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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	father_n	power_n	son_n	12,372	5	5.6553	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46867	The friendly enquirer's doubts and objections answered concerning the light within, the word of God, the church of Christ, gospel ministers, ordinances in general and in particular, water baptism, and the Lord's supper : together with a brief testimony against oaths and swearing / first intended and written for the satisfaction of some particular acquaintance and now published for more general service by James Jackson.	Jackson, James, fl. 1674-1708.	1698 (1698)	Wing J73; ESTC R34952	26,741	110

until John so John was until Christ and John must no more exceed his bounds than the Prophets theirs for as the Prophets continued and gave way to John so John resigned up to Christ John's Temporary Ministry had a Temporary Baptism but the Everlasting Gospel of Christ Jesus had an Everlasting Baptism I must decrease but he shall increase saith John therefore we leave John and his Baptism where we found them viz. Without the bounds and limits of Christ's Kingdom as to his dispensation Mat. 11.11 Verily I say unto you among them that are born of Women there hath not risen a greater Prophet than John Baptist nevertheless he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he and if ye will receive it this is the Elias which was for to come But now to bring Signs and Ceremonies into Christ's Kingdom the true Church is acting directly against Christ and him crucified and surely none are so weak as to rely upon Water Baptism as sufficient which I fear many Thousands do without the Sactification of the Spirit or to think that Christ's Spiritual Baptism is not compleat with John's these do worse than to build Tabernacles for Moses and John the Baptist equal to one for Christ and so debase the greatest Glory of the New Testament the Baptism of the Spirit Object 1. But have all our Christian fore-Fathers been in the dark about this Thing that Water Baptism which gives us our Christendome hath no room now in the Church and Kingdom of Christ Answ 1. The Judgments of the Lord are unsearchable and his ways past finding out 2. that Christianity which proceeds from Water Baptism is but low and mean it is but Skin deep However it is only the Baptism of Christ's Spirit which maketh a true Christian Also our Lord said to Peter Vnless I wash thee thou hast no part in me John 13.8 even so it is with us unless we be sanctified and cleansed by the Spirit of Jesus we shall perish our Uncleanness Object 2. But Christ who is Lord of the Kingdom and Head of the true Church submitted to this Ordinance and was baptized with Water I Answer very true and Jesus was also circumcised and honoured John's Baptism 1. because he was born under the Law 2. to fulfiill and finish all legal Righteousness and so he that knew no Sin was made Sin for us That we might be made the Righteousness of God in him wherefore beware least any spoil you through Philosophy and vain Deceit after the Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of this World and not after Christ for he is the Substance and in him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are Compleat in Him in whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Buried with Him in Baptism wherein also ye are Risen with Him through the Faith of the operation of God blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances which was against us and contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to the Cross and having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly Triumphing over them in it Col. 2.8 to 15. Object 3. But does not the Lord justifie Water Baptism in saying Except a Man be born of Water John 3.5 and commands it Go teach all Nations Baptizing them c. Answ Not at all for the Lord does not say Except a Man be baptized of Water but born of Water whence it plainly appears such Water is here intended as can give a new Birth or a new Life And saith he if thou hadst known the Gift of God thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee Living Water And so all that are regenerated know this Well of Living Water and witness it to be in them springing up to Everlasting Life John 4.14 and I have long observed when Baptism in Scriprure is mentioned presently it is by some assigned and confined to Water Baptism whereas nothing less can be intended as Mat. 28.19 there is Christ's Commission to his Apostles Go teach all Nations baptizing them how or wherewith 'T is soon answered with Material Water but we say Material Water is not mentioned and no more intended in this Baptism than the material Element of Fire is meant in these Words He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 and therefore in full answer to this last Objection I say that our Lord Jesus never practised instituted or commanded the use of Water Baptism in his Church John 4.3 Jesus our Lord commanded to Baptize Mat. 28.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Here is the Commission at large and not a word of Water mentioned neither doth it appear that these words In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost was at any time expressed by the Apostles when they or any of them condescended to the use of Water for they understand the import of their Embassie consisted not in the use of those words but that by the effectual ministration of the Word of Faith they might implant such as believe into the Name i. e. the Power Vertue and Life of God the Father Son and Spirit Besides Paul whose Commission was as full as the other Apostles speaking of Water Baptism saith thus Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 Object 4. But the Apostles practised Water Baptism not only before Christ's Spiritual Baptism came in but afterwards also Answ It is granted and they used Circumcision also but neither of these practices were in obedience to any command of Christ but from the Example of Moses and John Baptist and in condescention for certain it is all and every outward Sign or Ceremony having at first Divine Institution are not easily laid down by reason of that Honourable Account they have obtained in the Church as the brazen Serpent the use whereof was only in the Wilderness but being appointed of God and very Serviceable in that time yet it remained many Generations though of no use unless for an Idol till the Reign of Hezekiah who broke in pieces the brazen Serpent which Moses had made for unto those days the Children of Israel did burn Incense unto it In like manner Circumcision being ended an Ordinance of God of great esteem and service amongst the Jews was continued long after it was abolished by Christ but the Apostle affirms of it to be nothing even as it 's said in another place an Idol is nothing in the World so says Paul Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing nor is he 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

Land of Egypt from whence ye came out where thou sowedst thy Seed and didst carry Water to it as to a Garden of Herbs Verse 11. But it is a Land of Hills and Valleys and drinketh Water of the Rain of Heaven no need here of Man's Pumping Draining or Forceing Verse 12. A Land which the Lord thy God careth for the Eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it from the begining of the Year even to the end of the Year And observe what a good account Caleb and Joshua gave of the Land in the presence of these Men who had brought up the aforesaid evil report to the jeopardy of their Lives Numb 14.7 It is say they an exceeding good Land a Land that floweth with Milk and Hony and as for those Gyants and mighty Men of stature say they fear not the People of the Land they are bread for us and upon hearing of this all the Congregation bad Stone them with Stones Whereby it is very observable how readily the common People close with and embrace the evil suggestions of the Enemy and also how hard a thing it is to undeceive such as are prejudiced against the Truth tho' grounded only upon bare report and false accusations and thus the Hearts of People are perverted 2. And yet these Evil Men do not only discourage the Hearts of the People by despising and Reproaching the good Land but they also deter and hinder them by suggesting such difficulties as possibly cannot be overcome such Enemies as never on this side the Grave can be conquered Altho' the Lord had graciously promised a total subduing of all Israel's Enemies Deut. 11.22 Saying If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do them to love the Lord your God to walk in all his ways and to cleave to him then will the Lord drive out all these Nations from before you and ye shall possess greater Nations and mightier ●han your selves and there shall no Man be able to stand before you All this and much more did the Lord promise to Israel of Old concerning a perfect dominion and victory over all their Enemies And in a more especial manner hath he promised an absolute Conquest and Deliverance from the Kingdom and Powers of Darkness to all that are Travelling to the Spiritual Canaan even unto all that receive Jesus Christ that love him believe in him and obey his Voice John 1.7.9 They who walk in the Light as he is in the Light have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus cleanseth from all Sin and if we confess and forsake our Sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleans● us from all Vnrighteousness John 12.46 I am come saith Christ a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness And indeed for this very end is our Lord Jesus promised sent and manifested to put an end to Sin to finish Transgression and bring in everlasting Righteousness to destroy the works of the Devil to bind the strong Man though never so well armed to cast him out and spoil his Goods not in part but to save even to the uttermost all that come to the Father by him But these Men do not only refuse and despise the Land of Promise and the only way to Life and Salvation but hinder and shut up the Kingdom that others who would enter in cannot yea they deny the only means of eternal Salvation by their confidently affirming that Revelation is ceased whereas our Lord Jesus hath declared and all the Faithful Servants of God in all Ages bear witness That none know the Father but he to whom the Son reveals him 7. And we are against all those who are and have with Judas through envy and avarice been the betrayers of the Interest and cause of Christ and People of God into the Merciless Hands of cruel Persecutors who will not yet see But saith the Lord they shall see and be ashamed for their envy against my People Of these therefore I shall only say with Jacob Simeon and Levi are Brethren Instruments of cruelty are in their Habitations O my Soul come not thou into their Secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their Anger they shed much Blood and in their self-will they digged down a Wall Gen. 49. But the Ministers of Christ whom he has sent as his Ambassadors we own and none else if you say who are they I answer they who have received their Commission and Embassie from Christ for saith he to his Father As thou sent me so have I sent them into the World and to his Disciples he said As the Father sent me into the World even so send I you into the World John 17. 1st Christ was the Son of God and a Voice from Heaven testified saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him 2ly he was immeasurably anointed with the Spirit 3d. by Vertue of his Sonship and Unction he endured and conquered all the Assaults and Temptations of Satan and 4ly he went out and preached the Gospel and 5ly that Doctrine which he had preached and witnessed to in his Life he confirmed and sealed by his Death in his Blood So are all true Ministers in their measure Children of God his anointed ones fitted through Sufferings to preach the Doctrine of the Gospel in the Life Power of the Eternal Word and thereby made ready to Seal thereto with their Blood if required Answ 2. As concerning Churches we believe that the Lord had a Church and peculier People whom he hath preserved through all Ages from the beginning to this present time in and with whom he will also abide for ever and this Church we own which is in The Communion of Saints one with another in the things of God through their Vnion with Iesus Christ which differs from the Churches of Men 1st In their constitution not gathered by Force Fear Favour or Will of Man but drawn of the Father adopted through the new Birth and so become a Spiritual Society first united to Christ by the Spirit of Faith and then knit together by the Bond of Love and Peace 2ly in their Discipline not by a Temporal Sword nor by humane Officers that act in the strength of natural or acquired parts but built beautified and governed by Christ himself Isa 54.12 Zach. 6.12 and by Instruments helped so far as the Spirit of Jesus Christ acts in them 2 Cor. 13.3 in the Church of Christ all are taught of God Isaiah 54.13 Tit. 2.11 1 John 2.27 4ly the Churches of Men are often broken to pieces scatered and confounded But the Gates which is the Power of Hell shall never prevail against the true Church Mat. 16.18 5ly in the Churches of Men are more Wicked than Righteous nay all of them being unrighteous and unclean are more or less the Synagogues of Satan the Habitation of Anti-christ

and have been yet are and while in their carnal Sinful State will be Persecutors of the true Church Gal. 4.29 but in the true Church they are all Righteous Isaiah 60. from the 1st to the 20th and hereof it may be tru●y said Who is like thee O People saved by the Lord the Shield of thy help and the Sword of thine Excellency Thine Enemies shall be found Liars unto thee and thou shalt tread upon their high-places yea this poor despised persecuted Flock are the Temples of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 6.16 And the Body of Christ Eph. 4.4 in which Body 1st there is but one Head 2ly there is not one dead Member 1 Pet. 2.4.5 3ly there is no Law of force but every Member acteth by the Law of Love 4ly all Members united into this Body sympathize one with another both in Comfort and Afflictions please therefore to see 1 Cor 12.25 This One Body is unite● by one Spirit into one Hope 〈◊〉 one Lord and hath but one Fai●● and one Baptism Eph. 4. 〈◊〉 which one Baptism leads me 〈◊〉 Answer the third Branch of the last Objection Answ 3. As concerning Ordinances in General 1st The Scripture calls nothing Sin or any thing Practical but that which is prohibited or expresly commanded by the great Legislator neither shall any be saved or are to be judged in Spiritual matters by any Law but by the Law of God or by any Lawgiver but by Jesus Christ He that speaketh evil of his Brother and judgeth his Brother speaketh evil of the Law and judgeth the Law thou art not a doer of the Law but a judgé James 4.12 There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and Isa 33.22 The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King he will save us Col. 2. 16. let no Man therefore judge you in meat or drink c. which were a shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as tho' living in the World are ye subject to Ordinances Touch not Taste not Handle not which all perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of Men Touch not Taste not Handle not which things indeed have a shew of wisdom in will-Worship c. all which perish in the using 2ly the Scriptures reject all Religious performances that are done without warrant from Heaven Isa 1.12 When ye come to appear before me who hath requir'd this at your hands to tre●● my Courts Bring no more va●● Oblations Incense is an Abom●nation to me c. and Micah 6.6 7 8 3ly the Scriptures declare that all outward Ordinances are Temporary only till the time of Reformation and to be abolished by Christ Heb. 9.1 to 14. Col. 2.6 to the end Eph. 2.15 4ly the Scriptures shew us that the outward abolished Ordinances and the Traditions of Men hinder and prevent Obedience to Christ and Submission to the will and commands of God This is the will of God even your Sanctification 1 Thes 4.3 this is the work of God or the work he requires saith Christ that ye believe on him whom he hath sent John 6.28 And this is the commandment saith John that we should believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he hath given us command But alas how is the work of God laid aside his will and commands neglected and the beggerly Rudiments and Elements of this World pleaded for and maintained and mostly by such who reject the command of God and Christ that for secular ends keep and observe their pretended Ordinances and make the Word of God of none effect by their Traditions Mark 7.5 to 13. Mat. 23.23 5ly as Man cannot be polluted or defiled by that which is without him no more doth any thing be it what it can Bread or Wine or Water from without cleanse or comfort the inward Man according to Mark 7.14 to 23. 6ly nor yet in matters of Faith and Worship are we to receive our Measures or Rules from Councils or Synods or the best of Men further than the express command of the Lord for their warrant Moses had no Authority to institute any Laws or Ordinances but to teach the People Obedience to those God had prescribed Exodus 24.12 and Christ's Commission to the Apostles was go Teach them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo I am with you to the end of the Word Mat. 28.20 And now more particularly concerning the two Sacraments so called and first touching Baptism or rather Baptisms for there be many we read of divers sorts of Washings or Baptizings as the Baptizing of Pots and Cups for so it is in the Greek Mark 7.8 and we read of the Doctrine of Baptisms Heb. 6.2 and now concerning John's Baptism which in its time was not only New but mighty Famous insomuch that the People mused and were all in expectation whether John were not the Christ but he confessed that he was but a fore-runner and that his Baptism was weak and imperfect and temporary an elementary Figure and Shadow of Christ's Powerful Spiritual and Saving Baptism from hence its evident that the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Christ are and ever was two distinct Baptisms and as the Heavens are high above the Earth so vast a difference is betwixt them 1. They are two in Name Apollos an Eloqent Man and mighty in the Scriptures knew only the Baptism of John to whom Aquilla and Priscilla expounded the way more perfectly Acts 18.25 2. They differ in time He that comes after me shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 and said Christ John Baptized with Water but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence 3. They are two in Nature the one a created visible Element the other an holy invisible quickening Spirit 4. They differ in their Effects John's reacheth only to the outside the Spirit 's Baptism cleanseth the Soul and Conscience 5. John's Baptism was but a Sign a Shadow and a Legal Ceremony but the Baptism of the Spirit is the Substance and the Truth of that which Water typified 6. John's Water Baptism was Temporary of short duration and continuance as all Legal Signs and Ceremonies had an end so this being nearer the Truth and Substance and to the day of Christ than they was of less continuance and being a shadow must fly away by the glorious rising and brightness of his Son And so John's Baptism was of use a little before Christ's manifestation in the Flesh and was to continue till his Ascension and then when Christ's Baptism began the shadow must by degrees decrease and vanish and give way to the Substance the Sign abolished and the Truth exalted the Letter resigns to the Spirit the Servant to the Son So that Christ's Fire Baptism put an end to John's Water Baptism for as all the Prophets were

and not in the Letter whose Praise is of God and not of Man Rom. 2.28 wherefore we affirm that he is not a Christian who is one outwardly only neither is that the Baptism which is with Water but he is a Christian who is one inwardly and the one Baptism is that of the Heart in the Spirit for saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 3.21 The Baptism which doth save us is not an outward washing or putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God through the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ And thus much for Water Baptism which the Scriptures call John's Baptism and belonged to that middle Ministry between the Prophets and Christ but the Baptism of the Spirit which is Christ's we own and know and with evident demonstrations of Truth declare and testify the one and only Baptism of the new Testament and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body saith the Apostle whether we be Jews or Gentiles Bond or Free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 And this Baptism was but one in all Ages and Generations even the very same before Christ's coming in the Flesh as since Believing Jews and Gentiles both of the old and new Testament were made partakers of it though the one more fully than the other so that altho' many both before and since might not have the Baptism of Water yet not one Member of the true Church hath ever wanted the Baptism of the Spirit But the more apparent manifestation of this Spiritual Baptism followed after that of John's Baptism as appears by the promise of Christ He that believeth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water this spake he of the Spirit which they who believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified John 7.38.39 wherefore the Disciples waited at Jerusalem as the Lord had commanded untill the promise was fulfiled Acts 1. Now the ground of our true Comfort lies in that we are baptized not with the same Water wherewith Christ was but with and into the same Spirit for as many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 this therefore is the one and only Baptism For 4. This Baptism makes us partakers of the Divine Nature John 3.3 the Spirit 's Baptism gives a new Birth and therewith a new Nature and so the true Foundation of Christianity comes not from Water Baptism but is that of Faith and a new Creature 2. This Baptism giveth a new Name I will write upon him the new name of my God and the name of the City of my God which is new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new Name as the Lord said to Jacob thy name shall no more be called Jacob but Israel for as a Prince hast thou Power with God and hast prevailed and thus saith the Lord to all that joyn themselves to the Lord that keep his Sabbaths and that choose the things that please me and take hold of my Covenant even unto them will I give in my House and within my Walls a place and a name better than of Sons and of Daughters I will give them an everlasting Name which shall not be cut off Isa 66.4.5 and to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden Manna and will give him a White Stone and in the Stone a new Name written which no Man knoweth saving him that receiveth it 3. This is the Baptism which makes all that partake thereof Members of the true Church of Christ For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one Body when the Sons of Zebedee desired to sit with Christ in his Kingdom the one on his right Hand and the other on his left Jesus asked if they were able to drink of the Cup that he drank of and to be baptized with the Baptism that he was baptized with And they sayd unto him we are able Jesus answered ye shall drink indeed of my Cup and be baptized with the Baptism that I am baptized with c. now tho' their request savoured to much of ambition yet shall they have part in the Kingdom through sufferings 4. It is the one Baptism only which qualifies fits and enables to the work of the Ministry all the sharpest Wits profoundest Learning and the most exquisite Accomplishments and curious Polishings of natures chiefest Perfecting cannot make a Gospel Minister it is the pouring out and work of God's Holy Spirit which makes a workman that needs not be ashamed And in those days saith the Lord I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesie Joel 2.28 which is witnessed Acts 2.4 to 17. and they were all filed with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance And Blessings Glory and everlasting Praises to our God who after a long Night of Darkness and Degeneracy hath in this our Age and Generation visited a remnant who are brought forth through the new Birth to feed upon the sincere Milk of the Word of eternal Life who find it their strength in stilness and silence to wait upon God with an intire dependance on him who act not in their own wills nor speak their own Words but as the anointing which they have received and abideth in them teacheth them all things that appertaineth to Life and Godliness so that their Ministry is of the Spirit and not of the Letter but done according to the ability which God giveth and by the movings of his Spirit and if any thing be revealed to another that sits by the first doth hold his Peace that all may speak one by one and that only as the Spirit moves and gives them utterance that all may learn and all may be comforted 1 Cor. 14.30 and amongst those there is no despising of the weak nor do the weak envy the strong but they wish with Moses that all the Lord's People were Prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them Numb 11.29 5. This one Baptism maketh all those One with Christ who partake of it John 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and know ye not saith the Apostle that so many of you as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the glory of the Father even so also we should walk in newness of Life for if we have been planted in the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection whence it appears that by and through this one Baptism all that are thereby sanctified are one with Christ in his Life 2ly in his Death and 3ly in his Resurrection Rom. 6.3.4 6. This is that one and only Baptism which