the New Testament I shall therefore fairly Answer all Objections that are against this clear Truth according to the Testimony of the pure and clear Word of Truth Even as many as I do at present know and have heard of And though there may be many more then I have heard of yet though I cannot answer all or if I could not answer any yet I know the truth is able to answer all opposers against it Now it remains that we answer the Objections which are for water Baptisme and they are not a few but for satisfaction to those that desires to be satisfied with truth alone I shall lay down the Objections that are for water Baptisme and the severall exceptions against them in answer to the objections for water Baptisme that so they all may judge of it who are not biassed with any forms or opinions or judgements of men whatsoever but desires to look upon truth in its own light for those who are fixed upon the forms and traditions of the former ages set up in the old building of Antichrist in his Kingdom they stand for their forms traditions and outward washings and carnal observations as zealous as the old Scribes and Pharisees did yea though they do oppose Jesus Christ himself in Spirit and Power from on high and tell him to his face in the Testimony of his Word and Spirit that he is a deceiver and seducer of the People c But they never look upon their making void the Commands of God by their Traditions as Christ told their Predecessors Seeing there are so many Objections against Spirit Baptism and for to maintain Water Baptisme I care not much where I begin Object 1. First then it will be objected that Water Baptism came in the room of Circumcision c. Answ 1. As if one Type did come in the room of another even then when the substance was come and all Types were at an end Besides where is your ground from the clear testimony of the Word that Water Baptisme came in the room of Circumcision but seeing there is no ground from the Word to prove this Objection I have no ground to believe it for I am not to believe the opinions of men but the Word of Truth and where there is no law there is no transgression Object 2. Water Baptisme is a Signe or Seale of the Covenant as Circumcision was a Seal unto the People of God before as the word saith Rom. 4. 11. An. That Circumcision was made with hands and it was but in the flesh not in the Spirit in the outward man not in the inward and hidden man of the heart and when the substance was come the Apostle declares against this circumcision and cals it no circumcision saying for he is not a Jew who is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flâ—sh 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 Romanes 2. 28 29. And here I have good ground by this Rule to declare against water-Baptism and say that is not Baptism that is outward in the flesh or fleshly washing but that is true Baptisme that is in the heart and spirit and inward man whose praise is not of man but of God but Pharisaicall Jews must have some outward washing or else he shall be a deceiver and his Doctrine blasphemy 2. All things under the Law were generally confirmed unto the people by outward seals signs figures and outward Representations Heb. 9. 10. but the Gospel is not declared nor confirmed by outward Testimonies unto those that do believe but by inward and spirituall witnesses and Testimonies in the heart and inward man but the Jews must have some outward signe like their outward Religion 3. Where do you find in Scripture that water-Baptisme hath that honour given unto it to be a seal of the new Covenant or any part of it either of faith love righteousnesse c. I know no outward fleshly and carnall Seal to confirm an inward spiritual and everlasting Covenant unto believers but formall believers must have formall Seals or else they will not believe truth but the Seal of the Covenant that God makes with his people in all Gospel-times is the Spirit of promise whom the Lord hath promised to give unto all that he makes possâ—ssors of the New Covenant in whom that after ye believed ye were sealed with the Spirit of promise Ephes 1. 13. This is the true Seal of all believers that seals and confirms all the goodnesse of God unto them in the great Covenant of free grace and mercy unto them and other Seals I know none nor I cannot own any other except the word did declare it but it is the Spirit that is the onely Seal of the new Covenant and the earnest of our eternall possession that we have in and through Christ being freely given unto us 4. Where do you find in the word that the testimony of the eternall Spirit in our hearts written by the finger of God that we are commanded to set up a Signe or Seal in the Flesh to confirm it to us or declare it to others Would this be Gospel think you or any part of the substance is this any of the worship of God in Spirit or any part of the Gospel which is wholly spirituall 5. Where do you find that the love of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts that fills them with zeal for the glory of God as hot as fire that this hath need of a littâ— cool water to confirm it unto them or to be a Seal unto them of this love in them or would you have it a Seal unto nothing or to a blank as it is unto your Infants that are sprinckled 6. Must the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit wrought in our hearts souls and Spirits by all power in heaven and earth the very life and substance of Gospel-grace in us wrought must this have an empty shadow follow after it to be a sign or Seal to signifie what the Substance was that went before how can any creature call this Gospel 3. Ob. Water Baptisme distinguisheth the Church from the world c. An. 1. As if the righteousnesse holinesse purity love syncerity meeknesse humblenesse of mind pity compassion bowels of mercy gentlenesse long suffering c. all which is brought forth by the mighty power of God in the new man in the new Creation as if such who are the Church of Christ members in particular had need of some outward washing to shew forth to all men that they are washed within or that these so qualified had any need to have any outward Ceremony to distinguish them from the world their principles and actions are opposite to the world therefore clearly to be distinguished from them 2. Is not the Law of God written in his peoples hearts able to discern them from
justified of her children though both wisdome and her children be condemned as fools and so whatsoever creatures think of us yet the word of Gods eternall wisdome is our guide and the true anointing is our teacher and this is more joy peace and comfort unto us than all the wisdome and glory of the world can be unto all that do live in it and make it their delight and happinesse for a time and thus our name is changed from foolishnesse to wisdome Fourthly the name of God is purity and holinesse Holy is his name and he that hath called you is holy and God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity 1 Pet. 1. 16. c. the very nature oâ— God is purity it self God is the Originall of all puriâ—y and holinesse but now our Name is quite contrary and so is our Nature we are all unclean and unholy and impure in our very Name and Nature we need go no further for proof hereof than Rom. 3. and our own experience if we have any of the true purity and holinesse of God in us And when we are made partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit then we are spiritually washed and cleansed from our uncleannesse filthinesse and pollution both of flesh and Spirit then we are dipt into the pure River of the water of life that proceeds forth out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb and as we are washed from the guilt of sin in the blood of the Lamb so we are washed rinced and cleansed from the coruption power and pollution of sinne in the pure fountain of living water clear as Chrystall pâ—â—ceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb in Spirit and in power from on high which is onely able to cleanse souls and spirits from spirituall filthinesse Now this is observable that the Baptisme of the Spirit is compared unto fire and water both bâ—ing of a cleansing and purifying nature the fire that conâ—umes destroys and burns up all the drosse and the water that washeth away all the filthinesse And thus the fire and water of the Spirit meets with the whole body of sin and doth by degrees burn it up destroy consume and wash it away so that in the Baptisme of the Spirit we come forth in the new Creation pure clean and holy being refined by the true refiner of souls and as Silver is tryed seven times in the fire and as the man was to wash seven times in the Pool so are we purified and washed and cleansed from all our filthinesse in the pure and precious Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit wherein onely we are baptised into the name and nature of God who is the onely fountain of all purity and holinesse and so the purity and holinesse of God is brought forth in our souls and Spirits and thus we partake of his holinesse and whosoever looks unto any other Baptisme than this they look below the fountain and so looks unto broken cisterns that can hold none of this pure water that washeth and cleanseth souls and Spirits and bodies from their filthinesse and so as the Prophet saith Isa 44 20. They feed of ashes a deceived heart having turned them aside so that they cannot deliver their own souls nor say is there not a lye in my right hand or in my best affections or highest esteem Fiftly Again the name of God is Righteousnesse God is called the Lord our Righteousnesse Jer. 23. 6. and this is also the nature of God the Righteous Lord loveth Righteousnesse God is the onely Fountain of all righteousnesse and all true Righteousnesse proceeds from him alone as the originall root and Fountain of all Righteousnesse But now our own name and nature is quite contrary as we are in our selves in our nature principles and actions our nature that is corrupt ever since the fall of Adam not by Creation but by transgression so that now our best righteousnesses are no better than filthy rags as the Prophet declareth Isa 64. 6. And so now our name is unrighteousnesse sin and evill and this is our nature as far different from the name and nature of God as darknesse is from light Sin from Righteousnesse and Evill from Good But now in the Baptisme of the Spirit our own name and nature is quite changed even from Sinne and Unrighteousnesse of corrupt flesh and blood and we are called by a new name that the Lord Jehovah doth stamp upon us and bring forth in us And God doth not onely call us by a new name stamp his name upon us and record his name in us but God doth also with this name and in this new name bring forth this new nature in us also and change us from our old name and nature which is sin and unrighteousnesse it self and God brings forth his own name and nature in us which is Righteousnesse it self 2 Cor. 5. 21. The Righteousnesse of God is brought forth in us and we are in the new Creation made the Righteousnesse of God in Christ who is the eternall word of the Father and the true Son of Righteousnesse that doth rise upon our souls in spirit and life He is that Root and fountain of Divine Righteousnesse into whom we are planted in the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit and being planted into the root of righteousnesse our very name and nature is changed and we take our name and have our new nature from this pure fountain of eternall righteousnesse The Lord our Rghteousnesse And being thus planted into this pure Fountain and root of Righteousnesse we spring up and grow in righteousnesse and become trees of Righteousnesse of the Lords planting and we have our nourishment we as we may say from the fountain head being watered every moment with the pure waters of life that proceeds from the fountain of Life and all fullnesse Isa 27. 3. And for us to be dipped washed and rinsed in this River of water that makes glad the City of our God Ps 46. 4. and to have this water of life and eternall purity and righteousnsse sprinkled upon our spirits souls and bodies is infinitely more comfort and gladnesse to us than to be dipt into or sprinkled with a little water in our earthly Rivers that being but a Ceremony and an outward washing at the best But still we are to look upon the ministration of the spirit spiritually and so to look upon the name of God to be suitable to his nature which is eternall righteousnesse c. as here we have declared and thus we see that when God doth pour out his spirit from on high upon us then we are changed from our own name and nature which is unrighteousnesse c. and we are baptised into the name of the Father Son and Spirit the onely root nature and being of infinite eternall Righteousnesse and so were all righteous Isa 54. 6. yea the righteousnesse of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. Sixthly The name of God is power the Lord strong and mighty in
by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit 5. This is shed forth abundantly on us in Jesus Christ 6. In the partaking of Salvation in this Spirituall washing and spirituall renewing we are justified by the Grace of God 7. And being justified by free grace we are made Heirs and have hope of eternall life or according to the hope of eternall life O that we could in this clear discovery of the eternall God behold his Testimony in this place in the clear light and wisdome of the eternall Spirit for then we should not look so low as we do upon earthly and carnall observations of the things of God and especially of the Baptisme of the eternall Spirit the onely Baptisme of the new Testament but then we should look upon it as it is the work of all power in heaven and earth according to its first institution and then we should see the glorious effects of it fulfilled in the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy spirit then we should see the new birth brought forth in souls by this spirituall washing the work of God alone in the operation and renewing of his Spirit or wrought by his spirit in us Here is declared the true Gospel-washing even the saving of souls from sin and all uncleannesse here is the great Gospel-promises fulfilled with a witnesse even opening a fountain of pure living water and pouring it forth upon the barren wildernesse and the dry ground the barren dry and unfruitfull ground of unbelievers are by this Spirituall washing made the Garden of the Lord and being trees of the Lords planting they are watered every moment and refreshed and comforted with the streams of that river that makes glad the City of God This is the true washing that washeth away the fiâ—thines and polluâ—ions of the sons and daughters of Zion coming forth from that eternall fountain the Lord of Hosts who dwelleth in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem making his people a fit habitation for himself to dwell in by washing away their filthinesse in the pure waters of the Spirit of life flowing out from the Lord God and from the Lamb whose habitation they are in the Spirit and spirituall washing Here is the work of all power in heaven and earth in saving souls by spirituall washing and this onely is suitable to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. spirituall washing or baptising in which we are made partakers of the name nature of God being by the presence of the eternal Spirit in us washed renewed regenerated sanctified and cleansed from our own filthinesse sin and pollution which is contrary to God and all appearances of God in Spirit Here is the great Gospel-work of saving creatures from their sin and all iniquity by the love kindnesse and mercy of the Lord Jehovah and here is the way also set forth in which the Lord Jehovah saveth souls from sin it is by spirituall washing and spirituall renewing of them by the work of the eternall spirit and O that we were more sensible of the glorious work of all power in heaven and earth manifested in us in washing and cleansing us from all sin and uncleannesse and bringing forth the pure and divine nature in us which work is of the Lord alone and not of man who is as nothing and vanity it self The Baptism or washing of the New Testament is not like those carnall legal figurative and typicall washings c. which were administred either by Moses or John in which the substance of the great things to come were figured out or declared to come after But the substance it self goeth forth in the Baptisme or washing of the New Testament this washing is to purpose for in it and by it we are washed and saved from our sin and this is the substantiall and onely washing of all washings Eighthly we have another clear Testimony of the true and spirituall washing the onely Baptisme of the New Testament 1 Pet. chapter 3. verse 21. the words are these The like figure or example whereunto 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 c. Here we have the true Baptisme of the New Testament set forth and the people taken off from all outward washings not the washing of water 1. Here the Apostle declares the saving of Noah and his family in the Ark from drowning by water v. 20. and now he tells them of another kind of saving and this is by water of which that was a signe or example or this is an example of that c. Baptisme doth now save us but is it water-Baptisme that doth save us now no saith he not the washing of the filth of the flesh what then why the answer of a good conscience but whereby is the answer of a good conscience brought forth not by water-Baptisme but by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Here is a clear allusion to the Resurrection of Christ and to the power and vertue thereof for then Christ received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of spirituall Baptism or washing and so the power and vertue hereof doth baptise souls into the goodnesse of God cleanse and purifie their Consciences and so the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth in them by vertue of Christs Resurrection by virtue whereof soules are washed and cleansed from an evill and corrupt Conscience whereby all men are naturally defiled by sin and evill The like testimony of spiritual Baptisme or Washing we have declared Heb. 10. 22. in v. 20. the Apostle describes a new and living way by whom we do enter into the holiest place even the presence of the infinitely holy God and in this 22. v. he declares how it is that we doe draw neer unto God in this new and living way it is by having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water So here we see how the answer of a good Conscience is brought forth it is by being sprinkled with pure water but our earthly waters will not nor cannot bring forth such effects in us it is onely the waters of the Spirit that can doe this that river of pure water of life that John saw Revel 22. 1. and this is the onely water that washeth sprinkleth and clenseth hearts spirits souls consciences and bodies from all evill sinne filthinesse and uncleanenesse of the whole man Thus I have faithfully declared the true Gospell baptisme as I have received from the Lord agreeable to the word written in the Scriptures and also the eternall Word written in the hidden man of the heart the two great Witnesses of God in the World And now I know this clear truth of God revealed in the clear light and wisdome of the Eternal Spirit will not with many opposers as it hath already throw mens carnal understanding of the Baptism of
during Antichrist's reigne for you have no example so to doe For the Jewes never set up visible worship nor ordinances in any time of Captivity either in Egypt the Wildernesse Babylon or else where but in Jerusalem the place of worship So let us who are the Lords building within waite for the spirituall Jerusalem comming downe from God out of heavens which God will send forth with visible worship and ordinances such as pleaseth him and not as man pleaseth And as we desire of friends to be the habitation of God through the Spirit so let us desire to be more acquainted with the Baptisme of the Spirit which consists in spirituall washing purifying and cleansing our souls and spirits from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit that so in it we may be made partakers of eternall Righteousnesse purity and Holinesse of God and so builded up together an habitation for God and a Temple for the living God to dwell in through the presence of the eternall Spirit in us in spiritual washing and spirituall burning the true and onely Gospel purifying So I rest wishing the day of God may come upon us all that may burne up all our drosse and tynne and may wash and purge us from all our Idols that we may worship God in spirit A few words to every Reader in general Kind Reader consider a few things in Love BE sure those Ordinances you doe owne and set up in your highest affections be of God and not of man for if they be of man then they cannot stand in the day of Triall when God brings them to triall by the Truth 2. Take heed of setting up Ordinances in the kingdome of Antichrist in spirituall Babylon Egypt or Sodome least it be found that you have noe Command nor Example for your soe doing See Rev. 11. 3. Looke that your Administrators be right in their Calling and Qualifications according to the true patterne of the primitive Administrators both in your Ministry and Ordinances least being tried by the word they should be found liars take heed I say of crying up your selves and waies to be Apostolicall least the truth should prove you lyars Rev. 2. 6. 4. Consider this well that the pure way of Gospel-worship that is truly spiritual will never come out of Antichrists kingdome principles doctrines nor traditions but consider that the bright day of Gods comming in spirit shall destroy the foundation and whole building of the man of sinne and mystery of iniquity 5. Trust not to the old building of man in Antichrists kingdome in these dayes wherin God is rooting up and pulling downe the foundation and whole building of the old heavens and old earth and God is also about to bring forth new heavens and new earth wherein dwells Righteous the work of God alone in which day the Lord alone shall be exalted and the loftinesse of man laid low 6. Look well to your Principles Rules and ends for and in whom you do act in those things you call Ordinances beware of self and ignorant zeal you have heard there is a zeal and that for God too that is nâ—t according to knowledge 7. Look not so much at outward forms as at inward principles look to the inward and hidden man of the heart if that be right in the sight of God then it shall be well with you for ever and you shall never be finally deceived 8. Beware of setting up the bounds of your love to the brethren under any form or opinion whatsoever but let your love be equally unto all where you do see the appearance of Christ in Spirit and power from on high this is the way for peace unity and love among true Saints 9. Look not for the true way of visible worship and ordinances that are truly spirituall and of God to be established in the world till God hath made his people of one heart and when God makes them all of one heart which shal be when they are all taught of God then they shall be all of one way and great shall be their peace then they shall all rest in quiet dwelling places for ever and none shall make them afraid 10. Consider when the way of God is clearly revealed in his people and they endued with divine life and power to walk in it then all by-paths and wayes that are not of God shall be destroyed thrown down and quite forgotten the old heavens and earth shall be remembred no more nor no more come into their minds Isa 66. But now we see there are many wayes in the world even amongst those that professe to know God one cryes up one way another another way a third another way c. But let us remember the command of Christ who saith Many shall come in his name c. Many shall say here is Christ or there is Christ but go not after them If ye consider these three Testimonies of these latter dayes whereby Christs coming shall be manifested unto all who are partakers of his light in spirit and life then you may easily discern the coming of Christ and his light and brightnesse from the false lights and wayes of Antichrist the places are these Isa 11. 9. Matth. 24. 27. 2. Thess 2. 8. 11. As every one doth walk in his own light and thinks his light best generally so take heed you do not imitate Antichrist to confine others to walk in your light Take heed of sitting in the Temple of God it is proper onely to God alone to rule our Consciences and spirits of men â—nd whosoever doth assume this Prerogative doth apparently declare himself to be an Anticrhist who doth oppose himself against God and doth exalt himself above God as in 2 Thess 2. 4. and set in the Temple of God even his people 2. Cor. 6. 16. 12. Take heed of mistaking the coming of Christ now in these dayes wherein Antichrist shall be destroyed lest you should imitate the old Scribes and Pharisees and so instead of being friends of Christ and of his people in his Spirituall coming you should prove the greatest enemies to Christ in his spirituall coming in his people as the old Jews were 13. Take heed of slighting refusing or undervaluing the pure and spirituall waters of life the onely fountain of comfort to spirituall souls and beware you set not up any form or outside ordinances to oppose the clear administration of the Spirit which is truly spirituall for God will assuredly famish and make lean all your empty forms Idols and shadows that you set up to oppose the substance as in the room thereof for the Kingdome of heaven is not outward shews but inward Substances Righteousnesse Peace and Joy in the Spirit 14. Beware in having any hand in slaying of the Witnesses of God that do prophesie though but in Sackeloth lest their resurrection affright you and strike you with terror For consider though they shall be slain yet they shall ly dead but a little while and again when
God puts the Spirit of life in them then they shall affright all those that dwell upon the earth beware then all those that do live upon earthen principles Doctrines Forms Customes and Traditions of men they shall be all affrighted with a witnesse therefore look to it well that the dispensations you live under be of God and not of man for God will destroy all things below himself though never so excellent and highly esteemed of man So I conclude wishing that we may all live in love now one to another seeing love shall continue to Eternity and let us consider what a low thing it is for believers to live contrary to that which is their life and in which we are all one body and members in particular which is Love A brief description of the particulars contained in this Book 1. The Testimony of John the Baptist concerning his Baptisme and the Baptisme of Christ that was to follow 2. The Testimony of Christ concerning John Baptist and wherein he was greater and lesser then those that went before him and those that followed after him 3. The Testimony of Christ concerning his own Baptism declared in the Commission and in other severall places and what it is 4. Severall dispensations in which God hath manifested himself unto his people at severall times the last being wholly Spirituall 5. That the Baptisme of Christ is to baptise men into the name of God according to the Commission and not into water and what the name of God is into which we are baptised according to the Commission Matth. 28. 19. page 13. laid down in seven particulars 6. Severall Testimonies from the clear word of truth how the Nations come to be partakers of the Baptisme of the Spirit in the Apostles ministry which doth clearly agree with the Commission wherein it doth clearly appear that Christs Baptisme was and is Spirit-Baptisme 7. Twenty four Objections for Water-Baptisme answered wherein it doth appear plainly that Water-Baptisme iâ— no more in force now than other Ceremonies KInd Reader observe that I had said nothing in publick if men had let the the truth alone and walked as their light was and waited upon God for further discovery of truth but when I hear and see men so publickly oppose the clear truth I cannot but speak the things I have seen and heard in witnesse to the truth God having made me a witnesse not man A Cryer in the Wildernesse OF ENGLAND Declaring the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit to be the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome revealed in Gospel-light according to the word written in the Scriptures and the Eternall word written in the hidden man of the heart for satisfaction of those that desire to be satisfied with Truth alone THE best way to reconcile differences in the things of God is to lay aside all humane and traditionall Doctrines of men and look exactly into the testimony of the word of God alone that being an infallible Rule that whosoever follows it in the light and wisdome of the Eternall spirit they cannot erre And God having taught me not to depend upon man whose breath is in his nostrills but to look unto the Lord a-alone whose work alone it is to bring forth the new Creation I desire therefore not to stand looking back upon the old building in the Wildernesse of Antichrists Kingdome after so long and generall Apostafie from the purity of the first Churches in the Apostles times But my desire is with the Apostle to look for new Heavens and a new Earth according to the promise of God Even such Heavens and Earth where the righteousnesse of God doth dwell and not such righteousnesse as men sets up by their humane Wisdome and Counsel I doubt not but these are the dayes wherein God will bring forth the clear light of truth that hath been hid many generations and let men set up what they will or what man can set up yet nothing shall stand in the bright day of Gods coming in spirit in these latter dayes but the purity holinesse and righteousnesse of God which is suitable to the new heavens and new Earth the work of God alone And now among many other things in controversie in our dayes I find a great deal of difference about Baptisme and all for baptising with materiall water some for Infant Baptisme and others for baptising believers And I have if God hath given me understanding in the mystery of the truth searched to find out the right way of Baptisme and I can find neither of these to be the way of Gospel-Baptisme neither can I find by the Testimony of the word of truth that there is any water Baptisme at all to be used by way of Command in the pure spirituall Kingdome of Christ But that water Baptisme was at an end in respect of the command of it when Christ was glorified and came in spirit as all other Ceremonies Types and Figures were And I can find no other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome to be in force but the Baptisme of the Eternall spirit and this I affirm to be all and the onely Baptisme in the Kingdome of Christ And to go about to set up any other Baptisme in Christs Kingdome is all one as if men should set up any other Ceremony all which will alike prove humane and traditionall not spiritual nor of divine Institution and for the proof hereof I shall lay aside all the Judgements interpretations and opinions of men who do casually understand the Scripâ—ures and refer my self and all others for the triall of this tâ—uth unto the testimony of the word of God alone and so fâ—r as any do see the word in the light of God so far they can beliâ—ve it really and no further And that we may see this to be clear truth from the testimony of the word alone that the Baptisme of the Eternall Spirit is the onely Baptisme in Christs Kingdome Let us consider the testimony First of John the Baptist Secondly of Christ And thirdly of the Apostles in their preaching and writing to the people with the Objections of men also for water Baptisme and the answers against it from the clear testimony of the word and not from men in these and severall other particulars according to the word I shall as God enables me proceed in this Discourse for the help of man is vain in the things of God First then we will begin with the Testimony of John the Baptist himself who was the author of water Baptisme and see what he saith for his own Baptisme which was water and what he saith of Christs Baptisme which is Spirit First in Generall we will observe one thing that John declareth and it is this that he was sent to baptise with water Iohn 1. 33. Now let all our water-men in England or in all Nations come forth with their strong reasons and bring one witnesse in the word of truth that saith from Christ that ever he sent his Apostles to baptise
with water or else where any Apostles do testifie in Scripture that Christ did give them a Commission to baptise with water In the mouth of two or three witnesses every thing is established shew me but one such witnesse from any of the Apostles as from Iohn and I will believe it but till you do so I cannot believe you we have witnesse to the contrary 1 Cor. 1. 17. from the chief Apostle Johns businesse was to declare Christ to come that he should be manifested to Israel therefore am I come baptising with water saith he Iohn 1. 31. Shew me such a testimony from any Apostle or else prove your selves Antichrists declaring Christ yet to come in the flesh who is already present in spirit but now to the witnesse of John concerning his own Baptisme and Christs as Matth. 3. Mark 1. Luke 3. John 1. We will begin with the testimuny of Iohn Matth 3. 11. I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance saith Iohn but doth Iohn say this Baptism must continue no But he that cometh after me is mightier than I but shall his Baptisme be water too no saith John as he is mightier so his Baptisme shall be mightier too He shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire And verse 12. He declareth the power and efficacy of Christs Baptisme that so none may mistake his meaning for saith he Christ will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into his Garner but shall burn up the chaffe with unquenchable fire Here is a clear testimony of the fire and water of the Spirit that shall be powred out upon Souls in Christs Baptisme it shall throughly purge and cleanse his people from their sin and filthinesse and burn up all the chaffe and drosse with spirituall fire which no combustible principle in the creature is able to quench or put out but it shall destroy those corruptions in the flesh and Spirit of man This is the onely Baptisme that Iohn declareth to come after his Baptisme which was but an outward washing this is that Judgement and Righteousnesse that shall redeem Zion and her Converts from sinne and all unrighteousnesse Isa 1. 27. This is that spirit of Judgement and burning whereby the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion Isa 4. 4. Here is a discovery of the true washing or Baptisme of the new Testament all others went before as we may see in the witnesse of Iohn here and else where with Heb. 9. 10. c. which stood in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnall Ordinances imposed on them untill the time of Reformation 2. See another witnesse of John Mark v. 4 5 7 8. Here John baptiseth with water and declareth that there is one that cometh after him that is mightier than he c. I indeed saith he have baptised you with water but he shall baptise you with the holy spirit Here Iohn declares what his Baptism was it was water I have baptised you with water and he also declareth what Christs Baptism should be but not one word of water but he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit O that men had but eyes to see how clearly Iohn distinguisheth betwixt his Baptisme and Christs 3. Luke 3. 15 16 17. In this place it is recorded that the People did generally take Iohn to be the Christ There was great reasoning among them whether he were the Christ or no v. 15. John answers them all v. 16. that he was not the Christ and upon what account they should believe it because he did baptise with water Iohn answered saying unto them all I indeed baptise you with water but one mightier than I cometh the latchet of whose shoâ—e I am not worthy to unloose he shall baptise you with the holy spirit and with fire and so he goeth on to declare the powerfull effects of Christs Baptisme as in Matth. 3. 12. The people were then of the same principle generally that people are of now to look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water but Iohn takes them off from their expectation and tells them his Office and Person was weak not to be compared with Christ and his Office Indeed sath he I baptise with water but one mightier than I cometh c. he shall baptise you with the holy Spirit and with fire Here Iohn layeth himself and his Baptisme low and declareth that he was not worthy to do the meanest thing in Christs Kingdom and then sure Johns Baptisme and Christs was not all one and Iohn doth highly exalt Christ and his Baptisme and declareth as we have shewed before the great effects of Christs Baptisme v. 17. 4. John 1. 15. In this Chapter Iohn still continueth his testimony of himself and of Christ saying this is he of whom I speak c. in v. 19. to the 23. It is recorded The Iews sent Priests and Levites to examine Iohn whether he were the Christ or who he was and we have here Johns answer who he was and v. 24. it is recorded that they who were sent were of the Pharisees verse 25. we have their question unto Iohn that if he were not the Christ c. then why he did baptise and here by the way we may observe that men of a Pharisaicall principle look upon the Baptisme of Christ to be an outward washing with materiall water I wish men were not so carnall now But presently John crosseth their conceit and telleth them that he baptiseth with water and further tells them that there standeth one among them whom they know not v. 26. Oh that all who do now professe Christ which is more than the Pharisees did were not so ignorant of Christ in the mystery of his Baptisme as the Pharisees were but to observe Johns Conclusion in the businesse he declareth v. 33. the true Baptisme of Christ from the testimony of him that sent John to baptise with water and in Luke 3. 2. we have a proof who it was that sent him even the word of God came unto him c. V. 33. And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptise with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending from heaven and remaining on him the same is he that baptiseth with the holy Spirit and v. 34. He declareth That he saw and bare record that this is the Son of God So we see the testimony of John that he declareth himself and his Baptisme to be weak and Christ and his Baptisme to be strong and mighty and to follow after his therefore sure the Baptisme of Christ is not materiall water as Johns was but if he could see truth in its own light then they might see it as it is in it self but generally men are apt to look upon the word as men have interpreted it for their own ends and interests I doubt for the most part and so they look not upon it as in it self
that so we should serve sin no longer Let us once more briefly consider of the words of the Apostle here V. 3. Those that were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death therefore not into materiall water for the death of Christ with the power and vertue thereof is not nor cannot be materiall water therefore the Baptisme here spoken of cannot be meant of materiall water V. 4. We are buried with him by Baptisme into death therefore not into materiall water for death and water is not one but by vertue of our being baptised into death with Christ so as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father so we should walk in newnesse of life by vertue of our partaking of the power of Christs death and resurrection in this spirituall Baptisme which consists in power from on high V. 5. The Apostle concludes it must so follow for if we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenes of his Resurrection and here let us observe what he before called baptising into Christ baptising into his death buried with him into death by Baptisme now he calls planting together in the likenesse of his death c. but materiall water cannot plant us into the likenesse of Christs death which is in effect the destroying of sin therefore the Baptisme here cannot be materiall water but it is the Baptisme of the Spirit which onely is able to destroy sin and all evill in us and to bring forth the image and likenesse of Christ in us in our new birth and so we see the Commission was fulfilled in changing people from their own name and likenesse and to bring forth the name and likenesse of God in them 3. Again we have another Testimony of the great effect of Spirit Baptisme upon the Corinthians 1 Cor. 6. 11. v. 9 10. the Apostle reckons up severall works of the flesh that raigns in those that shall inherit the Kingdome of God v. 11. he tells them that some of them were such and he also tells them how they came to be changed but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Here was the work of all power in heaven ad earth wrought upon poor sinfull souls that were full of all abominations and all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit and this was done by washing sanctifying and justifying in the name of him who had all power in heaven and earth given unto him for this very work that souls might be washed cleansed sanctified purified and justified and here is the spirits work also in this great and mighty change wrought in those Corinthians in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the spirit of our God Here is a Testimony of the coming forth of the word spirit of eternal being even from the bosome of eternall love and kindnesse pity and compassion for the eternall God of poor wretched sinfull creatures and here the word and spirit of eternal being coming forth in power from on high is implyed about this great work of wonder in washing cleansing purifying sanctifying and justifying poor undone souls that ly wallowing in their own blood and filthinesse What think ye O ye that have any love to the truth Here you may see a washing but not with material water but a washing in the pure river of water of life clear as Crystall coming forth from the Fountain of all life and sweetnesse and this water is onely able to wash cleanse and sanctifie souls and spirits from all sin and filthinesse of flesh and spirit We can ascribe nothing at all unto materiall water in this great work of washing cleansing sanctifying and justifying of souls in the presence of the infinitely righteous pure and holy God but we do ascribe the whole work hereof unto the mighty God in the Baptism of the eternall Spirit which consists onely in power from on high in spirituall washing in the pure river of living water which continues in us a well of water springing up unto eternall life and I could wish with my whole heart that those who professe to know God would not undervalue the Baptism of the eternall Spirit and set us a poore and beggerly element in the room of so glorious a Baptisme that consists in all power in heaven and earth but now we proceed to the next Testimony Fourthly the next testimony of creatures being baptised into Christ is Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ The baptisers of our times as they say they are do quite crosse the witnesse of the word here for the Apostle saith here that as many of them as had been baptised into Christ had put on Christ but they say none must put on Christ that is professe Christ first and be baptised in materiall water afterward but the Apostle saith no such thing here though this were the practise of Johns Baptisme and used afterward as we shall shew more hereafter when we come to answer objections but to observe a little from the words 1. The word saith they were baptised into Christ therefore not into water 2. As many as were baptised into Christ had put on Christ but all that were baptised in material water had not put on Christ no not in those very times Simon Magus for example c. But now we shall observe what it is to be baptised into Christ and what it is to put on Christ which is the effect of being baptised into Christ those that are baptised into Christ are baptised into the power of Christs death and Resurrection and so our sin evill is destroyed by the presence of the power of Christs death in us and a new life is brought forth in us by vertue of Christ living in us And Christ living in us is in all his divine appearances in Spirit and life Christ living in us in the glory of the Father brings forth in us a principle of divine love light wisdome power righteousnesse holinesse purity truth faithfulnesse c. and thus as we have declared before we are baptised into all the divine appearances of Christ in Spirit and so by vertue of being baptised into Christ in all his goodnesse being that fountain of fullnesse of divine treasures in whom God will make creatures partakers of his own name nature I say by vertue of being thus bapsed into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we do really put on Christ in his manifestations in light and love by vertue of being baptised into Christ we walk in the light of Christ and thus we shine forth in the light of God among a crooked perverse people among whom we do live and likewise we do live in the love of Christ this love doth appear unto all men thus we
fulfill the Law of Christ to do as we would be done unto and so living in the love of Christ a principle of divine love is brought forth in us and from this love within us we walk in love unto all and are filled with Kindnesse Pity Bowels of Compassion Humblenesse of Mind meeknesse of Spirit c. unto all our fellow-creatures And Christ being the true way into the possession and injoyment of all the goodnesse of the eternall God and we being baptised into Christ we are partakers of the true and eternal salvation in the true way the Father hath opened for creatures to possesse his love and goodnesse in unto eternity and in this Baptisme we are taken up into God and so we live above all the wayes of this world in Christ and in him in the Father in spirit the onely true way into all happinesse and the onely happinesse to eternity and Christ is also the truth and we being baptised into Christ are made partakers of the truth as it is in Jesus but those who are baptised in materiall water may still live in error for all this but those who are baptised into Christ who is the truth they live in the truth walk in the truth act in the truth and speak truth yea they that put on Christ in truth and are clothed with truth righteousnesse holinesse purity syncerity c. as with a Garment And so as Christ is so are they in this world and so every one that is baptised into Christ have put on Christ and so do appear in the likenesse of Christ in the new Creation the work of God alone in spirit and power from on high Fifthly We have another clear testimony of the Baptisme of the spirit the onely true spirituall washing in Eph. 5. 25 26. and how it is wrought according to the Commission of Christ Mat. 28. the words are these Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Here is a clear testimony of the accomplishing the Commission of Christ upon those people that belonged to his church 1. Here is Christs love to his Church 2. Here is the effect of his love he gave himself for his Church And 3. Here is the end why he gave himself for his Church or people and that is that he might sanctifie and cleanse it 4. Here is the means whereby this is done it is with the washing of water by the word And now the end of all is that it might be presented unto himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle or any thing like spot or wrinckle but holy and without blame And now that this great work of washing sanictfying cleansing and purifying the Church of Christ may be accomplished the end of his redeeming it now he was risen and had finished the great work of redeeming his Church now all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him for the reforming of his Church And now Christ having received all power in heaven and earth for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing his Church that this may be done he gives his Apostles a Commission to Go teach all Nations and in this ministry Baptise them into name of Father Son and Spirit and so as instruments sprinkle the name of God upon them and dip them into the pure river of water of life which is onely able to sanctifie and cleanse them that so they might be holy and without blame in the presence of God and of the Lamb who is undefiled Now this is the means whereby Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth his Church with the washing of water by the word now the word being the ministration of the eternall Spirit and given forth in all power in heaven and earth though unto weak creatures Yet the word they preached being the ministration of the Spirit and all power in heaven and earth being present in their ministry they are made instruments in the hand of God for the accomplishing this great work of sanctifying and cleansing souls with the washing of living water by the ministry of the word of life This was that administration that God had declared by the Prophets long before that should be accomplished in the latter dayes as in Isa 35. 6. In the Wildernesse shall waters break out and streams in the Desart v. 7. And the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water c. And chap. 41. 18. I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the middest of the vallies I will make the wildernesse a pool of water and the dry land springs of water c. and chap. 44. 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy Offspring See also Ezek. 16. 8 9. and chap. 36. 25 26. and cap. 47. with Joel 2. and severall other places that God did declare by his Prophets that should be fulfilled unto us in Gospel-times which is the ministration of the Spirit as saith the apostle 1 Pet. 1. 12. c. This is the way that the onely wise God is pleased to pour out the fountain of living waters upon his people in these latter dayes even in the ministry of the word this is the way God will sanctifie wash and cleanse his people with the washing of water by the word Now this dispensation of God being mighty it brings forth mighty effects in the world upon the Sons of men for the power of God being present in this Gospel ministry it makes his people willing in this day of his power it is mighty through God to throw down the strong holds of sin to turn men from darknesse to light and from the power of the Devill to God In this Ministry God doth by his mighty power bring forth the new nature in his people and makes all things new in them and God in this ministry enters into an eternall Covenant with his people to be their God for ever and they to be his people to Eternity In this ministry of the word through the operation of the eternall spirit God brings forth a principle of power to believe in him alone and trust in him alone and God doth by this ministry take off his people from all dependence upon creatures and creature-excellency and sets them upon the rock of ages in whom is everlasting strength In this ministry God doth enter into an evelasting Covenant with his people and give them a new heart and Spirit according to his promise and pour clean water upon them and make them clean and wash them from all their filthinesse and this is the onely water of the Gospel and the onely washing of the new Testament but Gospel-washing is an outward and carnall or legall washing as carnall creatures do imagine And thus we see
will give them a new name saith God Rev. 2. 17. God gives his people a white stone and in the stone a new name written that none knows but he that hath it this is the new Name that God brings forth in his people in the new nature written in them by the eternal Spirit And none knoweth this white stone nor the name written in it but those that have received it and this onely is an eternal name that shall never be blotted out it being the name of the living God and written by a divine power in the new man or new name which is the white stone the eternal word brought forth in us in which God writes his own name which is the name of all names and so we do become living and preâ—ious stones by partaking of the divine nature in him who is the foundation of all precious stones being laid of the Father the onely precious stone and chief corner-stone by whose vertue we do become pure white and precious stones builded up together for an habitation of eternal being through the power and operation of the eternal Spirit But the waters of this world can never baptize us into this name nor give us this name nor write this name in us But the name any have by going into water is such a name as all may read because it is an external name and it is no better name then Simon Magus may partake of yea any wicked person is not this giving holy things to dogs I mean the name of God not water-baptism But he that hath the name given him of God in the baptism of the eternal Christ none can read it or know it but he that hath it therefore water-baptism is not that name neither can it give this name unto any nor baptize any into this name 5 Water-baptism cannot interest people into the name of God for Christ hath promised to write the name of God upon his people yea he will write upon them his own new name Rev. 3. 12. here we see it is the work of him who hath all power in heaven and earth to write the name of God upon souls and this is done in the power of the eternal spirit not by dipping in water For water-baptism is not the name of God neither can it work such effects upon souls as to bring forth the name of God in them nor to write the name of God upon them Creatures are onely partakers of the precious name of God by power from on high not by a little cold water Those that have any experience of the name and nature of God in themselves and those that are not wilfully blinde they may see or hear what the name of God is if you look but into the word written in the Scriptures that will tell you what the name of God is and Gods name and nature is one You know the Name of God is declared in Scripture to be Love Mercy Goodness Light Wisdom Righteousness Holiness with many the like and I hope none that knows and loves the truth wiâ—l saâ— that the glorious Name of the eternal God doth consist in a bare outside profession taking its denomination from dipping in a little cold water and that those who are interested into this glorious name that it is from their being thrown into a brook of earthly water there cannot be a more carnal conceit then this The Commission is to baptize people into the name of God and that is declared to be Love Goodness Mercy c. as in Exod. 34 c. But I hope no man will say water-baptism is the Name of God that doth consist in all good sutable to his Nature nor that to be baptized into the Name of God that consists in Light Love Wisdom Purity Strength Fruitfulness c. that this is into material water But the truth is in the baptism of the spirit which consists in power from on high we are dipt and washed in the pure River of the water of life that proceeds from the Lord God and from the Lamb and this is the onely baptism in Christs pure and spiritual kingdom which consists in spiritual fire and spiritual water and this spiritual fire will lick up all our earthly waters and quite destroy them In a word this fire and water of the spirit burns up destroys wasteth away and cleanseth us from all filthiness both of spirit soul and body in which way we do come to live in the name and nature of God in holiness and righteousness And thus we may see that material water is not the Name of God nor to be baptized into the Name of God is not into earthly waters but it is into Life Light Love Wisdom Truth c. yea into the divine nature for as we have first been partakers of the earthly even the old man which is corrupt and sinful So in the baptism of the spirit we do partake of the new name or are made new men in him who is the Lord from heaven and such a baptism is onely suitable to all power in heaven and earth which is able to write the Name of God upon his people and in them and whosoever do call themselves by the name of God or are called by his name from any outward form in the time of râ—formation and have not the name of God written within them they are bastards and not children of God it is onely the spirit and spiritual power and work of the spirit that do or that can interest us into the name of God So we conclude the Commission is spiritual and consists in spiritual baptism even power from on high sutable to the person that gave it and also to the dispensation which was wholly spiritual and so interests us into the name of God which our earthly water cannot do for that cannot interest us into eternal Love Light and all good as spirit-baptism can and doth Obj. 17. The Commission cannot be as you say to baptize men into the Name of God or Father Son and Spirit because it is not mans work to baptize with the Spirit but it is the work of Christ alone to baptize us with the Spirit and thereforâ— we affirm that no man can baptize with the Spiriâ— into the Spirit c. Answ 1. First I would propound one thing to you as unto reasonable creatures and it is this Whether you do think that God doth speak unto men by means or without means And whether God doth work by means or without means and if God do work upon creatures altogether without means then why do any of you call your selves Ministers of Christ and for what purpose you are or declare your selves to be Ministers 2 You do manifest abundance of ignorance in this not to distinguish between the efficient cause and the instrumental cause Now in the first place we ascribe the whole work of the baptism of the spirit unto God alone as the author and finisher thereof in spirit and
And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be indued with power from on high Luke 24. 49. if this be not a promise I know none Now here you may read the truth that you do oppose and behold your own ignorance and sit down in silence and cover your lips for shame Obj. 19. If no water-baptism then no Ministery nor no right calling to preach and we may as well deny one as the other c. Answ 1. Here I say as you do though in another sence if we are not baptized with the spirit then we are no true Ministers of the spirit and then we have no ground to preach So our ground to preach doth arise from our being baptized though not with material water For I do affirm from Scripture and Reason that a man may be baptized in water and yet be as far from having any ground to preach that he may be an enemy to the true Ministery of God in spirit and power from on high For no man can deny but a wicked man may be thrown into water and so baptized in water And we have example that Simon Magus was baptized with water and yet no right to preach 2. Though the Apostles had received a Commission from Christ to go and teach all Nations yet they were not to practise it till they were indued with power from on high And now let me ask any of you or all of you who pretend a Calling to preach either from going into water or from mens laying hands upon you yea from any external ordination which is from man whatsoever How you do dare to go and call your selves Ministers of Christ and of the Gospel c. from a bare outward calling and yet are without either a Commission from Christ or power from on high either the Apostles were not to go till they had both But you do go to teach without a Commission or power from on high and what is this but to run before you are sent But here I would not be mistaken as if I were against all that do teach no I am really for all that do go forth in the strength of God in whose hearts and mindes God hath written his divine Laws and hath given them life and power from on high who are able Ministers of the Spirit and discerners of spirits in the light and wisdom of the eternal Spirit and do hear the voice of God in their own souls and do speak from the teachings of God in themselves So I hope you do see that those whom God doth teach they have a right to teach others though not hereunto ordained by earthly water nor any tradition of men taken up from a carnal understanding of the Scriptures But if men do not see this truth it is because of their ignorance and blindness and want of experience in the mystery of truth Obj. 20. But here you will say The Apostles were to go forth in an extraordinary work to teach all the world to speak with new tongues work miracles c. but now ordinary gifts will serve for to teach our own Nations c. Answ 1. I grant they were to be indued with tongues c. but yet the substance of all did consist in the internal work that was wrought in them for though they could not speak to all Nations except they did speak in their languages yet this was not the substance viz. their speaking several languages but there was a divine power went forth in their Ministery and had it not been for power from on high their word would have been no more effectual upon the people then the preaching of Christ and his Aposties was before among the Jews before the spirit was given 2 There is as much need of power from on high now in those that declare the mystery of God in the world for now all people generally are fixed upon the forms and traditions of the former ages set up by antichrist from a carnal understanding of the mystery of God And the man of sin and mystery of iniquity have so blinded the hearts mindes and understandings of all Nations that they cannot behold the glorious light of the Gospel but they are in Egyptian darkness the darkness and smoke of the bottomless pit and the false lights of antichrist have so blinded and dazled the eys of all the world that they cannot behold the glorious light of God If you would see Scripture for this purpose to declare this to be truth See 2 Thes 2. and Revelations of John with Matth. 24 c. And now a Ministery that must destroy such a mystery of iniquity and such a man of sin that have deceived all Nations for this twelve hundred yeers or more had need be a powerful Ministery I know not what you mean by your ordinary gifts but I know it is an extraordinary work must do this For I think that is extraordinary that hath force enough in it to destroy throw down and quite destroy all the building that man hath been setting up this many generations yea his very gods and all But that there shall be such a final destruction come upon the man of sin and mystery of iniquity it is cleer by the word 2 Thes 2. 8. here is so cleer a testimony of the destruction of the man of sin and mystery of iniquity spoken of ver 3 4 6 7. that it is undenyable And now what think you Is not the spirit of Gods mouth power from on high and is not the brightness of his coming the light of God then where are your ordinary gifts to destroy antichrist but I advise you that you be sure your building be of God and not of self for if it be below the power of God in spirit and below the brightness of God then when God comes forth in spirit and brightness he will assuredly destroy it root and branch head and tayl And now I can conclude no otherwise but thus that the Ministery that God will send forth from the spirit of his mouth and that shall appear in the bright and cleer light of God in his coming for the destruction of the man of sin and mystery of iniquity it shall consist in power from on high and in the true light of life And let all that dwell upon earthly principles look to it when God puts the spirit of life into his witnesses they shall finde these are no ordinary witnesses nor gifts in them but extraordinary Obj. 21. But if water-baptism must down then what shall we do for ordinances and we may as well throw away all ordinances as some and then this is the way to bring in ranting principles amongst us and carnal liberty c. Answ 1. Because we do not own nor set up that Ordinance that we have no ground for must we therefore throw away all Ordinances Doth this follow think you because a man doth not own that
practise then you have for water-baptism and that will be more in force when the other doth appear to be no Ordinance at all But now to the latter part of your Objection that this is the way to bring in ranting principles if we deny water-baptism to be an Ordinance c. First must carnal liberty be brought into the Church of Christ if that be not set up and practised there which Christ never commanded this is very strange 2 Is this the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles among believers to exalt the work of all power in heaven and earth I thought that creature-exaltation self-seeking and setting up idols had been the way to bring in carnal liberty and ranting principles when these things are imposed upon creatures to make up an out-side society then take heed of ranting 3 God doth according to his promise write his righteous and holy just and good laws in his peoples hearts and puts his fear in them that so they may never depart from him and hath said they shall not depart from him any more and that he will be their God and they shall be his people that he will live in them and dwell among them and they shall be all taught of him and great shall be their peace c. Now I hope this is not the way to bring in ranting principles and carnal liberty among the people of God who are thus taught of God and do live in the law of the spirit of life that is in Christ who is their life and their all The Law of God written in his peoples hearts doth no way bring in ranting principles into their mindes but these that is unto the kingdom of the devil and antichrist that do consist in sin and all unrighteousness and in empty forms traditions and precepts of men who proceed from fleshly and carnal principles in the world and carnal Church And I must tell you that the Law of God written in his peoples hearts and mindes this is the most rantingest principle to these that can be upon the face of the earth therefore when God writes his Laws in his peoples hearts and brings forth the new creation in them and so makes them partakers of the divine nature then let antichrist and all his carnal priviledges look for a final rooting out and an eternal destruction For the life and power of godlimess wrought in the people of God by a divine principle destroys all empty carnal and formal and traditional outside Religion in them that proceeds from antichrist which proceeds from carnal principles of flesh and blood The Law of God in the new nature destroys the Law of sin and flesh in the old nature with the very corrupt nature it self The life of God in his people or rather God living in them destroys the dead works of sin and flesh in them the power of God from on high being present in his people destroys the power of sin in them the wisdom of God in his people destroys the wisdom of the flesh in them The work of God in his people in the new creation brought forth in them destroys the works of sin and antichrist in their old nature yea the whole body of sin it self Yea the work of God in the new man is the onely ranting principle to antichrist the whole mystery of iniquity and man of sin for it makes it all flie in pieces before it even all the gross darkness and corruption and filthiness of the flesh with all the false light in the flesh and spirit of man with all empty forms and carnal observations c. all goeth down when God appears in his people in the brightness of his coming in spirit and power from on high in the hidden man of the heart And now where are your Ranting principles and carnal liberty you so much speak of to fall upon those that obey not your carnal Ordinances it falls altogether upon time-servers outside-professors self-seekers c. but not upon those that worship God in spirit and truth For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation to light in the souls of his people teacheth them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godly righteously and soberly in this present world and this proves Ranting principles to be nothing but the whole body of sin which is contrary to the divine principle that God brings forth in his Temple therefore take heed of throwing dirt in the face of truth and of slandering the Grace of God shed abroad in his peoples hearts the onely principle of true holiness and righteousness Do you think nothing can keep us from Ranting principles but a little cold water why then have so many that have gone under water fallen also under Ranting principles Obj. 23. Several baptisms were used in the primitive times and water-baptism is nowhere forbid in Scripture therefore we may use it still c. Answ 1. If the truth were not a mystery then antichrist might understand it but God is pleased to declare the truth in a mystery that so those that receive it not in the love of it may be blinded and so given up to strong delusions to believe lies as it is appointed for the antichristian world man of sin and mystery of iniquity 2 Thes 2. in which the antichristian world is deceived and blinded even to this day 2 Paul teacheth one baptism unto the Church of the Ephesians Eph. 4. 5. and doubtless Paul would not leave out another baptism viz. water if it had been any one bond of the true Churches unity seeing he doth reckon up seven which are a perfect number And that we may not be mistaken in the true understanding of this baptism Paul here speaks of he satisfies us what baptism it is 1 Cor. 12. 13. for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Gentiles whether bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit So here Paul bears witness to the one and onely baptism of the New-Testament which witness is enough to satisfie those who are satisfied with the truth it self But you will say that baptism spoke of Ephes 4. 5. is one baptism of a sort and that this is the meaning of the place c. First this is more then the word declares and so we have no ground to build where there is no foundation 2 If you make an addition unto this part of the words namely one baptism and put in this word here one of a sort then we must put this word unto the sense of all the rest of the bonds of the true Churches unity mentioned in this place And then we must read it thus One body of a sort one spirit of a sort one hope of a sort one Lord of a sort one faith of a sort one baptism of a sort and one God of a sort And now let all that have eyes to see behold the gross blindness and more then Egyptian
shall pass upon all corruption in us and it shall be all eternally destroyed yet we are still in expectation hereof at present and therefore not past it So here we see in what respect we are to leave the Doctrine of eternal judgement and in what respect we are to look for the fulfilling of it For the Apostle would never exhort the people to leave that they were never come unto yet and also that which he doth cleerly exhort unto in other places this were the way for the Apostle to be like those whose words were yea to day and nay to morrow contrary to his own words and practise Rom. 1. 17 18 19. So this is the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ that was to be left and this was the Doctrine and whole Ministery of John the baptist as he was a fore-runner of Christ as Marke 1. the Ministery of John is called the beginning of the Gospel of Christ 1 The Repentance from dead works that John taught and imposed upon the people in an outward washing and outward Reformation and outward Confession c. this was no longer to be rested in for now Christ was exalted and made Lord of all and a Prince to give Repentance indeed and true and real Remission of sins in spirit life and power which shall never be repented of but men might repent of a fained Repentance as might be taken up from any outward form or outward reformation which was in flesh not in spirit which is but a shew of Repentance 2 Now that Faith that John taught should now be laid aside which was that the people should according to the promises of God expect Christ to come after him and should fulfil all that was testified of him concerning mans salvation and that he should suffer for sin take away the sins of the world c. so that now they should no longer look after a Christ to come and so live under types and shadows still but now they should look upon all the promises fulfilled and all finished Christ having suffered and risen and is glorified and now they were to believe all fulfilled that was promised of Christ as Peter declareth Act. 3. 18. and not to look for it to come as before they did though the chief of the Jews would have blinded all the people if they could to wait still for Christ to come and believe no otherwise 3 Johns testimony was that he baptized with water but there came one after him that was before him and was mightyer then he and that he should baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire yet at that present the people were to be subject to his baptism which was water because the other baptism was not come and he did figure out the baptism of Christ in his baptism But when the true baptism of all baptisms was come then they were to leave all the former that were outward and trust wholly to that which was inward and the true substance of what was figured out before And here you see there is Scripture for leaving out some baptisms And there is also Scripture for the continuance of one baptism Eph. 4. 5. there is one Baptism and 1 Cor. 12. 13. this baptism is declared by Paul himself and therefore Spirit-baptism is still in force though other baptisms were to be left And so of the other three mentioned here Heb. 6. and now where is your practising these Doctrines and yet leaving of them seeing some of them are not to be left behinde while we live upon the earth or are in the body or live in this world and now let all that see truth in its own light behold your blinde and traditional interpretation of the word written wherein are some things hard to be understood which those that are ignorant and unlearned in the mystery of God do wrest c. but observe here it cannot be those who are unlearned in the wisdom of the world for the greatest learned and wisest in the wisdom of this world onely are the greatest fools in the things of God But to answer an Objection from ch 5. 12 13 14. Paul was no babe c. yet he did not leave the Doctrine of the Resurrection nor of Faith c. Phil. 3. 10 11 12. Gal. 2. 20. Heb. 10 38. Rom. 1. 5 17. ch 16. 26. c. therefore this is not that kinde of Faith Resurrection c. that is here spoke of Obj. 24. Christ himself was baptized with water therefore it is to be practised by us seeing he hath left us an Example and we are bid to follow Christ c. A. 1. Are all things that Christ did Examples for us to follow him in then we have example from Christ to be Circumcised as well as baptized 2. Christ said to John that he should suffer it to be so now that so he might fulfil all righteousness but not one word of Christ by way of Precept that it should be an example unto future generations to follow it from his example of taking it up But seeing Christ did not speak one word of the standing of it in his Church to future generations we have no ground to follow it now So these be all the Objections that I do at present know or remember but if there are never so many more I know the truth is able to answer them all though I could answer never a one And I know nothing can satisfie the Spirit but God and when God is pleased to appear in mens souls and spirits in his bright coming in Gospel-light life wisdom and power from on high then men shall be satisfied with truth alone and not before And here I do conclude this Discourse humbly desiring all men that they would not despise the things they know not but try the testimony of all men by the truth alone and not try the truth by mens opinions for all are to be tryed by truth and not it to be tryed by them For at the best man is but a servant to the truth and it were well if they were so much but no man is Lord over truth And here I have declared unto all men what I have received from the Lord in witness to the truth And here I do profess in the presence of God Angels and men that if I could see any just ground from the cleer testimony of the truth that water-baptism were to be practised in Christs kingdom by Command or Commission from Christ and that it were the baptism of the New-Testament I would not be one day older before I would take it up I am so zealous for all the Commands of Christ through his presence dwelling in me in spirit and life But seeing I see so cleer ground against it in all the Scripture and no cleer ground for it therefore I have no ground to submit to it no though all men were for it And thus I leave what I have here declared to be tryed by the truth alone knowing this that whatsoever is of God shall stand in the day of tryal and whatsoever is of man shall be burnt up for God will bring a consumption upon all flesh and the Lord alone will be exalted in his people in his day of appearing in them in his coming in them in light and life and then all men shall cease from man who is vanity and his works of nought FINIS These books are to be sold by Richard Moone at the seven stars in Pauls Church-yard A Pathway unto Englands perfect settlement and its centre and foundation of Rest and Peace discovered by Capt. Robert Norwood 2. An Additional Discourse relating to the Treatise aforesaid By Capt. Robert Norwood Many things therein are fully opened several Doubts and Objections answered a brief account given of the Ancient Laws Customes and Constitutions of this Nation before and since the Conquest so called 3. The Life of that incomparable man Faustus Socinus Senensis described by a Polonian Knight Whereunto is added An excellent Discourse which the same Author would have had premised to the Works of Socinus Together with a Catalogue of those Works 4. Brevis Disquisitio or a brief Enquiry touching a better way then is commonly made use of to refute Papists and reduce Protestants to certainty and unity in Religion 5. The Apostolical and true opinion concerning the Holy Trinity revived and asserted partly by 12 Arguments levied against the Traditional and false opinion about the Godhead of the Holy Spirit partly by a Confession of faith touching the three Persons c. By John Biddle Mr. of Arts. 6 A short Treatise touching the death of Christ also the point of baptism is handled with the qualifications demerits sufficient to the receiving in and casting out Church-Members By J. Dell. 7. The Army Vindicated in their late dissolution of the Parliament By John Spittlehouse 8. A Warning-piece discharged or certain intelligence communicated to his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell By John Spittlehouse 9. The first Addresses to his Excellency the Lord General with the new Representative elected by him and his Councel c. By John Spittle-house 10. The new Earth or the Magna Charta of the past Ages and of the Ages or World to come called The Jews Commonweal By Joh. Brayne 11. The unknown being of the Soul and Spirit c. By John Brayne 12. The Way of disputing practised by Christ and his Apostles in deciding the Controversies of that Age and the Rule for the determining of out own or the right use of spiritual weapons c. By John Brayne 13. Baptism without Bason or plain Scripture-Proof against Infant Baptism in Answer to Mr. Baxters Arguments and the Exercitations of Mr. Sidenham By William Kaye Minister of the Gospel at Stokesley A Cryer in the Wilderness of England declaring the Baptism of the Eternal Spirit to be the onely Baptism in Christs Kingdom c. By Edward Punch 15 Dissertatio de Pace c. or A Discourse touching the Peace and Concord of the Church This he hath now in the Press Judah's Witness sounding the Trumpet c.