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
A Brief DISCOURSE ABOUT BAPTISME By THOMAS MOORE For his Friends LONDON Printed by Gar Dawson for Tho Brewster and G Moule at the Signe of the three Bibles under Mildreds Church in the Poultry 1649. TO THE READER CHristian Reader whoever thou art that takest so much pains as to peruse these ensuing lines I pray thee take not any thing in it as leading to contention it being writ to avoid it and with a desire to move all to union in minding that one Baptisme which is Baptisme indeed and so to a right understanding estimate and use of all the mediums or meanes of it by which it is effected and whereas three of them are of continuall and frequent exercise in the acting receit and usefulnesse and one of them but once done or acted and the use after in minding of it And that being it about which so much difference is fallen out among Brethren I having before writ a Treatise something large about it which hath been in the hands of many friends In which also I discoursed of the New Testament whose in-comming made the first old and decayed The unacquaintednesse wherewith as also of the extent and vertue of the Death and Ransome of Christ I conceive to be the cheif cause of manies miscarriage in conception of the right use of the Ordinance of baptizing with water and there also I gave ground of answer for all the Objections I had met with in books and for that cause and because divers have learnedly answered their Arguments I have forborn in this all such reasoning and have only applyed my self to the Scripture the Tennor of the Gospel and Commission given by Jesus Christ and touched upon the answer or faulting of nothing but what mine eares have heard from divers and in divers places yea even from such as I love and reverence or else of that I have in manuscripts sent to my self by some others of the same outward practice And in this I have avoided to go in a contentious way and as in love and with desire to prevent evill I have writ so I leave it to be tryed by the Scripture Consider it so and the Lord give us understanding in all things So prayeth thy Well willer in Jesus Christ THO. MOORE Wisbich Sept. 5. Anno 1649. Octob. 15. 1649. Imprimatur IOHN DOWNAME Of Baptisme commended since the Resurrection of Iesus Christ in the Evangelical and Apostolical Writings as that which hath great priviledges in it and promises to it TWo things are meet to be considered 1. What this Baptisme is 2. What the medium or by which effected 1. What this Baptisme is It is a Baptizing into Jesus Christ and so into his Death that one patrake of his resurrection through the faith of the operation of God Rom. 6.3 4. Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.12 And for the clearing of this to be Baptisme indeed and that it may more fully appeare what it is to be baptized into Jesus Christ foure things are considerable viz. 1. What Baptizing into Jesus Christ signifieth in Scripture language 2. What this Baptisme comprehendeth in it according to Scripture 3. Why or upon what occasion this name Baptisme is put upon this work of God and how long it hath been so called 4. That this gracious work of God in and upon a man is the Baptisme indeed and that which hath the special priviledges in and promises of life to it 1. For the first It apeareth by the Scripture that Baptizing into Jesus Christ signifieth A bringing into the knowledge belief and acknowledgement of Jesus Christ according to that great name of him set forth in the Gospel That one may in that belief and acknowledgement of Jesus to be the Christ and of that great name of his be humbled in himself and comforted in and renew'd by Christ and so washed or cleansed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God and so made one in Christ and conformed to him and when this is done a man is baptized indeed and though God in sending Gospel and Spirit enlightning convincing and bringing to an acknowledgment of Jesus to be the Christ and make profession of him may be truely said to have baptized men unto Christ yet if they have not yeilded to the operations of his grace so as that it come for be not effected They may also be truly said not to be baptized into Jesus Christ as of old when God gave his Word Oracle and statutes with such presence of his Spirit as he made the scum to come aloft he is said to have purged them yet they not yeelding up to his will and operations so as to have the scum cast off they are said not to be purged Ezek. 24.13 And this the Apostle would not have us ignorant of but gives us to learn thus much from our types that were and are recorded for our instruction namely That 1 Cor. 10.1.2 All our Fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the Sea Moses was the man that God had appointed to be their Deliverer Leader Ruler Prophet And he by whom he would deliver the Law or first Testament to them and he also to be the Mediator of that Testament But the people did not at first understand and acknowledge Moses to be such a one When God first put it in Moses heart to visit his Brethren and that he slew the Aegyptian that wronged an Israelite Moses supposed They would have understood this but they did not understand but refused him yet God did afterward send him to them to be a Ruler and Deliverer Acts 7.23 25-35 And when he did come with the Lords Message to them and shewed some signe among them They beleeved and bowed their heads and worshipped Exod. 3. 4.31 But when they came under some triall by sore affliction they altered their minds and chod Moses and Aaron as having done them great wrong Exod 5.20.21 And though by the mighty works of God they were overcome to keep the Passeover and follow Moses out of Aegypt and had the cloud going before them yet it appeares they were not brought to a right understanding and acknowledgment of Moses and that appears not onely by their fears when Pharaoh and the Aegyptians pursued them but by their words faulting Moses and declaring what had been their own saying to him in Aegypt Exo. 14.10.11.12 But when Moses from God quieted them and that God divided the Sea for them and put his cloud betwixt them and the Egyptians and had his people safely through the Sea to the shore and gave them to see the Egyptians drowned in the same sea Then they feared the Lord and beleeved the Lord and his servant Moses Exod. 14.31 And so from that time forward Moses was acknowledged a man of God though only such as yeelded up to the minde of God made known by him were the
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
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.
12. 15. 17. And so the setting him forth in Types Sacrifices and Prophesies of which Circumcision was a witnesse yet so as but one Nation partooke of those priviledges Psal 147.19 20. And the Ordinances given them made a partition wall between that Nation and other Nations in respect of nighnesse to partake of the priviledges But now is Jesus Christ set forth as he hath already come in the flesh and hath done and compleated all that fore-mentioned concerning him and so slain the enmity made peace for all Nations and made them nigh by his bloud and in the Gospell came and preached peace In which Gospel the Lord Jesus with the things in him concerning our peace are more fully set open than ever before the ascension of Jesus Christ in our nature and more abundance of grace and spirit promised to all that beleeve on him and this to be declared without difference to all Nations Mat. 28 19. Mark 16.15 And this that Jesus Christ hath done by his Death Resurrcteion and Ransome-giving and Mediation-making for all men is rendred in the Gospel as the ground and reason of all his Lordship over all Rom. 14.7 8.9 Acts 2.36 And also as the ground reason and proofe of the Resurrection of all men 1 Cor. 15. to the end And also as the ground reason and proofe that God will at the last day judge all men by Jesus Christ and cause all to confesse him Lord Acts 17.31 Phil. 2 10 11. And this given as the reason why God hath made him a Prince and a Saviour and filled him with spirit to give repentance and remission of sinnes and to rule all John 5.27 Isa 53. to the end Phil. 2.7 to 11. Acts 5.30 31. And indeed this is the foundation of repentance and that whereby all are admonished to repent Luke 24.46 47 Acts 17.30 31. And the foundation of Faith and that which men are callssd on to beleeve and there-through to beleeve on him Acts 13.38.48 16.31 And all this appeares plainly to be meant Heb. 6.1 2. if it be considered with Chap. 5.12 and other places of Scripture as Acts 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 3.11 And so likewise that the very same word of the beginning of Christ is the foundation of the Doctrine of Baptismes or of teaching Baptismes or the Foundation Ends and Vses of the Mediums of Baptizing and so Baptisme it selfe the Doctrine and End of all being one and tending to one Baptisme and so 1. As the knowledge and belief of the death resurrection and ransome giving of Christ to have been for all men is the ground why the Apostles did preach remission of sinnes to all in his name and beseech them to repent and be reconciled c. Luke 24.46 47. 2 Cor. 5 14 15 19.20 Act. 13 32-37 38 48. So likewise it was the ground of their baptizing with the word and so discipling by the Word all such as were hearing and did not turn away from the tender of the Gospell 2 Cor. 3.14 Acts 16.31.32 2. The same knowledge of the redemption wrought by Christ for all men and his lordship over them and having spirit to send forth to them was the ground of their baptizing with water in his name and so discipling those that refused not the Gospel when brought to them Acts 2.41 and 16.14.31 32. 3. The same knowledge and belief concerning Jesus Christ was the ground of their acquainting men with the baptizing with the holy Ghost and directing men to look up to and wait on Christ for that and to yeeld to the Spirit as in the means he should be vouchsafed to them Mat. 3.11 Acts 2.39 Mat. 28.20 John 14.16 26. and 16 7-16 4. And on the same ground did they exhort to receive correction from the hand of God and to be willing to bear the Crosse of Christ directing them to look to Christ and consider his sufferings in patience to possesse their souls and wait on him for profitable use and issue assuring them they shall so receive it from him Heb. 12 2-12 1 Pet. 1 5-7 and 2.21 And thus did they teach all these as Mediums of baptizing tending to one Baptisme even into Christ But they never taught these meanes or mediums of baptizing to be either the foundation on which men were to be built or to ground their hopes nor yet to be the end in respect of attainments as if life were had and the true baptisme effected where ever these mediums are For they alwayes set forth Jesus Christ to have dyed for our sinnes and risen for our justification to be the foundation and thereupon built and bottomed their exhortations to repentance faith love and use of the ordinances of Christ and accepting of and yeelding to the mediums of baptizing as is seen in the places fore-quoted and throughout their writings And they have put the mediums of baptizing in their right place as Posts and Gates to be waited at and waies to be walked in to meet with God according to that Exod. 20.24 Prov. 8.34 35. Isa 64.5 Mat. 18.20 and 28 20. Heb. 10.25 But union in and with Jesus Christ and conformity to him have they set forth as the true effect and compleating of Baptisme and that in which life is had Rom. 6 3-6 1 Cor. 1.30 John 15.1 John 5 10-12 and without which life is not enjoyed nor Baptisme indeed received and enjoyed what mediums soever passe on a man 1. A man may be baptized with the Word the Ministers instructing and he hearing it and yet not partake of life unlesse united with Jesus Christ The Word that is preached by faith in him Heb. 4.2 2. A man besides his hearing the Word may be baptized with water in the name of the Lord Jesus and so have the filth of the flesh in the stain of Gentilisme put away and yet is not purged in conscience by the spirituall application of the blood of Christ so as there be in him the answer-of a good conscience to God-ward by the Resurrection of Christ he is yet short of spirituall and eternall salvation 1 Pet. 3.21 3. A man besides his hearing the Gospel and being outwardly baptized by the Servants of Christ may also have from Jesus Christ some supernaturall illumination and inspiration with spirituall force in reproving perswading and moving so knocking and calling for entrance with promise of farther favour yet if the heart be not overcome at his reproofs and open not at his knocking 's to let go other holds and accept of and rest on him the man remains in danger still Rev. 3.20 Prov. 1.23 24. Ezek. 24.13 Gen. 6.3 whence that Ephes 4.30 4. A man besides his hearing and receiving outward Baptisme and partaking of some motions of spirit so as in some sort he beleeveth and maketh profession of Christ may also come to suffer some things for the name of Christ and yet if he abide not till Christ be formed in him that he may be perfected by Christ and his
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
patience the Race that is set before us Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith Now none can first run and then look but running in looking yea looking is the way of running for in beholding his glory that is seen which allures drawes saves and so makes to run Isa 45.22 and 55.5 As the Beleevers shining is by holding forth the word of life in word and conversation Phill. 2.15 16 So here discipling is by baptizing when it s said disciple baptizing Secondly That when he saith Go ye Disciple all Nations baptizing them It being our Saviour that spake the Disciples that were spoken too and the Nations that were spoken of whom Jesus wils his Disciples to disciple baptizing them we are to note that the word them is referred to the Nations fore-mentioned And can be referred to no other supposed persons as for that is replyed by some that the word them in the Greek is of the Masculine Gender whereas the word Nations is of the Newter Gender and so them cannot be referred to Nations They may cheat us that know not the Greek Tongue if we will be weaned from the scope of the words but they that know the Greek Tongue know that the word Nations or Gentiles in the Newter Gender hath frequently a word of the Masculine as this word them comming after it and to be referred to it and often so used in the writings of the Apostles as Rev. 2.26 27. He that overcommeth and keepeth my words unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron And here them is and can be no other but the Nations so Acts 28.28 The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and that they will hear it where they can mean no other but the Gentiles so Acts 13.48 and 26.17 18. And so its evident that in the Commission to disciple all Nations baptizing them That this them is the Nations they are to disciple and so comprehends as many as refuse not to be discipled by them Nations Families them and their children and thus it fully appears in the Commission children also are encluded And yet that this may appeare according to the scope of the Gospel I will add more 5. That this also hath been the way of God from the beginning of the Gospel preaching to number children with their parents under whose tuition they were untill the children fall to cast off that tuition And so in the first Ages of the world those under the tuition of such as professed the name of God were called the Sonnes of God when it could be neither for their good disposition nor their good conversation but only for the name of those under whose tuition they were and when the tuition was cast off that name was lost Gen. 6.1 2 3 4 5 6. And in after Ages when God revealed the Gospel more fully to Abraham and made his covenant with him to be tanght in his Family and gave him an ordinance for admission into that Family he willed him to take in the children also by circumcising all his Males from eight daies old and upward Gen. 17.11 12 13. And after this when he ordained the Passover and brought his people out of Egypt and directed them about the receiving in any one of the Gentiles to become one Nation with them He willed that the children of such a Gentile should be received also by circumcising all his Males Exod. 12 48 49. And our saviour gives us to understand it still to be according to the mind of God that the discipling of the Father is a discipling of the children when he saith of Zacheus Luk. 19.9 This day as salvation come to this house forasmuch as he also is become a son of Abraham And like to this Doctrine did Paul preach to the Gaoler Acts 16.31 Beleeve in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved and thy House Which can be no lesse then in their comming into Christ a bringing the meanes of salvation to their Families yea so far as by baptizng them they may be admitted and have interest in the means all which sounds like the Commission Mat. 28.19 6. That the children of the Jewes or circumcision were a part of the Jewish-state yea Church-state and fellowship having interest in the ordinances and promises to that people and so by our Saviour it was said of such are the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 19.14 And this Church-state given to the Gentiles shall not the children of the Gentiles that receive it be of the same Church state as the Jewish children were Mat. 21.43 Acts 28.27 28. and 13.46.47 7. The children of the Jewes while Baptisme could not be administred to children because Circumcision was still in force till the Resurrection of Christ yet they had Imposition of hands an ordinance that seems to require more in those to whom administred then outword Baptisme doth yet our Saviour received the little children to this ordinance and blessed them and reproved his Disciples for rebuking them that brought them and counted their being brought their comming and said Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 19.13.14 8. The types that went before and are set before us for usefulnesse about Baptisme doe comprehend children and those under the tuition of Beleevers 1 Cor. 10.1 2. 1 Pet. 3.19 9. Whole housholds are affirmed in the writings of the Apostles to have been baptized Acts 16.15 33. 1 Cor. 1.16 And no warning given us to except children in understanding thereof and we were before directed when a seal of admission was given to a houshold to understand the children also Gen. 17.12 13. Ezod 12 48 10. As the Nation and Church of the Jewes had their children admitted with themselves to an interest and right in all the ordinances of God to use as they were sitted by instruction being at first Circumcised and also had the promises and hope of spirit set before them Râ—m 3.2 9.4 Acts 2.39 3.25 So now it s affirmed as that which was fore-prophefied though not so clearly revealed before the ascension of Jesus Christ That the Gentiles should be follow-heires and of the some Body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 sutable to that Acts 2.39 And if the children of Christians were cut off the priviledges were streightned which I beleeve none understanding Gospel rightly will affirm 11. Yea to say in a word children are mentioned in the Apostles writings as part of the Christian Churches to whom he wrote Eph. 6.4 Col. 3.21 And Fathers willed to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord And they affirmed to be thildren of Abraham that walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham Gal. 3.8 And did not Abraham begin to teach his children to keep Gods commands by engaging them thereto by Circumcision and shall not we begin to teach our
Baptisme of repentance Then Paul describeth Johns Baptisme both in the doctrinall and practicall part thereof verse 4. Saying that is John said unto the people that is those John preached too That they should beleeve on him that should come after him that is on Ghrist Jesus And then in verse 5. he deseribes the practicall part of Johns Baptisme by 1. The Time 2. The Action 3. The Manner of it 1. For the Time He stayed not till the people could testifie such and such a worke of grace in their hearts But when the people that is Johns hearers heard this that is did attend and were willing to heare Johns ' Doctrine and be baptized 2. That is the Action Then they were baptized John baptized them with water And 3. For the Manner It was in the name of the Lord Jesus So hath Paul shewn Johns Baptisme to be right And that he did truly baptize with water as Acts 1.5 And so if Apollos or other baptized these twelve with Johns Baptisme it was right and enough for the outward and they needed no more for that nor doth Luke say Paul baptized these But in verse 6. Luke tels us Pauls Action and Gods Blessing on it he saith not when Paul had baptized them But when Paul had layed his hands on them which is not Baptisme but another ordinance of God called imposition of hands In which men praying to God for any as in confidence they lift up hearts and hands to God so in testimony of that confidence they layd on their hands on the party prayed for Heb. 6.2 like the same done by Peter and John Act. 8 15 16 17 and the same blessing there was here so that all the way here appeares no second baptizing with water and however taken nothing to the purpose of such urgers of it indeed it is a greife that there is found so much Antichristianisme and so many corruptions in Ministers and ministry and such additions of mens superstitions in any Congregation or Church of professed Christians to dishonour God and as should make the Lords people to abhor the Lords Ordinances yea this of Baptisme yet surely This is also a greife to many that some of the Lords people doe not discern to put difference between the corruptions and superstitions of men and their posts set up by the posts of the Lord and the ordinances and posts of the Lord himself so as for want of discerning in abhoring mens corruptions they abhor also the ordinances and posts of the Lord in which they doe verily transgresse 1 Sam. 2.17 24. Though indeed those evill doers are the cause thereof And indeed for such as on such occasions have been troubled about their Baptisme received in Infancy and thought in their Ignorance and rash Zeale to better it by a renewing though their practise be not justifiable yet I rather pitty them then judge them and desire they may not be led into farther inconveniences but that they may walke in the faith of the Lord Jesus and love of their Brethren according to that name into which they were at first baptized But for such as have once been outwarldy and professedly baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus that is In the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost though in their infancy to renounce that Baptisme as null as vaine as Antichristian and Antichrists Baptisme that they may have and receive another Baptisme and put the Title of the Lords Baptisme upon that This is surely more evill then the former and much more to be lamented As may appeare in three things in which oh that I were mistaken that is to say 1. The evill they intimately and unknowingly they do in this businesse 2. The evill courses they are constrained to take to accomplish this business 3. The evill fruits that do follow the accomplishment thereof 1. For that they intimately and unknowingly do let it be considered what was professedly done in the Baptisme they renounce as null and Antichristian And there will be found That in that Baptisme they were received into and engaged unto the acknowledgement even as now of First The Name of the Fater and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost or of Christ as set forth in the Gospel Secondly The obligation or covenant to be the Lord Christs his own and to own his Lordship Thirdly The hope of and waiting in use of his ordinances for his holy Spirit to enlighten teach c. The Commission and promise of Jesus Christ Matth. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. being of as large yea of a larger extent and as sure as that of God by Moses Deut. 29.9 10.15 and 30. with Rom. 10.4.8.10 And the ordinance being the Lords could not be null in it self by mens failings Now then was not the dipping in or washing with water man or childe that made it Baptisme but by vertue of Christs Commission given the Doing in that Name And surely when this baptisme is renounced they have not another Name of God another Gospel in which is truth to declare and into which to baptize again Nor have they another Jesus that is the Christ and Jesus a Saviour indeed to engage unto by baptizing again Nor have they another Spirit That is the Spirit of the Father and Son to set in hopefulnesse for their baptized to waite for If these things could be done in a second baptisme it might be borne 2 Cor. 11.3 4. If not Then the first that was with water in that name being renounced what is the second for a Church order and such or such a called Minister to baptize or such an Age of the man or such a word of grace in the man are not of the effence or being of outward baptisme as is foreshewed is it not in the receipt of it upon the renouncing of the first A secret Hidden and intimate denying of First the name into which they were at first baptized and so the Gospel and Scripture setting forth that Name and so leading to set loose from heeding Scripture Testimony Secondly the obligation in which men were in that baptisme engaged unto Jesus Christ to own and acknowledge his Lordship and walk in his way which when they came to understand If they renounced not the name Christian they have also accepted But now in denying that first Baptisme They deny all that continue that Baptisme to be obliged or engaged by any Covenant or Vow on their part to own the Lordship of Jesus Christ To beleeve his sayings to attend his Word and Odinances and to walk in his wayes and so set men loose from their obligation to the Lord and so far led to deny him that bought them And also to deny Thirdly That hope of the Spirit which was set before them in that Baptism And that this evill lurketh in the denyal of the Lords baptisme once received And that it is a dangerous evil is evident by the Commission for the ordinance and all fore-writ about the grounds
Christ And so of his dying for our sins and rising for our justification and offering himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us and sitting in Heaven to appeare before God and mediate for us as but a Figure a Type a Shadow and of no farther profitable use to us And with this a slighting of all the operations of the Spirit that testified of him and effected Faith Love Union Conformity from that appearance of him All which they count but fleshly and knowing Christ after the flesh how neer this is to that sinne mentioned Heb. 10.29 the very mentioning it doth declare And for those that after knowledge and warning persist in this evill they soon come to deny the very being of the body of the man Christ and the resurrection of the bodies of men that dye I suppose all that have any spark of grace remaining will look at this as a fearfull evill and it might warn to shun that practise which gives occasion of 〈◊〉 But in this I desire none to mistake me as if I affirmed such as receive a second Baptisme are necessitated to this nor yet all such as renounce the first to accept the second or that only such doe fall into this evill Not so far be it from us so to thinke or judge But in observation this some discerne that for the most part such as fall into this evill are of those that were never baptized into the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Death Resurrection and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the extent and vertue of it for all men and so were either zealous opposers of it or if in some sort acknowledging it a truth yet counting it but a common and light matter which yet is the Foundation as is shewn pag. 18.19 Yet mostly those of these that fall into this evill are such as before they fall into it come to renounce their first baptisme and accept a second though when they fall into it they count themselves above all ordinances and so slight their second also in respect of themselves or else such as in their judgment come to be snared with that practise and to approve it as good But conceiting Miracles of right to be done by such as Baptize they wait and seek for such like things till they conceit themselves above ordinances and then not needing it both sorts of them still approving such a practice for others it being the way to set them loose from that name into which they were at first Baptized that so slighting Scripture they may beleive them And yet still farther I desire to be noted that there are two sorts of men that maintain this practise of renouncing the first Baptisme and taking up a second First such as doe not beleeve Jesus Christ to have dyed and given himselfe a Ransome for all men or that there is any gracious life in him for them all But that Christ did this only for a certain company elect in Gods hidden Counsell from Eternity and that shall infallibly beleeve on him in time and so oppose the testimony of Scripture that saith He gave himself a ransome for all men These I know not how they can with a good conscience walking in their Faith baptize any till upon good grounds they be perswaded that they doe in heart beleeve in Jesus Christ and so are apted for renouncing their first Baptisme and taking a second though being brought to beleive they might enjoy the use of their first Baptisme and have no good grounds to renounce it and take up a second But it is meeter to reason with them and informe them about the truth of the Scripture in the extent and vertue of the Foundation Acts 18.2.3 than to contend with them about the ordinance of Baptisme in which it is no marveil though they be mis-led But there are some that doe professe to beleeve and hold forth the extent of the Ransome Oh that they would seriously without prejudice or offence-taking consider the things written for it is marveilous to me and others that any rightly understanding that businesse should deny the Baptizing of Children by Gods gracious providence put into the Tuition of such as beleeve and professe Jesus to be the Christ But yet more marveilous that any I hope there are not many will say A horse may as well be baptized as an Infant surely they will deny that to be true for a horse that they will acknowledge to be true for an Infant that Jesus Christ took their nature and dyed for their sinnes and rose for their justification and that such as we treat of are by gracious providence put under the Tuition of Christians to be brought up for God in his feare And that as John 13. They may be instructed after in this ordinance they now understand not all or any of which I hope none will say of a horse And thus have I shewn the cause of feare and griefe in such a practise yet not to cast aspersions on the person of any but to shew the evils that are so incident to such a practise neither yet to unbrother any because of such a practice unlesse such in whom the last mentioned occasionall evils appeare 1 Cor. 16.22 For it belongs not to me or others to judge any in observance of an outward Ordinance who through some appearance in Scripture to their understanding Doe that which they doe unto the Lord Rom. 14 1. to 10 Yet this I wish that in this businesse the Tenour of the Gospel and the Commission of Christ be considered and that in reasoning they would state the question right not whether Beleevers may be baptized for that none denyes but whether Beleevers that were fore-baptized in the name of the Lord are after they come to beleive to be baptized with water in the name againe and then whether children in Beleevers Tuition may not he so baptized and till they can prove the one and disprove the other by that Gospel and without taking the foresaid evill wayes cease pressing their practise on others And such as are not yet entangled to consider what is said and not suffer themselves to be snared If any say we doe and may run into as many evils I confesse we are as weak as others and so I will neither justifie my selfe nor judge them but pray for the healing of their follies and mine But whatsoever evils through weaknesse or violence of temptation I or others may be overtaken withall yet this I affirme that the remembring minding and retaining the Lords Baptisme we have received leadeth not to but preserveth from such evils For it leadeth us to acknowledge the great Love and mercy of God in the gift of his Son and testified and tendred to us in the Gospel of his Sonne into whose name we were baptized and so to count our selves engaged as by vow and solemn Covenant which since we came to use of understanding we have accepted To be the Lords to live to him to beleeve his sayings and wait for his Spirit and walk in his wayes as is fore-shewn pag. 23.24 If any say we plead thus to save our selves from trouble among men I answer what through frailty we may doe we desire to acknowledge and seeke preservation from or if overtaken healing of it But it will be no comfort to suffer for that we have no command in the word for but in our apprehensions much against it But although wee shun that practise yet if we hold forth the word of life in word and conversation acknowledging the sayings and ordinances of Christ and our Brethren witnessing against the Idolatry and evill wayes of men we shall suffer as much as they yea and with them while we acknowledge that truth which some of them with us doe hold though we urge not a second Baptisme as of old some did Circumcision to glory in the flesh and boast of another mans line withall which in our judgments would befall us in that practise Wherefore I say no more to this but the Lord make us so mindfull of him in whose name we were baptized that we may in beleiving his sayings attending his Ordinances and accepting to beare his reproach wait on him for his spirit to baptize us more and more into union and conformity with Jesus Christ in his Death that we may experiment more the vertue of his Resurrection So shall we be more separate from the world in the Idolatry Pride carnall Reasonings Superstitions Customes Fashions Vncleannesse Covetousnesse and Oppressions thereof and be found more Loving Tender and Faithfull to one another and fruitfull to the Spirit And so will our differences be healed which God of his mercy grant that we may not bite one another that so there be not a devouring nor turning any out of the way But that we may all grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen Your Loving though Vnworthy Brother THOMAS MOORE FINIS