had been nullified When the House of Israel was so gone a whoring in that Idolatry that it was death for a man to be knowne that hee would not bow the knee to Baal Yet the Circumcision of men in that time is neither faulted nor they prohibited but invited to come to the Passeover and for their Purification according to the Law care was taken and want in that bewayled and healing sought But for their Circumcision fore-passed it is not faulted at all 2 Chron. 30.6.20 And surely had errour in such things made a nullity of the Ordinance of Baptisme that when professedly done in his name yet such errours of men baptizing should make it no Baptisme Then would our Soviour have set his choise Ministers to that work but he set his Disciples to it and so did the Apostles their Attendants Nor is there any prescriptions what manner of persons for Gifts Office Grace or Demeanour they must be that baptize others in the name of the Lord Jesus with water Nor although we read in the writings of the Apostles of divers false Teachers and divers evill Livers and have there reproved both false Doctrine and evill life Yet is not the outward Baptisme of any of them any where faulted much less affirmed to be null And could the Testimony of Scripture or the Ordinance of Baptisme be made null in it selfe by being in the hands of Idolaters or by the addition of their inventions therewith as they are made voyd and ineffectuall to such Idolaters Mat. 15.1.9 Rom. 2. Then could not the outward Court of the Temple be left in the hands of the Gentiles nor the man of sinne sit in the Temple of God as is affirmed Rev. 11.2 2 Thes 2.4 Nor could such as are in Babylon and have fellowship therewith be called Gods people if they had not fore-had his Baptisme If the Baptisme had beene Antichrists and the Whores then it might have been said Yee Antichristians and Babylonians separate from your fellowes and become my People But the Baptisme being the Lords it is said Come out of her my People Rev. 18.4 So that in professing Jesus to be the Christ as a witness of the truth of that profession to baptize any that refuse it not with water in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is outward Baptisme indeed and a medium of baptizing into Christ And such as have beene so baptized with water in that name are outwardly baptized indeed and so engaged unto Christ that they might be baptized into Christ by being farther baptized with the word the Holy Spirit and affliction 3. The Holy Spirit in and with his light and operation comming from the Father and the Sonne in and with the meanes used is the principall medium of baptizing into Christ And so John taught that Iesus Christ should Baptize with the Holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.33 And Jesus Christ promised the same Acts 1.5 And in that Acts 1.4.5 Our Saviour gives us to understand what baptizing with the Holy Ghost is In the fourth verse he bids them wait for the promise of the Father which they had heard of him which is express in the same councell Luke 24.49 And the encouragement and ground of hope he gave them is vers 5. in these two First that Iohn truly baptized with water he had his Commission from Heaven preached truth which he testified by baptizing with water and then told them that Iesus Christ should baptize with the Holy Ghost And secondly Christ himselfe had promised to send forth spirit to them and endue them with Power from on high and this he assures them they shall receive saying Yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost In which two verses compared with Luke 24.45 to 49 John 7.38 39. appeareth First that there is a Baptizing with the Holy Ghost that is the work and belongs to the Office of Jesus Christ glorified with Gods right hand Mark 1.7 8. Secondly that Jesus Christ his sending forth Spirit into the hearts of Beleivers enduing them with power from on High operating in and teaching and leading them is Baptizing them with the Holy Ghost John 7.38 39. Acts 1.4 5. Thirdly that though this promise of the Spirit in performance whereof is baptizing with the Holy Ghost was first and primely to the Apostles and first witnesses of the Resurrection of Christ Yet it was also made to all that through Grace beleeve on him and to their Ministration yea not onely in and through the promise made to them but expressely to all Beleevers to be fulfilled after the Ascension of Christ So that baptizing with the Holy Ghost and communication of the Holy Spirit to Enlighten Teach Comfort c. is still abiding in the Church of God as appeares in Prophesie Isa 44.4.8 Joel 2.28 c. Covenant Isa 59.20 21. Promise John 7.38 39. And in the Commission Mat. 28.19 20. And the ground rendred of exhortation to be baptized Acts 2.38 39. Fourthly that this Baptizing with the Holy Ghost containes in it two things 1. Jesus Christ his sending of the Holy Ghost into the heart of Beleevers 2. His baptizing Beleevers with in or by the holy Ghost Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24.49 1. Jesus Christ his sending the Holy Ghost into the hearts of Beleevers to dwell and keep a residence therein Isa 59.20 21. Ezek. 36.27 28. John 7.37 38 39. First To minde them of the sayings of Christ in those things which he by himself or his Servants had fore-taught them opening their understandings to conceive the things of him and so teach them Luke 24.45 46. John 14 26. Isa 54.13.14 Secondly To bear farther witnesse and give in more evident testimony of Jesus Christ what he hath done what he is and will do so firming them in confidence in him and with courage to bear witnesse of him John 15.26 2 Tim. 1.12 Thirdly To write his minde and law in their inward parts enclining their heart in faith and love acording to his minde and so leading them Heb. 8.8 10. 2 Cor. 3.3 17 18. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly To be an Advocate within them to teach them how to pray to God and how to speak to men Joh. 14.16 17. Rom. 8.26 Zach. 12.10 Mat. 10 19 20. Mark 13.11 Luke 12.11 12. 2. Jesus Christ his baptizing them within or by the holy Ghost by his divine light and power in his minding them of and witnessing in them the things of Christ effecting in them a new and Christ like Spirit or disposition Ezek. 36.26 1 Cor. 2.16 He washeth purgeth and cleanseth them with pure water of the love of God commended through the blood of Jesus Rom. 5.1 8 10. Heb. 9.14 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 10.22 First Bringing them into the hearty acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ and their Lord Saviour Propitiation Life Wisedome Righteousnesse c. and the All and in All to them 1 Cor. 1.30 Coll. 3 10 11. as before page 3. Secondly Uniting them so to
them and theirs yet then those and onely those that were borne of the promise were the Israel of God and Israelites indeed Rom. 9.6.8 Joh. 1.47 And yet these also called just and righteous still also So also the work of God in the heart was never called Circumcision till after God had given an ordinance of Circumcision to Abraham and that it was administred on that Family to testifie the truth of the faith Abraham taught to admit them into his Family and to instruct them to attend on God to circumcise their hearts to love him Gen. 17. Deut. 10.16 30.2 6. Yet then the people of Israel they and all theirs were also called circumcision Rom. 15.8 Though the work of grace in the heart to which the ordinance instructed was Circumcision indeed and from thence so called Rom. 2.28 29. So since Jesus Christ hath suffered in the flesh and overcome death and carried our nature into heaven remaining there the Christ the great High Priest Prophet and King who will one day come againe and take his great Power and Reigne now making those that beleive on him spirituall Priests c. Those that believe on him have been called Christians Acts 11.26 26.28 1 Pet. 4.16 Not but they are also called the Sonnes of God and Israel and Gods people still but now also Christians And all outwardly baptized in and professing the name of Christ are so called But those that are borne a new of water and the spirit that beleive with the heart unto righteousnesse these are the Christians indeed the children of the promise the seed of Abraham the Israel of God indeed Joh. 3.3.5 Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.26.29 6.16 Even so since the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus was in use the work of Grace in the heart is called Baptisme Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col 2.12 13 14. Gal. 3.26 27. Not but that it s still also called Faith new Birth Circumcision c. but it s also called Baptisme 4 For the fourth thing That this gracious work of God in the heart this inward and spirituall Baptisme though it hath had its denomination from the use of the outwand Baptizing yet is this inward and spirituall work the Baptisme indeed that which profiteth which hath the priviledges in it and promises to it as appeareth plainly and plentifully in the Scriptures 1 By the Apostles Testimony of Circumcision which was an ordinance given of God to Abraham when he made the ever lasting Covenant with him and gave him the Gospell to preach as Baptisme given of Christ to the Apostles when he commanded them to preach the Gospell to all the world And the Apostle speaking of such Jewes as were circumcised when Circumcision was in force and profitable to the keepers of the Law yet he saith Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew that is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the flesh But he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God And the same may be said of Baptisme For 2. Whereas Baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Jesus putteth away the filth of the flesh or outward slain of Gentilisme as outward Circumcision did put away the reproach of Egypt Josh 5.8 9 The Apostle saith plainly of it 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptisme doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ Agreeing with that mentioned Col. 2.12 which is wrought by the faith of the operation of God 3. It appears also That this spirituall baptisme was the end of the Apostles preaching Gospell and calling on their hearers to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus both in that they counsel to it for the remission of sins and that they might in beleeving on Christ receive remission of sins and also the gift of the Holy Ghost As likewise in that saying at one time Acts 2.38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins He saith the same at another time in these words Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out c. 4. It yet further appears in that the Apostle writing to the Churches of whom there is no doubt or question made but they were all baptized with water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and none blamed for want of that yet the Apostle speaks to them with a caution and distinction Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death c. And again Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Which as it leaves a jealousie of some so it evidenceth All that by faith are not become the sons of God and be not baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and risen with him through the faith of the operation of God and have so put on Christ They have not yet been baptized into Christ and so have not the baptisme which is the Baptisme indeed and so set out by the Apostle Rom. 6.3 4 5. Gal. 3.26 27 29. Col. 2.10.11 12 13 14. 5. It yet further appeares in that as the Apostles have set forth this baptisme to be into Christ and that into the Death of Christ for participation of the vertue of his Resurrection and this by the faith of the operation of God so as a man is become dead with Christ to the world c. and risen with Christ dead to sin and alive to God and so one with Christ and in him that he is one with the Members of Christ baptized by one spirit into one body 1 Cor. 12.13 Even so hath the Apostle plainly affirmed That as there is one Body and one Spirit as we are called in one hope of our calling one Lord one Faith one Baptisme He makes no more kinds of Baptisme then of Faith yea then of God and Christ And thus we see what Baptisme is and that there is but one Baptisme though the things or mediums are waies by which it is effected are many and in that sense may be called Baptismes of which I will treat a little now to shew 2. What the Mediums Means or things used in this Baptisme and by which it is effected are These appear to be four 1. The Word 2 Water 3. The Holy Spirit 4. Afflictions 1. The word or Gospell which sets forth Jesus Christ and him crucified Gal 3.1 In opening of which Jesus Christ is lift up and set forth as the Son of God and the Son of man that hath dyed for our sins and is risen for our justification and hath received Spirit to send forth and is the propitiation for our sins the Saviour of
the world That Whosoever beleeveth in him may not perish but have everlasting lise Joh. 3 14 15 16 17. In this also is the Name of God even of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost displayed Psal 138.2 Deut 32.2.3 And this is the prime or chief Ministerial way of baptizing into Christ As appeares plainly in these things First That the Commission given Matth. 28.19 20 where Baptizing is given as the medium of Discipling and there onely put in that name in all other places it is given in these tearms of preaching the Gosp l Mark 16.15 and declaring his Name to such an end as the effecting of that which is Baptisme indeed Acts 9.15 18 17 18 22 23. Secondly When Jesus Christ opened the understanding of his Disciples to understand the things in the Scripture that concerned himself Luk 24.27.44.45 which they were to declare Act. 26.27.18 22 23. Was not then this That which they were helped to understand that Thus it is written and Thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and so to enter into his glory Luk. 24 45 46.25.26 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations and this expressely said to be that which Christ and his Apostles were witnesses of Luk. 24.47 48. And to which witnessing the promise of the Spirit is given Luke 24.49 and so the same that is in that Commission Mathew 28. verse 19 20. Thirdly The Apostles did performe the Commission given them in so preaching Christ and repentance and remission of sins in his name Acts 2. and 3. and 8. and 10. and 13.38 46. yea not only when they baptized with water but also when they did not that themselves 1 Cor. 1.14 17. Fourthly As Jesus Christ set forth in the Gospell is the Fountain set forth to wash in for sin and uncleannesse Zach. 13.1 And the love of God extended in the gift of him and through his bleed is pure water John 3.5.16 Rev. 5. with Ezek. 36.25 26. And the streams of spirit and grace proceeding from him is as a river and streams of pure water Psal 46 4 5. Rev. 22.1 2. even so the Word and Doctrine of the Gospell is compared to water Deut. 32 1 2 3. Isa 48.1 2. and 55.1 and by that men prest to wash and cleanse their hearts and wayes Isa 1.16 17. Jer. 4.14 Yea it being put to the question Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way It s answered Psal 119.9 By taking heed thereto according to thy word so that the Word or Gospell to be one mean of baptising is clearly held forth in the Scripture and Commission given by Christ If any object and say But this hath not been called baptising I answer It was the same thing for washing and cleansing first but not so called till the ordinance of baptising with water was given from Heaven and so God is nurtering the people to the acknowledgement of Moses Exod. 14. was never called Baptising them unto Moses but being the same businesse in effect and for such an end since the ordinance of baptising with water was given even that work is called baptising 1 Cor. 10.1 2. But yet to be plainer Fifthly The Doctrine of the Gospell with the teaching thereof is encluded in that word Baptisme and also called Baptisme in the writings of the Evangelists so Mark 1.3 John did baptise in the wildernesse and preach the Baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins And Luke 3.2 3. The Word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wildernesse and he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins It is plain to such as shut not their eyes of purpose to cavill That the word of the Lord which came to John that he received and that he preached and what that was is laid open both in the prophesie of him Isa 49.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. and both Prophesie and explication of that former Prophesie by his father Luke 1.76 79. and also in the affirming of his own performance Math. 3.1 2. In those dayes came John the baptist preaching in the wildernesse of Judea and saying repent yee for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Search the places and all the Scriptures speaking of this businesse and is it not plain that he declared Christ to be come in the flesh to be the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and so that the Kingdome of God was nigh and he that is John was not the Christ but that he the Christ was to come after him in ministration and on that ground exhorted them to repentance and to believe on him that should come after him in whom they should receive forgivenesse c. And then baptising with water as a testimony of the truth of his Doctrine he did after preach and call for amendment and fruits meet for repentance promising That he that came after him should baptize with the holy Ghost and with fire and purge his floor c. Though the Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation of Christ he did not so fully set forth as it is since set forth nor set forth the person of Christ who and which man he was till Jesus was baptized and Johns own Ministration towards an end Mat. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. and 3. Acts 13.24.25 And this his preaching the Gospell and baptising with water was called his baptisme and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins And so when our Saviour Christ did question the cheif Preists and Elders of the Jewes whence the baptisme of John was They reasoned with themselues saying If we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did you not then beleeve him Mat. 21.25 which beleeving must needs have reference to his Doctrine And thus Paul affirming John verily to have baptized with the baptisme of repentance he describes it in both the parts The Doctrine thus saying unto the people that they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus and his baptising with water thus and when they that is the people heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Acts 19.4 5. And so it is said of Apollos that was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord being fervent in Spirit he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the Baptism of John and surely that he spake and taught was that which he knew even the Baptisme of John and Aquilla and Prescilla expounding to him the way of God more perfectly doth evince that they shewed him the way of the Lord as it is more fully revealed since the ascenscion of Christ by his Spirit in the Doctrin of the Gospel then it was in the baptisme or preaching-Gospel before by John so
that it al the way appeareth that since the ordinance of baptising with water was given from heaven the name of baptisme was put on the preaching the Doctrine of the Gospell Yea surely however the word baptizing is oft used for baptizing with elementary water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ yet its hard for any to shew and prove that the word Baptisme in any place doth not enclude also baptizing or instructing with the word which is likewise a spirituall water Was not their comming to his Baptisme a comming to hear and be instructed by him as well as to be baptized with elementary water Math. 3.7 And was not their being baptized with the Baptisme of John a being instructed by him as well as being baptized with elementary water how else came that fruit of it that in hearing Christ they justified God Luke 7.29 But to proceed a little farther Sixthly One end and efficacy of Baptisme yea the end is affirmed to be wrought by the Word or Doctrine of the Gospell as the instrument and medium displaying the name of the Lord and so our Saviour said to his Disciples John 15.3 Ye are clean through the word that I have spoken to you And so the Apostle saith to beleevers 1 Cor. 6.11 Yee are washed yee are sanctified yee are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God And is not the setting forth Christ in Gospell preaching affirmed to be for such ends Acts 3.26 and 14.15 and 17.30 31. and 26.17 18 22 23. So that its clear That the Word or Gospell is one medium of baptizing and by which Baptisme into Christ is effected and encluded in the name of Baptisme and so called as other mediums or means are yea to say no more but as the truth is the plain and full preaching the Gospell setting forth Christ and him crucified is the chief the most necessary profitable and constantly usefull of all outward means for baptizing into Christ and so into his death c. as appears by the plain evidence of Scriptures By this faith Rom. 10 14.17 By this the Spirit received Gal. 3.1 2 3 5. In this the power of God extended Rom. 1.16 and through this the Baptisme is by Spirit effected 1 Cor. 6.11 Acts 26.18 And the receit of this testimony hath present blessing and future hope 1 Thess 2.13 2 Thess 1.10 Yea Paul that blessed God and counted it great grace that he preached Gospell to many yet thanks God that he baptized few with water 1 Cor. 1.14 But I shall for bear to say farther of this medium 2. Water elementary water to be applyed by being dipped or plunged in or washed with as a testimony of the truth of the Gospell taught in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ which also is the name of the Father and the Son and the holy Ghost That it is to be in or rather into that name is evident by the Commission given by Christ Mat. 28.19 and the practise of John Baptist the fore-runner Acts 19.4 5. and the Apostles and followers of Christ Acts 3.38 and 10.48 and the end which is for baptizing into Christ Rom. 6.3 That it was with elementary water is evident Mat. 3.11 16. Mar. 1.8 Luke 3.16 Joh. 1.31 3. and 3.22 23. Act. 8 36.39 and 10.47 48. That it be by dipping in or washing with is evident by the Word and all the places cited But how often to be dipped or washed whether the whole body or what part and how much or in what manner there is no plain and expresse type either by command or example and the word baptize signifies washing as well as dipping and is so used in evangelicall writings though also there be another word rantizing used for rensing besides that at which it aimeth and to which it instructeth even the main businesse is called washing Rev. 1.5 and sprinkling Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 A baptizing into Christ into his death so as one be risen with him and have put him on through the faith of the operation of God Rom. 6.3 4 5. Coll. 2.11 12 13 14. Gall. 3.26 27. Now precisely to limit an outwaard businesse to a certain measure where the spirit hath left freedome to necessity safety and conveniency is to streighten the wayes of the Lord more then himself hath done which is much to be reproved with that in Job 4.17 But this that one be baptized with water by being put in or under water by dipping in it or washing with it as a Testimony of the truth of the Gospell report and so in the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost This is an ordinance of the Gospell A Medium of baptizing into Christ And being professedly done in the name of the Lord it is verily outward Baptisme and an ordinance of the Lord whether it were done by a Minister of the Gospell or any attendant of such Yea and though it be very evill and sinfull in him that administreth it unholily and mixeth mens Traditions with it and evill also in such as accept and approve thereof Yet if the baptizing be as is said the Baptisme is Baptisme still and the evils of men and not the Lords Baptisme to be repented of As may also be seen in that former and first outward Ordinance given for testifying the truth of the Gospell and admitting into the Family of Abraham even Circumcision that did precede Baptisme I suppose it will be confessed by all to be a wrong and an exceeding evill end that Jacobs Sons had in perswading the Shechemites to Circumcision c. Gen. 34.13.17 c. Yet when good old Jacob cursed their cruelty and murder in killing them he faulted not the Circumcision of them but intimately acknowledged it in that he saith They digged downe a wall or houghed the Oxe Which implyes that had they not been slain they had been one People with them and a defence and help Gen. 49.5 6. And if there could have been an errour in respect of the persons acting then surely it might have been in the Shechemites circumcising themselves Gen. 34.24 Or in Zipporah circumcising her child in her Husbands presence Exod. 4.25 Yet was that true Circumcision And for distemper of mind dissembling in word and blasphemy while one is exhorting to acting or using any Ordinance of God it is grossely evill I am sure and to be reproved and repented Yet the dissembling of Jacobs Sonnes Gen. 34.13 c. nor the blasphemy of Zipporah did not make null Circumcision then used Exod. 4.25 26. And for time whereas Circumcision of the home-born should have been on the eight day after birth yet by occasion being neglected by some neere thirty eight years Yet was their Circumcision then approved of God himselfe Josh 5.5.9 And indeed if any corruption of manners in Administrators could make null such an Ordinance of God done outwardly or professedly for or according to his command Then Circumcision used by them that worshipped Baal
Christ in the beleif of his Death and Resurrection that they begin to partake of the benefit thereof being through faith dead with him and raised with him so as they are thereby and therein in some measure conformed to him dead to sin self and world and alive to God loving and living to things above Rom. 6. Coll. 2.12 to 3.1 2. 3. Filling them with the love of God he sheads abroad in their hearts Rom 5.5 and with the vertues of Christ and some usefull gifts with spirituall strength that they might walk out in the same 1 Cor. 1.12 Ephes 4 4-16 1 Pet. 2.9 and in some more abundant filling some are led to work miracles and some to speak with other tongues which as they are for unbeleevers that never beleeved Jesus to be the Christ to convince them 1 Cor. 14 22. so they are rather the fruits of some abundant baptizing then simply the baptizing it selfe but this forementioned is the baptisme wrought by the Spirit Col. 1.12 4. Afflictions and Sufferings for the name of Christ are a medium of Baptizing into Christ which afflictions and sufferings are called The Fiery Triall that is to prove and try the Faith Love and Patience of the Beleever 1 Pet. 4.12 13 14. 1.6 7. To melt subdue purge and cleanse the Beleevers Iob 33 15-30 Isa 27.7 8 9. And to make them partakers of Gods Holinesse and the quiet fruit of his Righteousnesse Heb. 12 7-14 And as he hath chosen them through the Furnace of assliction Isa 48 10. So hath he appointed them through manifold Afflictions to enter into his Kingdome Acts 14.22 As Iesus first suffered and then entred into his Glory Luke 24.26 That we may this way also bee conformed to him in the fellowship of his death and experiment the vertue of his Resurrection Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. And thus as Christ called his owne Tryals by suffering a Baptisme with which he was to be baptized Mat. 20.22 Luke 12.50 And with which even his are in some sort to be baptized Even so though wicked men as instruments doe afflict and persecute the Beleevers yet because of his ordering and sanctifying hand in trying purging and doing good therewith he is said to baptize his even with fire Mat. 3.11 Luke 3.16 And so affliction a medium of baptizing Now of these foure Mediums Word Water Spirit and Affliction there are but two put on the Ministration of the Church or servants of Christ namely that of the Word which they are sent to teach open Apply Mark 16.15 1 Cor. 1.17 2 Tim. 4.2 And that with water in his Name Iohn 1.33 Mat. 28.19 As for that with Spirit it is his owne work Iohn 1.33 And that of Afflictions is his ordering and sanctifying the evill works of wicked men to beleivers good Rom. 8.28 And as all these tend and work together for effecting and accomplishing one Baptisme which is into Christ there being no other baptisme of any kind approved but this one that is into Christ Yet the severall Mediums as they are Mediums of baptizing into Christ are in that sense called Baptismes And though but two of these that with Word and that with Water are to bee used or minstred by the Church or servants of Christ yet the Doctrine of them all belong to the Church and servants of Christ to teach what they be and what be the Ground End and Vses of them and how to be accepted and received And the Ground and Foundation of this Doctrine and teaching thereof is the same that is the foundation of Repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Heb. 5.12 to Ch. 6.1 2 3. And as this Foundation is Jesus Christ So the Doctrine of it or as some call it the Doctrinall Foundation is That as through the disobedince and fall of the first Adam all fell in him and became under sinne and death in him and were convicted and sentenced to death in the conviction and sentence that passed upon him Gen. 3.6.11 17 19. Rom. 5.12 18. And this though without the knowledge or motion of the Individuals or particular persons that were to proceed from Adam yet so verily vertually and indeed that all that came forth from him by propagation doe then and in that birth and there-through partake of sin and misery and in their own persons beare the Image of the first Adam as he was in his fall Gen. 5.3 Rom. 5.17 19. Iob. 4.1 to 4. Psal 51.5 Rom. 9.8 Eph. 2.1 2. Even so by and through the obedience and righteousnesse of the second man or last Adam the Lord Jesus Christ who as the publique man in the room of all men by the will and appointment of the Father and in onenesse of will with him therein hath by the grace of God tasted death for every man and so hath dyed for out sins in which the truth of the sentence Gen. 2â— 17. is fulfilled and that curse denounced suffered Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 13. and by the power of God hath overcome death and is risen for our justification 2 Tim. 1.10 Rom. 4.25 1 Cor 15 3 4. and hath through the eternall spirit by which he rose offered up his own spotlesse and righteous body yea himselfe a sacrifice to God in the Heavens and so hath obtained an eternall Redemption Heb. 8.3 9 12 14. And is exalted at the right hand of God and filled with the Holy Spirit in the man to send forth to men Psal 68.18 And ever liveth being the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2.5 Thus in Jesus Christ as the publick man a new Creation is made and he hath so dyed for all men and made the Attonement for them that by interpretation according to Gods acceptance of it in him as in the publick man all have dyed and are risen and Peace and Righteousnesse and Life compleated for them though in respect of their particular persons they know it not nor partake of it nor can partake unlesse by regeneration they be made in Christ in whom it is Rom. 5.18 2 Cor. 5.14 to 17. 1 Iohn 2.2 5.10 11 12. Iohn 3.26 Yet it is so verily vertually and indeed in him for all men and unto all men that whosoever of them in the appearance of this grace come in beleeving into him shall verily and indeed in his owne person receive and partake of this Peace Righteousnesse and Life in Christ and shall beare his Image Iohn 1.12 13. 3.14 15 16 17 18. Acts 10.43 Rom. 3.22.24 25 26. 5.1.5 11 19. And this with the love of God here-through testified to men as it s held forth in the Gospel now not only as it was in the promise at first as a thing to be done in its season evidenced by testimonies of his goodnesse and though not so fully opened yet vertuall to all Beleevers Gen. 3.15 Heb. 11.6 No nor yet alone added to this the fuller pointing him out to come and the everlasting Covenant confirmed in him Gen.
28.19 though encluded 3. It is not said he that is not baptized shall be damned as he that beleiveth not 4. Simon Magus beleeved Philip preaching the Gospell and was baptized with water sure in the name of the Lord Jesus and yet not saved Acts 8.13 So that some farther baptizing is there meant so that all hitherto if there were no more to be added to it would be too weak to prove baptizing with elementary water to be still in force Besides against this might be objected That All our Fathers were under the cloud and were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10.1.2 Yet but only those that came out of Egypt with Moses passed through the Sea and the following Generations were not carried in their persons back again to have the Sea againe divided and be lead through but as they were of them and one and the same Church and kept these wonders in beleeving remembrance they were also baptized unto Moses brought to acknowledge him a man of God and those Gods Lawes that were given by him and so did there rejoyce in God Psal 66.6 As in a like businesse the same is said Hos 12.4 Even so it might be said that the baptizing with water at the beginning accompanied with those miracles and visible gifts of the Holy Ghost did baptize the Nations unto the acknowledgment of Jesus to be the Christ But that the after generations that come to the same faith and so are of the same Church are interessed in what was done to them and in beleeving remembrance of those wonders are baptized unto the acknowledgment of Jesus to be the Christ and so rejoyce in him according to that 1 Cor. 3.22 23. And though this be true usefull and of force in some respects yet the truth is it is of no force to deny the use of elementary water in baptizing to be included in the Commission given by Christ but rather strengthens the acknowledgment of it and now to shew that water is included let it bee considered 1. That the instructing with the Word the work of the Holy Ghost in the heart and the sanctifying afflictions to such gracious helpfulnes was never called baptizing or baptisme till the outward ordinance of baptizing with water was first given and then they are so called As after the giving the ordinance of Circumcision the work of grace in the heart by word or affliction was called Circumcision and not before So the ordinance of Circumcision whence that gracious work had such a denomination was an ordinance to continue till compleated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ And likewise the ordinance of baptizing with water whence the work of grace in the heart by Word Spirit and Afflictions hath had such a denomination as baptisme is to continue till it be compleated in the glorious and visible appearing of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the Saints when also will be the end of the world mentioned in the promise and not before As for Gods working on the peoples hearts in leading them through the Sea to bring them to acknowledge Moses to be a man of God c. That was no outward ordinance given to the people to use but Gods own work upon them and yet not called by the name of baptizing till the ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of Christ was in use which confirmes the continuance of that ordinance till Jesus Christ come again as is shewen p. 5.6 2. Our Saviour would not speak as a Barbarian to his Disciples for those led by his spirit would not so speak 1 Cor. 14.15 to 19. Now baptizing with water was that which they had been acquainted with and the other not yet so fully understood by them Now though there was more in his words which the Spirit in his comming gave them to understand John 14.26 Yet that which they did understand should not be in his words in giving such a commission to them is derogatory to our Saviour to imagine Pro. 8 6 7 8 9. And 3. The word baptizing is cleare to be after used for baptizing with water when water is not there mentioned and that not only when baptizing is spoke of as distinct from preaching the Gospel that is preferred before it 1 Cor. 1 1â—.17 But also where the distinction is not in such a manner exprest Acts 2.38.41 8.12 13.16 16.15.33 18.8 And 4. These three former considered and found true then the Apostles practise in discharge of their Commission besides preaching Gospell baptizing with water in the name of the Lord Acts 8.36 10.47 Yea. and John Baptist also baptizing with water doth with the former proofes clear it up and evidence that elementary water is to be used in this ordinance of baptisme and is included in the Commission Mat. 28.19 And also in the promise Mark 16.16 But now how much or how little water or in what manner or how much dipped or washed is left in some measure to conveniency necessity and safety in the judgment of the Church there being no precept nor plain and evident example for it True we find two examples where water enough was of going into the water and comming out of the water but we find no mention either that they stripped themselves to goe in or how farre they went in or how much they were dipped or washed being in Yea of our Saviour it is affirmed he was praying when he came forth and as he was praying the Holy Ghost descended on him Mat. 3.16 Luke 3.21 22. And it being a custome in those Countries for many to goe bare-legged and to wear Sandals they might goe in to the knee But neither their going in nor comming forth was their baptizing For Jesus when he was baptized came straightway out of the water Mat. 3.16 Mark 1.9.10 And as for the Eunuch Philip as well as he went downe into the water And then Philip baptized him and then they came both out of the water Acts 8.38 39. But no mention of the stripping of either or their cloathing againe bâ—â— of the Spirit taking away Philip so soon as they came out of the water whicâ— implyes no such stripping besides elsewhere it rather appeares that for others water was commanded to be fetched Acts 10.47 48. So that dipping or washing with water is enough most probable the head or face but I will here for beare the reasons for that enough is said before of this pag. 8 9 10 To shew that in profession of Jesus to be the Christ to baptize any of Adams race that refuse it not with water professedly in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost is the performance of the outward ordinance of baptisme and one so baptized is outwardly and once baptized indeed Nor can the addition by the Baptizer of some humane inventions make the ordinance null as is aforesaid 2. For the second thing considerable viz. Vpon
what grounds this ordinance of baptizing with water in the name of the Lord is to be administred And this appeares in the Commssion with the ground thereof Mat 28.18 19. And the Tenor of the Gospel John 3.14 15 16 17. Mark 1.16 with the residue of scripture to be these viz. 1. The certainty given in the Gospel of a peace reconciliation and redemption wrought by Jesus Christ in his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered to God for all men and his good will to have it made known and tendered to thema ll This is the ground both of preaching Gospell to them 1 Tim. 2 4-7 And of baptizing any of them with water Acts 18.8 1 Cor. 2.13 15.4 as is already shewne in pag. 14 15 16. And he that hath not certainty in this runs at an uncertainty in his ministration which Paul would not in any thing 1 Cor. 9.26 2. The perscription of such as are to be baptized with water to be subdued or brought into or under the instruction or tuition of such as have accepted the Doctrine of the Gospel and make profession of it which men of understanding and at their owne dispose be not nor can be so judged till they be found willing to heare and to be instructed in the Doctrine of the Gospel Mat. 3. John 4.1 2. Acts 8. 18.8 But children not come to the use of understanding are so and so to be accounted from the gracious providence of God putting them in the Family and into the charge and under the care and tuition of such whether by birth or other providenciall way Gen. 17.12 13. Acts 16.15 But of this more anon 3. The command of Jesus Christ in his Commission given to his Disciples to goe disciple all Nations baptizing them baptizing being both with word and water neither to be prest violently and where the tender of the Gospel is not rejected the baptizing with word and water are of the same extent And so the report of the Gospel the work of God in putting under the uition of such as have accepted and doe professe the Gospell and the command of Christ to disciple all Nations baptizing them is the ground and bottome upon which this baptisme is to be administred As for such as are to be baptized to confesse their sins and professe their faith it is good in such as are come to the use of understanding before they be baptized Yet though it be an encouragement it is not the ground and to them that think it so it is but partiall and fallible But that set down before is the Ground and whole and constant and sure to administer one as will yet more clearely appear anon 3. For the third thing considerable viz. To what ends this ordinance of baptizing with water is to be administred and that is 1. To be an outward and sensible Testimony of the truth of the Gospel preached both in that there in affirmed to be already done by Christ for men and also in the hope set forth therein for beleevers and so of the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost set forth thereby Jesus his giving this ordinance to be administred is a testimony of his faithfull mind and the truth of the faith and Gospel given to preach And so when John preached the Gospel baptizing and preaching the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes Mark 1.3 4. He is said to have truly baptized with water as witnessing verily the truth Acts 1.5 And so as all the Scripture Moses the Law and all Types foregoing so all the ordinances of the Gospel doe testifie of Christ John 5.39 to 44. Rom. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 As Abraham received the signe of Circumcision as a seale of the righteonsnesse of the faith he had c. that he might be the Father Abraham his receiving the sign was not simply his being circumcised for so were all his family but his receiving that or dinance to administer as a seal of the righteousnesse of the faith it s not said which all he circumcised had nor of the truth of his own beleeving but of the righteousnesse of the faith that is the Gospel God preached to him which he had to preach to his Family and so to be a sensible testimony that he might be the Father of all that beleeve Gen. 15. 17. with Rom. 4.11 Even so also the Apostles received this ordinance to testifie withall to such an end and so it is given as the Medium of discipling in the Commission Mat. 28.19 2. To receive into Gods Family or the Family of Christ or Abraham and so to engage the baptized to yeild up to and wait on God in the acknowledgment of his great name and observance of all his ordinances and the things he hath already commanded by Jesus Christ to his Apostles And so as Circumcision discipled into Abrahams Family and bound to the Law after given by Moses baptisme disciples into the same family of God and binds to beleive and observe the sayings and commands of Christ fore-given in the Gospel and this is cleare in the Commission Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 1 13.-15 And in that baptisme is into his name and no other 3. To set or lay before them the hope that is set forth in the new Testament confirmed by the death of Christ for his baptizing them with the Holy Ghost and so sending forth spirit to teach and write his sayings and Law in their hearts Mat. 3.11 Acts 1.4 5. Luke 24 46 to 49. c. as pag. 11.12 And so by witnessing the truth of the Gospel accepting and engaging them into the Family of God and setting such hope before them they may disciple them that so in beleeving they may throughly repent and lay hold on Christ and therein receive remission of sinnes and spirit to lead a new life And thus is this baptisme unto repentance and to be received for the remission of sinnes Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Neither as some vainly glosse it causaliter that it should cause it nor declaratively as if it did verily declare remission of sinnes received But as a Medium of comming into Chrrist that in beleeving it may be received And these are the ends of administration and not such as in which this ordinance is made like the Types of the Law to have a sensible and visible figure or resemblance of Christ in the manner of his death and resurrection and conforming us to him for which no word that conformity being the work of his Spirit by word and afflictions 4. For the fourth thing considerable viz. Who are the subjects capable of this ordinance of being baptized with water in the name of the Lord and so may have it administred to them And that is expresse in the command and commission given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles Mat. 28.19 To be all Nations that were not fore-discipled and refuse not in the tender of the Gospel to them