9. Mark 16. 20. And they went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signes following 1 Thes 1. 5. For our Gospell came not to you in word onely but also in power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Pet. 1. 12. By them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven Heb. 2. 4. God also bearing them witnesse both with signes and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost 4. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected 1 That as soon as they were thus enabled from above they presently preached to beget others to the faith beginning at Jerusalem as they were appointed Luk. 24. 47. 2 That this their preaching came not in word onely but in power and in the Holy Ghost which was by Gods bearing them witnesse or every where working with them and confirming the word both with signes and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost and therefore it was that he that despised them despised God and he that believed not made God a liar which none can be said to do in respect of any Ministry not being so vvitnessed by God Scripture Acts 2. 38 39. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost For the promise thereof is unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Acts 8. 15 16 17. Who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost for as yet he was faln upon none of them onely they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost Acts 9. 17. And Ananias went his way and entred into the house and putting hands on him said brother Saul the Lord hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 19. 1 2. And came to Ephesus and finding certain Disciples he said unto them have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed 6 And when PAVL had laid his hands upon them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with Tongues and Prophesied Ephes 1. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospell of your salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise 2 Cor. 3. 6. Who also hath made us able Ministers not of the Lotter but of the Spirit Gal. 3. 2. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of Faith 5 He therefore that ministreth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you doth he it by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith 1 Tim. 4. 14. Neglect not the gift which is in thee which was give thee by the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie Also 2 Tim 1. 6. 5. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected That these were enabled not onely plainly and distinctly to declare the Gospell with Gods bearing witnesse so as is aforesaid but also to administer the spirit to others and did administer it to all believers who had it not immediately from heaven by the laying on their hands upon them which they could not have done before they were indued with power so to do by the comming down of the Holy Ghost upon them Therefore were they commanded to stay untill it came Scripture Mark 16. 15 16 17 18. Go ye unto all the world and preach the Gospell to every creature he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned And these signes shall follow them that believe in my Name they shall cast out Divels they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover Joh. 3. 37 38. In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood up and cried saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink he that believeth on me as the Scripture saith out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living water but this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified Joh. 14. 16. I will pray the Father he shal give you another coforter that he may abide with you for ever Ephes 1. 13 14. Ye were sealed with the Holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession Ephes 4. 8. He led captivitie captive and gave gifts unto men 11 He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers 12 For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ 13 Till we all come to the untiy of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man 6. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected That these gifts of the Spirit were one specificall Character whereby to distinguish the true Ministry of the Gospel and Churches of Christ from false to the end of the * world * Herevvith agreeth a Marginall Note in our English Bibles printed 1576 upon Ioh. 14. 12. He that believeth in me the vvorks that I do he shall do and greater The Note hereupon is This is reserred to the vvhole body of the Church in vvhom this vertue of Christ doth shine and remain for ever Scripture 1 Cor. 12. 7. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every one to profit withall 12. For as the body hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body Rom. 12. 4 5. As we have many members in one body and all the members have not the same Office so we being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another Rom. 8. 9. Now if any one have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his that is none of his body or Church Ephes 2. 21 22. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit 7. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected 1 That none were capable of true membership in the visible Church or body of Christ being a spirituall state without being baptized with the baptisme of the spirit 2 That every member of the Church in generall had not onely one or more of these gifts of the spirit but had the manifestation
THE IVS DIVINVM OF PRESBYTERIE OR A TREATISE Evidently proving by Scripture All true Ministers or Embassadours of the Gospell to be rightly called Divines OR JVRE DIVINO Hebr. 5. 4. No man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron PRINTED In the Year 1646. Certain probable Collections From Scripture proving the Divine right OF PRESBYTERIE By way of Quere proposed to the serious consideration of all ingenuous and free spirited men Scripture Ephes 3. 8 9. UNto me who am lesse then the least of all Saints is this grace given that I should preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mistery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God Col. 1. 25 26. Whereof I am made a Minister according to the dispensation of God which is given me for you to fulfill the Word of God The mistery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but is now made manifest to his Saints 1. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected That the Gospell is that mistery which from the beginning of the world was hid in God untill the comming of CHRIST in the flesh and his declaring it to his Disciples Scripture Mark 16. 15. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature Coloss 1. 15 16. Who is the image of the invisible GOD the first born of every creature All things were created by Him and for Him 20 And having made peace through the blood of his crosse by him to reconcile all things to himself whether they be things in earth or things in heaven 23 And be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a Minister Rom. 8. 19 20 21 22. The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sonnes of GOD for the creature was made subject to vanitie not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope for the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD for we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together untill now Acts 3. 21. Whom the heavens must receive untill the times of restitution of all things Rev. 21. 5. And he that sate upon the Throne said behold I make all things new 2 Pet. 3. 13. We according to His promise look for new heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse Esa 45. 17. Ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Psal 93. 1. The Lord reigneth the world also is established that it cannot be moved Joh. 3. 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Sonne John 6. 5. And the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world 1 Joh. 4. 14. We have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Sonne the SAVIOUR of the world 2. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected 1 That God by Christ hath reconciled to himself all things in heaven and in earth 2 That the Gospell which Christ after his Resurrection commanded his Disciples to publish in all the world appertained to all the world viz. to every creature in heaven and in earth or under heaven 3 That God by CHRIST will restore all things viz. make new the heavens and the earth deliver the whole creation from corruption into a glorious and incorruptible state and so to make it abide for ever a world without end 4 That Gods loving the world reconciling the world Christ giving his flesh for the life of the world his being a Saviour of the world with many the like phrases are not to be understood of the world of the Elect nor of the world of believers as some fondly imagine no nor yet of the world of Mankinde as others more reasonable do deem but of the whole universall created world the heavens and the earth and all things therein Scripture Luk. 24. 49. Behold I send the promise of the Father unto you but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem untill ye be indued with power from on High Acts 1. 4 5. And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which ye have heard of me for John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence 8 But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth 3. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected That notwithstanding the former command of Christ to his Disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospell aforesaid yet they were not to attempt the doing thereof untill they were enabled thereto by the comming down of the Holy Ghost from Heaven upon them Scripture Acts 2. 2 3 4. And suddainly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty winde and it filled the house where they were sitting and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Vers 43. And fear came upon every soul and many signes were done by the Apostles Acts 4. 29 30 31. And now Lord behold their threatnings and grant unto thy servants that with all boldnesse they may speak thy Word by stretching forth thy hand to heal and that signes and wonders may be done by the name of the Holy childe Jesus and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spake the Word of God with boldnesse Acts 5. 12. And by the hands of the Apostles were many signes and wonders wrought among the people and they were all with one accord in Salomons Porch 15 Insomuch that they broughe forth the sick into the streets and layed them on beds and couches that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might over-shadow some of them 16 There came also a multitude out of the Cities round about unto Jerusalem bringing sick folks and them that were vexed with unclean spirits and they were healed every one Acts 8. 5 6 7. Then Philip went down to the City of Samaria and preached Christ unto them and the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which PHILIP spake hearing and seeing the Miracles which he did For unclean spirits crying with loud voyces came out of many that were possessed with them and many taken with Palsies and that were lame were healed Likewise Acts 9. 33 34 35. 41 42. Acts 11. 21. Acts 28. 8
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that commeth after me is mightier then I whose shooe I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire Joh. 1. 33. He that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shall sec the spirit descending and remaining the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost Acts 1. 5. John indeed baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence Acts 11. 15. As I began to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning 16 Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with water but yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 13. By one spirit are we all baptized into one body Matth. 21. 25. The baptisme of John whence was it from heaven or of men Acts 1. 22. Beginning from the baptisme of John Acts 18. 25. Acts 19. 3. Mark 1. 4. John did baptize in the wildernesse and preached the baptisme of Repentance for remission of sinnes Luk. 3. 3. And he came into all the Country about Jordan preaching the baptisme of Repentance for the remission of sinnes Acts 13. 24. Acts 2. 38. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes And ye shall receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost For the promise is to as many as shall be called Acts 8. 14. 15 16 17. They sent unto them Peter and John who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost for as yet he was faln upon none of them onely they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost Acts 19. 5 6. When they heard this they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus And when Paul laid his hands upon them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied Ephes 1. 13. After ye believed ye were sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts Matth. 28. 18 19. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Mark 16. 17. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved And these signes shall follow them that believe c. 13 Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected That there were two severall baptismes appertaining to the true Ministery of the Gospell plainly distinguished in these four particulars 1 In their Authors the one JOHN the other CHRIST 2 In their matter the one Water the other the Holy Ghost 3 In their form the one In the Name of the Lord JESVS by dipping the subject into water The other In the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost by laying their hands upon the subject 4 In their ends the one the Baptisme of Repentance for the remission of sinnes the other the baptisme or seal of the Spirit for an earnest of the everlasting inheritance Scripture Hebr. 6. 1 2 3 4. Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ Let us go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands and of resurrection from the dead and of eternall judgement and this will we do if God permit For it is impossible for those who were once inlightned and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made pertakers of the Holy Ghost c. if they shall fall away c. 14. Quer. Whether from these Scriptures may not be collected 1 That the Doctrine of the aforementioned Baptismes and of laying on of hands is part of the principles of the Doctrine of CHRIST 2 That the doctrine of these Baptismes and of laying on of hands was laid by the true Ministers of the Gospell as a part of the foundation upon which only the faith of all true Believers of the Gospell and Christian visible Churches were and ought to be built Objection All the learned and able of all sorts do agree in expounding Matth. 28. 19. To be the institution of the baptisme with water or at least that the baptisme with water is there only meant Whose authority you crosse in expounding it to be meant of the baptisme with the Holy Ghost As is intimated in the different formes of baptisme in your 13th Quere and 3d. Distinction Answer Authorities in this case ought not be measured by numbers or votes of men though never so learned and able but by Scripture and weight of sound reason And now that by this Text is meant the baptism with the Holy Ghost and not of that with water I shall prove by these following Arguments 1 From the institution it self Christ after his resurrection when he had declared to his Disciples that all power in heaven and in earth was given unto him commanded them saying Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Hence I argue That this being an institution of a Baptisme it is either the institution of the Baptisme with Water or of the Baptisme with the Holy Ghost but it is not of that with water because the baptisme with water was instituted and administred long before that time by John the Baptist who had authority from God so to do Joh. 1. 33. Christ himself Mark 1. 9. The Discip'es and many hundreds more being baptized by John with the Baptisme with water long before this institution of Christ or any administration thereupon And for one and the self same Baptisme to have two institutions and these severall and different and yet true is most unreasonable to imagine 2 It is not the institution of the Baptisme with water nor was the baptisme with water here meant because the baptisme with water would then have been tearmed Christs Baptisme as well as Johns But the baptisme with water was never tearmed Christs baptisme but alwayes tearmed Johns both before and after this institution of Christ Whereas on the other side the baptisme with the Holy Ghost was in like manner alwayes tearmed Christs 3 It is not the baptisme with water which was there meant because then the Disciples afterward would have so proposed and administred it to wit In the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost according to the command but they did not afterward so propose nor so administer it but clean otherwise to wit In the Name of the Lord Jesus and for remission of sinnes Acts 2. 38. and 8. 16. Even