saving he that receives it Rev. 2.17 The Lord's Worthies are fed with Heavenly Manna hidden from the Wise from the Prudent from the Princes of this World they have a White Stone in which they are comforted notwithstanding all the black Coles wherewith the world seeks to besmear them this Stone may spiritually be called Ebenezer by interpretation the Stone of Help these have a New Name better then that of Son and Daughters Isa 56.5 Here not thorough Willing Runeing and carnal Conformity but through Faith the Spirit of Adoption is received wherein Christ's Baptâ—sm is witnessed and because you are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son crying Abba Father Gal. 4.6 God hath no Still-born Children the Spirit of Grace is a Spirit of Supplication to this New Name Adoption Cry of Abba Father Outward Washing cannot bring 't is a rich yea an enriching Giâ—t neceived by the Hand of Faith Rom. 8.15 Thirdly The Spirit 's Baptism must continue in the Church otherwise no true Worship without it the true Worship is not known the Woman of Samaria acknowledging Christ to be a Prophet forth-with she sought to be satisfied in a Case of Conscience concerning Worshipping in that Mountain or in Jerusalem Christ said unto her The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father for God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 How In Spirit in Opposition to the carnal and idolatrous Worship of the Samaritans who worshipped God under the Representation of a Dove How must God be worshipped In Truth in Opposition to the Typical and Figurative Worship of the Jews which was but a Shadow of the gospel-Gospel-worship Paul bare record unto this Worship saying We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit as truly it may be said They are of Christs Baptism who worship God in the Spirit such as have their Luxuriances lopped of unruly Passions mortified and cast away as a superfluou Fore-skin such are inwardly circumcised inwardly baptized by the One Spirit into One Body in which the true Worship is Fourthly The Spirit 's Baptism must continue in the Church else no Translation into the Kingdom of Light 't is through the Spirit that Entrance is known thereinto so that the Doctrine of Men who preach reach and affirm that sprinkling of Infants which they call Baptism makes a Mâ—mber of Christ a Child of God an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven is an antichristian Doctrine setting outward Water in the place of the Spirit of Christ whose Work only translates into the Kingdom of God so that the Apostle Paul gave thanks to God who had delivered them from the power of Darkness and had translated them into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 So 't is the Power of God who is a Spirit that translates into the Kingdom of Christ not extrinsecal that is outward water as many erroneously teach such as truly have a Lot herein though through the Malice of the old Serpent they be cast into a dark Dungeon yet may say in Faithfulness and Verity as Oscolampadius upon his Death-bed said Hic sat lucis Here within is plenty of Divine Light Fifthly The Baptism of the Spirit makes the Heart the Lord's Temple outward Water tends not to the cleansing of the inside but in the Faith the Spirit is received which baptizes into one Body Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. And this Temple is not washed by John's Ministration of out ward Water but by Christ's Ministration of the Water of Life 't is swept by the Lord's Power 't is beautified with Holiness perfumed and sweetned with Heavenly Graces like Incease and Myrrh the Lord will dwell in a poor provided it be a pure Heart 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Sixthly The Spirit 's Baptism enables to the Work of the Gospel-Ministry not Arts nor Sciences nor Humane Endowments not Aristotle's Ethicks nor his Physicks nor his Metaphysicks makes a Minister of Christ but the Virtue of the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth The Spirit of the Lord is upon me faith Christ he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor see Luke 4 18. even the Gospel a Word of Excellency Authority Certainty and Sufficiency yea and Christ said to his Disciples John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence and ye shall receive Power after that the holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be Witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the Earth Acts 1.5 8 Consider this Christ himself here calls Baptism of the Spirit the Power qualifying and enabling them to be his Witnesses Yea and 2 Pet. 1.21 Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit they were acted carryed out of the Dungeon of Self whence issue Dreams Uncertainties to say do what God would have them Yea and on the Day of Pentecost Cloven Tongues like as of Fire sate upon each of the Disciples they were all filled with the holy Spirit and spake as the Spirit gave them Utterance Acts 2. Thus were they baptized with the Spirit Christ's Baptism without Water John's Baptism and they were taught both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to divide the Word aright as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feot it aright to teach well and live well so that in the sense of God's Innocency wrought in them they commended themselves as Examples for others to follow Yea and 1 Pet. 4.10 As every man hath received the Gift even so minister the same one to another at good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God Cloups when full pour down Presses over-flow Aromatical Trees sweat out their precious and soveraign Oyls so the divinely qualified Witnesses bring out rich Treasures even lively and life-giving Oracles this is through the Spirit 's Baptism not through Acquired Attainments and Accomplishments Seventhly The Spirit 's Baptism brings into the true Service of God for no Kindred Tongue Language Nation Family Man or Woman hath an entrance into the pure Service of God but inasmuch as they feel the Spirit of the Lord in them moving Heaven ward for as the Apostle said But now we are delivered from the Law that being dead wherein we were held that vve should serve in newness of Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 The true service of God is in the newness of that Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth in which man being kept he holds constantly a Countermotion to the course of the World to the torrent of its reigning corruptions in this Bodies are presented
Baptisms in the plural number and that these are John's with Water and Christ's with the Spirit may be proved by a fruitful and plentiful Harvest of Testimonies So they err greatly who affirm that the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Christ made up but One Baptism it being so evident in Scripture that they were distinct which may further thus appear First They were distinct in Name for John's Baptism still kept its Name yea when the Apostles used it it was still called the Baptism of John why so because it was required of him his Office and Work by divine Institution Joh. 1.33 yea after Christ's Baptism with the Spirit came in John's Baptism with Water still retained its Name as being distinct from it Acts 18.24 25. Secondly They were distinct in Manifestation that is Christ's Baptism was to follow John's and did not go along with it at the same time as men now would jumble them together saying The Spirit goes along with the Water and both make up but One Baptism after the Resurrection of Christ before his ascending though John's Baptism had been used several years yet Christ told them that what John spoke concerning him of his baptizing with the Holy Spirit was not fulfilled but shortly to be fulfilled Acts 1.4 5. Christ being assembled with the Apostles commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he you have heard of me for John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirie not many dayes hence which was fulfilled at the day of Pentecost So that Christ's Baptism did not accompany John's Baptism to make up one entire Baptism for it followed it several years after it so that the Effusion of the Holy Spirit is Christ's Baptism the great Blessing of Gospel-dayes of the Evangelical Dispensation which qualified and doth qualifie to be the Lord 's True and Living Witnesses Thirdly John's Baptism and Christ's were distinct forasmuch as those that John baptized had need of the Baptism of Christ Now if John's Baptism had been one and the same with Christ's that only had been sufficient but John's baptizing of them with Water left them in need of the Baptism of Christ John said unto Christ who came from Galilet to Jordan to be baptized of him I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou unto me Mat. 3.13 14. So that John the Baptist knew his Baptism to be inferiour to Christ's Baptism so desired more fully to partake of it See also Acts 19.1 2 3 4 5. Paul found certain Disciples Partakers of John's Baptism but they had not received the Spirit as they themselves confessed so that the Spirit and Water outward go not along to make up One Baptism Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Spirit so knew its Baptism these had John's Baptism before they received the Spirit and its Baptism which proves them distinct Baptisms Fourthly They are distinct inasmuch as the Figure and the Substance are distinct as Circumcision Outward and Circumcision Inward were not One but Two that is distinct Circumcisions so the Baptism of Iohn with Water and the Baptism of Christ with the Spiria were distinct Baptisms whereby the unfound Judgments of such appear who affirm teach and preach That the Spirit goes along with the Water and both make up One Baptism and that the Water is so influenced with a supernatural Vertue by the Word of Institution that Children damnati priusquam nati damn'd before they be born are thereby made Members of Christ Children of God and Inheriters of the Kingdom of Heaven And though since the Primitive Times to fulfil Divine Praedictions Darkness yea gross Darkness hath benighted the Professors of Christianity and the peccant Humour of Error Heresie Schism and Misapprehensions of Divine Truths hath been predominant in the infirm and crazy Body of nominal Christianity yet the Lord hath so far opened the Eyes of some as that they have dropped forth Testimonies in Vindication of that Truth here asserted that is that the Baptism of Iohn with Water and the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit without Water were distinct Baptisms and that none may have occasion to render this a groundless Flourish I shall here subjoyn a few Testimonies Augustine said in a certain place Illud manifestum est alium fuisse baptismum Johannes alium Christi that is It is clear and evident that there was One Baptism of John and another Baptism of Christ Contr. Lit. Petil. 2. Pasor paraphrasing on Heb. 6.2 of the Doctrine of Baptisms said Here the Plural Number shews forth the Outward and Inward Baptism Chrysostom saith That in the Apostles time the Baptism of Water and the Baptism of the Spirit were different Baptisms and done at different Times Magd. 5. Cent. 363. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage who lived about the year 230. said The Baptism of Iohn washed the outward Body but the Baptism of Christ cleanseth the inward Man from the Defilements of Sin Polydor. lib. 4. cap. 4. The Baptism of John gives not spiritual Grace nor Remission of Sins but Christ forgives Sins and gives the Spirit plentifully Theophylact on Mat. 3.11 Iohn was sent to baptize with Water but the Baptism of the Spirit was committed to Christ John baptized with Water inviting to Repentance Christ by his Spirit wherewith he baptizeth renews the Heart and sanctifieth by his Grace Aug. Marlolat on Acts 1.5 John the Baptist makes Christ the Author of spiritual Baptism but himself the Minister of outward Baptism only not the putting away of the filth of the Flesh the Work of John's Baptism but the Answer of a good Conscience which is an Effect of Christ's Baptism saith Aug. Marlolat on Matth. 3.11 A clear Distinction of the two Baptisms is here implyed Spark the King's Chaplain speaking of the pouring forth of the Spirit upon the Apostles saith They had before baptismum fluminis the Watry Baptism of Iohn but now baptismum flaminis the Baptism of the Holy Spirit their Tongues were touched with a Coal from the Heavenly Altar A full Distinction of the two Baptisms The Baptism of Iohn saith the same Spark doth not take away Sin but puts them in mind thereof but Christ's Baptism takes away Sin his Spirit saith he is our Iordan Forgiveness of Sins was not in nor by John's Baptism but in our Baptism all sins are blotted out saith Ven. Bed Histor Eccles Piscator on Matth. 3. speaking of 1 Pet. 3.21 saith Lest any should think that Outward Baptism saves us Peter makes a Distinction and ascribes Salvation to Inward Baptism saying Not Outward Baptism whereby the Filth of the Flesh is put off save us but Inward Baptism c. There is a two fold Baptism saith Trapp on Matth. 3.11 viz. fluminis et flaminis that is of Water and of the Spirit by John's with Water the Polution of the Flesh is put away by Christ's with the Spirit the Answer of a
corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which lives and abides forever 1 Pet. 1.23 Peter a Fisher of Men having caught a Draught of Gentiles was right-glad thereof so in Compliance with the present Season as others did condescended to Outward Water which washes the Outward Man and might take Occasion therefrom to exhort them to wait for an Encrease of the Spirit 's Virtue and Power the Heavenly Baptism which washeth the Inward Man for inward cleansing the Effect of the Spirit 's Baptism is a gradual Work The Third Assertion Christ's Baptism in or with the Spirit only is the Baptism that is to continue in the Church to the End of the World JOhn being the Fore-runner of Christ according to the Father 's Appointment was to baptize with Outward Water John 1.33 to wash away the Filth of the Outward Man shadowing out Christ ready to be revealed and by his spiritual Baptism to cleanse the Inward Man to make it a Habitation of God and this Water-baptism was to be of less Continuance then the Shadows of Moses as the Morning-Star though brighter then the other Stars shines less while then they because the sudden Appearance of the Sun swallows it up So John's Water-baptism though its Beginning was long after Circumcision commanded in Abraham's dayes and the Shadows of the First Priesthood commanded in the dayes of Moses yet was it to have an End with them for when as after Christ's Ascension Christ's Baptism began cleansing inwardly then John's Baptism a Figure thereof was ended and fulfilled the Shadow was to give way to the Substance the Sign to the Truth the Letter to the Spirit the Servant to the Son for as the Prophets were until John so John was until Christ and John must no more exceed his Bounds then Moses and the Prophets theirs as the Prophets gave up to John so Iohn was to give up to Christ Iohn a Creature had a Temporary Baptism but Christ who is the same to day yesterday and forever hath an Everlasting Baptism by the Spirit into one Body and Christ's Kingdom stands not in Signs Figures and Shadows but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in that Spirit wherewith he baptizeth Now after Iohn's Water-Baptism had continued some 4 Years then Christ's Baptism with the Spirit without Water began to be manifested as you may see Acts 1.5 Christ told his Disciples saying John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence Confider they were not to stick in Iohn's Baptism much les in Rantism a Tradition then unheard of nor build their Tarbernacles there nor judge it sufficient but were to wait for the Promise of the Father even the Spirit wherewith Christ baptizeth the plentiful effusion of the Spirit was reserved as the great Blessing of Gospel-days of the Evangelical State and Dispensation which is to run parallel with the Age and Duration of the World herein the Everlasting Gospel is preached to Kindreds Tongues and Nations Tâ—is precious Promise of the Father was accomplished and fulfilled at the Day of Pentecost when the Disciples were waiting together in one Place Cloven Tongues like as of Fire sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spake with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them Utterance Acts 2.1 2 3 4. Thus it was evident and manifest that Iohn the Baptist was a true Prophet who said I baptize with Water but Christ shall baptize with the Holy Spirit and with Fire Christ Acts Chap. 1. bad them wait for the promise of the Father he told them what the Promise was even the Baptism with the holy Spirit and they received what they waited for at the Day of Pentecost Acts 20. they were filled with the holy Spirit which was Christ's Baptism without Water mark this without Water more excellent then Iohn's Baptism with Water Now Baptists and Rantists Dippers and Sprinklers for the most part are faln into that Diminution Deprivation or utter Abolution of divine Understanding as that it seems ridiculous or alâ—ogether erroneous to tell them of a Baptism without Waters This of Pentecost was the beginning of Christ's Baptism after he was ascended to this Iohn witnessed saying Joh. 7.39 He that believeth on me said Christ out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water but this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified but as soon as he was glorified then he began to let out the Power of his Spirit even his Baptism the Progress of Christ's Spiritual Baptism was further manifested as Acts 8.17 Peter and Iohn laid their hands on the Believing Samaritans and they received the holy Spirit after this the Apostle Peter preached Christ to Correlius his family and Friends the holy Spirit fell upon them Acts 10.44 Moreover all the Saints at Pome at Corinth in Galatia in Ephesus in Philippi in Coloss in Pontus in Capadocia in Asuâ— in Bithyniae yea and all the true Churches were in their respective Measures Partakers of the Spirit of the Lord and of its Baptism which was and is the One Baptism to continue in the Church of Christ to the End of the World for in the Church the Kingdom of Christ the Apostles preached not up Circumcision nor Baptisms but one Circumcision made without Hands one Baptism by the Spirit into one Body and of the Necessity of the Continuance of the Spirit 's Baptism in the Church of Christ let the Wise in Heart who read these things consider First Without the Spirit 's Baptism none come to fee the Volumn of Corruptions in his Heart to be cancelled none escape the Bondage Slavery Darkness Defilements and Reprobate State of corrupt Nature but who walk in the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned them and submit to its Guidance they encrease in heavenly Encreases they grow in the Spirit and seel its Baptism so receive a New Nature and their Thoughts Words and Works are savoury Effects and Fruits of this new and heavenly Nature Peter wrote to the Saints who were Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Here the Image of God is renewed the Life of God known Fellowship with him in his Holiness and Purity yea in his Blessednesâ— in the beatifical Presence and Brightness of his Glory this Outward Washing though a Thousand times over can never bring unto but leaves the old Nature the cursed Nature alive and vigorous in the Creature Secondly Christ's Baptism gives a New Name who hearken to Wisdom's Teaching and in the Cros of Christ see Sin crucified in their Mortal Bodies and with the Sword of the Spirit in which the Evangelical Baptism is see the Enmity slain such receive a New Name To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden Manna I will give him a white Stone and in the Stone a New Name written which no man knows
this day stile themselves Musulmans that is The only true believers The Angel of the Church of Sardis was thus reproved Thou hast a Name that thou livest but art dead Rev. 3.1 so could neither praise nor serve the living God A Ship may be called Safeguard or Goodspeed yet may fall into the Hand of Pirats So specious Names of Christians Believers Church-members advantage nothing except the Cross of Christ be borne the Anointed received which truly makes such Eleventhly The Spirits Baptism saves is present Salvation Now who contend for Iohn's Ministry Water-baptism be it Dippers or Sprinklers their discourse is of what the Saints enjoyed in the primitive times and of what Salvation shall be in another World not waiting for Salvation and Redemption in this Life but they that live not the Life of the Righteous shall not dye the Death of the Righteous nor shall have the Reward of the Righteous but the Apostle Paul preached present Salvation not by Iohn's Baptism or Water-washing but by the Baptism of Christ through the renewing of the Spirit Titus 3.5 According to his Mercy he saved us by the Laver or Washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit so that so far as a man is regenerated renewed by the holy Spirit which is Christs Baptism so far he is saved from sin and from the Reward thereof this Laver of Regeneration fulfils inwardly what Moses's Laver and Iohn's Jordan-washing shadowed forth outwardly this Laver of Regeneration removes the old Nature and brings in a new Nature whence issues new Thoughts new Desires new Words and new Works he lives thinks speaks works loves and acts otherwise then he was wont the Old Man and his Deeds are put off the New Man and his Deeds are put on Outward Water is not of that virtue to effect this in man 't is a Water of a more Heavenly Nature Paul writing to the Saints at Ephesus said By Grace ye are saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 These were Witnesses of present salvation they had known stirrings in the Womb of Grace precious unto God had persevered therein so became God's Workmanship to know the glorious Fabrick of the New Man erected in them these were truly made alive unto God who had lain rotting and stinking in the sepulchre of Corruption these knew Christ's spiritual Baptism to this purpose Peter â—are record saying The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Peter here speaks of the Ark of Noah which by Command of the Lord was made of Gopher wood Gen. 6.14 a kind of Cedar saith the old Naturalist Pliny which is not subject to Rottenness nor Worm-eatenness but endures forever a shadow of Christ Jesus who is the same to day yesterday and forever so the Ark was a Figure of Christ as it saved by Water outwardly so Christ by his Baptism the Water of Regeneration saves inwardly from the Deluge of sin from the drowning Waves of iniquity and transgression Baptism saves now saith Peter But what Baptism doth he speak of of John's with Water or of Christ's with the Spirit the Apostle answers this lest any should misapprehend his sense and intent he explains himself evidently and fully saying Not the putting away the Filth of the Flesh the cleansing of the outward man the effect of John's Baptism but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God the effect of Christs Baptism in and with the Spirit which inwardly saves and brings to know and witness the Answer of a good Conscience by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3.9 20 21. Piscator on Matth. 3. gives his Testimony altogether answerable to what is here written saying That the Apostle Peter here ascribes Salvation to inward Baptism not to the outward which extends no further theâ— the outward man Hammond in his Paraphrase and Annotations on the New Testament saith on the aforesaid place As the Ark in the Water kept men safe from drowning even so Baptism doth save not that of John which cleansed but the Body but that which is signified by it even the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit who saves from sin and from the wages thereof Obj. The Baptism here spoken of by Peter must needs be Water-baptism because he calls it a Figure for it were not proper to call the Spirits Baptism a Figure Answ I confess while I had recourse only to our English Translations this before was my own Objection but consulting the Greek Copies the thing was cleared unto me and our English Translations appeared not so sound and clear as might be desired Peter speaking of the Preservation of 8 Souls in the Ark by Water saith if truly translated Whose Antitype Baptism doth also now save us And what is this Antitype even Christ who baptizes with a spiritual and saving Baptism even Christ the Truth the Sum the Substance the Thing signified by Types and Figures Circumcision outward was a Type Circumcision inward the Antitype Moses's Laver a Type the Evangelical Laver of Regeneration the Antitype Anointing without a Type Anointing within the Antitype the Ark saving by Water without a Type Christ by his spiritual Baptism saving from the proud Billows of Wickedness and Uncleanness is the Antitype so that the Antitype comes in lieu stead place or room of the Type 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Greek word and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies pro as well as contra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Proconsul the Consuls Deputy one that officiates for him these things Linguists understand so that though our English Translation renders it The like Figure whereunte even Baptism doth also now save us yet it is properly truly and answerable to the nature of Truth rendred Whose Antitype Baptism doth also now save us even as the Ark saved them of old And if any say This is but a Conceit or Whimsie of my own Head let such read Gerh. on this word who saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in hoc loco ipsam veritatem significat typo ac figurae respondentem that is Antitype in this place of Peter signifies the Truth it self answering to the Type and Figure Truth that is Christ the Way the Truth and the Life who baptizeth with the Spirit and saves from sin as the Ark saved outwardly Vatabalus Grotius Frafmus Capâ—dus Beza Hammond gave their Testimonies to the same purpose If chiâ— Scripture of Peter held out a Figure or Type then one Type would answer another which were improper for every shadow type or fuâ—ure rewâ—â—â— to the substance as its Fulfiller Again it were to conclude the Gospel-Dispensation to be a state of figures and shadows which is the sum and substance of all the Kingdom of God stand not in Meat and Drink but in Righteousâ—â—â—â— Peace and Joy in
the holy Spirit wherein the Redeemed cry Abba Father Rom. 14. Visibles are temporal as Moses's Laver-washing John's Jordan-washing imposed only until the Time of Reformation but Invisibles are eternal as the Spirit of the Lord is eternal in which Christs Baptism is such as center in temporals that Eye being shut which sees into the beginning before the temporals these are but as an House without Pillars tottering with every Blast as a Ship without Anchor tossed with every Wave for the Establishment is in that which is Eternal Whose Antitype Baptism doth also now save us By this Scripture as all the wise in heart understand Peter puts an End to Baptism of the Flesh as Paul did to Circumcision of the Flesh for saith Paul Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of men but of God which in effect is this In Gospel-dayes where all shadows are fulfilled Circumcision in the Spirit puts an end to Circumcision in the Flesh in effect Peter saith as much of Baptism Baptism saith he saves but not that Baptism which puts but away the Filth of the Flesh but that Baptism of Christ in the Spirit where the Answer of a good Conscience is known Yea by this Peter intimates that Baptism in the Spirit puts an to Baptism in the Flesh for of a Truth it may be said He is not a Christian who is one outwardly neither is that Baptism which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Christian which is one inwardly and Baptism is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praife is not of men but of God For neither Moses's Laver-shawing nor John's Jordan-washing could bring inward Cleanness and Purity of Conscience therefore Christ put an end to all outward shadows figures and Types by the Power of his Spirit inwardly effecting and fulfilling that which they in an outward manner shadowed out Many bear record in Truth to the Apostles Testimony who said The Law make nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope by the which we draw nigh unto God Hebr. 7.19 Here is the perfecting of the Children of Light here they are truly joynted whom Satan had dislocated Paul who was not sent to baptize but to preach the Everlasting Gospel a more weighty and ponderous Concern he had his Call from Heaven in writing to the Church at Rome he speaks of Gifts differing and exhorts every one to be faithful but of baptizing with Water he speaks not but in other places sets up the Spirit 's Baptism as conducing to the Salvation of the Soul So who are serious in the things of God cannot but conclude from what is spoken that the Spirit 's Baptism is the only Baptism peculiar to Gospel-dayes and that the continuance thereof is of absolute necessity whatever you be that deny it to and in the Church you shut out of the Church the divine Nature the new Name the true Worship Translation into the Kingdom of God the Lords Temple the Gospel-Ministry the true Service of God true Unity inward cleansing true Christianity present Salvation and what is that Church and what are the respective Members thereof that are destitute hereof Out-sides Formalists tossed to and fro as a Feather or Froth upon the Waves hurried about with every Wind of Doctrine like Glasses blown into this or that shape at the pleasure of mans breath what are Professors that are destitute of the Spirit and its Baptism as hollow Trees in an old Wood tall but pithless sapless and unsound What are these lifeless Formalists as a Bulrush whose Colour is fresh Skin smooth Body knotless yet nothing is within but a kind of spongeous unsubstantial substance The Swan in the Law was rejected for sacrifice as some affirm because of her Black Skin under White Feathers thus it is with Unscripturalized Out-side Formalists their Performances how specious soever black Death reigning within brings them not unto divine Acceptance their most Religious Duties and Performances issue from Art and Acquired Parts not from divine In-dwellings who then touched with the sense and possession of the Lord's Presence and with the Virtue of his spiritual Baptism can be silent And not as the Lord's Worthies contend for it of the which such excellent things are spoken if Christ must have preheminence in all things if he be All in his Church beautified out of his Wardrobe why is Outward Water so much magnified in Gospel dayes Christ is sufficient to and in his Church without John though John was of use in his season to point out Christ to come so the Baptism of Christ without visible Water is sufficient in his Church without the Baptism of John with Water though the Baptism of John with Water was useful in its season being a shadow of a better thing to come even of Christs Baptism with the Spirit who said He that believes on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water but this spake he of the Spirit which Believers in him should receive John 7.38 39. So that Believers receive the Spirit so Christs Baptism living Water is to flow out of the Womb of their Souls they know the precious Virtue thereof its Cooling Cleansing Thirst-quenching and Fructifying Virtue they know the fulfilling of Moses's Laver and John's Jordan-Washing in their Mortal Bodies The Fourth Assertion Rantism that is Sprinkling of Infants is a Case unpresidented in the Primitive times an Irreptitious Custom sprung up in the Night of Apostacy after the Falling Away from the Primitive Order I Have already shewed the Temporary Baptism of John and have likewise spoken of the Baptism of Christ with the Spirit and that this Baptism put an end to John's Water-baptism as to the other shadows so that to and in the gathered Churches one Baptism was preached and that by one Spirit into one Body the shadow being left off now it remains that I inform you how Dipping which was John's Ministration came to be re-assumed and likewise how Sprinkling of Infants got entrance among the Professers of Christianity Christ being upon the Mount of Olives with his Disciples told them that False Christs and False Prophets should come Mat. 24. which John seeing fulfilling and fulfilled said expresly they were come saying Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time â— John 2.18 Paul in the Spirit of Discerning sore-saw and fore-told of an Apostacy a Departure from the Faith that seducing spirits should be heeded and Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 John in the Spirit fore-saw all the world wondring after the Beast Revel 13.3 yea and he saw and fore-told of a great Whore that
and Drinks and divers Baptisms that is Washings it had a temporary Seal to wit Circumcision Rom. 4.11 but the New Covenant Christ Jesus the great Promise of the Father hath a spiritual yea an eternal Seal this is my positive Affirmation in this case that the Old Covenant standing in outward things had an outward Seal but the new Covenant the Promise of the Father hath a spiritual Seal Paul a Witness of Christ the new covenant the great Promise of the Father in writing to the Saints at Ephesus he testified on their behalf saying After that ye believed ye were scaled with the holy Spirit of Promise Ephes 1.13 He calls the Spirit the Seal of the New Covenant Christ the Promise of the Father not Baptism not Rantism dipping or sprinkling Further he exhorted them in these words Grieve not the holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed to the Day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 He preaches up the Spirit to be the Evangelical Seal of the New Covenant the Promise of the Father so who preach up Water-baptism to be the Seal they oppose the Apostles Testimony deny the Lord's Privy and Royal Seal and introduce another of mans making the sealed are the Lord 's Excellent Ones his Worthies And as for that Scripture Acts 2.39 The Promise is unto you and to your Children unto all that are afar off even as many as the Lord shall call This makes nothing for Water-baptism or Rantism to be the Evangelicall Seal Peter told the House of Israel that the Promise was to them to their Children yea to all the called of the Lord. Outward Water was not the Promise which they were to wait for but a thing of a more Heavenly Nature Christ told the Jews John 8.39 If ye were Abraham 's Children ye would do the works of Abraham so that such were the Children of Abraham and had right to the Promise who were found doing the Works of Abraham yea and the Apostle told the Galatians that they which were of Faith were the Children of Abraham Gal. 3.7 such Children as these have right to the Promise and know the Seal thereof IV. Obj. Infants-baptism is an ancient Custom so to be continued in the Church Answ The antiquity of a humane Tradition proves it not to be of divine Institution the spreading or over-spreading of Leprosie proves it not to be Soundness the Entrance of true Reformation thrusts out humane Inventions old as well as new what Christ received of his Father that he taught his Disciples Apostles what the Apostles received from Christ the treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge that they taught to and in the Churches and the same was to be committed and commended to faithful men in the Faith the Tongue of the Learned was their All to them and in them and in this Faith that Tongue was kept silent which afterward brought the Darkness into the Church in the Eye of divine Illumination we see to before August in was or Cyprian was or Pope Innocent the third was who as 't is said first established Infants-baptism by ratifying the Canon of the Milevitan Council by this Eye we see and feel to the Primitive Order before the Apostacy was Christ the Apostles and primitive Church in the Beauty of Heavenly Virginity taught no such thing as dipping or spriekling of Infants and in the Faith the primitive Order is to be pressed after contended for the Smoak of the Pit Inventions Traditions and Idolatious Customs inconsistent with the living Life-giving Truth are to be warred against Id verum quod prius prius quod ab initio ab initio quod ab Apostolis Tertul. contra Marcion lib. 4. That is Truth that was first that was first which was from the beginning which was from the beginning which was from the Apostles what the Apostles preached that they received from Christ who is Alpha and Omega the First and the Last the Beginning and the End glorified with the Father before the Foundation of the World Augustine Bishop of Hippo testified saying Custom is not to be preferred before Truth but ought to give place to the Truth but who plead for Infants-baptism or Rantism they would keep Custom in the Throne and exclude Truth Cyprian Bishop of Carthage bare Testimony saying Custom crept in among some people ought not to hinder Truths prevailing and overcoming for Custom without Truth is nothing but ancient Error wherefore forsaking Error let us pursue the Truth These two said well though true it is as their Writings evidently demonstrate they were guilty of mingling their traditions inventions and imaginations with the Doctrine of Christ and of the Apostles V. Obj. 'T is said Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.5 deth not this perpetuate Infants-baptism Answ Christ gave no command for Infants-baptism neither did the Apostles practise any such thing whoever alledge this or any other Scripture for it they use the Scriptures as Torturers who putting innocent men upon the Rack so force them to speak that which they never thought such are these who wrest the Scriptures to draw a sense out of them which the holy Spirit never intended so tortures and perverts them as to make them speak for maintaining those things which were not commanded nor spoken of in those dayes wherein the Scriptures were given forth After the Apostles dayes Satan made an Encroachment upon the Garden of the Lord Earthly Exaltations of Darkness fumed into the Professors of Christianity then their Judgment became carnal and being not able to savour divine things they wrested those Scriptures which spoke of the Water of Life and applyed them to outward Water ascribing inward Washing and Regeneration thereto whenas indeed external Water can contribute nothing thereunto in this place Christ preached unto Nicodemus the Necessity of Regeneration and informed him how it was brought forth not by outward Water which can reach no further then outward things but by a Water able to renew a man to make him a New Holy and Heavenly Creature to dissolve the rotten and loathsom Fabrick of unrenewed untransformed man where Belial is King and to erect a Building in Righteousness and true Holiness where Christ is Monarch sole Lord. Other Scriptures give witness to this as John 4.10 Christ said to the Woman of Samaria If thou knew the Gift of God c. thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given this living Water Mark here is a Living Water a Life-giving Water effecting a living Work and this all the Re-born know Further saith Christ Vers 14. The Water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up unto Everlasting Life And John 7.38 39. He that believeth on we out of his belly shall flow Revers of living Water which Believers in him should receive there is a living Water producing a Work of Wonder in the Bodies of men making all things new this fulfils inwardly
Professors of Christianity as hereafter may be seen This is my Body that is this betokens denotes signifies or shadows out my Body the word is is often so taken as by several Scriptural Instances it may appear Joseph said unto Pharaoh The seven good Kine are seven years and the seven good Ears of Corn are seven years that is signifieth or betokeneth seven years Gen. 41.25 26. The seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches Rev. 1.20 that is denotes betokens or signifies them And the seven Heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth and the ten Horns are ten Kings that is signifies betokens or denotes these things Rev. 17.1 12. And Zech. 5.3 The flying Rell is the Curse that is signifies or betokens the Curse The Shadows of the Old Testament are said to expiate because they were Types of Expiation by Christ So 1 Cor. 10. That Rock was Christ that is signified betokened or held out Christ a Figure or Type of him As in the Flower saith Ludolphus the Fruit is foreshown so by the Shadows of the Law Christ to come was signified But the word is is never put for changed into Poole So this is my Body that is betokens or signifie my Body the outward Bread was a Figure or Shadow of Christ who is that to the Soul which outward Bread is to the Body thorow outward Bread the Body grows is strengthned comforted refreshed satisfied this Christ said should be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God in the Church how thorow his spiritual Return who is the Heavenly Bread Bread of God living Bread life-giving Bread in by and thorow which the Churches grew were strengthned comforted refreshed satisfied Moreover Christ took the Cup and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood signifies and denotes my Blood Wine quenches the Thirst increases Strength banishes Sorrow causeth Mirth gladdens the Heart adds Courage Christ said it was to be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God in the Church the primitive Churches washed in the Blood of the Lamb were Witnesses hereof thorow Draughts of the Cup of Blessing in pourings of the Quickening Spirit they made Melody in their Hearts to the Lord this Cup of Blessing made Paul and Silas sing Praises unto God though in an inner Prison and their Feet fast in the Stocks Acts 16. Further Paul put the Corinthians who were jangling and in Disorder in mind of Christ's Institution saying I received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you he informs them how he took Bread and the Cup and bad them eat and drink in remembrance of him for as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye de shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Christ though he departed as touching his outward Manifestation yet he comforted them with Promises of returning so though he departed in the Flesh yet he returned in Spirit I will pray the Father and he shall give you the Comforter that he may abide with you forever Again I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Again The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14.16 18 26. Again Christ said unto his Disciples It is expedient for you that I go away if I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him unto you and he will guide you into all Truth and shew you things to come John 16.7 13. So their eating the outward Bread and drinking the Cup was in Remembrance of him till he came and when he was returned in Spirit and revealed in them their Comforter their faithful Remembrancer their Guide into all Truth then they had that in them which the Bread and Wine represented Paul writing to the Corinthians took them from the Outward to the Inward saying Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 And We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 And The Mystery hid from Ages and Generations was Christ in them the Hope of Glory Col. 1.27 Thus Christ being in them what need was there of Bread and Wine to keep them in Remembrance of him till he came Now John a Witness of his spiritual Appearance bare record saying We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Vnderstanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5.20 Paul travelled in birth for the Galatians until Christ was formed in them Gal. 4.19 in the Apostles dayes and while the Church kept the Faith and primitive Order the Life of Jesus was manifest in their mortal Bodies the Heavenly Birth was brought forth in them Christ the Bread of God Bread of Life Living Bread which who eat of live forever John 6. the redeemed Churches washed in the Blood of the Lamb witnessed this so had the thing in them signified by outward Bread and Wine Further Paul writing to the Corinthians sanctified by Faith in Christ Jesus called to be Saints said I speak as to wise men judge ye what I say the Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ the Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ we are all Partakers of that one Bread 1 Cor. 10.15 This Cup and this Bread know none but who follow Christ in the Regeneration the outward mind feeds on Husks drinks the Cup of Abomination but in the Cross a renewing is known a Hungring after the Bread of Life is known the immortal Seed is known in which the Families of the Earth are blessed he spoke of a Cup of a Bread which only the Wise in the Wisdom of God had knowledge of Now the primitive Christians living Stones being come to the the End of Shadows testified against the Shadows and did not stick in them not jangle about them the Kingdom of God stands not in Meat and Drink but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit Rom. 14.17 not in Bread and Wine but in the second Adam the quickening Spirit the End of Shadows Paul wrote to the Collossians saying Let no man â—udge you in Meat or in Drink c. which are a Shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ Col. 2.16 17. Bread and Wine are Shadows as well as the outward Passover and Christ is that in his People which the Shadows pointed at To him that overcomes saith Christ will I give to eat of the hidden Maenna Rev. 2.17 He promises a Food of a more spiritual nature then outward Bread Wine a Food hidden from the wise and prudent yea and from that Mind that sticks in the Shadows Further said the true and faithful Witness Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door
born of the Virgin bread into his body wine into his blood and that this consecrated Host being offered to God by the Priest is a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Quick and the Dead and that men are thereby reconciled to God and that it must be worshipped and carried about in Processions and that such as denyed the same should be Anathema accursed And not only this Council but also the Lateran Council Pope Nicholas Pope Leo Pope Innocent Pope Pius the fourth Pope Victor Pope Honorius c. taught the same for denying of this Doctrine many have been burned to Ashes as Ecclesiastical Writers testifie Summa Concil et Pontif. Oruphrius Pope Innocent the third invented Pixes and Boxes as 't is said to put the sacramental Bread in Again such Reverence came to be given to consecrated Bread without when the bread of life was turned from yea and the true Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth that a Council put out a Canon forbidding Women to receive the Eucharist that is the consecrated Host with bare Hands Concil Antisid Summa Concil et Pontif. Roman-Catholicks tell of a Miracle of an Ass that left his Provender to worship the consecrated Host on such Conceit as this saith Mede the Doctrine of Transubstantiation is grounded Of Aderation given to the Consecrated Host When it came to be believed that bread after consecration was the very Christ the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World then Popes and Councils ordained that at certain times it should be lifted up above the Priests Head and that at the heaving of it up a Bell should be rung and that all that hear it s found should not only do low Obeysance but fall down on their Knees and with Hands lifted up towards Heaven worship it and say Pater Noster or some other Prayer they ordained also that it should be born to the Sick with great Reverence and that with lighted Caudles though at noon day for the same they instituted a solemn Feast called Corpus Christi Day on which the consecrated Host is born about lifted up and worshipped Further 'T was enjoyned That if a Priest were called in the Night season to housel the Sick and there spent all his Hosts as he came Homeward he was to put out the Candle left the people should adore the empty Tabernacle such as read the Canons of Pope Honorius Gregory the ninth Pope Innocent Pope Clement the fifth their Lives and Councils in their dayes they may see these things In France saith Heylin in his Survey of the Estate of France a couple of Priests carries the Host under a Canopy before it goeth a Bell continually tinkling all in Houses perceiving their God to go by make some shew of Reverence all in the Streets with bended Knees and elevated Hands do it Honour to the Protestants it is as a Watch-Peal to be gone left for their â—â—reverence they be knocked down in this saith he is a smatch of Turcism who when they hear the Cryers bawling in their Streets they fall prostrate on the Ground where-ever they are and kiss it thrice so perform their Devotions to Mahomet their carrying it about the Streets hath a touch of Judaism from the Levites carrying about the Ark on their Shoulders their Adoration of it is especially from Gentilism for never any people but Heathen saith he afforded divine Honours to things inanimate Thus when Heavenly Salt Wisdom from above was lost within multitudes of Inventious swarmed into Apostatized Christendom Lanctantius in his first Book of Institutions taxed the Gentiles of Ridiculousness who worshipped Jupiter as a God Cam cundem tamen Saturno et Rhea gentium confiterentur seeing they so perfectly knew his Original much more are they to be blamed who impose upon the peole the Adoration of a Dead God a principis non ita fuit it was not so from the the beginning Heylins Survey c. Christ said unto his Disciples Take eat this is my Body this denotes signifies be tokens my Body what bread and wine is to the body of man that is Christ the Bread of Life his Flesh his Blood to the Soul the Doctrine of Bread-worship Invocation of Saints Worshipping of Images and many other pestilent Errors have steamed into the Church from the mis-understanding and mis-interpretation of Scriptures saith Rainold in his Orations Paul who had the Mind of Christ a feeling sense of Christs Institution said thrice in a Breath as I may say that the Bread after it was blessed or Thanks were given which is called Consecration remained Bread he called it so and he called it what it was his words imply not his belief of Transubstantiation but expresly the contrary 1 Cor. 11.26 27 28. Again Mat. 26. Christ took the Cup and gave Thanks and bad them drink saying This is my Blood that is signifies betokens or holds out my Blood not his Blood after Consecration but a Shadow of his Blood his own words immediately following evidently demonstrates this I will not drink henceforth of the Fruit of the Vine he calls what was in the Cup the Fruit of the Vine now his Blood was not the Fruit of the Vine but Wine is the Fruit of the Vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom saith he now whoever say that Bread and Wine after Consecration is Christ's Flesh and Blood consider this Did Christ cat his own Body Did he drink his own Blood you say consecrated Bread and Wine is Christ's Flesh and Blood and Christ eat and drank thereof what Consquences would follow this Doctrine Christ his Flesh his Blood is hid from apostatized Ages and Generations his Word became Flesh living Food Food of living Souls Christ is the living Bread which came down from Heaven his Flesh is the Bread that he gives who came from Heaven given for the Life of the World but perishing Bread and Wine though consecrated a thousand times came not from Heaven this said he who also said The Flesh profiâ—â—eth nothing it is the Spirit that quickeneth and the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life John 6. And whereas Paul said to the Corinthians As often as ye eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 Now if the consecrated Host were Christ then he were come then how is it done till he come and were it proper to say till he come when he is already come Christ was obedient to Death even the Death of the Cross the Corinthians were in the Cross in the daily dying having Tastes of the eternal Inheritance and in the dying he comes with perfect Conquest abolishing Death and bringing Life and Immortality to Light And Paul said This do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me this plainly shews that consecrated Bread and Wine is not his Body where his Body is there is no need of