saving he that receives it Rev. 2.17 The Lord's Worthies are fed with Heavenly Manna hidden from the Wise from the Prudent from the Princes of this World they have a White Stone in which they are comforted notwithstanding all the black Coles wherewith the world seeks to besmear them this Stone may spiritually be called Ebenezer by interpretation the Stone of Help these have a New Name better then that of Son and Daughters Isa 56.5 Here not thorough Willing Runeing and carnal Conformity but through Faith the Spirit of Adoption is received wherein Christ's Baptâ—sm is witnessed and because you are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son crying Abba Father Gal. 4.6 God hath no Still-born Children the Spirit of Grace is a Spirit of Supplication to this New Name Adoption Cry of Abba Father Outward Washing cannot bring 't is a rich yea an enriching Giâ—t neceived by the Hand of Faith Rom. 8.15 Thirdly The Spirit 's Baptism must continue in the Church otherwise no true Worship without it the true Worship is not known the Woman of Samaria acknowledging Christ to be a Prophet forth-with she sought to be satisfied in a Case of Conscience concerning Worshipping in that Mountain or in Jerusalem Christ said unto her The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father for God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 How In Spirit in Opposition to the carnal and idolatrous Worship of the Samaritans who worshipped God under the Representation of a Dove How must God be worshipped In Truth in Opposition to the Typical and Figurative Worship of the Jews which was but a Shadow of the Gospel-worship Paul bare record unto this Worship saying We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit as truly it may be said They are of Christs Baptism who worship God in the Spirit such as have their Luxuriances lopped of unruly Passions mortified and cast away as a superfluou Fore-skin such are inwardly circumcised inwardly baptized by the One Spirit into One Body in which the true Worship is Fourthly The Spirit 's Baptism must continue in the Church else no Translation into the Kingdom of Light 't is through the Spirit that Entrance is known thereinto so that the Doctrine of Men who preach reach and affirm that sprinkling of Infants which they call Baptism makes a Mâ—mber of Christ a Child of God an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven is an antichristian Doctrine setting outward Water in the place of the Spirit of Christ whose Work only translates into the Kingdom of God so that the Apostle Paul gave thanks to God who had delivered them from the power of Darkness and had translated them into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 So 't is the Power of God who is a Spirit that translates into the Kingdom of Christ not extrinsecal that is outward water as many erroneously teach such as truly have a Lot herein though through the Malice of the old Serpent they be cast into a dark Dungeon yet may say in Faithfulness and Verity as Oscolampadius upon his Death-bed said Hic sat lucis Here within is plenty of Divine Light Fifthly The Baptism of the Spirit makes the Heart the Lord's Temple outward Water tends not to the cleansing of the inside but in the Faith the Spirit is received which baptizes into one Body Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. And this Temple is not washed by John's Ministration of out ward Water but by Christ's Ministration of the Water of Life 't is swept by the Lord's Power 't is beautified with Holiness perfumed and sweetned with Heavenly Graces like Incease and Myrrh the Lord will dwell in a poor provided it be a pure Heart 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Sixthly The Spirit 's Baptism enables to the Work of the Gospel-Ministry not Arts nor Sciences nor Humane Endowments not Aristotle's Ethicks nor his Physicks nor his Metaphysicks makes a Minister of Christ but the Virtue of the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth The Spirit of the Lord is upon me faith Christ he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor see Luke 4 18. even the Gospel a Word of Excellency Authority Certainty and Sufficiency yea and Christ said to his Disciples John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence and ye shall receive Power after that the holy Spirit 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 parts of the Earth Acts 1.5 8 Consider this Christ himself here calls Baptism of the Spirit the Power qualifying and enabling them to be his Witnesses Yea and 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit they were acted carryed out of the Dungeon of Self whence issue Dreams Uncertainties to say do what God would have them Yea and on the Day of Pentecost Cloven Tongues like as of Fire sate upon each of the Disciples they were all filled with the holy Spirit and spake as the Spirit gave them Utterance Acts 2. Thus were they baptized with the Spirit Christ's Baptism without Water John's Baptism and they were taught both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to divide the Word aright as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feot it aright to teach well and live well so that in the sense of God's Innocency wrought in them they commended themselves as Examples for others to follow Yea and 1 Pet. 4.10 As every man hath received the Gift even so minister the same one to another at good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God Cloups when full pour down Presses over-flow Aromatical Trees sweat out their precious and soveraign Oyls so the divinely qualified Witnesses bring out rich Treasures even lively and life-giving Oracles this is through the Spirit 's Baptism not through Acquired Attainments and Accomplishments Seventhly The Spirit 's Baptism brings into the true Service of God for no Kindred Tongue Language Nation Family Man or Woman hath an entrance into the pure Service of God but inasmuch as they feel the Spirit of the Lord in them moving Heaven ward for as the Apostle said But now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that vve should serve in newness of Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 The true service of God is in the newness of that Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth in which man being kept he holds constantly a Countermotion to the course of the World to the torrent of its reigning corruptions in this Bodies are presented
Disciples is undeniable Paul mentioning the Institution unto the Corinthians mentions both as 't is evident the Bread represented his Body the Bread of Life that nourishes the Soul to eternal Life the Wine his Blood which they came to witness to cleanse them from all sin as they kept to the Head thorow the Ligament of living Faith they came to the End of all Figures to partake of the one Bread one in all but in the dark reign of Apostacy they re-assumed the Shadows and divided Christendom into Clergy that is Teachers and Laity that is all others out of Holy Orders so called but all the Faithful are the Lord's Lot as Acts 26.18 translated there Inheritance but properly signifies Lot if the Greek Copies be consulted and makes nothing for but against the distinction of Clergy and Laity Leighs Crit. However the Distinction hath found continuance in the Church and in the year 1215. Pope Innocent the third did first of all as 't is recorded forbid that the Lay People should receive their Communion in both kinds he would allow them Bread but no Drink this kind of Communion as 't is said was not before the Council of Constance where in the thirteenth Session they deprived the People of the Cup yea and a Canon was put out saying in down-right and express terms If any one shall deny whole and entire Christ the Fountain and Author of all Graces to be taken under one Species of Bread c. let him be Anathema accursed Thus in this as in other things it appears that not only the Power of Godliness hath been lost but great Confusion hath followed Of Mixed Wine Alexander if I may use the Language of my Author the seventh Pope from Peter being about to consecrate was the first of all that mingled Water and Wine together Polydor lib. 5. Of taking Money for Bread and Wine I have shewed before how Pope Innocent the third and the Council of Constance denyed the Cup to the Laity so called one Eckius complying with this Doctrine gives an irrational Reason for it The Laity saith he ought to content themselves with the Bread only because equi donation sunt inspiciendi dentes that is a gift Horse is not to be looked in the Month Apud Manlium in loc com He though belike that Lay Men could not claim any Right to the Bread neither Bellarmine grants that they have Right to the Bread but adds that in eating the Bread transubstantiated by the Priest into the Body of Christ they drink his Blood also But Lombard his Master contradicts this his Doctrine saying That the Bread is not turned but into Christs Flesh nor the Wine but into his Blood Let him that is crowned with Heavenly Wisdom judge whether these Contradictions bespeak them to be Builders of Sion a City of Unity the Joy of the whole Earth or Builders of spiritual Babel a City of Confusion The Council of Constance acknowledged that Christ instituted and administred both Bread and Wine tamen hoc non obstante yet notwithstanding the Authority of the holy Canons and the Custom of the Church hath and doth deny the Cup to the Laity But to return Neither did Christ take Money for the Bread and Wine which he gave to any but as the spirit of Selfishness entred the Temple of the Church it produced other Effects surely there was occasion why the six the general Council of Constantinople decreed That no Bishop Priest or Deacon administring the Communion to people should take any Money whatever of them for the same and that who as did should be deposed Summa Concil et Pontif. Yet notwithstanding the Constantinopolitan Canon in Protestant Churches now the Parish buyes Bread and Wine and the Priest sells it them again that the Priest may have an Offering at Easter so that many otherwise zealous for the established Ministry blame their Ministers their spiritual Hosts as they call them that first the Parish must buy Bread and Wine and give it to the Minister and then the Minister give it to the People and after call for a Reckoning yea and force such as neither bite nor sup thereof to reckon and pay Let us hear the Lord's Proclamation Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters to the Water of Life the Cup of Salvation Consolation and Blessing a spiritual Thirst is called for neither Money nor Price And further He that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Here is Bread and Wine and Milk at the Lord's Hand without Money or Price Isa 55.1 2. but such as are made Ministers by the will of man through the strength of Arts Sciences Natural Parts Abilities Qualifications Endowments Acquisitions they have another Language so another Spirit forcing Money and Price not only from Receivers but from Non-receivers also so that the Practice of many I say not all bespeaks them saying We preach the Gospel tantum ut nos pascat et vestiat meerly for Food and Rayment to pick a living by Trap on 1 Pet. 5. Yea and Revel 22.17 The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely Here is Communion Royal Communion Water of Life Bread of Life the Cup of Blessing freely without Money or Price But their Voice is not the Voice of the Spirit nor of the Bride nor of him that heareth nor of him that is athirst who forces Money and Price for Bread and Wine the Shadow not only from the Receiver but the Non-receiver also for where Christ's Doctrine and the Apostles is transgressed his Institution for Gospel-Maintenance violated their Voice is the Voice of Balaam who was for Gifts Rewards Wages of Unrighteousness filthy Lucre who have nothing but the Shadow which maketh not alive they make Gain of it sell it but who are Members of Christ's Body of his Flesh of his Bones as freely they have received the Bread of Life so they freely give Of the Kiss of Peace and of the Pax. David the sweet Singer of Israel exhorted Kings and Judges of the Earth to kiss the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 These are Greetings cordial Embraces not known but in the operating Virtue of the Seed of Regeneration and in spiritual Submission to his Heavenly Will Let him kiss me saith the Church with the Kisses of his Mouth Cantic 1.2 In the sense-restoring Life these are felt as Seals and Assurances of divine Favour and Acceptance Earnests and Fruits of the Spirit like Balm to the Wounded Paul writing to the Romans said Salute one another with an Holy Kiss Rom. 16.16 This Peter called The Kiss of Love 1 Pet. 5.14 In after Ages as Fellowship with the Lord and with one another in the Light in a high measure came to be loft then the Observation of Shadows more and more got entrance then their
be driven from the Figure Lib. 4. Cap. 16. In calling it a Sign a Figure he saith Well but his Conclusion is Carnal and Antichristian in saying if men have the Substance why should they not have the Figure by this crooked Rule of Reasoning might all the ritual Observances of Moses be imposed upon Gospel-Believers Hammond in his Paraphrase and Annotations on Mat. 3.11 calls John's Baptism a Ceremony saying John initiated Disciples with Water but Christ with Fire yea and on Mark 1.5 8. he paraphraseth saying Water is the only Signal that John used after the Jewish manner but Christ was to send down the holy Spirit from Heaven and is not Christ the End of Ceremonies Types Figures and Shadows John 's Water-Baptism as all the Shadows of Moses were but to endure for a time for as all the Prophets were until John so John was until Christ and Christ by his internal Washing the Laver of Regeneration not only fulfilled and ended Moses's Laver but John's Jordan-washing by fulfilling inwardly that which they represented outwardly Obj. Christ himself was Baptized with Water doth not that perpetuate Water-Baptism in the Church Answ Christ was Circumcised not that from thence Outward Circumcision should be continued he went into the Temple and taught there and cast out the Prophaners thereof he said to the clensed Leper Go and shew thy felf to the Priest and offer a Gift according to the Law Mat. 8. so he was baptized not that he intended thereby to perpetuate or continue these things Christ being the Substance and Anti-type owned the Shadows Types and Figures in their place and this tended to the Conviction of such who questioned the Authority of those Typical Ministrations Baptizatus est Christus a Johanne ut Johannis ministerium approbaret saith Martinius that is Christ was baptized by John that he might approve of the Ministration of John to justifie it in its Time Place and Season against such as question'd the Authority of it So 't was said The Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of John Luke 7.30 And Christ put a Query to the Pharisees saying The Baptism of John is it from Heaven or of men Luke 20.4 Christ owning the Figures in their time and place proved thereby their Institution to be divine but all this was before he was offered up for when he was offered up then he blotted out the Hand-writing of Ordinances took it out of the way nailed it to his Cross Col. 2.14 When Christ saith Piscator on this place was nailed to the Cross even then the Ritual Observances of Moses were sore wounded yea abolished The first Covenant saith the Apostle stood only in Meats and Drinks and divers Washings or Baptisms and carnet Ordinances imposed until the time of Reformation the Figures which could not perfect the Observers as pertaining to the conscience were to give way to the Evangelical and Spiritual VVorship brought in by the Substance Hebr. 9. The Gospel-Time is a Time of Reformation so such as stick to the Figure and will not have the black Lines of their Corruptions washed away by the Blood of the Lamb such remain unreformed Though Christ owned the Shadows before he was offered up yet when he was offered up risen and ascended and the Promise of the Father fulfilled the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizes revealed then these things were not preached up but against then Paul preached against circumcision outward Gal. 5.2 saying If ye be circumcised Christ shall prosit you nothing yea he tell them they bewitch'd them who entangled them in the droughty Desert of Ritual Observances and he preached circumcision inward Stephen bare record saying The Most High dwells not in Temples made with hands Acts 7. Yea and Paul said The Priesthood was changed Hebr. 7.12 Yea and Paul said Christ sent me not to baptize 1 Cor. 1.17 saying further There is one Lord one Faith one baptism Ephes 4.5 There had been two Baptisms John's with Water Christ's with the Spirit without Water but now the Shadow had given way to the Substance one Baptism saith he and he tells what it was by one Spirit into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 by one Spirit not by Water So that the Spirit 's Baptism which is Christ's Baptism is the One Baptism which he preached up in the Churches Who are of God may read here the Temporary Baptism of John laid aside and the Spirit 's Baptism preached up Shadows have no footing in Christ's Kingdom When Jesus was baptized he went straight-way out of the Water and the Spirit descended like a Dove upon him the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth and a Voice from Heaven said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3. and in another place Hear ye him Not Moses with his Laver-Washing not Iohn with his Jordan-Washing hear the Son who baptizes with the holy Spirit and with Fire not with visible Water thus the Legal Rites which Christ allowed of before he was offered up the Apostles after his return in Spirit they testified against the same yet in so doing were not Transgressors of Christ's Doctrine but had his Mind These things being truly considered and weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary it cannot but appear that it shews no soundness of Judgment to plead that Christ's being baptized by Iohn perpetuates Water-Baptism or Rantism in the Evangelical Dispensation Paul said to the Collossions If ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the world why as though living in the world are ye subject to Ordinances touch not taste not handle not Col. 2.20 21. Things that had been of Divine Institution when continued beyond the Bounds of their season and time became worldly Rudiments and Doctrines of Men. Obj. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost doth not this Institution enjoyn all Ministers to Baptize Answ This Scripture hath been much abused by Translators and Interpreters and alledged to patronize the Formal Inventions of men as may appear by what follows being truly interpreted 'tis thus rendred Go ye therefore disciple all Nations baptizing or dipping them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit and it makes nothing for Water Baptism nor for Rantism for Christ having qualified his Apostles to be his Witnesses to the uttermost parts of the Earth sent them not to preach up Iohn and his VVater-baptism but to preach the Everlasting Gospel Christ and his Baptism which is spiritual Iohn said and bare record that he baptized with VVater but he that was to come Christ Jesus should baptize with the holy spirit Now to say Christ baptized with Water or sent his Apostles to baptize therewith is to question the Testimony and Record of Iohn who said he should baptize with the holy spirit After Christ was risen from the Dead he met his Disciples on a Montain in Galilee
Baptism within Again 2 Cor. 3.6 Paul testifies That they were made of God able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit even of the Spirit in which Christ's Baptism is revealed And Paul demanded of the Galatians saying Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3.2 As if he should have said True it is you have received the Spirit but not by the Works of the Law but by the hearing of Faith so that the Apostles preaching the Word of Faith unto them they received the Spirit even that Spirit which baptizeth into one Body So that it is clear unto me that such as alledge this Scripture Go and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father c. to patronize Water-Baptism or Rantism that is dipping or sprinkling in Gospel-dayes they are Wresters and Perverters of the Scripture and that this Scripture as many others hath in the dark Night of Apostacy been wrested perverted abused and mis-interpreted beside what hath been spoken may be more fully made apparent Zuinglius and Piscator say expresly that Christ Jesus did not in those words institute a Form of Baptism and that Divines had taught falsly who held it out as a Form One Gulielmus who was a Roman-Catholick taught That the Form of Baptism should be thus I baptize thee in the Name of the Father of the Son of the holy Ghost and of the blessed Virgin Mary Cent. 13. Mag. 419. There was a certain Priest who being a Lack Latin said in baptizing Baptizo te in nomine patria et filia et spiritu sancta which is false Latine as Latinists know about this there was no small contention as whether the Baptism was lawful yea or nay where False Latin was broached Bonifacius Bishop under Carâ—lus Magnus was of Opinion that the Party thus baptized ought to be Re-baptized upon which Pope Zacharias wrote to Donifacius That he should not be Re-baptized for that notwithstanding the False Latine it was True Baptism he also put him in mind of the Custom of the Church that if any were baptized by Hereticks such should not be re-baptized but only purged by Imposition of Hands Thus False Latin got the Day A Bishop of Paris in a Synod expressed himself thus Let Baptism be celebrated with Reverence and let the Priest be very cautious in the Distinction and Pronuntiation of Words in which all the Vertue of the Sacrament and the Salvation of Children consists Statut. Synodal Odonis Parisiensis Episcopi This is a strange yea an unchristian Doctrine denying the Virgin 's Birth Jesus by interpretation a Saviour in whom alone Salvation is and ascribing the same to Water without Formal Words Distinctions and Pronuntiation without Obj. The Apostles practised Water-baptism not only before the coming in of Christ's Baptism but after as 't is evident in the Acts of the Apostles doth not this infer the continuance of it in Gospoltimes Answ As it was said in a certain Case so may I say in this Judicis officium est ut res it a tempora rerum Quarere that is A Judge must not only enquire after things but also after their Times and Seasons True it is the Apostles for a season practised Water-Baptism not Rantism that is Dipping not Sprinkling but whether they did it by Command or by Permission hath been a point of controversie As for me and Thousands more we believe that they did it not by Command from Christ but took it up and continued it for a season in relation to Iohn's Water-Baptism as Paul said in a certain case 1 Cor. 7.6 But I speak this by Permission and not by Commandment After the Ascension of Christ some of the Apostles used outward circumcision not as by Christ's Command but in relation to Moses for their sakes for a season who were weak or otherwise affected certainly knowing that soon after the Virtue and Purity of Circumcision made without Hands would put an End to Circumcision outward for the Mosaical Shadows and Figures were the most truly put off when tâ—ey felt the Substance Christ the Life the End of such things risen in their mortal Bodies for as the Sun-light swallows up the Moon-light and as Darkness is chased away when the Sun appears and mounts up in its lustre so all outward Shadows Types and Figures from the dayes of Righteous Abel to John were to vanish as the Life of Christ came to be exalted in his Church John intimated thus much when he said I must decrease he must increase So John's Water-baptism was to decrease Iohn being a Fore-runner and his Servant was to resign up his Baptism to Christ yea and as a Servant to deliver all things into his hands as Heir and Lorâ— Iohn's Baptism reached unto Christ's Kingdom but hath no place therein yea and to bring Shadows and Figures into his Kingdom is if rightly understood antichristian for his Kingdom is wholely spiritual and in his Church he is a Bundle of Myrh yes that very thing which from Abel to Iohn was represented by outward Shadows So that those the Apostles baptized as internally I am perswaded they did it for a season in relation to John's Ministration for the sake of the Weak and of others the Day being but even dawning which was to put an End unto and fulfil the Laver-Washing yea and the Jordan-washing as all other Shadows from Abel to that very season And that they baptized on this Account and not by a Command of Christ several Grounds induce me to believe First Paul a chosen Vessel who planted many Churches yet altogether ceased from John's Ministration of Water-baptism after that he had used it twice or thrice as probably all the Apostles did 1 Cor. 1.14 15 16 17. he thanks God that he baptized none but such and such saying expresly Christ sent him not to baptize dip or plung their Bodies in Outward Water though he did is to a few yet he had no command for it Hence it necessarily follows that he did it by Permission in reference to John's Ministration for the sake of the Weak or of others and the present time till the Lord Christ the End of all Figures was more revealed in them What was he sent to do To preach the Gospel Christ and his Baptism which washes inwardly fulfilling outward Washings Secondly This Paul who had the Mind of Christ held out but one continuing Baptism in the Kingdom of Christ writing to the Saints at Ephesus he said There is one Lord one Faith one Baptism Ephes 4.5 There had been two Baptisms Iohn's with Water Christ's with the Spirit yet the one is repealed and not preached up among them So to the wise in heart I appeal whether this one Baptism he preached up was John's with Water or Christ's with the Spirit and whatever thou be that sayes that the one Baptism which the Apostle preached up was John's Water Baptism I tell thee thou
the holy Spirit wherein the Redeemed cry Abba Father Rom. 14. Visibles are temporal as Moses's Laver-washing John's Jordan-washing imposed only until the Time of Reformation but Invisibles are eternal as the Spirit of the Lord is eternal in which Christs Baptism is such as center in temporals that Eye being shut which sees into the beginning before the temporals these are but as an House without Pillars tottering with every Blast as a Ship without Anchor tossed with every Wave for the Establishment is in that which is Eternal Whose Antitype Baptism doth also now save us By this Scripture as all the wise in heart understand Peter puts an End to Baptism of the Flesh as Paul did to Circumcision of the Flesh for saith Paul Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of men but of God which in effect is this In Gospel-dayes where all shadows are fulfilled Circumcision in the Spirit puts an end to Circumcision in the Flesh in effect Peter saith as much of Baptism Baptism saith he saves but not that Baptism which puts but away the Filth of the Flesh but that Baptism of Christ in the Spirit where the Answer of a good Conscience is known Yea by this Peter intimates that Baptism in the Spirit puts an to Baptism in the Flesh for of a Truth it may be said He is not a Christian who is one outwardly neither is that Baptism which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Christian which is one inwardly and Baptism is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praife is not of men but of God For neither Moses's Laver-shawing nor John's Jordan-washing could bring inward Cleanness and Purity of Conscience therefore Christ put an end to all outward shadows figures and Types by the Power of his Spirit inwardly effecting and fulfilling that which they in an outward manner shadowed out Many bear record in Truth to the Apostles Testimony who said The Law make nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope by the which we draw nigh unto God Hebr. 7.19 Here is the perfecting of the Children of Light here they are truly joynted whom Satan had dislocated Paul who was not sent to baptize but to preach the Everlasting Gospel a more weighty and ponderous Concern he had his Call from Heaven in writing to the Church at Rome he speaks of Gifts differing and exhorts every one to be faithful but of baptizing with Water he speaks not but in other places sets up the Spirit 's Baptism as conducing to the Salvation of the Soul So who are serious in the things of God cannot but conclude from what is spoken that the Spirit 's Baptism is the only Baptism peculiar to Gospel-dayes and that the continuance thereof is of absolute necessity whatever you be that deny it to and in the Church you shut out of the Church the divine Nature the new Name the true Worship Translation into the Kingdom of God the Lords Temple the Gospel-Ministry the true Service of God true Unity inward cleansing true Christianity present Salvation and what is that Church and what are the respective Members thereof that are destitute hereof Out-sides Formalists tossed to and fro as a Feather or Froth upon the Waves hurried about with every Wind of Doctrine like Glasses blown into this or that shape at the pleasure of mans breath what are Professors that are destitute of the Spirit and its Baptism as hollow Trees in an old Wood tall but pithless sapless and unsound What are these lifeless Formalists as a Bulrush whose Colour is fresh Skin smooth Body knotless yet nothing is within but a kind of spongeous unsubstantial substance The Swan in the Law was rejected for sacrifice as some affirm because of her Black Skin under White Feathers thus it is with Unscripturalized Out-side Formalists their Performances how specious soever black Death reigning within brings them not unto divine Acceptance their most Religious Duties and Performances issue from Art and Acquired Parts not from divine In-dwellings who then touched with the sense and possession of the Lord's Presence and with the Virtue of his spiritual Baptism can be silent And not as the Lord's Worthies contend for it of the which such excellent things are spoken if Christ must have preheminence in all things if he be All in his Church beautified out of his Wardrobe why is Outward Water so much magnified in Gospel dayes Christ is sufficient to and in his Church without John though John was of use in his season to point out Christ to come so the Baptism of Christ without visible Water is sufficient in his Church without the Baptism of John with Water though the Baptism of John with Water was useful in its season being a shadow of a better thing to come even of Christs Baptism with the Spirit who said He that believes on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water but this spake he of the Spirit which Believers in him should receive John 7.38 39. So that Believers receive the Spirit so Christs Baptism living Water is to flow out of the Womb of their Souls they know the precious Virtue thereof its Cooling Cleansing Thirst-quenching and Fructifying Virtue they know the fulfilling of Moses's Laver and John's Jordan-Washing in their Mortal Bodies The Fourth Assertion Rantism that is Sprinkling of Infants is a Case unpresidented in the Primitive times an Irreptitious Custom sprung up in the Night of Apostacy after the Falling Away from the Primitive Order I Have already shewed the Temporary Baptism of John and have likewise spoken of the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit and that this Baptism put an end to John's Water-baptism as to the other shadows so that to and in the gathered Churches one Baptism was preached and that by one Spirit into one Body the shadow being left off now it remains that I inform you how Dipping which was John's Ministration came to be re-assumed and likewise how Sprinkling of Infants got entrance among the Professers of Christianity Christ being upon the Mount of Olives with his Disciples told them that False Christs and False Prophets should come Mat. 24. which John seeing fulfilling and fulfilled said expresly they were come saying Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time â— John 2.18 Paul in the Spirit of Discerning sore-saw and fore-told of an Apostacy a Departure from the Faith that seducing spirits should be heeded and Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 John in the Spirit fore-saw all the world wondring after the Beast Revel 13.3 yea and he saw and fore-told of a great Whore that
Magdib pag. 126. For further confirmation hereof Musculus saith in his Common-Places pag. 741. Anciently very many did defer their Baptism to the very utmost term of their Life to the end that they might depart pure and blameless out of this Life and so they did not suffer themselveâ— to be baptized except in their Bed and that by sprinkling only in the very point of Death that they might dye with an Evidence for this cause these were called Clinicks that is Bed-rid and Clinick Baptism in this manner Constantine the great the Son of Helena a zealous Professor was baptized when about Sixty Five years old being sick and dyed a few dayes after Socrat. Scholast lib. 1. cap. 26. Mark this that in the coming in of Rantism that is sprinkling Old Men were sprinkled not Infants In early Ages of the Church Baptism saith Cave was deferred till old Age. Basil Bishop of Gesaria though born of believing Parents as his Father being Bishop of Nisen was not baptized till aged Osiander Cent. 4. lib. 3. Theodosius the Emperor though born of Christian Parents and instructed in the Faith yet was not baptized till aged Historia tripartita lib. 1. Further Tâ—e Bohemiaen Confession holds out that Baptism for the most part was administred to Men of riper years In Alexandria the holy Scriptures were read and interpreted by the Unbaptized as well as by them that were Baptized Which thing plainly evidences that they ascribed not that virtue to Sprinkling or Infants as afterwards men did and now do It was a Custom among the Ancients that they that were baptized were baptized Naked supposing that as they were stripped of their Garment so by baptismal Water the old man that is in-dwelling sin and corruption was put off Wolfgangus Musculus Dusanus in his Comment on the Psalms This Custom continued very long as Authors say They had a Custom in the Primitive Church saith Trapp on Col. 2.12 that the Party to be baptized clod himself with old cloaths Which he put off when he entred into the baptismal Water and at his coming out he put on new Clothes What did they signifie hereby That they conceived that by the Virtue of baptismal Water they put off the rotten Rags of Vnrighteousness and put on the Garment of Righteousness and Salvation Thus the Water of Life being much lost within which cleanseth washeth purifieth sanctifieth and taketh away Spots Blemishes and spiritual Deformity they ascribed this Work to Water without One said Ardua sacrati baptismatis aula coruscat Quo delicta Adae Christus in amne lavat After this it came to be considered that many dyed before they became old therefore it was decreed That Children when growing to years of Discretion should be instructed in Christian-Principles and then baptized Zuinglius saith in his Book of Articles That Children were alwayes openly instructed and when their Faith had made an impression in their Hearts and they confessed the same with their Mouthes then were they admitted to Baptism Here was Teaching before Baptism but now they Sprinkle Infants and many years after teach them The one Baptism by one Spirit into one Body being much lost then they re-assumed John's Ministration of Water-Baptism or an Imitation thereof Johannes Bohemius saith In time part it was the Custom to administer Baptism alone to those that were instructed in the Faith and were before Easter so called and Pentecost catechized and then upon their Confession they were baptized this was done twice a year at Easter so called and Pentecost such as were baptized put on a White Garment when they came out of the Water for the aforesaid Reason or in token of that innocent course of Life they had engaged to walk in this White Raiment being exorcized and exsuffed with sundry Ceremonies they wore till the Sunday after Easter so called and on that day put it off which Day from those White Rayments was called Dominica in Albis that is The Lord's Day in White Concerning this Lactantius said Fulgentes animas vestis quoque candida signat Et grege de niveo gaudia pastor habet White Rayments Represent Souls chast and pure The Shepherd for his Flock takes Gladness sure The same Ceremony was observed by those that were baptized at Pentecost so from their White Rayments Pentecost came to be called Whit sunday that is White-Sonday in Memorial or Imitation thereof When Infants are now baptized they have on their Heads a White Cloth called a Chrisome Johan Bohemius de gentium moribus lib. 2. Cambdens Bret. pag. 768. Cave in his Primitive Christianity Pope Siricius in the year of the Lord 389. decreed That Baptism should not be celebrated but at the aforesaid two seasons Easter and Pentecost Summa Concil et Pontif. Baptizing at these two seasons became almost Vniversal saith Cassander de Baptismo Thou hast received after Baptism saith Ambrose de sacramentis a White Rayment a Token that thou hast put off the Pleasure of Sin and hast put on the chast or pure Rayment of Innocency Luther Bullenger Erasâ—us Ludovicus Vives Melancton Beza Bucer Augustine Marlolat Chamier Hammond Field Hugo Grotius Zuinglius Taylor Parens Tertullian Origen Cyprian Eusebius Heracles Dyonysius Athanasius Hillary Basil Gregory Nazianzen Ambrose Arnobius Jerom fourth Council of Carthage the Council of Laodicea the Council of Neocesaria Balsamon Zoâ—â—râ—â— Walafridus Strabo Monsieur Daille Beatus Rhenanus and Augustine in his Book De Fide gave in their respective Testimonies that in the more early Ages of the Church Repentance Confession of Faith and Instruction in Christian-Principles was commended to people as the only Qualifications for Baptism those thus instructed in Christian Principles were called Catechumens so were admitted to Baptism which Custom saith Zuinglius I wish it were in use in our Age Augustine and others charged their Opinions if their Writings be not corrupted by the Index expurgatorius Augustine the Son of the vertuous Monica being instructed in the Faith was not baptized till about the thirtieth year of his Age as saith Nauclerus in the year 301. His Mother would not have him baptized young lest through youthful Propensity he should fall into sin which after Baptism would be greater and more perilous as she conceived White 's Apology for Kushworth's Dialogues Gregory Nazianzen born of Christian Parents his Father being a Bishop was baptized about the twentieth year of his Age Osiander Cent. 4. Lib. 3. Ambroâ—e born of Christian Parents remained instructed in Christian Principles and was unbaptized till he was chosen Bishop of Millain Paulinus in vita Ambrosij Jerom born of Christian Parents was baptized when about thirty years old Erasâ—â—us in vita Hieron Chrysostom born of Christian Parents was not baptized till the one and twentieth year of his Age Hugo Grotius on Matth. 19. Nectarius was made Bishop of Constantinople before he was baptized Vossius de baptismo pag. 100. In Northumberland is a River called Glen in which Paulinus coming into those parts