admitted but after a short time they left their Flocks fled away and were silent Then in came the Surplice-Men and they were for having all to come and take Bread and Wine with them but the other sort were only for admitting such as they upon Examination judged worthy But some of both cry out against the Quakers so called because they do not come under their Ministry of this Ordinance so called and say we deny the Lord's Supper or coming to the Lord's Supper and therefore do they rage against us very sore And I see many People are too willing to lye at ease in a dead state in sin and are not concerned in Heart to seek unto the Lord for Wisdom and Understanding yet for the sake of all such as truly desire to know the things that do belong unto their Peace do I send forth these Lines And First I affirm we do mightily rejoice in Heart Soul and Spirit to meet one with another at the Lord's Table where we meet with the Lord and receive at his Merciful Hand the true and living Bread that comes down from above tho' we are not in Communion with them at that which is called of Men the Lord's Supper and sold by the Priest as such for these Reasons 1. We find that our Lord Christ took Bread at Supper blessed it broke it and gave it to his Disciples but that he said This is a new Ordinance which I now Erect instead of the Passover that shall be observed to be eaten at after the Priest hath done his Forenoon's Preaching before you go to dinner this I find not no nor that those that would stay and eat some of it should pay Two-pence and those that would not should pay likewise eat or not eat pay you must this we find nothing of We find Matthew Mark and Luke calls it the Passover and the Passover which was kept or held seven Days must needs admit of Suppers as well as Dinners and if it was the Passover how then doth it belong to us or enjoin us to keep up a small part of the outward Iews outward Passover This I cannot understand seeing Christ our Passover as the Apostle said is sacrificed for us and so we have no occasion to use the Type because the Antitype is come and has given us a Mind to know him that is true and we are in him But to make it appear that all the Apostles call it the Passover let us hear them speak themselves Mat. 26.17 The Disciples came to Jesus saying Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover And he said Go into the City to such a Man and say unto him The Master saith My time is at hand I will eat the Passover at thy House with my Disciples and the Disciples did as Jesus had commanded them and they made ready the Passover And Verse 26 27. As they were eating Jesus took Bread and blessed it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body and he took the Cup gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of Sins but I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this Fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom Now from all this that Matthew saith it 's very clear it was the Passover which is here spoken of and so plain that he that runs may read Mark 14.12 13 14 15 16. The first day of Unleavened Bread when they killed the Passover his Disciples said unto him Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou may'st eat the Passover He sendeth two of his Disciples and saith Go ye into the City and there shall meet you a Man bearing a Pitcher of Water follow him wheresoever he shall go in say to the Good Man of the House the Master saith Where is the Guest-chamber where I shall eat the Passover with my Disciples And he will shew you a large upper Room furnished and prepared there make ready for us and they went and found as he had said and they made ready the Passover and as they did eat Verse 22. Jesus took Bread and blessed it broke it and gave to them and said Take eat this is my Body and he took the Cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it and he said unto them This is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many Verily I say unto you I will drink no more of the Fruit of the Vine until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God here it is also called the Passover and Luke 22.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. thus far the same with Mark but in Verse 15 Christ said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer Verse 16. For I say unto you I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and V. 17. He took the Cup and gave thanks and said Take this and divide it amongst your selves for I say unto you I will not drink of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God shall come Now these three are full to the Matter concerning the last Time Christ was with them at the Passover and their last eating of it was at Supper And now seeing Christ said that he would eat no more of it until it was fulfilled in the Kingdom of God nor drink any more of the Fruit of the Vine until the Kingdom of God should come pray let me ask this Is the Kingdom of God come yea or nay Doth Christ reign rule and sit as King over all Or is Moses and Iohn's Baptism yet in place yea or nay And if the Kingdom of God be come which the Apostle saith stands not in meats Drinks and divers Washings but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost then I ask Is the Passover fulfilled yea or nay If it be then he is worthy and ought to have place that fulfilled it for he viz. Christ is our Passover Is he Then Moses's Passover that had the Paschal Lamb Unleavened Bread and the Cup of the Fruit of the outward Vine is not our Passover no that was the Iews outward and was Temporal but Christ the Lamb of God the Bread of Life that gives Living Water and new Wine of the Kingdom that 's Spiritual he is the Passover of the inward spiritual Iew that hath no confidence in the Flesh but worships God in Spirit neither doth he know Christ after the Flesh but after the Spirit who is the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven a quickening Spirit so Christ's Kingdom is come and set up and will come more and more Oh! thy Kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven and the least
into Water as you do all of one Day if it was so But it is not here so said nor mention made of Water in this Chapter so that this place will not carry your Matter you would lay on it for all these it 's said continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and their Doctrine I hope you will own was for Christ If any Preach any other Doctrine than what is already Preached or lay any other Foundation than that which is already laid let him be accursed We Preach Christ saith Paul to the Jews a Stumbling-block to the Greeks Foolishness but unto them that believe Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God It was Christ they Preached But say you Philip Baptized the Eunuch and the Gaoler was Baptized and Cornelius and those with him Peter commanded to be Baptized in the Name of the Lord and say you Baptists when was that Command repealed I Answer Though it was a Command yet it was but Peter's Command and Peter had not all revealed to him at first but was ignorant of things that were afterwards revealed and so were the rest of the Apostles Witness Peter's Vision and the Apostles blaming Peter for going to the Gentiles because they yet saw not into that foretold Mystery nor many before them saw it not but it was revealed in the Lord's time to them how that the Gentiles should be Fellow-Heirs and partakers of the same Glory But you cannot prove that Peter's Command was obeyed He commanded them it is true to be Baptized and if they were his Command was fulfilled But who commanded you or sent you Shew us your Commission For Peter did not any where that I can find Command That Water-Baptism should be observed to the World's end No no It was the Baptism of Christ Jesus with the Holy Ghost and Fire that was and is and will be to the end Established and Commanded in Mat. 28. by Christ. And though the Apostles did make use of Iohn's Baptism yet they laid no stress upon us that were to come after them to use it neither was it Commanded by Christ for them to use But come May not I say That they saw not to the end of Iohn's Baptism though Iohn had plainly said I must Decrease no more than they saw the coming of the Gentiles till it was shewed by a Vision and that though Christ had said That the True Worship was in Spirit and in Truth yet that they saw not through the Outward Worship And have I not more ground for it than you have for Paul's NOT ONLY But if you were in the Light you would see that the Apostles did see but in part and no farther than it was revealed unto them no more than we do now But though we should say that they did see unto the end of Iohn's Baptism and unto the end of all visible things as I know they did in time as I shall prove hereafter yet altho they might they that were daily added might have stumbled had they denied them that of Iohn's Baptism except they also had seen into the Mind of God with them in this Matter for they were but Enterers in as little Children and not grown up to Man's State at first but went from strength to strength in the Spirit of the Lord and so the Apostles could take Liberty for the furtherance of the Gospel to use Iohn's Dispensation but were above it themselves out from under it's Command in the Power of Christ who was greater than Iohn and had all Power himself and so it could not command them but they it And so Philip said unto the Eunuch If thou believest with all thy Heart THOU MAYEST not THOU MUST No but if thou believest thou Mayest he would not deny it him tho' I believe Philip knew that it was the Spirit 's Baptism that must sanctifie and that Water could not reach the Soul of any nor any way satisfie the spiritual part of Mankind And yet took that Liberty in the Spirit because of the Weakness of their yet Childish Capacities to submit to their Weakness in many things that belonged unto the Law as well as in this of Iohn's And is it not also clear That the Apostle would not yet seem to lay the Building if I may so call it of Iohn waste until they had laid and builded on a more sure foundation Nor wholly preach his Baptism useless nor the Law neither until such time as the Gospel had got some hold of the People And then they testified of One Lord One Faith one BAPTISM and that by One Spirit they were all Baptized into One Body and had been all made to drink into One Spirit and that they were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit and came not with words Man's Wisdom teacheth but with words the Holy Ghost teacheth with which they were now Baptized comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual not Carnal or External or Elemental things with Spiritual as you do no no but Spiritual with Spiritual Now they saw by the Revelation of the Spirit into the Mysteries of God's Kingdom and therefore in Heb. 6.1 the Apostle comes in with these words LEAVING saith he mark Leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us go on unto Perfection Come Friends deal plainly for your own Souls Good and God's Glory and tarry not short of him that makes Perfect and cleanseth from all Iniquity and be perswaded to come and wait for the true Baptism of Christ which is with the Holy Ghost and Fire that ye may be sanctified and refined and made every whit whole for it is in much Love to your Souls that these Lines are written by one that desires your Salvation even as his own and truly breathes for the Prosperity of Zion and the establishment of Truth and Righteousness But now some may Object and say That the Apostles could not have left them if they had not been in them or in the Use of them I Answer True they had so and had also been in the Use of those things the Law had required but mark All these could not make Perfect the Law made nothing Perfect said the Apostle as pertaining to the Conscience And the Baptism of John say you was but a Type Now if the Type could make Perfect then there would have been no need of the Substance for if Perfection had been by the Levitical Priesthood then verily Righteousness would have been by the Law And now say I If John ' s Baptism could have taken or have washed away Sin then verily Righteousness would have been by John I mean that Men would have been then by it made perfectly and truly Righteous But Iohn himself Preached no such thing by himself but said I am not he but behold him the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World this is he of whom I spake one mightier than I cometh he must increase of the increase
inherit Substance and as the Apostle said Heb 9.24 Christ is not entered into Holy Places made with Hands which are Figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us so that Christ is not now in the Figures and if Christ be not in them what Virtue Power or Nourishment is in them For he hath all Fulness dwelling in him and if we partake not of his Fulness what is it we can partake of that can do us any good And if all Fulness dwell in Christ as the Scripture saith then what is there in Figures Types and Shadows Surely these must needs be empty if all dwell in Christ and that he be all in all Well might the Apostle say Let him that glories glory in the Lord so that all the Testimonies of the Apostles point and direct to Christ and testifie of him and his People at this Day preach him For after all his Sufferings Passion Resurrection and Ascension Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door to me I will come in unto him and Sup with him and he shall Sup with me Rev. 3.20 Open therefore ye Everlasting Doors and let the King of Glory enter in for he is Lord of Hosts great and mighty and if God be with you who can be against you He is come to teach his People himself therefore hear his Voice and open the Door of the Soul and let him in that ye may Sup with him and he with you for it 's he that giveth Living Bread and Living Water and his Flesh is meat indeed and his Blood is Drink indeed they that eat his Flesh and drink his Blood dwell in him and he in them and therefore these must needs know he is come for they Sup with him where there is Bread enough and all things are ready the Marriage of the Lamb is come his Beauty and Glory is beheld the Day of his Espousals is come and his Beloved is come up out of her Wilderness-state in a great measure and is made ready for her Beloved for he is adorned with his Wedding-garments O she is the fairest amongst Women no Church nor Woman like her Her Glory is within she feeds on hidden Manna and hath Meat to eat that the World knows not of therefore she tramples upon all Transitory Things and hath the Moon under her Feet she seeks not after the Glory of the Night fine Titles great Honours and rich Benefits Places of outward Profit worldly Gain earthly Treasure and fading Riches no no her Beloved to whom she is joined and made one Spirit with never valued these things or sought after them yet the World hated him and therefore it hates his People because they are not of the World for if they were of the World then the World would love her own but because they are not of the World Christ having chosen them out of the World therefore the World hates them even as Cain hated Abel because Abel's Works were Righteous but Cain's were Evil Oh! therefore be intreated all you that read these Lines to leave the World that is to say be dis-jointed from it and and cleave not to it in your Hearts Minds Souls and Spirit and return unto the Lord with your whole Hearts Mind and Might Souls and Spirits and acept of his Blessed Invitation All you that thirst come unto me said he and drink this was in the last and great Day of the Feast that Christ said after this manner And as the outward Feast drew then to an end so the inward lasting Feast of Fat Things was proclaimed and as the Figure or Type was near its period so the Substance or Antitype Christ the Bread of Life the Passover of the Spiritual Iew was proclaimed And had many known the Gift of God and who it was that gave this free Invitation and proclaimed it himself for all to come that thirsted surely they would have come then and now also But alas there is too few that knows him or thirsteth after him especially of the Wise and Prudent of this World nor of the Great Rich Mighty Noble Learned Disputers of this World who seek their own things their own Honour their own Exaltation yea their own Praise and Glory not the Praise Honour and Glory of God nor the Things of Jesus Christ. But come Remember before this he proclaimed by his Servant Isaiah Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and drink and ye that have no Money come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Wherefore do ye spend your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your Soul delight it self in fatness Incline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David 〈◊〉 55.1 2 3. Oh! what a tender Invitation is here proclaimed unto every thirsty Soul even such as have no Money These are Invited very sweetly But the Lord is grieved and very sorely displeased with Babylon's Merchants who have Traded long and have made themselves Rich Great and Mighty and have taken Money for that which is not Bread and the People have been so unwise as to give it them tho' they have been empty of Living Refreshment of Peace with God and true Satisfaction and have been kept in Bondage have lain in Captivity doing the things they ought not and leaving undone the things they ought to have done O the long Complaints that have been put up towards Heaven And though they say they believe that Christ is come that hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth and gives Power to all that receive him to become the Sons of God even them that believe in his Name who are Born of God But alas People do not come to him tho' they be so very tenderly Invited and Reasoned with as Why will ye give your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which doth not satisfie What Advantage is this to your Souls What Wisdom is there in doing thus to give Money and Labour for that which is worth neither As by long Experience many know Oh then Let the Wicked forsake his way and the Unrighteous Man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have Mercy upon him and to our God saith the Prophet and he will abundantly pardon Seek the Lord therefore whilst he may be found call upon him while he is near for he is come near who is given for a Leader and Commander to the People Read all the Chapter through and consider it and compare it with Chap. 53. and whilst Time is embrace Christ Jesus open the Door of thy Heart and let him in hearken to him learn of him be led guided commanded and ruled by
them that come unto God by him so that now in Christ Iesus we who were some times afar off are made near How By the Blood of Christ Ephes. 2.13 So it 's in Christ Jesus that nearness to God is known even by his Blood Read that can Blessed be God many at this day can read experimentally and knows a being near unto God in Christ. O that many could For he is our Peace who hath made One both Iew and Gentile having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity the Law of Ordinances to make in himself of twain one new Man that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross. And came and Preached Peace unto them that were afar off and unto them that were near so that through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father Now here is plainly Pointed forth the Way to God the Truth and the Life no Man comes unto the Father but by me said Christ so neither Iohn nor Moses nor any other but Christ can bring Men to God Nor doth Christ Jesus need any of them all for all Power is his There is no other Name given under Heaven by which we can be saved but by the Name of Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Mark this The Name of Iesus what if he had said the Power of Jesus But can any be saved by his Name except they be in it Salvation is in it those that are Baptized into the Name of Father Son and Spirit are in that which saves and it is remarkable that Christ did not say go teach all Nations and Baptize them in the Name Father Son and Holy Ghost but Go teach all Nations Baptizing them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the name of mark the Father Son and Holy Ghost Is it not plain from hence that by Name is meant the Power of the Father Son and Spirit Again Christ told his Followers Mat. 18.20 That where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them what else is here intended but them that meet in his Power and are exercised in his Power And Pray how can any meet in his Name or Power if they be not in it Oh that Men would meet in this Name they would not want power to Pray Preach and Praise God nor need to make ready before-hand what they intend to say no this bows Men in Spirit and brings them to wait in hope and the feeling of this Living Name makes Men true Worshippers in Spirit for they feel it to be a Heart-changing melting Power and a Soul-sanctifying Enamouring Name far excelling all other Names or Powers and these reverence his Pure Name and extol it in their Hearts are true Worshippers and Adorers of it and of him whose Name it is But what Benefit can those have that meet out of this Name and carry on a form of Godliness and Worship but deny the power and content themselves to go on in a form without the power all the Days of their Lives and pray what are these These are such as the Apostle bids us turn away from 2 Tim. 3.5 For they name the Name of Christ but do not depart from Iniquity but live in Sin all their Days and in the Power of Darkness by which they are kept in Bondage because they come not to know the Name of Jesus and Faith in his Name and being Baptized thereunto these say and do not like the Pharisees these are Enemies to Christ Jesus their own Souls and all Mankind These love the Wages of Unrighteousness and go in the way of Balaam for Gifts and Rewards Paul said He sought not theirs but them 2 Cor. 12.14 But these seek theirs but not them Paul laboured that their Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Man but in the Power of God or Name of God is it not all One or Name of Jesus 1 Cor. 2.5 But these come in the Wisdom of Man and with words Man's Wisdom teacheth and brings People no further than that wherein themselves stand and so the Faith of People stands in the foolish Wisdom of Men and not in the Power of God and therefore these Men get power over People by their Wisdom and leads them away from the appearance of Christ in themselves Who is the only Potentate Lord of Lords and King of Kings 1 Tim. 6.15 So the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous runneth into it and are safe Prov. 18.10 The true Church knew it in old Time that this holy Name of Christ was sweet and said Thy Name is as Ointment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee Cant. 1.3 And so the Apostle testified how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power Acts 10.38 This is that Holy Name unto which every Knee must bow both in Heaven and in Earth for it is above every Name Phil. 2.9 10. So the Apostles were Baptized with the Holy Ghost into this precious Name And when the Holy Ghost was come down upon them and sat upon them as in Acts 2.3 then they appeared boldly in the Power or Name and Spirit of Jesus and Verse 4. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance Now they spoke with new Tongues that was touched with a Coal from the Altar so they went out in this Living Power and Spirit and in this they preached the Gospel and taught all People that heard them in every Nation where they came and the Name of Christ was mightily glorified many being so reached in their Understandings that they came to see their own state and condition inwardly and were pricked to the very Heart and cried out Men and Brethren what shall we do to be saved Yea they spoke so that many believed both Men and Women yea great multitudes both of Iews and Greeks Acts 14. were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which Stephen spoke Acts 6.10 And with great power the Apostles bare witness of the Resurrection Acts. 4.33 So they stood in the Power of God preached prayed and praised God in his own Power and in Acts 4. they lift up their voice with one accord and prayed unto the Lord that he would grant unto his Servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word by stretching out thy Hand to heal and that Signs and Wonders may be done by the Name of thy Holy Child Jesus Verse 30. And Paul preached boldly in the Name of Jesus Ch. 9.27 And what did they preach They preached Jesus Christ Ch. 2.36 Ch. 3.20 Likewise in the Name of Jesus Christ the lame Man was made able to leap walk and praise God It was not by their own Power or Holiness that he was made to walk no it was by the Name of the Prince of Life Christ Jesus and the Faith that comes by him gave the lame Man perfect soundness Ch. 3.6 12
18. Even as Peter said In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk so the Lord was with them and wrought mightily and manifested his great Power in them and with them So the Apostles declared the Work was done by the Lord Chap. 14.27 When Paul had bidden the Impotent Man Stand upright on thy Feet he leaped and walked and came and rehearsed to the Church all that God had done with them and how he had opened a Door of Faith unto the Gentiles And likewise in Chap. 15.4 when they came unto Ierusalem were received of the Church there and of the Apostles and Elders they declared all things that God had done with them so the Lord being with them as he is at this Day with his Ministers who is the strength of his People it is Christ the great Power of God that reaches the Hearts and Souls of People through his Vessels or Instruments and Servants so the Work is the Lord's done by him and carried on in and by his Spirit Power and Wisdom so the Glory of the Power is due to him For Men as Men are not sufficient for these things nor of themselves are able to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 Nor without Christ who hath all Power we as men can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 Neither can any Man receive any thing but what is given him from above Iohn 3.27 So all Boasting is excluded for it is the Power of God that is with Men rests upon Men and works in Men for Men and by Men and is sufficient to all and for all in every Work and Service the Lord requires So that all that live and abide in the Name of the Lord and do what they do in it they do it to his Praise and Glory By this time I hope it 's clear that the Name is the Power and that the Lord that sent them to teach all Nations Baptizing them into the Name c. did go with them and according to his Promise he is with them that are sent forth of him and will be to the end of the World and is the Baptizer of Men into his own Name Spirit Life Light and Love and it 's also clear that those whom he thus Baptizeth he sends them forth goes with them and makes them Instrumental in his own Name Power Spirit Life Light and Love for the Baptizing of others into the same so that all those that do run to preach and teach before they be Baptized with this Baptism of Christ Jesus they run before they be sent and therefore they cannot nor do not profit the People at all neither do they know Christ or his Name nor have heard his Voice or seen his Appearance to their Joy Object But some object and say There was some method to be used or means for the effecting this Baptism Answ. I Answer Yea and if we observe Christ's words Go teach all Nations Baptizing them c. So whilst Men are teaching in the Name there is a baptizing into the Name Experimentally witnessed and felt by such as hear the Word believe it and receive it in Love Oh blessed be God there are many at this Day can Seal to this Truth that whilst Men stand up and teach in the Name of God behold the Name of Christ the Power of God comes over many sometimes most if not all in the Assembly and are so deeply dipped or plunged into it that they are much tendered melted shaken and broken and laid very low before the Lord whose Power alone makes his people a willing People in the Day of his power for it 's he that works all his own Works in us and for us both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure Therefore let all Flesh be silent before the Lord for the Flesh profits nothing it is the Spirit that quickens the words that I speak unto you said Christ they are Spirit and Life and all that have received him who is a quickning Spirit and are alive in him and in his Spirit these know his Words and his Voice from the Voice of Strangers Oh what is Man then out of the Name Power and Spirit of Jesus Or wherein is he to be accounted of All the Power is Christ's and the Baptism is Christ's and Baptized Men are made Instrumental in his Hand for the carrying on of his Work that without him can do nothing For all that is done by them is done in the ability that God gives and the Praise is due to God not to Man To God over all be it given for ever Now Christ being Head of the Body the true Church and the Life Light Power Wisdom Righteousness yea all in all in every Member it 's he that brings every Member into it's right place and service in the Church or Body of Christ and their Faith stands in his Power and Name and is one in every Member so they know one Head or Lord and one Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and one Baptism by one Spirit and one Body or true Church of Christ and all are made to drink into one Spirit and are all fed and nourished by the Head Christ Jesus the true Vine in whom every Branch is nourished fed and kept living faithful and fruitful to his Praise and Glory Object But say some The word Baptize signifies to dip or plunge into Water Answ. I grant Iohn's Baptism was with Water but Christ's Baptism was with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 and of a purifying Nature and Christ spoke of the Spirit being in those that believe in him as a Well of Living Water and elsewhere it is called the Spirit of Judgment and of Burning and saith the Apostle Our God is a consuming Fire And Men as before asserted are Baptized into Christ and put him on And let me ask my Reader Is not God that 's said to be a Consuming Fire and Christ and his Name and Spirit all one And doth not the Apostle direct his Epistles to the Church which is in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ see 1 Thess. 1. and 2. Thess. 1. And if in God then in Christ if in Christ then in the Holy Ghost and if so then in the Name yea in the Life Light Love Wisdom and Righteousness of God But do these Men think a Man cannot be dipped or plunged into any thing but Water And are not many plunged into great Sin Misery and deep Bondage Captivity and Thraldom So that few think or believe they can ever get out whilst they live yea too many lie here But what were they of old plunged into that were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and Sea Pray where was Moses then Did not he abide in the Power of God and in Faith And was not the Israelites got out of the Faith and out of the Power of God when they looked back at the Host of Pharaoh And who Baptized them unto Moses Was
Death being come over all for that all had sinned so he suffered for us the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God and they that take up his Cross deny themselves and follow him and share with him of his Cup of his Sufferings and of his Baptism So I hope I need say no more of this to shew there is a baptizing dipping or plunging into other things besides Water and that this and not outward Water tends throughly to wash purge purifie and make clean the Soul Spirit and Bodies of Men and Women and bring them to be Vessels of Honour fit for the Masters use and service So here is neither need nor ground for Sprinkling at all no neither dipping nor plunging in Water nor any lasting Command or Institution that can be shewn tho' we grant some Apostles did use Water-Baptism for a time not seeing fully through things at first as they did afterwards yet they had no Command for it for Christ himself Baptized none with Water nor gave his Apostles any Commission to do it so that after some time that they grew up to Man's state in Christ Jesus they came to see as Paul saith When I was a Child I spoke as a Child I thought as a Child I understood as a Child but when I became a Man I put away childish things and then they more fully preached Christ the Substance and that in him all fullness dwelt and that Christ was not now entered into the Holy Places made with Hands which are Figures of the true but into Heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24 And Verse 14. The Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the Living God So that it 's clear Christ is not in the Figures but in Heaven itself and they that enjoy him are where he is and have their Conversation there where he sits and reigns so the Substance is come and is preached and testified of to whom the Prophets bare witness and testified beforehand of his Sufferings and the Glory that should follow This is he that knows every State and is the End of every Type Figure and Shadow as Peter saith speaking of Noah's Ark 1 Pet 3.21 22. wherein few that was Eight Souls were saved comes now to shew that even as the Ark saved them so the Antitype Baptism now saveth us What Baptism I Answer That Baptism of the Spirit or being Baptized into that which saves us now from the Deluge of Sin which destroyeth the World now even Baptism into Christ into his Name for there is no other Name given by which we can be saved this I say saves Men as fully now from Sin and so from Death as Noah's Ark saved him and those that were with him from the Flood that then destroyed the Old World and as Peter further saith Not the putting or washing away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Christ Iesus who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him and what must not Types and Figures give way to him Doth not Peter clearly shew it was not outward washing the filth of the Flesh but the cleansing of the Heart and Conscience For he saw plainly beyond the outward Water-washing to the inward washing with Water by the Word Christ Jesus that he might present unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.26 27. So here is a washing that exceeds Moses's Laver and Iohn's Iordan washing for it makes clean the inside and these are inward Iews or Iews inward for as they were not Iews that were Iews outward who only had the Type or Figure and came no farther but were of the Synagogue of Satan no more are they Christians that were only so outward And tho' they say they are Christians yet they are unregenerate unclean within unwashed with the blood of Christ yea they are of the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9 and so it was called Blasphemy of Old as you may see in this Scripture to say they were Iews and were not and what is it now Doth it not blast the Fame of Christ Jesus and his great Name for Men to say they are Christians and are not Oh! therefore take Christ's Counsel come unto him be baptized of him washed by him sanctified by him made new Creatures in him and by him and be Disciples Followers Subjects and Obeyers of him so that whatever he bids you do ye may do it in his own Name and dwell in his Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost for all outward Dipping and Sprinkling in or with Water leaves Men and Women out of the Kingdom of God short of Enjoyment of God short of Eternal Life short of Power to become Sons of God short of Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Ierusalem short of the innumerable Company of Angels and of the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and of the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and of Jesus the Mediator of the the New Covenant and of the Blood of Sprinkling mark not Water sprinkling that blood that speaks better things than that of Abel See now that ye refuse not him that speaks from Heaven for he speaks with Authority and not as the Scribes Hypocrites and High-Priests for if they escaped not that refused him that spoke on Earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven whose Voice then shook the Earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but the Heavens also and this word yet once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain so that those things that are made and are shakeable things though they be Heavens if shakeable if made they give place to the New Heavens in which dwells Righteousness that cannot be shaken so the Rock of Ages the sure Foundation the Durable Riches of the Gentiles the Lasting Treasure the Life that 's Eternal the Son that abides in the House for ever he remains for all the Ends of the Earth to look unto and be saved for all Nations to flow unto and be safe who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth therefore all People that read this be exhorted to turn in all your Minds to the Appearance of Christ in all your Hearts and come unto him in Spirit for he appears by his Spirit in your inward Man and lets you see your States and Conditions lets you see all your Thoughts Words Deeds Secret Lusts and Vile Affections if ye give heed unto it
for he is the true Light that enlightens every Man coming into the World and makes all things manifest that are reproveable lays open all the hidden things of Esau yea all things are naked and bare before him with whom we have to do this is the word nigh even in our Hearts and Mouths which you ought to hear and obey this is him that is the Saviour of the Soul and washes it in his own Blood and makes it clean white and comely in his own pure Eye this is he that sent forth his Apostles and went with them was their Strength Power Wisdom yea all in them and all to them all And you are hereby invited and call'd unto to come unto him and receive him into your Hearts and Souls that you may receive Power to become the Sons of God and be deeply affected and plunged into him into his Name his Power his Spirit his Life his Love his Meekness his Patience his Purity his Divine Nature his Glory Come People here is a Baptism that is more than all Figures Types and Shadows Oh! do not sit at ease in an unclean state short of this Baptism for here is help for you and it 's laid upon him that is mighty to help you and save you to the utmost if you will but come to God by him but if ye refuse him and think to go to God by weak Elements that melt away before the Lord as he comes to take place in the Hearts of Men you will find by sad experience that they can never bring you to God nor fit you for his Kingdom but this Baptism into Christ into his Name Endues Men with Power according to Christ's Promise Ye shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you Acts 1.8 Secondly It enables Men to be Witnesses unto Christ Jesus unto his Appearance in them and the Power of his Resurrection to raise them up in him as it did to Paul Acts 26.16 Thirdly It enables Men to pray in the Name of Christ so as what they ask God gives unto them according as Christ said Iohn 16.23 Fourthly It cleanseth both Heart and Conscience and inside of Men and Women it purges fans and purifies the Floor or Heart of Man throughly and takes away sin Iohn 1.29 For the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand John 3.35 yea all Power in Heaven and in Earth Mat 28.19 Fifthly It impowers Men to become Sons of God and to call God Father and Jesus Lord in Truth and Righteousness Gal. 4.6 Sixthly It makes Men One in Christ Jesus according to Christ's Prayer Iohn 17.11 20 21. and Gal. 3.27 28. 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 4.3 Seventhly It brings Men to know the Love of God in them in their Hearts Iohn 17.12 Eighthly It makes Men new Creatures true Iews true Christians and brings Men to know the Old Man Crucified with his Deeds Rom. 6.6 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 Ninthly It makes Men free from sin sanctifies them washes and justifies them who are in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ by his Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 6.18 22. Tenthly It saves them that have it and none can be saved but such as have it for there 's no Salvation in any other Name Tit. 3.5 1 Pet. 3.21 Acts 4.12 Eleventhly It makes Men Temples for God to dwell in and brings Men to see God being made pure in Heart Mat. 5.8 1 Cor. 3.16 17. and Chap. 6.19 Twelfthly It enables Men to Worship God aright in Spirit and in Truth according to his Will and none else but they that have this Baptism can Iohn 4.24 Phil. 3.3 Thirteenthly It brings Men to know a new Name and the white Stone that hath the new Name in it that none knows but him that hath it Rev. 2.17 Fourteenthly It enables them to overcome and brings them to inherit all things to know God to be their God and they to be his People who have this Baptism Rev. 21.7 And Lastly It fits Men for every good Word and Work brings them out of the Kingdom of Satan into the Kingdom of God Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and so to live in Unity Fellowship and Communion with God and one with another and to be alive unto God through Jesus Christ in him to live unto the Lord and when they die to die in the Lord so that living and dying they may be the Lord's Rom. 14.8 Acts 26.18 Col. 1.10 11 12 13. 1 Iohn 1.3 7. I might go on further to shew how it brings Men to grow in Faith and to overcome the wicked One and to overcome the World and to be Conquerors and able to do all things through Christ who has all Power c. in and by whom we have Redemption and Forgiveness of Sins even through his Blood for he that spared not his only Beloved Son but gave him up freely a Ransom for us all he also with him freely gives us all things Glory be given to him for ever Amen Thus I have endeavoured for the Information of true Enquirers to shew what Christ's Baptism is and how Men are made Instrumental in the Lord's Hand and enabled by him to perform the Work and Service he imploys them in how they are made true preachers or Teachers so as to Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Life of a true Disciple of Christ a true Christian is of a Disciplining Teaching Nature for he is as Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness in the Spirit Life Power or Name of Jesus in his Day Age and Generation and in the Name is an Honourer of the Name and Power of God and shews it forth to others yea before all Men that he lives not in his own or by his own Power Strength or Wisdom but in the Name of Christ and knows Christ to be his Strength and is what he is in the Lord without whom he is nothing nor can do nothing see Acts 16.16 18. compared with 1 Cor. 1.17 See what the Apostle was sent to do in order to turn Men from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God Eph. 4. read the whole Chapter and see who it was that fitted and furnished them for every good Word and Work Something concerning the Lord's Supper So Called I Have searched the Four Evangelists Matthew Mark Luke and Iohn and the rest of the New Testament throughly concerning this Matter about which many Professors are so Hot and Zealous and I do not find plain and substantial Ground for what they so earnestly contend about I also observe it is not long since many suffered Martyrdom here in England because they believed not as the Roman Catholicks so called did believe in Q. Mary's Days and I remember the Presbyterians in the time of Oliver Cromwell were very strict about it and examined People of their Faith Hope and such like and whom they liked or approved of were
before and were Able enough for that Baptism But now they were to enter upon a greater Work and it is not they must do it but the Gift of God in and by them or the Power they received so saith Christ Lo I am with you and as many as received him to them he gave Power for All Power is given to me saith Christ ALL mark So though the Apostles as Men could not Baptize into the Name of the Father Son and Spirit no more than we as Men can do yet mark Christ in and by them can or us either and in and by them did And when the Apostles laid their Hands on them that Believed the Holy Ghost fell upon them and sometimes when they were Preaching unto them the Holy Ghost fell upon them Yet it was not them that could so much as Preach as they ought but Christ in and by them God speaks by his Son through his Vessels of Honour fitted for his Use So it 's not them but Christ who also raised the Dead opened the Eyes of the Blind healed the Sick cleansed the Leperâ— and many great and good Works did they yet not they but the Gift of God in them and by them And so they went in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power and Preached Christ the Wisdom of God and the Power of God the savour of Life unto Life IN THEM mark in them that are saved and the favour of Death unto Death in them that perish But they never cried out Water-Baptism is the Door for Christ Jesus said I am the Door by ME mark not me and Water nor me and Iohn but BY ME if any Man enter in he shall be saved O he is of himself sufficient and shall go in and out and find Pasture The Apostles never called it as you do An Initiating Ordinance and say you A Command of Christ But who says so besides you Where do you prove it Prove Friends whoever you are I challenge all the whole World to prove that Christ ever mentioned such a thing to any of his Ministers as by way of Command as Water-Baptism but said as abovesaid Ye said he shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost And Go teach all Nations baptizing them into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Say not We cannot Be not â—â—â—mayed for Lo I am with you And All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth therefore without me ye can do nothing But abide in me and then ye shall bear Fruit In me ye shall have Peace But though it were so that he had meant as you Baptists say he did Water-Baptism and that that Commission belongs to you say you The World is not yet ended therefore say you it is still to be observed Suppose this were granted you then I ask you How missed Paul of it that he had no share in this Commission For Paul saith in 1 Cor. 1.13 That Chriâ—t sent me not saith he to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel mark How comes it to pass that you are greater sharers in this Commission than Paul And how must we do to know it For if it did not reach Paul who was Converted and one not behind the Chiefest of the Apostles how can it reach you And though you may say All are not sent to Baptize Then I ask you How must we do to know who are and who are not But say you Paul means NOT ONLY Oh Friends Would you have this Hole to creep out at It 's a little one too litâ—â—â— to get out at 'T is your Meaning but we must not take your Meanings when the Lord lets us see he means otherwise for Paul said not so nor dare any true Christian say that Paul meant so but said what he meant and meant what he said Well but say you Baptists He did Baptize It is true he did some few but he thanks God they were so few But it seems though he did he did not do it by Commission For Christ sent me not to baptize saith he but to Preach the Gospel How then Why by Permission as he also Circumcised Timothy by Permission because of the Iews but not because Christ had commanded it for he had not Paul himself said If ye speaking to the Galatians be Circumcised Christ shall profit ye nothing yet took that Liberty for a particular End because of the Iews to do that particular Act. He also observed the Law and went under seven days Purification and had an Offering brought according to the Law but not because it was commanded by Christ for Christ had not commanded it but because of the Iews Yea and had had he not another time his Head shorn and was under a Vow Much might be said that was done by the Apostles that was not commanded by Christ nor that they left no Command to after-Ages to observe But it 's also clear in Acts 26.15 16 17 18. that Paul had no such word in his Commission as to Baptize into Water For I said the Lord have appeared unto thee for this end or purpose To make thee a Minister and a Witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee Delivering thee from the People and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee Mark What to do Not to Baptize into Water he mentions no such thing No But To open their Eyes and to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance amongst them that are Sanctified by Faith that is in me This was Paul's Commission if we may so call it as he himself tells the King Agrippa but here is not one Word of Water-Baptism or Not Only to Baptize as you Baptists say But if you have no better Weapons than these these are too short to save your Heads But to proceed You still say The Apostles did Baptize Peter said in the Second of the Acts REPENT and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the NAME mark of Iesus Christ for the Remission of Sins and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost this Baptism being for the Remission of Sins upon Repentance was necessary to Salvation but so is not yours for the PROMISE mark is unto you But the Promise was not WATER-BAPTISM but Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost said the Lord Jesus by way of Promise And this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to pass in the last Days saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh mark Was not this the Promise of God to them and their Children and to all that are a-far off and so on And in Verse 21. Then they that gladly received the Word were Baptized and THE SAME DAY were added unto them Three Thousand Souls mark ye The same Day It was a great Number to be Baptized
your Power and Authority in this matter that you both Preach and Baptize Whereas Paul says He was not sent to Baptize but to Preach And we say and know what we say to be true that we are not sent to Baptize into Water but to Preach the Gospel and our Authority came not by Man of Man nor from Man but by the Grace of God we are what we are and his Grace is sufficient for us and ever hath been since we were a People and so will be to the End And we further say We know that Iohn was sent to Baptize with Water and we own him in his Day but where did Iohn Baptize using those words Father Son and Holy Spirit For they that had been Baptized into Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost So that this Baptism ye practise cannot be Iohn's nor Christ's it cannot be for he never had Water ascribed to him But Iohn who was a true Minister in his time of Water-Baptism said HE meaning Christ shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire So then if not Iohn's as it 's clear it is not for Iohn's was a Type of the True Baptism of the Spirit and when the Types Figures Vails and Shadows were ended and HE the End and Beginning First and Last was arisen and had rent the Vail from the top to the bottom I say when the Sun of Righteousness did arise the Shadows fled away and gave him place over his own House to rule whose Right it was Then was the true Baptism known then came the Holy Ghost â—â—on them then did the true Light shinâ—â—â— and the Darkness fled away then were they inwardly washed and their Understandings opened then was the Circumcision of the Heart known then was he entered into that within the Vail into the true Tabernacle which God pitched and not Man And so Iohn went before as a Type but willingly gave place to the Substance So that it 's clear the Baptism you use is not Iohn's and it is much more clear that it is not Christ's Baptism and so it must needs be your own done by you in imitation of the Holy Men of God gone before who did what they did in Obedience to the Lord and in his Power and were sent by him But Oh! whoever sent you Baptists in this great and notable Day of the Lord It will one day be said Who hath required these things at your hands Either shew us your Commission or else acknowledge your great Error and Repent and come unto the true Light and walk in it prize it and obey it that ye may be saved by it For it is not a fair Outside of the Cup and Platter but the Inward Washing of Regeneration by the Spirit and a Living in the Spirit and the whole Worship of God say we and the Scriptures the same That the True Worship of God is in Spirit and in Truth But that your Water-Baptism is Spiritual I deny or that it ought to be observed in the Worship of God you cannot prove But Iohn's was ordained to be used as a Type before the Spirit 's Worship or the True Worship in the Spirit was fully Established and of it self a thing that I believe none of you dare say doth in any measure sanctifie and wash the Soul And if it be of so little Effect unto the Soul why what necessity is there for the Continuance of it to the World's End since also ye cannot prove it so commanded For once more let me tell you that that Baptism commanded in Mat. 28. was INTO the Name of the Father Son and Spirit or Holy Ghost But I say this was not Iohn's for they that had been baptiz'd unto Iohn's Baptism had not so much as heard of a Holy Ghost Acts 19.1 2 3 4. which they must needs have done if they had been baptized with the use of these words In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost But further you acknowledge your selves that it is but a Type Well I ask you then What doth it type forth unto us Or what is it a Type of If it be a Type of the Baptism of Christ then I ask you What further need there is of it when the thing signified by it is come Or do you think that Type and Substance must remain together to the World's End Was it not always from the Foundation of the Law that when the Substance came then the Shadows fled away But altho' you should still say Why then did the Apostles use it after the Spirit 's Baptism was accomplish'd I Answer as before The Apostles had Power over it after they saw beyond it and could submit unto the Weakness of Believers Capacities in many things as above is mentioned but that they saw not beyond it till it was reveal'd unto them is clear but then they spoke of the One Baptism of the One Lord and of the One Faith And so Iohn himself when he saw Jesus walking he said unto his Followers Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World And Iohn's Disciples left Iohn mark they left Iohn and walked no more with him For Iohn's Baptism could not wash them from their Sins But behold the Lamb of God takes away Sin puts an end to Sin finishes Transgression and brings in Everlasting Righteousness he makes every whit whole and fully saves to the utmost them that come to God by him and makes clean them that he washeth And if I wash thee not saith he thou hast no part in me He satisfies for he is the Bridegroom himself but Iohn was not He it 's true was the Bridegroom's Friend and would not rob him of his Prerogative or Honour but rejoyced to hear his Voice and when it was heard said This my Ioy therefore is fulfilled So we own Iohn in his Place and Time But we own the Bridegroom above Iohn although Iohn was his Friend and did what was commanded but thought not much to give him place who had commanded him And so my dearly Beloved Friends it is in much Love to all but chiefly to you called Anabaptists that this is written as I can truly testifie in the Manifestation of that true Light spoken of in the Scriptures of Truth Unto which I once more beseech you to turn your Minds and believe in it and come to walk in it and obey it and then will you have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus by whom we have always received the Attonement and in whom we live out of whom we cannot live for he is our Life To whom be Glory for ever Iohn Gratton Written the 7th of the First Month 1674. The Conclusion GReat hath been the Travail of my Soul for the Prosperity of Sion and for her establishment above the Top of all the Mountains and blessed be the Lord my God my Eyes behold her and see her Beauty to exceed all the Glory of the Earth and her coming out of her Wilderness-State is come I say the time is come And many have lyed or lain in the Way-side to have drawn her aside and would gladly have allured and inticed her from her Beloved and gladly would have had her turned aside unto other Lovers and have cryed out unto her What is thy Beloved unto anothers Beloved And have spoken against her and when they could not prevail with her have evil entreated her and Persecuted her for her Beloved's sake And many have been her Troubles but the Lord hath delivered her out of all And great is her Joy at this day and her Glory exceeds all the Glory of the Nations Her Beauty is Perfect She is a Virgin and never was defiled but is all Glorious The King's Daughter is all Glorious within her Garments are all wrought Gold wholly pure she has no Blemish she is all fair without spot the only beloved of the Lord Glory to his Name He hath remembred her in Love and her Sorrows has he seen and will plead her Cause and subdue Kingdoms for her sake and make her Way plain before her Oh! Come unto Sion all ye that desire her Prosperity and be not so foolish as to sit down short of her her City is free her Gates are open by Day and by Night she has no need of the Sun by Day nor of the Moon by Night but the Lord God and the Lamb are the Light thereof Her Light will never grow dark her Sun will never set Night shall be no more upon her for her Sun is arisen and as one to run a Race is marching on his strength is as a Lyon his Voice is heard to roar and great Fear is fallen and a falling upon the Beast of Prey O! Who would not live in her Her Gates are paved with precious Pearls her Inhabitants are all Kings and Priests unto God she is altogether comely and her Glory shall never have an end Amen Oh! Who who would not dwell here Come Come unto Sion all ye that are sincere to what ye know Turn ye turn at her Call and embrace her Counsel Why will ye bestow your Money for that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not Oh! come unto me saith the Lord my Voice is near you How often have I called and ye regarded not nor have not answered my Requirings but are imitating them whose Life and Power you are out of But now turn ye unto the Lord with all your Hearts believe in his Light and Life will you know that never can have an end but if you still refuse you will one day know that you were Warned and Invited by one that truly seeks not himself but earnestly travails for the Wellfare of all Men and is become Servant to all for Jesus's sake To him be all Honour Praise and Dominion for ever and for evermore J. G. THE END