give this name unto any nor baptize any into this name 5 Water-baptism cannot interest people into the name of God for Christ hath promised to write the name of God upon his people yea he will write upon them his own new name Rev. 3. 12. here we see it is the work of him who hath all power in heaven and earth to write the name of God upon souls and this is done in the power of the eternal spirit not by dipping in water For water-baptism is not the name of God neither can it work such effects upon souls as to bring forth the name of God in them nor to write the name of God upon them Creatures are onely partakers of the precious name of God by power from on high not by a little cold water Those that have any experience of the name and nature of God in themselves and those that are not wilfully blinde they may see or hear what the name of God is if you look but into the word written in the Scriptures that will tell you what the name of God is and Gods name and nature is one You know the Name of God is declared in Scripture to be Love Mercy Goodness Light Wisdom Righteousness Holiness with many the like and I hope none that knows and loves the truth wiâ—l saâ— that the glorious Name of the eternal God doth consist in a bare outside profession taking its denomination from dipping in a little cold water and that those who are interested into this glorious name that it is from their being thrown into a brook of earthly water there cannot be a more carnal conceit then this The Commission is to baptize people into the name of God and that is declared to be Love Goodness Mercy c. as in Exod. 34 c. But I hope no man will say water-baptism is the Name of God that doth consist in all good sutable to his Nature nor that to be baptized into the Name of God that consists in Light Love Wisdom Purity Strength Fruitfulness c. that this is into material water But the truth is in the baptism of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are dipt and washed in the pure River of the water of life that proceeds from the Lord God and from the Lamb and this is the onely baptism in Christs pure and spiritual kingdom which consists in spiritual fire and spiritual water and this spiritual fire will lick up all our earthly waters and quite destroy them In a word this fire and water of the spirit burns up destroys wasteth away and cleanseth us from all filthiness both of spirit soul and body in which way we do come to live in the name and nature of God in holiness and righteousness And thus we may see that material water is not the Name of God nor to be baptized into the Name of God is not into earthly waters but it is into Life Light Love Wisdom Truth c. yea into the divine nature for as we have first been partakers of the earthly even the old man which is corrupt and sinful So in the baptism of the spirit we do partake of the new name or are made new men in him who is the Lord from heaven and such a baptism is onely suitable to all power in heaven and earth which is able to write the Name of God upon his people and in them and whosoever do call themselves by the name of God or are called by his name from any outward form in the time of râ—formation and have not the name of God written within them they are bastards and not children of God it is onely the spirit and spiritual power and work of the spirit that do or that can interest us into the name of God So we conclude the Commission is spiritual and consists in spiritual baptism even power from on high sutable to the person that gave it and also to the dispensation which was wholly spiritual and so interests us into the name of God which our earthly water cannot do for that cannot interest us into eternal Love Light and all good as spirit-baptism can and doth Obj. 17. The Commission cannot be as you say to baptize men into the Name of God or Father Son and Spirit because it is not mans work to baptize with the Spirit but it is the work of Christ alone to baptize us with the Spirit and thereforâ— we affirm that no man can baptize with the Spiriâ— into the Spirit c. Answ 1. First I would propound one thing to you as unto reasonable creatures and it is this Whether you do think that God doth speak unto men by means or without means And whether God doth work by means or without means and if God do work upon creatures altogether without means then why do any of you call your selves Ministers of Christ and for what purpose you are or declare your selves to be Ministers 2 You do manifest abundance of ignorance in this not to distinguish between the efficient cause and the instrumental cause Now in the first place we ascribe the whole work of the baptism of the spirit unto God alone as the author and finisher thereof in spirit and
practise then you have for water-baptism and that will be more in force when the other doth appear to be no Ordinance at all But now to the latter part of your Objection that this is the way to bring in ranting principles if we deny water-baptism to be an Ordinance c. First must carnal liberty be brought into the Church of Christ if that be not set up and practised there which Christ never commanded this is very strange 2 Is this the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles among believers to exalt the work of all power in heaven and earth I thought that creature-exaltation self-seeking and setting up idols had been the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles when these things are imposed upon creatures to make up an out-side society then take heed of ranting 3 God doth according to his promise write his righteous and holy just and good laws in his peoples hearts and puts his fear in them that so they may never depart from him and hath said they shall not depart from him any more and that he will be their God and they shall be his people that he will live in them and dwell among them and they shall be all taught of him and great shall be their peace c. Now I hope this is not the way to bring in ranting principles and carnal liberty among the people of God who are thus taught of God and do live in the law of the spirit of life that is in Christ who is their life and their all The Law of God written in his peoples hearts doth no way bring in ranting principles into their mindes but these that is unto the kingdom of the devil and antichrist that do consist in sin and all unrighteousness and in empty forms traditions and precepts of men who proceed from fleshly and carnal principles in the world and carnal Church And I must tell you that the Law of God written in his peoples hearts and mindes this is the most rantingest principle to these that can be upon the face of the earth therefore when God writes his Laws in his peoples hearts and brings forth the new creation in them and so makes them partakers of the divine nature then let antichrist and all his carnal priviledges look for a final rooting out and an eternal destruction For the life and power of godlimess wrought in the people of God by a divine principle destroys all empty carnal and formal and traditional outside Religion in them that proceeds from antichrist which proceeds from carnal principles of flesh and blood The Law of God in the new nature destroys the Law of sin and flesh in the old nature with the very corrupt nature it self The life of God in his people or rather God living in them destroys the dead works of sin and flesh in them the power of God from on high being present in his people destroys the power of sin in them the wisdom of God in his people destroys the wisdom of the flesh in them The work of God in his people in the new creation brought forth in them destroys the works of sin and antichrist in their old nature yea the whole body of sin it self Yea the work of God in the new man is the onely ranting principle to antichrist the whole mystery of iniquity and man of sin for it makes it all flie in pieces before it even all the gross darkness and corruption and filthiness of the flesh with all the false light in the flesh and spirit of man with all empty forms and carnal observations c. all goeth down when God appears in his people in the brightness of his coming in spirit and power from on high in the hidden man of the heart And now where are your Ranting principles and carnal liberty you so much speak of to fall upon those that obey not your carnal Ordinances it falls altogether upon time-servers outside-professors self-seekers c. but not upon those that worship God in spirit and truth For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation to light in the souls of his people teacheth them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godly righteously and soberly in this present world and this proves Ranting principles to be nothing but the whole body of sin which is contrary to the divine principle that God brings forth in his Temple therefore take heed of throwing dirt in the face of truth and of slandering the Grace of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts the onely principle of true holiness and righteousness Do you think nothing can keep us from Ranting principles but a little cold water why then have so many that have gone under water fallen also under Ranting principles Obj. 23. Several baptisms were used in the primitive times and water-baptism is nowhere forbid in Scripture therefore we may use it still c. Answ 1. If the truth were not a mystery then antichrist might understand it but God is pleased to declare the truth in a mystery that so those that receive it not in the love of it may be blinded and so given up to strong delusions to believe lies as it is appointed for the antichristian world man of sin and mystery of iniquity 2 Thes 2. in which the antichristian world is deceived and blinded even to this day 2 Paul teacheth one baptism unto the Church of the Ephesians Eph. 4. 5. and doubtless Paul would not leave out another baptism viz. water if it had been any one bond of the true Churches unity seeing he doth reckon up seven which are a perfect number And that we may not be mistaken in the true understanding of this baptism Paul here speaks of he satisfies us what baptism it is 1 Cor. 12. 13. for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit So here Paul bears witness to the one and onely baptism of the New-Testament which witness is enough to satisfie those who are satisfied with the truth it self But you will say that baptism spoke of Ephes 4. 5. is one baptism of a sort and that this is the meaning of the place c. First this is more then the word declares and so we have no ground to build where there is no foundation 2 If you make an addition unto this part of the words namely one baptism and put in this word here one of a sort then we must put this word unto the sense of all the rest of the bonds of the true Churches unity mentioned in this place And then we must read it thus One body of a sort one spirit of a sort one hope of a sort one Lord of a sort one faith of a sort one baptism of a sort and one God of a sort And now let all that have eyes to see behold the gross blindness and more then Egyptian
shall pass upon all corruption in us and it shall be all eternally destroyed yet we are still in expectation hereof at present and therefore not past it So here we see in what respect we are to leave the Doctrine of eternal judgement and in what respect we are to look for the fulfilling of it For the Apostle would never exhort the people to leave that they were never come unto yet and also that which he doth cleerly exhort unto in other places this were the way for the Apostle to be like those whose words were yea to day and nay to morrow contrary to his own words and practise Rom. 1. 17 18 19. So this is the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ that was to be left and this was the Doctrine and whole Ministery of John the baptist as he was a fore-runner of Christ as Marke 1. the Ministery of John is called the beginning of the Gospel of Christ 1 The Repentance from dead works that John taught and imposed upon the people in an outward washing and outward Reformation and outward Confession c. this was no longer to be rested in for now Christ was exalted and made Lord of all and a Prince to give Repentance indeed and true and real Remission of sins in spirit life and power which shall never be repented of but men might repent of a fained Repentance as might be taken up from any outward form or outward reformation which was in flesh not in spirit which is but a shew of Repentance 2 Now that Faith that John taught should now be laid aside which was that the people should according to the promises of God expect Christ to come after him and should fulfil all that was testified of him concerning mans salvation and that he should suffer for sin take away the sins of the world c. so that now they should no longer look after a Christ to come and so live under types and shadows still but now they should look upon all the promises fulfilled and all finished Christ having suffered and risen and is glorified and now they were to believe all fulfilled that was promised of Christ as Peter declareth Act. 3. 18. and not to look for it to come as before they did though the chief of the Jews would have blinded all the people if they could to wait still for Christ to come and believe no otherwise 3 Johns testimony was that he baptized with water but there came one after him that was before him and was mightyer then he and that he should baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire yet at that present the people were to be subject to his baptism which was water because the other baptism was not come and he did figure out the baptism of Christ in his baptism But when the true baptism of all baptisms was come then they were to leave all the former that were outward and trust wholly to that which was inward and the true substance of what was figured out before And here you see there is Scripture for leaving out some baptisms And there is also Scripture for the continuance of one baptism Eph. 4. 5. there is one Baptism and 1 Cor. 12. 13. this baptism is declared by Paul himself and therefore Spirit-baptism is still in force though other baptisms were to be left And so of the other three mentioned here Heb. 6. and now where is your practising these Doctrines and yet leaving of them seeing some of them are not to be left behinde while we live upon the earth or are in the body or live in this world and now let all that see truth in its own light behold your blinde and traditional interpretation of the word written wherein are some things hard to be understood which those that are ignorant and unlearned in the mystery of God do wrest c. but observe here it cannot be those who are unlearned in the wisdom of the world for the greatest learned and wisest in the wisdom of this world onely are the greatest fools in the things of God But to answer an Objection from ch 5. 12 13 14. Paul was no babe c. yet he did not leave the Doctrine of the Resurrection nor of Faith c. Phil. 3. 10 11 12. Gal. 2. 20. Heb. 10 38. Rom. 1. 5 17. ch 16. 26. c. therefore this is not that kinde of Faith Resurrection c. that is here spoke of Obj. 24. Christ himself was baptized with water therefore it is to be practised by us seeing he hath left us an Example and we are bid to follow Christ c. A. 1. Are all things that Christ did Examples for us to follow him in then we have example from Christ to be Circumcised as well as baptized 2. Christ said to John that he should suffer it to be so now that so he might fulfil all righteousness but not one word of Christ by way of Precept that it should be an example unto future generations to follow it from his example of taking it up But seeing Christ did not speak one word of the standing of it in his Church to future generations we have no ground to follow it now So these be all the Objections that I do at present know or remember but if there are never so many more I know the truth is able to answer them all though I could answer never a one And I know nothing can satisfie the Spirit but God and when God is pleased to appear in mens souls and spirits in his bright coming in Gospel-light life wisdom and power from on high then men shall be satisfied with truth alone and not before And here I do conclude this Discourse humbly desiring all men that they would not despise the things they know not but try the testimony of all men by the truth alone and not try the truth by mens opinions for all are to be tryed by truth and not it to be tryed by them For at the best man is but a servant to the truth and it were well if they were so much but no man is Lord over truth And here I have declared unto all men what I have received from the Lord in witness to the truth And here I do profess in the presence of God Angels and men that if I could see any just ground from the cleer testimony of the truth that water-baptism were to be practised in Christs kingdom by Command or Commission from Christ and that it were the baptism of the New-Testament I would not be one day older before I would take it up I am so zealous for all the Commands of Christ through his presence dwelling in me in spirit and life But seeing I see so cleer ground against it in all the Scripture and no cleer ground for it therefore I have no ground to submit to it no though all men were for it And thus I leave what I have here declared to be tryed by the truth alone knowing this that whatsoever is of God shall stand in the day of tryal and whatsoever is of man shall be burnt up for God will bring a consumption upon all flesh and the Lord alone will be exalted in his people in his day of appearing in them in his coming in them in light and life and then all men shall cease from man who is vanity and his works of nought FINIS These books are to be sold by Richard Moone at the seven stars in Pauls Church-yard A Pathway unto Englands perfect settlement and its centre and foundation of Rest and Peace discovered by Capt. Robert Norwood 2. An Additional Discourse relating to the Treatise aforesaid By Capt. Robert Norwood Many things therein are fully opened several Doubts and Objections answered a brief account given of the Ancient Laws Customes and Constitutions of this Nation before and since the Conquest so called 3. The Life of that incomparable man Faustus Socinus Senensis described by a Polonian Knight Whereunto is added An excellent Discourse which the same Author would have had premised to the Works of Socinus Together with a Catalogue of those Works 4. Brevis Disquisitio or a brief Enquiry touching a better way then is commonly made use of to refute Papists and reduce Protestants to certainty and unity in Religion 5. The Apostolical and true opinion concerning the Holy Trinity revived and asserted partly by 12 Arguments levied against the Traditional and false opinion about the Godhead of the Holy Spirit partly by a Confession of faith touching the three Persons c. By John Biddle Mr. of Arts. 6 A short Treatise touching the death of Christ also the point of baptism is handled with the qualifications demerits sufficient to the receiving in and casting out Church-Members By J. Dell. 7. The Army Vindicated in their late dissolution of the Parliament By John Spittlehouse 8. A Warning-piece discharged or certain intelligence communicated to his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell By John Spittlehouse 9. The first Addresses to his Excellency the Lord General with the new Representative elected by him and his Councel c. By John Spittle-house 10. The new Earth or the Magna Charta of the past Ages and of the Ages or World to come called The Jews Commonweal By Joh. Brayne 11. The unknown being of the Soul and Spirit c. By John Brayne 12. The Way of disputing practised by Christ and his Apostles in deciding the Controversies of that Age and the Rule for the determining of out own or the right use of spiritual weapons c. By John Brayne 13. Baptism without Bason or plain Scripture-Proof against Infant Baptism in Answer to Mr. Baxters Arguments and the Exercitations of Mr. Sidenham By William Kaye Minister of the Gospel at Stokesley A Cryer in the Wilderness of England declaring the Baptism of the Eternal Spirit to be the onely Baptism in Christs Kingdom c. By Edward Punch 15 Dissertatio de Pace c. or A Discourse touching the Peace and Concord of the Church This he hath now in the Press Judah's Witness sounding the Trumpet c.